GED Magazine MAY 2024

FROM THE EDITOR

MAY IS HERE AND IT’S ACTION-PACKED!

Drag Bingo at Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs is on May 16th, so book now, you only get this once a quarter; Long Beach Pride returns to the month of May on the 18th and 19th; and for Memorial Day Weekend on May 25th, GED Magazine and LE Parties are bringing you the second annual SunVibes Pool Party with the legendary icon LADY BUNNY heading the DJ lineup, along with DJs Jeffrey Hawkins, Laser Fox, and Modgirl. This is biggest and best pool party during Memorial Day Weekend. Visit GEDmag.com for tickets and information on these and more events. Have an event of your own? Submit it to our online calendar of LGBTQ happenings.

As always, the GED Magazine Team is committed to bringing you the best in LGBTQ entertainment, travel, and lifestyles. Visit us on the web at GEDmag.com and sign up for our monthly insider newsletter. Insiders will also be entered into future drawings for trips, event tickets, dinners and more. And for all the updates on social media, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and X/Twitter @GEDmagazine and tag us in your photos … #GEDmag. GED MAGAZINE is here for YOUR entertainment!

Michael Westman Cesar A Reyes Christopher Jackson Alexander Rodriguez Billy Francesca

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Joshua Treason

Hey Idiot,

Should I stay with my current boyfriend and let him pay for Coachella tickets, even though I really want to break up with him, or keep hooking up with his roommate and just see how this all works out?

Hot 4 Music

Woah, Hey Hot for Music, Thats a lot to unpack…I mean, 1. Maybe stop sleeping with your boyfriends roommate, because that will get really messy and will come out sooner or later, my guess would be at Coachella in some grand gay drama tear stained moment right before Brittany Howard takes to the stage. 2. I can’t get a guy to buy me extra sweet and sour sauce at McDonalds, let alone Coachella tickets, but I think you know the answer… using someone for material things, is NOT a cute look. Tidy up your life babe, this sounds like nine miles of bad road.

Said with Love BF

Hey Idiot,

How long can my girlfriend’s ex live on our couch? We’ve been living together for three months, and for the past three weeks, she has “crashed” with us. I am trying to be patient, but this is the kind of lesbian telenovela that I didn’t sign up for. Thanks, Izzy

Hey Izzy,

Pack her shit up now! Three weeks? Hello! That is way too long, and it will start to damage, (if it hasn’t already) your current relationship. I would agree on a date asap and stick to it. Y’all ain’t babysitting over there, and furthermore, the ex knows what they are doing, nobody moves in with their ex and their current partner, and thinks, “Hey this could work.” Don’t let yourself be taken advantage of. Think of the cats! (Lesbian joke, sorry I had to! XOXO) Best of Luck Izzy

Oh, to be young-adjacent and on Ozempic, chasing my waistline from the early 1990’s. Hi everyone! Billy Francesca here, gearing up for summer and spreading my unique wisdom, like salted butter on a crispy toasted English muffin. I get so many different emails, some more involved than others, on advice. For this month I thought I would take a bunch of the short ones - I love short and sweet!

However, I’ve never said ’NO” to long and hard either. Now I sound like my Mom.

BY BILLY FRANCESCA

Hey Idiot,

How many orgies in one weekend, makes you a slut? Asking for a friend, and the friend is me.

Thanks In Heat

Hi In Heat, Ummmmm, well in Roman times it was quite common…sadly, this is not Roman times. Honestly, as long as you are people proactive with your health and the partners around you, “Get In There” (one of my favorite sayings.”) Emotional detachment from sex can be a slippery slope (see how I did that), but as long as you are clear on what your intentions are both, mentally and physically, go have fun. Slut is such a fun word now anyway, and please don’t label yourself, think of it more as a sexual renaissance! Be safe, have fun, and be you. However, to answer your question directly, four.

XO BF

Dear Idiot,

How can I get WEHO Pride tickets? I’m kinda broke but the lineup is awesome. I need an in, you know everyone don’t you? Hook Up a Gurl Up!

Hello, Hook a Gurl Up!

My Darling, there are ways to enjoy WEHO Pride, all prides in fact! You need to tap into your commuting! Volunteer! Find out who needs what and go help out. I get you want to go and party and have friends with friends, but maybe you can connect with some new people and see how you can become part of the festival, and maybe even make some extra coin in the process. But to answer your question, YES, I do know everyone and NO, I can’t get you in to meet Kylie. XO

Thank you, my darlings! Keep the emails coming. I get such a kick out of them and of course JOY! We are all in it together! Email me at Theadviceidiot@gmail.com.

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SUN MAY 12, 2024 • 12:30PM

LADY BUNNY IS THE DJ QUEEN

BRINGING THE MUSIC TO PALM SPRINGS THIS MEMORIAL DAY

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

Lady Bunny is an OG of the drag world. Instantly recognizable with her poundage of wigs, lashes, and go-go get-ups, her biting wit and DJ beats keep her in modern culture, while her trailblazing history speaks for itself. Actor, comedian, podcaster, writer, songwriter, DJ, drag queen, TV and radio personality, she continues to do it all.

Contrary to popular belief, she was not the result of an Immaculate Conception. She credits her parents for a great childhood, growing up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. At an early age, she was putting together costumes for plays with the neighborhood kids, even taking ribbons from the trash of the florist next door for her creations. Her childhood would take her around the world, with a year’s stay in Ghana and then boarding school in York, England. How did she develop her identity while always on the move?

Well, as a kid you aren’t really thinking of building your identity so much—it just happens. Your parents, schooling, and the places you live in help to build it for you before you can even tie your own shoes. I grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. While it was a nice place to grow up, it was also dull. So, I’ve always relished travel. And as grand as it sounds, I’ve always seen myself as a citizen of the entire world, and not just of the US. Getting to perform and DJ abroad has been a hoot! I occasionally get to see childhood friends in England.

And where did that signature sense of humor come from?

I grew up watching some of the greats, like Lucille Ball, Flip Wilson, Carol Burnett, etc. While I never set out to be a comedian, I enjoy it. My goal is to bring the twisted humor that many people enjoy in private onto a stage. The more I’m not supposed to laugh at something, the funnier it is to me. As a kid, anything was 10 times funnier in church, where we were supposed to be quiet. When they passed out collection plates, we’d put one penny in the envelopes, and write “The Lord loveth a cheerful millionaire,” “The Lord hateth poor people,” or other demented slogans.

Lady Bunny’s first exposure to drag was seeing trans artist Regina Sims in the 1970s in Chattanooga outside of a club called Crosskeys. Her career would bring her around to getting to know Regina in Atlanta in the ‘80s. In Georgia, Lady Bunny would meet RuPaul and the two would become powerhouses as go-go dancers, in drag, and in lower-budget films. The two moved to New York and Lady Bunny would become a central part of the Club Kid and drag circles. How did her first paid drag gig go?

We just wanted to be out on the scene and were thrilled to get free admission and drinks. But when I moved to NYC to be in RuPaul’s show, I made a little something. I once got paid $50 to go-go dance at the bar at the Pyramid Club, and when someone tried to rob me on the way home, I literally ran from a gun in my face. They weren’t gonna steal my first drag payday! Not

my smartest move.

Favorite part about doing drag? Eyelashes!

Least favorite part about doing drag? Bunions!

Craziest drag story?

I once mixed-up lash adhesive with crazy glue—and did the show anyway in sunglasses. OUCH!

In a scenario that seems out of a sitcom, Lady Bunny and RuPaul shared an apartment together in those early days in NYC. From that experience, a drag legend story was born.

A story people love, even though it’s not completely true, is this: I came home and found a burglar in our apartment. Instead of calling the police, I had sex with him! The truth is that the guy had been carrying on with me and

Ru the night before, so he just came back, and the door was unlocked. I don’t think he stole anything—except perhaps my honor as a lady.

In 1984, drag history has it that Lady Bunny created Wigstock in New York after getting tipsy with some fellow queens at the Pyramid Club who decided to put on a show in the park. Wigstock would provide decades of an outdoor drag festival that would become a central part of drag history, spawning new generations of queens and documentaries. Many say that there would be no Drag Race without the foundation of Wigstock. What does Lady Bunny miss most about the early years of Wigstock?

My waistline! I also miss the sense that there was a club community. That still exists to some extent today, but the

“I don’t know how you manage to take something as fun as drag and make it sappy and cloying but Drag Race did it!”

scene was raging in the ‘80s and ‘90s when many more people went out regularly. The clubs were huge. Not enough people go out nowadays to fill them.

What celebrity most needs a drag makeover?

Bad Bunny. I’d remove all his clothes!

Favorite hotspot? Miami Beach.

Favorite non-profit?

Housing Works in NYC. Favorite cocktail?

I was always a beer drinker. Lady Bunny’s star continued to rise, and she not only became a drag leader, but she also ingratiated herself with mainstream pop culture, rubbing elbows and making appearances with a number of popular celebrities of the era. All of

this was happening in conjunction with the AIDS epidemic. What does she wish younger generations understood most about that time?

That’s a big one! When I watched Pose, alone during Covid, I bawled my eyes out. I realized when Billy Porter’s character was visiting his dying lover in the hospital, that I’d had many times like this. You don’t know whether to try and cheer your friend up and act like everything would be fine, or just be there with them and hold their hand. As a result, I sometimes didn’t visit dying friends in the hospital as much as I should have. And you never get that opportunity again once they’ve gone.

With all the trailblazing that she has done in her career, setting the scene for drag queens to flourish, she, in true Lady Bunny

fashion, has a lot to say about the current drag explosion courtesy of Drag Race

I don’t watch Drag Race or any other reality show. Between the dreadful Rusicals, the casting of some queens who couldn’t get booked at your local bar, and some of the shows’ horrible fans sending contestants death threats every other season, it just doesn’t entertain me. Nor am I interested in Ru pretending to be a therapist. Most drag queens I know could use one—including her! I don’t know how you manage to take something as fun as drag and make it sappy and cloying but Drag Race did it!

Lady Bunny has become a persona all unto her own, reality TV show or not. How is the artist, Jon Ingle, most different than Lady Bunny, and does Jon ever feel overshadowed by the drag persona?

The voice is the same, and always gets me clocked. Also, Bunny has a much nicer wardrobe than Jon does! She’s the breadwinner, Jon is just her errand boy!

What would the name of your biography be?

The Blond From Beyond. What is your after-drag ritual?

Having an edible.

She continues to be one of the most sought-after DJs for any type of event, literally traveling the globe. This Memorial Day, May 25th starting at noon, Lady Bunny will headline the GED / LE Parties SunVibes Pool Party at Margaritaville in Palm Springs. If you’ve ever been to a party DJ’d by the Queen, you know it is going to be sassy, lively, and a bit bawdy.

I love DJing, and I love playing music I can bop around to. Of course, the crowd has to like it, too. I mix in classics with newer stuff, but I tend to play vocal dance music which is less hard and less circuit. If the crowd is older, I’ll throw in anything from Aretha Frankin to James Brown. If they’re younger, I’ll throw in Dua Lipa and Beyonce. I guess you could say I play anthems. With me, it’s less about my mixing skills than song selection. If I’m left to my own devices, I love ‘90s house and underground disco classics. But I also love Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, and Dolly Parton. I play it by ear!

With her colorful career, what has been the pinnacle moment for Lady Bunny?

This interview! And when Debbie Harry came to perform at Wigstock for the first time, I was in disbelief. I’d grown up loving her music. To think that I’d created a festival that she wanted to be a part of! There are rock stars, and there’s Debbie.

As for her legacy, this is what she wants it to read like:

That I brought people together to dance, and to laugh. We need our jesters in a dark world.

And her message to the LGBTQ+ community?

The gay community members—not the activists, or activist groups, need to come together, figure out

what we want, and make demands. For example, why are none of our advocacy groups busting Democrats’ chops for not passing The Equality Act, which shielded us from discrimination in education, housing, and employment? Wouldn’t these protections have helped Nex Benedict? We know the GOP won’t pass protections, so why are we constantly giving Democrats a pass? Or accepting crumbs? We deserve better. Earn my vote or you don’t get it. That’s democracy. You give them your vote and then they work for you.

PAGE: PHOTO BY GED

THIS

STEPHEN MARK LUKAS OPTIMISM,

JOY, AND PASSION

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

“I think because of my stature and my height, I do get cast in these sort of hyper-masculine roles. So it is a skill I’ve had to develop, I’m not gonna lie, it is something that I’ve had to work on. But I think it just comes back to being true to the text. ”

The Broadway national tour of Funny Girl has finally hit California, in San Francisco until May 26th, then at Orange County’s Segerstrom Hall from May 28th to June 9th. We were there on opening night for the show’s run at the Ahmanson in Los Angeles. We have never seen an Ahmanson audience respond so strongly with sincere admiration, holding the show due to unwavering applause and standing ovations, clearly appreciating the charm and tour de force of this classic musical. The show’s star, Katerina McCrimmon as Fanny Brice, knocks the familiar role out of the park, making the well-known hits “People” and “Don’t Rain On My Parade” all her own. A soaring moment of Act II is shared between Katerina’s Brice and the show’s leading man, Stephen Mark Lukas as Nick Arnstein. The song chills as the theater was filled with some of the most powerful vocals we have heard in a while. A theatre classic, this was a throwback to the Broadway stars of yesterday that were less remix and pop and more full-throated pathos – the audience leaped to its feet.

Stephen Mark Lukas fits the bill as the lead. Tall, muscular, and dashingly handsome, he has played the leading type in his Broadway and regional career in such roles as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, Lancelot in Camelot, Lt. Cable in South Pacific, and Curly in Oklahoma! A boon for queer stage performers, he has earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of these straight characters, proving that we shouldn’t be limited by our sexuality. Acting is the craft, and acting should be the determining factor in being cast.

Though not raised in a particularly artistic house, Stephen’s father would bring home cast recordings and take the family from Maine to Broadway every year to experience musical theatre firsthand.

My dad would get the Wall Street Journal and look in the paper to see what got the best reviews, and then call Telecharge to get tickets six months ahead of time and we’d

have the tickets sitting on the kitchen counter. That was sort of my theatrical education from an early age, just seeing how it kind of brought our family together. We would go every Veteran’s Day weekend and pack in like four or five shows. The Hal Prince production of Showboat was the first Broadway show I saw. I remember the overture starting and they lifted giant bales of cotton out of the orchestra pit, which

was the first thing you saw, and it just transported me to this other world. And then I got to high school and college and realized, wow, this, this could be a job, and I could do this. It’s been that way ever since.

He did theatre in high school and playing Jack in Into the Woods (twice) really lit the acting spark. The musical remains one of his favorites to this day. Despite the athletic stature we see

on stage (Funny Girl has a revealing bathrobe moment worth the ticket price alone), sports wasn’t really a part of Stephen’s formative years.

My parents signed me up for soccer, which was the first sport I ever tried to play. But they looked over at a certain point in the game, and I was picking dandelions and chasing butterflies. I just hadn’t done those things; I was kind of shy about it. I got older and I

started swimming, I was a big swimmer in high school and started working out and getting more athletic, sort of on my own terms. But it was just never something I really wanted to do as a kid.

Going on to attend boarding school at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, where he would hone his singing skills, it became clear that his career path would be that in performance. He feels that Exeter was the perfect prepara-

tion for the next stage in his life, he was ready, he was hungry for it. He would go on to attend Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. On his first night in New York, he went to Stonewall and felt at peace, in his words, “I was like, I’m here. This is it. Let’s do this.”

He calls his time at NYU holistic, learning about himself as a performer, not just what Broadway show he should book next. Coming from a successful run

in community and school theatre, audition life in the real world would come with some punches…and roller skates. When I graduated from college, Xanadu was on Broadway with Cheyenne Jackson. They were casting the tour at the time, and they were looking for an understudy. I had seen it four times and thought, wow, I could do that role. I went in, sang the songs, they loved me. Did the scenes, they loved

me. Then they were like, nothing to do now but rollerskating! I had never skated before in my life. I was like, how hard can it be? So, I bought a pair of roller skates and skated around the roof of my apartment building. (During the audition), at one point, I skated into the table where the director was sitting and I got up and I was like, “Do you need to see anything else?” And they’re like, “No, Steven, you’ve done enough.”

Though Stephen had come out in high school, and though musical theatre was seen as a safe space for queer performers, the environment during those early audition years was still very much a “don’t ask, don’t tell” era, especially for the type of roles Lukas was qualified for. Gay men just were not cast as leading men, that wasn’t the norm. Stephen was called in to audition for the pilot of Glee, his first TV audition ever. They flew him out to Los Angeles after his audition in New York; the role ultimately went to Cory Monteith.

I had a conversation with my agent after the fact, and he said to me, “We want you to be proud, but not so proud you don’t book the job.” And that was kind of a little warning. I said, “I really admire Cheyenne Jackson,” because, at the time, he was the only out, leading man that I knew of. He said, “Yeah, but Cheyenne Jackson isn’t a movie star.” And, and that just cut me to the quick, and I just remember feeling like, oh my God, what am I doing? Am I wasting my time doing this if I’m not going to be able to be myself? I have emails from casting directors going way back saying like, “Oh, Steven needs to butch it up.”

This is the thing though - it was never about my work. It was never about what I was doing in the scenes. It was never about my relationship with the leading lady. It was never about a kiss. The work was always solid. And I knew that it was about how I walk into the room, or how I talk to the casting director when I see them on the street, and that just always felt so unfair to me because they’re not asking that of anybody else. You’re not asking that of your straight actors.

If an actor is playing Macbeth, you’re not asking them to be Macbeth

when you see them on the street, but you’re asking me to be Nick Arnstein when I walk into the room if I’m not doing the scene. That’s not fair. It created a lot of self-consciousness in me. Thankfully the business has changed a lot and the cast of Funny Girl is very young, and I’m happy to report that Gen Z does not have that. They’re like, this is me, and if you don’t like it, fuck you. That is refreshing. Now and again, sometimes you will get notes and you sense there’s a little bit of that still from producers and directors. At the end of the day, I’m an actor and if you don’t like my work, you don’t have to cast me but don’t tell me how I have to behave when I’m not on stage. That was the thing for me always growing up. I think because of my stature and my height, I do get cast in these sort of hyper-masculine roles. So it is a skill I’ve had to develop, I’m not gonna lie, it is something that I’ve had to work on. But I think it just comes back to being true to the text. I’ll also say that for Funny Girl, the idea of masculinity is baked into the show, which is really what is the undoing of this character of Nick Arnstein. He feels so emasculated. So, there is my own struggle with, am I masculine enough for this that is really his struggle too. That’s what I found in Lancelot, in Gaston even to some extent, that the issue of masculinity in the world today is this question of even the men who the most hyper-masculine are being worried that they’re not man enough. That’s why we have these laws against trans people, people are being held to this standard that they don’t feel is fair. That is the story of these characters. I think my goal with them is always to find the vulnerability and to find out what does this person not have figured out. Most heroes in musicals start at a place of being insecure and become more secure as the story progresses. My characters are always the inverse of that. I don’t really play heroes; I play a lot of villains. I play people who are sort of tragic heroes who start at a certain place where they have everything figured out, and then they get kind of unraveled as the show goes on.

Stephen has had the opportunity to work on his character and settle into the role of Nick Arnstein. He understudied for Ramin Karimloo on Broadway, taking over the role for the last three weeks of the production run before hitting the road. For the revival, Nick’s solo dancing and singing number “Temporary Arrangement,” usually cut, was added back into the show, showing the full extent of Luka’s talents. Now, on the road, he is balancing his busy show life, maintaining a long-distance relationship with his fiance, and keeping his mental and physical health in check from his rigorous role.

Sleep has always been a challenge, being in different hotel rooms and different beds, the performance energy is different too. So really taking control, that’s been a big journey for me, has been really taking responsibility for my sleep, trying to limit screen time, trying to do all the things that everybody knows you should do and we never do. Staying close to my voice teacher. Asking for help when I need it, and really reaching out and saying like, hey, this isn’t working, can you help me? That’s a new experience for me. When I was a younger performer, I couldn’t do that. Book of Mormon was really hard, that score is really hard to sing, and I wasn’t at a point yet where I took ownership of that responsibility. I thought I had to have it all figured out. So that has been a big one, is just knowing myself as a performer better, what I need and asking for it has been a big part of this journey. Meditation is huge for me. I really try, at a certain point, to turn off politics. Just having a routine to exercise is so important for me. Really trying to just move and get exercise, get endorphins going.

Spending time with Stephen is a true delight. Not the imposing and brooding figure he is as Nick Arnstein, he is a gentle giant who exudes optimism, joy, and passion. You feel like you’ve known him forever and could literally talk about anything. Run, don’t walk to catch him (and his robe scene) on stage.

And his message to his fans?

If you really believe in yourself and you think that you have a skillset, don’t get waylaid by the people telling you you have to be anything other than what you are. Show up authentically and see what happens. It’s not gonna be what you think will happen, but if you show up authentically, something will happen. And that is more exciting, I think, than the sort of predetermined outcome that a lot of us want when we start out.

For Funny Girl tour dates, head to FunnyGirlonBroadway.com.

Follow Stephen on IG: @SMLukas

GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY: This musical has been kicking around for quite a few years. Written and directed by Connor McPherson and featuring songs with music and lyrics by Bob Dylan, it first played London’s West End in 2017, off-Broadway in 2018, and eventually made it to Broadway in 2020 where it played five performances before Covid closed them down for two years. Well, it’s finally coming to California. The show is set on the shores of Lake Superior in the winter of 1934 during the Great Depression, where we meet a group of wayward travelers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse filled with music, life, and hope. Experience this production that the New York Times calls “profoundly beautiful,” and brought to vivid life by an extraordinary company of actors and musicians. Dylan’s songs are cleverly interspersed and well-performed. Hollywood Pantages 5/14 – 6/2; San Francisco Golden Gate 7/30 – 8/18.

THELMA AND LOUISE; DYKE REMIX: San Diego’s LGBTQ+ Diversionary Theatre is consistently stylish and presents wellmounted productions. In their current production, Thelma and Louise drive their 1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible off the edge of the Grand Canyon. Suspended in mid-air, the two discover their authentic selves and embark on a queer odyssey that defies conventions and dares to ask: “Why do strong female characters always die?” Aided by a kick-ass Riot Grrrl band, T and L attempt to sort out their new identities, how those identities impact their relationships with each other, and seek out the gay happy ending they’ve always deserved. The show won the 2021 Richard Rogers Award for Musical Writing, and this theatre company always justifies a drive to San Diego. 5/9 – 6/2.

COME FROM AWAY: This award-winning musical is set in Gander, Newfoundland, starting on 9/11/01. All US planes were ordered to land at the nearest airport, and the residents of tiny Gander suddenly found themselves hosting about 7,000 guests who were on some 36 planes. The book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein have a folk feel and are catchy and enjoyable, but it is the staging that is really the star of the show. About 20 people play passengers and the residents of Gander, changing characters with the addition of a hat or jacket. The delight is that it all happens so quickly and smoothly. This month it is playing numerous smaller venues in California including Santa Barbara’s Granada Theatre 4/30-5/1; Performing Arts Center of SLO 5/2; Modesto’s Gallo Center for the Arts 5/3 – 4; Hollywood Pantages 5/7 –12; and Palm Desert’s McCallum Theatre 11/26-12/1.

DISNEY’S ALADDIN: Okay, before you start yelling “Why is he hyping a Disney musical in a gay magazine,” I can only urge you to give this show a try. I saw it on Broadway and then caught it again in Orlando when it was on tour. I will hopefully see it again this month in Costa Mesa. The songs are by Alan Menkin at his best, and the staging is a constant delight (including a lot of vest-only muscular torsos). On Broadway, the “You Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Me” number, including three different costumes for the ensemble and a lengthy tap number, received a standing ovation. That’s the only time I have ever seen that happen. The national tour wraps up with Freson’s Saroyan Theater 5/1 – 5 and Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center 5/7 – 12.

HEALTH

Poppers. Not only are they a staple of disco dance floors, sex shops, and — more recently — gay internet memes, but openly queer pop star Troye Sivan recently placed them front and center in the mainstream by openly paying homage to them with his summer 2023 smash hit “Rush,” a song title that not-so-coincidentally is the name of a beloved brand of poppers.

But what exactly are poppers? What risks do they present users? And how can these risks be mitigated? I spoke with DAP Health Chief of Community Health C.J. Tobe and asked all of the tough questions.

What are poppers?

Basically, “poppers” is the casual name for a liquid inhalant. Most people are probably familiar with using poppers on the dance floors in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. Then they transitioned into being extremely useful during sex. There are four different chemicals that can make up poppers [amyl nitrite, isopropyl nitrite, butyl nitrite, and pentyl nitrite].

Why do people do poppers?

Because they feel good. For many people, they make sex even more enjoyable. People who may have sex anxiety or need “liquid courage” (like we talk about with alcohol) may find poppers helpful and relaxing.

What actually happens to your body when you use poppers?

When you inhale poppers, your blood vessels are going to expand, and it’s then going to increase the blood flow and oxygen level within your veins. So that’s what makes it feel euphoric. It’s like a rush, essentially. But while all that is happening, it’s also gonna decrease your blood pressure. Obviously, people with heart conditions are definitely advised to be very, very cautious.

Speaking of being cautious, if one were to do poppers, is there any way to do them more safely?

Probably don’t use them alone, because using them will increase your blood flow, which will then lower your blood pressure. Just in the event that you do pass out, you don’t want to be alone. So … poppers and porn? Not the best idea.

A lot of people who use poppers, especially during sex, are also taking erectile dysfunction medicine. That’s an added risk for decreasing blood pressure, which can eventually cause someone to pass out — potentially even vomit and die as well.

EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT POPPERS

BY DANIEL HIRSCH

Are there any other risks to consider?

Generally, some research shows that using poppers can put you at a higher risk of getting an STI, including HIV. Everyone should regularly be screened for STIs and HIV, and we also recommend considering being on PrEP and/or DoxyPEP.

While poppers may make sex more enjoyable, they’ll also give you a high, where you become dizzy and you don’t know exactly what’s going on. You could put yourself in a vulnerable position, where someone can take advantage of you. It just makes you less aware of your surroundings, which also could increase the possibility of something negative happening.

What about the dreaded, so-called “poppers nose,” (aka chemical burns in one’s nostrils)?

My advice to prevent this would be to inhale through your mouth. Just like a cigarette [without putting your lips on the bottle]. It bypasses actually going up through your nostrils and won’t give you a headache. I learned that from an expert who reps a national poppers brand.

Can poppers be addictive?

There’s little research to prove or disprove the addictive effects. However, from a cognitive behavioral perspective, anything can become addictive, especially agents that produce pleasure, promote escapism, or assist in numbing. Poppers create a sense of euphoria, so someone can very well become accustomed to this experience while having sex and require it to allow for a full sense of pleasure due to the association. However, ultimately, physiological dependence? No. I would add to this: It is very much recognized as a relapse trigger for those in

recovery. The erotic experience can create what is referred to as “euphoric recall,” which directly sets off a chain of thought and behavior patterns. So related to addiction, it is definitely high-risk.

How come poppers are sometimes sold with code names like VCR cleaner or tar remover? Why the code names? Are poppers legal?

From my last understanding, it’s illegal to consume nitrite, as well as some of the things that go into poppers for recreational use. So, when you would go into a store, they’re sometimes number coded: “I want number two, I want number eight, I want the yellow or the red.” Legally, we’re not really allowed to state that you were there to get poppers in a sex shop or store. It’s legal to sell it, but it should not be used recreationally.

Anything else to add?

I know this is going to sound very corny but talk to your doctor! I know it’s so basic to people. We can Google all day… But, ultimately, just tell your doctor you want to do poppers. Or let them know you’ve been doing poppers for 10 years. They can look at your medication list for any potential risks and ensure you are receiving sexual wellness support. I think the more education and knowledge we have around health matters, the better. Even if your doctor may not be culturally competent on poppers, you can start that conversation to make them curious. Get them educated on poppers so they can help guide and educate some of their other patients. And I just have to add, here at DAP Health, we are very culturally competent. We all know all about poppers. And we provide service without stigma, shame, or judgment. You can always ask your DAP Health provider anything.

COAST INTO COSTALEGRE

MEXICO’S MOST EXCLUSIVE OASIS

BY MARK A THOMPSON

Everybody loves Puerto Vallarta—for its nightlife, its beaches, the food, the people.

PV has been an LGBTQ+ oasis for decades, not unlike Los Angeles or New York. But sometimes you want to escape to a more exclusive oasis—and that’s when you head to Costalegre, the coastal region between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo.

Costalegre is like the Hamptons of Jalisco. Notable for its cerulean beaches and bays, and numerous private villas and luxury resorts, it’s the sort of destination where certain celebrities and luminaries can relax beneath a palapa without intrusion from paparazzi.

Costalegre is where you find yourself at polo practice at Careyes Polo Club on Saturday morning, and then off to lunch at Playa Rosa Beach Club where you run into an editor you know from the States, as well as a handful of European expats and a well-known American novelist, all swilling mezcal margaritas with a mound of guacamole that resembles a close encounter of the third kind.

In the evening, there might be an art opening at the Careyes Art Space, which is located on Plaza de los Caballeros del Sol, or a private screening at a jewel box theatre that recalls Cinema Paradiso. Later, you might consider volunteering at the Sea Turtle Protection & Conservation Center, where thousands of sea turtles nest along Playa Teopa.

There’s also Ondalinda, a celebrated tribal gathering which evokes Burning Man or Coachella for its ability to attract hundreds of global nomads to the beaches of Costalegre for a multiday festival marked by music, art, and consciousness. The word ondalinda means “beautiful wave,” which is both a metaphor and a testament to the ecosensibility of Costalegre residents who work together to protect the natural environment and preserve Mexican heritage.

In all honesty, I knew nothing about Costalegre until my friend mentioned she’d been traveling there on behalf of a client: five trips in the past year. And there was another friend who’d recently

El Careyes Club & Residences

relocated from Los Angeles to Careyes, and another who was leaving PV for Costalegre. There were also two friends of friends who traveled there regularly from Connecticut. Suddenly, it seemed like I was the last to know.

That’s not unusual. For one thing, Costalegre values its privacy. It’s one reason many people consider Costalegre to be Mexico’s undiscovered treasure. Those who do find their way there are often the more intrepid travelers. The drive from PV to Costalegre takes about three hours on Mexico’s federal highway known as Carretera Pacifico. But there’s also the jungle, a dense tropical nature reserve that separates Costalegre’s pristine beaches from the two-lane paved highway. Of course, there are heliports and private airstrips for private aircraft— and the new Chalacatepec International Airport is scheduled to open in the near future. For now, those who wish to visit Costalegre fly into PV or Manzanillo where, invariably, a driver awaits to take them to the resort or villa of their choice. Located within the Mexican state of Jalisco (aka Land of Tequila), Costalegre is loosely defined as the 150-mile stretch of Pacific coastal beaches between PV and Manzanillo. The term Costalegre, which means “happy coast’ or “coast of joy,” has been employed since the 1990s when the state government of Jalisco began promoting the destination for tourism—but the origins of Costalegre’s global appeal can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s with the arrival of European expatriates such as Sir James Goldsmith and Gian Franco Brignone. Both Goldsmith and Brignone purchased thousands of coastal acres to build private estates, which have now become luxury eco-resorts known respectively as Cuixmala and Careyes. Situated across a series of dramatic cliffs and secluded bays, Careyes includes more than eight miles of private beaches, 46 villas, 40 casitas, as well as two ocean castles and the oceanfront El Careyes Club & Residences with five infinity pools.

In late 2022, Four Seasons Tamarindo opened in nearby Tamarindo with a spectacular low-density cliffside enclave that maximizes the dramatic setting with panoramic water views from 157 cliffside

Infinity pool at Sol de Oriente at Careyes

Casa Carioca at Careyes

and beachfront accommodations located on more than 2,000 acres of protected eco-reserve. More than 98% of the property remains undeveloped and protected as a nature reserve. As well, the resort includes its own 35-acre organic farm, Rancho Ortega, alongside numerous fields of agave glistening silver in the sun.

At the resort’s Discovery Centre, ornithologists and conservationists are on site for ethnobotanical walks during which guests encounter various indigenous species—though, fortunately, I didn’t glimpse a single scorpion. As for grasshoppers and maguey worms (aka edible caterpillars), they’re served atop guacamole and lobster tacos at the resort’s taqueria known as Nacho. If you’re anxious about eating insects, just close your eyes; they’re as crispy as chips—and twice as nutritious.

The resort’s various restaurants include Coyul, which is helmed by Elena Reygadas who was designated World’s Best Female Chef 2023 by the judges of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Framed by infinity pools, the dining room overlooks the Pacific ocean and the menu reflects the ocean’s bounty and its impact on regional Mexican cuisine with various varieties of ceviche, aquachile, and seafood carpaccio.

As for the breakfast buffet at Coyul, let me remind you that Reygadas is the owner of the acclaimed Rosetta in Mexico City, where her bakery La Panadería de Rosetta offers no less than fifty unique sweet and savory baked goods. Dock it there, sailor—and linger long over estate reserve Mexican coffee.

Located just down the coast and overlooking the islands of Bahia de Chamela, the 387-acre Las Rosadas was originally a family compound for a California couple. Intoxicated by the region’s beauty, the couple traveled regularly to Las Rosadas where they raised their children in a beachfront bungalow. The bungalow remains, a reminder of the couple’s first romance with the region—albeit now transformed into a one-bedroom barefoot luxury lodge known as Casita Las Palmas. Perfect for guests who yearn to sleep with the ocean lapping at their feet.

Secluded and romantic, Las Rosadas is a clandestine retreat for those who

Cliffside Suites at Four Seasons Tamarindo

Four Seasons Tamarindo infinity pools

Sal restaurant at Four Seasons Tamarindo

Ocean Club Casitas at Las Rosadas

Playa las Rosadas at twilight

value privacy over publicity. It’s where you go when you need only the sounds of nature. Chachalaca birdsong in the morning, the ocean at night, and a staff who anticipates your needs with hardly a word exchanged. The expansive estate is crowned by the three-acre Paloma Blanca, a sixbedroom modern villa with infinity pool and fire pit overlooking the Pacific, as well as four Ocean Club Casitas, each of which is a masterpiece of contemporary Mexican design and architecture. Regardless of which accommodation you choose, complete privacy is all but guaranteed.

Situated at the edge of a palm grove, Playa Las Rosadas is one of those pristine beaches that fuels fantasies of tropical escape. Sugar sand, cerulean water, palapas— it’s all there, along with tequila and mezcal at the palm thatch palapa bar and grill known as Bar Mono. For dinner along the beach, there’s La Terraza, a charming garden restaurant with wood-fired oven and grill. In keeping with the region’s prevalent ecoconscious ethos, Las Rosadas honors the environment with its low-density development and the maintenance of an extensive nature preserve, much of which is accessible via the property’s Polaris fleet.

According to Luis Villaseñor, Director General of Puerto Vallarta, and Fernanda Landa, Director of PR for Guadalajara, the state of Jalisco has become the most progressive state in Mexico. “Guadalajara is like the Brooklyn of Mexico for its visionary vibe,” says Landa. “And also, the Silicon Valley of Mexico,” agrees Villaseñor. Thanks to education and outreach, Jalisco has become a beacon of progressivism for much of the rest of Mexico. Consequently, the entire state of Jalisco is extremely welcoming to LGBTQ+ visitors from around the world. In a world where so many LGBTQ+ people are unwelcome in too many places, it’s a comfort to bask in Costalegre.

There’s a sense of wonder that accompanies most people who find themselves in Costalegre, as if they have discovered the correct portal into a different consciousness, where natural beauty is celebrated and protected. Those who climb to the top of La Copa del Sol at Careyes or the lighthouse at Xala are rewarded with panoramic vistas of the region’s breathtaking beauty—and a reminder of Costalegre’s enduring empyrean appeal.

Interior of Ocean Club Casita at Las Rosadas

Bar Mono at Playa las Rosadas

Hammocks along Playa las Rosadas

SERIES REVIEW

MARY

& GEORGE

APPEALING TO OUR GAY SENSES

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

his season, Starz has offered us a deliciously naughty historical series – complete with intrigue and gay sex –in Mary & George. Executive produced and co-starring Julianne Moore, the seven-part series is based on Benjamin Woolley’s non-fiction book The King’s Assassin detailing the real-life affair between King James VI and I and George Villiers, the 1st Duke of Buckingham in the early 1600s. Starring the uber-hot Nicholas Galitzine (Red, White, & Royal Blue) in plenty of skin-showing love scenes, Mary & George easily appeals to our gay senses but ends up being so much more.

Usually when reviewing a new show, we watch a few episodes to get the gist and feel of the show before giving our opinion. Well, we got the entire series as

a screener and ended up binge-watching it. It is a meaty series, to be sure, and there’s as much of a history lesson and behind-the-scenes of English politics during the 1600s as there is drama. The first episode is such a tease. It is a mix of Real Housewives, a dark Disney fairy tale, and a bit of The Women, all mixed in with lavish costumes, lush cinematography, and a sweeping score. This is a historical series but spices things up with modern flair in terms of dry humor and the perfectly placed “fucks.” Unlike other shows that plod along with exposition for the first two or even three episodes, this story unfolds quickly, assuming the viewer has a brain and can follow along.

There is no hiding that Julianne Moore, as the conniving mother who forces her son into servitude and lust for the King, is the villain here. She tears up the scenery without apologizing, a

We know that Julianne Moore can act, but here she is having fun and stealing every scene she is in. Her one-liners would make Karen Walker jealous, and her timing and coldness endeared her to the audience without any right to. She is vicious, she is a murderer, she is a liar, she shows no mercy…and we love her for it. During the first episode, we see exactly why she is the way she is. Does it offer her character reprieve for her actions? No, but at least we understand better. Her big plan and the basis for the entire series is to pimp her son out to the King of England so assumedly her family could have a better life under the protection (and wealth) of the Court; in actuality, she just wants to run the nation and wear big outfits. You go, girl! The power she wielded as a female in the 1600s is

melting pot of Miranda Priestly, Joan Crawford, Betty Davis, and Maleficent.

admirable if the means not deplorable. In the first episode, we also see the facets of George’s sexuality. Gay, straight, bi? Who knows? It seems a bit all over the place but clearly dictated by his mother. Awkward! George has his first threesome with two French boys. Though timid at first, this will mark the only power that George will have in this story, the power of his looks and sexuality. Is that enough? With our focus on good looks in the gay community, does that power diminish when the new, flashier object comes into play? This scene also marks the nude debut of actor Galitzine.

But, as drool-inducing as the first episode is, it is a bit misleading as the series blossoms into more than just an evil mother and her sexy son infiltrate society story. The story quickly develops, and the characters become more than just stereotypical fodder. Each character has their own tragedy, and the show gets heavy, quickly. There’s a lot of bloodshed, some in evil fun, and some in some real sadness. The show is a roller coaster. The running themes are lust and greed, not just from the mother and son duo, but from just about every character in this winding story. As the story progresses, we see Julianne Moore’s character fall into her own type of love, with a woman no less. Like the other relationships in her life, is it out of true love or is it just lust or need? Is the real tragedy that love just never seems able to take roost? Is that life, can true love ever be attained?

The heaviness continues as the characters get closer to their goals, but farther from happiness. Being content and happy just seems impossible in this world. The chemistry between Moore and Galitzine as the title characters is heartbreaking in its honesty. We are led to believe that above everyone else, these two are truly bonded. But is even this kind of familial love empty? It makes the viewer question their current relationships even in modern times. Do we ignore certain needs just because of the power of beauty, sex, and stature? Are we surrounding ourselves with surface happiness, missing out on what really matters in the end? There is no happy ending here, and so even if the journey has been at many times fun and super gay, there is an emptiness it leaves

you with. But that is the power of the show. It traps you with its finery and ends up getting you in the gut.

Artistically, the show is meticulously crafted. The sets, costumes, lighting, medieval score with modern beats, a perfect cast (even to the bit players), and adherence to historical detail, all come together in what should be an award-winning presentation. The audience is enveloped in this world without hesitation. Thematically, the show ends up being a tragedy even with its early teasing of a fun, gay affair. The revealing

gay sex scenes become less about being titillating and more about showing the characters’ power play, and the tragedy that can come from giving in to such sexual pleasure.

This show is a definite must-watch. It is a queer story set against a very different backdrop than what we have seen. Hopefully, this will serve as inspiration for more of these queer stories that are outside of the box and delivered with such artistic excellence.

You can watch Mary & George on Starz.

TOP FIVE ACTIVITIES TO IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GAY PUERTO VALLARTA

BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

ay Puerto Vallarta, Mexico’s number one gay destination, is a beach-lovers paradise and home to a charming gay neighborhood, great bars, a lively circuit scene and superb dining. It is safe, warm and welcoming – all the perfect ingredients needed for the perfect tropical escape. The combination of history, reinvention, and the ever-evolving gay scene make Puerto Vallarta an enduring escape. Here are our TOP FIVE ACTIVITIES to immerse yourself in Gay Puerto Vallarta…

Courtesy of Mantamar

1. SPLASH DOWN AT A GAY POOL PARTY

• Hotel Mercurio Puerto Vallarta is PV’s best value Gay Hotel, located in Zona Romántica and just steps away from the beach! And every Sunday from 4-8pm, they throw the wildest pool party BEERS BOYS & BURGERS! Check them out online at hotel-mercurio.com.

2. HEAD FOR THE OPEN SEA… NUDE

• Jet’s Naked Beach Tours is the first naked beach tour in Puerto Vallarta. Head for your private men-only clothing optional destination aboard traditional Panga transport departing from Los Muertos Pier. Enjoy games, sun tanning, food and drinks, snorkeling, and a beautiful secluded naked beach. The destination is an exclusive nude beach only accessible by boat on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays. Visit jetsnakedbeach.com for tickets and more information.

Photos courtesy Jets Naked Beach Tours

Photos Courtesy Hotel Mercurio

3. ENJOY THE DAY AT A GAY BEACH CLUB

• BLUE CHAIRS GAY BEACH CLUB

The perennial Blue Chairs Resort is the original gay-beach resort and is still popular, although a little faded from its former glory; but still the original gay beach club. Blue Chairs Resort also hosts some popular parties.

• RITMOS BEACH

Relaxed beach club has a chilled vibe and friendly and efficient bartenders. Located just south of Blue Chairs.

• SAPPHIRE BEACH CLUB

Sapphire Beach Club, with its sexy waiters and wonderful cocktails, is perfect if you want to relax and sunbathe on a full-length beach lounger. The Sapphire resort has a restaurant, dipping pool, and full-service beach sun loungers, with some of the best-looking waiters on the beach. They also have several high-end suites available to rent.

• MANTAMAR BEACH CLUB

At the end of Los Muertos beach, you will find the Mantamar, a 5-star beach club offering sunset views and beachside dining. The beach club hosts the famous circuit beach and pool parties during the Easter (Semana Santa), Pride, Thanksgiving and New Year holidays. Mantamar offers sun loungers on the beach with waiter service, an infinity pool, cabanas, a locker room, a bar and a restaurant. Mantamar beach club is part of the Almar Resort, offering luxurious suites and rooms.

Mantamar Beach Club by GED Magazine

Courtesy of Blue Chairs

4. DANCE (AND DRINK) THE NIGHT AWAY

• BLONDIES BAR is a good stop-off point on your way back from the beach in Puerto Vallarta. Also perfect for an alcoholic slushie on the way to or from the beach.

• CC SLAUGHTERS is where the boys like dancing once the bars close. On the opposite corner, you will discover Paco’s Ranch, the successor to the infamous Club Paco. Paco’s is a mix of tourists and locals thanks to its low drink prices, camp shows, and ample dance floor.

• DIVAS BAR – DINNER, drinks and a show are a must at Divas with crazy Drag Queens and a fun mixed crowd.

• INDUSTRY, located close to the busy gay bars, is Vallarta’s late-night dance venue. While the club opens at 11 pm, it gets busy from around 1 am. The club is open until 3 am. Enjoy fantastic light and sound, sexy go-gos and world-class DJs. One of the newest and definitely the largest gay clubs in Puerto Vallarta.

• LA CHACHALACA has a fun happy hour and is great for post-beach or pre-dinner drinks, just five minutes from the beach.

• LA NOCHE is one of the best bars in Puerto Vallarta, a must-visit in town, and famous for its hot GoGos and chilled rooftop lounge.

• MR FLAMINGO is one of the busiest bars in Puerto Vallarta with an open-air feel, space for dancing, and the earliest happy hour, starting at 2 pm.

• THE CORNER BAR has sexy bartenders and friendly service, where they invite you to get “Un poco f*cked Up”. Great Martinis and cocktails.

• WET DREAMS is a men-only bar in Puerto Vallarta with regular all-male nude shower shows.

5. ATTEND A CABARET / DRAG SHOW

• Drag fans should reserve seats at THE PALM CABARET on Olas Altas Street to catch stellar live acts and mind-blowing tribute artists, from Beyonce to Gaga. The Palm is PV’s longest running and most eclectic cabaret. Check out thepalmcabaret.com for the full program, which changes each season.

• ACT2PV hosts some of the biggest shows in Puerto Vallarta with three beautiful theatres, the Red Room, Danny’s main stage and the Outdoor starlight cabaret. From Broadway musicals, concerts, to cabaret shows, there is something for everyone at Act2PV. Program changes each month.

Industry by GED Magazine

courtesy The Corner Bar

Mr Flamingo by GED Magazine

Courtesy Act2PV

Courtesy Mama Tits at Palm Cabaret

BARS & CLUBS

AKBAR

4356 W. Sunset Blvd

Silverlake, CA 90029

323.665.6810 akbarsilverlake.com

BEACHES WEHO

8928 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.360.0395 beachesweho.com

FIESTA CANTINA

88565 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.652.8865 fiestacantina.net

FUBAR

7994 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90046

323.654.0396 fubarla.com

GYM SPORTSBAR

8919 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

424.313.8202 gymsportsbar.com

HAMBURGER MARY’S

8288 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

323.654.3800 hamburgermarys.com

HEART WEHO

8911 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069 heartweho.com

HI TOPS

8933 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069 hitopsbar.com

MICKYS

8857 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.657.1176 mickys.com

ROCCO’S

8900 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

424.343.0123 roccosweho.com

LOS ANGELES DIRECTORY

SAINT FELIX

8945 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.275.4428 saintfelix.net

THE ABBEY

692 N Robertson Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.289.8410 theabbeyweho.com

THE CHAPEL

692 N Robertson Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.289.8410

theabbeyweho.com

THE EAGLE

4219 Santa Monica Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90029

323.669.9472 eaglela.com

REVOLVER VIDEO BAR

8851 Santa Monica Blvd.

West Hollywood, CA 90069

424.382.1108

Revolverweho.Com

STACHE

8941 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.402.0770 Stacheweho.Com

THE BAYOU

8939 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.273.3303

Thebayouweho.Com

TRUNKS

8809 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.652.1015 west.hollywood.trunksbar.com

CLOTHING & LEATHER

665 LEATHER & FETISH

20810 Lassen St Chatsworth, CA 91311 818.678.9193 665leather.com

BLOCK PARTY

8853 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069 blockpartyweho.com

BRICK & MORTAR

8713 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.652.6605 shopatbrick.com

CIRCUS OF BOOKS

8861 Santa Monica Blvd and West Hollywood, CA 90069 323.337.9555 circusofbooks.com

LOVE CONNECTION

8244 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046

ROUGH TRADE LEATHER

3915 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90029 323.660.7956 roughtradegear.com

THE PLEASURE CHEST

7733 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 323.650.1022 thepleasurechest.com

YMLA

8594 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 ymla.com

HAIR

SALONS

BLADE

801 N. Larrabee St, Ste #1 West Hollywood 310.659.6693

SHORTY’S BARBER SHOP

755 N Fairfax Ave West Hollywood 323.297.0554 shortysbarbershop.com

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

HEALTH/COUNSELING

AID FOR AIDS AFA

8235 Santa Monica Blvd #200 West Hollywood, CA 90046

323.656.1107 aidforaids.net

AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION/MENS WELLNESS CENTER

• 6255 W Sunset Blvd, 21st Fl Los Angeles, CA 90028

888 AIDS CARE

• 1300 N Vermont Ave, Ste 407 Los Angeles, CA 90027

866.339.2525

800.367.2437 inspotla.org

AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION PHARMACY

8212 Santa

•

•

•

•

PALM SPRINGS DIRECTORY

• 1726 East Colorado Blvd

Pasadena, CA 91106

626.440.1719

• 360 North Fairfax Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90036

323.934.1956

PROJECT ANGEL FOOD

922 Vine St Los Angeles, CA 90038

323.845.1800 angelfood.org

THE TREVOR PROJECT

9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.271.8845 thetrevorproject.org

VALLEY COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE

6801 Coldwater Canyon Ave North Hollywood, CA 91605

818.301.6314 - HIV testing

818.301.6390 - Medical Services smarthealthla.com

LEGAL

LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION FUND INC.

Western Regional Office 3325 Wilshire Blvd #1300

Los Angeles, CA 90010

213.382.7600 lambdalegal.org

NATIONAL G & L TASK FORCE

5455 Wilshire Blvd #1505 Los Angeles, CA 90036

323.954.9597 thetaskforce.org

WITH GED MAGAZINE

COMPETITIVE RATES

STATEWIDE PRINT DISTRIBUTION

sales@gedmag.com

ATTRACTIONS

THE LIVING DESERT ZOO AND GARDENS

47900 Portola Ave

Palm Desert, CA 92260

760.346.5694 livingdesert.org

PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM

745 N Gene Autry Trail

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.778.6262 palmspringsairmuseum.org

PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM

101 Museum Drive

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.322.4800 psmuseum.org

PS AERIAL TRAMWAY

1 Tram Way

Palm Springs, CA 92262

888.515.8726 pstramway.com

BARS & CLUBS

BLACKBOOK

315 E. Arenas Rd

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.832.8497 blackbookbar.com

CHILL BAR

217 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.327.1079 chillbarpalmsprings.com

DICK’S ON ARENAS

301 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.327.0753 eagle501bar.com

HUNTERS

302 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.323.0700 hunterspalmsprings.com

ONE ELEVEN BAR

67555 E Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234

760.537.3111 oneelevenbar.com

OSCAR’S

125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 108 Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.325.1188 oscarspalmsprings.com

QUADZ

200 S. Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.778.4326 Spurline.com

STREET BAR

224 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.320.1266 psstreetbar.com

THE BARRACKS

67-625 E. Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234

760.321.9688

REFORMA

333 S Palm Canyon Dr Unit 2, Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.902.6630 reformaps.com

THE ROOST LOUNGE

68718 E Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234

760.507.8495 theroostcc.com

TOOL SHED

600 E. Sunny Dunes Rd. Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.320.3299 pstoolshed.com

TOUCANS TIKI LOUNGE

2100 N. Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.416.7584 toucanstikilounge.com

CLOTHING OPTIONAL RESORTS

BEARFOOT INN

888 N. Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA. 92262

760.699.7641 bearfootinn.com

DESCANSO

288 E. Camino Monte Vista Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.320.1928 descansoresort.com

DESERT PARADISE

615 S. Warm Sands Dr Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.320.5650 desertparadise.com

EL MIRASOL VILLAS

525 Warm Sands Dr Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.327.5913 elmirasol.com

INNDULGE PALM SPRINGS

601 Grenfall Rd Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.327.1408 inndulge.com

SANTIAGO RESORT

650 San Lorenzo Road Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.322.1300 santiagoresort.com

THE HACIENDA

586 S. Warm Sands Dr Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.327.8111 thehacienda.com

TRIANGLE INN PALM SPRINGS

555 San Lorenzo Rd. Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.322.7993 triangle-inn.com

TWIN PALMS

1930 S. Camino Real Palm Springs, CA

760.841.1455 twinpalmsresort.com

VISTA GRANDE RESORT

574 S. Warm Sands Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.322.2404 vistagranderesort.com

CLOTHING & LEATHER

EL TUGGLE

388 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.880.4338 eltuggle.com

GAYMART

305 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.416.6436

GEAR LEATHER & FETISH

650 E Sunny Dunes Rd #1 Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.322.3363 gearleather.com

PALM SPRINGS DIRECTORY

ROUGH TRADE LEATHER

321 E. Arenas Rd

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.699.7524

roughtradegear.com

GIFTS

DESTINATION PSP

170 North Palm Canyon

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.354.9154 destinationpsp.com

GREETINGS PALM SPRINGS

301 N Palm Canyon Dr # 102

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.322.5049 greetingspalmsprings.com

JUST FABULOUS

515 N Palm Canyon Dr

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.864.1300 bjustfabulous.com

MISCHIEF CARDS & GIFTS

226 N Palm Canyon Dr

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.322.8555 mischiefcardsandgifts.com

PEEPA’S

120 N Palm Canyon Dr

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.318.3553

peepasps.com

PS HOMEBOYS

108 S. Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.318.7388 pshomeboys.com

Q TRADING COMPANY

606 E Sunny Dunes Rd

Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.416.7150

HAIR SALONS

CUT BARBER

1109 N Palm Canyon Dr

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.322.2999

cutbarber.com

DADDY’S BARBERSHOP

192 S Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.537.1311 daddysbarbershop.com

MEN’S GROOMING SPOT

68487 E Palm Canyon Dr Suite 43 Cathedral City, CA 92234

760.992.0028 mensgroomingspot.com

PS FINE MEN’S SALON

750 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 3 Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.904.0434 psfinemenssalon.com

REALTORS

3 BEARS REALTY

2905 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.699.6175 3bearsrealty.com

PALM SPRINGS HOME TEAM

Conrad Miller (DRE #01973983)

760.464.9559

Brandon Holland (DRE # 01986968)

760.413.1220 Palmspringshometeam.com

RESTAURANTS

1501 UPTOWN GASTROPUB

1501 Uptown Gastropub 1501 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, 92262

760.507.1644 1501uptown.com

BLACKBOOK

315 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.832.8497 blackbookbar.com

BOOZEHOUNDS PS

2080 North Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.656-0067 boozehoundsps.com

EIGHT4NINE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE

849 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.325.8490 eight4nine.com

FARM

6 La Plaza

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.322.2724 farmspalmsprings.com

JOHANNES

196 S. Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.778.0017 johannespalmsprings.com

RICK’S DESERT GRILL

1596 North Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.325.2127 ricksdesertgrill.com

SHERMAN’S DELI

401 E Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.325.1199 shermansdeli.com

TRILUSSA

68-718 E Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234

760.328.2300 trilussarestaurant.com

TRIO RESTAURANT

707 N. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA. 92262

760.854.8746 triopalmsprings.com

WILMA & FRIEDA’S

155 S Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.992.5080 wilmafrieda.com

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

DAP HEALTH

1695 N. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.323.2118 daphealth.org

DESERT CARE NETWORK

760.561.7373 desertcarenetwork.com

DESERT OASIS HEALTHCARE

275 North El Cielo Road Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.325.DOHC (3642) mydohc.com

EISENHOWER HEALTH

39000 Bob Hope Drive Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

760.340.3911 eisenhowerhealth.org

MICHAEL’S HOUSE

1910 S Camino Real Palm Springs, CA 92262

844.768.0633 michaelshouse.com

PALM SPRINGS

ANIMAL SHELTER

4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.416.5718 psanimalshelter.org

PALM SPRINGS FRONT RUNNERS & WALKERS frontrunners.clubexpress.com

STONEWALL GARDENS

2150 N. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.548.0970 stonewallgardens.com

LGBTQ COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE DESERT

1301 North Palm Canyon Dr, 3rd Floor Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.416.7790 thecentercv.org

REACH THE PS LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND ADVERTISE WITH GED MAGAZINE

COMPETITIVE RATES

STATEWIDE PRINT DISTRIBUTION

sales@gedmag.com

SAN FRANCISCO DIRECTORY

BARS & CLUBS

440 CASTRO 440 Castro, San Francisco, CA the440.com

BEAUX

2344 Market St., San Franciso, CA beauxsf.com

HI TOPS

2247 Market St, San Francisco, CA

415.551.2500 hitopsbar.com

LOBBY BAR

4230 18th St. Unit A, San Francisco, CA lobbybarsf.com

LOOKOUT

3600 16th St., San Francisco, CA

415.431.0306 lookoutsf.com

MAC’S CLUB

39 Post St., San Jose, CA

408.288.8221

MIDNIGHT SUN

4067 18th St., San Francisco, CA

415.861.4186

midnightsunsf.com

MOBY DICK

4049 18th St., San Francisco, CA

415.294.0731

OASIS

298 11th St., San Francisco, CA

415.795.3180 sfoasis.com

RENEGADES

501 W Taylor St., San Jose, CA

408.275.9902 renegadesbar.carrd.co

SF EAGLE

398 12th St., San Francisco, CA

415.200.2002 sf-eagle.com

SPLASH

65 Post St., San Jose, CA

408.292.2222 splashsj.com

THE CINCH SALOON

1723 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 415.776.4162

THE MIX

4086 18th St., San Francisco, CA 415.431.8616 thesfmix.com

WHITE HORSE BAR

6551 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA 510.652.3820

HAIR SALONS

HEALING CUTS

2350 Market St., San Francisco, CA 415.286.2970 healingcutssf.com

SPUNK SALON

4147 19th St., San Francisco, CA 415.701.7865 spunksalon.com

THE CASTRO BARBER LOUNGE

2265 Market St., San Francisco, CA 415.678.5942 thecastrobarberlounge.com

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

HEALTH/COUNSELING/SUPPORT

API WELLNESS CLINIC

726 Polk St. SF LGBT Center 1800 Market Street San Francisco, CA apiwellness.org

BILLY DEFRANK

LGBTQ CENTER

938 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 408.293.3040 defrankcenter.org

LYRIC CENTER FOR LGBTQQ YOUTH

127 Collingwood St (@ 18th St), San Francisco, CA 415.703.6150 lyric.org

OAKLAND LGBTQ COMMUNITY CENTER

3207 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland, CA 510.882.2286 oaklandlgbtqcenter.org

PACIFIC CENTER FOR HUMAN GROWTH

2712 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, CA 510.548.8283 pacificcenter.org

QUEER LIFESPACE

2275 Market St, San Francisco, CA 415.358.2000 queerlifespace.org

RAINBOW

COMMUNITY CENTER

2380 Salvio St., Concord, CA 925.692.0090 rainbowcc.org

SF AIDS FOUNDATION

470 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 415.437.3400 strutsf.org

SF LGBT CENTER

1800 Market St, San Francisco, 415.865.5555 sfcenter.org

STONEWALL PROJECT

1035 Market St, #400, San Francisco, CA 415.487.3000 stonewallsf.org

THE TREVOR PROJECT

866.488.7386 Text: 678.678 thetrevorproject.org

UCSF ALLIANCE HEALTH PROJECT

1930 Market St, San Francisco, CA 415.476.3902 ucsf-ahp.org

LEGAL

AIDS LEGAL REFERRAL PANEL

1663 Mission St, #500, San Francisco, CA 415.701.1100 alrp.org

OASIS LEGAL SERVICES

1900 Addison St, #100, Berkeley, CA 510.666.6687 oasislegalservices.org

TRANSGENDER

LAW CENTER

510.587.9696 transgenderlawcenter.org

HOTLINES

THE GLBT HOTLINE OF SAN FRANCISCO: 415.355.0999

GLBT NATIONAL HOTLINE: 1.888.843.4564

GLBT NATIONAL YOUTH TALKLINE: 1.800.246.7743

TREVOR PROJECT HOTLINE (Queer Youth Suicide Prevention): 866.488.7386

CALIFORNIA AIDS, STD, & HEPATITIS HOTLINE: 1.800.367.2437

SEXUAL ASSAULT - COMMUNITY VIOLENCE SOLUTIONS: 800.670.7273

CONTRA COSTA CRISIS CENTER for Suicide & Crisis Intervention: 800.273.8255

Relax, Rejuvenate, Refresh

Massage | Facial | Body Treatment

St. Somewhere Spa is the largest resort spa in Palm Springs featuring 18 treatment rooms and private men ’ s and women ’ s locker rooms with steam room. The tranquil Blue Haven Lounge with Watsu pool, spa and cabanas is the perfect place to relax before or after your treatment . Expertly trained massage therapists and estheticians deliver unforgettable massages, body treatments and skin therapies designed to bring out your best self.