Center of Controversy
Transcription
Center of Controversy
See Story on page Q2 Interview with ‘The L Word’ Star Katherine Moenning We’ve Got Sonny & Cher, Babe See Story on Back Cover White Party Revenue Falls Slightly Short of Goal Care Resource Programs will not be Affected by Shortfall Volume 5, Number 2 January 12, 2004 See story on page 10 Center of Controversy Plan to Sell GLCCSF Property Stirs Storm of Criticism By Phil LaPadula Managing Editor “Save Our Center!” says the e-mail circulated late last week by Doug White, president of the South Florida Social Circle. White is one of several prominent members of the local gay and lesbian community who are speaking out against the proposed sale of the gay community center’s property on Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale to a developer. But some other high-profile community members say that the sale may be the best—or only—option available to the financially troubled center. Last month, Bill Peters, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of South Florida (GLCCSF), announced that the center’s board had voted to proceed with negotiations with Terragon Realty to develop the property. The mixed-use plan includes condominiums but also a new two-story building for the gay center. Although smaller, Peters says the new 10,000-square-foot building would offer more “usable space” than the current 16,000-square-foot building. But critics say that the new space would be too small to accommodate big events and other community needs. They point out that the plan includes only 46 parking spaces, compared with the current center’s 100-plus spaces. Furthermore, they object to the center’s board proceeding with the sale without consulting with the community, including the donors who support the center. “The community center is not just a piece of concrete, it is the living, breathing and growing heart of our community,” White told The Express. White pointed out that the new center would have a capacity of only 200 people compared with 430 people in the current center. The lack of parking would make it “almost impossible for multiple groups to meet,” White said. White was also critical of the plan to have the center own the new building but not the land it sits on. “It’s like owning a trailer in a trailer park,” he said. Furthermore, White said that two board members told him that the negotiations are See GLCCSF on page 2 Photo by Steven Shires Bill Peters, executive director of GLCCSF, says the proposed new center would be more efficient in its use of space. Tampa Gay Community on Edge Activists Mobilize in Response to Murders, Missing Persons By Phil LaPadula Managing Editor Equality Florida, a statewide gay rights organization, hosted a town hall meeting Jan. 10 at its Tampa office to address growing worries in the local community after a dead body found in the back of a Jeep Cherokee was identified as a missing gay man. The apparent murder victim is Michael W. Wachholtz, 26, who went missing on Dec. 20. On the same day, another local gay man, Jason R. Galehouse, also 26 years old, vanished after leaving a gay bar with two unidentified men. According to local gay Michael W. Wachholtz, who went missing on Dec. 20, was found dead in his Jeep Cherokee, an apparent murder victim. activists, at least two other gay men have disappeared in the Tampa area since 1995, and a transgender person was murdered in Largo in early December. Local community leaders are concerned that a serial killer may be targeting gay men in the Tampa area. Members of the Tampa Bay police department attended the town hall meeting. “We’ve gotten dozens of e-mails from members of the community wanting to help and to separate fact from fiction,” said Brian Winfield, communications director for Equality Florida. The organization posted information about the missing persons cases and the photos of the two men on its Web site, www.eqfl.org. Michael Wachholtz worked at Bahama Breeze, a nightclub on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. According to his roommate, Wachholtz left their home in Rocky Point on Saturday evening, Dec. 19. According to Equality Florida’s Web site, an eyewitness reported talking to Wachholtz late Saturday evening or Sunday morning when he requested a jump start for his maroon Jeep Cherokee. The witness reported seeing Wachholtz and a “couple of other guys” working on his vehicle around 3:30 a.m. Dec. 20. Galehouse was last seen at the 2606 Club, a gay bar located at 2606 N. Armenia Ave. in Tampa, on Dec. 20 at about 2:45 a.m. He told friends that he was leaving with two unknown males. The 6-foot, 185-pound man has not been seen or heard from since. “Both men went missing on the same day, but there is no other connection between the two men that we are aware of,” said Joe Durkin, spokesperson for the Tampa Police Department. On Friday, Jan. 9, Tyler Hall, who has been a friend of Galehouse for the past seven years, was preparing to lead a search of the Hillsborough River and nearby area. Hall said he was disappointed in the police response so far, but he was hopeful that the town meeting would produce some positive results. Hall described Galehouse as a “very outgoing, artistic person” who worked at a flower shop and was majoring in interior design at Hillsborough Community College. “He had no enemies,” Hall said. Equality Florida has sent a letter to Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist asking him to respond to a rash of anti-gay violence incidents in the Tampa Bay area in recent months. Besides the murders and disappearances, there have been two gaybashing incidents in the past 16 months. The latest incident occurred in November 2003 when a gay couple and their friends were attacked and brutally assaulted at a Tarpon Springs restaurant. In July 2002, three people were assaulted after a gay pride event at the Florida Aquarium. Although the Jason R. Galehouse was last seen leaving the 2606 Club in Tampa with two unidentified men on Dec. 20, 2003. Anyone who has seen him or has information about the case should call the Tampa police at 813.276.3200. 21-year-old attacker in that assault, Devon Angus, cracked the victim’s skull and a tooth, he was sentenced as a youthful offender and received no jail time. Jason R. Galehouse has brown hair and green eyes. Anyone who has information about the case is asked to call Det. Chip DeBlock at 813.276.3575 or Det. Jerry Keith at 813.276.3507, or call Tampa Police Information at 813.276.3200. www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 1 EDITORIAL Plan to Sell GLCCSF Property Stirs Storm of Criticism Managing Editor Phil LaPadula [email protected] GLCCSF from Front Page Arts & Entertainment Editor Mary Damiano [email protected] Features Editor Andy Zeffer [email protected] Sales and Marketing Manager Kevin Hopper [email protected] Account Executives Craig Combs [email protected] Anthony Verrico [email protected] Daniel Wasinger [email protected] Classifieds Manager Ralph Lankford [email protected] BUSINESS over. “The sales agreement has been signed, and they are moving ahead with the sale,” White wrote in his e-mail. “Did anyone ask our community what we thought or wanted?” White also pointed out that the center will be receiving a substantial sum of money from John Graves’s estate and that Broward County recently gave a grant of $200,000 to the center. “These people are crying wolf,” White said. White, who organized a fundraising cruise for the center in 2000, said he was considering becoming a “founder” (donor) “until all this happened.” He questioned why the center didn’t do a national search for a developer. “Why didn’t they put it out to bid?” he asked. Ed Nicholas, who was executive director of the center from April 2001 to April 2002, blamed the current board of director’s for the facility’s plight. “My understanding is that the board has been so inept at fundraising that the center is in horrible financial shape, and they now have little choice but to sell the property. The sale is symptomatic of an organization that has lost its direction, that doesn’t know where it is going, that’s growing smaller instead of bigger. They’re grabbing at straws.” Nicholas, who did not draw a salary when he served as the center’s director, contends that the facility was financially solvent during his tenure, but he said his successor, Sandra Norton, was an ineffective fundraiser and “ran the center Photo by Steven Shires into the ground.” “When I left in April 2002, they Doug White, president of the South Florida Social Circle, has sharply were paying the mortgage on time, they had a criticized plans to sell the GLCCSF property to a developer. He says positive cash flow, and it was so substantial as a the proposed new center would be too small to accommodate the nonprofit that the Community Foundation of needs of the community and would have inadequate parking. Broward invited the center to be one of a very select group of nonprofits to participate in the Kresgee now, we have to cool an entire hall, with an 18-foot-high Challenge to build an endowment.” At one point, Nicholas ceiling,” he said. suggested tearing down the existing building and putting up a Regarding potential parking problems, Peters pointed new one, but that would have required a capital campaign. out that the “minimum number of spaces would be 46.” “We Nicholas questioned how the center would be able to don’t use 100 spaces except for two or three big events per raise money when construction starts and it has to move to a year,” he said. “And there are other places besides the center temporary facility. He thinks the board should just give up. where we could hold big events. My belief is that people will “They should give up, and maybe in a few years, some real find parking spaces.” He suggested that the center could community leaders with some vision can come forward and make arrangements with the two nearby gay bars, Jackhammer create a new community center.” and Boardwalk, to provide spillover parking for some events. While he concedes that the building that houses the Nicholas questioned why Peters is scheduling a public center has problems, Nicholas noted that the center’s meeting in March when the sale could already be a done deal auditorium has a stage that is used for dances and theatre by then. When he announced the pending deal in December, productions. “It’s an important symbol, a whole city block Peters said he expected to know if it will happen or not after devoted to a gay center,” Nicholas said. 60 days. “I think they just want to give the community a ‘fait An inside source, who didn’t want to be identified, told accompli,’” Nicholas said. He added that his sources told The Express that the center has been late with its $6,000-per- him that the transaction was in the “due diligence” stage, month mortgage payments for the past five months and had meaning it is not yet a done deal. to pay $350 late fees. The same source said the center has Another concern of community members is the fate problems paying its utility bills and had to be bailed out with of the Stonewall Library, which currently rents space in an “emergency donation” to pay an $18,000 tax bill. “They the same building as the center. “There’s not going to be are so broke,” the source said. “In the long run, it might be a a space for the library,” White said. “It’s the cultural good idea to sell.” The source said the developer is buying center of the community. John Graves must be turning the property for a total of about $2 million. The source said over in his grave.” that the center’s property was originally purchased for But Rob Nathans, president of the board of directors of $850,000, and the proposed sale is below market value. Stonewall Library & Archives, said he’s not worried about Bill Peters, the center’s executive director, conceded that finding a new space. “We have many options, at least a the GLCCSF has “financial challenges.” “This is why the dozen,” Nathans said. “We can negotiate with the developers, board, in its fiduciary responsibility, is looking to any solution or we can find our own free-standing building.” to keep the center open.” Nathans noted that the library is in a stronger position Peters also insisted that the sale “is not a done deal; than the center is. “We’re doing great,” he said. “Our financial that’s a fact.” He said the board will meet with the center’s position is extremely healthy. We’ve grown tremendously major donors at the end of January to update them on where over the past two years, and we’re looking for a bigger space.” the transaction stands. He said the center will also host a Nathans thinks the sale is the best option for the GLCCSF. town hall meeting in March to get community input. “I think it’s great for the GLCCSF,” he said. “They’re tired Peters thinks some community members are losing sight and overwhelmed with building management because they of the benefits that the deal offers. “Most importantly, the do have a white elephant of a building. The electricity needs center will own this building clear and outright, and we will overhauling, and the air conditioning is in disrepair.” own it debt-free,” he said. “It will allow us to pay off our White, who has been active in the community for years, existing mortgage and to have a sufficient reserve.” reminisced about the center’s early days. “We used to meet Peters noted that even though the current building is with Alan Schubert [the center’s founder] in the little office 16,000 square feet, most of it is open space that is inefficient above his garage in Victoria Park planning the community and unusable for multiple purposes. “We would have a brand- center,” White recalled. new, two-story building—10,000 square feet of space designed White thinks the center’s board is giving up too easily for the use of a community center and the multiple uses of a on the existing facility. “The community center is like a child; community center.” He said the building would also be more it’s 10 years old. If you’re child was a little slow learning, energy efficient. “When we have to use the air conditioning would you put it up for adoption?” National Sales Representatives Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 Publisher Unite Media LLC. Steven Guerrini, President [email protected] News & Features Jennifer Trovato • Paul Harris • Dan Aiello Business & Finance Daniel M. Pye • Michael Wilke Syndicated Columnists Mike Alvear • Mubarak Dahir Paul Varnell • Deb Price • M.Signorile Timothy J. Critzer • John D. Siegfried Jennifer Vanasco • Marc Acito Health & Fitness Columnists Stephen Fallon Advice & Counseling Mark Rutherford Webmaster • Gary Hallock Network Administrator • Ray Johnston Contributing Photographers Steven Shires • Pompano Bill • Carole Fawcett Distribution Managers Charlie Braun • Glenn King • John Fugate Graphic Artist • Henny Snow Office Administrator • Logan Kent The Express Gay News Unite Media LLC. 1595 Northeast 26th St. Wilton Manors, Fl. 33305 Phone: 954.568.1880 Fax: 954.568.5110 www.ExpressGayNews.com DEADLINES Display Advertising Placement Request Monday by 5pm Art Work Wednesday by noon Classifieds Line Ads Wednesday by 4pm Art Work Tuesday by noon The Express is published weekly on Mondays by Unite Media, LLC. Our paper is a member of the Associated Press, and a Founding Member of the Gay American Media Association. The views or opinions expressed within this publication, in bylined columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Unite Media LLC. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in The Express does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named person or persons. All material in The Express is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of Express Gay News. The Express reserves the right to enforce its own judgments regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and/or photographs. Norm Kent Founder and Publisher (2000-2003) “This Above All... To Thine Own Self Be True. And it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” • Shakespeare / Hamlet / I / III Copyright © 2004 • Unite Media LLC. 2 www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 CONTRIBUTORS Center of Controversy January 12, 2004 Volume 5, Number 2 Issue 163 www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 3 Artist Bares His Talent with Series of Nudes Stonewall Library Exhibit Features Paintings of George Hester By Andy Zeffer Features Editor Hester said. “As an art director, I sent him so much work he couldn’t do it all, so I told him I would help him out and picked up the camera myself. But after a while, he became jealous of the fashion end of it, so I decided I would try and do a book of nudes.” At first, it was very tough for him to find willing models in those days. But he was an established photographer with reputable New York modeling agencies such a Ford and Wilhelmina, so he eventually earned the In the world of photography, George Hester is nothing short of a pioneer. His books, The Classic Nude (1973), Man (1975) and Woman (1975), were the first published books of nude photography. The nude has also been the subject of his other love, painting. ArtsUnited has brought a collection of Hester’s male nude paintings to the Stonewall Library and Archives in Fort Lauderdale, where the works will be on display through Jan. 31. The artist spoke about his life and career during the show’s opening reception Jan. 5. Hester’s life is as colorful as his paintings. He began painting at a young age, and continued to do so while stationed in Iwo Jima during World War II, where Hester was a gunner aboard aircrafts. The young soldier painted watercolors of the planes in his squadron, P-51s and B29s. In fact, the Enola Gay, the plane Photo by Pompano Bill that dropped the atomic bomb on George Hester, ArtsUnited’s Artist of the Japan, was part of Hester’s squadron. Month, next to one of his paintings at Stonewall After the war, Hester began a Library in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 5. career as an art director, starting at the New York department store Bonwit Teller. models’ trust. By word of mouth he was able From there, he became a freelance art director, to find subjects, sometimes doing fashion working on catalog assignments for well- shoots and headshots in return. known department stores such as Neiman “With a lot of these people I Marcus and Wanamaker’s. It was while doing photographed, I painted as well,” Hester said. this work that he began his life as a “And my books sold so well that I was able photographer. to leave the city with the money I earned and “I had a friend that was a photographer,” bought an apple orchard upstate with 10,000 4 www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 trees.” The orchard was in a town called Kinderhook, which is just below Albany. Hester sometimes incorporated the negatives from his photography into his paintings. He works with oils, and has had his paintings in storage for a long time. “You don’t show paintings like that everywhere,” Hester said. Many of Hester’s nudes have stories behind them. He pointed out a painting of a muscular man whose wife asked Hester to paint him. Hester agreed to paint the husband but only if he could do two paintings and keep one for himself. “One time I was at the Metropolitan Opera for an affair, and Mayor Lindsay was there,” Hester recalled. “He was sitting at my table and asked everyone what they did. When I told him I was a photographer, they asked what subject matter I shot, and I said nudes. An English lady approached me afterward and asked if I would like to photograph her children. I said I would love to, and she came to my studio with her children and a nanny. Of course when I photographed children, the mother or father was always there; I wouldn’t do it otherwise.” Hester has painted all sizes and shapes of men, women and children, including an obese man who he describes as a “very charming fellow.” Now that he has lost sight in one eye, it is difficult for him to get the dot in his subject’s eyes where he wants it, so he is now switching to a broad technique and painting landscapes. But for this exhibition, however, all of the subjects in his paintings are well-formed men with muscular physiques. Six months ago, Hester spoke to Chris Yoculan, vice president of ArtsUnited, about his work. The young soldier painted watercolors of the planes in his squadron, P-51s and B-29s. In fact, the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bomb, was part of Hester’s squadron. “I was amazed at the stacks and stacks of the paintings,” Yoculan told the crowd during the reception. “And I’m very honored to be the one to go through those stacks and put together an exhibition with George. With the help of 9 Muses Art Center, Gallery, and Frame Shop, we were able to display these paintings to the public.” Hester’s work seemed to be a hit with the crowd at the library. Four of his paintings sold at the opening night reception. George Hester lives in Wilton Manors with his partner of 30 years, Alfredo. The two also have a house in Jamaica, where they spend a lot of time. His work can also be viewed on www.ArtsUnitedOnline.org. Bargains Abound at Art for AIDS Auction Attendance Down, But Event Raises $35,000 for APFL’s Programs By Phil LaPadula Managing Editor The Ninth Annual Design World Cares Art for AIDS Auction drew a smaller crowd than last year’s event, but those who attended took advantage of bargain prices on quality artworks and other items. Held at the Design Center of the Americas in Dania Beach on Jan. 8, the event raised $35,000 for AIDS Project Florida (APFL), about 20 percent less than last year’s auction. APFL Executive Director Norm Kent pointed out that APFL has recently added other fundraisers to its repertoire, so potential donors could be saving their cash for other events such as Dining Out for Life, in which 60 restaurants will participate on Feb. 5. In fact, APFL will hold a total of 10 different events this year to raise money. The crowd also may have been smaller because this year’s event was held on a Thursday evening, while last year’s auction took place on a Saturday. Nevertheless, Kent was disappointed in the turnout. “I’m disappointed that the gay community isn’t participating the way they used to,” he said. “We need a renaissance in the gay community’s commitment to fighting AIDS.” A new feature this year were mimes, who showed off their silent performance art, including one who towered above the crowd on stilts. Among the donated artwork was a portrait by Allison Lefcort, whose work Hawaii and South Florida, most of has been collected by Hillary Clinton, Meara’s paintings are of palm trees, Barbra Streisand and Luciano the ocean, flowers, boats and Pavarotti. Lefcort’s $7,000 portrait sold bamboo. He uses 300-pound paper at the live auction for $3,600. to enhance the effect. For participating artist Susan The smaller than expected Moss, helping to raise money to fight crowd produced big bargains for AIDS has special meaning because of some lucky bidders. A sculpture of her own successful battle against a a mother dolphin and her child serious illness. Moss said she beat frolicking in the waves by Laran breast and uterine cancer with the help Ghiglieri sold for $750. The piece of a holistic program that included has a retail value of $7,500. “That’s spiritual and mental therapies, diet, a steal,” commented auctioneer exercise and topical, natural Jack Russo. treatments. She wrote a book about A “Romantic Weekend in her experience titled Keep Your Breast, Boca,” valued at $1,274, sold for which was published in 1994. $450. A Gentlemen’s Diamond Ring She was inspired to get involved by Jon Paul Jeweler, worth $5,500, in AIDS fundraising by the death of a sold for $3,500. A 24-week-old gay friend whom she met while she miniature poodle, worth $950, sold was single and feeling lonely after her for $200. A $1,450 glass sculpture Susan Moss—an artist, writer and cancer survivor— stands next to her painting, which sold for $350 at divorce in 1974. “Before then, I hadn’t of two dolphins from Wyland the Art for AIDS Auction Jan. 8. had much interaction with gay Galleries sold for $600. A Symitar people,” she said. “He was also a Console Table, valued at $5,680, painter. He got involved in some rough movement, and I try to create depth with sold for $700. partnerships and got sick in the late 70s. layering,” she said. One of her paintings Finally, “Sandstorm,” a painting by Since then, I’ve had many gay friends and sold for $350 at the auction. nationally acclaimed artist Byron Keith supported many AIDS groups. By helping It was the first Art for AIDS Auction Byrd, which was featured on the event’s people with AIDS, I create a certain amount for artist Douglas Meara. One of his invitation, sold for $2,400. It had a retail of positive karma for myself.” vibrantly colored watercolors sold for value of $6,500. Moss, who has an art degree from the $225. He has gotten $1,000 for his work, The event attracted some local University of Nevada and also attended but he noted that $225 is a good price for politicians. Wilton Manors Mayor Jim Otis Art Institute, said her abstract an auction because of the competition. He Stork attended, along with Fort Lauderdale paintings depict “both my inner and my was happy to be contributing to a good City Commissioner Dean Trantalis and outer landscapes.” “I like the idea of cause. Influenced by years of living in mayoral candidate Joe Grano. www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 5 A Fresh Way to Enjoy Saturdays Farmers Market Sells a Variety of Wholesome Products on Wilton Drive By Andy Zeffer Features Editor The landscape of Wilton Manors was altered on Nov. 8 when the weekly farmers market was born, bringing the wholesome products of country living to the Island City. Green and white striped tents lined up along the parking lot of the newly renovated Hagen Park at 2020 Wilton Drive. Produced by Wilton Manors Main Street Inc., the farmers market offers a wide variety of farm-related products, including produce, plants, flowers, baked goods and organic food. The market operates every Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., through April 28. “Because Wilton Manors Main Street Inc. is part of the revitalization of Wilton Drive and NE 26 th St., we wanted to create a community involvement that would bring Wilton Manors together and also bring more traffic to Wilton Drive,” says Kim Werner of the Wilton Manors Main Street Office. “So we created the farmers market. This is a true green market, and we are growing it every Saturday. We have everything from fresh produce, a wonderful plant vendor, gourmet guacamole, fresh baked bread and more.” All the market’s vendors are local. Werner is also trying to recruit a tea vendor, kettle corn, natural soaps, a bonsai plant vendor and a spice vendor. She says the market provides a soothing and calm way to spend part of the weekend. There is a merchant there named Juices & Bites that makes freshly squeezed orange and 6 grapefruit juices. Vendors also make smoothies throughout the day. The market is seeking local entertainment to enhance the shopping experience. Local musician Nick Granado, who plays regular gigs every Friday and Saturday at Hamburger Mary’s, has already performed. The Wilton Manors Main Street Program has a booth at the market that updates people about the program. Main Street officials sell water, T-shirts, polo shirts and offer memberships. “Each week a different nonprofit organization participates at no charge,” Werner says. “One weekend we had a cancer research organization, and they had a bake sale. Another weekend Cocker Rescue was there to raise money for the dogs they care for, and they were able to find homes for four dogs.” The idea to have a farmers market began when Main Street Executive Director Hal Miksch was asked to spend a week studying downtown West Palm Beach as part of an Urban Land Institute program. He spoke with Peter Robinson, then executive director of the West Palm Beach Farmers Market, to see how he could put a farmers market together on Wilton Drive. Siegi Constantine, who had worked at A Taste of Oakland Park/Wilton Manors event, along with Shaun Paul Thomas of Ocean Breeze Consulting, volunteered many hours to help put the farmers market together. www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 Customers examine the fresh produce at the Wilton Manors Farmers Market, which is held every Saturday in Hagen Park on Wilton Drive. “We went looking at The Delray and Pompano Beach farmers markets to see how they were set up and what kinds of vendors they had,” Thomas says. “We also did some investigating in the Boca and West Palm Beach markets as far as getting a list of their vendors. One thing that we saw which we liked in Delray and Pompano Beach is they had exclusive vendors. In other words, they didn’t have 90 different flower people cutting each other’s throats.” Warner says that the farmers market is always looking for volunteers and more green vendors who offer products that aren’t currently available at the market. The market also plans to have special events in the future, such as art fairs and events for children. Residents and visitors to Wilton Manors can expect the farmers market to continue to grow and become a vibrant part of the community. www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 7 8 www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 U.S. Schools Struggling with Gay Issues Legislators Step in as Students Face Discrimination By Joe Crea Correspondent From the trend of forming Gay Straight Alliances to the problem of socially conservative administrators disciplining gay students, American schools are increasingly confronting gay-related issues in the classrooms. Thomas McLaughlin, a 14-year-old Arkansas student said his principal forced him to read biblical passages out loud last year after he told a friend that a certain boy was “cute.” Then there was Marcus McLaurin, the 7-year-old second-grader in Louisiana who was disciplined late last year for telling another student that his mom is gay. Last year saw numerous cases around the country involving students who alleged discrimination and harassment because of their sexual orientation. With a new study showing a direct relationship between in-school harassment and student performance, along with several recent legal settlements favorable to gay students, many advocacy groups plan this year to continue implementing a variety of programs designed to improve the atmosphere for gay students. On Tuesday, the Morgan Hill Unified School District in California, where gay students claimed they faced repeated harassment and discrimination, agreed to more than a $1.1 million settlement along with new sweeping changes in staff, student training programs and policy protections. The American Civil Liberties Union said the settlement ends a five-year-old federal lawsuit. The students involved in the lawsuit claimed they faced years of discrimination, which included physical violence. One student, Freddie Fuentes, was allegedly beaten, kicked and called “faggot” while he was waiting for a bus when he was in the 7th grade. Another student, Alana Flores, claimed she suffered severe harassment, including having her locker defaced with anti-gay epithets and receiving a picture of a naked woman, bound and gagged, with her legs spread and her throat slashed taped to her locker with the words, “Die, die…dyke bitch, fuck off. We’ll kill you,” scrawled at the bottom. Lawyers familiar with the case said it also produced a historic ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that if a school knows anti-gay harassment is taking place, it is obligated to take “meaningful” steps to end it and protect students from discrimination. collaborative effort between activists and the school system, something concrete has happened out of it.” Bochenek said that harassment often begins at an early age, primarily with verbal harassment in elementary school and escalating to violence in middle and high school years. He said that the most effective way to address these types of behaviors is to have “age appropriate programs in elementary schools,” that would be effective tools in discouraging harassment. “The fundamental issue is that kids need to feel safe in schools and free of harassment,” Bochenek said. “The curriculum tools used for the elementary levels are different than those designed for middle schools. At a younger age, teachers can talk about harassment to their students in very broad terms of being nice to fellow classmates.” Lambda Legal is also engaged in the school safety issue for gay students. Fred Shank, public information coordinator for Lambda Legal, said Study: Gay Students that his group would unveil later in Face Harassment the year an “action kit” designed to inform gay students of their rights in The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Thomas McLaughlin, a 14-year-old student from schools. Education Network released a study Arkansas, said he was harassed and disciplined by school administrators after he told a friend he “It’s going to include a wallet card, last year showing that gay students thought another boy was “cute.” GSA primer, fact sheet for teachers on who experience considerable what the law is and how to protect harassment are likely to have low gay students’ safety,” Shank said. “It’s going Choe said that his project also launched grade point averages and less of a desire to to give students something that they can a Web site last year, www.aclu.org/GetEqual, attend college than others. implement in their own schools or lives.” The 2003 National School Climate Survey that is designed to encourage grassroots Bochenek said he found it “heartening” also found that four out of five gay students activism. One component of the site provides that kids in his study were “able to recover” reported being verbally, sexually or information on how communities can ensure from the harassment they experienced. He physically harassed at their school because the safety of schools and school districts. said that a supportive administrator or Michael Bochenek, counsel to the of their sexual orientation. teacher was often the key. Officials with GLSEN could not be Children’s Rights Division of Human Rights “The small action on the part of teachers Watch and author of the 1998-99 report reached by press time. really helps,” Bochenek said. “The students Studies, like the GLSEN report, have “Hatred in the Hallways,” said that his group often told me that because they saw a poster encouraged groups to take a more proactive decided to work with the second largest with the word, ‘gay’ on it or they heard role in preventing student discrimination. The school district in the country and developed something from a teacher who told of an ACLU project, which assists gay students a three-year plan to train administrators, example of a friend who was gay, in a way in legal disputes, is moving toward a more teachers and students in how to deal with that was not judgmental or demeaning, that proactive approach by providing anti-gay discrimination and harassment. made a huge difference. Teachers really can “We did a series of workshops for communities with tools to improve schools, do small things on a daily basis to make gay teachers in one sub-district that included nine Choe said. and lesbian students’ lives easier.” “We have a model, a training session, comprehensive high schools,” Bochenek on how to make a school or school district a said of his work with the Los Angeles School safe one,” Choe said. “We also have an anti- District. “Shortly afterwards, the teachers For more information about the Gay, harassment policy that actually encourages took over. That was a really nice Lesbian & Straight Education schools to adopt safety requirements for gay accomplishment and a nice first step. Nice Network, call 212.727.0135 or log onto that, as a result of this report and the www.GLSEN.org. and lesbian students.” “The schools have to do something meaningful, showing that they aren’t being deliberately indifferent when there is a case of anti-gay harassment,” said Ken Choe, a lawyer with the ACLU Lesbian & Gay Rights and AIDS Projects. Choe said that while the ruling only affects states that fall under the Ninth Circuit’s jurisdiction, including California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Alaska and Hawaii, that he hopes that other courts in the country will be persuaded to adopt a similar ruling. Eleven states in the United States currently have laws that prohibit discrimination against gay students in public schools. The essence of the laws, which differ slightly, is the explicit prohibition of harassment in schools. Last summer, Maryland became the eleventh state to bar anti-gay discrimination in public schools after the state’s Board of Education voted in July to add new regulations aimed at protecting gay students. www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 9 White Party Revenue Falls Slightly Short of Goal Care Resource Programs will not be Affected by Shortfall By Michael W. Sasser Miami-Dade Correspondent While the final net numbers are still being tabulated, Flash Back–Fast Forward White Party 2003 week failed to meet its anticipated gross revenue. However, the director of Care Resource, the HIV/AIDS resource organization that sponsors and benefits from the fundraiser, said that the net numbers will end up being just off projection and that the many services provided by the long-time community institution will continue unhindered. Early estimates on ticket sales reveal that 11,500 guests from across the globe attended White Party 2003 events, including about 1,700 revelers who attended the 19th annual White Party at Vizcaya. Muscle Beach drew over 1,500 participants, and White Dreams at the Miami Seaquarium attracted more than 2,000 partygoers. Those same early estimates had White Party raising some $775,000, somewhat below what was expected. “Actually it is looking like we might have taken in closer to $800,000 when all the numbers are done,” said Care Resource Executive Director Rick Siclari. “That falls short of the budget amount which was about $930,000. The good news is that when we started to see ticket sales falling short, we cut expenses. So, net, I think we are more likely to have fallen short between $25,000 and $35,000. “That will allow us to continue all programs and services we offer that depend 10 on White Party revenues,” Siclari added. “Overall, we’re very pleased, and we think the events themselves were terrific.” Projections for income this year were based on last year’s results, meaning financial numbers were down in 2003 even more than in the more economically challenging November 2002. Siclari thinks both the economy—which did not begin to generate strong positive numbers until late November and December—and competition hurt attendance this year. “White Party has a lot more competition out there these days,” Siclari said. “But it is one of the few events that is a fundraiser, which sets us apart.” Still, for Siclari, the good news is that Care Resource can continue its many programs without interruption. Some 86 percent of total revenues are used for Care Resource programming and 30,000 free services to clients in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Miami has the highest AIDS rate in the nation, and Fort Lauderdale is third. Among Care Resource’s services provided to the community are HIV clinical trials and research, Partners in Faith outreach program, Riccardia Children and Families program, volunteer services and operational costs related to HIV case management, counseling, prevention education, testing and information services and administration. White Party provides a sizable portion of funds necessary to maintain the organization’s many initiatives. www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 The Vizcaya Museum hosts the White Party’s crown jewel event. Photo by Carole Fawcett As for the events themselves, Tony Miros, Care Resource’s public relations and marketing coordinator, said all was well. “The events went very well all around,” Miros said. “The pool party had more people than I remember ever being there before and, of course, the big events like Muscle Beach and White Dreams, and at Vizcaya itself were very well attended. There was definitely a good energy among participants and a sense of fun.” This year’s White Party 2004 will be the 20th anniversary of the circuit fundraiser event, and organizers says there will be numerous changes and additions to mark the occasion. “People at this White Party were already excited about the 20th anniversary, and they should be,” Miros said. “We want people to feel like we’ve been going at it for 20 years and can still shake it up.” For information on Care Resource’s programs and services or plans for White Party 2004, call 305.576.1234. Top General in the Marriage Battle Attorney Mary Bonauto Offers Insider’s View of Historic Massachusetts Case groundwork for marriage. Since 1994, I’ve given maybe 60 speeches As the lead attorney on the a month and written countless landmark Massachusetts articles, not just for legal journals, marriage case, as well as cobut for newspapers and magazines counsel in the case that brought and newsletters. Basically, no civil unions to Vermont, Mary group was too small for us to speak Bonauto has been at the center with. of the ongoing battle to win legal Even within the gay and lesbian recognition for gay and lesbian community, there remains debate couples. With the victory in about marriage. While Massachusetts, her record is recognizing the benefits of legal now two wins, no losses. In fact, recognition, many in our own she has garnered a national community look at the history of reputation as the individual who marriage and question if this is has done the most in the courts something we as a movement really to bring gay and lesbian marriage want to champion. Sometimes that’s to the brink of reality. particularly strong within lesbian Bonauto, 42, is director of circles, given the history of the Civil Rights Project for the marriage with respect to women. Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Did you ever have any internal Defenders (GLAD), a legal struggles over fighting for organization based in Boston marriage? that champions gay rights cases I’m perfectly aware of the throughout New England. She troubled history of the institution wrote the legal briefs for the of marriage. But today, officially at Massachusetts case while she least, it is a legal institution of was pregnant with twins. The gender equality and racial equality, Express first spoke with her the and it should be neutral to us, too. day after the historic court We should have the right to make Mary Bonauto, attorney for seven same-sex couples challenging the state’s prohibition on gay marriage, argues decision, and again on the this choice. before the Supreme Judicial Court in Boston on Tuesday, weekend, from her home in What was it like to work on March 4, 2003. (AP Photo/Julia Malakie, Pool) Portland, Maine, on the heels of this case? Did you have a sense that an exciting and frenzied week. you were making history here? The nation was still abuzz [Laughter] I didn’t have time from the court ruling and all that it may—or We thought we weren’t ready. to think about that. I filed this case on April may not—mean. But from her home in placid I remember the first day I came into the 11, 2001. I got pregnant a few days later. It Portland, some two hours north of the hectic office, in March 1990, there was a request on feels as if I was awake almost constantly, hubbub of her Boston office, Bonauto took my desk from two women in western between filing briefs and taking care of my a few moments to reflect on the magnitude of Massachusetts for a marriage case. We said kids. [Bonauto has twin daughters who will the court decision and the battles that remain no. turn 2 years old this December.] I’d be up ahead. And there were many times after that, until midnight, writing documents, then painful calls over the years. One time, a about to go to bed when one of the kids Mubarak Dahir: It’s a long commute woman called crying, saying she wasn’t would wake up and cry. But the good thing from Portland to Boston, isn’t it? being allowed to say goodbye to a dying was that I was doing the two things I cared Mary Bonauto: Yes. I do the commute partner in the hospital. Another woman called about most in my life. about half the week, and work from home the from a pay phone, as the moving van was What were you doing when you found other half. Luckily, I can work on the bus. literally taking her stuff from the home she’d out about the court decision on Tuesday? Sometimes I do watch the James Bond movie. been evicted from after her partner died. She Well, at 8 a.m., the court posts on its [Laughter] found she had no rights. It was very hard to Web site the names of cases it will be handing So was marriage always a passion for talk to these people and tell them I couldn’t down decisions for that day. The actual you? help them. Their stories were always in the decisions then come down at 10 a.m. This Well I didn’t grow up a little girl dreaming back of my mind. was one of two days the whole year I figured of walking down the aisle in a white dress, if So what changed between 1990, and the court wouldn’t do Goodridge, because that’s what you mean. [More laughter] when you filed this case in April 2001? it was the next to last day of the legislative But I’ve always wanted to get married, The legal arguments have been the same session, and I figured the court would wait and so I have always been interested in it. for the past 30 years. What’s changed is the until the legislature was out. But you know, when I came to GLAD in 1990, cultural climate, the cultural readiness. I was in the car driving to Connecticut, we didn’t want marriage cases on the docket. We’ve spent years laying the where I was going to brief a handful of By Mubarak Dahir Special to The Express legislators on the marriage issue. My cell phone rang, and someone said, “It’s up on the Web site.” It took me a minute to realize what they meant. Then my cell phone started going wild with calls. What did you do next? I turned around and went back to the office. How were you feeling in the time between knowing the decision was about to be handed down, but not yet knowing what it would be? I felt strangely calm. I knew I had done everything I could do, and now, it was up to them. And when the decision came down? Well, I wanted to obtain a personal copy, I didn’t want to read it on the Web site. So I went to the court to get a hard copy for myself. I stood in line, was handed a copy, and then found a place to sit down and read it. I was shocked. My stomach fell to the ground, and all I could think was, “Wow. We won.” Were you surprised? Didn’t you have a feeling the court would rule in your favor? I desperately wanted to win, but I wasn’t over-confident. Being right doesn’t necessarily mean the court will agree with you. Since the decision was announced, politicians have said they will try to invoke civil unions, not marriage. Has this tempered the joy of the decision itself? Well, immediately, as soon as the decision came down, we’ve had to fight this pretense that we didn’t win. I feel a mix of things. The hardest thing about the case was knowing there were people in the Attorney General’s office who worked against us, even though they believed in our equality. Listen, this is a big deal, and some people will be desperate to do anything to keep us from getting marriage. Fear mongers are going to come into Massachusetts from all around the country and make it ugly. But that’s not news. Who knows what our opponents will dream up in the next six months? We know they want to do an end-run around marriage, but that’s not acceptable. If we have to, we’ll go back to court. What about you, personally? Do you have a partner? And do you think you’ll be getting married? Yes, I’ve been with Jennifer [Wriggins, a professor of law at the University of Maine] for 16 years. We’ve talked about it, but we haven’t set a date. But there are undoubtedly wedding plans in my future. www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 11 Ombudsman’s Column Fuels N.Y. Times Flap Okrent Responds to Gay Poll in First Column from a Dec. 17 Times article written by Washington The new correspondent Elisabeth ombudsman for the New Bumiller. York Times, appointed “The elision in the Seelyefollowing last year’s Elder article was not, as several Jayson Blair scandal, of my correspondents insist, devoted his first official ‘politically motivated,’ or column to addressing ‘unethical’ or a ‘blatant concerns raised by gay manipulation of the facts.’ It activists over a Dec. 21 was a simple mistake,” Okrent Times story that critics wrote. say distorted President Okrent declined to clarify Bush’s position on the whether he believes the Federal Marriage omission was due to an editing New York Times ombudsman Amendment and mistake or a reporting error. Daniel Okrent said the truncation of President exaggerated the level of “I’d rather not Bush’s quote in a story about public support for the characterize it,” Okrent said. gay marriage was a “simple amendment. “I wanted to let readers come mistake” and not politically The Times story, to their own conclusions.” motivated. (Photo by Hadas Dembo/AP) written by Katharine Q. The Dec. 21 article Seelye and Janet Elder, triggered a storm of protests did not fully report President Bush’s from both conservative gays—upset over comments made during an ABC News the altered Bush quote—and liberal activists interview last month in which he said, “If dismayed by the article’s use of anti-gay necessary, I will support a constitutional quotes. amendment which would honor marriage between a man and a woman, codify that.” GLAAD Not Satisfied The Times article left off the portion of Cathy Renna, news media director for Bush’s comment that said, “if necessary,” the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against reporting only that “last week Mr. Bush for Defamation, who strongly condemned the the first time voiced his support, saying, ‘I Times’ Dec. 21 piece, said she was “pleased” will support a constitutional amendment that Okrent addressed readers’ concerns but which would honor marriage between a man still strongly disagreed with the Dec. 21 and a woman, codify that.’” article’s headline, “Strong support is found The Times’ ombudsman, Daniel Okrent, for ban on gay marriage.” She said that it wrote that Seelye lifted the incomplete quote contradicts the paper’s own poll done in By Joe Crea Correspondent 12 www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 conjunction with CBS. “[Okrent and I] will have to agree to disagree,” Renna said. “This article is not the standard in the way they cover our issues. I still think the headline was inaccurate. I don’t think it conveyed a real sense of what it takes to amend the Constitution. Just because you have some level of majority in a poll does not mean that is going to create the support for a constitutional amendment.” The Times poll indicated that 54 percent of respondents oppose civil union laws while 40 percent support such measures. Sixty-one percent opposed gay marriage and 34 percent favored it. Renna said that as the ombudsman, Okrent “doesn’t have the authority to go and castigate people” in the Times newsroom, but said he “did make a very public statement to the readers that there was clearly a problem.” Renna said she still had problems with the proportion of anti-gay quotes used in the Dec. 21 article. “I thought this article in particular was an example of how easy it is for the media to find extremely vitriolic quotes that frankly I don’t think they would include if the issue was about other groups of people,” Renna said. “I have these conversations with journalists on the merit of going to people like Lou Sheldon. While they will comment on the article’s topic, they often go out of their way to bash members of the community,” she said. Sheldon is a California minister who founded the ultra-conserative Traditional Values Coalition. Cliff Kincaid, editor of Accuracy in Media, a conservative, nonprofit “watchdog” of the news media, said that GLAAD is trying to “intimidate The New York Times, which is already in the GLAAD camp anyway.” “Questions about the president’s quotation and whether 55 percent is substantial or not are beside the point,” wrote Kincaid in an e-mail response. “GLAAD will not be satisfied until the Times reads like another version of the [Washington] Blade. “But the Times is apparently clever enough not to fall completely into that trap,” Kincaid said. “However, it shows the power of the homosexual media lobby that the new Times ombudsman, Daniel Okrent, would spend time on this matter in an effort to please GLAAD. Mr. Okrent should spend more time exposing GLAAD’s efforts at media manipulation and the power of the homosexual lobby in the media.” Okrent argued that the “imbalance of interview subjects” was because the newsworthy aspect of the poll was the apparent growing opposition to gay marriage. “When man bites dog, you talk to the dog,” he said. “The news here was the increased support for the proposed amendment relative to previous polls.” Renna disagreed, calling the issue of the Federal Marriage Amendment a personal one that has a “huge impact on our community.” “To completely exclude any type of comment from gay and lesbian people is a pretty big omission.” www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 13 Gays Play Key Roles in Gephardt Campaign Elmendorf Joins Mixner and Gephardt’s Lesbian Daughter By Lou Chibbaro Jr. Correspondent Steve Elmendorf, a New Jersey native, served as chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) since 1997. He joined Gephardt’s staff in 1992 as an openly gay man. Now Elmendorf works as chief of staff at Gephardt’s presidential campaign headquarters in Washington, D.C. He shares duties as the campaign’s liaison to the gay community with Chrissy Gephardt, the candidate’s lesbian daughter, and David Mixner, the longtime gay Democratic fundraiser and business consultant, who serves as co-chair of the Gephardt campaign. Elmendorf said Gephardt stands apart from his Democratic rivals, in part, because he served as Democratic leader of the House of Representatives for eight years, fighting on the front lines on a wide range of issues, including gay rights legislation. “He has led the Democrats in fighting for gay issues,” Elmendorf said. Elmendorf acknowledges Gephardt’s vocal support for gay civil rights began in the late 1980s and early 1990s, considerably later than for many Democratic members of Congress. “Like most people in his generation, he did not start out as a strong supporter on gay issues, but he has changed,” Elmendorf said. “He has always had open gays in his office and in positions of authority,” 14 Elmendorf said. “And he has always “He thinks we ought to lift the ban been strong on civil rights.” completely on gays in the military,” Since the early 1990s, Gephardt Elmendorf said. “He thinks ‘Don’t Ask, has signed on as a co-sponsor to all Don’t Tell’ has been a failure.” major gay civil rights and AIDS related Elmendorf notes that Gephardt bills. Among them is the Employment strongly opposes a constitutional Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, amendment to ban gay marriage and which calls for banning employment has used his role as House Democratic discrimination based on sexual leader to help fend off anti-gay orientation. amendments and bills. Gephardt, however, joined most of Although his daughter Chrissy’s his Democratic colleagues in the decision to come out as a lesbian has House in 1996 to vote for the Defense strengthened Gephardt’s resolve on of Marriage Act, which defines gay issues, Elmendorf notes that marriage under federal law as a union Chrissy Gephardt came out to her only between a man and a woman and parents just two years ago, long after provides that states may legally refuse Gephardt became a vocal supporter on to recognize gay marriages from other gay issues. states. In 1993, Gephardt also voted Nevertheless, Elmendorf said for an immigration amendment that Chrissy Gephardt “adds a unique Chrissy Gephardt, left, openly lesbian daughter of barred people with HIV from entering element” to Gephardt’s profile on gay Democratic presidential candidate Dick Gephardt, the United States. issues. D-Mo., and her partner Amy Loder wave from the Like five of his eight rival “She is going to be a very strong convertible car they were riding in during the St. Louis PrideFest Parade in St. Louis Sunday, June Democratic presidential candidates, advocate for the community,” he said. 29, 2003. (AP Photo/James A. Finley) Gephardt opposes legal recognition of On the Gephardt campaign Web gay civil marriage but said he supports site, Chrissy Gephardt discusses her civil unions. He has said he favors granting Human Rights Campaign, a national gay role in a Gephardt White House if her father federal and state marriage-related rights and political group. were to win the presidency. benefits to gays in civil unions, including Gephardt also stated on the HRC “I tell people that I am like a live-in Social Security survivor benefits. questionnaire that he would “ensure gender lobbyist,’ she said. “I am a social worker who “I believe civil unions are the best way identity is included in any federal measure fights for social justice on a daily basis. Since to provide legal recognition to the designed to outlaw discrimination in the this issue is near and dear to my heart, I will relationships of same-sex couples and workplace,” indicating he favors adding be fighting for equal rights for gays and guarantee their rights,” Gephardt said in a protection for transgendered people in lesbians when my dad gets to the White candidates’ questionnaire issued by the ENDA. House,” she said. www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 Sister Speak Jan. 15—Come join Sister Speak at their next spoken word event. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 8:30 p.m. The stage is open to all women who wish to share their original work. Performances and readings are limited to five minutes unless prior arrangements are made. The event takes place at the Pride Factory, 845 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale. To sign up or for more info, e-mail [email protected] or call 954.772.0324. An Evening with Deepak Chopra wrote the famous 1981 wedding scene for General Hospital’s Luke and Laura. He was also once roommates with Brad Pitt. The Lady Chablis, of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil fame, will serve as mistress of ceremonies for the “Bound for People” fundraiser. Admission will be $75 per person and $110 per couple, and will include a catered reception, open bar and live jazz. Racina will also sign copies of his book at Borders bookstore on Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 17, from 2 to 5 p.m., and at the Borders in Plantation on Jan. 18, from 3 to 6 p.m. The Flamingo Inn Amongst the Flowers is located at 2727 Terra Mar St. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information about the “Bound for People” fundraiser, call 954.649.0258. Jan. 17—Religious Science of Fort Lauderdale presents an evening with Deepak Chopra, M.D., author of books such as Grow Younger, Live Longer and Ageless Body, Timeless Mind. The lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Greater Fort Lauderdale, Broward County Antiques Show to Attract Convention Center. Tickets are available for $30, $50 and $75 online at www.rsiftl.com or by International Dealers Jan. 23-25—More than 400 international phone at 954.566.2868. VIP packages are also antiques dealers will convene in South Florida available and include a special VIP reception. to exhibit at the first major antiques show of Best-Selling Mystery the winter 2004 season. The 27th Annual Miami Author to Appear National Antiques Show & Sale will be held at the Radisson Expo Centre adjacent to the at SunServe Fundraiser Jan. 21—Best-selling author Thom Racina Miami Merchandise Mart. The “Airport Show,” as it is commonly will autograph copies of his new book, Deadly called, attracts serious collectors, interior Games, from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Flamingo Inn designers and antiques enthusiasts from Amongst the Flowers in Fort Lauderdale. around the world. Select dealers from across Proceeds from the event will benefit SunServe, the United States, Canada, Europe and South the social services agency of the MCC America will feature a wide range of highSunshine Cathedral. quality antiques and fine arts, including period Racina’s latest book is a mystery with a furniture, crystal, sterling, bronzes, Orientalia timely message about using religion for evil purposes. Part of the novel is actually set at and Tiffany lamps. Prices will range from $10 The Flamingo Inn Amongst the Flowers. to $100,000. Show hours will be Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Besides writing novels, Racina has also Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to produced scripts for soap operas. In fact, he 6 p.m. Admission will be $10 and will cover return entry all weekend. Children under 12 will be admitted free. The Radisson Expo Centre is located at 777 N.W. 72nd Ave. For more information during the show, call the show office at 305.261.4200. For information prior to the show, call Bob Smith & Dolphin Promotions, Inc. at 954.563.6747. The Outlawz First Anniversary Jan. 24—The Outlawz are known for providing an alternative gay country-western dance experience for cowboys and their friends. Their first anniversary shindig takes place at Manhattan South, 6890 N. Powerline Road in Fort Lauderdale at Peachtree Plaza on the corner of Powerline and McNab. The event will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight. There is no cover charge. For more information, visit www.theoutlawz.biz. FAU to Host Symposium on Same-Sex Marriage Jan. 26—Florida Atlantic University diversity initiatives series presents a symposium on the subject of same-sex marriages/unions. The symposium will offer scholarly perspectives in order to foster an informed and respectful dialogue on the subject. The event will take place at the Live Oak Pavilion, Boca campus, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public. GLSEN Monthly Meeting Jan. 27— The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network holds its monthly meeting at the Floridian Restaurant, 1410 E. Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. For information e-mail [email protected]. ‘Making Porn’ Returns to Fort Lauderdale Feb. 4-29—The stage at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale heats up this winter with the long-awaited South Florida return engagement of Making Porn, the sizzling offBroadway smash hit about the gay pornography industry. Ronnie Larsen’s comedy explores the “ins” and “outs” of the gay adult porn business and examines the lives of six people. For this limited four-week engagement, superstar Matthew Rush will be in town to play one of the main roles. Rush, the biggest and hottest name in gay porn today, will be starring as Jack Hawk, straight actor turned gay porn icon. This is the same role Rush debuted on stage in San Diego in 2003, and also performed in Boston and San Francisco. Recently signed by Falcon Studios as a lifetime exclusive star, and only the second person in adult movie history to be offered such a contract, Rush burst onto the scene and immediately became GayVN’s 2002 Award winner for “Best Newcomer.” He is the star of such mega-hits as Hazed, Alone With, Ready for More, Bounce and Good as Gold. Making Porn received its world premiere at the Theatre Building in Chicago in July of 1995, where it became an instant sensation. Cinema Paradiso is located at 503 S.E. Sixth Street in Fort Lauderdale. Performances will be Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.; and Sunday at 7 p.m. There is also one special matinee scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. For tickets, please call TicketWeb toll-free at 800.965.4827 or visit online at www.TicketWeb.com. Group sales are available at 323.650.0282. www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 15 EDITORIAL PAGE New Year’s Wish List Some Things to Hope for in 2004 By Steve Weinstein One of the Bush daughters comes out. make it a ritual — rather than switching from the foreplay to the whum-whump, where the condom magically appears? Apparently, having the vice president’s daughter be an out-lesbian hasn’t influenced either of the Cheneys in their attitudes about gay issues. And it certainly hasn’t had any effect on President Bush, who has been creeping out of the closet—for a constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage. The only thing that would be more delicious than Jenna or Barbara declaring a Sapphic bent would be to have her caught on tape mixing it up with Paris Hilton. Cirque du Soleil admits it was wrong. Gays serve openly in the military. This one seems like such a no-brainer, it’s embarrassing. The trés gay-friendly (or so it seems) Montreal troupe apparently has refused to allow an HIV-positive gymnast to perform because he might pose a threat to others. This has as much validity as divers at the Olympics worried about a little blood on the board when Greg Louganis bumped his head or basketball players worried about guarding Magic Johnson. I had thought that, in 2003, we had worked through these medieval opinions. I was wrong. It’s become increasingly obvious to just about everyone—excepting, perhaps, the The Supreme Court strikes joint chiefs of staff — that this is going to happen, and probably sooner rather than down the “RAVE” Act. In the midst of the broad attack on our later. With NATO countries falling over civil liberties, the rights of a few thousand themselves to let gay people openly serve, club-goers may seem petty. But this omnibus the United States is finding itself increasingly bill is so outrageous, it makes the Patriot Act isolated. look as though it were ACLU sponsored. What makes it even sadder is that a Everyone ignores presumably “liberal” Democratic senator, Rev. Fred Phelps. Joseph Biden of Delaware, is the progenitor Phelps is the media version of the of these laws. proverbial tree falling in the forest. What would happen if he showed up somewhere, The Democrats don’t spewing his asinine rhetoric, and everyone just ignored him? You know: Treat him the implode. Many years ago, comedian Will Rogers way you do those insufferable “Black Israelites” you see around or that guy who famously said, “I’m not a member of any plays the awful saxophone at the subway organized political party. I’m a Democrat.” Nothing much has happened to change that station. attitude. The Democrats have a nice way of Harvey Milk School fields grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory, as amply demonstrated by Al Gore’s insistence intramural sports teams. that Bill Clinton not campaign for him. The New York City high school for gays, (Arkansas’ six electoral votes would have now a part of the public school system this meant that he could have conceded Florida year for the first time, has already expressed and still won the election). an interest in various teams. Aside from the Now we have the spectacle of all of the fact that it would undoubtedly have the most candidates ganging up on the presumptive fabulous team jerseys, Milk School teams front-runner, Howard Dean, before a single would inspire widespread interest among vote is cast. Typical. New York’s movers and shakers in the city’s woebegone athletic programs. Showtime scraps the creative team for “The L Word.” I suggest the suits fire everyone involved in this misbegotten production and move everything to New York. Local chauvinism aside, a good strong dose of Gotham hardscrabble reality would be the perfect antidote to the New Agey, selfabsorbed characters in this lesbian version of “Queer as Folk.” Safer sex becomes sexy. Gay men are so good at fetishizing. So why can’t we fetishize condoms? Instead, gay men continue to fantasize about raw sex. After 20 years of promoting condom use, obviously something isn’t going down here. How about if the producers of porn films show the guys putting on the rubber — and 16 Rapid HIV tests are sold over the counter. Now we have a 10-minute test — if you’re a hospital worker. The rest of us have to go through the onerous motions of scheduling a doctor’s visit, waiting two weeks, coming in for the results, getting counseling, and so on. No wonder most people who are infected with HIV don’t know it. If a woman can handle a home rabbit test that tells her if she’s pregnant, people should have the right to test themselves for HIV infection. These tests should be no harder to come by than the nearest pharmacy. Finally, more than anything, I wish for: An end to AIDS, and all of my friends and my Tom back. Happy New Year! Steve Weinstein is editor of the New York Blade. He can be reached at [email protected]. www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 Letters to the editor Gay Cruise Director Responds to ‘Bashing’ Stories I was taken aback by the powerful negatives expressed on your “Letters to the Editor” page. My heart goes out to those who experienced any type of “bashing” along with former ship employee Ms. Smith. However, having served and still serving as cruise director for two major cruise lines over the past 16 years, and being openly gay throughout it all, I want your readers to know that ships are not “hell.” Like your friends, the company you keep and the places you choose to patronize, cruise ships are as varied as any other choices made in life. My company not only has an anti-discrimination policy based on sexual orientation, it also offers partner benefits, including health coverage, life insurance, partner cruise privileges, etc. As well, every ship in the fleet of our company hosts a “Friends of Dorothy” gettogether on the first full day of every cruise to encourage gay and lesbian guests to meet, socialize and make new friendships. These get-togethers are published in the ship’s daily newsletter along with all other activities. The meetings are held in a large public lounge, complete with rainbow flags to celebrate the gathering and make everyone attending feel more comfortable and welcomed. In addition, we are hosting two full gay/lesbian charters this year, and the company has gone to great lengths to train and “sensitize” the crew to be as gracious and accommodating to the guests on these charters as they are on any given sailing. As cruise director, I am in charge of the onboard entertainment department. Of all departments on board, the entertainment department has the majority of gay/lesbian employees. But it doesn’t end there—we have gay directors in our corporate office, gay waiters, lesbian waitresses, gay and lesbian casino dealers and photographers. Our gay crew are just as varied as any land-based business, and they live their lives openly, without fear of violence, verbal abuse or any type of “retribution” from the company simply because of their sexuality. So to all gay and lesbian cruisers, or those considering a career at sea, take it from me— choose your company wisely, and the rewards are plentiful. David “Cole” Snook Fort Lauderdale Alvear’s Judgmental Column on Rosie O’Donnell Was Mean-Spirited In Michael Alvear’s column in the Jan. 5 edition of The Express, he made some comments about Rosie O’Donnell that were disappointing, and I feel like his tone of judgment was destructive. I have read so many articles, written by so many like Alvear, who feel that they can somehow speak for the “gay community” (which, if you dig below the surface of white parties and political activism, is comprised of many populations). Alvear dictates that a particular person should follow a set of guidelines, and if they don’t, then he labels them as disloyal, cowardly or ungrateful. Did Rosie make choices about when she decided to come out? Absolutely. Do we have to agree with her? Absolutely, we do not. And yet, Alvear’s venom toward her was stronger and more hateful than that of any heterosexual columnist, satirist or opposing counsel that I have read. His malice was evident, and it saddens me to read once again how we are hardest on our own, when we preach love and tolerance. Alvear criticizes Rosie for not coming out sooner, and suggests that if she had, she would have provided an opportunity for others to be humanized. What in his article served to humanize Rosie O’Donnell? I suggest that he did nothing to humanize her. Instead, he chose to dehumanize her, on the basis of her wealth and power. Has Alvear been wealthy and powerful in his life? Does he have any idea what she risked by coming out earlier? I suspect not. I also suspect that Alvear hasn’t a clue of the other things Rosie considered as she agonized over this decision. Remember: Rosie O’Donnell is a real person, who juggles personal as well as professional decisions. So, after all of the battles, marches, protests and everything else that we have been through, I see that we are still tempted to expect others to conform to our rigid standards and expectations of what it means to be “who we are.” When they don’t, we rebuke them, shame them and dehumanize them. That sounds awfully familiar, doesn’t it? One more thing—Alvear criticizes Rosie for her poor choice of metaphors, as she described her decision to wait to come out. And yet, he suggests that, by not apologizing for not coming out sooner, she is “like the child who killed her parents and threw herself on the mercy of the court claiming she was an orphan.” It seems to me that Rosie is not throwing herself on the mercy of any court, nor is she seeking Alvear’s approval or forgiveness. She is a person who has been through something that most of us will never experience, both good and bad. While it may be titillating to flay someone publicly, please remember that the power that comes with media also carries responsibility. I encourage you to be more compassionate. Dan Morgan Miami, Florida A Monster of a Role Lyrical Lust Charlize Theron Amazes as Lesbian Serial Killer Pulitzer Prize-Winning Playwright Nilo Cruz Premieres New Play Review by Mary Damiano Arts & Entertainment Editor The surest way for a beautiful actress to win an Academy Award, or at least garner a nomination, is to ugly herself up and play against type. It worked for last year’s winner, Nicole Kidman, and it could very well work for Charlize Theron, who proves she’s much more than just a pretty face in her new film, Monster. Monster is about Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute who was convicted of killing seven men and executed by the state of Florida in 2002. As Wuornos, Theron is unrecognizable, disappearing into her role under extra pounds, baggy clothes and stringy hair. But while her physical transformation is extraordinary, there is much more at work here, including Theron’s eyes, with which she does a great deal of her acting. They are alternately wild, cold and determined, yet possess a hurt that will make you feel for her character, even though she’s just pumped a whole lot of bullets into an unsuspecting john. Theron’s outward appearance is extraordinary and has been at the center of any talk about Monster, which has eclipsed the fact that Monster is a very good movie. It focuses on the relationship of Wuornos, called Lee in the film, and Selby Wall, a young woman with whom she falls in love. Selby, played by Christina Ricci, is all wide-eyed innocence, even though she’s the one who puts the moves on Lee. Although Lee tells her right off that she doesn’t like girls, Selby’s kindness toward Lee allows Lee to open up and experience love for the first Review by Mary Damiano Arts & Entertainment Editor time. But it’s that love that becomes partly responsible for Lee’s killing spree, as she hooks and kills to get the money to support Selby and keep her happy. Both actresses are terrific, and both deserve Oscar nominations. But the film should not be overlooked either. Writer and director Patty Jenkins has put together a movie with tension and conflict, which asks some tough questions about what made Wuornos kill—her sad upbringing, her life on the streets, abuse from men or the desire to impress her girlfriend. The film lets the audience draw their own conclusions, proving that when it comes to the tough questions, there are no easy answers. Monster will be screened Monday, Jan. 12, at the Regal Cinemas South Beach at the corner of Lincoln and Alton roads. The screening is presented by the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. For more information, visit www.MGLFF.com. Monster opens at theatres throughout South Florida on Friday, Jan. 16. In his new play Beauty of the Father, out playwright Nilo Cruz again weaves literature and poetry into the everyday lives of a unique family, as he did with Anna in the Tropics, the play that earned him last year’s Pulitzer Prize for drama. While Anna Karenina was the common thread in Anna in the Tropics, in Beauty of the Father it is Federico Garcia Lorca, the Spanish poet who was executed for his political views and his homosexuality, who plays a big part. In fact, Lorca’s ghost is a main character in Beauty of the Father, acting as a conscience, guardian angel and confidante to the play’s father, Emiliano. The result is a lyrical, sultry work that infuses the lives of everyday people with poetry, and elevates their lives—which are really the stuff of a typical episode of Jerry Springer—to another level. The story takes place near Grenada, Spain, in 1998, the centennial year of Lorca’s birth. While the country plans celebrations to honor the slain poet, his ghost, dressed in a dapper white suit, is hanging out with Emiliano, a sculptor who is working on a bust of Lorca. Emiliano is at an interesting point in his life. He leads a seemingly idyllic existence, with his perky, mothering companion, Paquita, and the young man he lusts after, Karim. But everyone’s life is changed by the arrival of Marina, the daughter Emiliano abandoned years ago to explore his homosexuality. Marina’s arrival upsets the delicate balance of everything. She is attracted to Karim, becoming her father’s rival for the young man’s attentions. Paquita begins to question her own relationship with Karim. Emiliano is conflicted, experiencing feelings of guilt and jealousy toward Marina and Karim. And through it all, Lorca’s ghost watches, comments and sometimes interferes to prevent tragedy. The performances are terrific, especially by Euriamis Losada as Karim, and Ursula Freundlich as Marina, who share a very erotic seduction scene. The star of the show, however, is Carlos Orizondo as Lorca. Orizondo adds wisdom, comic relief and introspection to the proceedings, and he shines whenever he’s on stage. If there is a problem in Beauty of the Father, it is the lack of real conflict and the abandonment of an interesting development—an arrangement that Marina makes with Karim—that is never fully explored. Instead, the poetic nature and lyrical language of the play allow it to languish and never fulfill its potential. Beauty of the Father runs through Feb. 15 at New Theatre, 4120 Laguna St., Coral Gables. Call 305.443.5909 or visit www.New-Theatre.org for tickets and information. www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 17 For Some Men, Sex Is a Drug If Misused, Online Hook-Up Sites Can be Addictive Dear Mark, I have this friend whom I think is becoming addicted to those online hook-up sites. We ran into each other recently and I asked him what he’d been up to the weekend prior as I hadn’t seen him or heard from him. He said he’d stayed in all weekend chatting on his computer with guys from all over. He told me one of the sites he was on, so I checked it out. I then did a bit of searching on some other sites and found his profile on four different hookup/meet-for-sex sites. It’s been two weeks, and so far as I know, he’s online every night and all weekend long, chatting with these guys either via IMs or on the phone. The thing is, he used to go out with us all the time. Do I say something to him or let this current obsession run its course and hope that eventually he’ll realize life is passing him by right outside his window? Signed, Cyber Cautious Dear Cyber Cautious, Say something to him. Take him out to lunch, if you can pry him away from the computer, and let him know what you are thinking. Tell him what you just wrote to me. Say that you miss him as a friend and you think he’s missing out on life. He might be a little miffed or even upset with you, but it’s a chance you should 18 think about taking. He most likely will not take your advice to heart right away. He may even try to back away from you as a friend. But, if you can, try not to let him. The temptation is there to just leave him alone and let him figure this out for himself. And, most likely, if you did back away, he would do just that. Most men that have come into my practice with this concern eventually understand the toll it is taking on their lives. They intellectually understand the basic shallowness of online, anonymous sex and make a conscious effort to change their behavior. Most men eventually realize they want something more out of the connection, like a relationship. I say “most men” because some men have a very hard time letting this addiction go. Some men never come back from it at all. Sex can become addictive in nature if it is used as an escape like a drug. As is the case with other drugs, such as alcohol or crystal meth, men can become addicted to it. Some men can have all the sex in the world and not be addicted just like some men can drink a lot of alcohol and not have it be a problem for them. If sex is being used as a drug, there is a good chance the person using sex will have some issue around addiction. www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 All this being said, there is nothing wrong with online sex sites. They provide a relevant place for men to meet each other. Men use them all the time and love them. They are a great alternative to the bar scene. If sex is what you are looking for, it definitely cuts out the middle man. Gay men, in particular, feel freer to express themselves sexually and to experience a wide variety of sexual situations. Like Martha says, “It’s a good thing.” Just be wary of the potential for problems and know when to say “enough is enough.” I have seen some great relationships that started out of an online hookup. So keep telling your friend this and, hopefully, eventually his eyes will open and he will expand his search to include something more. Dear Mark, Whenever my boyfriend and our close group of friends get together there has to be a porno video on all the TVs in the house. Don’t get me wrong, I like to watch porn too, but all they do is sit there and make comments about this guy’s ass, or this one’s dick. Since we are all good friends, none of us has any intention of having sex together, so why watch all this porn with your friends without getting aroused? Is this common for gay men? How can I stop them from watching porn morning, noon and night? Signed, Porn Overload Dear Porn Overload, “Why?” would be one of the questions I would be asking as well. Porn has always had a place within the gay male community. Guys love it, and rightfully so. Watching a video of two (or three or four or five) men having sex has a voyeuristic quality of being the proverbial fly on the wall while all the action is going on. However, it is customarily used as a prelude to sex. It can be utilized as a mood enhancer or something to get you into the mood. Or if you’re alone (sometimes the best sex there is), it can be a great companion while you’re masturbating. I have never heard of it being used as a background to a social event unless it is a sex party. This use of it as sort of “gay elevator music” is more confusing than it is troubling. I would ask your friends what their purpose for playing all this porn is. You said they have no intentions of having sex with you. Are you so sure? Maybe they secretly hope that all that man-on-man action will get one of you in the mood, and your desire will take over. I would get, ahem, straight to the point and ask them why they have to play all this porn. Let them know that, although you enjoy porn as much as the next guy, you would appreciate it if they didn’t play it all the time. If they are your friends, they will be willing to work on a compromise. If absolutely necessary, maybe they could play it in the bedroom for those interested and leave the living room for more appropriate things like last season’s DVD of Sex and the City. Mark Rutherford is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in South Florida. He can be reached at 561.835.6821 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Vets Are Key to Eliminating Anti-Gay Military Bias Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Breeds Deception, Harassment and Distrust When President Bill Clinton moved to honor, integrity and teamwork. The lift the discriminatory ban on gays in the divisive law breeds deception, harassment military 11 years ago, veterans bombarded and distrust—hardly the attributes of a well-oiled fighting machine. Capitol Hill with angry letters What’s more, our entire nation and phone calls. Clinton and is less well-defended every the gay community got a time talented, trained members quick, painful education about of the armed forces—linguists the clout of America’s 27 fluent in Arabic, for example— million veterans and the nearly are booted out for being gay. 500 groups that represent In fact, veterans ought to them: When veterans talk, be the ones leading the charge Congress snaps to attention. up Capitol Hill to demand an Now, leading critics of the end to this dangerously resulting Don’t Ask, Don’t misguided policy. Tell law are working to turn “We should not view that lesson to the advantage of gay Americans—and the nation. As they veterans as our enemy,” says retired Army try to build support in Congress to repeal Major Jeff Cleghorn, who recently the ban, they are for the first time focusing launched the Military Education Initiative on changing the hearts and minds of the (www.Military-Education.org). “They are conservative, but that doesn’t make them veterans community. Arguments against Don’t Ask, Don’t anti-gay or mean-spirited as a class of people.” He wants Tell usually emphasize to “engage them in how it harms patriotic Our entire nation is less a civil, reasoned gay Americans. But well-defended every time heterosexual veterans talented, trained members dialogue.” That especially need to hear of the armed forces— dialogue won’t that there also are linguists fluent in Arabic, come easy. Just excellent national three years ago, the security reasons for for example—are booted 2.8 million-member the military to stop out for being gay. American Legion, shouldering this the biggest misfiring weapon. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell weakens veterans group, reaffirmed its support for military readiness, unit cohesion and troop reverting to the total ban that predated morale by gnawing away at the essential Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which purports to bonds knit by an allegiance to truthfulness, allow gay Americans to serve if they remain closeted and celibate. Since active-duty gay soldiers can’t speak up for themselves, Cleghorn plans to draw on both the 1 million gay vets and on supportive heterosexual vets to speak at veterans gatherings to recruit new allies. Cleghorn’s battalion will stress research documenting the positive experiences of Britain, Canada, Israel and other countries that lifted their bans. His organization is one of several new groups dedicated to speeding up the demise of the U.S. ban. Their creation comes amid other positive signs: A Dec. 5-7, Gallup poll found record support for allowing gays to serve openly in the armed forces. That support is voiced by 79 percent of Americans, including 73 percent of men, 74 percent of Southerners, 68 percent of those 65 and older and a whopping 91 percent of 18- to 29-yearolds. The gay ban is also opposed by retired four-star Army Gen. Wesley Clark, a leading Democratic presidential candidate. And two generals and an admiral recently came out to fight it, making them the highest-ranking openly gay veterans. The other new groups include: Gen. Wesley Clark • Two military college alumni groups— Citadel Gay and Lesbian Alliance and USNA Out (for U.S. Naval Academy grads). • The Military Community Services Network, a support group for gay vets and the partners of gay soldiers. • Gay and Lesbian Service Members for Equality (www.glsme.org), for gay soldiers. “The emergence of the coalition of groups suggests that the policy’s days are limited,” says Aaron Belkin, director of the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell doesn’t help our military. Veterans ought to persuade Congress to torpedo it. Deb Price of The Detroit News writes the first nationally syndicated column on gay issues and is the co-author of Courting Justice: Gay Men and Lesbians v. the Supreme Court. www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 19 20 www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 Anti-Muslim Hysteria Is Similar to Anti-Gay Bias Military Charges Three Men for Having Dinner Together If Capt. James J. Yee ends up going to jail, it won’t be because of some grand scheme to undermine the United States government or send secret documents to foreign countries. It will be because of his identity as a Muslim. The same is true for Senior Airman Ahmad alHabibi, and civilian translator Ahmed Mehalba. The “crime” that these three men committed? Being Muslin in a hysterical environment of suspicion and prejudice that pervades not only the United States military, which arrested the three on alleged espionage charges, but which remains pervasive in the general American population. The only thing these three Muslim men are really guilty of is having dinner alone together, and passing out baklava (a popular Middle Eastern dessert) to captives of the Afghanistan war. (The military has dropped the specific charge against Airman al-Habibi of passing out the crusty sweets without permission.) There was much hype when the three men were arrested last fall. All three had been working with captives from the Afghanistan war, held at Gauntanamo Bay, Cuba. Capt. Yee, a native-born American of Chinese descent, was a Muslim chaplain, administering to the prisoners. Airman al-Habibi was an Air Force translator at the camp. And Mehalba was a civilian translator. When the three were arrested, within weeks of each other, military leaders made a big public splash about how they had broken up a “cell” of Muslim operatives trying to send classified military information to “hostile” governments, most notably Syria. (Capt. Yee had studied Islam in Syria. Airman al-Habibi is of Syrian descent.) But, as detailed in a recent New York Times article, the espionage cases against the men have crumbled under scrutiny, and it appears that the men are victims of antiMuslim hysteria. However, that isn’t preventing an embarrassed military from continuing to press some kind of charges against the men. If convicted, Capt. Yee still faces up to 13 years in prison, but not for any exotic James Bond-like spy mystery. Instead, it turns out the man had an affair with a female officer, a fact uncovered during the investigation against him as an alleged spy. Now, without any substance to the initial cloak-anddagger drama, the military had originally fantasized about, Capt. Lee is being hung out to dry on adultery charges. Oh, of course, there are still some espionage-related charges against Capt. Yee—like “wrongfully transporting classified material without the proper security container.” Call in the Marines! Never mind that one of the reservists who first raised suspicions about Capt. Yee was also charged with the exact same “crime” for supposedly mishandling papers. But the reservist was not arrested or detained, as was Capt. Yee. After all, that guy was a “real American,” not a suspicious Muslim. It’s useful to look at how and why the cases against these three men materialized, and how they advanced as far as they did. According to the Times story, the reservists acting as counter-intelligence agents at the camp were green, and quite It wasn’t too long ago that we as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people were considered to be threats to “national security” simply because of who we are. other characteristic that can be called part of one’s identity—such as being black, or being Jewish or being gay—there would be a national outcry and outrage. But we live in a time and a country where everyone Muslim is easily believed to be a terrorist and an enemy, where civil rights concerns are handily pushed aside in the name of “national security” and where voicing dissent to the violations and prejudices makes you “un-American.” I can already hear some readers asking why this column is running in a gay and lesbian newspaper. For me, the answer is obvious: It wasn’t too long ago that we as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people were considered to be threats to “national security” simply because of who we are. At a gay party recently, I was regaled with the stories of a lesbian activist who recalled how, in the 1970s, her phone was tapped and the FBI shadowed her because of her activities as a lesbian political agitator. Even holding meetings with other gays and lesbians in the privacy of their homes was potentially enough to get them arrested. Being gay or lesbian was considered “a threat.” Until just recently, in many places here in the United States, it was still considered criminal. And even now, we are still prone to being the victims of “gay hysteria.” Yet, as a group, many of us continue to be blind to the strikingly similar and alarming violations and prejudices in this country toward Muslims. In fact, I remember when Capt. Yee was arrested in September 2003—it was a gay man who actually said to me, after news of the arrest made headlines: “See, we just can’t trust Muslims.” Imagine the outcry if someone dare uttered a slightly altered version of that statement: “See, we just can’t trust homosexuals.” As a group that has historically been persecuted because of our identity, and as a group of people who continue to be discriminated against for it, we are in a unique position to question the same kind of prejudice and hysteria against other misunderstood and misrepresented minorities. Indeed, we have an intellectual and moral responsibility to do so. The naysayers will say that it’s worth sacrificing Capt. Lee and the other men in the interest of stopping terrorism. But the truth is that putting these three men behind bars doesn’t make anyone safer. In fact, such actions pose a real threat and danger to all of us. Mubarak Dahir receives e-mail at [email protected]. jittery about the possibility of “missing” anything. And senior officers there were suspicious of anyone who was Muslim or Arab-American being involved in helping with the foreign prisoners. That suspicion—I call it prejudice—was so high, that because of the simple act of socializing privately sometimes by dining alone, the Muslims were automatically considered shady. But what’s really shady is how these men’s lives are being ruined, it appears, simply because they are Muslims. If this were happening because of any www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 21 22 www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 23 By Charlene Lichtenstein For the week of 1/12/04 Magical Mercury re-directs and moves into strategic Capricorn. Our communication has been on a wilde Sagittarian tear (oops and oops again!) but now we are all buttoned up. Will they recognize you? ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 20) Think in the grand scheme and let your best ideas take flight. Travel to exotic and ... ahem... stimulating locales. Get Out in the world and get ready; Mercury in Cap cranks up your charisma for corporate pursuits. Spread it around and don’t slip on it. TAURUS (APRIL 21 - MAY 21) Queer Bulls are thrust into the center of the sexy action. Hang on and enjoy the ride; These opportunities don’t come around often enough. Before you know it, Mercury moves on and you’ll be just another face in the crowd. Now you are The Face. GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) Relationships show signs of life when Mercury redirects. It is an opportunity to understand your partner’s viewpoint. Pink Twins who are in the market for a hot tomato, it is a fruitful time to search. Just don’t squeeze too hard when Mercury moves into Cap. CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) You tackle any onerous job and conquer it easily thanks to direct Mercury. You regain your power of concentration. Put it to good use before Mercury moves on. Queer Crabs procrastinate but don’t be tempted to put off to tomorrow what you can grab today. LEO (JULY 24 - AUGUST 23) Fun or creative pastimes just didn’t have any joi de vivre. Now Mercury changes course and so do you. No longer will you feel like a old bag at a tea dance. You drip with charm. Make up for lost time while you still have your good looks and before Mercury moves on. .VIRGO (AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23) As Mercury changes course, gay Virgins find joy in their surroundings. It’s amazing how much you accomplish when the planets pull your tide. Redecorate or renovate if the mood strikes you. Of course, you can also just plotz in front of the tube and delegate. LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23) Charismatic Mercury redirects. Use this energy for the good of our community. When words fail you, which is rather unlikely right now, you can always communicate telepathically. So what am I thinking? (Clean the house, gay Libra...) SCORPIO (OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22) Mercury encourages all prideful Scorps to open up their wallet and enjoy some of the finer things in life. It may be possible to successfully invest your nest egg. Be sure that you either consult an expert or do your own homework to hatch a winner. SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22) Mercury redirects in your own sign and infuses gay Archers with charisma. Graciousness wins the prize. Smart Sags score a financial coup and inch towards early retirement as Mercury advances. Pack the habatchi and grill some bull and bear. CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20) Gay Caps are in the pink psychically and can divine the most divine things. But don’t rest on your crystal ball, cousin. Explore community Out reach. It’s never to early (or too late) to pile on the good gay karma. AQUARIUS (JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19) Aqueerians dive into the social swim when Mercury redirects. Surround yourself with convivial compadres. But be sure that you are truly in sync with the group dynamic and not straining to conform. Don’t be a triangular peg forced into a square hole. PISCES (FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20) Corporate stratagems fall into place. Guppies can put dormant corporate plan into action with excellent results. Revenge, if you decide to seek it, is yours. Savor it with your loyal following when Mercury moves into Cap. Some bastards have all the luck. © 2004 MADAM LICHTENSTEIN, LLC., All Rights Reserved. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Cruise www.TheStarryEye.com for prescient horoscopes and insightful articles. Madam is the author of the highly acclaimed “HerScopes; A Guide To Astrology For Lesbians” from Simon & Schuster. This book would have won the Pulitzer had the voting not been rigged. 24 www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 25 ART & CULTURE CENTER SEEKS VOLUNTEER TOUR GUIDES Hollywood, Fla. – The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood seeks volunteer tour guides (also known as docents and junior docents). Docents and junior docents (who are ages 13-19) give tours of the Center’s gallery exhibitions to school groups and other organizations. They also participate in theme-based, interactive, hands-on visual and performing arts activities with the Center’s education department staff. Recruitment and training for volunteer tour guides is provided. For more information, please call (954) 921-3274. The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood is a vibrant, regionally distinct, contemporary visual and performing arts organization offering visual art exhibitions, theatre, music and dance performances. Educational programming includes adult and children's arts classes, afterschool programs, camps and other art curriculum. The Center is committed to creating opportunities for all people to experience the visual and performing arts. More information is available at www.artandculturecenter.org. SUPPORTED FOSTER CARE Interested in making a difference in the community? Become a Foster Parent with Kids In Distress. Free training & treat benefits. Pleasecall 954.390.7654 ext 287 for more info. EXPRESS GAY NEWS subscriptions are easy and convenient. Cost is: $50 Three Months (13 Issues) $100 Six Months (26 Issues) $150 9 Months (39 Issues) $200 One Year (52 Issues) Papers arrive bi-weekly in a plain envelope. Send check or money order w/ your mailing address attached, to: EXPRESS GAY NEWS: Attn: Subscriptions; 1595 NE 26th St., Wilton Manors FL 33305. If you prefer, charge your subscription over the phone by calling 954.568.1880, Mon-Fri, 9am5pm, or go on line to www.ExpressGayNews.com and fill out the form there. We accept Visa, Mastercard &Amex COUNSELING The Mental Fitness Center, a nonprofit Counseling Center offering services by donation. Sliding Scale. 954.822.7160 LESBIAN CHORUS FT. LAUDERDALE Need singers, director, pianist & volunteers [email protected] 561-866-0208 LESBIAN/GAY BINATIONAL COUPLES New support group for same-sex binational couples in South Florida. Talk about stress management, immigration fears and concerns, practical problem solving, keeping your relationship alive under harsh conditions etc. Not a political advocacy group. Email: [email protected] Tel: 305 751 9759 RAINBOW YOUTH SOCIETY Come and chill with other youth ages 13 to 23 from the tri-county area. We meet Thursdays from 7:15 pm to 9:00 pm at the GLCC, 1717 N Andrews Ave. We then go to Denny’s at 1555 North Federal Highway for dinner. For more information contactMichael at 954.815.3830 SAGE MEN’S SINGLES GROUP For men without partners. Monthly Dinner - Make New Friendships Email: [email protected] Phone: Wayne Morris 305.965.8682 TAKE CONTROL A group for those newly diagnosed HIV+ A 5 wk program lead by Richard Mayora, LCSW, designed to meet immediate needs in dealing with your diagnosis. No fixed fee for membership. Sunshine Cathedral Series 1: Monday evenings 7-8:30pm, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3 Series2: Monday evenings 7-8:30pm, Nov. 17, 24, Dec. 1, 8, 15 Registration necessary 954.764.5557, ext 1 GROWING THRU GRIEF An 8 wk bereavement group for gay men, lesbians, their friends & families, led by Rev. Dr. Keith Riddle. No fixed fee for membership. Sunshine Cathedral Series 1: Monday evenings 7-9pm, Oct. 20 thru Dec 8 Series2: Monday evenings 7-9pm, Jan 12 thru Mar 2 Registration necessary 954.764.5557, ext 1 COMING OUT! Can be a powerful, life long journey! SunServe Counseling & Psychotherapy Located at the Sunshine Cathedral Has a group of specially trained peer counselors as well as mental health pros, that can give the encouragement, support & guidance you seek thru individual mentoring 954.764.5557, ext 1 TWENTY SOMETHINGS a social group for ages 20 - 29. Every Fri @ 7:30 pm. At the PrideLines Bldg. 180 NE 19th St. Miami, FL. with peer to peer support every week at 6:30 pm. Contact Kevin 305.528.5072 www.twentysomethings.net COMPULSIVE EATERS ANONYMOUS Meets Mon - Wed 10:15-11:15 A.M. Religious Science - NE 15th Ave @ 26th Street (Begins 9/3/03) No Dues or Fees 954.748.5156 ATLANTIC COAST DINGHY CLUB ACDC is a fun, activity-oriented group for gay and gay friendly sailors and boating enthusiasts. Visitors to the area and new residents are welcome. There are a variety of sailing/boating events planned throughout the year in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, as well as the Keys and beyond. For more information visit our web site at www.atlanticcoastdinghyclub.org or email us at [email protected]. NEW HOPE FIRST COMMUNITY CHURCH 500 Gulfstream Blvd, Delray Bch. FL Sunday services 10:30 am Contemporary Service 1:00 pm 561.921.0669 www.newhopefla.org UNITED BY THE OCEAN 3703 Galt Ocean Drive, Ft. Lauderdale 954.568.1002 Sunday Services and Children’s school at 10:30 am Weekly classes Thursday 7:15 pm plus other events.If you have an expanded consciousness and open heart Come share with others of like mind. CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRITSONG Worship is at the Sheraton Hotel in Fort Lauderdale (Cypress Creek Rd.W. and I-95) every Sunday morning at 10am. A "church on fire" with a passion to worship God and lead others into the life-changing knowledge of Jesus Christ. Real people, real life problems, real solutions... check us out! 954.418.8372. ST. STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL PARISH 2750 McFarlane Rd Coconut Grove, 305.448.2601 Sunday Mass: 8 AM (low) 10 AM (sung). Laying-on-of-Hands, AIDS Ministry. A welcoming and inclusive spiritual hospice with no outcast bringing the healing of Christ to all. Rev. Willie Allen Faiella, Rector ST. JOHN’S ON THE LAKE First United Methodist Church 4760 Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach, Fl, 33140. 305.531.7166 Pastor: Dr. L. Annette Jones. “Where God comes to us in all colors of the rainbow!” PLANNING ON GETTING HITCHED? We have consultants, clergy, chapel, hall and the rest! Sunshine Cathedral 954.462.2004 [email protected] SHARING THE LIGHT IN THE WORLD Sunday’s 9:00 am, 10:20 am The Sunshine Cathedral 1480 S.W. 9th Ave.Ft. Lauderdale 954.462.2004 www.sunshinecathedral.org Grant Lynn Ford, Pastor CONGREGATION ETZ CHAIM 3970 Northwest 21st Ave Oakland Park FL, 33309 954.564.9232 A spiritual home for Gay & Lesbian Jewsin South Florida CIRCLE OF LIGHT MCC MIAMI Rev. Carlos Cruz, 305.535.2287 Sunday Services 11:00 am. 6:30 pm 21 St. Recreation Center 2100 Washington Ave Miami Beach “ The Soul of the Community” DIVINE MERCY AMERICAN CATHOLIC CHURCH www.divinemercyfla.org 2749 NE 10th Ave., Wilton Manors, 954.567.1930. Mass Sun 11AM, Mon 10AM, Sat 7:30PM. Call for locations. Weddings and Holy Unions. Father John Joseph Reid, Pastor QUEEREYEHOMES.COM The definative Gay Guide to Real Estate in Ft. Lauderdale and South Florida. Search homes, condos and rentals. WILTON MANORS Cali loft style townhouse, 3/2.5, 1 car garage, all tile, new appl & A/C. $264,000.00 Buy Owners website #55325.Call 954.240.5936 WILTON MANORS REDUCED 4/2 plus 1/1 Cottage. Over 2,500 sq ft of luxury. All new, lg corner lot. Owner says "BRING OFFERS" Open House Sun 1/18/03 2-4 PM. 640 NW 27th St. Call Diane or Bryan A 1 Florida Realty 954.564.2773 N. ANDREWS GARDENS AREA 3/1 split bdrms, new kit, new appl. new carpet & tile, lg fenced yd,Quiet street, owner motivated, make an offer. $166,000. Tony, K W Real estate 954.270.4760 $409K CORAL RIDGE 2BR/2BA approx 1,500 sq ft. easy convert to 3/2. Excellent lot & location. Best value in area. 4 Sale by owner. 954.563.8990 TOWNHOUSE ISLE 2BR/2BA Middle River Waterfront. One of the few true waterfront homes with ocean access on Townhous Isle...Right on the River. Completely redone...From the Wiring to the Plumbing...even the walls. This is basically a brand new unit. Hardword floors with beautifully done baths. Granite Kitchen. Private couryard, Deck & carport...Asking $399,000 Terry Bush, Re/Max Partners 954.661.4550 IMMACULATE HOME IN MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE Huge 2 BR/1BA w/huge enclosed FL rm/3rd BR. Beautiful design & lines. XLNT neighborhood and street. Screened in porch w/hot tub...very private! Owner motivated...must sell. List price: $217,000 Rick Gibson, Coldwell Banker 954.309.6155 MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE New roof, A/C, paint, landscape, huge yard! Huge fenced yard ready for pool, RV, etc.! Great floor-plan, immaculate condition. 3 Bedrooms. List Price: $264,000 Rick Gibson, Coldwell Banker 954 309 6155 PLANTATION Pool home, 3 BR/2 BA, incredible location and subdivision.Like new! List price: $274,900 Rick Gibson, Coldwell Banker 954.309.6155 SOUTH MIDDLE RIVER Great big pool home under total renovation! 4BR/1.5BA with pool and huge fenced yard and gardens. List price: $229,000 Rick Gibson, Coldwell Banker 954.309.6155 OAKLAND PARK Great property for first time buyer or investor! 3 bedrooms, new floors, xlnt condition, new appliances. Rick Gibson, Coldwell Banker 954 309 6155 List Price: $124,900 HOLLYWOOD 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is split with an efficiency for rental income. Great neighborhood, xlnt condition. Rick Gibson, Coldwell Banker 954 309 6155 List Price: $174,000 SOUTH MIDDLE RIVER Two Duplexes on a huge corner lot in HOT South Middle River. Seller would like to sell together but is offering at 219,000 each. Great courtyard between two buildings. Each building/duplex has two, 2 BR/1 BA units, plus separate storage. Rick Gibson, Coldwell Banker 954.309.615 A GREAT BUY Waterfront Townhouse on the Middle River. Minutes to Wilton Drive. Just built in September 2002. Only 15 units in complex. Covered parking/pool BR/2.5BA. "Owners Transferred" $299,900 Terry Bush, Re/Max Partners 954.661.4550 WATERFRONT PARADISE Seminole Drive of Coral Ridge. This waterfront home is on Lake Seminole.No fixed bridges to ocean, a great turning basin for boaters amidst all multi-million dollar homes. 3BR/2BA Great pool area! $849,000 Terry Bush, Re/Max Partners 954.661.4550 WILTON MANORS LUXURY Over 2500 Sq ft. 4BR + sep. inlaw apt. All new, ceramic, windows, highhats, crown, 2 fireplaces, carport and much more!! Welcome to paradise. Asking $389,000.00. OWNER SAYS "BRING OFFERS" call to view. Diane or Bryan A 1 Florida Realty 954.564.2773 MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE Duplex excellent for owner/ occupant in Middle River Terrace! 3 BR/2 BA with Living room, family room in front, big single car garage, plus 1 BR/1BA Apt. Completely updated. List price: $329,500 Rick Gibson, Coldwell Banker 954.309.6155 TWO STORY CONTEMPORARY 1985 construction duplex! 2 BR/2 BA each upstairs and downstairs. Shows beautifully! List price: $349,000 Rick Gibson, Coldwell Banker 954.309.6155 BOYNTON BEACH BY OWNER 3BR/2.5BA Gated community, lake front, beautiful home 2,500 sq ft, 2 car garage, new kitchen, 1,200 sq ft patio w/pool, beautiful view. Must See! 399K 561.736.6333 BIRCH TOWER Heart of Ft. Laud Bch, lg 2/2, ocean & city views, pet friendly, NO realtors. $249K. 954.537.7504 & 954.732.9763 EAST FT. LAUDERDALE 1BR/1BA, deep water, SE 15th St., pool, new carpet, paint & tile. $745.00 mo 954.566.2813 REMODELED TOP FLOOR CONDO 2BR/2BA vaulted ceilings, W/D, dog up to 40 lbs, $160 maintenance fee, tastefully furnished. $130,000 James MacDonald, Coldwell Banker, 954.647.8636 VERY SPECIAL CONDO Gay friendly bldg directly on the Intracoastal. 1BR/1.5BA Magnificent pool, walk to beach, movies, restaurants & Galleria Mall. Motivated Seller. $219,500 954.441.3329 TENNIS CLUB ll This 2/2 is on the 3rd floor and kitchen is brand new. Rooms have been redone for that special someone...$123,500.00 Terry Bush, Re/Max Partners 954.661.4550 HOLLYWOOD 2 BR/2 BA convertible in prestigious Allington Towers. Direct Ocean view in this intracoastal front complex! List price: $192,500 Rick Gibson, Coldwell Banker 954.309.6155 FORT LAUDERDALE 15th Floor, Incredible views of ocean and Intracoastal. Extreme contemporary renovation. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bath, 2400 sq ft., 24/7 security, dockage available. Must see! List Price: $669,000 Rick Gibson, Coldwell Banker 954.309.6155 CORAL RIDGE CONDO WITH INCREDIBLE VIEWS 3 BR2 BA waterfront condo with outrageous views in elegant building. Corner unit has great light, dockage available and shows beautifully! List Price: $392,000 Rick Gibson, Coldwell Banker 954.309.6155 HOLLYWOOD 2 BR/2 BA convertible in prestigious Allington Towers. Direct Ocean view in this intracoastal front complex! List price: $192,500 Rick Gibson, Coldwell Banker 954.309.6155 LAUDERHILL Corner 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit in complex that states 55+ community. Nice amenities, great floor plan! Enclosed Patio, xlnt condition! List Price: $58,000 Joyce Cates, Coldwell Banker 954.914.6428 BUNGALOWS OF VICTORIA PK Rent a cozy cottage, bachelor studio or classic home in the heart of the city, blocks to Las Olas, starting at $600 per mo. 954.764.4663 HOLLYWOOD 2/2, 1,400 sq. ft, pool, tennis, W/ D, fenced yd, pets welcome, near TY Park. $1,250 mo avail 2/1/04. Call 954.566.1610 ask for Shari or Ellie MIDDLE RIVER Lg one bedroom, private cottage w/ separate computer room. All new, very cozy $750/mo for info. Call 954.733.3394 MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE 2/1 townhouse, end unit. tile, spacious F/L/S $875.00 mo Jay 954.270.0304 IN THE HEART OF VICTORIA PARK Beautifully updated, new kitchen cabinets & appl, micro, WIC, F/L/S $725 mo. Jay 954.270.0304 DEEPWATER NO FIXED BRIDGES 3BR/2BA, Lg Family Rm, Central A/C, W/D, D/W, Dock, SW Ft Lauderdale. New paint, carpet & windows. Very private. 1721 SW 23rd Ave, $1,595 mo. NEAR RIO VISTA & COURTHOUSE 1BR, 412 SE 9th St. Great condition & location. Spacious with nice yd, lg bay window in living rm. W/D on premises. It feels nice! $695 mo. POINSETTIA HEIGHTS Lg 1BR Duplex, 1733 NE 16th Ave. New Mexican tile floors throughout, Central A/C, fireplace and new kitchen. Big yard. $850 mo. POINSETTIA HEIGHTS 3BR/1BA House. Great condition, new paint, new berber carpet & big yard $1250. 954.394.3750 LAKEWORTH Cottage 3BR/1.5BA remodeled baths, ceil fans, off street pking. lg yard. pool, $1,100 F/L/S Call 561.547.8195 N. E. WILTON MANORS 3/2 home plus office & laundry room. Central air & fireplace. Oversized lot. Pets OK. $1,490/month including lawn service. Owner/agent 954-563-5311 WILTON MANORS Spacious 3/2 on quiet cul-de-sac (2298 sqft). Dance hall size family room, large library with built-in bookshelves could be 4th bdrm. Formal living room, dining room, eat in kitchen, carport, laundry/ storage room. $1700/month. First Service Realty 954-563-5311 EAST OAKLAND PARK Lg 2/1, carport, newly painted, tile & pergo. W/D. 4 car parking, fenced back yd, most pets OK. Drive by to see notice w/telephone #. 1383 NE 39th St. between Dixie & Fed Hwy $1450 mo DOWNTOWN WILTON MANORS 3BR/2BA across from Tropics, Pets Allowed....may take 6 mo lease, $1,200 mo 954.661.4550 MIDDLE RIVER 3/2 pool home just minutes from Downtown Wilton Manors Pets allowed. $1,400.00 monthly 1st and Security reqd 954.566.2599 HEART OF WILTON MANORS 2BR/3BA Townhome with pool, screened balcony & patio $1,200 mo. Avail Feb 1. Call 954.564.4498 SEASONAL - VICTORIA PARK Furnished 2/2, pool, home with upscale furn, fax, computer, DVD, VCR, etc. Close to everything. Long term also considered 954.563.6262 or 215.416.6248 HUGE 3 BR/2.5 BA Condo on the intracoastal with stunning views, no expense spared, dockage, 24/7 security. List price: $514,900 Rick Gibson, Coldwell Banker 954.309.6155 TOWNHOUSE IN WILTON MANORS Incredible townhome..walk to Georgies! 2 BR/1.5BA, pets okay, LOTS of charm in this complex! Must see! Call for a showing today…. $750/mo. Chris Garcia, Coldwell Banker 954.914.0845 2 BR/2BA Half of a two story contemporaray duplex built in '85! Huge master BR, walk-in closets, washer/dryer in unit. Pets okay, Big living area! $950/mo. Rick Gibson, Coldwell Banker 954.309.6155 TOWNHOUSE IN WILTON MANORS Walk to Georgies! 2 BR/1.5BA, pets okay, LOTS of charm in this complex! $800/mo. Rick Gibson Coldwell Banker 954.309.6155 VICTORIA PARK $3,750/mo Seasonal Rental New Town-Home RE/MAX Partners, Call Bruce Freeman 954.396.5166 COLEE HAMMOCK $1,200/mo 2BR/1BA, Off Las Olas RE/MAX Partners, Call Bruce Freeman 954.396.5166 INTRACOSTAL PARADISE IN POMPANO FOR YOU AND YOUR BOAT. Celebrity owned guesthouse on Intracoastal with dock and boatlift outside your door. Furnished or not. Private entrance and parking. Attached to $2.5 million mansion and landscaped grounds with use of 60 ft. pool and prvt. courtyard. Utilities and satellite TV included $1800/ mo. with 6 month min. plus 1 mo. deposit. References a must. 917.543.8433 LAKE WORTH Cottage 3BR/1.5BA remodeled baths, ceil fans, off street pking. lg yard. pool, $1,100 F/L/S Call 561.547.8195 DEEPWATER, NO FIXED BRIDGES 3 BR/2BA, Family Rm, Central A/C, Dock, SW Fort Lauderdale, $1,600 mo. 1 BR IN SOUTH EAST FT. LAUD Very Private $650.mo Excellent Condition 954.205.0436 WILTON MANORS 2 Bed 1.5 Bath, 2 story, new renovated condo in small quiet bldg. $900 per mo + elec. F/L/S 954-695-1435 WILTON MANORS Lg 2BR/1.5BA townhouse/condo. Patio, gated, parking, racket ball, tennis, gym, pool. Sm pet OK. New paint, W/D hookup, A MUST SEE! Close to shops, beach & nightlife. $100 condo appl fee. 1 yr lease $875.00 mo + elec, F/L/S 954.563.6079 ONE/TWO BEDROOM OAKLAND PK. One Bedroom- NE 40th St. Oakland Park, 2nd Floor Condo For Rent Vail. Sept. 1st 2003 $595/mo.2/1 - 270 Oakland Park 2nd Floor Condo For Rent Avail NOW!!! $695/mo Both Require one year lease complex has pool, $50 Condo Fee Appl. Fee F/L/ S & Credit check required 954.229.0968 DOWNTOWN HOLLYWOOD 1/1.5 townhome near Young Circle. Gated, new paint & carpet, Cent A/ C, entertain downstairs, privacy upstairs. Close to beach & shopping. $700. mo F/S leave msg at 954.817.5479 DAVIE 1/1 near NOVA & 595. Swimming pool, sauna, rec rm, laundry. New carpet/paint, clean. $700. mo F/S leave msg at 954.817.5479. FIVE POINTS 2BR, PETS OK Lg 2BR/1BA in small gay-owned building. Quiet area, convenient location, walk to Wilton Dr. Recently removated. Central AC, separate walk-in closet, dishwasher & disposal in kit, on-premise laundry, patio w/gas barbecue. Spacious yd, most pets OK. Off-street parking. Owners live on premises to maintain quality. $895 mo. Call Steve 954.614.6450 Office: 954.568.1880•Fax: 954.568.5110•Email: [email protected] 26 ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 CYMK CORAL RIDGE ISLES 2/1 half duplex. Central A/C. Tile, circular drive, FL rm, fenced yd & huge, screened back porch. No pets. $975. F/L/S Ref & credit. Call Ceci 954.563.0304 WAREHOUSE FOR LEASE - 2 BLDS 548 NE 32 St. - 2400 total sq. 10 car parking & fenced yard. Chris Evert @ Coldwell Banker 954.608.9516 WILTON MANORS Beautiful & New. Sm 1/1 garden apt. w/sundeck, new appl, AC, Mex tile. All Util inc. Cable w/HBO. $690 mo 954.530.0005 LAKE RIDGE 1/1 on lake near 13 St & Fed, big bright rms, inc DSL, local phone, DirecTV, W/D, D/W, prkng. share $850, exclusive $1,000 call for details 954.525.6919 LAKE RIDGE 1BD/1BA, balcony over pool, furn, free phone, cable TV, water, 1st $50.00 elect. $250 wk rent, $275 security deposit 954.522.4400 STEPS TO THE BEACH 2/2, 750 sq ft, 2nd fl. of bldg. 300 sq ft Sundeck overlooking ocean. W/D on premises. Split bedroom plan. $1,600 mo, util not included. 954.680.2426 WILTON MANORS DUPLEX All redone 2BR1BA unit in charming duplex. 2 parking spaces W/D! Fenced grassy front yard! Small dog OK. Easy drive to shops, nightlife, beach...only $795/month... Call David, owner/agent: 954.873.2035 VICTORIA PARK 1BR/1BA, W/D, patio.$695 mo. plus util.Call 954.568.6860 MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE TRIPLEX Lg 2/2, tiled, central AC, pvt deck, pet OK $925 mo, Lg 1/1, tiled, central AC, pet OK, $800 mo, incl util, W/D at site 954.732.1462 POINTSETTIA LANDINGS 1 & 2 bedroom apt in Pointsettia Heights, $650 & $825. New tile, water incl. Laundry rm, pool, F/S [email protected] Pls call anytime 954.649.8295. MANOR GROVE 2BR/BA, freshly painted & fully renovated, $950. mo. Evelyn Knowles Coldwell Banker 954.806.7513 AMSTERDAM NEXT TO RED LIGHT DISTRICT Sunny apartment near Neumarket Square; Cuban cigars and direct marijuana/hash are legal; 1 sleeps 4 direct canal location and view fully furnished and equipped central location and near Metro; Big windows $1200 2 week minimum maid service included, 917.375.5159 or [email protected] FT. LAUD/CORAL RIDGE Pool home in exclusive neighborhood, furnished, pvt, bed & bath. $500/mo. Includes all except phone. Non-smoker. 954.566.0497 PALM AIRE Share beautiful condo, pool, parking furnished private bed/bath suite, premium cable, utilities, laundry, kitchen, prof male, no drugs. 600/mo + security 954.979.2149 E. BOYNTON BEACH Home 2 Share. $600. incl. util. Bike to beach, walk to downtown & park. Cool roomie.561.541.3700 OAKLAND PARK 1/1 FREE RENT - 12 mo lease gets 13 mo FREE, W/D, CLEAN! Close to Wilton Manors; 1273 NE 38 St. $625+sec. 954.821.1201. LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA Professional gay male wanted, immediate occupancy. Owner travels for job, brand new 3 story villa, private bath, laundry, covered garage, beach access. 1 year lease, $700.00 mo. email: [email protected] EASTERN SHORE N. MIAMI BCH 1 BR in beautiful spacious 2 br/2 ba condo, lg balcony, bay view, pool, utilities incl, no drugs $650 mo. 954.822.8484 SOUTH MIDDLE RIVER HOUSE Lease with option 3BR/2BA lg fenced yd. W/D, C A/C. Near GLCC & night life. Pets OK $1,050 mo, F/S to move in. Call 954.630.1390 OAKLAND PARK Gay male wanted to share 2br/2ba condo in Oakland Park. Room has private bath. $425 per month plus 1/2 electric. Non-smoker. Complex has 3 pools, gym. Across the street from waterfront park with tennis courts, jogging trails. Call 954.735.4888 LANDSCAPERS ASSISTANT P/T employment, 2 - 4 days a wk, gardening & landscaping, not lawn wk. $8.00 hr. Great outdoor job to keep you in shape! Phil 954.563.6193 OFFICE/ PERSONAL ASST FT I'm looking for a reliable, stable, industrious, outgoing, self-starter to assist me at my home office with well established (1996) adult website marketing business, as well as my every day personal business. You must be web savvy and love the Internet, especially the adult aspect of it. Marketing and/or Windows/Linux experience a plus. You must have references, stable employment history, clean driving record and reliable transportation, and pass background check. This position has great growth potential for the right candidate, as I am looking for someone who desires a long term career and to assist in running the company. Salary based on experience and begins at $400-$500+/wk. Excellent Health Insurance and other benefits, casual, relaxed atmosphere, just north of Sample Rd & Federal Hwy. Please email your resume/ qualifications (required) to [email protected] or fax to 954-252-4003 or call this number if you have additional questions. BROWARD CENTER The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is looking for candidates for ticket sales. The individuals must possess a can-do attitude, be self-motivated and resourceful, with one year call center exp a plus. They must also be able to work a flexible schedule in accordance with business needs, including nights and weekends. This is a great opportunity for the right applicants. Email resume to [email protected]. $9/hr starting salary. AMAZING INCOME OPPORTUNITY Part-time, flexible hours, work from home 561.637.8338 PALM BEACH CORRESPONDENT The Express seeks a news and feature writer tocover the Palm Beach County gay and lesbian community. Previous newspaper ormagazine writing experience required. Journalism degree a plus. E-mail resume to [email protected] Mail resume and clips to The Express, Attn.: Phil LaPadula, 1595 NE 26th St., Wilton Manors, FL 33305. COMMISSION SALES PERSON Sales person wanted. Commission and draw. To sell exclusive new topical liquid Viagra product. 954.524.5050 ext 102 RETAIL MANAGERS Experienced Retail Manager needed, computer literate. Excellent customer service skills, detail oriented with a strong work ethic and ability to control & motivate staff. Competitive salary, annual bonus, retirement plan. Call 954.524.5050 or fax resume to 954.524.2288 SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE A Leading Distributor In The Advertising Promotional Industry Is Seeking Salespeople. Commissions Up To 50%. Work In A Fun & Exciting Environment. Call Charlene 954.630.1700 SALES PERSON NEEDED Must have retail/men’s clothing experience Call 954.537.6055 CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS/ RETAIL SALES ASSOCIATES Take phone orders. Computer literate. Customer service experience helpful. Must have a good attitude & pleasant personality. Also need dedicated and experienced retail sales associates. Competitive Salary, annual bonus, retirement plan.Bi-lingual helpful.Call 954.524.5050 or fax resume to 954.524.2288 LEASING CONSULTANT Brand New 400 unit apartment community in Lake Park has an immediate opening for a Leasing Consultant. Ideal candidate should have property management experience, a “roll-up-your-sleeves” personality and a winning smile! Competitive salary plus bonus compensation. Excellent benefits package and opportunity for growth. Please email resume to [email protected] or fax to 561.841.5696 attn: Christina. COMFORT SUITES HOTEL Desk Clerk Positions Available full time/ relief night auditor positions & am shift busy airport/ cruise port/convention center hotel is seeking person with outgoing personality, previous hotel and computer experience preferred but will train the right person, friendly work atmosphere, pre-employment drug test is required. We pay top hourly wages in Ft. Lauderdale hotel industry plus great benefits package including paid over time, holidays, vacations, excellent health plan and 401K available. Please call James Rashotsky, Front Office Manger at 954.767.8700 or apply in person at 1800 S. Federal Hwy (3 blocks N. of Coliseum on East side of Federal Hwy just South of SE 17th St Causeway or fax resume to 954.767.8629 FRONT DESK RECEPTIONIST FT - duties include reception, setting appointments, filing, invoicing. Computer proficiency required. Busy office - diversified clientele - flexibility and Experience an MUST! Fax resume 954.630.8277 - Att:David RECREATION COORDINATOR Full-Time. Experienced working with frail elders. New McArtor Adult Day Care Center. BA Degree Preferred. EOE/$27, 500 & BENEFITS Resumes to: Area Agency on Aging of Broward Co., 5345 NW 35th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309-6315 REGISTERED NURSE or L.P.N. Full-Time; Adult Day Care Center in Ft. Lauderdale. Experience with frail elders preferred; current Florida License required; assessment/ activities skills. EOE - $30,000 benefits. Resumes to: Area Agency on Aging of Broward County, 5345 NW 35th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309-6315. CNA Adult Day Care Center; Ft. Lauderdale; Full or Part-Time; $9.00 per hour; EOE; Applications to: CNA , Area Agency on Aging; 5345 NW 35th Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309 6315 GRAPHIC AND/OR INTERNET ARTIST Advertising background, previous catalog layout & design helpful. Creative and can work without supervision. Ability to adhere to deadlines. Knowledge of Photoshop, Quark, Illustrator, and Graphic Animation, MP3, HTML, VML, MIVA and Cold Fusion Web skills desired. Competitive salary or work freelance. Fax resume to 954.524.2288 Attn: Human Resources or call 524.5050 ext 102 AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN NEEDED ASE cert required, great opportunity to be a part of your community, helpers needed. 954.522.4697 MALE PERSONAL ASSISTANT Busy executive seeks 18-35 attractive & in-shape (a must). Duties include running errands, caring for waterfront home and workout partner. Good part time job for student. Call Jim 954.630.3025 PA/OFFICE SITUATION Motivated/energetic/skilled 43 yo male w/home/office exp. considering all offers can tell friends/family about; discreet about all others including live-in help. Email details: [email protected] MALE MODELS For ads & clothing catalogs (nonnudes) or catalog video work (nude). No experience necessary, but must have an excellent body. All types needed. Call National Marketing 954.524.5050 CALLING ALL ENTREPRENEURS Looking for people who like helping other people. Do you keep your options open? If yes, call Mark 954.815.7852 POSITIONS AVAILABLE Experienced stylist, Aesthetician, Massage Therapists, Nail Techs wanted. Bonus w/ signing. Fax résumé to 954.568.1918 or [email protected] CHRISTA'S CLEANING SERVICE Residential & Commercial, 7 days a week, Dade & Broward Free Estimates 305.620.3954, beeper 305.472.0102 PRO PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR 25 years experience, local references avail. Call Terrence 954.763.5356 BROWARD BOY'S PAINTERS Serving our community for over 15 years. We are Painters, not Handymen. We show up and do it right the first time. 954.720.9605 MARKETING SOLUTIONS Everything Matters marketing solutions focuses only on helping our clients become more profitable. Our Domestic Partner documentation packages provide protection for GLBT relationships, finances, health and children. Call Jason Rodgers at 954.763.6850 PROFESSIONAL DOG WALKER Dogs need to be excercised to be healthy and happy. Excellent References with 7 year history of dog happiness. Seeking customers in the area of Victoria Park and Las Olas. Stephane 954.832.0556 $ FOR USED VIDEOS, MAGS, CLUB WEAR Top dollar for used gay magazines, DVD’s, CD’s & videos and club wear. Call to set up an appt. Mon-Sun 954.524.5050 Will pay top dollar for mannequins. Call 954.524.5050 ext 110 LUXURY MATTRESS NASA Visco queen set. In plastic w/wrnty Sacrifice - $695 954.775.5052 LIBERTY SUITES HOTELS SEASON SPECIAL ***PAY 3 NIGHTS*** ***STAY 4 NIGHTS*** Beautiful Studio & One BR Apts, full kitchens, pool, laundry. Near Gay Dania Beach. Affordable Daily/Weekly & Extended stay. 954.927.0090 or visit www.LibertySuites.com ISLAND HOUSE SOUTH BEACH South Beach’s Premiere Gay Guesthouse. One block to beach, walk to bars, restaurants, shopping. Complimentary breakfast & weekend happy hour. Florida Resident Specials.1428 Collins Avenue (800) 382-2422 or (305) 864-2422 www.IslandHouseSouthBeach.com HOT DAD FOR HIRE Local Hunk will sooth away your stress and tension. 6', 205lbs-49"c, 32"w, 18"a. Blonde buzz cut, blue eyes, smooth. Boy Billy avail too http://dadforhire1475.20m.com (954)646-8004, [email protected] 100% STRAIGHT MALE ESCORT enjoy the company, of a an experienced and hot latin guy. Brunette & tanned. 5’9" $100 2 hours Murelo. 786.357.3880 CALLING ALL MILLIONAIRES! Let us do all the work so you can have all the fun! We are an exclusive matchmaking service for affluent gay men seeking a life partner. Visit our website to learn more: gaymillionairesclub.com NEED LOVE Looking for a successful guy? gaymillionairesclub.com LOOKING Miami 305.503.4191 Ft. Lauderdale 954.880.9700 Call Toll FREE 1.888.399.MALE FREE TRIAL Use Code 6542 Must be 18+ www.InteractiveMale.com Office: 954.568.1880•Fax: 954.568.5110•Email: [email protected] ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 27 CYMK ACCOMMODATIONS AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONT. CLEANING SERVICES FINANCIALSERVICES CONT. The Elysium Resort 552 N. Birch Rd. Fort Lauderdale......................954.564.9601 Inn Leather 610 SE 19th St. Fort Lauderdale......................954.467.1444 Island House South Beach 1428 Collins Avenue South Island House South Beach 1428 Collins Avenue South Beach...…800.382.2422...305.864.2422 Liberty Apartment & Garden Suites 1501 SW 2nd Ave Dania Beach...........................954.927.0090 Orton Terrace 606 Orton Ave Fort Lauderdale..................... 954.566.5068 Personal Automotive Service 5095 NE 12th Ave Fort Lauderdale…….........……954.772.7780 Daily Details Putting life in it’s place Broward Co ............................954.536.0955 Maid Brigade Solutions for a cleaner home. Broward/Boca ...................... 954.345.5565 Smith Barney - David Starkey, Sr. VP. 350 E LasOlas Blvd, Suite 1200 Fort Lauderdale......................954.762.3012 ACCOUNTANTS/BOOKKEEPERS William Cohen, CPA Accounting & Tax Services Delray Beach.....…….........….561.330.7067 Thomas Marshall Madison, Jr. CPA, P.A. 2701 E. Oakland Park Blvd. Ste. C Fort Lauderdale......................954.561.8959 Nelson Sabbagh, CPA Accounting & tax services Miami ....................................305.632.0865 AIR CONDITIONING ACA Air Conditioning 4700 West Prospect Road, Ste. 109 Fort Lauderdale ….....…..….954.492.5510 Expert Air Advice, INC. Cooling is what we do best! Fort Lauderdale......................954.764.1990 AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR Rosen’s Prestige Automotive 600 W Broward Blvd. (1-mile E of I-95) Fort Lauderdale.……............…954.467.2234 FURNITURE & ANTIQUES ATCO Autos Fort Lauderdale……...............954.462.7514 Jay Estis - Braman BMW 2901 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach....................561.436.1261 Joe Faust - King Auto Mall 700 E Sunrise Blvd. Fort Lauderdale........................954.240.6373 Bar & Stool Emporium 2201 N. Dixie Hwy. Fort Lauderdale…….................954.566.7966 Cargo 2301 NE 26th St. Fort Lauderdale........................954.568.5944 GRAPHIC DESIGNS BOAT CHARTERS Airboat Tours Fort Lauderdale.……...............954.389.0202 Florida Gay Cruise Fort Lauderdale .......................954.524.1234 Miami........................................305.933.GAY9 BOOKS/VIDEO/AUDIO LAMBDA Passages Bookstore Dade..........................................305.754.6900 BONDSMAN Brandy Bail Bonds Fort Lauderdale………….........954.463.4333 CATERING ATTORNEYS-IMMIGRATION LAW Fernando J. Gutiérrez, EdD, Esq. Member CA Bar, Am. Imm. Lwyers. Assn. 80 SW 8th St. #2000 Miami....305.423.7063 Shari L. Moidel, Esq. Member of NY Bar, Am. Imm. Lawyers. Assn. 3471 N Federal Highway Suite #300 en-vision.com/ShariMoidel Fort Lauderdale ………......… 954 566.1610 David I.Witz, Esq.- Amer. Imm. Law Assc. usaimmigrationvisas.com West Palm Beach...................561.655.8090 AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CARPET CLEANING House Carpet Cleaning Tim House, Owner Fort Lauderdale........................954.360.0069 CEMETERIES Lauderdale Memorial Ceneteries www.browardcemeteries.com Fort Lauderdale.…............…..954.745.2140 CHIROPRACTORS Cabieses Chiropractic Centers 1776 N Pine Island Rd Plantation. 456 W 51st Place Hialea.......954.559.1999 Dr. Michael Cohen, D.C 2631 E. Oakland Pk. Blvd., Ste. 104 Fort Lauderdale.......................954.537.5558 Gimbel Chiropractic Center Dr. Bruce Gimblel/Dr. Denise Gimbel 1907 North Andrews Ave. Wilton Manors.........................954.567.1924 Monaissa Chiropractic & Wellness Center 11200 Pines Blvd. Ste 101 Pembroke Pines.....................954.880.0101 Peele Chiropractic Dr. Kathy Ragone/Dr.Beth Cooper 3296 NW 9th Ave. Oakland Park..........................954.566.7222 CHURCHES/SYNAGOGUES THE SANCTUARY: Second Presbyterian Church www.sanctuaryFtL.org Worship Sun 10:30 Inclusive...Affirming...Serving 1400 N. Federal Hwy. Ft. Lauderdale..........................954.564.7600 Church of the Holy Spiritsong Deerfield Beach 33442 .......... 954.418.8372 Congregation ETZ Chaim 3970 NW 21st Ave. Fort Lauderdale ..................... 954.564.9232 Holy Angels National Catholic Church 2330 Wilton Drive www.nationalcatholicchurch.org Sun. 11 am, Wkdys incl. Sat. 5:30 pm Wilton Manors.................................954.565.4642 or ......................................................954.731.8173 Divine Mercy American Catholic Church www.divinemercyfla.org 2749 Northeast 10th Ave. Wilton Manors......................... 954.561.4545 Sunshine Cathedral, MCC 1480 SW 9th Ave. Fort Lauderdale ...................... 954.462.2004 Scuderi Automotive 801 W. Broward Blvd Fort Lauderdale.......................954.522.4697 For Brakes and More 160 E. Prospect Road Fort Lauderdale.................…. 954.563.7254 Ford of Pompano Collision Center......................954.818.9720 Parts Dept...............................954.781.9800 Service Dep............................954.868.5833 28 www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 CYMK Affordable in Home Training / Trouble Shooting Broward/ Dade / West Palm...954.925.1801 Compudoc Makes Housecalls www.compudoc4u.com Fort Lauderdale.954.584.6053 or 881.7013 K-Laser Information Technologies, Inc 1256 5th St.West Palm Beach............................800.785.9399 StartComputing.cjb.net CONTRACTORS- GENERAL Financial Asset Management Corp. Sean R. Cherry, Certified Financial Planner(R) Fee-only financial planning West Palm Beach ............... 800.435.2463 ATTORNEYS Law Offices of Robin L. Bodiford, PA 2550 N. Federal Hwy, Suite 20 Fort Lauderdale......................954.630.2707 David L. Jacovitz, Esq. South Trust Building - 1 East Broward Blvd. Fort Lauderdale......................954.630.8847 Jerome & Fischer, PA 4331 N. Federal Hwy. Ste 403 Fort Lauderdale......................954.489.1011 Bruce J. Kirsch Esquire 3800 S. Ocean Drive, Ste. 218 Hollywood...............................954.456.0220 Elizabeth F. Schwartz, P.A. 407 Lincoln Rd. Ste 4D Miami Beach………………….305.674.9222 Jeffery Seth Selzer, PA 2550 NE 15 Ave. Wilton Manors………………..954.567.4444 Randy Strauss Wilton Manors.………...…….954.566.5297 Dean Trantalis 2255 Wilton Drive Fort Lauderdale……………..954.566.2226 COMPUTER SERVICES CREDIT COUNSELING ARTS & CULTURE qualifications and experience. Stork’s Bakery Bakery & Coffee House 2505 NE 15th Ave................ 954.567.3220 Joe Gallo Construction, Inc. 840 NW 7th Ave. Fort Lauderdale ……........… 954.766.9850 Palmetto States Properties, Inc. Studios – 2-Bedrooms; $600-1500 Fort Lauderdale......................954.525.0210 The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisement, before you decide, ask the attorney to send you free written information about his or her Boat Blossums Wholesale Florist 3001 Griffin Rd. Fort Lauderdale......................954.961.9141 AUTOMOTIVE SALES APARTMENTS FOR RENT Art and Culture Center of Hollywood 1650 Harrison Street Hollywood............................... 954.921.3274 Studio Gallery 425 David Mulvenna proprietor Hollywood.................................954.924.8574 COFFEE HOUSES FLORIST DENTISTS Old Cutler Dental Associates, P.A. Cosmetic and General Dentistry 20335 Old Cutler Road Suite 200 Miami........................................305.238.6777 21ST Century Dental Don Nadel, D.D.S, M.P.H 3038 N Federal Highway Build H Fort Lauderdale......................954.568.9788 Andrews Dental 2654 N. Andrews Ave. Wilton Manors……............…954.567.3311 Bal Harbour Dental Center 2026 NE 19th St. Fort Lauderdale.…............….954.566.5428 Oakland Park Dental Howard R. Cunningham, D.D.S. 2020 E Oakland Park Blvd Fort Lauderdale.……........…..954.566.9812 DERMATOLOGY Peter Babinski, M.D., PH.D. Fort Lauderdale.....................954.463.5406 Printing Xcetera 145 SE 11th Street Deerfield Beach…….……..….954.420.0084 HAIR SALONS Hair Industry 2000 Harrison St. Hollywood, Fl……….................954.920.8220 Heclynn’s Barber, Beauty & Nail Studio 3801 N Andrews Ave Oakland Park......................….954.566.9776 Styling & Profiling Hair Emporium Hollywood.…...954.923.1818 • 954.791.8159 HEALTH/FITNESS/BEAUTY The LaserWorks 2480 E. Commercial Blvd. Fort Lauderdale........................954.202.5870 William Borawski hlth nutr [email protected] Fort Lauderdale........................954.649.2067 INSURANCE ACTION INSURANCE GROUP Auto, Home, Business Shawn Young, Kyle Humphrey.......561.721.2872 Allstate Insurance/Karl Grace 2171 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors……….....……..954.537.5321 Correct Coverage Insurance Jim Rakvica Fort Lauderdale……...............954.565.1731 INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE Affordable Interiors Window Treatment Specialist 12 Years Exp..in [email protected] Ft. Lauderdale.........................954.629.5829 LANDSCAPING DOG TRAINING A Dog’s Best Friend www.ADogsBestFriend.com Broward....................................954.791.2717 ELECTRICIANS A1 Electric Service Scott Conley, Master Electrician Pager......................................954.875.9873 Fort Lauderdale.....................954.764.8090 The Electrician 1536 NW 5th Ave Ft Lauderdale Broward, Palm Beach, Dade..954.522.3357 FENCE SERVICES A-Hinze Fence Contractors Marty Hinze, Owner 721 NE 12th ST Fort Lauderdale......................954.763.7658 FINANCIALSERVICES A.G. Edwards Matt Gill, Investment Advisor [email protected] Ft. Lauderdale, FL..................954.761.1060 Edward Jones Investments Darcy J. Beeman Fort Lauderdale......................954.566.4252 Morgan Stanley Stephanie Small - Financial Advisor Fort Lauderdale......................954.267.5672 Blue Zebra Landscapes 1017 SW 15th Ter Fort Lauderdale........................954.764.1149 Exotic Landscaping Design PO Box 4580 Fort Lauderdale........................954.567.4133 R.H. Ireland & Sons 3080 S. Oakland Forest Dr. Fort Lauderdale ……............. 954.240.9701 LEGAL EXPENSE PLANS Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. Cynthia Lyle…….............…... 954.916.2031 Curtis McCoy ..................…… 954.723.7745 LIGHTING Luminosity Studio & Gallery Tony Beall 981 NE 45th Street Oakland Park.......................954.202.NEON LIMOUSINE & CAR SERVICES Sterling Services Broward & Dade Counties........888.239.9200 LONG-TERM CARE PLANNING IMS FINANCIAL SERVICES Ita Schenkel, CLTC, CSA Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist N. Miami Beach........................305.653.5116 MARKETING PAINTING/WALLCOVERING CONT. PSYCHICS REAL ESTATE(cont) Everything Matters, LLC Marketing Solutions www.Everything-Matters.com Fort Lauderdale........................954.763.6850 Professional Speedy Painting Gus Flores Painting & general repair work around the house. Fort Lauderdale........................954.540.9316 HELEN, Advisor on love, career, marriage. Helps reunite the separated. Call for appt.............................954.771.0207 PEST CONTROL PSYCHOTHERAPY&COUNSELING Keyes/Todd Paulk 1520 E. Sunrise Blvd Fort Lauderdale.....................954.523.0796 Keyes Company/ Al Kuntz 10101 S. Dixie Highway Miami........................................305.596.3991 Kim Garvy, Broker/Remax Consultants 1625 SE 17th Street Causeway Fort Lauderdale……...….…...954.767.1166 Rick Gibson / Coldwell Banker 2495 E. Commercial Blvd Fort Lauderdale.....................954.309.6155 Russotto Realty Inc. Craig White 2242 Wilton Drive .................954.296.4236 Re/Max Partners/Dan O’Flaherty 2810 E OaklandBlvd Fort Lauderdale..…….....…...954.396.5965 Terry Bush/Re/Max Partners Fort Lauderdale…….........….954.661.4550 MASSAGE THERAPY Tom Clephane, LMT Lic.# MA0019978.....................954.579.5044 Terry DiVincenzo, LMT Swedish & Therapeutic Massage Lic.# MA 022936 …............…..954.491.8180 Michael Quintal, LMT Shiatsu, Thai, Swedish Massage Lic# MA 38874.........................954.818.2223 Brian L. Wright MS, LMT, CR Shiatsu, Reflexology, Swedish Massage Lic.# MA33341.........................561.582.1177 MORTGAGES Alliance Mortgage Funding, Inc. Brian “Tyler” Leonard 2200 NE 26th St Fort Laud.......954.568.0108 Countrywide Home Loans Rod Pans - Home Loan Consultant Serving East Ft. Lauderdale.....954.332.2357 Mortgage Bankers Carole Fawcett Fort Lauderdale........................954.972.3990 Pride Mortgage Incorporated 2455 E. Sunrise Blvd., Suite 804 wwwpridemortgage.com Fort Lauderdale........................954.565.9665 Scott Brill/GMAC Mortgage 500 W Cypress Creek Rd Suite 190 Fort Lauderdale....................... 954.771.4420 Transcontinental Lending Group Mario Petri Fort Lauderdale........................954.240.8090 Harper Bros. Termite & Pest Control 2122 SW 60th Terr. Miramar ………....................… 954.983.4149 Hugh Turner Pest Control, INC. 840 NW 33rd Street Oakland Park...........................954.564.0037 PETS Club Bow Wow Doggy Daycare, TLC and styling for small to medium dogs. Boca Raton......................561.391.6439 The Red Canary 849 NW 41 St. - Exotic Birds, Cages & Accessories since 1960 Oakland Park………………….954.566.9988 PET GROOMING Rover the Rainbow 929 North Federal Hwy., (Sears Town) Fort Lauderdale........................954.525.6988 Yuppy Puppy & Co. Show & Pet Grooming Catering to those who want the Very Best! Coral Springs...........................954.753.7647 PHARMACIES Commcare Pharmacy 2817 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Ste# 303 Fort Lauderdale........................954.568.6212 ProScript Pharmacy Services, Inc. Fort Lauderdale........................954.797.5041 StatScript Pharmacy 2605 N. Dixie Hwy. Wilton Manors .......................954.568.3789 MOVING/STORAGE Always Moving (licensed/insured) Know what your paying before you move. Flat Rate SERVING BROWARD Dade.........................................305.650.9080 NationStorage, Inc. 812 NW 1st Street Fort Lauderdale…….........……954.525.4767 PHOTOGRAPHY MUSEUMS Art and Culture Center of Hollywood 1650 Harrison Street Hollywood….........…...........…....954.921.3274 Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale 1 E Las Olas Blvd Fort Lauderdale….............…...954.525.5500 NON-PROFIT Andy Armano Fort Lauderdale........................954.854.5679 Dennis Dean Fort Lauderdale…...….......….. 954.463.8299 Michael Murphy Broward…...…......................…..954.564.8555 Toll Free...................................877.564.8555 Noel de Christian Fort Lauderdale........................954.485.6659 Miami...............…..............….. 305.553.2099 Shires Photography Fort Lauderdale........................954.523.4527 PICTURE FRAMING David Greco-Brooks, PH.D. Individual and Couples Psychotherapy Fort Lauderdale.......................954.776.0406 Orlando J. Gonzalez L.M.H.C., P.A. 407 Lincoln Road Suite 2F Miami Beach..........................305.531.1400 Anita MacGregor, M.S., IMT...............................................954.254.2972 Michael G. Mele, LCSW, P.A. Fort Lauderdale.…..................954.564.8997 Patrick Mulhall, L.C.S.W., C.ST, C.HT, PA 3475 Sheridan Street Suite 312 Hollywood………............……..…954.894.8024 Lisa C. Niebling Ph.D., LMHC, CST 11388 Okeechobee Blvd. Royal Palm Beach...................561.798.2310 Dr. Carmine Pecoraro, Psy.D. & Assocs. Counseling, Evaluations & Psychological Testing Fort Lauderdale.......................954.463.2723 Diana Promuto, LCSW, ACSW 218 Commercial Blvd., Ste. 208M Lauderdale by the Sea............954.771.5040 Psychological Alliance, Pl Carole A. Wartenberg, Ph D Laura Hohnecker Ph D 8358 W Oakland Park Blvd #304 Sunrise...........………...............954.742.7449 Mark Rutherford, LCSW West Palm Beach...................561.835.6821 Eric Schoenfeld, PHD Psychologist 224 Datura St. Suite 402 Downtown West PalmBeach.....561.804.9595 M. Ross Seligson, Ph. D., PA (PY2686) Lic. Psychologist. Indiv. & Couples Psychotherapy. 915 Middle River Drive Suite 401 Fort Lauderdale 33304............954.563.2800 Susan A. Smith, L.C.S.W. 6250 N. Andrews Ave Suite 108 Fort Lauderdale ……….......... 954.730.4902 South Fla. Center For Counseling & Therapy Fred Schneider, LMHC & David Fawcett, LCSW 1975 E. Sunrise Blvd Ft. Laud...... 954.764.6466 Robin Traiger, LCSW 2624 NW 6th Avenue Wilton Manors........................954.565.8650 The Women’s Institute for Incorporation Therapy Hollywood Pavillion 1201 N 37th Ave Hollywood ..........................… 954.962.1355 Cora Wujceak, LCSW 1909 N. Andrews Ave. Wilton Manors………..............954.567.1008 REKKI/HEALING THERAPY Phillip Collins, Rekki Master Therapist Healing/Energetic, Hands-On-Healing Session 1 hr Ft.Lauderdale Bch............................954.630.0788 or..................................................... 917.863.9184 RETIREMENT Treemont on the Park 3881 NE 3rd Ave., Oakland Park Fort Lauderdale ….............…954.563.0276 SCREEN PRINTING Fastsigns 1747 N. Federal Highway Fort Lauderdale.....................954.566.8500 TAILOR Cassini Tailor Shop 934 NE 20th Ave Fort Lauderdale.....................954.764.5245 TITLE COMPANIES All County Title Company 4875 N Federal Hwy 10th Floor Fort Lauderdale.….............…954.629.5525 TRANSLATORS Rio Bravo Translations, John Chellino Miami…..................….......… 305.576.0031 TRAVEL REAL ESTATE OFFICE EQUIPMENT Copyco 1700S Powerline Rd. Suite H-I Deerfield Beach...................… 954.881.7013 OPTICIANS Downtown Opticians 800 Broward Blvd Fort Lauderdale……............… 954.764.6962 Dr. Jeffrey C. Hilton, O.D. Broward.....................................954.524.9400 South Beach.............................305.534.0539 PAINTING/WALLCOVERING Broward Boy’s Painters/ Jerry Fort Lauderdale....................... 954.720.9605 Do. It. Rite Wallcover + Painting Fort Lauderdale……….............954.786.0287 Professional Interior Painting Bill Mears Wilton Manors..........................954.309.4089 Budget Framer 263 E. Commercial Blvd. Lauderdale by the Sea……......954.267.9202 Smith’s Picture Framing and Art Gallery 719 E. Broward Blvd. Fort Lauderdale........................954.462.4391 PLUMBING Akro Plumbing Miami.........................................305.378.2504 POOL SERVICES Skimmer’s Pools Service and Repair P.O. Box 70021 Oakland Park, FL 33307 Broward County........................954.938.0208 P.I. & DETECTIVE AGENCIES Intracoastal Detective Agency 1511 E Commercial Blvd Fort Lauderdale…...................954.564.5455 Bob Benson/Infante & Associates [email protected] Fort Lauderdale.......................954.261.9956 Blair Colby Galleria Collection of Fine Homes [email protected] Coldwell Banker/Andy Weiser 2495 E. Commercial Blvd Fort Lauderdale……...............954.679.9972 Coldwell Banker Paul Nolan Fort Lauderdale.......................954.258.4654 Coldwell Banker/Tim Singer Realtor & Associates Fort Lauderdale.......................954.463.1373 John Castelli & Jason Johnson Re/Max Partners 1507 E Las Olas Blvd Fort Lauderdale ......................954.377.5051 Darrin Spardello Community Real Estate [email protected] Palm Beach/WPB/ Lake Worth..561.262.4780 Eastside Properties/ Tony Naples Broker/Owner [email protected] Fort Lauderdale.....................954.562.6355 Howard Elfman/Distinctive Homes Realty 1512 E Broward Blvd., Suite 201 Fort Lauderdale………..…....954.764.4552 Island Mountain Travel 2852 E. Oakland Pk. Blvd. Fort Lauderdale.....................800.622.4262 VETERINARIANS Capital Plaza Animal Hospital 2372 N. Federal Hwy. Fort Lauderdale.....................954.537.3505 Dr. Vincent Guerrero, DVM “House Call Veterinarian” Fort Lauderdale……..............954.581.5334 WEB DESIGN & HOSTING TForce Communications, Inc. Design & Hosting, Training and Support tforceonline.com South Florida.........................954.564.0782 WEDDINGS Rev. Geri Posner, Interfaith Minister Hollywood……….......................800.850.0358 www.ExpressGayNews.com CYMK • January 12, 2004 29 T 30 www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 Photo by Steven Shires Photo by Steven Shires Alan Mulqueen and Julian Tome at the GLCCSF open house John Cunningham and Thom Leffler Photo by Pompano Bill Rick Sherman and Phil Commins at ArtsUnited exhibit at Stonewall Library Photo by Steven Shires Photo by Steven Shires Anthony Borka and Joe Millman at the GLCCSF Photo by Pompano Bill Event coordinator Jonathan Santarsiero and GLCCSF Director Bill Peters Len Paoletti at ArtsUnited exhibit Photo by Pompano Bill Photo by Steven Shires Photo by Steven Shires Joel Glass, Jim Smith, Doug White and Julio Ajon Photo by Pompano Bill Chris Dietz, Robert Nolan, Dr. George Kling, David Litty and Scott Tuff Joseph Lavinio and Paul Harris Robert Hyde and Wayne Whiston, facilitator of Man to Man Talk, held at the GLCCSF Mondays at 7 p.m. Photo by Pompano Bill Candice Russell at ArtsUnited exhibit Photo by Steven Shires Photo by Pompano Bill S.A.G.E. members at the GLCCSF open house. Front row: Debbie, John G., Mary, John F., Betty. Back row: Bob, Raquel, Doris, Sandy, Jean and Rick Chris Yoculan with featured artist George Hester at ArtsUnited exhibit at Stonewall Library Photo by Pompano Bill Chase Springer at ArtsUnited exhibit Photo by Pompano Bill George Hester, Nate Klarfeld and Howard Dimond Photo by Carole Fawcett Wilton Manors Mayor Jim Stork gives Gwen Graham Logan, key advisor to Gov. Howard Dean, a $1,000 check from “At Your Door In 2004” Photo by Pompano Bill Ken Eyer and Chuck Williams Photo by Pompano Bill Evan Kaiser at ArtsUnited exhibit www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 31 December 12, 2004 Volumne 5, Number 5 Call 954-568-1880 for advertising Information or Online at www.ExpressGayNews.com We’ve Got Sonny & Cher, Babe ‘Express’ Online Poll Offers Chance to Win DVD The Express is giving away four copies of The Sonny & Cher Ultimate Collection, a fun-filled array of more than nine hours of pure 1970s entertainment. Just log onto The Express’s Web site and take our quick readers’ poll. The lucky winners will receive The Sonny & Cher Ultimate Collection, which has a suggested retail price of $79.99. The DVD collection features dozens 32 of musical performances, including such signature Sonny & Cher hits as “All I Ever Need Is You,” “The Beat Goes On” and, of course, “I Got You Babe.” It also includes Cher’s solo number one hits—”Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves,” “Half Breed” and “Dark Lady.” The collection is a who’s-who of guest stars, including Burt Reynolds, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, and Tina Turner. Among the DVD’s highlights are the outrageous sketches that made the Sonny & Cher comedy shows so popular, including “Vamp,” “At the Launderette” and “Sonny’s Pizza.” The DVD also contains such extras as a brand-new audio commentary by Cher, interviews with original Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour producers Allan Blye and Chris Bearde, the very rare 1969 pilot, Sonny & Cher karaoke, original network promos and a discography. To fill out the poll, which takes just a few minutes, log onto www.ExpressGayNews.com. www.ExpressGayNews.com • January 12, 2004 Log onto ExpressGayNews.com for your chance to win The Sonny & Cher Ultimate Collection.