THE
GAZETTE VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 2 JANUARY 20, 2022
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WILTON MANORS
DARYL CAMPBELL WINS HOUSE DISTRICT 94 SPECIAL ELECTION By Christiana Lilly Voters in District 94 chose Daryl Campbell certified by the Florida Secretary of State. to represent them in Florida’s House of Because of the uncertainty, Campbell said he is putting this semester at Howard University Representatives. A resident of Lauderdale Lakes, soon to be on pause, where he is earning a Ph.D. He also Fort Lauderdale, the clinical social worker said he will be running again in August during won with 40% of the vote during the Jan. 11 the regular election. “I just can’t give that special election. Almost 12,500 up,” he said. “I refuse to people turned out to vote. give just six months of my “It hasn’t hit me yet,” The special election time to our constituents Campbell, 35, said. “I was was prompted who overwhelmingly voted definitely grateful and thankful when Rep. Alcee for me. I’m not a part-time that our message resonated to a worker.” lot of people in the community, Hastings died in The special election was and so it was very humbling April 2021. Bobby prompted when Rep. Alcee to say the least, that I got the Hastings died in April 2021. support of that many people.” DuBose, who was Bobby DuBose, who was Campbell beat out Josephus state representative state representative for Eggelletion III (29.09%), District 94, had his eye on the Elijah Manley (25.9%), and for District 94, congressional seat and would Rod Kemp (5.72%). The had his eye on the have had to resign on January District 94 seat represents congressional seat and 11, 2022. residents of Wilton Manors, Candidate Manley, who Oakland Park, Fort Lauderdale, would have had to received the endorsement Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes resign on January 11, of the Sun Sentinel, sued and Plantation. However, Gov. Ron DeSantis to hold with redistricting talks 2022. a special election to ensure this session, that might that residents would not change. All four candidates ran as Democrats, go unrepresented for nearly eight months. meaning Campbell wins the seat and there At the end of October, DeSantis ordered a is no need for a general election to follow. special election, giving candidates less than However, this leads to a new issue: Campbell three months to educate voters. It also forced may not be seated until March, when there Oakland Park Mayor Michael E. Carn, who was would have been a general election to be also running for the spot, to drop out of the
Daryl Campbell. Photo via Facebook.
special election; otherwise, he would have to step down as mayor the day after he was rotated into the seat. In the meantime, Campbell’s first order of business is to reach out to the elected officials of the cities he represents, including school board members, to make sure that they are
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properly represented in Tallahassee. He has a special interest in access to education and health care. “I’m trying to be as inclusive as possible; I’m trying to leave out one single city,” he said. “I want to make sure we put ourselves first.”
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WILTON MANORS
OPINION
AND THEY’RE OFF TO THE RACES… Wilton Manors elections heating up an otherwise cold January
Wilton Manors elections have burst out of the starting gate and are off and running here in our Island City. Seems a bit early for November elections, but many are champing at the bit to begin the race towards a victorious finish line comes Election Day. Mayor Scott Newton was the first to announce his re-election bid for mayor, with his first campaign event held this week at the Eagle on Wilton Drive. Commissioner Paul Rolli has also announced his re-election bid for city commission and will have his first campaign event in the beginning of February. That’s two out of three incumbents whose terms are up in November. So the big question around town is if Commissioner Gary Resnick will seek another term. Resnick has served our city for many years as city commissioner and as mayor, and for some residents, Gary is the poster child for their cause of term limits here in our Island City. I believe we have term limits already, called elections. If we have qualified public servants doing a great job then keep electing them, if we have someone who is out of touch and no longer serving our city well, Wilton Manors City Commission Chamber. Photo credit: Carina Mask. then we have the ability to elect someone else. Local elections are not like running for a U.S. Speaking of swales, it might be a good time House seat or state-wide office, where large range of issues facing our Island City. No shortage of opinion when it comes for city management to educate many new sums of campaign funds and incumbency are a much greater force to overcome. Local issues to which issues should be front and center residents, and even some longtime residents for our elected officials and on the importance and requirements for and direct contact with voters for city management. Future swales in our neighborhoods. Swales allow here in our Island City are much growth and sustainability for temporary ponding and channeling of more important than imposing A robust should be one of the items water to storm drains, resulting in less street limitations on those who serve campaign is good that top the list. Surprisingly and local flooding. Many new residents are our city well. though, sometimes it is the not aware of the requirements for swales in Past election cycles have for our city, and small quality of life issues that our local code and mistakenly pave over the seen many candidates throw residents as well as get people to react and become swale for parking, plant gardens right up to the their hats into the race for involved with city roadway, and many other misuses. Not sure municipal office. This year those seeking office more government. Recent changes why we are not seeing more code violations for looks like we will have some serious challenges, at least should use this time in trash and recycle pick up such an important drainage and flooding issue schedules have stirred many in throughout our residential neighborhoods. for the two commission seats. to have informed Residents need to be aware of the issues our Island City to reach out to Having not had my ear close to their elected officials. Similar that our elected officials need to be on top of the rails lately, I have not heard discussions on issues that might seem to be less topics such as budgetary concerns, long-term any chatter about who might important in the grand scheme planning, sustainability, infrastructure needs, be running for mayor other a wide range of of things are hot button items and many more not-so-exciting discussions. than Scott Newton. However issues facing our in local elections. Where are Equally important is for our city government there is plenty of talk about the trees on Wilton Drive, what and elected officials to ensure that the many, those who might be running Island City. happened to the Wayfinding sometimes minute, issues that affect many for commissioner. Never a good signs throughout our city, why of us on a daily basis are handled in a timely idea to assume so I will wait until this talk actually turns into something can’t we light up the sign at our local library, manner before becoming a nuisance and a more certain when possible candidates file why is code enforcement not concerned about problem for many. Working together on the many issues that paperwork with our city clerk. A robust swales? No shortage of questions, but it’s these campaign is good for our city, and residents quality-of-life issues that matter to many and our city needs to address, understanding those as well as those seeking office should use this are questions that keep getting asked over and issues, and seeking consensus and solutions is what makes life just better here… time to have informed discussions on a wide over here in our Island City.
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GAZETTE January 20, 2022 • Volume 9 • Issue 2 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
By Sal Torre
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JANUARY 20, 2022
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NEWS
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COMMUNITY
WILTON MANORS
FORMER NFL PLAYER EXPANDS HIS COFFEE SHOP BUSINESS TO OAKLAND PARK By Christiana Lilly
Photo via Waste Management, Facebook.
WILTON MANORS FINALIZES GARBAGE CONTRACT & MORE CITY NEWS By John McDonald Waste Management will continue to take out Wilton Manors’ trash. Commissioners passed an ordinance to extend the city’s contract with Waste Management Inc. of Florida. The contract, originally dated September 1, 2016, was extended for two years. Rates under the extended agreement will increase 3.6%. Recycling pick-up has been consolidated into one day, on Wednesdays, city-wide. Weekend garbage collection was eliminated, allowing drivers to have weekends off. Under the new contract, the total residential monthly rate for solid waste and recycling is $22.77 per unit. Total annual city fees for solid waste collection and disposal services and recycling services are $516,500. Commissioner Gary Resnick asked city staff to prepare a request for proposal in six months to open the bidding process again. Other notes from the Jan. 11 meeting: Mayor Scott Newton asked for a moment of silence in memory of the two children (Andrea Fleming, 6 and Kylie Jones, 5) killed in a Dec. 27 vehicle crash on Powerline Road. Newton also recognized the death of longtime Library Director Rick Sterling. Sterling passed away on Dec. 20 at the age of 70. Police Chief Gary Blocker announced the promotion of officer William Findlan to the rank of sergeant. Sgt. Findlan joined the department in April 2015. “He has done a tremendous amount of good for those he serves here in our Island City,” Blocker said.
Sgt. Findlan began his public safety career in 1986 as a firefighter for the Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and through the years has served as a police academy training instructor, swat team medic, auxiliary state trooper and deputy fire chief. Assistant City Manager Pamela Landi said 82% of the city’s general employees and 74% of the police department’s sworn officers are vaccinated for COVID-19. Resident Michael Rajner asked city leaders to be role models and wear masks. “We really are still in a vulnerable time,” said Rajner, who commented virtually while recovering from a bout with the Omicron variant. Resident Paul Kuta reminded the commission to be careful with wording for its 75th anniversary celebrations. On April 28, 1947 the State of Florida officially recognized Wilton Manors as a village. Residents incorporated into a village to escape annexation attempts by the City of Fort Lauderdale. Wilton Manors did not become a city until 1953. Broward County District 4 Commissioner Lamar Fisher visited the city chambers. “I’m going to claim you,” Fisher said, before making his pitch as a point of contact for county services. Fisher currently serves as county vice mayor and his district covers a majority of Wilton Manors. Newly appointed District 8 Commissioner Jared Moskowitz covers the city’s westside. The next regular commission meeting is scheduled for Jan. 25.
When former NFL linebacker Stephen Tulloch was looking for a second location for Circle House Coffee, he knew exactly where it should go: Wilton Manors. Located at 119 W. Oakland Park Blvd., he saw the potential for the neighborhood where Wilton Manors meets Oakland Park. “I passed it every day and I’d been eyeing the property for a while,” he said of the standalone building. “I live in the area and I think it’s an upcoming area. There’s always room for improvement, but it has to start with someone and I wanted to put my touch on it.” Open since October, Circle House Coffee Shop can’t be missed with its colorful mural and easy drive-through service. Not only does Circle House dole out piping hot coffee, but the menu also includes slushies, CBD-infused products, cakes and pies, vegan goodies, and donuts from Mojo Donuts — Circle House is Photo via Facebook. the only place that sells the donuts outside of Mojo. When Tulloch retired from the NFL in the customer to pay with their phone or credit 2017, he wanted to continue the camaraderie card and also has a hand sanitizer dispenser. Typically found inside of restaurants, the he experienced as an athlete and put it into a business. He opened the first location in Tully arm allows the customer to not have to downtown Fort Lauderdale in March 2019 with hand over their belongings to someone else the goal to create a hub for the community. — important for many people in our germ This includes collecting school supplies for conscious world — and also allows them to leave a tip for their server. It also students in Cuba and Jamaica, frees up the cashier to put together raising money for breast the order as the customer makes cancer organizations, helping When Tulloch the payment, speeding up service. local elementary schools, and retired from the “Our staff is now doubling in helping youngsters through tips,” he said of the Tully arm, his own nonprofit, the Stephen NFL in 2017, which other companies are Tulloch Foundation. he wanted to showing interest in purchasing for “Coffee shops are a great their own business. place to meet people, come continue the With two successful locations together with different camaraderie he under his belt and people reaching plans, initiatives, and build experienced as out to franchise, is Tulloch community,” he said. “I wanted looking for a third coffee shop? to put that together.” an athlete and Not just yet, he said. He wants to But little did Tulloch know put it into a focus on consistency and “making that when he first opened sure we deliver excellence every Circle House, his drive-through business. day” before expanding further service would be a lifesaver for — traits he learned from playing the business. When the world came to a stop as coronavirus swept the globe, football. “It’s discipline,” he said. “Attention to detail, he focused on the drive-through aspect and even created his own invention: the Tully arm. and that’s something that our coaches harped It’s a point of service system that hangs out on us as players consistently day to day: not the window of the drive through that allows cutting corners, little things matter.”
Circle House Coffee, 119 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Wilton Manors; 954- 870-6456; circlehousecoffee.com.
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TOP 5 OF 2021
WILTON MANORS & OAKLAND PARK
GAZETTE’S TOP 5 STORIES OF 2021 By Gazette Staff
The past year has been an eventful one in the neighborhoods of Wilton Manors and Oakland Park. Below are updates to The Gazette’s five most popular stories of 2021.
Oakland Park Wins Train Station Battle By John McDonald A competitive theme in 2021 was the battle between Oakland Park and Wilton Manors to secure a coveted commuter rail station. In late August, the Florida Department of Transportation recommended Oakland Park, favoring the city’s pedestrian connectivity and facilities, station visibility, street layout, on-street and public parking and planned development. The station is to be located on 12th Avenue between 36th and 38th Streets, south of the Funky Buddha Brewery. It is the only planned stop between Downtown Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach. Brightline, a privately funded hi-speed train company, will provide passenger rail service at the station. Wilton Manors did make a play for bringing the station closer to its city center and even hired former mayor Jack Seiler’s law firm to lobby decision makers. In its project development and environmental study, FDOT found Wilton Manors lacking key criteria for walkability, sidewalk standards, improved crosswalks and bike/ pedestrian inventory. “This lack of implementation of important mobility improvements affects the city’s TOD [transit-oriented development] readiness, a key criteria considered by the FTA [Federal Transit Administration] for potential New/Small Starts funding,” FDOT’s study read. In a letter to the Sun Sentinel, Oakland Park City Manager David Hebert revealed
Brightline. Photo via Facebook.
the station was branded a shared location with the working title of WilM.O Park. Wilton Manors Commissioner Chris Caputo said the evaluation process brought out the best in both cities. “It is an example of the two cities collaborating to achieve the best possible outcome,” Caputo said. “Having Wilton Manors reflected in the station names will increase potential ridership among those travelers interested in Wilton Manors. Conversely, we understand that Oakland Park is likely better suited from a land availability and financial position — so we are eager to be good partners as we are in so many areas.”
Development Debate Dominates Wilton Manors Narrative By John McDonald Development was a consistent storyline throughout 2021 as Wilton Manors grappled with changes to its land use and zoning codes. In March, the city’s planning and zoning board approved the expansion of transitoriented corridors. The decision led to commissioners increasing density regulations in the code, ultimately settling on 60 units per square acre. Vice Mayor Paul Rolli was a proponent of the changes. “The city spent the majority of 2021 revising its outdated zoning regulations to create opportunities for redevelopment on the commercial corridors,” said Rolli. “I advocated for extensive public outreach and the result was multiple open houses and public meetings that generated important feedback from our residents. Because of their input, the new regulations ensure that the new development, which is critical to the sustainability of the city’s future, will be high quality and sensitive to the surrounding neighborhoods.” Much of the pushback came from the east side where former Mayor John Fiore led a group of residents opposed to the construction of mid-rise towers. The group also raised concerns about traffic congestion
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and the possibility of increased criminal activity. Using the Eastside Neighborhood Association as its vehicle, Fiore and his followers circulated anti-development fliers and criticized increased height and density regulations at commission meetings. In October, a new neighborhood association — Three Bridges — was formed on the east side.
Much of the pushback came from the east side where former Mayor John Fiore led a group of residents opposed to the construction of mid-rise towers.
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Vice Mayor Paul Rolli. Credit: Carina Mask.
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TOP STORIES OF 2021 CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Rosie’s Field Trip Causes Furor on Fox News and Goes National By Jason Parsley When Fox News decided to cover a benign elementary school field trip to Rosie’s Bar and Grill the story blew up on right-wing media with conservatives lashing out at the bar, the school, and the school board member who chaperoned the annual trip. The field trip was an annual event held by Wilton Manors Elementary School. Parents had to sign permission slips to allow the children to attend. Over two days, kindergarteners and first graders walked down to Rosie’s Bar & Grill on Wilton Drive. They learned how a restaurant works by touring the kitchen, then how to order off a menu, pay the bill, and even tip. It’s part of the school’s Community Curriculum. But Fox News did not provide any nuance in their story. The headline read “Florida school board member takes elementary school students on field trip to gay bar: ‘SO honored’” On one of the days Sarah Leonardi, District 3 school board member, chaperoned the children. She posted pictures of the outing on her Facebook page, with the caption: “I was SO honored to be invited to chaperone Wilton Manors Elementary’s field trip to the incredible Rosie’s! The students and I had a fun walk over and learned a lot about our community! A huge thank you to Rosie’s Bar and Grill for hosting this special field trip every year!” Once Fox News posted a somewhatfactual version of the field trip, readers took it from there and fanned the flames of fearmongering.
Comments, which were mostly from people who have never been to Wilton Manors much less to Rosie’s, targeted Leonardi, the school board, and the LGBT community at large. “Sadly, I’ve recently been attacked with bigoted comments and death threats,” Leonardi told SFGN at the time. “My friends, family, and church have also been targeted. These attacks have no place in our society. The threats have been referred to the appropriate authorities, and I will continue to work hard to engage with my community, spread positivity, and represent my district on the school board.” After the Fox story was published Rosie’s was inundated with angry calls, mostly from places other than South Florida. They tied up the phone lines, making violent threats, and hurling ugly slurs at whoever answered the phone. Rosie’s co-owner, John Zieba, told SFGN once Fox published an innuendo-filled story, things quickly got out of control. “People started calling right away and blowing up our phones, sending emails through the website, putting comments all over our social media posts.” Vile comments were made towards everyone at the restaurant, including Zieba himself. “I said we did host some elementary school kids. He called me a pedophile, that I was grooming children, and said he hopes that I die.” Wilton Manors City Commissioner Chris
The field trip was an annual event held by Wilton Manors Elementary School. Parents had to sign permission slips to allow the children to attend.
Photo via Sarah Leonardi, Facebook.
Caputo at the time pointed out the nefarious undertones of the story. “Fox News’ implication that she is grooming kids to be gay is absurd. She is smart enough to know taking students to a restaurant owned by an LGBT individual isn’t grooming them to be gay any more than taking student to Bona Italian would be grooming them to be Italian. We’re born this way!” A few days after the “controversy” erupted members of the Wilton Manors Elementary community showed up to support and say thanks. Dozens of teachers, parents, and students, past and present, came by for dinner and to lean on each other after a rough
couple of days. They said they appreciate what Rosie’s does for the school throughout the year. “There’s a lot of families where the kids are much older now but are still coming in because of that experience. They feel good coming here,” Zieba said. Equality Florida also spoke out for the school and restaurant’s relationship. “Anyone who’s visited Wilton Manors knows your trip isn’t complete until you’ve tried one of Rosie’s famous burgers,” Senior Political Director Joe Saunders said. “This is a community institution thriving in the heart of one of the U.S.’s largest LGBTQ populations.”
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TOP STORIES OF 2021 CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Restaurant Fund Keeps Small Hit-and-Runs Cause Businesses Alive During COVID Tragedies in Wilton Manors By John McDonald
By Kim Swan
Gym Bar placed fifth on the RRF list. Photo credit: Carina Mask.
The restaurant and bar industry are a big part of the Wilton Manors economy and 13 businesses were able to keep their doors open during the COVID-19 pandemic with help from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar, the longtime Wilton Drive gay bar, got the biggest break from the federal government, receiving $2.1 million. No other business reached the milliondollar mark. The next highest was Manor Lanes Bowling, 1517 NE 26th Street. The bowling alley and sports pub, which is veteran-owned, was awarded $502,827. Ethos Greek Bistro was awarded $389,433 followed by another Wilton Drive eatery, Shawn and Nick’s Courtyard Cafe, $265,804. Gym Bar placed fifth on the RRF list. The Wilton Drive gay sports bar was awarded $155,567. Two businesses located in the Gables Wilton Park were awarded grants: Matty’s, a veteran-owned video bar, $136,493 and Infinity Lounge, an upscale cocktail lounge, $117,340. The rest of the RRF awardees are as follows: Papa Duke’s Deli, $83,280, Menchie’s, $75,332, Subway, $43,981, Sozo Sushi Bar, $43,088, Wilton Creamery, $33,909 and Ming Kong Chinese Restaurant, $16,859. Five of the 13 businesses were designated
social and economically disadvantaged. They are Infinity Lounge, Papa Duke’s Deli, Sozo Sushi Bar, Ming Kong Chinese Restaurant and Matty’s. Two of the 13 — Subway and Menchie’s — are womenowned businesses. Subway and Ming Kong are located on North Andrews Avenue and are the only two on the list located in Congressional District 20. The majority of awardees are located in Congressional District 22, which is represented by Congressman Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton). Congress specified eligible uses for the funds to include rent and payroll. The $28.6 billion dollar fund, administered by the Small Business Administration, closed on July 2, 2021. More than 100,000 restaurants received funding from the program which was part of President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act. In light of the on-going pandemic there have been calls to replenish the fund. “The best way to support Main Street is to keep our small businesses afloat,” tweeted Mondaire Jones (D-NY). Jones, a gay Black man, who represents New York’s 17th District, joined 165 of his House colleagues in urging Biden to replenish the RRF. “Our businesses need help,” he wrote.
The city of Wilton Manors has experienced some tragedies in 2021. More specifically, hit and runs that caused the deaths of a few of its residents, including children. The first accident occurred on April 8 when Glen Flaherty, a 55-year-old gay man, was crossing Northeast Fourth Avenue at the intersection of Northeast 16th Street, near Fort Lauderdale High School, when he was hit by a driver. The driver did not stop. “The world is a little darker today, a little less funny, a lot more boring with Glen not in it,” said his nephew, Patrick Haus, at the time. Tim Jordan, who was vacationing in Florida with him, got the call from the police and was told that his friend, who he’d known since grade school, was in critical condition in a hospital where Flaherty died a few hours later. “After two years, we finally got to have a vacation and this is how it ended. It’s just tragic on all points,” Jordan said. “He was very, very happy and really enjoying himself during our time there.” Flaherty was from Minneapolis and was enjoying his time in Wilton Manors, his second home. He was a realtor who owned properties in Minneapolis and Florida, traveling to Wilton Manors a few times a year. The youngest of nine children, Flaherty was proud of his Irish heritage and loved to celebrate holidays and attend pride parades every year in his hometown. Still a practicing Catholic, he attended church regularly with an LGBTaffirming congregation as well. Almost a year later, families and friends still don’t have answers. “We wish we had him back,” Jordan said. “We wish we had more answers of what went on. But I suppose we’ll find that out as time goes on.” The second hit and run occurred on Dec. 27 on Powerline Road. The driver, Sean Charles Greer, drove a vehicle onto the sidewalk and hit six children. Greer confessed and was arrested the next day. The two children who died were Andrea Fleming, 6 and Kylie Jones, 5. The others, Draya Fleming, 9, Johnathan Carter, 10, Laziyah Stokes, 9, and Audre Fleming, 2, were treated for injuries. Greer faces two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving death, two counts of
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Photo via City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.
leaving the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries, tampering with evidence, four counts of driving without a license causing death and/or serious bodily injuries and driving with a suspended license. The accident renewed calls for greater traffic enforcement on the road. “We as a neighborhood on the Westside have begged, pleaded and written to officials and participated in FDOT’s mollifying ‘surveys’ to lower speeds and enhance safety on PLR; to no tangible results for years,” said Wilton Manors resident Jake Valentine. “Powerline Road is a highway through the middle of our neighborhood surrounded by apartments and with children and with one of Wilton Manors largest parks just a few feet from where the recent national news-making tragedy occurred.” Grace Ducanis, Florida Department of Transportation Communications officer, said the department is aware of concerns with traffic conditions on the road and an audit was conducted in May, leading to a development plan to include lowering the speed limit. “The audit participants requested the department consider further reduction to 35 mph and we are currently assessing what roadway and traffic control modifications would be necessary to make 35 mph a realistic speed limit,” Ducanis said. At the time, The Gazette reached out to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for crash data from a seven-year time span. The request is still being processed. In the meantime, the county’s crash data can be found on the FLHSMV’s new dashboard.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
WILTON MANORS
Bes0t21of 2
DON’T MISS THE WINNERS
BEST DRAG QUEEN IN PALM BEACH I LOST, DIRTY MELISSA ST. JOHN HOMOPHOBIA WON. Elijah Manley. Photo via Facebook. Elections—we win some, we lose some. But last Tuesday’s election wasn’t particularly a regular election with a winner and a loser. It was a sign of a deep and corroding rot in contemporary American politics: money. It was also an indictment on democratic politics: homophobia’s role in winning races. In this case, we were outraised and outspent by dark money groups that placed a target on my back from the very beginning for being outspoken. I wanted to be a voice for working Floridians and take on large corporations’ greed and corruption. Money talks. Just look at the finances. But we already know how corrupted the political system is, re: money in politics. That’s not the issue that brought me to write this piece today. It’s the homophobic tactics that likely cost me hundreds of votes, and maybe the election out west. Since announcing this race, I’ve been very open about my status as a black gay candidate, and how that would allow me to represent this growing and vibrant district. A district with a very large LGBTQ+ population, which has never had an LGBTQ+ representative. While it wasn’t my Even in conversations I’ve had with the central message, it was an important part of victor, he’d talk about how my focus on my story and our community’s story. For most of my life, I faced double the LGBTQ+ issues were a slap in the face to black adversity. When I walk out of my house in the issues and race relations. How divisive. His campaign even likely pretended morning, the color of my skin to be another competitor, is black, and for that reason, I Josephus Eggelletion III, to know that people will judge & Even in defame him as homophobic. look at me differently. I’d have conversations This is nothing new. to work twice as hard for less Homophobia in the black opportunity. When I walk and I’ve had with the community is something I face exist in my own community, victor, he’d talk just as loud as racism in the white we’re all black, but I’m gay. For community. Its pervasiveness that reason, opportunities are about how my haunts our politics, and my life scarce, and division runs deep. focus on LGBTQ+ every day. The tactics used in It’s a lose, lose situation. Even this campaign: text messages, with our shared adversity as issues were a whisper campaigns targeting a black community, I’m still slap in the face to churches, etc.—is a clear sign isolated because of my sexual that we have ways to go to reach orientation. black issues and equality. In this election, my Daryl Campbell—I don’t race relations. opponent or people close know him well, but one to him used my sexual thing’s for sure: he is not the orientation to target black and Caribbean voters who were susceptible Representative we deserve. In August, we can to homophobia. They used text messages and change that. emails that claimed that I was “hardly a man.” These thoughts are mine and not On one side of the district, one may read that reflective of SFGN. text and think “yeah, he’s too young.” On the other side of the district, out west, the inference is clear: “hardly a man”, in other — Elijah Manley words: gay. ACTIVIST, FORMER CANDIDATE FOR DIST. 94
The Best Drag Queen in Palm Beach goes to Melissa St. John. St. John is an entertainer, advocate, and well-known as the “First Lady of Palm Beach.” Everybody knows her. And if the results of this category are any indication, everybody loves her. Last year, Rianna Petrone won this category, breaking St. John’s multi-year winning streak, but she’s back on top this year! “I’m elated to once again receive the honor of being voted Best Drag Queen of Palm Beach,” St. John said. “Our community is important to me, and the love and support I’ve received over 30 years of entertaining, fundraising, and advocating have been a driving force in my life. To the entire community and those nominated alongside me, my heartfelt appreciation and love to you all.” These days, those fundraising efforts are helping to rebuild H.G. Rooster’s, where
RUNNER-UP: DAVIANA SINS – DR
Sixteen Years Serving the CommUNITY
• BOTOX® / DYSPORT® • SCULPTRA® • RADIESSE® /RESTYLANE® / JUVEDERM® / VOLUMA® / KYBELLA • PLASMA PEN SKIN TIGHTENING • PRP HAIR RESTORATION • LASER HAIR REMOVAL • PHOTO FACIALS • LASER SKIN REJUVENATION
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before a devastating fire last year, St. John held court as entertainment director. Her GoFundMe page has received more than $60,000.
SEE WHO ELSE WON LAST YEAR! SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS.COM/BESTOF2021
954.462.7455
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Photo via Facebook.
JANUARY 20, 2022
924 N. Federal Hwy Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
owned & operated by J.A. Astaphan MD
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