Florida Agenda

The South Florida Funny Man Talks Past, Present and Future

By Alex Vaughn

Michael Martini has had a varied and interesting career. Having always called South Florida home, the comedian and actor always has the issues of the community close to his heart. He is gearing up to emcee Hellrotika, Save Dade’s charity Halloween party. The Florida Agenda sat down with Michael to find out a little bit more about the man who is using comedy to get the issues out there!

Please tell Agenda Readers more about Hellrotika.

It’s the biggest Halloween event in South Florida! SAVE Dade presents their 17th Annual Halloween Extravaganza. There will be amazing music by renowned DJ’s, top shelf liquor, costume contest, celebrity appearances, special performances and over 1,000 of Miami’s spookiest partygoers!

The event will be held in a new venue this year, The Sabal Palm Plaza and Terrace at Jungle Island.

Are you excited about it?

Yes and very honored that Save Dade asked me to be emcee this year. I love the charity. It was created in 1993 to protect gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals in Miami-Dade County from discrimination based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation. SAVE Dade, and its education arm SAVE Foundation, help raise awareness about rights and protections for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Tell us a bit about Michael Martini?

Well, I have always called Miami home. Born a long, long time ago at Mount Sinai hospital. I grew up in North Miami Beach and attended NMB senior high until I went away to college at Emerson College in Boston where I studied theatre and was in the Emerson Comedy club with fellow actors Mario Cantone, Dennis Leary and Anthony Clark. I had the first Gay and Lesbian Talk show called “the Michael Martini Hour” on WPBR back a few years ago and this enabled me to use my talents and help educate about our issues here in South Florida.

How did you start out?

My career literally happened by “ACCIDENT.” Ever since I was a little boy in pigtails and high heels, I always wanted to be an actor and comedian. Yet, after attending college, I was thrust into the business world. I had several high profile jobs including marketing director for Hallmark Cards, international marketing director for UNICEF and VP of marketing for Intel Corp. Back in 1999, I stumbled upon an audition in NYC for an Off- Broadway show called “Down under Darling.” I lined up with several hundred actors and to my surprise I was cast to play three roles and this lit my fire even more. But I was a slave to “Corporate America.” All that changed on a rainy December night in 2002. I was hit by a drunk driver and subsequently had to have a hip replacement and many years of physical therapy. This made me unable to perform my function at INTEL, but enabled me to pursue my dream of comedy and acting. So, as I said, my career happened by accident!

You have been away for a while, what brought you back?

I took a 4 month hiatus and have been travelling and touring. It was a well needed rest and I came back to host and MC the greatest party on earth!

What do you enjoy most about performing?

I love the connection with the audience. Each venue is different. I love live comedy clubs and Broadway stages because it is an immediate connection. Doing TV and movies is a different ballgame. I recently started doing TV, with roles on “The Glades” and “Burn Notice.”

What inspires you?

Making a difference really inspires me. When I was marketing director for UNICEF, I was inspired by the bravery of humans in the midst of war, crisis and famine. I am inspired by young gay Americans who brave discrimination and bullying and come out anyway. Thanks to my faith, I am able to take my gift of comedy and humor and use my public status to bring attention to LGBT issues and help make a difference when I can. I hope at the end, I have helped create change and inspired people. Comedy has a way of helping people understand our differences. For instance, I always ask a straight man in the audience how long he has been straight and does he think it’s a phase he’s going through and if his parents know. I ask why he made that choice. They always say it’s a stupid question, and I remind them I am asked that daily.

How is preparation for Hellrotika going?

The committee is working hard this year and this event is going to be off the charts! This year, we will have many choreographed numbers, four amazing DJ’s and of course an incredible costume contest hosted by me. Its’ all for a good cause, and I think it’s one of the best events all year.

Where would you really like to go in the future?

It’s really easy for me to connect the dots of my career going backwards, but more difficult going forward. I would like to continue doing comedy clubs and really have enjoyed TV and love my singing back in the 90s.

My dream is to have my own sitcom and also have a charity that helps people who are HIV positive to get access to medication.

Are there any disadvantages to working within the community?

Sometimes casting directors know of my work in the LGBT community and they only see me as playing a “gay role.” But the benefits of working towards equal protection and creating awareness of our issues outweighs that.

When you look back over your career here, what’s the highlight?

I have to say back in the 90s singing with Cyndi Lauper at Carnegie Hall was amazing. I have enjoyed many facets of my career, from opening the first Lips restaurant in NYC, to my radio show. I actually think that was the highlight, because it brought attention to our issues.

Now, what’s the biggest cringe moment?

I HAVE HAD A FEW. I was in a dinner theatre production of “Anne Frank” and it was so bad when the Nazis came in, the audience screamed, “She’s in the attic.” (He is joking!) I have had people come on stage and do all sorts of crazy things. When people heckle, it kinda makes my show in actuality.

What effect has social networking had on your popularity?

Social networking is the most amazing tool for both actors and the special interests we have. We can reach a mass audience and let them know what’s going on, where we are performing, and how they can help out with our causes.

So what’s next for Michael Martini?

God only knows. I’m booked for “Hellrotika” and am auditioning again for the many TV shows that are here in South Florida. I am also in negotiations with Lips for a possible return. Of course, I am waiting for a call from my agent about that sitcom!

Hellrotika, Seed of the Beast, will be held at at Jungle Island at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132.
Advanced VIP and general admission are available at www.Hellrotika.com. Doors open at 8 p.m.

MIAMI, FL – Despite the Christian Family Coalitions attempts to discredit U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, those taking part in a CFC poll overwhelmingly said she should not be removed from her GOP leadership position.

An online poll by the Christian Family Coalition asked the question: “Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has come out – for ‘homosexual marriage.’ As a Republican leader, she is bound by the party platform which supports marriage as one man, one woman. Should she be removed from her leadership position in the party?”

A vast majority of those participating in the poll felt she should not be removed from GOP leadership position. The results were: 8.4% said yes, 91.3% responded no and 0.3% had no opinion.

In a written statement from SAVE Dade, “In what was a clear effort to attack Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for simply representing all of her constituents, the Christian Family Coalition asked their constituents to vote whether or not she should be stripped of her leadership role in the Republican Party. To their surprise 91.3% of their constituents voted NOT to remove her and only 8.5% think she should.

In late September, Ros-Lehtinen joined 124 of her colleagues in Congress to co-sponsor the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the discriminatory federal ban on marriage for gay and lesbian Americans. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen became the first Republican to co-sponsor this historic legislation, opening the door to further bi-partisan support.

“The Christian Family Coalition now has their own data pointing to what we already knew; most Americans are in support of full equality for people who are LGBT,” said C.J. Ortuno, Executive Director of SAVE Dade. “This poll should send a clear message to their leadership that their hatred and prejudice is outdated and founded on drunk science – apparently their membership agrees.”

SAVE Dade:  LGBT Voters Should Be Considered in Re-Districting Debate

MIAMI, FL – Florida, the fourth most populous state in the union, has yet to elect an open LGBT state legislator. The three larger states, California, Texas and New York, have had an openly LGBT representative serve in state elected office. Other, more traditionally conservative states, including Montana, North Carolina, Utah and Wyoming, all have elected LGBT state legislators.
Florida is considered to have the fourth highest population of LGBT people, but gay and transgender people are still not represented in Florida’s state or federal politics.  Florida’s redistricting process could change this if maps are drawn to make concentrated LGBT populations a “community of interest”.

“Florida’s legislative districts unfairly disadvantage LGBT people from being elected to state and federal office and we want to change that,” said C.J. Ortuno, executive director of SAVE Dade. “We have an opportunity to right a wrong by ensuring the redistricting process fairly includes the number of LGBT communities around the state that are recognized by their residents as a community of common interests.

“Not many states have passed statewide legal protections without an openly gay or transgender person carrying the torch in the halls of state or federal government – we want to make sure that the LGBT community is given equal representation for their equal responsibility as productive citizens of our great state,” said Ortuno.

Coastal Cleanup

BROWARD COUNTY, FL – Broward County will be participating in the annual International Coastal Cleanup, sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy. The Cleanup takes place in over 104 countries around the world, typically on the 3rd Saturday of September.

The next event is scheduled for Saturday, September 17th,  from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants should dress accordingly for the weather and be prepared for rain or shine. The Cleanup will only be cancelled due to a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning.

Last year, almost 1,700 volunteered their time to help clean the beaches in Broward County as part of the 25th Annual International Coastal Cleanup.

Cleanup locations include: Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Oakland Park, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, John U. Lloyd State Park, Dania Beach, Hollywood Beach and Hallandale Beach.

To participate, bring a hat, gloves, sunscreen and water to one of the cleanup locations. For check-in areas and more information, visit www.Broward.org or call 954) 519-1270.

Womenfest Key West

KEY WEST, FL – For over 20 years, Key West has welcomed women from all over the world to Womenfest Key West, the southernmost party for lesbians and their friends. Womenfest offers a wide range of activities guaranteed to appeal to a broad range of interests. Golfing with palm trees and iguanas, clothing-optional pool parties, a sizzling dance club scene and women-only water excursions that range from jet skis to dolphin watching all promising to pique the interest of the more adventurous, while film, live music and special comedy shows offer the opportunity to enjoy paradise at a slower pace. All of this on a tropical island that is close to perfect and far from normal.

Womenfest Key West will be held from September 6th through 11th and is being hosted by the Key West Business Guild.
For more information, visit www.womenfest.com.

Same-Sex Households Up 60% in Tampa Bay Area

TAMPA, FL – The Tampa Tribune reported that the number of same-sex couples living in the Tampa Bay area is up 60% over the last decade, according to results from the 2010 Census. Nearly a fifth of those couples were raising children, also according to the Census.

The Census counted 10,261 same-sex households in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties, up from just under 6,500 in 2000. However, this dramatic growth only represents 1% of total households in the region and the state.

Wilton Manors had the highest percent of same-sex households in the entire state with 6,200 households, or 12%.
Teacher Suspended for Anti-Gay Facebook Comments

MOUNT DORA, FL – A Mount Dora teacher was suspended from the classroom and reassigned pending an investigation by the Lake County School Board after controversial comments he made about same-sex marriages on Facebook.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Jerry Buell, a long-time Lake County social studies teacher who was chosen Mount Dora High School’s Teacher of the Year, said during a recent Facebook exchange that he “almost threw up” in response to a news story about legalized same-sex marriage in New York. He also posted that same-sex marriages were part of a “cesspool”.

The comments were made on Buell’s personal Facebook page and visible to friends in his network.

Florida G.O.P. U.S. Senate Candidates Vow Gay Marriage Opposition

ORLANDO, FL – Though the Republicans keep saying the next election will be about “jobs, jobs, jobs,” it really appears to be more about social issues.

All of the current Republican Senate candidates, former U.S. Senator George LeMieux, former state Representative Adam Hasner, retired Army Colonel Mike McAlister and businessman Craig Miller, have come out against gay marriage.

According to the Tallahassee Democrat, when asked about New York’s recent legalization of gay marriage, the four Republicans said they supported the federal “Defense of Marriage Act,” which defines marriage as a union of one man and one woman.

Orlando attorney John Stemberger, a founder of the Family Policy Council and who ran the constitutional amendment campaign on marriage three years ago, said the four Republicans articulated strong conservative positions in the debate and that support of social conservatives and Tea Party activists was crucial to electing Florida Governor Rick Scott and Florida’s U.S. Senator Marco Rubio last year, along with some members of the U.S. House and local governing boards.

MIAMI, FL – SAVE Dade presents “Champions of Equality” on Friday, May 20 at The Ice Palace (59 NW 14th Street, Miami) from 6 to 9:30 p.m. This inaugural SAVE Hall of Champions, was designed to honor long-term individuals who have contributed mightily to advance the cause of equality for the LGBT community in Miami-Dade County.

This year SAVE Dade is honoring U.S. Congresswoman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz; Greenberg Traurig, LLC; The ACLU of Florida.

Tickets are $75 in advance, $100 at the door. For more information, visit: www.championsofequality.org.

MIAMI – After collaborating with SAVE Dade, Florida Together and other experts, Florida Senator Eleanor Sobel filed Senate Bill 1582 which requires the Department of Education (DOE) to create model “stand alone” policies on bullying and harassment.

“We are delighted to see action and progress on protecting all students from the real threats of school bullying,” said Michael Kenny, Executive Director of Florida Together, a statewide advocacy organization for more than 90 local gay and lesbian organizations.

“Florida has an anti-bullying law but this policy and the specifics in the bill will go further and do more,” he said.

Sobel’s proposal will require the model bullying prevention plan created by the DOE to include a designated school employee to serve as a counselor for bullying and harassment incidents.

Many aspects of the DOE plan are modeled after an innovative and effective program that is currently implemented in Miami-Dade schools. That plan, under the direction of Ms. Suzanne Milano-Berrios, Director of Mental Health and Crisis Management Services and School Social Work Services at Miami-Dade Schools, addresses bullying issues including incidents that involve “sexual minorities.”

Fort Lauderdale

WICKED WEEKEND 2010

Wilton Manors Main Street, Inc. (WMMS), in conjunction with representatives from all nine of the bars along Wilton Drive, will hold an expanded series of Halloween events this year along Wilton Drive. Beginning Thursday, October 28th through Sunday, October 31st, the bars along Wilton Drive will be hosting various events each day under the unified nautical theme, “FantaSea Island.” Anticipating the largest crowd on Saturday night, additional parking with on-site security will be provided at Fort Lauderdale High School, Equality Park, the city parking lot on Dixie Highway, the parking lot by City Hall and behind the SunTrust Bank with complimentary shuttle service to and from The Drive.

THE VILLAGE OF HORRORS

Halloween festival featuring two full-scale haunted houses, three panic zones, a craft and peddler’s row and a world of wonders of freaks and oddities. No costumes allowed. Not recommended for children 13 and under.

Prices: $13 onetime admission to haunted houses; $25 unlimited admission to houses and world of wonders; $30 unlimited admission to houses and express line; $40 unlimited admission to houses and world of wonders and express line; $50 four-pack of onetime admissions (advance only). $1 facility fee will be added to each ticket. Tickets purchased on day of event add $5. Get tickets at: www.ticketmaster.com. October 28, 29, 30, 31, 7 p.m. to midnight. Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale.

“JEANS FOR LIFE”

AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Out of the Closet have announced a 2010 Jeans for Life campaign. Everyone has jeans and most of people have a few pairs that need a new home. Whether they’re blue, red, faded or acid-washed, Out of the Closet needs them. The Jeans for Life program is a fun, easy way for everyone to donate toward the care of people living with HIV/AIDS. Drop off your donated jeans at: Sidelines Sports Bar, Georgie’s Alibi, Bill’s, New Moon and/or Rosie’s Bar and Grill from November 1st through 15th. When you place them in the Jeans for Life collection bin you will be helping support both local and global HIV initiative. AHF is there yearround for our community, so let’s give them some help in return. They also produce the annual Florida AIDS Walk in Fort Lauderdale.

MIAMI

“BEWITCHED”: A HALLOWEEN BALL FOR CHARITY

Ghosts, witches and vampires, oh my! The Gold-Diggers, Inc. is hosting a spook-tacular Halloween Ball, “Bewitched,” on Fri., Oct. 29th, 2010 from 7:30 p.m. to midnight! This ghoulish evening will be held indoors at the Douglas Entrance in Coral Gables. The fun-filled night will take place in their magnificent historic ballroom, also known as La Puerta Del Sol, and will include food, open bar, silent auction, “boo-tique” shopping, live performance, music, dancing and much more! The ticket price is $75 per person and proceeds benefit The Gold- Diggers, Inc.’s two beneficiaries: The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of South Florida and the Food for Life Network. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in costume and participate in the fantastic costume contest! The Gold-Diggers, a 501(c)(3) organization now in its 34th year, has raised over one million dollars for its beneficiaries: The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of South Florida and The Food for Life Network. The Gold-Diggers, Inc. is made up of 40 women from Miami- Dade and Broward Counties who raise money for these charities through various fundraising events and their annual spring musical revue. Don’t be left out on this chillingly, haunted event, all in the name of charity! The Douglas Entrance is located in the “City Beautiful,” Coral Gables, at 800 South Douglas Road. There is ample free and covered parking at the venue. Visit www.gold-diggers. org for more information.

Contact Justine Chichester of The Gold- Diggers, Inc. at (305) 298-2544 or at jrchichester@aol.com for more details or to purchase your ticket today!

HELLROTIKA

SAVE Dade presents: Hellrotika: Circus of Lost Souls, the 16th annual Halloween extravaganza, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30 starting at 8 p.m. at The Awarehouse, 550 NW 29th Street in Miami. This year’s event is envisioned as a perfect combination of dance party, mingling forum and themed spectacle, with an aim to attract a diverse group of individuals from within the community. Guests will be treated to an immersive, multimedia experience with macabre interactive “circus” performances, a costume contest, food vendors and the latest dance music played. Tickets are now on sale for “Hellrotika” — general admission tickets are $25, VIP tickets are $45. VIP tickets give you access to unlimited cocktails at the Grey Goose-sponsored bars. There is a discount for tickets purchased prior to October 1st. You can get tickets at Hellrotika.com.

Bay Area

HALLOWEEN HAPPENIN’S

Ybor Social Club – Thurs., Oct. 28 at the Ybor City Social Club, “Those Horror Movies Are Real!,” a Halloween-themed party. Doors open at 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.yborclubs.com. Steam Fridays – “The Closet is a Scary Place, a Halloween-themed party with a $500 (in cash and prizes) costume contest. $1 drinks from 10 to 11 p.m. Doors open at 10 p.m. No cover before 10:30 p.m., $5 cover after 10:30 p.m. Steam Fridays is at Honey Pot, 1507 E 7 Avenue in Ybor City. G.Fridays – Lesbian party presents “Seduced By a Zombie Stripper” on Friday, October 29. Doors open at 9 p.m., $1 drinks from 9 to 11 p.m., 18+ welcome with I.D., at G.Bar, 1401 E. 7 Avenue in Ybor City. G.Bar – Sat., Oct. 30, “Spiders in the Attic” with D.J. Lydia Prim. $1 drinks from 9 to 11 p.m., 18+ welcome with I.D., at G.Bar, 1401 E. 7 Av. in Ybor City. 2606 – “A Shutter Island Halloween Party” on Saturday, October 30. 2606 N. Armenia Avenue in Tampa.

GUAVAWEEN 2010

Ybor’s annual Halloween street party and concerts – Mama Guava takes the ‘bore’ out of Ybor with Halloween happenings in the heart of the ‘Big Guava’! Saturday, October 30, 2010 – Historic Ybor City lays out the red carpet for Mama Guava and her band of costumed revelers. From evening until the early morning hours, the ‘Big Guava’ is for adults. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Family FunFest features Halloween fun for children and families Guavaween Night of Costumed Revelry offers live music featuring national and local artists, the Mama Guava Stumble Parade, Costume Contest and all of the exciting venues Ybor City offers! Guavaween Family FunFest offers safe Trick-or-Treat, live entertainment and performances, Spooky Story Time, hands-on activities, appearances by Tampa Bay Area Sports Mascots and cheerleaders, safety education, exhibits and demos by Tampa Bay’s best area attractions and the always-popular Children’s Costume Parade and Contest! Admission is $17 beginning at 3 p.m., daytime admission is free until 3 p.m.

FLAMINGOWEEN

Costume Ball on Saturday, October 30th with a professionally-judged costume contest. $500 in cash and prizes and Flamingoween drinks and shot specials all night. At the Flamingo Resort. For more information, visit www.FlamingoFLA.com. Showtime, 10 p.m.

Central Florida

MIRACLE OF LOVE’S HAUNTED HOUSE

Miracle of Love will be holding their Haunted House on Sat., Oct. 30 starting at 7 p.m. at 741 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando. Admission is $10 and all proceeds to benefit Miracle of Love which began in 1991 for the distinct purpose of providing accessible HIV/AIDS prevention programming and support assistance to service the needs of communities in Central Florida. Namely Orange, Seminole, Lake, and Osceola counties. For more information on Miracle of Love and their Haunted House, call (321) 239-4826. H “ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW” Running through Nov. 13th at the Theatre Downtown, 2113 N. Orange Avenue in Orlando. Advance tickets are $18/$20 at the door. For reservations, call (407) 841-0083. For more information, visit www.theatredowntown. net.

GOAT RESURRECTION

Greater Orlando Actors Theatre 2nd annual Halloween event at Patron’s Room at the John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center. Admission includes food, soft drinks, beer and wine and entertainment featuring selections from some of your favorite Halloween-themed musicals. Tickets are $20/individual, $35/couple. You can order them by phone or online. Wear your scariest or sexiest get-up for a chance to win a costume contest. Great prizes in raffles and silent auction. The festivities start at 8 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 30. The John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center is located at 812 East Rollins St. in Orlando. For further info, email info@goatgroup.org, call (407) 872- 8451 or visit www.goatgroup.org. H “AIMING FOR THE MOON” Gidget Galore’s “Aiming for the Moon: My Meteoric Rise to Mediocrity” on Saturdays from Oct. 30th – Nov. 20th at 8 p.m.; Industry Night Monday, Nov. 22nd at 8 p.m. Reserved tickets are $10. Footlight Theatre at the Parliament House.

F.A.C.E 2010 PAGEANT – HALLOWEEN EDITION

Will be held on Thurs., Oct. 28 from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Revolution Nightclub, 375 S. Brumby Avenue in downtown Orlando. Pageant starts at 8:30 p.m., door charge, $5. It’s the only ClubKid Pageant of its kind in Central Florida. Presented by Joey Caballero. Contestant fee $50. Guest performances by Kitana Infiniti, Axel Andrews, Mocha Adonis, Sashay and Eclipse (Miss F.A.C.E 2009 – 2010).H