Florida Agenda

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – When you look at the success that has become Greater Fort Lauderdale’s The Depot Cabana Bar and Grill, it’s hard to fathom that co-owner Jim Babb – an attorney from Houston who came to South Florida seeking a fresh start for both his life and his career – he had “no particular plan in mind” as to what he was going to do with the rest of his life.

October 1 marks The Depot’s one-year anniversary at their current location, 2935 North Federal Highway, less than five minutes from the spectacular sands and sights of Fort Lauderdale Beach, the shopping and scenery of Wilton Drive, and access to accommodations and main thoroughfares in the form of US-1 and nearby I-95, Oakland Park, Commercial, and Sunrise Boulevards.

The success of The Depot can be attributed to the variety of what they offer. “We have leather events, events for bears, gay women, no cover, everyone’s welcome,” fires off Babb. “We have a leather deejay, a highly popular lesbian deejay, and a twinkie deejay,” he adds.

Babb with his partner have thrown their and the bar’s support behind a number of important local causes, including the Smart Ride and the South Florida Boys of Leather.

In addition, they have started promoting monthly events, including their summer deep sea fishing tournament.

Their marketing plan also included launching what they hope will become a local staple: the traditional poolside Sunday T-Dance, bringing back to South Florida’s gay community a fun, sun-packed reminder of great times past in Greater Fort Lauderdale’s incomparable climate.

On Saturday, October 1, at 2 p.m., join the crew at The Depot to celebrate their 1 Year of Making a Splash at the anniversary pool party. This weekend also marks their “marriage” between The Depot Bar and The Courtyard Cafe, which will be cooking up great appetizers, salads, sandiwches, burgers and more.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – The Stonewall National Library and Archives will honor Elaine Noble and Joel Burns with their Stonewall Heritage of Pride and Stonewall Spirit of Pride Awards at its Our Stars event on November 11.

Elaine Noble, who in 1975 became the first openly gay person in American history to be elected to a statehouse, and “Man of the Year” Joel Burns, the Fort Worth City Councilman whose tearful speech on bullying to his colleagues was seen by over two million people around the world on YouTube.

“It’s our great pleasure to celebrate our history and culture by honoring these two incredible role models,” said Brian McNaught, chair of the Stonewall Our Stars Committee. “Elaine Noble made it possible for other gay politicians to be out of the closet. Joel Burns now carries the torch that Elaine first lit.”

On the evening of November 11, Library patrons will gather at the home of Brian McNaught and Ray Struble for a private reception with Noble and Burns. Stonewall will present the Stonewall Heritage of Pride Award to Elaine and the Stonewall Spirit of Pride Award to Joel at the reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information on how you can join the celebration, please visit www.stonewallnationalmuseum.org and click on the Our Stars Ticket link.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association is working with Curve magazine to gather data on the seldom-tracked lesbian travel market. Women who fill out the joint survey by October 28 have the opportunity to win a two-night stay from IGLTA member The Angler’s Boutique Resort in Miami Beach.

“We try to be as inclusive as possible, but – as with many LGBT organizations – the gay men tend to outnumber the women,” IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella said. “We welcome this opportunity from one of our media partners to gather more information about what lesbian travelers really want.

It will be great to share this data with our member businesses.”

The survey is available through October 28 by clicking the link on the home page at www.iglta.org.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – Ron Mills, president of the Dolphin Democrats, issued a statement on the repeal of the ban on openly-gay members serving in the military:

“Our nation was founded on the concept of equality for all, and yet equality for gay and lesbian Americans is still a work in progress. Today, with the end of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ those gay and lesbian Americans who wish to serve their country without hiding their true identities finely have equality.

“As Commander in Chief, I have always been confident that our dedicated men and women in uniform would transition to a new policy in an orderly manner that preserves unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and military effectiveness,” President Obama said in July. “As of September 20, service members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country.“

All ten of Florida’s congressional Democrats in the House voted to repeal the ban late last year, joined by Republicans Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln Diaz-Balart. We thank them for recognizing that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” had to go. We also thank Senator Bill Nelson for his vote against the ban.

“The Dolphin Democrats have been out front in fighting for repeal, working with the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus and National Stonewall Democrats. But this should not be seen as a partisan victory – rather, it is a victory shared by all Americans that underscores our true values.

“There are still many more key pieces of legislation lingering in Washington guaranteeing the LGBT community is ensured equality, but today we will celebrate the repeal of the discriminatory ban on openly gay men and women serving in the military.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) recently added two board members: Rika Jean-Francois of ITB Berlin, one of the world’s leading travel trade shows; and Marta Dalla Chiesa, founding director of Brazil Ecojourneys.

Both are longtime professionals in the tourism industry.

“ITB Berlin is the first tourism trade show to have a representative on the board of this remarkable association and is ready to give LGBT tourism the platform it deserves,” she said. “This is a great chance to develop new markets and to fight for human rights in tourism.”

Marta Dalla Chiesa, whose tour operation is based in Florianopolis, Brazil, is returning for her second term as a board appointee. “This is not only a recognition of my efforts for the organization but also a good sign that the current board values the diversity of the IGLTA membership,” she said. “I hope to continue to push forward in the association the issues dear to our Latin American, lesbian and small business members.”

The IGLTA is the leading global organization dedicated to connecting businesses in the LGBT tourism industry. Its membership spans 85 countries and consists of accommodations, airlines, tour operators, travel agents, destinations, media and other key players in the tourism industry. IGLTA was founded in 1983. For more information, visit www.lgbt.travel and follow them on facebook, twitter and foursquare.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – Robert Hofmann, author and humorist, comes to & Stonewall National Museum Archives, Tuesday, October 11 at 7 p.m.

Robert Hofmann grew up in New Jersey, and what a wild, crazy and wonderful life he has had. Between his family and his friends, he guides the reader through many exciting episodes of his history. It is wickedly bitchy and hilarious!

His first two books, “An Ordinary Madness” and “Surrounded by Insanity,” introduced his unique brand of humor. In his newest book, Robert Hofmann takes us on yet another wild ride into hilarious world. Hofmann doesn’t mind telling tales out of school.

Among his chapters are those devoted to trailer trash, hot in leather, love and loss, parties, friends and “not-so-close friends,” making for hilarious fun.

The Stonewall National Museum & Archives is located at 1300 East Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. This event is free and open to the public.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – The Pride Center at Equality Park, in association with Lambda Men’s Brotherhood, have created a new social networking program called Youth Gay Meth Free (YGMF). YGMF caters to the young GBTQ men in South Florida who struggle with crystal methamphetamine addiction – commonly known as “Crystal,” “Tina” or “Ice” – along with other substances.

YGMF is currently available on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, with the goal of grabbing the attention of young GBTQ males with these tragic addictions.

“I’m very excited about this new program because there are so many young men struggling with additions,” said Mitchell Jerus, Youth Coordinator running the YGMF Program. “We already have much of our online social networking programs in place and very soon we will have a peer counseling program both online and offline.

“These young men often feel alone with no one to talk to about their problems,” continued Jerus. “That’s why we’re here, so they know they’re not alone and that someone is there to help. We anticipate this program will be very successful and we’re using the slogan ‘Get Your Shine Back’ showing these young men that they can emerge from their dark places.

“Numerous indicators confirm problematic crystal methamphetamine use among some sexually active men who have sex with other men. GBTQ/MSM young people’s questions regarding sexual identity and sexual behavior need to be addressed. These young men need skills to address and resist using substances as they become exposed to new behavioral options in the gay community.”

“In my experience catering to LGBTQ youth and their families, many of the young men I’ve met that use crystal meth are young sex workers: dancers, go-go boys, adult film performers, escorts, etc.,” said Listron “Blue” Mannix, Expanding Testing Initiative Manger overseeing the YGMF program.

“We’re reaching out to other organizations that can help this program flourish and become the hope for a better future to others that it’s supposed to be,” concluded Jerus. “We feel that by collaborating with programs such as Meth and Men, the Sunserve Youth Group, MProject and other treatment centers, that young men struggling can get the help that they need and deserve.”

The core of this program is located at the Pride Center at Equality Park on Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors, or by going online to Facebook and looking for “YouthGay MethFree”.

For additional information, email youthmethfree@pridecenterflorida.org or call (954) 463-9005.