Gerald Farinas

Franklin Farinas died earlier this month. He was a successful, well-known Los Angeles real estate broker since 1984, with portfolios that included WeHo and Beverly Hills. He was 65 years old.

“Grampa Frankie” and I had an understanding when I came out: that I have been blessed to be young in these times, that I’ve been given an opportunity to be more open about expressing who I truly am. It’s something the older generations never had, and is something I should never take for granted in my own work in Chicago’s LGBT community, and my adventures with Chicago Phoenix.

In coming to understand my own identity, Grampa Frankie was a pioneer. He crossed the deserts long before I ever saw the gleaming paradise built upon the foundations they laid, yet unfinished, waiting for the capstone of full equality. But he intimated the excitement of the world he would leave—that the capstone is ready to be placed any moment now, and the younger generation like me, will be witness to it.

I never really got to know Grampa Frankie until these last few years, but his mere existence gave me understanding, comfort, and hope—that there is someone else who’s lived what I am now living, experienced what I am now experiencing, to continue the journey he was journeying.

Ahead of his memorial this weekend, family and friends have been asked to make donations to organizations he had long supported, especially in volunteerism—AIDS Project Los Angeles and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Mahalo nui. Maraming salamat, Grampa Frankie.

OBITUARY

Franklin Kana’e Farinas, 65, of Los Angeles, died of natural causes on Friday, February 8, 2013.

He was born to the late Nancy Villanueva and Francisco Farinas on June 14, 1947 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Franklin was an only child when his mother passed away suddenly and he went to live with his father, step-mother and family.

Franklin had two brothers, Gerald and Melvin, and two sisters, Benita Evangelista and Florence Dabis, from his father’s previous marriage.

Franklin graduated from Farrington High School in 1965 and received a B.S. in Travel Industry Management from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1969. 

Franklin began his real estate career in his native Hawaii. Migrating to Los Angeles in 1984, Franklin found himself as the doors of Jon Douglas Company, predecessor of Coldwell Banker, where he became involved in its New Homes and Condominiums Division. He has marketed and sold more than 40 projects and 900 units during his esteemed career. More recently, he was working as an Associate Broker, GRI Senior Director, and New Homes Division at Coldwell Banker Brentwood Court. 

Through the years Franklin has donated his time as a volunteer and practitioner for Reconnective Healing: A Place Called Home, the AIDS Project Los Angeles, and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. He was also a Certified Reflexology Practitioner and Jin Shin Jyutus Practitioner helping people suffering with debilitating conditions.

Franklin is survived by his sister Florence Dabis of Honolulu, brother Gerald Farinas of Honolulu, niece Clarice Cunningham of Vallejo, California, nephew Arnold Evangelista of Los Angeles, Aunt Rosita Lee of Las Vegas, and many friends and family members.

Click share this, on the right, to LIKE this article on Facebook or TWEET it on Twitter!

Photo: The Office of the Lt. Governor of Hawaii.

“To the people of Hawaii, I can assure you this: I will give every fiber of my being to doing a good job for the state of Hawaii,” Lt. Gov. Brian Emanuel Schatz said. “We have a long and perhaps difficult road ahead of us, but we can succeed if we work together. I understand the magnitude of this obligation and this honor, and I won’t let you down.”

In the end, a good choice

The overall best interests of the people of Hawaii bested the attempted pre-ordination of the late-Daniel Inouye to choose his own successor, with the appointment of Lt. Gov. Schatz to the Inouye vacancy.

With all due respect to the late-U.S. Senate president pro-tempore, Gov. Neil Abercrombie made an excellent choice from among three nominated by the Hawaii Democratic Party.

It was an excellent choice as it was not a choice beholden to the powers that be, not beholden to the party elders, not beholden to traditional party expectations, but rather made of a whole wealth of other considerations—among which is the want of Ke Kia’aina to pass the torch to a much younger generation of Hawaii citizens.

In my opinion, the law has been fulfilled. Democracy worked today.

Schatz will be flying to Washington tonight and will be sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden, the Senate President.

Let’s not kid ourselves—there’s politics involved

There are some congratulating the Governor for “not playing politics” in his choice. Wrong. He did play politics. There are a host of benefits for himself and the party in this decision. Let’s not kid ourselves.

Who will replace the Lt. Governor?

Shan Tsutsui, president of the Hawaii Senate, will now make a decision as to whether or not he wants to assume the office of Lt. Governor of Hawaii. Should he not accept, the role is passed to outgoing House Speaker Calvin Say.

During the 2 p.m. press conference in the Governor’s office, Schatz said he intends to fight for the seat in the 2014 special election required by law.

What did the Republicans think about the choice?

In a nutshell, the GOP felt robbed of an opportunity. If Inouye’s dying wish was granted, Hanabusa’s House seat would immediately be up for grabs in a special election. Former Rep. Charles Djou could’ve gotten in again.

The Hawaii Republican Party congratulated Schatz on his appointment but lamented that it was hoping to take Hanabusa’s seat and have a say in national policy.

Then they argued Schatz’s youth, inexperience, and party loyalty are major deficits and attacked the person making the appointment—Ke Kia’aina.

“While the appointment of Congresswoman Collen Hanabusa would have required special election to fill her congressional seat, the Hawaii Republican Party was well prepared to field a candidate that would be a capable leader, and strong advocate for Hawaii,” GOP chairman David Chang said.

“The extreme partisan politics of Hawaii Democratic Party serves as a reminder that a balanced two-party system is sorely needed. Gov. Abercrombie has once again put partisan politics and power ahead of Hawaii’s people. This appointment reinforces Governor Abercrombie’s sporadic and inconsistent leadership.”

Click share this, on the right, to LIKE this article on Facebook or TWEET it on Twitter!

Curt’s Cafe, 2922 Central Street, is a pioneering eatery with an important goal—giving at-risk youths a chance to succeed.

Founder and executive director Susan Trieschmann has put a lot of her own resources to get the innovative program started. Despite bumps along the road, it has quickly been recognized as a model of community cooperation to meet the challenges of its young people head on.

Ald. Mark Tendam says the cafe “has brought an entire community together in ways we’re not seeing.” He continued, “It is one of the most lively, energetic and positive things going on in the community right now.”

Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl agreed, “They are doing wonderful things with young people that other people are not reaching.”

Lori Dube, an Evanston mom and a charter member of the Curt’s Cafe Fan Club says, “As a mother of three teenagers, I appreciate Curt’s mission to reach out to Evanston teens who need extra help entering the workforce. I also love that when I walk into Curt’s, it feels like I’m walking into that bar on the show ‘Cheers’ where everybody knows my name, except instead of beer they’re serving up lattes and healthy green drinks and scones that I can’t stop eating!”

Now, the cafe is reaching out to the community to directly help it succeed.

Trieschmann writes, “It’s been eight months since Curt’s Cafe opened it doors, and began providing restaurant training to at-risk Evanston youth. We are excited to announce that Curt’s has just received its 501c(3) nonprofit status from the IRS. Curt’s is on a mission to offer students a second chance, a chance to gain work and life skills that will allow them to move towards a productive adulthood.”

She continues, “So far Curt’s Cafe has trained and placed four students in jobs, and helped one student enter community college. We didn’t do it alone. The community, our friends, neighbors, and city officials, and the Evanston Community Foundation have been generous in their support.”

“As we come to the end of the year, please consider taking part in a group effort  needed to turn our mission into a continuing reality,”  Trieschmann appealed for donations. ”Know that your support, large or small, is tax deductible, and will help us to serve the many youth who want and need our help.”

Click share this, on the right, to LIKE this article on Facebook or TWEET it on Twitter!

Hilo will once again host a time-honored tradition. The 48th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival has officially announced its list of 26 participating hula halau—Hawaiian for House of Hula—for the 2013 competition. Among the competitors are 3 hula halau from California.

Broadcast live on KFVE, on television and streaming online, the competition for best contemporary ‘auana and ancient kahiko styles will take place from Sunday, March 31 to Saturday, April 6.

Photo: Merrie Monarch Festival.

Participating hula halau include:

Halau Hula Olana — Wahine
Olana and Howard Ai
Pu’uloa, Oahu

Halau I Ka Wekiu — Kane and Wahine
Karl Veto Baker and Michael Casupang
Pauoa, Oahu

Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Lehua — Kane and Wahine
Snowbird Bento
Honolulu, Oahu

Ka Pa Hula ʻO Kauanoe ʻO Waʻahila — Wahine
Maelia Loebenstein Carter
Kaimuki, Oahu

Halau O Na Pua Kukui — Kane
Ed Collier
Kalihi, Oahu

Keolalaulani Halau ʻOlapa O Laka — Kane and Wahine
Aloha Dalire
He’eia, Oahu and Hilo, Hawaii

Halau Mohala ʻIlima — Wahine
Mapuana de Silva
Ka’ohao, Hawaii

Halau Ke Kia‘i A O Hula — Wahine
Kapi’olani Haʻo
Kalihi and Kapalama, Oahu

Keali‘ika‘apunihonua Ke‘ena A‘o Hula — Wahine
Leimomi Ho
Honolulu, Oahu

Hula Halau ʻO Kamuela — Wahine
Kauʻionalani Kamanaʻo and Kunewa Mook
Kalihi and Waimanalo, Hawaii

Ka La ʻOnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe — Wahine
Tracie and Keawe Lopes
Kahauiki, Oahu

Kawailiʻula — Kane
Chinky Mahoe
Kailua, Oahu

Halau Kekuaokalâʻauʻalaʻaʻiliahi — Kane
La’akea Perry
Wailuku, Maui

Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La — Kane and Wahine
Kaleo Trinidad
Honolulu, Oahu

Halau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine — Wahine
Kaʻilihiwa Vaughn-Darval
Mânoa, Oahu

Halau Hula ʻO Kahikilaulani  — Kane and Wahine
Nahoku Gaspang
Hilo, Hawaii

Halau Hula Na Pua Uʻi O Hawaiʻi  — Wahine
Etua Lopes
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Halau O Ka Ua Kani Lehua — Wahine
Johnny Lum Ho
Hilo, Hawaii

Halau Kekuaokalâʻauʻalaʻaʻiliahi — Wahine
Glenn Kelena Vasconcellos
Hilo, Hawaii

Halau O Ke Anuenue — Wahine
Napua Makua and Kahulu Maluo
Wailuku, Maui

Halau Kekuaokalâʻauʻalaʻaʻiliahi — Kane
ʻIliahi and Haunani Paredes
Kula, Maui

Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leinaʻala — Wahine
Leinaʻala Pavao Jardin
Kalâheo, Kauai

Healani’s Hula Halau — Wahine
Beverly Apana Muraoka
Kapa’a, Kauai

Halau Kealiʻi O Nalani — Wahine
Kealiʻi Ceballos
Los Angeles, Caifornia

Academy of Hawaiian Arts — Kane
Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu
Oakland, California

Halau ʻO Lilinoe — Wahine
Sissy and Lilinoe Kaio
Carson, California

Judging the competition will be:

• Cy Bridges
• Nalani Kanakaʻole
• Mae Kammalu Klein
• Joan S. Lindsey
• Noenoelani Zuttermeister Lewis
• Kealiʻi Reichel
• Kalena Silva

The festival is named in honor of David Kalakaua, last king of Hawaii. His reign instituted the revival of Hawaiian traditions earlier abolished by Congregationalist missionaries in the islands. Hula was one of those traditions that made a comeback under the sovereign.

Click share this, on the right, to LIKE this article on Facebook or TWEET it on Twitter!

Their friendship is a storied one. One a Democrat. One a Republican.

Among the most devastated to hear of the death of Daniel Inouye—the 88 year old U.S. Senate President Pro-Tempore, World War II Medal of Honor recipient, Senator from Hawaii—was the former majority leader and Republican presidential nominee, Bob Dole.

Aged 89 and frail, Dole has been in need of physical assistance and moves around in a wheelchair. But the Kansas statesman refused to show frailty in the expressing of honor to his friend.

Upon arriving at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda—around 3:30 p.m. on December 20—where Inouye was only the 32nd person to be lain in state, Dole asked to be taken to an alcove near the entrance. There, he insisted on being helped out of his wheelchair.

Dole salutes one of his best friends. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call

“I don’t want Danny to see me in a wheelchair.” 

Ambling towards the catafalque with his wife on one arm, the Senator then pleaded to be helped up to the platform so he could touch the coffin. As he felt the flag, he was visibly shaken, wiping away tears.

The Second Lieutenant of the Army 10th Mountain Division stood at attention and saluted the now-fallen Army Captain, his best friend—with his left arm.

A Meeting of Giants

Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center. Photo: GSA.

The two Senators met in Michigan, in 1945, in an Army hospital that now bear their names. They both lost the use of their right arms during combat in Italy.

“When we left the hospital, we eventually became United States senators and he was always telling his friends that I talked him into it. I don’t recall it, but if Danny said it was true, that was good enough for me,” Dole said on December 17.

“He treated everyone fairly and never once do I recall his being critical of another colleague—Republican or Democrat. Senator Inouye was one of the Senate’s giants. He believed in civility and compromise when necessary, and was a good friend.”

Burial

Irene Inouye receives the Flag of the Union as President Barack Obama looks on. Photo: Office of Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

Inouye was buried in a Sunday morning service at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific on December 23. He was welcomed to the historic resting place with a 19-gun salute—reflecting his rank as a Senate president.

Click share this, on the right, to LIKE this article on Facebook or TWEET it on Twitter!

The following is from an author’s request and broadcast by We Happy Trans* creator Jen Richards:

The Gender Project

The Gender Project is a verbatim theatre piece in the tradition of The Vagina Monologues, The Exonerated and the works of Anna Deveare Smith.

As the Author of the play, I will be editing and distilling interviews with over 50 people who identify as transgender around the world. The subjects are to include a rich variety of ages, race, educational and socio-economic background, and gender identification.

The goal of this project is to explore and demystify the Transgender experience for a wider audience through the telling of real-life stories. Although there have been, and will continue to be, a growing number of transgender individuals in the public eye, they only represent those who have been given a platform in the media. The Gender Project aims to give voice to untold stories and explore not only differences, but cast light on what unites all people in the fluid construct of gender identity.

Call for Interviews

People who self-identify as members of the Trans community are invited to participate in interviews as part of the development of a theater project exploring the joys, challenges and everyday realities of the Transgender experience.

The goal of this project is to explore and demystify the Transgender experience for a wider audience through the telling of real-life stories. It is vital to the creators to include a diverse sample of interviewees representing a broad range of age, gender identification, socio-economic status, race and geography.

The interview will be scheduled at a time and place convenient for you. The interviews generally last about 90 minutes and will be audio recorded. All interviewees will have the opportunity to remain anonymous.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please call (646) 286-3625 or e-mail the Author.

Click share this, on the right, to LIKE this article on Facebook or TWEET it on Twitter!

Suntory has begun bottling and selling Pepsi Special, which features dextrin as an ingredient. Marketed primarily towards young adult male Japanese, the soda carries the Japanese Ministry of Health FOSHU seal of approval.

The Japanese government has approved its claims that the soda recipe will help the body block fat. Don’t hold your breath, my fellow hefty Americans. It’ll most likely never be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

This isn’t a first. Kirin also makes a fat-blocking cola.

Click share this, on the right, to LIKE this article on Facebook or TWEET it on Twitter!

Hello Lady! If you were listening to Uncle Johnny on Elvis Duran Show with me on Monday, here’s the recipe for his Peanut Butter Cup cocktail.

Photo: Elvis Duran Show.

In a microwave safe bowl, gently melt down and blend 1/3 cup peanut butter, 1/3 cup chocolate syrup, 1/3 cup liquid non-dairy creamer. Reserve this as your alcohol mix.

To mix the drink, add ice, vodka, white cream de cacao into a blender. Pour chocolate mix in and blend.

Serve in a tall glass, topped with whipped cream, pieces of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and a cherry.

You can follow Uncle Johnny, Fire Island bar tender extraordinaire, on Twitter @MyUncleJohnny.

Click share this, on the right, to LIKE this article on Facebook or TWEET it on Twitter!

After election coverage for Chicago Phoenix the night before, we needed winding down time. Did you know we were the only LGBT news organization reporting live, in real-time, at Obama Election Night HQ at McCormick Place?

Boys’ night out! Dane, Tony, and I ended up at a Cadillac red carpet pre-screening of the latest 007 flick, Skyfall.

Notice Tony’s fruity cocktail? He left to get us some popcorn. Great seats—three, segregated from the rest of the audience. It’s the anti-social thing to do.

Sorry, Connery fans. Daniel Craig proved in this film to be the best James Bond in the franchise. Skyfall is by far the best James Bond film ever made. Great story. It turns out sad and leaves you thinking long after the end credits.

Before you go see it, I recommend two awesome articles. Vanity Fair interviewed Daniel Craig while GQ featured the new ‘Q’ Ben Whishaw. We fell in love with the new gadget boss, by the way.

• Bond Ambition, Vanity Fair
• Gentleman’s Quartermaster, GQ

I can’t wait for the next installment!

Click share this, on the right, to LIKE this article on Facebook or TWEET it on Twitter!

Dear Mr. Madigan,

Now that the Illinois General Assembly has a veto-proof majority, Mr. Speaker, you have no excuse not to bring a marriage equality bill to the floor for a vote when the 98th General Assembly is called to order.

Your m.o. of telling us you need guaranteed Republican votes to pass a bill can’t be played again. It won’t make sense. You have a super majority: 71 to 47 in the House and 40 to 19 in the Senate. You have the numbers to push any legislation you want and pass it.

If Illinois Democrats are serious about upholding the Democratic platform America overwhelmingly approved on Tuesday night with the election of Mr. Obama to a second term, a platform that includes marriage equality as a major plank, you will bring a bill before our representatives to pass.

Inaction on this issue in the next General Assembly, Mr. Speaker, will amount to turning the Democratic platform into a lie and the state’s party into an obstructionist body to the civil liberties of LGBT Illinoisans.

Bring marriage equality to the floor for a vote. Pass it. The time is now.

Click share this, on the right, to LIKE this article on Facebook or TWEET it on Twitter!