Gay South Florida www.miamiherald.com/gay

Aqua Girl: 'A bunch of women coming together on a volunteer basis to produce an amazing series of events that gives right back to our community'

A message from Aqua Girl coordinator Lynn M. Bové:

First of all, Happy Mother's Day!  May you be surrounded with the joy & love of your family.

The months leading up to producing the biggest women's charity event in the nation is intense to say the least.  But we are almost there and I wanted to share something with you.

Last night, after our very successful Aqua Girl VIP event, I rushed over to work at Siren. I was happy to toss off the dress and heels for a comfy pair of jeans and sneakers. Many of the volunteers showed up and surprised me at Siren when they finished at the VIP party.  The music and vibe were perfectly intertwined.  In that one moment on the dance floor we were ONE.  We hugged and laughed because we all knew that as of May 14th we would be mere flashes of shadows running here to there and in between that we would want to cry, collapse and ask ourselves, is it over yet?

Just about now you are probably asking yourself, why is she writing all of this?   I am writing this to you because I am giving you a slight insight as to what Aqua Girl is about.  It's about a bunch of women coming together on a volunteer basis to produce an amazing series of events that gives right back to our community.  It is pure blood, sweat, tears, commitment and LOVE involved in this production. Some of us have been working on this for well over 6 months.  I am so incredibly proud to be part of this organization.  No matter how hard and long it has been to get here, I will always be involved.  So just know that every time you book your hotel room or buy a pass or buy a ticket to an event, 100% of that money is given back to our community.  YOU are Aqua Girl. Please make sure YOU support it.

We have another amazing line-up of events and talent this year. Please go to http://www.aquagirl.org to purchase your tickets & book your rooms.

I want to thank everyone involved with AQUA GIRL 2008.  Alison, Yesi and Vivian, thank you for your support and constant encouragement. I know it has not been easy.

I am very excited for you to see what we bringing you!

Lynn M. Bové

Aqua Girl Coordinator

Raul Castro's daughter spearheads anti-homophobia drive

HAVANA (AFP) - President Raul Castro's daughter, Mariela, is organizing Cuba's second anti-homophobia festival this week to boost public awareness of the country's long-marginalized gay community, this time with the approval of her dad's government.

"There's political support for this educational strategy. It's the best thing that's happened to us," Mariela Castro said about the backing the National Center for Sexual Education (CENESEX) she heads is receiving from Cuba's Communist Party.

She said Raul Castro, 76, "is helping us a lot ... not only because I'm his daughter, but because I've earned his respect by working at my job carefully."

A teacher and mother of three children, Mariela Castro, 46, took over from her late mother, Vilma Espin, in running Cuban Womens' Federation (FMC) after she died in 2007, and has headed CENESEX for the past 14 years.

Her uncle Fidel Castro, 81, relinquished presidential power to his brother Raul, 76, in February citing health reasons.

For as long as Cuba's communist revolution began nearly 50 years ago, Mariela and her mother have been busy trying to whittle away at the country's machismo tradition.

The week-long festival in Havana and six of Cuba's 14 provinces, aims to increase public awareness about gay rights through television programs, movies, theater, debates and book fairs, culminating with the International Day Against Homophobia, on May 17.

Besides the educational efforts, Mariela's group is also busy reforming Cuba's Family Code and has proposed in parliament a bill on freedom of gender -- the right to choose one's gender, and the right to "legal union" for gays.

The legal union issue is an effort to sidestep the Catholic Church's determined opposition to gay marriage rights.

Sex-change is another controversial issue in Cuba, after the country's first operation in 1988 raised such an outcry that the procedure was put on indefinite hold.

"We're getting ready a team of surgeons from Belgium" to restart transgender operations, Mariela told reporters, adding that 30 such procedures have been approved by health authorities.

Mariela is hopeful the festival will be successful.

"We don't know how the public will react. We suppose it'll go well because of the way we've organized it. It'll help people understand things, reflect and think."

Guardian.co.uk on 'Hidden gay life of macho hip hop stars'

A former MTV executive reveals a homosexual subculture in an aggressively male business

Paul Harris in New York
The Observer

American rap music is an industry ruled by machismo. It is a place where reputations are made by shady pasts, the aura of violence and ultra-masculinity. But now an explosive new book is lifting the lid on one of hip hop's most unexpected secrets: that many people in the business are gay.

Terrance Dean, a former executive at music channel MTV, has penned a memoir of his life and times in the hip hop industry as a gay man. It is an explosive exposé of a thriving gay subculture in an aggressively male business, where anti-gay lyrics and public homophobia are common.

Perhaps not surprisingly, many in the industry are nervous about the book's publication this week, fearing that it will expose some of the top black names in music and Hollywood as secretly gay. But Dean said that his memoir was not intended as a way of outing famous people. 'I was never tempted to name any names. The book is not about outing people. I wrote it so that people realise the industry has a gay subculture and we are part of this music,' he said.

That gay hip hop subculture certainly seems to be thriving. Dean's book describes a world where many industry executives and some artists are leading secret gay lives, which are often obvious to everyone but rarely talked about. And, despite using some false names, the book contains enough information so that it will undoubtedly spark off a frenzy of speculation as to who some of the characters are in real life.

For example, Dean describes 'Lola', a singer who is a lesbian and had to keep her sexuality secret. And 'Gus', a male rap artist who appeared on television in typical 'gangsta' style yet hid a secret gay life. Then there are the other hints of big-name celebrities close to the hip hop business who are also gay. They include 'Lucas', a married A-list movie star, and 'Kareem', a leading sitcom actor.

Dean hopes that by bringing out his book he will allow a leading hip hop figure to come out as gay and thus pave the way for the notoriously homophobic industry to come to terms with its secret side. 'Within the next year I believe a major artist will come out. They are going to have to be brave but I think they can do it,' he said.

That is no understatement. Leading hip hop artists such as Eminem, DMX and Ice Cube have all been targeted by gay activists for using homophobic lyrics. One of Eminem's songs famously included the line: 'Hate fags? The answer's yes.' In his book Dean describes a world in which hip hop stars and executives often berate and denigrate homosexuals, and the use of the word 'faggot' is common place. He says that too often he let such abuse pass by, and writing a memoir was a way of making up for that. 'I am a part of this culture. I was getting by, saying it's OK when those things are said. But then I realised they are actually talking about me too,' Dean said.

There are signs that things are changing. Several leading rap artists, including top seller Kanye West, have admitted that homophobia is rampant in the industry and they have spoken out against it. West had previously spoken out against gay lyrics. There are also a handful of openly gay rappers such as Deadlee, who has held national US tours of his music and appeared on television to talk about his sexuality.

Dean, however, hopes that hip hop will soon put its homophobia behind it. He says the music changed dramatically from hip hop's roots in nightclubs and parties to a celebration of urban violence and gang life as 'gangsta rap' became the norm. Homophobia grew up alongside that musical shift as most successful artists used songs that idolised guns, drugs and crime. 'We need to get hip hop back to those party roots and away from the gangsta rap culture,' he said.

However, Dean's book shows that heterosexual rappers clearly have no monopoly on tough upbringings. Dean's book is a searing description of a tough childhood on the streets of Detroit, ironically also the home town of Eminem. His mother was a prostitute addicted to drugs who later contracted HIV.

Dean eventually suffered a childhood sexual assault from a male babysitter and ended up serving jail time in Nashville for stealing a car.

If homophobic rappers are looking for a dubious sense of 'authenticity', then they can just as easily find it in Dean's background as in the most masculine of gangsta rappers. But for Dean his purpose in writing the book was simply to shine a rare light on the most shadowed corner of some of the most popular music in the world.

'Everyone knows. It is not a secret in that sense. It is just that people do not talk about what goes on in private and who is sleeping with who. Now I hope a mainstream artist will have the courage to soon come out,' he said.

Rappers' Rants

· In his single 'Criminal' in 2000, Eminem sang: 'Whether you're a fag or a lez, Or the homosex, hermaph or a trans-vest, Pants or dress - hate fags? The answer's yes.'

· In the April 2004 issue of Playboy the American rapper made the point clearly: 'I don't like gay people around me, because I'm not comfortable with what their thoughts are.'

· Jamaican rapper Beenie Man's song 'Damn' includes lines such as 'come to execute all the gays' which led to the cancellation of several concerts in July 2006.

· American hip hop artist Kanye West spoke out against gay lyrics on MTV in 2004. He told a US magazine he 'wouldn't feel comfortable at a gay bar. I wouldn't go to a gay parade'.

Rowan Walker

Photo gallery | Aqua Foundation For Women 2008 VIP cocktail reception

Dozens of South Florida LGBT community leaders gathered Saturday night for the Aqua Foundation For Women 2008 VIP cocktail reception, celebrating Aqua Girl 2008, which runs Wednesday, May 14 through Sunday, May 18.

The VIP party was held at the Belle Meade Island home of Olive Watson & Joanna Grover/Watson. Highlights included food by Bravo Top Chefs Sandee Birdsong, Tiffani Faison and Josie Smith-Malave and presentation of awards and scholarships.

Here are dozens of pictures I took at the party. Scroll past the photos to read details about Aqua Foundation.

Guests arrive at the Belle Meade Island party.

Ashley Danella welcomes arrivals.

Honorees Maria Pino (Community Volunteer Award) and De Palazzo of Safe Schools South Florida (Community Leadership Award).

Aqua Foundation board member Veronica Olivera-Leon and Sandra Holiday of the Anita Priest 'Whispering Angels' Scholarship Program.

Honoree Carol Coombes, director of the Miami/Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (Founders Award), partner Raquel Berman and Michael Bath of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in Miami.

Jesse Brooks and honoree Heddy Peña of SAVE (Community Leadership award). 

Vivian Marthell, executive director of Pridelines Youth Services, and Heddy Peña.

Board member Vivian Lamadrid begins the presentation.

Aqua Foundation founder and board chair Alison Burgos of Pandora Events.

Bravo Top Chefs Sandee Birdsong, Josie Smith-Malave and Tiffani Faison.

Vivian Lamadrid and Alison Burgos introduce this year's "Empowered" T-shirt.

Vice chair Laura Steckler announces some of this year's grants.

Robert Loupo and De Palazzo of Safe Schools South Florida and Laura Steckler.

Martha Fugate, founder and executive director of YES Institute, which works to prevent teen suicide, and Laura Steckler.

Paul Hyman, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of South Florida, and Laura Steckler.

Gay film festival board member Nellie Barrios and Laura Steckler.

Vivian Marthell, executive director of Pridelines Youth Services, and Laura Steckler.

Bravo Top Chef Sandee Birdsong is introduced.

Bravo Top Chefs Sandee Birdsong, Josie Smith-Malave and Tiffani Faison.

Bravo Top Chefs Sandee Birdsong, Josie Smith-Malave and Tiffani Faison.

Board member Veronica Olivera-Leon, left, announces that this year the foundation will give $28,000 in scholarships.

Foundation board member Veronica Olivera-Leon introduces this year's scholarship recipients.

This year's scholarship recipients: Enbar Cohen, Ingrid Quallo, Thais Ronchesel, Elaine Ruda and Chelita Dubois.

Enbar Cohen, Ingrid Quallo, Thais Ronchesel, Veronica Olivera-Leon, Alison Burgos, Elaine Ruda, Chelita Dubois and Laura Steckler.

Steering committee member Martha Sternberg announces honoree De Palazzo.

Honoree De Palazzo of Safe Schools South Florida (Community Leadership award).

Honoree Heddy Peña of SAVE (Community Leadership award) with foundation secretary Robin Schwartz.

Attorney and host committee member Elizabeth Schwartz introduces honoree Carol Coombes.

Honoree Carol Coombes of the Miami/Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (Founders award) with Elizabeth Schwartz.

Honoree Carol Coombes of the Miami/Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (Founders award).

Honoree Maria Pino (Community Volunteer award) and Vivian Lamadrid.

DJ Heather Holiday.

Noted international opera and jazz singer Ada de Luque of Miami performs.

Three happy honorees: De Palazzo, Carol Coombes and Heddy Peña.

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ABOUT AQUA FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN

EVENT HOST COMMITTEE
Alicia Apfel, Esq., Nelida Barrios, Cindy Brown & Michelle Simons, Elizabeth Katzen, Vivian Marthell, Lisa Niven, Nina Boniske, Esq., Francesca Roderick, Richard Milstein & Eric Hankin, Carol Moran & Nancy Godwin, Merle & Dan Weiss, Dionette Kalkhofer, Thea Sommer & Maria Di Preito, Amy Alonso & Mariana Ferro, Tracy Young, Alyson Calagna & Jennifer Safina, Elizabeth Schwartz, Vanessa Brito, Rosemary Wilder, Esq. & Karen Costello, Maria Ruiz, Dr. Hope Wine & Mary Prados, Maike Jorge, Deborah Kall, Yvonne Rohrbacher, Karen Brown, Theresa Verges & Carmen Garcia, Jennifer Parrado, Liza Santana

Aqua Girl ´08 STEERING COMMITTEE:
Alison Burgos, founder, Soraya Swingen, Maria Pino, Martha Sternberg, Alicia Beceña, Jennifer Blunier, Merill Camel, Sigrid
De Guzman, Kristie Escoto, Michelle Gaber, Megyn Greider, Ingrid Quallo, Tasha Shore, Ana Rivera, Liz Jiménez, Amarilys Tamayo, Michelle Gaber, Jennifer Kriz, Lissette Vasquez

SUPPORT STAFF: Lynn Bové (AG Creative Coordinator),
Yesi Olivera-Leon (Business Coordinator)

Aqua Foundation for Women BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Alicia Apfel, chair eméritas • Alison Burgos, chair • Laura Steckler, vice chair • Yolanda Flores, treasurer • Robin Schwartz, secretary; Veronica Olivera-Leon, Rachel Robinson, Vivian Lamadrid, program director

AQUA FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN (AFW), INC.
The AFW is 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the equality, strength, health and visibility of South Florida lesbian, bisexual and transgender women. Monies raised from this event and the Foundation’s signature weekend, Aqua Girl, as well as through individual and group donations, go directly towards educating, empowering and fostering the women’s communities.

DIAMOND AND PLATINUM HOSTS:
Natasha Shore, Michelle Odefey & Amber Cooper, Kathy Perez & Isabel Perez, Carmen Redondo, Tania Rodriguez & Elizabeth Leger, Natalie Clark, C Astin & Andrew Duberry, Kari Benson

1521 ALTON ROAD, SUITE 117 • MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139
PHONE 305.576.2782

WWW.AQUAFOUNDATION.ORG

Fairness for All Families: Amendment 2 'will take away essential health benefits from unmarried Floridians'

News release:

They can't deny it anymore.

Despite what they say publicly, those backing Amendment 2 know it will take away essential health benefits from unmarried Floridians.

Not only did Michigan's Supreme Court use their so-called "marriage protection" amendment to strike down domestic partner protections across the state (click here for the story), but we also have evidence that proponents of Amendment #2 are getting ready to do the same here in Florida.

One of Amendment #2's major backers, David Caton, was discovered gathering data on Tampa's Domestic Partnership policy (click here for the story). He had to admit to reporters that he was doing this to prepare for his group's attack on Tampa's Domestic Partnership plan that currently provides health benefits to Tampa's police officers, firefighters and other municipal employees.
Don't let this happen in Florida! We can defeat this mean-spirited Amendment.

Please donate today to put Fairness Coalition organizers on the ground in four more cities.

We need 400 people to make contributions $25 or more to help the Fairness for All Families Campaign raise $10,000 to expand our grassroots organizing in Northern and Central Florida.

The more people know the truth about the real harm this amendment causes, the more they oppose it.
Please make a contribution today.

Sincerely,
Barbara DeVane, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, Co-Chair Fairness for All Families

P.S. Check out our revamped website: www.VoteNoOn2.com.

Fairness for All Families is a growing coalition of more than 200 local, state and national organizations that includes seniors, faith, business leaders, consumer groups and social justice organizations all joining together to oppose a constitutional amendment slated for the 2008 ballot that would strip away existing employee benefits while barring the passage of future measures to help Florida families. Visit our website today: www.VoteNoOn2.com.

Sidelines Sports Bar promotes three, sports new look

News release:

SIDELINES’ SPORTS BRIEF – MAY 9, 2008

CLIMBING THE LADDER!

The owners of Sidelines Sports Bar, Laurie Whittaker and Marty Kildea, recently announced the promotions of three members of their Sidelines family. They include Al Morris, who was promoted to the position of general manager, Daniel Shannon, now one of our bar managers, and Ryan Jackson, now the head bar back. All three employees had been working at Sidelines for some time. Al, came to Sidelines Sports Bar almost a year ago as one of the bar managers, Daniel Shannon, started his employ with Sidelines as a bar back, and Ryan will expand his current role as bar back in order to advance his growth within the organization.

Congratulations to all for their hard work, dedication and loyalty!

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SIDELINES’ TEAMMATES SPORT NEW LOOK!

A transformation is taking place at Sidelines as part of reaching the milestone of their 2-year anniversary. The entire Sidelines staff will be donning new uniforms and colors this anniversary weekend with Kelly green polo-type, logo-embroidered shirts and dark blue jeans, Sidelines’ branded colors, for the bar staff; and royal blue button-down oxford shirts for the managers and owners. Even the club’s three pool tables have been redone with royal blue felted tops.

The look is clean and polished, marking their two years in business with innovation and style.

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If you’d like more information about Sidelines Sports Bar, please call Jennifer Morales at 305.519.1876 or e-mail her at jennifer@sidelinessports.com.

Richard Jay-Alexander's dog JoJo ...

... gives Bernadette Peters' book, BROADWAY BARKS, a 5 (out of 5) PAW rating!

It's a HIT!

From JoJo, courtesy of Broadway director (and Miami Beach resident) Richard Jay-Alexander.

Click here to read my recent interview with Bernadette Peters about her career and Broadway Barks.

First stop: Two-day HRC 'Camp Equality' this weekend in Fort Lauderdale

News release:

Camp Equality™

Camp Equality™ is an intensive, 2-day interactive training program that combines lectures, discussions, and real-life simulations. Camp Equality™ teaches both advanced and fundamental skills to help strengthen the impact our community has on the 2008 elections.

We know that as visible supporters of equality, your contributions to campaigns are an invaluable part of making America a place that embraces equality for all.

• Training Programs
• Registration
• Video - 2008 - A Year To Win

Campaign Training Program

At the two-day training, you’ll have the opportunity to choose one of two tracks:

Advanced Track: Working on a Campaign: This track is designed for you if you are one of our more experienced campaign volunteers. This track teaches participants the modern mechanics of organizing for political campaigns.  During your sessions you will learn advanced techniques of targeting, organizing, media relations, volunteer coordination, Get Out the Vote, and the latest campaign technology.

Fundamentals Track: Working on a Campaign: This track is designed for you if you want to learn the step by step fundamentals necessary to be successful at the grassroots level. Topics will include: planning, volunteer recruitment, field, planning events, canvassing, earned media, and even writing a blog. You will learn the basic skills that are essential to putting your local issue or political campaign in the best position to win.

Registration

Registration is open for:

• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (May 10 - 11) The camp will end by 3pm on Sunday, so you’ll still have time for Mother’s Day dinner
• Phoenix, Arizona (May 31-June 1) *NEW DATE
• Houston, Texas (June 14 - 15)

Register for a Camp Equality near you.

If you can't attend a Camp, please consider a contribution to help train our volunteers and make this the year to win!

Upcoming registrations:

• Las Vegas, Nevada (June 28 - 29)
• Albuquerque, New Mexico (June 28-29) *NEW DATE
• Northern Virginia (July 12 - 13)
• Cincinnati, Ohio (July 12 - 13)
• Columbus, Ohio (July 19 - 20)
• Long Island, New York (July 26 - 27)
• Denver, Colorado (August 9 - 10)
• Dallas, Texas (August 16 - 17)
• St. Louis Missouri (TBD)
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (September 6 - 7)

* Tentative Dates