FLORIDA DIGEST February 23, 2008

**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.

=
Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Gay teen shot dead while dressed as woman in Fort Lauderdale
The shooting death of a gay teenage boy who was dressed in women's clothingis being investigated as a possible hate crime, while detectives try todetermine whether he was targeted because of his sexual orientation.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbteenmurder0223sbfeb23,0,6177964.story
-


=
Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Confession can be used in homeless killing case
A Broward circuit judge said Friday that the videotaped confession of one ofthree men accused in a series of brutal beatings should be allowed asevidence at his trial.
http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/429834.html
-
Come 'out' and celebrate
A two-week gay-oriented arts festival ends 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with theArtExplosion 2008 Finale in the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center forthe Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954-462-0222 or orwww.browardcenter.org; $30-$45.
http://www.miamiherald.com/tropical_life/story/427194.html
-


=
Steve Rothaus
http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/steve_rothaus/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-
Ros-Lehtinen, others protest "inequitable treatment of gay and lesbianForeign Service Officers"
On Thursday, U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Tammy Baldwin, Howard Bermanand Gary Ackerman sent this letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice:
"We have followed with great interest and concern the media coverage of theworkplace inequities facing gays and lesbians in the U.S. Department ofState. As in the case of Former Ambassador to Romania Michael Guest, theinequitable treatment of gay and lesbian Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) andtheir partners should not be allowed to lead highly qualified employees toleave the State Department at a time when their service is needed more thanever. Many of these inequities could clearly be remedied through yourleadership as Secretary, without legislative changes. We write to highlightbasic and common-sense policy changes that beg your prompt attention and askthat you act to make eliminating inequities facing gays and lesbians at theState Department a priority.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2008/02/ros-lehtinen-ot.html
-

=
Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Lesbian mom sues, claiming gender bias
In an employment discrimination suit, a Deerfield Beach woman is claimingthat her supervisor at JP Morgan Chase illegally fired her when she and herpartner had a baby.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2008/2-21/news/localnews/4430.cfm
-

=
365Gay.com
Dying Lesbian's Partner Denied Access To Her
(Miami, Florida) Janice Langbehn and Lisa Pond had planned to take theirthree children on a family cruise. The Olympia, Washington couple had beentogether 18 years and with their children were looking forward to theholiday.But just as they were about to depart on the cruise from Miami,Florida. Pond, a healthy 39-year-old, suddenly collapsed. She was rushed toJackson Memorial Hospital in Miami with Langbehn and the children followingclose behind.But once Langbehn and the children arrived at the hospital thehospital refused to accept information from her about Ponds's medicalhistory. Langbehn says she was informed that she was in an antigay city andstate, and she could expect to receive no information or acknowledgment asfamily. A doctor finally spoke with Janice telling her that there was nochance of recovery.Other than one five minute visit, which was orchestratedby a Catholic priest at Langbehn's request to perform last rites, anddespite the doctor's acknowledgement that no medical reason existed toprevent visitation, neither she nor her children were allowed to see Ponduntil nearly eight hours after their arrival. Soon after Pond''s death,Langbehn tried to get her death certificate in order to get life insuranceand Social Security benefits for their children. She was denied both by theState of Florida and the Dade County Medical Examiner.
http://365gay.com/Newscon08/02/022208fla.htm
-

=
Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus Winter Conference
March 7, 8, 9 2008
Marriott West Palm Beach
1001 Okeechobee Boulevard
West Palm Beach FL 33401
Details are beginning to come together and our website now has detailedinformation and on-line registration is available. Please click here fordetails.
As always, our conference is not to be missed. GLBT Democrats and our alliesfrom across the state will be coming together to discuss the currentpolitical climate and prepare for the critical and pivotal elections we willbe facing later in the year.
Scheduled speakers include: NSD (National Stonewall Democrats) ExecutiveDirector Jon Hoadley; representatives from, HRC (Human Rights Campaign),GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), and Gay American Heroes;and GLBT elected officials, including: Broward County Commissioner KenKeechl; Wilton Manors City Commissioner Joe Angelo; and former FortLauderdale City Commissioner Dean Trantalis; representatives from theFlorida Democratic Party; local and state officials and candidates, amongothers.
Scheduled events include:
Friday evening reception - details to be announced.
Saturday conference - morning and afternoon sessions with breakfast andlunch included.
Saturday evening reception from 7:00-8:30pm hosted by the Palm Beach CountyHuman Rights Council at the home of Deidre Newton and Kerry Gallagher.
Sunday morning farewell brunch - details to be announced.
Registration is $50.00 for members and $75.00 for non-members, if youpre-register prior to March 4. There is a special $35.00 student rate, ifyou pre-register prior to March 4. Non-members may add a membership to theirregistration and receive the membership rate. After March 4, registrationswill become $75.00 and $100.00.
We have a block of rooms set aside at the nearby Holiday Inn of West PalmBeach at a great rate of $139.95 per night, plus applicable taxes. Theserooms must be reserved before 5:00 p.m. on February 25. We have alsoidentified a couple other options for accomodations on the web site.
We hope you will join us for our winter conference. The are always fun,informative and a great source of energy.
PS - Mark your calendars. Our summer conference will be July 18-20 inGainesville, FL.
-

=
From Transgender Equality
I read with interest your article in the Miami Herald on the rightsof transgendered (TG) people in Broward County. I am from the UK andthe government here passed legislation several years ago to ensurethat TG people have the same rights and protection under law asevery other member of society. For many years in the UK TG people have beenable to change their passports and drivers licences to reflect their gender, and now,since the new legislation, TG people are able to change their birthcertificates, too. TG people can get married as well, just the sameas any other couple, and no longer have to `out' themselves whenbuying insurances by having to reveal discriminatory details aboutthemselves.
-

=
From Mark Haines
-
Mark's List brings you our weekend bar and club guide on one nice neat page.
If you prefer to look at what's going on in specific clubs or events, pleaseuse the links below. To read our party guide, please click on the followinglink or copy and paste it into your browser:
http://jumponmarkslist.com/MSFL/2008/022208.htm
-
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23Click the Winter Party logo to purchase passes andmulti event passesHollywood Nights: An event for LGBTQ youth and their allies from 6:00 PM -9:00 PM at Legion Memorial Park. LGBTQ youth and their straight allies,ages 13 to 20, receive the red carpet treatment at this Hollywood-themedevent featuring dancing, food, games and a community resource fair.
-
Take Care of Each Other - Safer Sex at Winter Party Festival from 7:00 PM -9:00 PM at 1775 Jefferson Avenue, Miami Beach. An invitation-only cocktailreception sponsored by the Task Force and their safer-sex partner, SouthBeach AIDS Project, to kick off this year's campaign at Winter PartyFestival.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24Click the Winter Party logo to purchase passes and multievent passes
-
LGBT Family Picnic from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM at TopeeKeegee Yugnee Pavillion#8 3300 North Park Road (Just off I-95 at Sheridan Street) Hollywood. WinterParty Festival and South Florida Family Pride co-host this afternoon in thepark for parents and kids, new friends and old, complete with food andfestivities.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26Click the Winter Party logo to purchase passes and multievent passes
-
Halo Lounge Presents the Winter Party Festival Happy Hour from 5:00 PM -7:00 PM at 1625 Michigan Avenue, Miami Beach. New South Beach favorite HaloLounge debuts the signature Winter Party Festival specialty drink. Comesample this exclusive Winter Party drink that will be served 2-for-1everyday throughout the festival until midnight. Patrons wearing the 2008Winter Party/MTV Latin America wristband will receive the 2-for-1 offeruntil 3 AM each night
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27Click the Winter Party logo to purchase passes andmulti event passes
-
Showtime Networks Presents Departure Lounge from 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM at theDoubletree Surfcomber Hotel, 1717 Collins Ave. Showtime Networks presentsthe official Winter Party Festival welcome party, a poolside reception withcocktails, hors d'oeuvres, music and raffle prizes. This event is anopportunity to mix and mingle with members of some of Miami-Dade's leadingLGBT organizations.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28Click the Winter Party logo to purchase passes andmulti event passes
-
Preview of Gay American Heroes: A National Memorial to Celebrate Their Lives
from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. Visit the modelof the national traveling memorial that is being constructed to honor LGBTpersons who have been murdered because of their sexual orientation or genderidentity.
-
"Days Without Sunshine: Anita Bryant's Anti-Gay Crusade" from 6:00 PM - 8:00PM at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. The Stonewall Library & Archives isbringing the very successful exhibit "Days Without Sunshine: Anita Bryant'sAnti-Gay Crusade" to Winter Party Festival. View this exhibit whileattending the Gay American Heroes Unveiling Reception.
-
Winter Prayer, Winter Praise: The 2nd Annual Interfaith Service of WinterParty Festival from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at Temple Israel, 137 NE 19th Street,Miami. Join LGBT-friendly congregations and spiritual groups from aroundSouth Florida as we gather together in downtown Miami's beautiful andhistoric Temple Israel for a powerful interfaith service and joyous musicalcelebration.
-
Women's Art Exhibit from 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM at Vine Wine Shop, 7657 BiscayneBoulevard. Vine Wine Shop hosts "Water: A Study on the Complexity of Womenand Water", an exhibit exploring how three visual artists liken women towater.
Score
-
Sephora Shopping Spree from 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM at Sephora, 721 CollinsAvenue.
This special late night shopping event at South Beach's popular fragranceand cosmetics store includes complimentary wine, great bargains, raffleprizes and cosmetic and skin care specialists.
-
Blast Off! From 10:00 PM - 5:00 AM at Score, 727 Lincoln Road. The first ofWinter Party Festival's magical dance parties features the music of thefabulous DJ Phil B. and Miami favorite DJ Pride at this Lincoln Road hotspot. Decor provided by Visual XS Designs.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29 Click the Winter Party logo to purchase passes and multievent passes
-
"Days Without Sunshine: Anita Bryant's Anti-Gay Crusade" from 9:00 AM - 5:00PM at Miami Beach Botanical Gardens 2000 Convention Center Drive. TheStonewall Library & Archives is bringing the very successful exhibit "DaysWithout Sunshine: Anita Bryant's Anti-Gay Crusade" to Winter Party Festival.
Halo
-
Halo Lounge Presents Winter Party Runway Happy Hour from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PMat 1625 Michigan Avenue. New South Beach favorite Halo Lounge offers aspecial 2-for-1 Winter Party cocktail to get guests in the mood for WinterParty Runway, with music by DJ Oren Nizri.
-
more....
-


=
From GLCC South Florida
-
The GLCC Board of Directors and Staff thank all of the Stars Of The RainbowUnderwriters, Sponsors, Media Sponsors and attendees who helped make thisevent a huge success. Over 450 guests attended the event which recognized the 18remarkableHonorees who have contributed to the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT community.
This event is significant, as 2008 marks the GLCC's 15th anniversary ofproviding critical programs and services to the LBGT community.
-
Tonight! ArtsUnited presents ArtExplosion 2008 featuring The Gay Mafia atthe Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Saturday, February 23. Ticketsare $30/45. Call 954.462.0222 for tickets.
-
The GLCC community is encouraged to assist underserved youth by volunteeringat Thurgood Marshall Elementary School. Located at the corner of PowerlineRoad and NW 13th Street, Thurgood Marshall's students and staff wouldbenefit from supervised classroom volunteer assistance. Ideally--volunteers will visit the school for short increments of time (up to onehour) a few times per week, to develop rapport with students and staff, andto reinforce reading and other skills with small groups of students.
Training and orientation will be provided, as will classroom supervision byfaculty. The easy, on- line Broward County School Board volunteerapplication process includes consent to a criminal background check. As acommunity-minded neighbor, the GLCC aims to recruit volunteers, in order tohave a positive impact during the current academic year.
For information please contact Paul Hyman, Executive Director atphyman@glccsf.org.
-


=
Oakland Park: Anthony Niedwiecki Campaign Kick-Off Event!
Campaign Kick-Off!
Welcome to my official campaign kick-off! We have one year before theelection on March 10, 2009, and already things are getting exciting. I ammeeting with residents regularly, and will have my kick-off event on March9, 2008, in the Oak Tree neighborhood. This will be one of many campaignevets over the next year. I look forward to meeting as many people inOakland Park as possible and sharing my vision for our future. I want to beyour commissioner because I want to work for all residents, and I can't dothat without hearing from you! I really believe that the city is on themove and that I can provide the fresh voice that will help move us evenfurther. As your commissioner, I pledge to work with the residents andlocal businesses to make the city the best it can be. I will be holdingseveral small gatherings over the next few months to hear your voice, socheck out my events page regularly to see my schedule. I hope that over thenext year, I can hear from you and develop a dialogue that will continuethroughout my term as a commissioner.
Together, we can truly move Oakland Park forward.
www.anthony09.com
-


=
ArtExplosion Finale featuring The Gay Mafiawith guest host, Cashetta and musical guests Lisp and Havana
Tonight - Saturday, February 23, 2008 7:30pm
ArtExplosion 2008 wraps up the two week GLBT Arts Festival with a night ofimprov and sketch comedy in the grand tradition of Saturday Night Live,featuring the queer comedy group The Gay Mafia, with host Cashetta andmusical guests Lisp and Havana. ArtExplosion Finale tickets are availableto ArtsUnited members for 20% off ticket price. That means ArtsUnitedmembers may purchase tickets for only $24 and $36.
Go to:
https://secure1.browardcenter.org/scripts/max/192.168.168.5-50000/maxweb.exe?ACTION=ORDER&MAXWEB_192.168.168.5_50213
and enter the password MEMBERS. See you Saturday Night!
-


=
ArtsUnited
One Rising Artist, One Acclaimed Chef, One World Experience
Join us for a one-night affair as Fort Lauderdale's chic hotspot, TrinaRestaurant and Lounge, 601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd (A1A), FtLauderdale, transposes itself into a backdrop for the most serene andelegant display of scenic photography in South Florida. Photographer ShannonPatrick McKenna captures South Florida's organic beauty in a pictorialexhibit showcasing the region's calming curves, unique angles, and variousforms of nature often overlooked by the untrained eye. Executive Chef BrianKay then enhances this visual experience with a mosaic of sumptuousselections to stimulate the senses and the palate, combining the essence ofSouth Florida with a Mediterranean medley to create a One World Experience.
February 21, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
-


=
Register Today!
EQUALITY FLORIDA LOBBY WEEK MARCH 17-20
Equality Florida's Lobby Week is quickly approaching and we want you to joinus in Tallahassee!
Safe Schools Lobby Days - March 17 and 18
Students, parents and teachers from all over the state will come toTallahassee to press legislators to pass a fully inclusive anti-bullyingpolicy that will protect all students. Many of us have had our own bullyingexperiences in school, or knew someone who was. This is the year the billwill likely pass. Come to Tallahassee and help make sure the legislaturepasses the strongest possible policy.
http://ga4.org/Equalityflorida/events/safeschoolslobbydays2008/details.tcl
-
Adoption Lobby Days - March 19 and 20
Florida is the only state that bans gays and lesbians from adopting.
Equality Florida has a bill in the legislature that will allow gays andlesbians to adopt on a case-by-case basis. Come to Tallahassee to telllegislators about the real harm this ban does.
http://ga4.org/Equalityflorida/events/adoptionlobbydays2008/details.tcl
-
Civil Rights Lobby Day
In addition to safe schools and adoption, this year we will be lobbying fora fully inclusive Civil Rights Bill. The bill would make it illegal to fireor deny housing to someone because of their sexual orientation or genderidentity. Sign up at the link below for more information.
http://ga4.org/Equalityflorida/events/civilrightslobbydays2008/details.tcl
-
Join us all week or just for a couple of days, whatever time you can give ishelpful.
Where: Days Inn - 2714 Graves Rd. - Tallahassee, FL - 850-562-2000
Call and tell them you are with Equality Florida to get our special grouprate of $69 a night!
For more information, contact Mallory Wells, Public Policy Coordinator, at407-617-6682 or mallory@eqfl.org.
-


=
Pursuit of Equality- Fort Lauderdale Showing
The Story about Gavin Newsome's valient efforts to promote same-sex marriagelicenses.
Gateway Cinema
1820 E. Sunrise Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL
-


=
Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
State retiree loophole costs Florida $300M a year
Rule lets employees "retire" with pensions and still get salaries.
TALLAHASSEE -- A growing number of elected officials are quietly takingadvantage of a loophole carved into the state retirement law a few years agothat allows double dipping -- collecting a state pension while still gettinga regular paycheck from taxpayers.
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/23/State/State_retiree_loophol.shtml
-
Can a Cuban Democrat win in South Florida?
Real change in our hard-line Cuba policy may depend more on who's inCongress than who wins the White House. Suddenly, Miami's three CubanRepublicans look beatable.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/02/21/castro/index.html
-
Florida sees fewer visitors in 2007
Travel to Florida fell in 2007, according to a state estimate releasedFriday, amid suggestions that many American travelers may have chosen tovacation closer to home.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-visit2308feb23,0,2146561.story?track=rss
-
State Farm to Florida homeowners: No thanks
The insurer won't issue new homeowner policies in this state. State Farm,the largest private insurance company in Florida, will stop writing newhomeowner policies anywhere in the state, a company spokesman confirmedFriday.
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/23/State/State_Farm_to_Florida.shtml
-
Bleaker picture of betting revenue painted
State economists said revenue from gambling for schools will be lower thanpredicted by gaming companies.
TALLAHASSEE -- One month after gambling companies told Miami-Dade votersthat approving slot machines would contribute about $197 million in newtaxes for Florida schools, state economists projected Friday that the numberwould be far lower: $120 million.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/429798.html
-
Judge rebukes prison, claims apathy delays boy's adoption
WEST PALM BEACH - An 18-month-old boy has had to wait nearly a year to beadopted because indifferent federal prison officials ignored requests to puthis birth father on the phone for a hearing, Palm Beach County Circuit JudgeRonald Alvarez charged in a letter to Florida's U.S. senators.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/02/23/m1a_prison_0222.html
-


=


[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####