OutClique Magazine November 2021

Volume 5, Issue 12 November 2021

Nicole Halliwell

Hometown Queen Goes National SunServe Tropical Plant Fair Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival

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O UTC LIQUE OPEN DOOR. OPEN MIND.

Steven O. Evans, PhD

Publisher and Editor in Chief Steven@OutClique.com

Connie Evans Chief Copy Editor Mother of the Publisher

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A publication of OutClique, LLC (954) 998-6429 www.OutClique.com www.Facebook.com/OutClique Info@OutClique.com

Attorney at Law 2301 Wilton Drive, Suite C1-A, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954.566.2226 Dean@trantalis.com | TrantalisLaw.com

OutClique, LLC is not responsible for statements or The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not only be based on advertisements. Before you decide ask the lawyer to send you free written information about their qualifications and experience.

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Thanks-Giving

By Steven O. Evans, PhD Ah, the holidays are upon us. And what a change from the lock down and quarantine of last year. The days of no more family are behind us.

In November, we celebrate Thanksgiving.

Take a few moments each day and think about what you are thankful for. A place to live, running water, air conditioning, technology, friends, family, health, our sunny beaches, that special someone in your life, food to eat, the list can be long if you really take time to think about it. Maybe even write them down so you have something tangible to remind you.

The second part of the holiday word is, giving. How do you give back? Volunteer at Poverello, the Pride Center at Equality Park, or the World AIDS Museum and Educational Center. Be an usher at the Broward Center, Sunshine Cathedral, Holy Angels Catholic Community, or Sts Francis and Clare. Sign up for the Florida AIDS Walk. Donate a wreath for the Pub’s charity auction. Or look at making a financial impact on numerous organizations by working with Our Fund.

But don’t forget to take time for yourself.

Theater and travel are open and ready for you. Source Events and Rainbow Travel have some great options to explore. Key West and Equator Resort is a half day drive.

Stop by the Key West Business Guild for other great ideas!

So the time is now. Be your best self. We are excited to be part of your success.

All the best, Steven O. Evans, PhD Editor in Chief

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SunServe’s Board of Directors is Thrilled to Announce the Agency’s New Leadership Photos Courtesy of SunServe

S

unServe’s Board of Directors announced new leadership changes with the installment of Tony Lima as Executive Director of the agency and the appointment of Dr. Todd Tedrow as Chairman of the Board. SunServe opened its doors in 2010 and quickly became a pioneer in LGBTQ+ competent mental healthcare and social services. It remains the go-to nonprofit agency in South Florida and serves thousands of clients each year. SunServe’s programs offer support in Mental Healthcare, Youth and Family Services, Transgender Care, Housing Case Management, Substance Use Recovery, and Senior Care.

Tony Lima will assume the role of Executive Director of SunServe, effective November 1, 2021, and is uniquely qualified for this position.

He has more than 20 years of experience leading community organizations in the nonprofit sector. Tony is already a well-recognized name in South Florida for his previous contributions managing two other major organizations that, like SunServe, focused on LGBTQ+ individuals in need. Most recently, Tony served as Chief Executive Officer to Arianna’s Center/ Translatina Florida, a nonprofit advocacy and social services organization with offices in Florida and Puerto Rico focused on uplifting the most marginalized within the LGBTQ+ community focus on transgender women of color. In that capacity, Tony was tasked with developing and overseeing the organization’s strategic vision and creating and implementing the fundraising strategy while expanding the reach and scope of services provided.

Tony has also been a sought-after bilingual thought leader on LGBTQ+ issues for media and educational/advocacy forums at the local, state, and national levels.

8 | OutClique.com

Tony Lima | Executive Director Before serving as CEO of Arianna’s Center/ Translatina Florida, Tony honed his leadership skills and affected real political change as the Executive Director of SAVE (Safeguarding American Values for Everyone). Under Tony’s leadership for six years, SAVE, Florida’s longestserving LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, secured the most significant political victories in the organization’s 26-year history - including when SAVE successfully sued the state of Florida in 2015 to legalize same-sex marriage and when SAVE passed comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for transgender individuals at the Miami-Dade County Commission in 2014. During

his tenure, SAVE became nationally recognized in both the journal Science and The New York Times for its groundbreaking prejudice reduction work in transgender equality.

In addition to his many professional accomplishments, the broader community has long praised Tony’s tireless commitment to equality and social justice. In 2012, for example, Latino Leaders Magazine named him a “Top Latino Leader.” In 2013, Brickell Magazine recognized him as a “Top 20 Under 40” community leader. By 2019, Tony had also received the Trans Latina Coalition Ally Award; the Miami Dolphins had honored him with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award.

SFGN (South Florida Gay News) had named him LGBTQ Activist of the Year for several years consecutively. The national Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center honored him with a Diversity Honors Award. In 2020, he was included in the Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s TOP 50 Professionals in the State list. He was honored by TransInclusive Group, The Pride Center, and the Florida Department of Health with the Bishop S.F. Makalani- Mahee Transgender Ally of the Year Award. In 2021, Telemundo featured Tony in the Unstoppable Pride media campaign in celebration of Pride Month. Tony currently serves on the inaugural Miami-Dade County LGBTQ Advisory Board and is a lead anchor on the popular internetbased programs: Queer News Tonight and TRANSlation, part of the HotSpots, WMEG (Wilton Manors Entertainment Group), and Happening Out Television Network umbrella.

the transition of Dr. Todd Tedrow from Secretary to his new position as Chairman of the Board, which occurred on October 1, 2021. Todd, a professor of Social Work at Barry University, comments, “Tony brings decades of experience in working with some of the most marginalized people in our LGBTQ+ community, and he perfectly encapsulates SunServe’s commitment to diversity and offering services of the highest quality to all. This is an important step forward for the organization and its continued efforts to build trust, collaborate, and be transparent in all of the life-affirming and uplifting work it provides to our many communities.”

Indeed, the appointment of Tony Lima as Executive Director and Dr. Todd Tedrow as the new Chairman of the Board signals the organization’s unwavering commitment to offering our broad and diverse community the very best in care, treatment, and solidarity.

SunServe looks forward to continued accomplishments serving economically disadvantaged, marginalized youth, adults, and seniors in the greater South Florida metropolitan area.

“It is an honor to take on this new role at SunServe, and I look forward to building the trust and serving all who seek our services and assistance. We are here to serve and welcome every opportunity to strengthen the ties that bind us”, said Lima.

Other areas of change for SunServe include

Dr. Todd Tedrow | Board Chairperson OutClique.com | 9

Celebrating 20 Years of LGBT Luxury Travel Around the World

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The Best Grilled Cheese in South Florida

By Denny Patterson

Photos Courtesy of Leor Barak and Rives Creative

T

hey say that some of the greatest success stories emanate from the most unlikely of circumstances, and New York Grilled Cheese Co. (NYGC) is one such story. Using the right mix of breads, fine cheeses, and fresh ingredients, this restaurant has transcended America’s classic comfort food into something spectacular.

Founded by Leor Barak in 2012, he initially started the business as a local FroYo shop on Wilton Drive.

“We thought it would make for a great addition to the area, but we didn’t realize that we were entering this market at the tail end of the FroYo fad,” Barak said. “In addition to having several competitors essentially offering the exact same products, we quickly realized that this would not be a lucrative business. Luckily, I decided to fall back on my culinary expertise, as I graduated from a French culinary school in Canada, and came up with a concept that would, hopefully, help us sell more FroYo.” In 2013, Barak invested the last bit of money to convert the back FroYo lounge into NYGC, which became an instant success.

“As the popularity of NYGC grew, we made a 18 | OutClique.com

decision to sell off our FroYo equipment and clear the front area for a new dining room space,” Barak said. “Eventually, much of the local South Florida media began showing interest in our brand, and we began to make TV appearances on Deco Drive, 6 in the Mix, and we were written about by all major South Florida newspapers and magazines. We were even voted “Best Of” on Yelp, Trip Advisor, and many local and national Top 10 lists.”

In addition to mouth-watering grilled cheese melts, NYGC is known for other top-selling items including loaded fries dishes, pankocrusted chicken tenders, tomato-basil bisque, and bacon-dog lollipops. Barak says the SoHow Sweet Cheese is his favorite dish.

“I love it because of its Parisian-inspired flair,” he said. “I love brie, especially when it’s paired up with something sweet like the berry sauce that we use, and the carmelized onions. We also add some crispy bacon for that element of crunch, and subtle smokiness, all waffled in between buttery oatmeal-wheat bread slices. My go-to favorite.”

Like several other restaurants in the industry, NYGC continues to follow all local and state

COVID-19 guidelines. According to Barak, once the pandemic started and lockdowns were mandated, NYGC had to operate in limited hours and only offered take-out and delivery orders.

“It was a difficult period, as many workers were fearful of coming in, many did not want to wear masks while working in the kitchen, and some folks decided to stop working altogether during this time,” he said. “We did our best to continue serving our communities, and I found myself having to work in the kitchen after many years of not having to do so. Eventually, as restrictions lifted, we were able to welcome back our regulars as dine-in guests again.”

In spring 2021, NYGC closed down for a short period of time due to renovations.

“Our renovations went on for several months, and we worked in stages to be able to remain open and keep our staff employed,” Barak said.

“We had to shut down for an entire month for the final stages, which included an overhaul of our kitchen and equipment.”

shut down to renovate, until the very hour that we reopened. Many were concerned that we would shut down for good, or may not reopen at all.

When we made the announcement that we finally reopened, we were slammed within the hour.”

Besides Wilton Manors, there is another NYGC location in downtown Boca Raton. Barak says there are plans to expand the business even more, with eyes currently set on Dade County.

He hopes to begin franchising in the next year or so.

“I would love for our committed and loyal staff members to open a location of their own one day via franchising and create an amazing future for themselves and their families,” Barak said. “I would also love to see our brand expand beyond just Florida and become a house-hold name.”

When the restaurant reopened in May 2021, Barak says he was overwhelmed by the Wilton Manors community’s response.

No matter what the future holds for NYGC, Barak promises the restaurant will always be a safe space for all walks of life. In addition to raising tens of thousands of dollars for local charities and fundraisers, NYGC has even made headlines after standing up against transphobic customers who harassed one of the restaurant’s transgender team members.

“I am so grateful to our amazing community,” he said. “They have always shown us support, and it was certainly no different from the time that we

“We love our community, and we love giving back,” Barak said. “We hope to continue to be able to do so in the future.”

NYGC is located at 2207 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. For more information, visit NewYorkGrilledCheese.com, or follow NYGC on Facebook and Instagram.

OutClique.com | 19

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Nicolette is Lips’ Hostess with the Most

By Denny Patterson Photos Courtesy of The Drag Photographer

A

sassy southern gal who loves to have fun, make jokes, and make people laugh, Nicolette is a 26-year drag veteran who can be seen regularly at Lips - Fort Lauderdale. Growing up in Mississippi and Louisiana, and now residing in Wilton Manors, Nicolette initially came to South Florida in December 2001. She performs and makes appearances at other bars throughout the area, but she is well-known for emceeing Lips’ Sunday Dragalicious Brunch Show.

26 | OutClique.com

Nicolette took some time to answer some questions for OutClique.

Denny Patterson: What brought you to South Florida?

Nicolette: I moved here from Nashville, Tennessee, and I came because my roommate at the time wanted to move down here. So, I came along. Twenty years later, I’m still here!

DP: What other kinds of shows do you do?

N: I have worked at all the bars around here at one time or another, but right now, I am the emcee for the Sunday brunch show. In the past, I have been the emcee for The Divas! show and our Glitz & Glam show..

DP: What do you enjoy the most about hosting the brunch show?

N: Being at work early [laughs]. I am too old to be doing these 1AM shows. By 4PM, I am done.

I am the original brunch emcee and we opened 14 years ago. When I first started, I was like, oh my God. To get up early on a Sunday morning to do drag, that’s going to be rough. Now, I am used to it. There is nothing to it.

DP: Have you always had a passion for entertaining and performing?

N: I have. My major in college was theater, so I have always had a passion for performing. I never thought I would grow up and be doing drag for a living, but when I saw my very first drag show while I was in college, I was like, that is something I can explore. I did, and 26 years later, here I am still doing it.

DP: What can one always expect from a

are some of the closest friends I have ever had.

As for the biggest evolution that I have seen, it’s the style of drag. RuPaul’s Drag Race has really changed what drag has become, and the art of female impersonation. Also, in the 26 years that I have been here, I went from being the new girl on the block to one of the girls that new girls look up to. That has been a very big dynamic here for me. Going from a new girl to an old girl, but I am happy to advise the new girls in any way I can because the only way I got to where I was, people were willing to give me advice and help me along the way.

DP: What more do you hope to accomplish with your platform?

N: I don’t know if there is anything that I want to accomplish. I just want to be able to have a place in the community where I can still do what I love doing, and that’s entertaining. Hopefully, the older I get, there will still be a place at the table for me. If there’s not, hopefully, I will realize that and gracefully bow out. I’m not looking to become famous, but if it happens, great.

Whatever happens with my career, it’s going to happen organically. I am not out pursuing any kind of special thing with that. I am just looking to be happy and entertain my community. I make myself happy by doing that.

Nicolette performance?

N: That she gives it 100 percent. No matter what

song I am performing, I am going to find a passion in that song and try to convey that passion and emotion. Anytime I have a microphone on my hand, you can expect to laugh and just have a great time.

DP: What do you love the most about the South Florida drag scene, and how has it evolved since you began?

N: What I love about the South Florida scene is that we really are a family and a community. I always say that the people that I work with are my sisters and not my co-workers. I make a joke about that in my show, but I truly do mean that.

The girls that I have met through this business OutClique.com | 27

Alibi Resident Girl

FKA Twink

By Denny Patterson

Photos Courtesy of David Martinez

A

lthough FKA Twink likes to focus on her looks, she is not afraid to be camp, ugly, or different. She has no problem stepping outside of the box. Originally from Nicaragua and moving to Miami at 12 years old, FKA Twink is now an up-and-coming South Florida drag artist who can be seen every Tuesday night at Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar in Wilton Manors. Earlier this year, she took on her first-ever major gig at Alibi, hosting the weekly RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing party. FKA Twink took some time to answer some questions for OutClique.

Denny Patterson: Can you begin by telling us how long you have been doing drag?

FKA Twink: I have been doing drag for about four years now. I started really, really young. I started when I was 17 and could barely get into clubs [laughs].

DP: When did you discover that drag was your passion?

FKA: I was first exposed to RuPaul’s Drag Race

when I was either 14 or 15, and I was like, this is cool! Then I started doing makeup and realized that I just loved the whole aspect of fashion, hair, and makeup. That led me to wanting to start drag, and I loved it.

DP: Right now, you perform primarily at Alibi?

FKA: Yes, I perform a lot on Tuesday nights.

I am a resident girl. We have a show called Fresh Faces, and it is focused on bringing new talent forward and giving new girls a platform 30 | OutClique.com

to perform. We like to shine a light on these up-and-coming drag queens, and we will have themed nights, like Lady Gaga Night, Shakira Night, Doja Cat Night. Fresh Faces is also hosted by my two best friends, Morphine Love and Kat Wilderness.

DP: Hosting the RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing

party at Alibi is your first major gig. What have you enjoyed the most about it?

FKA: When I got the gig, I wasn’t sure what to

expect. Although I have been a resident girl for the past two years with Fresh Faces, there is a brand new crowd coming every night for Drag Race. It was kind of challenging because you don’t know how people are going to react. You don’t know if they are going to like you, if your jokes are going to land, if they have the same humor as you, or even if they are going to pay attention to you. Sometimes, people just want to watch the show, but you want to engage with the crowd and get to know them. Meeting new people is what I have enjoyed the most about this hosting gig. I get to push myself to meet new people that are not necessarily in my friend group, and these people have all walked different parts in life. There are a good number of people who are older than me. So, I like getting to know them, and them getting to know me.

and the Drag Race UK franchise had its firstever cisgender woman. Fortunately, people are now beginning to change their thoughts on what drag was.

DP: What are some future goals you would like to accomplish with drag?

FKA: Right now, my goal is to travel and do

shows all over America. It is slowly, but surely, happening. I am getting there. I did Philadelphia and New York not too long ago, and I will be going to L.A. in November. So, we are getting there. I would also like to work and perform at music festivals like Lollapalooza one day, and I would love to be in some makeup campaigns.

Be the face of something, or possibly even create my own makeup brand. I don’t think there is a limit as to what I want, so I am just going to keep pushing myself forward and see where it all takes me.

Stay up-to-date and connect with FKA Twink by following her on Instagram @fkatwink.

DP: Some people believe that the show has become too mainstream and it’s ruining the art of drag. What are your thoughts on this?

FKA: The one thing I think the show has done,

at least in the past, and it is now changing, but the show has put drag in a box. You really couldn’t do drag without being compared to a RuPaul’s Drag Race queen, and it was super annoying. You couldn’t do drag because, let’s say, you weren’t a man. There was the whole notion that you had to be a man to do drag, and I personally believe that anybody can do drag. That belief was put out there for such a long time, and it literally started to change with the last couple seasons. RuPaul is making a change and allowing more trans contestants, OutClique.com | 31

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Eagle Soaring to Second Anniversary

By John Hayden

Photos Courtesy of Eagle Wilton Manors

T

he Eagle landed on Wilton Drive two years ago, and what a crazy, unpredictable two years it has been.

Now, Eagle Wilton Manors is gearing up to celebrate their second anniversary. General Manager Chuck King talked with OutClique about the last two years and the goals of the next two.

“Well, the last two years have been a whirlwind of extreme challenges, but we are proud to have made it through,” he said. “We opened with a huge bang as the Wilton Manors community and tourists welcomed us with open arms. We had an incredible first six months in business before the pandemic hit, and then we were closed for six months.”

The start-and-stop schedule was tough, but 38 | OutClique.com

Eagle made it through with some government stimulus and became a restaurant for a minute.

“Turning a Leather Bar into a high end sandwich eatery was not easy. We accepted the challenge and did whatever it took to get through the toughest of times.”

With the worst of the COVID crisis, hopefully, behind us, Eagle is ready to celebrate.

“Aside from our regular weekly events like JockStrap Night, In the Biz Tuesdays, Underwear Night, and our newer Sunday Service Show, we have lots of new events throughout autumn. Our second Anniversary Celebration, Fort Lauderdale Pride, Huge DJs like Ralphie Rosario and Dan DeLeon will be back, new fetish events, and lots of other tricks up our sleeves.”

New bars have a tough time making it even without the added challenge of a pandemic.

Eagle didn’t just survive, it thrived. King says that’s a testament to the tightness and loyalty of the Bear and Leather communities.

“We’re the type of place where you can come to have good conversation and delicious drinks with friends, or you can cruise for that person that makes your loins tickle and take them home for a night of fun. Whatever your flavor or style, we just want you to be you.”

Now that life is getting back to normal, King says Eagle has big plans for 2022 and beyond.

“Mr. Eagle Wilton Manors contest in January, as well as the Mr. Florida Rubber contest in February. We have lots of things in store for 2022. I can’t really talk about everything.”

It’s that spirit of surprise and pride that King wants to continue.

“We’re very proud of who we are, and what we have done so far for the locals and out-oftown guests. We are always full of surprises, so we promise to keep you entertained in the coming year with new and fresh ideas and events.”

To check out their calendar of events, please visit www.EagleBarWM.com.

OutClique.com | 39

Pleasure in Every Pump

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Austin Bergman’s Birthday and Book Launch Party

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NICOLE

HALLIWELL

HOMETOWN QUEEN GOES NATIONAL

SIDE BY SIDE : THE DIVA OF MANY FACES

... AND THE MAN BEHIND THE MAKEUP

By Chris Lodge Cover and article photos courtesy of Nicole Halliwell & Co.

C

elebrating 17 years in the art of female impersonation, the comically outrageous, irresistibly irreverent, and unabashedly honest, Nicole Halliwell is known for headlining stages across South Florida. For almost a decade, she’s been conquering and reshaping the standards of Wilton’s Drag Scene, challenging the norms of “bar and club entertainment” with new and exciting concepts.

Slowly breaking out of the walls of “The Gayborhood”, Halliwell has effortlessly shapeshifted across the spectrum into uncharted territory for most Drag Entertainers; emceeing massive soirées for giants like Fetish Factory and W Hotels, at mega pop-culture conventions like SuperCon and Spooky Empire, on Reality TV, in print advertising, and appearing in Hard Rock’s “All is One” worldwide pride campaign, being splashed across their Times Square Marquee. All while maintaining her presence in the community with local charities and events, helping to raise funds for urgent LGBTQ+ causes.

and there were points in 2020 where I didn’t know what would become of the masses of drag entertainers here in South Florida, including me! Pre-pandemic, I was working 37+ shows a month and then everything screeched to a halt.

I’m beyond happy to return to work and in better shape than before!

CL: You kept the community entertained with tons of streaming content during lockdown – what inspired that?

NH: There was a moment in March 2020 where

I turned “What do I do now?” into “How do I make the best of this?” So I created “Quarantine Queens” and used my social media skills to reach our loyal South Florida audience. It was a great way to keep the Queens connected to their fans and entertained at home. Talk shows, game shows, and late night political chats got us thousands of viewers and followers and I was able to keep myself and my sisters who participated, paid, thanks to all of the generosity of the incredible viewers and supporters we had!

The goal : Make it to the big leagues, without the help of Ms. ‘Paul and her competition TV show.

As of 2021, she is now responsible for the five largest commercial drag entertainment concepts in the state, filling thousands of seats every year in venues across Florida, keeping herself and her local drag sisters employed with her entertainment company, Nicole Halliwell & Co. As she begins the next phase of her master plan, a national solo tour, we sat down with Nicole to learn more about her beginnings, her current projects and what’s next!

Chris Lodge: Thanks for taking the time to chat today! You’ve been a busy gal!

Nicole Halliwell: Yes! And I’m so grateful for that given the circumstances! The entertainment industry was hit the hardest during the pandemic

CL: You’ve since moved on from streaming shows and ventured back out into the world again.

NH: While apprehensive and taking every

precaution, it couldn’t come fast enough.

In September 2020, once I had a better understanding of how things could work in tandem with CDC guidelines, I paired up with venues that had outdoor, socially distanced spaces. I built shows ensuring we followed all of the safety criteria, with much success. It was OutClique.com | 47

nice to entertain people in person again and cure a little bit of their lockdown blues while keeping them safe.

CL: We see that your “Hilariously Inappropriate Drag Queen Bingo” tour is back. Tell us about that.

NH: Getting paid to play with balls has its perks!

I’ve worked hard to reinvent Drag Bingo into something new and unexpected. I love when audiences tell me they’ve never been to anything like this. There’s no lip-sync performances and none of the gimmicks that typically are synonymous with it. Just two hours of pure naughty, outrageous shenanigans. I spent the entire pandemic writing and developing a show full of comedy, stories, and segues into games that keeps them laughing ‘till their face hurts.

I have 9 locations I tour every month from Fort Lauderdale to Tampa with the phenomenal DJ Joshua Atom, and over 120 consecutive sold out shows since September 2020! I’m proud to be South Florida’s #1 Drag Queen bingo since 2017 and I don’t plan on letting go of that title any time soon. Readers can see tour dates and get tickets at www.DragBingoFla.com!

table-slapping belly laughs. Vaginas, dating, gays vs. lesbians, Hallmark Movies, bodily functions, you name it. It’s all over the place. It’s truly a rewarding experience to put my thought process and wacky ideas on display for a room full of strangers and see them find humor and relevancy in it. The best review I’ve heard is “raunchy, ridiculous fun” - and that’s truly what it is!

CL: Now you’re expanding it beyond Florida?

NH: Yep! I’ve run test shows in Raleigh, NC and

St. Louis, MO, selling out dates through the New Year in a flash. With the help of my amazing friends at Tin Roof. I’ll be on the road with my first national solo tour, with stops at their locations in California, Tennessee, and Maryland just to name a few. Other venues have shown interest including Las Vegas, Dallas, and New York City.

By March 2022, I hope to be operating monthly in all of those states, plus more!

CL: We see that your theater shows have returned as well.

NH: It was the first thing on my agenda as CL: What sets your show apart from the typical “Drag Bingo?”

NH: It’s so wildly unpredictable, pushing the limits on what I can get away with. All the “PC” culture gets thrown out the window. Nothing and no one is safe. I truly roast everyone and everything and touch on topics that give people

48 | OutClique.com

theaters reopened! It’s simply magical to see our local girls shine on the big stage! It’s an incredible feeling to walk out in front of a massive audience with roaring applause. For most Queens, it’s what we dreamed of! I run three wonderful shows, each with it’s own cast of insanely talented performers from all walks of life.

CL: Can you tell us about a couple?

NH: Sure, let’s start with Queenz - The Drag

Experience! A two-hour non-stop party with the Top 10 Drag Entertainers from Miami to Palm Beach all sharing one stage. There’s nothing like it anywhere. The girls from Drag Race are fun, but South Florida has its own unique breed of absolutely phenomenal entertainers, and I have them all in one place. Fans rave about its Las Vegas feel, as it’s more interactive and immersive than normal drag shows. And best of all, it’s indoors! See the next show December 17, 2021, at Lake Park Black Box at The Kelsey Theater West Palm Beach Florida.

Visit www.QueenzDragShow.com for tickets!

ICONS celebrates the magic of Celebrity Illusion, putting the skills of South Florida’s trailblazing drag entertainers like Erika Norell, Joanna James, and Champagne Bordeaux on display to mesmerized audiences. It’s incredible what these ladies can do, transforming into

the likes of Liza Minelli, Barbra Streisand, and Whitney Houston, with illusions so good the audience gasps at just the sight of them.

We’ve got all the greats ready to entertain you! Superstars like Cher, Bette Midler, Judy Garland, Celine Dion, Gladys Knight, and more!

See the next show December 9, 2021 at Mizner Park Cultural Center in Boca Raton, FL. Visit www.IconsDragShow.com for tickets!

CL: What started your journey into drag?

NH: A Halloween costume and good timing! I

dressed up as my idol, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, for work thanks to the help of a makeup artist friend, and I got scouted by a club owner during my shift. He asked me to appear at his venue later that evening, and after it was all over he handed me an envelope of money on my way out the door. I thought to myself, “I could get used to this!” And the rest is history!

Nicole as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.

CL: Has the real Elvira ever seen your tribute

to her?

NH: Yes! I’ve spent time chatting with her

loved playing characters as a kid, and seeing a transformation like that was incredible to me. I spent a lot of time dressing up in my mom’s clothes after that, trying to create new personas, much to my parents dismay. After that it was The Birdcage, Too Wong Foo, and seeing RuPaul in the 90s on national TV shows like Arsenio Hall. Even The Spice Girls had drag queens in their music videos and movies. They were just everywhere. It wasn’t too long after that I stumbled upon celebrity illusionists like the legendary Jim Bailey who truly showed me what an artform it can be in the right hands. Growing up I couldn’t wait for Halloween!

at conventions and handed her a few 8x10 [photos], and she was impressed, even showing it to her management team. The first time she truly thought it was her in the photo, which was a mind blowing milestone for me. With any illusion, I spend a lot of time on the details, like replicating jewelry, the way the costume fits, mannerisms and poses. It’s a stressful gig, especially when die-hard fans see you. They’ll really pick you apart! Being acknowledged and validated by the person you’re playing really was a once in a lifetime experience. I’ve always considered her my “Drag Mom.”

CL: Were you a theater kid?

CL: So, where did “Nicole” come from?

NH: Nope! In fact, I was the farthest thing from

NH: A dumpster on Sistrunk! Just kidding. I

ended up working for several years as an Elvira impersonator until I realized that I wanted to do this more than just one month a year, so I created Nicole and started learning how to do my own makeup. She was rough for a while, but I figured it out! Nicole’s personality is a mix of the characters I grew up on: she’s bold and naughty like Elvira, brassy and outrageous like Bette, and dry and salty, like me!

CL: And the name?

NH: I knew in my head that somewhere in

the future I wanted to work commercially with drag, so I didn’t want a name that would be too comical or wacky. I sourced names from my one true love, female pop groups! I pulled from my favorites; Nicole Scherzinger, the lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls, and Geri Halliwell, my favorite Spice Girl and got Nicole Halliwell!

CL: What is your earliest memory of drag?

NH: My earliest memory is Mrs. Doubtfire! I 52 | OutClique.com

it. I was a loner and an only child, so I never truly fit in with any of those groups. I wanted to entertain, but I was too ‘weird’ to fit in with the “theater kids.” My mission from then on became ‘If I can’t be cast in your show, I’ll just make my own!’ And I did!

CL: Where did the entertainment bug come from?

NH: My Father! No, he’s not a Drag Queen! I’ve always wanted to be a “superstar!” I remember singing and dancing along to Madonna songs at an early age, wanting to be her, and imagining myself in front of an arena full of people. I got a taste of that in reality watching my dad on stage. A wildly successful entertainer, singer, and stand-up comedian for more than 40 years, he traveled the country with his musical variety show to outstanding reviews. He was sharing venues with superstars like Diana Ross, and even appearing on television and releasing a hit record in his youth. My dad’s perseverance, determination, and meticulous professionalism made him a success, and kept him in high demand for decades.

I learned how to command an audience, roll with the punches, and have sharp comedic timing thanks to him, as well as self-management and promotion. I am proudly following in his footsteps, albeit, in a pair of pumps! Most unexpectedly, given my career choice, he is as proud of me and my accomplishments as I am of him. He taught me how to build, market and sustain myself and I will always have him to thank for instilling the strength in me to overcome anything. I love you, Dad!

CL: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

NH: My eventual goal is stand up

comedy, and then TV. I’ve felt my whole life that I’m destined for a sitcom, or an acting role in drag.

There aren’t enough of them and I truly believe I have what it takes to build a character that would coexist comically in the standard sitcom world. I got a taste of television being on TLC’s I am Jazz, and a few others - so it really lit a fire under me. Who knows!

CL: Any advice to baby Drag Queens?

NH: A lot of blood, sweat, and tears goes into being a Drag Queen. It looks

like a lot of fun on TV, and it can be in the right situations! But above all, it’s a business with a lot of moving parts. At first, you’ll spend lots and lots of money on costumes, wigs, shoes, and supplies without making enough back, and you may have to hustle for years before you can earn a spot, somewhere, that will make you feel accomplished and truly cover your bills.

You’ll face a lot of discrimination from hypocritical people, and you’ll even have friends, or family, who will react as if you have two heads when you tell them what you do.

But if you put your all into it and truly commit to making yourself visible and professional, you can do this and live a sustainable and happy life. Spending years in retail, I couldn’t have ever imagined being self-employed and wearing women’s clothes to make a living. But here I am! I consider this the best job in the world, and nothing tops the enjoyment I get from entertaining an audience, especially making people laugh. And if you screw up, that’s cool too. A couple of makeup wipes and nobody will even recognize you as you run for the door!

You can learn more about Nicole, her shows, and her history at her official website: www.NicoleHalliwell.com.

A Conversation With Business Owners In the Trades

By Cinthya Lavin

Lina Kurucz

Erica Sullivan

Photos Courtesy of Lina Kurucz and Erica Sullivan

I

had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing Lina Kurucz, owner of Plumbing Troopers in Pompano Beach, and Erica Sullivan, owner and CEO of Erica’s Plumbing Air Conditioning and Restoration in Boca Raton. These business owners recalled their start in the trades and the qualities that earned them each a spot as finalists in this year’s BBB Torch Awards for Ethics.

Cinthya Lavin: Tell us how long have you been in the plumbing industry and how you got started.

Lina Kurucz: I have been in the plumbing business for 6 years. My background is originally in marketing and I started in this industry by marketing an eco-friendly product for plumbers to sell to their customers. I would go from business to business trying to sell this product but it was just a horrible experience. All of the plumbers would shut the door on me and wouldn’t give me the time of day. I had a lot of success selling the product outside of Florida, but my intention was to sell the product locally.

One day I said to my husband, ‘I wish I had my own plumbing business because then I would just sell the product to my own customers.’ He thought that was a great idea. My husband did the operations and I did the marketing.

Erica Sullivan: I started the company 12 years ago from my garage. I never thought I would be a plumber, although my father was a plumber. I got into marketing after college and started a marketing company with a friend and I realized that owning a company is really what I was passionate about. Things got a little slow with marketing and I decided I wanted to open a plumbing company so I got my plumbing license. I added the water restoration about six years ago and the air conditioning two years ago.

CL: What would you say is the best part of your

job?

LK: Being able to delegate work to everybody equally and all of us feeling like it is a team effort.

I have put a lot of trust into my team. I take a lot of pride in having a teamwork mentality.

ES: For me there’s two parts. First, being able to

help clients if they’re in a panic when something happens in their house. We come in to fix their problem, we calm them down, and we dry out their property. I feel we’re like their heroes.

Second, it is the people who work for me. I’ve seen them from when they are first starting out to when they get married, buy houses, and have kids.

OutClique.com | 55

CL: What has been the most difficult part of being a woman in a male dominated industry?

LK: To be honest with you, I feel like I have an advantage because I am a woman. I do feel sometimes it has been difficult for some plumbers to adjust to a female leader. I have had certain occasions when someone asks to speak to the owner or to someone else when I am the owner, but it hasn’t been bad.

along where people work for the day and they interview us as a company while we interview them. Just go and try it, get involved somehow, volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and see how a house is built. Companies actually prefer the way that women work and how they value their jobs. Women can do anything that men can do.

ES: I’ve never felt like I couldn’t do it. When I first started out and I was riding around in a truck, there were some clients whose trust I really had to earn. Once they realized I knew what I was doing they had great things to say about me.

CL: How do you deal with people who assume you may not know how to do your job?

LK: I use my business reputation as a defense

mechanism. I show the great reputation we have built in this industry.

ES: In the beginning, before my name was on

the truck, people would call and ask to speak to my husband. I’d say to them, ‘Well I don’t have a husband and I am the owner and the master plumber.’ It is all about having confidence in what you do.

CL: What would you say to other women to encourage them to pursue a career in the trades?

LK: I think this is a great time to enter the trades. Women bring something to the table that is so refreshing. Women take care of their team because we’re nurturers and some people in the trades are not used to that. Women are extremely efficient, we communicate well, we multitask well, and we are well rounded.

ES: If they want to explore it, I would say go try it first. Go work for someone as a helper for a couple of weeks and see if this is what you want to do. We do something called the working ride Content provided by Cinthya Lavin, VP of Communications BBB serving Southeast Florida and the Caribbean

OutClique.com | 57

CHAD LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2018 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT

KEEP CREATING. Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

Watch Chad’s story at BIKTARVY.com

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:  Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months, and may give you HBV medicine.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds.

It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:  dofetilide  rifampin  any other medicines to treat HIV-1 POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

(bik-TAR-vee)

that may have been hidden in your body. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.  Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.  Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.  Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “teacolored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.  The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.

 Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

 Changes in your immune system.

Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY. Continued on next page.

Please see Important Facts, including important warnings, continued on the next page and at BIKTARVY.com.

REAL

BIKTARVY

PAT I E N T S

ZACH

D’EVA

HUGO

CHAD

NIKKI

DIMITRI

Meet a few of the extraordinary people who take BIKTARVY.

Watch their stories at BIKTARVY.com Featured patients compensated by Gilead.

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY® (CONTINUED) BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you:  Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.  Have any other health problems.  Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.  Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

 BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

 This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

 Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

 If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

 Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5

Please see Important Facts, including important warnings, above and at BIKTARVY.com.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, KEEP CREATING, and LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2021 © 2021 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0413 04/21

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LGBTQ+ Premier Medical Care

Steward Health Care Names Marisela Marrero, M.D., Regional President for South Florida teward Health Care today announced Marisela Marrero, M.D., will become Steward’s first Regional President for the South Florida Region. Dr. Marrero will oversee the five hospitals Steward acquired from Tenet Healthcare Corporation last month, including North Shore Medical Center, Coral Gables Hospital, Hialeah Hospital, Palmetto General Hospital in Miami-Dade County, and Florida Medical Center in Broward County. Dr. Marrero will lead the hospitals’ efforts to respond to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, as well as to expand high-quality, physician-led healthcare to the diverse communities of South Florida. In addition to her regional role, Dr. Marrero has served as the new President of Hialeah Hospital since August.

“Dr. Marrero has a firmly established and impressive track record as a clinician and visionary administrator that makes her uniquely qualified to lead Steward’s South Florida Region,” said Sanjay Shetty, M.D., Steward’s President of North America. “She has a strong understanding of how to deliver exceptional community-based, value driven care particularly within underserved, diverse communities. I’m confident that Dr. Marrero will seamlessly partner with our team members and community partners to lead this important region to new heights during these challenging times.”

Dr. Marrero is a Harvard-trained, board certified emergency room physician who most recently served as President of Good Samaritan Medical Center, one of Steward’s largest and most successful Massachusetts hospitals. Originally from Puerto Rico, Dr. Marrero has dedicated her career to engaging and partnering with Latino communities to provide vital health information and care, regularly appearing on Spanish84 | OutClique.com

Photo Courtesy of Steward Health Care

S

language television to provide expertise on many important healthcare topics.

“I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to lead these outstanding medical teams across the greater Miami region as we address the unique health care needs of the communities and the ongoing COVID-19 surge,” said Marisela Marrero, M.D., Steward Regional President for South Florida. “I look forward to partnering with our skilled and compassionate providers and community stakeholders to increase investments in our facilities and clinical services in the months and years ahead.”

In her concurrent role as President of Hialeah Hospital, Dr. Marrero will also lead a team of more than 900 employees directing care at the 378-bed acute care hospital, which has been part of the Hialeah community since 1951.

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Invest in Happiness

By Eric Noel Roman

Is it possible to discover happiness by seeing others gain the happiness you seek? As I have been on my journey called life, I have done and bought many things that made me happy.

These things made me happy for that moment.

This is the reason why we work, right? Put in a bit of time to gain financial strength to afford some things we enjoy. Not to say that many of us also work extremely hard to pay our basics.

However, there are times that splurging on ourselves is acceptable and a reward for hard work is merited.

During my experiences, I have had a great group to push me along and help see the way when things were not at their best. I noticed that while helping these people, they were happier than ever to see me conquer issues I have had.

I took that observation and began to do the same. As I went along I helped others just as I was helped. Whether someone needed a pat on the back, or a few dollars to buy a trinket, I gave it. The reward went far beyond the investment.

Eric Noel Roman DJ, obstacle racer, motivational writer from North Miami Beach, living life one day at a time, and making a difference one person at a time.

“Broker Joe” Grano, REALTOR®

954‐931‐0031 I am responsive. I do have agents, but I am the Broker.

NEWLY LISTED

Remodeled and Move‐In Ready 2/2 House Lake Santa Barbara. Two Car Garage. Room For Pool. Walk to Beach.

Asking $579,900.

I loved working on these recent properties I listed for sale.

All of them were unique, friendly and quick sales.

“Joe jumped in when I had a time crunch and worked VERY quickly to get the listing up in ONE DAY! That resulted in the first showing 12 hours later. He also listed it higher than we thought realistic, which was a good move given the market. Joe really listens and immediately understood the special value of this property and highlighted that in the listing and showings, ensuring we received excellent offers. He also did a great job of managing my expectations so even though it is a crazy market right now, I was always prepared for what was coming in terms of offers, inspections and appraisals. Joe also worked closely with the purchaser's realtor, smoothing the process. We got a very good price for the house‐‐and I think the purchasers got a good price too! I truly feel that THAT is what makes Joe tick; what makes him happy and fulfilled.”

Since 1985 ‐ Row Iliescu, Ft. Lauderdale

“I will be your Partner and Friend in success.”

My listings receive a short video walk‐ though available to share by text.

First Atlantic Realty, Inc. 1881 NE 26th St Suite 212 Wilton Manors, Florida 33305 Licensed Real Estate Brokerage

LGBT Real Estate Association

Photos Courtesy of SRL Media 96 | OutClique.com

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Coming Home

By John Hayden

Photos Courtesy of lgbthousinginitiative.com

Y

ou sign the papers, use your door key for the first time, and immediately start making a mental list of projects to make your house a home. These are the joys of home ownership, but the joys are not felt equally in the LGBTQA+ community. Only about half own their own home, versus two-thirds of the overall population.

The LGBT Housing Initiative is a way to help bridge the gap.

The idea started in 2019 at a meeting of realty group Keller Williams’ Rainbow Network. The realtors decided to forego 25 percent of their commissions to simultaneously help people buy homes and give back to the community.

“It’s been amazing,” local Keller Williams agent Dave Gervase told OutClique. “Since April, we’ve been able to raise over $36,000 for the charity. Honestly it’s a win win. I’ve had several closings with clients taking the 98 | OutClique.com

benefit and using the funds to help them get established in their new homes.”

Buyers get 20 percent of the commission while the other 5 percent goes to help LGBTQA+ homeless youth, a cause close to Gervase’s heart.

“Forty percent of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ, and we need to do a better job of taking care of our future,” he said. “When I was a young gay man, my mentors were dying off but I was lucky enough to have a few gentlemen who had my back and were my mentors. It’s time for anyone as fortunate as I was to pay that forward to the next generation.

These are kids who have been turned away by their families and need our help, support, and time.”

As for why there is such a disparity in LGBTQA+ home ownership, he says there are many reasons.

“First of all, we tend to gather in larger metro areas, and the cost of housing has skyrocketed.

For many, home ownership isn’t even on the table. We’d love to end that.”

There is also still an anti-LGBTQA+ feeling in many hearts.

“I remember when my husband was up for a job in Texas and we went into an open house, the agent asked where our wives were,” Gervase recalled. “Housing discrimination is real, and The Housing Initiative is a vehicle to help people connect with professionals to help them while getting a benefit if needed.”

Gervase says the generosity is inspired by the unity he remembers from immediately after the 9/11 attacks.

“The kindness and hope that we had for each other was unlike I’d seen before, and somewhere over the last decade of divisiveness, it’s been lost. That time really inspired me to help whoever I can whenever I can. Why not work within my own community? This initiative can do so much to give LGBTQ people a hand up in helping achieve the American dream of home ownership, and more importantly, pour into the struggling of our next generation and give them more opportunity.”

The LGBT Housing Initiative is just getting started in South Florida, and Gervase says they are looking to partner with groups that help LGBTQA+ homeless youth.

OutClique.com | 99

Photo Courtesy of Marty Kiar’s office

Property Tax Time The Property Appraiser’s Office does not set your tax rates, collect property taxes, or determine how the tax revenue is allocated by local government. Florida law requires our office to assess all property based on the market data on January 1 of each year. We are also able to grant tax-saving exemptions to qualified applicants. If you have questions regarding the payment of your tax bill, please contact their office at 954-831-4000 or visit their website at https://www.broward.org/ RecordsTaxesTreasury Where Is My 2022 Homestead Exemption?

The tax bill you received this November from the Broward County Tax Collector is for the 2021 tax year. If you purchased your home in 2021 and the previous owners of your new home were entitled to and received Homestead Exemption or any other exemption on January 1, 2021, you may have inherited their exemptions on your 2021 property tax bill. 2021 exemptions be removed for 2022 and the property be reassessed at the 2022 just value. This will often result in an increase in your 2022 property taxes so it is important you apply for the 2022 Homestead Exemption and any other exemptions for which you may qualify.

If you have any questions regarding your Homestead Exemption or other tax-saving

exemptions, please contact our Customer Service Department at 954-357-6830.

Escrow Adjustments for 2021 Tax Bills

The Property Appraiser’s Office does not handle anything related to the financing of property.

If you make monthly escrow payments for your property taxes, your mortgage or escrow company typically does an escrow analysis after paying your annual tax bill. After this analysis, your mortgage company will contact you directly if there is any change to your monthly payment.

Should you have questions about this, you should contact your mortgage company for assistance.

Quarterly Installment Payments

If you pay your property taxes through Broward County’s quarterly installment plan, any newly approved 2021 exemptions will be applied on the 3rd and 4th installment payment amounts.

If my office can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at martykiar@bcpa.net.

Take care, Marty Kiar, CFA Broward County Property Appraiser

Marty Kiar is the Broward County Property Appraiser and longtime advocate for LGBTQ equality.

The Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office is located at 115 S Andrews Avenue, Room # 111, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Follow our office at: facebook.com/MartyKiarBCPA and twitter.com/MartyKiarBCPA 102 | OutClique.com

Holy Angels Church Spreading Its Wings

By John Hayden Holy Angels Catholic Church has settled into its new home but is far from settling down. Over the past year, it moved to 1436 NE 26th Street in Wilton Manors’ Island City Plaza. Monsignor James Forsythe told OutClique the new location was an answer to a prayer.

“Holy Angels has truly thrived at our new location,” he said. “Our new home is large and bright, a perfect worship area.”

Over the past year, Holy Angels has installed an AV system that lets them stream Masses and classes, participate in a food sharing program, and support their mission school in Sierra Leone. Forsythe says their growth continues.

“We have just signed a lease for an additional space in the shopping center which will provide a meeting room,” he said. “We hope to invite groups like AA and Flight to come and use the space as a community service.”

They have just completed a five-week series on Sexuality and Scripture, what the Bible really says about sex and homosexuality. It is available online.

Forsythe says it’s all part of their focus on spirituality.

“One of the main growth points for the church is our spirituality,” he said. “We are becoming an ‘as if’ church. Our worship services and prayers are based on the belief as if our prayers are already answered. Instead of begging God to listen to our prayers, we pray prayers of gratitude.”

For more information, visit HolyAngelsSFL.org.

Diversity Honors

Photos Courtesy of SRL Media 106 | OutClique.com

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More photos at www.Facebook.com/OutClique

Pawsitively Grateful Your pets will fall in love with these festive goodies.

Trust us—there won’t be any leftovers!

Visit us in Wilton Manors or Scan & Shop

wagpride.com 954.777.6WAG woof@wagpride.com 2031A Wilton Drive

A Collective Effort

By John Hayden

Photos Courtesy of Julian Cavazos

I

f you visit downtown Wilton Manors at all, you’ve probably driven past the coolest shop around and not even realized it. Wilton Collective sits at the corner of 23rd Street and Wilton Drive, sporting a massive mural on one side of the building and huge display windows giving the world a peek into the treasures inside.

The business is technically a consignment shop, but in reality, it is much, much more. The store is filled with work of local craftsmen, fun objet d’art, and one-of-a-kind jewelry.

“Hence the name Wilton Collective,” owner Julian Cavazos said. “Because it’s a collection of individual artists.”

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This is the latest venture for his philanthropic organization, Julian’s Fountain of Youth (JFOY).

The group works to empower and educate LGBTQA+ youth. Part of empowering and educating means giving some a job and a handson lesson in business. Young people, including many trans youths, staff the store.

Besides selling their works at Wilton Collective, artists work with the kids, mentoring them in whatever special talents they have to share.

In addition to people selling their works, there are also a couple of independent businesses that call Wilton Collective home. Carvelle Bikes is Wilton Manors’ only bike shop, and is run by Carvelle Estriplet, a trans activist and bicycle savant.

“The kids have been great,” she told OutClique.

“They’re very engaging. I taught one of them how to change a flat [bicycle] tire so I can get more hands on.”

One of the reasons Carvelle chose this place to open her shop was the opportunity to develop the next generation of LGBTQA+.

“That was also the other selling point initially,” she said. “Promote LGBTQ youth in a positive light.”

Every square foot of space is used, even outside. Brian Varela runs Hot Box Fitness To Go, a mobile fitness center. The idea grew out of the pandemic, when gyms were closed or limited. Now, Varela holds some classes in the parking lot, and is glad to be part of Cavazos’ vision.

“When I was starting my business I needed a place to host classes and have a central location,” he said. “Julian, without hesitation, invited me to his collection.”

Wilton Collective opened in December, 2020.

Opening a new business during a pandemic may seem like an odd strategy, but Cavazos had been eyeing the space for a while. When opportunity knocked, he answered the door.

The store has quickly become a community hub.

said. “We worked with a mixologist from Hunters, making our own recipe.”

While the pandemic curtailed the amount of in-person activities JFOY could do in 2021, Cavazos says they’re planning for a big second year.

“I’ve spent some time with our Board of Directors and with our volunteers talking about what 2022 is gonna look like. One Magical Weekend, Fort Lauderdale Youth Empowerment Retreat (FLYER), Camp Lightbulb, all these things I’m pushing for because things are going to get better. We’re totally moving forward.”

He is especially excited about FLYER. “It’s really cool. It’s four days of experiential learning. It’s all about looking inside. It’s all about being your true, authentic self.”

Wilton Collective’s inventory is constantly changing, but it’s mission to help South Florida’s LGBTQA+ youth is constant. You can visit the store at 2365 Wilton Drive.

Friday evenings, Wilton Collective has a cocktail hour with live entertainment by local musicians. This fall they have added Myrna’s Taco Tuesdays.

“At 6:30PM we have a vendor who makes authentic Mexican blue tacos,” Cavazos said.

Myrna is a tragically funny, larger-than-life character Cavazos created for his web series that plays at an annual JFOY fundraiser, The Reverse Quinceanera. Now, her spirit will live throughout the year with her own spirited cocktail.

“Myrna has her signature Myrnarita,” Cavazos OutClique.com | 109

Broadway is Back At the Broward Center Photos Courtesy of Matthew Murphy

B

roadway in Fort Lauderdale is thrilled to announce that the national tour of Come From Away will kick off its 2021/2022 Broadway season! A Broadway musical about the true story of the small town that welcomed the world, Come From Away will make its Fort Lauderdale debut at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. The two week engagement will run through Sunday, November 14, 2021.

Come From Away features a book, music and lyrics by Olivier, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award winners and Grammy and two-time Tony Award nominees Irene Sankoff & David Hein, direction by Tony Award winner and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Christopher Ashley, musical staging by

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Olivier Award winner and two-time Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine, and music supervision

by Olivier Award winner and Grammy Award nominee Ian Eisendrath.

Come From Away features scenic design by Tony Award winner Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Tony Award nominee Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by two-time Tony Award winner Howell Binkley, sound design

by Olivier & Outer Critics Circle Award winner and Tony Award nominee Gareth Owen, orchestrations by Olivier Award winner and Grammy & Tony Award nominee August Eriksmoen, and music arrangements by Olivier Award winner and Grammy Award nominee Ian Eisendrath and casting by Telsey + Company.

Come From Away tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared

into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

On September 11, 2001 the world stopped. On September 12, their stories moved us all.

Go to www.BrowardCenter.org for tickets or www.ComeFromAway.com for more information.

Content courtesy of Broadway Across America and Broward Center for the Performing Arts OutClique.com | 111

Seraphic Fire’s Patrick Dupré Quigley Talks Upcoming Season

By Denny Patterson Photos Courtesy of Southern Land Films

S

eraphic Fire, South Florida’s Grammynominated professional vocal ensemble, is ready to return to the stage and delight audiences with live, in-person concerts. From the music of Bach and Handel to collaborating with stage director Francesca Zambello, there is a lot in store for the 2021-2022 season.

OutClique spoke with Conductor Patrick Dupré Quigley, who founded Seraphic Fire in 2002.

A long-time champion of rising vocal and instrument concert artists, he has nurtured a robust audience-ensemble relationship with the South Florida community.

Denny Patterson: Can you begin by telling us what Seraphic Fire has in store for its 20212022 season?

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Patrick Dupré Quigley: We have a lot in store. Some of our season is programs that we had planned and were cancelled during the pandemic, and others are sort of new.

We are opening with Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, featuring two great Seraphic Fire alumni, Reggie Mobley and Lauren Snouffer. Then after a year of hiatus, our annual Christmas concerts, which are sort of at the heart of Miami and South Florida’s Christmas celebration. We usually do about 10 nights of performances, and they have come to be tradition for several families. In January, we are very excited to welcome internationally lauded stage director Francesca Zambello, who has, among other things, staged Wagner’s Ring Cycle and The Little Mermaid on Broadway. She is a

remarkable artist, and she will be directing our semi-staged production of Hildegard von Bingen: Ordo virtutum, which is a morality play from the 12th century by Hildegard von Bingen, who is a saint in the Catholic Church, but also considered the ‘Mother of Natural Sciences’ in the German speaking lands.

She was a philosopher and communicator who corresponded with kings, popes, and many other folks. From there, we have the Enlightenment Festival in February, where we will perform music from composers from the Age of Enlightenment. This year, we are primarily focusing on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, and the English composer Henry Purcell. In March, we are performing a program of music for men’s choirs, so music that has been written for either professional or fraternal men’s choirs over the past 300400 years, and that will be conducted by our associate conductor, James Bass. Lastly, we will be performing the piece that was supposed to be the conclusion of our 2020 season, but was cancelled for obvious reasons, and that is Handel’s Messiah. Members of Seraphic Fire, as is our tradition, will step out of the chorus and sing the solos, and we will perform the entire librettos. I think this is the first time that we are performing the complete, uncut work since 2004.

DP: How excited are you and the ensemble to

have live in-person concerts again, and what did you miss the most about it?

PDQ: We are beyond excited. I think there

is a hunger of the soul to be back in person.

What we missed most, and I think this goes for the musicians and the audience, is the physics of music. Unlike most performing arts or creative arts, music is entirely sort of a scientific construct. We vibrate our vocal cords, we are the instruments that we’re playing, and that translates to the ears and bodies of the people who are in the room with us. For the past 18 months, we’ve had to do this through speakers and headphones, which are interesting, but it’s coming from a much smaller source than when it comes from 1340 people on stage. For music, having an audience in the room, they make music with us because they also vibrate at the same time as our instruments and voices. You can take a picture of a painting, or put an opera onto a video screen, but for something like music, if the audience isn’t in the same room with the creators of the music, the full experience of music making isn’t happening. It requires both someone to perceive and someone to perform.

We have been mute in that aspect. Even though we’ve been doing all these incredible online programs, putting together videos, and releasing programs, it’s not live music making.

Live music making is not only a mind opening

OutClique.com | 113

experience, but it’s a heart opening experience because our bodies actually vibrate when we hear music live.

DP: Last year, I interviewed James about the

Christmas concert, and he told me it was going to be recorded and available to view online.

Will you be doing that with more concerts in the future?

PDQ: Yes! This year, we are excited to announce

that we will be able to sell a digital subscription for people who are outside of South Florida or unable to attend in person because they are still observing social distancing. We are going to video and audio record all the programs this year, and they will be available online in a digital archive, which will also include all the

material that we have from last year.

DP: What do you hope audiences take away from a Seraphic Fire performance?

PDQ: I just hope that they take away the

passion that we have. Both for the music that we are performing, and the pursuit of excellence that professional musicians go through in performing every piece. Seraphic Fire has a 20-year performance tradition starting this year, and when we come to a piece of music, it doesn’t matter what the piece of music is, we embrace it and we embrace it on its own terms. I hope our audience comes in and they are immersed in a world of music that they probably haven’t heard before. I hope they are swept away by it.

For the latest news and updates, sign up for Seraphic Fire’s mailing list and visit their official website, SeraphicFire.org. Also, make sure to follow Seraphic Fire on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @SeraphicFire.

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Arsht Center Kicks Off 15th Anniversary Season

Live on the Plaza - Arsht Center 15th Anniversary Celebration | Photo by WorldRedEye.com

T

he Adrienne Arsht Center kicked off its long awaited “Quinceañera” 15th anniversary season on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 with the first Live on the Plaza concert of the season, starring three-time Latin Grammy-nominated jazz artists Negroni’s Trio.

As part of its year-long celebration, the Arsht Center is offering $15 tickets to a variety of shows in its 15th anniversary season. A limited number of tickets will be available for thrilling theater, captivating and diverse concerts, moving dance, the world’s leading artists, and much more.

The night also included a special birthday proclamation by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the unveiling of a spectacular new indoor wall mural by local artists Chalk & Brush. Close to 200 guests celebrated the momentous occasion under the stars on the Center’s Thomson Plaza for the Arts, and were treated to complimentary birthday cake and gifts including merch from the Arsht Center and TD Bank, the official Live on the Plaza series sponsor.

Theatergoers can also expect more birthday surprises and special moments throughout the Arsht Center’s 15th anniversary season, including the South Florida premiere of Zoetic Stage’s Frankenstein on October 15, 2021; the world premiere of jazz legend Chucho Valdes’ The Creation on November 5, 2021; and the return of Broadway with Hairspray on December 28, 2021.

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava & Johann Zietsman Photo by WorldRedEye.com

Arsht Center CEO Johann Zietsman, Tharri Zietsman, with mural artists Cynthia Santos and Ben Levy Photo by Gino Campodonio

Learn more at ArshtCenter.org.

OutClique.com | 115

Courtesy of Currie Sowards Aguila Architects

Staging A Comeback

A

s the adage says: “The show must go on,” and shows at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre are gearing up to do just that. Tickets are on sale for the theatre’s exciting Grand Reopening Season, which will include four spectacular performances, eight limited engagement shows and two benefit concerts. The first two performances of the season will take place at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium and The Benjamin School through the “Maltz Without Walls” series, with the final seasonal performances taking place in the stunning, newly renovated theater.

Single tickets for the complete season are on sale now. Single show ticket prices start at $66 for mezzanine seating, with flexible performance schedule options available.

The Grand Reopening Season launches with a three-week run of the Tony® and Grammy Award®-winning musical Jersey Boys, January 11-30, 2022, outdoors at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. This much anticipated musical features a touching story and a score spanning two decades of hits chronicling the struggles and triumphs of making it big. This Broadway sensation is a treat for all music lovers.

The season continues at Benjamin Hall at The Benjamin School with I Hate Hamlet, February 8-20, 2022, a hilarious offbeat comedy where the ghost of a legendary actor returns to his old 116 | OutClique.com

apartment to convince TV star Andrew Rally to take an offer to play Hamlet.

Following the “Maltz Without Walls” series, the new state-of-the-art Maltz Jupiter Theater will open for its first season performance postrenovation: Sweet Charity, February 19-March 9, 2022. In this Tony Award®-nominated musical, featuring songs such as “Hey, Big Spender” and “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” a dance hall hostess Charity Hope Valentine is a hopeless romantic with dreams of finding the right guy.

Join us to capture all the humor and heartbreak of life in the Big Apple with a book by Neil Simon and score by Cy Coleman.

The incredible spring season closes out with Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: The Musical, March 22-April 10, 2022. In this uproarious and hysterical comedic musical, based on the hit movie starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin, two con men compete to bilk an heiress out of $50,000. This charming production is guaranteed to evoke an evening of laughs.

Limited engagement one-night performances are currently on sale and include: Live at the Garden: The Music of Billy Joel, February 10, 2022; The McCartney Years, February 11, 2022; Top of the World: A Carpenters Tribute, February 12, 2022; Destination Motown, February 13, 2022; Best of the Eagles, March 10, 2022;

Odyssey Road: Tribute to Journey, March 11, 2022; Yellow Brick Road, March 13, 2022; and The Prince Project, April 16, 2022.

Two benefit concerts are scheduled this season.

Part of the Eighth Annual Tony Award®-winner Concert Series, Stephanie J. Block: Believe features the 2019 Tony Award winner from The Cher Show for an unforgettable concert by one of Broadway’s greatest. As a benefit for the Goldner Conservatory, join us for Jason Newsted and the Chophouse Band featuring the Grammy-Award winning bassist (formally with Metallica) as they perform hits from Johnny Cash, Tom Waits, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan, as well as their own innovative new compositions.

Photos Courtesy of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre

“After an almost two-year absence, the wait is finally over. We are excited to be welcoming our patrons back in January 2022 with a sensational lineup of high-quality productions that will deliver the intimate experience our audience is used to, in a spectacularly upgraded facility,” said Andrew Kato, Producing Artistic Director and Chief Executive at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre.

“We remain grateful to all of our donors, supporters and ticket buyers who stood by us over the past 18 months and we are so looking forward to opening the doors to the new building which will be a source of community pride not only in its physical beauty, but also in its ability to serve the entire community.”

For more information about the Theatre’s upcoming shows and subscription options, visit JupiterTheatre.org or call the box office at 561575-2223. For more information on bringing your group to the Theatre or to book the Green Room for your next business function, contact our Sales Manager at: (561) 972-6117.

There are two options to purchase single tickets for the production of Jersey Boys: Maltz Jupiter Theatre at: JupiterTheatre.org or by calling: 561-575-2223 or Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium at: RogerDeanChevroletStadium.com or by calling: 561-630-1828.

For more information about the Theatre’s upcoming productions, visit: www.jupitertheatre.org.

Information provided by Maltz Jupiter Theatre

OutClique.com | 117

Stonewall:

Where History Comes OUT

Monday, November 8, 2021 // 6:00 – 9:00 PM

Chima Brazilian Steakhouse // 2400 East Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderale

Mark Your Calendar for a Festive Evening!

The evening includes cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, open bar, traditional Brazilian dinner, awards, entertainment, special guests, and exciting live and silent auctions.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW at STONEWALL-MUSEUM.ORG DIAMOND SPONSORSHIP James Doan & Brad Zuckerman Richard Quadracci

EMERALD SPONSORSHIP Ronald Herron Dick Schwarz & Tom Massey Michael Fernon

RUBY SPONSORSHIP

Scott Bennett Hunter O’Hanian & Jeffry George Maria Lescano & Jean Willey

Stonewall is proud to unveil In Plain Sight, an engaging digital experience that brings to life pivotal LGBTQ milestones and achievements.

In Plain Sight provides factual historic records and up-to-date information about people who have come out in different professional areas. It features more than 800 entries with brief descriptions and zoom-in capabilities for high-res photos organized in 10 categories: AIDS/HIV, Arts, Business, Film/TV, Literature, Memorials, Milestones, Music, Sports, and Theatre/Dance.

Step into the most wonderful #LGBTQhistory journey.

Learn your history today: https://www.stonewallnma.org.

For more information visit Stonewall-museum.org

Made possible by the Florida Humanities Council

8th Annual Tropical Plant Fair The Equality Garden Club is excited to announce the upcoming two-day outdoor event located in scenic Richardson Park and Nature Preserve, located at 1937 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors, FL. The Fair will include more than 40 plant vendors from around the state showcasing outstanding plants and related accessories. Industry professionals, amateur gardeners, and plant lovers are invited to attend this signature event.

There is a 2-day admission fee of $5.00 with free parking and shuttle service. No pets allowed.

Liquid refreshments available for sale.

Pat Ellson, Chairperson of the event says, “This year’s event will abide by socially distanced COVID guidelines. It will feature unique vendors and products.” Fort Lauderdale Landscaping will be available to offer ideas. Soroa Orchids will be attending with a large array of orchids. Jessie Durko will be offering a large variety of trees and shrubs for our Florida gardens. Broward Orchid Supply will have a full variety of orchid supplies.

In addition, the Master Gardeners of Broward County will provide information on landscaping, insect control, irrigation practices, and fertilizer recommendations.

Come visit the beautiful Richardson Park, stroll among the trees and booths, and experience a wonderful assortment of beautiful trees, flowering shrubs, cycads, tillandsias, rare palms, and other tropical exotic plants that will be featured along with outstanding orchids, bromeliads, heliconias and gingers. All plants available for sale.

For fair or vendor info email Info@ATropicalPlantFair.com Equality Garden Club is a 501(c)3, non-profit garden club, based in Wilton Manors, FL. It meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00PM in the Hagan Park Community Center, providing world-class speakers to educate and entertain the membership. content provided by Equality Garden Club

Our steering committee has worked hard to plan our best Gala yet!

We invite all sponsors to join us for our biggest celebration event of the year.

Saturday, November 13th VIP Cocktail Reception: 5:30 - 6:30 Gala Dinner and Program: 6:30 - 8:00

The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort 321 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL This is a sponsor only event; no ticket sales.

PRESENTED BY

H ONO REES

Legacy for Equality Posthumous Award Congressman Alcee Hastings

S PECI AL GUESTS

Equality Means Business Award Bona Italian Restaurant

Voice for Equality Annise Parker

Artists for Equality Sofi Tukker VIDEO ACCEPTANCE

Gala Emcee NBC6 Meteorologist Steve MacLaughlin

Keynote Address Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith

SP O N SORSHIP LEV ELS

BECO ME A SP ON S OR

OUR PURP OS E

PINNACLE DIAMOND EMERALD RUBY SAPPHIRE GOLD SILVER

To become a sponsor:

Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community.

$50,000+ $25,000 0 $49,999 $15,000 - $24,000 $10,000 - $14,999 $5,000 - $9,999 $2,500 - $4,999 $1,200 - $2,499

Contact Mark Barr 917.208.7983 mark.barr@equalityflorida.org

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING EQUALITY FLORIDA

Rediscover the thrill of live music!

Join us IN PERSON, as we return to the concert hall in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Key West

MASTERWORKS I | NOV. 17-20, 2021

HANDEL’S MESSIAH | DEC. 1-4, 2021

Piazzolla: The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires (Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas) Featuring Siwoo Kim, violin

Handel: Messiah Featuring Neil Nelson, bass baritone; Martin Nusspaumer, tenor; Brittany Graham, soprano; Rehanna Thelwell, mezzo-soprano; and the South Florida Symphony Chorus

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition Berlioz: Roman Carnival Overture

MASTERWORKS III | JAN. 19-22, 2022

MASTERWORKS IV | MARCH 23-26, 2022

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, “Pathétique”

Mozart: Concerto for Two Pianos

Gottsch: Princess Yurievskaya

Featuring Catherine Lan & Tao Lin, piano

World Premiere

Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Opus 56, ¨Scotch¨ Rossini: The Italian Girl in Algiers Overture

MASTERWORKS V | APRIL 27-28, 2022 Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in “Eroica” Copland: Clarinet Concerto Featuring David Shifrin, clarinet Bach: Triple concerto in a Minor

Concert Venues: The Parker Fort Lauderdale

Temple Israel of Greater miami Miami

Tennessee Williams Theatre Key West

Broad Center at Barry University Miami Shores

TICKETS ON SALE NOW 954.522.8445 | SOUTHFLORIDASYMPHONY.ORG

*Dates and programming subject to change

A Day of Giving

M

iami’s largest annual online giving day, Give Miami Day, is scheduled for Thursday, November 18, 2021. The annual giving movement unites nonprofits; big and small, new and established, to celebrate and increase generosity in Greater Miami through online giving so anyone can make a philanthropic impact.

Hosted by The Miami Foundation, Give Miami Day raises funds for nearly 900 local organizations in every nonprofit sector from animals to education and from equity to the arts. Last year, even in the throes of a pandemic, 33,380 donors generously donated more than $18.2 million dollars to champion causes that strengthen our community.

“Miami is not a magic city, it’s the Magic City,” said Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, president and CEO of The Miami Foundation. “And what makes it magical to me is how generous and loving Miamians are when it is time to give back to their city and community. We all share a passion for Miami and a strong will to make it a better place for all of its residents.

Give Miami Day is the most powerful unifying moment of the year, it’s only about giving back, 128 | OutClique.com

supporting nonprofits, expressing our love for our city.”

This year’s campaign, the 10th anniversary, aims to be the biggest yet, and offers the community more ways and days to give. Donors can begin supporting their favorite causes during Early Giving, Monday, November 15, 2021, all the way through Give Miami Day. At midnight, Thursday, November 18, the 24hour giving celebration officially launches, highlighting “Power Hours” throughout the day.

Power Hours place specific causes and issues center stage for one hour each, enabling specific nonprofit categories to raise dollars matched by the Foundation and its sponsors.

Philanthropic data shows that nonprofits led

by LGBTQA+ leaders receive less funding compared to their peers working on similar issue areas. Knowing that donors have shown an interest in supporting historically marginalized leaders and organizations, the Foundation offers the “LGBTQA+ and Equity Hour” from 4PM – 5 PM. Consider giving during that time to increase the power of your donation and support LGBTQA+ led organizations working to strengthen LGBTQA+ communities. During

Give Miami Day, this hour will spotlight these leaders and organizations, giving them an extra boost (and bonus dollars).

Here are eight LGBTQA+ serving organizations, of many, taking part in this year’s Give Miami Day for you to consider giving to:

Alliance for LGBTQ Youth GLBTQAlliance.org

Aqua AquaFoundation.org

Cheer Miami CheerMIA.org

Foo Society FooSociety.org

Miami Beach Pride MiamiBeachPride.com

On 11.18.21 you will have 24 hours to donate and build a better Miami.

Safe Schools South Florida SafeSchoolsSouthFlorida.org

SaveLGBT Save.LGBT

Transocial TransSocial.org

YES Institute YesInstitute.org Check out the full list of organizations participating, plus everything you need to know about Give Miami Day at www.GiveMiamiDay.org.

This information was provided by The Miami Foundation

Join the Movement!

Photo Courtesy of The Broward Center

Saved By A songwriter An Interview with Mary Gauthier

By Gregg Shapiro

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nyone familiar with the brilliant songs of lesbian singer/songwriter Mary Gauthier won’t be at all surprised to learn that she also has an undeniable gift for writing prose. Her first book, Saved By A Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting, which I would describe as a memoir/ manual hybrid, is as personal and revealing as her tunes. Over the course of 13 songs, Gauthier takes the reader behind the scenes with stories 130 | OutClique.com

about how the songs came to be, while also delving into the process itself. A fascinating read for all – songwriters and fans alike.

Mary will be appearing at the Abdo New River Room at the Broward Center on Saturday, November 20, 2021. She was generous enough to talk with me in advance of the appearance and publication of the book.

Gregg Shapiro: Mary, your book Saved By A Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting, is a memoir/gentle-songwriting-manual hybrid.

Was that the intention all along or did it begin as one, say a memoir, and then merge with a songwriting guide?

Mary Gauthier: Let’s go with something that’s a mashup memoir plus [some songwriting] behind-the-scenes instruction. Which I think is a better book, actually. The straight-up instruction books on songwriting don’t give you a context for where all these lessons come from. What I’m trying to teach and show students is that they come from your life. Where else could they come from? It was [the publisher’s] idea, and I love it, to pick stories from my life that are examples of inspiration for songs or my deepening understanding of songwriting. Tell it through a story.

GS: You wrote that your “hope is to encourage

courage” when it comes to songwriting, but you also don’t hesitate to write about your own songwriting frustration. Would it be fair to say the book is as instructional as it is cautionary?

MG: It’s not necessarily cautionary, but more,

‘Hey, don’t expect it to get easy.’ In fact, the further you go, the more you’re going to see that this is always about roaming around in the darkness trying to find the light. Letting songwriters know that if you ever think this is going to get easy, forget about it! This is hard. What we’re trying to do with song is what a novelist tries to do in 700 pages. We’ve got three minutes.

GS: In chapter two, you say “To sound like myself,

I had to reveal myself,” which I think is reflected in the way you have spoken and written honestly about your path to recovery, which includes 30 years of sobriety. What would it mean to you to have your book embraced as recommended reading for the recovery community?

MG: That would be tremendous. I think that’s

what I’m getting at, very much what I’m getting. I wouldn’t be a songwriter if I hadn’t gotten sober.

And I wouldn’t have gotten sober if I hadn’t gotten arrested. I figured that’s as good a place

as any to start the book. In the car, drunk, with sirens behind you. Very, very scary [laughs].

GS: My heart was racing when I was reading that part, too. Also notable is the way you address queerness in your life and music – from the Indigo Girls concert you attended to your songs “Goddamn HIV” and “Drag Queens in Limousines.” In the years since you’ve been writing and recording music, what do you think of the way that LGBTQ+ musicians have been embraced by audiences from all walks of life?

MG: That’s a great question! I was telling my

partner Jaimee this is the year of the warm embrace. We’ve hit a critical mass this year. I get requests from the Americana Music Association, “Please send us a quote about your story, Americana music, and Gay Pride Month.”

GS: That’s a big step.

MG: Yeah, man! They got a big quote from me,

from Brandi [Carlile] and Amy Ray. Amy’s quote was unbelievably vulnerable and gorgeous. She talked about how she spent years fighting for social justice, but not queer rights because she didn’t think she was worthy of having that fight.

That’s when Indigo Girls had a freaking HBO special!

It wasn’t like she was in the closet. She was battling worthiness. I understand and relate to that.

GS: Now that the book is finished, have you started thinking about or working on your next album?

MG: Yes. I’m going to record it in December.

What we’ve got right now is the vinyl shortage situation. I’m just about ready to go. I’m maybe two songs shy of a new record. But the business end is nowhere near ready. They said do it in December and we’ll put it out in late spring and hope that vinyl will be somewhat caught up by then. We’ll see. But I’m close.

GS: Good! It’ll be something to which we can look forward.

For tickets to Mary Gauthier’s appearance at the Broward Center, go to BrowardCenter.org.

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www.browardcenter.org

TICKETS ON SALE

PRESENTS

NOV 27-28 Companies

SANCTUARY OF THE ARTS

With support from the Broward Center´s Arts Access Program

Photo Courtesy of Michael Murphy

I

Vent and Chester: What’s It All About?

t’s the Odd Couple meets Laverne & Shirley.

Chester Bateman, a newly out and recently divorced professor of psychology was dumped, defrauded and stripped of his life savings by his very first boyfriend. Now, in need of a roommate, in walks Vent, an out and proud, free-spirited, horny bartender. How can these unlikely roommates possibly get along?

While Chester tries to find peace and closure from the tragic loss of his first and only love, 136 | OutClique.com

Vent tries something he’s never tried before: a second date. Lifestyles clash even more when Chester’s spoiled brat sister pays a visit and goes head-to-head with the misogynistic Vent, who is forced to deliver her baby when she goes into labor at a very inappropriate time.

Vent and Chester is exactly what live theater is about. Comedy, drama, tragedy, twists, turns and mystery. It’ll make you laugh, it’ll make you cry, and, who knows, It might even make you think.

A Gay Odd Couple Hits South Florida Stage

W

hat started as a promising new sitcom has been redirected into a 2-act staged

play.

The sitcom idea came to writer, producer, director, comedian and actor Peter Bisuito in the summer of 2017. He spent 2 years saving enough money to rent a professional television studio in which to film his sitcom Vent and Chester. Upon completion, not only did Vent and Chester acquire over 50,000 views in less than 2 months, but it won the Festival Favorite Award at the LGBTQ Cinema Diverse Film Festival in Palm Springs. It took Peter another year to raise enough money to film more episodes. However the project was abruptly cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shortly after, Peter learned that a high school friend he hadn’t seen in 32 years was the Head of Television for Amazon Prime Video. After reconnecting with his old friend, Peter made his pitch to the entire comedy department.

However they rejected the project saying Vent and Chester’s audience was “too limited.”

Undeterred, Peter quickly remembered a quote he heard in an Oprah Winfrey interview.

“Sometimes failure is the Universe guiding you in a different direction.” Taking her words to heart, Peter spent 6 months rewriting the sitcom into a 2-act play that is already getting rave reviews by readers in addition to standing ovations at 2 separate table readings.

Vent and Chester is a play that centers around 2 middle-age gay men living as roommates.

“In this youth driven society, I have created a product that not only celebrates gay men, but middle-age gay men.” Peter said. “It’s been long overdue!”

Vent and Chester starring Peter Bisuito and Larry Buzzeo is a solid and smart script. It’s everything a play should be. Comedy, drama, tragedy and twists that will grace the stage this Holiday Season.

Get out your tuxedo and cocktail dresses!

Opening night is Saturday, November 27, 2021, at The Center for Spiritual Living, at 7:30PM and there will be a formal Hollywood Style Charity Gala with VIP tables, champagne and wine as a portion of the proceeds will go to Peter’s favorite charity, No Dogs Left Behind, an organization that rescues dogs from slaughterhouses in China.

Opening night is Saturday, November 27, 2021, at The Center for Spiritual Living, at 7:30PM. To buy tickets, go to the show’s website at: ventandchester.com.

Content Provided By Peter Bisuito

A HOLIDAY CONCERT ‘Tis the season to come together and enjoy a selection of popular holiday classics and other musical treasures.

Sunday, December 5 • 7 PM

UCC Ft. Lauderdale • 2501 NE 30th Street, Ft. Lauderdale For Tickets:

FTLGMC.ORG or 954-832-0060 Funding for this organization is provided in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council

The South Florida Symphony Orchestra Debuts Handel’s Messiah

By Denny Patterson

Photos Courtesy of Steven Shires

T

he sounds of Christmas are right around the corner.

will be under an hour. The full Messiah includes an Easter portion, making it over two hours. It’s uplifting, spiritual, and the “Hallelujah” chorus at the end is a wonderful depiction of joy, which we all need at this time.”

For the first time, Maestra Sebrina Alfonso will conduct the South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO) in Handel’s glorious holiday tradition, Messiah. Kick off the holiday season as dazzling vocal soloists Neil Nelson (bass baritone), Martin Nusspaumer (tenor), Brittany Graham (soprano), Rehanna Thelwell (mezzo-soprano), along with the South Florida Symphony Chorus (SFSC), perform the Christmas portion of this iconic concert.

Messiah’s musical narrative brilliantly transcends belief systems, and the holiday favorite is paired with Bach’s intricate Triple Concerto for harpsichord, flute, violin, and string orchestra.

“This is primarily a choral number with four soloists, and the orchestra is the accompaniment,” Chorale Director Dr. Giselle Elgarresta Rios said. “It is an oratorio, which is a vocal dramatic from the Baroque period that is sacred in nature, and it is a relatively long piece.

We are only doing the Christmas portion, so it

“It is a compositional technique from the Baroque period, and it’s when you paint or depict the text within the music itself,” she said. “Handel is very successful at describing the word, for example, ‘rage,’ ‘rejoice,’ or ‘born,’ so he is putting all this ornamentation to the words and bringing out their meaning. That is a beautiful thing

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Rios says one of the best qualities of this piece is text painting.

about this piece, and really, Messiah depicts everything that the Baroque period is. It’s grand dimension, very dramatic, and it has religious intensity. Those are the three characteristics of the Baroque period itself.”

Originally from South Florida, Rios has been instrumental in furthering the interest for the arts.

“I was singing before I was able to speak,” she joked. “Music motivates me. It’s my passion, it’s my vocation. I just want to keep learning and improving, and I am constantly pushing my standards and challenging myself.”

In addition to directing the SFSC, which she helped form two seasons ago when the SFSO presented Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Rios is a professor at Barry University and is associated with several different organizations promoting and instilling values through music.

After a year of no concerts or live performances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she is more than excited to return to the stage.

“I am so excited to feel that exchange of energy between the chorus, orchestra, conductor, and the audience again,” she said. “I cannot wait to get there and feel that again. Connecting with an audience, it’s what we do as artists, and we take it for granted. Not anymore. We want to see and find ourselves again.”

As for the future of the chorus, Rios says she is helping to build more community engagement.

“We want to increase the community participation in the chorus,” she said. “We actually have some people from Broward, Boca, North Miami, and South Miami. We would like to reach out to more of the community, and eventually, we would eventually like to have a season within the SFSO’s Masterworks series.”

Messiah will be performed at The Parker on December 1, 2021 and at Barry University’s Broad Center on December 4, 2021. Both showings are at 7:30PM.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit SouthFloridaSymphony.org, or call (954) 522-8445.

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Deck the Halls, Walls, & Doors

By John Hayden

S

ome wreaths are so big and ostentatious they’ll barely fit on your front door. Others beautifully blend in with your holiday decor.

Many are green and leafy while some are hand crafted out of ribbon and other festive material.

What they all have in common is they’re created for a good cause.

The Pub Wilton Manors is hosting its 7th Annual Charity Wreath Auction on Thursday, December 2, 2021. Local Businesses and individuals put a lot of thought and creativity into their entries. Over the years we’ve seen some with Santa’s sled, unique decorations, and a blue and silver wreath that gives off a cool winter vibe without actually having to go up north.

Local entertainment legend Electra will be pulling triple duty as host and auctioneer for the event, as well as performing.

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Transforming a wreath from a plain green circle to fabulous foliage takes work, but experts are helping out. The Christmas Palace, at 800 NE 13th Street in Fort Lauderdale, is giving discounts on wreaths and wreath-making supplies to anyone donating a wreath to the auction. Ask for Bill or David (the managers), and tell them you’re working on a wreath for The Pub Wilton Manors Wreath Auction.

Drop off your wreath at The Pub between Monday, November 29 and Thursday, December 2, 2021. They will be on display all week so bidders can see what catches their eye. The event starts at 8PM at The Pub, located at 2283 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors.

All the proceeds from the auction go to Kids In Distress, which works for child abuse prevention and treating abused and neglected children in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

Saturday, December 11 • 8pm

WELLS HALL

TICKETS at ParkerPlayhouse.com • Ticketmaster | 954.462.0222 The Parker Box Office • Group Sales | 954.660.6307 #TheParker The 2021/2022 performance season at the Broward Center and The Parker is supported by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation.

Arsht Center partners with Miami Police to be a designated Safe Place for victims of hate crimes

Miami PD LGBTQ Liaison Vanessa Gonzalez and Arsht Center President and CEO Johann Zietsman celebrate the designation of the Arsht Center as a Safe Place Photo Courtesy of The Arsht Center

The Arsht Center recently partnered with the City of Miami Police Department as part of their Safe Place initiative, which allows us to serve as a haven for victims of LGBTQIA+ hate crimes and harassment throughout our community.

Safe Place provides victims who have been subjected to a hate crime and/or harassment with a safe location to seek assistance. Anyone who seeks solace in a Safe Place location – like the Arsht Center - can be assured that if they are the victim of a crime, our team will provide shelter and police will be called to investigate.

Thank Yule for Being a Friend

Photos Courtesy of Blaine Pennington

Picture it: Fort Lauderdale, December 2021!

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the store, each department was dripping with Yuletide decor. Sophia was nestled all snug in her bed, while visions of sugar prunes danced in her head. Before traveling to spend the holidays with their families, Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose participate in a golden gift exchange full of hilarious surprises. Just as they get to the airport, a winter storm blows in, leaving them trapped! In an unexpected Charles Dickens twist of events, the three grannies must visit their past, present, and future to save Christmas (and find Sophia) just in time for turkey lurkey. Lucky audience members may even have a chance to make their stage debut and become the next #TokenSophia!

As seen on CNN, Off-Broadway, and on the Golden Fans at Sea cruises, The Golden Gays NYC have quickly emerged as the premier Golden Girls show in the country.

The perfect drag show for the whole family!

GGNYC for short, they burst onto the scene in 2017 - first at RuPaul’s DragCon NYC, then at the famed Rue La Rue Cafe, where their trivia show video went viral. What began as a flash mob has now skyrocketed to soldout engagements all across America.

Starring Jason B. Schmidt as Dorothy, Andy Crosten as Blanche, and Gerry Mastrolia as Rose, along with musical director Mason Griffin and a creative team consisting of Anthony Giorgio-Schmidt and Darlene Rae Heller, GGNYC has produced multiple successful tours, each one growing larger, with their hit musical shows Hot Flashbacks, The Golden Games, and Thank Yule for Being a Friend to enthusiastic audiences across the country.

A musical adventure, their shows consist of live singing and dancing, along with hilarious sketches from the television show’s most memorable moments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, GGNYC produced online digital entertainment nearly every week for their fans.

Thank Yule for Being a Friend will play at Island City Stage December 8-18, 2021.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit IslandCityStage.org.

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Island City Stage

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Our Fund Foundation Helps with Health Photos Courtesy of Our Fund Foundation

Our Fund Foundation awards $355,000 in grants through its 2021 LGTBQ+ Health & Wellness Fund

O

ur Fund Foundation, South Florida’s only LGBTQ community foundation, awarded $355,000 in grants through its LGBTQ+ Health & Wellness Fund at an awards reception hosted outside of Our Fund’s headquarters in Wilton Manors on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.

impactful philanthropy and grantmaking.”

Our Fund Foundation’s 2021 Health & Wellness Fund Grant Recipients: 1.

Barry University Center for Human Rights and Social Justice

The grants, ranging from $8,000 to $40,000, were distributed amongst 16 deserving nonprofits and will support innovative LGBTQ+specific programs and initiatives throughout Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

The Cultivating Compassion Project Advancing health equity for transgender and nonbinary Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in South Florida through a mindfulness-based intervention.

2.

“We are incredibly proud to support these amazing non-profits which address a variety of LGBTQ+ community health risks and disparities,” said David Jobin, president & CEO of Our Fund Foundation. “These unique initiatives underscore Our Fund’s mission which seeks to improve the quality of life for the local LGBTQ+ population through responsive, relevant, and 156 | OutClique.com

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward

BIG Pride One-to-one mentoring for LGBTQ youth in Broward and North Miami-Dade.

3.

Chainless Change

Peers Optimistically Working to End Recidivism (POWER) A peer support program where peer

LGBTQ seniors with social activities and support services.

specialists provide guidance and support for those impacted by the criminal legal system.

4.

Compass LGBT Community Center

Transgender Mental Health Access Expansion of affordable, culturally sensitive therapy for transgender youth.

5.

Equality Florida

LGBTQ Health Equity Program Providing culturally competent LGBTQ training to health professionals in the Jackson Health System in Miami-Dade.

6.

Gilda’s Club

LBT Cancer Awareness and Service Partnership Cancer support services for lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

7.

Humanity Project

Anti-bullying Through the Arts/Humanity Club Peer youth program modeling anti-bullying for elementary school age students.

8.

Jewish Community Services of South Florida

Lambda Living Inclusive and dynamic program to engage

Scott Bennett, Board Chair, Our Fund Foundation; Joe Mahoney SVP Private Client Advisor Bank of America and Dick Schwarz, Our Fund Foundation co-founder

9.

Latinos Salud

Access for All: HIV/STD Services in South Florida Support for community health programs including HIV/STI testing, referral and treatment.

10. Maven Leadership Collective

Maven Wellness Initiative Providing direct access to wellness services for individuals, professional development for health professionals, and capacity-building resources for service agencies.

11. SAGE@SoFIA

Friendly Visitor Program Matching community volunteers with LGBTQ elders to form relationships that are mutually rewarding and relieve chronic isolation.

12. TransInclusive Group

U-Matter Project Addressing HIV within the Transgender community with direct and holistic support services.

Andrew Ruffner, World AIDS Museum; David Jobin, president & CEO of Our Fund Foundation; Paul Rolli, Board Member Our Fund Foundation and Requel Lopes, executive director, World AIDS Museum

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13. TransSOCIAL

Play Safe Miami Linkage Services for Transgender and LGBQ+ community members throughout South Florida to affirming healthcare providers.

14. Vita Nova

The Spot Drop-In Center for LGBTQ Youth Providing homeless youth in Palm Beach County LGBTQ specific services through the drop-in center to improve their health, safety, and overall well-being.

15. World AIDS Museum

Supporting Sexual Health/Wellness for LGBTQ+ Youth Teaching the humanities in the classroom through the lens of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Miami-Dade and Broward County schools.

16. YES Institute

Youth & Family Resilience Initiative Serving families with LGBTQ youth between 5-25 years of age, providing effective tools and strategic resources Grants from the 2021 LGBTQ Health & Wellness Fund were made possible by generous support from the following legacy and donor advised funds at Our Fund Foundation: Bill Beaton

Marc Martorama; Tatiana Williams, executive director, TransInclusive Group and Requel Lopes, executive director, World AIDS Museum

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and Ted Emery Charitable Fund, Jim Laird’s Hamish’s Fund, Tuesday’s Angels Fund, Kay Maunsbach Charitable Fund, Stanley Roller Charitable Fund, The Paul Fasana Charitable Fund, DC Allen & Ken Flick No Gay Hate Fund, The Scott L. Bennett Charitable Fund, The Doll/ McNally Fund, Dick Schwarz and Tom Massey Charitable Fund, Tallen Bell and George Peña Charitable Fund, John Pritchard’s Make Change Matter Fund, and The Woodham-Ellis Charitable Fund. Additional support provided by Michael Kalb, Paul Rolli and Bennett Quade, Susanne and Marty Ellman and Greg Kabel.

Our Fund Foundation will celebrate the donors and recipients and the impact they have on South Florida’s LGBTQ community during an upcoming socially distanced grant reception, to be announced.

Established in 2011, Our Fund Foundation has grown into the third largest LGBT foundation in the nation. As South Florida’s only LGBT community foundation, Our Fund promotes a culture of philanthropy by uniting donors with organizations advancing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues in Broward, MiamiDade and Palm Beach counties and supporting causes within the LGBT community. For more information on Our Fund Foundation visit ourfund.org or call (954) 565-1090.

Mark Blaylock, CFO Our Fund Foundation; Robert Kuhn; Tom Jones, Legacy Society; Greg Kabel, Board Member, Our Fund Foundation and Oscar Pastor

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! 954.462.0222 WWW.SOTA.ORG

Symphony of the Americas

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Photos Courtesy of SRL Media

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One Person Can Make a Difference With legacy gifts your impact lives forever.

Paul Fasana

July 20, 1933 – April 1, 2021

Dedicated to Service

After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Paul attended UC Berkeley and received a B.A. and a Masters of Library Science. His remarkable career was dedicated to library administration and he proudly worked at Columbia University Libraries and the New York Public Library where he served as senior vice president and director of the Research Libraries until his retirement.

Keeping LGBT History Alive

Paul served as the chief archivist at the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, where he volunteered for more than 20-years. He loved sharing his knowledge with others and his many contributions enabled the LGBT community to thrive by keeping its history alive.

“There is no one who has been more generous toward LGBT causes in South Florida over the past 10 years than Paul Fasana. Following the passing of his longtime partner, Robert Graham, in 2010, Paul not only continued – but he accelerated – the number and size of gifts directed to LGBT-supportive agencies and causes,” said David Jobin, president and CEO Our Fund Foundation. “As generous as he was during his lifetime, Paul took great care to endow funds at Our Fund so that causes that he and Robert cared about will be supported in perpetuity.”

A Life Well Lived

Paul and his late partner Robert Graham were devoted to one another for almost 50 years. They supported many causes by volunteering their time and through charitable giving. In January of 2020, Our Fund Foundation presented Paul with the inaugural Dick Schwarz Award for Lifetime Achievement for his extensive philanthropic contributions.

Thanks to his endowed fund at Our Fund Foundation, Paul’s legacy will live on through his continued financial backing for various LGBT-supportive programs for seniors and youth, as well as support for the Sunshine Cathedral, which has a chapel named after the couple, and the Stonewall National Museum & Archives.

The quality of life and opportunities afforded to LGBT people in South Florida are directly correlated to the impact that Paul has made on the community.

Our Fund Foundation’s mission is to secure the LGBT community’s future by promoting and increasing responsible philanthropy, strengthening community organizations and their leaders, and connecting donors to causes that matter To learn more about how Our Fund Foundation can help you establish a legacy plan, please contact Our Fund at DJobin@Our-Fund.org or call 954-565-1090.

A sampling of South Florida LGBT-supportive agencies Our Fund Foundation is proud to support.

Alzheimer's Association Aqua Foundation Broward House Chainless Change Compass LGBT Community Center Equality Florida

Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida Gilda's Club Island City Stage Jewish Community Services of South Florida Latinos Salud Museum of Science and Discovery

OUTShine Film Festival Pride Center at Equality Park South Florida Institute on Aging Stonewall National Museum & Archives SunServe

Sunshine Cathedral Thou Art Woman TransInclusive Group Urban League of Broward County