Frontiers 35.02

MAY 12 - 25, 2016 | VOL. 35, NO. 02

FRONTIERSMEDIA.COM

COCO PERU SANDRA BERNHARD ROCCO STEELE WANDA SYKES

NAKED ABOVE BARCELONA (P. 4 7)

PRIDE SEASON PREVIEW 2016

THE FIVE MOST PERILOUS PLACES TO HAVE SEX

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Contents

MAY 12 - 25, 2016

FEATURES

47

Our Poly Honeymoon Pt. 3: Barcelona

54 WHY DRAG: MAGNUS HASTINGS; © ANDREI VISHNYAKOV | DREAMSTIME.COM

Magnus Hastings Asks, Why Drag?

52 Pride Season Preview

ON THE COVER Konstantin Kamynin photographed

by Andrei Vishnyakov MAY 25, 2016

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Contents

MAY 12 - 25, 2016

DEPARTMENTS NEWSBOX 13

14 18 20 20

California Assembly Passes Nation’s Most Progressive Bathroom Access Flashbulb Watercooler Alabama Chief Justice Suspended Datebook

THE GAY AGENDA 23 24 24 26

Rufskin Does Denim Right California Cool Dining at Kali Sandra Bernhard Talks Politics Porn Legend Rocco Steele Invites You Into His Drawers

13 35

HEALTH 29 30 31

31

Inside Prescription Pill Addiction Fitness Q&A The 5 Most Dangerous Places to Get It On A Sex Toy for Your Testicles

CALENDAR 35

36 36 38 39

Coco Peru Returns to Hollywood’s Renberg Theatre Drag Queen World Series Snapshots The Low-Down on Long Beach Pride Eating Out: Moruno

ENTERTAINMENT 41

42 43

43 44

Meet Elliot Fletcher, TV’s First Trans Teen Heartthrob Film Reviews Beckett’s Endgame Comes to the Kirk Douglas Theatre Frontiers Q&A: Wanda Sykes Set Your DVR

COLUMNS 58 60

26 41

Billy Masters Palm Springs

29 60 Frontiers magazine is published by New Frontiers Media Holdings, LLC, 5657 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 470, Los Angeles, CA. 90036, and distributed throughout Southern California. Up to the first three copies of any single issue are free; additional copies are $10 each. Violators caught stealing or destroying issues will be prosecuted under California Penal Code 484. For magazine subscriptions, please call (323) 930- 3220. The contents of Frontiers may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Letters to the editor, artwork, photography, manuscripts and other correspondence may be submitted to Frontiers at the above address. We cannot acknowledge or return material unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Allow at least three months for processing. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles or advertising in Frontiers is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation or the HIV/AIDS status of such person or organization. Copyright © 2015, New Frontiers Media Holdings, LLC.

PEOPLE INDEX Bea Arthur 35 Don Bachardy 31 Matt Dillon 44 Fortune Feimster 37 6

FRONTIERSMEDIA.COM

Tyler Glenn 38 Colton Haynes 58 Tom Hiddleston 42 Mindy Kaling 41

Lauren Meister 36 Dan Savage 14 Catherine Tate 39 Michael Willett 41

MAY 11, 2016

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Drew Droege

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Michael Anthony, Christopher Cappiello, Dr. Greg Cason, Peter DelVecchio, Alex Kacala, Gary Kramer, Jeff Leavell, Drew Mackie, Billy Masters, James F. Mills, Eric Rosen, Patrick Rosenquist, Dominik Rothbard, Mikey Rox, Aaron Savvy CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ILLUSTRATORS Eric Charles, Roger Erickson, Maro Hagopian, James Pearson Howes, Jason King Photography, Allen Lin, Jeremy Lucido, Dick Mitchell, Rolling Blackouts, Jeremy Ryan

A PUBLICLY-TRADED LGBTQ COMPANY STOCK SYMBOL: MMPW

corporate Kevin Hopper Vice President l Operations

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Frontiers is published biweekly, with 40,000 print copies distributed throughout California. Frontiers is one of five brands owned by the only LGBT publicly traded company Multimedia Platforms, Inc. (stock symbol: MMPW). Collectively, Florida Agenda, Frontiers, FunMaps, Guy and Next magazine represent three of America’s most populous LGBT markets and 40 cities across North America, an estimated 7.5 million readers annually. Visit MultimediaPlatformsInc.com for further information.

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All Access

The nation’s most progressive restroom policy—approved by the California Assembly and now advancing to the state Senate—seeks to cement the importance of trans rights

By Dominic Preston

20+ The number of cities that have banned government-sponsored travel to North Carolina following HB2, in addition to several states, counties and the District of Columbia

SPEAK OUT

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he California Assembly on Monday, May 9, approved two bills that represent major statements about the importance of LGBT—and especially trans—rights.

Assembly Bill (AB) 1887, authored by Evan Low, prohibits state-funded or sponsored travel to any states that enact laws to repeal existing discrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, or to authorize discriminations against samesex couples or families. Similar measures have already been passed by city authorities in both Los Angeles and West Hollywood. That bill was approved by a vote of 54-21.

“AB 1887 sends a clear message that we do not tolerate discrimination in California or anywhere beyond our borders,” says Low. “Just as we strive to be a state that provides equal opportunity for all, we should not be spending our tax dollars in states that allow discrimination on the basis of religion. We are stronger by being inclusive.”

“Californians have made it very clear that they support treating everyone equally,” says Rick Zbur, Executive Director of Equality California, in a statement. “California should not be spending taxpayer dollars in states where lawmakers are targeting the LGBT community for discrimination. AB 1887 will help make sure that California is not helping to finance that discrimination.”

The Assembly also passed AB 1732, the nation’s most progressive statewide restroom access policy, which would require all single-occupancy restrooms in businesses, government buildings and public places to be accessible to all, regardless of gender identity. The hope is that it will improve

safety and convenience for many LGBT people, while only requiring businesses to change a few restroom signs.

“Restrooms access influences our ability to participate in public life,” says the bill’s author, Phil Ting. “It defies common sense to restrict access to single-user restrooms by gender. ‘All gender’ signs will ensure that everyone’s rights are protected by ending problems of convenience, fairness and safety.”

In opposition, some Republicans offered a pretty simple counter-argument: that men are gross. “We’re going to inconvenience a lot more people by doing this where right now under the status quo there is no inconvenience,” says 3rd District Assemblyman James Gallagher.

“No woman wants to use the bathroom after many men have been in that same bathroom. As hard as we try, men, you know that your aim is not always that good.”

Both bills will now advance to the state Senate for consideration, before potentially going to Gov. Jerry Brown for approval.

“It is important for us to bring attention to those who are committed to being good and carrying on the message of equality in this core of controversy.”

Beyoncé showed support of North Carolina’s LGBT community through a statement that went live on her website the same day her Formation Tour stopped in Raleigh

MAY 25, 2016

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FLASHBULB L.A. COUNTY & WEHO UNVEIL NEW PrEP CAMPAIGNS

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GMCLA VOICE AWARDS, Ray Dolby Ballroom, April 23—The Gay Men’s Chorus’s fifth annual event was a night of music, food, honors and live performances. From left: The Biggest Loser’s Bob Harper with Daniel Franzese, Wilson Cruz, Paula Abdul, Stephen Guarino, GMCLA Executive Director Chris Verdugo, event co-hosts Ross Mathews and Pauley Perrette, Abbe Land

SHARKS, Taschen Gallery, April 26—A VIP preview and public exhibition of photographer Michael Muller’s extraordinary shark encounters brought out admiring fans, friends and collectors. Top, from left: Muller outside the Hollywood gallery space, Michelle Trachtenberg, Richard Lewis, Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus, Johnny Knoxville. Bottom: Emile Hirsch, Gerard Butler with Benedikt Taschen, Robert Patrick, Shepard Fairey

SPEAK OUT “Trans people should start dropping off jars filled with their urine at @PatMcCroryNC’s office so his staff can oversee its safe disposal.”

Dan Savage takes to Twitter moments after the North Carolina governor announced his state would sue the DOJ

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RAISE A CHILD GALA, The Jim Henson Lot, May 1—The nonprofit aims to help LGBT and Latino communities build families through fostering and adoption, and this year it raised a record-breaking $150,000. Top, from left: Judy Reyes, Jon Cryer with wife Lisa Joyner Bottom: Alec Mapa (right) with husband Jamie Hebert and their son Zion, Jillian Michaels with daughter Lukensia and partner Heidi Rhoades

VOICE AWARDS: GMCLA; RAISE A CHILD: ERIC CHARLES PHOTOGRAPHY

hese days may be dominated by a host of Marvel’s finest in the recent film Captain America: Civil War, but the L.A. County Department of Public Health is hoping to hit the headlines with a different set of superheroes: The Protectors, stars of its first-ever PrEP public education campaign, which is set to make appearances at a number of local events, with posters drawn up in both English and Spanish.

Three cartoon capes have been designed to reflect— and reach out to—the groups deemed most at risk of contracting HIV: trans women and Latino and black men who have sex with men.

“Despite significant progress in reducing HIV infections in L.A. County, HIV transmission stubbornly persists,” says Mario J. Pérez, Director for the department’s Division of HIV and STD Programs. “There continues to be a disproportionate impact among African-American and Latino gay men and transgender women, and PrEP is one of the best HIV prevention tools to address the impact on those populations.”

“Although we’ve made great progress over the years in reducing new HIV infections, HIV continues to exact a toll on many of our families and friends,” says Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. “I’m looking forward to this launch of a comprehensive education and awareness campaign aimed at those at highest risk for HIV who could benefit from PrEP.” The City of West Hollywood has also launched a comprehensive public-awareness campaign to inform the community about PrEP, joining with Todrick Hall and Daniel Franzese to produce the music video “Hakuna Truvada.”

In addition to the video, West Hollywood has collaborated with AIDS Project Los Angeles and the L.A. LGBT Center to release printed materials in English and Spanish with PrEP information targeted to communities including gay men and trans people. Those include postcards, pamphlets and pocket cards, as well as promo ads on apps like Scruff and Grindr.

“I have been an eyewitness to the AIDS epidemic from the very beginning. I believe that PrEP is part of the beginning of the end of the epidemic,” says WeHo Councilmember John J. Duran. “Thirty years ago we prayed for a medication that would prevent transmission. It is here.”

Watch the videos for both L.A. County’s and West Hollywood’s campaigns at FrontiersMedia.com. —D.P.

New Odefsey is now available Actual Size (15.4 mm x 7.3 mm)

One small pill contains rilpivirine, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF).

Ask your healthcare provider if ODEFSEY is right for you.

To learn more visit ODEFSEY.com

Please see Brief Summary of Patient Information with important warnings on the adjacent pages.

MAY 11, 2016

GILC0216_Day1OdefseyJrnlAd-A_1-Pg_8-367x10-875_Frontiers.indd 1

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Brief Summary of Patient Information about ODEFSEY ODEFSEY (oh-DEF-see) (emtricitabine, rilpivirine and tenofovir alafenamide) tablets Important: Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with ODEFSEY. There may be new information about ODEFSEY. This information is only a summary and does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment.

What is the most important information I should know about ODEFSEY? ODEFSEY can cause serious side effects, including: • Build-up of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis may happen in some people who take ODEFSEY or similar medicines. Lactic acidosis is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Lactic acidosis can be hard to identify early, because the symptoms could seem like symptoms of other health problems.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms which could be signs of lactic acidosis: – feel very weak or tired – have unusual (not normal) muscle pain – have trouble breathing – have stomach pain with nausea or vomiting – feel cold, especially in your arms and legs – feel dizzy or lightheaded – have a fast or irregular heartbeat • Severe liver problems. Severe liver problems may happen in people who take ODEFSEY. In some cases, these liver problems can lead to death. Your liver may become large and you may develop fat in your liver.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms of liver problems: – your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice) – dark “tea-colored” urine – light-colored bowel movements (stools) – loss of appetite – nausea – pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area • You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking ODEFSEY or a similar medicine for a long time.

• Worsening of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. ODEFSEY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV and take ODEFSEY, your HBV may get worse (flare-up) if you stop taking ODEFSEY. A “flare-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns in a worse way than before.

– Do not run out of ODEFSEY. Refill your prescription or talk to your healthcare provider before your ODEFSEY is all gone.

– Do not stop taking ODEFSEY without first talking to your healthcare provider.

– If you stop taking ODEFSEY, your healthcare provider will need to check your health often and do blood tests regularly for several months to check your HBV infection. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or unusual symptoms you may have after you stop taking ODEFSEY.

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What is ODEFSEY? ODEFSEY is a prescription medicine that is used to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age and older: • who have not received HIV-1 medicines in the past and have an amount of HIV-1 in their blood (“viral load”) that is no more than 100,000 copies/mL, or • to replace their current HIV-1 medicines in people who have been on the same HIV-1 medicines for at least 6 months, have a viral load that is less than 50 copies/mL, and have never failed past HIV-1 treatment.

It is not known if ODEFSEY is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age or who weigh less than 77 lb (35 kg).

When used to treat HIV-1 infection, ODEFSEY may help: • Reduce the amount of HIV-1 in your blood. This is called “viral load”.

• Increase the number of CD4+ (T) cells in your blood that help fight off other infections.

Reducing the amount of HIV-1 and increasing the CD4+ (T) cells in your blood may help improve your immune system. This may reduce your risk of death or getting infections that can happen when your immune system is weak (opportunistic infections).

ODEFSEY does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. You must keep taking HIV-1 medicines to control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses.

Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to others. Do not share or re-use needles, injection equipment, or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them. Do not have sex without protection. Always practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.

•

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Who should not take ODEFSEY?

•

Do not take ODEFSEY if you also take a medicine that contains: • carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro ®, Tegretol®, Tegretol-XR®, Teril®) • dexamethasone (Ozurdex®, Maxidex®, Decadron®, BaycadronTM) • dexlansoprazole (Dexilant®) • esomeprazole (Nexium®, Vimovo ®) • lansoprazole (Prevacid®) • omeprazole (Prilosec ®, Zegerid®) • oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®) • pantoprazole sodium (Protonix®) • phenobarbital (Luminal®) • phenytoin (Dilantin®, Dilantin-125 ®, Phenytek®) • rabeprazole (Aciphex®) • rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifamate®, Rifater®, Rimactane®) • rifapentine (Priftin®) • the herb St. John’s wort or a product that contains St. John’s wort

•

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking ODEFSEY? Before taking ODEFSEY, tell your healthcare provider if you: • have liver problems including hepatitis B or C virus infection • have kidney and bone problems • have had depression or suicidal thoughts • have any other medical conditions • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ODEFSEY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking ODEFSEY.

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Pregnancy registry: there is a pregnancy registry for women who take HIV-1 medicines during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry.

• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take ODEFSEY. – You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.

– At least one of the medicines in ODEFSEY can pass to your baby in your breast milk. It is not known if the other medicines in ODEFSEY can pass into your breast milk.

– Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Some medicines may interact with ODEFSEY. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

• You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with ODEFSEY. • Do not start a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider.

Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take ODEFSEY with other medicines.

How should I take ODEFSEY? • Take ODEFSEY exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take

• •

• • •

it. ODEFSEY is taken by itself (not with other HIV-1 medicines) to treat HIV-1 infection.

Take ODEFSEY 1 time each day with a meal.

Do not change your dose or stop taking ODEFSEY without first talking with your healthcare provider. Stay under a healthcare provider’s care when taking ODEFSEY. Do not miss a dose of ODEFSEY. If you take too much ODEFSEY, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

When your ODEFSEY supply starts to run low, get more from your healthcare provider or pharmacy. This is very important because the amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short time. The virus may develop resistance to ODEFSEY and become harder to treat.

What are the possible side effects of ODEFSEY? ODEFSEY may cause serious side effects, including: • See “What is the most important information I should know about ODEFSEY?” • Severe skin rash and allergic reactions. Skin rash is a common side effect of ODEFSEY. Rash can be serious. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get a rash. In some cases, rash and allergic reaction may need to be treated in a hospital. If you get a rash with any of the following symptoms, stop taking ODEFSEY and call your healthcare provider right away: – fever – skin blisters – mouth sores – redness or swelling of the eyes (conjunctivitis) – swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat – trouble breathing or swallowing – pain on the right side of the stomach (abdominal) area – dark “tea-colored” urine

• Depression or mood changes. Tell your healthcare provider right

away if you have any of the following symptoms:

– feel sad or hopeless – feel anxious or restless – have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself

• Change in liver enzymes. People with a history of hepatitis B or C

virus infection or who have certain liver enzyme changes may have an increased risk of developing new or worsening liver problems during treatment with ODEFSEY. Liver problems can also happen during treatment with ODEFSEY in people without a history of liver disease. Your healthcare provider may need to do tests to check your liver enzymes before and during treatment with ODEFSEY. • Changes in body fat can happen in people who take HIV-1 medicine. These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the middle of your body (trunk). Loss of fat from the legs, arms and face may also happen. The exact cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known.

• Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines.

Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having any new symptoms after starting your HIV-1 medicine.

• New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys before you start and while you are taking ODEFSEY. Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking ODEFSEY if you develop new or worse kidney problems.

• Bone problems can happen in some people who take ODEFSEY. Bone problems may include bone pain, softening or thinning (which may lead to fractures). Your healthcare provider may need to do tests to check your bones.

The most common side effects of rilpivirine, one of the medicines in ODEFSEY, are depression, trouble sleeping (insomnia), and headache.

The most common side effect of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, two of the medicines in ODEFSEY, is nausea.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

• These are not all the possible side effects of ODEFSEY. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

This Brief Summary summarizes the most important information about ODEFSEY. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about ODEFSEY that is written for health professionals.

For more information, call 1-800-445-3235 or go to www.ODEFSEY.com.

Keep ODEFSEY and all medicines out of reach of children.

Issued: March 2016

ODEFSEY, the ODEFSEY logo, EMTRIVA, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and GSI are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. GILC0216 03/16

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WATERCOOLER

Your cheat sheet for intelligent conversation — By Peter DelVecchio

1

DOJ Threatens North Carolina Over Bathroom Bill

Everyone from Beyoncé to Deutsche Bank has slammed North Carolina’s HB2 bathroom law, which also prohibits local LGBT legal protections.

Now the feds have entered the fray.

In a May 4 letter, the Department of Justice notified Republican Gov. Pat McCrory that the law violates the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and gave the state until May 9 to remedy the violations.

The state’s initial reaction was defiance, and May 9 saw McCrory sue the DOJ, defending HB2 as a “common sense bodily privacy law.”

The DOJ has now filed a complaint against the state to stop discriminating against trans individuals, which could put the wheels in motion to strip the state of the more than $4 billion in federal education funds it receives annually.

2

Conservative Stories Reportedly Squashed by Facebook

A conservative former “Facebook curator” has gone public with claims that the social media platform’s employees would routinely suppress stories that would be of interest to the social media platform’s conservative readers. Also, if a story originated on a conservative-leaning news outlet, curators would look for a link to the story from a more neutral outlet.

Among the stories prevented from placement in the “trending” section were those about CPAC, the Drudge Report, Mitt Romney, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Rand Paul.

This person also claims employees were asked to place other stories into Facebook’s trending section despite their actual performance.

The Washington Post pointed out a great irony: namely that the revelation likely wouldn’t itself appear as a “trending topic” on Facebook.

3

Stonewall Inn Poised to Be First National LGBT Monument

New York’s iconic Stonewall Inn, site of the famous 1969 riots many see as the spark that ignited the modern gay rights movement, would become the first national monument commemorating LGBT history under a proposal President Obama is likely to approve.

Stonewall was designated an official New York City landmark last summer, the first recognition of any site’s LGBT historical significance in that city.

Obama mentioned Stonewall in his second inaugural address on Jan. 21, 2013—along with Seneca Falls and Selma—as examples of the ongoing struggle for equality.

“We must ensure that we never forget the legacy of Stonewall, the history of discrimination against the LGBT community, or the impassioned individuals who have fought to overcome it,” U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., said in a statement.

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Of seven big Hollywood studios, three received a failing grade for their portrayals of LGBTs, and not one received a rating of “Good” in GLAAD’s 2016 Studio Responsibility Index, released May 2.

Only 17.5% of the 126 major studio releases in 2015 included LGBT characters—no change from last year—with gay characters tending to be minor and male. Trans representation was “shockingly low,” GLAAD said, “with only one character in the mainstream releases of 2015—whose brief appearance served as a punch-line to laugh at when her identity is revealed.”

Paramount, Disney and Warner Bros. all received failing grades, with Disney’s Star Wars franchise criticized in particular as a great but so far missed opportunity to explore LGBT themes.

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Prince Reportedly Sought Drug Abuse Help

While no official cause of death has been announced, evidence mounts that Prince, who died unexpectedly on April 21, might have been battling substance abuse.

The rock icon, 57, died one day before a scheduled appointment with Howard Kornfeld, a doctor specializing in opioid pain killer addiction and founder of the Recovery Without Walls treatment facility in California, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Multiple sources connected with the singer’s family say Prince developed a dependency on Percocet in connection with hip pain and surgery in 2009 and 2010, according to TMZ.

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Hollywood ‘Failing’ Gays, Says GLAAD

FDA Campaign Targets LGBT Smokers

The federal Food and Drug Administration announced a new $35 million campaign to prevent LGBT youth from smoking on May 2.

The campaign, “This Free Life,” targets 18 to 24-year-old LGBT people, who are about twice as likely to smoke tobacco as their straight peers, with four videos featuring such things as coming-out stories and drag queens, and focusing not only on the health aspects of cigarettes but on how smoking affects your looks and makes you stink.

The FDA estimates more than 800,000 LGBTs are “social smokers,” and that gays often take up cigarettes to cope with the stresses of coming out.

Meanwhile, the feds are cracking down on e-cigs, banning sales to those under 18 and requiring manufacturers to list ingredients. Also, California raised its smoking age from 18 to 21 on May 5, joining Hawaii, the only other state to have done so thus far.

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.com MAY 25, 2016

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e all wondered what Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore hoped to achieve when he instructed the state’s probate judges to stop issuing samesex marriage licenses in January, but now we at least know what effect it’s had: it’s gotten him suspended.

Six months after the U.S. Supreme Court made marriage equality the law of the land, Moore tried to keep it out of Alabama, arguing that the SCOTUS ruling only applies to the specific marriage bans in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. On that basis he issued an administrative order upholding Alabama’s ban, telling probate judges that they had a “ministerial duty not to issue any marriage license” to same-sex couples. Those judges have, for the most part, ignored the order.

Unsurprisingly, the rest of the judiciary has also not come down on Moore’s side. The Judicial Inquiry Commission has charged him with violating ethical rules, accusing him of failing to act with impartiality and refusing to follow “clear law.” He’s been suspended with immediate effect.

The Alabama Court of the Judiciary will now consider the charges, and could remove him from office or issue other sanctions.

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It wouldn’t be the first time either—that same body removed Moore from the bench in 2003 after he refused to obey a federal court order requiring the removal of a Ten Commandments monument from the Alabama Supreme Court’s building. He was re-elected in 2012.

Moore has called the charges “politically motivated” and argued that the Judicial Inquiry Commission “had no authority” over the order in question.

“The JIC has chosen to listen to people like Ambrosia Starling, a professed transvestite, and other gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals, as well as organizations which support their agenda,” a statement said. “We intend to fight this agenda vigorously and expect to prevail.”

Richard Cohen, president of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which filed the complaint, said the Court of the Judiciary should remove Moore “for the good of the state.”

“Moore has disgraced his office for far too long,” Cohen said. “He’s such a religious zealot, such an egomaniac that he thinks he doesn’t have to follow federal court rulings he disagrees with. We look forward to his trial in the Court of the Judiciary and his eventual removal from office once again.” —D.P.

“There are probably some jokes in Superbad that are bordering on blatantly homophobic at times. ... We’d be silly not to acknowledge that we were ... to some degree glamorizing that type of language in a lot of ways.”

Seth Rogen, whose film Neighbors 2 hits theaters May 20

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ALABAMA CHIEF JUSTICE ROY MOORE SUSPENDED FOR DEFYING MARRIAGE LAWS

DATEBOOK THU. | MAY 21

STEVE IRWIN GALA DINNER

American wildlife enthusiasts are invited to the inaugural dinner celebrating the life and legacy of Steve Irwin and his conservation charity, Wildlife Warriors at JW Marriott L.A. Live. Olivia Newton-John will co-host with Tom Bergeron. steveirwingaladinner.org

SUN. | MAY 24

GRACIE AWARDS

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation supports and promotes educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships. This gala, held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, honors exemplary programming created for, by and about women. allwomeninmedia.org

TUE. | MAY 26

AN EVENING WITH CHURCHILL

The Queen Mary celebrates 80 years of public life at an event celebrating her maiden voyage with ship enthusiasts, VIPs and the public. A new gallery space will also host the first-ever exhibition of paintings

by Sir Winston Churchill, dedicated by his great-grandson. queenmary.com

MAY 27-30

CMG SPRING GATHERING

Discover what it means to ‘reboot ’ your life—physically, emotionally, spiritually and sexually—with swimming, hiking, canoeing, climbing and more at Pathfinder Ranch. Over Memorial Day Weekend, 150 guys (mostly gay or bi, some trans, some straight) will connect for good times. thecmg.org

MON. | JUNE 2

WEST COAST LIBERTY AWARDS

Candis Cayne and Lawrence Zarian have been chosen as hosts of Lambda Legal’s annual event, which celebrates those working towards the organization’s vision of equality. The star-studded ceremony will take place at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel. lambdalegal.com

MAY 25, 2016

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Made in California

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great pair of jeans acts as a second skin. For Hubert Pouches and Douglas Coats—the longtime couple behind San Diego-based label Rufskin, who entered the fashion game in 2002—they’re also a rock-inspired artform.

Take, for example, Hendrix—a stylish variation on what the brand does best.

This pair of jeans checks all the right boxes: low-rise fit, lightweight denim, washed rinse, button fly, substantial stretch. Then the curved back pockets and a full-length seam down the back of the leg set them apart from anything else on the market ($178, rufskin.com). Consider these jeans proof that fashionable doesn’t necessarily mean uncomfortable. —Stephan Horbelt

MAY 25, 2016

23

Drew Langley (left) and Chef Kevin Meehan of Kali

THE

GAY

AGENDA

SANDY GETS POLITICAL

WHEN IT COMES to culture-critiquing, no one does it better th a n fa m e d l e s b ia n comedienne/songstress Sandra Bernhard, who also hosts her own radio show, Sandyland, on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy

Pad Thai Cocktail “Like the dishes on our menu that feature locally sourced ingredients, our cocktails are similarly crafted using California spirits,” says Langley. “We found this incredible green chili vodka from St. George Spirits and noticed that when we paired it with a basil eau de vie, the flavor profile created an effect not dissimilar to Pad Thai. Kevin suggested we use coconut water ice cubes, and it sort of developed from there with the carrot and bean sprout garnish. All our cocktails are in some way L.A.-inspired, and this particular drink is also a nod toward Thai Town and the incredible diversity of cuisines converging in Los Angeles.”

Wheat Berry Risotto

“This is a seemingly simple dish given the number of ingredients, but it’s composed so that the flavors build throughout the process of its construction, so the final product that reaches the plate is a savory umami bomb,” Meehan says. “We start with black garlic—garlic that’s been slowly fermented for 30 days—and create a black garlic tea broth. We soak wheat berries sourced from local Kenter Canyon Farms in that broth overnight, and then prepare them the next day in that same broth to make the risotto. We finish the dish with San Joaquin cheese, both grated into the risotto and in the form of a black garlic cheese crisp that rests on top for textural contrast.”

Toasted Meringue Gelato with Candied Egg Yolk “This dish exemplifies what we strive to do at Kali—take the best possible local ingredients and treat them in a way that lets them shine on the plate,” says Meehan. “With this dessert, the egg yolk component came first. I was experimenting with incorporating cured egg yolk in various dishes, and loved how the salinity of the yolks contrasted with the sweetness of the gelato. We use the best cream available from Straus, which makes all the difference in dishes where you are working with so few ingredients.” —As told to Stephan Horbelt

A Real Estate Game-Changer IT’S OFTEN THE DECISION OF A LIFETIME, so few things are more nerve-wracking than shopping around for a new—or first—home. (Except for maybe the move itself.) A new website, though, aims to make the experience a more practical, quick and transparent one.

Haus, the creation of Avantika Shahi, who calls L.A. home with her partner and kids, matches buyers with properties not only in their price range but which meet personalized lifestyle criteria.

“There was no way to be able to sift through the scores of homes out there without it being a second job,” says Shahi. “I wanted to solve that problem and come up with a better way to search.”

Say you’re looking for a short work commute. Or you need great schools. Or you hate to cook, so nearby eats are a must. With Haus, you can include those criteria in your home search. The site’s beta version launches this month in Los Angeles; sign up for early access at grademyhaus.com. —S.H. 24

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ON TRUMP It’s all theater. It’s all crazy. He is who he is.

I don’t know how much he believes in anything he’s saying. He, too, is an opportunist and is taking advantage of people who are frustrated and aren’t particularly insightful themselves. We will have to see how it all plays out. I feel pretty positive that it will have a good outcome in the next election.

ON CAITLYN My thoughts right now are what they have always been: I think she was a right-wing, Republican man who was sexist and didn’t have too much insight into women. I think she’s someone who is transitioning into a woman, but who still doesn’t understand that much about being a woman— or has that much respect for women. I find it very confounding. —As told to Alexander Kacala

STEELE: DICK MITCHELL; BALDORIA/WESTBOUND: ALLEN LIN

WHERE TO GO WHEN you’re seeking Michelin-level food and drink yet couldn’t care less about the haughty trappings typically accompanying such restaurants? Longtime friends and colleagues Chef Kevin Meehan (Patina, L’Orangerie) and Drew Langley (Providence’s former wine director) have answered that query with new contemporary California spot Kali, opened in January near Larchmont Village (5722 Melrose Ave., kalirestaurant.com) We asked the duo to break down three of the restaurant’s most inspired offerings, all of which come with a heavy focus on ingredients and are sourced locally.

BERNHARD: MARO HAGOPIAN/SIRIUSXM RADIO; KALI: RACHEL JACOBSON

Cool Cali Cuisine

ON HILLARY She has been in the trenches for 50 years.

She cares about people.

She’s made mistakes like all politicians. Some missteps. But I think she genuinely cares about the people who need support and evolution. I don’t see why that would be a conflict. I don’t think she has given anyone any Kool-Aid. I think she is right on with her message.

MAY 25, 2016

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NEW TO TOWN

THE THE

GAY

AGENDA

FOR PIZZA New Little Tokyo spot Baldoria, opened this month, is a great stop for bottled cocktails like the mezcal Negroni, but don’t leave without ordering the charred octopus or croque madame pizza. baldoriadtla.com

10x7

After years of busting his dick on-camera, porn god Rocco Steele wants to get you into his drawers FOR A NIGHTCAP

I A new collection of short stories—written by and for gay men—called Speak My Language and Other Stories, edited

by Torsten Højer, saw release earlier this month and is a finalist in the 2016 Lambda Literary Awards. (Winners will be announced June 6 in New York.)

Among the nearly 600-page compendium’s contributors are those new to the craft and some who have seen international success, à la noted gay author and editor Felice Picano.

British multihyphenate Stephen Fry pens the foreword of this anthology, which the Huffington Post calls “one of the most exquisite” of the year. —S.H.

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FRONTIERSMEDIA.COM

n the two years since he filmed his first porn for Ray Dragon, Rocco Steele has made an oversized name for himself. Picking up Hookie Awards for “Best Cock,” “Mr. New York” and “Mr. International” and “Best Group Scene” from the Grabbys, the 51-year-old’s rise to the top of the adult film industry has been nothing short of meteoric. Now the in-demand daddy—who launched his own X-rated site last May featuring home video-quality clips with a rotating group of talent—seems to be making an exit.

“Porn was always just a stepping stone for me,” Steele says, having filmed with the likes of Chi Chi LaRue, Men.com, Tim Tales and more. “It wasn’t supposed to last more than a year. Because it got really big, really fast, I let it go on a little longer.” As of March, the Ohio native officially took a step in a different direction, starting his own underwear line.

Using his porn name, the law school grad launched 10Seven, a line of boxer briefs, via his online shop, RoccShop.com. “I come from a corporate retail background,” Steele says. (Prior to his on-camera stint, he logged 14 years in the fashion and beauty industries working on the corporate and visual merchandising side.) “I always knew that I wanted to sell a product, but I didn’t know what it was. I just knew I wanted it to be easy to make, easy to ship and something I knew something about.”

10Seven has been bouncing around Steele’s mind since he left his corporate job two years ago.

In fact, he was already working on designs and had taken out a trademark for a brand under a different name. “Getting into underwear seemed obvious to me, because I was approaching 50 and I was bitching and moaning that I couldn’t find underwear appropriate for me as a maturing gay man. I didn’t want to wear neon-colored bikini

briefs that were out there on the market; they just looked silly on me, and I didn’t feel comfortable.”

“We don’t all have go-go boy bodies,” he continues. “We can’t all fit into Andrew Christian underwear.” For those who can’t (or don’t want to), Steele set about designing a pair of boxer briefs that reads both conservative and sexy.

He even called in his nephews for advice on what the briefs should look like. The resulting design, which combines elements from some of Steele’s favorite underwear styles, features a medium-rise gunmetal waistband, a classic fly front and cotton blend fabric.

“No matter what your build is, these underwear are going to fit you,” he says of the fabric. “If you’ve got a bit of booty in the back, the spandex is going to expand to fit you. If you’ve got a lot of junk in the front, the spandex and the fly front is going to be more comfortable, because the fabric can expand and give you more room.”

Eventually sketches weren’t enough, and Steele needed money to launch 10Seven.

“Everything that I had to pay for came from a year of selling my dick,” he says. “A year of traveling the world, doing shows, doing videos, escorting; just a full year of literally busting my dick, and the whole time I was putting everything away.” The fruits of that labor are still blossoming, as even though no new work has been filmed for RoccoSteeleStudio.com, it still pulls in revenue.

“I’ll never be out of the business completely; I’ll always have a connection,” Steele says.

“Merchandise, specifically my underwear, is the new chapter in my life. I want Rocco to be known as the former porn guy who now does underwear.” With orders coming in from places as far-flung as Saudi Arabia,—and a brief style expected to hit late summer—Rocco Steele is definitely hot on that path.

Westbound, newly opened in DTLA’s Arts District, offers up a classy latenight spot (resembling an antique train car) for a cocktail served in a pineapple (!) or foie gras with brioche waffles. westbounddtla.com

FOR BOWLING Spring for Prohibition-era bowling at the recently opened Highland Park Bowl. The sport is made a bit more exciting with the addition of a clever cocktail program and burlesque. highlandparkbowl.com

FOR GYM GEAR There’s no excuse for purchasing workout wear at Old Navy when a place like Kilter—located in Culver City’s Platform complex—exists to sell you practical-yet-stylish fashions your trainer is sure to love and want for himself. kiltershop.com —Tom Paul Jones

STEELE: DICK MITCHELL; BALDORIA/WESTBOUND: ALLEN LIN PHOTO CREDIT TK

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MAY 25, 2016

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health FOR YOUR

A Bitter Pill to Swallow Understanding the perils of prescription drug abuse—a scourge of the LGBT community— plus 7 signifiers for identifying addiction and how to seek help By Dr. Greg Cason

I

f you’ve ever pilfered a pill from your parents’ medicine cabinet, borrowed an ADHD drug from a college friend or taken more than your doctor’s prescribed dosage, congratulations! You’ve abused a prescription med. Pills have become all the rage, and not just because they’re the dance floor-portable, legal, low-cal alternative to alcohol. It’s because they’re just so easy to get—as easy as the swipe of your physician’s pen.

The rates for substance abuse in the LGBT community are thought to be two to three times higher than in the general population. One reason?

Chronic Minority Stress brought on by years of bullying and family rejection that later turns to stigma and discrimination.

According to research in the 1999 Annual Review of Psychology, untreated chronic stress can result in serious health conditions, including anxiety, insomnia and muscle pain—all conditions that have people calling a physician, most leaving with a prescription to a potentially addictive drug.

But who am I to fault a lady (or ladyboy) in pain? Especially if the drug helps soothe physical suffering that may have been brought on by a lifetime of societal abuse. Frankly, I’m just sick of people dying at an early age!

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 24,000 deaths were caused by an overdose of prescription medication in 2015,

and it’s on the rise. Addictive drugs are used to treat all the maladies on the gay hit parade: ADHD, fat, anxiety and sleeplessness.

Still, there is one standout drug among the others: opiates. Used for pain, it’s the big daddy of addiction and eventual death. Opiates account for 72% of prescription drug deaths (or 17,000 per year), which averages out to 46 people each day.

Not a newcomer to the party scene, opiates have been around for thousands of years. Derived from the poppy plant, opium or heroin may come to mind, but the real star players on the pharmacy team are Oxycontin, Vicodin, Percocet, Codeine and their synthetic cousin, Fentenyl.

One study in 2010 presented in the Journal of Addiction Medicine looked at 75 patients hospitalized for opiate addiction. More than half said their first taste of the opiate was through a legal prescription for pain after surgery or injury.

Once the addiction takes hold and the doctor-shopping dries out, things take a darker turn. In the study, 92% said they eventually bought the drugs off the street—primarily heroin—because it was both cheaper and more potent than prescription pills.

If these drugs are so dangerous, why haven’t we done away with them altogether? Well, if you’ve ever had a debilitating accident, surgery MAY 25, 2016

29

FOR YOUR

health

or cancer, you wouldn’t ask. Needless suffering can completely incapacitate someone. These drugs help the sufferer become more autonomous, form friendships, care for family members and, yes, participate in their own recovery from the condition that had them taking the pills in the first place.

If you need higher doses or have withdrawal symptoms, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re addicted. It could mean that you’re simply physically dependent on the drug. Addiction is a chronic disease that is characterized by compulsive use of the drug that causes harm or life dysfunction. And the addict continues to use despite harm to his body, family, relationships, job and personal welfare.

So how do you know if you’re addicted? The following seven signifiers apply to all prescription medications.

1. You think about the meds a lot. If your meds occupy your mind more than sex, your fat percentage or Kylie Jenner, you need to take note.

2. You take more than prescribed. If one works, five should work better, right? Wrong.

3. Doctor-shopping. Do you visit more than one doctor for the same “pain”?

Lie to your doctor or go to a “pill-mill?” You have a problem.

4. You get your drugs from more places than the pharmacy. The internet, your trainer, a friend who never checks his medicine cabinet. Hmmm.

5. You’ve been using the pills for a while now. You started with genuine pain but now re-enact scenes from Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl to get more?

If you’re not dead yet…

6. You feel angry if someone talks to you about your use. How dare they?!

But if they didn’t care about you, they wouldn’t say a thing, right?

7. You’re not you. Everyone else sees this before you do, because apparently

FITNESS

What are some healthy latenight snacks ? —Fred, Silver Lake

WITH AARON SAVVY

I like to buy popcorn-flavored rice cakes and crumble them into popcornsize pieces—a low-carb, healthy snack made of brown rice. Having 1/4 cup of mixed nuts with a protein shake is also great, as you’re getting a good source of protein and a healthy fat that will subside your hunger.

➸ Send your questions to aaronsavvy@ gmail.com

30

every mirror in your place is broken. (Revert to number 6 if they say something.)

If you started taking pain pills for medical reasons, talk to your doctor first.

(Yes, the person who prescribed these to you in the first place.) The benefits of these drugs sometimes outweigh costs. Be truthful about your use and its effects. You may just be dependent but not suffering from addiction. If you want to cut down or stop altogether, you still need a doctor’s help.

Why? Because getting off the drugs is a bitch.

For opiates, ceasing use is like having a severe flu; nausea, fever, body aches, itching and profuse sweating are common, along with high levels of anxiety and even panic. It’s so bad that many will do anything to avoid it (including going to the streets to buy heroin). Most will benefit from a medically supervised detox.

When seeking help, you’ll want to find a specialized treatment for opiates —or your drug of choice—and LGBT issues. Since those are rare, you can split things up. Get detoxed first, then transfer to a facility that has the staff and program to treat the real psychological pain of growing up “other than hetero.”

If you chose to go the outpatient route, combine treatment with your physician and mental health professional or program that specializes in both LGBT issues and prescription drug abuse. You’ve compromised your health up until now. It’s time to get real help.

FRONTIERSMEDIA.COM

Contact Dr. Cason by going to DrGreg.com, or interact with him on Twitter @DrGregCason

What is proper etiquette when you’re at the gym and someone is hogging the machine you need to use? —Jim, Palm Springs If someone is using a machine that you want to use, kindly ask how many sets they have left. This will let them know that you’re waiting. Never ask if you can work in with them unless they offer first.

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• EGRIFTA ® is an injectable prescription medicine to reduce the excess in abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. The impact and safety of EGRIFTA ® on cardiovascular health has not been studied.

• EGRIFTA ® is not indicated for weight loss management.

• It is not known whether taking EGRIFTA ® helps improve compliance with anti-retroviral medications.

EGRIFTA ® may cause serious side effects including: • Serious allergic reaction. Stop using EGRIFTA ® and get emergency help right away if you have symptoms such as a rash over your body, hives, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, swelling of your face or throat, fast heartbeat, and feeling of faintness or fainting.

• Swelling (fluid retention). EGRIFTA ® can cause swelling in some parts of your body.

• Increase in glucose (blood sugar) intolerance and diabetes.

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IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION The following is a brief summary only. See complete Prescribing Information at EGRIFTA.com or request complete Prescribing Information by calling 1-844-347-4382. This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment.

What is EGRIFTA ® (tesamorelin for injection)?

• EGRIFTA ® is an injectable prescription medicine to reduce the excess in abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. The impact and safety of EGRIFTA ® on cardiovascular health has not been studied.

• EGRIFTA ® is not indicated for weight loss management.

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Do not use EGRIFTA ® if you: • have pituitary gland tumor, pituitary gland surgery or other problems related to your pituitary gland.

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How should I use EGRIFTA ®?

• Swelling (fluid retention). EGRIFTA ® can cause swelling in some parts of your body. Call your healthcare provider if you have an increase in joint pain, or pain or numbness in your hands or wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome).

• Increase in glucose (blood sugar) intolerance and diabetes.

Your healthcare provider will measure your blood sugar periodically.

• Injection-site reactions. Change (rotate) your injection site to help lower your risk for injection-site reactions. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice if you have the following symptoms around the area of the injection site: • redness • bleeding • itching • rash • pain • swelling • irritation The most common side effects of EGRIFTA ® include: • joint pain • nausea • pain in legs and arms • vomiting • swelling in your legs • rash • muscle soreness • itching • tingling, numbness and pricking

• Read the detailed “Instructions for Use” that comes with EGRIFTA ® before you start using EGRIFTA ®. Your healthcare provider will show you how to inject EGRIFTA ®.

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• Serious allergic reaction. Some people taking EGRIFTA ® may have an allergic reaction.

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Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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For more information about EGRIFTA ®, go to www.EGRIFTA.com or contact toll-free at 1-844-EGRIFTA (1-844-347-4382). ®

Distributed by: Theratechnologies Inc., 2015 Peel Street, Montreal, Québec, Canada H3A 1T8.

EGRIFTA® and EGRIFTA ASSIST ® are registered trademarks of Theratechnologies Inc. © 2016 Theratechnologies Inc. All rights reserved. 190-01-12/15

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5 PERILOUS PLACES TO HAVE SEX From revving your engine to taking flight in an upright position, avoid these lustful locales like your life depends on it By Mikey Rox 1. In the Car While it may seem innocuous to unbuckle your seat belt and delight your partner with impromptu road head, it can be dangerously distracting. Speeding, drifting out of the lane and letting go of the steering wheel are common consequences of sex acts while driving, according to the journal of Accident Analysis and Prevention. All can lead to tragedy, and don’t expect to get off easy if that happens: several drivers have gone to prison for manslaughter after their partners were ejected from the car and killed during auto-sex gone wrong.

PHOTO CREDIT TK

2. At Work Many employers prohibit workplace romance for one reason: when the relationship goes awry, it can affect productivity and morale. Throw sex into the mix (who hasn’t daydreamed about sending the contents of their desk to the floor in the throes of passion?) and it’s a ticking time bomb poised to decimate everything in its path. A 2014 survey conducted by the Vault reports that 45% of employees surveyed have known a married co-worker to have an affair at the office, while another 36% admitted to knowing a married co-worker who engaged in sexual liaisons while on a business trip.

Perhaps this is nothing to pursue if the covert dealings go off without a hitch, but expect HR to intervene if these ‘side gigs’ start affecting the company’s reputation or revenue.

3. In the Great Outdoors Sex outdoors is only illegal if you get caught, which is why you should ensure there’s no potential for discovery. California law will brand you a sex offender for life if you’re caught exposing yourself in the vicinity of anyone unsuspecting, so it’s wise to keep your au naturel lovin’ limited to secluded areas with little to no traffic. But while physically enjoying each other during a

hike may seem safe, take precautions: you'll want to avoid insect bites and poison-plant exposure where the sun don’t shine.

4. At the Gym It’s a common occurrence in urban gyms to witness or even participate in sex acts in steamrooms and saunas, but you may want to reconsider the extent of your trysts. According to Men’s Health, “Those white, fluffy towels stacked neatly by the showers have the appearance of being fresh and clean, but they might be teaming with E. coli or MRSA. Sometimes gyms use the same transport containers for dirty and ‘clean’ towels, which often pass through multiple employees’ hands before landing in the locker room.” If that’s not enough to make you recoil, let this fester: the mag revealed a few more common gym germs found on equipment and in the locker room—HPV, Klebsiella, staph, Candida, strep and influenza—not to mention potential STDs from physical contact or fluid exchange with another gym-goer.

5. On a Plane Your hot-blooded relationship coupled with a long flight is basically an invitation to join the coveted Mile-High Club— 95% of flyers said they want to become members of the secret society, according to a 2011 Skyscanner survey—but you could be in for a rude awakening once you reach your final destination if you get caught, just one of many unfortunate results post-9/11. While flight attendants largely look the other way when a couple “moves about the cabin,” not all passengers get lucky. In February 2002, two British men set off a full-scale security alert when they ventured to the bathroom for an in-the-clouds quickie. Fighter jets were called in to escort the plane to JFK, and the embarrassed blokes were sent back to the UK from whence they came.

PLAY BALL Ever get the feeling that your balls are being neglected? Well, the sex toy designers at Perfect Fit aren't down with that, so they’ve created one of the few toys aimed specifically at your danglier bits.

It's called the Bull Bag, and it's a cross between a ballstretcher and a weight—essentially a snug silicone case for your family jewels. And if that’s not titillating enough, the Bull Bag Buzz houses a vibrating motor for a little extra kick.

“For a lot of guys, they don’t have a lot of sensation in their testicles, and they don’t really hang low,” Perfect Fit CEO Steve Callow says in a promo video for the new toy line. “I thought it would be fun to create a little slap action while you’re having sex.”

The Bull Bag comes in two sizes, in both black and white.

It’s also totally latex-free.

Perfect Fit boasts that it “gives users the feeling of having a bigger scrotum,” which we have to think some gay dudes are looking for.

Head to FrontiersMedia.com to watch the video in which Callow explains the new toy line, or snatch up a Bull Bag ($30) or Bull Bag Buzz ($50) of your own by going to perfectfitbrand. com. —Dominic Preston MAY 25, 2016

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events

nightlife

theater

exhibits

■ Thu. | May 12 NEXT FALL Macha Theatre

Geoffrey Nauffts’ work— focusing on the five-year relationship of Adam and Luke—looks at faith, commitment and unconditional love. Through May 22. nextfallweho.com

■ Fri. | May 13 FRIDAY THE 13TH Griffith Park Zoo

Scary series The Great Horror Movie Night ends its 2016 season with this special screening. The night includes live pre-show entertainment and audience interaction games. greathorrormovienight. com ■ Fri. | May 13 SUMMERTRAMP Saguaro Palm Springs

■ Sat. | May 14 BRUT L.A. Los Globos

The festivities move to the desert this summer, and now they’re a weekend long.

Make the trek for two nights of dancing and drinking, with a water slide, slip ‘n’ slide, champagne specials and hours of DJ delights. summertramp.com

New York’s hottest underground party once again comes to L.A. Partiers are encouraged to arrive in their hottest gear and dance the night away to Peter Napoli’s and Dan Darlington’s distinct sound. brutparty.com ■ Sat. | May 14 THE HAIRY APE Odyssey Theatre

■ Fri. | May 13 GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES Hudson Backstage Theatre

A new production of Rajiv Joseph’s darkly comic tale about love, pain and friendship. What is the path we take to find love in a harsh world? Stars Sara Rae Foster and Jeff Ward. Through June 26. plays411.com/playground ■ Fri. | May 13 DON’T TELL MY MOTHER Busby’s East

L.A.’s hit comedy/storytelling event presents its biggest night of the year, The Mama’s Day Show, with Judy Reyes, Nico Santos, Jen Kober and Nikki Levy. donttellmymother. com

With unflinching theatrical force and explosive lyricism—and British director Steven Berkoff at the helm— Eugene O’Neill’s “comedy of ancient and modern life” explores the perennial human need to belong. Through July 17. odysseytheatre.com ■ Sat. | May 14 WEST COAST BBQ CLASSIC The Queen Mary

This fifth annual finger lickin’ afternoon invites barbeque experts and amateur grill masters to showdown in BBQ styles from across the country, from Memphis-style to Texan slow-cooked meats. queenmary.com

Get Happy Miss Coco Peru doles out bewigged wisdom in her new show, hitting the L.A. stage this month By Patrick Rosenquist me ‘mom,‘ which is where I’ve positioned I grew up in a working-class family in myself in the community. But I add a lot of the Bronx, and I feel like my parents self-deprecation, too.” instilled certain life lessons in me,” H er show—which has toured S an says Miss Coco Peru, whose new Francisco, Provincetown, Palm Springs and show, A Gentle Reminder: Miss Coco Peru’s Guide San Diego—makes its Los Angeles debut to a Somewhat Happy Life, draws, partially, from this month at the LGBT Center‘s Renberg what her family gave to her as a child. “I feel Theatre. Preparing her shows, which are a mix like I’m at an age where I can look at myself of performance, singing and comedy, takes and honestly say I’m a decent person.” serious effort to put together—nearly four Peru—né Clinton Leupp—has been permonths is devoted toward the script alone. forming drag since the ‘90s, mainly as Peru.

“A lot of people think my work is improBut her brand of performance became more vised or off-the-cuff, but that’s only widely known—at least among a younger because I spend so much time making audience—with her series of YouTube it look effortless,” she says. shorts. The most popular one involves Peru is also in the process of her heading to Kmart in search A GENTLE REMINDER putting together a TV pilot based of Celestial Seasonings Tension Renberg Theatre on her successful live event series Tamer Tea. (Since hitting the web May 13-14, 20-21 Conversations with Coco. Born at three years ago, fans have sent her lalgbtcenter.org/ the Center, Conversations began as hundreds of bags of the tea.) theatre a way for Peru to explore personal Her constant online presence histories, opinions and ideas with figmade it easier for fans to reach out, ures popular in the gay community—Bea and given her self-possessed style of Arthur, Liza Minnelli and Jane Fonda among comedy, a common question was, How does them. The television version, which will also film one live a happy life? “I’d get questions from at the Center this August, features Lily Tomlin. young people, parents—a lot of emails. The Peru’s attention, however, is currently web really opens up your audience. Most of focused on A Gentle Reminder. “I’m completely them were searching for life lessons,” she says. obsessed with that show,” she says.

She figured, with enough material, her After Los Angeles, Peru plans to take the answers could form a show. Still, given the show to New York, her hometown, and despite title’s somewhat compromised construction, her busy schedule, she‘s still engaging with she’s willing to admit that while she’s comfortthe fans that inspired it. “Every day I get these able giving out wisdom, she knows enough to wonderful—beautiful—emails. It feels wonderrealize she can’t fix everything. ful to be heard,” she says.

“A lot of younger men have asked to call MAY 25, 2016

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Tennessee Williams

■ Sat. | May 14 KROQ WEENIE ROAST Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre

■ Sun. | May 15 BEARS IN SPACE Akbar

This annual multi-artist concert by L.A.’s modern rock radio station presents Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, Empire of the Sun, Panic! At the Disco, Garbage, Cold War Kids and more. kroq.cbslocal.com

The annual East Side parking lot party is back for another season, and this year’s inaugural installment features emcee Drew Droege, performances by several local queens and DJ sets by Dirty Dave and Solar. akbarsilverlake.com

■ Through May 15 FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS Center Theatre Group

■ Wed. | May 18 DTLA DINNER CLUB The NCT Lofts

What began as a group of friends gathering every Wednesday night in 2011 for a home-cooked meal has become a weekly free gathering of downtowners featuring guest chefs from the neighborhood. Guests bring booze and a smile! dtladinnerclub.com

Set during the Civil War, a slave named Hero is offered freedom if he joins his master in the ranks of the Confederacy. For what could be an empty promise, Hero must decide about leaving the people he loves. centertheatregroup.org

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A LEAGUE OF OUR OWN

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t’s the Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence versus defending champions the West Hollywood Cheerleaders at—what else?—the fifth annual Drag Queen World Series. And while the baseball game is sure to be a rollicking good time, all money raised at the event (tickets are $10 beforehand, $15 at the door) will go to The Life Group L.A. and its dedication to education and empowerment around HIV/AIDS. This year, the National Anthem will be sung by none other than Pepper DRAG QUEEN MaShay (of “Dive in the Pool“ fame), and West Hollywood Mayor Lauren WORLD SERIES Meister will throw the ceremonial first pitch with NFL draft Eben Britton.

Glendale Sports Complex Then there’s the event’s musical soundtrack, provided by local DJ extraorMay 14 dragqueenworldseries.com dinaire Eur-O-Steve, and colorful commentary throughout the game provided by two members of Chico’s Angels, Chita Parol and Frieda Laye.

Those looking for a bit of a nosh with their sports can head over to the Baby’s Badass Burgers food truck, scheduled to be on-site.

And it wouldn’t be a fundraiser without a raffle drawing and giveaways, right? The first 100 people to check in at the event will get a Hustler gift bag, and one lucky someone will leave with the day’s grand prize: a $5,000 trip for six people to the gorgeous island of Kaua’i, Hawaii. A baseball game doesn’t get better than that. —Tom Paul Jones

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DRAGALICIOUS | REDLINE Photos by Jeremy Lucido

■ Thu. | May 19 TOUCH THURSDAYS The Abbey

■ Fri. | May 20 JEWEL Valley Performing Arts Center

As the gay weekend starts on Thursday, Frontiers Media presents a night of dancing, drinking and all-around rabble-rousing before the weekend gets fully underway.

Join us as we people-watch some of the city’s sexiest men and women ... and maybe ogle a go-go dancer or two. abbeyfoodandbar.com

The singer-songwriter brings her Picking Up the Pieces Tour to SoCal, supporting her first album of new material in five years and a return to the style of her ‘95 debut. valleyperformingartscenter.com

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TOUCH THURSDAYS | THE ABBEY Photos by Rolling-Blackouts

■ Sat. | May 21 RIOJA WINE & TAPAS FESTIVAL Union Station

Experience some of the world’s most delicious, food-friendly wines at this fest, which showcases nearly 200 wines from Rioja, accompanied by Rioja-inspired tapas from 30 notable American chefs. riojawineandtapasfestival.com

UEEN ERIES s Complex 4 series.com

■ Thu. | May 19 PURPLE RAIN The Wiltern

The local concert venue hosts a free special tribute screening to celebrate the life of Prince. Screening is subject to capacity. RSVP at purplerain.rsvpify.com ■ Through May 28 URBAN DEATH Zombie Joe’s Underground

The theater group’s signature horror production, with all-new inexplicable horrors, monstrosities and disturbed spirits. zombiejoes.tix.com

■ Sat. | May 21 BUG FAIR Natural History Museum

The two-day festival celebrates 30 years of Bug Fair with a variety of exhibitors (like exotic insect collections and pet tarantulas), bug chefs and performances. Through May 22. nhm.org ■ Sat. | May 21 AN EVENING WITH WOMEN Hollywood Palladium

The star-studded annual event will feature dinner, dancing and live performances. Among the night’s talent are Macy Gray and Fortune Feimster, with additional performers and guests to be announced. aneveningwithwomen.org ■ Fri. | May 20 GAY WET DREAMS TO SAVE THE WORLD Akbar

Take an erotic dream journey into the gay psyche with Ian MacKinnon and his friend Mr. Dicky (the talking dick) to see if they can discover a gay sex fantasy strong enough to save the world. Through May 21. gaywetdreams.bpt.me MAY 25, 2016

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FRESH | FLAMING SADDLES Photos by Jason King

5 WAYS TO CELEBRATE LONG BEACH PRIDE

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aking place the weekend of May 21-22 along Shoreline Drive, Long Beach Pride welcomes SoCal gays to honor the strides of the LGBT community with the theme “Solidarity Through Pride.“ It’s one of California’s biggest and best celebrations, attracting more than 80,000 people. Build your weekend plans with the below festivities in mind.

The Music Hot on the heels of his first solo recording, “Trash,“ out musician Tyler Glenn joins his band Neon Trees for a performance on the Pride Mainstage Sunday at 9 p.m. While Saturday’s mainstage headliner hasn’t yet been announced, past performers have included Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah and Village People.

The Festival In addition to the mainstage, the festival includes four large dance areas: Fiesta Caliente, Country, Dance and Urban Soul, where Kristinia DeBarge will perform Sunday at 6 p.m. Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, the festival will also include local outreach booths and a Leather Tent for those looking to dress up and be around like-minded butch queens.

The Family Fun Zone From 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, this part of the festival will include carnival games, entertainment and prizes—perfect for the LGBT family looking to show the little ones what Pride is all about.

The Parade Stepping off at 10:30 a.m., the procession will head straight down Ocean Boulevard, from Lindero to Alamitos. An hour before, at Bixby Park, revelers will begin to gather and perhaps will free admission to the festival. And at 9:45, a mass LGBT wedding ceremony will take place, in celebration of last year’s historic Supreme Court decision. (Wanna get married? You’ll need to register at longbeachpride.com.)

Long Beach Pride Run Taking place before the parade on Sunday morning, this 24th annual run will both start and finish at Ocean and Junipero. On location parking is available for run participants, and medals will be handed out to the first three male and female finishers in all age categories, with team awards as well. Registration ends May 20; register yourself at tinyurl.com/jeesekg. —T.P.J. 38 FRONTIERSMEDIA.COM

EATINGOUT ■ Through May 22 CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR El Capitan Theatre

Catch the film in Dolby Atmos at this famed Hollywood theater, which now offers VIP Nightcap Tickets for adults (includes a preferred seat, popcorn and beer or wine). elcapitantickets.com

■ Sun. | May 22 VENICE ART WALK Google Los Angeles

Google’s Venice offices become an art gallery for this legendary silent art auction with works by Don Bachardy, Ed Ruscha and tons more.

Also: artist studio tours, artisan shops, music and food. veniceartwalk.org

■ Through May 22 VAMPIRE LESBIANS OF SODOM Precinct

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The famed play by Charles Busch comes to life onstage, starring RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Kelly Mantle and Brad Griffith. Runs Saturdays and Sundays. vlsla.com

■ Mon. | May 23 THE SHAKESPEARE SHOW Local cinemas

■ Sun. | May 22 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM The Crest

Julie Taymor’s production of Shakespeare’s play is now an immersive, inventive cinematic experience filmed during her highly acclaimed inaugural stage production. Screens at 2 p.m. crestwestwood.com ■ Sun. | May 22 WORLD DOG DAY West Hollywood Park

A full-day event to celebrate our furry friends, presented by the Vanderpump Dog Foundation, which is dedicated to ending animal abuse worldwide. With a dog spa and boutique, a pet psychic, live music, contests and more. vanderpumpdogs.org

A Tapas Taberna

Celebrate 400 years of the world’s greatest playwright with a show recorded live at the Royal Shakespeare Company and broadcast nationwide for one night. Hosted by David Tennant and Catherine Tate, the event will include appearances by Benedict Cumberbatch, Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen and more.

■ Through May 29 SCI-FEST Acme Theater

This is the third year of the L.A.-based science fiction one-act play festival, which will showcase plays adapted from Janis Ian and horror master Clive Barker. sci-fest.com ■ Through Sept. 12 FACTORY OF THE SUN MOCA

It’s the U.S. premiere of Hito Steyerl’s landmark video installation, in which he looks at the unprecedented global flow of data and the prevalence of surveillance. moca.org

The roasted butternut squash comes cut in emember that summer you spent half and overflowing with butter, candied abroad in Spain? Taking the train cashews and savory dukkah with whole between Barcelona and Madrid, anasesame seeds, while the chorizo with saulyzing El Greco’s brush strokes in Toledo, erkraut feels relatively Teutonic in flavor, wandering the Alhambra’s rambling garthough it’s hearty enough to satisfy appedens … and, yes, snacking on tapas and tites from anywhere on the continent. The those little skewers of grilled meat called housemade fermented vegetables are also morunos while swilling cheap table wine a treat worth trying, as is the rotisserie halfat a little taberna? cabbage, slightly charred and served with a Well, those glory days are back, thanks yogurt dressing. to a new restaurant at the Grove Farmer’s You’ll want to order a namesake Market. Moruno is the first of two locamoruno, like the Moorish-inflected lamb tions from partners David Rosoff and option, its cubes of tender meat marinated Chris Feldmeier (whose résumés include with turmeric; the moruno with chicken thigh Campanile and Osteria Mozza). It occupies meat is seasoned with garlic and cilantro. the former Short Order space at the southThere are also “sub” versions west corner of the market, and of both, served on substantial offers a few little tables as well baguettes. The lamb moruno as some bar stools with a view is garnished with a heaping of the small kitchen. helping of horseradish baba The bar specializes in ganoush, red onions, pepcocktails using its own properoncini and mint for a nice, prietary vermouth (made in spring-like taste. partnership with Palmina), Among other specialties which you’ll find in cocktails are the rotisserie chicken and like the Inigo Montoya, with Moruno rotisserie pork shoulder, Vermina white vermouth, car6333 W. 3rd St., L.A. which is served sliced with damom, apricot, Meyer lemon (323) 372-1251 morunola.com a slightly sweet caramelized and seltzer. Though if you want crust over a bed of braised something stronger, opt for the $$$$$ escarole.

Armada Old Fashioned with Hands down, the best bourbon, Spanish brandy, Atmosphere dessert here is the fried bisPedro Ximenez sherry, Spanish A taberna inside the cuit with tangerine-thyme bitters and a lemon twist. farmers market marmalade and vanilla ice (It’s mellow but still packs a Standout Dishes cream; it’s the perfect interpunch.) There are also myriad Butternut squash, the section of savory and sweet, of wine selections arranged by lamb sub-moruno hot and cold. Less endearing, region and topography.

Drinks though perhaps more interestThe menu begins with Armada Old Fashioned, Inigo Montoya ing, is the chunky saffron rice classic tapas, like a tortilla pudding with pistachios and española that’s equal parts Hours cherries. It’s a cleaner way to fluffy egg omelet and thinly Noon–11 p.m. Mon-Sat, noon-10 p.m. Sun end the meal, though chances sliced potato, kind of like a are you’ve cleaned your plate rustic quiche, this one slathReservations already. —Eric Rosen ered with a light hollandaise.

Not required

★★★★★

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A STEADY STREAM

HULU, WHICH CURRENTLY streams on-demand content to 12 million, made several content announcements on Wednesday, May 4, not least of which was the news that it will continue pumping Mindy Kaling into the homes of comedy-lovers everywhere. The Mindy Project—her scripted gynecologist’s office-set series starring herself, Chris Messina, Ike Barinholtz, Ed Weeks, Beth Grant and a slew of supporters—aired on FOX for its first three seasons, after which it was canceled and made the move to Hulu.

Other announcements included an additional season for The Path, the launch of Hulu Documentary Films (starting with Ron Howard’s Beatles doc Eight Days a Week) and a second election special for Robert Smigel’s Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. —Stephan Horbelt

Meet TV’s First Trans Teen Heartthrob Elliot Fletcher brings authenticity and some serious eyebrow game to MTV’s Faking It By Drew Mackie

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is ’boy next door’ look no doubt helped Elliot Fletcher get cast on Faking It, an MTV series that has no shortage of fresh-faced actors and which takes place in a quasi-alternate reality where progressive social values are the norm. On the show’s current season, Fletcher plays Noah, a recurring trans character and a love interest for the show’s gay ’big man on campus,’ Shane (Michael Willett).

When Noah arrives, he’s already himself, and if that narrative runs contrary to the kind of trans arc you’re accustomed to seeing on-screen—coming to terms and a struggling for acceptance—you’re right. It’s all the more notable that Fletcher, 19, is himself trans and entirely comfortable with that fact. A Los Angeles native, he came out at age 17. The news was received well by his actor parents, though the all-girls high school he attended took more time to adjust.

“I want people to know that there is more, that there is something after that,” he says of the trans “origin story” trope. He notes that there’s been a boom in trans roles as of late, but this Faking It role stands apart from the rest because it helps tell MAY 25, 2016

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Clockwise: Holy Hell, Art Bastard, High-Rise

In Theaters

ART BASTARD

*****

HIGH-RISE

*****

HOLY HELL

*****

Opens May 20 // Warhol. Pollock. Lichtenstein. These are historical figures of note for the 20th century. Yet what of all those other creators ignored by media and art scholars, those whose work is done for the love of craft, expression, conscience? Art Bastard, a documentary written and directed by Victor Kanefsky, places the singular Robert Cenedella front and center, a contemporary of Warhol who has never garnered critical hosannas or zeitgeisty buzz. Not that Cenedella’s bitter; he’s made a living as an artist and teacher doing what he loves and, in good faith, what he believes in. Kanefsky’s portrait is prosaic. He doesn’t lionize Cenedella or stress the peculiarities of his upbringing (blacklisted father, secrets of identity revealed, the political bent of his work as second-nature to him as his DNA). He simply shows a man out of time with the pop art exploding around him. What does he do? He simply works. Art Bastard suggests that history may be kind to him yet. —Dan Loughry

Opens May 13 // Director Ben Wheatley’s stylish and mostly faithful adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s caustic novel High-Rise is a smart, sharp dystopian parable; a vertically oriented, literary precursor to Snowpiercer. Shortly after Dr. Robert Laing (Tom Hiddleston) moves into a desired modern high-rise apartment building in London, class warfare breaks out among the residents. The aptly named Richard Wilder (Luke Evans) starts an uprising that descends into chaos. Anthony Royal (Jeremy Irons)—who has a horse in the garden of his penthouse apartment—is a primary target, and Laing is literally caught in the middle.

Wheatley’s film, scripted by his wife, Amy Jump, is rarely subtle, opening with the de-civilized Laing cooking a dog before flashing back three months to his move in. While it does go off the rails near the end, for the most part, High-Rise is a darkly funny film. —Gary M. Kramer Opens May 27 // Will Allen’s first-person documentary is a cautionary tale that recounts the astonishing story of his experience in the Buddhafield, a West Hollywood cult that formed in the mid-1980s. It was a group that was supposed to offer spiritual enlightenment. Instead it became a decades-long service to an insidious narcissist named Michel (then, later, Andreas). Whereas Will was searching for “truth” and “the knowing”—a Buddhafield exercise where God would be revealed in his purest form—what he got was hypnotherapy sessions (aka “cleansings”) that eventually led to sexual abuse by Michel. Holy Hell chronicles how and why this cult lasted through video footage Allen shot over the years, as well as interviews with present-day survivors. The doc may not provide anything new about cults, but it does show how people are susceptible to brainwashing. And what the film reveals about Michel—who was obsessed with ballet and plastic surgery, among other things—is fascinating. —G.M.K.

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ENDGAME: CRAIG SCHWARTZ; WANDA SYKES: ROGER ERICKSON

a different narrative. It’s not only offering audiences a secure, confident trans man, but also a trans man who is gay. That may be a heady concept for gay viewers to wrap their heads around, to say nothing of the cisgender, hetero teen viewers comprising much of MTV’s audience.

“Now and then I think, ‘Oh, shit, this could actually have a tremendous effect on people and the audience,’” says Fletcher. “This storyline will be very eye-opening as to what it‘s like to be trans as a 17-year-old. Unfortunately, a lot of cisgender gay men can feel uncomfortable about potentially dating a trans man, like, ‘Oh, am I going to lose my gay card for sleeping with him?’ As Noah says on the show, you don’t; a trans man is just a man. It’s so simple.”

Faking It caused grumbles among LGBT viewers when it premiered in 2014 because it revolved around two besties feigning a lesbian romance to become popular. Now in its third season, the show has proven its premise was no gimmick, and its characters have portrayed a nuanced diversity of identities—perhaps most notably resident mean girl Lauren (Bailey De Young), who in the second season was revealed to be intersex. The show never feels like an afterFaking It school special, however, and High schoolers it’s been twice nominated for tackle complicated a GLAAD Media Award for its issues on this teen deft handling of subjects other rom-com series series won’t touch.

“Noah helps put into MTV Airs Tuesdays context how sexuality and gender identity are two different things,” says Faking It EP Carter Covington. “I believe our show models conversations that people have had in real life.” In fact, GLAAD itself helped Covington pick the words in this conversation about Fletcher’s character; the actor’s first interaction with the show was as one of three young trans men who spoke with the show’s writers to help inform the character, only to later return to audition.

For Fletcher, that audition was a big moment, and not only because it meant landing his first major role. “I was there with five other trans male actors, which was new,” he recalls. “There’s so little trans male representation. It was cool to see all these guys together. I don’t know how many of us there are. I hope there are a lot of us.”

Fletcher, who next appears on The Fosters, admits the transformation from ’trans teen’ to ’trans teen on-screen’ happened quickly, but he’s running with it.

“There’s so much out there waiting for a hypothetical 15-year-old trans kid who’s maybe feeling ‘I’m never going to be where I want to be.’ But there is something out there. There are people who they haven’t even met yet that already love them so much,” he says. “That’s what I want to tell them.”

The Q&A: Wanda Sykes

Her new TV special, What Happened ... Ms. Sykes? shoots at the Ace Hotel May 21, set to air Oct. 21 on EPIX

ENDGAME: CRAIG SCHWARTZ; WANDA SYKES: ROGER ERICKSON

IN A POST-GAY MUSIC WORLD

Harry Burgess, the frontman of Adult Jazz, could become the poster boy for the post-gay musician. Formed in Leeds at university, the quartet’s mind-blowing 2014 debut Gist Is— think Grizzly Bear birthing the new Björk—is followed up by an equally outré electro-based EP, Earrings Off! (available May 20), that drags their brainy artrock closer to the mainstream. “The record is about masculinity— embodiment, lust, idealization, privilege, legitimacy and limitation,” Burgess has said about Earrings Off! “It’s about picking your ideal body, and playing with body language to achieve authenticity.” The EP’s title track was inspired by Burgess’s brother when, at 6, he’d been given a gold sticker for school work, pasted them to his ears with a friend and was humiliated by a cafeteria worker who told them they “looked like a couple of pretty girls.”

Raised a Christian, Burgess came out at 19 and has been a staunch critic of rigidity ever since— whether it be the constructs of dogma or what constitutes a song. So abandon your preconceived notions at the door.

There’s no place for them in the world of Adult Jazz. —Dan Loughry

A Beckett Revival

The existential master’s greatest work, Endgame, brings post-apocalyptic humor to L.A.’s Kirk Douglas Theatre

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s with Shakespeare, Ibsen and Chekhov, someday soon there will be nobody left alive who actually worked with Samuel Beckett, the Nobel Prize-winning Irish writer who died in Paris in 1989 after forever changing the landscape of contemporary theater with his provocative explorations of the futility of existence. For now, luckily for Southland theater audiences, Center Theatre Group has retained the ever-engaging, 80-something Alan Mandell—who worked often with Beckett starting in the late 1960s—to direct and star in a revival of what many consider the existential master’s greatest work, Endgame, found at the Kirk Douglas Theatre through May 22.

Set in a bleak, post-apocalyptic world, Endgame presents us with Hamm (Mandell), a formerly powerful figure now paralyzed and blind, sitting in a wheelchair and cared for by the bitter but devoted Clov (Beckett veteran Barry McGovern, who starred with Mandell in CTG’s glorious 2012 Waiting for Godot). Hamm’s ancient, legless parents Nagg (a sardonic James Greene) and Nell (a radiant—at 90—Charlotte Rae) live nearby in trash bins packed with sand.

This might not sound like a promising premise for rich, relatable humor, but such is the genius of Beckett that we somehow see ourselves in these lonely, spectral figures.

“You’re on earth; there’s no cure for that,” Hamm states with authority. In the hands of these wizened, wonderful actors, and on John Ioacovelli’s fantastically forbidding set, Beckett’s words tickle even as we realize we are all slowly marching toward an inevitable checkmate. Truly a theatrical treat to savor. —Christopher Cappiello

Q: Can you explain how you chose the new special’s title?

A: It comes from What happened ... Ms. Simone? I’m trying to figure out where my life went. I’m trying to realize how I got here, at age 52, with 7-year-old twins and a French wife. I mean, what happened? And how did we get here politically? Donald Trump is the nominee for the Republican Party. How did something like that ever happen?

Q: How do you practice for your specials?

A: I do it onstage.

I get to a certain level where I’m like, “Here’s a show.” I work out the material in clubs, sometimes in L.A. That’s hard, though. I have some friends who run smaller venues and they’ll put together a show once a month at a bar, and I like that no one knows you’re performing. These days, you don’t have the freedom to work out a joke. You know it’s funny, but you can’t get it to a place you want because of camera phones.

It’s immediately out on Twitter. I like when people have no idea what’s going to happen.

Q: Why did you choose the Ace Theatre for your special?

A: I haven’t shot a special in L.A., so it felt like it was time.

The Ace is a beautiful venue. It’s Downtown, so it feels cool. It seats the right audience, and the visuals worked out on camera.

Q: You have a new movie, Ice Age: Collision Course, coming this July. What else are you working on?

A: I was on House of Lies, and those episodes are airing now. I’ve been working on PushIt, a production company; creating pilots for USA and BET. I love producing and working with other talent.

Q: This question is for me—but I want to know, is Curb Your Enthusiasm ever coming back?

A: I have no idea! I get asked that a lot. It’s out of my hands. Maybe if Larry David gets bored, or someone yells at him, he’ll decide to do another season. I don’t know.

—Patrick Rosenquist

FOUR DVD/BLU-RAY RELEASES FOR THE MONTH OF MAY

DIRTY GRANDPA MAY 17

THE WITCH MAY 17

ZOOLANDER 2 MAY 24

GODS OF EGYPT MAY 31 MAY 25, 2016

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SET YOUR

DVR 1. MIKE & MOLLY

1

2

It somehow limped along to six seasons without anyone ever admitting to liking it, and Melissa McCarthy‘s superstar status couldn‘t keep this mess alive any longer.

Though billed as an hour-long finale, it‘s actually two episodes stuck together. A fitting end for an unfortunately forgettable show. (Monday, May 16, CBS)

2. MEGYN KELLY PRESENTS

In what hopefully won‘t be the first of many Megyn Kelly Presents specials, Fox News‘ resident vacuous beauty moves up to big FOX and sits down with Michael Douglas, OJ Simpson lawyer Robert Shapiro and (ugh!) Donald Trump. This is more of a ‘Don‘t Set Your DVR.‘ (Tuesday, May 17, FOX)

3. BANSHEE

3

4

Fans of Cinemax‘s quirky drama will be sad to know that, after four seasons, the series is coming to a close, but they‘ll be pleased to find out that producers planned the series to end this way and have crafted “an epic series finale.“ Didn‘t they say that about Lost...? (Friday, May 20, Cinemax)

4. LADY DYNAMITE

Netflix‘s new mockumentary-style sitcom is based on Maria Bamford‘s life, and it‘s bound to be hilarious. But if you need more convincing, guest stars include Sarah Silverman, Tig Notaro, Adam Pally, Jon Cryer, Ana Gastyer, Jenny Slate and Patton Oswalt. (Friday, May 20, Netflix)

5. THE PRICE IS RIGHT

6

TELEVISION LONG DIVISION

Tiny soaps

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Angry cockroaches

Gordon Ramsey screaming at bellboys

Not so fresh towels

6. WAYWARD PINES

Hotel Hell Season 3, May 24, FOX

The show‘s creators must have been as surprised as viewers when it was announced the M. Night Shyamalan drama was returning for Season 2. After all, they killed all the best characters! Bye, Juliette Lewis and Matt Dillon. There are some familiar faces returning, though, and joining the cast are Jason Patric and Djimon Hounsou. (Wednesday, May 25, FOX) —Dominik Rothbard

PHOTO CREDIT TK

5

The Price Is Right teams up with CBS reality shows for three themed nights. Monday we get The Price Is Right: Survivor Edition followed up Tuesday with Big Brother and Wednesday with The Amazing Race. Drew Carey‘s gonna need a lot of hand sanitizer.

(Monday-Wednesday, May 23-25, CBS)

LGBT FILM FESTIVAL • JULY 7-17, 2016 • OUTFEST.ORG

PRESENTED BY

MAY 25, 2016

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OUR

HONEYMOON Part 3

naked above barcelona After witnessing the terror attacks in Paris, Spain proves to be a refreshing change of pace, full of great food, better sex and relationship ruminations

By Jeff Leavell

MAY 25, 2016

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ever had. The pastry was crisp, the flavors distinct, and the staff were friendly and helpful.

Walking a little farther, we stopped for espressos at Alsur Café on the Carrer dels Carders, a hidden little street, just around the corner from the Passeig del Born. We stood before a large display of pastries and cookies, trying to decide if we should get one large black and white cookie or a black and white and a chocolate chip cookie.

“Always get two,“ a deep, masculine voice said behind us. I couldn’t help but agree with his assessment. I’ve always found two better than one.

We talked for a few minutes. His name was Luis, he was a Portuguese dancer living in Barcelona with his American partner, Ben. They were planning to move to L.A. in the next year. Ben was from a small town outside Spokane, Washington, where Alex did FX for the TV show Z Nation. We drank coffee and talked and made plans to meet later that night. They were going to take us out to a club, show us the real Barcelona.

On Scruff, I had been talking to a sexy Columbian named Jason, 24, gorgeous body and smile, and we made plans to meet him in a few hours back at our apartment. He was a versatile top, and I was looking forward to both him and Alex fucking me. I wanted to see Alex fuck him, too. I love watching my husband fuck another guy. And Jason—short, thick and muscular, great dick and ass—was the perfect mix for the two of us.

When we reached the sea, we sat on a bench and watched as people walked by. It was strange to think the night before we’d been locked in a Paris bar while all around us people were being murdered. Strange to think that all that violence and pain could exist inside all this beauty.

Alex held my hand. We felt lazy and comfortable.

The breeze was warm.

B

efore we’d left for our trip, a guy whom I didn’t know very well but had been reading some of my writing said to me, “Don’t you think it’s wrong?

Having as much sex as you do, taking the risk?“ “What risk am I taking?“ I asked. It was a Thursday night and we were at the Eagle in Silver Lake.

the best of barcelona THE BARIO BORN

A neighborhood full of cool shops, cafés and beautiful, narrow streets and courtyards. It has the same old feel as the Gothic Quarter but is hipper and has a more local feel. Safe at night, with upscale and affordable restaurants.

ALSUR CAFÉ

Located in a charming square in the Born District, it’s a great place for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just a cookie and coffee.

LA FABRICA

At this super-fast, cheap empanada café, everything is made fresh throughout the day.

You’ll find a large selection, often up to 20 different flavors. Expect long lines, even late into the night.

LA KÁ

A montly party on Sunday nights at La Plataforma, it feels like a locals-only experience you’re lucky to stumble upon. It goes late and is the party to be at. There’s a wide mix of patrons, and everyone is welcome.

SAGRADA FAMÍLIA

This basilica is architect Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece. Outrageous and beautiful, it has been in progress for close to 134 years. Buy your tickets in advance.

FÀBRICA MORITZ

Great beers brewed on-site and an amazing restaurant known for its Catalonia cuisine.

Seafood is the house specialty; the décor is bright and modern, the service excellent.

BACON BEAR BAR

A must-stop if you’re seeking Barcelona’s bear scene. It gets crowded after 11 p.m. and is friendly and cruisy; a great place for a beer or for when you’re looking to get laid.

“I read that you are HIV-positive,“ he said. “Don’t you think you have some kind of obligation not to spread the virus? Is your husband positive? Your boyfriend? Do they understand the risks? Are you always safe? Do you always wear condoms? How can you be sure? Maybe, and I’m not trying to be a jerk, but maybe if you could commit to just one guy you might not have found yourself in this situation.“ I thought about that for a while, what it was he was saying to me. I thought about the situation I have found myself in.

“I’m not saying you deserve to be positive because of the way you’ve been acting,“ he continued, “but maybe if you had acted differently…“ Sitting there with Alex, looking out at the water, a lazy, warm breeze blowing on what should have been a chilly November day, I told him what this guy had said to me. How it had made me feel: embarrassed, which is always the worst. That sense of feeling slightly embarrassed, as if someone found out my bed sheets will never be as clean as theirs, as if there was something wrong with me; a stain I can’t quite get rid of.

I am open about my status. It’s right there on my Scruff, on my Growlr; and I still tell someone if I’m planning to hookup. Most of the time, nowadays, no one cares. Sometimes some idiot will go on and on about how “I want your toxic load, daddy. Infect your son.“ That will get you blocked immediately. But for

SHAKESPEARE: KOVALENKOV PETR; ARC DE TRIOMPHE: TOMAS GRIGER

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y only experience with Spain was about 20 years ago when I took a train from Amsterdam to a boat heading for Morocco. It was all part of some drug-fueled plan a Sarah Lawrence buddy and I had to smuggle a huge amount of opium out of Morocco and into Amsterdam. It was one of those idiotic ’get rich quick’ schemes from two guys who were already pretty rich.

Back then I was a different person than I am now, so I was excited to see Barcelona for the first time.

We came here to stop. To reflect. To slow the fuck down. My father had rented us a gorgeous apartment in El Born Barrio with a private rooftop—complete with couches and chairs, a bathtub and jacuzzi— and stunning views over the city all the way to the Mediterranean. We came here to lay in the warmth and sun and be done.

After Paris, we needed that. We needed to allow what happened there to wash over us, and Barcelona felt like the perfect place to do that.

We checked in and got the keys to our new home (seven very narrow, sharp flights up, but worth every breath-stealing step) on Carrer del Portal, after which we decided to go out and explore our new city.

The streets of El Born are narrow and block out the full impact of the sun, creating a world of shadows—romantic and ancient, with a sense of being removed. Green trees and street lamps, small plazas and dancing sunlight filtering through, adding to a sense of magic and wonder. El Born was just removed enough from the overtly touristy Gothic District to feel a little more authentic.

We were hungry and decided to find something quick and easy to eat while we walked. I wanted to see the Mediterranean. It was warm out, 78 degrees, and after the dark skies of Berlin and Paris, it felt like a reprieve; an escape.

Just down the small pedestrian street from where we were staying, in the Plaça de la Llana, we found a small, clean, modern empanada bar, La Fabrica. They make all the ingredients from scratch and had a wide selection. We each had a carne picante and a chorizo picante, then split a blue cheese, ham and walnut, followed by a ham, roquefort and mozzarella, then the caprese. They were probably the best empanadas I’ve

Read “Our Poly Honeymoon, Parts 1 and 2“ at FrontiersMedia.com

(Opposite page) Barcelona's El Born Barrio, where the guys called home; (right) El Poble-sec; (below) Alsur Café; the Asian tapas of Mosquito, which is famous for its dumplings

SHAKESPEARE: KOVALENKOV PETR; ARC DE TRIOMPHE: TOMAS GRIGER

A

the most part, people in 2016 get it.

Still, sometimes they don’t.

So with Jason, and with every other guy we’ve met on this trip, I have to constantly come out as positive, and those first seconds after I send the message, I wait; waiting for them to reject me. Sometimes they are positive, too. Sometimes they are on PrEP, or they say, “It’s OK. You’re undetectable, right?“ And sometimes they just don’t reply. Ever.

“That guy sounds like a fucking idiot,“ Alex said.

“What did you say to him?“ “Not what I wanted to,“ I replied. “I tried to be tactful. Polite. I tried to ignore him. I didn’t want to be in a position where I had to defend myself for something I don’t feel I need to defend myself for.“ The decision to enter into a triad with Jon, or to sometimes open our relationship up, or to have sex as a group with other guys—it wasn’t based on some philosophical poly idea. We weren’t doing this because we believed in it. We were just being who we are.

lex and I made our way back to the apartment on the seventh floor. I went to the roof with my giant book, City on Fire, and a copy of Patti Smith’s Just Kids I had bought in Paris, and I took a bath, looking over the beauty of Barcelona, the sun sparkling a ruby-orange on the Mediterranean. I lay there, my eyes closed, the smell of jasmine bubble bath, and listened to a group of guys in the courtyard below us talk in Spanish.

I had stood, for a moment, looking over the edge of our private rooftop sanctuary, watching them. A group of friends, food and bottles of wine, laughing, talking. A community. Next to them, an old woman was hanging clothes on a line that stretched the length of her yard. Barcelona was alive. It was a city where people laughed and talked, cooked and played music. I could hear it all, and I let it wrap itself around me like a protective blanket, safe and warm and gorgeous.

I cried a little in that bathtub, reading the foreword to Just Kids, as Smith recounts the moments when she received the call telling her that friend Robert Mapplethorpe had finally died of AIDS-related complications.

Alex came up and lay on the bed, watching me bathe. He made me stand up, show him my ass. He kissed each cheek, his finger playing with me, licking me. Alex always knows how to make me feel special. Wanted. He always knows when I need to be reminded.

After my bath, I took a shower on the roof, naked, for all the world to see.

“Baby!“ Alex exclaimed. “Everyone can see your nakedness!“ He was laughing.

“I don’t care! This is Spain! No one cares!“ I said.

I agreed to make the long hike downstairs to let Jason in.

He was at the door, his skateboard under his arm, wearing a sleeveless black T-shirt and shorts.

He was a little taller than me, broad and muscular, dark golden eyes, solidly muscular legs. We said hi and I leaned in to kiss him. I wanted to stay inside that kiss, linger there, but I pulled away. Upstairs was where I wanted to be, with Alex.

“It’s a long way up,“ I said, telling the truth.

I wanted him to walk ahead of me. I wanted to watch him, watch those legs and that ass. But as the host, I was the one to lead the way, and all I could do was hope my legs and ass were representing.

Knowing my legs and ass, I’m sure they were.

One of the things I wish I’d told that guy at the Eagle was that I don’t lie. Not anymore. About who I am, about what I am, about the choices I make, about the ways I want to live my life. I used to believe

that monogamy was the point. That sacrifice and concession were the cornerstones to inspiration and growth. But I don’t think I believe that anymore. Now I think that maybe love is the point. Allowing love in.

Allowing it to grow. Experiencing love with as many people and as often as possible. Alex and I, and Jon and I—the three of us—we have been through a lot together. We have grown and fought and burned and expanded together. We have formed something.

Something perfect and imperfect, something that is ours. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want a first date ever again, or that first kiss, or to hold someone’s hand or look in their eyes; those first times they enter me or I enter them. These things, I am incapable of giving them up. I like kissing boys. I like loving them.

I like the feelings that arise and expand in me as I get to know them.

That is who I am. That isn’t to say that sacrifice, that monogamy and that building a lasting love with only one person is wrong. It just isn’t who I am. And I refuse to lie about who I am anymore. I refuse to cheat on those I love.

Upstairs we sat on the couch and talked.

Jason was from Norway, but originally he was from Columbia. He had spent the first 16 years of his life living in an orphanage in a small Columbian village.

One day a wealthy couple showed up and adopted five boys and took them back to Norway. Jason, 26, spent the rest of his adolescence and the earliest part of his 20s in Northern Europe. He went to college and started his own business. It was like a movie, a fairy tale. The kind of story that makes you feel maybe sometimes things in the world do work out.

It was one of those fucks that has replayed in my head over and over again. It was one of those fucks that goes down as, “Goddamn, that was crazy fucking hot.“ Afterward, we lay in bed; I was between them, and we made out, and touched, and talked. I’m not even sure what we talked about. I remember showing him pictures of Jon. We all agreed it would be fun if he came to L.A. for a few weeks and spent some time with all of us. Sometimes we meet guys like that. The kind of guy who we could spend some time with.

It’s always been one of our favorite games: “Could that one be the fourth?“ I think we all agree that we’d like to find a fourth guy to hang out with, maybe travel a little with. A romantic buddy. But none of us want to move a fourth in. Living in a three-bedroom house with two guest houses feels too crowded sometimes.

We agreed, on a practical level, that a permanent fourth isn’t what we want. But weekend buddies, or sexy buddies in Barcelona—who the fuck wouldn’t want that? Honestly, I never wanted a third, so I guess you never know.

MAY 25, 2016

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The roof of the nave in Sagrada Família; (opposite page, clockwise from top left) Madame Jasmine; the rooftops of Barcelona; La Ká

W

e decided to get dinner at Mosquito, an Asian tapas-style restaurant Louis and Ben had suggested, known for their dumplings. It was just across the street from our apartment. The line to get in was long, even at 9:30. The environment was lively and loud, packed with what seemed to be mostly locals. We shared the steamed pork dumplings and the crispy duck (seriously out of this fucking world), a variety of different Asian-influenced tapas, followed by an amazing pho.

The menu didn’t have an English version, which in my opinion usually means more authenticity, but our waiter spoke perfect English and helped us pick.

We met Ben and Louis outside Alsur Café.

The street was busy. Slightly shady-looking men approached us, selling cans of beer for a euro. People sat in the many squares and tiny parks. The night was beginning in Barcelona. The air was warm and fragrant with the smell of cooking meats and perfumed flowers; the smells of a city— piss and flowers and food—that always feel familiar to me. Any city. All cities. It smelled like home.

They were taking us to a monthly party called La Ká, at Plataforma Club in the El Poblesec section of Barcelona. It was about a 15-minute walk.

On the way, we stopped at a bar called Madame Jasmine in the Raval. It was a small bar decorated with an eclectic style, with a premium placed on color and the strange. Men in goth drag and glamorously fashioned women shared tables with lumberjack hipsters and fae boys and girls dressed beyond androgyny. The bar was crowded. The bartender—the characterization of a bitchy little queen who was quick to slap your hand and ignore you one minute, followed by coquettish flirting—bought us drinks on the house. None of us could figure out why. It was hard to tell if he hated us or loved us. The music was just as strange: Bowie and Bauhaus and Kesha and Gaga, followed by Spanish pop, followed by crooning jazz. That bar had no context. That bar was fucking amazing.

Near Madame Jasmine was the famous El Gato del Raval, a large sculpture of a cat by Fernando Botero. This cat has a look on his face of pure amusement as he watches the strange pedestrians of the Raval walking past.

Walking through El Poble-sec, I imagined myself taking an apartment in the charming but lively residential area. Bars and cafés and tree-lined streets.

Groups walked along the street, animated, laughing, the night alive with a sense of energy and possibility.

La Ká was definitely the party to be at. The club was packed, full of a wide mix of guys: drag queens and hipsters, twinks and bears and muscle daddies; and there were a few straight couples and plenty of girls. Everyone was dancing and laughing. There was no sense of separation. La Ká was welcoming to all.

People were here to party, and they fucking partied.

A sense of fun and camaraderie infiltrated the whole experience at La Ká. A Spanish pop song would come on, and suddenly the room was cheering and 50

FRONTIERSMEDIA.COM

dancing, everyone moving together, closer to each other, flirting and laughing.

Ben, Louis, Alex and I talked about living an expat life in Europe, and about Barcelona. We talked about L.A., and what it would mean for them to move there.

For some reason, being HIV-positive came up, and I told them what the guy at the Eagle had said to me.

“How long have you been positive?“ Ben asked.

“I always say I’m lucky. It happened in 2013,“ I said. “A perfect storm with a fuckbuddy of mine. But if it was going to happen, that was the perfect time.

A lot of guys are on PrEP, or at least well-educated.

The meds work really well. You could almost forget it was there.“ I paused, looking around the large open room at the partiers. The bartender was a gorgeous, muscled

Spaniard who kept checking Alex and I out.

“Almost. You know, the day I found out... I can’t explain it. Something changed in me. Suddenly I realized, oh yeah, that ... that can happen. Anything can happen. This…“ I waved my arm around the room, “…this isn’t going to last forever.“ A new song came on, and Ben and Louis went to dance. I ordered Alex another beer, and the bartender introduced himself. His name was Mohamed.

He was Syrian. He had beautiful eyes and black curly hair. He gave me the beer on the house, along with his phone number and a plan to meet before we left Barcelona.

On our way home, we stopped for donair. I took a bath while Alex lay on the large outdoor couch and watched the lights of the city.

T

he next morning I made my way out to get coffees and empanadas at La Fabrica. While walking the quiet morning street, sunlight filtering through green-leaved trees, I texted Mohamed. He sent us pictures of his ass and a selfie of him lying in bed, his eyes heavy and beautiful. We made plans to meet later in the day.

Alex and I planned to go to the Basilica de la Sagrada Família. I had bought tickets online a few days before. There’s no way to explain the outrageous magnificence of this place. It’s a huge, spiraling, gorgeous monstrosity. We spent four hours just walking and looking, experiencing the kind of awe that can

only be brought about by pure genius.

Inside the Basilica, life became a circus of beauty and magic and absurdity. You could almost feel the denial of the banal, the refusal to accept anything that wasn’t perfect. Every line, every corner, every stone and colored glass was chosen for its ideology, each aspect of the structure glorified and deified.

Mohamed lived just a few blocks away from the Sagrada Família, so we decided to stop by. He greeted us in grey shorts and a white T-shirt, his feet bare.

Thick, dark hair covered his muscular legs. He was so handsome that it was breathtaking. He kissed both of us, his mouth tasting of coffee and something spicy. His apartment was light and open, with large windows looking over the Basilica.

We fucked him bent over his couch, taking turns on him, and then, after, he made us hummus and pita and told us a story about escaping Syria just before the war, the long journey through Turkey, hiding, afraid, until he arrived in Spain. His family was still in Syria.

“Why did you leave?“ I asked, knowing it was probably a stupid question.

“My brothers found me with a boy,“ he said. “It wasn’t safe.“ “What happened to the boy?“ Alex asked.

Mohamed looked away, took out a cigarette, offered us one. We declined. “How do you like Barcelona?“ he asked, ignoring Alex’s question.

W

e had plans to go to dinner with two out of three guys who were also in a triad.

They had read an article I wrote, and we communicated through email and Facebook, becoming friends.

We met Carlos and Andreu at Plaça Sant Jaume near where we were staying, at the center of the old city. A rally in support of refugees was happening.

Men and women, dressed in conservative Muslim outfits, chanted, “We are not them. We are not them.“ They had signs denouncing terrorism and showing support for Paris.

We moved slowly through the group, a mix of Arabs and Spaniards, young and old, all coming together to mourn something terrible: acts of terror and cowardice.

We saw a strange demon man figurine in a store window; he was in the act of taking a shit. After a moment we realized that there were many different figurines in the store, all in the act of defecating.

Andreu told us the story of the Caganer. It’s a defecating figurine that is included in the nativity scene throughout Catalonia. The name literally means “the shitter.“ He told us that a popular Christmas game is to hide the shitter on Christmas for the children to find. The custom had grown to be almost like the tradition of little kids searching for Easter eggs, only somehow even better.

We bought Jon three different Caganer figurines: the demon, a cute blond princess and a Barack Obama shitter. These things were awesome. I feel like we need to adopt this Christmas tradition immediately!

(Left) Topography of Terror Museum; (right) Berlin at night; (below, from top) Berghain, Café Morgenland, WOOF Berlin

I’m still not exactly sure why there’s some dude taking a shit in the Catalonian Nativity scene, but hell, things like that are amazing.

We stopped in a small little square, Plaça Sant Felip Neri. There’s a beautiful church next to a schoolhouse. The square is quiet, with a romantic, otherworldly light filtering through. Andreu pointed out what looked like tears in the stone wall of the church.

He told us those were from bombs dropped by the fascists in 1938, killing 42 people, most of them children. The walls were never fixed, leaving a constant reminder of the horror brought about by fascism.

The restaurant we went to was Fàbrica Moritz.

It was a large, open, modern restaurant built around a brewery where they make an assortment of local beers. They serve a wide assortment of tapas and Catalan cuisine, specializing in seafood. We had an amazing salmon tartare and a grilled octopus. We had the salad with smoked anchovies, local tomatoes and a lemon sorbet. Alex and I split the wild boar terrine and the suckling pig.

We talked about their experiences coming together as a triad, and what it was like for Carlos, who was the equivalent of Jon, to join an already established relationship. I’m always surprised by the similarities—the amazement that this is happening, the falling in love, the jealousy and the early struggles, the shape love takes. That sudden moment when you realize, I can do this. I can love them both. I can be that person. We talked about that strange thing: watching the man you are in love with fall in love with someone else while you do the same. Those early moments of love, awkward and needy and insecure, so full of hope and passion; and sharing that intimacy with someone else, always being witnessed.

Andreu told us he and his partner would go for long walks and talk about Carlos; about what it meant to take this new person in; how it would affect them.

He shared all the initial rules they established early on.

Alex and I did the same. We would spend hours walking those weird Hollywood streets surrounding our house, talking about what we were doing. Could we do this?

Did we love Jon, and what would that mean to how we felt for each other? All the strange and arbitrary rules we set to maintain the stability of our relationship. The fights. The jealousy. The amazing sex and the bad sex.

It was nice to find other people who were doing what we were doing, trying to make love work.

A

fterwards we walked up to Alex’s favorite bar in Barcelona, Bacon Bear Bar. The crowd was sexy and friendly and welcoming. We met a Russian guy who was in town for work. He was married with a kid. He was only “gay“ when he left home.

“It must be a secret where I live,“ he said, his accent thick. He was tall with dark black hair and cold, blue eyes. He looked like he was in his mid-20s.

“That’s sad,“ I said, not really thinking it through.

“It is not sad!“ he said. “I get everything. The best of all worlds!“ He said it with conviction born of desperation. Or so I imagined. It was obvious he wanted to fuck, but I couldn’t get past how sad I thought it was. I can be like that. I’ve never been the guy who wants to fuck the cheating married-to-a-woman guy or the closeted guy. I never really want to fuck cheaters.

The Russian got so drunk he couldn’t stand. He had to lean against the wall. All night he had walked around, telling the story of his wife and kid to whoever would listen, smiling that sexy smile, with those strong hands, but still to only end up drunk, leaning against a wall, alone.

Jason, our sexy Columbian, sent us a text, wishing us a safe trip to Madrid the following day. He said, “I wish I could give you both one last kiss goodbye, but we will all be together soon. And with your sexy Jon, too! I look forward to that day very much.“ Back at our apartment, I sat in the tub on the roof while Alex went for a last walk. The night was warm. A breeze blew the smells of the sea. I could hear music and laughter from the street below. Even at 3 a.m. on a Wednesday, Barcelona was full of life. All around me the world seemed full of possibility. It occurred

to me that this was who I wanted to be. This person.

Right there, in a bathtub on a rooftop in a foreign country. Rarely do those moments come—moments when you really and truly realize how happy you are.

So much of life tries to conspire against them, to tear them down, but the truth sometimes shines through.

We are lucky. All of us.

My mother’s best friend, David—one of the sexiest men I’d ever known, and probably the first guy I’d ever jerked off to—had died from AIDS in the late ’80s. He had gone from a beautiful, healthy, full-of-life man to 110 pounds, wasting away to nothingness. I remember my mother crying. We were at lunch after his funeral. At first I thought she was crying because she was sad, but then I realized it was fury. She was furious at this thing that had killed her friend. In a few months, we would be attending more funerals. There would come a point where she and I would fight. I didn’t want to go to anymore funerals. I was young, 17. The devastation felt too devastating.

In that tub in Barcelona, I thought about all those men—men my mother had loved, men I had loved, men who had taken us to lunch and to the museum, men who babysat my brother and I, telling us wild and inappropriate stories of Fire Island and the parties they went to all over Manhattan. Brilliant men who encouraged me to write, to be something I could be proud of. I thought about all that life. All those lives lived as big as possible.

What I wish I had said to that man at the Eagle is this: This is my life. And I will live it as big as possible with as much love as possible. I will fuck the world if I can. I will love the world. I will be as big and as bright as I can be. Because I’m still here. Alive. Because this is who I am, and I fucking like who I am.

Pick up our next issue for the final installment of Our Poly Honeymoon, in which the guys go to Madrid Jeff Leavell is a writer living in Hollywood with his husband and boyfriend, their three cats and dog Paco.

Find him online at jeffleavell.com.

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(Clockwise from top left) Sitges, Curaรงao, St. Petersburg, Berlin, Amsterdam, Honolulu

PRIDE SEASON PREVIEW 2016 TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

May 29 - June 4 The largest LGBT event in the Middle East, last year’s theme “Tel Aviv Loves All Genders” focused on trans equality and brought out more than 180,000 attendees. In a city where gay life is everywhere—gay men throughout Israel typically make their way to the big city of Tel Aviv—Pride is a joyous celebration in which the entire community joins in. From dancing in the streets to parades leading to the beach, Tel Aviv Pride is a wild good time, full of eye candy. gaytelaviv.atraf.com

SITGES, SPAIN

June 16-20 A 40-minute train ride south from Barcelona, Sitges is a popular gay destination that was once an enclave for artists like Picasso. Now it welcomes an international gay community all year round, especially for Pride.

This is Sitges’ seventh celebration, and it’ll feature live performances, DJs and early evening T-dances every evening on the seafront promenade. Just book your hotel room early, because accommodations are hard to find during Pride. Our recommendation is Avenida Sofia Hotel, just around the corner from the gay beach. With a spa, rooftop pool and bar, its stylish rooms have contemporary décor, and some offer fabulous sea views. gaysitgespride.com

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

June 24-26 One month after the 1969 Stonewall Riots, a “Gay Power” demonstration was held in Washington Square Park followed by a candlelight vigil. The annual NYC Pride Rally, held Friday, carries on that tradition.

Also part of NYC Pride are Saturday’s VIP Rooftop Party and ladies’ party Teaze, circuit party Graffiti and the 30th annual Dance on the Pier, which in the past has seen performances by Ariana Grande, Cher and Demi Lovato. nycpride.org

Ready or not, Pride season is around the corner, and while we’re lucky enough to have one of the world’s best in our backyard (pick up our next issue for extensive coverage of L.A. Pride, taking place June 10-12 in West Hollywood), there are some wonderful parades and festivals spanning the globe this year. It’s time to renew your passport, as these 10 around-the-world celebrations are definitely worth the trip.

By Alex Kacala

TORONTO, CANADA

June 24 - July 3 Toronto’s Pride Parade has a glorious 35-year history, and we’re loving this year’s theme, “You Can Sit With Us.” One of the largest celebrations in the world, with an estimated attendance of over 1 million people, it includes a three-day street festival, Trans Pride, a Dyke March and, of course, a parade. Closing Pride on Sunday is the annual Treehouse Party, “a truly epic outdoor dance fantasy.” pridetoronto.com

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA

June 24-26 A vibrant festival featuring art, music and performances of all kinds, St. Pete Pride is Florida’s largest. Highlights include the parade—which runs right through the heart of the gayborhood, St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District, and begins at sunset on Saturday—and the SP2 Concert, a fundraiser for various local orgs featuring local singers and bands. stpetepride.com

BERLIN, GERMANY

July 22 to July 24 Known by locals as CSD Berlin (Christopher Street Day), and by the rest of us as Gay Pride Berlin, as in many cities the festivities are now spread over a week and offer around 200 events. Berlin’s celebration is one of the most eclectic in Europe, with events that include performances, exhibitions, lectures, films, concerts and plenty of partying. csd-berlin.de

AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND

July 23 - Aug. 7 It’s one of the most unique Pride events in the world— with circuit parties, street parties and the world’s only gay Canal Parade (where the floats actually float)— and this year Amsterdam hosts EuroPride 2016. Not to be missed: Pink Saturday at the Vondelpark, Pride’s kick-off with music, sports and more; and the Human Rights Concert at Dam Square, which brings out international acts. pride.amsterdam

CURAÇAO

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2 Unlike some of its neighboring isles, the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao has always been welcoming to the LGBT community. Back in 2013, a group of gay professionals came together to form Curaçao Gay Pride. Now, the week-long celebration boasts tons of activities—a Pride Walk, ladies night, beach party and cabaret night among them. Try to book your stay at The Floris Suite Hotel (the week’s host hotel), which offers residence-style suites in a tranquil garden setting. curacaopride.com

HONOLULU, HAWAII

Oct. 22 What better place could there be to celebrate Pride than the land of rainbows, where the battle for marriage equality first gained momentum? In addition to several events held during National Pride Month in June (celebrations include a family picnic and film screenings), October sees a festival and float-filled parade barrel through the streets of Waikiki. Many of the island’s gay bars, restaurants and hotels also host special events and parties. hawaiilgbtlegacyfoundation.com

PALM SPRINGS, CALIF.

Nov. 1-6 One of the year’s later Pride celebrations (timed so festival-goers don’t die of heat exhaustion), Palm Springs will kick things off with a Friday night party featuring cocktails and eats from local restaurants.

The festival will take place Saturday and Sunday— free to the public and nestled among the gay bars of Arenas Road—while the parade will march down Palm Canyon Drive at 10 a.m. on Sunday. This year’s performers haven’t been announced yet, but last year saw Steed Lord, Amanda Lepore and Wrabel take the stage. pspride.org

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Adore Delano

Drag’s most recognizable faces (plus a few not-so-familiar ones) reign supreme in Magnus Hastings’ new portrait book, out May 17. All hail.

By Mikey Rox

here are several themes running through photographer Magnus Hastings’ new coffee-table book, Why Drag?, a comprehensive, 200-plus-page collection of his years spent capturing those rare moments of serenity (and silence!) in a drag queen’s life, the most prominent of which include the promise of endless possibility and the allure of creative expression to break the rules. All of them.

As Boy George (who isn’t quite a drag queen himself but isn’t not one, either) alludes in the book’s foreword, drag is about the art of performance, the joy of entertaining and, perhaps most importantly, the transformative journey from self-exploration to self-confidence to, finally, self-acceptance. Because before drag pioneer RuPaul sashayed her way into mainstream media and blazed a trail for all those who came after her, queens didn’t always have it easy.

“Drag queens were freaks,” says Columbus, Ohio, queen Nina West, who shines as a camp Viking on a construction site for her shot in Magnus’ opus. “They were outcasts who didn’t seem to belong anywhere. I didn’t understand them, their points of view or their relevance to the gay community. Admittedly, I was ignorant.”

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From top: Alaska Thunderfuck, Naomi Smalls, Detox Opposite page: From Shane Jenek into Courtney Act

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As are many people, even some modern-day gays, despite more than 60 years of drag in the American consciousness, beginning with 1953’s universally panned cult film Glen or Glenda, written by, directed by and starring Ed Wood. (Upstairs, a 1937 Polish film, is regarded as the first-ever drag queen-style movie, but you’d be hard-pressed to find anybody who’s seen it.)

Thus, Hastings, who was born in the United Kingdom but now calls Los Angeles home, set out to further expose the counterculture phenomenon a late, great Divine made more visible from the 1960s to ’80s through prolific imagery. After a successful 2014 New York City exhibition of select drag queen portraits, the idea of an all-encompassing book was born, and over the next two years Hastings would travel the country documenting in fast flashes the world’s most colorful profession.

“I wanted to take people on a journey into Wonderland as seen through my eyes and share something I think is truly special,” he says. “I wanted to open people’s eyes to what is a true art form and make them see things they didn’t expect from drag, and break preconceived ideas.”

It’s also worth noting that Why Drag? comes at a crossroads in our cultural identity where genderfluidity and transgenderism is a hot topic—and a perplexing one for many.

“We see the trans community being focused on, and for many people they get very confused between the two—well, that, along with transvestism,” admits Hastings, who dabbled in drag as a child much to his mother’s chagrin. “This is a clearly defined book of drag that hopefully will, in a way, simplify and give people a clear understanding of

what drag is. I mean, I have been asked a few times if Caitlyn Jenner is in my book.”

Jenner, of course, is not in the book—because she’s transgender, not a drag queen. (Google is a great resource is you still don’t know the difference.)

But you will find on its pages the likes of Bianca Del Rio, Lady Bunny, Courtney Act, Jackie Beat, Adore Delano, Jinkx Monsoon, Detox and Sharon Needles, among a court of other queens who were photographed in NYC, San Francisco and Los Angeles—the latter of which has emerged, coincidentally and appropriately, with a split personality of its own.

“The L.A. drag scene is kind of divided in two,” Hastings says. “You have West Hollywood’s polished, commercial drag, where a lot of the Drag Race queens live and work, and it has a more traditional slant though still with an L.A. savvy, and then there’s Downtown L.A., which is getting bigger and bigger. Lots of San Francisco queens seem to be moving into DTLA, but it’s an edgier scene spearheaded by the Boulet Brothers, who are very good at integrating the two. You have the crazy art queens mixed up with the more traditional. It’s a very exciting scene that is evolving fast.”

Which could prove beneficial for LGBT-owned businesses, as it were. “As much as Grindr and Scruff have destroyed the bar scene, drag is saving it,” says Hastings.

While that remains to be seen, at least he can provide a definite answer to the question his book poses—why drag?

Nearly 150 subjects answered that question while shooting with Hastings, but Puerto Rican queen April Carrion sums it up best: “Because drag is EVERY-FUCKING-THING!”

Why Drag?

By Magnus Hastings 224 pp., $50 (Chronicle Books) Available May 17

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THE WORLD OF BILLY MASTERS From left: Sinéad O’Connor, Arsenio Hall, John Barrowman with Scott Gill, Colton Haynes, Caitlyn Jenner, Channing Tatum

SHOULD WE FEEL BAD FOR COLTON HAYNES? CAITLYN TAKES IT OFF, SINÉAD LETS ARSENIO HAVE IT, MORE SIN COMES TO SIN CITY

Caitlyn Stripped Bare Then there’s that other “hero,” Caitlyn Jenner.

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upcoming Sports Illustrated. What is it about those Kardashians? They’re constantly photographed naked at the drop of a hat, so whatever you do, don’t drop a hat! When it comes to Caitlyn’s spread, I have one simple question, without malice: does anybody really wanna see that? Take the trans issue out of the equation and just consider her a female sports legend. A 66-year-old female sports legend. Then ask yourself, are SI readers clamoring to see nude photos of Martina Navratilova?

because it’s fun. I’m sure there will be lots of crazy cameos,” Tatum said. He then introduced us to the guys, who are quite hot indeed. As Channing says, “If you build it, they’ll come.” You may, too, when seeing the video on my site.

Arsenio v. Sinead The most effective way for celebrities to deal with rumors is to ignore them. Then there’s Arsenio Hall. Shortly after Prince’s death, Sinéad O’Connor posted this on Facebook: “Two words for the DEA investigating where Prince got his drugs over the decades...Arsenio Hall (AKA Prince’s and Eddie Murphy’s bitch).” The post was deleted, but Hall is not having it. He sued for damages of $5 million and calls O’Connor “an attention seeker.” If you ask me, the one drawing attention to this story is Hall.

O’Connor responded, “I’m more amused than I’ve ever dreamed a person could be and look forward very much to how hilarious it will be watching him try to prove me wrong...I do not like drugs killing musicians. And I do not like Arsenio Hall. He can suck my dick. That is if he isn’t too busy sucking someone else’s dick.” Yowza!

Ask Billy: Hot Time in a Hot Tub Hundreds of you have been writing me asking the same question. Since Jim in Orlando wrote first, he’s got our “Ask Billy” question: “Everyone is talking about John Barrowman’s hot husband Scott Gill showing all on a video, but by the time I went to see it, it was gone. HELP!” With a penis that large, cutting it out would leave a huge gap in the video, although we hear it fills a huge gap elsewhere. Here’s the story: Barrowman was doing a live video chat from his hot tub in Palm Springs, and Gill walked into the background completely naked and—dare I say— somewhat fluffed. Personally, I think it was planned.

Anyhoo, Barrowman feigned shock, Gill jumped in the water, and we never saw the penis again (though Barrowman did get him to jump up so people could see his “arse”).

Barrowman said, “I have to be careful or he’ll stand up and wangadangdang,” which I suppose is the technical word for it. But those of us swift of action managed to snag the full video, and you can see every inch of its impressive glory on my site.

More Sin in Sin City Channing Tatum made a special announcement: Magic Mike Live! will hit the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sin City next March. “We want to change what male entertainment has been for years,” he says, being cagey about the details. “It’s definitely things you’ve never seen before, I can promise you that,” he went on. Tatum is co-directing the show, but he’s not planning on being onstage—at least not initially.

“If I’m even in shape enough to actually do the show again, I will absolutely step onstage, just

When Sinéad has bigger balls than Arsenio, it’s definitely time to end yet another column.

This could be a first—the first time we’ve seen the penises of both guys in a relationship—at least where both guys aren’t in gay porn. You can see them on BillyMasters.com, the site where you can get your wang dang doodle all night long. If you have a question, send it along to Billy@BillyMasters. com, and I promise to get back to you before Colton gets cast in Magic Mike Live. So, until next time, remember, one man’s filth is another man’s bible.

PHOTO CREDIT TK

A Secret No Longer Some stories don’t arouse my sympathies. They typically involve people who I perceive as having a myriad of benefits but who want us to feel sorry for them. Last week, hot young actor/model Colton Haynes officially came out. He grew up in Kansas, first gained notoriety as a model, then as an actor on two successful TV shows—Teen Wolf and Arrow.

All the while, he amassed a throng of followers on social media, attracted no doubt by his frequent selfies in various forms of undress.

Speculation about his orientation was rampant, but he never confirmed it; he also didn’t deny it. But there were two clearly divergent images of Haynes: the person who had lawyers threaten websites for posting photos from his explicit, homoerotic XY spread, and the person who posted about his openly gay brother, who has a child with his hubby.

Last January, gay stories about Haynes picked up steam after a fan posted the following on Tumblr: “When I found out Colton Haynes had a secret gay past, I got so excited even though I know it makes absolutely no difference in my life.” Haynes responded, “Was it a secret?” After that, he didn’t say much.

Haynes now admits he voluntarily committed himself to a hospital. “I’ve had terminal anxiety my entire life. Physically ill, fainting. I’m 27 years old and I have an ulcer. I had to step back.” We are not talking about someone new to Hollywood; he’s lived in L.A. since 2006! Now, a decade later, he’s given an interview to EW—a curious choice for a coming-out story. In it, Haynes talks about how he’s been plagued with anxiety about people finding out his “secret,” and how the pressure was so great that he asked to be written off Arrow. My hunch is most people will laud him as some sort of gay hero, primarily because he’s hot. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

PALM SPRINGS

TY HERNDON ON WHAT MATTERS MOST Before the country star makes his way to the desert, he chats up his new material and how life has changed since coming out to fans By James F. Mills

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TY HERNDON Copa Nightclub May 14 copapalmsprings.com

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ack in 1995, singer Ty Herndon made history when his debut track “What Mattered Most” broke records as country radio’s most added freshman single in a week’s time. That song became the first in a string of hits that includes “Living in a Moment,” “It Must Be Love” and “A Man Holding On (to a Woman Letting Go).”

In November 2014, Herndon again made history when he became the first male country music superstar to publicly come out as gay. While the 54-year-old Herndon’s homosexuality was an open secret in Nashville, he felt it was important to let his fans in on the secret.

“I wanted to be as authentic as possible,” Herndon says. “I was out to my family and friends and the industry, but for the die-hard country fans who had been following me for 15 years, what they read, they believed. I wanted them to know the truth.”

He knew it was potential career suicide, because country music doesn’t have a reputation for being supportive of gay artists. But to his delight, the fans have been fairly accepting of the news. A week after his announcement, he played a sold-out show where many of his old fans cheered him on, and many new LGBT fans were in the audience, too. Since then, he has continued to play bars, fairs and honky tonks around the country, but he’s also added Pride festivals and gay clubs to his touring schedule. He performed at last year’s L.A. Pride, and a recent show at Oil Can Harry’s in Studio City was a sellout.

How has life been in the 18 months since his big announcement?

“It’s been amazingly challenging, amazingly supportive and amazingly creative,” says the Alabama native. “I was glad to get that out there. I wasn’t sure I would still have a career in country music. I knew I would have a career in music, but I didn’t know where I was going to land. I was pretty insistent to stay in country. I’m glad I did.”

Come the end of June, he’ll find out how accepting country fans are of him as an openly gay singer when he releases his first new single since the announcement: “Sweet Way to Go,” a song written for his partner of seven years, Matt Collum. Then

in July, his new album, House on Fire, comes out, followed in November by a book of the same name.

Palm Springs fans will get an early taste of the new album when Herndon plays songs from House on Fire—as well as the hits—at a show on Saturday, May 14 at the Copa Nightclub.

Even though he’s out, don’t expect him to sing to “he” instead of “she,” he says.

“The new album is non-gender, which was created on purpose. You won’t hear a ‘he’ or a ‘she’ on this whole album. It’s created for whoever you are, to listen to and put your own life into the music,” says Herndon, who divides his time between homes in Nashville and Kansas City, where Collum lives. “As for the old songs, I’m not going to change the way a song was written, the way it was a #1 record, so those are still ‘she.’ I had a hit single, ‘She Wants to Be Wanted.’ Sometimes if I’m being silly onstage, I’ll sing the second chorus ‘He wants to be wanted,’ and the crowd gets a kick out of it.”

Herndon has been upfront about his drug and alcohol addiction but has no problem performing in bars and casinos.

“Like anybody in recovery, I’ve had a history of victory and a few relapses,” he says. “I’ve been able to stand on some good, strong, sober legs for a long time. People love to drink and party in casinos, but I can party just as hard with a Diet Dr. Pepper.”

If Herndon’s coming out sounds similar to the storyline on the ABC nighttime soap opera Nashville, where gay country singer Will Lexington, played by Chris Carmack, has recently come out, that’s no coincidence. Herndon is friends with many people involved with Nashville, and they have consulted him on plot details.

“From getting a beer bottle thrown at me to having been kicked off my label, to being asked to sign with a label that primarily deals with gay artists, they’re treating it so well, and the authenticity of it is very, very true. Their big storyline right now is getting country radio to play an openly gay artist. It’s a hot topic, especially for a guy like me who’s about to release a country single, so we’ll see how that plays out on-screen and in real life.”

PALM SPRINGS Thu. | May 12 FILM NOIR FESTIVAL Camelot Theater

Fri. | May 27 AMY AND FREDDY Copa Room

A dozen film noir classics including Rita Hayworth in 1946’s Gilda and Marilyn Monroe in 1953’s Niagara screen during the four-day festival. arthurlyonsfilmnoir.ning.com

Music-comedy duo Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen return for a weekend of outrageous shows. copapalmsprings.com

Sat. | May 14 ELVIS TRIBUTE Purple Room

Elvis im p e r s o nato r ex tra o rdinaire Scott Bruce is sure to make you think The King is still alive. purpleroompalmsprings.com

Wed. | June 1 QUEEN OF THE DESERT CONTEST Renaissance Hotel

This drag contest benefits the Desert AIDS Project. desertaidsproject.org

Wed. | May 18 THE PRODUCERS Camelot Theatre

Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel star in director Mel Brooks’ outrageous 1967 comedy, screening at 8 p.m. as part of the Classic Hollywood Film series. camelottheatres.com Sat. | May 21 FULL MOON CELEBRATION Ace Hotel and Swim Club

A drumming circle, dancers, music and card readers are all part of the monthly full moon festivities, starting at 7 p.m. acehotel.com/palmsprings

HARVEY MILK DIVERSITY BREAKFAST Palm Springs Convention Center May 20 pspride.org

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS NOW IN ITS FIFTH YEAR, the annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast on Friday, May 20, has grown from a fairly small affair discussing the history of gay rights to a large event that not only has speakers discussing the future of the LGBT movement but also features singers and entertainment.

This year’s breakfast, held for the first time at the Palm Springs Convention Center, is expected to draw more than 650 people—an astonishing number for a morning event.

“The breakfast time slot is unique in the event gala landscape in Palm Springs,” says Ron deHarte, president of Greater Palm Springs Pride, one of the event’s organizers. “It also helps us attract civic and business leaders who are more inclined to attend a daytime work function over an evening event. The combination of honoring the memory of Harvey Milk, raising awareness of social justice issues and coalitionbuilding results in a memorable experience for attendees.” —J.F.M.

May 20 Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast @ PS Convention Center June 1 3rd Annual Queen of the Desert benefiting Desert Aids Project June 10-12 LA Pride 2016

MAKE PLANS NOW FOR THESE SIGNATURE PALM SPRINGS EVENTS:

June 21-27 Palm Springs International Short Fest July 15-17 San Diego Pride Sept. 22-25 Cinema Diverse Film Festival Oct. 21-23 Modernism Week “Fall Preview” Oct. 27-30 Palm Springs Leather Pride

GayDesertGuide.com

Oct. 28 Center Stage benefiting The Center Nov. 4-6 Palm Springs Pride (OUT PSP Kickoff Nov 4 )

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Surround yourself with inspiration

From live music and theater to family activities and hands-on courses, you’ll find your inspiration at the Getty.

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CONTACT: ADRIANA FERNANDEZ