Some people read it for the articles
Some may doubt it, but Orlando’s first openly gay politician Commissioner Patty Sheehan has made it into Playboy magazine.
No, she’s not June’s centerfold, but the Q&A titled “Fight Hate with Love: A Playboy Conversation with Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan,” Patty is asked about her thoughts regarding the mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub on June 12.
Patty was questioned whether or not she believed the shootings were an act of terrorism, or a hate crime or both. Patty said that she felt that the victims being Latino and gay made her feel this was certainly a hate crime and also an act of terrorism. Patty goes on to discuss religion, monies raised for the victims and their families as well as the impact this tragedy will have regarding views to the LGBT community.
Miss MO was a former Miss UCF
The 23-year-old Erin O’Flaherty was recently crowned Miss Missouri. Many of you may be reading this and saying, “Big whoop, what’s another girl with tiara? We see those bachelorette parties at the gay bars all the time, am I right?
Well she’s not only a former Miss UCF (crowned back in 2013), but Erin will be moving on to compete in the Miss America pageant as the first openly gay Miss.
Erin came out of the closet at 18; her platform has been primarily suicide prevention, which unfortunately happens to have very high statistics with LGBT youth. It’s said she wants to continue to support LGBT rights without making it solely her focus. Erin O’Flaherty will compete for the Miss America crown on September 11.
All about that Bass
Parliament House recently announced that former NSYNC boyband singer, actor, all around heartthrob with the deep voice and blue eyes Lance Bass will be performing at its 41st Anniversary party Satrurday, July 23. VIP pre-sale tickets (which include a meet and greet) quickly sold out, but there may be a few more available for purchase as they get closer to the date.
Additionally, Parliament House Resort as well as many other bars and nightclubs all around Central Florida have been hosting many fundraisers for the Pulse victims, their families and the displaced employees. Parliament is also hosting a benefit concert with an ever growing list of performers that have signed up since the announcement of the show. The concert is scheduled for Saturday, July 9, and will feature gay icons such as American Idol’s Frenchie Davis, Mya, Johnny McGovern aka The Gay Pimp, Ultra Nate and, as of most recently, “Ice Cream Truck” rapper Cazwell. Tickets are only $15 and will benefit Pulse Nightclub. According to the event page, more artists will also be announced.
