COVID has ravaged America and the world for a year and a half and South Florida has been a “hot spot” for much of that time, and never more so than right now.

His name is Damian, but don’t let the name fool you. Damian is everything but.

In remembrance of those lost from the Orlando shooting, people have gathered all across Florida. Click on the images below to view our photos from local vigils.

Broward County Democrats are fighting amongst themselves over the sudden firing of Michael R. Howson, office director of the Broward Democratic Party.

Here is your guide to this year’s elections from the three largest LGBT rights groups in South Florida, SAVE, Palm Beach County Human Rights Council and Equality Florida.

(SS) It's time to vote, rain or shine.

The voice stood out, and was unmistakable. 

(SS) Power to all but the unluckiest few will be restored by the time the weekend is over. Florida Power & Light made the bold promise Tuesday morning, leaving enough wiggle room to concede it may take a little longer for homes and businesses affected by tornadoes, flooding and other “severe damage.”

Organization makes efforts to include women

If Gov. Ron DeSantis does not act soon, three South Florida legislative districts will have no representation when the 2022 regular session begins in January.

When you think of queer censorship on social media, you may think of a friend who was put in “Facebook Jail” for 30 days because someone reported a random, seemingly innocuous comment.

Earl Bunning, who performs across South Florida under the stage name RaeJean Cox, was in a major car accident Aug. 5.

The time of year when most of the country is putting on layers and ramping up their indoor sports is when South Florida heads outside in shorts and airy shorts.

Update: The date to register to vote has been extended to 7 p.m. Oct. 6 since the state's website crashed on Monday. Original story below.
 
The deadline for Florida voters to register or update their registration is coming soon — Oct. 5. Here are some things you need to know in order to conduct our most patriotic duty as Americans: exercising our right to vote. 

In 2021, 10 local LGBT people have died. Now we honor their memories.

The South Florida LGBT community is mourning the loss of Magno Morales, who died Feb. 9 at the age of 54. 

Safe Schools South Florida is celebrating its 30th year of service to the safety, support and education of LGBT students and their educators and staff in South Florida schools.

Twenty years ago, George Kessinger, Jim Stork and Bob Hagen founded the South Florida Softball League (SFSL) in an attempt to create a haven for LGBT (and non-LGBT) ball players to have an environment that was accepting and open. Starting with only six teams that year, the South Florida Amateur Athletic Association (SFAAA) now has 24 teams and approximately 375 members in its association.

South Florida school districts voiced their support this month for the contributions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Thursday, 4/17

Music

Power up at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach for an immersive concert featuring music from the most popular video games of all time. “Video Games Live” combines the power and emotion of a symphony orchestra mixed with the excitement of a rock concert and the technology and interactivity of a video game, all completely synchronized to cutting-edge visuals, lighting and special effects. Segments includeZelda, Warcraft, Mario, Halo, Final Fantasy and more! Tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $20 at Kravis.org.

Thursday, 4/3

Cabaret

Thursday, 4/24

Film

Movie Night at the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, 1300 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale, features Robert Mamoulian’s gender-bending classic, “Queen Christina,” the pre-Hayes Code film starring Greta Garbo and John Gilbert. Garbo, who was both bisexual and Swedish, lends her trademark “ambiguous sexuality, tragic aloofness and boyish playfulness” to her performance as the eccentric, cross-dressing monarch. The screening begins at 7 p.m. Gather early for refreshments and stick around for discussion afterwards. Information at Stonewall-Museum.org.

Friday, 4/25

Theater

The House Theatre of Chicago (“Death and Harry Houdini”) brings its latest imaginative production, “Rose and the Rime,” to the Arsht Center’s Carnival Studio Theatre as part of the center’s Theatre Up Close series. When the town of Radio Falls, Mich., is trapped in perpetual winter for a generation, it’s up to the only remaining youth, a young girl named Rose, to break the curse of the Rime witch. But, the residents learn to be careful what they wish for. Through Sunday, May 18. For tickets and show times, go to ArshtCenter.org.

Saturday, 4/26

Music

Lorna Luft returns to South Florida tonight at 8 p.m. for an intimate interview, audience Q&A and live performance at the Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW 9^th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Not only will Luft shed some light on her relationship with her mother, the iconic Judy Garland, she’ll discuss her own career and perform some of the songs that have made the women in her family famous. Tickets are $30 online and $40 at the door for “Up Close & Personal with Lorna Luft & Scott Nevins.” For tickets, go to SunshineCathedral.org.

Sunday, 4/27

Poetry & Prose

Arts at St. John’s presents “Writing Women’s Voices,” a program of diverse readings—fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoirs—from the Women’s Writers Group, today at 2 p.m. at St. John’s on the Lake church, 4760 Pine Tree in Miami Beach. The program will include readings by Irene Sperber, “Have You Ever Been Crestone(d);” Ginger Vela, “Street Songs; and project director Carol Hoffman-Guzman, “Coño Means ‘I Love You’.” Other featured writers include Cassandra Buery, Rossie Cortes, Rosalind Merrit and Dena Stewart. The program is free. For more information, go to ArtsAtStJohns.com.

Monday, 4/28

Event

Hey, sailor! It’s Human Fleet Week Port Everglades and hundreds of sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are arriving today for a week of liberty in South Florida. They’ll be participating in a wide variety of community service projects, as well as recreational and professional activities. The festivities kick off tonight at 6 p.m. with the All Hands on Deck Welcoming Party at the Seminole Paradise Shoppes in Hollywood. The public is invited to welcome our men and women in uniform. For a schedule of Fleet Week Port Everglades events, go to BrowardNavyDaysInc.org.

Tuesday, 4/29

Film

One of our favorite “bisexual” actors, hunky Brit Tom Hardy (“Star Trek: Nemesis,” “Dark Knight Rises”), will be appearing live in a special video uplink at the Classic Gateway tonight before the screening of his new film, “Locke.” The thriller, which takes place over the course of a car ride, is a riveting exploration of how one decision can lead to the complete collapse of Hardy’s character, a seemingly successful, content construction manager and family man. For show times and tickets, go to TheGatewayTheatre.com.

Thursday, 12/26

Nightlife

The day after Christmas is traditionally known in British Commonwealth countries as Boxing Day. Historically, this was the day servants or tradesmen received gifts, called “Christmas boxes” from their employers. We suggest changing the name to Bottle Day this year because it falls on a Thursday, the night when the Alibi in the Shoppes of Wilton Manors serves up infamous $3 Long Island iced teas in glass mason jars after 9 p.m. For more information, go to AlibiWiltonManors.com.

Thursday, 2/13

Art

Channel your inner Michelangelo, Picasso or Matisse at the monthly men’s drawing class, tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at LeatherWerks, 1226 NE 4^th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. A nude model will be provided for both short and long poses, but you’ll need to bring your own art supplies. Whether you prefer pencil, watercolors, oils or chalk, this is an opportunity to explore your creativity. Internationally recognized artist Ira C. Smith will be coaching participants. Cost is $25 in advance or $35 at the door. To reserve your spot, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thursday, 2/20

Cabaret

We loved her on “Smash” and “Sean Saves the World” and tonight at 8 p.m., blonde bombshell Megan Hilty joins Sirius XM Radio star and pianist Seth Rudetsky to shoot the breeze, dish the dirt and raise the roof performing a host of classic Broadway songs at the Parker Playhouse, 707 NE 8^th Street in Fort Lauderdale. Don’t miss the second installment in the WinterStage series, produced by local playwright Matthew Lombardo (“Looped,” “High”) at Fort Lauderdale’s historic theater venue. Tickets are $51.50 – $126.50 at ParkerPlayhouse.org.

Friday, 2/21

Art

Tonight the monthly Island City Art Walk and boutiques and galleries along Wilton Drive will be hosting open houses and artists’ receptions from 7 – 10 p.m. While strolling the drive, be sure to stop by Art Frenzie, 2151 Wilton Dr., and meet painter Thomas Acevedo. In addition to a collection of the artist’s powerful male nude acrylic paintings on display, giclee prints and originals will also be on sale. For more information about the monthly art walk, go to IslandCityArtWalk.com. Learn more about Thomas Acevedo’s works at Facebook.com/ArtFrenzie.

Friday, 2/21

Dance

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world’s most popular dance companies, returns to the Arsht Center, Feb. 20 – 23, as part of a 24-city United States tour. In his third season as artistic director, Miami’s own Robert Battle continues to expand the company’s diverse repertory with premieres from a wide range of important choreographers, including the storyteller Ronald K. Brown and Broadway legend Bill T. Jones, but the highlight of his homecoming performances will be the company founder’s own masterpiece, “Revelations.” Tickets are $25 – 125 at ArshtCenter.org.

Saturday, 2/22

Theater

This weekend is your last chance to catch the critically acclaimed production of Deborah Zoe Laufer’s “The Last Schwartz,” presented by Parade Productions at the Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center’s Studio Theater, 201 Plaza Real in Boca Raton. Laufer’s award winning play chronicles the funny, surprising and ultimately moving story of a family at a key turning point in their history and stars Ken Clement, Kim Ostrenko, Betsy Graver and Mark Della Ventura. Thursday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., through Feb. 23. Tickets are $35-40 at ParadeProductions.org.

Sunday, 2/23

Theater

One of the breakout hits of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, “The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart,” comes to Miami at Bar 377 (formerly PAX Bar), SW 8^th Street in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood. Welcome to the new world of immersive theater, 

where the lines between the audience and the performers are blurred, as Prudencia Hart dances with the devil. Presented by the National Theatre of Scotland and Miami Dade College’s MDC Live Arts, Thursday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m., through Feb. 23. Tickets $30 at MDCLiveArts.org.

Tuesday, 2/25

Theater

Turn up that dial! From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, to Fort Lauderdale’s Broward Center comes the hot Broadway musical, “Memphis,” bursting off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, “Memphis” tells the story of a radio disc jockey who wants to change the world and a club singer who is ready for her big break. Tuesday – Sunday through March 9, tickets $34.50 – 79.50. For tickets and show times, go to BrowardCenter.org.

Thursday, 2/6

Exhibit

Find out just how far ahead of her time Abigail Van Buren — best known for her nationally syndicated advice column, “Dear Abby” — was on issues of LGBT compassion and understanding. An exhibit, “Dear Abby: Letters and Advice on Homosexuality” is currently on display at the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, 1300 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale, through Feb. 22. With a daily readership in the millions, Van Buren’s wisdom did much to promote civil public discourse and acceptance. For more information, go to Stonewall-Museum.org.

Thursday, 1/16

Theater

Thursday, 1/23

Theater

Four-time Tony Award-nominee Tovah Feldshuh reprises her tour-de-force performance as Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in “Golda’s Balcony,” the historic play that became the longest running one-woman show in Broadway history. From Russian immigrant to American schoolteacher to the epicenter of international politics, “Golda's Balcony” traces the amazing trajectory of Meir, one of the most influential women of our time. Opening tonight and playing through Sunday, Jan. 26 at the Parker Playhouse, 707 NE 8^th St. in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets start at $28.50 at ParkerPlayhouse.org.