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By: Joshua Beadle
In this month's midterm elections, voters across the country sent a record number of LGBT candidates to Congress and Colorado elected the nation's first openly gay governor. These victories come 40 years after the assassination of the first openly gay elected official in California — Harvey Milk. Last night Shannon Fortner, ricipient of Sarasota's 2018 ICON award, hosted a demonstration at Five Points Park to remember the San Francisco Board of Supervisor who in 1978 coaxed the city council to pass a gay rights ordinance that protected gay people from being fired from their jobs. On Nov. 27, 1978, Supervisor Milk and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated by Dan White, a former police officer and former city supervisor who had clashed with Milk over LGBTQ issues. A hand-full of candle lit supporters, gathered on the rather chilly night in front of a rainbow lit sign of Harvey Milk. Shannon spoke with a megaphone, standing on a soap box and referenced the tragic Pulse Nightclub shooting from June 12, 2016, stating, "Our hearts beat on to honor the lives we've lost" and reminding us that the work we do each day keeps Harvey Milks' legacy alive. The success of LGBTQ candidates in the midterm elections would have been hard to imagine four decades ago when Milk first won office. In his life he was a political hero, in his death, a martyr. His existence though, led the way for future generations to fight for our LGBTQ rights. Harvey would be proud. Members of ALSO Youth, Divine AF, SarasotaOUT.com, Firefly SRQ and a handful of curious patrons were in attendance.
 and the winners are....Favorite Non-profit Organization: ALSO Youth Favorite LGBT Annual Event: Sarasota Pride, Inc Favorite LGBT Community Leader/Activist: Shannon M Fortner Favorite LGBT Owned Businesses: Purple Rhino Lodge Favorite Area Attraction: The Ringling Favorite Performing Arts Venue: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Favorite Local Actor/ Actress: Brian Craft Favorite Realtor: Nate Brooks Favorite Hotel: The Westin Sarasota Favorite Apartment Community: ARCOS Apartments Favorite Church: MCC Church of the Trinity Favorite Salon: SALON FORTY ONE On Palm Avenue Favorite Beauty Spa: The Laser Lounge Spa of Sarasota Favorite Restaurant: Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi Favorite Bartender: Hunter Vance Favorite Bar: Oasis - Sarasota's Premier LGBT + Venue Favorite LGBT Club: Oasis - Sarasota's Premier LGBT + Venue Favorite Drag Queen Bingo: Beneva Fruitville's Bingo Bonanza Favorite Interior Designer/ Company: Beginning to End Interiors Favorite Musician/ Band: Divine AF Favorite Drag Personality: Beneva Fruitville Favorite DJ: D.j. Brianna Lee Favorite Adult Novelty Store: Giggles Sarasota Favorite Social Media Personality: Joey Panek 2018 SarasotaOUT.com's OUT ICON AWARD: Shannon M Fortner The holidays are a time of reflection and to give thanks so we wanted to see what some of our community leaders had to say!
By: Joshua Beadle, Editor and Chief of SarasotaOUT.com |
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SarasotaOUT.com is a proud member of our LGBT community and is dedicated to making a difference in our community by providing a place to list LGBT friendly businesses and events.
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