The second of the monthly networking events presented by GLAAD, Thank GLAAD It's Friday (TGIF) took place at

Score and on hand were several members of the media including representatives of 411 Magazine, Express Gay News and Mark's List as well as the guys from Gay South Florida. Next month's event takes place on October 19th at Rosie's on Wilton Drive and I look forward to seeing all of you there! 

The finals for the Main Street Gym Calendar Cover model search took place at Coliseum. In addition to the packed crowd they had 30 qualified contestants who were a nice mixture of all types of hot men. The judges had a very hard time picking the winner but in the end Justin Hooper, was the winner!!!

Cupids Queen B, Brandy reopened her nightclub. Gone is the center stage and in its place are three smaller, more intimate stages for the world famous Cupids dancers. There are also pool tables, foosball and other games along with flat screen TVs for viewing your favorite sports games. And what would Cupids be without lap dances? Yes, the lap dances are back! Judging by the first night's turnout it looks like Cupids is off to a great start. So if you're in West Palm Beach or make a trip up there and you're looking for hot guys, Cupids is the place!!

Calling all Movie Buffs and Star Gazers … The 22^nd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF 2007) will host the Martinis & Movie Madness Membership Party at Blue Martini (Galleria Mall, East Sunrise Blvd), on October 2, from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.  The party provides an opportunity to learn about some of the festival films, events and celebrity guests to attend, before the 26 day-long cinematic event begins.  Annual FLIFF memberships provide discounts and free screenings at FLIFF’s year-round art theatre, Cinema Paradiso.  Memberships begin at $70. Admission to the party is $10 and includes beer, wine, or premium drink and hors d'oeuvres. $7 Martini Happy hour prices will be extended through 8pm for all FLIFF guests.  And, if you become a member at the party, you’ll receive some passes to the 22^nd Annual Film Festival and the party admission fee will be deducted from your membership cost.  For a complete list of membership levels and perks visit  www.FLIFF.com or call  954-525-3456. For a complete list of films and ticket links please use Mark's List: /events/fliff/2007/index1.htm

The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida (GLCC), Wilton Manors Business Association, Wilton Manors Main Street and the City of Wilton Manors announced today a combined effort in putting on a Halloween extravaganza. The GLCC, already known for hosting a successful Halloween event join forces for the Wicked Manors Block Party to be held on Wilton Drive between 7^th and 11^th Avenues.  This year’s event will start at 7:00pm with lots of festivities planned throughout the evening. Co-chair Bobby Kyser, owner of Petals Panache said “Not only will this be a very fun evening but the proceeds of this event will benefit the programs and services of the GLCC and the revitalization of Wilton Manors.” The GLCC serves the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community providing information, education, advocacy, support, human services, cultural experiences and social opportunities. The center works to foster personal development and quality of life for the entire community embracing individuality and diversity, promoting awareness, acceptance, celebration and pride.  Wilton Manors Main Street is a nonprofit group made up of residents, business owners, property owners and organizations that creates an environment on Wilton Drive where commerce, art and housing enthusiastically coexist. “This event will benefit the community and all the businesses on the drive with much needed exposure.”  Co-chair Doug Cureton, owner of What’s the Scoop went on to say, “we are hoping to establish this into an annual block party to rival that of other cities nation-wide.” This year’s theme “HELL ON HEELS” will feature businesses along the drive in a storefront decoration contest voting will take place online beginning on Wednesday, October 24^th and lasting until Halloween Night; informal trick or treating for youth and adults from 5-7pm; music by G.I.R.L. (GayInternetRadioLive.com); Mistress of the Dark – Misty Eyez as hostess/emcee; street food vendors, bars and Halloween themed booths and souvenir items for sale, including an official event T-shirt. The evening will include a Lord and Lady of Wicked Manors contest.  Participants must submit an application on the website www.wickedmanors.com by Tuesday, October 23^rd and voting will begin on Wednesday, October 24^th lasting until Halloween Night. The Lord and Lady will preside over the evening’s event. All winners will receive fabulous cash and prizes. Other contests that evening include a Pet Costume and Pet/Owner Look-a-like Contest; a Tattoo and Body Art Contest; a Celebrity Look-a-like Contest; a FIERCE WALK OFF Contest called “Drag on the Drive”; and a Costume Contest with Scariest and Overall Best Costumes.  Cash and Prizes will be awarded. Would you like your business and logo listed on the website, on the promo cards, in all press releases and receive an ad in the event program, or be listed as an “official site location for a pre-party/event” and receive a booth on the street that night? The committee is looking for sponsors to assist in underwriting the expenses such as decoration, printing of the Hallo-Guide, security, lighting, permits, advertising and more.  For information on how you can be an event sponsor, contact Bobby Kyser at (954) FLOWERS (356-9377). Volunteers interested in helping with the event before, during and after should contact Nicole at the GLCC at 954-463-9005 or nicole@glccsf.org.  For more information please use Mark's List: events/wicked_manors_block_party/2007/index.htm

Books & Books, the locally-owned, independent bookstore founded by Mitchell Kaplan in 1982, will celebrate its 25th Anniversary in October.  The store has designated the month of October as its anniversary month and has planned a number of events to mark the occasion, including a community-wide Anniversary Party on Saturday, October 20, from 7-midnight, a tribute to South Florida-based music legend Federico Britos, and a commemorative publication, Twenty-Five, which will be posted online, with thoughts and reflections from authors, publishers, customers, and cultural partners. 

After two years in Palm Springs, the US Mr. Gay Competition has been moved to Los Angeles, California, for 2007. The three day ‘Survivor-type’ contest is set for the October 25 - 28,  and will feature twenty US Finalists competing for the titles of US Mr. Gay, Mr. Gay Fitness and Mr. Gay Congeniality. These 20 Finalists will have won contests in their home city before traveling to LA to complete. US Mr. Gay Competition Executive Producer, Don Spradlin, announced the Grand Finale will be topped off with an exciting stage show at the Music Box at the Henry Fonda Theater on Saturday night, October 27th. The Finalists begin their three days with Judge’s Interviews and an outdoor test of their leadership and intellectual skills conducted by leading expedition guides. There will also be rehearsals, photo shoots and fund raising events to round out the weekend. This is the first year that the US Competition will be held on a different weekend from the International Mr. Gay (IMG) Competition. Previously, the US contest selected the US Delegate just hours before the IMG. This year, the US event will be three months before the IMG, which will also be produced in Hollywood over the MLK Weekend of January 17 – 20, 2008, and feature 20 international Delegates. About the US Competition Certification Committee Chair and Associate Producer, John Michael Beck, said that “Producers from 20 US cities will be sending Finalists to compete in this year’s Mr. Gay Competition. We are in the process of licensing additional cities, and as of this week we have already signed New York City, Sacramento, Denver, Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Kansas City, Houston, Palm Springs, Chicago, Anchorage, Providence (RI), Boston, San Diego, Baton Rouge, Columbus, Honolulu and Phoenix. Exciting competitive events are planned for both the three day event to test their intelligence, team building talents and character.” Arriving on Wednesday, October 25th, the competitors will run through a series of events to earn points and avoid early elimination. The first contest will be a yoga exercise class in one of Hollywood’s many city parks, followed by a team building game that tests cooperation and leadership. The mission of the Mr. Gay Competitions is to feature non-stereotypical gay or bisexual men in an exciting and entertaining manner. During the Competition, a panel of celebrity judges will conduct individual interviews with each of the contestants. The event’s tag line is ‘gay is not a stereotype’ and the judges will be searching beyond looks for someone who is genuine and can be a successful role model for the non-stereotypical gay man. These same judges will be seated for the Grand Finale stage show on Saturday night at the Music Box when the audience will observe them asking each Finalist their on-stage questions. The Grand Finale ends with the popular swimwear presentation. Grand Finale tickets go on sale in September. Photos of Finalists including photos of the current US Mr. Gay, Grant Ermis from Sacramento and the 2007 International Mr. Gay, Nathan Shaked from Israel, City Contest schedules and last-minute Competition updates are posted online now at www.MrGayCompetition.com, where you may also sign up for the monthly eNewsletter for more information and new Finalist’s photos.

Chef Kal Abdalla, of Prezzo Restaurant and Martini Bar in Aventura, will present a culinary demonstration at Bloomingdale’s Aventura on Saturday, September 29 at 1 PM.  Chef Kal, a 20-year veteran of The Forge, will prepare items from Prezzo’s international menu fare, followed by a tasting for attendees.  Admission is free, and open to the public.  The demonstration takes place in the Main Course Kitchen at Bloomingdale’s, 19555 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura.  For further information, please call (305) 792-1288.

Centaur Entertainment, New York's premiere dance music record label, is thrilled to rejoin Miami's White Party Week (November 21-26) as an Official Sponsor in 2007.  Centaur will once again produce the Official White Party benefit CD and veteran Centaur DJs Warren Gluck and Wendy Hunt have signed to mix the new White Party CD, due for release in November 2007. "Our sponsorship of White Party in 2007 is a homecoming of sorts this Fall," says Centaur's Chief Operating Officer Jamie Baxter.  "Our roots run deep with this amazing fundraising event, to date contributed over $135,000.00 in cash from White Party CD sales alone.  Centaur is excited about the opportunity to further support White Party and Care Resource in their ongoing efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS." Since 1998 Centaur has been producing benefit dance albums to help raise money for some of the most worthwhile causes in the gay and lesbian community.  The White Party CDs which benefit Care Resource are among Centaur's first, boasting critical acclaim for the mixes by DJs David Knapp and Tracy Young.  The new White Party CD will also benefit Care Resource - Florida's One Source for HIV/AIDS services. To further build awareness and excitement for White Party Week, Centaur has also organized a month full of Pre-parties planned for October.  Every Pre-party will offer White Party CD give-a-ways and the chance to win tickets to the ocean-side Muscle Beach party, taking place during White Party Week.  A complete list of Pre-parties is available at www.centaurmusic.com.

 Scratching the Surface, an exhibition of over 40 new works by 3 female artists will be on view at Lèche-Vitrines Art Alliance from October 11 through November.  Ranging in size from 5" x 7" to 5' x 5', the entire exhibition of mixed media work is primarily on canvas, some work constructed on cork, stone or wood panels. Although each artist explores different concepts and themes, they all share the expression of their ideas through the creation of highly textural and complex surfaces. The artists also choose unique and unconventional materials to create intricately sculptural surfaces, taking two-dimensional works into the realm of three dimensions, from the purely visual to the tangible and sensual. Materials as diverse as gauze, sand, rocks, gravel, dirt, furniture paste, glue, Popsicle sticks and toothpicks are incorporated within their paintings, creating a visceral, and sensory experience during art making, and for viewers.  By combining natural materials into (wo)man-made works, using canvases with earthy palettes and touchable surfaces, these works evoke a deeper nature.  Though preconceived in the artists' imaginations, the works appear organic and uncontrived.  Each artist is presenting an individual series of works; while all using nature, in motif and substance, to unearth deep, spiritual, and collective feelings from within. Artist Carla E. Reyes talks about her work and also accurately describes the common theme of the Scratching the Surface exhibition, "My work is about the basic need to create and using the senses we are given to mirror and interpret the world around us and express our unconscious- to leave something tangible behind to know we are real and that what we experience has substance and a context.  The natural elements are used as a way to physically connect with our purest origin- which is nature. Sometimes being reconnected with nature- however contrived or limited can bring us back to who we really are in a primal way. The textures allow for a more sensual experience for the artist and the viewer- encouraging the use of all the senses through feel, touch, depth, as well as visual absorption. We only know we exist through our sensory experiences." Lèche-Vitrines Art Alliance is located at 3038 North Federal Highway, Times Square Design Plaza, Building F, 2nd floor, Ft. Lauderdale, FL  (Southeast corner of Federal Highway (US 1) and Oakland Park Blvd).  Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday, 11am-7pm.  Sunday and evening hours are available by appointment.  For more information on an individual artist or artwork images, please contact gallery owner and director Danielle Lanteigne at T: 954.563.2993/ F: 954.563.5658/ email: lechevitrinesart@mac.com/ web: www.lechevitrinesart.com.   The Opening Reception is October 13, 7-10pm.   All artists will be in attendance.  All events are free and open to the public.

Pride Factory – at its new location at 850 NE 13^th Street presents a meet and greet with Ricky on Saturday September 29^th from 3 to 5pm. What a perfect time to stop in and check out all of the new gifts, clothing, household accessories and of course, DVDs that are available in this expanded location.

Boardwalk presents Ricky performing on Friday, Saturday & Sunday September 28, 29 & 30. They will also have movie give-a-ways on all those nights, and the availability of VIP tickets for a meet and greet with Ricky.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation today released the sixth annual Corporate Equality Index showing an unprecedented 195 major U.S. businesses earned the top rating of 100 percent, up from 138 last year — a 41 percent increase. The Index rates ems on a scale from 0 to 100 percent on their treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors. The 195 businesses that met all of the criteria employ more than 8.3 million workers. When the Index was first released in 2002 only 13 companies, employing 690,000 workers, received the top rating.

“More businesses than ever before have recognized the value of a diverse and dedicated workforce,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “More importantly, these employers understand that discrimination against GLBT workers will ultimately hurt their ability to compete in the global marketplace.” “Yahoo! is proud to be part of HRC’s Corporate Equality Index and to be in the company of a pioneering group that has stepped up to create a more inclusive work environment for today’s diverse employee groups,” said Cammie Dunaway, chief marketing officer and executive sponsor of the LGBT employee group at Yahoo!. “We’re committed to making Yahoo! a great place to work and remain focused on offering progressive employment policies and benefits while recruiting the best talent from all backgrounds. We value our tens of millions of LGBT consumers around the world and are always looking for ways to further connect them to the information, passions, and communities that matter most to them, on our Yahoo! LGBT Pride site and across our network." The movement in corporate America toward equality in the workplace has prompted a coalition of corporations and civil rights groups to form the Business Coalition for Workplace Fairness aimed at leveling the playing field by enacting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. ENDA — which is scheduled to be considered by the full U.S. House of Representatives later this month — would ban workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. “In the next few weeks, Congress will vote on federal legislation that U.S. employers have already overwhelmingly embraced,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “It’s the right thing to do for our economy and for our country.” Today, at least 282 cities and towns, and 19 states, across the country have added workplace protections that protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation in both public and private sector jobs. More than 93 local jurisdictions, and 11 states, have laws that include protections based on gender identity. The Corporate Equality Index, which this year rates 519 businesses, measures the extent to which employers protect their GLBT employees. Ratings are based on factors like non-discrimination policies, diversity training and benefits for domestic partners and transgender employees. Among the findings of this year’s report:

·         The banking and financial services industry has 32 companies with 100 percent, more than any other industry. While there are 30 law firms with the top rating, up from 12 last year.

·         Three sectors saw their first company achieve a top rating.

·         In mail and freight delivery, United Parcel Service (UPS) achieved 100 percent. In contrast, FedEx (FDX) received a 55 and does not provide benefits for domestic partners firm-wide, including to married same-sex couples in Massachusetts.

·         In the transportation and travel services industry, Travelport known for its travel sites such as Orbitz.com is the first to receive a perfect score.

·         Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. (HET) is the first gaming industry company to achieve 100 percent. 

·         For the first time, a majority of rated firms — 58 percent — provide employment protections on the basis of gender identity. 

·         Among the 57 companies that have newly achieved a perfect score of 100 percent are: Allstate Insurance Co.(ALL), Electronic Arts Inc. (ERTS), Esurance Inc., J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (JCP), KeyCorp (KEY), Macy’s Inc. (M), Marriott International Inc. (MAR), Mastercard Inc. (MA), Waste Management Inc. (WMI) and Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO).

The report can be downloaded from HRC’s website at www.hrc.org/cei.

At the request of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Senator Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton) and Representative Kelly Skidmore (D-Boca Raton) will file legislation next week to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. "The time has come to update Florida's civil rights laws to ensure that discrimination in housing and employment based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression is prevented," said Skidmore. If enacted into law, the Deutch-Skidmore civil rights bill will amend both the Florida Civil Rights Act and Florida's Fair Housing Act. "Throughout the state there are some counties and cities that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity," said civil rights attorney Rand Hoch, President of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. "However, because their is no statewide law, more than half of all Floridians who face discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity have no legal recourse." Ordinances prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation are in effect in Broward, Leon, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach Counties, as well as in the cities of Jacksonville, Gulfport, Gainesville, Key West, Lake Worth, Miami Beach, Orlando, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Tampa, West Palm Beach and Wilton Manors. Monroe County and the cities of Gulfport, Key West, Lake Worth, Miami Beach and West Palm Beach also prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. "It is critical that Florida's civil rights laws be uniformly applied statewide," said Skidmore. In the past few weeks elected officials in the City of Gainesville and Palm Beach County began the process to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity in their communities. Efforts are also under way in Broward and Pinellas Counties to convince elected officials there to do the same. Enacting prohibitions against discrimination based on gender identity became a legislative priority for Florida civil rights activists after the Largo City Commission fired its city manager last spring 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 Florida," warned Hoch. "In the 2007 legislative session, Senator Deutch and Representative Skidmore introduced bills to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation," said Hoch.  "However, since insurance and taxes were at the forefront of the legislative agenda, the bills did not move forward." The Deutch-Skidmore civil rights bill was not given a public hearing in either the Senate or the House during the 2007 legislative session. Senator Dave Aronberg (D-Greenacres) and Representatives Mary Brandenburg (D-West Palm Beach), Susan Bucher (D-West Palm Beach), Faye Culp (R-Tampa), Keith Fitzgerald (D-Sarasota), Richard Machek (D-Boca Raton), Ari Porth (D-Coral Springs), Scott Randolph (D-Orlando), Elaine Schwartz (D-Hollywood), Priscilla Taylor (D-West Palm Beach), Shelley Vana (D-West Palm Beach) and Jim Waldman (D-Coconut Creek) joined Senator Deutch and Representative Skidmore in co-sponsoring the civil rights bills. "The Council hopes that all of these legislators -- and many  more -- will co-sponsor the Deutch-Skidmore bill in  the upcoming session," said Hoch. Since the upcoming session's bill includes both sexual orientation and gender identity, activists expect more progress to be made in the 2008 legislative session. "During the last legislative session, few GLBT activists and organizations assisted Senator Deutch and Representative Skidmore in their efforts to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation," said Council Vice President Deidre Newton. "Now that we have a more inclusive bill, we are hopeful that organizations such as Equality Florida will finally realize that enacting a statewide anti-discrimination law should be a legislative priority," Hoch added. Since no action was taken by the legislature this past session, Governor Charlie Crist did give an opinion about extending the state's civil rights laws. Even so, some activists are optimistic. "Governor Crist has been a leader on civil rights throughout his career," said Newton.  "We hope he will consider this an issue of fundamental fairness."   Earlier this year, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council asked Governor Crist to issue an executive order prohibiting discrimination in state employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, or marital status.  However, no action has yet been taken on the Council's request. Across the nation, thirteen states (California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington) and the District of Columbia have enacted laws prohibiting discrimination based on both sexual orientation and gender identity. Seven more states (Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire,  New York and Wisconsin) have laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Polling data for the past thirty years has consistently shown that Americans overwhelmingly support legislation protecting gay men and lesbians from job discrimination in employment and housing. In May, 2006, the Gallup organization asked 1,002 randomly selected adults aged 18 and above whether gay men and lesbians should have "equal rights in terms of job opportunities." 89 percent of Americans favored equal employment rights. Only 9 percent disagreed.  464 (92.8%) of the Fortune 500 companies have written policies prohibiting workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation.  In addition, more than 230 major corporations have established policies prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity.