WILTON MANORS, FL – The Pride Center at Equality Park will be holding their third annual LGBTQ Community Health Fair on Saturday, July 23, in the Main Hall of their campus at 2040 N. Dixie Highway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Available at the Health Fair will be health information for men, women, children and pets; seminars for men and women and free medical tests and screenings.
Adm ission
is free and there is ample free parking.
WILTON MANORS, FL – The Pride Center will be holding “The ABCs of Hep & Health” on Thursday, June 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. Erase the myths, get the facts as Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. James T Dwyer joins with a community educational presentation examining Hep A, B, & C, co-infection with HIV and the latest treatments. Diona Libonati and Daniel Elmore from BioScrip Pharmacy will also contribute for this evening of up-to-date information.
For more information, contact Michael Childers at (954) 463-9011 x 306
By Bob Kecskemety
Last week, U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz held a town hall meeting at the Pride Center at Equality Park where she addressed issues pertinent to the gay community. Despite only a few day notice of the town hall meeting, the main hall of the Pride Center was packed with community members interested in what the Congresswoman had to say.
After introductions by Paul Hyman, Executive Director of the Pride Center and Gary Resnick, Mayor of Wilton Manors, Wasserman Schultz took to the podium and commended the local LGBT community on what a fine job they have done in having such a great community center. She then told how proud she was to represent one of the largest LGBT communities in the country.
Wasserman Schultz is originally from Long Island and attended the University of Florida, where she majored in Political Science. Upon graduation, she decided to stay in Florida and moved to Broward County. At the age of 26, she was elected to the Florida House of Representatives and became the youngest female legislator in the state’s history.
After 8 years in the House, she ran for and won State Senate in 2000. When there became a vacancy for the U.S. House District 20 seat in Florida, she ran and won overwhelmingly.
She currently sits on the House’s Budget and Judiciary Committees and is the Democratic Party’s Chief Deputy Whip. She is also Vice Chair of the House’s GLBT Caucus. Last month she received the Pride Center’s Stars of the Rainbow Award for public service and was recently selected by President Barack Obama as the new Chair of the Democratic National Committee.
Wasserman Schultz, now 44, lives in Weston, Florida, with her husband, Steve, eleven year old twins and a seven year old.
“I know you have been frustrated at times. I know that perhaps the pace of change has not come fast enough; I’ve had so many conversations with so many of you saying, ‘come on, let’s go, let’s pick up the pace.”
“I understand that there has been slow changes of pace on gay rights,” said Wasserman Schultz, “hate crimes, the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the decision not to fight the appeal of DOMA and the deportation of a foreign partner in a gay partnership. Well he [President Obama] may have been a little bit of a late-bloomer but you certainly have a lot to be proud of with the hate crimes legislation, the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the decision of the Obama administration, through Attorney General Eric Holder not to appeal the overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act and to halt the deportation of foreign gay partners. That’s tremendous progress. I would not have believed it if you had you told me at the start of my congressional career that we would make this much progress [in just two years].”
Yet, she explained, there is so much more to do. She’s looking forward to passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a Student Non-Discrimination Act, a resolution supporting the National Day of Silence, the United American Families Act and a focus on non-bullying measures.
She also feels that the government should provide programs and backup to the public schools to provide a safety net for kids who are struggling with their sexuality so that LGBT teen suicides stop appearing in newspaper headlines.
After speaking, Wasserman Schultz conducted a short question and answer session. Most questions had to do with budget cuts proposed by the Republican majority in the House of Representatives. One of the most touching questions, however, came from a woman who was under chemotherapy and paying $14,000 per treatment.
Another tearful moment was when a gay couple introduced themselves, legally married, they faced separation due to the government’s current policy not recognizing foreign nationals in gay couples.
Other questions included school bullying and teen suicide, lack of Democrats standing up to the Republicans, Medicare and Medicaid cuts, the economy and lack of jobs and increasing Ryan White funding.
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – Paul Hyman, Executive Director of the Pride Center at Equality Park, was recognized for his dedication to the community at the annual Lambda Legal Recognition Dinner on Saturday, March 27. Over 300 people were in attendance at this year’s annual event, which was held at the Bonnet House.
Hyman became Executive Director of the Pride Center (then know as the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida) six ye ars
ago during a period of time when the future of the center was in doubt. Since then, the Pride Center moved into its new, larger headquarters in Wilton Manors and has flourished and greatly expanded its programs to serve a larger portion of the community.
FORT?LAUDERDALE, FL – The Pride Center at Equality Park has set up a special fund to help out community activist, Judy Shepherd. Shepherd was always one of the first in line to participate and support any and every event the community has asked of her. She has volunteered her time at the Stonewall Library and Archives, the Pride Center, Lavender Events and others.
Shepherd was recently diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing surgery and other treatments in a local hospital, and is doing so without traditional health insurance.
The Pride Center is asking the support of community to help this person who has supported the community for so many years.
The Pride Center is acting as fiscal agent for the Judy Shepherd fund and has set up a dedicated bank account to manage donations sent on her behalf to the Pride Center. You can stop by the Center any time and make a tax deductible donation.
Photographers: Steven Shires, Bob Risse, Mauricio Ferrer, Peter Giraldo, Alex Quinteroand Vicki Hartsough
The Health and Community Services Programs in collaboration with Black Gay Pride South Florida hosted a very well attended celebration of unity, art, culture and community for Kwanzaa. The African-American community was encouraged to know their HIV/AIDS status and invited to make the Pride Center at Equality Park their resource for counseling,
testing, and referrals.
The Pride Center at Equality Park Sponsored the 12 Annual Black Gay Pride South FloridaCelebration, a weekend celebrated through the performing, visual and cinematic arts. Theopening evening was capped off with a proclamation declaring February 26th Black GayPride Day in the city of Wilton Manors by Commissioner Julie Carson.
The Pride Center hosted the first Latino HIV/AIDS Leadership Summit. More than 180 com-munity leaders discussed how to mobilize within the Latino community. The Summit wasorganized by a partnership between Latinos en Acción of Broward County, the FloridaLatino HIV/AIDS Advisory Group, and the Florida Department of Health Statewide LatinoAIDS Coordinator with the capacity building assistance program at the Latino Commissionon AIDS. Participants shared experiences in community mobilization and practiced inaction planning workgroups.
PALS volunteers organized a very successful WinterWonderland party for graduates, friends, family mem-bers and community supporters of the LIFE Program.Over 100 people attended this reunion event. Sponsorsincluded Panache Style, Stork’s Bakery, Mama’s Cakes,To The Moon, Java Boys and Andrews Diner.
Enhanced Fitness focuses on physical activity and is designed to help olderadults at all levels of fitness to become more active, energized and empow-ered to live independent lives. The Enhanced Fitness program at the PrideCenter draws over 30 seniors per class. The Center offers six classes per week.
“Coffee and Conversation” is just one component of the Pride Center’ssenior programming. Over 60 LGBTQ seniors meet weekly for conversa-tion, food, programs and friendship. The senior group gathers in numbersexceeding 120 for special holidays.
Monthly cocktail reception for major financial supporters of the Center. Sponsors for Stars of the Rainbow enjoyed a martini tasting before the event. Have you considered becoming a Founders Circle member?
The Pride Center continuesto provide a busy, popularflea market the firstSaturday of every monthon the Equality Park cam-pus in Wilton Manors.Over 100 vendors offercrafts, plants, furniture,antiques and clothing. Allproceeds support the mis-sion-driven work of theCenter. Come visit!
To address the total health and well-being of LGBT youth in the wake of anumber of LBGT youth suicides, the Health and Community ServicesPrograms partnered with Safe Schools South Florida to train, equip andempower educators to help keep
LGBT youth safe in our schools.
Monthly cocktail reception for major financial support-ers of the Center. Guests were encouraged to bring atoy for disadvantaged children. The funds donated byFounders Circle members underwrite vital programsand services to the community.
The works of 10 local women who served an important role in the artisticcommunity were featured at The LBT Women Art Expressions GalleryOpening and Reception. The collection was as eclectic and unique aseach of the women who shared a part of herself with every creation.
Inspired by Annie Lennox’s campaign, Pride Center vol-unteers spearheaded an effort to provide t-shirts pro-claiming “HIV Positive” for World AIDS Day. Regardlessof health status, gender, sexual orientation, race or cul-ture, Pride Center staff, volunteers and friends walkedin solidarity through Wilton Manors. On this day, allembraced a positive mindset to combat stigma andadvocate for vital services for people living withHIV/AIDS.
Photo: Drop in “Living Room” space partially funded by the Elton John AIDS Foundation
grant encourages positive social support.
The Pride Center’s well-known PALS (Positive Action for Living Safely) Project recently received a $75,000 grant from the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The newly funded “LIFE Goes On” program will allow PALS to upgrade its service to the community through peer education, wellness seminars, provider training and a drop-in space.
“This grant allows PALS to expand health and prevention work not only to men who are living with HIV but also to those in the community who are at risk for HIV,” says Frank Gurucharri, PALS Project Manager. “This is a natural evolution of our ongoing LIFE Program.”
New education and coaching opportunities will allow community members to develop behavioral health skills to enhance and protect their health and the health of their partners.
The PALS Project currently offers health education, wellness empowerment, riskreduction counseling, service linkage, and emotional and practical support to the nearly 9,500 gay and bisexual men living with HIV in Broward County. PALS also offers two well known workshops: the five-week CHOICES program and the 17-week LIFE Program. PALS helps men lead safer, richer lives.
“For the last five years, the impressive performance of PALS Project staff and volunteers has allowed the Center to impact the lives and health of local gay, bisexual and transgender- identified men,” says Kristofer Fegenbush, Deputy Director of the Pride Center. “The expanding role of our Center as a hub of gay culture and advocate for HIV education, prevention and wellness support uniquely positions us to be highly successful in our collaboration with the Elton John AIDS Foundation.”
The new LIFE Goes On program will fund six areas of service. First, a wellness series of community presentations begins next week with a “Happy Hiney Health” dinner seminar. Second, PALS will develop PALS Peer Partners, a certification course and ongoing professional development coaching for volunteer peer educators. Third, the program will provide several peer-led community presentations on HIV, stigma and identify, including narratives from individuals living with HIV. Fourth, LIFE Goes On will provide HIV self-management educational seminars for community based providers. Fifth, the program will offer oneday self management workshops for people newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Finally, the grant has allowed the establishment of a functioning “Living Room” drop-in space on the Equality Park campus. This safe space will encourage positive social support with community resource information, HIV/STI testing and intervention referrals, and linkages to health resources.
“Now PALS expands its peer power even more,” says Ralph Caraglia, longtime peer educator and volunteer. “This allows PALS volunteers greater opportunities to ‘give back’ by preventing HIV and improving the health of our communities.”
Broward County, according to the latest (2006-08) epidemiological reports by the Florida Department of Health, has the highest rate of all HIV cases (59%) in the State. Annual participation in PALS programming has grown by more than 450% in the last three years, which includes helping the men already living with HIV in Broward County to enjoy healthier lives and to lower their risks of transmission. PALS’ LIFE and CHOICES programs are funded by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of HIV/AIDS.
The Pride Center is proud to sponsor and host several exciting events in celebration of Women’s History Month.
“This is an
historic month at the Pride Center for women,” says Donna Woessner, Women and Senior Service Coordinator at The Pride Center. “We are thrilled to be offering a wide range of events in celebration of Women’s History Month.”
Women’s History Month is an annual declared month worldwide that highlights contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. The National Women’s History Project has named this year’s Women’s History Month 2011 – Our History is Our Strength. In honor of this theme, the women at the Pride Center and throughout the community have organized events that will highlight some of our history throughout the decades.
For Women Only: Spaces, Organizations, Events and Publications Created by and for Women – A 13-panel retrospective provided by Stonewall Library and Archives. This exhibit explores the history and implications of some of these special spaces for women.
Installation – Friday, March 18, Will displayed for the rest of the month of March.
Simply … Woman: A Symposium – A free day-long event featuring plenary sessions about the state of LGBT rights in Florida and nationally, a generational round table, breakout groups, networking and more. Breakfast and lunch will be offered. Saturday, March 19, 2011, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
“Naked with Fruit”, by Meryl Cohen – A Lesbian play reading presented by the Women’s Theatre Project, Saturday, March 19, 2011, 8- 9 p.m., Tickets $10.
Speak Fire: Womyn’s Spirituality Conference – A free event that brings together spiritual leaders in the women’s community to empower them to reconnect with the spirit and truth inside. Saturday, March 26, 2011, 12noon – 6 p.m. South Florida Womyn’s Music Fest – A free event that features the best of South Florida’s independent music scene. Saturday, March 26, 2011, 7 – 9 p.m.
The Pride Center’s S.F. Makalani-Mahee states, “These events are designed to encourage women to speak and sing in their own unique voice.”
For more information about the Pride Center or this event, please contact Linda Jain, Program Operations Manager or Donna Woessner, Women and Senior Services Coordinator at (954) 463-9005.
The South Florida premier of the powerful movie “Bullied” will benefit the Pride Center’s Vision 2015 campaign. Cocktails and a panel discussion will accompany the event on Wednesday, March 23 from 6 to 9 pm at Cinema Paradiso.
“Bullied” chronicles the story of Jamie Nabozny, a student from Ashland, Wisconsin who stood up to his anti-gay tormentors with a federal lawsuit. The suit led to a landmark decision that held school officials accountable. Despite that ruling, anti- LGBTQ bullying continues to be a severe problem. Today more than 80 percent of LGBTQ students report being harassed at school. Schools across the country still are unwilling or afraid to openly address anti-gay bullying.
The panel discussion after the movie will feature the Southern Poverty Law Center, Sheriff Al Lamberti and Paul Hyman from the Pride Center. Admission is a $100 tax-deductible donation.
For more information contact Jason Burns at (954) 463-9005 or jburns@PrideCenterFlorida.org.
Last month, the Pride Center hosted Broward County’s first Transgender Medical Conference. Over 80 medical and clinical professionals participated actively in the day’s activities.
“For those in our community that identify as transgender, there are significant challenges accessing culturally competent medical and clinical services,” says Linda Jain, Program Operations Manager at the Center. “This conference represented one step towards addressing those challenges.”
The Symposium aimed to educate the medical and clinical communities about the unique care required for this medically underserved community. “Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey” states that 50% of the respondents reported having to teach their medical providers about transgender care and 28% postponed care when sick or injured due to discrimination.
The Pride Center collaborated with the Broward County Health Department, SunServe and the Florida Caribbean AIDS Education and Training Center to plan and execute the successful event.
Speakers included: Marilyn Volker, Ph.D., a Board Certified Sexologist; JoAnne Keatley, MSW, Director for Transgender Health at the University of California; James Lopresti, PH.D., L.M.H.C, founding Director for Mental Health Services for SunServe; and M. Layne Yassesn, PA, specializing in Psychiatry, Neurology and Transgender Medicine.
“The positive feedback we’ve received since hosting the Symposium has been overwhelming,” says Jain. “The collaborative energies of so many groups will enable us to expand this event in the future.”