WMG 10/15/20 V7iss17 by The Gazette

WMG Volume 7 • Issue 20 October 15, 2020

Wilton Manors Gazette FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WMGAZETTE

COMMUNITY

Trump Supporters Show Up at Holy Mackerel

Despite Canceled Event By Christiana Lilly

Even though their reservation was canceled at Holy Mackerel, a group of Trump supporters still arrived at the brewery ready for the show to go on. The Hawaiian-themed event, hosted by the Trump Victory Leadership Initiative, was canceled by the venue after an uproar from the community. Staff claims they didn’t know it was a political event, which they would not have allowed to be hosted at their venue. Still, a white van owned by Tama’s Polynesian Show with two Trump/ Pence signs on the back window was parked in front of the brewery at the time of the reservation. “I guess these guys are seeing everything that we’re seeing on social media and they probably said to themselves, ‘Well, we’re going anyways,’” Ehab Atallah, the director of operations for Holy Mackerel, said. He said a small group from the party showed up but was turned away by the general manager on site, who reminded them that their reservation had been canceled. They said they knew that, but they want to come have a drink and eat anyway. When that request was denied, they asked if they could have a drink or even a bottle of water.

Across the street, a few Biden protesters waved flags and signs to coincide with the canceled event. The city requested Wilton Manors Police officers to keep tabs on the area, according to Atallah — officers escorted the Trump event attendees from the brewery. No one was agitated or got aggressive. “The other side is seeing … this happening and the first thing they’re saying is ‘See, you guys lied,’” Atallah said. The Trump Victory Leadership Initiative had planned to host a Champion Patriot Challenge at the brewery, where they invited the public to “connect with great people and likemind conservatives.” The event organizer did not respond to an email or call from South Florida Gay News. A second event was planned for Oct. 13, hosted by Team Trump Broward. The private event was the group’s Fourth Annual BBQ & Brew, where they were hosting local candidates and organizers encouraged attendees to “proudly wear your TRUMP and Republican candidate gear!” Word spread through social media, with some feeling that the events were not appropriate in LGBT-friendly

THE BREWERY, WHICH OPENED AT THE END OF JANUARY, WAS BOMBARDED ON SOCIAL MEDIA CRITICIZING THEM FOR HOSTING THE EVENTS.

Trump supporters at the Holy Mackerel Brewery. Photo by Carina Mask.

Wilton Manors, while others said it was their right to host events wherever they wanted. Others criticized Holy Mackerel for agreeing to let the events take place at their establishment. The brewery, which opened at the end of January, was bombarded on social media criticizing them for hosting the events. After shutting down their pages, Atallah wrote a post explaining the situation and providing his personal cell phone number. He told SFGN Wednesday that staff was not aware that the two reservations made were for political events with outside food

being brought in. That would not have been allowed if they knew, he said. “Here we are caught in the middle of this for no reason,” he said. “I want it to end. Enough is enough.” On Wednesday Atallah also told SFGN their business was not political. “We would not push our political views towards the business in any way,” he said. “It wouldn’t do the staff any justice.” Some people in the community though pointed out there was a sign in their window supporting one of the Wilton Manors mayoral candidates. WMG

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OPINION

HOLY MAC! We should always protest the haters; but let’s not shut down local businesses just trying to survive By Sal Torre

Recent events involving two local businesses, Trump supporters, and harsh backlash spread across social media left me pondering, “How did we get to such a point of incivility?” Seriously, in 2020, having come so far as a community, how is such behavior allowed to demean our lives? Who could have imagined anyone publicly attempting to book a Hawaiian Shirt-Themed Birthday Party in this day and age? It was bad enough back in the ‘70s , but my dear, it’s 2020. Such craziness has just left me clutching my pearls in disgust. What will be the theme for next week’s gathering, “Al Jolson’s Blackface Swing Night?” Not sure how much longer a civilized person can put up with such continued vulgarity. After dusting off an old edition of Good Housekeeping’s “Theme Ideas to Make Your Parties Great Again,” circa 1978, my attention went to Rule #1 on hosting a successful Hawaiian-themed party. Rule #1 states that “nothing says ‘Aloha’ more than a bunch of festive people in colorful Hawaiian shirts.” Oh my, putting Andrew Brett and his bunch in loud floral printed shirts does not make for a bunch of festive people or a festive occasion — just makes for a very misguided evening of delusion and poor taste. Thankfully, the van full of Polynesian merrymakers toting Trump campaign signs were turned away as Holy Mackerel’s owners decided to pull the plug on the evening’s horrific affair. On a more serious note, this event that unfolded in front of a local business struggling to get by, shows just how divided and polarized we have become as a community and as a nation. Years ago, while operating a restaurant in upstate New York, we reserved our small dining room for the local Republican Committee every other Tuesday evening and the local Democratic Club every other Wednesday. We served coffee, desserts,

 Holy Mackerel. Photo via Holy Mackerel, Facebook.

WMG October 15, 2020 • Volume 7 • Issue 20 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Associate publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com Copyeditor • Kimberly Swan

Editorial

Art Director • Brendon Lies artwork@sfgn.com News Editor • Sallie James

Correspondents

Christiana Lilly• Sal Torre • James Oaksun

Staff Photographers

J.R. Davis • Carina Mask • Steven Shires

Sales & Marketing For ad placement in the Wilton Manors Gazette, contact 954-530-4970

cocktails and sold a few dinners to those who came in early before the meeting. All this was steady income during quiet off-season weeknights in a sleepy mountain town. Today, during these very trying economic times caused by the havoc of a pandemic, restaurants should be quick to take reservations for a sizable party. I needed to question how we became so harsh as to want to shut down a local business in retribution for dealing with local Trump supporters. Having thought about it for a few days, I started to realize that for years we have watched these hateful people seize every opportunity to deny LGBT people and so many others the hard-fought victories won over the years. These hatemongers supported a Colorado baker all the way to the Supreme Court; supported the Kentucky Town Clerk who looked to pick and choose which laws her office would follow; claimed religious protection and exemption laws, all in an attempt to deny my rights to live, work, and marry as I choose. Over the years, it was the Republican and Conservative party operatives who became more and more unwilling to live and let live and to respect other people’s way of life. They make no qualms about it. They loudly and forcefully announce their hatred of the homosexual

WE CANNOT GIVE IN TO THE HATRED, THE LIES, THE ATTACKS, OR WE BECOME JUST AS THEY ARE — WRONG, UNJUST, AND ANGRY.

lifestyle, a women’s right to choose, Muslim hordes looking to take over their Christian country, immigrants who want a free ride, Black protestors looking to loot and riot. This is how we have come so far, so polarized, so harsh. We on the other side of this hatred are at a crossroads. We feel threatened; we feel bullied; and we feel a need to fight back against insanity from the highest levels of our nation. However, we cannot go down the same road as our right-wing brethren. We cannot give in to the hatred, the lies, the attacks, or we become just as they are — wrong, unjust, and angry. We must hold the front line with faith in our fellow human beings, with the belief that people will choose right over wrong, and that all of us are created equal. Not much to ask for from practicing Christians on the right. Not sure what Bible they are reading these days, but they might need to take another look at leaving judgement to the Holy One. As a community, we have the right to protest the actions of individuals and groups who look to destroy our quality of life. We shouldn’t look to punish a small business owner in our community struggling to get by in these hard times. We shouldn’t look to deny others their rights just as they would like to do to us. We should meet them at every corner and expose their hatred and prejudice, expose their lies, and expose their falsehoods. Only by holding the higher ground, by stating truth and facts, and by embracing everyone’s differences can we continue to make life just better here. WMG

The opinions expressed in this column represent solely the viewpoints of its author, and not necessarily the editorial position of South Florida Gay News.

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Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, 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, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs. MEMBER

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The City of Wilton Manors is now offering a Child Care program at the Island City Park Preserve. Space is extremely limited. For info, call (954) 390-2130 or (954) 390-2115. Photo via the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.

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October 15, 2020

POLITICS

‘Everybody’s Life Matters’ Says Wilton Manors Mayoral Candidate in Trans-Focused Forum By Carina Mask The three candidates running for mayor of Wilton Manors participated in a forum focused on the trans community Tuesday. The event was hosted and moderated by Transinclusive Group and Arianna’s Center, two local nonprofits serving the trans community. Arianna Lint, the CEO of Arianna’s Center, was encouraged at the community’s engagement and openness of the mayoral candidates. “It’s always a positive thing when our leaders are open to being educated by communities they serve,” she said. “It is, however, important to remember that, as our potential representative, it is also on them to educate themselves about the issues that affect their constituents.”

Meet the Candidates There are three candidates running to be the next Mayor of Wilton Manors in the general election Nov. 3. Josie Smith-Malave is a new face to politics in Wilton Manors. Smith-Malave is the owner of Bubbles & Pearls on Wilton Drive, and an award-winning chef. She is an Italian-Puerto Rican-Filipino who works to empower and mentor others. Julie Carson is a current city commissioner. She served as vice mayor for the City of Wilton Manors from 2012-2014. She’s been committed to animal welfare and a champion for the rights of the elderly, transgender and disabled people. Scott Newton grew up in Wilton Manors and has lived here for close to 60 years. He is a former mayor of Wilton Manors from 2004 to 2008 and previously served on the commission for 12 years. He currently sits on more than a dozen different boards.

Education, Communication and Policy Change The first half of the town hall was a 40-minute Q&A. Each candidate was allotted two minutes per question. “During my tenure as commissioner, I have continuously, consistently and collaboratively created space for the transgender and nongender conforming communities,” Carson said. “[I’ve brought] Black, Brown and White [people] to the table to discuss legislative action and policy in Wilton Manors.” It was noted more transwomen of color have been killed in 2020 already than in all of

From left: Julie Carson (FB), Josie Smith-Malave, and Scott Newton (courtesy photo). Photos courtesy of their respective candidates.

2019 in the U.S. “I will ensure our city will stand against racism, prejudice, and particularly bigotry against the transgender community which is a societal carcinogen,” Carson said. Newton spoke about leadership and how he would personally be the boots on the ground to help promote education and communication throughout the city. “But we should already have laws in the books for transgender [people], that they don’t have – you know when they get beaten up or murdered,” Newton said. “And we do have those [laws]. It’s just not inclusive enough and that’s the problem with society. Everybody’s got to get their name in there, and it shouldn’t be that way. Everybody’s life matters.” During Newton’s tenure on the commission, he supported domestic partnership benefits, as well as making a significant push to require companies to have contracts in the city to assure equal treatment of LGBT employees.

Solutions; Advisory boards and Community Outreach All three of the candidates spoke about how vulnerable the trans community is and how there is a dire need for support and services.

Transgender and gender-nonconforming people face housing instability and homelessness at alarming rates. It was noted that over half of the trans community makes less than $15,000 per year. “I will continue to do what I can for the [transgender] community but I don’t know what specifically, exactly you need, unless you tell me,” Newton said. “Even though I’ve been reading for the last week or two about the needs of the trans community. Like healthcare is a big thing, like homeless[ness]. There are other things that are going on, we need to make sure we are all viable people in this community.” Malave-Smith suggested creating a transfocused advisory board and task force.

The Takeaways “Dynamic exchanges ensued on topics ranging from healthcare accessibility, business incentives, housing opportunity, violence, diversity, racism, and bigotry,” Carson added. “The thoughtful questioning by moderators provoked meaningful dialogue that focused on how to best create space and place at the table, and increase success, community involvement, employment, and political clout of those who are transgender or gender non-conforming.”

Lint expressed it’s encouraging to hear that the candidates are eager for change but wants to drive home the importance of action. “With nationwide racial reckoning we are experiencing, it was encouraging to hear from the candidates that they are committed to addressing racial disparities in Wilton Manors,” she said. “It’s exciting to hear the candidates speak about their willingness to center and empower trans leadership and entrepreneurship.” Lint is hopeful the conversation sparked new discussions which will lead to change. Smith-Malave loves her city but notes the racial disparities. “I recognized a disconnect between our city’s reputation as an inclusive [community] and the [lack of] representation of diversity sitting at the table,” Smith-Malave said. “I’m not only running for office to move our city forward in regards to economic growth and development, but to move our city forward as a truly united and inclusive city. It is time to have the minority’s voice at the table, and it is time to celebrate our differences and strengthen our citywide pride beyond the rainbow flag.” Arianna’s Center and Transinclusive Group are planning a virtual town hall when the new mayor is elected. WMG

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October 15, 2020

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