Covering all of South Florida www.ExpressGayNews.com This Above All... To Thine Own Self Be True. Broward/Dade County’s Independent March 12th, 2001 Gay and Lesbian Community Newspaper Volume 2, Number 6 SouthSouth BeachBeach ‘Winter Party’Party’ BringsBrings ThousandsThousands SeasideSeaside Pride Parade Lights Up Las Olas in Lauderdale The Gay and Lesbian Community Center Pride Parade Float, March 4th in Ft Lauderdale. Story and Photos on Page 11. Warm breezes, vibrant colors and the interesting juxtaposition with the beach.” lushness of the tropics greeted thousands “It’s really become an international of partygoers at Miami Beach’s 14th Street event,’’ said Craig Smith, events director for as they danced the afternoon away at Winter the Dade Human Rights Foundation. “This Party on Sunday, March 11.The annual ritual has been a record year for ticket sales, so of South Beach sunbathing came to Miami far. We’ve been assisted by a very cold this past weekend as over 5,000 gay men from winter up North. And we have a great lineup around the country packed bars, hotels, and of DJs.’’ Smith was interviewed last week by guesthouses in Broward and Dade County. a number of gay papers throughout the Forty-one percent of Winter Party country and featured in gay columnist’s attendees are from Miami-Dade and Steve Rothaus column in the Miami Herald. Broward counties. The rest come from the The Dade Human Rights Foundation Northeast, California, Canada,Europe and expected to raise $350,000 this weekend alone. elsewhere. The annual circuit party, often Since the first Winter Party in 1994, the criticized for being too hedonistic, foundation has given $633,900 in grants. ‘Gays In Sports’ Featured nevertheless pumps thousands of needed Each year, the foundation gives dollars into local charitable ventures. thousands of dollars to organizations such This year’s Winter Party included a few as the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Tonight at Eden Roc in MB new twists, including some wonderful Pridelines Youth Services and SAVE Dade, Coming out is difficult enough for the Media Award nominee this year. “This panel interactive entertainment - performers who the group that fought for and is now average man or woman, but being in the will explore the climate for gays and lesbians enhanced the party experience. For the first defending Miami-Dade County’s gay-rights spotlight as a gay or lesbian professional in a variety of sports, from both a current time, Winter Party featured the extraordinary ordinance. athlete presents an even greater set of and historical perspective,” said Mr. Lipsyte. talents of two DJs - Warren Gluck and Tracy The list of places that have been aided challenges. “Both of our guests bear personal witness Young, as well as fifteen others. by the Dade Human Rights Foundation also Billy Bean and Diana Nyad will take part to the difficulties and rewards of coming out.” The feel of this year’s party was tropical includes Fort Lauderdale’s Stonewall Library, in “Breaking the Silence: Gays and Lesbians A familiar face on the Miami scene, Bean and sensual. “Think tribal, think exotic, and the South Beach AIDS Project, Body in Professional Sports,” presented by the said “For nine years, I felt as though I had most of all, think FUN,” said designer Positive, the ACLU Legal Committee, and New York Times and co-sponsored by the one foot in the major league and one on the Sean DeFreitas, whose award-winning GLSEN. Dade Human Rights Foundation (DHRF). The banana peel.” Upon coming out, Bean Designs By Sean transformed a Last week, attorney Eddy McIntyre, a event takes place this evening, March 12 at received a largely favorable response from simple, sandy patch of beach into a magical founding foundation board member and the Eden Roc Resort & Spa on Miami Beach. family, fans and former teammates and has fantasy. chairman of the grants committee told the The latest event in the Miami gone on to become an unlikely activist. In Said DeFreitas: “In many ways, the tropic Herald that “With the continued success of “TimesTalks” speaker series, the panel will November, he was honored as a national hero jungle motif parallels what WinterParty week, we’ve recently expanded be moderated by New York Times sports by the DHRF at its Recognition Awards South Beach is: sizzling, alluring, sensuous, the grants program to now provide grants to columnist Robert Lipsyte who is a GLAAD dinner. (Continued on pg 9) intriguing. These elements make an Broward-based organization with outreach in Miami-Dade County.’’ The DHRF, now growing in size, stature, and strength, is also currently conducting a nationwide search to replace founding Executive Director Clark Reynolds, who recently resigned. Board member Rosemary Wilder is leading the effort, indicating they hope to find someone with actual foundation experience in their background. They want to expand their efforts and outreach. 2 Express News Briefs Study Says Anti-Gay Bias captures all dreams and holds them in his Beddingfield The American Society on Infects U.S.A. web. Bumped Aging Presents Awards “The Dream Catcher” is an inspiring Anti-gay bias remains deeply entrenched musical that will touch your heart and hold The White House denied reports that The American Society on Aging (ASA), in American society, even though there is you spellbound as the story unfolds with Tom Beddingfield, a Gay Republican activist the nation’s largest membership organization more open discussion about gay rights and beautiful classical music. The cast under the from California, had been named President of professionals in the field of aging, is a greater public acceptance of gays’ quest direction of Bill Olson and musical director Bush’s liaison to the Gay community. recognizing two national leaders in aging for equality, a national report says. Todd Wiley consists of local talent including Beddingfield is shown here addressing the for their work in behalf of lesbian, gay, People for the American Way released David Coyle, Kathy Short, Ed Aristone, Lisa D.C. Youth Pride rally in 1999. Vigorously bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elders. its annual “Hostile Climate” report in Brown, John Costello, and Zac Newman. opposed by Stonewall Democrats, Tom The 2001 ASA Award is being presented Washington, D.C., last week and announced Orchestrations were done by Greg Denton. to Lora A. Connolly for her key role in it was starting a battle to help build support A portion of the show will be performed encouraging awareness about the needs and for gay rights legislation in California and 17 onstage at Pridefest this weekend. Tickets concerns of LGBT elders. other states. will also be available at Pridefest for all The Lesbian and Gay Senior Services The group, an education and advocacy performances. Collaborative, a joint project of three organization focusing on freedom of “The Dream Catcher” will open at the organizations in San Francisco, is being expression and First Amendment rights, has MCC Church, 330 SW 27th Street, Ft. honored with the 2001 ASA-Brookdale tracked anti-gay activity and trends with the Lauderdale on March 16th and 17th. Tickets Award for Best Practices in Human annual report since 1993. are available by calling 954-462-2004. Resources and Aging. While openly gay characters are Continuing its run, “The Dream Catcher” will The awards will be presented at the First portrayed on television shows such as “Will then move to the Gay & Lesbian Community Joint Conference of ASA and the National and Grace” and “ER” and gay politicians are Center for performances on March 30 & 31. Beddingfield drew national attention last year Council on Aging in New Orleans, March 8- increasingly winning public office, employers Tickets are $15 and all the profits from the when he reportedly gathered 1000 signatures 11, 2001. in 39 states may still legally fire employees shows will be donated to the MCC and the of gays and lesbians in support of the anti- for being gay. GLCC. gay Knight Initiative. The Knight Initiative, Latest School Spree Killer “No one should be misled that because also known as Proposition 22, passed last Blames Anti Gay Taunting a gay man can headline a television show Flea Market March in California banning the legal It’s getting to be a pattern: A teenager is that real gays and lesbians are safe in the and Block Party recognition of same-sex marriage. accused in a school shooting rampage, and streets and the schools and their homes,” Center for Reclaiming it turns out he has a history of being said Judith Schaeffer, deputy legal The first annual South Middle River America Moves repeatedly taunted with anti-Gay epithets. director for the People for the American Way Civic Association’s (SMRCA) Flea Market Charles Andrew Williams is the latest. Foundation. and Block Party will be held on Saturday, Conference The 15-year-old boy who police say killed March 31, 2001, from 8am to 5pm in the Gay The conservative Christian group The two students and wounded 13 other people “The Dream Catcher” and Lesbian Community Center (GLCC) Center for Reclaiming America has held its in a suburban San Diego high school last Cometh to Ft. Lauderdale parking lot. All groups, organizations and annual conference in Ft Lauderdale for the Monday was often the target of homophobic individuals have been invited to participate. past seven years, generating over $1 million verbal harassment, according to media Ft. Lauderdale, FL - February 23. 2001: Flea market space will rent for $15 for a local revenues. The Center vowed they would reports. “The Dream Catcher” an original play with single space and $25 for a double or corner move the conference after the Fort No one knows whether Williams is Gay the books and music done by local Ft.