SOUTHERN WITH A GAY TWIST
08.26.16 V7-17
By: Josh Hobgood
Juan + Gee: The Gentlemen’s Ball
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FENUXE
Contents
08.26.2016
CALENDAR: 8 GREAT
06 THINGS TO DO 08 20 22 24 30 36 38
OUT & ABOUT PHOTOS A PIECE OF ARISCE, EVERYONE WANTS IT! GROWTH
GAYS WIN! JUAN + GEE: THE GENTLEMENS BALL HEY GIRL HEY GAY NEWS AT A GLANCE Scan the QR Code with your smart phone to like us on
By: Josh Hobgood
Juan + Gee: The Gentlemen’s Ball
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Friday, August 26 - 28 Imagine Music Festival is a 2 day dance music festival founded by IRIS Presents, which features multiple stages hosting the world’s top musicians, bands & DJs. Conveniently located in the heart of Atlanta, you’re sure not to get stuck out in the mud like other recent music festivals. Get ready for an amazing, lifechanging time! www.imaginefestival.com
MASTER DANCE CLASSES
Saturday, August 27 Looking to take your contemporary dance skills to a new level? The International City School of Ballet is offering master classes for ages 10 and up with an award-winning choreographer on August 27 as part of its Master Class Series. Leading the class will be Krista King-Doherty of Master Ballet Academy in Scottsdale, AZ. Students are invited to sign up for the $30 class at http://www. icsballet.org/master-class.
06: August 26, 2016
SEPT 2
SEPT 1
Thursday, September 1 The town hall examines ways in which events have altered the narrative of the LGBTQ community: Marriage Equality, Religious Exemption legislation, the Pulse Nightclub tragedy, Justice Department directives and the changing political climate factoring in the changing landscape of the LGBTQ communities. National Center for Civil & Human Rights. 8AM
LABOR DAY WEEKEND: BLACK GAY PRIDE
Friday, September 2 In The Life Atlanta presents Black Gay Pride which includes events like the official Pride mixer, fashion show, a comedy show, the annual In The Life block party, a mansion pool party, and the hugely attended “Main Event” Atlanta Black Pride Party. Check the official page for details about when and where parties are taking place: inthelifeatlanta.org
PRIDE AUG 30
AUG 30
Tuesday, August 30 Do you want to read books by amazing Black women writers? Do you want to discuss works from a Black feminist perspective(s)? Do you want to do all of this in an awesome gem of a feminist book store? Then the Black Feminist Book Club is for you! This is a Charis Circle from margin to center literary event and the suggested donation is $5. Charis Books.
COMMUNITY IN FAITH
Tuesday, August 30 Black Gay Pride week, presented by In The LIfe Atlanta, kicks off with “Community In Faith,” an event featuring 10 community faith leaders including Pastor Troy Sanders, Pastor Randle Eicheberger, Paster Paul Graetz, Minister Brian Reeves, Elder Carol Moseley, Bishop Jim Swiley, and many more! City of Light Metropolitan Church. 1379 Tullie Road.
COMMUNITY CHARITY
PRIDE
PRIDE
THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE CIVIL RIGHTS
BLACK FEMINIST BOOK CLUB
SEPT 3 05.03.15
IMAGINE MUSIC FEST
BOOKS
ARTS
AUG 27
AUG 26
FUN
SHAKE SHACK ADOPT-A-DOG DAY Saturday, September 3 Adoptable pups will be at the Buckhead Shack, courtesy of Atlanta Pet Rescue and Adoption. New adopters will be gifted with Shake Shack dog biscuits, Leashes & Pooch-inis. Guests may apply for adoption at Shake Shack. Adoption screening/ interview will be held at Atlanta Pet Rescue and Adoption. Standard adoption policies apply. Price: FREE
FUN SEPT 8
CALENDAR
YELLOW DAISY FESTIVAL
Thursday, September 8 Voted one of the top three arts & crafts shows in the nation, the four day Yellow Daisy Festival continues to be a big show with a small-town feel. More than 400 artists and crafters from 38 States and two countries display their works for your appreciation and purchase. Yellow Daisy Festival is free with paid parking admission. Vehicle entry to the park is $15.
OUT & ABOUT
08: August 26, 2016
PHOTOS
AIDS VACCINE 200 FUNDRAISER PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT
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OUT & ABOUT
10: August 26, 2016
PHOTOS
SUNDAY FUNDAY @ ZOCALO PHOTOS BY: ANDREA DWYER
Come View our Decorated Model Towns at Breton Ridge 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:
15,000
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*Available only when you close on a home in the Towns at Breton Ridge community pursuant to a contract you sign on or between 7/1/16-7/30/16. Receipt of $15,000 Use How You Choose Credits and $7,500 Closing Costs is subject to limits and is contingent upon buyer closing a loan with our affiliated lender, CalAtlantic Mortgage and obtaining title insurance from our affiliated title agent, CalAtlantic Mortgage. 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. The offer to pay closing costs does not include payment of prepaid taxes, property or mortgage insurance, or mortgage installments. Seller provided credits may be applied to upgrades, options, etc. Upgrades and options available solely through Seller’s Design Center. Availability of items may vary by community. 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. Plans to build out this neighborhood as proposed are subject to change without notice. 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. CalAtlantic Mortgage, Inc., NMLS# 203897, Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee License #24225, 8660 E Hartford Drive, Suite 200A, Scottsdale, AZ; 1000 Mansell Exchange West, Suite 210, Alpharetta, GA License #68278. CAATL013
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OUT & ABOUT
12: August 26, 2016
PHOTOS
PARTY @ WOOFS PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT
T:8” S:7”
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OUT & ABOUT
14: August 26, 2016
PHOTOS
ATLANTA WILD SOFTBALL CLUB @ OSCARS PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT
FENUXE.COM : 15
OUT & ABOUT
16: August 26, 2016
PHOTOS
OUT ON FILM PHOTOS BY: ANDREA DWYER
RESTAURANT BAR & PATIO
OPEN EVERY DAY
AT 5PM! 650 NORTH AVENUE, SUITE 201, PONCE CITY MARKET | 404.WINERY1
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Come View our Decorated Model Towns at Druid Hills
Townhomes from the low $500s For more information, please call Bakari Maxwell or Tarecia Johnson at 404.634.4485.
Limited Time Only! Purchase a To-Be-Built Home and Receive:
20,000
$
Use How You Choose Credits
AND
Up To
7,500
$
Toward Closing Costs
*Available only when you close on a home in the Towns at Druid Hills community pursuant to a contract you sign on or between 7/1/16-7/30/16. Receipt of $20,000 Use How You Choose Credits and $7,500 Closing Costs is subject to limits and is contingent upon buyer closing a loan with our affiliated lender, CalAtlantic Mortgage and obtaining title insurance from our affiliated title agent, CalAtlantic Mortgage. 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. The offer to pay closing costs does not include payment of prepaid taxes, property or mortgage insurance, or mortgage installments. Seller provided credits may be applied to upgrades, options, etc. Upgrades and options available solely through Seller’s Design Center. Availability of items may vary by community. 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. Plans to build out this neighborhood as proposed are subject to change without notice. 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. CalAtlantic Mortgage, Inc., NMLS# 203897 , Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee License #24225, 8660 E Hartford Drive, Suite 200A, Scottsdale, AZ; 1000 Mansell Exchange West, Suite 210, Alpharetta, GA License #68278. CAATL013
FENUXE.COM : 17
OUT & ABOUT
18: August 26, 2016
PHOTOS
PARTY @ JOE’S ON JUNIPER PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT
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SPOTLIGHT
BY MIKE BAHR
A Piece of Arisce Everyone Wants It!
As outspoken as she is beautiful, Arisce Wanzer is a true modeling force. She’s worked for top brands like Opening Ceremony and Topshop and is currently one of the faces of Kenneth Cole.
RIGHT: BODY BY ARISCE
Arisce first made national headlines two years ago when she sent Kendall Jenner a letter about what it’s really like to fight your way into the modeling world when its not handed to you by your family’s fame. She’s also been open about her frustration with the tokenism of the fashion world, telling theHairpin. com how, “So often, they’re like, “We already have a tranny. We already have a black girl... But that just tells me they’re lazy and I don’t want to work with them. If they don’t see my potential, then that’s just sad.” We sat down with NYCbased high fashion model. Growing up, did you imagine you would one day be a fashion model? I knew I wanted to model by 14 years old, so I kept at it and never lost focus. My mother taught me to be the best at something if I really wanted to do it. So I kind of gave myself no other option and I’ve always been one to get what I work for. What was the biggest hurdle on your fashion journey? Former agents telling me that it wasn’t my time, when they had more than enough pull to send me on better jobs. Other people’s laziness or blindness to see my talent and worth have held me back for years. How did you find Slay Models? Slay found me. I met Cecilio Asuncion (founder of Slay Models) over brunch two and a half years ago and I’ve
been with him ever since. He’s the best thing that could have happened to me. Is there an advantage to working with an all-trans agency? Hell yes! I love going to a casting or to a job and knowing that there isn’t going to be any transphobia or awkwardness. I get to do my job and do my best without fear of judgment or whispers. How are major fashion houses responding to the idea of trans models on their runways? A lot of fashion houses are still using us as an edgy gimmick to market their products as young or cool and I think that’s lame as hell. Treat us like models. We aren’t curing cancer; we’re selling clothes. So hire us based on our abilities and not our gender identities. What has been your biggest
fashion achievement so far? My feature in Vogue Deustche last September was a pinnacle in my fashion career, for sure. Seeing the letters V-O-G-U-E perfectly placed above my picture was the cherry on top of an often-uncertain career. Most models go their whole existence without ever getting that, so I am incredibly humbled by their choosing me. What’s your dream campaign? I want to model everything so my dream campaign changes every day! At the moment, I’d love to be the face of a major fragrance. I’d also honestly love to do a Target campaign or Dawn dish soap. Oh, and Victoria’s Secret. What’s the hardest part about being a model? The hardest part modeling for a
about social
butterfly like me is being alone most of the time. I’m at castings alone, at gigs alone, on planes alone, in hotel rooms alone… All the while, my friends back home are posting from brunch and other fun social gatherings. Where do you see yourself in five years? I’ll be a super model solidified in pop culture’s memory forever. I’ll also be a television personality as I talk way too much to only be in photos. (Laughing) So TV is your future? I see myself in television. I recently got a role in an Amazon Prime show called “Cheetah In August” and being on set was a dream. The cast and crew were always laughing and having a good time. I loved every second and I’ll definitely be doing more of it in my future. Visit Slaymodels.com FENUXE.COM : 21
FAITH
Spiritual Fitness:
BY JOSHUAH NEAL
GROWTH INSIDE & OUT AS A BLACK GAY MAN
deep inventory of your heart and mind and the change mindset. Oprah said it best, mistakes are there to just wake us up! Mistakes do not define who we are. We define we are! No one or nothing else! If you have been screwed up your whole life, guess what, it’s ok, you can still change right now! Don’t worry about tomorrow and don’t worry about yesterday!
What do I say now? What do I tell
you now? Im black? Im Gay? I’m hurting? I’m sad? I’m changing? I miss you? I was physically and sexually abused as a child? Im a black gay male? I was forced to walk around my neighborhood butt ass naked numerous times when I was young? My family had it hard? I suffer from diseases, depression, disorders, anxiety and bipolar? Ive secretly put myself through therapy & mental/ behavioral hospital while holding a full time job, part time job and a writer? I tried to commit suicide & addict to drug & sex? I’ve lied & cheated? What do I say now? What? What? What? What do I tell you now? I’m sorry? I regret? My heart is broken? Well yes, all that is true. All that is me! Yes my heart is broken! I’m sorry and I do have some regrets! I ask myself how does one deal with all the guilt and shame of their past? How do you repair a broken heart? How do I still love someone that I hurt? Well I’ve learned from self help studies, therapy, songs, artists, entrepreneurs and authors that: “ after you done all you can you just STAND and let Him see you through”
22: August 26, 2016
“Sometimes you have to go through a hurricane to wash away the pain and mend the heart that bleeds inside of you that’s trapped by stones” “ when the fire is at your feet and vultures are around, it’s not an accident you will RISE” “Everyone has scars that they hide, but still be as you are” “ I am not normal, I don’t want to be, I don’t pretend do be! I am me”
These quotes have encouraged me to change and grow and now I have a testimony which could help other black gay males. I lost myself trying to please others and now I’m losing others to grow myself inside-out. I’m continuing to face my fears and love the people who are patient with my “madness” and ignoring those that try to force me to be “normal”! Although it’s painful I’ve learned that in order to grow, especially as an black gay male, you will have to experience some growing pains. If not then you are not growing. You can talk to almost any black gay male and their story will have some sort of scars, with some much worse than others. However, what really matters is how we grow through those scars, otherwise it becomes a becomes a cycle or hopeless situation. You have to start by taking a
I almost lost myself because I’ve always tried to please others. Now that’s changing, I’m growing! Yes, it’s painful because Ive had to bare my soul and take off all of these masks. I no longer want to look down to the ground when I walk. I’m tired of crying so much so that tears won’t even come out. I’m tired of being paranoid or worried about what others say about me! I’m tired of having a broken heart or creating broken hearts while keeping a smile on my face. Im tired of the guilt and shame of my past. Im changing from the inside out. I’m not ashamed anymore to say that I’m black gay male that has suffered from childhood trauma and abuse. I have made some bad decisions that I regret. I’m also not ashamed to say that I take all types of medication & admitted myself in a hospital because of many disorders I have while holding 3 jobs! I’m not ashamed to say that I grew up poor or have made stupid financial decisions that’ve brought me terrible consequences to this day. I’m not ashamed to tell you that I know there is a God! I bare my heart and soul because I am growing and want to be FREE! I do this by saying: “I FORGIVEeveryone, everything and me. I ACCEPT- everyone, everything and me. I’m SORRY- to everyone, everything and me. I repeat the Serenity Prayer offer in my head. God- I love you! My past- thank you! Anytime Fitnessthank you! Lifetime Fitness- thank you very much! My Mom,sister,family &friends- I love you! My JohnsCreek FitFam- I love you Angels! Brandon- I love you And finally........... “ Dear Joshuah Neal, I know you are doing the best you can, I believe in you, I love you very much! Love, Joshuah Neal A Growing Black Gay Man
in!
W s y a
Over a third, 35%, of all out LGBTI athletes won medals during the Rio Olympics. By contrast, only 20% of the athletes that competed for our country graced the podium. Out of a record 53 openly LGBTI athletes, comprising of 11 men and 42 women, 19 of them won a medal solo or in a group. If they competed together as Team LGBTI, they would have won five gold medals, six silver medals and three bronze silver medals. The rainbow team would have come 16th – beating countries like Kenya, New Zealand and Canada. Rio has seen double the amount of out LGBTI athletes than in London, which in 2012 had double the amount of those that competed in Athens 2004. And while 53 is great, it’s still an absurdly low number considering 11,534 are competing. That’s just 0.43%. If the trend continues, will we see 100 openly LGBTI athletes competing in Tokyo 2016? Or hopefully more... Here are a few of our medal-winners:
G
Nicola Adams (Great Britain) Boxing 51kg weight class Gold Medal
Kate & Helen Richardson-Walsh (Great Britain) – Field hockey Gold Medal Helen and Kate are the first same-sex married couple to win a gold medal together at an Olympics
Rafaela Silva (Brazil) Judo 57kg weight class Gold Medal Won the first gold medal for Brazil and Team LGBTI. She came out when she won her medal.
FENUXE.COM : 23
Lisa Dahlkvist, Nilla Fisher, Hedvig Lindahl and Carolina Seger (Sweden) –Soccer Silver Medal Lost to Germany, but beat off stiff competition in USA and Brazil
Sunette Viljoen (South Africa) – Javelin Silver Medal Sunette is the first African to win a medal in the javelin. She won silver in Rio after coming fourth in London 2012.
Tom Daley (Great Britain) – Diving Bronze Medal Tom won with his synchronized diving partner Dan Goodfellow. Fiancé and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black said he ‘couldn’t be more proud’.
Jen Kish (Canada) – Rugby Bronze Medal
Seimone Augustus, Elena Delle Donne, Brittney Griner and Angel McCoughtry (USA) – Basketball Gold Medal USA won their sixth consecutive gold at the Olympics in women’s basketball.
Caster Semenya (S. Africa) 800m run Gold Medal A controversial figure for appearing to be intersex, officials ruled there was nothing wrong with Caster Semenya competing for South Africa. She dedicated the medal to her wife, Violet Raseboya, who she married in 2015 in a traditional ceremony.
Spencer Wilton (Great Britain) – Dressage Silver Medal
Rachele Bruni (Italy) Swimming 10km
Silver Medal
Italy’s only out athlete, she dedicated her silver medal to her ‘beloved’ girlfriend.
REVIEW
By: Terri Schlichenmeyer
BOOK REVIEW:
Y
“ACCEPTED”
ou are the champion of all-time. Nobody can beat you; nobody can even tie your record. When it comes to thumbwresting, you know all the moves and you really throw your arm into it for the win. Hands-down, you’re the best. So now read “Accepted” by Pat Patterson (with Bertrand Hebert) and take it to the mat. Pierre Clermont understood poverty. As one of eleven children plus parents in a two-bedroom apartment in a poor Montreal neighborhood, he was acquainted with lacks of privacy, hot water, and food. He and his younger brother slept in a closet, because there was nowhere else to sleep.
Perhaps because he was one of a crowd at home, young Pierre longed to set himself apart and he loved to “create a show and get a crowd to come out and watch.” He thought of becoming a priest, joining the circus, or somehow performing, so when his mother found a ticket to a wrestling match as a premium with a loaf of bread, Pierre became determined to see that show. He was right – it was a lifechanger. Pierre fell in love with wrestling and, because he knew someone whose father was a promoter, he began training to be a pro wrestler. He changed his name to Pat Patterson and, at around that time, he also began to understand why “girls just weren’t doing it for me.” He was gay, an ultimate admission that got him kicked out of the family home. In Boston – his next home of many – Patterson had to learn English while he worked his way up the pro-wrestling ladder. He became the “bad guy” on the mat, and developed a ring persona. Also in Boston, he was set up with a man who “looked spectacular,” and with whom Patterson fell in love; he brought Louie Dondero into his act and his life for the next many decades, and they traveled the world on behalf of Patterson’s career. And though their relationship and their sexuality might have seemed out-of-place in an über-macho industry like pro-wrestling, says Patterson, “being gay turned out not to be an issue at all.” 26: August 26, 2016
Or was it? Did it have anything to do with the “scandal”to which author Pat Patterson (with Bertrand Hebert) mysteriously alludes? Plenty is said about old friends, old matches, and offwork high-jinks but “Accepted” only merely bumps into that subject about which fans still argue. But what’s in here for non-fans? Well, not much. Patterson’s love of pranks is clear in this book, which makes it mildly entertaining, and there are many times when he points out how times have changed. That’s interesting but, for non-fans, those bits are overwhelmed by names, travels, venues, organizations, and more names that might not make much sense. Yes, you’ll find a story of an openly-gay athlete at a closeted time in history in this book, but there’s a lot to sort through to get there. Non-fans might want to think twice about reading it, but for pro-wrestling followers, “Accepted” is two thumbs up.
By: Always Overbooked... Terri Schlichenmeyer The Bookworm Sez, LLC bookwormsez@gmail.com The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book.
PHOTOSHOOT
Photos By: Josh Hobgood
Juan + Gee: The Gentlemen’s Ball The Gentlemen’s Ball is black-tie gala and Awards Program that celebrates the accomplishments of Gay, Bisexual + Transgender Men who have significantly contributed to enhancing the quality of life of the minority LGBTQ community and who have demonstrated a commitment to social change. This year, the event celebrates 5 years and boasts a Harlem Renaissance theme to celebrate the cultural richness of the era. We caught up with the founders Juan and Gee Session-Smalls. FENUXE: I first want to congratulate you guys on all of your success with the Gentlemen’s Ball and Foundation. It’s hard to believe it’s been 5 years since the first ball! Juan & Gee, please tell our readers a little about yourselves. GEE: I grew up in Charleston, SC and moved to Atlanta in 1995 right out of high school to attend DeVry University where I pursued a degree in Computer Science. At age 22 I married my highschool sweetheart and had Little Gee a year later. One of the greatest
FENUXE.COM : 29
30: August 12, 2016
things I love about living here is the opportunity as a black gay men. While Atlanta may have its issues, I would be a fool to not recognize how fortunate I am to live in a community that does not influence me to deny who I am as a black man or a gay man. Atlanta is home to the most powerful Black and Gay men in the world and I love being a part of that. JUAN: Originally from South Central Los Angeles, I’ve lived in Atlanta for 9 years. I’m a UCLA graduate that loves the theatre, particularly musicals (I can listen to show tunes all day!), cheerleading, reading, and music! I first visited Atlanta in 2004 and instantly fell in love with the architecture and trees. As a relationship coach, I love to get into the minds of people, to understand how they think, to decode how they perceive the world. It’s pretty amazing! How did you both meet? We met a Joe’s On Juniper actually. Gee was sitting at a table with his friends when Juan walked in. We locked eyes, Gee spit some serious game and it worked. The rest is history. How long have you been married? We actually never set out to be “officially” married because the gays just didn’t do that back then even though we were full committed to one another. However, after a custody battle 7 years ago that awarded Gee full custody of his son, provided he not reside with anyone that could be considered a “Paramour” ie: Juan, we eloped to Darien, CT and exchanged vows beachside with just a JP and our hearts. We always tell people we chose each other, but marriage chose us. While we’ve never doubted our love and commitment to one another, we never imagined that our trip to the Altar would turn into something so much bigger than us. For that we are humbled and grateful. What was your inspiration to start the Gentlemen’s Ball? It all started because we wanted to have a 2nd chance prom for the LGBT community. Many of us did not get to go to prom with who we may have really wanted to go with, so we wanted to recreate
28: June 17, 2016 32: August 12, 2016
that experience. Shortly after branding the event “The Gentlemen’s Ball”, it quickly morphed into an event about celebrating True Gentlemen that are standing tall in their truth as gay men of color. Back when the first Gentlemen’s Ball took place on 11.11.11, there weren’t many diverse representations of us in the media, often only being betrayed as men who were ashamed of themselves, living on the ‘Down Low’ or wearing heels and makeup. Not that there is anything ‘wrong’ with either, as we both were once one of those men, but it no longer represented who we were, nor many of the men in our community. We understood that because many of the men like us did not have a voice, we often go through years of self-hate, struggle, depression and shame among other things which leads us to a community that is mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically broken. We created the ball and later the foundation to help change that. In light of BlackLivesMatter and the recent shootings in Orlando, how important do you think it is to celebrate positive images of minority GBT men? It is always important to celebrate and to uplift one another, and to express appreciation and gratitude on a daily basis. This becomes even more necessary in the wake of tragedies such as the Orlando shooting; in times where people can become isolated, fearful, hopeless. We use the Gentlemen’s Ball as a vehicle to heal. To be understood. To relate to those who feel they are un-relatable so they can live a life of freedom. We are resilient, powerful, giving, confident men who are standing in our truth, being the change that we want to see happen in the world. That energy is contagious. It is our desire that as more and more positive images of GBT men of color become visible to the mainstream, a shift in perspective will occur in those individuals that feel as though they are alone in this world, that no one sees them, that there is no one that looks like them, that no one can relate to their perspective. Maybe, just maybe, our work will save them from experiences of shame, insecurity and hurt about who they are. It has always been important to celebrate us, but with the recent tragedies and climate in America, it is even more important to honor, love and celebrate lives while they are here and not when they become a hash tag. It is crucial that we love NOW. What’s been the toughest part about putting together something of this magnitude? That’s easy, FUNDRAISING! Even after 4 successful events, it’s been really tough to secure corporate sponsors who take the time to pay attention to what we are doing and then taking it a step further in seeing the value in that by standing with us. We have yet to raise any funds, but we are hopeful that will soon change. The easiest? Designing it. It’s so fun and the ideas flow effortlessly! It is truly a joy seeing your vision come to fruition the night of the ball. How many people attended your first ball and how many are you expecting this year? 100 in 2011, 600 this year. How else have you grown/changed? Over the years we have learned a lot about producing the event; what works/what doesn’t, what needs to be changed and what needs to be the same. As two people passionate about producing events, over the years the aesthetics have definitely grown. However, beyond that, we’d say the biggest change is the impact on the community. Not only has the event transformed into a full awards program honoring GBT Gentlemen who serve as change agents in our community and society at large, each year we reach more and more people spreading our message not only across the Nation, but the world. While the event itself is fabulous, the lives changed by honoring who we are and standing tall in our TRUTH are definitely the biggest growth over the years. To what do you attribute your success? Being authentic and transparent. We are very passionate and emotional people, sometimes to FENUXE.COM : 33
a fault, but overall it works for us. We continue to remain grounded in truth and we let that be our intention in all that we do; that includes The Gentlemen’s Ball and foundation. The rest is created by something much bigger than us. Where do you hope to see this event in 5/10 years? We hope to see the event reach the thousands in attendance. We hope to see it televised. We hope to see it deserve the respect it deserves across all communities. We just want our seat at the table and The Gentlemen’s Ball and Foundation is a vehicle for that. Last, but not least, do you think there will be a lot of really cute single men attending? Hells YEA! For more information, please visit: www.thegentlemensfoundation.org FENUXE.COM : 35
Hey Girl Hey! Holler Poodles! Well ladies—it’s getting to be that time of year again when I start booking appointments for the biggest gay dress up day of the year. Since Halloween falls on a Monday night, people will be dressing up for parties and contests all weekend long. If you are interested in booking me to do your drag makeup, airbrushing and body painting, special FX, (prosthetics, scars, bruises, blood, aging etc) or specialized character makeup, please email me at the address below or add me on Facebook (maryedithpitts) to discuss your needs. A 50% non-refundable deposit will be required to hold your appointment time. Below are some examples of my work. I hope I can help you with your makeup needs. Love and Lashes,
Mary Edith Pitts Mary Edith Pitts
If you have any questions, comments or feedback please send me an email at maryedith99@gmail.com and add me on twitter @maryedithpitts!
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Gay News At A Glance US OLYMPIC OFFICIALS PLAN TO PUNISH LOCHTE
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Sexy Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte should be prepared for harsh penalties from US Olympic officials. The medalist is the center of a media circus due to a story he told last week of being robbed at the Rio Olympics. In the first telling, Lochte and fellow US swimmers, Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger, and Jimmy Feigen were in a taxi when it was stopped by armed robbers posing as police officers. In a televised interview, Lochte claims guns were drawn and one of the robbers allegedly put a pistol to the swimmer’s head. The story soon started to unravel. There was no robbery. Instead, after a night of drinking, the swimmers vandalized a gas station bathroom. Armed guards confronted them, asking for payment for the damages. US Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun is infuriated and promises punishment. ‘They let down our athletes,’ Blackmun said to NBC News. ‘They let down Americans.’. Bentz, Conger & Lochte won the 4x200m freestyle relay team at Rio. Feigen won gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay.
BROADWAY DANCER KILLS HIS PARTNER AND THEN POSTS STRANGE RELIGIOUS MESSAGES ON FACEBOOK
Police were alerted to the crime after Bellamy’s neighbour called them. Bellamy himself told the neighbour soon after killing Almonte. They arrested him at his apartment and say he gave himself up willingly. Another neighbour reports seeing him in the street, apparently praying. Almonte was strangled to death during an argument, though it has not been reported why they were arguing. Bellamy also bit Almonte’s shoulders during the fight, New York Daily News reports.
A Broadway dancer has admitted to killing his boyfriend on August 19, by strangling him.
Afterwards Bellamy posted a series of cryptic, religious messages to Facebook. ‘Forgive me. I did it because I love you. I love all. I loved him also,’ one reads. Another says: ‘I am God. I give life and can take it away.’ Further posts suggest Belamy may have believed the Rapture was coming: The Second Coming of Christ prophesied in some sects of Christianity.
Before he gave himself up to police, he posted a series of religiousthemed statuses to Facebook. Marcus Bellamy, 32, was a dancer in New York City, and a graduate of the famous dance and drama school Julliard. He is facing charges for murder and manslaughter after killing his roommate and possible boyfriend Bernardo Almonte, a 27 year-old freelance IT technician. 38: August 26, 2016
Bellamy grew up in Port Charlotte, in Florida. A video he posted to YouTube shows him thinking out loud about moving to Hollywood. He has appeared as an ensemble dancer in Spider-Man, and the NBC musical drama Smash.
THE FIRST SAME-SEX MARRIED COUPLE TO WIN GOLD AT OLYMPICS Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh made sports history on Friday (19 August) when they became the first same-sex couple to win gold medals at the Summer Olympics. The couple were part of the 19-strong Great Britain field hockey team that defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in Rio de janiero. They were already the first same-sex married couple will compete in the Olympics. The two have been teammates for almost two decades and became a couple at around the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and won a bronze medal together at London 2012. They got married three years ago and the entire squad were invited to the reception. ‘We just clicked and developed a deep emotional connection,’ said Kate. ‘We have similar values and morals, even though we’re opposite in lots of other ways.’
AFTER DUMPING CHARLOTTE, NBA CHOOSES NEW ORLEANS The NBA will hold its All-Star Game in New Orleans, Louisiana, next year. The game was pulled out of Charlotte, North Carolina, because of HB2, the state’s controversial anti-LGBTI law. Passed earlier this year, HB2 diminishes workplace protections for LGBTI people including blocking local governments from passing anti-discrimination laws. In addition, it requires transgender citizens to use public restrooms according to their birth certificate gender. North Carolina
and the federal government are facing each other in court over HB2 and the NBA had been pushing for a repeal of the law. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards made sure that fact was not lost on the NBA in a letter he wrote to the NBA: ‘We embrace our rich cultural heritage and see our diversity as a virtue,” Edwards wrote. ‘Should the NBA choose to bring the All-Star Game back to New Orleans in 2017, it will strongly reaffirm its commitment to communities that value fairness and inclusion.’ The NBA’s decision is welcome good news for Louisiana which has been hit hard in the Baton Rouge area by flooding. The flooding has left an estimated 40,000 homes damaged and left 13 people dead.
‘ALL GENDER TOILET’ PROGRAM KICKSTARTS IN BEIJING
Dozens of ‘all gender toilets’ have been set up in different corners of China’s capital city, a sign of progress for LGBTI rights in the relatively conservative Asian country. Founded by Martin Yang who works at the Beijing Gender Health Education Institute (BGHEI), Beijing’s first all gender toilet program has connected with over 20 venues, including bars, cafes, and even an international school and Beijing’s office of U.N. Women. ‘Our main goal with this project is to raise public awareness about gender diversity and equality issues,’ said Yang. Each of the program’s participating locales get an ‘All Gender Toilet’ label for their loo’s door, as well as a spot on BGHEI’s digital map of trans-friendly places. Yang shared that mistreatment, including being harassed or banned from using public bathrooms, is a common problem for trans people as well as for the broader LGBTI community in the city. ‘It has even happened to me,’ he told journalist . ‘I used to have long hair, and because I’m so petite, when I went to the men’s room guys inside would get visibly uncomfortable and quickly leave.’ Researching for the program took Yang months as he met up with transgender Beijingers to know about their bathroom needs, as well as connected with LGBTI friendly establishments to see what could be done and soon established the new All Gender Toilet program.
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