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THE MYSTERY OF RYAN UHRE SOLVED • 7

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february 26, 2014 // vol. 5 // issue 9

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‘Disgusting’ Says Uganda President of Gays

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After signing an anti-homosexuality bill into law Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni called homosexuals “disgusting” in an interview with CNN. Museveni told CNN’s Zain Verjee in his view, being homosexual is unnatural and not a human right. “They’re disgusting. What sort of people are they?” he said. “I never knew what they were doing. I’ve been told recently that what they do is terrible. Disgusting. But I was ready to ignore that if there was proof that that’s how he is born, abnormal. But now the proof is not there.”

Museveni had commissioned a group of Uganda government scientists to study whether homosexuality is “learned,” concluding that it is a matter of choice. “I was regarding it as an inborn problem,” he said. “Genetic distortion -- that was my argument. But now our scientists have knocked this one out.” Attitudes against homosexuality are prevalent in Uganda. A 2013 report from Pew Research found that 96 percent of Ugandans believe society should not accept homosexuality.

SPLC Releases List of Hate Groups The Southern Poverty Law Center released its annual list of hate groups on Tuesday. Florida had 58 hate groups counted in SPLC’s “Year in Hate and Extremism” report. California led the report with 77 hate groups recognized. In total, SPLC identified 939 hate groups operating in the United States.

Mark Potok, a senior fellow at SPLC, said the number of anti-LGBT hate groups went up this year as public opinion continues to move in favor of same-sex marriage. Potok said the center is also monitoring the case in Seattle where a man was arrested for trying to burn down a popular gay bar.

Trans Referendum Won’t Make Cali Ballot A referendum to overturn a California law that gives transgender students protections including the right to use the public school restrooms of their choice will not appear on the November ballot after its backers failed to gather enough voter signatures to qualify the measure, the secretary of state said Monday. The law’s opponents were led by a coalition of religious conservative groups who said it

violates the privacy of youngsters who may be uncomfortable sharing facilities with classmates of the opposite biological sex. They needed at least 504,760 signatures to force a public vote on the statute approved by the California Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last year. They submitted 619,381, but county election officers found just 487,484 of them to be valid.

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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 © 2014 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

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News Briefs Compiled by John McDonald

ason Collins is now the first openly gay athlete to play in the NBA

ichigan Gay Marriage Ban Going to Trial

Michigan’s nearly decade-old ban on gay marriage is going to trial Tuesday, with two weeks set aside for testimony from experts about whether there’s a legitimate state interest in restricting marriage to a man and a woman. Same-sex couples poised for a favorable ruling last fall had lined up for marriage licenses across Michigan, only to be stunned when U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman said he wanted to hold a trial. Since then, judges in Utah, Oklahoma and Virginia have struck down bans on gay marriage. At least 17 states and the District of Columbia now allow it. In Michigan, two Detroit-area nurses are challenging the state’s ban, which was approved by 59 percent of voters in 2004. They sued in 2012 to try to overturn a law that bars them from adopting each other’s children, but the case was expanded at Friedman’s invitation to include same-sex marriage. “If marriage is a fundamental right, then logic and emerging Supreme Court precedent dictate that the legitimacy of two adults’ love for one another is the same in the eyes of the law regardless of sexual orientation,” attorneys for April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse said in a court filing last fall. They argue that Michigan’s constitutional amendment violates the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause, which forbids states from treating people differently under the law. The state attorney general’s office, meanwhile, is defending the 2004 election result. “Their attempt to circumvent the legislative process and disrupt the will of the people of the state of Michigan must be rejected,” the state said. On Monday, more than 30 pastors from

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Jason Collins heard his name called by Nets coach Jason Kidd early in the second quarter and headed to the scorer’s table to check in. When he walked onto the court in Los Angeles, Collins became the first openly gay athlete to play in one of the United States’ four major professional leagues. He understood the significance attached to his appearance in an NBA game, but he had a job to do. “It felt like, ‘I’ve done this thousands of times before,’” Collins said after Brooklyn’s 108-102 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night. “You go to the scorer’s table, you hear what the play’s going to be for the next offensive play and you go out there. Once you’re out on the court, it’s about basketball. It’s what I’ve been doing for almost three decades.” Collins entered the game with 10:28 left in the second quarter and the Nets leading 35-

Baptist churches and conservative Christian congregations around Michigan held a news conference to declare their support for the ban. They said family stability and the Bible demand marriage only between a man and a woman.

ave Dade Responds to Dolphins Case

Save Dade, Miami-Dade County’s leading organization dedicated to protecting people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) against discrimination, released the following statement in response to the recent bullying scandal involving the Miami Dolphins: “This weekend’s report from an N.F.L. investigator about the Miami Dolphins’ pattern of bullying and harassment is deeply concerning and alarming. While we cannot erase the past, we must work to ensure that these types of behavior are eradicated in all forms and every profession. SAVE hopes to partner with the Miami Dolphins to engage in a series of trainings and open dialogue on ways that we, as a community, can stand together to end discrimination and hate wherever we see it.” Tony Lima, CEO for Save Dade, said he is working closely with the Dolphins to help the team navigate issues of inclusion. Currently, there is no active N.F.L. player who is openly gay although that could change with the recent announcement by Michael Sam, the former Missouri defensive end and Southeastern Conference co-defensive player of the year. Sam competed Monday at the N.F.L. scouting combine in Indianapolis, where the Dolphins and other representatives from the league’s 32 teams gathered. In its 144-page report, the N.F.L. soflagaynews //

Brooklyn Gets First Gay Professional Athlete 26 after Nick Young made the first of his two free throws. The crowd welcomed him with a nice ovation when public address announcer Lawrence Tanter introduced him. “I thought it was great,” he said. “Being an L.A. kid, I can’t think of a better situation, playing for the Nets and playing here, and getting the win. I’m just glad Kobe and Shaq weren’t out there.” Collins signed a 10-day contract with the Nets earlier Sunday and played 10 scoreless minutes with two rebounds and five fouls. The 35-year-old center revealed at the end of last season he is gay, but he was a free agent with no team. Enter Brooklyn. The Nets, formerly known as the New Jersey Nets, are owned by billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov of Russia, where a law banning so-called gay “propaganda” was the subject of protests and controversy at the just-concluded Sochi Winter Games.

determined that Dolphins offensive lineman Jonathan Martin was subjected to “a pattern of harassment” which included racial and sexual taunts by three teammates.

arriage Advocates Announce Southern Strategy

Freedom to Marry, the campaign to win marriage nationwide is launching a $1 million multi-state campaign to build majority support for marriage in the South. The new effort, called Southerners for the Freedom to Marry, will include significant field and media work over the next year in partnership with supportive organizations across the region. Bipartisan co-chairs include civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), who kicked off the campaign in a web ad; U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA); and George W. Bush advisor Mark McKinnon from Texas. “Our investment in the South comes at a pivotal time in the marriage movement,” said Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry. “The South is home to hundreds of thousands of loving, committed same-sex couples – and to a majority of the nearly 50 federal marriage cases now underway in courts across the country.” Despite growing support in the South, Southern states continue to discriminate against the more than 200,000 couples and their families who make the region their home. According to 2010 Census Bureau data, same-sex couples raising children are more common in the South than in any other region of the country. A recent poll of registered Southern voters showed that support for the freedom to marry in the

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region is now evenly split. “As a conservative, I don’t believe you or I or the government can tell people who they can love or marry,” said McKinnon. “Freedom means freedom for everyone, not just for some. That’s why I’m a southerner for the freedom to marry. And the political reality is that the marriage wedge has lost its edge. This train has left the station and we all need to get onboard.”

oveon.org Starts Super Bowl Petition

Moveon.org, the progressive organization that seeks to use innovative technology to lead community change, has started an online petition to move the Super Bowl out of Arizona. The petition states: “In light of Arizona’s recent stance on legal discrimination against the LGBTQ Community, the NFL should take a stand and move the 2015 Super Bowl out of the State. As a non-profit for ‘working in the public good’ the National Football League has a duty to stand up for all citizens of these United States of America and should send a clear message to Arizona that discrimination is not OK by moving the 2015 Super Bowl. Super Bowl XLIX (49) is scheduled to be held in Glendale, Arizona in February of 2015. The last time the NFL’s big game was played in Arizona was 1996 when the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Tempe, Arizona. Arizona has drawn the ire of progressives after its state house of representatives and senate both passed legislation allowing businesses to refuse service to people under the guise of “religious freedom.” The state is also home to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals.

news highlight Arizona Embroiled in Controversy

Legislators pass ‘religious freedom’ bill John McDonald jeanmichelmcdonald@gmail.com

Glenn Gullickson says Arizona is a beautiful state and encourages people to visit. Managing editor at Echo Magazine, an LGBT publication covering Arizona for more than 25 years, Gullickson said there are a lot things to do for gay travelers visiting the desert southwest. “Phoenix is very welcoming,” Gullickson said. “There are a lot of gay bars in central Phoenix and downtown has an active arts and cultural scene.” However, politically, Arizona leans right and has been slow to embrace LGBT rights and protections. State legislators last week passed a bill that Gullickson said will allow businesses to discriminate against LGBT people on the basis of religion. The bill, SB 1062, passed the senate on a party-line vote with 17 Republicans voting in favor and 13 Democrats voting no. The bill passed the house on a 33-27 vote, but has not been signed into law by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Gullickson, like many small business

owners, worries that if it is, it could result in a “gay boycott” of Arizona. Such a boycott could directly affect the first of its kind, “Gay Days Arizona” event scheduled for May 8-12 at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa. Gay Days Arizona is a spinoff of the popular Gay Days Orlando brand, created in 1991 as a single designated day where participants were encouraged to wear red clothing in a show of pride. The brand has grown to be a major production, eagerly anticipated in Orlando and, more recently Las Vegas, where more than 30,000 people attended the 2012 event. Arizona is new ground and Gay Days organizers are hoping to strike gold — before a potential boycott — with several different levels of passes and access. To choose your Gay Days Arizona package, visit www. gaydaysaz.com. On Tuesday Brewer indicated that she would veto the bill.

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news bites

by John McDonald

Lesbian Singer Advances on ‘American Idol’

M.K. Nobilette, the first openly gay contestant on the hit television show ‘American Idol’ has made it into the “top 13.” Nobilette, 20, came in ninth in the voting and says reaction to her coming out as a lesbian has been overwhelmingly supportive. Nobilette sang “All of Me,” a John Legend song, during the semi-finals round against the top 10 girls. “If this is an indication of where our country is going, it’s about time,” said judge Harry Connick Jr. “I hope in 10 years we won’t even have to talk about this. It’s a big world, and everybody lives in it.” “American Idol” airs Wednesday and Thursday evenings on Fox.

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Lance Bass to Chair Mississippi Marriage Campaign

Lance Bass, memorable to most as a member of the boy band, ‘N Sync, has agreed to chair the Mississippi campaign for Freedom to Marry, the bipartisan organization working to bring full marriage support in the South. Born in Laurel, Mississippi, Bass was elected vice president of his junior class at Clinton High School. The 34-year-old singer and author came out as a gay man in 2006 in a cover story in People Magazine. Mississippi is traditionally one of the most culturally conservative states in the union. Voters in the state approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage as one man, one woman in 2004.

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Sam Has Disappointing Combine Showing

Former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam had an uninspiring performance at Monday’s NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. Sam, seeking to become the first openly gay football player drafted into the NFL, ran a slow 4.9 seconds in the 40-yard dash and has some observers wondering if he may be caught in between positions with his size (6-foot-2, 255 pounds.) Sam, the Southeastern Conference’s co-defensive player of the year, went through linebacker conversion drills at Monday’s combine. Scouts are now describing Sam as a mid-to-late round draft selection. The 2014 N.F.L. draft begins May 8.

Actress Sharon Gless Joins Florida Fight

Multiple Emmy and Golden Globe winner Sharon Gless has joined with Equality Florida Institute in its fight for marriage equality. A vocal advocate for LGBT rights, in 2013 Gless is known for her acting roles in “Cagney & Lacey” and “Queer As Folk.” In January, Equality Florida Institute joined with six couples in a lawsuit challenging the State of Florida’s ban on marriage equality. In recognition of her support, Equality Florida will be honoring Gless and the six plaintiff couples with the Voice for Equality Award at the organization’s Annual Miami Gala at the Pérez Art Museum on Sunday, March 16.

Mystery Solved

news local

Ryan Uhre dies from accidental fall Mike Clary Sun Sentinel

The body of the 23-yearold was found Feb. 18 not far from where he was last seen three weeks earlier, according to Tallahassee police. Uhre apparently fell from a second floor window inside a downtown building that had no second floor, according to Officer Scott Beck, a police spokesman. Beck said that the Leon County Medical Examiner indicated the injuries he sustained in the plunge were not survivable. “At this time, it is believed Mr. Uhre was alone when this terrible accident occurred but the final report will not be complete until all data is reviewed, including toxicology reports,” the police department said in a statement. Uhre, who had just begun working as a legislative intern for State Rep. Richard Stark, D-Weston, was a recent Florida State University graduate who had plans to go to law school, his family said. He was also a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School

in Fort Lauderdale. After he was reported missing on Feb. 7, family and friends handed out fliers bearing his photo in Tallahassee and South Florida and created a Facebook page, Find Ryan Uhre, that attracted more than 8,000 likes. Beck said that Uhre apparently climbed up to the second-floor window despite warning signs indicating the danger. He fell onto a concrete floor and likely died within minutes, said Beck. A memorial mass for Uhre was held Sunday at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Davie. He is survived by his father Michael Uhre, his mother Patricia Uhre, a brother, Alex, paternal grandmother Jane Uhre, maternal grandparents Ernest and Glenda Zappile, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, according to his family. Sun Sentinel is SFGN’s media partner.

letters to the editor

Readers Respond to Publisher’s Editorial About Ryan Uhre Dear Norm Kent, I have just read your article in SFGN regarding Ryan Uhre. It is a well-written and respectful editorial. I want to thank you for your words. I hope that an honest examination of and dialogue regarding this tragic event may help others, gay or straight, male or female, avoid such a fate. Thank you. • Edward F Mitzel Your article mentions nothing about why Grindr mattered. Surely police would have tried to geolocate his phone, without the need for Grindr to say how far away he is. How old are you? • Rich E

A reader’s response to Rich E... They’re not talking about using Grindr just to see how far away he is. Grindr could obviously be used to find out who he had been in contact with that night and previously. Had he set up a hook-up for that night? Did any of his past hookups know anything that could have helped out in the investigation? It’s obviously important here. It has nothing to do with age, so spare us the ignorant ageism at the end of your comment.

There are many factors that go into a family’s decision about what they do or do not publicly reveal in a missing persons case. We don’t know the reasons behind their decisions, and I think it’s impossible for those of us who aren’t involved to draw any meaningful conclusions from the family’s decision. Know this: the family loved (and still loves) Ryan fiercely. Kudos to the author, though, for handling this editorial sensitively and gently. • Heidi J.

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news feature

Winter Party Festival Kicks Off at Spark

Annual event promises to be hot Staff

Below is a guide to the first few events that kick off this year’s Winter Party. Check next week’s SFGN for a full listing of events and additional coverage. But start planning now because this year promises to be bigger and better than ever. Wednesday, March 5 7 to 9:30 p.m. • Spark! Welcome to Winter Party! Join the festivities at the hotel rooftop for a red carpet cocktail party. Suggested donation $10 to The Gay & Lesbian Task Force. Gale South Beach and Regent Hotel, 1690 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach Thursday, March 6 7 to 11 p.m. • ArtScape Calling all ladies! Indulge in a silent art auction, Bacardi cocktails, wine, and delicious bites. Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. • Ignite Hit the dance floor at this South Beach club with DJs Eddie Martinez and Joe Gauthreaux. Cameo, 1445 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach

Friday, March 7 1 to 8 p.m. • HEAT Tea Dance It’s the hottest pool party around -- throw on your sexiest swimsuit and rock out to tunes from DJs Cindel and Brett Henrichsen. Clevelander South Beach, 1020 Ocean Drive in Miami Beach 7:30 to 10 p.m. • VIP Cocktail Reception, Presented by Celebrity Cruises Dave Cook, a longtime LGBT advocate and a former Task Force employee, is the star of the night at the annual VIP cocktail reception. The James Royal Palm, 1545 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. • Pa'Ella HER Winter Party gets even hotter with a Latin night — Spam Allstars, one of the best of the best, will get your hips moving. TSL Lounge, 167 NW 23rd St. in Wynwood 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. • Mercury Rising This massive club is all yours for a night of music, lights and entertainment you’ll never forget. Music from DJs Rosabel and Wayne G. will fill the air, and Power Infiniti and Kitty Meow will perform. Space, 34 NE 11th St. in Miami

For more information on Winter Party Festival, including a full schedule, DJ bios, and tickets, visit WinterParty.org.

// 2.26.2014 // SFGN.com //

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news feature

Spotlight to Shine on Bisexual Health in March The month named ‘Bisexual Health Awareness Month’ Sasha Razumikhin

The Bisexual Resource Center is going to use Facebook and Twitter to tell you what you need to know about bisexuality and its unique place in the world of sexual health. Bisexual Health Awareness Month launches Monday, March 3 with a 12-hour Tweet-a-thon introducing bisexual health issues and related topics from @BRC_ Central. Using the hashtag #bihealthmonth, the mission will play back and forth between the Twitter account and BRC’s Facebook page. It’s part of the BRC’s proclamation that March will be Bisexual Health Awareness Month. The announcement comes on the heels of a September 2013 roundtable at the White House that focused on bisexual issues. This year the theme is “Bi the Way, Our Health Matters Too!” The idea is to highlight the “unique ways that the bisexual community experiences physical and mental health disparities and will encourage more research and services be developed to address them. “The Bisexual Health Awareness social media campaign will be focusing attention on important health issues that are affecting the bisexual community. With more research indicating that bi people are

experiencing severe physical and mental health disparities, we think it is imperative to bring this information out of the shadows so that we can build more effective ways to address them,” said Ellyn Ruthstrom, BRC’s president. “Our community is suffering and we can no longer afford to be the invisible majority of the LGBT community.” According to think tank The Williams Institute, 51 percent of people within the LGBT community are bisexual. “I’ve been out as a bisexual for a long time, almost 25 years. I’ve seen a great deal of difference in that time. I’ve seen it improve. I have high hopes. Sometimes it’s confusing when we see the good effects in certain populations, but I can’t answer when it will finally break through,” Ruthstrom told SFGN. “These past few years have been very significant for us because of how diverse sexualities have been discussed publicly. That’s a really positive thing. It’s hitting lots of different media so people can be exposed to the concepts more.” BRC is a 30-year-old (the country’s oldest), Boston-based organization aimed at educating and raising awareness of bisexual issues. To learn more about BRC, go to BiResource.net.

Things You Didn’t Know About Bisexuals

1. Bisexual men are 50 percent more likely to live in poverty than gay men 2. Bisexual women are more than twice as likely to live in poverty as lesbians 3. Bisexual men and women are at least one-third less likely to disclose their sexual identity to their doctors than gays or lesbians. 4. In comparison with lesbians and gays, bisexuals have a higher lifetime prevalence of sexual victimization 5. 40 percent of LGBT people of color identify as bisexual 6. Bisexual women are almost six times more likely than heterosexual women to have seriously considered suicide, and four times more likely than lesbians. 7. Bisexual men are almost seven times more likely than heterosexual men to have seriously considered suicide, and over four times more likely than gay men. 8. Bisexual employees are eight times as likely to be in the closet compared to lesbian and gay counterparts. 9. 55 percent of bisexual employees, are not out to anyone at work. 10. From 2008 to 2012, only $5,000 in grants were awarded to bispecific projects or bisexual organizations.

Sources: The Williams Institute, Bisexual Invisibility: Impacts and Recommendations, National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, Sexual Research and Social Policy

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The Bisexual Health Awareness campaign will focus on the following bisexual health issues throughout the month of March:

Mental Health & Biphobia

March 3 to 7 Statistics about mental health disparities in the bisexual community including the high rates of suicide, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse.

Safer Sex & Sexual Health

March 10 to 14 The incidence of STIs and risky sexual behaviors among bisexuals, as well as bi-speciﬁc safer sex practices and resources.

Nutrition & Physical Activity

March 17 to 21 Cardiovascular-related disparities in the bisexual community, including higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and encourage ways to improve health through nutrition and exercise.

Intimate Partner Violence & Sexual Violence

March 24 to 28 The high rates of rape, physical violence, and stalking experienced by bisexuals via an intimate partner.

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news local

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The 37th annual PrideFest South Florida runs noon to 7 p.m., March 1 and 2 at Holiday Park, 1150 G. Harold Martin Drive Fort Lauderdale. This year’s event will have a decidedly 80s feel. Headliners include Sheena Easton, Lisa Lisa and Tiffany. Organizers anticipate a huge crowd. “We are expecting anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 people to be there,” said Marc Hansen of Pride South Florida. That big crowd will see some big talent. The weekend kicks off with a special comedy show on Friday February 28 starring Bruce Vilanch and Judy Gold. The show, called “Big and Tall,” takes place at the Parker Playhouse. On Saturday, the entertainment kicks off at Holiday Park with actress/standup comedian/love goddess Judy Tenuta. Also on Saturday’s agenda, former teen sensation Tiffany, whose hits include “I Think We’re Alone Now” and “I Saw Him Standing There.” The fun doesn’t stop there. The Ms. Pride South Florida contest will be held once again in the War Memorial Auditorium. The preliminary rounds are will be held on Saturday and the finals take place on Sunday. Also on Sunday, freestyle sensation Lisa Lisa takes the stage. She one of the biggest Freestyle artists of the 80s with hits that included “Head to Toe,” and ‘Lost in Emotion.” Then, headliner Sheena Easton will wow the crowd. She rose to fame in the 1980’s with hits like “Morning Train,” and “For Your Eyes Only.” Easton remains the only recording artist to score Top-10 singles on the five major U.S. Billboard singles charts, including pop, country, dance, adult contemporary and R&B. There will be non-stop entertainment throughout the weekend including: The Ladies from Lipps, Church Holy Spirit of Song, Shadina, The South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble and the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus. Swinging Richards, South Florida’s only all nude gay strip club, will host the official Pride kick-off party Friday Feb 28 with a reduced cover before 10 p.m. One day Tickets are $15; 2 day Tickets $25. Parking is included. Visit PrideSouthFlorida.org for more information.

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udy Tenuta

udy Gold

ruce Vilanch Photos: Wikipedia

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news local Sheena Easton to Appear at PrideFest Denise Royal

The 37th annual Pride fest South Florida runs March 1 and 2 in Holiday Park. This year’s event will have a decidedly 80s feel with one of the headliners being Sheena Easton. Easton rose to fame in the 1980’s with hits like “Morning Train,” “For Your Eyes Only” and “Sugar Walls.” I spoke to Easton by phone. Even though I was expecting her call, it was still a thrill, to hear, “Hi, this is Sheena Easton,” when I picked up. She still has the same Scottish accent but she makes it clear, she considers herself a fullblown American. She lives in Las Vegas with her two teenage children. After the accent, the next thing you can’t miss is that Easton seems really down to earth. Full disclosure: I spent a big chunk of the 80’s listening to “Sugar Walls” “You’ve Got The Look” and “Strut.” In the 90’s Easton’s duet “The Arms of Orion” with Prince was in constant rotation. Although she remains the only recording artist to score Top-10 singles on the five major U.S. Billboard singles charts, including pop, country, dance, adult contemporary and R&B, Easton doesn’t have a preference when it comes to performing a specific musical genre. “I honestly don’t have a favorite. I work a lot. I’m constantly performing. All of my career, I’ve been a performer much more than a studio artist. My stage work is where I’m happiest at and what I’m most consistent doing. It sounds so cliché, but I can do a song thousand times, and I do it in front of an audience with three people where that song is their favorite song and that just re-energizes it. So, sometimes, it’s the Kenny Rogers’ country song, sometimes its one of my old pop hits, but not every show, but some times I’ll throw in one of the songs from my “No Strings” album, which was not a commercial success by any means. So I’ll throw in one of my jazz standards, that I guess is my ‘me’

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SouthFloridaGayNews

moment on stage,” says Easton. As for her favorite collaborator, she doesn’t have one either, but admits, she learned a lot from working with Prince. “Who can not love working with Prince? He was amazing! He’s a guy who threw away his own rulebook… He taught me a lot about going in with a plan but always being open to something better happening during the process,” Easton says. As for the music she listens to these days, Easton is a country girl at heart. “All of my friends know I am a sucker for country music. You give me a dog and a truck and I’m set to go. I love story songs. I love go to the bar and get wasted songs. If I’m stressed, if my mind is racing too much I’ll listen to country and that just sort of cheers me up,” Easton told SFGN. Beware of all the fake Sheena Eastons on social media! Easton doesn’t have a Facebook page and despite pleas from fans, she doesn’t tweet and doesn’t plan to in the near future. “I don’t think the world needs to know my every inane thought,” she says. Easton performs about 2 or 3 shows a month, but has no immediate plans to record new music. “If I recorded something it would be purely because I wanted to. I couldn’t think about the commercial aspect of it; I’m no longer motivated by that. For me to just get up and cut a record just for commercial success, I don’t want to do that anymore,” she says. Easton is motivated by meeting her fans in South Florida and says she’s very much looking forward to performing at PrideFest. 1 (One) day Tickets are $15 & 2 (Two) day Tickets are $25 and Parking is included. Advanced Single Day Tickets and 2-Day Discount Passes are available now at PrideSouthFlorida.org.

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opinion the reily report

Closed for Business Arizona in the 21st century Ric Reily

No cheesy taglines, just results.

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The recent debacle pretending as legislation in Arizona has thrown a wrench into our trip planning. We have planned a trip that includes almost a month in Arizona, the home of a newly passed law allowing legal discrimination of gays. Leaving it to a service provider’s religious beliefs to decide whoever that may be. Though the legislation has not been signed into law by the governor as of this writing, the intent remains. I have had several conciliatory messages from family and friends in Arizona apologizing for the legislators and bemoaning the capture of Arizona by the ultra right wing conservatives. They despise the situation perhaps more than I who gets to choose not to visit, though they still live there. Similar legislation passed the House in Kansas and died an unexpected death in the Senate, robbing rabid right wing Governor Sam Brownback of the opportunity to imbed discrimination in Kansas law. Oddly, equally fanatical conservative Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has not leapt at the opportunity to scribble her signature on the piece of Arizona handiwork at the earliest possible moment. Nationally the conservatives have lost the marriage issue and same sex marriage is sweeping the nation. Taken in context with the failure in Kansas and hesitation in Arizona this new wave of discrimination purportedly based in the freedom to express personal religious beliefs is actually the next wild-eyed effort at hate. Apparently some cooler head is realistically considering the ramifications of these laughably childish efforts. Someone somewhere, perhaps the Republican National Committee, perhaps vested business interests with real revenue to loose in the form of boycotts, has had enough of this pandering to the ultra conservative right wing bat crap crazy base. They seem to have awakened to the immediate damage these efforts impose in the form of litigation costs on an almost certain trip to the courts and the reality of business losses as gays and new businesses stay away in droves. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, long term political loses to a party already significantly weakened and basically splintered by the over zealous efforts of some to marginalize just about everyone who is not old, white, male and rich. There is clearly a growing acceptance of gays in the United States and even more an understanding that there is no real reason to exclude them. Hate based on stolen Christian beliefs does not stand up upon examination. The true losers in this conservative charade

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are real Christians, not Republican pretenders, who have had their faith hijacked and turned black and bitter in a baseless war of hatred against fellow human beings. The growing acceptance of gays is coming from younger Americans who are also newly enfranchised voters. For the Republicans to push legalized discrimination, institutionalized hate, and allow it to fester and grow is to alert the burgeoning body of new voters to swear allegiance to the Democratic Party for at least a generation. History has shown, however, that party allegiance once sworn can last for a century, as evidenced by the consistent fidelity to the Republican party of African Americans, slaves freed by the first Republican president and subsequently ostracized by those same Republicans. It is certainly my hope that sound judgment prevails and Governor Brewer refuses to sign the measure on her desk. She has previously sided with businesses on their right to serve whom they please and also vetoed a similar measure last year. Were it to be signed into law, which is not out of the question, we will as Bugs Bunny did take a right at Albuquerque. We will miss not only family and friends but the Grand Canyon. Moreover, Arizona will loose the benefit of our month of gay spending. Ric Reily is the author of two books, “Money Is The Root Of All — Skip The Debt Habit,” and “Gregory’s Hero.” His firm CFO On Call provides small business finance and operations consulting. Ric is married to John, his partner of 28 years, and lives in South Florida with their Havanese dog, Buckley. You can reach Ric at RicReily@gmail.com

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opinion publisher’s editorial

The ‘Out 50’ is a Salute to All of You

To nominate potential ‘OUT 50’ selections for next year visit SFGN.com/OUT50nominations

Norm Kent

norm.kent@sfgn.com

The South Florida LGBT community is simply too large to recognize only three leaders for achievements in excellence. As 2013 came to a close, and SFGN sought to single out some of our leaders with awards for achievement in excellence, I realized how blessed this community was, and how burdened this newspaper was in making such a choice. There was simply no vehicle within which we could recognize everyone in South Florida so deserving. We did not have three people to stand out; we had three hundred, maybe more. The “Out 50” is a journalistic adventure unprecedented in size and scope for a weekly community newspaper. It is the kind of thing that the Miami Herald, Sun Sentinel, and Palm Beach Post could never do simultaneously. This week, SFGN has a separate cover for each of our three counties, featuring ‘Out’ stars from each venue. As a niche publication targeting and serving the LGBT community, we are able to give life and breadth to a community of champions at once and collectively. The “Out 50” project was months in the planning. Special recognition is warranted. Jason Parsley, our Associate Publisher, managed the monumental task and monitored the marvelous effort. A half dozen writers and photographers had to come together for interviews. David Griffiths brought his artistic skills to place in the layout and design. It is our first. There will be many more. There has to be. There are many more of you who are ‘out’ there. Have you heard the phrase that when you point a finger at someone, three more are pointing back at you? In other words, I know how many people we have left out of the ’50.’ It is the marvel of our community that so many more individuals with collateral stature and leadership credentials could have easily been incorporated into this list. Your turn will come. Over four years, SFGN has featured hundreds of personalities with thousands of

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articles. Our mission evolves, as your purpose endures. If we did not catch up to yet, we will. Our goal has been to illuminate the good lives and honorable deeds so many of you

you have so generously supported SFGN, I can deliver today to our media partners at the Sun Sentinel and CNN not just another profile of tired old me, but fifty of our outstanding

accomplish each day with your professional work and passionate concern. This past year, we celebrated the achievements in excellence of three people in particular. First, Stuart Milk, the nephew of Harvey, has become a global ambassador for LGBT rights internationally for President Obama. Second, Terry DeCarlo, whose boundless energy symbolizes the remarkable tenacity so many of you have achieved in fighting against HIV. Third, we acknowledged Dr. Deidra Bergmann, a retired physician whose continuing volunteerism for multiple causes represents the noble deeds of giving. Now look through these pages and find 50 more persons whose individualism and integrity honors us all. Their good deeds shine on our entire community. Let me close with some notes of personal reflection. Ten years ago, when the Sun Sentinel listed Broward County’s 25 most significant powerbrokers, they included me, largely because I represented much of the emerging gay community as the publisher of the Express Gay News. Because so many of

citizens. As I said, that’s just the beginning. Oh, there are so many more to yet include. Thanks to you, the South Florida Gay News is again the largest gay paper in the country this week, with more pages and content than even the Washington Blade or Windy City Times. That has only happened because you have invested in us for four years. Today, therefore, as SFGN celebrates its fourth anniversary, I re-commit to you that we will continue to uphold high standards, publishing each and every issue with passion and professionalism, credibility and conscientiousness. My life’s experience of being a journalist and radio commentator has been richly rewarding. It brings you to the front door of celebrity on one hand, and calamity on the other. In one moment, you are talking with a gubernatorial candidate who is reaching for the reins of power, and at the other interviewing a father who just lost his son to HIV. One afternoon in 2001 I interviewed a scam artist who tried to falsely acquire 9/11 benefits, and wound up in jail. Later that same day, I chatted with the former Vice President

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of the United States. Journalism affords you an amazing journey through life. I am privileged to have spent many years walking in its corridors. In this capacity, as publisher, I have watched the LGBT community grow exponentially in size and stature, prestige and influence. This is especially true in South Florida, where so many of our colleagues and friends are open and out. Members of our community are leaders in every walk of life. We hold elective office, run corporations, manage businesses, and operate law firms. Today, our newspaper celebrates fifty such lives. Tomorrow, I hope we recognize yours. There may be backlashes in Kansas and mindless laws passed in Arizona, but there will forever be a proud and prominent gay community in South Florida. We have shown America, as I have said so often, we are a part of the community, not apart from it. We are measured by our accomplishments in the daytime, not our bedroom partners in the nighttime. We have shown LGBT people can fight in our armed forces, raise children, teach in our schools, play in pro sports, lead major corporations, and overcome adversity at every turn. I am proud today to deliver to you SFGN’s first ‘Out 50.’ May you live your lives in such a way that you will find your way onto our pages in the next go around, and may we find you if you don’t find us. When you add the names of Bergmann, DeCarlo and Milk to the mix, we will have in fact honored 53 this year. It is getting redundant, but the panorama of names who could have been added invades my mind incessantly. Please do not feel left out. There is room for everybody within this enlarging circle. As long as we all continue to make a difference in the lives of our community, the ‘Out 50’ will grow and grow. Thank you.

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becau be because...

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Photos by Dennis Dean

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because...

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Photos by Dennis Dean

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because...

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Photos by Dennis Dean

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lifestyle the book worm

“Ham: Slices of a Life” by Sam Harris

Terri Schlichenmeyer Okay, pay attention. Sometimes, that’s all you need: just someone to watch you, to hear what you’re saying or understand your feelings. A little attention can be a bad-mood squasher, a good-mood enhancer, or just validation. Yes, a minute in the spotlight can do wonders. And as you’ll see in “Ham: Slices of a Life” by Sam Harris, hogging that spotlight can be even better. From the time he was three years old, growing up in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Sam Harris embraced the dramatic. For his third Christmas, he received a special overcoat, which made him dance. By ten, he had talked his parents into allowing him to be baptized, the afterapplause being more important than receiving the Holy Ghost. He loved putting on shows in his parents’ basement, doing local community theatre, and acting in school performances. He was unabashed about his love of the limelight.

When he was just 15, his father lied about Harris’ age so Harris could take a summer stage job in St. Louis. A year later, though he’d known for a long time that he was “different,” and though it caused him anguished guilt and family strife, Harris fell in love with another boy on another stage in Nashville. A short time in college proved to Harris that education wouldn’t make his dream come true, so he “hunted out” his stage presence in dark, colorless, largely-empty clubs. Agents and producers “occasionally came slumming,” but little happened until Harris �inally found someone who believed in him: his father hired Jerry Blatt, who was Bette Midler’s writer/director, as a gift. Skeptical Harris �igured it would be just another disappointment, but Blatt would “become the single most important in�luence… and the greatest gift my dad, or anyone, ever gave me.” In this memoir, Harris writes about

growing up, and how his family had the misfortune to experience home-�ires — twice. He writes of falling in love with Mr. Wrong, then meeting his husband, falling in love again, and wanting a child so badly that he couldn’t stand seeing other children. He explains his career and his almost-didn’thappen appearance on Star Search. He dishes stories of famous friends, on-stage nemeses, alcoholism, being “different,” and being gay. I’m normally not a fan of books that scramble their timelines, but in “Ham: Slices of a Life,” that bouncing around works. It works well. Maybe that’s because author Sam Harris writes with bouncing-on-your-toes energy, rushing from subject to subject with the occasional lingering moment to ponder things that are important to him. His is an eagerness that’s endearing. Some of the essays in this book are

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funny. “Liver” will put a new metaphor in your vocabulary. The story of Liza Minelli’s wedding is hilarious, and Harris’ memories of his friend, Jerry, made me get a little teary. With humor, soul-baring, namedropping, and just the right mix of vulnerability and snarkiness, this book is a de�inite pleasure to read. If you’re looking for a memoir that you can enjoy, wholehog, “Ham: Slices of a Life” should get your attention.

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lifestyle gay history This Week in Gay History February 26 – March 5 Quistapp.com

Feb. 26, 1649 — Christina of Mar. 2, 1996 — First Openly Sweden Abdicates Throne Gay Senator Elected in Christina has “an insurmountable distaste Australia

for marriage [...and] for all the things that Bob Brown, representing Tasmania, is females talked about and did.” Citing her elected to the Australian Senate. wish not to marry, she resigns as Queen on Mar. 3, 1994 — Immigration this day.

Feb. 27, 2001 — Two Female Characters Kiss on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’

Several television shows during the 1990’s and early 2000’s have a “lesbian kiss” episode. This one is significant because this series was one of the first to develop a realistic relationship between two women on screen. The characters Willow and Tara dated for several episodes before this kiss and they continued to date for several episodes afterwards.

Feb. 28, 2008 — Venezuela Supreme Court Issues Decision on Same-Sex Partner Benefits

A NGO, Union Afirmativa. had submitted an appeal in 2003 asking for legal recognition of economic rights (pensions, inheritance, social security, common household, etc.) for same-sex partners. The ruling says that though “same-sex partners enjoy all of the rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights--they do have not special protection similar to concubinage or marriage between a man and a woman, that is, in the same terms than heterosexual partners have.”

Feb. 29, 1940 — ‘Gone with the Wind’ Wins Academy Award for Best Picture

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Equality Forms

The organization, founded as the Lesbian and Gay Immigration Rights Task Force, works toward equal rights for LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrants and bi-national couples. Its stated purpose is “advocating for equal immigration and asylum rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, (LGBT) and HIV-positive people.”

Mar. 4, 2010 — Gay Marriage Goes Into Effect in Mexico City

While only performed in Mexico City, the same-sex marriages are recognized in all states of Mexico.

Mar. 5, 2006 — Ang Lee Wins Academy Award for Brokeback Mountain

The film about the love between two cowboys had the most nominations of any film that year (eight) but did not win Best Picture. Lee won for Best Director. All of the information above has been reprinted with permission from Quist, an LGBT mobile history app that can be found on iOS and Android devices. Visit QuistApp.com for more information. The app was created by Sarah Prager and launched in July of 2013.

Gay director George Cukor had spent almost two years in pre-production on the film when he was replaced after less than three weeks of shooting by director Victor Fleming.

Mar. 1, 1993 — Stone Butch Blues is Published

Written by transgender activist and writer Leslie Feinberg, Stone Butch Blues won the 1994 Stonewall Book Award. The novel features a young Jewish working class butch protagonist, her coming of age story while also highlighting butch-femme culture.

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eorge Cukor, Gay Director

SFGN’S PICKS FOR THE TOP 50 PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO DESERVE RECOGNITION local name, global coverage

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Joe, George, Nikki, Lea, Mike, Lillian and 44 others inside!

SFGN.COM //

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OUT 50 // 2/26/14

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SOUTH FLORIDA’S OUT 50 • 2014 2520 N. DIXIE HIGHWAY • WILTON MANORS, FL 33305 PHONE: 954-530-4970 FAX: 954-530-7943

PUBLISHER • NORM KENT NORM.KENT@SFGN.COM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER • PIER ANGELO GUIDUGLI ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER • JASON PARSLEY JASON.PARSLEY@SFGN.COM

Editorial

Sales & Marketing

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING • MIKE TROTTIER MIKE.TROTTIER@SFGN.COM SALES MANAGER • JUSTIN WYSE JUSTIN.WYSE@SFGN.COM CLASSIFIEDS SALES ASSOCIATE • ADRAIN EVANS ADRAIN.EVANS@SFGN.COM ADVERTISING SALES ASSOCIATE • EDWIN NEIMANN EDWIN.NEIMANN@SFGN.COM SALES ASSISTANT • JASON GONZALES JASON.GONZALES@SFGN.COM DISTRIBUTION SERVICES MANAGER • JOHN FUGATE

Contributors

Mike Anguille, Tony Adams, Donald Cavanaugh, Andrea Richard, J.W. Arnold, John McDonald, Dori Zinn, Christiana Lilly, Jesse Monteagudo

Cover

Featured (L to R): Joe Pallant, George Castrataro, Nikki Addams, Lea Brown, Michael Rajner, and Lillian Tamayo Photography by Steven Shires Photography www.StevenShires.com

Welcome to SFGN’s Out 50 Sometimes people ask me if there is still a need for gay media, with how mainstream the LGBT community has become. When you flip through these pages you’ll see why there’s still that need. I am a journalist, but more importantly I am storyteller, and in this issue we tell 50 stories of prominent LGBT individuals — many of whom you may never have heard of. The mainstream press is shrinking, their resources evaporating, so who will be around in the years to come to tell these folks’ stories? Who but the gay press will tell stories like that of Nikki Adams, a legendary South Florida entertainer; or an out and proud police officer like Mike Silver; or Father Bill, the founder of the Poverello Center and the list goes on and on. Who but the gay press will shine a bright spotlight on these amazing individuals? We will. That’s who. These folks aren’t important because they are gay, they’re important because of their accomplishments and the work they do. But because they are gay they serve as role models for our community — and for future generations. These individuals prove that we are no longer a sideshow, but nowadays, the main show. Editing these stories inspired me and I hope their stories will inspire you as well. It quickly became apparent that when putting together this OUT 50 list it could have easily been an OUT 100 list (or more) and so many cuts had to be made. We purposely kept celebrities off the list in order to highlight the everyday people who make a huge difference in their industries, gay rights or the community as a whole. So welcome to the SFGN South Florida OUT 50, a list of activists, business leaders, movers and shakers, spiritual leaders, and other out and proud members of the local LGBT community. So when someone asks me if there is still a need for gay media my is answer “hell yes.”

Thank You!

Associate Publisher, Jason Parsley (R), with his partner Aydin Koymen Photography by Steven Shires

I’ve wanted to do this issue for the past two years and it was only in December that I finally decided it was time to make my vision a reality, but I would like to thank those folks who helped me do it. We’re a small weekly newspaper so putting an issue like this together was a monumental task. So I need to especially thank my writers, Andrea Richard, Christiana

Lilly, Donald Cavanaugh, Dori Zinn, Jesse Monteagudo, John McDonald, J.W. Arnold, Mike Anguille and Tony Adams. If it weren’t for them this would not have been possible. I would like to also thank the photographers Steven Shires, JR Davis, and Pompano Bill who provided photos to us.

Associated Press Florida Press Association National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association

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/h er oe s OUT 50

// SFGN.COM

Meredith Ockman

William F. Collins

Leading the Way for Women As the Vice President of the Florida National Organization for Women (NOW), Meredith Ockman has not only helped the voice of the women’s movement, but also of the LGBT movement. “I helped produce PrideFest for eight years and Stonewall Ball for several years,” Ockman said. “Each year that I was president of Palm Beach County NOW, we partnered with Planned Parenthood to have the largest delegation of women’s groups to walk in the Pride Parade in Palm Beach County.” Ockman said her requirement for her involvement with NOW was that the organization supported the LGBT community. “We at NOW are some of the most supportive,” she said. One of the biggest struggles LGBT people face is the state legislature’s lack of equality. “We have a very conservative legislature in Florida. I believe there are conservatives who support us, but the leadership in the conservative legislature does not support equal treatment.” Over time, Ockman believes in continuing the fight for equal rights. “As long as there is an organization fighting against our rights, we need to fight for support,” she said. “From the municipalities to the Presidency, women need to be involved. When Women Win, We all do!” — Dori Zinn

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OUT 50 // 2/26/14

Playwright/Actor

Michael McKeever

Michael McKeever is truly the renaissance man of South Florida theater. His plays, filled with “wit, insight and a healthy dose of his quirky sense of humor,” have been performed across the United States, Europe and Russia. Just this season, his comedies, “37 Postcards” and “Suite Surrender,” were or will be mounted in Wisconsin, Tennessee, British Columbia, Ontario, Illinois and Ohio, and his new play, “Clark Gable Slept Here” will be premiere at Miami’s Arsht Center. “One of the things I enjoy most about being a playwright is that you get to create worlds from scratch,” he explained in the video, “A Playwright in One Act: Deconstructing Michael McKeever.” McKeever, winner of five Carbonell Awards and an accomplished actor and graphic designer, teamed up three years with his longtime partner, director Stuart Meltzer, and playwright Chris DemosBrown to found Zoetic Stage to push the boundaries of regional theater. “I would like to think that my work has and will continue to have an impact on the audience members. It’s important that plays not only entertain an audience… but that have a message, that the audience walks away with a new understanding or some questions they can ask each other and themselves.” — J.W. Arnold

Out & Proud ‘Father’ Father Bill Collins began ministering to people living with HIV/AIDS in 1985 when he was appointed Chaplain to Imperial Point Hospital where he began his local ministry of service to people living with the virus. Two years later he founded The Poverello Food Bank and Thrift Shop. It opened in Pompano in the summer of 1987 and was only 1,800 square feet big. It’s mission: to help provide unavailable necessities to the growing number of men, women and children testing positive for the virus. Now almost 27 years later, Father Bill is 83 and still working. You can see him writing in the Poverello newsletters. With 11 employees and more than 100 volunteers, Poverello CEO Thomas Smith said it’s those volunteers that has made the organization so successful. Today, Poverello serves more than 10,000 clients. Over time, Smith said he hopes services like Poverello aren’t needed anymore. “I hope that there will not be a need for [our] services due to the fact that there will be a cure for HIV/AIDS,” Smith said. But, “I’m sure that there are others that will be in need of our food pantry.” Currently, the demand is still high, and Smith said Poverello is looking to open an additional thrift store sometime this year. And it all started with this humble man who is affectionately known to the community as Father Bill. — Dori Zinn

Cindy Brown

Leader in Industry & Activism   A native Floridian and Miami-Dade resident nearly all her life, Cindy Brown holds bachelor degrees from the University of Miami in psychology and criminology and is the current executive director of the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. She’s also a highly accomplished executive and champion of the LGBT community. From 1992 through 1995 and again from 1997 to 1998, she worked with Health Crisis Network helping coordinate AIDS Walk Miami (1992 through 1995 and again in 1997) and White Party (1992 through 1995). She later became the program director for the United Foundation for AIDS staying almost two years, before becoming the president and CEO of Cenergy Productions in 2000. Here she organized and produced events for organizations including GLSEN and the Dade Human Rights Foundation per her resume. In late 2001 she began a near seven year run as the managing director of Miami Light Project, “a cultural forum to explore some of the issues that define contemporary society,” and supports performing artists and productions worldwide, per its website. In 2008 Brown moved back in to event production and “revived Cenergy as a private fundraising & event production Consultation Company,” where her clients, per her resume, included SAVE Dade, Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Alliance for Gay Youth and the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (MGLFF) — amongst others. Brown has also held numerous board positions: SAVE Dade, the Dade Human Rights Foundation and The Gay & Lesbian Foundation of South Florida among them. As of 2013 she is the treasurer/director of the MGLFF. With so much to her credit, and as a standout leader of the LGBT community, one can only ask, does Ms. Brown ever find time to sleep? Likely not. And if her career to this point is any indication, she’s likely just getting warmed up. — Mike Anguille

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OUT 50 // SFGN.COM

Real Estate Mogul

Deidre Newton

For many, owning a business is a life in and of itself, but for Deidre Newton, owner of Huntington Trescott Properties, her work as a realtor intermingled with her activity in politics and LGBT activism makes her a catalyst for change. She’s a true worker for the people, and one who helps others achieve their goals through the use of her skills professionally and politically. A fourth generation Floridian whose family has a background in farming and ranching, Newton concedes she always knew she’d “be making a living off the land.” And with an estimated $750 million in sales over her career, she clearly had the right idea. After attaining her MBA from Nova Southeastern University, she worked for a telecom company before obtaining her real estate license. Working with a mentor for numerous years before buying his firm she has a knack for land sales, but has sold everything from commercial property to condos and million dollar homes.

She’s the current secretary of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party, served for eight years on Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (several as the vice chair) and even combined her real estate and political/ activist based talents to sell the building for Compass when they moved from West Palm Beach to Lake Worth. Feeling so strongly for Compass’ mission, she donated much of her brokerage fee back to the gay and lesbian community center because of her commitment to giving back — a cause for which she has a deep affinity. Using her talents as a realtor, political party member, and activist — and managing to intermingle all of these skills in to a singular themed focus helps set Newton apart from the competition. But it also shows her to be motivated, not as much by financial gain, but as much as she is cognizant of the ultimately underlying purpose of all of these fields: public service. — Mike Anguille

Craig Stevens News Anchor — In the Spotlight Craig Stevens has impressive credentials. The anchorman for WSVN-Channel 7 in South Florida has reported on a wide range of memorable events, from the chase for fashion icon Gianni Versace’s killer to the hotly contested 2000 presidential election. “It’s an honor to have a front row seat on history,” said Stevens, 45, who grew up in the Cape Cod area of Massachusetts and now calls Miami Beach home. An openly gay man and past grand marshal of the Stonewall Pride Parade, Stevens does not want to be viewed as a role model, although he is quite active in the community. He teaches news writing at Barry University in Miami Shores, where he said the demand for media is still high, but the way it is delivered has certainly changed. “Now it’s all about mobile devices,” Stevens said. “What I do on television is still relevant, but there are many other ways to receive your news.” Some of the big stories Stevens has told include the Oklahoma City bombing, a tragedy he called “gutwrenching” and the developing situation with Andrew Cunanan, Versace’s killer. “He was on my radar all summer,” Stevens said of the 1997 manhunt. “I always felt like I was a couple days behind him. It was creepy.” — John McDonald

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Tony Finstrom Playwright & Theater Expert South Florida audiences know Fort Lauderdale resident Tony Finstrom for his award-winning plays. His most recent works have headlined at Jan McArt’s New Play Reading Series at Lynn University in Boca Raton and the Broward Stage Door Theatre in Coral Springs. But, despite his success as a playwright, even more theater fans around the world know Finstrom for his daily email missives and news reports on the theater community. Known as “Tony’s Latest,” his emails aggregate stories from leading newspapers, blogs, reviews, columns and a very detailed “Today in Theatre History” feature that is unrivaled. “Most (of my readers) I don’t even know,” explained Finstrom, who moved 25 years ago from New York to Fort Lauderdale. “They’re friends of friends of friends. It started with a group of snowbirds here in South Florida who liked to keep abreast of what’s going on in New York and London and L.A.” Now, each day, thousands of people get the latest theater news, thanks to “Tony’s Latest.” “It’s not enough to put it up on a website. But, when you serve it up to them, they read,” he said, amazed at the viral nature of his pet project. — J.W. Arnold

Bishop S.F. Makalani-MaHee Trans Activist Raised in a black Pentecostal home in New York, the bishop knows first hand the struggles of grappling with your sexuality and the teachings of the church. Today as a church leader and a transgender man, he teaches the LGBT community that they are loved. “God’s love is unconditional,” he said. Makalani-MaHee has worked in the Unity Fellowship and Metropolitan Community Church movements, both inclusive of the LGBT community. Currently, he is a staff member at the Pride Center in Wilton Manors

and works as an activist for the transgender community. One of the biggest challenges he says that trans people face is resources, as they face higher rates of poverty than other LGBT. Luckily, the bishop says that South Florida has a very active transgender and activist community, including the work that the Pride Center does. Every month, MakalaniMaHee hosts a potluck for transgender people and activists to get together. “We’re making sure the T [in LGBT] is loud and bold,” he said. — Christiana Lilly

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Real Estate Mogul A real estate agent since the mid 90’s, Castelli has built nothing short of a real estate empire and if there’s one word to describe his accomplishments it would be “mogul.” He undoubtedly has hundreds of millions of sales under his belt, yet most striking is his absolute lack of pretension. Anyone who interviews him will quickly observe that this man is humble, kind, warm, honest and open. A graduate of Marquette University specific to journalism, radio, TV and advertising, he also holds a Master’s Degree from Northwestern with an emphasis on marketing and advertising. Five years later, after working for a

major Chicago ad agency producing and directing TV and Radio spots for major brands, Castelli decided it was time for a change and came to Fort Lauderdale in 1970. In the early years, Castelli says, “I knew someone running the Marlin Beach Hotel and I painted it pink and turned it gay.” Tip of the iceberg. Ever heard of the Copa? Castelli owned it for nearly 20 years until selling in 1995. He had two other locations as well: Key West and Fire Island. The President Elect of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Board of Realtors, director of the Florida Association of Realtors (boasting 116,000 members) and the director of the national board of realtors are just a few of the titles he has held.

Castelli married his partner of 19 years in an October ceremony in Central Park with 24 of their closest friends and beams when speaking of his lover. There’s only one topic that “moves his bones” in conversation outside of his husband: the community and his support for all things LGBT. “I think I serve the gay community not just from being married, but when you drive down Wilton Drive and see places like Georgie’s Alibi and other landmarks, I know I had a hand in making this community what it is,” Castelli said. Visit CastelliHomes.com for more information. — Mike Anguille

John Castelli

Making Music & Progress

Sebrina Maria Alfonso

Photo courtesy of Steven Shires

As one of the few women leading a professional symphony orchestra in the United States, South Florida Symphony Music Director Sebrina Maria Alfonso knows a thing or two about the socalled “glass ceiling.” “It doesn’t help that this is a scary time for the arts,” Alfonso explained, noting the financial stress the Great Recession has placed on non-profit arts organizations. “There are more and more women conductors, but it doesn’t help that many orchestras are in trouble and tend to make safer bets….that makes the field smaller and doesn’t leave a lot of room for women.” And, for a female conductor who also happens to be a lesbian, the opportunities can be even fewer and far between. Faced with going back in the closet, Alfonso made a decision not to “live somewhere where I have to be closeted again,” she recalled. “Just as the current generation of children have only known a black president, in 10 or 15 years, if orchestras survive — like gay rights — our patrons will be more open minded and accepting.” Even if the South Florida Symphony is “the orchestra with a lesbian conductor,” Alfonso knows that ultimately it’s the music she makes that must speak to audiences and break down barriers. — J.W. Arnold

Serving Up Healthcare to the Disenfranchised

William Green 8

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William Green, Broward County Health Care Services Administrator, has been with the county for 13 years working with disenfranchised communities and ensuring that they have equitable access to healthcare. “Historically, the LGBT community has faced issues of access to affordable healthcare,” Green said. Green and staff focus on the delivery of care to minority populations, including working with more than a dozen communitybased providers. On top of that, they are also

working to help people enroll in the new Affordable Healthcare Act marketplace. Agencies throughout the county are available to help people navigate the website and answer any questions they may have about the new law. “We know that people who have resources have access, but there are certain communities that don’t have access,” Green said about healthcare. “That’s one of the things that I really want to work with providers and community-based organizations to make sure… that they provide outreach to the LGBT community.” — Christiana Lilly

Anthony Timiraos Bringing Home the Bacon Anthony Timiraos, president, CEO and co-founder of Our Fund, a foundation that encourages and nurtures philanthropy and support for the LGBT community of South Florida, says he has an exit strategy that will keep it strong even when he leaves it. He knows something about exit strategies, having come to the U.S. from Cuba in 1962 under Operation Peter Pan, a CIA intervention in which 14,000 Cuban children were sent to Miami by their parents for political asylum. In Connecticut, Timiraos became a Certified Public Accountant and had a financial management career that

took him to Boston and New York City. Today, Our Fund is three years old, with $2 million in assets, having received over $3.3 million in gifts and distributed over $1.2 million in grants. The foundation manages 33 charitable funds and has a significant list of Legacy Society members with over $30 million in promised future legacy gifts. Members of the Legacy Society are individuals who designate a portion or all of their estate to Our Fund. Timiraos does not have an exit strategy in mind though for Arthur Crispino whom he met in high school. Together since 1970, they were married two years ago in New York City. — Tony Adams

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Attorney & Activist

George Castrataro

Attorney George Castrataro, in private practice since 2008, has never stopped giving large amounts of time to pro bono work and community service. He reacts strongly to cases involving victimization, predatory lending and lack of protections for LGBT couples. He finds it hard to resist taking on clients who would otherwise be vulnerable without recourse, and becomes genuinely absorbed into the life of those clients. Castrataro names his parents as the source of his focus on personal integrity and he describes his upbringing in Amityville, New York, as “atypical Italian Catholic” in that his parents were unusually accepting of a son who was already out in high school. A family move to Florida meant getting an undergraduate degree and an MA in Public Health from the University of South Florida. Working in the public health field after college, Castrataro considered becoming a doctor before settling on law. His practice has grown rapidly in both the straight and gay communities with an equal number of both. He describes himself as a “shy techno geek who works long hours and doesn’t get out much.” Friends, admirers and clients who have been on the receiving end of his mischievous smile might disagree. Visit lawGC.com for information about his practice. — Tony Adams

Broward’s First Gay Mayor

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At a young-looking 51-years-old, Ken Keechl stands out. Proud of his success in business and politics, Keechl and his partner of 17 years, Ted Adcock, were married in New York in 2011. “I was out in all of my campaigns,” Keechl said. “There were photos of me and Ted together on my campaign literature. We were visibly a couple and, yes, we won.” “Besides,” he continued, “I’d been a 2-term president of the Dolphin Democrats, [the local LGBT Democratic group] so people knew who I was and what I stood for.” Keechl was elected to the Broward County Commission in 2006. He was appointed vice mayor of Broward County in 2008 and mayor in 2009; the appointments were made by vote of the commission members. He was the first openly gay politician to hold these seats although he is quick to mention that other elected positions in the state had been held by openly gay people as well. For a number of different reasons, Keechl lost his commission seat in 2010 but has announced his candidacy as an openly gay candidate for the 2014 election cycle. — Donald Cavanaugh

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Victor Diaz-Herman Guiding Gay Youth For Victor Diaz-Herman, he’s been an equal rights activist since birth. “My mother’s favorite anecdote is that I marched for LGBTQ rights in Washington D.C. as an infant slung across her chest,” he said. And while he has seen great strides in his 32 years, he admits there is still work to be done. “Winning marriage equality at the state level and fighting to end discrimination in the work force are among so many important issues.” As the Executive Director of Pridelines Youth Services in Miami Shores, Diaz-Herman said many LGBTQ youth are dealing with neglect, abuse, homelessness and suicidal thoughts. In more than 31 years, Pridelines has been

able to support, educate, and empower LGBTQ young people across South Florida. Diaz-Herman, a Miami native, said it was when he served as a chaperone to an LGBTQ youth prom in 2005 hosted by Pridelines that motivated him to get involved in the organization. “I’ll never forget the sense of love, acceptance, and safety that filled the room as young people danced, held hands or simply enjoyed an evening that reflected who they are without fear of prejudice or harassment,” DiazHerman said. — Dori Zinn

Florida’s First Openly Gay State Court Judge Broward County Judge Robert Lee is certainly a man of distinction. As the first openly gay man to be appointed to the state court bench in Florida, Lee is a groundbreaking figure in the LGBT movement. Before being appointed to a judgeship by then Governor Lawton Chiles, Lee earned a reputation as an attorney who fought against discrimination. He fondly recalls the legal battles he took part in for the organization — Broward United Against Discrimination. It was Lee who researched the winning brief in a case that went all the way to the Florida Supreme Court. Lee said his “life changing” experience came in 1993 when he joined thousands in the Gay & Lesbian March on Washington. “That’s when I realized there were people like me,” he said. Lee grew up in Jacksonville, graduated from Trinity Christian and received his bachelor’s degree in education from Jacksonville University. He is a product of the University of Florida School of Law and has presided over 331 jury trails. Judge Lee is currently the only county judge who has served in every division from general civil to violent crime. Lee has 14 nieces and nephews. His mother is from Mexico, which prompted the Miami Herald to declare in a headline upon his appointment, “Governor appoints state’s first gay, Hispanic judge.” “I still have the paper,” Lee said. — John McDonald

Out & Proud in Uniform As a detective assigned to the Special Victims Unit of the Pembroke Pines Police Department, Officer Mike Silver’s passion for investigating crimes against the vulnerable and defenseless means working long hours and being on call and able to respond at any time of the day and night. After work, community volunteering takes up his free time. No wonder this handsome, dedicated, 40 year-old and award-winning cop is single. Silver began his career at the age of 19 as a police officer for the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians in 2002. When he transferred two years later to Pembroke Pines, he worked as a road patrol officer and field-training officer for eight years before receiving his current assignment.

He investigates sexual assaults, domestic violence, elderly and child abuse, human trafficking, missing persons, and abductions. He is also assigned to the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which investigates online predators who seek out children. Silver volunteers as a law enforcement liaison for the Broward County School Board’s Safe School Program, and at SunServe. Silver says he came out to his co-workers before family and friends, and is grateful for their constant support and acceptance. Silver received the Valor Award in 2011, and the Officer of the 1st Quarter award in 2013. — Tony Adams

Putting ‘Angel’ in Tuesday’s Angels

Mike Silver

Chuck Nicholls Bringing Gay Families Together

Richard Alalouf

Richard Alalouf is uniquely out in one particular way. He’s a co-parent with his husband, Tom Mulroy, of a 3-and-a-half-year-old boy. “That gets you visibility,” Alalouf said. “There are the doctors, the day care people, the grocery store staff who see you buying diapers,and soon the schools, and you just have to let them know who you are and what your child’s family looks like.” Alalouf is a flight attendant with Jet Blue and the volunteer executive director for South Florida Family Pride, a loosely knit organization of more than 200 families that provides massive play dates for children and their gay parents.

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Chuck Nicholls was born in Chicago and moved to Washington D.C. to pursue his career. He’s a Michigan State University graduate and did his graduate studies at The University of Florida. For him, one of his career highlights was being a founding member of The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. There, he enjoyed the teamwork involved in developing safety standards for consumer products. Eventually, he retired in South Florida and became a member of the nonprofit Tuesday’s Angels where he served as president for many years. This Fort Lauderdale organization serves men, women and children with HIV/ AIDS. “I will probably best be remembered for my work with Tuesday’s Angels and the over two million dollars that I helped raised while president of the organization,” he said. – Andrea Richard

“We’re normalizing our children’s experiences of having gay parents,” Alalouf said. “They get to socialize with other kids like themselves so it reinforces that they’re OK and their families are OK.” Alalouf is from Montreal, Canada; his husband hails from Chicago. They live here for the weather. Mulroy is the general manger of a local resort hotel. They’ve been together for eight years and were married in Provincetown five years ago. “Maybe we won’t need an Out50 when our kids’ kids are growing up,” he said. “That’s a worthy goal to aim for.” — Donald Cavanaugh

OUT 50 // SFGN.COM

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Michael C. Gongora was the first openly gay Hispanic commissioner in Florida to be elected to any public office. In addition, Gongora was the first openly gay person to win an election to public office in the City of Miami Beach, despite a negative campaign against him. Currently, he is an attorney with the Coral Gables law firm, Becker & Poliakoff. He’s a Miami native and graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School Law. “I chose my career as a lawyer because I always wanted to be an effective communicator and be in a position to help people and remedy wrongs,” he said. He attributes running for public office and leadership to his upbringing. His Cuban grandfather was a commissioner, and the grandfather on his mother side was an Assembly of God Preacher. He also cares deeply about green issues. Having created the City of Miami Beach Sustainability Committee, he effectuated change and got the city to do an audit on how it spends money on water, energy and waste. As a result, a sustainability plan for the city was adopted which was recognized by local media to Rolling Stone, NPR and President Obama. — Andrea Richard

Ralph Wolfe Cowan

“Who haven’t I painted,” painter Ralph Wolfe Cowan always responds with a chuckle. Such a statement would seem pretentious coming from nearly any other artist, but Cowan is acclaimed as the greatest American portrait painter of the 20th century. Cowan has painted the crowned heads of Europe, the legends of stage and screen, and three U.S. Presidents, but traces his long career back to his earliest years in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he first picked up a brush at the age of four. By the time he turned 16, Cowan moved to New York to make his mark as an artist. After a stint in the Army, he wound up in California, determined to paint the movie stars he adored as a child at Saturday matinees. Soon, Hollywood starlets lined up, including Elizabeth Taylor, Debbie Reynolds and Grace Kelly. He would go on to paint a landmark portrait of Princess Grace of Monaco that is considered a national treasure, and later immortalized Princess Diana, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and even Madonna. For the past 30 years, Cowan has called West Palm Beach home, but he still travels the world when the rich and famous beckon. — J.W. Arnold

Miriam Richter Attorney & Activist

When Miriam Richter first became (2011) an LGBT advocate — a title she prefers to activist — she was known as a trademark attorney who concentrated her practice on intellectual property matters. “It started from a need to get health insurance,” she recalled. “My partner of 20 years worked for the City of Fort Lauderdale and I could not get coverage on her policy at the time. So I kept calling Mayor Jack Seiler until I got him on the phone. He asked me what was involved and what it would cost the City. I spent the next six months gathering information. I sent the report to the Mayor and he put it on the agenda for the next meeting.

City Commissioners and the City Manager were in favor so they made it happen. It was very exciting to see how local government can be so responsive.” This impressed Stuart Milk, Harvey Milk’s nephew, and soon Richter became Education Director and Trademark Counsel for the Harvey Milk Foundation. “I realized that no one is doing the work that the Harvey Milk Foundation is doing. If we do not look at discrimination from a global perspective, it will never get better. Harvey’s message of hope and collaboration is still relevant and it’s huge honor to be able to continue that message.” — Jesse Monteagudo

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Noah Kitty

Steve Stagon

‘Saving’ Dade

The Survivor Steve Stagon was given two years to live. That was 1988. “Back then it was a death sentence,” said Stagon, speaking about his AIDS diagnosis. Stagon, a Pennsylvania native, moved to South Florida shortly after his diagnosis and began an amazing recovery. Today, the President of the World AIDS Museum and Educational Center, hails the community contacts he has made as a life saver. “When I moved to South Florida, I joined support groups,” he said. “It was much easier to come out here than Pennsylvania. The groups provided a safe place to meet people like me and make friends.” Since 2006, Stagon has led a support group, Pozitive Attitudes, which meets monthly at the Pride Center in Wilton Manors. He got the idea for a World AIDS Museum after doing ample research and finding nothing that tells the story of this deadly disease that has claimed the lives of more than 25 million people globally. “We want to increase awareness and decrease stigma,” said Stagon, on the museum’s mission. In his spare time, Stagon enjoys gardening, working out at Steel Gym and going to the movies. He is a proud owner of two Griffon Bruxellois dogs. — John McDonald

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Tony Lima

When Tony Lima was hired last summer to be the Executive Director of SAVE Dade, Board Chairman Brian Adler declared that “he brings talent, enthusiasm and passion to his new role and will represent the LGBT community in Miami with distinction.” Lima came to SAVE Dade with a rich background as a marketing professional, with six years’ experience as Vice President for Marketing, Communications, and Sales for the Miami Science Museum. Since he took the helm at SAVE Dade on September 3, Lima told SFGN, he and his staff “developed an ambitious political roadmap for 2014 that will help elect the right leaders to ultimately achieve a proequality state [of Florida]. Locally, we will focus on pushing forward to amend the Human Rights Ordinance in Miami-Dade County to add protections on the basis of gender identity and expression.” Lima also added to his team “a field director with national prominence that will help us achieve even greater strides for human rights and equality.“ Looking forward, Lima vows to continue SAVE Dade’s “legacy of hard work to create positive change as leaders of the organization have done before me.” Visit SaveDade.org for more information about SAVE Dade. — Jesse Monteagudo

Out & Proud Rabbi It’s been 40 years since Etz Chaim opened its doors as a welcoming place to both the Jewish and LGBT community. As the Executive Director, Rabbi Noah Kitty has seen first-hand the support and friendship of the community. “I’ve been in South Florida since 2002, when I left my pulpit in Vermont to take care of my mother, after my father passed suddenly,” Kitty said. “I’ve stayed because of the community, the support and friendship I’ve received personally from the LGBT community, and from the general Jewish community.” Along with weekly services, High Holiday services, and Passover services, Kitty said the new Temple Beth Torah in Tamarac has instituted a special monthly speaker series that has featured Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz, former Senator Nan Rich, and judge Lisa Porter. Kitty said religious organizations are much more welcoming in recent years. “For LGBT Jews, the question is not how to locate a welcoming synagogue, but which of the many local synagogues to join.” While there is still work to be done, Kitty believes the many battles have been won. “I believe the LGBT community has won the war of social and legal acceptance,” Kitty said. “I am confident that our work for marriage equality will soon succeed in Florida.” — Dori Zinn

Real Estate Giant She wasn’t a little girl with a dream to go in to realty, but it’s a safe bet to say buyers and sellers alike should be glad she did! Burnside has 25 years of experience as a realtor in South Florida, and while she specializes in commercial real estate properties, you should listen up because her job is actually more important to most of our social lives than many of us realize. One of our other Real Estate Honorees called her, “unequivocally, the queen of bars and liquor licenses.” Burnside herself even freely admits, “I LOVE [emphasizes] what I do. I like bars, I like club people.” Unlike some of our other honorees, Burnside distinguishes herself from the rest of the pack as freely admitting that she didn’t choose real estate, real estate chose her (at least in the beginning). She credits much of her getting started in realty to her boss at the time — she was a paralegal — and worked for Henry Amoon who was a general practice attorney but did a lot of work around liquor licenses. Obviously noting Burnside’s propensity for success, he, “suggested I’d never want to work for anyone else,” she says. And that’s when she decided to get her real estate license. Twenty years later, Amoon retired, but at that point, Burnside was already a commercial real estate force with 5 years experience to be reckoned with. Drinkers, calm down, though… she does take a residential listing as long as it’s worth it. So be careful to box her in — while she does deal with commercial properties, bars, liquor stores and nightclubs (in addition to brokering liquor licenses), there’s nothing Burnside’s confidence exudes that says she won’t see every deal through from beginning to end with perfection. Visit PatBurnsideRealty.com for more information. — Mike Anguille

Pat Burnside

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Dean J. Trantalis Having a ‘BLAST’

Toni Armstrong, Jr. 16

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With her lifelong work as a special education teacher, her success establishing Gay-Straight Alliances in K-12 Chicago schools from 1995-2003, and her laundry list of accolades, you’d think Toni Armstrong Jr. would come to Palm Beach to take a break. But with the success of BLAST, you probably understand why she hasn’t stopped. Armstrong successfully runs Bi, Lesbian, and Straight Together, or BLAST, a 1,400 member community group that’s aimed to serve the women of Palm Beach County. In a little more than five years since its creation, BLAST hosts everything from dance lessons to snorkeling to discussion groups. “Prior to BLAST, it was very difficult for women to meet women for the purpose of doing things together based on shared interests,” Armstrong said. “BLAST is about creating an interesting and supportive community for women to be part of.” BLAST is truly community-driven: there is no board of directors or elected officers. Armstrong said the calendar has 3-6 events every week, and there’s no membership fee. Armstrong sees much growth in the next five years. “BLAST will be empowering women to try new things and giving free publicity to woman-centric events,” Armstrong said. “Every month some BLAST member suggests a great new idea, and as a community, we figure out how to make as many of them happen as we can.” — Dori Zinn

Out & Proud Politician Dean Trantalis was born and raised in Norwich, Connecticut. He graduated cum laude from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. In 1979, he completed his legal studies at the Stetson University School of Law. He took his studies aboard and studied international law in London, Eastern Europe and Russia. He’s been practicing law in Broward County since 1992. Currently, he maintains a general practice that handles real estate, probate, and corporate matters. When Broward County was amidst a referendum to pass a human rights ordinance in 1990, Trantalis decided to enter politics. Three years later, he became chair of Broward United Against Discrimination, a local chapter with a statewide effort. The aim was to defeat American Family Association’s petition drive to prevent any city or county from enacting gay-rights laws. In 1995, he served as co-chair of Americans For Equality. His leadership experience is extensive. “As time passed, I became drawn to issues affecting human rights and anti-discrimination causes,” he wrote. His charity work includes being on the board for the Broward House, a nonprofit that serves individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Currently Trantalis is a City Commissioner for Fort Lauderdale. — Andrea Richard

Insurance Mogul Joe Pallant is a business savvy Miami Beach native who thought the fax machine was a brilliant idea. He obtained his MBA from the University of Miami. He’s a real estate broker and licensed property and casualty insurance agent for the state of Florida. How did he get into this field? “As with many things in life, it was accident and timing,” Pallant wrote. “After graduating with my MBA, I tried to get a job in New York during a time of economic downturn. No one was hiring and I ended up back in Florida where a friend offered me an entry-level job in insurance.” In 1992, he opened South Beach Insurance on Miami Beach and sold it in 2005 to move to Fort Lauderdale. He opened Pallant Insurance Agency in 2005 with only two employees and since then his company has grown into one of the largest insurance agencies in the region. He supports the local LGBT community through working with organizations that help protect rights of gays and lesbians. — Andrea Richard

Joe Pallant CEO of Planned Parenthood of South Florida

Lillian Tamayo

As the President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast, Lillian Tamayo has spent the last 15 years not only advocating for women’s health issues, but also for people’s health issues. “Discrimination towards LGBTQ people still occurs regularly in health care systems, especially towards transgender persons,” Tamayo said. “There is insufficient training or education to build provider LGBTQ competencies.” With partnerships that include the Safe to Be Me Coalition, SunServe, and the Pride Center, Planned Parenthood is committed to safe and reliable access to health care. “As advocates, we work with partner groups to fight for access to health care and equal rights,” Tamayo said. “At our health centers, our doctors and nurses provide nonjudgmental, confidential care to any patient that comes through our doors, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.” While Planned Parenthood and other groups believe so much progress has been made, there is still work to be done. “For me, protecting women’s health care and advocating for marriage equality are inextricably connected as both issues are grounded in core human values,” Tamayo said. “Sometimes, we view our respective organizational missions from a narrow lens, diminishing our potential for stronger coalition and partnership.” – Dori Zinn

A Big Role; A Modest Man

Kristofer Fegenbush 2/26/14

When you ask Kris Fegenbush what makes The Pride Center successful, you may want to sit down. It could take awhile. He may go on about his full day — visiting with more than 150 LGBT seniors; meeting with nearly 60 people living with HIV/AIDS; talking with LGBT parents who are looking for �inancial and legal planning — before admitting to what it’s all about: the diversity of The Pride Center. “Every day, the groups, events and programs may look different, but I hope the message to people in the community remains: you are embraced, you are accepted, you are appreciated, you are worthy, you are loved,” he said. Fegenbush, Chief Operating Of�icer of The Pride Center, can gush for hours about how the 20-year-old organization has made its impact in the community. He will say it is because the “perseverance, commitment and generosity of many.” But he may not like to admit that he is a big part of it. “I wake up most mornings and try to do something to positively impact those I encounter,” he said. “I’ve been showered with love. I try to invest that love in those around me.” — Dori Zinn

OUT 50 // SFGN.COM

Store Owner & Politician

Emilio Benitez

Protecting Our Children

Emilio Benitez grew up in Miami and is native to Havana, Cuba. The past 27 years, Benitez has resided in Hollywood, Florida. He’s a Tulane University graduate and received his Juris Doctorate at the University of Florida. In 2007, he took the reigns as president and CEO of ChildNet, a not-for-profit community-based child welfare agency, where he’s served on the board for many years prior to taking on this role. ChildNet is nationally recognized and awarded for its innovative child welfare efforts. It has offices in Broward and Palm Beach Counties and serves abused, abandoned and neglected children. In addition, his career background includes service as an assistant public defender in juvenile and felony trial divisions with the Broward County Public Defender’s Office. Also, he has practiced criminal, personal injury and real estate law. He was attracted to children’s advocacy because his grandmother was adopted, and his father had been in foster care. Benitez is known among his peers for his unwavering compassion for the children ChildNet serves. He believes that all children, especially those involved in the foster care system, through no fault of their own,need and deserve to be loved. — Andrea Richard

Out & Proud Pastor Pastor Leslie Tipton was born in Woodland Hills, California. She got her bachelor’s degree in behavioral psychology at San Diego State University. She attended SpiritSong Institute, obtained a certi�icate of ordination and was ordained a reverend in the Christian faith. She serves as senior pastor at SpiritSong in Wilton Manors. “I don’t believe I chose my career, but that God chose me for a life of service,” she wrote.

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Andy Amoroso

“After serving in the U.S. Marines for ten years, I very clearly heard the voice of God calling me out from serving my country and into a life of loving and serving my neighbor. Each and every one is awesome and deserves to know that God loves them just the way they are and that He values them.” Pastor Tipton is known for her warmth, open mindedness and fairness to those she meets. She lives in Sunrise with her wife, mother and nine pets. — Andrea Richard

OUT 50 // 2/26/14

Leslie Tipton

Openly gay Lake Worth City Commissioner, Andy Amoroso, says he has never come out. “I never had to,” he said,” “My parents were cool with it from the beginning. “And I was never bothered in school.” The Florida native was born in Broward and raised in Lake Worth. He attended Lake Worth High and Palm Beach Community College (now Palm Beach State College), and majored in travel. Amoroso opened the first gay travel agency in the county and had tremendous success. He sold the business and opened Studio 205 at 205 N. Federal Highway, the first and only gay emporium in Palm Beach County. He moved to his current location at 600 Lake Ave. and has added a juice bar on L Street. He also owns a vintage goods store at 619 N. Dixie Highway called Atomic Living. Amoroso entered politics “to make a difference” – for both gay and straight residents. “When the city is healthy, you can do so much more for everyone,” he said. “Just getting elected started that process,” he continued. “I’m the first elected gay city commissioner in Lake Worth and all of Palm Beach.” And he still runs the only gay store in the county. — Donald Cavanaugh

Nikki Adams South Florida Legend Nikki Adams has been entertaining for the last 37 years. Many of her performances have been to charities that directly support AIDS. “I knew that my role as an entertainer and a member of the LBGT community was to be someone who could lend a voice to raise awareness and also help raise funds that were so very desperately needed,” Adams said. So she had dedicated her work to doing just that. Adams is the former Community Liaison for the development department of Broward House — a role she had for nearly four years. During that time, she produced many successful events, including Moulin

Rouge, Mad Hatter's and Great Gatsby Galas, Broward Bares It and more. One of the biggest struggles Adams recognizes in the LGBT community is the leadership. “I find too often that the lack of willingness to work together in this community could become the downfall of it,” she said. “We could be so much stronger if we lifted ONE voice. In short, [there are] too many chiefs.” While there may be a race to lead, Adams believes that one day there may not need to be a fight. “Soon, perhaps more than 5 years, perhaps sooner, who knows, but acceptance, true acceptance, will be obtained.” — Dori Zinn 2/26/14

OUT 50 // SFGN.COM

Charlie Fredrickson

Photo Historian Charlie Fredrickson is a photo chronicler extraordinaire, active churchman and consistent supporter of the gay community in Palm Beach County. With tens of thousands of photographs going back to the early 80s, many of them online, Fredrickson’s opus is an invaluable resource for LGBT history in Palm Beach as well as counties further south. Fredrickson came to Palm Beach in 1981 and immediately engaged with the newly founded MCC church, having been involved with that organization both in Philadelphia and Tacoma, WA. “My pictures show a timeline of gay life and events in the county,” he said. “I’ve been taking photos for years and was actually able to find some pictures from the founding of the church. “I try to support all the gay groups in Palm Beach with my presence, my pictures and often, with donations,” he said. “I belong to Compass, the Pride Business Alliance, HRC {Palm Beach County Human Rights Council] and more.” Fredrickson recently became vice president of the Palm Beach County Prime Timers and he coordinates a monthly gay gathering at a variety of non-gay venues like the Chesterfield Hotel, the Colony and others. — Donald Cavanaugh

Out & Proud Judge

Steve Rothaus America’s LGBT Issues Reporter “It was a struggle from week to week to get people to go on the record,” recalled Steve Rothaus during the early days of reporting on the LGBT community in South Florida. Rothaus began writing his Gay South Florida Blog in 2006 and it is now the blog of authority for the Miami metropolitan area. He started with the Miami Herald in the mid 1980s and gradually worked his way up through the organization’s ranks. What began as a one day a week assignment to monitor the police radio in Miami Beach has blossomed into Rothaus’ full-time role as the LGBT issues reporter at the Herald. “I don’t know of any other mainstream newspapers with that as a full time beat,” Rothaus said. “I love what I’m doing. It’s giving voice to the public and learning along the way. It’s a great time to be covering the marriage story.” Marriage is on many minds these days with the recent court challenge to Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage — a story that earned Rothaus a front-page byline. He met his partner, Ric Katz, an influential political consultant, while working retail for the department store, Lord & Taylor. The couple of 29 years recently tied the knot in New York. — John McDonald

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OUT 50 // 2/26/14

Judge Lisa Porter has been a part of the Florida Justice System for over 20 years and was previously profiled by SFGN in 2012 for her marriage to her partner of 25 years, Patricia Windowmaker, deputy general counsel to Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel. Starting her career as a felony prosecutor, Porter advanced rapidly through the ranks of the state’s prosecutorial hierarchy holding both local and statewide positions across Florida before being appointed to the 17th Judicial Circuit (Broward County) in 2008 by then Governor Charlie Crist. With boatloads of judicial achievements, it’s difficult to sum up Porter’s work in such a short space. However, there are certain standout aspects of her career, which are more than noteworthy: as a prosecutor she developed a specialty in environmental crimes like wetlands violations and commercial dumping. She successfully prosecuted the director of the City of Crystal River’s waste water plant in Citrus County for failing to report to state authorities that his facility couldn’t handle the influx of wastewater, resulting in its discharge to King’s Bay and contributing to harmful algal blooms endangering the bay’s dense population of manatee and other wildlife. The necessary new plant, not surprisingly, was quickly built after the director’s conviction. As a judge she’s made it a matter of priority to ensure the justice system operates with “surgical” efficiency. She actively manages hundreds of cases at any given time (741 at the time of interview) pushing prosecutors and defense attorneys to reach agreement when a case has an imminent outcome (like those with confessions or, conversely, a lack of evidence) and moving along cases with less clarity to trial for a jury to determine the outcome. Ensuring fairness for all parties involved is paramount to Porter and her approach to her work on the bench. — Mike Anguille

Lisa Porter

A Lifetime of Firsts

Robin Bodiford

Robin Bodiford has been gay for as long as she can remember and she has been first out in many ways for many years. “I was one of the first three openly gay attorneys in Broward County,” Bodiford said. “It was me, Dean Trantalis [featured in Out50] and Alan Terl [deceased].” She was the first attorney to advertise in the Broward gay media with a photograph of herself, and the first attorney to advertise services for LGBT people on bus stop kiosks. “And I never received any hate mail or threats or anything of that nature,” she said. “All-in-all things have gone pretty smoothly.” She had her first position as an attorney with one of the largest law firms in San Francisco. She asked a senior executive if she could bring her partner to company events. “He nearly lost it,” she said. “He told me the conversation hadn’t taken place and the topic was off-limits for the future. “They’re now major supporters of rights for their gay employees,” she said. “Go figure.” “Come out as soon as you can is my best advice,” she concluded. “It’s fantastic and the best thing you can do for yourself — personally and professionally.” — Donald Cavanaugh

Playwright/Founder, Kutumba Theatre Project

Kim Ehly

Playwright Kim Ehly is the leading voice in theater for South Florida’s lesbian community. Ehly first grabbed the attention of critics and audiences alike with the premiere of her loosely autobiographical play, “Baby GirL,” which premiered at Fort Lauderdale’s Empire Stage in 2012 and earned her a Carbonell Award for Best New Work. Ehly initially penned the show as a monologue for a writing workshop in New York, then guided it through a version at Women’s Theatre Project, then worked it up as a screenplay. Her dream is to eventually produce and direct the movie version. Through Kutumba Theatre Project, the professional company she founded, Ehly brings critically acclaimed productions of lesbian-themed plays to a South Florida LGBT theater community that has largely been dominated by gay men. “I’m inspired by women who are able to pave the way for other women, particularly in the theater and film worlds, where gender parity is a big challenge,” she said. “My goal in life is to inspire others. I know of a few women who wrote their stories, after seeing my play…. Winning awards and nominations was yummy icing on the cake.” — J.W. Arnold 2/26/14

OUT 50 // SFGN.COM

Palm Beach Power Couple It was through activism and work at Compass that brought together Tony Plakas and Jamie Foreman, who have been together since November 1997 and married since 2011. Plakas, the CEO, first started working there that year and Foreman had moved down to South Florida and was looking for volunteer work. Together, they’ve garnered their strengths to make the community center what it is today. Originally, the center was almost solely focused on HIV/AIDS, but now has also branched out to what Plakas calls a “fullfledged community center” with events like PrideFest and the Stonewall Ball. “Our kids still need a safe place to go to be themselves and hang out,” he said. Foreman, an attorney, volunteers with the center as well as the Human Rights Council and also helped expand PrideFest from a 500-person gathering to a two-day extravaganza drawing 15,000 attendees, including local leaders, businesses and other parts of the Palm Beach community. “It’s a testament to not only what we do but the amount of volunteers we have,” he said. — Christiana Lilly

Tony Plakas (R) & Jamie Foreman Activist Extraordinaire

Michael Rajner 22

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Michael Emanuel Rajner’s coming out process began in Los Angeles as a twenty-something conservative. “I was an aide to a Republican state senator and an insurance underwriter,” Rajner recalled. “I was a Catholic then and dealing with a lot of shame. It was an evolving process.” Rajner, now 43, is a leading social justice activist, who calls Wilton Manors home. The tall Brooklyn, N.Y. native admits to struggling with his role as an agent of change. “As an activist, I don’t think you are ever satis�ied or happy because there is always something next,” he said. Rajner wears many hats in the LGBT community and serves on the United States PLHIV (People Living With HIV) Caucus, a national strategy network of individuals, groups and organizations brought together to �ight the disease. He is also active in Florida politics and was one of the �irst Democrats from the LGBT community to receive a sit down interview with gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist. Speaking from the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force’s “Creating Change” Conference in Houston, Texas, Rajner said he felt like a senior advisor. “It’s great to see so many young people here all engaging and learning for their communities,” he said. — John McDonald

Elizabeth Schwartz Attorney & Activist Attorney Elizabeth Schwartz says, “Sometimes, when I come out to friends who knew me way back when, their reaction is ‘We always knew you were a lesbian, but we never dreamed you’d become a lawyer!’” The double L-worded Schwartz, who is from Miami Beach and grew up in Hollywood, went to college thinking she would become a journalist, but a passion for activism and advocacy, and an epiphany during a jazz concert in New Orleans, showed her that becoming a lawyer would mean she could fuse the social work she loved with making a living. In private practice for sixteen years, her efforts and achievements on behalf of the LGBT community of south Florida and her expertise in the areas of family law, surrogacy, estate planning, probate, adoption, insemination and marriage dissolution, have brought her numerous awards and honors. Schwartz is also a certiﬁed family mediator who treats the law as a therapeutic profession. Currently Schwartz is representing six couples who are suing the State of Florida to overturn its ban on gay marriage. She is a founding member of the Aqua Foundation for Women, raising funds by and for south Florida’s lesbian community. She may not have become the journalist she once envisioned, but she chose to live with one, Lydia Martin, who has been her partner for twelve years. They live in downtown Miami. – Tony Adams

Jowharah Sanders Protecting Our Youth In October 2009 Jowharah Sanders founded National Voices for Equality, Education and Enlightenment (NVEEE), a community-based, non-profit organization whose mission is to prevent bullying, violence, and suicide among youth, families and communities through direct service, mentoring and prevention education. As she told SFGN, NVEEE “came out of my desire to help prevent bullying and suicide among our young people. After two suicide attempts of my own (as a teenager) I knew all too well that it could be prevented, and that perhaps by sharing my experiences it may help someone else.” NVEEE’s goal “is providing signature programs to schools and establishing bonds

with youth and families in need of support dealing with bullying and suicide ideation.” NVEEE’s work has been rightly recognized by the national media, most notably by the ABC TV Network’s “Secret Millionaire.” On January 29, The Creative Coalition and World Wrestling Entertainment, co-founders of the Be a STAR (Show Tolerance And Respect) anti-bullying initiative, chose NVEEE as one of five winners of the first-ever Be a STAR grant program. “The grant will provide funding for NVEEE’s signature ‘Not on My Watch’ School-wide Bullying Prevention Program and the Peace Ambassador Program, which will serve over 7,000 students in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties throughout the school-year.” — Jesse Monteagudo

2/26/14

OUT 50 // SFGN.COM

A Leading Lady of Miami-Dade

Robin Schwartz

Robin Schwartz is one of the South Florida women who founded the Aqua Foundation for Women in 2004. Three years ago she became executive director and leads the mission of the foundation, which is “…to serve as the funding catalyst for lesbian, bisexual, and transgender wellness and equality in South Florida through grants, scholarships and initiatives.” You can’t do that from the closet and as a member of the South Florida Out 50, Schwartz is way out of the closet. During her career, Schwartz has held a number of highly visible positions in various organizations including work with SAVE Dade, Miami Beach Gay Pride, and the City of Miami Beach LGBT Business Enhancement Committee. She has also been a volunteer for the Task Force, and Pridelines, “I started coming out in college,” said the Miami native. “I’ve been pretty much out since then.” “Being out is the most important thing we can do,” she continued. “It sets you free and it allows allies and non-allies to get to know us better. Of course, some people have unfortunate situations that keep them closeted but whoever can come out, should do it.” — Donald Cavanaugh

Glen Weinzimer 24

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Pompano Bill South Florida Legend Pompano Bill remembers when he arrived in South Florida. “There was no animosity,” Bill recalled, describing the attitudes at the time. “I gave people a kiss on the cheek and nobody cared. I gave my straight friends kisses too.” Bill, whose real name is John William Calcaterra, retired to Broward County after 36 years with IBM. He quickly became a familiar face among the paparazzi. “I never walk out the door without the camera by my side,” said Bill, who at 88, continues to work the crowds for just the right glamour shot. Bill’s photos have been published in

SMART Ride Founder When Glen Weinzimer, founder of the SMART Ride, was diagnosed with full-blown AIDS in 1993, he did not expect to be one of the lucky few who managed to survive. Weinzimer converted his situation into a compulsion to support South Florida agencies that help people living with HIV/ AIDS. He never dreamed that his creation, a 165 mile fund-raising bicycle ride from Miami to Key West would grow from its humble beginning— Weinzimer and a friend with a banner begging for contributions at the doors of gay bars—into an 11 year old annual event involving several hundred bike riders and an equally large support crew.

magazines such as Scoop, Outlook, 411, Buzz and, currently, Hotspots (as well as SFGN). “When one magazine would end, I’d jump on another,” says Bill, always eager to provide content. Bill, a native of Norway, Michigan in the state’s upper peninsula, says he owns many pictures of celebrities, preferring to name former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno as his most prized possession. He fondly recalled shooting the models at Fort Lauderdale Beach’s Club Caribbean during the 1990s. “There would be 1,500 guys there on Sunday afternoon … almost all with their shirts off,” Bill says. “That’s when I bought a zoom lens.” — John McDonald

Weinzimer is justifiably proud of the fact that 100 percent of the funds raised by the SMART Ride go to the recipient organizations. In 2013, the tenth year of Smart Ride, that meant $1,070,101. Among the organizations supported is the Pride Center, in Wilton Manors, receiving $148,000 of the total raised in 2013. Weinzimer gets emotional when he speaks of the overwhelming generosity of his supporters, and promises to continue with the annual SMART Ride until there is a cure for HIV/AIDS. SMART Ride 11 is scheduled for November 14-15, 2014. To register as a rider or crew, visit TheSmartRide.org — Tony Adams

2/26/14

OUT 50 // SFGN.COM

Political Hopeful

John Paul Alvarez

He’s young, battle tested and confident. Meet John Paul Alvarez, candidate for the Florida House of Representatives, District 100. Not yet 30, Alvarez has already run once for the House — coming up just short in his bid for District 53 in Brevard County. “They character assassinated me,” said Alvarez, as he talked about the painful mailers sent out to voters during the general election campaign of 2012. Alvarez, a Miami native, came out to his first generation Hispanic-American family during high school. He graduated from the University of Central Florida in Orlando with a B.A. in History and currently teaches third grade for the Broward School District. Alvarez is a strong advocate for the Teacher’s Union and serves as the Communications Director for the Florida Democratic Party’s GLBT Caucus. Together with his partner, Ben McAfee, Alvarez lives in Hollywood and they are proud fathers of two dogs. He calls his eight-year relationship with McAfee a “Gone With the Wind” type of romance. On coming out to his parents, Alvarez says, “It was tough on my mom at first, but my family has accepted me and opened their hearts to us.” — John McDonald

Building a Relationship with God

Palm Beach County Gay Rights Activist Rand Hoch, Florida’s first openly gay judicial appointee (by Gov. Lawton Chiles in 1992), never understood why the law firm that offered him a job shortly out of law school, rescinded the offer when they learned he was gay. “I never made much of being gay,” Hoch said. “I assumed they knew who I was and that they were ok with it.” The injustice left him sad and angry: sad that people could discriminate against gay people and angry that they could get away with it. “I knew something had to be done,” he said. “But no one was doing it so it was up to me.” Hoch founded the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council PBCHRC in 1988. The goal of the organization is civil equality for everyone. Hoch’s methodology is to knock on doors, self-identify as a gay man and ask elected and appointed officials to protect people like himself from discrimination in employment, in housing and wherever else it appears. It works. Hoch and the PBCHRC have made Palm Beach County one of the most progressive in the country in providing human rights and civil protections for all. — Donald Cavanaugh

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OUT 50 // 2/26/14

Lea Brown

Rand Hoch

As many churches around the country face devastating declines in membership, Rev. Dr. Lea Brown believes that the success of the Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches is one vital thing: relationship. “A relationship with God, with others and with ourselves,” Brown said. “So that is what we are about: giving God’s love and our love away as abundantly and in as many ways as we can.” With nearly 140 members, MCCPB not only serves the LGBT community, but also straight allies — all members of the church. Anyone can visit and all are welcome. But while there has been so much progress for equal rights, Brown said there is still work to be done. “No matter how long we have been out, shame can hold an unconscious and insidious power over us,” Brown said. “It’s a power that we cannot overcome by ourselves, which is why supportive community is so important.” — Dori Zinn

2/26/14

OUT 50 // SFGN.COM

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Jesse Monteagudo In this issue of SFGN we honor 50 important people in South Florida’s LGBT community. Missing from the list is SFGN publisher Norm Kent. This is understandable; as it would not be proper for Norm to “honor” himself in his own paper. However, as a Senior Features Correspondent, I do not have such restraints. In my humble opinion, Norman Elliott Kent’s contributions to our community have earned him a place among our best and brightest. I first met Kent in the early 1980’s, when I was involved with another gay attorney, the late Stephen Jerome. Kent was already famous as a lawyer when he decided to try his hand at gay journalism by starting The Express (1999). At the time, I was writing for The Weekly News (twn), a survivor from the 1970’s that was already showing signs of stagnation. Kent’s Express shook up South Florida’s journalistic establishment and improved the competition (twn included) by its example. Kent sold The Express to Window Media in 2003 but came back, bigger and better, with SFGN (2009). If Kent’s contributions to our community were limited to his publishing endeavors, they would have earned him a place among our greats. But Kent’s resume goes further than that. Many of us enjoyed his morning drive radio talk show — broadcast on WFTL-1400 AM from 1989 to 1997 and on WFTL850 AM from 2002 to 2005. For much of that time, Kent broadcast his show from a window-side table at the Floridian Restaurant on Las Olas Boulevard; which allowed Fort Lauderdale personalities to drop by for a chat and the masses to watch him at work from the sidewalk. But it is an attorney and an activist that Norm Kent will be most remembered. He has successfully defended many clients, including gay men who were falsely accused of breaking Florida’s lewd and lascivious law. He has sued local governments in Florida on behalf of his clients’ civil rights. Kent’s work for LGBT rights and equality is well known; and needs not be repeated here. Less known is Kent’s years of work on behalf of marijuana law reform. He has

SouthFloridaGayNews

chaired the Board of Directors of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and defended clients’ use of medical marijuana. The decriminalization of marijuana, once considered to be a pipe dream, is now closer to reality than

ever before. Twenty states now allow for the medical use of cannabis; and even conservative Florida might join that number if the voters approve a state constitutional amendment this November. In addition to his SFGN articles, Norm Kent is the author of “The Pot Warriors Manifesto.” He also contributes to CounterPunch.org and Bilerico.com. Those who are interested in Kent the lawyer should check out BrowardLawBlog.com; where he shares his wisdom about legal (and other) matters.

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F O R

SFGNITES

T H E

J.W. Arnold

jw@prdconline.com

THUR FILM

W E E K

O F

2/27

F E B R U A R Y

2 6

M A R C H

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2 0 1 4

W W W . S F G N . C O M

ustin Timberlake brings his 20/20 Experience tour to South Florida with appearances at the BB&T Center and American Airlines Arena.

Join film buffs at the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, 1300 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale, at 7 p.m. for movie night. In honor of Black History Month, the museum will screen “Black Is….Black Ain’t,” a 1994 feature-length documentary by Marlon Riggs. The documentary uses the filmmaker’s own grandmother’s gumbo as a metaphor for the rich diversity of Black identities across the country. Riggs, who died of AIDS in 1994 at the age of 37, also makes an appearance. Free. For information, go to StonewallMuseum.org.

FRI

COMEDY

2/28

Enjoy a supersized order of fun as Emmy Award-winner Bruce Vilanch teams up with Off-Broadway queen Judy Gold for a sidesplitting evening of comedy tonight, “Big & Tall with Bruce Vilanch & Judy Gold” at the Parker Playhouse, 707 NE 8th St. in Fort Lauderdale. Vilanch is one of the most soughtafter jokesmiths in the entertainment industry while Judy Gold is best known for her onewoman hit shows and four comedy specials. And, they both return to South Florida with plenty of funny stuff to tell. Tickets are $31.50 – $76.50 at ParkerPlayhouse.org.

SAT

DANCE

3/1 SUN

Sssssh! Don’t tell anyone. Tonight is the opening of the Secret Art Show 2014, 7 – 10 p.m. at Broward Art Guild, 3280 NE 32nd St. in Fort Lauderdale. Some of the county’s most popular and talented artists have donated works for this annual fundraiser. Purchase a $50 tax-deductible “lottery” ticket and the tickets will be drawn at random throughout the evening, designating the order donors may select the pieces they will take home with them. It’s a fun way to support local artists. For more information, go to BrowardArtGuild.org.

Submitted Photo

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THEATER

3/2 MON

Primal Forces, a new theatrical offshoot of the Boca Raton Theatre Guild, is coming to Fort Lauderdale with the Florida premiere of David Mamet’s play, “The Anarchist.” Set in a prison, Mamet’s play explores the relationship between a reformed political activist and her warden. Jacqueline Laggy and Patti Gardner star in gritty roles originated on Broadway by Patti LuPone and Debra Winger. Thursday – Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m through March 23 at Andrews Living Arts, 23 NW 5th St. in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets $25 at BRTG.org.

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FILM

3/3 TUE

Our friends up north just can’t seem to get any respite from the bitter winter, but we can show our solidarity for the victims of the latest polar vortex as we bask in the South Florida sunshine. Head to the local cineplex for Disney’s latest animated hit film, “Frozen.” Anti-gay traditional family activists have been blasting the film for its “obvious” lesbian agenda, so it’s only right to show our support and buy a ticket. Plus, we hear the music is pretty good, too. Check local listings for theaters and show times.

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MUSIC

3/4

Believe it or not, there are still tickets available to see singer Justin Timberlake tonight at the BB&T Arena in Sunrise and tomorrow night in Miami at the American Airlines Arena. The former Mouseketeer is all grown up and continues to wow fans with his talent, whether he’s singing on stage or making a television appearance. His recent guest stint on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” is breaking YouTube records, but there’s no substitute for the real thing. Tickets are $49.50 – $175 at Ticketmaster.com.

WIN YOUR OWN MEDAL in 2014! Register NOW! SAVE $30 on general regstration by 28 February (general registration discount code*: SFGN. Must be used at checkout.)

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TO G E T H E R , W E W I L L M A K E H I STO RY.

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GAMES. 9 -1 6 AU G U ST 2 0 1 4 35+ sports & cultural events Plus festivals, ceremonies performances, parties and more

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a&e theater

WINNER!

‘The Full Monty’ Hubba, Hubba

BEST MUSICAL PHOTO BY KYLE FROMAN

J.W. Arnold

NOW ON SALE! Tickets start at $34.50 February 25 - March 9 BrowardCenter.org or 954-462-0222 Groups of 10+ Save!

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The premise of “The Full Monty”—not unlike so many other Broadway shows—is a bit of a stretch. A group of unemployed Buffalo steel workers decide to put on a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives go crazy for a performance by the Chippendales. It’s a sure thing, their leader Jerry concludes, because they can go all the way, “the full Monty.” Thanks to Terrence McNally’s adaptation of the 1997 British movie, what these men lack in pecs and abs and glutes is more than made up with heart. One by one, we’re introduced to the saps who would be studs: Jerry Lukowski (Preston Ellis), the deadbeat dad fighting for his son; Dave Bukatinsky (J.P. Sarro), an overweight slob whose self-esteem is in the dumps; Harold Nichols (Barry Tarallo), their former boss who got the ax himself; unlikely lovers Malcom MacGregor (Alex Jorth) and Ethan Girard (Regan McLellan); and “Horse” Simmons (Reggie Whitehead), a geriatric black man whose nickname is just a little hyped over you know what. With their feisty, foul mouthed pianist, Jeannette (Leslie Anne Wolfe), they prepare for the show, working through their fears, anxieties and inner demons and build bonds that will help them each achieve happiness. The opening act is not unlike “A Chorus Line” as each character is introduced with autobiographical musical numbers from composer and lyricist David Yazbek. They equate themselves to “Scrap” in the opening song as they collect their employment checks. Horse steals the show with his number, “Big Black Man,” demonstrating he still has all the right moves, despite his age, taking the audience through an R&B infused number laced with the Funky Chicken, Mashed Potato and Twist. In an attempt to overcome their clumsiness, the team turns to sports to help them master

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the choreography in “Michael Jordan’s Ball.” In her torch song, the gritty Jeannette promises the men “It can only get better.” Thanks to stage direction from Dom Ruggiero, Ellis and his co-stars are immediately likeable, the ultimate key to selling this show. The audience is pulling for them from the start as the seemingly simple plot gets more and more convoluted. Yazbek’s score is not easy, but the gentlemen shine under the musical direction of Michael Ursua, despite the challenges of singing to a recorded accompaniment track peppered with tricky pauses and syncopated entrances. The ladies in the cast, particularly Kara Staiger and Casey Weems as Dave and Harold’s respective wives, had more difficulty finding and matching pitches in their numbers than the men. As can be expected from a theater company with an in-house costume museum, the costume design from Linda C. Shorrock hits the late ‘80s/early ‘90s blue collar aesthetic perfectly, especially in the women’s outfits. And, extremely flexible scenery from Gateway Playhouse, largely constructed from welded steel, corrugated metal and mesh panels, perfectly evokes the battered landscape of Rust Belt-era Buffalo. At the time the musical first went to Broadway, the country had largely recovered from the recession of the early 1990s. Today, nearly two decades later, it’s still relevant in a time of high unemployment following the Great Recession. The domestic steel industry of the northeast is gone, but the sentiment of hard times is still there. Fortunately, The Wick’s production provides plenty of hope. “The Full Monty – The Broadway Musical” comes to The Wick Theatre, 7901 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton. Tickets $58. Showtimes at TheWick.org.

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SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 2.26.14 //

a&e theater

FGO Takes Opera to the Streets of Miami J.W. Arnold

The only proper place to enjoy opera is in a stuffy concert hall, surrounded by bluehaired grand dames and old men in stiff collared penguin suits. Not anymore. Florida Grand Opera is determined to turn the stereotypical notions of opera on their head with “Unexpected Operas in Unexpected Places,” an annual series that includes performances of Andy Vores’ one act opera, “No Exit,” Feb. 27 – March 1 in a Miami Beach bar, of all places. “No Exit” is about three damned souls who are condemned to spend all of eternity together in a room with no exits, a place they eventually discover is hell, an adaptation of existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre’s celebrated play of the same name. As the chamber opera begins, three damned souls, Garcin, Inez, and Estelle, are brought to the same room and locked inside by a mysterious valet. They had all expected torture devices to punish them for eternity, but instead find a plain room and soon realize that they have been placed together to make each other miserable. They soon discover that Inez is attracted to Estelle, Estelle is attracted to Garcin and Garcin is in no mood for either woman. Garcin finally begins giving in to Estelle’s seduction, which drives Inez crazy. Inez tells him that Estelle is just pretending to be attracted to him so that she can be with a man — any man. This upsets Garcin and he abruptly tries to escape by trying to open the door. After several attempts, it surprisingly opens. However, Garcin is unable to bring himself to leave and he and the two women ultimately decide to stay. Garcin concludes that rather than torture devices or physical punishment, “hell is other people.” According to the composer, the opera is “both rich and empty at the same time – and that gave me the chance to make some tight and grizzly musical statements along with sections of dark, acid humor, and others of loss and sadness; a very varied journey in a short span of time.”

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In this opera, there is no “fat lady” in a metal breastplate and horned helmet to belt out imperious arias. “No Exit” features three young members of FGO’s Young Artist Program, mezzo-soprano Caitlin McKechney (Inez), tenor Casey Finnigan (Garcin) and soprano Riley Svatos (Estelle). Finnegan commented about the opera, “(“No Exit”) starts as an almost satirical romp through Hell; and quickly degrades into raw, visceral, animal theater. It’s a dark comedy with an emphasis on dark; the kind of piece where the audience is practically forced to walk away with an almost Shakespearean sense of relief about their own personal lives. It’s a grungy look at human interaction, and an insight into the mind of the sociopathic. But most of all, it’s a spectacular piece of theater not to be missed.” Added Svatos, “Nothing about “No Exit” is really traditional, and the venue is really off-the-wall for what the general public has come to expect from operatic performances. But however unexpected the location, it works perfectly for this piece. The lighting capabilities at (the club) are fantastic, and it’s going to be an encompassing experience with audience members on all sides. Not to mention it’s the kind of place Estelle, with her luxurious tastes, would have frequented in life—very modern and hip. Come, have a shot, perhaps a flaming one, and join us in hell for an evening.”

What

“No Exit” by Andy Vores Florida Grand Opera

“Opera in Unexpected Places”

When Where More Info.

Thursday, Feb. 27 - Saturday, March 1, 10 p.m. Arena, 653 Washington Ave., Miami Beach Tickets $25 at FGO.org Adults 21+ Only

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Multi-talented, Saucy Nashville Singer/Songwriter

Sherrié Austin in concert Wednesday, March 12 @ 7:30 & 9:30 pm Performance in the Intimate Stage West Theatre

Featured on the Sundance Channel Reality TV series -

Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys

In addition to her Country hits – Lucky In Love, One Solitary Tear and Never Been Kissed she’s written hit songs for Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins and George Strait

www.duncantheatre.org | Box Office 561.868.3309 LAKE WORTH 4200 Congress Avenue (I-95 Exit #63, west 1 mile)

Full Charge Bookkeeping Services

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SouthFloridaGayNews

FIFTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL

photo by: Alex Pacheco

GAY POLO WEEKAPRIL 4-6TH Friday, April 4 GPL Polotini Party Saturday, April 5 International Gay Polo Tournament Sunday, April 6 International Polo Club Brunch For additional details, sponsorship opportunities, tailgates and tickets, please call 561.753.3389 or visit gaypolo.com

gaypolo.com

Reserve your Polo Package - Matches, Polotini Party, hand-picked hotels. Call 888.999.4613 or visit ChicGayTraveler.com

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SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 2.26.14 //

lifestyle people

ANNIVERSARY SFGN Raises $3,000 for Tuesday’s Angels On behalf of the board, members, and most of all the clients of Tuesday’s Angels, I would like to thank Norm Kent and the SFGN staff for their generous contributions to the HIV/AIDS community. For the 4th year in a row SFGN has chosen Tuesday’s Angels, an organization providing emergency assistance to financially needy people with HIV/AIDS in Broward County to benefit from their anniversary event. The SFGN 4th Anniversary Party, which was held on Feb. 24 at Tropics was a huge success. We greatly appreciate SFGN partnering with us to further our mission which helps hundreds of people a year. SFGN has truly been an angel to us and to our clients. Sincerely,

Mike Ross President Tuesday’s Angels

Photography by

J.R. Davis

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lifestyle people

LIKE SOUTH FLORIDA GAY NEWS.COM ON FACEBOOK TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE 4TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY AT TROPICS soflagaynews //

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NEW YEAR... NEW WIN New events, new ideas...

www.womeninnetwork.com Proud to be named 2013’s

BEST SOCIALNETWORK FOR WOMEN in SFGN’s Best of Gay Friendly South Florida

Save the Date!

WIN’s 19th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Saturday, April 5, 2014 at Inverrary Country Club

Rainbow Ball 2014 March 22, 2014

Abacoa Golf Club Jupiter, off Donald Ross Rd. The 13th year of dancing, dinner, entertainment, photo booth, silent auction, chocolate fountain and more fun than a bag of Skittles!

Tickets on sale now: 561-635-2194 Benefitting the MCCPB Ministries • See our Rainbow Ball Facebook page. 74

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Visiting Hours

Datebook

Through March 2 at the New Theatre, 10950 SW 211 St. in Cutler Bay. A lesbian couple’s estranged son comes back into their lives when he is arrested for aggravated assault. Tickets $20 to $30. Call 786-5735300 or visit New-Theatre.org.

Theater

Next Fall

Christiana Lilly

Through March 2 at the Main Street Playhouse, 6766 Main St. in Miami Lakes. Adam, an atheist, is at odds with the family of his partner, Luke, a Christian, when he falls into a coma. Tickets $18 to $25. Call 305-558-3737 or visit MainStreetPlayers.com.

Calendar@SFGN.com

broward county * Capitol Steps 2014 – Fiscal Shades of Gray

* 75th Season

Feb. 27 to March 2 at the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Politics in Washington, D.C. get a comedic make over with satirical songs and skits. Tickets $25 and $35. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

March 3 at 7 p.m. at the University of Miami Jerry Herman Ring Theatre, 1312 Miller Drive in Coral Gables. Celebrate the 75th season with performances by New York City actors, Klea Blackhurst and Jason Graae, as well as UM students and alumni. Pre-show reception at 5:30 p.m. Tickets $50 for show, $125 show and reception. Call 305-284-3355 or visit UMiami.edu.

* Without a Hitch

Feb. 28 to March 30 at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs. In this dinner theatre mystery, be a part of the case with Sherlock and friends to investigate a murder at the Monte Carlo nightclub in 1963. Tickets $59. Call 954344-5990 or visit CoralSpringsCenterForTheArts.com.

* War Horse

March 4 to 9 at the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The story that has captured audiences, a boy’s horse is used World War I in the play using lifesize puppets. Tickets $26 to $96. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.

* Battered But Not Broken

* Justin Timberlake

March 1 at 3 and 8 p.m. at the Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place in Miramar. Miami performers come together to dramatize the experience of a woman caught in a cycle of abuse and how she escapes it. Tickets $25 to $39.50. Call 954-602-4500 or visit MiramarCulturalCenter.org.

March 5 at 8 p.m. at the AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The talented singer/ actor/comedian/superstar takes the stage on his tour for the double platinum 20/20 Experience. Tickets $68.45 to $200.45. Call 786-777-1000 or visit AAArena.com.

* Justin Timberlake

March 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the BB&T Center, One Panther Parkway in Sunrise. The talented singer/ actor/comedian/superstar takes the stage on his tour for the double platinum 20/20 Experience. Tickets $62.75 to $194.25. Visit TheBBTCenter.com

* Zoso The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience

March 7 at the Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. Be transported back to the ‘70s with this Led Zeppelin tribute band. Tickets $38.69 to $81.09. Call 954-462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.com.

* Boukman Eksperyans

March 8 at 8 p.m. at the Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place in Miramar. The Haitian rara band is joined by singer Emeline Michel. Tickets $25 to $35. Call 954-602-4500 or visit MiramarCulturalCenter.org.

Memphis

Through March 9 at the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The story of a radio DJ and an aspiring singer in 1950s Tennessee. Tickets $34.50 to $119.50. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

Laffing Matterz: With a Vengeance...

Through March 22 at the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Hailed as the best dinner theatre by local critics, night after night this gang of performers will have you cracking up. Tickets $63 to $69. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

palm beach county Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Feb. 26 at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Olga Kern on piano and conductor Leonard Slatkin join the orchestra. Tickets $35 to $100. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

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* Chita: A Legendary Celebration

* One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

crime and the cops protect her by hiding her in a convent. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

Feb. 27 to March 16 at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 709 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth. Rather than go to prison, McMurphy opts to spend time in what he thinks will be a cushy stay at a mental institution. Tickets $26 to $30. Call 561-296-9382 or visit LakeWorthPlayhouse.org.

* Triple Threat

Feb. 28 to March 2 at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The Miami City Ballet performs “Episodes,” “Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux,” and “West Side Story Suite.” Tickets $25 to $175. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

* Fighting Over Beverley

Feb. 28 to March 23 at the Arts Garage, 180 NE First St. in Delray Beach. A love triangle among three people in their ‘70s: Beverley, who came from England during World War II, her husband Zelly, and Archie, who she left back in England. Call 561-4506357 or visit ArtsGarage.org.

Old Times

Through March 2 at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, 201 Clematis St. in West Palm Beach. Kate is surprised when her friend, Anna, visits after 20 years. Tickets $60. Call 561-514-4042 or visit PalmBeachDramaworks.org.

* Crest Broadway Cabaret Series presents Eden Espinosa March 3 and 4 at 8 p.m. at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. The Broadway singer is known for her roles in “Wicked,” “Brooklyn the Musical,” and “RENT.” Tickets $45. Call 561-243-7922 or visit DelrayArts.org

* Sister Act

March 4 to 9 at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. A woman witnesses a soflagaynews //

Capitol Steps 2014 – Fiscal Shades of Gray

Feb. 25 to March 9 at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Politics in Washington, D.C. get a comedic make over with satirical songs and skits. Tickets $40. Call 561-8327469 or visit Kravis.org.

The Sounds of Simon

Through March 9 at the Delray Square Performing Arts, 4809 W. Atlantic Ave. in Delray Beach. A revivla of the hit South Florida musical featuring the music and lyrics of Paul Simon. Tickets $35. Visit DelraySquareArts.com or SoundsofSimon.com.

Free Friday Concerts

Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. Enjoy live music from the comfort of your picnic blanket or lawn chair every week, for free! Call 561-243-7922 or visit DelrayArts.org.

miami-dade county * Whoopi Goldberg

March 1 at 8 p.m. at the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Goldberg returns to the center as a queen of comedy and entertainment. Tickets $50 to $95. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.

* The Broadway Tenors

March 1 and 2 at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. The trio sings Broadway favorites, including “West Side Story,” “Three Penny Opera,” “South Pacific,” “Phantom of the Opera” and more. Tickets $40 and $50. Call 305466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter.org.

* Denotes New Listing

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March 7 at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. The legendary Broadway sensation, Chita Rivera, performs to celebrate her 80th birthday. Tickets $45.50 and $49.50. Call 305466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter.org.

* Doctor Ouch!

March 8 to 9 at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida brings to life the Russian childhood story of a doctor who travels to Africa to heal his animal friends. Tickets $25. Call 305-466-8002 or visit AventuraCenter.org.

* Imagined Landscapes

March 13 to Aug. 31 at the Perez Art Museum Miami, 1103 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Haitian-born, Miamibased artist, Edouard Duval-Carrie, creates muralsized landscapes in black and silver glitter. Call 305375-3000 or visit PAMM.org.

Chippendales

Through March 22 at Mansion Nightclub, 1235 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. Watch the legendary hunks perform in a five-week extension after sold off shows and raving reviews. Tickets $49.95. Visit Chippendales.com.

The Big Show

Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. at Just the Funny Theater, 3119 Coral Way in Miami. A collection of comedy mixing the likes of improvisation and sketches. Tickets $12. Call 305-693-8669 or visit JustTheFunny.com.

* Mack Power Lunch

March 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Grille 401, 401 E. Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. A business networking lunch with the gay and lesbian business community. Tickets $33 to $40. Visit MackPlanet.com.

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Datebook

Community Christiana Lilly Calendar@SFGN.com

broward county

The Wines of South America

Feb. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the NSU Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, One E. Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Certified sommelier and wine educator, Stephanie Miskew, leads a class on the perfect pairings with South American wines. Tickets $35 to $40. RSVP to Gail Vilone at 954-262-0249 or email gvilone@moafl.org.

Pride Center Cruise

Feb. 27 to March 3 in the Bahamas and Key West. Ride aboard the CElebrity Constellation for an unforgettable four-day cruise. Tickets from $525 per person. Call Freedom Travel at 954-565-2345.

“Images of Africa”

Through Feb. 28 at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Celebrate black gay pride with incredible photography by Lonzo Lowery. Call 954-775-2310 or email BlackGayPride@gmail.com.

Snap Judgment: Morgan and Marvin Smith

Through Feb. 28 at the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, 1300 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. African American twins Morgan and Marvin Smith photographed the Harlem Renaissance -- one was gay, and the two kept that information a secret. Free. Call 954-763-8565 or visit StonewallNationalMuseum.org.

Dear Abby: Letters and Advice on Homosexuality

Bijoux!

Feb. 27 to March 2 at the North Museum of Art, 1451 S. Olive Ave. in West Palm Beach. Scour through contemporary art jewelry from artists around the world. Preview cocktail party Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. Call 561-832-5196, ext. 1118 or visit Norton.org.

* Fiandaca

March 3 at 6 p.m. at the Compass Community Center, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. A dedication of the Alfred Fiandaca Community Ballroom, in memory of his life and legacy. Email Julie Seaver at julie@compassglcc.com.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition

Through April 20 at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, 4801 Dreher Trail North in West Palm Beach. With your replica boarding pass of an actual passenger in hand, enter the world of 1912 on board the Titanic. Tickets $15. Call 561-832-1988 or visit SFScienceCenter.org.

Delray Art League

Through April 27 at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. An exhibit of local artists’ work, including oils, watercolors, sculpture, and photography. Call 561-243-7922 or visit DelrayArts.org.

Paths

Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. A men’s discussion group about relationships, coming out, safe sex and more. Visit CompassGLCC.com.

miami-dade county

* KID Duck Fest Derby

* Feast With the Beasts

March 1 and 2 at the Fort Lauderdale War Memorial, 800 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. Strut your pride with two days of entertainment, vendors, food, drinks, dancing, Miss Pride South Florida pageant, and other special events. TIckets $15 to $100. Visit PrideSouthFlorida.org.

* Mack Power Lunch

* Touched By Cancer

March 4 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. A part of the series, Dr. Himabala Ghanta will discuss colorectal cancer prevention, treatment and risk factors. Free. Call Gilda’s Club at 954-763-6776 or email Betsy@GildasClubSouthFlorida.org.

* Denotes New Listing

palm beach county

Signals

* Pride South Florida

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March 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Champps Americana, 6401 N. Andrews Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Try Sam Adams’ new Rebel IPA, as well as live graffiti artists, prizes, and giveaways. Call 954-491-9335 or visit Champps.com.

Through Feb. 28 at the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, 1300 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Read Abby Van Buren’s letters and advice on sexuality, showing how forward thinking she was for her time. Free. Free. Call 954-763-8565 or visit StonewallNationalMuseum.org. March 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Esplanade Park, 400 SW Second St. in Fort Lauderdale. Benefitting Kids in Distress, 20,000 rubber duckies will make their way down the New River to compete for the grand prize of $20,000! Tickets $5 per duck. Visit DuckFestDerby.org or call Kids in Distress at 954-390-7620.

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* Rebel IPA Launch Party

SouthFloridaGayNews

Through March 1 at the Miami Theater Center, 9806 NE Second Ave. in Miami Shores. Composer Juraj Kojs uses sounds from rooster calls to video game sounds to create unique music. Tickets $15 to $20. Call 305751-9550 or visit MTCMiami.org. March 7 from 8 p.m. to Midnight, at Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St. in Miami. Spend a night with the animals, including cocktails and food from the area’s finest restaurants and entertainment. Tickets $175, or $225 including VIP cocktail reception. Call 305-2555551 or visit FWTB.org.

* Miami International Film Festival

March 7 to 16 throughout Miami. A festival of 93 feature films and 28 short films from directors spanning the globe. Call 305-237-3456 or visit MiamiFilmFestival.com.

* Tropical Brunch in the Garden

March 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach. Support Les Dames D’Escoffier Miami with gourmet shops, dishes from local restaurants, cooking demonstrations, and more. Tickets $55. Call 877-467-7725 or email reservations@lesdamesmiami.org.

* In the Company of Women

March 13 at from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Coral Gables Country Club, 990 Alhambra Circle in Coral Gables. Celebrate Women’s History Month and the women who have made amazing contributions to the South Florida community. Tickets $60 to $65. Visit MiamiDade.gov/Parks/Women.asp.

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computers

To place an ad call 954.530.4970 or visit SFGN.com/getlisted accommodations attorneys

PERFECT VACATION RENTALS! Winter rates from $99 per night! Award Winning Gay Hotel. Beautiful Studio, 1 & 2 BR Self Catering Apts. with Full Kitchen.Clothing optional heated pool, laundry, private parking. Central to Wilton Manors & Haulover Nude Beach. Includes Wi-Fi utilities, cable, tel. Gay Owned & Operated. Pets Welcome. Celebrating 16 Years. Call Joe or Jack at (954) 927-0090 or visit www.LibertySuites.com *Four Week+ Relocation Discounts Offered*

HATE WINDOWS 8? We can bring back the look and feel of windows. Same day service. Call 954-986-1316 www.gaycomputerwiz.com

counseling/therapy LICENSED CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR Dr. Saul Thermidor, FACCT # LCCP 0365011212 Licensed Christian Psychologist provides Christian counseling on LGBT, anger, violence & personal issues. I speak English, French and Creole. Call 305-407-9397 day, evening & weekends!

LOOKING FOR LODGIING NEAR SUNLIFE STADIUM? Completely furnished luxury 1/BD/1BA Condo. Easy access to public transportation and major express ways. Shopping and dining are in walking distance. Gated Community and private parking. Reasonably priced @$375 a week or $1,500 a month plus $400 processing and move in fees. Call 305-793-8650.

air conditioning HONEST, RELIABLE AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING SERVICES Gay owned and operated company, Eiland Air, Inc. 24 hour service. Reasonable prices. Licensed & Insured #CAC1817222 Call Mike 786-247-6022

COMPLETE COMPUTER REPAIR FREE ESTIMATES - No extra charge for in-home. FREE Computer tune-up with any service. Replacement of laptop screen & key board. Viruses, spyware, data recovery, lockouts & more. SAME DAY SERVICE - LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE Call Ernesto: 754-234-5598

dentists

ArtStrauss@aol.com 6000 South Dixie Highway, Suite B West Palm Beach, FL 33405

alarm systems

STATE-OF-THE-ART-DENTISTRY General & Cosmetic Dentistry Sedation Dentistry

antiques/collectibles

WANTED!!! Stamp Collections and Accumulations. Please call John 954-467-7128 OR 954-614-2562.

cleaning services

BRIAN’S CLEANING SERVICE - Honest, Reliable,Competitive Rates! I have 15 years experience, Detail oriented. Call 954-446-5545 for free estimate! HOME AND COMMERCIAL CLEANING Residential and Commercial cleaning. Experienced with references and provide free estimates. Call 305-896-7494 or 214-356-0684

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THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICES, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED OR REDUCED SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT.

cleaning services CLEAN IT RIGHT! The best cleaning for your buck. 1BD $50, 2BD $60, 3BD $70. Excellent rates & references. 10 years in business. Serving Broward, North Miami Dade & S. Palm Beach. Call Manny 954-560-4443 soflagaynews //

EXPERIENCED FULL SERVICE TRAVEL AGENT Agency is located on Wilton Drive. Full time position possible for the right person. Must have good internet and communication skills and be well traveled. Ability to assist clients with airline tickets, hotels, cars and cruises and tour packages. Call 954-565-2345 for an initial phone interview. May consider a sharp administrative/ sales person willing to learn the industry. COMPANION FOR ELDERLY GENTLEMAN WANTED - In-home care. Patient suffers from mild dementia. Position is part time to start. Exceptional working environment and conditions. Must have clean background check, mature, good natured and in good health need apply. Submit resume with cover letter, including references and pay requirements to: P.O. Box 2213, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33303 SWINGING RICHARDS NOW HIRING Quality Male Dancers & Waiters. Full nudity/upscale club environment with great income potential. Please text (865)385-9568 or email photos/info to roman@swingingrichards.com HANDYMAN NEEDED!!! Part time handyman needed to with building projects. Painting, Tile work, Electrical, Construction. Wages based on experience. Call 954-892-0494 NURSING/CNA/HHA: LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN with Nursing Experience, Lic or certification. Patient has moderate dementia and is ambulatory. Exceptional environment. Must have clean background check, be in good health and good natured. Kindly submit resume with cover letter including references, salary requirements and desired work hrs/days to: P.O. Box 2213, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33303

employment/jobs ACCOUNT MANAGERS, BOOK KEEPERS AND SALES REPRESENTATIVES Work your own flexible schedule! Pays $1500 to $2000 monthly plus benefits. Must be computer literate, have 2-3 hours access to the internet weekly. We are looking for efficient and dedicated people who are at least 21 years of age. Contact us for more details. If you are interested and need more information, send your resumes to ruthmace7@gmail.com ENTRY LEVEL SALES EXECUTIVE Full time Sales, Client Services, Direct Marketing, Lead Generation, Telemarketing & Email Services. Microsoft Word & Excel experience. Competitive Salary plus Commission, Medical/Dental, 401k & Profit Sharing. Email Resume to aleen@lighthouselist.com HANDYMAN NEEDED! Seeking Semi retired mature male for an upscale Mobile home community maintenance man in East Fort Lauderdale. 30HRS a week, Monday thru Friday. The address is 3001 S.W. 18TH Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315. Call 954-522-7478 for more details.

MOVIE POSTERS WANTED Private collector buying vintage movie posters, lobby cards, film stills, photography and other old entertainment memorabilia. Call for a free appraisal to find out what your stuff is worth! All calls confidential. Ralph 800.392.4050 email: sell@ralphdeluca.com

employment/jobs

PERSONAL ASSISTANT & MALE COMPANION SEEKING a part-time job as a personal assistant & male companion in Broward County. Will take you to doctors appointments. Help you w/ your grocery shopping. Refill or pick up medications. Will drive you to do all your errands & assist w/ daily household chores. Great driving record, honest, professional, reliable, trustworthy, & always willing to help and assist. If you have any further questions please call 954-548-1798 or email Ltn69@yahoo.com Thank you.

SFGN.com

SouthFloridaGayNews

Need a Job?

Contact SFGN’s Associate Publisher Jason Parsley at Jason.Parsley@sfgn.com Florida’s Largest LGBT News Publication 2520 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-530-4970

furniture repair

interior design

licensed massage

pets/supplies

AAA FURNITURE HOSPITAL We specialize in gluing and clamping of “broken and loose” tables, chairs and occasional pieces. Other services include repair of cigarette burns,perfume stains ,dog bites, water damage,recliner and sofa bed repairs. Free estimates 954-493-5221

flood/fire

licensed massage

RECESSION RELIEF $40 per 90 MIN - Out calls higher. Swedish, Deep Tissue, Specialty Back, Lower Body & Feet. Couples Discounts. Seniors Welcome. Delray Beach. 16 years experience. MA18563 Dennis 561-502-2628 AFFORDABLE AWESOME MASSAGE BY JIM Offering Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports and LomiLomi Massage for Men; in a very comfortable, relaxed and Private Massage Studio, NOW conveniently located in Wilton Manors on NE 26th Street, with plenty of free parking. Same Day appointments are welcome; please call Jim, 954-600-5843 email: info@massagebyjim.com or visit my website for testimonials, rates and more. GREAT OPENING SPECIAL NOW AVAILABLE! www.massagebyjim.com Licensed and Certified MM22293

handyman HUSBAND FOR RENT! Is he procrastinating home repairs? He says he will do it tomorrow?? After the football game?? We fit right in - In the house or the yard, small or big jobs: Tiles, Dry walls, paint, Plumbing, Roof leaks, broken furniture, Irrigation, Fences, wood decks, trash compost bins & more. It doesn’t cost to hassle us to see the work - so why wait? Neat, clean work for reasonable price. Call Haim at 954-398-3676, Sidnalll@yahoo.com

INCREDIBLY AWESOME BODYWORK in WPB! Incalls @ private studio, 15 min. due west of PBIA. Intuitive, experienced LMT offers affordable rates 7 days, early to late. ASK ABOUT WEEKLY SPECIALS! Calls only, 561-254-8065 for the very best massage experience you can get, HANDS DOWN!

home care HEART TO HEART HOMEMAKER AND COMPANION If you or your loved one are elderly, or temporarily, or chronically disabled, we can help you with home chores (cooking, light-house cleaning, laundry) and be your companion for home or where you need to go. We will work with you to find the plan that fits your needs. 954-226-4660. Right in the heart of Wilton Manors.

pets/supplies Dog Walking: $10.00 starting at Pet Sitting: $40.00 In House Pet Sitting: $45.00 Training: $10.00 starting per visit Pet Taxi (FTL Area): $20.00

home improvement

THINGS YOU NEED TO ACCOMPLISH? Minds at ease, A+ handyman service. Prompt, Reliable & Honest. Call Keldon Keller at 954-551-3127 or email krkeller@aol.com TOP NOTCH CONTRACTING Knows all and does all!! Many years of experience and easy on the eyes! Remodeling, Trimming, Ground molding, Drywall, Painting, Landscaping, Roofing, Tile work, Electrical, Windows, Doors and more. Very reasonable rates and free estimates. Call Shawn 954-549-8243

human resources WE GOT YOU COVERED! Advocates for student needs. Specializing in helping foster students and others transition into responsible, independent Adults. We are here to help find resources and outlets for stable and healthy adult lives. Call 786-793-8650 for more information.

landscaping

IRRIGATION SYSTEM REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE 19 years experience, excellent work, referrals upon request. Call Roberto 954-383-8980

Dependable • Reliable Service Delivered with Love and Respect

954-297-5336

THE BRITISH POUND John Maroussas LMT Sports Massage, Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular, Trigger Point, Swedish, Salt or Sugar Scrubs. Private Studio w/ Shower. Wilton Manors location near Bill’s. Lic#MA51123 Call 954-999-2240 WILTON MANORS MASSAGE Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports. $59 Swedish Hour. Call or text Chris Tunkus at 954-258-8779 1322 NE 4th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL www.WiltonManorsMassage.com

pets/supplies STEVEN JAY’S LOVING WAYS PET CARE! I care for your pet in my home. One client at a time if requested. Multiple pets and all pets welcome! I have a very clean home and low rates! Call Steven Jay at 954-565-1996

To place an ad in SFGN’s Classifieds call

954.530.4970 or visit SFGN.com/getlisted

soflagaynews //

www.greendogpetservices.com

Lic# 11000106488

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 2.26.14 //

piano lessons

rent/lease fort lauderdale

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE PIANO? Learn from an experienced teacher. All levels and ages welcome. Learn to play classical, popular, jazz, or show tunes. Visit www.edwinchad.com or call 954-826-9555 for more information.

BUYING? SELLING? RENTING?

pool services

I CAN HELP!

POOL SERVICE Mention this ad and receive your ﬁrst month

FREE! some restrictions apply

Serving Broward Since 1999

Call for a free estimate: 954-367-7007 Web: www.skimmerspools.com Email: skimmerspoolservice@gmail.com

condo for sale MANOR GROVE CONDOS Spacious 2/2 corner unit, w/ wood laminate flooring, new paint throughout & huge master walk-in closet. AC 2006, new water heater & rolladen storm shutter protection. Walking distance to The Drive. Low maint. fee of $316/ mo. Small pet under 20 lbs. okay. Call Jeff Sullivan, EWM Realtors, 954-383-2117 CO OP FOR SALE, CORAL RIDGE TOWERS 2BD /2BA, 2 blocks from the beach, Olympic size pool! Top floor Northview. For sale by owner. Call for more details. 718-624-2976

rent/lease fort lauderdale LAKERIDGE FURN. GARDEN STUDIO Central to beach/downtown/Wilton Drive.Clean newly ren. 1 rm and bath. Lg. private fenced courtyard. private entry with parking,laundry onsite, water and electric included. $765/mo. 1st and security with lease. Avail March 1st call 941-548-7989 MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE Remodeled 1 Remodeled 1 BDRM w/ granite/stainless kitchen, updated bath, pool view, & private patio. Small pet okay/ no smoking. Available 1/6/2014 w/ credit/background checks/ assoc. approval. $925/mo., first, last, security, 1 yr. lease. Call Jeff Sullivan, EWM Realtors, 954-383-2117 HUGE 2/2 POOL DUPLEX - POMPANO BEACH Updated, Lushly Landscaped, East of Fed Hwy 1 Mile to Beach, D/R, Sep. Laundry W/D, Fab Lrg Pool, New Central AC, Tile Floors, Small Dog or Cat ok. $1390, Available 2/1/13 Call Tim: 754-235-2911 TWO STORY VILLA – OAKLAND PARK Use as 2/2 or 3/2, Kitchen, Living Room, TV room, Balcony, Sundeck, over 1500 sq. ft. W/D included and pets are ok. 4001 NE 14th Ave $1,800/mo Call 954-485-9440 HOUSE FOR RENT, OAKLAND PARK Beautiful 2200sf, house, 4BR/2BA. Open concept. New kitchen/Laundry/Tile/Central air/ heat. Fenced yard, patio, Mango and Avocado trees $1900. Must see! By appt. 954-629-2884

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KEN EUNICE, REALTOR® CALL

770.862.9397

KenEunice.com

MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE Remodeled 1 BDRM w/ granite/stainless kitchen, updated bath, pool view, & private patio. Small pet okay/ no smoking. Available 1/6/2014 w/ credit/ background checks/ assoc. approval. $925/mo., first, last, security, 1 yr. lease. Call Jeff Sullivan, EWM Realtors, 954-383-2117 BEAUTIFUL EAST FORT LAUDERDALE Mobile Home Park (not your grandparent’s trailer park) located East of 95, minutes to Wilton Manors and Beaches. Currently has 2 Bedroom 2 bath homes available for purchase starting at $28,000.00 Call Chris at 954-522-7478 or email sblauderlakes@bellsouth.net Please see us on facebook at LauderLakes

rent/lease west palm beach PB COUNTY - LAKE PARK 2/1 CONDO 2nd Floor Corner - Next to Kelsey Park across from Intracoastal Great Locations. $750 per month • 1 year Lease • No Pets • No Smoking • 1st & Security. Call 561-310-0615 POMPANO BEACH - 2/2 Condo - East of U.S.1, pool, elevator, 2nd fl. end unit, F.L. & Sec., Application/min. 1 yr. lease, $1,100/mo. Call 954-806-8821

roommates

LAUDERLAKES ROOMATE WANTED Share a 2/2 on lake w/ hot tub, private bath, W/D, dishwasher, central a/c and cable. $400/mo includes utilities & internet. Looking for a mature professional. 1st & security deposit. Background check req. Call Gary 954-803-0885 MALE ROOMMATE WANTED Male roommate wanted for 2/1/13. Beautiful WPB 2BD/2BA apt to share $650/Mo. Water, Elect, Waste Mgt included. Deposit + 1st. mo. Required. Call 561-316-7236 ROOM FOR RENT IN WILTON MANORS Wilton Manors 3 Bedroom pool house room for rent to Gay Professional Male. Must be dog friendly. $650 per month, includes all utilities and full access. Call 954-268-6547 or Email: gwhite5@me.com

HOME TO SHARE - WALK TO DRIVE! Mature prof. seeks roommate in 2/2 home w/ pool. Furnished room, private bath, all utilities, cable TV-WiFi internet access, W/D, C/AC, and full house and pool privileges.Only $850/mo. Min 6 mo. lease. Ref/Bkgrnd check required.No pets. Owner has cat.First and security.954-873-5321 LOOKING TO RENT A ROOM Senior GWF on Social Security looking to share rent in a clean, decent, safe apartment or home for $350 to $450 per month. I am mobile, have my own car and also looking for any part time work available. Please call 954-325-7111

real estate for sale DAYTONA BEACH Gay rental complex for sale 2br home + 5 detached rental units beach side. Owner financing real estate, trade or cash down. $420k DaytonaGayComplex.com KEY WEST BUNGALOW - SOUTH MIDDLE RIVER Charming 3/1 sits on lushly landscaped lot just steps from Wilton Drive. Huge screened lanai overlooks garden and 150-foot Royal Palm. Call Peter Cowan Realtor, BH&G FL 1st. 954-234-8365. Virtual Tour available at Realtor.com – MLS 1266462

spiritual

METAPHYSICAL CHAPEL Metaphysical Chapel of South Florida offers Sunday Divine Services, Healing, Psychic fairs & more. 1480 SW 9th Ave, FtLaud. www.MetaphysicalChapel.com

To place an ad call 954.530.4970 or visit SFGN.com/getlisted

SOUTH MIDDLE RIVER - Large 2 BR/1 BA, laundry, tile, central air, fenced yard, dog friendly. $1000/month. Call 954-815-2550 MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE - Large 2 BR/2 BA, new kitchen, laundry, tile, central air, fenced yard, close to Wilton Drive, dog friendly. $1300/ month. Call 954-815-2550

rent/lease pompano beach PALM AIRE Affordable and ready to move in. Beautiful 1 bedroom King Apt. 1.5 bath, new flooring and freshly painted walls. Can be furnished or unfurnished. A great place to live!! Call Myron 201-214-3992. NEWLY RENOVATED 2BR APARTMENT Very private location, all stainless appliances, tile throughout, minutes from beach, small dogs and cats ok, includes gas, water and electric $1300/ mo, first and security. For more information, call Sean at 954-621-7009

rent/lease wilton manors LARGE 2BR/1 BA Beautiful wood floors, private yard, single family home with canvas covered parking, amazing bonus room, washer/ dryer. Quiet neighborhood walking distance to Wilton Drive/restaurants, clubs, etc. Background check/credit check required. Available NOW!!! $1,650month Please call Terri Wright with Sea Island Realty, Inc. at 954-401-4918 MANOR GROVE CONDOS Nice 1 bedroom with 1.5 bath. Screened in patio with wood floors, pool and clubhouse. Washer and dryer on premises. Quiet community. $900 a month. Call for more details. 954-242-3486 soflagaynews //

roommates

SouthFloridaGayNews

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SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 2.26.14 //