Flame Magazine July 2014 by FLAME Magazine

JARROD HENDERSON HOOD R.A.T.T. TO HIGH FASHION

//PUBLISHER Peter Rayes PETER@FLAME-MAG.COM //MANAGING EDITOR Austin VanKirk AUSTIN@FLAME-MAG.COM //ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Dorothy “Joan” Stevenson JOAN@FLAME-MAG.COM //ART DIRECTOR Paige Hake //LOCAL ADVERTISING Peter Rayes ADVERTISING@FLAME-MAG.COM //NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 SALES@RIVENDELLMEDIA.COM //PHOTOGRAPHERS Ricardo DuPerron Alejandro Garza DWS Photography Murray Grondin Claudia Ham Tony Lowe Al Shimmary Jimi Sweet //CONTRIBUTORS Jason Burtt Trent Davis Jai Ferrick Joseph Gerbino Jim O’Connoll Steven Palmer Tyler Ricardi Ed Sikov Joan Stevenson Jason Salerno Miss Tiger Jeremy Sanders Mick Sandoval Mark Dawson Skip Sheffield James Piccininni Shawn Larson

//GRAPHIC DESIGN PR Solutions //WEB DEVELOPMENT PR Solutions INFO@THEPRSITE.NET

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JULY 2014

OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE PUBLISHER OR STAFF. NO PART OF FLAME, INCLUDING STORIES, ARTWORK, ADVERTISING, OR PHOTOS MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM BY ANY MEANS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM FM MEDIA GROUP LLC. FLAME MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY FM MEDIA GROUP LLC. FLAME MAGAZINE WILL NOT ACCEPT ADVERTISING WHICH IS FOUND TO VIOLATE LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL LAW. THE PRESENCE OF THE NAME, LIKENESS, PHOTOGRAPH, OR OTHER REPRESENATION OF AN ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS, OR PERSON(S) IN FLAME MAGAZINE IS NOT AN INDICATION OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

CONTENTS

JULY 2014

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JARROD HENDERSON: HOOD R.A.T.T. TO HIGH FASHION

PHOTO BY TONY LOWE

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TONY MORAN & MARTHA WASH–NOT COMING DOWN

STR8-ACTING ON GRINDR, FLAMER IN THE FLESH

MOTOR CITY PRIDE RECAP

THE CULT OF PERSONALITY

BECOME WHO YOU ARE

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JOAN

This past month I had the privilege to attend Motor City Pride in Hart Plaza on both days of the festival. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go as a regular attendee. I volunteered at the beer tent (which is really a fun time—I urge you to sign up for it!) on Saturday and on Sunday I was working our very own FLAME Magazine booth (while peddling my book)...

SOUND CHECK It has been seven years since dance powerhouses Tony Moran and Martha Wash have collaborated on a club track. In case you’ve been living under a rock, Tony Moran is the two-time Grammy nominated DJ and producer, best known for his work with pop artists like Rihanna...

FAVORITE BITCH® We all know a flamer or two. And I’m not hating on them either. Hell, we all should serve a little bit of Richard Simmons in our walk and some Quentin Crisp in our wardrobe! By the way, all you fools that still call yourselves “str8 acting” on your Grindr and Hornet apps—you’re the first ones that need...

JULY 2014

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FLAME // SOUND CHECK

TONY MORAN & MARTHA WASH–NOT COMING DOWN THEIR NEWEST COLLABORATION SOARS UP THE DANCE CHARTS written by: Shawn Larson It has been seven years since dance powerhouses Tony Moran and Martha Wash have collaborated on a club track.

tracks “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” and “Strike It Up” still play on dance floors and R&B radio today.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Tony Moran is the two-time Grammy nominated DJ and producer, best known for his work with pop artists like Rihanna, Gloria Estefan, Cher, Kristine W and countless others. He has also released major indie dance hits like “Cafe Con Alegria” and “The Promise”.

Moran and Wash’s last collaboration, 2007’s “Keep Your Body Workin”, rose all the way to #1 on the Billboard dance chart. Their new collaboration, “Not Coming Down” is now following along the same path. Can these two dynamos of dance do it again?

Martha Wash is one of the original Weather Girls whose hit song “It’s Raining Men” is a Pride staple. Her nineties

“FROM THE BEGINNING, I COULD REALLY SEE THE PERSONAL ATTACHMENT MARTHA HAD TO THE SONG. SHE CO-WROTE IT, AND IT CLEARLY SHOWS THAT SHE IS THE MASTER OF HER DESTINY. I KNEW I HAD TO REMIX IT.”

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JULY 2014

“ALWAYS KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND BELIEVE THAT THE HIGHER POWER IS LOOKING OUT FOR YOUR GOOD. YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE.”

It’s so nice to see you working with Martha Wash again! Tony Moran: Martha and I have been long time friends and collaborators. Do you remember first meeting Tony Moran? Martha Wash: It was so many years ago! I really don’t remember the exact time. We would often see each other back then in passing, at shows we were both performing. Your first collaboration was on “Keep Your Body Workin.” Moran: Seven years ago! Time flies! You know the song was number one at the end of 2007 and stayed at number one for the first week of 2008. That was pretty awesome! Why did it take so long for you two to come together again? Wash: Our schedules were always in conflict. Moran: We have done other things in the studio that we never quite finished. What made “I’m Not Coming Down” different? Moran: From the beginning, I could really see the personal attachment Martha had to the song. She co-wrote it, and it clearly shows that she is the master of her destiny. I knew I had to remix it. Martha, you wrote “I’m Not Coming Down”? Wash: I wrote it in collaboration with Jim Carolan and Brandy Anderson. I wrote a few other songs on my new album including “Destiny” with Zach Adam. What is the song’s message?

How has the club scene changed since the release of “Keep Your Body Workin”? Moran: It has changed considerably. Dance music has separated into multi sub-genres. People have expanded their ideas on what a party experience can be. Tony, you began your career back in the freestyle days of 1981. Do you think freestyle will ever come back? Moran: Yes. It will evolve, but the vibe that gave it that unique flavor will remain. I occasionally do some freestyle performances. I was surprised when eight thousand people showed up at the last one in Atlantic City. Do you keep in touch with TKA, Sa-Fire, the Cover Girls or Lisette Melendez? Moran: Yes! All of them look and are doing great. The songs that they recorded have all become cult classics and they all continue to tour together, playing for huge crowds. They still have their moves, and guess what? So do I! How have you two managed to persevere in the ever-changing music biz for so long? Wash: We don’t force ourselves to change. We simply go with it. What’s next? Moran: I just completed a new song with house music legend Todd Terry. I sing in it! It’s called “Take It All The Way.” Remixes are finished so you’ll hear it soon. Wash: I’m promoting my record and enjoying my summer with lots of fun and positivity! //

Wash: Always keep your head up and believe that the higher power is looking out for your good. You have to believe.

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JARROD HENDERSON HOOD R.A.T.T. TO HIGH FASHION written by: Tony Lowe photos by: Tony Lowe

PHOTOS BY TONY LOWE

Jarrod Henderson has for many years and in many ways been a personality that has brought energy to Detroit’s entertainment and nightlife scene. Nowadays, he has gone in several diverse directions with lofty aspirations. He’s known by many names for different reasons: as male-by-male performer, Geo Vaughn Cole; female impersonator, S’myra Sky Bankz; beauty and fashion guru, Geo Glam; and most recently he has been promoting his show Hood R.A.T.T. Makeovers, of which he is a star and host. One way or another, we’re sure that you’ve seen him out and about, on stage, or in front of a camera somewhere.

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Q: So I guess the first question should be how’d you get into all of these different things?

FLAME // FEATURE: JARROD HENDERSON

A: [Laughter] Well, I grew up with a passion for wanting to be an actor and play different characters like the kids on television. I didn’t have stage parents like other kids I knew, so I joined extracurricular activities in hopes of being noticed. By the time I got to college, I had been well groomed on the entertainment process and knew the harsh reality of rejection. However, the odd opportunity to try female impersonation presented itself and I thought, “Why not!” I was a quick study and progressed rather rapidly. Titles were won (for myself and others) and with that I wanted to continue forward with my creativity, so then I tried male entertainment. In my head, it was my chance to be like real actors and create different characters that were talented in

different aspects—similar to watching an actor play different characters in the same movie and those opposing characters being equally as good as the other. Yet like most actors I wanted to have my own thing, too! I wanted something that wasn’t a character and allowed me to show my talents in other avenues. By day I’m a stylist and beauty is my thing, so when I was contacted about the opportunity to do a television show with a beauty focus—as reluctant as I was initially—I’m glad I took the leap of faith. Q: With so many things going on, how do you do it all? A: Personally, I’ve recently gone through some life changes and realized that the only way for me to get a lot done is by practicing sobriety! It’s been twenty months sober, and I have to say my focus is so much better! Focus is key! Keeping your eyes on the ultimate prize or prizes! It’s definitely not easy, but when you have a goal that you want in life, other nonfactoring distractions tend to filter out and take a back seat, leaving nothing but motivation to want to get shit done! [Laughter] Q: In many ways, these are all opportunities to shine as an individual, is it the love of the spotlight? A: To some degree, yes, but I think it’s more of having a platform to be heard! I think our society is so cluttered with “basic” individuals who have no relevance to the world we live in other then they are paid ridiculously to coin a catch phrase or be sixteen and pregnant, et cetera… “Why glorify stupidity?” Within Detroit’s LGBT Community, why not be a small beacon who stands for something of

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JULY 2014

Q: What kind of sacrifices have you had to make for all of these opportunities? A: Of course simple things like time and sleep. I order a lot of cherry cokes! I’d have to say the hardest sacrifice I’ve made are some of my friendships... Things happen so fast and it seems that conversations get shorter and shorter. Arguments happen way too often with a great emphasis on miscommunication. Things you wish you’d said, things you wish you hadn’t. Even getting upset because they didn’t read your mind... Mistakes are what make us human! As long as we learn from them over time, our sacrifices are less and less! Q: Tell us about the show! A: For starters “R.A.T.T.” is an acronym for Running Around Town Tacky! Hood R.A.T.T. Makeovers is a television show that I host. My co-host Rachonne and I are a tag-team beauty duo that answers the prayers of fashion victims in the city of Detroit. The cool thing about our show that sets us apart from other fashion shows is that our show is done on a super budget! We try to style the guests on our show in fashion trendy stores without sacrificing quality. On average, completed looks are done between $150-$200! That includes accessories, separates, and shoes. Tips are also given to the guest to help with hair and makeup that bring out natural beauty. Did I mention it’s in our own backyard! And I host it (eat your heart out Nickki Stevens)! It’s a really cool show and funny as shit!

know about? A: Actually yes! Future Episodes of Hood R.A.T.T. Makeovers! [Laughter] I’ve recently teamed up with The Detroit Actors Theatre Company (DATC) lead by Eric Swanson in the month of July for their podcast “Just Sayin.” Along with me will be Bentley James and Nyomi Rose. Keep a look out on www.thedatc.org Q: Is there anything you would like our readers to know? A: Well, due to the success of the show, changes are being made! New taping has begun! The next time you see the show things will be different. To keep up with the show, follow Hood R.A.T.T. Makeovers on Facebook or my Instgram, Twitter, and Facebook fan page at GEO GLAM, or feel free to follow me at www.geoglamjunkie.com (YouTube channel coming soon ... ). //

PHOTOS BY TONY LOWE

substance, professionalism and talent! I believe all individuals (LGBT included) should be given the spotlight based on that merit!

Q: Any new projects coming up that we should

JULY 2014

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FLAME // FAVORITE BITCH®

We all know a flamer or two. And I’m not hating on them either. Hell, we all should serve a little bit of Richard Simmons in our walk and some Quentin Crisp in our wardrobe! By the way, all you fools that still call yourselves “str8 acting” on your Grindr and Hornet apps—you’re the first ones that need to step off the hegemonic highway and sashay down the beaten path of glitter, rainbows and unicorns.

I suggest you get some self-control or a goddamn pot holder... because you got one dude ready to jump into the skillet from the frying pan and the other is ready to boil the fuck over! NEXT!

How do we really feel about the everyday performative aspect of sexual identities? Do we wanna date a nelly boy... and can he be a top? Is an assimilated cookie cut-out from A&F the ideal... and can he be a bottom? Can we shake ‘em both up like a martini and have the best of both worlds? The phone lines are always open during my SiriusXM segments to discuss these kinds of things and more! Without further delay, this month’s column is all about the simmering, the medium well-done and the boiling over!

—Mr. Suzuki

DEAR MISS TIGER, I’m gay right now, but I plan on being straight when I get older and move back to Japan. Do you have any advice? DEAR YOU MUST’VE BEEN DRUNK ON THAT SAKE WHEN YOU WROTE ME THIS SHIT, First of all, you need to consider whether or not your ass is bisexual. Furthermore, are you going back to the pussy because you really like it or because you’re ashamed of really liking the dick? P.S. Sexual orientation is not something that goes in and out of style like LeRoy’s roommate’s discount couture!

DEAR MISS TIGER, My roommate is a swishy flamer who wears women’s and men’s clothing. He also thinks he looks fabulous and brags about his expensive designer outfits. Should I be honest and tell him he has no fashion sense? I have enough style in my pinky finger to dethrone that queen! —LeRoy DEAR I’M SURPRISED YOUR HOUSE HASN’T BURNED TO THE DAMN GROUND BECAUSE HE AIN’T THE ONLY MOTHA FUCKAH THAT’S FLAMING, When asked what he’s wearing, I’m sure he spouts off names like Dior Homme and Mugler... but when you take a peek in that bitch’s closet, all you see are labels saying three-seasons-afterthe-fact from T.J. Maxx! FYI—unless you intend on paying all the rent your damn self, I advise you to shut the fuck up, let him keep on flaming, and let somebody else douse his fire. NEXT! DEAR MISS TIGER, I remained friends with my ex-boyfriend after our break-up. My current partner is str8-acting. He says he’s sick and tired of my prissy ex butting in our business. Maybe I’m to blame because I tell my ex about our problems. I love both my boys and need some advice! —Roberto DEAR IS HE STR8 ACTING WHEN HE SUCKS YOUR COCK? Exes who are content with sittin’ on the back burner, are the first motha fuckahs to turn the flame up underneath the pot!

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JULY 2014

If you want to talk to me LIVE, don’t be shy and call the Derek and Romaine Show on June 16th at 9pm ET on Out Q Channel 109! WANNA TALK TO ME LIVE ABOUT THIS KIND OF BULLSHIT AND MORE? THEN JOIN ME JULY 21ST ON DEREK AND ROMAINE • SIRIUSXM OUTQ 109 AT 9PM EST. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY RADIO APPEARANCES, VISIT RADIOBITCH.COM NEED ADVICE? WRITE, TWEET OR FACEBOOK ME AND GET THE ANSWERS YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR, HUNTY! //

MISS TIGER ADVICE COLUMNIST • SIRIUSXM RADIO PERSONALITY ... AND EVERYONE’S #FAVORITEBITCH! WEBSITE: FAVORITEBITCH.COM TWITTER: @MISSTIGER ADVICE: ASK@MISSTIGER.COM

FLAME // BECOME WHO YOU ARE

MOTOR CITY PRIDE RECAP written by: Austin VanKirk

But what do I know? //

Although I didn’t really get the chance to wander around the plaza much, I do think there is something to be said for remaining in one place. As a writer, I’m prone to people watch to see if folks are doing, wearing, or saying anything interesting. This year, there was no lack of interesting people. From furries to leather daddies to drag queens, it seems all colors of the rainbow, if you will, were represented at this year’s event. It makes me happy to see so many colorful people expressing themselves uninhibitedly. Apart from the usual LGBT attendees, I noticed a fair amount of straight people who had roamed in to see what was happening there: husbands and wives, young heterosexual couples on a date, and families with little children. I noticed the straight folks who attended didn’t seem disgusted, afraid, or menacing. They were smiling, dancing, and celebrating with us. Seeing these people so accepting of the LGBT community and culture made me want to smile, dance, and celebrate right along with them (but of course I couldn’t because I was working). Maybe it’s not such a novelty to see straight people in such numbers attend a Pride festival, but at least for me, it is a sign of the changing times and a brighter future. As I said, I didn’t get much of an opportunity to explore, but I made a point to visit the Ally Tees’ booth operated by the May 2014 issue cover models Chloe Parfitt and Joe Piemeisel. I grabbed one of their “My Blank is Blank” stickers and wore it all of Sunday in support of their business, which I think is a cool idea. Tim Webber (June 2014 cover model) came by and sat with me for a while at the booth after a performance with the Killer Flamingos. Crystal Harding (April 2014 cover model) stopped by for a minute, too—although I didn’t recognize her out of drag right away. One thing I’d like to stress, if you sign up to volunteer at Pride, please show up, or at least notify someone if you won’t be able to make it. This was a problem this year, especially at the beverage tent where I was. There were more people coming to get drinks than what we could comfortably handle with the amount of volunteers we had. If you don’t show up, you’re not only disappointing the other volunteers, but other attendees who don’t want to have to wait ten minutes in line to get a beer. I think Pride festivals are great opportunities to see everyone you know in the community at one place at the same time. I can’t say how many people I saw whom I know—or how many new people I meant, for that matter! (Cute guy asked for my number, I gave it to him, no big deal. Still waiting

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for him to call, though.) It’s events like these that, although sometimes we might feel isolated to our cliques or smaller groups of friends, there’s a whole community that hurts the way we hurt and loves the way we love. That, I think, truly is something to be proud of and to celebrate.

JULY 2014

OUR NEIGHBOR When you work a table at a festival like Pride, you get to know the people working the booths around you. In our case, our next-door neighbor was a booth belonging to Mr. Friendly, an HIV-awareness organization working to reduce stigma against HIVpositive people. Mr. Friendly is working toward a more unified gay community, where HIV-positive and negative people can support and care for one another despite their HIV status. Not only that, Mr. Friendly encourages HIV testing and offers support to people living with HIV. The group believes that open and honest discussion along with education about sex and status can help fight the stigma. I was lucky enough to be able to speak with Dave Watt, the founder of Mr. Friendly. We got to talking about a little-known drug called Truvada, also known as PrEP, that is able to prevent someone from contracting HIV. It seems like a good idea for folks who have an HIV-positive partner, or just you guys who prefer to not use a condom, to take this. However, I’m not qualified to suggest any sort of medicine, so I’d recommend talking to your doctor about it. For more information about Mr. Friendly and what they’re up to, visit MrFriendly.info.

MR. FRIENDLY

FLAME // THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JOAN

THE CULT OF PERSONALITY written by: Joan Stevenson

When I was a teenager I was fascinated with celebrities: musicians, movie stars, and TV stars. I used to read Rona Barrett’s gossip magazine and I never missed an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. The introduction of a new TV show called Entertainment Tonight also fueled my celebrity fire. There was NO internet so there was no rapid fire worldwide exposure for the spread of news. As I grew up, my “obsessions” faded to a certain extent and centered on the few entertainers I was truly a fan of, but it seems over the years that modern society has latched on to this culture of celebrity, or cult of personality. Recently I was in a situation where I had to be in a waiting room for a while. There was a television, but I had no control over the channels so I was forced to watch what was on. There were three programs in succession: Extra, Dish Nation, and TMZ. By the time these shows were over, my head was ringing. It was pounding! I’m sure my ears were bleeding. I couldn’t wait to get to a book, a blog, NPR or anything to resuscitate my brain because it was definitely flat lining. I

“BY THE TIME THESE SHOWS WERE OVER, MY HEAD WAS RINGING. IT WAS POUNDING! I’M SURE MY EARS WERE BLEEDING. I COULDN’T WAIT TO GET TO A BOOK, A BLOG, NPR OR ANYTHING TO RESUSCITATE MY BRAIN BECAUSE IT WAS DEFINITELY FLAT LINING.” could feel my intelligence drain away cell by cell. Dish Nation almost did me in completely with their lively debate over who had the best ass: J-Lo, Kim Karsahsian, or Nicki Minaj. Why this obsession? Celeb culture is a disease, one we’re all infected by and one we’re all guilty of spreading. Paparazzi swarm like flies chasing down their prey (to the point of death in the case of Princess Diana). Feeding the public’s constant craving for celeb pop gossip, the paparazzi are about a couple of steps below the NSA. They’re spying on celebs shopping, dining, at the beach. Ah yes, the beach. There’s a favorite spot so we can see who has a beach body and who doesn’t because we all need to see if J-Lo lost that

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10 pounds they swear she needs to loose. Nip slips anyone? Case in point, two recent events have had pop culture in an uproar: Kim and Kanye’s wedding and the Jay-Z/Solange fight. It seemed that everywhere you turned you kept hearing about both situations. All of the details leading up to the wedding: location, guests, dress, etc. were hotly debated. Vegas was taking odds on whether or not the wedding would take place at all (now they’re taking bets on how long the wedding will last). That wedding was rammed down your throat at every turn. There is no reason why I should know that Kimye’s wedding cost over $30 million dollars. I don’t care! I I am just appalled by the amount of time and energy put into this by the media machine. As for the elevator fight seen ‘round the world… Queen Bey stands back as little sis Solange starts swinging on her man. Everyone, everywhere has seen the footage, but everyone, and I mean everyone, has an opinion or a theory about what happened. I heard it in conversations all around me. It’s hard not to get sucked into the speculation sometimes. Genuine curiosity I guess, but the only people who know what really went on in that elevator are the people who were in that elevator. It’s incidents like that, that keep pop culture vultures feeding on the carrion of their idols. Comedian Russell Brand commented on pop culture and I think he sums it up best: Popular culture functions to prevent synaptic connections occurring in our mind so we can’t think properly, like you’ll be formulating a thought, cause we’re sentient human beings on our way to enlightenment, a thought will be formulating, then popular culture functions like a pink pony trotting through our brains shitting glitter; preventing us from thinking properly. If that’s true then a severe amount of Americans alone are glitterifically brain dead. It does kind of kill your brain cells. Really, it does. Try watching an episode of Extra or TMZ, and then after see if you find it difficult to actually have a rational thought. I honestly wonder what it would be like to wake up in a world without pop culture. Think about that for a moment. Really stop and think about that. No twitter, no ET, Extra, TMZ, no celeb pop-culture blogs. No entertainment news of any kind. For just a few hours, what would the flow of humanity be like without having to hear about the latest train wreck or witnessing the latest celebrity transgression on viral video? What would it be like not to hear about the latest Justin Beiber faux pas. I think it would be like a breath of fresh air cleaning the glitter shit from your brain. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Sadly, I don’t think that will ever be possible… ever. So I’ll just try to keep away from it as much as possible. Limit my exposure for the sake of my own sanity. I encourage everyone to do the same, to keep a clear… wait....WTF? Oh no, someone didn’t start a petition about Blue Ivy’s hair! //

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