Steve Rothaus
Click here to ask me a question, which I'll answer online.
Miami Herald staff writer Steve Rothaus covers gay and lesbian issues in South Florida. Steve joined The Herald in 1985, while a journalism major at Florida International University. He came out at work in 1987 and served five years as a board member of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA). He founded the association's Newsroom Outreach Project and traveled the country visiting newspapers, television stations and college campuses to discuss gay news coverage and workplace issues. Steve won the 1998 GLAAD Media Award for outstanding newspaper columnist.
Steve and public relations executive Ric Katz, partners since 1985, live in Miami.
On YouTube:
More than 100 gay-right protesters took to downtown Tampa to criticize the recent airing of an anti-gay, hourlong paid program on NBC affiliate News Channel 8 (run on the same day as the St. Petersburg Gay Pride Parade). The group covered both sides of Kennedy Boulevard in front station owner Media General's downtown News Center on the Hillsborough River.
Diego Del Rio thought he had finally found his Fountain of Youth.
Tucked between advertisements for Gay Days and pictures of scantily clad men, the 28-year-old from Hialeah says he saw an ad that brought him back nine years to the last time he could run his hand through a full head of hair.
The ad, Del Rio says, was for a Fort Lauderdale doctor who claims to perform hair transplant surgeries comprehensive enough to finish the job most times in one shot, rather than two or three.
Already the recipient of one mildly successful hair transplant, Del Rio said he jumped at the chance for a second and hopefully final surgery under the hands of Dr. Brett Bolton.
But two months later, Del Rio is spending the money he saved for a transplant on an attorney and is headed not toward rejuvenation but litigation.
In a lawsuit filed this week, Del Rio says he was refused a hair transplant by Bolton of the Age Defying Surgical Center on the grounds that Del Rio is HIV-positive.
According to the suit, the two men met June 3 and Del Rio, who has been HIV-positive the last eight years, allegedly discussed the procedure with Bolton, underwent a brief scalp examination and told him about his condition.
The complaint states that Bolton told Del Rio he would contact him June 5 with a price.
But Del Rio says June 5 came and there was no call. After a series of calls to the center, he says, a ''staffing medical coordinator'' told him over the phone that the office would not treat him due to a policy concerning patients with a history of HIV or Hepatitis.
Del Rio, who is suing for $15,000 or more in damages, said he has never been ''belittled and disrespected'' like he was by Bolton and his staff.
''He just turned around and said our policy is we do not accept any patients that have HIV or a history of hepatitis,'' Del Rio said. ``I was completely perplexed. Just because I'm an HIV positive individual doesn't make me less of an individual than anyone else.''
Bolton, who according to his website has specialized in hair transplant surgeries since 1997, did not respond to a message left Wednesday at his office. His attorney, Gabriel Imperato, also did not return a message seeking comment.
According to the Florida Health Department, state laws prohibit discriminating against a patient solely on the basis of illness.
Department spokeswoman Eulinda Smith, speaking generally about state regulations, said a doctor can use case-by-case judgment on whether a patient can receive treatment.
However, she said denying someone treatment simply because he is HIV-positive is against state law.
''HIV patients are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act,'' said Smith.
``They can not be denied any service solely on the fact that they are HIV positive.''
Del Rio, according to the complaint, told Bolton he was healthy enough to undergo the procedure without complications.
Del Rio's attorney, Matthew Dietz, said that as a doctor, Bolton is guilty of practicing by old wives' tales that plagued HIV and AIDS patients decades ago.
''This goes back to when I was a teen and people were concerned about being near somebody with AIDS or sharing a cup or seat -- myths that were prevalent in the 1980s,'' he said.
``To have a doctor with a medical profession license in Florida give any credence to that is absolutely outrageous.''
From the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force invites you to join us for Miami’s premier annual celebration
The 13th Annual Miami Recognition Dinner
Saturday, October 17, 2009
6:30 PM - Midnight
Fontainebleau Miami Beach
Honoring
Steve Adkins
2009 Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award
Tickets
General Admission: $175 thru August 14, $200 thereafter
VIP: $300
To sponsor the event, to join the Host Committee or to purchase tickets, please visit www.theTaskForce.org/miami or contact Michael Bath, Special Events Manager, at 305.571.1924 or mbath@theTaskForce.org
News release from NorthStar Asset Management:
FedEx Delivers to the Transgender Community
NorthStar Asset Management, Inc., a portfolio management company in Boston, is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with FedEx Corporation, a provider of transportation and business solutions, for the creation of an official FedEx policy that is inclusive of gender identity.
“We filed a resolution seeking protection against any form of job discrimination based on gender identity, and FedEx responded with a desire to understand and incorporate such a policy,” said Julie Goodridge, CEO of NorthStar Asset Management, Inc.According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, transgender people face disproportionate amounts of discrimination in virtually all areas of life, especially in employment and health care. Congress and the Obama Administration have been slow to act on passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (a proposed bill that would prohibit discrimination against employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity) and because of this; an increasing number of companies – often after being confronted with shareholder resolutions regarding gender identity – are adding appropriate protections. According to the Human Rights Campaign’s State of the Workplace 2008 report, currently 35% of Fortune 500 companies, and over 60% of the top 100 Fortune-ranked businesses, have inclusive employment policies, and have added gender identity to their diversity and sensitivity programs.
“Transgender people suffer the greatest amount of discrimination in the workforce and have little recourse due to the lack of protection under state and federal law,” Goodridge noted. “While it is unfortunate that the Federal government has yet to pass an inclusive Non-Discrimination Act that includes all people, thankfully there are U.S. corporations like FedEx who are determined to protect and value all of their workers…they are leading the way potentially years ahead of Capitol Hill.”
Marisa Richmond, Ph.D., President of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition – located in the state where the corporate headquarters of FedEx resides – said “We are pleased that FedEx is expanding its non-discrimination policy to include gender identity. By recognizing the value and contributions of transgender workers, we believe the company will benefit from those contributions, and that this will allow their current and future employees the opportunity to help the company move forward.”
Forbes Magazine recognized FedEx in March 2009 as one of the most admired companies in the world; NorthStar applauds this most recent step that shows the company’s continuing desire to crea te a safe working environment.
NorthStar Asset Management, Inc. is a wealth management firm based in Boston, specializing in socially responsible investing.
By Andrew Kreighbaum and Darren Meritz / El Paso Times
EL PASO -- Two gay men kissed at a Chico's Tacos restaurant, prompting guards to eject them and a police officer to endorse their ouster.
Civil-rights lawyers say the security staff was out of line. Police, though, contend that a business such as a restaurant can refuse service to anybody, any time.
In all, five men were ordered to leave the restaurant. They say they were forced out by homophobic guards.
"It was a simple kiss on the lips," said Carlos Diaz de Leon, a gay man who was part of the group.
News release from ROCKSTAR Energy Drink:
Las Vegas – ROCKSTAR Energy Drink CEO Russell Weiner announced today that the beverage company will expand its LGBT corporate policies and make $100,000 in donations, shared among several prominent LGBT organizations. The donations represent a significant contribution given ROCKSTAR’s relatively small staff of 120 employees.
The contribution will be shared among the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), and The Trevor Project, and ROCKSTAR Energy Drink will also financially sponsor the National LGBT Bloggers Initiative. The donations and affirmation of LGBT-friendly corporate policies mark steps by ROCKSTAR to demonstrate support for the LGBT community.
“It has recently come to ROCKSTAR’s attention that there might be a misconception about our company’s policy and my personal support for LGBT rights,” said Weiner. “We apologize for that misunderstanding, and want to make clear today that our company fully supports our LGBT employees and our LGBT customers.”
"Some have erroneously associated our company with offensive language directed at LGBT people, specifically statements coming from Michael Savage, who is not and has never been a shareholder or officer of ROCKSTAR Energy Drink. On behalf of our company and directors, including myself and CFO Janet Weiner, I would like to take this opportunity to disavow any offensive statements directed toward LGBT people, including statements from Michael Savage. ROCKSTAR assures our customers and the general public that our brand will never be associated with any language that does not affirm the essential dignity of every person in our diverse national community."
In response to encouragement from bloggers, including social change media site Change.org (www.change.org) and LGBT news site The Bilerico Project (www.bilerico.com), ROCKSTAR Energy Drink is expanding its corporate policies related to LGBT issues. In addition to reaffirming its corporate anti-discrimination and equal opportunity employment policies, which include protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, ROCKSTAR has announced that it has included an LGBT component in their company’s corporate-wide diversity training and will begin to offer company resources for employees who may want to start an LGBT workplace group.
Additionally, ROCKSTAR will continue to offer domestic partnership benefits to LGBT employees, a company policy that has been in place since ROCKSTAR Energy Drink was founded in 2000. Under this policy, LGBT employees in domestic partnerships receive the same benefits coverage as heterosexual married employees, as well as the same protections afforded under the company’s sick leave, bereavement, leave for victims of domestic and sexual violence, and family military leave policies.
“These policies demonstrate that ROCKSTAR is committed to equality in the workplace,” said Weiner. “But while corporate policies are one plank in the struggle for equality, we recognize that supporting the LGBT population requires an even greater effort.”
To this end, Weiner announced that ROCKSTAR has pledged to give $50,000 to The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, a community-based organization which supports and promotes activities directed at furthering the well being, positive image, and human rights of the LGBT community and its allies in Southern Nevada, near ROCKSTAR’s office in Las Vegas.
ROCKSTAR has also committed $25,000 to Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), a leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students, and The Trevor Project, a leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among LGBT youth. Both gifts will be disbursed in 2010.
On top of these donations, ROCKSTAR Energy Drink will contribute $12,500 to sponsor the National LGBT Blogger Initiative, which provides training and support for LGBT bloggers, and pledges to support LGBT-related pride festivals in the future. These contributions are in addition to the $25,000 Weiner recently gave to Project Open Hand, a San Francisco charitable organization that works closely with LGBT communities on HIV/AIDS outreach.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to support the work of these organizations, who are at the forefront of the struggle for LGBT rights in this country,” said Weiner. “We are proud to enhance our corporate policies and contribute to these organizations, and we hope that these actions clear up any misunderstanding or misconceptions about ROCKSTAR’s support of the LGBT population.”
Candice Nichols, the Executive Director of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, said that ROCKSTAR’s contribution to the Center shows its commitment to LGBT rights and will be immensely helpful in serving the needs of the LGBT community in its hometown of Las Vegas and throughout Southern Nevada.
"We are pleased to see ROCKSTAR taking bold steps as a company to ensure the dignity and self-worth of LGBT people, both within their own corporate policies and within the city where they are incorporated," said Nichols. "ROCKSTAR's contribution to the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada will help our organization continue to provide vital services to the LGBT population of this area, including services for LGBT youth. During these tough economic times, we appreciate the significance of ROCKSTAR's contribution and look forward to working with them as a partner down the road to continue to support the needs of Southern Nevada's LGBT population."
Eliza Byard, Executive Director of GLSEN, said that ROCKSTAR’s efforts to expand support for LGBT employees and the local LGBT community are significant steps in the right direction.
“GLSEN is very pleased to have helped reach an agreement that immediately benefits the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, a community center that serves the needs of LGBT people in ROCKSTAR’s own backyard,” said Byard. “ROCKSTAR seems sincere in its efforts to affirm the dignity of its LGBT employees and the greater LGBT community, and in its recognition of the damage language can cause - damage that GLSEN confronts daily in its work in K-12 schools. We look forward to seeing continued evidence of this commitment in the weeks and months ahead, and to accepting their contribution next year so long as they continue upholding the principles they’ve publicly articulated.”
Charles Robbins, Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project, also said that ROCKSTAR is taking the right steps to partner with LGBT organizations.
“The Trevor Project is pleased that ROCKSTAR is moving in the right direction to act as a responsible corporate citizen that truly embraces diversity,” said Robbins. “It is important to recognize that the kind of offensive language which ROCKSTAR has now disassociated itself with can be truly dangerous, especially to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth who remain at a higher risk for suicide. Whenever a company or individual supports our work, we know that it is lifesaving, and we look forward to the impact that ROCKSTAR’s systemic support will have in our community for years to come.”
Michael Rogers, the Founder of the National LGBT Bloggers Initiative, echoed these sentiments. “I'm excited to see that ROCKSTAR Energy Drink is not only committed to positive messages about LGBT Americans, but that they have demonstrated that commitment with generous support of community organizations. I applaud the company's recognition of the unique partnerships that can be built between corporations and online activists and their goal of working for positive social change.”
For its part, Change.org has been working with ROCKSTAR Energy Drink over the past few weeks to make a bold statement on behalf of LGBT rights. Both Change.org’s CEO, Ben Rattray, and Gay Rights blogger Michael Jones, have been leading discussions with ROCKSTAR.
“ROCKSTAR’s show of support for LGBT rights and Russ Weiner’s significant financial contribution demonstrate that the company is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen when it comes to equal rights for its employees and its customers,” said Rattray. “This is a model for other companies to follow who wish to make it unequivocally clear that they support equal rights for all.”
Jones added that discussions between ROCKSTAR and Change.org have shown that the company is solidly behind equal rights.
“The overtures made by ROCKSTAR and Russell Weiner to foster an LGBT-friendly workplace, as well as the generous contribution to leading LGBT organizations indicate a level of engagement with LGBT rights that should be commended,” said Jones. “This is a great example of how bloggers, companies and LGBT organizations can work together to foster equal rights.”
Bil Browning, Editor-In-Chief of the popular LGBT group blog The Bilerico Project (www.bilerico.com), echoed these sentiments. "I'm pleased to see ROCKSTAR is taking steps to ensure all their employees and customers are treated with dignity and respect. ROCKSTAR’s commitment to continuing multi-year support of the LGBT community through both organizational and blogger outreach demonstrates their willingness to move beyond any misunderstandings surrounding their company. Not many companies would be willing to reach out to their main critics and find common ground for a solution that leaves all parties satisfied; ROCKSTAR should be commended for their eagerness to correct any previous problems."
About ROCKSTAR:
ROCKSTAR Energy Drink is a remarkable entrepreneurial success story founded by Russell Weiner in 2000. Then only 30 years old, Mr. Weiner risked $50,000 of his own money secured by a mortgage on his condominium to start the company. Through the hard work and dedication of its employees, and due to the excellence of its product, ROCKSTAR is now one of the top selling global market leaders in energy drinks.
About Change.org:
Change.org is an online hub and media network for social issues and collective action. The San Francisco-based social entrepreneurship venture operates a network of blogs covering more than a dozen major social issues and has partnered with 4,500 leading nonprofit organizations to provide its more than 500,000 members with opportunities for involvement.
From Jack Rutland of Stonewall Library:
The Grand Resort & Spa and Hotspots Magazine will celebrate the Resort's 10th anniversary with AN EVENING OF JAZZ UNDER THE STARS benefiting three outstanding community organizations:
- Stonewall Library & Archives
- Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida
- Tuesdays Angels
The evening will feature the internationally acclaimed artists from The Nicole Henry Soul Band of Miami. Several of the community's finest restaurants will be serving hors d'oeuvre, appetizers and beverages.
Thursday, July 23 6-10PM
The Grand Resort and Spa
539 N Birch Road - Fort Lauderdale Beach
A $20 per person donation will be requested at the door, with 100% going to these outstanding community organizations.
Space is limited, so please respond without delay and avoid missing out on this special Grand Celebration. To receive your personal invitation, which you must have to attend, please click http://grandresort.net/benefit
The mission of Stonewall Library & Archives is to collect, preserve, organize for use and display materials related to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender culture and history; support related research and sponsor cultural and educational programs.
Funding for this organization is provided in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council.
Human Rights Campaign news release:
Human Rights Campaign submits testimony in support of guaranteeing equal compensation for lesbian and gay workers
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization, today thanked the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia for holding the first U.S. House hearing on H.R. 2517, the “Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act” (DPBO). Coordinated by Committee Chairman Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), the hearing highlighted the important need for equal employment benefits for LGBT federal civilian employees.
“This historic hearing is an important step toward guaranteeing equal compensation for lesbian and gay workers serving our government at home and abroad,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, in written testimony submitted in the record. “Equal pay for equal work is a value fundamental to American opportunity. The federal government should be the standard bearer for fair workplace practices, but has lagged behind the top employers for too long. By passing the DPBO, Congress can bring the federal workforce into the 21st century, ensuring that all of its workers are treated fairly and that the best and brightest are attracted to federal service.”
The hearing included testimony from several witnesses, including Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); OPM Director John Berry; Former Ambassador Michael Guest; Carol Wright, VP for Corporate Human Resources at American Airlines; Lee Badgett of the Williams Institute; Candy Holmes, a GAO employee testifying on her own behalf; and Gregory Franklin from the California Public Employees’ Retirement System.
“Building and maintaining a strong workforce begins with treating workers fairly. LGBT federal workers in committed relationships are not offered the same employment benefits as their married coworkers. This is wrong,” said Rep. Baldwin. “It is time for the federal government to follow the lead of many private sector employers who value all their workers and provide employee benefits that cover all families.”
The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act (DPBO) was introduced in the 111th Congress by Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in the Senate and by Representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) in the House. DPBO would provide the same family benefits to lesbian and gay federal civilian employees as are already provided to employees with different-sex spouses. To receive benefits, employees would have to submit an affidavit of eligibility for benefits with the Office of Personnel Management, certifying that the employee and domestic partner meet necessary criteria, as provided in the Act.
DPBO would bring employment practices in the federal government in line with those of America’s largest and most successful corporations. Fifty-seven percent of Fortune 500 companies provide domestic partner benefits to their employees. In addition, 23 states, the District of Columbia, and over 150 local governments make benefits available to public employees and their same-sex partners. A May 2000 poll conducted by the Associated Press found that a majority of Americans favor the extension of health insurance coverage to same-sex partners. In addition, this legislation has been endorsed by the American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Harvard University, National Treasury Employees Union and United Church of Christ.
“It is time for the federal government to be doing what many Fortune 500 companies have been doing and that is provide federal benefits to gay federal civilian employees as we do with different-sex spouses. The federal government should be leading by example in this clear case of equal pay for all. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and send an unequivocal message that the federal government treats all its employees equally,” said Rep. Ros-Lehtinen.
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
Carolyn E. Wright, vice president of Corporate Human Resources for American Airlines, testified Wednesday at a Congressional legislative hearing about the airlines domestic partners policy.
Here’s the complete testimony:
Get ready to see red. Lots of red.
Simply Red was the theme of Saturday night’s eighth annual Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce dinner at the Hilton Downtown Miami hotel.
This year’s honorees:
All photos by STEVE ROTHAUS / Miami Herald Staff
