Metrosource LA June/July 2017 (The Pride Issue) by Metrosource

june/july 2017 metrosource LA

METROSOURCE

the pride issue paul lynde lives again

june/july 2017

Risk! The show That dares levi kreis BEYOND conversion Therapy

PRIDE

sense8tional

Miguel Ă ngel Silvestre

DEPARTMENTS the pride issue

“I Love DicK” photo courtesy LeAnn Mueller/Amazon Prime Video

culture

8 Metroscope Pride picks you won’t want to miss. Plus, the latest from Nick Jonas, Billy Porter, Jill Soloway, John Waters, Amy Schumer and more . . . in scope!

17 Books Self-expression: from Daniel Lismore’s London looks to Iggy Pop’s manic antics.

24 screen Salma crashes dinner, Wendy winds down, and Cate plays a baker’s dozen.

28 MUSIC Aimee folks around, Depeche Mode speaks out, and Blondie is back. cover photo courtesy netflix

42 TECH Getting your wallet wired.

Body

Exclusively LA

19 metro hiv

65 LA Scope

How HIV testing became more effective and what that means for the future.

54 HEALTH Spectacular spa experiences in Antigua, Belize, Rome, and beyond.

views 30 diary Wade goes to his very first Pride but almost lets the parade pass him by.

32 POV Kevin finds an indelible way to show the world who he is. 64 LAST CALL The Paul Lynde Show resurrects the king of the queens.

Pride gets more political, and music rules summer stages.

67 metromony Inspiring LGBT weddings and marriage equality news.

68 restaurant bites Where to chow down.

70 restaurant review New heights in dining.

72 bar source Where to drink up.

73 business directory Our exclusive list of businesses catering to the LGBT community.

75 Community resources Organizations and resources for LA’s LGBTs.

CONTENTS June/July 2017 | VOLUME 28, NO. 3

34 sense8tional

38 world wineries

44 RISKY BUSINESS

Billy Porter seeks the soul of Broadway.

60 sorted levi

two of the hottest stars

travel and wine go

KEVIN ALLISON REVEALS

WHEN TONY-WINNER LEVI

in Netflix’s sci-fi series reveal how they work with the Wachowski siblings to craft the show’s dizzying visuals and its message of strength through diversity.

together like steak and Cabernet Sauvignon. So we’ve searched the globe to find wineries where the design elements are as bold as anything in their bottles.

how he went about trading sketch comedy for radical honesty and ended up creating a podcast that changed his career — and the lives of its millions of listeners.

Kreis accepted a role in the latest installment of the wacky Sordid Lives franchise, he found himself confronted by decidedly less funny demons from his own past.

photo: Ron Cadiz © Sony Music Entertainment

Join Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as we celebrate Family + Friends + Love + Life + Equality + Respect We are proud to join the parade across America in honor of National Pride Month. We think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really something to celebrate. Plus, join us in our continued support of The Trevor Project! The Trevor Project provides life-saving crisis intervention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT

macys.com/celebrate

publisher’s letter

A New Beginning after 27 years of putting my blood, sweat and tears into this publication, i am proud to continue to be the publisher as Metrosource transitions into a new era. We recently became part of Davler Media Group: the company behind a diverse family of print publications, events and online media. Being a part of this larger organization will offer new opportunities to grow and help us take our commitment to the community to the next level. One of the reasons why Davler is such an ideal home for Metrosource is its proven success — not only in print — but also in creating engaging digital offerings, from the online resources of its parenting and home design titles to the fantastic events coverage at thoughtgallery.org and cityguideny.com. That means you can expect a beautiful new look and feel arriving at metrosource.com in the coming weeks. This will be accompanied by an even more helpful directory of LGBT-friendly businesses, a new calendar feature that will better connect you with events that you’re going to love, and a fresh slate of online-exclusive content that goes beyond what we cover in our print pages. With Davler, we will be able to continue our proud tradition of serving our community with other significantly expanded offerings as well. The future will bring exciting new Metrosource events and important ways in which we will be able to recognize people and businesses making extraordinary contributions to our LGBT family. Keep up with it all by subscribing to our essential email updates at metrosource.com/subscribe. That’s what is new, but if you love the Metrosource you know, don’t worry: our dedication to bringing you the most interesting, entertaining and helpful information will continue. I’ll be here. Our editor-in-chief Paul Hagen will still be leading a lineup of writers you’ve come to know and trust. In fact, the whole Metrosource team has arrived at Davler intact and ready to achieve. Perhaps most important of all, we’re hoping that you’ll be here, too. As part of our new “Gay Voices” initiative, we want to hear about what matters to you. Who are the people in our community doing good work that deserve some recognition? What issues do you care about that your fellow Metrosource readers ought to be aware of? What is it like to be an LGBT person in your profession, in your neighborhood, in your skin? Tell us by tweeting @MetrosourceMag, visiting us at facebook.com/metrosource, or emailing info@metrosource.com. Here’s to exciting new beginnings, and happy Pride to one and all! ■

metropoll: reviewing ru many fans criticized the show’s relocation from Logo to VH1. But the move paid off with record-breaking ratings that made its season premiere Ru’s most watched episode to date. And the surprises just kept on coming, including Lady Gaga posing as a contestant, the return of Cynthia Lee Fontaine and her “cucu,” and a surprise elimination when one contestant was injured. But now that it’s time for the queens of season nine to untuck, we want to know what you thought: Which looks slayed you? Which challenges were a hot mess? And which of Ru’s girls gave the best talking head? Spill your T by tweeting us @MetrosourceMag with the hashtag #MetroRuReview. Your comments may end up showcased in a future issue or on metrosource.com. Can I get an amen up in here? ■

rupaul courtesy logo

season nine of rupaul’s drag race began in an uproar, as

editor’s letter

For the Love of David I was first introduced to him by one of my favorite college professors and was immediately

drawn to his wry wit; his appreciation for bizarre human behavior; his stories about growing up with a big, boisterous family in North Carolina. I found it reassuring that he’d taken a while to find himself, meandering from fieldwork to odd jobs to art school before finding success as a writer. I liked how he was candidly gay but also didn’t seem to let that fact completely define his work. And though we had only met via a sheath of photocopied pages from his book of essays Me Talk Pretty One Day, I fell hard for David Sedaris. I visited with David as often as I could. At first it was in short, sweet bursts between textbook reading and term paper writing. When summer came, I was finally free to spend some real quality time with him. I distinctly remember reading his book Naked while sitting in a park by the waterfront in Manhattan, wondering if my prolonged fits of uncontainable laughter would eventually arouse the suspicion of the authorities. I remember being surprised the first time I heard his voice — performing “The Santaland Diaries” essay that catapulted him to NPR fame. It wasn’t quite as commanding as I had expected from the confidence in his words; yet I quickly came to adore his diminutive deadpan delivery. I was similarly surprised when I first saw him in person. I was in a crowd that had packed every available inch of a bookstore’s top floor, where he would be reading. I wondered if he would be forced to shout down the unruly congregation, and was impressed when — instead — he seemed beckon the room’s attention toward him with a quiet intensity. As in any relationship, we went through rough patches. I missed him in the years between book releases, at times resenting him for staying away so long. And there were periods when we did not seem to be on the same page. At one point, he crafted a series of modern fables about animal characters suffering the indignities of human life. I saw their worth, but each page felt a little bit like time I wasn’t spending with the David that I had come to know and love. It was fairly recently that I learned about his long-held habit of keeping a journal. I remember feeling as though he had been hiding it from me: the fact that his work might be more the result of fastidious record keeping than some profound literary gush. But like so many lover’s quarrels, it wasn’t really the new information that irked me; it was the fact that I hadn’t known before. Little did I realize these journals would soon allow me a whole new way to feel close to David. Theft by Finding (debuting May 30 from Little, Brown and Company) is a collection of his journal entries from the years 1977 through 2002. As I waded through an advance copy of this assemblage of intriguing lists, overheard conversations and musings on life as it passed, I realized how much of our interaction had been based on Sedaris’ slow revealing of himself. At first, getting so much of him so directly was almost shocking — like a famous striptease artist walking out on stage fully nude.Yet it also felt wonderfully intimate — especially after so many years of getting to know how his mind works — to see not only what odd details caught his attention but also to be able to guess why.“Of course David would notice that,” I would muse to myself.“That’s so like him.” More often than not, when I read a memoir, I prefer to listen to the audiobook; it gives the illusion of being right there in the room with the author. However, though I read this one off the page, I felt as close to him as if he were whispering in my ear. I could swear I still heard the inflection of his voice in every word. Maybe that’s just part of the magic of David Sedaris, or maybe it’s a side-effect of loving him so long. I hope you’ll celebrate Pride this year by sharing how you discovered one of your favorite LGBT artists with me on Twitter @MisterPaulHagen and @MetrosourceMag. comment on this letter at metrosource.com.

JUNE/JULY 2017

metrosource.com

publisher Rob Davis associate publisher Evelyn Vayner editor-in-chief Paul Hagen creative director Gayle Van Wely associate editor Kevin Phinney SEnior Designer Jayson Mena copy editor Kevin Phinney proofreader Barbara Mele Contributing writers Matt Gross, Madison Gulbin,

Jeffrey James Keyes, Christopher Lisotta, Terence O’Brien, Kevin Phinney, Jonathan Roche, Eric Rosen, Wade Rouse, Jeff Simmons, Megan Venzin administration Luswin Cote INTERN Madison Gulbin

chief executive officer David Miller general manager Thomas K. Hanlon director | operations MGT Ray Winn director | order Heather Gambaro management manager | administration Erin Jordan managers | operations Ray Guedez, Leonard Porter, management Christopher Regaldo manager | publishing & Barbara Byrd Marketing controller David Friedman director | Credit & collections management Elizabeth Teagarden managers | credit & Rosa Meinhoffer, Diedra Smith collections

For national advertising inquiries, call: 212-291-5127. Subscriptions: One year (6 issues): $19.95; 12 issues: $34.95. Reproduction of any article, listing or advertisement without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. The people, businesses and organizations appearing in Metrosource are supportive of the gay community. Mention of any person, business or organization is not a reflection of their sexual orientation. ©2017 Davler Media LLC. All rights reserved. Metrosource is a registered trademark of Davler Media LLC. Printed in the USA.

Metrosource Davler Media Group 498 7th Ave., 10th Floor New York, NY 10018 212-691-5127 metrosource.com

AN AT&T ORIGINAL SERIES

PREMIERES WEDS MAY 31 | 8PM ETPT DIREC T V CH. 2 39 | DIREC T V NO W | U - V ERSE CH. 1 1 14

metroscope

1} the TV set

Kingdom Comeback sons to watch based on its premise alone. Set in the world of Mixed Martial Arts fighting, the series shines a spotlight on the masterfully molded physiques of actors such as Nick Jonas (pictured) and Jonathan Tucker, who play brothers Nate and Jay Kulina. They tangle in fight scenes so intricately choreographed, beautifully photographed and deftly edited, it’s easy to get sucked in — even if the rock ‘em/sock ‘em action of actual MMA is not your cup of tea. There’s also a maelstrom of interpersonal drama roiling outside the ring. The finale of season two alone saw Jay — still reeling from the murder of someone close to him — suffer through several spectacular rounds of fighting. Then, while recovering in the hospital, came the emotional fireworks. First, he got a long-awaited apology from his mother for neglecting him as a child. Then came a heartwarming scene in which closeted Nate finally acknowledged his sexuality to his brother. What does Season Three hold in store for this family of fighters? Find out Wednesday, May 31 at 8pm ET on DirecTV’s Audience Network, AT&T U-Verse and DIRECTV NOW. kingdom.directv.com

IN SCOPE: celebrate pride  jill soloway  john waters  Kimmy schmidt  patti lupone  More…

june/july 2017

metrosource.com

nick jonas courtesy directv

Kingdom offers plenty of rea-

Rauschenberg’s Signs captures turbulent times — from the arts to armed conflict.

2 } art beat Making Friends

this page: Robert Rauschenberg art courtesy of the Rauschenberg foundation • Lammy photo courtesy of Brian sargant and Lambda literary

just in time for pride month,

gay artist Robert Rauschenberg gets a huge retrospective of his six-decade career at NYC’s MoMA, organized in collaboration with London’s Tate Modern. Rauschenberg’s mashups of painting and sculpture (and a variety of other media) were a seminal part of the mid-20th century Pop Art movement. This exhibition, running from May 21 to September 17, will feature over 250 pieces, including Rauschenberg’s work in performance and sound art, drawings, prints, and — naturally — his signature paintingsculpture hybrids, known as “combines.” moma.org

3} good thing Get Lit

Each year, the Lambda Literary

awards recognize writing in genres from “Lesbian Poetry” to “Transgender Nonfiction.” This year’s finalists include books we’ve proudly featured in our pages, including Cleve Jones’ When We Rise, Augusten Burroughs’ Lust and Wonder, Donald Albrecht’s Gay Gotham and more. Executive Director Tony Valenzuela says of these works: “Never in my lifetime have LGBTQ stories felt so important as a means of being recognized and counted, as a form of resistance to this dangerous political climate we find ourselves in.”The Lammys will be awarded on June 12 at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing arts. lambdaliterary.org

Justin Vivian Bond and Alan Cumming take the podium at last year’s Lammy Awards.

metrosource.com

june/july 2017

WHAT IS GENVOYA®? GENVOYA is a 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years and older who weigh at least 77 pounds. It can either be used in people who are starting HIV-1 treatment and have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. These include having an undetectable viral load (less than 50 copies mL) for 6 months or more on their current HIV-1 treatment. GENVOYA combines 4 medicines into 1 pill taken once a day with food. GENVOYA is a complete HIV-1 treatment and should not be used with other HIV-1 medicines. GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses, you must keep taking GENVOYA. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body ﬂuids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body ﬂuids on them.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about GENVOYA?

GENVOYA may cause serious side effects: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. GENVOYA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking GENVOYA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking GENVOYA without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health. Who should not take GENVOYA?

Do not take GENVOYA if you take: • Certain prescription medicines for other conditions. It is important to ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with GENVOYA. Do not start a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. • The herbal supplement St. John’s wort. • Any other medicines to treat HIV-1 infection. What are the other possible side effects of GENVOYA?

Serious side effects of GENVOYA may also include: • Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to ﬁght infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking GENVOYA.

• Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking GENVOYA. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. • Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. The most common side effect of GENVOYA is nausea. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking GENVOYA?

• All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. • All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Other medicines may affect how GENVOYA works. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe to take GENVOYA with all of your other medicines. • If you take antacids. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or after you take GENVOYA. • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if GENVOYA can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking GENVOYA. • If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please see Important Facts about GENVOYA, including important warnings, on the following page.

Ask your healthcare provider if GENVOYA is right for you. GENVOYA.com

GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

SHOW YOUR

POWER

Take care of what matters mostâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;you. GENVOYA is a 1-pill, once-a-day complete HIV-1 treatment for people who are either new to treatment or people whose healthcare provider determines they can replace their current HIV-1 medicines with GENVOYA.

IMPORTANT FACTS WHAT IS GENVOYA ? ®

GENVOYA is a 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine to treat HIV-1 ( used ) in people 12 years and older who jen-VOY-uh weigh at least 77 pounds. It can either be used in people who are starting HIV-1 treatment and have never taken MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GENVOYA HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider GENVOYA may cause serious effects, including: determines they meet certainside requirements. These include •having Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) not an undetectable viral loadinfection. (less thanGENVOYA 50 copiesismL) approved to treat HBV.on If you have both HIV-1 HBV, your for 6 months or more their current HIV-1and treatment. HBV may suddenly get4worse if you stop GENVOYA. GENVOYA combines medicines into taking 1 pill taken once a Do with not stop taking GENVOYA first talking to your day food. GENVOYA is awithout complete HIV-1 treatment healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health and should not be used with other HIV-1 medicines. regularly for several months.

GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related ABOUT GENVOYA illnesses, you must keep taking GENVOYA. Ask your if youmedicine have questions about •healthcare GENVOYA isprovider a prescription used to treat HIV-1how in topeople reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others. 12 years of age and older who weigh at least Always 77 pounds practice and usemedicines condomsbefore. to lower the chance and havesafer neversex taken HIV-1 GENVOYA can be used to replace HIV-1 medicines for some ofalso sexual contact withcurrent body fluids. Never reuse or share people who have an undetectable viral loadfluids (less than 50 needles or other items that have body on them. copies/mL of virus in their blood), and have been on the same HIV-1 medicines for at least 6 months and have never failed IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION HIV-1 treatment, and whose healthcare provider determines What is the important information I should that they meetmost certain other requirements.

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GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. Ask your healthcare

GENVOYA may cause serious side HIV-1 effects: provider about how to prevent passing to others. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. GENVOYA Do NOT take GENVOYA if you: is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 ® • Take a medicine that contains: alfuzosin (Uroxatral ), and HBV and stop taking GENVOYA, your HBV may carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®, suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking GENVOYA Tegretol-XR®, Teril®), cisapride (Propulsid®, Propulsid without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they Quicksolv®), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®), will need to monitor ® your health. ® ® ergotamine (Cafergot , Migergot , Ergostat , Medihaler Ergotamine®, Wigraine®, Wigrettes®), lovastatin (Advicor®, Who should not take GENVOYA? Altoprev®, Mevacor®), lurasidone (Latuda®), methylergonovine ® ® Do not take GENVOYA if you take: (Ergotrate , Methergine ), midazolam (when taken by mouth), ® ® (Luminal®), phenytoin (Dilantin , Phenytek ), Certain prescription medicines for other conditions. •phenobarbital ® ® ® ® pimozide (Orap ), rifampin (Rifadin , Rifamate , Rifater , It is important to ask your healthcare provider or ® Rimactane ), sildenafil when usedthat for lung problems pharmacist about medicines should not be taken ® ® (Revatio ), simvastatin , Vytorin Zocor®), orwithout with GENVOYA. Do(Simcor not start a new®,medicine ® triazolam (Halcion ). telling your healthcare provider.

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check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking GENVOYA. Too much lactic in your blood (lactic acidosis), •POSSIBLE SIDE acid EFFECTS OF GENVOYA which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if GENVOYA can cause serious side effects, including: you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired • Those in the “Most Important Information About than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or GENVOYA” section. fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, • Changes in your immune system. cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or •aNew kidney problems, including kidney failure. fast or worse abnormal heartbeat. liver problems, in rareacidosis), cases can • •Severe Too much lactic acid in yourwhich blood (lactic which lead to death. Tell medical your healthcare right is a serious but rare emergencyprovider that can lead to if Tell youyour gethealthcare these symptoms: skin or the white away death. provider right away if you get these part of yourweakness eyes turns dark “tea-colored” symptoms: or yellow, being more tired than usual, unusual urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet,

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HOW TO TAKE GENVOYA

• GENVOYA Ask your healthcare provider if GENVOYA isis right you. a completefor one pill, once a day HIV-1 medicine. •

GENVOYA.com

Take GENVOYA with food.

GENVOYA, the GENVOYA Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, SHOW YOUR POWER, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. GENC0141 04/17

4} CAN’T MISS

5} good sport

Take a look at pride, nationwide...

From may 26 to June 4, World

THIS IS U.S. Boston Pride Beantown will stress unity with

the theme “Stronger Together” over more than a week’s worth of events, June 2–11. bostonpride.org New Jersey Pride June 4 is the day for a picnic in

Asbury Park as the Shore goes gay for a rain or shine extravaganza by the boardwalk. jerseypride.org Los Angeles Pride Christopher Street West hosts

This page: swimmer photo courtesy of world outgames * Billy porter photo courtesy ron cadi z@ sony Music

Pride June 10-11 in West Hollywood, this year rebranding their parade as the #RESISTMARCH, highlighting the need to stand against homophobia, xenophobia, sexism and racism. lapride.org

Miami Heats OutGames Miami will present more than 450 events. Over 15,000 participants and nearly 150,000 spectators are expected to join in this celebration of athletic achievement, shared culture and human rights. In addition to sports (from badminton to wrestling), there will be a variety of art installations on display and an architectural salute to “The Colors of Miami Beach.” Internationally respected activists, researchers, legal scholars and community leaders will also gather concurrently for a Global Conference on Human Rights. And over 200 performing artists will come together to for an experimental multimedia memorial acknowledging last year’s tragic events in Orlando, entitled Pulse Points. outgames.org

Capital Pride Under the theme “Unapolageti-

cally Proud,” Washington, DC celebrates our community June 8–11 with a parade, festival, concert and more. capitalpride.org New York Pride This year, Heritage of Pride’s

annual observance will culminate June 23–25 at“Pride Island”on the Hudson River with a wide array of performers including Tegan and Sarah, Deborah Cox, Patti LaBelle and others. nycpride.org San Francisco Pride Harmony will be the key word

as Pride comes to the City by the Bay, June 24–25. Appropriately, its theme is “A Celebration of Diversity” and among the “Community Grand Marshalls” of the parade this year will be the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. sfpride.org

6} tour thing soul man

in shows from south pacific to

The Sound of Music, Richard Rodgers proved himself one of the most indelible songwriters of American musical theater. However, with his latest album, Tony- and Grammy-winner Billy Porter also shows that these showtunes are surprisingly malleable. On The Soul of Richard Rodgers, Porter teams with artists including Deborah Cox, Todrick Hall, India. Arie, and Leslie Odom, Jr. to offer updated, soulful takes on Rodgers classics such as “This Nearly Was Mine” and “Edelweiss.” Now, Porter is taking these tunes on the road, with upcoming stops planned in San Francisco, Chicago, Provincetown and more. billyporter.com

Dive into a diverse array of events at World OutGames IV.

Porter brings refreshing twists to the songs of Richard Rodgers.

7} next up

9} Pack up

since she created amazon’s sig-

it’s pride time across the globe:

nature, critically-acclaimed series Transparent, Jill Soloway clearly has some sway with the network. How else can we explain them green-lighting her new project: the bold and unique I Love Dick? Adapted from the 1997 cult novel of the same title, the series follows Kathryn Hahn in the role of feminist filmmaker Chris on her journey to a quirky community of artists and academics in Marfa, Texas. There, she discovers the thrilling and infuriating allure of macho sociologist superstar Dick — played with cowboy cool by Kevin Bacon — and embarks on an intellectual journey to unpack the emotional and intellectual fire he provokes in her. Season One episodes are streaming now. amazon.com

What happens when you seek advice from the “Pope of Trash”?

Bacon holds a powerful allure as the titular Dick.

8} ink spotted

metrosource.com

From June 4–10, Tel Aviv will

offer festivals, films, concerts, parties and the largest Pride parade in all of Asia. gaytelaviv.atraf.com Rome Pride The capital of Italy hosts a week

of Pride events, both serious (discussions about gay families and civil rights) and fun (drag shows, parties and a parade June 10). romapride.it Berlin Pride Known locally as Christopher

Street Day, this is one of the biggest organized events in Germany. Though the big day is June 22, the occasion will be surrounded by over 200 events, including exhibitions, lectures, films, shows and plenty of parties. csd-berlin.de London Pride

At the age of 69, john waters

don from Big Ben to the Hampstead Heath from June 24 to July 9, as over 750,000 revelers come out to join the fun. Highlights will include Pride’s Got Talent and surprise concert appearances on the Pride Main Stage in Trafalgar Square leading up to the Pride Parade on July 8. prideinlondon.org

Text by Madison Gulbin, Paul Hagen and Jeffrey James Keyes. June/july 2017

Tel Aviv Pride

trouble maker became a sensation all over again. This time it was because of his hilarious and memorable commencement speech to the The Rhode Island School of Design, which went viral on YouTube shortly after he delivered it. Now, this funnybone-tickling and heartstring-tugging speech has been transformed into the book Make Trouble (Algonquin Books, $15), in which Water’s wit and wisdom are augmented with appropriately off-kilter illustrations by artist Eric Hanson. Waters’ advice on how to succeed in life as a creative person is sure to inspire potential troublemakers of any age. algonquin.com

World Parade

Pride will fill the streets of Lon-

Worldpride Madrid Over two million people flock

to Madrid annually for Spain’s largest parade, the Madrid Orgullo, and things will only get bigger this year as the city hosts WorldPride, from June 23 to July 2. The terrace at Roommate Oscar and the pool at El Lago de Casa de Campo are two of the main spots to see and be seen, but you’ll find plenty of Pride throughout the gay neighborhood of Cheuca and beyond. madridorgullo.com/en

this page: “I Love DicK” photo courtesy LeAnn Mueller/Amazon Prime Video • “Make Trouble” Book jacket courtesy of algonquin books

Dick & Jill

September 16-23, 2017

Heat up. Be Proud. Get ready for the hottest and most luxurious pride celebration Punta Cana has ever seen. One stunning adults-only resort and hundreds of HOT party people together for seven days of proud heart-pumping entertainment and next-level excursions, bringing Caribbean Pride 2017 to life in ways only CHIC Punta Cana can deliver. www.caribbeanpride.com

BOOK NOW!

MetroScope

10} funny thing

This Is Schmidt If you feel like you’ve waited an

She took on Streep and Sarandon; can Hawn handle Schumer?

Kimmy, Titus and company are now arriving on Netflix.

11} screen it

Mom Com? With her comedy central show,

a series of well-received standup specials and the blockbuster big screen success of Trainwreck, Amy Schumer has been riding high. She’ll attempt to continue that hot streak with this summer’s adventure comedy Snatched — playing opposite comic veteran Goldie Hawn as her mother. Schumer plays Emily Middleton, who (after being dumped by her boyfriend) convinces her uptight mother Linda to joining her on a trip to South America. When the pair ends up abducted by kidnappers, they must attempt a daring escape — all the while mending their troubled familial bonds. Appropriately, the film will be in theaters starting Mother’s Day weekend. foxmovies.com

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12} stage advice

Painted Ladies Is looking good really the best

revenge? This summer’s most diva-licious stage match-up may answer that question. War Paint sees Tony winners Patti Lupone and Christine Ebersole offering tour-de-force depictions of beauty industry rivals Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden. From the creative team who crafted previous Ebersole triumph Grey Gardens comes this interweaving of the lives of these competitors who rose from humbler beginnings to become prominent entrepreneurs — and how each in the process sent her right hand man running to the other woman’s company. Who will win this well-dressed war of catty comments and cosmetics? Find out at Broadway’s Nederlander theater. warpaintmusical.com

This Page: “Kimmy Schmidt” photo courtesy eric liebowitz • “snatched” photo courtesy Macall polay/comedy central

extra long time for the return of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, you’re right. Season Three (on Netflix as of May 19) was delayed due to star Ellie Kemper’s pregnancy. But what should you expect now that she’s no longer expecting? In addition to the unforgettable re-imagining of Beyonce’s “Lemonade” from the season trailer, we hear there’s relationship drama in store for Titus and his beau Michael, a political plot for landlady Lillian, the return of David Cross as Jane Krakowski’s love interest, and a parade of Alist guest stars — including the return of John Hamm as Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne, the creepy cult figure responsible for locking Kimmy up in an underground bunker. netflix.com

This Page: Daniel Lismore images courtesy of colin douglas gray/Skira Rizzoli • iggy pop photo courtesy ed caraeff/Acc Editions

books

Iggy & The Stooges: One Night at the Whisky 1970 By Ed Caraeff | ACC Editions; $35

The Stooges took the rock scene by storm in the late

Flights of Fancy Deep dives into the work of daring artists, whose creations defy categorization. BY Madison gulbin & paul hagen Daniel Lismore: Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken Photography by Colin Douglas Gray | Skira Rizzoli; $55

as an artist, Lismore is best known for mixing high and thrift shop fashion to create

elaborate costumes that have made him one of the more notable personalities of the London club scene. Be Yourself... celebrates the cheeky style and ornate detail of the ensembles featured in a recent stateside exhibition of Lismore’s work. Its stunning photography is accompanied by quotes from the likes of Debbie Harry, Boy George and Vivienne Westwood, and its title is appropriately drawn from a bit of wisdom often attributed to Oscar Wilde.

1960s with performances featuring in-your-face antics by daredevil frontman Iggy Pop (pictured above). Around that same time, rock photographer Ed Caraeff had burst onto the scene with singular images like Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar aflame onstage. Earlier that decade, The Whisky a Go Go had opened on the Sunset Strip, where it quickly became a proving ground for bands that changed the face of music. One night in May of 1970, these three major forces in the music world collided. In the midst of recording their album Fun House, The Stooges took the stage for a gig at The Whisky, where Caraeff was in the crowd and took a plethora of wonderful pictures. Only a few of his images of that gig were ever reproduced — one of which eventually found its way into the cover design of Fun House. The rest of Caraeff’s coverage of that punk-powered night remained filed away until now. Reprinted here for the first time in book form, the images contrast the quiet moments before the band took the stage with the madness and raw power of the performance itself. They’re paired with compelling interviews that shed light on that night and its place in rock’n’roll history. metrosource.com

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books

Big Shots!

By Phillip Leeds | Rizzoli; $24.95 The vintage camera known as “the Big Shot”

is a giant hunk of metal that looks akin to a boombox. Yet, photographer Phillip Leeds felt drawn to use it to capture impromptu shots of friends and acquaintances in the course of his journeys through the world of music. He didn’t intend for them to be a book; nevertheless, here it is: complete with a foreward by Pharrell Williams, Rita Ora on the cover, and the likes of Jay Z, Gwen Stefani and Andre Leon Talley (above) gracing its pages. You may not recognize all of these faces, but together they create a surprisingly informal portrait of the super-imageconscious worlds of hip-hop and fashion.

By Denise Markonish | DelMonico Books; $49.95 Nick Cave is a gay artist best known for his

“soundsuits” — whimsical, wearable sculptures built of commonplace objects that offer serious commentary on race, identity and gender. Then came his game-changing exhibition Until, which transformed a football-field sized gallery into what would seem to be the interior of one or more of these soundsuits. This book chronicles the immersive environment created by Cave and also offers looks at the process by which his ideas became reality and how on-site appearances by dancers, songwriters, poets and others helped amplify Cave’s message. Essays by the exhibition’s curator and others offer additional context for this important artistic statement.

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big shots! courtesy rizzoli. nick cave courtesy delmonico books.

Nick Cave: Until

Metrohiv

A Brief History of HIV Testing How testing became more effective, more efficient and one of our best tools for ending the epidemic. By scott kramer, LCSW-R

HIV testing: just hearing those words is enough

to give many people a dose of anxiety. But — similar to the progress we have made in understanding and treating the disease — we’ve come some distance in testing, from the way in which tests are administered to their accuracy and how long we’re left waiting for results. Let’s look at how we got here:

photo courtesy istock/vitranc

closing the window While the first AIDS cases were reported in 1981, HIV wasn’t discovered until 1984 and ELISA, the first test for HIV, did not become available until 1985. This was a blood test that looked for HIV antibodies, which meant that a person had to have been already infected with HIV for three to twelve weeks — the time it takes to develop HIV antibodies — to test positive. That test was also not as accurate as those that would follow — offering a significant number of false positive results. At the time, it was generally used to test the blood supply, not individuals. In 1987, a much more accurate (but more difficult

to perform) test — known as the Western Blot — became available. Though the test would seem as simple as blood being drawn from a patient’s perspective, that blood would still first be sent for an ELISA test, and if it came back positive, the Western Blot test would be used to confirm that result. This meant that the wait time for results was a nervewracking two weeks. Like ELISA, the Western Blot also depended on antibodies, rendering tests within months of infection potentially inaccurate. In the late 1980s came second and third generation HIV tests. These tests also looked for antibodies but were more reliable and tested not only for HIV-1 (more common worldwide) but also for HIV-2 (more common in West Africa). These tests could also register antibodies sooner — within approximately four to six weeks of infection. In the 1990s and 2000s, fourth generation HIV tests arrived, which tested for not only HIV antibodies but also for HIV antigens — a part of the virus itself. This allowed the tests to (continued on page 23) metrosource.com

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geoscope Now available on Metrosource.com, a whole new way to explore your world...

photography by edwin santiago

Metrohiv (continued from page 19) indicate a positive result in as little as two weeks after infection. Today’s fifth generation tests can distinguish between HIV-1 and HIV-2 and also differentiate between antibodies and antigens, which provides information about the progress of the infection. What’s significant here is the continuing reduction of the “window period” — the time between when a person becomes infected with HIV and when that person can test positive for the virus. In the early days of testing, that window was up to three months. With current testing methods, that is down to about two weeks. This is important because a person could be infected with HIV on Saturday and get a negative HIV test on Wednesday. Though he will test positive at some point in the future, he will be highly infectious in the meantime and making decisions under the assumption that he is negative. This is one reason why it is important for sexually active people to be tested on a regular basis and to always use safer sex practices. This is also why it’s important that we continue to seek improved testing methods which close that window further.

making testing easier In addition to being able to detect HIV sooner after infection, the waiting period between testing and results has been drastically reduced as well.

The process can begin with an oral swab, finger prick, blood draw or urine sample. Fortunately, there is no longer a two-week waiting period for results. Nowadays, rapid testing — by which results can be obtained in 20 minutes — can be used with all but the urine method. (Rapid test by finger prick or oral swab are currently the most widely used methods.) Though a positive result will require confirmation by a more conventional method (which takes longer), a negative test generally means no further screening is necessary until your next regular test — usually three to six months for sexually active gay and bisexual men. For those concerned about privacy, there are also two at home HIV testing kit available. The HomeAccess HIV-1 Test System requires a finger prick and sending a card to the lab for results. The OraQuick InHome HIV Test is an oral swab that offers results in 20 minutes. Post-test counseling is done via phone for each home testing method. Research is making it ever clearer that HIV is most commonly spread by people who don’t know their status, which means getting tested is one of the most important ways you can help stop HIV from spreading. With so many places to get tested — from your doctor’s office to free clinics to the privacy of your own home, why not get tested today? National HIV Testing Day is June 27. hiv.gov ■ metrosource.com JUNE/JULY 2017

Here’s to the Ladies... A lesbian seeks help from her dead partner’s brother, while the women of Orange Is the New Black get some new bunkmates and Cate Blanchett takes on 13 characters in one film. But first, won’t you join Salma Hayek and Connie Britton at the table? by Jonathan roche Beatriz at dinner an Unexpected guest takes on an uppercrust dinner party in a cinematic clash of the classes. the creators of this wry and unsettling

meditation on the merits of compassion versus greed are director Miguel Arteta and writer Mike White, whose previous collaborations include thoughtful, darkly funny projects such as the Jennifer Aniston vehicle The Good Girl and the off-beat HBO series Enlightened. In the decidedly unglamorous title role, Salma Hayek is a humble holistic healer stranded by car trouble at a mansion where an important business dinner is to be hosted by her rich friend Cathy, played with Real Housewives flair by Connie Britton. The evening’s exclusive guest list includes Chloë Sevigny and Jay Duplass as another well-to-do couple and John Lithgow as an evidently unscrupulous billionaire. As drinks and conversations flow, Beatriz attempts to stay true to herself while facing a worldview that contradicts everything in which she believes. THE WORD: This must-see film resonates with truth at every poignant turn — offering a dinner party distillation of our current national conversation. Coming to: Theaters

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this page: “beatriz at dinner” photo courtesy of roadside attractions

screen

lady macbeth

this page: “lady Macbeth” photo courtesy laurie sparham • “as Good as You” photo courtesy heisler Fitzwater

The title of this film is both deceptive and

accurate. While it is not technically an adaptation of Shakespeare’s immortal Macbeth, it is similarly the story of a woman who uses a man as a murderous tool to gain power where she had none. Katherine (pictured) finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage to a man twice her age. Confined and oppressed by her cruel father-in-law, she embarks on a passionate affair with Sebastian, a worker on the estate. In the process, she awakens within herself the will to seize control of her own life by any means necessary. Freshman director William Oldroyd crafts a visually striking film, steeped in the gray light of gloomy Victorian England, and its straightforward plot is electrified by Oldroyd’s distinct vision. THE WORD: The film’s greatest assets are the nuanced performance of Florence Pugh as Katherine and the powerfully muscled frame of Cosmo Jarvis as Sebastian. coming to: Theaters

AS good as you this lesbian dramedy follows Emily, who is

foundering in bereavement after the recent death of her partner. As a result, she ends up sleeping with both of her best friends. This causes more than a few problems, none of which are much helped by an expensive and unconventional therapist played by the everirrepressible Annie Potts. Meanwhile Emily is also trying to summon the nerve to ask her late partner’s handsome brother to donate sperm in the hope that it will allow her to conceive the genetic approximation of a child with her lost love. The film veers from scenes of facing unbearable loss to determined personal reinvention — interspersed with some snappy boozy banter delivered by an able cast. THE WORD: This is one serious comedy about grief. coming to: Theaters metrosource.com

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screen

lowriders this film, which starts out as the story of Danny and his father Miguel (pictured). Danny lives in East LA where he uses his artistic talent to tag bridges and billboards. Miguel runs the family business customizing other peoples’ lowriders — lavishly detailed classic cars known for their powerful bouncing hydraulics. All the while, he dreams of winning money and glory in lowrider competitions himself. When Miguel’s eldest son “Ghost” returns after eight years in jail, Danny finds himself torn between the rival car clubs of his father and his brother. Meanwhile, he also must decide whether to stick with his street art or turn his attentions to the more legit art scene in nearby gentrifying neighborhoods. THE WORD: This earnest film features a fine cast (including Eva Longoria), chronicles a specific corner of Angelino culture, and cars that are truly works of art. coming to: Theaters

ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK In its fourth season, now arriving on blu-Ray,

the popular prison series picks up the pace — especially when it comes to violence. Creator Jenji Kohan still injects humor and girl-ongirl romance where appropriate, but fans will also find the show increasingly encountering the real-life problems in the American prison system. The privatization of the prison sees both a doubling of its inmate population and a new batch of guards, creating fresh conflict for the inmates we know and love. Complications arise for Piper’s panty-selling business, and Blair Brown arrives as a Martha-Stewart-esque celebrity inmate (with a dollop of Paula Dean mixed in for good measure). Most importantly, escalating racial tension eventually explodes in the wake of the death of a beloved inmate. THE WORD: Expect the ladies of Litchfield to still be dealing with the aftermath of the seasonending riot when season five hits Netflix June 9th. coming to: Home Video

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This Page: “Lowriders” photo courtesy imagine entertainment • “Orange is the new black” photo courtesy netflix

two prodigal sons lead to double trouble In

restless creature

This page: “Restless Creature” photo courtesy abramorama • “manifesto” photo courtesy of julian rosefeldt

At the age of 46, after a record-setting three

decades as a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, Wendy Whelan is facing a definitive turning point for both her career and her life as a whole. One might expect one of the more acclaimed ballet dancers of the modern era to present as an ice princess, but Whelan radiates warmth. That’s about as close as this candid character portrait gets to a twist as we follow her through injury, surgery, therapy, rehearsal and the process of figuring out what comes next. As we get to know this accomplished artist — learning what it means to her to perform (and face not performing), — audiences are invited to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery. There’s also an authentic and unpretentious look behind the curtain of the legendary NYCB. THE WORD: It’s an intimate examination of the meaning of ballet, art, and life itself. coming to: Theaters

manifesto in many ways, manifesto is the definition of

an art film: It offers no central character, no story, and no resolution. Yet it is hands-down, the most intellectually stimulating film released so far this year. In it, Cate Blanchett plays about a dozen different people, including a bum, a TV anchor, a Texas housewife, a grade school teacher, a Russian choreographer, a Brit rocker and more. Each is the type of person who might offer a lecture, and lecture they do, presenting poetically edited excerpts from some of history’s greatest art manifestos. Linguistically dense, the words feel beautiful, even if you can only process a portion of them as they wash over you. Director Julian Rosefeldt employs a patient camera and picturesque settings, allowing scenes ranging from exquisite architecture to everyday life to provide contexts as dynamic as the actress inhabiting them. THE WORD: This is the kind of bravura performance Blanchett was made for. coming to: Theaters metrosource.com

june/july 2017

music

Some Experience Required A modern folk singersongwriter, a legendary rock band, and an essential electropop trio prove they’ve still got it as they return with their ninth, eleventh and fourteenth albums. by matt gross

One of the most influential and beloved electronic pop acts of the genre returns with their fourteenth studio album from an unparalleled four-decade career. Timely, direct and sociallyaware, the release gets political right out of the gate with three brilliant lead tracks — “Going Backwards,” “Where’s the Revolution?” and “The Worst Crime.” The album also features exquisite production by James Ford (revered for his previous work with acts such as Florence + The Machine). Some of Spirit’s other highlights include the optimistic “So Much Love,” the emotional battle cry “Scum,” and the inspiring anthem “No More (This is The Last Time).” Depeche Mode embarks on their Global Spirit Tour later this summer. For their full schedule, visit depechemode.com.

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this page: Depeche mode photo courtesy anton corbin

Depeche Mode Spirit (Columbia Records)

Aimee Mann Mental Illness (SuperEgo Records)

this page: Aimee mann photo courtesy sheryl nields • blondie photo courtesy alexander thompson

The acclaimed singer-songwriter returns to her roots on Mental Illness: showcasing melancholia in a nearly all-acoustic setting. Featuring Mann’s heartbreakingly honest lyrics, this free-flowing, downtempo release — which also incorporates incredibly haunting strings arranged by her longtime producer Paul Bryan — is simply gorgeous from start to finish. On the track “Patient Zero,” Mann chronicles the ebbs and flows of Hollywood fame. On the album closer “Poor Judge,” she bares all about her own intense battle with depression. For a sense of the sound, Mann has said that much of the album’s inspiration stems from her love of 1960s and ‘70s folk rock. Fans of her work on the score to Paul Thomas Anderson’s masterpiece Magnolia — with its unforgettable tracks like “Save Me,”“Wise Up” and “One” — will instantly fall in love with Mental Illness. Despite her frequently somber songwriting, Mann is one of the funniest musicians around. Get her wit on Twitter @aimeemann.

Blondie Pollinator (BMG) These punk pioneers return with a fresh collection of romantic infectious melodies on their 11th studio album. The set was recorded on their home turf at NYC’s famed studio The Magic Shop, where David Bowie crafted his final albums. Essentially Pollinator is a party record packed with synth-soaked hooks. The video for its lead single, “Fun,” sees Debbie Harry and her gang singing in glam black-andwhite as an explorer blasts off on a psychedelic journey into space, where she runs into such otherworldly creatures as RuPaul’s Drag Race season three winner Raja. Also along for the ride on Pollinator are Sia, Joan Jett, and rising British pop star Charli XCX (among others). “This is music as it’s supposed to be,” muses Ms. Harry about the collection, “filled with spirit, fun and true soul.”You can catch Blondie on their extensive North American Rage and Rapture tour this summer with Garbage. Learn more at blondie.net.

DIARY

First Things First BY WADE ROUSE

Wade nearly doesn’t make it through his first Pride — until some helpful strangers decide to show him how it’s done. on my way to my first pride celebration, I found myself

experiencing a distinct lack of pride. I was stopped on a side street not far from St. Louis Pride. Despite the fact that it was rainforest hot and my old car had no air conditioning, I just sat there with the windows up and my head down, unable to move. I was terrified. It was the early 1990s, and I had just started my career in public relations. I had a nice job at a well-known firm. As a spokesperson, my face had been on camera. People who worked in news might recognize me. “What if I end up seen on TV here?”I worried as the sweat rolled down my face. “Would I get fired?”These were the sorts of issues many were forced to wrestle with — especially in conservative middle America at that time. I also wondered what my friends (most of whom were straight) would think if they knew I was here. As a closeted gay man, I didn’t really have an understanding of the community. I had yet to abandon many stereotypes I held about other gay people — often picturing them as flamboyant partiers who shared little in common with me or the professionals I associated with every day. Every so often, I would hear laughter as a group made their way past my car on the way toward the parade.“Who are these people?” I wondered. “How did they get to this point in their lives where they feel so free?” I felt completely cut off from what they were experiencing. But a desperate feeling of loneliness that had driven me to come this far. And so when I heard the next large group of parade-goers heading past me, I finally forced myself to move my legs, get out of the car and fall in step behind them. Eventually, I followed them all the way to the parade, where I proceeded to hide in the back of the crowd — pulling down my cap or ducking into a storefront whenever I saw a camera or a TV crew. “Are you okay?” I looked around. A nice-looking man in a college sweatshirt was staring at me. “I’m talking to you,” he said with a smile.“You seem a little — nervous.” “It’s my first Pride parade,”I said, as though disclosing bad news. “Congratulations!” he yelled. He turned to his group

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of friends and began pointing at me. “First Pride!” he exclaimed. I was mortified. My first instinct was to run, but I also felt paralyzed all over again. Within seconds, his group of friends had surrounded me. They congratulated me, hugged me and invited me into their fold to watch the parade. It was then that I began to realize how little the crowd conformed to any stereotype I had imagined. There were people of every age, race and position along the gender spectrum. A couple of men were dressed in drag — their big wigs wobbling in the wind. I even saw some hetero folks holding homemade signs that read:“Straight but Not Narrow.” As bands and marchers and cars drifted by, it became clear to me that these individuals were as diverse and colorful as the flags they waved. What’s more, I realized: I belonged there as much as they did. When the parade ended, the group invited me to join them at a local bar. Again, I hesitated.“It would be my first gay bar,” I explained. But the spirit of the day seemed to compel me to follow along. Together, we headed to the bar, where we talked about our lives. They shared their coming out stories and asked me to share mine. I cried as I told them how scared I had been to come out, how concerned I was that my family would disown me, how I feared I could go through all of that and still end up alone anyway. “You’re only alone if you keep yourself isolated,” one woman explained gently. I realized that I’d been so sure I would always be alone that I’d made it my reality. It took meeting these strangers to show me: I didn’t have to be. So no matter where you’re celebrating this year, look out for someone who is as scared as I was then, someone who needs a friend to welcome them into the fold, someone who needs you to help them understand how to finally not be alone, and to teach them what Pride is all about. ■ Wade’s latest novel, The Hope Chest, is now available under the pen name Viola Shipman. Learn more at waderouse.com. who welcomed you into the gay community? tweet your answer to us @Metrosourcemag.

POV

In Sight Out By Kevin Phinney

Kevin finds a way of responding to the challenge of integrating his gay self into his whole person and dares the rest of our community to do the same. One year, on the way from Washington state to attenD

Vancouver Pride, a border guard leaned out of his kiosk to ask the purpose of our trek to Canada. “We’re here for Pride,” I explained. He looked me up and down with suspicion. “What’s Pride?”he asked. “Um . . . the absence of shame?”I responded reflexively. He scowled, closed the window, made a phone call, then grudgingly informed us we were free to proceed For me, Pride is a mental scrapbook of such moments of sudden self-expression; the kind that crescendo during these weeks when we gather at fairgrounds, parades and nightclubs to remind each other and the world that we’re here, we’re queer, and we’re not going anywhere. The importance of living out and proud was never so clearly impressed on me as one year at Pride in San Francisco. My dear friends Phil and Michael were hosting my boyfriend and I , and it was their annual tradition to attend an interdenominational church service before heading to the parade. Somewhat reluctantly, I agreed to go as well. There, a lesbian minister delivered a piercingly insightful sermon. She spoke about how visible the marchers would be on this special day — then rightly observed that many of them were likely not nearly so openly gay elsewhere — at their places of employment or family gatherings, for example. She implored us to “consider the possibility of making yourselves whole. Imagine how you would be in the world if you completely integrated your gay identity with the rest of who you really are.” The minister’s words put me in a reverie, and I began casting about for a way to demonstrate my sense of belonging to the LGBTQ family. Lost in thought, I was nearly mowed down by a skateboarder moving at speeds one can only achieve heading downhill in San Francisco. As I jumped back, I caught a glimpse of his t-shirt, which bore the image of an impish little cartoon devil named Hot Stuff. “That’s it!” I thought. The character felt like a sublime metaphor for what being gay meant for me in that moment. Haters might regard me as Satan’s spawn, but this baby devil — with his big smile — was clearly harmless: mischievous, maybe, but without malice. Simply expressing that identity through a shirt,

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something I could easily put on and take off, seemed to fall short of the minister’s challenge. So I decided to put in on permanently — in the form of a tattoo. Making it a part of me immediately felt like a declaration of who I am and how I choose to live. As the years passed, I’ve continued to tell bits of my story through ink. One is a replication of a piece by the secretive English graffiti artist Banksy: it’s an image of a guerilla throwing a Molotov cocktail — except that Banksy has replaced the bomb with a bouquet of flowers. It’s my way of saying that love can be our strongest weapon. Another tattoo quotes the Irish novelist Frank Delaney: it reads “Every pain is a lesson.” I refer to it as my divorce tattoo. In Ender’s Game, Ben Kingsley’s character is covered from head to foot in tattoos. He explains why in simple, elegant terms with which I agree.“Tattoos,”he says,“tell the tale of a life by taking what’s internal and making it external.” I feel that my human canvas is complete for now. But I’ve thought that before, and I may discover more inside myself that I want to see represented in ink. In the same way that tattoos help me reflect on my life, Pride season reminds me to think about what we have gained, lost and learned as a community. This time last year, we were celebrating marriage equality and our continued progress toward civil rights. Then came the twin shocks of the Pulse nightclub massacre and the election of the most anti-gay government in recent memory. Despite these setbacks, I’m more proud that ever to be a part of our community and to show the world who I am. Watching Dustin Lance Black’s inspirational miniseries When We Rise was a powerful reminder of how visibility leads to progress for us. Accordingly, I’d like to invite all of you to take up that minister’s challenge from so many years ago. Be visibly and unapologetically yourselves. You don’t need to do it with a tattoo. But what greater gift can you give yourself and your LGBTQ brothers and sisters — than to find a way to never hide who you are again? ■

what’s the best way to express pride on the outside? tweet your favorites to us @metrosourcemag.

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SENSE8 sensibility Miguel Ángel Silvestre and his Sense8 co-stars travel the world to create a fantasy about shared consciousness. But, he says, the real journey lies within. By KEVIN PHINNEY On his first day shooting the Netflix series Sense8, Miguel Ángel

Silvestre (above) found himself naked — except for a little modesty pouch — in the arms of two similarly clad co-stars.“One of things they wanted to make sure of when they cast us was that we were willing to jump without question,” Silvestre says.“They asked, ‘Do you have any problem kissing a man?’ I said no. I wanted to respect the message of this story, and I knew they were going to do it in an honorable way. So I jumped.”

BEYOND BOUNDARIES As filmmakers, Sense8 creators Lana and Lilly Wachowski are renowned

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for pushing boundaries. Their Matrix series introduced audiences to a complex alternate world and visuals that set new standards in movie making. Their Cloud Atlas deconstructed the concept of screen narrative, telling many tenuously-related stories concurrently. Sense8 pushes these ideas even further. The show is shot around the world — including in India, Africa, Mexico, Iceland, England, Korea, Germany and the U.S. — with many scenes bending time and space to take place on multiple continents. The series revolves around the lives of eight men and women (scattered across the globe) who are psychically and physically intertwined in a way that allows them to experience each other’s emo-

Opposite page: Miguel Angel Silvestre courtesy of Bernardo Doral • This Page: alfonso Herrera and Miguel Angel silvestre photo courtesy Murray Close/Netflix

Herrera and Silvestre share a kiss while celebrating Pride.

tions, tap into one another’s talents, and team up to elude a mysterious agency obsessed with exterminating them. Through the magic of editing, a conversation can switch from one milieu to another in a heartbeat. It’s easy to assume that such complexity would require that every scene, every shot, and every line of dialogue be meticulously preordained. Not so, Silvestre says. “One of the first things that surprised me is: they are not into perfection. And there are no storyboards for the show because they carry the entire thing in their heads.” Over time, Silvestre learned to expect the unexpected. “Things would change in the moment, because they were always trying something new.” That a show touting cooperation among disparate individuals from far-flung cultures — straight and gay, transgender and pansexual — debuted just as Donald Trump began his rise to power is an irony lost on no one. The ideology behind Sense8 openly defies the Trump doctrine: as one seeks to build walls, the other argues that borders are constructs that can be fortified or dismantled with our minds. No one has had to grapple with these apparent contradictions more than Silvestre, the straight Spaniard who plays Sense8’s Lito, a Mexican movie star whose onscreen machismo is his meal ticket, but who is also

a gay man in love with college professor Hernando, played by Alfonso Herrera (pictured kissing Silvestre above). Though Lito faces losing his fame and fortune after he is outed, he never disavows his orientation. “They made it clear that we didn’t want to show a character tormented by his sexuality,” Silvestre says. “In his movies, he celebrates his masculinity with every gesture, down to each drag of a cigarette. But Lana was always making sure you also get to see comedy in the characters too.” It’s a concept akin to Kerry James Marshall’s ennobling portraits of black subjects or Peter Paul Rubens’ celebration of women’s curves: visions that are complicated but certain. “One day we were shooting, and I felt like my character wouldn’t do what the script was calling for; so I asked her about it,” remembers Silvestre.“And she said: ‘Trust Mama.’”

WHAT MATTERS HERE IS LOVE Before he settled on an acting career, Silvestre was named“Mr. Castellon” in a 2002 modeling competion. A few years later, he abandoned playing professional tennis after realizing “I just wasn’t good enough.” His family enouraged him to act, and by 2013, he was cast in Pedro Almodóvar’s I’m So Excited, where he learned to combine his tough and tender traits.“The

actors I admire the most accept both their masculine and feminine sides,” he says. “Pedro told me I should spend some time watching Cary Grant films, because he carries that in such a relaxed way. You get to see both sides in his performances; there’s a masculinity, but also some sweetness and softness.” Herrera describes Silvestre as “a generous actor who is also this volcano of energy, and that is very contagious.”As straight actors, both were concerned with creating a believable romantic bond between their characters.“We both understand we’re representing LGBT people,” says Herrera. “It was very important to us to spend time together in creating a foundation for our relationship. When we met at the first table reading in San Francisco, that was where we began. But while he was traveling the world, we had to settle for chatting and Skype.” “What matters here is love,” Silvestre says.“One of my favorite Spanish writers — who was gay and died during the Spanish dictatorship — wrote a play called Bodas de Sangre. In it, there is a line that says, ‘Cuando el amor llega a los centros, no hay quien lo arranque.’ That means, ‘When desire gets into your guts, nobody can take it away.’ I love that. He is saying that desire is a force of nature stronger than our own will. As you can’t change the rain, and you don’t argue with the sun, you cannot change or fight against love, desire, or your own nature.” It is a sentiment that Silvestre has understood from an early age.“One auntie from my family is gay,” he says.“My parents used to talk about her to me and my sister, and we believed she was a hero because that’s the way my parents saw her. ‘She’s only loving and being true to herself’ is what they would say.”

RIDING THE WAVE Last year, while shooting the second season (which began streaming this May on Netflix), the Sense8 cast put in an unexpectedly high profile ap-

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pearance at Pride in Sao Paulo, Brazil — atop a parade float. Amateur video of the event went instantly viral as the actors gleefully exchanged passionate kisses, waved to the crowd, and stripped Silvestre to his Speedos. But this was no mere publicity stunt: it’s also part of the show. “Lana wrote a beautiful speech that I got to give to everyone there,” the actor says.“It has that same quality as the human rights speech she delivered in her first appearance after coming out as trans. She wrote these incredible lines for Lito and then she told me, ‘They’re going to think that it’s you, and I really want to see it come off spontaneously. It was an incredible feeling to be in front of this huge crowd, who all remained completely silent while I was speaking. And then it ends with a big party.” Few filmmakers would dare to shoot amid such chaos — particularly with a crowd at varying levels of sobriety unaware that they’re extras. But in one fan video after another, Lana can be spotted weaving in and out of the cast of Sensates — choreographing their interactions as if she’d invented some new form of jazz. “Lana is not at all precise,” Silvestre laughs. “She doesn’t like to do rehearsals. She likes to stand next to the camera and say, ‘Let’s try it this way; let’s try something else.’ She’s always looking to be surprised by something that happens spontaneously. Then she’ll do the opposite.“ Herrera had a similar experience while filming the Sense8 Christmas Special, which functioned as a two-hour bridge between the first and second seasons. In it, his character Hernando is lecturing in a darkened auditorium, guiding his class through art projected on a screen behind him. A series of snickers arises around the room, and when Hernando asks what’s so funny, one of the students uses his cell phone to replace the art onscreen with an image from a Mexican tabloid: Hernando and Lito in the throes of passion, which the student labels “s**tpacker porn.” Hernando handles the moment with a deftness that is characteristic

This page: Sense8 cast photo courtesy Murray Close/Netflix • opposite page Miguel Angel Silvestre courtesy MARK & DONAT

Silvestre with castmates Brian J. Smith, Jamie Clayton and Tuppence Middleton

of Sense8:“The eyes of the beholder find not just beauty where they want, but also shallowness, ugliness, confusion, prejudice. Which is to say: the beholder will only see what he wants to see — suggesting that what you want to see is in fact s**tpacker porn,” the character says. “Whereas someone else, someone who has a set of eyes capable of seeing beyond societal conventions, beyond their defined biases, suddenly might see an image of two men caught in an act of pleasure. Erotic to be sure, but also vulnerable. Neither aware of the camera. Both of them connected to the moment; to each other, to love. And as I have suggested before in this class: Art is love made public.” Herrera remembers the scene well.“I knew that speech from the Berlin table read,”he says.“When were shooting, Lana was constantly giving me the direction to let go and relax; don’t push. ‘Let the words be the way,’ she said, ‘and walk through that.’ I see now that it was very much like her saying not to push or pull — just to ride the wave of the speech. After the fifth or sixth take, I understood that. It all became very clear once I got out of the way and let the words do the work.”

AN EXCHANGE OF ENERGIES On paper, Sense8 is a thriller whose appeal should be based on action and mind-melting special effects. But both Silvestre and Herrera talk about the show in terms of its core values, and the one word that comes up repeatedly from both is empathy. “One of the opportunities you get as an actor is to try to understand people from other cultures through empathy,” Silvestre says. “Lillian and Lana, as artists and as people who belong to the cinema community, want to share the message that diversity is a strength,” Herrera adds. “No matter the color of your skin, your nationality or your sexual orientation, we all need each other and deserve respect, each and every human being that lives. We hope that eyes and ears are opened by the message we’re trying to send. And I know — because my son is now five months old — that I want to share that with my kid. And I want him to live in a world where we respect and help one another. ” Certainly among the best-known moments on the show so far are those when the characters appear together to form a large, sensual tangle — where they revel not just in one another’s bodies but also in their shared humanity. “Lana explained it like this: She said, ‘Miguel, we all we have a certain energy that we bring into intimacy,’” Silvestre remembers. “She really wanted to explore that in every way possible. That’s why you see those scenes the way you do. You see the group of us open and close like a flower. You see someone kiss someone in a dominant way, and you see someone surrender to that, and then pass it on. There are moments where you’re soft and delicate, and then others that are more about action — from the ability to be strong to the ability to accept a caress. When you’re watching it, you can see it moving like a wave, each person taking something and changing it and then passing it off to someone else in an exchange of energies that reminds us that we all carry a certain poetry that is uniquely our own.” Herrera took part in a second cluster scene during the Christmas Special, when the eight main characters come together — along with their lovers this time — to celebrate their shared birthday. “Being part of that special moment, you realize that love and sex are such incredible forces that they generate life. Love and sex connect you with all your senses,

and Lana wanted to show that and create subtle and not-so-subtle ways of showing how powerful human connection is.”

THE BIGGER MESSAGE Could it be that the supernatural conceit of Sense8 — that it’s about people with telepathic super powers — may make it the perfect Trojan Horse to smuggle a radical notion into the homes and minds of Trump’s America: that we have more in common than what divides us? “Well, I’m not that skilled in the world of politics,” Silvestre admits. “But I do think what Lana is writing has a bigger message, and I am aware also of the politics, not just in America, but in the world right now.” He says that Brian J. Smith (pictured, opposite, far left) — who plays another member of the Sense8 cluster thinks the show has an even deeper meaning in the United States.“He would know more about that because he’s American,” Silvestre explains. What seems clear is that no actor or audience who comes into contact with Sense8 walks away from its message unchanged. “We are all one at some level,” Silvestre affirms.“At the same time, there are those little differences that make each of us unique. And that’s what being a human being is all about: recognizing that universal unity while accepting the differences that make us all special.” ■

we travel the globe in search of wineries worth visiting — where the art of wine making extends well beyond anything you’ll find in a glass. by Eric Rosen

The main reason to visit a winery is, of course, the wine. however,

now more than ever, there is more to experience at a quality winery than the nectar inside each bottle. The design of a winery can offer insight into how its grapes are cultivated, gathered and sorted; how the wine is fermented and aged; even how it is meant to be enjoyed. Many winemakers will tell you that a wine’s terroir — or sense of place — is a vital part of the philosophy behind its making. So we’ve gathered a selection of stunning world wineries you can visit, where what they’re pouring is only one component of what’s designed to impress.

HALL Napa, California Kathryn and Craig Hall originally commissioned superstar architect Frank Gehry to design a new winery for them in the heart of Napa. While those plans were put on hold, the Halls eventually did unveil a gorgeous

This Page: HAll photo courtesy of rutherford may

stunning wineries of the world

VIK

THIS PAGE: VIK PHOTO COURTESY SMILJAN RADIC

HALL

new visitor center in St. Helena. This one was designed by Jarrod Denton of Signum Architecture along with architect Alison Maloney, and it has been turning heads since its opening in 2013. One of its most impressive features is an eye-catching two-story structure, sheathed in glass, that was conceived as a kind of “bridge” on the valley floor between the Mayacamas Mountains in the west and the Howell Mountains to the east. The building houses wine presses and fermentation tanks, while its upstairs tasting rooms overlook the estate vineyards and gardens. There is also a second floor terrace with views of the mountains and the winemaking facilities. It’s worth noting that the new building is LEED Gold-certified — the first winery to be so in California — for its environmental sustainability measures. It is also connected to a former winery which dates all the way back to 1885 called the Bergfeld Building, which was also restored during the project and is now used for special events.

For art lovers, the complex is home to some larger works from the Halls’ significant collection, including sculptures by John Baldessari and Jim Drain in addition to installations by Graham Caldwell and Nick Cave. Meanwhile, HALL Rutherford continues to thrive in Sacrashe, the Halls’ first Napa Valley vineyard. The couple’s dedication to timeless beauty and hospitality are captured in what is undoubtedly one of the region’s most visually striking tasting rooms (pictured, left). HALL makes a delicious Sauvignon Blanc with tropical notes of pineapple and lime and deeper flavors of mandarin orange and dried herbs. But the winery’s signature releases are its Cabernet Sauvignons. An excellent example is the Diamond Mountain; its intense fruit notes are balanced by more savory elements like licorice, tobacco and a beguiling tinge of graphite. hallwines.com

VIK Cachapoal, Chile Hoteliers Alex and Carrie Vik — who also own ranch retreat Estancia Vik and beach resort Playa Vik in Uruguay — don’t do things by half measures. So when they decided to establish a winery, they did so with the idea of making South America’s best wine in one of the wine world’s most innovative structures. After settling on a sprawling 11,000-acre property in Chile’s lush Cachapoal Valley — about 90 minutes from the capital city of Santiago — they sought out an architect to bring their vision to life. Alex Vik explains: “From the beginning, the architecture was a fundamental pillar and an expression of our holistic concept of the vineyard. We wanted the winery to have minimal impact on the landscape while striving to create a truly unique design; to be efficiently functional and implement highly metrosource.com

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L’and Vineyards

Alexander and Baldwin Building

blend contains Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Chile’s flagship grape variety, Carménère. Last year, however, marked the debut of their second wine; it’s called Milla Cala. More moderately priced than VIK, it is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Carménère that has heady aromas of dark forest berries and soft tannins which create a long, lingering finish. vik.cl

Waterkloof Estate

sustainable cutting-edge technology.” To that end, they hosted a competition for the commission and selected a design by Chilean star-chitect Smiljan Radic. His concept for the winery includes a massive structure whose roof is made of stretched fabric, which allows natural light to filter through while reducing the energy needs of the building. The structure is made even more energy efficient because the majority of the building is underground. Visitors approach via a boulder-strewn pool mimicking nearby Andean streams that also functions to cool the wine storage areas below. Until recently, VIK has produced a single, eponymous wine crafted from the best harvest of over 60 parcels of vineyard. The premium red

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West Somerset, South Africa Because European settlers first started working vineyards there in the 17th century, South Africa has some of the world’s oldest working wineries. But more recently, the country has begun to enjoy renown on the international wine scene, thanks to the excellence of certain wines now being produced there. That recognition has sparked some fascinating developments, particularly on the architectural front. Waterkloof Estate is located in Somerset West — quite close to Cape Town. Conceived by Castle Rock Design, the winery building — which also houses a fine dining restaurant and tasting room — stands tall on the steep slopes of the Schapenberg ridge, offering commanding views of the surrounding area that visitors can enjoy while strolling through 10-meter-high glass “promontory” (pictured, left) just adjacent to the tasting lounge. The incorporation of so many glass elements reflects the biodynamic winery’s prime principles of transparency, authenticity and a sense of place. Its owner Paul Boutinot refers to himself as its “custodian” rather than its proprietor. And its open barrel room is housed in a glass-andconcrete sphere deep in the building, where visitors can scope out the activity. The tasting room interior, designed by Frank Bohm Studios, includes signature touches like a 10-meter tasting counter constructed from two solid timber beams and a two-meter open fireplace.

this page: Waterkloof estate photo courtesy of the winery

Waterkloof Estate

Peregrine Winery

Buitinot and company produce a range of wines here. Be sure to try the Waterkloof Sauvignon Blanc, which tends to be mineral-driven but with zesty notes of citrus and wildflowers. If you’d rather a red, sip the Seriously Cool Cinsault, which is intense and earthy but lightened by bouquets of raspberry, black cherry and just a hint of leather. waterkloofwines.co.za

this page:peregrine photo courtesy of the winery

L’and Vineyards Evora, Portugal Portugal’s Alentejo region is one of Europe’s last undiscovered frontiers when it comes to wine, but the vintages being produced here are fast gaining a reputation around the world for their high quality and relatively affordable price. The views here provide a dreamscape: rolling golden hills, electricblue skies, sun-soaked hilltop villages. It seems as though little has changed about the place over the centuries — except for the addition of a dramatic new winery designed by Lisbon-based firm Promontorio. L’and’s main building houses public spaces, including the winery and a hotel. Its materials reference the traditional, lime-washed architecture of the nearby town of Montemor-o-novo, and it is shaped like a prism wedged into a low hillside. This brings guests closer to the landscape in order to better appreciate the terroir. A small adjacent lake cools the air and is also a water-retention reservoir for local agriculture, which includes not only grapevines, but also orchards of olive and citrus trees. Hotel guests and day visitors alike can come to sample the simple range of red and white wines produced here. The standout is the Reserva Red, which is made of typical grape varieties from the area including Touriga Nacional, Alicante and Touriga Franca. Try it slightly chilled so you get the full effect of aromas like black currant, black cherry and clove. l-andvineyards.com

Peregrine Winery Queenstown, New Zealand Central Otago has quickly gained a place on the world stage thanks to the audacious Pinot Noirs produced here and the equally daring wineries that produce them, including this Gibbston Valley institution located outside Queenstown. Peregrine Winery was established on a former sheep station — a kind of ranch — and visitors can still wander through the historic sheds on the property. Its distinctive glass and steel structure forms a 140-meter-long wing-shaped roof that’s as functional as it is beautiful. Its curve prevents snow buildup in the winter, but also diffuses heat buildup from the winery buildings below, which helps maintain the constant temperatures so vital in winemaking and its subsequent storage. “I love all the undercover space that the roof gives us, and also the connection to all the natural landscape around us,” says winemaker Nadine Cross. “I think our wines all have a wonderful structure to them –— elegant and refined with beautiful length and line — and that’s a reflection of our vineyard sites and perhaps our architecture, too.” Like the winery structure, the vintages here create a sense of movement. The Peregrine Sauvignon Blanc has a bright, briny texture with lots of citrus and minerality that seems to invite you to have another sip, while the Peregrine Pinot noir has a voluptuous, muscular quality with an uplifting freshness that tempts enthusiasts to swish it around one last time before they swallow. peregrinewines.co.nz ■

Our quest to discover of beautifully-designed world wineries continues with visits to australia, france, italy and spain — as this article continues on metrosource.com

Tech

Getting Your Money Wired Make financial savvy one more reason to celebrate. by Terence O’Brien

among your reasons to be proud this summer, check out these ways you can use tech to manage your money and feel flush by the next time Pride rolls around. Track it: Mint is a free website and app from the makers of TurboTax that merges your account information in one location, offering a complete overview of your finances. Connect online banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, and investment accounts to see all your money coming and going. There’s a tool to help you manage a monthly budget, and you can set up goals like saving for a major purchase. It also offers monthly credit scores and bill pay reminders. mint.com SAVE IT: If you want to set aside money to invest but don’t want to think about it, Acorns may be the app for you. Connect credit or debit cards to the service, and for each purchase you make, Acorns rounds up to the nearest dollar and invests the change. Using the “set it and forget it”approach, you can easily save $1000 or more a year — no piggy bank required. acorns.com BOOST IT: Miles, points, cash back: how do you know if purchasing with plastic is earning you right kind of rewards? Nerd Wallet offers both expert and community reviews of rewards cards and has a wealth of

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information to match your current spending habits to the optimal cards for you. nerdwallet.com SECURE IT: Keeping track of finances starts with keeping track of your wallet. If you’re the forgetful type, Walli may be your new best friend. This smart wallet connects to your phone and will alert you if you leave it behind. Walli also has a SecurePocket which monitors one of its card slots, so if you take a card out and don’t put it back, you’ll get an alert about that too. Plus, since Walli pairs to your phone, you can tap the wallet to have your phone play an alert if you misplace it. mywalli.com Lend It: If you want to invest some savings in a good cause, consider turning to Kiva. This international nonprofit matches lenders with would-be borrowers around the world that may not have access to traditional lending resources. Kiva’s crowdfunding allows you to loan as a little as $25 to help someone grow a business, go to school, access clean energy or otherwise realize their potential; as a lender, you get to decide what projects to support. To date,“Kivans” have lent 950 million dollars, and their repayment rate is 97 percent. kiva.org ■ There is a risk of loss with any financial service that involves investment. Recommendations offered are not a substitute for professional financial planning advice.

photo cpourtesy istock.com/ SIphotography

if having a solid grasp on your finances is not

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Kevin Allison

Risky business Host Kevin Allison and the team behind RISK! offer an inside look at creating a show that celebrates coming out, changes the lives of both its storytellers and listeners, and always dares to share. By paul hagen

It’s closing night of NYC Podfest, a weekend

of special live shows performed at Brooklyn venue The Bell House for the kind of hipsterheavy audiences who have helped contribute to podcasting’s continuing boom. Kevin Allison — sporting his signature red beard and elastic facial expressions — bounds on stage to begin hosting RISK!, a live storytelling show he says will run the gamut of human emotion. “I compare it to drinking whiskey,” Allison explains to the crowd. “First, it’s a little bit like getting punched in the face. After a while, you start to think, ‘This is fun.’ And every once in a

while, someone might barf.” Judging from the fervent applause, the audience is eager to take this ride — no matter how wild it gets.

This Page: Kevin Allison Courtesy Gene Silvers • opposite Page: JC Cassis courtesy Anna haas of red hare photography

COMING OUT ABOUT ANYTHING There are other shows that tell stories. Savvy radio journalists do it on This American Life, and “real people” do it on The Moth; in both cases, content is sanitized to NPR-appropriateness. But RISK! regularly offers up the kind of stories these other programs would not dare to share: tales that are too sexy, too outrageous, too outside social norms. RISK! was not necessarily conceived as a showcase specifically for the LGBTQ community. Yet because it celebrates outsiders, the show often ends up shining a spotlight on members of our tribe. Recent contributors include drag star Lady Bunny and activist Dan Savage. Notable trans people such as Ts Madison and Buck Angel have shared their bawdy tales. And comedians from pansexual provocateur Margaret Cho to avowed asexual Janeane Garafolo have taken the RISK! mic. Of course there’s also Allison himself, who is the show’s host, founder and original openly gay storyteller. “I grew up knowing I was gay really from the beginning of consciousness,” he tells me. But in the conservative confines of 1970s Ohio, it was something that he felt obliged to hide. “It was where the Mapplethorpe trial went down; it was where Larry Flynt’s trial went down. There was an obsession with keeping sex out of Cincinnati.” So Allison grew up thinking, “If anyone finds out that that’s what I am, I’ll lose my friends. I’ll lose my family. People will hate me; people will hurt me.” How did he cope? “I developed into a comedian,” Allison says. “It’s a really common thing for people who feel like freaks.” What started as class clowning led to a career as part of sketch comedy group The State, which rose to prominence on MTV in the 1990s. But once the group went their separate ways, Allison found the cartoonish characters he’d played with them didn’t work onstage anymore. Fellow comedian Michael Ian Black suggested that Allison try telling true stories instead. “I’m too many strange things that I would have to come out about; it would just be too risky!” Allison remembers replying. But Black insisted if it felt risky, that would mean

RISK! producer and storyteller JC Cassis

Allison was opening up, and audiences would open up in response. A terrified Allison decided to give it a try. He promised a woman who ran a true storytelling show that he’d appear and tell a very revealing tale. But on the day of the event, he called to beg off — insisting it was just too personal.“That’s great news!”Allison remembers her saying.“‘On the day of, there’s usually someone who feels like their story’s too personal — too risky — but if I can convince them to actually go ahead and do it, that’s usually the story that knocks it out of the park.” “I went and told the story that night,” Allison recalls — worrying about saying too much and sounding too gay. But he quickly realized that the more he revealed, the more people wanted.“I could see it in their eyes! I could feel I was conversing with the audience rather than reciting at them and all of a sudden I was like, ‘Whoa, something is happening here between me and this audience that I haven’t experienced before.’” He recalls thinking, as he left the theater,“That’s the word: Risk! I should create a show where people are just coming out about anything!”

THE TURNING POINT “Early on, RISK! mostly focused on well-known comedians who were friends of mine,” Allison recalls, mentioning Sarah Silverman, Marc Maron, Kevin Nealon and a other notable funny folk. Though their celebrity brought helpful attention to the show (which still welcomes many famous faces), “a whole new level of raw honesty started happening,” Allison says,“when fans started wanting to share their own stories.” “A young woman came to me and said that she wanted to tell the stometrosource.com

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Allison may be the face of RISK!, but he doesn’t do it alone: It takes a team of 25 to produce the weekly podcast and mount over 50 live shows a year.

ry of how she was molested by a family member,” Allison recalls. “We sat down; she shared this story with me and she got really graphic about what had happened to her as a kid.” She expressed so much raw emotion that Allison offered her the chance to reconsider. “I never want to exploit someone,”he explains. But they finished crafting the story together, and after the episode went out, the storyteller wrote to him. “I have been in therapy for over a decade talking about the same stuff,” she said. “I have never felt as much like I turned the corner, like I was owning it and mastering my processing of it all, as when I put it out there with you.” JC Cassis (pictured, previous page), who has been part of Risk’s production team since 2011, tells me how rewarding it’s been when she’s told stories on the show. “Each time, the process was so revealing and enlightening and nerve wracking,” she says. Her proudest moment came in an episode called “The Downward Spiral” in which she shared the experience of dealing with the death of her uncle “who — unbeknownst to my mom and me — had been declining rapidly and living as a hermit for the previous 15 years.” Afterward,

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she got many messages from strangers saying her story had helped them cope with horrible deaths they witnessed. “It definitely feels risky,” she says,“but getting that kind of feedback makes it all worth it.” Cassis also sees the show as a rare opportunity to change hearts and minds. “I’m part of the LGBTQ community myself, and a huge chunk of all the people I love are as well,” she says. “The great thing is, we get emails all the time from people saying things like, ‘I’m a straight, married father of two kids in the Midwest, and I feel like I understand gay people so much more after listening to your show.” She calls RISK! “that very unusual queer content that actually reaches a mainly straight audience.”

MONEY AND POLITICS In a political climate that increasingly seems bent on silencing minority voices, Allison is intent on continuing to amplify them. “We need more people of color! We need more trans people! We need more people who have been incarcerated or homeless or fought in wars,” he says. “We’re always looking for people who might feel marginalized or whose stories you might be less likely to run into when you turn on the TV or the radio.” After the election, RISK! ran an all-immigrant episode and another episode with stories of people taking a stand against authorities. “We’re at this stage where political powers in America are suggesting that some people are more human than other people,” worries Allison. He wants to help those disenfranchised people “share their truth.” Allison admits that the philosophical rewards of RISK! tend to outweigh the financial. “A lot of folks have podcasts where it’s just a smart person sitting down, having a conversation with another smart or funny

“it’s always a pleasure to see Janeane Garofalo at shows because she’s super sweet, humble and fully present ”

This Page:Kevin Allison courtesy of Troy Conrad • opposite page: Janeane Garofalo courtesy of mindy tucker

Garofalo joins RISK! live at the Bell House.

person,” he says. By contrast, RISK! gathers some stories in studio, others at regular live shows in NY and LA, and still others at special live shows on the road. The required planning, coaching and editing can be a costly process. Still,“we continue to be more and more popular,” says Allison. (The podcast now averages about 2 million downloads per month.) “But we spend as much as we make, so it’s always just a little bit of a precarious thing.” “RISK! can definitely feel like keeping a lot of plates spinning at once — sometimes with not enough hands,” adds Cassis. “But it always feels worthwhile.” Allison admits he’s had mixed feelings about his colleagues’ success: “I saw my friends from The State go on to do things like Reno 911! or Red Hot American Summer, and some of them actually became multi-millionaires.” But when he hears from listeners who reconsidered suicide, parents who were able to understand children with drug problems and help them get treatment, or victims of sexual assault who learned not to blame themselves because of Risk! “it’s profoundly moving,” Allison says. ”It means a lot more than money.”

ALL OF OUR YUM At Podfest, Allison welcomes to the stage an

actor who shares a cringeworthy tale of losing his virginity, a hip-hop artist who narrowly avoided the November 2015 Paris terror attacks, a composer who struggled to keep his high-school sweetheart from killing herself, and a comedian who suffered multiple miscarriages while attempting fertility treatments. Harrowing as these stories may sound, they are delivered so deftly and mined for so much humor and insightful social commentary that their weighty subject matter doesn’t bring down the audience; on the contrary, they seem utterly engaged. There are nervous giggles and belly laughs. There are gasps of surprise and sighs of empathy. But above all, as Allison promised, there’s a sense of communication between each storyteller and those of us watching and listening. Allison says that he still wonders sometimes whether certain stories may be too risky. “Last month — at the RISK! live show — I told a story about how I attended this all-male kink camp where it got really graphic,” he recalls. But the audiences were responsive as ever. “They were great!” Allison says with a laugh.“It’s amazing that RISK! audiences are so open!” That openness extends even to storytellers confessing they take pleasure in activities some audiences might not find so pleasurable. Allison says the rule of thumb is: “Don’t yuck on my yum!” — meaning that being truly open-minded includess appreciating someone else getting turned on by something that, for others, could be a major turn-off. In RISK!, Allison has created an avenue for people to come out about even their most scandalous pleasures without fear. And, as he puts it,“What do we need more than an opportunity to share all of our yum?” ■

Listen to risk! at risk-show.com, and read about the hidden pitfalls of risk! holiday episodes and allison’s ambitious plans to create a new kind of podcast, as this conversation continues on metrosource.com.

health

Carefully Taut

time can be tough on the body. for example, Did

you know that around age 30 our bodies stop producing collagen — and then we start losing one to two percent of our supply each year thereafter? Collagen is the body’s main structural protein. It can be found in our skin, muscles, tendons, bones, blood vessels and digestive systems. As we lose collagen, it becomes particularly evident in our epidermis which begins to form those dreaded wrinkles as it loses elasticity. Conversely, increasing collagen levels can help boost metabolism, strengthen teeth and nails, repair joints, help detox, cleanse the liver, and even assist in the reduction of stretch marks. People have long sought to replace lost collagen with a variety of creams, lotions and fillers. Then they discovered that it’s also drinkable. Consumed by beauty seekers in Asian markets for years, drinkable collagen has just started to take off in the North America. Taut Premium Collagen, North America’s first and strongest drinkable colla-

june/july 2017

metrosource.com

gen brand, was formulated in Japan. Each 1.7 ounce bottle of Taut contains over 13,000mg of hydrolyzed collagen. Though traditional collagen molecules are too large to be absorbed in this manner, this collagen is broken down until its molecules are small enough to be absorbed through digestion. Taut collagen tastes like orange juice and is preservative free, chemical free, allergen free, gluten free, and sweetened with Stevia. (It’s currently the only consumable collagen that isn’t sweetened with sugar.) It’s sourced from fish — deep water red snapper, to be exact — and produced in Japan under certified environmentally-friendly conditions. Taut also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, skin-plumping ceramide, the powerful antioxidant CoQ10, chondroitin sulfate — which is known to help the body repair itself, and Vitamins C, E and B6. It’s best consumed on an empty stomach just before bedtime to maximize effectiveness and may also be combined with topical treatments like masks for more dramatic results. renewalliance.com ■

photo courtesy taut

You may have heard collagen can help to keep skin looking young and firm. But did you know that you can drink it too? By Jeffrey James Keyes

health

I Lamb What I Lamb By Gayle Van Wely if you’re celebrating the season with a dinner party, consider this protein-rich, pistachio crusted lamb alongside the good-

for-you green peas of our Petit Pois à la Francais. Pistachios have been shown to decrease the levels of LDL “bad cholesterol” in the body — offering antioxidants, phytosterols, and unsaturated fatty acids to promote a healthy heart. Meanwhile lamb offers an explosion of B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12) along with other helpful body building blocks. And green peas are among the world’s healthiest foods, providing Vitamin K and manganese for healthy blood and bones, plus additional vitamins and minerals.

INGREDIENTS

photo by gayle van wely

FOR THE LAMB 2 french-trimmed 8-bone racks of lamb (with caps, fat and sinews removed) salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil ¾ cup shelled, finely chopped pistachios ¾ cup finely chopped chives 3 Tbsp Dijon mustard FOR THE Petit pois à la Francais 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 16 pearl onions, peeled and halved 2 garlic cloves thinly sliced 2 cups shelled fresh peas ½ cup homemade chicken stock sea salt and freshly ground pepper 1 head bib lettuce, quartered 1 head frisée, separated

preparation pistachio and chive-crusted lamb 1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a large, heavy frying pan over high heat. Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper. Drizzle one tablespoon oil into hot pan and place one lamb rack in, meat side down. Sear for about two minutes per side or until golden brown. Transfer lamb to a heavy baking sheet, meat side up. Repeat process with the second lamb rack. 2. When both racks have been browned, transfer the baking sheet to the oven and roast the lamb for 15 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of one end registers 120°F for medium rare. Transfer the lamb to a platter to rest for ten minutes. 3. Sprinkle pistachios and chives evenly over a plate. Spread dijon mustard over the meat side of the lamb racks, and then press the mustard-coated side of the lamb firmly into the pistachio and herbs, creating the crust. Carve the lamb into individual chops. Place chops on four serving plates, drizzle with the remaining oil and any accumulated juices from the pan. Serves four. Petit pois à la Francais Heat oil in a sauté pan. Add onions and cook 2 minutes; then add the garlic and continue cooking until translucent. Add peas and stock, and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook several minutes, until peas are almost tender. Add lettuce and frisée and stir through. Cover for one minute to wilt. Adjust seasoning to taste before serving. metrosource.com

JUNE/JULY 2017

What is TRUVADA for PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis)?

u You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver

TRUVADA is a prescription medicine that can be used for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection when used together with safer sex practices. This use is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This includes HIV-negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex, and male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV-1. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP?

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP? Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: u You must be HIV-negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are conﬁrmed to be HIV-negative. u Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: u You must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. u You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. u To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: • Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior. • Have fewer sex partners. • Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. u If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: u Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats. uSerious liver problems. Your liver may become large and tender, and you may develop fat in your liver. Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain.

problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking TRUVADA for a long time. In some cases, these serious conditions have led to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of these conditions. u Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you also have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider tells you to stop taking TRUVADA, they will need to watch you closely for several months to monitor your health. TRUVADA is not approved for the treatment of HBV. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you also take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA).

What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP?

Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: u Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA for PrEP. u Bone problems, including bone pain or bones getting soft or thin, may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. u Changes in body fat, which can happen in people taking TRUVADA or medicines like TRUVADA. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomacharea (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP?

u All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you

have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. u If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Pregnancy Registry: A pregnancy registry collects information about your health and the health of your baby. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take medicines to prevent HIV-1 during pregnancy. For more information about the registry and how it works, talk to your healthcare provider. u If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. The medicines in TRUVADA can pass to your baby in breast milk. If you become HIV-1 positive, HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. u All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. u If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA for PrEP, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include ledipasvir with sofosbuvir (HARVONI). You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page.

Have you heard about

TRUVADA for PrEP™? The once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when used with safer sex practices. • TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. • You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.

visit start.truvada.com

IMPORTANT FACTS (tru-VAH-dah)

This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP

Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are conﬁrmed to be HIV-1 negative. • Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. • You must stay HIV-1 negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • Tell your healthcare provider if you have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. • See the “How to Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information. TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Buildup of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats. • Severe liver problems, which in some cases can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months. You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking TRUVADA for a long time.

TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP" section. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Bone problems. • Changes in body fat. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomacharea (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.

• Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • You must practice safer sex by using condoms and you must stay HIV-1 negative.

ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP (PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS)

HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK

TRUVADA is a prescription medicine used with safer sex practices for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection in adults at high risk: • HIV-1 negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex. • Male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not. To help determine your risk, talk openly with your doctor about your sexual health. Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. • Take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA).

• Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior. • Have fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.

TRUVADA, the TRUVADA Logo, TRUVADA FOR PREP, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and HEPSERA are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2016 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0083 03/17

BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical conditions. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you become HIV-1 positive because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.

HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV-1 infection. • Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.

Metrohiv

Claes Lilja at the Brotherhood Retreat

Ten Years of Brotherhood As it approaches a milestone, a retreat designed for men living with HIV seeks to break down boundaries. By scott kramer, LCSW-R

courtesy brotherhood retreats.

the Brotherhood Retreat is a three-day gathering

for gay and bisexual men, which was conceived by Claes Lilja (pictured). “The idea for the retreat hit me like a lightning bolt,” Lilja remembers. “I was taking a shower, and the idea came with such strength and clarity that I knew I just had to do this. I stepped out of the shower without fully drying off, went to my computer, and typed out the schedule.” The experience was originally intended as a support system for gay men living with HIV and still draws a mainly HIV-positive crowd. But organizers have also recently made a point of welcoming all men who are attracted to men. This change is intended to both be more inclusive of serodiscordant couples and discourage separation within the community. The three days of Brotherhood are carefully planned by Lilja and include a combination of meditation, breath work, healing touch, shared meals and more. The activities are geared towards helping people connect with themselves and others in a way they might not do otherwise. Men tell Lilja that they attend the retreat for a variety of reasons. Many are dealing with a sense of isolation that is all too common among people living

with HIV. Others are looking for new ways to connect with other men. Still others are seeking healing or support as they deal with specific problems. The remainder simply want an opportunity to get away from their everyday lives in a beautiful location. Since its inception in 2008, the retreat has been held in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, which — Lilja explains — is a manageable traveling distance for travelers coming from across the U.S. and Europe. The Brotherhood Retreat does not screen attendees based on nationality or appearance; its only requirements are that attendees are over 18 years old and identify as a gay or bisexual man. “I never imagined anything that could be so transformational, loving, scary, intimate and as exciting as this retreat has been,” says one recent participant.“I’m a changed man, a new man, a reborn man. It’s like I just gained fifteen new lovers. It’ll be hard to leave this sacred place and these incredible men. I’ve never felt more alive and happy.” The tenth Brotherhood Retreat will take place July 21–23 this year. Get more information by visiting facebook.com/BrotherhoodRetreats or by following @PozRetreat on Twitter. ■ metrosource.com

june/july 2017

health

The Spa at Blue Waters

Seven Spas to See this Summer Bathe like the ancient Romans. Find zen in New Zealand. Experience the native botanicals of Belize — and more. By Jeffrey James Keyes

a new spa to try. So where does a savvy traveler seek relief? We scoped out seven upscale LGBT-friendly spas offering treatments from light massage to intense rejuvenation. Some await in the urban jungle, while others can only be found on an island escape. The Spa at Blue Waters, Antigua Pristine, tranquil and sumptuous, the Spa at Blue Waters is a go-to therapeutic haven in the middle of the Caribbean (pictured above). They offer a helpfully goal-oriented massage menu: unwind with Stress Away, recharge with Spirit Reviver, loosen up with Muscle Melt. Their full body therapies go even deeper — combining massage with scalp treatments and a seaweed wrap that feels like a restorative cocoon. Blue Waters also recently debuted a Living Retreat Program, which adds bespoke personalized wellness activities to their repertoire. These programs offer

june/july 2017

metrosource.com

help with issues such as managing stress, achieving better sleep, addressing body and fitness issues and more — helping you find a new sense of personal balance in a most idyllic environment. bluewaters.net The Rittenhouse Spa, Philadelphia Inspired by the haute couture spirit of designers like Alexander McQueen and Jean Paul Gaultier, The Rittenhouse Spa is a luxe hotel day spa that helps locals and visitors present their fiercest faces. Skincare offerings include a Vitamin C treatment to combat the signs of premature aging and a non-invasive, nonsurgical facial resurfacing procedure known as the Hydrafacial MD. In the mood for something sweet? Their Citrus Drench uses natural ingredients like crystallized honey shea butter and orange juice to restore the skin’s elasticity and increase hydration. Men in pursuit of perfection can continue their journey at the City Center Salon, which is a local

all images this piece courtesy of the respective spas

it seems no matter where you go, there’s always

RITTENHOUSE SPA

men’s grooming Mecca. Select from a manly menu including hot shaves, back sculpting, eye grooming and even a signature gentleman’s mani-pedi. therittenhousespaclub.com NAÏA RESORT AND SPA, BELIZE Belize may have waited until 2016 to legalize homosexuality, but the karmic reward may be this unique new spa that opened in January of 2017. Specializing in transformational multi-sensory experiences inspired by local tradition, the enormous Naïa Resort and Spa complex extends over a series of forested islands. Scattered throughout are six treatment rooms with private decks, which look out over lily-covered lagoons. Inside the treatment rooms, Naïa therapists (considered healers) utilize native botanicals and the restorative properties of water to enhance treatments such as massages, facials, body wraps and scrubs. Yoga enthusiasts will also want to wander over to the

CHUAN SPA

fitness center, which is specially equipped with silk ropes for aerial yoga. naiaresortandspa.com THE SPA AT THE PALMER HOUSE, CHICAGO Sprawling across the fifth floor of the historic Palmer House Hilton, The Spa at Palmer House is a venue where size definitely matters. The 8,000 foot oasis boasts treatment rooms designed as individual suites, which are double the size of a standard spa room. It is also a trusted destination for hydrotherapy treatments, notably the Palmer House Polish in Vichy, in which water cascades over spa patrons while they are being pampered. palmerhousehiltonhotel.com CHUAN SPA AT THE LANGHAM, AUCKLAND Nestled in the heart of a beautiful New Zealand property, Chuan Spa embraces Asian traditions that seek harmony in balancing the five elements: metal, wood, fire, earth and water. Their Tri-Bathing Ritual

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JUNE/JULY 2017

Cavalieri Grand Spa Club

five-element essential oils and incense. Special men’s treatments include the Man’s World, which offers a back exfoliation, and the Man’s Maintenance, which includes a warm blue-green algae mask meant to deeply replenish skin. chuanspa.com Cavalieri Grand Spa Club, Rome Situated above Rome with expansive panoramic 360-degree views, the Waldorf Astoria Rome Cavalieri offers an experience well in keeping with the tradition of the great Roman baths. For the ultimate power splurge, try a Caviar Firming Facial with its face and eye massage (infused with real caviar), or a Caviar Body Treatment to leave your whole body shimmering like the Mediterranean. romecavalieri.com

thermae

the body with heat and cold: first you bathe under the spa’s “snail shower”; next, have an exhilirating “ice experience,” and warm up again in an herbal steam room. Now walk down a candlelit hallway, where the air is rich with relaxing aromas, to await holistic treatments that incorporate components such as

june/july 2017

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Thermae Bath Spa, Bath Tradition meets trends in the U.K. city of Bath, which was named for its natural thermal waters that drew Celts and Romans there over 2,000 years ago. Visitors can experience the Cross Bath, an open-air thermal bath where the Celts once worshipped, and then venture on into the New Royal Bath: a beautiful fusion of glass, stone, light and water. The top floor’s open-air pool offers lovely views of the city and the surrounding hills (where the denizens of Downton Abbey might have once frolicked). Also not to be missed are the infrared sauna, ice chamber, Astral Room and enormous thermal Minerva Bath. thermaebathspa.com ■

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GMHC CEO Kelsey Louie

Housing & HIV: A New Horizon AIDS service organizations know housing can be a challenge for their clients. But what is the best way to offer help? BY jeff simmons People living with HIV or aids can be at risk of Los-

ing housing for a variety of reasons — from difficulty retaining work while dealing with health issues to financial challenges related to steep medical costs. Yet finding a secure place to live is a pivotal part of ensuring the long-term stability that would allow them to address these very concerns. Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) has moved to address this challenge: it entered the housing market, taking over 25 units to house people with HIV/AIDS in NYC. “It’s the first time that we’ve offered housing since our inception 35 years ago,” says Kelsey Louie (pictured), GMHC’s Chief Executive Officer. “More and more, housing has been identified as a need for

june/july 2017

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our clients. Unstable housing leads to a host of issues, making it harder for people to get and stay on a medical regimen.” Many AIDS Service Organizations across America have long provided support to people in need of housing. Los Angeles-based APLA Health, for example, provides a host of services to address the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS who face homelessness. Specialists help clients formulate housing plans, apply for housing assistance, educate them about tenant rights and often act as liaison with property owners. But GMHC’s new program actually provides the housing. The measure comes at a time when homelessness is still a major domestic problem. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) found nearly 550,000 people experienced homelessness on a single night in 2016. There is even a HUD program specifically designed to channel funds to organizations that help low-income people living with HIV/AIDS (and their families) find housing; it’s known as Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). In New York City alone, 60,000 individuals are sleeping in shelters each night. Louie and his colleagues at GMHC could see how the housing crisis was affecting the lives of the people they serve. “Over the last two years, I’ve been listening to our clients and what they need most is housing,” Louie says. “We needed to be doing something differently.” In both NY and LA, the challenge has been compounded by rapidly escalating rents, which have limited many landlords’ involvement in affordable housing programs and put housing even further out of the grasp of many. “The people we see here are poor,” says Philip Curtis, APLA Health’s Government Affairs Director. “No one living at that kind of income level can find affordable housing in Los Angeles. People are having to move 30, 40 miles out of the city to find subsidized housing.” This means that nonprofits like APLA Health and GMHC will need to continue to find new and innovative ways to help their clients find — and keep — long-term housing. GMHC says that the 25 units it has opened so far are just a start: its second round of housing is already on the horizon. ■

courtesy gmhc

Metrohiv

WHO SHOULD GET TESTED FOR HIV? EVERYONE.

leviâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sorted Life

Levi Kreis knows what it’s like to be your own worst enemy. By kevin phinney

opposite: photo courtesy Leo Lam • this page: photos courtesy “Sordid lives”

The cast of A Very Sordid Wedding includes Leslie Jordan as Brother Boy, Bonnie Bedelia as Latrelle, Dale Dickey as Sissy and Ann Walker as LaVonda.

In a very sordid wedding — the latest installment of Del Shores’

Southern-fried Sordid Lives series, Tony-winner Levi Kreis joins the cast as an anti-gay zealot evangelical named Reverend Jimmy Ray Brewton. While the film itself provides yet another good-natured ribbing of rural Americana, Kreis faced a kaleidoscope of emotions while working on the project — which quickly catapulted him back into one of the darkest periods of his life. Unbeknownst to many of his fans, the now out-and-proud Kreis spent six years of his own life in self-imposed conversion therapy — hoping to unlight the fuse of his same-sex attractions. “A lot of us who are healing those wounds keep it very private,” he confides.“All that flies out the window when you’re playing a character like this. Showing up on set after doing my homework on the character and going to that place where I had to believe the words coming out of this guy’s mouth? That was a bit of a mindf**k.”

PLAYING OPPOSITES Kreis’s fire-and-brimstone role makes him part of a relatively recent showbiz tradition: casting well-known liberals as conservative villains to telegraph that the project doesn’t share these characters’ values. Examples include openly gay David Hyde Pierce and outspoken LGBTQ ally Rob Reiner playing men who opposed gay rights in the ABC docudrama When We Rise. And much like Alec Baldwin reveling in the weekly tweets of fury he incites from the White House via Saturday Night Live, Kreis says there’s a certain satisfaction in putting words into the mouths of his onetime adversaries. Perhaps no one has performed this parlor trick with more finesse than the late Rue McClanahan. In her personal life, McClanahan dedicated considerable time and energy to LGBT community causes, while onscreen, she famously played women coming to terms with their own homophobia — both as Blanche Devereaux on the Golden Girls and later as family matriarch Peggy in the Sordid Lives pre-

quel series on Logo. In the Sordid universe, her character wrestled with the fact that she had committed her son Brother Boy (played to Tammy Wynette-channeling perfection by Leslie Jordan) to a mental institution for being a cross-dressing homosexual. As the character evolved, audiences saw that Peggy was haunted by the consequences of her actions.“Sometimes I don’t know how you sleep at night,” her daughter LaVonda says to her. “Sometimes I don’t,” Peggy replies. Series creator Del Shores says that McClanahan instinctively understood and embraced the character’s complexities.“Rue’s from Oklahoma and I’m from Texas,” he explains.“She was just as twisted as me.” Shores remembers McClanahan being keenly aware of the potentially powerful effect of playing such a role.”Rue was such an ally and supporter of our community,” he says. “She actually felt that by playing this type of woman that she could shed light and expose this kind of ignorance and bigotry. Her demographic crossed well into the conservatives, so I believe she did just that, and as she brought many new fans to Sordid Lives, she educated them.” But where McClanahan seemed to easily spritz her performances with magnolia-scented charm, Kreis struggled to find his way into Reverend Jimmy Ray.

GETTING INTO CHARACTER As Kreis took on the role of a preacher hellbent on making sure a tiny Texas town remains a haven for “traditional marriage,” the process exhumed a graveyard of ghosts Kreis had considered long dead and buried. “No question it was a daunting experience for me to live in that headspace again because the scripture that I ingested to make me change, in fact, made me a suicidal teen,” Kreis recalls. “I was raised in a small-town fundamentalist environment, and after all these years of learning how to own who I am, you would think I’d be completely confident, given all the work I’ve done. But re-experiencing that level of self-hatred, I still caught myself having the occasional moment of apologizing for who I am.” metrosource.com

june/july 2017

Kreis as Reverend Jimmy Ray Brewton

Nevertheless, Kreis knew it was essential for his performance that he get inside the Reverend’s head.“That’s the commitment we have as actors: you’ve got to be as honest as possible,” he says. “It was really difficult to get to a place to speak these words and have them come out being genuine — these words that gave me the deepest scars.” A Very Sordid Wedding marks Kreis’ first onscreen work with Shores, although the two have been friends for years, and it’s easy to understand the bond they share. Shores grew up in the rural South — deeply closeted through his first marriage (to a woman). Kreis was reared in east Tennessee, where his fear of being identified as “one of those people” led to an adolescence of hiding his orientation behind achievements as a musician. And then suddenly, his time of hiding came to an end.

NOTHING TO FIX At the time, Kreis was studying in Nashville at Belmont University and still actively resisting his attraction to men. “I was in this music history class, and there was this beautiful boy who would stare at me,”Kreis recalls.“I just knew he was conspiring with Satan to bring me down to his base level. So one day after class, I con-

JUNE/JULY 2017

metrosource.com

fronted him. Deep in the shame of feeling the attraction I had for him, I said, ‘Look, I’m going through reparative therapy, and Jesus can heal you.’” At first, the boy seemed receptive. “He told me,‘I need someone who can help me through this.’” Ultimately, says Kreis,“I think it took us all of two weeks before we had sex.” After that, Kreis finally began to seriously question the nature of his shame. “I’ve always been a very sincere boy,” says Kreis, “and I wanted to know the answers to the questions I had about myself and my relationship with God.” At one point in college, he even spread three different translations of the Bible on his dorm room bed, hoping to triangulate the common truths tucked within. “The conclusion I began to come to was that maybe God didn’t have an issue with me and perhaps there was nothing for Him to fix,” Kreis says. He confided this conclusion to his roommate Chris, inadvertently setting off a life-changing chain of events. “Chris took that to the Baptist Student Union and requested prayer for me,” Kreis says. “The union felt responsible to let the college board of directors know what was going on; so they began deliberating on what to do with me.”

By this time, Kreis had also already had a Top Ten hit as a songwriter in the Christian market.“An intern at the Christian label where I was signed let them know what was happening [at school],” Kreis explains.“So a week later I was dropped from the label.”

COMING INTO FOCUS “I was really angry with God at that point,” Kreis remembers. Disillusioned, Kreis relocated to LA, where he met Del Shores at a performance of Shores’ play Southern Baptist Sissies. “It took me right back: the tiny town and high school graduation — where I was valedictorian with a C average,” Kreis says with a chuckle. “By the end of the play, I was in a fetal position from laughing so hard.” He sought out the playwright, and they became friends as Kreis began to more fully accept his sexuality. However, that did not necessarily mean the music industry was ready to accept it. He soon went through eight major labels. “No one knew what to do with me,” explains Kreis. “Until Rufus Wainwright introduced audiences and industry people to the idea of an openly gay crooner, there just wasn’t any precedent for someone like me.” Still, there were some artistic benefits: “I was getting really authentic and

this page: Levi Kris Photo courtesy Steven K Johnson • opposite page: Leslie Jordan and Whoopie goldberg photos courtesy of “Sordid Lives.”

Sean Hayes snaps a selfie with angels James Gleason, left, and David Josefsberg.

(left) In A Very Sordid Wedding, Brother Boy — having escaped conversion therapy — expands his drag performance repertoire to include Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, but remains eternally faithful to his beloved Tammy Wynette. (above) Whoopi Goldberg also shows up late in the film to provide a colorful counterpoint to Jimmy Ray’s views on gay marriage.

honest in my songwriting. I was beginning to write more and more about our experiences as LGBT youth.” It was here that Shores would play another defining role in Kreis’s life, coming up with the title for his debut album, One Of The Ones. “It’s an innocent jab at the embarrassing number of boys I really believed were ‘The One,’” Kreis says sheepishly. “The album deals with all the demons we face in terms of our relationships as gay men — as we fumble in dark rooms and on the apps to try to become the versions of ourselves we really want to be.” Finally, Kreis’ career started coming into focus. Mainstream TV shows such as Vampire Diaries, Sons of Anarchy and Days of Our Lives began licensing his songs. And eventually, his path led him to Broadway, where he ended up playing rock’n’roll piano pounder Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet — a performance that won him the Tony award for “Best Featured Actor in A Musical” in 2010. Through it all, Kreis and Shores kept in touch. “I’m not sure how the conversation started with Del and I regarding playing the role of Reverend Jimmy Ray in the film. Maybe I was just at the top of his mind, since I had just played a preacher in Violet on Broadway,”

Kreis says. Whatever the reason, it seemed like high time for him to work with Shores, whom Kreis refers to as “the writer/director that saved my life” with his humor. And despite the personally traumatic nature of the subject matter, Kreis found Shores to be a remarkable and intuitive director. “Our working together was a long time in the making, and it was definitely worth the wait.”

FORGIVENESS IS THE FOUNTAIN So, in retrospect, how does Kreis feel about the religious culture that tried so hard to convince him to change? “When you look back at a fundamentalist upbringing and see people whose convictions damned you to Hell, at some point, you have to ask yourself: can I force these people to have different convictions?” Kreis chooses to channel his energies into more practical pursuits, including work on an album he recently released called Broadway at the Keys — in which he performs classics from shows including Pippin, Rent and (naturally) Million Dollar Quartet. But he has more to be grateful for than career success. “I’m now eight years sober from using crystal meth,” Kreis reveals. “All of this change sprang from the realization of how little I val-

ued myself and began a quest for self-love.” Kreis also says that when he stopped judging himself so harshly, it allowed him to judge others less harshly, as well — even those whose beliefs are diametrically opposed to his own. “If there is anything that has impacted me over the last year,” he concludes, “it’s that we’ve all become so intolerant of each other that we can’t have meaningful disagreements anymore.“ However, his journey has helped him continue to find compassion “for those who truly pain me,” says Kreis. Though he admits that it’s not always a simple process:“Its much easier to just say: f**k ‘em.” But the work pays off in surprising ways. “I have a secret for you,” Kreis shares.“Forgiveness is a fountain of youth, and letting go is the best wrinkle prevention there is.” Ultimately, he believes advocating diversity necessarily includes being tolerant of those with problematically different religious or political opinions. “The message of the film says it all,” Kreis explains. “Dear friends, let us love one another. Period.” ■ have you struggled to reconcile your religion and your sexual orientation? share your story with us at facebook.com/metrosource.

metrosource.com

june/july 2017

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LA Scope

What Happens at Pride... Music legends come together to share area stages as LA Pride returns to its political roots.

Garbage

by christopher lisotta Blondie and Garbage July 9 At the intersection of punk, new wave and

disco, you’ll always find Deborah Harry. Now she’s back fronting Blondie and shares the stage for the most kickass double-bill ever with their intergenerational soul mates, Shirley Manson and Garbage. Expect a singular mix of pop, rock and radio staples that would almost certainly blow the roof off the Hollywood Bowl — if it had one. hollywoodbowl.com

Los Angeles Pride/ Christopher Street West June 5–11 this page: band photo courtesy garbage

The organizers of LA Pride faced controversy

last year when some accused the event of downplaying its roots and positioning itself, essentially, as a music festival. Blame the outcry about last year or the election of you-knowwho, but they’ve drastically changed direction this year: the traditional parade is being replaced with the more politically-focused #ResistMarch. The June 11 demonstration begins in Hollywood (where the first legally permitted gay march was held in 1970) and will end

in West Hollywood. It will be the culmination of a week of programming slated to include a Women’s party (June 6), a Trans Party (June 9), an LGBT night at Dodger Stadium (also June 9), and the LA Pride Festival at West Hollywood Park (June 10-11). lapride.org

a same-sex couple struggling with a sex addiction crisis in 2008. Worlds apart and yet tragically connected, the surprisingly funny play takes an unflinching look at fidelity, friendship and forgiveness. thewallis.org/pride

What happens at the abbey

Kamala Sankaram: thumbprint

Sundays

June 15–18

If you’ve ever felt like your best nights out

Sometimes it takes a single person to stand

were a reality show waiting to be filmed, we hope you’ve been hanging out at The Abbey. What Happens at the Abbey — a new docuseries from E! — offers a candid look at the staff and patrons of this legendary LA hot spot. The series promises plenty of buff bodies, sassy spotlight-seekers and interpersonal drama — not to mention accompanying promotional events at its namesake. eonline.com

up to an unjust system. The LA Opera co-production Thumbprint tells the story of Mukhtar Mai, the first woman in Pakistan to bring a group who raped her to justice — by forcing them to open a school for girls. Its title is drawn from the fact that, in Pakistan, uneducated women sign documents via thumbprint. With Hindustan and European opera influences, Mai’s story is brought to life through a haunting score and tells a story of triumph in desperate circumstances. redcat.org

The Pride June 8–9 The Wallis in Beverly Hills is getting into

Heisenberg

the spirit of the season with a production of Alexi Kaye Campbell’s The Pride, a drama that explores both a closeted romance in 1958 and

Opens June 28 Playwright Simon Stephens — acclaimed for

works such as The Curious Incident of the Dog in metrosource.com june/july 2017

LA Scope

Heisenberg

a much older stranger in the middle of a bustling London train station. Mary-Louise Parker reprises the role she played in the Manhat-

tan Theatre Club production, which was reviewed as soaring, suspenseful, and thrilling. centertheatregroup.org

San Diego Pride July 14–16 Last year, pride in San Diego began with a

memorial to the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting; this year organizers are betting on themes of solidarity, social justice and community engagement to motivate celebrants throughout the weekend. Events will include the traditional parade and festival in San Diego’s famed Hillcrest neighborhood. With the slogan “Allied in Action: United in Justice,” organizers are aiming to both provide a welcoming space for everyone, while also challenging them to stand up for what’s right. sdpride.org

Daryl Hall & John Oates and Tears For Fears July 28 It’s been a summer of reuniting for both

Daryl Hall and John Oates (who are the number one-selling duo in music history) and Tears for Fears. It is rumored that, after Tears for Fears’ initial breakup, members Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal didn’t speak for ten years, but apparently they’ve put all that behind them to spend the last two and a half months on the road. Now, they wrap things up with one last night at LA’s Staples Center. staplescenter.com (Additional reporting by Paul Hagen) ■

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this page: Mary-louise parker photo courtesy Joan Marcus/center theater group • pride photo courtesy Fernando Lopez/san diego pride.

the Night-Time — makes his Mark Taper Forum debut with Heisenberg, the story of a younger woman who becomes intimately involved with

San Diego Pride

Metromony

The Party Has Just Begun

courtesy sasquatch books.

True gay wedding tales offer inspiration, while the global struggle for marriage equality continues. BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES unexpected receptions party on

wed in the world hand in hand

“I cried tears of joy when reading this book,”

japan has its first official gay foster parents,

says Edie Windsor, winner of the legendary United States v. Windsor Supreme Court case, which declared DOMA unconstitutional. The book in question is The Best Party of Our Lives: Stories of Gay Weddings and True Love to Inspire Us All ($18.95, Sasquatch Books) by Sarah Galvin, author of the Wedding Crasher column in Seattle weekly The Stranger. This collection of true stories about gay weddings mimics the course of a traditional wedding — from engagement to walking down the aisle to the honeymoon and beyond — with each chapter focusing on a different couple’s love story. Meet gay grooms like “Jeffrey & Rodney,” who found each other when Jeffrey placed a personal ad describing himself as a “33-yearold bearded bear”interested in“salsa, wrestling, biceps, Jean Genet, lesbians, tattoos, short guys, James Brown, the ocean, hiking.” In “Bradford & Grant,” Bradford confesses how he was tired of presenting “the best version of himself,”so he was brutally honest with Grant early on about being a “recovering drug addict” and “really bad with money.” Grant would ultimately propose to Bradford by constructing an epic art installation in their garage. Music lovers “Nick & Spike” chose to walk down the aisle to “Origin of Love” from the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and their big day also included an homage to “The Book of Love” by the Magnetic Fields, while “Paul & Phillip” gave their wedding Bavarian flavor by donning lederhosen and offering a pretzel bar and a bratwurst & beer station. The Best Party of our Lives paints a beautiful portrait of the changing face of marriage. The trailblazing couples in its pages offer valuable perspective on what it means to walk down the aisle and inspiration for those still deciding how to live it up on that special day. Galvin confesses that“writing Best Party profoundly changed my outlook on love and marriage. It gave marriage new relevance in my life.”

the Netherlands fights homophobia, and more:

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS Holland was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, and the nation was outraged when a married gay couple were attacked, allegedly for holding hands. In protest, Quebec City Dutch men (gay and straight) started sharing photos of themselves holding hands in public on social media with the hashtags #handinhand and #allenmannenhandinhand (“all men hand in hand”).

CHEYENNE, WYOMING Judge Ruth Neely has been refusing to perform same-sex marriages, writing,“homosexuality is a named sin in the Bible, as are drunkenness, thievery, lying and the like. I can no more officiate at a same-sex wedding than I can buy beer for the alcoholic.”The Wyoming Supreme Court agreed to officially censure her for violating the Code of Judicial Conduct but ultimately decided not to remove her from her position.

montreat, North carolina Several media outlets have reported that North Carolina’s Montreat College is requiring its employees to sign a “Community Life Covenant,” which opposes same-sex marriage. Multiple faculty members have indicated that they will not sign the document and therefore will may not continue teaching there.

Morelli in a confetti-themed wedding celebration. The happy couple, who originally met on the set of Orange is the New Black in 2012, celebrated the day dressed to the nines in custom Christian Siriano. Meanwhile, Barry Manilow has finally decided to speak to the press about his longtime romance with and marriage to manager Garry Kief. The couple met in 1978 and were married in a discreet ceremony in Palm Springs in 2014.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN Taiwan could become the first Asian nation to allow same-sex marriage — either by its legislature passing a bill to ensure its gay citizens the right to marry and adopt or its highest court deciding a landmark case on whether gay marriage is guaranteed under its constitution. (Additional reporting by Paul Hagen) ■

OSAKA, JAPAN In April, the Japan Times announced that two men have officially become Japan’s first gay couple to be certified foster parents. The couple contacted authorities about becoming foster parents in the fall of 2015 and have now been caring for a teenage boy since February.

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PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA Actress Samira Wiley has married writer Lauren metrosource.com

JUNE/JULY 2017

RESTAURANT BITES Edited by Eric Rosen

BEVERLY HILLS

OSTERIA MOZZA

NERANO The latest launch from the storied Toscana Group, this trattoria takes its cues from Italy’s sunny Amalfi coast with dishes like tonnarelli pasta with Santa Barbara uni and bottarga. This may be Beverly Hills, but there are still deals to be had on classic cocktails and stuzzichini during the restaurant’s weekday Aperitivo Hour in the early evening. 9960 S. Santa Monica Blvd., 310-405-0155

SPAGO Reopened after a “refresh” (also known as a facelift in Beverly Hills), Wolfgang Puck’s seminal temple of California cuisine has reopened with a bright, all-new look, but a familiar menu of dishes that put the famous Austrian-born chef on the map. 176 N. Canon Dr., 310-385-0880

HOLLYWOOD GWEN Curtis Stone has done it again. The Aussie chef has opened an allnew fine-dining spot (and butcher shop!) in the heart of Hollywood. Guests can come for cocktails at one of the two bars, stay for a five-course prix-fixe in the swanky dining room, or just drop by the gleaming meat counter for cuts of dry-aged beef and charcuterie. 6600 Sunset Blvd., 323-946-7500

Though it can take ages to score a good reservation at Mario Batali’s LA restaurant, dishes like burricotta cheese with braised artichokes, pine nuts, currants and mint pesto; and sweet pea ravioli with black mussels, saffron and mint are worth the wait. Or pick up a pie from Mozza2Go next door. 6602 Melrose Ave., 323-297-0100

PALEY Paley hearkens to Hollywood’s heyday thanks to its location in the Colombia Square building, its name (after original CBS titan William S. Paley) and its eye-catching mid-century-inspired décor. But this Hollywood hot spot still feels perfect for the present day thanks to dishes like spicy Hamachi tacos. 6115 Sunset Blvd., 323-544-9430

RÉPUBLIQUE Chef Walter Manzke made a name for himself behind the stoves of beloved LA’s French restaurants (Bastide, Church & State), and he brings his flair for combining the best seasonal ingredients from local farmer’s markets to this new La Brea bistro that took over Campanile’s former home. 624 S. La Brea Ave., 323-362-6115

WEST HOLLYWOOD CATCH

KISMET

Though you’ll find franchises in New York, Dubai and Playa del Carmen, this rooftop restaurant has a distinctly SoCal sensibility, and plenty of outdoor space to enjoy our fine weather. Of course, seafood is the focus here, but no one would blame you for ordering the whole rack of lamb either. 8715 Melrose Ave., 323-347-6060

The ladies behind Madcapra at downtown’s Grand Central Market now have their own brick-and-mortar restaurant in a busy section of Los Feliz, serving up a menu that meshes Mediterranean classics with Californian flavors such as Persian cucumbers with rosewater labneh and parsley-seed zaatar. 4648 Hollywood Blvd., 323-409-0404

Cecconi’s patio is great for an intimate meal for two or a productive meeting of the minds. Don’t load up on too many Venetian-style cicchetti like the fried olives stuffed with mortadella and provolone; you’ll want to save room for the lobster spaghetti. 8764 Melrose Ave., 310-432-2000

CECCONI’S

CONNIE & TED’S

Chef Michael Cimarusti has been dazzling LA palates since he opened his fine-dining redoubt, Providence, but he takes a more casual approach with this new restaurant, an ode to the simple seafood shacks of his Rhode Island childhood…where you can still get an impressive selection of oysters and one of the best lobster rolls in town. 8171 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-848-2722

E.P./L.P.

La Cienega’s restaurant row gets an exciting new addition with this restaurant and rooftop lounge. Chef Louis Tikaram draws on his Australian routes and Asian heritage to plate dishes like crispy duck salad, wood-grilled green lip abalone, and fried softshell crab banh mi to dinner-goers clustered around the second floor’s open kitchen, or enjoying Hollywood Hills views around the fire pit at the rooftop bar-lounge. 603 N. La Cienega Blvd., 310-855-9955

GRACIAS MADRE

The folks behind vegan-raw mainstay Café Gratitude have brought the folks of West Hollywood this Mexican-inspired eatery where the plant-based cuisine is just as delicious but without the affirmationheavy menu names. The totopos with salsa de arbole and cashew crema are a standout. 8905 Melrose Ave., 323-978-2170

JON & VINNY’S

You love their grilled meat at Animal and the seafood at Son of a Gun. Now it’s time to try Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo’s take on neighborhood Italian at this friendly new Fairfax trattoria. Come on carb day so you can try the handmade pasta and seasonal pizzas along with a Dolcetto from the little wine shop located at the back. 412 N. Fairfax Ave., 323-334-3368

KITCHEN 24

Spacecraft Group brings its futuristic all-day-all-night diner concept to the heart of West Hollywood with the opening of its second Kitchen 24 location. You can expect the same greasy spoon-inspired plates with a bit of attitude thrown in — perfect for a late-night gluttony on your way back from Boystown’s bars. 8575 Santa Monica Blvd., 424-777-0959

LAUREL HARDWARE

Come join us for the Gayest Day in West Hollywood! Great Brunches & Outdoor Seating Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Dine-In / Take-out / Delivery

Formerly a humble hardware shop, this restaurant quickly became one of Weho’s hottest tables back when it opened in 2012. Chef Mario Alberto turns out specialties like apple cider pork belly in green barley with pear. Before your meal, try a cocktail at the ultracool bar in back, or better yet, dine in the idyllic back garden. 7984 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-656-6070

Marco’s

8200 Santa Monica Blvd 323-650-1060 www.marcoswesthollywood.com

Still going strong after 23 years, Marco’s has become a West Hollywood staple in Italian cooking with their signature lasagnas, Chicken Involtina, various raviolis, nightly dinner specials, fresh seafood dishes, quality steaks and the “best” Tiramisu in town. This neighborhood hangout also serves home-style breakfast with bottomless mimosas every morning with a casual, friendly vibe.

NORAH

West Hollywood is fast becoming the city’s new dining destination thanks to a slew of exciting new restaurants including this one in the former home of O-Bar. Settle in with a Blood Orange whiskey cocktail and then dig into the Thai sausages with kefir lime-chili jam and poached shrimp with uni butter. 8279 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-450-4211

PUMP

Admit it, Lisa Vanderpump is your favorite Real Housewife. She’s fun, she’s stylish, and she gets right to the point. She brings that same sensibility to the newest outlet in her expanding F&B empire, right in the heart of Boystown on Santa Monica Boulevard and Robertson. Though the inside bar gets hopping later at night, start with happy hour out in a private garden cabana. 8498 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-657-7867

SPARTINA

8200 Santa Monica Blvd. •● West Hollywood, CA 90046

323 650-1060 www.marcoswesthollywood.com

June/July 2017 metrosource.com

If you think LA didn’t need another Italian restaurant, think again. This new venture from chef Stephen Kalt has a fabulous patio fronting Melrose for prime people-watching, and some of the best woodfired pizzas and handmade pastas in town. Try the grilled avocado with Calabrian chile and ricotta salata then feel your eyes roll into the back of your head with the burrata-stuffed ravioli with sea urchin and shiso-basil. 7505 Melrose Ave., 323-782-1023

to advertise call 818 762-1955

RESTAURANT BITES Edited by Eric Rosen

TENDER GREENS

BESTIA

THE PONTE

HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU

With a selection of made-to-order salads, sandwiches and hot entrees, there’s something for everyone at this ultra-fresh, healthy eatery with a prime patio that sits on one of Weho’s best peoplewatching corners. See tendergreensfood.com for other locations. 8759 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-358-1919

On a hidden, gritty little alley on the eastern edge of downtown, Israeli chef Ori Menashe has transformed a former factory building in to a congenial gathering spot where hipsters and foodies converge to consume housemade cured meats, pastas and other Mediterranean-inspire fare. 2121 E. 7th Pl., 213-514-5724

Don’t mourn the loss of Terrine too much…since it’s already been replaced by this Italian eatery with chef Scott Conant at the helm. Instead of heavy French dishes, you can now enjoy Italian light bites and pastas like ricotta gnudi with asparagus and morels. The iconic back patio with lights strung overhead is still here too. Be sure to order one of the signature negronis. 8265 Beverly Blvd., 323-746-5130

Koreatown has quickly become home to some of the city’s most exciting new restaurants, including this recent opening from former Animal chef Jonathan Whitener, whose menu is a mélange of flavors from Latin America, Vietnam, right here in the US, all cooked to perfection over custom-made grills. There are just 50 seats total, so make your reservations (way) in advance or take your chances on a walk-in seat at the bar. 3901 W. 6th St., 213-568-3573

TORTILLA REPUBLIC

MANUELA

The folks behind Taste have turned their sights on Mexican cuisines with the opening of their newest venture in the heart of West Hollywood. Tortilla Republic takes all your favorite Mexican dishes and makes them using farm-fresh ingredients and organic produce. Healthy Mexican food? Si si! 616 N. Robertson Blvd., 310-657-9888

What do you get when you combine a former factory, a world-class art gallery and one of Downtown’s Arts District’s best new restaurants? This fabulous find. The bustling indoor dining room is abuzz with well-to-do downtowners, but the quieter patio with a view of the courtyard’s sculptures is the place for an intimate date. 907 E. 3rd St., 323-849-0480

LOS FELIZ/SILVER LAKE/ECHO PARK

ODYS + PENELOPE

ALIMENTO

The long-vacant space on the road up to the reservoir in Silverlake is now home to a new Italian-inspired trattoria courtesy of Sotto restaurateur Zach Pollock. Handmade pastas, imported charcuterie and cheeses, a well-chosen wine list, and plenty of ambiance – perfect for an Eastside evening out. 1710 Silver Lake Blvd., 323-928-2888

KETTLE BLACK

Taking up residence in a storefront on one of Sunset Blvd.’s most hipsterific stretches, this new rustic Italian eatery has already become a neighborhood favorite thanks to perfectly charred woodfired pizzas, handmade pastas and sophisticated sips served in in vintage glassware. 3705 W. Sunset Blvd., 323-641-3705

PINE & CRANE

This Taiwanese eatery in the heart of Silverlake takes its name from the noodle company the owner’s grandfather once owned back in Taiwan. Be sure to order a noodle bowl, like the Zha Jiang with pork in black-bean sauce, but don’t skimp on the veggies, including baby bok choy. 1521 Griffith Park Blvd., 323-668-1128

SALAZAR

All the best restaurants have a checkered past, and this new Frogtown taqueria is no exception. Sitting in the expansive, palmshaded patio, you can only just tell that this used to be an auto body shop. But what does that matter when the handmade fish tacos and mesquite-fired steaks are so tasty. Wash it all down with an adult agua fresca like the Verde, made with cucumber, apple, pear, lime, cilantro and celery gin. 2490 Fletcher Blvd.

SAWYER

The good folks from The Hudson and The Churchill have set their sights east and opened up this Silverlake stunner that already has the hipster hordes beating down its doors. Snag a table on the romantic back patio and settle in for a meal of fresh seafood and hearty dishes like the soft-shell crab sandwich on a squid-ink bun. Cocktails are creative and include the Seconds Count with gin, champagne, honey, lavender and bee pollen. 3709 W. Sunset Blvd., 323-641-3709

TROIS FAMILIA

Ludo and the Animal guys have done it again with this new French-Mexican Silverlake spot dedicated to daytime dining. No reservations so come early for Sunday brunch items like hashbrown chilaquiles and churro French toast. 3510 Sunset Blvd., 323-725-7800

LOS ANGELES/DOWNTOWN/ STUDIO CITY 71 ABOVE

This all-new restaurant at the top of the US Bank Tower has the best views in town, stretching from the mountains to the Pacific. The seasonal cuisine is stellar, too, thanks to chef Vartan Abgaryan’s. Be sure to try the standout starter: a poached oyster served with uni, caviar, tarragon and a champagne mignonette.

to advertise call 818 762-1955

Husband-and-wife chefs Quinn and Karen Hatfield closed their eponymous fine-dining restaurant, Hatfield’s, earlier this year, but opened this new, more casual neighborhood spot on a gentrifying strip of La Brea right afterwards. The menu focuses on fresh grilled produce and meats, so be sure to try the dry-rubbed smoked short ribs with sweet bbq sauce. 127 S. La Brea Ave., 213-788-1191

OTIUM

Located in a bucolic quad next to the Broad Museum, the food (including Peruvian scallop ceviche on the half-shell and clam-bacon arancini) comes courtesy of French Laundry vet Tim Hollingsworth. 222 S. Hope St., 213-935-8500

EGGSLUT

One of the most popular stands at Downtown’s Grand Central Market migrates to Venice. Expect favorites like the Fairfax with cage-free scrambled eggs, chives, cheddar, caramelized onion and Sriracha on a warm brioche bun. 1611 Pacific Ave., 424-387-8183

ERVEN

This Westside plant-based eatery has quickly become one of LA’s hottest restaurants. Chef Nick Erven performs transforms simple vegetables into sumptuous dishes like Korean chickpea gnocchi with okra and purslane in a tomato-kimchi soup. 514-516 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-260-2255

FELIX

The former Joe’s space on Abbot Kinney is looking fabulous after a makeover, as are the pastas from chef Evan Funke (formerly at Bucato). Try the strascinati with ceci, cavolo nero greens, pangrattato and wild fennel but save room for the wood-fired pizzas as well. 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., 424-387-8622

GJELINA

Venice’s most sought-after reservation, Gjelina serves a Mediterranean-inspired menu: fresh salads, wood-oven specialty pizzas and fresh seafood. You can plan a party at the private dining room upstairs, but if you’re dining casually, opt for a seat in the back garden. 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310-450-1429

THE CANNIBAL

With a carnivorous nose-to-tail ethos and a beer list that’s almost a dozen pages long, not to mention a dining room heavy on the woodwork, this Culver City spot feels like a taste of Portland in one of LA’s more staid and family-friendly neighborhoods. But apparently it’s just what the area needed since it’s packed most nights. Once you try the house-cured salumi, you’ll understand why. 8850 Washington Blvd., 310-838-2783

PALM SPRINGS

REDBIRD

BIRBA

From chef Neal Fraser, Redbird is in the former rectory (dating back to 1930) of LA’s first cathedral, which is now part of downtown’s Vibiana events complex. These days, guests can belly up to the marble bar for a signature cocktail like the bourbon-based Dandy, or enjoy dishes like blue shrimp and grits with molé under the stars on the patio (with a retractable roof). 114 E. 2nd St., 213-788-1191

Neapolitan-style thin-crust pizzas (that can be made with glutenfree and cauliflower crusts), Italian-inspired meat dishes including branzino, and homemade gelato are all draws in the evening at this popular tavern. There are also live DJs spinning on the weekends to get your evening off to an energetic start. 622 N. Palm Canyon Dr., 760-327-5678

THE EDMON

CIRCA 59

This new Hancock Park stunner has a Gatsby-esque glam to it. The menu is a mix of Mediterranean and Asian flavors in dishes like bruleed oysters and clams with crispy shallots and roasted garlic on a baguette. There’s also a serious cocktail list (only folks over 21 are allowed in anyway) courtesy of a former barman from eastside hot spot Harvard & Stone. 5128 Melrose Ave., 323-645-5225

THE FACTORY KITCHEN

Part of a quickly gentrifying Arts District on the east side of downtown, The Factory Kitchen makes its home in, where else, a former factory (a fish factory, to be exact). But the specialty here are homemade flatbreads, like one heaped with prosciutto, stracciatella and arugula over fried sage dough, and pastas, including a porkveal casonzei in sage butter. 1300 Factory Pl., 213-996-6000

TROIS MEC

French force of nature chef Ludo Lefebvre has given up pop-ups for the moment to concentrate on this brick-and-mortar restaurant of his own where guests can enjoy nightly changing multi-course prixfixe menus. Reservations go quickly so book online and be prepared to pay for your meal at that time. 716 N. Highland Ave.

BRENTWOOD/SANTA MONICA/THE WESTSIDE CASSIA

The folks behind Rustic Canyon and Spice Table teamed on this Santa Monica spot, where the cuisine melds Californian seasonality with Vietnamese tradition. Start with crab legs from the raw bar then ease into bigger dishes like savory scallops with hazelnuts and curry leaf; and a hearty Vietnamese pot au feu with short rib and bird’s-eye chile. 1314 7th St., 310-393-6699

DESTROYER

Bad-boy chef Jordan Kahn opened up this 16-seat breakfast and lunch spot in Culver City. The menu has classics and surprises like beef tartare with smoked egg cream and pickled mushrooms; the plating is among the most beautiful in town. 3578 Hayden Ave.,

The Riviera Resort brings to mind Palm Springs’ bygone glamour, especially its indoor-outdoor restaurant, where the martinis are dirty…just the way you like them. The new menu is based on a “then & now” concept featuring classic Americana dishes like lobster bisque, a wedge salad, and shrimp cocktail; but also tuna sashimi with avocado mayonnaise and jalapeno, and se scallops with hedgehog mushrooms and crisp pancetta. It’s the best of both eras. 1600 N. Indian Canyon Dr., 760-778-6659

KAISER GRILLE

Hearty food with a California sensibility is the order of the day here, where you can get anything from shrimp cocktail and prime rib to house-cured wild salmon carpaccio and Kentucky whiskybrined pork chops. Don’t miss some of the best martinis in Palm Springs. 205 S. Palm Canyon Dr., 760-323-1003

THE DRAUGHTSMAN

It might be housed in a former Pizza Hut, but there’s nothing down-market about this newly opened gastropub with a selection of favorites from local brewery Coachella Valley Brewing Company. Dishes are hearty and delicious, including specialties like sort-rib poutine and a selection of specialty burgers. 1501 N. Palm Canyon Dr., 760-507-1644

THE PURPLE PALM

The recently renovated classic Colony Palms Hotel’s watering hole has a new look and a new menu. Come for brunch to enjoy items like brioche French toast with house-made lemon ricotta, lemon curd and crème anglaise as well as some excellent people watching. 572 N. Indian Canyon Dr., 760-969-1818

WORKSHOP KITCHEN + BAR

Though Palm Springs isn’t known for its cuisine, that doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t expect a good meal here, and making that goal a little easier is this stylish, airy restaurant specializing in updated chophouse cuisine like juicy 18-day prime aged rib-eye and house-cured gravlax tartines with horseradish cream. 800 N. Palm Canyon Dr., 760-459-3451

metrosource.com June/July 2017

Sky High

the BEST meals offer diners a sense of place.

71Above is top-notch dining on the top floor. BY eric rosen

bodyelectrictattoo.com

july/july 2017

metrosource.com

71Above accomplishes this both through unequaled views from 950 feet in the sky and finely tuned menus from chef Vartan Abgaryan. Its interior is designed by LA-based Tag Front with bronze fixtures and mirrored pillars for an Art Deco supperclub feel, while hexago-

323-954-0408

nal ceiling pods transmit a sophisticated, Scandinavian mod vibe. Floor-to-ceiling windows automatically darken and lighten, reducing glare by day and revealing the city by night. For a prime table along the perimeter, put down a deposit to be applied to your final bill. Dinner prix-fixe is a reasonable $70 for three courses, excluding beverages and dessert. Start with an LA neighborhood-inspired cocktail like the smoky Echo Park with El Silencio mezcal, La Caravedo pisco, Chareau aloe liqueur, cinnamon, lime and orange bitters. Chef Abgaryan emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients and creatively fanciful plating. Highlights include daintily poached oysters; succulent scallops; and octopus grilled and dusted in herbs and crunchy mustard grains with summer-fresh grilled peaches, lemon curd and pickled pearl onions. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s well worth indulging in wine pairings by Master Sommelier Reggie Narito and dessert from pastry chef Gregory Baumgartner; the creamy and delicate caramel custard arrives sprinkled with truffle-praline almonds, a scoop of young coconut sorbet, and a dash of pork/maple powder. 71above.com â&#x2013;

7274 1/2 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA

This Page: photo courtesy 71above

REstaurants

BAR SOURCE Edited by Eric Rosen

HOLLYWOOD TIGERHEAT Relive your “Teenage Dream” at this 18-and-over weekly event for pure pop music (beatboxing to ballads) in Hollywood every Thursday. Super sexy go-go dancers, world-renowned DJs and celebrity nights galore make this one of the most fun dance parties in town. Though it tends to be at the Avalon, visit clubtigerheat. com for venue information and other Tigerheat events around town.

WEST HOLLYWOOD THE ABBEY WeHo’s most famous – and crowded – spot, The Abbey draws sexy guys and gals from near and far, even in winter when you’ll find folks frolicking by the roaring fireplace. Strong cocktails, model-handsome bartenders, and an over-the-top interior all add to the venue’s allure. Food is best enjoyed in the daytime. 692 N. Robertson, 310-289-8410

BAR10 Casual dining and classic cocktails, what more do you need? Except a pool table right at the front so you can cruise the boys strolling along Santa Monica Boulevard as you shoot some balls. Though the space is cavernous and service spotty, this is the place to be on Saturday night, and a good alternative to the out-of-town crowds at The Abbey. 8933 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-332-6445

FIESTA CANTINA Thanks to 2-for-1 drink specials at two different happy hours (4pm8pm and 10:30pm-12:30am) the crowd at this festive Mexicanthemed bar swells all evening long, especially on the patio fronting Santa Monica Boulevard and the second floor deck overlooking the strip. 8865 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-652-8865

FLAMING SADDLES Save a horse, ride a cowboy at the West Coast outlet of this slightly kitsch (but fun) Wild West-themed franchise serving cocktails and cowboys in equal measure. The boys come for strong drinks, hijinks and plenty of eye candy in skin-tight muscle tees and knee-high boots. Mosey in on Thursday for “Cirque du So Cowboy” acrobatics and $5 drink specials. 8811 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-855-0800

FUBAR The wild, sexy energy here has an East Village New York bar feel with a Silverlake twist. Preps, jocks, hipsters and alternative guys have turned Fubar into one of the city’s sultriest and most popular venues, especially late night. Thursday’s Big Fat Dick is a can’t-miss experience. 7994 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-654-0396

GOLD COAST Legendary corner bar featuring strong cocktails, a friendly staff, and a crowd of regulars, with multiple happy hour specials to boot. 8228 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-656-4879

GYM SPORTS BAR Butch, athletic types and their admirers inhabit this inviting and energetic space that formerly housed the Normandie Room. The outdoor patio is fun for people watching, while flat-screen TVs show the latest games. 8737 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-659-2004

MICKY’S Micky’s sexy interior, multiple dance areas, and party-ready patio are just icing on the cake at this long-running venue. The barechested bartenders are just the eye-candy you need to get your engines revved, and the tight go-go boys are the flirtiest guys you’ll meet in West Hollywood. 8857 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-657-1176

MOTHER LODE Mother Lode is a WeHo landmark without the attitude that distinguishes other establishments here. Pool tables, karaoke nights and neighborhood charm add up to a truly fun night out. Definitely a great place to start the evening before hitting the other boy’s town bars. 8944 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-659-9700

RAGE

ST. FELIX

A cozy restaurant and lounge enjoyed by flirty singles, romantic couples and groups, St. Felix’s selection of wines, beers, and playful cocktails are a great way to start your evening (and maybe even meet someone). 8945 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-275-4428

THE NICE GUY

One of the newest late-night spots from the guys behind Shorebar and Bootsy Bellows, this new bar and casual kitchen takes its place right on La Cienega’s restaurant row. Come early to grab a booth in the ‘50’s rec-room style room and stay late for the live music and drinks. 401 N. La Cienega Blvd., 310-360-9500

CLUB RIPPLES This bi-level dance club features drag shows, ladies’ nights, and a sexy assortment of Latin studs just steps from the beach. 5101 E. Ocean Blvd., 562-433-0357

HAMBURGER MARY’S An all-American menu, a no-attitude environment and enormous drinks all make this Long Beach classic perennially popular. Cute boys fill up the lively bar and resto for its hot bartenders, dancing, and expansive back patio. 740 East Broadway, 562-436-7900

SILVER LAKE/LOS ANGELES/ DOWNTOWN

THE FALCON

AKBAR

Forget traditional gay bars and visit this hipster venue frequented by skater punks, East Side studs and indie-loving gays. There are two bars, a packed dance floor in the back, an eclectic jukebox and low-priced drinks: everything you need for the perfect East Side night out. 4356 W. Sunset Blvd., 323-665-6810

BAR MATTACHINE

The latest (and probably classiest) of Downtown’s spate of new gay bars, this bi-level lounge serves craft cocktails and is named for a gay secret society that dates back to the 1950s. Grab a cocktail and hit the dance floor on the main lower level, or sneak upstairs to the smaller bar to keep an eye on the crowd from the balcony. 221 W. 7th St., 213-278-0471

BREAK ROOM 86

Koreatown is the place to be these days, thanks in no small part to the Line Hotel and its menagerie of watering holes, including this latest from Houston Hospitality, a paean to the ’80’s and all that made them awesome. Guests enter this time warp through a nondescript door off the Ardmore Avenue loading dock and are immediately transported to a dance floor (plus four karaoke suites) with neon cocktails and all your favorite tunes. 630 S. Ardmore Ave.

EAGLE LA

A notoriously dark den for men who love uniforms, leather, latex and kink. Theme nights dedicated to bears and other fetishes make for down-and-dirty fun. 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-669-9472

FAULTLINE

The Sunday beer bust is legendary, as is the Thursday underwear party, but the bar is also great for spotting leather daddies, Levi’sclad hotties and bears any day of the week. Drink specials, theme nights and good times await. 4216 Melrose Ave. 323-660-0889

POUR VOUS

Hipsters and scenesters come to this Parisan-inspired bar to sip cocktails inspired by aphrodisiacs in a Moulin Rouge-inspired setting. Just beware, there’s a dress code, so no ripped jeans or tank tops. 5574 Melrose Ave., 323-871-8699

PRECINCT

One of Downtown’s biggest bars, at over 10,000 square feet, occupies pride of place on the second floor of a historic 1902 brick building. Though the dance floor is a big draw, the main attraction is a semi-open patio with plenty of windows for street views and people-watching. 357 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, 213-628-3112

REDLINE

The name is a nod to transit, but there’s nothing pedestrian about this Downtown spot. It’s on the small side, but that just makes the industrial-chic space a cozier. Happy hour runs from 5–8pm, and they plan to start weekend brunch. 131 E. 6th St., 213-935-8391

REVOLVER

After 40 years, this classic Valley gay bar is still going strong. You can still find a friendly crowd, strong but cheap drinks, a rotating roster of evening events, and even line dancing where making new friends is a certainty. 11502 Ventura Blvd., STUDIO CITY 818-760-9749

June/July 2017 metrosource.com

LONG BEACH

This comfortable and fun venue for playing pool, people watching and enjoying cocktails generally attracts an older crowd with daily drink specials and friendly bartenders. 8809 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-652-1015

STUDIO CITY/SAN FERNANDO VALLEY/INLAND EMPIRE

This leather and Levi’s joint stands out for having a no-attitude, cruise-friendly vibe. Karaoke, drink specials and theme nights are part of the fun and make this one of the swinging-est scene in NoHo. 10522 Burbank Blvd, 818-762-8890

TRUNKS

Two stories packed with a dance-loving crowd who can’t get enough of the potent cocktails being served at three bars. Multiple theme nights, go-go dancers, and a party atmosphere 365 days a year. 8911 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-652-7055 After a years-long hiatus, Revolver returns to the space that once held East/West with a more gentrified atmosphere. The drinks aren’t cheap, but they’re strong: to match the well-muscled gym boys you’ll come across here. 8851 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-694-0430

THE BULLET BAR

OIL CAN HARRY’S

Pulse-pounding DJ sets and affordable drinks attract an eclectic, good-looking crowd. The space gets packed, but with twinks, bears, and everything in between filling it up, no one complains. 1435 E Broadway, 562-432-4146

THE MINE SHAFT One of the most popular gay bars in town thanks to friendly service and cheap drinks not to mention a healthy mix of regulars and newcomers alike as well as DJs on Friday nights and live bands on Saturdays. Bring cash because cards aren’t accepted, though you won’t need much thanks to $2 happy-hour specials. 1720 E. Broadway, 562-436-2433

THE SILVER FOX Long Beach’s long-running gay bar is still going strong thanks to fun weekly events like karaoke on Wednesdays and Sundays and 2-for-1 Tuesdays. Though the patio is a popular spot, once the crowd warms up to the music, you’ll find everyone inside on the dance floor. 411 Redondo Ave., 562-439-6343

PALM SPRINGS THE BARRACKS BAR The Barracks is hotter than ever — with porn stars, leather daddies, uniform studs, and fetish freaks cavorting on the patio. Don’t miss a chance to hit the popular Sunday beer bust. 67-625 E Palm Canyon Dr., 760-321-9688

CHILL BAR More contemporary than some of the city’s other gay bars, Chill Bar is the place for strong cocktails, a convivial crowd, good music, and plenty of mingling on the popular patio. 217 E. Arenas Rd., 760-327-1079

GEORGE’S ALIBI This cozy cave is tucked away upstairs from Azul restaurant, and tends to be packed with locals and visitors alike thanks to game nights as well as some of the town’s hottest go-go dancers. Come on Sunday for the disco brunch and drag performances at the restaurant. 369 N. Palm Canyon Dr., 760-325-5533

HUNTERS One of Palm Springs’ most popular clubs, the inclusive vibe, thumping dance floor, packed bars and game area with pool tables — in addition to prime cruising on the front patio — keep this bar at the top of everyone’s must-hit list. 302 E. Arenas Rd., 760-323-0700

STREETBAR Right next door to Hunters, the vibe here is more laidback and friendly – just what you’d expect from Palm Springs’ oldest gay bar. You’re sure to make new friends among the locals while enjoying sing-alongs or karaoke as well as regular local art exhibits. 224 E. Arenas Rd., 760-320-1266

TOOL SHED This Palm Springs landmark still packs in the leather lovers and skin-tight jeans-clad hotties. Early birds get the drink specials, and a good time is practically guaranteed. 600 E. Sunny Dunes Rd., 760-320-3299

TOUCAN’S TIKI LOUNGE A veritable landmark, this kitschy joint brings the tropics to the desert. Come for the cabaret or the renowned drag shows, and stay all night for great drinks and dancing at this nostalgic oasis in the heart of Palm Springs. 2100 N. Palm Canyon Dr., 760-416-7584

to advertise call 818 762-1955

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nutrition & fitness Power Zone

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pharmacies/drugs AHF Pharmacy

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LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY RESOURCES Metrosource is committed to helping non-profit organizations in their ongoing efforts to serve our diverse community.

athletic ARRIBA SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB PO Box 69611 West Hollywood, CA 90069 www.arribaski.org BIKE OUT 2811 Pico Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90405 310 453-5040 CHEER LA 1223 Wilshire Blvd #1580 Santa Monica, CA 90404 www.cheerla.org DIFFERENT SPOKES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA P.O. Box 2466 Hollywood, CA 90078 www.differentspokes.com GOLDEN STATE GAY RODEO ASSOC - GLAC P.O Box 2407 Long Beach, CA 90801 562 498-1675 www.larodeo.com GREATER LA IGBO LEAGUES www.igbo.org LA BLADES ICE HOCKEY PO Box 4346 Laguna Beach, CA 92652 310 288-3632 www.bladeshockey.com LA POOL LEAGUE PO Box 2227 Los Angeles, CA 90078 818 426-2171 www.lapl8ball.org LA TENNIS ASSOC. (LATA) PO Box 481226 Los Angeles, CA 90048 www.lataweb.com OUTSPORTS www.outsports.com PALM SPrings FRONTRUNNERS PO Box 2184 Palm Springs, CA 92263 760 318-8809 www.psfr.org SHORELINE FRONTRUNNERS of Long Beach PO Box 90774 Long Beach, CA 90809 562 252-0218 www.shorelinefrontrunners.org Socal girl golf 714 391-3615 www.socalgirlgolf.com SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WRESTLING CLUB (SCWC) www.geocities.com/scwc2002 SURF & SUN SOFTBALL www.surfandsunsoftball.com TINSELTOWN SQUARES www.iagsdc.org VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION IN LOS ANGELES (VOILA) www.gayvolleyball.org WEST HOLLYWOOD AQUATICS www.wh2o.org

WEST HOLLYWOOD SOCCER CLUB www.gaysoccer.com

cultural, ethnic & social ASIAN PACIFIC AIDS INTL TEAM 6501 West Olympic Blvd Ste 610 Los Angeles, CA 90015 213 553-1830 www.apaitonline.org BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY 5001 Angel Canyon Rd Kanab, UT 84741 435 644-2001 www.bestfriends.org Best Friends Pet Adoption & Spay/Neuter Services 15321 Brand Blvd Mission Hills, CA 91345 818 643-3989 www.bestfriends.org/la

OUTFEST THE LA GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL 3470 Wilshire Blvd #1022 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213 480-7088 www.outfest.org PACIFIC PRIDE FOUNDATION 126 East Haley, Ste A-11 Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805 963-3636 www.pacificpridefoundation.org The Point Foundation 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 370 Los Angeles, CA 90036 866 33-Point www.pointfoundation.org valley performing arts center 18111 Nordhoff St Northridge, CA 91330 818 677-2488 818 677-3000 valleyperformingartscenter.org World Harvest Food Bank 1014 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 213-746-2228 www.worldharvestfoodbank.org

BEING ALIVE PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS ACTION COALITION 621 N San Vincente Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 289-2551 www.beingalivela.org DESERT AIDS PROJECT Palm Springs, CA 1695 North Sunrise Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 323-2118 www.desertaidsproject.org gay & lesbian armenian society (galas) 8721 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 654 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 203-1587 www.galasla.org GAY & LESBIAN CENTER Orange County 1605 N Spurgeon St Santa Ana, CA 92701 714 953-5428 www.thecenteroc.org

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Holy Family Services, Adoption & Foster Care 840 Echo Park Ave Los Angeles, CA 90026 213 202-3900 www.holyfamilyservices.org

DIVERSE & INCLUSIVE VISIONARY ARTISTS (DIVA) 8581 Santa Monica Blvd #220 West Hollywood, CA 90069 www.queerdiva.com

AID FOR AIDS AFA 8235 Santa Monica Blvd #200 West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 656-1107 www.aidforaids.net

INLANDS AIDS PROJECT (AIP) 3756 Elizabeth St Riverside, CA 92504 951 346-1910 www.inlandaidsproject.org

gay & lesbian alliance against defamation (glaad) 5455 Wilshire Blvd, #1500 Los Angeles, CA 90036 323 933-2240 www.glaad.org

AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION/mens wellness center • 6255 W Sunset Blvd, 21st Fl Los Angeles, CA 90028 888 AIDS CARE • 1300 N Vermont Ave, Ste 407 Los Angeles, CA 90027 866 339-2525 800 367-2437 www.inspotla.org

CHRISTOPHER STREET WEST/GAY PRIDE 8235 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 969-8302 www.lapride.org

GAY MENS CHORUS OF LA 9056 Santa Monica Blvd, #300 West Hollywood, CA 90069 800 636-7464 www.gmcla.org Kidsave 11835 W Olympic Blvd #295 Los Angeles, CA 90064 310 479-5437 www.kidsave.org LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER The Village at Ed Gould Plaza 1125 N McCadden Place Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 860-7302 www.laglc.org LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER McDonald/Wright Building 1625 North Schrader Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 323 993-7400 www.laglc.org LA YOUTH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES 8111 Beverly Blvd #306 Los Angeles, CA 90048 877 465-2977 www.la-youth.org LONG BEACH LESBIAN & GAY PRIDE PO Box 2050 Long Beach, CA 90802 562 987-9191 www.longbeachpride.com

to advertise call 818 762-1955

AIDS Healthcare Foundation Pharmacy 8212 Santa Monica Blvd The David Geffen Center West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 654-0907 www.ahfpharmacy.org AIDS PROJECT LA (APLA) Client & Community Services The David Geffen Center 611 South Kingsley Drive Los Angeles, CA 90005 866 679-0958 213 201-WALK (9255) www.apla.org www.aidswalk.net AIDS research alliance 1400 S Grand Ave Ste 701 Los Angeles, CA 90015 310 358-2429 www.hopetakesaction.org www.aidsresearch.org

JEFF GRIFFITH YOUTH CENTER 7051 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90038 800 773-5324 323 993-2501 LA FREE CLINIC • 5205 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 653-1990 – appts 323 653-8622 – admin www.lafreeclinic.org • 6043 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 • 8405 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048 LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER Health Education & Prevention 13210 South Figueroa Los Angeles, CA 90061 310 327-0590 LA Public Health www.reallycheckyourself.org LA YOUTH SERVICES McDonald/Wright Building 1625 North Schrader Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 323 993-7450

Aids Walk LA 3550 Wilshire Blvd, #800 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213 201-9255 (WALK) www.aidswalk.net

LIFEWORKS www.lifeworksmentoring.org 310 724-6300

American cancer society 3333 Wilshire Blvd #900 Los Angeles, CA 90010 800 227-2345 www.cancer.org

Penny lane centers 15305 Rayen St North Hills, CA 91343 818 892-3423 www.pennylane.org

OUT OF THE CLOSET AIDS Healthcare Foundation 6210 West Sunset Los Angeles, CA 90028 323 860-5200 OUT OF THE CLOSET THRIFT SHOps • 8224 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 848-9760 • 3500 East Pacific Coast Hwy Long Beach, CA 90804 562 494-0340 • 1726 East Colorado Blvd Pasadena, CA 91106 626 440-1719 • 360 North Fairfax Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036 323 934-1956 PROJECT ANGEL FOOD 922 Vine St Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 845-1800 www.angelfood.org THE TREVOR PROJECT 9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 271-8845 www.thetrevorproject.org VALLEY COMMUNITY healthcare 6801 Coldwater Canyon Ave North Hollywood, CA 91605 818 301-6314 - HIV testing 818 301-6390 - Medical Services www.smarthealthla.com

legal LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION FUND INC. Western Regional Office 3325 Wilshire Blvd #1300 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213 382-7600 www.lambdalegal.org NATIONAL G & L TASK FORCE 5455 Wilshire Blvd #1505 Los Angeles, CA 90036 323 954-9597 www.thetaskforce.org

LESbians LESBIAN LAWYERS ASSOC OF LA PO Box 480318 Los Angeles, CA 90048 213 486-4443 www.lgla.net POWER UP 419 North Larchmont Blvd, #283 Los Angeles, CA 90004 323 463-3154 www.power-up.net WOMAN ON A ROLL PO Box 5112 Santa Monica, CA 90409 310 578-8888 www.womenonaroll.com

professional

Referrals/ switchboards LA Gay & Lesbian center Jeff Griffith Youth Center 7051 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90038 TOLL FREE: 800 773-5540 LA Gay & Lesbian center MacDonald/Wright Bldg 1625 North Schroder Los Angeles, CA 323 933-7400 www.angelfood.org THE TREVOR PROJECT 9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 271-8845 www.thetrevorproject.org the village at ed gould plaza 1125 North McCadden Place Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 860-7328 prevention@laglc.org www.laglc.org

religious ALL SAINTS PARISH 504 North Camden Dr West Hollywood, CA 90036 310 275-0123 Beth Chayim chadashim 6000 West Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035 323 931-7023 www.bcc-la.org Glendale City SDA Church 610 East California Ave Glendale, CA 91206 818 244-7241 909 557-5230 www.glendalecitysda.org GLORY TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN Center 3215 East Third St Long Beach, CA 90804 562 438-7758 www.glorytabernacle.com Metropolitan community churches • Glendale 818 500-7124 • North Hollywood 818 762-1133 www.mccvalley.org • Palm springs/Cathedral City 760 328-3591 www.mccv.org • San Buenaventura 805 794-8790 • West Hollywood 310 360-8640 www.mccchurch.com OPEN DOOR MINISTRIES 4101 Willow St 562 925.3533 www.open-door-ministries.org

Los angeles Gay and lesbian chamber of commerce P.O. Box #57555 Sherman Oaks, CA 91413 888 552-4522 www.balaweb.org

ST. JANE FRANCES CATHOLIC CHURCH G & L OUTREACH 12930 Hamlin St North Hollywood, CA 91606 818 985-8600

THE QUEER LOUNGE PO Box 69887 West Hollywood, CA 90069 www.queerlounge.org

WEST HOLLYWOOD CHURCH 916 North Formosa Ave West Hollywood, CA 90069 323 656-2400

metrosource.com June/July 2017

LAST CALL

Hip to Be Center Square Performer Michael Airington offers a glimpse into the art of being Paul Lynde. By kevin phinney As the 1970s recede into history, it’s hard to recall that back then, stars like Freddy Mercury, Rock Hudson and Liberace worked hard to keep their sexual identities hidden. But one of the biggest stars of the era was an entertainer whose orientation was an open secret: everybody’s favorite gay uncle, Paul Lynde. Today, he’s back onstage, appearing before adoring houses at Bally’s Hotel Casino in Vegas — despite the fact that he died in 1982. For this, thank Michael Airington, star of The Paul Lynde Show. Airington has spent years conjuring Lynde’s persona from the Great Beyond — to such acclaim that Lynde’s actual lifelong friends drop by to say hello and the late actor’s estate has granted Airington rights to perform as Lynde “in perpetuity.” Hollywood Squares host Peter Marshall even recorded voice-overs for the show to allow Airington to recreate Lynde’s snarky answers to questions from his onstage perch in “the center square.” Like most great impressions, Airington’s caricature of Lynde is equal parts reverence and exaggeration — a recreation (warts and all) of one of the funniest and most fascinating gay personalities of all time. Airington stepped out of character to talk about how he brings Lynde to back to life night after night. What impact did seeing Paul Lynde first have on you, particularly as a young gay person? Like so many of us, I started out as a kid not knowing I was gay, but being in that “guysare-cuter-than-girls” period of life. I think a lot of us related to Paul right away, because he was so out there. At the same time, he was one of the biggest stars on TV, and one of the first celebrities on the cover of People magazine in 1976. True, he never actually ‘came out,’ but that was part of the fun and brilliance of it: all of these double-entendres and sassy asides — many of which I use in the show.

You’ve done impressions of many celebrities, but you’ve spent most of your career refining The Paul Lynde Show. What about him keeps you engaged? There was something unique about Paul. He didn’t care; he didn’t deny who he was. People loved seeing his bitchy side, whether it was in Bye Bye, Birdie or Bewitched. There was something about him that transcended time — and yet there he was in that People profile in a caftan, with his hairdresser, who is also referred to as his “suite mate.” So he was very much of his time, and yet pushed boundaries, too. Do you recall the “A-ha!” moment when you realized Lynde might work as a full show? As many impressions as I did, it just seemed like Paul was one that everybody loved most. When I was living in DC, I saw that Frank Gorshin [who played The Riddler on TV’s Batman in the ‘60s] was doing a his George Burns show, Say Good Night, Gracie in New York; so I took the Amtrak up to see a matinee. When he came out, I was sitting in the back row of the Helen Hayes Theatre in August of 2003, and I thought: “I could do this with Paul Lynde.” You’ve agreed with Lynde’s estate to present him in a positive way, but he could rip a person to shreds with some of the things he’d say, and his drinking problem exacerbated that over the years. He made a lot of us who were in the closet back then wonder if we would end up bitter old queens. Oddly enough, that’s how Neil Simon got involved. There I am, onstage in the middle of the show, and at one point, I ask, ‘Have any of you ever written a Broadway show? Have any of you ever been on Broadway?’You know, the way Paul would, with a bit of a cackle. And everybody around me is laughing, and I later find out it’s because Neil Simon was with his wife in the audience. After the show, Neil sent notes, say-

ing to just get rid of all the sad stuff. So now we do the show as if he never died — it’s just that he’s been away for 35 years. I simply come out and say,“Hello, Las Vegas, did you miss me?” If he never dies, how do you wrap things up? Well, he never got the big movie break he’d been hoping for. So we do the movies he didn’t get, and we re-enact the screen tests. We end the show with him playing Leonardo DeCaprio’s part in Titanic, and we always bring a girl up from the audience to play Kate Winslet. The show ends with me up in the Hollywood Squares set, singing “I Am What I Am,” with that line that describes Paul perfectly: “I am my own special creation.” Then I say, “It was nice seeing you, Peter.” I have gay men coming up to me crying tears that are both happy and sad, because I’ve put them in touch with a piece of their own past. And that lets me know I’ve done my job. ■

Airington says more about the evolution of the paul lynde show, and we round up some classic quips by lynde as this piece continues on the free metrosource app and metrosource.com.

last call extra

photo Courtesy “The Paul Lynde Show”

As our conversation continues, Michael Airington has a stroke of good luck while developing “The Paul Lynde Show,” and we share some classic zingers from Lynde’s reign on Hollywood Squares. BY kevin phinney You weren’t happy with the initial attempts to script what would eventually become The Paul Lynde Show. Why? I decided to move back to LA in December of 2003, and I had a group of writers on the first draft, and I couldn’t believe it. I said, “Paul dies in the first five minutes of a heart attack and the rest of the show is angels taking you back and showing you your life? That’s what you came up with?” So I rewrote what they wrote, and they didn’t like what I’d done either. My savings were slipping away, and this is about April and my friend Jim at the Historic Trust in D.C. calls me up to say, ‘Oh my God, there’s a box of Paul’s personal belongings from a one-man show he did in the mid’70s, complete with his notes and arrangements for a 16-piece orchestra.’ I bought it for $120 dollars. Who has that kind of luck? That’s almost a kiss from Paul Lynde himself. You’re telling me. Then I got Peter Marshall to come on board — and he brought their mutual friends to see the show. I’m talking about people like Karen

Valentine, Cloris Leachman, Jaye P. Morgan and Kaye Ballard — and the woman who was his beard for years and years, Jann Forbes. I also negotiated with the estate to grant me the rights to do Paul exclusively, so I’m the only person allowed to do a complete Paul Lynde show, and part of that is because we agreed to present him in a positive way. In the finished product, what’s the balance between biography and pop culture? It’s “Paul the Entertainer” front-and-center most of the time, but he does talk about alcohol and his first big break in The New Faces of ‘52 and hating AnnMargaret. You get to know Paul the person: Paul the fat little boy and when he was roommates with Marlon Brando, Imogene Coca and Wally Cox — and that his drama class included Charlotte Rae and Charlton Heston. Do you address the darker side of Paul at all? You get some glimmers of darkness, because Paul

does know how to tip a cocktail. About seven minutes into the monologue, I say, ‘I need a drink,’ and as the show goes on he gets drunker and nastier until we get to the story arc of the show where alcohol fuels one of the meanest and nastiest moments of the night. And as I’m trying to create this story arc, Peter keeps interrupting with Hollywood Squares questions — and they’re all actually from the show. They got away with some pretty daring stuff for the day. Oh my God, yes.

ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND PAUL LYNDE ANSWERS FROM HOLLYWOOD SQUARES You’re the world’s most popular fruit. What are you? Humble. The great writer George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “It’s such a wonderful thing, what a crime to waste it on children.” What is it? A whipping.

Lynde

Any good boat enthusiast knows that when a man falls out of your boat and into the water, you should yell, “Man overboard!” Now what should you yell if a woman falls overboard?” Full speed ahead! Why do butchers beat their meat, Paul? Loneliness. Paul, why do Hell’s Angels wear leather? Because chiffon wrinkles too easily. It is considered in bad taste to discuss two subjects at nudist camps. One is politics, what is the other? Tape measures. It is the most abused and neglected part of your body, what is it? Mine may be abused, but it certainly isn’t neglected.

Does Ann Landers think there’s anything wrong with you if you do your housework in the nude? No, but I have to be terribly careful when I do my ironing. True or false: there is now a travel agency that specializes in nude cruises to Europe. I bet I know how they pick the captain. Airington

Can anything bring tears to a monkey’s eyes? Learning that Tarzan swings both ways.

■

photos Courtesy “The Paul Lynde Show”

According to Ann Landers, what are two things you should never do in bed? Point and laugh

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