issue two - April 29th, 2011 (April 30th - May 13th)
JIMMY JOEL
full photoshoot
comingout meangays alternative
expression
dancerdiaries
outinchi.com
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two april 29th, 2011 (April 30th - May 13th)
ariqroth (Publisher/Editor-in-Chief/Advertising Sales) ariq.roth@outinchi.com
Featured in this issue: jimmy-joelfigueroa (Cover Model) anthonyvenanzio (Contributing Writer) ryanmassey (Contributing Writer)
this issue. mattburgett (Lead Photographer/Model Scout) matt.burgett@outinchi.com
mean gays kyrondeluca the dancer diaries ryanmassey
kyrondeluca (Staff Writer/Copy Editor) kyron.deluca@outinchi.com
you pore thing anthonyvenanzio skin: alternative expression (justinmeeks & jonkotema) photographed by: mattburgett comingout. +
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gayweddings andersonvillemap
mean gays kyrondeluca
What happened to solidarity? It’s hard enough as it is to be an LGBT citizen in this country. So why are we being so gosh darn mean to each other, boys?
For generations the gay community has acted as a sort of brotherhood, protecting and teaching each other the rules for gay survival. Back in the fall I attended a panel on HIV/AIDs, part of a series on LGBT life over the past 25 years. One of the speakers on the panel was Cleve Jones, former intern for Harvey Milk’s office, a founder of the AIDs memorial quilt, and a pioneer for HIV/AIDs activism. He lamented the social gap between the older and younger generations of gay males, citing a complete erasure of historical connection largely in part due to the AIDs devastation of the 80’s and 90’s. Truly, it is a sad fact to consider that so much valuable history died with those men infected with the virus.
But one has to wonder, how have the social politics of the current queer generation changed from those gays before us? One of the more welcoming aspects of the modern day is the increasing acceptance of LGBT people by the non-LGBT majority. Being gay 30 years ago was a much more clandestine affair. You needed all the friends in the community that you could get. Nowadays, these restrictions are no longer as commonplace. But at certain points in my interactions with the community I have felt like I’ve walked into a gay version of Mean Girls. While a little gossip (guilty) never hurt anybody, I have witnessed dubious rumors used as petty tactics to defame others. These acts are extremely damaging, though I should hardly have to point that out. There is a surprisingly exorbitant amount of slut-shaming in a community often defined by its embracing of sex and sex positivity. Perhaps a weird gendering dynamic is at play in these cases, as it seems that men who identify as bottoms are more likely to be stigmatized for sleeping around (much as heterosexual women often are) than their top counterparts. As long as you’re practicing safe sex and honest communication, why the hell should it matter who you screw around with? From a psycho-social standpoint, the policing of gay sex by gay men can often be used as a defense mechanism to protect oneself and (potential) lovers from “those boys”. For the majority of gay men, I highly doubt most guys want to come off as being assholes and even the most shade-slinging of divas has her soft side. There is a vast difference between being fierce and being a bitch. Call me an idealist but I think this slut-shaming and rumor-mongering comes from a desire not to get hurt or see our friends hurt in the complicated, emotional world of sex and relationships. If such is the case then these feelings are perfectly rational if not horribly misguided. And yet, when you look to the gay culture of the 70’s, a time before AIDs, sex seemed like not so big of a deal. While the wide-spread act of casual sex was at times irresponsible, nobody back then had a stick up their...well, you can see where I’m going with this... Or maybe these are just images of a “golden age” of gay culture perpetuated by our media. As often with nostalgia, such is the case. But it’s certainly strange how it seems our rights have shifted, where now the gays are persecuting each other. Many would blame this on an increasing rate of internalized homophobia amongst young men (which goes to show that we have much farther to go in the fight for LGBT equality). It can also be as simple as being male-bodied. Men are territorial by nature. The gay and straight man alike would most likely share the same aggressive reaction to seeing a stranger hitting on their partner at the bar-side (though I know certain gay couples who can often turn this scenario into something advantageous for all the parties involved). I’m by no means asking every queer to hold hands and get along. By all means, disliking someone is perfectly human. But the outright maliciousness that often corrupts a gay scene is simply depressing. Fortunately, and just as well, I have also seen an incredible amount of kindness and compassion enacted by this community for one another. The bottom line is, just as homophobic heterosexuals oppress us, so too must we stop oppressing ourselves.
onthecover.
AMERICAN C O W B O Y
jimmi-joel figueroa photographed by matthewburgett
thedancer diaries ryanmassey
They all have their reasons. Some need to pay for college. To others it’s the thrill of being on stage, exhibitionists. Several of these reasons flashed through my head when I began to think about considering dancing. Several of my friends danced, and one of them said I would be pretty good at it. Being fresh out of college, the only job I had was part time and covered my phone and gym membership; it crossed my mind on a regular basis. The adult entertainment industry, not something you exactly can put on a resume. Sure you can make some money if you do it well, but there’s always the issue with, “Oh god what if the family finds out?” The fear of disappointment of my family in me kept me from dancing a lot sooner as a job and just having fun with the contests at bars. I love going to the bars, especially with shower contests, underwear contests. I think they are fun. The adrenaline rush of doing something dirty, stripping down to almost nothing in front of a drunk and rowdy crowd, hearing the screams and yells…it’s invigorating. The revealing of my large tattoo from underneath my clothes during these contests garnering more yells and screams. “ You have a porn star tattoo!!” Not exactly why I got it but I think all the guys in the industry have their own personal and deep meanings for their tats instead of just the fact that they are hot. It wasn’t long after my third or fourth time in a contest that I was offered a job. Initially I was very hesitant, not really sure I wanted to do this. After the pressures from friends and the event manager I caved in and joined. We need to give you a stage name. Got anything in mind? The back and forth e-mails with the manager late at night slowly but surely began to create this other persona of myself. “Dash Austins, welcome to ChiTown Boyz.” The facebook page was simple enough to make. A first show date was created along with flyers. Within 24 hours I already had several add requests. The acknowledgement was rather exciting; I am a dancer! With a poor self image for the longest time, people were openly letting me know I was attractive. “You’re learning, you’re finally getting paid for what you do on a regular basis at the bars for free.”
A phone call with my best friend. His sarcasm took the nervousness out of what I had just done. I told a few people who were close what I was considering doing to make some additional money. My fear of my parent’s disappointment repeatedly entered my mind. I saw their faces, heard their voices, felt their shame. The positive feedback from friends helped dissipate the fear. “Your parents can’t get that mad. It’s not like you’re doing porn.” This was true; I’m not doing porn. I’m not bottoming or topping some stranger under the scrutiny of a bright lights and a camera. I’m not waiting in line at a medical facility waiting to be tested for any STD’s. I’m not seeing myself on the covers of DVD’s at sex shops. I’m not having random, creepy dudes chat me up about what they’ve seen me do. Besides my father worked for Chip ‘N Dales when he was my age to help pay for college. My family knows I’ve done risqué fashion shows where I was tipped on stage.
How would this be any different, right?
(pore)
you
thing!
anthonyvenanzio
Put down the blackhead extractor and step away from the magnifying mirror! Honey, there are better ways to take care of unwanted pores. If this is your main skincare concern then there are products out there that can help. First, you want to start with a proper cleaner. Acne cleansers are the best bet for refining pores, they will give you a deep cleaning and they will help to minimize and yield oil production. Next, you will need a toner. OLE HENRIKSEN makes an African Red Tea Face Mist, which is amazing and can be used to refine pores and can also be used throughout the day to refresh your face. Caudalie Beauty Elixir, Boscia Balancing Facial Tonic and Clear Complexion Tonic are also great toners to use, and can also be used throughout the day. You will then need an actual pore refiner or minimizer. There are a few brands that make great refiners. Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner is the top selling pore refiner. It takes your pores from this “O” to this “.” in one sweep across your face. Clinique, Christian Dior, and Benefit Cosmetics also make wonderful pore refiners. Finish this off with a light moisturizer. Something oil-free would be your best bet since you don’t want anything heavy on top of your skin. Absorbing something heavy can re-open pores and make them even more visible than before. If you wear foundation, be sure to prime with a pore refining primer. NARS and Urban Decay both make excellent primers. Use a treatment if possible 2 to 3 times a week. Dr. Brandt Vacuum Cleaner and Boscia Black Mask are two of the top masks for deep pore cleanings. If you were interested in using a high tech tool, I would recommend a Clarisonic cleansing system. This can be used in unison with any facial cleanser (except for a physical exfoliator), and cleans skin and removes makeup six times better than cleansing by hand. This product also reduces the appearance of pores and allows products used on your skin to absorb up to sixty times better! This can also buffer away age lines and small scars over a period of time.
skin
alternativeexpression
“Love me” on one, and “Hate me” on the other, the subtle beginning of two “sleeves.” One sleeve for positive experiences and memories, and one sleeve for negative, Justin’s personality matches the tattoos exactly. Justin a full-time esthetician at Aveda concept salon Bella Tecclare in Cleveland, Oh, and Jon a stylist at Barberia have been living together for over a year. “She has been an inspiration to my life and I pretty much grew up with her. . .” says Jon, commenting on the Lucy tattoo on his right arm. A portrait of his Grandmother who made a big impact on Jon’s life, followed by a hand drawn angel to watch over and protect Jon everyday. A promise to always be true, a set of sparrows and another portrait, but this time of his Grandfather as a memory of his life. “Alive to live again.” in French, signifying the beginning of his new life after coming out of the closet a few years ago. Self-mutilation of self-expression, you have to appreciate the art.
. coming out.
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For two weeks I realized that I liked men but didn’t know how to come out to my mom. During this period she was nished. I had forgotten my face wash in her bedroom bathroom and walked in, forgetting that she had just varshe saw the varnish on my shoes and began to freak out on me, asking how I could have been so absent-minded as any, I blurted out “because I like men!” She then embraced me and said it was alright while I smiled to myself, knowing that I had the most opportunistic coming out
.“
.
“
So I came out on August 14th, 2009 after getting into an argument with the father of my girlfriend at the time. That night, they took me and my parents out to a seafood restaurant. My parents were wondering why I was so upset going into that I stood up in the restaurant, screamed “I’m gay” and threw the lobster roll I had been eating down on the table. I then stormed out of the restaurant, re-
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