In the vibrant heart of Fort Lauderdale, the United Church of Christ (UCC) stands as a sanctuary of compassion, inclusion, and unwavering service. At the core of its outreach are two powerful initiatives: the Ruth Ministry and the Angel Fund, programs that provide real help and restore dignity to those experiencing homelessness or crisis in Broward County.

Yesterday I played tennis with a couple of players I’d never met before, at Chicago’s Waveland Park, next to a leafy municipal golf course built in 1901.

He’s very good-looking, finds Ray and me to be handsome, says he is rich, and we could be too. He strongly hints at a “fiends with benefits” relationship. And he’s a con artist.

Last month, Wilton Manors — Florida’s vibrant “gayborhood” — welcomed Back to BlaQ, its inaugural celebration devoted to uplifting Black LGBTQ voices. On June 6, more than 1,200 attendees came together to honor the creativity, resilience, and intersectionality of Florida’s Black queer community.

As the summer heats up and the good times continue to roll, there is an addition to the gay nightlife here in Palm Beach County: Lucky’s opened the new Hidden Social Club.

The first version of this article appeared in the August 2010 issue of The Guide, sadly the last issue of that late, great, gay magazine.