Sarasota columnist attacks ALSO
Right-leaning columnist Dr. Richard Swier, who runs the web site RedCounty.com, has rambled on about the sins of homosexuality for years. But his recent attacks on the ALSO Out Youth program in Sarasota have caught the eye of several local activists. On Sept. 10, Swier announced that he had “investigated” the group and found that it “supports a behavior that is both a threat to the health of our children and can have long term consequences to our society.” In a follow up column on Sept. 19, Swier called groups like ALSO “enablers” and compared homosexuality to alcoholism. According to Bart Coyle, who is involved with several LGBT organizations in Sarasota, Swier constantly suggests that the “radical gay agenda” is coming to Sarasota. “I hate to tell him,” Coyle said, “but it’s already here.” At press time, both columns had been removed from Sweir’s web site.
Keller gets national gig
Trevor Keller, artistic director of Gypsy Productions, will be the judging coordinator for the National Talent Quest competition in 2010. Keller oversaw judging at Talent Quest Florida at The Ritz Ybor in July, and then served as a judge on the national panel this September. On a related note: Clearwater Bears president and Talent Quest Florida winner Chaz Martino placed fifth nationally in the Men’s 50-And-Over category. Phil Garris and Jenny Jones, placed second in the competition’s duet category.
City Side closes…for now
City Side Lounge in Tampa has closed its doors—but just temporarily. The bar is undergoing another massive renovation and sources say the new Lounge will reopen as more of an LGBT sports bar—a trend that has proved successful in Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Chicago and other cities with large gay populations. Watch for veteran City Side servers and new staff to appear behind the counters. Men about town Mark Bias and Carrie West of MC Film Festival claim inside information that the club should reopen by Halloween, when City Side will celebrate 20 years of business.
