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BEGINS ON PAGE 17

OUT 50 March 4, 2015 // vol. 6 // issue 9

South Florida's Most Influential LGBT People Begins on Page 21

Rev. Robert Griffin

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See what news is breaking across the internet Compiled by John McDonald

Justice Department To File Brief Opposing Marriage Bans

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Outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder, in an op-ed for USA Today, stated the U.S. Department of Justice will be filing a brief with the Supreme Court opposing statewide bans on marriage equality as a matter of equal protection.

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Eric Holder

HUNGARY FACES A HISTORIC STRUGGLE

SEX POSITIVE CULTURE CHALLENGES ETHICS

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“It is clear the time has come to recognize that gay and lesbian people deserve robust protection from discrimination,” Holder writes. The Supreme Court will hear the case in April with a decision expected by June.

New Comedy 'Men in Shorts' Coming To ABC The network has closed a deal for the single-camera comedy inspired by professional soccer player Robbie Rogers, the first openly gay man to play in a major North American professional sports league. Jordon Nardino and showrunner Claudia Lonow are the screen writers for

the comedy, which follows a young pro soccer player who takes 'one small step out of the closet and one giant leap into the spotlight.’

The producers of the show are Storyline Entertainment, who also produce the Oscars.

Duck Dynasty Star Rails Against STDs

‘FIRST COMES LOVE’ PHOTO FEATURE

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Phil Robertson, an actor on the cable television program “Duck Dynasty,” was awarded the Andrew Breitbart Defender of the First Amendment Award at last week’s annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. Phil Robertson. Facebook.

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Robertson, who was suspended from the show in 2013 for making anti-gay comments, told the CPAC audience the only way to prevent sexually M E M B E R transmitted diseases is “one man, one woman, married for life.”

WINTER 2015 • Vol. 3 Issue

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‘FIRST COMES LOVE’ PHOTO FEATURE SEX POSITIVE CULTURE CHALLENGES ETHICS HUNGARY FACES A HISTORIC STRUGGLE themirrormag.com

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The Out 50 showcases the accomplishments of local activists and community members. Photos by Steven Shires / submitted / Facebook.

Cover (from top left to right): Penny Johnson and Julie Seaver, Rev. Robert Griffin, Enbar Cohen, Rick Rose, Jorge Gardela, Aryah Lester, and L.J. Woolston.

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.

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Palm Beach Brouhaha PBCHRC Tells Equality Florida to Stay Away

John McDonald A longtime gay rights activist is asking for the state’s largest LGBT civil rights organization to stay out of Palm Beach County.

Rand Hoch, President and Founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, says Equality Florida is causing more trouble than they are worth. Hoch claims Equality Florida’s political action committee is making foolish endorsements without knowing the facts.

“We actually interview the candidates,” Hoch said.

West Palm Beach has an election on March 10 and the Palm Beach Human Rights Council is recommending voters return Mayor Geraldine “Jeri” Muoio and Commissioner Keith James to office. Both public officials, Hoch said, have been great allies for the LGBT community.

Equality Florida agrees, said Stratton Pollitzer. Speaking for Equality Florida’s political action committee, Pollitzer said Muoio and James underwent a rigorous review process to gain its endorsement. Pollitzer said Equality Florida is looked to for guidance from voters.

“Equality Florida has over 20,000 members in Palm Beach County,” Pollitzer said. “And

those members count on us to be a trusted source of election information.”

Hoch said Pollitzer is “full of shit” and lying about Equality Florida’s level of influence.

He said the organization simply mails out questionnaires to candidates and endorses those who answer correctly.

“A chimpanzee could get their endorsement,” Hoch said.

Hoch, a former judge who founded PBCHRC in 1988, is demanding EqFL cease operations in Palm Beach County. Pollitzer said fat chance.

“Rand Hoch is well known for voicing his opinions at full volume,” Pollitzer said. “He’s just over-reacting to our initial voter guide.”

That initial voter guide did not include an endorsement of Muoio or James. It was only after Hoch raised an objection did Equality Florida endorse both candidates, going so far as to send out a separate e-blast announcing their decision.

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News Briefs

Judge Joseph Batallion.

Compiled by John McDonald and Jillian Melero

Federal Judge Blocks Nebraska's Gay Marriage Ban

(AP) A federal judge on Monday blocked Nebraska's gay marriage ban, but the decision will not take effect for a week and the state plans to appeal.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon ordered the state not to enforce its ban. Last week he heard arguments for and against a motion for an injunction to block enforcement of the ban while a lawsuit challenging the ban is pending. Bataillon said the order will be effective March 9.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska sued the state in November on behalf of seven samesex couples challenging the ban, which passed with the approval of 70 percent of voters in 2000. In addition to prohibiting gay marriage, the ban also forbids civil unions and legalized domestic partnerships.

The Nebraska Attorney General's office has said it will appeal any decision blocking or overturning the voter-approved ban on gay marriage.

Bataillon previously struck down Nebraska's gay marriage ban in 2005, saying it violated the

constitutional rights of gays and lesbians. An 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel reinstated the ban in 2006.

The plaintiffs in the latest Nebraska lawsuit argue that they are harmed every day the ban remains enforced.

Susan and Sally Waters of Omaha, who have been together for 17 years and were legally married in California in 2008, are among the seven couples suing to overturn the ban. They returned to their native Nebraska in 2010.

Sally Waters was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer in 2013, and says that without formal recognition of their marriage, her spouse won't receive the same tax and Social Security benefits to take care of the couple's children and will have to pay an 18 percent inheritance tax on half of the property they share, including their family home.

Any rulings in the latest Nebraska challenge are likely to be affected by a different case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The nation's high court announced Jan. 17 that

“There has been a real evolution with this bill,” said O’Brien. “It didn’t contain the inclusive language when it was first introduced a couple years ago. I think that reflects the growing acceptance of the [LGBT] community across Pennsylvania.”

O’Brien said he is optimistic about the bill’s passage in the Senate, citing state Sen. Daylin Leach (D-17th Dist.) as a likely advocate for the legislation.

Cyberbullying Bill Clears PA House LGBT-Inclusive

(PGN) LGBT inclusive anti-cyberbullying legislation cleared the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Monday.

House Bill 229, introduced by Rep. Ron Marsico (R-105th Dist.), passed overwhelmingly, 193-5.

HB 229 would amend state law to provide protection for young people online against “seriously disparaging statements or opinions about a child’s sexuality or sexual orientation,” among other provisions. Under the bill, offenders would face a third-degree misdemeanor charge.

The bill takes steps to address bullying in the digital age, which now often takes place when a child is on a computer at home — a place that would normally be considered a refuge for victims.

“I think that it used to be if you were bullied, you could go home and hang out, and you had your parents to protect you,” said state Rep. Mike O’Brien (D-175th Dist.), a cosponsor. “But now with computers and all the social media, you don’t have that. Bullying is a constant factor, directed to you personally and the community at large via social media.”

O’Brien said the bipartisan support for the legislation, especially in light of the LGBT-inclusive language, is notable.

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York City Mayor Marches In Gay Pre-St. Patrick's Parade New

AP) Mayor Bill de Blasio told hundreds of participants at a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-friendly St. Patrick's Day parade on Sunday that a society for all is one that embraces and respects everyone.

The St. Pat's for All parade stepped off in Queens under a heavy snowfall. It was held as an alternative to the city's centuries-old St. Patrick's Day Parade in Manhattan, which for years has excluded gay groups and this year is scheduled for March 17.

De Blasio arrived about 15 minutes late sporting a lavender shirt and green tie. Despite the snow and cold he said, "It's a sunny day in my world."

"You are a hardy troupe," he told people gathered for the parade. "You are here to celebrate no matter what. That is what pride is all about — pride in the fact that in New York City you can be whoever you are."

De Blasio, a Democrat, refused to march in last year's Manhattan parade because it wasn't fully inclusive, and Guinness beer dropped its sponsorship. Organizers said last year, though, that they would welcome one gay contingent under its own banner this year.

The mayor said on Sunday: "A society for everyone is a society where everyone is respected, where everyone is embraced, where everyone has a say at the table."

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it would decide whether same-sex couples have the constitutional right to marry everywhere in the U.S. A decision is expected by late June.

Gay marriage is currently allowed in 37 states and the District of Columbia.

In the past, gays were free to march in the world's biggest and oldest St. Patrick's Day Parade but not with banners saying they're LGBT. Most marching units in the parade carry identifying banners. There are about 320 units in this year's parade, the parade committee said.

LGBT activists say the main parade organizer, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, has been under increasing pressure to allow diversity, especially after New York state passed its Marriage Equality Act in 2011, allowing marriages for samesex couples.

The two grand marshals at the 15th annual St. Pat's for All parade were longtime human rights activist Kerry Kennedy and Tony Award-winning actor Brian O'Byrne.

Patti Lowenhaupt, a retired art teacher and Queens resident who showed up for the parade, said people "are all human beings underneath it all."

"We here in Queens have the ability to accept all kinds of people," Lowenhaupt said.

Several protesters, however, stood on the side holding signs that read "Sodom & Gomorrah."

Other elected officials participating in the St. Pat's for All parade included City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and city Comptroller Scott Stringer.

Bill de Blasio. Photo by Kevin Case.

news briefs

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Continued

rk. Panel Rejects 'ConscienceProtection' Measure

(AP) A proposal to prevent state and local governments from infringing on a person's religious beliefs failed before an Arkansas legislative panel Wednesday after facing mounting criticism that it was an attempt to justify discriminating against gays and lesbians.

The Senate Judiciary Committee rejected the "conscience protection" measure, a day after retail giant Wal-Mart said the measure sent the wrong message about its home state and Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson said he had reservations about the bill.

It was a victory for gay rights groups, days after Hutchinson allowed separate legislation to become law that bans local governments from expanding antidiscrimination protections to include sexual orientation or gender identity.

Supporters said they may later bring back the "conscience protection" proposal, which would ban any local or state laws or regulations that substantially burden religious beliefs unless a "compelling governmental interest" is proven. The bill, if enacted, would strengthen any case of a person suing the government if that person could prove their religious beliefs were infringed upon.

The legislation is patterned after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 19 states have similar laws and 10 states are currently considering them.

"If the state is going to infringe that right to believe, they've got to have a good reason to do that," Republican Rep. Bob Ballinger of Hindsville told the panel.

Opponents called the measure a thinly veiled way to allow businesses to discriminate against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. One critic compared it to the 19th century U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld racial

segregation of public facilities under the "separate but equal" doctrine.

"It is 1896 old, Plessy v. Ferguson, and it is wicked, and for that reason I ask you to please, please not pass it," Wendell Griffen, a Pulaski County circuit judge and Baptist pastor, told the panel.

The measure faced tougher odds than the local ordinances restriction, since it went before a committee evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. The vote was 3-3 with one member voting present, short of the five votes needed to advance.

Both bills were pushed in response to a Fayetteville ordinance that barred discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, which the city's voters repealed in December.

Opponents of the local ordinances measure had urged Hutchinson to veto it after he said he was concerned about it infringing on local control. Hutchinson allowed that measure to become law without his signature, making Arkansas the second state to enact such a ban. The governor said Tuesday he had concerns about unintended consequences of the "conscience protection" legislation, but stopped short of saying whether he opposed it.

Bentonville-based Wal-Mart's criticism of the measure was nearly identical to concerns it raised about the local ordinances law. Apple Inc. also spoke out against the measure on Wednesday, saying "inclusion inspires innovation," and urging state's legislators to vote against the bill.

Despite the bill's defeat, advocacy groups ramped up lobbying efforts in case it's revived. The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT rights group, said Wednesday it was launching a $25,000 digital and television ad purchase to urge lawmakers to oppose the "conscience protection" measure. soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 3.4.2015 //

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News Briefs Continued

Rabbi Kerry Baker, LinkedIn.

Gay Friendly Rabbi Leads Texas House In Prayer (AP) The rabbi who defied Texas' same-sex marriage ban and wed a lesbian couple led the morning prayer in the Republican-dominated Texas House last week, catching supporters of the prohibition off-guard.

Rabbi Kerry Baker didn't reference the nuptials, which are being challenged by the state attorney general, but urged lawmakers to pay special attention to people who are marginalized and to treat everyone equally.

"It's not enough to do what is good for the majority, but to do what is good for all of us," Baker said.

Mitch Carmichael

W

VA Senate Leader: ’No Way’ Considering Discrimination Bill

(AP) There’s “no way” the West Virginia Senate will consider a proposal to erase local ordinances that protect gay and transgender people from housing and employment discrimination, the second-ranking senator saidThursday.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch Carmichael made the remarks Thursday to The Associated Press, a day after a panel in the GOP-led House of Delegates approved the bill.

“I haven’t read the bill, but if it’s characterized as a discriminatory bill, we’re not for it,” said Carmichael, R-Jackson. “We’re running an economic agenda here.”

The bill, nicknamed the West Virginia Intrastate Commerce Improvement Act, would prohibit any local nondiscrimination ordinances stricter than state law.

West Virginia law doesn’t include gay, bisexual and transgender housing and employment protections. Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, has pushed for years to change that portion of state law.

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Baker then stood for a photo with Republican House Speaker Joe Straus, who later acknowledged he was unaware Baker was involved in the wedding, and Rep. Elliott Naishtat, the Austin Democrat who introduced Baker. Naishtat subsequently said he intentionally omitted details of Baker's role in the wedding during his introduction.

"This is a place where we believe in free speech, and that begins with a prayer each day," Straus said after being told Baker oversaw the ceremony.

Naishtat said he hadn't heard a word of opposition from other House members.

Five cities have similar nondiscrimination ordinances: Charleston, Harpers Ferry, Morgantown, Huntington and Athens. The tiny town of Thurmond, population 5, just joined the group this month.

Del. Lynne Arvon, a Raleigh County Republican and the bill’s sponsor, said nondiscrimination rules should be uniform and predictable statewide. She denied that the bill is discriminatory.

“Let me be clear, I embrace the opinions and views of all West Virginians,” Arvon said in a written statement after the bill passed the committee. “And unlike those that are waging obscene attacks and threats of violence against me and my colleagues, I will be unwavering in my respect for all beliefs regardless if we agree or not.”

Del. Stephen Skinner, a Jefferson County Democrat and West Virginia’s first and only openly gay state lawmaker, called the bill “legislative gay bashing.” He applauded Carmichael’s comments Thursday.

“This bill is bad for business and sends a message of intolerance and bigotry,” Skinner said.

The House is holding a public hearing on the proposal Friday morning. It could be ready for a floor vote next week.

A similar bill became law this week in Arkansas after the state’s Republican-led General Assembly passed it.

Republican Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson let it become law without his signature.

Beach Enacts LGBT Inclusive Ordinance Boynton

Boynton Beach City Commissioners voted to enact a civil rights ordinance establishing, as matter of public policy, that the city opposes discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, genetic information, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, pregnancy, familial status or age. The ordinance was proposed by the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, a local nonprofit organization which is dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.”Boynton Beach has gone on the record opposing all forms of discriminatory activity," said Palm Beach County Human Rights Council President Rand Hoch.

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Rhode Island Politician With Bribery, Fraud GayCharged

Former Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox has been charged with bribery, wire fraud and filing a false tax return following an investigation that included a dramatic federal raid on the Statehouse, according to court documents unsealed Tuesday.

The details from the court documents bring an end to nearly a year of speculation about what the FBI, Internal Revenue Service and state police were investigating when they raided Fox's home and Statehouse office March 21, 2014.

Fox is accused of receiving tens of thousands of dollars to help grant a liquor license to a bar near Brown University when he served as vice chairman of the Board of Licenses.

He's also accused of making 27 interbank transfers totaling $108,000, taking the money from his campaign account and using it to pay for personal expenses. Prosecutors say the personal expenses included mortgage payments, car loan payments, his American Express bill and purchases at Tiffany's, Urban Outfitters and Warwick Animal Hospital.

news briefs Continued Kate Blatt, Facebook.

(PGN) Cabela’s Retail Inc., which is being sued by trans woman Kate L. Blatt, filed a legal brief last week urging partial dismissal of her lawsuit.

Blatt claims job discrimination by Cabela’s. The store, located in Hamburg, specializes in outdoor sports items.

Blatt worked there as a seasonal stocker between September 2006 and March 2007.

Blatt alleges that Cabela’s discriminated against her because of her disability — gender dysphoria — when denying her access to a female restroom. Part of Blatt’s lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the Americans with Disabilities Act, because it excludes gender-identity

C

abela’s Seeks Partial Dismissal Of Trans Complaint

disorder as a protected disability.

The ADA protects people with disabilities from discrimination in private employment, public accommodations and governmental services.

Blatt contends that Congress acted unconstitutionally in 1989 when it excluded GID as a protected disability under the ADA. In its Feb. 17 brief, Cabela’s says it won’t take a position on the constitutionality of the ADA. But Cabela’s brief lists several reasons why the disability-discrimination portion of Blatt’s complaint should be dismissed.

For example, the brief states that Blatt was offered the use of a unisex restroom, which could be considered a “reasonable accommodation.” The brief also contends that Cabela’s never perceived Blatt to be disabled.

To support that assertion, Cabela’s notes that Blatt was assigned to stock items in its gifts department. In addition, it states, a coworker’s alleged concern that Blatt might rape another woman in a female restroom indicates that Blatt wasn’t perceived to be disabled.

Cabela’s also stated it wasn’t aware of any documentation that verifies Blatt’s disability. “[Blatt] has failed to set forth any allegations that a record of her impairment exists,” the brief states. “Moreover, [Blatt] has failed to allege that Cabela’s relied on any record of impairment in making its employment decisions.”

The brief also refutes Blatt’s claim that Cabela’s retaliated against her for opposing discrimination based on her

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disability.

“Cabela’s respectfully submits that [Blatt] has failed to plead facts showing that she engaged in protected activity by opposing discrimination on the basis of disability,” the brief states.

Instead, Cabela’s maintains, Blatt complained of retaliation due to complaints of discrimination based on her sex.

According to the brief, alleged comments by Blatt’s coworkers point to sex discrimination, not disability discrimination. Those alleged comments include: “Can you believe this cross-dressing gay fruit wants a job in my department?” and “The confused sicko can’t figure out that he is gay and admit it.”

Additionally, the store refutes Blatt’s claim that Cabela’s retaliated against her for objecting to a lack of a reasonable accommodation for her disability. “[Blatt’s] complaint does not contain allegations showing that [Blatt] engaged in protected activity by requesting an accommodation for a disability,” the brief states. “Rather, the facts, as alleged, make it clear that [Blatt’s] complaints and requests for a female uniform, name tag and use of the female restroom were based on her gender.”

In a related development, on Feb. 10 the case was reassigned to U.S. Distinct Judge Joseph F. Leeson. The case was previously assigned to U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl.

The case is in the discovery phase, and a jury trial has been requested.

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news bites

by John McDonald

international

And Hate Crimes Homophobia Rising In Cameroon

Human rights organizations are coming together to condemn the rising tide of violence towards LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex) individuals in the West African country of Cameroon. In a report presented in the country’s capital city of Douala, human rights activists claim “Justice, which is suppose to respect the principle of equality for all before the law is actually supporting the repression of LGBTI persons and their defenders.”

Under the umbrella organization The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, activists claim at least 28 people have been convicted in Cameroon because of their sexual orientation whether true or presumed.

national

Moves Popular Gay MSNBC Anchorman To Afternoons

After years of attending all of those other weddings...

it is finally time for you to say

for Care Spokesman United Blasts Congresswoman

Photo: JAG Studios www.jagstudios.net

local

www.IDOcustomevents.com (954) 626-0131 // 3.4.2015 // SFGN.com //

soflagaynews //

Photo: Facebook.

state

John Morgan, an Orlando trial attorney, is continuing his attacks on Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston. Under the auspices of United for Care, a pro-medical marijuana organization, Morgan delivered harsh criticism of Wasserman Schultz, the Democratic National Committee Chair. “I don’t believe she is well loved or personally has much influence in this state,” Morgan stated in an email. Speculation swirls around Wasserman Schultz’s future with some mentioning a possible U.S. Senate candidacy. Morgan, however, told the Sun Sentinel the rest of Florida does not warm well to outspoken liberal Democrats from Broward County.

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MSNBC is moving gay anchorman Thomas Roberts to a midday two-hour program on the cable television network.

Roberts, 42, had been anchoring “Way Too Early” — a 5:30 a.m. lead in to MSNBC’s popular “Morning Joe” show. His new program will be from 1 to 3 p.m., a slot that should bode well for the experienced newsman. “With Roberts MSNBC is making a commitment to covering more breaking news during the day,” noted the Los Angeles Times. Roberts has hosted the last two Miss Universe pageants. He came out in 2006 and married his partner, Patrick Abner, in New York in 2012.

Palm Beach Police Dept.

West Appoints LGBT Liaison

Gregory Babcock, a lieutenant in the West Palm Beach Police Department, has been appointed the department’s LGBT liaison by Police Chief Bryan Kummerlen. Babcock is a supervisor assigned to the department’s criminal investigations unit. The West Palm Beach Police Department reached out to gay and lesbian business owners to jointly develop solutions to address anti-LGBT hate crimes, said Palm Beach County Human Rights Council President Rand Hoch. “As the result of these cooperative efforts, gay, lesbian business owners and police officers began working together to address hate crimes,” Hoch said. In 2013, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated West Palm Beach to have a population of 102,436.

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news local Studies Reaffirm Effectiveness of New HIV Prevention Methods Viral load plays important factor in HIV transmission

Jason Parsley

The JAMA Internal Medicine last week published a Centers for Disease Control study showing that 9 in 10 new HIV infections in the U.S. could be avoided as long as people living with HIV are on proper treatment.

“We were not surprised that this CDC study found a significant portion of new HIV infections arose from HIV-positive individuals who were not in care or may not even have known their HIV status; however, we were shocked to see that the number was as high as it is — nine out of ten new HIV infections in 2009 occurred this way — over 91.5 percent,” said Michael Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation President, in a prepared statement.

In another study that was released, the IPERGAY trial examined whether PrEP on demand was as successful as the once-a-day regimen that is currently prescribed. In this trial participants were to take the drug before sex and for several days after. The study found that it reduced HIV risk among MSM individuals by an average of 86 percent.

Heywood and Weinstein both have concerns about the IPERGAY study though.

"At first blush it seems clear that the IPERGAY study is limited to the most sexually active gay men, those with more than eight partners every two months, who presumably are also not using condoms,” Weinstein said.

“This is a relatively small sub-set of the total gay male population and a far cry from the 500,000 men that the CDC recommended take the drug.”

While Heywood noted that because these men were so sexually active it appears they could have been taking the pill almost daily

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anyway reaffirming the effectiveness of Truvada to reduce the risk of HIV infection, but not much else.

“I think it proves a point of concept, but I don’t think it proves efficacy,” he said. He also that he doesn’t the concept of PrEP on demand will be very effective in the gay male community. “We are not very good at gaging when we will have sex. It just makes more sense from a prevention perspective to go with the daily dosing.”

Weinstein added that he’s worried that if PrEP on demand became the norm there could be other consequences.

“In addition, if before-and-after-sex dosing becomes the norm, it will heighten the risk of resistance since more men will be taking the drug after they have sero-converted,” he said.

This coincides with the results of the Opposites Attract study that were just released in Australia. That study followed gay males in mixed status relationships (sero-discordent couples) with the HIV positive male on medications and having an undetectable viral load. No transmissions between couples were recorded.

Fifty-eight percent of the couples reported having condomless anal sex for a total of 5,905 times.

While over in the UK, the PROUD openlabel study showed that daily usage of Truvada for PrEP reduced the risk of HIV infection by 86 percent.

“It’s Important to note that this latest study reaffirms what the original PrEP study found — when you take it, it works, when you don’t, it doesn’t — just like condoms,” Heywood said.

news election 2016 White House Watch:

Marco Rubio

We stay in South Florida for this week’s SFGN White House Watch and focus on native son Marco Rubio, the junior U.S. Senator from West Miami.

Rubio, a Republican, is exploring a run for the U.S. Presidency in conjunction with promoting sales of his new book, “American Dreams.” In a question and answer segment with Fox News host Sean Hannity at last week’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Rubio reiterated his opposition to same-sex marriage. In fact, one would be hard pressed to find a public statement in which Rubio has acknowledged gay people even exist.

When Florida legalized same-sex marriage in January, Rubio was silent.

The 43-year-old Rubio has enjoyed a fast rise to power, leaping from Speaker of the Florida House to U.S. Senator. He won a three-way race for the Senate seat in 2010 against former Governor Charlie Crist and U.S. Congressman Kendrick Meek.

The son of Cuban immigrants and married father of four, Rubio states he is

seeking to change America’s institutions to adapt to 21st century practices.

“My ideas are based on the simple truth that the American economy has changed significantly in recent decades and that our policies and institutions must change too if we are to access the possibilities of the 21st century,” Rubio declares on the biography page of his U.S. Senate website.

Rubio’s current committee assignments include Commerce, Science and Transportation, Foreign Relations, Intelligence, and Small Business and Entrepreneurship. He remains an outspoken critic of normalization efforts with Cuba by the Obama Administration.

soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 3.4.2015 //

11

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SouthFloridaGayNews

news local

Richardson Kicks Off Senate Campaign

By John McDonald

David Richardson

Florida Representative David Richardson (D-Miami Beach) kicked off a campaign for the State Senate Friday night in Fort Lauderdale with a message of being able to get the job done.

Richardson is currently serving his second term in the Florida House of Representatives and is the only openly gay legislator serving in Tallahassee.

“I am the only openly gay representative,” Richardson said. “But certainly not the only gay representative. There is a list, but I’m not going to give you the list and I’m not going to tell you how I made the list.”

The crowd, full of well-to-do business professionals, laughed at those remarks.

Richardson, 57, is a certified public accountant who said he can work with the Republican supermajority in Tallahassee to produce an appropriate and effective Florida budget.

By representing Miami Beach, Downtown Miami, the Port of Miami, North Bay Village and Little Havana, Richardson assured his backers that Republicans routinely take his phone calls and are not afraid to work with him on legislation.

“He’s always struck me as a very inspiring and very pragmatic leader,” said Benjamin Lap, a biotech entrepreneur from Broward County, who hosted the campaign event.

During his first term in the Florida House, Richardson bravely spoke of the need to protect gay youth in foster care. On the House floor, Richardson called for support to amend a bill that would add protections for LGBT youth in foster care.

“We can make sure that every gay kid in this great state knows that they are as important in a foster home as everyone else,” he said during a moving debate inside House chambers.

The amendment was eventually voted

down as is typically the case involving LGBT associated issues in Florida government. At his Fort Lauderdale campaign kickoff, Richardson acknowledged the going would be tougher this session with the loss of Orlando Representative Joe Saunders, but insisted there are allies throughout the Sunshine State.

He said a bill filed by Representative Frank Artiles, a Republican who represents southwest sections of Miami, to designate single-sex public facilities would have “unintended consequences.”

Richardson called HB-583, “The Bathroom Bill.”

“I’ve seen this happen before,” Richardson said, adding that Rep. Artiles did not think the process through. “Imagine that you would file a bill that would prevent a mother from taking her infant son into the ladies room to change his diaper, but that’s an unintended consequence. It would also prevent a male janitor from cleaning a ladies room.”

In terms of priorities this session, Richardson said he is working on a number of bills from sales tax exemptions for art, to conversion therapy to the perennial Competitive Workforce Act. He stated one of the things he has learned about being in the minority party is he can get a lot more accomplished by not always taking the credit.

“If I make a big stink about it by putting my name on it then it’s not going to get done,” he said.

Richardson was unopposed in the 2014 midterms. He won election to the Florida House in a district that was 66 percent Hispanic and 20 percent Jewish despite being neither.

He anticipates the campaign for State Senate to be for an open seat although it remains unclear if Sen. Gwen Margolis, the ranking Democrat in District 35, plans to retire. soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 3.4.2015 //

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HUNGARY FACES A

column publisher’s editorial

Photo: Steven Shires

The OUT50 Celebrates Your Lives Left to right: Rev. Robert Griffin, Lee Rubin, Steven Fallon, Steve Adkins, Lea Krauss, Mark Budwig, Jason King, Justin Flippin, Jessica Aguilar, Julie Seaver, and Penny Johnson.

SEX POSITIVE CULTURE CHALLENGES ETHICS Norm Kent

norm.kent@sfgn.com

‘FIRST COMES LOVE’ PHOTO FEATURE

My mom used to say, “as long as you can open your eyes, there is beauty in this world to see.”

For the second year, SFGN illuminates the achievements and accolades of specific individuals with the journalistic adventure we brand as our “OUT 50.”

It’s a significant enterprise because it celebrates in one single issue the wide breadth and magnificent diversity of our community. For five years now, the goal at SFGN has been to promote the good lives and honorable deeds so many of you work so hard to accomplish each day. Today’s edition is a snapshot of who we are and what we do. There is beauty to see.

Each person featured today is representative of comparable individuals who also stand out personally and professionally. The marvel of the South Florida LGBT community is again, like last year, how many more candidates could have been included in this year’s ‘OUT50.’ Very simply, we could have gone with an ‘OUT100.’ Cutting down the list was no easy task.

We are blessed with so many people who do so much good in so many ways.

Since 1999, when I first published the Express Gay News, I have watched South Florida’s LGBT community grow exponentially in size and stature, prestige and influence. Gay men and women are represented in every walk of life. We hold elective office, run corporations, manage businesses, and operate entrepreneurial enterprises, from nightclubs

ON STANDS NOW!

Check out

The Mirror

Winter 2015 14

// 3.4.2015 // SFGN.com //

to real estate firms. Today, our newspaper celebrates fifty such lives, from caretakers to community leaders.

Pericles, the marvelous ancient Greek statesman once remarked, “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”

Our selections today capture persons who deserve acclaim and recognition for weaving their way into our hearts and souls with their accomplishments. We understand fully how many more people could have been chosen.

Every week, our newspaper starts off as a blank tablet, a ‘tabula rasa.’ It is filled by stories illustrating our lives, articles reporting our history, opinions representing our ideals, and advertisers sharing their own mission and purpose. From this collage, a community paper emerges, showcasing gay men and women at work and at play, lending a hand, putting on a pride festival, hosting an AIDS walk, selling real estate, or operating a clinic. We each do our part, and the rainbow comes together. The quilt is woven.

For too many years, in too many parts of America, and still today in too many parts of the world, the LGBT community has been an outcast. We were denied rights we were always entitled to, degraded to a social status that was immoral and unjust. Look how much we have come out of the shadows. You helped make that happen. Something Harvey Milk used to say rings true; that being ‘out’ is necessary. And today, we salute

WINTER 2015 • Vol. 3

Issue 4

Winter Arts Guide Editio GUIdE bEGINS ON PAGE 21

n

‘FIRST COMES LOVE’ PHOTO FEATURE

some OUTstanding people.

The ‘OUT 50’ undertaking is meant to be inclusive, not exclusive. Each year, the list will grow, but the greater truth is that it grows everyday by those of you within our LGBT community doing your work daily with professionalism and grace, whether you are decorating a cake at Publix or providing divine inspiration in a sermon. There is no numerical limitation on goodness.

The good you do comes back to you, whether or not your name finds recognition and notice in a community newspaper. But be careful, so does the bad. As a credentialed newspaper, SFGN embraces celebrating our achievements, but we don’t turn away from our warts and wounds. They get ink as well. We are what we are. Today, we give life to 50 persons of whom we can all be proud. We are fortunate to live in a community where LGBT lives can be so celebrated.

We must never forget and never abandon our brothers and sisters in so many places across this globe where there is still only condemnation for gay and lesbian lives. Let’s not forget just how many more roads still need to be travelled so that there will be universal justice for gay and lesbian human rights.

As long as we all continue to make a difference in the lives of our community, the ‘OUT50’ will grow and grow. There is love, beauty, inspiration, and room for everybody within this enlarging circle. May you live your lives so.

Thank you.

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soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews

Gazette Wilton Manors

Volume 2 • Issue 5 March 4, 2015

Twice-Monthly Neighborhood Outlook

Page 2 Non-Profit Scapegoat

Page 3 Real Estate Geek

Page 4 NE 26th Street Grant

Page 6 Bar Regulation Altered

Page 7 City Manager Search

Hopper Bus Shuttle To Be Discontinued Expenses For Shuttle Tight; No Assistance From City Page 4 Photo: Yelp.

Over The Moon, Beyond Success Page 5

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Opinion

Gazette Wilton Manors

A Free Ride For Wilton Manors Non-Profits

By Sal Torre

2520 N. DIXIE HIGHWAY • WILTON MANORS, FL 33305 PHONE: 954-530-4970 FAX: 954-530-7943

PUBLISHER • NORM KENT NORM.KENT@SFGN.COM

$ $$ $ $ $ $$ It is common knowledge that churches and non-profit organizations are exempt from paying all sorts of taxes.

This accepted reality is due to the vital services such institutions provide in our society, community, and daily lives. Here in Wilton Manors, we all benefit from the work and programs of our regional non-profit organizations such as Poverello, Pride Center, Pace School, Kids in Distress, and numerous religious institutions. Non-profit landowners are removed from our property tax rolls. We accept this tax-exempt status not just locally, but also on a national level.

However, in Wilton Manors, these exemptions do not end with property taxes. Non-profit landowners and religious institutions are also exempt from paying their share of Fire and EMS services for which everyone else in Wilton Manors are charged, with a few minor exemptions. The Fire Assessment is not a tax, but rather a user fee for services provided. Non-profits have to pay for water, electric, insurance, trash removal, etc. So why the free ride when it comes to Fire and EMS services?

Who is paying for this free ride? Every resident of our city pays, because these services for non-profits are paid out of the city’s General Operating Fund. This is where we as a community should draw the line and say, “Pay your fair share!”

Many in our city government are not that concerned with this, since we are talking about only $68,000 per year, not a major budget item in their opinions. But as the cost of Fire and EMS services continue to rise on a yearly basis, city residents are seeing higher bills each year, so why should we have to pay for their free ride?

What can our community do with an additional $68,000 per year in our General Fund? We could pay for an additional police officer to patrol NW 30th Court where residents are struggling with rampant crime issues,

FEBRUARY 18, 2015 • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 5

we could hire additional part-time recreational leaders to support programming in our park facilities, we could pay for someone to answer the phone at the Police Department when residents call with Code violation complaints, pay for pedestrian crosswalks along busy roadways. The list is virtually endless of yearly items that would benefit all residents when everyone pays their fair share.

Some argue that these institutions are not wealthy, that it would be very hard for them if burdened with additional costs. Nonsense! The Archdiocese of Miami collects a huge rent from Somerset Academy, other churches rent out space to daycare facilities, private groups, and more.

Most of the non-profit landowners have executive salaries well above the $100,000 level and multi-million dollar operating budgets. Paying a mere $200 a month, some slightly higher, for the Fire and EMS services they use at our expense is not asking for much, nor is it unreasonable or unjust.

The City Commissioners will be discussing this topic in upcoming meetings. There is a growing consensus within the Commission to charge only a portion of the cost involved. Some want it as low as 10 percent, while others say 20 percent. I wish residents could get such a great deal.

This important decision will impact us all and it is vital that we let our Commissioners know how we feel on this issue and others.

Contact information for City Commissioners can be found on the city website at WiltonManors.com. Members of the public are allowed to speak for up to three minutes at the beginning of every City Commission. Meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Chambers. Let them know that we want an end to this free ride for non-profits.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER • PIER ANGELO GUIDUGLI ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER / EXECUTIVE EDITOR • JASON PARSLEY JASON.PARSLEY@SFGN.COM

Editorial

ART DIRECTOR • BRENDON LIES ARTWORK@SFGN.COM ONLINE PRODUCER • DENNIS JOZEFOWICZ DENNIS.JOZEFOWICZ@SFGN.COM EDITORIAL ASSISTANT • JILLIAN MELERO JILLIANMELERO@GMAIL.COM

Correspondents

MICHAEL D’OLIVEIRA • CHRISTIANA LILLY • DENISE ROYAL • NATALYA JONES • JOHN MCDONALD • JAMES OAKSUN • DAVID REPLOGLE

Staff Photographers

J.R. DAVIS • POMPANO BILL • STEVEN SHIRES

Sales & Marketing

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING • MIKE TROTTIER MIKE.TROTTIER@SFGN.COM SALES MANAGER • JUSTIN WYSE JUSTIN.WYSE@SFGN.COM ADVERTISING SALES ASSOCIATE • EDWIN NEIMANN EDWIN.NEIMANN@SFGN.COM ADVERTISING SALES ASSOCIATE • CINDY CURTIS CINDY.CURTIS@SFGN.COM DISTRIBUTION SERVICES • BRIAN SWINFORD ACCOUNTING SERVICES BY CG BOOKKEEPING South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs.

Associated Press

Copyright © 2014 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

WMG

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SouthFloridaGayNews March 4, 2015

A Breakthrough in Real Estate Valuation

Real Estate Geek

By James Oaksun Over the last several columns I have hinted at a project on which I've been working.

The Zillow “Zestimate” is the bane of many Realtors' existence, given its broad inaccuracies at a micro/ neighborhood level. I've suggested that better automated tools may be available soon. I am pleased to announce that day has come.

My first career was in corporate finance and actuarial work at a Fortune 200 company. I was kind of a propeller head; maybe I still am to a degree. (I like to think I have a balanced head-and-heart approach.) My specialty was digging into large datasets and making sense of them, finding hidden patterns, hidden relationships that could inform decisions.

The data available in real estate (as an insider to a degree) seemed to me ripe for a skilled eye. Over time I have been developing a framework to serve as a starting point in evaluating appropriate pricing, as well as identifying the specific types of improvements proven by actual sales prices to be of value to buyers, and exactly how valuable they are.

With this issue of the Wilton Manors Gazette I am rolling out what I tentatively call the GeekValSM. Knowing certain characteristics of a property – seen in both public records and Multiple Listing Service listings -- I have developed specific neighborhood-by-neighborhood valuation estimators for single-family homes.

While I plan to expand the analysis over time to include additional cities and neighborhoods here in South Florida, for starters I have focused on the following areas:

• All of Wilton Manors • Oakland Park Corals • Various Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods (Victoria Park, Coral Ridge, Coral Ridge CC, Imperial Point, Coral Ridge Isles, Knoll Ridge, Poinsettia Heights, Lake Ridge, Middle River Terrace and South Middle River) Basically the way it works is, plug in a few key variables, and out comes a valuation estimate driven by actual arm'slength sales in the specific location. You may recall a couple weeks ago I noted that while real estate prices in Greater Fort Lauderdale had come up about 35 percent from the 2011 trough, that increase has not at all been uniform across cities in Broward County, let along neighborhoods within those cities.

There is no way that a mass aggregator like Zillow (or anyone else for that matter) would be able to build sufficient specificity into their modeling, in the way that a local market expert could.

Now, I am not a licensed appraiser.

The tool I have built is limited in scope to single family homes in specific locations. It's intended to be a fact and science based starting point in the evaluation of house pricing, whether for purchase or sale.

The system determines the statistically significant property attributes (not all are) and assigns dollar-value “weights” to those attributes, depending on the house's location. For example, a garage or a pool might be extremely valuable in a certain neighborhood as proven by what people are willing to pay in that neighborhood, but those attributes could be less important in other places.

This tool can suggest exactly how valuable certain home improvements would be, so if you're looking to maximize the likely sale price for a property it will enable you to assess the tradeoffs, and to determine which homes have the greatest profit potential.

Perhaps more importantly, buyers and investors can use it to compare degree of under (or over!) pricing of properties currently on the market for “sale.” Now why do I put sale in quotes?

Well, it appears many properties are so overpriced that either the Realtor has priced it improperly or the seller is looking for “a number” and possibly just testing the waters.

Consider single family homes in Wilton Manors. As of about a week ago, there were 83 singlefamily homes for sale in Wilton Manors (meaning, listed in MLS, not including exclusive listings, sale-byowner, bank owned and short sales).

Running each property through the GeekValSM model produces the list price distribution by section shown in the nearby graphic.

The good news is, roughly half the homes for sale in Wilton Manors are either fairly, or attractively, priced.

But the other half... well, deciding on the purchase of a particular home can be influenced by factors in addition to financial sense. WMG James Oaksun, Broward's Real Estate GeekSM, is a Realtor with the Wilton Manors office of RE/MAX Preferred. In addition to having degrees from Dartmouth and Cornell, he is a graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI).

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • www.WMGAZETTE.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • // 3 • soflagaynews March 4, 2015

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 3.4.2015 //

19

Community

Community

Hopper Shuttle Service to Shut Down

By Michael d’Oliveira

City to Get $1 Million for Northeast 26 Street

The proposed project will include upgraded sidewalks, crosswalks and landscaping

By Michael d’Oliveira

Commissioner Tom Green likes to contract with the city but was the Hopper shuttle service because it unsuccessful. “We really tried to make gives people the option to leave their this work.” cars at home when patronizing one of City Manager Joseph Gallegos the city’s businesses. But on Saturday, said the Hopper asked for a threeMarch 22, the community shuttle year $180,000 contract [budgeted at service will end operations. $60,000 per year] to keep operations “The Hopper’s purpose was to running. “We don’t really want to get offer a fun and convenient free ride into the transportation business,” between all the establishments in Gallegos said. our area to promote our shopping Green, despite his appreciation of friendly environment, nightlife, and the service’s benefits, said that the extensive restaurant selection while cost would have been too much for enhancing the safety and the city. “That’s community atmosphere quite a bit. I of our Island City,” would have been wrote George Medeiros, willing to talk community development about it . . . some manager for Sterling sponsorship but Community Group which not for $60,000 ran the Hopper. a year. That’s too “I’ve really only used it much.” a couple times, but I still Started on like having the choice. It Valentine’s Day in got a few more people out 2009, the Hopper of their cars, particularly was originally the people who live known as the here in the city,” Green Green Hopper. said. “I’ll have to ride it But in March a couple times before it of 2011, owners Map / Photo: Facebook. leaves.”

Alan Carter and Medeiros said the rising costs of Angel Bartolome sold it to a group of insurance and too little advertising investors in Sarasota. They, like the support were the reasons for the current Hopper, also cited financial shut down. “We’re the only ones in reasons for ending operations. the city that were supporting this.

The two said they prided themselves We couldn’t get anybody else to help on preventing DUI’s. “We are proud us out. Everybody loves the Hopper of our time spent here and our many but nobody wants to support it.” accomplishments. From the very Along with its advertisers, Sterling beginning on February 14, 2009, our Accounting and Multimedia Platforms enthusiasm and spirit was contagious. were the two entities backing the We are proud of the lives we have Hopper. saved by reducing DUI's,” Carter told Medeiros said the Hopper tried SFGN in 2011. WMG

Wilton Manors has been given preliminary approval for a $996,216 grant to improve Northeast 26 Street between Andrews Avenue and Five Points. A distance of 0.93 miles.

The grant has been authorized by the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization [MPO] but final approval will be up to state officials.

No specific design plans have been created yet but the money would be used to reduce each of the two lanes from 12 to 10 feet, improve sidewalks, crosswalks, landscaping, lighting, signage and resurface the road. The goal, said Assistant City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson, is to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety.

“That’s the main connector between Dixie and Andrews,” Henderson said.

The city will have to budget $130,000 for design and engineering costs. At a previous meeting, City Manager Joseph Gallegos said the city would set aside money over the next several years. If given final approval, the money would be given to the city in 2017.

It’s similar to another road improvement project for Dixie Highway from Five Points south to the Middle River. That project, a 0.4-mile stretch of

road, was recently given final approval by the state. The grant is $957,672.

“We’re currently finalizing the designs and permitting. And now that we have the agreement, we’re working on the bid package,” Henderson said.

Henderson said the plan is to start construction in early 2016 on the Dixie project. June 30, 2017 is the deadline to finish.

Once finished, the street will have new sidewalks, filling in some of the gaps that already exist, new crosswalks, landscaping and pedestrian lighting as well as a bicycle lane. The improvements are geared primarily towards safety improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists.

“For a small city . . . We’re doing really well at bringing in outside dollars. We really have to look to outside resources [for projects like this].” WMG

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4 •

SouthFloridaGayNews March 4, 2015

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l Aftercare

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 / EXECUTIVE EDITOR • JASON PARSLEY JASON.PARSLEY@SFGN.COM

Editorial

ART DIRECTOR • BRENDON LIES ARTWORK@SFGN.COM ONLINE PRODUCER • DENNIS JOZEFOWICZ DENNIS.JOZEFOWICZ@SFGN.COM EDITORIAL ASSISTANT • JILLIAN MELERO JILLIANMELERO@GMAIL.COM ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR • JW ARNOLD JW@PRDCONLINE.COM NEWS EDITOR • JOHN MCDONALD JOHN.MCDONALD@SFGN.COM

Sales & Marketing

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING • MIKE TROTTIER MIKE.TROTTIER@SFGN.COM SALES MANAGER • JUSTIN WYSE JUSTIN.WYSE@SFGN.COM ADVERTISING SALES ASSOCIATE • EDWIN NEIMANN EDWIN.NEIMANN@SFGN.COM ADVERTISING SALES ASSOCIATE • CINDY CURTIS CINDY.CURTIS@SFGN.COM SALES ASSISTANT • DEVON WOODS DEVONWOODS600@OUTLOOK.COM

Contributors

Donald Cavanaugh, J.W. Arnold, John McDonald, Dori Zinn, Christiana Lilly, Jesse Monteagudo, Denise Royal, Natalya Jones, Christiana Lilly

Cover

Left to right: Rev. Robert Griffin, Lee Rubin, Steve Adkins, Steven Fallon, Mark Budwig, Lea Krauss, Jason King, Justin Flippin, Jessica Aguilar, Julie Seaver, and Penny Johnson.

out 50

‘FIRST COMES LOVE’ PHOTO FEATURE

SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Welcome to SFGN’s Out 50 Welcome to SFGN’s second OUT50 list.

When we decided last year to come up with this list we thought it would be difficult putting together enough names. It turned out the difficult part was narrowing it down to only 50 individuals.

This year we again we found ourselves having to narrow the list down, for there are just too many LGBT people in South Florida that are making a difference.

SFGN is proud to tell these folks’ stories and honor them in this year’s OUT50 list. Stories of business leaders like Steve Haas, owner of City Hall the Restaurant in Miami, and Nicole Waters, Director of Marketing for Bill Ussery Motor’s Group; trans activists like Sabrine Johnston and Heather Wright; lawyers like Lea Krauss and Jason Gibson; and other leaders like Jason King, an HIV activist, and Carla Silva, an LGBT youth advocate.

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 once again inspired me and I hope their stories will inspire you as well.

So welcome to the SFGN 2015 South Florida OUT50, a list of activists, business leaders, movers and shakers, spiritual leaders, and other out and proud members of the local LGBT community.

Cover photo: Steven Shires.

Associate Publisher, Jason Parsley (R), with his partner Aydin Koymen

Photography by Steven Shires Photography www.StevenShires.com Photography by J.R. Davis ALL PHOTOGRAPHS SUBMITTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED

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WINTER 2015 • Vol. 3 Issue

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‘FIRST COMES LOVE’ PHOTO FEATURE SEX POSITIVE CULTURE CHALLENGES ETHICS

HUNGARY FACES A HISTORIC STRUGGLE

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2014 Out50 Winners George Castrataro

Andy Amoroso

Michael C. Gongora

Richard Alalouf

Glen Weinzimer

Anthony Timiraos

Rand Hoch

S.F. Makalani-MaHee

John Castelli

Robin Bodiford

Joe Pallant

Cindy Brown

John Paul Alvarez

Charlie Fredrickson

Lisa Porter

Craig Stevens

Jowharah Sanders

Deidre Newton

Ken Keechl

Dean J. Trantalis

Kim Ehly

Emilio Benitez

Kristofer Fegenbush

Elizabeth Schwartz

Lea Brown

William F. Collins

Robert Lee

View 2014 honorees online at sfgn.com/out50

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Lillian Tamayo

Ralph Wolfe Cowan

Leslie Tipton Miriam Richter Michael McKeever Meredith Ockman Michael Rajner Mike Silver Nikki Adams Chuck Nicholls Noah Kitty Pat Burnside

Robin Schwartz Sebrina Maria Alfonso Steve Rothaus Steve Stagon Toni Armstrong Jr. Tony Finstrom Tony Lima

Tony Plakas & Jaime Foreman Pompano Bill

Victor Diaz-Herman William Green

Read their stories, and see how this year's winner selection compares.

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SFGN’s ‘Out 50’

Our own “hall of fame” (for the living) g ud ontea M e s s Je

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The City of Chicago, the home of Barack and Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and the International Mr. Leather contest, also boasts the first hall of fame that features members of the LGBT community. Since 1991, the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame (glhalloffame.org) honors “the contributions of Chicago’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities and the communities’ efforts to eradicate homophobic bias and discrimination.”

The success of Chicago’s GLHF inspired other queer communities to create their own halls of fame. They include the Stone Wall Society’s GLBT Hall of Fame (glbthalloffame. com), the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) Hall of Fame (nlgja.org/awards/hof) and the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame (gayandlesbiansports. com). All of these halls, while at times controversial, honor our community’s best and brightest.

South Florida does not have an LGBT hall of fame. What we do have are “portable” halls of fame, like SFGN’s annual “Out 50” issue. This is the second “Out 50” list; and it is to our community’s credit that SFGN managed to find 50 qualified individuals who were not featured in last year’s issue.

And while there might be arguments about who was

included and who was left out, the fact remains that SFGN did a fairly good job in its selection process. Still, by featuring 50 individuals who are still active members of our community, SFGN’s Out 50 leaves out those qualified men and women who did a lot for our community but who are sadly no longer with us.

We are a young community; barely half a century old. Still there are enough names in our collective memory to fill an Out 50 list of great departed individuals. Much has been written of all the great, talented and heroic people who were taken from us by AIDS, all over the world, and South Florida is no exception.

They would have been in the Out 50 in their day had there been such a thing: Dan Bradley, Tom Bradshaw, Marty Rubin, Gary Steinsmith, Alan Terl, Logan Carter (Roxanne Russell) and John Goodwin (Dana Manchester), just to name a few. Some sub-communities, like the much-maligned drag/transgender and gay leather/SM/fetish communities, were decimated by the plague. Unfortunately, in our transient community, these names have largely been forgotten.

HIV/AIDS is not the only cause of death in the LGBT community, of course, and our community has lost too many

good and great people to cancer, polio, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, accidental death, murder and suicide. They range from teenagers who took their own lives because they were not accepted for who they were to transgender women of color who are the most frequent victims of anti-LGBT violence. They include people whose work made it possible for same-sex couples to get married on Fort Lauderdale Beach; or to bar hop down Wilton Drive, holding a partner’s hand. Recent losses in our community, people like Richard Cimoch, Sal de Falco, Mark Haines or Tony Ramos (just to name a few), did much to make our lives better. They would certainly be in the ranks of the Out 50, if they were with us.

Someday, perhaps, South Florida will have our very own LGBT Hall of Fame. In the meantime, we should remember who were and left before us, those who made SFGN’s Out 50 issue and so many others possible. And we should thank those who are still with us, who were honored in this and last year’s issue, for maintaining that great tradition.

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Marsharee Chronicle The Program Specialist Marsharee Chronicle holds the position of Chief Program Officer at Compass Gay and Lesbian Community Center where she has worked in a variety of very visible roles for the past ten years.

Prior to joining Compass, Chronicle worked for Planned Parenthood and while she liked the important work of that agency, she took a position at Compass “to be more comfortable as an out lesbian.”

Chronicle was born in Jamaica and moved to the U.S. when she was twelve. She graduated from Cornell University in New York with a degree in women’s studies. She didn’t start her coming out process until after college and she met her first partner

in a church.

“So not all church experiences are bad,” she noted. “And things are getting better.”

“My parents were pretty much ok with it when I came out to them,” she said. “I told my mom first in 2001 but it took a few years more before I shared it with my dad. The anticipation was worse than the event,” she added.

Marsharee is a board member of Cornell’s Gay and Lesbian Alumni Association. She’s engaged to marry Amie Velazquez whom she met at a Compass Night on Clematis.

— Donald Cavanaugh

Photo: Facebook.

Steve Haas The Business Leader Steve Haas has been in South Florida since he finished college, more than 35 years ago. He’s been supporting the LGBT community ever since.

He’s been a part of the Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Save Dade, and most recently, Chairman of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau—a position he held for five years, while on the board for 15 years. Right now, Haas owns City Hall the Restaurant in Miami.

Haas believes South Florida is a great supporter of the LGBT community, but Florida as a whole has some work to do.

“Our state is bipolar in the sense that it’s divided with open-minded residents in the southern part and closed-minded conservatives in the northern part,” Haas said.

Even with the struggles, Haas still has high hopes for the future of the LGBT community.

“The gay movement is moving in the right direction, but faster than I believe it would,” Haas said. “I believe in the next five years, all states will be supporting gay marriage and hopefully adoption as well.”

— Dori Zinn Photo: Facebook.

Sabrine Johnston The Trans Activist Sabrine Johnston has lived in West Palm Beach for 25 years – the last five as the woman she was born to be.

She came out to her mother in her early 20s when she took steps toward transitioning. “Mom was not surprised,” Sabrine said. “She said she knew something was ‘wrong’ when I was five or six.”

Johnston is more than happy to share her story with others and her transition has been featured in mainstream media outlets.

Johnston lived as a gay man for much of her adult life but knew it was a sham. Unfortunately, while her mother adapted, others did not, so she retreated to her gay persona. It took another twenty years before she restarted the work.

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“Today,” she said, “my family is supportive to a degree but every so often they do or say something weird.”

Johnston’s deep voice doesn’t match the rest of her appearance. “I have to be careful about my voice in some situations but for the most part I feel OK about sharing my story with people who are interested. We have to help them understand us.”

Johnston will marry Eric Pearson on April 12 at Compass Gay & Lesbian Community Center. They don’t have to worry about same-sex marriage issues because Sabrine is legally a woman and Eric is a man.

— Donald Cavanaugh

d l e f r a l K e Nat ndraiser The Fu In five years, Nate Klarfeld hopes to spend more time with his husband and two grandchildren. But for now, he’s helping raise awareness about the LGBT community in Broward County.

Klarfeld is the Broward Steering Committee Chair for Equality Florida. You may have seen him just about anywhere, since he has held events all over Broward.

Klarfeld has held events in nightclubs, restaurants, and even homes to raise awareness of the work of Equality Florida. Recently he helped organize the Equality Florida Gala where a recordbreaking $410,000 was raised.

While records are being broken, Klarfeld still sees work to be done.

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“There are huge health issues facing our young LGBT population in sexually transmitted diseases,” Klarfeld said.

“Our transgender youth face obstacles in school, their homes, and in the workplace that are untenable. In the workplace, gays, lesbians, and transgender people can be fired just for the sexual orientation and expression.”

Despite obstacles still to hurdle, Klarfeld sees a bright future ahead.

“I see the LGBT community with a more unified broader agenda with new blood, new ideas and great energy,” he said. “We've fought too long and hard to see this all falter.”

— Dori Zinn

Photo: Steven Shires.

Lea Krauss The Lawyer Lea Krauss has a large amount of responsibility on her plate as President of the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Network.

Aside from supervising the planning and execution of events and programs, Krauss assists all board members “through encouragement and motivation to ensure we work together as a cohesive unit” as well as leading development of the organization’s vision and its policies and procedures.

Although Krauss was not the founder of the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Network, she states that she has taken full responsibility in leading the organization from the beginning.

“I became involved early on and I was asked to ‘take the reins’ because of my strong belief that the GLLN was necessary

to fill a need within the LGBT community,” she adds.

Activities that members of the Gay and Lesbian Layers Network participate in are fundraisers, happy hours, luncheons, the sponsoring of educational seminars and the provision of mentoring and scholarships for students and young lawyers. Members also work with other organizations throughout Florida to generate statewide programs addressing problems that affect the LGBT community. This past year, membership has more than doubled.

“The GLLN has transformed my life both personally and professionally,” Krauss concluded.

— Natalya Jones 3/4/15

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Jason Gibson — The Attorney

Jason Gibson, past president of the National LGBT Bar Association, is modest. “Not sure I'm worthy of OUT50, but thanks for thinking of me,” he said during an interview with him. But I politely disagree. During his presidency from 2012-2013, Gibson met with Attorney General Eric Holder and conversed about transgender issues in the military. In addition to this, Gibson advocated for marriage equality.

Gibson is also an Associate General Counsel with Equity One, Inc., a leading shopping center developer and owner located in North Miami Beach. For about 11 years, Gibson was a Senior

Counsel in the Real Estate Section of Holland & Knight LLP in Fort Lauderdale before joining Equity One, Inc. Other impressive accolades include a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law. The LGBT Bar Association was officially founded in 1989 and in 1992, became a formal affiliate of the American Bar Association. To join the LGBT Bar Association, please visit www. lgbtbar.org.

— Natalya Jones

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Heather Wright The Trans Advocate Transwoman Heather Wright was born in Massachusetts and moved to Florida to attend the University of Tampa. She works for Verizon Wireless and sings their praises for being engaged and supportive in her transition – from beginning to completion.

“I’ve been with them for 16 years and I started the conversation about two years after getting hired,” she said. “They were unbelievably supportive.”

Wright explained that she could be a happier and better employee if she could be herself in the work environment. “And they got it,” she says with just a touch of awe still in her voice. “And I’ve demonstrated

it,” she continued. “I have all sorts of awards attesting to the benefits of being out and being who you are.”

When Wright was going through her transition, she discovered The Gender Society of Palm Beaches where she found compassion, understanding and help. Consequently when the group leader had to leave, Wright felt compelled to take the leadership role to ensure it would continue to help trans people on their journeys.

“I have nothing against people who transition and remain private about it but I just felt the need to give back for all the help I got.”

—Donald Cavanaugh

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Jorge Gardela The AIDS Activist Jorge Gardela is committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS. Thirteen years ago, the Costa Rican native started working at The Pride Center at Equality Park. It was here that he began to recognize the special health care needs of HIV positive Latinos.

Gardela is currently the Health Outreach Director at The Pride Center. He is also the Broward County HIV Prevention Planning Council Co-Chair, Co-Chair of the Florida Latino AIDS Advisory Group, Co-Chair of the Broward County Latinos en Acción Advisory Group, and a founding member and Broward County’s representative to the UCHAPS (Urban Coalition for HIV/AIDS Prevention Services).

Gardela provides leadership in state and federal funding requirements in the development and implementation of services for people living with HIV/AIDS and at risk for HIV infection.

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His current focus is to advance community health, HIV/AIDS prevention, and care services in the context of a changing health care environment. Some of his current professional core objectives include advancing and responding to the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, increasing efforts to accomplish communicable disease integration, and preparing staff and community leaders for implementation of prevention and care services in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. The Pride Center offers free HIV testing Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.PrideCenterFlorida.org.

— Denise Royal

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Penny Johnson and Julie Seaver Palm Beach Power Couple

Penny Johnson owns Penny’s at the Duke on Dixie Highway in Lantana. It is the only lesbian owned bar in Palm Beach County and when she took it over she was surprised to find a sizable clientele of heterosexuals who continued to frequent the venue and who have been integrated into the mix of local lesbians and gay men who enjoy themselves at Penny’s place.

“It’s an interesting way to come out to your neighbors,” Johnson said. “But they’ve stayed with us and they participate in events and programs.”

Johnson’s bar is also the site of many fundraisers for various LGBT causes. One of the most well known one has become the annual Gay Chili Cook Off to benefit the Compass Youth Program.

Johnson’s partner of 8-plus years is Julie Seaver, Center Operations Director at Compass Gay & Lesbian Community Center in Lake Worth. While Johnson provides safe space for gay people seeking social activities with others like themselves, at Compass, people can also find many opportunities for socializing and a great deal more, as well.

“We have activities for all ages and a mentoring program

for youth,” Seaver said. “We’re an equal opportunity employer so we hire straight people who then have to come out as straight when in public or working with clients.”

Seaver also shared that when she first started attending meetings and events on behalf of Compass she introduced the agency as a community center but over time as she got more comfortable in her role, she started adding “gay and lesbian” until now it’s just part of who she is.

Both women are out to their families. Seaver’s father has a mental block against having a lesbian daughter so it has been a constant coming out with him but most of the families have adjusted and are welcoming.

Wrapping up the interview, Seaver said, and Johnson nodded in agreement, “We all want to be seen as part of the world, not against the world. That’s why it’s so important to be out and be visible as much as you can.”

If you’re a part of the LGBT community in Palm Beach County it’s hard not to know Seaver and Johnson, both of whom are very active in the community.

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Jason The HI King V Acti vist If you are on the political circuit in South Florida, chances are you have seen or heard of Jason King.

This young, dark haired and well groomed gay man can captivate an audience with his words – whether on a panel discussion, from a podium or in a group of friends. When he speaks, people listen.

“I have always had an interest in an altruistic line of work,” said King, who moved to South Florida from Los Angeles in 2010.

His energy abounds and he channels this passion into dedication to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

King is AHF’s Governmental Affairs Manager for the Southern Bureau. In his

current role, King coordinates local, statewide and multistate advocacy efforts around HIV/AIDS policy while maintaining relations with government officials.

In South Florida, King serves on the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Community Advisory Board and sits on the Board of Directors for the World AIDS Museum in Wilton Manors. He is open about his HIV status and has been positive for 10 years. Away from public policy, King, a bachelor, is a classically trained pianist and Eagle Scout, who enjoys traveling, wine tasting and opera.

— John McDonald

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Ted Scouten The T.V. Man You might say Ted Scouten was destined to have a career in the news.

“Ever since I was three years old, I wouldn’t go to bed at night until after the news,” Scouten laughed. “My mom thought I was an odd child. When we had company, I would grab them by the hand and lead them into the living room to watch the news. It was evident that I didn’t choose journalism.

It chose me.”

Growing up in Illinois, Scouten would watch the Chicago stations and the legendary reporting of bow tied anchorman Fahey Flynn. He graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Journalism and soon found himself covering some of the biggest stories in the world: the Haiti earthquake,

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Boston bombing and 9/11 attacks.

“You can’t experience something like that and not be moved and changed for the better,” he says of the aftermath in New York.

These days, Scouten reports out of the Broward County newsroom for CBS4.

Scouten is married to Dave Gervase, his partner of 18 years. The couple loves gardening, traveling and volunteering in the community. Some of Scouten’s favorite causes include AIDS Walk South Florida, Broward House, The Wildlife Care Center and the Humane Society of Broward County.

— John McDonald

Enbar Cohen The Politician Enbar Cohen was born in Israel, but was raised in South Florida since she was one years old.

Cohen was elected as an Aventura city commissioner in 2012. Prior to serving the city, she served her community in other ways, as Assistant Director of Safe Schools South Florida.

While at Safe Schools, Cohen helped organize an annual Diversity Day, where more than 400 LGBTQ youth throughout Miami-Dade County public schools came together for a one-day conference.

Currently, Cohen is the chair of the LGBT Caucus for the Young Elected Officials Network, where she helps young people and state officials progress legislation for

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the LGBT community.

Cohen sees the growth of the LGBT community locally, starting with other organizations and businesses.

“I believe that many organizations and companies are coming forward and standing up for LGBT equality because it is the right thing to do, and they are doing so financially,” she said. “It is important for us to reach into our own pockets, and support the work that is helping push our community forward.”

In the future, Cohen plans to graduate law school while continuing to serve in the community, elected or otherwise.

— Dori Zinn Photo: Facebook.

Luigi Ferrer The Activist HIV/ AIDS and bisexual rights activist Luigi Ferrer began his career as a marine biologist, but as he notes “after being diagnosed with HIV in 1985, the bottom of the ocean no longer seemed that relevant.”

Mentored by AIDS activist Jim Pruitt, Ferrer started working with the Body Positive Resource Center, Miami’s second HIV Services organization, and became its Executive Director at age 26.

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Ferrer grew up in Columbia, South Carolina and Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. During those years, he “frequently felt as an outsider.”

“I don’t know if this was because I was bisexual, had recently moved to Puerto Rico and expressed myself better in English in a Spanish-speaking culture, or just because I was brought up in a

different culture.”

As a leader in Miami’s LGBT community, Ferrer found connection. Currently, he is Program Director and Director of HIV Services at Pridelines Youth Services; Vice President of BiNet USA, a national bisexual advocacy organization; a member of the National Bisexual Leadership Roundtable; and Board member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami.

At Pridelines, Ferrer is committed to “a safe place where youth can learn about themselves, about gender and human sexuality, and gain reallife skills.”

He adds “as we support today’s youth, we are also mentoring and training the next generation of LGBT leaders, activists, and organizers.”

— Andrea Dulanto

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Kerensa Butler-Gile The Accountant At 41 and a partner and managing director at the prestigious, gay-friendly, national accounting firm, McGladrey and Pullen, Kerensa Butler-Gile is a success by anyone’s standards. Add to that, however, that she’s married to Alicia Butler-Gile (2011/MA) and together they are raising an almost-2 year old daughter. What else is there?

“I am forever grateful to Compass and especially to Forrest Shearin and his weekly coming out group,” she said. “They taught me to accept and celebrate myself. Because of them I’ve been able to overcome obstacles that otherwise might have defeated me.”

To repay the community, Kerensa joined

the Compass Board of Trustees where she volunteered for ten years, including several years as president. She left when her daughter was born. “I wanted to have as much time as possible with my child so I had to curtail some of my volunteering,” she said.

“I’m really out everywhere,” she added.

“But I want to be known as the CPA who happens to be gay; not the gay CPA so I like to work with clients until they’re comfortable with me as a professional. I urge people to come out if they can. Being out has made me who I am today.”

— Donald Cavanaugh

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Steve Adkins The Business Leader “Equality is good business!”

That’s the tag line on Steve Adkins’ emails. It also seems to be his mantra. Adkins is the President of the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the largest not-for-profit corporation in the county for gay and lesbian businesses.

Membership has increased more than twentyfold under his leadership.

He is also the Chair of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority. In addition, Adkins serves on the board of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, the Coalition of Chambers and the executive Director’s Round Table. He is also on the Executive Committees of Miami Beach Gay Pride and, the Miami Gay & Lesbian and Fort Lauderdale Film Festivals.

“The LGBT Boards I serve on are ones that I hope I can assist in a material and immediate way (growth, financial and, utilization of my contact base). Whether I am on the board or not, I try to do what I can to assist all our local LGBT organizations.

As a member of the Executive Director’s Roundtable of Miami Dade, we have a mission statement which, sums up how we all work together,” he said.

‘We are a unified group of South Florida leaders working for the advancement of the LGBTQ community through problem solving, social innovation, and meaningful dialogue, while committing to the growth and support of each other and our organizations.’

— Denise Royal

Photo: Facebook.

Nicole Waters The Businesswoman Nicole Waters has been in South Florida for 18 years. She’s basically a native, and one that has helped the local LGBT community tremendously.

As Director of Marketing for Bill Ussery Motors Group, Waters has helped support the local LGBT community for years, including organizations like CARE Resources, Pridelines, and the Aqua Foundation for Women — where she is currently Chair.

Even with much work already accomplished, Waters believes there is still work to be done.

“If more organizations and foundations

worked together, I truly believe we would be able to make a more positive impact for all members of the LGBT community,” said Waters.

Luckily, Waters will be around to continue her work in the LGBT community. In the future, she sees herself remaining in South Florida.

“As Chair of Aqua Foundation for Women, I’ve had the great fortune of seeing the community change and grow and that’s an awesome thing to be part of.”

— Dori Zinn

Photo: Brendon Lies.

Nick Berry The Restaurateur Meld together a business owner, leader, and philanthropist and you have Nick Berry. Perhaps best known for being the co-owner of Wilton Manors Courtyard Cafe and owner of Rumors, he does so much more.

“The thing that puts a smile on my face is being able to employ 50 people between the two businesses,” the 30-year resident of Wilton Manors said. “My staff is like family.”

But he took it a step further and has been involved in the city as well. He serves as the chairman of Planning and Zoning Board and the Economic Development Board.

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For five years, he and his husband, Joseph Bush (the two have been together for 21 years), have hosted a Bike Drive during their Christmas party, starting with seven bicycles to Kids in Distress the first year. This past holiday they were able to raise $10,000 in cash and bicycles to the nonprofit. Also, as a Navy veteran, he and his Courtyard Cafe business partner, Shawn Bombard, donate food to the Wilton Manors Veterans Day breakfast.

“It's the community that supports my businesses, so it’s important to support that community,” Berry said.

— Christiana Lilly

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Mark Budwig is so involved in the local LGBT community he’s practically a local celebrity.

His 30-year business, S.MARK Graphics, has been in Fort Lauderdale for 13 years. He’s also the founder of the Gay & Lesbian Business Exchange (GLBX) of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce; the chair of Broward House and has been on the board for 10 years; a board member of The Pride Center for three years. There are others, of course, but there is not enough physical space here to list all of his accolades.

Budwig, even as a major contributor to the success of the local LGBT community, gives praise to others.

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“There is so much support for the LGBT community here in Broward County,” he said.

“We have so many exceptional leaders in the LGBT community.

It’s rewarding to be a part of that group.”

While he attributes the biggest struggle for the community to be funding, Budwig sees positivity ahead.

“I see the LGBT community more open and aligned with the general community as gay marriage becomes more accepted around the world,” he said.

— Dori Zinn

Photo: Facebook.

Aryah Lester The Trans Advocate On Dec, 2, 2014, the Miami-Dade County Commission approved an ordinance that would ban discrimination against transgender men and women.The measure expands the county's law that prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations to include transgender people. It already bans discrimination based on gender, religion, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation.

Aryah Lester was at the hearing, advocating for transgender rights. And her work in the trans community doesn’t end there. Lester is the current chair for the state of Florida Health Department’s Transgender Work Group, and co-director of Trans* Action Florida. She also founded the organization Trans-Miami, as well as continued the network of her National Alliance of Transgender Advocates and Leaders (NATAL).

Lester currently assists the Switchboard of Miami as a nationally certified crisis hotline counselor, and speaks nationally towards transgender equality.

In addition, Lester, in collaboration with Unity Coalition, has instituted a monthly 3/4/15

support group for transgender individuals in Brickell. It occurs every second Tuesday of the month (www.unitycoalition.com) and with Trans-Miami has scheduled the following workshops for 2015: The Transitioning Workshop in which gender nonconforming people get information on presentation, especially in professional environments and get assistance with clothing, beauty etc.

The Trans-Employment Workshop where South Florida employers are educated in hiring-equality and connected to potential transgender employees.

Trans-Miami is currently recruiting local and national transgender artists to be showcased in a Transgender Arts Series in conjunction with the Betsy Hotel of South Beach this spring.

For more information visit transmiami.org.

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Michael Murphy — The Photographer Michael Murphy is a second generation native South Floridian. Born in Miami, he moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1969.

“I was the youngest real estate broker in Florida in 1978 and practiced for 14 years before quitting to take up photography,” Murphy said.

“I was bored with my Real Estate career and wanted to do something more creative. I quit my job and went to work at a local photo studio as an assistant, with no formal education or experience. Twenty-four years later here I am, one very lucky man.”

In 2015, Michael Murphy’s Photographing Imaging Studio is a big success and Murphy’s talents are in demand both in and out of the LGBT community.

“I enjoy shooting corporate events and business headshots. I think it’s incredible that people are willing to fly me around the world

Gary Richmond — The Doctor Check South Florida chat rooms providing advice on where to find good, affordable HIV treatment, you’ll find the name Dr. Gary Richmond.

He is an internal medicine, pulmonology, critical care medicine and HIV/AIDS specialist. He is frequently mentioned as a great resource for those looking for HIV/AIDS treatment.

Dr. Richmond is recognized for his appointments as principal investigator on more than 150 medical research projects over the past 22 years. He received his medical degree from New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York. He completed his internal medicine internship and residency training at Beth Israel Medical Center, New York and Pulmonary Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.

He currently treats an established group of patients, made up of mostly working guys.

“The majority of complications and treatment

to do my craft. And of course I love to shoot the occasional hot man. I love to shoot reluctant subjects. The people that hate photos, that don’t want their picture taken. I love making them comfortable and getting that great picture.”

Murphy’s support for LGBT community events like PrideFest has earned him the Jesse Monteagudo Outstanding Service to the Community Award from Pride South Florida and the Community Leader Award from Latinos Salud. Murphy describes himself as “a community-minded workaholic that plays as hard as I work. I love my puppy Marcus more than anything. And maybe one day I will find the guy that has his own crazy that matches my crazy. Until then, I keep on laughing and enjoying life!”

— Jesse Monteagudo

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issues are unrelated to HIV but more related to normal aging problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension. They are getting older, like me,” Dr. Richmond says. “The newly diagnosed patients that he sees tend to be younger guys, not using appropriate protection, often within the setting of recreational drug use,” he adds.

Dr. Richmond has a realistic outlook when it comes to the future of HIV/AIDS. That may be because he’s on the front lines of treatment. His office is the only site in Florida participating in some new studies.

“I am not optimistic regarding a ‘cure’ but there are very encouraging regimens on the horizon that may allow treatment once a month or less frequently,” he says.

— Denise Royal Submitted photo.

Rick Rose The Business Leader Rick Rose co-owns Grandview Gardens Bed & Breakfast and Vacation Homes in West Palm Beach. He grew up in Miami and graduated from Florida State University with a degree in hospitality management. He spent more than 20 years in international hotel management and is fluent in both English and German.

Rose came out to his family when he was 18.

“It was a little challenging for them at first,” he shared. “But in about six months they had pulled it together and we’ve been OK since.”

“I must say that being gay is much less of an issue in Europe than in the U.S.,” he said.

“There are fewer hang-ups about it.”

Rose has held many visible leadership positions for a number of civic and social organizations both in Germany and the U.S.

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He has hosted at the B&B a number of receptions and fundraisers for gay/gayfriendly politicians and organizations.

As a practical businessman and social activist, Rose has never been one to hide the fact that he is gay.

“If someone asks, I answer,” he said. “We have to be true to ourselves in every aspect of our lives otherwise, how can we be true to others?

Rose is a founding member of Palm Beach’s LGBT business chamber, The Pride Business Alliance and regularly hosts fundraisers for a variety of causes at his bed and breakfast.

— Donald Cavanaugh

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Justin Flippen The Young Leader

Justin Flippen overcame Christian “reparative therapy” while managing to keep his belief in God and staying true to himself.

“I had an epiphany one day that the church has been wrong about a lot of things in its history,” Flippen said. “Women, slavery, and gay people.

Church theology has clearly been wrong about these issues.”

A Broward County native, Flippen was raised in a fundamentalist, conservative Christian environment and has grown up to become quite the leader. Last fall he was elected to the Wilton Manors City Commission for a second time after which his colleagues immediately voted him Vice Mayor.

He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida College of Law and has interned with U.S. Senator Bob Graham, clerked for Broward Judge Robert Lee and worked in the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Flippen, 36, uses the words of Thomas Jefferson as a guiding principle, “Governments are the servants, not the masters, of the people.”

Although he is happy serving in the community he was raised, Flippen, who served as a delegate for the State of Florida at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, said, “I do not believe my journey in public service is over.”

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— John McDonald

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Landon (LJ) Woolston is very busy these days. He is the LGBTQ Homeless Service Liaison for The Alliance for GLBTQ youth, where he is working on the homelessness initiative in MiamiDade.

He also appeared recently in the documentary ‘Just Gender’ which is premiering around the country.

Woolston also co-founded and facilitates the TRUE group in South Miami (www.true-group.org).

In addition, the Miami native cofacilitates the weekly Gender Bender youth group in Fort Lauderdale at SunServe. He also sits on the TRANSform Dade working group, a task group on trans community/health/ wellness issues in South Florida. If that wasn’t enough he also just joined the planning committee for the Aqua Foundation's upcoming TransCon in the spring of 2015.

When he’s not advocating for transgender rights and LGBTQ youth, Woolston is working on completing his Master’s in Social Work at FIU. He also studied photography and now uses the art form as activism and a means

of sparking critical dialogue around gender, race, body and sex positivity.

His images have been published in several queer publications and he has a permanent collection on display at SoBe Thrifty's Trans-Miami drop-in center.

With so much on his plate, Woolston says helping trans youth remains a priority. “Trans youth are still so far behind their gay, lesbian, bisexual peers in being able to access supportive services and safe spaces. Many really don't have anyone they can turn to who sees and honors them for who they are. I imagine if I'd had someone supporting and affirming me when I was younger, my personal path around my gender identity may have been far less obstructed. It may not have taken me twenty-five years of my life to really figure out who I was ... or to be open to giving myself the space to be authentic,” he tells SFGN. — Denise Royal

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Karen Stephens The Actress “I started out majoring in English and ended up in theater and dance and the rest is history,” recalled award-winning actress Karen Stephens.

The West Palm Beach native harbored dreams of going to New York City and dancing with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, but instead launched a busy career in South Florida at Jan McArt’s famed Royal Palm Dinner Theatre.

Since then, she has appeared in productions in professional companies across the region and landed guest roles on television series including “The Glades” and “Burn Notice.”

Stephens is currently seen weekly on local BECON-TV as a panelist on “Focus on the Arts,” a program that focuses on regional theater, dance and entertainment.

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“I love theater, I’m always going to do theater, but I’d like the opportunity to do more TV and film,” she said, noting it’s also quite an honor to share the set with her cohosts, actress Iris Acker, playwright and actor Michael McKeever and critic Bill Hirschman.

Even though Stephens has her pick of roles, she’s also realistic about the challenges of life in the theater. She completed cosmetology school early on and opened her own successful salon in West Palm Beach.

It’s a blessing and a curse being in the theater,” she explained. “With my business, I have the flexibility to make my own schedule.

I worked very hard to build security and stability for myself.”

— J.W. Arnold

Carla Silva LGBT Youth Advocate For the last six years, Carla Silva has been working for Alliance for GLBTQ Youth. But she’s been a champion for the LGBT community long before that.

“I’ve been advocating alongside and working for the safety and rights of queer youth for the past decade,” Silva said. “I aspire to both increase the social justice knowledge base for the current systems of care, and stimulate discourse that creates sustainable inroads within our communities across difference.”

Silva moved from New York City to South Florida in 2008. She has seen the support of the local LGBT community grow, especially among the youth. But there is still plenty of work to be done.

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“Economic disparities within the GLBTQ communities of color are devastating, and we have not focused collectively on ameliorating them,” she said. “The reality is that while our country is engaged in a struggle for racial justice, the GLBTQ community in South Florida has been disengaged.”

Despite the ongoing struggles, Silva still sees hope for the future.

“I see a more pluralistic community caring for each other across age, race, class, status. A community focused on including the whole person, and the whole community walking forward together.”

— Dori Zinn Photo courtesy of Brett Karlin.

Brett Karlin The Conductor At 28, artistic director Brett Karlin is among the youngest musicians in the Master Chorale of South Florida, a semi-professional chorus that performs the great standards of the repertoire in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

But don’t let his age deceive you, he is a serious — and equally accomplished —musician, who is also in his first year as the chorus master of the Florida Grand Opera and an instructor at the Miami Choral Academy.

“It works for me and against me,” he says of his relative youth. “In the beginning stages of anyone’s career there is a little

— J.W. Arnold

Photo: Facebook.

Will Spencer Children’s Advocate You can tell that Will Spencer, Vice President of Kids in Distress, really has a passion for what he does. As he described what the organization does as well as his various duties, I heard the smile in his voice.

“I personally enjoy the fundraising part and meeting people and connecting donors with people…the paperwork part isn’t much fun to me, but it has to get done,” Spencer said with a laugh.

Since 1979, Kids in Distress strives to help provide safe and loving homes for children.

Anything outside of the medical range that kids and their family’s need is provided, including a preschool and dental services. There is also a prevention program to keep harmful parents and caretakers out of system.

trepidation. Do I know what I’m doing? But it also works to my advantage being the youngest guy in the room,” especially when most of the 90 singers are at least 40-45 years old and several have had professional musical careers from 20 to 50 years.

Karlin auditioned for the position after teaching at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa. Education remains one of his professional priorities.

“I love to get young people excited by music,” Karlin said, “but there is nothing like conducting a professional chorus.”

In addition, Kids in Distress is Wilton Manors’ largest private employer with nearly one-third of successful foster parents as same sex couples.

“I think it’s really cool that the same sex couples are treated the same and expected to achieve the same standards of requirements as others – a safe loving home for a child,” Spencer said.

Spencer would have been worthy of a place in this OUT50 with just his work above but he’s done so much more and has been active in the community for many years. He’s also involved with the Children’s Diagnostic Treatment Center (CDTC), Camp 4 Help, Dublin School and more.

— Natalya Jones 3/4/15

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Peter Clark — The Publisher When Peter Clark bought HotSpots! in 2007, it was already established as Florida’s oldest LGBT publication. When founding publisher Jason Bell decided to put his publication on the market Clark was in the process of selling his gay Guest House in Fort Lauderdale.

“What built my success at the guest house was HotSpots. When the hotel sold I found HotSpots for sale online. I filled a nondisclosure form and it took me six months to negotiate a purchase.

The magazine business was very competitive and HotSpots was a leader. And I found an opportunity to move it forward, to build on the brand with new directions and take it into the digital age.”

Two months after Clark bought HotSpots that magazine launched its “state of the art” web site, a virtual magazine with interactive, turn page technology. “Recognizing the importance of the Latino community,” Clark’s HotSpots

Electra The Female Impersonator There are people who get so affected after tragedy, the rest of their lives are diminished and ruined. Not Electra, female impersonator of Wilton Manors.

Electra, also known as Lyman James Buff, is the antithesis of showing defeat in the face of deep sadness.

This trait was particularly exhibited when his husband and actor Terry M. Cain passed away in June. Instead of asking for sympathy, he turned to God as shown in his Facebook posts. “My faith in God has comforted me and led me to many answers for questions I had no answer for previously,” he told me when we asked how religion helped him get through this

formed a partnership with Latino Boys Magazine.

HotSpots later became sole owner of LBM, which it transformed into the monthly bilingual Genre Latino.

HotSpots Media also extended its outreach to Central and West Florida and formed a partnership with Edge Media. More recently, Clark says, “we have been assigned as custodian of Mark’s List, following the untimely death of founder Mark Haines, at his family’s request. We are in charge of the business until the court assigns it to us. At that time, Mark’s List will be an independent part of HotSpots Media.”

Clark and Cleto Beuren, his partner of 30 years, were married in Canada after same-sex marriage became legal there. They are big supporters of the Pride Center and many other LGBT community organizations.

— Jesse Monteagudo

Photo: J.R. Davis.

tough time. Regarding advice he would give to others who lost a loved one, he replied, “Take every day one step at a time and allow God to help in your time…your mind will race, so try to focus on one step in front of the other.”

His positive attitude also shines in the workplace. I asked Electra how he thinks his performances help the community, and he replied that every smile is attributed to a pleased person and that “a few pleased persons are a community!”

Now THAT’S positivity!

— Natalya Jones

Photo: Facebook.

Debbie Frazier The Activist At 16, Debbie Frazier was thrown out of her family’s West Side Chicago home for being gay.

“I was fortunate to know two gay men who took me in,” she said. The sad thing is that this stuff is still happening today.”

In the intervening years, Debbie had a daughter, which helped mend her relationship with her parents. “Being grandparents changed everything,” she said.

The daughter, Heather, came out two years ago.

Debbie prefers to be called a “gay woman” rather than a lesbian. “We need to bring people together under one name or we can’t get anything done.” And Debbie works to get things

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done for everyone.

She’s the president of the Alliance for Social Justice, which works to empower children to become leaders for tomorrow. She’s also the executive regional director of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus.

“I’m always surprised when someone doesn’t know I’m gay,” Debbie said. “I don’t carry a flag or anything but I’m as out as possible without one.”

Debbie is actively involved with MCC of the Palm Beaches. She’s in a relationship with Diedre Newton, featured in last year’s “OUT50.” They plan to marry on July 4.

— Donald Cavanaugh

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Vanessa Brito knows Miami politics inside and out. She is the Director and Owner of MYami Marketing Inc., a Miami based full-service Political Consulting firm. Brito is a contributing expert writer to Miami. com and Miami.com en Español as well as AMBIENTE Magazine on issues related to the LGBT community, committee member to SAVE’s Foundation’s Communications and Marketing Committee, Federal Club member of the Human Rights Campaign, and advisory board member to the Latin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

Currently, Brito is a Board Member and political committee chair of Unity Coalition/Coalicion Unida (LGBT), member of the Equality Florida Miami Steering Committee, and honorary board member of the Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation.

In addition, through MYami Marketing, Brito has consulted on Statewide and Congressional campaigns for the 2010 and 2012 cycle Republican State

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Representative Michael Bileca, Republican and Congressman David Rivera.

She also served as a consultant for the Republican Party of Florida and was the lead data manager for the "YES to Recall Mayor Carlos Alvarez.” More recently, she successfully managed the campaign of Veronica Diaz for Miami-Dade County Judge against a 20-year political veteran in Miami and the Sunshine State.

Brito is recognized as a community activist in South Florida through her work as Chairperson of Miami Voice PAC. She serves as a Political Strategist and Commentator on local and national media particularly in issues regarding Florida voter trends and LGBT issues locally, nationally, and abroad. She has received Proclamations from Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami Beach for her advocacy work with minority communities and civic engagement.

— Denise Royal

Photo: Steven Shires.

AL Magdaleno The Benefactor Although his charity Random Acts of Kindness FTL is said to have started 13 years ago according to Facebok, Al Magdaleno says that the history behind it is indeed more extensive.

“It actually started when I received a random act of kindness in 1989 and I still remember it to this day,” he explained.

“That's the effect it has on you.” After being transferred to Naples, Italy on Christmas Eve when he was in the military, he found himself wandering the streets alone until he found an empty restaurant. After walking in, he was led to the back by an elderly woman who provided him with a meal and a seat with her family.

“They told me in broken English to do something good for someone else,” he continued. “Needless to say, as I made friends, I took everyone there to eat.”

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Two wars later and in Virginia, Magdaleno was so inspired by the event that he aided a classmate named Karen from court reporting school. After rounding up a group of friends and donations for her and her children, they anonymously decorated her house three days before Christmas.

Extra boxes of donations were given and soon Magdaleno was helping many others in the community, from ladies in nursing homes to random pedestrians in the park.

Random Acts of Kindness FTL was then born. “The Fort Lauderdale generosity is just awesome,” he said. “We, as a city, should be proud.”

Magdaleno also added, “We are citizens of cities. We are citizens of countries. But together, we are citizens of the world.

— Natalya Jones

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Brice Brittenum The Detective As detective on the homicide squad for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Brittenum has been serving South Florida for the last 13 years, many of those as an openly gay police officer.

Brittenum previously worked in the SVU and SWAT Team departments and was the LGBT Liaison for six years. “[I] conducted recruiting at PrideFest and Stonewall, safety seminars for the LGBT Community, and presentations regarding hate crimes,” Brittenum said. “Having an LGBT Liaison allows the community to feel more comfortable in dealing with law enforcement and a place to voice any concerns they may have regarding safety.”

Roya Amirniroumand The LBT Advocate In almost a year, Roya Amirniroumand has transformed women’s services at The Pride Center at Equality Park.

Only 24, Amirniroumand moved to South Florida almost a year ago and became the Women with Pride Coordinator for The Pride Center. With a masters in Women and Gender Studies, she has helped organize and host a multitude of ongoing events like The Vital Signs Series — a holistic seminar series for lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women and their allies.

“Our workshops have focused on a range of emotional, mental, and physical needs,” Amirniroumand said. “Including skin care, fitness, and nutrition.”

Photo: Women with Pride.

— Dori Zinn

Ron Gunzburger The Problem Solver “I like problem solving,” said Ron Gunzburger.

As General Counsel to Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, Gunzburger certainly has the right job for solving problems.

The Broward County Sheriff’s Office employs 5,700 people, making it one of the largest law enforcement operations in the country. Gunzburger leads the Office of General Counsel, responsible for advising the Sheriff in matters pertaining to risk management, confiscations, forfeitures and all legal matters. He also serves on the Sheriff’s powerful senior command staff.

“I’m a troubleshooter,” he said. “I listen a lot and come up with new approaches.”

Gunzburger, 51, married his partner Dana Buker in 2006 in Ontario, Canada. The two met while Gunzburger was attending Vermont Law School, and they have been together since 1987.

Before joining BSO, Gunzburger made headlines on the political scene, authoring politics1.com, credited

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The Pride Center has also helped expand the LBT Health Directory, which links hundreds of women a month to “culturally competent healthcare providers.”

The directory, she hopes, will provide resources to some of the hardest struggles many women in the community face.

Amirniroumand says The Pride Center is everything she imagines a community center to be.

“It’s somewhere you can connect to and if you need something and we don’t provide it, staff and countless volunteers will put you in contact with the resources that you are looking for.”

Submitted photo.

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At the national level, Brittenum believes the LGBT community faces more of a struggle than the local community.

“South Florida is generally a more accepting area than the majority of the country due to the diversity,” he said. “However the lack of federally ensured rights for LGBT needs to be addressed at that level. Local acceptance can only go so far.”

For the future, though, he hopes to see much more equality than what we are seeing in 2015.

“The LGBT community will hopefully by then have our rights fully recognized and protected at the highest level possible.”

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as one of the very first political blogs, and consulting on numerous campaigns. In recent years, however, his involvement has been as a volunteer, from Howard Dean’s 2004 Presidential campaign to, more recently, supporting his old friend Republican Larry Hogan in the Maryland gubernatorial race.

“That surprised everyone ... Larry was the biggest upset win in the nation in 2014,” said Gunzburger, who now serves as Senior Advisor to Governor Hogan.

Bipartisanship is a central theme of Gunzburger’s political career, which also translates professionally with his past work in both the Attorney General’s RICO Division and the Public Defender’s Office.

When he’s not on the political trail, Gunzburger loves to travel, especially to France. He and his husband once had an apartment there while Dana attended school in Paris. “Someday, we’d even like to retire to the south of France,” he hopes.

— John McDonald

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Robert Griffin The Reverend

As executive minister at Sunshine Cathedral, a Metropolitan Community Church in Fort Lauderdale, Dr. Robert Griffin is witnessing a new wave of coming out stories.

“With marriage equality people are coming out in a different way,” Griffin said. “We are reexamining what it means to come out. There’s a different form of liberation and spirit happening in our community.”

Griffin, 48, was raised in a “very religious” family in rural Alabama. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school where he served 10 years as a chaplain’s assistant. Griffin met his partner of 15 years, Durrell Watkins, at divinity school and together they have ministered to thousands in the

LGBT community. Watkins is the senior minister at Sunshine Cathedral, a spiritual community that is welcoming and affirming of LGBT people.

“You are who you are,” Griffin said. “The presence of God is always with you.”

Griffin is also very open about his HIV status.

He tested positive in 1987 and has worked hard to educate others and battle stigma. From 20062008, he traveled to Jamaica to confront the country’s rampant homophobia.

“I’m very justice oriented,” Griffin said. “That comes from my roots in Alabama.”

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— John McDonald

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Andrew Kato — The Producer

In just nine seasons, Andrew Kato has built the Maltz Jupiter Theatre into one of the most successful South Florida regional companies.

The walls of the Jupiter theater are lined with Carbonell Awards for the company’s criticallyacclaimed musical productions. He also recently oversaw a multi-million dollar expansion of the company’s facilities and subscriptions continue to break records (7,626 for the current season).

A South Florida native, Kato led a successful career in New York City before returning home. He has been the Creative Consultant/Coordinating Producer on the Tony Awards for the last 11 years and received the Emmy Award eight times.

Kato produced several Broadway concerts, including “Chess in Concert,” starring Josh Groban; the 20th anniversary concert benefit of

“Dreamgirls,” starring Audra McDonald; “Funny Girl” in Concert; the original Broadway cast reunion concert of “Once On This Island;” and the 10th anniversary concert version of “Into the Woods.” On Broadway, Kato was a producing associate on “Jelly’s Last Jam” and “Angels in America.”

Kato is circumspect about his career: “Making a living in the industry is difficult. Everything that you’re enjoying is an experience you’re paying for….I’ve slept on floors, my first apartment share I literally pulled out a sleeping bag almost. I’m not ashamed about that, those are the sacrifices you have to take….you can have your dreams if you want something bad enough.”

— J.W. Arnold Photo courtesy of South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble

Dan Bassett The Conductor With nearly 10 years under his belt as artistic director of the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble, Dan Bassett has not only raised the profile of his organization, but brought national attention from the LGBT band movement.

A native of upstate New York, Bassett came to Florida after completing his music education degree at Ithaca College. He served as the band director at Boca Raton High School and now is on the faculty of St. Mark’s Episcopal School in Fort Lauderdale.

During this time, he began performing with the Flamingo Freedom Band. In 2005, he was asked to audition to be the director, and after being selected, he initiated sweeping changes.

At his suggestion, the name was changed to the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble and Marching Band, an effort to emphasize the artistic nature of the organization, beyond marching in local Pride parades. Bassett also revolutionized the concert programming, adding guest performers, dancers and gymnasts and introducing innovative lighting and video effects to accentuate the music.

“I did have a pretty clear vision of what I wanted to see on stage. The other was the freedom to change from a more serious concert to a more visual and entertaining approach to meet our audiences where they are,” Bassett explained. “I think it’s worked.”

— J.W. Arnold Submitted photo.

Andrew Eddy The Republican It’s not easy being a gay Republican and yet Andrew Eddy proves principles can exist.

Eddy, 77, is active in many groups in South Florida, but it is his role as a committeeman with the Broward Republican Executive Committee, which may surprise some in the LGBT community.

“It takes a lot of thick skin to deal with being of faith and a Republican Egalitarian because the abuse from the left and right can be brutal but in the essence of fairness and the strategic targeted goal of equality such efforts supersedes any negative agenda of exclusion and misrepresentation against who I am as a concerned and loyal American citizen,” said Eddy, who is

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Catholic and a pensioner of the Archdiocese of Miami.

Born and raised in New York City, Eddy moved to Deerfield Beach in the late 1970s and immediately became a powerful player for several organizations ranging from veterans groups (Eddy served in the U.S. Air Force) to charitable causes (Poverello, chief among them). Although he never made any secret of his sexual orientation, Eddy said there was also never a defining coming out moment in his life.

“I always blended in,” Eddy said. “I never felt the need to wave a banner of my sexual orientation in someone’s face.”

— John McDonald

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As a boy growing up in Philadelphia, Lee Rubin remembers helping his mother deliver meals on wheels for those in need.

“My parents instilled in me the importance of giving back in the community,” Rubin said.

A philanthropist extraordinaire, Rubin lived in Washington, D.C. for many years, getting his start in volunteerism by stuffing envelopes for the Human Rights Campaign. He rose quickly inside the beltway, elected co-chair of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation in 2009 and appointed chair of the Task Force’s 401c3 Action Fund the following year.

Rubin moved to South Florida a few years ago and has

settled in Fort Lauderdale with his husband, Jim Walker. The couple is enjoying a renewed community spirit after years in DC. Rubin is currently a board member of the Pride Center and Our Fund where he helps raise thousands of dollars for non-profit organizations.

Professionally, Rubin is a savvy social networker who runs a blog dedicated to promoting LGBT events in South Florida.

“You could say giving back is baked into my DNA,” Rubin said.

Professionally, Rubin is a senior manager in global reference programs at Citrix.

He married Walker, his partner of 18 years, in January.

— John McDonald

Photo: Steven Shires.

Jessica Aguilar The Fighter She’s a championship fighter and proud latina lesbian and Jessica Aguilar calls South Florida home.

“I love being here,” she told SFGN last year at the Pride Center while advocating for lesbian, gay and bisexual people to sign up for the Affordable Healthcare Act’s exchange programs.

Born in Mexico and raised in Houston, Aguilar has overcome her fair share of tragedy for such a young lady. Aguilar lost her father when she was just six years of age and later one of her brothers was killed in a car accident. Fittingly, she channeled that grief into rage in the ring and winning fights in the mixed martial arts form.

Friends describe her as a “type A” girl on a mission and Aguilar is knocking out stereotypes of what it means to be strong and successful. A petite powerhouse, at 115 pounds, Aguilar often surprises those who meet her with a warmth and kindness one might not expect from a prize fighter.

Away from the ring, mats and cages of MMA, Aguilar has dabbled in acting and is frequently sought out for Spanish roles. She has appeared in the Showtime series “Dexter” and in Johnson & Johnson commercials airing in The Philippines.

— John McDonald 3/4/15

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Steph The HI en Fallon V Advo cate When Stephen Fallon cofounded Latinos Salud in 2008, he already had years of experience in AIDS service work, both with his own consultancy and with Fort Lauderdale’s CenterOne. As part of his consultancy, Fallon “helped get funding for ten agencies in Florida. One of the programs I was most proud of delivered prevention education to young Latino gay guys here in the Fort Lauderdale area.”

Unfortunately, budget woes led Broward County’s Hispanic social service agency to exit the HIV arena. “That was a wake-up call for me: I can fly around the country planting seeds, but who makes sure that programs grow to serve changing communities? So I co-founded Latinos Salud in 2008 with Rafaele Narvaez.”

Under Fallon’s direction, Latinos Salud has grown to become South Florida’s leading organization serving the needs of LGBT Latinos/as and those who love them.

“Latinos Salud has some of the most passionate advocates for community health you’ll find anywhere,” said Fallon, who is the organization’s executive director.

“This summer, we opened a location in Miami Beach, to close the gap created when one of the long standing Miami HIV agencies closed last year.”

Whenever he is not working, Fallon shares a home with “a gaggle of crazy cocker spaniels. I love to bike, work out, and cook for friends.” An “insatiable travel bug,” Fallon and his partner of ten years have traveled through Spain, France, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia.

— Jesse Monteagudo

Photo: J.R. Davis

Melissa St. John The Female Impersonator West Palm Beach native, Melissa St. John is well known by her drag name to gay and straight alike throughout South Florida and beyond.

“Oh honey,” she said during an interview, “no one would know me if we used my other name. I’ll just be Melissa.”

A female impersonator and entertainer, Melissa is often referred to as “First Lady of Palm Beach.” And there’s a reason for that — everybody knows her. She has been performing in gay and straight venues for almost 30 years.

“Once in a while I feel a little uncomfortable in certain locations or establishments, she said. “But I’m there to show the positive aspects of our lives, and it works.”

Melissa graduated from Palm Beach

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Gardens High School in 1980 and studied architecture at Palm Beach State (then Community) College. Following school, she worked in banking for twelve years before opening her own salon.

Melissa came out to her parents as a gay man the second time they asked if she was gay. “The first time they asked, I said no,” she said. “But the second time… They were very cool about it.”

She has been in a relationship with her partner, David Barden, for 18 years and is performing Saturday nights at H.G. Roosters.

This past year Melissa also won SFGN’s Best Drag Queen for Palm Beach County.

— Donald Cavanaugh

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Gordon Roberts The Maestro Tickets to concerts by the 200-voice Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) are difficult to snag. In just under five years, Maestro Gordon Roberts has built the chorus into the largest vocal ensemble in Florida and led the organization to even greater musical heights.

And their concerts are almost always sell-outs.

Roberts got an early start, beginning piano study at the age of four in Pennsylvania. By the time he was nine, he was conducting the 60-voice choir and playing organ at a local church. He would go on to study at Juilliard before launching a concert career, performing around the world.

He recalled, “At one point I decided I was not going to become ‘famous’….what people don’t

realize is the very smallest percentage make it to that celebrity status where you write your own ticket.”

Roberts decided to pursue his other love, design. For years, he had decorated his colleagues’ homes and realized his services were worth more than he was making as a concert artist. He relocated to Florida with his partner, but after a few years found himself returning to his true love, music, in 2004.

He served as assistant conductor of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus before helping launch the GMCSF. “The rest” as he says, “simply fell into place.”

— J.W. Arnold

Photo courtesy of Gordon Roberts.

Photo: Facebook.

Victoria Sigler The Judge Victoria Sigler is a judge of the Miami-Dade County Circuit court. Sigler became the first “out” political figure to win office in Florida with her campaign for County Court Judge in 1994. She was most recently re-elected without opposition last year – her current six-year term expires in January 2021. And her accomplishments don’t end there.

Early in her legal career, Sigler made her way to the Office of the Dade County Public Defender (one of the largest offices in the nation). She managed 175 attorneys and oversaw approximately 50,000 cases a year.

With all of her years on the bench, Sigler is surprised that same sex marriage is now legal in Florida. “When I got on the bench in 1995, I never would have thought we’d see this.”

Sigler believes the ruling is a good thing and disagrees with critics who call it judicial activism.

“My colleagues who wrote those opinions

Luiz Rodrigues The Environmentalist For nearly 14 years, Luiz Rodrigues has been Executive Director for the Environmental Coalition of Miami & the Beaches (ECOMB).

His accomplishments include co-founding the City’s Sustainability Committee with former Commissioner Michael Gongora in 2007: “The Committee adopted, as its guidelines, a proposal I had created and presented to Michael: The Sustainable City Concept – a series of recommendations to transform Miami Beach into a more sustainable community.”

Miami Beach now has electric car charging stations, a new commercial and residential recycling ordinance, bicycle and car sharing programs, and a Styrofoam ban.

A native of Niterói/Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rodrigues

followed the lead of the U.S. Supreme Court,” she told SFGN. Sigler recently performed her first same-sex marriage.

“I had refrained for a long time. I held the view that there should be no exclusions,” she said.

In her spare time, Sigler is an avid music lover who performs with the LAMBDA chorale. She is also learning to play the trombone. “You don’t get a lot of invitations to play at parties,” she joked.

Sigler also serves as a mentor for gay and lesbian law students at local schools, helping them develop resumes and job contacts. As a community activist, Sigler has raised food donations for the Miami CURE AIDS NOW network and is a pro bono attorney for people with AIDS through the Dade County Bar Association.

— Denise Royal

Submitted photo.

completed degrees in Biological Oceanography at UC Santa Cruz and Aquatic Biology (Topical Limnology) at UC Santa Barbara.

He spent six years with International Health Programs (IHP), an organization based in Santa Cruz, training health professionals in developing countries on HIV/ AIDS education and prevention.

Working with former IHP boss, Ruth Mota, is one of the highlights of his career, particularly due to her passion for AIDS education.

As far as connecting the LGBT community to environmental actions, Rodrigues would like to see more of us “taking the lead and showing the world that we are all concerned about our planet.”

— Andrea Dulanto 3/4/15

//

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out 50

Submitted photo.

Bruce Williams The LGBT Senior Advocate Bruce Williams is finally out at work.

“I’ve known I was gay since I was seven, but kept it under wraps for financial reasons,” says Williams from behind his desk at the Pride Center where he serves as Senior Services Coordinator.

Free to be himself, Williams, 68, now helps other LGBT seniors navigate complicated issues of aging.

“One of the biggest problems we have with old people is they become an invisible population and that really pisses me off,” he says with strong disgust.

Williams moved to South Florida in 2009 after doctors told him he had just a few weeks to live. “I was sick and preparing for my demise,” he said.

Carol Moran The Restaurant Entrepreneur If you haven’t met Carol Moran, where have you been?

Maybe you know her partner, Nancy.

Maybe you know her restaurant, 13|Even.

Maybe you remember her as a past owner of New Moon. If you haven’t met Carol yet, you’re bound to soon.

Moran was born and raised in Miami.

She has co-owned and operated 13|Even for almost two years. The pair has held so many events that they’ve lost count.

Iron Ladies Golf Tournament, Broward House Dine Out for Life, and Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center (CDTC) Toy Drive are just a few.

Despite the success of 13|Even, Moran

He has since rebounded, moved by witnessing the struggles of seniors in the last phases of their life. Tasked with finding assisted living facilities for retired gays and lesbians, Williams painfully recalls the difficulties he endured.

“People hanging up on me and doors slammed in my face,” he said.

These days, Williams welcomes a hearty crowd of gay seniors for a weekly “coffee and conversation” program at the Pride Center and he is fulfilled by what he sees.

“The look of peace, serenity, inclusion and contentment on each in this sea of worn, brave and wrinkled faces,” he said.

— John McDonald

Photo: J.R. Davis.

still sees visitors trying to put a label on it.

“We have been open for over a year and people are still wondering if we are a gay bar or a gay restaurant,” Moran said.

“We are just what we are—a place for great wines, beer, food, service and great company!”

Moran still doesn’t know what the future holds. And she’s OK with that.

“To be honest, I’m not sure where I see myself [in the future],” she said. “Because I never saw myself here, either. The universe puts me where I’m supposed to be.”

— Dori Zinn Submitted photo.

Theo Smith The Gay Rights Activist A lot of people in South Florida know Theo Smith. And a lot know him by his moniker, “The Gay Mayor of West Palm Beach.” In his 43 years on the planet, Smith has wracked up some wide recognition as a doer — especially when it comes to helping gay institutions.

“I really like to see our diverse communities come together to benefit people in need regardless of orientation,” said Smith, noting that the largest project he’s worked on is the Breast Cancer Fundraiser.

“Breast cancer doesn’t know if you’re gay or straight,” he noted.

Although he’s enjoyed tremendous visibility in his years in the community,

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he had avoided sharing his life with his family until two years ago – on National Coming Out Day. “I knew I was gay very early – like five and it’s not easy being black and gay,” he said. “I was finally tired of living my life to protect other people’s feelings. And actually, it wasn’t so bad. My family is very loving.”

An architectural consultant by day, Smith shared that, “I don’t go around announcing to the straight world that I’m gay, but I don’t hesitate to let people know if they ask.”

— Donald Cavanaugh

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Wilton’s Iconic Candy Store Celebrates 10 Years

Business

By Denise Royal

To the Moon in Wilton Manors brings Candyland to life.

Its shelves stock candy from 87 countries. As soon as you walk inside, you notice the music coming out of the speakers is all about candy and sweets. You can find your favorite vintage confectioneries dating back from 1806 to the mid 1990’s. Owner Antonio Dumas says it’s the candy that keeps the customers coming back. “There are some people who don’t even eat sweets and they shop here because we have more than 100 sugar-free selections,” said Dumas.

That’s not surprising.

Dumas considers himself somewhat of a ‘candiologist’ – an expert in all things related to candy. That’s a big help for customers who are unsure of what to buy.

“He is so knowledgeable and well, cares of the quality and origin of the products he chooses to sell. He always has honest recommendations when I'm having my usual indecision process” say regular customer Meg McKenna.

From the floor to the ceiling there are chocolates, candy and sweets in all shapes and sizes. There’s chocolate shaped like a stiletto, vintage candy bars, gum, and pez.

“I like To the Moon because it has such a variety of candies that are both classic and interesting. It’s filled with international candy that I’ve never tried or heard of. The place seems almost magical. It’s like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate

Factory condensed into a smaller space,” McKenna said.

This month, To the Moon celebrates 10 years on Wilton Drive. Since opening, it now sells more merchandise with more of a retro feel. The aisles are packed with all sorts of fun items and Dumas knows exactly where to find each one. Customers can buy hard- to-find fun stuff or hilarious products that you haven’t seen in decades. The ones that caught my eye include Mad Libs, aluminum lunch boxes, poo-pouri (it’s for the bathroom) and Golden Girls-themed greeting cards.

“We have greeting cards for everybody. We cater to everyone, not just gay customers. I am not a stupid business owner,” Dumas said.

The cross-section of customers who shop there represents the wide variety of merchandise. “Every type of person shops here. Families, trannies, gays, straights, Europeans, Australians and locals – all kinds of people visit this area for vacation year and stop in. We have locals who come here every day,” said To the Moon employee William Newcomb. WMG To the Moon is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

You can find out more information at ToTheMoonMarketplace.com.

// 5 •soflagaynews March 4, 2015

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 3.4.2015 //

49

Community

Commission Alters Bar Regulations

By Michael d’Oliveira

ADVERTISE IN THE

GAZETTE

Wilton Drive bar owners won’t have as many chances to ask for special event serving extensions.

On Feb. 24, commissioners unanimously reduced the number of extensions bar owners can ask for from 15 to 5. Each extension, if granted by the commission, will allow the owner to serve alcohol by one hour. Currently, bars can serve from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Friday and 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The commission also now requires owners apply for an extension at least 60 days before instead of 30 and the application cost per day would be raised from $100 to $250.

The regulations would only apply to bars in the Arts and Entertainment District.

“It’s important for our city that we manage the Arts and Entertainment District and the bar and the nightlife properly. I still believe we have a tremendous drinking problem in this city and now a tremendous drug problem,” said Mayor Gary Resnick.

“I think this is a step in the right direction.”

In an October 2014 SFGN article it was reported that crystal meth abuse is rising within the gay community in Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors.

“The number of arrests involving crystal meth has doubled so far this year over 2013 in Fort Lauderdale,” said Michael Kasten, a committee

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chairperson on the No More Meth Task Force. “If you look at the actual arrests by sector they are in the gay neighborhoods of Fort Lauderdale.”

Bar owners who ask for an extension may also have to hire an off-duty uniformed officer, at a cost of $37 per hour, for a minimum of three hours if the chief of police determines they need it. The past history and conduct of each bar will be taken into account. “If you’ve done this before and there’s never been a problem why should you have to pay for extra hours?” asked Commissioner Tom Green. Commissioner Justin Flippen said requiring every bar to hire a police officer for an extension of hours would punish businesses that are not a source of trouble.

Commander Gary Blocker said it might be difficult to find an off duty officer, who has the day off or just finished a 12-hour shift, willing to work for only three hours. Originally, the minimum requirement was six hours. “Those are some of the challenges we face.”

Concerns over the cost of the application process were also raised.

Owners who apply for an extension will have to pay $250 in fees for every day they want to have extended hours.

Resnick said he was more concerned with the health and safety of bar patrons than the profit of bar owners.

WMG

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SouthFloridaGayNews March 4, 2015

Business

City Starts Negotiations For New City Manager

By Michael d’Oliveira

ADVERTISE IN THE

GAZETTE

Joseph Gallegos Although they have until October to find a replacement for outgoing City Manager Joseph Gallegos, city commissioners here are not wasting time in filling his position. Gallegos officially announced his intention to retire on Feb. 2 and commissioners “reluctantly” accepted his resignation at their Feb. 24 meeting.

Gallegos, hired in 1999, is the second longest serving city manager in the city’s history. J. Frank Starling has the longest tenure – 1960 to 1981 as city administrator.

Commissioners, who have overwhelmingly expressed a desire to hire Assistant City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson, voted to direct City Attorney Kerry Ezrol to begin contract negotiations with her to determine salary and benefits. Resnick said he wants a fair compensation package.

“I don’t want to be the highest [in the county].”

Ezrol will discuss the position’s salary and benefits with Henderson.

Negotiations may finish in time for city commissioners to make a decision by the end of March. He was advised not to rush but to have negotiations finished soon in case Henderson declines so commissioners have time to find someone else. Gallegos said a normal search process takes about six

months. The city would also need time to find a replacement for Henderson’s current position.

Henderson, who has been with the city since 1999 and served as assistant city manager since 2003, appears ready to accept the position though.

She praised the commission, Gallegos, her fellow staff members and the residents. “This city has a lot of momentum . . . I could not be more excited to be part of this city.”

According to “Wilton Manors From Farming Community to Urban Village,” written by Benjamin Little, the city has a history of female employees being appointed as interim and acting city manager. But, if hired, Henderson would be the first woman chosen in a long-term capacity. WMG

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?

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51

Calendar of Events

Compiled from the Wilton Manors website

Brains and Balance Past 60 March 4, 11, 18 & 25 — 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Hagen Park Brains and Balance Past 60 is designed for the unique needs of active older adults who know the importance of staying mentally sharp and physically stable. Researchers no longer believe that falling or losing your mental capacity are inevitable parts of the aging process and this fascinating class series operates based on the premise that specific exercises will decrease the risk of falling while increasing mental acuity.

38th Annual Waterway Cleanup March 7, — 9 a.m. to Noon at Colohatchee Boat Ramp Established more than 30 years ago, the Broward County Waterway Cleanup is an annual grassroots “spring cleaning” event that draws hundreds of volunteers to sites across Broward County to remove trash and debris from our local waterways. Register, download the waiver and learn more at www.waterwaycleanup.org.

Photo: J.R. Davis

Wilton Manors Green Market March 7, 8 & 14, 15 & 21, 22 & 28, 29 — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wilton Manors City Hall / Hagen Park

Wilton Manors Green Market every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.– 2 p.m. in the Wilton Manors City Hall / Hagen Park parking lot. The Market features Organic Produce, Regular Produce, International Baked Goods, specialty items, spices & herbs, soups, cheeses, coffees & tea, bagels, Nuts & dried fruits, baked goods, and various other international and local vendors.

The Market gives residents and visitors to Wilton Manors an exciting shopping alternative and a chance to view, sample and purchase products. For more information on The Market or to become a vendor, visit GreenWilton. com or contact Frank and Ron at 954531-5363.

City Commission Meeting March 10, 7 p.m. at City Hall Commission Chambers 2020 Wilton Drive

Community Yard Sale March 14, All Day at Hagen Park

Wilton Manors Historical Society March 19, 7 p.m. at City Commission Chambers

Free Tax Assistance

Gay Nuptials Workshop March 22, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Hagen Park Community Center Are you planning to get married? Now that "our" time has come, don't miss this exclusive opportunity to learn how to best plan your special day. Let Bobby Kyser, wedding specialist, guide you down the aisle of bliss. Learn more about the importance of having a planner, how to personalize your wedding and how to choose the right flowers, decor and entertainment.

Also enjoy light refreshments, vendor exhibits and more!

March 21 & 28, 10 a.m. to noon at Richard C. Sullivan Public Library

City Commission Meeting

Free face-to-face tax help for those of low to moderate income from the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.

March 24, 7 p.m. at City Hall Commission Chambers

City Commission Meeting March 24, 7 p.m. at City Hall Commission Chambers

Spring Eggstravaganza March 28, 10 a.m. to noon at St. Clement Church Join the Wilton Manors Leisure Servicess Department for this years Spring Eggstravaganza! This years event includes an Egg Hunt for children 12 and under, Magic Show, Bounce Houses, and a whole lot of fun!

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SouthFloridaGayNews March 4, 2015

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53

lifestyle books “The Story of Fester Cat” By: Paul Magrs

Terri Schlichenmeyer

$16.00 / $18.00 Canada 295 pages c.2014, Berkley

Every now and then, you catch your cat staring off into space, and you wonder what he’s thinking about.

Food, maybe; he’s always hungry.

Outside, perhaps, or where his catnip mouse is hiding? Then again, he could be pondering the meaning of life; you never know, with a cat.

Don’t you wish you understood what’s going on inside that furry head? Read “The Story of Fester Cat” by Paul Magrs, and you might get some idea…

Fester the Cat wasn’t cut out for the life of a stray.

Miss Bessy (who really was a boy-cat) made fun of Fester for wanting a better life, but Fester didn’t listen. The house he found – the warm house where two men lived – was welcoming, and there was food.

Bessy said the men were gay and it wasn’t “’natural,’” but Fester didn’t care.

It took him awhile to move in, which was just as well. Paul and Jeremy seemed to be just getting used to one another, too. Paul worked at home and made sure that Fester had lots of places to sleep. Jeremy had a stressful job that he really wasn’t happy doing, so Fester made sure to “sing” to Jeremy quite often.

Life in the cottage was good – Fester had his own garden, and he saw his old street friends occasionally. He had all the food he could eat, sunny places to curl up, scratches on his chin’s “Special Spot” and, though he wasn’t altogether keen on it, Paul and Jeremy took Fester to the “hairdresser” now and then. Fester knew the “hairdresser” was really a veterinarian, and he tried not to be too ungrateful.

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SouthFloridaGayNews

But months living on the streets are hard on a cat and Fester’s “hairdresser” discovered a problem with his thyroid.

Medicine helped that, but there wasn’t much to be done about a small stroke he suffered. The stroke led to headaches and wobbly legs, and Fester was embarrassed that he couldn’t do steps any more.

Paul and Jeremy were very nice about it, but they had their own issues to fix…

Heaven knows, I tried so hard to like this book. I truly did. Instead, what I really wanted to do with “The Story of Fester Cat” was to throw it in a litter box and send it somewhere far, far away.

Yes, I do have to admit, I was charmed by about three sentences in this cat-“written” story (obviously penned by human Paul Magrs). Unfortunately, those sentences were superseded by an insufferably cutesy tale that strained my adult sensibilities; repeated (and sometimes painfully detailed) mentions of doing “poo;” a colorfullyslangy description of a cat’s sexual organs; a whole chapter on intestinal worms; and the non-word “Ungow!” over and over – once, in a passage that reminded me distinctly of Ulysses. No, seriously.

I tried. And I think, minus the bodily functions, physical descriptions and worms, “The Story of Fester Cat” might’ve even been a good kid’s book. But for an adult – even for the most determined cat lover – don’t bother to think about it.

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SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 3.4.2015 //

55

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SouthFloridaGayNews

ON STANDS NOW! Check out

The Mirror

Winter 2015

WINTER 2015 • Vol. 3

Issue 4

Winter Arts Guide Editi

on

GUIdE bEGINS ON PAGE 21

‘FIRST COMES LOVE’ PHOTO FEATURE SEX POSITIVE CULTURE CHALLENGES ETHICS

HUNGARY FACES A HISTORIC STRUGGLE

themirrormag.com

GUIdE bEGINS ON PAGE 21

Winter Arts Guid

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DR. GARY KEATING

presents

Lounge-array

2d5m ission $ 4VIP0 $

General A

MARCH 14, 2015 • 8pm NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale TheFTLGMC.org

The Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus presents its Spring Concert, “Lounge-array,” with a vibe of cabaret shows, lounge acts, drinking songs, and nightclubs. From manly to disco, from classical to silly, this night of entertainment will have something for everyone.

Funding for this organization is provided in part by the Broward County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council.

For updated information on our concerts, events or joining our chorus, please visit our website www.theftlgmc.org or call 954.832.0060.

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SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 3.4.2015 //

57

F O R

SFGNITES

T H E

J.W. Arnold

jw@prdconline.com

THU

THEATER

W E E K

3/5

O F

M A R C H

5

-

M A R C H

1 0 ,

2 0 1 4

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

usic Director Franz Welser-Möst conducts Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 “Tragic” this weekend as the Cleveland Orchestra continues its Miami M residency at the Arsht Center.

“All-Male Peep Show,” from the writer of “Making Porn,” Ronnie Larsen, opens tonight at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive in Fort Lauderdale. This provocative comedy explores the seedy side of the Big Apple of the late ‘80s. Set in a peep show theater in Times Square before Mayor Rudy Giuliani cleaned up the city, the play explores the lives of the young men who put their bodies on display for pay. Warning: This play contains frontal nudity. Tickets are $30 at EmpireStage.com.

FRI

CONCERT

3/6

Voices of Pride, the gay men’s chorus of the Palm Beaches, celebrates their 12 year anniversary with a special concert, “For the Record,” tonight at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 100 N. Palmway in Lake Worth. The chorus will be making a recording of their musical favorites from the past 12 years, so be sure to unwrap those cough drops, and don’t be late, because the microphones will be running. Tickets are $25 general admission at VoicesOfPride.org.

SAT

CONCERT

3/7 SUN

The Cleveland Orchestra continues its Miami residency this weekend with Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 at the Knight Concert Hall at Miami’s Arsht Center at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. A work of deep pathos—Mahler himself appended the title, “Tragic”—the symphony was ironically composed during one of the happiest periods of his life. Yet, it would foreshadow great tragic events to come.

Music Director Franz Welser-Möst conducts.

Tickets are $41 - $181 at ArshtCenter.org.

58

Credit: Cleveland Orchestra.

// 3.4.2015 // SFGN.com //

FESTIVAL

3/8 MON

THEATER

It’s been a brutal winter up north as storm after storm blanket the country with snow and wintery mix. Thousands of LGBT revelers will escape the doldrums of the season this week in South Florida for the Winter Party Festival, a fundraiser for the National LGBTQ Task Force. Today, the week-long celebration culminates in the signature event, The Beach Party, beginning at 12 noon at Lummus Park, 12th St. and Ocean Drive in Miami Beach. Tickets are $110 and $160 for VIP access at WinterParty.com.

soflagaynews //

3/9 TUE

Tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Wold Performing Arts Center in Boca Raton, Lynn University’s Jan McArt New Play Reading Series offers a staged reading of “Our Time,” the new musical from award-winning playwright Dan Clancy (“The Timekeepers”) and composer Lynn Portas. Three women in their 50s decide that they have to make changes in their lives to get "unstuck," so they spend a weekend in Pittsburgh, where each has an experience that teaches her how to make the change.

Tickets are $10 at Events.Lynn.edu.

SouthFloridaGayNews

THEATER

3/10

All aboard for Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes,” opening tonight at 8 p.m. and playing through Sunday, March 15 at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. This saucy production won three 2011 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival and Best Choreography. When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention get tossed out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love. Tickets start at $25 at Kravis.org.

Join us on March 13, 2015 for a look into Thirteen.Three An art installation about suicide and it’s collateral damage.

“Every Thirteen minutes and Three seconds someone commits suicide in America Thirteen.Three is a journey into the last minutes of a chaotic mind, choosing to remove themselves from the living hell in which they reside. However, the residual effects felt by the survivor(s) who must now contend with their own living hell; so their journey to find enlightenment is just beginning, as the chaotic one leaves us.”

Christopher Dunham

Late Night at the New World Symphony

FRIDAY, MARCH 13 AT 9:00 PM

NEW WORLD CENTER, MIAMI BEACH Christian Reif, conductor Panic Bomber, DJ/composer Jeffrey Dyrda, violin Experience the New World Center transformed into a late-night lounge during this innovative event. A DJ spins electronic grooves alongside performances of contemporary and classical works for orchestra and ensembles.

Vip Opening 3. 13. 2015 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

By Invitation Only

Open to the Public March 14 to April 12th 2015

415B NW 26TH ST WYNWOOD 33127

For TICKETS and more

www.nws.edu/SFGN | 305.673.3331

Concept : Christopher Dunham Creative Director: Henrique Souza soflagaynews //

SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com // 3.4.2015 //

59

a&e theater

Slow Burn Has a Winner with “Spelling Bee” Credit: Patrick Fitzwater

J.W. Arnold

Jessica Sanford and Christian Vandepas are among the competitors in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” currently playing at the Broward Center.

No matter how you spell it, Slow Burn Theatre has a W-I-N-N-E-R with its latest production, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” which opened last weekend at the Broward Center.

Based on the book, “C-R-E-P-U-S-C-L-E”

by Rebecca Feldman and originally staged by improvisational comedy troupe The Farm, this charming musical, with book by Rachel Sheinkin and music and lyrics by William Finn, was a hit on Broadway in 2005 and was presented at the Broward Center two years later as part of the Broadway Across America season.

This production, directed by Carbonell winner Patrick Fitzwater, is the latest offering in the Broward Center’s lighter dinner theater series in the Abdo New River Room that opened last fall with Slow Burn’s equally entertaining “The Marvelous Wonderettes.”

As the fictional spelling bee progresses at geographically ambiguous Putnam County Middle School, the audience is introduced to a cast of memorable characters who strike a chord with the awkward adolescent years we all have strived for decades to forget.

The contest is run by Rona Lisa Peretti (Kaitlyn O’Neill), a local realtor and winner of the third annual spelling bee; Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Matthew Korinko); and the unsmiling “comfort counselor” Mitch Mahoney (Kunya Rowley), who comforts the losers with a consolation prize, a complimentary juice box.

Leaf Coneybear (Christian Vandepas) is the free-spirited child of hippies who is smarter than he thinks. William Barfée (Mark Della Ventura), whose name is constantly mispronounced, uses his “magic foot” to spell out the words.

Chip Tolentino (Rick Peña) is a by-the-book Boy Scout who becomes enamored with Leaf’s sister, Marigold, and whose “unfortunate erection” distracts his spelling. Marcy Park (Jen Chia) is an Asian overachiever who speaks six languages but yearns to be average. Logainne SchwartzandGrubenniere (Jessica Brooke

Sanford) strives for the approval of her two gay dads. Olive Ostrovsky (Anne Chamberlain) is a lonely little girl who dreams of reuniting her estranged parents.

Each of the “kids” shined in their respective musical numbers, directed by Manny Schvartzmann. But it was O’Neill and Korinko who brought the audience to tears on Saturday with deadpan improvisations as they introduced four random competitors selected before the show. (Want to play? Arrive early for a shot, but be sure to brush up on your spelling.)

The production is accentuated by Sean McClellend’s colorful school gymnasium set and Lance Black’s lighting design helps differentiate between live and imagined action. Rick Peña, doing double duty as costume designer, effectively sticks to the looks created for the Broadway production.

“Spelling Bee” is normally staged as a 90 minute, one act show, but Slow Burn takes a “snack break” to accommodate the Broward Center’s a la carte small plate and bar service.

The menu includes a delicious mix from chicken and waffles and shrimp and cheese grits to more traditional sliders and savory popovers, most priced between $7.95 and $11.95. Desserts include a decadent chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream and New York cheesecake.

While the performance on stage was practically flawless, the floor service definitely needed more rehearsal. Because parties are seated at tables of four, it’s a possibility you might find yourself enjoying the show with strangers (a good reason to invite friends—our tablemates were very strange). Our server couldn’t understand we required two separate checks and then forgot our desert. He was clearly overwhelmed due to understaffing and drink orders were slow to be delivered, also. While he deserved a juice box for his fail, we’ll chalk it up to a bad night.

Despite this shortcoming, if you’re looking for a fun night out or the perfect show to take visiting houseguests, this is it. It’s spelled F-U-N.

Slow Burn Theatre Co. presents “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” in the Abdo New River Room at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. through April 19. Tickets are $45 (food and beverage separate) at BrowardCenter.org.

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SouthFloridaGayNews

a&e film

Gary M. Kramer

Miami Film Fest’s LGBT Films Sure to Impress

The Miami International Film Festival (MIFF) takes over area screens from March 6-15, and showcases hundreds of features, shorts, and documentaries. The festival opens with the darkly hilarious comedy, “Wild Tales.” The pre-credit episode of this Argentine anthology may just be the funniest film sequence all year. The remaining five entries in “Wild Tales” are also fiendishly clever, from a woman who exacts a vicious revenge on a restaurant customer to a nasty game of one-upmanship between two drivers with road rage. The last tale, an over-the-top wedding reception featuring unspeakably bad behavior is a corker.

The festival closes with “Sidetracked,” a Spanish comedy-drama about a couple and their siblings facing difficulties in their personal and professional lives.

In between these films are a handful of LGBT titles that are worth a look.

MIFF offers audiences the first chance to screen “Saint Laurent,” Bertrand Bonello’s highly anticipated biopic of Yves St. Laurent (Gaspard Ulliel). Reports from Cannes declared this film a stylish portrait of the man and his clothes, though less focus is given to his turbulent relationship Pierre Berger (Jeremie Renier) and his affair with Jacques de Bauscher (Louis Garrel).

Also from France is “In the Name of My Daughter,” the latest film from out filmmaker André Téchiné. This drama, based on a real-life case, concerns a young casino heiress (Adèle Haenel) in 1976 Nice, who has an affair with an older man (Guillaume Canet) and goes missing. Her mother (Catherine Deneuve) believes her daughter was murdered.

“Butterfly,” the latest film from the exceptional Argentine filmmaker Marco Berger. In this drama, Romina (Ailín Salas) and Germán (Javier De Pietro) play siblings in one part of the film, and friends in another. The film alternates in presenting the possibilities of the characters’ sexual desires and realities.

Another queer film from Latin America is the World Premiere of Chilean director Claudio Marcone’s “In the Grayscale.” One of the highlights of the fest, this perceptive drama has Bruno (Francisco Celhay) coming out to himself and his family after he meets Fer (Emilio Edwards) on a work project. The

film, artfully shot and emotionally resonant, features a pair of strong performances from the attractive (and often naked) leads.

In “Venecia,” three women who work together in a Havana hair salon, spend a night out on the town together. One of the women, Violeta (Claudia Muñiz) comes in contact with Ada-Adalberto (Jazz Vilá), a transgender character.

The festival’s lesbian-themed film, is “Sand Dollars,” a romantic drama set in Dominican Republic. Anne (Geraldine Chaplin) is an older American woman who falls in love with Noeli (Yanet Mojica), a Dominican who makes money through sex tourism. Chaplin’s performance in this film co-directed by Laura Amelia Guzmán and Israel Cárdenas has been earning raves.

Also from Cuba, is the poignant documentary short, “High Heel Blues,” by director Jessica Rodriguez. The film’s subject, Marcel, alias “Mariposa,” describes putting on his cousin’s dress as a child and being caught by his grandmother. He got a beating for his cross-dressing behavior, and it was the start of his difficult life. Marcel was unhappy doing “boy” things as he always felt like a girl. It was only after he “accepted his personality” that he was able to come in to his own, finding fulfillment when he sees himself in a mirror, dressed as a woman.

But as Marcel eloquently recounts, he had trouble with the law, spent two years in jail, and was subjected to homophobic attacks upon release. Rodriguez makes Marcel’s story touching throughout especially when he describes efforts to play baseball while unzipping a purse with princesses on it.

Other LGBT films include the Canadian comedy “Guidance,” in which David Gold (writer/director Pat Mills), a washedup actor, takes a high school guidance counselor job. He behaves inappropriately, drinking and smoking with his students and encouraging some reckless behavior. He also catches the interest of a gay gym teacher (David Tompa).

Lastly, the crime film, “Cut Snake,” from Australia, has an ex-con (Sullivan Stapleton) seeking out his old cell mate (Alex Russell), who is currently living with Paula (Jessica De Gouw). The trio’s outing at a gay bar leads to some teasing by a drag queen, and crime, and other revelations.

For more information, visit MiamiFilmFestival.com

"In The Grayscale"

Sand Dollars

Saturday, March 7 9:45 p.m.

Mdc’s Tower Theater Presented By Viendomovies (Theater 1)

Cut Snake

Sunday, March 8 8:30 p.m.

Mdc’s Tower Theater Presented By Viendomovies (Theater 1) Sunday, March 15 7 p.m.

O Cinema Miami Beach

In The Grayscale

Lexus Ibero-American Opera Prima Monday, March 9, 7 p.m.

Coral Gables Art Cinema

Saint Laurent

Wednesday, March 11 6:30 P.M. O Cinema Miami Beach Sunday, March 15 3 p.m.

Regal 17

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Guidance

Thursday, March 12 9:30 p.m.

Coral Gables Art Cinema

Butterfly

Thursday, March 12 9 p.m.

Regal 17 Sunday, March 15 4 p.m.

Regal 18

In The Name Of My Daughter Friday, March 13 9:45 p.m.

Regal 17 Saturday, March 14 1 p.m.

Cinepolis

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Datebook

Theater Christiana Lilly

Calendar@SFGN.com

broward county Ronnie Milsap

March 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. After 40 years and 40 number one hits, Milsap tours for the last time. Tickets $46.50 to $66.50. Call 954-462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayhouse.com.

* Marie Antoinette: In the Flesh

March 6 and 7 at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Elisa works her way into the French palace with her goal in mind to paint Marie Antoinette, and winds up becoming her lover. Tickets $30. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

* Enchanting Sound of Sitar and Tabla

March 7 at 5 to 8 p.m. at the Broward County Main Library Auditorium, 100 S. Andrews Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan, the proclaimed emperor of sitar, is joined by Gourisankar Karmakar on the tabla. Tickets $30 to $75. Visit APAIArt.com.

Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company

March 7 at 8 p.m. at the Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place in Miramar. Principal dancer of the Shanghai Opera House, Cai combines modern dance with traditional Chinese culture. Tickets $35 to $45. Call 954-602-4500 or visit MiramarCulturalCenter.org.

* Joy Behar

March 7 at 8 p.m. at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs.

For more than 30 years, Behar has been a talk show host and comedian and recounts hilarious stories from her past in this one-woman show.

Tickets $41.87 to $63.07. Call 954-344-5990 or visit CoralSpringsCenterfortheArts.com.

Motown: The Musical

Through March 8 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The story of Motown begins with boxer Berry Gordy, who decides to turn his life in a new direction and found a musical label, launching the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, and other musical legends. Tickets $34.75 to $105. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

* An Evening with Paul Anka

March 9 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Famous for his songs like “Diana,” he has also written hits for other artists. Tickets $39.50 to $199. Call 954462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

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* Symphony Classics and the Best Palm Beach. The musical takes place aboard the SS * Elton John American, where all the rules go out the window March 6 at 8 p.m. at the AmericanAirlines Arena, of Broadway II

when it comes to love. Tickets $25 to $78. Call 561- 601 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Elton John and his 832-7469 or visit Kravis.org. band promise a night of hits on his tour aptly named, “All the Hits.” Call 786-777-1000 or visit * The Liverpool Legends AAArena.com.

March 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West * Mahler’s Sixth Palm Beach. Hand-picked by the sister of George March 6 and 7 at the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Harrison, the tribute band sings the tunes of The Blvd. in Miami. The Cleveland Orchestra play * Let It Be March 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Coral Springs Center Beatles. Tickets $25. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Mahler’s Symphony No. 6, Tragic. Tickets $36 to $170. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org. for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Kravis.org.

Springs. The entirety of the Beatles album * Urban Bush Women will be played by skilled musicians. Tickets * John Sebastian in Concert $36.04 to $46.64. Call 954-344-5990 or visit March 13 at 8 p.m. at the Delray Beach Center for March 7 at 8 p.m. at the South Miami-Dade Cultural the Arts, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. Once Arts Center, 10950 SW 211st St. in Cutler Bay. The CoralSpringsCenterfortheArts.com. a part of the band The Lovin’ Spoonful in the ‘60s, story of the African diaspora is told through dance. the musician performs solo now. Tickets $49 to Tickets $20 to $40. Call 786-573-5300 or visit * The Sing-Off Live! Tour SMDAC.org.

March 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Coral Springs Center for $75. Call 561-243-7922 or visit DelrayArts.org. the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs.

The Pearl Fishers The cast of the NBC show hit the road for their Arsenic & Old Lace second tour. Tickets $41.87 to $63.07. Call 954- Through March 15 at the Lake Worth Playhouse, Through March 7 at the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne 344-5990 or visit CoralSpringsCenterfortheArts. 713 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth. Out of the goodness Blvd. in Miami. Set in British colony of Ceylon, a love of their hearts, the Brewster sisters serve poisoned triangle is formed between two pearl fishermen and com. drinks to elderly men to give them a peaceful a priestess. Tickets $16 to $139. Call 305-949-6722 death in this raucous comedy. Tickets $29 to $70. or visit ArshtCenter.org. * The Pearl Fishers March 12 to 14 at the Broward Center for the Call 561-586-6410 or visit LakeWorthPlayhouse. * Fairy Doll Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort org.

March 7 to 8 at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, Lauderdale. Set in British colony of Ceylon, a love triangle is formed between two pearl fishermen Capitol Steps: How to Succeed in 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. A young boy works in a store filled with dolls, and at night, the most and a priestess. Tickets $21 to $200. Call 954-462- Congress Without Really Lying Through March 15 at the Kravis Center for the beautiful one of them all comes to life. Tickets $30.

0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Call 800-745-3000 or visit AventuraCenter.org.

Palm Beach. The comedy troupe has been spoofing Game of Scones Through March 22 at the Coral Springs Center for the madness of Washington, D.C. politics for more * Golden Sounds From Hollywood the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs. than 30 years. Tickets $40. Call 561-832-7469 or March 8 at 6 p.m. at the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The Miami Symphony Orchestra is Very, very loosely based on the hit series, Sonny visit Kravis.org. led by conductor Eduardo Marturet as they perform is found murdered in his scones cafe, sending his favorites from the silver screen. Tickets $31.50 to friends, family and employees on a rampage for Stars of David control of the store. Tickets $39.22. Call 954-344- Through March 15 at the Kravis Center for the $119. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.

5990 or visit CoralSpringsCenterfortheArts.com. Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. A musical performance of Jewish * A Jew Grows in Brooklyn palm beach county identity of famous Americans.Tickets $26 to $46. March 11 to 15 at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. The stand up comedian has plenty of fodder for laughter in Paul Anka his life’s anecdotes of growing up in New York with March 4 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Free Friday Concerts Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at the Delray Beach Center for survivor parents. Tickets $39.50 to $65. Call 800Palm Beach. The singer/songwriter has given us the Arts, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. Enjoy 745-3000 or visit AventuraCenter.org. hits like “Diana,” “You Are My Destiny,” and “My live music from the comfort of your picnic blanket Way.” Tickets $35 and up. Call 561-832-7469 or visit or lawn chair every week, for free! Call 561-243- * Wicked 7922 or visit DelrayArts.org.

March 11 to 29 at the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Kravis.org.

Blvd. in Miami. Before “Wizard of Oz,” Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the East were * For the Record miami-dade county high school students. Tickets $49 to $150. Call 305March 6 at 7:30 p.m. and March 8 at 2 p.m. at St. 949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.

Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 100 N. Palmway in Lake Worth. A celebration of 12 years of Voices of The Cleveland Orchestra March 4 at 8 p.m. at the South Miami-Dade Cultural The Seven Year Itch Pride. Tickets $25. Visit VoicesofPride.org.

Arts Center, 10950 SW 211st St. in Cutler Bay. Free, Through March 22 at the Miami Theater Center, but must have a ticket for a spot. Call 786-573-5300 9806 NE Second Ave. in Miami Shores. The * Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical inspiration for the film, Richard Sherman is at March 6 to 8 at the Delray Beach Center for the or visit SMDAC.org. odds after seven years of marriage to his wife when Arts, 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach. Dr. another woman catches his eye. Tickets $35. Call Jekyll’s alter ego, Mr. Hyde, turns his life upside * Louise Pitre in Concert down as he causes havoc through London in the March 5 at 8 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural 305-751-9550 or visit MTCMiami.org.

Victorian Era. Tickets $45. Call 561-243-7922 or Center, 3385 NE 188th St. in Aventura. The acclaimed star of “Mamma Mia!” Pitre performs PAMM Outdoor Music Series visit DelrayArts.org. hits from Broadway to French cabaret. Tickets $40 Third Thursdays at the Perez Art Museum Miami, * One Singular Sensation: Music of to $45. Call 800-745-3000 or visit AventuraCenter. 101 W. Flagler St. in Miami. Come out for live music org. from DJs and musicians by the bay. Drink specials Marvin Hamlisch available. Free with museum admission. Call 305March 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the 375-3000 or visit PAMM.org.

Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West * Trust Palm Beach. Award-winning singers join the Palm March 5 to 29 at the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Beach Pops in honor of Hamlisch’s music. Tickets Blvd. in Miami. Internet millionaire Harry is The Big Show unhappy with his sexless marriage, and his life Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. at Just the Funny $33 to $89. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org. is changed forever when he decides to try out an Theater, 3119 Coral Way in Miami. A collection S&M club. Tickets $45. Call 305-949-6722 or visit of comedy mixing the likes of improvisation and * Anything Goes sketches. Tickets $12. Call 305-693-8669 or visit March 10 to 15 at the Kravis Center for the ArshtCenter.org.

JustTheFunny.com.

Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West March 9 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The Symphony of the Americas returns for a second go around of their show, featuring classical and Broadway, after a sold out season. Tickets $50 to $75. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.

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Datebook

Community Christiana Lilly Calendar@SFGN.com

broward county * Shades of Pride Leather Social

March 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Stonewall Museum – Wilton Manors Gallery, 2157 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Celebrate leather pride with your favorite outfit and the last few days of the exhibit “Stroke.” Free. Visit ShadesOfPride.com.

* The Art of Pop & Comics

March 5 to May 23 at the Coral Springs Museum of Art, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs.

An exhibition of works by more than 30 artists known for their contributions to comics such as “Superman,” “Batman,” “The Transformers,” as well as pop art. Artist repcetion is March 5 at 8 p.m. Admission $6. Call 954-340-5000 or visit CoralSpringsMuseum.org.

38th Annual Waterway Cleanup

March 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at Colohatchee Boat Ramp, 1975 NE 15th Ave. in Wilton Manors. Help beautify your neighborhood with a spring cleaning event to clear trash and debris from local waterways. Free. Register to WaterwayCleanUp.org. Call 954-390-2130, email ccooper@wiltonmanors.com, or visit WaterwayCleanUp.org. * “Stroke” Closing Exhibit Reception and Gallery Talk with Hunter O’Hanian March 8 at 7 p.m. at the Stonewall Museum – Wilton Manors Gallery, 2157 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Hunter O’Hanian, museum director of the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian and Art, will lead a guided gallery talk of “Stroke: From Under The Mattress to the Museum Walls” on its final day. Free. Call 954763-8565 or visit Stonewall-Museum.org.

* What Now? Legal and Financial Implications for Marriage Equality in Florida

March 10 at 6 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Now that marriage is legal in Florida, a discussion of the legal and financial implications. Wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Free. RSVP to RSVP@pridecenterflorida.org. Call 954-6836619 or visit PrideCenterFlorida.org.

* Between the Covers Book Club: The Paying Guests

March 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors.

A discussion of the novel by Sarah Waters.

Cost $3. Call 954-463-9005, ext. 108, email womenwithpride@pridecenterflorida.org, or visit PrideCenterFlorida.org.

Renaissance Festival

Through March 16 at Quiet Waters Parks, 401 S. Powerline Road in Deerfield Beach. Take a trip back in time to the days of gypsies, knights, damsels in distress, jesters, and faeries with a special theme each weekend. Tickets $21. Call 954-776-1642 or visit Ren-Fest.com.

BRAIN: The World Inside Your Head

Through May 3 at the Museum of Discovery and Science, 401 SW Second St. in Fort Lauderdale.

Learn more about our mysterious brain, from how it works to disorders, with special effects displays. Entry $19 adults. Call 954-467-6637 or visit MODS.org.

Kahlo, Rivera & Mexican Modern Art

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Get Hooked!

March 5 from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Breakers, One S. County Road in Palm Beach. A gala for the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, “River Monsters” star and fishing expert Jeremy Wade will talk about his adventures in rivers around the world. Call Marcy Hoffman at 561-370-7738 or visit SFScienceCenter.org/gala.

* Our Hats Are Not for Shade

March 10 at 10 a.m. at the Compass Community Center, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. A brunch and resource fair in honor of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Free. RSVP to 561-533-9699.

Out of the Closet, Into the Light

Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at MCC of the Palm Beaches, 4857 Northlake Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens. AA for the LGBT community.

Free. Call 561-775-5900 or visit MCCPalmBeach. org.

GayWrites

Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the Stonewall Library, 1300 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Come join us and write your memoir, poem, blog, novel or short story. Free.

Email garri1@earthlink.net

SunServe Youth Group

Tuesdays and Thursdays in Fort Lauderdale, Southwest Ranches, Coral Springs and Hollywood. A support group and night of fun for LGBT youth 13 to 21. Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com for dates and times.

cafeteria, 6401 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. Find support from counselors and peers who have lost loved ones to suicide. Call the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention at 954-384-0344 or visit FISPOnline.org.

Living Buddhism

Second Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Learn about this ancient way of life and how you can overcome life’s obstacles in a peaceful manner.

Free. Visit CompassGLCC.com. soflagaynews //

Through May 24 at the Frost Art Museum, 10975 SW 17th St. in Miami. The Chinese artist took four years to create a 5,000 square foot exhibit of writing and text, showcasing communication through the ages -- the piece is so large it can only be exhibited in select museums. Free. Visit TheFrost.FIU.edu.

Arsht Center Farmers Market

Rainbow Circle

Mondays at 7 p.m. at Lambda North, 18 S. J St. in Lake Worth. A support and discussion group for LGBT recovering addicts. Visit LambdaNorth.net.

Tuesdays in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Southwest Ranches. A support group for parents of LGBT youth 13 to 21. Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com for dates and locations.

Xu Bing: Writing Between Heaven and Earth

Out of the Closet NA Group

Gender Bender Youth Group

PFLAG

March 6 from 5:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Vizcaya Metrorail Station, 3201 SW First Ave. in Miami.

Join in on Bike305 Month at the Metrorail station, with t-shirts, food and drinks. Free.

Contact Sue Kawalerski at 305-978-2233 or email kawaler@miamidade.gov.

Mondays at 7 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Join the Gay Men’s Chorus as they practice every week. Free.

Call 561-533-9699 or visit CompassGLCC.com

Voices of Pride

Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at SunServe Campus, 1480 SW Ninth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. A group for LGBT youth 13 to 21 to discuss gender, gender expression, binary systems, friendship, family and whatever else comes up! Free. Visit SunServeYouth.com

* Bike to Work Day

Mondays from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza for the Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Purchase fresh food from local farmers, including fruits, vegetables, meats, prepared foods, as well as chefs, live music, and cooking demonstrations. Free. Visit ArshtCenter.org/en/Visit/Dining.

Through May 31 at the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, One E. Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale.

Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera created a new genre of Mexican artwork that is still influential today. Call 954-525-5500 or visit NSUArtMuseum.org.

Survivor Support * Stonewall Society VIP Exhibit First and third Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Broward Health Imperial Point Hospital Opening March 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Stonewall Museum – Wilton Manors Gallery, 2157 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. “As Seen on TV: An Exploration of LGBT Characters: 1954-1979” explores gay characters in American network drama and comedy programs. Catering and refreshments from Bill’s and Ketel One. The public opening is March 14. RSVP to David Jobin at 954-763-8565 or David@Stonewall-Museum.org.

palm beach county

Center, 1130 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach.

Navigate your way through GayBizMiami.com and all the marketing tools it has for your business. Free. RSVP to GayBizMiami.com, scott@gaybizmiami.com or 305-673-4440.

Positive Connection

Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Compass GLCC, 201 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Men who are HIV positive are invited to come together for support, education, and advocacy. Closed group. Call 561-324-1626 or visit CompassGLCC. com.

Rapid HIV Testing

Wednesdays at MCC of the Palm Beaches, 4857 Northlake Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens. Find out your status in a safe and private way. Free.

Email dropincenter@mccpalmbeach.org

Yoga Among the Orchids

Wednesdays at 9 a.m. at the American Orchid Society, 16700 AOS Lane in Delray Beach.

Practice your yoga in the presence of beautiful, calming orchids. $20 a class. Call 561-404-2011 or visit OrchidWeb.org.

miami-dade county * “Maximizing your Membership Benefits” Networking Breakfast

March 5 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the the LGBT Visitor Center, 1130 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. Learn more about the Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and what they can do for your business. Free. RSVP to GayBizMiami.com, rsvp@gaybizmiami.com or 305-673-4440.

* "Leveraging GayBizMiami.com to Attract Customers and Build Your Brand” Networking Breakfast

March 5 from 11 a.m. to noon at the LGBT Visitor

SouthFloridaGayNews

Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m. at the University of Miami Flipse Building #302, 5665 Ponce de Leon Drive in Coral Gables. An open discussion about coming out, relationships, peer pressure, bullying, depression and more. Free. Visit Pridelines.org.

HIV Support Group

Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at South Beach AIDS Project, 1234 Washington Ave. Ste. 200 in Miami Beach. A support group for those who are HIV positive. Free. Call 305-535-4733, ext.

301 or email support@sobeaids.org.

Modern Buddhist Meditation

Mondays and Tuesdays at the Drolma Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1273 Coral Way in Miami. Find inner peace with instruction on meditation with Buddhist monk, Gen Kelsang Nurbu. Cost $10 and $5 per class. Call 786-529-7137.

Book Study

Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Drolma Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1273 Coral Way in Miami. Buddhist monk, Gen Kelsang Nurbu, will lead classes on learning the foundations of Buddhism. Call 786-529-7137.

Prayers For World Peace

Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon at he Drolma Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1273 Coral Way in Miami. Buddhist teacher, Todd Ellenberg will lead prayers and meditation. Cost $10. Call 786529-7137.

Community Yoga Series

Third Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. at jugofresh Wynwood Walls, 222 NW 26th St. in Miami.

Yoga instructor Dawn B. Feinberg leads a monthly yoga class in the middle of Miami’s art district. Mats are available, but yogis are encouraged to bring their own. Free. Call 786472-2552.

* Denotes New Listing

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1BD $60, 2BD $70, 3BD $80 and up. Excellent rates & references. 10 years in business. Serving Broward, North Miami-Dade & S. Palm Beach. Call Manny 954560-4443

electrician

HARRY’S ELECTRIC RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL - Additions, renovations, service upgrades, breaker panels,FPL undergrounds, code violations, A/C wiring, ceiling fans, recessed, security & landscaping, lighting, pools, pumps, Jacuzzis, water heaters, FREE PHONE ESTIMATES 954-522-3357 Lic & Ins. www. harryelectrician.com

life coach

COACH BILL FOR LIFE Holistic Health, Wellness & Spiritual Coach

CERTIFIED HYPNOTIST Holistic Life and Nutrition Coach Personal Trainer Spiritual Life Coach and Minister Reiki/Energy/Chakra Healer

home & garden

Couples/Relationship Coach Addiction Coach

POOL SERVICE attorneys

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

furniture MATTRESSES & FURNITURE FOR SALE - Mattress Set: King $200, Queen $150, Full $130, Twin $100; 7 Piece Bedroom set: Q/F $549 includes mattress & box.

Call Chris at 954-465-6498 www.bedsbestbargain.com

business opportunity

WWW.GAYSMLM.COM GAY PEOPLE ARE EARNING BIG MONEY BECOMING MLM PROFESSIONALS!

home improvement

PHANTOM SCREENS - Allows full ventilation. Maintains décor and view. Expands your living space. Protects against UV rays and insects. Call Sydney Levit @305931-5399 slevit@aol.com

home watch Professional H OM E Home WatcH “Peace of mind WAT while youCH are away” checking happen for existing andyou're potential problems "Problems when away"

Peter Petrucci Peter D. D. Petrucci Property manager Property Manager

Highly trained and experienced since 1987 Licensed • Bonded • Insured Licensed - Bonded - Insured

air conditioning FAST A/C REPAIRS Licensed and insured, CAC057837. A & H A/C.954-392-1301. We focus on repairs, not selling you any new equipment.24 Hour Service. Evening Appointments Available.

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Highly Trained & Experienced Sinc e 1 98 7

954-522-3310 pdpHomeWatch@gmail.com 954-522-3310

www.pdpHomeWatch.com pdpHomeWatch@gmail.com

Referrals are greatly appreciated www.pdpHomeWatch.com

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954.641.8315 • WWW.COACHBILLFORLIFE.COM

licensed massage INCREDIBLY AWESOME BODYWORK IN WPB In-calls at a private studio 15 minutes west of PBIA. Intuitive, experienced licensed massage therapist offers affordable rates 7 days, early to late. ASK ABOUT WEEKLY SPECIALS!Calls only 561-2548065 for the very best massage experience you can get HANDS DOWN! #MA51008 MASSAGE BY DENNIS $50/90 MIN (DELRAY BEACH) I give a fantastic Swedish massage for $50/90 min, out calls higher. 20 years experience, all clients are welcome including seniors, as human beings we all need to be touched in a therapeutic, loving, and nurturing way. I do body work without the attitude. Please call me at 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

moving

LOCAL AND LONG DISTANCE Icon Moving, your local licensed and insured moving company!Here to help with your moving needs,www.iconmoving. com for a free estimate! Can also do overseas 561-338-3157 $50 off when you mention ad!

painting GREGG'S PAINTING - Interior/exterior,great rates, friendliness, reliability, neatness. No job too small. Call Gregg at 617-306-5694 or 954-870-5972

plumber AAA BLOUNT PLUMBING -

Kitchen & Bathroom remodeling, sewers, plugged drains, new construction and underground leaks. Over 30 years of experience. 24 HR Service. Call Dan 954980-7499 Lic# CFCO22525

PARIS AUTO REPAIR Honest, Genuine Auto Maintenance and Repair Complete in-house service Foreign & domestic including classic cars Same location since 1985 ONLY 4 BLOCKS from FAU main campus PARIS AUTO REPAIR

SouthFloridaGayNews

1801 NW 1st Ct Boca Raton, FL 33432

561-395-7765 Ask for John (“Curly”)

moving / storage B & M MOVING AND CLEANING We do moving, cleaning, trash removal. Also available for your needs:Packing, storage,upholstery and carpet cleaning. We do both commercial and residential. We move local and/or long distance. Broward:754-244-2033 Dade: 305-812-3217 pbusigo@yahoo.com 10% off if you mention this ad and storage first month free when you sign agreement.

pets/supplies

rentals MIKE THE RENTAL GUY NE Lauderdale/Wilton Manors/Oakland/Victoria Park-1/1 from $885 2/1 from $1090. Credit & Income Requirements-Pets okay with restrictions. Call for Details Mike 561703-5533

Having an outdoor event?

Want to protect your guests?

roommates oakland park

LOOKING FOR 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT: Single Gay Male, 60+, Looking For One Bedroom Unfurnished Apartment, No Pets... Prefer N. Andrews Gardens or Nearby.

Call Doug 954.261.9073 or Email dtrncon@aol.com

spiritual

LGBT MARRIAGES Your Way Where and When Do You Want To get Married?

Ordained and Gay Myself

Randy Strickland

954.588.8109

piano lessons

Proudly Serving our Community

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.

HUGH TURNER established 1988

PEST CONTROL

◊ Pest management ◊ Lawn & Ornamental ◊ Termite 840 NW 33 Street Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309

◊ Marine ◊ Whitefly ◊ Mosquito O [954] 564-0037 F [954] 537-6003

HughTurnerPestControl.com

real estate broward county CONDO IN IDEAL FT.LAUDERDALE BEACH LOCATION - Just steps to Beach Place.On A1A between Las Olas and Sunrise Blvd.Amazing balcony views of beach and intercoastal.Water taxi stops at the end of side street.2 br(converted to 1 br)2 full baths.Small pet friendly building.Garage parking.24 hour security guard on duty. $399k Call Dr. Bruce Brynes at 954-609-6666 DrBruceFL@ gmail.com

rentals fort lauderdale BEAUTIFUL, UPDATED 2/1 NEAR WILTON MANORS Everything new in this 2 bedroom apartment near Wilton Manors. New flooring, new hurricane proof windows & door, new AC,new kitchen & bathroom.New laundry facilities.

Assigned parking space. Small dogs under 25 lbs.$1300 a month.Contact Tommy Forcella, Wolfe Real Estate Group 954-632-5100.

Daniel Ross

tax prep HAROLD J BLOTCHER,EA Tax Preparation and Representation for Individuals and Small Business. Help with Same Sex Marriage Issues. Call 781-363-5519 or 561-429-3592 or visit our website at www.haroldjblotchertaxes.com

CPA, CFE

Now Preparing 2014 Form 1040’s IRS Electronic Filing Available Reasonable | Reliable | Dependable Masters of Taxation: GA State University (1987) Masters in Forensic Accounting: FL Atlantic University (2010) CONVENIENTLY LOCATED

In The heart of Wilton Manors

CPA since 1987

954.612.9922 danrosscpa@aol.com

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