MAY 23, 2024 VOL. 2 • ISSUE 21 VISIT US ONLINE AT OUTSFL.COM OUTSFL @OUTSFL PREMIERE MZ OUTSFL PAGEANT SHOWCASES DRAG COMMUNITY STORY BY JOHN HAYDEN | PAGE 2 SERVING WILTON MANORS AND OAKLAND PARK BEGINS IN CENTER
2 • 5.23.2024 COVER: Photo by Carina Mask. May 23, 2024 • Volume 2 • Issue 21 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 OutSFL newspaper is published on a weekly schedule. You should not presume the sexual orientation or gender identity of any featured individuals solely based on their names, appearance, or inclusion within this publication. Any opinions shared within stories, columns, graphics, or letters to the editor should not be assumed to represent the opinions of OutSFL, its Publisher, or its co-founder. Any stories or content, either in print or online, and also including any articles that are featured in conjunction with any media partners, are protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and this ownership is carefully and jealously guarded by this media group. Nothing that is published may be reprinted, either in whole or in part, without first receiving written consent from the Publisher, Jason Parsley. OutSFL is owned by Jason Parsley and Justin Wyse, and is represented legally by Russell Cormican. As a private corporation, OutSFL reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations, and photographs. Copyright © 2024 J&J Media Group. PUBLISHER Jason Parsley Jason@outsfl.com CEO Justin Wyse Justin@outsfl.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT TO THE EDITOR Kimberly Swan ART DIRECTOR Julie Palmer GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Kyle Willis • Craig Tuggle GRAPHIC DESIGN CONSULTANT Brendon Lies ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Rick Karlin Rick@OutSFL.com COMMUNITY EDITOR John Hayden john.jmhcreative@gmail.com PHOTOGRAPHERS J.R. Davis • Carina Mask COLUMNISTS Brian McNaught • Jesse Monteagudo Sabrina Haake • Fred Fejes John Porter • Kelly Ghweinem SPECIAL TO OUTSFL Steve Rothaus • J.W. Arnold CORRESPONDENTS John McDonald • Sean Conklin Deon Jefferson • Aurora Dominguez Denise Brown • Mary Rasura Terri Schlichenmeyer • Gregg Shapiro Kennedy McKinney • Michael Anguille Robert DeDominic • Aaron Kinchen Tessa Becker • Christopher Flores PUBLISHING CONSULTANT Pier Angelo SALES & MARKETING For ad placement, call 954-514-7095 SALES MANAGERS Edwin Neimann Edwin@outsfl.com Silvio Carvana Silvio@outsfl.com Andrew LaRochelle Andrew@outsfl.com DISTRIBUTION SERVICES Richie Wilson • Johnathan Rey • Tyler Brayton NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 Spot an error? Let us know at editorial@outsfl.com JULIE SEAVER RECEIVES COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD AT MZ OUTSFL PAGEANT JOHN MICHAEL GORDON HONORED WITH HERO AWARD AT MZ OUTSFL PAGEANT PRIDELINES HONORED WITH COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD AT MZ OUTSFL PAGEANT Stevens, Serena Chacha and Athena Dion kept the party going between rounds. Hosts were Chuck King of Eagle Wilton Manors and the Queen of Queens, Miss Melissa St. John. “I am so honored to be here tonight,” she said. “I’m so glad to see the girls together. I’ve talked with them throughout the week and told them to come out and have a good time.” One may not expect to see a leather leader like King at an event like this, but he says there is a lot of overlap. “A drag pageant is very similar to a leather contest. Leather drag and regular drag are really all the same. We’re all in drag.” An expert panel of judges made up of Misty Eyez Alicea, Chris Rhoades, Morgan Mayfaire, Tiffany Fantasia and Valentina Rodriguez critiqued every choice from choice of material to execution to hemlines. While all the contestants have long histories of being of service to their communities, three others in the audience were recognized as well. The Hero Award was presented to John Michael Gordon. The prolific volunteer called the honor “a dream come true.” Julie Seaver, CEO of Compass in Palm Beach County, was given the Community Leadership Award. Edward Summers accepted the Community Impact Award on behalf of Pridelines. The evening started with a VIP reception hosted by SoFlo legend Kitty Meow. Contestants mingled with guests who were dining on food provided by Tropics Bar & Grille. Pictures and behind-the-scenes video are available on OutSFL’s social media, including Instagram and Facebook. INAUGURAL MZ OUTSFL PAGEANT SPARKLES T he sanctuary at Sunshine Cathedral is filled with love on Sunday mornings. This past Saturday night, it was filled with just as much love, if not more. Erika Norell was crowned the inaugural Mz OutSFL after a night of top tier competition and amazing performances. “It hasn’t hit me yet. It will hit me in a minute,” she said after having the glittery crown bestowed on her head. Although Norell is no stranger to taking titles, she said this night was special because of the love from the other six contestants, hosts, and an adoring audience. “My favorite part of the whole night was being backstage with the other girls. We had a great time.” Don’t mistake the lovefest for a lack of competitiveness and fabulousness. From evening gown to Q&A to talent, all seven gave it their all and were fierce in the process. Her fellow contestants were Angie Ovahness Pryce, Kimberly Venom, Camille Dior Love, Kataleya Davenport, Leila Cox, and Nay-Kia LaFace Armani. Each brought their A-game. “I’m going to be my authentic self,” Dior Love said. “I’m already larger than life and as I look around the pageant, I’m also the tallest one!” The night had the hallmarks of longestablished pageants, and the talent portion created the most memorable moments of the night. From on-the-fly costume changes to Venom creating a captivating moment as sparkles flew as she removed her wig and twirled the hair underneath. They weren’t the only ones holding a rapt audience. Special guest performers Darcell NEWS • HIGHLIGHT John Hayden Melissa St. John, Angie Ovahness Pryce, Erika Norell, Kimberly Venom, Justin Wyse, Camille Dior Love, and Chuck King. Photo by Carina Mask. Photo by JR Davis. Photo by JR Davis. Photo by JR Davis.
5.23.2024 • 3 Holy Cross. Caring for The Community. Holy-Cross.com/LGBTQ “We serve all patients with Pride and a commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion.” - Dr. William S Korey At Holy Cross Health, we believe that caring for the community means caring for everyone. We’re proud to provide world-class healthcare and unrivaled compassion in an open and inclusive environment.
4 • 5.23.2024 LAST WEEK'S COVER FROM THE NEWSROOM - TAYLOR SWIFT DURING HER RECENT CONCERT IN CHICAGO SCAN HERE TO VIEW THE ISSUE ONLINE x LGBTQUOTABLE QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I’ve never gotten this much support from the world. I think this is the first time that I’ve felt so personally happy. Performing has always made me super happy. But for the first time, personally, I am like, whoa, happiness. I am so proud to be me.” - JOJO SIWA AFTER COMING OUT AS PANSEXUAL IN 2021 Photo JoJo Siwa, via X @itsjojosiwa.
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6 • 5.23.2024 OUT AND ABOUT PHOTO OF THE WEEK Husbands Alberto Garcia, a peer navigator for AHF Fort Lauderdale and DJ at The Tower Club, with Axel Ballesteros, a community health worker at AHF North Jacksonville, Miami, and bartender at The Eagle, attending the Latinos Salud Gala. Photo by JR Davis OUTFAU'S COVER FROM THE NEWSROOM - TAYLOR SWIFT DURING HER RECENT CONCERT IN CHICAGO SCAN HERE TO VIEW THE ISSUE ONLINE
8 • 5.23.2024 KENT’S QUIPS FROM THE NEWSROOM TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE NORM KENT LGBTQ NEWSMAKER FUND GO TO OUR-FUND.ORG/NORMKENTFUND “The important thing about fighting for civil rights, at any level, is to understand that your greatest enemy is complacency and apathy. You just have to be on alert at all times. You have to be willing to challenge authority; to presume that the saints of justice are themselves sinners.” Courtesy photo. - NORM KENT Waterfront Landing • 109 S Flager Dr. West Palm Beach Jan 1 - Mar 1 $40 | Mar 2 - May 1 $45 | May 2 - Jun 8 $50 JUNE 8 6:30p Pride 5K www.NightRunnersWPB.com $40 $45 $50 R u n / W alk 2 0 2 4 Charity Partner: 4th Annual Limited Edition Shirt | Finisher Medal | Awards (Male, Female, & Non-Binary) and and
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10 • 5.23.2024 By Kennedy McKinney OUT ABROAD COUNCIL REVERSES BAN ON SAME-SEX PARENTING BOOKS AUSTRALIA A ban on same-sex parenting books has been overturned two weeks after its passing in Western Sydney. On May 1, the Cumberland City Council narrowly voted to get rid of same-sex parenting books from the city’s public libraries. According to The Guardian, the motivation to reverse this ban arose from the threat of losing library funding from the NSW government and widespread backlash. Former mayor, Steve Christou, put the original motion forward, saying parents were “distraught” to see “A Focus On: Same-Sex Parents” by Holly Duhig displayed on a shelf in the children’s section of the library. During the reversal meeting, crowds of protestors gathered, yelling and holding signs reading, “Leave the kids alone” and “Bigotry is not welcome here.” Photo via Pexels. ACTIVISTS IN ARGENTINA BLAME GOVT FOLLOWING ARSON ATTACK SOUTH AMERICA F our gay women were set on fire in Argentina in what protesters are calling a hate crime. Three of the women died, while the fourth is recovering from serious injuries. According to The Guardian, a man in his 60s allegedly threw burning rags into the women’s shared bedroom of a boarding house in Buenos Aires. Neighbors say the suspect, Justo Fernando Barrientos, fought with the women in an attempt to stop them escaping the flames, before fleeing to the roof where he attempted suicide, and was later arrested. Activists are blaming Javier Milei’s government regime for promoting hate speech and creating a culture of intolerance that led to this attack. During a protest, one demonstrator held a sign reading “they killed them” in reference to Milei. Since taking office, Milei’s administration closed the National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism and banned the use of gender-inclusive language within the military. Manuel Adorni, the presidential spokesperson, is also facing backlash for saying that while the attack was “terrible” he would not “define it as an attack against a certain group.” The suspect has not been charged, and it’s unclear whether prosecutors will include hate crime charges. Javier Mileivia. Photo by Quirinale.it, via Wikimedia Commons. ADVOCACY GROUP IN KENYA OFFERS SAFETY TIPS FOR HOOKUP APPS AFRICA Upinde Advocates for Inclusion, an organization in Kenya, hosted a three-day training for the LGBTQ community to learn about safe social media and dating app hookup practices as the cases of blackmail, physical, and sexual assault stemming from online hook-ups rise in Africa. “LBQ women and GNC persons confront major challenges in terms of digital security and data protection, freedom of expression, assembly, association, speech, privacy, protest and online organizing,” Upinde Advocates for Inclusion stated. According to the Washington Blade, the training urged users to ensure the first in-person meeting with someone they met online is in a public place that is queer-friendly and known to them. Another tip was to inform trusted friends or family about the meeting plans and location. Photo via Pexels. THE RAINBOW REVOLUTION AROUND THE WORLD
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12 • 5.23.2024 AHEAD OF PRIDE MONTH, STATE DEPT ISSUES WORLDWIDE SECURITY ALERT T urmoil overseas has prompted the U.S. State Department to make LGBTQ people aware of the increased potential of terrorist attacks. A security alert, titled “Worldwide Caution,” was issued May 17, advising U.S. citizens abroad to exercise vigilance. The State Department acknowledged “increased potential for foreign terrorist organizationsinspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events.” The State Department alert comes on the heels of a public service announcement from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. “...to provide awareness to the public of foreign terrorist organizations (FTOS) or their supporters potential targeting of LGBTQIA+- related events and venues. Foreign terrorist organizations or supporters may seek to exploit increased gatherings associated with the upcoming June 2024 Pride Month.” The global alert comes in advance of next June’s Pride celebrations. Venues and locations frequented by tourists and LGBTQ people have a greater potential to become LGBTQ Diplomats march in the 2024 Miami Beach Pride parade. Photo by J.R. Davis. targets for terrorists, State Department officials said. According to the FBI PSA, last year there was a planned attack in Europe during pride month. “...three alleged ISIS sympathizers were arrested for attempting to attack a Pride parade in Vienna, Austria, using knives and a vehicle as part of the attack.” The alert from the State Department came on the same day the agency commemorated the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia. NEWS • NATIONAL John McDonald COMPASS CLOTHING DRIVE BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER On April 18, realtor Burt Minkoff organized and hosted a clothing drive to benefit Compass Community Center’s Youth Group. The drive was held in partnership with three art galleries in West Palm Beach and brought the community in Palm Beach County together for a common goal. Compass is Palm Beach County’s LGBTQ+ community center, boasting programs for LGBTQ+ individuals and those living with HIV. Minkoff, an avid supporter of the organization, organized the drive because he wanted the compass youth to have access to quality clothing for special events like dances, proms, graduations, and other notable occasions. With a large truck parked outside the galleries and a sign that read “Compass Clothing Drive Drop Off,” Minkoff and the Compass team were inundated with clothing donations from the community. Among the donors was PBC Commissioner Gregg Weiss, who represents Compass’s district on the Board of County Commissioners. Burt Minkoff. Photo via burtminkoff.elliman.com. The three Galleries partnering with Minkoff, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, TW Fine Art, and New Wave, provided food and beverages in their galleries while a food truck was available outside. Casa Branca, an interior design firm, also participated in the drive. After attendees dropped off their clothes, they were given tours of the galleries and their paintings and the opportunity to add new art to their collections. Compass raised over $500 during the event and filled a box truck with donated clothing. Sean Conklin NEWS • PALM BEACH
5.23.2024 • 13 Our Services: • Roof Repair • Roof Replacement • Preventative Maintenance • Inspections FREE Quote 954-737-3520 Tile Shingle Metal In need of a repair or replacement? Contact our team Since 2002 Locally Owned Woman-Owned Owens Corning Platinum Preferred We are proudly
14 • 5.23.2024 General & Cosmetic Dentistry 954-565-7666 Always Plenty of Free Parking • Conveniently Located on Wilton Drive Dr. David K. Warner, DDS, FAGD State of the Art Facilities • Most Insurance Plans Accepted 1946 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors • FL 33305 www.IslandCitySmiles.com Dr. Stephen T. Scoglio, DMD Your smile should leave a great impression. Comprehensive Exam, Digital X-Rays & Cleaning* $69 New Patients ($312 Value) *In the absense of gum disease. Not applicable to insurance benefits. Welcoming SCUBA STAR DIVES INTO WILTON MANORS Wilton Manors is an island city, yet somehow has lacked a top-tier store to maximize all the aqua opportunities our area offers. That problem is in the past. SCUBA Star is open at 1031 Wilton Drive, offering everything for novices to experienced divers. “We will take you from zero to SCUBA star,” owner Houssein Aleidan said. “We’re basically a one-stop shop where you can get rental gear, classes, gear serviced. We work with people on a private basis or in group classes.” A quorum of city commissioners turned out for the grand opening and ribbon cutting on May 10 as friends, diving enthusiasts and ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT John Hayden YOUR SPOTLIGHT COULD BE HERE! CALL 954-514-7095. beginners turned out to see what the shop has to offer. Top end equipment from Padi and other wellknown companies line the walls. Everything from colorful flippers to eye protection to cool stickers to declare your diving devotion to the world. “We’re here to make this as easy as possible for all customers,” Aleidan said. He also says it’s no accident SCUBA Star is making a home in the heart of Wilton. “Wilton Manors is the hub where a lot of magic happens. Its sense of openness and ability to connect and make everyone stronger. I love what Wilton Manors stands for.” Humanity knows more about the surface of the moon than it knows about the ocean floor. Aleidan knows firsthand how many surprises lie just below the surface, waiting to be discovered. “The nature of the reefs and surprises of how the animals react to you. They come up to you and reciprocate the energy. It’s very welcoming underwater, as it is here in Wilton Manors.” SCUBA Star is a unique addition to The Drive, and Aleidan says the goal is to stand out while blending in. “We’re trying to build community, get involved with all sorts of activities to make this a fun space in addition to the many fun spaces around here and add an extra layer of fun to the community.” Photo by JR Davis. Photo by JR Davis.
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16 • 5.23.2024 TRUMP’S BILLION DOLLAR BIG OIL HEIST A s soon as fossil-fuel financed Donald Trump was sworn into office, he got busy destroying the nation’s climate progress. In June 2017, Trump announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris Treaty, shamefully walking away from a global commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the only signatory country in the world to do so. Among Trump’s early steps to halt climate progress, Scott Pruitt, his Environmental Protection Agency director, scrubbed climate science information off the U.S. agency’s website. Pruitt, who resigned under an unethical cloud of scandal the following year, erased scientific explanations about the changing climate from the EPA’s website. His “cleansing” efforts included erasure of the agency’s scientific web pages about fossil fuels and carbon emissions, web pages that had been educating the public on climate science since the late 1990s. Going into the 2024 election, Trump is warring with climate science again. Even as global temperatures hover at a precarious tipping point endangering habitability, Trump has solicited a billion-dollar contribution from fossil fuel execs in exchange for letting the planet burn baby burn. TRUMP’S LOWLY $1 BILLION PRICE TAG ON THE CLIMATE At a shockingly under-reported event in April, the presumptive Republican nominee invited fossil fuel representatives to dine with him at Mar-a-Lago, where he served up a foultasting entrée of quid pro quo. More than 20 oil executives from Chevron, Exxon, Occidental Petroleum and other fossil fuel concerns attended. Over a steak dinner, Trump offered attendees $110bn in tax breaks, and said he’d reverse Biden’s environmental protections, if they agreed to donate a billion dollars to his campaign to pay his legal bills put him back in the White House. In exchange for the cool billion, Trump pledged to scrap President Joe Biden’s policies on electric vehicles and wind energy and other initiatives opposed by the fossil fuel industry, including legal barriers to drilling and the Biden administration’s rules designed to cut car pollution. Photo via Adobe. Trump said it was a good “deal.” Ponying up $1 billion to get Trump re-elected would be advantageous for Big Oil, Trump promised, because the value of the tax and regulation cuts he’d give them in return would far exceed that amount. TRUMP ADVANCES BIG OIL’S DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN Climate disinformation from the fossil fuel lobby is legion, and has gone on for decades. American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers has already begun an extremely well-financed campaign against Biden’s EPA’s tailpipe rules, misleading consumers and voters by calling the rules a “ban” on “gas cars.” The lobby has purchased ads in battleground states to lie to voters about Biden’s efforts to increase the manufacture of EVs, claiming that increasing EVs and adopting the charging station infrastructure to support them will restrict consumer choice. Their disinformation efforts are obscene because their profits are obscene. Last year, ExxonMobil and Chevron reported their biggest annual profits in a decade. Three of the largest oil and gas producers reported combined profits of $85.6 billion in 2023. Exxon Mobil reported $36 billion, while Chevron reported $21.4 billion. Shell’s reported profits were down from 2022, but still reflected the second-largest profits in a decade. A TALE OF TWO COUNTRIES Biden refers to global warming as an “existential threat” and has engaged in over 300 actions aimed to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce air pollution, to restrict toxic chemicals, and preserve public lands and waters. Although these policies will take years to deliver climate results, by one early assessment, they have already resulted in a 3% cut in energy emissions. VIEWPOINTS • OPINION Sabrina Haake THE HAAKE TAKE Read more from Sabrina Haake is a 25-year litigator specializing in 1st this author here and 14th Amendment defense. Her columns also appear in RawStory, Chicago Tribune, Salon, State Affairs, and Howey Politics. She and her wife split their time between South Florida and Chicago. Follow her on Substack. Trump, amplifying Big Oil’s decades-long disinformation campaign in exchange for money, has called climate change a “hoax.” At his New Jersey rally last week, Trump vowed to stop offshore wind “on day one.” He has claimed without evidence that wind energy causes cancer, and that he knows “windmills very much,” because he has “studied it better than anybody I know.” Demonstrating the principles of Darwinism, Trump eliminated more than 125 environmental rules and policies during his time in office and is now promising more destruction. Whether Trump or Biden is elected in November, both men are elderly. That means they will be gone, relegated to history, by the time bees stop pollinating. The choice is before us. One of these candidates promises his grandchildren will eat from a golden plate. The other promises there will be something on the plate. Kathy LAST WEEK’S TOP 5 ONLINE STORIES OAKLAND PARK FORCES WILTON SOCIAL CLUB CLOSURE by John Hayden 5 CRAIG JUNGWIRTH SKIPS ARRAIGNMENT, WARRANT ISSUED by John Hayden ALL HAIL THE QUEEN OF QUEENS MELISSA ST. JOHN by Robert Cole & Ellen Dooley 3 ‘I SAW THE TV GLOW’ - GLOW, FLICKER, AND FADE by Gregg Shapiro 4 RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS REACHED BY HRC’S ANTI-BULLYING PROGRAM THIS YEAR by Christopher Kane, The Washington Blade READ MORE AT OUTSFL.COM
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18 • 5.23.2024 SERVING WILTON MANORS AND OAKLAND PARK MAY 23, 2024 VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 6 FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/WMGAZETTE WWW.WMGAZETTE.COM BSO STING OPERATION SHUTS DOWN WILTON SOCIAL CLUB IN OAKLAND PARK OAKLAND PARK Condoms and douches and swings, oh my! These are just some of the things found in a report that tries to justify the abrupt closing of Wilton Social Club. OutSFL has the Reporting Officer Narrative, which describes what an undercover Broward Sheriff’s Office Oakland Park officer says he saw. Excerpts include: “While checking me in, I observed a large quantity of protective sexual condoms in the rear staff room behind him.” “I was then showed [sic] many of the ‘play room’ for sexual activity and the areas that have a hand held douche for cleaning the internal area of the anus prior to sexual activity.” Another line: “One play room had equipment to be strapped to swing apparatus or wooden boards.” Nowhere in the report does he say he saw anyone having sex on the premises. Condoms on site? Before PrEP & PEP, bars and restaurants had bowls of them sitting out to promote public health. Douches can be found in nearly any drug store, and having swings/slings and other accouterments is far from illegal. The report does say he was there after midnight and there was pornography on TVs, both of which are part of the citations issued. Owner Dominic Santarelli says he was applying for a 24-hour license and a Sexually Oriented Business license and had restricted hours in an attempt to comply. This report was, apparently, turned over to Oakland Park’s code compliance officers, who issued formal citations. Oakland Park is staying silent and letting the documents talk for them. OutSFL has asked to speak with the head of Code or the officer who issued the citations. All requests for in-person interviews have been denied. “I think we’ve said everything we have to say at this point,” a spokesperson said. “We would be happy to provide any other documentation that might be helpful.” To that extent, OutSFL has requested all city emails related to Wilton Social Club from this year, as well as a transcript of the hearing. While Santarelli has admitted to some violations, he says he corrected them. Other accusations, he outright denies. What makes this case standout is the level of urgency Oakland Park devoted to shutting them down. WSC was forced to stop operations immediately, which isn’t uncommon. What is uncommon is that they were forced to clear out the space ASAP before any appeals process. Additionally, Santarelli says they were told to take down all social media accounts. Even if you disregard any First Amendment issues, that seems outside the jurisdiction of the proceeding. By John Hayden Photos courtesy of Wilton Social Club/Dominic A. Santarelli III. POLICE OFFICERS FOUND ‘HAND HELD DOUCHE FOR CLEANING THE INTERNAL AREA OF THE ANUS PRIOR TO SEXUAL ACTIVITY.’
2 • MAY 23, 2024 • WWW.WMGAZETTE.COM 5.23.2024 • 19 2520 N. Dixie Highway Wilton Manors, FL 33305 WWW.WMGAZETTE.COM HAVE YOU JOINED THE GAZETTE’S FACEBOOK GROUP? Come join the discussion. The Gazette welcomes feedback. Email Jason@outsfl.com with comments, suggestions, etc. Facebook.com/groups/WMGazette Assistant to the Editor Kimberly Swan Graphic Designers Julie Palmer Kyle Willis Craig Tuggle Graphic Design Consultant Brendon Lies Wilton Manors Editor John Hayden Correspondents John McDonald • Rick Karlin • Aaron Kinchen Staff Photographers J.R. Davis • Carina Mask Sales & Marketing For ad placement in The Gazette, contact 954-514-7095 Publisher/Editor Jason Parsley CEO Justin Wyse Spot an error? Let us know at editorial@outsfl.com The proposed Wilton Hotel & Pool Club has taken a key step to becoming reality. During the city commission meeting on May 14, the panel voted unanimously to approve final changes to the plans and cleared the way for developers to proceed. However, this is far from the end of the story. Now the developers will go before the county and apply for permits. While not a pro forma action, it is unusual for permits to derail a project at this point in the process. From the Development Review Committee to the Planning and Zoning Board to the city commission, Wilton Manors officials have spent more than a year scrutinizing everything from height (eight floors) to parking (100% valet) and everything in between. The hotel will be on Dixie Highway by Five Points, where the mortuary sits. Some worry about backups on the road. In the middle of an average workday, it only takes seven cars to back up to the site during a light cycle. When long, slow moving freight trains roll through, it could take several cycles before traffic clears, impeding ingress to the hotel. Commissioners have been generally positive of the project throughout the process, and their constituents have mirrored their optimism. An online poll conducted by OutSFL in December showed 63% in favor. If all goes as smoothly, it’s possible there could be a groundbreaking sometime this autumn. Each stage of construction will require inspections, and any adjustments would take time. Experts on these matters say a grand opening in 2027 is a reasonable expectation. WILTON HOTEL WINS KEY VOTE WILTON MANORS Rendering courtesy Wilton Hotel & Pool Club. By John Hayden outsfl.com/newsletter WILTON MANORS NEWS... RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX. THE ISLANDER A WILTON MANORS NEWSLETTER
20 • 5.23.2024 Dear John, Almost two years ago, I loaned a friend $5,000, interest-free, who promised repayment would come from an anticipated return of a security deposit and other sources within several months. I’m still waiting on repayment, and he cries poverty at the periodic reminders I give him about the outstanding amount: unstable work situation; car payments; other debts, etc. At the same time, I see him out socializing and at bars and clubs at least four or five nights a week, since we have a common set of mutual friends. I see little, if any effort, to make efforts to either make enough to repay me, or save expenses in order to have enough to chip away at the debt. How do I kindly request that he honor both his agreement and our friendship by repaying this amount? It’s reached the point where every time I see him, I feel like he has his hand in my pocket, by what I’m losing by not having those funds back? Dear Generous Friend, The quick answer is that you don’t kindly request. It doesn’t seem like being Mr. Niceguy is working, so let it go, Elsa. Be upfront with your friend that they’re jeopardizing your relationship and that their behavior is unacceptable. Every relationship, whether friendship or partnership, requires communication, boundaries, and accountability. Five thousand dollars is a significant amount of money, and it may feel like an impossible task for your friend to tackle by this time, given their life circumstances. Talking with them to let them know that you need them to start working on that debt in any amount could come as a relief for them. You can be supportive while also being firm in your expectations. Create a plan together that your friend feels is achievable, and let them know the consequences for not holding up their part of the agreement. Even if they only pay you 50 or a hundred dollars a month, it’s a good-faith gesture that could save your friendship. Now comes the accountability part: you need to send a monthly update in writing on the balance owed, putting them on notice that if you can’t work through this, you will have no choice but to seek a legal remedy. You may be afraid to lose your friend, but you must remember that you didn’t create this situation, and it isn’t your responsibility to let them off the hook. You may teach them a lesson they desperately need right now. A wake-up call can come in all different forms. John Porter ASK JOHN PORTER CULTURE • OPINION DEADBEAT FRIEND WON’T REPAY LOAN. HELP! Submit your John Porter is an entrepreneur and founding questions here. partner at Oasis Asset Management. He has served as a political organizer and strategist within the Democratic party, as well as serving as an executive board member for the Miami Yacht Club. The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column is not intended to replace or substitute any financial, medical, legal, or other professional advice. Photo via Pexels.
5.23.2024 • 21 “Love without judgement” A home for your spirit. Holy Angels National Catholic Church 1436 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors. 33305 Facebook.com/HolyAngelsFL www.HolyAngelsFL.org 954-633-2987 Mass Schedule: Sabado 6:00 PM misa en español • Sunday Mass at 11 AM in English • All are welcome! Join us for masked, socially distanced in person worship. 11 AM Sundays. Services also LIVE-streamed on Facebook and posted on website for safe at home viewing. Donate Your Car Imagine the Di erence You Can Make • Every donated vehicle will be properly recycled, reducing waste and harmful emissions. • Vehicle donations are fully tax-deductible and the proceeds help provide services to help the blind and visually impaired. Help Prevent Blindness Get A Vision Screening Annually FREE TOWING & TAX DEDUCTIBLE When you donate your car, you’ll receive: Donate Your Car • Every donated vehicle will be properly recycled, reducing waste and harmful emissions. FREE • Vehicle donations are fully tax-deductible and Call 1-855-758-0975 ✔ a $200 restaurant voucher ✔ a 2-night, 3-day hotel stay at one of 50 locations CONGREGATION ETZ CHAIM 2038 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors (Pride Center Building B) 954-564-9232 | etzchaimflorida.org congregationetzchaim1974@gmail.com Friday Night Shabbat Service 8p.m. HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY 1436 NE 26th St, Wilton Manors 954-633-2987 - HolyAngelsFL.net Sunday Mass at 11AM ST. MARY MAGDALENE & ST. MARTIN EPISCOPAL CHURCH 1400 Riverside Dr, Coral Springs 954-753-1400 | www.stmmcs.net Sunday Worship 8:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm (Spanish) ST. NICHOLAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 1111 E. Sample Road, Pompano Beach 954-942-5887 | StNicholasFL.org Sunday Service 9:30AM SPIRITUALITY LISTINGS PLEASE CHECK EACH LOCATION'S SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION REGARDING DATES, IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE FOR SERVICES, OR OPTIONS FOR VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE. STS FRANCIS AND CLARE CHURCH 2300 NW 9th Ave. (Powerline Rd.) WIlton Manors 954-731-8173 | stsfrancisandclare.org Sunday: 10:30 AM. Watch LIVE @ facebook.com/stsfrancisandclare UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF BOCA RATON 2601 St Andrews Blvd. in Boca Raton (just off Glades Rd., next to University Woodlands Park) (561) 482-2001 | www.uufbr.org Sunday service at 10:30 AM Eastern. Zoom Meeting ID: 914 8201 7108 Passcode: 952914 Join Us!
22 • 5.23.2024 GIVE IT TO US STRAIGHT “How did your parents react when you came out?” is the first question I’ve been asked by members of the audience in my 50 years of public speaking. My answer was honest but incomplete. “They were great. Mom cried because she was afraid for me, and Dad thought it was a hormone imbalance. But they welcomed everyone into our home, including my boyfriends. Ray became one of their favorite people.” I’ve said I regret how my public coming out impacted their lives, but it was only recently that it dawned on me that my parents, and people like them, are as responsible for the success of the LGBTQ Civil Rights Movement as are the heroic, most vigilant members of P-FLAG, once known as Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gay people. I was stunned by the realization that every day for the rest of their lives Mom and Dad were put in a position of affirming their two gay sons or sidestepping the issue. Initially, it was very difficult for them when I came out in 1974. In the arena of public opinion, gay people and axe murderers were equally valued. For weeks, I was the talk of the town because I was interviewed on every TV and radio talk show, and in every newspaper in Detroit. My folks couldn’t be anonymous. “Yes, that’s my son,” they were forced to acknowledge, but each time they did, and they did so with increasing pride, they changed the world. Their friends at General Motors and at the Warwick Hills Country Club were educated by my parents’ refusal to be embarrassed. Each visit to the grocery and drug stores entailed preparing CULTURE • OPINION Brian McNaught THE WISE SNOWY OWL Image via pexels. themselves for looks from other shoppers. Mom just smiled. I never asked whether my family got threatening phone calls and letters as I did. I was so wrapped up in my own gay crusade that I imagined their heterosexual privilege protected them. Now it’s too late to ask, but it’s not too late to say that we LGBTQ people did not get here on our own. We were always surrounded by an army of straight people who stepped forward in our defense, willingly or not, eagerly or not. But every “Yes, my daughter is a lesbian” impacted not just people in the U.S. but around the world. When our family members, including siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins stood their ground for us, they helped change the culture to the point that in a little over 50 years most gay, lesbian, and bisexual children are no longer a source of shame. We have much work to do on the transgender issue. There’s still a lot of confusion about gender identity. But the cisgender parents and family members of transgender children and adults are helping us change the world when they say, “Yes, my daughter is now a happy man.” Read more from Brian McNaught has been an author and educator this author here on LGBTQ issues since 1974. Former Congressman Barney Frank said of Brian, “No one has done a better job of chronicling what it’s like to grow up gay.” www.brian-mcnaught.com. ...IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO SAY THAT WE LGBTQ PEOPLE DID NOT GET HERE ON OUR OWN.
5.23.2024 • 23 COME JOIN US AT STONEWALL PRIDE! WWW.OUTSFL.COM FEATURING MELISSA ST. JOHN AND MZ. OUTSFL 2024, ERIKA NORELL!
24 • 5.23.2024 TO-DO LIST Calendar@outsfl.com WHOA, NELLY The Eagle kicks off Memorial Day Weekend with a harness party with D-Stu spinning. At The Foundry they’re staging Michael McKeever’s “Daniel’s Husband,” first produced by Island City Stage before it moved off-Broadway. THURSDAY, MAY 23 MISS VANGIE Guess who’s coming to The Manor for The White Party? Yes, the RuPaul star who made her name the best exit line ever, along with Grammy-nominated DJ Abel. Tonight’s Alibi’s Sweatboxx dance party. I don’t know about you, but I hate it when my box gets all sweaty. FRIDAY, MAY 24 FULL MOON AND WHITE WAVES It’s the White Wave at Island Sands Inn with DJ Ana Paula, followed by the United Party at The Manor with DJs Isaac Escalante and Karsten Sollors. Tonight, Eagle’s Wolf night will have them howling, with a Full Moon party and music by Calagna. SATURDAY, MAY 25 SPLISH-SPLASH FlockFest’s Splash Pool Party at The Easton, with DJ Naim Zarzour and percussionist Angel Emilo serving the beats. The White Festival’s Laleche Party at The Manor has DJs Nina Flowers and Las Bibas from Vizcaya. The Pub on the Drive is holding a Backyard BBQ, with cornhole from noon to 6 p.m. (I assume they mean the beanbag game-but you never know.) SUNDAY, MAY 26 “RED, WHITE & BLEW” …is the theme of the Memorial Day party at The Eagle with music by Mike James. Head over to Rosie’s where Monday’s special is New Amsterdam Vodka cocktails for $4 and martinis for $6, beginning at 7 p.m. Continuing in that vein, Josh at Lit is serving $6 Altos Margaritas and $6 Deep Eddy martinis. Pride Fort Lauderdale and White Festival join forces for the White Swan Pool Party at The Island Sands Inn, with DJ Sushiman. MONDAY, MAY 27 GREAT BALLS OF FIRE! At Scandals, Jessica Channing is going to shake and show her balls, Bingo Balls that is. As for the other kind, that’s old news. TUESDAY, MAY 28 THE GAMES PEOPLE PLAY It’s Gaymer night at The Well, and Nicole Halliwell hosts the Drag Queen Game Show at No Manors. WEDNESDAY, MAY 29 Calendar@outsfl.com Compiled by Rick Karlin CULTURE • FOOD SOMETHING’S FISHY AT RED LOBSTER Photo via Red Lobster, Facebook. RED LOBSTER 5950 N. FEDERAL HWY., FORT LAUDERDALE 954-491-3030 REDLOBSTER.COM/ I grew up in the Midwest, so for us seafood was canned tuna or salmon, McDonald’s Filet o’ Fish, or an occasional trip to Wisconsin for a fish boil. Then, when I was in college, I got a job as a cook at a trendy burger restaurant. The owners were opening a fancy seafood restaurant and the company’s head chef decided I showed promise and picked me to be the sous chef. I got a quick course on all kinds of seafood. How to judge freshness, how to butcher a whole fish, and how to scale and debone a fish in minutes. I went from knowing nothing about seafood to being a seafood snob in about six months. As you can imagine, I never set foot in a Red Lobster. However, I knew they were quite popular. So, I was surprised to hear that the company was filing for bankruptcy and closing hundreds of locations. The first Red Lobster restaurant was opened in 1968, in Lakeland, Florida, by entrepreneurs Bill Darden and Charley Woodsby. The “Harbor for Seafood Lovers,” was an immediate success and within two years the duo expanded to four more locations. Such success did not go unnoticed, and by 1970 General Mills acquired the company, keeping Darden as CEO of the newly spun-off restaurant wing of the company, Darden Brands. Eventually, Darden sold the Red Lobster brand to the private equity firm Golden Gate Capital for $2.1 billion in 2014. Golden Gate Capital held on to the company for six years before it sold its stake in the company to Thai Union, an Asian seafood consortium in 2020. Thai Union just announced that it will divest itself of Red Lobster. At least 99 Red Lobster locations are being auctioned off, about 15% of the company’s approximately 700 locations. Thai Union executives blamed the $11 million in losses in the third quarter of 2023 on Red Lobster’s all-you-can-eat shrimp promotion. After reading all this and realizing our choices may be fading away, my husband and I headed up to our Fort Lauderdale Red Lobster. After we approached the hostess station and said party of two, my hopes weren’t high as she led us to a booth and dumped two packages of napkin-wrapped serving utensils before us, slapped menus on the table, and walked away, without a word spoken. But our server was bright and cheery and very helpful in describing everything on the menu, and there are a lot of options. We started with Maine and langostino lobster flatbread. It was thin and crispy, with tons of seafood and mozzarella, parmesan, fresh tomatoes, and sweet basil. I found it a little bland, some dried red peppers would perk it up nicely. It was well-prepared, and at $17, reasonably priced. Next came those cheddar biscuits that folks rave about. They were delish! I opted for the Wednesday night special, a small lobster tail and petite sirloin, both perfectly cooked and served with a choice of sides for $20. My hubby went for one of the “shrimp your way” dishes. He chose a three-way (been a long time since he’s done that) and got three shrimp dishes (from a choice of eight). He opted for Crispy Dragon Shrimp (very spicy, but small and mostly breading), Street Corn Shrimp (delicious and grilled to perfection), and Walt’s Favorite Shrimp (again small and mostly breading). We ended up taking about a third of our dinners home and were delighted to find some extra biscuits in our to-go bag. Is Red Lobster fine dining? No. But I’ve paid a hell of a lot more at fancy restaurants for food that wasn’t any better. Rick Karlin HOT DISH Read more from Rick Karlin is OutSFL’s arts & culture editor, but the this author here views and opinions he expresses in his columns are solely his own and do not represent the official viewpoint of OutSFL. Have a culinary tip to share? Email Rick at Rick@OutSFL.com. AT LEAST 99 RED LOBSTER LOCATIONS ARE BEING AUCTIONED OFF, ABOUT 15% OF THE COMPANY’S APPROXIMATELY 700 LOCATIONS.
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26 • 5.23.2024 Terry Dyer, an award-winning author and activist, raises HIV/ AIDS awareness, develops community programs and grants, fosters LGBTQ+ engagement, and engages in athletics. He wrote “Letters to a GAY BLACK BOY,” sparking discussions on racism, homophobia, mental health, family, and love. Rev. Skip Jennings, an author, podcaster, transformational coach, and yoga/meditation teacher. He is a New Thought Minister and his notable work, “The Little Book for Transformation,” inspires change and living an authentic spiritual life. A DIVE INTO EQUALITY AND FAIR PLAY IN SPORTS I n a landmark move highlighting the ongoing struggle for inclusivity and fairness, transgender swimmer Lia Thomas has initiated legal proceedings against World Aquatics, the governing body for elite swimming competitions. This challenge, presented to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, targets explicitly portions of the gender inclusion policy enacted by World Aquatics on June 20, 2022. This lawsuit marks a pivotal moment in the broader dialogue on the rights of transgender athletes in sports. Thomas contests the policy that requires male-to-female transgender athletes to compete in women’s categories only if they transitioned before the age of 12 or before reaching stage two of puberty, as defined by the Tanner Stages. She argues that this policy discriminates unlawfully against her under several legal frameworks, including the Olympic Charter and the European Convention on Human Rights, challenging a policy that seems to fundamentally misunderstand or ignore the nuances of gender identity and the science of transition. Thomas’s case has ignited widespread debate. Supporters argue that World Aquatics’ policy unfairly excludes many transgender women from competition, undermining the very essence of sports as inclusive and fair. Critics, however, claim that transgender women may have physical advantages in women’s sports, although studies show no consistent advantage. Amidst this debate, World Aquatics introduced an open category for all sex and gender identities at a World Cup event in Berlin, aiming to celebrate diversity and gather insights for future policy development. This step toward inclusivity also highlights the challenges of accommodating all athletes while maintaining competitive fairness. FLOATING QUESTIONS AND PERSPECTIVES At Gritz and Glitter, we provide the facts and engage in this conversation, ready to explore these complex issues. We challenge ourselves and our readers as we strive to grow individually and collectively. We do not know all the answers but remain committed to fostering discussions that might lead to a community of equality. What is the next step? Is this the right one? Is the creation of a separate category for transgender athletes a genuine stride toward inclusivity, or does it inadvertently segregate and marginalize? ADVOCATE FOR EQUALITY IN ATHLETICS Brittney Griner has established herself as a dominant figure on the basketball court and a vocal advocate for equality in athletics. She has consistently used her platform to combat discrimination and call attention to systemic inequalities within sports. Her advocacy is not limited to gender identity issues; it also encompasses broader concerns such as racial equality and social justice. Griner’s activism has focused on significant pay disparities between male and female athletes. She points out that women in professional sports often receive a fraction of their male counterparts’ salaries and endorsements, despite similar or even greater achievements and dedication. Griner argues that such disparities reflect a broader societal undervaluing of women and their contributions to sports. Furthermore, Griner has been a strong proponent of more inclusive practices within sports organizations, advocating for policies that accommodate and support the diverse needs of all athletes, including LGBTQ+ individuals. She emphasizes creating a Terry Dyer and Rev. Skip Jennings GRITZ AND GLITTER CULTURE • OPINION supportive environment that respects and celebrates diversity, rather than merely tolerating it. Through her actions and words, Griner pushes for a sports culture that uplifts every athlete, providing them the respect and opportunities they deserve. NAVIGATING COMPLEX WATERS Like many other sports teams, the U.S. Women’s Swim Team finds itself at the intersection of evolving social norms and competitive sports standards. Reports indicate that some members of the team have expressed reservations about competing against transgender athletes. These concerns often center around fairness and the integrity of competitive standards, reflecting a broader debate within sports about balancing inclusivity with fair play. Some team members’ reservations may stem from various factors, including personal beliefs, concerns about physical advantages, and the desire to preserve what they consider the integrity of women’s sports. These concerns highlight the complex nature of integrating transgender athletes into traditional sports categories, which have historically been segregated based on gender. This complexity is not just about personal beliefs, but also about pursuing what is perceived as fair competition. Team members must navigate their personal feelings and the public and professional implications of those feelings, all while adhering to the rules set forth by governing bodies. The debate within the team mirrors a more significant societal discussion on how best to ensure that sports remain a fair and welcoming space for everyone. These situations underscore the ongoing need for dialogue and the development of policies that both respect the rights of transgender athletes and address concerns about fairness and safety in competitive sports. As this conversation continues, it must include voices from a broad spectrum of perspectives, ensuring that actions are thoughtful, inclusive, and equitable. THE PATH FORWARD The path toward a genuinely inclusive athletic environment requires courage, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to equality and respect for all. As we grapple with these questions, we must remain vigilant against the effortless allure of simple solutions that might reinforce hidden prejudices. Instead, we should create a sports culture that celebrates diversity, respects individuality, and fosters a genuine sense of community and fair competition for everyone involved. By confronting these issues head-on and continuously questioning our approaches, we hope to address the needs of transgender athletes and enrich the sporting experience for all participants. This will pave the way for a future where sports truly embody the values of inclusivity and fairness. Lia Thomas. Photo by Iszac Henig, via Wikimedia Commons.
5.23.2024 • 27 facebook.com/OutSFL @out_sfl @outsfl Follow Us on Social Media & Stay Connected
28 • 5.23.2024 Recreating the Stonewall Inn at the Stonewall Museum. Photo courtesy of Stonewall National Museum & Archives. ENTERTAINMENT • EVENTS J ust a reminder that not all our Pride celebrations are centered on Wilton Drive. There are plenty of other events going on to celebrate our heritage and the strides we’ve made and to remember the sacrifices made by those who came before us. STONEWALL AT STONEWALL The Stonewall National Museum, Archives, and Library (SNMAL) will open a recreation of the famed Stonewall Inn in honor of the 55th anniversary of the uprising and the start of our modern Pride movement. The Library will “come out” as it makes history come alive when the exhibit opens June 1. From floor to ceiling, SNMAL will be transformed into the gritty, historic Stonewall Inn where every day at this interactive exhibit - Stonewall “INN” Stonewall - will be June 28, 1969, hours before the police raid, arrests, riot, and fire; the galvanizing forces sparking the LGBTQ human rights movement across the globe. Unlike the original Stonewall Inn, you must RSVP for this event. To reserve a spot for opening night, contact monique@stonewallmuseum.org. The event will remain open through Sept. 29. On June 29, at 4:30 p.m. the first-ever reenactment of the Stonewall Uprising, in the model of reenactments like the Civil and Revolutionary Wars, will take place, with members of the SoFla police departments making 13 “arrests” of Stonewall INN Stonewall exhibition donors who will be drinking and eating in the iconic bar. Number one hits from 1969 will play from the jukebox as police enter, make “arrests,” and walk them outside to patrol cars. Peabody and GLAAD-award winner Kristen Lovell of the HBO docu-film “The Stroll” is flying in from NYC to portray gay liberation activist Marsha P Johnson who joined the uprising on that historic night. The exhibit will then travel for 10 years bringing the fight for equality across the nation. LANTZ WITHOUT PANTZ FLoatarama, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ Pride-on-Water event, announced that breakout gay reality star, Sam Lantz, a finalist on Netflix’s “Squid Game: The Challenge,” will serve as the 2024 Grand Marshal during the FLoatarama Flotilla presented by Hunters Nightclubs on Saturday, June 8. Lantz will be aboard the Sun Dream Yacht Charter’s magnificent 130-foot Yacht Catalina alongside host FayWhat?! with 450 celebrants and award-winning international DJ Bumi leading a fleet of more than 30 private and commercial boats, all decorated for Pride. An official Stonewall Pride Parade & Street Festival event, the FLoatarama Flotilla will launch from Esplanade Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale and cruise the New River and Intracoastal Waterway with the full support of law enforcement vessels including Fort Lauderdale Marine Patrol, Broward Sheriff’s Office, and Wilton Manors Police. Riverwalk restaurants including The Downtowner, Masa & More, and The House on the River will be hosting Flotilla watch events. FLoatarama’s partnership with The Our Fund Foundation ensures that 100% of all ticket sales will support the FLoatarama LGBTQ Youth Fund to achieve the greatest impact in the South Florida community. In 2022, FLoatarama launched the FLoatarama LGBTQ Youth Fund in partnership with The Our Fund Foundation, to support at-risk LGBTQ youth. To date, more than $125,000 has been raised and distributed to local LGBTQ non-profits. Additionally, the 2nd annual FLoatarama Garden Party returns to The House on the River on Sunday, June 2. Go to floatarama.org for information on both events. PRIDE IS ALL AROUND US Rick Karlin ON STANDS NOW! OR VIEW ONLINE OUTSFL.COM/PRINT Vol. 2 Issue 2 • APRIL - MAY 2024 • OUTSFL.COM Health & Wellness Issue THIS ISSUE IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HOLY CROSS HEALTH
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30 • 5.23.2024 Robert Koutros and Ryan Didato play a gay couple wrestling with marriage in the revival of Michael McKeever’s “Daniel’s Husband,” opening May 23 at the Foundry in Wilton Manors. Credit: Dennis Dean. MCKEEVER PLAY REMAINS RELEVANT A DECADE LATER When the world premiere production of Michael McKeever’s “Daniel’s Husband” opened at Island City Stage in 2015, the validity of marriage equality was being weighed by the Supreme Court. In the years, the play about a gay couple’s wrestling with the desire vs. the need of getting married has played to triumphant reviews Off Broadway and in regional productions across the country and around the world. And, the extreme rightward shift of the Supreme Court during the Trump administration once again places doubt on the long term guarantee of marriage equality, as Plays of Wilton and Ronnie Larsen Presents open the first revival of “Daniel’s Husband” in South Florida. “Marriage equality was something everyone was talking about [then],” recalled playwright McKeever, who is taking his first turn directing the show that swept the Carbonell Awards in its inaugural production. “It suddenly became a possibility and then a reality.” He has continued to work on the show since, but “never realized the world was going to catch up. Not only has gay marriage and the way it’s looked at by society changed, as the playwright, I’m able to do that. During the Trump years, it was precarious that we might lose it and we could again. Everybody keeps saying it’s done, but we thought that about Roe vs. Wade. Nothing is safe.” In the play, conflict arises when a gay couple consider whether to tie the knot and get married. Their friends are doing it, but one partner just doesn’t feel the need to fall into “heteronormalcy,” as McKeever puts it. “Not every gay man was signing up,” he pointed out, but when tragedy strikes, the legal protections of marriage seem obvious. The core story has remained the same, McKeever added, even as he has tweaked the dialogue, added and cut a monologue here and there, and updated references. “I truly believe that as I’ve aged, I’ve become a better writer with more life experience,” he said. “And now, for the first time, I’m directing this play. I’ve had such great fortune to have been directed by and worked with brilliant directors with regard to this play. I’ve learned about the art of directing, and now I can apply my own take. The story and storytelling remain the same, but there’s a point of view I can add.” The show opened in the tight Empire Stage space, prior to Island City’s move to Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors, a space that is not unlike the Foundry. McKeever added, “I love the intimacy of the Foundry … to me, it’s very much like an Off Broadway space from the 1990s or 2000s. It allows us to have a connection with the audience. In a situation like this, where you’re dealing with a very personal story, that really helps the play. When Ronnie Larsen invited me, I couldn’t say yes fast enough.” Michael McKeever’s “Daniel’s Husband” will be presented May 23 – June 16 at the Foundry, 2306 N. Dixie Hwy. in Wilton Manors. Tickets start at $27.50 at RonnieLarsen.com. Content provided by JW Arnold ENTERTAINMENT • RONNIE LARSEN PRESENTS THIS CONTENT IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RONNIE LARSEN PRESENTS AND PLAYS OF WILTON (POW!). ALL ABOARD! Gregg Shapiro. Photo courtesy of Rick Karlin. Rick Karlin THE WHEELS ON THE BUS To fulfill its mission to be the global Gayborhood in your pocket, Grindr is rolling out its very own bus tour this June. From San Francisco to New York City, Grindr’s going fullsteam ahead with the Great All American-Gay Road Trip, inviting the community to hop on for the ride of their life in ten cities across the country. Lucky us, they’re stopping in Wilton Manors for Stonewall on June 15. The bus will be available from 3-11 p.m. for you to hop on board, strike a pose, and show them what you got. The bus will feature two full-service portrait studios to make your grind that much hotter this summer. They’ve partnered with Q Care Plus, which will provide LGBTQ+, gender-affirming, and sexual health & wellness education and resources on board. There will also be drag queens, highway hunks, punny bumper stickers, free swag, and Grindr giveaways (what, no PreP? Condoms I hope). PICTURE IT: FORT LAUDERDALE, 2024 Sophia’s out on bail after being busted by the DEA for running a drug ring for retirees. Blanche and Rose have founded CreakN, a thriving sex app for seniors. Dorothy is trying to hold it all together with help from a new (much) younger sex-crazed lover. Following sold-out performances and rave reviews across the country, The Golden Girls are back and better than ever with a new stage show that’s more exciting than a trip to the Rusty Anchor. Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue tour will include nearly a month of performances (from Sept. 3 – 29) in the Amaturo Theater at The Broward Center. Tickets go on sale May 23. A very special VIP photo experience add-on includes photos with the actors on the set after the show. The cast includes Ryan Bernier as Dorothy, Vince Kelley as Blanche, Adam Graber as Rose, Christopher Kamm as Sophia, and Tommy Favorite as Stanley/Burt. LGBTQ WRITES OutSFL’s own Gregg Shapiro will lead a discussion group at Boca Raton’s downtown library branch on Thursday, June 20, “Introduction to Pride Authors from South Florida.” From 6-7:30 p.m. Our readers may know Shapiro for his insightful film reviews, but he is also an award-winning poet, with nine books including Refrain in Light, publication in numerous literary magazines including RFD, Pleiades, Orange Blossom Review, San Pedro River Review, BarBar, Otherwise Engaged, The Penn Review, Gargoyle, The Post Grad Journal, confetti, SoFloPoJo, and BP Review. During his talk, he will introduce his audience to notable authors and their works in contemporary LGBTQ+ literature. He will feature South Florida writers such as Caridad Moro-Gronlier, the newly named Poet Laureate of Miami-Dade and the author of the award-winning 2021 poetry collection Tortillera; award-winning writer Julie Marie Wade, whose 2023 essay collection otherwise has been named as a Lambda Literary Award finalist; Black and gay poet Jubi Arriola Headley whose 2024 poetry collection Bound was just published as well as a teaser about my upcoming book with Fred Fejes, Last Call South Florida, a history of LGBTQ+ bars from West Palm Beach to Key West. GOOD TIMES New Canon Chamber Collective presents a fun, nostalgic, and entertaining musical production Remember the Times Live, celebrating theme songs from Black American sitcoms from the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, in the Abdo New River Room at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m. This multidisciplinary production of music, theater, dance, poetry, and film features a three-part digital documentary produced by James Binon. For more information, visit newcanonmusic.org. ENTERTAINMENT • CULTURE CORNER ‘Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue tour.’ Photo by Murray and Peter Present.
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32 • 5.23.2024 ‘CONSIDERING MATTHEW SHEPARD’ T he Master Chorale of South Florida will perform Craig Hella Johnson’s “Considering Matthew Shepard” on May 31 and June 1, at Sunshine Cathedral. At the heart of this year’s concert for a Cause lies “Considering Matthew Shepard,” a poignant three-part oratorio honoring the life and legacy of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student whose tragic murder 25 years ago ignited a global outcry against hate crimes. Drawing inspiration from Shepard’s own words, interviews with his parents (his mother Judy Shepard has dedicated her life to helping erase such hate crimes, was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Biden), and reflections from media coverage and poetry, Considering Matthew Shepard offers a multifaceted exploration of compassion, resilience, and the human spirit. The oratorio invites audiences to reflect on the profound impact of hate and the transformative power of empathy. In addition to its musical richness, Considering Matthew Shepard features texts by renowned poets such as Rumi and Hildegard of Bingen, as well as quotes from Johann Sebastian Bach, adding depth and resonance to the narrative. The inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives underscores the Master Photo courtesy matthewshepard.org. Photo by Gina van Hoof. Chorale’s commitment to presenting works that address significant social, emotional, and political themes. A portion of ticket proceeds will directly support SunServe’s youth programs, underscoring the Master Chorale’s steadfast commitment to social justice and community empowerment. Tickets for Considering Matthew Shepard are available now and can be purchased at masterchoraleofsouthflorida.org. ENTERTAINMENT • MUSIC Rick Karlin Photos courtesy of Abrams Books. ENTERTAINMENT • BOOKS “Nightbane” is book two of the series “Lightlark” by Alex Aster, where readers can delve deeper into the relationships between characters, explore the world, and more. WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION BEHIND NIGHTBANE? WHAT CAN READERS EXPECT FROM IT? “Nightbane” begins right where ”Lightlark” ends, so they can be read together almost like one big book. Readers can expect to delve deeper into the relationships between the characters and learn more about the world beyond “Lightlark”. There will be more adventure, more powers, and, of course, more plot twists! Just like ”Lightlark”, I put everything I love into ”Nightbane” — enemies to lovers, training scenes, mystery, banter, it’s all in there! “READING RAINBOW” IS A COLUMN THAT REPRESENTS ALL WRITERS, THEIR STORIES AND THEIR BACKGROUND. WHY DO YOU FEEL DIVERSE REPRESENTATION IS SO IMPORTANT IN BOOKS? Books are often people’s first tools to develop empathy and to experience voices that might be different from the ones they encounter day-to-day. Because of that, ‘NIGHTBANE’ Aurora Dominguez THE READING RAINBOW ADVENTURES, POWERS, & PLOT TWISTS diversity in the voices that are published and represented in books is so important. I’m Colombian and have two young cousins who I love immensely. When my first book, the middle grade “Emblem Island: Curse of the Night Witch” was published, my cousin Luna looked at the cover, pointed at the character that had her same skin tone, and said, “That’s me!” All people — children especially — deserve that. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR WRITING STYLE AND STORIES? ARE THERE ANY AUTHORS THAT YOU LOOK UP TO? Meg Cabot is the writer that inspired me to start writing books when I was 12 years old. I devoured everything she wrote when I was a teenager. She still inspires me today. As far as my stories go, I get inspired by music, walking around museums, asking questions, or sometimes even just a piece of clothing. There are kernels of ideas all around us — sometimes we just have to be open to them. WHAT’S UP NEXT FOR YOU THAT YOU CAN SHARE? I’m busy writing something that hasn’t been announced yet! Hopefully I’ll be able to share everything soon! MASTER CHORALE CONCERT ON MAY 31 AND JUNE 1
5.23.2024 • 33 Ft. DJ Musicat June 9 FREE ADMISSION Headlined by Alex NewelFt. DJ Musicat June 9 FREE ADMISSION Headlined by Alex Newell Ft. DJ Musicat June 9 FREE ADMISSION Headlined by Alex Newell PRESENTING PARTNER PRESENTING PARTNER PRESENTING PARTNER PRESENTING PARTNER PRESENTING PARTNER Ft. DJ Musicat June 9 FREE ADMISSION Headlined by Alex Newell RSVP NOW ARSHTCENTER.ORG
34 • 5.23.2024 In need of a repair or replacement? Contact our team • Roof Repair • Roof Replacement • Preventative Maintenance • Inspections 954-737-3520 jfoy.org www.SunServe.org SERVING THE MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY Welcome TO ACCESSIBILITY FOR EVERYONE VisitLauderdale.com/Accessibility OUT4BIZ BUSINESS CLASSIFIEDS YOUR AD COULD BE HERE 954-514-7095 FOR ONLY $199/MONTH Schedule your free PrEP appointment with our bilingual staff For more information, go to www.latinossalud.org 2040 North Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 We provide a welcoming, safe space - an inclusive home that celebrates, nurtures and empowers the LGBTQ communities and our friends and neighbors in South Florida. CONNECT WITH YOUR COMMUNITY PrideCenterfForida.org (954) 463-9005 954-565-7666 1946 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors • FL 33305 www.IslandCitySmiles.com Your smile should leave a great impression. For the culinarily curious & the everyday shopper www.papagenoswap.com 1201 N Federal Highway, Suite 1B,Fort Lauderdale,FL 33304 LEGAL SERVICES TO PROTECT YOU, YOUR LOVED ONES, AND YOUR ASSETS. EAGLEBARWM.COM 7 DAYS A WEEK 2209 Wilton Drive | Wilton Manors, FL 33305
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