Steven and Tom Visit Discovery Cove - the all inclusive, family friendly resort in Orlando, Florida

 Discovery Cove is special in every way. Swim with dolphins. Kiss a dolphin. Go for a ride on a dolphin! Swim with stingrays. Snorkel with tropical fish. Feed birds. Take an underwater walk with a breathing helmet. And - unlike other parks - breakfast, lunch, snacks and non alcoholic beverages are all included!

Steven and Tom Visit Fort Christmas

 Steven and Tom Visit Fort Christmas.

Fort Christmas is located in Christmas, Florida. The original fort was begun in 1837 after white settlers tried to take back land Native Americans had been granted in a treaty. The fort houses an exhibit about the Seminole Indian War. The twenty-five acre park is has no admission charge. The park also has restored historical homes from 1870-1930, historical farm equipment, a school. There are pavilions, a playground and a tennis court too.

Medieval Times - Kissimmee, Florida

Medieval Times
Kissimmee, Florida
Though you may remember it from Jim Carrey’s hilariously psychotic visit in the movie The Cable Guy, the iconic Medieval Times Dinner Show began in Spain in 1973 and is celebrating 25 years in North America. Medieval Times' 11th century-style dinner is inspired by an actual medieval tradition in which royal families invited guests for a feast and festival where knights competed on horseback.  http://www.gaytravelersmagazine.com/medieval-times---kissimmee-florida.html

3030 Ocean Restaurant

3030 Ocean Restaurant
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
If you are looking for an upscale, gourmet restaurant with a fabulous ocean view, 3030 Ocean Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is the place for you. Located in the Marriott’s Harbor Beach Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, 3030 Ocean Restaurant is described as, "a candlelight filled oceanfront casual chic dinner bistro serving stylish American Cuisine seafood and special meats, with live flamenco and jazz entertainment."  http://www.gaytravelersmagazine.com/3030-ocean-restaurant---fort-lauderdale-florida.html

Arabian Nights - Orlando, Florida

Arabian Nights
Orlando, Florida
A fairy tale production of princes, princesses, genies and eclectic equestrian expertise. If you love horses and fairy-tale stories with princes, princesses and genies battling evil doers, Arabian Nights is the Orlando dinner theater experience for you!  http://www.gaytravelersmagazine.com/arabian-nights---orlando-florida.html

Titanic Dinner Event - Orlando, Florida

Titanic Dinner Event
Orlando, Florida
On April 15, 1912 the most impressive ship of its era sank in the freezing waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. The largest luxury liner ever created never completed its maiden voyage. The "unsinkable" Titanic slipped under the water taking over 1500 of her passengers to their tragic deaths. The Titanic tragedy has captivated humanity for over 100 years. If you are intrigued with the Titanic story, Titanic: The  Experience in Orlando, Florida has something perfect for you - the Titanic Dinner Event!  http://www.gaytravelersmagazine.com/titanic-dinner-event---orlando-florida.html

Pirates Dinner Adventure - Orlando, Florida

Pirates Dinner Adventure
Orlando, Florida
Discover the perfect family, fun adventure where every moment is filled with blasting cannons, swashbuckling swordfights, aerial acrobatics, comedy and romance on a floating pirate ship in the middle of the theater! http://www.gaytravelersmagazine.com/pirates-dinner-adventure---orlando-florida.html

The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show

The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show
Orlando, Florida
The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show at Wonderworks entertains almost 100,000 people a year with a unique blend of hilarious comedy, impersonations and audience-participation magic featuring the high energy talents Tony Brent. Brent, who earned a degree in Communications from the University of Tennessee, has a stunning resumé including stints at Circus Circus and the 9,000 seat Fantasmic Theater at MGM Studios.  http://www.gaytravelersmagazine.com/outta-control-magic-comedy---orlando-florida.html

Mai Kai Restaurant - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Mai Kai Restaurant
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
If longevity and repeat patrons are good indications of a quality restaurant, the Mai Kai restaurant must be great! For more than 50 years, the Mai Kai in Fort Lauderdale, Florida has delighted tens of thousands of customers with delicious food, exotic beverages, museum quality native art and an entertaining Polynesian show of sarong-clad dancing girls and fire-staff spinning warriors.  http://www.gaytravelersmagazine.com/mai-kai-polynesian-restaurant--dinner-show---fort-lauderdale-florida.html

Zeta Brewing Company - Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Zeta Brewing Company
Jacksonville Beach, Florida
One of Jax Beach's best that just got even better. When we visited Zeta two years ago after its opening, we thought it was one of Jacksonville Beach's best. Now that it has been rebranded Zeta Brewing Company with a new vibe inspired by its ever-growing clientele, it has gotten even better! http://www.gaytravelersmagazine.com/zeta-brewing-company.html

Al Capone’s Dinner and Show

Al Capone’s Dinner and Show
Orlando, Florida
Visit Al Capone’s Dinner and Show and you’ll find yourself instantly transported back to 1930 prohibition era Gangland Chicago where the waiters and waitresses boast “service with an attitude” instead of “service with a smile!”   http://www.gaytravelersmagazine.com/al-capones-dinner--show---kissimmee-florida.html

Savory Faire Food Tasting Tour - St. Augustine, Florida

Savory Faire Food Tasting Tour

St. Augustine, Florida

Dine and drink your way through the USA's oldest city

St. Augustine, Florida is truly one of the most unique and interesting cities in the U.S.A. With 450 years of history in its city streets and Spanish fortress, it is a must-see for anyone visiting the Sunshine State. If you'd like to enjoy an eclectic variety of taste treats while exploring this beautiful city, be sure to join the Savory Faire Food Tasting Tour and dine and drink your way through the USA's oldest city.  http://www.gaytravelersmagazine.com/savory-faire-food-tasting-tour.html

Sister Act - Titusville Playhouse

Sister Act

Titusville Playhouse / Emma Parrish Theatre

Titusville, Florida

The audience at opening night at Titusville Playhouse is always abuzz with excitement but opening night for "Sister Act" brought it to an even higher level. This feel-good show is obviously a fan favorite, There's a good reason for that. It is a lot of silly fun.  http://www.gaytravelersmagazine.com/sister-act.html

Forever Island review by Steven Skelley

Acclaimed Historical Novel Speaks Of Naples, Integrity And Spirituality
by Steven Skelley

The history of beautiful Naples, FL is a major ingredient in the delightfully emotionally-moving recipe of Patrick D. Smith’s acclaimed novel Forever Island.

Two dear friends recommended the book to me recently and, as I began to read, I was immediately transported back in time to a land of both a forgotten kind of integrity and yet also a seemingly insatiable greed to remove nature from our beautiful state and replace it with development after development and golf course after golf course.

Forever Island is the story of Charlie Jumper, a native American who lives in the Everglades not far from Naples. His wife, Lillie Tiger, makes clothes that are often sold to the white people in Naples. They try to live a simple life in tune with nature, only taking what they need and always trying to give back to their environment as they understand that life and nature work together in the big plan of planet earth.

Each year of Charlie Jumper’s 86 years on earth have seen Florida’s natural beauty reduced and lost forever. For over 60 years, Charlie has hand fed his best friend, Little George, a nearly 20 foot long alligator Charlie saved when it was a baby from being blinded and tortured just for fun by a white tourist.Charlie Jumper and Lillie Tiger try to pass on their love and unity with Florida’s natural beauty and variety to their son and young grandson even as they watch the Florida they know disappear.

At one point a Baptist preacher asks Charlie Jumper if he is a religious man. Charlie’s reply is one we should all consider carefully."I was once a Baptist like you....and the white missionary came to me and told me that the Indian way was all wrong and that if I ever wanted to see the Great Spirit, I would have to become the Baptist and do it the white man’s way. So I became the Baptist. And then another missionary came and he was the Methodist....he told me that the Baptist way was not the right way and if I wanted to see the Great Spirit, I would have to become the Methodist. And then another white missionary came and he was the Presbyterian... he told me that the Methodist way was not the right way and if I wanted to see the Great Spirit, I would have to become the Presbyterian. I said to him that if the white man cannot decide among themselves which is the right way I will become the Indian again and seek the Great Spirit in my own way....and that is what I have done, and I will see the Great Spirit when the time comes."

Later in the book, developers begin to poison the land with arsenic in an effort to rid it of nature’s encyclopedia of wildlife. Charlie Jumper watches friends, both animal and human, suffer and die along with the Florida he has known his entire life.

Forever Island is a classic novel by a Pulitzer Prize nominated Florida author that remembers the Naples and Florida that once was, the kind of integrity that has become so rare, and the kind of child-like simple faith that we all need.

I spent several hours interviewing Patrick D. Smith in his home for the book the best of HOMETOWN HEROES florida. He is an amazing person with some of the most interesting life-stories I have ever heard.

****Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

Nudist resorts don't have negative impact

Nudist resorts don't have negative impact

Written by Steven Skelley

(appeared in Florida Today newspaper at http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20120709/OPINION/120706027/Letter-Nudist-resorts-don-t-negative-impact)

The arguments against Fawlty Towers Resort in Cocoa Beach offering clothing-optional recreation are ludicrous at best.

 #1: We can’t allow this to happen in Florida?

There are dozens of clothing-optional resorts, beaches and clubs legally operating in Florida. They have been here for decades. They have never promoted drug abuse or prostitution. 

The major cruise lines have offered clothing-optional cruises from multiple Florida ports for years.

#2: Clothing-optional businesses lower property values?

Key West has a clothing-optional bar located on some of the most expensive property in the state. 

Fort Lauderdale’s dozens of clothing-optional resorts are on multimillion-dollar beachside properties.

#3: Clothing-optional recreation is a costly burden to the community?

Dozens of nude swimmers visit Titusville’s Playalinda and New Smyrna’s Apollo beaches daily. 

The estimated tourist income generated from clothing-optional Haulover beach in Sunny Isles is more than $300 million a year. 

Income from the parking lot fees at Haulover Beach alone generate over $1.5 million dollars a year!

Records show crime has decreased at Haulover since its designation as a clothing-optional beach.

In conclusion:

Religious and morality zealots have attempted to stop clothing-optional recreation for decades. They have failed in both the state and federal legislatures to deny fair access to clothing-optional recreation.

It is just common sense: If you don't like drinking alcohol in public, don't go to a bar. If you don’t like nude recreation, don’t go to clothing-optional facilities in places such as Haulover, Playalinda, Apollo Beach, Fawlty Towers, cruise ship lines, Key West or Kissimmee.

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

Floridians Commemorate World AIDS Day 2011 by Steven Skelley

Floridians Commemorate World AIDS Day 2011

by Steven  Skelley

EDGE Contributor

Published at http://www.edgeonthenet.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=local&sc2=news&sc3=&id=127468

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It all began in June 1981.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance report indicated five healthy, gay men in Los Angeles were diagnosed with a rare lung infection and a puzzling attack on their immune systems. As soon as the CDC published this disturbing report, physicians across the country began reporting similar cases. One hundred twenty-one people had died by the end of 1981.

Thirty years later, those who either have lost their battle with or have been affected by what became known as AIDS have grown to unimaginable numbers. More than 25 million people around the world have died from the virus, while more than 30 million live with HIV. In the United States, 1.2 million Americans live with HIV, while more than 600,000 people have lost their battle to the virus.

More than 56,000 Americans become infected each year, while more than 17,000 people in the United States die from AIDS each year. Twenty percent of those with HIV are unaware of their status, while AIDS has become the leading cause of death for young African American women.

For more than 20 years, World AIDS Day events have been held around the world to raise global awareness to the fight against HIV/AIDS, to highlight strategies that effectively reduce new infections, to promote additional research, prevention strategies and access to medical treatment and to reduce AIDS-related deaths in the United States and around the world.

A number of World AIDS Day commemorations took place across the Sunshine State. An AIDS Memorial Quilt ceremony took place in Miami, while a candlelight vigil and walk were held in Wilton Manors. A wellness fair took place in St. Petersburg, while the Red Ribbon Run was held at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa. HIV/AIDS providers also organized services, commemorations and vigils in Brevard, Lake, Martin, Orange, Osceola, St. Lucie, Seminole and Volusia Counties.

Florida has the country’s third highest HIV prevalence rate-the state’s Department of Health Bureau of HIV/AIDS indicates roughly 100,000 Floridians currently live with the virus. Forty-nine percent of those with HIV in the Sunshine State are African American, compared with 30 percent who are white and 19 percent who are Latino.

State health officials marked World AIDS Day with a virtual memorial, which they said "serves as a remembrance for those who died of the disease." Visitors to the We Make The Change Virtual Memorial website could add a loved one’s name to the virtual memorial or submit a virtual quilt square with a 100-character message.

Florida Sen. Bill Nelson and Sir Elton John, founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, also co-wrote an op-ed in Politico.com highlighting the plight of Floridians with HIV. According to their article, one in every 205 white men, one in every 113 Latino men and one in every 42 African American men in the Sunshine State are positive.

"In these difficult times, we must not lose sight of the fact that prevention and care remain a critical weapon against this epidemic - which is why we must have affordable and accessible treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS," wrote Nelson and John, noting that President Barack Obama this spring asked Congress to approve $940 million in spending on AIDS medication programs for the next fiscal year. A key Senate appropriations subcommittee recently approved $900 million.

"In the days ahead, Congress will have to decide," added Nelson and John. "On this issue, we see no reason to argue - and there’s precious little time to wait. This isn’t a partisan issue."

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Islander Revue by Steven Skelley

Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Islander Revue

by Steven  Skelley

EDGE Contributor

Published at http://www.edgeonthenet.com/index.php?ch=entertainment&sc=theatre&sc2=features&sc3=performance&id=130561

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The performers of the Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Islander Review  (Source:Mai-Kai Restaurant)

The Polynesian culture of the South Pacific inhabits some of the most beautiful islands on our planet. When European explorers arrived, they wrote home that they thought they had discovered paradise. The Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Islander Revue in Fort Lauderdale. is the perfect place to experience a little bit of that Polynesian paradise vibe.

The Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Islander Revue originally opened in 1956. The iconic South Pacific design cost more than $1,000,000. It was the most expensive restaurant built anywhere that year. The success of Mai-Kai was quickly apparent as it earned back that $1,000,000 investment in its first year, making it "one the most successful restaurants of its time."

Pia Dahlquist, Mai-Kai’s Director of Sales and Marketing believes the show and restaurant are so successful because they offer "an escape from everyday life and stress. It’s like escaping to Polynesia without leaving home."

The Mai-Kai’s design is quite simply incredible. It features eight Polynesian-style dining rooms, the Molokai Bar, a gift shop, a tropical garden, multiple waterfalls, and the Polynesian Islander Revue stage.

The Mai-Kai also contains an impressive collection of genuine Polynesian artifacts. Some are more than 100 years old. An actual shrunken human head is displayed in the Samoa room. Some authentic pieces were so valuable that they were uninsurable and had to be placed in museums, according to Dahlquist.

Stepping into the dimly-lit Molokai Bar is like stepping into the bowels of a 200 year-old sailing vessel -- but one in which bartenders and waitresses wear colorful sarongs. The ship design includes sheets of water constantly cascading down the outside of the windows to simulate a heavy rainstorm.

Having traveled to the South Pacific myself, I found the Polynesian Islander Revue at the Mai-Kai to be both entertaining and educational. A sarong-clad narrator led the audience on an island-by-island music and dance tour of Polynesia. A live band performed selections from each island culture using both native and modern instruments while a team of female dancers performed hip-shaking choreography that had our audience cheering.

Two bare-chested male performers shared several warrior ritual dances. Their talents with spinning fire staffs had the audience cheering and clapping loudly throughout their performance.

Two bare-chested male performers shared several warrior ritual dances. Their talents with spinning fire staffs had the audience cheering and clapping loudly throughout their performance. There is good reason that this is the longest running Polynesian show in the U.S.A. Not even Hawaii has a longer running Polynesian show!

There is a special dinner and show package that includes appetizer, entree, dessert, and show. Shows are offered at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Dinner theaters are notorious for less-than-quality food, but the Mai-Kai is a pleasant surprise. The made-to-order dinner entrees include the following: Teriyaki Chicken, Almond Chicken, Panang Curry Chicken, Pineapple Chicken, Thai Red Curry Chicken, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Mushroom Beef, Szechuan Beef, Teriyaki Beef, Mai Kai Orange Beef, Spicy Beef with Almonds, Sweet and Sour Pork, Panang Curry Shrimp, Singapore Chili Shrimp, Cantonese Shrimp, Scallops Singapore, Lobster Cantonese, Lobster Tahitienne, Lobster Bora Bora, Seafood and Shrimp Combinations, Grouper, Mahi Mahi, Atlantic Salmon, Seafood Noodles, Pad Thai, Roast Duck, Mandarin Pressed Duck, Thai Red Curry Duck, Peking Duck, Barbecued Pork, Barbecued Baby Back Ribs, Filet Mignon, New York Strip Steak, Ribeye Steak, Filet Mignon Madagascar, Rack of Lamb, Lobster Tail and Surf and Turf.

My Teriyaki Chicken Platter was served with fried rice. The portions were large and the food was served steaming hot.

The Mai Kai Cocktail menu is huge! It is divided into sections by the strength of the drink, and some of the creative concoctions include the Mutiny, Shrunken Skull, Zombie, SOS, Black Magic, Chocolate Typhoon, and Deep Sea Diver. I sampled the Zombie. It was like a Mojito on steroids!

The Mai-Kai is also one of the hosts of the immensely popular Hukilau festival each Spring. The festival brings together lovers of Polynesian Pop and Tiki Culture for "a magical Polynesian weekend in America’s Vacationland!" 

Visit http://www.thehukilau.com for more information about the 2012 event.

The Mai-Kai Restaurant and its Polynesian Islander Revue offer a truly unique and pleasant dinner show experience that highlights the Pacific Island cultures that seem as mysterious today as they must have seemed when the European explorers first encountered them in their island paradise.

The Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Islander Revue is located at 3599 North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. For more info, visit http://www.maikai.com.

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

State Lawmakers Introduce Non-Discrimination Bill by Steven Skelley

State Lawmakers Introduce Non-Discrimination Bill

by Steven  Skelley

EDGE Contributor

Published at http://www.edgeonthenet.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=local&sc2=news&sc3=&id=125774

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State Sen. Nan Rich (D-Sunrise)  

Two state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would ban discrimination against LGBT Floridians in the workplace, public accommodations and housing.

State Sen. Nan Rich (D-Sunrise) and state Rep. Scott Randolph (D-Orlando) introduced the Florida Competitive Workforce Act-Senate Bill 340 and House Bill 247-in Tallahassee earlier this month. Randolph said his bill would improve the quality of life of LGBT Floridians and extend additional economic opportunities to them.

"The Florida Competitive Workforce Act would greatly improve that quality of life for our state’s growing GLBT population," said Randolph, noting a Human Rights Campaign report that shows 89 percent of Fortune 500 companies have already adopted LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination policies. "They do so, because diversity is good for business and they want to recruit top talent to make their companies more successful."

Broward, Leon, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Orange, Palm Beach and Volusia Counties and the cities of Dunedin, Gainesville, Gulfport, Key West, Lake Worth, Miami Beach, North Miami, Oakland Park, Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, Sarasota and Tampa have already adopted ordinances that ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

"The Florida Competitive Workforce Act will not only ensure equal protection of the law for all Floridians," said Rich. "It will also show that Florida understands that the one of the best ways to grow our economy is to ensure we have a diverse workforce that capitalizes on the skills, perspectives and talents of all our people."

LGBT activists across the state welcomed Rich and Randolph’s bill.

"Passing the FCWA would help to improve Florida’s reputation nationally and internationally as a welcoming place to live, work and play," said Mallory Wells, director of public policy for Equality Florida. 

"Cities and counties all over Florida are doing the same. 10.2 million Floridians live in a place that has protections based on sexual orientation, and 5.98 million live in a place with gender identity and expression protections. It’s time for Florida to do what its own cities and leading businesses are already doing and adopt protections for everyone."

Equality Florida executive director Nadine Smith added she feels Florida’s economy and especially its lucrative tourism industry would actually suffer if lawmakers fail to pass these bills.

"Florida suffers economically when it comes to attracting and retaining the best and the brightest in our workforce. Universities have lost or failed to recruit top talent - both students and professors," she said. "Businesses that rely on a highly skilled workforce have given Florida a look but gone elsewhere because quality of life-including respect for diversity-are important indicators of how competitive the workforce in Florida will be. Passage of the bill would go a long way in improving Florida’s national and international reputation as a welcoming place to live, work and visit."

It remains to be seen, however, whether the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature will even take up these measures.

Randolph remains optimistic that the bill stands a "real chance" of passing once the Republican majority understands the potential economic implications. "Once they see the connection between fair employment and economic growth, common sense would suggest they should support the measure," he said.

Economics are only one of the bill’s considerations.

"It is unimaginable that in this day in age, Florida law still allows businesses to fire their employees simply for being who they are," said Randolph. "Not only is it wrong, but it also sends a terrible message to a community that has made invaluable contributions to our society, our culture, and our everyday lives. It’s even more important during these challenging economic times that we do not let the fear of discrimination prevent anyone from bringing their business, their family, or their talents to our state."

Smith agrees.

"Ending discrimination in employment is absolutely critical. Local ordinances are important but we have to move beyond a patchwork quilt of protections that vary city by city and county by county," he said. "Our rights shouldn’t vary from one end of the state to the other."

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

Do New Gay Census Statistics Matter to Fla. Lawmakers? by Steven Skelley

Do New Gay Census Statistics Matter to Fla. Lawmakers?

by Steven  Skelley

EDGE Contributor

Published at http://www.edgeonthenet.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=local&sc2=news&sc3=&id=124045

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Gov. Rick Scott  

Statistics from the 2010 census show the number of same-sex couples in Florida increased by more than 21,000 over the last decade, but the question remains whether these figures will translate into any tangible LGBT legislative advances in Tallahassee.

The 2010 census showed there are at least 65,601 same-sex couples Florida--these identified couples comprise only about a tenth of the more than 610,000 gay, lesbian and bisexual people who live in the Sunshine State, according to research the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law published

"I think it is great that they marked it on form and are comfortable," said Brian Longstreth, owner of the Gay StPeteHouse bed and breakfast who organizes the annual St. Pete PRIDE each June. He questioned, however, whether these statistics actually matter.

"It shows a lot of people have come a long way but I don’t think it will have an impact on legislation as long as we have politicians in office who oppose equal rights," said Longstreth. "Things have gotten worse and worse for us in Florida since the Republicans became veto-proof."

Florida remains a conservative Republican stronghold.

Governor Rick Scott, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and a variety of other Tea Party and conservative politicians have touted their anti-marriage equality and other positions in their campaigns. This trend has continued once they have taken office.

Rubio delivered the keynote at the Florida Family Policy Council’s fifth annual Public Policy Dinner in Orlando in May 2010. The FFPC was one of the groups behind Amendment 2 that voters approved in 2009. The measure bans marriages, civil unions and any other legal recognition for same-sex couples.

Congressman Allen West has also sought to solidify his conservative bonafides.

"The term gay marriage is an oxymoron... marriage is a union and a bond between a man and a woman," he said at the Eagle Forum Collegians’ 2011 Summit in Washington, D.C. Scott has also done the same.

"I’m an across-the-board conservative. I am pro-life and support traditional marriage. We need to protect our values as well as our tax dollars," he said on his gubernatorial campaign’s website. When asked by a reporter if gay marriage could ever come to Florida, Scott’s response was, "It’s not really a discussion here."

Longstreth notes there are some politicians who advocate on behalf of LGBT Floridians. "U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and State Representative Rick Kriseman are great supporters, but they are outnumbered," he said.

Nelson voted against the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment and supported the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression to the federal hate crimes laws.

State Rep. Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg) remains one of Tallahassee’s most pro-LGBT politicians.

He led the charge for an expanded human rights local ordinance, sponsored and co-sponsored a multitude of bills that address discrimination and sexual orientation and urged Congress to repeal ’don’t ask, don’t tell.’ Kriseman also co-sponsored a statewide domestic partnership bill, a measure to repeal Florida’s ban on gay and lesbian adoption, proposed legislation that would ensure no Floridian would be fired due to sexual orientation or gender identity and the inclusion of LGBT youth into an anti-bullying bill.

When St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker was asked to sign a proclamation and attend the annual St. Pete PRIDE festival, which brings almost 100,000 attendees and generates tens of thousands of dollars in revenue to the Pinellas County city, he refused. Kriseman stepped in and has hosted the state’s largest Pride event ever since.

"We need to get more involved in supporting candidates that are supportive of us-be careful," said Longstreth. "Take voting responsibility. Too many people just don’t vote. Get educated about whom to vote for."

Koren, a receptionist at the Camp Mars gay campground in Venus, was somewhat pragmatic about the statistics.

"I am 85 years old. We’ve come a long way in my life but we still have a long way to go," she told EDGE. "It shouldn’t be so hard. There shouldn’t be so many biases and prejudices. There is too much interference from powerful religion and politicians. Hatred is a terrible disease...and it is a disease. Prejudice and hate are things that are taught to children. We need to educate children to love and accept all people for who they are."

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

Palatka church teaches kids keys to succeed By Steven Skelley

Palatka church teaches kids keys to succeed

By Steven Skelley

Published by UM News Service at http://floridaconferenceconnection.info/newsarchives/detail/1883

It’s been said that great things come from small beginnings. Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Palatka, Fla., has less than 40 members and yet it is launching youth programs that are positively affecting the entire school system and local community.

Dr. Errol Findlater, a prominent local surgeon, and Emmanuel’s pastor, the Rev. Zion D’Jatar, are men with a vision to alter the bleak future of kids caught in the cycle of poverty, crime and hopelessness.

“We are predominantly a black church in a black neighborhood,” Findlater explains. “A lot of the kids in this area have fallen behind. They are kinetic learners in a state school system that is a visual- and audio-based education. These kids need someone to teach them, to reach them in a way they can understand. We want to help them learn the skills they need to be successful in life.”

To that end Findlater and D’Jatar teamed up to launch Project Reach, an educational outreach, and North Point Youth Ministry, a sports-based outreach in Palatka, an area where more than 60 percent of families are single parent families. Many of these families live at poverty level.

Focusing on education

“Project Reach is an after-school program which serves 76 children,” Findlater explains. “The children are picked up at the school, given a snack and are in the learning center from 3:30 to 5 p.m. where they complete homework assignments and prepare for FCAT.”

D’Jatar says every child in the program is thoroughly evaluated so “we can understand their educational need and current level.”

Students participating in Emmanuel United Methodist Church's Project Reach program take a break from studying to pose for the camera. Photo by Thomas Routzong, Photo #07-502. Web photo only.

“Many of these kids operate from vocabularies and skills that are extremely limited,” he said. “We assess the kids, work with them and help them gain the skills they need to succeed. Not everyone else does, but we want them to succeed.”

Though the church may be limited in its resources because of it’s small size, its members know God is not. Miracle after miracle has occurred to supply them with the tools they need to reach the community’s kids.

“I needed a place to teach kids,” D’Jatar said. “I spoke to a group of men about our vision to reach kids and afterward a man came up to me and handed me the keys to a building! It was the building that was for sale just across the street from the church. We have been able to use this building rent-free.”

D’Jatar said the same happened when he needed computers. “A local military base had just purchased all new computers, and they offered us all the computers that had been replaced. We were given computers and monitors and everything,” he said. “We were even able to take some of these computers and give them away ourselves to other agencies that were in need.”

A key component of Project Youth is that it is success oriented, according to D’Jatar. The youth are given goals in each educational area. Then, they are mentored, tutored, encouraged and educated to achieve success in those areas, one at a time.

If a student is having difficulty with a certain word, for example, that word will be documented and written on a card that is placed in the student’s reading folder. The student will work on that word repeatedly until he is able to spell it, comprehend it, and use it in a sentence easily. Once the goal is achieved and the student has learned to succeed in the challenge of that word, the student and mentor celebrate the student’s success by actually tearing up the card and throwing it away as a symbol of conquering that challenge.

Each and every success is documented in each student’s file. D’Jatar and Findlater say the kids learn to succeed one word and one skill at a time.

Connecting through sports

North Point Youth is a sports-based outreach developed as a result of Findlater’s experience as a coach. “I have always coached soccer and basketball since moving to Palatka,” he said. “I am aware of the great influence a coach has on his players.”

Findlater decided to use that influence to establish relationships with local children, with specific goals in mind. “I could have the opportunity to share Jesus with them. We could raise another generation of believers. We could influence the young adults in the community because we knew them when they were young. Children in the neighborhood would exert positive peer pressure. Teach them love, sacrifice and discipline: staying on task until the task is completed.”

More than 35 youth referred by area schools participate in Emmanuel United Methodist Church's sports outreach, which includes requirements to also participate in worship and Bible study at the church. Photo by Thomas Routzong, Photo #07-503.Web photo only.

The ministry meets at Jenkins Middle School, just around the corner from the area’s subsidized housing. Eleven students dealing with behavior challenges were referred to Findlater from the guidance counselors at just one school and meet with him on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. for his basketball-based mentoring. Another 14 third- to sixth-grade students meet with him at 4 p.m. Yet another 11 students participate in his soccer-based mentoring program.

Each participant must meet a high standard set by Findlater. Participation is based on church attendance and good behavior at home and school. Students are actually graded by Findlater on these standards. “We have Bible study, life lessons, nursing home visits, after-school tours and college tours. They have to attend church or Bible study to participate.”

He hopes to eventually launch a statewide church basketball league.

The outreach to youth continues at the church. “We have decided to start a youth church so that they will have our full attention on Sundays,” Findlater said. “The need is overwhelming. Our youth are growing up without Christian values and without the ability to form strong personal relationships. They are disconnected from each other, and they do not see each other as valuable or precious. This affects all of society and our future.”

“God is doing great things, but there are still great needs,” D’Jatar adds. “The curriculum we use to reach these kids costs over $6,000. We are asking people to pray for us. ... Remember us in your prayers from 3 to 5 p.m. each afternoon. Keep us covered in prayer. We are also looking for people to financially support us as a mission. Every dollar helps us reach kids and give them the skills they need to succeed. God loves these kids and wants them to fulfill their potential.”

More information on the North Point Youth ministry is available online at http://www.NorthPointYouth.com. 

Emmanuel United Methodist Church can be reached at 386-325-5496.

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.