Physical Fitness: Fenuxe Issue 126 by Fenuxe Magazine Management

Contents

FENUXE

02.27.2015

OUT & ABOUT PHOTOS

MICHAEL RUSSO: SAVES THE DATE

PHYSICAL FITNESS: PHOTOGRAPHY BY JRWEST

ZERONA: CORRECTION

DJ ESCAPE: THE REAL MAN BEHIND THE BOOTH

HEY GIRL HEY

GAY NEWS AT A GLANCE

POP CULTURE

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OUT & ABOUT

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PHOTOS

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OUT & ABOUT

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OUT & ABOUT

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OUT & ABOUT

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PHOTOS

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COMMUNITY

By Dustin Shrader

MICHAEL RUSSO: SAVES THE DATE

ichael Russo is as adorable on the phone as he is on his new FYI Network show, Mikie M Saves the Date. Founder of Michael Russo Events, Mikie knows how to keep busy. His event planning company provides full-services with branches located in California, Florida and even New York City. Mikie’s keen eye and undeniable talent has scored him a star-studded list of celebrity clients, including Kevin Jonas, Joey Fatone, Kathy Griffin & even Shaq himself. The illustrious designer was also enlisted to share his formidable skills and help couples plan every detail for their own weddings on national TV. We caught up with Mikie to discuss his fast-paced life, his thoughts on his self-hosted show and the true love of his life.

FENUXE: How did your segment on The View go this morning?

about that. Such a whirlwind. So tell me a little more about yourself.

MIKIE: It was great! It was really nice!

MIKIE: I’m so happy! My background is obviously wedding planning and design, flowers and all of that. I’ve been doing it for about 15 years. It wasn’t until I did Joey Fatone’s wedding from NSYNC, that I was on the map in terms of celebrity weddings. That was 10 years ago. Then I planned Kevin Jonas’ wedding, Sherri Shepard of The View, I’ve worked with Kathy Griffin, and Shaquille O’Neal, so my clientele has a very wide range and I don’t only do weddings, you know. I do a lot of decorating for the holidays and other special events, so yeah, it’s pretty fun.

FENUXE: Oh, I bet! I love me some Rosie O’Donnell. MIKIE: Oh yeah, well, she wasn’t part of the segment, only because it’s airing Friday, so her last day is Thursday. FENUXE: That’s right. She’s leaving. I forgot

FENUXE: Do you have a favorite celebrity client? Do you like to work with celebrities, or nonfamous couples? Or are they kind of the same?

Michael Russo

MIKIE: You know what? I know it sounds crazy and it sounds corny, but working with celebrities is just like working with everyday people. There really, there is no difference on my end of it. Obviously on their end, they’re a celebrity, so they deal with it, but I honestly treat all of my clients the same. They all get the same amount of time and respect and energy and focus and creativity, so it’s not like I focus solely on the celebrities. Everyone is the same, in my eyes.

FENUXE: Well that’s nice to hear. I’ve spoken to people in the past and they usually prefer one or the other. Some can handle the spotlight or others can’t. How did the idea for your show come about? MIKIE: The production company, High Noon Productions reached out to me. They were working on this project and you know, I’ve turned down TV quite a bit, because it just didn’t fit. Like, just didn’t fit my brand and it just wasn’t the right time for me, because like you saw, the show has heart to it. We’re not just after drama then sensationalizing the drama and building the drama. It’s kind of the opposite, you know, like I come in and I figure out what’s going on and then I defuse the drama so everyone can have a beautiful day. Some couples are easier than others, but I do it with a smile and I do it with humor and I just make the clients and make their families see things in ways they typically wouldn’t see them before. FENUXE: Can you take me a little bit behind the production of this show? Does it take longer to say, film a show and plan this wedding as opposed to just a normal wedding you’re doing? MIKIE: Well, it’s definitely a shorter amount of time, because we have to film a whole season in three to four months. In this case we did eight episodes, including

my own wedding, the season finale. I marry my partner, well my now husband, Richie, of thirteen years. I planned seven weddings in three months, as well as my own, so it’s a little stressful. So, we did all of the planning and all of the preparation in the first two months of the show and then the last month and a half is when the weddings actually occurred. FENUXE: Can you tell me what that was like, planning your wedding while you’re also working so much? MIKIE: Oh my God, yeah. It was a little chaotic, I almost was treating it as like a business transaction and not planning my own wedding. Once I figured out that I was planning my wedding, I just literally had to stop and figure out what it was that I wanted and what Richie wanted as well. It was a little difficult because this is what I do for a living, so the wedding world was watching to see oh, what is Mikie going to do that he

hasn’t done before? The pressure was on, for sure. FENUXE: I can’t even imagine. Did you have to share planning responsibility with your partner?

and then when it came time for me to do the stuff and pick the invitations and the fonts and the colors, he literally wanted to oversee every single aspect of the weddingHe turned into probably one of my toughest

“...I do it with a smile and I do it with humor and make the clients and their families see things in ways they typically wouldn’t.” MIKIE: I’m not a foodie, I’m a very simple eater. So, I said let’s make a deal, you can do everything that has to do with the menu and the cocktail hour, but everything on a visual standpoint is my deal. Because that’s what I do. We agreed upon that. I let him to pick the menu

clients to date....it was so crazy. Well, you know, I’ve known Richie for 13 years, so I know what he wanted, but he questioned me every single step of the way, which was a little stressful. But ultimately, he was beyond thrilled with everything.

FENUXE: I’m looking forward to seeing that episode then! MIKIE: Yeah, it’s actually quite comical, that’s for sure. It aires Sunday, March 8th. FENUXE: I’ll keep an eye out for it. I’m sure you know all the activities surrounding marriage equality lately. Have you filmed an episode about gay weddings? Or have you worked with gay clients before, other than just planning your own gay wedding? MIKIE: Yeah, I’ve planned gay weddings in the past. It won’t be featured on this season, fingers crossed obviously for a season two, but I think they wanted our wedding to be the first gay wedding. Ours is the first gay wedding that’s being televised on a cable network for a series. Lance Bass obviously had his, but that was for a one time special where this is a full series. FENUXE.COM : 21

series. They show Richie and I each week, planning like simple and some elements of the wedding in each episode and then obviously, ours is the grand finale. FENUXE: That is really nice. Did it take you awhile to get used to cameras around all the time, especially in such a stressful period? MIKIE: Not really, because I’ve done a lot of TV in the past. It wasn’t new to me, but the first day of shooting, obviously you’re just very aware of everything, of like how you’re standing, and then by the second day, it’s like you almost forget the cameras are even there. Truly, that’s how I approached each situation, whether it’s TV or not, I really focus on what my clients want and what they’re expressing to me. I really just focused on them and not the cameras and we really captured some amazing moments with the show. FENUXE: I’m really excited to see it! Besides this show and I know your wedding’s already passed, which congratulations, and so it will air, do you have anything big planned for 2015, besides the show? MIKIE: Yes, I’m obviously working on like weddings and stuff, but I can’t talk about them yet. FENUXE: I understand. MIKIE: That’s just the nature of my business. I have to keep all of my celebrity client stuff quiet. Yeah, just focusing on, you know, still creating beautiful and magical weddings for everyone, but I’m definitely really excited about doing more gay weddings because Alabama just recently passed an amazing bill. It’s like, we’re making such great headway and I’m just really excited to do more gay weddings. FENUXE: I know, Alabama’s my home state, so I’m just through the roof that it’s actually getting there and happening. I thought we’d be the last state in the nation. MIKIE: You know it’s kind of sad that in 2015 that it’s like still an issue, because I don’t know, it’s just mind blowing, to be honest. FENUXE: It really is. I’ve been getting phone calls and stuff from friends back home and there’s just constant back and forth bickering over whether this should be allowed or not and it’s 2015, let’s just get with it. MIKIE: I know, it’s like, it’s crazy. It’s absolutely crazy. FENUXE: Is there anything else you’d like to specifically plug or maybe something for your local Atlanta fans that are just now tuning in to your show, or your work? MIKIE: Honestly I think just the overall message of the show and, you’ve seen it, so you get what I’m about. I’m truly in it for my clients. I give them the wedding that they want, not the wedding that I think they should have. I think that’s really my biggest message for everyone that hasn’t seen the show, because there’s a lot of shows out there that, they come in and they change everything about someone’s wedding. That’s completely the opposite 22: February 27, 2015

of what I do. I give them their dream wedding and stay true to who they are as a couple, because that’s truly what makes the most memorable and personal and magical moments. When they focus on them vs trying to create an event that they think their friends and family would be impressed with. FENUXE: All right, one last question, for a non-famous couple, what’s the best way to try to get in contact with you, as far as wedding planning and things like that? MIKIE: Oh so, my website is mikierusso.com and then same thing for my social media, like Instagram, Twitter, it’s all mikie@mikierusso. FENUXE: I might just hit you up one day when I get ready to take that step. MIKIE: I love it. Again, the season finale of Mikie Saves The Date featuring a star-studded guest-list including Sheri Shepard, Kevin Jonas and his groomsman Joey Fatone from N*SYNC, will air Sunday, March 8th at 12pm EST on the FYI Network.

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Zerona (Correction)

Due to mistakes about the treatment, Zerona, printed in our last issue, I have corrected misleading information that Zerona could cause any type of pain. Zerona is a painless treatment, which is what sets it apart and above other weight-loss systems. I apologize for the error of misinformation. When it comes to improving the health and style of people all around Atlanta, Salon Skanda in Buckhead is leading the pack with body-contouring treatment Zerona. As seen on daytime television like “The Dr. Oz Show” and “Rachel Ray,” Zerona has become the first treatment of its kind to be cleared by the FDA. Salon Skanda’s coordinator Robert Ballew says it’s all about working with “our guests” to come up with the right plan for them. “We talk about what their goals are, what they’re looking for, and we try to bring it to the most realistic point for them,” Ballew said. “There are definite benefits so most every guest, even apprehensive ones, are excited about it.” A lot of work goes into getting Salon Skanda’s guests ready for Zerona, to ensure a successful experience, with Ballew working closely to accommodate any questions that may arise. “I take measurements beforehand, we do before pictures then we decide what we’re going to focus on,” Ballew said.

30: February 27, 2015

The process itself is pain-free, and guests can choose which area to focus on, including thighs, arms and the midsection, which Ballew says is one of the most popular among male clients. He went on to emphasize that those who might still be worried about negative long-term effects should rest assured when it comes to Zerona’s safety. “It’s a class-two laser, so there are no damaging effects, there’s no heat, no cold and no sensation,” Ballew said, “it’s not going to cause any damage.” Something so simple might come off as skeptical to some, but Ballew assures that Zerona’s process is one that will be beneficial to anyone looking to rid themselves of excess flab. “It’s a photonic light, so the laser is set at a specific frequency like a phone number, it ‘calls’ the fat cell which has its own number, and basically tells it to open up the door,” Ballew explained. “The liquid inside the fat cell is released, and liberated into the system, where it is processed via the lymphatic

system.” Most diet or exercise programs require a pretty large commitment to fitness, which is where Zerona differs. Guests who don’t normally work out only need to worry about taking a 15 minute walk every day and drink plenty of water in order to keep flushing out their systems. The whole treatment takes a minimum of 6 treatments done every 2-3 days, but Ballew says guests should expect to see results rather quickly. “ I start to see results after the 3rd time,” he said. “About the 4th time I start to hear ‘my jeans fit different, everything feels a little different,’ so guests are seeing progress.” With packages starting at $1300, Salon Skanda looks to carve out a safe, affordable way for its guests to reach the goals they set for themselves, eliminating stress and bringing amazing results. Salon Skanda, 3324 Peachtree RD NE, Suite D Atlanta, GA 30326 (678) 705-1052

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MUSIC

DJ Escape:

BY: DUSTIN SHRADER

The Real Man Behind The Booth

The alluring DJ Escape has toured the world, seen and done it all. Although he still continues to tour, nowadays the legendary spinner is serving up something different. I chatted with Escape about his appearance at Atlantaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Heretic, his new partnership with Playgirl and what exactly he is doing that has all his fans losing their minds. 32: February 27, 2015

enuxe: You’re touring your new party right now. It’s called Served, right?

DJ Escape: Yes. This whole Serve started over a year ago at a place called Shanky’s in New York, and it was called Sunday Service. I was given the control to finally be an artist and do me whereas for 15 years I’ve spent my time on the road catering to the crowd, and playing the hits, and not really having an identity as an artist. I stepped back and said, “I want to give people something that’s me.” I stopped doing the pop mixes, and I started producing all original stuff . Fast-forward to now where I have Served and I’ve been doing this party over a year. It’s my baby, I own it, I run it. I know the recipe, because I’ve been on the sidelines for so long. I showcase my guests, and my residents are Tom Stephan, Stephan Grondin, Razor and Guido, and Manny Lehman. I brought in some of the new guys Billy Lace, I just brought on Cindel. Hector Romero, That Kid Chris. What I basically do is I play once a month by myself, and then I showcase my talent. I’ll open up the room, put the talent on and then for the last hour-and-ahalf we tag team back and forth and really create lives. The Magic. Fenuxe: Awesome! Escape: That’s my recipe for what’s going on in New York. I have new records with so many artist that I’m getting ready to drop. I have a new record with Robin S, called Shout-It-Out-

Loud. I have a new record recovered Frankie Knuckles, Workout. I have a new record with Veronica. I have Christine W. coming in in a couple weeks. I have a new record with her coming. Brand new record with Alan T. Brand, new record with Sandy B. As you see, the list goes on and on. I’m reaching for that old school talent that everyone forgot about. Everyone’s forgotten about the artist, and I feel it’s my job to remind everyone what’s up. And I don’t want to be pigeon-holed as like that dinosaur DJ with that tired circuit sound. I feel that circuit sound is in the stone-age. It’s been 15 years, it hasn’t evolved. It’s the exact same thing. What I’m doing is old school New York. It’s different. It’s fun. It’s party. It’s familiar without being commercial. You’re not going to hear any radio record when I play, at all. No Rhianna, No Lady GaGa, No Britney Spears, nothing like that. You’re going to hear underground artists. You’re going to hear vocals. You’re going to hear things you know, done up in a brand new way. I just did new mixes to Tonya Garner the Heart Beat, to First Choice Love Sensation. I mean, I’m reaching for soul. I’m reaching for disco. I’m reaching for ‘90s. I’m across the board, you’re going to hear new things of things that you would never imagine could never be done up in the club. I have an arsenal of over 300 exclusive things that I’ve made, that I play. I played 85%

of my own material when I go out and play. I’ve only chosen a couple cities to even go entertain this in right now. Fenuxe: Which ones? Escape: I mean, I’ve worked at The Heretic and I’ve worked with Allen for years. And I haven’t been there for over a year-and-a-half so it felt perfect to come back in and re-introduce what I’m doing now. I have Boston, which is one of my strongest markets. I play there all the time. I’m bringing my Serve party to San Francisco monthly starting May 30th. I’m there with Christine W. and Hex Hector. One market I’m missing where ... it’s funny that I got my start and I don’t have it right now, is Miami. I was a resident at Liquid from ’98 to 2000. Score moved back into the Liquid Place, and they haven’t called me to work. I’ve been trying. I’ve been reaching out, and just, nothing. But, I’ve gone around the world and back. As I said, doing the commercial thing and the pop thing. And playing everything that everyone wanted to hear. And it wasn’t gratifying because after 15 years of making a lot of money and touring I realized I had no identity and, yeah, I made a lot of money but what did I have to show for it? And having New York now, like this, people are getting to know me because I’ve put it down their throats. And if they didn’t like it, I wouldn’t be succeeding.

Fenuxe: How often do you play a week? Escape: Play once a week. This is my party, that’s all I do. I travel. I’ve been traveling once a month. I have Atlanta in February. I have Tampa at G Bar, March 14th. I have Voyeur in Philly may 23rd. Rise in Boston, April 11th. And then I have some blues I work there in Boston a lot. But those are really my cities. And then to top it off, Playgirl has made me the official sponsor/ spokesperson for their new app called PlayR. Fenuxe: What is PlayR? Escape: So, Playgirl is pretty much coming out of the closet. They’re coming up with this hook up app. And I’m the spokesperson. I am the DJ and they’re helping me out, where all these cities and advertising and really getting the word out there. Fenuxe: How’d that partnership come about? Escape: Well, the person involved in the company I’ve known since I was 5 years old. He thought I’d be a perfect fit. I’m just trying to evolve the business and take things to the next level.

34: February 27, 2015

And shape the sound from yesterday and to today to make them relevant. The gay scene use to be at the front of everything and now it’s stale. I maintain a high level of respect for all my artists and all my roster. Everyone does things for me to do it. And I’m able to create events for pennies. To where a promoter would have to pay $15,000 to create the event. Fenuxe: What’s different about the Playgirl app? What’s going to stand it apart from say Grindr? Escape: There is a lot that’s different. It’s gonna have my music and exclusive stuff from me incorporated in it. You’re going to be able to check in at a location and have people know that you’re there. And it’s going to list what you’re listening to. So let’s say that you’re at the gym and you’re listening to Escape. It’s going to have all my DJ’s and artist exclusives and I’m going to have exclusive material on there once it gets all launched. It’s available on the Android right now. And we’re waiting on the Apple store to approve it for iPhone. For a long time the clientele of Playgirl were housewives, but now it’s changed, it’s the gay man that is hittin’ up Playgirl.

Fenuxe: I’m surprised it’s taken this long for them to market toward the gay community. Escape: Yeah, I mean ... I’ve just been able to pull out all the stops. All the artists right now, want to work with me. I mean, you know, between Getting Robin S, you know, Inaya Day and Veronica, everyone. I have CeCe Peniston wants to work with me. I have Jocelyn Brown. I mean, I’ve produced a record for Alan T called Shade which is my biggest track I’ve done in, I can’t even remember, since Worship Me. Fenuxe: When will all the new stuff be available? Escape: In the next 6 months. I want to roll everything out for Pride. I’ve been holding onto to things for a while, making it exclusive to my parties. So like Robin S, I did over a year ago. It’s ready to roll. I’m just trying to set up all the details in my label and distribution. I want to promote it the right way, because my music isn’t disposable and there’s so much garbage out these days, that I don’t want it to get lost in the shuffle. My Sound Cloud is soundcloud.com/ DJescapeee. A little clip of Robin S, a little clip of Veronica. I put up one minute teasers. And more stuff is coming there. To name a few... Heartbeat, I did Love Thing, I did All Cried Out, I did Madonna’s new one, Living for Love. I did the Quick Thing. I did Clean Bandit, Rapid B. I did Natalie Cole, Living for Love. I did Jody Watley, Want me Like I Want You. I did for this weekend, Valentine’s Day weekend; I did Diana Ross, Stop in the Name of Love. It’s really endless the amount

of stuff that I’ve done. I did Where Love Lives. The material goes all the way back to the ‘90s. That’s what I ... I take people back. To where like they know all the records but now it’s being presented in a new current way. They’re like, Wow. I haven’t heard this forever. What is this version? Fenuxe: Yeah, Yeah. It’s fresh, it’s new. Escape: Yes. I’m all about making the old new and relevant. Giving people things they know without hitting up the radio. If you want to hear the radio go in your car, go to a cruise in bar. If you want to dance, I want you on my dance floor. I want you to enjoy the music. I want you to go home with a memory and say,” I can’t believe you played this” or “Wow, I haven’t heard that in ages.” This is played with this. I go for the experience. At the end of the day, the most gratifying thing to me is when I open up my email, and I get people writing to me, “Wow, I can’t believe you played this at this party.” And it could be a party from like 5 or 10 years ago. “I still remember this and this I will always remember.” That is the most gratifying thing to me in the world. Fenuxe: Where did you learn how to do all of this? Escape: I learned from the best. I had good teaching in the ‘90s. I learned from Junior Vasquez. I learned from Danny Tenaglia before it got all watered down. And I took the best qualities of all these DJs and I molded into what would be me. I’m very loyal and when people are there for me, I’m there for them across the board... And I’d try everyone. If

there’s a DJ that can, old or new, and stand up next to me and perform like me and be able to keep up, I’m down. That’s what it’s all about and I’m not going to name the ones that can’t but I’ve named the ones that can. I love playing at the Heretic by the way. It is a smaller room. It’s intimate, you know, it’s always packed. The vibe is amazing.

Fenuxe: So, what’s the long term goal then, from where you are at right now?

events. I want to be the event producer. I want to showcase my brand, showcase the artist. That’s where I’m at. I’m happy. I’m not working for promoters, I’m working for club owners. It’s a whole other vibe. And I did that not by choice, I did that because I had to do it - it was my only option. If I’m not going to create the opportunity for myself, no one is going to create it for me. And I’m just going to have all this talent and be shelved with it. And I refuse to do what everyone is doing and put it online and just give it away. And remix all the pop stuff for free. And actions speak louder than words. I’m ready to create some action and something new. And that’s what I want people to know my name as. When people think of Escape, I want people to go, wow. Not only is he an amazing DJ. He’s an amazing producer and he throws amazing parties.

Escape: The long term goal is having my party, Served, in all the major cities. showcasing all the right talents. Changing the sound from that dated tribal chug to fun house music.

Fenuxe: Is there anyone you would like to thank personally? Escape: My remix partner, Tony Coluccio, we could shout out. Without him, none of this would be possible.

Fenuxe: Do you think you’ll ever get to the point to where like. Okay, I’m done, I’ve done all I need to do. I’m good to stop here?

You can find more informaiton about DJ Escape at his website, djescape.com and more about the PlayR app at playgirlplayr.com

Fenuxe: It’s definitely one of the best dance spots here in town. Escape: And Allen is amazing to work for, it’s been an institution for over 20 years. Which means he knows what he’s doing. Fenuxe: He sure does. Escape: He brings in one guest a month and has great residents, between Lydia and Mike Pope, they’re stand up people that know what they’re doing.

Escape: No, I dont think so. I don’t want to DJ many full nights. If I play for 2 hours and just showcase what I’m doing and have my other talent do it, that I believe in. I’m good. I want to jump into producing the

HEY GIRL HEY

HOLLER POODLES! As the Academy Awards present their winners for Best Picture, so go the creative minds of our illustrious porn industry into making these beloved movies into high class porn. After contacting me for ideas, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present for your perusal my porn parodies... The Grand Budapest Motel. A seedy retelling our own local watering hole (yes, pee) The Cheshire Motor Inn and all the dirty doings going on. Think of it as The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas meets Sherlock Holmes. Who left that spot there? Why does my headboard glow in the dark? The Imitation Game. Finally, finally, Ben-A-Dick Cum-A-Bunch plays porn legend Ron Jeremy spilling a bukakye buffet over 40 year old men imitating 20 year old twinks. A special screening will be held at BJ Roosters! Whip-Lashes. An erotic tale of drag and S&M starring Mary Edith Pitts as a young ingenue with particularly long breast eyelashes who wants to explore 50 shades of gay. The climax of the film is breast-taking, literally as her breasts leave her body in an unfortunate masochistic experiment. Manhood. Already secured for the role, Ellar Coltrane lets us follow him into the porn business over 12 years as he tries every conceivable position and combination possibleâ&#x20AC;Ś on himself!

Love and lashes,

Mary Edith Pitts Mary Edith Pitts PS. If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please email me at maryedith99@gmail.com or on twitter @maryedithpitts

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so happy to recommend Dr. Thomas Sparkman, DDS for all your dental needs. I recently went in for some work and was so pleased by my experience I just had to share it with you. First and foremost, his offices are impeccably clean and use the absolute latest in technology which means everything can be done in the office. His staff are warm and welcoming not to mention he has the best disposition of any doctor I know. More importantly, he gives back to the community on a regular basis and is just a great guy. Please give him a call for your next dental appointment located near Perimeter mall. (770) 396-8061

FENUXE.COM : 38

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Sales Representatives Please submit resumes to info@fenuxe.com

Gay News At A Glance by dustin shrader

GEORGIA PREPS FOR GAY MARRIAGE As America waits with baited breath for the Supreme Court to rule on same-sex marriage this summer, all signs point to Georgia going along with whatever the nation’s highest court decides. The Council of Probate Judges of Georgia has reportedly put out the word that whatever the justices decide will be the law in Georgia courthouses. This stands in stark contrast to what is going on in Alabama lately, with the state’s Chief Justice Roy Moore ordering Alabama judges to refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. While Alabama hashes out its legal chaos, a federal lawsuit challenging Georgia’s gay marriage ban is on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court likely issues a ruling in other marriage cases.

GAY MARRIAGE IN THE LONE STATE Texas’ Attorney General Ken Paxton said the state’s ban on same-sex marriage was “needlessly cast in doubt” after a judge gave Austin couple Suzanne Bryant and Sarah Goodfriend permission to wed. Paxton asked the Supreme Court of Texas to declare the marriage license issued to Bryant and Goodfriend invalid. Attorneys for the couple counter than the marriage remains valid, and said Paxton would need to sue the clerk who issued the license, as well as Bryant and Goodfriend, if he wanted to have the wedding invalidated. The drama first started when State District Judge David Wahlberg ordered the Travis County Clerk to issue the couple, who have been together over 30 years, a license. He based his order on a probate court judge’s ruling on Feb. 16 that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Goodfriend is currently battling ovarian cancer, which Wahlberg deemed as severe enough a reason to grant the couple permission.

ANYTIME FITNESS PRESENTS: X-FACTORS OF ATLANTA LIVE AT CENTER STAGE

Regional Manager of Anytime Fitness Midtown, Joshua Neal is bringing to the stage, some of Atlanta’s most “recognized, soughtafter, passionate, gifted, beautiful and sexy fitness experts” of Zumba & Cardio Dance (also known as the X-FACTORS) for a live concert & dance party on Saturday Feb. 28, 6p-9p. X-Factor will be bringing down the house at The Loft at Center Stage.Funds raised from the event will be used to benefit the homeless via food and shelter. These fantastic X-Factor instructors will be performing and teaching their moves to some of the biggest hits today, while attendees watch, learn and participate. It will truly be an epic night to remember; as this is the very first time, all X-Factor instructors will be united on one stage! Cost in advance is $10. Tickets can be purchased at https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/joshua-neal-and-anytime-fitness-midtownpresents-the-x-factor-cardio-dance-party-tickets. Without tickets, cover at the door will be $15. Anytime Fitness is ranked the no. 1 co-ed gym five years running and the no. 1 franchise four years in a row. Worldwide, with over 2,800 locations, Anytime Fitness is the largest health club one may expect to find. Anytime Fitness strives for excellence and is determined to meet all members’ fitness goals in a clean, safe environment. Trainers and fitness experts all have a minimum of five years’ experience. 40: February 27, 2015

Activists in Uganda are standing up to the country’s ban on homosexuality with a new magazine geared at fighting homophobia. ‘Bombastic’is a free publication that showcases essays, poetry and commentary by some of Uganda’s LGBT community. Due to the criminalization of homosexuality in the country, many of the 72-page magazine’s writers use pseudonyms, hoping to be a voice for the voiceless. The magazine comes at a time when tensions between the government and the gay community are high. Politicians have proposed laws that seek to criminalize the “promotion” of homosexuality, meaning ‘Bombastic’ faces possible legal repercussions should such laws take effect. A total of 15,000 copies of the magazine have distributed by hand to government offices, parliament, as well as other places around the country.

LOCAL PERFORMER ARRESTED FOR HIV EXPOSURE Tyler McKenzie Orr, a local drag entertainer, was arrested and charged with exposing a person to HIV, after he allegedly had sex with a man. The man informed police that he later discovered Orr was HIV positive, but that he didn’t inform him of his status prior to the two having sex together.

TACKLING HOMOPHOBIA IN UGANDA

Orr, who has also worked as a HIV activist recently returned to South Carolina and started performing in gay clubs as Erika Jaylon Dupree. His arrest at his home in Walhalla has reignighted the debate over whether a person should be arrested (and possibly go to jail for up to 10 years) for not disclosing their HIV status before having sex. (pictured right: Erika Jayon Dupree)

BIG WIG VII: GOOD WIGS GONE BAD You know what they say about lucky number seven. Atlanta’s Gay Men’s Chorus is once again hosting their annual Big Wig event, voted “Best Themed Party” by Fenuxe readers. Big Wig is back bigger and better than ever for year number seven! Where you may ask? The baddest event around will be vibrating the walls at the Bill Lowe Gallery. When might all the giddy raucousness occur? On Sat. March 7 from 7-10p. Price of general admission will be $30 which includes specialty cocktails by Vixen Vodka. The VIP Experience package starts at $50, with perks including an exclusive bar with premium liquors and a premium swag bag valued at over $500! Fabulous catering will be courtesy of Henry’s Midtown, The Sivas Midtown and 10th & Piedmont. Dance, flirt, laugh and wig out the night away in your most outrageous ensemble! No matter how bad you act, just remember it is all for a very good cause!

POP CULTURE

No Happy Ending

Starbucks is joining 2015. Sort of. Kind of. The beloved coffee chain is officially saying goodbye to CDs forever. Yes, forever. The company announced to Billboard Magazine that they are ceasing to stock and sell compact discs. Beginning in late March, you will not be able to buy that Taylor Swift album with that song with that lyric. You know the one I mean. Despite giving a very long explanation about the new change, in short, they realized that no one buys CDs anymore. They will still play the awesome hits; we have become accustomed to hearing while waiting in line. One does wonder though how this change will affect all of Starbuck’s featured artists. Guess time will tell.

Looks like Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie are officially throwing in the towel. The singer filed for divorce from the retired hockey player a little over a year after announcing their separation. The couple has one child together, 2 ½ year-old son Luca. Duff’s reason for filing cited irreconcilable differences, asking for custody of their son, allowing Mike visitation rights. “They remain best friends and will continue to be in each other’s lives,” Duff’s rep said in a statement last year, describing the split as amicable. “They are dedicated to loving and parenting their amazing son, and ask for privacy at this time.” The couple married in August of 2014.

Dawning of a new era

Hugh Jackman revealed quite the secret in an exclusive interview with Cigar Aficionado. The Aussie actor told the mag his plans to play Wolverine until he dies and how he does not like to hear the word no. “I respond to what comes my way. If you asked me which plays or musicals I’d like to do, well, I know there are lots of them but what’s next? I have no idea what it is.” Hugh went on to explain how he is constantly pushing himself. “I always want to be in better shape than I was for the last one. I don’t believe in stagnation. People say they try to maintain the status quo. But I believe the natural cycle means you’re either advancing and getting closer to something or you’re receding,” he dished. “Every time I play Wolverine I want to go further, physically and emotionally.” And apparently Michael Keaton is the reason for Jackman’s determination to forever be the Wolverine. After watching Keaton in his new film, Birdman “I said to my wife, ‘The moral is that I should never stop playing Wolverine. I’ve got to find a way to keep playing him until I die.’ I know that someday they’ll recast the role with another actor…I’d be happy if the role was eventually recast. It would mean that it had become iconic.”

42: February 27, 2015

Live On, Hugh. Live On.

Félicitations Bella!

Kristen Stewart has made cinematic history! The Twilight actress won a César, becoming the first ever American actress to not only be nominated but to also win! A César is France’s equivalent of an Oscar. She won Best Supporting Actress at the 40th César Film Awards for her role in the psychological drama Clouds of Sils Maria. The nomination alone made her the first American woman to be in the running in over 30 years! Kristen was so stunned she could barely get through her acceptance speech. “OK, here we go,” Stewart began her acceptance speech, nervously unfolding her notes. “I can’t even move my hands.” After a few deep breaths, she graciously said thank you in French, before finishing the rest of her speech in English. She has come quite a long way since Twilight.