SFGN 03/11/21 V12iss10

LOCAL NAME GLOBAL COVERAGE MARCH 11, 2021 VOL. 12 // ISSUE 10

THE RETURN OF

ARTS AFTER A YEAR OF STRUGGLING, ENTERTAINMENT SLOWLY HEALING NEW WEEKLY FEATURE BY J.W. ARNOLD PAGE 34

Three Dads and a Baby PAGE 4 SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS

Rainbow Flag Controversy PAGE 6 @SFGN

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Gay Man Sues Bank of America PAGE 16

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NEWS HIGHLIGHT

Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association.

SENATORS COLLINS, MANCHIN VOTE TO DEFUND SCHOOLS ALLOWING TRANS KIDS IN SPORTS Chris Johnson

Washington Blade

T

he U.S. Senate narrowly rejected Saturday morning a Republican amendment to the coronavirus relief package that would have defunded schools allowing transgender kids to participate in sports.

The amendment, introduced by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), was proposed as part of the American Rescue Plan and defeated by a vote of 49-50 largely along party lines. The measure needed 60 votes to pass as part of the $1.9 trillion package.

However, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) broke with Democrats to vote in favor of the amendment and Sen. Lisa Murkowksi (R-Alaska) broke with Republicans to vote against it.

Manchin’s vote for the amendment is consistent with his lack of support for the Equality Act out of concerns about guidance on students undergoing gender transition. Murkowski’s vote, on the other hand, is consistent with her declaration in 2018 she voted as a citizen at the ballot in Anchorage against a proposed anti-transgender bathroom ordinance.

Notably, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) voted in favor of the amendment to defund schools allowing transgender kids in sports, even though she has a reputation of being the most pro-LGBT Republican in the Senate. Previously, Collins has co-sponsored

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2

• 3.11. 2021

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March 11, 2021 • Volume 12 • Issue 10

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Correspondents

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Contributing Columnists

Pier Angelo • Terri Schlichenmeyer Dana Rudolph • Ric Reily

Associate Photographers Carina Mask • Steven Shires

MANCHIN’S VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT IS CONSISTENT WITH HIS LACK OF SUPPORT FOR THE EQUALITY ACT OUT OF CONCERNS ABOUT GUIDANCE ON STUDENTS UNDERGOING GENDER TRANSITION.

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legislation seeking to reverse former President Trump’s transgender military ban and spoke out against a Trump administration regulation that would have allowed anti-trans discrimination in health

care.

Annie Clark, a Collins spokesperson, said via email in response to a Blade inquiry on why the senator voted for the amendment the issue of transgender kids is “complex” and

“needs further study.”

“Sen. Collins has been a leading advocate for transgender rights, and also for girls’ and women’s sports,” Clark said. “She believes this is a complex issue that needs further study.”

The measure would have prohibited funds made available under Title II of the Elementary & Secondary Education Act of 1965 to states, local educational agencies and institutions of higher education that permit any student whose biological sex is male to participate in sports designated for women or girls, essentially barring transgender athletes from being to compete.

Chris Johnson is Chief Political & White House Reporter for the Washington Blade.

Johnson is a member of the White House Correspondents' Association.

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BY PIER GUIDUGLI AND NORM KENT 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.

Copyright © 2021 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

NEWS STATE

WEEKLY TRACKING OF COVID-19 IN SOUTH FLORIDA Sean McShee

CUMULATIVE KNOWN COVID-19 CASES IN Cumulative COVID-19 Cases in THREE SOUTHKnown FLORIDA COUNTIES: Three South Florida Counties:

MARCH 3 THROUGH March 3 through MARCH March 9 9

Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 cases from 3/03 to 3/09 Palm Beach 1.7%, Broward 2.0%, and Miami Dade 1.6%

122,709

122,226

121,652

3/3

198,995

198,387

197,542

196,771

418,411

417,447

416,021

414,776

3/4

3/5

3/6

Palm Beach

200,688

200,139

199,643

123,778

123,520

123,304

123,033

421,433

420,340

419,479

3/7

3/8

Broward

3/9

Miami-Dade Source Fl DOH Dashboard

Source: Florida DOH Dashboard.

CUMULATIVE KNOWN COVID-19 DEATHS IN THREE SOUTH COUNTIES: Cumulative KnownFLORIDA COVID-19 Cases Deaths Cumulative COVID-19 inin Three South South Florida FloridaCounties: Counties: Three MARCH 3 THROUGH MARCH 9 March March 33 through throughMarch March99

Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 deaths from 3/03 to 3/09 Percent Increase in cumulative 3/03 to 3/09 Palm Beach 1.3%, BrowardCOVID-19 2.6%, andcases Miamifrom Dade 2.0% Palm Beach 1.7%, Broward 2.0%, and Miami Dade 1.6%

2,490 196,771

2,422

197,542 2,498

2,431

3/3 3/3

2,510 2,438

122,709

122,226

121,652

198,387

3/4 3/4

Palm Beach

198,995

2,465

3/6 3/6

Palm Beach Broward Broward

2,522 200,139 2,477

3/7 3/7

200,688 2,523 2,484 123,778

123,520

123,304

123,033

3/5 3/5

199,643 2,510

2,508 2,455

5,612 421,433

5,560 420,340

5,558 419,479

5,554 418,411

5,530 417,447

5,511 416,021

5,503 414,776

3/83/8

3/93/9

Miami Dade Miami-Dade Source Fl DOH Dashboard Source Fl DOH Dashboard

Source: Florida DOH Dashboard.

3.11. 20 21 •

3

NEWS NATIONAL

THREE DADS, A BABY AND THE LEGAL BATTLE TO GET THEIR NAMES ADDED TO THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE Faith Karimi CNN

M

eet Ian Jenkins and his partners, Alan and Jeremy. They’re a “throuple:” a committed polyamorous relationship involving three people.

And after a complicated and expensive court battle to all become legal parents, the trio are raising two toddlers in Southern California — and proving how families come in all forms.

They’re part of a unique and very modern family that includes three dads, two surrogates and one egg donor. In a new book, “Three Dads and a Baby,” Jenkins chronicles their search for potential egg donors and a surrogate, and a fight to change a medical and legal system geared toward heterosexual couples.

The three men have all been together for more than eight years. Jenkins says they fought to get all three of their names listed on the birth certificates to protect their parental rights and the rights of their children. The process was emotionally grueling.

“But we are hopeful that other people benefit from the experience we had,” he told CNN in a recent interview, “and that it’s easier, less expensive and less stressful for them.”

TWO MEN AND NO BABY As a gay teenager in Virginia, Jenkins says he faced death threats after coming out and couldn’t imagine he’d ever be able to openly love another man.

“I was completely isolated. I didn’t know a single gay person when I was in high school,” he says. “I thought I’d never be able to live an authentic life. It never occurred to me that people could even have two partners.”

He met Alan while they were doing their medical residencies in Boston.

“He was smarter than the other students.

It was obvious, even though he wasn’t straining to show off his medical knowledge, like half of them were,” Jenkins says.

He was drawn to Alan’s calm demeanor, witty comebacks and compassion for his patients. In the book, Jenkins recalls being touched by Alan’s tender care of a frail old woman who had been hospitalized. He

4

• 3.11. 2021

nicknamed her “my Golden Girl.”

Their first date was in 2003. Jenkins went to Alan’s place with a baking stone, homemade pizza dough and wine, and made him dinner. The couple later decided Boston was too chilly and agreed to move in search of warmer weather. They ended up in San Diego, where Jenkins is an associate professor of medicine at UC San Diego and Alan works at a hospital as a psychiatrist.

“Turns out, the medical center that’s the farthest from Boston in the continental United States is in San Diego,” Jenkins says.

“So here we are.”

THREE MEN AND A BABY After almost a decade together, Jenkins introduced to Alan the idea of bringing a third man into their partnership. They met Jeremy online, and he joined them in 2012.

Jeremy works in animal medicine at the San Diego Zoo, where his patients range from apes to California condors. To protect their privacy, Alan and Jeremy prefer not to use their last names.

Alan brought up the possibility of having children several times, but the numerous surrogacy and parenting challenges they’d face as a same-sex threesome appeared insurmountable.

“We knew he was right, but we never took the first step. Then Jeremy entered the picture: a zookeeper and nurturer by trade,” Jenkins writes in the book. “With a third voice at the table, our conversations about parenting began to change.”

The stress that comes with parenting sounded less intimidating when shared among three people.

“We just didn’t have the ovaries,” Jenkins writes.

They shared their predicament with one of Alan’s childhood friends, a woman named Meghan who offered to be an egg donor. She wanted to remain in the children’s lives as a sort of an aunt figure, Jenkins says. Instead of paying her as an egg donor, they agreed

Alan (left), Ian, and Jeremy pose with Parker and Piper. Photo via Facebook.

to have the three fathers pay for her travel expenses to visit them at least once a year.

Another female friend agreed to be a surrogate, and they were ready to be dads.

But the road to fatherhood involved more lawyers, paperwork and money than they’d ever imagined.

THREE MEN, A BABY AND A LEGAL BATTLE Over the next few months Jenkins says the family spent nearly $121,000 on contracts, legal fees, medical procedures and tests for their firstborn.

“Gay couples don’t stumble into parenthood by accident,” he writes in the book. “It’s always a deliberate act, and a complicated one.”

In addition to numerous legal contracts with the women involved, they also had to fight to get all three men’s names on their firstborn’s birth certificate. Because the men aren’t married everyone involved required a separate lawyer to craft a parenting agreement, Jenkins says.

Under a 2013 California law, a third parent can be added to a birth certificate after a child’s birth if it can be shown that recognizing only two parents would be detrimental to the child.

But Jenkins says the judge at a pre-birth hearing was hesitant about setting a precedent by ruling that all three men’s names could be on the birth certificate.

Allowing only two parents on the document

would deny the third dad any legal rights in connection to the child. It would also force the three men to make a wrenching decision.

At the hearing, the three men asked to be allowed to speak. Fighting back emotion, they explained why it was important for all three to be named as parents. They talked about automatic inheritance, the ability to make decisions on medical consents, visitation rights should they split up.

Their pleas worked.

“We could just see in her [the judge’s] face that something had changed, that she wouldn’t feel comfortable denying one of us parenthood,” Jenkins says. “And we could tell right then that she was going to find some way to make it work out for us.”

The judge ruled in their favor before their daughter Piper was born in 2017. Jenkins believes they are the first polyamorous family in California, and possibly the country, to be named as the legal parents of a child. CNN has not been able to confirm that.

THREE MEN, TWO BABIES AND THREE WOMEN The trio are settling into their roles as parents. They now have a second child, a boy named Parker, who was born in 2019 — the product of the same egg donor but a different surrogate.

Parker’s birth meant another set of legal contracts among the people involved.

NEWS NATIONAL But with Parker, there was no legal battle to get the dads’ names added to the birth certificate. The court took care of it without having them come in.

Jenkins says they’re forever indebted to the egg donor and the two surrogate mothers for their gift of two biological halfsiblings.

With multiple fathers, the biological process can be confusing. Jenkins often finds himself trying to explain.

“We did an egg extraction. We got a bunch of eggs ... and we fertilized them with sperm from all three dads. And from that effort, we got several embryos. One of the embryos was Piper, one of the embryos was Parker,” he says. “And so the parents of Piper are Jeremy and Meghan, and Parker’s parents are Alan and Meghan.”

Meghan lives in Tennessee and sees the children at least once a year. They call her “Mama Meghan.”

The children have different names for their fathers: Jenkins is Papa, Alan is Dada and Jeremy is Daddy.

As Jenkins notes in his book, Piper seems proud of her unique family.

She once told a preschool classmate: “You have two parents. I have three parents.” ... ALL EQUAL ONE EXTRAORDINARY HOUSEHOLD The dads and their children share a bustling house with two Goldendoodles named Otis and Hazel.

They benefit from three incomes and more people to share parenting responsibilities.

But in other ways their family is just like any other, Jenkins says. He compares it to his growing up as a child of divorcees with three parents in the picture.

“Day to day in our home, everything is very ordinary,” he says. “There’s just people making dinner, going out to the hot tub with the kids, reading books, playing with toys.

It’s just these three parents instead of two or one.”

While Jenkins is worried that their children may be treated differently because of their unique relationship, he says they haven’t had any issues so far.

“We’ve had zero negative feedback from coworkers and friends. Everyone seems to just be delighted about the arrangement and that’s because they know us,” Jenkins says. “I think some people will look at this and say like, ‘Oh, this is exotic. It’s going to harm the child.’ But people who know us know that we have been taking care of these kids as best as we possibly can.”

After the long journey to become fathers, the three men are now navigating fatherhood like any other parent. Their goal is to ensure they have consistent rules and parenting styles.

“We knew that if there were three of us, the usual issue where a kid can play parents off each other becomes multiplied,” says Jenkins, 45.

Jeremy, 37, is currently the “popular” dad — Piper follows him around like a little shadow. Alan, 43, loves to read the children’s stories, creating different accents for each character. And Jenkins’ favorite thing now is teaching Piper how to read.

If he were to send a message to his teenage self, Jenkins says, he’d tell himself that life gets better.

That however hopeless thing may seem like a young gay man struggling to fit in, the world is changing. And that he’ll someday find more love under one roof than he ever imagined.

Jeremy Hodges listening to Piper. Photo via Facebook.

3.11. 20 21 •

5

NEWS NATIONAL

NEW LGBT FLAG CAUSES

STIR IN MIAMI

Does the community need an updated flag?

Steve Rothaus

I

t’s a controversy that’s blown across America, from Boston to Boise to the Bay Area itself — San Francisco, home of Gilbert Baker’s iconic 1978 Rainbow flag: whether to replace his original with a new progressive banner supporters say better represents the diversity of today’s LGBT communities.

“I see the Progress flag and I see the adoption bans, the U.S. military’s “Don’t Ask, evolution of something that is morphing into Don’t Tell” policy and marriage equality. In present times. It is symbolic of more current June 2015, MoMA in New York City added the events in our world,” said Aiyana Angeni flag to its official design collection.

González, chairwoman of the Miami-Dade Baker himself sometimes altered his LGBTQ Advisory Board, which Feb. 3 voted original design for special purposes, such as to recommend the updated flag be flown over adding a black stripe in 1986 and calling it his County Hall in downtown Miami every June “AIDS flag,” according to his longtime friend, throughout Pride Month.

Charley Beal, who serves as Baker designed his flag — board president of the Gilbert originally eight colors (hot Baker Foundation. pink, red, orange, yellow, “And in 2017, in reaction green, turquoise, blue and to Donald Trump’s election, violet) representing “sex, after attending the women’s life, healing, sunlight, march — and he was just kind nature, magic, serenity and of horrified by what Trump spirit” — a year after singer was doing — he designed a and Florida orange juice nine-color flag, which was spokeswoman Anita Bryant the original eight colors and a led a 1977 campaign to repeal lavender stripe for diversity,” Miami-Dade County’s newly Beal said. “This was not meant passed law that banned bias to replace the world-renowned in jobs, housing and public six-color rainbow flag.” accommodations on the Baker, 65, died in his sleep basis of “affectional or sexual on March 31, 2017, two months preference.” after Trump became president.

Following the 1978 As the progressive political assassination of gay San movement quickly evolved - Charley Beal Francisco Supervisor Harvey during the conservative BOARD PRESIDENT OF Milk, demand soared for Trump years, a new coalition THE GILBERT BAKER Baker’s Rainbow flag and he of LGBT people — many FOUNDATION reduced the number of stripes younger, transgender and/or first to seven (hot pink became Black and Brown — said they an unavailable fabric color), and then to do not feel fully represented by the original six for an even number of colors (goodbye, Rainbow flag. turquoise).

On June 8, 2017, a modified version of For 40 years, Baker’s Rainbow flag has been Baker’s flag — adding a black stripe and a the global standard bearer for generations of brown one — was raised for Pride Month over LGBT people who lived through the worldwide Philadelphia City Hall.

AIDS crisis and political challenges including “The black and brown stripes are an

“This was not meant to replace the worldrenowned sixcolor rainbow flag.”

6

• 3.11. 2021

The Philadelphia pride flag.

The “new” pride flag. Photo via The Flag Shop.

inclusionary way to highlight Black and Brown LGBTQIA members within our community,” a source at the time told Philadelphia magazine.

Last June, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor (an out lesbian), along with local LGBT activists including Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith,raised the Philadelphia Pride flag over City Hall.

In 2017 and 2018, artist Daniel Quasar of Portland, Oregon, again modified Baker’s flag, adding “both black/brown stripes, as well as the trans stripes,” according to the artist’s website.

Quasar’s website sells his Progress flags (ranging from $21 to $60 each), along with similar products including T-shirts, stickers, buttons and socks.

Baker never copyrighted his original design, didn’t sell flags and died “dirt poor,” Beal said.

“He didn’t copyright it because he wanted it to be free for people to use. By the way, Daniel Quasar did copyright his flag, and I hope these people buying these flags understand that,” Beal said. “Let’s get something clear, And I had to get this from our lawyers: Flags cannot be copyrighted. Works of art can, designs can.

Like the American flag — anybody can sew it onto a shirt, use it for a piece of artwork. You can burn it as a matter of fact. It’s legal.”

In the past few years, progressives and others have lobbied to fly alternate Pride

The original eight-color rainbow flag by Gilbert Baker.

flags, even in cities such as Baker’s beloved San Francisco, where he lived from the 1970s through mid ‘90s.

Last August in the aftermath of George Floyd’s May 25, 2020, murder in Minneapolis, the Bay Area Reporter (BAR) wrote: “Raising a new flag design could be an opportunity to launch a comprehensive campaign that includes pledges from all businesses in the district that they are welcoming to everyone — LGBTQ and straight alike; Black, Brown and Indigenous people; Asians, Native Americans, and those with disabilities; young and old — without the epithets, misgendering, and other terrible things that people have experienced over the years.”

It’s Quasar’s Progress flag that’s recently been raised at Miami Beach and Hollywood city halls. And it’s the one being recommended to be flown — the first LGBT pride flag ever — at Miami-Dade County Hall, the downtown 28-story Stephen P. Clark Center.

“It’s not a matter of choosing this or that, it’s a matter of using what’s most representative of the times we live in,” said Gonzalez, the LGBTQ Advisory Board’s chairwoman. “And neither is it about erasing what was.”

The Feb. 3 vote followed much discussion, both from the public and board members.

“While I applaud the spirit of Daniel

NEWS NATIONAL

OUT NOW

Quasar’s reinterpretation to allow for greater give them.” inclusion, I ask that you keep the original flag,” As discussion wound down, board member said activist Shed Boren of Coral Gables, who Jerry Chasen asked to speak: co-produced “The Day It Snowed in Miami,” “Given the sensibility of the committee, it a 2014 documentary about Anita Bryant and seems pretty clear that the Progressive flag the South Florida gay-rights movement. is going to be the one that we recommend. I “During the research for this film, I want us to be sensitive to the fact that, as you discovered that Gilbert’s Pride flag was heard from the speakers who spoke at the explicitly created to be used as political onset of the meeting, myself included, there theater as a result of what happened in Miami may be some people who are offended by the in 1977. Yes, Miami played a role in creating substituting of the original flag. the flag that Mr. Baker created “We need to be responsible in 1978,” Boren told the board. in our communication about Gonzalez, who is trans, said why we chose to recommend during the board discussion the Progressive flag instead that followed: “This is not of the traditional Rainbow about taking any credit from flag, so that we can be clear Mr. Gilbert Baker. And this and some of the sentiments is not about removing any of that were expressed by my the significance of what Mr. colleagues are put before the Gilbert Baker created and what public, so that there may be its intention was. It is a matter some understanding about of moving that forward and why we chose what we did.” adding more. That’s all it is.”

The board then voted 9-2 in Darrell Burks told fellow favor of flying the Progress flag. board members why he prefers Chasen and newly appointed the Progress flag: member Damian Pardo, both “I’m an African-American longtime LGBT activists, gay man who has gone voted against the motion. through many stages of being Pardo’s vote, however, was - Aiyana Angeni recognized as an Africandisqualified because not all his González American gay male. I was new-member paperwork had CHAIRWOMAN OF THE born in this world as a Negro. cleared, Gonzalez said.

MIAMI-DADE LGBTQ That’s what it says on my birth On Feb. 19, the advisory ADVISORY BOARD certificate. So, I’ve gone from board sent a Pride Month listening to my mother say “urging” to Miami-Dade ‘Colored’ — that’s what she was called — to commissioners, said Gabriel Paez, the panel’s being a Negro, and then being Black, African program director.

American and then recognizing that I am a Paez said the commission will decide Black American. whether to fly the Progress flag, the Baker flag, “As I look at this issue about the flag, this is both flags or no Pride flag at all. a progression of where we are now and as we “This is really going to show if we have the move forward. I think it reflects our society as support at the county level,” he said. “I would we are now. We are recognized — the trans hope so, because it’s the urging of an advisory community and now the Black and Brown board.” community — and it’s a step forward and not a step stuck in time.”

Board member Robin Schwartz at first said she was “torn because for me the traditional flag has always already included trans and Black people.”

“What I think is helping me to now lean towards the Progressive flag is like what Darrell said, right? It doesn’t matter what I think, because I’m a white privileged person,” Schwartz said. “For me, even though the regular flag already includes Black and Brown people, and trans folks, if they don’t believe it, then I don’t know it’s representing what we want to accomplish. For me, those who have been oppressed for so long deserve every sign Daniel Quasar. Photo via Facebook. of acknowledgement that we can possibly

E D I U G

THE

DBOOK THE HAN

T' TO WHA

N SOUT S HOT I

H FLORI

DA

LOOK FOR IT AT A RED BOX NEAR YOU!

“This is not about taking any credit from Mr. Gilbert Baker ... It is a matter of moving that forward and adding more.”

MEDICARE AND PRIVATE INSURANCE ACCEPTED

Journalist Steve Rothaus covered LGBT issues for 22 years at the Miami Herald.

3.11. 20 21 •

7

LGBTQIA BITES

BY KENDALL LITTLE

IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE G

NB

Non-Binary

NEW CALIFORNIA BILL MAY CREATE AND ENFORCE GENDER-NEUTRAL KIDS’ SECTIONS IN STORES A new bill to prohibit dividing children’s sections in stores by gender is being debated in California right now.

The bill would cover toys and other products, but not clothing.

According to The Advocate, the proposal was introduced on Feb. 18, and if passed, will go into effect January 1, 2024. It will come with a fine of $1,000 for violations.

The bill’s co-author, Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, believes that genderneutral options in stores will allow children to flourish in whatever they find interesting.

“We should allow our kids to explore and try different things and let them come to their own conclusion of how they will identify themselves,” she told The Advocate.

Photo via Pixabay.

... HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN THE LGBTQIA COMMUNITY

Q

Queer

QUEER JOURNALIST GIVES A VOICE TO COUNTLESS LGBT CITIZENS

Queer journalist Alex Berg prides herself on giving a voice to LGBT people who have stories to tell.

She has interviewed thousands of people over the course of her career and is now the host of LGBTQ Nation’s new podcast.

“Every issue is an issue that impacts LGBTQ people,” Berg told to LGBTQ Nation.

At the start of her career, Berg battled with editors to publish LGBT-centered stories.

“Early in her career, she said she had to spend a great deal of time trying to convince editors that LGBTQ issues were worth covering at all, that they were not a niche topic, and that there were not a finite number of stories to tell,” according to LGBTQ Nation.

Now, Berg is working in queer media and loving how LGBT issues are never

Alex Berg. Photo via Facebook.

invalidated by her co-workers or bosses.

“It’s such a special responsibility to have when you’re talking about really intimate personal stories about identity, about people’s bodies, about autonomy, and then getting to help people understand them better through your writing. That’s something that has really attracted me to journalism,” Berg said.

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• 3.11. 2021

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2/24/2021 1:02:23 PM

LGBTQIA BITES

T

Transgender

TRANS ACTOR SPEAKS OUT AGAINST PROPOSED BILL

Elliot Page, who came out as transgender in December, is using his platform to stand up for trans youth.

The state of Alabama proposed a new bill that would imprison doctors for up to 10 years if they utilize gender-affirming healthcare to treat transgender children and teens.

“Efforts to criminalize trans kids are deadly and we need to fight back against Alabama’s HB1/SB10. Trans kids’ lives depend on stopping this bill,” Page tweeted on March 5.

Fans left comments below the tweet to show their support for Page and the fight against the bill.

“100%. I’ll say it again — children often know who they are well before adults do. Also, gender identity is developed around age 3. Allowing children to take hormone blockers when they reach puberty can SAVE LIVES,” one person tweeted.

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3.11. 20 21 •

9

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

BY ELLIOT RODRIGUEZ

GAY VINE THE

KEEP UP WITH THE CELEBRITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY

FILM

HOLY BUNNY!

CELEBRITY

PRIDE

Lola Bunny in “Space Jam.” Fair use.

KAYLA BRAXTON IS OUT OF THE CLOSET

DESEXUALIZING LOLA BUNNY?

If you haven’t heard, the beloved halfanimated and half-live action basketball movie “Space Jam” is getting a reboot.

This time Lebron James is filling in for Michael Jordan, and the original Looney Toons cast is back to kick some butt on the court.

However, one thing has changed and some fans don’t seem to be too happy about it. If you thought that it was the uniforms, then you’re somewhat right, it’s what is inside of one of those uniforms.

Specifically Lola Bunny’s.

Fans have spotted the significant change to Lola Bunny’s character. Being that she is not as sexually appealing as in the first movie.

Unlike in the first movie where she seemed to be portrayed as a Playboy

bunny, no pun intended, Director Malcolm D. Lee is taking a different route with Lola this time.

“Lola [Bunny] was very sexualized, like Betty Boop mixed with Jessica Rabbit …

Lola was not politically correct … This is a kids’ movie, why is she in a crop top? It just felt unnecessary, but at the same time there’s a long history of that in cartoons,” Lee told EW.com.

WWE interviewer Kayla Braxton came out as bisexual in a recent Twitter post.

She came out Thursday March 4, according to Pink News. “The 27-year-old, known out of the ring as Kayla Becker, shared an image of a bisexual pride flag on Twitter as she opened up about being forced into boxes throughout her life.”

However, Braxton deleted her Twitter profile shortly after she revealed her sexuality.

Before her Twitter was non-existent, Braxton said, “My whole life, I’ve had to choose. Are you black? Are you white?

Which bubble do you fill in on the SATs? I always filled in ‘other’ because nothing applied to me. Tonight, I choose to be over having to choose. Hello world. I’m Kayla.

Oh. And yeah — I’m Bi,” which Pink News

Kayla Braxton. Photo via Facebook.

managed to catch.

With other WWE stars such as Gabbi Tuft and Tegan Nox coming out, it seems more and more people in the sports community seem to be finding their voice and true self.

DRAG

YAS QUEEN! HERE COMES MORE DRAG RACE!

Crikey! If you are a fan of everything Drag Race, pack your sun tan lotion and swimsuit because Drag Race is going down under.

Although the show, filmed in Auckland, New Zealand, doesn’t have a specified date to debut, “RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under” is scheduled to appear in 2021, according to Out.com.

The show is going to consist of 10 Drag Queens, all gearing up for the task at hand.

The competition seems like it will be fierce.

“Of the 10 cast members, there’s competitors like Art Simone, who had over 100,000 followers on Instagram at the time of writing and is Australia’s reigning Drag Performer of the Year. Simone also had her

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• 3.11.2021

own show on ‘World of Wonder,’” Out.com said.

The Queens appearing on the show will be Kita Mean, Anita Wigl’it, Coco Jumbo, Elektra Shock, Etcetera Etcetera, Jojo Zaho, Karen From Finance, Scarlet Adams and Maxi Shield.

With the season running for eight episodes, the judging panel will consist of RuPaul, Michelle Visage and comedian Rhys Nicholson, EW.com reported.

According to Out.com, the show will air on Stan in Australia, as well as TVNZ in New Zealand. For viewers in the U.S., the series will be available on WOW Presents Plus.

The cast of “RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.” Photo credit: RuPaul’s Drag Race.

PA L M B E A C H

news

ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL GRADUATIONS

WILL NOW BE GENDER NEUTRAL Christiana Lilly

P

ublic high schools in Palm Beach County can no longer give different colored caps and gowns based on a student’s gender at graduation.

While most schools had done away with the tradition, three of the 25 schools in the county were still clinging to assigning boys and girls different colored caps and gowns.

A fourth had students choose which color they wanted.

The decision was made at the Palm Beach County School Board’s Feb. 3 meeting, followed by an email to all principals by Superintendent Donald Fennoy.

“I was just beyond happy,” said Erica Whitfield, who represents District 4 for the school board. “I felt like something should have been done a long time ago, and the fact we were able to do it for kids was awesome.”

When Whitfield was first elected to the School Board six years ago, she was invited to a meeting of LGBT students and allies at Lake Worth High School. Their biggest concern at that time was allowing transgender kids to use the bathroom they were most comfortable with, but they also brought up that students were being assigned different colored caps and gowns according to their gender.

She thought the practice was antiquated and didn’t even realize schools were still

“EVEN IF YOU DON’T KNOW IF YOU HAVE TRANSGENDER KIDS, YOU DO.” - Erica Whitfield

DISTRICT 4 SCHOOLBOARD REPRESENTATIVE

doing it. She figured she would bring it up at the next meeting as a discussion item — a “cakewalk of an issue,” she said.

She was wrong.

People were determined to keep the policy. The excuses from the administration varied: it’s tradition, we already ordered our caps and gowns and can’t change it now, or claiming there were no gender binary or transgender kids at their school.

“Even if you don’t know if you have transgender kids, you do,” Whitfield said.

Over the years, many schools have done away with the two colors and simply had students wear all the same color cap and gown, or assigned colors according to the last name to show off their school colors.

But in the past, boys and girls have been separated into different aisles, told that boys had to wear slacks and girls had to wear a skirt or dress, and even having girls wear all white on graduation day.

Amanda Canete, the youth program director at Compass, remembers graduating high school in 2004 and wearing a different color cap and gown from the boys. Almost 20 years later, she was hearing that it was still continuing at local high schools.

“It was something that adults wanted to hold onto and it’s not about them — it’s about the students graduating and they should be the ones feeling comfortable because it’s their event,” she said. “Gender should not be a factor in what students wear to celebrate the accomplishments of graduating high school.”

Determined to do right by students, starting in 2019, Whitfield reached out to the principals of the schools who still had the two-color rule. Some refused to change their policy, but others were open to hearing from her. This included Dr. James Campbell at Seminole Ridge Community High School in Loxahatchee.

A principal at the school for a decade,

Graduation at Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, which did away with the two-color cap and gown policy years ago. Courtesy of Erica Whitfield.

he explained that boys wore silver gowns and girls wore red — however, they weren’t strict about it if someone chose the other color. They were separated into two aisles so that there would be two blocks of color.

Years ago, they did away with the pants for boys and dresses for girls’ dress code, and simply asked them to wear dark clothing and shoes under their gowns.

With talk of the cap and gown change, he reached out to Whitfield in 2019 about the school’s proposal to allow students to choose whichever color they wanted.

However, she noted that it was still putting pressure on non-binary students and might be outing them. After a lengthy discussion, he said he had a better understanding of the issue.

Gowns had already been ordered for that year’s graduating class, so he hosted a meeting with the juniors about what they would like to see happen for their graduation in 2020. They voted on having one color: red. There was no in-person graduation due to the pandemic, so 2021 may be the first time the new red caps and gowns will be implemented at graduation.

“We love graduation, it’s a big deal, but

we love it because it’s a huge moment for them and their families. I wanted them to have the opportunity to make the decision of how it was going to be handled,” Campbell said.

After the School Board made the decision official during its Feb. 3 meeting, an email was sent out to the schools by the superintendent. Three schools still had the rule — Lake Worth, Jupiter and Pahokee — and a fourth, Royal Palm Beach High School, said they would allow students to choose whichever of the two colors they wanted.

“It’s not up to interpretation anymore.

It’s something that will be required,” Canete said. “I’m not sure why the schools wanted to die on that hill, but I’m glad that the language is clear that that won’t be acceptable anymore.”

Since the official mandate, Whitfield has received positive feedback.

“I had a few people who said they couldn’t believe the policy existed in the first place,” she said. “It doesn’t make everything better for us, especially for our non-binary kids … but it’s going to make this one thing a lot better.”

If you know of an issue impacting LGBT students in Palm Beach County Schools, please reach out to Erica Whitfield at erica.whitfield@palmbeachschools.org.

3.11. 20 21 •

11

C O M PA S S POINTS

PA L M B E A C H

c ol u m n

CHECK OUT THESE UPCOMING EVENTS AT COMPASS Claudia Harrison

Chief Information Officer

Full Charge Bookkeeping Services

IT’S BEEN A LONG, TOUGH YEAR FOR EVERYONE. WE AT COMPASS COMMUNITY CENTER ARE READY TO GET TOGETHER AGAIN, AND WE HAVE A FEELING YOU ARE, TOO! WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE’RE PLANNING SOME IN-PERSON EVENTS ON THE HORIZON, AND WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US FOR SOME RESPONSIBLE FUN. Up first is the Legacy Project performance, the third of its kind, produced in partnership with Palm Beach Dramaworks. This intergenerational storytelling project brings together alumni of Compass’ youth group and respected elders in the local LGBT community. You can learn more about past Legacy Project events at https://www. palmbeachdramaworks.org/education.

The event, a combination of recorded interviews and live performance, will be held on Tuesday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. at Bryant Park in Lake Worth Beach. Guests are welcome to begin gathering at 7:00 p.m., with a start time near sunset. You can reserve your seats at www.2021Legacy. eventbrite.com. Donations are appreciated but not required. Seating is limited due to the safety precautions in place, so don’t wait!

And yes — you asked for some Pride, and you’re getting it! Saturday, June 5, Compass Community Center will host the Palm Beach Pride Market at Bryant Park in Lake Worth Beach. The market will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day, and admission is free.

Compass produces Palm Beach Pride every March, but due to ongoing health concerns surrounding COVID-19, Compass leadership decided to forego that event and its crowds of people for a socially distanced option. The Palm Beach Pride

THE PALM BEACH PRIDE MARKET WILL FEATURE A WIDE VARIETY OF VENDORS OFFERING PRODUCTS LIKE PLANTS AND FLOWERS, PRODUCE, PREPARED FOODS, FINE ART, AND MORE.

A couple poses at a past Palm Beach Pride.

Photo courtesy of Compass, via Facebook.

Market will feature a wide variety of vendors offering products like plants and flowers, produce, prepared foods, fine art, and more.

Admission is free and all are welcome.

Because the safety of our community is of utmost importance, we will ensure safety protocols that include mandatory maskwearing, safe distance between vendor tents, hand sanitizer stations throughout the market, and social distancing among attendees.

“The decision to host a Pride Market was in response to the great need we see all around us for some kind of togetherness,” explained Julia Murphy, Compass’ chief development officer. “We recognize the importance of celebrating as a community, and while a full-blown Pride festival isn’t a safe option this year, a Pride Market provides a place and time to come together, and to support local merchants, too.”

Some details of the event are still being decided, and the Compass team will announce them as they are finalized. Among the potential draws to the Pride Market are some of the community’s favorite drag performers hosting from the Bryant Park stage, and a DJ providing music to enhance the celebratory atmosphere of the day.

Murphy teased that “there might even be a stand serving mimosas!”

For more information about all of these upcoming events, please visit compassglcc.com.

To participate as a vendor at the Pride Market, please contact Adrienne Percival at adrienne@compassglcc.com or 561-533-9699 ext. 4022.

Claudia Harrison is Compass’ chief information officer.

She can be reached at claudia@compassglcc.com

12

• 3.11.2021

PA L M B E A C H

news

FROM BROCK HANEY

WITH LOVE FOUNDATION AIMS TO HELPS THOSE STRUGGLING WITH ADDITION John Hayden

ADDICTION IS PAINFUL. RECOVERY IS ROUGH. WHILE ADDICTS IN RECOVERY FOCUS ON THE BIG PICTURE, IT CAN BE THE LITTLE THINGS THAT GET IN THE WAY AND MAKE THEM FEEL LIKE THEY’RE SPINNING THEIR WHEELS. NOW A GROUP, DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF A SOUTH FLORIDA MAN, IS HERE TO HELP. FROM BROCK HANEY WITH LOVE GIVES “SMALL DOLLAR,” TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE WORKING ON THEIR RECOVERY. Brock Haney moved to Florida from New York to get his pilot license. Like most people, recovery didn’t take hold the first time, or the second. He was in and out of programs for years before dying at age 25. That was five years ago. Since then, his friend and sponsor, Kevin Owens, has worked to keep Brock’s memory alive by helping others who are struggling with the same problems. “We met at Lambda North and he asked me to be his sponsor,” Owens said. “Over the next four years we shared his journey together. Being invited to share a journey with someone is a blessing and responsibility.”

It’s that responsibility that led Owens to create the foundation. It’s not the type of organization that holds big, splashy, headline making events. Brock Haney flies under the radar, collecting a few thousand dollars a year, and using it to give a little help to a lot of people.

“We believe in helping one person at

NOW THE FOUNDATION NAMED AFTER HIM TRIES TO KEEP BROCK’S LIGHT SHINING BRIGHT, ONE SMALL BUT GENEROUS ACT AT A TIME.

Brock Haney.

Photo courtesy of Lambda North.

a time. The help is limited and meant to provide temporary assistance when it is needed most. The goal is ultimately for the person to become self-supporting and when they can pay it forward and help another in need in our LGBT recovery community.”

With much of our social life revolving around bars, clubs, and parties, Owens knows recovery comes with unique challenges for LGBT people.

“Self-love, self-esteem, sex issues, internal homophobia, and trauma are just a few of the challenges a person will need to work through once they become abstinent, drinking and drugs are just a symptom of something deeper and unique to each individual addressing their issues.”

Now the foundation named after him tries to keep Brock’s light shining bright, one small but generous act at a time.

“His ability to light up a room, and make everyone in that room feel special and loved was a special gift he possessed. I learned from him the importance of going out of my way to say hello and make someone feel welcome, because sometimes I forget I truly don’t know the impact that a simple act of kindness may have.”

Now the foundation looks to get more people involved, raise more donations, and raise more awareness.

To learn more about Brock and his legacy or make a donation, visit their website at LoveBrock.org.

3.11. 20 21 •

13

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH BIPOC

REIMAGINING OUR FUTURE ARCHIVING THE LIVES OF BLACK AND BROWN LBT WOMEN IN SOUTH FLORIDA Carina Mask

G

henete “G” Wright Muir’s extensive and multifaceted resume is impressive. While she is currently a professor at NSU Shepard Broad College of Law, as well as one of the founding members of Thou Art Woman, she has worked with The Florida Bar, the Broward County Law Office of the Public Defender and Legal Aid Service of Broward County. She’s also past president of the T.J. Reddick Bar Association and has served on the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors and the American Bar Association’s Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

She attributes her can-do attitude, work ethic, and love of public service to her parents.

Ghenete “G” Wright Muir. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

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• 3.11.2021

Wright Muir, Nik Harris and PJ Hitchins, which is an event series that celebrates LBT women and their allies through narrative, performance, and visual arts.

A JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY The event boasts a robust assortment of AND SELF-LOVE entertainment such as visual arts, singing, storytelling, music performance, dance, and Wright Muir was born in New York City, reciting of poetry and spoken word. and when she was 5 years old, her family “It was magical! We finally had a safe space moved back to Kingston, Jamaica. where we could share our creativity and Wright Muir attended our truths — it’s where we can elementary through high really breathe and be ourselves “WE FINALLY HAD A school in Jamaica before — without judgment,” Wright returning to the United Muir said.

SAFE SPACE WHERE States. She received her Thou Art Woman has WE COULD SHARE undergraduate degrees in grown tremendously since its OUR CREATIVITY AND Black Studies and Psychology inception in 2014, when the first OUR TRUTHS — IT’S from Amherst College, and her event attracted approximately WHERE WE CAN Juris Doctor Degree from Pace 50 women. The event now REALLY BREATHE University School of Law. attracts hundreds of women and AND BE OURSELVES After coming out publicly invites the audience to become in 2013, she noticed that there a part of the event by focusing — WITHOUT was a desperate need in South on the “open mic” element of JUDGMENT.” Florida for an alternative space the event.

- Ghenete “G” for LBT women. In early 2010, The importance of multiWright Muir most of the watering holes and generational LBT spaces did not socialization for LBT women escape Wright Muir. The artists were dimly lit bars. that are showcased at Thou Art Woman Wright Muir describes her discomfort and range in age from their early 20s to their apprehension about the gradual realization 60s. The warm and welcoming environment of discovering her identity as gender invites open dialogue between the artists nonconforming and as a lesbian. David Muir, and attendees alike.

Wright Muir’s then-spouse, was encouraging Thou Art Woman has expanded and and supportive of her during the entire evolved into a three-day weekend event process and continued to co-parent their which features in visual and performing arts, two sons, Masai and Kairo. networking mixers, and tons of live music.

Thou Art Woman is the brainchild of The event isn’t solely about entertainment

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH BIPOC — it’s a gathering place for a myriad of artists, an incubator for creativity, a source of inspiration to each other, and a driving force for a sisterhood of support.

It’s a place where women can speak freely and express themselves and talk about subjects such as oppression, modern day feminism, race, and marginalization.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BLACK AND BROWN HISTORY

Crow Era’s recreational segregation have remarked that swimming became a skill that went unlearned by Black and Brown people because of their inaccessibility to beaches and pools. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, African American children aged from 5 to 19 are 5.5 times more likely to drown than their white counterparts in the U.S. HOW HISTORY CONTINUES TO REPEAT

The Joseph C. Carter pool located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a public 20-acre During the summer of 2020 as racial park with basketball courts, tennis courts, tensions came to a boiling point in the U.S., and a swimming pool that was named in July 19 was a nightmarish scenario that honor of late Joseph C. Carter, hit way too close to home for who worked tirelessly for Wright Muir and her son Masai.

20-odd years for the city of Since the start of the COVID-19, WHICH Fort Lauderdale and Broward shutdown during the pandemic, ALLOWED WRIGHT Wright Muir was self-isolating County Parks and Recreation MUIR TO PAUSE Department. and adhering to a regiment of The City of Fort Lauderdale jogging every day. However, AND TAKE A was founded by Major William when the pools opened back MOMENT TO Lauderdale in 1838 during up during the summer, Wright REFLECT ABOUT the Seminole War, and was Muir’s son searched on the incorporated in 1911.

THE UNCERTAINTY internet for two locations The late 1800s and into 1970s within a 10-minute drive from OF THE FUTURE is a long span of time where their home to swim laps.

OF THOU ART segregation, discrimination The irony that this is the and oppression thrived in location where the altercation WOMAN. South Florida against Black and between Wright Muir, her son, Brown people. and a white woman occurred is When the Florida East Coast Railway was not lost on anyone. developed by Henry Morrison Flagler and Wright Muir and her son are both strong John D. Rockefeller and built in 1885, Black swimmers and members of an organization folks were denied access to the ocean and called Diversity in Aquatics. the beaches.

“When I entered the pooI, I said During the summers of the 1960s, Black something to my son and the woman rudely protests orchestrated a series of “wade ins,” said I couldn’t talk over her lane,” Wright in which Eula Johnson was one of the most Muir said. “I then turned to the lifeguard famous activists and business owners. She and asked if that was a rule and was told it was under constant threat by the Ku Klux was not. I informed the woman it was not a Klan that even showed up to the protests rule but if she switched lanes then it would with axe handles and were only kept at bay resolve the concern. The woman refused to by the FBI because Johnson informed them change lanes.” of the imminent threat of violence.

Wright Muir and her son continued on Johnson held these peaceful protests with their warm-up laps and occasionally at white-only beaches in Fort Lauderdale spoke to each other between sets. The because the Black-only beaches were woman became enraged and asked the overgrown with vegetation and inaccessible. lifeguard to step in and prohibit them from Historians who have written about Jim speaking to each other.

Ghenete “G” Wright Muir. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

The woman subsequently requested for the pool staff to call the police, and thereby instantly escalating the situation.

The Fort Lauderdale police department responded quickly and escorted Wright Muir and her son off the premises.

The following weekend, Wright Muir and Diversity in Aquatics, an organization which focuses on teaching water safety and aquatics to underrepresented communities held a swim-in at Joseph C Carter’s pool. A true homage to civil rights activists Eula Johnson and Dr. Von D. Mizell, and their efforts to promote visibility and awareness to desegregate South Florida beaches in the 1960s.

THE FUTURE OF THOU ART WOMAN In 2020, Thou Art Woman postponed their 3-day weekend event in March due to the outbreak of COVID-19, which allowed Wright Muir to pause and take a moment to reflect about the uncertainty of the future of

Thou Art Woman.

Wright Muir enthusiastically exclaims that she’s “excited to be preserving our history while moving forward to produce virtual events to keep our community connected, engaged and entertained in 2021 and beyond.”

Thou Art Woman received a grant from the Our Fund Foundation Resilience Fund which allowed them to recover the losses from their cancellation in 2020 and to move forward with producing virtual events.

As she ruminates over all the events in 2020, she decided that archiving video and materials from Thou Art Woman events would be the perfect way to document their events and save it for posterity’s sake. At the same time, the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center reached out as they are interested in preserving its history as well.

They are currently applying for a grant from the LGBTQ Arts and Cultural Fund at the Our Fund Foundation to help them continue their programming in 2021.

SEE OUR PAST BIPOC PROFILES ONLINE.

SFGN.com/bipoc Audrey Aradanas

Brielle Roundtree

Niki Lopez.

Jai Tahlea Allen-Ible.

Photos by Carina Mask.

3.11. 20 21 •

15

NEWS LOCAL

LOCAL GAY MAN SUES BANK OF AMERICA FOR $1 MILLION SFGN Staff

T

he former marketing director of SFGN, John Fugate, thought his short jaunt to San Juan last month would be a great respite after a year of surviving pandemically compromised times.

Like so many others, Fugate had lost his previous job as the General Manager at Floppy Rooster’s in Miami, when the global pandemic forced the nightclub to close.

Fugate’s Puerto Rico trip earned him more than a vacation on the beach, though. While in San Juan, Fugate purchased a $5 scratch off that turned out to be a winning ticket worth $50,000.

“When I went to pick up my check at the Lottery office, they all congratulated me, and tried to get me to deposit it in their own bank,

16

• 3.11.2021

the Bank of Puerto Rico,” he said.

“But I told them I had an account with Bank of America and I would deposit it there when I got home,” Fugate added.

On February 22, Fugate deposited the winning check into his account at the Sistrunk Financial Center and received a receipt, stating there would be hold on the offshore check, and the funds would be available by 9 a.m. on March 1, 2021.

“I was so excited because my landlord was just listing his duplex for sale, and I immediately got a sales contract from him to put a down payment on it with my winnings,” Fugate noted.

“I grew up in a trailer without running water in Lakeland. This was going to be my

first home that was all my own,” Fugate told SFGN. On Friday afternoon, February 26, however, the Bank asked Fugate to come into the center to authenticate his identity because of the size of the check.

Fugate returned to the Bank the first thing Monday morning, March 1, and presented his passport, Florida driver’s license, credit cards, and his bank debit card, along with a copy of the winning check, pictures of the lotto ticket, and his address and phone numbers.

The bank had said only they were concerned initially because the check was made out in his full name, John William Bryant Fugate, but that the bank account only listed the name John Fugate.

“My mom and dad gave me two middle names, but my name and the account name is still John Fugate,” he said.

When Fugate proved the check was authentic, Bank officers promised to “escalate and accelerate” his ability to negotiate the check.

“Everyone at the bank even congratulated me on my good fortune. I was blessed,” Fugate said.

A funny thing happened on the way to the Forum. When Fugate returned Wednesday, March 3, to claim his winnings, Bank of America not only failed to give him the proceeds of his check, they advised him that “for business reasons,” they had closed his account.

Bank of America representatives then further informed him they had returned a photocopy of his check, to an out of state address where he no longer resides.

“It’s crazy,” Fugate said, “not only did they not give me my money, two days after they verified my identity and my address with a passport, they returned a photocopy of the check somewhere else, and refused to give me back the original. They say they have to hold it for safekeeping. Whose safekeeping? It’s my check, if they don’t want to honor it, give it back to me!”

Fortunately for Fugate, his former partner is an attorney. He is, in fact, SFGN’s publisher, Norm Kent, and he sued the Bank of America on Monday, asking for the original check, the

John Fugate, the plaintiff. Photo via Facebook.

funds from his bank account, and a million dollars in punitive damages.

Stated Kent, “The Bank of America has been grossly negligent, first, by breaching their promise to release the funds to him on the date they promised, second for conversion by taking John’s original check and refusing to give it back to him, and third, for misrepresenting to him that once he authenticated his identity he was good to go.”

Kent further stated that his client did everything right and “the Bank of America did everything wrong. And they will pay for it.”

In the meantime, Fugate says, “the Bank of America has turned what should be a celebration into a nightmare. Now I may have to go back to San Juan to ask them to issue another one, or hope I can retrieve the lost one and another bank will honor it. It’s so stupid. Why can’t the Bank just give me the one I deposited. It’s mine!”

If you want to chat more with john about his winnings, just buy him a drink at a local tavern. He may not have the money for it.

The Bank closed his account as well, and took away his debit card.

“They should be giving me a box of chocolates,” Fugate said. “After all, I just deposited $50,000 into their bank.”

Once Bank of America has been served the lawsuit, they will have 20 days to respond..

THE

GAZETTE VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 6 MARCH 11, 2021

FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WMGAZETTE NEWS

WILTON MANORS

Home Rule Rights On Wilton Manors Agenda

By John McDonald

At the next commission meeting, Wilton Manors will once again try to assert its own sovereignty.

Two resolutions dealing with home rule were on the agenda for Tuesday night’s regular commission meeting. The virtual Zoom meeting began at 7 p.m.

The first resolution opposed unfunded state mandates imposed on cities and lawmakers’ efforts to “impede the constitutional right Florida citizens have enjoyed for more than 50 years to govern themselves under municipal home rule powers.”

Furthermore, the resolution opposed the legislature’s “persistent intrusion into local finances, which are necessary to provide financial stability and essential services uniquely required by municipal residents and local businesses.”

The second resolution called for the Florida legislature to oppose HB 403 and SB 266 which would regulate home-based businesses and prevent cities such as Wilton Manors from enforcing their own laws.

The resolutions continue a theme of local vs.

state being played out in chambers across the peninsula. At their previous meeting, Wilton Manors commissioners had voted to oppose proposed state legislation of vacation rentals.

Commissioner Chris Caputo cast the lone dissenting vote in an attempt to disrupt the notion that vacation rentals destroy neighborhoods.

“As a city, I’m incredibly frustrated that we continue the narrative that vacation rentals decrease property values and vacation rentals are a problem,” Caputo said.

Commissioners Gary Resnick and Paul Rolli attempted to persuade Captuo to join the majority in solidarity with local governance.

“We can’t eliminate vacation rentals, it’s something we have to live with,” Rolli said. “The issue is the opposition of the preemption of local law.”

“All we’re doing is opposing bills that would take away our existing code,” Resnick told Caputo. “It sounds like you support that, so you might want to revisit your vote on this specific issue.”

Caputo followed through with his no vote

The resolutions continue a theme of local vs. state being played out in chambers across the peninsula.

Inside a Wilton Manors City Commission meeting. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

translating into a yes vote for HB 219 which would turn over control of vacation rentals to the Division of Hotels and Restaurants.

Wilton Manors resident and Gazette columnist Sal Torre called Caputo’s vote crazy and confusing.

“Some might chalk it up to inexperience

www.WMGAZETTE.com

but do not be fooled Islanders, Commissioner Caputo made it very clear that he will defend and protect short-term vacation rental business owners here in the Island City even if it means voting against preserving and protecting our right to Home Rule in the great State of Florida,” wrote Torre.

3.11. 20 21 •

17

OPINION

WILTON MANORS

More Than Just A Fool…

2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305

Webmaster • Kimberly Swan webmaster@sfgn.com

Editorial

Art Director • Brendon Lies artwork@sfgn.com Oakland Park Editor • Christiana Lilly Wilton Manors Editor • John McDonald

Correspondents

Christiana Lilly• Sal Torre • James Oaksun

Staff Photographers

J.R. Davis • Carina Mask • Steven Shires

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

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aback by such accusations. No, there must be some mistake. How can it be true? How can this court jester who runs around telling silly tales all day be behind such a diabolical plot to reign in the kingdom and to strip away years of strategic planning that would preserve future generations within the realm?

But yet this tale is to be true. Sir John The Planner laid out tales of unimaginable growth, of incomprehensible intrusion to the existing way of life, with many falling under his intoxicating lure. Sir John’s plan was to prevent those in powerful positions from making correct choices on the future of the realm.

Feed the court misinformation and get them all worked up in a frenzy fed by fear. All this from the Court Jester? All this from the fool? No, not a fool, but perhaps the smartest of all within the realm.

Who else but the smartest of the land can unfailingly bring to a halt every major planning project within the Eastside realm? Who but the cleverest of all the land can stop the King and advisors in their tracks, bring postponement and wreck such havoc over the strategic planning many years in the making? Who can gather the masses into the Central Square and

demand action based on lies, misinformation, and falsehoods so continuously over the years with such great effectiveness?

Yes my friends, all by the Court Jester, laugh no more, for the fool is he who is in charge.

Thankfully some cracks are beginning to show at the palace gates. Two members of the King’s Planning Council, Lord Flint and Sir Molinet voiced the truth for all to hear beyond the walls of the court. Calling the Court Jester out in public for his fear mongering, his disingenuous tale of immediate destruction and the many campaigns over the years of misinformation, laid bare for all to hear.

The ripples of power throughout the court were on display at the King’s Council of Advisors meeting this past night. Sir Gary was quick to defend the Court Jester, to take up in his defense. “We need more time,” “We need my input,” “We need to punish those on the Planning Council for their outspoken heresy of truth telling,” is what this timeworn advisor bellowed repeatedly.

The only thing left for us gallant, optimistic assembly of courtiers to do now is to gather around our two brave noblemen on the Planning Council and stop the cries for revenge. Quell the rising chants calling for retribution. Praise the truth, applaud those who speak with righteousness, honor those who step up gallantly, and to defend until our deaths the right for truth and justice to prevail from waterway to waterway, throughout the land, forever assuring that life will always be just better here…

www.WMGAZETTE.com • 3.11.2021

March 11, 2021 • Volume 8 • Issue 6

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

SAL TORRE SATIRICALLY ADDRESSES WILTON MANORS' TUG-OF-WAR OVER GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY.

18

GAZETTE Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

By Sal Torre Beware all those who think that the court jester is but just a fool — for that fool is he who is in charge.

Here in our magical land of Wilton Manors all is not in harmony. This week saw daily life grind to a halt throughout the realm due to the raucous display over Public Comments brought on by the hysteria of local Eastside titled land barons and baronesses.

Up in arms where these barons of property to defend and protect themselves from the immediate danger of invasion from the barbaric hordes of the TOC tribes.

As they stood around court gossiping the tales that have spread far and wide, they clamored to have their voices heard. “You must save us all from total ruin,” they pleaded. “You must save our way of life,” they cried. The cries grew loader as the day went on, pleads of help, cries of panic.

The King’s advisors scurried around to gather news and information on what was behind the court’s toiled and agitated state on what should be another fine day here in The Manors.

“I was told that a 30-story structure was going next to my manor house,” one nobleman was overheard saying. “Well I was told that a 36-story sun blocking monolith was what was to be built in front of my manor,” stated another noble.

As the King’s advisors moved around the room, the tales began to have a similar cadence, one that told the tale of overdevelopment, extremely tall structures that would block the sun, destruction of existing infrastructure, and unimaginable tales of clogged roadways and canals throughout the land.

Who could be spreading such craziness? What was the source of such misinformation? Who is behind such deceitfulness?

The King’s advisors needed to find out quickly and report back before this growing tide of discontent and misinformation got out of control and could spiral into social unrest.

The wise advisors did not have to look far to see who was feeding the misinformation to the lords and ladies of the land. All fingers pointed to the court jester — the King’s confidant himself, the lord of the Eastside realm, none other than Sir John the Planner.

Yes my fellow Manorites, I too was taken

THE

2 •

MARCH 11, 2021

Sales Manager • Justin Wyse justin.wyse@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Associate • Edwin Neimann edwin.neimann@sfgn.com Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com.

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Wilton Drive. Photo credit: Brendon Lies.

NEWS

WILTON MANORS

Wilton Manors Green Lights Stonewall Event With Conditions

Volunteers Deliver Vaccines and Hope in Wilton Manors

By John McDonald Wilton Manors approved a special event permit for the Stonewall Parade & Street Festival at Feb. 23rd’s commission meeting.

The event date is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 19. The event recognizes the Stonewall riots of 1969 which sparked the gay liberation movement.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the permit request by Jeff Sterling of Stonewall Pride, Inc. City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said $15,000 was earmarked in the 2021 budget for a Stonewall Economic Impact Study.

Commissioner Mike Bracchi asked that those funds be used for barricades, road closures and traffic maintenance. Bracchi said he would support the event if organizers get approval from the Broward County Department of Health.

“Our businesses need help and this is one way we can help them if they are able to get approval

540+ People Received Vaccinations at Richardson Park From Left to Right: Mauludi, Penny, Kristen, Amy, Dio, Scott and Brian. Photo courtesy of Chris Caputo.

By Chris Caputo

Photo via the Stonewall Parade & Street Festival, Facebook.

from the county,” Bracchi said.

Commissioner Gary Resnick said he would not support the event unless Broward County signed off on it.

“They indicated in the permit application that they’re gonna have the approval by March 19,” Resnick said. “So if it gets approved by the county by March 19 I’m happy to support it.”

NEWS

OAKLAND PARK

Oakland Park Man Arrested After Allegedly Stealing From Home Depot

By Christiana Lilly An Oakland Park man was arrested after allegedly stealing more than $17,000 worth of power tools from at least 11 Home Depot stores in Broward County.

Alain Carre, 39, was arrested in Lauderdale Lakes on Feb. 25 by the Broward Sheriff’s Office’s Burglary Apprehension Team (B.A.T) alongside the Coral Springs and Fort Lauderdale Police Departments.

Carre was wanted for thefts at Home Depot stores in Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, North Lauderdale and Sunrise, according to a BSO press release. But he’s also wanted outside of Broward County — there is a warrant for his arrest in Palm Beach County and two pending cases against him in North Miami.

Carre stole more than $17,000 worth of power tools — mainly Milwaukee brand tools — during at least 11 thefts at different

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

WILTON MANORS

Alain Carre. Photo via the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

Home Depot stores, according to BSO. On the agency’s website, there are 19 charges against him, including attempting to elude law enforcement, resisting arrest, driving without a driver’s license, grand and petit theft.

He is currently being held at Broward County’s Main Jail.

3 •

I must admit, when City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson told me the city wanted to become a COVID-19 vaccination site, I was immediately filled with fear.

It was late January, and newspaper covers were dominated by depressing tails of aging seniors unable to make vaccination appointments due to overwhelmed phone lines and failing websites. I was afraid our city would be unable to handle the crushing number of requests we would undoubtedly receive.

Leigh Ann demonstrated true leadership, explaining why we must step through our fear and deliver as many vaccinations as we could.

She acknowledged my concerns: we might have residents that wouldn’t get through and we would probably have to turn away residents who were qualified due to a lack of inventory.

It might mean that residents would be angry and they might call us failures, but we had to be willing to look past that.

As Leigh Ann convinced me, the benefit of being able to vaccinate 50 people from our community every day far outweighed the risks of not running a perfect vaccination site or not being able to meet demand. The City Manager was right, if we save a single life, any negative backlash would have been well worth it.

I’m happy to say that none of my fears came to fruition. There was no backlash — but there were a lot of happy, vaccinated residents! The City of Wilton Manors has vaccinated 540-plus people over the last few weeks and I have not heard a single complaint. In fact, my inbox and phone has been flooded with kind words and appreciation from countless happy residents.

One thing most people didn’t realize is that

MARCH 11, 2021

our Wilton Manors vaccination site has been run 100% by volunteers. While you may have recognized a familiar face from our city staff at the Richardson Park vaccination site, like Dio or Penny, they were there on their days off volunteering their time to serve their city. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the volunteers who made this possible!

The City is now delivering the second shot to those members of our community who had been vaccinated in the last few weeks. While we are no longer accepting appointments for first time vaccinations, there are a growing number of locations here in South Florida where you can get a vaccination. For the latest list of locations offering vaccinations, you can visit https://www.broward.org/ CoronaVirus/Pages/VaccinationSites.aspx.

Thank you, again, to all the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make our Wilton Manors City Park vaccination site a success. I am eager for the day when we can all come together, in person, in community, as one. The efforts of these volunteers have brought us one step closer to that! WMG

The City is now delivering the second shot to those members of our community who had been vaccinated in the last few weeks.

— Chris Caputo

WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSIONER

www.WMGAZETTE.com 3.11. 20 21 •

19

POLITICS

WILTON MANORS

Young Gay Democrat Going After Open House Seat

By John McDonald “A third of the vote might be enough to win,” he said.

It’s an open seat Elijah Manley is ready to claim.

District 94 covers the western precincts of Wilton Manors, Manley, a 22-year-old activist, is announcing plans to campaign for the Florida House of Representatives. Manley a majority of Fort Lauderdale, including downtown and precincts in Oakland Park and Plantation. will seek the Democratic nomination in Manley said his message to voters will focus District 94, whose current Representative, on improved health care, expanding Medicaid Bobby DuBose, is term-limited. and opening more community clinics.

“I definitely believe this is our time for “I firmly believe healthcare is a human real,” Manley told SFGN in a telephone call on right,” he said.

Monday.

Other issues Manley is focused on include Manley, a Black gay man, released a video adding more affordable housing, dealing on March 3 announcing the campaign and effectively with climate change, raising coinciding with Florida’s first admittance into workers’ wages and protecting LGBT rights. the United States.

- Elijah Manley Manley said he believes in the vision of This will be Manley’s second attempt President Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” at the District 94 seat. He received nearly ACTIVIST campaign and seeks to put an end to the 9,000 votes for a 30% showing in the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 Democratic primary, going head-to“I am encouraging residents to remain socially distant, head against DuBose, the ranking Democrat on the House wear their masks, and get vaccinated when the time is appropriations committee.

This time around look for a crowded field with as many as appropriate,” Manley said. “COVID-19 is not over yet.” six candidates, Manley said.

“I definitely believe this is our time for real.”

Elijah Manley. Photo via Facebook.

NEWS

OAKLAND PARK

Ceiling Collapses at Rickards Middle School in Oakland Park; No Major Injuries Reported

By Christiana Lilly The ceiling of the media center at James Rickards Middle School in Oakland Park collapsed the morning of March 5, forcing the school to evacuate its children and faculty.

Fortunately, the room was not occupied and there were no major injuries reported.

“It was really fortunate that the area was under construction and not occupied at the time,” said Shannon Vezina, the public information officer for the city of Oakland Park.

At around 10 a.m., principal Dr. Washington Collado heard a noise and went to investigate, Vezina said. He discovered that the roof had collapsed at the media center, which was under construction. According to photos sent by the city, the entire ceiling appears to have fallen in almost a single piece.

No students, faculty or construction workers were in the room at the time.

Per protocol, the students and staff were evacuated to nearby Northeast High School, where parents were able to pick up their children. Emergency medical services also took 12 students and faculty to Broward Health and Holy Cross Hospital to be checked out for headaches and anxiety.

Oakland Park Fire Rescue and tactical response teams from Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and the Broward Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident. On site, they found that there was a water leak, but Vezina said they are unsure if it was the cause of the collapse, a result of it, or a coincidence.

Students will not be returning to school today, and it’s unclear what the plans are for Monday.

Collado was recently awarded Principal of the Year in the county and was recognized at last week’s Oakland Park City Commission meeting.

Parents wanting a status update can call 754-322-1550.

www.WMGAZETTE.com 20

• 3.11.2021

4 •

MARCH 11, 2021

Photos courtesy Shannon Vezina, City of Oakland Park.

NEWS

WILTON MANORS

WILTON MANORS

COMMUNITY Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association.

From Cuba to Wilton Manors Yariel González Celebrates New Life and Freedom in America

A first-person account by Michael K. Lavers

Washington Blade

Parking meters on Wilton Drive. Photo credit: Brendon Lies.

Wilton Manors Approves New Pilot Parking Program

By John McDonald “I don’t think we should be adding that,” Parking surfaced again as a hot button issue in Wilton Manors with the city’s newest Bracchi said. “Just like COVID hit. We never solution coming in the form of resident know what’s going to happen. The city staff has no intention of raising it.” permits.

Mayor Scott Newton said In a 4-1 vote, commissioners he did not know where the approved a new pilot program rate increase idea came from giving residents access to park and cautioned Caputo about their vehicles in any of the mentioning it on social city-owned parking lots for a media. one-time cost of $50 during “I don’t understand where the program. The program you got that from,” Newton began March 1 and runs told Caputo, adding he through December 31, 2021. If doesn’t have “an inkling in successful, the program will my eye” to raise parking rates. be implemented for 2022 at an “Just be careful how you annual cost of $60 per permit, say that on social media,” said Penny Zuercher, city Newton said. finance director.

The five city lots are Commissioner Chris Caputo Richardson Park, 1937 Wilton asked that no rate increases be Drive, City Hall/Hagen Park, written into the pilot program’s 2020 Wilton Dr., N.E. Eighth terms and conditions for 2021 Commissioner Terrace, corner N.E. 26th St. but was met with resistance & N.E. Eighth Terrace, Sushi from other commissioners.

“It’s not unreasonable to ask us to support Rock, 2199 Wilton Dr., 23@23, N.E. 11th Ave. that we do not raise prices during this pilot at N.E. 23rd Dr. The residential parking permit is not valid program,” Caputo said at the commission during special events and overnight parking meeting March 2.

Commissioner Mike Bracchi countered is prohibited. Permit operational hours are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Caputo’s position.

“It’s not unreasonable to ask us to support that we do not raise prices during this pilot program.”

- Chris Caputo

Yariel Valdés González began his new life of freedom in this country a year ago today.

Yariel, who asked for asylum in the U.S. because of the persecution he suffered in Cuba as a journalist, spent nearly a year in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody until his release from the River Correctional Center, a privately-run detention center in Louisiana’s rural Concordia Parish, on March 4, 2020.

The details of that day remain vivid: The torrential downpour that drenched us as we ran to my car in the detention center’s parking lot, the Lady Gaga songs I played on my iPhone as we drove away, my left arm that I fractured a few hours earlier and dancing at Oz on Bourbon Street once we arrived in New Orleans.

Yariel over the last year has proven that immigrants really make our country great.

He lives here in Wilton Manors and works at a local restaurant. Yariel contributes to the Washington and Los Angeles Blades and is becoming an active member of the Wilton Manors community. Our country is far better off when people like Yariel have the opportunity to live their best lives in freedom and commit themselves to make it better for us all.

One of the ways Yariel has chosen to make a positive contribution to his new country is to document his experiences in ICE custody.

The Blades in the coming weeks will begin to publish what I have dubbed his “detention diaries” that detail the inhumane treatment he suffered at the hands of an agency in serious need of oversight and reform.

One of the details how he spent upwards of 12 hours shackled and handcuffed as ICE transported him from the privately-run Imperial Regional Detention Facility in California’s Imperial Valley to another privately-run facility, the Tallahatchie County Correctional Center in Tutwiler, Mississippi, as though he was a dangerous criminal. Yariel in another diary entry details the desperation he felt during the five months he needlessly spent in ICE custody after the ruling that granted him asylum was appealed. He also discusses the xenophobia and racism that he and other detainees experienced from guards at the Bossier Parish Medium Security Facility in Plain Dealing, Louisiana.

I arrived in South Florida on Tuesday, three

Yariel Valdés González on South Beach on March 6, 2020, a day after he reunited with his family in Miami. Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers.

days after I was on assignment in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, where asylum seekers who had been forced to pursue their cases in Mexico under the previous White House’s odious Migrant Protection Protocols program were finally able to enter the U.S. It will undoubtedly take time for the Biden administration to undo the policies that subjected Yariel and countless other asylum seekers to needless harm and abuse, but thank goodness this process has begun.

Elections really do matter.

It is also crucially important to hold the previous administration — and especially those within it who crafted and implemented these harmful policies that have done irrevocable damage to our country’s reputation around the world — accountable. ICE, the agency that mistreated Yariel and countless others while in their custody, must also be held to account.

We remain committed to doing our part to support immigrants and asylum seekers through our work as journalists. It is also my fervent hope that Yariel’s decision to write about his experiences in ICE custody will spur some much-needed change.

In the meantime, today is a day to celebrate my dear friend and everything he has accomplished since his release a year ago. Yariel continues to prove that immigrants make our country great, and I am proud to stand by his side. ¡Viva la Libertad!

Yariel over the last year has proven that immigrants really make our country great.

www.WMGAZETTE.com 5 •

MARCH 11, 2021

3.11. 20 21 •

21

COMMUNITY

WILTON MANORS

NEWS

OAKLAND PARK

Pronouns Purged From Wilton Manors’ City Charter And other highlights from this week’s meeting

By John McDonald In a unanimous decision, Wilton Manors commissioners voted to gender neutralize the city charter.

There was no discussion as all five commissioners agreed to amend the city charter and remove gender markers. Wilton Manors joins cities such as Philadelphia, Portland, Oregon and Tulsa, Oklahoma which have gone gender-neutral in their charters.

Elsewhere, many other issues were addressed at Tuesday night’s regular commission meeting, including a vote on home rule. Commissioner Mike Bracchi asked for a vote on home rule following confusion over vacation rentals at the last commission meeting.

“I don’t want our municipality rights to be taken away,” Bracchi told the Gazette in a telephone call.

The vote was unanimous.

Commissioner Gary Resnick warned Republicans in Tallahassee were advancing bills in both the House and Senate that would limit municipalities’ powers.

The commission continued to support hosting a Stonewall Parade and Festival this summer provided organizers can get approval from Broward County. A decision from the county is expected next week, said Resnick.

Photo via Pixabay.

Man Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident in Oakland Park Police Working to Notify Next of Kin

By Christiana Lilly

Photo credit: Carina Mask.

City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson reported 540 people had been vaccinated at the city’s COVID-19 vaccination site at Richardson Park and commended the work of Human Resources & Risk Management Director Dio Sanchez for overseeing the operation.

Mayor Scott Newton pushed forward a new ordinance that would require landscapers to install technology in sprinkler systems so as to not overwater lawns. Newton is also scheduled to participate in a suicide prevention town hall on March 18 in partnership with the City of Oakland Park.

Comments from the public ranged from the continual condemnation of short-term vacation rentals to a critique of the newly installed memorial to departed former Mayor Justin Flippen.

“The city really missed the mark on that one,” said resident Michael Rajner, who referred to Flippen’s memorial as a “gravestone.”

Elsewhere, many other issues were addressed at Tuesday night’s regular commission meeting, including a vote on home rule.

Chris Caputo. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal hit-and-run that occurred Saturday night in Oakland Park.

The man who was killed was not identified as law enforcement works to notify his next of kin.

According to BSO, the incident occurred around 10:35 p.m. when the man was crossing Northwest Ninth Avenue at Oakland Park Boulevard; he was not walking in a crosswalk. A driver in what law enforcement believes is a white SUV was driving northbound when they hit the pedestrian.

After the driver struck the man, they slowed down and then continued driving northbound. Oakland Park Fire Rescue responded to the incident and pronounced the man dead.

Earlier that same day, BSO reported that a woman named Niohsha Drayton was killed in a hit-and-run in the 600 block of Northwest 31st Avenue in unincorporated central Broward County. She was hit not once, but twice by two vehicles.

Neither driver stopped.

These tragedies come weeks after a woman was killed in a hit-and-run in January, also in Oakland Park. The driver did not stop after

These tragedies come weeks after a woman was killed in a hit-and-run in January, also in Oakland Park.

If you have any information, contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or online at browardcrimestoppers.org.

www.WMGAZETTE.com 22

• 3.11.2021

6 •

MARCH 11, 2021

hitting Nancy Vazquez, 59, and left behind debris that led police to believe that the car was a 2013-2015 black four-door Honda Accord EX. “Although the crash was not the fault of the driver — the pedestrian did walk in the roadway where the driver would not expect to find a pedestrian — however the driver did flee the scene,” BSO Traffic Homicide Det. Sherry Slagle-Grant said during a press conference.

Matthew Masters thought of this tragedy when he talked to SFGN about his own experience with a hit-and-run just days later. He was crossing the street in Fort Lauderdale with his bicycle when he was hit by a car, sending him flying into the air and landing by the sidewalk. About 10 minutes later, a waste management worker saw him and called for help.

“I would like to see something done about pedestrian-friendly roads and cracking down on speeding so nobody else gets hurt,” he told SFGN. As for the man killed March 6, BSO has not released any of his identifying information as they look for his next of kin to notify of his death.

NEWS

OAKLAND PARK

Oakland Park Has Distributed More Than 5,000 COVID Vaccines Since January

By Christiana Lilly

Photo via Adobe.

“There’s a whole segment of our society Since the beginning of January, the city of Oakland Park has distributed more than that doesn’t have access to the internet or 5,000 coronavirus vaccines, particularly to transportation and they really need some help,” Oakland Park Mayor Jane Bolin told The vulnerable seniors.

In a presentation to the city commission Gazette in an interview. “We’re just trying to on March 2, city manager David Hebert make it as easy as possible.”

Since March 2020, 2,599 people have tested announced that 5,220 people have been positive for the coronavirus vaccinated at Collins in Oakland Park — not Community Center since Jan. counting anyone who may be 9. Over the last three months, Since March asymptomatic. The city has also the city has increased its 2020, tracked its own staff, with 57 daily vaccinations, now staff members testing positive distributing 144 vaccines a since the beginning of the day. pandemic and 145 isolating or “Our site is really unique being on the city’s “watch list.” because it’s targeted to a people have “More than 5% of individuals specific group of people,” tested positive for with our city alone have tested Hebert told the commission. the coronavirus positive for coronavirus that we From the beginning, the are aware of,” Hebert told the city has paid special attention in Oakland Park commission. to vulnerable populations, — not counting If you are 65 or older, you noting that there are people can make an appointment for without internet, don’t anyone who may a vaccine at 954-630-4335 or speak English, or don’t be asymptomatic. visit oaklandparkfl.gov/613/ have transportation to the Coronavirus. Appointments are vaccination site. Because of scheduled Monday to Saturday that, the city has provided a phone line with an actual person to answer from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and patients can expect questions as well as providing transportation to be there for up to an hour for a post-vaccine observation period. to residents who need it.

2,599

www.WMGAZETTE.com 7 •

MARCH 11, 2021

3.11. 20 21 •

23

NEWS LOCAL

J.R.’s SNAPSHOTS

OF THE

From your life... into our pages! SFGN takes a weekly look at a community that has stood together through countless trials and victories in the past year alone.

24

• 3.11.2021

WEEK Photos by J.R. Davis

Edgar Reyes, Gordon Woodworth and David Bourne, staff at the Broward House at N. Andrews.

Creative Male owners and husbands Ben Lyman and Bruce Horwich.

Friends Joshua Petalas and David Venticich.

Glyn Leblanc and Rick Rutledge enjoying Bubbles & Pearls.

CONVICTIONS

Editorial Cartoon

EDITORIAL CARTOON

By Mike Luckovich

Smile...and the whole world smiles back.

Celebrating our 11th Year on Wilton Drive!

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SEE MORE ONLINE AT SFGN.COM/TABLE/NEWS/RELIGION 3.11. 20 21 •

25

CONVICTIONS

My Best Gay Self

PART ONE:

YOUR OWN HERO Mark Turnipseed

T

here is one event that ties all of us in the gay community together. An event like no other.

A climax of experience. A build-up of years of tension and a final climax of expression. Surprisingly, I’m not talking about an orgasm, I’m talking about coming out.

Coming out, however, as we all know, isn’t a one-time thing. It isn’t one Facebook or Instagram post. People will continue to ask. Coming out seems to continue on a day-to-day basis and each time is the same. It may become a little easier, but you still summon the same confidence and strength while becoming vulnerable and honest.

I’m sure there are many other ways that each of you continue to demonstrate your strength on a daily basis. Maybe it’s by showing up for work, maybe it’s by engaging in a challenging conversation in your relationship, maybe it’s by giving away your time in a volunteer position that you serve in.

You may say, “Not me… I didn’t show any strength today… I laid around depressed and binge watched Netflix…” and honey, that is OK! I’m a health and wellness professional and I do that on occasions.

The fact is that no matter if you are a full-time philanthropist donating time and money to good causes or if you are just strong enough to roll out of bed, baby, you are your own hero, and I cannot stress enough the importance of tapping into this to become your best gay self. If you feel like you don’t have the strength today, then look back into your past and remember how you showed up for yourself when you came out. You became your hero then and you can do it now. Roll over at least, open your eyes. There you go. You are a hero.

So, what’s the point to all this? Why would I want to be my own hero? Well, the fact is that despite the overwhelming amount of digital connection these days we are still in a highly individualistic society.

As we have seen this past year, you can’t wait for

IF YOU THINK YOU CAN’T THEN JUST REMEMBER WHEN YOU THOUGHT COMING OUT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE.

26

• 3.11.2021

Mark Turnipseed. Photo via Facebook.

the government to show up for you.

Depending on the circumstances, like a covid outbreak, you may not even be able to depend on your family to show up and rescue you. Instead, you have to show up for yourself and when you do, there really isn’t a gift more rewarding.

Now, I’m not saying to knock down some governmental building’s door to get what you want, I’m saying it’s high time to show up for what you need and what you can control.

Diet, exercise, sleep hygiene, meditation. These are all real things that save lives when the owner of

a human body uses them. If you think you can’t then just remember when you thought coming out would be impossible. The mountain was too high. The ridicule ran too deep.

The fear pulled you back and paralyzed you until one day it popped, and you stood up for your life and claimed, “I’m Gay!” You have a chance today to show up and be your hero and to become your best gay self.

You can literally save your life. Tap into that great spirit that we all share in common and make strides towards the best days of your life. I know you can, because you have before, and you do each time you embrace your gay. Show-up today. Be your hero.

My Best Gay Self is a column by author, speaker, fitness coach and LGBTQ addiction and wellness advocate, Mark Turnipseed. He is also the Owner and CEO of Integrity Endurance, a network of personal trainers with the goal of fighting the opioid crisis through fitness. Visit www.markaturnipseed. com to learn more/contact or to find his book “My Suicide Race: Surviving the trauma of addiction, recovery and coming out.”

3.11. 20 21 •

27

Guest Column

CONVICTIONS

I AM A CHRISTIAN PASTOR. I SUPPORT THE EQUALITY ACT A RESPONSE TO THE LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS COMING OUT AGAINST THE HISTORIC LGBT RIGHTS LEGISLATION Rev. Marie Alford-Harkey

I

am a Christian pastor and I support the Equality Act. And I am not alone. Majorities of all major religious groups in the U.S. support laws protecting LGBT people from discrimination. This includes Christian religious groups and even Christian evangelicals. You may have heard otherwise, even from members of the LGBT community.

For example, the article “Gay Republicans Denounce the Equality Act” contains a number of specious claims from the Log Cabin Republicans (LCR), such as, “…[the Equality Act] would enshrine the gender identity agenda that is counter to gay rights.” They also claim that it “dismantles religious freedom protections.”

Neither of those statements are true and they reveal much about the group’s opposition to the act, which is rooted in transphobia and a misunderstanding of the concept of religious freedom. (Every point made in the linked article is hyperbolic with barely a nod to the truth of what the Equality Act actually says.)

My faith calls me to work for justice. As a follower of Jesus, I take seriously his call to “love my neighbor as myself,” so when a group that claims to be a part of the LGBT community attacks another part of the community, it is my duty to speak out.

When the LCR talk about a “gender identity agenda” they are talking about transgender people. Transgender rights are hardly counter to gay rights. In fact, there would be no “gay rights” without transgender people. In 1969, a Black transgender woman named Marsha P. Johnson began the riot at the Stonewall Inn nightclub in New York City that set off the movement for LGBT rights. In addition, plenty (but not all) transgender people identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

My faith also teaches that we are to leave no one behind in our struggle for justice. In Jesus’ time this was expressed by the admonition to care for “the least of these.”

In our movement for LGBT liberation, transgender folks

have often been relegated to the place of “the least of these.”

This is unacceptable. True liberation cannot happen while any part of our community remains marginalized. The LCR’s transphobia is actively harmful to members of our queer community as they promote myths and lies to incite fear. Transgender people, like all people are created with inherent dignity and worth, or as my faith teaches, in the image of God. Justice for transgender people in no way threatens justice for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.

But what of religious freedom?

Don’t LGTB civil rights protections infringe on Christians’ religious freedom?

The answer is clearly no. Religious freedom is well-protected by the First Amendment and is not threatened by the Equality Act. The act doesn’t change religious exemptions currently in place under federal law. It does say that claims of religious freedom cannot be used to deny civil rights protections or defend discrimination, which has never been the purpose of the principle of religious freedom.

As a queer pastor of a queer congregation, I see firsthand the harm done by the lack of federal civil rights protections for LGBT people. I have congregants who can’t use the bathroom in many public places and who have increased anxiety any time they have to see a medical professional.

I see the toll it takes on the transgender members of my community to hear themselves reviled in congressional “debates.”

My heart breaks for them, for all of us, and even for the members of our queer community who have so internalized their own oppression that they would oppose a bill clearly benefits all LGBT people. While it may seem surprising for a Christian pastor to support protections for LGBT rights, we are in the majority and we are supported and sustained by our faith.

MY FAITH ALSO TEACHES THAT WE ARE TO LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND IN OUR STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE.

Rev. Marie Alford-Harkey (she/her) is the Senior Pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, a Christian church founded by LGBTQ+ people for LGBTQ+ people.

MCC of the Palm Beaches is part of the global fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, a denomination founded by and for LGBTQ+ people in 1968.

28

• 3.11.2021

Photo via Pixabay.

DUE TO COVID-19, CLERGY ASK THAT YOU STAY SAFE AT HOME. PLEASE WATCH SERVICES ON FACEBOOK AND/OR ONLINE. FIND DETAILS ON HOW TO WATCH ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGES AND WEBSITES. THANK YOU AND BE WELL!

Join us for our Annual 2nd Night Seder– Sunday, March 28 at 6pm No charge for members, Guest donation is $36 Pick up your boxed Passover dinner and join in our zoom Seder!

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Church of Our Savior, MCC 2011 s. Federal Hwy., Boynton Beach, FL 561-733-4000 www,churchofoursaviormcc.org

SPIRITUALITY

Until further notice: Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, our worship services are streamed on Facebook Live every Sunday at 10 AM, rather than held at our church property. https://www.facebook.com/ ChurchofOurSaviorMCC. Visit our web site for more details & updates.

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29

LIFESTYLE FOOD

AN EVEN-KEELED SEAFOOD JOINT Rick Karlin

EVEN KEEL FISH SHACK 112 Commercial Lauderdale-by-the-Sea 954-530-6276 EvenKeelFish.com

I

n a past review, I waxed rhapsodic after dining at the original location of Even Keel on Federal. And, although it was too pricey for me to enjoy on a regular basis, it was a wonderful spot for special occasions.

Apparently, that was the case for many, because the high-end restaurant closed a few months ago.

However, a sister restaurant, Even Keel Fish Shack in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, appears to be doing great business, if a recent visit on a recent Friday night is any indication. Even as early as 6:30 there was an hour-and-a-half wait for a table. (Here’s a little trick; call the restaurant about an hour before and ask to be put on the waitlist. We did so and got a text our table was ready just as we arrived).

There are a few inside tables, but the majority of the tables line the sidewalks at the intersection of A1A and Commercial.

Even Keel Fish Shack is a laidback seafood spot and raw bar. The restaurant’s name is a nod to its overall approach — constant, steady, smooth sailing. The menu reflects a modern take on coastal Floridian cuisine — with fish, shellfish, and a raw bar taking center stage, alongside reinterpretations of classic American comfort dishes. Crafted cocktails, boozy frozen drinks, and an

expansive wine list encourages discovery through several interesting by-the-glass offerings, and an edited collection of bottled, tap, and local beers round out the selections.

You can sit and pick on one of the three seafood “towers” (a combination of raw oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp and smoked fish dip, plus other add-ons) offered from the raw bar selections. Although it’s often cheaper to order the components individually. If you’re in the mood for a light meal, any of the appetizers; housesmoked local fish dip, crab guacamole, grilled oysters, bang bang shrimp, shrimp and conch beignets, or charred octopus will satisfy. Baby kale salad, Thai shrimp ceviche, and Hamachi poke are other light alternatives.

All are in the $10-$20 range.

For those seeking a heartier meal, there are a variety of sandwiches, priced similarly to the apps. The adult grilled cheese features brie, truffle, blue crab, pear marmalade, and sriracha on thick brioche bread. A blackened mahi sandwich or a hot lobster roll with Fresno chili and ginger-infused butter and lemon aioli are the seafood offerings. Most seafood sandwiches are served with served a side of fresh-made Old Bay-seasoned chips (the highlight of the evening, they are addictive).

Carnivores have a couple of options; the Nashville hot chicken breast is topped with cabbage and apple slaw, chive oil, and house-made ranch dressing, while the double Smashburger is adorned with artisan cheddar, Benton’s bacon, onion jam, and a house sauce. Both are served with house fries (if you like your fries crispy ask for them well

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• 3.11.2021

Photo credit: Even Keel.

done). Entrée options include spicy coconut curry mussels (with lemongrass, ginger, sambal, and cilantro), garlicky clams linguine nestling a poached egg, and fish and chips, which while tasty, dished up a surprisingly small portion of fish. All in all, the food is well-prepared and attractively presented.

That being said, it is missing some of the charm, service, and intimacy that made the original Even Keel so outstanding. That’s not to say there’s anything “wrong” with Even Keel; the staff is friendly and attentive, and the food is delicious, but there’s nothing special about it now. It’s just another good casual seafood place, like hundreds of others in the area. Its location in the touristy core of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea will assure its success.

It’s a great place to take visitors for a true South Florida experience.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? 

ISN’T THAT SPECIAL? Even Keel Fish Shack offers some specials that add to the allure.

Monday’s it’s ”mussel madness” with all you can’t eat spicy mussels for $19.

“Two Buck Tuesday” features chilled oysters, Miller, and “Cham-bongs” (sparkling wine in a champagne bong) for $2 each. Cocktail hour specials are available daily from 5-7 p.m., but while drink specials are available throughout the restaurant, food specials are only available at the bar.

VISIT SFGN.COM/FOOD!

Rick Karlin is SFGN’s food editor.

Visit SFGN.com/Food to read his previous reviews. Have a culinary tip to share? Email Rick at RickKarlinFL@gmail.com.

LIFESTYLE TAX TALK

DEALING WITH THE IRS Michael Sullivan

T

he biggest issues that the average taxpayer is having in today’s economy are dealing with unfiled tax returns and back-tax debt.

So what do you do if this is YOU.

FEAR NOT The IRS predicts that by June 2021 there will be over 26 million people that owe back taxes and close to 10 million people who have yet to file their back taxes, oops! So what are your different options if you fall in this category?

The IRS has very specific programs dealing with back taxes. The three options that IRS has to deal or settle with taxpayers are: 1. Hardship Programs 2. Installment Payment Plans 3. And settle the debt through a program called the Offer in Compromise How does the Internal Revenue Service determine which program they were used to you? The IRS will take a financial statement and after the IRS reviews it, the IRS will place you in one of the three aforementioned programs.

Your current documented financial statement will determine the outcome of your case.

This that’s why it’s best to see an IRS Expert NOW to make sure you get your desired outcome.

The statistics at this present time is that 40% of all taxpayers are in the current hardship program, 6.5 million taxpayers on installment agreements and

Photo via Adobe.

20,000 taxpayers have settled their debt for pennies on the dollar in which the average settlement is approximately $16,000. How about if you haven’t filed your past tax returns in many years? The IRS has a current policy statement which is 5-133 that says if you have not filed tax returns in years IRS will accept the last six years. In many cases based on your circumstances, it is possible to file only the last three. Also if you move the file back taxes and you don’t have your tax records IRS has a history of your income for the last six years and really good tax professionals can easily reconstruct your tax returns. It is really important to be assertive in dealing with the Internal Revenue Service and not for them to knock on the door.

Keep in mind if you don’t respond to IRS notices they have the ability to send out wage garnishments, file federal tax liens and completely wipe out your bank account. Keep in mind you do not have to fear the Internal Revenue Service. Finding prudent and competent help is your best defense against any IRS action and the nice thing usually is never having to speak to Internal Revenue Service.

IT’S BEST TO SEE AN IRS EXPERT NOW TO MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR DESIRED OUTCOME.

Michael Sullivan is a former IRS Agent & Teaching Instructor, once an ABC news correspondent in Washington, now affiliated with R3 Accounting, Mr. Sullivan has also contributed to the Bloomberg News and Wall Street Journal.

3.11. 20 21 •

31

LIFESTYLE TWO GUYS AND A DOG

SEXUAL PLEASURING IN OUR SENIOR YEARS Brian McNaught

P

aul runs a club for men who gather, upward to a hundred at a time, to be physically intimate with one another.

Before they’re allowed to participate the first time, the gay, bisexual, and possibly straight (circle-jerk) men go through a 10-minute introduction that outlines the expectations of good behavior.

One must ask, for instance, if they can touch someone before they do. If you don’t want to be touched by a particular person, they are to say, “No, thank you.” Good hygiene is expected. No penetration is permitted.

The goal of the club is for everyone to have a fun time in an environment in which members feel safe and valued.

That doesn’t mean that all persons who arrive will have their fantasies satisfied. But, they won’t go home feeling used or alone. As it turns out, there will always be people interested in sharing erotic touch regardless of someone’s age or body.

“The guys in their 20s all hang out together, but those in their 30s and 40s are more likely to be open to being with older men,” Paul explained.

I joined Paul in a podcast conversation about his jack-off club because of my interest in helping older gay and bisexual men find opportunities to satisfy their needs for intimacy. It’s not a new mission, but when I was asked about where an older person might meet others for sexual stimulation and intimacy, it got me thinking, and asking questions.

Is there an age when we’re no longer permitted to experience and express our need for sexual excitement? Do we give up the right to masturbate if we’re in a long-term relationship, or residing in a nursing home, or assisted living facility? Do health care and social workers, family members, and spouses feel that sexuality can be discussed openly, without selfconsciousness?

It’s challenging to talk openly about sex, especially about self-pleasuring. Most of us grew up in families, and went to schools, that considered words like “masturbation” to be totally inappropriate for anything but very private, whispered conversations, perhaps best saved for the Catholic confessional. Thus, one often felt the need to get high on alcohol or drugs to feel loose enough to share information about one’s interests or experiences with self-pleasuring. Even now, I have to fight back against the guidance that only people with “loose morals,” or those who lack consideration for the sensibilities of others, would talk or write openly about older guys ejaculating together. But, if not me, who?

Self-stimulation is as natural as breathing, and common in every country and culture since the beginning of time, whether prohibited or encouraged, whether discussed maturely or disparaged with adolescent shame. I like the descriptive words, “self-pleasuring,” but “masturbation” is the more medicallyaccepted, commonly-used word.

Why is masturbation so popular among all sexes, ages, races,

Photo via Pixabay.

orientations, and body types? Because it feels so good to do.

Many women prefer self-stimulation to vaginal intercourse with a man, because most men weren’t raised to consider the woman’s pleasure in sex. One advantage of lesbian sex is the shared awareness of the joy to be found in stimulating the clitoris.

If masturbation feels so good alone, why would gay and bisexual men get together to do it? Speaking for myself, the sight of other naked men, especially in the state of arousal, would be very exciting. Being with other men, watching them reach climax, listening to them moan in pleasure, smelling their scent, would replace the need I would otherwise have to create a sexual fantasy while self-pleasuring alone.

All of the senses would be engaged in such a group activity, especially touch. Being touched by other men who are aroused, and touching other men with their permission is probably what would keep me attending such gatherings. That is, if my relationship with Ray allowed for these outside experiences, and if my relationship with myself would do so.

“But, if you have a partner, why would you need to go to such an event?” someone might ask. Variety. Lustful fantasies. Curiosity.

Camaraderie.

The hunger for intimacy, and for sexual stimulation and release, doesn’t end when you age, although prostate surgery, and the medicines one might take for physical and emotional pain can impact the ability to get an erection, or to ejaculate.

But, Paul told me that men who are unable to have erections still come to the club, and have their need for intimacy met.

IS THERE AN AGE WHEN WE’RE NO LONGER PERMITTED TO EXPERIENCE AND EXPRESS OUR NEED FOR SEXUAL EXCITEMENT?

32

• 3.11.2021

One needn’t have an erection or ejaculate in order to have an orgasm.

Raised Roman Catholic, Midwestern, and in an Irishinfluenced household, I didn’t have a healthy appreciation of sex as a teenager. Unless performed in a heterosexual marriage, with the intention of creating new life, all sexual expression, I was taught, was shrouded in sin and shame.

My grandfather whispered questions to us when we were teenagers, because he was still interested in sex, and probably had no one else to talk with about it. But, such behavior could get one labeled “a dirty old man.” Why do we consider the hunger for intimacy of older people as “dirty?”

Ray and I have been to workshops, such as the Body Electric, where we got naked with other men, were aroused, and experienced orgasms. One of my most erotically-charged memories is of going to a weeklong gay naturists retreat, 600-strong, and dancing nude with other gay and bisexual men at the nightly disco celebration. Not that it needed to be more than just fun, but the experience was also intensely spiritual for me. I thought, “This is Heaven.” Embracing my sexual feelings as normal has been an essential component of me celebrating my same-sex attractions as not just good, and healthy, but essential to the lessons to be learned by my soul.

Sex and spirituality are divinely linked.

Would I go to a jack-off club at age 73? I’d be more likely to do so if I was single, and I’d have to work through concerns about body image, and performance anxiety. And, of course, I’d need to get answers to my questions about social etiquette — “Who cleans up the mess?” But, yes, the idea of it is exciting, and I can see why it would be popular with men of all ages. Women ought to have the same opportunities, like jilloff parties. Maybe they do, and just don’t talk about it. I wish they would.

Brian McNaught has been a leading educator on LGBTQ issues globally since 1974. He has made his many books and DVDs available for free at Brian-McNaught.com. The New York Times named him “The Godfather of gay diversity training.”

LIFESTYLE PHOTOS

LIFESTYLE SHOP WITH PRIDE

OH GOLLY! CHECK OUT THESE ECO-FRIENDLY JEWELRY Kendall Little

I

nstead of purchasing your jewelry from big name brands, browse through Oh Golly! Designs by Polly’s Etsy shop to support an LGBTowned business that prioritizes ecofriendly materials.

Bisexual Polly Hill started her small business after reflecting upon her innate desire to create during a long conversation with her fiancé.

“I knew I wanted to create something that makes people feel confident and like themselves, and having jewelry be one of those mediums of empowerment for myself — that’s what I chose!” she said.

Hill specializes in zero-waste jewelry pieces such as earrings and bracelets.

“I think being as environmentally friendly as you can be is so important!” she said. She uses zerowaste polymer clay in her pieces and anything cut off the original slab is used in other pieces.

However, Hill doesn’t stop with clay pieces.

“I also sell some ‘reclaimed’ pieces which consist of beads, charms etc. which would have otherwise gone to landfill,” she said.

Her favorite product to make are stud earrings. “They are so small yet pack a big punch of personality!” Hill said.

Though running her small business has been enjoyable, Hill reflected on some roadblocks she has faced.

“The biggest challenges I have faced have come from within myself [and] believing I’m not good enough [or] not capable,” she said. “But my friends, family and all of my

A RISQUÉ SILENT AUCTION FOR

ROOSTERS

The efforts to help Roosters rebuild continue! Take a look back at the Roosters silent auction benefit hosted by Johnsons in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 28. The event, giving guests the opportunity to “buy the underwear right off the boys,” donated all proceeds to Roosters West Palm and their rebuilding efforts.

Pictured here is Christian, wearing one of the many handsome products up for auction. Photo credit: J.R. Davis. To see more, visit SFGN on Facebook.

Polly Hill showing off her merchandise.

Photo via @ohgolly_designs, Instagram.

supporters have lifted me up which I am so grateful for.”

Aside from her struggles, Hill has big dreams for her shop.

“The main purpose of my business is to bring little pieces of colour and joy to people’s lives,” she explained.

“I’ve had a lot of people buying for friends who they can’t see because of lockdown and I’m being told it’s cheering those people up a lot — which means the absolute world to me that my work is capable of doing that!”

Every piece that Hill creates is unique — you’ll never get the same piece twice. From groovy flower dangles to handmade clay incense holders, Hill has something that everyone will enjoy.

Even if nothing in her shop calls to you, she does commissions through her Instagram page where you can order custom products.

You can support this LGBT-owned small business by visiting Hill’s Etsy shop at Etsy.com/uk/shop/OhGollyDesigns or following her on Instagram @ohgolly_designs.

LGBTGEQIAP+ Research Study Are you LGBTGEQIAP+ and 18 years of age or older?

To participate in the study, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

To participate in the study, please click the following link or scan the QR code below: https://fau.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_88KCrD9JjTjctqm

If you have any questions about this study, please contact investigators: Kelly Emelianchik-Key, Ph.D., at kemelian@fau.edu and/or Adriana Labarta at alabarta2018@fau.edu.

3.11. 20 21 •

33

A&E APPOINTMENTS 95.3 FM 96.9 FM

103.9 FM 1470 AM

Amateur “Art Heist Experience” sleuths in Miami and Fort Lauderdale will solve a crafty caper with the help of a cast of colorful characters along the way. Credit: Right Angle Entertainment.

ARTSBEAT SLEUTHING IS SOCIALLY DISTANCED FUN J.W. Arnold

Live at 4 !

Ad opportunities:

PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS OFFER OUTDOORS TRUE-CRIME ADVENTURES You’re the detective in the new, outdoor interactive theater experience, “Art Heist Experience,” March 16 — April 4 at the Arsht Center in Miami and the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale. Put your “NCIS,” “CSI” and “Law & Order” skills to use and walk off that quarantine poundage to solve a real-life master robbery of 13 works of art, valued at $500 million dollars. Amateur gumshoes will interact with a wild group of wily career criminals, slimy con men, rumpled art recovery specialists, a possible inside man, a gentle psychopath, and the larger-than-life, but definitely real self-proclaimed “Greatest Art Thief of All Time.”

954-661-3361

hear past shows on youtube at

bit.ly/2OzWjlI

Tickets start at $39.50 at BrowardCenter.org and $43 at ArshtCenter.org.

NAKED READING: IT’S A THING When porn gets predictable, you can always pay to watch a boy read literature aloud in the buff. Yes, “Naked Boys Reading” was a hit in London, Berlin and Ottawa and now it’s coming to Fort Lauderdale. Clearly, it’s more comfortable to engage in such naturist activities in sunny South Florida during the winter months. This weekend, March 12 — 14 at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Dr. in Fort Lauderdale, naked men “of all types” will be reading passages around the theme of “madness.” We’re talking Poe to Prozac.

Tickets are $35 at EmpireStage.com. Use code “Crazzy” for $10 discount.

Seating is limited and masks and other COVID-19 precautions will be enforced.

Afternoon Drive... local and LIVE.

Live streaming wwnnradio.com 34

• 3.11.2021

CALLING ALL FILM FANS SAVE THE DATES Tickets are going on sale soon for the Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF), April 14 – 29. One of the largest Jewish film festivals in the world, MJFF will present several LGBT-themed features among the 140 premieres. For more information and tickets, go to MiamiJewishFilmFestival.org.

For more information and tickets, go to MiamiJewishFilmFestival.org.

OUTSHINE CONTINUES FREE @HOME STREAMING SERIES

Enjoy some of the newest LGBT-themed film from the comfort of your own living room, courtesy of the OUTshine LGBT Film Festival. OUTshine at Home is featuring several films focusing on women’s stories in March, including the Argentine transgender drama “Under My Dark Skin” and the U.S./Canadian comedy “Shiva Baby,” both closing March 14. The Mexican comedy “Mora & Chenchi” and “Forgotten Roads,” a Chilean dramedy about a woman’s taboo love in a conservative village, are available for viewing through March 21. Watch online at OUTshineFilm.com.

A&E ART

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN IMPRESSIONISM AT TWO MIAMI EXHIBITS J.W. Arnold

A

fter a year of pandemic-required isolation, two novel art exhibits coming to Miami this spring will offer colorful escapes from the familiar four walls of your apartment, courtesy of the masters of French Impressionism.

“Beyond Van Gogh: An Immersive Experience” — not to be confused with “Van Gogh Alive” currently on display at the Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg — is coming to Miami’s Ice Palace on April 15. This exhibition, created by French-Canadian Creative Director Mathieu St-Arnaud and his team at Montreal’s Normal Studio, features more than 300 of Vincent van Gogh’s iconic artworks and will take guests into a three-dimensional simulation, courtesy of cutting-edge image mapping technology.

According to St-Arnaud, “Beyond Van Gogh” takes on the challenge of “breathing new life into van Gogh’s vast body of work.

Using the artist’s own dreams, thoughts, and words to drive the experience as a narrative, guests move along projection-swathed walls wrapped in light and color that swirls, dances, and refocuses into flowers, cafes, and landscapes.”

The exhibit includes instantly-recognizable classics such as “The Starry Night,” “Sunflowers” and “Café Terrace at Night,” freed from their frames. The exhibit is similar to one recently included in an episode of the Netflix series “Emily in Paris.”

“Van Gogh’s art comes to life by appearing and disappearing, flowing across multiple surfaces, and heightening the senses with their immense detail. Through his own words set to a symphonic score, guests come to a new appreciation of this tortured artist’s stunning work. It’s no surprise that millions of people all over the world credit Van Gogh with enhancing their relationship with art,” St-Arnaud said in promotional materials.

In May, the Arsht Center will transform its 18,000 sq. ft. Ziff Ballet Opera House stage into a living gallery showcasing more than 100 tableaus by impressionist masters Monet, Degas, van Gogh, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat and more.

The world premiere of “Lasting Impressions” will be set to a score of period music by Debussy and Ravel, as well as French standards by Piaf, Aznavour and Mouskouri.

“Beyond Van Gogh” will offer an immersive experience at Miami’s Ice Palace, featuring more than 300 artworks by the French Impressionist master. Credit: Normal Studio.

Guests will be able to join Degas’ famous ballet dancers in the studio, float downstream with Monet’s “Water Lilies” and walk through the cobblestone streets and parks of Paris.

“Exhibitions like ‘Lasting Impressions’ offer people the opportunity to experience an iconic art movement in a completely new, exciting, and different way. These immersive experiences are meant to complement traditional museum exhibitions by taking them to a whole new level thanks to the power of technology,” said Liz Wallace, the Arsht Center’s vice president of programming.

“Unlike other visual presentations currently on tour, ‘Lasting Impressions’ will celebrate the art of many Impressionist artists, instead of just one.”

To create the stunning effects, show producer Princeton Entertainment Group collaborated with Canadian-based Northern Gateway Films and the Los Angeles company 3D Live.

“The holographic effect used in the show is the closest thing to virtual reality without the headset, according to our partners at 3D Live … Our partners at Northern Gateway are helping us with the process of dissecting the paintings and reassembling them in 3-D. The brush strokes and other details are the artists’ original work and not studio re-creations. The goal is to approach this project with incredible accuracy as well as a light touch to ensure the technology is transparent to the audience,” explained Ed Kasses, founding partner of Princeton Entertainment Group.

Tickets are now on sale for “Beyond Van Gogh,” opening April 15 at Ice Palace Studios, 1400 N. Miami Ave. in Miami, at VanGoghMiami.com. Tickets for “Lasting Impressions,” opening May 19 at the Arsht Center in Miami, are on sale at ArshtCenter.org. Tickets at both venues are for timed entry and social distancing will be observed.

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FEATURE PETS

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LUCY LILLY

If you’re looking for an exotic pet, then Guinea pig sisters Lilly and Lucy could be perfect for you.

The girls are 10 months old and each weigh just over 2 pounds. They enjoy lots of fresh greens and will need plenty of Timothy hay to help with digestion.

Guinea pigs do well in pairs, who wouldn’t want to have a BFF? You can adopt this duo and pay just one adoption fee.

Appointments will now be required to visit the adoption areas at the Humane Society of Broward County on weekends and select days. Visit www.humanebroward.com to learn more or call 954-989-3977 ext. 6. Appointments are not necessary for the vaccine clinic which is open Monday — Friday 9 AM — 4:30 PM credit cards only. The banners rotate so click on the one that says COVID-19 update adoptions and essential services update and scroll down a little bit. There you will find an application for adoption and other pertinent information. Complete the application (even if you have adopted before) and submit it. Adoptions are being done by appointment only now. For more information call 954-989-3977 ext. 6 FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED WHEN COMING TO THE SHELTER.

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