www.PrideCenterFlorida.org WINTER 2016 VOICE Follow us! | facebook.com/ThePrideCenter | @PrideCenterFL Inside This Issue: Center Explores Paths to Building Home Sweet Home Senior Affordable Housing on Campus By Robert Boo, CEO he Pride Center wants to off er seniors an aff ordable place to live in the heart of Wilton Manors. Our Board of Directors continues toT explore the best path to build low- income senior housing on the Equality Dog Wash PG. 11 Park campus. Many local residents learned of the project when we received a demonstration of public support last Fall from the Wilton Manors city commissioners in our application for aff ordable housing credits from the Florida Housing Finance Conceptualized mock-up of potential mixed-use structure combining Corporation. Although we didn’t receive low-income senior housing and community space funding from our fi rst submission, our Board already is assessing future Elder Housing identifi ed a desperate need Park’s optimum location and resources opportunities for funding. This project will in the greater Fort Lauderdale area for to help meet those needs. We’ve also allow us to expand our vital programs and low-income housing. We have a growing, seen a national trend toward senior services to seniors and bring substantial aging LGBT local population with limited aff ordable housing projects being built Playground Build PG. 22 income to The Center. aff ordable housing options. The City of in conjunction with LGBT community How did we arrive to this exciting Wilton Manors approached The Center centers with whom we work--L.A., San juncture? A few years ago, Gay and Lesbian about addressing local needs and Equality +Continued on pg. 4

Kiki Project Launches New Prevention School Daze Programs with Teens he Pride Center is going back to perspective. We’re working with them to high school. Our Kiki Project has be open and understanding of their own embarked on new adventures for sexuality. We’re discussing how to keep Kwanzaa PG. 24 young Black same gender loving them safe from HIV and STIs and how to menT between the ages of 16-19. The Kiki share that with others.” Project has launched two programs in Kiki Culture is a new adaptation for high local high schools--Kiki Culture and Get school students of The Center’s ongoing Your Life. Kiki Project. Robertson had shared about “We’re spearheading new empowerment The Kiki Project at a community meeting. programs with high school young people,” Representatives from the Broward County says Lorenzo Robertson, Emerging Public School’s Diversity, Prevention Interventions Manager at The Pride and Intervention program reached out Center. “We’re helping high school age to Lorenzo to see if The Center could gay black men look at sex from a diff erent +Continued on pg. 8 Jakari Roundtree, Kiki Project Specialist Landon Gallery Opening PG. 30 The Pride Center 2040 N. Dixie Highway Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33305 The Kitchen of the Community Mail Correspondence to: P.O. Box 70518 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33307-0518 A letter from Robert Boo, C.E.O. of (954) 463-9005 Fax (954) 764-6522 The Pride Center at Equality Park Email: [email protected] Website: www.PrideCenterFlorida.org very wise woman once women services.” We had to explain to Board of Directors described The Pride her who Dolly Levi was. I hope you are Ilene Berliner, Chair George Kling Center as “the kitchen of as grateful as I am for the continuing Mark Budwig, Vice Chair Dr. Leslie Leip Chris Caputo, Secretary Juliette Love the community”. I think impact of the work of our women’s Craig Engel, CPA, Ernest Olivas it may have been Maya programming. Did you know that over Treasurer Richard Safaty Angelou. No, maybe it was Mother 12,000 unique visitors were linked to Ted Adcock Paul Smith A Mitchell Bloom Deanna Sylvestri Teresa. No, then again as I think about healthcare by the online LBT health unveiled Social LIFE and had over 150 Mark Budwig Jim Walker it, it was Carol Moran (long-time local directory that we manage last year? people attend the opening event. Social Brenda Hartley community leader, volunteer, activist If you haven’t been to The Center lately LIFE is a group bringing together all of Pride Center Staff and business owner). I’ve always liked to access any of the many HIV services the past graduates of our LIFE program. Robert Boo, CEO, that description that Carol came up we provide, you will be surprised to We have had over 700 men graduate [email protected] Kristofer Fegenbush, MSW, COO, with for The Center. I like to cook and see that everyone has moved into the from the LIFE program over the past nine [email protected] the kitchen is where everyone always back building. I mean all HIV services: years; this program helps people living Janet Weissman, Business Manager, [email protected] ends up during a gathering or dinner Testing, Outreach, Healthcare Navigator with HIV/AIDS improve their holistic Roger Roa, Director of Development, party. I also think that when you invite and Linkage, PrEP, LIFE, CHOICES, health. After each cycle, participants say [email protected] Samantha McCoy, Customer Service Coordinator, someone to sit at your dinner table, you Couples Speak, the Kiki Project, ARTAS that they would like to continue getting [email protected] invite them into your life. That is what and VOICES. We took advantage of the together for social activities. You can Dr. Listron Mannix, HIV Outreach and Testing Manager, [email protected] we strive to do at The Center, invite each opportunity to strategically place all learn more about this dynamic group Bruce Williams, Senior Services Coordinator, other into our lives. HIV services together to provide better and about Shanna Ratliff , Prevention [email protected] Shanna Ratliff, Prevention with Positives Manager, As we’ve launched a new year, customer service and improve the client With Positive Manager, in this issue. [email protected] it allows us time to refl ect on the experience. Please stop in to see the new You can also refer a friend to take this Lorenzo Robertson, Emerging Interventions Manager, [email protected] accomplishments we have achieved. digs and talk to the staff . In this issue, powerful program. Roya Amirniroumand, Women with Pride Coordinator, Our ever-growing seniors programming you can read up on the move and some Finally, I am pleased to see that our [email protected] Ebony Wilson, Prevention Outreach Coordinator, continues to be the largest LGBT seniors of the caring staff . Tropical Plant Fair will be held on March [email protected] program in the nation. Please read We recently received funding to 26 & 27. Chuck Nicholls and Richard Manuel Leon, Social Media and Marketing Coordinator, [email protected] all about how Bruce Williams, Senior expand to a full time PrEP Coordinator. Perez have organized the event over the John Baumgartner, LIFE Coordinator, Services Coordinator, and his group of Patrick Whiteside is one of our newest past four years for The Center and this [email protected] Magno Morales, CHOICES Coordinator, volunteers have impacted so many. Out additions to the staff and you can read year they’re working with us on another [email protected] of the 170 LGBT community centers in up on him and learn more about PrEP. great event. Mark your calendar! The Rafael Reyes, Healthcare Linkage Coordinator, [email protected] the country, none even come close to We also received funding to expand our campus is exceptionally beautiful to Patrick Whiteside, PrEP Coordinator, the numbers of people we serve weekly. Kiki Project to meet the needs of young walk around and shop for great deals on [email protected] Marvin Shaw, Kiki Program Coordinator, Our Women With Pride program men of color in the Broward County beautiful plants. [email protected]

Winter 2016 continues to provide valued services and School system. We are very excited to It’s time for me to get back into the Edgardo Medina, VOICES and Outreach Specialist, [email protected] programs to the LBT community. Roya collaborate with this very progressive kitchen, YOUR community kitchen. Jakari Roundtree, Kiki Program Specialist, Amirniroumand, WWP Coordinator, and the sixth largest and school system On behalf of the Board of Directors, the [email protected] Charles Bowers, Outreach and Testing Specialist, was recently recognized (alongside 8 in the country. Lorenzo Roberts, staff and the 250 volunteers, here’s to a [email protected] other Center staff and Board members) Emerging Interventions Manager, has prosperous 2016! I hope to see you soon Daniel Dardenne, Outreach and Testing Specialist, [email protected] as one of the LGBT Movers and Shakers a great article in this issue telling us all at The Center. If you have never been, William “Billy” Gall, Outreach and Testing Specialist, VOICE in the state of Florida by the Agenda. about this new project. request a tour on our website or call me [email protected] Bryon Bowlby, Executive Assistant, She was described as the “Dolly Levi for At the beginning of this year, we directly! [email protected] Robert Cullen, Information Analyst, [email protected] Julian Alterman, Outreach and Testing Specialist, and counseling. Our popular Senior Services activities [email protected] Anthony Brautigam, Outreach and Testing Specialist, include: weekly Coff ee and Conversation events with over [email protected] About The Pride Center Ashley Lormil, Outreach and Testing Specialist, 200 LGBTQ Seniors; individual linkage services, wellness [email protected] he Pride Center celebrates 23 years of service in Shayna Forgetta, Outreach/Testing Specialist, workshops, daily Enhance Fitness senior exercise classes; [email protected] 2016. Our mission is: “We provide a welcoming, SAGEWorks technology and job skills courses; a speaker Paul Ward, Facilities and Technology Coordinator pward@pridecenterfl orida.org safe space--an inclusive home--that celebrates, series; recreational activities; healthy aging seminars; Norris Wildhagen, Facilities Specialist, T [email protected] nurtures and empowers the LGBTQ communities and cultural events; and our annual Senior Health Expo. Stop Clarence Collins, Facilities Assistant, our friends and neighbors in South Florida.” The Center’s in and learn about all we do: a community Flea Market; [email protected] Robert Bryant , Facilities Assistant, program and services meet the distinct cultural, health, women’s health initiatives; family outreach days; Bingo; [email protected] Eugene Faber, Facilities Specialist, educational, economic, social and safety needs of the unique exercise classes; fi nancial investment series [email protected] LGBT community. More than 35,000 adult and youth with OurFund; art gallery openings; adult educational attended activities at The Center over the past year. We The Pride Center Voice opportunities through Pride University; Bingo; education Production Managers: Kristofer Fegenbush, Manuel Leon host more than 65 regularly-meeting groups each month. for prospective and current LGBT parents; music, movies Creative Director: Brendon Lies Contributing Writers: Bruce Williams, Shanna Ratliff, Ebony Wilson, Listron Support, social and educational groups focus on women, and live theater presentations; a variety of health fairs; Mannix, Lorenzo Robertson, Patrick Whiteside, Anthony Brautigam, Bryon Bowlby, Manuel Leon, Roger Roa, Robert Boo and Kristofer Fegenbush. seniors, youth, men, transgender, recovery, health, the and a spectrum of creative symposiums, speakers, forums Photographers: Steven Shires, Stephen Lang, Pompano Bill, Dennis Dean, arts, athletics, spirituality, games and more. Outreach and events for the entire community. We own fi ve-and- Coco Alarcon Acosta, Anthony Brautigam, Manuel Leon and Kristofer Fegenbush activities over the past year directly impacted over 60,000 a-half acres of property with 30,000 square feet of offi ce residents and visitors to South Florida. The Pride Center space that provide homes for programs and services, as The VOICE newsletter is published in the memory and is a major site for HIV testing, prevention, outreach, well as synergy among organizations. Our Vision is to be through the donation of the Robert S. Kecskmety Trust. 2 education, healthcare linkage, support, holistic health the premier point of connection for our community. Fort Lauderdale Pride www.PrideCenterFlorida.org Pride Center staff and volunteers connected with a diverse community to share about our life-enhancing programs and services. VOICE

Social LIFE Reunion Graduates of the LIFE Program gathered at a recent reunion to connect.

Social LIFE is a new peer-driven, social, cultural and educational program Join The Pride Center as a Member Today! Winter 2016 aimed at actively engaging the graduates of the L.I.F.E Program. Bobby Kyser of Panache Style donated the incredible decor, volunteers organized an incredible meal and DJ Julian Marsh spun tunes into the night. Types of Membership: Photos by Manuel Leon •Individual $40 per year •Household $70 per year •Student (under 25) $30 per year •Senior (over 65) $30 per year •Friends $200 per year •Best Friends $500 per year •Founders Circle starting at $1,200 per year*

*Additional Founder Levels are available. Contact 954.463.9005 3 was the largest Charrette Jason and his team had facilitated. These community members gave up their free time to gather together to help identify the roadmap for Equality Park’s future. It was an amazing experience. Home Sweet Home The results of that Charrette were presented to the Board last summer, and +Continued from pg. 1 the top priorities helped set our direction. One goal, for example, was to make the campus more family-friendly. Last Conceptualized mock-up of potential mixed-use structure combining low-income senior housing and community space October, we installed the fi rst playground on an LGBT community center campus in the United States. Board Chair Ilene Berliner was impressed by the investment of so many community members in the campus planning process. “The contributions from our immensely talented board, donors and volunteers humbles me. What The Pride Center at Equality Park has in store for the future is beyond any of my wildest dreams, and my belief is that the generous contributions of time, talent and funding will continue to make what was a blank canvas an incredible destination.” The Senior Aff ordable Housing Project remains one of the largest, most signifi cant projects identifi ed both by our Strategic Plan and the Charrette process. Over the past several years, we cultivated relationships with three top developers Diego, Chicago and Philadelphia, just to in the South Florida area. In the end, we name a few. partnered with Carrfour, Florida’s largest Four years ago during our Strategic non-profi t developer, to submit our fi rst Winter 2016 Planning process, the Board of Directors proposal this past November. set a goal to evaluate the potential of a There was a specifi c funding senior aff ordable housing project to be opportunity that the federal government Did you know? built on Equality Park. Over the next had put into place in the 1980s. It became three years, we did our due diligence. Let apparent that those tax credits were VOICE + 800 people living with HIV have graduated from me tell you, this is one of those projects going to sunset at the end of 2015. Over where the more you learn, the more you a six week period, we worked very hard The Pride Center’s LIFE Program, a holistic health realize you don’t know. with Carrfour, with some help from TSAO program. It changes lives and improves health. Luckily, we have board members with Design, to come up with the fi nished these specifi c skills and experience. One proposal. Contact The Center to learn more! of those, Jim Walker, said, “The Center On November 5th Carrfour submitted is extremely fortunate to have a fi ve- our proposal. Only four projects were + The Pride Center recently built the first playground and-half acre campus, and we want to going to get funded out of 56. Each maximize that resource to serve our proposal to the state was assigned a for LGBT families and allies on a community center community. We also are fortunate to have lottery number based on luck of the campus. Go check it out! several community members who were draw. We drew number 55 out of 56 willing to help The Center.” applications, not the best luck. Our fi rst During this same time, we also submission didn’t lead to instant success, + Over 200 Seniors join us for Coffee and decided to update the Master Plan for but The Center continues to evaluate new our campus. We partnered with Jason opportunities for funding. Conversation every Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. Hagopian at TSAO Design and his team As a Center, we look forward to the day in the year-long process. Last Spring, we when we announce successful funding of + More than 4,500 people like The Pride Center’s gathered 65 diverse community leaders this important project. It will enable us to to participate in a Charrette. During this meet the growing needs of many in our Facebook page. Have you? guided planning retreat, community community. Very selfi shly, I’m looking members brainstormed and prioritized ahead for myself. I want to be able to pack possibilities of how we could and my offi ce in a grocery cart and move into 4 should use our campus in the future. It my own apartment when the time comes. There, There. Grindr is Here For You… www.PrideCenterFlorida.org Social Media Apps Provide Platforms for Authentic Prevention Work By Manuel Leon, Social Media and Marketing Coordinator hether looking for ‘’Mr. Right’’ or correctly. No inhibitions means that as a Grindr, ‘’Mr. Right Now,’’ most gay men have Scruff, Growler, Hornet, Mr. Right or (almost every) found themselves surfing countless other app user, you can contact our Cyber Outreach Grindr profiles available at the Coordinator while on these apps and ask me pretty Wtouch of a button. Social media apps have become much anything about HIV, STIs or other Pride Center legendary meeting spots for many in the gay male related information. community. Not long ago, the easiest way to meet a We’ve provided over 150,000 people with valuable guy was going to a gay bar or club. Grindr and other prevention information and HIV counseling through social media apps have revolutionized the way gay social media apps. The responses we’ve received men meet-up and hook-up. For better or worse, they from both openly gay and anonymous users or have become part of the fabric of pop culture. More different apps are encouraging: than one million Grindr users logon to the app in 192 ‘‘It is cool having someone here to talk honestly countries, transmitting more than seven million chat about my health.” messages and two million photos to each another ‘I feel like I can ask anything without shame. I every day. would not be able to ask you these questions in With social media apps used so frequently, we may person; I am super shy.’’ wonder how many guys actually make conscious ‘‘I love to get your ‘shouts.’ They are always filled decisions regarding safe sex practices. How many with useful info. Thanks!’ specific question, we will link you to the appropriate are aware of the facts of HIV transmission and I think it is extremely important that the community resources who can help. prevention? How many feel equipped to consistently has a real person to freely ask their questions and tell make healthy decisions? South Florida is one of the their stories with no censorship. Yes, I have gotten a For more information, email me at largest gay hotspots in the U.S., so it is extremely bit of everything from community members online, [email protected] important to use effective prevention methods to like x-rated pictures, funny compliments and super- VOICE deliver accurate and current information on sex, crazy sex stories, health, testing, medical care, HIV and STIs to our gay and I have to redirect population and visitors. conversations at The Pride Center prides itself on being an HIV times. But at the end prevention and outreach leader in South Florida. It of the day, what I love Winter 2016 was only logical that we would take advantage of the the most is the great opportunity to utilize social media platforms like feeling of knowing Grindr and Scruff to deliver the latest information to that someone feels those wondering about HIV prevention but afraid to comfortable to come ask their questions in person. to me without holding A recently published study by Hunter College’s anything back, and Center for HIV Educational Studies and Training that I am able to help (CHEST) found that 10% of men on Grindr have them. never been tested for HIV, though nearly a third of Do you have them still claim they’re negative. Grindr has become questions about a legendary meeting spot for the headless torsos condoms? PrEP? of the world since its launch in 2009, but did you Testing? Accessing know that almost a quarter of those headless torsos medical care? If are still hiding in the closet? Of that 18 percent, you do not feel six percent say they never plan to come out at all. comfortable coming Understandably, a large number of those on Grindr to The Center and and similar apps live in fear or ignorance regarding talking in person with HIV, prevention methods and testing. one of our prevention In the past few years, The Pride Center has worked team members, you to expand an online social media presence to can use your social provide information about HIV prevention to those media account to who are a bit shy. Specifically, we offer current contact someone information regarding prevention methods, HIV from our cyber treatment, and events of interest happening in our outreach team. We community. One of the best parts about this service will be there to answer is that our clients in the community can contact us your questions. If we anonymously and without inhibitions. Yes, you read cannot answer your 5 Rainbow Run Green Thumb Paradise Equality Park Tropical Plant Fair Set 5K in Wilton Manors to Benefit The Center for March ace-up your brightest jogging shoes and music, food and beverages also are planned for the slip on your splashiest running shorts! event. More than 400 participants are expected You can soon dress in your favorite color to attend. The starting line will be in the heart of of the rainbow and join The Pride Center’s Wilton Manors on Wilton Drive, and runners will inaugural 5K fundraiser. Stroll, jog or run take off at 7:30 a.m. The Center is collaborating with Lyour way across the fi nish line with your closest Split Second Timing for event organization and friends and family! promotion. The Rainbow 5K Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, Early-registration admission is $15 for adults and April 10, 2016. Participants will wind through the $10 for kids. Participants will receive a Pride Center beautiful tree-lined streets of the Island City on the Rainbow 5K Run t-shirt, and teams will be able to 3.1 mile certifi ed 5K course. run in their favorite color of the rainbow. Proceeds The Rainbow Run is the newest part of The Pride of this event support the vital services and programs Center’s health initiative programming. “A 5K run of The Pride Center at Equality Park. thru the Island City is a great way to encourage a There are several levels of sponsorship healthy lifestyle for local participants and running opportunities. For more information contact Roger enthusiasts in South Florida,” said Robert Boo, Roa, Director of Development, at 954-463-9005 or Pride Center CEO. “We are excited to once again [email protected]. collaborate with The City of Wilton Manors on eed that perfect obsession. It is the best another great event.” For more information on the Rainbow 5K, visit orchid for therapy for healing that Live entertainment along the route and post-race our website or follow us on Facebook! your balcony? I know of. The Plant Fair Maybe a rare brings enthusiastic plant bromeliad or vendors to our doorsteps.” palmN for your garden or Beautiful trees, fl owering landscaping? Don’t miss shrubs, cycads, tillandsias, Capital Campaign Contributors the upcoming Equality Park rare palms and other tropical Tropical Plant Fair! exotic plants will be featured This outdoor event will along with outstanding John Graves Society - Estate of James Rampe Chris Dunham and Joseph Dominguez occur March 26 and 27 on orchids, bromeliads, $500,000 Attorney Arthur B. Smith Gregory P. Gaddis and David R. the beautiful grounds of heliconias and gingers. All Winter 2016 John C. Graves Charitable Fund of the Jim Stepp and Peter Zimmer Stack, III The Pride Center at Equality Plants will be available for Community Foundation of Broward Sunshine Athletic Association Gay Bridge Park, 2040 North Dixie sale. Information related Doug Tinklepaugh and James Zinman In Memory of Rick Gibson Highway in Wilton Manors. to landscaping, insect Cornerstone Society - Estate of Lawrence Zinman Cal Harrison The Fair will include more control, fertilizer and $250,000 Tyler Healis than 40 plant vendors from irrigation will be available Gil Corwin Equality League - $10,000 Kenneth Hollander Charitable around the state showcasing from the Master Gardeners VOICE D.C. Allen and Ken Flick Foundation outstanding plants and of Broward County. An Pillar Society - $100,000 Harvey Chasser Robert L. Hubbard and Bill Greeves related accessories. Industry additional half dozen non- Anonymous Estate of C. Michael Johnson Friends of Stephen Jerome Jan Carpenter and Dale Russell Hansen Realty Dr. David Kyner and Richard Bray professionals, amateurs profi t organizations will Mona Pittenger Vince Di Pietro Christopher Mahon, MD gardeners and plant lovers participate, including pet Paul Galluccio W. Lynn McLaughlin and David Webb will mingle during this rescue/adoption and Florida Luminary Society - Mark Gordon and Aldo Buono Ken Merrifi eld and Fred Berger signature free event in Native Plant Societies. $50,000 Ed Nicholas and Chris Griswold Warren Milbourne Wilton Manors (including Proceeds from this event J. Michael Heider, DDS and Thom Chuck Nicholls and Mark Turner David Moon and Eugene Smith free parking). The Fair will will help develop the gardens Carr Coleman Prewitt Douglas Pew and Donald Croxton run from 8:00 am to 4:00 at Equality Park, and benefi t Kenneth M. Goss The Bears of South Florida Michael Preihs and Khoi Loung pm Saturday and 9:00 am to the diverse, life-enhancing Former Broward County Mayor Ken The Aubrey Richardson-Philippe Trust Bennett Quade and Paul Rolli 3:00 pm Sunday. programs and services of Keechl and Ted Adcock C. Ted Wolf and Frank Decolator Herb Reis and William Coffey This is the fourth year in a The Pride Center. James Jagielski SAGE Men’s Drop In John Ramos and Tim Caldwell Visionary Circle - $5,000 Don Schultz row that Chuck Nicholls and The Fair will include Richard Schwarz and Tom Massey Anonymous Calvin Steinmetz and Brian Boyle Richard Perez have worked multiple raffl es, silent In Memory of Gilbert Anko Stork’s Bakery with The Center to organize auctions and engaging Star League - $25,000 Darcy Beeman Dave Stubbins and host a plant fair. 2016 activities, including an Doug Candler Ilene Berliner and Maura Lane Dean Trantalis, Esq. promises to be the best fair exciting treasure hunt with Forest Trace Luxury Resort and Adult John Bowles Ted Verdone and John Curtin yet. the opportunity to win a Community Mark Budwig and Nick Scalzo Charles Walker “When you’re a plant big prize. The community is George A. Kling, MD Michael Dager and Harvey Shapiro Sumner T. White enthusiast, it is very invited to come and enjoy Estate of Clay Drexler Michael Dane and Alex Quintero contagious,” says Nicholls. this special event while “It’s a passion; it’s an supporting a good cause. To give to our Capital Campaign, contact Robert Boo at [email protected] or For more information, please contact Richard Perez at Roger Roa at [email protected] 954.257.2317. Don’t forget to like the Fair on Facebook: 6 Equality Park Tropical Plant Fair. “People Are Looking for Human Connection” www.PrideCenterFlorida.org Ratliff Uses Power of Community to Impact People Living with HIV By Ebony Wilson icture this! It’s 2009, and why people love the PALS Project and building community among those a bright, social, Southern The Center in general. Once they come living with HIV. “In order to address young woman walks in our doors, they want to come back.” this issue, we launched a new program into The Pride Center. “One of the reasons we hear that in December called Social LIFE. Social This Masters-level Social guys make bad choices in their lives, or LIFE is a peer-driven social group WorkP student has been gifted with compromise their health, is that they that will include monthly community the opportunity to have her fi eld feel isolated,” she continues. “South wellness and social events. Our practicum with the PALS Project at Florida can be a lonely place. People fi rst event was an Open House on The Pride Center. She’ll invest her skill, are looking for human connection. We December 1st before the World AIDS dedication and energy in the lives of can help with that. We see program Day Candlelight Vigil. We wanted people living with HIV involved in participants and clients as people, not the community to come see our new the powerful health workshops and just a number.” offi ce space and tell them about Social programs at The Center. Shanna is uniquely qualifi ed for the LIFE. Our next event was a huge Soon after she completes her in- job. “It takes a special person with a reunion party for all the men that have depth internship, her talents help her specifi c combination of skills to do participated in our programs over the get hired as the part-time Information this role well,” says COO Kristofer years. So many people attended and Analyst, assessing data on the impact Fegenbush, who originally brought connected with each other.” of prevention work at The Center. In The PALS Project and its LIFE, Shanna is off to a notable start. January of 2013, she is promoted to CHOICES and other programs to The Program graduates and volunteers are Prevention Outreach Coordinator. Center. “Shanna is gifted. She’s fi ercely joining alongside her vision to create For the next two years, she impresses intelligent, organized, and hilarious. a stronger community to combat HIV. colleagues and community members She’s visionary, down-to-earth and There’s no stopping this juggernaut;

with her vision, leadership abilities, practical at the same time. She builds she’s the epitome of social work. VOICE organizational skills and commitment. rapport well; she has sharp clinical She lays the groundwork for a historic skills. She knows how to expand expansion of services across Broward programs and manage budgets. She County. She supervises a diverse team knows how to develop leaders among that creates innovative, engaging staff and volunteers. She has the right Winter 2016 new ways to talk to people about education and work foundation. She HIV, including social media and face- has good judgment.” to-face conversations in the places “I had a community member tell where people socialize, worship, seek me he was shocked we would put a healthcare and do business. She helps woman in this role, leading a program people get tested and assists those that engages so many men living with living with HIV to get on medications HIV,” Kristofer continues. “The many and enroll in workshops that will men who’ve been impacted by Shanna support their health. She exceeds all over the years were not shocked. She’s expectations for the role. special. She has this ability to connect. Last summer, she becomes the She disarms defenses. She helps Prevention with Positives Manager. people open up. People trust her.” This is the enthralling story of The Colleagues that have worked closely Pride Center’s own Shanna Ratliff . with Shanna, affi rm her abilities. “She “I could never have imagined as has brought a new spirit and vitality to an intern that I would one day be the the program that will ignite growth and manager of the programs I was working expand our services bigger and better with at that time,” confesses Shanna. for the community,” says Lorenzo “It is the most humbling and rewarding Robertson, Emerging Interventions thing that has ever happened to me”. Manager. Shanna doesn’t look to simply meet “She is a committed professional program deliverables. She hones in on in the HIV Field.” says Robert Cullen. truly meeting the needs of program “She will make positive changes.” participants and members of the One of Shanna’s main goals community. managing the PALS Project is to “focus “When people come into our offi ces on keeping those we serve engaged or into our lives, they have to feel like after they fi nish our programs.” they’re at home,” says Shanna. “That’s She’s investing time and energy in 7 Get Your Life is an adaptation of the Many Men Primetimers Many Voices intervention designed for Black Pride Center CEO recently presented to a packed same gender loving men. It addresses factors that room at the monthly Primetimers gathering. infl uence their behavior including, cultural, social, and religious norms. Get You Life also addresses School Daze interactions between HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, sexual relationship dynamics + Continued from pg. 1 and the social and psychological infl uences provide similar work among high school students. that racism and homophobia have on HIV risk Broward’s program addresses sexual health and behaviors. concerns in the schools. “We’re working to empower young black gay The Kiki Project is designed by Black gay men for men,” continues Robertson. “We explore the Black gay men. It provides discussions, workshops, duality: what does it mean to be black? What does small groups and events that talk about what really it mean to be gay?” matters: relationships, love, sex, HIV, stigma and “I see a lot of positive change and outcomes from identity as Black gay men in our community. The this workshop and I enjoy getting the ball rolling,” Kiki Project works to understand the needs of says Jakari. the same gender loving men in developing HIV The new programs target priority schools in prevention programs for that population, programs Broward County Public Schools during the next designed for us by us. school year. The goal is to recruit students, Just launched, Kiki Culture already is getting especially young Black same gender loving men, to noticed. “I just got a call today from a father whose participate with Kiki Culture and Get Your Life. son is gay and out on campus and wants to learn “We will make a diff erence in the lives of the next about the work we’re doing,” says Lorenzo. generation of Black same gender loving men,” says At the same time, Advocates for Youth approached Lorenzo passionately. “We are recruiting for the Lorenzo about providing a program called Get Your Kiki Culture Program, so if you know any young Life to young high school men of color. Black same gender loving men, please share our “The Get Your Life Intervention is a workshop information!” series I wish was around when I was younger,” says Jakari Roundtree, Kiki Program Specialist. “If I had For more information, contact: Kikiproject@ been able to participate in this type workshop it pridecenterflorida.org or 945-463-9005, ext. would have made a diff erence in my sexual history.” 308 or 309

Winter 2016 Did you know? VOICE + Each month, more than 1,000 women visit our LBT women’s Health Directory at LBTHealth. org, Check out this group resource of culturally competent healthcare providers!

+ Over 200 people attended our last Founders Circle reception. Founders donate at least $100 monthly to support our vital programs and services.

+ The Pride Center has provided more than 6,800 HIV Tests over the past year.

+ The Pride Center has distributed 445,000 condoms this year. That’s a LOT of safer sex! 8 www.PrideCenterFlorida.org Diverse Nonprofits Housed at Equality Campus of Care Park Offer Life-Changing Services quality Park continues to expand as a bustling, active campus of care. We invited the nonprofi ts housed on Equality Park to share a bit about themselves and how their place on Ecampus enhances their services. ArtServe ArtServe, one of the country’s original six arts incubators, is an award-winning nonprofi t off ering programs, partnerships and aff ordable facilities that support artists, cultural entities and community groups as a means to creating vibrant communities because when arts thrive, communities fl ourish. From marketing support and professional development training to crafting creative collaborations with community partners, ArtServe fosters the business and entrepreneurial growth of artists and cultural organizations, helping them turn their art into business while enriching the entire community. When the arts thrive, communities fl ourish. “Strategic collaborations, like the one we have with The Pride Center, are the cornerstone of success for building strong, culturally rich communities. Both ArtServe and The Pride Center build partnerships that enhance not just the cultural landscape of our community, but create avenues for broad civic engagement and programs that benefi t all. Having a footprint on The Pride Center campus makes sense and is mutually benefi cial as it furthers this mission, deepens our community connections and VOICE our provides us with a strong platform for success.” — Jaye Abbate, President & CEO “Having an offi ce at The Pride Center allows us to have conscious decision regarding their health and well-being. a location in the heart of the LGBT community and creates “Planned Parenthood believes that reproductive rights are Congregation Etz Chaim opportunities for us to engage with many other organizations deeply connected to LGBTQ rights and is proud to be a provider Congregation Etz Chaim is the synagogue for LGBT that are active there. It also is perfectly situated within walking for so many in the LGBTQ community. We care passionately Winter 2016 Jews, our families and allies, that is celebrating our 42nd distance of the theatre which will allows us to operate more about helping women, men, and young people lead healthy lives, year in the area. We exist to bring together the LGBT effi ciently.” — Andy Rogow, Artistic Director no matter who they are and no matter where they live.” — Lillian Jewish community and to share our history and culture Tamayo, President/CEO with members and the wider community, as a model of Church of the Holy SpiritSong a faith community that celebrates diversity, our common Church of the Holy SpiritSong (SpiritSong Church) is a humanity, and encourages all people who seek to improve non-denominational Christian church located in the heart SAGE of South Florida and embrace our world. of the community on the campus of Equality Park. We SAGE of South Florida is a non-profi t organization for “We love being on the Equality Park campus, because it provide a safe space for the LGBTQ community and our Senior Action in a Gay Environment to enrich the lives of the allows us to be more visible and accessible to our community, allies to worship God, attend Bible study, and serve our LGBT senior community through membership inclusive of while lending our strength to the community as a whole.” — Rabbi community as Christians, without the fear of being singled age, gender, race, nationality and religion. We believe this Noah Kitty, Executive Director out and bullied because of our sexuality. We seek to share can be accomplished by sponsoring social alternatives to God’s love with everyone, and we take that commission provide personal interaction among elder LGBT members, Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida seriously in the form of meeting needs. off ering educational opportunities to deal with the special The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida is the Southeast’s “The strategic placement of our church on the Equality Park needs of aging, and promoting contact with the isolated largest gay men’s chorus. Through a robust, three-concert Campus is one that affords us the opportunity to serve a multitude and home-bound persons of our community. SAGE is series season reaching 5,000 people, the Chorus opens of people as they visit the campus, as well as meet needs for also an advocate for the concerns and needs of the senior hearts and changes minds through the power of music. those less fortunate. Our food pantry has become an integral LGBT community at large, providing referral information “Having our offi ces at The Pride Center at Equality Park resource in our community for those who do not qualify for other of community resources and promoting intergenerational places the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida at the epicenter services.” — Pastor Leslie Rutland-Tipton communication in the GLBT community. of the LGBT community. We are able to effectively network with “SAGE of South Florida was founded in 1994 as a Florida community leaders, forge partnership with other non-profi ts and Planned Parenthood of South, “not for profi t” Corporation. We have had many “homes” in the quickly access the local business community.” —Mark Kent, East and North Florida past 22 years. None more welcoming and more in tune with our Executive Director Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida goals than The Pride Center at Equality Park. The Pride Center is a private, nonprofi t health care agency that provides is the epicenter of LGBT life in South Florida, and there is no Island City Stage aff ordable, accessible comprehensive sexual health care better partner for us than to be aligned with them.” — Carl M The mission of Island City Stage is to produce theatrical through the provision of clinical services, education and Galli, President experiences that positively impact the LGBT and general advocacy to and for all women, men and youth in the community utilizing professional theatre artists. We also community. We off er education programs to provide For information on nonprofit rental space on the specialize in presenting premieres of new works by LGBT youth and other groups in our community with the Equality Park campus, please contact The Pride Center playwrights. necessary and essential skills they need to make educated, at 954.463.9005. 9 “I am the Kiki Project” Shaw Uses Compassion and Understanding to Impact Black Lives By Lorenzo Robertson

hen Marvin Shaw applied to be Coordinator of The Kiki WProject, one line from his cover letter stood out: “I am the Kiki Project.” It caught the attention of Center staff . Marvin explained his background, experience and why he’d be perfect for the position--why he mirrored the communities he would serve. All who interviewed him agreed. Marvin always thought that he was born to do something signifi cant for the Black gay community. The Kiki Project is a dream fulfi lled. Growing up, Marvin endured being called workshops, small groups and events faggot, punk, sissy and other derogatory that talk about what really matters: terms. He gained the wherewithal to relationships, love, sex, HIV, stigma understand and show empathy for and identity as Black gay men in our men in the program who have shared community. The Kiki Project works stories of their painful lives. Marvin to understand the needs of the same feels he once was an underdog, and gender loving men in developing Winter 2016 now has compassion--and must be HIV prevention programs for that a champion--for other Black same- population, programs designed for us gender-loving men who are underdogs. by us. It is funded by the Florida Health He demonstrates compassion and high Department in Broward County. integrity as he facilitates Kiki sessions Over the years, Marvin has done VOICE with those who have experienced lots of volunteer work with a variety stigma and feelings of alienation. of community-based and AIDS-service Born and reared in Fort Lauderdale, organizations in Atlanta and Florida. Marvin hails from a pretty large family His volunteer eff orts helped prepare with seven brothers and eight sisters. him for what was to come, coordinating His upbringing was fairly routine with the Kiki Project. not too many ups and downs. Well, that Marvin hit the ground running, is if you do not count coming out in an making strides and inroads to make extremely religious family. And if you a diff erence in the Black community. know anything about Black religious He has worked diligently to connect families, it didn’t go over that well. They and give the Black community a new wanted to pray and make him better. perspective on what Black, gay, HIV- But over time, they realized that Marvin positive men look like. He wants to was who he was--a Black same-gender- shift the consciousness of the Black loving man--and relished the fact. community to the reality that Black, He is a product of Broward County positive, gay men can be healthy, Public School and attended American vibrant, employed and connected. Intercontinental University. Marvin When asked about his goal for the Kiki Shaw is a great addition to The Pride Project, he said that he wants the Kiki Center as the Kiki Project Coordinator. Project to become a household name The Kiki Project is an HIV prevention in Broward County, State of Florida and program designed by Black gay men for nationwide. He wants to make a big 10 Black gay men. It provides discussions, diff erence. Founders Circle Reception at Allied Kitchen and Bath www.PrideCenterFlorida.org Allied Kitchen and Bath recently hosted and sponsored a recent Founders Reception in their stunning showroom. Founders Circle Members underwrite life-enhancing programs and services to the community. To learn more about Founders, contact Roger Roa at [email protected] Photos by Stephen Lang VOICE

Dog Wash The Pride Center, Hunter’s Bar and Winter 2016 Central Bark collaborated on a dog wash to benefit The Pride Center’s team for the Florida AIDS Walk team. To sponsor our team, follow the link on our website! Photos by Stephen Lang and Manuel Leon

11 Transgender Day of Remembrance Playground Design Day The Pride Center organized and hosted Transgender Day of Remembrance. This The Pride Center, South Florida Family Pride and KaBOOM! hosted evening of commemoration is a call to action for those who have lost their lives a packed room of LGBT families to help envision, design and plan due to bias and hatred based on gender identity and expression worldwide. Community collaborators included The Florida Department of Health in Broward a playground. The children submitted drawings of their dream play County/T-House, The Fort Lauderdale Convention Visitors Bureau, AHF, HRC spaces while parents and friends figured out the logistics of raising and Equality Florida. Photos by Manuel Leon volunteers and donations.. Photos by Steve Shires Winter 2016 VOICE

12 Ain’t Your Average Flea Market, Honey www.PrideCenterFlorida.org Monthly Bazaar is Over-the-Top Fabulous t’s 5 o’clock in the morning on the fi rst Saturday of “I come to the Pride Center Flea Market to meet the month. Do you know where your friends and up with my friends and for the grilled hotdogs, says neighbors in Wilton Manors are? frequent visitor Kirk. If you drive by The Pride Center at Equality Park The Pride Center Flea Market (aff ectionately known campus,I you may fi nd some setting up their vendor to some as The Pride Center Bazaar) is managed by booths. Along with over 80 others, they are preparing Customer Service Coordinator Samantha McCoy with for the 8 a.m. opening of the fun and always fabulous the help of volunteers and staff . monthly Flea Market. “The Pride Center Flea Market is such an exciting This ain’t your average fl ea market, honey. From drag event, says Samantha. “As soon as you arrive on queen attire to beautiful orchids to never-to-be-seen- campus in the wee hours of the morning, there is an again treasures, The Pride Center serves up unique electric energy that is quite addicting. From morning fi nds that you just can’t miss. until the 2 p.m. closing, you can watch the campus Suzanne has been a faithful Pride Center fl ea market parking lot transform into a magical marketplace Flea Market Saturday. All that’s missing is you. antique vendor for 10 years. Her daughter shares, “I fi lled with vendors just as extraordinary as the items If you want to participate as a vendor, simply contact don’t know if mom buys more than she sells but she they sell.” our Customer Service Coordinator at (954) 463-9005 has so much fun doing both.” On the fi rst Saturday of January--The Center’s very ext. 101. We begin selling vendor spaces on the Tuesday Suzanne and her daughter sell one-of-a-kind fi rst market of the New Year--patrons poured in. It is after the last market, and Pride Center Flea Market antiques in one of The Center’s indoor booths. (Oh only befi tting that The Center kicked off the year with vendor spots fi ll up very fast. If you are a shopper, we you thought that The Pride Center Flea Market was an two drag queens wearing fl awless makeup and glittery host the market year-round on the fi rst Saturday of outdoor-only market?) There are 15 eclectic vendors shimmering dresses, walking around in fi ve-inch every month, rain or shine from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. inside the Main Hall of The Schubert Building, and stilettos, waving at shoppers and vendors. There are just Join your friends and make new friends at The Pride over 50 amazing vendors outside on the fi rst Saturday so many sights, sounds and yummy, grilled concession- Center at Equality Park Flea Market, because it’s 5 of every month. stand smells that fi ll the campus of Equality Park on

o’clock somewhere! VOICE

Wicked Manors Once again, The Pride Center organized Wicked Manors, the original Halloween

Block Party Celebration, on Wilton Drive. Hunter’s Nightclub returned as the major Winter 2016 presenting sponsor. Over 30,000 attended. This collaboration with The City of Wilton Manors raised more than $40,000 for vital services at The Center. Photos by Did you know? Stephen Lang

+ In November, The Pride Center and the Florida Health Department in Broward County again organized and hosted several events for Transgender Awareness Month. Check out our monthly Trans Educational series!

+ Did you know there have been more than 2,855 group meetings at The Pride Center this year? Take part in an activity at The Center!

+ Our SAGEWorks program helps older LGBT adults gain vital skills for finding employment. Contact Bruce Williams to learn more at 954.463.9005!

+ Pride Center volunteers have provided more than 14,500 hours of service so far this year. Contact The Pride Center to volunteer! 13 World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil A passionate crowd gathered for the annual candlelight vigil in Wilton The Pride Center Founders Circle Manors to honor World AIDS Day. The vigil, organized by Broward House, culminated in a rally ended LIFETIME Howard Novie Michael Ekman National Stonewall Democrats / Hon. Stephen Bob and Hal Bernier-Peterson Metro Media Works / Chris Caputo (Board Yadin Elcon Driscoll and Robert Tocci at The Pride Center at Equality Park. Gil Corwin Member) Emerald Elite Home Health Care / Ernest Olivas New York Grilled Cheese / Leor Barak John C. Graves Charitable Fund Oakland Park Dental / Dr. Howard R. Ted Emery Newman Insurance / Lynn Corning Photos by Manuel Leon Alan Schubert Cunningham Craig Engel (Board Member) and Greg Briche Mark Turner and Chuck Nicholls Pallant Insurance Agency, Inc. / Joe Pallant Events by Grateful Palate / Leslie Grossman Charles Ohsiek Herb Reis and Dr William Coffey Brian Farley and Ron Alose Palm Beach County Human Rights Council / PREMIER LEVEL ($20,000 Natura Dermatology & Cosmetics / Dr. Will Paul Fasana Rand Hoch – and above) Richardson First Atlantic Realty /Joseph Grano and Wulliano Leonard Paoletti Cox Media Group Paul Rolli and W. Bennett Quade Dias Douglas Pew and Donald Croxton Diageo / Coastal Wine and Spirits Lee Rubin and Jim Walker (Board Member) Andrew Fischman Sam Picciotto Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Dr. Heidi Schaeffer Stephen Fleishman Peter Pileski and Bob Avian Bureau / Richard Gray Richard Schwarz and Tom Massey James Flora Pinnacle Constructors, LLC / Doug Tinklepaugh Hunters Nightclub Tony Seguino and Dan Ayers Kenneth Fountaine and James Rickard JetBlue Paul M. Smith (Board Member) and Gerald Futurity 1st Ins. Group – South Florida / Gary Mona Pittenger Richard and Emilio Quadracci Cabrera Kennedy Kempler Randy Plummer Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino – The Law Offi ces of George Castrataro, Esq. Gables Wilton Park / Joe Markonic Bob Poster and Carmine Martorilli Hollywood The Westin Fort Lauderdale / Deanna Sylvestri Gallery of Amazing Things Premier Smile Center / Dr. Charmiane Johnson- (Board Member) GalleryONE Fort Lauderdale Leong and Warren Leong Bob Young Joel Geils Pride Institute inside of Fort Lauderdale Hospital PLATINUM LEVEL George Zuber and Anthony Snyder Charitable Glenn L. Goldberg Progress Bar ($10,000 - $19,999) Fund at Our Fund, Inc. Golden Age Living Joe Pumphrey and Carl Whitley Anonymous (2) Sidney Goldenberg R3 Accounting, LLC / Timothy S. Hart AIDS Healthcare Foundation - Southern Bureau Steven Goldgram RBC Wealth Management / Ellen Krider, CFP Dr. James Doan SILVER LEVEL ($1,200 - Goodman Public Relations / Michael Goodman Rick Reddington Multimedia Platforms Worldwide / Bobby Blair $2,499) Mark Gordon and Aldo Buono Greg Rigoff Kenneth Goss Anonymous (3) Scott Gray Real Estate South Florida / Anthony Kulp Hotspots Magazine and Mark’s List / Peter Clark Affordable Health Insurance / Sam Chalfant Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian ReMax Consultants Realty / Scott Belding and Oliver Kamm Alibi Monkey Bar, LLC Chamber of Commerce / Keith Blackburn Listron Mannix LSeven Solutions / Scott Kean Jack Almeleh Marc Grossman Barbara Robins-Matthewman and Virginia Panache Style / Bobby Kyser Paul Alpert Robert Grossman DiChiara Robert S. Kecskemety Trust Michael Altman and Miguel Garcia Rivera Robert Gunning Dr. G. J. Rockwell, Jr. South Florida Gay News / Norm Kent American Pain Experts / Neel Amin and Tom Mark Halacy and Thomas Pollock Rosie’s Bar & Grill / John Zieba and Cliff The Alfred Wohl Family Foundation Macek Peter Hardy-Smith and Victor Soto Mulcahy The Howard Greenfi eld Charitable Foundation Ameriprise Financial / Tracey Cramer Richard Herman Donn Rubin and Stephen Harmon Wells Fargo Foundation B Ocean Hotel / Mark Semple Scott Herman and Cale Choi Runyan Law Firm, PA / Tom Runyan, Esq. Al Bacchi and Craig Ross Lazaro Hernandez and Steve Figlmiller RWE Real Estate / Robert Eldredge BankUnited / Brenda Hartley (Board Chair) Hans Hochkamp and Joseph DeBacco S. Mark Graphics / Mark Budwig (Board DIAMOND LEVEL ($5,000 Don Barlow Paul Holoweski Member) and Nick Scalzo - $9,999) Steve Barnard Kenley Hoover and Tom Pfl epsen Rick Salomon D.C. Allen and Ken Flick / No Hate Fund at Our Mark Barron and Joel Rubin Gary Hummel SALT This Way / Suzann M. Hollis Fund, Inc. Christopher Bates Paul Hyman and Bill Bracker Lee Sathre Argenti Jewelers / Mark Silver David Bebbington I DO, Custom Events / Devin MacLachlan Jack Schlossberg and Greg Fineman Ilene Berliner (Board Chair) and Maura Lane Tom and Steven Begert-Clark Island City Smiles / Dr. David Warner and Chris Danny Selvin Jared Falek and Don Chorpenning Dr. Louis Benevento and Patrick Duffy Shultz James Senior Freedom Travel / Richard Safaty (Board Norman Berkowitz J.P.’s Chocolate Shoppe / J. P. Cobleigh and Shawn and Nick’s Courtyard Café / Shawn Member) and Omer Mizrachi Better Homes & Gardens / Stephen Gray Barry Miller Bombard and Nick Berry Will Gibson and George William Rogers / Leny Blicher A.J. Jabre Steve Shires Photography / Steve Shires Serendipity Foundation Mitch Bloom (Board Member) and Paul Wardell James Jagielski Dr. Robert Shore Donald Green and Gene Ingledue Boardwalk / Victor Zepka Paul Jennings Sidecar Kitchen / Adam Irvin Kenneth Hollander and John Kardos / KSH Dan Bohanan and Guillermo Licea Jimenez Law Offi ces, P.A. / Andrew Jimenez, Some Men Like It Haute / Douglas Cureton Winter 2016 Charitable Foundation Bruce Bolton Esq. Kimberly Sorondo Liquid Radar / Eduardo Garcia and Charles John Bolton George Johnson Sterling Tax and Accounting / Jeffrey Sterling Rube Robert Boo Ken Kalenderian Terry Stone and Mike Bush Law Offi ce Arthur B. Smith Lester Borenstein and Michael Wade Ken Keechl and Ted Adcock Stork’s Bakery Café / Esmeralda and Peter Periodic Products / David McLaren Bove Dental / Al Bove, DMD and Coco Alarcon Mark Ketcham and Werner Lutz Dekaj Pinnacle Housing Group / Michael Wohl M. Deric Bownds and Len Walker Dr. George Kling (Board Member) Dave Stubbins Dr. Dale Russell Brian Boyle Maria Kondracki and Jim Dwyer Sunshine Athletic Association Wayne Schrebe and Roy J. Stegman Charitable Broward Burial and Cremation Edwin Kowalski and Michael Donnan Temptations Catering and Event Planning / Broward County Sheriff’s Offi ce Robert Kuhn and Steven Geyer Maurice Mizrahi VOICE Fund at Our Fund, Inc. Ted Schultz Broward Education Foundation / Thomas Julia Landis and Shawn Fanshier The Bears of South Florida, Inc. Selzer & Weiss, Attorneys / Jeffrey Selzer, Esq. Severino Bruce Lane The Historic Needham Estate / Drew and Sandy and Ray Fennon Gerald Byers and Rudy Wengenroth Bernie Langeluttig and Dennis Fitzkee Romanovitz Jim Stepp and Peter Zimmer Tim Cabrey and Mark Sewell Las Orquideas Restaurant and Bakery / The John H. Le Blanc Charitable Fund at Whole Foods Market Robert Caruso Fernado Gill Charles Schwab Charitable Fund Harvey Chasser Law Offi ces of Gregory W. Kabel, Esq. The Pink Submarine / Dawn Halloway Chic Optique / Karen Carroll and Julie Slater Law Offi ce of Robin L. Bodiford, Esq. The Restaurant People / Maria Ares GOLD LEVEL Church of the Holy Spirit Song / Pastor Leslie Tomas Soto and Frank Lefevre, M.D. Pride Carpet Cleaning / Bill Thornton and Adam ($2,500 - $4,999) and Sandra Rutland-Tipton Dr. Leslie (Board Member) and Fritz Leip Kratochwill Anonymous (2) Ron Clark Steve Leonard, DMD and Rodrick Pugh Tony Timiraos and Arthur Crispino Charitable Allied Kitchen and Bath CleanAll Supply / Michael Murphy John Leyden and Tom Valentine Fund at Our Fund, Inc. Alpine Jaguar Cleanslate Recovery / Sophie Sputnik and Francis Leynaert and Fritz Martinez Top Dog Mobile Grooming / Tomas Arias Chris Ambs and Scott Clearwater Margurite Constellano Lifeway, Inc. / Dr. Marah J. Lee, DO Michael Tinley Ron Ansin and Jim Stork Coach Bill for Life / Bill Gisclair and Brian Lightship Media / Andy Perrott Tom Jones Charitable Fund Scott L. Bennett Sullivan Charles V. Loring Charitable Fund at Our Fund Tower Club Biehn & Associates, Inc. / Don Biehn Coffee and Conversation Juliette Love (Board Member) Bruno Trambusti and Randy Grant Broward Health - Imperial Point Bob Collier and Chuck Hunziker Norton Lyman and Kimio Sato Dean Trantalis, Esq. Michael Camardello Concept International Design / Daniel Wasinger Darrell Manning and Darryl Stephens Treece Financial Group / David Treece Doug Candler Jimmy Cunningham and Jerson Velazquez Manor Night Club Carl E. Trough Michael Dager and Harvey Shapiro D’Angelo Realty Group / Michael Faerber Michael McArdle and Thomas Holland USA Benefi ts Group / Joseph Mustipher Fast Printz / Victor Flores Don D’Arminio and Marc Martorana Joe McConnell and Michael Lennon Ultimate Smile / Dr. J. Heider and Thomas Carr Andrew Fischman Lyle Davis Kent McIntyre and John Tambasco Charitable Richard Vallari August Gold and Carol Logen Decorating Den / Lance Hatch Fund at Our Fund, Inc. Ted Verdone and John Curtin Tyler Healis Dominick De Stefano Ken Merrifi eld and Fred Berger Vincent Vigliotti Neill Hirst, MD and Greg Hughes Dental Associates of Boca Raton / Dr. Michael Midland Medical Center / Steven Levin and Village Pub Robert Hubbard and Bill Greeves Costabile Gregg West Vitas Healthcare Corp. Iberia Bank Dennis Dean Photography / Dennis Dean Anthony Molluso and Bill Volbrecht W Fort Lauderdale James A. Johnson / James A. Johnson Fund for Philip Dearborn Monk’s Corner Estate Liquidators / Jim Fowler James Wagner Giving at Our Fund, Inc. William Desautels and Lee Moffi tt and Dennis Gluck We Florida Financial Robert Judd and Russell Neal Dolphin Democratic Club / Ron Mills Moonruby, LLC / Stanley Lou Steve Wetzler Don Kocher and Jonathan Salt Downtown Loft Studios / Bruce Presley and Anthony More Norris Wildhagen and Dr. Troy Robinson Steve Lovci Chris Hedlund Most Life / Maureen Faul and Stacey Citrin C. Theodore Wolf and Frank Decolator Marriott Fort Lauderdale - North Stephen Draft and Allen Peterson Kevin Murdoch Tom Wolf and Fernando Rodrigues Lynn McLaughlin and David Webb Irwin Drucker David Moon and Eugene Smith Gregory Dudzek and Jayant Goyle Join the Pride Center Founders Circle! Support the programs and services of The Pride Gregory Moore and Dr. Allan Barsky Eden Funeral Services / Norm Jacobs and Keith Richard Nolan and Robert Pingpank Epstein Center. Founders Circle memberships begin at $100 per month. For more information, please Edward Jones Investments / Darcy Beeman 14 contact Roger Roa, Director of Development, [email protected] Calling All Artists www.PrideCenterFlorida.org Know a Talented Artist Seeking an Opportunity to Mount a Show? by Anthony Brautigam, Pride Center Galleries Curator

s an aspiring artist, I get overwhelmed with my work shown to a completely diff erent public than what proud. His multi-medium works looked fabulous and the thought of displaying my own artwork: I was used to. It inspired me to create more work, and do were professionally displayed and sold. Thanks once again the venue; producing enough artwork; the it again.” to The Pride Center and Anthony for this very positive and cost of putting on a show; not to mention the Landon, a local artist who brought his vivid and memorable experience.” Apublic’s reaction to my work. They say art is subjective, yet provocative photography to raise awareness about We seek artwork that portrays and represents diff erent exposure is required for it to subjected. The Pride Center transgender issues, stated, “Images of Trans people (and cultures, beliefs, and narratives. As a community center, opened its doors and provided me the opportunity to especially images of nude Trans bodies) are still rarely we host diverse monthly events and activities which display my work, and in gratitude I work to continue this shown and displayed in broader LGBTQ spaces. Bringing provide additional exposure to the artists showcasing their mode of exposure. my digital images of trans-people bodies to life in print, work. During many months of the year, we collaborate with The Pride Center Galleries provides local artists in and having The Pride Center embrace this body of work, other art groups across South Florida to fi ll the galleries our community an avenue to showcase their talent and was really encouraging.” with the works of their artists. We try and bring in several works of art. The showrooms provide spacious settings Pride Center Galleries also provides the layout and artists’ work to hang at a time, thus giving visitors diff erent and extensive walls equipped with professional tools design for the artist’s fl yer advertising their reception interpretations and views on self expression and identity. for safely hanging and displaying the artist’s work for an event. We promote the art through our social media. We I’ve only organized the galleries for a handful of months, entire month at a low cost. In addition, the artist can host a want to help artists expand their audience beyond their but I want to see Pride Center Galleries develop. I want to reception for friends, family and the community to attend peers, potentially selling their work and networking with make this a place to motivate creativity. I want to provide and enjoy the work. I work to ensure the set up for our other organizations. a platform to gain experience to the “closeted artist” who artists runs smoothly. One of my favorite’s recent showcases was for Rene can one day see work at Art Walks, shows and larger We’ve received incredible feedback from artists. “I had Perriolat. Not only did his work touch me, but the story galleries. My personal call is to LGBT youth, to artists with done many shows in Venezuela,” said Manuel Leon. “’The why it was displayed at the gallery was simply beautiful. hidden talents in our community, our local schools, whose Color Theory and Geometry Light Impression’ was my “Rene passed away in May of 2013,” stated his partner work we do not yet see in the windows of fancy galleries fi rst show in the United States. I was nervous. However, Gregg. “It was a wonderful event to be able to honor his or shops. Help us enhance the inclusive home we envision the whole process at The Pride Center was a breeze. I had memory and his artistic talent in this way. He would be The Pride Center to be. VOICE Did you know? Winter 2016

+ Over 100 people play Bingo at The Pride Center on the second Saturday evening of every month. Check out The Center’s website to learn more!

+ The Center regularly hosts art gallery openings, films, music and live theater presentations

+ Our CHOICES programs can help build coping skills for some of the stresses of living with HIV. Contact [email protected] for more information

+ You can buy a brick with your personalized message in our Courtyard at Equality Park. Call Bryon at 954.463.9005 for more info. 15 Largest Program for LGBT Seniors The Beat Goes On in the Country Enhances Lives By Bruce Williams, Senior Services Coordinator 015 was an absolutely amazing year for Senior program has provided technological training and Programming at The Pride Center. Attendance professional guidance that has enabled a number skyrocketed as we’ve addressed real needs among of local adults to fi nd new or better employment Seniors. The Pride Center now provides the largest and reports more than 500 visits to workshops, program2 for LGBT Seniors at any community center in the events, classes or individual consultations. country. Together, we have connected older adults with area Our community service eff orts have included resources, facilitated the provision of healthcare services, quarterly Driver’s Safety Programs and annual off ered support services and hosted events both educational Income Tax Preparations Service in collaboration and fun. Our collaborations with area organizations result in with AARP. We hosted helpful events featuring an enhanced senior life style and improve the aging process a spectrum of services from free telephones for future generations of LGBT seniors. for individuals with limited funds and hearing By the end of the year, we logged nearly 27,000 visits by disabilities to sessions with experts in the areas LGBT seniors--a record number of visits. Of that number, of Advanced Directives, LGBT property rights, we welcomed over 9,000 Coff ee & Conversation visits, voter registration with ballot explanations, and Medicare a project in conjunction with SAGE USA, recording brief, 8,745 Enhance Fitness hits and a highly-successful Sixth coverage choices. Speakers at our weekly Coff ee & personnel anecdotes from LGBT seniors examining how Sensational Senior Health Expo that sold out to over 65 Conversation gatherings have included physicians, dentists, they’ve overcome discrimination. They describe growing up vendors and drew a crowd of over 600 LGBT seniors, hospitals and home health care agencies. Other community gay in a harsh and homophobic society. We hope that these friends and families. Support groups for Seniors that partners have presented information about addiction stories will serve not only to preserve historical, personal we organize have received over 600 visits. Our Pride and rehab resources, end of life services, and renovation narratives, but help enlighten younger generations. These Thursday series reports more than 400 visits and featured techniques to make one’s home more age-friendly and stories will create awareness to help thwart attempts to brilliant presentations by area dignitaries. Our SAGEWorks extend the ability to live independently. We off ered support reverse civil rights successes recently achieved by our programs in collaboration with community. The Alzheimer’s Association, The sheer numbers of LGBT seniors attending our Gilda’s Club, Trustbridge Health gatherings has elicited inquiries from similar groups in Services, Vitas Health Services both Dade and Palm Beach Counties to visit and learn how and others. We enjoyed lectures to create similar programs. The numbers also have caught by Dr. Anthony Del Nuovo, who the eyes of several area political fi gures; Congresswoman was with The Betty Ford Clinic, Lois Frankel, for instance, recently chose one of our events

Winter 2016 and everyone’s favorite, Betty as an opportunity to present Vice Mayor Julie Carson with Rossi. Jerry Chasen of SAGE a U.S. Congressional award. This year, we also were very USA, inspired us with a chat proud to be honored by The League of Women Voters for about “Successful Aging”. our outstanding work with LGBT seniors. A project that began as an Although we recorded over 27,000 senior visits at

VOICE attempt to fi nd out IF there were The Pride Center last year, this represents just the tip of any LGBT-supportive long term the iceberg of our LGBT senior community. In an eff ort care (LTC) facilities has turned to identify new individuals and their needs, we have into our Sixth Sensational collaborated with Case Western Reserve and The University Senior Health Expo, selling-out of Miami to administer surveys of seniors’ needs and to exhibitors yet once again. In preferences. We were honored to be invited to participate an eff ort to keep seniors fi t, we in The White House Conference on Aging in Tampa which off ered our Enhance Fitness served as a forum for making known LGBT-specifi c issues in Program with The YMCA of reference to The Older American’s Act. Broward County. We recently embarked on the “Protect Our Elders” Healthy and supported” but Project to equip ourselves with nationally-respected “no fun” doesn’t work, so we cultural competency training certifi cation. We aim to produced many entertaining equip local senior service providers with training to make events with SAGE of South their businesses into more LGBT-friendly, supportive and Florida, The Prime Timers, live culturally profi cient environments. We’ve embarked on theater, an expert in ancestry/ this project in conjunction with Our Fund, LGBT providers genealogy and even a Drag throughout South Florida, SAGE USA and The National Show at 10 am in the morning. Resource Center. We launched SAGE Stories, As Sonny and Cher noted, “The Beat Goes On!” For further information on Seniors Services at The Pride Center, please 16 contact Bruce Williams: bwilliams@pridecenterfl orida.org A New Platform www.PrideCenterFlorida.org Wilson Uses Outreach Leadership Role to Engage Diverse Communities By Shanna Ratliff

bony Wilson is no stranger to the hard work and dedication required to bring HIV prevention services to previouslyE overlooked communities in Broward County. During her past three years as the Expanding Testing Initiative Coordinator at The Pride Center, Ebony has taken testing services to areas outside the LGBT community, including more than two dozen new locations throughout Broward County. She’s successfully targeted communities of color in unique settings. Recognizing Ebony’s passion, professionalism, creativity, skill and dedication, The Pride Center recently promoted Ebony to HIV Prevention

Outreach Coordinator. She will build VOICE on her previous success for expanding Ebony explains the importance of HIV prevention and outreach services this action plan: “By succeeding in to broad and diverse communities. expanding services to people we The Pride Center’s clients, don’t yet know, we will live up to

volunteers and staff recognize The Center’s goal to provide a safe, Winter 2016 Ebony’s talent and focus. Testing and welcoming space, not only for the Outreach Specialist Julian Alterman LGBT community, but any and all has worked with Ebony since he residents of Broward County.” fi rst became involved with The Ebony is hard at work developing Center. “Ebony taught, mentored new community engagement and guided me during my early days strategies and planning events providing HIV testing,” says Julian. designed to diversify the reach of “Her knowledge, dedication and those receiving The Pride Center’s commitment to HIV prevention, HIV prevention services. Ebony has education and outreach have been an reached and begun collaboration with inspiration to me. I am thrilled she the department of Veterans Aff airs has been given this new platform to (VA) in Sunrise. The VA recently further the positive impact she has reported an alarming increase in had on our community.” HIV diagnoses of veterans. The Ebony has been developing the VA and The Center have partnered goals she will seek to achieve in her to develop strategies on how to new position. “My primary goal will integrate and deliver The Pride be to extend our range of infl uence Center’s varied programs to the VA’s throughout Broward County by population. Ebony and the VA have expanding beyond the borders of begun discussing a Pride Center and Wilton Manors,” she shares. VA joint social function to inform the Ebony wants residents throughout veteran population of the vast range Broward County to know about of services available at The Pride each of The Pride Center’s diverse Center. By reaching out to diversifi ed programs and services. She wants populations, Ebony will broaden the people linked to healthcare, support Center’s impact on all populations at groups, workshops and HIV testing. risk of contracting or spreading HIV. 17 Senior Health Expo Over 600 people attended our sixth annual LGBT Senior Health Expo. The Expo provides seniors with a unique, comprehensive overview of available healthcare services. Over sixty LGBT-friendly medical, senior living, social service, insurance, financial, legal and home health providers showcased their services and products through this trade show. Photos by Photos by Steve Shires Winter 2016 VOICE

18 Founders Circle Reception at The Pride Center www.PrideCenterFlorida.org The Law Offices of George Castrataro generously sponsored a recent Founders Circle Reception at The Pride Center. Founders provide at least $100 monthly to support the programs and services of The Pride Center. Photos by Stephen Lang

Fifth Annual Community Day The Pride Center organized and hosted this popular community and family outreach day. Activities included a Kids’ Costume Contest indoors with South Florida Family Pride. Broward Sheriff’s Office provided K9 demonstrations, fire trucks, police vehicles and more. Photos by Steve Shires VOICE Winter 2016

19 Founders Circle Reception and Toy Drive Launch at Gallery One Gallery One hosted and sponsored a recent Founders Reception. The evening also served as the successful launch party for the ninth annual Judy Shepherd Toy Drive. Funds donated by Founders Circle underwrite life-enhancing programs and services to the community. Hundreds of toys were collected that night. Photos by Stephen Lang Winter 2016 VOICE

20 PALS Project Launches New www.PrideCenterFlorida.org Social LIFE Program Return to the HIVe By Doug Cureton hat am I going to do Shanna, Robert Boo, CEO of the on Tuesday nights Pride Center, and Kristofer Fegenbush, “Wnow?” is a common COO, welcomed the participants and question posed by graduates of the invited everyone to get involved in L.I.F.E (Learning Immune Function the SOCIAL LIFE Program. Boo, a Enhancement) Program. participant from Cycle 3 beamed, “I Social LIFE is a new peer-driven, am so excited to see so many of you social, cultural and educational returning tonight. The LIFE Program program aimed at actively engaging is about making and maintaining the graduates of the L.I.F.E Program. connections and this certainly Over a decade, the PALS (Positive demonstrates the need for this Action for Living Safely) Project at program!” The Pride Center has coordinated 21 Fegenbush encouraged, “We need cycles of the L.I.F.E. program. L.I.F.E. each and every one of you to become is an 18 week prevention and health part of this program – to share your enhancement program focused on energy and spirit to build and sustain addressing vital co-factors related to the energy we see and feel here maintaining biological, psychological tonight.” and social wellness for those living Evidently the event was long with HIV. Over 40 participants overdue as several participants Staff, volunteers and program graduates enjoy reunion for LIFE Program graduates attend each cycle. To date, over 800 commented that they were looking individuals have graduated from forward to some opportunities to the program. Graduates have sought reconnect. For further information and to get involved, contact the PALS Project at opportunities to connect.

Shanna Ratliff , Prevention with • “I attended Cycle 6, and I couldn’t [email protected] or 954.463.9011. VOICE Positives Manager, and other PALS believe you contacted me for a staff interviewed former L.I.F.E. reunion. This is wonderful.” participants for feedback. They consistently requested on-going • “I’m looking forward to getting involved. We need more of this programs. Shanna invited several Winter 2016 former LIFE program participants to positive energy.” form a committee to discuss ideas and options to meet the needs of • “I actually met some new friends graduates. From these meetings, who I am excited to get to know Social LIFE was created. better.” The fi rst event, an Open House and Reception, was held prior to the The Social LIFE Committee is Candelight Vigil on World AIDS at actively looking for ideas, suggestions the newly renovated PALS offi ces at and involvement to create an on- The Center. Over 50 attendees toured going schedule of activities, programs the new space for all HIV prevention and events to meet the needs of services at The Pride Center and met all individuals impacted by HIV. with staff and volunteers. Some programs will be for L.I.F.E The second event “RETURN TO THE participants and others will be for HIVe” was held in January to reunite the entire community. Whether it’s and reconnect program graduates a panel discussion, guest speakers, and friends. The L.I.F.E. meeting workshops, movie night, bowling or room was transformed into a golden collaborating with other organizations hive ambiance complete with bees by to create larger programs, we need to the generosity and talent of Bobby hear from you! Kyser and his phenomenal staff from A new Social LIFE Community Panache Style. A wonderful buff et of Organization Facebook page has entrees and desserts was coordinated been created so you can keep in by Patrick Drake and donated by touch and share ideas online. Just former participants. DJ Julian Marsh search for Social LIFE on Facebook spun amazing music to keep people or enter the following link in your mingling and smiling throughout the browser https://www.facebook.com/ 21 evening. PrideCenterSocialLife/. Playground Build The Pride Center at Equality Park, KaBOOM! and JetBlue collaborated to build the first playground on the campus of an LGBTQ community center. Over 300 volunteers assisted with the planning, fundraising, prepation and construction of the playground. Photos by Steve Shires Winter 2016 VOICE

22 www.PrideCenterFlorida.org VOICE Winter 2016

23 Kwanzaa The Pride Center’s Kiki Project collaborated with Black Gay Pride South Florida, Stonewall National Library and Archives and others on the annual Kwanzaa celebration. This gathering of people of color, their allies and friends celebrates cultural diversity and unity.

Founders Circle Reception at B Ocean The B Ocean Hotel on beautiful Fort Lauderdale Winter 2016 beach hosted and sponsored a recent Founders Reception. Guests enjoyed refreshing ocean breezes and stunning views. Founders provide at least $100 monthly to support the programs and services of

VOICE The Pride Center. To learn more about Founders, contact Roger Roa at [email protected] photos by Stephen Lang

24 Memories at a Discount www.PrideCenterFlorida.org Take advantage of special on personalized engraved pavers in Equality Park Courtyard By Bryon Bowlby VOICE

or a limited time only, buy a CEO. Proceeds from your donations Commemorative Paver at The go to help fund essential services at Pride Center at Equality Park The Pride Center. at a discounted price. Many members of the LGBTQ FFrom now until March 31, 2016 you community have gone on-line or come Winter 2016 can purchase one of the following in to meet with Development Team at personalized pavers at the following The Center to buy a brick. They give discounts: generously to leave a lasting message important to them in these watershed 4” by 4” Paver - $75 – times in the LGBTQ Community. As one member said when he (Regularly $100) bought his bricks, “I can’t wait to see the expression on my husband’s 4” by 8” Paver - $200 – face when he sees our names on our bricks.” (Regularly $250) Do you have you a message you would like to leave or a remembrance for someone you have lost? What 12” by 12” Paver - $375 better way to do so than to name a – (Regularly $500) brick at The Pride Center? Won’t it be a wonderful statement to one day (Due to the limited space, discounts have the entire walkway fi lled with do not apply to Paver Arrays. Other messages from the LGBTQ community limitations and restrictions apply; and friends of the community? contact Bryon or Roger at The Center To become inspired, or to see the for more details!) great progress being made on the “What a better way to remember a Equality Park Courtyard, please loved one, a special occasion such as visit the South side of the Schubert a wedding or a birthday than to have building. See what your friends and the memory engraved in a paver and neighbors are saying! installed in The Pride Center’s Equality Hurry now, as this special off er only Park Courtyard?” asks Robert Boo, lasts until March 31, 2016! 25 “Good boys didn’t dance...not good Christian boys” Seniors share video testimonials of overcoming discrimination for national project

GBT seniors have a lifetime of powerful experiences to share. The Pride Center partnered with SAGE USA in a national digital story-telling project that SAGE Story Survivors. These are some of the stars of the project: Lcaptures anecdotes reflective of growing-up in a homophobic, intolerant and discriminatory society. We recorded brief, personal stories from local LGBT seniors. We hope that these stories will serve not only to preserve historical, personal narratives, but help enlighten all generations. These stories will create awareness to help thwart attempts to reverse civil rights successes recently achieved by our community.

Join us for a public showing of these video testimonials, as friends and neighbors • SONNY MILLER, 69 courageously share poignant thoughts, • BURKE LAURENDINE, 63 Wilton Manors, Florida reflections and memories from their past. Wilton Manors, Florida “My Mother gave me a letter that said “They were using trumped up charges WHEN: February 23, 2016 at 1:15 pm I had trouble dealing with men……. to cut his hand off because he was gay” WHERE: The Pride Center at Equality Park, which was NOT my problem” Schubert Building Main Hall Winter 2016

VOICE • CARL BARTON, 76 • MARK MEDLIN, 59 • TERRY FEATHER, 61 Wilton Manors, Florida Wilton Manors, Florida Wilton Manors, Florida “My Mother said that someone “My Mom told me last night that your “I never had the conversation I had told her I was queer” Father is gay” wanted to have with my Father”

• LARRY ELWIN. 79 • ROGER MILLER, 74 • RICHARD FRAZER, 75 Wilton Manors, Florida Wilton Manors, Florida Wilton Manors, Florida “My gay escape story…… “Good boys didn’t dance…… “Back in the 60s, the thing well, they threw me in jail” not good Christian boys”! that you did was get married” 26 “I Realize How Vital this www.PrideCenterFlorida.org Resource Has Become...” Reflections on Impact of Women’s Health Directory at LBTHealth.org By Roya Amirniroumand, Women with Pride Coordinator ack in November, our friends at the Compass Community Center hosted the Women’s BHealth Conference. I had the pleasure of presenting at one of the breakout sessions about the online LBT Health Directory. During the session, I talked about the value of cultural competence, the importance of preventative care, and why LBThealth.org has grown tremendously in provider recommendations and visitors over the last several years. Roya Amirniroumand What I found most interesting VOICE and impactful during this time was the feedback that I received visitors utilize the online directory from the attendees. We discussed the ever month. Breast Cancer Walk invaluable resources the Directory As we move closer to spring The Pride Center organized a passionate team who dressed in pink and raised provided, what was missing and what and Women’s History Month, I am money for the annual American Cancer Society breast cancer walk through Winter 2016 we could improve moving forward. reminded to stay humble, connect downtown Fort Lauderdale. Photos by Manuel Leon and Kristofer Fegenbush After the event I walked to my car with others and refl ect on my own self- and I could not stop thinking about care. In our busy lives and agendas, one particular moment. In the midst it is easy to overlook the smaller of my animated and rather hasty moments that make up the big goals speech, one individual stopped me and those individuals that deeply care to make a comment. This individual and share the same passions that we told me that she was impressed with do. Ultimately, it is the volunteers and my willingness to take constructive those who share their feedback and criticism, and my enthusiasm about experiences with us that help to revise, making such improvements. At that update, and expand LBTHealth.org. exact moment I thought, “where did At this time, the online LBT Health this come from?” But afterwards I was Directory covers Miami-Dade, incredibly grateful and deeply moved Broward, and Palm Beach counties with when I realized the magnitude of such over 300 providers and 40 specialties. a comment. Each provider profi le includes It takes a village to make something information on insurance, additional transformative happen. In the initial services, and LGBTQ inclusivity and phases of the Directory, we surveyed policies. As the unique visitors and LBT women in the community provider recommendations continue for best practice techniques, their to grow, I realize how vital this needs and healthcare provider resource has become. I encourage recommendations. With your input everyone to take a look at LBTHealth. we have been able to put together org and tell us what you like, what you an incredible resource that can help do not like, and what is missing. If you each of us check-in and take care of are interested in working with our our mental, emotional, and physical team please email us at: LBTHealth@ well-being. Over 1,000 new, unique pridecenterfl orida.org. 27 Can A Pill A Day Keep HIV Away? PrEP Coordinator Helps People Access Life-Saving Prevention Services

ave questions about PrEP? Wondering protection, and some can hardly believe it. So we’re if what you’ve heard from friends is here to change that because PrEP is an effective true? Need help accessing a competent ‘always-on’ form of protection and is proving to be physician? Facing challenges with life-changing for our community.” payment?H About 50,000 people get infected with HIV each The Pride Center has expanded its PrEP with year in the United States, according to the Centers for Pride program and has hired a creative, passionate, Disease Control. PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) full-time PrEP Coordinator, Patrick Whiteside. is the first proven-effective biomedical approach Whiteside has been working to increase the to HIV prevention. Currently approved for PrEP is awareness of PrEP to at-risk individuals, expand Truvada, an anti-retroviral medication, now used a directory of culturally-competent medical to prevent people from becoming infected with providers prescribing PrEP, and provide direct the HIV virus. It is a single pill, and when taken linkage-to-care for people seeking access to daily has shown to be highly effective against HIV. PrEP. Additionally, he is facilitating Pride Center Adherence is vital. The protocol is recommended in activities, resources, events and services for PrEP conjunction with testing and condoms. PrEP does as an effective HIV prevention tool. not protect you from other STIs. “The studies have shown that PrEP works,” says The Pride Center is excited to expand this game Patrick. “It’s great that HIV is no longer the death changing shift in HIV prevention, which is aligned sentence it once was. Even better, we now have with The National HIV/AIDS Strategy three main a new way to prevent it: one pill, once a day. But goals: 1 Reduce HIV-Incidence; 2 Increase access to not a lot of people know about this new form of care and optimize health outcomes; and 3 Reduce HIV-related health disparities. “In collaboration with The Pride advance information on PrEP. Winter 2016 Center’s HIV “Not only are PrEP users reporting less anxiety prevention services, in their sex lives, but serodiscordant couples are Whiteside has now able to shed the fear that the negative partner brought his unique might become positive thanks to the protection it marketing perspective provides,” says Patrick. “Although this isn’t the cure VOICE to expand the PrEP or the vaccine we’re still waiting for, it’s definitely workshops, conduct a game-changing form of protection we welcome.” innovative town halls Since beginning his work a few months ago, and contribute to the Patrick has directly counseled over 40 clients and goal of Getting to Zero linked them with local doctors. And, feedback new infections,” says affirms he’s off to a great start Dr. Listron Mannix, “On behalf of myself and my partner, I wanted to Testing and Outreach thank you for time yesterday,” says one recent client. Manager. “Your knowledge, patience and professionalism Whiteside has over were greatly appreciated.” 20 years of marketing Patrick is passionate about his work. “When our communications clients take the time to reach out to me to offer experience, and their gratitude for helping them access PrEP, it holds a bachelor of reminds me how much of an impact we’re making science of advertising in our community. We’re truly changing lives, but, communications from most importantly, we’re making sex even safer and Florida International preventing new HIV infections.” University. He is excited to work at For information contact: The Pride Center, Patrick Whiteside; (954) 463-9005 ext. 210; where he can marry 2038 N. Dixie Hwy; his advertising and Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33305; 28 advocacy skills to [email protected] Founders Circle Reception at The Westin Fort Lauderdale www.PrideCenterFlorida.org The Westin Fort Lauderdale Hotel recently hosted a Founders Circle Reception. If you’d like to become a Founder and empower the work of The Center, contact Roger Roa at 954.463.9011. Photos by Stephen Lang VOICE

Martin Luther King Parade

The Pride Center was honored to Winter 2016 participate in the annual Martin Luther King Parade. Outreach and prevention staff were received warmly and were able to share about the work of The Center. Photos by Manuel Leon

29 Landon Gallery Opening This art exhibit opening featured the works of trans artist Landon J. Woolston as part of our month of events honoring Transgender Awareness Month. To learn more about our transgender services and monthly educational events, contact Transgender Services Specialist Jodi Reichman at [email protected] Photos by Manuel Leon Winter 2016 State of the Kiki The Center’s Kiki Project gathered local leaders and community members to discuss the program of this innovative HIV prevention program. Kiki is

VOICE designed by same-gender-loving men of color for same-gender-loving men of color.

30 All Together Now www.PrideCenterFlorida.org Consolidating HIV Services Benefits Clients By Dr. Listron Mannix, Testing and Outreach Manager, and Lorenzo Robertson, Emerging Interventions Manager hanges are happening for the client.” on the Equality Park As you may be aware, our HIV testing campus. The changes services used to be located on the fi rst are not only good, but fl oor of the Schubert Building at the great for clients we serve. front of campus. Outreach services, CWe’ve moved all our HIV prevention healthcare navigation, ARTAS, VOICES services--all staff , all programs--to new and some other prevention services spaces in Building B. Our changes to were on the second fl oor. Our PALS we assessed the best ways to serve the home--to our community. Our serve you better, our community. Project, Couples Speak and the Kiki community, though, we’ve long wanted prevention staff and volunteer team is “I feel the changes are great for the Project were housed in Building B at the to unite our HIV prevention services dedicated to providing the best, most client,” says Jakari Roundtree, Kiki back of campus. For clients, community into one cohesive space. Now we have. welcoming services. Whether you’re Project Outreach and Testing Specialist. members, visitors or collaborative “I love the changes,” says Rafael picking up a condom, seeking counsel, “If a client is reactive when receiving organizations, it could all be a little Reyes, Healthcare Linkage Coordinator. needing to be linked to healthcare, an HIV test, we can walk him directly confusing. “I think the moves make the experience investigating PrEP, having a Kiki, to our Healthcare Linkage Coordinator, The Center’s prevention services more seamless for clients. As staff , or enrolling in LIFE, CHOICES or without parading him across campus. have grown exponentially over the last we can work more cohesively as a Couples Speak, we’re here for you. . We He can meet the team from the PALS decade. New programs, new services prevention team.” encourage neighbors, visitors, clients, Project across the hall. Having all and new staff moved into available We hope the new space lives up to supporters, friends and family to come prevention services housed in one spaces as we evolved. There was our mission statement: to provide a take a tour of our new home. Stay building also promotes confi dentiality always a method to the madness. As welcoming, safe space--an inclusive awhile! Our services are FREE. VOICE

Did you know? Winter 2016

+ Our PrEP Specialist helps people get information, education and access assistance for Pre Exposure Prophylaxis. Email [email protected] for more info.

+ Over 1000 visitors and 80 vendors attend The Pride Center’s Flea Market on the first Saturday of every month. Check it out!

+ Every day, The Center hosts a variety of 12-step meetings, including AA, NA and CMA

+ The Pride Center is the largest site for Enhanced Fitness classes for Seniors offered in the United States. Get healthy with The Center! 31 Founders Circle Reception at Marriott Fort Lauderdale Marriott Fort Lauderdale hosted a recent Founders Circle Reception. Founders provide at least $100 monthly to support the programs and services of The Pride Center. Photos by Stephen Lang

LIFE Program Graduation Groups at the Pride Center Friends, family, volunteers, staff and program participants gathered for a recent graduation of the 18-week LIFE Program. This holistic wellness and prevention program helps people living with HIV WEEKLY RECURRING MEETINGS Toastmasters, Educational, Mon, 7:15p-9:15p AA – Each Day a New Beginning, Recovery, Daily, 9-10a Women’s Non-Competitive Basketball, Social,Mon,Thur 5:30p, enhance their health. If you’d like to join the LIFE AA – Northeast Group, Recovery, Mon, 8:30-9:30p Sat 3p Program, contact The Pride Center’s PALS Project at AA – Sober, Proud and Gay, Recovery, Fri, 8:30-10p Pride Center Young Adult Group, (23-35 yoa), Support, Fri, 7-9p 954.463.9011. AA – Pride 5:45 Meeting, Recovery, Daily, 5:45-6:45p Yoga with Drew Miller, Social, Wed, 6p-7p Winter 2016 A Course in Miracles, Social, Tues, 7:00p-9p BrothasspeakFTL-Social, Wed, 7:00p-9:00p BI-WEEKLY RECURRING MEETINGS Coffee and Conversation – SAC, Social/Seniors, Tues, Ballet & Opera Group, Educational, 2nd & 4th Sunday, 1-4p 10:30a-12noon Sunserve POZ Long-Term Survivor, Gay Men/HIV Support, 1st & Crystal Meth Anonymous, Recovery Mon 6p-7p, Wed, 6p-7p 3rd Tues, 6:30-8p Games Day, Social, 2nd & 4th Tues, 1-4p Senior Games Day, Social, 2nd & 4th Tue, 1-4p VOICE Gay Bridge Club, Fun, Mon & Fri, 1-4p Gay Hearts, Social, Sun, 1-3:30p MONTHLY RECURRING MEETINGS/EVENTS Gay Men’s Empowerment Group, Thurs 7p-8:30p Pride Center BINGO, Open to Public, 2nd Sat, 7-10p and 4th Sun, Living Agelessly @ Pride Center w/ August Gold, Tues,Social,12- 4p-7p 1p Dolphin Democrats, Monthly Meeting, 2nd Wed, 7:30-9:30p Island City Al-anon-Support, Thur, 7-8p Equality Park Garden Club, Educational, 3rd Wed, 7-9p Mahjong, Social, Wed, 1-5:00p Pride Center Flea Market, Open to Public, 1st Sat, 8a-2p Man2Man Talk, Social, Mon, 7-8:30p Primetimers, Open to Public, 1st Sun, 2-4:30p Monday Night Women’s Group, Social, Mon, 7:30-9p SAGE Movie, Social, 3rd Mon, 4-6p Narcotics Anonymous Rainbow Group, Recovery, Wed, 8-9p Spiritual Workshop with August Gold,Social, 2nd Sat, 1p-3p New Path Narcotics Anonymous Group, Recovery, Mon/Tue/Thu, Transgender Support Group, Support, 3rd Fri, 7-8:30p 7-8p Women with Pride Book Club, 2nd Thur, 7-9p New Path Narcotics Anonymous Group, Recovery, Sat/Sun, 4-5p Women with Pride Game Night, 1st Tues, 7p-9p Open Hearts Meditation Group,Sat,3:30p-5p Overeaters Anonymous, Recovery, Sun, 12n-1:30p Overeaters Anonymous, Recovery, Fri, 7:30-9p POZ Attitudes Here and Now, HIV Support, Wed, 7-9p, For further information or to rent a room for your Quit Smoking Now, Tues 7p-8:30p (Inquire for details) SAGE Men’s Social, Social/Seniors, Wed, 1-3p special event call: Samantha McCoy at 954-463- SAGE Computer Club, Wed 4p-5:15p SAGE CO-ED Discussion Group, Thurs, 1p-3p 9005 ext. 101. Sunserve Pos Long Term Survivors, 1st/3rd Tues,6:30-8:30p Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), Recovery, Fri, 7p-8p Visit www.pridecenterfl orida.org/calendar for Senior Exercise Class YMCA Health, Senior, Mon-Fri, 10:10a-11:10a,11:15-12:15p,1:30-2:30p meeting room assignments. Senior Gay Men’s Support Group, Support, Mon, 11a-12p Smart Recovery, Recovery, Mon, 7:30-8:30p/Thur, 6:30p-8p Room days/times subject to change. The Healing Project Meeting,Tues 7:30p-9pm 32 Directory www.PrideCenterFlorida.org These businesses represent some of our valuable supporters. To become a Business Founder, please contact Roger Roa: [email protected] or 954.463.9005 VOICE Winter 2016

33 Redefine your life. Recovery from addiction is possible

call admissions today 954-332-0599 Winter 2016 VOICE

34 3.5” x 2” www.PrideCenterFlorida.org

Darcy J Beeman, CFP®, AAMS®, ADPA® Financial Advisor . 717 S E 2nd Street Ste 204 Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-463-1933 www.edwardjones.com

We’re more than just medicine…

Robert Butler, PA-C Dr. Marah J. Lee Dr. Serge Gardere

Specializing in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and HIV Prevention (PrEP),

Internal Medicine, Neuromuscular Medicine

(954) 772-8554 5333 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 110, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334 www.lifewaymd.com VOICE

Winter 2016

+ The Pride Center’s CouplesSpeak program builds relationship skills, improves communication, lowers risks, and enhances sex

+ The Pride Center’s Healthcare Navigator links people daily to vital medical care. Contact The Did you Pride Center for more info!

+ The Pride Center provides workshops for prospective and current LGBT parents. Follow The Center on Facebook to stay up-to-date

+ The Pride Center has provided individualized HIV prevention outreach to more than 70,000 know? people since the beginning of 2015 35 36