EQFL Highlights a Tremendous 2012
If there’s a lingering hangover from the 2012 election season, it wasn’t apparent at the March 7 Equality Florida mixer at the penthouse home of Bob Poe and Ken Brown in downtown Orlando. Approximately 75 enjoyed skyline views and the opportunity to honor Orange County School Board’s Daryl Flynn and schoolteacher Clinton McCracken for their efforts in updating the OCPS policies to include LGBT employees and their partners. EQFL Orlando Field Director Michael Farmer spotlighted 2012 – year that saw an unprecedented 12 domestic partnership and anti-discrimination policies approved in municipalities throughout the state. Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan sported her svelte new marathon-ready body. And Kissimmee City Commissioner Cheryl Grieb shared that she will run for Osceola County Commission in 2014.
Happy Birthday to the Wanz!
The one and only Michael Wanzie celebrated his birthday on March 6, and to commemorate his special day, the night was turned over to Addison Taylor and Sam Singhaus for a night of debauchery, shoes, drinking games and prizes at the Parliament House. Hundreds came to show their love and appreciation. Orlando FRINGE’s George Wallace even headed up a collection of funds, presenting the stuffed envelope to him at the end of the evening. A tearful Wanzie gave a speech explaining how much the support and gesture meant to him; between the unforeseen loss of both of his parents within months of one another and monetary costs. “2013 has got to be a better year,” he concluded. After a rousing game of Booze-icle Chairs, Wanzie jetted off to The Abbey for the “Wicked After Dark” fundraiser.
The Abbey Gets Wicked
On March 6, The Abbey hosted a cabaret fundraiser benefiting Broadway Cares and Hope and Help of Central Florida. The event, “Wicked After Dark” was a theatrical evening featuring performances and meet and greets with cast members of Wicked: The Musical. A live auction and special appearances made it a truly one-of-a-kind evening.
Mourning a Drag Icon
Facebook has been flooded with the news that former Miss Continental and drag mother to RuPaul’s Drag Race fifth season contestant Roxxxy Andrews, Erica Andrews passed away March 11 after a lung-related illness. Andrews was well-known not only locally but nationally. She performed at Southern Nights, now Revolution, Pulse and Funky Monkey to name a few. Posts are filled with memories about the talented icon, trendsetter but above all else, a great person and loving individual. Andrews’ well-known performances include her Mommie Dearest boardroom and Shirley Bassey mix to “I (Who Have Nothing)” for the 2006 National Entertainer of the Year pageant. Her many titles include Universal Show Queen (2004), Miss Gay USofA (1999) and, of course, Miss Continental 2004.
