 Favorite Community Leader: India X Miller Favorite Youth Activist: Zander Moricz Favorite Realtor: Michael Nogueira Favorite Doctor: Dr Tanya Schreibman Favorite Therapist: Emily Deming-Rivers Favorite Social Media Personality: Brittany Jennings Favorite Drag Personality: Christina Armani Favorite Lawyer: Erik Arroyo Favorite Local Politician: Tom Edwards Favorite Makeup Artist: Kiki Butter Mishchief Favorite DJ: Oliver Dill Favorite Teacher: Georgia Moore Favorite Artist: Jordan Beutel Favorite Massage Therapist: Myra Moore Favorite Musicians: Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota Favorite Chef: Christopher Covelli Favorite Interior Designer: Diego Ramirez Favorite Photographer: Dylan Jon Wade Cox Photography Favorite Actor: Joey Panek Favorite Bartender: Audrey O'Connor Favorite LGBTQ Bar: Qmunity Favorite Bar (Non-LGBTQ): Sage SRQ Favorite LGBTQ-Owned Business: Qmunity Favorite Area Attraction: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium Favorite Performing Arts Venue: Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Favorite Movie Theater: CMX CinéBistro Siesta Key Favorite Pizza: Mellow Mushroom Sarasota Favorite Coffee Spot: Blvd Cafe Favorite News Source: Suncoast View Favorite Insurance Agency: Richard Dean Insurance - Allstate Agency Favorite Contractor: Michael Manzella Favorite Hotel: Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection Favorite Restaurant: Sage SRQ Favorite Apartment Community: The District at Rosemary Favorite Church: Church of the Trinity MCC in Sarasota, FL Favorite Shop: The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime Favorite Adult Novelty Store: Giggles Sarasota Favorite Fitness Center: Balance Favorite Health Care: CAN Community Health Favorite Pharmacy: Hedges Pharmacy Favorite Salon: Hair by Jimmy J Favorite Brunch: Blvd Cafe Favorite Barbershop: American Shave Favorite Beauty Spa: Elite Medical Spa of Sarasota Favorite Non-Profit (Non-LGBTQ): Orenda Health and Wellness Favorite LGBTQ Non-Profit: ALSO Youth Favorite LGBTQ Group: G2H2 Sarasota - Gay Group Happy Hour Favorite Sports League: SRQ Kickball Favorite LGBTQ Event: Sarasota Pride, Inc Favorite Bingo: Drag Queen Bingo Extravaganza Woman of the Year: India X Miller 2023 ICON Award Winner: Jason Champion  As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on gratitude and generosity. Enter #GivingTuesday, a global movement dedicated to unleashing the power of generosity to transform communities. Celebrated annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, this special day encourages individuals, businesses, and organizations to give back, whether through time, donations, or advocacy. SarasotaOUT.com is thrilled to spotlight local organizations that work tirelessly to support, uplift, and empower Sarasota’s LGBTQ+ community. These organizations are at the heart of creating a more inclusive, supportive, and thriving community for everyone. Local LGBTQ Organizations that need your support! Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota: This LGBTQ+ all-welcoming chorus brings people together through music, celebrating humanity and inspiring the community to embrace equality. Their performances feature a unique take on traditional repertoire, Broadway favorites, and current hits, promoting inclusion and unity. Project Pride SRQ: Dedicated to celebrating and uniting Sarasota’s diverse community, Project Pride SRQ provides social connections and supports LGBTQ+ individuals, businesses, and organizations. They organize events like the Sarasota Pride Festival, fostering visibility and inclusivity throughout the year. ALSO Youth: Providing peer support services, educational programs, and advocacy, ALSO Youth creates a safe and supportive space for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth to connect, grow, and thrive. Their drop-in center offers a welcoming environment for young individuals to engage in healthy dialogues about LGBTQ+ issues. Equality Florida: As the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s LGBTQ+ community, Equality Florida advocates for policies that protect and uplift LGBTQ+ individuals. They work on various initiatives, including public policy advocacy and community education, to promote equality across the state. PFLAG Sarasota: PFLAG Sarasota offers support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, fostering understanding and building a more inclusive community. They provide resources and a supportive environment for families and friends of LGBTQ+ individuals to promote acceptance and equality. Fabulous Arts Foundation: Merging creativity with activism, the Fabulous Arts Foundation uses art to highlight LGBTQ+ voices and stories, celebrating diversity and strengthening cultural ties in Sarasota. They host events like the PRIDE | Be Fabulous Music & Arts Fest, featuring music, film, visual art, and performance art. Orenda Health & Wellness: Orenda Health & Wellness is dedicated to supporting individuals facing HIV/AIDS and other health disparities. They offer free and confidential HIV testing, counseling, and education on sexual health, empowering individuals to make informed health choices. Venice Pride: Enhancing LGBTQ+ visibility in South Sarasota County, Venice Pride organizes events and initiatives that celebrate diversity and promote equality, fostering a sense of community and acceptance. Purple Rhino Lodge: The Purple Rhino Lodge provides fellowship opportunities for Sarasota’s LGBTQ+ community while raising funds for HIV-related services, strengthening community ties and supporting those in need. How You Can Make a Difference Your support is crucial in sustaining these organizations’ efforts. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, your involvement ensures the continuation of their vital work. Visit SarasotaOUT.com/2024give.html to learn more about these organizations and how you can contribute. Donations are encouraged all year long but we are running our #givingtuesday campaign until December 31st, so there’s plenty of time to make an impact. Together, let’s make this holiday season a time of compassion, generosity, and meaningful change.  In the wake of Florida’s controversial legislation restricting access to public restrooms based on assigned gender at birth, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is reaching out to the LGBTQ+ community to amplify the voices of those directly impacted. The ACLU’s latest initiative invites Floridians affected by the law to share their experiences through a dedicated platform, aiming to connect with individuals whose rights and lives have been disrupted by the ban. The law, which applies to public buildings, schools, and other facilities, has faced widespread criticism for marginalizing transgender and non-binary individuals. Advocates argue that the ban exacerbates discrimination, creates unsafe situations, and fosters an unwelcoming environment for many members of the LGBTQ+ community. By collecting and sharing stories, the ACLU hopes to bring awareness to the human cost of the legislation and build momentum for advocacy and legal challenges. If you or someone you know has been impacted by this ban, consider sharing your story with the ACLU to help shed light on the consequences of this policy. Visit the ACLU’s website at action.aclu.org to learn more or to participate in this important initiative. Together, we can push for a more inclusive and equitable Florida. Note: SarasotaOUT.com encourages everyone to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and support organizations like the ACLU working tirelessly to defend our rights. |
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