THEGAYUK

Tag: Florida News

Get the latest LGBT+ Florida news from THEGAYUK. Breaking news, features and interviews from the gay community in Florida, in the USA.

  • ORLANDO DOCTOR | I still see their faces

    ORLANDO DOCTOR | I still see their faces

    A doctor who treated victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting says he is haunted by the thought he could have done more to save lives.

    Orlando Massacre

    Dr Joseph Ibrahim told the BBC’s Panorama programme: “I still run through it in my mind. Did I do everything I could?”
    Over two weeks have passed since the attack, in which 49 people were killed.
    Dr Ibrahim, who, like the attacker, Omar Mateen, is the son of Muslim immigrants, said he could still picture the faces of those who died in the trauma unit he runs.
    He said he expects to carry the tragedy with him “for the rest of my life, I have no doubt.”

    Watch Panorama: The Orlando Nightclub Massacre Monday 27 June 830pm on BBC One
    ALSO READ: Who were the victims of the Pulse massacre

  • Orlando gunman 911 transcripts released

    Orlando gunman 911 transcripts released

    Transcripts of phone calls made to emergency services on the night of the Pulse massacre by the gunman  have been released by the FBI.

    Omar_Mateen

    Partial transcripts have been released by the FBI of the calls made to the emergency services by the gunman who killed 49 people at a gay night club in Orlando.

    Omar Matten allegedly made a number of calls during the siege which began around 2:00AM and lasted 3 hours. The first call made to the emergency services was 30 minutes after the first shots were fired.

    The first call (see below) lasted about 50 seconds.

    Police: Emergency 911, this is being recorded.

    Mateen; In the name of God the Merciful, the beneficial [in Arabic]

    Police: What?

    Mateen: Praise be to God, and prayers as well as peace be upon the prophet of God [in Arabic]. I let you know, I’m in Orlando and I did the shootings.

    Police: What’s your name?

    Mateen: My name is I pledge of allegiance to [omitted].

    Police: Ok, What’s your name?

    Mateen: I pledge allegiance to [omitted] may God protect him [in Arabic], on behalf of [omitted].

    Police: Alright, where are you at?

    Mateen: In Orlando.

    Police: Where in Orlando?

    [End of call].

    During the evening Mateen spoke to Orlando’s Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) three times first at 2:48Am, then at 3:03AM and then at 3:24AM – the transcripts for these communications have not been released in full.

    However it is during these conversation the shooter reportedly identified himself as an Islamic soldier and that America should stop bombing Syria and Iraq.

    He also warned that he had explosive vests – the kind used by the terrorists “in France”.  No vests were found.

    The FBI issued a statement in which it said out of respect for the victims of the shooting that it would not release transcripts of communications with victims of the assault.

    “Out of respect for the victims of this horrific tragedy, law enforcement will not be releasing audio of the shooter’s 911 calls at this time, nor will law enforcement be releasing audio or transcripts of the calls made by victims at the Pulse nightclub during the incident.”

     

    ALSO READ: metropolitan police to beef up visibility at Pride In London this weekend

    ALSO READ: Nearly a quarter of the LGBT community fear for their safety on the gay scene

    ALSO READ: Who are the victims of the Pulse massacre?

     

  • 50 People Killed at Gay Nightclub in Florida

    50 People Killed at Gay Nightclub in Florida

    50 people are now reported to have been killed at a mass shooting in a Florida gay club in the early hours of Sunday morning which has left many casualties according to Orlando Police.

    Embed from Getty Images

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  • No One Loves A Fairy When She Is 40 Plus

    For the past week gay social media sites have been buzzing about the rather shocking discriminatory policy of IMPULSE SOUTH FLORIDA, a community outreach group dedicated to spreading HIV awareness and education.

    They recently threw a massive pool party in Miami to help promote the recently renovated Vagabond Hotel, a local landmark. They made men over 40 years of age pay a hefty $50 admission when it was free to anyone else. To add insult too injury the party had been rather ironically heavily promoted and hashtagged on Instagram and Twitter with #JudgmentIsDirty,

    “I’m amazed at the invite I just received – free admission up to 40 years of age and $50 over 40,” Ed Stevens, a would-be party goer said to South Florida Gay News. “In addition to whether this is even legal, It’s a shocking and blatant attempt to exclude mature people and another instance of how people in our community should know better, given the discrimination and judgments we face in the mainstream world. And I was looking forward to going back to this beautifully restored landmark.”

    “The primary strategy is to organically establish a following of socially active, young gay men through engagement at large, organised events, such as Evolution, which occurred in Miami on April 18,”

    Impulse responded in a press release yesterday. “The purpose of events like Evolution is to create a lively, fun atmosphere where these men can interact while simultaneously being exposed to information about HIV in a non-judgmental environment.”

    That’s all well and said but as many other disgruntled would-be partygoers have been pointing out this week is the reality that the very same group of gay men who were made to feel very unwelcome also constitute a significant percentage of the donors who have helped keep IMPULSE in funds in the past.
    @rogerwalkerdack

  • HOTEL REVIEW | The Pineapple Point, Fort Lauderdale, USA

    ★★★★★ | The Pineapple Point, Fort Lauderdale, USA

    Fort Lauderdale, Florida makes an impressive POINT!

    Many gay travellers tend to head to Miami for its busy South Beach area that offers a gateway to its swanky bars, famous nightspots, sandy beaches, exclusive shopping, numerous tanning products and ridiculous diets to compliment that cocktail that you have in hand – oh, and if it’s not a low-calorie cocktail you may be looked at as if you were drinking CONCENTRATED orange juice!

    Yep, this is ‘SoBe’ (South Beach for short) or a more polished ‘SE’ (Southend, Essex) that definitely has its characters eyeing tourists from behind their velvet rope.

    Thankfully there is a ticket out of this hot mess and the ticket hero that is Fort Lauderdale comes to the rescue. Just 45 minutes north of Miami sits a very patient area of Florida that has an increasing gay population in the Victoria Park and Wilton Manors gaybourhoods.

    Numerous gay hotels line these areas with easy access to the calm and powdery white beaches. The Pineapple Point Guesthouse and Resort claims that over 90% of their business is from returning guests and really I am not surprised. This resort is tucked away in luscious heaps of palm trees and boasts spacious bedrooms to three-storey villas with private splash pools and decadent furnishings. The beds are so ridiculously comfortable like where on earth did they buy these from!

    If you choose to be social their repeat guests will offer you their non-attitude company and if you choose to be private then the friendly breeze from this resort will tempt you to relax. The Pineapple Point’s only downfall is you will have trouble deciding whether to stay in the quarters of your room, suite or villa or go outside on the grounds of the resort where a number of pools, Jacuzzis and hammocks are all inviting you with their silent persuading whispers – tempting you to their haven. Best to hire a car in Fort Lauderdale (with Sixt car rental) or jump on one of the bikes that the resort provides. Before heading out to dinner to the walking distance of the Las Olas Boulevard area (go to BAO Bar Asian Kitchen – so good!) the social hour by the pool in the evenings are hosted by the generous staff who are the lovely ones that promote a point to make you feel very welcomed at The Pineapple Point.

    Book a stay at The Pineapple Point with Booking.com