Changes at The Center
What didn’t change at The GLBT Center of Central Florida in 2014? In January, it shed the property next door that housed a Chinese restaurant and used the money to help pay debts. Over the summer, The Center saw some personnel changes, with the resignation of five-year executive director Randy Stephens. In September, new ED Terry DeCarlo started and then at a gala event in October, it was announced that a $200,000 renovation will update every portion of The Center’s headquarters, scheduled to be complete by the spring.
Still no GSA at CMS
The fight for a Gay Straight Alliance at Carver Middle School in Lee County kicked off way back in January of 2013, when a bisexual 8th grader fought for her right to a GSA. That student has moved onto high school, but other CMS students picked up the battle and the ACLU continued to push for their right to meet. A lawsuit moved forward in March and in August, attorneys asked for a judgment but as of press time, still no joy for CMS’ LGBT students and allies.
Orlando and Orange support Marriage Equality
It seems Orlando always beats Orange County to the punch when it comes to supporting LGBT equality. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer stated his support for marriage equality in his State of the City Address in April. Some hoped Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs would follow suit, but her speech did not touch on marriage. Instead, she issued a confusing statement in July before unequivocally stating she supports marriage equality in an interview with Watermark in August. Orlando edged out Orange one more time in 2014—in June Dyer filed an amicus brief in support of Florida’s marriage equality lawsuits. After much urging, the Orange County Commission agreed to follow suit in October.
DPPAC changes face of downtown
Hundreds of people gathered in the Seneff Arts Plaza for the grand opening of the $514 million Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Nov. 6. It had a rocky road getting there, facing months of traffic-clogging construction and resistance from the local arts community who feared it would overshadow or fail to support local performers. Still, the show went on and so far, Orlando Ballet, Sheryl Crow and The Phantom of the Opera are among the performances that have taken the shiny new stage. Hotly anticipated for 2013? The Book of Mormon, Newsies, Sarah MacLachlan and Diana Ross.
Rumble over MBA and COWP
In November, the you-know-what hit the fan. In October, Mikael Audebert resigned his post as MBA president. In November, the Pride board voted to sever from MBA and soon after, Audebert was fired from COWP and the COWP board was suspended. Accusations of fraudulent bookkeeping, illegally altered bylaws, and an MBA that appeared to be in a financial crisis were soon in the headlines. Many emergency meetings later, there’s a new board set for the new year, COWP is back in the fold, and the MBA finances appear to have been evened out.
