FLIFF 2020
Photos: JR Davis
THE PRINTERS
PLUS !
2681 West McNab Road • Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Beautiful wholesale printing to the trade 2681 West McNab Road • Pompano Beach, FL 33069 quotes @ theprintersprinter.com www.theprintersprinter.com (954) 917-2773
The safety of our community and patons is of paramount importance to us all. Our doors remain open as all precautions have been put in place to protect us. We are here to help you enjoy the Florida Lifestyle, at least in your own home. Come see us at...
3050 N. FEDERAL HWY, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33306 SE CORNER OF OAKLAND PARK BLVD & N. FEDERAL HWY 954.356.2774 • INFO@YOURPATIOSTORE.COM
Photo: The Drag Photographer
Lips' Diva's Glitz and Glam
Lips Presents its Annual Gospel Brunch and Holiday Toy Drive Bene tting Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center on Sunday, December 6 Lips, the ultimate in drag dining, will host a not-your-ordinary Holiday Toy Drive to bene it Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center (CDTC) during its Drag-a-licious Gospel Brunch on Sunday, December 6, with two show seating's at 11am and 1:30pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped children's toy to receive a free Lips' World-Famous Frozen Cosmo during a future visit. “Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center is grateful for Lips which has been committed for years to our organization in support of our kids,” said Ana E. Calderon Randazzo, Ph.D. of Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center. “Lips offers an amazing good time and we invite others to join us as we raise funds and collect toys for our families in need!” Attendees to this festive brunch will have two reasons to enjoy Lips show palace experience. One is to celebrate Lips' show hostess, Nicolette's birthday and the other is to support CDTC. Show goers will experience soulful and inspirational music performed by the ladies of Lips who will also serve Lips'
world-famous all-inclusive Sunday brunch with bottomless Bloody Marys, mimosas and Champagne. “Despite today's global pandemic, we remain committed to collecting toys and raising funds for Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center,” said Yvonne Lamé , Lips founder and co-owner. “Now, especially, we're embracing the spirit of giving and we encourage the community to join us for this celebratory opportunity to provide local kids with hope for the holidays.” Guests of Lips always enjoy the witty show hostesses and talented cast who serve up delicious food and entertainment as part of a well-orchestrated revue of past and present leading ladies. Lips is more drag-a-licious than ever with a popular menu of drag queeninspired delicious salads, appetizers, entrees and desserts, plus a full-bar serving its worldfamous frozen cosmos and other signature drinks. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (954) 567-0987. Seating is limited due to social distancing requirements. Lips is CDC compliant and facial coverings are required upon entry. Brunch is $24.95 per person plus an additional $10 cover charge that will go directly to Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center.
About Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center (CDTC) is a not-for-pro it organization that serves more than 12,000 children with special healthcare needs in Broward County, annually. As a facility of Broward Health, CDTC's mission is to promote the optimal health and well-being of children with special healthcare needs. CDTC is a nationally recognized center of excellence offering a unique system of care for infants, children and youth with chronic illnesses, disabilities and developmental delays. For information, visit Childrensdiagnostic.com. For more information about Lips, call (954) 567-0987 or visit Lipsusa.com.
Santa Claus is still coming to town At Santa's Drive-thru Village
Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, the Elves and many more from the North Pole are making the trek to South Florida this December. The magic of Santa's Village comes to life in an adventure the whole family can enjoy! Hop in your car and head to Santa's Drive-Thru Village, a very merry drive-thru Christmas attraction in South Florida located at Miramar Regional Park (16801 Miramar Parkway) in Miramar, FL from Thursday, December 3 through Wednesday, December 23. Christmas pajamas, ugly sweaters and all the treats that make this time of year so special are invited to tag along. During the most wonderful time of the year, and for the irst time ever, get a backstage look at how Christmas comes together while enjoying social distancing from your car. A brilliant light show will illuminate the elves as they are busy at work creating a festive holiday with snow all around. Best of all, Santa Claus himself, will be there to greet one and all! Naughty or nice, everyone is invited to bring their letters to Santa for a special drop-off. Live 305 Entertainment, run by Cirque du Soleil veteran, Francisco Santos, dreamed up and gave life to the heartwarming experience following the great success seen from his recent “The Horrorland” drive-thru entertainment. Santos and his daughter, Luna Santos, worked together on the design of the innovative holiday tradition. “The cheerful celebration is about
community, giving and creating memories, some of the things that make Christmas so special,” Santos said. Special villages that will awe and inspire with polar bears, angels, reindeer, carol singers and more include: The Singing Carolers Town; Winter Wonderland Paradise; Mrs. Claus' Village and the North Pole Village; Merry & Bright Lights; The Elves' Toy Factory; and Santa's Magical Cabin “The joy of visiting Santa is a memory everyone holds dear and we're delighted to be able to bring this excitement to kids and families in a new format due to current safety issues,” says Francisco Santos, CEO and Director of Live305 Entertainment. “The unique experience will take visitors on a car trip down a runway of blinking lights, past snow lakes and sleigh bells before visiting the Elf's Toy Factory and inally arriving at Santa's Cabin for the yuletide inale.” Tickets are priced at $48.99 per car and can nly be purchased in advance online at SantasDriveThruVillage.com. Group rates are available.Hours of operation will be: Monday to Thursday from 6pm to 10pm and Friday to Sunday from 5:30pm to 10pm. For any questions regarding tickets, call 1-800-3836119 or email santasdrivethruvillage@gmail.com.
12/17/2020
HOT BODIES
by Tom Bonanti
Don't Let the Holidays Wreak Havoc on Your Waistline!
A
good workout can leave you mighty sore, but in the end, most will agree that the feelings of accomplishment and exhilaration are well worth it! There is another type of stress, the kind that beats you down, and you know where I'm going here. A tough day at work, whether you are working from home or at an office can leave you with a stiff neck, lower back pain, headaches, sore wrists, and worse. Many guys complain of a stiff neck and sore shoulders by quitting time. The reality is that your head weighs 10 to 12 pounds and supporting that weight for hours is bound to
strain your neck and shoulders. Here's what you can do. Adjust the back of your chair so that it supports your spine and scoot your butt as far back as possible. Sit up, straighten your shoulders, pull your chin back and that will keep your head and spine in line. Keep essentials close by. Straining to reach your “stuff� can cause shoulder soreness and even rotator cuff tears. Phones, fax machines and keyboards should be within convenient reach for you. Don't type while you're on the phone. Flexing your head against your shoulder to hold the phone pinches the primary blood
flow to the arm and the brain. The best fix here is to use a headset. But if it's not in your budget, when the phone rings, pretend that it is 1968 and take notes with a pen and paper. This will give your wrists and fingers a break from the keyboard. Try setting your computer screen a little lower. Your neck was built to bend slightly downward. Keep your monitor low enough by placing it on the desktop, not on top of the computer's central unit or other type of riser. Many guys suffer with low back pain. Sitting at work for hours may take the load off your feet, but it increases the pressure on your spine by 30%. Here's what you can do. First, never stay in one position too long. Move around. Constantly changing position helps the disks in your spine retain more fluid and that keeps your back more pliable. Second, loosen your ham strings. Prolonged
sitting can tighten your hamstrings which can strain the muscles of your lower back. Here is a stretch you can do. Sit on the floor with your left leg extended in front of you and bend the right leg so your right foot touches your right knee (Your legs will form a figure four). Bend forward at your waist to stretch your left hamstring and hold the stretch for ten seconds. Repeat this stretch with your other leg. Stretch daily. Third, ditch the cheap chair. An office chair should have an adjustable height and a tilting back rest. Adjusting the chair is simple. You should be able to keep your spine straight and your knees and elbows bent at 90 degrees as you rest your feet flat on the floor.
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 or to make an appointment today!
Visit Lauderdale's Richard Gray Named among 100 most in uential lgbtq+ people of 2020 by Out Magazine Visit Lauderdale's Richard Gray, Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, has been recognized as an innovator and named among the 100 most in luential LGBTQ+ people in the United States by Out Magazine's 2020 Out100. The list remains the largest annual portfolio recognizing members of the LGBTQ+ community for their ground-breaking, ripple-inducing, and culture-shifting impact nationwide. Each honoree represents not just the past but also the future. “Richard is an exemplary, authentic leader in the travel industry and beyond, and he's perfectly suited among Out100's prestigious group of trailblazers,” says Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “He embodies the welcoming and inclusive nature of our entire Greater Fort Lauderdale destination and uses his creative vision to bring unparalleled and progressive strategic thinking to our tourism efforts.” This summer under Gray's direction, Visit Lauderdale launched the groundbreaking 'Celebrate You' campaign which is a global irst. Gray believes this the best campaign to date and underscores Greater Fort Lauderdale's diversity. Greater Fort Lauderdale is dedicated to being a destination where all people are welcomed, regardless of religion, gender, gender expression, body size, race or disability. The historic campaign includes trans, drag, lesbian, gay, nonbinary, disabled, straight and minorities in a very non-resort way.
As part of this campaign, Gray added black and brown to the Pride colors to show Greater Fort Lauderdale's commitment and belief in black and brown people. This is the irst DMO (destination marketing organization) to add these colors to its lag. “Now more than ever, it's important to highlight the monumental achievements the LGBTQ+ community has made against the backdrop of a giant cultural shift and an evolving landscape of entertainment, politics, social justice, industry, and so much more. This list is critical,” says Diane Anderson-Minshall, CEO & Editorial Director of Pride Media. Notable 2020 Out100 honorees include actor Wilson Cruz, activist and BLM organizer Janaya Khan, actor and director Joe Mantello, artist and icon Janelle Moná e, journalist Rachel Maddow, fashion legend André Leon Talley, headlining musician Lizzo, comedian Wanda Sykes, actors Jeremy Pope and Cheyenne Jackson, the creators of Queer Eye, and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris's team Jamal Brown, Reggie Greer, and Karine Jean-Pierre. Gray is the only South Florida honoree. “I am beyond honored and humbled to be part of Out100. I will use this recognition to continue my endeavors to push the envelope and use my global platform to educate and better the world. After all, I do believe we are all here to leave the world better than we found it,” says Richard Gray, Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion of Visit Lauderdale. For more information on the Out100, go to Out.com.
deep inside HOLLYWOOD
Photo: Wikimedia.org - ColliderVideo
By Romeo San Vicente
Charmed reboot adds transgender actor J.J. Hawkins for season 3 Photo: Kathclick
One of the more heartening developments in scripted narrative TV in the past few years has been the mini-wave of transgender and nonbinary actors being cast in shows as both trans and cis characters. It's just starting but the ranks keep growing. And you can add newcomer J.J. Hawkins to that mix. Hawkins, a gendernonconforming transmasculine actor, is joining the cast of the Charmed reboot on the CW network. Entering season three after a 2018 start, the supernatural drama that stars Madeleine Mantock, Melonie Diaz and Sarah Jeffery will add Hawkins to the mix, where they'll be the series' first transgender character, a college student named Kevin. (Hawkins also uses pronouns
he/him interchangeably). Hawkins' career to this point has been spent playing supporting roles as nonbinary characters on series such as The Red Line and the CBS legal drama All Rise. The new season hits the air January 24, to brighten up your post-holidays malaise.
the blue, comes Dashing in December from Paramount, starring Peter Porte (The Young and the Restless) and Juan Pablo Di Pace (Fuller House, but gays are really going to remember him best as the Aerobics Class Guy in Eric Prydz “Call On Me” video). Like all holiday TV movies, the premise is simple: two men meet on a ranch in the Midwest as Christmas approaches and one of them tries to convince ranch owner Andie
The queer Christmas movies are heating up
We told you about the Kristen Stewart/Mackenzie Davis holiday rom-com Happiest Season (dropped on Hulu last week); and how the two big cable holiday movie factories – Hallmark and Lifetime – are also offering The Christmas House and The Christmas Setup, respectively. But now, out of
MacDowell to sell the property. Short version: the holidays and rugged rural hot dudes = gingerbread-based romance and a happily ever after. It drops on the Paramount Network December 13. Get that boozy cocoa ready for the Zoom watch party.
convince your rightwing parents to watch it. Wouldn't that be nice?
Waiting to Exhale: the TV series
Falling finds Viggo Mortensen behind the camera The queer child having to deal with conservative parents is, at this point, a cliché in LGBTQ+ dramas about family conflict, but Viggo Mortensen's new film, Falling, will put its own spin on the familiar narrative trope. Mortensen writes, directs and stars in the film as the gay son who chooses to care for his aging, conservative father (Lance Henriksen), transplanting Dad from a rural area to a new life in Los Angeles.
We're going to assume a sort of mutual understanding develops between these characters, the reconciliation so many queer people long for from reactionary family members. Ozark star Laura Linney and Hannah Gross (Tesla) round out the cast of the heartfelt drama. It premiered in January at the Sundance Film Festival – which now seems like a decade ago – and drops in the UK in December. A U.S. release is forthcoming, probably in the New Year, and maybe you'll be able to
A recent Twitter game: name something that isn't queer, but actually is queer. The usual responses of iced coffee, Carly Rae Jepsen and Selling Sunset were to be expected. But now that we've heard that a Waiting to Exhale series is in development at ABC, we'd like to play along. Naturally Lee Daniels is behind it, because he's seemingly behind everything, and it comes with some excellent behind-thescenes talent with a pilot from sisters Attica Locke (When They See Us) and Tembi Lock (Never Have I Ever), to be directed by Anthony Hemingway (Genius: Aretha). Terry McMillan, who authored the original book about four women navigating romance and friendship on which the 1995 Loretta Devine-, Whitney Houston-, Lela Rochon-, Angela Bassettstarring film was based, will act as consulting producer. There's no cast yet but we have high hopes for this one. Stay tuned. Romeo San Vicente has never set a bad ex's clothes on fire. He stole them instead.
Visiting Miami? Stop on by! Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Sat-Sun 11am-4pm 1130 Washington Ave. First Floor North
Miami Beach, FL 33139
GoGayMiami.com
Proudly Supported by:
Programming by:
R&B R&B icon icon talks talks loyal loyal LGBTQ LGBTQ fans, fans, returning returning to to Pride Pride && overcoming overcoming self-doubt self-doubt
By Chris Azzopardi Photos: Derek Blanks
The light falling on R&B queen Brandy is casting tiny rainbows that dance above her head. She's looking up at them, telling me what she sees. Little rainbows everywhere. On an ordinary day, sure, this would be special. But on this particular day, as I speak with a con ident and ruminative Brandy on Zoom, in depth, about her eagerness to get back to performing at Pride and the loyalty of her LGBTQ fans, it's impossible not to read into this extraordinarily timed meteorological phenomenon as some kind of gay magic. In case you didn't know how much mad love there is between Brandy and the LGBTQ community, well, here are some rainbows haloing Brandy's head while she's addressing that very love, it seems to say. From her iconic sing-off with Monica on “The Boy Is Mine” and on through her remake of Cinderella with Whitney and her
woman where you get to make the calls, where you have autonomy, where you are a co-producer and co-writer. It's extraordinary to I wanted to show people see. Can you talk that no matter what you about how you got to that place? go through, you're always I felt inspired this bigger than your circumstance, time around. I just and you can always work on your wanted to follow the mental issues. Always. creativity, the low, that was in me, that was inspiring me to use my music to tell a lot of the stories that I had gone through, my challenges with Promoting B7 in the middle love and my mentality and where I of a pandemic on Zoom – what has stood with myself, and also just trying to ind that experience been like? this new sound and this new way of It's not like how it normally is, of course. I'm approaching music. a people person; I love to interact, meet new It took me a minute, but I'm so glad that I fans, meet fans that have been with me for such was able to really dig deep and pull the real a long time. But I am thankful for feelings, the real emotion for this project. technology because we could just be Real lyrics that are coming from my heart, on the phone and I wouldn't be able from my own journal, from my own spirit. It to meet you like this. So (I'm) just feels a little bit different when most of thankful in that way. But (I) de initely wish I could really be the music is coming from you. It feels good to out there and socialize and hug be in this place. And I want to, of course, people and shake hands, that continue to collaborate with other writers kind of thing. and other producers, but it feels good to have a center where I can go to and pull from, that I'm sending you a virtual I feel con ident with. hug. I'm sending you one too. When you have such a loyal fan base, do you get to a point where you can trust that I've been a fan since I was a they'll go on any journey with you kid. We're about the same creatively? age, but the difference is I would have to say I feel like my fans have that I've watched you grow been loyal from day one, especially the up. diehard fans; they've been very supportive It's beautiful to meet people from my irst album, to me moving into who have followed me and television and me being able to step outside supported me all this time, so I of music and do things that I never saw appreciate you jumping on the myself doing or imagined myself doing. Brandy board and being a part I feel like people have grown up with me, and of my journey. And even in that started at the very beginning. But I could you being interested in really also tell with the new project, just the talking to me. anticipation, people wanting me to put out music and always asking, “When are we going Just to see you blossom to get new music?” When people still want to into this independent hear from you after you've been gone for TV series Moesha, Brandy's biggest LGBTQ fans have stood by her, their devotion never waning. In July, nearly 30 years after her self-titled debut made her an R&B star in 1993, she dropped B7, her seventh studio album, on her own record label, Brand Nu Inc. Now that Brandy is more in control of her identity and artistry, that bond has never been stronger.
depression is intense. How are you working through this current moment? I just have this deep empathy for everyone. My prayers for the world have increased. I've always prayed for world peace and These lyrics are togetherness, for some of the most us to be equal real lyrics of your and uni ied, but career. And you go my prayers have deep. I have friends gotten longer who are and more experiencing their frequent with what's going on. But I just try to own mental health issues and saying this think maybe this whole entire moment is album has really connected with them shifting us to a different level of awareness, a because you're so open and vulnerable. Are different level of consciousness. And maybe you hearing that from fans? this thing that looks like a catastrophe is I do. I know we have struggles, and we go really the universe cleaning our mess up and through things that we wish we could change helping us get to a better place. our behavior on, and things we have to face And, of course, my heart goes out to the about ourselves, and I wanted to be one of the people that we have lost in these tragic times, people to come forward and say that I've but I feel like I have to believe that everything struggled in a lot of areas with my mentality, works for the higher good. At some point we with my sanity, just with the kind of life that I've will be better from this because a lot of light had to lead. A lot of trauma. A lot of PTSD that has been shed on a lot of the things that this I've had to battle and face. world has had to face. Even though we've seen But there is light at the end of the tunnel a lot of division, we've all seen a lot of unity in because there's work that you can do. You can this time. We have to think on those things, talk to someone, you can journal. You can change the inner dialogue with yourself. It takes practice and I think when we focus on those kinds of things – and being grateful for the to get yourself on track, but there is light at smallest thing; like, I'm grateful for the end of the tunnel. I wanted to the pillow that I have to sleep show people that no matter what on at night – you start to you go through, you're always appreciate the smallest of bigger than your the smallest things in life. circumstance, and you can always work on your I think we're moving I absolutely love mental issues. Always. into a better space for performing at Pride. ourselves, and I just The energy is That's such an important pray that that's the case. just unmatched. thing that I think we all I really do. need to hear right now, Brandy. We're all going What are you grateful through something we've for today? never experienced before, so Today I'm grateful that I'm the PTSD, the anxiety, the able to speak with you about eight years; that feels amazing. That people still have a yearning, have a want, have that feeling that they want to hear something from me… even if it's “Happy Birthday”! (Laughs.) That feels amazing to have a loyal fan base like that.
life and to share what I just shared we're together, but in reality, in with you today. I'm grateful for the waking state, we had my family that I saw this broken up, and that was a morning. I'm grateful for very, very hard time for the breakfast that I was me. And heartbreaks able to eat this morning. and hard times make I'm just grateful for for good songs, so I “Lucid Dreams” is really oxygen. I'm grateful for said, “Let me just about me losing myself these, like, rainbows go on and write that I see on my wall about it and be in a relationship because I feel right now. Little honest about it.” If like I'm nothing rainbows on my wall. you listen to it, I'm without this person. I'm just grateful for life making all of these and to have a purpose in healing sounds life. To be here and not to because I was using feel like you have a purpose, the song to heal a part that's not a good place to be. of the leftover pain that I And I want everybody to know was feeling from that that: If you're alive, you have a particular time in my life. But I'm purpose here. completely over it, I'm free from that, which is great. I did the work to do it, and when God, you're gonna make me cry. you do the work, you do get results. Don't you cry, Chris. (Laughs.) I'm about to pay you to be my therapist. An I'm a big fan of “Lucid Dreams” from B7; it hour a week – how much? seems to detail a very personal story of (Laughs.) You know what, no one's ever you losing yourself. And I think we're all at said that. Ev'rybody trying to send me to risk of that right now. Can you talk about therapy! I'm kidding. (Laughs.) I love that, that song and how you were able to get thank you. That's a compliment. back to you and the work that it took to get there? You're a regular There was a time in Pride performer, my life where I felt like I and Pride was not needed another person the same this year. to complete me, and You didn't get to that is not the ultimate perform at Pride. truth. The ultimate truth What do you feel is that we are whole. We you missed out on? are a whole person, and I absolutely love when you become performing at Pride. whole – and when you The energy is just realize that – you share unmatched. And you your wholeness with can just tell the love another whole person. for my music in the “Lucid Dreams” is really LGBTQ community is about me losing myself real. You feel like, “OK, in a relationship they have my back. When I come on because I feel like I'm stage, they're gonna nothing without this give me that love I person. So I'm addicted need. They're gonna to sleep, chasing this want me to do well. recurring dream They're gonna want because in my dreams
doing OK, everyone?” Yeah. And then the people that are there, that are working, they don't act like a crowd, they don't act like an audience. The 10 people that are separated doing camera shots, they're not going to clap for you at the end.
me.” It feels like family. And I'm just so blessed to have the LGBTQ community to support me in such a way that I just… it feels awesome. And I miss that. I didn't get to do anything for Pride. But count me in when it's safe and ready to go, because I absolutely love it. I absolutely love performing at Pride.
They're not like your gay fans. They don't know every word to “Have You Ever,” “The Boy Is Mine,” “Almost Doesn't Count,” “Sittin' Up in My Room.” Right! And the unreleased stuff. Your gay fans know your unreleased (stuff); that's when you know you're a real fan.
When in your career did you feel the most creatively sti led, like you couldn't be who you wanted to be creatively? It was nice to see you on a stage, on the I would have to say after the Full Moon Billboard stage, to be exact, where you blew it album I kind of lost my way. And I say this in up. What's it like performing in that kind of the most humble way, but so many artists environment, in a pandemic, without a started to approach music the way that I did. crowd? I started to hear a lot of my sound with so It's different. Because you feed off a crowd. And many different artists; I heard a lot of songs the applause. And the singing along. And the that sounded like the work that I had done, rooting you on. That is something that I and so a part of me felt like, “Where's de initely miss in terms of being on my place? Do I have a place? stage. But there's also a focus Because everybody is starting that happens when there isn't to sound a little bit like me. a crowd, where I'm only And I don't know what I thinking of what I'm can do now, like, 'Do I doing. But I would prefer take it to another And if I trust my creative a crowd over just being place? Do I try not to low, I don't have to think about completely in my zone. sound like myself? anything else but that. And if I can get in my zone What do I do?'” So I I'm true to that, then I'm true to with a crowd, but it's was a little bit my fans and I'm true to my easier when the crowd confused as to the purpose and my work, and isn't there. But I miss direction that I should that's what's important. the crowd. go in. Or if I was even needed, if my music was You don't have that even needed. But that was instant feedback, right? nonsense; that was negative It's hard to know, “Am I thinking that was just me
having a moment of just not knowing my place. I got through that, and I was able to make more music after that, and I'm going to continue to make music, and I'm in a place where I'm stronger mentally in terms of just learning to trust my creative low. And if I trust my creative low, I don't have to think about anything else but that. And if I'm true to that, then I'm true to my fans and I'm true to my purpose and my work, and that's what's important.
Do you think we'll have to wait another eight years for the next one? No, no! It's not gonna be another eight years. It was eight years for a reason; it was for a lot of different reasons. I'm in a really great place, musically, creatively. And I have so many great opportunities. I'm a free spirit. I have my own label, I am writing my own songs; it's just a different version of myself. It's a better version of myself. Of course I want to do other things outside of music, but I don't think it's fair to wait another eight years to put out music when the studio is right down the street. (Laughs.) People need music, people need music, and people that have the talent to share music should be doing music
and that's how I feel: It's my responsibility.
It sounds like you're in a place where nothing is holding you back right now. Nothing. Nothing is holding me back. And I have such great supporters. Like you today. Your energy is beautiful. You represent a whole community of people that love me, and you're speaking for them to let me know that I'm loved out here and that feels… that's an amazing feeling. So I owe you. I owe the LGBTQ community. I owe my fans music. And it's a beautiful place, to be loved.
This interview was lightly edited and condensed for clarity. As editor of Q Syndicate, the 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.
REACHING 1.3 MILLION UNIQUE USERS ONLINE!
PROFESSIONAL MARKETPLACE OF LGBT AND LGBT-FRIENDLY BUSINESSES AND SERVICES nAttorneys nCarpet Cleaning nComputer Services nDentists nHeating & A/C
nHome Improvement nHurricane shutters nLandscaping nLicensed Massage nMoving & Storage
nPool & Spa nReal Estate nVeterinarians nWindows & Doors ...and more!
IS YOUR BUSINESS LISTED? Register at www.MarksList.LGBT
uSpotlight Ad of the Week
To Place Your Directory or Classified Ad Call Jim at 954-928-1862 ext. 14 or Email Jim@Hotspots.LGBT
Mark’s List Marketplace u FOR SALE - BROWARD
u FOR SALE - GENERAL
FORT LAUDERDALE
VINTAGE MENS MAGAZINES
For sale from 1980’s - 2000’s. Excellent condition. Collection over 280 plus, incl: Playgirl, Advocate Men, Unzipped, Colt, Mandate, etc. 954-240-1845
LABRADOR PUPPIES FOR SALE
Chocolate & black, male and female. Parents on site/AKC. Shots, health guaranteed. Dewormed. $1800 plus. For pictures call/text Tom 786-748-3831 (Avail 12/15)
u ART PAINTING BY JUSTIN
Highest Quality Painting, Reasonable Prices, Interior/Exterior, Experienced Dependable, Free Estimate 754-801-9913
TAMARAC LAKES SECTION 1
2/1 Electric, water heater and kitchen updated. Fenced yard, association heated pool. Lake & clubhouse. Newly painted interior/exterior. New Facia board, new bathroom. $220,000. Text Tom 786-748-3831
u FOR SALE - COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FREE-STANDING OFFICE BUILDING IN NORTH ANDREWS GARDENS
u HELP WANTED PINEAPPLE POINT GUESTHOUSE
We are looking to hire a full time housekeeper as well as a part/full time front desk staff. Please apply in person between 9 a.m. and 2 pm. at 315 NE 16 Terrace Ft Lauderdale FL 33301.
u RENTALS - FORT LAUDERDALE 1 BEDS, 2 BEDS, HOUSES AND MORE.
1100 s.f. under air. Extensively remodeled. 1 block north of Commercial, just East of 95. Located at 270 N.E. 51st St, Oakland Park 33334. $299,900. Call owner/agent Bill Gerrity - Gerrity Realty954-294-2400
u RENTALS - OAKLAND PARK
1 Beds, 2 Beds, Houses and More. Free professional service to our community,over 15 years experience. Steve Pizzuto 954-873-2830 Better Homes & Gardens, I also work with Landlords.
2/2 Pool & Ocean View. Everything is new. $299k
Wilton Manors icon, Red’s Bar available $125k. Riverside 4-Plex $569k. 4/3 Handyman Highland Lakes $629k. 2/2 Intracoastal Condo $229k. 2/2 Oceanview FTL Coop $299k. 4/2 Rental House Rented till 2024 Remodeled $569k. See display ad in this issue. “Broker Joe” Grano, Realtor® 954-931-0031
CLOSE TO W. MANORS. 1/1 $950
Big owners unit. Tile floors. Walk-in closet. Hurricane impact windows. No pets. No smokers. (Studio Apt also avail $850) 754-366-7563
Downtown 4‐Plex. Rented & Clean. $569k
Wilton Manors Icon. RED’S Bus Only. $125k
PENDING Direct Ocean View. 3/2. Impact Glass $499k
CLOSED 2/2 Point of Americas Coastline View $559k
2/2 Victoria Park Tower. $1,575/mo RENTAL
All of my listings have a short video clip available to share.
First Atlantic Realty, Inc. 1881 NE 26th
Since 1985
“Broker Joe” Grano
954‐931‐0031
Street Suite 212 Wilton Manors, Florida 33305
Licensed Real Estate Brokerage
Mark’s List Marketplace
Mark’s List Marketplace u ROOM MATES - FORT LAUDERDALE AMAZING RESORT-LIKE ATMOSPHERE
Share a 3BD/2BA house with pool, hot tub and a great atmosphere. Large furnished/unfurnished room. $825/Mo. F/L & 1/2 mo. sec. Newly renovated. What’s the catch? You must be a quality individual: responsible, professional, mature, employed, clean and respectful. incl. ALL utilities. Avail 12/15 MUST BE NEAT 954-980-1123.
u HAIR REMOVAL
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
KJR ESTHETICS AT WAXIITAXI
Professional male esthetician specializing in manscaping, shaving, Brazilain waxing, & skincare services. By appointment only. For more information go to www.WaxiiTaxi.com & follow me @WaxiiTaxi (561) 955-0626
u LICENSED MASSAGE
WELLNESS SPA
KEITH ANGEL, LMT, LCT, LFS
OVER 500 FIVE STAR REVIEWS!
COLON CLEANSE CLEANSE HYDRATE RENEW
MEN’S HAIR REMOVAL
Waxing • Grooming • Skin Care • Body Scrubs. 500+ Five Star Reviews Call/Text 954-816-7260. Book Online: www.massagecenterfla.com
www.TheColonicSpa.com • 954.816.7260 450 NE 5TH STREET, SUITE 4 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33301 (BY APPOINTMENT)
MM27048
Mark’s List Marketplace u LAWN MAINTENANCE / IRRIGATION LAWN MAINTENANCE - LANDSCAPE
Make your home a showplace. INTEGRITY LANDSCAPE SERVICES, LLC specializes in property clean up, tree and shrub pruning, sodding and landscape design & installation. We also do lawn maintenance.Call John 954-812-5434 www.IntegrityLandscapingService.com
IRRIGATION SYSTEM REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE 30 Years experience, excellent work, referrals upon request. Call Roberto at 954-383-8980
u AIR CONDITIONING CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING
Repairs, installations, indoor air quality. Residential/ Commercial. Proudly serving the tri-county area. Quality and experience. Free service calls for all A/C makes and models. Lic/Ins CMC1249558 Call 954-274-8287 for your free estimate. **10% off your first repair**
AFFORDABLE AIR CONDITIONING REPAIRS
Fast repair service. A&H Air Conditioning, 954-392-1301. Lic CAC 057837. Replacement units with financing options. Over 32 years experience serving our community. Evenings and weekends too.
Mark’s List Marketplace u ELECTRICAL
u POOL & SPA SERVICES
‘RTS ELECTRIC’ 24-HOUR SERVICE
Quality work at a reasonable price. We also service & install any size generator. Licensed & Insured (98-CME-1807-X). 954-257-9509.
u CLEANING SERVICES
u HANDYMAN ONE-STOP SHOPPING AND ASSOCIATES HANDYMAN/ REMODELING AND MORE WITH OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN ALL PHASES OF...
Home improvements, additions, electrical, plumbing, painting, kitchen, baths, wood flooring / trim, TV mounting, Former owner of a NY remodeling co. as well as a hands on worker, because I demand perfection in all I do. Please call Mitch 954-253-4650 or Eric 954-495-7430 for prompt honest and dependable service. Lic. CGC1514441 and insured.
CAPTAIN’S REPAIR & MAINTENANCE
Carpentry - Plumbing - Electrical. 20-years experience in Fort Lauderdale. Projects completed on time and clean. Fully Insured 786-348-3598
ADVERTISE IN MARKS LIST MARKETPLACE
Call Anthony at 954-928-1862 Ext. 14 or Email Anthony@HotSpotsMedia.com
KENNY & JAY REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE
Bathroom, kitchen, microwave, plumbing and electric, outlets, switches, breakers. Time clocks, Upgrade breaker box, repair or replace sprinkler & pool motors, replace & remove hot water tanks & install tankless water heaters. Vanity. sinks, faucets, dishwasher & garbage disposals. K&J 954-260-9940 BEST PRICES IN TOWN! 32 Years Experience.
Mark’s List Marketplace TAX PREPARATION HAROLD J BLOTCHER, EA
Tax preparation and resolution for individuals and small businesses. Help with same-sex marriage issues and IRS matters. Call 781-363-5519 or 561-429-3592 www.haroldjblotchertaxes.com
u MOVING | STORAGE RED BOX MOVING COMPANY
Affordable, Reliably, & Careful. Licensed & Insured (MV#567) Norbert 954-305-9176 www.redboxmoving.com
u PERSONAL TRAINING ISSA CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER
Free Weights, Yoga, Resistance Training, Abs/ Core Routines. Swimming & Biking. Call/Text Tom 786-748-3831
ADVERTISE IN MARKS LIST MARKETPLACE
Call Anthony at 954-928-1862 Ext. 14 or Email Anthony@HotSpotsMedia.com
Mark’s List Marketplace
Compassionate. A holiday spirit that lives all year long. This year, we’re extra grateful for the gifts we have. The gifts of health, kindness, and compassion. And at Jackson, our greatest gift is the ability to bring our patients back to health. Our care team’s compassion keeps our patients merry and bright through the holidays and beyond. Wishing you a healthy holiday season, from our Jackson family to yours.
Call 305-585-4JMG for a Jackson specialist near you.
Jackson Health System is proud to be recognized as an “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation.
COMPASSIONATE • EXPERT • FAMILY CENTERED INCLUSIVE • LEADING • UNDERSTANDING