Sarasota news briefs: Feb 10

Holocaust discussion focuses on gays
Sarasota resident and activist Bart Coyle wants to be sure that the persecution of gays during the Holocaust isn’t lost to history. Coyle took part in a forum Feb. 10 to discuss the role of rescuers during the German persecution of minorities.

“Every country has rescuers,” said keynote speaker and Jewish Foundation for the Righteous executive director Stanlee Stahl. “If a Jew survived [the war] it was because they received help from a Christian. Some Christians simply did not denounce those in hiding.”

Stahl and other panelists participated in the forum at the North Port Performing Arts Center where attendees gathered from throughout the Sarasota/Manatee county region.

Many students at the forum admitted they had never heard about the Nazi persecution of gays and lesbians. The reason for that is simple, according to Coyle.

“At liberation, their stories were lost because they couldn’t tell them,” he said. “It was illegal to be a homosexual.”

Divas to benefit Trinity Charities
A 90-minute musical tribute to Judy Garland will bring out some of the best entertainers in the area to raise money for the Michael Bach Health Center of Manatee and Trinity Charities of Sarasota.

The Players of Sarasota will host Divas Do Garland—in Concert on Monday,
Feb. 22. Featured performers will include Sharon Scott, Ann Morrison, Forrest Richards, Kyle Ennis Turoff, Sharon Lesley, Marilyn Jennings, KT Curran and Blake Walton—all performing signature hits of gay icon Judy Garland. Carolyn Michel and Ben Turoff will emcee.

The production is presented by the Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project, which raises awareness and provides assistance to those living with HIV and AIDS. Doors open at 7 p.m. and $10 tickets are available online at ThePlayers.org.