Florida Agenda

ALEX VAUGHN

Photo: Steve Jobs February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011

In the wake of the passing of Steve Jobs, and the iPhone 4S wave storming the world of gadgets last week, an interesting tribute came across the wire. The concept suggests that there are three apples that changed the world. It is a great theory and a perfect way to honor one man’s ability to change our world.

First up: Adam and Eve. (Not Adam and Steve. Sorry. I am aware it’s a hate speech, but it is still one of the most amusing tirades against the community I have ever heard.)
“And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shall not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;” Genesis 3:17, King James Version. Adam’s apple was the first to change humankind with an act defining ourselves separate to God. “For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” follows verse 19.

Depending on how far you want to take this, the message is extremely apt to the community on many levels. First, you have the idea of having your own mind and desires, and not conforming to the law of the land. Adam went against his maker and against how things were “supposed” to be.

Furthermore, it is an example of giving into temptation, of succumbing to a desire that you shouldn’t. In a community driven often times by desire over consequence, it is highly relevant.

Finally, many would argue the desired effect of having a protruding Adam’s apple. I won’t go into that however!
The 15th century brought us the second influential apple that changed the world and mankind. Sir Isaac Newton sat under a tree and God, the universe, fate, or whatever you believe in decided an apple should fall. Fall it did upon his head immediately allowing Newton to discover the law of gravity.

Sir Isaac Newton’s apple changed the world of science as well as mathematics by stating that “every object in the universe attracts every other object with a force directed along the line of centers for the two objects …”

Well in terms of gravity, it affects everyone no matter your orientation. However, if you think like Newton did, you will see that not only did he concieve the law of gravity but also he encouraged humankind to imagine, to dream and to accept there was much of the word that we don’t understand.

In and out of the community, we have so much “information” that we believe we know everything, that Google will provide us answers to what we don’t know within a second. However in a community that dreams of rights and of equality, there are, fortunately, many who still do feel like Newton. They realize that dreaming big and using our imaginations will change the world.

Finally, of course, there is Apple. More relevantly, there was Steve Jobs. Without question, Jobs’ Apple has changed the worlds’ pace in terms of innovation, computers and consumer electronics.

I personally have not warmed to Apple products on the whole. Though I have had
an iBook, I now have a Windows PC, a Blackberry (which I wouldn’t part with for love nor money) and would probably get a different tablet. I have always seen the Apple world as slightly cult-like with all their Apple care and rules!
When Steve Jobs passed away, a friend of mine messaged me from London to let me know the sad news. Because he has Apple products, he believed there was no other way I could know. I responded by saying, “Yes, it was sad to lose an innovator.”

He replied, “Well probably not for you as you aren’t an Apple lover.”

My response was quick and true. “I may not love the products, but I still have an iPod.” It was at this point I realized that though I didn’t subscribe to the whole Apple world, I couldn’t escape it. I have had an iPod for years and I need it. I hardly listen to CD’s and, since I travel so much, I have all the music I want in a tiny little box.

The gay community is often early adopters of technology and have embraced all Apple products. In my office alone, we have Apple Macs, iPhones a plenty and a couple of iPads.

The iPhone in particular with apps such as Gr

indr have helped to revolutionize the gay community in terms of technology and social networking.

In our publications, which are dedicated to the gay community, we have embraced QR codes, apps and multiple other forms of technology that have to be compatible with iPhones above Blackberry’s. This alone shows how Steve Jobs’ Apple has changed the community, if not the entire world.

In previous editorials, I have said communication through text, email, phone, messaging has come at the price of face-to-face communication. I still believe that, but it is one hell of a tribute that many of those communications are carried out on one man’s vision. If you think about it, the chances are you have at least one iProduct in your household.

It begs the question: a rebel, a visionary and an innovator have used an apple to change the path of humanity. What’s your Apple?

Alex Vaughn is the Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Agenda. He can be reached at editor@FloridaAgenda.com

By Alex Vaughn

Earlier this year, the Rainbow Alliance membership unanimously voted to establish the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC) as a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting business and economic opportunities for the LGBT and LGBT-friendly community in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area.

The new Chamber is an affiliate of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Chamber members will now have access to many more benefits, compared to the Rainbow Alliance. Keith Blackburn is the Founder and President of the GFLGLCC. The Agenda sat down with him to understand more about the changes and the benefits for the LGBT Business Community at large.

What prompted the development of the Chamber?

Although it may seem like we came out of nowhere, it actually evolved over the past four or five years. The Rainbow Alliance, which was set up as a hospitality organization, had been around for 15 years in total. It really couldn’t expand under its Bylaws and structure. I brought the idea of affiliation to the NGLCC at that time, but the organization wasn’t ready to undertake the change. The Rainbow Alliance focus was tourism and nearly all of the members were hotels, guesthouses, etc.

With the economic situation of the past few years, many of our accommodation properties were sold. By the time I became chair last year, it was fairly clear that we needed to either expand, or close down. I contacted the NGLCC to discuss a possible affiliation. Without them, I don’t think it would have been viable for us to become a Chamber. On April 26th, the Rainbow Alliance membership unanimously voted to begin the GFLGLCC and to close the Rainbow Alliance.

What are your aims for the future?

I see a great future for the GFLGLCC because we have so much to offer our members and the community. As membership grows, I would like to see some counsels added, to serve the specific needs of our member businesses. As an example, I would love to have a “Tourism Council” which would pretty much be an advocate and promotions vehicle for LGBT tourism, while under the umbrella of the GFLGLCC. Our website SouthFloridaFun.com, is still up. It was the website for the Rainbow Alliance. We could easily make some modifications and use it to focus on the LGBT tourist market – linked from the Chamber website, GoGayFortLauderdale.com.

Where do you most see the necessity for the GFLGLCC?

Because of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce affiliation, we offer a unique set of benefits to our members and the community. We are the only LGBT focused chamber of commerce in Greater Fort Lauderdale and Broward County. Because of the relationships we have developed with the NGLCC and other affiliate chambers, our reach goes much further than it would without the affiliation.

How do you feel the community has changed in terms of tourism?

Since tourism is the number one revenue source in Greater Fort Lauderdale, we all know the impact on all of our businesses. Fort Lauderdale has been pretty consistently ranked as a top LGBT tourist destination. Back when LGBT tourism began to flourish in Fort Lauderdale, the focus was on the beaches. Although that’s always going to be a draw, we are now known internationally as a truly diverse destination with cultural offerings as well. Wilton Manors is also known internationally and is a huge draw with its nightlife, dining and shopping. Speaking of culture, we are proud to be sponsoring the 3rd Annual Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, presented by HBO. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau is also sponsoring the event and has plans to promote next year’s festival at the Toronto Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, as well as other events. The goal is to make our annual film festival another reason for LGBT tourists to come here. We are also working with Manors Masquerade, Stonewall Pride and Pride South Florida. All of these events attract tourists. Greater Fort Lauderdale is very fortunate to have something for everyone, so this makes our community very unique and welcoming to all.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the GFLGLCC?

The part that I enjoy the most has been implementing all of the features and benefits for members. I also enjoy working with our Affiliate Chambers and Community Partners, as well as promoting beneficial events for the community.

What are the benefits to membership of GFLGLCC?

Becoming a member of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce isn’t just about the financial support your membership provides. It’s about the relationship. Becoming a member of the GFLGLCC brings you side-by-side with us as we continually make outreach and partner with local business organizations wishing to promote the LGBT business community. We will also promote Greater Fort Lauderdale to national organizations wishing to increase their opportunities and reach within our LGBT business community. Just a few of the benefits include,LGBT Corporate Events and National Exposure, Business Community Partners, Networking and Online exposure. The full list of benefits is available on our website.

Having joined with the NGLCC, what changes will be enacted?

As an affiliate member of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce members receive full membership and benefits. We are now connected with other affiliate members and chambers.  This allows our members to promote our businesses, tourism, etc. to a much larger audience. As an organization, it gives us the opportunity to promote community events to all of our affiliates as well.  Using the upcoming Film Festival as an example, we are promoting this, beyond our borders, which will benefit tourism and related businesses in Greater Fort Lauderdale.

What advantages are there to being teamed with the NGLCC?

Through the NGLCC, we will be informed of legislation that may affect our business. Being an affiliate member of the NGLCC, we have representation on issues important to LGBT business before Congress and Executive Branch agencies.

Just last week, acting U.S. Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank hosted a conference call with NGLCC, our suppliers, affiliate leaders, and members to outline items in the American Jobs Act and what those items would mean for small businesses.

I think one of the biggest offerings from the NGLCC is called Supplier Diversity Initiative (SDI). The NGLCC SDI offers certification to LGBTBEs, as well as a host of opportunities to enhance each business’ visibility to corporations seeking to do business with LGBT suppliers. Corporations can search for certified LGBTBEs through our exclusive LGBT supplier database, as well as meet face-to-face with potential suppliers at NGLCC SDI matchmaking events, which are held across the country throughout the year. Certified LGBTBEs may also be eligible for scholarship programs, mentorship and leadership training, and other business development tools to help your business grow. Certification is an important marketing tool that can serve as a critical point of differentiation between your business and your competitors.

What are the advantages of working within the community?

The community here is always evolving and there is so much diversity all around us. Because of this, we have a wealth of businesses, both LGBT owned and LGBT friendly. We also have a lot of different organizations. Many have similar or common goals and I really want to work with those who are compatible. I also believe in giving back to the community, so it is important for us to support those organizations. On a personal level, I enjoy meeting different people and trying to understand their business goals and needs.

For more information and a full list of member benefits  please visit the GFLGLCC at www.GoGayFortLauderdale.com

ALEX VAUGHN

In today’s world, anyone can be a celebrity. It seems, you really don’t have to even achieve anything to become one. Thanks to reality TV, you simply have to go on a dating show, or perhaps venture into a jungle somewhere far away, or, better yet, stay in a house with complete strangers and if you are odious, good looking or stupid enough, you will grace the cover of US Weekly or the Enquirer.

Celebrity culture is prevalent in our society, particularly as a result of this television phenomenon. They sell us everything from water to fiber supplements, oftentimes stuff we really don’t need. However above the vapid existence of some reality socialites, there are celebrities who are using their fame and popularity in fantastic ways for the gay community.

Being gay or a gay-friendly celebrity in 2011 is extremely fashionable. Now, it seems, is the time. We have gay celebrities and their partners kissing on the red carpet. We can read about celebrity weddings, adoptions and much more. In a way, they have become poster children for the “normality” of gay lifestyles. Superstar Elton John and film producer David Furnish married and now have a child. They live a lovely jet-set lifestyle without bullying. Certainly, there’s the odd snarky remark, but on the whole … perfect.

Then there are actors John Barrowman and his civil partner, Scott Gill; actor Neil Patrick Harris and his husband, chef David Bertka and their twins, Gideon and Harper; Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, among others. Without counting any of their actual contributions to charities, or to political initiatives, their simple presence “out” is bringing gay life to the A-list forefront of our celebrity-obsessed culture.

I have often said Middle America is where the decisions are made – not in Miami, NYC or other major cities on the peripheral. As these people see more and more of the celebrities they watch on “Glee,” or daytime talk shows, they will cut them more slack than they might otherwise afford the gay guy in the small town.

More than just swanning around being “gay housewives” or over-stereotyped gays who sell products and unrealistic lifestyle ambitions, the instant reality show celeb also occasionally makes a positive impact as well.

Carson Kressley comes to mind. Not only has he kept his staying power (despite being the most “outrageous” of the bunch of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” crew), he is now headlining his own national TV show, “Carson Nation” and is topping the rating charts on “Dancing with Stars”– right beisde Chaz Bono, who is also flying the flag for the LGBT community.

Without excuse or muting their instinctive behaviour, this pair shows that gays really can do anything they want. If the bigotry and hate that is putting a stop to legalizing marriage was actually as far reaching as the news would have us believe, then the voting majority would never have allowed a gay man and a post-op transsexual to be on a nationally televised reality TV show.

Reality TV is part of our lives, and many people around the world will change their social schedules to stay in and watch a show.

Thanks to Carson and Chaz, they are being taught that there is no need to fight, bully or judge. These are just normal celebrities, competing on a show watched by “everyone.”

Add to the mix those celebrities who aren’t gay but who weigh in with their support of the “gay cause.” Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie who wont marry until  marriage is allowed for everyone, for example. The late Liz Taylor, Madonna, Cher, Bette Midler, Sharon Stone, Donatella Versace, Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway and many, many more ensure their support of gay causes is loud and clear.  Some have questioned why? Is it because they genuinely do care? Is it because it is a popular cause? Or could it just be the power of the gay community?

Does it actually matter? Probably not. It’s worth understanding that the people listed above all have a strong gay following. They have been kept in their careers in no small part because of the support of this community. Many have clearly acknowledged this – and often. So too, comedienne Kathy Griffin who openly courts gay men and women as her fans. She is extremely vocal for “her gays” including threatening Sarah Palin’s daughter for using the “F” word on her Facebook.

Lady Gaga has taken support of the gay community to an entirely different level. To call it the stratosphere would be an understatement. Ironically, her support has been knocked more often than not by the community itself. While I was reading news reports thinking about this editorial, I stumbled across a list of celebrities who support gay causes. It was compiled by the “viewers” of the website. One guy said in response to the question: “FFS. Don’t say Lady Gaga. WE ALL KNOW!”

Wow – and yet I have felt the same way he did – particularly around the time that “Born this Way” came out. I mean honestly, “We know, we know.” And all this before the backlash when she was dubbed the “Gay Icon,” replacing Madonna in the role.

If you take a step back, however, Lady Gaga realized early on that it wasn’t straight middle America who made her. They didn’t appreciate how “different” she is. She isn’t attractive; boys don’t fancy her; and she’s no Taylor Swift, though she has a great voice. It’s her individuality that struck the chord with the community.

Not content with posturing on gay rights, or making a mint on sales of her “Gay Anthem.” Rather, she has used her voice, loudly and wisely. In fact, just last week, fresh from paying tribute to 14-year-old Jamie Rodemeyer. He was the fan who said goodbye to her on his Facebook page before he tragically took his own life, the victim  of bullying. She even addressed the issue directly with the President of the United States.

Like it or not, this is what a celebrity should be doing. While selling the gay lifestyle is nice and entertaining, it won’t help a 14 year old on the receiving end of taunts, it just may help turn the tables on bullies who will be made to look like the bigots they are.

We encourage more celebrities to lend their voices to the growing outcry over the immediate need for gay rights and a stop to tolerance for any bullying in schools and the workplace. The need is great and the groundswell long overdue!

We may not all be famous, but we all have a voice to join the outcry. Like celebrities, we need to speak out against bullying, for the protection of our rights, and for anything for which you feel passion. We can no longer be content to coast through a vacuous existence of bars and sex and assume someone else will do the work for us.

If we can make a celebrity, why can’t we make a change?

Alex Vaughn is the Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Agenda. He can be reached at editor@FloridaAgenda.com

By Alex Vaughn

After his parents, Pauline Moreno and Debra Lobel, adopted Thomas at age 2, they observed that he was aloof.

Regardless of the fact he was physically male, Thomas has always maintained that he is a girl. At 3-years-old Thomas had learned sign language because he had verbal apraxia, a speech impediment that hindered his ability to talk. The toddler pointed to himself and signed, “I am a girl.”

“Oh look, he’s confused,” his parents said. Maybe he mixed up the signs for boy and girl.

So they signed back. “No, no. Thomas is a boy.”

But the toddler shook his head. “I am a girl,” he signed back emphatically. When teased at school about being quiet and liking dolls,

Thomas would repeat his simple response, “I am a girl.”

Thomas, now 11, goes by the name of Tammy, wears dresses to school and lives as a girl.
Transgender children experience a  disconnect between their sex, which is anatomy, and their gender, which includes behaviors, roles and activities. In Thomas’ case, he has a male body, but he prefers female things likes skirts and dolls, rather than pants and trucks.

“It’s important to acknowledge the signs of gender dysphoria, especially for children,” said Eli Coleman, who chaired a committee to update treatment guidelines for the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, an international medical group meeting this week in Atlanta, Georgia. “By not addressing it, it could be really more damaging for the child than not.

“It’s a very difficult area and there are a lot of children who have gender nonconformity. They will simply grow out of that. Many of them later on identify as gay or lesbian, rather than transgender.”

The American Psychological Assoc-iation warns that, “It is not helpful to force the child to act in a more gender-conforming way.”

When they’re forced to conform, some children spiral into depression, behavioral problems and even suicidal thoughts.

“He seemed so depressed and unhappy all the time,” Lobel said. “He didn’t enjoy playing. He sat there all the time, not interacting with anybody. He seemed really lonely.”

“His personality changed from a very sad kid who sat still … to a very happy little girl who was thrilled to be alive,” says Moreno.

After seeing therapists and psychiatrists, the mental health specialists confirmed what Thomas had been saying all along. At age 7, he had gender identity disorder.

The diagnosis was hard for Moreno and Lobel to accept. They have been accused of terrible parenting by friends, family and others, that “we’re pushing her to do this. I’m a lesbian. My partner is a lesbian. That suddenly falls into the fold: ‘Oh, you want her to be part of the lifestyle you guys live,’” Moreno said.

Moreno and Lobel allowed their child to pick his own clothes at age 8. Thomas chose girl’s clothing and also picked four bras. Then, Thomas wanted to change his name to Tammy and use a female pronoun. This is called social transitioning and can include new hairstyles, wardrobe. Aside from mental health therapy, this stage involves no medical interventions.

Every step of the way, her parents told Tammy, “If at any time you want to go back to your boy’s clothes, you can go back to Thomas. It’s OK.” Tammy has declined every time.

This summer, Tammy began the next phase of transition, taking hormone-blocking drugs. The hormone blockers are also reversible, because once a child stops taking the drugs, the natural puberty begins, said Dr. Stephen Rosenthal, pediatric endocrinologist at UC San Francisco.

But if the child wants to transition to the other gender, he or she can take testosterone or estrogen hormone treatment to go through the puberty of the opposite gender.

This transgender hormone therapy for children is relatively new in the United States after a gender clinic opened in Boston in 2007.

Programs for transgender children exist in cities including Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco. The kids are treated by pediatric endocrinologists after long evaluations by mental health professionals.

Dr. Kenneth Zucker, head of the Gender Identity Service in the Child, Youth, and Family Program and professor at the University of Toronto, conducted a study following 109 boys who had gender identity disorder between the ages of 3 and 12. Researchers followed up at the mean age of 20 and found 12% of these boys continued to want to change genders.

“The vast majority of children lose their desire to be of the other gender later,” he said. “So what that means is that one should be very cautious in assuming say that a 6-year-old who has strong desire to be of the other gender will feel that way 10 years later.”

All of this leads to unsettling answers for families trying to understand their children. No one knows whether a child’s gender dysphoria will continue forever or if it is temporary.

The Conservative Marketeer Changes Name and Fights Back

By Alex Vaughn

A small group of gay rights activists have put many of the country’s largest retailers on notice over their indirect and, until recently, unnoticed roles in funneling money to Christian groups that are vocal in opposing homosexuality.

As reported in the Florida Agenda earlier this year, more than 600 companies were listed at www.cvn.org, the Christian Value Network’s domain that hosts links to various corporate online stores. Among the groups using the Christian Values Network to raise money were Focus on the Family, Family Research Council, Summit Ministries, Abiding Truth Ministries and the Liberty Counsel.

Each organization has been identified as an anti-gay “hate group,” according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Dozens of major companies like Netflix, Target, Best Buy, REI, Delta Air Lines, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, Walmart and even Sesame Street participated in CVN’s service. When customers made purchases through CVN, a donation was made to the charity of the customer’s choice.

In recent months, thanks to a remarkably successful online boycott campaign including change.org, major companies, such as Microsoft and Apple, rushed to disassociate themselves from CVN. Since then, CVN has changed their name to Charity Giveback Group or CGBG.

Once again, advocates are demanding that the retailers end their association with the Internet marketeer that gets a commission from the retailers for each online customer it gives them. It is a routine arrangement on hundreds of e-commerce sites, but again, a share of the commission that retailers pay is donated to a Christian charity of the buyer’s choice. They are asked to select from a list that includes prominent conservative evangelical groups.

Now, the marketeer, CGBG and the Christian groups are fighting back, saying that the hundred or so companies that have dropped the marketeer were misled and that the charities are being slandered for their religious beliefs.

The national battle was ignited in July by Stuart Wilber, a 73-year-old gay man in Seattle. He was astonished, he said, when he learned that people who bought Microsoft products through a Christian-oriented Internet marketer could channel a donation to evangelical organizations that call homosexual behavior a threat to the moral and social fabric of the nation.

“I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding, Microsoft?’” Wilber notied that the software giant — like many other corporations accessible through the commerce site, including Apple and Netflix — was known as friendly to gay causes.

In July, Mr. Wilber went to a web site that helps groups and individuals circulate petitions, called Change.org, and started one, asking Microsoft to end its association with what he called “hate groups.” By that night, 520 people had signed, with their ire copied to Microsoft officials — and Microsoft quietly dropped out of the donation plan. Much to Mr. Wilber’s surprise, this would be the start of an electronic conflict that has put hundreds of well-known companies in an unwelcome glare.

Caught in the middle between angry gay-rights advocates and bloggers wielding the strength of the gay community’s purchasing power on one side and the conservative Christian groups that say they are being attacked for their legitimate biblical views of sex and marriage on the other side are the retailers.

Companies, including such giants as Macy’s, Expedia and Delta Air Lines, have the dual aims of avoiding politics but not offending any consumers. They are now being pressured to make a choice that may involve little money either way, but that could offend large blocks of consumers.

“This is economic terrorism,” said former Arkansas Governor and presidential candidate and pastor Mike Huckabee who is a paid CGBG consultant. “To try to destroy a business because you don’t like some of the customers is, to me, unbelievably un-American,” he said in an interview.

As word of Mr. Wilber’s victory spread virally, Ben Crowther, a college student in Bellingham, Washington, started a similar Internet appeal to Apple, which soon succeeded after drawing 22,700 signers.

AllOut.org, a gay-rights group in New York with hundreds of thousands of e-mail-ready members, focused on the travel industry, helped to push Avis, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Expedia and many other hotels and travel agencies to disassociate themselves from CGBG.

Close to 100 companies have left the charity arrangement, though most refuse to discuss the matter. These have become the objects, in turn, of a counter-campaign from the Christian groups — “Please Don’t Discriminate Against My Faith” is the heading of a sample letter — and of high-level entreaties from Mr. Huckabee and other Christian leaders.

A few companies that briefly left the network have been persuaded to rejoin, including Delta, PetSmart, Sam’s Club, Target and Wal-Mart.

Beyond condemning the advocates’ efforts as an infringement on consumer freedom, Mr. Huckabee said it was offensive to apply the “hate group” label to organizations that are legal, peaceful and promote biblical values.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled the Family Research Council a hate group for “regularly pumping out known falsehoods that demonize the gay community,” said Mark Potok, a project director at the law center — and not, he said, because the council calls homosexuality a sin or opposes gay marriage. The falsehoods, he said, include the discredited claim that gay men are especially prone to pedophilia.

The Family Research Council has accused the law center of “slanderous attacks.”

Advocates insist that their push is not anti-Christian. “It has nothing to do with biblical positions,” said Mr. Steele, the blogger.

“It has to do with the fact that these groups spread lies and misinformation about millions of Americans.”

The discomfort of retailers has been evident in their varied responses. Expedia, in an e-mail to AllOut.org in August, confirmed that it had withdrawn from the network. “Expedia values diversity in its employee base and customer base and does not support discrimination of any kind based on sexual orientation,” the message said.

Barneys New York said it had left CGBG because of the site’s support for groups that promote discrimination.

But Microsoft, though it led the way with its swift response, has never said a public word about it, nor has Apple been willing to do more than confirm that it no longer is associated with CGBG.

This summer, Macy’s told Change.org that it had left the network because “Macy’s serves a diverse society” and is “deeply committed to a philosophy of inclusion.”

In a statement explaining why it had returned to the network, Wal-Mart and its sister company Sam’s Club said their marketing affiliates included “more than 43,000 diverse organizations” that “serve a wide range of interests with diverse viewpoints.”

Delta changed course “because of the letters we received from several faith-based leaders,” including Mr. Huckabee, said Chris Kelly Singley, manager of corporate communications. “This was important to them, and we were willing to reconsider,” she said, adding that Delta had a history of supporting gay and lesbian causes.

“We don’t want to engage in a political debate,” Ms. Singley said. “And we just thought we were flying airplanes.”

By Alex Vaughn

Macaviti may not be someone you know just yet, but he is definitely someone you won’t forget. Bursting with creativity and avant-garde style, it’s not hard to see how he has managed to stay current and at the top of his game predominantly in Orlando and the Bay Area. Often referred to as a super Diva for his striking costumes and incredible performance attitude, Macaviti has managed to evolve from a drag performer to a recording artist. The Florida Agenda sat down with him to get to know the powerhouse a little better.

How long have you been performing in Florida?
Well if feels like a lifetime. However, I have been an entertainer for about 12 years now with many more to come. So all those wishing I would fade in the background … suffer … I have legendary perseverance and not planning on going anywhere but to the top.

When did you start performing?
Well my mom says I came out the womb with jazz hands; however, I started performing in Orlando in 2000. At first, I was just a club kid personality and would make outrageous outfits to wear out. I was always intrigued by the club kids in New York and remember seeing how extravagant and creative they were on the Geraldo and Joan Rivers shows. I always knew I wanted to be in the spotlight, but never thought about being a drag performer. Even to this day, I still don’t consider myself a drag queen. I just enjoy allowing my creative inspirations to craft my image. After going to a few parties, friends would ask me to get on coffee tables and perform. Before I knew it, I was gracing stages everywhere.

What do you enjoy most about performing?
The ability to create and influence people through my performances and music is a feeling that is unparalleled to anything else. If I can inspire one person to think as an individual and not like a herd of sheep, then my goals are definitely being accomplished.
I never set out to be an entertainer because I wanted to be popular or to fill some void I have socially. I perform because it is not only therapeutic for me. I do it because I simply have to, just as I have to eat and breathe.

Your costumes are mind blowing, what inspires you?
I‘ve always been a visionary. Even as a child, while my mom was sewing and cutting out patterns, I would take the scraps of fabrics and make my own outfits and perform for her. I just always  had a love for fashion especially high fashion. I often find beauty in the unusual or unconventional, and, like any other artist, my mind sees shapes and forms most other don’t see.

Have you ever wanted to try for a show like “American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent”?
Maybe not “American Idol” as I would be a ball of nerves amongst all the extraordinary singers. But best believe, if I had a voice like Whitney or Mariah, I’d be dangerous.

Many of my friends pressure me to audition for RuPaul’s Drag Race and to appease them, I have auditioned a few times already. It would be great to be featured on the show, but I’m not waiting for some casting agent to shine their light on me. I’m definitely on a path to take control of my own destiny.

How have all the positive reviews of “It’s Hot” helped in pushing your career further?
Well originally, I don’t think people were expecting me to transition to a recording artist. Most drag entertainers don’t seem to think progressively; to further themselves outside the comfort of the gay community. The focus is usually a pageant title or crown, and I was never content with putting myself on display for someone to make me feel admirable of a crown.

So when the opportunity arose for  me to record with my producer DJ Nineteen69, I took it and ran with it–not having a clue where it would take me.

Since the release of “It’s Hot,” I have received quite a bit of positive feedback from not only friends and well wishers, but other DJs, producers and artists. A few even are interested in collaborating with me on projects, so of course I’m ecstatic about that.

When I wrote “It’s Hot,” I never thought I could write a song. But because Nineteen69 kept encouraging me to tap deeper into my creativity, now I can’t stop writing.

Even though I think its going to take a while before people completely view me as a recording artist, this is just a very small step of great things to come.

Where would you really like to go in the future?
Right now the options are endless. It is just a matter of me pumping the gas and going full speed ahead. I am in the process of working on putting together a full-length CD and gathering producers willing to work with an independent artist.
In addition I could definitely see my self having my own talk show or taking my music on tour with a Cirque Du Soilel-style show.

Are there any disadvantages to working within the community?
As an entertainer, you make a lot of sacrifices. One of the biggest sacrifices is having meaningful relationships. I was one of the lucky ones who was able to maintain a relationship with my husband for seven years, although that did not come without a price.

Sometimes  you often feel torn between your personal life and your professional life.

That also goes for friendships as well.  Many times people befriend you because they want to get a piece of you or the “glamour” surrounding you, which makes it hard to figure people’s sincerity. I think sometimes with all flashing lights, there is a lot of smoke and mirrors which makes it had for both sides to see reality.

However I do pride myself on being honest with myself and I think if you’re honest with yourself that will help you maintain a sense of veracity.

When you look back over your career here, what’s the highlight?
I think the last few years combined have been a highlight from performing for thousands  at the Cherry Ball in Washington D.C. and
at Atlanta Pride.  However, I recently performed my track “It’s Hot” live at The Manor  in Fort Lauderdale. Knowing that the promoter Gary Santis has a reputation of only working with premiere entertainers, It was a complete honor to receive that opportunity from him. I’m not even sure if he remembers, but he gave me my very first headlining gig back in Orlando. So of course upon arriving at the club and seeing giant posters and ads of myself everywhere, I was like WOW! For the first time I think I TRULY felt like a star.

Now, what’s the biggest cringe moment?
LOL. The biggest cringe moment would probably be performing my track live for the first time at Revolution in Orlando on my birthday.

As I said before, this is a new step for me. For the first time that I can remember, I was extremely nervous thinking about how people would received me standing there with a microphone. Since then, I think I have more comfort with performing my own music rather than lip syncing someone else’s words. I find a huge sense of accomplishment knowing I now have the power to influence through my own music.

What effect has social networking had on your popularity and how do you think your show helps the community?
The era of social networking has had the most effect on my career. Through Myspace, I have often met promoters or club managers, and have negotiated gigs via the computer. Social networking sites have allowed me to reach an audience I might not have had the chance to and like every other opportunity in my life, I have used it to my advantage.

I think the community as a whole has already embraced cyber world for better or worse. I think it has definitely made people and places accessible that weren’t before. Many business and people have blossomed due to social networking. However, on the flip side, I think popularity of social networking had inhibited not just our community, but people in general, from physically interacting with one another. For social butterfly like me, going out to restaurants or clubs can be frustrating as I think as a society we are forgetting how to interact without a keyboard or phone in front of us.

So what’s next for Macaviti?
Of course, it’s in my nature to always keep everyone guessing. But in the midst of travelling all over performing for the masses, I do have new tracks coming out titled “All I Need” in November and “Pop That” in the spring … so stay tuned.

In the meantime, feel free to check  me out on my fan page at www.facebook.com/Macaviti and make sure you check out my new track “It’s Hot” on iTunes.

Alex Vaughn

Whenever anyone moves to a new place, there is a period of settling in, learning the law of the land, understanding how people conduct themselves. It doesn’t take long to see major differences between one place and another. Some positive; some not.

I recently moved from London to South Florida. Here, you smile at people on the street, you say good morning to fellow runners you pass, you engage in chit-chat in the elevator, you tip more than 10% and so on. Quality of life in terms of material possessions is not only celebrated but also encouraged. These all serve to put the USA and South Florida ahead in my view.

Yet here, in the land of the free, home of the brave, and a former AAA credit rating, the one thing that sticks out as flawed and as glaringly different from Europe is gay rights in relation to the government.

A few weeks ago, our cover story was about America weighing in on gay policies of a foreign country, throwing its weight around per se. As recently as two weeks ago, America announced it would be “forcibly campaigning” for gay rights in Africa. These both sound positive, and they are. But I would love to know how the U.S. government can get involved abroad whilst rights in America’s own backyard are somewhat of a joke.

In Europe, the hot button issues affecting the LGBT community (i.e., marriage, adoption and healthcare) have all been taken care of long ago. By taken care of I mean acknowledged and major steps have been taken. For instance, the UK is now considering calling “civil partnerships” (which have been in place since Dec. 2005) “marriage.” Ludicrous that it has already been working for six years at a government level, whereas here the best we have is a handful of states that allow something — be it marriage, civil partnerships, domestic partnerships. Seriously, as a leading free country of the western world, why is America so far behind?

The illogical government policies are a major factor. I have recently been informed that gay laws like any laws passed during one president’s term can be overturned by the next. Or state laws overturned by the next governor. Am I the  only person who finds that absurd? Furthermore, why is gay marriage taking so long to hit a federal law? Repeatedly, polls have indicated that a majority of voters are in favor of marriage rights for all. Please – someone take it, sign it and move on.

In a democracy, the majority leads. Why are we still talking about it? Move on to policies that genuinely have the country in turmoil – war, terrorism, and the economy. America was once a leading economic power. It has been downgraded. That’s right. The country built on the American dream, the land of opportunity, has been downgraded.

When you look at the big picture, you can’t help but be bemused by the way the government works. Laws are written with so many loopholes and smoke and mirrors to ensure their passage that they ultimately become limited, blocked, or in some way not 100%. For example, though DADT has been repealed finally, there have not been steps to implement equal benefits  for same-sex spouses of those serving.

No healthcare, nor death benefits. Furthermore, what is going to happen to those who now come out, serving openly and proudly. What happens to them if certain Republicans win the national election with a stated mandate to repeal the repeal of DADT?

On paper, Wilton Manors, Key West, Miami, Tampa and other cities in Florida seem like the perfect places for gay people to move. And in many ways, they are. However, we still live under the control of the U.S. government, which means, equal rights don’t exist quite yet. You can hold hands in the street, but you can’t get married. You can go to a bar openly and kiss, but you can’t receive the same health benefits from your partner that a husband and wife can expect. The list goes on.

From an outsider’s point of view, it seems like gay issues are great for the tug of war on a presidency. They seem to offer the right balance of glamour and disgust in equal measure. You have people in government like Sally Kern and her hate speech warning of how gays are worse than terrorism. I mean really? How does someone in a position of power say these things? A free country it may be, but I can’t imagine anyone getting away with that kind of bile in Europe. On the other hand, you have the gloss of support from Anne Hathaway and Brad Pitt. The gay issues in government are like a really poor production of a comedy of errors. The stars are there, but the storyline is dire.

It is 2011 and America is stuck some 20 years ago. People in power STILL place the blame of HIV at the doors of the gays. Wake up! Activists aren’t fighting for unique or unusual laws to protect gay people. They are basic.

How can a country run when no one really understands how the government works? It is supposed to be for the people. Yet, youoften hear about closed-door meetings to decide the rights of, let’s face it, a powerful part of American society.

As the country embraces gay people, when will the government catch up? Neil Patrick Harris, Jane Lynch, Ellen DeGeneres, Mary Cheney, Chaz Bono are people making changes, moving forward, being who they are. And I join the applause for them. Yet, in a place where there are more gay people in the public eye than anywhere else in the world, how can a government still play silly buggers with people’s rights. STILL be arguing over laws that, if passed, would undoubtedly bolster the U.S. in terms of respect from a global perspective and economic growth.

Do they not realize the bottom line? Marriage for gays will have a tremendous effect on the economy; and not just from a domestic dollar standpoint either. How have they not caught onto the fact that courting the pink pound, euro or yen is a great theory and, for many, San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale, NYC, and D.C. are great tourist draws because of it. Think how much further that foreign currency would go if rights were afforded to all of America’s LGBT community.

Ask yourself, would you visit a country with anti-gay laws? No of course not. It’s wrong, unfair and immoral. Well, amusingly, the former AAA country of America is one of them and, scarily, this upcoming presidential election could enlist a host of new anti-gay laws. That alone is a reason to consider your vote. What is the difference between

the anti-gay laws at home vs. those America wants to fight abroad? Not a lot when they both entail imprisonment for being who you are.

Alex Vaughn is the Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Agenda. He can be reached at editor@FloridaAgenda.com

Alex Vaughn

Joseph Esposito bought Café Seville thirteen years ago from its original owners. He had originally come to South Florida to join family and to pursue his career path as a chef restaurateur. “I found out Café Seville was for sale, and I bought it. I loved the restaurant since I first discovered it.”

It’s easy to see why. Café Seville is authentic, and that it is exactly what has kept people coming back for years. It did, however, take some time. “The restaurant was not what it is today. It took about four years to turn it around. We weathered the storm; I’m not sure how, but we did and we did it as a family,” Joe says proudly.

Family is a key word in the success of Café Seville. Joe is clear that “people need to feel like they have come into my home.

I want them to feel like family. It’s worked. I have customers who I don’t see for a few weeks and when they come in, I welcome them like family.” It is not just the customers that benefit from the family atmosphere. The staff, too, have been there for years. The chef, José Feuntes, has in fact been at the restaurant since the beginning.

Nestled in a quaint, small and romantic setting, seating only 49 guests with a small wine bar to which customers flock, Café Seville has maintained its reputation for offering spectacular and truly authentic cuisine.

Their signature is the traditional dish of Spain, “The Paella,” and as tradition demands, they offer Sangria to accompany it. Their other dishes that regularly pull loyal customers to the establishment include tapas, fresh seafood, chicken, veal, duck, rabbit and pork dishes –?all made to order. They always offer a wonderful range of daily specials which, in combination with their normal menu, offer their customers a plethora of amazing culinary choices. If that wasn’t enough, all their desserts are made fresh and on the premises. They offer a fantastic selection of Spanish wines and beers. Joe says of the food, “I have to give credit to José, my chef. I wouldn’t be where I am today, if it weren’t for him. He is so passionate and inventive with the food.”

So as they celebrate their 25th Anniversary, how are things? Joe says, “Business is steady; we are supported by locals and feel very fortunate.” He went on to say, “Summer is definitely more quiet. However, our clientele does keep us busy all year round.”
Café Seville, though not within the gayborhood, has a huge following from the community who have fallen in love with the food and the friendly family atmosphere that is offered.

When asked about the gay community, Joe is quick to point out, “We enjoy all of our customers and the support they
provide.” He goes on to speak of changes in the community since he has been in Florida. “It is definitely more open and, because of that openness, people understand and embrace it in a very positive way.” He also sees that having a business that caters to the gay community does not in any way minimize the potential for all types of customers to visit the restaurant. “I feel part of the community.

I have many gay friends. In fact, in the beginning none of them knew about the restaurant. I just said ‘come and try the food.’”

Café Seville is located at 2768 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL. To make reservations, please call (954) 565-1148.

Alex Vaughn

This past Tuesday marked the end of the 18-year-long policy – “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The policy was introduced  as a compromise measure in 1993 by President Bill Clinton who campaigned on the promise to allow all citizens to serve in the military regardless of sexual orientation. Since that time, many have fought for its repeal.

Leading the assault on DADT, as it became known, were groups pushing to end the “undesirable” tag that labeled known homosexuals in the military.

As the change finally becomes official, there seems to be little fanfare. No planned celebrations at the White House. No street parties like those in NYC as a result of the passing of gay marriage laws. Perhaps this is simply because no one really wants to draw light to the fact that it has taken this long to end a law that has caused such distress, and instilled in our culture the word “shame” being associated with military service.

The extent of that shame is further illustrated by the fact that many of the 100,000  “undesirable” former members of the military have come forward to ask that their discharge papers be changed to “honorable.” The Navy has already taken a step in the right direction, reaching out at last to Melvin Dwork, who was expelled from the Navy in 1944, in the middle of World War II, after his own boyfriend in the service reported him. He is now 89.

Last month, the one-time corpsman was notified that the “undesirable” discharge on his military record would finally be changed to “honorable.” Dwork says that because of his “undesirable” discharge, he was unable to draw GI benefits and is now in need of an expensive hearing aid that he might be able to afford if he got the pension he deserved. The Navy has said his benefits will be reinstated retroactively, although it’s not clear whether Dwork will receive back pay for the last 67 years. It would be the right thing to do. But can the US even afford such actions? Probably not.

In a September 12 letter, Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.), chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), chairman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, urged the Department of Defense to delay proceedings because of “unresolved paperwork problems.” They didn’t succeed and they won’t, because this battle has been won, and for Republicans, it is time to retreat.

Any further attempt to overturn the end of DADT will only serve to highlight the movement, and cause light to be shone on something that should go away quietly. Why celebrate an error in U.S. history? Rather, as more and more “undesireables” come forward, their stories and anecdotes will allow the nation and the world to put a personal face on this victory for the many service members who can finally be recognized for their service to this country. These people are the reason to celebrate.

Ultimately, the end of DADT will go down in history. Unlike Stonewall, however, it won’t highlight the fights, protests or shame. If anything, it will highlight the good of the US government system: how one president (Clinton) made steps at reform and how another (Obama) took the baton to the finish line. Is this a very hallmark view? Yes, absolutely. I studied American History! While we may lament the decades it took to implement change, the important thing to note is that, in the end, change happened.

Quietly, yet with determination, the military is changing its policies and retraining its personnel. While this is not something being publicized, it is a task of necessity and is being done as the military executes many of its missions, with dignity and very little fanfare.
Yet, the fight is not over. Equal rights for all is the aim of this game, not just in the military, but across the board – in marriage, the workplace, schools and universities. Discrimination affects everyone, and while it continues to exist, there is no cause for real celebration.

Whilst researching this piece, something else came to mind. I suspect another reason for the quiet acceptance of this historical event is the continuing bigotry within the community. Many people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender still question whether gays should actually be allowed into the military.

There was an article in the Florida Agenda before I became its editor about perceptions of the community towards stereotypical gay men and women within certain job roles and the reality of whether the community would even accept them – let alone society as a whole. For instance, would you hire an overly effeminate lawyer to defend you in court? Would you hire a masculine woman to groom you? Like it or not, prejudice towards capability is as rife within the community as it is outside of it.

That said, go further and ask yourself whether you have thought what so many others do, and have yet to say? What do I mean? Well, military porn, hot sailors, the gay old Navy. You with me yet? Do you want a man in the military who is concentrating more on the package or emotions of his bunk buddy over his desire to protect his country? Remember the parodies of gays in the military where there is one guy who claims he can’t shoot the enemy, because he is too cute? Granted, that is extreme, but the thought is there.

Could you actually stand up against a movement with that as an excuse? Well, it has been one since WWI!

So perhaps the simple reason that there is no fanfare and no big gay parade is because this law that we all know should not be in place is one that we don’t all feel involved in and would rather just let it pass. Yet don’t forget a quiet victory is still a step in the right direction for the big picture of equality for all.

Alex Vaughn is the Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Agenda. He can be reached at editor@FloridaAgenda.com

So Says Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern

By Alex Vaughn

Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern chose to continue her history of making outrageously inflammatory and hateful comments towards the Gay community on the eve of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. As the world reflected 9/11, the worst terrorist attacks on US soil, she used the opportunity to claim that gay love is in fact worse than terrorism.

Kern explained that her current book titled “The Stoning of Sally Kern: The Liberal Attack on Christian Conservatism and Why We Must Take a Stand” was written in response to the backlash she received in 2008 as a result of her attacks on the gay community with similarly hateful statements in a nationally-released video. Kern had expressed that school children were being “indoctrinated” into the gay lifestyle, and that “studies show that no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than a few decades.”
“[Gays] are the death knell, in this country. I honestly think it’s the biggest threat… that our nation has, even more so than terrorism, or Islam, which I think is a big threat,” Kern was recorded in her speech.

Now, in an interview with anti-gay activist Peter LaBarbera, Kern explained, “In the last… fifteen to twenty years, we’ve had maybe three terrorist attacks on our soil with a little over 5,000 people regrettably losing their lives. In the same time frame, there have been hundreds of thousands who have died because of having AIDS. So which one’s the biggest threat?”

“Which has destroyed and ended the life of more people

? Terrorism attacks here in America or HIV/AIDS?” she asked.
She then went on to say that in addition to HIV/AIDS deaths, homosexuality is more dangerous than terrorism because people hear about it everyday, as if talking about homosexuality somehow destroys a nation.

“And you know, every day our young people, adults too, but especially our young people, are bombarded at school, in movies, in music, on TV, in the mall, in magazines, they’re bombarded with ‘homosexuality is normal and natural.’ Fortunately we don’t have to deal with a terrorist attack every day.” She went on to explain, that, “It’s more dangerous, and yes I think that it’s also more dangerous because it will tear down the moral fiber of this nation.” According to Kern, “We were founded as a nation upon the principles of religion and morality. If we take those out from under our society, we will lose what has made us a great nation, we will no longer be a virtuous people, which we see happening already. And without virtue, this nation will not survive.”

Her comments have caused uproar and as the recording of her statements went viral, they caught the attention of lesbian talk show host and comedienne Ellen DeGeneres, who made light of the speech by attempting to contact the representative and author on her talk show, with the aim of “clearing up misconceptions” that she may have. She was unable to leave a voicemail.

This is not the first time Kern has marginalized and attacked diverse minority groups. Kern was reprimanded earlier this year by the Oklahoma House when she said that African-American people “don’t work as hard” as white people. She also said last April that people of color don’t work hard in school because they think the government will “take care of them.”