The past 12 months have seen major changes in the way Sarasota’s LGBT community communicates, gathers and practices politics. The second year of the “re-imagined” Sarasota Pride was a huge success in May, but the once-popular bar Witness Café unceremoniously shuttered its doors in a tough economy. The community of Sarasota seems to be as strong as it ever was, despite losing Ken Shelin as its openly gay city commissioner. So change—some good and some bad—was definitely the theme in Sarasota in 2009.
Sarasota Pride returns, grows
Sarasota once again held Pride in 2009, and this time it was bigger than ever. The May 9 Sarasota Pride celebration at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall brought out LGBTs from along Florida’s west coast and performers from around the state. “Pride on the Bay” featured an outdoor music venue overlooking the water while vendors set up shop inside the air-conditioned lobby of the theater. The 2009 event was so successful that organizers are optimistic about a 2010 celebration. The momentum of the festival could increase capacity in the coming year and organizers hope to expand Sarasota Pride to include even more attractions, including a possible film series.
Shelin loses election bid
In a shocking election, Commissioner Ken Shelin lost his reelection bid in March. The openly gay Sarasota Commissioner did not make it past the primaries and wasn’t even on the April 14 general election ballot. The long-time politician and activist never publicly spoke about his 30-year relationship with his partner, but he never hid it either. He preferred his constituents judge him on his actions and character rather than his sexuality. Shelin became active in civic affairs after moving to Sarasota as a full-time resident a decade ago. He was a member of the City of Sarasota Planning Board for five years and served as its chair in 2002. He said that despite the 2009 loss, he plans to stay active in the Sarasota community.
LGBT info line hangs up
Maybe it was the economy, but more than likely it was technology that killed the LGBT Information Line in Sarasota. In January 2009, the telephone number that informed LGBT residents and visitors about the goings-on in Sarasota was finally disconnected after 15 years. News Web sites, social networking communities and cell phone texts made the land-line obsolete, according to info line chairman Eddie Hooper. Hooper said the information line only had two subscribers at the time it was closed this year. If a need arises for the line in the future, Hooper said the service could be resurrected. However, he admits that information sharing has changed substantially and that technology has created a “new way to do things.”
Temple Beth El welcomes, gay rabbi
In 2009, the Temple Beth El focused on a sacred and caring community, which included outreach to the LGBT community and the hiring of openly gay Rabbi Harold F. Caminker. Caminker previously served in Riverside, Calif., and spent the past four years in Fort Lauderdale at the Congregation Etz Chaim, the state’s only gay and lesbian temple. Caminker had been married for 20 years and has three children. He announced earlier this year that he was gay, but that has never been the focus of his leadership. He emphasizes the importance of community outreach as the congregation reinvents itself. “That’s what Temple Beth El is and that’s what we need it to be if we’re going to be the synagogue of Bradenton, and that means people really reaching out and caring for one another,” Caminker said.
Navratilova’s ex files Sarasota lawsuit
Tennis star Martina Navratilova was sued for more than $7 million in Sarasota Court in the fall of 2009 by her former partner, Toni Layton. Layton, who filed papers claiming Navratilova dumped her suddenly after nearly eight years, said she filed the suit because of the “emotional, mental and physical trauma” she had suffered. She claimed she was removed from Navratilova’s life and locked out of the six multi-million-dollar homes they shared. The Sarasota lawsuit also says that Navratilova, 52, has refused to return hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of property owned and registered in Layton’s name—including a Mercedes Benz, two Land Rovers, two jet skis and several other recreational vehicles. It also says that Navratilova has refused to return jewelry, guns and other gifts that Layton gave to her as gifts. The two women had an unofficial wedding ceremony but were never legally married. Layton, 56, says she and her ex had an agreement to evenly share all funds and assets earned and obtained while the two were a couple.
