FLORIDA DIGEST - January 25, 2009

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~~FLORIDA GLBT NEWS~~

Lavender Events for Women of the GLCC present
SUNDAY BRUNCH SERIES
Sunday Feb 8, 2009 - 11:00 am
Embassy Suites Hotel
1100 SE 17th Street
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33316
FEATURING a BURLESQUE LINGERIE SHOWCASE and TOY PARTY
$30 per Person
Please RSVP by FEB 5 at
lavenderevents@glccsf.org


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COME TO THE RALLY IN TALLAHASSEE
JOIN A LOCAL LOBBY TEAM IN YOUR COMMUNITY
With the 2009 Legislative Session fast approaching, all bills that will be filed this year have been submitted. Our agenda is set and the work ahead is clear. This email outlines our goals and strategies in 2009 and we are excited to share them with you. Last year was a breakthrough year in Tallahassee. We passed the Florida Safe Schools law and as a result students across Florida are protected right now by anti-bullying polices that specifically include LGBT students. We also worked with our local partners in 2008 to win protections at the city and county level. Together we passed 19 NEW Safe Schools, Domestic Partnership, and anti-discrimination policies in Florida last year alone. Now, we turn to 2009, a year of enormous possibility as we work to secure equality for LGBT Floridians and our families. Rally In Tally - March 16th, 2009 - Sign Up for the Rally in Tally
http://ga4.org/Equalityflorida/events/in_district_visit_2009/details.tclSunServe -
Ft. Lauderdale
'A Chorus Line' benefit on Feb. 25
SunServe invites everyone to attend a fundraising performance of A Chorus Line on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Click here to buy tickets.
http://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=687088


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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Out folk-rock singer Eric Himan to play Bill's Filling Station on Feb. 11
Got this note from singer Eric Himan, who'll be performing 10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 at Bill's Filling Station in Fort Lauderdale: Wednesday, February 11th - 10pm - at Bill's Filling Station (1243 NE 11th Ave) - Ft. Lauderdale
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/


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South Florida Blade
http://www.floridablade.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:

-GLBT pride shines during MLK parade
Though unofficial, black gay youth represent in SoFla celebration
Miami rapper "Diamond Diva" hovered over Liberty City's Martin Luther King Parade Monday like a six-foot-seven-inch fabulous vision in hot pink faux fur, low heeled boots and mile-long braids down his back.
http://www.floridablade.com/2009/1-23/news/localnews/5469.cfm

-GLCC announces Stars of the Rainbow
The annual Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida's Stars of the Rainbow Awards will be held at a ceremony on Sunday, March 1, 2009. The individuals, businesses and organizations that receive the award we re chosen because they exemplify the spirit of volunteerism and/or activism and they have represented the community in a positive light and have supported the efforts of the GLCC.
http://www.floridablade.com/2009/1-23/news/localnews/5471.cfm

-Saturday: set sail with 'Freedom' party
Atlantis cruise spends the night in Miami before hitting the high seas
http://www.floridablade.com/blog/index.cfm#23642


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ArtsUnited - Ft. Lauderdale
http://www.artsunitedonline.org/

-ArtExplosion Calendar of Event
Over 30 Different Art Programs February 7 to 21
Feb. 7 6pm ArtExplosion Opening Night at ArtServe
10pm Opening Night Dance Party at Seamonster
Feb. 8 2&7pm Dixie's Tupperware Party at Broward Center
Feb. 9 8pm Richard Cortez at Radio-Active Records
9pm Nikki Adams' Full Moon Party at Alibi
Feb. 10 7pm A Night of Broadway at Lips
7pm Jeff Hess at Bill's Mustang Lounge
8pm Lily Tomlin at Kravis Center
Feb. 11 7pm Author K.G. MacGregor at Stonewall Library
7pm Rubin Gonzalez at Bill's Mustang Lounge
7:30 Jeremiah Jenner at Museum of Cont. Art
Feb. 12 7pm Matthew Glass, "Slap & Tickle" at Stonewall
7pm Rubin Gonzalez at Bill's Mustang Lounge
Feb. 13 6pm BAG's White & Black Exhibit at Cargo
6:30 Black Gay Pride's Spoken Word at ArtServe
6:30 Kelvin Stansberry Exhibit at ArtServe
6:30 Hildana Ciser & Alex Heria Exhibit at Stonewall
7:30 "Say You Love Satan" Rising Action Theatre
Feb. 14 2pm Poet Richard Blanco at Stonewall Library
6pm Jeff Hess at Bill's Mustang Lounge
7pm Film, "Strawberry and Chocolate" Stonewall
7pm Jennifer McCain "Night for Lovers" at Alibi
7:30 "Say You Love Satan" Rising Action Theatre
10pm Black Gay Pride Dance at J's Bar
Feb. 15 2pm Novelist Johnny Diaz at Stonewall Library
4pm Film, "The Lovers & Friends Show" Stonewall
7pm "Say You Love Satan" Rising Action Theatre
Feb. 16 7pm Historian Ramiro Fernandez at Stonewall
Feb. 17 6pm Desmond Child at Broward Library
7pm Jeff Hess at Bill's Mustang Lounge
Feb. 18 6:30 "Between Love & Goodbye", Cinema Paradiso
7pm Rubin Gonzalez at Bill's Mustang Lounge
8pm Film, "Broken Sky" at Lake Worth Playhouse
Feb. 19 5pm Cindy Curtis and Co. at Museum of Art
7pm "Between Love & Goodbye", Cinema Paradiso
7pm Rubin Gonzalez at Bill's Mustang Lounge
7:30 "Say You Love Satan", Rising Action Theatre
9:30 "Simply Barbra Saluts Oscar" at Rising Action
Feb. 20 7pm Island City ArtWalk along Wilton Drive
7:30 "Say You Love Satan", Rising Action Theatre
9:30 "Simply Barbra Salutes Oscar", Rising Action
10:00 Closing Dance Party @ Living Room
Feb 21 7:30 Finale with Lea DeLaria at Broward Center

-Buy your Finale Tickets Now!
Tickets for Lea Delaria Selling Quickly
Tickets for the ArtExplosion Finale with Lea Delaria are selling quickly so get your seats today for an amazing night of comedy and music. DeLaria has distinguished herself in every form of entertainment that she touches; Jazz Musician, Broadway Diva, Actor, Writer and Stand-Up Comic, and it is plain to see why Ben Brantley of the New York Times describes Lea as, "Every inch a star." One of the first openly gay comics to appear on national television in the US (Arsenio Hall, 1993) Lea DeLaria tours the world with her one-of-a-kind blend of cool jazz and in your face comedy. Comedic talent Scott Ryan, a 2008 LOGO channel "Brink of Fame" comedian nominee, opens the show with musical guest, Levi Kreis. Kreis' music has been featured on The Apprentice, Day of Our Lives, and The Young and the Restless, and his music video "We're Okay" held LOGO channels Clicklist #1 position for nine weeks. Tckets are only $24 and $36 for ArtsUnited members. Members may purchase the discounted tickets online at www.browardcenter.org using the passcode ARTSUNITED or calling 954.462.0222.
http://www.artsunitedonline.org/


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Dean Trantalis for Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Campaign
You're Invited!
Fundraiser for Dean in Poinsettia Heights - Wed. January 28 - 6pm to 8pm at the home of Ken Stevenson and George Kress - 1782 NE 16 Street - Ft. Lauderdale, FL


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From Julie Carson for Wilton Manors City Commission Campaign

-Commissioner Carson wants to reach voters to share her Campaign Message!
Her Campaign Team is also signing up volunteers to assist with phone banking; fundraisers, and neighborhood organization. We can do it, but we need your help! Tell everyone you know. The Keep Commissioner Carson Team is on its way to making a major change on the Wilton Manors City Commission, but we can't do it without your help. We have many ways you can help our Campaign for Change so that we can put Wilton Manors back on its positive future path. No matter how much time you can give...whether it's an hour, a weekend, or several hours each week...during the week or on the weekend - I can use your help. Please email us at volunteer@JulieCarson.net or call the campaign at (954) 394-4980 I need canvassers, phone bankers, people to deliver yard signs - and much, much more!
http://JulieCarson.net


~~FLORIDA GENERAL NEWS~~

Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Embattled House Speaker Ray Sansom hires prominent attorney
A prominent criminal defense attorney representing House Speaker Ray Sansom has contacted a federal and a state prosecutor.
BY LUCY MORGAN AND ALEX LEARY
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/870108.html

-Only Qualified to Be President?
By J.T. Young
Is Jeb Bush now only qualified to be president? Sadly, his recent refusal to seek Florida's open Senate seat race in 2010 indicates, the answer is "yes." Jeb's decision not to run is beyond disappointing to national and Senate Republicans in dire need of reinforcement. It is also an example of "president-itis," which afflicts prominent Republicans from time to time. Despite advantages to themselves and their party, too often Republicans who see themselves as "presidential" can not see themselves in any other light.
http://spectator.org/archives/2009/01/23/only-qualified-to-be-president

-Sen. Nelson outraged at bailout accountability
By EUN KYUNG KIM
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said he received assurances today from the Treasury Secretary nominee that there will be more accountability in how the next batch of funds from the $700 billion economic bailout will be used.
http://www.pnj.com/article/20090123/NEWS01/90123019

-So Much To Be Undone
By Eugene Robinson
Before President Obama can do, he must undo. Repairing the damage that George W. Bush did to the nation's values, honor and pride will be complicated and, at times, politically inconvenient. But nothing is more urgent, and nothing will ultimately reap more benefits at home and abroad.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/22/AR2009012202841.html

-Crist praises Obama's promised stimulus package
By Patty Pensa
West Palm Beach - Gov. Charlie Crist told a crowd of 700 today the stimulus package promised by President Barack Obama offers hope on the heels of severe budget cuts. Though the state just released figures showing 8.1 percent unemployment, Crist told the nonpartisan Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, "There are legitimate reasons for optimism even in the difficult economy we are slogging through."
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/sfl-bn-0123-govecon,0,6625180.story


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