THE GOP WANTS TO ELIMINATE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY; BAN THE RAINBOW FLAG; EXPAND THE 'DON’T SAY GAY' LAW; AND MORE
There’s always a good reason to throw a party.
With that spirit in mind, the LGBTQ Task Force arrives in South Florida this week to dance up some dollars.
Winter Party is the occasion, a week (March 1-7) of music and dance events at venues in Miami and Miami Beach with the goal of raising money for organizations serving the LGBT community.
This year is the event’s 30th anniversary and comes at a tumultuous time for the movement, as lawmakers have made a habit of targeting LGBT people. Bans on pride flags and queer-themed books, investigations into drag shows and plans to boot transgender troops from the military have all been proposed by politicians eager to score points with social conservatives.
In the face of these increased hostilities, Task Force Executive Director Kierra Johnson said it’s important to remember the victories.
“While it’s undeniable that we have hit hard times with the increased number of attacks on our communities across the nation – at the local, state and federal levels. We must acknowledge and celebrate the tremendous strides forward that we’ve made,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the ruthlessness and cruelty coming from the far right is a bitter realization that time is running out. A majority of Americans approve of same-sex marriage, more and more same-sex couples are having children – either through adoption or surrogacy – and raising families and three U.S. states elected gay governors.
“It’s critical for us to remember our ancestors and those who came before us who could never even dream of the support,
number of allies and the way legislation has evolved over the last 50 years,” Johnson said. Along with raising money, Winter Party is a way to rejuvenate and relax and what better way to do so than in Miami, where seven world class venues will host events that feature beats by internationally recognized DJs. Officials estimate 10,000 people will attend this year’s events.
“Our events are known for keeping people on their feet,” said Johnson, who took over as executive director in 2021, becoming the first Black woman to lead the organization in its 50- year history.
Saturday’s signature event, Under One Sun, is on the move this year. Oasis Wynwood, in the heart of Miami’s Wynwood arts district will host the massive daytime outdoors party for the first time, while Sunday’s big beach party returns to the sands off Ocean Dr. and 12th St.
The Task Force estimates Winter Party brings close to $4.2 million in revenue to Miami with help from corporate partners Comcast, Hilton, Bacardi, Credo Mobile, ActBlue and ViiV Healthcare. Since 2005, the organization has donated more than $3.3 million to local community-based organizations that support social justice causes.
The journey, Johnson said, is far from over.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” Johnson said. “The reality is no civil rights struggle has been an easy one nor has it been one and done. Our fight for civil and human rights is continuous.”
Grant funding from the Miami Beach Visitor Convention Authority and MiamiDade Department of Cultural Affairs partly supports this year’s Winter Party. Tickets, passes and volunteer shifts are still available. For more information, visit https:// winterparty.com/.
March 2, 2023 • Volume 14 • Issue 9 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
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John Russell Howald of Basin, Montana, was convicted of hate and firearms crimes for firing an AK-style assault rifle at the residence of a lesbian and for pointing a gun at a Jefferson County deputy on Mar. 22, 2020.
Howald was caught on tape by a pastor stating that he “might have killed a lesbian” and was going to “get rid of lesbians and queers in Basin.”
The four-day trial that began on Feb. 14 found Howald guilty of hate crime acts and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence as charged in a superseding indictment. Sentencing will occur on Jun. 15 before Chief District Judge Brian M. Morris.
“This hate crime and violent campaign targeting the LGBTQ community is a reminder of the epidemic of hate violence
targeting people based on their sexual orientation. All people have the right to feel safe in their homes and communities, regardless of who they love,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Vanessa Pappas, TikTok’s Chief Operating Officer, came out as non-binary via LinkedIn and Twitter earlier this month.
Pappas primarily goes by “V” in their personal life and has recently started using both she/her and they/them pronouns. They are in a same-sex relationship and also identify as pansexual. Pappas identifies as “being both a woman and non-binary.”
They came after talking about “the importance of recognizing diversity” with their children and because of their professional standpoint.
As an open LGBT executive, Pappas is an outlier. Few Fortune 500s have LGBT chief executives. Only 26 of 5,670 board seats at Fortune 500s are held by LGBT individuals, according to a 2022 study by
“In my position I am also aware of how I have an ability to bring greater visibility, discussion and ideally acceptance within my community, whether among work, family or friends. This is important to me,” Pappas said on Twitter
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Research from the Columbia University School of Nursing found Bisexual Women were “half as likely” as heterosexual peers to have high scores on a scale measuring cardiovascular health. The study was published via JAMA Cardiology in “Differences in Ideal Cardiovascular Health Between Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Adults.”
The researchers used the American Heart Association’s cardiovascular health score, which measures heart risks from 0 to 100, with 100 showing “ideal” heart health. Bi-women were half as likely to have a high health score (80-100) over a low score (049) compared to hetero women.
The score is based on blood sugar and pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, and health behaviors, including smoking, diet, etc.
The authors note that bi-women are most likely to live in poverty, delay healthcare because of financial issues, and have difficulty finding a healthcare
provider.
“There is a need for tailored interventions to improve the CVH of SM individuals, particularly bisexual women. Investigators should conduct longitudinal research that examines social determinants that may explain the sexual identity differences observed in this study,” the researchers conclude.
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.
BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, 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.
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
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.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:
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.
BIKTARVY and other medicines may a ect 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.
BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including:
Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.
Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections 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 “tea-colored” urine, lightcolored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.
The most common side e ects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).
These are not all the possible side e ects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.
You are encouraged to report negative side e ects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.
Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.
This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.
Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5
If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.
The National Basketball Association announced that they have fined Cam Thomas, from the Brooklyn Nets, $40,000 for comments he made during a live television interview after the Net’s victory over the Chicago Bulls.
Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian FinneySmith are new members to the Nets after the Nets traded Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks.
“We may not be the best trade package, but we’re the best looking, and the Nets needed some help in that department,” Dinwiddie said at an earlier news conference after the trade.
Thomas was asked about Dinwiddie’s
statement on TNT.
“I [saw] it, but I was like, ‘He just talking,’” Thomas said. “We already had good-looking dudes, no homo.”
“All right, I’m certain the league office will enjoy that one,” TNT’s sideline reporter Jared Greenberg said.
Thomas apologized for his remarks.
“I want to apologize for the insensitive word I used in the postgame interview,” Thomas tweeted.
“I was excited about the win and was being playful. I definitely didn't intend to offend anyone, but realize that I probably did. My apologies again. Much love.”
Connecticut’s policy of allowing trans girls to participate in school sports will have an appeal reheard by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City after the court had dismissed the appeal last December.
The appeal concerns four cis-gender runners who state they were unfairly forced to compete against trans athletes in high school athletics. These four runners filed a federal lawsuit in 2020 against the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, which governs high school sports in the state, as well as several local school districts. A three-judge panel said they lacked standing to sue back in December. Now, a majority of the court’s judges voted in favor of rehearing the appeal, they stated in a decision on Feb. 13. CIAC was defended in the lawsuit by the
American Civil Liberties Union.
“As the initial ruling found, cis-gender girls lose nothing from the participation of trans girls and Connecticut’s policy simply recognizes the right of all student athletes to equal participation and protection under Title IX,” Joshua Block, an attorney for the ACLU, said.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced Feb. 9 that the state has started a multi-agency investigation into Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The investigation comes after a former case worker alleged children received gender-affirming care without “appropriate or accurate” mental health assessments.
The confirmation of the investigation from the Attorney General’s office comes the same day that Jamie Reed, previous case worker at the facility, discussed her allegations in an op-ed published in the Free Press. The Attorney General's office had previously received a 23-page affidavit from Reed that was published on their website. In the affidavit, Reed alleged that staff violated the center’s own treatment
guidelines.
Washington University in St. Louis, the parent institution of the Children’s Hospital, said in a statement that they are “alarmed by the allegations reported in the article published by The Free Press describing practices and behaviors the author says she witnessed while employed at the university’s Transgender Center.”
For the first time, a South Korean court has recognized a same-sex couple's legal rights in the nation.
In a historic decision, the Seoul High Court determined that a government health insurer owed coverage to a customer's spouse after the company terminated it after it learned the two were gay.
The men had a wedding ceremony in 2019, but South Korea does not recognize same-sex unions.
According to activists and BBC, the decision marks a big step forward for LGBT rights in the nation.
The Supreme Court will, however, hear an appeal of the case. So Seong-wook, the plaintiff, expressed his appreciation for the decision and “recognition of a very obvious right that has not been given.”
The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador has flagrantly disregarded the Supreme Court’s one-year deadline to establish a formal process for gender recognition that would stop discrimination against transgender people, according to Human Rights Watch.
The constitutional chamber of El Salvador’s Supreme Court concluded in February 2022 that discrimination based on gender identification is prohibited by the constitution. It required the legislature to establish a process by which transgender people can change their names on identification documents within a year.
“The Legislative Assembly’s failure to comply with the Supreme Court’s within the deadline is grave not only for its
THERE’S MORE ONLINE!
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association Europe (ILGA-Europe) 2023 report claims that anti-LGBT violence has reached a decade-high, and that 2022 was “the most dangerous year for LGBTI persons” in Europe and Central Asia.
The study clarifies how past years’ encouraging trends appear to be reversing themselves and how increased hate speech from well-known public individuals and organizations has detrimental, real-world effects on the equality and human rights of the LGBT community.
The aggressiveness is attributed by ILGA-Europe to the rising trend of hate speech, which is generating a lot of
concern because of how quickly it is spreading across internet channels. Luckily, the report also makes note of the growth in judicial reactions to biasmotivated speech and the conviction of those responsible for hate crimes, as well as the fact that the rise in hate speech has been matched by an increase in the judiciary's responses.
apparent disregard for the rights of trans people but also for democratic checks and balances and the rule of law, which have come under attack by President Nayib Bukele and his allies,” said Cristian González Cabrera, LGBT rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.
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It’s one thing to report on health issues that impact the LGBT community — it’s another thing entirely to help readers understand the context of these issues.
Noted journalists from around the country discussed these issues during a Feb. 10 panel hosted by the South Florida chapter of NLGJA, or the Association of LGBTQ Journalists, at ArtServe’s Our Fund Hall.
While representation in the newsroom is important, said Mike Majchrowicz, the outgoing president of NLGJA South Florida, “it’s also only one side of the coin. Context matters.”
Panelists in “Crucial Context: Unpacking Media Coverage of LGBTQ Public Health Issues” were Daniel Chang, a correspondent for Kaiser Health News; Ashley Dye, the audience director for The Marshall Project; Fenit Nirappil, public health reporter for the Washington Post; Benjamin Ryan, an independent journalist; and Nic Zantop, the deputy director of Transinclusive Group. Local journalist Kareem Awadalla moderated the panel.
The conversation kicked off with coverage of MPox, formerly known as monkeypox. Although it was largely impacting men who have sex with men, many of the reporters said health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as their own newsrooms were hesitant to call that out. Chang, for example, said he received pushback on reporting that a majority of people with MPox were men who had sex with men.
However, the reporters on the panel felt it was important to let this population know it was something they needed to be vigilant about.
“No one wanted to say it was a ‘gay disease,’” said Ryan, who reported on MPox for outlets
such as NBC News and The Guardian. “Gay people were desperate for information.”
Nirappil added that by not being forthcoming with readers about the populations being most affected by MPox, it was a “backlash to all the equality gains we’ve made.”
“What I care about is educating people at risk,” he said about his health coverage.
As a community advocate with Traninclusive, Zantop has been vigilantly following anti-LGBT and specifically anti-trans legislation making its way through Florida. As they also keep track of media coverage of the Florida Board of Medicine’s rulings on healthcare for trans people, they noticed some outlets were playing both sides and “just asking questions” and even at times giving a platform to transphobia.
“Trans healthcare is under attack in Florida and around the world,” they said.
There was also discussion about being queer in the newsroom. Nirappil noted that simply having LGBT representation in the newsroom is not enough — as a gay man, he said that does not give him “special insight into the trans experience,” for example.
Dye recounted how before working with The Marshall Project, they had to almost singlehandedly educate their entire newsroom about using the right pronouns, doing away with deadnames, and other language issues surrounding the LGBT community. However, they said it should just be seen as a “matter of fact checking” and not relying on a queer person to constantly check errors.
“It’s just part of respect,” Dye added.
The free event, which was funded through a grant from PEN America, was also supported by SPJ Florida, Our Fund Foundation and South Florida Gay News.
TThe last Democrat to win a statewide election in Florida is now the head of the party. Nikki Fried has been chosen to be the party’s new chair, replacing Manny Diaz who left the job in January.
After winning the job during a party conference in Orlando, she told the faithful that, “You better believe we are going to take it to Ron DeSantis every damn day.”
That is easier said than done. The job of Democratic Party Chair became open when Diaz resigned in the aftermath of the party’s most devastating defeat in Florida history. Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers of the legislature in Tallahassee and all statewide elected offices. After winning his first term by just a few thousand votes, Gov. Ron DeSantis was reelected by 19% last year. Her first job will recruit candidates for state house and senate seats with a hope of wresting some power from the state GOP. Currently, there is nothing stopping them from pushing through all parts of their agenda.
Senator Rick Scott is up for reelection next year. As a first-term senator, he could be vulnerable. But as a former two-term governor, Scott’s already won three, albeit close, elections.
In 2018, Fried won her race for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. Last year she ran for governor but was defeated in the primary by Charlie Crist, himself a former governor. He was a republican when he was governor.
SFGN’s cover last week of Gov. Ron DeSantis being mocked as “Ron DeGroomer” was censored on Issuu, a platform that SFGN, and many other companies use, to upload their print editions online.
The Feb. 23 cover is a tongue-incheek visual featuring a photo of DeSantis staring at, and touching, school-age children.
Issuu has removed the online version from public viewing and is now only available to readers via a direct link. But even then, the website is forcing readers to log in to prove they’re over 18.
“This publication may contain content that is inappropriate for some users, as flagged by Issuu’s user community. To view this publication
You
please verify that you are 18 or older by signing in or signing up.”
Alcohol.
Apparently that’s all the difference between appeasing Gov. Ron DeSantis versus standing up to him.
With Pride season underway, DeSantis and his band of bureaucrats cast a long, dark shadow over the festivities. Their stated goal: protecting children from drag queens.
Tampa Pride is preemptively taking action to avoid a confrontation with the governor whereas Palm Beach Pride is standing firm against right-wing extremists.
Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has already begun or threatened investigations into venues that host events where children are present while drag queens perform. The intimidation insinuates that the mere presence of someone dressed in clothes deemed non-conforming to their gender assigned at birth is a danger to young people. The DBPR has the power to pull a venue’s liquor license, which most times would force a business to close.
With a month to go before Tampa Pride (the event) on March 25, Tampa Pride (the organization) is taking action to cut the governor off at the pass. They announced that anywhere alcohol is sold under their liquor license will be 18+ only.
“Events and establishments throughout the state have been met with egregious letters threatening closures and revocation of liquor licenses if ‘drag’ is performed in front of minors,” Executive Board member Cassandra Hair said. “Unfortunately, due to this current discriminatory cloud the State of Florida has laid upon the Drag community, in all its wonderful forms, we made the decision to make Pride @ Night, Daytime Main Stage, and other areas where liquor is sold 18 years and older.”
It’s important to note that this is preemptive, and that the organization has received no notice from a state agency regarding drag performers.
However, drag entertainment will still be on full display for anyone to enjoy.
“As it has been for the last nine years, Tampa Pride Diversity Parade, Street Festival, and Food Truck Alley are open for all ages to come, enjoy, and celebrate Pride.”
Hair said the goal is to “live to fight another day,” make sure they don’t give the administration any material to block next year’s liquor license.
“This decision was not taken lightly, and was preemptively made so we can fight this archaic mindset, and bring Pride to our community for many, many years to come.”
Palm Beach Pride is the same weekend but is in a different situation. The event doesn’t have a liquor license so state regulators have less leverage to lord over them.
“Youth and allies must be at Pride. Drag queens must be at Pride,” Julie Seaver, Compass’ Executive Director, said.
The parade marches through Lake Worth Beach and ends in the festival at Bryant Park. Seaver assures us that drag queens will be very visible in Sunday’s parade and on the main stage both days.
She consulted with the state’s attorney in Palm Beach County and was told there are no laws against drag entertainment, or drag queens in general, being in public.
Seaver summed up the urgency of inclusive representation, saying, “My job is to keep kids and adults alive.”
Wilton Manors has more time to see how events play out. The annual Stonewall Pride Parade & Street Festival doesn’t happen until June 17. The city commission approved a permit for the event in February. During the meeting, commissioners briefly mentioned the possibility of harassment from Tallahassee, but approved the permit with no restrictions.
When he learned of the developments in Tampa, SFGN asked Mayor Scott Newton if the city would consider modifying the permit to prevent drag entertainment in public. He was definitive in his response, saying, “Everyone’s welcome to come to our Stonewall, that’s what it’s all about, being open and free.”
He was asked what would happen if an intimidating letter came from the state demanding restrictions on drag. He was equally emphatic.
“Why would I do that? That’s their right to come to the event. It’s a public event. I can’t stop someone from coming. Why would I say they couldn’t or pull a permit from it? No, I wouldn’t.”
When Joy Drawdy and her wife opened a business in June 2022, they connected with their clientele and the surrounding shop owners.
It was a gift shop selling clothes and crafts created by LGBT artists and People of Color. It was called Restless Mommas and located in Micanopy, a small town of 600 in north central Florida near Gainesville.
Drawdy said business was good, but everything came crashing down when Micanopy Commissioner Mike Roberts began making derogatory comments about their sexuality and presence in the city.
Drawdy heard of a conversation Roberts was a part of where he criticized their sexuality. A client of his asked if he knew the women who’d just opened a shop downtown.
“Do you mean the two lesbian women who bought a business downtown?” The Independent Florida Alligator reported.
This wasn’t the first time Roberts expressed his views on LGBT people. About 10 years ago,
ARepublican lawmaker filed a bill on Feb. 28 that would effectively eliminate the Democratic Party in Florida.
he made Facebook posts with statements such as “being homosexual is a sin,” and “I just feel sorry for these people. A eternity in Hell is their reward.”
Roberts declined to comment on the allegation of driving out the business or his views on LGBT people when reached out by the Alligator.
Drawdy then started noticing people in trucks pull up in front of their business and “rev up their engines” before skidding away.
She began to worry about her family’s safety, and so they left town Jan. 8.
The Drawdys are working on moving the remnants of Restless Mommas to Gainesville, where they own another business.
SB 1248, known as the Ultimate Cancel Act, would cancel any political party that “has previously advocated for, or been in support of, slavery or involuntary servitude.”
If passed, voters of any canceled party would have their party affiliation automatically changed to “no party affiliation.”
“For years now, leftist activists have been trying to cancel people and companies for things they have said or done in the past,” State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, said in a statement. “This includes the removal of statues and memorials and the renaming of buildings. Using this standard, it would be hypocritical not to cancel the Democrat Party itself for the same reason.”
Former Florida Agriculture Commissioner and newly elected chair of the Florida
“Shame on the radical Republican party for initiating some type of a piece of legislation of this magnitude,” WPTV reported Fried saying. “This is what a dictator does. This is what a fascist does.”
Jason Parsley
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R) introduced a proposal to ban Americans from serving in the U.S. military if they have a diagnosis or history of gender dysphoria.
Former President Donald Trump enacted a transgender military ban in 2017. It was revoked by President Joe Biden five days after his inauguration in 2021.
Rubio’s “Ensuring Military Readiness Act” would go even further than Trump’s.
“The legislation builds on Trump era restrictions that were repealed by the Biden Administration, but adds more stringent requirements and revamps the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System [DEERS] to ensure all service members’ gender markers match their biological sex,” reads a press release from Rubio’s office. “The military has strict standards for who can and cannot qualify to serve. For example, under President Biden, you can’t serve with a peanut allergy. Biden has turned our military into a woke social experiment.”
While it’s true individuals can be disqualified from military service for having a nut, or any food allergy for that matter, the policy pre-dates Biden. Each branch of the military has its own specific policies regarding people with food allergies.
The Human Rights Campaign slammed Rubio.
“We should be honoring anyone who chooses to serve our country in the United States Armed Forces. They are our heroes. They deserve our gratitude and respect.
It is despicable that Senator Rubio and Congressman Banks are harkening back to an unpopular, Trump-era policy that would make it impossible for nearly every transgender American to serve openly in the military,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson in a statement. “The current policy is working and makes our military stronger. This is nothing more than a political stunt, aimed at riling up an extremist base at the expense of what is best for our military, and it will fail.”
U.S. Representative Jim Banks (R-IN) plans to introduce companion legislation in the House.
Rubio continued, “It is a stupid way to go about protecting our nation. We need to spend more time thinking about how to counter threats like China, Russia, and North Korea and less time thinking about pronouns.”
The press release from Rubio’s office also includes a quote from the Family Research Council, which the Southern Poverty Law Center has designated an anti-LGBT hate group
Over the past several years, Rubio has come out… against LGBT equality on several fronts including voting against the Respect for Marriage Act; calling the vote “a stupid waste of time,” and staunchly defending Florida’s Parental Rights in Education commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
Gov. Ron DeSantis made sure to let Walt Disney World know who was in charge Monday when he signed a bill that gives him control of the company’s selfgoverning district.
“There’s a new sheriff in town, and accountability will be the order of the day,” DeSantis said with bravado at a bill signing ceremony
Disney’s former CEO Bob Chapek crossed the governor when he publicly opposed the Parental Rights in Education bill, commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
But the governor didn’t get everything he wanted. The original proposal was to completely dismantle the self-governing district known as Reedy Creek Improvement District. By doing so though, the local governments surrounding Disney may have had to not only absorb the land but also absorb the district’s $1 billion in bond liabilities held by the RCID.
So instead lawmakers revised the earlier proposals and have now instead opted to give the governor the authority to hand pick all five members of the district’s board, presumably to keep Disney in line. The district has also been renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
Chapek initially refused to criticize the
“Don’t Say Gay” bill but later reversed course after facing backlash from inside and outside the company.
Disney attempted to smooth things over with the LGBT community by giving a large donation to the Human Rights Campaign, who rejected the funds until “meaningful action” was taken to oppose the bill.
Chapek eventually spoke out against the bill, which prompted DeSantis to retaliate by going after the RCID to punish the company.
Chapek stepped down as CEO late last year with former CEO Bob Iger retaking the job.
Meanwhile Iger has mostly stayed away from criticizing DeSantis or the “Don’t Say Gay,” instead focusing on what the company does best: storytelling.
“This company has been telling stories for 100 years, and those stories have had a meaningful, positive impact on the world, and one of the reasons they have had a meaningful, positive impact is because one of the core values of our storytelling is inclusion and acceptance and tolerance, and we can’t lose that,” CNBC reported Iger telling employees. “I don’t think when you are telling stories and attempting to be a good citizen of the world that that’s political.”
THE GOVERNOR FORMALLY PUNISHES THE COMPANY FOR SPEAKING OUT AGAINST ‘DON’T SAY GAY’
“WE SHOULD BE HONORING ANYONE WHO CHOOSES TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES. THEY ARE OUR HEROES. THEY DESERVE OUR GRATITUDE AND RESPECT.”
- Kelley Robinson
HRC PRESIDENT
Hoping to avoid last-minute problems and budget issues that plagued last year’s event, the Wilton Manors City Commission has approved the permit for the annual Stonewall Pride Parade & Street Festival for June 17.
Commissioners addressed the issue at their meeting on Feb. 14.
Organizers of Stonewall have submitted an early version of their plans and a working budget. Last year, a surge in security costs came in just weeks before the party and threatened to cancel the festival. A deal was worked out at the last minute and the event went on as scheduled.
Commissioners pointed out that while Wilton Manors Entertainment Group (WMEG) produces the event, many people still think the city runs it. Commissioners tossed around ideas of creating a stronger, more identifiable partnership. Those ideas include more funding from the city and thoughts on how to avoid state-sanctioned harassment towards LGBT coming from Tallahassee. They also discussed increased oversight of WMEG’s planning to give citizens full transparency over how money is spent. In the end, no specifics were fleshed out and approved, but the permit was granted.
With the departure of longtime Leisure Services Director Patrick Cann, the city named his replacement. Commissioners unanimously voted to make Michelle Parks
the new department head. She has been with the department for about five years working closely with her predecessor, Cann.
“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity,” Parks said after her appointment. “Wilton Manors is where I’ve always wanted to be.”
She says her first tasks will evaluate all the city’s parks and look for amenity upgrades. Commissioners also asked her to put together a long-term list of projects, such as permanent pickleball courts and a new playground.
They also discussed if they should fill her old position or delegate those duties to others currently on staff. That may be easier said than done. During the last 10+ years, Leisure Services have more than doubled the amount of people served through its programs while staffing levels have remained stagnant.
The city is also looking to modify how and when trash is collected. David Archacki, head of Utilities and Emergency Management, said they are working on plans for a more consolidated collection schedule. Maps would be redrawn down from four districts to two. All trash, recycling, and bulk days would be on Monday and Tuesday, with a second pickup for garbage on Thursday and Friday.
The goal is to decrease the time trash sits by the side of the road. Currently bulk is
collected in the middle of the week. While people are only supposed to put waste out the day before, many are only free (or have enough help around) to move bulk on the weekends. By moving bulk to Monday and
Tuesdays, the city expects cleaner streets. Archacki’s presentation was meant solely to be informative for commissioners and citizens, and no motion was made or vote taken.
Wilton Manors’ newest bike shop, Carvelle Bikes, is the brainchild of Carvelle Estriplet, who opened the shop at 2917 NE 6th Ave. in Wilton Manors.
“I am feeling overwhelmed. The last month has been a rollercoaster,” she told SFGN.
I visited the space a month before the opening, when it was undergoing renovations and wasn’t sure if she’d be open by mid-October. But she persevered and on Oct. 17 she held a grand opening party attended by local bike enthusiasts and Wilton Manors VIPs.
“Now I feel a sense of relief. Everyone came out. It’s a new shop, a new beginning. Ready to serve the community.”
Carvelle Bikes is the only bike shop in Wilton Manors and is full service. In addition to selling
traditional bikes, the shop is ahead of the curve on getting people fitted with electric bikes. Her goal is to turn Sixth Avenue into Electric Avenue.
“When it comes to bikes, I am super fired up.”
Electric bikes pair with your phone or watch, go up to 35 mph, are easy to recharge and are the future of urban biking. If you’ve never ridden one, she’ll get you set up and on the road. Carvelle Bikes will also be there for service on any kind of bike.
“Service is always going to be there. I’m always going to be servicing bikes. Repairs are tune-ups and more. I’m still going to be providing whatever you need from flat tires to gears, whatever it is.”
Her original shop was at the back of Wilton Collective. But it was small and her business was growing. The new space is 10 times the size she used to have.
“I have an alley behind [the shop]. The new
alley is the size of the old place.”
With major residential development across the street and sharing a strip mall with restaurants and a wine bar, Estriplet said she’s poised for success.
“This is the hot spot right here.”
Estriplet has long been an advocate for LGBT rights, and as a trans woman herself she serves on boards and advisory panels and leads by example. Naturally she is a big participant in the SMART Ride, an annual bike ride from Miami to Key West that raises money for HIV/ AIDS services.
Now the community can come to her. The space inside Carvelle Bikes is flexible, which means she can hold events and meetings. “The Dolphin Democrats, WMBA events, anything civic, political, or business. It’s going to be a microvenue right on Electric Avenue.”
March 2, 2023 • Volume 10 • Issue 5 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
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To learn more about Carvelle Bikes, visit CarvelleBikes.com.
South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs. nlgja_logo_6
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If you’ve walked down Wilton Drive near Five Points last week, you may have seen one of the windows of Bona Italian shattered.
An out-of-town reveler was walking by and punched out the window. The attack happened after the restaurant closed and no one inside was hurt.
Co-owner Glen Weinzimer said that the attacker was in town for a flag-football tournament and appeared to be overserved. Members from the team came over and apologized and promised to pay for the damages. Police were called, but no arrest was made.
Weinziner said the team, the attacker, and the flag-football league that hosted the event, have reached out to apologize again and reiterate that they will pay for the damages.
Tournament organizers also posted a statement on social media: “This was extraordinarily disappointing to us, as our friends who attend our tournament know about how important our local community is to us and how wonderful our local businesses are to our participants.
“We ... will not tolerate visitors who come
Investigators in the Wilton Manors Police Department are asking the community for help with a recent aggravated assault case.
The incident took place on the evening of Feb. 10 as police officers responded to a call of aggravated assault at the Palmyra Lounge, 2051 Wilton Dr. Two men were involved in a verbal dispute over a parking space which escalated and one man, reportedly, brandished a firearm and fled the scene in a red 2012 Hyundai Sonata.
to Wilton Manors for the Sunshine Cup doing any level of damage to our community … We have to always remember we get what we give — that means ensuring your teammates treat our area with respect, too.”
Bona’s windows are tinted, and that helped keep the glass from completely shattering on impact. If the tinting hadn’t been in place, the attacker could have severed arteries and been in a life-threatening situation.
The new window has been installed. The final tinting will be applied after the pane of glass has settled.
A man who pulled a gun and angrily confronted patrons at a Wilton Manors bar during Pride month has been sentenced to three months' probation.
On Feb. 7, Broward County Judge Melinda Brown sentenced Kenneth Justesen, 45, to three months' probation on a misdemeanor charge of an improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon or firearm.
Police arrested Justesen on June 25, 2022 outside of GYM Sportsbar, 2287 Wilton Dr. where witnesses said he was threatening and harassing patrons while looking for his phone.
In the arrest report, WMPD Sgt. Daniel Plunske stated video from witnesses showed Justesen confronting the victim outside the bar with a gun by his side, warning if the victim came any closer he would shoot.
Plunske located a loaded black Glock pistol on Justesen.
“The firearm was loaded and actively had one round in the chamber along with an additional 8 rounds in the magazine,” Plunske
wrote.
Justesen originally pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea to no contest. As part of his probation, Justesen must forfeit all firearms and is not allowed to possess any weapons or firearms for three months. He must also complete a Direct Hit Firearms Training Course to keep his concealed carry license.
Included in the sentencing is a $293 court fee. Justesen is represented by attorney and Sunrise Commissioner Neil Kerch.
Officers were able to locate and detain the suspect, a 41-year-old white male, not long after the incident was reported. After an interview, the suspect was released.
WMPD is withholding the names of both participants, in the victim’s case, invoking Marsy’s Law, an amendment to the Florida Constitution that shield’s information from the public record in the Florida Constitution.
On Feb. 16 SFGN spoke with the victim who confirmed the incident and added he was called several homophobic slurs. He said it was not the first time he had been threatened in Wilton Manors.
Wilton Manors Police Chief Gary Blocker
said his investigators are working with the State Attorney’s Office “to assess all elements to include whether or not bias played a role.”
“Violent crime shall have no comfort in our community and we will use the investigative tools, the laws of our state and our passion to protect and support a safe Island City,” Blocker said.
Blocker is asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has more information to contact Detective
Frantz Petitpapa at (954) 390-2168 or submit an online tip to CrimeStoppers at www.browardcrimestoppers.org.
By John Hayden
There’s a new place to hang out and chat while sipping on a curated wine and puffing on a cigar.
It’s sitting right next to the outdoor bar at Hunters Nightclub, but there’s a good chance you haven’t noticed it.
Tap That Ash opened in January, hoping to cater to an undervalued clientele.
“From your family room to ours,” cofounder Diane Resnick said. “People come and chill out. They can talk to one another and have a conversation. You’re out dancing around at the nightclub and then you want to socialize.”
The Resnicks know what they like, but as the business grows, they’re catering to special requests from customers. They recently ordered a few super fat 90x9 cigars. It’s called the April Fools’ cigar, but this monster is no joke. Fat and thick, this is for experienced cigar aficionados. They sold out in hours, and are ordering more.
They have dozens of varieties on display in
old school display cases that give each cigar an added air of history and new ones are added if customers ask for a specific brand or type. Cigars in stock come from fertile grounds in Central America, as well as from the Dominican Republic, which often uses Cuban seed (the legally closest you’ll come to a Cuban cigar outside of Havana). Tap That Ash has also started holding cigar socials. The Bear community can stop in for a smoke before heading across the street to Eagle Wilton Manors.
By John Hayden
Courtyard Café faced a minor disaster recently.
A griddle fire got out of control and forced the restaurant to shut down over Presidents’ Day weekend.
It took days for the restaurant to repair the damage and get everything back in order. After the fire, but before reopening, they had posted this on Facebook. “UPDATE!!!
Courtyard is all cleaned up and we are getting our new kitchen equipment [soon]. If set up goes as planned, we hope to be back open [soon]!”
Long a staple on Wilton Drive, people come midday for lunch or a late-night bite after the bars.
Check their Facebook page for more information.
Oops…they did it again.
Florida Representative Adam Anderson (R-Tarpon Springs) filed a bill on Feb. 28 that would expand upon the controversial Parental Rights in Education law, commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
Under this new proposal, it would bar topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten to third grade to now eighth grade.
“Don’t Say LGBTQ policies have already resulted in sweeping censorship, book banning, rainbow Safe Space stickers being peeled from classroom windows, districts refusing to recognize LGBTQ History Month, and LGBTQ families preparing to leave the state altogether,” Equality Florida Public Policy Director Jon Harris Maurer, said in a statement. “This legislation is about a fake moral panic, cooked up by [Gov. Ron] DeSantis to demonize LGBTQ people for his own political career.”
The proposal would also make it a requirement for schools to use pronouns that only match a person’s sex assigned at birth from kindergarten through 12th grade. This legislation also extends to charter schools and private pre-kindergarten.
“The DeSantis regime isn’t satisfied with a hostile takeover of traditional public schools. They envision a future where LGBTQ families have no school choice to find dignity or respect,” Maurer said.
After being assaulted, U.S. Congresswoman Angie Craig released audio of vulgar and threatening telephone calls.
The lesbian lawmaker’s office said the calls were “gutter politics” and likely the result of Fox News and Republican activists distorting her record on police funding in the assault's wake.
Craig, 51, was attacked in the elevator of her Washington, D.C. apartment building on Feb. 9. She fought off the man by throwing hot coffee at him.
D.C. Police arrested Kendrick Khalil Hamlin, 26, a homeless man who authorities claim has 12 prior convictions, including three assaults and two robberies. Hamlin, allegedly, followed Craig into the elevator, punched her in the chin and grabbed her by the throat before Craig doused him with coffee and escaped.
Police said Hamlin may suffer mental health issues.
“My morning coffee really saved the day,” Craig said.
Craig’s office believes Fox News host Jeanine Pirro and the National Republican Congressional Committee instigated the nasty calls by attempting to tie the Minnesota Democrat to “defund the police” extremists. The calls contain graphic and lewd comments that Craig got what she deserved; it should happen again and the police should not respond.
“Harassing the victim of a violent crime on national television is abhorrent behavior. The messages and threats received by Representative Craig’s office following the NRCC hit job and Fox News’ false and inflammatory coverage of her assault represent the worst of our society,” said Laura Cottrell, Craig’s communications director.
First they came for rainbow flags in public schools – now some Republicans want to ban them on government property.
“No other flag may be exposed to public view for exhibition or display, in any manner, by a governmental agency, local government, or unit of local government,” HB 1011 reads.
In recent years, many municipalities have shown their support for the LGBT community by flying the LGBT flags above City Halls or elsewhere on government property. Some Republicans want to end that practice.
Republican state representative David Borrero of Miami-Dade, filed HB 1011 which would prohibit the city from flying any flag except for the American flag, Florida flag or flags bearing official logos of the Firefighter Memorial or Prisoners of War and Missing-inAction. A companion bill in the senate, SB 668, was also filed.
The bill doesn’t actually call out rainbow flags, but LGBT activists see this as just another attempt to silence and erase the queer
community.
LGBT activists naturally blasted the effort.
“The diverse cultures and communities that make up Florida are our state’s beauty and Floridians have long celebrated that beauty visually through flags. Once again, [Gov. Ron] DeSantis’ legislative allies are obsessed with censoring expression, including that of the LGBTQ community, to stoke outrage and avoid solving pressing issues our state is facing,” said Brandon Wolf, the press secretary of Equality Florida. “The right-wing agenda of banning health care for trans young people; books about historical figures; college majors; AP courses; and flags accomplishes nothing but serve up campaign content for DeSantis’ presidential aspirations at the expense of the people of Florida.”
The bill would also require every classroom from kindergarten to the university level to display the American and state flag.
“This law is just a continuation of the right-wing assault on free expression in classrooms. The law appears to apply to university level classrooms, so it not only impacts the rights of children, but adults as well. It raises serious constitutional concerns about the first amendment rights of both students and teachers,” said Russell Cormican, a first amendment rights attorney in Fort Lauderdale “By prohibiting the display of certain flags, the law not only allows lawmakers to prevent flags that honor certain groups, like the pride flag, but also flags that tell the story of our state’s history, like the Spanish, French and British flags. Flags are an important way of conveying ideas and learning about history and therefore they should be afforded protection as a form of expression.”
THE BILL DOESN’T ACTUALLY CALL OUT RAINBOW FLAGS, BUT LGBT ACTIVISTS SEE THIS AS JUST ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO SILENCE AND ERASE THE QUEER COMMUNITY.
Add sexual harassment charges to the growing list of complaints against disgraced Congressman George Santos of New York.
On Feb. 3, a former volunteer aide for Santos filed a sexual harassment complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics, alleging the gay Republican made unwanted advances before rescinding a job offer that paid $50,000 annually.
In the complaint, Derek Myers, a 30-year-old journalist from Kentucky, accuses Santos of inappropriate touching. Santos, Myers wrote, “proceeded to take his hand and move it down my leg into my inner thigh and proceeded to touch my groin.”
The incident, allegedly, took place in Santos’ Capitol Hill office, where the Santos told Myers he had a Grindr profile and invited him out to a karaoke bar, claiming his husband was out of town.
It’s the latest humiliating episode for Santos, who has admitted to lying about vast swaths of his past, including his work history, religion, education, etc.
“George Santos has seen more scandal in a few days and weeks than most elected officials will see in a lifetime,” tweeted Congressman Ritchie Torres, a gay Democrat who represents New York’s 15th congressional district and has emerged as Santos’ arch-rival.
Santos has yet to comment on Myers’ complaint. He stepped down from his two committee assignments, a decision House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called “appropriate” in light of an investigation by the Department of Justice into Santos’ campaign finances.
Included in those questionable finances is a night at the W South Beach, a hotel in Miami Beach, where
Santos reported paying $199.99 on Oct. 13, 2021.
The Human Rights Campaign is not optimistic about how 2023 will play for the LGBT community.
During a virtual press conference, the advocacy group shared that over 300 antiLGBT bills were drafted last year, and although a majority did not pass, they think 2023 will be even worse.
“We know last year was bad, but what’s worse is the same extremist politicians who led those efforts are doubling down this year,” said Kelley Robinson, the president of the HRC.
This year, there are 250 bills drafted with 150 aimed at trans and non-binary people, “the most anti-trans bills that we have ever seen before.”
“They’re spending their energy attacking trans youth … when they should focus on the needs of their constituents,” Robinson continued. “To say that the LGBTQ+ community is facing a crisis is an understatement.”
Florida, Texas and Tennessee were specifically highlighted during the press
conference. In the Sunshine State, the Parental Rights in Education bill, or “Don’t Say Gay,” has led to books being pulled from library shelves and “safe space” stickers removed from classrooms, drag queens are under attack, the Florida Board of Medicine is working to eliminate healthcare for transgender youth, and more.
Although things are not looking good, the HRC is not backing down.
“They seek to punish us, to silence us and ultimately erase our very being,” Robinson said. “We are ready to take these extremists head on. We are greater than all of their hate.”
The LGBT community’s elder statesman is leaving Congress. Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline, the senior member of the 11 out LGBT members in the House of Representatives, announced he is leaving Washington, D.C. to lead his state’s premier philanthropic organization.
“The chance to lead the Rhode Island Foundation was unexpected, but it is an extraordinary opportunity to have an even more direct impact,” Cicilline said in a statement released Feb. 21. First elected in 2011, the seven-term Democrat said serving the people of Rhode Island’s First District has been “an honor of a lifetime.”
“For more than a decade the people of Rhode Island entrusted me with a sacred duty to represent them in Congress, and it is a responsibility I put my heart and soul into every day to make life better for the residents and families of our state,” Cicilline said.
The 62-year-old attorney, born and raised in Rhode Island, became the nation’s first gay mayor of a state capital in 2002 when Providence voters elected him by a landslide.
Kim Swan
Seattle made history by becoming the first city in the U.S. to ban caste discrimination.
It also became the first in the world to pass this type of law outside of South Asia.
The Seattle City Council added caste, a division of people based on birth or descent, to the city’s anti-discrimination laws, according to AP News.
Holy Angels National Catholic Church
1436 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors. 33305
Facebook.com/HolyAngelsFL www.HolyAngelsFL.org
954-633-2987
A home for your spirit.
www.churchofoursaviormcc.org
“I’m emotional because this is the first time such an ordinance has been passed anywhere in the world outside of South Asia,” said Yogesh Mane, a Seattle resident who grew up as an “untouchable” in India. “It’s a historic moment.”
Although calls to outlaw the discrimination have grown louder among South Asian diaspora communities in the U.S., it has been getting pushback from some Hindu Americans who claim that the legislation “maligns a specific community.”
Thenmozhi Soudararajan, who works to push caste discrimination laws as the executive
director of California-based Equality Labs, called the vote “a culture war that has been won.”
“We got the support of over 200 organizations from Seattle and around the country,” she said. “The South Asian community has united to say we want to heal from the trauma of caste.”
Council Member Sara Nelson, who voted against the ordinance, agreed with opponents who claim it’s “a reckless, harmful solution to a problem for which we have no data or research.”
“That’s like saying gender discrimination laws single out all men,” said Council Member Lisa Herbold. “And just because we have a small population that is experiencing [caste discrimination] that doesn’t make it any less important.”
CHECK WEBSITES AND FACEBOOK PAGES FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION REGARDING IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE OF SERVICES, AS WELL AS VIRTUAL VIEWING OPTIONS.
CONGREGATION ETZ CHAIM
2038 N. Dixie Hwy (Pride Center Building B), Wilton Manors 954-564-9232 - etzchaimflorida.org
congregationetzchaim1974@gmail.com
Friday Night Shabbat Service 8p.m.
SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS.COM
HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
1436 NE 26th St Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-633-2987 - HolyAngelsFL.net
Sunday Mass at 11AM
CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR, MCC
Church of Our Savior, MCC 2011 S. Federal Hwy. Boynton Beach. churchofoursaviormcc.org | 561-733-4000
Sunday Service 10AM
TEMPLE BAT YAM 5151 NE 14th Ter Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 954-928-0410
Friday Night & Saturday Morning Streaming Online at templebatyam.org
Another breakthrough case is creating hope that a cure for HIV is near.
Scientists in Germany announced a 53-year-old man has been cured of the virus that causes AIDS.
Known as the Düsseldorf patient, he becomes the fifth reported HIV cure case.
Research published in the journal Nature Medicine shows a stem cell transplant to treat leukemia in the patient was successful in ridding his body of HIV. The man was monitored for nine years following the bone marrow transplant that introduced rare HIV resistant variant cells into his blood.
The Düsseldorf patient was diagnosed with leukemia in 2011 and underwent the transplant in 2013. He went off antiretroviral therapy in 2018 and tests have found no detectable HIV.
The latest cure case continues the remarkable strides scientists have made against a disease that was once considered
a quick killer. With antiretroviral therapy (ART) HIV-positive people can live near normal life spans and reach untransmittable status.
There are also medications available (PrEP PEP) that prevent the transmission of the virus before and after an exposure.
The CDC reports from 1990 to 2019, deaths from HIV decreased 86%.
In 2021, there were 38.4 million people globally living with the virus.
“Love without judgement”
We’ve begun the Lenten journey toward Easter. It is acutely intense during Holy Week when we reflect on Jesus’ brutal suffering and death before celebrating his resurrection. Suffering, death, and resurrection echo the journey of many in the LGBT community. It is, I suspect, a sacred path – one from which we can all learn to love more widely, more dearly.
Given the hostility toward gays, lesbians and particularly the transgender, I can only imagine the frightening aspects of concluding one is different in the eyes of the majority. Absent strong affirming messages, unhealthy self-perceptions can develop about being abnormal, broken, or bad. Tragically, family and churches can reinforce unholy judgements and even self-loathing.
I am profoundly sorry. No one should be confined to a closeted existence where they are tormented by demons of fear and shame. We repent of the pain caused in Christ’s
name and we are remorseful for denying the goodness in each other.
In Second Corinthians, St. Paul prayed repeatedly for removal of a thorn from his flesh. Rather than remove “the thorn,” God declared his grace sufficient. In effect, God tells Paul to accept his body.
It is wrong to scare or shame others into denying their true self in favor of living with an inauthentic persona – a mere shell of an outward image adopted in hopes of acceptance and survival. During Lent, there is talk of dying to one’s old self. I suspect our LGBT brothers and sisters understand this message better than most, because you’ve likely had to lay to rest false images created for self-protection.
Easter is about abundant and authentic life. I invite you to worship in Christ’s Church at St. Nicholas. Worship as an authentic expression of what you’ve experienced and know you are loved by God … and us.
IN
MEMORIAM
S
Anesthesiology
The bar announced his death on their Facebook page, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that the Smarty Pants family announces the passing of our owner, Mark Tison, who passed away on Feb. 20.”
SPINE & PAIN PALM BEACH news PBCHRC’S
marty Pants bar epitomizes the concept of a community gathering place. Located well off Wilton Drive and the proverbial “beaten path,” it has long been a spot for LGBT to gather, visit, and have a drink. One of the main reasons for its success is the love and dedication of owner Mark Tison, who passed away last week.Photo via Smarty Pants Bar, Facebook. Bushes, Little Jim’s, and Simba’s Lounge, all LGBT.
SFGN
just launched a new digital
will give readers all the biggest LGBT stories for the week from SFGN in five minutes or less.
“We understand not everyone has the time to look at our daily e-blast, we wanted to develop an option for those readers who still want to be kept informed, but their time may be limited. So we’re excited to introduce The Scoop!”
“Thanks to George Albrecht and Giselle Thackrey, this year’s Winter Fête was the most fun event we have ever held,” Retired judge Rand Hoch, PBCHRC’s President and Founder, said in a statement.
The proceeds of the event will fund such initiatives as the organization’s annual college scholarships program and the presentation of the PBCHRC Public Service Awards.
This year’s event was held in January and over 150 attended including Congresswoman Lois Frankel; Constitutional Tax Collector Anne Gannon; County Mayor Gregg Weiss; and West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James.
PBCHRC was founded in 1988. It is
Rand Hoch and Anne Gannon.
Florida’s oldest, independent, non-partisan, political organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. The organization promotes equality through education, advocacy, direct action, impact litigation, and community outreach. Through the years, PBCHRC has been responsible for the implementation of over 160 laws and policies providing equal protections, rights, and benefits for the LGBT community throughout the county.
FIRST DESANTIS CAME FOR TRANSGENDER ATHLETES, AND I DIDN’T SPEAK UP because I wasn’t a Transgender Athlete.
THEN DESANTIS CAME FOR DRAG QUEENS, AND I DIDN’T SPEAK UP because I wasn’t A Drag Queen.
THEN DESANTIS CAME FOR TRANS YOUTH, AND I DIDN’T SPEAK UP because I wasn’t a young trans person.
THEN DESANTIS CAME FOR GAY MEN, BUT I DIDN’T SPEAK UP because I wasn’t A Gay MAn.
THEN DESANTIS CAME FOR BLACK HISTORY, BUT I DIDN’T SPEAK UP because I wasn’t Black.
The proliferation of anti-LGBT bills in state legislatures this year – 321 of them according to the ACLU –would make one think that the American people have become more homophobic or transphobic during the last few years. This is not the case. According to the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) “Americans’ support for key LGBTQ rights continues to tick upward.” PRRI polls taken as recently as 2021 tell us that “nearly eight in 10 Americans (79%) favor laws that would protect gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people against discrimination in jobs, public accommodations and housing, including 41% who strongly support them … Majorities of Americans consistently oppose religiously based refusals to serve gay and lesbian people” while “nearly seven in 10 Americans (68%) express support for same-sex marriage.” Even “six in 10 evangelical Protestants (61%) support nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people, up from 56% in 2015.” PRRI did not ask any specific questions about trans rights, which are the targets of most anti-LGBT legislation.
Despite all this, in 2023 homophobic or transphobic legislators are in control of red state legislatures with Republican Party majorities. Since the election of Donald Trump as president in 2016, radical evangelicals, white supremacists, QAnon supporters and other “MAGA Republicans” have taken over the Grand Old Party. These groups have taken advantage of the fear and resentment on the part of many to take over most state legislatures. They allowed ambitious politicians like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to ride the MAGA wave to victory in red states like Florida, along with a GOP Legislature that follows his commands. Queers and other minorities are victims of their culture war.
Amidst this hostile takeover of the Republican Party and legislatures, where are “the good guys”? Many Republican families (like my own) have lesbian, gay, bi, or trans children, relatives or friends who they love
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and support. They would never allow their loved ones to be harmed. Still, a majority of GOP voters joined most independents to elect DeSantis, even when they knew that he is an authoritarian whose “Don’t Say Gay” law branded queer people as “groomers.” Some of those voters are loyal Republicans; others think Democrats are socialists; while others (like some of us) seem willing to throw trans people under the political bus while favoring LGB rights. Unlike the MAGA crowd (or LGBT activists), most voters don’t keep track of DeSantis’s book bans or his crusade against “Woke” education. In the words of Jeff Myers of Summit Ministries, a Christian group that polls Americana bout cultural mores, “our polls find that 70% of Americans want to be left alone and the other 30% keep telling them that they must believe things that they don’t want to believe.” Sadly, it is that 30% that is in command of state legislatures. There is nothing we can do but fight like hell; and work to win the support of independents and moderates who might yet be persuaded.
With every advancement of a “Don’t Say Gay” copycat bill, the specifications get more and more grim.
Kentucky has introduced multiple antiLGBT bills to its legislature just this year, most of which pertain to how queer children and subjects will be handled in schools.
SB 150 has already passed the Senate and moved to the House. It prohibits teachers and students from being required or recommended to use a student’s preferred pronouns when they don’t align with their original birth certificate.
HB 173, which was introduced in early February, follows the same outline as the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, while taking each point much further.
The bill states that students cannot be instructed on subjects of sexual orientation or gender presentation “inconsistent with
biological sex” from kindergarten through eighth grade. Students in ninth through twelfth grade can’t discuss it either, unless required by approved curriculum. On that matter, teachers can’t even show support with displays such as Pride flags.
Parents must also be notified if their student changes their name and pronouns. Trans students won’t be allowed to use their preferred bathroom, either.
Allies to LGBT youth can hope that such a bill couldn’t pass in good conscience. However, Senators passed SB 150 mere months after fellow Senator Karen Berg lost her transgender son to suicide.
Aurora Dominguez
Nick Albiero didn’t feel the need to throw a big coming-out celebration, but he also never really tried to hide who he was.
The University of Louisville’s two-time NCAA champion swimmer who is now discussing his sexual orientation because, after all these years, he is finally ready to do so.
According to OutSports, Albiero is one of the most lauded swimmers in Louisville Cardinals athletics history.
All of this leads to a young man who has a genuine chance to rule the world. He will participate in this year’s Team USA trials, which will determine who advances to the World Championships, followed by the PanAmerican Games.
At the University of Louisville, he came out to a few friends and a few close teammates his freshman year, but he had continued to
Love can be an exciting thing, but when you’re in a homosexual relationship and forced to keep it a secret from your religious parents, it can be complicated. And that’s what happens in “Milo and Marcos at the End of the World” by Kevin Christopher Snipes.
The book is primarily inspired by my experiences as a closeted queer teenager growing up in a small town in Central Florida. High school (as I’m sure most people will agree) can be an incredibly fraught period in our lives. We’re still figuring out who we are and what we want, and we’re terrified of getting it wrong. It’s a time when every emotion is heightened. Every choice feels like it’s life or death. You think you’ll die if the person that you like doesn’t like you back. You think the world will end if anyone finds out about your secret. It’s a lot. So I wanted to write a book that captures how exciting/terrifying/earthshattering that time of life can be for a young person — especially a young person in love who is coming to terms with his sexuality.
This is a question I get asked a lot as a queer writer and it always surprises me.
Asking why diversity and inclusiveness are important (either in art or politics or in life in general) feels a bit like asking, “Why are honesty and kindness qualities you want in a person?” or “Why are clean air and unpolluted water a good thing for the Earth?” The answer seems obvious, and yet queer authors (as well as POC authors) are constantly asked to defend diversity and inclusiveness, as if the benefits of these ideas are somehow hard to understand or open to debate.
Instead of asking queer authors why we believe in inclusiveness, wouldn’t it be great if we lived in a world where the writers, publishers, filmmakers, producers, and studios who regularly exclude queer characters and queer content from their books, TV shows, and movies are forced to answer why they don’t believe in inclusiveness. Make them justify their bigotry. Put them on the spot. Maybe then those people and companies might be forced to confront their own prejudices, and concepts like inclusiveness and diversity would become the norm in our industry instead of the exception.
I love a story that keeps the reader guessing until the very last page, so I think people reading my book should be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster.
worry about his entire team finding out about him. His Christian high school and middle school bullies had a significant impact on him. But, according to a TV interview with WHAS11, he has had no negative feedback.
MILK MONEY
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MILKMONEYBAR.COM
Talk about a full-service restaurant! You could easily dine nowhere else but Milk Money. It’s a cozy neighborhood cocktail bar and restaurant serving dinner, lunch, brunch, and breakfast. And, while not strictly a vegetarian restaurant, it has plenty of options for those on a plant-based diet.
In fact, its vegetarian options are so good that even carnivores might be tempted to cross over to the light side, especially on Tuesdays when vegan and vegetarian appetizers are half-priced. Among the options are crispy Brussels sprouts tossed in soy sriracha sauce, crispy Buffalo cauliflower (served with vegan blue cheese sauce,), Impossible lollipops (meatballs made with Impossible burger meatballs on a stick) served with vegan cheese, and spring rolls (vegans should skip the Vietnamese dipping fish sauce).
While discounted on Tuesday, those options are available all week long. Other
vegetarian dishes available at regular prices are a trio of salads. The stuffed avocado with chickpea salad is a favorite of mine, and when not in the mood for a vegan option, I sometimes savor it with either the chickencranberry-pecan salad or almond-raisin-tuna salad. The couscous salad is great (leave off the goat cheese to make it vegan) and the soup and salad combo featuring the Samurai salad served with trumpet mushroom split pea soup will make you feel like a warrior.
While there are plenty of sandwiches and entrée options for carnivores, including a cowboy ribeye steak and the aptly named Monstrosity, with house braised brisket, bacon, sunny side up egg, pepper jack cheese, and bacon lime slaw, on a juicy beef patty, vegetarian selections shine as well. For entrees, check out the Impossible veggie tacos, or the veggie Bolognese or burrito bowl made from Beyond plant-based protein. Sandwich options are a veggie burger, natch, but also a vegan BLT, featuring avocado, vegan bacon, lettuce, tomato, and vegan mayonnaise on artisan or rustic Italian bread. The vegans and vegetarians aren’t abandoned when it comes to dessert, either. The vegan volcano cake tops the chocolate confection with berry compote and chocolate ganache.
If stopping by for breakfast, those not on a plant-based diet can opt for the classics; eggbased sandwiches, breakfast burritos, steak and egg dishes, and omelets. Vegetarians and vegans are sure to enjoy scrambled tofu with broccoli and onion.
Served over a bed of sautéed spinach, it is topped with fresh tomato and cucumber and served with toast and vegan bacon on the side. Service may not always be the most polished (typical during these post-pandemic times, when staffing is difficult), but it is always friendly and eager to please. Also, the peoplewatching is a joy. Those are trade offs I’ll take any day of the week!
Japanese street food is the star with Chinese dumplings, Japanese ramen, and other trendy pan-Asian comfort food at A-ONE NOODLE & DUMPLING in Pembroke Pines… The latest place to take over the corner restaurant on 11th St. and 4th Ave. (across from Home Depot) is CHICKEATAH
The Turkish Halal restaurant offers traditional round pizzas as well as wide, boat-shaped, thick-dough flatbread stuffed with cheese and dried beef sausage or chicken gyro with feta and seasonal vegetables. Other Mediterranean staples on the menu include grilled chicken wings, lentil soup, baba ghanoush, hummus, and gyro wraps… MAGGIE’S FAVORITE COFFEE AND BAKESHOP in Oakland Park dishes up cakes by the slice and cinnamon rolls as well as savory fare such as avocado toast, acai bowls, chicken bacon ranch
crepes, and turkey pesto, and barbecue pulledpork sandwiches.
If you were planning on heading back to MAIKAI for a Mai-Tai, you’ll need to hold off for a bit. The landmark tiki bar won’t re-open until “late summer or early fall,” according to developer Bill Fuller. Because the 66-year-old Mai-Kai sits on the National Register of Historic Places, any proposed makeovers are subject to many layers of approvals. Fuller’s Mad Room Hospitality group, known for the Miami live-music venue Ball & Chain, headed up remodel of the Mai-Kai back in September 2021. He was hand-picked by the Thornton family, which has owned the restaurant since brothers Bob and Jack Thornton founded it on Federal Highway in 1956.
Adam Lambert, the iconic out glam rocker, has always been known for high drama, and now he brings that attitude to life in his fifth studio album comprising 11 cover songs.
Billboard magazine calls it an “impressive journey through Lambert’s skill set as a cover artist.” While RIFF magazine writes in their review, “Lambert isn’t trying to outdo the originals on High Drama, but rather take them to a different place. More than anything, it’s an effective showcase of his dynamic range.”
There is no theme to “High Drama” except perhaps drama, but really it’s a collection of songs that are meaningful to Lambert. Some of them include Ordinary World (Duran Duran); Getting Older (Billie Eilish); Chandelier (Sia); and Holding Out for a Hero (Bonnie Tyler).
“I wanted to do songs that could come from my own life, from my experiences,” Lambert told The New York Post. “And I wanted to do songs that were [by] other artists who were real individuals. Most of the artists on this album
march to the beat of their own drum. And I really respect that.”
He debuted Ordinary World on the finale of the Voice back in December, where he dedicated the track to the victims of the Club Q shooting in Colorado.
“In the case of Duran Duran’s ‘Ordinary World,’ [Lambert transforms] the song into a piano ballad. It’s actually quite stunning, mixing in strings and orchestral elements that only add to the ‘drama,’” writes RIFF Lambert pays homage to several queer artists on the album, including renditions of Noël Coward’s Mad About The Boy and Boy George’s Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?
“Actually, George is a friend of mine,” Lambert told the New York Post. “He’s someone that I really admire. I don’t think he always gets the credit he deserves when he was really out there being exactly who he was in the early ’80s, when it was a little tricky to proclaim that.”
He also covers a lesser-known song I’m A
Man, originally recorded by another glam rocker Jobriath, who was the first openly gay rock musician to be signed to a major record label in the U.S. According to the BBC he faced repeated homophobia while on tour after his first album was released. His second album flopped and his label dropped him. He later died of AIDS-related complications in 1983. Lambert first discovered the artist after watching the 2012 documentary, “Jobriath A.D.,” about his life.
“When I was a teenager coming to terms with my sexuality, I didn’t think I’d have a shot in the music industry, mostly because I was gay,” he told the BBC. “We had artists that came out once they had success, Elton
John, George Michael, but there was no-one I could compare myself to.”
The rest of the songs include I Can’t Stand the Rain (Tina Turner); West Coast (Lana Del Rey); Sex on Fire (Kings of Leon); and My Attic (Pink).
Lambert, 41, first rose to fame during the eighth season of “American Idol” in 2009. One of Lambert’s most memorable moments on the show was his version of Mad World (Tears for Fears). Since his stint on the show, he has collaborated with Queen and regularly tours with them. In 2022 Lambert performed at SunFest in West Palm Beach and he headlined Miami Beach Pride in 2013.
THURSDAY, MAY 18
More than anything else, Margaret Cho is unconditionally, unapologetically herself. Cho is the champion of debunking taboo subjects like sex, race, world politics, sexual orientation, and womanhood (to name a few) with her unabashed, sure-fire humor.
DON’T MISS ONE NIGHT WITH MARGARET CHO!
This event contains adult language.
J.W. Arnold
Samantha and Leo are a team – best friends, roommates, allies against the world – until a new friend enters and upends their co-dependent world of mutual self-loathing and “Grey’s Anatomy” marathons.
Playwright Morgan Gould set out to write a comedy about “the nature of friendship in all of its f@#ked up forms, with a special shout-out to the kind of love that sometimes looks like a lot of rage.”
Gould wrote the play as the thesis for her graduate degree in 2015: “It was due in 36 hours. At the time I was directing a play and if I didn’t file my thesis I’d have to do another year. I consulted with my adviser who pointed out that I always write satires. He asked me what I would come up with if I wrote a real play that wasn’t a joke.”
She drew on her own experiences with her gay bear roommate to whip out the first draft – after procrastinating with her roommate by binge watching several episodes of “American Horror Story: Hotel.” She later sat down on the floor of her bathroom (“It’s boring and I can focus in there,” Gould said), and 32 hours later hit save on her laptop.
Audiences might perceive the show as a sarcastic Millennial take on the stereotypical “Will & Grace” premise.
“I really dove into the love for my gay male friend and the complications of having a chosen family. Regular people have best friends and I have my gay,” Gould explained. “I hope audiences see it goes beyond the surface of why fat women and gay men are friends … just grittier and darker. It’s an amazing blessing and a curse.”
The play, which hasn’t changed much from that first hurried version, served as a launching pad for the writer, who was dying to work on television.
“I’m obsessed with TV. I always wanted to break into TV writing and now I do,” Gould concluded.
Island City Stage, 2304 N. Dixie Hwy. in Wilton Manors, presents Morgan Gould’s “I Want to F@#king Tear You Apart,” March 2 – April 2. Tickets start at $40 at IslandCityStage.org.
Over the centuries, various communities have envisioned God and Jesus in their own images – as a Black man, a woman, a blond-haired and blueeyed white man. But what if Jesus had been born a transgender Black man?
After a couple of years of improvisation exercises, short plays and spoken word productions, the Lesbian Thespians will tackle their first full-length play, Jo Clifford’s “The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven,” March 17 – 19 in the Our Fund Foundation Auditorium at ArtServe in Fort Lauderdale.
According to the group’s new managing director, Jill Bellak, the play has “gotten both rave reviews, and picketers, hate mail and even a comment from the Archbishop of Glasgow saying ‘It’s hard to imagine a greater affront to the Christian faith.’”
Lesbian Thespians has thrived since being founded by Carol Wartenberg during the pandemic, offering a safe space for South Florida queer women to connect and express themselves through the arts.
And they’re not shying away from the timely subject matter: “It’s incredibly controversial, especially in the current political climate here in South Florida,” Bellak pointed out. “You can see why we’re anxious to get the word out about this award-winning play as soon as possible!”
Lesbian Thespians presents Jo Clifford’s “The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven,” March 17 – 19 at ArtServe, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets start at $20 at LesbianThespians.com.
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