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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF LAS VEGAS PRIDE FAMILY BINGO By Ernie Yuen, Bingo Chairman & Las Vegas PRIDE Executive Director
Las Vegas Pride Family Bingo will be 10 years old in 2017! Things have certainly changed since we started BINGO at Sasha’s. I consider Las Vegas PRIDE Family Bingo my baby, it started off as a bar event called Las Vegas PRIDE Drag Queen Bingo, then later changed into a “Family” all-ages event when we moved the event to Hamburger Mary’s. Kids and families had to play at the top level at the restaurant but they were still able to participate. Every year Las Vegas PRIDE Family Bingo evolved, we hosted “Sunday Brunch Pajama” Bingos, we also did adult-themed “Naughty Bingo”. The two things that never changed: it was always hosted on the 1st Wednesday of the month and we had drag queen hosts and assistants. Throughout the years we had many talented entertainers like Kitty Litter, Miranda Wrights, JewDi Vine, Diana, Diva, Norma Llyamann, and Adrienne Alexander. Currently Andrew Ryan and Bingo Babe Jolene Tudaleph host. Each of our wonderful hosts have each had a wonderful following and added their own special charm to the Las Vegas PRIDE Family Bingo Family. Playtime is never dull attending Las Vegas PRIDE Family Bingo. Every other month we do “Let’s Make a Deal” Bingo for a special added twist (if you 6 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
pick a certain prize, you can make a deal with the host to try to elevate your winnings or pick a ZONK!). Winners have the chance to pick Box A or Box B or what’s behind the curtain. There is never a dull moment. Pay attention when you play Bingo with us because if you call a false BINGO you will have to play Chubby Bunny. This tradition started when we hosted Las Vegas PRIDE Family Bingo at Circus Circus. If you called a false BINGO you would be called up front and our Bingo Host would stuff your month full of Cotton Candy, before making you say “Chubby Bunny” 3 times. Currently we are using marshmallows.
interesting. We now also celebrate monthly Birthday’s. If your birthday falls on the month we are playing BINGO you get called to the front of the room, receive a birthday hat and a lei, and everyone sings Happy Birthday! A great new addition to Las Vegas PRIDE Family Bingo is our new, quarterly “Musical Las Vegas PRIDE Family Bingo” Rocky Horror Bingo was such a great success that we are now going to do Musical Bingo’s 4 times a year! The entertainment team will pick the musical or movie and we will theme our Bingo’s to match the musical/movie. Everyone gets to singa-long and dress up like the characters in the musical/movie. Las Vegas PRIDE Family Bingo will also be doing a “Wheel of Fortune” Bingo. You’ll need to come to December’s Las Vegas PRIDE Family Ugly Sweater Bingo and play Bingo with us for the chance to spin our wheel. Thank you to all of the amazing sponsors of Las Vegas PRIDE Family Bingo! It only costs $10 for a Bingo packet of 10 games and $5.00 for 10 raffle tickets, however the average prize you can win is valued around $50-$75 dollars… that is quite a deal!
Playing dress up is always fun and we have come up with fun themes so everyone is able to dress up. Top costumes are picked to compete and participate in our monthly costume contest with categories for individuals, couples and groups. It’s always fun to Las Vegas PRIDE Family Bingo is played see what people will show up wearing. the first Wednesday of each month, Happy Hour is from 6:00 to 7:00pm I’m always challenged to find new and Bingo starts promptly at 6:30pm. ways to reinvent Las Vegas PRIDE Please invite all of your family and Family Bingo… maybe new and friends, it is always a fun evening. You different prizes, creatives themes, or can also reserve a table if you wish, interactive ways for winners to pick please email tables@lasvegaspride. their prizes. It’s always fun to come org. For more information, visit: www. up with creative ways to add a special lasvegaspride.org twist to our bingos and keep things
CONTENTS EVENTS
ARTICLES
24 PRIDE Family Ugly Sweater Bingo
6
32 10th Annual Holiday Wreath & Gift Basket Auction
11 Welcome
44 2016 Las Vegas TransPride Schedul of Events
Celebrating 10 Years of Las Vegas PRIDE Family Bingo
12 Living Out Loud: It Takes a Community 13 The Nutcracker
Community Events 16 Art in Full Bloom
19 Transgender Day of Remembrance
47 Bears Las Vegas Events
22 “... And to Make a Long Story Short...”
64 Golden Rainbow’s Dining Out For Life
29 Pick Up Your Ears
68 Magical Forest at Opportunity Village
34 Bedroom Chaos With The Men of Charlie’s
72 LGBTQ Career Fair
48 LGBT Community Directory
76 LGBT-Friendly Holiday Services
50 Transgender Symbols
77 Let Heaven & Nature Sing: A City-Wide Sing-A-Long!
52 Las Vegas Guide Map
56 World AIDS Day 57 PRIDE Parade Award Winners 62 Las Vegas Bar & Nightclub Schedule 66 LGBT Retirees: How Las Vegas Ranks 69 Experience the Magic of Opportunity Village’s Magical Forrest 71 That’s One Step Towards Equality... By Us! 72 Never Forget: Transgender Day of Remebrance and Why It’s Important 74 Youth Thanksgiving Serves Traditional Meal With Chosen Family 75 Giving Back During the Holidays
54 Fun Home
78 NGRA Royalty Competition
PUBLISHER Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE, Inc. EDITOR Ernie Yuen LAYOUT & DESIGN Jake Naylor ADVERTISING Ernie Yuen, Lyndon R. Marquez & Clair Koetitz PHOTOGRAPHY Adam Bouska, Noel Dahl, Marc Garcia, Fatima Hurd, Barbara Maeker, Excelsior Media, Robert Roth ON THE COVER Jeremy Wallace COVER PHOTO Fatima Hurd CONTRIBUTORS Jennifer Finney Boylan, Cory Burgess, Paul Cieslewicz, Marc Garcia, Christina Di Gioia, Michael Dimengo, Clair Koetitz, Luxor Las Vegas, Lyndon Marquez, The Men of Charlie’s, Blue Montana, N2N Bodywear, Carita Strawn, Lori Thomas (SeniorAdvice.com), Jeremy Wallace
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE, Inc. (SNAPI). No part of this publication, including stories, artwork, advertising or photos, may be reproduced without written permission from SNAPI. For information regarding the Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine or to advertise in future issues, contact SNAPI at 4001 S. Decatur Blvd. #37-540, Las Vegas, NV 89103-5800, (866) 930-3336 or email ernie@lasvegaspride.org. For information regarding Las Vegas PRIDE events, visit www.lasvegaspride.org. The appearance of any person, business or organization in this publication, by name, advertisement or photograph, is not an indication of sexual orientation. SNAPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.
8 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
Welcome By Ernie “Pineapple” Yuen
Aloha!
Wow, I can’t believe we are about to end 2016. Time sure flies! What a crazy year 2016 has been, there have been many changes in the world, the country and our community including the Las Vegas PRIDE Parade and Festival. Changing the dates for PRIDE from September to October helped us with cooler weather. We also moved the Festival location back to Sunset Park which allowed us to occupy a larger area and helped to improve our Las Vegas PRIDE Festival. Bigger is better! Our 2016 PRIDE Parade turned out to be our largest parade on record. The parade was also our largest attended event, with over 110 entries and 5,500 participants. The parade started with an amazing pre-parade show on the grandstand at 4th Street and Bridger Ave. At 8pm the parade kicked off with a touching tribute to Orlando. Two hours later there was 100’s of pounds of confetti scatted all over 4th street and our 2016 Parade was complete. Plans to expand our staging area to Clark Ave will help with prestaging and a new start time of 7:00pm is in the works for next year. The PRIDE Parade was our largest and most attended event. Sunset Park was the location for our 2016 smoke-free festival, with 2 days of festival set-up (compared to 16 hours at the Government Center), 2 stages, 3 bars, 80 vendor tents, PRIDE Pets and Kid’s Zone areas, and a 30’ x 40’ dance pavilion. Everything was ready before our 12-noon opening
on October 22. We could not have asked for more perfect weather, our attendees seemed to enjoy the new layout and the variety of entertainment offered. We also had a big food court area with many new options. The return of PRIDE Pets was a success, and being able to bring our furry friends to the festival was a welcome change, since animals hadn’t been allowed at the Government Center. Pet costume contests, a Tails and Whiskers Doggie Walk, raffles and auctions were also included in the PRIDE Pets experience. The Las Vegas PRIDE Kid’s Zone returned in 2016 and was welcomed with open arms. Families got to enjoy arts and crafts, storytelling, complementary healthy snacks and drinks, a jumpy house and games. It was nice to see people lay out a large blanket, le the kids go free and do what they wanted to do while listening to the music from the main stage.
Plans are already underway for PRIDE 2017; changes are being made and areas are being relocated to better accommodate the flow of the festival. We knew it wasn’t going to be perfect this year, however now we have one festival under our belt and have seen what works and what could be improved. I would like to take this moment and reach out to all of you, and ask that you get involved and be part of the PRIDE Parade and Festival planning, please email me at ed@lasvegaspride.org if you would like more information. As we start our 2017 season of our Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine, I would like to thank all of our wonderful advertisers and generous sponsors. Without your support, our Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine would not be here today. Managing a nonprofit publication has many moving parts and never in a million years would I see myself doing this, but I love it. I adore our Las Vegas LGBT Community; I love this city and I look forward to 2017. I want to wish you, your family and friends the happiest of holidays and may 2017 bring you lots of LOVE, PEACE and JOY! Please, whatever you and your love ones are doing during the holidays, be safe, have lots of fun, and most of all, be nice to one another.
A cool/dry zone nicked named “Shady Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau’oli Pines” was also part of the festival. It Makahiki Hou! was a nice area set aside just to chill and relax. “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!” The entertainment committee worked hard to create a full line up on 2 stages. In PRIDE, Headliners Alec Mapa and Kristine W Ernie “Pineapple” Yuen did not disappoint. Our new dance Executive Director pavilion featured headlining Dj’s from Southern Nevada Association of the Las Vegas Strip spinning the latest PRIDE, Inc. dance hits. It was nice to see people of all ages dancing and enjoying themselves. Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 11
LIVING OUT LOUD IT TAKES A COMMUNITY... By Jeremy Wallace
The last eight years of my life have been a whirlwind of changes, in every sense of the word, and the world around me is quite different, too. In my short time living openly, as Jeremy, I have seen a societal shift to wanting to better understand transgender people and the issues that we face, yet also a newfound hostility and disdain for our existence. I’ve watched mainstream movies and television shows about or featuring trans identified folks, but have also seen a rise in trans murders, year after year. Just when I think that we as a society are making great strides towards more acceptance and inclusion, the wind is knocked out of me, with news of hatred and violence, and it’s like taking one step forward, and two steps back...but is that accurate? Now, 2008 wasn’t long ago, and even then, we weren’t talking about trans inclusion, or anything trans, really, or at least not to the extent that we are today. Yet, in that short period of time, a dialogue has opened up and blossomed. While many people still may not understand or even want to learn about what it means or feels like to identify as transgender, most have at least heard the term and for better or worse, formed some opinions. Teachable moments will continue.
As we head into the Fall season, and 2016 begins to wind down, it’s that time of year where I become a little more nostalgic and reflective. This 12 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
There are times when I get caught up in the negative rhetoric and become fearful when I watch the news and start to believe that nothing is changing, but then I stop and look around at my own local trans community, and see so many strong and courageous people, living their authenticity, that I know progress is happening everyday and at a rapid pace. So no, I don’t think that we are taking steps backwards. My community humbles me and my trans peers give me the continued strength to persevere and speak up. I can look year marks the eighth year since I back over the last eight years since I began my transition from female-to- began living my truth, and each year, male, and I’d say that it’s been quite a my life has improved and allowed me opportunities to not only continue to journey, so far.
live out loud, but to exceed my own expectations for myself as a trans man, and again, that is due to my amazing community. Sure, I was scared and worried when I began transitioning in 2008, that I wouldn’t be accepted by my family and friends, or maybe even lose my means of income, but to be honest, the fear was never about my personal safety, or that I would lose or not be given basic human rights. Maybe I was naïve, but I believe it was because I was making these changes in a community and city that wasn’t out to cause me harm. I have lived in Las Vegas since 1998, and I have continually felt safe, not only in the greater Vegas community, but within my LGBTQ family network as well. I attribute some of my strength to become my true, authentic self, to my home of Las Vegas. Vegas is definitely a place where I am happy to call home, and I am grateful to live in a city that not only has achieved a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, but also, recently passed a resolution to re-affirm the city council’s commitment to diversity and to further strive for a more open and inclusive community. And yes, we have had a huge influx of anti-trans legislation across the nation, you know, all those “bathroom” bills and various other discriminatory bills, but I’m proud that here in Nevada, not only do we have a lot of protections on the books that other states are continuing to fight for, but we have also seen our politicians, community leaders, and allies, whether straight or our brothers and sisters within the GLB and Q community, stand with, speak up and advocate for protecting the rights of trans people like myself in our state. I am thrilled to be living in this very moment in time and history, where people from all walks of life have come together to defeat most
of these hate-filled legislative bills around the US and in Nevada, and those bills that have made it through, the uproar and often times, economic backlash, has shown me that I matter in this world, and that my existence as a trans man is valid and visible. Of course things aren’t perfect, but there isn’t a place on Earth that does or ever will meet the mark of perfection. But it does help me to
sleep at night knowing that I live in a city and state that knows I exist and has shown a willingness to continue to learn, grow and keep the lines of communication open. Jeremy Wallace is a speaker with CAMPUSPEAK and the author of, Taking The Scenic Route To Manhood. To find out more about Jeremy, visit JeremyLWallace.com. Photos of Jeremy courtesy of Fatima Hurd. Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 13
THE NUTCRACKER MUSIC BY PETER ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY CHOREOGRAPHY BY JAMES CANFIELD
NBT’s holiday production of The PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Nutcracker is a festive, joyous Las Vegas tradition that keeps on growing. Saturday, December 10 @ 7:30pm* Sunday, December 11 @ 1:00pm* In 2016, NBT’s company artists will Friday, Dec. 16 @ 7:30pm (V) lead you through the wonder and Saturday, Dec. 17 @ 2:00pm (V) Saturday, Dec. 17 @ 7:30pm* sparkle of the season with eleven Sunday, Dec. 18 @ 1:00pm* performances over three weekends. Sunday, Dec. 18 @ 5:30pm* Come along on a journey from the Wednesday, Dec. 21 @ 7:30pm (V) warmth of Clara’s family home to Thursday, Dec. 22 @ 7:30pm (V) a land of toy soldiers, mischievous Friday, Dec. 23 @ 7:30pm rodents and exotic visitors from Saturday, Dec. 24 @ 2:00pm faraway lands. Glittering holiday cheer With Live Orchestra, sponsored in part by will fill the stage and Tchaikovsky’s *Nancy & Kell Houssels beloved score will fill the theater as (V) Value Pricing Performance Clara and her Nutcracker Prince dance through a larger than life world filled As a courtesy to our ticket holders, no children 3 years of age are admitted to the with waltzing flowers, nimble fairies, under performances of The Nutcracker. and moonlit snow. Arrive early to The Smith Center and get your photo taken on the Red Carpet with The Nutcracker, and enjoy some holiday shopping at the festive Nutcracker Boutique.
14 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
Art
In Full Bloom
3950 West Diablo #B11 Las Vegas, NV 89118
and violence. I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people -- sometimes in the most brutal ways possible-- it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice.�
TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBERANCE
How can I participate in the Transgender Day of Remembrance?
The Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil will be held on Sunday, NOVEMBER 20, 2016 November 20, 2016 at 3:00pm at The Space LV (3460 Cavaretta Court, Las Transgender Day of Remembrance What is the Transgender Day of Re- Vegas, NV 89103) (TDOR) is an annual observance on membrance? November 20 that honors the memThis year our keynote speaker will be ory of those whose lives were lost in The Transgender Day of Remembrance the community. You will have a chance acts of anti-transgender violence. You (TDOR) was started by transgender ad- to share your thoughts on what the can read more about the Transgender vocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil Transgender Day of Remembrance Day of Remembrance in this article, to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a means to you and the impact it has on and find out how you can participate. transgender woman who was killed in your life. 1998. The vigil commemorated all the Additionally, during the week of No- transgender people lost to violence If you are interested in speaking or vember 14-20, individuals and organi- that year and began an important me- sharing something, please contact: zations around the country participate morial that has become the annual in Transgender Awareness Week to Transgender Day of Remembrance. Jamie Lee Sprague-Ballou help raise the visibility of transgender jamie@lasvegastranspride.org and gender non-conforming people “The Transgender Day of Remem- or Bobbie Miller and address the issues these commu- brance seeks to highlight the losses we bobbiemlv@yahoo.com face due to anti-transgender bigotry nities face. Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 19
“... AND TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT...” “TOO LATE!” A CLUE: THE MOVIE STORY By Paul Cieslewicz
I’m sure on paper the idea looked amazing; get together an ensemble of the finest comedians of the time, put them in a murder mystery comedy set in a secluded mansion in the 1950’s, fill it with some of the greatest, most quotable one-liners outside of a Mel Brooks film, give it multiple endings, so no one quite knows whodunit… and base it on a board game (cue sound of screeching brakes!). Movies based on board games are risky as it is nowadays (see Battleship, or do yourself a favor and don’t), but in 1985 it was almost completely unheard of. Clue has always been popular through the years as a board game, with the popular modern trend being the release of various special editions (my unopened Disney’s ‘The Haunted Mansion’ collectible edition holds a special place in my closet… don’t judge), but Clue: The Movie (henceforth to be referred to as just Clue, which is actually the original title) unfortunately didn’t prove popular enough to attract audiences to theaters in December 1985. The movie received only mixed reviews from critics, and it frustrated viewers and theater operators alike with its multiple ending format, with theaters not getting a choice of which ending they were featuring, and audiences trying to figure out which theater had which ending. The film would end up being an absolute flop, earning just under its $15 million budget back at the box office. While most films would just disappear after such disappointing results, there was 22 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
a solution to the multiple ending debacle found, and the growing home entertainment industry at the time (remember VCRs?…and remember renting them?!) and rise of cable TV and repeated telecasts would ultimately save the movie from the limbo of box office bombs. Colonel Mustard (Martin Mull): “Are you trying to make me look stupid in front of the other guests?” Wadsworth (Tim Curry): You don’t need any help from me, sir.” Colonel Mustard: “That’s right!” I graduated from high school on May 27th, 1990, and was set to join the Army on June 27th, 1990. The party that was thrown for me in celebration was entitled, “Happy Graduation! Now Get The Hell Out!” In preparation I went to the local video store, and rented a few movies for everyone to watch, including such wannabe classics as Short Circuit and High Spirits, because who didn’t have a major mancrush on Steve Guttenberg at that time, especially in a movie where he and Liam Neeson run around shirtless through half the movie? But I digress... The consensus among the party goers, however, dismissed all the movies I’d rented, and settled on one of only three movies that I owned on VHS, Clue (and I still have it!). Impressively, nearly every Mrs. White quote was shouted out by someone while watching.
Mrs. White (Madeline Kahn): “Life after death is as improbable as sex after marriage!” I moved to Las Vegas in March of 2003 with all my prized possessions in tow, including my nearly twenty years or comic book collecting and collection of framed movie posters, which included The Rocketeer, Sleepy Hollow, Krull, Poltergeist, Event Horizon, Gremlins and, of course, Clue. I discovered later that year just how much of a cult classic Clue was becoming. Entertainment Weekly, my entertainment magazine bible, of which I had been subscribed to since 1991 until only just recently, had published an article about guilty pleasures in one of their issues. Having been such a longtime fan, I wrote them an email response about Clue being one of my favorite guilty pleasures. I soon received a reply
requesting permission to publish the letter in an upcoming September issue of the magazine. I immediately replied with a resounding, “Yes!” It appeared in the magazine shortly thereafter, and soon my email was flooded with people writing me rejoicing that someone had finally given Clue the attention it deserved. There were even a couple skeptics that accused me of being a plant (Miss Scarlett (Lesley Ann Warren): “A plant? I thought men like you were usually called a fruit.”), due to the timing of the letter being published at the precise time that the director of Clue, Jonathan Lynn (who also directed My Cousin Vinny and The Whole Nine Yards), was releasing another film, The Fighting Temptations. I’ve never been a Cuba Gooding Jr. fan (Boat Trip y’all…drops mic!), so needless to say, it was pure coincidence.
to 250 copies each, one for each of the characters in the movie, Scarlett, Peacock Blue, White, Green, Plum and Mustard. I was able to procure the White (RIP Madeline Kahn!) and Mustard variants. Seeing as how I am also now addicted to collecting special edition vinyl (the upcoming Suicide Squad and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them picture discs will be MINE!), I’m conflicted about whether I should play them or frame them. Mrs. White: “Yes! Yes, I did it. I killed Yvette. I hated her so much. It...it... the…it…flame...flames… Flames on the sides of my face, breathing... breathless...heaving breaths... heaving…”
Clue has become a comedy classic, not by conventional Hollywood standards, but by the efforts and adoration of a The Singing Telegram Girl (Jane fan base that would never let it be Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s): “♪ Da da discarded or forgotten. I am proud da da da da! I...am…your singing to have done my part through the telegram! ♪” [A gunshot rings out. years (ok, decades… Don’t make me The Singing Telegram Girl falls to the feel old!) to keep it in the spotlight of ground, as the front door slams shut.] modern pop culture. Should it ever
The cult status of Clue has grown exponentially through the years with its home entertainment release graduating from VHS to DVD, and because of its popularity, it earned a Blu-ray release even before some other arguably modern cinema classics (we’re looking at you, James Cameron’s The Abyss!). Its lack of an official soundtrack prompted LaLa Land Records in 2011 to issue a limited edition CD version of the soundtrack. The CDs, limited to only 3000 copies, sold out quickly, but the demand for John Morris’ score to the movie remained high. This demand reached a fever pitch for the movie’s 30th anniversary in December 2015, and Mondo answered the call with the first ever vinyl pressing of the film’s soundtrack early in 2016. To make it extra special, the soundtrack was released in 6 colored versions limited
make an appearance back on the big screen (are you reading this, Fathom Events?!), you’ll see me there at the front of the line maintaining my movie geek status for one of my alltime favorite films. Mrs. Peacock (Eileen Brennan): “Everything all right?” Colonel Mustard: “Yep! Two corpses. Everything’s fine.” Update: In an example of the energies of the universe aligning, no sooner had I finished submitting this article than it was brought to my attention by my wonderful coworker, Chanel, that the director of Clue, Jonathan Lynn, was mounting a stage version. It will debut in Pennsylvania in May 2017 followed by a national tour. Here’s hoping it makes it to The Smith Center here in Las Vegas, otherwise I’ll be road tripping to wherever I can to see this! Wadsworth: “Professor Plum, you were once a professor of psychiatry specializing in helping paranoid and homicidal lunatics suffering from delusions of grandeur.” Professor Plum (Christopher Lloyd): “Yes, but now I work for the United Nations.” Wadsworth: “So your work has not changed.” Paul has lived in Las Vegas for over 11 years. Originally from Wisconsin, he earned a BA in Theatre from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point in 2000. He has been a lover of film since his early youth, and still holds a grudge against his parents for not allowing him to watch the Star Wars films (don’t ask). His first published review was for the film, Nightbreed, in his high school newspaper in 1990.
Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 23
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Pick Up Your Ears
much trouble stems from our lack of interest in imagining what the experience of being human is like for people who are not ourselves. The philosopher Edmund Burke called this the “moral imagination,” the idea that our sense of ethics should transcend our own personal experience and embrace the dignity of the human race.
By Jennifer Finney Boylan
I came back from the beach to find my grandmother and her nearly deaf friend Hilda playing gin, and drinking vodka. “She’s Not There,” by the Zombies, was playing on the radio. This was a little strange, since they were all classical music fans. “Why is Hilda listening to WFIL?” I asked. “Sssh,” my grandmother replied. “She thinks it’s classical.” I’ve told this story lots of times since it first happened, back in 1968. It always gets a laugh—and I’ve often used my grandmother’s line, “Sshh, she thinks it’s classical,” as a clever metaphor for the way our perceptions can be mistaken about the world around us, about what we think we perceive, even our sense of self.
A lack of a moral imagination is the inability to do the thing that Atticus Finch commanded Scout to do, to When the alarm finally stopped, my “stand in another man’s shoes and hearing was damaged, or “trauma- walk around in them.” tized,” as the otolaryngologist later described it. A high pitched ringing A few weeks ago I appeared on the began that night that has not ceased, MSNBC show Hardball with a reprea sound somewhere between the sentative from the Family Research howling of wind and a chorus of sev- Council (a group whose very title sugeral hundred crickets. The rest of gests an inability to imagine any kind my hearing is a mess too—I’ve lost of family other than those of its own about 60% of the upper register of members). The FRC spokeswoman the sound spectrum, and the overall was asked by host Chris Matthews tenor of what I do hear resembles the what bathroom I, a transgender woman, should use. Even though I “pass” buzzing from a blown-out speaker. as a woman and have female anatomy I have now been fitted with hearing and ID, North Carolina law currently aids. I am learning to read lips. Why hold that I should use the men’s room (since my birth certificate says M). yes, it does suck, thanks for asking.
Back when my grandmother’s friend Hilda was the one who was deaf, however, I viewed her condition as a source of comedy, a handicap that struck me as more the stuff of metaLately it doesn’t seem quite so clever phor than compassion. to me, though. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand that In late May I was searing a steak in she suffered, back when she was old my New York apartment, and, right and deaf and I was young and not. It’s on schedule, the place filled with that whatever she suffered from was smoke and the fire alarm went off. I something I didn’t need to be conwent out into the hallway and stood cerned with. Because her problems on a chair to turn it off. I had to do were not mine, and—as they say in this about a half-dozen times before Ireland, “I was young, and the world the thing stayed off, and each time I was wide.” had to climb up on a chair so that my ears, already damaged from a lifetime It didn’t occur to me that imagining of playing in rock and roll bands, were the humanity of people other than less than two feet from the piercing myself was even remotely my responalarm affixed to the ceiling. sibility. And yet the root cause of so 28 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
My adversary was clearly uncomfortable with the idea of a woman like me in the men’s room with him; at the same time he did not want to budge from his talking point that people like me shouldn’t be allowed in the women’s room, either, because my existence constitutes some sort of hallucinatory threat to children. In the end, he didn’t have an answer for the question, “What restroom should Boylan use?” because the idea that I am human, and do occasionally need to use the restroom, was really not one that had given him much concern. My sense is that the current imbroglio in North Carolina and elsewhere is not really about bathrooms at all. It’s about the fact that plenty of peo-
ple don’t like the idea that there are transgender people in the first place, and cannot imagine our lives. They think that people who are trans, or different in any way, have somehow come up with the entirety of our existence primarily in order to hurt other people’s feelings. But time and time again I have seen people open their hearts on a range of issues when some otherized soul is revealed to be a member of their own family, or a friend. I am glad for the progress that the culture is making as a result of more of us being known in this way. But too many people who fall outside the bright lines of the culture are met with hatred and ostracism because whoever and whatever they are is something others have never been compelled to imagine. We don’t go to heaven because we hate people who are easy to hate; we go to heaven because we love people who are difficult to love. And who is more difficult to love than someone whose experience of the world is radically different from our own? In American Sign Language, the sign for “transgender” used to be the sign for “sex”, a curved finger drawn down across the cheek then rotated 180 degrees, to suggest a “reversal of sex.” In more recent years, however, a new sign has been created: the fingers of the hand, facing downward over the heart like a closed flower, then rotating upward with opening petals until the fingers are then placed back over the heart with the “flower” facing in the right direction. This is a sign I didn’t used to know. Be- to weep, right there on Fifth Avenue. cause I didn’t have to. I know it now. “I’m sorry you have to be married to someone like me,” I sobbed. Of course, sometimes difference is as much a challenge for our loved ones “Jenny, I stayed with you through the as for ourselves. After I left the otolar- gender thing. You think I’d leave you yngologist’s office with my diagnosis I because you have hearing aids?” called my wife on the phone. Midcall, my throat closed up and I began
Photo of Jennifer by Jim Blodoin
It was a beautiful morning in New York. I was surrounded by honking taxis, chirping birds, kids shouting. “What?” I said.
Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 29
As the warm summer and pool party season disappears for another year, fall and winter take over and things cool down outdoors. N2N Bodywear’s lounge and sleepwear lines keep fashion sexy and things HOT around the house. From onezees, liquid skin shorts and singlets to loungewear, N2N has something for everyone. Find them online at: www.n2nbodywear.com. From Left: Jesse wears the Dream Brief (L4), Collin wears the Dream Pants (L6), and Martin wears the Dream Brief (L4) and Dream Robe (L7) all by N2N Bodywear. Photography by PhotoByMarcGarcia.com
Yelandi (left) wears the Sleeper Shorts (L19) by N2N Bodywear. Martin (bottom right) wears the Lounger Robe (L13) and Lounger Brief (L12) by N2N Bodywear
Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 35
Mike & Yelandi wear the Sleeveless Onezee (NL4W) by N2N Bodywear
36 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
From Top: Mike wears the Liquid Skin Singlet (B6), Greg wears the Liquid Skin Shorts (B3), and Reichen wears the Liquid Skin Sport (B2)
Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 37
From Top: Reichen wears the Lounge Onezee (L14), Greg wears the Lounge Pants (L1), and Collin wears the Lounge Shorts (L2)
38 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
From Left: Mike wears the Studio Groove Brief (PU1/Blue), Collin wears the Studio Groove Brief (PU1/Black), Yelandi wears the Studio Groove Trunk (PU2/Blue), and Reichen wears the Studio Groove Trunk (PU2/Black) Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 39
/CRUSHVEGAS @SOCRUSH @CRUSHVEGAS
Smokefree
kisses
TASTE BETTER.
FOR FREE HELP QUITTING SMOKING, CALL THE NEVADA TOBACCO QUITLINE AT 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
2016 LAS VEGAS TRANSPRIDE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday, November 19
Day of Empowerment Workshops and Vendor Fair: 11am-5pm Transcending the Gender Box Come and visit our vendor and Merchant fair. We will have various vendors and merchants, ranging from FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: LASVEGASTRANSPRIDE.ORG Community Outreach Organizations, who believe everyone should have Local LGBTQ friendly Churches, Skin Tuesday, November 15 the right to walk without fear or care products, Jewelry, Transition judgement. We will be gathering at Accessories and much more. TransConnection: 10am-6pm 6pm at Transcending the Gender Box. Transcending the Gender Box This is a potluck-style event – a time The March will begin at 7pm sharp. An Evening with Bobbie and Friends to connect and share with others. We will start from Transcending the LGBTQ Center: 7pm-9pm Bring a dish or two and stay as little or Gender Box and head toward Sahara You do not want to miss this event. as long as you would like. Free-flowing Ave., and then to Las Vegas Blvd., at An evening of entertainment and dialogue and conversation develops Las Vegas Blvd we will turn around recognition of local organizations and and head back toward Transcending individuals who impact the Las Vegas throughout the day. the Gender Box. Transgender Community. Hope to see you there! Opening Ceremony: 7pm Thursday, November 17 Transcending the Gender Box The Opening Ceremony is one of the Sunday, November 20 beginning events that kicks off the TDOR Wall Display: 10am-5pm Transcending the Gender Box week, as we gather at Transcending the Gender Box, in the parking The Transgender Day of Remembrance Trans* Worship Service: 10:30am lot. It is an event that helps kick Wall will be on display from 10am Transcending the Gender Box start our six-day event, of bringing - 5pm in our new location, which An interfaith worship experience for Pride, Awareness, Remembrance, opened on May 19, 2016. The Wall the Trans* expansive community. Empowerment, Celebration, Support is used to remember those who lost We hope you will feel safe to enter to the Transgender Community and their lives in hate crimes due to their a space in which we can gather and worship together. Allies. It incorporates ritual segments gender identity. from the Native American culture as we celebrate the diversity that Trans Expansive Town Hall: 6:30pm Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil at The Space LV: 3pm exist in our community. This will also Transcending the Gender Box Come join us in an ongoing The Transgender Day of Remembrance include a drumming circle; there will discussion on building a community is a day in which the Transgender be some drums available, but you are in unifying the Trans* Expansive Community stands with the support encouraged to bring your own drum, Community. Working to understand of our allies and raises awareness if you own one. the complexity of the Transgender of and against the grotesque acts umbrella and working with each of of violence brought upon Transthe different identities that make up identified individuals whose life has Wednesday, November 16 the Transgender umbrella. Learning been cut short through such heinous to understand our identities when acts. TransPride March: 7pm-9:30pm speaking about Transgender issues, Transcending the Gender Box This is a peaceful march, that helps and learning how to work with the Transcending the Gender Box is bring Pride and Empowerment different organizations that provide located at 1140 Almond Tree Lane #305 Las Vegas, NV 89104 to Transgender individuals who services to our community. may have fear of walking down a Friday, November 18 The Space LV is located at 3460 public street. So today is the day we Cavaretta Court, Las Vegas, NV 89103 encourage everyone to empower yourselves and walk the streets of Trans Social Gathering: TBA Las Vegas without fear and walk (More info to follow, please check with the support of friends and allies LasVegasTransPride.org for updates.) 44 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
LGBT COMMUNITY DIRECTORY NIGHTLIFE | BUSINESSES | COMMUNITY RESOURCES | SPIRITUALITY
GAY BARS Badlands Saloon
953 E. Sahara Ave. #22 Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 792-9262 facebook.com/ BadlandsSaloonLasVegas Open 24/7, Gaming, No Cover
Bastille on 3rd
1402 S. 3rd St. Las Vegas, NV (702) 385-9298 bastillelv.com Open 10am-2am, Gaming, No Cover
Charlie’s Las Vegas
5012 S. Arville Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89118 (702) 876-1844 charlieslasvegas.com Open 24/7, Gaming, No Cover
The Eagle
3430 E. Tropicana Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89121 (702) 458-8662 facebook.com/thelasvegaseagle Open 24/7, Gaming, No Cover
Fun Hog Ranch
495 E. Twain Las Vegas, NV 79169 (702) 791-7001 funhogranchlv.com Open 24/7, Gaming, No Cover
The Garage
1487 E. Flamingo Rd., Suite C Las Vegas, NV 89119 (702) 440-6333 thegaragelv.com Open 24/7, Gaming, No Cover 48 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
The Phoenix
Piranha Nightclub
Quadz Video Bar
The Locker Room
Spotlight Lounge
BUSINESSES
4213 W. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89102 (702) 826-2422 facebook.com/thephoenixlv Open Noon – 4am, Gaming, No Cover 4640 Paradise Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89169 (702) 733-0383 quadzbar.com Open 24/7, Gaming, No Cover 975 E. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 431-9775 spotlightlounge.com Open 24/7, Gaming, No Cover
GAY NIGHTCLUBS
4633 Paradise Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89169 (702) 791-0100 piranhavegas.com Open Nightly 10pm, No Cover 700 E Naples Dr #111 Las Vegas, NV 89119 (702) 444-4004 facebook.com/thelockerroomlv Open 3pm-3am
LAMBDA Business Association 4015 Maryland Pkwy Las Vegas, NV 89101 (702) 893-2088 lambdalv.com LGBT Business Directory & Guide
Flex Nightclub
The Black Room
4347 W. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89102 (702) 878-3355 flexlasvegas.com Open 24/7, Gaming, No Cover
1000 E. Sahara, Ave, Ste 108 Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 685-8688 theblackroomvegas.com Las Vegas Fetish Shop
Goodtimes Nightclub & Bar
Entourage Vegas
1775 E. Tropicana Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89119 (702) 736-9494 facebook.com/goodtimesbarlv Open 24/7, Gaming, Cover Varies
953 E. Sahara Ave., #19 Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 650-9191 entouragevegas.com Men’s Gym & Spa
Krush Las Vegas
Get Booked
4740 Arville St. Las Vegas, NV 89103 (702) 331-7544 krushlasvegas.com Open Wed -Sun (Hours Vary), Hookah, No Cover
4640 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89169 (702) 737-7780 getbooked.com Underwear/Swimwear, Accessories, Novelties, PRIDE Merchandise
Hawks Gym
953 E. Sahara Ave., #35B Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 731-4287 hawksgym.com Club for Men
Onyx Theater
953 E. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 732-7225 Theater
Imperial Royal Sovereign Court of the Desert Empire
Sin Sity Sisters SADAP
P.O. Box 46481 Las Vegas, NV 89114 desertempire.org
P.O. Box 60005 Las Vegas, NV 89160 (702) 592-6969 sinsitysisters.org
Leather Uniform Club (LUC) of Las Vegas
Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE, Inc. (Las Vegas PRIDE)
lasvegasboysofleather.org
4001 S. Decatur Blvd. #37-540 Las Vegas, NV 89103-5800 (866) 930-3336 lasvegaspride.org
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Las Vegas Men’s Chorus
Southern Nevada Bi-Sexuals
Aid for Aids of Nevada
lasvegasprimetimers.com
1120 Almond Tree Ln. Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 382-2326 afanlv.org
Aids Healthcare Foundation (702) 862-8074 aidshealth.org
American Civil Liberties Union (702) 366-1226 aclunv.org
The Center
401 S. Maryland Pkwy. Las Vegas, NV 89101 (702) 733-9800 thecenterlv.org
Community Counseling Center of Southern Nevada 714 E. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 369-8700 cccofsn.wix.com/ccc-new
Golden Rainbow
714 E. Sahara Ave. #101 Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 384-2899 goldenrainbow.org
HRC Las Vegas
hrc.org/lasvegas info@hrclv.org
lucoflv.com
Las Vegas boys of Leather
lvmenschorus.org
Las Vegas Prime Timers National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Nevada Gay Rodeo Association (NGRA) ngra.com
New Horizons Nevada
newhorizons-nv.com Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends, of Lesbians and Gays) P.O. Box 20145 Las Vegas, NV 89112 (702) 738-7838 pflag.org
Safety Specialized Alternatives for Family & Youth 4285 N. Rancho Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89109 (702) 385-5331 safy.org
Saint Therese Center HIV Outreach Center 100 E. Lake Mead Pkwy. Henderson NV 89015 (702)564-4224 sainttheresecenter.org
For more information about this directory or to suggest a correction or addition, please write to us at magazine@lasvegaspride.org.
Meet on the Second Monday of Every Month at The Center
Trevor Project Suicide Hotline for LGBT Youth 1-866-488-7386 thetrevorproject.org
SPIRITUALITY Community Spiritual Center 8125 West Sahara Avenue Las Vegas, NV 89117 (702) 451-4608 communityspiritualcenter.com
Metropolitan Community Church 1140 Almond Tree Lane Las Vegas, NV 89104 702-369-4380 mcclv.com
Northwest Community Church 101 S. Rancho Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89106 (702) 562-1897 nwcclv.org
SGI-USA Buddhist Center 2725 W. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89102 (702) 258-6489 sgi-usa-lasvegas.org
Unity Center in the Valley 3037 E. Warm Springs Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89120 (702) 435-3289 unitycenterinthevalley.org
Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 49
Proud to Support Equality for Over Forty Years.
ADULT GRAND EMPORIUM 2923 Sammy Davis Jr. Dr. • 702.892.9315
The Transgender Pride Flag, as designed by Monica Helms in 2000. “The light blue is the traditional color for baby boys, pink is for girls, and the white in the middle is for those who are transitioning, those who feel they have a neutral gender or no gender, and those who are intersexed. The pattern is such that no matter which way you fly it, it will always be correct.
TRANSGENDER SYMBOLS UNDERSTANDING THE DESIGNS
The LGBT community has adopted certain symbols for self-identification which demonstrate unity, pride, shared values, and allegiance to one another. LGBTQ symbols communicate ideas, concepts, and identity both within their communities and to mainstream culture. 50 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
The transgender symbol has a combination of female, male, and mixed symbols. The transgender symbol. A mix of female (Venus), male (Mars), and androgyny (Venus and Mars mixed). This symbol was designed in the 1990s by Holly Boswell, Wendy Parker, and Nancy R. Nangeroni.
Las Vegas Guide Map
52 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 53
January 3 - 8, 2017
TICKET PRICES: $29-$127 The Smith Center - Reynolds Hall Every once in a while, a Broadway musical comes along that surprises, moves and excites audiences in ways only a truly landmark musical can. The “groundbreaking” “uplifting” and “exquisite” new musical FUN HOME was the event of the Broadway season, receiving raves from critics and audiences alike, winning five 2015
54 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL, musical about seeing your parents and making history along the way. through grown-up eyes, “FUN HOME is extraordinary, a rare beauty that Based on Alison Bechdel’s best- pumps fresh air into Broadway.” (New selling graphic memoir, FUN HOME York Times) introduces us to Alison at three different ages, as she explores and Fun Home is not recommended for unravels the many mysteries of her young children under 13 due to adult childhood. A refreshingly honest themes.
WORLD AIDS DAY UNITING IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV
WHAT IS WORLD AIDS DAY? World AIDS Day is held on the 1st December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, held for the first time in 1988. WHY IS WORLD AIDS DAY IMPORTANT?
Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. Despite this, each year 1,000’s of people are diagnosed with HIV, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with the condition.
World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there Globally there are an estimated 34 is still a vital need to raise money, million people who have the virus. increase awareness, fight prejudice Despite the virus only being identified and improve education. in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. 56 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
2016 PRIDE PARADE AWARD WINNERS
FOR PHOTOS OF THE PARADE, VISIT LASVEGASPRIDE.OG
Hot Wheels Award (Best Motorcycle/Car Club) Glenn Learner
Best Walking/Marching Entry Men of Charlie’s (Commercial) AFAN (Non-Commercial)
Rainbow Award (Best Use of PRIDE (Rainbow) Colors) Cox Communications
Grand Marshall Award (Best Overall Decorated Vehicle) Smiths
Best Decorated Vehicle Nordstrom (Commercial) SGI-USA Las Vegas Buddhist (NonCommercial)
Diversity Award (Celebrating the LGBT Community) Organizacion Vaqueros Las Vegas
Parade Director Award (Best Float) The Phoenix Bar and Lounge
Best Float Freezone (Commercial) Long Beach Pride (Non-Commercial)
Community Ally Award (Best LGBT Community Supporter) Wells Fargo
Grand Diva Award (Best Overall Parade Entry) Queen of Sin Sity Pageant
You Light Up My Life Award (Best Use of Lighting) Capital One
Photos courtesy of Barbara Maeker
Painted for the Gods Award (Best Drag Entry) AHF Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 57
Supporting
LAS VEGAS BAR & NIGHTCLUB SCHEDULE
HOURS | SPECIALS | NIGHTLY EVENTS | AMENITIES | LOCALS SPECIALS - BAR & NIGHTCLUB SCHEDULE CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINTING. EVENTS, PRICING AND OTHER INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. -
Badlands Saloon (702) 792-9262 / Badlands-Saloon.com
Open 24 Hours / Gaming Daily Special: 2-4-1 Drinks (Mon-Sat: 12pm-7pm & 1am4am / Sun: 2am-4am) Monday: $10 Well / $20 Call Liquor Bust & 1/2 Price Martinis (9pm-Midnight or 1am-4am Tues. Morning) Tuesday: Charity Bingo with Jimmy Emerson (8:30pm), $4 Absolut or $6 Domestic/$12 Import Draft Beer Pitchers (9pm-Midnight) Wednesday: Karaoke with DJ Eric (9pm-1am) $6 Domestic/$12 Import Draft Beer Pitchers, $3 Fireball Shots or $4 Jagerbombs (8pm-Midnight) Thursday: $1 Draft Beer Pints, $3 Cuervo Gold, $4 Absolut (8pm-Midnight or 1am-4am Fri. Morning) Friday: Drag with Jimmy Emerson (11:30pm) $4 Fireball Shots, $3 Blowjobs, $5 Absolut (9pm-1am) Saturday: Dance Music & GoGo Boys (9pm-2am) Sunday: Free Brunch Buffet (1pm - Until the food’s gone!) $2 Bloody Marys, $2 Margaritas, $2 Pint Micheladas, $3 Mimosas (2pm-10pm)
Bastille on 3rd (702) 385-9298 / BastilleLV.com
Open 10am-2am / Gaming Jukebox / Free Trivia Daily Special: 2-4-1 Drinks (11am-2pm & 4pm-8pm) Monday: 1/2 Price Martinis (8pm-11pm) Tuesday: Top Shelf Tuesdays - $3 Off (8pm-11pm) Wednesday: $3.50 Patron Silver Shots (8pm-11pm) Thursday: $3 Fireball or Jager Shots (8pm-11pm) Friday: $4 Absolut (8pm-11pm) Saturday: $4 Any Jack Daniel’s or Bacardi (8pm11pm) Sunday: $2.50 Well & $2 Off Signature Cocktails (8pm-11pm)
Charlie’s (702) 876-1844 / CharliesLasVegas.com Open 24 Hours / Gaming / Billiards / Darts Daily Special: 2-4-1 Drinks (3pm-8pm & 3am-8am) Monday: Karaoke with Wil (9pm-1am) Tuesday: Double Dare Game (9pm) / $2 Long Islands, $8 Beer Bust (9pm-Midnight) 62 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
Charlie’s (continued)
Daily Special: 2-4-1 Drinks (3pm-8pm & 3am-8am) Wednesday: Underwear Night - Guys in Guys Underwear Drink Free Wells & Select Beers Thursday: Free Line Dance Lessons (7pm) / 2-4-1 Drinks till 10pm Friday: Studs and Suds - Hot GoGos Shower on Stage (10pm) / $10 Well Liquor Bust, $20 Premium (9pmMidnight) Saturday: $8 Draft Beer Bust (9pm-Midnight) Sunday: $8 Draft Beer Bust (4pm-8pm) / 3-4-1 Drinks (8pm-11pm)
Flex Cocktail Lounge (702) 431-9775
Open 24 Hours / Gaming / Billiards / Darts Monday: Movie Mondays - Movies & Fresh Popcorn (7pm-1am) Tuesday: $2 Drafts, $2 Wells (7pm-Late) Wednesday: Dragaokie! (9pm-1am) Thursday: FlamBOYance Drag Show (11pm) Friday: Dance Party - GoGo Boys, Live DJ Saturday: What a Drag (11pm) Sunday: $4 Bloody Mary & Mimosa Specials (10am4pm) / Sing-Along Sundays (3pm-7pm)
Fun Hog Ranch (702) 791-7001 / FunHogRanchLV.com
Open 24 Hours / Gaming Daily Special: $2 Well & Domestic Beer (8am-Noon) / 2-4-1 Happy Hour (Monday-Friday 3pm-7pm) Monday: $4 Jager Shots, $3 Smirnoff Flavored Drinks (8pm-Midnight) / $1.50 Long Island Teas (9pm-2am) Tuesday: $5 Fun Hog Brew, $7 Bud Lite/Miller Lite or $10 Well Liquor Bust (9pm-2am) Thursday: $5 Fun Hog Brew, $7 Bud Lite/Miller Lite or $10 Well Liquor Bust (9pm-2am) Saturday: $5 Fun Hog Brew, $7 Bud Lite/Miller Lite Beer Bust (Noon-4pm) Sunday: $2 Well or $4 ABSOLUT Bloody Marys (8am4pm) / $5 Fun Hog Brew, $7 Bud Lite/Miller Lite Beer Bust (6pm-9pm)
The Garage (702) 440-6333 / TheGarageLV.com Open 24 Hours / Billiards / Darts / Shuffleboard Daily Special: 2-4-1 Drinks (11am-7pm)
Monday: $4 Absolut Cocktails / Beer Bust ($5 Domestic, $8 Import, 9pm-Midnight) Tuesday: $3 Fireball Shots / Liquor Bust ($10 Wells or $20 Premiums, 9pm-Midnight) Wednesday: $4 Jack Daniels / Beer Bust ($5 Domestic, $8 Import, 9pm-Midnight) Thursday: $3 Off Top Shelf Liquor Friday: $3 Cherry/Jager Bombs Saturday: Half Price Long Islands Sunday: $3.50 Patron Silver Shots / Liquor Bust ($10 Wells or $20 Premiums, 9pm-Midnight) / Beer Bust ($5 Domestic, $8 Import, 5pm-9pm)
GoodTimes (702) 736-9494
Open 24 Hours / Gaming / Billiards Daily Specials: 2-4-1 Drinks (3pm-7pm) / Lunch Specials (1pm-8pm) Tuesday: Karaoke Thursday: Insurgence Friday: Variety Fridays - American & Latin Pop Saturday: Latin Night
Krush Las Vegas (702) 331-7544 / KrushLasVegas.com
Open Wed-Sun / Hookah Daily Special: 2-4-1 Liquor & Draft Beer (12pm-9pm) Wednesday: Hip-Hop Remixed / 1/2 Price Hookahs / Vogue/Ballroom Dance Battle / Liquor Bust $10 Well or $20 Premium (11pm - 2am) Thursday: $2 Thursday You Call It All Night Friday: F**K It Fridays / $4 You Call It After 4am Saturday: Shirtless Saturdays / 1 Free Drink for Going Shirtless / $4 You Call It After 4am Sunday: Chocolate Sundays / Happy Hour $2 You Call It (10pm-11:30pm) / $2 Hennessy Shots
The Phoenix Bar & Lounge (702) 826-2422 Open 24 Hours / Gaming / Billiards / Food Daily Special: 2-4-1 Drinks (11am-7pm)
Tuesday: Funderwear Night (9pm-1am) / Underwear Night / Go Go Boys / $5 Liquor Bust Wednesday: Hump Day Happy Hour (9pm-1am) Thursday: Karaoke with Sheila (9pm-1am) Friday: Phired Up Fridays (9pm-1am) / Go Go Boys / Drag Show / Beer Bust Saturday: Brunch (11am-1pm) Sunday: Brunch (11am-1pm) / Karaoke with Sheila (9pm-1am)
Piranha & 8 1/2 Ultra Lounge (702) 379-9500 / PiranhaVegas.com
Open 24 Hours / Gaming / Free Billiards Daily Special: 2-4-1 Liquor & Draft Beer (12pm-9pm) Monday: 50% Off Drinks (4pm-9pm, with Industry Card) Tuesday: Piranha Idol Karaoke / La Noche at the Tropics (Drag Show at 2am) Wednesday: Boylesque Drag Show Thursday: Drag Queen Bingo (7pm-11pm) / $20 Unlimited Wells / Hot Body Contest Friday: Theme Party Nights - 2 Rooms, 2 Different Sounds / Hot GoGos Saturday: Theme Party Nights - 2 Rooms, 2 Different Sounds / After Hours (4am) Sunday: El Deseo / Sinful Sundays Goddess Show (1:30am)
Quadz Video Bar (702) 733-0383 / QuadzBar.com
Open 24 Hours / Gaming / Billiards / Darts Daily Special: 2-4-1 Drinks (Noon-8pm) Monday: Martini Monday - 2‐4‐1 Martinis and Drinks (12pm–8pm) Tuesdays: 2-4-1 Drinks (12pm-8pm) / Tasty Tuesday Liquor & Beer Bust (8pm–11pm) Wednesday: Game Night (8pm–10pm) / Free Pool All Night / Way Back Wednesday: Retro Music Videos with DJ Ricoché (10pm‐3am) Thursday: Poker Night – No Buy‐in (6pm) / Liquor & Beer Bust (8pm–11) / Free Pool All Night Friday: Fresh Fridayz – New Music Video Premieres & Your Requests! / DJ Ricoché (11pm‐4am) / Specialty Drinks and Shot Specials All Night! Saturday: All Request Saturdays - DJ Ricoché (11pm‐4am) / Specialty Drinks and Shot Specials Sunday: Boys & Brewz Beer Bust (4pm–8pm)
Spotlight Lounge (702) 431-9775 / SpotlightLounge.com
Open 24 Hours / Gaming / Billiards / Darts / Shuffleboard Daily Special: 2-4-1 Well & Domestic Beer (2pm-7pm) Monday: $10 Well, $20 Call Liquor Bust (9pmMidnight) Tuesday: $3 Jose Cuervo Gold Shots & $2 Dos Equis Draft (8pm-11pm) Wednesday: $3 Jagermeister Shot (8pm-11pm) Thursday: $3 Jagermeister Shot (8pm-11pm) Friday: $6 Long Island Ice Tea (9pm-Midnight) Saturday: $4 Jack Daniel’s Shot (9pm-Midnight) Sunday: $5 Well Martinis (8pm-11pm) Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 63
LGBT RETIREES LAS VEGAS NAMED ONE OF THE TOP CITIES IN AMERICA FOR GAY RETIREES By Lori Thomas for SeniorAdvice.com
It’s no secret that Las Vegas has long been one of the top places in America to retire. With its warm, sunny climate, affordable cost of living, and an unparalleled entertainment scene, seniors have been flocking to Sin City to enjoy their golden years for decades. It should also come as no surprise that older members of the LGBTQ population have been taking notice in recent years and their growing community has quickly made Las Vegas one of the most gay-friendly cities for retirement anywhere in the United States. SeniorAdvice.com, a leading online information resource and advocacy website for seniors and their caregivers, has evaluated every major city in America using its proprietary 66 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
is no shortage of opportunities for social interaction for the community either, with a widely-celebrated Pride festival that rivals those in large coastal cities and numerous gay- and gay-friendly entertainment venues like The Phoenix, Badlands Saloon, and the trans-friendly Las Vegas Lounge. There is also great support for LGBTQ-owned businesses in Las Vegas, both from the public at large and from organizations like The Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Nevada. There is even an emerging “gayborhood” in the downtown area where LGBTQ residents and businesses have been setting up shop for the past few years. Finally, Las Vegas offers multiple community groups and housing resources specifically for gay and lesbian seniors, such as the Prime Timers of Las Vegas social group and New Horizons Nevada, a low income housing project specifically for senior LGBTQ residents. Second, Las Vegas ranks as one of the most budget friendly cities for seniors anywhere in the country. Due in large part to the revenue brought in by the casino and entertainment industries, Nevada has some of the lowest tax rates in the United States. Las Vegas enjoys overall low property taxes and there is no income tax in the state of Nevada. Las Vegas assisted living costs also rank amongst the lowest of any large city, as do the costs for senior in-home care. And while the overall cost of living has edged up slightly in recent years, housing has remained quite affordable since the market crash of 2008.
technology called SeniorScore™ in order to find the most gay-friendly cities for retirement. This technology analyzes over 100 variables across four major categories including health and safety, recreation and leisure, retirement finances, and generally quality of life. When the results were compiled in conjunction with statistics about the gay-friendliness for different American cities, Las Vegas scored near the top of the list Third, for recreation and leisure for a number of reasons. options there simply is no other city First, Las Vegas is an open and that can compare to the Entertainment welcoming place for members of the Capital of the World. Las Vegas LGBTQ community. With nearly 5% boasts endless fun with its casinos, of the total population identifying world-class shopping, unbeatable live as LGBTQ, Vegas’ gay population theatre and Broadway-quality shows, ranks amongst the highest per- and an unparalleled restaurant scene. capita of any American city. There And Vegas also offers numerous outdoor amenities that keep its large
retiree population entertained yearround. With over 50 area golf courses and gorgeous public parks like Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire State Park, there are always plenty of reasons to get outside and enjoy the city’s 300 days of annual sunshine.
free lifestyle around other seniors or who require some extra medical attention or help around the house, the city offers dozens of highly-rated independent and assisted living communities, nursing homes, inhome care services, and continuing care retirement communities. There Finally, Las Vegas has ample health are even a few that cater specifically care and senior living services to gay and lesbian residents. that cater specifically to the city’s older residents. With hundreds of With tremendous support for the gay Medicare registered doctors and 15 community and a generally tolerant area hospitals, including some which culture, Vegas offers a welcoming are nationally ranked, seniors always and inclusive atmosphere to all of have access to top-quality medical its residents. It’s also a smart choice care when they need it. And for for anyone living on a retirement those looking to live a maintenance- budget, with low overall taxes and an
affordable housing market. For fun, there is simply no better place on Earth, from its numerous gay, lesbian, and trans-friendly bars, to its casinos, live entertainment and beautiful golf courses. And Vegas tops the list when it comes to meeting the health care and living needs that are unique to older residents. Quite simply, there are few cities in the country that are more accommodating to seniors and retirees in the LGBTQ community than Las Vegas. Find more information at: www.senioradvice.com/seniorscore/ senior-living-in-las-vegas-nv
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playing and learning in an inclusive, community environment – but the odds are stacked against them – the unemployment rate for people with disabilities regularly exceeds 60% and access to community-based social opportunities, cultural options and living choices are few and far between. Opportunity Village helps each individual increase self-esteem by assisting them to find employment, earn income and By Carita Strawn participate in activities that broaden For those of you who have never ex- When you visit the Magical Forest, their community experiences. perienced Opportunity Village’s Mag- you take with you a lifetime memory ical Forest, let me tell you that it is a and a day of holiday fun, but what you Through Opportunity Village’s efforts sight to behold and an experience not leave behind is priceless for so many to assist people with intellectual disto be missed! in our community. All proceeds gen- abilities, the community also benefits. erated by the Magical Forest benefit The outreach provided by OpportuThe Magical Forest is a winter won- Opportunity Village and these pro- nity Village reduces the demand for derland right here in Las Vegas! Com- ceeds are used in numerous ways to Public Health and Human Services plete with millions of sparkling lights, assist the people Opportunity Village from our local and state government. nightly entertainment, great food and serves. It provides an avenue for all Most of the programs offered by Opendless holiday cheer, your experi- Opportunity Village’s Important Per- portunity Village are funded by the ence begins with a stroll through a sons (OVIPs) to learn marketable job work-related activities of the individforest festively filled with hundreds skills through vocational training and uals benefitting from the programs, of decorated trees. For the young employment programs. By develop- by special event fundraising, such as (or young at heart), take a ride on ing job skills that offer opportunities the Magical Forest and the annual Las the Forest Express Passenger Train for individual advancement, expand- Vegas Great Santa Run, and by charior Cheyenne’s Enchanted Carousel. ing their scope of experience and en- table donations from individuals and Check out Boris the Elf’s 3D Experi- hancing their work knowledge, OVIPs organizations. In addition, employence, take a quick slide down the Av- are able to tackle new assignments at ment generated through Opportualanche and enjoy some family fun on increasingly higher levels of difficulty nity Village business contracts helps Rudolph’s Raceway or Rod’s Mini-Golf which prepares them for a wider vari- reduce dependence on government course. And, of course, what winter ety of jobs within Opportunity Village benefits and increases tax revenues. wonderland would be complete with- or in community-based jobs through- Opportunity village pays wages that out a visit and photo op with the guy out the Valley. Opportunity Village permit people with disabilities to rein the big red suit! also provides programs, such as fine duce their need for other government art, music, dance and theatre, com- benefits and both the Employment But the Magical Forest is much more munity dances and other forms of so- Resource Center and Community Employment opportunities allow individthan a winter playground. It is the cial recreation. uals to become productive members largest annual fundraising event for Opportunity Village, a not-for-prof- Through its job training and long-term of society and to join the ranks of Neit organization serving children and work experience programs, Oppor- vada taxpayers. adults in Southern Nevada with intel- tunity Village provides increased inlectual disabilities, to enhance their dependence for its OVIPs. For many It’s easy to see why we are so proud lives and the lives of the families who of the people served by Opportunity of Opportunity Village her in Southlove them. Opportunity Village pro- Village, most of the income received ern Nevada. Since its inception, it has vides vocational training, community from disability insurance goes for ba- been an organization that has gone employment, day services, advocacy, sic room and board and medical costs. above and beyond both in providing fine and performing arts programs The income earned while working at a variety of assistance to our disabled and social recreation to assist citizens Opportunity Village is often their only citizens and in bringing fun, awarewith severe disabilities to seek inde- source of disposable income. People ness and a positive impact to our pendence and community integration with disabilities want to live the same community. and unleash their own creativity. kind of lives we do – living, working,
EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC
OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE’S MAGICAL FOREST CELEBRATES 25 YEARS
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THAT’S ONE STEP TOWARDS EQUALITY…BY US! BY MICHAEL DIMENGO THE CENTER’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
I
t’s amazing the significant progress that LGBTQ people have made in winning and securing equal rights. The historic Supreme Court decision last June now gives same-sex couples at least some of the rights afforded to married heterosexual couples. And even though here in 2016 we have experienced a political backlash in some areas, even more states today offer nondiscrimination protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or both. Polling data show that the general public has increasingly positive views of LGBTQ people and are becoming more supportive of their civil and political rights. I have seen countless allies come forward in support of The Center and the well-being of our community. In short, heterosexual Americans are finally recognizing LGBTQ people as a legitimate social minority that should have equal access to our society’s basic rights, opportunities, and responsibilities. Despite this progress, however, members of the LGBTQ population continue to experience worse health outcomes than their heterosexual counterparts. Due to factors like low rates of health insurance coverage, high rates of stress due to systematic harassment and discrimination, and a lack of cultural competency in the healthcare system, LGBTQ people are at a higher risk for cancer, mental illness, and other diseases, and are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, use drugs, and engage in other risky be-
haviors. People who are both LGBTQ and people of color, will often face an even higher level of health disparities. We can only estimate the full extent of LGBTQ disparities due to a consistent lack of data collection on sexual orientation and gender identity. The data experts refer to it as SOGI. Health surveys often do not include a question on sexual orientation or gender identity. This severely limits researchers’ abilities to fully understand the LGBTQ population, their needs, and it hinders the development of public policies and programs that seek to improve the LGBTQ population’s health and well-being.
THE MANY OF US WHO ARE OUT-ANDPROUD HAVE NEXT STEPS TO TAKE. I discussed this issue when I was privileged to present on a panel last month at the Nevada Public Health Association’s Annual Conference. The panel was all about health equity and the public’s health. Our LGBTQ community was featured along with
the rural community, adolescents, and the food insecure. It was a fascinating panel discussion. What surprised me was that in the course of the dialogue, many audience members who were healthcare professionals confessed that it was hard for them to ask SOGI questions while doing an intake and completing an intake form before the delivery of a healthcare service. While they confessed discomfort, they also identified discomfort in the patients that they were serving. It was this “dance of insecurity” that was identified between the healthcare practitioner and the LGBTQ patient. They simply were trying to be sensitive. They didn’t want to offend. I believe that we in the LGBTQ community have to take some steps forward in this vacuum. Yes, there are some in our community who are closeted and who deserve the right to privacy as they work out their own identity issues. But the many of us who are out-and-proud have next steps to take. We need to identify that whenever we are presented with the SOGI questions. We need to disclose on those intake forms what the SOGI questions ask. It’s such a small step but can lead to comprehensive research that can support the health and well-being of our community. The Center in its strategic plan is compelled to move more in the direction of healthcare delivery as one of our next steps in service to our LGBTQ community. We are very much aware of the healthcare disparities that have been identified so far by limited research, and all-the-more aware of more study being needed. Be proud of who you are. And, when your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional asks you the SOGI questions, please readily identify that you are a member of our LGBTQ community. It’s a small step toward equality but a vital one if we are to improve the health and well-being of one another. q
never forget
TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE AND
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
BY BLUE MONTANA
TRANSGENDER PROGRAM MANAGER
R
ae’Lynn Thomas was shot by her mother’s boyfriend, James Allen Byrd, as she sat on the couch on Aug. 10 in Columbus, Ohio. After firing at her twice, her attacker — who was nearly a foot taller and 100 pounds heavier than the petite Rae’Lynn — proceeded to beat her with any heavy object handy. He often referred to her as evil and the devil. She was the 19th trans-identified individual murdered in 2016; numbers 20 and 21 would follow shortly. In January of 2016, it’s estimated that 48 transwomen were murdered in Brazil, and that estimate is low. Every year on November 20 we have Transgender Day of Remembrance, and I keep telling myself that one day we will no longer have the need for that day, but I’m sure unfortunately that day won’t come soon. Last year at Transgender Day of Remembrance, it was particularly difficult, as we remembered four teens in San Diego, where I was living at the time, who lost their lives due to suicide. When it came to burying and remembering youth I knew, whose families I had
worked with, it forever changed not only me, but the work I focus on doing, the community around me, and the reason we need to keep having Transgender Day of Remembrance. Transwomen of color remain, and I suspect always will remain, a particularly vulnerable sub community. They often live in places of socioeconomic barriers, such as low employment rates, discrimination in housing, social services, and employment, leaving them with little to no choices for surviving, other than turning to survival sex work. Transwomen in particular aren’t just murdered, they’re stabbed multiple times, as in the case of Dee Whigham, a 25-year-old nurse from Mississippi who was stabbed 119 times by a sailor from the U.S. Navy. Deshawnda “Tata” Sanchez was 21 years old when she was attacked and pounded on a door for help, receiving none in Compton, Calif. She was shot to death while pleading for her life. Aniya Parker’s murder was caught on tape. She was approached on the streets of Los Angeles, shot and left for dead. Several cars drove past her and
never stopped to render aid, leaving her to die on the street. Amos Beede was murdered in Burlington, Vt., at a homeless encampment where he was trying to help the less fortunate. Stories like these are not talked about as they should be. Brazil always has a super high rate of transwomen being murdered, so much so that they often buy one meal at a time because they don’t know if they’ll be alive for their next meal. I often wonder to myself why is this happening and nothing is being done to stop it? Quite often I see transwomen being murdered twice in a week, and sadly I’m not surprised, as this just happened in Chicago. What do we as a community, or I, as an activist, have to do to get attention called to these massacres that happen every year? I don’t have the answer to that question, but I do have several thoughts that may have some clues as to ideas we can work on to stop these senseless murders. The first thought that pops into my head is to employ us. Trans individuals are often at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to getting hired
for jobs. We’re often at the very least qualified, often over-qualified for jobs that we get turned down for simply because of our transgender identity. We don’t “fit in.” Employers are afraid they’ll lose clients if they walk in and see a trans person working there, but what it really comes down to is they don’t have the guts to do the right thing and give us the job we deserve and are qualified for. It’s easier to come up with another reason not to hire us and send us back out in to the cruel world of unemployment. The transgender and gender non-conforming communities are in the middle of one of the biggest civil rights movements as I sit and write this article. I’m not quite sure why so many folks are under the assumption that all we have to do is work, if only it was that easy. We can’t even go to the bathroom without getting harassed, so the notion of working may seem sim-
ple, but it’s just not. The transgender community often also struggles with housing, whether it due to discrimination, or lack of the aforementioned job. When Brandon Teena was murdered in 1993, I was a senior in high school and my world was turned upside down. I remember sneaking around to read news articles about it, watching the news when my parents weren’t around so I wouldn’t get in trouble. In the back of my head, I was scared that one day that could be me, it was my first real taste of how transgender community members are treated, and although people were upset at the situation, I saw them offer empty grievances; they were empty because they didn’t do a thing to help us change our situation. I mentioned the case of Dee Whigham earlier, who was a registered nurse, so all the education in the world and even having a good job didn’t stop her from being
attacked and murdered. The Transgender Day of Remembrance is vitally important in order to change history. It’s vitally important that we use the Transgender Day of Remembrance and every day to reflect on the disparity and violence that affects the transgender community everyday. One of my favorite quotes, by Leo Buscaglia, says “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” Please be kind to us every day, show us a small act of kindness, a smile, a kind word. Those small things can often mean the world to us, and help lessen the pain of the constant onslaught of our community members being murdered. Be the change you wish to see, and things can start to possibly change. q
NOVEMBER 14 1–4PM
CAREER FAIR
Learn about career opportunities at local businesses and organizations that have demonstrated ongoing support of our human rights and will provide a welcoming, equal workplace for LGBTQ individuals.
FRFOER E
S E E KE R J O B S TE N D ! T TO A
401 S. MARYLAND PKWY • LAS VEGAS, NV 89101
BRIN RESUM G DRESSÉS & IMPRE TO SS!
YOUTH THANKSGIVING SERVES TRADITIONAL MEAL WITH CHOSEN FAMILY T
hanksgiving is traditionally considered a time to gather with family, have a good meal, and watch football. The Center recognizes that the perfect day of gathering with blood relatives is not always a reality for the youth we serve. For many of our youth, Thanksgiving can be a very uncomfortable day, especially if they are surrounded by unsupportive family members. Though times have changed and laws have passed that have improved the social climate for LGBTQIA2 persons, familial acceptance can still be a challenge. Youth Thanksgiving, to be held Monday, November 21 at 6 p.m., has been a Center tradition for over 10 years. Youth are invited to come together with their chosen family, share a meal, and have fun. It is a time for the community to come together to support our youth
and offer a stress-free day with plenty of good food. Community volunteers pledge to cook turkeys, stuffing, and all the fixings, as well as vegetarian options, desserts, and traditional dishes. Adult volunteers also donate time to set-up and break-down the room,
serve food, and bus tables. This event could not happen without the support of our entire community. If you would like donate your time or food, please contact Robert Peraza at rperaza@thecenterlv.org or AJ Huth at ajhuth@thecenterlv.org. q
WORLD AIDS DAY DECEMBER 1, 2016
Visit thecenterlv.org in mid-November for full details on any World AIDS Day activities at The Center
GIVING BACK DURING THE HOLIDAYS, GIVING BACK CAN BE THE BEST GIFT EVER! By Cristina Di Gioia
The holidays are a magical time. The food, festivities, and shopping have become such hallmarks of the season, and it is tempting to get caught up in buying trinkets for friends and family to put under their trees. It can be easy to forget that there are many members of our community who do not have presents under their trees. In fact, they may not have a tree or even a home in which to put a tree, menorah, or kinara. They may not even have a hot meal, nor have loved ones to share one with. Our community is especially at risk. An estimated 40% (or even higher) of homeless youth are LGBTQ-identified. The time for us to step up and make change in our own community is now. It is during the holidays that we have a tremendous opportunity to give of our time and make the change that we want to see. We can create the
generous, compassionate, and supportive community we all deserve. The Human Rights Campaign Las Vegas volunteer committee, which I chair, has a robust group of volunteers who care deeply about making change. I am constantly humbled by their endless dedication to helping others. Some great ways that we help are through supporting some of the
incredible nonprofit organizations we have in our community. We are fortunate to get to help in the food line at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission or at The Center’s Youth Thanksgiving, helping ensure that every child has the chance to have a warm dinner. We are also honored to be able to help AFAN (Aid for AIDS Nevada) provide holiday gifts for families affected by HIV/AIDS by sponsoring a family. While we may look a little goofy doing it, we enjoy nothing more than dressing like Santa’s little helpers at the Magical Forest, which supports the amazing work of Opportunity Village. Though it feels wonderful to give of our time and energy, we are receiving far more than we could ever give. I have personally grown immensely from the work I do in the community. I have gained perspective, empathy, leadership skills, and confidence in my ability to rise to any challenge I encounter. By investing our time and love into our community, we make it a better place for all of us to live and work. And, what’s more, we have so much fun doing it! I have met so many people I never would have met any other way, and have built so many friendships that I treasure. I have had so many new experiences, from lobbying for equality in Washington D.C. to helping to orchestrate black tie fundraisers to making funnel cakes in a carnival wagon. No matter where your passion and skills lie, there are opportunities to utilize them for the empowerment of others. All you need is a desire to give back! Now is the time to get involved in creating the kind of community you want to live in!
Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 75
Holiday Services
2016 HOLIDAY SEASON
Metropolitan Community Church of Las Vegas www.mccchurch.org Saturday, December 24th: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:00pm Sunday, December 25th: Christmas Day Service at 10:00am Indigo Valley Church www.indigovalley.org Saturday, December 24th: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:00pm Sunday December 25th: Christmas Day Service at 10:00am Rainbow Praise Church www.rainbowpraise.org Sunday, December 25th: Christmas Day Service at 10:30am Community Lutheran Church www.communitylv.org Saturday, November 26th: “Let Heaven & Nature Sing” a free citywide sing-along featuring the Living Christmas Tree and the official Christmas Tree Lighting at Springs Preserve at 7:00 PM. (Free to the public.) Saturday, December 24th: Christmas Eve Service 3:00pm – Children & Family 4:30pm – Worship with the Celebration Choir 6:00pm – Contemporary Worship with the Praise Team 7:30pm – Special musical guests 9:00pm – Special musical guests Sunday, December 25th: Christmas Day Service at 10:00am Northwest Community Church www.northwestcommunitychurch.us Sunday, December 25th: Christmas Day Service at 9:30am 76 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine
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