Evil Regals Unite
On April 10, those at Disney World’s new Fantasyland encountered an evil treat. 
Once Upon A Time’s Lana Parilla was filming a promo for the new park which began airing on ABC May 5. Parrilla, 35, is the woman behind the dual personality “Regina Mills” and “The Evil Queen” on the hit show” Parrilla quickly became the character viewers loved to hate, her beauty and extraordinary costumes balancing the evil deeds perpetuated by her character. In real life, the “evil queen” isn’t all that evil. Parrilla has championed LGBT rights in several arenas, from contributing to a short film addressing suicide among LGBT youth and speaking out in support of marriage equality at the Human Right Campaign’s 2012 August Gala.
Show Hope & Help the Money
May 4 and 5 marked a weekend of AIDS Walk Orlando fundraisers, raising more than $1,500. At the May 4 Blue Ball benefit, almost a dozen people utilized the mobile testing unit that was available. Hosted by Chrysanthemum and Lacie Browning and Hope & Help’s softball team, Impact, the show featured a number of performances, giveaways and studly softball boys sporting nothing but their jerseys and underwear while selling raffle tickets. Sunday Surrender at Ember boasted a full house with proceeds benefiting AIDS Walk. “We are grateful for the support from the community and look forward to seeing them on May 18 at Lake Eola for the AIDS Walk,” said Hope & Help’s Volunteer Coordinator Duane Hoyle.
End of an LGBT Era
Orlando has lost yet another pioneering LGBT bar owner. Wyldes Lounge owner, Frank Guilfoy, passed on May 3, just shy of his 70th birthday. It’s rumored his battle with throat cancer is behind the bar closing in February this year before its 20th anniversary. Wyldes Lounge was established by Guilfoy and his late partner in 1994 and is the alma mater to a number of well-known Orlando bartenders and socialites, including Brian Humphries, Mark Matthews and Norm Gentry, who all worked as dancers at the establishment when it was located on Orange Blossom Trail.
We’re So Gay
“Orlando has an unexpectedly large and thriving LGBT community and some fantastic weather, making Orlando a welcoming tropical paradise all year long,” says The Advocate. Writer Sunnivie Brydum paints a well-balanced and compelling rationale for gay and lesbian visitors to spend time in our wonderful community in the upcoming June-July edition. In addition, GayDays tops GayTravel.com’s Top 20 list of LGBT events for 2013. That article reads, “Orlando’s Gay Days Celebration is not a single event. It is a total gay and lesbian vacation experience. Gay Days is comprised of multiple events staged at world famous attractions, gay and lesbian clubs, and unique venues secured for the purpose of creating a gay and lesbian atmosphere at Orlando’s greatest theme parks and at multiple parties occurring during this long weekend.” Gay Days began in 1991 as a single designated day (always the first Saturday in June) and now attracts more than 150,000 LGBT people to Orlando every June.
