Fenuxe Magazine Issue V8_5

Page 1

SOUTHERN WITH A GAY TWIST

03.10.17 V8-05

The doll of webtv How We Became A Little Gay Family photography: joseph klein

ball & chain



CITYS with

tyle

$

SUBURBIAP 2ove-inomes

10,000

DESIGNER UPGRADES CLOSING COSTS*

5,000

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r c ng

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featuring

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2016

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m ady h re

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

from the mid $300s

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* $10,000 promo on lots 174 and 111 and on front entry basement homes. See agent for details. Information believed to be accurate but not warranted and is subject to change without prior notice.

LIVE . CONNECTED.

imply.




FENUXE

Contents

03.10.2017

8 GREAT 08 CALENDAR: THINGS TO DO

10 22 24 26 36 38

OUT & ABOUT PHOTOS THE DOLL OF WEBTV

10 GAY MOVIES YOU CAN WATCH WITH MOM HOW WE BECAME A LITTLE GAY FAMILY HEY GIRL HEY GAY NEWS AT A GLANCE

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TYLER CALKINS PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF TYLER@FENUXE.COM

Mike Stone - PUBLISHING/PRODUCTION Dino Thompson-Sarmiento - SENIOR WRITER Peter Garnet - WRITER Mark Cook - FASHION PRODUCTION

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Jeff Anderson | 404.835.2016 - Sales Manager Andrea Dwyer - Sales

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To advertise, please call 404.835.2016 email info@fenuxe.com or visit www.fenuxe.com Published by TW Media Group © 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 1599-A Memorial Drive, Atlanta GA, 30317 Phone: 404.835.2016 | Fax: 404.835.2356 Opinions and claims made by advertisers are those of the advertisers only. Fenuxe accepts no liability for any claims made by advertisers. The views and opinions expressed in this issue are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency of TW Media Group.

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MAR 13

PROTEST

NO ONE PEES

Monday, March 13 State legislatures the nation over are making strides to deny transgender folks access to public facilities. So, the trans community will occupy the steps and common area of the Georgia State Capitol to make lawmakers understand the necessity of unfettered access to public accommodations at the No One Pees event. Allies are encouraged to show up. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Georgia State Capitol, 206 Washington St. 08: March 10, 2017

ORCHID DAZE

Saturday, March 11 Explore the world of America’s favorite plant during the annual Orchid Daze exhibition at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Step inside the tropical warmth of the largest orchid center in the United States for a special exhibition of thousands of gorgeous orchids.This year emphasizes the contrasts between vibrantly colored orchids and wooden elements COMMUNITY

COLM TOIBIN

Wednesday, March 15 The Jane & Harry Willson Center for Humanities & Arts will welcome acclaimed Irish writer Colm Tóibín to the University of Georgia as the second annual Delta Visiting Chair for Global Understanding. Tóibín will hold public speaking events on and off the UGA campus, as well as participate in more personal interactions with students and faculty during his visit. 1260 S. Lumpkin St., Athens, GA 30602

COMMUNITY MAR 12

MAR 11

DIANE DURRETT

Saturday, March 11 Enjoy a night with Atlanta’s own Diane Durrett and Soul Suga’. With a blend of raw soulful vocals, sultry tones and strong original songs, Durrett sang with Sting, The Indigo Girls, Gregg Allman, Chuck Leavell and Peter Stroud and opened shows for Tina Turner, KoKo Taylor, Faith Hill, Little Feat, Delbert McClinton, and Derek Trucks, 8 p.m. – 12 a.m., The Vista Room ATL, 2836 LaVista Road, Decatur, GA 30033

POSTCARD PARTY

Sunday, March 12 It’s Round Two of the Postcard Party, aka Postcards from the Edge. Join other politically minded Atlantans to write postcards demanding no votes to defunding Planned Parenthood, to repealing the Affordable Care Act, to privatizing Medicare, having a Muslim ban and creating a wall on the US-Mexico border, 6 p.m., Noni’s, 357 Edgewood Ave. S.E., Atlanta, GA 30312

COMMUNITY CHARITY MAR 15 05.03.15

MAR 11

Friday, March 10 Sandra Bernhard performs her all new show “SANDRA MONICA BLVD: Coast to Coast.” Bernhard is traversing the country taking audiences on a journey to find the soul of America. She takes you to all the places you forgot, but longed to remember in the muted colors of dreamy landscapes. Tonight at 8 p.m., City Winery, 650 North Ave., Ponce City Market, Atlanta, GA, www.citywinery.com

MAR 15

MAR 10

SANDRA BERNHARD

MUSIC

FUN

ARTS

POLITICAL ANIMALS Wednesday, March 15 Atlanta Pride & Out On Film present a screening of the documentary “Political Animals,” which tells the story of the civil rights struggle of this century – the gay rights movement – through the eyes of four elected women. The film follows 4 lesbians who took the fight for their communities off the streets and into the halls of government. Rush Center Annex, 1530 DeKalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307

MAR 18

CALENDAR

THEATRE

THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE

Saturday, March 18 Actor’s Express opens “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” about an Elvis impersonator who, through a chain of events, turns to drag performing, 8 p.m. tonight, running through April 16, 887 W. Marietta St., Atlanta, GA 30318, www.actorsexpress.com



OUT & ABOUT

10: March 10, 2017

JOINING HEARTS Love On The Rocks


PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT

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OUT & ABOUT

12: March 10, 2017

PHOTOS

ALEX WAN FOR CITY COUNCIL @ FLOURISH PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT


“New you, new life”

FENUXE.COM : 13


OUT & ABOUT

14: March 10, 2017

PHOTOS

WOMEN’S OUTDOOR NETWORK VALENTINES PARTY @ AMSTERDAM PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT


#1

zine’s E Maga

e Year! h t f o Show

TIM

ON SALE NOW! APRIL 18–23 FoxTheatre.org/Matilda • 855-285-8499

Gated Community

Towns at Druid Hills

Townhomes from the low $500s

For more information, please call Bakari Maxwell at 404.634.4485.

Limited Time Only Purchase a To-Be-Built Home and Receive:

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Use How You Choose Credits*

PLUS

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Toward Closing Costs*

*Available only when you close on a To-Be-Built home in the Towns at Druid Hills community pursuant to a contract you sign on or between 2/1/17-2/28/17. The offer to pay closing costs does not include payment of prepaid taxes, property or mortgage insurance, or mortgage installments. Pre-payments of HOA assessments are typically subject to lender limits. Seller provided Use How You Choose credits may be applied to price reductions, closing costs, upgrades and options. Upgrades and options available solely through Seller’s Design Center. Availability of items may vary by community. Offer does not have any cash value. The combined value of seller incentives, credits and other seller contributions may exceed lender limits established for the loan program for which buyer qualifies. Buyer should ask his or her lender about the impact of such limits. Prices, plans and terms are effective on the date of publication and subject to change without notice. Depictions of homes or other features are artist conceptions. Hardscape, landscape and other items shown may be decorator suggestions that are not included in the purchase price and availability may vary. CAATL189

FENUXE.COM : 15


OUT & ABOUT

16 March 10, 2017

PHOTOS

NATIONAL FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE PARTY @ JUNGLE PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT


SUNDAY MIRROR

STARRING

ON SALE NOW!

MARCH 28–APRIL 2 FoxTheatre.org/Bodyguard • 855-285-8499 The role of Rachel Marron will be played by Jasmin Richardson for the Saturday matinee and Sunday evening performances.

FENUXE.COM : 17


OUT & ABOUT

18: March 10, 2017

PHOTOS

LUMBERJACK PARTY @ THE HERETIC PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT


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Townhomes from the upper $300s

For more information, please call Heather Isaac at 678.627.0772.

Limited Time Only Purchase a To-Be-Built Home and Receive:

Up To

$15,000

Use How You Choose Credits*

PLUS

Up To

$5,000

Toward Closing Costs*

*Available only when you close on a To-Be-Built home in the Towns at Breton Ridge community pursuant to a contract you sign on or between 2/1/17-2/28/17. The offer to pay closing costs does not include payment of prepaid taxes, property or mortgage insurance, or mortgage installments. Pre-payments of HOA assessments are typically subject to lender limits. Seller provided Use How You Choose credits may be applied to price reductions, closing costs, upgrades and options. Upgrades and options available solely through Seller’s Design Center. Availability of items may vary by community. Offer does not have any cash value. The combined value of seller incentives, credits and other seller contributions may exceed lender limits established for the loan program for which buyer qualifies. Buyer should ask his or her lender about the impact of such limits. Prices, plans and terms are effective on the date of publication and subject to change without notice. Depictions of homes or other features are artist conceptions. Hardscape, landscape and other items shown may be decorator suggestions that are not included in the purchase price and availability may vary. CAATL189

FENUXE.COM : 19


20: March 10, 2017


OUT & ABOUT

PHOTOS

PARTY @ JOES ON JUNIPER PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT

FENUXE.COM : 21


COMMUNITY

22: March 10, 2017


the doll of webTV By Robert Miles

In the Dollhouse with Lina

Times have changed. It used to be the way to becoming a talk show host was doing lower level jobs at the local radio or TV station, hoping one day some old dude in a suit might give you a shot. In show -biz, it’s called getting “the big break.” Then it would be up to you to work hard, kiss the right butt and advance to the major network. It might have taken years, maybe decades, or even forever (as in never). Then, the internet came along and all a sudden, one could create their own break...sort of. All you needed was a massive understanding of tech. If you could figure out how to get your show up online (no easy task) there was little competition. You didn’t have to do a ton of marketing because, essentially, you were the only store on the street. These days, though, anyone with an iPhone can start their own show, and that’s exactly what’s happening. The biggest hurdle now is finding an audience. There are key characteristics one

must have to be an internet talk show host. Some are personality -related. Some are drive-related. Some are hustle-related. Some are innate. Some are learned. “I would most definitely consider myself a people person,” says Lina Bradford, the spirited House Music DJ diva turned host of In The Dollhouse With Lina, the rollicking YouTube show that returns for its second season this month. “I couldn’t be the beacon of light and love I am if I didn’t make people happy. At the end of day, it is what fuels my fire.” In the show, Lina’s quick wit and infectious smile take center stage as she discusses music, fashion and pop culture with her celebrity friends. Each episode is shot in her Barbie doll room — Lina has over 600! — and includes hilarious segments like the fan-favorite ͞Asian Fortune Cookie Kiki͟ where celebs like Carson Kressley, Candis Cayne, and Whoopi Goldberg play the Origami Paper Game with Lina, answering questions no one else would dare to ask. “Growing up, dolls were always about fun and fantasy,” Lina explains. “They are beautiful eye candy and a wonderful way to get away from all of the drama of our everyday lives and lose ourselves for just a little while.” On the pink couch, Lina and her guests touch on many different subjects, keeping it organic, as in life. Each guest brings something special and Lina feeds off the energy they create.

my interview , viewers will witness a wicked sense of humor!” The show is meant to seem effortless, but in reality, a lot of hard work takes place behind the scenes. Lina is involved in every step of the process. She is host, producer, promoter, community builder, f ire put-er-outer, guest getter... “I am an all purpose woman,” she says, “but I also have strong support team in place including editor Ryan McLendon, director Manuel Rodriguez and producer Scott Stern.” After creating the show, there’s even more work to do. Says Lina, “That’s when its time to answer emails, build relationships, respond to comments, get in the trenches and put the show on the map!” She leans on publicist Len Evans of Project Publicity, who also helped launch Rupaul’s Drag Race, for that. “We’re all a family which makes it all so special.” A spiritual person, Lina is confident the universe will do as it will for In The Dollhouse with Lina. “The show is built from love and happiness,” she continues. “I’m very content with where we are on the web and feel no pressure to bring the show to traditional TV. There’s a unique satisfaction with knowing that I am making my childhood dream come true, all on my own.” In The Dollhouse With Lina is free at youtube.com/InTheDollHouseWithLina. Follow on Facebook @ inthedollhousewithlina.

“It is an honor, a joy and a privilege to have people I admire come on my show and enjoy an interesting conversation mixed with campy fun.” With Candis Cayne, she reminisces about growing up together in the nineties New York scene. In her interview with Janet Mock, a transgender rights activist and author of the New York Times bestseller “Redefining Realness,” Lina manages to tap into Mock’s edge-y comedic side. “People think Janet is always very serious but in FENUXE.COM : 23 FENUXE.COM : 23


FUN BY: JOHN CAMPELL

10 GAY MOVIES YOU CAN WATCH WITH MOM Gay movies are not known for being okay to watch with your mom, but here are 10 that are sure to touch your heart as well as hers.

MOONLIGHT (2016) This Golden Globe underdog tells the story of a young black man coming of age in Miami while he and his family come to terms with his sexuality.

1. TOUCH OF PINK (2004) The spirit of Cary Grant helps this young man survive a visit from his Muslim mother while pretending he and his boyfriend are in fact straight.

2. RUNNING WITH SCISSORS (2006)

THE FAMILY STONE (2005) Diane Keaton is a fierce mama bear who brings us to tears in this Christmas film.

3.

4.

Annette Bening plays the disturbed mother of Augusten Burroughs in the adaptation of his best-selling memoir.


BLACKBIRD (2014)

GBF (2013)

Mo’Nique gives a powerful performance as a southern Christian women struggling to accept her gay son.

Megan Mullally is a cool mom who just wants her closeted son to know she’s totally ok with him being gay in this hilarious teen comedy from Darren Stein and George Northy.

5.

6. OTHER PEOPLE (2016)

Chris Kelly’s hilarious yet devastating opus to his mother stars Molly Shannon as a woman struggling with cancer and Jesse Plemons as her gay son who moves home to help take care of her.

7. PHILOMENA (2013) Judi Dench stars in this heartbreaking true story about an Irish Catholic woman who goes searching for her son 50 years after he was taken from her, only to find out he died of AIDS.

8. 9.

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (2010)

PRAYERS FOR BOBBY (2009)

Annette Bening and Julianne Moore play a couple of lesbian moms who feel threatened when their children reach out to their surrogate father.

Sigourney Weaver plays a mother who dedicates herself to gay rights after the suicide of her son in the true story about Bobby Griffith.

10.

FENUXE.COM : 25


LOVE + FAMILY

BY: BRAD WALSH

HOW WE BECAME A FAMILY BY CHARLES D. DUNST

E

ven before they exchanged their wedding vows in 2014, husbands Robert Dirksen and Tony Gomes knew they wanted to be parents.

When they began researching their family building options, they quickly began to feel a little overwhelmed. In addition, the men had their concerns about whether they would even be welcomed to build a family. Then a friend suggested they consider fostering to adopt and put them touch with The Village Family Services, a RaiseAChild partner agency located on North Hollywood. “The Village Family Services staff made us feel very comfortable from the very beginning,” explained Robert. “The agency had no issues with us being a gay couple and we trusted them with making the biggest decision of our lives.” According to Tony, “It would be difficult to imagine going through the family building process any other way. The best part is there 26: March 10, 2017

is no cost for their services, but the rewards have been tremendous.” Cristina Bostanian-Quezada, Adoptions Program Manager at The Village Family Services explained, “Our goal is to meet the critical needs of children throughout Southern California. There are over 13,000 children in our foster care system that are waiting for a forever family. Our job is to assist in creating families to nurture and heal these kids.” One of those kids is Sergio, who at two-and-a-half years of age had spent his entire life in the foster care system and, through The Village, was placed with Robert and Tony. The couple admitted they were nervous when they got the call. “Like most people, we thought we wanted an infant, but when we met Sergio, all those preconceived notions melted away because of our love for this toddler,” said Robert. “Having our son and being able to provide him with a loving environment has given our lives meaning and purpose; we wouldn’t

change a thing.” Dealing with those preconceived expectations is something Pam Bowman experienced when, in her late fifties and a single woman, decided to adopt. It was clear in her mind that she wanted an older, female child. After researching several agencies in her area, she began her process at The Village Family Services, making her intentions clear that she wanted a daughter. On a January evening in 2015, she got the call about a little boy that needed temporary placement. Pam agreed and within the hour, ten-year old Hugo walked through her front door with three black plastic bags containing all of his belongings. “He came into my house,” Pam said, “in a suit jacket and was just a tiny little thing.” Being an older single mother stirred emotions of doubt and hesitation in Pam. “There were times when I called Cristina and told her that I’m not sure I can do this,” admitted Pam. “She


would talk me off the ledge and offer continual guidance and support.” As with any parent-child relationship there are ups and downs. In time, Pam reached a point where she knew she had to decide on whether to adopt or not. “All I could think about was this little boy in my doorway with his three bags,” Pam recalled. “I knew I could never let him go. I had the support to make this work and to continue to be a good mother. Something deep inside me knew that Hugo was my son.” In August, 2016, Pam officially adopted Hugo. Robert and Tony not only kept in contact with the agency, but returned to them when they decided to have a second child. The recently welcomed David into their home and have given Sergio a baby brother. “When we had our first child, lives changed, but not in surprising ways,” said Robert. “What really surprised us was having two kids! It has definitely been twice the joy!”

Have you thought about building a family through fostering or adoption? RaiseAChild is the nationwide leader in the recruitment and support of LGBT and all prospective parents interested in building families through fostering and adoption to meet the needs of the 425,000 children in the foster care system of the United States. RaiseAChild recruits, educates and nurtures supportive relationships equally with all prospective foster and adoptive parents while partnering with agencies to improve the process of advancing foster children to safe, loving and permanent homes. Take the Next Step to Parenthood at www. RaiseAChild.org, or call us at (323) 417-1440. FENUXE.COM : 27


REVIEW

By: Terri Schlichenmeyer

BOOK REVIEW:

“I’m

“SCORES”

telling!”

If you were ever a child, that whine is familiar to you. It indicated a tattletale nearby, a secret spilled to Mom, and somebody about to be in trouble. Whatever. Annoying as it was, “I’m telling” never hurt much more than your pride then. Today, as in the new book “Scores” by Michael D. Blutrich, serious snitching could get a guy killed. How does it happen that a gay man would own a mainstream strip club? It was, says Michael Blutrich, a long story that started after he opened his law firm and, in search of an investment, purchased an L.A. nightclub. Believing that the success of his California business could transfer to New York, he recalled the excitement of a private banker who claimed he’d always wanted to own an upscale strip club. Being a closeted gay man, that wasn’t exactly Blutrich’s dream but the idea niggled at his brain. Partnering with the banker and others, they began looking for a building and batting ideas around. Scores was born, with a planned opening on Halloween night, 1991. “And then the mafia arrived.” In order to operate, the partners were told, they would need “protection,” which would involve some of New York’s biggest mafia families in a sort of symbiotic relationship, plus a grand-a-week kickback. It would also involve skirting Big Apple laws for as long as possible, because Scores would be the city’s “first and most notorious upscale gentlemen’s club” and there were rules against what a customer would find inside those Upper East Side doors. Because of the novelty and the entertainment it offered, Scores was successful – more successful than Blutrich had ever thought. He rode a wave that made him a rich and semi-famous man – at least, until the FBI caught up with him and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse… And, of course, that’s far from the end of the tale. What’s left 28: March 10, 2017

to say about “Scores” involves rompishness, humor, surprisingly heart-pounding chapters, a little Goodfellas, a little Boogie Nights, and quite a bit of fun. That last appeal comes in the form of overgrown tales, courtesy of author Michael D. Blutrich’s memories of what happened inside his gentlemen’s club every evening for nearly five years. Readers who remember the most infamous discos of the 70s will find something familiar in that, updated to the 1990s but no less outrageous. But this book isn’t all party: Blutrich delightfully drops names, including many you’ll recognize, but he’s deadly serious when he switches his tale from wild to wired, from dancing to danger. Indeed, though you know the risk has largely passed – he wrote a book, after all, right? – the whole of the story is one you’ve got to read. There’s an amazingly small amount of profanity and prurience inside this book; it’s there, but not as much as you’d think there’d be, given the subject matter. That restraint uniquely serves to enhance this book, and heightens the story’s value. And that makes “Scores” a book you’ll want to tell everyone about. By: Always Overbooked... Terri Schlichenmeyer The Bookworm Sez, LLC bookwormsez@ gmail.com


“It’s as if Major Lazer and Ace of Base had a love child,” says Bielfield about “Dance Again,” his new high-energy club track with drag superstar Courtney Act. Biefield is an American opera tenor with a five octave range. He was trained at Juilliard and has performed in productions with the New York City Opera and The Metropolitan Opera. “Growing up, I was always told that I could not be both a classical musician and a pop performer,” he continues. “I believed it, too, until I realized that music is all inclusive and non-divisive in nature. I want to show the world my versatility and to make the music I have always wanted to create. ” Written by Bielfield and Courtney Act and produced by Bielfield and Jhay C, “Dance Again” is a heart breaking yet sweat inducing song about getting over a lost love. Unlike Beilfeld’s previous tracks — “Boom and Bust,” “Kings and Queens” and “Frequency”: all of which leaned toward an 80’s mod vibe — “Dance Again” mixes modern electronic elements with retro sounds to create a unique club sound all its own. “Courtney was the big inspiration for this song. I wanted to write a song specifically for her voice. Something special that brought out her vibrant spirit and girlish innocence.” Bielfield first met Courtney

Act last year, backstage at a music festival. “I immediately knew I needed to work with her,” he remembers. “A week or two later, we came face to face again, at a concert where she introduced me to the stage. After the show, I invited Courtney to a Mexican restaurant, got her wasted on margaritas, and I charmed her into joining me in the recording studio.

“It’s as if Major Lazer and Ace of Base had a love child.”

They got to work on something that would resonate on today’s pop radio. “We wanted a song that would stir emotions, not necessarily full on jumping ‘round the house craziness, but something to get people moving.” “Where my classical career is a

more traditional expression of art and society, pop is where I get to explore my personal life situations and intimate feelings.” He admits his classical training sometimes sneaks into his pop production. Before recording “Dance Again,” Bielfield had Courtney Act lay flat on the floor in the booth to do the vocal exercises he was taught at Juilliard. “Oh, the look she gave me,” he laughs. Bielfeld’s “Dance Again” featuring Courtney Act is on iTunes now. For more information, visit bielfield. com.

Blonde Leading The Blonde By Mike Bahr Photos By: Julie Perry

We have a feeling we’re going to hear this on some dance floors REAL soon! FENUXE.COM : 29



PHOTOSHOOT

BY JOSHUAH NEAL

SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

piritual awakening is a sudden shift S in consciousness, sometimes drastic, mainly for a better life and or in a good direction. Webster’s Dictionary defines it as an enlightening realization.

Some of us might be experiencing a spiritual awakening and not know it. Here are 11 signs that indicate that you are experiencing and awakening or enlightening. 1. You are creating new belief systems. 2. You want more freedom and less stuff. 3. A sudden desire or change in life. 4. You find yourself drawn to inspiration & personal development. 5. You have a deep desire to connect with nature. 6. Experiencing usual burst and energy and unusual sleep patterns. 7. You have increased self talks or talks with your creator. 8. You are experiencing synchronicity. 9. You are having a greater feeling of

oneness. 10. You desire to take better care of the whole body. 11. Feeling of really deep emotions! John O’ Donahue has a famous quote: “Once the soul awakens, the search begins and you can never go back. From then on you are inflamed with a special longing that will never again linger in the lowlands of complacency and partial fulfillment. The eternal makes you urgent. You are loath to let compromise or the threat of danger hold you back from striving towards the summit of fulfillment”. This statement is so true. It’s kind of like an onion you begin to peel all the way to the core and begin to live again in a better way with great expression, and for people who don’t understand this it would seem very odd or crazy. That doesn’t matter because when you begin to open and shift your consciousness in a new better direction you begin to really be connected to oneself. When you are connected you are free! Finally when you are free,

connected and awaken you have no interest in judging others are worry about others judging you! Spiritual awakening is also the 12th step (last step) in the TWELVE STEP PROGRAM for Alcoholic/ Substance Abuse Program or Rehab centers. The reason it is the final step is because you have to use the other 11 Steps to become awakened or enlighten. The 1st in the 12 step Program is admitting that you are powerless over alcohol and substance and you life has became unmanageable. Therefore in the 12 Step Program you go from step 1 being powerless to the final step, step 12 being powerful and awaken of your life. Personally I began my spiritually awakening not too long ago at all and still working on it in every single one of my affairs. One my personal quotes that tend to refer to is: “I’m not the same soul I once was. A lot has changed. A lot is still changing. A lot had to have change. Therefore you can not expect out of my what I embodied in the past. For that part of me no longer exist!” My spiritual awakening also includes daily talks with my Creator! I’m so connected with myself right now that all I can do is just smile! Spiritual Awakening may not come when you want it to, but it will come. I promise! You may not realize it at the time it’s happening but once you start see. I hope this helps, Joshua Neal Behavioral Health Coach & Fitness Expert www.TinyHabits.com www.AnytimeFitness.com www.CrisisTextLine.com Behavioral Health & Development 2 Peachtree St NW Atlanta, GA 30303 photography: joseph klein (404) 657-225

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Hey Girl Hey! Holler Poodles!

Hi ladies! You all know our faces must be fierce to get attention. That’s why I’m excited to tell you about some exciting new products that have come into Norcostco Atlanta Costume. G Body Art Professional Couture Cosmetic Glitter is a whole line of microfine glitter triple-milled which provides a soft, cashmere-like feel on the skin. G’s beautiful collection of cosmetic-grade glitter allow you to create amazing blends of jewel-toned colors for any design. Keep the design modest with the neutral tones or get wild with the season’s hottest array of colors G Body Art Professional Body Glue is latex-free and hypoallergenic. G Body Glue is perfect for even the most sensitive of skin types and sets the stage for a glitter body art piece. Note: This is NOT recommended for use around the eyes. For use around the eyes, I recommend using Graftobian’s Magic Set. Brush on a thin coat and then apply the glitter. You’ll be amazed at how it adheres. The resultant coat will be durable and beautiful. What really sets Graftobian’s Mixing & Lining Liquid apart from other mixing liquids is that the formula has NO ALCOHOL in it! That means it is safe for use in the eye area. Some of you have asked about makeup removal for sensitive skin. Doing drag every night can be very drying and damaging to the skin. Atlanta Costume has 3 new products that are great for sensitive skin. Embryolisse No Rinse Make-Up Remover gently lifts away dirt, excess oil and makeup from your skin as it softens and conditions with nonirritating mineral particles. Botanical extracts of cornflower promote a smooth and supple texture while chamomile extract soothes inflammation. Witch hazel extract balances skin’s delicate pH levels for a clean and refreshed complexion. Unveil is an alcohol free makeup cleaner made with moisturizers. Unveil effectively removes virtually any type of makeup including Endura, Vibe and Encore while it moisturizes the skin. Because it is solvent free, it is an ideal makeup remover for face, around eyes and sensitive skin areas. Unveil can be used regularly making it extremely valuable when used in conjunction with beauty, haunt and movie makeup applications. Finally, there is SUPER SOLV PLUS by Telesis. We use this a lot in the movie industry because the formula is specifically designed for use on sensitive skin. SUPER SOLV PLUS contains Vitamins D & E, and special silicones that help to condition and moisturize the skin while removing makeup and adhesives.

Love and lashes,

Mary Edith Pitts Mary Edith Pitts P.S. If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please contact me at maryedith99@gmail.com and add me on twitter @ maryedithpitts


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Gay News At A Glance NEW GAY BAR DIVIDES VERMONT COMMUNITY You’d expect the news of a new gay venue opening in Vermont to be greeted with excitement by the local community. However, it has instead prompted deep division. The reason? Its name. Mister Sister is due to be open shortly in Winooski, Burlington. It’s a rebranding of the business currently at the venue: Oak45 wine bar. It will be the first dedicated LGBTI bar in the area in just over a decade. However, its name has been called out by some as transphobic. According to the Burlington Free Press, several comments left on the Oak45 and Mister Sister Facebook pages have

criticized the name. ‘Mister sister’ is a transmisogynistic slur, and it is deeply uncomfortable,’ said Wiley Read, a local transgender man. Owner Craig McGaughan, who is gay, has defended the name choice of his re-branded bar. ‘It is a term that has been used among gays and Drag Queens for decades intended to be positively gender-bending. Mister Sister is for the Misters and the Sisters, those that identify as both and everyone in between. The official description is “a gay bar for him, her and them.” ‘I have been very intentional in using a pronoun that isn’t specifically male or female as a way to include anyone that identifies as part of the LGBTQ community.’ Despite issuing that statement last week, the controversy shows no signs of abating. This week it led to two resignations at the local Pride

Center of Vermont. Board members Bailey Cummings and Timber Adamso said they were resigning because they didn’t think the center had been strong enough in its condemnation of the name. Paul Sisson, co-chair of the Pride Center board, said it had met Monday night to debate on issuing three different statements. However, they instead decided to hold off and seek more public feedback. For Cummings and Adamso, this was not enough. ‘I can’t continue to support an organization that doesn’t feel the need to stand up and make a statement in regards to a transphobic slur in our community,’ said Adamson. Around 80 people attended last night’s heated town hall meeting, and the overwhelming majority were critical of the name and Pride Center’s failure to unequivocally condemn it.

TOMMY PAGE, GAY SINGER, COMMITS SUICIDE The gay former chart topper was found dead on March 3. Billboard Entertainment Group President John Amato said: ‘We are all mourning the loss of our friend and colleague Tommy Page.

Copyright Getty Images

‘He was a magnetic soul and a true entertainer. Our thoughts are with his family,’ Amato said.

38: March 10, 2017

Page topped the charts with his single I’ll Be Your Everything in 1990. He also had a number one album named Paintings in my Mind. He later went on record nine studio albums and continue to tour regularly.

Paul Sissons, co-chair of the Board said that a full and formal statement would be released, but that after hearing feedback, he could confirm that, ‘We no longer support the name of that bar.’’ McGaughan did not attend last night’s meeting but sent a representative. He said in a press statement in advance that he felt his presence at the meeting might distract from the issues being discussed. Dispite the condemnation, he remains committed to the name. ‘We believe in and are committed to the name Mister Sister,’ he said Friday. ‘Mister Sister will celebrate its Grand Opening on 10 March.’ What do you think?

‘Ever since childhood, I’ve had big aspirations for my music career,’ Page said in 2011. ‘In the inscription below my senior picture in my high school yearbook, I actually wrote ‘Billboard charts, here I come!’ — a hopeful pipe dream from an ordinary Jersey kid,’ he said. be illegal in all circumstances. Page is survived by his husband Charlie and their three kids. In 2015, Page joined Cumulus Media as senior vice president of brand partnerships. Page also served as VP of music partnerships at the Village Voice. Tommy Page made a cameo appearance on TV show Full House.


RUSSIA TO BAN NEW BEAUTY & THE BEAST MOVIE OVER ‘GAY MOMENT’ The Russian government may ban the new Beauty and the Beast movie after director confirms ‘gay moment’. Since 2013, Russia adopted ‘gay propaganda’ laws, which effectively gag all LGBTI material. The new Beauty and the Beast live remake will have an ‘exclusively gay moment’ for the first time in a Disney film. LeFou, the manservant to Gaston, will show a struggle with his sexuality and his feelings for leading man Gaston.

ATLANTA GAY CHAMBER REMOVES TREASURER AFTER FRAUD IS DISCOVERED The former treasurer of the Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC), Robby Mathis was asked to leave after they discovered evidence of financial fraud. On Feb. 23, AGLCC board members met with Mathis to discuss suspicious transations on their bank account. According to a press

Played by Frozen star Josh Gad, the director promised there will be a ‘big pay-off at the end’. But Russian MPs say this is a ‘shameless propaganda of sin.’ Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky said: ‘As soon as we get a copy of the film with relevant paperwork for distribution, we will consider it according to the law.’ Once the Russian government sees the film, they will decide on the course of action. Vitaly Milonov, an MP of the governing United Russia party, wants to ‘take measures to totally ban’ the movie. Russian actor Pavel Derevyanko also told state-run TV Russia 24: ‘I will not take my kid to this movie.’ The movie is due to be released in Russia on March 16. release, Mathis has admitted to unauthorized use of the organization’s money. “We believe we have discovered evidence of financial fraud at the chamber, which we are working diligently to assess and recuperate,” AGLCC President Jack Kinley said in his email to members. “Our success hinges on the trust of our members and partners. We honor that trust by being good stewards of the investments that you make in the organization. Unfortunately, an individual in our ranks has broken that trust.” After the discovery the AGLCC filed a police report, and Jack Kinley said members will be updated regularly.

THIS NEW ‘SMART CONDOM’ IS HERE TO JUDGE A GUY’S SEXUAL PERFORMANCE

The ‘world’s first smart condom’ is actually a ring, and it is here to judge a guy’s sexual performance. Instead of dull old rubber, this technologically advanced ring claims to track the ‘exercise’ as well as detecting chlamydia and syphilis. It is available for preorder forv$74 with an unknown release date. But before we have a firm opening date, the i.Con ring has promised to answer every burning question about your sex life. There will be an app that will display your data: What’s my thrust velocity? How fast are my thrusts? How many calories did that session burn? How many times did I just have sex? What’s the average skin temperature of my penis? What’s my girth? The ring, with a one-year warranty, has a Micro-USB charging port to provide six to eight hours of ‘live’ usage. It will work with a combination of nano-chip and sensors, pairing the divice via Bluetooth. The ring will come in one size with a ‘band adjustment’ feature’. ‘All data will be kept anonymous, but users will have the option to share their recent data with friends, or, indeed the world.’ FENUXE.COM : 39


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