Before my departure over the Venetian Islands for The Mainland, it must be noted that all is not debauchery and conga lines here on South Beach (although most of it is). The unsinkable Thomas Barker has been working relentlessly for Equality Florida's "Fairness For All Families" campaign to fight the proposition to repeal and outlaw all benefits for domestic partners. This insidious measure is outwardly aimed and gay and lesbian couples by the far-right in an effort to stir up the conservative vote in the national election (somewhere Katherine Harris's ugly face must be in this). What most don't realize is that it affects EVERY domestic partnership, gay or straight, and would target elderly couples living together, teachers, everyone. A similar national bill recently stripped Miami Beach firefighters in such relationships of their city-given rights and the move to fight that is on too.

Well, we all trotted over the Halo for another fund-raiser last night for Equality and the club put out a wonderful spread of food from Pasha around the corner with Absolute donating the liquor, although most of us were still suffering from Sunday. To the credit of Thomas, his co-workers, Halo, and everyone else who helped and attended, they raised over $12,000; not bad for a bunch of dilettantes.

Not the best photograph ever taken, but it does show the ever-changing colors of Halo's walls.

(Also, that is Thomas Barker's backside on the right, arguably the most popular seat in town. )