The Voice Winter 2015

WINTER 2015
www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
Follow us! | www.facebook.com/ThePrideCenter | @PrideCenterFL
VOICE
Set Sail for the Greek Isles
G
Senior Health Expo
PG. 3
Breast Fest
PG. 13
rab your toga, pull out
your bronzer, loosen your
buttons and shake off your
inhibitions! The siren song of the
Greek Isles is calling your name and
you won’t need a passport.
On Saturday, February 21, 2015
at 7:00pm, The Pride Center will
collaborate with the City of Wilton
Manors to present Evening in Paradise
– Mykonos! Proceeds benefit The
Pride Center’s vital programs and
services along with Wilton Manor’s
Island City Foundation.
Mykonos is Greece’s most famous
cosmopolitan island, a whitewashed
paradise where glamour meets simplicity.
Posturing fashionistas, hot-bodied beach
goers, good-time holidaymakers and
cruise-ship crowds delight in its summer
club scene and authentic cubist charms.
What could serve as a more sizzling
inspiration for Evening in Paradise 2015?
Evening in Paradise, now in its
fourth year, has grown to represent
the signature Spring fundraising and
entertainment event for The Center
and the community.
“I can’t wait for the most glamorous
vacation destination for the world’s
jet-set to appear in South Florida,” says
Robert Boo, CEO of The Pride Center.
“We are so excited to work together
with the City of Wilton Manors and
return to the wonderful venue of the
Richardson House. Bobby Kyser and
his team at Panache Style are truly
amazing. His visions always make
a ‘WOW’ statement, and this year he
has promised to knock the baklava
right out of your mouth.”
Guests will be entertained and
enchanted by belly dancers, costumed
models, masked performers and
Greek gods and goddesses. They also
+continued on page 4
Healthy Women
Fourth Annual
Community Day
PG. 15
Latinos en Accion
Leadership Awards
PG. 20
Evening in Paradise – Mykonos!
Splashes Over Wilton Manors in February
Guests were amazed by the festivities at last year’s
Evening in Paradise
New grant will help Center enhance and
promote online LBT Health Directory
W
hat could help more
women find good doctors,
therapists and specialists?
How can we improve the health of LBT
women across South Florida?
The Pride Center recently received a
$8,500 grant from Aqua Foundation for
Women for The Directory 2.0 Project.
The Center, in full collaboration with
Women in Network, will organize,
coordinate and provide this preventative
healthcare initiative for LBT women.
The project will include two major
aspects: 1.) a substantial upgrade and
expansion of the online LBT Health
Directory at LBTHealth.org and its
marketing; and 2.) educational and
social events featuring LBT preventative
healthcare providers featured in the
Directory.
“We want to eradicate fear,” says
Women with Pride Coordinator Roya
Amirniroumand. “We want to simplify
the process of accessing a good,
culturally competent doctor. We have
created this amazing online tool to help
+continued on page 4
1
2014 Was Simply The Best
A letter from Robert Boo, C.E.O. of The Pride Center at Equality Park
VOICE Winter 2015
O
n behalf of the 42 staff, 250 volunteers and 14
Board of Directors, I would like to thank all of
the community members who voted The Pride
Center as “The Best Nonprofit” for the third year in a row
for SFGN’s Best of Gay Friendly South Florida issue. I
recognize the privilege we have to serve so many thousands
of people every month. If just a portion of them voted, they
secured our recognition. We’re humbled and grateful.
For the second year, we also were awarded “Best Gay
Event” for Wicked Manors. I hope you enjoy reviewing
the pictures in this issue of The Voice. The last quarter of
2014 and the first quarter of 2015 always are extremely
vibrant for staff, volunteers, visitors, participants and
clients at The Center.
I’d like to welcome Paul Smith to our Board of Directors.
You can read more about Paul in a feature story within this
issue. We are very fortunate to have Paul join our Board
and bring all of his skills and expertise to The Center.
This year we were fortunate to receive several new grants.
In this issue we highlight some of our new employees; Toni
Graham-Levy and Anthony Brautigam recently joined our
HIV Testing and Outreach team in a grant from the Department
of Health that allows us to continue our expansion into
communities of color disproportionately affected by HIV. We
also received continued funding from the Aqua Foundation to
enhance some of our Women’s programming.
Our seniors programming continues to expand by leaps
and bounds. Every week we draw hundreds of people to
our Coffee & Conversation events and exercise programs.
The depth and quality of the presenters each Tuesday
amaze and impress me. We are very fortunate to have
someone like Bruce Williams who has the expertise to
head our Senior Services programming.
This year we provided more than 6,000 HIV tests
compared to fewer than 5,000 in 2013. We distributed over
240,000 condoms and provided HIV Prevention Outreach
T
2
Mail Correspondence to:
P.O. Box 70518
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33307-0518
(954) 463-9005
Fax (954) 764-6522
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
Board of Directors
Ilene Berliner, Chair
James Walker, Vice Chair
Chris Caputo, Secretary
Craig Engel, CPA, Treasurer
Ted Adcock
Mitchell Bloom
Mark Budwig
Brenda Hartley
George Kling
Dr. Leslie Leip
Juliette Love
Ernest Olivas
Richard Safaty
Paul Smith
Leslie Tipton
Pride Center Staff
to over 12,000 individuals. Our cyber center was recently
updated with new computers with washable keyboards by
the David Bohnett Foundation. Because of the support of
the Bohnett Foundation nearly 14,000 people have been
able to stay connected with loved ones, search the internet
and prospect for jobs free of charge. Although our paid staff
has grown over the year through various funding sources,
we still heavily depend upon the hundreds of volunteers
who dedicate their time and talent throughout the year.
During 2014 volunteers donated over 15,000 hours to The
Center to provide life-changing services and events.
We are YOUR community Center. If we’re “the Best,” it’s
because of YOU. For over 21 years, we have provided a safe
and welcoming space – an inclusive home that celebrates,
nurtures and empowers the LGBTQ communities and our
friends and neighbors in South Florida. It’s very easy for
me to say our mission statement because that is what we
strive to do every day.
On behalf of everyone who helps to improve and impact
the lives of so many in our community, I hope you have a
happy and prosperous 2015!
About The Pride Center
he Pride Center celebrated 21 years of service in
2014. Our mission is: “We provide a welcoming,
safe space--an inclusive home--that celebrates,
nurtures and empowers the LGBTQ communities
and our friends and neighbors in South Florida.” The
Center’s program and services meet the distinct cultural,
health, educational, economic, social and safety needs
of the LGBT community. More than 30,000 adult and
youth attended activities at The Center over the past year.
We host more than 65 regularly-meeting groups each
month. Support, social and educational groups focus
on women, seniors, youth, men, transgender, recovery,
health, the arts, athletics, spirituality, games and more.
Outreach activities over the past year directly impacted
over 50,000 residents and visitors to South Florida. The
Pride Center is a major site for HIV testing, prevention,
The Pride Center
2040 N. Dixie Highway
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33305
outreach, education, healthcare linkage, support, holistic
health and counseling. Stop in and learn about all we do:
a community Flea Market; women’s health initiatives;
family outreach days; Bingo; unique exercise classes;
financial investment series; art gallery openings; adult
educational opportunities through Pride University;
Bingo; education for prospective and current LGBT
parents; weekly “Coffee and Conversation” gatherings
for seniors; music, movies and live theater presentations;
a variety of health fairs; and a spectrum of creative
symposiums, speakers, forums and events for the entire
community. We own five-and-a-half acres of property
with 30,000 square feet of office space that provide
homes for programs and services, as well as synergy
among organizations. Our Vision is to be the premier
point of connection for our community.
Robert Boo, CEO,
[email protected]
Kristofer Fegenbush, MSW, COO,
[email protected]
Janet Weissman, Business Manager,
[email protected]
Jorge Gardela, Health Outreach Director,
[email protected]
Roger Roa, Director of Development,
[email protected]
Frank Gurucharri, PALS Project Manager,
[email protected]
Samantha McCoy, Customer Service Coordinator,
[email protected]
Listron Mannix, MSW, Minority Testing Initiative Manager,
[email protected]
Bruce Williams, Senior Services Coordinator,
[email protected]
Shanna Ratliff, Prevention Outreach Coordinator,
[email protected]
Emilio Aponte, Ed., CHIP Coordinator,
[email protected]
Lorenzo Robertson, CouplesSpeak Coordinator,
[email protected]
Roya Amirniroumand, Women with Pride Coordinator,
[email protected]
Manuel Leon, Social Media and Marketing Coordinator,
[email protected]
Jeff Grigsby, LIFE Coordinator,
[email protected]
Magno Morales, CHOICES Coordinator,
[email protected]
Albert Taylor, Health Coordinator,
[email protected]
S.F. Makalani-Mahee, Data Entry Specialist,
[email protected]
Rafael Reyes, Healthcare Navigator,
[email protected]
Ebony Wilson, ETI Outreach Coordinator,
[email protected]
Manuel Leon, Electronic Media and Marketing Coordinator,
[email protected]
Oscar Caballero, Linkage and Testing Specialist,
[email protected]
Edgardo Medina, VOICES & Outreach Specialist,
[email protected]
Jacari Green, Kiki Project Coordinator,
[email protected]
Charles Dickey, Health Counselor,
[email protected]
Daniel Dardenne, Testing Specialist,
[email protected]
Norris Wildhagen, Facilities Specialist,
[email protected]
Chris Douglas, Testing Specialist,
[email protected]
William “Billy” Gall, Testing Specialist,
[email protected]
Stacey Wall, Testing Specialist,
[email protected]
Bryon Bowlby, Executive Assistant,
[email protected]
Todd Hammond, Information Analyst,
[email protected]
Julian Alterman, Outreach and Testing Specialist,
[email protected]
Jakai Roundtree, Outreach and Testing Specialist
[email protected]
Dr. Robert Shore, PrEP Specialist
[email protected]
Toni Graham Levy, Outreach and Testing Specialist,
[email protected]
Anthony Brautigam, Outreach and Testing Specialist,
[email protected]
Kimberly Sorondo, Outreach and Testing Specialist,
[email protected]
Jim Ferrace, Outreach and Testing Specialist,
[email protected]
Martin Martinez, Outreach and Testing Specialist,
[email protected]
Clarence Collins, Facilities Assistant,
[email protected]
Robert Bryant , Facilities Assistant,
[email protected]
Richard Fiora, Facilities Assistant,
[email protected]
Troy Brown, Facilities Assistant,
[email protected]
The Pride Center Voice
Production Managers: Chris Caputo, Kristofer Fegenbush
Creative Director: Mark Pauciullo
Contributing Writers: Miriam Cronkhite, Martin Gould, Robert Saunders,
Shanna Ratliff, Bruce Williams, Roya Amirniroumand, Samantha McCoy,
Roger Roa, Bryon Bowlby, Robert Boo and Kristofer Fegenbush
Photographers: Steven Shires, Stephen Lang, Pompano Bill, Dennis Dean,
Carlos Martinez, Manuel Leon, and Kristofer Fegenbush
The VOICE newsletter is published in the memory and
through the donation of the Robert S. Kecskemety Trust.
Over 600 people attended our fifth 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 Steve Shires
+ The Pride Center provided individualized HIV prevention
outreach to more than 12,000 people in 2014--double the
number from last year
+ Tens of thousands of local children and families benefit
from The Pride Center’s annual school supplies drive, food
drive and holiday toy drive
+ Center volunteers provided more than 15,000 hours of
service this year
Kaz
Presents:
“I don’t
think
of seniors
An
photo
exhibit
by as
old. Seniors are still young
Kaz
Takahashi
charming and have a lot of
VOICE Winter 2015
T
a
k
a
h
a
s
h
i
www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
Did you know?
Senior Health Expo
Opening Reception
January 9, 2015
5:00 – 7:00 pm
Show runs
From: January 4
To: February 8
humor. I take pictures of
seniors to make people
happy” -Kaz
Born April 20,1948 in Kagoshima, Japan.
Kaz learned photography while serving
four years with the Japanese Army.
After separation from the Army worked
eight years for a Japanese Newspaper.
Arrived in 1983 to work as a free lance
photographer in the United States.
Commissioned mainly to take sports
photographs under contract with a
Japanese Sports Newspaper.
In 1997 began photographing U.S.
National Parks and Wildlife. Has visited
all 58 U.S. National Parks and more than
20 U.S. National Monuments and Wildlife
Sanctuaries.
For Information:
THE PRIDE CENTER ART
GALLERY
is an artistic strategy used as a tool of
community mobilization towards
empowerment, pride, and health
awareness.
FREE CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION
HIV Test, Linkage to Care and
Emilio Aponte, M.Ed.
CHIP Coordinator | Gallery Curator
[email protected]
& Support Services will be
954-463-9005 Navigation
provided during the exhibit
Ext 207
3
+continued from page 1
Last Year’s Evening in Paradise: Carnaval!
provided over the top delights
Set Sail for the Greek Isles
will sample some of the best food and drinks South Florida
has to offer.
“Each year Evening in Paradise draws out the best people
in South Florida,” says Bobby Kyser. “That’s what I love
about it. It’s the most exciting annual event in Wilton
Manors. People can give back to The Pride Center while
enjoying this mind-blowing, over-the-top themed party.
There are all these smoking hot-people. Plus there is Bobby
Kyser fabulosity everywhere in the decor.”
Over 1,200 people have attended Evening in Paradise over
the last three years, raising more than $100,000.
“What started out as an idea for a house party just three
short years ago has exploded into the must-attend event
of the season,” says Board Vice President Jim Walker,
who helped chair the first event at his home with partner
Lee Rubin and friends Joe Guerrero and Irwin Drucker.
“The whole community can come together for a fun
‘Evening in Paradise’ to celebrate our community and
support those who rely on The Pride Center throughout
the year.”
“This is The Center’s largest fundraiser of the year,”
says Board Chair Ilene Berliner. “I tell people that it’s the
greatest event in our community. You can have fun, eat
delicious food, meet wonderful people and see old friends.
Plus your ticket supports important services and programs
to our community.”
To learn more about the event or to purchase tickets,
visit www.EveningInParadise.org or contact Roger Roa,
Director of Development at RRoa@PrideCenterFlorida.
org, for exciting sponsorship opportunities.
+continued from page 1
VOICE Winter 2015
Healthy Women
4
link women to good care. More women need to know about it. Too many LBT
women still experience real or feared discrimination when they access preventative
or ongoing healthcare. An enhanced Directory, coupled with enhanced marketing,
will provide vital tools for LBT consumers to access care without fear or stigma. We
look forward to providing creative educational opportunities, practical resources
and direct service-linkage to LBT women and their allies.”
The current on-line, searchable data base directory at LBTHealth.org
contains over 300 health care practitioners in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach
counties, including gynecologists, primary care physicians, and mental health
professionals who work with LBT women patients.
“Central to The Pride Center’s goals and long-term strategic planning is a
strong commitment to promote LBT women’s holistic health by promoting
prevention and access to treatment,” says COO Kristofer Fegenbush. “We will
invest in the expansion, enhancement and sustainability of a practical, useful
Directory. We will save lives.”
The Pride Center spearheaded the initial creation of the directory in
collaboration with Women in Network, SunServe and BLAST. They
established a vetting process to ensure that providers demonstrate standards
of evident cultural competency. The user-friendly online directory also
includes information on insurance accepted by providers, and free and lowcost health providers.
“The LBT Health Directory fills a critical need as a resource for LBT women
to locate safe and affirming providers that understand their specific needs,”
says Dr. Katharine Campbell, Program Director for Aqua Foundation.
Over the past year, without dedicated directory funding, The Center leveraged
volunteer support and limited resources to promote and expand the Directory. The
Center hosted both a press and community Meet and Greet with MMA Champion
Jessica Aguilar as the Directory’s “celebrity spokesperson.” Jessica’s involvement
with the Directory was featured in several publications including the Miami Herald,
SFGN, She Magazine, Hot Spots and others. Women with Pride provided face-toface outreach for the Directory at PrideFest, Stonewall Summer Pride, Aqua Girl
and other events, reaching a broader audience of LBT women and their allies. The
Center looks forward to doing so much more in 2015.
To visit the directory or to submit your favorite LBT friendly doctor, please
visit www.LBThealth.org and start your search.
Smith joins Center Board
By Marty Gould
O
VOICE Winter 2015
ur newest Board
Member is a
familiar
face
around The Pride Center.
Since moving to Wilton
Manors from Washington,
DC nearly a decade ago, Paul
M. Smith has been an active
participant in activities and
programs at The Center.
“I became involved before
the move to Equality Park,”
said Paul. “I started attending
‘Man to Man’ meetings.
Then I joined an exercise
class and started going to
“Coffee and Conversation”
with the seniors.”
But Paul didn’t stop there.
As a licensed clinical social
worker
in
Washington
for more than 20 years
specializing in mental health issues in the LGBT community, he wanted
to use his expertise to help those in need in his new hometown.
“I co-founded ‘Brothasspeak,’ a support group for African-American
men, hoping to help men of different cultures share the commonalities of
the issues facing gay black men in our society.”
Paul says it’s particularly important to provide that support in light of
the hostility and stigma most gay black men face in their own community.
Paul always has been an activist. In Washington, after 22 years service in
the U.S. Army (rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel), he began working with
the Service Members Legal Defense Network, an organization providing
legal services for servicemen outed under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. “We
served as a crisis center for those servicemen and women who needed
support, and we also helped lobby Congress to get the policy repealed,”
says Smith.
Today, Paul stays quite busy in Wilton Manors, as a volunteer therapist
with SunServe and as Treasurer of The Pride Center’s Seniors Advisory
Council. Paul says serving seniors should be a major priority.
“This will become much more important as seniors age and need places
to live, to socialize and to gain access to needed services,” he says.
As for how Paul views The Pride Center, he sees great things ahead. “I
see the Pride Center reaching out to the larger community. It’s a place
that welcomes everyone and makes them all feel safe. It’s a model for
the country.”
Regarding his role on the Board, Paul says he hopes to apply his expertise
wherever it’s needed. “I’m a bridge-builder. My expertise and ability is to
bring together small groups to arrive as a consensus on certain tasks.”
Paul and his partner have been together for 35 years. As for all the time
it takes to handle his many projects, Paul says, “I’m not looking to work
too hard.”
www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
Bridge-Builder
Transgender Day of Remembrance
The Pride Center organized and hosted Transgender Day of Remembrance.
This evening of commemoration is a call to action for those who have lost
their lives due to bias and hatred based on gender identity and expression
worldwide. Community collaborators included The Florida Department of
Health in Broward County/T-House, W.I.N, The Fort Lauderdale Convention
& Visitors Bureau.
5
Gray Pride
Looking back at a vibrant 2014 for seniors
By Bruce Williams
VOICE Winter 2015
O
ur Senior Programming at The Pride Center
has experienced an incredibly active,
productive year. By the end of 2014, we
logged more than 23,000 visits by LGBT seniors. Of
that number, we welcomed nearly 9,000 Coffee &
Conversation visits, over 8,000 Enhance Fitness hits
and a highly-successful Fifth Fantastic Senior Health
Expo that sold out to over 60 vendors and drew a crowd
of nearly 700 LGBT seniors, friends and families. Our
Pride Thursday series featured brilliant presentations
by area dignitaries, and our SAGEWorks program
has provided technological training and professional
guidance that has enabled a number of local adults to
find new or better employment.
Our activities included fun events like Bingo, movies,
games days, performance art and holidays celebrated
with everything from a sexy Valentine’s Day Cupid to
a very Halloween-y Giraffe. Our programming also
afforded attendees the opportunity to connect with area
providers in the fields of medical services, finance,
insurance, services to maximize one’s ability to stay
at home, long term care and end-of-life planning. Our
engaged seniors supported such efforts as The Smart
Ride, The Stonewall Museum, voter registration drives,
The Center’s Founders Circle and participation in studies
through the University of Miami and Case Western
Reserve. Together, we’re furthering progress towards
enhancing the lives of
future generations of
LGBT seniors.
And we’re not done
yet. Visit The Pride
Center
website
to
sign up for our senior
programming mailings!
We can help you take
part in our busy holiday
season
festivities,
search for a Job on our
newly created Jobs
Board, register for
computer classes that
will begin early in 2015,
and enjoy all of The
Pride Center’s Senior
Programming fun.
For more information
on all that we’re doing
SPEAK – Souls Positively Expressing Authentic Knowledge
The Pride Center’s Kiki Project presented this celebration
for National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day through
spoken word, poetry and other forms of artistic expression.
Vision 2015 Contributors
John Graves Society $500,000
John C. Graves Charitable Fund of the
Community Foundation of Broward
Cornerstone Society $250,000
Gil Corwin
Pillar Society - $100,000
Anonymous
Jan Carpenter and Dale Russell
Mona Pittenger
Luminary Society $50,000
J. Michael Heider, DDS and Thom Carr
Kenneth M. Goss
Former Broward County Mayor Ken
Keechl and Ted Adcock
John Ramos and Tim Caldwell
Richard Schwarz and Tom Massey
Star League - $25,000
Doug Candler
Forest Trace Luxury Resort and Adult
Community
James Jagielski
George A. Kling, MD
6
with seniors, contact me: Bruce Williams – Senior
Services Coordinator - bwilliams@pridecenterflorida.
org or 954.463.9005.
Estate of Clay Drexler
Estate of James Rampe
Attorney Arthur B. Smith
Jim Stepp and Peter Zimmer
Sunshine Athletic Association
Doug Tinklepaugh and James Zinman
Estate of Lawrence Zinman
Equality League - $10,000
D.C. Allen and Ken Flick
Harvey Chasser
Estate of C. Michael Johnson
Hansen Realty
Vince Di Pietro
Paul Galluccio
Mark Gordon and Aldo Buono
Ed Nicholas and Chris Griswold
Chuck Nicholls and Mark Turner
Coleman Prewitt
The Bears of South Florida
Visonary Circle - $5,000
Anonymous
In Memory of Gilbert Anko
Darcy Beeman
Ilene Berliner and Maura Lane
John Bowles
Mark Budwig and Nick Scalzo
Michael Dager and Harvey Shapiro
Michael Dane and Alex Quintero
Chris Dunham and Joseph Dominguez
Gregory P. Gaddis and David R. Stack, III
Gay Bridge
In Memory of Rick Gibson
Cal Harrison
Tyler Healis
Kenneth Hollander Charitable Foundation
Robert L. Hubbard and Bill Greeves
Friends of Stephen Jerome
Dr. David Kyner and Richard Bray
Christopher Mahon, MD
W. Lynn McLaughlin and David Webb
Ken Merrifield and Fred Berger
David Moon and Eugene Smith
Douglas Pew and Donald Croxton
Michael Preihs and Khoi Loung
Bennett Quade and Paul Rolli
Herb Reis and William Coffey
SAGE Men’s Drop In
Don Schultz
Calvin Steinmetz and Brian Boyle
Stork’s Bakery
Dave Stubbins
Dean Trantalis, Esq.
Ted Verdone and John Curtin
Charles Walker
Sumner T. White
Vision 2015 charts the course for The Pride Center to be mortgage-free on our 5.5 acre Equality
Park campus. We seek 1,000 donors who will contribute $1,000 annually. To join Vision 2015,
contact Roger Roa at [email protected]
+ Over 100 people play Bingo at The Pride Center on the
second Saturday evening and fourth Sunday afternoon of
every month.
+ The Pride Center provided more than 6,300 HIV tests in 2014
www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
Happy
Kwanzaa
Did you know?
Center Hosts Celebration and
Leadership Awards Ceremony
VOICE Winter 2015
O
nce again, The Pride Center at Equality Park and
Black Gay Pride South Florida are pleased to present
the annual Kwanzaa Celebration and Leadership
Awards Ceremony. The awards ceremony will honor School
Board member Dr. Rev. Rosalind Osgood and Christopher
Bates, MPA, Social Services Manager for Florida Department
of Health in Broward County. The celebration will include the
Karamu (community feast), a “Taste of Kwanzaa” provided by
community chefs and organizations.
This gathering of people of color, their allies and friends
celebrates cultural diversity and unity. Kwanzaa is: “A
Celebration of Family, Community and Culture.”
“How fortunate that we here in South Florida have such an
affirming community,” shared new Center Board member and
2013 Leadership Award Recipient Paul Smith at last year’s event.
“As we approach the holidays which include the celebrations
of Kwanzaa, Christmas and Hanukkah, we come with grateful
hearts and outstretched arms to embrace the fruits of the season
here at The Pride Center. Kwanzaa is a special time for brothers,
sisters, families and friends to come together to celebrate our
African roots with pride and solidarity.”
There are seven principles associated with the days of
Kwanzaa: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination),
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamma
(Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity),
and Imani (Faith).
This event will be held on Thursday, December 26th from 7 to
9 pm at The Pride Center at Equality Park, 2040 N. Dixie Hwy,
in the heart of Wilton Manors.
7
Founders Circle Reception at Mayor’s Jewelers
Mayor’s Jewelers 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
Want A Jump-Start
To Healthier Living?
VOICE Winter 2015
If you’re a gay or bisexual man living with
HIV, you can learn to keep your immune
system in strong, peak condition.
Join the FREE 18 week LIFE Program
You’ll receive practical, step-by-step guidance in a fun interactive environment as
you create and implement personal health plans for long-term thriving with HIV.
This program can help you...
• Build deeper, supportive relationships with new HIV+ friends!
• Get the latest facts on HIV!
• Improve your physical, emotional and social well being!
• Share your story while you learn from others!
Participation in the LIFE Program...
• Boosts the immune system
• Lowers risky behavior
• Increases adherence to health and medication schedules.
For more inFormation
Contact Jeff Grigsby at 954.463.9011, ext. 302
or email [email protected]
8
PALS
project
Offered twice a year beginning in January and July.
MEETINGS ON TUESDAYS @ 6:30 p.m.
Sponsored by The Pride Center, and the State of
Florida, Department of Health
The Pride Center organized a passionate team who
dressed in pink and raised money for the annual
American Cancer Society breast cancer walk through
downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Did you know?
+ Over 1000 visitors and 80 vendors attend The Pride
Center’s Flea Market on the first Saturday of every month
+ Our PrEP Specialist helps people get information, education
and access assistance for Pre Exposure Prophylaxis. Email
[email protected] for more info.
+ The Pride Center hosts regular Transgender Educational
Series collaborative community workshops
www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
Breast Cancer Walk
VOICE Winter 2015
9
LSL: Lost, Sex & Love
This artist reception as part
of National Latino HIV/AIDS
Awareness Day featured the
art work of Rosalia Curbelo.
After the artist’s husband
passed away, art became her
salvation...and a substitute for
sex and love.
The Pride Center Founders Circle
LIFETIME
Bob and Hal Bernier-Peterson
Gil Corwin
John C. Graves Charitable Fund
Alan Schubert
Premier Business Level
($20,000 and above)
Cox Media Group
Richard Gray / Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention &
Visitors Bureau
Hunters Nightclub
Platinum Level
($10,000 and above)
Anonymous (2)
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Aqua Foundation for Women
Bobby Blair / Florida Agenda
Ed Garcia /Liquid Radar
Kenneth Goss
Kenneth Hollander and John Kardos / KSH Charitable
Foundation
Peter Clark / Hotspots Magazine
Estate of Bob Kesckemety
Scott Kean / LSeven Solutions
Norm Kent / South Florida Gay News
Bobby Kyser / Panache Style
Sunshine Athletic Association
The Howard Greenfield Charitable Foundation
Glen Weinzimer and John Rogatzki / The SMART Ride
Wells Fargo Foundation
VOICE Winter 2015
Diamond Level
($5,000 - $9,999)
Anonymous (1)
D.C. Allen and Ken Flick / No Hate Fund at Our Fund, Inc.
Ilene Berliner (Board Chair) and Maura Lane
Jared Falek and Don Chorpenning
Will Gibson and George William Rogers/ Serendipity
Foundation
Oliver Kamm
David McLaren /Periodic Products
Dr. Dale Russell
Richard Safaty (Board Member) and
Omer Mizrachi/ Freedom Travel
Wayne Schrebe and Roy J. Stegman Charitable Fund at
Our Fund, Inc.
Ted Schultz
Jeffrey Selzer, Esq. and Ray Fennon / Selzer & Weiss,
Attorneys
Arthur B. Smith / Law Office Arthur B. Smith
Jim Stepp and Peter Zimmer
Bob Young / Beach Bear Weekend
Chris Dunham / Dunham Insurance Services
Gold Level ($2,500 - $4,999)
Alpine Jaguar
Atlantic Surf Club
Don Biehn /Biehn & Associates, Inc.
Broward Health Foundation – Imperial Point
Mark Budwig (Board Member) and Nick Scalzo /
S. Mark Graphics
Michael Camardello
Doug Candler
Chris Caputo (Board Member) / MetroMediaWorks
George Castrataro, Esq. / The Law Offices of George
Castrataro, PA
City County Credit Union
Dr. Howard R. Cunningham / Oakland Park Dental
Michael Dager and Harvey Shapiro
Victor Flores / FastPrintz
Andrew Fischman
Rob Guerrero
Robert Hubbard and Bill Greeves
Joseph Kraus
Steven Levin and Bradley Henkel / Midland Medical Center
David Moon and Eugene Smith
Richard Nolan and Robert Pingpank
Joe Pallant and Mark Robinson /
Pallant Insurance Agency, Inc.
Ronnie Pryor and Dustin Cranor / Source Salon
Herb Reis and Dr William Coffey
Paul Rolli and W. Bennett Quade
Lee Rubin and Jim Walker (Board Member)
Russell Sassani, MD and Michael Schneider / Take Shape
Plastic Surgery
Dr. Heidi Schaeffer
Richard Schwarz and Tom Massey
Tony Seguino and Dan Ayers
Paul M. Smith (Board Member) and Gerald Kennedy
Silver Level ($1,200 - $ 2,499)
10
Anonymous (5)
Adam’s Interiors
Wendell Locke and Ricky Babo / Allz Well Pharmacy
Jack Almeleh
Paul Alpert
Chris Ambs and Scott Clearwater
Al Cicotte and Kevin Palombo /
American Tax and Insurance Services
Neel Amin and Tom Macek/ American Pain Experts
Tomas Arias / Top Dog Mobile Grooming
Alfred Bacchi and Craig Ross
Don Barlow
Steve Barnard
Mark Barron and Joel Rubin
Christopher Bates
David Bebbington
Darcy Beeman / Edward Jones Investments
Tom and Steven Begert-Clark / Even As We Speak
Scott Belding and Listron Mannix / ReMax Consultants Realty
Dr. Louis Benevento and Patrick Duffy
Scott L. Bennett
Norman Berkowitz
Gary Bitner / Bitner Goodman
Leny Blicher
Mitch Bloom (Board Member) and Paul Wardell
Boardwalk
Robin L. Bodiford, Esq. / Law Office of Robin L. Bodiford
Dan Bohanan and Guillermo Licea
John Bolton
Robert Boo
Al Bove, DMD and Coco Alarcon / Bove Dental
Bryon Bowlby and Robert Baldwin
Deric Bownds and Len Walker
Broward Burial and Cremation
Broward County Sheriff’s Office
Rishi Burke
Gerald Byers and Rudy Wengenroth
Camp 4 Health
Rene Cantu and James Gigliello
Danny Carter / Dancemoves
Sam Chalfant and Tom Rouland / Affordable Health Insurance
Harvey Chasser
Karen Carroll and Julie Slater / Chic Optique
Ron Clark
P. Cobleigh and Barry Miller / J.P.’s Chocolate Shoppe
Coffee and Conversation
Daniel Wasinger/ Concept International Design
Bob Collier and Chuck Hunziker
Lynn Corning / Newman Insurance
Shawn Bombard and Nick Berry / Shawn and Nick’s
Courtyard Cafe
Tracey Cramer / Ameriprise Financial
Douglas Cureton / Some Men Like It Haute
Joseph Daniel and Fred Silverman / Roth-Warren, LLC
Patrick Daoud / Daoud’s Fine Jewelry
Dennis Dean / Dennis Dean Photography
Esmeralda and Peter Dekaj / Stork’s Bakery Cafe
Robert Delehanty
Pat Demos / Northern Trust Bank
William Desautels and Lee Moffitt
Dr. James Doan
Ron Mills / Dolphin Democratic Club
Stephen Draft and Allen Peterson
Hon. Stephen Driscoll and Robert Tocci /
National Stonewall Democrats
Irwin Drucker
Mike Ebbs and Tom Jenkins
Eden Funeral Services
Robert Eldredge / RWE Real Estate
Embassy Suites Hotel
Ted Emery
Craig Engel (Board Member) and Greg Briche
Michael Faerber / D’Angelo Realty Group
Brian Farley and Ron Alose
Jim Farris
Paul Fasana
Frances Herrera / Frances Herrera Interior Design
Joel Geils
Glenn L. Goldberg
Steven Goldgram
Mark Gordon and Aldo Buono
Martin Gould / Focalize Consulting
Scott Gray
Stephen Gray / Better Homes & Gardens
Donald Green and Gene Ingledue
Marc Grossman
Robert Grossman
Joe Guerrero
Robert Gunning
Mark’s List
Mark Halacy and Thomas Pollock
Peter Hardy-Smith and Victor Soto
Cal Harrison
Timothy S. Hart / R3 Accounting LLC
Brenda Hartley (Board Member) / BankUnited
Tyler Healis
Dr. J. Heider and Thomas Carr / Ultimate Smile
Richard Herman
Scott Herman and Cale Choi
Lazaro Hernandez and Steve Figlmiller
Hans Hochkamp and Joseph DeBacco
Paul Holoweski
Kenley Hoover and Tom Pflepsen
Mick Howard and Brian Jackson / Mayors
Paul Hyman and Bill Bracker
iBeria Bank
Italio Fort Lauderdale
A.J. Jabre
James Jagielski
Paul Jennings
George Johnson
James A. Johnson
Warren Leong / Dr. Charmaine Johnson-Leong, DDS, PA
Clifford W. Jolley and Paul Clive
Robert Judd and Russell Neal
Greg Kabel, Esq. / Law Offices of Gregory W. Kabel, Esq.
Ken Kalenderian
Ken Keechl and Ted Adcock (Board Member)
Gary Kempler / Futurity First Insurance Group – South Florida
Mark Ketcham and Werner Lutz
Dr. George Kling (Board Member)
Don Kocher and Jonathan Salt
Maria Kondracki and Jim Dwyer
Edwin Kowalski and Michael Donnan
Ellen Krider, CFP / RBC Wealth Management
Robert Kuhn and Steven Geyer
Julia Landis and Shawn Fanshier
Bruce Lane
Bernie Langeluttig and Dennis Fitzkee
Tomas Soto and Frank Lefevre, M.D.
Dr. Leslie Leip (Board Member) and Fritz Leip
John Leyden and Tom Valentine
Bill Linehan
Jay Little / Divers Direct - Dania Beach
Dewitte Loe
Charles Loring
Steve Lovci
Juliette Love (Board Member)
Norton Lyman and Kimio Sato
Joe Markonic / Gables Wilton Park
Michael McArdle and Thomas Holland
Joe McConnell and Michael Lennon
Richard McManus and Tom Nohilly
Ken Merrifield and Fred Berger
Drew Miller and Kevin Murdoch
Anthony Molluso and Bill Volbrecht
Gregory Moore and Dr. Allan Barsky
Anthony More
Mark Turner and Chuck Nicholls
Charles Ohsiek
Ernest Olivas (Board Member) /
Emerald Elite Home Health Care
Cecilia Perez-Matos, Esq. /The Berman Law Group
Andy Perrott / Lightship Media
Douglas Pew and Donald Croxton
Jim Pierce /Pierce Aire, Inc.
Peter Pileski and Bob Avian
Mona Pittenger Giving Fund at Our Fund
Bob Poster and Carmine Martorilli
Bruce Presley and Chris Hedlund
Pride Institute Fort Lauderdale Hospital
Jessica Reyes
Dr. Will Richardson / Natura Dermatology & Cosmetics
Louis Rittmaster
Riverside Hotel
Donn Rubin and Stephen Harmon
Pastor Leslie (Board Member) and Sandra Rutland-Tipton /
Church of the Holy Spirit Song
Tom Runyan, Esq / Runyan Law Firm, PA
Rick Salomon
Sonesta Hotel
Lee Sathre
Geph Scarr and Sergio Medina Quintina /
Scarr Insurance Group
Jack Schlossberg and Greg Fineman
Danny Selvin and Sidney Goldenberg
James Senior
Steve Shires / Steve Shires Photography
Jeffrey and Belinda Shover / Morgan Stanley
Tim Singer and Richard Cascarelli / Tim Singer & Assoc./
Coldwell
Kimberly Sorondo
Jeffrey Sterling / Sterling Tax
Richard Stoll, Esq.
Terry Stone and Mike Bush
Sarah Strock / SCS Weightloss Systems, Inc.
Dave Stubbins
SunTrust Bank
Deanna Sylvestri / GalleryONE Fort Lauderdale
Edward Temoyan
The Bears of South Florida, Inc.
The Recovery Place
The Restaurant People
Bill Thornton and Adam Kratochwill / Pride Carpet Cleaning
Tony Timiraos and Arthur Crispino Charitable Fund at Our
Fund, Inc.
Doug Tinklepaugh and James Rickard / Pinnacle
Constructors, LLC
Tower Club
Bruno Trambusti and Randy Grant
Dean Trantalis Esq.
David Treece / Treece Financial Group
Carl E. Trough
Richard Vallari
Ted Verdone and John Curtin
Vincent Vigliotti
Deann Geldman / Vitas Healthcare Corporation
W Hotel - Fort Lauderdale
James Wagner
Steve Wetzler
Sumner T. White
Norris Wildhagen and Dr. Troy Robinson
Suzanne Williams / Suzanne Williams, P.A. and Cat Crusade
Frantz Petitpapa
Theodore Wolf and Frank Decolator
Tom Wolf and Fernando Rodrigues
Petur Workman
John Zieba and Cliff Mulcahy / Rosie’s Bar & Grill
George Zuber and Anthony
Snyder Charitable Fund at Our Fund, Inc.
Join the Pride Center Founders Circle! Support the
programs and services of The Pride Center. Founders
Circle memberships begin at $100 per month. For more
information, please contact Roger Roa, Director of
Development, [email protected]
Recent LIFE graduate shares
personal testimony
Talking to Kids About Sex and Sexuality
Like all parents, LGBTQ parents are faced with
talking with their kids about sex and sexuality
and answering the hard questions kids can
ask. This skills building workshop helped
parents identify the roadblocks to answering
those difficult questions and receive tips and
practice for addressing them.
www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
“If not me, then who?”
T
“18 weeks wasn’t as long as I thought it would be; actually doesn’t seem long
enough. I look at each of those weeks as a jewel, a treasure and I look at each
of you, my peers, my friends and I think how lucky I am to have the privilege
of being a part of something as special as the LIFE program. This program,
what you guys do, and I am speaking directly to the facilitators when I say ‘you
all’, are by far the richest men I’ve ever met. Your stories and what you all do
is priceless. You are making noise that will be heard long after our deaths. We
are your legacy. Thank you.
My friends, we are still living in the wake of the events that started over 30
years ago. Since then we’ve made tremendous progress but there is still work
to be done. We must no longer let fear perpetuate the idea that we are less
than. We have been given the greatest gift a human could receive and that’s
knowledge. And that is what we use to perpetuate change. We have a duty
to spread this knowledge and extinguish ignorance and guide this world to
a better place. It won’t always be easy. But If you find yourself staring into
the face of blinded ignorance and unable to find the strength to make change,
ask yourself this: If not me then who? If not now then when? We never know
how far the ripples of our choices will go, no matter how small our choices
may seem.
We will always be our own worst enemy, but I’ll ask you this:
Who honors those we love for the very life we live?
Who sends monsters to kill us, and at the same time sings that we will never die?
Who teaches us what’s real and how to laugh at lies?
Who decides why we live and what we’ll die to defend?
Who chains us?
And who holds the key that can set us free?
It’s you…. You have all the weapons you need……now fight!
VOICE Winter 2015
he LIFE Program offers gay or bisexual men with HIV effective ways
to lead healthier, richer lives. In a fun, supportive environment you
get the latest reliable information about HIV and health, exchange
personal experiences, receive individual coaching, build strong relationships,
and bolster healthy habits. Participants strengthen their immune system and
lower their viral load. Recently, a participant of the 18-week program read the
feelings below at graduation. To learn more about LIFE, contact Jeff Grigsby
at [email protected] or 954.463.9011.
11
World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil
VOICE Winter 2015
A passionate crowd gathered for the
annual candlelight vigil in Wilton
Manors to honor World AIDS Day.
The rally ended at The Pride Center
and CEO Robert Boo was among
the speakers at this year’s vigil,
organized by Broward House.
Photos by Carlos Martinez
12
A packed house enjoyed
speakers, entertainment,
informational booths,
testimonials and delicious
food as part of an educational
and entertaining evening for
Breast Cancer Awareness.
Passionate volunteers
helped The Pride Center and
WIN organize the evening,
with sponsorship by Aqua
Foundation for Women.
Did you know?
+ The Pride Center provides
community members more than 2,000
hours of individual health coaching
annually
+ Over 200 people attended our last
Founders Circle reception. Founders
donate at least $100 monthly to
support our vital programs and
services.
www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
Breast Fest
The Center organizes regular
educational workshops for prospective
and current LGBT parents
+ We hosted more than 3,000 group
meetings at The Pride Center in 2014
VOICE Winter 2015
C E L E B R AT I N G
20 YEARS!
13
Wicked Manors
VOICE Winter 2015
wicked Manors, the original Halloween Block Party Celebration,
returned to Wilton Drive. The Pride Center at Equality Park in
collaboration with The City of Wilton Manors presented this year’s
event that raised more than $26,000 for vital services at The Center.
Hunter’s Nightclub was the major presenting sponsor.
Photos by Stephen Lang
Founders Circle Reception and Toy Drive Launch at Gallery One
14
Gallery One hosted and sponsored a recent Founders Reception
under the stars and along the waterfront. The evening also served
as the successful launch party for the ninth annual Judy Shepherd
Toy Drive. Funds donated by Founders Circle underwrite lifeenhancing programs and services to the community. Hundreds of
toys were collected that night.
Photos by Stephen Lang
www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
SMART RIDE 11
The Pride Center’s Pride Pack team
for SMART Ride 11 raised over
$122,000 for HIV/AIDS services
in Florida. The total SMART Ride
raised over $1,109,927. Every cent
raised by this 165 mile bike ride
from Miami to Key West directly
benefits vital HIV/AIDS services
at seven agencies across Florida,
including those at The Pride Center
and Children’s Diagnostic and
Treatment Center locally.
VOICE Winter 2015
Fourth 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
15
Growing In Diversity
Expanding the Testing and Outreach Team
By Shanna Ratliff, Outreach Coordinator
VOICE Winter 2015
A
16
s 2015 dawns, The Pride Center not only
has begun developing many exciting
plans for the New Year, but has begun
taking action. As part of The Center’s initiative
to reach diverse communities in innovative
ways, The Center is proud to announce the recent
addition of Testing and Outreach Specialists,
Anthony Brautigam and Toni Graham-Levy.
Brautigam and Graham-Levy bring to the table
new perspectives that already have produced
original ideas and inventive courses of action.
Graham-Levy is a transgender woman who
grew up in a small Central Florida town and
began working with the transgender community
after learning that she was HIV positive. Upon
participating in a transgender support group,
Graham-Levy became inspired to change her
life and career. It was at this point that she
obtained a position with Hope Through Divine
Intervention located in Atlanta, Georgia where
she facilitated groups and conducted HIV testing
and outreach services.
During her time at The Pride Center, GrahamLevy has showcased a pension for networking
and already has identified and partnered with
over a half-dozen new testing sites. For example,
Graham-Levy partnered with Classy Girl, a
local beauty supply shop that allowed The Pride
Center to conduct a testing and outreach event in
the shopping plaza early this month. During the
event, the team successfully tested an impressive
twenty-eight people.
Toni emphasizes that her time at The Pride
Center has been positive; as Graham-Levy
explains, “I enjoy being able to share my own
experience in a way that can educate and help the
LGBT community.”
Anthony Brautigam also enjoys educating
others with information pertaining to HIV
prevention. He states, “My main focus in this
cause is fighting the stigma that comes with an
HIV positive diagnosis.”
Brautigam was born in San Jose, Costa Rica
before moving to Florida. He has lived in South
Florida for the past six years. Brautigam explains
that he was drawn to South Florida because of
the beach and the beautifully eerie scenery in the
Florida Everglades. He states that he has always
been interested in the arts and has experience
working in graphic design.
Five years ago, Brautigam began volunteering in
HIV prevention before deciding to make a career
out of it. Brautigam’s background in graphic
design has allowed him to create new fliers
for Pride Center testing events and programs,
including the new couples testing program that
we’re launching now.
Brautigam explains the reasons he enjoys taking
on these new challenges: “The Pride Center is
simply genuine. There is a sincere and neighborly
feeling I experience each time I walk into the
building. Although I’ve never met many of these
people before, there is such a familial feeling that
inspires me to do what I do.”
As we enter the New Year, there is no doubt that
these new staff members will continue to utilize
their specific talents so as to further the testing
and outreach initiatives of The Pride Center.
Groups at the Pride Center
WEEKLY RECURRING MEETINGS
AA – Each Day a New Beginning, Recovery, Daily, 9-10a
AA – Northeast Group, Recovery, Mon, 8:30-9:30p
AA – Sober, Proud and Gay, Recovery, Fri, 8:30-10p
AA – Pride 5:45 Meeting, Recovery, Daily, 5:45-6:45p
A Course in Miracles, Social, Tues,07:00p-9p
BrothasspeakFTL-Social, Wed, 7:00p-9:00p
Coffee and Conversation – SAC, Social/Seniors, Tues, 10:30a-12noon
Crystal Meth Anonymous, Recovery Mon 6p-7p, Wed, 6p-7p
Games Day, Social, 2nd & 4th Tues, 1-4p
Gay Bridge Club, Fun, Mon & Fri, 1-4p
Gay Hearts, Social, Sun, 1-3:30p
Gay Men’s Empowerment Group, Thurs 7p-8:30p
Island City Al-anon-Support, Thur, 7-8p
Mahjong, Social, Wed, 1-5:00p
Man2Man Talk, Social, Mon, 7-8:30p
Monday Night Women’s Group, Social, Mon, 7:30-9p
Narcotics Anonymous Rainbow Group, Recovery, Wed, 8-9p
New Path Narcotics Anonymous Group, Recovery, Mon/Tue/Thu, 7-8p
New Path Narcotics Anonymous Group, Recovery, Sat/Sun, 4-5p
Overeaters Anonymous, Recovery, Sun, 12n-1:30p
Overeaters Anonymous, Recovery, Fri, 7:30-9p
POZ Attitudes Here and Now, HIV Support, Wed, 7-9p,
Quit Smoking Now, Tues 7p-8:30p (Inquire for details)
SAGE Men’s Social, Social/Seniors, Wed, 1-3p
SAGE Computer Club, Wed 4p-6p
SAGE CO-ED Discussion Group, Thurs, 1p-3p
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), Recovery, Fri, 7p-8p
Senior Exercise Class YMCA Health, Senior, Mon-Fri,
10:10a-11:10a,11:15-12:15p,1:30-2:30p
Senior Gay Men’s Support Group, Support, Mon, 11a-12p
Smart Recovery, Recovery, Mon, 7:30-8:30p/Thur, 6:30p-8p
The Healing Project Meeting,Tues 7:30p-9pm
Toastmasters, Educational, Mon, 7:15p-9:15p
Women’s Non-Competitive Basketball, Social,Mon,Thur 5:30p, Sat 3p
Pride Center Young Adult Group, (23-35 yoa), Support, Fri, 7-9p
Yoga with Drew Miller, Social, Wed, 6p-7p
BI-WEEKLY RECURRING MEETINGS
Ballet & Opera Group, Educational, 2nd & 4th Sunday, 1-4p
Sunserve POZ Long-Term Survivor, Gay Men/HIV Support, 1st & 3rd
Tues, 6:30-8p
Senior Games Day, Social, 2nd & 4th Tue, 1-4p
MONTHLY RECURRING MEETINGS/EVENTS
Pride Center BINGO, Open to Public, 2nd Sat, 7-10p and
4th Sun, 4p-7p
Dolphin Democrats, Monthly Meeting, 2nd Wed, 7:30-9:30p
Equality Park Garden Club, Educational, 3rd Wed, 7-9p
Pride Center Flea Market, Open to Public, 1st Sat, 8a-2p
Primetimers, Open to Public, 1st Sun, 2-4:30p
SAGE Movie, Social, 3rd Mon, 4-6p
Transgender Support Group, Support, 3rd Fri, 7-8:30p
Women with Pride Book Club, 2nd Thur, 7-9p
Women with Pride Game Night, 1st Tues, 7p-9p
For further information or to rent a room for
your special event call:
Samantha McCoy at 954-463-9005 ext. 101.
Visit www.pridecenterflorida.org/calendar for
meeting room assignments. Room days/times
subject to change.
www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
VOICE Winter 2015
17
Maybe There Is a Santa Claus
Community unites to provide special holiday for local senior
By Bruce Williams, Senior Services Coordinator
S
an attempt to identify LGBT-supportive long-term
care providers, and at first, there were very few. Our
inquiries were ignored, our phone conversations were
disconnected and doors were literally slammed shut in
front of us. How things have changed in five short years.
This year’s expo was sold out over a month in advance
to more than 60 healthcare professionals, businesses
and community organizations and drew a crowd of
nearly 700 LGBT seniors, their friends & families. The
weather was beautiful. The Pride Center was bustling
with activity and it
seemed as if the day
A free program for men in
could not get any
relationships or for those
better, but it did.
Raffle winners were
who want to be.
drawn for several
It doesn’t matter if you’re HIV negative
great
door
prizes
or living with HIV. This program is a great
including a 48” flat
way for you to build relationship skills,
screen
television
share with new friends and have fun.
donated by our friends
at AHF. Our grand
New four week session starts every month.
winner was Forrest,
space is limited so sign up now.
one of our Coffee &
Conversation regulars,
who approached the
podium with tears in
his eyes. I was sure
they were tears of joy,
but they were not.
He shared with us
For Four Weeks you’ll meet in small groups
that the TV was far
with other couples to:
too large for his small
apartment and that
 Improve healthy communication
what he wanted more
 Manage conflict and differences
than anything was
 Engage in fun learning activities
enough money to get
 Discuss sex openly and honestly
home for a visit with
 Make your love life more exciting & safer
family during the
 Learn to love better
holidays. I thought for
 Reduce your risks
a moment and assured
 Enhance your health and...
Forrest that if he still
felt that way by the
 Have fun!
following Tuesday, we
would hold a silent
For more information contact
auction and turn his TV
The Pride Center's PALs Project...
into airplane tickets.
PALS
Lorenzo Robertson
PROJECT
Forrest came to our
email [email protected]
weekly Coffee and
or call 954.463.9011 ext. 306
Conversation event on
VOICE Winter 2015
ome of the most devastating factors affecting
LGBT seniors are isolation, limited family
support and a lack of community resources. I
recently witnessed a stellar example of The Pride
Center’s community coming together to embrace,
empower and enhance the aging process for one of its
own members.
We recently held our Fifth Senior Health Expo – an
event linking LGBT seniors with available community
services and providers. This effort originated as
18
“Couples Speak”
Tuesday morning and confirmed his wish of liquidating
his winnings. We displayed the 48” beauty--still in its
factory packaging adorned with a large red bow--to our
group of more than 150 LGBT seniors. Bidding began
at $200.
Justin Willis of HealthSouth realized that he and
Forrest were from neighboring towns in West Virginia
and bumped the bid to $400. Father Lee, our resident
counselor & baker, raised the winning bid to $500 which
endured but a brief stay. The winning bid of $525 came
from Tom & George, two of our regular Coffee and
Conversation attendees from Boca. Just when it seemed
things could get no better, their friend Art gave Forrest
an additional $100 in cash, “just for spending money.”
Ours is a world in turmoil right now. How nice to see
our community of unique individuals with wonderfully
diverse heritage come together in the true spirit of the
holiday season. So yes, Virginia, maybe there is a Santa
Claus after all.
The Pride Center hosted a pasta dinner for local riders, teams,
crew and volunteers as a thank you before The SMART Ride.
Additional sponsors included CDTC and Italio. Attendees heard
from staff and clients of CDTC and The Pride Center about the
impact of their life-saving HIV programs.
This art exhibit opening featured the works of
trans artist Lukkas Wolf.
VOICE Winter 2015
Lukkas Wolf Gallery Opening
www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
SMART Ride Spaghetti Dinner
19
Trans Award Ceremony
VOICE Winter 2015
This evening acknowledged and awarded those
who have advanced transgender equality
20
Latinos en Accion Leadership Awards
The annual event recognizes the efforts of outstanding
individuals or groups who raise HIV/AIDS awareness in
the Latino communities of Broward County
By Roya Amirniroumand
The Team
To my delight, I genuinely come to work
with enthusiasm and I know that The Center
is full of staff and volunteers who really love
their jobs. When I started, I soon became aware
of the intricate web of support that each team
member provides. I remain beyond grateful for
and excited by the work of my colleagues.
The participation and community
involvement has allowed us to have
many enlightening seminars and exciting
events. Even with a power outage all
over Wilton Manors until an hour before
Breast Fest, volunteers and staff rallied
to make the evening a huge success.
Collective efforts translated into an
The Change
In less than a year, my life has been
forever touched by the awareness and
accountability that comes with the
knowledge of complex intersecting
identities, the privilege and disparities
that are linked with who we are. I had
been exposed to so much that I thought I
understood, but never really did. I see some
of these issues emerge almost daily, and I
am only trying to comprehend how I can be
supportive. Through Vital Signs, a holistic
health seminar series for LBT women and
their allies, and the LGBTQ Family Series,
we have been able to provide education,
service-linkage, and connection in the
community. Every day the online LBT
health directory is expanding with new
and local culturally competent health care
providers. When community members tell
me how they learned something new, found
a resource they were seeking, or heard
someone speak on experiences similar to
their own--those are the most gratifying
moments for me.
Moving forward, I ask that more women
invest in their own future, becoming involved
in any way feasible, from a Founder to a
volunteer. Join our team and help our efforts!
It is immensely rewarding and the only way
we can come together as a community and
accomplish the changes we seek.
ChoiCes is a five-week program that teaches
you skills to handle challenges you may face.
We meet in small groups to discuss how to:
• Build healthier relationships and lower stress
• Make better decisions and improve health
• Disclose HIV-status wisely
Fun, interactive sessions include:
• Video clips for discussion
• Thought-provoking activities
• Small group discussion and role play
ChoiCes can help you...
• Meet new HIV+ friends
• Share different experiences without judgment
• Improve problem-solving & communication skills
• Learn more health supporting behaviors
PALS
The PALS Project offers gay, bisexual and other
men who have sex with men living with HIV
social support, accurate HIV information and
skills to lead safer, richer lives.
ChoiCes is FRee. Se Habla Espanol.
If interested, contact Magno Morales
at 954.463.9011 ext. 303 or
email [email protected]
Sponsored by The Pride Center
and the State of Florida,
Department of Health
VOICE Winter 2015
Early in 2014, when I was offered the
opportunity join the staff at The Pride
Center to contribute to such a selfless
cause and such an extended outreach, I
never imagined the expansive impact
that this unique organization has on the
community and myself.
Professors and peers in my Master’s
program, enthusiastically investing their
time to participating in activism causes
and social justice issues, inspired me.
After an organic and honest conversation
with COO Kristofer Fegenbush, I knew
I wanted to be a part of this movement
to increase women’s representation and
visibility in the community.
In my effort to honestly communicate, I
set forth on the path to listen, process and
consider what I can initiate and how I can
contribute to the successful outreach of The
Pride Center. My greatest challenges have
helped me reach out to an amazing team.
or disclosure stressful?
JOIN a free program to help
you make smart CHOICES.
project
The Chance
attendance of more than 150 people who
raised awareness and money for cancer,
an epidemic that touches everyone. I
have witnessed the sheer magnitude of
time and dedication required to initiate
change and participate in making an
impact. I learn more every day.
Living
with
HIV?
Living
with
HIV?
Are dating, sex, relationships
www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
Women with Pride Coordinator
reflects on her first year
21
Remembering the SMART Ride
H
undreds of cyclists and crew
recently traveled 165 miles
from Miami to Key West on
SMART Ride 11. The record-setting ride
raised more than $1.1 million dollars
for HIV AIDS. 100% of funds benefit
seven HIV/AIDS service organizations
doing life-saving work across Florida,
including The Pride Center. Members
of our Pride Pack raised more than
$122,000. Some share their reflections:
VOICE Winter 2015
John Roy, rider
Experienced SMART Ride riders
knew it all too well. First timers, not so
much. And for some reason I feared it.
What could it be? As much as I trained
throughout the year it appeared to be a
daunting, yet exciting event. I remember
very little of the actual ride, yet for me
it was almost effortless. I was riding
on a natural high...The experience for
me is one filled with many emotions-from exhilarating and breathtaking to
inspiring and uplifting to sadness (with
Mark’s passing)... It really made me feel
alive again!
Sarah Strock, rider
There was a team camaraderie during
SmartRide11 that kept The Pride Pack...
committed to one another till the bittersweet end...We are comprised of strong
riders, weak riders, experienced riders
and novice riders. We are young in years
and aged. We are men, women, black,
white, single, married, gay, straight,
lesbian, HIV positive and HIV negative.
Pride Pack is diversified and welcoming,
which is exactly what The Pride Center
is all about. So in this perfect mix
of individuals, my experience was
knowing with all my heart that I rode
surrounded by the light of heroes on a
rainbow bridge.
Lenny Chesal, rider
22
Will power. I learned the true meaning
of the words. When you have nothing
left physically, it is the will power that
comes from “why” we ride that got me
to Key West.
Robbie Shore, crew
Grant McKenzie, rider
What I remember most is the heartfelt
‘thank you’ from Riders. These are
people who trained in rain and heat for
months, raised funds for charity, bought
gear, worked through pain…and here
they are thanking ME for standing there
and giving them some food at the Pit
Stop. They are inspiring ...because of
their understanding of community and
how to create, nurture and appreciate it.
Helping me in my own personal
struggles that I have going on right now
and knowing that I am helping others in
theirs, made it such a rewarding experience.
It definitely has been an excellent coping
aide for me... Biking 165 miles in one of
the most picturesque parts of the world
with a group of 1000 people all out to
have a bloody good time with an important
message is what I’ll be remembering...
Shep Agolli, rider
Deidra Doc B, crew
Total camaraderie with old and new
friends. Giving back to my community.
Sense of accomplishment along with
challenging myself. Seeing all the
different names written on the road.
Rafael Reyes, crew
It was amazing to see how many of
us have been involved, volunteering,
advocating, fighting this battle since it
became news in the mid 80’s--30 years
ago! Each of us in our own ways have...
bared the brunt of losing our friends,
clients, family members and partners
in this battle. Let us celebrate the fruit
of our combined labors and remember
to not take for granted those loved
individuals we have in our lives.
This year’s SMART Ride had many
emotions... I will never forget the
horrible death we all experienced, but I
know that Mark Haines was with each
one of us and got us to the pier safely.
I miss him, but he is a damn good
guardian angel watching over us.
Pastor Leslie Tipton, rider
Out of the three years that I’ve ridden
on The SMART Ride, this year was
easily the most difficult. For our small
bunch of riders...flat tires, bike issues,
and several serious falls seemed to
consume most of our time. Even with a
very difficult two days on my bicycle,
I am still so blessed to have had the
opportunity to ride. I didn’t ride for
myself…I rode for others, others who
are suffering a much greater foe.
RJ Hadley, rider
This year’s SMART Ride meant more
to me. More camaraderie. More support.
More caring. More love and experience.
Tyrone Gerry, rider
I participated in the SMART Ride
because I wanted to help people in my
community. But I now know that by
helping others I am helping myself.
There are so many great individuals that
are a part of this and meeting them all
throughout the year in practice rides and
meetings gives me joy.
Craig Handley, rider
I was impressed with how selfless the
crew members were and their desire
to make the ride as comfortable as
possible. Their support meant so much
to me as a first time rider and gave me
the encouragement I needed to complete
the ride...
Brenda Hartley, crew
So proud that I work for a company that
understands and supports the SMART Ride. I
feel a sense of pride that I am part of the hope
and prayers of many for an eventual cure.
+ The Pride Center distributed more than
240,000 condoms this year. That’s a lot of
safer sex!
+ You can buy a brick with your
personalized message in our Courtyard at
Equality Park. Call Bryon at 954.463.9005
for more info.
www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
Did you know?
+ The Pride Center is the largest site
for Enhanced Fitness classes for Seniors
offered in the U.S.
Kevin O’Connor, rider
I remember our team circle with Pastor
Leslie and her words the first morning...
I remember the camaraderie and spirit
through misfortunes...the care and concern
that each particular riding group has for
each other. I was impacted and continue to
be impacted by the safety elements of the
ride.... There wasn’t a time that I didn’t feel
safe, knowing that if I did get into any kind
of trouble, that there would be help from a
safety monitor or any of the other riders.
Robert Boo, rider
The SMART Ride affords me the
opportunity to participate individually and
in a team for a great cause. This is a year
LBT Health Directory
Service Linkage
Support Groups
Movie Nights
Panel Discussions
Social Events
VOICE Winter 2015
We Offer:
Holistic Health Series
Family Series
Book Club
Art Shows
Diverse Speakers
Basketball
round activity for me and has improved my
health as well as everyone who has ridden
the 165 miles. I will always remember
Mark Haines with a smile on his face after
completing his first 100 mile ride.
Margie Longstreth, rider
Riding in the SMART Ride this year was
tougher than normal. We’ve had the luxury of
a tailwind for the last four rides, but not so this
year. What gets you through the tough parts?
The people...hearing that I was not alone in my
struggle, somehow made it easier. When it gets
really tough, I visualize riding through Key
West, and the real reason that we do the ride,
which is to help some really wonderful people
live a better life. That makes everything easier.
23
The Condom Man
Medina exhibits passion
for HIV prevention
by Shanna Ratliff, Outreach Coordinator
VOICE Winter 2015
1
24
9th Century essayist and humorist,
Henry Wheeler Shaw, had this to say
of mastering one’s profession: “Be
like a postage stamp, stick to only one thing
until you get to where you want to be.” If
VOICES and Outreach Specialist Edgardo
Medina knows one thing, it’s condoms.
But where will this knowledge take him?
In order to understand where Medina hopes
to be, one need only look to his past.
Edgardo
Medina’s
resume
is
intimidating. He first began his career
in HIV/AIDS prevention upon joining
the AIDS Task Force as a student at
Ohio State University seven years ago.
Medina volunteered as a co-facilitator
of a support group for HIV-positive
Latinos, where he discussed topics such
as disclosure, developing support systems
and practicing safer sex. After obtaining
a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with
a minor in sexuality studies, he moved
to South Florida where he continued to
work in HIV prevention within numerous
communities, including LGBTQIA youth.
Shortly thereafter, Medina was
hired at The Pride Center as a parttime Testing and Outreach Specialist
in early 2014. Medina’s passion and
self-determination were immediately
recognizable; in less than a year Medina
was promoted as the Center’s VOICES
and Outreach Specialist, which has
given him the unofficial title of “the
condom man.” The VOICES program
is an initiative designed to instruct small
groups of people on the use of condoms
in an effort to engage frank dialogue
about safer sex negotiation.
In less than three months as the VOICES
and Outreach Specialist, he already has
developed new relationships with existing
community organizations. Perhaps, one
of his most prominent accomplishments
occurred when he facilitated two VOICES
workshops geared specifically towards
youth. After the program, 20 youth
received an HIV test.
“The reason I continue to work in HIV
prevention is because it allows me to
witness clients transform from troubled
people living with HIV into empowered
and confident individuals,” says Medina.
He explains that some individuals
live in isolation and fear after receiving
a positive diagnosis. The welcoming
and diverse nature of The Pride Center
provides these individuals with a place
to seek assistance; Medina hopes that
by becoming involved in the various
programs offered at The Pride Center,
people who may have otherwise felt
isolated will instead feel they are part of
this community.
Although
Medina
has
already
experienced numerous successes in his
role as the VOICES Outreach Specialist,
his approach towards the future is
anything but stagnant. Medina expresses
an interest in expanding all of The Pride
Center’s services so that they effectively
reach each of the minority communities
prominent in Broward County. Because
Medina knows action is just as important,
if not more important, than simply
having goals, he already has joined an
inter-agency committee called Latinos
En Accion, where he is learning how
to work with each of the various Latino
communities in Broward County.
If these experiences and goals evidence
anything about Medina’s future, it is that
he will undoubtedly make prominent
advances in the field of HIV prevention.
www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
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27
Why You Should Feel Good
Supporting The Pride Center
Buck Angel
Buck Angel, transman, adult film producer, performer and LGBT
icon, spoke at the screening of “Mr. Angel,” the documentary
of his life as part of the kick-off of the annual Trans Awareness
Month organized by The Pride Center. Stonewall National
Museum & Archives collaborated on the event.
By Robert Boo, Executive Director
VOICE Winter 2015
I
I
“I lost my partner of 40 years one year ago...
Life is like a puzzle and the L.I.F.E. program
helped me put the pieces back together.”
One of our recent LIFE Program graduates
from Cycle 19 experienced first-hand the impact
of the services we provide at The Pride Center
at Equality Park. Over the past year, more than
35,000 people have stepped foot onto our campus
to benefit from one of our programs, attend one
of the 60+ groups that utilize our meeting space,
get involved in a town hall meeting or community
THE
dialogue, enjoy an educational seminar, seek help
because...
from a staff member, participate in one of the
cultural activities, take an exercise class, receive
an HIV test or utilize the resources on our Equality
Park campus. Only through contributions from
donors in our community can The Pride Center
continue to enhance and improve the lives of the
people that come through our doors every day.
Your contributions make a difference.
This past summer we celebrated out 21st
anniversary of changing lives in our community.
Our programs and services continue to diversify
to meet the varied needs of our friends and
neighbors in South Florida. We continue to
spearhead expanding projects such as LGBT
parenting workshops, individual service linkage
for seniors, women’s health, transgender
education, couples counseling, healthcare
navigation, financial planning, art galleries,
www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
exercise programs, plant fairs, innovative
HIV prevention among communities of color,
social media outreach, educational seminars
and assisting individuals over 40 to remain
productive in the workforce.
We need your help to fulfill our mission to
provide
a safe, welcoming, inclusive home that
THE
nurtures, celebrates and enhances the LGBTQ
communities and our friends and neighbors
in South Florida. Your donations are vital,
significant, strategic and impactful.
As our community grows, so too do the needs
of those who seek and use our help. Please
consider providing an extra gift to The Center to
help us meet our goals. Whether you contribute
$20…$50…$100 or more, please know that
someone in our family will be helped thanks to
you. Please provide a financial gift--large or
small--today.
My best wishes to you and your loved ones for a
very happy, healthy New Year.
because...
28
Join The Pride Center as a Member Today!
Types of Membership:
•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