Screening for
HOT ADVICE
By Andreus Quinones
COVID-19
FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19 • Florida Department of Health
Are you experiencing symptoms?
1
Symptoms may appear in 2–14 days after exposure to the virus. 10
1.4
RASCIST
Dear Andreus, One of my closest friends doesn't like my boyfriend. He continues to make rude comments about him to me in his presence. We have been friends for a while now, and I don't want to have to choose. I have voiced my concerns to him before, and still the behavior continues. I want both in my life, but clearly, I can't make them like one another. I am not sure how to effectively remedy this situation. Sincerely,
FEVER
COUGH
Dear Andreus, My friend's boyfriend is racist. We are a circle of Latino friends, and his boyfriend is Caucasian. He grew up with a very conservative family in Texas and has a very inappropriate sense of humor. My friend brings him along to every gettogether or outing that we have, and he always makes derogatory comments. I have had enough, but don't want to confront him for the sake of my friend. How do I do this and avoid any potential animosity? Sincerely,
SHORTNESS OF BREATH
2
Have you returned from international travel or been on a cruise within the last 14 days?
3
Have you been around someone diagnosed with COVID-19?
Carlos G.
Dear Carlos, You don't ever have control over how people will interact or how they will feel about each other. Ideally, we would all like for everyone we know to get along, especially when it comes to our friends and significant others. In this situation, you should let your friend know that his behavior is not only inappropriate, but that it threatens your friendship. Maybe he does not comprehend how seriously this affects you. If that does not work, unfortunately, you may have to choose. If your friend cannot respect you enough to respect you and your boyfriend as Self monitor for fever, cough, or other a unit, you may need to re-evaluate your respiratory symptoms for 14 days. friendship. The other alternative, is to spend time with your friend separate from Avoid contact with sick people. your boyfriend, which you really should not Delay any additional travel plans until no have to do.
Guidance
longer sick.
94 | Hotspots.LGBT
Camilo S. Aiden R.
Dear Camilo, We live in a world now where racist comments, along with other things are less tolerated. The reality is that someone needs to speak up. You may not be able to avoid animosity, because there is a chance that he might be defensive. If this is an issue that is making everyone uncomfortable, maybe you all need to speak with him individually, or as a group, away from his boyfriend so that he Wash hands often with soap and water for recognizes the affect that his boyfriends' at least 20 seconds. comments/behaviors has on everyone. Sometimes what is normal for someone is a Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or foreign concept to someone else. He should sleeve when coughing or sneezing. Throw certainly be the one to bring this to his the tissue in the trash. boyfriend's attention.
Florida Health Office of Communications 03/10/20
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Mark’s List Marketplace We Will Get Thr hrough ough This – But Be Mindful The National LGBT Cancer Network organized an open letter signed by over 100 organizations that lists reasons LGBTQ people should be taking extra precautions to avoid Coronavirus First, LGBTQ people are 50% more likely to smoke than cisgender, heterosexual people, according to the letter. Coronavirus is a respiratory disease and smoking – and likely using e-cigarettes as well – reduces immunity to respiratory diseases and makes recovery from those diseases take longer. Second, LGBTQ people have higher rates of both cancer and HIV, both of which can compromise a person's immune system. While doctors don't believe that people living with HIV whose viral loads are undetectable are at significantly greater risk of getting coronavirus, many LGBTQ people either don't know they have contracted HIV or are not managing it well. Last, LGBTQ people face barriers when it comes to access to health care. Discriminatory attitudes are common enough among medical professionals that some LGBTQ people avoid or delay health care, and job discrimination and LGBTQ homelessness mean that many LGBTQ people don't have access to health care. The organizations note that the estimated three million LGBTQ elders in the U.S. Please call or text for a to any of my listings. are particularly at risk. Coronavirus has a mortality rate of eight to 15 percent for people over the age of 70, according to the World Health Organization, and elder LGBTQ people may be more reticent to seek medical care when needed.
IMPORTANT IMPORT ANT PHONE NUMBERS COVID-19 Call Center Available 24/7 866-779-6121 Broward County Health Department 954-467-4700 Miami Dade Public Health Department 305-324-2400 Palm Beach County Public Health Department 561-840-4500 Orlando/Orange County 407-858-1400 Hillsborough County First Atlantic Realty, Inc. 1881 NE 26th St # 212 Wilton Manors, Fl 33305 813-307-8000 Licensed Real Estate Brokerage Hotspots.LGBT | 87
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suddenlyget getworse. worse.Do Donot notstop stoptaking takingDESCOVY DESCOVY suddenly withoutfifirst rsttalking talkingtotoyour yourhealthcare healthcareprovider, provider,as as without theywill willneed needtotocheck checkororgive giveyou youHBV HBVmedicine. medicine. they ABOUT DESCOVY FOR PrEP DESCOVY for PrEP is a once-daily prescription medicine for adults and adolescents at risk of HIV who weigh at least 77 pounds. It helps lower the chances of getting HIV through sex. DESCOVY for PrEP is not for everyone: •ItItisisnot notfor foruse useininpeople peopleassigned assignedfemale femaleatatbirth birth who are at risk of getting HIV from vaginal sex, because its effectiveness has not been studied. •You Youmust mustbe beHIV-negative HIV-negativebefore beforeand andwhile whiletaking taking DESCOVY for PrEP. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. Do NOT take DESCOVY for PrEP if you: Alreadyhave haveHIV HIVinfection infectionor orififyou youdo donot notknow know ••Already your HIV status.IfIfyou youhave haveHIV-1, HIV-1,you youneed needmore more medicine than DESCOVY alone to treat HIV-1. youhave haveHIV-1 HIV-1and andtake takeonly onlyDESCOVY, DESCOVY,your yourHIV-1 HIV-1 IfIfyou maybecome becomeharder hardertototreat treatnow nowand andininthe thefuture. future. may
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consistently takes HIV treatment every day. • Get tested for other STIs. Some STIs make it easier for HIV to infect you. • Practice safer sex by using latex or polyurethane condoms. • Talk to your healthcare provider about all the ways to help reduce HIV risk. GET MORE INFORMATION
Take it to the casino
• This is only a brief summary of important Hey, ya never know. HOW TO TAKE DESCOVY FOR PrEP At the end of the month, take all your change and information informationabout aboutDESCOVY DESCOVYfor forPrEP. PrEP.Talk Talktotoyour your transfer it to a large jug for safe keeping while you healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. •save for a loftier goal, like a vacation. Empty waterTake 1 tablet once a day, every day, day, not just •Go GototoDESCOVY.com/prep DESCOVY.com/prepororcall call1-800-GILEAD-5 1-800-GILEAD-5 when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. cooler jugs – especially those with small mouth • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit •openings (so you can't easily cheat and dip into Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may DESCOVY.com/prep for program information. increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. your stash!) – are great for this purpose.
• Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking DESCOVY for PrEP.
DESCOVY FOR PrEP, the DESCOVY FOR PrEP Logo, the DESCOVY
xpert whose work has been published in hose work has been published in hose wor k has been published in Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in Blue Pill Design, DESCOVY, the DESCOVY Logo, STEP UP. PrEP UP., ADVANCING ACCESS, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks more than 100 outlets across the world. He spends his time writing from the beach with his dog Jaxon. of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @mikeyrox ©2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. DVYC0245 02/20 82 | Hotspots.LGBT
4 15 6 2 The Frivolist By Mikey Rox
Update yourself professionally
11 Ways to Use Spare Change at the End of the Month
Does your resume need updating? Could you use a new look for an interview? Give yourself a better shot at getting the job by spending your change savings on items that will enhance your professional persona.
Some might consider those loose pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters annoying, but money is money. Save it for a month and see what you can do. Here are a few ideas.
Treat your bestie to lunch
Call that queen who's always willing to lend a hand – like when you needed help moving into your ex's apartment (and then out of it six weeks later) – and treat her to a casual lunch to say thanks for being a friend.
Fill up your gas tank
We all have somewhere to go. Instead of taking it out of your regular monthly budget, pay for your fill-up with the shiny stuff. Roll the coins first though; nobody has time to count $30 worth of loose change at the counter.
Did you know that if you let Coinstar count your change that you can trade it in for nofee eGift Cards from one of its participating partners? It's true. Find a Coinstar location near you.
Pay off a small debt
We all have that one little debt – like a library fine or dry cleaning bill – that we keep putting off for no reason at all. Round up your change and purge this expense from your life once and for all.
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Trade it in for a gift card at Coinstar
Pay for the person behind you
Once in a while we hear a news story about how a Good Samaritan bought a cup of coffee or paid the toll for the person in line behind them – and the good deed sparks a trend. Today that random act of kindness can start with you using the change you've saved.
Turn it into donations to a local shelter Food banks, children's homes and domestic violence shelters in your area are always in need of supplies. Call your local organization, determine their needs and turn your change into a helping hand.
WHAT’S HOT
Everything you need to plan your week By Scott Holland
What’s HOT
South Florida
L
ast Tuesday, Miss Florida F.I. at Large 2020, Kimberly Venom, started her new promotion at the Pub, “Dueling Divaz,” and it was a blast and busy. Catch her every Tuesday hostessing this fab new show/contest on the drive. Friday night we headed down to
South Beach to Twist for their “Blackout” party in honor of Friday the 13th starring DJ Bill Hallquist. On Saturday we went by LIT Wilton Manors for their soft opening. Congrats to Josh and Chris and their entire staff. Looking forward to their grand opening.
uTHURSDAY MAR 19 My Tropx is featuring their monthl monthly Ruby Member sale from t from today through Sunday, Mar March 22 where Ruby members get members get 40% off everything. ev A Gay Men's Runway event will take place at ev Hunters starting at 6pm to Hunt benefit HANDY, Helping benefit Abused Neglected and Abused Neg Disadvantaged Youths in Disad Broward County. The Br cocktail reception starts at cocktail r 6pm, which will feature 6pm, w entertainment, a silent ent auction and a 50/50 raffle. At auction and a 50/50 r 7pm, the runway show starts 7pm, the run with fashions from Mix Men's with f Wear, The Pride Factory, W Gett Wett, and Gett W Leatherwerks. Admission is Leatherw $20, and please dress to $20, and please dr impress! For more impr information on HANDDY, go inf to Handyinc.org to Hand uuFRIDAY MAR 20
thePUB
LIT Wilton Manors
The events below are what's happening at Press time, but with COVID 19 we are unsure of what the future schedules will be, so please reach out to all establishments to confirm
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Out of the Closet on Biscayne is moving and will Bisca be re-opening today at 2400 be r Biscayne Blvd. at 2pm. For Bisca more information, go to: mor Outofthecloset.org. Out
The Spice and Tea Exchange of Key West (511 Ex Greene St #102) is having Gr
their grand opening from today at 11am through Saturday the 21st. They will be having tastings both days and Pirate Radio will be broadcasting on Saturday from 11am-1pm! If you haven't stopped by the shop yet please do so! They would love to see you!
SAGE of South Florida & Prime Gentlemen present 'Mary Queen of Scots' at 1:30 pm at The Pride Center, Main Hall. Mary Stuart is Queen of France at sixteen and widowed at
eighteen and receives pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. However, Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth I. Each young Queen beholds her sister in fear and fascination. Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones - and change the course of history. Mary believed that her monarchy would only be secured if she married and produced heirs. Mary had to beat her husband, Lord Darnley, in order for him to get an
erection so she could become pregnant and produce a successor to the throne. It's interesting to note that one of Mary's “ladies in waiting” was a gay man who liked wearing drag. The inept power maneuver set into motion related events involving murder, scandal, abdication, imprisonment, and execution. This is a free event. Soda and popcorn served. u SATURDAY MAR 21
The Lake Worth Playhouse presents “Send in the Queens,” a one-nightonly performance at 8pm! This annual Drag Show Fundraiser is back by popular demand for the 13th consecutive year! A highend, high-energy drag concert that features a cast of dazzling drag divas. All
proceeds will go to benefit the Playhouse. Featuring performances by Lupita Hollywood, Daizee DeLuxx, Melissa St. John, Vasti Love Montana, Velvet Lenore, Shardee Ross, Dee Dee Van Carter and Danielle Montgomery. Tickets are $35 at Lakeworthplayhouse.org Hotspots.LGBT | 19
The Ramrod invites everyone to get ready for Progressive Tech House Music with special guest, direct from P-Town, DJ Wayne Michael. u MONDAY MAR 23
1
The annual Mister and Miss Pride South Florida Pageant, owned and operated by Latrice Royale, Inc., takes place at the Aventura Arts Center at 8pm. This is a competition for Female Impersonators and Male Entertainers. Contestants will
compete in five categories: Creative Presentation (with a “Show Your Pride” theme), Swimsuit, Talent, Evening Wear, and Question & Answer. The winners, decided upon by a nationally-recognized panel of qualified judges, receives a stellar prize package to include a cash prize, a custom crown, and a contract with LRI Talent & Management. Cash prizes are also awarded to the winner of each category. This year they celebrate the reign of Miss PSF 2019 Kennedy Davenport and Mr. PSF Raul venport and Mr enport and Mr and Mr. PSF . PSF Raul Vegas. Interested contestants egas. Interested contestants
HOT T
1
On May 1, Capit On Ma y 1, Capitol R ol Recor ecords will r ds will release elease Sam Smith's third album, T Sam Smith's thir d album, To Die F o Die For or. . Recentl ecentlyy, Smith shar , Smith shared the title tr ed the title track and ack and the accompanying video. Opening with a the accompan ying video. Opening with a sample from the 2001 cult film Donnie sample fr om the 2001 cult film Donnie Darko, the new tr Dark o, the new track pairs soaring strings ack pairs soaring strings and evvocati and e ocativve piano with Smith e piano with Smith's 's distinctivve v distincti e vocals and the plainti ocals and the plaintivve confession, “I just w conf ession, “I just want somebod ant somebody t y to die o die for or..” The g ” The global superstar r lobal superstar recor ecorded the ded the song with Jimmy Napes and Star song with Jimm y Napes and Starggat ate, w e, who also collaborat also collabor ated with Smith on 2017's ed with Smith on 2017's “Too Good A “T oo Good At Goodb t Goodbyyes, es,” now certified 4x ” now certified 4x Platinum in the U.S. Platinum in the U .S. For the official video, Smith t or the official video, Smith teamed up eamed up with Grant Singer (The W with Gr ant Singer (The Weeknd, Lor eeknd, Lorde), de), who also dir ho also direct ected the video f ed the video for 2019's or 2019's “How Do You Sleep?” The new clip tak “How Do Y ou Sleep?” The new clip takes place outside a wig shop in Los Angeles. Amidst the many mannequin heads with y mannequin heads with 20 | Hotspots.LGBT
Photo:Walter Pfeiffer
u THIS IS
can contact Pageant Director Christopher Guy at misspridesouthfloridapagea nt@gmail.com or (954)5072089. Tickets range from $10 to $30 at PrideSouthFL.com The WMBA presents their monthly luncheon from 11:30am to 1pm at Holy Mackerel (1414 NE 26th St, Wilton Manors). This month they invite you to join them as they honor a few of their outstanding business leaders with WMBA Business Leadership Awards. They will also reveal
the new Annual Directory and City Guide. Admission is $20 for WMBA members and $25 for future WMBA members at Wiltonmanorsbusinessassoc iation.com. uTUESDAY MAR 24
2 2
The Pub presents “The Dynamic Duo” in their Florida Tour 2020 from 8 to 9:30pm. This show is called Show stoppers and features Broadway and Disney sing along.
perfectly coif perfectl y coifed hair ed hair, ther , there is a wig e is a wigless one in less one in Sam's lik Sam 's likeness w eness who sings “T ho sings “To Die F o Die For or..” Couples and families pass the shop o and f amilies pass the shop ovver the course of sevver se eral seasons. Engulf al seasons. Engulfed in ed in their relationships, f their r elationships, few e ew evven notice the bald singing mannequin. The other mannequin heads vanish, mannequin heads v anish, leaving Sam alone – until lea ving Sam alone – until fat ate int e interv ervenes. View the enes. View the video at: https://www.y https://www .youtube.com/ outube.com/ wat atch?v=POIK1H3L86k. ch?v=POIK1H3L86k. Sam Smith explains, “I Sam Smith e xplains, “I wrot wr ote the song with Jimm e the song with Jimmy y Napes and Starggat Napes and Star ate in L.A. e in L.A. during a time of selfdiscovvery and heart disco ery and heartbr break. eak. This is for all the lonel This is f or all the lonely hearts out ther y hearts out there. e.”” You can pr ou can pre-or e-order the album at der the album at http://samsmith.world/TDF http://samsmith.w orld/TDFAlbumPR. F AlbumPR. Fans ans who pr ho pre-or e-order T der To Die F o Die For in digital f or in digital format will ormat will instantly r instantl y recei eceivve the new sing e the new single, “T le, “To Die F o Die For or,,” plus “How Do You Sleep?” w plus “How Do Y ou Sleep?” which has amassed hich has amassed over 600 million str er 600 million streams w eams world orldwide, “I F wide, “I Feel eel Lovve, Lo e,” a co ” a covver of Donna Summer's disco classic, “Fire on Fir classic, “Fir e on Fire” (fr e” (from the W om the Wat atership ership Down soundtrack) and Smith Down soundtr ack) and Smith's collabor 's collaboration ation with Normani, “Dancing with a Stranger,”
which has sold mor hich has sold more than 10 million units e than 10 million units and rack and r acked up o ed up ovver tw er two billion str o billion streams eams world orldwide. A No. 1 airpla wide. A No. 1 airplay hit in the U y hit in the U.S. & .S. & U.K., “Dancing with a Stranger” achie Str anger” achievved Platinum status in 19 countries, including the U.S., w .S., wher here it is certified e it is certified 2x Platinum. Since the release of Since the r elease of their 2014 debut album, In The Lonely Hour In The Lonel y Hour, Sam , Sam Smith has sold ovver 25 Smith has sold o million adjusted albums million adjust ed albums world orldwide. The wide. They ha y havve won f on four GRAMMY our GRAMMY Awar ards, an Oscar ds, an Oscar, a , a Golden Globe and three Golden Globe and thr ee BRIT Aw BRIT A war ards. Smith ds. Smith's sophomor 's sophomore album, e album, The Thrill Of It All, debuted at No. 1 on the The Thrill Of It All, debut ed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2017 and also t Billboar d 200 in 2017 and also topped the opped the charts in the U.K, Ir charts in the U .K, Ireland, New Zealand, eland, New Zealand, Norwaay, S Norw , Sw weden, the Netherlands and Belgium. Aw Belgium. A war arded f ded four stars b our stars by R y Rolling olling Stone, the album included the hit sing St one, the album included the hit single le “Too Good A “T oo Good At Goodb t Goodbyyes, es,” w ” which r hich recentl ecently y became Smith's second song t became Smith 's second song to r o recei eceivve over a billion str er a billion streams on Spotify eams on Spotify, aft , after er “Stay With Me.”
uEmail WhatsHot@HotspotsMedia.com to have your items considered for What’s Hot
Hotspots.LGBT | 21
Real Men. Real Hookups. VISIT VISITWWW.SQUIRT.ORG AND CHECK CHECKOUT OUTOUR OURNEW NEWFEATURES: FEATURES:
Video Push Notifications Search Filters … and more!
The Finest Jade Pretty Poison's Lead Singer Re ects on Thirty Years of the Band's Preeminent Single
By John Stein
P
retty Poison's #1 Dance/Pop/R&B smash, “Catch Me (I'm Falling),” sold over a million records and was certi ied Gold in 1989, during its initial release. Thirty years later, the song is making a major bounce-back, prominently appearing in two Net lix Shows, AJ and the Queen, starring RuPaul, and Cheer, a docuseries about the sport of competitive college cheerleading featuring the Navarro College Cheer team. “I fell out of my chair when I watched RuPaul performing the song on AJ and the Queen,” says Jade Starling, the awardwinning singer and songwriter who is still churning out the hits. Her latest single, "Fired Up" climbed to number 3 on the Billboard club charts last year. Next up will be “Got a Love for You," a remake of the 1990
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smash by Jomanda. smash by Jomanda. Starling says she didn't know about “Catch Me (I'm Falling)” about “Catch Me (I'm Falling)” being in AJ and the Queen until being in AJ and the Queen until a few weeks ago, when friends a few weeks ago, when friends started texting her about it, but started texting her about it, but she couldn't be happier. “Ru she couldn't be happier. “Ru absolutely slayed with his absolutely slayed with his impersonation of me! I could impersonation of me! I could tell he studied the original tell he studied the original "Catch Me" video. I especially "Catch Me" video. I especially loved the fringe gloves!” loved the fringe gloves!” We caught up with the pop star in her NYC home. star in her NYC h star in her NYC h ome.
Thirty years after its release, “Catch Me (I'm release, “Catch Me (I'm Falling)” continues to be as Falling)” continues to be as popular as ever! popular as ever! Jade Starling: The song Jade Starling: The song keeps reinventing itself! It has keeps reinventing itself! It has been featured in dozens of TV been featured in dozens of TV shows including the shows including the inal inal season of Breaking Bad and in season of Breaking Bad and in ilms like The Big ilms like The Big Sick, You Don't Mess with the Zohan and Hiding Sick, You Don't Mess with the Zohan and Hiding Out. Out. Did you know right away the song would be a hit? a hit? Jade Starling: I was in England when they Jade Starling: I was in England when they mixed the original song in the late eighties. This mixed the original song in the late eighties. This was before mp3s and emails, so I had to hear it was before mp3s and emails, so I had to hear it over the phone! They overnighted it to me for over the phone! They overnighted it to me for approval and when I put in the CD, my peeps in approval and when I put in the CD, my peeps in England were all jamming to it. I think I knew England were all jam England were all jam ming to it. I think I knew then that we had a hit on our hands. then that we had a hit on our hands. Do you remember the irst time you heard “Catch Me (I'm Falling)” on the radio? “Catch Me (I'm Falling)” on the radio? I was driving across the Jade Starling: I was driving across the Jade Starling: Benjamin Franklin Bridge, heading into Benjamin Franklin Bridge, heading into Philadelphia, listening to the top 40 station, when Philadelphia, listening to the top 40 station, when it came on radio. I got so excited; I nearly crashed it came on radio. I got so excited; I nearly crashed my car! I felt a rush from my head to my toes. It my car! I felt a rush from my head to my toes. It was truly surreal. I must admit the was truly surreal. I must admit the irst time was irst time was the best time! the best time! It went on to sell over a million copies, hitting #1 on the Billboard dance chart, #8 on hitting #1 on the Billboard dance chart, #8 on Billboard Pop and #13 on Billboard R&B. Billboard Pop and #13 on Billboard R&B. Jade Starling: We were in some very Jade Starling: We were in some very impressive company. George Harrison, George impressive compa impressive compa ny. George Harrison, George Michael, Richard Marx and Michael Jackson all had Michael, Richard Marx and Michael Jackson all had songs on the chart at the time. It was certainly songs on the chart at the time. It was certainly rari rariied air to be in. We were also performing on ied air to be in. We were also performing on countdown shows like Solid Gold, Soul Train, Top countdown shows like Solid Gold, Soul Train, Top of the Pops and American Bandstand. of the Pops and American Bandstand.
Oh, yes, the countdown TV shows! It was a magical time in music… Of all of Jade Starling: Of all of Jade Starling: the artists we got to meet, Prince ranked as my number one. He dropped in to our recording session at Sunset Sound to meet us. We were recording with Andre Cymone who was Prince's bass player and collaborator on the irst three Prince LPs. It was amazing to sip coffee with him and get to know the musical genius. What was the true relationship between the groups Poison and Pretty Poison? There was Jade Starling: There was Jade Starling: some confusion back in the day with the group Poison and my group Pretty Poison. The lore states that Poison was originally called Pretty Poison but that we actually owned and trademarked the Pretty Poison name and hit the charts irst with our single, “Nightime,” so they dropped Pretty and became simply, Poison. It worked out well for them. I remember Brett Michaels came out to see us when we played in his hometown of see us when we played in his hometown o f Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. We took photos together that ended up in all the trade magazines with the headline “Poison meets Pretty Poison.” He was very cool. Do you still tour the world performing songs from Pretty Poison? Jade Starling: I'm predominantly a solo Jade Starling: I'm predominantly a solo artist now but I still tour with Pretty Poison. The group is a duo consisting of Whey Cooler and me. We are currently on several arena tours including the Freestyle Explosion that includes Stevie B, Lisa Lisa, Shannon and other artists. Last week we played for ten thousand screaming fans at the Don Haskins Arena in in El Paso. I'm excited because I just learned that Pretty Poison will be in the 80s in the Sand tour this summer with a killer line-up that includes Billy Idol, Cheap Trick, Belinda Carlyle, and Sheena Easton. Can't wait! Visit Jadestarling.com. Follow Jade Starling on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @jadestarling
ilmmakers Ryan White and Jessica Hargrave directed the series. Through a wide range of archival footage and interviews with actors, journalists and activists, the docuseries investigates how TV has shaped the American conscience. During it, Cruz recalls auditioning for Cruz recalls auditioning for My So-Called Life and turning back to late veteran casting director, Mary Goldberg, and telling her: “I don't know if I'm ever going to see you again, but please tell whoever wrote this that it means a lot to me, that it would have made a difference if I had seen this when I was 15.” Then, as Goldberg replied, the twist he didn't see coming: “Don't worry,” she said, “you're going to be able to tell it yourself.” Here, Cruz talks about the docuseries' evolution, Rickie as his own personal catharsis, and his issue with studios casting straight actors to play gay as awards bait.
Wilson ilson Cruz Knows the Power in Storytelling Visible exec producer talks new LGBTQ docuseries, his groundbreaking gay teen role and what he'd tell his younger self
T
he irst openly gay actor to play an or to play an openly gay series regular in a leading egular in a leading role on TV, Wilson ole on TV, Wilson ole on TV , Wilson Cruz has witnessed irsthand the changing tides of TV representation. Cruz paved the way for shows such as y for show y f or shows such as Will & Grace and Ellen with his portrayal Ellen with his portrayal of Rickie Vasquez, the troubled gay asquez, the troubled gay Latino high schooler on the teen drama My h schooler on the teen drama My So-Called Life, which ran for one season in hich ran for one season in an for one season in an f or one season in 1994. Cruz was 21 when he played as 21 when he played Rickie. Now 46, the actor re or re lects on the role as one of the interviewees ole as one of the interviewees in the new Apple TV+ ivepart documentary, Visible: Visible: Out on Television, which, , which, along with Wanda Sykes, he also executive produced. oduced. Emmy-nominated
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Photo: David Miller
By Chris Azzopardi
How did you get involved with Visible? Seven years ago (political activist and Visible producer) David Bender, who had been working on this project for many years, reached out to me because he was interested in interviewing me for the documentary, for obvious reasons (laughs). We had a long lunch and it became pretty clear really quickly that I had a passion for this subject matter, but also that I had access to many of the people he wanted to interview just because of the nature of my career and my relationship with GLAAD for over a decade, and so I could be very helpful to him. That's how it happened. Eventually we interviewed 60 people on our own, and it became clear that this was going to be more than two hours and that we were going to need some help. We came to Apple and Apple brought on two amazing documentary ilmmakers, Ryan White and Jessica Hargrave, in order to inish the ilm and
really mold it. Then I came back on to help them continue to bring them who they needed to speak to, and also to make sure that we always had an eye on this not just being a documentary about the LGBTQ movement but really about how television was used as an agent of change by the movement. How do you think Visible broadens the historical perspective of the LGBTQ experience? I think that there's a lot that we forget just because that's the nature of the human experience. But what the series does really well is to remind us of what happened just within some of our own lifetimes – that, yes, we have come a long way and a lot of work went into getting us here. A lot of people risked a lot in order to have this conversation. It wasn't just LGBTQ people – it was LGBTQ people and the people who love them who took up the baton when we were unable to, when we weren't being hired to tell our own stories or we were afraid to come out and be public about it. We needed people who were willing to take on those roles. More recently, we forget that the way the network news was talking about HIV and AIDS during the height of the epidemic was incredibly problematic, and that the only people who were going to save us at that time was us. That's when GLAAD was created. That's when ACT UP was created. It was this community that really started to say, “If you're not gonna save our lives, we're gonna have to save them ourselves and we're going to have to demand that we be seen.” We could no longer afford at that time to be invisible and that's where visibility started to really begin in earnest. In the doc, you talk about how playing Rickie helped you reconcile with your father. Your experience with him – being kicked out of the house after you came out to him – was written into Rickie's story, and he watched that storyline play out. How did that moment illustrate to you the power TV can have? I talk all the time about how television is an intimate medium: We are in your bedroom, we are in your living room; we come into your homes and you invite us in and we tell you our stories. In my personal experience, it was an invitation to my father to see me because Rickie Vasquez was very much who I was when I was a teenager, and his life parallels mine in
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that I think what an LGBTQ actor brings to an that I think what an LGBTQ actor brings to an LGBTQ role is different; there's just something innate and lived-in that comes across, but that's not to say that a straight actor cannot give a powerful performance. What is worrisome to me is when a production will hire a straight actor to play when a production will hire a straight actor to play that role because of some notion that because that role because of some notion that because they're a straight actor that it's that much more they're a straight actor that it's that much more dif icult to take on this role. So its awards bait. These are our lives. These are experiences for a lot of people. And if you're a straight actor playing these roles, I think it's important that you these roles, I think it's important that you acknowledge and understand that. I will say that in terms of trans actors playing trans roles, I think that is incredibly important trans roles, I think that is incredibly important because there are so many trans actors out there because there are so many trans actors out there who are just waiting for the opportunity to be able who are just waiting for the opportunity to be able to tell their own stories. Especially in terms of to tell their own stories. Especially in terms of trans people of color and trans women of color and trans people of color and trans women of color and trans men of color, we need to see more of them. trans men of color, we need to see more of them. In the doc, actor Ryan Phillippe, who played a groundbreaking gay character on One Life to groundbreaking gay character on One Life to groundbreaking gay character on Live, reads a letter from someone changed by Live , reads a letter from someone changed by Live his character. Where do you keep the letters his character. Where do you keep the letters you've received? you've received? Well, seeing how I live out of a suitcase live out of a suitcase these days (laughs) … these days (laughs) … actually, I don't have a lot of the stuff from the lot of the stuff from the old days anymore. I have to tell you that have to tell you that most of the young most of the y oung people who watched My So-Called Life back My So-Called Life back My So-Called Life in the day didn't really reach out to me until years later when I years later when I would see them out would see them out publicly and in person, when they were adults, when they were adults, because so many people were processing their own stuff when that aired. But the onslaught (laughs) and the daily messages I received Photo: Wikimedia.org - Gage Skidmore
to do The Bravest Knight. . to do The Bravest Knight I thought it was a great opportunity for me to give a little gift to my nephew. On top of that, I think there aren't enough children's programs that depict families like the one we do on The Bravest Knight do on The Bravest Knight, , because there are thousands of LGBTQ families in this country who would love to see their lives re lected back at them and their children so they know they're not alone and that their families are just as valuable as anybody else's. Have you been able to gauge what it means to Star Trek to Star Trek fans to have a more LGBTQ fans to have a more LGBTQinclusive Star Trek inclusive Star Trek?? Yes. For 52 years people have been clamoring for real LGBTQ representation on for real LGBTQ repr esentation on Star Trek Star Trek, and , and to be a part of the couple who actually gives that to an audience is overwhelming. People reach out to us all the time, and I'm excited for people to see season three because we're expanding it in a very special way. In a very special gay way? That's all I'm gonna say. (Laughs.) I want to keep my job! But there is a lot to look forward to in season three for LGBTQ fans, that's for sure. You've known Anthony Rapp since Rent You've known Anthony Rapp since Rent. . Rapp originated the role of Mark Cohen on Broadway, and you later joined as Angel Dumott Schunard. What's been the best part about getting to work with Anthony, who plays your lover in Star Trek plays your lover in Star Trek, all these years? , all these years? Well, irst of all, he's one of the most supportive actors that I've ever worked with. We are a team, we are a unit. But the best thing about working with him is that, because we ind this couple in the middle of their relationship, there was very little work we had to do in order to get to know each other. We brought with us a 22-year history of friendship, and so I feel like it comes across on screen that these two people know each other and genuinely love each other, because we do. Since you're both gay men playing gay men on Star Trek on Star Trek, I wonder: Do you think LGBTQ , I wonder: Do you think LGBTQ roles should go to exclusively LGBTQ actors? No, I'm not going to say that we should only be the ones allowed to play them. But I will say Photo: Bobby Quillard
many ways. My father and I didn't speak for a year, but within that year he was able to turn on the television and I was able to have a conversation with him that I couldn't have physically and he learned a lot about me and about what my life had been like. He was moved to a new place and it gave him permission to reach out to me, and I have that series and that character to thank for the supportive father that I have today. That's no overstatement. So it is a testament to the intimacy of television and the power of storytelling. Looking at the work that you've taken on, from Noah's Arc on, from Noah's Arc on through on through Star Trek: Star Trek: Discovery, the transformative power of Discovery , the transformative power of representation seems to be something you still believe in. Whenever I take a project on, one of the irst things I ask myself is, “What is the message that this is going to leave an audience member with? What are we offering through this?” The other thing that it is for me is that so many actors are like, “Oh, I don't want to play too many gay roles (laughs) because I just don't want my career to be about that.” Whereas I have gone out of my way to look for roles that I feel will add to the conversation. I've wanted to have those opportunities. Why do you think that is when so many other actors go in the other direction? Because, with the irst role I had on My irst role I had on My So-Called Life as Rickie, I got to see how So-Called Life as Rickie, I got to see how powerful that story could be and I wanted to continue to tell stories like that, and I felt like there were few people who were willing and excited to take on those roles and here I was. As for your part in Hulu's The Bravest As for your part in Hulu's The Bravest Knight, the Knight , the irst children's animated series to have openly gay characters, what about that spoke to you? My brother who's also openly gay and married to his husband had just had a baby or was pregnant when they approached me
from people who felt and feel it necessary to reach out to me to tell me how powerful it was for them is very real. It happens almost daily on social media. It's just a trail of tears. When was the last time you revisited episodes of My So-Called Life episodes of My So-Called Life?? It's been a while. I think it's hard for me to watch myself, and I think the last time I watched it was about 10 years ago with my brother at home, but I think that was it. I ask because I've noticed that Rickie is so embedded in your identity that you get choked up just talking about him. What about him gets you emotional even now? (Sighs.) I think what's important to me about it is he was a way for me to process my adolescence, which wasn't easy. I think that's probably why I haven't watched it too, because when I did it I literally saw it as a way to walk through those experiences again and leave them there on that stage and then be able to walk away from them and move on. But for me, when I think about him, and if I do see an episode every now and then, it's visiting your teenage visiting your teenag e self. You just want to hug them. You just want to say to them, “It's going to be all right.” And I just want to grab him and say, “I'm gonna be ine.” But he does – he means everything to me because without him none of this would have happened. He set the trajectory for my career and also gave me my life's passion of making sure our stories are told, and part of his legacy is Visible. . Visible
As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.
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deep HOT inside BODIESHOLLYWOOD by Tom Bonanti By Romeo San Vicente
GET PSYCHED, BE CONSISTENT,
thing for Lee Pace – even when he was a bit caught off guard at being accidentally outed by Ian McKellen a few years back (a definite oops senior moment for Miss McKellen) and even when it Miss McKellen) and even when it seemed like we were the only ones watching Halt and Catch Fire. OK, we might have actually been the only ones. Anyway, our fandom continues stronger than ever and now Pace has a new project, Foundation that we'll probably love just as strongly. Based on a series of sci-fi novels by Isaac Asimov, Foundation is a thousand-year saga about a group of exiles battling for the survival of a galactic empire, one ruled by an emperor named Brother Day that Pace will play (this makes sense to us because he's very tall and no, don't ask us
Drew Barrymore and Ellie Kemper Stand-In at Netflix
AND DITCH THE EXCUSES
Bain (Four Lions) and An actress and her stand-in directed by But I'm A trade places. Sure, why not? Cheerleader's Jamie Babbit, It's not like anyone's going to and co-stars the wonderful mistake them for each other, Ellie Kemper (The unless this is a Freaky FridayUnbreakable Kimmy style body switching scenario. Schmidt), Chicago Fire Oh, wait, it kinda-sorta is? 1. Make workouts part of your schedule. hat's your excuse for to explain that logically in any regular Charlie Barnett, Well now we're on board, but Build your workout times into your calendar blowing off your way, thank you). It co-stars Jared Michael Zegen (The we're also getting ahead of and stick to these just as you would a vital exercise program Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) and Harris (Mad Men) is set for Apple ) is set for Apple ourselves. In The Stand-In, the hilarious Holland Taylor, business meeting, a family commitment, or today? Too stressed TV+, and if it all sounds a little coming soon to Netflix, Drew whose long and regal career any other serious obligation. from work? Feeling a like Star Wars that's because it Barrymore plays a famous as a character actress is the pre-dates that George Lucaslittle tired and not up to the exertion? Baby 2. Don't bite off more than you can chew. comedic actress who yearns very definition of Legendary created juggernaut by a few just doesn't feel like facing the world? None of Many guys start out too aggressively in the to live a simpler existence and Lesbian. We'll watch twice. decides to switch places with decades and was probably a these reasons absolves you from the sin of gym, going too quickly to a level that's higher her stand-in, also played by heavy influence. In other words, missing a workout. Getting fit and staying than they're capable of sustaining without Lee Pace stars in Drew Barrymore. And when respect your elders for once. healthy means getting psyched, being injury or burn-out. Pace yourself with briefer Asimov's intervals of cardio and weight-training the celebrity version finds consistent, and ditching the excuses for Foundation interspersed with rest. Build from there and herself usurped of her missing your exercise routine. Start following uniquely privileged life, that's Let's just say that ever since Romeo San Vicente loves these tips and you'll maintain the mental gradually challenge yourself to go farther and when things go off the rails. anything that Drew Barrymore Pushing Daisies we've had a edge that will keep you in the gym feeling farther. The Stand-In is written by Sam serious but not at all obsessive stars in! great and seeing results! 3. Set achievable goals. Sure, you want to
W
34 | Hotspots.LGBT
lose fat, gain muscle, build stamina, and run a marathon, all in one month. Well, it won't happen, at least not all at once. If you set your sights too high, you may find yourself discounting the gains you are making. Instead of looking too far into the future, give yourself intermediate weekly and monthly goals such as losing a pound of fat per week or lifting 10 more pounds on your bench press. Chart your progress on your phone or in a notebook as you achieve your goals. 4. Mix it up. Doing
the same workout over and over again can get boring and your results won't be as good as if you try a variety of exercises. Instead of doing 40 minutes daily on the treadmill, try every damn aerobic machine in the gym – and go biking, swimming, or hiking whenever you get a chance. Change your
weight training routine regularly to keep things interesting. 5. Force yourself to hang in there religiously for the first three months. Nothing sustains motivation better than results. Though you'll see results early on, like increases in strength, it takes time and consistency with your routine before your body really begins to evolve and change. Be patient. Hang in there. It takes time, sacrifice and intensity to create a real work of art. Hire a trainer or recruit a workout buddy if necessary, to keep you focused and committed. 6. As soon as you miss a workout, remotivate yourself. You've missed one workout, so what's the big deal about skipping another – or all of them? Before you know it, your whole program is shot to hell. If you miss a workout, don't beat yourself up – it's gone, it's over. Now it's time to get back on track. Remember those goals and promises you made to yourself. Remember how great you felt after those first few sessions.
Tom Bonanti is a certified personal trainer and massage therapist (MA#40288) with his own one Tom Bonanti is a certified personal trainer and massage therapist (MA#40288) with his own one on one facility Pumpnincgym.com in Ft. Lauderdale. Contact trainertomb@aol.com with questions on one facility Pumpnincgym.com in Ft. Lauderdale. Contact trainertomb@aol.com with questions or to make an appointment today! or to make an appointment today!
Hotspots.LGBT | 63
BY D'ANNE WITKOWSKI
58 | Hotspots.LGBT
it, do you?” and everybody laughed. Reagan's it, do you?” and everybody laughed. Reagan's religious-right supporters like Jerry Falwell were declaring that AIDS was God's punishment for homosexuality. Reagan didn't punishment for homosexuality. Reagan didn't want to lose that sweet right-wing support by seeming to give a shit about gays, so he just let people die. Are those the “normal” people who inhabited politics and media that Rubio was talking about? I mean, I'll give him the fact that there are people who are definitely not normal in politics right now. Chief among them is Trump, who believes that the virus will magically disappear once the weather gets warmer in April. Trump can't assure the nation that the government has this coronavirus thing under control, because 1) it doesn't and 2) Trump is only concerned about himself and remaining in power. And then there's Mike Pence, Mr. Coronavirus Task Force, who exacerbated an HIV/AIDS outbreak in Indiana when he was governor because he needed to take time to pray on whether or not needle exchange programs were a good idea. He also believes that electrocuting people will turn them heterosexual and that science is dark magic. The Trump administration is actively trying to prevent the release of factual information about the coronavirus to the public and seems mainly concerned with the stock market rather than public health. Meanwhile, Trump is calling news agencies that report on the virus fake news. Not helpful! That said, the news media's coverage of the coronavirus outbreak is problematic at best. The breathless coverage of every single Photo: Wikimedia.org - Gage Skidmore
P
ublic Service Announcement: Wash your hands – more than you already do. And get yourself a bottle of rubbing alcohol and some cotton balls and swab down your phone on the daily. As an expert on disease transmission recently said on "This Podcast Will Kill You," there is definitely poop on your phone. You're welcome. So. Coronavirus. Not good. But also not something to panic about. At least, not yet. Who knows? Maybe it will be the thing to wipe out civilization, but when you watch Donald Trump telling his brainwashed supporters at a rally in South Carolina that the coronavirus is a hoax, well, you can't say we didn't have it coming. Speaking of brainwashed supporters, on Feb. 28, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) tweeted, “Once upon a time, when politics & media was inhabited by normal people, a viral outbreak was treated as a public health matter. But now even an infectious disease caused by a virus, a submicroscopic infectious agent, is a domestic partisan political issue to exploit. Crazy.” Oh, yeah. It's crazy all right. Self-described “mouthy gay” Steve Kenson had the perfect response. “As a gay man who came of age during the AIDS era of the 1980s,” he tweeted, “I'm intensely curious for you, a Republican Senator, to tell me more about how virus outbreaks were once handled apolitically.” It took President Ronald Reagan until 1985 to even say “AIDS” publicly. By then, according to NBC News, over 12,000 people had died. In 1982, Reagan's press secretary Larry Speakes laughed when asked about AIDS at a press conference. The reporter referred to it as “gay plague,” to which Speakes replied, “I don't have
new confirmed case and every death are much more likely to inspire panic than precautions. But even if this doesn't become the next flu pandemic of 1917, what's truly terrifying is that we have a woefully incompetent crime syndicate running the show. As a country we are not prepared because our government is headed by the dumbest man in America. And he's also a liar. On "Last Week Tonight," John Oliver took Trump to task for ignoring or contradicting his own health experts, often in real time. Much of the media is proceeding as if things were still normal. But things are not normal. Are we all doomed? Well, only time will tell when it comes to coronavirus. But we can't keep on going on as a country with this administration in charge.
Trump may be fighting any connection to the outbreak response right now, but chances are if the numbers of infected and dead get huge enough that he'll be more than happy to take credit. And at least Rubio will Tweet some more Bible versus and Pence will pray for you. Who needs health insurance with coverage like that? And, once again, wash your hands, cover your coughs and sneezes, and swab that cellphone. You know where it's been.
D'Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.
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still capable of helping others with the simplest gesture.
Hotspots Hotties
What do you do for fun? I am a What do you do for fun? I am a proud athletic nerd! I love working out, running with my Babyboy Gunner, yoga, biking, and really any outdoor sports. I am addicted to nature documentaries like Planet Earth and shows like Ancients Aliens and Fixer Upper.
Meet
KURT FEITER
Photos By Dale Stine Interview by Scott Holland Kurt Feiter who is German and Guatemalan is 38, and is an Aquarius. He lives in the heart of Wilton Manors. 40 | Hotspots.LGBT
What's your perfect date? A bike ride to What's your perfect date? A bike ride to Whole Foods buffet to grab some food to go, then off to the beach to enjoy dinner under the moon with the waves crashing as our background music. Yeah....it's like that!
What do you do for a living? I'm a What do you do for a living? I'm a second generation Realtor. Both of my parents are retired successful Realtors that built their very own American Dream through the means of Real Estate Investment and Development. We have recently joined forces on several projects and I couldn't be more thrilled to team up with my best friends. I also still enjoy bartending from time to time, as I do not really drink much, and it keeps me in that fun social mix.
What's 1 fun fact about you that not many know? Every day I make a many know? Every day I make a conscious effort to have some kind of positive impact on someone's life...even if it's a stranger on the street. Someone I love dearly taught me this life lesson for happiness years ago and it just stuck. Even if you are having a shitty day you are
What does the future hold for you? I can see myself ending back you? I can see myself ending back up in Central Florida helping teach the ways of the world to my beautiful niece and nephew, a collection of rental properties under my belt and a backyard full of puppies and loving memories.
How many times did you apply to be on RuPaul’s Drag Race? How did it feel when you found out you got chosen?
By Scott Holland In Episode 3 of season 12, the two groups meet and then they meet RuPaul, and the pit crew. The winners of episode 1 and 2, Widow and Jaida, step forward and get to put other team, based on first impression, from strongest to weakest competitor. The two in the bottom, Aiden and Heidi, along with Widow and Jaida become team captains. The teams were: Aiden, Sherry, and Brita Heidi, Jackie, and GiGi Widow, Nicky, and Crystal Jaida, Jan, Dahlia, and Rock M. The Maxi challenge was called World’s Worst Show, where they are to be performers with no talent.
I applied twice and got chosen and I was super excited when I got the call. I was actually at a Dunkin Donuts with some drag sisters when the producers called. Tell us about your RuPaul’s Drag Race experience? Although it was short, I had a great time and I got to meet a lot of amazing people that I can now call my sisters; my drag family has now completely expanded. Also, it opened up a lot of doors for me and now I travel a lot more.
The winner of the challenge was Sherry Pie and the bottom two were Dahlia and Nikki with Dahlia sashaying away. It was a pleasure to sit down with Dahlia for this exclusive Hotspots interview:
At what age did drag become an interest and how did you pick your name?
It never really was an interest, as I stood away from Queens. However, when I first met Asia, she told me I would be amazing if I did drag. One day I gave in, and from then on I was addicted. I first did club kid looks and then 2 years later I started doing pretty drag. My last name came from the 7 deadly sins and Dahlia came from the Black Dahlia.
Is there something you wish you did different and/or is there a certain look you wish we could have all seen?
I wish I didn’t choose the character I did, and I wish I would have shown more of my personality.
What’s your marital status?
Single, and I am not looking for anyone right now.
Who do you want to win?
I probably would want Nicky to win or my sister Jaida or Jan. I really love all of them, so it’s hard to pick.
What’s ahead for Dahlia?
Hopefully you will see me on another season of Drag Race, please give me that Vangie edit. I also want to do music and more with Make up as I was a make-up artist before I did drag. I also want to do a lot with fashion and modeling. For more information on Dahlia follow her on Instagram.com / Dahlia_Sin 46 | Hotspots.LGBT
How many times did you apply to be on RuPaul’s Drag Race? How did it feel when you found out you got chosen?
By Scott Holland In Episode 3 of season 12, the two groups meet and then they meet RuPaul, and the pit crew. The winners of episode 1 and 2, Widow and Jaida, step forward and get to put other team, based on first impression, from strongest to weakest competitor. The two in the bottom, Aiden and Heidi, along with Widow and Jaida become team captains. The teams were: Aiden, Sherry, and Brita Heidi, Jackie, and GiGi Widow, Nicky, and Crystal Jaida, Jan, Dahlia, and Rock M. The Maxi challenge was called World’s Worst Show, where they are to be performers with no talent.
I applied twice and got chosen and I was super excited when I got the call. I was actually at a Dunkin Donuts with some drag sisters when the producers called. Tell us about your RuPaul’s Drag Race experience? Although it was short, I had a great time and I got to meet a lot of amazing people that I can now call my sisters; my drag family has now completely expanded. Also, it opened up a lot of doors for me and now I travel a lot more.
The winner of the challenge was Sherry Pie and the bottom two were Dahlia and Nikki with Dahlia sashaying away. It was a pleasure to sit down with Dahlia for this exclusive Hotspots interview:
At what age did drag become an interest and how did you pick your name?
It never really was an interest, as I stood away from Queens. However, when I first met Asia, she told me I would be amazing if I did drag. One day I gave in, and from then on I was addicted. I first did club kid looks and then 2 years later I started doing pretty drag. My last name came from the 7 deadly sins and Dahlia came from the Black Dahlia.
Is there something you wish you did different and/or is there a certain look you wish we could have all seen?
I wish I didn’t choose the character I did, and I wish I would have shown more of my personality.
What’s your marital status?
Single, and I am not looking for anyone right now.
Who do you want to win?
I probably would want Nicky to win or my sister Jaida or Jan. I really love all of them, so it’s hard to pick.
What’s ahead for Dahlia?
Hopefully you will see me on another season of Drag Race, please give me that Vangie edit. I also want to do music and more with Make up as I was a make-up artist before I did drag. I also want to do a lot with fashion and modeling. For more information on Dahlia follow her on Instagram.com / Dahlia_Sin 46 | Hotspots.LGBT
still capable of helping others with the simplest gesture.
Hotspots Hotties
What do you do for fun? I am a What do you do for fun? I am a proud athletic nerd! I love working out, running with my Babyboy Gunner, yoga, biking, and really any outdoor sports. I am addicted to nature documentaries like Planet Earth and shows like Ancients Aliens and Fixer Upper.
Meet
KURT FEITER
Photos By Dale Stine Interview by Scott Holland Kurt Feiter who is German and Guatemalan is 38, and is an Aquarius. He lives in the heart of Wilton Manors. 40 | Hotspots.LGBT
What's your perfect date? A bike ride to What's your perfect date? A bike ride to Whole Foods buffet to grab some food to go, then off to the beach to enjoy dinner under the moon with the waves crashing as our background music. Yeah....it's like that!
What do you do for a living? I'm a What do you do for a living? I'm a second generation Realtor. Both of my parents are retired successful Realtors that built their very own American Dream through the means of Real Estate Investment and Development. We have recently joined forces on several projects and I couldn't be more thrilled to team up with my best friends. I also still enjoy bartending from time to time, as I do not really drink much, and it keeps me in that fun social mix.
What's 1 fun fact about you that not many know? Every day I make a many know? Every day I make a conscious effort to have some kind of positive impact on someone's life...even if it's a stranger on the street. Someone I love dearly taught me this life lesson for happiness years ago and it just stuck. Even if you are having a shitty day you are
What does the future hold for you? I can see myself ending back you? I can see myself ending back up in Central Florida helping teach the ways of the world to my beautiful niece and nephew, a collection of rental properties under my belt and a backyard full of puppies and loving memories.
BY D'ANNE WITKOWSKI
58 | Hotspots.LGBT
it, do you?” and everybody laughed. Reagan's it, do you?” and everybody laughed. Reagan's religious-right supporters like Jerry Falwell were declaring that AIDS was God's punishment for homosexuality. Reagan didn't punishment for homosexuality. Reagan didn't want to lose that sweet right-wing support by seeming to give a shit about gays, so he just let people die. Are those the “normal” people who inhabited politics and media that Rubio was talking about? I mean, I'll give him the fact that there are people who are definitely not normal in politics right now. Chief among them is Trump, who believes that the virus will magically disappear once the weather gets warmer in April. Trump can't assure the nation that the government has this coronavirus thing under control, because 1) it doesn't and 2) Trump is only concerned about himself and remaining in power. And then there's Mike Pence, Mr. Coronavirus Task Force, who exacerbated an HIV/AIDS outbreak in Indiana when he was governor because he needed to take time to pray on whether or not needle exchange programs were a good idea. He also believes that electrocuting people will turn them heterosexual and that science is dark magic. The Trump administration is actively trying to prevent the release of factual information about the coronavirus to the public and seems mainly concerned with the stock market rather than public health. Meanwhile, Trump is calling news agencies that report on the virus fake news. Not helpful! That said, the news media's coverage of the coronavirus outbreak is problematic at best. The breathless coverage of every single Photo: Wikimedia.org - Gage Skidmore
P
ublic Service Announcement: Wash your hands – more than you already do. And get yourself a bottle of rubbing alcohol and some cotton balls and swab down your phone on the daily. As an expert on disease transmission recently said on "This Podcast Will Kill You," there is definitely poop on your phone. You're welcome. So. Coronavirus. Not good. But also not something to panic about. At least, not yet. Who knows? Maybe it will be the thing to wipe out civilization, but when you watch Donald Trump telling his brainwashed supporters at a rally in South Carolina that the coronavirus is a hoax, well, you can't say we didn't have it coming. Speaking of brainwashed supporters, on Feb. 28, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) tweeted, “Once upon a time, when politics & media was inhabited by normal people, a viral outbreak was treated as a public health matter. But now even an infectious disease caused by a virus, a submicroscopic infectious agent, is a domestic partisan political issue to exploit. Crazy.” Oh, yeah. It's crazy all right. Self-described “mouthy gay” Steve Kenson had the perfect response. “As a gay man who came of age during the AIDS era of the 1980s,” he tweeted, “I'm intensely curious for you, a Republican Senator, to tell me more about how virus outbreaks were once handled apolitically.” It took President Ronald Reagan until 1985 to even say “AIDS” publicly. By then, according to NBC News, over 12,000 people had died. In 1982, Reagan's press secretary Larry Speakes laughed when asked about AIDS at a press conference. The reporter referred to it as “gay plague,” to which Speakes replied, “I don't have
new confirmed case and every death are much more likely to inspire panic than precautions. But even if this doesn't become the next flu pandemic of 1917, what's truly terrifying is that we have a woefully incompetent crime syndicate running the show. As a country we are not prepared because our government is headed by the dumbest man in America. And he's also a liar. On "Last Week Tonight," John Oliver took Trump to task for ignoring or contradicting his own health experts, often in real time. Much of the media is proceeding as if things were still normal. But things are not normal. Are we all doomed? Well, only time will tell when it comes to coronavirus. But we can't keep on going on as a country with this administration in charge.
Trump may be fighting any connection to the outbreak response right now, but chances are if the numbers of infected and dead get huge enough that he'll be more than happy to take credit. And at least Rubio will Tweet some more Bible versus and Pence will pray for you. Who needs health insurance with coverage like that? And, once again, wash your hands, cover your coughs and sneezes, and swab that cellphone. You know where it's been.
D'Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.
The Classic
Established 1951 SIT BACK, RELAX AND ENJOY OUR NEW LUXURY SEATING ALONG WITH OUR NEW DIGITAL PROJECTION AND SOUND.
www.ClassicGateway.com
NOW PLAYING
OF THE WEEK
Are we all doomed? Well, only time will tell when it comes to coronavirus. But we can't keep on going on as a country with this administration in charge.
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deep HOT inside BODIESHOLLYWOOD by Tom Bonanti By Romeo San Vicente
GET PSYCHED, BE CONSISTENT,
thing for Lee Pace – even when he was a bit caught off guard at being accidentally outed by Ian McKellen a few years back (a definite oops senior moment for Miss McKellen) and even when it Miss McKellen) and even when it seemed like we were the only ones watching Halt and Catch Fire. OK, we might have actually been the only ones. Anyway, our fandom continues stronger than ever and now Pace has a new project, Foundation that we'll probably love just as strongly. Based on a series of sci-fi novels by Isaac Asimov, Foundation is a thousand-year saga about a group of exiles battling for the survival of a galactic empire, one ruled by an emperor named Brother Day that Pace will play (this makes sense to us because he's very tall and no, don't ask us
Drew Barrymore and Ellie Kemper Stand-In at Netflix
AND DITCH THE EXCUSES
Bain (Four Lions) and An actress and her stand-in directed by But I'm A trade places. Sure, why not? Cheerleader's Jamie Babbit, It's not like anyone's going to and co-stars the wonderful mistake them for each other, Ellie Kemper (The unless this is a Freaky FridayUnbreakable Kimmy style body switching scenario. Schmidt), Chicago Fire Oh, wait, it kinda-sorta is? 1. Make workouts part of your schedule. hat's your excuse for to explain that logically in any regular Charlie Barnett, Well now we're on board, but Build your workout times into your calendar blowing off your way, thank you). It co-stars Jared Michael Zegen (The we're also getting ahead of and stick to these just as you would a vital exercise program Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) and Harris (Mad Men) is set for Apple ) is set for Apple ourselves. In The Stand-In, the hilarious Holland Taylor, business meeting, a family commitment, or today? Too stressed TV+, and if it all sounds a little coming soon to Netflix, Drew whose long and regal career any other serious obligation. from work? Feeling a like Star Wars that's because it Barrymore plays a famous as a character actress is the pre-dates that George Lucaslittle tired and not up to the exertion? Baby 2. Don't bite off more than you can chew. comedic actress who yearns very definition of Legendary created juggernaut by a few just doesn't feel like facing the world? None of Many guys start out too aggressively in the to live a simpler existence and Lesbian. We'll watch twice. decides to switch places with decades and was probably a these reasons absolves you from the sin of gym, going too quickly to a level that's higher her stand-in, also played by heavy influence. In other words, missing a workout. Getting fit and staying than they're capable of sustaining without Lee Pace stars in Drew Barrymore. And when respect your elders for once. healthy means getting psyched, being injury or burn-out. Pace yourself with briefer Asimov's intervals of cardio and weight-training the celebrity version finds consistent, and ditching the excuses for Foundation interspersed with rest. Build from there and herself usurped of her missing your exercise routine. Start following uniquely privileged life, that's Let's just say that ever since Romeo San Vicente loves these tips and you'll maintain the mental gradually challenge yourself to go farther and when things go off the rails. anything that Drew Barrymore Pushing Daisies we've had a edge that will keep you in the gym feeling farther. The Stand-In is written by Sam serious but not at all obsessive stars in! great and seeing results! 3. Set achievable goals. Sure, you want to
W
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lose fat, gain muscle, build stamina, and run a marathon, all in one month. Well, it won't happen, at least not all at once. If you set your sights too high, you may find yourself discounting the gains you are making. Instead of looking too far into the future, give yourself intermediate weekly and monthly goals such as losing a pound of fat per week or lifting 10 more pounds on your bench press. Chart your progress on your phone or in a notebook as you achieve your goals. 4. Mix it up. Doing
the same workout over and over again can get boring and your results won't be as good as if you try a variety of exercises. Instead of doing 40 minutes daily on the treadmill, try every damn aerobic machine in the gym – and go biking, swimming, or hiking whenever you get a chance. Change your
weight training routine regularly to keep things interesting. 5. Force yourself to hang in there religiously for the first three months. Nothing sustains motivation better than results. Though you'll see results early on, like increases in strength, it takes time and consistency with your routine before your body really begins to evolve and change. Be patient. Hang in there. It takes time, sacrifice and intensity to create a real work of art. Hire a trainer or recruit a workout buddy if necessary, to keep you focused and committed. 6. As soon as you miss a workout, remotivate yourself. You've missed one workout, so what's the big deal about skipping another – or all of them? Before you know it, your whole program is shot to hell. If you miss a workout, don't beat yourself up – it's gone, it's over. Now it's time to get back on track. Remember those goals and promises you made to yourself. Remember how great you felt after those first few sessions.
Tom Bonanti is a certified personal trainer and massage therapist (MA#40288) with his own one Tom Bonanti is a certified personal trainer and massage therapist (MA#40288) with his own one on one facility Pumpnincgym.com in Ft. Lauderdale. Contact trainertomb@aol.com with questions on one facility Pumpnincgym.com in Ft. Lauderdale. Contact trainertomb@aol.com with questions or to make an appointment today! or to make an appointment today!
Hotspots.LGBT | 63
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that I think what an LGBTQ actor brings to an that I think what an LGBTQ actor brings to an LGBTQ role is different; there's just something innate and lived-in that comes across, but that's not to say that a straight actor cannot give a powerful performance. What is worrisome to me is when a production will hire a straight actor to play when a production will hire a straight actor to play that role because of some notion that because that role because of some notion that because they're a straight actor that it's that much more they're a straight actor that it's that much more dif icult to take on this role. So its awards bait. These are our lives. These are experiences for a lot of people. And if you're a straight actor playing these roles, I think it's important that you these roles, I think it's important that you acknowledge and understand that. I will say that in terms of trans actors playing trans roles, I think that is incredibly important trans roles, I think that is incredibly important because there are so many trans actors out there because there are so many trans actors out there who are just waiting for the opportunity to be able who are just waiting for the opportunity to be able to tell their own stories. Especially in terms of to tell their own stories. Especially in terms of trans people of color and trans women of color and trans people of color and trans women of color and trans men of color, we need to see more of them. trans men of color, we need to see more of them. In the doc, actor Ryan Phillippe, who played a groundbreaking gay character on One Life to groundbreaking gay character on One Life to groundbreaking gay character on Live, reads a letter from someone changed by Live , reads a letter from someone changed by Live his character. Where do you keep the letters his character. Where do you keep the letters you've received? you've received? Well, seeing how I live out of a suitcase live out of a suitcase these days (laughs) … these days (laughs) … actually, I don't have a lot of the stuff from the lot of the stuff from the old days anymore. I have to tell you that have to tell you that most of the young most of the y oung people who watched My So-Called Life back My So-Called Life back My So-Called Life in the day didn't really reach out to me until years later when I years later when I would see them out would see them out publicly and in person, when they were adults, when they were adults, because so many people were processing their own stuff when that aired. But the onslaught (laughs) and the daily messages I received Photo: Wikimedia.org - Gage Skidmore
to do The Bravest Knight. . to do The Bravest Knight I thought it was a great opportunity for me to give a little gift to my nephew. On top of that, I think there aren't enough children's programs that depict families like the one we do on The Bravest Knight do on The Bravest Knight, , because there are thousands of LGBTQ families in this country who would love to see their lives re lected back at them and their children so they know they're not alone and that their families are just as valuable as anybody else's. Have you been able to gauge what it means to Star Trek to Star Trek fans to have a more LGBTQ fans to have a more LGBTQinclusive Star Trek inclusive Star Trek?? Yes. For 52 years people have been clamoring for real LGBTQ representation on for real LGBTQ repr esentation on Star Trek Star Trek, and , and to be a part of the couple who actually gives that to an audience is overwhelming. People reach out to us all the time, and I'm excited for people to see season three because we're expanding it in a very special way. In a very special gay way? That's all I'm gonna say. (Laughs.) I want to keep my job! But there is a lot to look forward to in season three for LGBTQ fans, that's for sure. You've known Anthony Rapp since Rent You've known Anthony Rapp since Rent. . Rapp originated the role of Mark Cohen on Broadway, and you later joined as Angel Dumott Schunard. What's been the best part about getting to work with Anthony, who plays your lover in Star Trek plays your lover in Star Trek, all these years? , all these years? Well, irst of all, he's one of the most supportive actors that I've ever worked with. We are a team, we are a unit. But the best thing about working with him is that, because we ind this couple in the middle of their relationship, there was very little work we had to do in order to get to know each other. We brought with us a 22-year history of friendship, and so I feel like it comes across on screen that these two people know each other and genuinely love each other, because we do. Since you're both gay men playing gay men on Star Trek on Star Trek, I wonder: Do you think LGBTQ , I wonder: Do you think LGBTQ roles should go to exclusively LGBTQ actors? No, I'm not going to say that we should only be the ones allowed to play them. But I will say Photo: Bobby Quillard
many ways. My father and I didn't speak for a year, but within that year he was able to turn on the television and I was able to have a conversation with him that I couldn't have physically and he learned a lot about me and about what my life had been like. He was moved to a new place and it gave him permission to reach out to me, and I have that series and that character to thank for the supportive father that I have today. That's no overstatement. So it is a testament to the intimacy of television and the power of storytelling. Looking at the work that you've taken on, from Noah's Arc on, from Noah's Arc on through on through Star Trek: Star Trek: Discovery, the transformative power of Discovery , the transformative power of representation seems to be something you still believe in. Whenever I take a project on, one of the irst things I ask myself is, “What is the message that this is going to leave an audience member with? What are we offering through this?” The other thing that it is for me is that so many actors are like, “Oh, I don't want to play too many gay roles (laughs) because I just don't want my career to be about that.” Whereas I have gone out of my way to look for roles that I feel will add to the conversation. I've wanted to have those opportunities. Why do you think that is when so many other actors go in the other direction? Because, with the irst role I had on My irst role I had on My So-Called Life as Rickie, I got to see how So-Called Life as Rickie, I got to see how powerful that story could be and I wanted to continue to tell stories like that, and I felt like there were few people who were willing and excited to take on those roles and here I was. As for your part in Hulu's The Bravest As for your part in Hulu's The Bravest Knight, the Knight , the irst children's animated series to have openly gay characters, what about that spoke to you? My brother who's also openly gay and married to his husband had just had a baby or was pregnant when they approached me
from people who felt and feel it necessary to reach out to me to tell me how powerful it was for them is very real. It happens almost daily on social media. It's just a trail of tears. When was the last time you revisited episodes of My So-Called Life episodes of My So-Called Life?? It's been a while. I think it's hard for me to watch myself, and I think the last time I watched it was about 10 years ago with my brother at home, but I think that was it. I ask because I've noticed that Rickie is so embedded in your identity that you get choked up just talking about him. What about him gets you emotional even now? (Sighs.) I think what's important to me about it is he was a way for me to process my adolescence, which wasn't easy. I think that's probably why I haven't watched it too, because when I did it I literally saw it as a way to walk through those experiences again and leave them there on that stage and then be able to walk away from them and move on. But for me, when I think about him, and if I do see an episode every now and then, it's visiting your teenage visiting your teenag e self. You just want to hug them. You just want to say to them, “It's going to be all right.” And I just want to grab him and say, “I'm gonna be ine.” But he does – he means everything to me because without him none of this would have happened. He set the trajectory for my career and also gave me my life's passion of making sure our stories are told, and part of his legacy is Visible. . Visible
As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.
ilmmakers Ryan White and Jessica Hargrave directed the series. Through a wide range of archival footage and interviews with actors, journalists and activists, the docuseries investigates how TV has shaped the American conscience. During it, Cruz recalls auditioning for Cruz recalls auditioning for My So-Called Life and turning back to late veteran casting director, Mary Goldberg, and telling her: “I don't know if I'm ever going to see you again, but please tell whoever wrote this that it means a lot to me, that it would have made a difference if I had seen this when I was 15.” Then, as Goldberg replied, the twist he didn't see coming: “Don't worry,” she said, “you're going to be able to tell it yourself.” Here, Cruz talks about the docuseries' evolution, Rickie as his own personal catharsis, and his issue with studios casting straight actors to play gay as awards bait.
Wilson ilson Cruz Knows the Power in Storytelling Visible exec producer talks new LGBTQ docuseries, his groundbreaking gay teen role and what he'd tell his younger self
T
he irst openly gay actor to play an or to play an openly gay series regular in a leading egular in a leading role on TV, Wilson ole on TV, Wilson ole on TV , Wilson Cruz has witnessed irsthand the changing tides of TV representation. Cruz paved the way for shows such as y for show y f or shows such as Will & Grace and Ellen with his portrayal Ellen with his portrayal of Rickie Vasquez, the troubled gay asquez, the troubled gay Latino high schooler on the teen drama My h schooler on the teen drama My So-Called Life, which ran for one season in hich ran for one season in an for one season in an f or one season in 1994. Cruz was 21 when he played as 21 when he played Rickie. Now 46, the actor re or re lects on the role as one of the interviewees ole as one of the interviewees in the new Apple TV+ ivepart documentary, Visible: Visible: Out on Television, which, , which, along with Wanda Sykes, he also executive produced. oduced. Emmy-nominated
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Photo: David Miller
By Chris Azzopardi
How did you get involved with Visible? Seven years ago (political activist and Visible producer) David Bender, who had been working on this project for many years, reached out to me because he was interested in interviewing me for the documentary, for obvious reasons (laughs). We had a long lunch and it became pretty clear really quickly that I had a passion for this subject matter, but also that I had access to many of the people he wanted to interview just because of the nature of my career and my relationship with GLAAD for over a decade, and so I could be very helpful to him. That's how it happened. Eventually we interviewed 60 people on our own, and it became clear that this was going to be more than two hours and that we were going to need some help. We came to Apple and Apple brought on two amazing documentary ilmmakers, Ryan White and Jessica Hargrave, in order to inish the ilm and
really mold it. Then I came back on to help them continue to bring them who they needed to speak to, and also to make sure that we always had an eye on this not just being a documentary about the LGBTQ movement but really about how television was used as an agent of change by the movement. How do you think Visible broadens the historical perspective of the LGBTQ experience? I think that there's a lot that we forget just because that's the nature of the human experience. But what the series does really well is to remind us of what happened just within some of our own lifetimes – that, yes, we have come a long way and a lot of work went into getting us here. A lot of people risked a lot in order to have this conversation. It wasn't just LGBTQ people – it was LGBTQ people and the people who love them who took up the baton when we were unable to, when we weren't being hired to tell our own stories or we were afraid to come out and be public about it. We needed people who were willing to take on those roles. More recently, we forget that the way the network news was talking about HIV and AIDS during the height of the epidemic was incredibly problematic, and that the only people who were going to save us at that time was us. That's when GLAAD was created. That's when ACT UP was created. It was this community that really started to say, “If you're not gonna save our lives, we're gonna have to save them ourselves and we're going to have to demand that we be seen.” We could no longer afford at that time to be invisible and that's where visibility started to really begin in earnest. In the doc, you talk about how playing Rickie helped you reconcile with your father. Your experience with him – being kicked out of the house after you came out to him – was written into Rickie's story, and he watched that storyline play out. How did that moment illustrate to you the power TV can have? I talk all the time about how television is an intimate medium: We are in your bedroom, we are in your living room; we come into your homes and you invite us in and we tell you our stories. In my personal experience, it was an invitation to my father to see me because Rickie Vasquez was very much who I was when I was a teenager, and his life parallels mine in
The Finest Jade Pretty Poison's Lead Singer Re ects on Thirty Years of the Band's Preeminent Single
By John Stein
P
retty Poison's #1 Dance/Pop/R&B smash, “Catch Me (I'm Falling),” sold over a million records and was certi ied Gold in 1989, during its initial release. Thirty years later, the song is making a major bounce-back, prominently appearing in two Net lix Shows, AJ and the Queen, starring RuPaul, and Cheer, a docuseries about the sport of competitive college cheerleading featuring the Navarro College Cheer team. “I fell out of my chair when I watched RuPaul performing the song on AJ and the Queen,” says Jade Starling, the awardwinning singer and songwriter who is still churning out the hits. Her latest single, "Fired Up" climbed to number 3 on the Billboard club charts last year. Next up will be “Got a Love for You," a remake of the 1990
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smash by Jomanda. smash by Jomanda. Starling says she didn't know about “Catch Me (I'm Falling)” about “Catch Me (I'm Falling)” being in AJ and the Queen until being in AJ and the Queen until a few weeks ago, when friends a few weeks ago, when friends started texting her about it, but started texting her about it, but she couldn't be happier. “Ru she couldn't be happier. “Ru absolutely slayed with his absolutely slayed with his impersonation of me! I could impersonation of me! I could tell he studied the original tell he studied the original "Catch Me" video. I especially "Catch Me" video. I especially loved the fringe gloves!” loved the fringe gloves!” We caught up with the pop star in her NYC home. star in her NYC h star in her NYC h ome.
Thirty years after its release, “Catch Me (I'm release, “Catch Me (I'm Falling)” continues to be as Falling)” continues to be as popular as ever! popular as ever! Jade Starling: The song Jade Starling: The song keeps reinventing itself! It has keeps reinventing itself! It has been featured in dozens of TV been featured in dozens of TV shows including the shows including the inal inal season of Breaking Bad and in season of Breaking Bad and in ilms like The Big ilms like The Big Sick, You Don't Mess with the Zohan and Hiding Sick, You Don't Mess with the Zohan and Hiding Out. Out. Did you know right away the song would be a hit? a hit? Jade Starling: I was in England when they Jade Starling: I was in England when they mixed the original song in the late eighties. This mixed the original song in the late eighties. This was before mp3s and emails, so I had to hear it was before mp3s and emails, so I had to hear it over the phone! They overnighted it to me for over the phone! They overnighted it to me for approval and when I put in the CD, my peeps in approval and when I put in the CD, my peeps in England were all jamming to it. I think I knew England were all jam England were all jam ming to it. I think I knew then that we had a hit on our hands. then that we had a hit on our hands. Do you remember the irst time you heard “Catch Me (I'm Falling)” on the radio? “Catch Me (I'm Falling)” on the radio? I was driving across the Jade Starling: I was driving across the Jade Starling: Benjamin Franklin Bridge, heading into Benjamin Franklin Bridge, heading into Philadelphia, listening to the top 40 station, when Philadelphia, listening to the top 40 station, when it came on radio. I got so excited; I nearly crashed it came on radio. I got so excited; I nearly crashed my car! I felt a rush from my head to my toes. It my car! I felt a rush from my head to my toes. It was truly surreal. I must admit the was truly surreal. I must admit the irst time was irst time was the best time! the best time! It went on to sell over a million copies, hitting #1 on the Billboard dance chart, #8 on hitting #1 on the Billboard dance chart, #8 on Billboard Pop and #13 on Billboard R&B. Billboard Pop and #13 on Billboard R&B. Jade Starling: We were in some very Jade Starling: We were in some very impressive company. George Harrison, George impressive compa impressive compa ny. George Harrison, George Michael, Richard Marx and Michael Jackson all had Michael, Richard Marx and Michael Jackson all had songs on the chart at the time. It was certainly songs on the chart at the time. It was certainly rari rariied air to be in. We were also performing on ied air to be in. We were also performing on countdown shows like Solid Gold, Soul Train, Top countdown shows like Solid Gold, Soul Train, Top of the Pops and American Bandstand. of the Pops and American Bandstand.
Oh, yes, the countdown TV shows! It was a magical time in music… Of all of Jade Starling: Of all of Jade Starling: the artists we got to meet, Prince ranked as my number one. He dropped in to our recording session at Sunset Sound to meet us. We were recording with Andre Cymone who was Prince's bass player and collaborator on the irst three Prince LPs. It was amazing to sip coffee with him and get to know the musical genius. What was the true relationship between the groups Poison and Pretty Poison? There was Jade Starling: There was Jade Starling: some confusion back in the day with the group Poison and my group Pretty Poison. The lore states that Poison was originally called Pretty Poison but that we actually owned and trademarked the Pretty Poison name and hit the charts irst with our single, “Nightime,” so they dropped Pretty and became simply, Poison. It worked out well for them. I remember Brett Michaels came out to see us when we played in his hometown of see us when we played in his hometown o f Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. We took photos together that ended up in all the trade magazines with the headline “Poison meets Pretty Poison.” He was very cool. Do you still tour the world performing songs from Pretty Poison? Jade Starling: I'm predominantly a solo Jade Starling: I'm predominantly a solo artist now but I still tour with Pretty Poison. The group is a duo consisting of Whey Cooler and me. We are currently on several arena tours including the Freestyle Explosion that includes Stevie B, Lisa Lisa, Shannon and other artists. Last week we played for ten thousand screaming fans at the Don Haskins Arena in in El Paso. I'm excited because I just learned that Pretty Poison will be in the 80s in the Sand tour this summer with a killer line-up that includes Billy Idol, Cheap Trick, Belinda Carlyle, and Sheena Easton. Can't wait! Visit Jadestarling.com. Follow Jade Starling on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @jadestarling
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The Ramrod invites everyone to get ready for Progressive Tech House Music with special guest, direct from P-Town, DJ Wayne Michael. u MONDAY MAR 23
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The annual Mister and Miss Pride South Florida Pageant, owned and operated by Latrice Royale, Inc., takes place at the Aventura Arts Center at 8pm. This is a competition for Female Impersonators and Male Entertainers. Contestants will
compete in five categories: Creative Presentation (with a “Show Your Pride” theme), Swimsuit, Talent, Evening Wear, and Question & Answer. The winners, decided upon by a nationally-recognized panel of qualified judges, receives a stellar prize package to include a cash prize, a custom crown, and a contract with LRI Talent & Management. Cash prizes are also awarded to the winner of each category. This year they celebrate the reign of Miss PSF 2019 Kennedy Davenport and Mr. PSF Raul venport and Mr enport and Mr and Mr. PSF . PSF Raul Vegas. Interested contestants egas. Interested contestants
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On May 1, Capit On Ma y 1, Capitol R ol Recor ecords will r ds will release elease Sam Smith's third album, T Sam Smith's thir d album, To Die F o Die For or. . Recentl ecentlyy, Smith shar , Smith shared the title tr ed the title track and ack and the accompanying video. Opening with a the accompan ying video. Opening with a sample from the 2001 cult film Donnie sample fr om the 2001 cult film Donnie Darko, the new tr Dark o, the new track pairs soaring strings ack pairs soaring strings and evvocati and e ocativve piano with Smith e piano with Smith's 's distinctivve v distincti e vocals and the plainti ocals and the plaintivve confession, “I just w conf ession, “I just want somebod ant somebody t y to die o die for or..” The g ” The global superstar r lobal superstar recor ecorded the ded the song with Jimmy Napes and Star song with Jimm y Napes and Starggat ate, w e, who also collaborat also collabor ated with Smith on 2017's ed with Smith on 2017's “Too Good A “T oo Good At Goodb t Goodbyyes, es,” now certified 4x ” now certified 4x Platinum in the U.S. Platinum in the U .S. For the official video, Smith t or the official video, Smith teamed up eamed up with Grant Singer (The W with Gr ant Singer (The Weeknd, Lor eeknd, Lorde), de), who also dir ho also direct ected the video f ed the video for 2019's or 2019's “How Do You Sleep?” The new clip tak “How Do Y ou Sleep?” The new clip takes place outside a wig shop in Los Angeles. Amidst the many mannequin heads with y mannequin heads with 20 | Hotspots.LGBT
Photo:Walter Pfeiffer
u THIS IS
can contact Pageant Director Christopher Guy at misspridesouthfloridapagea nt@gmail.com or (954)5072089. Tickets range from $10 to $30 at PrideSouthFL.com The WMBA presents their monthly luncheon from 11:30am to 1pm at Holy Mackerel (1414 NE 26th St, Wilton Manors). This month they invite you to join them as they honor a few of their outstanding business leaders with WMBA Business Leadership Awards. They will also reveal
the new Annual Directory and City Guide. Admission is $20 for WMBA members and $25 for future WMBA members at Wiltonmanorsbusinessassoc iation.com. uTUESDAY MAR 24
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The Pub presents “The Dynamic Duo” in their Florida Tour 2020 from 8 to 9:30pm. This show is called Show stoppers and features Broadway and Disney sing along.
perfectly coif perfectl y coifed hair ed hair, ther , there is a wig e is a wigless one in less one in Sam's lik Sam 's likeness w eness who sings “T ho sings “To Die F o Die For or..” Couples and families pass the shop o and f amilies pass the shop ovver the course of sevver se eral seasons. Engulf al seasons. Engulfed in ed in their relationships, f their r elationships, few e ew evven notice the bald singing mannequin. The other mannequin heads vanish, mannequin heads v anish, leaving Sam alone – until lea ving Sam alone – until fat ate int e interv ervenes. View the enes. View the video at: https://www.y https://www .youtube.com/ outube.com/ wat atch?v=POIK1H3L86k. ch?v=POIK1H3L86k. Sam Smith explains, “I Sam Smith e xplains, “I wrot wr ote the song with Jimm e the song with Jimmy y Napes and Starggat Napes and Star ate in L.A. e in L.A. during a time of selfdiscovvery and heart disco ery and heartbr break. eak. This is for all the lonel This is f or all the lonely hearts out ther y hearts out there. e.”” You can pr ou can pre-or e-order the album at der the album at http://samsmith.world/TDF http://samsmith.w orld/TDFAlbumPR. F AlbumPR. Fans ans who pr ho pre-or e-order T der To Die F o Die For in digital f or in digital format will ormat will instantly r instantl y recei eceivve the new sing e the new single, “T le, “To Die F o Die For or,,” plus “How Do You Sleep?” w plus “How Do Y ou Sleep?” which has amassed hich has amassed over 600 million str er 600 million streams w eams world orldwide, “I F wide, “I Feel eel Lovve, Lo e,” a co ” a covver of Donna Summer's disco classic, “Fire on Fir classic, “Fir e on Fire” (fr e” (from the W om the Wat atership ership Down soundtrack) and Smith Down soundtr ack) and Smith's collabor 's collaboration ation with Normani, “Dancing with a Stranger,”
which has sold mor hich has sold more than 10 million units e than 10 million units and rack and r acked up o ed up ovver tw er two billion str o billion streams eams world orldwide. A No. 1 airpla wide. A No. 1 airplay hit in the U y hit in the U.S. & .S. & U.K., “Dancing with a Stranger” achie Str anger” achievved Platinum status in 19 countries, including the U.S., w .S., wher here it is certified e it is certified 2x Platinum. Since the release of Since the r elease of their 2014 debut album, In The Lonely Hour In The Lonel y Hour, Sam , Sam Smith has sold ovver 25 Smith has sold o million adjusted albums million adjust ed albums world orldwide. The wide. They ha y havve won f on four GRAMMY our GRAMMY Awar ards, an Oscar ds, an Oscar, a , a Golden Globe and three Golden Globe and thr ee BRIT Aw BRIT A war ards. Smith ds. Smith's sophomor 's sophomore album, e album, The Thrill Of It All, debuted at No. 1 on the The Thrill Of It All, debut ed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2017 and also t Billboar d 200 in 2017 and also topped the opped the charts in the U.K, Ir charts in the U .K, Ireland, New Zealand, eland, New Zealand, Norwaay, S Norw , Sw weden, the Netherlands and Belgium. Aw Belgium. A war arded f ded four stars b our stars by R y Rolling olling Stone, the album included the hit sing St one, the album included the hit single le “Too Good A “T oo Good At Goodb t Goodbyyes, es,” w ” which r hich recentl ecently y became Smith's second song t became Smith 's second song to r o recei eceivve over a billion str er a billion streams on Spotify eams on Spotify, aft , after er “Stay With Me.”
uEmail WhatsHot@HotspotsMedia.com to have your items considered for What’s Hot
Hotspots.LGBT | 21
WHAT’S HOT
Everything you need to plan your week By Scott Holland
What’s HOT
South Florida
L
ast Tuesday, Miss Florida F.I. at Large 2020, Kimberly Venom, started her new promotion at the Pub, “Dueling Divaz,” and it was a blast and busy. Catch her every Tuesday hostessing this fab new show/contest on the drive. Friday night we headed down to
South Beach to Twist for their “Blackout” party in honor of Friday the 13th starring DJ Bill Hallquist. On Saturday we went by LIT Wilton Manors for their soft opening. Congrats to Josh and Chris and their entire staff. Looking forward to their grand opening.
uTHURSDAY MAR 19 My Tropx is featuring their monthl monthly Ruby Member sale from t from today through Sunday, Mar March 22 where Ruby members get members get 40% off everything. ev A Gay Men's Runway event will take place at ev Hunters starting at 6pm to Hunt benefit HANDY, Helping benefit Abused Neglected and Abused Neg Disadvantaged Youths in Disad Broward County. The Br cocktail reception starts at cocktail r 6pm, which will feature 6pm, w entertainment, a silent ent auction and a 50/50 raffle. At auction and a 50/50 r 7pm, the runway show starts 7pm, the run with fashions from Mix Men's with f Wear, The Pride Factory, W Gett Wett, and Gett W Leatherwerks. Admission is Leatherw $20, and please dress to $20, and please dr impress! For more impr information on HANDDY, go inf to Handyinc.org to Hand uuFRIDAY MAR 20
thePUB
LIT Wilton Manors
The events below are what's happening at Press time, but with COVID 19 we are unsure of what the future schedules will be, so please reach out to all establishments to confirm
18 | Hotspots.LGBT
Out of the Closet on Biscayne is moving and will Bisca be re-opening today at 2400 be r Biscayne Blvd. at 2pm. For Bisca more information, go to: mor Outofthecloset.org. Out
The Spice and Tea Exchange of Key West (511 Ex Greene St #102) is having Gr
their grand opening from today at 11am through Saturday the 21st. They will be having tastings both days and Pirate Radio will be broadcasting on Saturday from 11am-1pm! If you haven't stopped by the shop yet please do so! They would love to see you!
SAGE of South Florida & Prime Gentlemen present 'Mary Queen of Scots' at 1:30 pm at The Pride Center, Main Hall. Mary Stuart is Queen of France at sixteen and widowed at
eighteen and receives pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. However, Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth I. Each young Queen beholds her sister in fear and fascination. Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones - and change the course of history. Mary believed that her monarchy would only be secured if she married and produced heirs. Mary had to beat her husband, Lord Darnley, in order for him to get an
erection so she could become pregnant and produce a successor to the throne. It's interesting to note that one of Mary's “ladies in waiting” was a gay man who liked wearing drag. The inept power maneuver set into motion related events involving murder, scandal, abdication, imprisonment, and execution. This is a free event. Soda and popcorn served. u SATURDAY MAR 21
The Lake Worth Playhouse presents “Send in the Queens,” a one-nightonly performance at 8pm! This annual Drag Show Fundraiser is back by popular demand for the 13th consecutive year! A highend, high-energy drag concert that features a cast of dazzling drag divas. All
proceeds will go to benefit the Playhouse. Featuring performances by Lupita Hollywood, Daizee DeLuxx, Melissa St. John, Vasti Love Montana, Velvet Lenore, Shardee Ross, Dee Dee Van Carter and Danielle Montgomery. Tickets are $35 at Lakeworthplayhouse.org Hotspots.LGBT | 19
4 15 6 2 The Frivolist By Mikey Rox
Update yourself professionally
11 Ways to Use Spare Change at the End of the Month
Does your resume need updating? Could you use a new look for an interview? Give yourself a better shot at getting the job by spending your change savings on items that will enhance your professional persona.
Some might consider those loose pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters annoying, but money is money. Save it for a month and see what you can do. Here are a few ideas.
Treat your bestie to lunch
Call that queen who's always willing to lend a hand – like when you needed help moving into your ex's apartment (and then out of it six weeks later) – and treat her to a casual lunch to say thanks for being a friend.
Fill up your gas tank
We all have somewhere to go. Instead of taking it out of your regular monthly budget, pay for your fill-up with the shiny stuff. Roll the coins first though; nobody has time to count $30 worth of loose change at the counter.
Did you know that if you let Coinstar count your change that you can trade it in for nofee eGift Cards from one of its participating partners? It's true. Find a Coinstar location near you.
Pay off a small debt
We all have that one little debt – like a library fine or dry cleaning bill – that we keep putting off for no reason at all. Round up your change and purge this expense from your life once and for all.
80 | Hotspots.LGBT
Trade it in for a gift card at Coinstar
Pay for the person behind you
Once in a while we hear a news story about how a Good Samaritan bought a cup of coffee or paid the toll for the person in line behind them – and the good deed sparks a trend. Today that random act of kindness can start with you using the change you've saved.
Turn it into donations to a local shelter Food banks, children's homes and domestic violence shelters in your area are always in need of supplies. Call your local organization, determine their needs and turn your change into a helping hand.
It’s time.
8
Support yourAsk local center provider aLGBTQ healthcare
if DESCOVY for PrEP is right for you.
9
Local LGBTQ centers don't receive much funding – many are ® struggling to stay open at all – so do your part for our community to keep resources available..
Get more information at AboutDescovy.com
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT DESCOVY (cont’d) BEFORE TAKING DESCOVY FOR PrEP Stock up on household supplies
HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE
YOUR RISK One of life's greatest tragedies is running out of toilet paper and having no reserves in the closet. Tell your healthcare provider if you: •Keep it clean by stocking up on bathroom and Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of including hepatitis. your partners. If your partner is living with HIV, household essentials with your end-of-the-month •change savings so you're never left in the lurch. Have any other medical conditions. your risk of getting HIV is lower if your partner
1011
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with DESCOVY for PrEP.
Throw it in a jug for long-term savings
consistently takes HIV treatment every day. • Get tested for other STIs. Some STIs make it easier for HIV to infect you. • Practice safer sex by using latex or polyurethane condoms. • Talk to your healthcare provider about all the ways to help reduce HIV risk. GET MORE INFORMATION
Take it to the casino
• This is only a brief summary of important Hey, ya never know. HOW TO TAKE DESCOVY FOR PrEP At the end of the month, take all your change and information informationabout aboutDESCOVY DESCOVYfor forPrEP. PrEP.Talk Talktotoyour your transfer it to a large jug for safe keeping while you healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. •save for a loftier goal, like a vacation. Empty waterTake 1 tablet once a day, every day, day, not just •Go GototoDESCOVY.com/prep DESCOVY.com/prepororcall call1-800-GILEAD-5 1-800-GILEAD-5 when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. cooler jugs – especially those with small mouth • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit •openings (so you can't easily cheat and dip into Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may DESCOVY.com/prep for program information. increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. your stash!) – are great for this purpose.
• Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking DESCOVY for PrEP.
DESCOVY FOR PrEP, the DESCOVY FOR PrEP Logo, the DESCOVY
xpert whose work has been published in hose work has been published in hose wor k has been published in Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in Blue Pill Design, DESCOVY, the DESCOVY Logo, STEP UP. PrEP UP., ADVANCING ACCESS, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks more than 100 outlets across the world. He spends his time writing from the beach with his dog Jaxon. of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @mikeyrox ©2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. DVYC0245 02/20 82 | Hotspots.LGBT
REACHING 1.3 MILLION UNIQUE USERS ONLINE!
with DESCOVY for PrEP® DESCOVY for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a once-daily prescription medicine for adults and adolescents at risk of HIV. It helps lower the chances of getting HIV through sex. DESCOVY for PrEP is not for everyone: • It is not for use in people assigned female at birth who are at risk of getting HIV from vaginal sex, because its effectiveness has not been studied. • You must be HIV-negative before and while taking DESCOVY for PrEP. Ask a healthcare provider if DESCOVY for PrEP is right for you. To learn more, visit AboutDescovy.com. IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT DESCOVY (des-KOH-vee) This is only a brief summary of important information about taking DESCOVY for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.
DESCOVY may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking DESCOVY, your HBV may
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uSpotlight Ad of the Week DESCOVY® is the smallest pill approved for PrEP.
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DESCOVY FOR PrEP Before starting and while taking DESCOVY for PrEP: • You must be HIV-negative. You must get tested for HIV immediately before and at least every 3 months while taking DESCOVY. If you think you were exposed to HIV, tell your healthcare provider right away. They may want to do more tests to confirm that you are still HIV-negative. • Many HIV tests can miss HIV infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting or while taking DESCOVY. • DESCOVY does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to reduce the risk of getting STIs. • DESCOVY by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. Do not take DESCOVY for PrEP unless you are confirmed to be HIV negative.
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suddenlyget getworse. worse.Do Donot notstop stoptaking takingDESCOVY DESCOVY suddenly withoutfifirst rsttalking talkingtotoyour yourhealthcare healthcareprovider, provider,as as without theywill willneed needtotocheck checkororgive giveyou youHBV HBVmedicine. medicine. they ABOUT DESCOVY FOR PrEP DESCOVY for PrEP is a once-daily prescription medicine for adults and adolescents at risk of HIV who weigh at least 77 pounds. It helps lower the chances of getting HIV through sex. DESCOVY for PrEP is not for everyone: •ItItisisnot notfor foruse useininpeople peopleassigned assignedfemale femaleatatbirth birth who are at risk of getting HIV from vaginal sex, because its effectiveness has not been studied. •You Youmust mustbe beHIV-negative HIV-negativebefore beforeand andwhile whiletaking taking DESCOVY for PrEP. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. Do NOT take DESCOVY for PrEP if you: Alreadyhave haveHIV HIVinfection infectionor orififyou youdo donot notknow know ••Already your HIV status.IfIfyou youhave haveHIV-1, HIV-1,you youneed needmore more medicine than DESCOVY alone to treat HIV-1. youhave haveHIV-1 HIV-1and andtake takeonly onlyDESCOVY, DESCOVY,your yourHIV-1 HIV-1 IfIfyou maybecome becomeharder hardertototreat treatnow nowand andininthe thefuture. future. may
POSSIBLESIDE SIDEEFFECTS EFFECTSOF OFDESCOVY DESCOVYFOR FORPrEP PrEP POSSIBLE DESCOVYcan cancause causeserious seriousside sideeffects, effects,including: including: DESCOVY Thoseininthe the“Most “MostImportant ImportantInformation InformationAbout About ••Those DESCOVYfor forPrEP” PrEP”section. section. DESCOVY Newororworse worsekidney kidneyproblems, problems,including includingkidney kidney ••New failure.Your Yourhealthcare healthcareprovider providershould shoulddo doblood blood failure. andurine urinetests teststotocheck checkyour yourkidneys kidneysbefore beforeand and and duringtreatment treatmentwith withDESCOVY. DESCOVY.IfIfyou youdevelop develop during kidneyproblems, problems,your yourhealthcare healthcareprovider providermay may kidney tellyou youtotostop stoptaking takingDESCOVY. DESCOVY. tell Toomuch muchlactic lacticacid acidininyour yourblood blood(lactic (lacticacidosis), acidosis), ••Too whichisisaaserious seriousbut butrare raremedical medicalemergency emergencythat that which canlead leadtotodeath. death.Tell Tellyour yourhealthcare healthcareprovider providerright right can awayififyou youget getthese thesesymptoms: symptoms:weakness weaknessororbeing being away moretired tiredthan thanusual, usual,unusual unusualmuscle musclepain, pain,being being more shortofofbreath breathororfast fastbreathing, breathing,stomach stomachpain painwith with short nauseaand andvomiting, vomiting,cold coldororblue bluehands handsand andfeet, feet,feel feel nausea dizzyororlightheaded, lightheaded,ororaafast fastororabnormal abnormalheartbeat. heartbeat. dizzy Severeliver liverproblems, problems,which whichininrare rarecases casescan canlead lead ••Severe death.Tell Tellyour yourhealthcare healthcareprovider providerright rightaway awayifif totodeath. youget getthese thesesymptoms: symptoms:skin skinororthe thewhite whitepart partofof you youreyes eyesturns turnsyellow, yellow,dark dark“tea-colored” “tea-colored”urine, urine, your light-coloredstools, stools,loss lossofofappetite appetitefor forseveral several light-colored daysororlonger, longer,nausea, nausea,ororstomach-area stomach-areapain. pain. days
Common side effects in people taking DESCOVY for PrEP include diarrhea, nausea, headache, fatigue, and stomach pain. These are not all the possible side effects of DESCOVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking DESCOVY for PrEP. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with DESCOVY for PrEP. See next page for more IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT DESCOVY.
*Advancing Access® co-pay support is available for commercially insured eligible patients only. Subject to change; for full terms and conditions, visit GileadAdvancingAccess.com. Hotspots.LGBT | 85
Mark’s List Marketplace CORONA ORONAVIRUS VIRUS IN OUR COMMUNIT COMMUNITYY HELP WANTED COURTYARD CAFE
u
We Can Get Through This!
Busy diner style cafe open 24 hours on weekends Looking for full time experienced line cooks for breakfast or graveyard shifts. Must be able to work Holidays, Special events and weekends. Willing to beat your pay by .50 or more based on experience. HOTSPOTS Media Group is dedicated to keeping our community updated with Full-time year-round employment. Must have reliable timely and helpful information about the on-going, ever-changing COVID-19. We're transportation. Apply in person or by email. Please no phone calls. Send resume to bumbieee3@aol. here to help you navigate this unprecedented global public health crisis so check com or 2211 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors FL 33305
our website, Hotspots.LGBT for daily updates and relevant local information. Take care of yourself and your loved ones and you should be just ine…
u FOR SALE - MISC
LABRADOR PUBBIES FOR SALE
FIVE
Do the
1
Yellow, black black && chocolate, chocolate, male male and and female. female. See See Yellow, the difference difference hand hand raised raised puppies puppies make. make. Shots, Shots, the papers and and health health guaranteed. guaranteed. De-wormed. De-wormed. Text Text papers 954-235-9536
1. HANDS Wash them often for 20 seconds. Soap and water is BEST! 2. ELBOW Cough into it u ATTORNEY 3. FACE Don't touch it! 4. FEET Stay at least 6 feet apart from others 5. FEEL sick? Stay home. Call you doctor. doctor
3
Photo by Christopher Campbell on unsplash.com
CLUB FORT LAUDERDALE NOW HIRING
Now hiring full-time team members for a private men’s club. Customer service/hospitality experience is a plus. We are open 24/7, you must have a flexible schedule. We are looking for reliable, dependable team members. The position requires cleaning during your shift. We offer competitive wages. Submit application and resume to the front desk. 110 NW 5th Ave. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. 954-525-3344 www.clubftl.com
RAMROD BAR PART TIME HELP WANTED
4
Bartender, barback, security,For bootblack, maintenance, Helpful tips from Caged Hunk. Leave number with bartender.
6 Feet
the CDC go to,
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ CLUBHOUSE II
Is taking applications for full or part time positions. Stop in for an application at 2650 E Oakland Park Blvd.
We're all feeling overwhelmed, anxious and scared. So it's important to hold fast to a sense of normalcy even though you may feel your lives have been turned upside down. Here are a few ideas on how to live a normal, social-distancing life…with a smile on your face. After all, we live in sunny Florida! • Turn off the TV and get outside! Fresh air will clear your mind • Go for walks u FOR SALE - BROWARD • Get out and Play FORT LAUDERDALE • BBQ with family and friends--hand out latex gloves as party favors New Coral Heights 3/2 Lakefront Pool Home w/2CTP • Get nostalgic and pull out some of those old board games! in East Oakland Park $675k. Look Homesites 3/2 Ocean Access Hollywood $359k! Harbor Beach 2/2 • Take your bike for a ride (motorized or not) Remodeled w/Ocean View. $309k. Pompano Beach • Support your local restaurants and bars when possible. Just check with them ahead Barrier Island Duplex $520k. See display ad in this issue. “Broker Joe” Grano, Realtor® 954-931-0031 of time to see if there are any restrictions.
86 | Hotspots.LGBT
Mark’s List Marketplace We Will Get Thr hrough ough This – But Be Mindful The National LGBT Cancer Network organized an open letter signed by over 100 organizations that lists reasons LGBTQ people should be taking extra precautions to avoid Coronavirus First, LGBTQ people are 50% more likely to smoke than cisgender, heterosexual people, according to the letter. Coronavirus is a respiratory disease and smoking – and likely using e-cigarettes as well – reduces immunity to respiratory diseases and makes recovery from those diseases take longer. Second, LGBTQ people have higher rates of both cancer and HIV, both of which can compromise a person's immune system. While doctors don't believe that people living with HIV whose viral loads are undetectable are at significantly greater risk of getting coronavirus, many LGBTQ people either don't know they have contracted HIV or are not managing it well. Last, LGBTQ people face barriers when it comes to access to health care. Discriminatory attitudes are common enough among medical professionals that some LGBTQ people avoid or delay health care, and job discrimination and LGBTQ homelessness mean that many LGBTQ people don't have access to health care. The organizations note that the estimated three million LGBTQ elders in the U.S. Please call or text for a to any of my listings. are particularly at risk. Coronavirus has a mortality rate of eight to 15 percent for people over the age of 70, according to the World Health Organization, and elder LGBTQ people may be more reticent to seek medical care when needed.
IMPORTANT IMPORT ANT PHONE NUMBERS COVID-19 Call Center Available 24/7 866-779-6121 Broward County Health Department 954-467-4700 Miami Dade Public Health Department 305-324-2400 Palm Beach County Public Health Department 561-840-4500 Orlando/Orange County 407-858-1400 Hillsborough County First Atlantic Realty, Inc. 1881 NE 26th St # 212 Wilton Manors, Fl 33305 813-307-8000 Licensed Real Estate Brokerage Hotspots.LGBT | 87
Mark’s List Marketplace
Mark’s List Marketplace u RENTALS - FORT LAUDERDALE MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE. 1BED/1 BATH $1175
Brand new kitchen. Close to the Drive. Granite countertops. Large walk in closet. Tile floors throughout. New hurricane impact windows. Private patio. Laundry room. No Smoking. No Pets. Background Check. Call 754-366-7563.
VICTORIA PARK 1BD/1BA
Beautiful updated with private paved and fenced patio, small quite complex, gorgeous 11 foot high rich mahogany color tongue and groove open-beamed ceilings, with ceiling fans. White Large Tile floor, Carpet in bedroom, Small dog ok, Non Smoking complex $1,100/MO 754-224-8535
APARTMENT FOR SALE OR LEASE
Furnished apt. for rent. 1 Bedroom, 1.5 baths, near Imperial Point Hospital. Very nice unit with pool and laundry. $1200./month. $130,000. for Sale. Call 703-989-4412
u RENTALS - OAKLAND PARK 1/1 IN OAKLAND PARK. $975. BRIGHT, SPACIOUS “OWNERS UNIT”
Tiles floors. Granite counter-tops. New Hurricane Impact windows. Large walk in closet. Off the street parking for one car per unit. $50 application fee. Background check. No pets. No smoking. Call 754-366-7563
OAKLAND PARK RENTAL
Beautiful 45 + community Lg. Corner 1/1 unit; Redone. Minutes to Drive, available. Call 954 918 3968. $925.00 Per Month.
u ROOMMATES - WILTON MANORS SHARE AT METROPOLITIN
2 Bed, 2 bath full amenities. Walk to Drive. Priv. bath $1100/month. + Sec. Furnished, min 6 mo. 845-304-3187
u LICENSED MASSAGE
MASSAGE BY MARK
Great massage, great price. 60 minute massage clients $45./therapeutic massage. In the Fort Lauderdale area. In or out. 954-895-2265, no texting please.
u PERSONAL TRAINING
AWESOME MASSAGE BY JIM
Offering Swedish, Lomi Lomi, Sports and Deep Tissue Massage for Men at Affordable Rates in a comfortable and Private Massage studio located in Wilton Manors on NE 26th Street, Same Day appointments can mostly be accommodated. Great New Specials Available call for details. Gift Certificates Available. Call Jim at 954-600-5843 or visit my website at www.massagebyjim.com License MM22293. Plenty of Free Parking
MASSAGE/SKIN CARE/WAXING/MANSCAPING
In & out travel to resorts or homes. Private studio located at Hollywood Blvd. & 95. Massage/Facials/ Waxing www.massagemp.com 305-331-1010 Miguel MA0025781
u HAIR REMOVAL LET ME SHAVE YOU
Body shaving and trimming in the comfort of your own home. Friendly, no attitude, Broward only. $50.00 per session 9AM-9PM, call Michael at 754-222-6623
HAIR REMOVAL & MORE!
Waxing, facials, trimming, shaving and body scrubs at its best. Very friendly and relaxing experience. Visit me today. For appointment please call 954-649-9905. WWW.BRAZILLIANTOUCH.COM
ADVERTISE IN MARKS LIST MARKETPLACE
Call Jim at 954-928-1862 Ext. 14 or Email Jim@HotSpotsMedia.com 88 | Hotspots.LGBT
Hotspots.LGBT | 89
March 19, 2020
Mark’s List Marketplace
O N T H E INSIDE Mark’s List Marketplace
INDOOR OR OUTDOOR PERSONAL TRAINER
II train train with with you you every every session. session. With With aa cross cross trainer trainer with with aa passion passion for for bettering bettering others. others. Flex Flex rates, rates, flexible flexible hours. hours. Text Text 954-235-9536. 954-235-9536. For For pics, pics, rates rates && info. info. Also Also available available swimming swimming in in heated heated pool. pool. House House cleaning also.
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Wilson Cruz u CLEANING SERVICES PANE IN THE GLASS
WINDOW WINDOW CLEANING, CLEANING, PRESSURE PRESSURE CLEANING, CLEANING, GUTTER GUTTER CLEANING CLEANING AND AND WINDOW WINDOW TINT TINT REMOVAL. REMOVAL. CALL SCOTT 954-608-7625 CELL
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GENTLEMAN AT YOUR SERVICES
Thank Thank you you for for taking taking the the time time to to read read our our ad. ad. We We are are very very responsible responsible company company looking looking to to help help you you with with anything anything and and everything everything from from cleaning, cleaning, shopping, shopping, preparing preparing meals meals and and laundry. laundry. You You name name itit we we do do itit no no job job to to big big or or small. small. IfIf we we can can be be of of service service to to you you please please call call us us at at 508-353-5061, 508-353-5061, we we are are happy happy to to meet meet with with you you and and discuss discuss your your needs needs and and answer answer any any questions questions that that you you may may have. have. We We Look Look Forward Forward To Hearing From You!!!
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What’s Hot | Scott Holland’s Guide to Events in SoFla
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Deep Inside Hollywood
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RuPaul’s Drag Race | Dahlia Sin
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Creep of the Week | Trump Administration
Hot Bodies Be Consistent and Ditch the Excuses 62 u BRAZILIAN HOME|AND OFFICE CLEANING
Call Jim at 954-928-1862 Ext. 14 or Email Jim@HotSpotsMedia.com
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Screening for
HOT ADVICE
By Andreus Quinones
COVID-19
FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19 • Florida Department of Health
Are you experiencing symptoms?
1
Symptoms may appear in 2–14 days after exposure to the virus. 10
1.4
RASCIST
Dear Andreus, One of my closest friends doesn't like my boyfriend. He continues to make rude comments about him to me in his presence. We have been friends for a while now, and I don't want to have to choose. I have voiced my concerns to him before, and still the behavior continues. I want both in my life, but clearly, I can't make them like one another. I am not sure how to effectively remedy this situation. Sincerely,
FEVER
COUGH
Dear Andreus, My friend's boyfriend is racist. We are a circle of Latino friends, and his boyfriend is Caucasian. He grew up with a very conservative family in Texas and has a very inappropriate sense of humor. My friend brings him along to every gettogether or outing that we have, and he always makes derogatory comments. I have had enough, but don't want to confront him for the sake of my friend. How do I do this and avoid any potential animosity? Sincerely,
SHORTNESS OF BREATH
2
Have you returned from international travel or been on a cruise within the last 14 days?
3
Have you been around someone diagnosed with COVID-19?
Carlos G.
Dear Carlos, You don't ever have control over how people will interact or how they will feel about each other. Ideally, we would all like for everyone we know to get along, especially when it comes to our friends and significant others. In this situation, you should let your friend know that his behavior is not only inappropriate, but that it threatens your friendship. Maybe he does not comprehend how seriously this affects you. If that does not work, unfortunately, you may have to choose. If your friend cannot respect you enough to respect you and your boyfriend as Self monitor for fever, cough, or other a unit, you may need to re-evaluate your respiratory symptoms for 14 days. friendship. The other alternative, is to spend time with your friend separate from Avoid contact with sick people. your boyfriend, which you really should not Delay any additional travel plans until no have to do.
Guidance
longer sick.
94 | Hotspots.LGBT
Camilo S. Aiden R.
Dear Camilo, We live in a world now where racist comments, along with other things are less tolerated. The reality is that someone needs to speak up. You may not be able to avoid animosity, because there is a chance that he might be defensive. If this is an issue that is making everyone uncomfortable, maybe you all need to speak with him individually, or as a group, away from his boyfriend so that he Wash hands often with soap and water for recognizes the affect that his boyfriends' at least 20 seconds. comments/behaviors has on everyone. Sometimes what is normal for someone is a Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or foreign concept to someone else. He should sleeve when coughing or sneezing. Throw certainly be the one to bring this to his the tissue in the trash. boyfriend's attention.
Florida Health Office of Communications 03/10/20
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