Rode to the airport with our resident webmaster-photographer James on our way to Miami Beach and the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. A first for both of us and a first trip after the 9-11 incident, but positive thoughts prevailed. We took the ATA (American Trans Airways) flight to Miami a no frills airline, very courteous and attentive crew. No frills means that a snack was served—no big meals served and it can be an inexpensive way to travel. See www.travelwithsears.com for those Hot Deals they have to offer.

The security, well yes a nuisance, but better than having to say you are sorry. It really isn’t that bad.

On our way first to Fort Lauderdale to see some friends, take in the local culture and get our internet ordered laptop since we couldn’t get it delivered to Puerto Rico. The drive up in our rental was marvelous, great roads and scenic views. What a great way to travel. Palm Beach is just too much. Thanks to our friend Tino from Bayamón, we got to see how the other side lives. Spectacular homes, ambiance and all the works were the order of the day.

We arrive at Ocean Five Hotel and check-in and get a nice cozy room just right to get a good nights sleep and located in the center of anything that is going on in Miami-its famous South Beach. See our story on the gay meca of Florida.

After a nice shower and good dinner at TGI—Thank God Its Friday—how I miss the place here in Puerto Rico—off to the first film of our weekend of Miami Film Festival-Circuit. Lisa Palley the lovely and super efficient PR person gives us a great Southern Florida greeting, our tickets and on to our first movie. The movie basically recalls what the circuit party-white party or whatever you want to call it today, means to the community. The drug scene, pretty boys and the casual sex pretty much sums up the meaning of circuit. It’s about a small town cop reaching the big city-LA scene and how he gets in and eventually out of the Circuit Party scene. The film seeks a redemption of the souls of all those allured by the circuit scene, according to its director, Dirk Shafer. Not bad at all. There was a great party afterwards.

Saturday May 4, 11:00am

Breakfast time and we slept like babies. We were really exhausted from the trip and the hectic schedule of getting everything ready on the website before we left. The hotel has great beds and wonderful pillows with a super efficient air-conditioning; even our sinuses cleared up.

Interviews with Robbie Rosenburg and the great people from the Nicaragua telenovela Sexto Sentido—Virgina Lacayo, Liz Miller and María, boricua residing in Boston. We Puerto Ricans are everywhere. They were both very insightful and very interesting people to meet. See our in depth interviews with Robbie and Virgina.

The documentary- Daddy and Papa was next on the list and a great and emotional issue at hand—the opposition to adoption by gays in the state of Florida. It was a great documentary, which we can say received a prize at the end of the festival. It was awarded the Best Documentary award. Very well deserved. The Q & A or Question and Answer period was really great experience on how these wonderful gay people have adopted these beautiful African-American children and how they live their daily lives. It was very inspiring and wonderfully done film to say the least. Check out their website www.daddyandpapa.com where this very insightful quote summarizes it best.

"3 stars...By film's end, all matters of politics and sexuality take a back seat to the kids themselves, many of whom are old enough to understand the uniqueness of their situation, but all are clearly happy to have a family to call their own."
      --Miami Herald                                        

Saturday May 4, 7pm

Dinner and some free time to just hang out with the local night culture. Walked around the Ocean Drive and on the beach, at night with our nice clothes. Well we are in South Beach. The local culture is just exciting, tropical and energetic. We got a bit of a concert at dinner time with a harp and piano –jazz, tropical and latin style. What a night. I could live here, no problem whatsoever.

Brunch at the hotel as well as the last two days was an experience—very responsible but a bit short handed at the restaurant. The food excellent—omelets any way you like them. Last night was another great night’s sleep, like a baby. It must be the ocean air.

Speaking of ocean air-beach time was in order. The water blue as can be, warm, not cold at all. Did some picture taking of the locals in and out of the water and soaked in some rays. I almost got sunburn on my back since I fell asleep for about an hour. Ah the Kens and Barbies were not on the beach this weekend. Probably in mourning, since Barbie’s creator had passed on in real life a few days before.

We missed the Nicaragua making of documentary, to be held on the Colony Theater like all the other activities up to now. We heard it went extremely well. It’s a telenovela touching such issues as homophobia, AIDS, violence against women. The telenovela has had quite an impact on the country like we had recently with the Betty la Fea syndrome in Puerto Rico, but with the difference that Sexto Sentido is with a teenager as the main character, loveable and gay, too.

Light dinner and on our way to Gusman Center for the last film of the festival—The Trip, and what a journey it was. Some of the film’s stars came down for the film and the very sexy and mild mannered Larry Sullivan, gave us a short interview. Click on the photos and interview. The theater itself is a museum in itself.

The film uses two remarkable decades of gay history as a backdrop for this on-again-off-again love story of two best buddies and pals. From Stonewall to Anita Bryant, (remember her?) to Ronald Reagan, the film goes through how they came together, become distanced from each other and finally come back together one last time. Many themes and sub themes but in essence-feel and say the love you feel, before it is too late. A remarkable film, well made and well applauded. It received at the end of the festival, a standing ovation for about five minutes or so. Great job, guys.

Closing Night Party at the Intercontinental on the 55^th Floor. What a view it was. Beautiful downtown Miami and the beautiful skyscrapers where just a joy to see and experience. The evening was just superb. The place was packed with people, the prizes ceremony was very easy going and emotional. See our listing of the winners.

The food and service were outstanding at the hotel and everyone seemed to be enjoying himself or herself quite a bit. We said our goodbyes to Robbie and Lisa and a great show they put on. Congratulations to both and their support staff.

There seems a great interest to bring this festival on a traveling mode to Latin America and Puerto Rico might be its first stop. What do you think, should we have a Gay and Lesbian Cinemafest in Puerto Rico? Express your opinion on this in our message board—OrgulloBoricua Foro.

The day is ours, we slept late again, we had our last breakfast, a light one since we are on our way to lunch with some nice gals from AOL Latin America, Rebecca and Dori and after that, return our Avis car rental and on our way back to Puerto Rico. Our computers also survived, they were registered, cleaned, opened and closed all in the name of good security too. But first, we do stop for a bigger snack than will be served on the plane, since we will arrive past 9pm.

Our great trip comes to an end, but I sure hope you enjoyed it, too.

More stories:

Prizes and Winners

The Real Robbie Rosenburg

Virginia and her Sexto Sentido

Sexy Sullivan on The Trip

Marvelous Miami Film Festival

Photo gallery

Orgullo del Momento