SFGN 05/13/21 V12iss19

LOCAL NAME GLOBAL COVERAGE

MAY 13, 2021 VOL. 12 // ISSUE 19

#STOPASIAN #STOP ASIANHATE HATE LOCAL QUEER ASIANS SPEAK OUT AGAINST DISCRIMINATION PAGES 8 - 10

Loggers Slam SFGN

PAGE 33

SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS

Biden Rules on Trans Healthcare

@SFGN

SFGN.COM

|

PAGE 18 - 19

Gay and Gray

PAGES 34 - 35

DONATE TO OUR JOURNALISM! SFGN.COM/DONATE

NEWS HIGHLIGHT

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

PRIDE INTERSECTIONS COMING TO DELRAY, BOYNTON BEACH Kim Swan

THERE’S MORE ONLINE!

Online now!

2

• 5.13.2021

Publisher • Norm Kent Norm.Kent@sfgn.com

Associate Publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com

Editorial

Senior Feature Columnists

Brian McNaught • Jesse Monteagudo

Special to SFGN Steve Rothaus

Correspondents

Donald Cavanaugh • John McDonald Deon Jefferson • David-Elijah Nahmod Denise Royal • John Hayden • Elliot Rodriguez Kendall Little • Everitt Rosen • Corey Rose

Contributing Columnists

Pier Angelo • Terri Schlichenmeyer Rick Karlin • Dana Rudolph • Ric Reily

Photo via Pixabay.

Hoch spoke about how over the past 30 years, the LGBT community in both Delray and Boynton Beach have gone from nearly invisible to being acknowledged and granted equal rights, and how this is “quite an achievement.”

“We thank the Delray Beach City Commission and city staff for working to create this amazing tribute to the city’s LGBTQ community,” said Hoch in the press release.

Mayor Shelly Petrolia plans to host a commemorative ceremony for the LGBT Pride streetscape in June, which is LGBT Pride Month.

Boynton Beach Vice Mayor Ty Penserga began working on bringing LGBT public art to the city at the request of PBCHRC, according to a press release. The art installation will be

located at the intersection East Ocean Avenue and 1st Street SE at the end of the city’s Town Square.

“By highlighting the LGBTQ streetscape at the entrance to Town Square and downtown Boynton Beach, city officials are proudly letting LGBTQ people know that we recognize you, we stand with you, and we are all part of the fabric that strengthens Boynton Beach,” said Penserga, who is Boynton Beach’s first openly gay elected official. “We are sending a clear message — especially to our younger LGBTQ residents — that everyone is welcome in Boynton Beach and that our community supports you.”

Road work to prepare for the installation is now underway. It is expected that paint will be applied by mid-June.

LAWSUIT FILED AFTER ORTHODOX JEWISH UNIVERSITY BANS LGBT STUDENT CLUB Read SFGN.com to find out more.

Support our advertisers in the pages of SFGN! Their support helps make our journalism possible.

SEE OUR NEWS IN VIDEO!

2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

Art Director • Brendon Lies Artwork@sfgn.com Webmaster • Kimberly Swan Webmaster@sfgn.com Social Media Director • Christiana Lilly Arts/Entertainment Editor • J.W. Arnold JW@prdconline.com Food/Travel Editor • Rick Karlin Gazette News Editor • John McDonald HIV Editor • Sean McShee Senior Photographer • J.R. Davis JRDavis12000@hotmail.com

W

hen St. Petersburg completed their LGBT Pride streetscape last year, Delray Beach City Commissioner Ryan Boylston wanted to do the same. Now, commissioners of Delray and Boynton Beach agreed to design intersections that would feature the colors of the flag.

At a meeting, the Delray Beach City Commission presented the design for a permanent LGBT Pride streetscape to be installed in the intersection of NE 2nd Avenue and NE 1st Street in Pineapple Grove, according to a press release.

Boylston opened the discussions on bringing Pride public art with resident Nicholas Coppola and Rand Hoch, the president and founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.

Coppola serves on the Board of Trustees of Compass, Palm Beach County’s LGBT community center.

“Ryan has been — and continues to be — an incredible ally to the LGBTQ community,” said Coppola, according to the press release.

“His leadership on our streetscape is just one more way he shows his support.”

The streetscape will include the six colors of the traditional Pride flag as well as the five additional colors of the Progress Pride flag, which represent people of color, trans and non-binary individuals, and those living with HIV/AIDS. “The LGBTQ community in Delray Beach is incredibly diverse, as is the population of the city itself,” said Boylston in the press release.

“With this streetscape, we recognize and honor all of our residents and visitors.”

@SFGN

May 13, 2021 • Volume 12 • Issue 19

COVER: New York-based civil-rights attorney and educator Glenn Magpantay co-founded NQAPIA in 2005. Courtesy photo.

Associated Press

Associate Photographers Carina Mask • Steven Shires

Sales & Marketing For ad placement in SFGN, contact 954-530-4970 Sales Manager • Justin Wyse Justin@sfgn.com Senior Advertising Associate • Edwin Neimann Edwin@sfgn.com Sales Consultant • Charles A. Reid National Advertising Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping Printing by Stuart Web Inc.

SFGN Winner of & 5 Florida Press Club Awards And runner-up for

NLGJA Journalist of the Year SOUTH FLORIDA GAY NEWS.COM, INC. — — FOUNDED, DECEMBER, 2009

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.

5.13. 20 21 •

3

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.

Partners Ryan Young of FlockFest and Avi Ram, the artist behind Airbrush Hero.

4

• 5.13.2021

Photos by J.R. Davis

Latinos Salud Co-Founders Rafaele Narvaez and Dr. Stephen Fallon.

Zach Dishinger with our own Norm Kent, publisher of SFGN.

Michael W. Jackson with partner Harry Demasiado of The Venue Fort Lauderdale.

WEEK

NEWS LOCAL

COMMUNITY OUTL

K

Aside from the best hot dogs and the greatest burgers in the world, you can now get copies of SFGN in front of Burgers & Beers on Wilton Drive.

This time, the box won’t be stolen.

It’s guarded by the company’s owner, Joseph, who is the star chef as well.

Photo at Bayside Marketplace

Photo credit: SRL Media, Inc.

TAKE ME THERE! Ride the train to your favorite South Florida destinations.

• Ride All Day For $5 On Weekends • Onboard WiFi • 18 Convenient Stations

For fares & schedules

1-800-TRI-RAIL • tri-rail.com

5.13. 20 21 •

5

LGBTQIA BITES

BY KENDALL LITTLE

IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE G Pansexual

YOUTUBER GIGI GORGEOUS COMES OUT AS PANSEXUAL Transgender YouTuber Gigi Gorgeous Getty isn’t a stranger to the LGBT community. In fact, coming out as pansexual is the sensation’s fourth time coming out.

She came out as gay initially, before she realized she was transgender. Then, the YouTube star came out as gay again.

After doing some soul-searching with her significant other, Nats Getty, Gigi came out as pansexual.

“It was actually through my husband Nats that this kind of was unlocked inside of me,” she said in a YouTube video. “It’s always been there, this girl has always been inside of me, but it took this stage of my life really to open up, and I’m ready to share this with you guys.”

Nats recently came out as transgender and nonbinary.

P

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

A

“Over the years, I’ve realized that I didn’t fall in love with Nats because of his gender,” Gigi explained. “I fell in love with the person that he is. I just want to let everybody know that I am pansexual.”

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED COPY CHIEF SPEAKS OUT ABOUT HER ASEXUALITY

Julie Kliegman doesn’t hold back when it comes to writing about hard-hitting topics like mental health and personal identity. In fact, she came out as asexual after writing about asexual “BoJack Horseman” character Todd Chavez for The Ringer.

“Asexual people, it’s not that they lack a sex drive, but they aren’t sexually attracted to people, or they’re varying degrees of sexually attracted to people, but not in a way — I don’t want to say ‘typical person’ in this way — but a ‘typical person’ is,” Kliegman said on an Outsports podcast. “But that doesn’t make them any less human.”

Kliegman is not only asexual, but also nonbinary. She didn’t always know it though — it took a long time for her to realize her identity.

“I think once you think about that long

EP Gigi Gorgeous Getty. Photo via Facebook.

Asexual

Julie Kliegman. Photo via @jmkliegman, Twitter.

enough, you’re like, ‘Oh wait, cisgender people don’t really spend that much time thinking about this today,’” Kliegman said.

“It’s not that I always rejected the label of ‘woman,’ but I always knew in the back of my head that it didn’t perfectly fit me either.”

nowoffering offering now now offering

SAME DAY PrEP SAMEDAY DAYPrEP PrEP SAME

re At Midway Specialty Care Center we are At to Midway Specialty Care Center we day are day Atable start almost everyone on same Midway Specialty Care Center we are able tothose start almost on same day now now offering offering now offering PrEP, with andeveryone without insurance. e.

PrEP, those witheveryone and without able to start almost on insurance. same day SAME DAY SAME PrEP DAY PrEP SAME DAY PrEP PrEP, those with and without insurance.

At Midway At Midway Specialty Care Specialty Center At Midway weCare are Specialty Center Carewe Center are we are ableable to startto almost start everyone almost able on same everyone to start dayalmoston everyone same on day same day PrEP,PrEP, those with those and without with insurance. and PrEP, those without with and insurance. without insurance.

now offering

SAME DAY PrEP At Midway Specialty Care Center we are able to start almost everyone on same day HOWARD JOSEPH HOWARD A. with and without insurance.

JOSEPH PrEP,A. those

GROSSMAN, GROSSMAN,MD MD

TOJAR, TOJAR,PA-C PA-C

HOWARD HOWARD A. A. JOSEPH HOWARD A. JOSEPH JOSEPH GROSSMAN, GROSSMAN, MD MD GROSSMAN, MD TOJAR, PA-C TOJAR, PA-C TOJAR, PA-C CALL TODAY!

CALL TODAY!

CALL TODAY! CALL TODAY! CALL TODAY! 954-530-8357 954-530-8357 HOWARD A. JOSEPH

954-530-8357 954-530-8357 954-530-8357

Walk-inHIV HIVtesting testingavailable. available.

Walk-in

Norm.Kent@sfgn.com•954-530-4970

C 6

• 5.13.2021

GROSSMAN, MD Walk-in TOJAR, PA-C Walk-in Walk-in HIV testing HIV available. testing HIV testing available. available.

2608 NE 16th Ave. Wilton Manors, FL33334 33334 2608 NE 16th Ave. Wilton Manors, FL 33334 2608 2608 NE 16th NE Ave.16th | Wilton Ave. Manors, 2608 || |Wilton NE FL16th 33334 Ave. Manors, | Wilton Manors, FL FL 33334

CALL TODAY! HOWARD A.

JOSEPH

LGBTQIA BITES

L

Lesbian

FIRST MOTHER’S DAY AS MOTHERS FOR OITNB LESBIAN COUPLE

Samira Wiley and Lauren Morelli, who both worked on Netflix series “Orange is the New Black,” introduced the world to their new daughter on Mother’s Day via Instagram.

“Four weeks ago today, our daughter came into the world and changed everything. We are so happy, so grateful, and so tired,” Morelli wrote on Instagram.

George Elizabeth was born on April 11, 2021, but Morelli and Wiley waited until Mother’s Day to break the news to their followers.

“Welcome to the world, babygirl. We love you and we thank you for giving us the best 1st Mother’s Day two ladies could ask for,” Wiley captioned her Instagram post of her daughter.

Fans of the couple left thousands of comments between the two posts celebrating the baby’s birth and wishing the couple a happy first Mother’s Day.

WE ARE A FACTORY CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITY FOR HONDA, CHRYSLER, NISSAN, ACURA, FORD, HYUNDAI, INFINITI, GM, KIA AND FIAT

C F C Over 40 years of experience

F All insurance claims accepted

4561 NW 8TH AVENUE OAKLAND PARK, FL 33309

(954) 491-3904 Samira Wiley and Lauren Morelli.

Photo via Instagram.

Body Shop Manager

FRAN REGNO

FTLCOLLISION.COM Smile...and the whole world smiles back.

Celebrating our 11th Year on Wilton Drive!

New Patients

$69 ($312 Value)

Comprehensive Exam, Digital X-Rays & Cleaning* *In the absense of gum disease.

Not applicable to insurance benefits.

General & Cosmetic Dentistry

and

State of the Art Facilities • Most Insurance Plans Accepted

Always Plenty of Free Parking • Located Conveniently on Wilton Drive

954-565-7666 Dr. David K. Warner, DDS, FAGD 1946 Wilton Drive • Wilton Manors • FL 33305 www.IslandCitySmiles.com 5.13. 20 21 •

7

FEATURE #STOPASIANHATE

#STOPASIANHATE SOUTH FLORIDA QUEER ASIANS SPEAK OUT ON DISCRIMINATION AND INJUSTICE Steve Rothaus

O

f the more than 4.6 million people who live in MiamiDade and Broward counties, less than 120,000 identify as Asian, according to the U.S. Census.

So few Pacific Islanders live in the Miami area, the Census doesn’t register an actual number, just “a value greater than zero.”

And according to the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, only 2.8% of AAPI (Asian-American/Pacific Islander) adults identify as LGBT. “The Asian community in South Florida already is small enough. Now you add LGBTQ on top of that — it feels very, very isolating and it’s hard sometimes to talk about some of the issues we go through,” said Dr. S. Kimberly Liu, a queer Miami acupuncturist and co-founder of NAAAP Pride, a sub-group of the National Association of Asian American Professionals.

New York-based civil-rights attorney and educator Glenn Magpantay co-founded NQAPIA in 2005.

Courtesy photo.

8

• 5.13.2021

FEATURE #STOPASIANHATE The U.S. government recognizes May as in psychology and pre-med in Hawaii. She Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. finished medical school in Dominican Among the most pressing issues faced Republic. In the U.S., she is a “doctor of today by AAPI people: the well-reported Oriental medicine.”

In the Dominican Republic, Liu said she uptick in hate and violence against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. had to be cautious about her appearance. “I The organization Stop AAPI Hate recently couldn’t wear too masculine clothes because reported “2,808 first-hand accounts” of in Spanish they call it marimacha, ‘tomboy,’ I guess.” (The online Urban violence in 47 states and the Dictionary defines marimacha District of Columbia from “THE AAPI as “Mexican slang for lesbian/ March 19 and December 30, COMMUNITY KNEW dyke. Considered offensive.”)

2020.

“You don’t want to stand out Liu said she could be one of THIS WAS COMING as a tomboy because you will those victims, attacked in her WAY BEFORE be discriminated against,” Liu car near Coral Gables lunchtime last Nov. 3 — Election Day. THE REST OF THE said. “People can hit you in the street and throw things at you “I was driving home from COUNTRY REALLY just because you don’t look work around 1, 2 o’clock in the feminine enough.” afternoon,” she recalled. “I got STARTED TO SEE In 2007, she worked at a blocked off in an intersection THE SIGNS OF ANTI- Pompano Beach substance by two big trucks with huge AAPI VIOLENCE.” abuse clinic.

Trump/Pence 2020 signs, the “I was a counselor. I was flags and whatnot. The people - Kenrick Ross verbally attacked for looking came out and started banging EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE Asian,” she said. “One of the on my window, yelling at me, NATIONAL QUEER ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER ALLIANCE clients asked where I was from, telling me to go back to China, (NQAPIA) if I was Korean, and wanted to take the virus back with me.” to know if I would provide Liu was born 34 years ago in the Dominican Republic and is of Taiwanese- sexual massage or whatnot. Completely Japanese-African-Russian descent. She has inappropriate. I was there as a counselor and lived in 10 different countries and moved to when I responded, ‘I’m your counselor, this is not what we’re here for’ — very calmly — South Florida in 2008.

“I’ve never been attacked like this in the the person just exploded. Started insulting U.S. I was so shook up,” she said. “I told my me, saying I was a whore and I should just boss about it and he got me pepper spray. He go back to Korea, even though I said I’m not was concerned I was being targeted because from Korea.”

Liu continued: “When I tried to report it I was one of the few Asian doctors in the to my supervisor, they kind of wrote it off. neighborhood.”

Liu, the daughter of diplomats, went to They said, ‘Well nothing happened, it was medical school in Taiwan and earned degrees just verbal, the guy probably was on drugs, so don’t worry about it.’”

Last year, Liu said, she and her wife were abused in a Miami Beach nightclub.

“My wife is from Venezuela. We were out in a club and we just got harassed,” Liu said.

“We were not in a queer or gay club. We got harassed for not wanting to dance with men.

And when my wife said I’m here with my wife, some guys just lost it and started yelling at us. Taking pictures. Said we are going to Hell. We had to call security and have those people thrown out.”

Liu continued: “That was a very scary thing to go through, because I have never been yelled at for being queer overseas, even after I was out. But to have that happen here in South Beach, it blows my mind.”

Kenrick Ross, executive director of the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) based in New York, said the recent “surge in anti-Asian violence” began years before COVID-19.

Kenrick Ross, executive director of the NQAPIA. “Four years ago, we saw the violence of Courtesy photo. the Muslim ban, which impacted many of

the communities that NQAPIA serves. Not just from a policy level, but literally we have people in our community that are more cut off from family, from loved ones, because of the ban,” said Ross, who was born in Guyana and raised in the New York City area.

“This continued with the rhetoric. The AAPI community knew this was coming way before the rest of the country really started to see the signs of anti-AAPI violence,” he said.

“We had organizations including NQAPIA calling out the fact that this rhetoric was happening 14 months ago, around Wuhan and China, and the more despicable names not just President Trump was using, but many people in his circle were using. That leads to actual instances of violence and hate.”

Ross, whose alliance represents about 60 grassroots organizations, believes “LGBTQ folks of color have borne the heaviest brunt in the pandemic.”

He became NQAPIA director in February, weeks before the March 16 mass shootings in the Atlanta area that left eight people dead, including six Asian women.

“On any given day since the massacre in Atlanta happened, in my position at NQAPIA, I am thinking, I’m talking, strategizing around the surge in anti-Asian violence,” Ross said. “But I’m also thinking about this surge in anti-trans legislation that is like wildfire happening across the country.”

New York-based civil-rights attorney and educator Glenn Magpantay, who co-founded NQAPIA in 2005, said “gay Asians live at the intersection of a dual identity.”

“The haters — the people who are harassing us, people who yell at us for being coronavirus carriers — they don’t discriminate on whether you’re gay Asian, a trans Asian, a Korean Asian,” said Magpantay, who preceded Ross as NQAPIA executive director. “It doesn’t matter to them. You just look foreign. You look like you have the COVID virus.”

In addition, he said, “Our identities as queer Asians have been flattened by the media. How many of [these hate-crime victims] were gay, queer and trans?”

Even within queer communities, AAPI people are marginalized, he said.

“If you ask me, where do Asian Americans fit in the LGBT community at large, I would say, sadly, at the peripherals,” Magpantay said. “There are very few LGBT organizations who actually are putting out civil-rights issues that affect our community as part of their public policy agenda.”

Immigration reform tops that list. “It’s all about the Equality Act and I agree. We will benefit from the Equality Act, too,” he said.

“... I HAVE NEVER BEEN YELLED AT FOR BEING QUEER OVERSEAS, EVEN AFTER I WAS OUT. BUT TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN HERE IN SOUTH BEACH, IT BLOWS MY MIND.” - Dr. S. Kimberly Liu QUEER MIAMI ACUPUNCTURIST AND CO-FOUNDER OF NAAAP PRIDE

[pictured above]

TURN THE PAGE TO CONTINUE READING.

5.13. 20 21 •

9

FEATURE #STOPASIANHATE CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE.

“But so what if you can keep your job but you can still be deported?”

Florida is a glaring example, Magpantay said, of how queer AAPI people are “often overlooked.”

“Most of the Asians in Florida are focused in the South Florida/Miami area and Orlando/Central Florida. And yet there is no viable or existing queer Asian group in Miami. There is one in Orlando that just started and they’re struggling.”

Kyle Maharlika, who was born in North Miami Beach and now lives in Fort Lauderdale, in 2018 launched a group called Miami Queer & Asian. He pulled the plug a year later.

“I disbanded it primarily because I was struggling with building up the community.

Not that queer Asian people don’t exist,” said Maharlika, 28, ecosystem manager for a South Florida-based technology and innovation company.

Maharlika said he had reached out to several South Florida LGBT organization leaders hoping to build Miami Q&A membership.

“I just contacted all of them and asked, like, ‘Hey, just share this and if anyone

wants to join, have them come.’ So the first meeting, I think it was like six people or something like that,” he said. “I can’t continue to corral people, one by one. I even considered going out into the nightclub scene and trying to find Asian people. The lack of cohesion around the community is part of the difficulty of South Florida.”

In 2017, Maharlika was chosen to be part of Maven Leadership Collective’s inaugural training group. Maven is a South Florida “ideas lab” that “invests in talented queer and trans people of color and allies to build more resilient communities that thrive in transition, crisis, and tragedy,” according to its website.

“I had never been centered as a queer person of color before,” Maharlika recalls. “It was refreshing and eye opening to have a leadership collective highlight that my possibilities for my life were endless and that my perspective as a queer person of color were actually a gift to offer the world.”

Maharlika and his family are typically South Florida: “My mom is Japanese blood but she’s from Brazil. She’s Japanese Brazilian and she speaks Spanish and Portuguese, not really Japanese. She’s more Latina. And my dad is A Washington D.C. rally to stop Asian hate in late March of this year was just from the Philippines, one of many across the nation. Photo credit: Victoria Pickering.

10

• 5.13.2021

“THERE’S A SAYING IN THE ASIAN COMMUNITY: ‘THE NAIL THAT STICKS OUT GETS HAMMERED DOWN,’ SO YOU DON’T WANT TO BE DIFFERENT.” - Kyle Maharlika ACTIVIST

and they met in Brazil and then moved to with femininity. If you’re an Asian man and Miami. They immigrated here in the ‘80s.” you’re trying to date, you have some trouble Maharlika said being a queer person with that. It definitely feels like racism but among other Asians is “kind of weird.” it’s very unstated. People won’t outright say, “There’s a saying in the Asian community: for the most part, that they’re not into Asian ‘The nail that sticks out gets hammered men. Though some people do and that’s less down,’ so you don’t want to be different.” acceptable now. But they will behave that Maharlika continued: “Because queerness way.” is seen as different, right? Like you can’t Maharlika said his appearance has at times really talk about it with the groups that put his safety at risk. you’re in. For example, if “I’m the type of guy I’m at Thanksgiving dinner who likes to wear earrings, with my sister’s husband’s sometimes I’ll paint my nails. family. (My sister’s husband is I used to have really, really Taiwanese so his whole family long hair that went down to is Taiwanese and we’re at his my butt. I remember multiple house.) I don’t talk about my instances where I’d be walking relationship. I don’t say, ‘My to work. I’d be walking around boyfriend is a Black man, we’re and someone would say — dating and we have the best they think I don’t understand, relationship ever.’ I can’t even right, because they think that say those things and I can’t I’m not Latino — but they come out to them because would say ‘chino maricon,’ it’s so awkward. You don’t which means Chinese faggot.”

Maharlika continued: want them to think you’re - Kyle Maharlika “They would say it out loud sticking out or just trying to be ACTIVIST — actually loudly — because different for no reason.” they think that I don’t Maharlika said being Asian in the queer community is “really, really understand what that means, but I speak Spanish and Portuguese.” weird.”

Recently, a man holding a Bible approached “As a gay man, which is my specific experience, I just had a lot of trouble,” Maharlika and, “shoved his finger in my face he said. “I didn’t have trouble making and asked me why do I have to be such a friends. But you just feel so unattractive faggot?”

After the Atlanta shootings, Maharlika because nobody thinks that an Asian man is attractive. Within the gay community, said he “just kind of toned it back because I especially with men, I think there’s this idea was afraid.”

He began carrying a taser, “tore off” his of like — you’ve heard people say it before — ‘If I wanted to date a girl, I would date a girl.’” nail polish and cut his hair.

“One, I just needed a new haircut. But the Maharlika said: “I’ve had people say that to me before, that ‘I don’t like effeminate guys’ other reason: It gets pretty tiring to be called because Asian-ness in general is associated a ‘chino maricon.’”

“THE LACK OF COHESION AROUND THE COMMUNITY IS PART OF THE DIFFICULTY OF SOUTH FLORIDA.”

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

5.13. 20 21 •

11

NEWS NATIONAL

BY COREY ROSE

THE COUNTRY ACROSS

CALIFORNIA

LGBT ACTIVISTS’ HOME TO BE MADE LANDMARK

The home of a lesbian couple that pioneered LGBT rights in California will soon become a local landmark, following a unanimous vote from the San Francisco Board of Directors.

In 1955, Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon moved into the one-bedroom house, where they founded the Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian rights organization in the United States. For years, the couple used the home to hold meetings, conduct organization business, and publish The Ladder, the first nationally distributed lesbian publication in the U.S. Executive director of the GLBT Historical Society Terry Beswick told the Associated Press, “The Daughters of Bilitis didn’t have an office space, so 651 [Duncan St.] was really ground zero for

Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon during their marriage.

Credit: Liz Mangelsdorf, SFC, via Wikimedia Commons.

the lesbian rights movement at the time.

It was a place where people could be safe and reveal their sexuality.”

Lyon and Martin, both deceased, were among the first couples to legally marry in California, and lived in the house together for over 50 years. The board will hold a second, ceremonial vote before it reaches Mayor London Breed’s desk for approval.

PENNSYLVANIA PHILADELPHIA ESTABLISHES LGBT CRIME TRACKER LGBT victims of crime are now being connected with aid and resources within 48 hours after an incident, thanks to a unique tracking system developed by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

If just one of 50 keywords or phrases associated with the local LGBT community is found within any police report on file, it will be added to an additional spreadsheet, where the DAO staff will be able to verify if the case involves LGBT individuals, and reach out to those people to provide support and services.

Deja Lynn Alvarez, member of the DAO’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, told Philidelphia Gay News, “The fact that the District Attorney’s Office is taking initiative to start tracking the [crime] data is huge because it’s going to

12

• 5.13.2021

Deja Lynn Alvarez. Photo via Facebook.

allow the studies necessary that we can then utilize when we are trying to create legislation or policy, whether it be in the city, the state or federally.”

COVERING LGBT NEWS SWEEPING THE NATION

OHIO OHIO TO ALLOW BIRTH CERTIFICATE CHANGES

The Ohio Department of Health has officially accepted a December 2020 court ruling that the state must accept requests from transgender individuals who want to update their birth certificate to reflect their gender identity.

Four transgender plaintiffs, represented by the ACLU of Ohio, faced discrimination in trying to update their birth certificates, even though the state allows changes to be made to driver’s licenses and other government documents. The state allowed transgender residents to make changes to the document until 2016, when health officials changed the policy.

U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson wrote in his ruling that “this policy resembles the sort of discriminationbased legislation struck down under the equal protection clause in Romer v. Evans

Photo via Adobe.

as nothing more than a policy ‘born of animosity toward the class of person affected’ that has ‘no rational relation to a legitimate government purpose.’”

The Ohio Department of Health expects to have a clear process for changing the sex marker on the certificate by June 1, leaving Tennessee as the last state in the union to not offer the document change.

MICHIGAN GRAND RAPIDS PRIDE CENTER NAMES NEW LEADER Grand Rapids Pride Center has found its newest executive director in Jazz McKinney, after they served as Interim Director and chair of the organization’s Transgender and Gender NonConforming Committee.

GRPC wrote in an announcement via Facebook, “They bring a unique perspective on how complex West Michigan can be for a BIPOC person to navigate. A natural connector, Jazz is wellknown in the GRPC, GVSU and greater Grand Rapids community as an advocate for all, personally identifying most with the Black, Indigenous, trans and disabled community members we serve.”

The Grand Rapids Pride Center oversees the town’s annual pride celebration, and recently collaborated with Grand Rapids Fire and Police Departments on in-

Jazz McKinney. Photo via Facebook.

person training on LGBT-inclusive safety practices.

Mckinney told MiBiz, “My vision is to truly fulfill our mission, which is to serve all of our LGBTQ community, not just white people. My vision is to make the Pride Center more accessible to people of color and people with disabilities, and making it more accessible even with the internal things.”

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

BY EVERITT ROSEN

THE WORLD AROUND

EXPLORING LGBT NEWS EVENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE

ASIA

EUROPE

JAPAN’S LGBT BILL FALLS SHORT

POLAND, HUNGARY BLOCK ‘GENDER EQUALITY’ FROM EU SUMMIT

Japan currently lacks any national regulations shielding LGBT people from discrimination, and a new survey ranks Japan at the bottom of a list of developing country rules on LGBT inclusion.

According to Human Rights Watch, The LGBT Equality Act, a draft statute, is currently undergoing intensive negotiations between Japan’s ruling and opposition parties. The conservative ruling Liberal Democratic Party declared in April that during the current Diet session, which ends in June, it will pass an LGBT law.

However, the bill introduced by the ruling party at the LDP’s Special Mission Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity merely allows the government to promote awareness of LGBT people. It omits non-

Photo via Adobe.

discrimination safeguards and falls short of the government’s universal human rights commitments.

Many Japanese LGBT rights organizations are opposed to the draft law, fearing that the weak wording would have little real guarantees. Opposition parties are calling for a bill that prevents them from discrimination.

As the European Union works to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Poland and Hungary successfully lobbied for the word “gender equality” to be removed from a Friday resolution on advancing social solidarity.

According to Reuters, Poland’s nationalists ruling Law and Justice party and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán have repeatedly clashed with their more liberal western peers over the rights of women, gay people and migrants.

Although an earlier draft of their statement said that the block will “promote gender equality,” the final version seen by Reuters says, “We will step up efforts to fight discrimination and work actively to close gender gaps ... and to promote equality.”

Viktor Orbán and Mateusz Morawiecki. Photo via Facebook.

“The fact is that men and women should be treated equally,” Orbán told reporters. He stated he was against speaking of “gender,” which he considered an “ideologically motivated expression.”

AFRICA

NORTH AMERICA

UGANDA RIGHTS GROUPS FIGHT AGAINST ANTI-GAY BILL

WIDOWER SETTLES PENSION CASE AFTER CLAIMS OF LGBT DISCRIMINATION

Uganda’s Sexual Offences Bill, which criminalizes same-sex relationships, has been criticized by the United Nations and civil rights organizations.

According to The East Africa Monitor, the bill was approved by Uganda’s parliament on Monday, and although it has yet to be finalized, the UN has expressed new reservations about the current version, warning that it discriminates against whole classes of people, including homosexuals and sex workers.

Uganda’s contentious Sexual Offenses Bill was first introduced in 2015, and the new laws have evolved considerably since then. Rights activists condemned the plans as soon as they were made public, citing fears over prejudice against gay groups and individuals.

Parliament of Uganda. Photo via Facebook.

Under this bill, consensual samesex relationships will be punished with potential jail terms of up to 10 years.

Since originally being refused rights to his late partner’s CN Rail pension because he was in a same-sex relationship, Ken Haire has won his fight.

According to CBC, Haire received a letter from the railway officially recognizing him as the common-law spouse of Gerry Schwarz, who was an employee there for 30 years. It also included a lump sum for missed payments over the span of nine years plus interest after Schwarz’s death.

Until 1998, same-sex couples were not considered qualified spouses under CN’s pension scheme. Although the move was not retroactive, the firm said it is reviewing how the policy impacts workers who retired before 1998.

“After all those years and all the people he had worked with, they still didn’t

Ken Haire. Photo via Facebook.

acknowledge the fact that Gerry and I were a couple,” Haire told CBC. “We were a couple in every sense of the word. It really did hurt.”

5.13. 20 21 •

13

NEWS KEY WEST

KEY WEST TURNS TOWARD NORMALCY AS

PRIDE BUZZ BUILDS Damon Scott

K

ey West is often described as the two by four island — meaning two miles wide by four miles long. Even its most famous corridor — Duval Street — is no more than 50 feet wide from building to building.

The 24,000 year-round residents enjoy the impression is that it’s over. It’s better, but intimacy — even as millions of visitors come we’ve got a ways to go.” each year.

Key West recently revised its mask mandate But the very dense and consolidated island to line up with the Centers for Disease Control has made navigating the pandemic a challenge and Prevention (CDC) guideline that loosened to say the least. outdoor mask guidance. Johnston said the However, there’s a growing city would continue to sense among city leaders and follow the most updated CDC residents that conditions are guidelines. turning a corner.

Johnston has taken a fair “I have a greater sense amount of heat for instituting of optimism,” Mayor Teri tight rules for Key West Johnston, who is in her second through the pandemic. term, said.

“We had a balance between Johnston said she’s been protective measures and particularly happy with the economic viability,” she vaccination rate of residents said. “You could not have who are 50 and over. But she’s one without the other. It’s still concerned about younger not an issue of taking away service workers who often rights, it’s an issue of keeping deal with tourists that may not everyone healthy.”

- Teri Johnston MAYOR OF KEY WEST be vaccinated or flout mask Johnston said her optimism requirements. The city has now is also reflected in the been encouraging those under city’s economic rebound.

50 to get the vaccine and has provided access Through February, she said, Key West was at to thousands of free rapid COVID-19 tests.

108% of its sales tax revenue compared to last “Economically they need to work, but we February — a record. want them to work healthy,” Johnston said.

Kevin Theriault, the executive director of “We’re so close to beating this thing. The the Key West Business Guild and Gay Key

“IT’S NOT AN ISSUE OF TAKING AWAY RIGHTS, IT’S AN ISSUE OF KEEPING EVERYONE HEALTHY.”

Kevin Theriault, left, and husband Dorian Patton. Courtesy photo.

West Visitor Center, also said the economic situation has been improving for the tourist industry. He said visitors have returned and the proof is in a 90% and up occupancy rate for hotels and guesthouses.

KEY WEST PRIDE RETURNS Key West city commissioners approved the return of Key West Pride this year. While there’s a full schedule of events from June 2-6, it was decided that the Pride parade, which normally closes festivities, would not take place out of an abundance of safety.

Johnston said one of the reasons she feels confident about events returning to Key West overall is because of the involvement of the city’s event department. Representatives meet with every event organizer to plan out safe logistics in advance.

At the recent Conch Republic Independence

Celebration, for example, booths on Duval Street were 20 feet apart and most people were masked up if they couldn’t maintain social distancing.

“Our measures have to be different since we’re shoulder to shoulder,” Johnston, who has filed to run for reelection in 2022, said.

Theriault said although some in the gay community might be disappointed that the parade won’t take place, most understand.

“We believe it is the right decision to continue to keep our community and visitors safe,” Theriault said. “Regardless of this decision, we have found that people are simply excited to be able to be celebrating Pride again.”

“Everyone is very excited about Pride,” added Johnston, who is Key West’s first lesbian mayor and second woman to hold the post.

“We are one of the most diverse and proud communities in the U.S. This brings us back to some level of normalcy.”

For more information on Pride events, go to gaykeywestfl.com/pride.

14

• 5.13.2021

5.13. 20 21 •

15

Don’t miss a

tastE Feeling the hunger?

Read SFGN’s weekly food column for an exclusive bite on local bars, restaurants, and seasonal flavors.

sFGn.com/FooD

16

• 5.13.2021

NEWS LOCAL

CAMPBELL FOUNDATION AWARDS $90,000 GRANT TO INVESTIGATE LINK BETWEEN HEART DISEASE AND HIV Denise Royal

H

IV is now a manageable disease that can be kept in check with medicine.

But people living with HIV are at higher-than-normal risk of having other illnesses. One of the comorbidities linked with is cardiovascular disease.

In fact, people living with cardiovascular disease are up to two times more likely to experience heart disease and stroke compared to people not infected with the virus.

That’s why The Campbell Foundation has awarded a $90,000 grant to a pair of researchers investigating why cardiovascular disease (CVD) is significantly more prevalent among people living with HIV than among those in the general population.

“This grant amount is in line with all of the other grants we have given to researchers over our 26-year history,” said Ken Rapkin, Executive Director of The Campbell Foundation. “Most grant funding is between $60,000 to $100,000. The foundation also has co-funded and provided partial funding for more costly research projects. Recipients request a specific amount of money, and we make our grant decisions based on recommendations from our scientific peer review board. It is a rigorous process; on par with the grant evaluations conducted by the National Institutes of Health. Our peer review board is made up of highly qualified, scientific researchers who review requests, vet the science and determine whether it has scientific merit.”

The recipients are Teresa H. Evering, MD MSc, an infectious disease specialist and assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Weill Cornell Medicine, and Jonathan N. Tobin, Ph.D., a cardiovascular epidemiologist, President/ CEO at Clinical Directors Network (CDN), a practice-based research network, and Senior Epidemiologist at The Rockefeller University Center for Clinical and Translational Science.

In addition to looking at cardiovascular risk, Evering and Tobin also plan to explore the relationship between these two measures of inflammation and the brain’s blood vessels for the first time in people living with HIV. Their research will look at large data sets of people from New York City, including underserved and low-income people.

“The study we are funding here at Cornell/

Photo via Adobe.

CDN is a ‘big data’ study which hopefully will be able to identify those most at risk for serious cardiovascular and neurological issues that affect those living with HIV,” Rapkin said. “We realized long ago that until there is a cure, we must be a proactive funder of projects that alleviate some of the comorbidities that come along with HIV/AIDS.” While this study is happening more than a thousand miles away, people worldwide, including those here in South Florida, will feel the benefits of the study.

“All people living with HIV are at higher risk for cardiovascular events and neurological outcomes,” Rapkin said. “These comorbidities are among those impacting the HIV-positive population worldwide. If researchers can find ways to detect problems early on in one geographic region, it will benefit everyone living with HIV. As South Florida remains the epicenter of new HIV infections annually, it is imperative that we have therapies and methods to help avert these issues when possible.”

C O M PA S S POINTS

PA L M B E A C H

column

PALM BEACH PRIDE MARKET JUNE 5 Claudia Harrison

Chief Information Officer ON JUNE 5 AT BRYANT PARK IN LAKE WORTH, COMPASS WILL ONCE AGAIN HOST A GATHERING FOR THE LGBT COMMUNITY. FROM 8 A.M. TO 1 P.M., THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND OUR FREE ADMISSION PRIDE MARKET, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY, PETFRIENDLY, OPEN-AIR EVENT WITH 75+ VENDORS, ENTERTAINMENT... AND MIMOSAS! Julia Murphy, chief development officer for Compass Community Center explains, “This will be the first LGBTQ in-person event we have hosted since last March, and our community is very excited to have something to look forward to. We are thrilled to be able to partner with the City of Lake Worth Beach to produce the Palm Beach Pride Market. It is going to be a reunion of our friends and chosen families.”

There will be a DJ playing music on stage all day with some of Palm Beach County’s favorite drag performers on hand, because what is Pride without some drag? Melissa St. John, RaeJean Cox, Velvet Lenore, and Rianna Petrone will all be there to emcee and entertain guests shopping the market.

And what will people be able to shop for?

They can expect to see some of their favorite Pride vendors, along with many new ones, who will offer quality products, prepared foods, arts, plants, animal treats, handicrafts and more.

In true brunch style, mimosas, rosé, and coffee will be available for purchase, along with many yummy things to eat. We will have Barky Pines Animal Rescue onsite with animals available for adoption. As

THERE WILL BE A DJ PLAYING MUSIC ON STAGE ALL DAY WITH SOME OF PALM BEACH COUNTY’S FAVORITE DRAG PERFORMERS ON HAND, BECAUSE WHAT IS PRIDE WITHOUT SOME DRAG?

Photo credit: Brendon Lies.

a family friendly event, the Pride Market will feature a Kids’ Zone managed by Compass’ Youth Department staff and our newly launched Transgender Economic Empowerment Program staff with be there in collaboration with Macy’s Fashion Truck and Starbucks.

For some real WOW factor, Palm Tran will be showing off their rainbow-wrapped Pride Bus, which will be circulating around Palm Beach County throughout Pride Month. Get your camera ready to take those Instagram photos. And of course, who wouldn’t enjoy a morning on the water in our beautiful Bryant Park, reuniting with the friends you haven’t been able to see for the past year?

Please join us at the Pride Market on June 5th. You can sip some coffee, nosh on breakfast, pet some dogs, shop more than 75 unique vendors, and support Compass all at the same time. And it’s all outdoors, for everyone’s health and safety!

This Pride Market would not be possible without the generous support of the City of Lake Worth Beach and our sponsors: CAN Community Health, Gilead, PNC, Comcast, Justin & Greg’s Beauty, Kravis Center, Tropical RV Adventures, Seacoast Bank, VidaCann, Palms Pharmacy, Discover The Palm Beaches, Office Depot, Mittleman Eye, Walgreens, Palm Beach Mask, Equality Florida, Florida Weekly, WMEG Inc., Hotspots Media Inc., Hubbard Radio West Palm Beach, WPBF 25, and The SMART Ride.

Claudia Harrison is Compass’ chief information officer.

She can be reached at claudia@compassglcc.com

5.13. 20 21 •

17

NEWS NATIONAL

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO BAN DISCRIMINATION

AGAINST LGBT PATIENTS Chris Johnson

Washington Blade

T

he Biden administration announced on Monday it would enforce civil rights protections under Obamacare to prohibit discrimination in health care against patients for being LGBT, reversing policy during the Trump years excluding transgender status as a protected characteristic under the law.

President Joe Biden. Photo via Facebook.

18

• 5.13.2021

The Department of Health & Human Services declared it would enforce Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination in health care on the basis of sex, and begin to take up cases of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement the Supreme Court has “made clear that people have a right not to be discriminated against on the basis of sex and receive equal treatment under the law, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation.”

“Fear of discrimination can lead individuals to forgo care, which can have serious negative health consequences,” Becerra said. “It is the position of the Department of Health and Human Services that everyone — including LGBTQ people — should be able to access health care, free from discrimination or interference, period.”

The move is consistent with the executive order President Biden signed on his first day in office directing federal agencies to implement the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last year in Bostock v. Clayton County to the furthest extent possible. Federal agencies were directed to comply within 100 days of the executive order, which is about now and a short time after Biden’s first 100 days in office.

The announcement with respect to Section 1557 comes on the same day as the hearing took place this morning in BAGLY v. HHS, a case before a federal court in Massachusetts challenging Trump’s undoing of transgender protections under the law. An attorney with the U.S. Justice Department announced a new notice of proposed rule-making is coming with respect to Section 1557.

Sharita Gruberg, vice president for the

LGBTQ Research and Communications Project at the Center for American Progress, said in a statement the change “assures LGBTQ people that their rights will be upheld at the doctor’s office, vaccine sites, and everywhere else they seek health care and coverage.”

“The administration’s announcement that it will enforce these protections are a critical step toward addressing vaccine hesitancy among LGBTQ people, a population that has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and seriously harmed by the previous administration’s attempts to permit discrimination against LGBTQ patients,” Gruberg added.

The past three administrations have instituted a policy on LGBT protections based on their interpretation of Section 1557.

Each move had varying implications and directions for LGBT patients.

The Obama administration issued a rule in 2016 interpreting Section 1557 to apply to cases of anti-transgender discrimination and discrimination against women who have had abortions, which was consistent with court rulings at the time. However, that move was enjoined by nationwide court order in Texas as a result of litigation filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The Trump administration, shortly after the Supreme Court’s ruling in Bostock, made final a regulation proposed last year rescinding the Obama administration’s transgender protections under Section 1557. Faced with criticism, the Trump administration defended itself by saying its move was consistent with the court order in Texas, although it seemed to ignore the decision from the higher court.

The new rule from HHS goes above and beyond the Obama administration by

NEWS NATIONAL instituting protections based on both sexual orientation and gender identity. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the proposed rule would be a new regulation entirely, or seek to modify the changes that were made in the two previous administrations. The Blade has placed a request seeking comment with HHS. Susan Bailey, president of the American Medical Association, said in a statement the new HHS rule is a welcome change after the Trump administration rescinded protections for transgender patients.

“It’s unfortunate that such an obvious step had to be taken; the AMA welcomes this common-sense understanding of the law,” Bailey said. “This move is a victory for health equity and ends a dismal chapter in which a federal agency sought to remove civil rights protections.”

Discrimination in health care is an experience transgender people commonly report. The U.S. Transgender Survey in 2015 found one-third of responders said they had at least one negative experience Activists raising awareness for the need for equality in health care related to being transgender. in healthcare. Photo credit: The National Center for Transgender Equality.

Further, 23% of responders said they didn’t seek health care because they feared being mistreated and one-third said they didn’t go to healthcare services to fix a broken bone, to a provider because they couldn’t afford it. protect their heart health, and screen for A Center for American Progress survey cancer risk,” Levine said. “No one should be from 2018 had similar findings with respect discriminated against when seeking medical to transgender people and patients with services because of who they are.” being gay, lesbian and bisexual or queer. Eight Although the Biden administration’s percent of responders said a announcement is a welcome doctor refused to see them move for LGBT advocacy because of their perceived groups, the change is not or actual sexual orientation, without critics. while 28% of providers said John Banzhaf, a law a doctor refused to see them professor at George because of their actual or Washington University who perceived sexual orientation. declares himself a supporter Hospitals, especially of transgender rights, said the religiously affiliated policy could have unintended “THIS MOVE IS providers, refusing to consequences, which he said A VICTORY FOR provide transition-related has become evident in the care, including gender HEALTH EQUITY AND British health system. assignment surgery, is “[Transgender] individuals ENDS A DISMAL another frequently reported with a penis but no vagina are incident for transgender CHAPTER IN WHICH being asked to have medical patients. The American Civil tests on their non-existent A FEDERAL AGENCY Liberties Union, for example, cervices, while [transgender] SOUGHT TO REMOVE persons with a vagina and has filed litigation against hospitals under Section 1557 cervix will not be asked, CIVIL RIGHTS for refusing to perform the under new guidelines which PROTECTIONS.” procedure. appear to place lives at risk Rachel Levine, assistant and encourage a physically - Susan Bailey secretary of health and the impossible medical exam on PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN first openly transgender MEDICAL ASSOCIATION organs which simply do not presidential appointee to exist,” Banzhaf said. “And, obtain Senate confirmation, carrying this absurdity to its hailed the HHS rule change in a statement. totally illogical conclusion, a patient with a “The mission of our Department is to penis and a full beard was offered a cervical enhance the health and well-being of all test because, despite his clearly masculine Americans, no matter their gender identity appearance and style of dress, he registered or sexual orientation. All people need access himself as being gender-neutral.”

5.13. 20 21 •

19

NEWS STATE RaeJean Cox (left), the Sun Empress, poses with Sun Emperor Imperial Mike. Credit: JMH Creative.

Full Charge Bookkeeping Services

RAEJEAN COX CROWNED EMPRESS OF FLORIDA’S IMPERIAL SUN COURT John Hayden

F

abulous crowns, fierce performances, they make up the second-largest LGBT and a ceremony fit for an Empress organization in the world. and Emperor. The Imperial Sun Court Their goal is to raise money and have fun of All Florida held its investiture ceremony doing it. This past year they took their events at Richardson Park in Wilton Manors on online and branched out beyond their Saturday, May 1. legendary performances.

RaeJean Cox was crowned Sun Empress Those included holding a cannonball and Imperial Mike was crowned splash contest, an online Sun Emperor, and will reign dress auction, a booming THE SUN COURT IS over the court for the coming business designing and selling year. fashionable masks. Despite not A PHILANTHROPIC The party, Invest-a-Mayo, being able to mingle among ORGANIZATION had a Cinco de Mayo theme, their royal subjects The Court THAT RAISES with the pavilion decked out still raised $25,000. in bright festive colors, a taco This is the second year of MONEY FOR truck keeping everyone fed, and Empress RaeJean and Emperor SEVERAL SOUTH a bartender pouring the tequila.

Mike’s reign. Because of the A DJ was spinning tunes pandemic they weren’t able to FLORIDA CHARITIES to keep the vibe going, and get out and carry out all of their INCLUDING several drag queens performed ideas for The Court and their COMPASS AND and brought the crowd to its causes, so they are staying on feet. The event had a mix of for an “out and about” year.

SUNSERVE. solemnity and irreverence that “This is what we do this for,” kept things fun and the crowd RaeJean said. “Being out in the laughing. community having fun, being social and The Sun Court is a philanthropic raising money.” organization that raises money for several They’re off to a good start. Performers at South Florida charities including Compass the investiture brought in more than $1,400 and SunServe. They are part of the in tips. That money plus proceeds from a International Court System and one of 65 raffle will be put back into the community. chapters in North America and together Planning for the year’s events is already underway. To see what’s coming up, donate, or become a member, you can check out their website ImperialSunCourtFL.org.

20

• 5.13.2021

THE

GAZETTE VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 10 MAY 13, 2021

FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WMGAZETTE COMMUNITY

WILTON MANORS

The Wilton Collective From bicycles to jewelry, something for everyone

By John Hayden From gorgeous works of art to a canoeturned-bookshelf to a couch so cool you wouldn’t let your best friend sit on it; Wilton Collective has eye-grabbing inventory you won’t see anywhere else. Whatever’s displayed in the windows will get your attention but that’s nothing compared to what you’ll find inside, and we’re not just talking about the merchandise.

Wilton Collective is the creation of Julian Cavazos.

“It’s a collection of individuals, whether it be somebody who does art on furniture to making jewelry to selling incense and shea butter,” he said. “Hence the name Wilton Collective, because it’s a collection of individual artists.”

However, what truly makes the store thrive is its mission to change the lives of LGBT youth.

What began as Cavazos’ desire to hold a fun, all-inclusive prom for South Florida LGBT teens became Julian’s Fountain of Youth (JFOY).

“People start reaching out going ‘I have a youth that needs glasses. Is there any way you can help us out and maybe get a doctor?’ So I started getting youth eyecare,” he said. “We

have a trans youth who did a documentary on transitioning. So we funded the documentary.”

What makes JFOY’s latest project special is that it builds community among vendors and the foundation’s youth. The kids learn business and creative skills by staffing the store and spending time with the artists. Carvelle Estriplet opened Carvelle Bikes in the back.

As proprietor of the city’s only bike shop, she does everything from fixing flats to assembling new bikes. She’s also starting to teach her skills to the young staffers.

“They’re very engaging,” she said. “I taught one of them how to change a flat tire so he can start getting more hands-on and I can get my little mechanical assistant right here.”

Steve Behar, who splits his time between NYC and Wilton Manors, has an art collection he’s ready to sell. Being from New York he looked at Christie’s and Sotheby’s, but then he met Cavazos.

“I went into Wilton Collective and I knew it was the right home for my artwork and a place I would feel proud to be part of,” Behar said.

Like Estriplet and other contributors, Behar buys into the mission wholeheartedly.

“I am seeing the kids that come in coming out

What began as Cavazos’ desire to hold a fun, all-inclusive prom for South Florida LGBT teens became Julian’s Fountain of Youth (JFOY).

The mural outside of the Wilton Collective.

Photo via the Wilton Collective, Facebook.

of their shell. Julian helps them evolve into individuals with a new sense of purpose,” he said. “The whole thing has an ‘anything is possible’ atmosphere.”

Fridays at 6:30 p.m. you can start your

weekend and check out the store.

“I like to call it a mix and mingle,” Cavazos said. “We have champagne or wine, cocktails.

Free drinks for anybody who comes in the door.”

Wilton Collective is at 2365 Wilton Drive. You can learn more about JFOY at jfoy.org and check out Carvelle Bikes at CarvelleBikes.com.

www.WMGAZETTE.com

5.13. 20 21 •

21

WILTON MANORS

OPINION

Powerline Road Needs Our Help — Again

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

Photo via PxHere.

and a more pleasing roadway environment was music to the ears of so many.

Residential neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors that border the speedway for motorists also known as NW 9th Avenue might actually be transformed into a neighborhood thoroughfare where families could walk and ride bikes alongside a narrowed roadway.

Then something started to change. The band stopped playing, the party came to an end, and dreams began to fade. The promise of Complete Streets turned into nothing more than a bargain basement road restriping project along this stretch of Powerline Road.

FDOT left us with no clearly marked bike lanes, no streetscape enhancements, no new pedestrian lighting, no enhanced crosswalks to schools and park facilities, nothing but a re-striped roadway that left bicyclist and pedestrians at the mercy of speeding vehicular traffic, now ever more dangerous due to unmarked bike lanes, lack of signage, and no safety apparatus in place.

But hope never dies and neither did the surrounding community’s dreams of a better Powerline Road. Many residents were vigilant in requesting more action be taken to address the missed opportunities in the original road narrowing project by FDOT back in 2017.

Calls for safer pedestrian crosswalks, clearly marked bike lanes, road safety enhancements,

better lighting and streetscaping have been given a second chance, a new opportunity for dreams to become reality.

Many new concerns have also been raised for the current project underway from NW 29th Street to Oakland Park Blvd. by local residents affected by traffic patterns.

This week FDOT has joined with the cities of Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors along with members of the surrounding communities to conduct what is being called a “Safety Audit” to address the various concerns raised by so many in the community.

Unfortunately the naysayers are plenty, including some in our city government, that have not yet embraced the vision of stopping vehicular traffic from dominating our neighborhoods.

Traffic calming techniques, pedestrian and bicycle safety, crosswalks, traffic lights and speed control will make Powerline blossom into what FDOT describes as a Traditional Neighborhood Development.

This stretch of roadway is mainly single family and multi-unit residential, has school zones, three city parks and tremendous potential to be transformed into a shining example of urban thoroughfare renewal leading to transformative change to the communities that surround Powerline Road.

Let us hope that regional and local officials take the necessary action to bring about this much needed change.

Stay engaged, remain positive about a better tomorrow, and keep the power of Powerline Road alive by shouting as load as you can to cheer over the naysayers that life is just better here…

www.WMGAZETTE.com • 5.13.2021

May 13, 2021 • Volume 8 • Issue 10

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

Then something started to change. The band stopped playing, the party came to an end, and dreams began to fade.

22

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

By Sal Torre Events along the stretch of road called Powerline have for many years served as the source of my civic involvement here in our Island City.

Beginning over 10 years ago Powerline called out for help to deal with the boarded up, county owned multi-family Como apartment building and the derelict under-utilized city owned Mickel baseball field.

Today Powerline is calling out once again in an attempt to have this stretch of roadway from Sunrise Blvd to Oakland Park Blvd transformed from the cold decayed vehicular speedway of yesteryear into a thriving residential thoroughfare that can safety be used by vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.

Back in 2012 we witnessed the vacant, boarded-up 2-story 16-unit Como Apt building transformed from a blighted structure into a wonderful community asset that provides affordable housing to residents. Local efforts by many in our community facilitated our county leadership to take action and supply the necessary funding that allowed South Florida Community Land Trust to bring about this Powerline success story.

The power of Powerline continued on in 2014, when our city made the historic decision to completely fund the renovations to Mickel Field at a cost of $1.27 million.

In just over a year’s time this under-utilized, outdated and dangerous city owned park facility was transformed into a city gem that now serves as a showpiece for our entire city.

Once again local efforts by many in our community gave our city officials the support needed to bring about yet another Powerline success story.

This success story continued on,when in 2016 our County Commissioner Tim Ryan secured the necessary funding for the much-needed Children’s Playground area for this park — bringing about the completion of a dream for many in our community.

Continuing on in 2016 and 2017 it seemed like the Powerline success story would keep on rolling along at full speed. News of area Complete Streets projects, which included the stretch of Powerline Road from Sunrise Blvd to NW 29th Street, hit the news headlines.

Promises of lane reductions, more room for bicyclist, greater safety buffer for pedestrians

THE

2 •

MAY 13, 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.

SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs.

MEMBER

MEMBER

Associated Press MEMBER

MEMBER

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

Out of the Closet in Wilton Manors.

Photo credit: Carina Mask.

NEWS

WILTON MANORS

NEWS

WILTON MANORS

Oakland Park Appoints 5 New Members to Planning & Zoning Board

By Christiana Lilly

Ted Deutch. Photo via Facebook.

Ted Deutch Requests Water Infrastructure Funding for Local Cities

By John McDonald Congressman Ted Deutch is requesting funding for water infrastructure improvements in the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park and Wilton Manors.

Deutch (FL-22) requested $900,000 from the House Committee on Appropriations for water infrastructure projects in the three cities for fiscal year 2022.

“The funding will be used to upgrade, improve and make more efficient portions of the three cities’ wastewater systems that provide connectivity between their respective systems to deal with sea level rise, rising temperatures and extreme weather,” Deutch wrote in his funding request letter to the committee.

Heavy rainstorms last fall saturated the ground and created intense pressure on the system which resulted in breaks to wastewater pipes. Deutch also requested $400,000 for stormwater

drainage projects in Coral Springs.

Representatives can request funding for as many as 10 community projects each fiscal year. In addition to water infrastructure improvements, Deutch requested funding for peer mentoring programs in Broward Public Schools ($500,000), mental health diversion project for Broward Sheriff’s Office ($562,385), Sanborn Square renovation project for the City of Boca Raton ($285,000), security technology enhancements for the City of Deerfield Beach ($595,000), Dixie Hwy. corridor improvements in the City of Pompano Beach ($600,000), independent living and workforce readiness programs at Covenant House in Fort Lauderdale ($300,000), telemental health programs at Rales Jewish Family Services in Boca Raton ($385,848) and suicide prevention programs at the United Way of Broward County ($646,762).

Heavy rainstorms last fall saturated the ground and created intense pressure on the system which resulted in breaks to wastewater pipes.

Oakland Park City Hall. Photo via Oakland Park Florida, website.

The Oakland Park City Commission appointed five new people to the city’s Planning & Zoning Board last week. All members are brand-new to the board, but a sixth alternate has served on the board for five years.

The Planning & Zoning Board meets once a month, where they review and make recommendations on comprehensive plan amendments, conditional use requests, plat approvals, rezoning requests and more. Their first meeting was May 10 and they will serve oneyear terms.

THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS ARE:

CHRISTOPHER FISCHER

A broadcast journalist for 20 years, Fischer is now an estate agent at Florida Luxurious Properties in Fort Lauderdale. He is a member of the Corals of Oakland Park Neighborhood Association, Neighborhood Coalition of Oakland Park, and the Florida Board of Realtors.

Appointed by Commissioner Matthew Sparks.

JASON KING

King and his husband moved to Oakland Park in 2019, where they purchased their first home.

He is the legislative affairs manager for the city of Delray Beach and has also worked as the assistant to the city manager of Homestead, campaign manager for Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, and various positions with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

Appointed by Commissioner Mitch Rosenwald.

WALLIS PETERSON

The founder and artistic director of The Girl Choir of South Florida, Peterson is a member of the Broward Music Educators’ Association, Florida Music Educators’ Association, National Association for Music Education, Chorus America and the American Choral Directors’ Association. She was a graduate of the 2019 Local Government Academy class.

Appointed to the board by Commissioner Aisha Gordon.

SCOTT RIVELLI

For 25 years, Rivelli has been a self-employed realtor and consultant. He moved to Oakland Park in 2015 and was a part of the 2016 Local Government Academy class. He is the co-founder of the Corals of Oakland Park Neighborhood Association, where he serves on the board. He also serves on the Oakland Park Business Group.

Appointed by Vice Mayor Michael Carn.

JOSEPH VAN DE BOGART

The president of Van de Bogart Law for five years, his focus is on complex commercial and property litigation and business law. He graduated from FIU Law School in 2010. Is a member of the Florida Bar as well as the U.S. District and Bankruptcy Court for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida; the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a member of the 2018 Local Government Academy class, the Knights of Columbus, Code Enforcement Board, Broward County Bar Association and more.

Appointed by Mayor Jane Bolin.

TOBY LAWRENCE (ALTERNATE)

The president of Water Wise Landscape Solutions, the South Florida local earned a degree in business and building construction from the University of Florida. He was appointed to the board by Commissioner Matthew Sparks.

www.WMGAZETTE.com 3 •

MAY 13, 2021

5.13. 20 21 •

23

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

WILTON MANORS

Stop Attacking Tourism in Wilton Manors Reader blasts Sal Torre’s stance on vacation rentals

By Marc Martorana In an article in the Gazette on May 6 titled “Short-Term Rentals Must Go” by our local “curmudgeon” Sal Torre, Mr. Torre really missed the mark on this one in his “Attack on Tourism” article.

Let’s be very clear, an attack on tourism in Wilton Manors is an attack on the LGBT community.

I can’t help but think the reason for Sal’s continual “Attack on Tourism” is because he himself does not have an investment property.

I’m sure his views would be very different if he did.

Mr. Torre seems to resent and continually attack residents and investors who choose to invest in our city, support our budget and provide a desperately needed service.

Mr. Torre’s article also indicates that vacation rental owners do not pay taxes — they do!

It is important to note that vacation rental owners typically pay four to five times more in Real Estate Taxes than most “homesteaded” residents, like Mr. Torre.

These tourism rentals are literally subsidizing the lower taxes that Mr. Torre benefits from.

Taxes for vacation rentals generally increase 10% annually vs 3% for homestead owners.

If these tourism rentals chose to leave our city, taxes for year-round homeowners would skyrocket and be unaffordable for many of our residents.

It’s important to note that Commission Members Paul Rolli and Gary Resnick have also been vocal and instrumental against tourism, including adopting City Code, to deter tourism from Wilton Manors.

The vacation rental ordinance supported by Rolli and Resnick (adopted with three previous commissioners) was a clear attempt to deter and force tourism out of Wilton Manors.

If you read the Vacation Rental Ordinance, it actually encourages vacation rentals in our single-family neighborhoods, by providing a total exemption if the owner resides there. Mr. Torre failed to mention this in his article.

Wilton Drive. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

Vacation rentals and AirBNB’s in our singlefamily neighborhoods is a direct result of the ordinance supported and voted for by Resnick and Rolli.

Also, our current City Code DOES NOT PERMIT a smaller Boutique Style Hotel as a “Permitted Use” on Wilton Drive or any of our main corridors, further fueling the need for vacation rentals.

If you look at Rolli and Resnick’s voting record, it encourages and supports vacation rentals in our singlefamily neighborhoods. They should have read the ordinance before they voted to adopt it.

Mr. Torre could have provided these facts in an attempt to have our city support a hotel and support tourism, rather than to support Rolli and Resnick’s attempts to attack tourism in Wilton Manors.

The complete lack of support for tourism in Wilton Manors by Mr. Torre and these city leaders makes sure “Life is NOT Just Better Here.”

These tourism rentals are literally subsidizing the lower taxes that Mr. Torre benefits from.

— Marc Martorana

www.WMGAZETTE.com 24

• 5.13.2021

4 •

MAY 13, 2021

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

WILTON MANORS

COMMUNITY

WILTON MANORS

It’s Time To Talk About A Postal Service Denies One Wilton Manors Zip Code Request Rainbow Crosswalk

By Chris Caputo

By John McDonald

You haven’t been a Wilton Manors resident for long if you haven’t heard the question,“When are we going to get a rainbow crosswalk?”

As a city commissioner, I have responded to this question at least once every week since I was elected. The beautiful “Love Always Wins” bridge reinvigorated interest in the rainbow crosswalk and demonstrated how beautifying our hardscapes can excite our community and become part of the fabric of our city’s culture.

Hardscapes are the hard surfaces like bridges, crosswalks, retaining walls, etc., throughout our community. Creating public art on hardscapes is a little more complex than one might imagine. For example, when it comes to our roads and bridges, the city doesn’t own a lot of them! Wilton Drive is owned and managed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), who has been unwilling to budge on many of our beautification requests. Remember the Love Always Wins bridge? That’s owned in part by Fort Lauderdale, meaning we need to get Fort Lauderdale’s approval now to paint the other side.

Broward County owns the bridge on NE 26th Street near Federal.

As our city’s representative In the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), I am incredibly inspired by their new BTactical program. The BTactical program is focused on making transportation safety, especially for bicycles and pedestrians. One approach to this is art installations (i.e. a rainbow crosswalk perhaps!) which can be quickly implemented at a relatively low cost and may improve pedestrian safety as vehicular traffic slows to observe the visual changes in the road. Improving the safety of our roads is a top priority for me!

Now, let me be clear: we probably aren’t going to change FDOT’s mind and get a rainbow crosswalk on Wilton Drive. However, there is nothing to stop us from getting a rainbow crosswalk in front of the Pride Center. Dixie Highway, near the Pride Center, is owned and managed by the city. Personally, I think having a rainbow crosswalk that might slow traffic around that corner on Dixie Highway would be a great benefit to our community and having it in front of the Pride Center seems like a perfect choice!

I have added hardscapes to the agenda at

Attempts to consolidate Wilton Manors into one zip code have been returned to the sender.

In 2017 commissioners unanimously passed a resolution to petition the United States Postal Service to combine the city’s four zip codes into one. Brought forward by the Westside Association of Wilton Manors, the petition sought to designate 33305 as the city’s one and only zip code.

The Postal Service, however, denied the request, said City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson.

“They were unable to identify any operational need, substantial savings or service improvement,” Henderson said.

At the time of the petition, Commissioner Gary Resnick was serving as mayor. Resnick cited the higher cost of car insurance on the westside as a reason for consolidation.

In 2018, Henderson said the city enlisted the assistance of Congressman Ted Deutch’s office to appeal the Postal Service’s decision.

Another denial was issued leaving Wilton

A rainbow crosswalk.

Credit: Sukkoria, via Wikipeda.

the next commission meeting, in hopes of convincing my fellow commissioners that we should empower our Community Affairs Advisory Board to come up with a policy for considering hardscape improvements and perhaps bring forth their own recommendations.

I hope, with the commissions’ approval, CAAB might be able to take this project on. CAAB leadership has been a key driver being the public art you see in the city, and therefore, the most likely group to see this project through. I’d love to see a rainbow crosswalk at Pride Center, and I’d love to think much bigger and outside of the box. We have a diverse community and representing it through art is exciting.

If you support the idea of beautifying our city-owned hardscapes, please email me at ccaputo@wiltonmanors.com as well as publiccomment@wiltonmanors.com prior to our next commission meeting on Tuesday, May 25.

As a commission, we have been elected to represent you and your wishes for our city, so we would love to hear your ideas! Your comments will be read out loud at the meeting, ensuring your voice is heard.

Photo via Pixabay.

Manors with four zip codes (33305, 33306, 33311, 33334) and no brick-and-mortar location for its estimated population of 12,756.

Henderson said another appeal is unlikely.

“The response from the USPS to the city’s appeal indicated that it was the final decision,” Henderson said. “It cited the cost of implementing the zip code change, the lack of office space in the existing USPS offices to accommodate the change, and the fact there is no operational benefit to the local Post Office as deciding factors.”

We have a diverse community and representing it through art is exciting.

— Chris Caputo

WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSIONER

www.WMGAZETTE.com 5 •

MAY 13, 2021

5.13. 20 21 •

25

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

WILTON MANORS

Candy Hearts, Orange Slices, and a Rainbow Bridge Wilton Manors needs a true vision for public art in the city

By Thomas Paul Severino Art is evocative. It stands for something bigger than itself. Art feeds the mind and nourishes the soul. It entices the observer or participant, coaxing the individual into a more profound, conscious, and unconscious experience. Artistic creations operate on the level of meaning, bringing together thoughts and feelings to expand both the individual and the community’s wonder and imagination.

Public Art should symbolize the hopes and aspirations of a community.

Urban murals and sculptures are meant to reflect a community in dialogue, searching to express who we are and what we aspire to be as a human family in this place, in this time, and into the future. Concerts, dance performances, theater, and street festivals have the dynamic ability to challenge participants’ hearts, minds, and souls, expressing underlying identity principles — this is what we uphold. Our arts environment can be a key to the transforming human family — for example, a city’s enlightened imagery for creating change amid a tide of increasing discrimination.

Wilton Manors takes pride in being a very diverse community standing for freedom, acceptance, and the empowerment of all members who desire to thrive and live in harmony.

“With a large percentage of the population identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, Wilton Manors has been a progressive place to live, work and play for many years.” (wiltonmanors.com.) Art in Wilton Manors must operate on various levels of meaning and attain the community buy-in so vital to be an authentic expression.

Our city art and arts offerings should reflect our most noble values to keep the work of attaining social justice within sight. “The Stop

and Look Up” street lamp sculptures on The Drive are an excellent example of the thoughtprovoking nature of artistic renderings expressed within a light-hearted perspective.

Across the globe, inspiring urban murals stand out as creations that extend beyond themselves to represent and evoke themes that open members of an individual community and touch the hearts of countless neighbors.

Indeed, Wilton Manors has the potential to create unique artistic expressions comparable to “Fearless Girl,” the bronze Wall Street sculpture by Kristen Visbal. Installed in New York in anticipation of International Women’s Day, this iconic art piece depicts a girl four feet high, promoting female empowerment, staring down the “Charging Bull” near the Stock Exchange Building. I suggest candy hearts at the crossroads of our entertainment district at Sixth and The Drive do not have the same impact that a true diversity challenge captured as a work of art can have.

Wilton Manors has a wealth of resources to actualize our community’s commitment to the winning power of love and acceptance. The South Florida Symphony Orchestra is headquartered on Wilton Drive. The Stonewall National Museum and Archives and the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale are located nearby. Many local theater companies such as Island City Stage, New City Players, and Empire Stage are literally within steps. These institutions can be engaged to maximize a wealth of well-coordinated and talented productions expressing our home community’s ideals to instruct, motivate, and inspire. University arts students and programs are plentiful — young arts abound. There are many local businesses with the capacity for community outreach in arts sponsorship. Investors appreciate well-

Indeed, Wilton Manors has the potential to create unique artistic expressions comparable to “Fearless Girl,” the bronze Wall Street sculpture by Kristen Visbal.

Photo via Adobe.

planned partnerships.

We are a city of world-class arts potential, and to that end, I would like to offer the following suggestions: • The City of Wilton Manors should create a process to articulate a City Vision Statement for the arts. This should be an inspirational expression of the Wilton Manors Community’s idealistic future, describing the basic human emotions that our community intends to be experienced by the people whose day-to-day interactions find a home on “The Island City.” This should be reviewed and updated regularly.

• With the potential to have some existential impact on the world, this guiding philosophy should be the touchstone for all public art projects, especially those funded by taxpayers.

• A multi-faceted arts development plan should be created for the City of Wilton Manors to maximize our resources and attract visitors, donors, and additional artists. This plan should be

www.WMGAZETTE.com 26

• 5.13.2021

6 •

MAY 13, 2021

an opportunity to partner with our neighbor cities and communities for maximum benefit.

• A design competition for all murals, architectural designs, and sculptures that attract local artists’ participation should be put in place.

• As much as possible, plans, designs, and decisions related to public art in Wilton Manors should be accomplished within an open environment in a coordinated attempt to secure buy-in from the community.

While the Rainbow Bridge on the Drive project has some merit, it lacks the expression and depth of meaning required to be true community art. The Wilton Manors Community, with dedicated leadership, comprehensive planning, and the potential of attaining authentic community support, can do much better.

— Thomas Paul Severino WILTON MANORS RESIDENT

ind-2879-SFGN-3-AD02-v04-r01-MECH.pdf

1

3/15/21ind-2879-SFGN-3-AD01-v03-r01-MECH.pdf 10:16 AM

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: MAY 5 THROUGH MAY 11 May 5 through May 11

Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 cases from 5/5 to 5/11 Palm Beach 0.9%, Broward 0.9%, and Miami Dade 0.9%

144,892

144,615

144,356

5/5

239,602

239,249

238,834

238,386

5/6

Palm Beach

5/7

5/8

5/9

Broward

Y

Y

CM

CM

MY

MY

CY

CY

CMY

CMY

K

K

145,657

145,485

145,331

145,126

M

240,479

240,143

239,941

C

M

491,703

491,028

490,499

489,839

489,014

488,303

487,544

C

5/10

5/11

Miami-Dade

Source Fl DOH Dashboard

Source: Florida DOH Dashboard.

CUMULATIVE KNOWN COVID-19 DEATHS IN THREE SOUTH FLORIDA COUNTIES: Cumulative Known Deaths Cumulative Known COVID-19 COVID-19 Cases inin Three South Florida Counties: Counties: ThreeMAY South Florida 5 THROUGH MAY 11 May 5 through May 11 May 5 through May 11

Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 deaths from 5/5 to 5/11 Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 cases from 5/5 to 5/11 Palm Beach 0.8%, Broward 1.0%, and Miami Dade 1.1% Palm Beach 0.9%, Broward 0.9%, and Miami Dade 0.9%

2,936 2,778

238,386

2,788 239,249

2,781 238,834

5/5

5/5

5/6

5/6

Palm Beach

5/7

2,788 239,941

5/8

5/8

Palm Beach Broward Broward

5/9

5/9

2,965

2,965 2,797 240,143

145,485

145,331

145,126

5/7

2,964

2,960 239,602 2,788

144,892

144,615

144,356

2,948

2,943

491,703

491,028

490,499

489,839

489,014

488,303

487,544

6,273

6,259

6,252

6,246

6,232

6,218

6,207

5/10 5/10

2,801 240,479

145,657

5/11 5/11

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

Source: Florida DOH Dashboard.

5.13. 20 21 •

27

1

Do not lose your “kool”

FAITH & PRIDE SPIRITUALITY

IN MEMORIAM

BISHOP TERRY Holy Angels Catholic Community

W

e are sad to announce the death of Bishop Terry Villaire on Saturday night at 6 p.m. Bishop Terry was a driving force for LGBT spirituality for several decades in Wilton Manors. He was the founding pastor of Holy Angels and for many years was the presiding bishop of the National Catholic Church of North America. The church under his guidance was very involved with Shadowood, which was housing for people with AIDS and HIV long before any other services were available.

A memorial service for Bishop Terry will be held on Thursday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Angels, and a funeral Mass on Friday morning at 11 at the United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale.

ARRESTED? DON’T BE A DOPE! CALL 954-763-1900

NORMKENT.COM

THE LAW OFFICES OF NORMAN KENT AND RUSSELL CORMICAN Russell Cormican

Attorney at Law 12 SE 7th St Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Norman Elliott Kent

Attorney at Law 2520 N. Dixie Hwy Wilton Manors, FL 33305

THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAW CENTER OF SOUTH FLORIDA NORM@NORMKENT.COM 28

• 5.13.2021

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!

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us.

Life is so endlessly delicious.”

(Ruth Reichl) We’ll be back together soon!

Until then please join us online on our YouTube channel!

Shabbat Service Friday 8pm on our YouTube channel

Congregation Etz Chaim

2038 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, on the Pride Center campus www.EtzChaimFlorida.org / RSVP HERE: info@etzchaimflorida.org

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.

Join us for masked, socially distanced in person worship.

11 AM Sundays. Services also LIVE-streamed on Facebook and posted on website for safe at home viewing.

“Love without judgement” Holy Angels National Catholic Church 1436 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors. 33305 Facebook.com/HolyAngelsFL www.HolyAngelsFL.org

954-633-2987

A home for your spirit.

Mass Schedule: Sabado 6:00 PM misa en español • Sunday Mass at 11 AM in English • All are welcome!

SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS.COM

LISTINGS CONGREGATION ETZ CHAIM 2038 N. Dixie Hwy (Pride Center Building B), Wilton Manors 954-564-9232 - etzchaimflorida.org RabbiNoahKitty@etzchaimflorida.org Friday Night Shabbat Service 8p.m.

HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY 1436 NE 26th St Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-633-2987 - HolyAngelsFL.net Sunday Mass at 11AM

CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR, MCC Church of Our Savior, MCC 2011 S. Federal Hwy. Boynton Beach. churchofoursaviormcc.org | 561-733-4000 Sunday Service 10AM TEMPLE BAT YAM 5151 NE 14th Ter Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 954-928-0410 Friday Night & Saturday Morning Streaming Online at templebatyam.org

5.13. 20 21 •

29

CONVICTIONS

Guest Column

EVERY KID DESERVES TO BE LOVED Have you considered fostering a child?

Andrew Dier

L

ast year, my partner and I finally took the plunge and became foster parents. This was monumental for us. This would become our pandemic project.

(So much for improving my German.)

We had been together for over 20 years, and after becoming dog dads — or more accurately, manservants to our canine masters, we felt that the natural next step would be to come to a decision on thinking about getting serious about possibly becoming parents — real parents — to little humans — ourselves.

Isn’t that what couples do?

“The Question” filled us with great anxiety, however.

I’d see a parenting article online, and would, out of the blue, spring the topic on my unsuspecting partner, usually at dinner. “What are we going to do?” I’d ask. “About what,” he’d respond. “About kids!” I’d say, exasperated, as if he should have known. I had a knack for placing the entirety of the pressure on him. We would have a conversation, maybe pledge to do some further research on the topic, but soon enough we would get distracted by the here and now. And repeat.

We soon discounted the route of artificial insemination, deciding that it made more sense for us to adopt. There were always so many children of all ages waiting for a home. Even so, fear of the unknown kept us from going all in on adoption.

My left-brained husband would write positives and negatives on a blank piece of paper under the word “adoption.” It was so easy to come up with negatives. What if the child has serious behavioral issues? - negative. What if we can’t handle it? - negative. What if the child is bullied because he has two dads? - negative. How would we be able to sensitively deal with being of a different race or ethnic background as the child? Not to mention no more hedonistic vacations abroad, ever again - big negative.

Combating all these what ifs on the positive side of the ledger was “giving a child a loving home.”

The hand-wringing and uncertainty would continue.

Finally a move to South Florida and the passing of a milestone — turning 50 — became the impetus for us to actually put the ball into motion. We signed up for an adoption class. That lasted one day. We were new at

FINALLY A MOVE TO SOUTH FLORIDA AND THE PASSING OF A MILESTONE — TURNING 50 — BECAME THE IMPETUS FOR US TO ACTUALLY PUT THE BALL INTO MOTION.

30

• 5.13.2021

this, adoption is forever; we didn’t want to screw up.

Yet our interest in making a difference in a child’s life remained. We were too freaked out about adoption at that point, but wasn’t there a third way? (Of course there was.) Enter foster parenting.

We switched courses, completing a foster parenting certification course in about a month. We sort of learned CPR. We got fingerprinted. We did the home study, and filled out lots and lots of forms. And… just like that, we became certified foster parents.

Every fostering experience is unique, so our experience may not resonate with what other foster parents live. But while it had its share of ups and downs, compounded by the constraints of the pandemic, it turned out to be one of the best experiences of our lives.

We did it!

If I had to say one thing about my six months as a foster parent to a 4-and-half-year-old boy it would be that I laughed every day — and that would be added to the positive side of the ledger. We taught him to go from zipping around on a little scooter to riding a bike

Photo via Adobe.

on his own in Holiday Park (a big feat!) We enrolled him in swimming class so he’ll always be safe in the water.

We practiced those letters and numbers. We looked up at the stars at night. We built Concorde jets with Legos, learned the names of dinosaurs and read bedtime stories almost every night.

He has since gone back to live with his mother, a decision made by a judge via Zoom. That’s where he is supposed to be, and is always the hoped-for outcome once a child enters the foster care system. While it’s not always the case, we are fortunate that we still have contact with the family, even though we are no longer involved in the boy’s day-to-day life.

It’s taken me a while to process what the experience has meant to me, and we both felt a sudden emptiness during the first few days he was no longer with us. Our fun-loving foster boy didn’t feel sad at all on that day, we were a little peeved to observe. He even told Alexa “I’m going back to my mommy’s!”

What I would like to share with others is that it turns out that you don’t have to be sure about bringing a child into your home. We never were. But just maybe the introspection and doubt you may feel may actually make you better suited to make a difference in a child’s life.

Maybe it’s worth giving it a go.

Interested in fostering a child? Visit Kids in Distress (kidinc.org) or ChildNet (childnet.us) for more information.

JOURNALISM IS THE FIRST DRAFT OF HISTORY. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUPPORT A FREE PRESS? SFGN's reporting has been supported by tens of thousands of readers in South Florida. Now we're asking for your support. Please help us continue giving you news everyday. Every contribution is valuable – even $1.

Your gift will ensure that South Florida Gay News is able to continue to provide an online and print resource for our community. Thanks to your valuable contribution, SFGN is able to provide you with local LGBT news that affects every aspect of your life.

SFGN.com/donate

MEDICARE AND PRIVATE INSURANCE ACCEPTED

5.13. 20 21 •

31

Guest Column

CONVICTIONS

CATHOLIC BISHOPS OPPOSED A SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE. WHY? Marianne Duddy-Burke

T

he U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has hit a LGBT issues. But for the bishops’ conference to actively stomach-churning new low. I say that as someone oppose common-sense legislation over LGBT provisions who is extremely proud of my faith, despite the is simply unconscionable. struggle it has taken to remain a Catholic.

The bishops’ conference has taken similar paths In an article published on March 24, National to justify its opposition to other critically important Catholic Reporter national correspondent Christopher legislation — most notably the Violence Against White broke the news that the bishops’ conference had Women Act and the Equality Act, which would provide “quietly lobbied behind the scenes” to scuttle legislation non-discrimination protections to LGBT people as it passed by Congress last fall that established a national does to all others. Why? For the same reasons. toll-free hotline to prevent suicide. Their objection? The A recent PRRI survey found that 81% of Hispanic legislation contained funding targeted Catholics and 77% of white Catholics at addressing the staggering epidemic support non-discrimination protections of suicide and suicide attempts by LGBT for LGBT Americans. Whether on THIS IS THE people, especially youth.

LGBT equality or other social justice CATHOLICISM THAT In case you think that cannot be true, let issues, this survey and many others I KNOW, ROOTED me restate it. The leaders of the Catholic demonstrate just how out of touch the Church were willing to prevent help church hierarchy is with its own flock.

IN OUR BELIEF THAT being made available to about 12 million Over and over, they have EVERY HUMAN Americans who seriously consider suicide demonstrated they are willing to each year because that help extended to sacrifice the greater good of the nation, LIFE IS A GIFT OF LGBT people. rather than extending grace to all. They GOD AND THAT ALL Fortunately, Congress passed the historic do so despite the oft-documented reality PEOPLE SHOULD National Suicide Hotline Designation Act that they do not reflect the will of most last year, designating 988 as the number U.S. Catholic voters on these issues.

BE TREATED WITH for mental health emergencies. But I felt It is time for federal, state and local DIGNITY AND punched in the gut when I read about legislators to consider where they want RESPECT. the bishops’ behind-the-scenes lobbying to side on these issues — with Catholic efforts. Tears of shame rolled down my voters who support our church’s social face because I know their actions are not justice commitment to the dignity and reflective of the values that were instilled in me by the equality of all, or with a group of less than 400 men who Catholic Church. The church I know has a long tradition are bound to beliefs on gender, sexuality and family of caring for some of the most vulnerable in our society. structure that have been rejected by most of our nation.

As recently as January, several bishops, including It is time for Catholics to be vocal about their support a cardinal and an archbishop, issued a statement in for equality, for compassion and for solidarity with the support of LGBT youth, telling them that “God loves poor and marginalized, and the ways in which church you” and “God is on your side.” This is the Catholicism leaders have failed to represent these values in their that I know, rooted in our belief that every human life is lobbying. a gift of God and that all people should be treated with As Catholics, we must scrutinize everything through dignity and respect. the lens of our sacred scriptures and hold the bishops’ While we are called above all things to love God conference accountable to the most fundamental values and our neighbors as ourselves, I acknowledge that of our faith: We are called to love and serve all people, some church leaders may have complex feelings about especially those who are in need.

Marianne Duddy-Burke is the executive director of DignityUSA, the world's longest-standing organization of Catholics committed to justice equality and full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in our church and society.

Photo via Adobe.

32

• 5.13.2021

COLUMN LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I ATTEND CORAL RIDGE CHURCH WITHOUT ANY PREJUDICE, SCORN, OR MOCKERY

CONVICTIONS

EDITORIAL CARTOON

By Mike Luckovich

Local Log Cabin President blasts SFGN’s coverage of recent events

10 x 0 = 0 correct? SFGN has lost all its common sense in reporting any objectivity that goes against their narrative 10 x 0 = 1 with their thinking and reporting.

First, it began a couple of months ago when this publication BLASTED and THREW Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis under the bus for his proclamation of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church celebrating their 60th anniversary. This publication thought it was blasphemous of him doing such an egregious mistrust of the gay and lesbian community, how dare he? What our leftist gay and lesbian community has FAILED to acknowledge and accept is that people, a church, and the views of fair-minded people CAN evolve.

My partner, who was raised in that church and attended Westminster Academy, and I, attend Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church regularly WITHOUT any prejudice, scorning, or mockery. We are welcomed there warmly with open arms as Jesus did over 2,000 years ago and would today!

My brilliant father had a saying: “You can look back, but don’t stare!” This publication and our very compassionate (not) gay and lesbian community are STARING in the past and REFUSE to phantom the possibility anyone’s point of view could and can have evolved over the years. HOW CAN THAT POSSIBLY HAPPEN? I need grandma’s nerve pill!!

Secondly the trans bill, that Governor DeSantis signed, MANY WITH COMMON SENSE WOULD AGREE that a biological MALE can in no way shape or form compete on an equal basis with a biological female. Again, this publication threw Representative Chip LaMarca under the bus for his COMMON SENSE vote banning trans athletes competing against other females.

Representative LaMarca, a REPUBLICAN, has truly been a champion for our gay and lesbian community and to throw him under the bus because of common sense in itself is ludicrous and disingenuous.

Again, common sense would yield that the trans folks create their own scholastic sporting events competing amongst themselves. How soon y’all forget the

Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. Photo via the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church website.

fundraiser for Representative LaMarca at Georgie’s Alibi in the past years?

Thirdly, and finally, Caitlyn Jenner, the MOST visible and viable poster for trans people in America, running for governor of California, HAS COMMON SENSE, which everyone here reading should go and see her interview on Sean Hannity’s FOX New show last week.

Again, the leftists are trashing and throwing Caitlyn under the bus … why? She’s a conservative and that goes against ANY of the liberal narrative. Seriously? Anyone who would have thought 30 years ago we would have a trans woman running for governor of California and soon to announce a gay Republican, Richard Grenell, running?

Yes, my friends, it’s the REPUBLICANS who have taken the lead and are TRULY the party of INCLUSION, whereas the Democrats are only inclusive if you agree with their narrative!

SFGN has been there for you through the good and bad...

AND WE’RE STILL HERE FOR YOU NOW.

Andrew R Brett

President Log Cabin Republicans of Broward

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!  Submit your own letter to Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com

Visit SFGN.com and stay up to date on health alerts, event schedules, and everything you need to know in our community.

5.13. 20 21 •

33

LIFESTYLE TWO GUYS AND A DOG

ON BEING GAY AND GRAY Brian McNaught

P

erhaps more than any other generation, we gay Baby Boomers in the U.S., and elsewhere, have been confronted with seismic challenges, as well as extraordinary opportunities, in our lives, most especially in the images we, and others, have of being gay. We’ve gone in record time from being thought of as child molesters, to proud parents of biological, adopted, and foster children.

We were born into a culture that considered our natural sexual attractions to be psychologically disordered, and morally impoverished. “Homo,” “Dyke,” and “Queer,” were the worst things one could be labeled on our school’s playgrounds.

We were invisible in the library and textbooks. In stories and cinema, we were the most loathsome of all creatures.

Transgender people in our age group were often confused with us. Most people thought, and some still do, that gay men wished they were women, and lesbians wished they were men.

The derogatory term “He-She” was commonly used, and psychiatrists referred to people who were transgender as having the “psychopathological condition of gender identity disorder.” One tragic outcome of such ignorance and taboo was transgender people trying on their own to remove their genitals with kitchen utensils, and dying as a result.

Several things contributed to the “Sexual Revolution” of the 1960s, which challenged not just the cultural moral codes on sexual behavior, but also the meaning of being “male” or “female.” The ultimate result of that convergence of “Free Love” and feminism was the emergence of a gay identity, a lesbian identity, a bisexual identity, and a transgender identity.

I was in college when transgender and gay people fought the police at the Compton Cafeteria, and later at the Stonewall Inn. Then, everything changed, including the image we had of ourselves. “Gay is good,” we insisted to ourselves and to others. We

weren’t sad mistakes, but rather proud warriors in the fight for freedom.

But Gay Liberation required that we make the very personal, courageous decision to step forward, and put a face on the issue.

“Coming out,” was the hardest, most costly choice we had ever made. Not everyone could do it, because naming ourselves as “homosexual,” “bisexual,” or “transgender” led us into a no-return life outside of broad social acceptance.

Many of us were kicked out of our families, fired from our jobs, and condemned by our denominations as a result. Coming out as gay or transgender ended marriages, and often meant loss of contact and relationships with one’s children.

Opposition to gay rights, and to reproductive rights, have been the biggest, most successful fundraising issues in conservative circles, and in fundamentalist religions, for the past 50 years. Careers in political office, and in the pulpit, have been made by vitriolic campaigns against us.

We were “deviants,” who aggressively tried to recruit innocent children, according to the lies told by Anita Bryant, Jerry Falwell, Fred Phelps, and most other Evangelicals.

But, their public crusades against our civil rights emboldened most of us, rather than scared us off, and they forced our family and friends to take a stand. “Are gay people children of God?” “Is it a choice?”

In 1982, we not only were feared as preying on innocent children, but, even scarier, as carriers of imminent death. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)

WE WEREN’T SAD MISTAKES, BUT RATHER PROUD WARRIORS IN THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM.

34

• 5.13.2021

Photo via Adobe.

was originally called GRID (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency) and, “the gay cancer.”

We were young men and women who lived in fear of contracting, through sex, a deadly disease, and were the generation who cared for and buried thousands of our young friends, because their own families would have nothing to do with them. Neither would many funeral homes, churches, and cemeteries. We said, “Silence Equals Death.”

They said, “Gay Equals Death.” “AIDS is God’s Punishment.”

Once again, rather than be defeated by the culture of sickness and death that threatened our future, our community, and our allies, became strengthened in our resolve to overcome fear, and fight back against our foes in the media, politics, and in the churches.

We did so by organizing and lobbying our religious, political, and corporate leaders, forming our own health care, community

and youth centers, marching annually in Gay Pride parades, and creating the largest, most magnificent folk art artifact in American history: The Quilt.

We started newspapers and radio programs, created a flag, wrote books, songs, and TV and movie scripts, ran for office, and embraced every related group within our ranks. We morphed from the Gay Liberation Movement into the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Non-Binary Community.

Hundreds of LGBT organizations were formed in high schools, colleges, places of employment, churches, in every profession, and in every city and state. We created national watchdog and advocacy organizations for the law, media, and elections. We argued civil cases at every level, and succeeded in overturning all laws that criminalized sexual behavior between

LIFESTYLE TWO GUYS AND A DOG

Photo via Adobe.

consenting adults, and in securing anti- today than when we were adolescents and discrimination laws, and the right to marry. teenagers.

COVID didn’t target LGBT people, but Baby Today, the words “homo,” “fag,” and Boomers made up the bulk of its death toll. “dyke,” are considered hateful language, The health care of aging gay and transgender eschewed by the majority of people. people had been a concern before the world Most mainline Christian and Jewish pandemic, with groups such as SAGE (Senior denominations embrace that being gay or Action in a Gay Environment) forming to transgender is “God’s intention,” and gladly address all issues related marry same-sex couples. to aging. Where 60 years Even a conservative Christian SOME OLDER ago, older gay men were adoption agency recently dismissed, especially in our announced they would no MEMBERS OF OUR own community, as “bitter bar gay people from COMMUNITY NEVER longer old queens,” LGBT seniors being foster or adoptive today have a good chance of CAME OUT TO THEIR parents. being seen as valued pioneers Where before, LGBT PARENTS, AND whose stories need to be seniors would have felt it THUS LIVE WITH recorded. essential to our safety to stay Internalized homophobia in the closet, now we have QUESTIONS AS TO and heterosexism are vestiges the option of living in the WHETHER THEY of growing up lesbian, gay, gay section of town, going bisexual or transgender in the on vacations designed for gay WOULD EVER HAVE 1950s. The now commonly travelers, worshipping with HAD A PLACE IN THE a gay pastor, or rabbi, and embraced word “queer” is laden with painful memories seeing a LGBT doctor, dentist, FAMILY AS THEIR for LGBT Baby Boomers. attorney, vet, real estate TRUE SELVES. Many older people continue agent, therapist, and banker. to work on issues of shame, There are all-gay meetings unless they have involved themselves in the for those dealing with substance abuse, liberation movement. Some older members loneliness, and spiritual hunger, and all-gay of our community never came out to their book clubs, softball teams, and retirement parents, and thus live with questions as to communities. whether they would ever have had a place in Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and the family as their true selves. queer seniors can feel enormous gratitude Nevertheless, despite the bad memories that we were fortunate enough to live during of isolation, fear, loneliness, and shame the most dramatic cultural shift in our that some older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and history, and be proud of the huge role we transgender people have in much larger played in bringing it about. Gray hair and doses than the generations that followed, wrinkles should be proud representations we also have the unparalleled delight of of the challenging, but most successful, lives appreciating how much better our life is we often heroically lived.

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.” Brian has a weekly YouTube/ FaceBook podcast called, “Are You Happy Without the Movie?”

SOUTH FLORIDA’S LGBTQ ARCHIVE LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY! MEMBERSHIP STARTS AT $35.00 BENEFITS INCLUDE DISCOUNTS AT...

VISIT OUR EXHIBITIONS ON 75 YEARS OF LGBTQ HISTORY

AND MANY MORE

VISIT STONEWALL-MUSEUM.ORG FOR FULL DETAILS

1300 E. SUNRISE BLVD. FORT LAUDERDALE 954.763.8565 SWALL-MSHIP_SFGN half.indd 1

5.13.

20 21 • PM35 3/19/2021 11:17:47

LIFESTYLE CELEBRITY

BY ELLIOT RODRIGUEZ

GAY VINE THE

KEEP UP WITH THE CELEBRITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY

CELEBRITY

FILM

FINALLY!

SAY NO MORE!

LESBIAN NUNS MOVIE COMING OUT IN JULY

TODRICK ANNOUNCES RELATIONSHIP WITH A MAN Todrick Hall, rapper, actor, and YouTuber, has just released in an Instagram post that he has a man.

The man is no other than singer and model David Borum!

“I’d like to introduce you all to the man who has stolen my heart @davidborum A few days ago … I asked him to be my BOYFRIEND. He screamed!!! Really HIGH then said ‘Yes!’ It’s been 6 years since I’ve officially been in a relationship, and it is so unbelievably difficult for people to gain my trust. But, this man has stuck it out and been so incredibly patient with me and I’m so glad that we’re finally official,” Hall said in his post.

However, it was just Hall giving off the positive vibes, Borum also posted to his Instagram letting his fans and followers

Todrick Hall and David Borum. Photo credit: @todrick.

know about the great news.

“Alright y’all, got some amazing news!!!!

After spending Covid together, growing up in so many ways, having the deepest conversations that we all need to be having, and having only...a couple arguments... this boy has stolen my heart! He makes me be a better person and knows who I truly am! … So happy to call you my boyfriend!!”

Borum said in his post.

Looking for something to get excited about? Finished watching your favorite films and need something new to fill that void? Then get ready for “Benedetta.”

The anticipated film’s trailer was just released back May 5.

Pride wrote that the long-anticipated follow-up to director Paul Verhoeven’s thriller “Elle,” the erotic lesbian nun horror film “Benedetta” is all set to premiere at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.

This thriller/horror film spectacular is set in the 17th century and follows the story of sister Benedetta Carlini. The description of the trailer also notes that the film will be released in French cinemas on July 9.

The stars of the film include Virginie Efira, Charlotte Rampling, Daphné Patakia, and Lambert Wilson, Pride wrote.

“Benedetta.” Credit: Paul Verhoeven.

Get ready to bust out the buttered popcorn, and curl up on the sofa with the lights turned down, if you can handle it that is.

TELEVISION

IT SURE IS SUNNY!

‘IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA’ STAR EXPRESSES GRATITUDE FOR HIS LESBIAN MOMS “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star and cocreator Rob McElhenney expressed his gratitude for having two moms after they appeared in a GLAAD video for Mother’s Day, where they reflected on their 37-year relationship.

While Helena knew she had found the person she wanted to spend her life with, it came with its fair share of hardships. As Mary Taylor states in the video, the first couple of years were very tough for them, but they managed to pull through and make everything work out for the better.

McElhenney, who plays Mac in the series, even used his moms as inspiration to make his character in the series come out as gay.

Pinknews wrote that Mac appears to come

36

• 5.13.2021

out in the first part of “The Gang Goes to Hell,” a two-part finale. While on a Christian cruise, Mac realizes a gay couple are on board, and tries to “convert” them to heterosexuality. However, as he is actually gay himself, the couple turned the tables on Mac. On May 6, just three days before Mother’s Day, McElhenney posted the GLAAD video on Twitter, writing, “No family looks exactly the same. So proud to call both of these ladies “Mom”. @mommcelhenney @marytaylor2.”

McElhenney is no stranger to the LGBT community, he told Deadline in an interview, “I was partly raised by two women, and I have two brothers who are gay, so I have always been part of the gay community.”

Rob McElhenney. Photo credit: Gage Skidmore.

LIFESTYLE SHOP WITH PRIDE

ONE MONTH of Pool Service FREE

SPOIL YOUR PETS WITH

when you mention SFGN

BUBBA BEAR DOG WEAR

Pool & Hot Tub Service

Kendall Little

C

hloe Rogerson, like many others, adopted a dog during the COVID-19 lockdown.

She fell in love with her new pet, Diesel, but had trouble finding cute bandanas for him due to his large size. Instead of giving up, she made her own bandanas — and Bubba Bear Dog Wear was born.

“The purpose of my business is to ensure all sizes and shapes of dog can look cute as ever in our products,” Rogerson said.

Bubba Bear Dog Wear offers a variety of patterns and colors to choose from such as rainbow, sunflowers, and even boobs to match dogs’ or owners’ personalities. Rogerson’s personal favorite is the RuPaul’s Drag Race bandana.

Rogerson began her business by selling only pet bandanas and matching scrunchies for owners, but quickly moved into selling much more. “[We now sell] dog/cat bow ties, collar charms, treat pouches, keyrings, travel mugs, signs, personalised products, and we have so many more things coming out soon,” she said.

LGBT-themed goodies. Photo via Facebook.

 CLEANING SERVICE  SHOCK A GREEN POOL  POOL LIGHTS REPLACEMENT  LEAK REPAIR AND DETECTION  EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT  COMPLETE POOL RENOVATION

FREE Estimates

Chloe with her dog Diesel (aka. Bubba).

Photo via bubbabeardogwear.com.

In fact, Rogerson has a hard time keeping all her ideas to herself.

“I have so many ideas but I’m trying to keep calm and not bring everything out all at once,” she shared.

Bubba Bear Dog Wear was created in 2020 and Rogerson has big goals for her second year of business.

“My goals for this year are to hit 8k followers on Instagram, to bring out more personalised products, a line of dog leads and harnesses, and to be able to do this full time,” she said. “We would also love to put our products on some celeb doggos.”

Rogerson gains a lot from her business, including cute photos of pets from pleased customers.

“My favourite part of the business is getting customer photos in our products. It makes everything so worth it, seeing gorgeous fur-babies in our things!” she shared.

Rogerson, who identifies as pansexual, wants the LGBT community to feel represented with her business.

“I feel it’s important to let other young LGBTQ+ people know that they can do this too,” she said about running the business.

To support this LGBT-owned small business, visit the Bubba Bear Dog Wear website, www.bubbabeardogwear.com, or check out their Instagram, @bubbabear_dogwear.

Licensed (cc#13-SP-17780-T) & Insured

954-793-7206 | lacquaazzurra.com

95.3 FM 96.9 FM 1470 AM

Live at 4 !

Afternoon Drive... local and LIVE. Ad opportunities:

954-661-3361

hear past shows on youtube at

bit.ly/2OzWjlI

Got the itch to shop for more? Visit SFGN.com/ShopWithPride.

Live streaming • wwnnradio.com 5.13. 20 21 •

37

A&E FILM

A&E APPOINTMENTS

FUNDRAISER LAUNCHED FOR ‘THE BLACK TRANS PRAYER BOOK’ DOCUMENTARY Kim Swan

ARTSBEAT

“T

he Black Trans Prayer Book” is a collection of stories that emphasizes the healing needs of Black transgender people. Now, a fundraiser has been launched to turn the book into a documentary.

Black trans people face unprecedented amounts of spiritual, physical, and psychological violence, the book description reads. The book is used as a tool to help uplift Black trans and non-binary people and celebrate their place within faith.

Organizers created a GoFundMe page to ask people to help fund the movie titled “The Black Trans Prayer Book: A Performative Documentary.” It will explore the lives and spiritual journeys of the contributors to the book — a collaborative text that was coedited by J Mase III & Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi.

So far they have raised $16,801 out of their $75,000 goal.

HAIL, MARY AND MORE REVELATIONS J.W. Arnold

“The Black Trans Prayer Book.” Photo via Facebook.

To help support the movie, visit their page on GoFundMe.com at https://bit.ly/3bdyniv.

Epiphany Theatre Presents

NUNSENSE AMEN !

The Musical

By Dan Coggins

TICKETS

Directed By Ed Sparan For Tickets (754) 213-7125 NunsenseAmen@eventbrite.com 38

• 5.13.2021

“Nunsense A-men!” is a genderbending take on the popular Off Broadway hit, playing through May 22 at Fort Lauderdale United Church of Christ. Credit: Epiphany Theatre.

$20 7pm Thurs. Fri, Sat. May 6-8 May 13-15 May 20-22

EPIPHANY THEATRE ANSWERS YOUR PRAYERS Audiences are raving about Epiphany Theatre production of “Nunsense A-men!” playing through May 22 at Eliot Hall on the Fort Lauderdale United Church of Christ campus, 2501 NE 30th St. The show is a hilarious spoof on the long-running Off Broadway comedy about the misadventures of five nuns trying to manage a fundraiser. Sadly, the rest of the sisterhood died from botulism after eating vichyssoise prepared

by Sister Julia Child of God. Thus, the remaining nuns — ballet-loving Sister Leo, street-wise Sister Robert Anne, befuddled Sister Mary Amnesia, mistress of the novices Sister Hubert and Mother Superior — stage a talent show in order to raise the money to bury their dearly departed.

Here’s the tasty, gender-bending twist: “Nunsense A-men!” is performed by a cast of men and dishes up a plate of irreverent comedy that borders on sacrilegious. Ed Sparan directs with musical direction by Ryan Crout and choreography by Michael Gillespie.

The production runs Thursday — Saturday through May 22. Tickets are $20 at NunsenseAmen.Eventbrite.com.

TROPICAL WINDS KEEP IT LIGHT, BRIGHT AND GAY The South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble will present a virtual concert, “Keep It Light, Keep It Bright, Keep It Gay,” featuring the Tropical Winds chamber ensembles on Sunday, May 16 at 7 p.m.

Since the larger Pride Wind Ensemble has not been able to rehearse or perform since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, smaller groups of musicians formed chamber ensembles of two to 10 players who could rehearse in outdoor spaces while socially distancing.

This concert will feature eight ensembles: brass and woodwind quintets; trumpet and clarinet choirs; flute, clarinet and saxophone quartets; and a mixed tuba, oboe and bassoon trio.

Tickets are pay-what-you-can at SouthFloridaPride.StreamAlly.com.

RAISE A GLASS AND WERK! The South Beach Wine & Food Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary May 20 — 23 at venues in Miami Beach, Miami and Hallandale Beach. Many of the popular festival’s signature events, including the Grand Tasting Village, Burger Bash and BubbleQ, have been modified to conform with CDC guidelines.

On Sunday, May 23, actor Neil Patrick Harris and his husband, multi-talented chef/author/actor David Burtka will host a drag brunch at the North Beach Band Shell in Miami Beach. “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Bianca Del Rio and local legend Athena Dion will MC the event featuring 10 of the region’s top performers and brunch bites by Miami-area chefs.

For more information and tickets, go to SOBEWFF.org

SUMMER SOUNDS FROM THE SYMPHONY Maestra Sebrina María Alfonso’s South Florida Symphony will finally be returning to the stage this summer with a series of three intimate, yet socially distanced live concerts at the Center for Spiritual Living, 4849 N. Dixie Hwy. in Oakland Park.

The first performance, Friday, May 21, will include string quartets by Beethoven and Dvořák. On Thursday, June 24, the program will include a variety of chamber works by Schubert, Gottsch and Poulenc. The series concludes on Sunday, July 18 with Zwilich’s Septet for Piano Trio and String Quartet and Saint-Saëns’ Piano Trio No. 2.

Tickets are $30 each or $75 for the three-concert series at SouthFloridaSymphony.org.

A&E ARTS

Esprit the Poet is one of the dynamic local performers appearing in the virtual Thou Art Woman festival on Monday, May 24. Credit: David I. Muir.

WOMEN’S ARTS FESTIVAL GOES VIRTUAL J.W. Arnold

L

ocal symphony orchestras, theater companies and film festivals all made a crucial pivot to streaming performances after COVID-19 shuttered venues across South Florida. Now, Thou Art Woman, the eight-year-old celebration of music, poetry, spoken word and movement created by women and for women, is the latest festival to go virtual.

After coming out several years ago, founder Ghenete “G” Wright wanted to create an alternate space for LGBT women and allies to connect on a deeper level. A prominent attorney and activist, she enlisted the support of a core circle of friends and launched the festival, attracting about 50 participants.

None predicted that initial gathering would soon grow into a vibrant and vital community, growing steadily.

“Since its inception, Thou Art Woman has grown as a wonderful alternative to the entertainment options available for LGBTQ women and [our] allies. It also provides a nonjudgmental space where people can share their experiences, be authentic, and above all else, really enjoy themselves,” she recalled.

On Monday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m., Wright and co-host Nik Harris will again be presenting the same eclectic mix of performances, thanks to the internet.

“It’s like everything else [during the pandemic], you navigate and pivot with the times. Our priority is making sure we have a good time and do it safely,” explained Harris,

who is also an attorney and well-known activist. “You lose the vibe in the sense of not getting that immediate laugh or reaction that builds the moment [but,] people love what we do. We’re lucky the excitement is there for our show, even if it’s not live, and that speaks to the staying power of having something so unique.”

Many of the artists have performed at the festival from the beginning and Wright has had the privilege of watching them mature over the years. She said of Esprit the Poet: “She’s not only a powerful poet, but we’ve watched her grow in confidence and command the stage.”

DJ JesiMixx is another veteran of Thou Art Woman festivals, as is Red Wordz. Rebecca “Butterfly” Vaughns is a familiar face in the local arts community and saxophonist Kim Jay offers unique sounds to the mix. Other featured performers include Aimee Suzara, Keturah McClendon, Katie Paff, Leslie-Anne Frye-Thomas and Emily Sheila.

“This is not cliché, but we have such incredible artists,” Harris said, and Wright quickly added, “Their pieces are so personal.

Their stories are inspired and vulnerable at the same time.”

“The activist in me realizes that at a time when we’re watching an onslaught of antiTrans legislation, the visibility of LGBT women is important … We hope it leads you to take action when the show is over,” Harris pointed out.

Thou Art Woman will be presented online on Monday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m. Registration is required and tickets are available on a pay-what-you-can basis at ThouArtWoman.Streamally.com. For more information, go to ThouArtWoman.org.

5.13. 20 21 •

39

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD IN THE PAPER TODAY!

CALL US AT 954.530.4970

SFGN's

BUSINESS

SFGN DELIVERY DRIVER WANTED PART-TIME, 1 OR 2 DAYS A WEEK CLEAN LICENSE, BACKGROUND CHECK CASH PAID WEEKLY CALL NORM KENT 954-530-4970

BUZZ

KRAFT BISTRO AND DELI NOW HIRING ALL POSITIONS VISIT US IN PERSON 2701 E. OAKLAND PARK BLVD OAKLAND PARK OR CALL JOHN 954-328-1220

SFGN Online Classifieds

Place Your Ad Today! www.SFGN.com/CLASS

40

• 5.13.2021

OPENING SOON

HIRING NOW

CARD

FEATURE PETS

R LOOKING FO A C U D D L E!

MYA

Happy girl, that’s the best way to describe me! My name is Mya (ID 641684) and I’m just 2 years old.

I think I’m a lap dog and may want to crawl up to snuggle with you. I enjoy meeting people and am a bit of a social butterfly.

Meeting new people is one of my favorite things and I would love to make lots of memories with you. I came from a small, rural shelter and wasn’t having any luck finding a home so I’m hoping things will be better for me here.

If you would like to meet a pet at the Humane Society of Broward County, please visit www.humanebroward.com to complete a pre-adoption application. 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.

a LittLE Bit oF FaitH anD

PRiDE All Are WelCOMe SFGN is here for you, no matter who — or what — keeps you going. Check out the Spirituality Section each week to stay in touch with your local religious LGBT community. The only requirement? Be yourself.

sEE moRE onLinE at sFGn.com/taBLE/nEWs/RELiGion

FORT LAUDERDALE

Protecting the lifestyle to which you are accustomed

Dunham Insurance can save you money!

• • • • •

Condominium Home Auto, Boat, Motorcycle Umbrella, Life Art, Jewelry

Call Ahmed Today!

Cell: 786.303.8723 Ph: 954.564.7772 ∙ dunhamins.com ahmed@dunhamins.com Home ∙ Auto ∙ Wedding ∙ Marine ∙ Commercial ∙ Special Event ∙ Life ∙ Umbrella ∙ Cyber dunham_ins_sfgn_hp_color_ahmed_v1.indd 1

2/25/2020 AM 5.13.

20 218:42:59 • 41

SFGN's

SWAP SHOP

!

Call our sales team at 954.530.4970 handyman HUSBAND FOR RENT - Is he procrastinating home repairs? He says he will do it tomorrow?? After the football game?? We fit right in - in the house or the yard, small or big jobs: tile, dry wall, paint, plumbing, roof leaks, broken furniture, irrigation, fences, and more! It doesn't cost to hassle us to see the work - so why wait? Neat, clean work for a reasonable price.

Call Haim at 954-398-3676, sidnalll@yahoo.com GREGG’S PAINTING - Interior/Exterior. Free estimates, great rates! Detail-oriented, friendly, reliable, punctual and neat! No job too small. Broward & Palm Beach counties. 617-306-5694 | gmanbenn44@gmail.com

piano WANT TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE PIANO? Learn from an experienced teacher. All levels and ages welcome. Learn to play classical, popular, jazz, or show tunes. Visit www.edwinchad.com or call 954826-9555 for more information.

Classified advertising works!

allant Insurance Team home improvement allant Insurance Team YOUR PERFECT BATHROOM - The bathroom of your dreams for as little as $149/month! BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Limited Time Offer - FREE virtual in-home consultation now and SAVE 15%! Call Today! 1-954459-3049

WWW.SFGN.GUIDE

We have an EMPLOYMENT Call or Come In We have anToday ImmedIate OpenIng! Call or Come In Today OPPORTUNITY ImmedIate OpenIng!

We’ll 954.530.4970

We’ll It! Handle Handle It!

skin care

HAIR REMOVAL - Professional male esthetician providing hair removal services for men and women.

I specialize in male body grooming and Brazilian waxing. I can either trim, shave, wax or sugar. I have a private studio where I also do specialty facials which include back and buttocks facials.

Come treat yourself for a relaxing facial and get silky smooth skin at the same time. Check out my website for more info. www.waxiitaxi.com or you can book online at WaxiiTaxi.Booksy.com IG: @waxiitaxi Facebook.com/waxiitaxi. Kurt Ruback: 561-956-0626

954.522.3800 954.522.3800

We have an immediate opening for a licensed Personal Lines Insurance with at least years experience.

We We www.PallantInsurance.com have anProducer immediate opening for a2 licensed Personal Lines are a growing agency with fast-paced environment.

Base Clerical help.

Insurance experience Insurance Producer with at·aFort least 2 years experience.

We www.PallantInsurance.com 1800 N.E. 26th Street Lauderdale, FL 33305 salary plus commissions.

We are looking for individuals with Salary healthenvironment. benefits. Base are apreferred. growing agency with aplus fast-paced 1800 N.E. 26th Street · Fort Lauderdale, FL customer service skills, proficiency with MS Office and33305 agency salary plus commissions. We are looking for individuals with management software, and Client Contact software. customer service skills, proficiency MSPallant Office and If interested contactwith Joe atagency Homeowners Insurance management software, and Client Contact software. or send a resume to If you 954-522-3800 are interested, please contact Janine MacLellan Homeowners Insurance at Pallant Insurance Agency at 954-522-3800 or send JoePallant@gmail.com If you are interested, please contact Janine MacLellan Hurricane Insurance your resume to Janine@pallantinsurance.com. at Pallant Insurance Agency at 954-522-3800 or send Hurricane Insurance your resume to Janine@pallantinsurance.com.

Flood Insurance Flood Insurance

CREATE THE BATHROOM OF YOUR DREAMS

IN AS LITTLE AS JUST ONE DAY CALL NOW R FO

$500 OFF OR

Tub-Shower Combo

NO PAYMENTS & NO INTEREST FOR 18 MONTHS OFFER EXPIRES 3.31.2021

Over 850 Authorized Dealers across North America Factory-Trained & Certified Installers Lifetime Warranty Oversized Shower & Wall System

BEST DEALS FOR EVERYONE

Ask how to get the

iPhone 12 mini ®

Made in the U.S.A.

for as low as

with trade-in

Military & Senior Discounts Available

Bathtub & Wall System

954-459-3049

*Includes product and labor; bathtub, shower or walk-in tub and wall surround. This promotion cannot be combined with any other offer. Other restrictions may apply. This offer expires March 31, 2021. Each dealership is independently owned and operated. **Third party financing is available for those customers who qualify. See your dealer for details. ©2020 BCI Acrylic Inc.

42

• 5.13.2021

Find out how to get our most popular phones, call now!

Iv Support Holdings LLC

(954) 719-4735 Call AT&T sales rep for details. For trade-in instructions visit tradein.att.com/offer-details

Limited time offer. All products and services are offered, supplied and performed by AT&T Services, Inc. (“AT&T”). AT&T is not an affiliate of or endorsed by Sam’s Club. AT&T is solely responsible for the products and services advertised. Sam’s Club has no obligation to perform any responsibilities of AT&T, and Sam’s Club does not guarantee the performance of AT&T’s obligations.

WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR

FINANCIAL NEEDS Taxes IRS Issues Accounting

Bookkeeping Small Business Advising

954-667-9829

ACCOUNTING@STERLINGACCOUNTING.COM 2435 North Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 5.13. 20 21 •

43