Thursday's Flava News Bit

Black Gay Soldier, Anthony Woods, To Run For Congress



Courtesy of http://www.gaylife.about.com/

Decorated veteran, Anthony Woods, came out to his commanding officers during his second year at John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. After two tours in Iraq and a bronze metal, Woods was honorably discharged from the Army on the grounds of "moral and professional dereliction" under the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. He was required to repay $35,000, the amount of his scholarship to attend the Kennedy School.

"It's a small price to pay for being honest," Woods said.

At the conclusion of his military career, Woods worked as an economic policy advisor and then returned to his hometown in the 10th Congressional District of California to vie for a potentially vacated congressional seat.

Current 10th District representative Ellen Tauscher was nominated by President Obama to serve as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. If Tauscher's nomination if approved by the Senate, a special election to replace her seat in Congress will likely be held later this year. Woods is considered to be a strong candidate for the open seat.

"I believe we need leaders who will stand up and fight for their own convictions – even if they are not always easy or even popular," Woods says on his campaign website.

Woods is just under 30-years-old.

New Hampshire Upgrades Civil Unions To Full Gay Marriage
Courtesy of www.gaylife.about.com

New Hampshire, the home of Diocese V. Gene Robinson, becomes the fifth U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage. The state Senate voted in favor of the measure 13 to 11, following a successful House vote of 186 to 179 last month. The bill was an amended version of previous legislation, so it must go before the House once more and then Gov. John Lynch (D) before it can be signed into law. It is expected to pass the House without difficulty. Gov. John Lynch (D) has not indicated whether he will veto the bill.

Civil unions were already legal in New Hampshire. However, with the new measure gay and lesbian couples can be granted the full legal benefits of marriage.


Man Charged with Knowingly Exposing Woman to HIV
courtesy of http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0409/618061.html

A local man is accused of meeting a woman on the Internet and knowingly exposing her to HIV, and it is not the first time he's been charged with the crime.

According to prosecutors, 28 year-old Thomas Perrera has known for 10 years that he is HIV positive but that didn't stop him, they say, from exposing the deadly virus to at least two other women.

In 2005, Perrera pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment after having unprotected consensual sex with a woman he was dating.
Now, once again, he's charged for having unprotected sexual intercourse while knowingly being infected with the disease. ABC 7 Talkback:
Click Here to Comment on this Story


According to court documents, Perrera met his most recent victim, an 8-year-old girl, on the Internet and had intercourse with her several times last summer without telling her he had a virus that could one day kill her.

Perrera live in Germantown with his parents. ABC 7/NewsChannel 8 crews were unable to reach him, nor either of his alleged victims

Authorities say the charge is rare in Maryland, but not unheard of, especially after nearly 20 years ago it became illegal in the state to knowingly transfer or expose another person to HIV. Since then, there have been five such cases filed in Maryland. Two of those are against Perrera.

Love B. Scott Goes In on Black Community & Bow Wow

B.Scott is going in HARD and deliverubg the RAW GOODS in this video as he puts the BLACK COMMUNITY & BOW WOW on BLAST!

Marion Barry protest @ DC Anti-Marriage Rally

Ward 8 D.C. Council member and former mayor Marion Barry today said that he opposes a measure that would allow the District of Columbia to recognize same-sex marriages performed in states where they are legal. Barry made his remarks to a crowd of around 150 gathered to protest the legislation in Freedom Plaza this morning.

"We have to say 'no' to same-sex marriage in D.C.," Barry told the crowd, echoing a statement made minutes before by Rev. George Gilbert of the Holy Trinity United Baptist Church in Northeast. Barry was not present at the April 7 Council session where the bill, introduced by At-large Council member Phil Mendelson (D), passed unanimously in a preliminary vote.

"If I had been, I would have voted 'no,'" Barry added. "I am a politician who is moral."

Last year, when he was running for re-election, Barry told the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club that he would vote in favor of gay marriage legislation.

Today's "Stand Up for Marriage" protest was organized by Bishop Harry Jackson, pastor of Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Md. Several Baptist ministers from both within and outside D.C. came to the microphone to denounce Council action that would extend any form of marriage rights to gays and lesbians in the District.

"It's really interesting that they had to bring people in from outside D.C.," noted Ward 4 resident Sharon McGowan, 35, who sported a pro-LGBT rights T-shirt as she sat quietly on the far edge of the plaza, watching.

Much of the arguments made at the rally were an effort to suggest that the Council was taking action not supported by most D.C. residents. Many people in the crowd said they had been encouraged to attend the rally in church, by their pastors.

"With something as serious as this, the people need to be heard," said Ward 5 resident Leila Franklin, who showed up in support of the rally.

Due to its overwhelming support on the Council, the legislation is expected to pass a final vote, scheduled for May 5, easily. Mayor Fenty also reiterated to the Washington Post today that he disagrees with the pastors.

Openly gay At-large D.C. Council member David Catania (I) has promised to introduce a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the District later this year.





Pastors speak out against Same Sex Marriage



Marion Barry speaks at Rally

The Return of "Maxwell"-Pretty Wings

The return of the R&B crooner Maxwell is coming back strong with his first single entitled "Pretty Wings" off of his upcoming albumn which will be out in July called "Black Summers Night"

NvncybleFlava TV debuts Memorial Day Weekend!

Well its time to shine folks and I am now apart of the Youtube Family as we kick off the summer and get things popping, I will be debuting my show NVNCYBLEFLAVA with my co-host Mr. Nvncyble himself as we have all come to adore and love. www.youtube.com/nvncyble. We will kick things off back in Miami where I am from during the Sizzle Miami festivites we have so much in store for u guys during that weekend and beyond so stick with us as we bring you that FLAVA with a lil NVNCYBLE to YOU!

Clevelander on South Beach to Reopen Thursday

From the Desk of King in Miami

After being closed for more than a year, the famous Clevelander on Ocean Drive is scheduled to reopen with completely remodeled rooms, pool area and bars with every detail keeping the "party goer" in mind. This is just in time for Memorial Day weekend and Urban Beach Weekend on South Beach.

In Memoriam Bea Arthur

Thank You for being a friend. Bea Arthur "Dorothy" from the tv series Golden Girls as we all came to affectionately love passed away on Saturday at the age of 86. You couldn't be gay and not love the golden girls. I remeber back first gettin hooked to the show back in 01 when my roomies at the time use to watch the shows eaach nite before going to bed. First it was Estelle Getty that passed away back July of last year and now Bea Arthur. Rose and Blanche are the 2 lone survivors of the series. RIP Bea Arthur.

Tourists Staying Home and Away from South Florida

From the Desk of King in Miami

Article courtesy of the Miami Herald

BY DOUGLAS HANKS
dhanks@MiamiHerald.com
The peak of tourism season produced a valley this year, with room rates down by double digits and vacationers staying home.

A new report from Smith Travel Research shows March was a disaster for hotels -- room rates dropped 18 to 22 percent compared to a year ago, while occupancy either fell or stayed flat.

The statistics end any hope of South Florida's busy tourism season rescuing hotels from a global economic crisis that has travelers taking shorter trips and insisting on bargains.

But a new report predicts a quick turnaround, with the tourism decline bottoming out this year and Miami-Dade's room rates growing a healthy 7 percent in 2010.

''Miami historically has recovered nicely out of these things,'' said Gregory Rumpel, a vice president of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, which produced the report.

As the economy recovers, travelers ''may not take that European vacation out of the gate . . . But they're taking a holiday. And they'll probably head to the sun,'' Rumpel said.

The Jones Lang LaSalle report predicts Miami-Dade hotel rates will top last year's levels by 2012, with three years needed to erase the 15 percent decline forecast for 2009.

Actual per-room revenues -- a key industry metric -- will take longer to recover, thanks to the flood of new hotel rooms brought on by a construction boom.

Rumpel said that number would probably pass 2008 levels by 2014.

A return to higher rates next year would follow the pattern of South Florida's post-9/11 tourism plunge, when hotels spent several years clawing back the price discounts they offered after the terrorist attacks.

Along with the short-term fiscal crunch that comes with lower revenues, hoteliers and tourism officials worry the downturn will do lasting damage to Miami's status as one of the country's priciest destinations.

CAUTIOUS MARKDOWNS

''We have to be careful about not retraining the customer with these discounted rates,'' said Jessica Goldman, who oversees South Beach's The Hotel and Park Central hotel for her family's real estate company. ``We experienced this after 9/11. People were giving away the rooms. It took two years, if not more, to be able to even consider getting better rates.''

The average price for an overnight stay in Miami-Dade dropped 18 percent in March.

That's traditionally the busiest month in South Florida's winter vacation season, which winds down between Easter and Memorial Day.

The $171 average rate was the lowest for March since 2005.

Broward, a smaller hotel market, saw a similar rash of discounting.

Rates were down 19 percent compared to a year ago, but the $130 average nightly rate still left beds empty.

Occupancy dropped 10 percent in Broward and 13 percent in Miami-Dade.

BARGAIN HUNTERS

''There was very little new business this year,'' said Joseph Van Enron, owner of Liberty Suites in Dania Beach and president of the Dania Beach Tourism Council. He said his hotel's occupancy held up thanks to repeat visitors, but he had to cut rates to get the business.

''It's all about price,'' he said.

Tourism officials had hoped what seemed like a busy spring break would end a worsening decline for the region's largest industry.

But bargain-seeking college students failed to boost rates or fill enough beds to make up for a global economic crisis that has vacationers spending less or staying home.

Revenue per room dropped 29 percent in Miami-Dade compared to March 2008. That's slightly worse than February's 26 percent decline, and the biggest March drop this decade.

Hotels in the Florida Keys suffered in March, too, though the bargains kept rooms full. Rates fell 22 percent to $202 a night, but occupancy held steady at 80 percent, down only 2 percent from a year ago

Miami Dade Youth Fair- Video Clip to Come Soon!

From the Desk of King in Miami

I do apologize for the delay in getting the video clip from the stage show to everyone. I have been receiving everyones emails about when the video will be posted. I am working on that now and getting it onto youtube. But here is some screenshots with ya boi, performing at the Miami Dade Youth Fair. The video is on the way. I will be performing again next Friday for a Breast Cancer Benefit.

30 Days til SIZZLE MIAMI May 21-26

Let the mayhem begin folks with exactly 30 days til hundreds of thousands of people descent onto South Florida 4 what is annually known as Black Beach Weekend 4 the straights. The weekend is also known as Sizzle Miami 4 the gays. Expect pure heat all weekend long. The weekend STARTS THURSDAY MAY 21 and ENDS TUESDAY MORNING MAY 26. Andresflava will have HEAVY EXTENSIVE WALL TO WALL COVERAGE OF SIZZLE MIAMI 2009. Next week we will reveal the coverage details so stay tuned 4 that. For those that can please make sure to start your Sizzle Weekend on Thursday. Each day as we get closer people are confirming tickets to Miami. I so far know of 30 people coming 4 sizzle and. That will be mainly the people I will be hanging with all weekend.lol yes I roll deep. Shouts out to Dwight Powell and Luis who were here in DC this past Saturday 4 the Sizzle Miami Tour. I indeed got my life! Dj Unknown and Dj JFK did there thing. So they will definately be bringing the heat along with DC own House Muther Dj Sedrick also Miami's own Dj Gavin T who if u ever been to Club Boi in Miami u already known Gavin will be giving it to the kids.

1st Pride Parade Ever in Miami Beach

From the Desk of King in Miami

Currently, I am in the Bronx visiting for the weekend, but you know I had to keep up on the haps in Miami. Saturday, Miami Beach hosted their first EVER Miami Beach Pride with a over the top parade on infamous Ocean Drive. I wonder what the tourists were thinking! Check out th video.

http://www.miamiherald.com/video/index.html?media_id=3824783

North American Dates Announced for Beyonce's "I AM..." World Tour

North American Dates Announced for Beyonce's "I AM..." World Tour

Miami Dade Youth Fair Comes to a Close

From the Desk of King in Miami

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the Miami Dade Youth Fair has come to a close. I should have footage from my performance soon. I was given the opportunity to perform on one of the main stages at the fair with my advanced hip-hop dance class who I instrcut. But here is a video from the parade that actually happens inside the fair. This is one of the largest fairs in the country, with over 100 rides, games and attractions; an ice skating show, a tiger exhibit, free shows and performances throughout the fairgrounds. And an awesome parade. Check out the girl to the left of me, she was a riot.

High profile HIV prevention effort unveiled at White House

The Obama administration on Tuesday, April 7 held a high profile unveiling of a new HIV/AIDS public awareness campaign in part of the White House compound of buildings. AIDS advocates were grateful for the symbolism of the event, though some felt it outweighed the content of the program while others were pleased that the campaign will reach out to many organizations that cater to the black community.
The campaign is called Act Against AIDS and "seeks to put the HIV crisis back on the national radar screen," said Melody Barnes, an assistant to the president and director of the White House Domestic Policy Council.
"Our goal is to remind Americans that HIV/AIDS continues to pose a serious health threat in the United States and encourage them to get the facts they need to take action for themselves and their communities," Barnes added.
This first phase of the campaign, called "9 1/2 minutes," draws upon the fact that one American becomes newly infected with HIV every nine and a half minutes. The public awareness campaign uses a series of public service announcements and a Web site.
Kevin Fenton, the openly gay director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, focused on a leadership initiative that partners with 14 African American civic organizations to integrate HIV prevention into each organization's outreach programs.
The third aspect of the initiative is a partnership with the Kaiser Family Foundation to coordinate efforts within the communications and entertainment sectors.
These are five-year programs with annual budgets of $9 million and $2 million a year for the first two, and a total of $1 million for the third. The funds do not represent "new money" but rather pull from the pool of existing HIV prevention dollars, now some $800 million annually. The programs have been in development for some time.
"For those of us who have been living and working with HIV for a long time, this is a cause to shout hallelujah. It has been a long time since we have had something to celebrate," said Jesse Milan, who has worked in the field for decades. "I'm thrilled to be able to celebrate a president who cares about the epidemic at home."
He was ecstatic about the fact that the campaign would focus on the black community.
"It will not be afraid to address black youth and black gay and bisexual men," Milan noted. "I say, it's about time."
Reactions
The materials unveiled at the meeting were decidedly generic and did not seem to be targeted to those under 25, where half of all new infections occur. AIDS advocates in the audience reacted not to the specifics of the program but to the hope it has rekindled that meaningful HIV prevention might become possible.
"We are in the first 100 days of the administration, with the leadership of the White House, and we are having this announcement focusing on the domestic AIDS epidemic. It's a good start," said Carl Schmid with the AIDS Institute.

"It represents the real and genuine commitment of this administration to reverse the neglect of the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic," said Ronald Johnson, deputy director of AIDS Action.
Cornelius Baker, former executive director of the Whitman Walker Clinic and a consultant on HIV within the black community, added, "They could have waited a couple of months to get everything perfect, but then we would have been sitting around saying, why aren't they doing anything? This is an important beginning and an important evidence of commitment."
Phill Wilson, head of the Black AIDS Institute, said, "I'm particularly moved by the fact that this campaign is comprehensive and it really follows the data. We need to start where the epidemic is worse, which is the African American community. And we need to engage those people who are in the best position to bring about change."
But Alexander Robinson, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, had some pointed criticism.
"All of these African American groups, none of them have any capacity to deal with gay men," Robinson said. "Not one of these groups has any significant gay leadership, has ever taken a position on the issues, and the minute you mention it as gay, then it is non-black."
"While I appreciated their historic contribution to all African Americans, they have not demonstrated a willingness or capacity to seriously address not only HIV but any of the challenges that face the LGBT community," Robinson added, referring to the 14 African American organizations with which the CDC is partnering.

"I'm frustrated and concerned, but I hope that in this new era we will have a change and will actually be able to get a focus on black gay men, who are, after all, the largest percentage of individuals who are infected," Robinson added.

Wilson offered a bit of a counter to that, saying, "We are meeting people where they are, and we are moving them along. ... We are opening the door and giving people permission to talk about HIV. I think that is important. I hope that black gay men will feel more included."
Johnson came down between the two.

"We hope that there will be more visible involvement of black gay men in this effort," he said. "I remain optimistic that will be addressed as we go forward. We didn't quite see it here today in terms of the national partners in the African American community."

More money
At a congressional hearing last year, Johns Hopkins University HIV prevention researcher David Holtgrave testified that the HIV prevention budget should be increased from $800 million to $1.3 billion a year "to make a big difference in the epidemic in the U.S."
On Tuesday, he thought that steps that were announced would educate people and help to break down stigma surrounding HIV. But it is a small step and much more is needed.
Said Baker, "Unfortunately HIV dollars were not protected in the omnibus bill" passed by Congress.

While Wilson made clear, "We do need new money so that we are not robbing Peter to pay Paul."
Both will be looking to the president's budget, due later this month, to see if there will be significant increases in HIV prevention funding during this time of budgetary constraint.
Schmid said, that in addition to funding, "It is important for the president and the first lady to speak out on HIV/AIDS; you need role models and leadership."

Patti Labelle and Richie Rich to be Grand Marshalls at 1st Annual Miami Beach Pride Parade

SIZZLEMIAMI INVADES DC THIS SAT

ITS ABOUT TO BE SERIOUS THIS SAT AS DWIGHT POWELL AND SIZZLE MIAMI TAKE OVER DC/ GET READY FOR THE MADNESS! AND WE WILL BE TWITTERING LIVE FROM CLUB MIRRORS AND WILL HAVE VIDEO AND PICS FOR U ON MONDAY MORNING. SO MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER WWW.TWITTER.COM/ANDRESFLAVA

Living Positive: Andre Allen

On Thursday evening i sat down with media blogger Darian Aaron of www.loldarian.com to take part in his living positive series while he was in the Washington DC area on business. Below is the interview. I hope u enjoy.

Gay Bullied 11 Year old commits Suicide

Anti-Gay Bullying Drives 11 YO Massachusetts Student to Suicide


A horrific end to the relentless bullying of an 11-year-old boy in Springfield, Massachusetts.

"Sirdeaner L. Walker found her son, Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, hanging by an extension cord on the second floor of her Springfield home on Monday night. Walker said Carl, a sixth-grade student at the New Leadership Charter School, had been taunted and threatened by classmates for weeks before he killed himself. She said that she contacted the school repeatedly over the last six months to ask teachers to intervene after learning her son had been targeted by students. Walker said her son’s classmates called him gay on a daily basis, made fun of his clothes and threatened to harm him, according to the Springfield Republican."

"I just want to help some other child. I know there are other kids being picked on, and it's day in and day out," says Walker.

The tragedy comes one week after an Ohio family sues a high school after their 17-year-old son committed suicide. Yes, he also was constantly bullied.

Diddy's MTB4 and its FUCKERY!

Making the Band was just FULL of FUCKERY last night what the FUCK was the madness that took place on last night's show which saw Que go buck wild and all the members getting into their feeling and crying like BITCHES! on twitter everyone was having a field day with the FOOLERY AS WELL and Diddy says that he will HANDLE THE SITUATION! we shall see if this comes to past or not but DIDDY also says that ITS ENTERTAINMENT AND TELEVISION. It was just FUCKERY FROM START TO FINISH! I AM SO OVER MTB4

Que & Brian fight

DL Chronicles Series Cancelled yes or no????

Yes the headline is somewhat correct on tuesday media blogger Darian Aaron reported on his blog http://loldarian.blogspot.com/2009/04/here-network-cancels-dl-chronicles.html that the show got the boot from Here TV! network. I had previously reached out to Deondray Gossett the show's creator back in January of this year and he had informed me that they would be getting ready to shoot by summer after a 2 year hiatus, but when i reached out to him again yesterday this is what he had to say.

"hey man, legally, I can't confirm nor deny this, but I ask you to follow the directions suggested in the article and write the network and demand action. Viewers have the greatest power in persuading networks.Thanks for your support and inquiry. Write in to the network and get your friends to do the same. DG"

So with that said i am asking the viewers of this blog and if you were a fan of the series to write the powers that be and let them know that you want the show back so we can have a black gay theme show back on the airwaves. Yes the show talked about the bi-sexuality of black gay men and regardless if you hate or love bi-sexuality i am suggesting that you make your voices heard and bring this series back! For more info on the series http://www.dlchronicles.com/ and below is Episode Wes

Pt1

Pt2


Pt3

send an e-mail or call here! VP of Corporate Communications/Marketing Josh Rosenzweig to express your concern.

Josh Rosenzweig-VP of Corporate Communications/Marketing

E-mail:Joshr@heretv.com

Phone:212-209-5302

Gays Now Allowed to Wed In Iowa

From the Desk of King in Miami

Article Courtesy of Omaha World Herald

(AP) - Until Friday, only states in the Northeast and bordering the Pacific had granted broad legal recognition to same-sex unions, but that changed with the Iowa Supreme Court ruling ordering that gay and lesbian couples be allowed to wed.

An updated look at the national landscape:

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE:

Before the Iowa ruling, only Connecticut and Massachusetts allowed same-sex couples to marry - also as a result of decisions by the states' high courts. Same-sex marriages began in Massachusetts in May 2004 and in Connecticut last November.

California briefly allowed gay marriage last year before a voter initiative in November repealed it. The outcome of that vote is now subject to a lawsuit contending that the ballot measure should have been subject to consideration by the legislature.

CIVIL UNIONS:

In Vermont, New Hampshire and New Jersey, same-sex couples can enter into civil unions that entail the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, but gay-rights activists in all three states are pushing for full-fledged marriage rights.

Vermont's House this week joined the Senate in overwhelmingly voting in favor of gay marriage, though it's unclear whether a threatened veto by Gov. Jim Douglas can be overridden. New Hampshire's House passed a marriage bill in March, which now awaits a Senate vote. In New Jersey, Gov. Jon Corzine has pledged to sign a gay marriage bill that has been introduced in the legislature.

DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS:

California, Oregon, Washington and the District of Columbia have domestic-partnership laws that extend many of the benefits of marriage to same-sex couples. Hawaii and Maine have more limited laws extending certain spousal rights to same-sex couples.

In Maine, a bill to legalize gay marriage has nearly 60 co-sponsors in the Legislature. Gov. John Baldacci, who opposes gay marriage, says he hasn't taken a position on the measure.

CONSTITUTIONAL BANS:

Voters in 29 states have approved state constitutional amendments that ban gay marriage: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin.

Hawaii voters approved a constitutional amendment empowering the Legislature to outlaw same-sex marriage; lawmakers did so in 1998.

FEDERAL RECOGNITION:

Under the federal Defense of Marriage Act, the U.S. government does not recognize same-sex unions, even those that are legal marriages in Massachusetts, Connecticut and several foreign countries.

OUT-OF-STATE RECOGNITION:

New York is distinctive in recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere even though it has yet to authorize such marriages within its borders. A gay-marriage bill passed the lower house of the New York Legislature in 2007, but the Senate majority leader, a gay-marriage supporter, says he doesn't have the votes at present to get it passed in his chamber.

Club Vlada's Grand Opening- YES, we have another place to party in Miami

From the Desk of King

Wassup party people? It seems new places to party are popping up everywhere in Miami these days. It seems we have another 7 day-a-week gay club. Right now, Twist on South Beach rings supreme and holds this title; being one of very few clubs who caters to the "alternative" lifestyle seven days a week. Miami's beautiful new gay lounge, Vlada, has just opened. Direct from New York, Vlada is a seven night a week gay bar in Miami's Mid-Town. I will be checking this club out next week after I finished this show and rehearsals. The grand opening I hear was quite the deal. But we'll see if it will earn my seal of approval next week. Learn more about this club on their site, www.vladabar.com.

Tourism Numbers Plunge in South Florida

From the Desk of King in Miami

Article Courtesy of the Miami Herald

Tourism continues to worsen in Miami-Dade, with hotel taxes dropping faster in February than they did in January.

Taxes charged on hotel guests plunged 24 percent in February, compared to a 17 percent drop in January. The continued deterioration comes as hotels slash rates to fill beds and businesses pull back on travel.

''For me, it was no boat show,'' said Kevin McLaney, general manager of the Oceans Five Hotel in South Beach. February's Miami International Boat Show usually brings a windfall to hotels, but big events -- including December's Art Basel fair -- have yielded disappointing visitor counts this winter and spring.

Aside from being a key barometer for South Florida's largest industry, Miami-Dade's hotel taxes have attracted extra attention because of their role in the Marlins stadium debate. About 90 percent of the county's $442 million construction debt for the new ballpark would be funded with hotel taxes over the next 40 years.

In the midst of the debate, County Manager George Burgess took the unusual step of releasing the January report on hotel taxes to reporters himself. Though typically available at the beginning of the month, February's numbers were made public the day after county commissioners gave final approval for the stadium bonds Tuesday afternoon.

''This information was available. And I'm pretty sure it was withheld,'' said Commissioner Carlos Gimenez.

Gimenez said he requested February's numbers before Tuesday's meeting but was told by county tax collectors that the report was not ready for release. On Wednesday morning, the tax collector's office released six elaborate spread sheets containing detailed information about the five special taxes Miami-Dade collects at hotels and restaurants.

Victoria Mallette, a spokeswoman for Burgess, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

With February's declines, hotel taxes are down 13 percent for the budget year that began in October. Under the county's stadium plan, two taxes charged only at mainland hotels would be used for stadium bonds through 2033. Those revenues are down 16 percent for the year after dropping 28 percent in February.

Burgess has until July 1 to decide if tourism has worsened to the point that hotel taxes will not be able to fund the stadium debt. He has proposed two financing plans that would use between $1.8 billion and $2 billion of hotel taxes to pay off stadium bonds through 2049.

In Broward, hotel taxes dropped 20 percent, leaving the county down $1.5 million or about 13 percent from 2008 levels.

February's decline means hotel taxes have dropped $2 million since October in Miami-Dade. That 13 percent drop for the budget year is much better than the 21 percent decline at the same time in 2002, when hotels were suffering from fall-out from the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

But February's numbers also mark a milestone for this tourism downturn, since February is the first month to post a steeper decline than the drop in that month after the 2001 terrorist attacks. In February 2002, hotel taxes dropped 12 percent.

''I don't see, at this point, a light at the end of the tunnel,'' said Stuart Blumberg, president of the Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association.

SIZZLE MIAMI INVADES NYC:HOT BODY CONTEST

All Hell breaks loose in New York 2 weeks ago as Sizzle Miami invaded NYC for the Sizzle Miami 2010 Calendar Model Search get into the HOT BODY contest video below and make sure your ASS is in MIAMI for Sizzle Miami which all goes down May 21-26. This blog will have extensive wall to wall coverage from Miami as we bring you 2009 SIZZLE MIAMI and all of its good, bad and even the ugly. We also will be Twittering LIVE from Club Mirrors April 18 as Sizzle Miami invades DC so to hear minute to minute details COME FOLLOW ME on TWITTER. www.twitter.com/andresflava

3 MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS ON EASTER SUNDAY!

I HAVE 3 exciting MAJOR announcements i will be sharing with you guys on EASTER and i am very excited about all the new things that will be happening in my life and i hope you guys will be excited along with me. So stay tuned and lets take this journey of newfound LIFE together by the balls and MOVE FORWARD AND NOT BACK! Shaking the HATERS OFF DAILY and OPENING THE DOOR TO ALL POSITIVE ENERGY!

D.C to Recogize Gay Marriages

D.C to Recogize Gay Marriages
By Michael Neibauer
Examiner Staff Writer 4/8/09

The D.C. Council on Tuesday unanimously agreed that the District should recognize gay marriages performed in other jurisdictions, a likely step toward nation’s capital legalizing same sex marriage.
“A marriage elsewhere is a marriage in the District,” said Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham, who is openly gay. “This is a very important step forward.”

The gay marriage recognition comes as an amendment, offered by at-large Councilman Phil Mendelson, to a bill authorizing the D.C. tax office to release personal information of filers to the U.S. District Court. The council must approve the bill a second time, likely next month; Mayor Adrian Fenty must sign it and then it must survive a 30-day congressional review before becoming law.

“I applaud the D.C. Council for taking this action,” said Peter Rosenstein, a prominent D.C. gay activist. “Gays and lesbians deserve no less than equal rights. I hope that if Congress allows this legislation to go through it will be followed quickly by a gay marriage bill in D.C.”

The amendment was simply a matter of clarifying “that our law will continue to recognize marriages as duly performed in other states,” Mendelson said.

Recognizing marriages from other jurisdictions puts the District “not exactly on the cutting edge, but at the forefront” with the likes of New York and Rhode Island, which have taken similar steps, said Councilman David Catania, who joins Graham as the two open gay council members. Vermont on Tuesday joined the ranks of states that have legalized same sex marriages.

It is widely known that Catania is drafting gay marriage legislation. The question has long been when he would introduce it, not if.

“That march is coming here,” he said.

He added: “I am unwilling to live under the continued confines of a civil union or domestic partnership law.”

The one council member who had not previously committed to support gay marriage or gay marriage recognition, Ward 7’s Yvette Alexander, announced Tuesday that she would get back Mendelson’s amendment.

“My conscience feels good,” Alexander said. “It is the right thing to do.”

Congress, which must review and approve all D.C. bills before they become law, remains the one potential obstacle to legalized gay marriage in the District. The congressional reaction to Mendelson’s same sex marriage recognition amendment might portend the fate of a marriage legalization bill, proponents say.

SGL LGBT BLOGGERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The list is not a comprehensive list but was complied by Darian Aaron and i also added a few names in myself. so if you think of other bloggers you visit add them in the comment section.

Living Out Loud with Darian

Rod 2.0

Pam's House Blend

Clay Cane

www.hisstory1.blogspot.com

www.thenvncybleone.blogspot.com

www.xemvanadams.com

www.sandrarose.com

www.dramadupree.com

Kenyon Farrow

Ray's Bleu Juice

Love B. Scott

Adam's Web Log

SGL Universe

3LWTV - LIVIN' & LUVIN' LIFE WITH LONNELL

Andresflava

In The Mix with Trent

JustBThat

Taylor Siluwe

To My Friends, With love…Sincerely, Toddy English

Dreams In A Fitted

Da Doo-Dirty Show

Jasmyne Cannick

canwebefrank.com

The Gayte Keeper

www.Whatsthet.com

www.betterdaysradio.com

Cuppa Joe

Eloquent Fury

Yo Cisco!

College Hill:South Beach episode 2

College Hill:South Beach has just been buck wild in the first two episodes so lets see what happens in episode 3 which comes on lata tonite at 10pm

For Hip Hop News & Entertainment at DimeWars.Com

Terri & Milan go toe to toe

For Hip Hop News & Entertainment at DimeWars.Com

The VAULT- An Alternative Party Spot During Memorial Day Weekend

From the Desk of King of Miami

Wassup party people?!!! I have recieved your emails regarding my annual "alternatives" list of clubs and party stops from those visiting Memorial Day weekend or those here for Sizzle. I do promise to post my alternatives list soon. I will post my list approximately a month before Memorial Day weekend and the week of Memorial Day. I know the Sizzle events are a little bit pricey even though the event claims to be recession-proof. Many of us, including myself are on a recession budget, regardless. The clubs on my list will NOT be officialiated with Sizzle, so VIP Passes will not be accepted. The first club on my list will be- the Vault.

The Vault is now open Friday, Saturdays, and Sundays in Downtown Miami. It is within walking distance of two of the host hotels in Downtown Miami. The club has a low cover, reasonably priced drinks, two levels, and an AWESOME DJ- DJ Surrreal. You will not be disappointed with club, which definitely has a South Beach feel and decor. Check out the Vault at 145 N. Miami. Ave or at their website www.thevaultmiami.com .

My complete "Alternatives" list will be out soon. Check back soon.

Remebering a King 41 years later

Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent American Civil-Rights leader who was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968, at the age of 39. James Earl Ray was convicted of the assassination.

Background
In March 1968, Reverend King went to Memphis, Tennessee in support of striking African American sanitation workers. The workers had staged a walkout on February 11, 1967, to protest unequal wages and working conditions. At the time, the city of Memphis paid black workers significantly lower wages than whites. In addition, unlike their white counterparts, blacks received no pay if they stayed home during bad weather; consequently, most blacks were compelled to work even in driving rain and snow storms.

On April 3, King returned to Memphis to address a gathering at the Mason Temple (World Headquarters of the Church of God in Christ). His airline flight to Memphis was delayed by a bomb threat against his plane. With a thunderstorm raging outside, King delivered the last speech of his life, now known as the "I've Been to the Mountaintop" address. As he neared the close, he made reference to the bomb threat:

And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats... or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers?

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. [applause] And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land! [applause] And so I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!

The Assassination
King was booked in room 306 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, owned by black businessman Walter Bailey (and named after his wife). King's close friend and colleague, Reverend Ralph David Abernathy, who was present at the assassination, told the House Select Committee on Assassinations that King and his entourage stayed in room 306 at the Lorraine Motel so often that it was known as the "King-Abernathy Suite."

According to biographer Taylor Branch, King's last words were to musician Ben Branch, who was scheduled to perform that night at an event King was going to attend: "Ben, make sure you play 'Take My Hand, Precious Lord' in the meeting tonight. Play it real pretty."

At 6:01 p.m. on April 4, 1968, while he was standing on the motel's second floor balcony, King was struck by a single bullet fired from a rifle. The bullet travelled through the right side of his neck, smashing his throat and then going down his spinal cord before lodging in his shoulder.

King was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital, where doctors opened his chest and performed manual heart massage. He was pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m. According to biographer Taylor Branch, King's autopsy revealed that though he was only 39 years old, he had the heart of a 60 year old man.

BET's Spring Bling to Air- April 9-11- Taped in South Florida

From the Desk of King in Miami

I love SOUTH FLORIDA! While the rest of the country is still dealing with snow, cold temperatures and drenching rain, we are having fun in the sun. BET has taken notice of the great weather and had their annual Spring Bling in Riveria Beach, Florida (an hour North of Miami) It is scheduled to air on from April 9 thru 11. Here are some sexy photos of some of the celebrities who were in the house. And YES, the cast of College Hill, was in the house. They should have kicked Milan off, I can't stand her! LOL.

Fantasia & Color Purple is coming to DC

STARRING FANTASIA AS 'CELIE'

American Idol winner Fantasia reprises her starring role of Celie in the National Tour of the soul-stirring Broadway musical based on the book by Alice Walker that tells an unforgettable story about hope and the power of love.

Jun 30 - Aug 2, 2009
Washington, D.C.
The Kennedy Center Opera House
2 hrs. 45 min.
$25.00 - $95.00

About the Program
Oprah Winfrey Presents
The Color Purple
The Musical about Love
Starring Fantasia

"Fantasia is a hit! Her performance is a must-see…it's almost too beautiful for words!"
--The Daily News

"A BIG HIT! A really stirring, inspiring show"
--The Chicago Tribune

"SOARING AND JOYFUL"
--Time Magazine

Adapted for the stage by Marsha Norman
from the novel by Alice Walker
and the film by Steven Spielberg
Music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray
Choreography by Donald Byrd
Costume design by Paul Tazewell
Set design by John Lee Beatty
Directed by Gary Griffin

American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino made her Broadway debut in The Color Purple in 2007. Now she reprises her starring role of Celie in the National Tour of the Broadway smash hit. The New York Post exclaimed, "Four cheers for Fantasia! If you haven't seen The Color Purple, see it now; if you have seen it, see it again."

Nominated for eleven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, The Color Purple ran on Broadway for more than two record-breaking years. From the classic Pulitzer Prize–winning novel by Alice Walker, and the moving film by Steven Spielberg, comes a soul-stirring new musical and landmark event. The Color Purple is an inspiring family saga that tells the unforgettable story of a woman named Celie who--through love--finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world. Set to a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, and blues, The Color Purple is a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life. Directed by Gary Griffin, The Color Purple is adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Grammy Award winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, and choreography by Donald Byrd.
Performance Time: 2 hours, 45 minutes. Act I - 77 min.; Intermission - 15 min.; Act II - 70 min.

Notice: There are a limited number of $25 tickets available for this engagement. They are available for purchase in-person only at the Kennedy Center Box Office with a limit of two (2) tickets per person. Prior to coming to the Kennedy Center, please call (202) 467-4600 to check availability.


BUY TICKETS : http://www.colorpurple.com/tour_detail.php?id=214

Food stamp list swells to record 32.2 million

Having being a recipient of food stamp program here in dc since november its intresting to see that so many people are recieving food stamps and i am also glad that the monthly amount that people get each month is increase cause people can not live off the average that they give people. I get ab average of $180.00 a month so the extra $80 bucks will come in handed. Thanks to the stimulus package i guess that package did something right. Below is the full report.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A record 32.2 million people -- one in every 10 Americans -- received food stamps at latest count, the government said on Thursday, a reflection of the recession now in its 16th month.

Food stamps are the major U.S. antihunger program and help poor people buy groceries. The average benefit was $112.82 per person in January.

The January figure marks the third time in five months that enrollment set a record.

"A weakened economy means that many more individuals are turning to SNAP/Food Stamps," said the Food Research and Action Center, an antihunger group, using the acronym for the renamed food stamp program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 8.1 percent in February, the highest in 25 years. Weekly claims for jobless benefits totaled 669,000 last week, the highest in 26 years, the government said on Thursday.

Food stamp enrollment rose in all but four of the 50 states during January, said Agriculture Department figures. Vermont, Alaska and South Dakota had increases of more than 5 percent. Texas had the largest enrollment, 2.984 million, down 65,000, followed by California at 2.545 million, up 43,000, and New York with 2.211 million, up 37,000.

Food stamp benefits get a temporary 13 percent increase, beginning with this month, under the economic stimulus law signed by President Barack Obama. The increase equals $80 a month for a household of four.

Recent food stamp data

Month Enrollment

September 2008 31.587 million

October 2008 31.050 million

November 2008 31.097 million

December 2008 31.784 million

January 2009 32.205 million