Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine - Issue 15 by Las Vegas Pride

PROUD TO BE PART OF THE PRIDE

We support all those who stand up for diversity and inclusion, because we are all one human community.

D I V E RS I T Y A N D I N C LU S I O N

•

CO M M U N I T Y E N GAG E M E N T

•

E N V I R O N M E N TA L S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

and

present

SATURDAY, JUNE 3 2017 @ 12 PM 45 MINUTE RIDE WITH KAT

CONTENTS

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 15

EVENTS

AFAN’s Pit Stop

Court Con

Upcoming Royal Court Events: 50 Fetish Carnaval, Friendship Ball, Mr. & Miss Firecracker, and Star 57 Spangled Pool Pary 62

XCYCLE PRIDE Ride

Save the Date for Las Vegas PRIDE 2017!

June Pride Month PRIDE Family Bingo

Pizza with a Purpose

July Hawaiian Paradise Loteria PRIDE Las Vegas

Welcome

July Sci-Fi PRIDE Family Bingo

Community Wrap-Up

July Charity Disco Bingo Benefiting The Center

Ricky Martin: His New Home in Vegas!

Long Beach Pride

First Step Productions - On the Way to a Super Summer!

Love is Love Art Show

Misbehavin’ - It’s a Wrap

Community Events

LAMBDA Business Luncheon

Love is Love: In Celebration of National Pride Month

Bighorn Rodeo

Bully Wear - A Fresh Take on Athletic Wear

San Diego Pride

Temptation Sundays - Las Vegas’ Hottest Gay Pool Party

ARTICLES

Ready for Summer with Bully Wear Athletic Apparel Las Vegas Guide Map Out of the Neon Closet Las Vegas Bar & Nightclub Schedule

The Journey of Becoming Gay Dads

An XCYCLE Life

The Center

Star Spangled Monarch Express

PUBLISHER Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE, Inc. EDITOR Ernie Yuen LAYOUT & DESIGN Jake Naylor ADVERTISING Ernie Yuen, Lyndon R. Marquez & Clair Koetitz PHOTOGRAPHY Miguel Cortes, Marc Garcia, Barbara Maeker, Yev Z Photography ON THE COVER Ricky Martin CONTRIBUTORS AFAN, Briana Lake, Clair Koetitz, Lyndon Marquez, Joseph S. Oddo, Jr., Jim McCoy, Mandy Joy Wisniewski, Kat Murzl, Dennis McBride, Misty and Koko Wayves, Keyska Diva, Kevin Crossley, Josh Terris, Anthony Porcello, Jessie Fields, Bryan Cloud, Chelsea Hutton, Jacob Taylor, Michael Flores, Jonathan Fisher 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.

6 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine

Welcome By Ernie “Pineapple” Yuen

California Pizza Kitchen will donate 20% of your check to Las Vegas Summer is here; let the pool parties PRIDE, the 3 locations supporting this begin! It’s been 5 months since many fundraiser are The Park, Fashion Show of us made our commitment to go and Town Square. on strict diets, and to exercise to be more fit for the summer. Hopefully Temptation Sunday’s At Luxor Hotel is most of us are on track and ready for in full swing, Every Sunday at 1:00pm, that special swimsuit and to strut your hosted by J.Son, for more information stuff on the Vegas pool decks. I hope please go to luxor.com/lgbt. Briana you like our fashion spread with Bully interviewed Tim Evans, the Marketing Wear “Ready for Summer.” Bully Wear Director for Luxor and produced a is a great clothing line based right great article. There are lots of fun here in Las Vegas. Owners Bryan and things happening this summer at Ray Wong had a candid interview with Temptation Sundays. Briana about their company and their Dennis McBride, author of Out of french bulldogs. the Neon Closet, will be submitting a Ricky Martin has a new home here in bi-monthly article highlighting great Las Vegas, his residence at “The Park” has taken off and everyone loves the show, we talk about is new life here in Vegas, being an “out” dad, and how he wants his kids to experience Las Vegas with him. He also shares his love for art and visiting museums. His new show here in Vegas is amazing and Ricky had a lot of creative input, “This is Vegas, you need to be sexy and over the top.” I couldn’t agree more. Aloha!

June is Pride Month and we have an exciting “Colors of Pride” Bingo ready for you. Don’t forget that Las Vegas PRIDE Family Bingo is hosted the 1st Wednesday of each month. Join us at Alexis Park All Suite Hotel from 6 to 7pm for Happy Hour with a 6:30 pm start time for Bingo. July 5th is our very popular Sci-Fi Bingo. June 11th is our new Pizza with a Purpose event. Throughout the day, 8 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine

moments from his new book “Out of the Neon Closet” It’s a great and easy to read book. You can get your copy at Get Booked, and while you’re there, you might be lucky and run into Dennis as he’s always hanging out with his buddy Wes Miller. Wes also has his “claim to fame.” You’ll learn how Wes named his store “Getbooked.” Plans for our 2017 Pride Parade and Festival is well underway. Save the date: October 20th for the Parade and the 21-22 for the Festival. This year, the festival will be back at Sunset Park. We are always looking for volunteers to join our committee and be part of our associate board. Please visit www.lasvegaspride.org for more information. Please stay hydrated, enjoy your summer and please be nice to one another. In Pride, Ernie “Pineapple” Yuen Executive Director Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE, Inc.

COMMUNITY

WRAP-UP

By Clair Koetitz & Lyndon Marquez

March and April were very busy months for Las Vegas PRIDE along with the rest of the community. The month started out with another fantastic PRIDE Bingo at Alexis Park All Suites Resort, we had a large turnout for both the March and April Bingo. Join us again in May for our quarterly musical Bingo, “Greased Lightning”. They are always a treat and enjoyed by everyone.

Ramirez. They did an outstanding job representing Las Vegas and Las Vegas PRIDE this past year. We crowned our new 2017 royalty, Miss Las Vegas PRIDE 2017 Andrew Ryan, Mr. Las Vegas PRIDE 2017 Jesus Nanci, Miss Orgullo Latino Las Vegas 2017 Roberto Valdez and Mr. Orgullo Latino Las Vegas 2017 Ovv Miguel Vazquez Hernandez. In addition to the step down and coronation, may of our past royalty were present to help everyone celebrate this momentous occasion. Thanks to all the talent that helped celebrate this event with their wonderful performances. The evening was a great night celebrating with our past and present title holders.

PRIDE help host a fantastic celebration Mahalo Luau at Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza. We participated with 9th Island Culture Club of Las Vegas to help make this event a huge success. The next event scheduled with 9th Island is a Mother’s Day Brunch at Texas Station, check out 9th Island’s A number of fundraisers were held Facebook page or their website for for the Center and Golden Rainbow. further details. Norma Llyman aka Jim McCoy hosted “MisBehavin” featuring a number of PRIDE OUTside continues to be a great fantastic performers at The Space. chance to join a group for a hike with This was a great evening with proceeds a group of friends. Check the PRIDE benefiting to the Center. Norma website for time and details, the hikes continued this effort with a “Hunky take place on the 2nd Sunday of the Jesus” compilation at her annual month. Easter Revival held at Charlie’s, the proceeds from this event benefited Saturday, April 22 found PRIDE at Golden Rainbow. Noma and The Sin Charlie’s for the 2017 PRIDE Royalty Sity Sisters also participated in the Coronation. We celebrated the fundraising event at Golden Rainbow’s step down of Reign 2016, Miss Las Jesus Christ Superstar production at Vegas PRIDE 2016 Kenneth Blake The Tropicana Theater by passing the and Mr. Las Vegas PRIDE 2016 Rico collection baskets throughout the 10 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine

audience raising money for Golden Rainbow to continue their efforts for our community. Thanks to Norma and The Sin Sity Sisters along with all the fantastic performers that helped in these fundraisers benefiting our community. AFAN’s annual Walk was again held at Town Square on April 23rd. This is always a great event attended by many faithful energetic participants. This is a great way to meet old and new friends raising money helping people living with HIV/AIDS. Don’t forget HRC’s 12th annual Gala, May 7th at the ARIA Resort and Casino, this is always a great evening. This year’s Honorees are Phyllis James, MGM Resorts International, Jerry Nadal, Cirque du Soleil with John Saksa & Scott Ramer, Findlay Cadillac and Findlay Honda Henderson. Influential citizens will gather at this event to celebrate the strides HRC has made toward achieving equality for our community this past year while preparing for the work ahead in the year to come. Don’t forget to join us on Maya 3rd for our musical Bingo and watch Facebook and the web page for all the new events scheduled in the coming months.

RICKY MARTIN HIS NEW HOME IN LAS VEGAS! By Briana Lake

In the world of pop entertainment, there are few names as immediately recognizable as Ricky Martin’s. This isn’t solely due to his immense talent, multiple GRAMMY awards, or repeat platinum records; the Puerto-Rican heart-throb has also become known as an icon for the LBTQ community through his long-time advocacy for marriage equality, and public coming-out announcement in 2010. Ricky has also been credited with helping to breach the gap to the US charts for many Latin-American artists, and with birthing the huge Latin-music US Billboard takeover of the early 2000’s, but he’s hardly stopping there; with his recent announcement of a much-anticipated residency at the brand-new Park Theatre at Monte Carlo, Ricky will be bringing a true legend within arms-reach of his devoted fans and checking another accomplishment off of his professional checklist, all while delicately balancing fame, philanthropy, and fatherhood. The Superstar has performed more than ten studio albums to countless sold-out stadiums, and his career has spanned his entire lifetime, starting with his childhood boy-band, Menudo. It seems only fitting that Ricky should grace the strip as the Pop Star’s history with Vegas started when he was twelve years old; Ricky has essentially been laying the groundwork for a Vegas residency this entire time, and he could not be more excited, declaring in a recent statement “I’m extremely excited to have my residency in Las Vegas; I have been thinking about it for years and to see it become a reality is just an unbelievable feeling…” The star’s elation didn’t stop there, and during his interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show where Ricky first announced his move to Vegas, Ricky was visibly excited as he practically shouted the news to Ellen DeGeneres, smiling from ear to ear while pounding his fist on his chair and proclaiming ‘I’m going to be in Vegas, I have a residen-

12 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine

cy in Vegas! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!’. Ricky will be joining the ranks of Mega-Stars to announce Vegas residencies including greats such as Jennifer Lopez, Backstreet Boys, Boyz II Men, and Brittney Spears. Martin’s joy is no doubt partially due to the fact that a residency schedule will also provide the time to focus on his humanitarian efforts with the Ricky Martin Foundation, his impressive acting ability, and his growing family. Ricky broke quite a few hearts earlier this year with the news of his proposal to the gorgeous, Syrian-Swedish Artist, Jwan Yosef, and Martin will be joined in Vegas by his fiancé and two beautiful 9-year-old twin boys, Matteo and Valentino.

Spears, Madonna, Celine Dion, and the incredibly popular Cirque Du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson One”. Ricky himself will be bringing some serious heat to the stage with his famously chiseled abs, fluid dance moves, and gorgeous backup dancers. Martin and King will have almost no limits to their production quality with the support of 18 dancers, the costume magic of sporty and luxurious design house to the stars, Dsquared2, a live band, and a team of over 12 choreographers. Ricky and Jamie have shared enormously successful collaborations in the past, and they will be bringing that proven creative chemistry to life on the stage of the brand-new, gorgeous Park Theatre at Monte Carlo; The exciting new career move will the venue is posh, modern, and seats also showcase a much-anticipated 5,200 fans, making it a perfect fit for collaboration with world-renowned the International Mega-Star. creative director, choreographer, and producer Jamie King. Jamie has built The “All In” residency show will be an incredible reputation for his work running 18 shows spread throughwith icons such as Rihanna, Britney out April, June, July, and September;

the set list will consist of 21 songs and will include cult favorites such as “She Bangs”, “Livin’ la Vida Loca”, and “Vente Pa’ Ca”. Tickets range in price from $59.59 to $220.60 for premium seating before any applicable taxes, fees, or service charges and are available at ticketmaster.com/rickymartin, and more information regarding tickets and show times can be found on rickymartinmusic.com.

Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 13

For tickets, visit the Box Office or call 702.597.7600

15th, July 19th through July 22nd, and July 26th through July 29th. The dates are the last three weekends in July, with a performance each Wednesday through Saturday evening. Are any particularly exciting projects in the works for First Step right now?

An Interview By Briana Lake

FIRST STEP PRODUCTIONS ON THE WAY TO A SUPER SUMMER!

Keith Dotson, Manager of Brand Activations and Events for MGM Resorts International and Owner of First Step Productions and his cofounder and partner, Tim Evans, agreed to tell us how they have grown their local theater company to fill a need in the community, and what the future holds for First Step Productions.

a part of, that consistently produces unique, quality shows. I like to expose people to different things and really open up their eyes; shows that they really don’t get to see anywhere else. I’ve been lucky enough to work extensively with the local non-profit, Super Summer Theater, so that has been a wonderful way to give back to the community, and we are working on producing our third show with Tell us a little bit about First Step Super Summer Theater this July. Productions, and how you got started? Tim: There is actually a pretty extensive application process for the Keith: First Step Productions is my production companies to become theater and production company involved with Super Summer that I started it back in 2008. I wanted Theater; you have to bid on it and a place for up-and-coming theater put together an entire proposal, from folks to go and grow their art. I’ve soup to nuts for the whole show, and been in theater all my life; behind the you bid alongside other production stage, as a singer and dancer. It’s my companies. They select only four passion, and I’ve just continued to companies for the whole season, so work my way up in that world. I saw it’s really an honor to be selected to the need to create an environment produce there. for theater folks to interact and grow, and I wanted to create the Keith: Like he said it really is such an kind of production company that honor to be out there, and the show everyone really feels like they can be will be running July 12th through July

Keith: We’re so excited right now to be producing a really amazing musical, we’re working on “In the Heights” which is a musical by Lin Manuel Miranda, who is actually the creator and Director of “Hamilton”. This was one of his first ever productions, and we’ve just finished casting. We’ve also recently branched out with a really fun new project for PRIDE’s themed, quarterly, musical Bingos. That sounds amazing, and the musical bingos are so much fun! What are some of the themes that you’ve produced? Keith: Oh I know they are! I really enjoy it, and I have such a great network of people that I work with; we did the first theme back in October with “Rocky Horror Picture Show”, we followed that with “Moulin Rouge”, and we’ll be returning in May with “Grease”. Tim: It’s something fresh and different, and it really draws a crowd at bingo; everyone also performs probono, which I think really helps the increase the fund raising potential for PRIDE. Is that how you originally became involved with PRIDE? Keith: I have actually been involved with PRIDE for a long time, and Ernest Yuen and James Healy knew that theater was my specialty, so we just found a really great way to combine the two. First Step also assisted with production for the PRIDE Festival last year, and we are looking forward to repeating that again this year. Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 15

MISBEHAVIN’ IT’S A WRAP

Norma’s benefit, MISBEHAVIN‘, was a huge success! With over 200 in attendance, the crowd was entertained by 14 of our community’s best performers. With individual contributions, tips and ticket sales, MisBehavin’ raised over $7,000 for

The Center. It was truly a spectacular spectacle and plans are already being made for MisBehavin’ 2 in 2018! A very special thank you to The Space, MGM Resort Events, Northern Lights, Just You, Derek Guerrero and Mac Webster! Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 17

TICKETS FROM $59

BLUEMAN.COM

DARE TO LOVE IN FULL COLOR.

IS GOOD BUSINESS Lambda Business Association

The LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce for Southern Nevada.

Join us for lunch at THE CENTER! Provocative speakers every month. Always on the second Wednesday.

April 12 | May 10 | June 14 | July 12 | August 9

The public is always welcome. 401 S. Maryland Pkwy., Las Vegas, NV 89101 PUBLISHER OF THE LAMBDA SMART PAGES. MORE DETAILS OR TO JOIN: LAMBDALV.COM

Lambda Business Association, known as the “Gay Chamber of Commerce” (circa 1996), also the “Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce” (circa 2002) and in an effort to be more inclusive, known as “The LGBT or LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce” since 2006. Lambda, founded in 1991, includes LGBT-owned, managed and friendly businesses, organizations and elected officials. Membership is approximately 250 individuals and businesses. Lambda Business Association is a 501 (c)6 non-profit.

H A P P Y H O U R E V E R Y D AY BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE COCKTAILS & BEER

MON-SAT 12PM - 7PM & 1AM - 4AM SUN

2AM - 4AM

S UP E R GAY MO N DAY N I GH T S L I Q UO R BUS T | 9 PM - 12AM & 1AM - 4AM

T UE S DAY LE T ’ S P L AY B I N GO

CHARI T Y BI N GO HO S TED BY JI MMY EMERS O N 8 :30PM

WE DN E S DAY K A RA O KE N I GH T WI TH DJ ERI C 10PM - 2AM

T H URS DAY T RI V I A N I GH T WI TH HO S T DJ MARK MCD O N AL D 9 PM - 1AM

FA B ULO US LY F UN N Y F RI DAY D RAG S HO W WI TH JI MMY EMERS O N 11:30PM

RE WI N D S AT URDAY N I GH T S R E T R O D A N C E B E AT S

W ITH DJ MARK MCD O NAL D $1 WEL L D RI N K S / D O MES TI C D RAF T F O R VI P MEMBERS 9 PM - 2AM

RE C O V E RY S UN DAYS FREE LU N C H BU FFET $2 BLO O DY MARY S $2 MARGARI TAS $2 PI N T MI CHEL ED AS $3 MI MO S AS 2PM - 10PM

IT’S SO GOOD TO BE BA D

9 5 3 E . S A H A R A AV E . # 2 2 L A S V EG A S , N V 8 9 1 0 4 WWW.BADL ANDS-SALOON.COM

BECOME A VIP TEXT

BADLANDS TO 91944

Without thinking, I let out the breath I had been holding and said, “Oh, is that all?! You scared me!” My brain churned around ideas of all the ways this would impact her life, and I hoped I had not made light of it. In the following year, she did lose friends over this. I was amazed with her maturity and ability to stand up for herself and say she’d rather make new friends who are accepting. She did just that. Not every teen has the same experience, sadly, and I heard other stories that were very different. Growing up is tough enough without another reason for inner conflict. I believe that we are heading in the right direction in terms of acceptance, but we have work to do. As an artist, it is possible that I can make a difference. My business partner, Steve Anthony, agrees. This June, opening on First Friday, is the “Love is Love” Art Show at our gallery, Obsidian Fine Art. We are celebrating National Pride Month with a show we’re very proud of.

LOVE IS LOVE

IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL PRIDE MONTH By Mandy Joy Wisniewski

This art show is a year in the making. Around Valentine’s Day in 2016, I began work on a “Love is Love” art show, depicting couples in many different forms. I believe in acceptance of others, and believe that we are born with certain preferences that are simply a part of us. Although I was raised in a religious family, in a small town where being anything except white and straight was extremely odd, I did have the experience of knowing a gay family friend who passed away from AIDS. I also had a lesbian relative. My parents presented this as something they didn’t entirely understand, but you

love who you love. I wish everyone had those experiences. Twenty-five years later, in what I consider a progressive city, I am raising my children in a world where we know teens who have been punished for coming out. We know other teens who are afraid to. When my daughter came to me one day as I painted a family of rainbow colored birds, and said she needed to confess something I would soon see in her phone, my heart raced as I tried to act cool. Was it drugs? Had she sneaked off somewhere unsafe? Was she in danger? I was in suspense for only a few seconds before she came out.

Above: Artwork by Steve Anthony Top Left: Artwork by Mandy Joy Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 21

May 14 June 18 July 2

OPENING DAY

DJ Drew G

EDC WEEKEND

DJ Pacifico

INDEPENDENCE DAY

DJ Morningstar

Schedule subject to change without notice.

Hosted by J.Son Every Sunday 1 p.m. Starts May 14

luxor.com/LGBT

BULLY WEAR A FRESH TAKE ON ATHLETIC WEAR

How did you choose the name Bully Wear, and the French Bulldog we really wanted to find a way to theme? be around each other, I wanted to be around him you know, we were Ray: Well we came up with the name newlyweds. We started looking at Bully Wear because we have French clothing all across the Country, and Bulldogs, and we love them. We also Bryan had a friend that did underwear wanted to be represented by a name here in Vegas so we started looking that was masculine, so that’s how we into starting a clothing line. It’s so chose Bully Wear. It was for love of funny, we started to look at how gay our Frenchies, and to provide a name men are represented now. I think that was going to be talked about. You that since we have equal rights, and know a lot of gay kids get bullied when marriage, gay men are just starting they’re kids, so people were unsure to be men. I hate to say it, but it’s a of that, but of course Bryan and I are different type of man; most of our both very anti-bullying. The name just friends are bearded and probably comes from a love for our Frenchies. not the stereotype that we grew up

An Interview by Briana Lake

Bryan and Ray Wong are the owners and co-founders of Bully Wear, a hot new men’s athletic apparel, underwear, and swim line, agreed to sit down with us to discuss their expansion into the Vegas market, and to introduce their adorable pups, Bluebell, Stella, Ju Ju Be, and Harley. Bully Wear is such a fresh, unique take on athletic wear, how did you originally come up with the concept? Ray: Bryan and I got married 3 years ago, he worked retail at the time and I had started my own company, and 26 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine

associating with gay men, and we felt that people were only really making clothes for a certain genre of gay men.

It seems to be working! What do you think is different about your brand? Bryan: You know I’ve worked in high end retail for many years, and I’ve honestly never really seen anything like what we sell. Our goal is to keep things fresh, exciting, and different than anything else out there. It’s so fun too, a lot of people will see our tees with slogans like “Lick me” on them and they’ll be like “Oh that’s so cute with the doggy theme”, and then you’ll have other people, like us, that will see it with a completely different meaning. It’s so playful and fun and we just love it. Since the beginning we’ve steadily grown, and we now have a showroom in New York and have picked up a couple of key accounts such as Toolbox and Offshoot, purchasing up to ten thousand dollar orders in both the online and brick-and-mortar stores. Tell us a little about your swim and underwear lines? Ray: We did very well at Magic this February, and we decided to take our first stab at swimwear. We actually have our bathing suits designed and manufactured with a family-owned business in Medellin, Colombia as opposed to manufacturing in China, and other products are American made. The quality is just better, and it feels great to be supporting a family business. We’ve also just launched our underwear line called Brutal, and the feedback has just been so positive. We’re so excited, and we feel like we’re really just taking things to the next level with our underwear and swim lines, and releasing a fall clothing line shortly too. Tell us a little about your involvement with PRIDE? Bryan: We actually just did a 6-page ad for PRIDE, and it was really a great experience. We shot everything out at UFC and it was a huge shoot with so many models, both gay and straight. We’re also really interested in getting even more involved with charities like PRIDE, we just believe that it’s just so important to give back to your community. We both feel so fortunate for our success, and we would really like to share some of that with others. What are your next steps with the business? Ray: The next goal for Bryan and I is to open the first Bullywear store here in Vegas. We know that there are a lot of gay and straight men and women out there that want Bullywear because of the fit and style, and we’re excited to bring that to Las Vegas. We’d also really like to provide a space for other niche designers to showcase their products that don’t yet have the resources to open their own stores. We have an online business that is really taking off, and our recent partnership with Sonder Graphics has really grown our promotional capacity. Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 27

g g o o n n u u i i r 4 r c c n n 42 nd u u 2n o o d n n n n A A

May: 19 & 20

June: 7-10, 14-17, 21-24

A concert style performance by 2016 Casting Auction Winners

Presented by Hynes-Sight Entertainment

Shows start at 7:05 pm

Shows start at 8:05pm

Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI

Under direction of Troy Heard, Table 8 Productions Presented through special arrangement with R&H Theatricals

July: 12-15, 19-22, 26-29

August: 9-12, 16-19, 23-26

Presented by First Step Productions

Presented by P.S. Productions

Presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals: www.rnh.com

Presented by arrangement with TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY,INC. 560 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022

Shows start at 8:05pm

September: 7-9, 14-16, 21-23 Shows start at 7:00pm

Presented by Poor Richardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Players Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI

For more information visit us at: www.supersummertheatre.org or call (702) 594-7529

Are there any exciting new developments in store for Temptation Sundays that you’d like to talk about?

TEMPTATION SUNDAYS LAS VEGAS’ HOTTEST GAY POOL PARTY An Interview of Tim Evans by Briana Lake

Tim Evans, the Director of Marketing for The Luxor Hotel and Casino, has agreed to let us pick his brain about what is inarguably the hottest gay pool party in Las Vegas, their partnership with social media phenomenon J.SON, and some of the exciting new developments in store for the future of this celebration of music, cocktails, and of course some seriously stunning eye candy.

generally think of the day clubs, but I like to think that we’re really nothing like those; although the crowd is fun-loving and is certainly enjoying a few beverages, it’s actually just a really chill vibe for people. Most people come with friends and they spend the afternoon just talking and hanging out in the pool, or occasionally dancing to the DJ and just winding down. That’s really what we’ve always prided ourselves on; there’s no pretense, it’s Would you mind telling me a little very approachable. I think that’s what bit about Temptation Sundays for has led to so many years of success our readers that haven’t been lucky for us. enough to experience them? How did the idea for Temptation Sure, well this is our eighth consecu- Sundays originally come about? tive year; we are the longest running gay pool party in Las Vegas, and it’s We had starting seriously discussreally just an afternoon of fun in the ing the event one winter and as luck sun for everybody. I know that when would have it, J.SON had reached out people think of pool parties they to us and introduced himself right around the same time. J.SON came in and presented this really great idea for a gay pool party, and we thought, you know what, we are the perfect property to host this event. Luxor had been marketing to LGBT since 2001, we were known as being gay friendly, and we knew that as a host J.SON brought with him quite a presence and social media following, and we just thought you know what this is the perfect marriage, so let’s try it and see what happens. 32 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine

We are always trying to make new developments to the pool, during the first year we were at the South side of the pool and we had about five cabanas. It was a small little area in view of the pedestrian bridge across the garage to the property. The next year we moved it to our larger, more secluded North pool and we’ve since added around 17 cabanas, VIP seating, daybeds, bottle service and a DJ stage. In that first year our top attendance was maybe around a hundred people on a good day, and last year we averaged around four hundred people, and peaked at around eleven hundred people over EDC weekend.

Tell me a little about your involvement with your partners and PRIDE? With our continued growth this year, we’re really looking at how we can leverage some of our partners a little bit more. We have always worked with Las Vegas PRIDE, and we’re eager to see how we can get them an even bigger presence this year. We are al-

ways looking to increase our involvement with all of our partners, I can’t mention specific partners yet, but we even have liquor sponsors and some pretty cool new additions to bring on this year. Can you tell us about some of the celebrities that have stopped by throughout the years? Throughout the years we’ve had quite a few; we’ve had Steve Grand, the country music star, Michael Sam, and Jay Rodriguez recently. We’re also always hosting a plethora of different travel writers thanks to our relationships and corporate media team, and through J.SON’s connections, we’ve gotten a lot of really great, even international exposure for the event. We also have some really noteworthy DJ’s, and that schedule will be coming out shortly, as soon as I confirm them and go to contract, along with our resident DJ who has been with us since day one.

Do you have any highlights or insider July fourth weekend is also packed, tips for this season? and we’ll celebrate our anniversary at the end of July and will probably do We are just really excited about our some type of a giveaway. We’ll also eighth season, it’s going to be such be able to maintain our guest list this a fun time. We have some key dates year so guests will be able to go on this year, opening day is May 14th and Eventbrite, either directly or through the event is every Sunday from one to the link on our site and J.SON’s, for seven, we’ll run through September the guest list for free entry between 24th and Memorial weekend will be one and two. Guests can also go on huge for us, and EDC weekend is typ- Luxor.com for lineups, and to book ically our best attended weekend of their daybeds and cabanas ahead of the entire season and it is crazy fun! time to get the best rates.

Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 33

GRAND OPENING MAY 12

18+ LGBT Friday Event

PRODUCED BY: WIND CORP

simpletruth.com

smithsfoodanddrug.com

Enjoy a celebration of the simple things in life.

Anthony Porcello wears the Gym Half Sleeve (SKU:GYMHS, $38.00) and Universal Gym Short (SKU:UGS1, $39.00) 40 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine

Jessie Fields wears the Universal Gym Shorts (SKU:UGS2, $39.00)

Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 41

From Left: Bryan Cloud wears the BRU•TAL Brief (SKU:BTB1B, $24.00); Chelsea Hutton wears the BRU•TAL Brief (SKU:BTB1BL, $24.00) and the Designer Tank (SKU:SST49DT, $30.00); Jacob Taylor wears the BRU•TAL Boxer (SKU:BTBR, $24.00) 42 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine

Michael Flores wears THE EDGE Swimwear (SKU:TEW, $69.00) Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 43

From Left: Chelsea Hutton wears the Fitted Pumped Tank (SKU:SST26TT, $30.00) and the Universal Gym Short (SKU:UGS3, $39.00); Jonathan Fisher wears the Activewear Short (SKU:ACT2, $68.00) and the Red Snapback Cap (SKU:SBC45, $36.00) 44 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine

From Left: Jonathan Fisher wears the Curve Swimwear (SKU:CW, $55.00); Bryan Cloud wears THE EDGE Swimwear (SKU:TEW, $69.00); Jessie Fields wears The Package Swimwear (SKU:TPR, $48.00)

LOCATION: UFC Gym STYLIST: Keyska Diva MAKEUP ARTIST: Josh Terris HAIR: Kevin Crossley PHOTOGRAPHY: Yev Z Photography PHOTOGRAPHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ASSISTANT: Miguel Cortes MODELS: Anthony Porcello, Jessie Fields, Bryan Cloud, Chelsea Hutton, Jacob Taylor, Michael Flores, Jonathan Fischer

Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 45

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

The Locker Room

Piranha Nightclub

The Phoenix

BUSINESSES

700 E Naples Dr #111 Las Vegas, NV 89119 (702) 444-4004 facebook.com/thelockerroomlv Open 3pm-3am 4213 W. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89102 (702) 826-2422 facebook.com/thephoenixlv Open Noon – 4am, Gaming, No Cover

Quadz Video Bar

4640 Paradise Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89169 (702) 733-0383 quadzbar.com Open 24/7, Gaming, No Cover

Spotlight Lounge

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

LAMBDA Business Association 4015 Maryland Pkwy Las Vegas, NV 89101 (702) 893-2088 lambdalv.com LGBT Business Directory & Guide

The Black Room

1000 E. Sahara, Ave, Ste 108 Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 685-8688 theblackroomvegas.com Las Vegas Fetish Shop

Entourage Vegas

953 E. Sahara Ave., #19 Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 650-9191 entouragevegas.com Men’s Gym & Spa

Flair Nightclub

Get Booked

495 E. Twain Las Vegas, NV 79169 (702) 791-7001 funhogranchlv.com Open 24/7, Gaming, No Cover

1700 E Flamingo Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89119 (702) 733-8787 flairvegas.com Open 10pm-4am Thurs-Sun, No Cover

4640 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89169 (702) 737-7780 getbooked.com Underwear/Swimwear, Accessories, Novelties, PRIDE Merchandise

The Garage

Flex Nightclub

Hawks Gym

Fun Hog Ranch

1487 E. Flamingo Rd., Suite C Las Vegas, NV 89119 (702) 440-6333 thegaragelv.com Open 24/7, Gaming, No Cover 46 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine

4347 W. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89102 (702) 878-3355 flexlasvegas.com Open 24/7, Gaming, No Cover

953 E. Sahara Ave., #35B Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 731-4287 hawksgym.com Club for Men

COMMUNITY RESOURCES Aid for Aids of Nevada 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

Las Vegas boys of Leather lasvegasboysofleather.org

Las Vegas Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chorus lvmenschorus.org

Las Vegas Prime Timers lasvegasprimetimers.com

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Nevada Gay Rodeo Association (NGRA) ngra.com

Nevada Tobacco Quitline 1 (800) QUIT-NOW nevadatobaccoquitline.com

New Horizons Nevada newhorizons-nv.com

Community Counseling Center of Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders Southern Nevada 714 E. Sahara Ave. PFLAG (Parents, Families and Las Vegas, NV 89104 Friends, of Lesbians and Gays) (702) 369-8700 cccofsn.wix.com/ccc-new

CRUSH

P.O. Box 20145 Las Vegas, NV 89112 (702) 738-7838 pflag.org

Golden Rainbow

Safety Specialized Alternatives for Family & Youth

socrush.com 714 E. Sahara Ave. #101 Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 384-2899 goldenrainbow.org

HRC Las Vegas

hrc.org/lasvegas info@hrclv.org

Imperial Royal Sovereign Court of the Desert Empire P.O. Box 46481 Las Vegas, NV 89114 desertempire.org

Leather Uniform Club (LUC) of Las Vegas lucoflv.com

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

Sin Sity Sisters SADAP P.O. Box 60005 Las Vegas, NV 89160 (702) 592-6969 sinsitysisters.org

Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE, Inc. (Las Vegas PRIDE) 4001 S. Decatur Blvd. #37-540 Las Vegas, NV 89103-5800 (866) 930-3336 lasvegaspride.org

Southern Nevada Bi-Sexuals

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

For more information about this directory or to suggest a correction or addition, please write to us at: magazine@lasvegaspride.org Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 47

Pride_Magazine_LV_fill_ad_7.375x4.5.indd 1

1/27/16 8:05 AM

Proud to Support Equality for Over Forty Years.

ADULT GRAND EMPORIUM 2923 Sammy Davis Jr. Dr. â&#x20AC;¢ 702.892.9315

Las Vegas Guide Map

50 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine

Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 51

OUT OF THE

NEON CLOSET By Dennis McBride

On January 27, 2017 my book, Out of the Neon Closet: Queer Community in the Silver State was released. Neon Closet is a history of the LGBT community in Nevada from 1861, when Nevada was still a territory, through December 2016. I grew old writing Neon Closet: I started research when I was a teenager in the early 1970s and the book was published a few days after my 62nd birthday.

no Center, no gay/straight alliances. While there were a few gay characters on TV none of them provided the role model I needed. Instead, I began building an archive: files of news clippings, advertisements, and magazine stories that helped me learn. I finally understood enough by October 1976 to say, “I’m gay.” I was born and raised in Boulder City, and though I couldn’t name it, I knew I was gay when I was 4 years old. Like every gay kid I was taunted and tortured in school and came home crying because I knew there was truth in the taunting. By the time I was a high school senior in 1973 I could name what I was—but there was no one I could ask for advice or information. There were no books in the library, no gay publications,

Top: Gay Academic Founding Members, 1983 Above: Dennis McBride, Marching in Portland, OR, 1978

Out at last, I moved to Las Vegas and became involved in the nascent queer community. I was an early member of Nevadans for Human Rights, the city’s first gay political organization; the Metropolitan Community Church; Dignity; and the Gay Academic Union. And I continued my archiving which had become an end in itself. It never occurred to me, however, to write about the gay community--until I met Bruce Adams on an ACT-Up picket line at the Las Vegas ReviewJournal in 1996. Bruce and I became lovers and when he learned I’d been documenting the Nevada queer community for more than 20 years he said, “You should write a book. You’re the only one who can do it.” Bruce’s comment was a revelation that outlived our relationship, but I took his advice. To provide a foundation for the book, I indexed all the gay publications in Las Vegas. To provide depth and resonance, I conducted oral histories in the queer community. I began writing the book in December 1996 and completed a first draft in 2008. The first publisher who expressed interest in the book was the

University of Nevada Press in Reno who had published my work before. Working with the University Press is an arduous process that includes peer reviews and assessments before the Press makes a decision. In my case, that process took 6 years and 16 drafts. It was clear halfway through the process that the Press was uncomfortable with several stories I told involving well known politicians. The peer reviewers wanted me to remove the stories, but the more they pressed me the more resistant I became. I felt these stories were too important to leave out. When I turned in my final draft in June 2014 I left the stories in. And the Press rejected the book. I continued working over my manuscript and searched unsuccessfully for another publisher. But my stamina was waning and I didn’t know how much longer I was willing to hunt for a publisher. A novelist friend of mine told me about the CreateSpace publishing arm of Amazon—relatively inexpensive, easy, and fast. No peer reviews, no arguing academics, and no censorship. Despite the stigma of self-publishing, all things considered, I engaged CreateSpace. Now the book is out, being sold, being read. I never felt the book was my own project. It was a community project, the voice of generations of queer folk in Nevada, the portrait of who we are. I’m just the guy who wrote it all down. Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 57

POP. soul. motown & more

LOCALS GET 2 FOR 1 TICKETS ON SELECTED SEATING USE CODE LVLOCAL

Love, hope, success, family, security. Some things we all have in common. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nobody like me to protect the things we all value. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. CALL ME TODAY. ÂŽ

Gregory Moore CLU ChFC CASL, Agent 4312 West Charleston Blvd www.gregorymoore.net Bus: 702-870-9298 greg@gregorymoore.net

1101022.1

State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL

PRIDE FACTORY FT. LAUDERDALE, FL BEACH ESSENTIALS REHOBOTH BEACH, DE BEAR WEAR ECT PALM SPRINGS, CA BRAVO PROVINCE TOWN, MA CREATIVE MALE MIAMI, FL CRAM CHICAGO, IL DANNYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PHILADELPHIA, PA GET BOOKED LAS VEGAS, NV

OFF CHUTE TOO PHOENIX, AZ TORSO COLUMBUS, OH TOOLBOX INDIANAPOLIS, IN MOJOMAN SWIMWEAR & CLOTHING ORLANDO, FL

MANKIND SAN DIEGO, CA ROUGH TRADE GEAR LOS ANGELES, CA PALM SPRINGS, CA SKIVVIES DALLAS, TX UNDER U4 MEN ST. PORTLAN, OR

WWW.BULLYWEAR.COM BULLYWEAR

BULLY WEAR

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)

Flair Nightclub (702) 733-8787

Open 10pm-4am Thursday - Sunday Thursday: Industry Night $5 Well Specials Friday: Flair Fridays $5 Well Specials

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)

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)

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)

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 (4-9pm, 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 / Hot GoGos Saturday: Theme Party Nights - 2 Rooms / After Hours (4am) Sunday: El Deseo / Sinful Sundays Goddess Show (1:30am) Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 63

Joe and Tim’s New Attempt: Surrogacy In 2010, unaware of the likely price tag of surrogacy, they met with the Fertility Center of Las Vegas to begin the process of surrogacy. They gave sperm samples, had testing done and even received pictures of potential egg donors. In their final meeting, the price of the process was totaled. When they heard that the starting price of surrogacy was around $86,000, they realized that, financially speaking, this wasn’t an option for them. The quest to have kids went on the back burner and they focused on growing their careers and enhancing their lives.

THE JOURNEY OF BECOMING

Joe and Tim Hoping to Adopt

In December of 2014, Joe and Tim’s dream of becoming dads was sparked again. They met a pregnant woman who wasn’t able to care for the baby and discussed adoption with them. An adoption attorney, however, told By Joseph S. Oddo, Jr. them that the men could legally only pay her medical expenses. The Joe and Tim wrote their own was, they decided to keep the baby pregnant woman decided to keep the #GayDadStory for Gays With Kids. and start a family. At three months baby and raise it herself. They have been together 8 years, and pregnant, Joe’s girlfriend moved were married on June 12, 2014. Joe is into his family home and they began After that loss, the failed IVF and the Papa and Tim is Dad to their two kids, planning for the arrival of their child. traumatic events of Joe’s teenage Malaya and Zayn. When an ultrasound revealed that years, Joe and Tim said they would the baby was a boy, they decided to stop trying for kids. After a mourning Beginnings – the Old-Fashioned Way give the unborn baby a name: Tyler period, they began to travel again and Matthew Oddo. In the following enjoy life together. When Joe and Tim met in 2009, they month, his girlfriend’s parents began had the same all-important question to wonder what was happening. But they both still wanted children. for each other: “Do you want kids?” Suddenly, one day in the fifth month of It seemed that everyone around They had both been in relationships pregnancy, without Joe’s knowledge, them was conceiving. Whenever where the other person wasn’t his girlfriend had an abortion. That they checked Facebook, they saw interested in starting a family at all. pain and loss would live with Joe to ultrasound pictures. This time, they made sure both were this day. on the same page. Joe and Tim Hoping to Foster-Adopt As it is for so many LGBT families, the Joe had been close to having a family road to parenthood for Joe and Time In October of 2015, they received many years ago. In 1996, when Joe would become a long and trying one. a letter from a friend of the family was a closeted junior in high school, talking about adoption. It was a he found out that he and his girlfriend painful letter, talking about loss and were expecting a baby. As scary as it

GAY DADS

64 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine

the difficult work of fostering children prior to adopting. Joe and Tim started discussing foster-adopt with each other. What if they received a child that they werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t able to work with? Would they be able to handle the onslaught of DFS workers in and out of their home? Could they help heal a child who has suffered loss? In November, they made a decision. YES! They entered the Clark County Foster Care training program. The next 10 weeks only solidified their decision. There were over 400 children waiting for forever homes and they knew their child was out there waiting for them. Finally Success! In May, Joe and Tim became licensed foster parents! They had to decline the men. They realized quickly that the first placement they were their parenting jobs were every bit as offered. But when they their licensing important as their regular jobs. School worker called to tell them about a sibling group of two, a sister and her brother, who were in desperate need of a forever home, the men took the plunge. After they asked many questions, assessed the kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs and their situation, they decided to meet these kids. On July 7, 2016 they met their future children for the first time. The next seven months would be filled with learning, growing, stress, fights and a lot of home visits. For Joe and Tim, perhaps the most frustrating part of it all was the many steps for finalizing a foster adoption. And so their advice to prospective gay dads is: Be prepared for piles of paperwork, hundreds of initials and signatures, and endless delays (due to the enormous workloads of the DFS workers) and stick with it!

runs, preparing meals, doing laundry, cleaning the house and overseeing homework all took time. After a few months, Tim quit his day job in order to become a better father to his new kids. Joe and Tim hope that they can help others on their quest to have children. Joe sits on the Board of Directors for the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada and he hopes to bring more children to forever LGBTQ homes. Their years-long quest for a family came to a happy conclusion on January 31, when, in a five-minute court hearing, Joe and Tim officially became the parents of Malaya, 10, and Zayn, 9!

New Reality The responsibility for two extra lives into their home weighed heavily on Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 65

Tickets $20 PRESALE $25 DOOR

M a i n S ta g e F i e s ta C a l i e n t e Urban soul C o u n t ry Dance L e at h e r T e n t Fa m i ly F u n Z o n e

L O N G B E AC H P R I D E 2 0 1 7

#LBPRIDE

& SRL

feat.

Saturday June 3rd 8 PM - MIDNIGHT

100% of alcohol sales during the pit stop event will be donated to aid for aids of Nevada

afanlv.org

/afanlv

@afanlv

Along with PRIDE Magazine, Obsidian Fine Art presents LOVE is love Art Show During First Friday June 2, 6-10 PM Pride themed paintings by Mandy Joy and Steve Anthony With live music by Dia Asberry! Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re celebrating National Pride Month with a show weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very proud of. 25% of the proceeds from this show will be donated to Las Vegas Pride!

Find us upstairs inside

At the center of First Friday.

Over the last year, XCYCLE has grown, Jen has grown and I have grown. I lost 35 pounds by August. However, I didn’t just lose that weight on my body, I lost that old person and I found myself again. Jen and XCYCLE brought me back to life. I have now been able to do the same for so many of our loyal riders. As an instructor, I have watched women, men, teenagers and families come into our studio wanting a safe place to workout and to feel comfortable. They have found that with us at XCYCLE. We really are one big family. I have had people tell me I’ve changed their lives after a class. I have riders come up to me telling By Kat Murzl me they aren’t on anti-depressants When XCYCLE started construction in in everything I had been doing in life. I anymore thanks to XCYCLE. 2016, I drove past, I wondered what wanted to change, I was ready. could possibly be behind that window Losing all that weight wasn’t my goal, wrap. For weeks, I tried to find more Jen saw something in me, she took changing lives was. A year later, I am information, then it happened. me under her wing. As an owner of me again. I look back on the last year Doors opened on April 11th. Indoor a brand-new business, she took a and couldn’t be more thankful for cycling at its finest – upbeat music, risk, she opened not only her doors whatever Jen saw in me last April. fast paced energy, excitement and to me, but her heart. We spent the She opened her heart to me and she thrill. Everything I had been looking next 4 weeks training me to become continues to open her heart to every for when I moved back to Vegas in an instructor at XCYCLE. I had never single person that walks into our February of 2016. I was hooked. By the taught a fitness class, never stood studio. I look forward to every day second week of opening, I decided to in front of a group people on a mic because I am part of something so go out on a whim and send a resume and never thought I could change beautiful, a family so loving and open, in to the owner. I explained my love someone’s life the way Jen has and so willing to help others better for indoor cycling that began when I changed mine. In May, I taught my their lives every single day. Come ride lived in San Diego. She called me the first class at XCYCLE. I haven’t looked with us, I love adding to our family! next day. We spoke and we planned a back since and neither has Jen. meeting right away.

AN XCYCLE LIFE

I met Jen Barnet on April 19th, 2016. Within what has been one of the craziest, most exciting and eye-opening years for me, Jen has changed my life in every positive way possible. When I walked in that day to meet Jen, I was nervous, worried I didn’t fit ‘the mold’ of an instructor, I was overweight, unhappy and stuck

74 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine

X C Y C L E L V. C O M

(702) 489-6099

MAKES YOU HAPPY

Cycling releases endorphins to get that natural rush you need to get through your day

T H AT Y O U T H F U L G L O W

Eat. Sleep. XCYCLE. Repeat to reverse the effects of aging.

H E A LT H I S W E A LT H

STRAIGHT TO THE CORE

Increase core strength and strengthen those abs.

The risk of heart disease is cut in half when cycling r e g u l a r l y.

BURN BABY BURN

Burn approximately 500 calories in 45min. class.

NO THASS HERE

Great thighs. Great buns. Fact!

event planning, marketing, website 101. From beginner to advance a variety of workshops is schedule to build stronger leaders. Lunch will be provided for all individuals that have purchased a weekend pass, at no extra fee. The evening of July 1st, IRSCDE will be holding its inaugural Fetish Carnival, from mild to wild. It’s time to get their freak on. Hosted by the Gentleman and the Lady to their Majesties Bedchambers, David Bracamontes & Ehra Amaya, hail’s from San Francisco. Entertainment includes demonstrations of the fetish persuasion, sexy midway games, a dance floor, and entertainment by various performers from out of town. Have you ever wanted to put some handcuffs on an individual? Well, this evening will also include a Jail, where any individual can pay to place an individual under arrest (steal them By Misty & Koko Wayves away from all the fun) and they The Imperial Royal Sovereign Court of Weekend (scheduled during the will then need to “make bail” to be the Desert Empire Inc. (IRSCDEI) Reign weekend of December 9th). released. XIX is proud to announce a brandnew event you’re not used to hearing The morning of July 1st, IRSCDEI will July 2nd, IRSCDEI host day 2 of “Court about when you hear the 2 words focus on “Education”, day one of Con” with more workshop/seminars. “Royal Court”. Starting Friday, June “Court Con”. Court Con is an idea that On this day, you will find workshops 30, 2017 to Monday, July 03, 2017, came from the International Court geared towards organizational IRSCDEI plans to Educate, Entertain, System (ICS), a conference platform management skills. Workshops Enlighten, and Enrich our community designed to bring together Court’s proposed will be electing individuals in diversity. Our inaugural “Star from the US, Canada, and Mexico. to your board for its success, how Spangled Monarch’s Express” will be Court Con allows everyone to share to maintain the integrity of your hosted here in Las Vegas. Everyone ideas to help strengthen the bonds 501C-3 status, how to communicate is welcome to learn and enjoy what built between the different Courts efficiently as a board. makes us all unique. as well as the bonds between one’s own organizations. Saturday’s Court As many organizational leaders can The weekend begins with Con includes a variety of workshops/ attest, planning an event/Coronation “Entertainment” the evening of June seminars. Guest speakers will share can be daunting, and speaking with 30th with the 2nd prelim for Mr. their knowledge with all visiting location managers can seem as Desert Nude Competition. This 2nd organizations. We are all 501c3 though they are speaking a foreign preliminaries will host all the winners raising money for our community, this language. IRSCDE also plans to have from competition held throughout the will be the time to enhance our skills a special seminar presented by Ernie months of April and May, in various as an organization with personnel Yuen, Executive Director of Las Vegas bars here in Las Vegas. The winner of development and team building. PRIDE, on learning how to have your this evening’s competition will qualify local venues/host hotels work for you to compete with the current Mr. Workshops being proposed for and host a profitable event. Desert Nude 2016 Titleholder, Sam this conference is advance skills in the Enchanter, to the International social media, how to write more Sunday evening wraps up with IRSCDEI Contest during IRSCDEI Coronation effective emails, team building, hosting a blast from the past, an event 78 | Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine

that hasn’t been done since Reign VI, “ Friendship Ball 2017”. An evening of Crowns and Gowns, bedecked in their finest jewels, their Majesties Koko & Misty Wayves will honor various individuals from across the North America’s that are well known for their “Glitz and Glam”.

is open to all individuals, the purpose of the competition is to see who can raise the most money in a short amount of time, and then hopefully, lead these individuals into a more permanent title within the court system, and maybe one day, aspire to becoming an Emperor or Empress.

Star Spangled Monarch’s Express closes on Monday July 3rd. IRSCDEI hosts it’s two final events, first a Red, White and Blue Pool Party during the day (food, fun, and lots of Vegas sun) leading into the Mister and Miss Firecracker Competition at Charlie’s Bar in the evening. This competition

Please join the Imperial Royal Sovereign Court of the Desert Empire Inc. during this 4 day weekend long event, which will be held at the beautiful Alexis Park All Suite Hotel & Resort. Star Spangled Monarch’s Sincerity and Kindness Always, Express Weekend package and special Misty & Koko Wayves hotel weekend rate information can Empress & Emperor XIX

be found on IRSCDEI’s website at desertempire.org.

Photo by Ron Comstock

If you have ideas for workshops for Court Con or would like to volunteer to host a workshop/seminal please email mistywayves@gmail.com. We will also be looking for volunteers to help with Star Spangled Monarch’s Express, please reach out to Misty or Koko for more information. We hope to see you at Star Spangled Monarch’s Express.

Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine | 79

SHOP @ N2NBODYWEAR.COM

CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY

PROUD SUPPORTER OF