Feature: The Lion King Returns to Broward Center • Feature: Ty Sutton, President and CEO of The Broward Center • Feature: The National LGBTQ Task Force’s Winter Party Festival 2025 • Feature: Deep Inside Hollywood • Feature: Winter Reads Cozy up with these queer books • Feature: Melissa Etheridge’s Guide to Joy, Resilience and Unity
Out with Scott/What’s Hot | Scott Holland’s Guide to Events Pix: Our Fund • Pix: Art Walk Wilton Manors • Pix: Launch of Wilton Manors Art District at City Hall • Pix: Le Chic’s February Brunch • Feature: Hot Bodies • Pix: Harmony Waves and Holy Cross Hospital Present Rock the Block • Pix: Chocolate City Pix: Pride on the Drive 2025
Photo: Dale Stine
Model: King Adonis
On Thursday February 13, through the weekend was the annual Florida Rubber weekend. The weekend featured a welcome cookout, a gear sale, a community night, a Valentines Fetish Ball, a champagne showroom, MFR 2025 contest, and a poolside picnic. Congrats to the producers and Bono the Bear, the Florida Rubber Contest 2025 winner!
On Friday, February 14 (Valentines Day), Chocolate City presents an event to meet their eligible bachelors in their singles Valentines Day mix and mingle. The sexy bachelors were Jay, Ederick, Sam, Ryan, and Geoffrey, and I wonder how many are still single?
On Saturday, February 15, Art Walk Wilton Manors, in association with Express Culture presented “Strong, Black and Proud: a Black History Minth Artistic Fashion Show at the Hotspots Happening
Out location in Wilton Manors and what a fun fashion show this was. There was not only great fashion but some singing performances as well.
On Sunday, February 16, Gay Ocho returned, but in a smaller version, called “House Party” at Domino Park in Little Havana from 11am to 11pm. The event featured food, live music, local DJ’s, and more. Cant wait for next year when the full festival returns!
On Monday, February 17, Midland Medical in association with Noche Latina Florida presented the 21stt annual Miss and Mr. Noche Latina Pageant with a “Casino” theme at Aquaplex Fort Lauderdale. The pageant Starred the current Noche Court: Elishaly D’Witshes, Arwin Mantilla and Kelly Razzberry as well as the current reigning Mr. Florida Isaiah Sanchez Hilton and the Noche Latina Family.
Florida Rubber Chocolate City
events were happening. The first was the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce February Mixer at Hunters Nightclub and the second was the WMAD kickoff party at Wilton Manors City Hall.
On Saturday, February 22, The South Beach Food and Wine festival held their annual Drag Brunch presented by Absolut Vodka and hosted by Antoni Porowski and Ana Navarro and her dog ChaCha at the Miami Beach Bandshell. Mistress of ceremonies was Athena Dion with special guests Meatball, Alexis Michelle of Ru Paul’s Drag Race and Ru Paul’s Drag Race All Stars and
Randy Roberts. Additionally, there were performances by some of the R Housse girls including Juicy Love and Tayanna Love. This was the first year I have been able to go to the brunch and it is now on my must things to do list as I had a BLAST!
Wilton Manors Art Walk Gay 8
SOBEWFF Drag Brunch
Miss and Mr Noche Latina 2025
WMAD
Thursday February 27
The National LGBTQ Task Force’s Winter Party makes its return to Miami Beach for its 32nd anniversary celebration through March 4. Winter Party is an annual dance and music festival featuring a week-long series of events benefiting both local and national LGBTQ+ organizations. One of the highlights of the week is the annual Beach Party on the sands of South Beach at 10th Street. For a full list of events or to purchase tickets go to Winter Party.com or see the 4 page feature in this issue.
Bevnap Productions & Empire Stage present, direct from a sold-out run in Provincetown, "The Devil Wears Payless,” which is playwright Jamie Morris’ 7th
comedy parody play and will make its South Florida premiere today and runs through April 6th. “PAYLESS” parodies the Meryl Streep/Anne Hathaway/Emily Blunt film about the ultimate boss from hell…with a twist! Morris’ version answers the question, “What happens when Miranda Priestly is caught wearing Payless shoes?” 70 Mins, with no intermission, and tickets are $40 with a $5 discount by using the code “Early” and $30 for tonight’s preview performance. For tickets or more information, go to Empirestage.com.
Join the Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida at 8pm at the Sunshine Cathedral for a night of powerful music and community connection. Sponsored by Seminole Hard
Ailey II
at $30, go to Arshtcenter.org.
Dance NOW! Miami 2025 Program II, featuring world premiere of Blue Pencil starts tonight at 8pm at Miami Theater Center (9806 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores). One of Florida’s leading contemporary ensembles tackles the issues of censorship and repression head-on. Blue Pencil was created in collaboration with Portugal’s Dança em Diálogos. Tickets are $40 general admission in advance & $45 day of show, $25 for Miami
33rd studio album, “Swing Fever,” a collaboration with Jools Holland in February 2024. He toured Asia and Europe before wrapping his recordsetting 13-year Las Vegas residency, “Rod Stewart: The Hits.” For tickets, or more information, go to seminolehardrockhollywood.com/events.
Twist presents, as part of Winter party Week, “Feel The Heat” with DJ JRNY
The Seminole Hardrock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
Photo: Flickr.comBeth Walsh
spinning all night long and as always never a cover!
Art United gallery presents their opening reception for “Power Imagined: The Art of Women’s Impact” as they celebrate international women’s history month. This is a juried exhibition from 7 to 10pm with awards and performance by Jamie Mattocks at 8:30pm. The exhibit runs through March 22.
The Stonewall National Museum, Archives and Library presents their 3rd Annual Gala “Standing on the Shoulders of our Heroes” from 6 to 9pm at The Venue Wilton Manors. The event features amazing food, open bar, gaiety, and special honorees Edie Windsor and Tristan Schukraft. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to Stonewallmuseum.org/gala-2025.
The Ramrod presents their monthly “Pig Dance,” which is always the first Saturday of every month from 10pm to 3am and this
month features the sounds of DJ Rob Moore, and as always never a cover.
Wednesday, March 5
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts presents the 16th Flamenco Festival Miami from today, through Sunday March 9. This edition of Flamenco Festival Miami will bring together the most celebrated stars of contemporary flamenco direct from Spain, as well as a new generation of artists who are redefining the art form. Tickets range from $30-$135 and may be purchased at the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at arshtcenter.org.
Thursday, March 6
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents Disney’s The Lion King from today through Sunday, March 30. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock
Broward Center for the Performaing Arts
Twist Photo:
slowly emerges from the mist. More than 100 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular –one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage. Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. There is simply nothing else like The Lion King. For tickets go to Browardcenter.org.
The Seminole Hardrock Hotel & Casino Hollywood presents Glady’s Knight tonight at 8pm. The great ones endure, and Gladys Knight has long been one of the greatest. Very few singers over the last 60 years have matched her unassailable artistry. This seventime GRAMMY Award winner has enjoyed No. 1 hits in Pop, Gospel, and Adult Contemporary and has triumphed in film, television, and live performance. For tickets, or more information, go to Seminolehardrockhollywood.com/events.
Tonight is the monthly Pride Skate, with the theme “Mardi Gras,” where they invite you to come out and get your beads. Pride Skate is a benefit for Stonewall Pride and takes place at Xtreme Action Park from 7-10pm on the first Thursday of every month and stars DJ T-Pro with performances by Velvet Lenore and Rianna Petrone. Buy your tickets online at Xtremeactionpark.com or purchase them at the door.
Friday, March 7
4-time Carbonell Award winning South Florida actress, Lourelene Snedeker. Further information including registration for free tickets can be found at www.POWinthePark.com.
Saturday, March 8
As its first production, “POW! in the Park” will present the zany, classic musical comedy, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” on March 7-9 and 14-16, at Mickel Park in Wilton Manors, Florida. Performances will be at 7pm each night, and are free to the public, although registration will be required. “Under the leadership of POW!’s founder and artistic director, Ronnie Larsen, “POW! in the Park” plans to offer a variety of theatrical productions in various venues throughout the City of Wilton Manors. The production will star
Mr. Eagle 2025, Razr Steele, presents “Think Hard, Play Harder, Trivia Night,” which is a fundraiser for ALD Recovery Fund and Mr. Eagle Travel Fund. The night will be hosted by Razr Steele with special guest Fay What?! From 5 to 8pm at the Eagle Wilton Manors. Tickets are $20 at the door or buy your ticket online at Eaglebarwm.com
Later that evening Scandals presents their annual Mizz Scandals Pageant at 9pm hosted by Jessica Channing and starring Sharde Ross, Mizz Scandals 2024, and many of the formers. There are 6 contestants this year and admission is free but to
Photo: www.wikimedia.com
Neal Brennan
Eagle Wilton Manors
purchase table seating contact Jessica Channing on Facebook or email her at jessicachanning66@gmail.com
Monday, March 10
The Parker Playhouse presents the one and only Comedian Howie Mandel as part of the Truist Comedy Series. Howie has remained a constant force in show business for more than 40 years and has been a fixture as a long-time judge on NBC’s flagship series, America’s Got Talent.
Blinc, Blessing Hands, Trans Inclusive Group, Faith & Love Empowerment Center, and Positive People Network, Inc present National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Center for Spiritual Living (4849 N Dixie Highway). Moderated by Camille Lewis and featuring Kalenthia Nunnually, Cassandra Esperant, Franchesca D’Amore, Gena Barr, Nikkie Wimberley and Santi Flame. Free registration at nwghaadtownhall.eventbrite.com
Tuesday, March 11
The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Center presents The Book of Mormon from today through Sunday, March 16. Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show calls it “Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal.” It’s The Book of Mormon, the nine-time Tony Award winning Best Musical. This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. With standing-room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, The Book of Mormon has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language. For tickets, go to Kravis.org
Fort Lauderdale’s Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library, a leader in protecting and preserving the history and culture of LGBTQ+ community, welcomes the iconic Bruce Vilanch for an exclusive reading and book signing of his new book
Ft Lauderdale’s Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library
‘It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time’. To learn more information, visit https://stonewall-museum.org/bruce vilanch-book-signing/ To RSVP as a guest, contact monique@stonewall-museum.org
Scandals
The Lion King
Returns to the Broward Center March 6-30
By: Scott Holland
Disney Theatrical Group and Bank of America Broadway in Fort Lauderdale Series with presenting Sponsor Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, presents Disney’s The Lion King eagerly awaited return to the Broward Center stage on Thursday, March 6 for a limited four-week engagement through Sunday, March 30. The first performance is Thursday, March 6 at 2pm with opening night on Friday, March 7 at 7:30pm.
The Lion King will play Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm and Sundays at 1pm and 6:30pm. There will be 2pm matinees on Thursday, March 6 and Thursday, March 13.
The Lion King has been touring North America for more than 22 years, and during that time has welcomed over 23 million theatergoers, making it North America’s longest-running and most-attended Broadway tour. Having already played more than 10,000 performances in over 90 cities
across North America, The Lion King now proudly returns to Fort Lauderdale at the Broward Center.
The Lion King won six 1998 Tony Awards®: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical. The Lion King has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.
Director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor, the first woman to win a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical, remains actively involved in the
Photo: Matthew-Murphyc-Disney
show, launching new productions and maintaining the flagship Broadway production.
The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs from the Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of The Lion King is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight ” to Lebo M’s rich choral numbers.
The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated The Lion King feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay Other members of the creative team include: Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), Anthony Lyn (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer),
Clement Ishmael (music supervisor),Lisa Dawn Cave (production supervisor), Thomas Schlenk (general manager) and ARC/Mark Brandon, CSA (casting). Anne Quart serves as executive producer. It was a pleasure to sit down with out LGBTQ+ family member Forest Vandyke (Banzai) for this exclusive Hotspots interview
Photo: Deen-van-Meer
Forest VanDyke
At what age did you begin performing and how did it happen?
In my household music was always playing as my dad was a music major and played the saxophone. My first time on stage was in 3rd grade in a knock off of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I saw the video and my head was down the entire time until the applause at the end when I got bit by the bug. What was your first professional gig?
I think my first professional gig was at the Illinois Shakespeare festival in the summer between my sophomore and junior year of college. It was a summer stock, and we performed all Shakespeare shows. It was the first time I got paid and it felt right. When did you know performing would be your career?
Austin Texas was filled with performers that worked at Zachary Scott Theater, and I went to church with some of those people. I saw them doing it, so I knew it was possible. That escalated to working with professionals which made it feel more real and tangible.
Is there extra pressure being in such an iconic show as almost everyone has seen the show or movie??
I felt a responsibility because of the long history of the Lion King. There is such a huge important legacy on what the story represents. This is the culmination of a lot of time and hard work so I am also honored to be able to do it.
Other than this show, what has been your favorite role so far?
In a play called The Two Lives of Napoleon Beasley, where I played Napoleon. This show was about an African young man that was convicted of murder. It was really hard, and it was the first time I felt really good about acting. Second was Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar that I did at Zachary Scott Theater.
What’s your fantasy role (a role you haven’t played but would die to play)?
I really want to play Belize in Angels in America. When I saw Jeffrey Wright play the role, it made me want to play it.
Photo: MatthewMurphyRV1
You are a member of our LGBTQ+ community, are you single or taken?
Single
What do you look for in a man?
What I am looking for is someone who is curious about the world around them and curious about me and themselves. In addition, they need to have a sense of humor.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Curious, goofy, and empathetic. What do you do for fun?
I love to work out and lift some heavy things. I also love to read and watch nerdy things like fantasy anime, and sci fi stuff and I am really into learning about astrology. Finally, what should our readers expect from this touring company of, “The Lion King”
They can expect all the amazing things they experienced in the animated film brought to life. They will be transported and immersed in the show. They will see dance and music they have never experienced before, and they will leave differently than they came.
For more information onForest, you can follow him on Instagram.com/forestvandyke
Tickets are available at BrowardCenter.org and Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 954.468.0222 or at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office located at 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL. 33312.
For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com
Photo:
Art Walk Wilton Manors
Black Excellence Runway Show
Robert Hadley
Center for the Performing Arts
Talks first year at the helm, Educational Series, Broadway in Fort Lauderdale and more!
By: Scott Holland
Ty Sutton is an industry veteran with more than 20 years of arts management experience in the performing arts sector. He came to the Broward Center from Dayton Live in Dayton, Ohio, where he had served as president and CEO since 2018. Dayton Live, the region’s home for arts, culture and entertainment, is a nonprofit organization that owns and operates five performance venues, including the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center and the beautifully restored Victoria Theatre, and attracts more than 400,000 visitors annually. Sutton has been instrumental in the transformation of downtown’s cultural fabric.
In his role as Broward Center’s CEO, Sutton will also oversee the Broward Center’s affiliated venues including The Parker, an iconic theater in Fort Lauderdale which was fully restored in 2021, the Rose &
Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center on the campus of Nova Southeastern University, and the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in Miami-Dade County.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Ty for this exclusive Hotspots interview just a couple days after his 1-year anniversary as President and CEO as the Broward Center!
At what point in your life did you get interested in the Arts?
I got interested at a really young age as I grew up singing in church. At that time, I never thought I would be involved with it for a living.
What was your first Management job in the Arts?
I grew up in San Francisco and I got involved with a concerts committee and then became the director of programming for a presenter’s office for the university.
What were some of your biggest successes at your last job as President and CEO of Dayton Live?
When I went to Dayton in early 2018 the company was in a rough financial position and our Broadway subscriber base had fallen to only 3000. The success was finding a voice in the community, and we branded the location. When I left, the Broadway subscribers were up to 11k. What made you apply for the position at the Broward Center, and how did you and your family take the move?
I wasn’t looking for a job, but I knew Kelley Shanley and I had been to BC many times. I knew how successful BC was, and I knew how relevant it was in the community and how successful the education programs were. I see the impact of the arts on people’s lives and the main reason I took the job was the support from the board to keep growing the education program.
My family was apprehensive but excited. We were lucky to have lived in many places but my wife was excited for warm weather and the beach. Everyone is now really happy to be here.
What is your favorite part about living in South Florida?
For me, I love its diversity the most. I am a programmer, and I love putting on shows. We can program everything from Reggae to smaller dance companies to Broadway, and
we get an audience for everything. You have been at the Broward Center for about a year, what were some of your goals coming in and what are they now?
I didn’t have a very clear mandate going in, so it gave me the time to look at the operation and look at what we really do well. Recently, I laid out some things to the board. I want to create opportunities for people to attend performances that now can’t. I also want to create smaller performances and that may take looking at different buildings that we may not own now. I love that I have a board that is excited about servicing our growing community.
Was it hard coming in after Kelley Shandy, as he was so loved?
I think it’s always a little harder when things are going well and the last CEO is loved, but the staff has been so open about moving forward and growing. There are lots of ways to run centers successfully. The best part about taking this job was there was nothing broken that I had to fix, I just had to build upon what we had.
How has the elimination of Art funding (32million) from our Governor affected the Broward Center and any plans you may have had?
Our operating budget is between 60 and 70 million, but we were only eligible for 70k, so it doesn’t really affect us directly too much, but it does effect the programing for smaller venues which makes me sad.
However, there is an opportunity to work with lawmakers to make them aware that we are a real industry and taking away funding is hurting jobs, etc. I feel encouraged that this will be changed.
The Broward Center runs the largest, free arts-in-education program in the country, tell our readers more about that and any plans you have for its future?
It’s a really neat program that many places look at to copy. It’s a true partnership with Broward County Publics schools, and that relationship has allowed us to build the program. It tops out well-over 100k students. So many artists started at this program and got onstage for the first time in the program. We are going to make sure we make stable and ongoing funding for this program.
What’s the most rewarding part of your
job at Broward Center?
I lived in a lot of different places in the country and internationally, and there are very few things in this world that connect us as people, but in the arts, we can take people that have nothing else in common except the performance and they make a connection for appreciating the same thing. At a time that we are so divided, this is so rewarding as people need to be uplifted. The 2025/26 Broadway season was announced today. Are you involved in deciding which shows will come to the center and how excited are you for the upcoming season?
Yes, I am very involved in our partnership with Broadway Across America. I am very stoked about this season as we have 6 south Florida premieres. I am also excited that we have a play this season. I think it’s good to challenge an audience a little bit.
What does the future hold for you and for the Broward Center?
One of the most amazing things about the Broward Center is that we are one of the biggest arts centers in the country. Because our community keeps growing, we will have to grow to meet the demands of the community. And we will have to go out more to the community. As the organizations grow my job changes, and I think it’s about me staying connected to the audiences. If we are not meeting the audience’s needs then we are nothing, so my big challenge is to make sure we remain relevant and we deliver on our promises. I love doing this. I married a ballerina, and our kids are in the arts. I love making it happen for everyone else.
To find out more about Ty Sutton, follow him at: linkedin.com/TySutton
Le Chics
February Brunch
Rad Skillz
The National LGBTQ Task Force's
Winter Part y Festival 2025
By Scott Holland
The National LGBTQ Task Force's Winter Party makes its return to Miami Beach for its 32nd anniversary celebration February 26 through March 4. Winter Party is an annual dance and music festival featuring a week-long series of events benefiting both local and national LGBTQ+ organizations. This year's festival features a diverse mix of music, community programming, and entertainment. The Winter Party Festival brings in over 10,000 attendees annually and hosts 15 events across twelve exhilarating world-class Miami and Miami Beach venues. Guests will be treated to upbeat tunes from DJs (A-Z) including Alex Acosta, Chus, Dangerous Rose, Danny Verde, David Nazar, David Tort,
Dawson, Deanne, Erik Vilar, Gabo Montero, GSP, Jerac, Joshua Ruiz, J Warren, Karsten Sollors, Micky Friedmann, Miguel Clark, Mor Avrahami, Naim Zarzour, and Tom Stephan!
Beach Par ty
Deanne
Their underlying purpose is much larger than the festival itself Winter Party is a fundraising venture produced by, and in support of, the National LGBTQ Task Force They are committed to forward-thinking progressive change, both loc ally and nationally The Task Force also donates a significant portion of the proceeds raised at Winter Party and its sister event, the Task Force Gala, to the LGBTQ+ Equity Fund, a philanthropic and grant-making partnership between the Task Force , The Miami Foundation, and Our Fund Foundation Since 2005, They've given back more than $3 8 million and supported nearly 90 community organizations in South Florida. T plays an essent empowering an the community not be possible support! Winter nearly $4.2M in Miami, supporti local jobs in hos & beverage, ret and entertainm
Guests are encour reserve tickets to this ye events, all designed to capture the ener that is Winter P
For the LGBT and our allies, W a place to rejuv r echarge A pla our heads, fill o and engage ou A place to let lo and kick up our heels We live in a world that
Danny Verde
challenges us every day, telling us we ' re different, less than, etc. It can wear on even the strongest among us. It makes us long for safe havens, places where we can be ourselves, surrounded by our chosen family and accepted and loved just the way we are. Winter Party is that place, a safe haven, where we can LIVE FREE.
Alex Acosta
Localize
FEATURED EVENTS>>>
Winter Party Official Kickoff
Wednesday, Feb 26
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Palace Bar & Restaurant
1052 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Localize
Thursday, Feb 27
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Twist
1057 Washington Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Ignite/Midnight Service
Thursday, Feb 27
10:00 pm – 5:00 am
MAD Live
55 NE 24th St
Miami, FL 33137
Featuring DJ's Rosa Peligrosa (Dangerous Rose), Miguel Clark, and Naim Zarzour
Elevate T-Dance
Friday, Feb 28
2:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Palace Rooftop Pool 1052 Ocean Drive Miami Beach, FL 3313
VIP Cocktail Reception
Friday, Feb 28
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Standard Miami Beach
40 Island Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Honoring Lisa Mercado
Heat
Friday, Feb 28
10:00 pm
MAD Live
55 NE 24th St
Miami, FL 33137
Featuring DJs Tom Stephan & David Tort
Saturday & Sunday Drag Brunch
Saturday Mar 1 and March 2 11:30 am – 4:00 pm ynwood ve Athena Dion and ove, Kat Wilderness, and D'Vice Dion.
J MoJody
1:00 pm – 8:00 pm e South Beach
33139
Js Dawson & DJ Deanne
Masterbeat
Masterbeat Shipwrecked
Saturday, Mar 1
10:00 pm – 7:00 am
M2 Nightclub
1235 Washington Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Featuring: DJs Chus & Karsten Sollors
Carnival
Saturday, Mar 1
10:00 pm – 3:00 am
Eagle Wilton Manors
2209 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manors FL 33305
Featuring: Featuring: DJ J Warren
The Beach Party
Sunday, Mar 2
1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Sands of South Beach at 10th Street 1001 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Featuring: DJs Micky Friedmann & Erik Vilar
Masterbeat Graffiti
Sunday, Mar 2
10:00 pm – 5:00 am
M2 Nightclub
1235 Washington Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Featuring: DJs Mor Avrahami & GSP
Afterglow
Monday, Mar 3, 2025
5:00 am – 12:00 pm
Paraiso Estereo
1306 North Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33136
Featuring: DJ Jerac
About the National LGBTQ Task Force:
The National LGBTQ Task Force advances full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people. We are building a future where everyone can be free to be their entire selves in every aspect of their lives. Today, despite all the progress we've made to end discrimination, millions of LGBTQ people face barriers in every aspect of their lives: in housing, employment, healthcare, retirement, and basic human rights. These barriers must go. That's why the Task Force is training and mobilizing millions of activists across our nation to deliver a world where you can be you. For more information, go to https://www.thetaskforce.org
Action! Finale
Monday, March 4 / 10 p.m. - 5 a.m.
Venue: TBA
Featuring: Alex Acosta, Joshua Ruiz, Gabo Montero
Individual event tickets and event passes are available at Winterparty.com.
Kickoff Par ty
Dale Stine
What city do you live in?
Miami
Are you Single or taken?
I am single
What are you looking for in a man?
Somebody funny, sexy, confident, and someone who is not afraid to show me how much they care for me. What’s your perfect date?
Someone who will take me on a jet and take me to Paris.
What do you do for a living?
I do property management, and I am also a dancer. I am also hoping to make another appearance on Television.
What do you do for fun?
I dance, go to the beach, and hang out with friends.
What does the future hold for you?
A show in Vegas where I am the star and lots of TV appearances as well as having my own real estate empire.
An iconic chef famous throughout the world, from Rome to Miami: THE STORY OF
NONNA IRIS AND THE MYTH OF “OSTERIA DA FORTUNATA”
HISTORY
Cooking is a momentary pleasure. You savor it, you feel it and then it remains only in your memories. But there is a way to make the kitchen borderless and timeless: how? Iris, the undisputed queen of carbonara in Rome, explains it to you firsthand: she is in fact a culinary icon who continues to amaze with her 93 years of age.
Since she set foot in the kitchen at just 13 years old, the elderly chef has never stopped cultivating her passion for gastronomy “I started by washing dishes but then, with my eyes, I stole the secrets of good Ro-man cuisine,” she recalls in an interview with Corriere. “During the war we made Strozzapreti, strictly by hand, and sold them to the laborers. Today she runs eight restaurants, carrying on a culinary legacy begun in the 1920s by her grandmother Fortunata.
The “Da Fortunata” tavern, named in honor of Iris' grandmother, has become a point of reference for traditional Roman cuisine, with carbonara continuing to be the most popular dish. Every day, Iris welcomes famous clients, VIPs, politicians and tourists, all of whom have in common
being lovers of good food The chef treats everyone with respect and courtesy This mood is reflected in the high regard she enjoys among Roman and international customers Her ability to create an unforgettable experience is what makes her a true legend of Italian cuisine Iris also personally handles the management of her restaurants, leading with firmness and determination to create a real family team With four restaurants in Rome, two in Milan, one in Bologna and one in Miami Beach, her brand employs 480 people
The key to Iris's success lies in her simple but effective philosophy: do only a few things, do them well and always in the same way Her consistent presence in any of her eight restaurants, from 11am to 7pm, is a tangible sign of her commitment and passion for cooking. In every dish prepared by Iris you can taste the love for tradition and attention to detail. The pasta makers, always in plain sight in the shop window, add visual intrigue and interest, while defining the identity of the brand.
In all of this, Iris's skill goes beyond the simple preparation of dishes: she embodies the values of courtesy, generosity and dedication towards her employees, who she considers an integral part of her large family.
‘Wicked’
star Cynthia Erivo joins ‘Blood and Bone’
Queer Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo has joined a large ensemble cast for “The Woman King” filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood’s latest, “Children of Blood and Bone.” She’ll be part of a group that includes Academy Award winner Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor (“12 Years a Slave”), Amandla Stenberg (“The Hate U
Give”) and “The Woman King” star Thuso Mbedu. Further negotiations are underway to cast Academy Award winner Regina King (“Shirley”) in the adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling novel of the same name, which is set in a fantasy kingdom in Africa and tells the story of a young woman on a quest to reclaim magic that was stolen from her people. It’s still early, a lot could change, and no word yet on shooting or release schedule just yet, so stay tuned.
‘Honey Don’t’ delivers more ‘Dolls’
If you were a fan of the cult-hit comedy “Drive Away Dolls,” the Ethan Coen-directed lesbian road movie starring Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan, here comes another one. It’s called “Honey Don’t,” and it’s the second film in a planned trilogy of what Coen and his queer spouse/co-writer Tricia Cooke refer to as “lesbian B-movies.” Qualley returns as the cheekily-named Honey O’Donahue, a private investigator (whom we assume is a lesbian) on the trail of a cult leader played by Chris Evans. She’s also searching for a “Mystery Woman” played by Aubrey Plaza. Charlie Day and Billy Eichner co-star, as well, and their roles are just as mysterious, at least for now. You don’t have long to wait for answers, though, because “Honey” pours itself into theaters in May.
‘Monk in Pieces’ brings the queer avant-garde to Berlin
February’s Berlin International Film Festival gets a world premiere of a brand-new documentary celebrating the life and work of queer avant-garde
legend: the composer Meredith Monk. “Monk in Pieces,” from co-directors Billy Shebar and David Roberts (both of the TV series “Trump Bites”), will examine the life and influence of the now-82-year-old artist, musician and composer. She’s been highly prolific if less well-known than contemporaries such as Philip Glass – though her opera “Atlas” was produced in the early ’90s, and her work has appeared in such disparate places as pieces by DJ Shadow, films by Jean-Luc Godard and on the soundtracks of movies like “The Big Lebowski.”
The documentary film promises a crash course in her work, as well as interviews with people like Bjork and David After Berlin, expect this one to appear at more festivals until a proper North American arthouse release.
‘Move Ya Body’ is here to pump up the volume
Filmmaker Elegance
Bratton’s narrative feature
Photo_Flickr.com
Leo Harley
Supp Up Your Gains: 10 Essential Fitness Supplements
By: Leo Harley
So, you’re hitting the gym, eating right, and staying consistent, but you feel like you could use an extra boost? That’s where supplements come in! While they aren’t magic potions, they can help fill in nutritional gaps, speed up recovery, and maximize performance. Yes! It all sounds great, until you walk into GNC and find yourself surrounded by endless options… What to take? Which one is right for you? Don’t worry, I got you. In this issue of HotBodies we are breaking down 10 essential fitness supplements in a way that actually makes sense, so you’ll know which ones are more suited for you and your training:
1. Protein Powder – The Muscle Builder
WHAT: Protein powder is a convenient way to get the protein your body needs to build and repair muscle. It comes in different
types like whey, casein, and plant-based options (pea, soy, or rice protein).
WHY:
Muscle Growth: Helps repair and grow muscles after workouts.
Faster Recovery: Reduces soreness so you can hit the gym again sooner.
Convenience: Perfect for when you’re on the go and need a quick meal.
WHO: Anyone who struggles to get enough protein through food or wants to recover faster.
WHEN:
Post-Workout: 1 scoop (20-30g of protein) mixed with water or milk within 30-60 minutes after training.
Meal Replacement: Add it to smoothies or oatmeal if you struggle to get enough protein from food.
Before Bed (Casein Protein): Slower
digesting protein for overnight muscle recovery.
2. Creatine – The Strength Booster
WHAT: Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in your muscles. It helps produce energy during high-intensity exercise.
WHY:
More Strength & Power: Lifts feel easier, and you can push for that extra rep.
Better Muscle Endurance: Helps with short bursts of intense activity, like sprinting or heavy lifting.
Faster Recovery: Reduces muscle fatigue between sets.
WHO: Strength trainers, athletes, or anyone who wants to push their limits.
WHEN:
Daily: 3-5g per day, mixed with water or juice, at any time of the day.
Loading Phase: 20g daily (split into 4 doses) for 5-7 days to saturate muscles faster (Optional).
3. BCAAs – The Recovery Warriors
WHAT: Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) are three essential amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) that help with muscle recovery and endurance.
WHY:
Reduces Muscle Soreness: Helps you recover faster after intense workouts.
Prevents Muscle Breakdown: Great for those who train fasted or do a lot of cardio.
Boosts Endurance: Helps you train longer without feeling as fatigued.
WHO: People doing endurance training, fasted workouts, or those who need extra recovery support.
WHEN:
During Workouts: Mix 5-10g with water and sip throughout training.
Pre/Post-Workout: Can also be taken before or after exercise for muscle protection.
4. Glutamine – The Recovery Accelerator
WHAT: Glutamine is an amino acid that plays a key role in muscle recovery, immune support, and gut health.
WHY:
Speeds Up Recovery: Helps reduce
muscle soreness and rebuild tissues.
Supports Immune Function: Intense training can weaken your immune system, and glutamine helps keep it strong.
Improves Gut Health: Supports digestion and absorption of nutrients.
WHO: Athletes who train intensely, those prone to getting sick, or anyone looking to recover faster.
WHEN:
Post-Workout: 5-10g mixed with water or your protein shake.
Before Bed: Another 5g to aid overnight recovery.
5. Pre-Workout – The Energy Shot
WHAT: A mix of ingredients like caffeine, beta-alanine, and nitric oxide boosters designed to give you energy and focus before a workout.
WHY:
Explosive Energy: Caffeine gives you that “let’s go!” feeling.
Better Blood Flow: Increases muscle pumps and endurance.
More Focus: Helps you stay in the zone during workouts.
WHO: Anyone who needs an energy boost before training (just don’t take it too late at night unless you enjoy staring at the ceiling).
WHEN:
Before Workouts: 15-30 minutes before training, mix 1 scoop with water.
Caution: Avoid taking too late in the day if you’re sensitive to caffeine.
6.
Weight Gainers – The Mass Builder
WHAT: Weight gainers are high-calorie supplements packed with protein, carbs, and sometimes healthy fats, designed to help people gain muscle mass.
WHY:
Increases Calorie Intake: Makes it easier to eat in a calorie surplus for muscle growth.
Boosts Muscle Gains: A mix of protein and carbs fuels growth.
Convenient for Hard Gainers: Perfect for those who struggle to eat enough food.
WHO: Skinny individuals (hard gainers) or those looking to bulk up quickly.
WHEN:
Between Meals: 1 serving (500-1,000 calories) to boost daily calorie intake.
Post-Workout: Helps refuel muscles
after intense training.
7. Carbohydrate Supplements – The Energy Source
WHAT: Carb supplements, like maltodextrin or dextrose, provide fast-digesting carbohydrates to fuel workouts and replenish glycogen stores.
WHY:
Boosts Workout Performance: Provides quick energy for intense training.
Speeds Up Recovery: Replenishes glycogen stores post-workout.
Supports Muscle Growth: Prevents muscle breakdown by ensuring energy availability.
WHO: Endurance athletes, bodybuilders, or anyone who trains hard and needs extra fuel.
WHEN:
Before/During Workouts: 30-50g mixed with water for sustained energy.
Post-Workout: Combine with protein to replenish glycogen.
8. Fish Oil – The Joint Saver
WHAT: Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation and supports heart and brain health.
WHY:
Protects Joints: Reduces stiffness and pain, especially for weightlifters.
Boosts Heart Health: Supports a healthy cardiovascular system.
Improves Brain Function: Helps with focus and mood.
WHO: Anyone lifting heavy, running, or looking to stay healthy overall.
WHEN:
Daily: 1-3g of omega-3s (EPA/DHA) with meals.
9. Multivitamins – The Health Insurance
WHAT: A mix of essential vitamins and minerals to help cover any nutritional gaps.
WHY:
Supports Overall Health: Ensures you’re not missing key nutrients.
sure your body gets what it needs.
WHEN:
Daily: 1 serving with food for better absorption.
10. Electrolytes – The Hydration Heroes
WHAT: Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium help regulate hydration and muscle function.
WHY:
Prevents Cramps: Keeps your muscles from seizing up during workouts.
Improves Hydration: Helps your body absorb water better.
Boosts Endurance: Keeps you from feeling drained during long workouts.
WHO: Anyone sweating a lot, training in hot weather, or doing endurance activities like running or cycling.
WHEN:
During Workouts: Mix with water and sip throughout training.
After Sweaty Sessions: Helps replenish lost minerals.
Supplements can be a game-changer when combined with proper nutrition and training. They won’t do the work for you, but they can give you that extra edge to train harder, recover faster, and stay consistent. Choose what fits your goals and lifestyle and always remember - real food comes first!
Boosts Immune System: Helps prevent illness so you don’t miss workouts.
Improves Energy Levels: Keeps you from feeling sluggish.
WHO: Everyone! It’s a simple way to make
Get in touch with us. Share your progress, your questions, your selfies to be featured, send to: Hotbodies@hotspots.lgbt and/or check out Leo’s Instagram.com/the.leonator.
Winter Reads Cozy up with these queer books
By Sarah Bricker Hunt and Chris Azzopardi
It’s all too easy right now to get stuck in the grip of endless headlines and doomscrolling. If you're feeling the weight of the world closing in, it’s time to unplug and escape into a different kind of world, perhaps one that includes fantastical forest homes — or Cher. Step away from the screen and lose yourself in one of these captivating reads that promise respite, inspiration and, at times, divine gay icon wisdom — recommendations from columnists Chris Azzopardi and Sarah Bricker Hunt.
Chris’ list:
'Private Rites,' Julia Armfield
Need a reminder that family dynamics can be complex in various forms? Blending the personal and apocalyptic, Julia Armfield’s “Private Rites” offers a poignant and unsettling exploration of just that. The story follows three estranged sisters — all queer — who are brought together after their cruel father's death to sort through his estate in a world where it never stops raining. The sisters’ them even further apart, they’re forced to confront not only their fractured family bonds but also a sinister mystery. reunion — born out of necessity rather than warmth — seems like a chance to heal old wounds. But when a shocking secret in their father’s will drives
As their lives unravel and the world teeters on the brink of catastrophe, the sisters realize that they’ve been chosen for something much darker. This revelation forces them to reckon with the legacy of their father and a fate that could have devastating consequences for both their family and the world at large.
‘Sinead O’Connor: The Last Interview and Other Conversations’
In 2014, I had the privilege of interviewing Irish music icon and outspoken critic of the Catholic Church, Sinéad O’Connor, who died in 2023. Her unfiltered honesty was a breath of fresh air, standing in stark contrast to the polished, often guarded personas of many celebrities. That conversation is among eight others featured in “Sinéad O’Connor: The Last Interview and Other Conversations,” part of Melville House Publishing’s esteemed series, which highlights the voices of significant cultural figures. My interview, the sole piece in the collection conducted for LGBTQ+ press, captures a uniquely personal moment with O’Connor, who at the time spoke candidly about her life and identity. Alongside it are other illuminating pieces, including NME’s 1988 interview “I Open My Mouth and Scream” and a 1991 Rolling Stone feature, together painting a vivid, multifaceted portrait of Sinéad O’Connor. Musician and friend Kristin Hersh of band Throwing Muses contributes a poignant introduction, reflecting on O’Connor’s
enduring legacy: “I wished she could have shouted all that she believed and made only friends, no enemies. I wished that she had never accepted that invitation to the entertainment industry party and, instead, had kept the richness of her own life untainted. I wished that she could have loved herself and everyone else. I wished that she had absorbed the spiritual peace she fought for. But that wouldn’t have been Sinéad, I guess.” Through these candid and deeply personal conversations, the book captures the essence of an artist who defied
TJ Klune's 3-Book Paperback Collection
Out gay fantasy writer and Lambda Literary Award winner TJ Klune won’t just help you survive winter — his work might just sustain you through the entire year. Maybe even the next three, if you pace yourself by reading one book from his new boxed set annually. Each novel invites readers to escape into fantastical worlds brimming with promise of a better existence and a kinder world. In the found-family tale “In the Lives of Puppets,” Klune introduces a peculiar home nestled within the branches of a grove of trees, where a family of robots shares their lives with a human named Vic.
Meanwhile, “The House in the Cerulean Sea” transports readers to a mysterious island housing an orphanage for magical children deemed “dangerous.” Here, Linus Baker, a by-the-book caseworker, discovers that these children — and their enigmatic caretaker — challenge everything he thought he knew about rules, love and acceptance.
“Under the Whispering Door,” about a ghost who refuses to cross over and the ferryman he falls in love with, rounds out the set. Come on, whimsy, take us away.
the eras she discusses. Though Cher admitted to The New York Times in November that she hasn’t read her memoir yet, the book serves up a deeply personal feast of family history, the highs and lows of her tumultuous relationship with Sonny Bono, and vivid recollections from the early years of her rise to pop goddess.
Cher’s unflinching honesty and resilience fill every page, making this memoir not just a reflection of her life but a much-needed dose of diva inspiration in 2025. And I don’t even have to ask about when we can expect Part 2 — it’s out Nov. 18 of this year.
‘The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf,’ Isa Arsen
They say not to judge a book by its cover, but what if that cover exudes an irresistible aura of mystery? On the jacket of Isa Arsen’s “The Unbecoming of Margaret Alsen,” half-hidden faces suggest untold secrets. A man’s hand lights a woman’s cigarette as another man watches from the sidelines, while a wine glass hints at an evening of indulgence — leaving much to the imagination.
but don’t ask me again.” Thankfully, I didn’t have to. Her memoir — part one, at least — turned back time on her iconic life and career when it arrived just in time to help us believe in life after a politically turbulent winter.
This first volume covers Cher’s journey from her childhood to her breakthrough as an acclaimed actress. It opens with an author’s note explaining her thoughtful decision to use her son Chaz’s deadname, with his permission, to accurately reflect
And then there’s the tagline: “Two Shakespearean actors in an unconventional marriage get caught up in a renowned director’s scheme. Which will either draw them closer than ever or tear them apart for good.” If Bravo had existed in the 1950s, Margaret, the rising stage actress at the heart of this story, could have easily been the star of her own series. Margaret is in a lavender marriage with Wesley, and as you settle in, you’ll find yourself swept into a whirlwind of drama: the ways she “plays wife” to Wesley, her dependence on uppers (“just a little help to get through the days”), and a love triangle that unfolds between the couple and director Vaughn Kline after Wesley joins the cast of Kline’s Shakespearean production. It’s a cocktail of secrets, ambition and betrayal, all served with the allure of mid-century theatrical glamour. Feeling the heat? This novel brings it in spades.
‘Coming Home,’ Brittney Griner
At first glance, Brittney Griner’s, “Coming Home” is primarily a harrowing account of her nine-month detention in Russia, where Sarah's list:
her identity as a gay Black athlete added layers of vulnerability to an already precarious situation — one that thrust Griner into harsh international scrutiny. The book goes well beyond the details of her 2022 arrest for carrying vape cartridges containing medical cannabis oil, however. Griner’s journey is one of redemption and hope, with a true love story at the center.
The book, co-written with Michelle Burford, weaves Griner's detention narrative with personal history, including her coming out story and her father's initial rejection (“I ain't raising no gay bitch!”) before their eventual reconciliation. Her relationship with wife Cherelle emerges as a source of strength throughout her ordeal, evidenced by tender details like finding comfort in touching Cherelle's signature in a sudoku book.
Now free and back playing basketball, Griner welcomed her first child with Cherelle in 2024. The book serves as both a suspenseful memoir and a warning about the risks LGBTQ+ athletes face in countries with anti-gay policies, even as lucrative overseas contracts continue to draw American players to these regions.
‘There Is a Rio Grande in Heaven,’ Rubin Reyes, Jr.
“There Is a Rio Grande in Heaven” by Ruben Reyes, Jr. marks a groundbreaking debut in speculative fiction, weaving LGBTQ+ and Latinx narratives into 12 short pieces that blur the lines between fantasy and reality.
The collection includes both short and flash-fiction entries that explore queer experiences, immigration and cultural identity through a sci-fi lens (though, arguably, “sci-fi” isn’t a perfect description for the genre here). In one story, a gay son grapples with losing his homophobic father while imagining a more accepting alternate version. Another story reimagines the traditional immigration narrative, depicting Americans attempting to reach Mars while facing violent consequences if caught.
Reyes, the son of two Salvadoran immigrants, tackles complex themes within the Latinx community, including internal discrimination and exploitation through stories ranging from a Latinx-owned company underpaying workers to a magical mango tree being exploited, perhaps a critical commentary on overlapping community intersectionalities.
The book culminates in an interactive chapter where readers create their own immigration story. Throughout the collection, Reyes maintains a delicate balance between fantastical elements and harsh realities, making the work accessible to a broad range of readers beyond the sci-fi genre. His careful handling of queer and immigrant perspectives creates a unique contribution to both speculative and LGBTQ+ literature.
‘Kissing Girls on Shabbat,’ Sara Glass
In her debut memoir, New York Times
“Modern Love” contributor Sara Glass offers a raw and intimate memoir of growing up lesbian in Brooklyn's strict Gur Hasidic community, where same-sex relationships are condemned and arranged heterosexual marriages are the norm.
Glass details her journey from a sheltered 19-year-old bride in an arranged marriage to her eventual emergence as an out lesbian at age 32. The memoir chronicles her secret relationship with a woman named Dassa, her complicated first marriage to Yossi and a subsequent marriage to another man — both driven by religious expectations and custody concerns for her children.
The book explores the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in ultra-religious communities, where rejection of traditional marriage can mean complete ostracization. Glass describes harrowing experiences, including a traumatic childbirth delayed by religious constraints and the constant pressure to suppress her identity.
supportive queer community within Le Jardin's walls.
While addressing serious themes of identity and social acceptance, the story maintains an uplifting tone, offering a refreshing perspective on LGBTQ+ narratives through its distinctly European sensibility — plus, it’s just so pretty.
‘Gay Girl Prayers,’ Emily Austin
While acknowledging positive aspects of her Hasidic upbringing, Glass ultimately advocates for those trapped between religious obligations and authentic sexuality. The memoir ends on a hopeful note, with Glass finally securing custody of her children and finding freedom to live openly. You’ll never read her “Modern Love” contributions the same way again.
‘A Boy Named Rose,’ Gaelle Geniller
A gorgeously illustrated graphic novel nominated for a 2024 Eisner Award, “A Boy Named Rose” focuses its tender narrative on 19-year-old Rose, a rising stage performer at famed Parisian theater Le Jardin.
Rose begins exploring feminine presentation while pursuing dance under the guidance of three mentors known as The Flowers. Set against the backdrop of Paris's nightlife, the narrative blends themes of artistic expression, gender exploration and found family.
Geniller's artwork captures both the glittering allure of cabaret life and intimate moments of personal transformation. The acclaimed work, translated from French by Fabrice Sapolsky, stands out for its celebratory approach to gender nonconformity and its portrayal of a
Emily Austin, already established through her debut novel “Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead,” makes a striking poetic entrance with “Gay Girl Prayers,” a collection that reimagines Catholic doctrine through a queer lens. Literally, Austin rewrites Bible passages in a way that reflects her lived experience growing up gay in a traditionally religious culture.
The work carefully reconstructs religious teachings to embrace LGBTQ+ experiences rather than reject faith entirely. Austin amplifies the voices of female figures who have been historically silenced by patriarchal interpretations, while simultaneously celebrating queer identity as sacred rather than sinful. The collection serves as a bridge between religious upbringing and queer identity, offering a path to reconciliation for those who have felt excluded from traditional religious spaces.
Through her verses, Austin creates an inclusive vision of spirituality that maintains reverence while challenging conventional interpretations of scripture. Rather than dismantling religious tradition, she rebuilds it into a more welcoming structure that honors both faith and queer experience, demonstrating how ancient texts can be reinterpreted to embrace rather than exclude.
Chocolate City
Valentine’s Day Singles Mixer
Robert Hadley
'Be the Example': Melissa Etheridge's Guide to Joy, Resilience and Unity
The gay icon on turning environmental and political turmoil into art and connection
By Chris Azzopardi
To quote Melissa Etheridge, 'aint it heavy? For some perspective on recent assaults on LGBTQ+ rights brought by the Trump administration, turning to a gay icon with decades of experience in resilience and unity is always worthwhile. Enter Etheridge, who tells me she's not quite the grandmother she once imagined herself becoming — though, in many ways, she is a grandmother to many of us in the LGBTQ+ community. Our community draws inspiration from her strength, activism and the unwavering fortitude she's embodied since her highly public coming out in 1993. Through the unapologetic truth expressed in her music and embodied in her public persona, Etheridge's voice has consistently carried a message of hope and authenticity. For Etheridge, the stage is more than a
place for entertainment — it's a platform for healing and connection. Currently on tour, she'll soon embark on what is bound to be one of the queerest tours of 2025, a coheadlining run with the Indigo Girls that kicks off in Colorado in July. Her message remains clear: through joy, music and inclusion, we can weather life's storms together
I caught up with Etheridge, 63, during a particularly trying week, as the L.A. fires left her and many others reeling. Power outages at her home almost forced her to reschedule our interview, but she and her wife, Linda Wallem, eventually found refuge at a hotel in Santa Barbara.
In this candid conversation, Etheridge opens up about the transformative power of rebuilding, her long history with the Indigo Girls and shares lessons learned from
decades of being a trailblazer. She also teases new music inspired by both personal and global experiences.
We've connected throughout the years through some challenging times. I can't imagine what you're feeling right now. Well, we are right on the edge. We're in Calabasas, so that's on the edge of the Palisades fire, and so my house is going to be fine. Our power's up We did evacuate, but my house is going to be fine. To know that the Palisades are gone, it is just like, ah. It doesn't hit my head, and this is my city. This is where I eat. Restaurants I eat at once a month, they're gone. And it's overwhelming. I know it will come back so beautifully, and so I know it's going to be a good thing in the long, beautiful run as change is, but man, this is devastating. This is crazy.
Where do you go in your head in a time like this? Do you turn to music?
My wife and I were talking last night because we ' re up in Santa Barbara we got away far enough and we ' re safe and OK and then you turn on the news and you see it, and you can 't go backwards now. There is
no backwards anymore. It's not there. And when we think, wow, moving ahead, this is a city that was built on dreamers and their dreams It was built to entertain the world It grew because it was a place of dreams and hopes, and change and newness, and it's quite a large industry now there, and a beautiful city that ' s grown around it fill ed with many different industries And I think this event and this change is going to influence what you see in the arts, in theat er, television, and sports
I think in 10 years; we 'll look back and see how the change that came out of this happened because it takes little petty conversat ions about liberal and conservat ive and just throws that out the window This little tug of war we ' ve been involved in the last 10 years or what ever, it really blows that out, and it's like, "Wow, as we move forward now, let's make sure the institutions we creat e and the housing and the infrastructure is what we ' ve been spouting all these years " That it's a forward-thinking, diversified, embracing kind of city we want to build.
Well, it feels almost awkward to talk to you about work. I know for me, it's good to go into my writing head in difficult times, so maybe that's also good for you.
That's exactly what I did. I'm about to record my next album and I'm going into the studio in March, and so I've been really writing and just soaking everything in. And last night, all of a sudden, I was like, "Oh god, I want to write a song about this experience." But then it's like, "Where do you start?" And I think I need to absorb this experience a little bit. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a song about Los Angeles or Hollywood.
How did you and the Indigo Girls, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, decide on “ Yes We Are” as the name of this tour?
Well, we did about 11 shows last year. It was part of my tour and their tour, and we worked it out, and we had such a blast together. We caught up. We loved the audience. The audience that came to see us was on fire. They were enthusiastic. It was very cathartic, like, god, everything we've been going through, let's just remember the songs we love. Remember the songs that
made us feel good, and we just soaked it in. And it was multigenerational, that's what I loved.
There were daughters with their mothers, with their grandmothers. The whole family would come, the husbands' wives. Of course, it was very queer, but it wasn't exclusively queer at all. There were a lot of straight folks out there listening to that music they liked in the '90s.
What conversations went into the name of the tour between you and the girls?
It was just a few texts sent back and forth. And I was like, "I don't know, 'Power of Three,' maybe?" And actually, my manager said, "What do you think about 'Yes We Are'?" I thought, "Oh, that's just a reference to me." But Emily said, "Oh my god, I love Yes We Are." And we both were enthusiastic about it, and we love the way it feels and what it brings back.
What do you remember from first meeting the Indigo Girls?
My first album [in 1988] was out when
I met them, and their big album wasn't out yet. And I remember they were such fans. They were just really, really sweet. Someone brought them over to my house, and I didn't know who they were, and it wasn't until I listened to them and went, "Oh, this is great." I wore that “Closer to Fine” album out. It was a staple of that time, and I just loved seeing everything they did. It was just a really special time back then.
There is now a queer uprising happening in reaction to the current administration. What do you say to young queer activists having seen so much yourself, especially the ones who may think they're fighting for something that is a new fight?
Well, is it a new fight? Is it or not? Because I think what's always considered is, "Hey, I just want to be considered one of the many," and this idea of “all of us — except for them,” is being tried in our society That's what we're really saying, because people can't even understand the many different layers and differences in our own community So, it's just not even, “Give us these things, stop taking away these things,
stop taking away the protections that you would give any other human being.” We are just human beings, and it shows what being human means. And so, I would encourage the activists now, people in the LGBTQ+ community, to work for something and not against something. It's when we work against it that we give more energy to it than it deserves, so let's work for inclusion. Let's work for unity. And let's be an example of being a unified community ourselves, who may say, "Look, I don't understand some things, but being a human being is a right. And you can make whatever choice you want, whether it's to change your gender identity or to be a Republican and hate. You have the right to do that.” And it's very hard, but let's be the example of that. Accepting and loving ourselves is the example. Let's show how that looks, and that's the best thing we can do to work for and fight for inclusion.
How do you feel about Trump leading the country for the next four years?
I don't have any more F's to give. The night of the election, I went, “ That's it, I am not even going to pay attention to him anymore. I'm not going to give him any of my fear, any of
my disappointment. I'm not going to give any of that anymore.”
How do you plan on accomplishing that?
Well, I limit my social media time, and I stopped giving my attention to him and the weird ideology I give my attention to things that bring me joy, to things that give me hope. Like I was saying, I want to be the example. And when I'm afraid of things that I have no control of, that's a horrible way to feel. So start by taking care of myself. Start by giving the understanding and attention and love that I wish they would give. I'm going to give it to myself and everyone I see. I'm going to, again, be an example of what I wish to see in the world.
Regarding your upcoming tour with the Indigo Girls, you both have extensive catalogs. How are you approaching the setlist?
I think I might be dipping into some of
the more hopeful songs on my repertoire — not being afraid to be political, but to do it in a way that inspires.
I think a lot of people are looking forward to experiencing some community in a space where they feel loved and accepted.
Absolutely. Please, please, because it's a safe space. It's a loving space. And again, we're not there pushing against a lot of stuff. We are showing love and inclusion, and really how we still feel joy and hope, and it's still alive, and come sing the songs with us.
Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate, the national LGBTQ+ wire service. He 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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Call 754-200-2979
Email Classifieds@Hotspots.LGBT
AIR CONDITIONING u
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**
BARBERS u
ELECTRICAL u
‘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.
COMPUTERS u
**OPTIMA** COMPUTER REPAIR 954-817-3883
IN-HOME SERVICE. Cell phones, printers & Internet issues. Proudly serving our community for over 25 years. *Get the BEST performance, protection & value from your computer investment. *A+ Hardware & OS certified. *Friendly, professional, RELIABLE service. Reasonable rates. Call: Mike 954-817-3883
HELPMEERIC.COM ! TECH SUPPORT
Your Personal Tech Assistant. BEST RATES in the tri-county area. Specializing in Android & iPhones. PC/Mac-Training, Installation, Clean-up & Repairs. Friendly, In-Home and remote Srvc. Call/Txt 954-903-4383.
CLEANING SERVICES u
HANDYMAN u
KENNY & JAY REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE
TV Wall mounting, Ceiling Fans, Bathroom, kitchen, faucet, 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. Bathroom, Vanity, sinks, dishwasher & garbage disposals and SHOWER GRAB BARS. Replace Door knobs and locks (locksmith). K&J 954-260-9940 BEST PRICES IN TOWN! 32 Years Experience.
L.H.P. HANDYMAN SERVICES
Reliable, honest, affordable general home repairs, pressure washing, painting, tile, light plumbing, light/fan fixtures installs. Good troubleshooting. Insured. L.H.P. Handyman Services - Al (954) 683-3754
HELP WANTED u
P/T “H O U S E B O Y” WANTED
pick up palm leaves, mow, clean pool, house, cars. Computer and phone savvy a plus. Non smoker with a vehicle. $15/hour cash. Flexible hours afternoons/evenings. We’re located in Coral Ridge/Victoria Park, Fort Lauderdale. Please live close. Call/text after 12 noon 954 803 0318.
ADVERTISE IN CLASSIFIEDS Call 754-200-2979 or Email Classifieds@Hotspots.LGBT
MASSAGE THERAPIST AND FULL TIME FRONT DESK NEEDED
Inquire in person between 9 a.m. and 2 pm. at Pineapple Point Guesthouse 315 NE 16 Terrace Ft Lauderdale FL 33301. 954-527-0094
HAIR REMOVAL u
LET’S CLEAN-UP EVERY CRACK AND CREVICE
I trim and shave areas that you can’t take care of yourself. 2 person trimming available (extra). Let’s Clean-up Your Junk and make you look like a new person! Let me shave your junk and make you nice and smooth. Expert Brazilian shaving. $65/ Hour. Pompano Deerfield Area. Out calls extra. Jeffrey 954-270-6868 please text. 9am - 7pm
HEALTHCARE u
NURSING
ASSISTANT/PT ASSISTANT
wants 5 - 20 hours of private duty work. Responsible male in Wilton Manors can travel within 4 - 5 miles. Many years of experience. Competent, Cooperative, Conscientious. References Provided. $17/hr. Call 616-218-7402
LAWN MAINTENANCE / IRRIGATION u
IRRIGATION SYSTEM REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
30 Years experience, excellent work, referrals upon request. Call Roberto at 954-383-8980
MASSAGE BY JIM
Offering a great massage for Men with a fusion of different techniques; always relaxing, always a great experience. Whether you’re experiencing muscle discomfort or just looking to relax...I have a very comfortable studio conveniently located in Wilton Manors on NE 26th Street. Affordable Rates! 954-600-5843. jimlibonatilmt@aol.com. www.massagebyjim.com.Licensed and experienced LMT. Lic#MM22293
PERSONAL TRAINER
NAKED FITNESS - GET NAKED, GET FIT!
Nude Certified Personal Training (1 on 1, small groups). Nude Aqua Aerobics. Sensual Full Body Massages. Private Gym, Pool (Wilton Manors). Personalized Programs after 2-hour assessment. All Goals. Free Consult. Affordable. http://naked. beyondfitness.info BJ (323) 270-7121
2 bed 2 bath condo just 3 blocks to downtown. Over $100,000 in renovations. Priced at $469,000. Pet friendly, garage, 8 pools, mountain views, VERY LGBTQAI+ friendly! Call/text Robert LaDuke, Equity Union Real Estate at 760-333-6828 for info and photos. DRE# 01947213
RENTALS - VICTORIA PARK u
VICTORIA PARK
Nice area 2 bedroom apartment end unit east of US-1 near beach. Walk to all needs. Washer/Dryer in unit. Private off street parking at your door. Kitchen with stainless steel appliances and D/W. Private rear patio. Same building: Nice studio efficiency with full kitchen. Call 954-523-6757
RENTALS - WILTON MANORS
2/1 ALL GAY MALE CLOTHING OPTIONAL Must be employed. Available now! Remodeled Key West style complex. pool, Laundry, Central A/C. no pets. In Oakland Park near Scandals (NE 6th). First, Last and Security required. $1,950/month. Call Greg at 954-422-2080.
ADVERTISE IN CLASSIFIEDS
Call 754-200-2979 or Email Classifieds@Hotspots.LGBT
IMMACULATE 2/1 $2450
2BD/1BA, fully upgraded, furnished/ unfurnished central location, min. to Wilton Dr. central A/C, W/D, small pet okay, very private, quiet neighborhood, gay friendly street, $2450./mo., 1st, last, dep. Tinted windows! 954-809-1514(Yves), WON’T LAST! Avail March 9th.
ROOMMATES - WILTON MANORS u
LOOKING TO SHARE TOWNHOUSE
In exclusive Wilton Station complex in Wilton Manors. Complex features clubhouse, waterfall pool, large gym, movie theater. Parking space in front of townhouse. Seeking a quiet, responsible roommate who values peaceful living. $1,900 a month. All utilities included. Call or text 954-547-3772
ROOMMATES - BROWARD u
ROOMMATE WANTED NEAR WILTON MANORS
Share 2BR/2BA apartment in Oakland Park. Private bathroom. Gated condo community with clubhouse, gym, pools. Central air. Utilities included with highspeed broadband & Cable. $1100/mo. $1100 Security. $2200 to move in on 3/01. Must pass condo background check. Looking for quiet, mature non-smoker. (305) 562-2003.
TAX PREPARATION u
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
ADVERTISE IN CLASSIFIEDS
Call 754-200-2979 or Email Classifieds@Hotspots.LGBT
SEWING/ALTERATIONS u
ALTERATIONS
Clothing repair, trouser hem, sleeve hem, zipper change, clothing adjustments, cushions, curtains, pillows. Everything related to sewing. Exclusive swimwear are made to suit the client, tank tops, t-shirts, shorts, sports wear. Text me at 407-732-1756. Instagram: @Nicolo_ Bivona.B
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