A Colombian constitutional court ruled Wednesday that gay couples there have the same rights as common-law straight couples. Former Miami reporter Brian Andrews, now of RCN News in Colombia, interviews Virgilio Barco of gay-rights group Bogota Diversa:
Events schedule | ArtExplosion '09 Feb. 7-21
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Saturday, February 7, 2009, 6:00-9:00 PM ArtExplosion Visual Arts Exhibit Opening Reception Presented by ArtsUnited, Inc. Exhibit Runs February 2 - February 27, 2009 ArtServe Gallery 1350 East Sunrise Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 $10 Admission Sunday, February 8, 2009, 2PM & 7:00 PM Dixie's Tupperware Party Presented by Off Broadway in Broward Broward Center for the Performing Arts Amaturo Theatre 201 SW 5th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 $25/35 954.462.0222 www.browardcenter.org Monday, February 9, 2009, 8:00 PM Richard Cortez Performing Live in conjunction with an exhibit by artist Sergio Coya Radio-Active Records 1930B East Sunrise Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Free Admission Monday, February 9, 9:00 PM Full Moon Party hosted by Nikki Adams featuring performances of a cosmic nature Georgie’s Alibi 2266 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Free Admission (954) 565-2526 www.georgiesalibi.com Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 7:00 PM "A Night of Broadway" hosted by Diva Presented by Lips One night show to benefit ArtsUnited 1421 East Oakland Park Blvd. Oakland Park, FL 33304 $30 Admission includes dinner, show, and drink (954) 567-0987 www.lipsusa.com Tuesday, February 10 7:00 PM Jeff Hess presented by Bill’s Mustang Lounge Repeats 2/14, 2/17/ 2/21 2209 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL Free Admission (954) 567-5978 www.billsfillingstation.com Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 8:00 PM Lily Tomlin presented by Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Dreyfoos Hall 701 Okeechobee Boulevard West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Tickets $20/$55 (561) 832-7469 www.kravis.org Wednesday, February 11, 7:00 PM Rubin Gonzalez presented by Bill’s Mustang Lounge Repeats 2/12, 2/18, 2/19 2209 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL Free Admission (954) 567.5978 www.billsfillingstation.com Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 7:00 PM An Evening with Author K.G. MacGregor Presented by Stonewall Library & Archive 1300 East Sunrise Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Free Admission (954) 763-8565 www.stonewall-library.org Thursday, February 12, 2009, 7:00 PM Matthew Glass in "The Slap & Tickle Show" Stonewall Library & Archives 1300 East Sunrise Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Free Admission www.stonewall-library.org Friday, February 13, 2009 6:00 PM Black & White Exhibition Opening Reception Presented by Broward Art Guild Exhibit runs Feb. 9- March 6 Juried exhibition of artworks comprised of Black, White and shades of Grey only. Cargo Furniture 2301 NE 26th Street Fort Lauderdale Free Admission (954) 305-1854 www.browardartguild.org Friday, February 13, 2009, 8:00 PM Say You Love Satan Florida Premiere presented by Rising Action Theatre Play runs thru March 15, 2009 840 E. Oakland Park Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 Admission $30 (954) 561-2225 www.risingactiontheatre.com
Saturday, February 14, 7:00 PM Jennifer McClain’s Night For Lovers Presented by Georgie’s Alibi Repeats a 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM Manchester Room 2266 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Free Admission (954) 565.2526 www.georgiesalibi.com Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 8:00 PM "Broken Sky" Presented by Pride Night at the Playhouse Lake Worth Playhouse 713 Lake Ave. Lake Worth, FL 33460 $8 General/ $5 Film Society Limited Seating Available (561) 586-6410 www.brownpapertickets.com/event/53408 Thursday, February 19, 2009, 5:00-8:00 PM ArtExplosion Night at the Museum of Art with Music by Cindy Curtis & Company Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale One East Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Free Admission (954) 525-5500 www.moafl.org Thursday, February 19, 2009 8:00 PM Simply Barbra Salutes the Oscars Presented by Rising Action Theatre Show runs thru March 15, 2009 Thu. 8:00 PM, Fri. & Sat. 9:30 PM, Sun. 7:00 PM 840 E. Oakland Park Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 Admission $30 (954) 561-2225 www.risingactiontheatre.com Friday, February 20, 2009, 7:00 PM Island City ArtWalk Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL Free Admission www.islandcityartwalk.com Friday, February 20, 2009 10:00 PM - 4:00 AM Official Dance Party of ArtExplosion '09 at Living Room Nightclub with DJ Oren Nizri and DJ Maximus 3000 Living Room Nightclub 300 SW 1st Ave. Upper Loft Level Las Olas Riverfront, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Free Admission if you mention ArtExplosion www.livingroomnightclub.com Saturday, February 21, 2009 7:30 PM ArtExplosion Finale featuring Lea Delaria with Scott Ryan and Musical Guest Levi Kreis Presented by ArtsUnited, Inc. Broward Center for the Performing Arts Amaturo Theatre 201 SW 5th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 $30/45 954.462.0222 www.browardcenter.org To participate, or for information, please contact Keithclark@aol.com or call (954) 568-1154. | |||||||||||||||
Gay bowling league Thursday at Lucky Strike Lanes
From Edison Farrow:
*There are a few extra lanes on Thursdays. If you would like to play, you can just show up with your group and pay a reduced rate of $45 per hour (with free shoes).
Miami Beach Gay Bowling League
Season 2
January 15th - March 19th
Thursdays
Time Slots: 7pm or 9pm
Cuervo Platinum Tequila $7
The Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Lucky Strike Lanes, Edison Farrow and SoBe Social Club are proud to annouce the second season of the Miami Beach Gay Bowling League.
The Miami Beach Gay Bowling League will meet once a week, on Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm or 9pm to 11pm, for a ten week period starting on Thursday, January 15th at Lucky Strike Lanes 1691 Michigan Avenue in Miami Beach. There will be 40 teams consisting of four people per team. In order to join, players must pre-pay the fee of $19 per week which includes two games a week, tax and shoes. $190 total.
If you are interested in being involved and organizing a team of four players, or if you would like more information, please email Diego Perez at gbl2009@live.com
If you have questions regarding the league, please email Edison Farrow at edison@sobesocialclub.com
Please note:
We will not be bowling on
Thursday, January 22nd
Thursday, March 5th
Lucky Strike Lanes
1691 Michigan Avenue
Miami Beach
305.532.0307
www.BowlLuckyStrike.com
To Register:
Download the forms, here:
http://www.sobesocialclub.com/BowlingRegistration.doc
Then, fax, email or drop off to Diego Perez at:
Lucky Strike Lanes
1691 Michigan Avenue Miami Beach
Phone: 305.532.0307
Fax: 305.532.0308
email: Diego.Perez@BowlLuckyStrike.com
Once your completed forms are received,
your space will be reserved.
Video | Full rights granted to gay couples in Colombia
A Colombian constitutional court ruled Wednesday that gay couples there have the same rights as common-law straight couples. Former Miami reporter Brian Andrews, now of RCN News in Colombia, reports:
BOGOTA: Landmark decision by the Constitutional Court on rights for same sex couples in Colombia.
I'm not gay, Australian swimming star Ian Thorpe insists
SWIMMING hero Ian Thorpe has rubbished continuing speculation about his sexual orientation by insisting: I am not gay.
The five-time Olympic gold medallist was responding after being snapped playing in the surf with swimmer pal and long-time housemate Daniel Mendes in Brazil last week. See the picture here.
The pair had jetted over in late December to celebrate Christmas with the Mendes family after first celebrating with Thorpe's family in Australia.
It was the second time Thorpe has accompanied Mendes home to Brazil in the past year.
GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano resigns
Neil G. Giulilano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation since Sept. 2005, has resigned. He'll stay on as president until sometime later this year. Here's the GLAAD news release:
GLAAD Announces Resignation of President Neil G. Giuliano
Board to Announce Search at Later Date
Los Angeles, Wednesday, January 28, 2009 – Neil Giuliano,
the president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
(GLAAD), today announced his resignation to pursue personal interests
while completing his forthcoming book about his public and political
life. Giuliano has served as president since September 1, 2005 and will
continue as president until a date to be announced later this year.
Prior to GLAAD, he served for ten years as the mayor of Tempe, Arizona
and had retired from a 25-year career as a university administrator and
faculty associate at Arizona State University.
"I have informed the national board of directors of my decision to step down as president later this year and look forward to a successful and smooth transition of leadership for GLAAD," said Giuliano. "It's been an honor and privilege to work professionally in the movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality for the last three and a half years. The views of the American people on LGBT issues are clearly moving in the right direction, toward supporting full equality, and it has been a great experience to serve on the front lines, leading an amazing organization at such a historical time in the movement."
Under Giuliano's leadership, GLAAD's budget has grown from $7.5M to $11M, with expanded individual, corporate and foundation support for its media advocacy and anti-defamation work on behalf of the LGBT community. Giuliano expanded GLAAD's influence as a national voice against the defamation gay people often face and began media programs reaching out to young adults, communities of religion and faith, and the vast sports media world while increasing GLAAD's outreach and media relations support to local, regional, statewide and other LGBT advocacy organizations. GLAAD also acquired Queer Lounge at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007 and will launch an advertising media program later in 2009 with the assets of the former Commercial Closet Association. Giuliano's tenure is also marked by his focus on creating capacity and long-term sustainability for GLAAD. Under his direction, GLAAD successfully completed the their 2003 strategic plan and in Fall 2008 announced a new five year plan to build on awareness, support, volunteers, programs and results for the maturing organization as a way to meet the growing expectation of its constituents and the greater LGBT movement.
"These programmatic areas are where GLAAD needs to be to further influence the culture and the change hearts and minds of people with regard to full equality for gay and transgender people" said Giuliano. "The growth and expansion of GLAAD's influence is due to the many stakeholders who support our work, especially those serving on the National Board of Directors."
Yvette Burton, the Co-Chair of the GLAAD National Board of Directors said, "Neil has been a strong leader for GLAAD and has advanced the organization significantly in the last three years. He will leave GLAAD a better and more effective organization than when he arrived and we appreciate his years of dedication and service." Added Co-Chair Laurie Perper, "The board of directors will begin conversations about this important leadership transition period, and the search process for a new president, at our upcoming board meeting February 6-8 in Los Angeles. This is a signature role in the movement for LGBT equality and we are sure there will be great interest in this opportunity."
About GLAAD
The Gay & Lesbian
Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and
ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and
events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and
discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. For
more information, please visit www.glaad.org.
Aqua Foundation for Women offers scholarships
From Vivian Lamadrid, program director of Aqua Foundation:
Aqua Foundation College Scholarships 2009
COLLEGE STUDENTS IN NEED OF SCHOLARSHIPS!
The mission of the Aqua Foundation for Women is to promote the equality, strength, health, and visibility of South Florida Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender (LBT) women.
Aqua Foundation for Women Family of Scholarships Award 2009
GO TO THE WEBSITE AND APPLY ONLINE: www.AquaFoundation.org CLICK on SCHOLARSHIPS
Description: The Aqua Foundation will offer scholarship awards of $1,000.00 and $3,000.00
Purpose of Award: To encourage continuing education for self-identified Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender students and to recognize future LBT leaders in South Florida.
Eligibility: You must be a resident of Broward, or Miami-Dade County, have a history of leadership in the LBT community and plan to be a LBT leader in the future. You must submit an application with required supporting materials.
Application Deadline: Application and supporting material must be postmarked by March 1 2009 - AFW, Family of Scholarships Selection Committee, 1521 Alton Road, #117, Miami Beach, FL 33139 For further information, call the office of AFW at (305) 576-AQUA or you can email the Program Director at: vivian@aquafoundation.org.
Lesbian to become interim prime minister in Iceland
By DAVID STRINGER, Associated Press
REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- The woman expected to become Iceland's interim prime minister is an openly gay former flight attendant who rose through the political ranks to lead a new leftist government.
Johanna Sigurdardottir, the island nation's 66-year-old social affairs minister, began as an union organizer for flight attendants and is now among the country's longest-serving lawmakers.
Both political parties forming Iceland's new coalition government support her appointment - and a decision could be announced as early as Thursday.
"She is a senior parliamentarian, she is respected and loved by all of Iceland," said Environment Minister Thorunn Sveinbjarnardottir.
Sigurdardottir will lead until new elections are held, likely in May. She will remain in office longer only if her center-left Social Democratic Alliance Party becomes the largest party in the election - an unlikely prospect, since it trails the Left-Green movement in opinion polls.
On Wednesday, Sigurdardottir chaired talks between her Alliance party and the Left-Greens, now the junior government partner.
Iceland's previous conservative-led government failed Monday after the country's banks collapsed in the fall under the weight of huge debts amassed during years of rapid economic growth. The country's currency has since plummeted, and inflation and unemployment are soaring.
Former Prime Minister Geir Haarde won't lead his Independence Party into the new elections because he needs treatment for throat cancer.
Conservative critics say Sigurdardottir's leftist leanings and lack of business experience won't help her fix the economy. "Johanna is a very good woman - but she likes public spending, she is a tax raiser," Haarde said.
Sigurdardottir faces a difficult task of repairing the nation's shattered economy and rebuilding public trust in government.
Iceland has negotiated about $10 billion in bailout loans from the International Monetary Fund and other countries to keep itself afloat but long-term solutions for re-building the economy have been unclear.
The IMF predicts Iceland's economy is facing its biggest slump since the country won full independence from Denmark in 1944.
Sigurdardottir was a labor organizer when she worked as a flight attendant for Loftleidir Airlines - now Icelandair - in the 1960s and 1970s. She was first elected to Iceland's parliament in 1978 and served twice as social affairs minister, from 1987-1994, and again since 2007.
Despite her veteran status, many Icelanders regard her as more independent than her fellow legislators.
"If there's anyone who can restore trust in the political system it's her," said Eyvindur Karlsson, a 27-year-old translator. "People respect her because she's never been afraid of standing up to her own party. They see her as someone who isn't tainted by the economic crisis."
While a woman has served in the largely symbolic role of president, Sigurdardottir would be Iceland's first female prime minister. She lives with journalist Jonina Leosdottir, who became her civil partner in 2002, and has two sons from a previous marriage.
In 1995, Sigurdardottir quit the party and formed her own party, which won four parliamentary seats in a national election. Several years later, she rejoined her old party when it merged with three other center-left groups.
Sigurdardottir is best known for her reaction to a failed bid to become chairman of the Social Democratic Party - a forerunner of the current Social Democratic Alliance Party - in 1994.
"My time will come," she predicted in her concession speech.
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Associated Press Writer Valur Gunnarsson contributed to this report.
