Sarasota's OUT Award winners:
FAVORITE LOCAL LGBTQ ANNUAL EVENT:  Harvey Milk Festival
FAVORITE LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION: ALSO Youth
FAVORITE LOCAL LGBTQ ACTIVIST: Nate Quinn
FAVORITE LOCAL HAIR SALON: d. cole hair design
FAVORITE LOCAL FITNESS CENTER: CRUNCH
FAVORITE LOCAL REALTOR: Robert Krasow Realtor with Michael Saunders & Company
FAVORITE AREA MUSEUM OR GALLERY: The Ringling
FAVORITE AREA ATTRACTION: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT: Clasico Sarasota
FAVORITE LOCAL BARTENDER: Hunter Vance
FAVORITE LOCAL BAR: Barrel 87
FAVORITE LOCAL LGBTQ NIGHTCLUB/BAR: Elevate - Level 2 at Starlite
FAVORITE LOCAL HOTEL: Aloft Sarasota
FAVORITE LOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY or AGENT: ALandCHUCK.travel
FAVORITE LOCAL COFFEE SHOP: Pastry Art
FAVORITE LOCAL HAPPY HOUR: Barrel 87
FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMING ARTS VENUE: Manatee Performing Arts Center
FAVORITE LOCAL ACTOR: Brian Craft
FAVORITE LOCAL ACTRESS: Corinne Woodland
FAVORITE LOCAL MUSICIAN/BAND: Eduardo Correa
FAVORITE LOCAL SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONALITY: Mattyson Barksdale
FAVORITE LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER: Barbara Banks
FAVORITE LOCAL DRAG PERSONALITY: Brianna Summers
FAVORITE LOCAL ADULT NOVELTY STORE: Giggles Sarasota
2017 OUT ICON AWARD: Beneva Fruitville

On Friday, June 16th, 2017 www.SarasotaOUT.com will kick off its #SaferSRQ Promotion with a partnership with Community Aids Network (CAN) and Elevate - Friday Nights at Starlite. This involves CAN setting up a mobile testing unit in the parking lot of The Starlite Room, home to the popular Friday night hotspot Elevate! Joshua Beadle, the Proprietor of SarasotaOUT.com and Elevate stated - “It’s important that as members of Sarasota’s LGBTQ nightlife we promote healthy and safer sex, Especially since sexual desire is heightened while drinking - It's our responsibility” 

The Starlite Room is excited to be partnering with #SaferSRQ and is providing prizes for those who get tested on these nights. “Knowledge is power and the more people that get tested the safer the community becomes. I’m hoping by giving away prizes it could be that little push that helps someone get tested” Tyler Yuknos, owner of the Starlite Room said. 

Florida is now #1 in the nation for newly diagnosed cases of HIV and CAN is taking action to not only help those infected but to help those who are at substantial risk. David White, PrEP Navigator for CAN said: “We are pleased to announce the launch of our PrEP program (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) which is a way for people to prevent HIV infection by taking a pill every day.” This type of treatment, if taken correctly, can reduce transmission up to 96%. 

“We hope that through our partnerships with CAN, and by bringing the mobile testing unit to Elevate we can kick off our #SaferSRQ campaign.” Joshua Beadle Stated. “ultimately the vision for #SaferSRQ is to grow to more venues and to increase awareness of CAN’s services”

Come to the Kickoff of #SaferSRQ on June 16th at Elevate - Friday Nights at Starlite (1001 Cocoanut Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236) 10 PM to 2 AM