FROM THE EDITOR
HAPPY PRIDE!
We are looking forward to all the events that November is bringing us. Be sure to join GED Magazine and LE Parties for PRIDE MASSIVE (pridemassive.com) Friday November 1st through Sunday November 3rd. Returning to the Riviera Hotel, home of the very first pride in Palm Springs, the weekend is non-stop excitement - from DRAGA-LICIOUS, the most star-studded drag show to ever hit Palm Springs, to COLOSSAL, our signature pool party, to Through The Looking Glass, a late night and after hours dance experience, to Disco Playhouse pool party after the pride parade on Sunday. There is something for everyone.
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LA AUX FOLLES: If you’re reading this column, I refuse to believe that you haven’t seen La Cage Aux Folles at least once. When it opened on Broadway in 1983, it was the first musical centered around a gay couple – and it had a happy ending. With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Harvey Fierstein, it is an old-fashioned feel-good musical comedy about a loving family: two men who have been together for 20 years and their 20-year-old son who was the result of a drunken escapade of one of the men. And it happens to be set in a drag cabaret in St. Tropez where a group of crazy queens – The Cagelles – work their hardest to produce what they view as a spectacle. An all-new production is coming to town this month and I’m counting the days until it opens. It is being directed by Sam Pinkleton, the director of Oh, Mary!, a smash drag hit on Broadway right now. He chatted with GED about his new production of La Cage and that chat doubled my eagerness to see his ideas mounted on stage The Pasadena Playhouse has a history of reinventing popular musicals, and this is Pinkleton’s third production for the company. He says the company allows him to take risks that some more traditional companies wouldn’t. It’s a long way from Broadway so not under intense scrutiny.
The first excitement is in casting. Hunky Cheyenne Jackson will be playing Georges, the more masculine partner, and Kevin Cahoon is Albin, the petulant star of the drag review. Cahoon’s most recent spin on Broadway was the folksy Shucked, a musical about hillbillies growing corn. When I looked at his picture I said “He looks goofy,” and Pinkleton agreed, saying “That’s his charm.” Georges and Albin are typically played quite a bit older, perhaps to show the longevity of their relationship and the fact that they have a 20-year-old son, but the director pointed out that 40-yearolds could fill those dictates, so Jackson and Cahoon will be considerably younger than previous outings. He stresses that the love of this family unit even after the son makes a bad choice is the main theme of the show.
The original Broadway production included hundreds of thousands of dollars in costumes, wigs and scenery and it was truly spectacular, but bore no resemblance to a tacky drag bar somewhere in St. Tropez. The Pasadena production features a collection of drag queens that range from 22 to 64. They have a variety of dance skills and body types, but they are giving it their all to put on a drag show. They include Salina Estitties from Season 15 of Drag Race and Kay Bebe Queue, a You Tube favorite who describes herself as a dumb Korean/American Valley Barbie Drag Queen. The 64-year-old showgirl is also more full-figured than in traditional Broadway shows, but we have seen that girl in Palm Springs revues.
The cast also includes Ryan J. Haddad as Jean Michel, the gay couple’s son; Shannon Purser as Anne, his girlfriend; and Michael McDonald and Nicole Parker from Mad TV as the girl’s strait-laced parents.
Pasadena Playhouse has added ticket pages for La Cage plus one or two additional shows for a reduced price. The additional productions are Follies in Concert January 24 and Anything Goes starring Jinx Monsoon in concert February 1. The latter two productions will be presented at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. And for diehard musical theatre queens there is a four-session online class called La Cage 101: Behind the Sequins. It will feature playwright Harvey Fierstein, director Sam Pinkleton, and Pasadena Playhouse artistic director Danny Feldman, and track the steps to developing a new production. Tickets and information are available at www.pasadenaplayhouse.org La Cage aux Folles runs 11/12 – 12/15.
CAGE
BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL: When musicals are written based on movies, they already have name recognition which normally brings early ticket sales. However, that can only carry the show so far. Back to the Future: The Musical has proven itself to have legs of its own. It first played Manchester England, then London’s West End in 2022. Don’t ask me why but the Brits often do a better job with All-American stories than we do. The show then opened on Broadway in August 2023 where it’s still playing at the Wintergarden, one of Broadway’s largest theatres, more than a year after opening. Marty McFly, Doc Brown, Biff and George McFly are all there. I haven’t actually seen the show but the songs I have heard are good – and most importantly, the DeLorean actually flies! Hollywood Pantages 11/5 - 12/1; Costa Mesa Segerstrom Center 12/26 - 1/5; San Diego Civic 1/14 - 19; and San Francisco Orpheum 2/12 - 3/9.
NEXT TO NORMAL: Next to Normal is a 2008 American rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. It is far from your typical musical, but a very moving evening in the theatre. The story centers on a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effects that managing her illness has on her family. The musical addresses grief, depression, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry and the underbelly of suburban life. The show breaks lots of norms. It only has six characters and certainly the vagaries of mental illness are rarely the theme of musical theatre. However, the characters are well written, and the light-rock score is very catchy. The show was nominated for 11 Tony Awards and received three of them, as well as earning a Pulitzer Prize for the writing. It has played around the world and is now receiving a fresh look from Coachella Valley Rep, a quality theatre company with a luxe venue in Cathedral City, next to Palm Springs. Tickets and information at
GLITTERESS
BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ
“I HONESTLY REALLY REALLY WISH I HAD COME UP WITH A DRAG FAMILY BUT, ALAS, I’M ONLY A SURROGATE AUNTY TO MANY. ”
She’s regal, yet down to earth. She’s sassy, but kind. She can freeze you with one look but unfreeze you with her heart. She is Glitteress, a vibrant drag queen making her presence known in the Southern California scene. Her looks range from eleganza and thrift store chic to punk rock and Halloween glitz. She’s just at home commanding a crowd at the Bullet as she is as engaging bingo goers at The Blue Bayou or celebrating 420 at The Artist Tree. Out of drag, he is equally as engaging and adorable. We can easily envision Glitteress dominating the Werk Room, are you listening, RuPaul? We caught up with her after her gig at The Bullet, sipping and spilling the tea over a dirty martini (or two).
Hometown: Carbondale, Kansas. Favorite part about doing drag? Seeing everyone’s perspective of their drag.
Least favorite part about doing drag? Shaving. Forever.
What does your drag mean to you?
Drag is dissimilar to so many art forms because it combines performance, a created image, and your own personal queerness. It’s what keeps me constantly inspired.
What was your first exposure to drag?
I mean I’d say TECHNICALLY Bugs Bunny. Embodying so many different creations over the entirety of the Looney Tunes run. As far as in person, when I moved to LA in 2010, I went to several drag shows after college and fell in love with the freedom of the art.
What is it about doing drag that inspires you so much?
I’m a lifelong lover of fantasy (with six fantasy-based tattoos, it’s a lifestyle) and the overtop glamour of medieval dress. Mix that with my obsessive nature of watching fashion shows with a bottle of wine. (So unbelievably queer.)
What was your first professional drag gig? How did it go?
My first-ever gig was at Fubar almost eight years ago. I was proud that my partner made my first look, and I’ve always made my mixes. A sea of my friends were in attendance. My music cut OUT halfway and I froze in place until it started again which honestly made it even better.
What sets your drag apart from other queens?
I think the most honest way to answer is through people’s perception and reaction to my drag. I love digging into a concept and creating my own little world and inviting others in. Whether that world be absurd, fantastical, or dramatic, I love that people enjoy it.
Craziest drag story?
I was followed by a guy when I was dressed as a slutty gingerbread woman all the way to a Jack in the Box drivethru. It was equal parts terrifying and hilarious.
Your strangest hobby or talent outside of drag?
I’ve never lost at chess. I’m deeply uncool.
What celebrity most needs a drag makeover?
Tucker Carlson. But honestly, who’s doing that?
How has drag changed your life?
Being drawn to the power of femininity, fantasy, and performance, to marry all my inspirations into one art form never ceases to make me feel satisfied.
How are you as a person most different than Glitteress the drag queen?
Vance is a writer, gamer, and just overall a tad dorky. Glitteress is sex, soft, and hopefully, a concept people understand.
We see some thirst traps as a boy on your social media. Have you ever struggled between embracing the masculine and feminine aspects of your life, personality, and sexuality?
I honestly feel doing drag has taught me so much to marry my masculinity and femininity equally. Finding the freedom to do so and the confidence changed everything. PEOPLE BE CONFIDENT IN WHO YOU ARE. It changes everything.
Favorite hotspot?
I love Precinct DTLA. Favorite non-profit?
ACLU Trans Defense Fund. Favorite cocktail?
Dirty Martini with two olives. Favorite song to perform?
I have a Golden Girls strip tease mix I made. It’s a staple of mine. [Laughs]
What are some of the biggest challenges you face as an independent drag queen?
I honestly really really wish I had come up with a drag family but, alas, I’m only a surrogate aunty to many. Luckily I’ve made beautiful queer friendships with other drag artists and other alphabet mafia members in general.
What does love and dating look like for Glitteress?
I have zero interest at this point in my life. I recently ended an eight-year relationship which was beautiful, but I think I’m a tad career obsessed currently so I think it would be unfair to anyone wanting more than friendship.
What has been the proudest moment of your drag career thus far?
I headlined a festival in Copenhagen a few years ago and I felt like an absolute rock star. So unbelievably grateful.
I’ve been laser-focused on creating the looks I’ve sketched and launching bigger produced shows. I also have returned to stand-up and posed for sketch modeling. I’m truly artobsessed, nothing makes me feel more fulfilled.
What is your after-drag ritual?
Ohhhhh. I’m a 90 year-old. I deeply cleanse, moisturize, and then I’m out like a light.
What’s your favorite pickup line? “Pissing alone handsome?” - in an old Hollywood affectation. I just think it’s silly.
How do you balance personal and drag life, maintaining your mental health?
Balance is very difficult. I also run a cleaning business on top of my drag ca-
reer, so every day is pretty full. Luckily, I get to bring in an assistant this year to help me with the busy work. I’m an anxious bunny so it’s beyond helpful.
What is your message to your fans?
Fans? No, no, they are family. I’d simply say be honest and be loving. The world is tough enough.
WEDNESDAYS
THURSDAYS
6-9P
Brian Scott Keisha D
SATURDAYS
6-9P Gennine Jackson 17 6:30-8:30P Marisa Corvo 24 Rebecca Clark Rebecca Clark
6-9P 6-9P
PATI ARANA CLIMBING TO THE SUMMIT
BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ
Pati Arana is the go-to hairstylist for men in Los Angeles. Her client list is a who’s who of influencers – from reality TV personalities to YouTubers to TikTokers to members of the adult industry, her salon chair remains full. Talk to any of these influencers, mostly from the queer community, and they will tell you that Pati doesn’t just offer an innovative haircut, but she is a source of comfort of unconditional love – these aren’t just her clients, they have become her family. This fall, Pati has become a star in front of the camera all on her own as she took part in CBS’ newest reality TV show, The Summit. The Summit surprises 16 strangers with a trek in the New Zealand Alps, pushing the human body and spirit to their limit over a 14-day climb to the top in the hopes of sharing a $1 million cash prize. As grueling as this experience was, it is now just one of a few of life’s challenges that Pati has had to overcome.
Pati grew up in a very Latin household. Her culture and family situation would provide Pati with the foundation for her personality and ideals.
I’m one of four siblings, I’m the youngest, and because my mom and dad got divorced early on, I grew up mostly with just my mom. I was always independent because my mom was usually working. My siblings and I were close, and able to rely on each other. With Latin culture and within my community you never feel alone, there’s always someone who is there to ask what you need, and you know you will always be taken care of. I think it’s why I am such a provider and caretaker myself today. I learned that you could choose your own direction in life. Regardless of how your parents were raised and their parents were raised, you can choose your own trajectory.
As anyone from a Latin community can tell you, being queer isn’t among the easiest to share with your family, often steeped in conservative and religious beliefs. Her coming out to her mom was a bit of a challenge.
I felt more comfortable coming out to my friends first. I came out in high school and for the most part, everyone accepted me. My mom found out by reading my diary. She said I needed therapy. Over time she was willing to educate herself and understand that love is love. It’s really beautiful how she has changed her mind set and accepts me for me.
Pati’s first career move was to start the process of becoming a police officer. It was during that time that she would face the first of a few of life’s challenges. Doing hair became her salvation and ultimately, her passion.
There was an accident that left me with a serious head injury. It was a really low point in my life. I knew I needed to switch directions and find that passion again. I checked out Paul Mitchell The School and immediately felt a sense of family within that community. The counselors there told me, “No matter what’s going on with you,
we will help you get through it.” Things really took off for me and I excelled at everything and was second in my class when I graduated.
Doing hair is not just a job for Pati, it has become a way of life.
I am a hairstylist, but also a barber because I specialize in men’s hair. I love my job because haircuts can make people feel better about themselves. Not only that, but I love being a space for people to feel comfortable opening up and having genuine conversations. I never feel like I’m working. The saying goes, “Love what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” I literally feel like I’m just going to hang out with friends.
With most of my clientele being the LGBTQ+ community, there aren’t very many safe places to express the challenges they go through. It’s really important
to be able to identify and relate to their experiences and be open to listening with no judgment. I want to be that person for them and anybody who sits in my chair.
What has Pati learned the most from the influencers she cuts for?
Don’t judge a book by its cover. A lot of people have misconceptions that they are shallow and conceded, but they are some of the nicest, downto-earth people I’ve ever met.
Last year, Pati received a devasting blow. Her mother was hit by a drunk driver, resulting in the loss of her mom’s partner, and changing her health forever. Pati’s friends and family rallied around her, to show their gratitude and support for all that Pati has given to the community.
It changed my life because it took away my mom. Even though she survived, it’s so different. She lost her partner, and she struggles with internal injuries and has a head injury. Every day is a financial and emotional struggle that I don’t know if she’ll be able to come back from. It’s so heavy for me, no one is ever prepared to have to go through that. I’ve had to really step up and help her recover and fight for herself because she’s been so defeated. All because Ricki Leigh Newton from Oxnard chose to drink and drive.
Working on her mental health during this ordeal has been a priority for Pati, as she stays by her mother’s side for support.
I surround myself with people I love and who love and support me. I try to take care of myself as much as possible physically by working out and eating right. Also, my therapist, Brian Loveless, has kept me sane before and after all of this. Highly recommend therapy!
I try to live life in the moment and always tell the people closest to me how much I love them and am here for them. Quality time with my loved ones and making memories with them is a priority for me.
Climbing a summit was never on Pati’s bucket list. She was in the final rounds of casting for a few reality TV shows before The Summit opportunity came about. Not being told anything, all she was told was that it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Being whisked away to New Zealand, she wasn’t told she was expected to climb the Alps until she, along with 15 strangers, was dumped at the summit’s basin with the cameras rolling. Pati’s first response is memorialized in the first episode as her face registers the shock as to the challenge ahead of her. What was going through her mind?
“CLIMB A WHAT?” [Laughs] I was panicking and terrified but knew I committed so I had to get my mind right. Anyone who knows me knows my biggest fears are bridges and
“I
AM A HAIRSTYLIST, BUT ALSO A BARBER BECAUSE I SPECIALIZE IN MEN’S HAIR. I LOVE MY JOB BECAUSE HAIRCUTS CAN MAKE PEOPLE FEEL BETTER ABOUT THEMSELVES. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT I LOVE BEING A SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE OPENING UP AND HAVING GENUINE CONVERSATIONS. ”
heights. Mentally, I knew I couldn’t quit. Emotionally, I was going through it. All the while still trying to show up for others.
It was clear from the first few minutes of the show that was not going to be just any reality show. The competitors were given a large backpack and not much else to survive the extreme elements of climbing the Alps, through snow, rope ladders, and lethal cliffhangers. The show cast a wide net in casting the show. Old, young, queer, straight, fit, less-than-fit, all different walks of life were included. Immediately, the cast had to reconsider what their limits were as they faced this challenge. It hasn’t just become a competition show, it is a show about the human spirit, pushing yourself beyond your ability, and making friends and allies regardless of race, sexuality, or age. Together, the group had to reach the top of the summit within 14 days or forfeit the $1 million pool. Along the way, weaker teammates could be voted off or simply left behind. Everyone’s true nature was instantly revealed as some barely survived the first day, some were already forming strategies to kick out certain castmates, while others forged friendships that would be unlikely in the real world. Not giving too much away, we saw Pati slightly struggle during the first episode. In the second episode, Pati was front and center as she had to cross a mountain cliff with just a rope ladder and a harness. Her ability to push forward through life’s challenges came out in full force as she faced her fears. She was not giving up. Her crossing was met with sweat, tears, and success. What kept her going?
My mom. Knowing that she was not okay. I wanted to show up for her and come home to tell her I did it and won it all for her.
During the show, the days got colder, the food became scarce, and sleep and showers were hard to come by. Pati’s biggest challenges on the mountain weren’t just the physical, it was also the mental toll.
I missed my family and friends so much. I missed the people who normally help me through my everyday challenges. Shout out to gang gang. IYKYK.
Even though most of Pati’s hair clients find themselves in front of the camera, she is not so used to the constant presence of being filmed. Every grueling moment was captured, without the benefit of hair and makeup or even a dressing room. Pati’s sleeping bag and the challenging mountain environment were her home for those 14 days.
There was no getting used to it. You’re trying to keep it together and in the most inconvenient times, they would be in your face. From the second you opened your eyes to the second you fell asleep, they were listening. The reality was that it was not fake. Everything that we experienced was the most real shit I’ve ever gone through. The pain, the terrain, the food- it was all incredibly challenging. Being in a different country was hard and trying to figure out who to trust was even harder.
Along the way, Pati befriended Bo and the two created an unlikely strong bond. The two couldn’t be more different. Spoiler alert, Bo did not make it far in the competition after a few devastating instances that put his journey in jeopardy. Pati was beside herself, losing her companion before even hitting the biggest challenge ahead.
He was put in a situation like me, where we had absolutely no idea the challenges that we were going to overcome. His being older gave him more of a disadvantage which I didn’t think was fair. He was fighting, which made me want to fight for him even more. (His last episode) was one of the saddest moments. I knew that I had to keep fighting and keep pushing forward. The way that played out is something that still haunts me today.
What did Pati learn most about herself from competing on the show?
That I can overcome anything. I’ve learned that growing up I’ve always had to survive, and being out there it clicked that this is what everything that I’ve gone through in life has prepared me for. I also learned that your mind is so much more powerful than your body. If I was not mentally right, the pain I was going through would have
sent me home on day two. I was there to play the game, but it was way more than just a game to me. Ultimately, I was there to prove to myself that I could do it. I wanted to fight for my mom and tell her story.
Would she ever return to The Summit? Absolutely not. One and done for me. Unless there was GUARANTEED $$$$$$$.
Appearing on The Summit is just one more challenge that Pati has weathered, forcing herself to rely on her resilience and strength to survive. The Summit, along with her other major life events, has changed the way she looks at the future.
It’s been hard watching the show because it’s as if I’m reliving it. It was the most mentally, emotionally, and physically challenging point in my life. My outlook on life is different now and since then I’ve committed to living in the moment and doing what makes me happy. I will continue doing what I love as a barber. I’m open to any other opportunities as long as they don’t take place on a mountain. If there are other social experiences that present themselves, I’m down and welcome them. I’m excited to continue meeting people and broadening my horizons.
And Pati’s message to her fans?
Never be anything but your authentic self! Life is hard and I believe that if you don’t live your life, you are not LIVING!
The Summit is now streaming on CBS / Paramount+
Follow Pati on IG: @HairByPati
SUN nov 10, 2024 • 12:00PM
ierce & Kind is an employee-and customer-owned spirits and lifestyle company that is equally as invested in crafting quality social beverages as they are in affecting social change. They empower underserved and stigmatized communities by giving investors and consumers new communal ways of participating in funding local initiatives with high impact. 25% of their profits are directed to their foundation to drive social, political, economic, and climate justice work and build generational equity.
BASEM HARB:
Basem Harb is the founder of Fierce & Kind, an award-winning, San Diegobased spirits brand committed to funneling real energy, action and capital into building economic opportunities and entrepreneurship in historically disadvantaged communities. Throughout his career, Harb has exercised an innate drive to ideate and nurture businesses from their inception, affording him the opportunity to revolutionize traditional business models and leadership practices with a humanistic approach.
Prior to launching Fierce & Kind in 2023, Harb spent 36 years as a technology entrepreneur, founding three successful B2B technology companies, CSG, Inc., tapChow and One’Sphere. Harb founded these ventures with the purpose of designing cutting edge technology systems and applications for control and automation systems in military, commercial, and residential sectors.
CYNDI SMITH:
After spending 25 years fostering innovative conversations in education and corporate settings, Cyndi Smith made the courageous move to pursue entrepreneurism. Inspired by the opportunity to create hands-on impact, Smith launched Fierce & Kind in 2023, an awardwinning San Diego-based spirits brand with a mission to funnel real energy, action, and capital into combatting social injustices. As co-founder and chief administrative officer, she oversees business administration and marketing initiatives for Fierce & Kind.
FIERCE & KIND CREATING
SOCIAL CHANGE ONE DRINK AT A TIME!
BY CESAR A REYES
As a testament to Harb and Smith’s dedication to supporting underrepresented entrepreneur communities in the San Diego area, the brand donates 25% of its profits to its sister foundation, the Fierce & Kind Equity Foundation and partners with local and regional organizations such as Women’s Empowerment International and the City Heights Community Development Corporation to provide opportunities and education in communities with limited resources.
How did Fierce & Kind come to be?
Fierce & Kind was born out of two passions: whiskey and a commitment to social impact. It’s hard to say which was the biggest driver because the vision for the company always encompassed both. The timing of the launch, however, was sparked by the impact mission. The pandemic reinforced the consequences
of economic inequities and the urgency needed to address them. We wanted to invest our work lives and experience into doing something that made a difference.
Today, Fierce & Kind’s award-winning portfolio is distilled from sustainably sourced grains and includes a straight bourbon, a single barrel cask strength bourbon, and an American vodka.
Our American vodka is distilled six times for a distinct purity and comfortable enjoyment with hints of botanicals.
Our straight bourbon is a very approachable yet sophisticated bourbon with notes of fruit, vanilla, caramel and cream layered until a slight rye spice rises in finish.
The latest addition to our product lineup is our Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon is aged for two years, nine months in charred and toasted New American Oak barrels, resulting in a 110-proof bourbon. This high-proof
Cyndi Smith
Basem Harb
spirit offers a notable deep and complex flavor profile with layers of stone fruit, vanilla, and caramel flavors and a balanced heat. The smooth drinking experience belies its cask strength, 110 proof signature.
What is your mission?
Fierce & Kind’s mission extends beyond crafting award-winning spirits; the brand was founded with the intention to support underrepresented communities in building access to fair housing, food security and educational opportunities to ultimately provide economic equity and combat social injustice in these communities.
Fierce & Kind donates 25% of its profits to The Fierce & Kind Equity Foundation, which aims to create economic opportunities for historically underserved communities, including women and BIPOC entrepreneurs and business owners.
Tell us about the Pride Collection and how the idea came about?
In honor of the LGBTQ+ community, we recently launched a limited-edition Pride Collection which includes our straight bourbon (which has fittingly been renamed gay bourbon), Single Bar-
rel Cask Strength bourbon and awardwinning American vodka.
25% of the proceeds from these special bottles will benefit our partner, The San Diego LGBT Community Center, which supports the health, wellbeing, and human rights of the full diversity of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community through targeted programs and services. Through its work for the betterment of the full San Diego region, the organization annually provides more than 80,000 direct service visits to San Diego community members through its events, activities, and advocacy.
What does it mean to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community?
We believe that strong, vibrant communities empower individuals to chase their dreams, whether through entrepreneurship or other endeavors. With this launch, we aim to showcase the importance of uplifting one another and playing a part in making the whiskey and broader spirits community a more inclusive space. We also firmly believe that none of us are free until all of us are free.
You continue to support the LGBTQ+ community and now you are expanding into Palm Springs, can you talk about that?
Year-round, Fierce & Kind drives 25% of its profit to the Fierce & Kind Equity Foundation which focuses on building equity and opportunities in underserved and underrepresented communities. In June, we launched our first Pride Limited Edition Straight Gay Bourbons and American Vodka which dedicated proceeds to The San Diego LGBT Community Center. The response has been so positive and people from around the country continue to purchase the Pride Edition bottles to share with their family and friends. In addition, we have had the pleasure of building a partnership with The Center which includes an on-going collaboration.
As we are growing our business in Palm Springs and throughout Southern California, we are similarly growing our support for the beautiful people in those communities and will be proudly directing funds to Palm Springs Pride!
Can you tell us the response from the community not only to the brand involvement but to be available at local bars and clubs.
We’ve gotten a tremendous reception in Palm Springs and its surrounding communities! We’re going to be working with Palm Springs Pride to be a spirits sponsors for 2025, something we’re very excited about. In our first round of discussions with business partners, we have placements in 4 amazing restaurants/bars/bottle shop. As we have been working in the community, we are excited to announce a Pride introduction at the Tool Shed, which will feature Fierce & Kind cocktails for Pride and beyond. And you can find us at two of our other favorite spots, 1501 Uptown Gastropub and Little Bar. We’re also really proud to have our bourbons and vodka bottles available for sale at PS Bottle Shop, a unique store that features BIPOC and LGBTQ+-owned or -focused brands. We are in discussions with many more venues so stay tuned but definitely visit our current partners and show them the love! And remember, wherever you go, ask for Fierce & Kind - that’s how independent, forward-thinking brands become national success stories.
How can folks follow and be a part of the Fierce & Kind experience?
At our core we believe that a rising tide lifts all boats. The first and most important way to be part of the Fierce & Kind experience is to purchase and gift Pride bottles because that choice directly impacts the LGBTQ+ community while also building Fierce & Kind as a progressive social enterprise that can continue to work to uplift communities. It’s also important to always ask for Fierce & Kind at your favorite bars, restaurants, and bottle shops because that further entrenches social-impact ventures in our business community. Finally, to learn more about Fierce & Kind and stay up to date on our coming product launches, events (including our Bourbon and Blues Sessions music series), and social impact reports, visit our website at Fiercenkind. com and follow and engage with us on Instagram @fierce.kind.
CRAIG RAMSAY CANADA’S TEAM BROADWAY RETURNS TO PALM SPRINGS
BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ
Broadway and Bravo TV personality Craig Ramsay has returned to Palm Springs, this time with his best friend Catherine Wreford who, against all odds, remains a constant inspiration. In addition to bringing his bestie, he comes back to town with an Amazing Race win and a new cabaret show. On November 11th, Craig and Catherine will take to the Revolutionary Stage Company stage for “Behind the Curtain: Untold Stories from Canada’s Team Broadway,” an evening of song, dance, and storytelling, diving into the duo’s extensive careers on stage. But this isn’t just an ordinary cabaret, it is a testament to friendship, resilience, and overcoming life’s biggest challenges.
The last time we chatted with Craig, he and his husband, Brandon, were celebrating their debut on Bravo TV’s Newlyweds, detailing their most intimate moments during their first year of marriage. Craig has also made appearances on Bravo’s Thintervention, Shahs of Sunset, and Real Housewives. He also hosted his own show, He’s Fit, for OutTV. But the stage is really where his star started to shine. Hailing from Canada, he studied at the nation’s most famed ballet school,
Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Professional Division under a full scholarship. It is there where he met Catherine.
We instantly bonded over our not-so-secret love of musical theatre. Both of us were deeply passionate about ballet and had the training to succeed in that world, but we could both hear Broadway calling us. In an industry that can be lonely, intimidating, and at times, scary, we leaned on each other for support. We were there to lift each other up when we needed it most, and I honestly believe that our friendship has been a key part of our professional successes. That connection we built back then is still the foundation of our friendship today.
Craig got his first major break in show business as part of a lengthy tour with the original pre-Broadway cast of the hit show Mamma Mia! Catherine, who had relocated to New York City, convinced Craig to join him after his tour. During their time on the East Coast, they were each involved in various Broadway shows as performers, collaborating with many notable directors, composers, and choreographers, as well as a long list of famous leading actors whom they have shared the stage with. Craig would appear in Fiddler on the Roof, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Cats, Hair, and The Rocky Horror Show, and has shared the stage and screen with big names that include Jennifer Hudson, RuPaul, Carol Burnett, John Hurt, Cynthia Nixon, and the list goes on. He also spent some time on the soap operas All My Children and General Hospital. With life coming full circle, Craig and Catherine were invited back to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet to appear as Lord and Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet. Not only was this an opportunity to appear together where they first met, it was a celebration of friendship and life. Catherine was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2013, after the birth of her second son, and was given two to six years to live. She would not be deterred and while still living with the diagnosis, lives life to the fullest as a performer and motivational speaker. Being able to take to the stage danc-
ing with Craig was a big middle finger to cancer.
Shockingly, Catherine and I had never performed on stage together before this incredible opportunity, despite living together in Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles. So, returning to the ballet was a dream come true. Playing opposite each other as Lord and Lady Capulet— such a troubled and complicated married couple— was an acting marathon for both of us. Our decadeslong friendship allowed us to bring out subtle nuances in these characters that might not have been possible otherwise. We’ve been told that our dynamic even inspired our fellow ballet dancers to explore their roles in more powerful and vulnerable ways. The positive reviews reflected that, and it made the entire experience even more magical.
Catherine has taught me so much about life, but the most important lesson is to live each day as if it’s your last. Remarkably, 11 years ago, it’s like she had the ability to think negatively removed along with her brain tumor, and since then, she has led her life with an infectious positivity that I truly admire. It’s not just how she faces challenges, but how she chooses to embrace joy and hope every single day. That mindset is contagious, and being around her constantly reminds me of the power of positivity and resilience. Mentally and emotionally, I haven’t fully gotten through the highs and lows of Catherine’s medical health— I don’t think I ever will. There hasn’t been one day of relief from the tears about her diagnosis. But Catherine has an incredible ability to bring me to tears of joy more than sorrow. Years ago, we made a pact to find humor in everything, no matter how difficult the situation. Laughing together as friends has been a huge source of healing and comfort for me, and it’s one of the ways we get through the toughest moments.
Splitting his time between Palm Springs and Canada, Craig reestablished his connection with his homeland. Craig and Catherine received the unique opportunity to compete on season 8 of the Canadian iteration of The Amazing Race My inspiration for wanting to be on
The Amazing Race Canada was Catherine. Despite her terminal brain cancer, she believes that taking on exciting challenges has been a huge part of what keeps her alive and thriving. We auditioned for the show with the hopes that we could travel and work together and create incredible memories. It was about making the most of every moment, and the race was the perfect opportunity for us to do that. For Catherine and me, it was important to inspire fans of The Amazing Race to connect and strengthen their friendships. In 2024, there are so many stresses that can challenge even the closest of friends, but we believe it’s essential to honor and nurture those relationships with your chosen family. We wanted to be vulnerable on the show, to show that we’re not perfect people, but we are a perfect pair. And it’s our respect for each other that made us a great team. Strengthening friendship bonds is something we hope resonates with everyone who watched the show.
Spoiler alert - they won, despite the odds.
One of my biggest personal challenges during The Amazing Race was a roadblock where I had to climb North America’s tallest Ferris wheel. I’m not a fan of heights, and I’ll admit, I slightly pissed my pants and cried on national television— it was terrifying! But another challenge, as strange as it might sound, came after we arrived at the final pitstop and were declared the winners. I found it difficult to function socially right after. I had grown so close to many of the other teams that I felt a form of survivor’s guilt. Catherine and I couldn’t make sense of the win, especially after how long and hard the race had been. I even struggled with simple things like remembering how to turn on my phone. It was such a unique and odd experience, and though it was traumatizing in some ways, I’m incredibly grateful for the whole journey.
Winning The Amazing Race taught me so much, but one of the most profound lessons was realizing how deeply Catherine and I could connect. We even experienced what felt like telepathic communication at times. Our higher
selves were guiding us, and throughout the race, I kept asking the universe— if there’s more to be told of Catherine’s story, help guide us forward. Miracles kept unfolding, and it was truly an extraordinary experience. Since then, Catherine and I have been touring Canada and the U.S sharing this shocking journey with our inspiring cabaret-style keynote presentation “Survival of the Friendliest” where we delve into how kindness and connection played such a pivotal role in our success.
Even with his years of friendship, Craig still had an opportunity to learn more about and from Catherine from filming the show.
I learned just how incredibly badass Catherine truly is. Most people with her medical diagnosis wouldn’t even consider putting themselves in such intense and challenging situations, let alone the nearly impossible ones the race throws at you. With a compromised brain, she performed miracles. Despite her condition affecting her sleep, memory, and speech, she faced every obstacle with patience, kindness, and eagerness. Catherine’s strength and determination blew me away, and she continues to inspire me every single day.
Coming to the Palm Springs stage gives Craig and Catherine a chance to share their stories in the best way they know how, through song and dance.
“In Behind the Curtain: Untold Stories from Canada’s Team Broadway,” we wanted to share moments and aspects of our lives that have never been shared publicly before. There are so many behind-the-scenes stories, including Catherine’s past relationship with Jeff Goldblum, that we’ve never told until now. Our audience may already know the Broadway shows, songs, and dance numbers, but what’s new are the intimate and personal stories tied to those experiences— stories that we’ve kept behind the curtain until this show. We want audiences to walk away feeling like they’ve gained an inside look into our lives and careers, and hopefully, they’ll leave feeling inspired and uplifted by what they hear.
Putting the show has been bittersweet for Craig and Catherine, as her illness has become another major character in their storyline.
Our creative process for the show was quite unique, especially because of Catherine’s terminal diagnosis. We spent nearly 40 hours recording conversations, recounting her life, and the cabaret really became a collection of that material. Revisiting the Broadway shows we’ve performed brought back so many positive memories for us. Putting the show together felt natural and easy, the hardest part was deciding what to cut. We decided on material that highlights our friendship through the good, the bad, and the triumphant. It was important for us to share that journey with the audience.
Catherine has a way of making everyone around her feel seen and valued. Her kindness, strength, and authenticity make her truly one-of-a-kind. Watching her dance feels like witnessing pure magic. She transforms the stage into a world where emotion and grace come alive. She tells stories with her soul and that’s what our “Behind the Curtain” guests will experience.
This dynamic duo has partnered with Palm Springs local, musical director Robert Ollis. It has been a match made in heaven.
I first met Robert Ollis when he was the musical director for a guest performance I did at one of the Razzle Dazzle shows at the Cultural Center in Palm Springs last year. His love and passion for Broadway, combined with his spectacular musical directing and accompanying talents, made him the perfect choice to work with on this project. Robert has a sensitivity and compassion that makes us feel comfortable diving deep into our stories. His vast knowledge of musical theatre and the shows we’re talking about allows him to create underscoring that supports our stories in ways I never imagined. He’s brilliantly crafting and holding a musical space that complements everything we’re doing on stage. The audience is truly in for a treat!
Now that Craig is reclaiming his time on stage, has he been bitten by the theatre bug again?
The truth is, the theatre bug never really left me. I’ve found unconventional ways to keep exploring and expanding my love of performing— whether it’s through social media, my fitness-themed video content, or even just driving my nephew around. To me, the world is a stage. My next goal is to get more involved in the theatre community here in Palm Springs. There’s so much talent in the desert, and I’d be honored to be a part of it.
In addition to Craig’s TV and stage career, he is an avid fitness expert and model. With so many avenues to focus on, and with winning perhaps one of the hardest competitions on TV, where does he go from here?
I’m enthusiastic about creating opportunities for people to thrive and live fulfilling lives. I’d love to explore ways I can contribute to shaping policies or initiatives that empower communities and provide them with the support they need to enjoy life to its fullest. Whatever is next I would like to see my decades of being in both the professional entertainment industry and as a wellness expert being put to good use. I’m open to the Universe to align what’s next.
And his message to anyone from our community overcoming life’s challenges?
Even life’s greatest triumphs often come together with incredible challenges. Catherine and I have faced our own share of obstacles, even in moments of success. But through it all, we’ve learned to embrace the joy, laughter, and excitement that each day can bring, even in difficult times. Our cabaret shares those stories of resilience, and we hope that by the end of our show, people feel uplifted and reminded that life is filled with beauty and opportunity, no matter what you’re going through. Theatre is about inspiring and shifting energy, and we want everyone to leave feeling good about what life has to offer.
“Behind the Curtain: Untold Stories from Canada’s Team Broadway” is on Monday, November 11, 2024, at 7:30 pm at the Revolution Stage Company, 611 S Palm Canyon Drive. Suite 16, Palm Springs, California.
laska is unique – offering incredible beauty and variety all in one state! And you can easily get a sampling of the Last Frontier with Celebrity Cruises itineraries. When to travel? Summer! So, when my birthday rolled around and my husband asked what I’d like to do this year, I said “a cruise to Alaska.” Cruises are a great way to see Alaska’s coastal mountains, glaciers, marine wildlife, and towns. Day tours and excursions get you away from the crowds and into the real Alaska you came to see. But taking these tours may require some extra effort—and money. After all, many of Alaska’s most dramatic sights and wildlife can be accessed only by plane or boat. But I am here to tell you that it is well worth the investment in your travel experience.
Now, I have heard from several friends queries along the lines of “I’ve thought about Alaska but is it too slow?” First off, traveling is what you want to make it – go-go-go, relaxing, adventurous, etc. Secondly, and because it was my birthday, I wanted some luxury and some adventure! I got both.
A ALASKA
There are many different cruise itineraries to choose from, some including land tours in Denali National Park, Seward, Anchorage, and other spots. Visit celebritycruises.com to view the 2025 offerings. We opted for a roundtrip from Seattle, Washington abord the gorgeous Celebrity Edge for several reasons.
One - Celebrity Edge was the first in their line of “Edge Class” ships, which truly revolutionized the cruise ship industry with its design and features…. and the first cantilevered floating glasssheltered platform at sea – the Magic Carpet - that extends from the ship’s starboard side, providing the ultimate dining and lounge space, and is also lowered and used as a tender platform. The unique “outward facing” design of this ship seemed a perfect fit for taking in incredible views of the Alaskan wilderness and wildlife.
Two – the itinerary was stellar, with lots of cruising time through Alaska’s
THE LAST FRONTIER
BY MICHAEL WESTMAN
Juneau - Dog Sleeding on Mendenhall Glacier
Endicott Arm Fjord and the Inside Passage, a complex labyrinth of fjords and bays where whales and sea lions (who doesn’t love sea lions) spend the summer months, as well as stops at Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Victoria, British Columbia, before returning to Seattle. Many cities in Alaska, including Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan, have enacted ordinances protecting sexual orientation and gender identity. Overall, the LGBTQ+ community celebrates Pride at events around the state, and there is a vibrant tradition of local drag shows in the major cities. These locations, along with Celebrity Cruises, embrace diversity and equality, and to me, that’s a win-win.
Three – Seattle is one of my favorite cities. So friendly and welcoming to all. While the city has changed a lot of over the years, Seattle still has one of the largest LGBTQ+ populations in the country, with an estimated 10% identifying as part of the queer community. We flew into Seattle via Alaska Airlines and enjoyed a couple of days pre-cruise, visiting some of our favorite haunts…
Biscuit Bitch (1909 1st Ave near Pike Place Market; 2303 3rd Ave in Belltown). This sassy LGBTQ forward establishment has the freshest, best biscuits (and gravy) in town! I love the Sausage Bitchwich (buttered biscuit sandwich with egg, cheddar, pork sausage patty, and Bitchy Sauce) and a side of Country Gravy.
Unicorn & Narwhal (1118 E Pike St in Capitol Hill). Not one, but two, carnival themed bars, each packing its own vibe into one location offering whimsical food and drink options. Unicorn Helmets, Claw Machine, Photo Booth, Arcade with Pinball Machines, and weekly events like Drag Queen Bingo, Geeks Who Drink Trivia, Karaoke, and more await you!
Starbucks No. 1 (1312 Pike Place, Pike Place Market). Starbucks changed the way we consume coffee beginning in 1971, along the cobblestone streets of historic Pike Place Market. It was here where Starbucks opened its first store, offering fresh-roasted coffee beans, tea and spices from around the world for its customers to take home. Their name was inspired by the classic tale Moby-Dick, evoking the seafaring tradition of the early coffee traders. No food options served here, just
coffee and merchandise. Get there early in the morning if you do not want to wait in a long line.
The Pink Door (1919 Post Alley, near Pike Place Market). Since 1981, The Pink Door has become a way of life that pairs good food with a sense of community, culture, and generosity of spirit. Fresh, simple, and seasonal, is on the menu at this Italian restaurant with an unbeatable view. Nightly entertainment can range from trapeze artists swinging above the dining room, to cabaret, tarot card readings, or live music. And if the atmosphere and entertainment doesn’t get you excited, the food definitely will! My suggestions? Try the Grilled Figs with Prosciutto and Goat Cheese; the Clams and Mussels in white vermouth, garlic, parsley, and a touch of cream; and the Lasagna Pink Door made with fresh spinach pasta layered with besciamella, pesto and topped with marinara sauce. In summertime they have lovely outdoor patio seating, perfect for a lunchtime Aperol Spritz and a Panni.
First stop, Ketchikan. A seafood lover’s dream! Known as the ‘Salmon Capital of the World’, Ketchikan is also the ancestral home of the Tlingit people, who have carved the world’s largest collection of totem poles. If you’re up for an adventure, take a canoe and nature trail excursion through the rain forest or a wilderness exploration followed by a sumptuous King Crab feast you’ll long remember. When visiting Ketchikan, you must wander the historical buildings on Creek Street, a pedestrian boardwalk built on wooden pilings above Ketchikan Creek. This former red-light district, where bootleggers made midnight deliveries through hidden trap doors connecting the creek to the bawdy houses, is now home to shops, eateries, and the famous Salmon Ladder. It’s amazing to watch the Salmon swim and jump upstream in order to lay their eggs.
Another staple of Ketchikan is the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. You had me at Lumberjack! These worldchampion athletes bring a thrilling competition of skill and strength – wielding seven-pound axes, six-foot razor-sharp saws, tree-climbing gaffs, and more. The one-hour performance is packed with burly lumberjack action – log rolling, axe throwing, chopping, and sawing.
Celebrity Edge at Dawes Glacier - photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Edge Magic Carpet
All this is making me thirsty! Back to the ship for a Martini, shaken not stirred, in the Martini Bar, in anticipation of dinner in Luminae, the private restaurant exclusive to The Retreat (suites) guests, and featuring signature dishes from Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud.
Early to rise the second day to experience cruising Alaska’s Endicott Arm Fjord. Sailing through its 30-mile-long stretch, you can’t help but be amazed by the untouched beauty of the surrounding granite mountains, verdant valleys and numerous waterfalls. Bundled up like Artic Nomads, we watched the ship navigate the deep blue water and drifting icebergs, up to the Dawes Glacier. Standing over 600 feet tall and a half-mile wide, this very active icecap is known for its spectacular calving displays which noisily produce huge, chunky icebergs that float in area waters. Along the way we spotted harbor seals, whales, sea otters, and bald eagles. Bring your binoculars and keep a watch!
Next stop, Juneau. Here is your chance to check off one, if not two, Bucket List items – a helicopter flightseeing tour of the 12-mile-long Mendenhall Glacier and Dog Sledding on the Glacier. This is an unbelievable thrill of a lifetime experience and worth every penny. The ariel views of Juneau’s Icefield are spectacular. The helicopter lands, dropping us onto the snowpack on top of the glacier, and the sound of excited Alaskan Huskies is in the air. They are anxious to get to sledding! Just the expanse of ice all around is mind boggling. MUSH! Off we go - gliding across Mendenhall Glacier with our furry companions. After an exhilarating ride, we get to hang out at the dog camp, chat with the professional dog musher, and cuddle with the adorable puppies!
The colorful gold rush history, beautiful setting, and a lot of cruise ships makes Skagway one of the most interesting and popular towns to visit in the Inside Passage. Located on traditional Tlingit land, Shgagwéi means “bunched up or roughed up water” and refers to the whitecaps that form from strong winds. Back in 1987, Skagway began as the starting place for more than 40,000 gold-rush stampeders who headed to the
Yukon primarily by way of the Chilkoot Trail during the Klondike Gold Rush. Skagway is very welcoming and there is so much fascinating history to take in. This small-town bustles with cruise ship passengers ducking in and out of the various shops in restored 19th-century buildings.
The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad runs vintage locomotives through the famously steep Chilkoot Trail and offers sweeping mountain views during its climb toward Canada. This historic narrow-gauge railway is a must to venture into the wilderness and see the trail the gold-rushers used to haul over 1,000 pounds of supplies (each) into Canada in search of gold. Spectacular sights along the way include Glacier Gorge, Dead Horse Gulch, and Bridal Veil Falls. At the top of the steep climb at 2,888 feet is White Pass, which is also the international boundary between the United States and Canada.
A day at sea provides some time for me – a luxurious Aroma Spa Seaweed Massage followed by a scalp and foot massage helps work away any built up stress from all that walking! I follow it up with a sojourn to the Hammam, Celebrity’s take on a traditional Turkish Bath. Relaxed, polished, and ready for a celebratory night, our reservation is waiting at Fine Cut Steakhouse – an elevated experience of sophisticated ambiance coupled with the choicest cuts of meat and freshest seafood. A walk through the Casino to test my birthday luck (which
wasn’t too bad) and a nightcap at Eden bar round out the day of pampering and luxury, as EDGE sails onward to our next destination….
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada is nestled between the tranquil waters of the Salish Sea and the mighty rainforests of Vancouver Island. Arguably one of Canada’s most picturesque cities, Victoria boasts colorful gardens, a lovely harbor, magnificent architecture and a rich British ancestry that can be glimpsed through its horse-drawn carriages, tearooms and double-decker buses. A visit to Victoria is not complete without a stroll through The Butchart Gardens, considered one of the world’s top display gardens with over 700 varieties of plants that are in bloom between March and October. And my personal favorite is a visit to the Fairmont Empress Hotel, opened back in 1908, inviting celebrities and royalty to experience its grandeur. Be sure to take advantage of Afternoon Tea. If something stronger than tea is on your mind, have a proper Gin and Tonic at the bar, made with Empress 1908 Indigo Gin. Empress Indigo touts a breathtaking hue, that contains eight signature botanicals, including exotic butterfly pea blossom.
Alas that time has come – the dreaded last night and need to repack and get ready to travel home. But Celebrity makes packing/retrieving of your luggage easier with Port Valet. Simply fill out a form in the cruise app and your flight boarding passes and luggage tags are delivered to your cabin. Once tagged, they pick them up, transport them to the airport, and send them on for pickup at your final destination. This was brilliant! No fuss, no muss, and no need to wrestle with your over-packed bags. This really made disembarkation a breeze.
With a quick goodbye wave to Seattle and the Celebrity Edge, we hopped in our car to the airport. We cannot wait to cruise Alaska again. I’m already looking at brochures…. And remember, Celebrity Cruises supports, embraces, and practices, inclusion, diversity, and equality, so remember that when booking your next adventure.
And yes, our luggage was there when we arrived home!
Ketchikan - Creek Street
Skagway - White Pass Railroad
HEALTH
BY KAY KUDUKIS
Iliterally grew up on the prairie,” says DAP
Health Chief of Brand Marketing
Steven Henke. “The prairie I remember? Very dry, hot winds, and a very open space with sky as far as my child’s eyes could see, unbroken by hills or trees. Not a lot of detail.”
Bismarck, North Dakota — where Henke spent 18 years — is the capital of a state so non-populous that one area code suffices for all 70,704 square miles. “There were no museums, no theaters where touring shows would come in, so there was no real cultural input or influence,” he laments.
Television filled that gap. From the comfort of his lime green bean bag chair, Turner Classic Movies brought Henke the all-around perfection of Roz Russell as “Auntie Mame,” while “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” introduced him to social justice. CNN’s fashion segment “Style With Elsa Klensch” took him away from his forced reality of North Dakotan nonexistent fashion sensibility, allowing him to dream of a future rife with glamorous possibility — and free of bullies.
Dad made a good living selling radio ads. Mom was a homemaker until economic challenges required extra income. Henke was in fourth grade, his younger brother in second, when she started taking them to work at the roller rink on weekend nights. For the last hour, the skates came off, the polyester went on, and the rink transformed into a disco party. “The music was dramatic — they’ve left their cake out in the rain — everyone was dancing to some of the saddest music in the world.” It was perfect.
“She works hard for the money” ~
Donna Summer
At 13, Henke got his first job as a hotel busboy because fashion wasn’t cheap, and Henke wanted to have style. In fact, he says, everyone in town knew he was gay before he knew what a sexual orientation even was. If they were aware, his parents never mentioned anything, but other adults whispered, and the classrooms were full of kids
ONE DAY AT A TIME
DAP HEALTH CHIEF OF BRAND MARKETING STEVEN HENKE LIVES THE LYRICS OF MISS DIANA ROSS - “THERE’S A NEW ME COMING OUT. AND I JUST HAD TO LIVE. AND I WANNA GIVE. I’M COMPLETELY POSITIVE.”
parroting their parents’ sentiments in the schoolyard.
In 1985, there was one high school boy Henke never met but by whom he was inexplicably inspired. There was just something about his style, his clothes, his hair. “I said, ‘If I just knew him, my life would be better,’” Henke recalls, laughing. “I knew magical thinking was weird, but I was forever looking for a sign, and that gave me hope.
At 16, Henke got a job at the Bismarck Target, where he stayed through his freshman year at North Dakota State, abandoning that post for the upgrade of employment as a DJ at the aforementioned roller rink. He transferred to University of
Minnesota-Moorhead his sophomore year, supporting himself as a phone solicitor, working retail at Kmart, and one summer, working for the highway department, “where I would go out with the crew and hold that thing in the weeds so they could see if the road was flat or whatever. I didn’t even know what I was doing. By the end of that summer, I really thought my name was ‘Dumbass.’”
“Tumble out of bed, stumble to the kitchen, pour myself a cup of ambition” ~ Dolly Parton
Henke chose mass communications and political science as a major. “I thought at that point I would end up working in politics or journalism. Then I did an internship with a U.S.
senator. For several reasons, it didn’t align with who I wanted to be and the change I wanted to make in the world.”
When he graduated, Target corporate hired him, and over the next 10 years, he rose to senior product manager, sourcing and developing collections overseas. His future husband also worked at Target, but they’d never met until a random encounter at a local coffee show whilst each was on his way to the same matinée of “The Little Mermaid.” Life is oddly beautiful like that. They’ve been together 27 years.
Activism wasn’t new to Henke — his parents were engaged Democrats — but 1993 was his first personal foray. He and some friends took a bus to Washington, D.C., for the LGBT Equal Rights March.
“It was the first time I felt empowered
as a gay man. The first time I was able to really use my voice not just for myself. I was able to see how we are all interconnected, we all are intersectional in that sort of oppression, and how we have to come together, work together, and lift all of ourselves together, up and out.
“If we are divided or if we aren’t thinking about each other, if we believe in that system of lack — where we have to grab it all because there’s not enough for that other group — that doesn’t work, because that’s how the system keeps people in that space. It’s a sense of competitiveness that shouldn’t exist.”
The company Sphere Trending took him around the world for three years of macro and micro trend analysis, plus retail intelligence, before Hanover Accessories snapped him up as vice president of design and development.
“I myself was made entirely of flaws stitched together by good intentions.” ~ Augusten Burroughs
Henke’s proud sobriety came at 39, more than 15 years ago. When he walked into his first AA meeting, right there leading it was that elusive kid from high school. The one who’d held Henke’s teenage fascination. The one he believed would make his life better. Henke smiles at the serendipity of it all. “He became my sponsor for my first five years. There are no mistakes in life. Everything happens for our benefit. Everything.” Life is oddly beautiful like that.
But “everything” includes a very bad day at Hanover. “We were sold, and a new president came in who did not like gay people. I was walked out. It was a punch in my gut. To me, it was a validation of my lifelong belief that I didn’t belong. That I didn’t have value. It really, really threw me.”
“I was a free man in Paris, I felt unfettered and alive.” ~ Joni Mitchell Henke took off for a safe space: his and his husband’s vacation home in Palm Springs. He saw a job posting for Gannett in sales and got it. “I was terrible,” Henke admits, adding they did recognize
his creativity and ability to craft strategy. They soon switched his role to marketing manager. For those five years, he also volunteered on the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce’s board, where he’d eventually become president.
“He’s that creative, full-of-energy, big personality person for me,” says Nona Watson, Chamber CEO since 2010. “He understands the Chamber and the city really well. He’s good at helping me find things that haven’t been done before.”
Back on the Gannett side, DAP Health’s own chain of resale stores, Revivals, was a client. His innovative ideas did not go unnoticed. The nonprofit sought him out as a consultant, then in short order offered him a permanent position as director of marketing, overseeing all communications and marketing strategy for its Resource Development department and Revivals. The year was 2017.
His hard work and long list of successes since then were recently recognized with a promotion to chief of brand marketing. His role? Stewarding the brand across the entire organization, which he says is a perfect mission match for the impact he hopes to continue to make.
“I care deeply about this organization and its work in health care,” he says. “I take our team’s responsibility — to do it right — very seriously.”
Above all, Henke believes life is filled with second chances for people — like him — in recovery. “I want my experience to give that next person walking through the doors of an AA meeting for the first time a reason to believe anyone can stay sober,” he says. “Where there’s breath, there’s hope.”
Because, as Augusten Burroughs wrote in his sobriety journey memoir Dry, “When you have your health, you have everything. When you do not have your health, nothing else matters at all.”
Steven Henke
THE LOST DAY
BY WILL DEAN
Music wafts from inside a mid-size house with a butterfly roof and sparkling pool. The gospel-tinged stereophonic voice of Aretha Franklin soars above the palms and nearby foothills of San Jacinto Mountain.
The cyan sky canvasses a perfectly unremarkable 86 degrees. Two men sit poolside. Their umberbrown skin glistens in the afternoon sunlight.
The thalian grin of writer James Baldwin emerges, replacing an unflinching warrior’s mask forged through decades of battlefield accounts.
He is energized by an exchange with a young reporter. She departed only moments ago after interviewing Baldwin about his new writing project and imbibing cocktails with him. During the conversation, he had revealed exactly what he intended for his Hollywood assignment – cautionary advisers be damned.
Baldwin, 43, looks at his handsome, 30-year-old guest at his side, with a charm and playfulness that are familiar to his intimates. The actor Billy Dee Williams is an integral part of his plans. Baldwin proposes to place Williams’ feet securely on the stairway to stardom. Williams’ acting credits so far have been a small film role and occasional appearances in plays, prime-time television shows and soap operas.
Returning his host’s mischievous smile, Williams stands and strides alongside the pool. Could Baldwin’s famous determination establish his career in the movies?
A glorious future seems predestined as Franklin’s soul-stirring rendition of “People Get Ready” permeates the yard. Williams reaches the other side of the pool and begins languidly moving his 6-foottall, athletic body to the music. Fascinated, Baldwin watches as he performs an improvisational African dance.
Lady Soul’s impassioned musical declarations have long been a source of inspiration to Baldwin as well. They are his frequent and rousing work companion. Though multiple acclaimed books such as Go Tell It on the Mountain and The Fire Next Time bear his name, Baldwin laments what he considers to be his inability to write the way Franklin sings.
For 36 days, he has lived in Palm Springs, dispatched from Los Angeles on February 28, 1968, to pen a screenplay for Columbia Pictures. Progress is slow.
By April 4th, he has not completed a movie treatment that he deems worthy of its subject, the life and work of Black Muslim minister and human rights activist Malcolm X. Perhaps, he is too close to the story. Malcolm was a brother-in-arms, assassinated just three years prior.
Surely the source material for the screenplay
– primarily Alex Haley’s The Autobiography of Malcolm X, posthumously published in 1965 – rekindles Baldwin’s memories and picks at emotional wounds that may not have healed.
Williams’ presence at the desert home, which an independent production company is renting for Baldwin, may provide the balm and encouragement the author needs to write.
Baldwin is adamant that Williams portray Malcolm in the film. The studio has other actors with boldface names in mind. Baldwin is confident that his leading man possesses the talent and charisma required to embody Malcolm’s spirit on screen. If he is overruled, he is prepared to walk away from the project.
A telephone rings persistently, bringing Williams out of his impromptu dance and Baldwin out of his reverie as the audience. Baldwin picks up the phone, which has been placed outside by Walter, the man who was hired as cook, driver, and housekeeper during his sojourn.
The call is from David Moses, a friend on a devastating mission. Williams and Walter gravitate to where Baldwin stands with the receiver at his ear, as if drawn by an unseen force. People get ready.
“Jimmy?” Moses says through the phone. “Martin’s just been shot.”
The statement is incomprehensible to Baldwin. He is unsure he knows the injured “Martin.”
Baldwin looks at Williams and Walter who are standing nearby. His confused facial expression is as foreign to them as Moses’ announcement is bewildering to Baldwin. It is only when he hears Moses’ next words that the unfathomable becomes clear: “He’s not dead yet, but it’s a head wound, so ...”
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. –Baldwin’s Martin, America’s Martin, the world’s Martin – has been shot on a hotel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee.
“Oh, no,” Baldwin cries as a helpless rage overcomes him and the realization sinks in that the loss of another young Black prophet and civil rights champion, whom he personally knows, is almost certain. He collapses in tears in Williams’ arms.
Five days later, Baldwin is one of 1,300 mourners inside Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King had served as pastor. Thousands of people stand shoulder to shoulder outside the church to listen to the funeral service on loudspeakers, while millions more watch it on television.
The impact of King’s and Malcolm’s contributions to ensure liberty for all Americans – lifeaffirming yet dishearteningly unfulfilled – reverberates for generations. “I don’t think that any black person can speak of Malcolm and Martin without wishing that they were here,” Baldwin writes in
1972 for Esquire magazine. “It is not possible for me to speak of them without a sense of loss and grief and rage; and with a sense, furthermore, of having been forced to undergo an unforgivable indignity, both personal and vast. Our children need them, which is, indeed, the reason that they are not here: and now we, the blacks, must make certain that our children never forget them.”
The torch lighting the path for future generations is incontrovertibly extinguished by the assassinations of both men, just as it is branching off in new directions to illuminate the struggles that poor Americans of all races and ethnicities experience.
Baldwin is unmoored by King’s sudden, violent death. “Something has altered in me, something has gone away,” he writes in Esquire.
He questions his past judgment of the human capacity to change, doubting people have the moral fortitude and willingness that are required. Increasingly, he realizes that real change occurs when everyone recognizes its intrinsic value within and demands it of themselves.
By the end of April 1968, Baldwin plans to vacate the house on Topaz Circle in Palm Springs. He requests through the postal service a change of address, according to an FBI report.
Baldwin makes his way to Beverly Hills, aware of the nondescript, U.S. government-issued vehicle that persistently shadows him.
As an eloquent and fiercely outspoken civil rights activist, Baldwin is viewed as a threat by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover.
He is also one of several high-profile Black Americans, writers, and other citizens whom Hoover alleges to be Communist sympathizers. Their lives are monitored and recorded in agency files. Baldwin’s file is one of the largest, consisting of 1,884 pages amassed from 1958, possibly earlier, to 1974.
In 1969, two years after he was hired, Baldwin submits his screenplay for The Autobiography of Malcolm X to Marvin Worth. The producer likes it, but it is unfeasible to make. The script is an unwieldy 250 pages, more than twice the length of an average screenplay.
Worth’s attempt earlier in the writing
process to condense the text by bringing in screenwriter Arnold Perl to help Baldwin had failed. For years, he is unable to find another writer who is capable or willing to rewrite it – likely out of reverence for Baldwin or unease with the subject matter.
However, that changes when filmmaker Spike Lee reads the original script and loves it. Retaining about 70 percent of Baldwin’s original screenplay, Lee trims it to a manageable 170 pages. With Worth as a producer, Lee completes the film in 1992 and presents it as Malcolm X. It stars Denzel Washington, garnering him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. Baldwin’s choice for the lead role, Billy Dee Williams, goes on to land many other iconic film and TV roles, including Louis McKay in “Lady Sings the Blues” and Lando Carlrissian in “Star Wars.”
While the film Malcom X achieves status as a cultural touchstone for many Black Americans and movie-goers everywhere, it remains to be a littleknown part of Baldwin’s legacy. Baldwin, who dies in 1987 from stomach cancer, is not named among the film’s writing credits. His family asked that his name be removed because all the words in the screenplay were not his, and Lee and Worth honored their request.
However, Baldwin’s epic version of Malcolm X’s story lives on. He published his original screenplay in 1972 as a book titled One Day When I Was Lost: A Scenario Based on Alex Haley’s The Autobiography of Malcolm X.
Note: While this story is inspired by actual events and published reports, certain characterizations and scenarios were imagined for the purpose of dramatization.
James Baldwin and Marlon Brando
DECEMBER
6TH &7TH
Sydney Goldstein Theatre • San Francisco
TICKETS ONLINE HERE:
If you haven’t been, or if you have been and already love it, now is the time to visit Boozehounds in Palm Springs. Although established in 2020, Boozehounds has a new feel, a new energy, and a new menu to treat all your senses, thanks to owners Bryan and Jenni-Kate Rogers. GED Magazine was lucky to get a preview of the new menu items, and it was a culinary delight.
Executive Chef Corey Baker has created a menu that showcases bold flavors and global influences of Japan and the Philippines, with seasonal inspiration that only California can provide. Whether you are craving modern comfort food or adventurous creations, Boozehounds delivers. Part of the fun of this menu is sharing different items with friends, so go ahead and explore!
The feel in the dining room and bar is warm, friendly, with a knowledgeable and attentive staff, who are ready to ensure you have a memorable experience. And of course, as the name implies, you can bring your pup to dine with you in the covered Atrium or patio areas. Always a great option to have Fido along for Sunday lunch! More about that later….
We started our menu-tour evening off with one of the Boozehounds signature crafted cocktails. They are a must. I chose the Citrus Rizz – a refreshing concoction of Sipsmith Lemon Gin, Tahini Syrup, Kumquat Liqueur, Lemon, and Sesame Foam. And yes, it was as tasty as it looks.
They say, “sharing is caring,” and so we shared every new item on the menu. While every dish had its own unique appeal, you’ll have to experience it for yourself to find your favorites. However, I’m going to give you some highlights…
Palm Ramen Salad was a stellar dish. Fresh from the garden, light, delicate balance of flavors and textures.
THE “NEW AND IMPROVED”
BOOZEHOUNDS PALM
BY MICHAEL WESTMAN
PALM SPRINGS
The Palm Ramen has chilled noodles, wakame, cumcumber, raomina, tomato, avocado, carrot, and hearts of palm, with a ume vinegarette. This dish could be a great accompaniment, as we had it, or as a main course. Simply delicious.
The Lil Gem Caesar with shaved parmigiano, focaccia croutons, and smoked trout with roe was a wonderful surprise. A nice twist on a classic.
Skirt Steak with charred Chinese broccoli, and a ginger scallion relish was cooked to a perfect mid-rare.
48-hour miso marinated Chilean sea bass makes the ideal recipe for the Fish and Chips, perfectly beer battered, crunchy, and paired with fresh French fries.
For dessert, one new item is the Mango Sorbet, with passionfruit and coconut tea granita, and Hawaiian black sea salt. Even with no room for dessert, you’ll find room for this lovely treat for the palate.
Again, these are only some highlights. But I know you will enjoy searching for your favorites. It’s wonderful to see a restaurant that is stepping up its game and delivering food and drinks with a distinctive and unique style. Especially one that embraces diversity, equality, and offers a safe place to everyone.
As I mentioned Sunday lunch earlier, one of Boozehounds signature events is every Sunday at 2:00pm –“Sunday Tea N’ Shade with Sabryna Williams and The Lunchettes” - happening in the main dining room. You’ll have a ring-side seat to some fabulous drag performances during your meal. And you never know what may happen or who might show up! Tickets are available on Eventbrite.com and you even select your seat. Tea N’ Shade is a ruckus affair filled with laughter, talent, incredible food, and killer drink specials! Did someone say bottomless Aperol Spritz? I’m ready.
When you stop in, and I know you will, look for Bryan or Jenni-Kate and say a big HELLO. They are two of the lovliest people you could ever meet, true allies of our community working hard to provide an excellent experience, and are interested in your feedback.
BARS & CLUBS
AKBAR
4356 W. Sunset Blvd
Silverlake, CA 90029
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310.360.0395 beachesweho.com
FIESTA CANTINA
88565 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
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FUBAR
7994 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
323.654.0396 fubarla.com
GYM SPORTSBAR
8919 Santa Monica Blvd
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424.313.8202 gymsportsbar.com
HAMBURGER MARY’S
8288 Santa Monica Blvd
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323.654.3800 hamburgermarys.com
HEART WEHO
8911 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069 heartweho.com
HI TOPS
8933 Santa Monica Blvd
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MICKYS
8857 Santa Monica Blvd
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310.657.1176 mickys.com
ROCCO’S
8900 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
424.343.0123 roccosweho.com
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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
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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
• 5901 W. Olympic Blcd. #310 Los Angeles, CA 90036
• 1043 Elm Avenue #302 Long Beach, CA 90813 562.247.7740 apla.org BEING ALIVE PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS ACTION COALITION 621 N San Vincente Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.289.2551 beingalivela.org
LA FREE CLINIC
• 5205 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038
323.653.1990 – appts 323.653.8622 – admin lafreeclinic.org
• 6043 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028
• 8405 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048
• 8224 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 323.848.9760
• 3500 East Pacific Coast Hwy Long Beach, CA 90804
562.494.0340
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
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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
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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
50% Off 50% Off
Purchase one spa treatment at regular price and receive a second of equal or lesser value at 50% off* in the month of October when you mention this offer.
*Services must be consumed on same day, but may be shared among two people