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Dear Friends, 3700 N. Halsted St. #2 Chicago, IL 60613 773.975.0264 Editorial: boieditorial@aol.com Advertising: boiads@aol.com
EDITORIAL Mike Macharello: Production Rick Karlin: Editor layout & design Titanium Graphics, Inc. advertising CONTACTS Freddie: freddie@boiMAGazineChicago.com
Dave: dave@boiMAGazineChicago.com
photographerS Oliver Aguilar Eamonn Sexton Cover Model: Carlos Photo by: Iggy Munoz, Candymoon Photography
WELCOME TRAVELERS!
Welcome to the 2013 GLBT Travel Expo at the IGLTA’s 30th Annual Global Conference. This is the last leg of our national tour with recently completed shows in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, New York City and now Chicago. Our finale show will be the largest expo in our history and the most diverse group of exhibitors ever. The 2013 GLBT Travel Expo Tour is an exciting event where you can learn about new travel destinations, rediscover old ones, find GLBT friendly travel providers and get information to plan your next vacation. The expo represents the very best in global traveling opportunities available to the GLBT community. Companies from across the world will be here to tell you about special travel deals, unique and exotic destinations, hotels welcoming our community and airlines serving the world. All of these companies are reaching out to our community, so relax and discover the world with us! The geographic distribution of our participating exhibitors is remarkable. All corners of each continent are represented with a variety of services for all of us. It is a testimony to the advances made by travel and hospitality companies in serving the GLBT community that so many of them are here. Each aisle will bring you to a different part of the world. Explore them carefully keeping an open mind to the multitude of places to visit on earth. Each is a GLBT welcoming travel destination, offering a unique experience, a sight to behold.
contributors Gregg Shapiro, Ace Magyar, Harry Taint, Anita Taylor
Don’t forget to enter the 2013 GLBT Travel Expo free raffle. Prizes have been provided by Avis, Broadway in Chicago, Dignity Memorial, Made in 2010, Jonathan Gatz Fitness, O’Hare Midway Limo Service, Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel and Tourism Quebec.
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A special thanks to my great my team – Rob, Richard, Herb, Tim, Vincent and my loving husband Anthony.
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Enjoy this great show! Steve Levenberg , CEO Steven Levenberg Productions, LLC
IGLTA
IGLTA Meets in Chicago May 1-3 The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association is the world’s leading global travel network dedicated to connecting and educating GLBT travelers and the businesses that welcome and support them along the way. Each year IGLTA hosts an Annual Global Convention and each year the location changes countries. The convention, the largest and longest running of its kind, is being held in Chicago, as it celebrates its 30th Anniversary.
IGLTA, being held the same weekend as the GLBT Travel Expo, was founded in 1983 by gay and lesbian travel agents and now operates more than 2,000 member businesses in 80+ countries on all six inhabited continents. IGLTA represents GLBT and GLBT-friendly accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, and events, as well as the GLBT travel consumers they wish to serve.
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TRAVELING The days of thinking of the GLBT community as a monolithic group have faded. Marketing groups, such as Community Marketing, Inc. (CMI), of San Francisco, CA, now realize that the GLBT community comprises a “slice” of the world’s population, with markets for singles, couples and families in every ethnicity, age and gender. CMI conducts an annual GLBT tourism study and a combination of traditional urban activities scored well, but no specific urban activity far out rated others. San Francisco is most often mentioned as the GLBT-friendly destination, followed by New York, Chicago and Provincetown. With the increase in weddings in the GLBT community, there is also an increase in “honeymoon” travel. Forget Niagara Falls or honeymoon suites, an adrenaline-filled adventure tour is the trip of choice. Couples are looking to discover a new culture and experience world-class thrills, from action packed mountain biking trips through Nepal to thrilling surf tours, there are vacations to suit any couple’s interests and skill set. Culinary travel is also more popular than ever. Culinary tours may be as simple as a trip to California’s wine country or as exotic as a tour of Vietnam. Exotic destinations rule. Morocco, Nepal and other less-traveled destination offer a chance to explore areas unknown and unfamiliar. Beaches still top the list, whether it is discovering the unspoiled golden sand beaches of Nicaragua or a surf trip to Australia. What are the hottest vacation spots, what is new, what is popular? For that information, we checked with some of the leading tour operators catering to the GLBT community.
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It’s Vegas, Baby!
Vegas has always been one of the world’s top destinations for GLBT travelers and now it’s more fabulous than ever. Imagine an entire city rolling out the purple carpet for a 24/7 celebration of the GLBT community. From summer pool parties to exclusive club nights with world-renowned DJs, the electricity is nothing short of fabulous. You know Las Vegas as a city where anything can happen. Four days, eight DJs, 20 parties and more than 8,000 guys from all around the world - get your dance on, May 2427, at the Matinee Las Vegas Festival, the biggest gay dance festival of the summer When it comes to accommodations, the recently remodeled Blue Moon Resort is a clothing-optional hotel. The city’s first all-male gay resort has 45 luxury rooms and suites and a plethora of amenities.
Toronto Diver-City
Toronto pulses with liberating energy, passion and possibilities. Toronto’s gay community offers a world of arts, culture and vivacious nightlife, with a vibrant gay village at the city’s core. It all starts in the Village, home to Canada’s largest gay community, a predominantly gay neighborhood nestled amidst Toronto’s downtown core.
Centered at the intersection of Church and Wellesley Streets, the area is packed with gay-oriented businesses and an array of hot bars and nightspots. People-watching remains one of the most popular Village pastimes. On any given day, hot boys and hot girls fill Church Street with energy, passion and opportunity.
Provincetown
The GLBT community has always found its home in some of the most out of the way places. In the past, it was because we needed to hide “the love that dare not speak its name.” Now, as the GLBT community has become more mainstream (openly gay actors on the Disney Channel!), we no longer have to hide. Still, one of the gayest places on earth is at the, if not the end of the world, then at the end of Cape Cod, Provincetown, MA. Provincetown still has echoes of its fishing village roots, but now it is best known for the diversity of entertainment, dining, art galleries and quaint shops. It is one of the top five GLBT vacation destinations.
Let’s Cruise!
Gay and lesbian travelers have a bewildering number of cruising choices. Established gay travel companies such as Atlantis, R.S.V.P. and Olivia, charter entire ships from the major cruise lines to offer all-gay cruises several times a year. Still many GLBT travelers prefer to book mixed cruises. For them, the top five cruise lines for GLBT travelers are as follows
Celebrity This upscale cruise line gets very high marks among gay and lesbian passengers for its welcoming atmosphere. Many love the mix of passengers onboard. Luxury-seekers book Celebrity’s Concierge-Class suites to enjoy a menu of special amenities. Spa-lovers flock to the AquaClass staterooms for spa perks and exclusive access to the gourmet, healthy-dining Blu restaurant. Foodies love the choice of dining venues, including Qsine restaurant, offering multicultural comfort foods. GLBT travelers congregate in the Martini Bar or Michael’s Club and enjoy the mix of entertainment and shows performed in the evenings. Holland America Classic cruising aficionados and gourmands enjoy the fine dining and traditional atmosphere onboard Holland America. Norwegian Cruise Line Fun-loving, younger night owls and partying singles live it up on Norwegian. The cruise line that started an industry trend with its “Freestyle Cruising” (open seating, no set dinner times, relaxed dress codes, etc.) appeals to a broad range of gay and lesbian passengers today. Royal Caribbean International First-time gay cruisers and adventure enthusiasts flock to this fun-loving cruise line, which boasts some of the biggest ships at sea. Any Royal Caribbean cruise will likely include many gay and lesbian passengers, partly due to the sheer size of the line’s mega-ships. Princess Cruises GLBT couples looking for good value for the money, as well as exotic itineraries. With a gay-friendly crew and staff and the third-largest fleet of cruising ships, Princess includes just about every feature gay and lesbian travelers might look for in a relaxing vacation at a good price. boiMAG 11
Stay In CHICAGO Chicago residents rarely think about finding a place to stay in the neighborhoods, but for visitors to our fair city, there are a number conveniently located accommodations from boutique hotels to quaint B&Bs.
The Best Western Hawthorne Terrace, 3434 N. Broadway, has been lauded by no less than National Geographic as, “…one of the best hotels in Chicago.” From standard guest rooms to luxury suites with stylish, warm décor, all are equipped with free wireless high speed Internet access, flat panel TV, premium cable television, inroom refrigerators and microwave ovens, complimentary bottled water, daily newspaper delivery, with complimentary Continental breakfast and an on site fitness center. With the recent addition of 24 suites offering separate sitting areas, sofa beds, hardwood floors and luxury bathrooms equipped with whirlpool tubs, the Best Western Hawthorne offers downtown chic in the neighborhood, 773.244.3434, 888.860.3400, hawthorneterrace.com.
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You’ve walked past it a dozen times and always wondered what it looked like inside. Villa Toscana, 3447 N. Halsted, is an antiquefilled Victorian style bed and breakfast with Continental breakfast served each morning. 773.404.2416, thevillatoscana.com. Ashland Arms, 6410 N. Clark, is a guesthouse catering to the leather community, located near Touchè. Five themed rooms; (sports, dream, gear, bunk and leather), open up to a soft-loft great room featuring communal kitchen and dining and lounge. 312.498.9979, ashlandarms.com. House 5863, 5863 N. Glenwood, is not your typical B&B. You will find no Victorian decor or rockers on a scenic porch. This is an urban, hip center of contemporary comfort in the heart of Andersonville. Common areas are designed for casual living. The fully equipped kitchen offers Continental style breakfast. 773.728.5414, house5863.com. The Willows Hotel, 555 W. Surf, with 55 rooms, is reminiscent of a traditional European inn. While not exactly in the heart of Boystown, it is a short walk to all the bars and nightlife and the surprisingly affordable boutique accommodation is a 100% smoke-free environment. 888.779.1904, willowshotelchicago.com.
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TOUR CHICAGO Imagine gliding effortlessly along the lake front or through downtown streets while sightseeing and learning the history of Chicago led by friendly and professional tour guides. It’s not a dream, but a real possibility with Absolutely Chicago Segway tours. Capture memories with great photographs on a variety of tours. The lake front/ Museum Campus tour takes 2 to 2½ hours for the scenic seven-mile glide, traveling through the fragrant garden paths of Grant and Millennium Parks viewing Buckingham Fountain, Crown Fountain and “The Bean”. It includes the most popular Chicago tourist attractions along the Chicago lake front and the Museum Campus, home of the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, and the Adler Planetarium.
Chicago Gangster tours glide through the sinister side of Chicago to venture back through the decades to visit the speakeasies, hangouts, and crime scenes of some of Chicago’s most notorious mobsters; Al Capone, Sam Giancana, and Tony Accardo, among others. The Lincoln Park/Beach tour departs from Navy Pier to view some of Chicago’s incredible mansions and glide along Oak Street, Ohio, and North Avenue Beaches. The trip also includes a visit to Lincoln Park, home of the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Chicago History Museum.
On the Art & Architecture tour, learn facts about our city’s art, excellent architecture and architects. This tour also includes sightseeing in Grant and Millennium Parks, the homes of famous Chicago attractions, fountains, gardens, statues, and more. The Haunted Chicago Seaway tour is the first of its kind in Chicago. Guides escort riders to the most mysteriously haunted locations in downtown Chicago while relating the stories of Chicago’s haunted hotels, houses, ghosts, murders, and gruesome disasters.
For information on these and other tours, call 312.552.5100 or 877.866.0966 or check out chicagosegways.com.
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GLBT TRAVEL EXPO
EXHIBITORS
Friday, May 3rd, from 6:30pm-10:30pm Center on Halsted
Adventure Destinations AlandChuck Travel Air Berlin Atlanta CVB Avis Atlantic Hotel Barefoot Wines Banyan Tree Blue Flame Venture boiMAGazine Broadway in Chicago Chic Outlets Shopping Choose Chicago Curacao Tourism David Travel Delta Air Dept. of State Dignity Memorial
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adventuredestinations.com
alandchuck.travel.com airberlin.com gay-atlanta.net avisbudget.com atlantichotelfl.com barefootwine.com banyantree.com blueflameventures.ca boimagazinechicago.com
broadwayinchicago.com chicoutletshopping.com choosechicago.com curacao.com davidtravel.com delta.com
Embratur visitbrasil.com Eyes on Africa eyesonafrica.net Elixher elixher.com Florida Keys & Key West gaykeywestfl.com FunMaps funmaps.com Gay Games 9 gg9cle.com Greater Ft. Lauderdale CVB sunny.org Greater Miami CVB Miamiandbeaches.com Grab Magazine grabchicago.com Great Safaris greatsafaris.com Hilton Worldwide hilton.com/GoOut Hotel Lincoln hotellincolnchicago.com Hyatt Union Sq. NY unionsqhyatt.com IGLTA iglta.org Ikons Magazine ikonsmagazine.com ING Community Trust orangelaces.com JW Marriott Costa Rica marriott.com/sjojw Jonathan Gatz Fitness jonathangatzfitness.com Kokua Hospitality kokuahospitality.com MegaPersonalities Hersha Hospitality theindependentcollection.com Holiday Inn Buena Vist hiorlando.com Las Vegas CVA lasvegas.com Made in 2010 madein2010.com Marriott Resorts Hawaii marriotthawaii.com Nexus Holidays nexusholidays.com Out Adventures outadventures.com Out 2 Africa rhinoafrica.com Planet Dwellers planetdwellers.com Premium Outlets premiumoutlets.com Provincetown Business Guild ptown.org Provincetown Tourism Office provincetowntourism.org Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel radissonbluchicago.com RBC SK Travel Consulting outasiatravel.com Source Events sourceevents.com Sydney Mardi Gras mardigras.org.au St. Louis CVB explorestlouis.com St. Pete Pride stpetepride.com Tom on Tour tomontour.com TriValley Tourism visittrivalley.com Two Bunch Palms twobunchpalms.com Tam Travel tamcostarica.com The Grand Resort & Spa grandresort.net Toronto Tourism seetorontonow.com Travel Portland travelportland.com Vermont Gay Tourism vermontgaytourism.com Visit Hollywood visithollywood.com Visit Seattle visitseattle.org Wild Rainbow Safaris wildrainbowsafaris.com
Picking out swim trunks comes down to two things: how much beach fashion you can handle and how much you work out. If you’ve gotten comfortable with roomy board shorts, shopping for new swimwear is going to be an eye-opener. Hot new swimwear fashions for men are short, tight, colorful and very sexy. Longer-legged beach shorts and board shorts can still be found, of course; but the new trend is toward a narrow, body-hugging cut leg similar to bicycle shorts. The short-legged, body-hugging trunks making their debut for spring and summer are reminiscent of the 1980s and 1990s when Magnum P.I. and Baywatch ruled the small screen. European bikini briefs are also part of the 2013 swim scene. Bright colors, splashy prints, bold stripes and dynamic graphics cut across the gamut of men’s swimwear styles for 2013. Whichever of these styles you choose, you’re certain to make a splash at the pool or beach. The modern and shorter retro-inspired Paradiso Swim Short is made from super quick drying microfiber and features dual vibrant color popping contrasting trim on the front, back and sides, available at Cram.
Take a trip to the Big Island with this tropical Hawaiian printed swimsuit from Diesel at Cram Fashion. Designed with a summery palm tree pattern, this suit features a sexy short leg length, perfect for hours of under-the-sun fun.
MAKE A SPLASH! by Anita Taylor
Pistol Pete features the latest in men’s’ swimwear. Designer Pedro Diaz has always been inspired by European forward fashion trends, which is reflected in the single layered low rise Apollo swim trunk, shown here in navy from Egoist. boiMAG 21
Andrew Christian’s Velocity swim short, available at Cram, features contrasting dual lines on the left leg and back pocket. The back pocket is closed with Velcro for security, perfect for your cell phone, wallet & keys. This short is lined with quick drying polyester, which serves as comfortable support.
MAKE A SPLASH! A multi-colored low-rise swim trunk from Gigo, available at Egoist, features a special design pouch that gives your boys extra support and comfort. Body hugging stretch nylon accentuates all your best assets for a look that couldn’t be sexier when lying on the beach, playing in water or mingling at a pool party!
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Theater Scene by Gregg Shapiro
It’s Just a Stage The Chicago theater scene is legendary. Its impact continues to be felt well beyond the borders of the city going on to become successes on Broadway and around the world, after starting at many of Chicago’s illustrious theaters, including Steppenwolf Theater, Goodman Theater, Black Ensemble Theater and Lookingglass Theater, to name few.
Queer theater is a dominant force in Chicago with several GLBT theater companies creating memorable productions. Hell In A Handbag presents its Jeff Award-nominated “L’imitation of Life”, adapted by Ricky Graham of Running with Scissors Theater, at Mary’s Attic in Andersonville, through May 10. AstonRep Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of the Tony Award-nominated play “Next Fall” by Geoffrey Nauffts, through May 25 at The BoHo Theatre @ Heartland Studio. Edith Wharton and F. Scott Fitzgerald are the subject of “Tea With Edie & Fitz”
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by Adam Pasen, a world premiere, at The Greenhouse Theater Center, through June 6. Pride Films and Plays’ Gay Play Weekend runs May 17 to 19 at the Center on Halsted’s Hoover-Leppen Theater, and includes “Red Train” by B. V. Marshall (May 17), “Dancing in the Mirror” by Perry Ojeda (May 18), “Directions for Restoring The Apparently Dead” by Martin Casella (May 18), “Forbidden Glass” by Kirt Shineman (May 19) and “Sand Man” by G William Zorn (May 19).
About Face Theatre presents a remount of the popular Youth Ensemble production “What’s The T?” by Sara Kerastas and The About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble, May 19 through June 2, at the Prince Charitable Trusts Upstairs Loft at Victory Gardens Theater. Queer Renaissance man John Waters brings his “This Filthy World” show to the nice Harris Theater on May 21. Written by gay playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney (“The Brother/Sister Plays”), “Head of Passes” is at the Steppenwolf Theater through June 9th. The irreverent Tony winning musical “The Book of Mormon” continues through Sept. 8 at the Bank of America Theater.
THE LEGACY WALK Chicago by Gregg Shapiro Spotlight Chicago is the country’s only officially honored GLBT neighborhood. A series of 25’-tall decorative “Rainbow Pylons” , installed by the city, define the nexus of Chicago’s GLBT community. Now Chicago is proud to host the world’s only outdoor GLBT Museum, The Legacy Walk, a GLBT history exhibit spanning a half-mile on Halsted Street Corridor, between Belmont Avenue and Grace Street, in. Beginning with the inaugural dedication on National ComingOut Day in 2012, 18 bronze plaques offering a brief history of historically significant GLBT individuals were installed onto the pylons. Some of the plaques will commemorate significant events in GLBT history, but most will posthumously memorialize the lives and work of notable gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender individuals whose achievements have helped shape the world - but whose contributions, sexual orientation or gender identity have been overlooked, minimized or censored entirely from most historic texts.
“The Day of Silence” commemoration by high school GSA groups across the country, is a fully interactive web site, integrated into the Legacy Project database. Project Shout Out of Northwestern University and Illinois Safe Schools Alliance will use these guides to introduce the study of GLBT contributions to history to youth through the GSA network.
The Legacy Project of Chicago will hold its annual Spring Gala Luncheon on Friday, May 10 at the Palmer House In 2013, Phase II of the installation will Hilton. This year’s luncheon will include complete the full 34 available slots. To an elaborate room-size display of keep the exhibit dynamic, every year on bronze plaque mock-ups celebrating National Coming-Out Day new plaques the 36 candidates for Induction for will be added and older ones will be next October’s Phase II Dedication of rotated to the Legacy Walk Visitors the Legacy Walk. Aaron Jackson, coCenter (scheduled to open in the fall of founder of Planting Peace, who made 2014). international headlines for purchasing a home – directly across the street The Legacy Project, an adjunct program from virulently anti-gay Fred Phelps’s of The Legacy Walk, has created an Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, interactive educational experience Kansas – and painting it the colors quite unlike anything else in the of the Gay Rainbow Flag will be the teaching of GLBT history. The Legacy keynote speaker. Tickets are $125/VIP Project Education Initiative formally $225. For more information, go to launched on April 19, 2013 as part of legacyprojectchicago.org. boiMAG 29
In The Know
ON THE GO
Ch-ch-ch-changes
The new club in Cocktail’s old space will be called Progress Dave Sikora set to open late May early June… Sidetrack’s face lift of the original bar space (the big screen/ main bar) is looking fabulous after I got a sneak peak during CGMC’s “Big Package” auction… About Face Theatre Company has appointed Andrew Volkoff as its new artistic director. Volkoff, has served as associate artistic director of Barrington Stage Company in MA and Genesius Theatre Group in NYC… Diskotron at Circuit debuts on May 4 and will continue to bring the late night dance party back to Boystown... How’d you like to get punched at Man’s Country? Usually I prefer to be poked, but the bathhouse is doing a punch card system, pay for 10 and the next one is free… On Sundays I have two words to say to you, “Queen, Please!” at Metro… Hollywood Casino’s Reve will host “The Military Ball” dance party on May 17.
Run! Walk! Crawl?
Lace up your running shoes and get fit this spring while also supporting a good cause by registering for AIDS Foundation’s Team to End AIDS (T2)! T2 helps athletes at any level train and successfully complete a marathon, half marathon or triathlon. Participants are able to train at five different locations and fitness coaches work personally with all participants every step of the way to reach their personal goals and ultimately cross that finish line. Register today at T2EA.com/ chicago or call 312.725.8232… The Zombie Pub Crawl after party at Mary’s Attic was undead.
Travel Bits & Blurbs
One Mighty Weekend presents the return of the Reunion Pool Parties to the official host hotel, the Buena Vista Palace and Magic Journeys at Arabian Nights during Disney Gay Day Weekend! For more information, check out onemightyweekend.com. Just do the math. Disneyworld+gay=Fabulous…
Independence 2013! 4th of July Circuit Week in Provincetown, with four new pool parties and an Andrew Christian fashion show added to the line-up! Platinum pass ($115) members receive all seven club nights, entry Mother MAY I? in drawing for a free weekend getaway to This Sunday is Cinco de Mayo, or as I like to the Crown & Anchor waterfront suite for refer to it, Stinco de Mayo, ‘cause that’s what three nights, $20 Gift Certificate to Central happens after too many shots of tequila. If House restaurant at the Crown, free chaise you prefer a more refined celebration, stop lounge rental and towel service pool side in at Las Mañanitas for its celebration… A at the Crown & Anchor, $10 Gift Certificate Dirty Sanchez party at Boom Boom Room to SNIP salon, an Absolut Vodka beach bag on Cinco de Mayo!?!?!?. Queens are so witty! filled with giveaways from Absolut and Chris … CGMC’s salute to the Beatles, “All You Ryan Productions along with a choice of: Need Is Love” is at The Athenaeum Theatre, commemorative T-shirt. Flex Passes ($60) Friday and Saturday (with two shows) May 3 include any three club nights. For more and 4 and the next Saturday at North Shore information, check out onlyatthecrown.com/ Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie!... independence. Chicago House’s 26th annual spring brunch and fashion show, “Wonderland,” will be Last month, New Zealand’s Parliament voted held at the Harold Washington Library on to legalize same-sex marriage, with a vote of Sunday, May 5... The Equality Illinois First 77 to 44 in favor. As lawmakers finalized the Friday Networking Social at Sidetrack will vote, a crowd filled the public galleries above be held on May 3, and the International Gay the floor and burst into song, serenading the & Lesbian Travel Association conference is same-sex bill’s sponsor, lesbian MP Louisa in town, so if you’re looking for new meat… Wall with “Pokarekare Ana,” a love song in the country’s indigenous Maori language.
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