An incredible event, sponsored and hosted on September 20^th by Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida (GLCC) Founder Circle Member, Michael Trost, raised $25,000 to support GLCC programs and services.  “It’s wonderful,” reports Paul Hyman, Executive Director, GLCC, “when so much good can be accomplished for people in need while at the same time bring others together who otherwise may not have met or ever known one another.   This is one type of event which distinguishes the GLCC from some other organizations in that we provide direct and necessary support for critical community services and programs, but also strive to provide our donor community with options and ways to connect with one another.” The event was hosted at Michael Trost’s beautiful Wilton Cove home and featured amazing culinary delights that were donated by The Chef’s Table, and lots of decadent drink selections donated by Crown Wine & Spirits.  One of the main features was a silent auction, which was anything but boring!   The silent auction, raising a significant portion of the night’s proceeds, included travel with first class airfare and four nights stay in NYC, or if one preferred, they could bid on four nights in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico instead.   Joan Rivers also supported the event by donating tickets to a meet and greet in New York City as well as donating some of her jewelry!  Proceeds from this event will be used to support the many programs and services provided by the GLCC to the community. The GLCC is a non-profit organization that provides information, education, advocacy, support, human services, cultural experiences, and social opportunities to foster personal development and quality of life for the entire community.   For more information about the GLCC’s plans or to learn ways individuals or businesses can provide support, please contact Robert Boo, Director of Development at the GLCC at 954-463-9005 or rboo@glccsf.com. 

October 15th is the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States and this year will mark the fifth year of what has become an annual observance, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD). NLAAD is a community mobilization initiative that emphasizes the importance of reducing and preventing HIV infection in Latino communities across the United States. It promotes awareness among Latinos and encourages individuals to get tested for HIV. NLAAD is also a day to remind us of the importance of supporting Latinos living with HIV/AIDS. On Friday October 12^th Broward House, in conjunction with Care Resource, the GLCC, Hispanic Unity and Noche Latina Fridays are coming together for “Reventon Latino de Prevencion” in recognition of NLAAD (National Latino Aids Awareness Day) at Steel Nightclub. The organizations will come together to give out the facts, and try and educate the Latino Community on safety to keep as many people HIV negative as possible. In Florida, AIDS is one of the greatest health threats facing Latino communities. The Latino community in Broward is the fastest growing racial/ethnic group making up 21% of the county's population. Broward County ranks second in HIV cases for the State of Florida, where an estimated 1 in 216 Latinos are living with HIV. In the Main Room at Noche Latina DJ Lannier will be spinning the hottest mix of Salsa, Merengue, Raggaeton and Latin sounds and in the video lounge DJ Oliver will be spinning Brazilian favorites accompanied by his famous videos. Doors open at 9pm, and they feature FREE DRINKS from 9 till 11pm, FREE Parking for over 500 cars and the Hottest Latin Go Go Papi’s from 11pm till close. The show stars house diva’s Erika Norell and Alyssa Kartiar and Special guests Champagne Bordeaux……. Noche Latina Fridays is held at Steel Multiplex Nightclub which is located at 1951 NW 9^th Avenue (powerline). For more information go to www.nochelatinafridays.com

Direct from New York, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the World-Famous Rockettes makes a triumphant return to Fort Lauderdale November 8 – December 2. Most famous for their eye high kicks and precision dancing, the Radio City Rockettes have strutted their way into the hearts of millions and continue to be a beloved family holiday tradition. This spectacular live production has dazzling lights, scenery and costumes as well as a cast of nearly 100 members, including live animals and Santa Claus himself! In addition to “Christmas in New York”, a trademark Rockette showstopper, and the tap-infused “Twelve Days of Christmas,” this magical production features the legendary favorite “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and the awe-inspiring  “Living Nativity.”

By a vote of 6-1, the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners voted today to direct staff to prepare amendments to two county ordinances to protect the rights of transgendered persons. Three Democrats (Vice Chair Jeff Koons, Commissioner Burt Aaronson and Commissioner Jess Santamaria) and three Republicans (Commissioners Bob Kanjian, Karen Marcus and Mary McCarty) voted in favor of the measure. The sole opposition came from Commissioner Chair Addie Greene, a Democrat. Prior to year's end, the Commissioners must vote two more times before the law can go into effect. Vice Chair Jeff Koons initiated the proposal to amend the County's Equal Employment Ordinance and Fair Housing Ordinance to prohibit discrimination based on "gender identity or expression." "Everyone in Palm Beach County deserves to be treated with dignity," said Koons. "People should be protected from all forms of discrimination." "No one should be fired, harassed, or denied promotion simply because they don't fit the stereotypes for masculinity or femininity," said Rand Hoch, President of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. "The new law will help ensure that all Palm Beach County residents are judged on the quality of their work and given an equal chance to succeed," said Hoch. "No longer will an employer be able to fire an employee solely because she is a woman with a masculine walk or he is a man with an effeminate voice." Recent events brought to light the discrimination transgender people face in the workplace. Last Spring, the Largo (Florida) City Commission fired its city manager after 14 years on the job. The action was taken after the St. Petersburg Times revealed the city manager intended to transition from male to female. "What happened in Largo could happen to any of the transgender people living and working in West Palm Beach," warned Hoch. "Based on estimates from the National Center for Transgender Equality, between five and ten thousand people in Palm Beach County are living as members of the opposite gender," said Heather Wright, who transitioned from male to female seven years ago. Wright is the facilitator of a gender support group that meets regularly at COMPASS, Palm Beach County's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community center. "I am fortunate to work for a Fortune 500 company that truly values diversity," said Wright. "Many other transgender people are not given the same opportunity to prove themselves on the job. That is why this county-wide ordinance is so important." "Employers will still be able to enforce reasonable dress and grooming standards in the work place after the law takes effect, "said Hoch. "However, the Equal Employment Ordinance will provide assurances that other aspects of a person's gender identity and expression can not be used as the basis for employment discrimination."

The County's Equal Employment Ordinance covers public and private employers with fifteen or more employees. With almost 1.3 million people, Palm Beach County will become one of the nation's largest jurisdictions to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Thirteen states (California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington) have enacted laws prohibiting discrimination against transgendered people. These laws, in addition to similar transgender-inclusive protections in the District of Columbia and in 93 cities and counties, protect more than 37% of the US population. In Florida, the cities of Gulfport, Key West, Lake Worth, Miami Beach and West Palm Beach, as well as Monroe County prohibit both public and private employers from discriminating based on gender identity or expression. In addition, the cities of Largo and Oakland Park, and the Village of Tequesta, now protect their municipal employees from discrimination based on gender identity or expression
The Gainesville City Commission is currently in the process of prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on gender identity or expression. Although civil rights activists in both Broward and Pinellas Counties have urged their county commissions to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression, no formal action has been taken.

Had a bad day at work? Stressed out from the commute on I-95? Feeling the pressure of too many deadlines? Come in to The Naked Grape Wine Bar, order a glass of your favorite red or white, select a small cheese plate, and then sit down and relax on their new leather sofa. If you have not been in to the wine bar for the last two weeks, then stop in soon and see their latest addition. Their new leather sofa in the front window allows you to sink back and let the cares of the day slip away. Take off your shoes, put your feet up and forget about all those deadlines--at least for an hour or two! Watch the people as they stroll down "the Drive." Their hope is that their latest addition will offer you an opportunity for a more relaxing evening at The Naked Grape. They continue to make changes so that their customers will allow them to be your Wilton Drive alternative.

The weather didn’t stop over a thousand hungry people from stepping out, joining their friends and supporting GLCC’s “Dine Out With Your Community” event on Tuesday, September 25^th.   Ten generous restaurants made it possible, agreeing to donate 20% of their proceeds from the day’s business to support GLCC programs and services. The participating restaurants were 3030 Ocean (at Marriott Harbor Beach Resort), Food Amongst The Flowers, Galanga Thai Kitchen & Sushi Bar, Grandma's Ice Cream & French Café Herban Kitchen, Mario's Catalina Restaurant, The Melting Pot, Primavera, Rosie’s Bar & Grill, and Trina (in The Atlantic Hotel). Robert Boo, Director of Development, GLCC shares that “we couldn’t be more pleased with the response of the community. There were many groups that used the event to get together for birthday celebrations, anniversaries, and catching up with friends.  Many of the restaurants had larger than average sized groups and tables filled with GLCC supporters”.   This according to Paul Hyman, Executive Director, GLCC,  “makes us very proud and grateful, as we asked the community to plan in advance and make a special night of it, and clearly the community listened, showed they cared, and had a great time”. “Our media partners also played a tremendous role”, according to Boo, who reports “almost every publication we approached stepped up to the plate and promoted the event. We are honored and grateful with the support of the local media sponsors”.  The GLCC will use the proceeds to support programs and services including; Youth Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention, Latino and Minority Outreach, Support for Seniors and Transgenders, HIV Education and Wellness, Domestic Violence Assistance, as well as its free rapid HIV testing program. The GLCC is a non-profit organization that provides information, education, advocacy, support, human services, cultural experiences, and social opportunities to foster personal development and quality of life for the entire community.   For more information about the GLCC’s plans or to learn ways individuals or businesses can provide support, please contact Robert Boo, Director of Development at the GLCC at 954-463-9005 or rboo@glccsf.org.

Make a gift of $5 or more to GLCC before October 12, and earn a special savings pass that gives you 20 percent off all purchases at Macy's on Saturday, October 13. GLCC is among the charities participating in "Shop For A Cause," a Macy's event that rewards donors who make a $5 gift or more with a discount card that can be used all day on regular, sale, and clearance items. To get the "Shop For A Cause" pass, one must make a gift directly to GLCC in person. GLCC will give you a "Shop For A Cause" pass. You can support GLCC's mission while receiving savings on women's, men's, and children's apparel in addition to other items. For a complete listing of items the savings pass covers, please visit http://www1.macys.com/img/ShopForaCause_Fact_Sheet. pdf.

Saturday October 11^th is National Coming Out day, so lets all celebrate and be proud of who we are!! 

The time has come! This weekend, don't miss Queer Riot! Bruce Vilanch, Judy Tenuta and Lady Bunny are coming to Miami for a night of laughter on Saturday night at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. These three talented performers will be sure to cause a riot of laughter from a packed house at the Gusman. Bruce Vilanch is known as the most sought after writer in Hollywood. He writes comedy for Whoppi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, David Letterman, Bette Midler plus the Academy Awards and Golden Globe scripts every year. Lady Bunny is the founder of New York's Wigstock festival of drag and music. She will be performing her comedy as well as her parodies of songs that she writes and records. Judy Tenuta, the self proclaimed Goddess of Love, will put you under her spell with her outrageous comedy and her infamous accordion. Tickets are still available on Ticketmaster.com.