Compete December 2017

MARK

BINGHAM

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

RYAN LONG

2017

PETEY AWARD WINNERS DECEMBER 2017 • VOL. 11 NO. 12 $3.95 • COMPETENETWORK.COM

DECEMBER 2017 • VOL. 11 NO. 12 COMPETENETWORK.COM ONE-ON-ONE

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16 L iz Johnson on Winning a Men’s Professional Tournament 16

FEATURE 18 Petey Presents: The Compete Magazine Sports Diversity Award Winners for 2017

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MVP 24 2017 MVP – Todd Tramp ATHLETE

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27 Ryan Long: Living a Life’s Dream

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SPORTS 36

33 Varsity Gay League Offers Fun, Socialization and Competition HEALTH 36 Three Free Gifts: No Magi Required GYMBAG

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38 Hot Items You Shouldn't Do Without EVENTS 40 December Events STYLE 42 2 018 Style Trends BEDROOM SPORTS 44 Perils of Dating Profile Interpretation

COVER: Athlete - Ryan Long Sport - Softball Photographer - Terry Newell; terrynewell.com

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MILLENNIAL ON SPORTS: FROM THE SPORTS EDITOR

SPORTS ACTIVISM TO CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE

BY DIRK SMITH

A

lot of discussion from all societal levels has centered on the National Anthem protests in the NFL. What originally started as a protest to highlight the mistreatment and subsequent racial divide of black versus white Americans that’s stubbornly ingrained in our society has now evolved into a tense debate over patriotism, constitutional rights and the capabilities of the athletes on and off the field. You might think the issue is black and white (literally). For me, the core question is about sports activism.

Regardless of anyone’s opinion on any of these topics, the question for me is what is the role of activism and politics in sports? In the past sports have always been envisioned as a “neutral ground” where a group of athletes and teams can come together for friendly competition. The Olympic Games, both ancient and modern, were built upon this ideal. Cities and countries, many with long-standing political tensions if not outright war, were expected to set differences aside and come together for a friendly competition, using sports as the common ground for a temporary peace.

With such a global stage and broad audience, it’s inevitable that people will try to support and bring attention to their causes. The most prominent display of activism at the Olympic Games took place at the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City when two black American track and field athletes, Tommy Smith and John Carlos, raised their gloved fists in a “Black Power” salute while on the medals podium. Though not stripped of their medals, they were quickly banned from further competition at the event and also received lifetime bans on future track and field competitions.

While their athletic careers were over, Smith and Carlos succeeded in bringing national attention to their cause of racial inequality, just like Colin Kaepernick has managed to do.

Sports for many people serve as nothing more than entertainment, an escape from everyday life. For others, such as athletes, coaches, passionate fans, executives and educators, sports are an important means of also teaching important life skills. But either way, we continue to discuss and often argue the same issues that have NO ONE RIGHT ANSWER. Perhaps a better question to ask is this: “How can we use sport to create positive change in the world?”

Will protesting the National Anthem at a football game help end systemic racism in the U.S.? Frankly, at this moment it feels like it has done the opposite. Yet remember Magic Johnson who announced he was HIV-positive at the height of his career in 1991 when the HIV/AIDS epidemic was killing thousands of people, all believed to be gay. At the time little was known about the disease, but his announcement changed the discussion. How could a straight, successful, NBA athlete contract a “gay disease” if he wasn’t gay? Magic Johnson had used his visability as a successful basketball player to create positive change in the world, simply by telling his story.

What if Tonya Harding had shared her side of the story during the 1994 Winter Olympic Games? Her childhood and adulthood were full of abuse – sexual molestation, abusive relationships, blackmail, violence and rape – that created the perfect storm that erupted into the famous Tonya vs. Nancy scandal. Perhaps we would be having a completely different discussion about the issues of sexual assault and domestic violence that women continue to face every day had she chosen to tell her story.

With such a wide audience, sports activists have enormous power to create positive change in the world. Yet it is important to remember the most fundamental aspect of sport – it’s just a game!

Dirk Smith, SDL Sports Editor dirk@competenetwork.com @competedirk

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THE CATBIRD SEAT: FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BECOME A SPORTS DIVERSITY LEADER

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orking on the awards issue is always inspiring. It highlights some of the important work going on to make sports available to everyone who wants to play, regardless of his, her or their race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, family status or athletic ability. Perhaps nothing expresses sports diversity in a clearer, more concise way than You Can Play’s original tagline: “If You Can Play, You Can Play.” I love that!

As an early supporter of sports diversity, Compete was always eager to offer praise and support to those who were courageous enough to play as an openly gay athlete or as an openly supportive ally athlete. Everyone loves some positive recognition for the good they do. But it really wasn’t until we started a tradition in 2010 of honoring our Athlete of the Year award winner and received so much community support that we realized how important it was to expand into a full-blown annual awards ceremony.

Sports diversity is a global concept that grows and becomes meaningful thanks in large part to local grassroots efforts. It prompted us to move the awards to different areas of the country as Compete continued to grow. Athletes, teams, leagues, organizations, businesses – in short, all who are part of the connective tissue of the sports world deserve to be recognized for their often bold support when bringing diversity, inclusion, equality and acceptance into sports of all kinds, one of the few things in the world that unites rather than divides us.

And thanks to CEO Eric’s fertile creative mind, in 2013 our awards boss Petey (short for Compete) came on the scene. He’s taken on a life of his own (he wrote the forward to the awards feature J) and is now a bona fide member of the Compete team.

As we look forward to 2018 we sincerely hope that you, too, will become a part of the Compete team if you aren’t already. While we’ve made important strides collectively, push back in various areas make it clear it’s not time to sit back and rest on our laurels. To quote Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, “Nothing wilts faster than a laurel rested upon.” How true.

So whether at the local, state, national or international level, please get involved in making sports open and welcoming to all who want to play. If you’re interested in becoming a sports diversity leader and earn the SDL designation, please go to http://competenetwork.com/sports

Keep Smiling,

Connie Wardman, M.A., SDL Editor-in-Chief connie@competenetwork.com

@CompeteConnie

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36 SPORTS – 14 CULTURAL EVENTS

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COMPETE EDITORS SPORTS EDITOR David "Dirk" Smith With a B.S. in exercise science and nutrition from MSU Denver, David is ACSM, AFAA and AFPAIcertified and a medalwinning swimmer who conquered obesity by losing over 50 pounds.

HEALTH EDITOR Dr. John Sutherland A graduate of Harvard and the University of Michigan Medical School, Dr. John Sutherland is a board certified internist and cardiologist and the founder of the North Mountain Cardio programs for health and well-being.

FITNESS EDITOR Jake Tommerup A graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Jake Tommerup M.S. is an exercise physiologist, an ISSA-certified Master Trainer and the founder of RxErcise.

STYLE EDITOR Bobby Ciletti A graduate of Boston University, Bobby is a lifestyle and travel expert and founder of TheDaysoftheChic.com, an online destination for simply elegant living.

Twitter @bobbyciletti MISSION STATEMENT Compete unites the world through sports.

COMPETENETWORK.COM FACEBOOK.COM/COMPETEMAG @COMPETESPORTS COMPETE MAGAZINE INSTAGRAM.COM/COMPETEMAGAZINE

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PUBLISHER Eric Carlyle • eric@competenetwork.com COMPETE MAGAZINE Editor-in-Chief Connie Wardman • connie@competenetwork.com Sports Editor Dirk Smith • dirk@competenetowork.com Health Editor Dr. John Sutherland • johns@competenetwork.com Fitness Editor Jake Tommerup • jake@competenetwork.com Style Editor Bobby Ciletti • bobby@competenetwork.com Art Director Heather Brown • heather@competenetwork.com Graphic Designer Kristi Wayland • kristi@competenetwork.com Contributors Harry Andrew, Ian Colgate, Jeff Kagan, Kelli Kulick, Miriam Latto, Bryan Lee, Brian Patrick, Andy Winder.

Staff Photographer Ariel Stevens • ariel@competenetwork.com COO Barbara Harwell • barbara@competenetwork.com Sales Gale Fitzgerald • gale@competenetwork.com Jared Garduno • jared@competenetwork.com Richard Myers • richard@competenetwork.com Administration Bethany Harvat • bethany@competenetwork.com Copyright © 2017 MEDIA OUT LOUD, LLC All Rights Reserved.

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WITH YOU: FROM THE PUBLISHER

MEMORIES D

ecember is always such a festive month. It is a great time to reflect and celebrate all of your accomplishments.

Many of you can look back at your 2017 Gay Softball World Series win, your Gay Bowl XVII participation or your latest Word Gay Rodeo Finals buckle. Whatever your sport or level of play, every game, match or tournament is a memory in the making.

We know that many happy memories were made at the 2017 Compete Sports Diversity Awards; the 8th Annual Petey Awards. While all the awards and winners were different, the common thread among the winners was their active involvement in some area of promoting sports diversity. Each year nominations flood into the Compete offices for awards such as the Mark Bingham Athlete of the Year, the Professional Sports Organization, the Corporate Diversity Partner and many others. We were pleased to receive more nominations this year than in any other year to date.

Throughout this month’s feature we once again recognize individual athletes, teams, leagues and organizations (both profit and non-profit) that were honored this year. In addition to honoring the winners in Kansas City, Missouri this year we made many new friends, including Camp Magazine publisher John Long.

I’d like to thank NAGAAA for partnering with us this year and I’d also like to thank Orbitz and Absolut Vodka and Bats-toi, along with all the other sponsors and partners that made this year’s event so special.

As you reflect back on your 2017, we hope you take a few moments to think about how sports have positively impacted your life and how Compete has also been a positive part of your life. Some of our most favorite memories in 2017 involve you, our Compete readers.

See you in 2018.

With You,

@CompeteEric

Eric Carlyle, SDL Publisher/CEO eric@competenetwork.com

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HIGH FIVE

HIGH FIVE for Sports Diversity As an early leader in the sports diversity movement, Compete Magazine gives out High Fives each month to deserving athletes, teams, leagues, organizations and corporations for their sports diversity contributions. Here are five who get a High Five for a job well done!

OLYMPIC TRUCE RESOLUTION WAS PASSED … for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games by the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month and it included the contested reference to non-discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in the Olympic Charter housed in Principle 6; it prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation at the Olympic Games. The resolution asks all Member States “to ensure the safe passage, access and participation of athletes, officials and all other accredited persons taking part in the Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games” which are being held in PyeongChang, South Korea from February 9-25, 2018.

ROBBIE MANSON, OPENLY GAY ROWER FROM NEW ZEALAND … for winning the male athlete of the year award from the Association of National Olympic Committees in Prague. The award honors male and female athletes from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Female rugby player Sarah Goss won the female athlete of the year award.

VIOLET PALMER, FIRST OPENLY GAY REFEREE IN NBA HISTORY … for being chosen to receive the Lifetime Achievement award at the upcoming Fourth Annual Truth Awards being held in Los Angeles in February. The Truth Awards embody the belief that members of the black LGBTQ community and its allies who embrace and live their truth should be recognized and honored. Now retired after 19 years of officiating, Palmer became the first female to officiate an NBA game as well as the first openly gay referee in NBA history. She now serves as a league consultant.

GREG LOUGANIS, TWO-TIME OLYMPIAN AND FOUR-TIME GOLD MEDAL DIVER … for being honored with The Voice for Equality Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Equality Florida Institute.

As an openly gay athlete who is HIV-positive, the award recognizes his demonstrated sacrifice, courage and personal commitment to LGBTQ equality.

WEDDING BELLS RANG OUT … for two out WNBA stars who married their fiancées and we wish them much happiness!

1. L ayshia Clarendon, Atlanta Dream point guard and outspoken LGBTQ activist and her new wife Jessica Dolan, manager of Olympians and women for Wasserman Sports Marketing and Talent Agency, and

2. E lena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics guard-forward and more laidback activist and her new wife Amanda Clifton, director of the De11e Donne Academy. They were chosen by The Knot as its first same-sex celebrity dream wedding couple.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“My happiest years as a player are the ones where I could walk through the stadium at the end of games down the tunnel to my partner and son waiting for me at the other end.

And my only regret in my eleven year career are the years I spent in the closet. … I could never have imagined the happiness I’ll take with me into retirement and into my next chapter.”

Openly Gay Robbie Rogers, on retiring from Major League Soccer

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COMPETE READER SURVEY & GRANDSTANDING

WHY DO YOU PLAY SPORTS?

LETTERS to COMPETE GRANDSTANDING

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Batman and Robbie [November 2017] I just saw the November issue of Compete online and was really impressed to see an article about NAGAAA softball’s Chris Balton and one on professional soccer’s Robbie Rogers in the same magazine. It makes me so proud to see you cover both professional and amateur sports legends. Hats off to both Robbie and Chris for their contributions to sports.

May O’Malley Sacramento, California More than a Good Time [November 2017] Terri Goddard seems like a fun lady! It takes a lot to manage a job, life, give back to the community and have fun doing it. I love the fact Compete writes about more than super buff athletes (well, that is OK, too) and includes people that look like all of us.

Roger Michaels Cleveland, Ohio Please submit all Letters to Compete via email to letters@competenetwork.com.

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HISTORIC “LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD” DISPLAYED AT PETEY AWARDS

BY MIRIAM LATTO

Attendees at Compete Magazine’s 8th Annual Petey Awards were treated to a display of "Leveling the Playing Field," a museum-quality traveling exhibit done by Peanuts creator Charles Schulz in 1979 to celebrate Title IX and women in sports. While the Title IX legislation was passed 45 years ago to end the existing gender inequities in education, its biggest impact has been in the area of providing equal opportunities for women to participate in sports.

With the recent release of the movie, “Battle of the Sexes,” this exhibit is more relevant than ever. A good friend of Charles Schulz, Billie Jean King was the catalyst behind him addressing the issue of women's equality in sports shown in the large comic

strip panels that make up this display. The movie has increased interest in King as a primary advocate for women’s equality in sports.

The impressive display not only commemorates this true milestone in sports history, it also adds to the message the fun and wisdom of the Peanuts cast of characters – the memorable Charlie Brown, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Linus, Pig-Pen and of course, Snoopy.

Schulz originally raised awareness of women athletes in a multi-day storyline by mentioning contemporary female sports stars and by having his girl characters participate in a wide variety of sports that ranged from football to figure skating. In spite of the fact that Peppermint Patty was great at sports while Lucy wasn’t, and Marcie was totally bewildered by it all, the Peanuts girls were always equal participants.

The display was provided by Nance Wernes, founder of the women’s tackle football team, the Kansas City Storm who acquired the display. A long-time women’s sports advocate from Kansas City, Missouri, Wernes was presented with the 2017 Jared Garduno Sportsmanship Award.

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ONE-ON-ONE

LIZ JOHNSON ON WINNING A MEN’S PROFESSIONAL TOURNAMENT

BY BRIAN PATRICK

C

ompete got an email last month from out professional bowler Scott Norton, one of our longtime supporters, telling us that pro bowler Liz Johnson had just made bowling history. So we were pleased to interview Liz and to now introduce her to you, our Compete readers!

Brian Patrick: Hi Liz, and congratulations on your historic accomplishment. Also, thanks so much for taking the time to share your story with Compete. Your win at the 2017 PBA (Professional Bowlers Association) in November made you only the second woman ever to win a national PBA Tour title – the men’s tour.

As the reigning three-time Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Player of the Year and already a member of the U.S. Bowling Congress Hall of Fame, it appears that you’ve added one of the great, if not the greatest accomplishment of your bowling career.

How does that make you feel?

Liz Johnson: It feels absolutely amazing! In an interview right after I won I said that officially it’s one of the best bowling days of my life – the icing on the cake as far as my career as a professional bowler is concerned.

I also finished 14th in the PBA World Championship in Reno this week.

But my greatest personal achievement is meeting my future wife Kasia [Kaufman] and making a life with her in Palatine, Illinois where I recently bought a house.

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BP: How exciting - congratulations! Who was the first woman to win a PBA Tour tournament and how is it that women are permitted to compete on the men’s tour?

LJ: It was Kelly Kulick who won the PBA Tournament of Champions in 2010. After the PWBA abruptly stopped operations in 2003, the following year the PBA decided to allow women to compete. Although the PWBA Tour returned in 2015, I continue to compete on both circuits.

BP: When it came down to winning this tournament, how tight was the competition; who was your final opponent? Also, what other titles have you won?

LJ: Competition at that level is always intense; I beat 194 players, including six women. In the end I was bowling against Anthony Pepe from New York and beat him 220-206. . I also have 10 major titles, including six U.S. Open wins in addition to being named Player of the Year on the PWBA Tour the past three years in a row.

ONE-ON-ONE

I try to be the best person I can be both on and off the lanes. It’s been an awesome journey, so my future goals are to continue to bowl, compete and win until I am physically unable to or if we don’t have something to bowl in.

As for advice to someone younger, I would just say that you can do whatever you want to do as long as you want to do it. Don’t ever let anyone tell you you can't as long as the heart and desire is there. I’d also share my favorite quote someone told me years ago: “Be true to yourself.”

BP: Scott had also mentioned in his email that you’re engaged to a wonderful woman and soon to be married. Both Scott and Anthony are openly LGBTQ pro bowlers. When did you come out?

LJ: My family and friends know. At 43 I’ve been bowling on the ladies tour for over 20 years and a lot of the women were gay. I’ve never hidden who I am but it didn’t matter to anyone. What counted was what kind of person you were. And it’s the same with the men.

Everyone respects one another. It’s not something that influences the way you bowl. It was really this win that gave me the opportunity to talk about it.

BP: Please give us some background on how you got started in sports and if it’s always been bowling or whether you’ve played some other sports.

LJ: I’ve always been a very competitive person and I got involved in sports through my parents and my older brother. I’ve bowled since I was five years old, around the time I got my very first bowling ball. Bowling against people older than me and/or against the boys helped me excel at this sport. It has given me a chance to compete and win against the best in the country and world.

I also played softball from ages eight through 18 and I’ve been a Yankees fan most of my life; my favorite player is Derek Jeter. I also love working out at the gym during my free time. But bowling is the sport I’ve enjoyed all my life. I’ve been a professional bowler for over 21 years now. While my actual “job” is bowling, the sport has helped me to become the person I am today.

It’s also where I have met my best friends and my fiancé.

BP: At this point in your professional career, Liz, what are your future goals? Also, given all your experience what would you want to share with someone younger who may be contemplating a career in professional sports?

LJ: I try to be the best person I can be both on and off the lanes. It’s been an awesome journey, so my future goals are to continue to bowl, compete and win until I am physically unable to or if we don’t have something to bowl in.

As for advice to someone younger, I would just say that you can do whatever you want to do as long as you want to do it. Don’t ever let anyone tell you you can't as long as the heart and desire is there. I’d also share my favorite quote someone told me years ago: “Be true to yourself.”

BP: It certainly seems that you’ve taken that quote to heart and been true to you. What are your thoughts on LGBTQ inclusion in sports?

LJ: I don’t think it matters what gender or sex you prefer. In bowling, the pins don’t care. And where I come from people don’t really care. People are accepted from everywhere.

BP: Liz, thanks so much for sharing your story with us. On behalf of all of us at Compete, we not only wish you and Kasia much happiness in your upcoming marriage, we also hope you never stop playing the game you love!

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FEATURE

PETEY PRESENTS: The Compete Magazine Sports Diversity Award Winners for 2017

BY CONNIE WARDMAN Editor’s Note: For those of you who don’t know Petey, before he announces the winners for this year he’s written a short history of this event now in its eighth year.

HISTORY OF THE PETEY AWARDS™ Just in case you are wondering, yeah, I’m the guy Compete modeled its award on. Compete Magazine was started by two rugby players participating in the Bingham Cup, a global rugby tournament named after rugby player and 9/11 hero, Mark Bingham. There wasn’t much coverage of LGBTQ sports back in 2006 and Compete was started to address that gap. In fact, Compete is the first and only LGBTQ sports diversity magazine in the world, an honor that makes the entire Compete team feel very proud.

The picture of me they use for the Petey Awards shows me in my rugby referee uniform. I have my hand raised representing a “try” or score in rugby to honor our founding. Enough about me, though. Let me tell you about the Petey Awards.

In 2008, Compete Magazine started a tradition of honoring an amateur LGBTQ athlete each year as our Athlete of the Year. The support of the community was so overwhelming that in 2010 we presented the award to that year’s winner at a special event in West Hollywood. In 2011 we named the event the Compete Sports Diversity Awards. That event was hosted by World Rugby Champion, Ben Cohen, MBE. Atlanta played host to the Awards in 2012 and we returned to California in 2013 when I came on the scene.

Compete began a new tradition of calling the event The Petey Awards (they say it’s short for Compete but it’s really named for me, Petey). We also changed the name of our Athlete of Year Award to the Mark Bingham Athlete of the Year Award to honor his commitment to gay rugby and his courage under ultimate fire on Flight 93.

In 2014 we hosted the Petey Awards in Phoenix and then returned to Los Angeles in 2015. Last year the event was hosted in Denver, Colorado and this year we staked our claim in Kansas City, Missouri for the 8th Annual Petey Awards.

Compete’s mission is to “Unite the World Through Sports,” so we congratulate all the winners and those involved for their ongoing commitment to making sports a safer, more welcoming place for everyone who wants to play!

Photos by Luke Zubeck of Juke Media KC

Petey The Awards’ Boss The beautiful Westin Kansas City at Crown Center played host to my 2017 Petey Awards honoring those individual athletes, teams, leagues, organizations and for-profit and not-for-profit businesses who have made significant contributions to sports diversity this past year.

A big thank you goes out to our partners for the evening. The gala was presented by Orbitz, partnering with Compete for the eighth year in a row. And our friends at Absolut® hosted our VIP Reception prior to the sit-down dinner.

NAGAAA, the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance was co-host for the evening.

Another thank you goes out to keynote speaker Michael Losier, international MICHAEL LOZIER, KEYNOTE SPEAKER bestselling author, speaker and Law of Attraction guru who got the evening going on just the right vibration. And a big shout out goes to Alexis Levi, the first African American woman to own a pro basketball team, for help presenting awards and interviewing honorees, and to Catherine Kelly, SDL, our NAGAAA co-host. I also had six of my Compete team with me: the big guy Eric Carlyle, Jared Garduno, Barbara Harwell, Dirk Smith, Gale Fitzgerald and Connie Wardman, so it was a stellar evening if I do say so myself.

While I don’t have room to tell you everything about all the exceptional winners, here are the awards and who won them.

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FEATURE

2017 Orbitz Trailblazer Award - DR. JEN WELTER

L-R: JARED GARDUNO, DR. WELTER, BARBARA HARWELL

As the first woman to break the glass sideline in the NFL, Dr. Jen Welter is not only a great football player and coach, she is also a wonderful role model for young girls and women wanting to play football. With a philosophy of “everyone has a place to shine,” Welter uses her doctorate in psychology to leave a legacy where players are treated like people, not heroes. And by passing along her experiences and connections in the game, women will be able to have an equal footing in football with the men.

2017 Community Event - MISSOURI GAY RODEO ASSOCIATION (MGRA) The Missouri Gay Rodeo Association (MGRA), an all-volunteer, inclusive non-profit group is dedicated to preserving the western lifestyle through rodeo and fundraising for charitable community groups. The MGRA is now in its 31st year of operation. Accepting the award is Scott Harvey Community Legacy Team Award - KANSAS CITY NEMESIS The Kansas City Nemesis softball team is a masters-level team consisting of seasoned softball players who aren’t yet ready to give up playing the sport they love. The team is part of the Heart of America Softball League’s (HASL) masters division. Accepting for Nemesis was Doug Reynolds.

L-R: ALEXIS LEVI, DOUG REYNOLDS, JARED GARDUNO

2017 Community Sports Organization Award KC CO-ED DART ASSOCIATION

The Kansas City Co-Ed Dart Association (KCCDA) is a very active and inclusive league for darts enthusiasts and competitors who love to play and compete in their favorite bar game. The league holds their tournaments and practices at LGBTQ bars to support the community and foster an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere through the common bond of darts. Accepting for KCCDA was Frank Meredith.

Community Sports Pioneer Award - KC ROLLER WARRIORS

DERBY SKY SCRAPER MADISON STRUTMAN

Formed in 2004, the Kansas City Roller Warriors became a founding member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. The group has helped transform roller derby to a legitimate sport that empowers women and girls to be healthy, confident athletes, role models, leaders and active contributors to their community both on and off of the track.

Accepting the award was Derby Sky Scraper Madison Strutman.

2017 Community Organization Award - MID-AMERICA GAY AND LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Serving the greater Kansas City and surrounding areas, Mid-America Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MAGLCC) represents LGBTQ business interests by creating, identifying and enhancing business opportunities for LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly organizations. An extension for the National Gay and Lesbian Commerce, the ALEXIS LEVI, JIM GILES, MAGLCC is an active leader in the Kansas City LGBTQ community. L-R: JARED GARDUNO 2017 Jared Garduno Sportsmanship Award NANCE WERNES Lifelong football buff Nance Wernes started the Kansas City Storm, a women’s tackle football team that plays other women’s football teams across the U.S. with players that are both gay and straight. In addition to the fun of playing football, the women benefit in terms of health, esteem and wellbeing, spurring Wernes' commitment to keeping the team active and the per-player costs low to boost participation. Presenting the award was Jared Garduno, SDL.

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FEATURE 2017 Catherine Kelly Community Service Award MICHAEL LINTECUM As executive director of the Mid-America Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Michael Lintecum has been a leader and role model in the Kansas City LGBTQ community for over 25 years, organizing and promoting many fundraisers to support a variety of organizations, including AIDS Service Foundation of Greater Kansas, Synergy Services, Inc., Saint Luke’s Health Systems and Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Presenting the award was Catherine Kelly, SDL.

L-R: CATHERINE KELLY, ERIC CARLYLE, MICHAEL LINTECUM

2017 Molly Lenore Inspiring Athlete Award SHIGEO IWAMIYA

L-R: MOLLY LENORE, SHIGEO IWAMIYA

As liaison to the National Gay and Lesbian Flag Football League (NGFFL) this year, Shigeo Iwamiya played a pivotal role in helping the NGFFL’s Gay Bowl XVII expand its outreach by helping to coordinate a live broadcast of the Women’s and Men’s A Division Championship Games. Iwamiya and the rest of the NGFFL team are leading the way for LGBTQ sports to continue to grow and evolve for the next generation of athletes. Presenting the award was Molly Lenore, SDL, Compete’s original inspiring athlete.

2017 National Tournament Award GAY BOWL XVII

Held in Boston, this year’s NGFFL’s Gay Bowl XVII led the way for the future of LGBTQ sports by courting and receiving sponsorships from all five professional sports teams in Boston – the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins and the New England Revolution. It also successfully streamed live broadcasts of the Men’s and Women’s Championship Games to thousands of people around the world. Accepting the award was Shigeo Iwamiya.

2017 Sports Ambassador Award SCOTT SWITZER Part of the Heart of America Softball League since 2008, Scott Switzer is the executive director for the cometoplay.org group that is hosting the Gay Softball World Series in Kansas City in 2019; he also coaches his Kansas City team, the Hitmen. In 2017 Switzer reached out to MLB’s Kansas City Royals to help organize “Forever Proud, Forever Royal – LGBT Day at the ‘K’” event that is set to become a tradition.

L-R: TERRI GODDARD, RYAN LONG & FIANCÉ CURTIS

Mark Bingham Athlete of the Year Award RYAN LONG Please see the Athlete section.

2017 MVP of the Year Award TODD TRAMP Please see the MVP section.

2017 Editor’s Award CHRIS BALTON, SDL Now in his third term as commissioner of NAGAAA, the league of LGBTQ and ally male and female softball players throughout the U.S. and Canada, Chris Bolton has transformed his personal story of #MeToo by creating a safe and welcoming league where people who never thought they could play sports can come for fun, family and softball. Presenting the award was editor-in-chief Connie Wardman, SDL.

L-R: CHRIS BALTON, SDL; CONNIE WARDMAN, SDL

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FEATURE 2017 Outstanding Women’s League Award ASANA ASANA, the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America is a non-profit association representing LGBTQ and ally women’s softball teams and leagues in 23 different cities throughout the U.S. It hosts the ASANA Softball World Series in a different city each year and this year celebrated its 10th anniversary by also adding its inaugural World Series Women’s Flag Football Tournament.

2017 Corporate Diversity Partner Award Connect Sports, an SDL Enterprise PATRICK HIGGINS, SDL Connect Sports, an SDL Enterprise, won for its work with the LGBTQ Sports Coalition connecting LGBTQ sports planners with national suppliers to help event organizers plan quality sporting events. Helping with everything from venues and logistics to promotion and event management, Connect Sports has been a valuable and powerful ally for the LGBTQ sports community and also hosted the first “Connect Sports LGBTQ Summit” this year. Accepting the award was vice president of meetings and events at Connect Meetings, Patrick Higgins, SDL. 2017 Impact Award KUTAK ROCK LLP Over the past five decades the culture of the law firm of Kutak Rock has embraced diversity and equality in the legal profession, making strategic efforts to hire women and minorities long before laws required it. Its commitment to LGBTQ rights is reinforced via its inclusive Equal Employment Opportunity policy that’s earned a 100 percent score on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index. The firm’s foundation is built on diversity and equality on all levels of gender, racial and sexual orientation. The Award was accepted by Courtney Koger.

Emerging Sports Destination Award DETROIT SPORTS COMMISSION, AN SDL ENTERPRISE The Detroit Sports Commission (DSC) is marketing and selling metro Detroit as a premier destination for regional, national and international amateur sporting events.

They offer resources and venues at a lower cost for organizers hosting their events within the city. As a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community, the DSC is working to build an inclusive and proactive community for LGBTQ sports organizers bidding for future events. Accepting the award was Crista Tompson, SDL. Outstanding Sports Commission Award KANSAS CITY SPORTS COMMISSION & FOUNDATION

L-R: CATHERINE KELLY, ERIC CARLYLE, KATHY NELSON

The Women’s Intersport Network for Kansas City (WIN for KC) is an extension of the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation that is working to “Ignite girls and women through advocating and promoting the lifetime value of sports and fitness while providing opportunities for participation and leadership development.” Active since 1994, the group works to promote the physical and mental wellbeing of girls and women though sports and fitness. Accepting the award was Kathy Nelson.

2017 National Leadership Award PATTI PHILLIPS

As president of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame board of directors, Patti Philips is an active leader in women’s sports. Also serving as CEO of the Women Leaders in College Sports since 2010, she established the Advancement Initiative that provides guidance, resources and coaching for women wanting to pursue leadership roles in sports. In 2015 Phillips received the NCAA’s Champion of Diversity Award and was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

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FEATURE 2017 Outstanding University Award - KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY (K-STATE) One of the top 25 Schools for LGBTQ student-athletes by Campus Pride, K-State actively promotes its campus as being built on community inclusion that's supported by empowering their faculty, student and community base to promote education and inclusion while standing up to discrimination. The athletic department actively promotes and encourages its athletes to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere for each other within sports. Accepting the award was Jill Shields.

Professional Sports League Award - MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER (MLS) MLS has been very active in promoting LGBTQ inclusivity within soccer. Until his retirement last month, it was the first of the five major U.S. professional team sports organizations to have an active, openly gay athlete in Robbie Rogers. The league continues to lead the fight against homophobia in sport with its “Don’t Cross The Line” campaign. All 22 of its clubs take part, promoting inclusion, equality and diversity throughout the soccer community.

The award was accepted by Jonathan Kaplan.

Additional presentations were made to the following winners at the Saturday Brunch: Inspiring Community Organization Award HEARTLAND MEN'S CHORUS Since 1986 the Heartland Men's Chorus of over 150 singers has been an inspiring, entertaining and educational voice for Kansas City. Their sold out concerts offer a positive cultural contribution and are enjoyed by both the LGBTQ and allied communities.

Community Sports Group Award KANSAS CITY WAVE The Kansas City Wave is both an athletic and fun social group providing a healthy exercise venue for gay and ally swimmers from their 20s to their 60s. The Wave belongs to IGLA, the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics organization and to the Missouri Valley Swimming organization.

Spirit Award CAYREE RAGSDALE, MISSOURI GAY RODEO ASSOCIATION (MGRA) As treasurer of the Missouri Gay Rodeo Association (MGRA), Cayree Ragsdale is a very active member of the group, always willing to pitch in and help out wherever needed. In 2009 she was awarded the IGRA (International Gay Rodeo Association) International Award by MGRA. Individual Sports Organization Award KANSAS CITY FRONTRUNNERS Kansas City Frontrunners and Walkers, a member of the International Front Runners, has grown to a group of well over 30 men and women today. Even the Midwestern weather extremes in the summer and winter rarely cause this hardy group to cancel their weekly events.

Community Sports Organization Award DAVID LINDAHL, KC GAY VOLLEYBALL (KCGV) Bump, Set, Spike for David Lindahl who spends numerous hours volunteering and organizing volleyball

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events in Kansas City and continuously inspiring athletes who participate in them. Kansas City Gay Volleyball (KCGV) offers a fun, welcoming environment for both gay and ally athletes wanting to play.

Altruistic Athletes Award RICK FISHER AND RANDY HITE United in community service as well as life, husbands Rick Fisher and Randy Hite have been instrumental in the management and vocals of the Heartland Men's Chorus. Having met through a conference of other gay men's choral groups, they are prominent figures in the Kansas City LGBT community.

Missouri Athlete of the Year Award RANDY HITE Randy Hite is also a runner. As a leader of the Kansas City Frontrunners and Walkers, he’s competed in the Gay Games in 2014 where he competed in the 5k, 10k and half-marathon, winning a bronze medal in the 10k and coming in third in his age group. He is also a consummate activist for LGBTQ rights.

Groundbreaker Award CODY DERBY With a goal of becoming an openly gay athletic trainer in pro sports, Cody Derby has already worked with Kansas State athletic teams and with the Atlanta Braves. In 2018 he will be moving to Lakeland, Florida to serve as an assistant athletic trainer in the Detroit Tiger’s Minor League organization.

Gold Medal Award DIRK SMITH Dirk Smith founded Stonewall Fitness in order to unite the LGBTQ+ community through exercise, fitness and sport. By breaking down barriers and stigmas associated with exercise and gyms, we can educate and lead the community on the physical, mental and social benefits of exercise and living an active lifestyle.

MVP

TEAM COMPETE 2017 MVP:

TODD TRAMP Photos Courtesy of Todd Tramp

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b Raymond Photo by Ro

It's no wonder Todd Tramp was chosen as Compete's MVP for 2017; he won yet another buckle for All-Around Cowboy last month at the International Gay Rodeo Association’s (IGRA) World Gay Rodeo Finals (WGRF) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In the last three years Todd has won 16 of 18 competitions for the best all- around cowboy; in 2017 he’s won five in a row, although IGRA counts this last one as a 2018 win. Overall, he holds 10 international titles.

In order to qualify for the All-Around Cowboy competition, a contestant must participate in roping, speed and rough stock events.

Todd participates in 10 different events with bull riding being his favorite. But he’s got a great “pole” horse so pole bending is also one of his favorites because he says that he and his horse "really like each other and have fun competing.” But his best event is chute dogging where he’s an international champion.

With the buckles and ribbons he’s won over the years now numbering in the 400-500 range (he’s lost count), he continues to send some of them to a group in his home state of Iowa that provides riding lessons for special need kids to use for prizes.

Todd and his husband Marty "Bubba" Junkins own a 30-acre property outside of Kansas City, Missouri where Todd has room for his beloved horses and a 4,000-square-foot fully-equipped gym that houses his semi-retirement business, Todd Tramp’s Total Fitness (aka, Trooper Town). He has a group of 50 women and a waiting list but he only offers classes five-days-a week so he has plenty of time to enjoy his rodeo passion.

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ATHLETE

RYAN LONG: Living a Life’s Dream

BY CONNIE WARDMAN

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hen reviewing candidates for the Mark Bingham Athlete of the Year award, one person clearly stood out from the rest – Ryan Long of Kansas City, Missouri. He was honored with Compete Magazine’s oldest, most prestigious award at the magazine’s 8th Annual Sports Diversity Awards held last month in Kansas City.

Named in honor of rugby player and 9/11 hero Mark Bingham, the annual award is presented to an athlete who isn’t afraid to step into a leadership position as part of his commitment to supporting gay sports in particular and the LGBTQ community in general.

Originally from Carthage, Missouri, the 41-year-old Ryan is a fervent softball player who also enjoys sand volleyball and bowling. And he’s a passionate Kansas City Royals fan who loves watching the team in person.

In fact, he says that “Baseball has always been ingrained in my family. I grew up at the fields watching my dad play softball.”

One of his earliest sports memories was “… watching my dad and uncle play in a softball tournament together and how in awe I was because they were both so strong and hit multiple homeruns. I had a whiffle ball bat in my hands before I could walk and played from t-ball all the way through high school.”

While Ryan played a couple of co-ed softball tournaments in college, it wasn’t until he turned 30 that he made his way back onto the softball field on a regular basis. Realizing how much he missed playing, he joined the Heart of America Softball League (HASL) with a great group of friends who named their team the “Bad News Barbies.”

Established in 1977, HASL is dedicated to the promotion of amateur softball for all adult persons regardless of age, race, creed, religion, sex or national origin and includes an emphasis on participation by members of the LBGTQ community.

Ryan has this to say about the experience: “That first year I believe we had more fun than I had ever experienced playing the game. As the original coach moved away, I inherited the team and the new “Barbies” were born.” Calling them a “scrappy group of players,” he

says they experienced their first NAGAAA World Series in Seattle.

With the help of his friend Terri Goddard, Ryan says “We worked together to raise money for our travels to tournaments but also gave back to the community.”

They volunteered for AIDSWALK Kansas City and did a Barbie drive at Christmas for Toys-for-Tots and other local charities.

The fun experiences with HASL have never ended for Ryan, whose team is now the KC Hitmen. And just this year he was named the league’s MVP and inducted into its Hall of Fame. “Through a torn ACL, a broken wrist, a broken ankle and yet again another torn ACL,” Ryan emphasizes that “softball is ingrained in me and I will continue to play as long as I am able.”

However, it took awhile for him to get to this place in his life. Having grown up in a conservative Southern Baptist church, Ryan says that it would be an understatement to say he was very sheltered. "I knew I was different than others but tried to live my life not as who I was but what I thought others expected of me.”

Having already secured a job in Kansas City with a “Big 4” accounting firm while still in college, he even became engaged to a woman.

During his last semester in college, however, he and a friend went on a spring break trip to Los Angeles where the friend’s gay cousin lived. “It was,” said Ryan, “my first experience seeing that there were a lot more people like me living a successful and happy life as who they really were and not pretending to be what others expected them to be. After returning home from that trip I quickly broke off the engagement and then fell madly in love with my first boy, my friend’s cousin.”

Since then Ryan’s life has had its share of ups and downs. On the down side he has lived through his mother’s

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ALS diagnosis and eventual death by digging deep within his core to support her through her struggle, even giving her eulogy on what he calls “the worst day of my life.”

But on the up side Ryan’s job as an accountant has morphed into a project manager position for a life insurance company and he is now engaged to his partner, Curtis; they’ve purchased a lake home this year with a wedding date set in late 2018. Ryan says the baseline for how he lives both his work and personal lives boils down to a couple of items: “utilize common sense and treat others the way you would wish to be treated. I never stop learning or striving to do better.”

As for the future, Ryan plans “to continue building the life that I had only dreamed of as a child that is now all coming to fruition. You’re never too old to stop setting goals, and with hard work and determination you can achieve those goals.” Congratulations, Ryan – your award is well-deserved!

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Photo credit: Terry Newell; terrynewell.com

THE POWER OF SPORTS COMMUNITY

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL LICNUOC PIHSREDAEL

TM

WWW.SPORTSDIVERSITYLEADERS.COM SPORTS DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL IS A TRADEMARK OF MEDIA OUT LOUD, LLC

SPORTS

FUN, SOCIAL, COMPETITIVE

BY HARRY ANDREW

O

ne of the fastest growing LGBTQ sports leagues in the U.S. is the Varsity Gay League (VGL). Celebrating its tenth anniversary of LGBTQ sports and entertainment this year, VGL was started by Will Hackner, an Illinois native who came out while in college and then moved to California in 2002 to work for Warner Brothers as a film and program producer. For someone growing up as a small kid who was bullied a lot, a kid who loved sports but was just OK at kickball, Will Hackner has come a long way, baby!

Looking for a way to meet people and have fun beyond the traditional boring bar scene, one night Hackner and his friend Andrew talked about how much fun it would be to play Capture the Flag with adults. When they followed it up with an actual pop-up event a couple of months later and 50 people showed up, they knew they were on to something. That was the genesis of VGL and the idea was to offer inexpensive sports leagues, recreational activities and social events for the LGBTQ community and its straight allies.

Currently there are VGL leagues in Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, San Diego and Sacramento in California; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Austin and Dallas, Texas; Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Oregon; and

Denver, Colorado. With over 9,000 members already and four potential areas in the U.S. targeted for 2018, it’s obvious that VGL has caught on. It’s now one of the largest recreational sports leagues in the U.S. While kickball is the biggest sport in the league, other sports include bowling, soccer, beach volleyball, tennis, trampoline, dodgeball, game nights, paintball and the sport that prompted this venture, Capture the Flag. And when you throw in special events like Drag Daze, an amateur drag competition to raise money for charity, Braingasm Trivia and the three annual large National Kickball Tournaments, it’s easy to see that VGL is living up to what it says it stands for: “Fun, Social and Competitive.”

Photos courtesy of Varsity Gay League

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SPORTS

“We don’t just want you to join us, we want you to thrive with us.” says founder, Will Hackner.

Photos courtesy of Varsity Gay League

The whole idea is for people to come and have fun in a non-judgmental atmosphere; to make new friends, play a game or two and have an enjoyable time socializing. Even those who think they can’t play sports can come and have a good time. One of reasons for the popularity of kickball has been the fact that it didn’t exist as an organized sport so there were no rankings to worry about achieving; there wasn’t a lot of technique required and it was inexpensive to play – all you really needed was a ball. In all the VGL sports there are different levels of play for different skill levels. “We don’t just want you to join us,” says Hackner, “we want you to thrive with us.”

After five years of not making any money, in 2012

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VGL became an LLC. As the CEO in charge of 23 fulltime sports leagues with a staff of 25, VGL is Hackner’s fulltime job. Looking for underserved markets, he’s set up the company’s growth based on an equity partnership for a local person in a larger market area wanting to be a team leader who can then earn a percentage of that local league’s net profit.

VGL is always open to the possibility of a new league but according to Hackner, it does take some hard work on both sides to train people to the nuances of running a recreational sports league á la VGL-style. If this interests you or you have questions about VGL, go to varsitygayleague.com.

HEALTH

THREE FREE GIFTS: No Magi Required

W

BY DR. JOHN SUTHERLAND

hen a holiday topic was suggested for this column, I obligingly typed “holiday stress” into the Google search box. After 0.44 seconds, Google found 21.3 million entries. Yes, it’s that time of year again. If this is a depressing thought for you, at least you’re not alone.

Given so much advice on the topic, what could I add? Probably not much. After all, no one needs any additional “Helpful Holiday Hints from Heloise.” So please accept this suggested thoughtful approach to the holidays in the true spirit of holiday giving: well- intentioned, and likely just as ill-chosen as anything else you may receive this year.

1. What if it’s Just a Date on the Calendar?

What are you doing on January 26? That’s Australia Day which celebrates the landing of Captain Arthur Phillip at Sydney Cove with 40 convicts in 1788. How festive! Shall we take a kangaroo to lunch? I understand they enjoy eating grass.

In 2018, Arbor Day falls on April 27; perhaps we ought to start planning our celebration now. And the Buddha’s birthday will be observed on April 8 in Japan and on May 21 in China. Should we bake the Buddha a cake? Would it have to be vegan?

There are obviously lots of holidays that we don’t feel obliged to celebrate, not even one little bit. Perhaps we need to think seriously about what ones we do celebrate and then actually decide what they really mean for us.

2. Norman Rockwell and Martha Stewart – or is it Norman Stewart and Martha Rockwell?

Last November marketers spent 1.24 billion dollars on advertising in just 30 days. Marketing is about building expectations and creating demand, about suggesting what we ought to want and what we have to do.

But what if happiness was not contingent on living the good life á la Norman Rockwell or Martha Stewart?

Norman Rockwell created 4,000 paintings. Now ask

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yourself which one would you want your life to resemble?

You’re allowed to be uniquely you every day of the year, including December 25. Whose life is it, anyway?

3. Moving Away from Something Means Moving Toward Something Else.

Many of us can probably recall at least some enjoyable holiday memories, even if our parents weren’t named Ozzie and Harriet (it is, after all, the season for counting our blessings).

Try this yourself – reflect for a moment and see what comes to mind. What was it that gave you joy then? And where is the person who experienced that joy now? Can you invite him or her to your holiday celebration as an adult this year?

Yes, there will always be holiday experiences we dislike and want to avoid. But in moving away from those experiences, can we also choose to move toward what we actually like and value? We can’t control other people’s behaviors, rules or expectations. But the holidays may be happier if we spend time pursuing the positives and not just being reactive to the negatives.

So here! Three holiday gifts! For you! And no assembly or magi are required-- these are gifts that you can give to yourself.

GYM BAG

GYM BAG

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AUTHENTIC YANKEE STADIUM SEAT BARSTOOL FROM STEINER SPORTS For the baseball fan (especially a Yankees fan!) who has everything, an autographed barstool from Steiner Sports using an actual seat from Old Yankee Stadium; features the classic light blue chair and original seat number that was used in The House That Ruth Built, along with 39 certified autographs and years played hand-signed on the seatback. From Saks Fifth Avenue. $8,000. www.saksfifthavenue.com

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EVENTS: FOR A COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EVENTS PLEASE VISIT WWW.COMPETENETWORK.COM/EVENTS SOFTBALL Bourbon City Classic New Orleans, Dec. 9-10

TENNIS Herb Millro 2018 Seattle, Dec. 29-31

VOLLEYBALL LAVA Classic IX Louisville, Dec. 9

Hoa Aloha Volleyball Invitational Honolulu, Dec. 9

FOOd & Friends: Delivering Hope One Meal at a Time Since 1988 Food & Friends, a Washington, D.C. non-profit has been working to improve the lives and health of people with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other critical illnesses that limit their ability to provide nourishment for themselves by delivering specialized nutritionally-balanced meals to clients’ homes. The group’s 10,000 caring volunteers serve in the kitchen, on the road, in the office and at events, and their delivery range includes a 5,300 square mile range in the D.C. metropolitan area that includes parts of Maryland and Northern Virginia.

For clients living outside their freshly-prepared meal delivery area, the group provides groceries every two weeks that include fresh produce, frozen meats, soups and entrees. The organization considers nutrition to be a vital part of clients’ treatments so their community dietitians offer individual nutrition counseling to all clients as well as workshops on nutrition and wellness, cooking classes and educational materials.

However, following the devastation in Puerto Rico caused by the onetwo punch of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in October, Food & Friends mobilized the Food is Medicine coalition that has sister organizations across the U.S., asking each group to consider a gift to Bill’s Kitchen, a sister organization in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the only organization providing food to those with HIV/AIDS. The gift needs to be within the means of each organization since they know the need is not just immediate but will also continue for the foreseeable future.

According to executive director of Food & Friends Craig Shniderman, “Bill’s Kitchen is the only organization in Puerto Rico providing specialized nutrition to the HIV/AIDS community, roughly 800 people annually. As with most of Puerto Rico, Bill’s Kitchen remains without electricity. There is no landline; phone service; extremely limited cell phone coverage; intermittent safe water; very limited fuel for vehicles/generators; martial law/evening curfew and oppressive heat. In times of crisis, it’s important to do the right thing.”

In addition to rallying support from others, Food & Friends is also donating 10 percent of their annual Slice of Life holiday pie sales which last year raised $360,000. The total gift from Food & Friends will be a minimum of $30,000. If you would like more information on how to purchase pies or donate, go to www.sliceoflifedc.org. And for more information on Food & Friends, go to www.foodandfriends.org.

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Your Uptown Fitness Experience! www.sportsclubatcitysquare.com (Indian School Rd and 2nd Ave)

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STYLE

STYLE TRENDS

BY BOBBY CILETTI

H

ow does that saying go? One day you’re in, the next day you’re out? But before you say hello to 2018 trends and goodbye to 2017 ones, I checked out some of our 2017 favorites to consider for the coming year that can, perhaps linger a little longer.

Shoes – Buckles In 2017 embroidered and embellished shoes were huge, so big in fact that this trend will likely continue well into 2018. Buckles are said to be the next big trend to emerge in footwear fashion. They’re hardware so they give a clean, modern, sophisticated look, one that’s appropriate for a day at the office yet stylish enough when you are out and about. In case you fear a fizzle, this is a practical trend that won’t be so trendy.

Color – Lavender If you over-saturated on millennial pink was like it was “OMG color of 2017,” an antidote could be in your future.

Equally-appealing Ultra Lavender is set to have a moment in 2018. This similarly soft shade of its bolder parent color reflects our desire for cooled down, subtle color, probably why millennial pink has been so alluring. Lavender as a color was featured prominently in the Spring 2018 fashion collections.

Travel - Singapore To satisfy your wanderlust, Singapore could be your next destination in 2018.

It’s a major hub for Asia for many reasons: business, shopping and a growing tourism industry thanks to incredible development projects that also make this the perfect site for the 1922 Gay Games XI. The Marina Bay Sands Casino & Resort is a towering oasis with a rooftop infinity pool that will break your Instagram feed. Singapore offers everything from culture, shopping, nightlife, culinary, beaches and yes, a state of the art airport that will get you anywhere in Asia.

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Diet - Intermittent Fasting The next dieting trend set to go main stream is intermittent fasting that’s already being touted by celebrities and fitness experts. It's based on a cycle of fasting and non-fasting days that claims to aid in weight loss and metabolism regulation.

Just like any new nutritional trend, doing research and consulting your medical provider is always recommended before making drastic changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Fitness - Live Streaming Classes The concept of live streaming fitness classes is definitely not new. Peloton, which requires the purchase of pricey home equipment, is proof the concept works, so why wouldn’t this format grow into other more accessible areas of group fitness. It works because it understands the value of a person’s time. Live streaming a class gives someone the ultimate flexibility and access.

Bobby Says …

Consider if a new trend is worth the higher or lower end of the market. Sometimes it can feel daunting if a designer or single brand introduces something everyone wants at a high price. Sometimes it’s the lower-end version of something that really grabs our attention, like the men’s jumpsuit, RompHim. While jumpsuits aren’t a new trend (actually they’re set to be big in 2018), this definitely grabbed lots of attention. The RompHim designs and fit won’t necessarily land everyone on the best dressed list.

Perhaps a more refined take would be a Mr. Turk, who has been designing men’s jumpsuits for years. Ask yourself if this trend has value beyond a one-time use or novelty. If not, trading up to a more premium option will provide you better value over time.

BEDROOM SPORTS

THE PERILS OF DATING PROFILES

BY RYAN O’CONNOR, GUEST COLUMNIST

A

fter a long hiatus from using online dating services I took the bait (at 65 percent off, why not) and signed up again. But it seems that not much has changed on the site. One of the profile pictures looks just like my type. His profile says he is 34 but he looks more like 21. In fact, I think I’ve seen that profile picture before – back in 2006. It seems to me like most of these profile pictures haven’t changed in years.

As I sort through profile after profile I do my best to concentrate on each member’s character and not his pictures. It’s hard, though not to dwell on the profile picture. I mean, the internet is visual so in this case, a picture really is worth a 1,000 words … maybe more.

But getting past the problematic pictures (please, put a shirt on!), most men do not complete all of the profile questions. Most of them seem to put in their height but why don’t they list their real weight? I am looking for my life partner. Why wouldn’t I want to know his weight?

What does “about average” mean anyway? I am 6’1” and 190 pounds.

I guess I am about average. Or in the dating world am I “a few extra pounds?” Profile interpretation on the weight question can be a risky business!

I also notice that a lot of guys do not list their income. Fair enough.

Maybe they do not want to be judged on how much they make. But money is definitely important in the

modern world. Almost everyone lists “travel” as a like, but can they afford a plane ticket or do they just travel to the suburbs on the weekends to stay with mom and dad?

It also seems that everyone exercises “more than four times per week.” Come on – I just do not believe that!

Making a loop around the Chinese buffet is not exercise.

I work out at least twice per week but just to save face I marked more than four times per week, too. Based on my profile observations, I’m afraid if I put in twice per week other guys might think I do not work out at all.

On the rare occasion I decide to email another member I hold my breath and wait for his reply. It usually consists of “Hi.” Now I know that not everyone is William Shakespeare but at least try to come up with something more original than “Hi.” At a bare minimum is it too much to ask for you to read my profile and ask me a question I have not already answered to your satisfaction? How about three or more words for a reply? At least start with “How are you?” That offers me a starting point, something I can reply to.

As I sit here, trying to decide if I want to cancel my dating service membership again, there is one thing I have discovered. Every single gay man in America likes to hike.

At least this gay man does and based on my latest perils of profile interpretation, I can see a new pair of hiking boots in my future!

RYAN O’CONNER is just a regular guy who is dating in this great big world. His advice comes from personal experience and his advice is for entertainment purposes only. We recommend you consult a physician, counselor or therapist in your area for specific advice about your personal situation. Otherwise, questions can be submitted to bedroom@competenetwork.com.

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