VISUAL ARTS

On July 24, 2012, Stonewall National Museum & Archives premiers their latest exhibition, WINNERS: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Athletics in America. The exhibit celebrates the historical and cultural importance of LGBT athletes and their allies by profiling athletes such as Billy Jean King and Greg Louganis among others. Martina Navratilova's tennis racquet and Billy Bean's baseball mitt will also be on display. Winners is generously sponsored by Comcast/NBC Universal with additional support from Bitner Goodman, Sidelines Sports Bar, Gibson Group, Push Fitness, Broward Cultural Division, Florida Cultural Division and the National Endowment for the Arts' Blue Star Museums.

Sidelines Sports Bar, South Florida's premier gay sports bar, has generously loaned some of their prized sports artifacts to illustrate the growth of local gay athletic groups.

"Stonewall has rightfully chosen to showcase the many athletes and sporting groups who came before us in the struggle to gain acceptance," commented Laurie Whittaker, owner of Sidelines Sports Bar. "It is because of these competitors that we enjoy a growing popularity in all sports."

The opening reception for WINNERS will be at Stonewall National Museum & Archives on July 24, 2012, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This event is free and open to the public. Patrons are encouraged to wear their favorite sports jersey to the reception. After the reception, the attendees are invited back to Sidelines Sports Bar for a free well drink or draft beer.

Stonewall National Museum and Archives is located at 1300 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Sidelines Sports Bar is located at 2031-A Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, Florida, 33305.