HOTspots! August 31, 2023 (Issue 3818)

38th Year

HOW TO REACH US

MAIN OFFICE

The Sterling Building 2435 N Dixie Hwy., Wilton Manors, Florida 33305 Phone (754) 200-2979

Hotspots magazine is published alternate Thursdays (26 issues/year).

Jeff Sterling

Chief Executive Officer

Scott Holland

VP - Operations/Associate Publisher

ADMINISTRATION

VP - Development | Jamie Forsythe

DIGITAL & TV

VP - TV & Digital | Darren Loli

Digital Manager | Troy Maillis

Events Manager | Jameer Baptiste

ART & DESIGN

Art Director | Frank Mendez Designer | Maria Espinal

ADVERTISING

Account Executives

Anthony Verrico — (754) 333-0886

NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Chris Azzopardi | Tom Bonanti

Maria Espinal | S. Elfman

Mike Jeknavorian | Andreus Quinones

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Coco Alarcon | Dale Stine | Dennis Dean | Robert Hadley

CELEBRITY HOST

Shawn Palacious (“Kitty Meow”) LOGISTICS

Copyright 2023, WMEG Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part by any means without written permission by the Publisher is prohibited.

Publication of the name or photograph or any person, living or dead, is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or organizations.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

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WHO WE ARE

WMEG Inc., is a Community Marketing and Events organization incorporating Hotspots magazine and Happening Out Television Network.

Our mission as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit is to promote South Florida, and especially Wilton Manors,as a welcoming LGBTQ+ destination through marketing and events. WMEG produces about 50 events a year, including the annual Stonewall Pride Parade and Festival in Wilton Manors. Other events include Art Walk on Wilton Drive and Vibes On The Drive. Visit WMEG.org for more info.

WMEG also manages the Sculpture Walk project which is responsible for the installation of sculptures in public spaces in Wilton Manors. u Watch Queer News Tonight streaming live Monday through Thursdays at 7 p.m. at HappeningOut.com

OUR AUDIENCE

Hotspots magazine is available at more than 300 locations from West Palm Beach to Key West and reaches an audience exceeding 300,000 monthly across our print, TV and digital network. We offer comprehensive and cost-effective advertising programs on multiple platforms including:

• Print Magazine

• Web Advertising

• E-mail Marketing

• Streaming Video Advertising

• Event Marketing

• Social Media

Juan Manzano & J.R. Davis

Business Manager | Alyson omas Administrative Assistant | Ryan Isom

Dale Stine — (754) 333-0849

Dine Out Extends Through September 30th

There's good news for foodies in Greater Fort Lauderdale who want more time to explore the destination's vibrant culinary scene. By popular demand, Visit Lauderdale's “Dine Out Lauderdale” month has been extended through September 30, 2023, giving locals and visitors ample time to enjoy exceptional culinary experiences from a choice of 100 diverse eateries.

In addition to the popular culinary tradition consisting of curated, threecourse prix fixe meals, this year's Dine Out Lauderdale invites restaurateurs to enhance their offerings with sweet treats and specialty foods at promotional prices.

“The response to Dine Out Lauderdale has been fantastic, so we're very excited to

extend the promotion through September,” said Stacy Ritter, Visit Lauderdale's President and CEO. “Dine Out

Lauderdale captures the amazing variety of culinary talent that has chosen to make Greater Fort Lauderdale home,” Ritter said, “and it encourages everyone to sample what's new as well as return to the restaurants they love.”

From classes on the art of making Asian dumplings to creative pizza-making and other lessons for foodies, this year's Dine Out program is offering a diversity of dining and cooking experiences that sets Greater Fort Lauderdale apart from other destinations.

For a full list of the 110 restaurants that are participating go to: visitlauderdale.com/dineout

Pub Hub Patio Grand Opening at The Pub

Photos: JR Davis

>>To see all photos, visit HotspotsMagazine.com

SunServe

Back-to-School Carnival

Photos: JR Davis

Hotspots!/HOut Gallery with Dennis Dean Artist Showcase

Photos: Coco Alarcon

September in LGBT History

9/1, 2009—Vermont legalized same-sex marriage.

9/4, 1957—The report of the Department Committee on Homosexual Offenses and Prostitution was published in Britain after a succession of well-known men were convicted of homosexual offenses.

9/6, 2005—The California legislature passes a bill to legalize same-sex marriage.

9/7, 2001—The world’s first GLBT TV Network began broadcasting in Canada, PrideVision TV.

9/12, 2013—A Commonwealth court judge orders the Montgomery County (Pennsylvania) register of Wills D. Bruce Haynes, to stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

9/14, 2005—The Massachusetts legislature rejects a proposed amendment to its state constitution to ban same-sex marriages.

9/19, 2005—Vatican bans gay seminarians under Pope Benedict XVI.

9/20, 2011—The “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” Repeal Act ended after 17 years under President Obama.

9/21, 1993—House passes the Hate Crimes sentencing Enhancement Act by a voice vote.

9/21, 1996—President Bill Clinton signs the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defending marriage between one man and one woman.

9/23, 1992—Massachusetts grants family rights to gay a lesbian state workers.

9/24, 1951- Oct. 1952—George Jorgensen becomes Christine Jorgensen, the first person to become widely known in the U.S. For having sex reassignment surgery.

9/23, 1999—The first Annual Bisexuality Day is observed at the International Lesbian and Gay Association Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa.

9/27, 2013—A New Jersey State judge rules that samesex couples must be permitted to marry in New Jersey starting October 21st that year.

9/29, 1991—California Governor Wilson vetoes Antidiscrimination bill.

9/29, 2005—California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoes the same-sex marriage bill.

9/30, 2004—The U.S. House of Representatives votes against amending the Constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage.

9/30, 2011—The U.S. Department of Defense issues new guidelines I want military chaplains to perform same-sex ceremony.

Sept 1983—The first national lesbian of color conference was held in Malibu, CA.

Sources: Historic Calendar Project, Wikipedia, Library of Congress, Gay and Lesbian Issues, CNN.

Sail

Away with Hotspots!/Happening Out On Our

Anniversary Cruise 39th

Miami, Key West AND Ocean Cay Marine Reserve

Friday, Dec. 8Starting at $239 PP •

The Hotspots and Happening Out 39th Anniversary Cruise is supported by Happening Out Non-Profit (501c3) Travel Club. This HIGH-VALUE 4-Day cruise sails to the best of a weekend cruise with a huge variety of exclusive Hotspots and Happening Out events on board and in port. Here are the details:

4-Day Cruise on MSC Cruise Lines MAGNIFICA. You will have a very fun-filled program aboard ship exclusively for Hotspots Happening Out Cruise Tour guests including special receptions, private parties, special dining events, exclusive shore excursions with the group and much more.

Departure Date is December 8, 2023; A Perfect Weekend Cruise From Friday to Monday for as low as $239 per person + Port taxes and Service fees of $99 (All rates are per person double occupancy)

Day 1: Board MSC Magnifica at Port of Miami. Ship sails at 6 pm Day 2: Key West (9 am – 6 pm)

Day 3: MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve (7 am – 10:30 pm) Day 4: Miami. Ship arrives 7 am

Special Unlimited WiFi & Open Bar Beverage Program

Just $49 For The First Day And Then The Next 3 Days Are Free!

All cabins are on request at the time of your online reservation and cabin reservations are strictly first-come, first confirmed for this special group. Only credit card payments are accepted for the payment.

magnifica

Exclusive Hotspots

Happening Out Events On 39th Anniversary Cruise

................................

* Daily “Happy 39” Open Bar Happy Hour at a variety of the best spaces on the MSC Magnifica to celebrate the 39th anniversary of Hotspots Happening Out (open bar when included)

* Red Party—A special 'Red Theme' Aboard with high energy dance club and DJ

* White Party—A special 'White Deck Party' Aboard with highenergy DJ

* Masquerade Party—A special costume and masquerade ball with DJ

* 'Seas The Day' Special Beach Party—for Hotspots!/Happening Out Guests at Ocean Cay (open bar included for guests participating in special incentive)

* 'Roar On The Shore' Special Night Illumination Beach Party—for Hotspots!/Happening Out Guests at Ocean Cay (open bar included for guests participating in special incentive)

* 'Wet N Wild' Gay Key West Pool Party—for Hotspots!/Happening Out Guests at one of Key West’s most famous gay guest houses.

* Participation in Hotspots!/Happening Out Parties And Events Are Exclusively for registered guests through the 39th Anniversary Cruise Balcony Cabin

Suite

Special FREE WiFi and Open Bar Beverage Package For Hotspots!/Happening Out Guests

* You may participate in a special WiFi and Beverage Package. You pay just $49 for the first day of your cruise for WiFi and Open Bar Beverages and then the next three days are FREE. This special offer must be reserved and paid for at time of booking. Reservations after time of booking for the WiFi and Beverage Package is $299.

* The special package includes WiFi for a single device per person

* The beverage package is an incredible value as includes unlimited bottle mineral and sparkling water; coffees; specialty coffee and other drinks; non-alcoholic cocktails and mixed drinks; Classic hot drinks including espresso, cappuccino, latte, hot tea, hot chocolate; Soft drinks from the fountain, canned soft drinks, fruit juices by the glass and bottled; Selected classic or international cocktails; Spirits (whisky, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, brandy – one brand per type); House wines (red, white, sparkling, rosè); Draft beer including Heineken and bottled beer Heineken * Beverage gratuities included.

Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, The World’s Most Luxurious Private Island!

MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve

..............................................

“The World's Most Spectacular Private Island.”

Exclusive to MSC Cruises guests, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, was designed to show appreciation of the environment and ensure they are doing their part to take care of our planet, all while giving you a slice of paradise. With docking right on the island, you can walk straight off the ship and onto 2 miles of white sand beaches where chairs, umbrellas and cabanas await to help you sit back and relax beside crystal blue waters. The island includes bars, entertainment, restaurants and lagoons for many special daytime and nighttime activities.

For more information or to book your cruise, go to happeningout.travel/cruise.

By Romeo San Vicente

KIT CONNOR STIRS UP A LITTLE 'TEA AND TOMORROW'

“Heartstopper” star Kit Connor is about to play audience heartstrings as the co-lead in the film adaptation of Laura Taylor Namey's YA novel, “A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow.” The sweet romantic dram-com follows a young woman named Lila (Maia Reficco, “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin”) from the

U.S. to the U.K. for a summer. It's there she meets a young teashop clerk named Orion (Connor) who' s determined to show her the best of his country and, well, you can guess the rest. (There's also been a bit of internet gossip about the bisexual Connor possibly being

romantically involved with his co-star, but so far nothing confirmed — it'll be our business when they invite us to dinner, right?) The sure-tobe-swoony movie is currently in production, so “Heartstopper” fans will have to wait a while for this one and just re-binge season two again.

WHEN A GAY DIRECTOR TAKES OVER 'SCREAM 7'

Let there be no confusion regarding this point: “Scream” has always been queer to its core. Created by a gay writer, the great Kevin Williamson, and guided by his ideas for the first several films of the franchise, it has been steeped in queerness that's ambient, very open to alternate readings, and eventually populated with forthrightly queer characters. (If you haven't yet watched the Emmy-nominated Shudder documentary,

Photo: Moviepedia/Fandom

Photo: lillygladstone.com

“

Queer for Fear,” do so, and settle in.) But now a gay director will take the helm for the very first time.

Christopher Landon, the filmmaker behind the leftfield hits “Happy Death Day” and “Freaky,” among many others, is handling the seventh installment (no cast announced yet, there' s a strike on) and it's safe to say that his own queer imprint will be felt. More on this one as it develops. Ghostface pride!

NO, THE OTHER 'PET SHOP BOYS'

Due to premiere at the Venice Film Festival is “Pet Shop Boys,” the debut feature from Olmo Schnabel. If that last name sounds familiar, he's the son of filmmaker and artist Julian Schnabel (the Oscarnominated “At Eternity' s Gate”) and if you think the film's familiar title is referencing the legendary

queer pop group, it's not. The film stars Dario Yazbek Bernal (“The House of the Flowers”) and Jack Irv (“Giants Being Lonely”), and the plot involves an impulsive young man (Bernal) who begins an affair with pet store employee (Irv), setting in motion a series of escalating troubles. Balancing the relative newcomers are a supporting cast that includes Peter Sarsgaard and Julian Schnabel film vets Willem Dafoe (“At Eternity' s Gate”) and Emmanuelle Seigner (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”). Young queer lovers on the run? Sign us up, and look for this one to hit U.S. arthouse theaters soon enough.

THAT MEGAN THEE STALLION AND BOWEN YANG MOVIE IS CALLED 'DICKS: THE MUSICAL'

NOW If you were wondering when the comedy formerly known as “F*cking Identical Twins” was going to drop into your local theater, it' s soon: September 29 to be precise. But the name has changed from the offensive-to-some original to the freshly offensive-to-some-others “Dicks: The Musical.” The revamped title is fully in keeping with the insane trailer that just dropped, following an outrageous “Parent Trap”-style plot where writers/stars Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp (from Comedy Central' s “The Opposition with Jordan Klepper”) play separated-atbirth twins determined to reunite their divorced parents. Co-starring Megan Thee Stallion, Bowen Yang, Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally and a lot of wild musical numbers, this queer-inclusive A24 title is ready to take early fall by storm, ready or not. But we're ready.

Romeo San Vicente has seen a lot of musicals.

Photo: Provincetown Film Society

Photo: wikimedia.com

Photo: flickr

Twist South Beach

Friday Nights

Photos: JR Davis

R House Wynwood Malaysias’ Birthday Extravaganza

Photos: Karli Evans

Photos by Dennis Dean

Interview by Scott Holland

What city do you live in? Moving to Miami

Are you Single or married? Single

What's the perfect guy for you? Someone who makes me feel safe.

What's your perfect date? I don't know what a perfect date looks like, but the best date I have ever been on started off with a movie led to a 2 hour conversation a walk on the beach and then doing salsa in the rain.

What do you do for a living? Director of Business development for Park Place Spa and Body Sculpt.

What do you do for fun? Spend time with my family.

What does the future hold for you?

Something that allows me to take my gifts and use them to help other people. Find me on c /el33zy

Photos: KeansLlamera.com at Richarson Park in Wilton Manors

Photos: Coco Alarcon and Melody Timothee

By Maria Espinal

Chaito's Latin Corner

2571 N. Hiatus Rd. • Cooper City, FL 33026 754.210.5358 • chaitos.com • Mon-Thur 9am-8pm • Fri 9am-10pm Sat 10am-10pm • Sun 10am-8pm

More than a restaurant, Chaito's is a gathering spot to connect with friends and neighbors to celebrate the Latin flavor and culture. If you enjoy Latin food, Chaito's is a must-visit place. Menu highlights: Stuffed tostones, mini tequeños with guava, Caribbean ceasar salad, toston burger and mofongo (mashed plantains with pork, churrasco or chicken). On Sat & Sun, 10am – 2pm, brunch is served with an extensive menu. Try their guava and mango mimosas. ¡Buen provecho!

The Terrace Grill

299 N Federal Hwy. • Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954.945.9300 • theterracegrill.com • Mon-Thu & Sun 5:30pm-10pm Fri-Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm • Daily Happy Hour 5pm-6:30pm

Peaceful outdoor dining, with reimagined American classics. Located inside The Dalmar Hotel— half a mile north of Las Olas—is trendy, tasteful, familiar with friendly staff. Their modern atmosphere is lovely and makes you feel welcome at all times. Choose from their raw bar, salads, pizzas, burgers, filet mignon, steak or salmon, they have something for everyone. Always save room for their Key lime pie…you won't regret it. Gluten-free and vegan options are available.

The Green Pointe

3585 Mystic Pointe Dr. • Aventura, FL 33180 786.916.2028 thegreenpointe.com

Mon-Thur & Sun 9am-10pm • Fri & Sat 9am-11pm

Overlooking the marina, The Green Pointe is a contemporary Italian dining destination blending modern elegance with the rich flavors of Italy to create a truly exceptional dining adventure. In a chic and stylish atmosphere, TGP is known as the hidden gem in the area serving the best Italian cuisine like Salmon and beef carpaccios, fresh greens, exquisite pastas, Napoli style pizzas, cocktails and more for you to indulge in.

Grato

1901 South Dixie Hwy. • West Palm Beach, FL 33401

561.404.1334 • gratowpb.com • Sun-Thur 5pm-10pm • Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm • Daily Happy Hour 4pm-6pm • Sun Brunch 11am-3pm

Casually-elegant eatery with housemade pasta, wood-fired pies & other Italian fare, plus a full bar. Menu highlights: Italian sausage pizza (provolone, roasted red onion, banana peppers), Diavola Pizza (smoked mozzarella, nduja, pepperoni, peppers, onions, hot honey), Bucatini Carbonara (bacon, ham, pecorino, egg) and Tuna Steak (coconut rice, mango salad, peanut palapa, nuoc cham).

Doggy Style Brightens Up

the LGBTQIA+ Community with its Technicolor Collection

Doggy Style, the gay-owned underwear and accessories brand, is introducing The Technicolor Collection, its new line of men's briefs, jockstraps and harnesses in hot pink, electric blue and blazing yellow. It represents the next stage in the evolution of the fetish brand that launched earlier this year with its black-and-white Monochrome Collection. “The Technicolor Collection is the same soft and comfortable fabric our customers have come to love but in the fun new shades they have been asking for,” says the brand's co-founder Levi Woods.

conversation. “We remarked how it would be a great name for a queer underwear company,” Woods explains. “It's sexy and provocative and lends itself to additional branding and product concepts. We knew we were onto something and had to give it a go.'”

Doggy Style Brightens Up

There are other changes, too, most noticeably to the jockstrap. Instead of the Doggy Style logo placed across the front of the waistband as it was in the Monochrome Collection, it is now across the back, where, according to co-founder Manu Bautista, it always should have been. “The rear view of a jockstrap is one of its best assets,” he says. "That's the focal point. Moving the logo to the rear is good marketing,” he laughs.

the LGBTQIA+ Community with its Technicolor Collection

Their Monochrome Collection was a resounding success with sales all over the world. The brand offers both free and lowcost shipping options, domestically and internationally. “In addition to the states, we have customers in South and Central America, Canada, Europe and Australia,” says Bautista. "We're excited that the brand is resonating around the world.”

Says Woods, the personal connection the brand has with its consumer base is vital. “Our customers are vocal about what they like and what they want from us, and we are committed to creating products that we know they will enjoy."

Also significant with the new collection is the ability to pair harnesses with briefs and jockstraps of the same color or mix and match pieces. The color coordinated tags are an added feature that work to elevate the garments from their Monochrome predecessors.

Real-life partners Levi Woods and Manu Bautista launched their brand last year after the phrase Doggy Style came up in casual

A portion of all Doggy Style sales are donated to community organizations like The Trevor Project. Giving to charities has always been an important part of who Levi Woods and Manu Bautista are as individuals, and with their company, they have big philanthropic goals that they are eager to put into action.

Doggy Style's "The Technicolor Collection” will be available September 8th at doggystyleunleashed.com.

Photo rawpixel.com/freepik

Photos: Richard Burrowes

Aqua Foundation

Women’s Conference at Sunshine Cathedral

Photos: Coco Alarcon

GFLGLCC

August Mixer

Photos: Coco Alarcon

Remembering Edith “Edie”

Windsor and her fight and landmark victory for Marriage Equality

By Maria Espinal

If there is a woman who will go down in history for making a legal landmark victory for the LGBTQ+ community, that is Edith “Edie” Windsor. How can we forget that iconic photo of Edie coming out of the Supreme Court with opened arms after SCOTUS' Justice Kennedy delivered the opinion of the Court, which ruled in her favor of her declaring the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, forcing the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages. This was also a tremendous personal achievement for Windsor.

Edith was born and raised in Philadelphia in 1929 to Russian immigrants, James and Celia Schlain. She graduated from Temple University in 1950. She received a master's degree in mathematics from New York

President Barack Obama meets with Edie Windsor during a drop by in the Oval Office, February 12, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

University and studied applied mathematics at Harvard University. She was a pioneer in computer architecture and operating systems; later becoming a technology manager at IBM. In May 1951, Edith married her brother's best friend, Saul Windsor, for a brief time as she fell in love with a woman.

Years later, in 1963, Edith S. Windsor met Dr. Thea Clara Spyer—a clinical psychologist—at Portofino, an Italian restaurant in the South. They began a relationship in 1965 and in the summer of 1967, Thea proposed to Edie with a diamond pin (pictured on this page). They were among the first couples to get a domestic partnership in New York City in 1993 and married in Tor onto, Canada in 2007. Their marriage was recognized in New York where they lived until Thea's death in 2009; they were together for 44 years.

When Thea died, Edie was the executor and beneficiary of her state, but the federal government didn't recognize their marriage and taxes needed to be paid. Edie had to pay nearly $363,053 in federal estate taxes (later returned with interest by the IRS). According to New York ACLU, “Due to DOMA's discriminatory policies, Windsor was not able to claim the estate tax marital deduction that is available when the surviving spouse is of the opposite sex.”

Edie filed the lawsuit against the federal government on Nov. 9, 2010, for refusing to recognize their marriage, winning multiple legal challenges that led to the 2013 Supreme Court. The case was United States v. Windsor, argued by Roberta Kaplan and Andrew Ehrlich. The case was argued on March 27, 2013 and decided June 26, 2013.

“The defeat of DOMA Section 3…removes an explicit discriminatory injustice. It ended the 'second-class status' of my legal marriage and that of all same-sex couples. It brought the word 'dignity' into our lives in this most important situation.”

That same year, 2013, Edie was third Runner-up Person of the Year by Time Magazine.

Edith's victory came two years before another landmark victory, Obergefell v. Hodges, where the Supreme Court recognized gay marriage as constitutional nationwide on June 26, 2015, with all the protections and privileges of heterosexual couples. The rest is now part of humanity and the LGBT History.

This month marks the 6th anniversary of Edie's passing, September 12, 2017, in Manhattan, NY. She was 88. By her side was her second wife, Judith Kasen-Windsor, a banking executive and LGBT activist. They met in 2015 while both participated in their mutual passion for LGBTQ activism. On September 26, 2016, Kasen-Windsor married Edie Windsor at New York City Hall. Judith now is making sure the Edie Windsor & Thea Spyer Foundation's legacy lives on.

Visit ediewindsor.org to learn more about the Edie Windsor & Thea Spyer Foundation's projects.

Sources: nyclgbtsites.org, Time Magazine, NYACLU, Wikipedia.

Photos: @windsoredie

—Edith Windsor She Magazine Interview, Jan 2014.

Gay in the Ring

Pro Wrestler

Anthony Bowens has Major Wins for Queer Visibility Under His Belt

By Chris Azzopardi

Queer people everywhere are experiencing heightened discrimination, but if there's hope to be found, it might just be in, of all places, the wrestling ring. That's where Anthony Bowens recently experienced a tremendously heartening show of allyship during Pride Month, when the openly gay Black pro wrestler was showered with support from thousands of wrestling fans.

During an All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Rampage event in June, Bowens responded to QTV on-air personality Harley Cameron, who suggested that Bowens couldn't resist her if he tried, by telling her she must have been “kicked in the head too many times by a kangaroo” as a kid. It took her a minute to figure out what he was alluding to — that he's gay, ladies, and coupled with his boyfriend of seven years, Michael Pavano. Then, a full crowd showed their solidarity with Bowens when they chanted “He's gay!”

Bowens, who came out as bisexual in January 2017 and then later as gay, made history in 2022 when he and Max Caster, a tag team in AEW (a rival of WWE) known as The Acclaimed, won the company's world tag team championship for the first time. The win made Bowens, 32, the first openly gay wrestler to win an AEW championship. His raw, tearful emotions were captured after their victorious moment on video, when Bowens offered hope to those struggling with who they are: “I never thought I'd be able to have a moment like this. I never thought I'd be able to live my dream because there was a time when I was very confused and I didn't know how to accept myself,” he said at the time. “And now I cry because I'm a champion.”

During our recent interview, Bowens spoke about being surprised by the recent pro-gay chant, his vastly different experience in the locker room these days and being the example, he wished he had as a kid.

When I watch the “He's gay!” chant, it gives me hope for the queer community and for this

next presidential election — maybe there are fewer homophobic people than I think. It looks grim, but at the same time, it's not. A lot of people have humanity, they're human beings. They appreciate, respect, and love other people. But that segment was something very unexpected because I had never approached it in that way before. My type of activism is, I show up and I am trying to be as visible and successful as possible and to try to lead by example. I've always been that way. When I played baseball, I was never the team captain, but I was a team leader. I showed up, I played hard, I contributed, I supported everybody. They supported me. And then I go home. I figure that's just who I am as a person, and that's how I do it every single week on TV. I try to represent as best as I can. But I also don't want to shoehorn anything. I want it to be something fun and something special. And when they presented that to me in this scenario, I was like, "Absolutely." This seems like the perfect time to do it. It was Pride Month. I

“So much positivity...I looked at that as a moment of hope for them. Something that I really didn't have when I was in the closet and trying to figure out my sexuality and trying to figure out if I had a space within professional wrestling if I came out.”

didn't know how people were going to react. I thought it would just be “cool," but to have an entire arena chanting at you, "He's gay," in a positive way, it was so much fun. It was unexpected. But I think the aftermath of it was the best part because it touched so many different people. I was expecting it to be, excuse my language, a sh*tshow of just negativity considering what's been going on in the world. So much positivity, so many messages from other athletes, from just other people in general that looked at that as a moment of hope for them. Something that I really didn't have when I was in the closet and trying to figure out my sexuality and trying to figure out if I had a space within professional wrestling if I came out. So, I am honored that I could do something like that for oth er people. And hopefully it's something that will connect with them, and they can understand that there are doors and avenues available to them to live your dreams, whatever that may be. What are some of the reactions that you received after the chant?

A lot of gratitude and a lot of thank-you's. Because no one's ever said it in a wrestling ring. No one ever said it. And I found that,

now that I think about it, kind of strange. I don't know if it's out of fear of what the reaction would be or if they just didn't want to cross that bridge, but it's like, "This is who I am." Everybody can be themselves in any other way possible every single week, so why can't I, and why can't everybody else? So now that we've crossed that bridge, hopefully there's a lot more doors open for a lot more LGBTQ athletes in professional wrestling. We're in a lot better place than where we were when I first started, because there's a ton of open LGBTQ wrestlers out there. Some on television, a lot of thriving [ones] on the independents. So hopefully we continue to grow and get more in, because there are a lot more in other sports and entertainment.

Some wrestlers, like Nyla Rose, the first openly trans woman to sign with a major pro wrestling company, have been met with some vitriol. Wrestler Rick Steiner, for instance, went on a transphobic rant and was banned from WrestleCon. It seems you're having a different, more positive experience, but as somebody who's part of the community you

must also be aware that not everyone's having that same experience.

Absolutely. I always say that I am lucky in the sense that I could navigate a lot of parts of life without worry, because sometimes people don't know, and other people don't have that privilege. If I give a piece of advice to somebody who may not be living in an area where being LGBTQ+ is welcome, that advice could potentially harm them. And I don't want to put anybody in that kind of position. So, it gets to be very hard.

I can't speak to Nyla, I don't know what her experience is, but I do know that there are always horrible people out there. I'm not clear from hate either, because two years

phenomenon that it has?

No. It's something that I said on a whim live on television. I just thought of it five minutes before I said it, and the next thing you know it just exploded. And I cannot believe the amount of scissors that people create themselves. They spent all ni ght creating custom scissors to bring to the arenas, and we got the foam finger. It's crazy. What's your earliest memory of how you felt watching wrestling?

It was about the pageantry and the aura that it had around it. It's a different kind of energy and a different kind of vibe than any other form of entertainment. You have a live audience and you've got physicality; you have athleticism, you have millions of

ago in Long Island somebody was yelling out, calling me the F-word. I didn't hear it in the ring, but it came out over the broadcast, and it caused a bit of a hoopla. But he got reprimanded, and I believe he was escorted out. A lot of people now are policing that when they hear stuff like that. There's plenty of independent shows where somebody's yelled out something homophobic, and fans are just like, “Get out. You're not welcome here.”

Did you ever expect your “Scissor me, daddy ass” catchphrase would become the

people watching you at home. You've got different characters, you've got storytelling. I loved everything about it. And did I know I was going to be a wrestler one day? No. Did I think it was possible? Also, no because I didn't know how. I just knew that I loved it, and it's just a unique form of entertainment. When I started questioning my sexuality, there wasn't much to relate to in terms of what I was watching. Did anyone help you feel that you could be a wrestler?

Really no one. Darren Young came out I

“...if we had more ‘out’ successful athletes that are just proud of being themselves, and we can normalize this experience as opposed to it being this whole big ordeal of coming out and then, "Well, can they adjust?" Of course, they can adjust...”

believe in 2013, and I had just started wrestling then. Other than Darren, there wasn't anybody really, because a lot of times, anything that was remotely LGBTQ was used as comedic fodder. So, there wasn't really much, which is all the reason why ... that's what kept me in the closet a lot longer. It drove me even more to be successful because I would like to be that example. And I'm fortunate eno ugh to do that every single week now. The community needs somebody to look toward in this space.

to achieve because there's never been a gay world champion, and hopefully one day. Max and I are doing a lot of cool things together as The Acclaimed; maybe we'll be a tag team forever, maybe there might be a time where we split off. I have no idea. But if that does ever happen, that's what I'm gunning for. What does it mean to you to know that a younger LGBTQ+ generation is looking to you as an open door? How do you process that? It means a lot because I may not have gone through what other people have gone through, but what I went through was shitty. A lot of mental anguish, a lot of feeling like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. A lot of stress. A lot of fear, a lot of anxiety. I just wish I could go back and tell younger Bowens that everything will be OK. All I could do was cry. I didn't know what my future would be like. I pulled into my garage, and I just sat in the car for 30 minutes and just wept. I felt like it was hopeless. How old were you?

I was in college, probably about 18, 19 years old, maybe 20. I had a great support system around me, my friends, and my family, but none of them can truly relate to what I was going through, none of them are LGBTQ. So, it was a very, very rough time. But again, I wish I could go back and tell my younger self that. Also, I hope that I can help people not feel that way. So hopefully this journey continues to connect and reach people across the world so they can feel a little less hopeless than I felt...

Knowing your struggle, what did it mean to you when you became the first gay champion in AEW history?

It's mind-blowing. It was one of the best nights of my life, to be honest with you. The one thing that stood out after I won was, through all the confetti and all the people cheering, I was able to look up and somehow saw my dad cheering me on. It was a great night, and it meant a lot to me, and it meant a lot to a lot of people. And I still have a ton more goals that I'd like

To read full interview, visit us online at hotspotsmagazine.com

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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HOT PUZZLE Remembering Pee-Wee

2 R.E.M.'s "The ___ Love"

3 29-Across, for example

4 Laid-back sort

5 Buck feature

6 Susan of “Valley of the Dolls”

7 Jack, who licked it clean

8 Key opening

9 Decide on

10 Most in need of a lube

11 Edible dildo?

12 Senator Trent

13 '69 and others

21 Gay marriage advocate

Morissette

22 “West Side Story” gang member

25 Where a j.o. buddy should be?

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29 Chains around a knight

30 Conquers, sexually

31 Says further

33 The Unicorn author Murdoch

35 Pipe elbows

38 "Losing My Religion" singer

40 One who runs the show

41 Medium for Pride Vibes

43 Michelangelo,