LOCAL NAME GLOBAL COVERAGE APRIL 1, 2021 VOL. 12 // ISSUE 13
THE NEXT
YOUNGFIGHT TRANS ATHLETES IN THE CROSSFIRE ACROSS THE U.S. By Steve Rothaus PAGES 18 - 19, 24
Stork’s Barista Passes PAGE 15 Drag Queen Yard Sale PAGE 5 Jewish Film Festival PAGE 30
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@SFGN April 1, 2021 • Volume 12 • Issue 13 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 BSO LGBTQ+ LIAISON COMMITTEE Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943 Publisher • Norm Kent [email protected] Associate Publisher / CELEBRATES ONE YEAR Executive Editor • Jason Parsley [email protected] Editorial Christiana Lilly Art Director • Brendon Lies [email protected] Webmaster • Kimberly Swan hen Lt. Paul Auerbach first joined the [email protected] Broward Sheriff’s Office 18 years ago, Social Media Director • Christiana Lilly Arts/Entertainment Editor • J.W. Arnold Whe wouldn’t ask his colleagues what [email protected] they did over the weekend — he didn’t want Food/Travel Editor • Rick Karlin them to reciprocate the question. Gazette News Editor • John McDonald HIV Editor • Sean McShee As a gay man, he was afraid of being outed. Senior Photographer • J.R. Davis “I made two promises to myself: I’m not [email protected] going to lie about who I am, but I’m not going Senior Feature Columnists to be forthcoming,” he remembers. But he Brian McNaught • Jesse Monteagudo realized that the people he worked alongside Special to SFGN and trusted his life with were more than just Steve Rothaus his coworkers. Today, he jokes that he’s “full- Correspondents on gay.” Donald Cavanaugh • John McDonald Auerbach is one of about 15 BSO employees Lt. Paul Auerbach. Photo via Broward Sheriff Office, Facebook. Deon Jefferson • David-Elijah Nahmod Denise Royal • John Hayden • Elliot Rodriguez who are a part of the LGBTQ+ Liaison Kendall Little • Everitt Rosen • Corey Rose Committee, founded a year ago to improve policies to be more inclusive. The committee they were getting bullied,” Auerbach said Contributing Columnists outreach to the community. Members are a wants the LGBT community to understand of Bennett, who he considered one his best Pier Angelo • Terri Schlichenmeyer part of the community, allies, or affirming that they can call BSO if they are in an abusive friends. “He made a point of reaffirming his Rick Karlin • Dana Rudolph • Ric Reily parents of LGBT youth who belong to situation with a partner. Oftentimes, officers existence. He told them to be who they are, Associate Photographers different departments within BSO, including will hear from a person saying the abuser is to be strong, and the best revenge is to be a Carina Mask • Steven Shires law enforcement, fire rescue, administration, “just their roommate,” for fear of being outed. success and be true to yourself.” Sales & Marketing detention, training, community affairs, and But unfortunately, the case would just be a However, Auerbach said that he noticed more. simple battery and not move forward. some kids were wary that there were cops at For ad placement in SFGN, contact 954-530-4970 Fire Rescue Public Education Manager One of the founding members was the late the event — he wants them to know they’re Sales Manager • Justin Wyse Courtney Palmer is the chair of the committee Deputy Shannon Bennett, who died last year there as mentors and to keep them safe. In [email protected] alongside Communications Duty Officer due to COVID-19. He was a school resource the future, they hope to present an award in Senior Advertising Associate • Edwin Neimann James Moser. officer and was beloved by his students, so honor of Bennett to one of the kids at each [email protected] “The sheriff, that was one of his major outreach to youth was important to him. event. They also want the kids to know that priorities that he asked of our group was Another activity BSO members have done was they can be in law enforcement if they want to Distribution Services • Noah Lebel to make sure not only were we looking at serve as chaperones at the Halloween dance when they grow up. Sales Consultant • Charles A. Reid changes internally … but also reaching out and prom for LGBT kids. The events were in This summer, the committee is planning a National Advertising to the community more than just, ‘We’re partnership with Sunshine Cathedral and career meet and greet for anyone interested in Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 handing out some beads at a parade,’” Palmer have grown. learning more about working at BSO. [email protected] said. “He reached out to several of his kids when “We want to let the teens know, and area Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping Currently, the committee is working on he was at Lauderdale Lakes Middle School … groups, that we are affirming and accepting of Printing by Stuart Web Inc. an intimate partner PSA, as well as training some of those kids did come up to him because the LGBTQ+ community and you can be a part SFGN Winner of workshops, safe ambulances, and rewriting they identify as part of the community and of this community,” Palmer said. & 5 Florida Press Club Awards And runner-up for NLGJA Journalist of the Year THERE’S MORE MAN ROBS COFFEE SHOP IN OAKLAND PARK SOUTH FLORIDA GAY NEWS.COM, INC. ONLINE! Read SFGN.com to find out more. — — FOUNDED, DECEMBER, 2009 BY PIER GUIDUGLI AND NORM KENT Support our advertisers in the pages of SFGN! Their support helps make our journalism possible.
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 SEE OUR COVER: Photo via Adobe, edited by Brendon Lies. 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 NEWS IN articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded VIDEO! by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at [email protected]. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the Online now! suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs. Associated Press Copyright © 2021 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.
2 • 4.1.2021 4.1.2021 • 3 NEWS LOCAL LGBTQ NIGHTLIFE RELIEF FUND LAUNCHED TO HELP QUEER VENUES
Everitt Rosen
Photo via Adobe.
GBT bars and pubs across the United In support of the relief fund, GayCities States have been forced to shutter due has partnered with Grindr, the queer dating Lto the COVID-19 pandemic, with some app. Grindr has donated considerable venues fighting to remain alive or closing for advertisement space and has come on board good. as a fundraising teammate to GoFundMe. Many individuals are cash-strapped and In turn, GayCities has donated $250,000 unable to afford their rent or finance their worth of free advertising space on its website business expenses. Many venues are already to promote and generate funds for this cause. on the verge of closing, with an unknown In the description in its GoFundMe, future ahead of them. GayCities emphasizes the importance of GayCities, an LGBT travel website, keeping LGBT spaces open during COVID. launched the LGBTQ Nightlife Relief Fund “Your local queer bar might be where a at the 2021 Queerties, an annual award show young person comes out for the first time. produced by Queerty, which celebrates the A drag show at the closest city’s nightclub is best in LGBT culture and media. where newfound acceptance and confidence “This is not only about preserving historic are born,” as written on GoFundMe. LGBTQ venues, it’s about saving these spaces “Individuals cast away from their families of for future generations to come,” said Scott origin who are seeking love and connection Gatz, CEO of the LGBT media company have found solace and sanctuary in these Q.Digital. venues.” Donations will be paid out as one-time In addition, GayCities stresses the role $500 matching grants to qualifying LGBT of LGBT venues in social and political venues before the fund is exhausted. The campaigns, noting that the spaces have long venues must already have a GoFundMe. become safe spaces for queer people to gather The grant will cover business expenses and and mobilize in the face of racism and bigotry. provide financial help to employees. So far, the fund is approximately $7,000 In order to qualify for the grant, the away from their goal of $50,000. The fund businesses must verify that the venue has has over 520 donations, with the top donation been negatively impacted by a government being $10,000 from the GoFundMe Team. mandate due to the pandemic. They have to These donations are tax-deductible. have a new or pre-existing fundraiser that “For many, queer bars and clubs are the first included the hashtag #savequeervenues. safe space they found where they could meet The venues also must be independently people and find irreplaceable community,” owned and operated, and must not be Gatz said. “We need to step up to save these nationally dominant in the field of operation. important venues.”
For venues interested in receiving this grant, visit GoFundMe and fill out the required documentation. To donate and read more about the fund, visit GayCities on GoFundMe.
4 • 4.1.2021 NEWS NATIONAL DRAG QUEEN YARD SALE SFGN Staff
hat does a drag queen do when she the names Helen Highwater and Carlotta retires? If she’s Charity Case (also Nerve. “I then decided that since I mostly was Wknown as Rick Karlin) she holds a performing for charity fundraisers, my name yard sale, with all the proceeds from the sale ought to reflect that. So I changed my name to going to LGBT charities. The sale will be held Charity Case.” on Saturday, April 3 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at In Chicago he founded the fundraiser 1517 NE 1st Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Masks are “Night of 100 Drag Queens,” which, over 25 required to participate. years, raised nearly $500,000 for various Karlin, SFGN’s food editor, was an not-for-profit agencies. Since relocating to occasional drag performer in Chicago for South Florida eight years ago, Charity has 30-plus years, originally performing under made appearances in fundraisers for Island City Stage and the Stonewall Museum and Archives and, Karlin adds, “Occasionally just to stroll down the street during Wicked “... SINCE I MOSTLY Manors.” WAS PERFORMING Charity Case made her farewell appearance last year at a fundraiser for Stonewall Museum FOR CHARITY and Archives at Lips. Karlin is now ready to part with the clothing, shoes, wigs, jewelry FUNDRAISERS, MY and accessories that he has accumulated during the years, including some custom- NAME OUGHT TO made gowns. “I’m ready for them to move on and bring REFLECT THAT.” joy to others,” he said. “And I mean all sorts of - Charity Case others, the dresses range from size 12 to 20, so there’s something for everyone!
4.1.2021 • 5 NEWS LOCAL
OF J.R.’s SNAPSHOTS THE WEEK From your life... into our pages! SFGN takes a weekly look at a community that has stood together through countless trials and victories in the past year alone. Photos by J.R. Davis
Steven Shires of Shires Photography and Stephen Husbands Dr. Ferdinand Cabrera and Dimitri Bakoulis, Cascaes, membership specialist at the Greater owners of the Genesis Health Institute. Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber Of Commerce.
Alexander Sadeghi and Michael Connel, Latino’s Salud Miami’s Richard King, Miguel Rodriguez and Kevin the owners at The Pub. Vargas fundraising for the Florida AIDS Walk at Nathans.
6 • 4.1.2021 NEWS NATIONAL ARKANSAS GOVERNOR TARGETS QUEER COMMUNITY WITH ANTI-LGBT BILLS
Kim Swan
n a matter of one week, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed two bills that remove Irights for LGBT people — making it easier to discriminate against them in sports and health care. On March 25, Hutchinson signed a law that bans transgender women and girls from competing in school sports teams consistent with their gender identity, according to Keloland. Medical and child-ware groups objected to the law, stating that it will have devastating impacts on trans youths, but Hutchinson ignored them. “This law simply says that female athletes Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Photo via Facebook. should not have to compete in a sport against a student of the male sex when the The other law Hutchinson signed on March sport is designed for women’s competition,” 26 grants doctors the option of refusing to treat Hutchinson said, according to Keloland. “As I a patient because of their religious or moral have stated previously, I agree with the intention objections, PBS NewsHour reports. This gives of this law. This will help promote and maintain doctors the power to turn away LGBT patients fairness in women’s sporting events.” if they so please. The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s “I support this right of conscience so largest LGBT rights groups, called Hutchinson’s long as emergency care is exempted and decision “an affront not just to the transgender conscience objection cannot be used to deny kids it is bound to hurt but to all Arkansans general health service to any class of people,” who will be impacted by its consequences,” Hutchinson said, according to PBS NewsHour. Keloland reported. “Most importantly, the federal laws that “Hutchinson is ignoring the ugly history of prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, states that have dared to pass anti-transgender sex, gender, and national origin continue to legislation in years past, and by doing so he apply to the delivery of health care services.” is exposing Arkansas to economic harm, The new law won’t take effect until late this expensive taxpayer-funded legal battles, and summer as well. a tarnished reputation,” President of the HRC “There is no sugarcoating this: this bill Alphonso David said in a statement. is another brazen attempt to make it easier If the law isn’t blocked by a legal challenge, it to discriminate against people and deny will take effect this summer. The law also states Arkansans the health care services they need,” that if a student suffers from “direct or indirect Dickson said, according to PBS NewsHour. harm,” they could take the school to court for Types of health care that could be cut off violating the ban, according to Keloland. include maintaining hormone treatments Arkansas’ law, if it isn’t blocked by a legal for transgender patients needing in-patient challenge, would take effect this summer. care for an infection, or grief counseling for Under the new law, a student or school who same-sex couples. The law could also be used suffers “direct or indirect harm” could take a to refuse to fill prescriptions for birth control, school to court for violating the ban. or by physicians’ assistants to override patient “This law is a discriminatory and shameful directives on end-of-life care, as reported by attempt by politicians to stigmatize and PBS NewsHour. exclude transgender teens,” American Civil The HRC created a YouTube video in Liberties Union of Arkansas Executive Director retaliation for the anti-trans law signed by Holly Dickson said in a statement. Hutchinson. Arkansas is one of three states without a “Trans kids are kids. They don’t deserve this hate crimes law. cruelty,” the video says.
4.1.2021 • 7 LGBTQIA BITES BY KENDALL LITTLE IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE G ... HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN THE LGBTQIA COMMUNITY Bisexual B P Pansexual MILEY CYRUS CELEBRATES 15 YEARS NEVADA LAWMAKER COMES OF ‘HANNAH MONTANA’ OUT AS PANSEXUAL
Fifteen years ago Miley Cyrus rose to fame Typically it wouldn’t be expected for a by playing Miley Stewart, a seemingly normal lawmaker to come out in a speech, but that’s teenage girl who lives a double life as pop exactly what Nevada Assemblymember star Hannah Montana. The show aired four Sarah Peters did. seasons before ending in 2011. Peters gave a floor speech to honor LGBT+ After the sitcom ended, Cyrus took up a Health Awareness Week and showed her more modern and edgy music career. She own personal connection to the week by ditched the good girl persona for a grunge, coming out as pansexual. rebellious lifestyle after releasing her album “Today, as a pansexual, cisgender woman, “Bangerz” in 2013. I stand out for equity and remind us to be For the 15-year anniversary of her inclusive in our LGBT+ community as we breakthrough role as Hannah Montana, Cyrus Miley Cyrus on her new album, “Plastic Hearts.” work to make Nevada a more equitable Sarah Peters. Photo via Twitter. posted a handwritten note to the character on place,” she said after discussing what health Instagram. ego,’ in reality there was a time when you held officials had been doing to make sure LGBT weird. Being bisexual and pansexual comes “Hi Hannah, it’s been a while. Fifteen years more of my identity in your glove than I did in healthcare was up to standard. with so much guilt and questioning. Am I queer to be exact,” she wrote. my bare hands,” she wrote. After the speech, Peters took to Twitter enough? Am I gay enough? What if I end up The letter goes on as Cyrus writes about her Throughout the letter, Cyrus shared how to express her feelings about the public’s heteronormative, am I straight? Y’all, we are all time playing the iconic character. she grew up while on set and will forever hold reaction to her coming out. enough and worth celebrating!” she said in her “Although you are considered to be an ‘alter Hannah Montana in her heart. “Being celebrated for my queerness is tweet.
8 • 4.1.2021 ind-2879-SFGN-3-AD01-v03-r01-MECH.pdf 1 3/14/21 6:24 PM
LGBTQIA BITES Keep your eyes on Transgender T South Florida TRANS WRESTLER DISCUSSES BEING Gay News FORCED TO COMPETE AS A GIRL
Mack Beggs started wrestling as an outlet after battling with self-harm. Now, he’s opening up about being forced to compete as a girl even C though he does not identify as one. M Beggs loved wrestling, but struggled every time he stepped foot on the mat because of who Y his opponent was. CM
“You have to wrestle against girls — but you MY really want to wrestle against guys,” he said in an interview with Yahoo! News. “You beat girls, CY but technically you are a girl, but technically CMY you’re not. It was a no-win situation.” K Beggs is now 21 years old and has had time to process what he went through and form opinions on bills surrounding transgender people. SFGN.com “I think it’s revolting and honestly appalling that they’re trying to pass all these bills at the Photo courtesy of Mack Beggs. same time,” he told Yahoo! News. “Sports are @SoFlaGayNews supposed to be an outlet for kids. The most Beggs hopes that things will change in important thing about sports is learning these the future so that no transgender athletes SouthFloridaGayNews life lessons and getting these tools in order to go have to go through what he went through. through life.”
4.1.2021 • 9 NEWS STATE WEEKLY TRACKING OF COVID-19 IN SOUTH FLORIDA
Sean McShee Full Charge Bookkeeping Services CUMULATIVE KNOWN COVID-19 CASES IN THREECumulative SOUTH Known FLORIDA COVID- 19COUNTIES: Cases in Three South Florida Counties: MARCHMarch 24 24 THROUGH through MARCHMarch 30 30
Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 cases from 3/24 to 3/30 Palm Beach 1.7%, Broward 2.0%, and Miami Dade 1.6%
437,452 438,704 439,970 441,275 442,337 443,207 444,487
211,231 211,935 213,158 213,880 209,748 210,462 212,641
131,235 129,029 129,478 129,904 130,358 130,727 130,904
3/24 3/25 3/26 3/27 3/28 3/29 3/30 Palm Beach Broward Miami-Dade Source Fl DOH Dashboard
Source: Florida DOH Dashboard.
CUMULATIVE KNOWN COVID-19 DEATHS IN THREECumulative SOUTH Known FLORIDACOVIDCOVID--1919 CasesDeaths COUNTIES: in in ThreeThreeMARCH SouthSouth 24 THROUGH Florida Florida Counties: Counties: MARCH 30 MarchMarch 2424 throughthrough March March 30 30
Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 deaths from 3/24 to 3/30 Percent Increase in cumulative COVID-19 cases from 3/24 to 3/30 PalmPalm Beach Beach 1.7%, 1.6%, Broward Broward 2.0%, 1.0%, and Miami and Miami Dade Dade1.6% 1.6%
437,452 438,704 439,970 441,275 442,337 443,207 444,487 5,751 5,767 5,792 5,797 5,814 5,815 5,845
211,935 210,462 211,2312,635 212,641 213,158 213,880 209,7482,603 2,626 2,635 2,635 2,644 2,645 2,609 2,614 2,614 2,623 2,624 2,629 2,634
131,235 129,029 129,478 129,904 130,358 130,727 130,904
3/243/24 3/253/25 3/263/26 3/273/27 3/283/28 3/293/29 3/303/30
Palm Beach Palm Beach BrowardBroward Miami DadeMiami-DadeSource Fl DOH Dashboard Source Fl DOH Dashboard Source: Florida DOH Dashboard.
10 • 4.1.2021 NEWS LOCAL TRAIN FOR THE WILTON MANORS RAINBOW RUN/WALK WITH COUCH TO 5K PROGRAM
Kendall Little
earning to run has never been easier or more accessible. L As the Rainbow 5K quickly approaches, race coordinator Sergey Voronkin wants Wilton Manors residents to know that QuickBooks Bookkeeping anyone can compete in the race. To prepare for the event, Voronkin is leading a training program called Couch to 5K. • Retail • A/R, A/P, Financials “It’s a program for members, for friends, for • Restaurant • Monthly Reconciliations anyone,” he said. “There are no requirements • Landscape • Quarterly Reviews to be a runner, in fact I encourage everyone • Professional Office • Payroll Services to join us.” • Individuals • Sales Tax Filings Voronkin believes that anyone can Doug Turner EA, CPB Best Books & Taxes, LLC complete a 5K, even if they have no running QuickBooks Advanced ProAdvisor 1881 NE 26th Street, Suite 202 experience. bestbooksandtaxes.com Wilton Manors, FL 33305 “We have people who have never run before Sergey Voronkin. Photo via Facebook. and people who ran many years ago,” he said. The program is seven weeks long, but 954-565-1041 Voronkin said that there is no cutoff date Next, participants should expect to learn for when people can join. Training began on about running methods. March 17, but participants can still sign up and “Running fast is actually not necessary at reap the benefits. all,” Voronkin said. “You’re not trying to catch People who want to participate in the someone or run from someone.” program can attend sessions twice a week: He explained that thinking you have to run Wednesdays and Sundays. fast is a common misconception. Even if you Due to COVID, only 10 people can gather at aren’t speedy, you can become a runner. a time. Voronkin said that it’s not Voronkin encourages necessarily a bad thing though. everyone to try this program, “I’ll be honest, I’m not “We have even if they think they’ll fail. comfortable with more than 10 “First of all, it’s free,” he said people because it’s not easy to people who with a chuckle. “Usually to get give your attention to everyone,” have never decent training, you’d have he said. to spend a decent amount of With a limited number of run before money. This is free and what participants, Voronkin knows could be better than free that he’ll be able to give everyone and people things?” special attention to make sure who ran many Even though it’s a short- they’re performing at their best. term program, participants can Participants can choose to years ago.” expect to get a lot out of it — wear a mask if they wish to. - Sergey Voronkin including finishing the Rainbow Voronkin assures that RACE COORDINATOR 5K this year. participants won’t start running “If you commit to this and marathons at their first session. do the training and do the “We’re going to be talking about some homework, I can assure you that you’ll finish really basic stuff,” he said. “We’ll start with the 5K,” Voronkin said. regular warm-ups.” The Rainbow 5K takes place on May 23, Warming up is the most important part of 2021 at 7:15 a.m. To sign up for the race, visit running according to Voronkin. the official race website. “It doesn’t take very long and gives us less The first 400 participants in the race will chances for injury,” he said. receive a free medal, t-shirt, and bag.
To sign up for the Couch to 5K program, visit www.FRWFL.org/couchto5k.
4.1.2021 • 11 NEWS INTERNATIONAL BY EVERITT ROSEN
AROUND EXPLORING LGBT NEWS EVENTS ACROSS THE WORLD THE GLOBE EUROPE ASIA
IRELAND’S FIRST SAME-SEX COUPLE TELEVISION CHANNEL IN BANGLADESH RECOGNIZED AS CO-PARENTS HIRES FIRST TRANS NEWS ANCHOR Two women from County Cork in Geraldine Rea and Niamh O’Sullivan. Photo via RTÉ, YouTube. Tashnuva Anan Shishir debuted Tashnuva Anan Shishir. Photo via Twitter. Ireland, Geraldine Rea and Niamh on Dhaka-based Boishakhi TV on O’Sullivan, have become the first same- International Women’s day. sex couple in Ireland to be legally Shishir, a transgender woman, has recognized as the co-parents of their previously worked as a human rights children. activist and an actress. On television, she Following the enactment of the last reads a three-minute news bulletin. sections of the Children and Family According to Euronews, after she Relationships Act 2015, a birth mother finished it, she burst into tears as her and her spouse are recognized as parents colleagues applauded and cheered. when a child is conceived through donor- Since 2013, Prime Minister Sheikh assisted human reproduction. Hasina’s government has permitted According to Irish Central, male same- trans people to register as a different sex couples and female couples who gender. In 2018, they were granted the travel overseas to fertility clinics aren’t freedom to vote. covered by the legislation. Though, this have a legal relationship from birth with Boishakhi TV stated that it wanted to could change in the Assisted Human their parents, with the ones who care for be a part of the changes and has hired Reproduction Bill, which is due to be them and love them on a daily basis,” a second trans person in its drama emotional, but I had in my mind that published later this year. said LGBT Ireland Chief Executive Paula department. I must overcome this ordeal, this final “It’s hugely important for children to Fagan to the Irish Central. “I was nervous, I was feeling so test,” Shishir told Euronews. AFRICA NORTH AMERICA
CAMEROON DENIES BAIL TO TRANS WOMEN CANADIAN EXPUNGEMENT LAW FACING HOMOSEXUALITY CHARGES CLEARS ONLY NINE LGBT RECORDS Two transgender women are facing Mildren Loic, also known as Shakiro. Photo via Facebook. Three years after the Canadian SFGN file photo. charges of “attempted homosexuality” government created a way for people in Cameroon. On Wednesday, a judge convicted of committing gay acts to have adjourned their case and sent them back their criminal records wiped clean, only to jail, denying them bail. nine people have benefited from it. According to Reuters, Mildren Loic, a According to iPolitics, this represents local social media celebrity, and Moute only 0.1% of the 9,000 people the bill Rolland were arrested for wearing was supposed to help. women’s clothes while eating in a Only 40 applications for expungement restaurant in Douala. have been received since June 2018. Two days later, they were taken to jail. The other 31 applications were rejected Loic and Rolland have pleaded not because the applicants didn’t meet guilty in the charges of public indecency the eligibility criteria of the law, which and not carrying identification. included applying to have convictions Human rights activists have reported wiped that aren’t included on the previously convicted of consensual a series of acts by Cameroonian officials expungement list. sexual activity with same-sex partners against the LGBT community this The bill was originally created as a will have their criminal records year and last, which culminated in the case will be heard April 5, and a guilty part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s permanently destroyed,” Trudeau said detention of scores of individuals. verdict can carry up to a five-year apology to LGBT Canadians. in his apology speech on November 28, Reuters states that Loic and Rolland’s sentence. “This will mean that Canadians 2017, according to iPolitics.
12 • 4.1.2021 NEWS INTERNATIONAL BY COREY ROSE
ACROSS COVERING LGBT NEWS SWEEPING THE COUNTRY THE NATION CALIFORNIA PENNSYLVANIA
LGBT MARCH AGAINST ANTI-ASIAN RACHEL LEVINE BECOMES FIRST TRANS RACISM DRAWS CROWDS FEDERAL OFFICIAL CONFIRMED BY US SENATE Hundreds of LGBT community San Francisco City Council Member James Coleman. Dr. Rachel Levine’s appointment as Dr. Rachel Levine. Photo credit: Penn State. members marched to Chinatown to Photo credit: @JamesColemanSSF, via Twitter. assistant secretary for health in the show solidarity and support for Asian Department of Health and Human communities. The protests were organized Services made history as she is the first in just under a few days by the Gay Asian and highest-ranking transgender federal Pacific Alliance (GAPA), the Alice B. Toklas official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. LGBTQ Democratic Club, and the Harvey Levine previously served as Milk Democratic Club, in response to the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, where eight people who were killed in Atlanta, her leadership in response to COVID-19 six of whom were Asian women. drew transphobic remarks from White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki lawmakers and local officials. In her first told reporters in a press briefing that the the event by acknowledging the pain welcome remarks as assistant secretary Biden administration partly attributes felt by LGBT members of the Asian on Friday, she made it clear that her the spike in hate crimes against Asian community. primary focus would be on bringing an Americans nationwide over the past “How are we going to transform our end to the pandemic. year to former President Donald Trump’s Asian community to fight back against “We are seeing the light at the end of and will serve on the Health Equity Task rhetoric, noting that it “has elevated Asian violence? I really think it’s a the tunnel, but it is not the time to let Force created by the Biden Administration threats against Asian Americans, and personal choice to just stand up and say down our guard,” Levine said. to make a range of recommendations to we’re seeing that around the country.” enough is enough,” Nguyen told Outward Levine also addressed the health inform the administration’s COVID-19 GAPA Chair Michael Nguyen opened Magazine. disparities highlighted by the coronavirus, response. MINNESOTA GEORGIA
SCHOOL DISTRICT SETTLES WITH OUT LAWMAKER ARRESTED AS TRANS STUDENT FOR 300K GOVERNOR SIGNS ELECTIONS BILL The Anoka-Hennepin School District Coon Rapids High School. Georgia State Capitol patrols arrested Georgia state Rep. Park Cannon. Photo via Facebook. will award $300,000 in the case of a Photo Credit: Joseph Wold, Wikimedia Commons. state Rep. Park Cannon outside Gov. Brian transgender student whom the district Kemp’s office door as he announced the targeted in 2016 while participating on signing of SB 202, a bill that introduces the boy’s swim team. dramatic changes to Georgia’s election When the school board relegated Nick system. Cannon is facing two felonies H. to a segregated locker room to prepare of obstructing law enforcement and for swim meets, he’d already been using disrupting a general assembly session the boy’s locker room with the rest of after repeatedly knocking on Kemp’s door his teammates for months. According to witness the signing. to Nick, the action by the district led to “I am not the first Georgian to be bullying and threats from his classmates. arrested for fighting voter suppression,” In addition to the payout, the district Kemp wrote in a tweet following her must recommit to affirming students release from jail. “I’d love to say I’m the of all gender identities, and training all last, but we know that isn’t true.” condemned Cannon’s arrest and the students, staff and board members on at my school,” Nick said in a statement Videos of Cannon’s arrest went viral passing of the bill. upcoming policy changes. released by the American Civil Liberties and sparked national outcry from those “This is Jim Crow in the 21st Century. “I never want any student to Union of Minnesota. “It means a lot to see who compared the incident to the It must end. We have a moral and experience the discrimination and the courts protect transgender students protests of last summer and the civil Constitutional obligation to act,” Biden cruelty I experienced from the adults like me.” rights movement. President Joe Biden released in a statement on Friday.
4.1.2021 • 13 NEWS INTERNATIONAL BY ELLIOT RODRIGUEZ
THE KEEP UP WITH THE CELEBRITIES IN OUR GAY VINE COMMUNITY MUSIC FILM SINNER! THE SQUAD RETURNS IS LIL NAS X A COPYCAT? HARLEY QUEEN IS BACK Accusations that Lil Nas X copied a The ever elegant, maniacal, and Lil Nas X. Image via YouTube. Photo via Warner Bros. certain scene from FKA twigs music colorful bisexual antihero is back and video “cellophane” has been going ready for some more action. Yes we are around ever since Lil Nas X dropped his talking about none other than Harley music video for his track “MONTERO.” Quinn. The scene that is getting all the The mallet-toting maniac is set to attention happens to be the stripper pole appear once again on the big screen in scene. In “MONTERO,” Lil Nas X is seen “The Suicide Squad.” descending a stripper pole that starts in Quinn, played by Margot Robbie, is heaven and leads to hell. set to take the mainstage with another According to Out.com, “There’s no big name, Idris Elba, who will play winning when this happens … Been Bloodsport. time on the big screen. copied before but this feels different. Lil Some fans have even taken it upon While these two are set to headline If the sequel is anything like the first, Nas X’s label contacted me [at the] end themselves to make side by side the flick, the roster for this movie is jam- then the box office grosses are going to of last year. Pivoted away then hired the comparisons and posted them on packed with colorful characters. look good. same choreographer from ‘Cellophane,’” Twitter. This Suicide Squad is taking place five Suicide Squad also performed well Photographer and Director Andrew While nothing has been mentioned by years after the launch of the first “Suicide at the box office, grossing 746.8 million Thomas Huang said in an Instagram Lil Nas X or his crew at the moment, fans Squad” movie, where the audience got to globally, against a $175 million production story. are left with no concrete answers. see Robbie portray Quinn for the first budget, according to Arstechnica. HISTORY TURING HEADS! GAY MAN TO BE FEATURED ON UK POUND Gay mathematician, cryptographer and of embracing all aspects of diversity, but also the biologist Alan Turing is the new face of United work we still need to do to become truly inclusive.” Kingdom’s 50 note. The new note sports Turing’s face on one side Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said, in red, while a quote he gave The Times in 1949, is “Turing is best known for his code breaking work placed at the bottom of his picture. It reads “This at Bletchley Park, which helped end the Second is only a foretaste of what is to come and only the World War. However … he was also gay, and was shadow of what is going to be.” treated appallingly as a result. By placing him on Turing was mistreated for being gay; his arrest our new polymer £50 banknote, we are celebrating would prevent him from cracking anymore codes his achievements, and the values he symbolizes,” for the British signals’ intelligence agency, Out. according to Out.com. com reported. Turing would later take his life via Turing was treated terribly for being gay. He cyanide capsule in 1954 when he was 41 years old. was treated so bad that he would be chemically “The choice of Alan Turing and the manner castrated after his arrest in 1952, Out.com reported. in which it was arrived at by public nomination Out.com noted that Government marks another step in our nation’s long overdue Communications Headquarters Director Jeremy recognition of this very great man,” actor and Fleming said, “His legacy is a reminder of the value writer Stephen Fry said in a Youtube video. The new Fifty Pound note. Image via the Bank of England.
14 • 4.1.2021 NEWS LOCAL POPULAR STORK’S BARISTA DIES OF LYMPHOMA
John Hayden
Photo via Stork’s, Facebook.
[email protected]•954-530-4970
ornings aren’t as bright these days at Stork’s Bakery & Coffee House, as the employees and regulars mourn the loss of Daniel Gonzalez. He passed Maway March 15 after a five-month battle with lymphoma (lymphatic cancer). Roger, his husband and partner of 19 years was at his side when he passed. He had been off work receiving chemotherapy since October.
Gonzalez had been the friendly face Gonzalez won Best Barista in SFGN’s helping people start their day since Best Of contest. When he first won joining Stork’s in 2013. Five or six days in 2019, Gonzalez told SFGN that the a week, he would show up at 5:15 a.m. job is “...about patience, listening, and to open the store and understanding.” He would greet his loyal customers work with customers to and new faces. GONZALEZ create special orders that Stork’s posted a tribute weren’t on the menu, and to Gonzalez on Facebook HAD BEEN said a kind word from saying he did more than THE FRIENDLY them such as “Daniel, pour coffee and make thank you, the sandwich sandwiches, he also FACE HELPING was great,” made it all became a friend to people PEOPLE START worthwhile. passing through the “Friendly, reliable, doors. THEIR DAY dependable, knew Stork’s “Through the years, SINCE JOINING products and kept the he built a rapport and line down! Eight years friendship with so many STORK’S IN of service at Stork’s with of our loyal patrons, 2013. smiles, speed and humor,” typically sharing stories Joe Grano commented on about his much-treasured Facebook. “Before that an annual vacation trips with Roger, as Argentine Attorney. His loss is so sad. well as their two beloved dogs,” the So young. My deepest condolences to company wrote. Roger for the loss of his dear, life-long His friendliness was matched companion. Let us keep them in our only by his skill. In 2019 and 2020, thoughts.”
4.1.2021 • 15 NEWS NATIONAL GOP USES TRANS GIRLS IN SPORTS AS THEIR NEW WEDGE ISSUE
“MAKING IT INTO A PROBLEM IS JUST TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION FOR A PROBLEM THAT DOESN’T EXIST.”
Steve Rothaus Special to SFGN
lorida’s Legislature is poised to ban transgender girls and women — kindergarten through college Fage — from competing throughout the state with cisgender female teammates.
“There is a real danger this will pass in Association (NCAA) each have policies to Florida,” said Gina Duncan, Equality Florida’s accommodate trans athletes, according to state director of Transgender Equality. WUSF Public Media, but “this bill would Companion bills are being “fast-tracked” preempt those policies in Florida.” through the Florida House and Senate, Tuesday afternoon, Equality Florida held Duncan said. a Tampa news conference against the bill “Both of these bills are attacking featuring the local stepfather of a 10-year-old transgender girl athletes, prohibiting them transgender girl. from the opportunity to play sports that align “My stepdaughter tried a few different with their gender identity,” she said. sports and she said ‘I want to try gymnastics.’ The Senate version (S2012), So we went to a very large Photo via Pixabay, edited by Brendon Lies. called by Republican sponsor gymnastics facility in the Tampa Kelli Stargel of Lakeland, Bay area, which I won’t call out, her. And they have taken care of her.” politics reporter Jeremy W. Peters. the “Promoting Equality of “NOT ONLY and we signed her up. We spent a He pleaded with the Legislature not to pass The National Institutes of Health in 2017 Athletic Opportunity Act,” IS THIS STUFF lot of money but this is what she the bill. “Not only is this stuff hurtful, but it’s estimated that one in every 250 adults, or would require “certain athletic wanted,” Martin McLellend said. harmful. It’s harmful. So I’m here advocating almost one million Americans, identify as teams or sports sponsored HURTFUL, “My wife and I had a for my stepdaughter and all the transgender transgender. by certain educational BUT IT’S conversation of ‘Do we talk to youth that might be out there. And we just ask Dr. Dana Beyer of Chevy Chase, Maryland, institutions be designated on the owners and tell them that you to consider dropping this bill to protect a retired ophthalmic surgeon and longtime the basis of students’ biological HARMFUL. she’s transgender?’ Ultimately, our youth and let them play.” trans activist, makes clear that “the most sex” and prohibit “athletic IT’S we decided that we would,” The proposed Florida ban is among more important point about this [conservative teams or sports designated for McLellend said. “The owner, after than 80 anti-transgender bills introduced political movement] is that trans people in female students from being HARMFUL.” talking with my wife, said, ‘She in state legislatures since Joe Biden became sports are not a problem.” open to male students.” - Martin McLellend will never compete.’ That was president, according to the Washington- “Making it into a problem is just trying to The House version (H1475), PARENT his comeback. ‘She will never based Human Rights Campaign. find a solution for a problem that doesn’t co-sponsored by seven compete.’ And my wife said, ‘Well, “This is an orchestrated national effort exist,” said Beyer, a national board member Republicans, goes further, is she welcome here?’ He said he to marginalize transgender athletes,” said of A Wider Bridge, a North American “requiring the school or institution to request needed to talk to his wife and think about it. Duncan, who has two adult children. organization that seeks to expand LGBT a certain health examination and consent And they went over it and the next day he On Monday, The New York Times published inclusion in Israel. “The vast majority of form or other statement from the student’s called my wife back and they refunded all of a front-page story titled “Transgender Girls in people who play sports are doing it to have health care provider to verify the student’s our money. And they washed their hands of Sports Are New G.O.P. Culture War.” fun.” biological sex under certain circumstances.” it.” “It has been brought about by a coordinated Beyer, part of a Washington Psychiatric Duncan explained: “The onus on the Tearfully, McLellend continued: and poll-tested campaign by social Society team that in 2012 convinced the transgender athlete is to go through a number “And so we have to explain to our conservative organizations like the American American Psychiatric Association to of review boards and committees to ensure transgender daughter that she can’t compete. Principles Project and Concerned Women for declassify being transgender as a mental they meet all the standards set forth by the She can’t be a part of a sports group because America, which say they are determined to disorder, believes it’s relatively easy for far- Florida High School Athletic Association.” she’s considered different than everybody move forward with what may be one of their right conservatives to seize the sports issue The Florida High School Athletic else. Thankfully, she has an awesome school last footholds in the fight against expanding because so many people still know so little Association and National Collegiate Athletic and awesome teachers who have embraced L.G.B.T.Q. rights,” wrote Times national about being trans.
16 • 4.1.2021 NEWS NATIONAL
male puberty, and now you’re a sophomore train. That’s why they work so hard. That’s in high school or a junior in high school, you why they are trying to be their best,” she said. can’t simply say ‘I’m a girl and I want to play “Now the question is, ‘Is their advantage on the girls’ team.’ You have to play by the disqualifying?’ What the research so far shows rules … You are at a physiological advantage is that yes, so far, there was a big difference for and you should not compete. It’s unfair. an athlete who is not on any kind of medical “I believe, and people can intervention and an athlete argue with me, I believe we who is. I can tell you from are where we are today as far just trying to carry a box or as acceptance goes in this opening a jar of pickles, I am country because we always not the person I was when I tried to be fair. I think gay started hormones 11 years people are where they are ago. My body has changed. The Florida State Legislature. SFGN file photo. because they always try to be My body is not the same as fair. Remember, we always it was, and I don’t have the used to say, ‘We don’t want same body fat or strength “Trans people have the brain sex of one sex are far better athletes than I’ve ever been. “THE PROBLEM IS special rights. We want equal that I did when I was living, and the genital sex of the other. That’s what And it makes sense. Because when I hear the THAT THIS IS NOT rights.’ Equal rights means we pretending to be a man.” distinguishes them. That’s what it comes opposition talk about ‘Well, if you go through should not be able to take this DIRECTED AT TRANS Ennis, the widowed mom down to. The problem in our society is that male puberty, you have male bone structure, innate biological advantage of three children in their people equate sex and gender with genitals. male bone density and all that, and then you MEN, IT’S DIRECTED and use it to win a sports mid-teens and early 20s, That’s always been the issue. It is still the have the muscular structure which is on these competition.” AT TRANS WOMEN said that like most parents, issue. I think we’ve made progress by having larger bones, which gives you more leverage, A physical advantage, AND TRANS GIRLS she wants her kids “to win people say trans women are women, trans etc.’ — building up muscle and then losing it however, shouldn’t be used everything.” men are men,” Beyer said. puts you at a disadvantage.” BECAUSE THEY’RE to keep some trans kids “But I also have been “Unfortunately, many people either haven’t Beyer, who has two adult sons, said she from participating in school PERCEIVED TO BE telling them since they been educated or are willfully ignorant — or knows this from personal experience. athletics, said Dawn Ennis, were very little that life is because of their own sexual desires — don’t “I used to run marathons before I blew out BOYS AND MEN, AND managing editor of Outsports. not fair and sometimes see it that way. And I know a lot of gay men for my knees. I ran marathons under the effects com. THEY ARE PERCEIVED you lose. And by losing, we whom being gay is really only about penises, of testosterone, and then I transitioned and “Do you remember in TO BE REJECTING learn something. We gain and they don’t really want to hear about kept running marathons. My time dropped the Olympics, were there something.” anything else, which is sort of unfortunate,” by 30 minutes just by doing that,” she said. “I THE ALMIGHTY MALE men complaining that She is outraged that trans she said. could feel the difference. It was a huge struggle Michael Phelps had an unfair FIGURE.” people, especially children, The move to ban trans girls and women because when you’ve been on estrogen for advantage because of an have become political pawns from school athletics is based on the a year — worse at two years, worse even at - Dawn Ennis incredible wingspan? Because of the latest Republican premise that they have an unfair competitive three years — your muscle mass decreases MANAGING EDITOR OF of incredible skill in the pool? OUTSPORTS.COM culture war. advantage over cisgender girls and women. and your fat redistributes, so the leveraging Nobody complained and “This is just a bogeyman “In some respects, if you talk to the athletes of your larger, denser bones loses its impact.” said it was unfair or that he that they set up to rile up themselves, they’ll tell you they believe they It’s important to talk about the trans should be in a separate lane or a separate their base, to win elections and to have are in worse shape than they would have been experience and clear up cis people’s competition,” said Ennis, a trans woman and someone to hate.” had they just been cis girls from the get-go,” misconceptions, Beyer said. longtime mainstream journalist. Ennis said young trans athletes are “not according to Beyer. “When I transitioned, I said to my parents, “What about Elena Delle Donne? She’s transitioning to win” in high school and “That doesn’t get said enough. I’ve had ‘Do you have any questions?’ And my father’s a WNBA player. She’s very tall. She’s quite college sports. that experience — and many others who question was, ‘Well, are you still a doctor?’ “I told him, ‘I haven’t had brain surgery, Dad, muscular. But nobody puts her in a separate “They’re not transitioning to beat girls or and I’ve even gotten my diploma changed to category. Usain Bolt runs faster than almost because they’re bad at being a boy or because my new name so we’re good there.’ anyone on the planet, but no one’s saying, they’re inferior and they want to be superior,” “He’s a very smart guy. After I said that to ‘Well, it’s not fair for him to compete.’ The Ennis said. “This is about sports as a human him, he laughed. But this was something that problem is it’s misogyny,” Ennis said. “The right. This is about teamwork. Being your true was emotional to him, right? And he didn’t problem is that this is not directed at trans self, giving everything you have, to do the best know because he hadn’t done any research on men, it’s directed at trans women and trans you can. this. So it was a reasonable question.” girls because they’re perceived to be boys and “I’m no athlete,” she continued. “I was a Beyer acknowledges she runs “counter to men, and they are perceived to be rejecting terrible, uncoordinated athlete as a child. But the ‘official dogma’ of the trans community, the almighty male figure.” I tried. I gave it my 100% best effort, and that’s which is that sports is a human right and Ennis said the issue of physical advantage what we are asking all the parents, and all the everybody should be able to participate, and has been turned upside down. “Anybody who sports associations to allow trans athletes trans women are women, therefore they can doesn’t think that advantage is an important to do: Let them compete to the best of their participate on the girls’ team.” part of sports doesn’t understand sports.” ability. Putting trans girls in a boys league or “I don’t accept that 100%. I believe that if “Every team, every competitor, every in a boys competition is ridiculous. It doesn’t you’ve undergone puberty blockers and then athlete wants an advantage over someone make any sense because they’re not boys.” cross-sex hormones, then yes, there’s no else so that they can win. That’s why they question you are physiologically identical to the CIS girls. That should be a no brainer.” Journalist Steve Rothaus covered LGBT issues for 22 years at the Miami Herald. But she adds: “If you’ve gone through a Dr. Dana Beyer, a retired ophthalmic surgeon and longtime trans activist. Submitted photo.
4.1.2021 • 17 NEWS LOCAL WORLD AIDS MUSEUM TO SCREEN DOCUMENTARY ON FAMILIES IMPACTED BY AIDS
Everitt Rosen
he World AIDS Museum and Educational Center will be hosting a VIP Tbenefit reception with photojournalist Smiley Pool at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale on April 7 at 5:30 p.m. This is the only South Florida showing of “Through the White Door,” a documentary photo project that portrays the interconnected human experience of families that have been affected by HIV/AIDS. This project began with a life changing photo assignment in Romania for the Houston Chronicle. 1996 in Bucharest, Romania. “It’s one thing to see pictures of kids living Credit: Smiley Pool. in sewers. It’s another thing to crawl through darkness with them to get to their little nest, disparities between children born with HIV where they let you take pictures of their in a fortunate country like the U.S. versus baby,” Pool said. “You can look at pictures of children elsewhere. homeless kids in the snow, but the full impact The project ended up becoming an of their reality pierces your heart when you oversized hardcover book with 212 pages of stand there and feel the cold.” his photography. Pool’s wife, Jessica Johns Two newspaper stories stemmed from this Pool, is a writer specializing in health care, trip in the 1990s and the rest of Pool’s work and she wrote the text for the book. “Through on the documentary was completed on his the White Door” is their way of sharing the vacation time over the span of 20 years. inspirational stories of the people they have One of these articles, Worlds Apart, became met along their way. a calling of his, which was to document the Pool also documented the formation and the rise of the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative, which is now the largest provider of care and treatment for HIV positive children in the world. “After over two decades following this story, here’s what I know: We can all make a difference,” Pool wrote on his website. “It might be in a way you never expected. It might be in an arena you never explored before now. Or, you might have been preparing for it all “AFTER OVER TWO your life and never knew it. But when your chance to make a difference lands in your lap, DECADES FOLLOWING I hope you’ll grab on.” THIS STORY, HERE’S WHAT At the reception, guests will have a change to meet and speak with Pool and autographs I KNOW: WE CAN ALL will be available for purchase. All of the proceeds from this event will benefit the MAKE A DIFFERENCE.” World AIDS Museum and Educational Center. Tickets to this event are $25 and attendants - Smiley Pool will be required to wear a mask and practice PHOTOJOURNALIST safe social distancing. There will be a limit of 100 guests.
“Through the White Door” will be on exhibit at the World AIDS Museum and Educational Center from April 8 - 30. For more information about the “Through the White Door” photo exhibit, call 954-390-0550 or visit worldaidsmuseum.org.
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* SFGN could not confirm the spelling of Niko Gianopoulos’s name.
4.1.2021 • 19 COLUMN LETTERS TO THE EDITOR STOP GASLIGHTING US ON CORAL RIDGE’S LONG HISTORY OF HATE
The Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. Photo via crpc.org.
In Neil Burmeister’s recent letter (We Forgave President Obama. Isn’t it Time to Forgive Coral Ridge?) to SFGN he attempts to gaslight the readers of SFGN and it begs a response. While it is true that since the ‘90s the LGBT community has overwhelmingly supported Democratic presidential candidates Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden despite some of their past equivocations on full LGBT equality, we did so with a clear understanding that the Republican candidates were always far worse. Some were openly hostile towards us in their campaigns. In the 2004 election against Kerry, George W. Bush touted his support for permanently banning gay marriages in the constitution. Many in our community were upset when Ellen DeGeneres defended her apparent friendship with Bush, not because we don’t believe in the power of forgiveness, but because Bush never apologized, nor did Ellen ever acknowledge the despair Bush inflicted on our people. Which brings me to Burmeister’s main point: defending Fort Lauderdale’s gay mayor Dean Trantalis from attacks over his March 16 proclamation honoring the historically anti-LGBT Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. Burmeister refers to the anti-LGBT work done on the Coral Ridge campus as just “different ideas.” He says, “We will never agree with every policy or opinion of every group.” It saddens me to see a gay man who thinks so little of his own humanity, that he regards promoting bans on gay adoptions and shaming LGBT youth as mere “differences of opinion.” How many suicides, how many families torn apart, how many hate crimes, how much mind-numbing drug and alcohol abuse, how much anger and desperation...can be traced to Coral Ridge ministry’s set of beliefs that teach LGBTs pose a dire threat to families, Christianity, and society itself? Mayor Trantalis, Mr. Burmeister and Coral Ridge Pastor Pacienza, questioning the decency, humanity and equality of LGBT people and families in 2021 is not a benign set of beliefs. It is an ugly manifestation of hate. And whether a mayor is gay or straight, to suggest that it’s time the LGBT community “let go of resentment” towards a church with this history of atrocities against LGBT youth and adults, while they show no hint of contrition or a behavioral shift, is insulting and disrespectful to all LGBT people and allies.
Marc Paige Fort Lauderdale
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! Submit your own letter to [email protected]
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4.1.2021 • 21 CONVICTIONS Mombian A SPORTING CHANCE Conservatives are using fear to try to divide LGBT allies. We cannot let them. Trans women are women. Period.
Photo via PxHere. Dana Rudolph
hen the Equality Act, a sweeping though, and have almost always competed piece of LGBT civil rights legislation, against opponents who are taller and heavier, Whad a Senate hearing on March 17, in both fencing and taekwondo. I have opponents made clear they are trying to use competed in both sports against cisgender fear of transgender people as a way to defeat women and men (mostly women, but the bill. We must not let them do that — occasionally in mixed-gender tournaments); and we must act against the dozens of anti- some of the women were 6’ tall; some of the transgender bills now in state legislatures. men were 5’6″ or under, and vice versa. I was The Equality Act would provide explicit good but not exceptional, and I’ve won and protections to ensure that all LGBT people lost regardless of gender, height, or weight. and all women are treated equally under When I lost, I sucked it up and trained harder. the law, including in foster care and Tell me I’d lose just because an opponent was adoption services, public accommodations, bigger or stronger and my instinct was to employment, housing, and many other areas. prove you wrong. Opponents, however, are stirring up old Yes, height and weight can be an advantage fears about transgender girls in some sports, but they can and women in sports and in also be a disadvantage — and female-only bathrooms and TELL ME I’D LOSE one learns to use what one locker rooms, trying to make has. (In fencing, my shorter this a wedge issue to divide JUST BECAUSE arms gave me an advantage at non-LGBT feminists, the LGB AN OPPONENT close quarters.) And in sports to have considered suicide in the past year reserved for that gender. I’m not a lawyer, community, and the trans where weight really matters, than students in states with no guidance.” but I can’t imagine that any court would community from each other. WAS BIGGER OR like wrestling, there are weight Policies that deny trans students the right support anyone with such a claim. There are Opponents argued categories. to play on the team of their gender may already ways to assess that a person’s gender during the Senate hearing STRONGER AND Then there are the middle- purport to be helping children (by which, identity is genuine; health care professionals that extending equality to school sports leagues in which read cisgender ones) but are really saying that often use the metrics “consistent, insistent, transgender women and girls MY INSTINCT some kids have hit their growth transgender lives don’t matter. and persistent” to evaluate whether a child will destroy women’s sports. WAS TO PROVE spurts already and others We also need to remember that sometimes is trans or nonbinary. Cisgender men who It’s awful but not surprising haven’t, and the size/weight a transgender girl will win, and that’s OK. dress up as or speciously claim to be women that are also now bills in 24 YOU WRONG. discrepancy among athletes Maybe she trained harder or simply has a in order to access women’s-only spaces would states that would ban trans is vast, even within a single natural talent for the sport. That doesn’t mean not be protected under the Equality Act. girls from competing in girls’ gender. Do we tell the smaller that all trans girls have an unfair advantage. Rigid and archaic ideas of sex and gender sports in public high schools, according kids they can’t play, or make the smaller boys Sometimes a cisgender girl who is much have long underlain opposition to LGBT to the ACLU — but the bills’ sponsors are compete on the girls’ teams? No. The point is bigger will also win over smaller opponents. equality. That same mindset is now being hard-pressed to cite any examples of their to give all kids the opportunity to enjoy the If we can accept the latter without breaking used to attack transgender people at both the participation causing problems, as David many benefits of sport with their peers, which all sports into height/weight categories, then federal and state levels. To give in to it is to Crary and Lindsay Whitehurst pointed out in usually means with others of their gender. we should accept the former. concede that the anti-LGBT forces were right an AP article on March 3. For young athletes in particular, sports are The other red herring from those opposed all along. That’s not good for transgender As a former NCAA athlete, I’ll say this: as much about the social aspects as about the to the Equality Act, as we saw during the people, particularly trans children, or for trans girls are girls. Trans women are women. competitive ones. As Stella Keating, a 16-year- Senate hearing, is that they say they’re not the LGBT community as a whole. Let’s show Letting them play on girls’/women’s teams old trans girl, testified at the Senate hearing, really against LGBT equality, but are afraid everyone what being part of a team is really all won’t mark the end of women’s sports, but the majority of trans youth who join sports that anyone can simply claim to be a particular about, and work together to defeat anti-trans will mark the beginning of women’s sports “just want to hang out with their friends.” gender and suddenly get access to spaces legislation and support the Equality Act. being open to all women. That’s something to A recent paper from the Center for be celebrated. American Progress noted, too, “Transgender I’m a cisgender woman and stand 5’0”. I’m students in states with fully inclusive athletic Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (mombian.com), not too hefty. I’ve been an athlete all my life, policies were 14 percentage points less likely a GLAAD Media Award-winning blog and resource directory, with a searchable database of 600+ LGBTQ family books, media, and more.
22 • 4.1.2021 DUE TO COVID-19, CLERGY ASK THAT YOU STAY We continue building a safe and supportive community Find new friends, maybe a new partner SAFE AT HOME. PLEASE WATCH SERVICES ON ☼ Celebrate with those who celebrate you FACEBOOK AND/OR ONLINE. FIND DETAILS ON ! Experience a Judaism that brings you joy HOW TO WATCH ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGES AND WEBSITES. THANK YOU AND BE WELL! Shabbat Service Friday 8pm on our YouTube channel Congregation Etz Chaim 2038 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, on the Pride Center campus www.EtzChaimFlorida.org / RSVP HERE: [email protected]
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4.1.2021 • 23 LIFESTYLE TWO GUYS AND A DOG THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS Grocery carts, dog poop, and doing the right thing
Brian McNaught
ur nephew, and his fiancée, judge the kindness and character of a person, based upon whether they return their empty grocery cart to Othe store/assigned area, or leave it sitting in the middle of the parking lot. I was impressed that two 30-year-olds created their own criteria to observe and discuss the benevolence of others. “The Grocery Cart Test.”
“What’s the kindest thing you’ve ever forty-seven years. When I began my work done?” my friend, Alan, asked me over coffee as an educator on lesbian, gay, bisexual, at Stork’s, as I discussed with him an idea for transgender, and queer issues, we just called a new book. it “gay issues,” and most straight people had My mind immediately went to the most never met an openly gay person. I now realize amount of money I had spent on another that I had a lot going for me, including sełf- person, but that was more about generosity, esteem, self-confidence, shared faith and although kindness was involved. values, an outgoing personality, a significant Probably the best example of true kindness knowledge of sexuality and religious beliefs, would be picking up someone else’s dog and a good sense of humor. I was articulate Photo via PxHere. poop in the dark, with no expectation and not unattractive. But, my most effective of acknowledgement. True tool, I believe, was my kindness. True kindness involves thoughtfulness and a community, keep adding letters to the kindness, for me, is doing the Most of us are disarmed by generosity, without expectation of reward, acronym of our public identity impresses me. right thing when I don’t feel like TRUE the kindness of others. It’s the or acknowledgement. It can be kind to open Gay men in leadership positions were very doing it. My friend’s favorite bridge that allows people to the door for the stranger coming your way, quick to affirm that lesbians needed their memory of kindness was driving KINDNESS, cross over their fears of the or from behind you, or it can be a set-up for own designation, and that the “L” needed teenage strangers three hours FOR ME, IS unknown. resentment and hostility. If we feel obliged to precede the “G” to better highlight the to their destination because he What is kindness? Is it innate to be kind, as happens with some cultures, importance of feminist issues. Both the “G”s overheard them saying they DOING THE or learned? Why are some the courtesy they show can feel hollow, and and the “L”s embraced bisexuality as an missed their train, and didn’t RIGHT THING siblings kinder than others? Are even hypocritical. So, kindness needs to be important distinction, so the “B” was added, have money to stay overnight. some groups of people more genuine, from the heart, and without ulterior and though the basis of discrimination “Did you enjoy it?” I asked. He WHEN I likely to be kind, women over motive. seemed different, the plight of transgender smiled, and said, “Yes.” I believe DON’T men, gay over straight, American As a group, I find lesbian, gay, bisexual, people, more often straight than gay, was kindness is its own reward. Even over British? My friend at Stork’s transgender, and queer people to be kind, brought into the fold with the addition of the in bagging someone else’s dog FEEL LIKE thought that people who are and my expectation is that they will be. letter “T.” poop, I feel good knowing no DOING IT. secure in themselves are more I coincidentally received this morning a People in my Baby Boomer generation one will accidentally step in it. likely to be kind, which makes Facebook message from an Italian friend grew up with the word “queer” being the I like the feeling of making life sense, but isn’t the opposite that read, “‘Dear Gay Men, please stop being most commonly used put-down for being better for others. There are abundant ways possible too? Aren’t some insecure people so much kinder, funnier, and more attractive homosexual. We were terrified of being to do so daily, including saying “please” and super kind in the hope of being accepted and than straight men. It’s depressing.’ Signed, labeled as such, but when young gay people “thank you,” not honking, wishing strangers esteemed? ‘All Single Women.’” So, it’s not just me who said they preferred the term “queer,” the “happy birthday,” checking in on a friend, I choose my friends by their kindness. suspects that the kindest boys in grade school leaders of our community added the “Q” dropping off canned goods at a food pantry, If I witness someone being rude or were closeted gay kíds. to the mix. It’s kindness, not political picking up litter, etc. Our next door neighbor condescending to service personnel, gossipy The flip side of that is the hurt of my unmet expediency, that motivates these efforts. The blows off our driveway when Ray and I are about others, dismissive of pets and children, expectations. I’m often very disappointed addition of the “T” to legislation in Congress in bed at night. We bring each other soup, or litterbugs, they aren’t people I want in by the lack of empathy, understanding, and is what has held up protections for gay people cupcakes, and cookies. my life. My first live-in boyfriend was an benevolence found in some members of my against discrimination in employment and Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the Episcopal priest, so I assumed he was kind- community. I am embarrassed by the bad housing. The empathy-based principles of components of my success in creating allies hearted, but I left him because he was a bully; behavior of some LGBT people, especially our community’s leadership please me greatly. out of heterosexual people over the past emotionally abusive to me and to others. of some gay men. But, the fact that we, as It would be unkind of me not to include
THERE’S MORE CAN’T WE JUST FLY BOTH FLAGS? •A LETTER TO THE EDITOR BY LANDON (LJ) WOOLSTON ONLINE! Read SFGN.com to find out more.
24 • 4.1.2021 LIFESTYLE TWO GUYS AND A DOG Fifteen Years Serving the CommUNITY mention of the “Q” for those in the process grocery cart in the middle of the parking space of questioning their sexual attractions and that we’re trying to enter, we can immediately gender identity, the “I” for Intersex, the “A” for get angry at the selfish person who we imagine asexual, and the whole issue of people who left it there, or we can accept the possibility are non-binary or gender-queer. It would also that the cart is there because the mother be unkind of me not to say that the coupling of three small children who unloaded her of all of these issues of sexual orientation, groceries and her family into the car, placed gender identity, gender expression, and it safely out of the way, and it rolled out after • PHOTO FACIALS biological sex overwhelm heterosexual, cis- she drove off. I can pick up someone else’s dog • LASER SKIN REJUVENATION gender people, as well as many who are gay, poop with indignation, or I can allow for the • LASER HAIR REMOVAL bisexual, and transgender. possibility that the dog owner was mortified • BOTOX® / DYSPORT® Being aware of that confusion, not hostility, to realize that for the first time ever, they left • SCULPTRA® and acknowledging it out loud, is what home without a plastic bag. • RADIESSE® /RESTYLANE® / helped me be successful as an educator on That happened to me the other night. I JUVEDERM® / VOLUMA® / KYBELLA LGBTQQIA issues was about to beat myself up for leaving home • PLASMA PEN SKIN TIGHTENING Being kind requires patience with oneself without a poop bag. Instead, with kindness • PRP HAIR RESTORATION and with others. It requires love for oneself to myself, I breathed slowly and deeply, Follow us on INSTAGRAM and for others. It helps if you genuinely like forgave myself, and used my handkerchief @SILKLASERAESTHETICS other human beings, unlike the “Peanuts” to clean up after Lincoln. In answer to my for current promos character, Lucy, who loves mankind but friend’s question, maybe my greatest act of FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM doesn’t like people. kindness has been to laugh with myself at my to fi nd out about April’s Instagram In this fractured, uncivil culture of ours, imperfections. Doing so makes it easier for Giveaway of a syringe of Restylane kindness requires forgiveness, as well as the me to build bridges to the imperfections of Defyne for either chin enhancement or benefit of the doubt. When we find the empty others. smile lines treatment ($675 value)
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4.1.2021 • 25 CONVICTIONS Mark My Words ‘RELIGIOUS FREEDOM’ IS NOT ABOUT RELIGION. IT’S ABOUT MONEY Mark Segal Publisher of Philadelphia Gay News
ere’s a secret that has stopped the Equality Act in its tracks in the U.S. Senate. The Republicans and Hreligious leaders have framed the subject as one of “religious freedom,” and have won that debate since our lobbyists aren’t addressing it as it should be: religious institutions wanting special rights to discriminate. And let’s not forget the boogieman/women they use is our trans community. But why, you might wonder, does the religious right put up so much of a fight against the Equality Act?
The little dirty secret, the reason churches don’t Photo via Pixabay. like the Equality Act is that it will shine a light on their finances, and what they use our tax dollars for. Simply Among the religious charities include community receives tax dollars. But the religious organizations put: they are afraid it will take money out of their centers, adoption agencies, child services, food don’t care about fairness. What they want is special coffers. pantries, and even counseling services that support treatment. The Equality Act has the support of conversion therapy. And let’s not forget There is a case before the Supreme Court right now, many of the Fortune 500, unions, civil The Boy Scouts, who refused to have Fulton vs City of Philadelphia. It’s about Catholic Social rights organizations, and human rights gay members. Many Boy Scout Troops Services that will not place foster children with LGBT groups. So what’s the hold-up? Religious HOW MANY were involved with the church. couples. They receive government funding. Since the organizations, primarily the Catholic The Equality Act will ensure that Equality Act would add sexual orientation and gender Church, Mormons and Evangelicals, SMALL MOM these organizations, the community identity to that list of non-discrimination (you know, are putting up a lobbying and publicity centers, adoption agencies, and so race, creed. religion, etc.), CSS would not be allowed to campaign against its passage under the AND POP on, do not discriminate. How much is discriminate against LGBT couples if the Equality Act guise of “religious freedom.” That is a red SHOPS LOST that worth? With the latest Paycheck passes. herring. However, organizations such Protection Program, which is supposed Ultimately, we’ve seen this play by the Catholic as HRC have not called them out with a OUT ON to support business, the Catholic church Church before. The Church wants to continue to spread coherent message. and its diocese received somewhere discrimination, but more importantly, they want to The Equality Act does not have any PPP SO THE between 1.4 billion and 3 billion dollars. do so using our tax dollars. At one point in time, they enforcement in religious practices. None of That’s billions with a B, according to the did the same to Black people and inter-racial couples, those freedom-claiming institutions would CHURCH Associated Press. They received this using the bible and “religious freedom” as the reason. be forced to marry same-sex couples. COULD FILL money even though they had 10 billion That happened until the 1964 Civil Rights Act … which Preaching against LGBT people would still dollars in reserve. How many small is where the Equality act will be included. be allowed. They would still be able to use ITS POCKETS? mom and pop shops lost out on PPP so Folks, it’s all about money. the bible, or other religious texts, as they the church could fill its pockets? HRC, which is doing most of the heavy lifting on the please without changes. So let’s put this in short form: if the Equality Act, has to change its passive approach. It is Here’s what they are frightened of, and what they Equality Act is passed, religious organizations will not not working. They need to get the truth out there and won’t be able to do. Many of the religious organizations have to make any changes in their churches, but the start the dialogue about the dirty secret of religious have a good scheme going. The Catholic church, as other organizations they have which receive tax dollars freedom. They need to change the debate and shine well as others, have “charity organizations” which would not be allowed to discriminate. This is fair. This a light on what the religious organizations don’t want bring in big bucks: your tax dollars. Many are funded is just like any other organization or corporation that publicized: their finances. completely by taxes. To put it another way, many are funded by you, even though you don’t have a choice. The religious right uses their funding to discriminate Mark Segal is an American journalist. He is the founder and publisher of Philadelphia Gay News and against the very people who fund them. They even pay has won numerous journalism awards for his column “Mark My Words,” including best column by The for lawyers to lobby against the legislation such as the National Newspaper Association, Suburban Newspaper Association and The Society of Professional Equality Act. Journalists.
26 • 4.1.2021 ind-2879-SFGN-3-AD02-v04-r01-MECH.pdf 1 3/15/21 10:16 AM
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4.1.2021 • 27 LIFESTYLE FOOD THAT’S PHAT WITH A P-H Rick Karlin
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4.1.2021 • 29 A&E FILM JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHTS LGBT FEATURES, PREMIERES
J.W. Arnold
ike many other festivals across the country, the Miami Jewish Film Festival L(MJFF), April 14 – 29, has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with a hybrid mix of streaming and outdoor events. The largest Jewish film festival in the world, MJFF is offering a record-breaking 140 films, including 100 features, eight world premieres and over 20 North American premieres, and 45 short films representing 25 countries, 39 first-time feature filmmakers and an unprecedented 47 films directed by “Summer of ’85” by director François Ozon is one women. of the LGBT-themed features being screened by the Drive-in and outdoor screenings are Miami Jewish Film Festival. Credit: Music Box Films. planned for locations in Wynwood and North Miami Beach, while all virtual screenings will “MARRY ME HOWEVER” be available for streaming within the state of MORDECHAI VARDI, DIRECTOR Florida. ISRAEL | 63 MIN. | 2020 The 24th anniversary festival is also HEBREW WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES serving up seven LGBT-themed features and shorts and all films will be free. Among the This documentary explores the lives of Orthodox-Jewish LGBT LGBT films are: Israelis who choose to marry heterosexuals in order to create a family and comply with their own and their communities’ “SUMMER OF ‘85” expectations. Some shared their secret with their partners, some FRANÇOIS OZON, DIRECTOR kept it hidden, and some lied even to themselves. After their FRANCE | 100 MIN. | 2020 divorces, they confront the conflicts they repressed. FRENCH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES “SURVIVING THE SILENCE” Set in scenic coastal France in 1985, François Ozon explores CINDY L. ABEL, DIRECTOR the nostalgia-shaded, morosely romantic viewpoint of 16-year- U.S.A. | 79 MIN. | 2020 old Alexis. Unsure whether to pursue his literary aspirations in ENGLISH school or get a job to appease his blue-collar dad, Alexis is desperate for affection when he is swept into the inner circle of Years before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Col. Patsy Thompson an older, charming, Jewish stranger. Soon the boys’ flirtatious presided over the board that dismissed Col. Margarethe friendship blossoms into something much more. Cammermeyer for being a lesbian. Thompson was forced to confront her own secret and moral dilemma: she, too, was a “KISS ME KOSHER” lesbian. While Cammermeyer’s memoir was adapted as a 1995 SHIREL PELEG, DIRECTOR television movie produced by Barbra Streisand, Thompson’s GERMANY – ISRAEL | 101 MIN. | 2020 story remained a secret — until now. HEBREW, ENGLISH, GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES Organizers promise the virtual screenings Sparks fly when two families from wildly different cultural and talkback sessions will “give storytellers backgrounds plan a same-sex wedding in this screwball and audiences alike the opportunity to come romantic comedy. After a string of not-too-serious ex-girlfriends, together, experience artists’ new work, Shira has finally found real love with Maria, a German who has connect with one another, and participate in moved just to be with Shira in Tel Aviv. The two women plan to more than 70 conversations with filmmakers, marry, eventually. When Shira’s family inadvertently discovers stars, and scholars from around the world.” the engagement, wedding plans kick into high gear.
All Miami Jewish Film Festival films will be available to stream online for free, Thursday, April 15 – Thursday, April 29. More information and a complete schedule at miamijewishfilmfestival.org.
30 • 4.1.2021 GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA LIFT EVERY VOICE &SING
LIVE MUSIC RETURNS! IN TWO EXCITING PROGRAMS
APRIL 17 - 18 — A CLASSICAL RETURN APRIL 22 - 23 — CINEMATIC CLASSICS
Concerts are outside and socially distanced (masks required) at Broward Center’s Back Lot Live! Part of the Broward Center Outdoor Concert Series
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TICKET MASTER BOX OFFICE: 954.462.0222
4.1.2021 • 31 A&E APPOINTMENTS 95.3 FM 103.9 FM 96.9 FM 1470 AM
Orphans sing and dance at Kanego AIDS Support Organization in Malawi, 2005, one of the featured photos in “Through the White Door,” a free documentary photo exhibition opening at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale on April 7. Credit: Smiley Pool.
Afternoon Drive... local and LIVE. Ad opportunities: 954-661-3361
3 - 5 P.M. ARTSBEATPHOTOGRAPHY, POETRY AND RACIAL POWER IN THE SPOTLIGHT MONDAY - FRIDAY J.W. Arnold hear past shows on youtube at bit.ly/2OzWjlI
WORLD AIDS MUSEUM DEBUTS PHOTO EXHIBIT AT GALLERIA Live streaming • wwnnradio.com The World AIDS Museum and Educational Center will present “Through the White Door,” a documentary photo project by photojournalist Smiley Pool from April 8 – 30 at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale, 2414 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. The exhibition, consisting of 40 poignant images captured by Pool in South Africa, Romania, North Carolina, Texas and beyond, and depicts the life struggles and triumphs of children and families affected by HIV/AIDS. Most of the photos also appear in Pool’s book of the same name. An opening reception with the photographer will be held on Wednesday, April 7, at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and are available online at bit.ly/ WAMThroughTheWhiteDoor. Proceeds benefit the museum’s exhibits and programs.
LGBT VOICES SPEAK IN VERSE
April 1 rings in that annual month-long celebration of all things Miami in rhyme, the “O, Miami” Poetry Festival. The mission of the annual festival is for every single person in Miami-Dade County to encounter a poem through readings, workshops and creative public events. On April 7 at 8 p.m., LGBT poets Gregg Shapiro, Caridad Moro-Gronlier and Maureen Seaton are among a group of writers featured in an online reading, one of 40 presentations and 20 projects planned this year. For more information, go to OMiami.org.
“THE NICETIES” ON STAGE AT ISLAND CITY
Race, history and power clash in a riveting, provocative confrontation between a brilliant Black student and her lesbian professor in “The Niceties,” opening April 2 at Island City Stage in Wilton Manors. In this taut drama by Eleanor Burgess, as “the niceties” are stripped away, audiences find it harder to choose a side and are left wondering if winning is really an option. Director Michael Leeds is passionate about the play: “What struck me about ‘The Niceties’ was realizing that even the most progressive and educated people in our community have allowed systemic racism to thrive, often while claiming that they didn’t have a racist bone in their body. We spend so much of our time berating the far right for being racist, but we don’t often look to ourselves to see how we might be perpetuating the system … That’s why this is great theater; it forces us to think about how to create change in ourselves and our society.” Tickets for “The Niceties,” April 2 – 18 at Island City Stage, 2304 N. Dixie Hwy. in Wilton Manors, are $35 at IslandCityStage.org. Masks are required and social distancing is observed at all performances. A professionally recorded performance will also be available for streaming online from April 16 – 25.
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34 • 4.1.2021 FEATURE PETS
Hi everyone, I’m Stan (ID 639517) the Man. I’m 4 years old and THE VERY 64 pounds of fun. Since I was transferred here from another shelter my past is a bit of a mystery. BEST BOY The staff and volunteers think I’m one cool dude and I’ll do best in a home with adults. I LOVE squeaky toys and I LOVE treats. I enjoy going for walks and love to be showered with lots of pets. Meeting new people is one of my favorite things, however a dog meet would be recommended if you have another canine friend at home. I’ve been waiting over a month for a new family and watched so many others go home. Can you make my wish come true and give me a forever home? If you can’t adopt, can you share and tell your friends about me please? Hey, and my STAN adoption fee is also sponsored by J.R. Dunn Jewelers!
Appointments will now be required to visit the adoption areas at the Humane Society of Broward County on weekends and select days. Visit www.humanebroward.com to learn more or call 954-989-3977 ext. 6. Appointments are not necessary for the vaccine clinic which is open Monday — Friday 9 AM — 4:30 PM credit cards only. The banners rotate so click on the one that says COVID-19 update adoptions and essential services update and scroll down a little bit. There you will find an application for adoption and other pertinent information. Complete the application (even if you have adopted before) and submit it. Adoptions are being done by appointment only now. For more information call 954-989-3977 ext. 6 FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED WHEN COMING TO THE SHELTER.
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954-667-9829 [email protected] 2435 North Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305
4.1.2021 • 35 COVID-19 safety guidelines will be enforced