Issue 6 Volume 6: July/August 2018 by Living Out

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IN THIS ISSUE

JULY/AUGUST 2018 - VOLUME 6, ISSUE 6 1 COVER 3 IN THIS ISSUE

OUT IN QUEENS: 4 LGBT NETWORK EXPANDS HIV SERVICES TO QUEENS 4 LGBT NETWORK COHOSTS 7TH ANNUAL TRANS-LATINX MARCH OUT ON LI:

5 RECORD ATTENDANCE AT 18TH ANNUAL LGBT PROM

10 11 12 13 14 15

5 ‘SUNSET ON THE HARBOR’ RETURNS TO THE EAST END IN THE NEWS: 8 NATIONAL 12 INTERNATIONAL OUT FRONT: 14 DAN REYNOLDS IS ON A MISSION CALENDAR

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

21 PROSTATE CANCER: PREVENTION AND RISK FACTORS OUT AND ABOUT: 24 Q-MUSIC: THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE ARE FEMALE LIVING SMART: 28 HOROSCOPES: JULY 2018

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

29 HOROSCOPES: AUGUST 2018 BE SCENE: 30 HAMPTONS SUMMER KICK-OFF 31 LGBT PROM 32 LGBT NETWORK AROUND QUEENS BE SCENE: 34 PRIDE ON THE BEACH

32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

OUT FRONT: 36 30,000 STRONG AT LONG ISLAND PRIDE 2018 BE SCENE: 38 PRIDE ON THE BEACH

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OUT IN QUEENS

LGBT NETWORK EXPANDS HIV SERVICES TO QUEENS On the eve of National HIV Testing Day, June 27th, the LGBT Network launched its HIV testing services in Queens. With the recent addition of HIV services on the East End, the Network now officially offers HIV testing from the Midtown Tunnel to Montauk. LGBT Network staff now offers mobile testing across the borough as well as testing at its Queens LGBT Center located in Long Island City. Drop-in hours are 4pm-7pm every Tuesday. No appointment needed. LGBT Network Chief Operating Officer, Robert Vitelli spoke of the recent HIV services expansion, “We’re happy to launch HIV services on both ends of the island, realizing the Network’s goals of making sure everyone has access to HIV testing and prevention services.” HIV testing is absolutely free, confidential, and folks get their results in as little as 20 minutes. In addition to the newly added testing services, the LGBT Network offers assistance with Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP). Studies have shown that PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90% when taken daily. LGBT Network testing specialists offer PrEP and HIV Prevention education as well as appointment accompaniment and financial assistance. To learn more about HIV Testing, Prevention, or to get tested, visit lgbtnetwork.org

LGBT NETWORK COHOSTS 7th ANNUAL TRANS-LATINX MARCH On Monday, July 9th, the LGBT Network joined hundreds, marching to celebrate diversity and raise awareness in the Jackson Heights community. While the Jackson Heights neighborhood has one of the largest LGBT Communities in New York City, the trans community remains vulnerable to discrimination, hate and violence. Transgender individuals face prejudice not only from the general public, but from the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual segments as well, making events like the Trans Latinx March all the more important. It was a celebratory yet powerful demonstration as LGBT Network staff and its contingent helped raise awareness for social equality and end transphobia and homophobia. J.R. Cehonski, the LGBT Network’s Queens Program Manager was on hand for the event. “The Trans Latinx March was a wonderful opportunity for the community of Queens to come together and show support for our transgender community members. It was a powerful sight to watch hundreds of people march down Roosevelt Ave and Junction Blvd and know that we were raising awareness and showing love to the trans people of Queens.”

See photos from these events at the LGBT Network Flickr page 4

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OUT ON LI

RECORD ATTENDANCE AT 18th ANNUAL LGBT PROM On June 27th, LGBT and Allied Youth had an evening of dancing and fellowship as the LGBT Network held its “Fairy Tale” themed 18th Annual LGBT Prom at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, NY. Over 300 youth flooded the dance floor in their “Fairy Tale” attire for the annual rite of passage and barely took their seats other than to have a quick bite to eat. Ruby Gruber, 17 and her girlfriend, Gianna Macias, 17, of Centereach, coordinated costumes for the theme, with Macias as a barefoot evil queen in a black gown and Gruber as her poison apple, in a red shirt and black vest. “I always feel more comfortable around my own kind of people,” Gruber said. “Like kissing in public, people might give you glares. Here, it’s just another couple kissing. That’s how the rest of the world should be.” The magical evening included dancing and dining, mocktail hour, buffet dinner, dessert bar, and the crowning of this year’s Rainbow Court, a more inclusive adaptation of the traditional Prom King & Queen. Youth and organizers echoed the sentiment that the LGBT Network’s LGBT prom is about more than just finding a safe space. In a political era where advocates say they worry LGBT rights are at risk and students rally for school safety, prom is a place to find their voice. The record turn out was thanks in part to today’s political climate, explains David Kilmnick, President & CEO of the LGBT Network. “In this climate, things can happen that you’d think would make kids retreat, but they’re starting to realize that if they don’t get involved, if they’re not part of the change, they may retreat their entire lives… The eagerness to get more involved in our local communities, that’s resulted in more kids coming out. That’s part of them developing a larger community that’s more united.”

‘SUNSET ON THE HARBOR’ RETURNS TO THE EAST END On Saturday, July 21st, the LGBT Network will once again host its appropriately titled Sunset on the Harbor cocktail reception at the Breakwater Yacht Club, in Sag Harbor. Attendees will enjoy an evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, a silent auction, and great company. All proceeds from the event are earmarked for the LGBT Network’s Hamptons Center in Sag Harbor. The Hamptons Center provides a range of life-saving and community building services that provide support, reduce isolation, and ultimately give home to LGBT youth, adults, older adults, and families. It is the only LGBT community center on the East End of Long Island. “The center is the beacon of hope for so many kids, for their parents, for their families for LGBT people, for straight people….it’s really a hub of activity for the East End LGBT community. We have all different kinds of services. We have a drop-in center for people to drop-in. We do cultural activities, art activities, we do counseling, we do HIV testing….we are out in the community the schools and we do some anti-bullying work. We are really all over the East End making sure that our community feels safe no matter where they are at.” Said President and CEO, David Kilmnick For tickets and more info on Sunset on the Harbor, visit www.lgbtnetwork.org/sunsetontheharbor

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IN THE NEWS

national News

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Gay men create t-shirt with their blood to protest U.S. donation ban (Thomson Reuters Foundation) Gay staff at a global advertising agency have created a t-shirt printed with their own blood to protest against U.S. rules barring many gay men from donating blood. They said a ban on gay men donating blood if they have had sex in the past year was discriminatory and should be scrapped. The red slogan on the front of the “Blood is Blood” t-shirt reads: “This shirt is printed with the blood of gay men.” On the back it says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) position that blood from gay men is “too risky” to use is outdated, stigmatizing and not backed by science. The FDA banned all gay and bisexual men from giving blood at the start of the AIDS crisis in 1983, and later limited the ban to those who were sexually active. The blood was collected from gay staff at Mother’s New York and London offices than mixed into a screen-printing ink by British artist Stuart Semple. Mother Chief Operating Officer Corinna Falusi said that with gay donors being turned away they decided to repurpose the rejected blood into an initiative to raise awareness of the issue. “It creates a visceral, human reaction . . . ,” said Falusi. “You read it, and it hits you.” A study by the think-tank Williams Institute estimated that lifting the ban could boost donations by 615,300 pints a year, potentially helping to save the lives of more than 1.8 million people. Peter Meacher, chief medical officer at the Callen-Lorde LGBTQ health center, which collaborated on the project, said the ban perpetuated the myth that HIV is a “gay disease.” “Banning a specific group from performing a civic duty is stigmatising and when based on shoddy science, is clearly discriminatory,” he said in a statement. The t-shirt went on sale in New York and proceeds will be donated to the Callen-Lorde center. Britain recently relaxed similar rules around blood donations by gay men to allow them to donate three months after having sex. The change follows advances in screening and an increased understanding of HIV.

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Florida shooting survivors sue police over response tactics ORLANDO, Fla./NEW YORK (Reuters) - More than two dozen survivors of a deadly 2016 Florida nightclub shooting sued the city of Orlando and 30 police officers , claiming law enforcement failed to protect their rights during an hours-long hostage standoff with the gunman. The lawsuit, filed two years after the second-deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in U.S. history, echoes criticisms of an armed school safety officer in Florida who remained outside a high school where a gunman killed 17 students and educators. The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified financial damages, claims unnamed law enforcement officers violated the rights of 26 survivors and the families of six people killed in the June 2016 Pulse nightclub attack. A gunman claiming allegiance to Islamic State killed 49 people during the gay club’s popular Latin night. It also names as a defendant Adam Gruler, an Orlando police officer who had been providing security at the club the night of the shooting. Police responding to 911 calls entered the club minutes after the 2 a.m. shooting and rescued some people, then withdrew when the gunman retreated into a bathroom, leading to an hours-long hostage standoff that ended when officers broke through the wall of the room the gunman was hiding in and shot him dead. “We deserved to be rescued sooner by law enforcement officers who made decisions to wait,” Keinon Carter, a plaintiff in the lawsuit who now uses a wheelchair as a result of his injuries in the attack, told a news conference. U.S. police responding to mass shootings have long followed a tactic of gathering outside a location where a gunman is reported, and moving in when they can assess and minimize the chance of officers or additional civilians being shot. It is unusual to see that strategy challenged in court as a civil rights claim, said Norman Siegel, former director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. “They’d have to prove there was affirmative obligation by the city and the police department to protect the safety of the people in the club,” Siegel said. Orlando’s city government and police department in a joint statement Thursday declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying they have not had time to review it. Gruler also declined to comment. The Pulse attack stood as the deadliest U.S. mass shooting until October 2017, when a gunman opened fire on a country music festival in Las Vegas, killing 58 people.

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Orlando rally marks second anniversary of nightclub mass shooting ORLANDO, Fla. (Reuters) Hundreds of protesters, including survivors from two of Florida’s deadliest modern mass shootings, staged a rally in Orlando to call for tougher firearms restrictions two years after a gunman killed 49 people at the Pulse nightclub. The demonstration, held on the eve of the shooting anniversary, preceded a day of events planned in Orlando commemorating the bloody rampage by a South Florida security guard who professed allegiance to Islamic State militants. The assailant, 29-year-old Omar Mateen, a U.S. citizen of Afghan descent, was killed when police stormed the Pulse, a popular gay nightclub in Orlando, three hours after the gunman opened fire in the venue with an AR-15-style assault rifle and a pistol. The death toll from the siege ranks as the second-most lethal mass shooting in the United States, surpassed only by the 59 lives lost when a gunman opened fire in October 2017 on an outdoor country music festival from a high-rise hotel window in Las Vegas and then killed himself. While authorities branded the Pulse shooting an act of Islamic extremism, civil rights activists asserted that the massacre was also hate crime that largely targeted gay men and Latinos frequenting the club. Advocates for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community have accused Florida Governor Rick Scott and other Republican politicians of contributing to anti-LGBT hostility by refusing to back measures prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. “We asked the governor to protect us, and sign an executive order, saying that we would not be discriminated against in our workplace. We were met with excuses,” Orlando shooting survivor Brandon Wolf said at Monday’s rally, addressing the crowd of outside Orlando City Hall. He and others urged supporters to express their views at the ballot box by voting against politicians who refuse to back stronger gun control measures or accept campaign financing from the gun lobby. Wolf was not the only Florida mass shooting survivor to address the rally. “Not even four months ago, I found myself on the floor huddled with my classmates not knowing if we were going to die,” said Aly Sheehy, a recent graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. She was one of scores of students who cowered in terror as a 19-year-old former classmate who had been expelled the year before for disciplinary problems sprayed gunfire from an assault rifle he had legally purchased as an 18-year-old. Fourteen students and three faculty members were killed in the Feb. 14 Parkland assault, which stands as the second-deadliest modern public school shooting in the United States. The Parkland shooting sparked an unprecedented lobbying campaign by student survivors and victims’ parents that led to swift enactment of gun-safety measures signed into law by Scott, long regarded as a strong National Rifle Association ally. The package raised the legal minimum age for buying rifles and imposed a three-day waiting period on all gun sales, but it also authorized a controversial program to allow the arming of some school employees.

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IN THE NEWS

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Gay adoption fight looms after Supreme Court’s cake ruling WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A major legal fight similar to the blockbuster Christian baker case decided by the Supreme Court is already brewing in several U.S. states over laws allowing private agencies to block gay couples from adoptions or taking in foster children. The justices, in a 7-2 ruling, sided with a baker who had faced punishment under a Colorado anti-discrimination law after he refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, saying it would violate his Christian beliefs. Nine states have laws allowing state-funded, religiously affiliated adoption agencies to refuse to place children with gay people based on religious beliefs. Republican-governed Kansas and Oklahoma passed such laws this year. Alabama, Mississippi, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Virginia all have similar laws. Legal challenges to those laws, some pending in lower courts, eventually could come to the Supreme Court. The high court’s ruling on narrow grounds in favor of baker Jack Phillips did not spell out the circumstances under which religious objections to discrimination claims would have legal merit. Advocates for gay, bisexual and transgender people sued in Michigan last year over that state’s restrictions, imposed in 2015, while a sweeping law passed in Mississippi a year later has already survived one legal challenge. Separately, Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia sued the city last month after municipal officials stopped placing children with the group, part of the city’s Roman Catholic archdiocese, over its religious objections to gay marriage. American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Leslie Cooper said there was an uptick in conservative-leaning states enacting laws strengthening legal defenses for people who oppose same-sex marriage after the Supreme Court’s legalized it nationwide in the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling. “I think we are seeing the effort to establish a religious right to discriminate in lots of different contexts coming after the Obergefell decision,” Cooper added. In the adoption context, the baker’s victory provided legal ammunition for religious groups facing litigation, according to Matt Sharp, a lawyer with the conservative Christian group Alliance Defending Freedom, which supports religious exemptions to anti-discrimination laws and represented Phillips. “In my experience, a lot of the rhetoric being tossed around to justify why (private) agencies shouldn’t be given (government) contracts has been that they are ‘religious bigots,’ a lot of the same language directed against Jack,” Sharp said, referring to Phillips. The Supreme Court ruling made clear “that type of hostility is not permissible,” Sharp added.

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The baker case pitted C o l o r a d o’s law barring discrimination on the basis of race, sex, marital status and sexual orientation against the rights to freedom of speech and expression under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. Twenty other states have anti-discrimination laws like Colorado’s. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Phillips on the basis that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had shown a hostility toward religion in weighing the case, violating his First Amendment religious rights. A PIVOTAL JUSTICE The ruling steered clear of endorsing religious-based exemptions to a wide-range of anti-discrimination laws. Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wrote the ruling, made it clear that gay rights and religious rights both should be respected. The long-term fate of legal challenges to various conservativebacked religious freedom laws could rest on Kennedy, an 81-year-old conservative who sometimes sides with the court’s liberals in major cases and has been a champion of gay rights. If he were to retire from the lifetime post, President Donald Trump could appoint a more conservative replacement perhaps less receptive to gay rights claims. Under Oklahoma’s law, private agencies that handle adoption and foster care cannot be forced to participate in placing a child “when the proposed placement would violate the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies.” Mississippi’s 2016 law is even broader, letting businesses refuse to provide marriage-related services to same-sex couples and allowing judges, magistrates and justices of the peace to refuse to perform samesex weddings due to religious objections. Other conservative states have not yet followed Mississippi’s lead by passing such a wide-ranging law. Advocates on both sides said conservative lawmakers may have been deterred by the backlash among businesses and others to North Carolina’s so-called bathroom bill. That law, enacted in 2016 and later partially repealed, required transgender people to use bathrooms that correspond to their gender at birth in government buildings and public schools. Nine states - California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin - have laws that specifically prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in adoption or foster care or both.

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IN THE NEWS

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By LGBT Network

Tel Aviv pride parade draws a quarter-million Israelis, foreigners TEL AVIV (Reuters) Revelers toting rainbow flags flooded Tel Aviv on Friday for an annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parade that Israel played up as evidence of its liberal values amid international censure at its lethal response to Palestinian protests in Gaza. The beachfront procession drew some 250,000 locals and tourists, the municipality said. The British embassy donated a London-themed float. The U.S. envoy, David Friedman, said on Twitter that he was “proud of everyone who is marching”. Israel’s LGBT rights are unusual for the deeply conservative Middle East. Secular Tel Aviv has long billed itself as a gay tourism hub, although in Jerusalem, an hour’s drive away, pious Jews, Muslims and Christians set a more straightlaced public tone. The parade coincided with a new round of anti-Israel protests that were launched in the Islamist Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on March 30. Israeli troops have killed at least 120 Palestinians during the protests, triggering condemnation abroad. Gazans say the protests are an expression of rage that they are kept away from homes most families fled at Israel’s founding 70 years ago. Israel says its army is preventing Palestinian gunmen from using the demonstrations as cover for infiltrations from Gaza. Israel often points to its social liberalism as a contrast with its regional enemies. “As #Israel wakes up to #Pride2018, where tolerance and acceptance are thought & celebrated yearly - #Iranian sponsored #Gaza #Terrorists of #Hamas wake to kill maim & burn us all, using women and children as human shields in their riot attempts to breach the border,” Ohad Nakash Kaynar, a spokesman for Israel’s Foreign Ministry, said on Twitter.

FIFA fines Mexico as Hernandez asks fans to stop homophobic chant

In sea of rainbow, Greeks celebrate Pride ATHENS (Reuters) In a sea of colorful balloons, thousands of Greeks marked Pride , celebrating diversity and the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. More than 10,000 people assembled in Athens’s Syntagma Square, normally a regular venue of rage for protesters over financial reforms for the indebted country. But it was a vista of rainbow flags, dancing and loud pumping music. “For us, Pride is a source of celebration but simultaneously protest,” said participant Yiorgos Kounanis, a political scientist. “We seek the same rights as heterosexuals, we pay the same taxes, have the same obligations and (therefore) demand equal rights,” he said. 12

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OCHI, Russia (Reuters) - Mexican striker Javier Hernandez has appealed to his country’s football fans to stop their homophobic chanting at World Cup matches, on a day when FIFA once again fined the Mexican football federation for their fans’ misconduct. FIFA slapped the Mexicans with a CHF 10,000 fine for what it called “discriminatory and insulting chants” during their surprise 1-0 win over Germany on Sunday. Mexicans have long shouted a slang word for a male sex worker at games, which gay rights groups argue is homophobic. The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) was sanctioned 12 times for homophobic chanting during the World Cup qualifying campaign, receiving warnings for the first two offences and fines for 10 more. Hernandez posted a message on Instagram on Wednesday asking fans to end the derogatory chant that is usually shouted during their opponents’ goal kicks. “To all Mexican fans in the stadiums, don’t shout ‘Puto’,” Hernandez said. “Let’s not risk another sanction.” Although the Mexican team has appealed before for an end to the chants – the players even released a video on the subject in 2016 – some supporters have not relented. The chant was widely heard at Mexico games in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when FIFA took no action, but the governing body has since launched a clampdown. Other Latin American teams, including Argentina and Chile, have also been fined. FIFA is employing three specialist observers at each World Cup match to report discriminatory behavior by spectators.

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IN THE NEWS

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Bermuda judge rules against law banning gay marriage HAMILTON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) Bermuda’s top judge ruled against a new law banning same-sex marriage in the British overseas territory, a decision the government could now appeal, lawyers and witnesses said. Bermuda’s parliament and Senate passed an act banning same-sex marriages last year following pressure from a religious lobby group, in a rare reversal of a Western trend toward equal marriage rights. The bill, which instead allows gay people to enter into domestic partnerships, was given assent by the wealthy north Atlantic island’s British governor in February and came into effect this month. Former attorney general Mark Pettingill challenged the law in February on behalf of a gay Bermudian Roderick Ferguson and several other applicants later joined the case. “Right-thinking people everywhere will rejoice that the Bermuda Court, by what in our view is an unappealable ruling from the Chief Justice, got this right to love and happiness,” Pettingill told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Chief Justice Ian Kawaley’s verdict was read in court in the capital Hamilton,but has not yet been released to journalists.

A spokeswoman for the government, which was the respondent in the case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lawyers for the government have sought to delay the implementation of the Supreme Court’s order, a sign they are likely to appeal the decision. During the proceedings, lawyer Melvin Douglas argued that the government was offering gay couples new assurances under the Domestic Partnership Act “while protecting the opinion of the majority that the definition of marriage between a man and a woman should not be changed”. Some supporters of the legal motion had not initially been confident of success since there is no clause in Bermuda’s constitution that explicitly forbids discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. However, it does protect freedom of conscience, expression, assembly and association. Lawyers for the applicants argued in lengthy and sometimes emotive addresses that the gay marriage ban had violated these and other rights. Pettingill said he did not believe there was a precedent in Bermuda or other Commonwealth jurisdictions for the judiciary to strike down an existing law. Ferguson, the gay Bermudian cabaret singer represented by Pettingill, said it took him years to recover from the “internalized homophobia” of living on the island, where some churches are openly opposed to homosexuality. “Even though we have won, it may take five years or so for people to come to peace with it and maybe some never will,” he said. “But if the law is on our side that helps.”

Hong Kong’s top court hears landmark appeal on spousal visa for British lesbian HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong’s top court on Monday began hearing the final appeal of a landmark LGBT rights case that has garnered public support from more than 30 top global banks and law firms, including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. Marriage is legally defined as a monogamous union between a man and a woman in Hong Kong, where the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community’s fight for legal rights has received support from multinational companies. A British lesbian, known as QT, sued the director of immigration for denying her a spousal visa after her partner moved to the Chinese-ruled financial hub for work, even though they had entered into a civil partnership in Britain. The government filed an appeal after QT won the case at the Court of Appeal in September. The immigration policy was discriminatory as it placed gay couples at a significant disadvantage, QT’s lawyer, Dinah Rose, QC, told Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal. “Every single gay couple is unable to comply with the policy,” she said. It was “unprecedented” that so many private corporations applied to intervene in a human rights case, even though the court had dismissed their application, she added.

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“The businesses are concerned the discriminatory way...is impeding their ability to recruit the best people, gay or straight, to work in Hong Kong, so Hong Kong can compete and thrive in an international market,” Rose said. Hong Kong’s director of immigration was not obliged to recognize same-sex marriages because current Hong Kong laws do not do so, said Lord David Pannick, QC, representing the government. “He may choose to go further than that, but he has no duty to do so,” Pannick, who appeared against the British government in the Article 50 Brexit case, told the panel of five Hong Kong judges. Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma, however, said the immigration official’s principled approach on marriage was “inconsistent”, as some polygamous couples get exceptions, as well as same-sex spouses of consular staff. “It does call into question…whether this sort of difference in treatment is actually right, whether it is fair,” Ma said.

Last week, a Hong Kong court ruled that the husband of a male civil servant was not entitled to spousal benefits, overturning a landmark lower court ruling in a setback for the city’s LGBT community. There is no law against discrimination based on sexual orientation in the former British colony that returned to Chinese rule with wide-ranging autonomy, including a free judiciary, in 1997.

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Photos Courtesy of Eliot Lee Hazel

DAN REYNOLDS

is on a mission Imagine Dragons frontman talks being a Mormon LGBTQ ally and expanding his queer-outreach festival

By Chris Azzopardi

During the inaugural LoveLoud Festival in August 2017 on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, roughly 40 miles outside Salt Lake City, 17,000 people fell into the embrace of Dan Reynolds. Amid performances of his band’s towering anthems, like “Radioactive,” Reynolds’ message rang loud and clear: love yourself, and love the young queer people who need it most, unconditionally. Hugs for LGBTQ youth from the Imagine Dragons frontman, recipient of The Trevor Project’s 2017 Hero Award, don’t get much bigger than they did that day. Except they will, soon. Reynolds, 30, takes his ally platform seriously, so this year’s second annual LoveLoud Festival, on July 28, will be held at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. Capacity: 46,000. Comedian, actor and writer Cameron Esposito, an out lesbian, will perform and emcee, with performances from Imagine Dragons, Zedd, Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda, Grace VanderWaal, Neon Trees’ Tyler Glenn, and Vagabon and A.Q. Proceeds will benefit local and national LGBTQ charities, including Encircle, Trevor Project, Tegan and Sara Foundation, and more. Reynold’s foundation serving the LGBTQ community, also named LoveLoud, was launched in 2017 to “bring communities and families together to help ignite the vital conversation about what it means to unconditionally love our LGBTQ youth.” In mid April, Reynolds called from Zurich while touring to reflect on reconciling his LGBTQ support with Mormonism and reconnecting with young gay friends he couldn’t wholeheartedly support because of his past religious beliefs. He also talked about his doc Believer, which chronicles his journey from deep Mormon faith to passionate LGBTQ activist, and the undercurrent of queerness running through Imagine Dragons’ latest album, Evolve. LoveLoud started with a phone call between you and Tyler Glenn, right? Yeah. We knew each other from a distance before, because we both served the same Mormon mission, in Omaha, Nebraska. When we got home, even before I started Imagine Dragons, I went to a Neon Trees show and they were playing little clubs in Utah. We both came up at the same time, and there’s not a whole lot of Mormons in the music industry, so you just kind of know each other through that. But eventually, I called him, and when he put out his solo record (in 2016), Excommunication, I connected with him in a lot of ways. 14

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How open to the queer community were you when you first met him? We were both trying desperately to be textbook Mormons, but I think both of us were finding we weren’t fitting into that box for different reasons. I got kicked out of BYU, and that really shook me up and threw me down a road of feeling needless shame and guilt. For Tyler, it was a whole other level for him of having to live a compartmentalized life and trying to find happiness within the guidelines of an incorrect teaching. It was just debilitating for him. There was always such a heaviness around him. I remember when we played a show, he was on stage wearing a sequined shirt and a very kind of glamorous outfit, and somebody in the crowd heckled him. This was before he came out, and I remember him saying something from the stage to the extent of, “You don’t know me and I’m struggling with things right now and fuck you,” and he flicked off the crowd. Watching him, what was going through your mind? I felt what I’ve always felt since probably seventh grade when one of my best friends was gay and Mormon and I watched him never want to talk about it because it was so heavy. There were no answers to be had at that young of an age when you’re raised in a really religious family. It’s hard to find any resolution other than leave your home or get kicked out of the house, so I had seen that from a young age in middle school and felt super conflicted as a religious person thinking,

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I’m supposed to believe all these things, but with it comes this teaching that doesn’t sit right in my heart at all. Even as a 13-year-old, I saw my friends be conflicted with their sexuality and religion and I was thinking, “OK, something’s wrong here.” At the time, were you the support system for them you wanted to be? We just didn’t really talk about it. They were my friends, so I didn’t stop being their friend, but I think we just didn’t talk about it because neither of us had an answer. It was this heavy thing that was lingering over their heads, and I didn’t have any answers as a 14-year-old kid who was going to church every Sunday and being told what to say. I look back: I’m a strong believer in the whole “You should live life with no regrets.” But you know, I can’t tell you, honestly, that I don’t have regrets in this specific way. I wish as a 14-year-old boy I could’ve had the words to say, “Hey, this is not great, and if there is a God and it’s this loving God that we’re taught about, how could we rationally believe that that God would make you have this sense of love that you don’t get to act upon?” Which is supposedly the most beautiful part of existence and human nature – to love. How could any of that make sense? I wish that I had the mental and spiritual capabilities to see that as a kid, but I didn’t. I was just dealing with my own guilt complex and feeling bad about being a 14-year-old boy dealing with my own sexuality. Even as a heterosexual and a 14-year-old kid in the Mormon church, you’re immediately feeling guilt and shame about masturbation and sex before marriage. Certainly, on my mission I would’ve hoped to be a 19-year-old kid who had, again, the mental capabilities or life experience to get out of an incorrect teaching, but I didn’t. For two years you’re given a white handbook that tells you the answer to everything, so when someone asks you a question, you’re supposed to be this 19-year-old kid who has the answer. So yeah, I really do regret that for those two years I turned to a white handbook rather than my heart and my mind, which already knew the answers, ever since I was a little kid. My little girl, she’s raised to believe what she believes in her heart, and so as a little kid who’s raised that way, this is such an easy concept for her. She’s 5 years old and I can say, “What does it mean to be gay?” and “How does that feel?” and to her I didn’t even have to teach her that concept. It’s like, of course people should love who they want and you should never bully, and she understands all those concepts that a child would naturally know. But when you have religion on top of that, it gets muddled. After becoming this mega-ally rock star, have you been in touch with these gay childhood friends? Yes, that’s been really one of the most fulfilling, beautiful parts of this process, just connecting with them and them knowing that they have a friend that fully accepts them and loves them and has known them for years through this whole process. Because you have to be Mormon on some level to understand how heavy Mormonism is. But yes, we’ve connected, with two in particular, and we’ve talked about how they’ve both left the church because there’s really no safe space for LGBTQ youth within the Mormon church right now. There’s just not. There’s no healthy option for any LGBTQ youth (in the church), and that’s the sad thing. I wish I could be giving some options to any Orthodox religious LGBTQ kids. And you are, with LoveLoud. How would you describe the feeling of being at last year’s premiere LoveLoud Festival? I would say, to date, LoveLoud last year was genuinely my favorite day of my life thus far. So many people would look in on this and say, “Dan, you should be preaching with your platform: ‘Hey, LGBTQ kids

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who are raised in Orthodox faith, leave. Get out of the religion.’” And that is actually a very uninformed and uneducated and unsafe thing to be saying to these kids because a lot of them don’t have a choice. Basically, you’re saying, “Get kicked out of your house, potentially, and put yourself in a more at-risk situation.” So the only thing that you can do is say, “I love you. I support you 100 percent. And look at all these people who are also religious who also accept and love you.” Let us do everything we can do to make a safe space for you, and that’s what LoveLoud is about. It was really rad to see a lot of people who came from very conservative backgrounds of faith, mainly Mormonism, come out, because it was in the heartland of Utah. Some of them came to the festival already having their minds made up of what it meant to fully love and accept LGBTQ youth, but I think a lot of them didn’t, which is really rad. There were a lot of people who were on the fence. Uncles and aunts and parents who didn’t know how to deal with the situation of having their child be gay, or their niece or nephew. I know their eyes were opened because I got tons of emails and messages from people saying, “My uncle who had never accepted me at all came to this and walked away and gave me a big hug and said, ‘I understand and I love you and I accept you.’” How does it feel to hear a story like that? It makes it all worth it, because this is a really difficult line to walk. You’re never gonna be progressive enough for the progressives, and you’re never gonna be conservative enough for the conservatives. I’ve literally had people tell me, “You’ve made so many more kids gay, and this is your judgment day to deal with that.” I read those things, and of course it’s sad. But also I know my path. I know my mission, and I know what I’m doing, so it’s OK, ’cause I know there’s just misunderstanding. But yeah, those letters mean a lot and they fire me up to just say, “OK, let’s go next year to a stadium and let’s make it bigger.” What are you most looking forward to about this year’s festival? That it’s much, much bigger is exciting. It’ll be at least double the size of what it was before. We did 20,000 last year and this year we’re doing a stadium, so it’s like 40,000. The artists are bigger. And just watching how it spread very organically within the religious community, because it sparked so much dialogue within the Mormon church. Mormon after Mormon hit me up and would be like, “I was at church and someone gave a talk about LoveLoud and there was this big argument about whether it’s OK to have your child go to it or not,” and I’m like, “Awesome.” That dialogue is way more important even in that one day because the dialogue that’s taking place at home about LoveLoud is what needs to be happening rather than a stagnance that has been going on for years within the Mormon church of, “Let’s keep moving forward and the kids keep taking their lives and the suicide rates keep going up in Utah.” LGBTQ youth are eight times more likely to take their lives when they’re not accepted in their homes or community, and that statistic alone is just devastating. Do you write songs with the queer community in mind? Definitely on Evolve. At least three of the songs were produced with (gay producer-songwriter) Justin Tranter, who’s just one of the biggest activists in the queer community. Just having him in there around me and the spirit that comes with Justin was certainly inspiring to me, and so there’s no doubt that as we were writing songs, there was a need to make sure that these lyrics were going to reach the underdog, were going to reach these queer youth. That they would know, “Hey, this is for me.” I think Evolve has it speckled all through it, whether it’s just the album

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artwork – the rainbow on the front – or the lyrics. A lot of things are so subconscious in the writing process. But we were talking about politics a lot at the time and how he felt like his future was so unsettled, and it was gonna be less safe for him. And he was scared. So, we had a lot of deep, beautiful conversations that I’m sure impacted Evolve in ways that I couldn’t even know. There’s a pretty iconic photo of you holding a rainbow flag at Lollapalooza Brazil Festival in March. Tell me about that moment. Brazil is an interesting place because it has a lot of people who want change. I believe their pride parade is more populated than anywhere in the world, but it’s still a very unsafe place for LGBTQ youth. So, I committed this tour to do everything I can to bring as much color and pride to the stage that a straight man possibly can. Based on some headlines after that gig, the gay community also didn’t seem to mind the shirtlessness. (Laughs) Hey, I love it. For me this whole process has also been my process of coming into my own self and embracing sexuality, period. And celebrating life, and celebrating love. So, it’s been a real changing couple of years for me, and all I’ve been trying to do through the process is be true to myself and follow my heart. But that was a really beautiful moment. I’ll always remember that show. It was one of my favorite shows we’ve ever played. What do your parents, who declined to be in your documentary, Believer, think of the film?

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I sent the movie to all my family because I just wanted to take that step and not have it be an awkward thing in the family. My mom and dad came to the premiere. That’s huge. It was huge. I know that for the most part we all see a little different on this, but with that said, they’ve all been really loving and supportive of what I’m doing. But, yeah, there have been rough moments, definitely, during the beginning of it, when I was just getting into it. Arguments here and there within the family. It’s tricky because I love my family and I wanna respect their privacy, but I would be lying to you if I didn’t say … it’s been a little bit of a rub, yeah. Like I said, my mom and dad came to the premiere and that meant a lot. And my uncle, who’s my dad’s brother, he’s gay and Mormon and moved out of the United States years ago because he just felt like there was no place for him. He had to get that far away to be able to feel like he could be himself. I got to talk to him and I haven’t seen him since I was 8 years old, and that was the only uncle I didn’t ever get to know – my gay uncle – because he felt so unwelcome and like he couldn’t live his true life without moving a country away. My dad went recently and visited him, and that was a really beautiful thing. I don’t know. It’s baby steps for me. I know that everybody has their own way of coming around to certain things and it takes time, but the question is, how long will it take? And how many lives will be lost or saved along the way?

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SHOW YOUR PRIDE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS SAGE-LI Eisenhower Park Mingle Tuesday, July 3rd, 11a.m-1:30p.m. Eisenhower Park 1899 Park Boulevard, Westbury

Nassau Mingles at Eisenhower Park return! Join Nassau SAGE-LI in Lot 3 of Eisenhower Park for socializing and snacking with friends while enjoying summer! Drinks are provided but you’re welcome to bring outdoor chairs, snacks and any outdoor games! Advisory Board to follow. In the event of rain, the Mingles will be held at the Woodbury Center.

7th Annual Trans Latinx March Monday, July 9th, 4-6 p.m. Make the Road, NY 92-10 Roosevelt Ave., Jackson Heights, Queens

This event is aimed at celebrating the diversity of our membership. It is a space that creates visibility and awareness and demands the rights of the T-GNCIQ community so we can have social equality and stop Transphobia and homophobia. This year our focus is to send a clear message to the Jackson Heights community that Trans people exists and that we are part of of this neighborhood. Pizza and ice cream will be provided.

Youth Pool & Cornhole Tournament Wednesday, July 11th, 3-5 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore Youth Summer programming returns to the Center at Bay Shore! Join us for a fun day of pool and cornhole with friends! The winner of the tournament will recieve a prize! Will you take it home? You gotta be in it to win it! See you there!

SAGE-LI Health & Wellness: Trans 101 Monday, July 16th 11a.m.-12 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

Please join SAGE-LI for an informative presentation on transgender community with the LGBT Network’s Maggie Berke, community educator. This workshop will focus on building a foundational education regarding the transgender community. We will cover the differences between sex and gender, as well as learn terms, definitions and concepts surrounding different transgender identities. An overview of the pathways of the transitioning process will be discussed, as well as the negative effects of stereotyping the trans community.

SAGE-LI Health & Wellness: Trans 101 Tuesday, July 17th 11a.m.-12 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury

Youth Team Building Skills Wednesday, July 18th 3 - 5 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

Youth Summer programming continues with Team Building Skills! Strengthen your leadership and communication skills as we work together on various team building exercises!

Sunset on the Harbor Saturday, July 21st 5 - 8 p.m. Breakwater Yacht Club 51 Bay St, Sag Harbor

Enjoy the sunset with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on Sag Harbor benefiting the LGBT Network, a non-profit organization serving Long Island’s LGBT community since 1993. All proceeds from the event are earmarked for the LGBT Network’s Hamptons Center in Sag Harbor. For ticket and sponsorship information contact 516.323.0011 or development@lgbtnetwork.org

SAGE-LI Health & Wellness: Aromatherapy Monday, July 23rd, 11a.m-12p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

Join us for an informative workshop done by an RN ofNorthwell Southside Hospital on incorporating essential oils into your daily routine for physical and mental health wellness.

SAGE-LI Eisenhower Park Mingle Tuesday, July 24th, 11a.m.-1p.m. Eisenhower Park 1899 Park Boulevard, Westbury

Nassau Mingles at Eisenhower Park return! Join Nassau SAGE-LI in Lot 3 of Eisenhower Park for socializing and snacking with friends while enjoying summer! Drinks are provided but you’re welcome to bring outdoor chairs, snacks and any outdoor games! In the event of rain, the Mingles will be held at the Woodbury Center.

Youth DIY Friendship Bracelets Wednesday, July 25th, 3p.m.-5p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

IYouth Summer programming continues with a craft day as we make rainbow filled patterned bracelets. Make one for yourself, or make one for a friend!

SAGE-LI Meschutt Beach Potluck Thursday, July 26th, 11a..m. - 1 p.m. Meschutt Beach 90 Dunes Rd. Hampton Bays

Join SAGE-LI for our annual potluck at Meschutt Beach (90 Dunes Rd, Hampton Bays, NY 11946), 5 pm. Be sure to bring your own beach chair and a dish to share! . RSVP along with the dish you are bringing is required by Wednesday, July 25th. In the event that there is a 70% chance or higher rain prediction, there will be a rain date, which the following Thursday, August 2nd. RSVP to Amy at aangelone@lgbtnetwork.org

SAGE-LI Eisenhower Park Mingle Tuesday, July 31st, 11a.m.-1p.m. Eisenhower Park 1899 Park Boulevard, Westbury

Free and confidential testing for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Hepatitis C. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

Friday Night OUT 4th Fridays, 7-9 p.m. East End: The Hamptons LGBT Center, 44 Union St., Sag Harbor

Friday Night OUT is the place to be for East End LGBT youth and their allies on the Fourth Friday of every month at the Hamptons LGBT Center. Dance, play games, and have fun! www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.899.4950

Hampton Bays Mingle 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 3-5 p.m. Hampton Bays Senior Center, 25 Ponquogue Ave., Hampton Bays SAGE-LI’s bi-monthly social for LGBT seniors 50+ on the East End. Dinner is served on the 4th Thursday of the month. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

LIFE in Nassau 2nd Thursday, 7-9 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury

LIFE in Nassau meets every second Thursday. Open to adults of all genders and orientations with an interest in BDSM topics.

LIGALY Advisory Board Mondays, 6-8 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

Youth help plan new programs and events at LIGALY. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

LITE Social and Discussion Group 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:30-9 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury

All Nassau County meetings are closed for transgender individuals only.

Nassau Mingles at Eisenhower Park return! Join Nassau SAGE-LI in Lot 3 of Eisenhower Park for socializing and snacking with friends while enjoying summer! Drinks are provided but you’re welcome to bring outdoor chairs, snacks and any outdoor games! In the event of rain, the Mingles will be held at the Woodbury Center.

Wednesdays, 7:30-9 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

David Bohnett CyberCenter Monday-Thursdays, 4-8 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

2nd & 4th Thursdays, 6:30-8 p.m. East End: The Hamptons LGBT Center, 44 Union St., Sag Harbor

The David Bohnett CyberCenter at LIGALY offers hands on experience and classes in various software environments from productivity to creative design on the PC and Mac platforms. The classes range from introductory, intermediate, and advance levels.

SAGE-LI East End Happy Hour Thursday, July 19th, 5 p.m. Docker’s Waterside 94 Dune Rd., East Quogue

Join SAGE-LI for happy hour at Docker’s Waterside Marina and Restaurant in East Quogue (94 Dune Rd, East Quogue, NY 11942)! Socialize with friends both new and old while having a drink and apps. Those interesting in staying for dinner, please note dinner reservations will be made for 6:30 pm. Please RSVP to me by Amy at aangelone@lgbtnetwork.org

Drop-In HIV/STD Testing: Wednesdays, 5-8 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore Thursdays, 5-8 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury By Appointment. East End: The Hamptons LGBT Center, 44 Union St., Sag Harbor

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1st, 3rd, and 5th meetings are closed for transgender individuals only. 2nd and 4th meetings are for transgender individuals and partners, family, friends, or loved ones.

All East End meetings are closed for transgender individuals only. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

OUTlet Fridays, 8 p.m.-Midnight Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

Friday night social program for LGBT youth and their friends ages 13-21. $2 admission, transportation available. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

Parent Support Group 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 6-7 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore 1st & 3rd Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury

If you workand/or have engage Discussion group for parents of LGBT children. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

PEP Teams – Suffolk Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

Interactive leadership program promoting sexual health for LGBT young people. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

POZ Experience 1st Monday, 2 - 3 p.m. 3rd Monday, 6:30- 7:30 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

POZ Experience is a support group for all people living with HIV/AIDS. Facilitated by an experienced social worker, this group is designed to offer support, listen and share stories of our experience, whether individuals are newly diagnosed or have been living with HIV/AIDS for years. This group is intended to foster peer support, in an LGBT affirming space, that promotes living one’s life to the fullest and healthiest For more information, call 631.665.2300 or email poz@lgbtnetwork.org

Q Center Senior Advisory Board 2nd Thurday, 12-1p.m. Q Center: 37-18 Northern Blvd, Suite 107 Long Island City, NY 11101 This group provides feedback on current Q Center Senior Programming and offers ideas for future programming. All are welcome! Contact lsmith@lgbtnetwork.org www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

Q Center Senior Mingle Thursdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Q Center: 37-18 Northern Blvd, Suite 107 Long Island City, NY 11101 Pack a lunch and join other LGBT older adults for great conversation over coffee. Contact lsmith@lgbtnetwork.org www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

Safe Schools Team Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

Youth leadership program for young people committed to creating safer schools on Long Island. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

SAGE-LI Evening Mingle 3rd Wednesday, 7-9 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury

If you workand/or have engagements during the day that limit you from attending the fabulous SAGE-LI daytime programming, this is the program for you. All are welcome! www.lgbtnetwork.org, 516.323.0011

SAGE-LI Monday Mingle Mondays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

SAGE-LI’s weekly social for LGBT seniors 50+ at The Center at Bay Shore. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

SAGE-LI Nassau Mingle Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury

SAGE-LI’s weekly social for LGBT seniors 50+ at The Center at Woodbury. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 516.323.0011

SAGE-LI Nassau Mingle Potluck First Tuesday, 1 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury

Bring your favorite dish and enjoy lunch over light refreshments and great conversation with friends. Please let us know if you plan on joining us and what you are going to bring to share . www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.665.2300

SAGE-LI Women at Nassau Wednesdays, 7:30-8:45 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury, 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury

(SWAN) A social and discussion group for lesbian, bisexual, & transgender women as well as women questioning their identity. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 516.323.0011

Senior Advocate First Monday, 11a.m.-1 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

A Senior Advocate from Suffolk County Office for the Aging is on-site each month to offer SAGE-LI members benefits and entitlement counseling. From Social Security to Food Stamps to Medicare Part D and everything in between, the Senior Advocate will be available during the Mingle to answer your questions and point you in the right direction. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 516.323.0011

Senior Focus Discussion Group Last Monday, 12pm-1 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

Part of a monthly series of coed peer-led, issuefocused discussion groups. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 516.323.0011

TRUE Calling Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m. Nassau: Center at Woodbury 20 Crossways Park Dr. North, Suite 110, Woodbury

LIGALY is offering a great opportunity for LGBT youth and their friends to show off their skills! Sing, act, dance, or perform. www.lgbtnetwork.org, 516.323.0011

Women 2 Women Tuesdays, 7:15-8:45 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

W2W is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive space for lesbians age 40+.

You Gotta Believe Mondays, 6-9 p.m. Suffolk: Center at Bay Shore, 34 Park Ave., Bay Shore

The Long Island LGBT Community Center has partnered with You Gotta Believe, a non-profit organization that places teenagers into permanent adoptive homes, to provide Adoptive Parent Preparation Classes! If you are interested in participating, please call 631.665.2300. www.lgbtnetwork.org

Youth Squad Tuesdays, 5-7 p.m. East End: The Hamptons LGBT Center, 44 Union St., Sag Harbor

All East End youth should come check out this new hot LGBT spot. Every Tuesday is a fun interactive youth group: hang out with others in the lounge. You won’t want to miss it! www.lgbtnetwork.org, 631.899.4950

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LIMITED ENGAGEMENT JUNE 29 - JULY 22

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“I talk dirty in a cute way!” - Belle Barth

Breaking the glass ceiling for Amy Schumer, Joan Rivers and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,

Belle Barth was the original irreverent female comic, Queen of the Borscht Belt, deflating anyone who dared take sex too seriously. Raunchy Little Musical -- Belle Barth is Back, is a 90-minute hilarious and heartfelt show that chronicles the launch of the 50’s Queen of Crass.

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PROSTATE CANCER: PREVENTION AND RISK FACTORS Prostate cancer affects more men in the United States than any other type of cancer, with hundreds of thousands of new diagnoses every year. It’s important to understand, however, that prostate cancer is a curable illness—in fact, the majority of men who contract it go on to survive it. As with every type of cancer, knowing the illness is essential to beating it. Here is what you need to know about prostate cancer. What is prostate cancer? The prostate is a gland between the penis and the bladder that is primarily responsible for the production of sperm. While prostate cancer does not always present symptoms, people who have it may experience erectile dysfunction, difficulty urinating, or blood in the urine. If the cancer is detected while it is still confined to the prostate, it is considered curable. What are the risk factors for prostate cancer? Your risk of the disease increases with age; the majority of men who develop prostate cancer are older than 65. Prostate cancer rates are highest among African-American men. You are also considered to be at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer if you have a closely related family member who has had it. By age 50, almost half of all men experience small changes in the size and shape of cells in the prostate. Therefore, routine screening after the age of 50 has empowered the diagnosis and early treatment of prostate cancer. How can you prevent prostate cancer? While prostate cancer can’t absolutely be prevented, there are a number of steps you can take to reduce your chances of developing the disease. If you are considered at high risk for prostate cancer, you may want to talk to your physician about getting screened for the condition, which is a simple blood test at an earlier age than the routine screening. Staying active and eating a healthy diet that includes vegetables can help. If you are concerned about a misdiagnosis or possible medical error, contact the law firm of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC, in New York. We advocate for people of all ages in order to help our clients financially and make healthcare safer for everyone. You can reach us today by calling (516) 858-2194.

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Events at At Saddle Rock Ranch, located in Middle Island, we provide the perfect setting for your wedding, concert or private event. We can host functions in a variety of settings, from our rustic barn to the 14 acres of manicured land that the ranch resides on. Please contact our Director, Karen Bonne, by calling 631-345-0318 or 631-394-0681, or by emailing KBonne@FamilyRes.org if you would like to inquire about hosting your next event at Saddle Rock Ranch.

You are not alone, you are…FREE To BE FREE To BE is a community of men and women dedicated to socialization, advocacy, and education. We support a network that provides a safe environment to grow together. Socialization/Group Meetings FREE To BE provides an engaging space for LGBTQ individuals and friends, and we encourage all who are interested to come and join us. Meetings Include Inspirational guest speakers, workshops, open discussions, social events, and community involvement. Next Two Meetings Date: July 24th, 2018 & August 28th, 2018 Time: 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm Location: FREE, 191 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Road, Old Bethpage, NY 11804 Fundraising Conference Room To learn more about FREE To BE or to become a member, please contact us at FREEToBE@FamilyRes.org Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc.

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Starbucks onsite

Complimentary WiFi

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OUT AND ABOUT

Q-Music

by gregg shapiro

The present and the future are female Some of the best bands currently making music have a twisted sense of humor to boot, consider Garbage one thing in common; they all have a strong female People (Kill Rock Stars), the latest from the trio presence among the membership. Wimps led by Rachel Ratner. The subject matter runs the gamut from being an office drone (“Giant Brain”), Baltimore’s Beach House, featuring Victoria Legrand, depression (“Mope Around”), eating other people’s makes a stunning statement right from the start on 7 cheese pizza (“O.P.P.”), giving up bad habits (“Quitter”), (Sub Pop), the band’s fittingly titled seventh album. the disappearance of the honey-makers (“Bees”), Opener “Dark Spring”, one of the most rhythmic and staying home (“Wanna Go Out”), birthdays (“Trip immediately compelling songs Beach House has ever Around the Sun”) and being sleepless (“Insomnia”). recorded, is a tantalizing pop tune with an infectious beat courtesy of drummer James Barone. If ever Beach Wimps perform on Aug. 10 at Berlin in NYC. House had the potential for a hit single, it would be with “Dark Spring”. Still coming across like a midAtlantic version of the Cocteau Twins, Beach House has definitely made its most accessible album with 7, and songs such as “Lemon Glow”, “Black Car”, “Woo”, “Lose Your Smile” and “Dive” prove that point. Beach House performs on Aug. 22 in NYC at The United Palace Theatre and Aug. 23 in Brooklyn at Kings Theatre.

If you have a hankering for some good old-fashioned fast and loud punk rock, with most songs clocking in under the two-and-a-half minute mark, boasting 24

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Taking the lead, Frances Quinlan of Philadelphia’s Hop Along brings the songs on the band’s third album Bark Your Head Off, Dog (Saddle Creek) to vibrant life. Reminiscent of the emotional vocal styles of Throwing Muses’ Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donnelly, Quinlan’s distinctive belt ignites the entire album. Standout numbers include the amazing “Prior Things”, as well as “What The Writer Meant”, “Look of Love”, “Not Abel” and “The Fox In Motion”. Hop Along performs on Sept. 9 at Pitchfork Octfest in NYC.

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Duo Cicada Rhythm brings a touch of torch and twang wherever it goes on its second album Everywhere I Go (New West). Vocalist Andrea DeMarcus, who alternates between singing lead and providing harmonies, sounds like she was born to sing alternative country/folk tunes, like a cross between Iris DeMent and Kate Bush. You’ll want to take songs “Dream Alone”, “America’s Open Roads”, “Where the Dogwood Dies”, “Bare Minimum” and “Do I Deserve It Yet” with you everywhere you go. Don’t be fooled by the title of the new Family of the Year album Goodbye Sunshine Hello Nighttime (WB) as the songs are still sun-dappled and warm as a Los Angeles summer day. The pleasing harmonies, featuring vocals by Christina Schroeter, on songs such as “Hold Me Down”, “Latchkey Kids”, “Girl Who Washed Ashore” and “Mexico”, and Z Berg on “I’m The One” and “Raw Honey”, definitely provides the album with a necessary female energy.

Rachael Price of Boston’s Lake Street Dive is in possession of a sensational set of pipes. A belter of the highest order, Price has the ability to knock listeners into next week, something she does skillfully on LSD’s new album Free Yourself Up (Nonesuch). A sort of female-fronted Fitz & The Tantrums, Lake Street Dive Kindness, A Rebel (Roll Call) is the third album borrows liberally from the blue-eyed soul handbook by Asheville, NC’s River Whyless, featuring chill- on songs such as “Baby Don’t Leave Me Alone With inducing harmony vocals by Halli Anderson. “Born My Thoughts”, “Good Kisser”, “I Can Change” and in the Right Country” the topical second single from “Musta Been Something”. “Dude” asks the age-old the disc, couldn’t possibly be timelier and deserves question, “would you like me better if I was a dude?” to be heard by everyone. “The Feeling of Freedom” Lake Street Dive performs on Nov. 5 + 6 at sounds like a long-lost tUnE-yArDs song. “All of My Beacon Theatre in NYC. Friends” and “Another Shitty Party”, two songs in which Anderson’s vocals are highlighted, are absolute wonders.

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PULSE CELEBRATING OVER 13 YEARS OF LONG ISL D ARTSA&NCULTURE For over 13 years we’ve featured the best in the arts, culture, entertainment, lifestyles and people that make this island special, from the Gold Coast to the Hamptons. Join the influential readership: lipulse.com/subscribe

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BEST MUSICAL

INGENIOUS! Full of CHARMING SURPRISES & AMAZING MAGIC.” “

2018 Outer Critics Circle & OBA Awards

Best music & lyrics 2018 drama desk awards

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A DELIGHT...SUCH A HOOT!

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A WONDERFULLY UNIQUE EXPERIENCE.” “

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ROPES YOU IN WITH PEPPY SONGS AND AN ENGAGING CAST OF SIX SHARPSHOOTERS.” time out ny

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he will blow your mind!

BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY and be entertained!” Good Day NY

Photo: Carol Rosegg.

NOW THRU SEPTEMBER 30 Telecharge: (212) 239-6200 Westside Theatre (Upstairs) 407 W. 43rd St., NYC

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New World Stages 340 W. 50th St. Telecharge.com or 212-239-6200

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LIVING SMART July 2018

HOROSCOPES

Aries – A creative opportunity is offered. You’ll do well in all fields involvng sales, promotions and public contact. The key is original presentation of materials, use of color and drama. A warm hearted associate pays a special compliment and entertains you.

Scorpio – Rely on your intuition. Someone from your past comes back into your life, requiring a decision. Emotions play a heavy role. If torn between a new love and an old love, play the waiting game. You’ll feel less restricted by this situation later.

Taurus – The period of watchful waiting finds you

Sagittarius – You’ll be in the lime light

accenting security, money and joint resources. You’re tied sentimentally to conditions as they were in the past. Are you trying to recreate a situation from your family backgound? Don’t force issues.

because of your special talents. Focus on artistic, musical or diplomatic qualitites. Your appreciation of beauty brings special rewards. Brighten up your working environment with soothing colors, harmonious music and love.

Gemini – Your intellectual curiosity is spurred. You’ll delve into acedemic subjects such as history, world events and other topics that broaden your mind. A quest for the mysteries of life is also on the agenda. Keep your sense of humor; don’t overdo it. Another Gemini makes a good pal.

Capricorn – Stop talking about what you

Cancer –You’ll get satisfaction from a job well

Aquarius – You’ll be fed up with petty

done. Focus on publishing, advertising or spreading your message to many. Self-discipline helps you to create valid foundations for the future. Make lists, organize, sort out beliefs and values.

matters. A close associate who continually dwells on limitations is likely to exasperate you. You deliver an ultimatum: “Shape up or ship out.” Your own mind envisions expanded horizons. An Aries shares your dream.

Leo – Travel plans are on the agenda. Someone you meet en route to a destination has the answers you need. There may also be romance involved here, especially if you freely express ideas and long-range plans. Gemini and Virgo will be interested.

Virgo – If you’re away from home this month, check details of routes, schedules and reservations. Your ability to read between the lines and to handle details efficiently is helpful. This is a good month for studying a subject that expands the world for you. Don’t give up!

Libra – This month’s accent is on recognition, prestige and contact with an authority figure. Communication is the key to getting ahead. You’ll be offered a variety of tasks; a valid decision will be needed. Extroverted tendencies are favored. Gemini is a big help in showing you the way. 28

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BY PSYCHICDEB

want to do; get busy and do it - an older pal will lend solid support. Practical plans and long-range commitments have a special chance of working out well. A love relationship is satisfying now.

Pisces –A secret alliance is formed behind the scenes. Your creative, romantic plans are discussed. In spite of your current need for confidential handling of a matter, you know you’re about to create a sensation. Leo goes along with you. IF YOU KNOW YOUR RISING SIGN, CONSULT THE HOROSCOPE FOR THAT SIGN AS WELL. Psychicdeb has been a professional astrologer for over 25 yrs. Self-taught, shebegan her studies in astrology when she was 8 yrs. old learning what she could from her mother’s astrology magazines. As she got older and learned geometry, she searched for books onAstrology and taught herself how to construct a chart. She teaches Astrology for a nominal fee.Psychicdeb also uses the tarot to do psychic readings channeling her spirit guide Helen. Reiki is one of her obsessions. She is a Reiki Master and loves to teach others the benefits of Reiki. Namaste. You can find her at the Original Psychic Fairs on Sundays. A listing of the Fair dates can be found on her website at: www.astro-mate.org

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LIVING SMART August 2018

HOROSCOPES

Aries – It’s time for watchful waiting. Any move you make now is likely to be premature. Don’t be so impatient for results. Consider instead how you can contribute to domestic tranquility, especially where a younger relative is concerned. Share a valid experience.

Taurus – Nothing can hold you back now. Your personal popularity surges to a high point and the lunar cycle is also high. You’ll be in the right place at the right time - and will have information that is vitally needed. Focus on stylish clothing and travel plans.

Gemini – Your physical health demands better discipline. Highlight nutrition, food and a more ordered existence. If you have been putting extra stress on your body, slow down and pay attention to details of your physical well-being. An Aquarian shares your progress. Keep at it! Cancer –The written word brings profit. You break out of a rut, envison new ways of increasing your income, and converse with a Gemini type who has the same interest. A long discussion transforms your views. There is also a fascinating round of trips and visits. Leo – Focus on collecting money owed to you. But do so in a tactful way. When you turn on your charm, you can have almost anything you want this month. What you’ll most desire is peace, harmony and better emotional conditions at home. Taurus plays a key role.

Virgo – Don’t put credence in silly superstition. Accent your spiritual values. Imagination and fantasy is apt to be heightened but this can be made very productive. Write a poem or story and recognize the beauty around you.

Libra – A chance to elevate your standing in the community arrives. Volunteer for a civic project; take a position of leadership. Someone you love is bound to see you in a better light as rewards come your way. A relationship that was going nowhere can take a turn for the better.

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BY PSYCHICDEB Scorpio – Recognize an old stumbling block that exists from your early days. Attitudes can be changed and the past put behind you. A relative needs to be reminded that you have grown greatly and are ready for expanded horizons. It’s time to take action. Sagittarius – P lant seeds for a new start at your home base. Focus on originality. You will not follow the crowd anymore, despite what you did in the past. Romance blossoms if you are ready to respond in a warm-hearted, generous way, especially to a Leo type.

Capricorn – This month’s accent is on creativity, offspring and conservative speculation. A passive contemplative role suits you best. One who taught you in the past is the source of inspiration as you remember how you once handled similar situations.

Aquarius – You attract friends, lovers and travel companions. Your social schedule is likely to be full. Even if you have to work, you’ll do so in a playful way, with much time out for talk and enjoyment. Get out in the open air, if possible, A Sagittarian pursues you. Pisces –You’ll settle down into routine tasks. Your mood is serious and practical. Your ability to revise former plans helps you accomplish much. Take small, plodding steps, examine details and search for past errors. Dress conservatively to impress a superior. IF YOU KNOW YOUR RISING SIGN, CONSULT THE HOROSCOPE FOR THAT SIGN AS WELL. Psychicdeb has been a professional astrologer for over 25 yrs. Self-taught, shebegan her studies in astrology when she was 8 yrs. old learning what she could from her mother’s astrology magazines. As she got older and learned geometry, she searched for books onAstrology and taught herself how to construct a chart. She teaches Astrology for a nominal fee.Psychicdeb also uses the tarot to do psychic readings channeling her spirit guide Helen. Reiki is one of her obsessions. She is a Reiki Master and loves to teach others the benefits of Reiki. Namaste. You can find her at the Original Psychic Fairs on Sundays. A listing of the Fair dates can be found on her website at: www.astro-mate.org LIVING OUT

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be scene

Hamptons Summer Kick-Off

Saturday, May 26th at the Bridgehampton Tennis & Surf Club, Bridgehampton

hundreds of people joined the lgbt network for the annual event of the season. the cocktail reception, which benefits the network’s hamptons lgbt center in sag harbor, featured light fare, open bar and silent auction.

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be scene LGBT Prom

Wednesday, June 27th, 2018 at the Crest Hollow Country Club Over 300 Youth had the time of their lives at LGBT Network and Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth 18th annual LI LGBT Prom! Thank you to Bethpage Federal Credit Union and the many others who made it possible for our youth to have a memory of a lifetime!!! Thank you NY Institute of Beauty Make Up & Hair Team for making the youth look & feel fabulous at the LGBT Network Center for their big night!

TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM LGBT PROM, PLEASE VISIT FLICKR.COM/LIGLBTNETWORK

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LGBT NETWORK AROUND QUEENS Some highlights of the LGBT Network’s outreach & advocacy throughout the borough including Queens Pride, Trans Latinx March, Social programming, and more!

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FRIDAY, JUNE 8TH - SUNDAY JUNE 10TH, 2017 IN LONG BEACH In June 2018, OVER THIRTY thousand LGBT Long Islanders, friends, and allies came together to celebrate LI Pride in beautiful Long Beach, NY. Thousands of visitors from OUTSIDE NEW YORK joined in the fun too, for the biggest Pride event LI Pride has held in its 28 year history.

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OUT FRONT

In June, the LGBT Network held it’s Long Island Pride celebration for the second straight year in Long Beach. With 30,000 in attendance and over 30 events that make up the weekend, Long Island Pride has exploded from its modest yet no less important beginnings 28 years ago. The festivities got started on Friday, June 8th at Junction for the official Long Island Pride Kick-Off party. An energetic night of food and drink driven by beats from DJ and a thunderous performance by cover band, Radio Riot set the tone for the weekend. One of many establishments to take part in Long Island Pride’s “Taste of Long Beach”, Junction offered Pride specials all weekend long. Saturday’s events started bright & early as competitive and casual runners began preparing for the Nature’s Bounty Co. Long Island Pride 5K and Family Fun Run at 7:30am on Long Beach’s famous boardwalk. Over 200 runners of all ages competed in the 3.1 mile race while taking in the scenery and a comforting cool ocean breeze. Following the race, winners received their official Pride 5K medals and some light snacks to refuel courtesy of The Nature’s Bounty Co. The party really got started at noon for the Beach Party and Fashion Show. Beachgoers enjoyed a swimsuit fashion show presented by NY Fit Fest, audience contests, and a performance by Canadian Voice star, Rosa Laricchiuta. Those with TD Bank VIP Lounge access enjoyed perks including food, drinks, private cabanas, lounge furniture, and of course the best seats in the house, though most were on their feet during the rocking beachfront festival. 36

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Saturday afternoon saw several hundred folks along with their furry or feathered friends line up at the Long Beach Recreation Campus for the First Annual Long Island Pride Pet Parade! The cuteness was off the charts as pets of all difference species and sizes, donned rainbow capes, bowties, costumes, hats, and more. Alongside their owners, the pets marched with Pride along the Reynold’s Channel waterway. After the parade, owners and pets alike mingled and took photos capping a wildly successful inaugural parade. After the sun went down the heat was turned up at Long Island’s biggest LGBT dance party, Saturday Night Pride Fever at Lido Beach’s Maliblue. With DJ Theo spinning the latest dance hits and red hot performances by Reina and France Joli, the crowd didn’t stop moving all night, fittingly resembling ocean waves in sync to the chest thumping beat. On Sunday, the real celebration began as over 7,000 stepped off for the 28th Annual Long Island Pride Parade. Led by Grand Marshals, March for Our Lives Long Island Team, FOX5’s Baruch Shemtov, and the GayStraight Alliance Club of Parkland, Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The streets of Long Beach were flooded with spectators as droves of participants marched by with rainbow flags, rally signs, and banners as rainbow confetti rained from the skies. The #MSDStrong students were welcomed to Long Island with open arms. Cheers filled the air as their float rocked from excitement. Following the parade, the large crowd made their way to the beachfront to soak in some sun, cheer, and dance to electrifying performances by Jessie’s Girl, Steve Grand, and Deborah Cox. Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul and Public Advocate, Tish James were on hand to address the crowd. “This is more than just Long Beach, this is more than just Long Island - we have broad people from other countries like Canada and elsewhere and other states to this venue to showcase New York state and how proud we are to be the birthplace of the gay rights movement here in New York” said Hochul, recognizing the magnitude of the weekend-long festival. At 3PM the lively beach concert took a moment to honor those lost in the Pulse Nightclub and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shootings. The moving memorial service saw the community standing with interlocked arms, as surfers took to the waves for a memorial paddle-out. After a few moments of silence, beachgoers were invited to throw roses into the ocean. It was an emotional yet cathartic ceremony. A reminder that while Pride celebrations are jovial, there is still much work to be done and a need for the community to stand united and spread the love.

FOR MORE COVERAGE OF LONG ISLAND PRIDE, 2018, VISIT LIPRIDE.ORG

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Tish James punctuated the weekend with that simple message, “Let’s hold our heads up high, let’s continue to march, and let everyone know that it really is all about something very simple. And it is love, love, love.” Love, indeed.

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