Next 071416 issue 347 by Multi-Media Platforms

CONTENTS JULY 14, 2016 | VOL 347

22. HOT, HOT LA!

We round up 14 reasons why it's OK to love Los Angeles .

THE NEXUS

10. Gay D.D. 12. What's Next | Film: Ab Fab: The Movie

FEATURES

18. Spotlight: Secret, Lies and Videotape 30. Brief Encounter: The Heroism of Mariah Carey

NEXT STEPS

36. Fitness: Gain Muscle, Lose Fat

NEXT WEEK 39. Calendar of Events

ON THE COVER:

36 6

John Strand, Ben Patterson in Los Angeles based swimsuit company Radical Energy. Photo by Ziv Sade Produced by Jason Wimberly

inside. 07-14-2016 Issue 347 PUBLISHER

Kevin Hopper EDITORIAL

Alexander Kacala - Executive Editor ART Kevin Broady - Art Director Dennis Dean - Photo Director Leo Winter - Graphic Designer CONTRIBUTORS Jon Ali, Tom Bonanti, Ed Cosman, Lawrence Ferber, Cody Gohl, Richard Hack, Michael Lambert, Justin Lockwood, Robert Maril, Roytel Montero, Kevin O’Malley, Matthew Wexler PHOTOGRAPHERS Adrianna Cortez & Michael Davis ADVERTISING Roberto Buckley - roberto@nextmagazine.net Silvio Carvana - silvio@wirld.com Don Robinder - don@nextmagazine.net NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media National Ad Representatives 212-242-6863

A PUBLICLY-TRADED LGBTQ COMPANY STOCK SYMBOL: MMPW corporate

ROBERT S. WEISS CEO

Peter C. Frank Chief Financial Officer

Kevin Hopper VP l Operations

Michael Turner President l Media Ventures

Maura “Mumball” Lane VP l Sales & Marketing

Dennis Dean VP l Creative

Richard Hack VP l Content

Keith Chamlee Corporate Circulation Director

Frank Perez Director of Accounting

Robert “Bobby” Blair Founder & Chairman of the Board

ADVERTISING ART DEADLINES Ad Production Request: Wednesday, Noon Camera-Ready Ads: Friday, Noon MAIN OFFICE 2000 E Oakland Park Blvd Suite 106 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 954-543-5943 Opinions expressed by advertisers, columnists, feature writers or other contributors are not necessarily the opinions of Multimedia Platforms, LLC or its staff. All advertisements, pictures, text and illustrations are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized and have secured proper written consent for use thereof. Multimedia Platforms, LLC shall not be held responsible for any errors, loss or expense or liabilities on advertisements accepted after the weekly deadline. Public 0ation of the name, photograph of any person, or advertisement contained in this issue is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such person, advertiser, or organization. Partial or complete reproduction of any advertisement, news article, feature, or photograph from Multimedia Platforms is strictly prohibited. Multimedia Platforms, LLC is a registered trademark. A $30 or 1.5% (whichever is greater) fee will be charged for all NSF checks. © 2016, Multimedia Platforms LLC. All rights reserved.

THE

GAY D.D. · WHAT’S NEXT

In ‘Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie,’ Edina and Patsy Take the Party on the Road

Page 12

COMMENT OF THE WEEK: I wish we could do a Demi Moore body painted suit photo of me for your mag. My lawyer would probably flip out lol. - Krys Fox to us after being arrested on Riis Beach last week for alleged nude sunbathing.

JULY 14, 2016

GOT GAY-TENTION DEFICIT DISORDER?

We round-up 6 responses after last week’s tragic shootings in Baton Rouge, Minnesota, and Dallas. He pulled no gun. His pockets were empty. He was shot in cold blood. What shall we call this one? #RIP #AltonSterling - JUSSIE SMOLLETT

if, because of the color of their skin, they are not being treated the same, and that hurts, and that should trouble all of us. This is not just a black issue, not just a Hispanic issue. This is an It is imperative in the face of American issue that we all racial injustice and slaughter should care about. that people of all races speak - BARACK OBAMA out and decry the system. #SilenceEqualsDeath We’re going to stand up as a community and fight - GEORGE TEKAI against anyone who beDayummn! Now 3 days in lieves that murder or any a row of SENSELESS gun violent action by those violence! Prayers go out 2 who are sworn to protect all the families n officer's us should consistently go #Pray4Dallas unpunished. These robberies of lives - VIVICA A. FOX make us feel helpless and When incidents like this oc- hopeless but we have to becur, there’s a big chunk of lieve that we are fighting for our citizenry that feels as the rights of the next gen-

eration, for the next young men and women who believe in good. This is a human fight. No matter your race, gender or sexual orientation. This is a fight for anyone who feels marginalized, who is struggling for freedom and human rights. - BEYONCÉ We haven't healed as a nation from the last senseless, unjust slaughter and here we are again, shaking and crying and angry, retraumatized. Watching two different people being murdered on camera by police is no way to wake up. #PhilandoCastile #AntonSterling - LAVERNE COX

NAKED SHOPPING

EVERY WEDNESDAY 5 - 8PM 10% OFF YOUR PURCHASE!*

LEATHER AND SO MUCH MORE!

@ LeatherWerks

• LeatherWerks.com

MAIN STORE:1226 NE 4TH AVE • RAMROD ANNEX:1508 NE 4TH AVE • 954.761.1236 * Does not include boots, sale items or vintage goods. Not valid with any other discounts. Copyright © 2016 The Werks Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Werks, LeatherWerks, PaddleWerks and BootWerks are Registered Trademarks of The Werks Company, LLC.

US FILM

IN ‘ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE,’

EDINA AND PATSY TAKE THE PARTY ON THE ROAD Photos Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, the show’s gay-favorite stars, discuss the franchise’s latest effort, a full-fledged film BY JEREMY KINSER

t's comforting to know that even with all the unrest in the world today, some things never change. Take the unshakeable bond between delusional PR maven Edina Monsoon and her boozy bestie Patsy Stone, for instance, portrayed by Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, respectively. The two fashionobsessed party girls of a certain age are, of course, the anti-heroines of Absolutely Fabulous, the beloved British comedy series that has garnered a devoted following on both sides of the Atlantic since its debut in 1992. Now they’re back in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, a glossy big-screen comic adventure that finds the ladies on the lam after they’re convinced Edina has killed super model Kate Moss. “We owe the gay community a huge deal,” Saunders says of the show’s predominantly queer fan base. “They helped make the show popular and we love having them as fans.” The film adaptation is filled with all the frantic energy, politically incorrect humor and outlandish drag queens that made the series such a fervently worshipped hit with gay audiences.

Gay men are equally indebted to the two women, not only for the years of raucous laughs they’ve provided but also for the drag and Halloween costume inspiration. “I think if you’re a boy, it’s very easy to dress up as Patsy,” Lumley offers. “You just get your good yellow wig on and lovely red lips. Most men have very good legs, much better than mine, so men’s beautiful legs showing in good stockings and nice high heels, a glass of Bolly, a cigarette, dark shades on, they’re there.”

WHAT’S Part of the appeal is also that the two lead characters never change or learn lessons. “We just get older,” Saunders says. “Edina gets older and fatter. Patsy doesn’t change at all. She’s sort of embalmed and remains exactly the same.” Along with just about everyone who’s ever had a speaking part in the series, including Julia Sawalha as Eddy’s disapproving daughter and June Whitfield as her mischievous mother, the movie is rife with celebrity cameos, including Joan Collins, Rebel Wilson, Barry Humphries as “Dame Edna” and Jon Hamm, who it’s revealed was seduced by Patsy as a well-endowed teen. (Though you won’t be seeing Harry Styles, Kim Kardashian or Benedict Cumberbatch.) “We just said we’re having a party, will you come and be in it?” Saunders remembers. “Lots of people were incredibly generous.” Although the series has been resurrected numerous times over the years, fans have long clamored for a big-screen version. Saunders says it was her costar who finally convinced her to write a feature-length screenplay. She remembers Lumley coaxing her with, “You must write it, darling. Otherwise we will all be dead and we won’t have made the film.” Of course, the climate for politically incorrect humor has changed a great deal since AbFab debuted and word policing is now the norm. Saunders notes that she was forced to take this into account when writing the screenplay. “People are much more ready to be offended these days,” she readily admits. “If you write a movie you have lawyers telling you who you can offend and who’s going to sue you and

who won’t. It was quite an issue, I have to say.” Earlier this year, comedian Margaret Cho denounced the casting of white actress Janette Tough as the film’s Japanese fashion designer Huki Muki, and a lot of attention has been paid to Patsy being revealed as transgender, a touchy subject with certain factors of the LGBT communities. Longtime fans, however, aren’t surprised by this news of Patsy, as it’s been hinted at since the early episodes. Asked about it, Lumley relates her character’s backstory matter-of-factly. “Patsy was born a girl and was a woman, but she took some hormones in the ‘60s because she fancied being a man,” she says in her impossibly posh accent. “She went to Morocco with Edina and had a pretty poor operation. [Her penis] withered away and dropped off after a year so she stopped taking the hormones and went back to being a woman.” Ultimately, Saunders doesn’t write with audience acceptance in mind. “I write it to amuse Joanna, really,” she admits with a laugh. “If you write it for too many audiences in mind, you’d die under the pressure. I basically write what I think will be funny. I hoped that people could watch the film not having seen the series and still enjoy it but also satisfy people who knew the series extremely well.” In case fans are worried that this will indeed be the last time we see the ladies, Saunders is once again ready to do her co-star’s bidding. “Joanna keeps telling me there’s going to be a sequel, so there’s going to be a sequel,” says Saunders. N Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie opens in theaters July 22.

Secrets, Lies & Videotape LGBT activist’s Memories of a Penitent Heart seeks truth about the HIV-positive gay uncle her family shunned BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI

ecilia Aldarondo’s uncle Miguel died of AIDS-related illness in the mid1980s when she was 6. She barely knew him, and then he was gone. Moreover, Miguel’s truth was obliterated. His life as a gay man? Just a “disease.” His longtime partner, Robert? Not even a mention in the obitu-ary. Fast forward thirty years. Set against the backdrop of dense cultural and rigid Catholic influ-ences, Miguel’s niece exposes the family’s buried secrets in her captivating film Memories of a Penitent Heart, which played this year’s Tribeca Film Festival and continues its rollout throughout 2016. In the touching doc, the first-time filmmaker reunites the remaining members of her family for a series of interviews, along with revealing historical context, to uncover the truth about the uncle she never knew. Here is her story, in her own words:

The catalyst My mom found some 8mm home movies in the garage and that actually preceded my desire to find things out. Also, my grandfather had passed away the year before and there was a lot of stuff around his death. When somebody has just died, everyone is still mourning them and talking about them, so that was around the same time. It started out as more idle conversations. The more I talked about (my uncle) with my mother and other family members, I was like, “Wait a minute. I’m not very comfortable with this.” The first shoot I started filming in 2011. I went to Puerto Rico with some friends and we literally just stole some cameras from school and flew to Puerto Rico. We filmed in the cemetery where my uncle was buried. I had no idea

SPOTLIGHT what it was at that point. It really was me chasing a series of hunches for a really long time.

to look at their own lives and their own stories, and if people are having those kind of reactions, that tells me I’m doing something right.

The crisis I approached making the film by doing as much research as possible. I was born in 1980, so I was a kid when AIDS was becoming an epidemic and it was in the background for me. AIDS and my uncle were these ghostly presences but not something I really understood. From the very beginning of making the film I just started reading as much as I could and seeing as many films as I could as a way to familiarize myself with the context in which he was existing. I started with reading And the Band Played On, and I just remember weeping throughout the whole book, because I knew it was bad... I just didn’t know how bad. The importance of ‘being generous toward one another’ I think in so many stories of discrimination – not just LGBT discrimination but any kind of dis-crimination – we can often get very black and white about who the victim is and who the perpe-trator is. What I would like this film to make possible is for people who see it to put themselves in the other person’s shoes, whether it’s a parent who has a gay child and doesn’t know how to talk to them or the opposite – a gay person who has a lot of resentment toward a family member. How can these people try to come to a mutual understanding and be generous toward one anoth-er? ‘You just changed my life’ There’s one guy, a longtime survivor who lost a lot of people during the peak crisis years, and he said the film enabled him to look at things that he’s been scared to look at for years. Another guy, a 20-something Puerto Rican guy, came up to me after the second screening in tears and was like, “You just changed my life.” He was like, “I was seeing my own story on the screen.” Those are the kinds of things where I’m like, “OK, I’m done.” (Laughs) There’s all this intense pressure around, where’s the film gonna go next? And what are the critics saying? Ultimately, none of that matters. What I wanted was for people

MIGUEL Her hope People have asked me, “What do you want people to do when they see this film?” I say, “I want them to pick up the phone and call somebody they might not know how to talk to or maybe just put your stuff aside for a second and try and actually connect with somebody.” That’s my Polly-annaish hope. But I do think that there are a lot of different ways to transform society, and one of the ways to transform society is at the most intimate level. Her mother’s journey to acceptance I think for my mom this is a very scary and challenging thing. She’s a product of her time; there are still things she can’t get her head around, but she’s really invested and grateful for what this film can do for people. She really wants to promote love and acceptance, and I think we do agree on the principle of what the film is trying to achieve. But we still disagree. She doesn’t

“

I WANT THEM TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL SOMEBODY THEY MIGHT NOT KNOW HOW TO TALK TO OR MAYBE JUST PUT YOUR STUFF ASIDE FOR A SECOND AND TRY AND ACTUALLY CONNECT WITH SOMEBODY.”

Photos: Courtesy of Cecilia Aldarondo

see things the way I do, but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t want this film to help her change, to help the world change. I think she wants to be an advocate for mutual understanding between LGBT peo-ple and their families. I think she believes very strongly in that. Seeing the film with her family It was kind of insane. The Florida Film Festival screening was in my hometown – I grew up in Orlando – and so my entire family came out for it. It was a crazy thing that this movie was, like, splashing our history on the screen and everybody was just so happy about it. (Laughs) A different kind of activism I always had this feeling my uncle was cool. I grew up in the suburbs. I didn’t have any artist role models and I had this uncle who died, who was living in New York, and he was an actor and it just sounded like he was really cool. The more I was learning about the

AIDS crisis, I was real-ly hopeful… I wanted him to be in ACT UP or something. I wanted him to be a card-carrying guy who’s, like, in the streets (laughs). I didn’t want him to be mainstream. I was really excited when I found out he was into leather! (Laughs) I wanted this cool uncle, and I was kind of disappointed when I realized that he wasn’t that kind of activist. At the same time, I found these letters where he would write to my grandmother and to my mom, and in these letters he’s so eloquent and so loving, and also grounded and convinced of who he is. He was being an activist with them. He was fighting for himself. That was so amazing to me. So, I would say it’s less that he was an influence on me and more that I felt that we were working together. There are certain moments where it feels like a collaboration between us. There’s (been) nothing more gratifying than when my dad said to me that my uncle would be proud of me and that is, again, one of those moments where it’s like, I can’t do better than that. N

HOT, HOT LA! We round up 14 reasons why itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OK to love Los Angeles.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF GRANT LEGAN

BY ALEXANDER KACALA

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BAR MATTACHINE

ON THE COVER

GARRETT MCKECHNIE

BAR MATTACHINE

here is so much competition between Los Angeles and New York, rivaling to be the best cities in the country. What comes out of the opposition are two global destinations that are not only home to incredible culture, cuisine, arts, and nightlife – but also strong LGBT communities that stand proud in not only sheer numbers, but their cultural imprint on the city’s ethos as well.

o while competition of course can be fun, we decided to cooperate with our bi-coastal adversary and explore the City of Angels for an early summer romp on the West Coast. What we found were many reasons to celebrate Los Angeles - from savory tacos to sweet treats, to sugary eye candy and hotter nights – our round-up concludes that there just may be room to love L.A.

1. The selfies at LACMA. It’s easy to understand why the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is one of the most Instagrammed museums in the world; it is a selfie capitol. From the photographically stunning Rain Room to Chris Burden’s sculpture Urban Light that has been in lots of movies, the LACMA is a millennial’s art world dream of contemporary and interactive art that is begging to be shared with your followers. 5905 Wilshire Blvd, 323-8576000, lacma.org.

2. The gay history everywhere. Sure, you may be in Los Angeles for a vacation, but you still can learn a thing or two while you play. Out and About Tours takes you through Los Angeles culturally rich gay history step by step and exposes vital and hidden information

about our community’s roots. In honor of its 5th anniversary, Out and About is teaming up with The Lavender Effect – a non-profit advancing the celebration of LGBT heritage culture. outandabout-tours.com.

3. The craft cocktails at Bar Mattachine. Bar Mattachine is one of the newest LGBT watering holes in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. The sleek bi-level cocktail lounge is decorated with dark wood and pops of color and features DJ nights, acoustic performances, and drag shows. The craft cocktail menu is extensive and well curated by co-owner (and former New Yorker) Garrett McKechnie. We recommend anything with tequila, especially the Tromba Romba. 221 W 7th St, 213-278-0471, facebook. com/BarMattachine.

4. The tacos at B.S. Taquerie. You have to get some Mexican while in SoCal, and there is no better spot than the authentically in authentic fare at B.S. Taquerie. Named one of Esquire’s best new restaurants in 2015, the menu at B.S. is no bullshit – offering rich migrant flavors through the lens of a native. 514 W 7th St, 213-622-3744, bstaqueria.com.

COOL DOWN John Strand, Ben Patterson, and Alina Kuzmina chill by

the pool in L.A. based swimsuit company Radical Energy. radelement.com Photo: Ziv Sade Producer: Jason Wimberly

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MAMA SHELTER

MAMA SHELTER ROOFTOP

5. The macaroons at Bottega Louie. There is something about Bottega Louie that screams L.A. Maybe it’s the expansive space it’s housed in, or the luxurious and chic aesthetic featuring white clean walls and tile floors. Whatever it is, Bottega Louie is worth a visit. It’s a 255 seat restaurant, gourmet market, patisserie and café all wrapped into one. While the downtown location is a must-visit, especially for their delectable desserts and macaroons that come in every color of the rainbow, they are about to expand to West Hollywood. Bottega Louie has partnered with The Abbey’s founder Cooley to open a second location of the restaurant, market and patisserie in West Hollywood. It will be set up at 8936 Santa Monica Boulevard. 700 S Grand Avenue, 212-802-1487, bottegalouie.com.

6. The roof deck at Mama Shelter.

7. The chop suey at Grand Central Market.

PHOTOS BY WARNER BROS.

The boutique hotel Mama Shelter is a great place to lay your head while you are away on holiday exploring the City of Angels. The hippest new venue to hit Hollywood, the boutique hotel is complete with a trendy restaurant on the ground floor and rooftop bar on top. The sweeping views of Hollywood and a sight of the Hollywood sign itself make the rooftop bar a not-to-be-missed respite whether you are staying there or not. 6500 Selma Ave, 323-785-6666, mamashelter.com. Featuring more than 40 food stalls of fresh

produce, meats, and seafood from California and around the world, Grand Central Market has been a hub of bustling activity in Downtown L.A. since 1917. Over the past few years, the market has turned into the ultimate foodie paradise, housing many of L.A.’s hottest food spots such as Eggslut, Wexler’s Deli, and Belcampo Meat Co. We say go for the chop suey at China Café no matter the time of day. It’s Mark Bitman’s favorite. 317 S Broadway, 213-624-2378, grandcentralmarket.com.

8. The daddies at The Eagle. Get away from the glitz and glam at L.A.’s quintessential grit-and-grime leather bar The Eagle. Harnesses welcomed (if not a little encouraged). 4219 Santa Monica Boulevard, 323669-9472, eaglela.com.

9. The films at Outfest. L.A.’s largest and longest running film festival of any kind happens to be gay! That’s right. Founded in 1982 as the “Gay and Lesbian Media Festival and Conference”, the name was changed to Outfest in 1994. Today, Outfest is the leading organization with a stated mission of promoting equality by creating, sharing and protecting LGBT stories on the screen. The films shown at Outfest are always the LGBT films talked about all year, so get a head start on your friends and make it out for a fabulous film festival in the home of Hollywood. outfest.org.

THE BLACK CAT

10.The menswear at MRKT. Well-known brands abound in Los Angeles, but for the carefully and uniquely curated, visit MRKT in Silver Lake. This boutique highlights the best in menswear from around the globe, featuring high-end emerging labels that will bring your closet up to date. 3814 West Sunset Blvd, 323-953-5134, mrktla.com. After you drop a dime or two down the street at MRKT, dine at Black Cat, which has a gay-centric history that predates Stonewall. LAPD raided the Black Cat Tavern in 1967, arresting gay revelers during a New Year’s Eve celebration. Protestors peacefully fought back by staging demonstrations outside the Black Cat against police brutality, using pool cues as the poles for protest signs. Today, the tavern adopted the original name and is an upscale spot serving delicious, modern American gastropub cuisine. Order the pork chop. For you veggies, try the gnocchi with eggplant, summer squash, and fried sage. West Sunset Boulevard, 323661-6369, theblackcatla.com.

12.The Pride. While we are spoiled to have the world’s best in our backyard – LA Pride is a close second. Founded in response to Stonewall, Christopher Street West conducted the first parade in the world advocating for gay rights on June 28, 1970 in Hollywood. That tradition lives on today in the form of the LA Pride Music Festival and Parade, that just celebrated its 46th year with headliners Carly Rae Jepsen and Charli XCX. lapride.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BLACK CAT

11.The stories at the Black Cat.

THE GETTY

It’s a jungle out there - especially on the streets of the Silverlake neighborhood. Long-running summer party Bears in Space at Akbar has outgrown its reputation as the quintessential bear gathering and has evolved into a carnival of delight for anyone (cubs and otters too) in Los Angeles. Frontiers reporter Kevin Wilen wrote, “When it comes to daytime hard-partying, it may very well be the most iconic celebration of L.A. culture since the construction of the beloved Hollywood sign.” On Wednesdays, imbibe with others at this neighborhood bar over craft activities. If craft couture isn’t your thing, come back Thursday to Saturday when the dancefloor is open for all the bumping and grinding your little gay heart desires. 4356 West Sunset Boulevard, 323-6656810, akbarsilverlake.com.

14.The gardens at the Getty. Known for outstanding architecture, gardens, and views overlooking Los Angeles, the Getty features pre-20th century European paintings, drawings, and illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative art. The museum includes outdoor sculptures displayed in terraces and gardens in the large Central Gardens designed by artist Robert Irwin. Free, but you have to make reservations long in advance. 1200 Getty Center Dr, 310-440-7300, getty.edu/museum. N

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF GRANT LEGAN

13.The parties at Akbar.

Photos: Denise Truscello

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI

THE HEROISM OF MARIAH CAREY

BRIEF ENCOUNTER

told my mom I interviewed Mariah Carey and she cried. “I know how much this means to you,” she said, verklempt. She knows Mariah saved my life. I was 10 and confused and gay when I first heard her voice. It was one of those meant-to-be moments: A friend eagerly, and thankfully, played me the cassette single of “Emotions.” That voice, all seven octaves, captivated me, changed me. Years later, when I heard the curly-haired, hand-wavey songstress singing pick-me-ups like “Hero,” “Make It Happen” and “Can’t Take That Away (Mariah’s Theme),” I was lifted beyond those signature high notes. In 1997, I was 15 and still confused, on the brink of self-discovery, without a role model. The parallel wasn’t lost on me – Mariah was coming into her authentic self, channeling the artist she never could be on the triumphant confessional Butterfly, a metaphorical nod to the newfound freedom she was feeling after years of professional and personal captivity. The album, which turns 20 next year, ended on a deeply intimate note with “Outside,” where she referenced the inferior feelings she harbored as a biracial child. As a gay adolescent internalizing the “feeling there’s no one completely the same,” as the song goes, my already-strong bond to the chart-topper, the diva, the survivor – my musical salvation, my “it gets better” – was strengthened. It was more than music. It is and has always been a palpable affinity to Mariah’s

courageous and encouraging life story. The story of an emancipated 27-year-old woman asserting independence. The story of a broken-winged 31-year-old woman who, a decade into her illustrious career, hit rock bottom, entered rehab for “exhaustion” and more than made it through the rain – four years later, in 2005, “We Belong Together,” the second single off The Emancipation of Mimi, held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks. For Mariah’s ever-faithful “lambs” who, too, have experienced, or are still experiencing the outside, it’s her inspirational narrative they’ve clung to with undying devotion. Nearly 25 years after first hearing her voice on cassette, my phone rings. It’s Mariah Carey, the sales-crushing icon with a whopping 18 No. 1 singles, the five-time Grammy winner, my childhood lifeline, our ally. As we speak, I'd be remiss not to acknowledge the roots of our connection, so I do. We also, of course, talk about Vegas, where she’s headlining The Colosseum at Caesars Palace with her hits show, Mariah #1 to Infinity, now armed with more “confidence,” she says, to go on vocal “tangents.” Naturally, her lingerie collection comes up. Furthermore, Mariah elaborates on the “unconditional love” she’s experienced from the LGBT community, which she emphasized when GLAAD recently recognized her with an Ally Award for all the lives she’s changed. An honor she received, in part, and most admirably, by changing her own. p

You can’t see me right now but I’m bowing down. Awww! I’m bowing down right back. I’m going to start with the GLAAD Media Awards because what a big moment for me, too, as a gay man to finally see you honored for being an ally. You acknowledged the “unconditional love” from the LGBTQ community, and it’s true: I’ve never had anything less than that for you. Anyway, Lamb 4 Life right here; not even kidding. Oh, wow; that’s amazing! L4L! Seriously – that’s such a great thing to hear; thank you for telling me that. What did you mean when you said you haven’t experienced much unconditional love outside of the gay community? And why do you think the gay community in particular has stuck by you through thick and thin? What I was trying to express – and it was all so fast and it wasn’t the world’s greatest speech ’cause I just wanted to try and speak from my heart and, you know, sometimes there’s so much going on and it’s not the best representation of what I really wanted to say, which would’ve been simpler. Which is basically: Some of the songs that I have written, like I have a song called “Outside” that a lot of people from the gay community have always said they grew up listening to and were like, “That helped me come out to my family.” Different things. For me, as a teenager, “Outside” really resonated. Those lyrics – “ambiguous, without a sense of belonging to touch” – are ingrained in my head, and they had a big influence on my own life. “Looking In” as well. When were you first aware that you were kindred spirits with the gay community? The whole thing in terms of me feeling really comfortable around all different types of people, including different races, religions, gay, straight, whatever, started as a kid. Most kids that I grew up around had never even met anyone gay, but my mom was always very theatrical and she had a lot of gay friends, so I grew up with her two best friends who were guncles before people knew what that was. And yeah, they were great to me. They really treated me well as a little girl. I guess I was just always comfortable because they were kind to me, and cool. And so then when I grew up I would always naturally gravitate toward the fun gay guy in school, you know what I mean? You know! It’s just like dif-

ferent moments. Even a friend of mine when I was growing up, her mom was in a relationship with another woman and they lived together and the whole thing, but she didn’t know – she didn’t understand it. But because I had such an open-minded mother who explained that kind of stuff to me, I wasn’t gonna out her mother to her. I was just like, “OK, fine.” You’ve been a lifeline for many of your LGBT fans, including myself, because you’ve showed us that even an outsider can find his or her place. When was the first time in your life you were exactly the person you wanted to be? Wow. The first time I can think of, and this is a great thing that actually incorporated work and fun and being free and music, was when I made the video for “Honey” (in 1997), and I went swimming in the shoes. It was just… I always wanted to have the freedom to be myself and I wasn’t in a situation where that was OK; I wasn’t allowed to because of that, uhh, first relationship (to ex-husband and then-Sony Music head Tommy Mottola). I had to overcome a lot to get through that, but that video – prior to that, I always had to settle for less than I wanted to be, and I wasn’t allowed to be who I was. And it really took a lot of courage. It wasn’t just like, “I’m gonna make a video.” It was, “I am moving on with my life, and I have to for my own self because I’m trapped in a situation.” You’re doing some of your earliest songs during your Vegas residency. How has your voice and your approach to singing these songs, some of which are over 20 years old, changed? You know what, certain days I’m like, “Oh, this is a really good day for me; I had a lot of vocal rest today and blah, blah, blah,” and some days for me I have to be a little bit more experimental and play around on stage because maybe it’s not as strong for that minute. Really, I just think I’ve become more confident and more experimental in a good way, if you know what I mean, in using

different parts of my voice and things. I always did it, but I was more “stick to the script” and “don’t go off on a tangent.” You know, I think that people kind of like the tangents that I have! (Laughs) Singing tangents. Breaking a high heel on stage tangents; whatever the case may be. We’ve seen a lot of greats pass away in the last several years: Prince, Whitney and David Bowie. In what ways do their untimely deaths have you reflecting on your own legacy and what you want that to be? It’s really interesting: I loved Prince and I still do. I love his music, and I’ll always have it, and I grew up listening to Prince, ya know what I mean? I was lucky enough to get to know him, but before I knew him I was listening to his music as an adolescent, as a kid, so his passing was very… I really felt like he was one of those people who would be around for a really long time because he just was kind of ageless in a lot of ways. But in terms of me reflecting on my legacy? I’m not at that place right now. I’m still very much doing fun, creative things that, you know, I don’t want to go into a long, drawn out thing about, but a lot of different projects. Some movie things. I’m getting ready to go back in the studio really soon, and obviously I’m doing this residency in Vegas. It’s really fun, but I’m not trapped there. I can do other things. We just got back from the European tour, which was amazing audiences, and then we went to Africa, so it’s like, all that stuff is great. Thanks for clarifying so nobody takes that out of context. (Groans dramatically) I knooooow. Mariah, I so deeply appreciate this moment and it means more than you’ll ever know. I hope our paths will cross again at some point soon. I really thank you so much. I thank you for talking about the music. Really – I appreciate that. I adore you, daaahhhling!

Gain Muscle, Lose Fat: Eat Your Protein! BY TOM BONANTI BY TOM BONANTI

hether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a hardcore body builder or just a regular guy working to get a leaner, healthier physique, you know how important protein is for your overall nutritional plan. Here are a few key facts about protein just for the record.

FITNESS Protein is an important macro-nutrient along with carbohydrates and fats. Proteins are composed of amino-acids and are present in all living things. They make up 90% of your blood, 80% of muscles, and 70% of the skin. Dietary protein is derived from both animal and plant sources. Protein is essential for growth, the building of new tissue, and the repair of injured or broken down tissue. There are 4 calories in every gram of protein. According to sports doctors and trainers with The International Sport Sciences Association, the daily recommended allowance for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of lean body weight per day. Certainly bodybuilders have gorged on much more protein than that for decades (as high as 2-4 grams per kilogram of body weight per day). While this dosage may be excessive and even a bit dangerous, getting a healthy supply of protein each day seems to be conducive to good health for everyone. Many sports nutritionists are saying that eating as much as 35% of your calories per day as protein might prevent type II diabetes, obesity, bone and muscle loss and the physical degeneration that accompanies the natural aging process. Could it be that protein is that elixir of youth and vitality that humankind has been searching for these many years? Before you spend lots of cash on jugs and sacks of fortified, triple X protein supplements that are sure to make you gassy and runny, try feeding those muscles with good, clean, high protein, low fat foods, first. Emphasize highquality protein from animal sources such as dairy, meat, eggs, poultry and fish. These foods contain the ideal balance of essential amino acids necessary for good metabolism. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also high in other nutrients such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, Vitamins A, D, B12, riboflavin and niacin. If you are a vegan, do your research to find equally rich protein alternatives which are found in whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. Nutritionists advise that one of the best ways to increase protein intake is to eat at least three servings per day of low or non-fat milk and cheese. This is a good start for anyone seeking to clean up your diet and beef-up your muscles.

If you are looking to build muscle, cut fat you just plain need to eat more protein to stay healthy. If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t gulp down another chicken breast or piece of fish, then whey protein may be your best bet. Whether taken in a shake or mixed in foods (like yogurt, cereal or fruit), whey protein powders are easily assimilated by the body and can help burn fat and reduce your appetite by filling you up. Whey protein supplements are also high in branch chain amino acids (BCCAs) which help your muscles to recover and grow after those killer workouts. Hint: try not to overdo it here; your body can only process 20-30 grams of protein per meal. Any more than this can cause a major belly ache or worse. N Tom Bonanti is a certified fitness trainer and licensed massage therapist (MA#40288) with his own one-on-one gym and massage studio www.pumpnincgym.com at 1271 NE 9th Avenue in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 33304 Contact Tom trainertomb@aol.com with questions or call (954) 557-1119 to schedule a free fitness consultation today!

massage

therapy

hair

cutting

body waxing

joel

montgomery 954.630.2336

#MA35382

joelmontgomery@live.com

WEEK

WHAT TO SEE & WHERE TO BE JULY 15 THROUGH JULY 21

SEX SHOO TERS Superstar Djs David Hart and Claudio Girardi aka Sexshooters come to Miami on their American Tour

WEEK

FRIDAY JULY 15 BLUES CABARET. leBoy 1243 NE 11 Ave Fort Lauderdale FL 33304; 954-368-8786, leboytonight.com. Join Nikki Adams and the cast as they entertain you cabaret style. Complimentary buffet of homemade pasta and bolognaise from 6 to 8 pm. Showtime 8 pm sharp! FUEGO FRIDAYS. The other side Miami 729 NW 79th street Miami Florida 33150, poisonivyentertainment. com. Poison Ivy Entertain-

ment brings back the urban night that fires up everyone. Hosted by Jamal Paisley with special performances by Stasha Rivers, Hawkins Sheena and Foreign Property 4. Party starts at 10:00 pm. Text OTHERSIDEMIA To 545454. BUBBLE GUM FRIDAYS. The Manor Complex 2345 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors FL 33305; 954-626-0082, themanorcomplex.com. Free membership card party, featuring DJs JPS and Miik. No cover before

midnight for over 21. Under 21 is $12 all night. MBBX: DECADENCE – THE ANNIVERSARY WHITE PARTY. Briza on the Bay 1717 N Bayshore Dr Miami FL 33132; 866-981-5009, mmb2016.com. Don’t miss our signature MBBX White Decadence Party featuring Milan Christopher with special host, Ms. TS Madison and the Golden Boy. Dj Suspence. Dress in all white, starts at 11 pm.

SATURDAY JULY 16 DR AG YOURSELF TO BRUNCH. Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar 2266 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors FL 33305; 954-5652526, alibiwiltonmanors.com. It is a weekend brunch special with your local entertainers that know how to give a show, like wig maker extraordinaire Carmen Adore. Enjoy the fantastic shows at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm. HELL AND HEAVEN. The Manor Complex 2345 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors FL 33305; 954-626-0082, themanorcomplex.com. Two superstar headliners, Dj Rodolfo Bravat and Dj Oscar Velazquez, along with recording artist Amannda with her

mega hit “Boom Boom.” No cover before midnight. BIGGER SATURDAYS: Score Nightclub 437 Washington Ave Miami Beach FL 33139; 305-535-1111, scorebar.net. From 11:00 pm to 5:00 am, this South Beach party club will be featuring music by David Hart and Claudio Girardi aka SEXSHOOTERS Get there when doors open and enjoy free drinks for a half an hour ending at 11:30 pm. For other discounts and info download the Score App. CIRCUIT SATURDAYS: Progress Bar Wilton Manors 2440 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors FL 33305; 954-533-4916, pro-

gressbarsouthflorida.com. Sip all night long on $6 Three Olives flavors and $5 Fireball as you dance the night away. MBBX EPIC – POOL PARTY AND FASHION SHOW. Dorchester Hotel 1850 Collins Ave Miami FL 33139; 866-981-5009, mmb2016.com. MBBX presents the Epic pool party and South Beach Men’s Fashion Show, featuring adult film star Antonio Biaggi! The South Beach men’s swimwear and under wear show starts at 6pm. Pool party starts at noon to 8 pm.

SUNDAY JULY 17 SYMPHONY OF THE AMERICANS SUMMERFEST CONCERT 2016. Broward Center for the Performing Arts 201 SW Fifth Ave Fort Lauderdale FL 33312; 954462-0222, browardcenter.org. Florida’s longest running music festival is back! Symphony of the Americas, a Broward County designated Major Cultural Insti-

tution, presents its 25th Anniversary Summerfest. 6:00 pm

9:00 pm so sing-along or join in.

SUNDAY T-DANCE. Scandals Saloon 3073 NE 6th Ave Oakland Park FL 33334; 954-5672432, scandalsfla.com. Their T-Dance is from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and it’s packed to the rafters. Karaoke starts at

CLASSIC 54 T-DANCE. Hunters Nightclub 2232 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors FL 33305; 954-630-3556, huntersftlauderdale.com. Dj Richie Rich spins the beats with low “T” at 7 pm and high “T” from 9 pm to 2 am.

MONDAY JULY 18 MUSICAL MONDAYS. Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar 2266 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors FL 33305; 954-565-2526, alibiwiltonmanors.com. Join celebrity impersonator Michael l Walter as Dame Edna for laughter and live show tunes in the all-new Manchester Room starting at 8:00 pm until 10:30 pm.

N.E.R.D. GYM Sportsbar 2287 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors FL 33305; 954-3685318, gymsportsbar.com. Plug in and hangout for nocturnal electronic recreational devices. As you play and throw a few back with friends. $2 Rolling Rock and $5 Tito’s vodka.

WEEK MONDAYS ARE A DRAG. The Palace Bar 1200 Ocean Drive Miami Beach FL; 305-531-7234, palacesouthbeach.com. Those of you that love drag performances will love the drag entertainment almost every night of the week. Tonight is Missy Meyake LePaige. Show time is 7:00 pm.

TUESDAY JULY 19 INDUSTRY NIGHT. Progress Bar Wilton Manors 2440 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors FL 33305; 954-5334916, progressbarsouthflorida. com. This fun and trendy bar is paying respect to the hard workers of our community with 50 percent off all drinks for those of you who are in the biz. For everyone else enjoy 2-4-1 drinks.

GET YOUR GAME ON. Rumors Bar & Grill 2426 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors FL 33305; 954-565-8851, rumorsbarwiltonmanors.com. Try your luck, or skill, with poker in the red room from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm. While your're there, enjoy some discounted beverages from 9:00 pm to close: $2 domestic, $2.50 imports and $5 Absolut.

BEEFCAKE’S GRILL. 1721 N Andrews Ave Fort Lauderdale FL 33311; 954-463-6969, boardwalkbar.com. 69-cent Jumbo Chicken Wings all night long along with Hot Days of Summer frozen drink specials. House specialty, cool and refreshing frozen lemonade just $8, all others $10.

WEDNESDAY JULY 20 DOLLAR DRINK NIGHT. Rumors Bar & Grill 2426 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors FL 33305; 954-565-8851, rumorsbarwiltonmanors.com. This staple nightclub is in a giving spirit on Wednesdays. First it’s 2-4-1 until 9:00 pm and then they drop prices on well and draft drinks to just $1 a pop. Plus, Skyy cocktails are reduced to only $4 a drink. And all these low price drinks are ongoing until the club closes.

LIP SERVICE WEDNESDAY. Progress Bar Wilton Manors 2440 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors FL 33305; 954-533-4916, progressbarsouthflorida.com. Hosted by Amanda Austin and her special guest entertainers. She likes to include the audience too with their own lip-sync contest at 11:30 pm – try your luck at winning the gift package. There’s always a different and fun theme.

LIT THURSDAYS! Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar 2266 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors FL 33305; 954-565-2526, alibiwiltonmanors.com. This night belongs to none other than $5 long Island Ice Teas. There’s no better place to start your pre-game for the weekend. The music is great, the crowd is chilled and the drink jogs are huge. What more can you ask for?

GOGIG OR GO HOME. Tap 42 1411 S Andrews Ave Fort Lauderdale FL 33316; 954-463-4900, info@tap42.com. GoGig, a new professional job seeking and hiring app, is hosting a networking-meets-dating event. Whether you’re looking for a job (or a date), this event has got you covered. An evening that could change your future for the better starting at 9 pm.

THURSDAY JULY 21

NEW MEAT CONTEST. Boardwalk Bar 1721 N Andrews Ave Fort Lauderdale FL 33311; 954-463-6969, boardwalkbar.com. Contestants compete for cash and prizes as the audience selects the next Mr. Boardwalk of the Week. Hosted by drag legend Daisy Deadpetals. Special drink prices all night long and 75-cent drinks from 9 pm to midnight.

DUELING PIANOS. Village Pub 2283 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305; 754200-5244, villagepubwm. com. The ultimate interactive dueling pianos experience from Gerianne and Eric, Come sing-along to your favorite Broadway, Pop, and Disney classics. Show time 8:00 pm.