When Black II Broadway held its amazing June show with special guest star Jennifer Holliday everyone was thrilled. When she sang And I Am Telling You, the crowd was wrapped around her little finger. Other local performers were on their game and the night was, from an artistic point of view, an unqualified success.

Holy Cross Health's long-standing commitment to South Florida's LGBTQ+ community has earned another national recognition.

AquaPlex in Fort Lauderdale is closed, as is the one in Key West and its sister bar, Birdcage Cabaret. And don’t forget Lucky’s in West Palm Beach and Johnsons which is facing its own challenges. They’re all owned by Pride Holdings Group (PHG) and, until July, Michael and Jon Barrett. Employees and former employees say they’ve had bounced checks, credit card tips withheld, payroll taxes taken out but not turned over to the state, making them ineligible for unemployment.

For many in the LGBTQ community, Florida feels like a lost cause. Republicans have expanded their grip on state government, anti-LGBTQ legislation has poured out of Tallahassee, and even longtime allies have switched parties.