Man who accused Elmo puppeteer of teen sex recants

BY FRAZIER MOORE, AP TELEVISION WRITER

NEW YORK -- A man who accused Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash of having sex with him when he was a teenage boy has recanted his story.

In a quick turnabout, the man on Tuesday described his sexual relationship with Clash as adult and consensual.

Clash responded with a statement of his own, saying he is "relieved that this painful allegation has been put to rest." He had no further comment.

The man, who has not identified himself, released his statement through the Harrisburg, Pa., law firm Andreozzi & Associates.

Sesame Workshop, which produces "Sesame Street" in New York, soon followed by saying, "We are happy that Kevin can move on from this unfortunate episode."

Click here to read more.

Broward House AIDS agency to county commissioners: ‘We made a terrible mistake’

Broward commissioners harshly criticized the county’s largest HIV center for hiring a CEO linked to allegations of child sex abuse.

BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER, CMARBIN@MIAMIHERALD.COM

The woes of Broward County’s largest HIV center, Broward House, continued Tuesday as members of the County Commission — which is a significant funder — expressed outrage that an accused pedophile had been put in charge of an agency that cares for children.

Broward County contributes $400,000 in general revenue dollars to Broward House, unrestricted funds over which the county has direct control, said Commissioner Lois Wexler, a former school board member who requested the discussion at a regular commission meeting Tuesday morning.

“Not only have I lost confidence” in Broward House, Wexler said, “but many folks in the community have lost confidence...A cloud hangs over you that needs to move,” Wexler added.

The controversy began on Nov. 3, when The Miami Herald reported that members of the Broward House board had twice promoted Michael McGuigan — naming him chief executive officer in September — long after McGuigan had repeatedly been linked to allegations he sexually abused or made improper advances toward children. Earlier this year, a Broward judge stripped McGuigan of parental rights over a 6-year-old he adopted, after McGuigan agreed not to fight the accusations of state child welfare authorities.

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Official: Uganda to pass anti-gay bill this year

BY RODNEY MUHUMUZA, ASSOCIATED PRESS

KAMPALA, Uganda -- Uganda's anti-gay bill will be passed before the end of 2012 despite international criticism of the draft legislation, the speaker of the country's parliament said Monday, insisting it is what most Ugandans want.

Speaker Rebecca Kadaga told The Associated Press that the bill, which originally mandated death for some gay acts, will become law this year.

Ugandans "are demanding it," she said, reiterating a promise she made before a meeting on Friday of anti-gay activists who spoke of "the serious threat" posed by homosexuals to Uganda's children. Some Christian clerics at the meeting in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, asked the speaker to pass the law as "a Christmas gift."

"Speaker, we cannot sit back while such (a) destructive phenomenon is taking place in our nation," the activists said in a petition. "We therefore, as responsible citizens, feel duty-bound to bring this matter to your attention as the leader of Parliament ... so that lawmakers can do something to quickly address the deteriorating situation in our nation."

The anti-gay activists paraded in front of Kadaga, with parents and schoolchildren holding up signs saying homosexuality is "an abomination." The speaker then promised to consider the bill within two weeks, declaring that "the power is in our hands."

"Who are we not to do what they have told us? These people should not be begging us," Kadaga said of activists who want the bill to become law.

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Empower 'U' to hold empowerment conference on World AIDS Day, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012

News release from Empower 'U' Miami:

World AIDS Day 2012

It has been 24 years since the World Health Organization and the United Nations first declared December 1st as World AIDS Day, a day when “people worldwide…unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and…commemorate people who have died” (www.worldaidsday.org). In Miami- Dade County Black/African Americans represent 19% of the population, but in 2011 accounted for 41% of new infections, 47% of people living with HIV, and 52% of new AIDS diagnoses (MDCHD). Considering these alarming statistics, Empower “U” Inc. (EU) stands in solidarity with individuals infected with/affected by HIV/AIDS and raise awareness on the importance of gaining factual knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS and breaking down the stereotypes and prejudices around these issues. EU will commemorate the 24^th Annual World AIDS Day: “Getting to Zero” on Saturday, December 1^st, 2012 by hosting a block party/health fair at our location: 8317 NW 22^nd Avenue from 8 am to 5 pm; the activities will include:

World AIDS Day Walk: The walk is an opportunity for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in our high prevalence communities and around the world.

Get Tested Miami Campaign: This is a collaborative effort between the Miami-Dade County Health Department, HIV counselors, community-based organizations, private and public sector, faith-based organizations, health care providers, and concerned citizens that aims to:

1. Promote routine HIV testing

2. Improve Miami-Dade residents’ understanding of HIV

3. Reduce transmission of HIV

Medical Screenings: EU’s mobile testing units will also provide free and confidential medical screenings for other non-communicable chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol

Seminars, Workshops and Open House: Safer Sex, Relationships, HIV Prevention and Intervention, Health and Wellness

World AIDS Day Dance Competition: Local dance groups will compete for $1,000 in two (2) categories: (1) Individual (2) Group. Individuals and groups will be judged on: general appearance, routine construction, execution, professionalism, and showmanship. A panel of qualified Judges will conduct scoring and decide winners. All participants must include an HIV prevention theme in their dance routine.

HIV/AIDS is preventable and treatable — early HIV diagnosis and treatment helps those who are positive live longer and healthier lives, and also reduces the spread of the disease.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) identifies stigma as a major contributor to the spread of HIV, keeping people from seeking information, speaking openly, using protection, getting tested and treated and otherwise acting to protect themselves and those they love.

Liza Minnelli to play herself on episode of 'Smash'

Liza Minnelli will play herself in a Spring 2013 episode of Smash, NBC announced on Tuesday. Here's the news release:

OSCAR, GOLDEN GLOBE, TONY AND EMMY-WINNING SUPERSTAR LIZA MINNELLI WILL APPEAR AS HERSELF ON NBC’S RETURNING ‘SMASH’

Minnelli Also Will Sing an Original Song with Series Star Christian Borle Written by Celebrated Composer and Lyricists Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman

Entertainment superstar Liza Minnelli – winner of an Oscar, two Golden Globes, a Grammy, an Emmy and multiple Tony Awards – will guest-star as herself in NBC’s musical drama “Smash” in the upcoming season, and will sing an original song with series star Christian Borle that was written by the show’s celebrated composer and lyricists Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

The announcement was made today by Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.

“Liza Minnelli is the essence of a multi-talented, singular show business sensation, particularly for her extraordinary contributions to Broadway,” said Greenblatt.  “So what could be more fitting than to have her legendary talent on a show that celebrates a world Liza has dazzled for decades?  I had the pleasure of working with Liza when we restored her landmark television special ‘Liza With a Z’ at Showtime, and to see her artistry up close and personal is a thing to behold.”

Minnelli’s episode is titled “The Surprise Party” and will air later in Spring 2013.

“Smash” returns to the NBC lineup for a second season on Tuesday, February 5 (9-10 p.m. ET) and will continue in its regular time slot on Tuesday, February 12 (10-11 p.m. ET).  Minnelli joins other notable guest stars that have been announced for the show’s next season, including Jennifer Hudson, Jesse L. Martin and Sean Hayes.

Minnelli is one of the rare entertainers who has earned an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award.  She received an Oscar nomination for her performance in the film “The Sterile Cuckoo,” and soon after won an Oscar as Best Actress for “Cabaret.”  Her other films include “Arthur,” “The Muppets Take Manhattan,” “Lady Luck” and “New York, New York.” In 1972, Minnelli won an Emmy for her bravura performance in the television special “Liza with a ‘Z’: A Concert for Television.”  She appeared in several other television specials, including “Goldie and Liza Together,” “An Evening with Liza Minnelli” and “Liza from London,” among others.  On stage, Minnelli has won four Tonys for her work in “Flora the Red Menace” (becoming the youngest woman ever to win a leading actress award), “The Act” and a special Tony for “Liza at the Winter Garden" Minnelli starred in the show “Liza’s at the Palace…” and won the Tony as Best Special Theatrical Event in 2009.  She also earned a Golden Globe for Best Actress for “Cabaret” and another for her performance in the television movie “A Time to Live.” Minnelli also was presented with a Grammy Legend Award.  She continues to tour around the world, and appeared frequently on the TV series “Arrested Development.”

“Smash” is a musical drama that celebrates the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theater as it follows a cross-section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire – to be a Broadway star. The series stars Emmy Award winner Debra Messing (“Will & Grace”), Oscar winner Anjelica Huston (“Prizzi's Honor”), Jack Davenport (“Pirates of the Caribbean” films), Tony Award winner Christian Borle (“Peter and the Starcatcher”), Katharine McPhee (“American Idol”), Megan Hilty (“9 to 5: The Musical”), Tony Award nominee Jeremy Jordan (“Newsies”), Andy Mientus ("Spring Awakening"), Leslie Odom Jr. ("Leap of Faith") and Krysta Rodriguez ("Spring Awakening").

From Universal Television in association with DreamWorks Television, “Smash” stemmed from an idea of executive producer and multiple Emmy and Oscar winner Steven Spielberg (“ER,” “Schindler's List”). The series’ executive producers also include Joshua Safran (“Gossip Girl”), Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Oscar-winning “Chicago,” “Hairspray”), Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey (“United States of Tara,” “The Borgias”), Tony and Grammy Award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (“Hairspray,” “Catch Me If You Can”), Jim Chory (“Heroes,” “American Dreams”) and Theresa Rebeck.

Gay holiday musical 'It's a Fabulous Life' plays Broward Center from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2

David Sexton's gay It's a Fabulous Life returns this holiday season to Broward Center for the Performing Arts. From the Broward Center's website:

Date: November 28 - December 2, 2012
Time: Show times vary
Tickets: $35.00
Venue: Broward Center

The Christmas classic "It's a Wonderful Life" gets a makeover with David Sexton and Albert Evans's loose and merry musical romp. The lead character, Joe, is having a very rough holiday season, writing and starring in The Lavender Players production of "Randolph The Rainbow Reindeer." Family tensions and backstage backstabbing cause him to wish he had never been born...gay. That's when an angel named Arthur comes and shows him how different things would be if he had been straight.

Originally written as an extended sketch for the South Beach Gay Men's Chorus, "It's a Fabulous Life" offers gorgeous drag diva Daisy Deadpetals, beefcake, camp, plenty of pop culture references and catchy songs. Yet, this is also a life-affirming story with heart that has become a gay Christmas classic. Enjoy the fun as you discover why Talkin' Broadway says "David Sexton's ideas still hit the funny bone."

This show contains mature language and content.

Click here to buy tickets.

Miami Foundation's GLBT Community Projects Fund gives $10,000 grant to Miami Beach Gay Pride

News release from Miami Beach Gay Pride:

MIAMI BEACH, FL ­– November 13, 2012 ­– Miami Beach Gay Pride, Inc. has received a one-year $10,000 grant from The Miami Foundation’s GLBT Community Projects Fund for the fifth annual Miami Beach Gay Pride parade and festival, announced Babak Movahedi, chairman of the Pride board of directors.

“Miami Beach Gay Pride is extremely grateful to The Miami Foundation for investing in our organization and our mission of bringing the entire community together through the Pride parade and festival,” said Movahedi. “This generous grant allows us to continue growing our event and helps us keep it free for the community to attend.”

With this grant, Pride will have the ability to fund media services related to social media marketing, purchase Internet advertising and rent office space at the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce until May 2013. This grant support is also integral to assuring that the Miami Beach Gay Pride parade and festival continues as an event that is free to the public, Movahedi added.

“This project is well aligned with the priorities of The Miami Foundation,” said President and CEO Javier Alberto Soto of The Miami Foundation.  “The charitable resources that donors provide allow us to address emerging needs and invest in programs such as Miami Beach Gay Pride that have proven to be a successful event for the city and for the community.”

About Miami Beach Gay Pride

Coming into its fifth year, Miami Beach Gay Pride has grown into the largest, single-day event of the entire year in Miami Beach.  The hugely successful event in 2012 attracted more than 60,000 people from all walks of life, all parts of the country, all age groups and all orientations.  The mission of Miami Beach Gay Pride is to bring together members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning community, their friends, allies and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBTQ community by producing free, safe, quality mass-appeal events that are open to all, including the Parade, Festival and allied Miami Beach Pride sanctioned events.  For more information on the fifth annual Miami Beach Gay Pride, April 8 - 14, 2013, visit www.miamibeachgaypride.com

About The Miami Foundation

Established in 1967, The Miami Foundation has helped hundreds of people create personal, permanent and powerful legacies by establishing custom, charitable funds. With foundation expertise, fund holders have fostered the arts, awarded scholarships, championed diversity, taught kids to read, provided food and shelter for the hungry and homeless, and more. More than $150 million in grants and scholarships has been awarded in the foundation’s 45-year history. Today, the foundation is steward to nearly $160 million in charitable assets. More information can be found at www.miamifoundation.org

Shining Families GLBT Parenting Group to meet Sunday at Coral Gables Congregational Church

Shining Families GLBT Parenting Group meets 4 p.m. Sunday at a new location: Coral Gables Congregational Church. Here are the details mailed to members:

It is my pleasure to invite you to a gathering of our Parenting Group this Sunday, November 18th, from 4:00 PM to 6:40 PM. We will be meeting at the Early Childhood Center of Coral Gables Congregational Church. It is located right accross the street from the Biltmore Hotel and it has convenient (and free) parking. Here is the address:

3010 De Soto Boulevard
Coral Gables, Florida 33134

As always, please bring a snack to share with friends. We will have a wonderful playground for the children and enough chairs and tables for us adults to catch up and socialize.

I am very much looking forward to see you and your families. We will be distributing the schedule of meetings for the next year and discussing some new things that we want to accomplish.

RSVP to shiningfamilies@gmail.com

Video | Our Fund 2012 'Road to Equality' LGBT panelists introduction

Video from Our Fund's Road to Equality After Election Day on Nov. 12, 2012, at Horvitz Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale.

Our Fund CEO/President Anthony Timiraos introduces moderator Paul Smith, an attorney whose cases included the landmark Lawrence vs. Texas gay-rights case.

Smith introduces panelists Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Leslie J. Gabel-Brett, Lambda Legal's education and public affairs director; Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida; and Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund Institute.

Gallery | Our Fund's 'Road to Equality After Election Day' roundtable featuring national LGBT leaders

Our Fund, the Fort Lauderdale-based philanthropic foundation to benefit the local LGBT community, held its second annual roundtable discussion on Monday, this year titled, Road to Equality After Election Day.

Featured speakers: Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Leslie J. Gabel-Brett, Lambda Legal's education and public affairs director; Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida; and Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund Institute. The discussion was moderated by attorney Paul Smith, whose cases included the landmark Lawrence vs. Texas gay-rights case, which in 2003 threw out Texas' sodomy statute as unconstitutional. Our Fund CEO/President Anthony Timiraos introduced Smith and the panel.

Hundreds filled the Horvitz Auditorium adjacent to the downtown Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale.

"This is a very happy time for the movement," Smith said at the beginning of the discussion. "We just had a truly remarkably historic election. We saw the reelection of the most pro-equality president by leaps and bounds that we have had. We have had the election of the first out lesbian a United States Senator. Witness progress in the House in terms of LGBT candidates and allies. And victories four for four in statewide marriage votes by the people of four different states, the first four we ever won. This war really remarkable. Let's give a round of applause to the American people."

Click here to view more pictures. Photos by STEVE ROTHAUS / Miami Herald Staff.