SFGN 12/17/20 V11iss50 by South Florida Gay News

LOCAL NAME GLOBAL COVERAGE DECEMBER 17, 2020 VOL. 11 // ISSUE 50

MR. SECRETARY PAGE 10

BUTTIGIEG FIRST OPENLY GAY CABINET NOMINEE SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS

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NEWS HIGHLIGHT

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SUPPORT LOCAL LGBT BUSINESSES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Publisher • Norm Kent Norm.Kent@sfgn.com

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

Editorial

hristmas is just days away, and we know there is still lots of last-minute shopping to be done. We are all (wisely) trying to keep our distance by staying healthy. So, instead of rushing to the mall or using the convenience of Amazon, why not think small and shop locally this year? Small businesses in and around Wilton Manors need support more than ever. That’s reason enough to spend big when you shop small. If you are looking for places to complete your holiday shopping safely, consider the following retailers: The Tickin Ribbit is a gift shop located at 2374 Wilton Drive. It sells unique items that you cannot find at other chain retailers. “It’s basically a whole shop of just perfect hostess gifts, and presents for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, love, friendship, you name it,” Owner Joe Bush said. “We feature picture frames, candles, home accessories, jewelry boxes, and lots of gifts for entertaining,” Items range in price from $4 to $300. The store is open on Friday-Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m. The calendar says December, but swimsuits are the hot item right now at the Pride Factory. The most popular ones sell for about $60. The store has seen steady traffic this year, but it could use a sales boost like all area retailers. If swimwear isn’t your thing, don’t despair. “There’s new inventory arriving every week,” employee Marcus Morris said. The Pride Factory is located at 850 NE 13th Street. Store hours are Monday-Saturday 11

Senior Feature Columnists

Brian McNaught • Jesse Monteagudo

Correspondents

Dori Zinn • Donald Cavanaugh Christiana Lilly • John McDonald Denise Royal • David-Elijah Nahmod

Contributing Columnists

Pier Angelo • Terri Schlichenmeyer Dana Rudolph • Ric Reily

Associate Photographers Carina Mask • Steven Shires

Sales & Marketing For ad placement in SFGN, contact 954-530-4970 Sales Manager • Justin Wyse Justin@sfgn.com

SMALL BUSINESSES IN AND AROUND WILTON MANORS NEED SUPPORT MORE THAN EVER.

Senior Advertising Associate • Edwin Neimann Edwin@sfgn.com Advertising Associate • Thom Burnham Distribution Services • Noah Lebel

Claudia Castillo Art Studio, decked out on The Drive. Photo via Wilton Drive, Facebook.

a.m. to 8 p.m, and Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. In some parts of Europe, Christmas is synonymous with chocolate. “Germany really does Christmas the way nobody does it,” said To The Moon Owner Antonio Dumas. If you are looking for chocolate treats, To The Moon is the place to go. If you go, be sure to look up. “We have about 2000 glass ornaments on the ceiling featuring iconic people and

all kinds of themes and genres. And the entire ceiling is covered in a mirage and glass ornaments,” said Dumas. To The Moon is located at 2205 Wilton Drive. It is open Sunday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. If you’re at a loss of what to give to a friend or co-worker, you can always visit a local retailer to purchase a gift card. If you don’t feel comfortable shopping in person, reach out and call a local retailer to find out if online buying or curbside pickup is an option.

COVER : Pete Buttigieg (right) shaking hands with President-elect Joe Biden. Photo via Pete Buttigieg, Facebook.

Associated Press • 12.17.2020

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

Denise Royal

@SFGN

December 17, 2020 • Volume 11 • Issue 50

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 © 2020 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

12 .17. 20 20 â&#x20AC;¢

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

BY AVRAHAM FORREST

THE WORLD AROUND

ASIA

SOUTH AMERICA

BHUTAN VOTES TO DECRIMINALIZE GAY SEX

BOLIVIA AUTHORIZES ITS FIRST SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

Bhutan voted to change a law that effectively outlawed gay sex, basically decriminalizing sexual relations between same-sex partners within the Himalayan country, the New York Times reported. The Bhutan government voted to edit a line on “unnatural sex,” according to the Penal Code of Bhutan. The offence for “unnatural sex” is a petty misdemeanor. Even though the law did not mention same-sex partners, it was nevertheless meant to be used against the LGBT community “A defendant shall be guilty of the offence of unnatural sex, if the defendant engages in sodomy or any other sexual conduct that is against the order of nature,” the line reads. If the amendment is successful, an added sentence will exclude

Tashi Tsheten. Photo credit: Tashi Tsheten.

“homosexuality between adults” from “unnatural sex,” Tashi Tsheten, a founding member of Rainbow Bhutan advocacy group, said in The Times’ reporting. The amendment still requires the approval of the king, the Times reported.

The Civil Registry of Bolivia authorized the nation’s first same-sex marriage, Reuters reported. The couple has been in a two-year legal battle to approve their union, Reuters reported. The couple was first denied registry in 2018 and were finally able to marry last week. David Aruquipa, 48, and Guido Montaño, 45, argued the denial of their marriage violates international human rights standards and is discriminatory under Bolivian law, Reuters reported. The couple has been together for over 11 years. Aruquipa is a businessman and LGBT activist and Montaño is a lawyer, Reuters reported. Latin America is developing into a safe haven for same-sex unions, Reuters reported. Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil,

David Aruquipa and Guido Montaño. Photo via Facebook.

Colombia, Uruguay and parts of Mexico currently allow gay marriage, despite the hostility of religious groups.

AFRICA

EUROPE

AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COURT URGES REPEAL OF VAGRANCY LAWS

ENGLAND LOOSENS RESTRICTIONS ON GAY MEN GIVING BLOOD

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights delivered an advisory opinion encouraging repeal or amendment of vagrancy laws, according to a press release on Dec. 4. Sex workers and LGBT people in Uganda are frequently targeted under vagrancy laws, RightsAfrica reported. Few receive convictions, but arrested youth work on farms while awaiting trial. The Pan African Lawyers Union requested the advisory opinion in 2018, RightsAfrica reported. According to court documents, the PALU argued that vagrancy laws are “overly broad.” Vagrancy laws criminalize the individual, enable “the discriminatory treatment of the underprivileged and marginalized,” and deprive people of

EXPLORING LGBT NEWS EVENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE

• 12.17.2020

Credit: The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

their equality, which is against the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, according to the documents. Arrests for vagrancy without a warrant also target individuals based on economic status, according to the release.

England’s National Health Service announced gay and bisexual men who have had the same partner for three months or more will be able to give blood next year, according to a statement from the NHS Blood and Transplant website on Dec. 14. Gay and bisexual men are currently required to abstain from sex for at least three months before donating, the Guardian reported. Starting in the summer of 2021, donor eligibility will be based on the individual, instead of gender or sexuality, according to the statement. The For the Assessment of Individualized Risk steering group recommended the changes, according to the statement. The group, led by NHSBT, is a collaboration of UK Blood Services,

Photo via Pixabay.

Public Health England, University of Nottingham and LGBT charities. In 2011, gay and bisexual men had to abstain from sex for one year before donating, the Guardian reported. The time shortened to three months in 2017. Before 2011, gay and bisexual men could not donate, the Guardian reported.

NEWS LOCAL

RICHARD GRAY IS ‘OUTED’ MAG NAMES HIM TO SELECT GROUP

Richard Gray Makes Out Magazine’s OUT100 List Norm Kent

ichard Gray, the senior vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau has been named to Out magazine’s “Out100” for 2020. Gray, coincidentally, was featured in SFGN eight years ago this week when he started the job with the CVB. Out, like the Advocate, is distributed nationally, and publishes monthly. It is one of two major LGBT glossy national magazines still standing. Long a fixture in the South Florida community, Gray originally opened the popular Royal Palms Guesthouse in 1991, as Fort Lauderdale moved from the heyday of straight Spring Breaks to becoming one on the world’s top rated gay resort destinations. This year, Gray was working with Pride Fort Lauderdale to launch the inaugural Pride of the Americas, a five-day celebration the CVB hoped would bring 300,000 visitors from two continents and 53 nations to Greater Fort Lauderdale. Because of the pandemic this year’s event was canceled. Aside from his expertise and stature in the travel industry, Gray has also been a pioneer in advancing sensitivity for the transgender community. In 2016, he helped initiate the world’s first global marketing and mainstream advertising campaign featuring transgender models.

“THESE ARE LOCALS THAT LIVE HERE, AND THEY ARE NOT MODELS. IT IS TRULY A HISTORIC, INCLUSIVE, AND DIVERSE GLOBAL CAMPAIGN.” - Richard Gray SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION FOR THE GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Photo courtesy of Richard Gray.

The CVB’s latest campaign is named “Celebrate You.” Gray told Out it was designed to “underscore Greater Fort Lauderdale’s diverse community and welcoming vibe.” “In this campaign we include trans, drag, lesbian, gay, non-binary, disabled, straight, and minorities in a very non-resort way,” he said. “These are locals that live here, and they are not models. It is truly a historic, inclusive, and diverse global campaign.” He told SFGN that he was both “humbled and honored” by Out’s designation, that it lends authenticity and vitality to his work. Gray’s selection as a 2020 “OUT100 Innovator” adds to a collection of honors that he has already won, including recognition in 2018 with the Stonewall Visibility Award, and his induction into the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association Hall of Fame.

Another local winner of the OUT100 award was newly elected state senator Shevrin Jones, who will be the subject of a feature article later this month in SFGN by Steve Rothaus. Watch for it.

12 .17. 20 20 •

NEWS NATIONAL

PANEL EXAMINES IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON LGBT ACTIVISM IN THE AMERICAS Organizations work to provide food, medicine and community to LGBT groups during the pandemic Avraham Forrest

s the world’s focus has shifted to the pandemic, LGBT issues have fallen by the wayside — at least according to a discussion during the “COVID-19 in The Americas: ReThinking Everything” conference Dec. 3. Erika Castellanos, director of programs at Global Action for Trans Equality, moderated. Leaders within the LGBT community examined the impact of the pandemic on activism. “When something like the COVID emergency happens usually we fall very rapidly to the bottom of the priorities in any area of the action of the state,” said Simon Cazal, president and founder of SOMOSGAY A.C. Paraguay and general secretary of the Latin American GayLatino Network. The virtual event presented a series of panel discussions and plenary sessions focused on how the pandemic impacts North, Central and South America. One panel on LGBT activism was held Dec. 3. “Now the media is not covering us, not covering our needs, not covering our stories, we are not part of their priority now in that way,” Alessia Injoque, president of Fundación Iguales, the largest LGBT advocacy organization in Chile, said. Injoque said the shift hinders their ability to combat HIV, as well as the ability to provide access to hormones and surgery without long lines. The Chilean government also delayed providing unemployment aid to LGBT people, Injoque said. “But most of the LGBT community here, especially the trans community, works outside of the normal job market, and they didn’t receive help until months later,” Injoque said. Mexico’s LGBT community found difficulty in receiving government support for services like food banks. “So what we ended up doing is making a charter or an agreement with a local food bank so that they provided services for people from the LGBT community who are particularly vulnerable,” Elsa Concha Cornejo, co-founder

• 12.17.2020

and current coordinator of Diverciudad, said. The impact on LGBT rights pushes organizations to adapt both their funding and focus. “We’ve been advocating not only for HIV access, not only for HIV prevention and treatment, but also for preventing homelessness, addressing food insecurity, as well as economic issues and poverty issues,” Mohan Sundararaj, interim executive director at MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health and Rights, said. In the Caribbean, LGBT communities face hurricanes on top of the pandemic and food issues. LGBT organizations have coordinated fundings in response. “In addition to repurposing money from our donors, we’re also able to launch one of those fundraising activities online where we’re also able to bring in some additional flexible cash that allowed us to transfer to different organizations providing the services on the ground,” Kenita Placide, founder and executive director of the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality, said. Placide said that the lack of attention on LGBT issues is both positive and negative. The community faces less scrutiny, but LGBT issues are even less prominent. A bulk of LGBT activism occurred online in 2020. Organizations had to learn how to adapt to this new virtual standard. “HIV 2020 was initially planned to be one of the largest key population events that was community-led in Mexico City in July and it did not take place because of the COVID pandemic,” Sundararaj said. “But it was moved to the virtual world, and ended up reaching thousands of individuals from around the world.” Other groups, such as those in Mexico,

Photo via PxHere.

have also expanded their reach. “And now with the pandemic everyone’s getting used to being online, having Zoom meetings,” Cornejo said. “And so, for the first time, our Pride Month events were jampacked with people from all over the world, participating in panels and conferences, and helping us do advocacy, which would have been prohibitive if we had had to fly them into Sonora.” Mexico is a conservative country still without marriage equality. Cornejo hopes an online presence will influence a new generation. “Hopefully we’re gonna try to leverage the power that we have that has more to do with social media and has more to do with the work that we’re doing with younger people,” Cornejo said. “So that once they get to positions of power they don’t bring with them the same prejudices that older people tend to have.” In some countries, though, technology is being used to target LGBT people, not help them. The Paraguayan government uses apps and technology to track LGBT citizens and deny them services, Cazal said. His organization is developing virtual tools to provide safe access to counseling and services. Virtual spaces are versatile, but issues

such as Zoom fatigue also persist. “Certainly, in some cases, it’s been easier to participate, because it’s as simple as sending out the Zoom link,” Sundararaj said. “But I know that everybody in this group understands that even though we have the virtual technologies, it’s hard to do three-day or four-day meetings at a stretch.” Placide emphasized the importance of mental health in the virtual year. “Just being able to shut down on technology, even if it’s half an hour to an hour, and just take a breather,” Placide said. Even with these barriers, the panel is focusing on providing aid to LGBT groups. “We have to be on the ball. We have to keep on the front foot, pushing, challenging,” Placide said. “But more importantly, making sure that we are aware, we are educated and we are keeping abreast of the situation so that we can actually respond and not be on the back foot.” The AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Global Public Health Institute, the Institute of Advanced Study of The Americas and the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care sponsored the event. The conference will hold virtual sessions until March 2021.

Visit Covid-19-americas.vfairs.com for more information.

12 .17. 20 20 â&#x20AC;¢

LGBTQIA BITES

BY KENDALL LITTLE

IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE G Lesbian

CHARMAINE MCGUFFEY, AMONG SEVERAL LESBIAN WOMEN ELECTED DURING IN 2020 More than 1,000 LGBT candidates ran for office during the 2020 election with several winning their elections. Charmaine McGuffey worked in a sheriff’s office in Hamilton County, Ohio until 2017 when she was fired “because someone didn’t like her for being openly gay,” according to Lesbian News. She ran against the local sheriff Jim Neil, who fired her, in the Democratic primaries and won. McGuffey then beat her Republican opponent with 52% of the vote. She is now the county’s first female sheriff. Kim Jackson, a lesbian Episcopal priest will be the first out member of Georgia’s Senate. Angie Craig was reelected to represent the 2nd District in Minnesota. Toni Atkins won the election to represent District 51 of the California State Assembly and Sabrina Cervantes will represent District 60.

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Charmaine McGuffey. Photo via Charmaine McGuffey, Facebook.

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

Transgender

‘RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE’ WILL FEATURE FIRST TRANS MAN AMONG CONTESTANTS

Thirteen new contestants will compete on “RuPaul’s Drag Race’’ during Season 13, but one contestant is making history. Kade Gottlieb, also known as Gottmik, will be the first transgender man to compete on the show. Trans women have appeared on the show before, but never a transgender man. Gottlieb shared an Instagram post Dec. 9 announcing his participation in the upcoming season of the show. His comment section is filled with support from fans such as “CMON TRANS AGENDA! LOVE 2 SEE IT! SO PROUD OF YOU BOO” and “YES MIK!!!!!! I’m so happy for u right now I’m in TEARS for how iconic you are and all the doors ur busting open! CONGRATS!” Season 13 will premiere on New Year’s Day at 8/7c on VH1.

Kade Gottlieb, also known as Gottmik. Photo via Kade Gottlieb, Facebook.

LGBTQIA BITES

Bisexual

‘BIG BROTHER’ STAR COMES OUT AS BISEXUAL

Zach Rance, who competed on Season 16 of CBS’ “Big Brother,” came out as bisexual recently during a virtual workshop on Sexual Orientation and Mental Health. Rance stated that he had been straight his whole life, but something in him shifted when he met fellow houseguest, Frankie Grande, who is gay, inside the “Big Brother” house. After the season ended, Rance and Grande began a “relationship that was more than just friends.” “He was the first guy that I ever hooked up with,” People magazine reported. After the hook-up, Rance said that he was unsure about his sexuality because he still “like[s] women parts.” Rance proudly declared, “I just wanted to come out and be transparent and come out and say I am bisexual, even though I do lean more toward heterosexuality. But I just wanted to clear the air on that ... because it’s funny, a lot of people reached out to me

Zach Rance. Photo via Zach Rance, Facebook.

about the Frankie thing and I never came out and said I’m bisexual. But I am.” On their “Big Brother” season together Rance and Grande (who happens to be superstar Ariana Grande’s big brother) had a close relationship that included “cuddling together, giving massages and proclaiming their love for each other.”

12 .17. 20 20 •

NEWS NATIONAL

BUTTIGIEG TAPPED TO BECOME FIRST OPENLY GAY PERSON CONFIRMED TO CABINET Chris Johnson

Washington Blade

ete Buttigieg, who made waves in the 2020 election before dropping out and endorsing Joe Biden, has obtained the nod from the president-elect to become the first openly gay person to obtain Senate confirmation for a Cabinet-level role, first confirmed by the Washington Blade. Buttigieg, who previously served as mayor two Democratic sources said. of South Bend, Indiana, is set to obtain the One Democratic insider said in talks nomination as transportation secretary. with the transition team about the position CNN was the first to report the news of White House director of Office of development. Management & Budget, Buttigieg rejected Amid media reports in Axios, CNN and the proposal and said he wanted a position the Daily Beast Buttigieg was in contention in the “real Cabinet” and not a “staff-level” for the position, a Democratic insider told job. the Blade Buttigieg was heavily lobbying the Annise Parker, CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute, hailed the news transition team for the job. Buttigieg would be nominated Vice President-elect as transportation secretary Kamala Harris also “leaned in as “a new milestone in a heavily” to promote Buttigieg decades-long effort to ensure to become transportation LGBTQ people are represented secretary, a Democratic throughout our government.” insider told the Blade. The two “It distances our nation bonded during preparation from a troubled legacy of before the vice presidential “AS AN OUT LGBTQ barring out LGBTQ people debate in Salt Lake City when PERSON, PETE WILL from government positions Buttigieg stood in for Mike and moves us closer to the Pence, the Democratic insider BRING A UNIQUE president-elect’s vision of said. PERSPECTIVE THAT a government that reflects The news breaks after the America,” Parker said. “As an Blade reported last week WILL INFORM AND out LGBTQ person, Pete will some leaders in the LGBT INFLUENCE POLICY bring a unique perspective community were unhappy that will inform and influence with the LGBT movement THROUGHOUT policy throughout the federal for not being as vocal in THE FEDERAL government. Most important, calling for the nomination GOVERNMENT.” however, is that Pete will bring of an openly LGBT Cabinet his intellect and energy to the secretary. After all, other - Annise Parker Department of Transportation minority groups, including CEO OF LGBTQ VICTORY INSTITUTE and our nation will be better the Black and Latino leaders, off because of it.” were more vocal in calling The Biden transition team didn’t respond for Cabinet appointments and getting key to a request to comment for this article. appointments as a result. Despite the historic first Buttigieg is set At the same time, Buttigieg had been turning down roles in Biden’s Cabinet, to achieve, he won’t be the first openly gay telling Annise Parker, CEO of the LGBTQ person to serve as a Cabinet official. That Victory Institute, he won’t pursue the role of distinction belongs to Richard Grenell, who secretary of veterans affairs despite media was acting director of national intelligence speculation he was in contention for the job, during the Trump administration before

• 12.17.2020

Pete Buttigieg (right) standing with President-elect Joe Biden. Photo via Pete Buttigieg, Facebook.

he resigned and became the face of LGBT outreach for the Trump campaign. Grenell, however, never sought or obtained Senate confirmation for the acting DNI job, even though the chamber approved him for his concurrent role as U.S. ambassador to Germany. Buttigieg, therefore, will have the distinction of being the first openly gay person confirmed by the Senate for a Cabinet-level position, provided he gets Senate confirmation. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), who supported Buttigieg during the Democratic primary, hailed news the former candidate was

selected to become transportation secretary as “a brilliant and historic appointment.” “President-elect Joe Biden has again shown his commitment to diversity and made history with the first-ever nomination of an openly gay American to lead a Cabinet department,” Beyer said. “As Secretary Foxx and others have demonstrated previously, local elected leaders understand transportation from the most important perspective: that last mile to your home or business. Pete Buttigieg’s leadership and work to spark investment helped bring about a renaissance in South Bend.”

Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association.

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Three South Florida DECEMBER Counties: 15 DECEMBER 9 THROUGH December 9 through December 15

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120,166 1,768

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72,708

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1,756 117,525

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262,298

260,138

257,857

4,005

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Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 casesdeaths from 12/09 12/15 Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 from to 12/09 to 12/15 PalmPalm Beach 4.6%,2.3%, Broward 4.4%,1.7%, and Miami DadeDade 5.3% 1.9% Beach Broward and Miami 249,043

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL

BY ELLIOT RODRIGUEZ

GAY VINE THE

KEEP UP WITH THE CELEBRITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY

CELEBRITY

MUSIC

SAY IT AIN’T SO!

PRONOUN MISHAP!

SHAWN MENDES APOLOGIZES TO SAM SMITH

ELLEN HAS COVID-19

Ellen DeGeneres tested positive for COVID-19. She tweeted on Dec. 10, saying “Hi everyone, I want to let you all know that I tested positive for COVID-19. Fortunately, I’m feeling fine right now.” The 62-year-old has had to shut down her talk show until January, according to NPR. This year hasn’t been all cookies and cream for DeGeneres, NPR said that back in August, three senior producers had to resign from their position. They were accused of making the show a hostile environment. Since the recent halt in production for the “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” the show has been implementing COVID-19 safety protocols in order to make a safe

Ellen DeGeneres. Photo via Facebook.

environment for staff, a Telepictures spokesperson told CNN.

Famous singer, Shawn Mendes, used the wrong pronouns for Sam Smith at the 2020 IHeartRadio Jingle Ball show on Dec. 10, according to eonline.com. While introducing Smith, who identifies as non-binary/genderqueer, Mendes referred to Smith as “he” instead of “they.” Smith officially changed their pronouns September of 2019, tweeting, “Today is a good day so here goes. I’ve decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM after a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out…” After the incident, Mendes apologized to Smith on Instagram on Dec. 12. Mendes said, “Oh @samsmith I’m so

Shawn Mendes (left) and Sam Smith. Photos via Facebook.

sorry for referring [sic] to you as a ‘he’ for your jingle ball introduction.” Smith accepted the apology saying, “We’re all learning together” along with two hearts. The 28-year-old star added, “Happy holidays, all my love xx.,” according to eonline.com.

FILM

HOLY LESBIAN!

XOCHITL GOMEZ TO PLAY LESBIAN LATIN TEEN SUPERHERO Xochitl Gomez, star of the “Baby-Sitters Club,” will play the role of Latin lesbian teen Superhero America Chavez, according to Out magazine. The superhero will be in Doctor Strange’s new film “Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness,” which is set to make its appearance on the big screen on March 25, 2022. America Chavez, also known as Miss America in the film, has quickly become a superhero favorite. Out magazine wrote, “Chavez rose to popularity as a part of the Young Avengers team of teen superheroes, before later starring in her own comic series by Gabby Rivera. She’s long been a fan

• 12.17.2020

favorite, especially among queer people and Latinx fans.” The character is from another planet but was adopted and raised by a Puerto Rican family from the Bronx. Her superpowers include durability, speed, flight, superhuman strength as well as the power to create interdimensional portals. Marvel continues to add LGBT superheroes to its universe, which also includes “Phastos, a gay member of the Eternals played by Brian Tyree Henry with his husband played by Haaz Sleiman,” according to Out. America Chavez was originally created by Joe Casey and Nick Dragotta, TheWarp.com

reported. She made her debut in 2011 on a comic series called “Vengeance.” However, where America Chavez really rose up in the superhero ranks, was from the “Young Avengers” series, according to TheWarp. com. Raised by her two mothers, America Chavez grew up in a place called the Utopian Parallel, which does not exist in reality. “When America was a young child, her home was threatened by destruction, so her mothers sacrificed themselves in order to save it. In her grief, America created an interdimensional portal so she could escape her home realm,” according to TheWarp. com.

Xochitl Gomez. Photo via Instagram.

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he Democratic party is turning to a Alphonso David, president of the Human gay man to protect its advantage in Rights Campaign, called Maloney’s election Congress. an important milestone. New York Congressman Sean Patrick “With Congressman Maloney in Maloney was tapped by colleagues to chair leadership, LGBTQ people across the country the Democratic Congressional will have a seat at the table & a Campaign Committee. strong advocate to fight for us “NOW, IT’S TIME & make progress on key issues Maloney, 54, becomes the first openly LGBT person to chair of equality,” David tweeted. FOR HOUSE the D-Triple-C. One of Maloney’s early DEMOCRATS “I’m honored and humbled to promises is scrapping the earn the trust of my colleagues DCCC’s blacklist policy, TO UNITE AND to lead the @DCCC at this which banned consultants GO FORWARD pivotal moment in history,” and vendors running TOGETHER. WE Maloney tweeted. “Now, it’s primary campaigns against time for House Democrats to incumbent Democrats. The NEED A UNITED unite and go forward together. policy was put in place by FRONT TO WIN We need a united front to win Maloney’s predecessor, Illinois IN 2022.” in 2022.” Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. Democrats hold a slim Local Notes: Gay Fort - Sean Patrick 222-211 edge in the House as Lauderdale realtor Alfredo Maloney NEW YORK Republicans picked up 10 seats Olvera lost his bid for chair of CONGRESSMAN in the 2020 general election. the Broward Dems on Sunday. Maloney, a member of the Party leaders went with Rick Problem Solvers Caucus, has represented Hoye, a Black man, union organizer and New York’s 18th congressional district — Michigan native. Ken Evans, a gay man and the suburbs north of New York City — since Lauderdale-by-the-Sea resident, was elected 2013. He is married and the father of three to his third term as Broward Dems state adopted children. committeeman.

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LEO HEDLUND, 28, WAS READY TO RUN LIKE THE WIND, BUT A SORE HAMSTRING KEPT HIM FROM BEATING HIS PERSONAL BEST IN THE NIGHT RUNNERS WPB’S VIRTUAL PRIDE 5K THAT TOOK PLACE DEC. 4-6. BUT REGARDLESS HE STILL HAD FUN, AND IT WAS FOR A GOOD CAUSE — THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS RAISED FROM THE EVENT WILL GO COMPASS’ YOUTH PROGRAMS. “My goal was under 20 minutes,” Hedlund said. He ended up finishing with 21:06. A 5K is 3.1 miles. While he may not have hit his goal, he did well enough to come in sixth place out of the 77 competitors that logged their results online. The LGBT running group was in the middle of organizing a live race that would have taken place during Compass’ Pride weekend back in March. The LGBT community center’s pride events, along with the 5K, had to be scrapped because of the shutdowns. “I am glad we’re a resilient group and we’re able to change plans and change stuff as needed. It was still pretty fun,” Hedlund said. “I’m always grateful for the running group. They’ve been such a great group of people to surround myself with.” He ran the 5K with a handful of friends using a route through downtown West Palm Beach similar to the ones the group used to follow during their twice weekly meetups on Monday and Thursday evenings. Since the pandemic began the group has been holding virtual runs each week with members now submitting sweaty selfies for Instagram collages. Oh and by the way, Hedlund did get under 20 minutes a few months ago in another virtual 5K — before he hurt his leg. He said he’s grateful for these virtual events but said nothing can replicate the energy of a live race and he can’t wait for those to return. “The energy is so much different. You can’t really replicate crossing the finish line in a live race,” he said. “All those people cheering you on and giving you that energy. You’re so excited. The end is right there. You can see it. At that point you’re racing to beat the clock instead of somebody else.” So far the virtual Pride 5K has raised over $9,000 toward the $10,000 goal for Compass youth programs and HIV services. The group is still accepting donations at NightRunnersWPB.com/Donate.

A throwback to a gathering of Night Runners WPB in March. Photo via Facebook.

“The enthusiasm was in the air all weekend while photos trickled in from local and out of state participants with Pride 5K shirts and medals,” said Rudolph R. Galindo, president of Night Runners. “From packet pick up through the end of the weekend. There was so much support and gratitude for this monumental virtual Pride event during a pandemic.” In the end 261 people registered for the event. Julie Seaver, executive director of Compass also participated in the virtual event. “While many folks continued to stay fit during the pandemic, some of us did not. I was one of the ‘did nots’ so I really struggled during the Virtual 5K,” she confessed. She came in 70th place with a time of 54:08. “With the stress of pandemic, and being in crisis mode for months, I just didn’t have it in me to stick with it on my own.” But regardless she stuck it out and finished the race. For that she’s proud. “The beauty of the Night Runners is that no matter what your ability is — run, walk, or jog — they inspire you to get up and move anyway,” she said. “Whether it’s day one, day 301, or day one all over again — you’re always welcome in this group and they will always cheer for you. You don’t have to be a runner, or even a fast paced walker, to be a part of the Night Runners — you just have to show up.” As for Hedlund he’s already set himself a new goal — running a marathon. That’s 26 miles. Over the summer he attempted a halfmarathon on his own. “It took two and a half hours. I had to walk a lot, but I felt accomplished,” he said. “It makes me want to train even harder.”

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Deb Price. Screen Shot via This Gay Life.

FIRST NATIONALLY SYNDICATED LGBT COLUMNIST DIES David Taffet Dallas Voice

eb Price, 62, who wrote for the Detroit local chapter of GLAAD at the time, asked News and became the first nationally when the newspaper would pick up Price’s syndicated columnist writing on column. They never did, but announced at LGBT issues, has died. the time they would appoint Frank Trejo as Her column began in 1992 and ran for 18 a liaison to the LGBT community. years. Before going to work for the Detroit News In her first column, she asked readers in 1989, Price worked at the Washington for help in how to refer to her Post. In 2003, when she and partner, Joyce Murdoch. At Joyce married, theirs was the PRICE’S WRITING the time, it was something first same-sex wedding that the INTRODUCED the LGBT community was newspaper ever ran. struggling with. “Lover” was the In 1995, she compiled a EVERYDAY GAY dated term, “partner” had not collection of her columns into AND LESBIAN LIFE yet been adopted, and it was a best-selling book called “And TO MAINSTREAM more than 10 years before the Say Hi To Joyce.” The title came AMERICA AND WAS first state would legalize samefrom a line Price heard regularly MORE ABOUT HOW sex marriage. when she appeared alone. As LGBT PEOPLE’S LIVES Price’s writing introduced popular as Price was, her wife ARE LIKE STRAIGHT everyday gay and lesbian life to became equally beloved in the mainstream America and was LGBT community and among PEOPLE’S LIVES more about how LGBT people’s her straight fans. In June of RATHER THAN HOW lives are like straight people’s that year, Price and Murdoch WE’RE DIFFERENT. lives rather than how we’re appeared at Crossroads Market different. on Cedar Springs Road to talk Her popularity crossed political lines. In about the book. 2003, Price was the keynote speaker at Log Following a Harvard fellowship in 2011, Cabin Republicans Dallas Seventh Annual the couple moved to Hong Kong where Grand Ol’ Party. Murdoch got an academic appointment. In 1993, at a Dallas Gay and Lesbian Price began writing for the Asian Wall Street Alliance meeting with editors of the Dallas Journal. Murdoch said Price died on Nov. 20 Morning News, Cece Cox, who chaired a of autoimmune lung disease. Dallas Voice courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association.

• 12.17.2020

WMG Volume 7 • Issue 27 December 17, 2020

Wilton Manors Gazette FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WMGAZETTE

COMMUNITY

Wilton Manors to Join Amicus Brief Defending Bans on Conversion Therapy

Former Candidates Must Spend Unused Campaign Cash

By John McDonald

Photo via the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.

Wilton Manors intends to keep its ban on conversion therapy. Commissioners voted unanimously last week to join the City of Miami Beach and other Florida municipalities in a legal battle to keep the local bans on conversion therapy in place. Commissioner Gary Resnick brought up the issue near the end of Tuesday evening’s commission meeting. Resnick said he was approached by SAVE to sign an amicus brief asking for a rehearing of the ordinance that bans licensed medical providers from practicing conversion therapy on a child. City attorney Kerry Ezrol said there would be no cost to the city to join the amicus brief and that Miami Beach attorney Rob Rosenwald would take the lead in the case. “We have joined in other amicus brief situations with him where they do the work, we have a limited involvement and

it’s worked very smoothly,” Ezrol said. On Nov. 20 a three-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled Boca Raton and Palm Beach County’s bans on conversion therapy were unconstitutional. The panel ruled the bans violated the First Amendment’s right to free speech. On Friday Palm Beach County and Boca Raton officially challenged the court’s ruling. The petition is calling for an en banc review, which means all 12 judges of the 11th Circuit would hear the case. Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Góngora called the decision legally and morally wrong. “There is no First Amendment right to practice junk science on LGBT minors,” Góngora said, adding the decision “should be reversed before anyone else is harmed by this scientifically rejected practice.” WMG

Some will be donated to charities, local community projects By John McDonald There are post election decisions to be made. Candidates from the 2020 Wilton Manors municipal election have until February to file their final campaign treasurer report. City Clerk Faith Lombardo said candidates must show how they dispersed surplus funds in their termination report, per state rules. Candidates can use any remaining money to pay staff, loans, debt, close offices, purchase thank you advertising or donate to charities. The termination report is due 75 days after the election. According to the most recent campaign treasurer reports ending Oct. 29 all Wilton Manors candidates were running profitable campaigns. Former Commissioner Julie Carson had $8,999.99 in her campaign account for Mayor. Carson said she is donating all of her surplus funds to charity and has already given to Equality Florida and the Pride Center. “I am committed to donating to the Sculptures on the Drive project; and probably the balance to organizations based in helping Wilton Manors prosper,” Carson said, adding she has about $800 left with “no plans this week for another campaign.” Newly elected Mayor Scott Newton is showing a balance of $4,768.40 in his last campaign treasurer report and challenger Josie Smith Malave had $413.99 on hand. In the commission race, newly

Newly elected Mayor Scott Newton being sworn in. Photo via the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.

elected Commissioner Mike Bracchi had $4,435.58 followed by Doug Blevins $3,730.65, newly elected Commissioner Chris Caputo $2,535.77, Jason Basilico $2,390.69, Joe Sansome $2,147.60 and Juan Melecio $43.08. Bracchi said he had yet to make a decision where his surplus funds would go, while Blevins said he is giving his remaining campaign balance to the Wilton Drive Improvement District’s tree project. “I’ve got about $2,000 left and it will go to the Drive’s tree project,” Blevins said. “I also plan on running for office again.” Blevins, a realtor and vice chairman of the WDID, came in third in the six person commission race, receiving 2,230 votes for nearly 20 percent of the vote. WMG

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12 .17. 20 20 •

OPINION

Increased Density Will Make Life Better in Wilton Manors

December 17, 2020 • Volume 7 • Issue 27 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

By Sal Torre  Like it or not, the crowds will return... Will Wilton Manors be ready? Photo via Adobe.

One would like to hear that COVID is in the decline, that life is returning to our normal crazy pace and that all can go out and enjoy the holiday season. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Hospital beds continue to fill up, new closings announced across the country, and holiday merriment will need to be kept at a minimum this year. All this dire news has still not kept the holiday spirit from sweeping us up and enjoying good times with our family and close friends. Many this year are volunteering and donating to help the many in our community in need of assistance, finding themselves struggling through these tough times. Speaking of the holiday magic, our Island City has two new very talented and professional City Commissioners — Chris Caputo and Mike Bracchi. At this past Tuesday’s city commission meeting we got a good indication of how effective these two will be in leading our city. Both exhibited a unique quality amongst elected officials — the ability to publicly admit when you made a mistake, that you have listened and learned, and able to move in a different direction that is best for the city. Bravo to you both. When the two were reminded of their responses to a density question during the campaign to be totally different from what they were currently advocating — both were quick to respond to the accusations. Much credit to you both for defending your current position and demonstrating your ability to make the necessary decisions based on professional advice from city staff, your advisory boards, and the community. The density issue is of enormous importance for the future of our city. We are talking about only a few possible sites large enough in our city that will be needed to be developed in the most optimum way to benefit us all. This does not mean tall buildings and canyon effects along our streets. This does not mean the destruction of our single-family neighborhoods. This means having the ability to bring in

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

Editorial

Art Director • Brendon Lies artwork@sfgn.com News Editor • John McDonald

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Christiana Lilly• Sal Torre • James Oaksun

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Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs. MEMBER

THE DENSITY ISSUE IS OF ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY.

MEMBER

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reputable developers who can create something that will be a wonderful asset for our community for many years. Unfortunately, we still have many who continue to put roadblocks up every time we have this discussion on needed growth and development issues. This half in, half out, approach has not done much for our city over the last 10 to 12 years. Andrews Avenue and Oakland Park were not just discovered yesterday as an economic growth opportunity. Residents have been pushing the city to act for years. However, as much as some of our city commission believe that they have done over the years — no substantial changes have been done

to this vital corridor of our city. Missed opportunities fill the trash bins of many planners and city staff’s desks. Instead of attracting the proper resources necessary to guarantee a project’s success we accept mediocrity and second rate. Instead of seeing first-class development we have an empty gas station sitting vacant on Andrews Avenue for years now. This was part of properties purchased along with the Wilton House Apartment complex. No great plans for this property — no interest in the appearance and vagrancy to the surrounding community. Just an eyesore that reminds us everyday of what happens when you do not do things properly. Instead of attracting a valuable partner in our community, we have properties sitting vacant, unused, and an eyesore to the community. WMG

MEMBER

The Brightline train travels right through the heart of Wilton Manors. If you’re interested in riding, head to downtown Fort Lauderdale in order to board. Photo credit: Brendon Lies.

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• 12.17.2020

2 •

December 17, 2020

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

NEWS

The Future of Wilton Manors is Bright By Chris Caputo With the recent cold front, you might not have noticed Wilton Manors is once again hot. I must admit, like many Wilton Manors residents, I’ve looked with a mix of admiration and jealousy at all the progress being made in our sister city of Oakland Park. Oakland Park’s elected officials and city staff, with help of their CRA and the private sector, have changed both the face and the future of Oakland Park in recent years. Every time I learned of another Wilton Manors resident deciding to relocate to Oakland Park, I felt equal parts sadness and understanding regarding their decision. I love Oakland Park, and I’m happy for its success, while also disappointed at the apathy and stagnation we’ve experienced here in Wilton Manors. It is with great confidence that I can say, once again, Wilton Manors’ future is bright. Let me share with you a few examples that might have gone unnoticed: ● The city has finally hired an Economic Development Manager. Kimberley Allonce comes with tremendously relevant experience and education. Kim’s role will involve promoting the city as an attractive place for businesses to relocate, collaborating with city departments to streamline the development process, encouraging mixed-used redevelopment of our commercial corridors, and improving quality of life for our residents. ● The city has demonstrated a willingness to be flexible and take a common-sense approach to issues facing our business community. With the safety of our residents during the COVID-19 pandemic remaining a top priority, the city worked together with business owners to provide temporary solutions for outdoor dining along Wilton Drive. While these are temporary at the moment — and made possible thanks to FDOT taking a supportive stance and local executive orders — more permanent solutions are in the pipeline. I have asked city staff to put forth recommendations on ways we can continue to allow outdoor dining after the expiration of the temporary executive orders. We expect to discuss their ideas during an upcoming commission meeting. ● Quality of life issues remain on the forefront of our city staff and residents. In our last commission meeting, the city clearly articulated their plan for addressing infrastructure and flooding concerns, demonstrating the level of oversight and long-term planning we would expect from a top-tier city of our size. During that same meeting, efforts of our engaged community were highlighted including the late Mayor Justin Flippen’s student art contest and the unveiling of new public art along Wilton Drive. ● Critical updates to our development comprehensive plan, land use and zoning are in progress and well-

Photo via the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.

Wilton Manors Approves Increased Density Plan With 3-2 Vote

Chris Caputo. Photo via Facebook.

supported. Our Planning & Zoning Board, which is composed of residents of Wilton Manors, unanimously supported an increase of our residential density to 100 units per acre along our Transit-Oriented Corridors (TOCs) and in our Wilton Drive Arts & Entertainment District. In a 3-to-2 vote, Michael Bracchi, Paul Rolli and myself voted in favor of 100 units per acre. It is important to note that the proposed 100 units per acre will undergo a second reading and could potentially be reduced. Thankfully, over 25 members of our community submitted public comments supporting the new residential density (in the TOCs and A&E district) and less than a handful argued against the proposal.

I am optimistic about the future of our city. Our public sector, private sector and residents can and should continue to work together to solidify our shared vision for Wilton Manors’ future. Together, we can ensure a prosperous community filled with happy, proud residents and business owners. This future, however, is contingent on residents continuing to get involved and be advocates for the change we want to see in our community. Thank you for being a part of the change you want to see in our city. WMG Chris Caputo is a city commissioner in Wilton Manors and chief strategist at Development Partners, a tech startup. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. Chris was awarded Best LGBT Activist in SFGN’s 2020 Best Of Survey and is a past recipient of Our Fund’s Next Generation Philanthropist award. Letters to the Editor can be emailed to jason. Parsley@sfgn.com

By John McDonald acre is best to begin the conversation with Call it a baby step in planning. At Tuesday night’s city commission consideration to come on height, form, micromeeting, Wilton Manors commissioners units and other variables. Commissioner Gary Resnick and newly approved an amended ordinance for future land use. The ordinance leaves much to be elected Mayor Scott Newton voted against the desired, passing on its first reading on a 3-2 “friendly amendment” proposed by Caputo which increased density. vote. “This is a small town city … it still is,” “More analysis needs to be done,” said Vice Newton said. “I’ve talked to a Mayor Paul Rolli in a telephone lot of people in this city and call to the Gazette on Wednesday. they want that small town “It’s very difficult to make a feel. They want development. decision in a vacuum. I want to I want development, but it’s see the data on affordability and all about where is that smart tax assessments and then we development?” need to articulate a vision for the city and what we are working for Resnick, the lone because this will change the face commissioner participating of Wilton Manors forever.” remotely, asked planning Zoning requirements will consultant James Hickey for the likely come into play on the city’s height limit. Hickey said the ordinance’s second reading as limit was eight stories. - Paul Rolli commissioners grapple with the “How smart is going eight VICE MAYOR city’s comprehensive plan. Rolli stories in our city?” Newton said. voted in favor of the amendment “There is only one building in our to the land use ordinance, joining newly city that is eight stories. I think eight stories is elected Commissioners Mike Bracchi and too high if we are going to stay in a small town Chris Caputo in the majority. The amendment community.” raised the limit on residential development Bracchi, who lives in Wilton Station, said from 25 to 100 units per acre. he didn’t know if adding a few more residents The ordinance pertains to the city’s per acre would negatively affect the city’s transit-oriented corridor west (TOC-W) and small town charm. Wilton Drive arts and entertainment district. “I personally find living in Wilton Station The districts include parts of Northeast 26th such a great, warm welcoming charm there, I Str., Andrews Ave. and Oakland Park Blvd. know most of my neighbors, we walk our dogs Caputo said starting at 100 units per together,” Bracchi said. WMG

“IT’S VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE A DECISION IN A VACUUM.”

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December 17, 2020

12 .17. 20 20 •

NEWS

BUSINESS

COVID Vaccine Arrives As Florida Cases Spike Wilton Tops 500

Shop Local Some ideas on how to keep your dollars in the community

By John McDonald As the first vaccines for the novel coronavirus were administered Monday, Florida reached a grim milestone in cases and deaths. More than 20,000 Floridians have died from the virus, according to data released by the state on Monday. The Florida Department of Health reported 8,542 new infections bringing the state’s total to 1,134,383. Meanwhile 540 cases have been reported in Wilton Manors: 20 new cases in the last week, and 146 in the last 30 days. The cases in Oakland Park are up to 1,664: 57 new ones in the last week, and 298 in the last 30 days. “Broward County — like most of the U.S. — saw a rapid rise in new COVID-19 cases following the holidays. With so many Americans attending holiday parties, we can expect to see this trend continue, unfortunately,” said Chris Caputo, a recently elected Wilton Manors city commissioner. “While a vaccine is finally a reality, we will have a way to go before things return to normal. I urge all of our residents to observe physical distancing, wear a mask, wash their hands regularly [we have sanitation stations along the drive] and avoid contact with others if you are experiencing any symptoms.” Gov. Ron DeSantis’s plan calls for 179,400 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be sent to hospitals and pharmacies. Frontline health care workers, residents and caretakers at skilled nursing facilities are expected to receive the first immunizations, which consists of two inoculations, three weeks apart. “I am optimistic about the rollout of the vaccine but urge everyone to remain vigilant in protecting themselves and preventing the spread of the virus,” said Wilton Manors Vice Mayor Paul Rolli. “It will be a few months before it is available to the entire community, meaning we must continue social distancing and wearing masks. If we are truly going to get through this together, we must each be responsible to play our part.” DeSantis has been heavily criticized for his handling of the pandemic. He has refused to issue a statewide mask order, while declining to close businesses and set social distancing procedures. Added to the deadly mix is a recent raid on the home of the former chief COVID data scientist which has raised concerns of information suppression. Nikki Fried, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, tweeted DeSantis’s “failed leadership is a tragedy Florida has had to endure.” Closer to home, a source in the Wilton

By Damon Scott There are fewer holiday work parties and family gatherings this year, so you may have had less than usual face time with candy, cakes, cookies, beer and the like. Your friends and relatives are probably in the same boat. So it’s time to indulge a bit. We’ve highlighted a few unique options designed to satisfy your own cravings and spark ideas for carb-related gifts for others this holiday season.

Photo via Pixabay.

Manors code enforcement department told SFGN enforcing CDC guidelines has been difficult due largely in part to the state’s indifferent approach. The source, who declined to speak on the record, said the majority of complaints involve noncompliance with mask-wearing and social distancing. A dashboard set up by Broward County shows 52 COVID warnings and seven citations have been issued in Wilton Manors. Meanwhile local businesses are still struggling. Bona Italian Restaurant is down between 4060% from last year. The restaurant has spent the money it received from the Paycheck Protection Program and is now relying on a small business administration loan to stay afloat. “We have lost money every week since the pandemic shut us down in March. We hate looking at the year over year numbers,” said Coowner Glen Weinzimer. “After 42 years on the drive, and four years in our stewardship, we are determined to survive and end up better for it.” Even though things have been challenging Weinzimer still looks for the positive. “As a result of COVID-19 we had the time to look at how we do business and make adjustments. We now prepare smaller batches of food like sauces and soups which means a higher quality product that will continue on,” he said. In addition they worked with the city to have outdoor dining around the large windows on the street. Despite the obstacles Bona has faced he’s continued to hold his weekly givebacks Monday evenings for local non-profits. “We believe the community has been so supportive during the pandemic that we need to continue to do what we can to show appreciation,” he said. “Bona Italian is looking forward to having 2020 in the rearview mirror. When it comes down to it, we have to see a silver lining and it is our hope with a new administration in January and the promise of the vaccine that brighter days lie ahead.” WMG

POND HOPPERS BRITISH FOODS Rob Brady has been operating his “all things Brit” retail store on the edge of Wilton Manors (by the Egg & You Diner) for 15 years. You may not have taken much notice unless you’re a British expat, but you should. Brady offers a lot of familiar items for those who are from England (he’s from Manchester) and miss some of the touches of home. But whether you are from across the pond or not, this is a place where you can find cool gift ideas for the holiday season. There’s a range of stocking stuffers and traditional Britain Christmas chocolates. He’s got festive gift baskets and gift boxes, too, starting at $50. Grab an extra Matthew Walker Luxury Cognac Christmas Pudding Twin Pack ($8.95) for yourself to smooth out those stressful shopping days. If you don’t feel like leaving the house, but still want to support a local business like Brady’s, you’re covered. He said online sales have “gone through the roof” during the pandemic and he gets to work a few hours early every day to pack and ship. Choose from his chocolates or the jams and spreads, cooking sauces, biscuit snacks and crackers, pickles and relishes, or a lineup of nonfood items as well. For more: 2629 N. Federal Hwy; 954-5669388; pondhoppers.net.

CRAFT BEER CELLAR After you’ve gone to Pond Hoppers, take short walk toward the Middle River and you’ll find yourself at Fort Lauderdale’s Craft Beer Cellar. Yes, you should enjoy the suds on tap while your there (one of nine available now is the Prickly Pear Zinger – a Berliner Weisse with Prickly Pear by Fort Lauderdale’s Tarpon

Photo via Pond Hoppers British Foods, Facebook.

River Brewing). You can sip it on the awesome waterside patio while considering who to gift beer to this year. Eddie Abralde is the local franchise owner of the Massachusetts-based national chain of specialty beer stores. He quietly opened with the help of his mother and wife in the summer of 2019. His to-go selection is extensive. The bottle shop has 200 rare craft beers to check out – including a Florida-themed section. Bottles are priced from $2.50 to $13 on average. For more: 2301 NE 26th St.; (954) 3686778; craftbeercellar.com.

PAC PASTRIES Still traveling a bit outside the box for holiday gift options, consider a trip to PAC Pastries on Wilton Drive. The vegan, natural, gluten free and organic bakery is a great place to grab a coffee and cinnamon roll (again, for yourself) while you decide on which specialty cookies, brownies or raw confections to give to those in your life. Six inch round cakes for $35 include Death by Chocolate, Very Vanilla w/Sprinkles, Strawberry Shortcake, Orange Creamsicle, Matcha and the Raw Blue Majik Cake for an extra $20. You can order custom cakes as well; call ahead or visit for details and availability. There’s a new holiday menu out now with Peppermint Coal cookies, pumpkin and pecan pies, DIY holiday cookies and Black Forest Cake. Note: PAC Pastries will be open on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) for last minute pickups and holiday treats in the case. For more: 2348 Wilton Drive; 954-5309783; @pacpastries on social media. WMG

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• 12.17.2020

4 •

December 17, 2020

100 Wilton Manors receives perfect score on annual LGBT inclusion list By Jason Parsley For the seventh year in a row Wilton Manors lands on top of the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index annual report. Wilton Manors City Commissioner Paul Rolli said other cities have reached out to them over the years to ask how they continue to earn perfect scores. “It’s simple — we create and implement policies and practices that promote equity and a safe environment for all who live in, work in, and visit Wilton Manors,” Rolli said. “I am so thankful that the Human Rights Campaign continues to recognize our leadership.” Cities receive points based on their laws, policies, benefits and services. Some of the areas scored include “Law

Enforcement” and “Municipal Services,” and “Leadership on LGBTQ Equality.” Wilton Manors received the most points available in each of those categories. This is the ninth annual municipal equality list HRC has compiled. Across the U.S. 94 cities earned perfect scores this year — up from 88 last year. Wilton Manors, known as Broward County’s “gayborhood,” is one of those top scorers. Chris Caputo, who was elected to the city commission just last month, is proud of the designation. “Our city’s laws and policies demonstrate our appreciation for diversity, including our support for transgenderinclusive healthcare benefits and our city contractor non-discrimination

HRC’S

COMMUNITY

MUNICIPAL EQUALITY ordinance,” he said. “We deserve the international reputation we’ve received for being a great place for LGBTQ+ individuals and families to call home.” Wilton Manors is home to several LGBT organizations including the Pride Center at Equality Park, SunServe and Latinos Salud. Overall seven cities in Florida received perfect scores. The others include Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Miami Beach. Next door Oakland Park received a 99. All of the ranked cities in South Florida improved their scores over last year, or their scores stayed the same. Digging deeper into the report shows that even among cities that achieved a perfect score there are potential areas for improvement. Beyond the 100 points, there are an additional 22 “flex” points that work like bonuses. So for instance cities that provide services to the transgender community receive two flex points. Only Wilton Manors in South Florida earned that bonus. However Wilton Manors did not receive any flex points for providing services to LGBT people experiencing homelessness. More than 500 cities across the country were included in the report this year. Twentyfour cities in Florida were included. “Residents and business owners in the City of Wilton Manors should be proud,” Caputo said. WMG

INDEX

CITY

2017

2018

2019

2020

CAPE CORAL

49

CORAL GABLES

59

75

91

DAYTONA

FORT LAUDERDALE



100

GAINESVILLE

96

94

95

HIALEAH

39

40

HOLLYWOOD

46

70

83

JACKSONVILLE

79

81

MIAMI

55

75

MIAMI BEACH

100

MIAMI SHORES

81

82

OAKLAND PARK

97

99

ORLANDO

100

PEMBROKE PINES

71

73

PORT ST. LUCIE

39

53

ST. PETERSBURG

100

TALLAHASSEE

100

99

TAMPA

100

WILTON MANORS

100

WEST PALM BEACH

100

Oakland Park Just Misses Perfect Score on Annual LGBT Inclusion List By Jason Parsley Oh so close. Oakland Park received a 99, just one point shy, of a perfect score on this year’s Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index report. “While we are quite proud of the raise in the score to a 99, we will continue to find every way possible to receive a perfect score of 100 by next year,” said Matthew Sparks, city commissioner of Oakland Park. The city received a 97 last year. Cities receive points based on their laws, policies, benefits and services. Some of the areas scored include “Law Enforcement” and “Municipal Services,” and “Leadership on LGBTQ Equality.” Oakland Park received

ALL OF THE RANKED CITIES IN SOUTH FLORIDA EITHER IMPROVED THEIR SCORES OVER LAST YEAR, OR THEY STAYED THE SAME.

30 



COMMUNITY

Photo via Adobe.

the most points available in each of those categories. This is the ninth annual municipal equality list HRC has compiled. Across the U.S. 94 cities earned perfect scores this year — up from 88 last year. Overall seven cities in Florida received perfect scores. They include Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Miami Beach and Wilton Manors. All of the ranked cities in South Florida either improved their scores over last year, or they stayed the same. Digging deeper into the report there are still some areas where Oakland Park can boost its score. For instance they could add transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits or single occupancy all-gender facilities. More than 500 cities across the country were included in the report this year. Twenty-four cities in Florida were included. “I am proud of the improvement from 2015 when our city scored just above 80, and 99 is not 100,” said Mayor Jane Bolin. “We will continue to strive for meaningful policies that protect and support the community.” WMG

5 •

December 17, 2020

12 .17. 20 20 •

COMMUNITY

The Forgotten ‘T’ Trans community will be included in diversity policy, says Wilton Manors commissioner By Christiana Lilly After being left out of a memo on diversity, the Wilton Manors City Commission intends to add gender identity and expression in a draft policy that will be presented in January, says Commissioner Chris Caputo. During the city’s Nov. 24 commission meeting, the Community Affairs Advisory Board (CAAB) presented a memo defining diversity and recruitment ideas to bring people with diverse voices and experience to the city’s boards. During public comments, former Vice Commissioner Julie Carson noted that the list did not include gender identity and expression. After much discussion, the commissioners voted unanimously to have staff draft a policy based on CAAB’s memo. “It will have gender identity and expression,” Caputo stressed in a call with SFGN on Wednesday. “It would not become a resolution without this language because it is a city standard.” The memo, crafted by CAAB as a part of the city’s diversity efforts, reads: “Diversity is a recognition of all those differences that make us unique, and includes, but is not limited to, race, color, ethnicity, language, nationality, sexual orientation, marital status, education, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, age and physical or mental ability. We recognize that individuals can affiliate as such in one or more ways. The goal is to create an environment by which any individual or group can feel welcomed, respected, supported and valued in order to fully participate.” When asked about the draft, Misty Eyez, a trans advocate and the director of women’s services, transgender services and training/ education services at SunServe, said she wasn’t surprised that gender identity and expression were left out. “The T is often forgotten, left out, and kicked to the curb,” she wrote in an email. “Yes, even within, and from, our brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ community.” However, Michael Sansevero, the chairman of the board, told SFGN that gender identity and expression were not included

Commissioner Chris Caputo shared that the draft policy will be presented in January. Photo via the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.

in the initial draft because “that seems to be parsing it into pieces.” “There’s a lot of things that aren’t included in the list that could be subsets. It seems to me that that still comes within gender diversity,” he explained. “It’s not an exhaustive list. It says ‘including but not limited to.’” He went on to add: “It clearly states that the policy informs people that all people are welcome, all people’s opinions are sought, including but not limited to all those groups. I guess the trans community is feeling left out a lot these days and I can identify with that, however, every single thing we do doesn’t have to have the word ‘trans’ or ‘gender identity’ to make them feel included. The main thing you don’t want to do is exclude anyone and the policy we adopted is not exclusive; it’s inclusive.” Sansevero then sent a text message about the definition of gender and “why a separate listing of gender identity is redundant.” Tony Lima, the COO of Arianna’s Center, said, “No it’s not. It’s not redundant at all.” “In a city like Wilton Manors, that prides itself on its LGBTQI diversity, there are no such things as givens,” he said. “It’s important to note that the most marginalized within our community are Black trans women and we need to protect Black trans women and we

Looking forward, Caputo also wanted to need to uplift their narrative. We need to be note that the city work will not be done even able to protect our community.” According to Rand Hoch, the president and after creating the policy. What’s more important, founder of Palm Beach County Human Rights he said, are the actions that the city takes after a Council, historically, many organizations resolution is created. That includes conducting grouped transgender people under “gender” outreach and making personal invitations to people to join the board, and one protections because it was seen of his goals is to resurrect Island to be easier to pass a law or City University, which provided ordinance that way. However, mentorship and training to people for more than a decade, his who are interested in being more organization has specifically involved with the city. named gender identity and “We’ve got to reach out to expression. our community and say ‘You’re “In my opinion — and important, you are a part of our PBCHRC’s — specifically community, you have not been excluding the terms ‘gender represented properly and I want to identity’ and ‘gender change that,” Caputo said. “How expression’is a disservice to the can I amplify your voice?’” trans community,” he said in an During the Nov. 24 meeting, email to SFGN. “They have been - Misty Eyez DIRECTOR OF WOMEN’S Sansevero noted that the board included in all of the laws and SERVICES, TRANSGENDER had made a list of different policies enacted and promulgated SERVICES AND TRAINING/ EDUCATION SERVICES, organizations throughout the city in Palm Beach County and in our SUNSERVE that they would reach out to about proposed legislation dating back board openings. Misty Eyez noted to the mid-2000s.” Arianna Lint, the CEO and founder of that the city has already reached out to her to Arianna’s Center, told SFGN in an email: “There invite transgender people to apply for positions are no if, and or buts about this.There is no in the city. “If you want diversity you have to do it a question that gender identity and expression different way,” Sansevero said. WMG should be included.”

“THE T IS OFTEN FORGOTTEN, LEFT OUT, AND KICKED TO THE CURB.”

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • www.WMGAZETTE.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 22

• 12.17.2020

6 •

December 17, 2020

CONVICTIONS

Editorial Cartoon

EDITORIAL CARTOON

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SERIES BIPOC

THE BUILDING BLOCKS ESTABLISHING A FOUNDATION FOR EQUITABLE, STABLE HOUSING IN MIAMI Carina Mask

iami Homes For All has a straightforward message: everyone deserves a home that is safe, stable, and affordable. They work tirelessly to prevent and end homelessness in Miami-Dade County. Audrey Arandas, assistant director of said. “The community may find themselves programs at Miami Homes For All, has lived priced out from where they grew up.” in Miami since 2003. A recent example of extreme gentrification “Growing up, from California to the is San Francisco and the Bay Area in California. Cayman Islands to here, I didn’t really have Due to the rise of tech companies in Silicon stable housing. My family or I was living with Valley and the close proximity to the Bay another family, for most of my childhood.” Area, land values and housing costs increased Miami is a vibrant and bustling city full of dramatically. Race and power have always character and culture. been tied to gentrification. The wealthiest “When we first moved here, [my family] and well-paid folks in San Francisco are white, moved into this tiny two-bedroom one and the people being displaced are Black and bathroom condo in Brickell. After a year Brown people. [of living there], I remember my parents “Revitalizing a neighborhood is centering stressed-out because the rent was raised a community’s values. When a community significantly,” Arandas said. “Then, my is revitalized successfully, they get to build parents shared that the their own vision and make it landlord said they were going sustainable,” Arandas said. “WHEN I STARTED to knock down the building Reinvigorating a community WORKING WITH so we couldn’t stay. We only without gentrification is MHFA, I REALIZED had a few months to try to possible through community find somewhere else we engagement and mobilization. HOW COMMON MY could afford. We didn’t have a Bringing more community STORY WAS — AND functioning car, my dad worked leaders actively engaged to the THAT’S NOT OKAY downtown, and I went to school table is key in order for them to FOR SUCH A VIBRANT in the area so we couldn’t move voice their concerns and those AND AMAZING too far.” actions are monumental for a healthy community. COMMUNITY.” GENTRIFICATION VERSUS “We moved a few blocks - Audrey Arandas REVITALIZATION away to another apartment. Our ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AT first month in that apartment, MIAMI HOMES FOR ALL Many housing advocates we were robbed. I remember define gentrification as a profitthe police doing a preliminary driven barrage of attacks on race and lower search and not doing anything afterwards. So, socioeconomic status. Abandoned buildings we were left with an almost empty apartment. and businesses which are foreclosed on or at We lived there for about two years when risk of eviction, places where property and the rent was raised again,” Arandas said. “I land prices are low, and the chance to make remember my parents not understanding large profit due to the influx of wealthy wage why the rent was raised so much since the earners that are willing to pay higher rents. building wasn’t well-maintained — we had to “When a community is gentrified, the update it ourselves most of the time. Looking wealthy displace low-income communities, at where my old apartments used to be now typically Brown or Black [folks],” Arandas stands these huge condominiums.”

• 12.17.2020

Audrey Arandas. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

Today Arandas draws upon her experiences growing up to try to make Miami a better place to live. “When I started working with MHFA, I realized how common my story was — and that’s not OK for such a vibrant and amazing community,” she said. “I’m so glad to work with a team that’s changing Miami for the better.” JIM CROW ERA IN MIAMI The humble beginnings of the metropolitan known as Miami are traced back to the early 1800s. Julia DeForest Tuttle was an American businesswoman, landowner and wealthy widow from Ohio who was able to befriend and convince Henry Flagler, the railroad tycoon, to expand his Florida East Coast

Railway down to Miami. On July 28, 1896, Miami was officially incorporated, with a population of just 300 people. There would be no Miami without African American labor. Bahamians and African Americans constituted 40% of the city population when it was originally founded. Less than 30 years later, the city of Coral Gables founded in 1925. Each neighborhood is so full of history, but there is a constant underlying issue in the Tri-county; there was this marriage of racial hierarchy and discriminatory housing practices that was rampant in the early 20 century and still exists. The Gables needed Black servants within relative proximity; thus, Overtown grew rapidly during the 1930s, consisting of rows of dilapidated, squalor homes packed tightly

SERIES BIPOC together. Living conditions were atrocious, and basic necessities were nonexistent. There was little running water to be found, no indoor plumbing, and the roads that run through the neighborhood were largely unpaved. While the rest of the Magic City enjoyed electricity, the dilapidated shacks were plunged into darkness every night. Fears of an outbreak of disease began to arise due to the overcrowding. The lack of sanitation created a perfect breeding ground for disease, which became a rising concern to Miami attorney, John Gramling. A not-entirely-altruistic Gramling voiced his opinion numerous times and wrote to the Public Works Administration on countless occasions. His writings were meant to inform them of the prevalence of tuberculosis in the Black neighborhoods. He once wrote, “From this cesspool of disease the White people of greater Miami draw their servants.”

“What I saw in Brickell, I saw happening in other communities. Fortunately, we have incredible organizations pushing to keep people in Overtown, Little Haiti, and Little River from being priced out of their homes.” Arandas said. “However, there is still a lot of community organizing and advocating to do — changing these neighborhoods’ landscapes to benefit the neighborhoods and keep their cultures.” A UNITED COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO HELPING OUR MIAMI-DADE YOUTH

The lack of stable and affordable housing was a rampant issue prior to COVID-19 in the Tri-County. With COVID-19 affecting marginalized and already vulnerable groups, it has brought many scarcities to light. The Helping Our Miami-Dade Youth, HOMY collective, is a cooperative effort of 100 organizations and agencies addressing youth homelessness in Miami-Dade. REVEREND CULMER AND “MHFA is the backbone of HOMY and LIBERTY CITY we bring young leaders, service providers, local government, and more to advocate Reverend John Culmer, a civic leader and and push for systems change to end youth minister from Saint Agnes Episcopal Church, homelessness. HOMY is a movement to rallied his community and spearheaded a focus on youth, change how we serve youth, campaign to improve the housing conditions and to create youth-friendly policies.” The and sanitation in Black Youth Voice Advisory Council is neighborhoods. a committee that is entirely made Community activism up of youth who have experienced and mobilization made homelessness and leads HOMY’s huge waves by pushing for strategies and next steps. community engagement. A It’s an extensive latticesubsequent media campaign work of support for youths and addressing the substandard created by youths, providing a living conditions in Overtown preventative approach rather than and Liberty Square, which is reactionary methodology, focused now known as Liberty City, on education, employment, and successfully led to the Liberty behavioral health care. Square Housing Project. “We’re about centering LGBTQ+ In 1934, construction of youth and youth of color as - Audrey Arandas the 753-unit public housing they are overrepresented in our ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AT complex began. Even though system,” Arandas said. MIAMI HOMES FOR ALL the government subsidized the rent in Liberty Square, it HOMY’s vast network provides mainly attracted middle-class Black families. support and services to youth and young Compared to other similar projects, it was still adults that are experiencing housing instability considered pricey for the neighborhood. or a vulnerable housing situation. Liberty City was nicknamed “Little Broadway of the South” because of the HOUSING INSECURITIES AND hundreds of Black-owned businesses lined THE LGBT COMMUNITY West Second Ave., hosting everything from a rich nightlife, a vibrant music scene, and Census of youth experiencing: community centers. homelessness, iCount Miami 2020: Post-World War II, in the 1940s and ‘50s, the city of Overtown was a refuge and 15% of youth identified as LGBT sanctuary for Black mainstream singers, poets 50% identified as Black or and writers. Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nat African-American King Cole, W.E.B. Du Bois were not allowed to stay at the Fontainebleau or Eden Roc on 42% identified as Hispanic/Latinx Miami Beach.

“... MANY OF OUR YOUTH WERE TOLD TO LEAVE HOME AFTER IDENTIFYING AS LGBTQ+.”

Audrey Arandas. Photo credit: Carina Mask.

The statistics for LGBT youth homelessness is daunting. “LGBTQ+ youth are more at-risk of experiencing homelessness. Nationally, up to 40% of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+,” Arandas said. “Locally, we know one of the major reasons why youth experience homelessness is because of family conflict — many of our youth were told to leave home after identifying as LGBTQ+. Sometimes, home isn’t the safest place for many of our young people, particularly, if they are LGBTQ+.” In a time of crisis, many funders have stepped up to support youths and families, and provided emergency funding in order to assist with rent and utilities. REPRESENTATION IS IMPORTANT; CHECKING ALL THE BOXES IN MIAMI “Miami is the melting pot of the U.S., it’s what the future will look like” is attached to every ad campaign trying to recruit people with diverse backgrounds to work in Miami.

However, looking at the statistics, there are less than 2% of Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in Miami. “As a Filipinx-American and being bisexual, it’s been interesting navigating across Miami-Dade,” Arandas said. “My experience may be different from others but what remains the same is this sense of otherness and microaggressive racism. Because I’m Brown, Asian, Hispanic, and Bi, each identity comes with its own weight.” Arandas continues, “My friends that are Black and LGBTQ+ have different experiences. Unfortunately, they are underrepresented and undervalued. In all that we do as a community, we must center their voices, their work, and their experiences.” Despite the political climate and racial reckoning that’s currently occurring in the United States, Arandas remains hopeful that this year will be one of great growth. She’s excited to see what other young leaders will step up to the forefront with more innovative ideas than ever before.

Read about more BIPOC leaders featured by SFGN at SFGN.com/bipoc.

12 .17. 20 20 •

CONVICTIONS

Jesse’s Journal

ACROSS THE GREAT DIVIDE

Full Charge Bookkeeping Services

Jesse Monteagudo

his is a troubling year for the American people. As the recent elections have shown, the United States of America are more divided than at any time since the Civil War. Both sides viewed the elections in apocalyptic terms, as if tyranny or anarchy will take over if our opponents prevail. Many of us feared that our country will descend into a second civil war, no matter which party wins. Families were divided and friendships were broken as both sides retreated to their corners, ready to fight. As a progressive Democrat who vehemently dislikes Donald Trump and all that he has done, I am obviously biased. But I try my best to maintain personal ties across the great divide. Unlike some of my friends who grew up as part of liberal families, I was raised in a conservative household. Like most Cuban American families, my folks came to this country to escape Cuban’s socialist revolution. I grew up in a community which feared social reforms or liberal programs as gateways to Communism. Many Cuban Americans, like many Venezuelan Americans or Nicaraguan Americans, are active and vocal Republicans and vote accordingly. True to form, most of my blood relatives are registered Republicans and avid Trump supporters. Despite (or perhaps because of) all this, as the rainbow sheep in my family, I forged my own path. Even so, I still maintain good relations with my relatives, though we agree to disagree. The same goes for some of my gay Cuban Americans friends with who I socialize. Though most of my friends and acquaintances are progressive Democrats, I still have ties with people whose political views are vastly different than mine. One of my oldest friends is Andy Eddy, with whom I

Photo via PxHere.

worked in the past and who remains active in Broward County’s Log Cabin Republican Club. Though I am shocked that the Log Cabin Clubs endorsed Trump, I still look forward to working with Eddy and other LCR members in pursuit of goals that we can agree on. In dealing with friends who happen to be Republican or conservative, I deal with them as friends and not as political enemies; and try to avoid politics whenever I am with them. Closer to home, my boyfriend Ron is a registered Libertarian; a fact of life that leads to some spirited discussions but is something that I can live with. Happily, when it comes to the general elections, Ron takes my advice and votes for the candidates that I recommend. Before the first American Civil War divided our nation, political parties collapsed, and religious denominations split between northern and southern branches (the Southern Baptist Church is an enduring example). Today’s Red America and Blue America are likewise divided in many ways, thanks to social media and our outgoing president. Though I remain true to my beliefs, I hope to remain friends with those who do not share my views.

Jesse Monteagudo is a freelance writer and journalist. He has been an active member of South Florida's LGBT community for more than four decades and has served in various community organizations.

• 12.17.2020

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Life can get complicated. Make it easier on yourself. This is what is required of you: Act justly Love mercy And walk humbly before your Creator (Micah 6:8)

Shabbat service Friday at 8pm on our Facebook Page

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

SOUTHFLORIDAGAYNEWS.COM

LISTINGS

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!

A LITTLE BIT OF FAITH AND

PRIDE

SFGN is here for you, no matter who — or what — keeps you going. Read our Spirituality Section to stay in touch with your local religious LGBT community. The only requirement? Be yourself.

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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 2917 NE 6th Avenue Wilton Manors 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

12 .17. 20 20 •

LIFESTYLE FOOD

SWEET TREATS ARE MADE OF CHEESE Rick Karlin

ne of the things I will miss most this holiday season are large holiday potlucks. Not just because I will miss seeing my family and friends, but because I will not get to enjoy those tasty holiday appetizers. I find my favorites have one thing in common, dairy. Not just any dairy — specifically, cheese! Is there any better food on the planet? To paraphrase the great Annie Lennox:

Sweet treats are made with cheese Who am I to dis a brie? Cheddar, Swiss, goat or feta cheese Everybody’s looking for stilton Some cheeses can be bleu, too Some cheeses can be Buchette d’Anjou Some cheeses can be cubed Some cheeses will be grated by you. Sweet treats are made of cheese Colby or chevre, if you please You can travel the world and the seven seas Everybody’s chewing on something Yes, cheese-based dishes are a favorite for holiday gatherings and, though we may not be able to get together this year, there’s no reason that you can’t make one of these delightful holiday treats for your little group (or just for yourself – it is the holidays after all!). They all use easily found ingredients, and pre-made short cuts make them simple enough to prepare that you don’t need a special occasion.

CRANBERRY BRIE TARTS

Prepared wonton wrappers make these a snap to make. INGREDIENTS 1 package wonton wrappers 1 stick melted butter 1 cup sugar 1 lb. brie, cut in 1” cubes 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce DIRECTIONS Pre-heat oven to 350°. Place sugar on a large, flat dish. Brush both sides of wonton wrapper with butter. Place one side of the buttered wonton wrapper on the sugar. Place wonton wrapper in a mini muffin tin, sugared side up (so

• 12.17.2020

the sugar is inside the cup formed, and the plain buttered side in contact with muffin tin). Place a cube of brie inside each cup formed by wonton. Bake for 4-5 minutes, or until cheese has melted to fill the bottom of the wonton cup. Top with one teaspoon cranberry sauce. Bake another 10 minutes or until wonton cups are golden brown. Allow to cool slightly, remove cups from tin and transfer to serving platter. Serve at room temperature.

Spanakopita.

Fried ravioli.

Cranberry brie.

SPANAKOPITA TARTLETS

Find filo cups in the frozen food section. INGREDIENTS 1 10-ounce package thawed frozen spinach souffle 1/2 cup crumbled feta 2 Tablespoons each chopped scallions and dill. 30 frozen mini phyllo cups DIRECTIONS Pre-heat oven to 400°. Mix thawed frozen spinach souffle with crumbled feta, chopped scallions and dill. Fill frozen mini phyllo shells with the mixture. Bake 15 minutes, or until fully set. Serve slightly warm.

CHEESY PIGS IN A BLANKET

A cheesy twist on an old favorite. INGREDIENTS 1 tube crescent-roll dough, 8-ounces into 4 rectangles. 1 package mini smokies (16 oz.) 4 oz. shredded cheddar or swiss 1 egg, beaten Honey mustard DIRECTIONS Pre-heat oven to 350°. Divide crescent-roll dough into eight triangles. Cut each triangle in half top to bottom, forming 16 triangles. Top each triangle with a pinch of shredded cheese. Wrap each triangle around a mini-smokie. Press edges of dough to seal. Brush with beaten egg. Bake at 350° until golden, 15-20 minutes. Serve with honey mustard for dipping sauce.

FRIED RAVIOLI

Frozen ravioli makes this dish a snap. INGREDIENTS Boiling, salted water 1 package (1 lb.) frozen cheese ravioli ½ cup each all-purpose and semolina flour

Cheesy pigs.

Bacon-wrapped figs. Courtesy photos.

Salt and pepper to taste ¼ cup Parmesan cheese Oil for frying Marinara sauce DIRECTIONS Mix equal parts all-purpose and semolina flour, set aside. Pour package of frozen ravioli into boiling salted water. Bring water back to boil. Drain ravioli immediately. Toss ravioli, in small batches in flour mixture. Place in oil, four or five ravioli at a time. Deep fry until golden brown (about 4-5 minutes). Remove from oil to drain on paper towel. Lightly sprinkle with a pinch of Parmesan, salt, and pepper immediately. Repeat with remaining ravioli. Warm marinara (home-made or store bought). Serve marinara alongside ravioli as a dipping sauce.

STUFFED FIGS WITH CANDIED BACON

The secret is par-cooking the bacon, so the figs don’t get greasy. INGREDIENTS 12 bacon strips ¼ cup packed brown sugar

HUNGRY FOR MORE? 

1 Tablespoons cocoa 1 teaspoon chile powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cumin 24 dried figs 8 oz. cup cream cheese, softened 1 Tablespoon dried chives DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375°. Mix cream cheese and chives until well-blended, chill. Cut bacon strips in half crosswise. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until partially cooked but not crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain. Cut a lengthwise slit down the center of each fig. Mix cream cheese with chives. Place cream cheese mixture in a zip lock plastic bag. Cut the tip off of the bag and pipe a teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into each fig. On a large plate, mix brown sugar, cocoa and spices. Dip one side of each bacon piece in sugar mixture. Wrap each fig with a bacon piece, sugar side out, secure with a toothpick. Transfer to a baking pan. (Lay so that the cut side of the fig is facing up.) Bake 12-15 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

VISIT SFGN.COM/FOOD!

Rick Karlin is SFGN’s food editor. Visit SFGN.com/Food to read his previous reviews. Have a culinary tip to share? Email Rick at RickKarlinFL@gmail.com.

12 .17. 20 20 â&#x20AC;¢

A&E ARTS

HEAD OUTDOORS FOR ARTSY HOLIDAY CHEER J.W. Arnold

rts venues may be closed or operating at minimal capacity due to the COVID-19 precautions, but that doesn’t mean you have to forego those treasured holiday traditions like the Nutcracker and symphony concerts. Local arts organizations and performers are taking their holiday activities outside in an effort to end 2020 with warm memories under South Florida skies: GEORGE BALANCHINE’S “THE NUTCRACKER IN THE PARK” Miami City Ballet is performing George Balanchine’s signature work under the stars in Downtown Doral Park, 8395 NW 53rd St. in Doral, Dec. 18 – 31. From socially-distanced pod on the lawn, audiences will be transported into the dream of a brave little girl named Marie and an enchanting world of Sugar Plum Fairies and dancing sweets. Reimagined for the outdoors, Tchaikovsky’s score will swell and all the iconic moments unfold through a combination of live performances and animation and video sequences on a giant screen. Tickets start at $120 for a four-person pod at MiamiCityBallet.org. SOUNDS OF THE SEASON AT DEZERLAND PARK On Saturday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m., the New World Symphony will be performing orchestral favorites in a drive-in style concert at Dezerland Park, 14401 N.E. 19th Ave. in North Miami. Chad Goodman and Dean Whiteside will conduct Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on “Greensleeves,” Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s suite from “The Nutcracker” and other familiar holiday tunes. Load up the car, tune the radio and enjoy the live performance on Dezerland’s 16x38 foot LED screen. After the concert, head inside for go-kart races, games and more. Tickets are $50 per vehicle at NWS.edu. HOLIDAY ARTISAN MARKET AT FLAMINGO GARDENS

COVID-19 has definitely put a damper on holiday shopping, unless you’re satisfied with the online experience. Flamingo Gardens,

• 12.17.2020

In response to social distancing requirements, Miami City Ballet has reimagined its annual “Nutcracker” production as an outdoors experience at Downtown Doral Park. Credit: Miami City Ballet.

3750 S. Flamingo Rd. in Davie, is hosting a holiday artisan market on Sundays, Dec. 20 and 27 from 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Located in the park’s entrance courtyard, the market features handcrafted jewelry, bags, pashminas and accessories, candles and soaps, carved wood items, suncatchers, organic fabric children’s clothing, gourmet vinegar sets, gourmet foods and more. Admission to the market is free and purchases include a coupon for discounted admission to the park. More information at FlamingoGardens.org. JINGLE JAZZ WITH JAMIE CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

Jazz pianist Jamie Lober will perform Christmas classics on Saturday, Dec. 26 at 2 p.m. at Royal Fiesta Event Center, 1680 S.E. 3rd Ct. in Deerfield Beach. Lober, who began studying piano as a young child at the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, is a regular performer at restaurants, bars, theaters and concert halls across South Florida and cites Whitney Houston, Ella Fitzgerald, Melissa Etheridge, Fleetwood Mac and Cher as her musical influences. Lober promises a fun afternoon of reinvented holiday classics enjoyed in the center’s scenic Intracoastal Waterway location. The concert is free, but due to social distancing guidelines, reservations are requested at MusicFromTheHeart305@gmail.com.

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f you don’t have plans this Friday or Saturday night, Dec. 18 and 19, 6-10 p.m., Ronnie Larsen’s theater troupe needs a live studio audience for the filming of “The Devil In Melania,” a new film that SFGN’s 2019 Entertainer of the Year is producing. “We are only filming the parts of the film with audience interaction, so our guests will be involved the whole time. Should be lots of fun! ” Larsen stated. “You’ll be on film laughing, applauding, commenting, raising your hands, etc. We need 25 people so if you are willing to join us Friday and/ or Saturday night and be part of our on-camera audience just let me know so we can make sure we have 25 people. We need it to be full. We would really love for you to be there,” said Larsen. It’s Friday and Saturday night, Dec. 18 and 19 at The Foundry in Wilton Manors on north Dixie Highway, from 6 - 10 p.m. Everyone who attends will be given a free ticket to a future show.

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John Knox Village is committed to compliance with all federal, state and local fair housing laws. It is our policy to offer senior living to those that qualify without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, or handicap. The employees of John Knox Village have a legal obligation to treat each individual in a consistent and equally fair manner. In order to assist you with your decision on your new home, we are providing a list of guidelines used to qualify residents for tenancy in our community. Please note that this is our current rental/ownership criteria; nothing contained in these requirements shall constitute a guarantee or representation by John Knox Village that all residents and occupants currently residing at the community have met these requirements. There may be residents and occupants that have resided the community prior to these requirements going into effect. Additionally, our ability to verify whether these requirements have been met is limited to the information we receive from various credit and screening services used.