Florida Agenda

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The family of an Irish passenger who committed suicide this month during the Atlantis Events gay cruise is seeking answers about the man’s death.

Kenneth John Gemmell, 30, took his own life Feb. 3 on the “Allure of the Seas” cruise ship off the coast of Cozumel, Mexico. Gemmell, a flight attendant for UAE Airlines stationed in Dubai, was a native of Bailieborough, County Cavan, Ireland.

The Irish Independent newspaper reported this week that Gemmell’s family is “desperately trying” to understand what transpired two weeks ago during those fateful early morning hours.

“They particularly would like to hear from the person who witnessed him going overboard. The family has said they want nothing more than to understand what drove their son, who had just turned 30 last Tuesday,” noted the Examiner.com.

The seven-day cruise left Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, Jan. 29, and was heading for Cancun before returning to Fort Lauderdale.

Although Gemmell’s family insists the man “was not a suicide risk,” a spokeswoman for Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited told reporters that the ship’s closed circuit video “clearly” shows “the guest went overboard intentionally.” Gemmell was one of more than 4,500 passengers on board the “Allure of the Seas” as it sailed round-trip from Florida to Mexico, and back again.

“He was alone on the balcony in his stateroom on Deck 11 when he stepped on top of the balcony table in order to jump over the balcony railing,” the spokeswoman said. “The footage is consistent with
an eyewitness report from another guest,” she added.

The “Allure” cruise was chartered by Atlantis Events, the self-described “largest company in the world dedicated to creating unique vacations for the gay and
lesbian community.”

Gemmell’s father, James, told the Irish Independent that “Kenneth was not a suicide risk. He went out on a holiday and was very happy. We just don’t understand what happened.”

The body of their son—who celebrated his 30th birthday during the first days of the “Allure” cruise—has not been recovered. James Gemmell and his wife, Colette, say they fear something “untoward” may have transpired during the cruise. Those fears were exacerbated by reports that their son had “exchanged words” with a crewmember—possibly a bartender—on the evening before his death, and that the crewman in questioned failed to re-board after having disembarked in Cozumel. The cruise line disputed this version of events, claiming they are not “aware” of an altercation between Gemmell and one of the crew. The spokeswoman for the company also said there were no unaccounted crewmembers following the stop in Cozumel.

South Florida law enforcement agencies as well as the Mexican and U.S. coast guards were alerted by ship’s officers when Gemmell’s absence was confirmed. “The ship made multiple public announcements and began a complete search of the ship, in efforts to locate the guest,” said a statement from Royal Caribbean. “When the guest did not respond to the pages and was not found onboard, the captain alerted the local authorities of the situation,” the statement read.

Fort Lauderdale

THE RICHARD CORTEZ SHOW

Wollenberg Records and the Manor Entertainment Complex proudly present The Richard Cortez Show on Thursday, May 19, from 9 p.m. to midnight. The Manor is located at 2345 Wilton Dr. in Wilton Manors. No cover. Join award-winning singer, songwriter and recording artist, Richard Cortez for a vaudeville-inspired variety show. Introducing the mean girl of Wilton Manors, comedian and master of ceremonies, Robert Marks. Returning: the star of “Blood Brothers” at Slow Burn Theatre Company, Lisa Braun, and the winner of the 2011 Bushman World Ukulele Video Contest, Eric Jaffe, plus special guest as seen on Logo, award-winning and critically acclaimed Washington, D.C.-based singer-songwriter and gay activist, Tom Goss.

”VALUING OUR FAMILIES”
SunServe’s eighth annual conference, Saturday, May 21st, 9 a.m.to 5 p.m.
at 1480 S.W. 9th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

For more information or to register, call (954) 764-5557 or visit www.Sunserve.org.

BUNCO TO BENEFIT JUDY SHEPHERD
An afternoon of Bunco to benefit Judy Shepherd on Sunday, May 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Pride Center at Equality Park, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Bunco is easy to learn, fast-paced and a great way to meet and make new friends. You can win prizes, too. Everyone is welcome. Donation is $10, and all proceeds go to Judy. Please bring a dessert to share.

Please RSVP to Ellen Slavin, (954) 854-4513, or email: monday4women@gmail.com.

FUNDRAISER FOR JAPAN

On Wednesday May 25 from 8pm to 1am, Convict Promotions brings you Diana Kramers Dinka Designs Fashion Fundraiser for Japan. Proceeds from this event goes to the Clemente Bornacelli fund which helps directly with this crisis. The fundraiser will be held at Delux Nightclub, 16 E Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. Music provided by D.J. X and the emcee of the night is Chuck Dogg of the X102.3 and Studio 202. The fashion show part of the event begins at 10pm and goes until 11pm so be there early for free. Visit www.clementebornacelli.com.

WIN EPICUREAN DINNER CLUB

Women in Network’s Epicurean Dinner Club and The Pride Center Present: Brunch and T-Dance on Sunday, June 12th, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm for brunch and 3 pm for the Patio T-Dance at The Manor Entertainment Complex, 2345 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Prix Fixe menu includes two drinks. For further information please contact: Joyce Schweitzer at 954-558-3657 or Toni Hadi at 954-565-0094.

Miami

Nina Flowers Returns to Club Sugar

Friday, May 20, from 9:30 p.m. to 3 a.m., at Club Sugar, 2301 SW 32nd Ave in Coral Gables. Back by popular demand after her electrifying performance last time, she’ll set the stage on fire. House Music in the Main Room with D.J. Jarell. Hip Hop & Latin in the Spice Lounge with D.J. Dave. Shows by resident divas resident divas TP and Sasha Lords. Hosted by Alex Infiniti. $5 house drinks and $4 domestic beer all night long, 2 for 1 drinks ‘til 11:30.

House Music Cruise 2011

The Sistah Sojourn Travel Club Presents the second annual  Old School House Music Cruise  sailing from Saturday, May 21 to Thursday, May 26, and cruising from Miami, to Jamaica, to Grand Cayman  back to Miami. Featured deejays will include: Farely Jackmaster Funk, Gene Hunt, Melvin Gentry, Omar Abdullah and more. If you haven’t already booked your spot, do so today at www.housemusiccruise.com or call (708) 374-7824. Use promo code “JACKIE” for special prices. This will sell out so reserve your spot today. Just $50 holds your spot.

SIZZLE MIAMI
May 26 – 29, 2011, in Miami. Party-seekers from around the world  convene in sunny Miami, Florida, celebrating life, pride and liberty. Originally a one-day occurrence, Sizzle Miami has evolved into a  5-day smorgasbord of captivating day-time events and pulsating nightlife. Although Sizzle participants are mostly comprised of African-Americans and Latinos, all races are welcomed and encouraged to participate. For more info, visit www.sizzlemiami.com.

TASTE FOR CHANGE WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER
Abzyme Research Foundation and Joel Santos invite you to this very special wine tasting. The vaccine for Polio was developed with grassroots fundraising through the March  of Dimes. ARF is funding a promising new therapeutic HIV vaccine through a series of charity wine tastings. Join them and support hope for a future without HIV/AIDS. All proceeds will go toward the continued development and advancement of HIV-EVAC, a revolutionary therapeutic HIV vaccine candidate. To learn more about
ARF and HIVEVAC, visit www.endhiv.com. Friday June 17, from 7 to 9 pm at Bar 721, 721 Lincoln Lane on Miami Beach. RSVP by Friday June 3 via Host Joel Santos: joel@sobeteethwhitening.com, (786) 267-0404. Suggested donation of $40, 21+ to attend this event.

BRITNEY SPEARS AT AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA
See Britney Spears live on the Femme Fatale Tour with special guest Nicki Minaj and opening performances by Jessie and the Toy Boys and Nervo. Tickets now on sale at Ticketmaster.com. Get your tickets now if you’ll be a part of this epic Britney Spears Femme Fatale Tour. The concert will be held on Friday July 22, 2011 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami.

Bay Area

HOT PINK SPY PARTY
Hot Pink brings you Drum and Bass vs. Dubstep — a la spy v spy. Dress up as your favorite spy (pink/black spy or black/pink spy) and come party down and watch the mayhem ensue as Dubstep and Drum and Bass go head-to-head under our very own D.J. Vague E. Nueman. Free vodka for the ladies from 10 to midnight. guys drink 2-4-1 all night long with the lovely and blonde Katie behind the bar taking care of you all evening long, plus their very own dancing diva, Miss Natalie and friends. Don’t miss Alexis De La Mer hosting “Flamingo’s Got Talent” at 9 pm. No cover. Thursday, May 19, from 10 pm to 3 am at the Flamingo Resort, 4601 34th St. S, in St. Pete.

FIRE AND ICE WEEKEND AT ST. PETE PRIDE
Florida’s only Gay beach party of the summer with world renowned deejay, Luis Perez spinning Saturday. Fire & Ice Weekend represents what is so hot about a party on the beach and what is so cool about supporting St. Pete Pride. The very retro Postcard Inn (6300 Gulf Blvd.) on St Pete Beach will play host to the private gay party for the largest pride celebration in Florida on Friday, June 24 from 1 to 7 p.m. Highlights of the weekend include Friday’s Fire Party that includes the hottest pool and beach event of the summer. Friday also includes St. Pete Pride’s Kick-Off Party at Georgie’s Alibi. Saturday will bring the parade and promenade at St Pete Pride. The highlight of the weekend will be the Saturday Ice Party with D.J. Luis Perez. Sunday will focus on a festival Beach Party including our pool party and beach pavillion, dancing on the beach, and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico open for business all day. Later attend the St. Pete Pride Closing Party at Flamingo Resort.

Visit www.alandchuck.travel.com to book a room.

THE SUNDAY BBQ IS BACK
Ybor Resort and Spa, 1512 8th Ave. (15th Street) in Ybor City. Every Sunday at 5 p.m. Lots of hot flavorful guys here lining up for some buns, wieners and other tasty items. Come on down and put some sun on those buns in our open-air tropical Asian-themed patio with Jacuzzi.

FLAMINGO BINGO
Thursdays hosted by Kevin Johnson. Win free drinks and prizes from 8 to 10 pm. Code Bar opens at 7 pm, the Video Bar opens at 10 pm and don’t miss Girl’s Night in the Blu Room, which opens at 11 pm with $3 Miller Lite longnecks. The Flamingo Resort is located at 4601 34th St. S in St. Petersburg.

For more information, visit www.flamingofla.com.

Central Florida

CUCA LA RACHA @ CAMP DRAG
Wednesday, May 25, from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Parliament House, 410 N Orange Blossom Trail (W Livingston St) in downtown Orlando. Come see Cuca drag it up at Camp Drag. You never know what this crazy girl is going to end up doing so come out to be surprised and entertained.

ELECTRIC DAISY CARNIVAL
Friday, May 27, and Saturday, May 28, from 1pm to 11 pm. North America’s largest electronic music festival comes to Orlando for the first time. Expect a wide array of attractions, full-size carnival rides, art installations and performers. World-class deejays, artists and performers, thousands of beautiful people, massive stages and full-size carnival rides. At Tinker Field, 1610 West Church St. in Orlando.

For more information, visit www.electricdaisycarnival.com.

THE RED BALL
At the Parliament House (410 N Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando) Saturday, May 28, from 7 pm to 2 am. The ticket also gets you into the club for the night to see RuPaul Drag Race Runner Up Manila Luzon and the number one queen from Puerto Rico, Queen Bee Ho joining the Footlight Players. Every room will be decorated with a different style. See Judy Tenuta then enjoy the
rest of the night with all the Red Ball glory included in the price of your Judy Tenuta ticket. Judy, the self described “Love Goddess” and “Aphrodite of the Accordion,” is appropriately described  as “Outrageous Mind-Blowing Comedy”. Don’t forget to wear red!

ORLANDO BLACK PRIDE
May 31 to June 5, 2011; Orlando Black Pride brings thousands of LGBTers together for a long weekend of events and entertainment.

There are parties for the fellas, the ladies and everything in between and you can find all the great events on the official website. So head out to Orlando and get ready to party… www.orlandoblackpride.com.

A NIGHT OF PERPETUAL COMEDY
The Orlando Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence present a night of perpetual comedy on Thursday June 2. featuring the talents of improv comedians formerly of the Comedy Warehouse at Disney’s Pleasure Island and benefitting The Sister Claire Annette Blowood Memorial Granting Fund. Show times are 8 and 10 p.m. Cover: $7 suggested donation. To be held at the Parliament House, 410 N Orange Blossom Trail (W Livingston St) in downtown Orlando.

GAY DAYS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
June 2 through 5, 2011 in Orlando
The long standing Gay Day at Disney has morphed into a week-long celebration at the theme parks of Orlando. The days are focused on the parks and pool parties, the nights are packed with dance parties at various venues. One point of confusion, two promoters run events during the week, each with their own events and their own host hotels: Gay Days – the original group is still quite popular, especially among folks more interested in the park-focused events and connecting with others.

For a more detailed Gay Disney Events Schedule go here: http://floridaagenda.com/2011/05/19/a-beginners-guide-to-orlando-gay-days/

BACK DOOR BUMBY
Revolution Nightclub (375 S. Bumby Ave (408) in Downtown Orlando) along with GRINDR and MyFlexRadio presents: “Back Door Bumby: Enter Through the Back” every 3rd Thursday of the month. This is Orlando’s premier college night as you’ve never seen it before. No cover when you show your GRINDR or MyFlexRadio App. No cover ‘til 11pm for those 21+ (18+ welcome) and no cover ‘til 12 midnight with college or theme park ID. Free drinks 11 to 11:30 p.m. Drinks specials throughout the night. Performances by: Shantell D’Marco and Macaviti. D.J. Joanie on the decks in the disco area and V.J. J.B. Burgos in the Hydrate Video Bar.