Metrosource August/September 2017 by Metrosource

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 METROSOURCE

METROSOURCE

JEREMIAH BRENT REDESIGNS LIVES

LGBT PARENTS GETTING SCHOOLED RUFSKIN IS THIS GAY CLOTHING?

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 DESIGN

Something is brewing...

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DEPARTMENTS THE DESIGN ISSUE

CULTURE 6 METROSCOPE Don’t miss Green Day on stage, James Franco on HBO, and James Van Der Beek as a part-gay DJ. All that and more ... in scope!

15 BOOKS Fashion fails and successes.

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY TLC/PEGGY SIROTA

22 TECH Futuristic self-expression.

24 SCREEN A social media stalker, a young man on the prowl and Tom of Finland’s rise.

28 MUSIC The Cranberries, Beth Ditto and Mary J. Blige return with new points of view. COVER PHOTO BRITTANY AMBRIDGE

58 AUTO FOCUS Five cars serving good design.

BODY 17 METRO HIV Jerry Mitchell on creating a smash hit fundraiser and his next Pretty big project.

52 HEALTH A wellness trend that is giving Mandy Moore and Lisa Vanderpump chills.

VIEWS 30 DIARY Wade won’t change his style — no matter what celeb he’s mistaken for!

32 POV Kevin learns design can be a dangerous weapon in the fight for territory.

64 LAST CALL

Alexis Michelle spills her Drag Race tea.

“There was one resident in particular who introduced me to the concept of design as a form of warfare: Herbie’s first roommate mysteriously disappeared halfway through the fall semester...” —KEVIN PHINNEY FROM “DESIGN WARFARE” IN POV

CONTENTS

August/September 2017 | VOLUME 28, NO. 4

The men of London look simply smashing.

34 DOES THIS LOOK GAY? AS THE FOUNDERS OF CLOTHING BRAND

Rufskin celebrate its 15th anniversary, they reveal the secrets of balancing their business and romantic relationship — and how it affects their clothes.

38 LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AS PARENTING BECOMES EVER MORE

42 JEREMIAH BRENT OUR COVER GUY TRACES HIS CAREER

from working in fashion with Rachel Zoe to discovering his passion: saving homeowners in renovation crises with husband Nate Berkus.

60 NEW YORK STATE OF MIND FORTY YEARS AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE

“I Love NY” campaign, we look for reasons to love New York’s art and architecture, gourmet scene and great scenery, all beyond the lights of NYC.

PHOTO BY JONATHAN DANIEL PRYCE FROM LONDON SARTORIAL.

common in our community, we talk to parents about how they address the unique challenges of educating a child raised in an LGBTQ home.

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

Renovation Education ON NATE AND JEREMIAH BY DESIGN, THIS ISSUE’S COVER GUY JEREMIAH BRENT helps rescue homeowners who have gotten in over their heads when it comes to home renovations. As someone who has been through two major renovations, I can tell you: it involves a ton of tough decision-making, more time and money than you ever intended to spend, and plenty of lessons learned. My first experience came in 2007 when I set out to remodel my home in Los Angeles. A positive part of the experience for me was working with professionals who made sure that I not only stayed an integral part of the process but also that I felt the design decisions were mine. That said, there were times when I may have taken a professional‘s recommendations a little too readily: purchasing from design showrooms and ending up with products that were not ideal. For example, I purchased beautiful natural stone for the kitchen countertop. What I didn’t realize at the time was that the stone is extremely porous and would end up showing wear, stains and chips after just a few years. However, I was mostly very pleased with the results and continued to enjoy my home until three years later when business called me back to New York. Coming back to NYC, I realized that the situation at my apartment — which had already been in need of renovation when I left six years earlier — was dire. Laminate was peeling. Paint needed freshening. But when it came making the transformation this time around, I set out with the benefit of the many things I’d learned from the earlier renovation. I did a lot of shopping online and felt I got a great balance of quality and price. And I chose a synthetic material (Caesarstone) for my countertops which still looks brand new and gorgeous six years later, Did I make mistakes the second time around just the same? I certainly did. But I felt like I was getting better at it. With both of these improvement projects, I’ve learned new things that will help me the next time around — from ways to seek out more cost-effective solutions to when it’s important to second guess an architect. And though I imagine that I’ll continue to make mistakes with future projects, I also value what I’ve learned as part of the process. The reality for me is that — although I’ve never thought of myself as much of a designer — it’s worth the effort to make the place I live feel like my own. When I look around every day, it’s important to me to see not only a home that looks good but also one that reflects me, the decisions I’ve made, the time I invested in the process and the many lessons learned along the way. ■

METROPOLL: NEW TUNES? THIS YEAR, OUT MUSICIAN MARK AARON JAMES RELEASED AN ALBUM,

MARK AARON JAMES BY JOSEPH O’NEILL

— My Mighty MAJick Stick — which was billed as “the first album to

only be physically distributed via USB stick.”This got us to thinking: in an era when most people get their music digitally, where are you discovering new songs and artists? Do you keep an ear on what friends listen to on Spotify? Are you letting Pandora toss up recommendations based on what you’ve given the thumbs up? Do you find find new gems by following YouTube down the rabbit hole of what’s “Up Next”? Or has iTunes “Genius” offered you any stimulating recommendations? We want to know about the music that you think more Metrosource readers should hear — and how you discovered it. Share it by tweeting with #MetroMusicDiscovery to us @MetrosourceMag, and learn more about Mark’s album at markaaronjames.com. ■

Mark Aaron James

EDITOR’S LETTER

Made for Walking? THERE’S SOMETHING ROMANTIC ABOUT THE IDEA OF BRIDGES. LIKE MOST GREAT RELATIONSHIP STORIES,

they are essentially about overcoming obstacles to bring people together. Recently over dinner one of my best gal pals Meggan expressed dismay that I had not yet made time to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, and I assured her that it was on my to-do list. But then something happened. My fiance Justin and I had rented a car to visit my family in New Jersey. When we picked it up, I noticed a strange chemical odor, but it dissipated as we began our drive, and by the time we reached my grandmother’s house, I had all but forgotten it. Our gathering was small but sweet and — other than my mom inadvertently knocking over a cup of coffee on me — more or less uneventful: Brunch eaten. Gifts given. Hugs exchanged. Before long, we were headed home to NYC by way of another notable river crossing: the George Washington Bridge (GWB). As we approached the bridge, an ungodly noise began coming from underneath the hood. It was so piercing and irregular that our first concern was some animal had become trapped in the car’s machinery. The chemical smell I’d noticed earlier returned — much stronger, and as acrid smoke began to pour out from under the hood, we were faced with either driving onto the bridge in a car that seemed in imminent danger of breaking down or attempting to find a place to stop in the midst of nine lanes of traffic. We made our way to a narrow median dividing the flow of vehicles. A passing motorist pointed to a pool of fluid spreading beneath the car: “Looks like you sprung a leak!” We tried to remain calm as authorities guided us off the bridge approach, and we waited for the rental car company agreed to send a tow truck. Then we faced a new problem: no car service was willing to navigate the snarl of traffic to pick us up; nor was there any public transportation evident. We debated our options as we waited out a series of thunderstorms and ultimately reached the conclusion that next time there was a break in the rain, we’d have to walk across the bridge. Having crossed the GWB many times in a car, I had often wondered what it would be like to do so on foot — to have time to enjoy the splendor of the Hudson River rolling majestically beneath me. And with the recent talk of friends enjoying leisurely strolls across the Brooklyn Bridge, I assumed this experience would be equally picturesque and lovely. It was not. Those who dare to traverse the GWB outside of an auto share a narrow strip at the bridge’s southern edge — along with all bicyclists and others on foot headed in both directions. Only a waist-high guard separated us from a several hundred foot plummet. Something deep inside of me clenched with a sudden and unexpected fear. I kept trying to turn back to check on Justin, but it gave me a wave of vertigo. Finally, I managed to shout,“I’m going to need to concentrate on this.” I couldn’t quite hear his reply over the wind — each gust of which felt like it was intent on picking me up by the scarf and hurling me over the edge. And as I navigated around the brave few who dared to stop for mid-bridge selfies, I couldn’t help but think: “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Long after we’d reached the other side, I couldn’t escape the feeling that I was in danger of falling. I grabbed Justin’s arm as my heart continued to beat a rhythm of alarm, and apologized profusely for not being able to turn around and check on him more often. Sweetly, he understood and said that he had been watching me the entire time. It may not have been the kind of romantic bridge crossing Meggan had promised, but — in a way — there was a romance in facing the series of unfortunate events: it gave us another chance to prove that we could survive unexpected calamities together. However, as for the Brooklyn Bridge, no matter how beautiful it is nor how much more pedestrian friendly its design, I’ll need a while before walking across anything higher than the curb. Tweet us @MetrosourceMag about surviving scary circumstances with someone you love. ■

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 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 SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER Chris Rivera COPY EDITOR Kevin Phinney PROOFREADER Barbara Mele CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Matt Gross, Madison Gulbin,

Jeffrey James Keyes, Scott Kramer, Christopher Lisotta, Terence O’Brien, Kevin Phinney, Jonathan Roche, Eric Rosen, Wade Rouse, Jeff Simmons, Megan Venzin, Casey Williams 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 Regalado 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: 212-691-5127. 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 Group LLC. All rights reserved. Metrosource is a registered trademark of Davler Media Group LLC. Printed in the USA.

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

hot el an d v i l l a s

LEGENDARY NI GHTS BEGIN AT SUNSET 1200 ALTA LOMA ROAD

WEST HOLLYWOOD

CALIFORNIA

90069

800.858.9758

SUNSETMARQUIS.COM

METROSCOPE METROSCOPE

1} ART BEAT

COUNTER SERVICE AN EXHIBITION OF HANDMADE FASHION MEANT TO cap-

ture the Age of Aquarius is lighting up NYC’s museum of Art and Design (MAD) now through August 20. It’s called Counter-Couture: Handmade Fashion in an American Counterculture. Popularly known as the “hippie movement,” the counterculture of the 1960s and ‘70s stood in stark contrast to the conformity of previous decades and gave rise to philosophies and aesthet-

THIS PAGE: KAISIK WONG PHOTO COURTESY JERRY WAINWRIGHT 1974

ics that continue to reverberate today. Its core values included the rejection of materialism, the protest of war and the embrace of civil rights for people regardless of race, gender and sexual orientation. These values are reflected in the wildly individual styles displayed in Counter-Couture’s garments and accessories. Celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year, MAD has long been a been a champion of artists across a variety of creative fields. madmuseum.org

IN SCOPE: GREEN DAY  JAMES FRANCO  JAMES VAN DER BEEK  STEPHEN COLBERT  MADONNA  MORE…

00 6

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 2014

METROSOURCE.COM

2} INK SPOTTED

CROWN UP

This Page: Ru Paul’s dRag Race book jackeT couRTesy of bRennan & gudelunas • soundwave TaTToo image couRTesy of skinmoTion

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE AND THE

Shifting Visibility of Drag Culture bills itself as the first book to explore the phenomenon of Ru’s ultimate drag pageant from a global perspective. Edited by Niall Brennan and David Gudelunas, the book offers critical perspectives on both the program and its relationship to surrounding questions of LGBTQ culture. Brennan and Gudelunas (both professors of communications) work to analyze the ways in which the series has helped reshape perceptions of drag and reality television both here in the United States and around the globe. Its contributing authors include people who have worked closely with some of the show’s most famous finalists and their writing addresses how drag intersects with complex issues such as race, ethnicity and body image. palgrave.com

3} LISTEN UP

SEE HEAR MANY TURN TO TATTOOS AS A WAY

to keep a treasured memory close; now they can do so through audio. Soundwave Tattoos by Skin Motion allow you to capture a recorded sound as a tattoo. You start by uploading the recording via their app or website, which creates a Soundwave image you can bring to any licensed tattoo artist and have inked. Sync a photo of the finished product with the original audio recording, and you’ll be able to point your phone’s camera at the tattoo and “play” it any time you want. Record anything from the voice of a loved one to the bark of pet, and you’ll be a tat away from never leaving home without it. skinmotion.com

Has Drag Race changed what it means to be queen?

There’s more to this tattoo than meets the eye.

YOU MATTER AND SO DOES YOUR HEALTH

That’s why starting and staying on HIV-1 treatment is so important.

WHAT IS DESCOVY®?

DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years and older. DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. DESCOVY combines 2 medicines into 1 pill taken once a day. Because DESCOVY by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1, it must be used together with other HIV-1 medicines.

DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses, you must keep taking DESCOVY. 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 DESCOVY? DESCOVY may cause serious side effects: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking DESCOVY, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health. What are the other possible side effects of DESCOVY? Serious side effects of DESCOVY 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 DESCOVY. • Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking DESCOVY if you develop new or worse kidney problems. • 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. • Bone problems, such as bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. The most common side effect of DESCOVY 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 DESCOVY? • 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. • All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Other medicines may affect how DESCOVY 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 DESCOVY with all of your other medicines. • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if DESCOVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking DESCOVY. • 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 DESCOVY, including important warnings, on the following page.

Ask your healthcare provider if an HIV-1 treatment that contains DESCOVY® is right for you.

IMPORTANT FACTS

This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment. ®

(des-KOH-vee) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DESCOVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF DESCOVY

DESCOVY may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking DESCOVY. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

DESCOVY can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About DESCOVY” section. • Changes in your immune system. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • 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. • Bone problems. The most common side effect of DESCOVY is nausea. These are not all the possible side effects of DESCOVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking DESCOVY. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with DESCOVY.

ABOUT DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age and older. DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to others.

BEFORE TAKING DESCOVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical condition. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 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 DESCOVY.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. • Go to DESCOVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit DESCOVY.com for program information.

HOW TO TAKE DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a one pill, once a day HIV-1 medicine that is taken with other HIV-1 medicines. • Take DESCOVY with or without food.

DESCOVY, the DESCOVY Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, 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. DVYC0057 05/17

THIS PAGE “THE DEUCE” PHOTO COURTESY PAUL GIRALDI - HBO ª JAMES VAN DER BEEK PHOTO COURTESY RANDEE ST. NICHOLAS

The period fashion is in full effect on The Deuce.

4} THE TV SET

DEUCES WILD WRITER

AND

PRODUCER

DAVID

Simon, who co-created such prestigious show as The Wire, Homicide, Generation Kill and Treme, returns to HBO September 10 with The Deuce. The new series is set in and around the Times Square of the 1970s, and explores thorny, interconnected period themes including the rise of the local porn industry, the explosion of the era’s drug epidemic and the arrival of HIV. The series features James Franco in a dual role — playing twin brothers Vincent and Frankie Martino and other notable cast members, including the alwaysimpressive Maggie Gyllenhaal (pictured, above) and The Karate Kid himself, Ralph Macchio. The Deuce will then follow this motley crew of mobsters, sex workers and law enforcement through to the mid-1980s as porn becomes a billion dollar industry. hbo.com

Van Der Beek will trades CSI’s cyber crime for party time.

5} NEXT UP

The past and present intertwine in a vibrant new gay musical.

VAN DER DIPLO? DIPLO IS THE KIND OF SUPERSTAR

DJ with whom you might not be familiar if you’re not into EDM. That may be about to change as the Viceland network prepares to premiere its first scripted comedy featuring James Van Der Beek playing a fictionalized version of the DJ. It was inspired by a “Day in the Life of Diplo” video Van Der Beek starred to promote Diplo’s touring concert event, Mad Decent Block Party. The series is tentatively titled What Would Diplo Do? and is slated to premiere this August. Diplo has often publicly declared himself “half gay” and proclaimed that “everyone’s a ‘lil gay.” While we don’t yet know whether the show will tackle the topic (or which of his halves might be gay), we’re sure curious what Diplo would do about it. viceland.com METROSOURCE.COM

APRIL/MAY 2017

6} TOUR THING

A NEW DAY PREEMINENT PUNK ROCKERS GREEN

Billie, Mike and Tré are in the Revolution Radio tour for the long haul.

7} GOOD SPORT CAUSE WAY

What Will you do to end aids?

Proof that you can seriously support AIDS research with flair.

This question is posed as soon as you open the Cycle for a Cause website. It’s appropriate because the organization offers people the chance to join that fight every year. Cycle for the Cause hosts a phenomenal 275-mile bike ride which starts in Boston and ends in NYC. Along the way, riders raise millions of dollars in donations in the fight to end AIDS. If that sounds intimidating, don’t worry: most riders are there for the first time. Participants peddle through 20 cities along the way, making for a unique touring experience. If riding isn’t your cup of tea, consider lending support as part of the crew or making a donation. cycleforthecause.org

Text by Madison Gulbin, Paul Hagen and Jeffrey James Keyes.

this page: green day photo courtesy frank maddocks • cyclist photo courtesy cycleforthecause.org

day released their most recent album “Revolution Radio” late last year, and they’ve followed up with a massive tour that will see them performing over 110 times before it closes up shop this November. The coming months will see them crisscrossing the United States, including stops in New York State (at the Darien Center on August 26) and in Los Angeles (at the Rose Bowl on September 16). Reviews of the tour thus far say it is not-tobe-missed, with openly bisexual front man Billie Joe Armstrong and the rest of the band engaging in amazing stunts, offering highenergy performances, amazing, and even encouraging some audience participation. greenday.com/ tour

METROSCOPE

8} SCREEN IT

REBEL REDUX SHE IS THE BEST SELLING FEMALE

rock artist of the 20th century, the only female act to be Billboard’s highest-grossing tour twice in just three years and the musician with the most number one DVDs in the U.S. — and she’s about to release a new one. Yes, Madonna has announced that September 15 will bring the release of the concert film of her Rebel Heart Tour on DVD, Blu-Ray and Digital (in addition to a companion concert album). The film is slated to include live performances from venues around the globe, plus exclusive behind-the-scenes moments with the superstar. It’s the only way for fans who didn’t get to enjoy her show live to see what they missed — and for those who did to relive every glorious moment. madonna.com

9} NEXT UP

Madonna will be “Living for Love” all over again.

His Late Show has become a powerhouse, but how will Colbert rise to his latest challenge?

EVEN STEPHEN

madonna by Joshua brandao.

THE EMMY AWARDS HAVE BEEN

hosted by many a member of the late night boys club, but Stephen Colbert will get his first chance to take the reins on September 17th. Since Game of Thrones — the most decorated drama series in Emmy history — is out of the running this year, prestige dramas like The Crown, This Is Us, House of Cards and Mr. Robot have a chance at taking home some statuettes. Meanwhile, shows like Veep, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Black-ish and Transparent will be big contenders in the comedy categories. And now that Julia Louis-Dreyfus has made history with her eighth win for lead actress (breaking tie she once shared with Candice Bergen and Mary Tyler Moore), can she further her lead with yet another? emmys.com METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

10} FUNNY THING

12} CIRCUIT SHAKERS

LEGGINGS HAVE LONG BEEN THOUGHT

FROM AUSTIN TO BARCELONA, WE’LL

of as falling squarely in the realm of women’s fashion (not that we’d ever let a detail like that dictate what we would or wouldn’t wear). But after entrepeneur Jordan Barnett attended the Burning Man festival, where he saw thousands of men sporting womens’ leggings, he realized that there was a demand for ones designed with mens’ sizes and tastes in mind. The result was Kapow Meggings — leggings for men. Today they’re available in 31 varieties, inlcuding shiny metallics; more traditional designs like plaids, camouflages and stripes; and truly eye-popping patterns that have to be seen to be believed. And lest you think Meggings are just a flash in the pan, thus far Kapow Meggings has doubled its profit every three months. Visit them online and see if you can picture yourself in a pair. kapowmeggings.com

be shaking all over the map:

Are you bold enough to wear men’s leggings?

This non-traditional ‘tini has a floral twist.

11}DRINK UP

EASY DOES IT THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE WORD

martini was reserved for the hardest-hitting drinks, but it has evolved to encompass even the most fruity, easy-to-quaff cocktails. For example, this sweet and floral “martini” — known as the Eastern Wind — is a breezy treat: INGREDIENTS

1.5 oz Jasmine infused elit Vodka 0.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice 0.5 oz Honey Syrup 1.0 oz Peach Purée 2.5 oz dry sparkling wine PREP

Multiply ingredients as necessary, combine in punch bowl and serve up, garnished with edible orchids.

LABOR OF LOVE

CIRCUIT FESTIVAL BARCELONA AUGUST 5-20 MATINEE GROUP PRESENTS ONE OF

the biggest events of the gay calendar. The crowd will enter dance nirvana at the Big Opening party on August 5th and adventure on through a variety of events like the Matinee Air Force, Chill on the Beach, Beyond, Rapido, Matinee Pool Party, Klubberdome, Forever Tel Aviv, Brutus, Matinee Pervert XXL, LaLeche!, Megawoof, and Sodoma (The Closing Party). circuitfestival.net/barcelona SOUTHERN DECADENCE AUG 30-SEPT 4 HEAD TO THE BIG EASY OVER LABOR

Day Weekend for this festival, which started 45 years ago and has grown into one of the world’s major annual gay events. Today, roughly 180,000 people turn out to celebrate this “Gay Mardi Gras” every year. southerndecadence.net SPLASH DAYS SEPT 1-4 AUSTIN WILL ALSO HOST A FUN-

filled Labor Day weekend of nonstop partying — and fundraising for a slew of local charities including the Austin PrEP Access Project. splashdays.com ITALY GAY SUMMER PRIDE SEPTEMBER 21-25 JOIN A SEA OF MEDITERRANEAN

men in Gallipoli at the ultimate Italian gay beach bash as five epic parties lead revelers in and out of the water. Tickets will include VIP access to Samsara Beach Club, Friday night in Le Mine Vaganti, Saturday night in Picador Village, and the Explosive Closure Party on the beach. italygaytravels.com

TK this page: meggings courtesy kapow • cocktail courtesy elit

HE’S GOT LEGS

This Page: i acTually wore This cover and PhoTo courTesy rizzoli • suave in every siTuaTion arT courTesy flammarion

BOOKS

Fashion Pages Fun with fashion fails, a giddy guide to style, lots of London looks, and one fabulous photographer. BY MADISON GULBIN

SUAVE IN EVERY SITUATION Written by Gonzague Dupleix | Flammarion; $24.95 IF YOU PREFER YOUR GUIDES TO LIVING WELL AND LOOKING

I ACTUALLY WORE THIS: CLOTHES WE CAN’T BELIEVE WE BOUGHT Written by Tom Coleman and Jerome Jakubiec | Rizzoli; $35 HAVE YOU EVER LOOKED IN YOUR CLOSET AND NOTICED AN ARTICLE OF CLOTHING YOU CAN’T

believe found its way into your life? Think of that hand-me-down sweater so ugly you can’t imagine someone making it, much less wearing it or those trendy pants you trotted out wearing 15 years ago that never saw the light of day again. I Actually Wore This is a celebration of such fashion faux pas. And whether you’re laughing at them for their epic fails or with them for making the same mistakes you did along the way, you’re sure to get a smile out of watching these stylish individuals once again strut their least stylish stuff.

good to come equipped with a hearty helping of humor, consider Suave in Every Situation: A Rakish Style Guide for Men. With whimsical illustrations and devilish wit, this book offers genuine advice on topics including etiquette, clothing, grooming, traveling and more. And, despite its often ribald tone, it’s also a tool for taking stock of oneself; at its core Suave in Every Situation wants to help men discover themselves and then figure out the best way to show the person they are (or want to be) to the world. METROSOURCE.COM

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ROBERT DOISNEAU: THE VOGUE YEARS By Robert Doisneau | Flammarion; $60 ROBERT

DOISNEAU

WAS

20TH

CENTURY

visionary. His photography both elevated magazine work to the level of art, while also creating immortal portraits of life in some of France’s best known cities. Though he photographed celebrities (among them Picasso, Colette, and Jean Cocteau), Doisneau also captured small moments from everyday life: men gazing out into the distance over a bridge, a woman trying to sell fish with her baby in tow, cities reeling from the chaos of World War II. The photographs are grouped in categories such as “Fashion,”“Social Life”and“Theatrical Craftsmen,”and as a group, they possess an almost haunting quality — as though each were its own portal into memory. The collection includes an enlightening foreward by former Vogue Paris editor-in-chief Edmonde Charles-Roux..

LONDON SARTORIAL Written by Dylan Jones | Rizzoli; $45 LONDON IS WELL KNOWN FOR — AMONG OTHER

things — its sense of style, and London Sartorial: Men’s Style from Street to Bespoke offers an in- depth look at the inner workings of men’s fashion in this city of rakes and dandies. British charisma fairly drips from the pages of this gorgeous book. Each chapter has a theme; examples include “London Calling” (with its pictures of men on cellphones) and“West End Boys”(devoted to regal shots of men in suits). In addition, author Dylan Jones, award winning editor of GQ (UK) profiles iconic men’s fashion designers — crafting an engaging timeline of fashion history.

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This Page: PhoTo courTesy roberT Doisneau /Flammarion 2017 lonDon sarTorial cover PhoTograPh © Daniel riera • PinsTriPe Punks courTesy © Thomas cooksey; sTyling luke Day; © shuTTersTock

BOOKS

JERRY_MITCHELL PHOTO COURTESY CHRISTOPHER DEVARGAS/GREENSPUN MEDIA GROUP

METROHIV

Jerry Mitchell Grins and Bares It The musical theater dynamo sounds off on showing skin to fight AIDS and bringing Pretty Woman to the stage. BY JEFF SIMMONS THIS JUNE MARKED THE 27TH TIME THAT BROADWAY

actors disrobed in the name of charity thanks to Jerry Mitchell (pictured above). We took the opportunity to check in with the artist about the genesis of the annual Broadway Bares burlesque which rocked Manhattan’s famed Hammerstein Ballroom ro raise money Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA). “When we first started, I didn’t know how long it would go on. I didn’t even know if we’d do a second

one,” Mitchell says, reflecting on his original vision for the show that debuted in 1992.“I was trying to do something for myself and my friends who were being directly affected by the AIDS crisis.” “I personally lost so many friends as a young gay man dating in the early 90s. Everybody was afraid to touch,”he adds. So he decided to do something about it. And on April 8, 1992, seven Broadway-caliber male dancers gyrated for a good cause (continued on page 21) METROSOURCE.COM

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METROHIV (continued from page 17) — on stage at the much-missed gay watering hole Splash, and Broadway Bares was born. Since then, Mitchell’s brainchild has touched many lives, raising over $15 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, which has been helping people with AIDS for nearly three decades. Born in Michigan, Mitchell first pursued a career in acting, dancing and directing in St. Louis, where he attended Webster University. Early in his career, he took to the stage in The Will Rogers Follies and Brigadoon, then moved into choreography for the musical Jekyll and Hyde in 1990. Nine years later, he undertook first Broadway production as sole choreographer: a revival of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He ultimately became a multiple Tony Award-winner — involved in more than 50 Broadway, Off-Broadway, West End and touring productions (including The Full Monty, Hairspray, Gypsy and Legally Blonde). He won a 2013 Tony for choreographing Kinky Boots (for which he also received a directing nomination), and he was recently in Australia planning the launch of Kinky Boots productions in both Melbourne and Sidney. Mitchell’s next project is bringing Pretty Woman from screen to stage, which he’d been working on with Garry Marshall (who produced the film) until Marshall’s death last year.“When I saw this film 25 years ago I

was a dancer on Broadway and I wanted to get the rights to turn it into a musical,” Mitchell says.“It was larger than life. It’s always great to have a heroine that’s larger than life when you’re doing a musical.” Whatever the project, Mitchell recognizes the importance of creating unity among musical performers; it was another motivating factor for his continued involvement with Broadway Bares.“Our business can be isolating, as you are always competing against the dancer standing next to you for the same role,” Mitchell says. “What Broadway Bares has been able to do has been to show young people that there’s a way to work together for the same goal and get great fulfillment out of that.” Mitchell continues to serve as executive producer for the show and its offspring — satellite productions on Fire Island, in Las Vegas and in London. He believes the show remains as relevant today as ever. “It has become an iconic event for Broadway Cares,” he says. “People come from all over the United States to New York for Gay Pride, and Broadway Bares is definitely on their map of what they want to attend. It’s become a celebration of life. And there’s nothing that makes me happier than that; life is worth living, and let’s celebrate that.” ■ Learn more about the unique fundraisers of BC/EFA at broadwaycares.org. METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

TECH

Imagine That! FROM THE GREAT PYRAMIDS TO THE EMPIRE STATE BUILD-

ing, advances in design have been enabled by advances in technology. Today, as tech becomes ever more personal, apps and single run production allow creative professionals (and amateurs) to handily personalize an ever-expanding variety of items. NEW PRINT: Have you ever wished you could make something that could leap from your imagination and into reality? That’s recently become an increasingly affordable proposition, as 3D printers like the Lulzbot Mini (pictured above) have come down in price substantially — putting them within the reach of many home hobbyists. Instead of using ink, these printers use a plastic filament heated by a nozzle, and then “prints” objects by building them one layer at a time. From coat hooks and bookends to piggy banks and soap dishes, the only real limit to what you can create is the size of the platform. There is also vibrant online community of fellow 3D printer owners who share all manner of item designs online that you can download and print for yourself. lulzbot.com MELTS IN YOUR HAND: Put the technology that makes 3D printing possible in the palm of your hand

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with the 3Doodler (pictured, below). Draw creations freehand or add embellishments to existing objects. A recent display at NYC’s Museum of Modern Art included a ferris wheel, a miniature solar system and even a model of DNA created with the 3Doodler. The device comes in three versions — the Start for kids, the Create for consumers and the Pro for experienced hands — ranging from $49 to $249. the3doodler.com

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Technology that can turn dreams into plastic, fit you better than a tailor, and leave hidden messages in your breakfast. BY TERENCE O’BRIEN

JUST MY SIZE: Few possessions reflect our personal tastes more visibly than the clothes we wear, and yet so many of the choices we have to reflect that taste start by rounding to the closest size — like “medium” or “42 Long”. MTailor flips the script for you, so your wardrobe can adjust to fit you. Using the MTailor app and your smartphone’s built-in camera, MTailor can create a 3D model of your body and extrapolates full body measurements from those composite images. Thus pants end up fitted to far more measurements than the waist and inseam sizes available offthe-rack. Their shirts alone use over 10 different size metrics, and according MTailor, such measurements are 20 percent more accurate than those obtained by a traditional tailor. MTailor offers short and long-sleeved shirts, slacks, blazers, full suits and even jeans. Turnaround time is generally about 2 weeks (except for suits, which take five). Shipping is free and all purchases are returnable within 90 days. Prices range from $64 for dress shirts to $499 for suits. Download the free app from the Google Play Store or iTunes. mtailor.com STAND BY YOUR BRAND: If you’ve ever worn an item with a logo on it that you didn’t fully stand behind, maybe it’s time to start making a mark of your own. At Cafe Press, clothing, bags, home decor, stationery — all of that becomes a blank canvas waiting to wear your name, catch phrase or favorite image. Put your dog’s face on a shower curtain; put your face on a hoodie for your dog. Producing single items like this has traditionally been prohibitively expensive,

but Cafe Press’ methods allow for one-off, on-demand printing at prices more in line with mass produced items. Their online design studio offers a huge selection of templates to give you a headstart, and as a bonus, anything you create can be posted to their marketplace to sell to others. So if someone mentions how much they love that tote you personalized with a vacation snapshot, you can tell them how to order one of their very own. cafepress.com SAY CHEESE: If you’d guess that a “Fondoodler” sounds like a name for someone who dabbles in the culinary art of fondue — you wouldn’t be far off. It’s actually a product of BuzzFeed Labs that — for a mere $30 — will allow you to draw with cheese. Decorate crackers, chips, bread — anything that might be improved by a dose of dairy. Make nachos niftier and pizza prettier for party presentations that will look too good to eat (almost). fondoodler.com BEAUTIFY BREAKFAST: At last, design has come to toast — a food so bland that it’s inspired clichés about blandness. But now, thanks to Toasteroid (pictured, above), you can better that banal bread. Use your smartphone to imprint toast with love notes, reminders, a picture to make someone smile; you can even make the daily weather forecast part of your breakfast. Toasteroid has just completed its crowdfunding stage and is estimating that its first backers will receive product in October of this year. There may be more practical, cheaper toasters out there, but nothing beats the this one for fun. toasteroid.com ■ METROSOURCE.COM

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SCREEN

A soldier transforms himself into an erotic artist, an orphan attempts to scheme her way out of a loveless marriage and a Brooklyn teen hangs with his pals by day — while seeking more intimate male companionship by night. BY JONATHAN ROCHE

BEACH RATS FRANKIE (PICTURED, ABOVE CENTER) IS NOTICEABLY SMART AND OBVIOUSLY HANDSOME, BUT HE’S AIMLESS: HIS MAIN OCCUPATION SEEMS TO BE KICKING AROUND

Coney Island with his buddies like a pack of young wolves. But it may seem to Frankie that there is little else to do at age 18, in the heat of the summer, while his father lies dying on a hospice bed in his living room. So he borrows some of Dad’s painkillers and flirts with girls down by the boardwalk — even though it seems that he’s more interested in cruising for men in gay video chat rooms and secluded stretches of sand by the highway. Writer/ director Eliza Hittman follows Frankie on a dreamy and somewhat haunting meander through the thick and confounding fog of youth and lets us play voyeur to his clumsy quest for identity. THE WORD: At 95 minutes, the film is short and spare — choosing always to show rather than tell, it deftly employs a cast of non-actors to capture the authentic feel of outer Brooklyn. COMING TO: Theaters

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THIS PAGE: BEACH RATS PHOTO COURTESY NEON DISTRIBUTION

Left to their Own Devices

TOM OF FINLAND

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EVEN ARDENT FANS OF TOM OF FINLAND MIGHT

wonder whether his life story could possibly rival the allure of his famously bulging gay erotica. It most surely does. The film begins during World War II, during which Tom shares a secret sex life with many fellow soldiers as they await invasion. When Tom ends up killing a Russian paratrooper in a lonely field, the specter of the young man haunts him and eventually inspires the principal leather-clad character in Tom’s art. The story continues on — through Tom’s search for love in homophobic times and places, ultimately leading him to America where he is surprised to learn his drawings have made him something of a celebrity. Performed in nearly equal parts Finnish and English, this first-rate production captures one man’s personal journey, the evolving gay experience of the last 70 years and the power of Tom’s creations. THE WORD: The true focus of the film is the story behind Tom’s important, irrepressible work. COMING TO: Theaters

THE BEGUILED WHEN A HANDSOME, WOUNDED UNION SOLDIER

— played by Colin Farrell — wanders into a finishing school full of rich and faithful daughters of the Confederacy, there’s bound to be trouble. Director Sofia Coppola adapts the 1966 novel of the same title, employing her signature, languid style as a cast of notable actresses — including Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning — embody characters poised to push one another off their civilized pedestals in pursuit of his affections. The result is a far cry from the 1971 Western starring Clint Eastwood that was adapted from the same source material. THE WORD: Brief and simple, embracing style and mood over story, this may be one of Coppola’s better films — though it still doesn’t quite rise to the level of her best: Lost in Translation. COMING TO: Home Video METROSOURCE.COM

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SCREEN

INGRID GOES WEST social media obsessed Ingrid, who is left unmoored after her mother’s death and heads to California, where she quickly sets about stalking her latest fixation, Taylor (Elizabeth Olson). Olson’s talent and appeal are on full display as she plays a character at once magnetically fabulous and disgustingly fake. Ingrid manages to Single White Female her way into Taylor’s inner circle — in the process alienating a guy who actually likes her (O’Shea Jackson Jr., who played his father Ice Cube so well in Straight Outta Compton). When Taylor’s brother (hunky Billy Magnussen, who played a prince alongside Chris Pine in Into The Woods) becomes suspicious of Ingrid, the situation turns crazy in this well-observed, edgy, and very funny debut feature by director Matt Spicer. THE WORD: A pitch-perfect story of loneliness and longing for belonging in the all-too-often superficial age of Instagram. COMING TO: Theaters

THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW YORK Thomas (callum Turner, PICTURED) lives a

privileged, literature-saturated New York City existence. His father (Pierce Brosnan) is a publisher; his mother (Cynthia Nixon) is a book lover; his mysterious, chatty neighbor (Jeff Bridges) is a novelist; and his father’s glamorous mistress Johanna (Kate Beckinsale) is a freelance editor. But when Thomas finds out about his father’s infidelity and begins stalking Johanna, the already fraught scenario becomes infinitely more complicated. While it occasionally tends toward preciousness — which is always a danger with work about writing and writers, the cast is uniformly excellent. And don’t worry, Simon & Garfunkel fans — the song from which the film takes its title is included. THE WORD: If you like The Only Living Boy in New York, you might also enjoy another exploration of youth and identity among NYC’s effete elite, 2002’s Igby Goes Down. COMING TO: Theaters

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aubrey plaza (PICTURED) plays friendless,

THE BIG SICK

this Page: the big sick Photo courtesy of filmnation entertainment • tuliP fever Photo courtesy of alex bailey/the weinstein comPany

SILICON VALLEY CUT-UP KUMAIL NANJIANI STEPS

center stage in his latest project, a feature film adaptation of his own true-life love story, which is equal parts humor and heart. While working as an Uber driver to support his stand-up comedy career in Chicago, Kumail meets Emily, and they seem destined to be the most lovable of couples. So it’s a bummer when familial pressure to marry a Pakistani woman creates a seemingly unbridgeable rift between them. Fate intervenes when Emily suddenly ends up in a coma, leaving her freshly estranged ex-boyfriend to sign medical consent forms and send for her parents, whom he’s never met. Holly Hunter and Ray Romano are cast as Kumail’s companions on this voyage of growth and discovery that delights and charms at every turn — directed by veteran comedian Michael Showalter. THE WORD: A romantic comedy as irresistible as the chemistry between its stars. COMING TO: Theaters

TULIP FEVER it was one of history’s great economic

bubbles: a period in 17th century Holland when a single tulip bulb could be worth an obscene amount of money. During this time of manic financial fervor in the cosmopolitan city of Amsterdam, we meet Sophia (played by Alicia Vikander, who won an Academy-Award for her work opposite Eddie Redmayne in The Danish Girl). She’s an orphan girl married to an older merchant (Christoph Waltz), but when she falls in love with an artist who has been hired to paint her portrait, Sophia and her maid hatch a bold conspiracy designed to offer a means of escape. The cast — including Judi Dench, Zach Galifianakis and Matthew Morrison — is copious and accomplished, and the film lives up to the “fever” of its title: offering plenty of characters, plots and machinations. THE WORD: A capable period piece that delivers a stellar cast — and even a few of those titular tulips. COMING TO: Theaters METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

MUSIC

Chronicling Change The Cranberries reinterpret their biggest hits, Beth Ditto goes solo, and Mary J. Blige turns separation into inspiration. BY MATT GROSS

MARY J. BLIGE Strength of a Woman (Capitol Records) 13th studio album, which chronicles her recent divorce from her longtime manager and romantic partner. Featuring guest appearances by Kanye West, Missy Elliott and DJ Khaled, the album is a confessional, soulful and uplifting collection of tracks. Blige shines brightest on the record’s fearless lead single,“Love Yourself” and its simply gorgeous title track. In the sense that is is empowering, forthright and proves that she made it through yet another rough patch, Strength of a Woman is reminiscent of her breakthrough 2001 release, No More Drama. Mary describes the new release in words that could define her career: “I don’t hold back,”she states flatly. “It’s not who I am, and there’s no way I am going to start changing now.” Catch Mary J. Blige on her extensive North American stadium tour through September. Dates and ticket info at maryjblige.com.

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THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY CAPITOL RECORDS

THE LEGENDARY R&B DIVA RETURNS WITH HER

BETH DITTO Fake Sugar (Virgin Records) the former lead singer of Beloved indie Band

this page: Beth ditto photo courtesy mary mccartney • cranBerries phots courtesy of Bmg

The Gossip effortlessly combines pop, rock, funk and blues on her debut full-length solo release. Producer Jennifer Decilveo (who has worked with the likes of Boyz II Men and Andra Day) helps Ditto make magic throughout the record. Of their collaboration, Ditto muses: “She was the rollerblades to my roller skates. We’d argue all day long and I loved it.” Ditto’s ability to approach subjects like love and loss with undeniable beauty and power continues to make her one of the most exciting artists of her generation. Album highlights include the ‘50s girl group inspired “In and Out,” the disco stomper “Savoir Faire” and the magnetic lead single and video “Fire.” Reflecting on the album’s introspective lyrics, Ditto candidly admits , “I was running away from the bad parts of Southern culture. I’m old enough now — and so grateful for my family — that I can finally embrace the good in where I grew up.”Of her marriage to her partner Kristin Ogata, the out-and-proud Ditto says, “This is adulthood, baby. ... You fought for marriage equality, now you gotta live in it.”Follow Beth Ditto on Instagram at instagram.com/bethditto.

THE CRANBERRIES Something Else (BMG) the irish quartet’s latest release offers un-

plugged and orchestral versions of the biggest singles from throughout their esteemed,threedecade career. Recorded with the Irish Chamber Orchestra at the University of Limerick, longtime crowd pleasers like “Linger,” “Dreams” and “Ode to My Family” have never sounded more stunning or rich. Perhaps most surprisingly, their 1994 hit “Zombie” — scaled down to just strings and Dolores O’Riordan’s sensational vocal delivery — emphasizes the song’s melancholy and vulnerability like never before. The album also features three impressive new tracks: “The Glory,” “Rupture” and “Why.” The last of these was written just after O’Riordan’s father passed away, and makes a fitting finale as the record’s closing track. Join The Cranberries’ four million Facebook followers at facebook.com/TheCranberries.

DIARY

Cannon Fodder BY WADE ROUSE

After Wade gets mistaken for an unexpected celebrity, he reflects on how his evolving relationship with fashion allowed him to take it in stride.

I WAS ABOUT TO CROSS A STREET IN PALM SPRINGS NOT LONG

ago when I heard a man yelling what sounded like a woman’s name: “Diane,” he called.“Diane? Diane!” I paid no attention, even as the shouting grew more insistent. Then suddenly, I felt a hand on my arm. “Dyan Cannon?” I turned, only to see an elderly man’s face droop from excitement to bewilderment. “Sorry... um... sir,” the man said. “I thought you... she just had her hair up.” Cue hysterics from my husband Gary, who laughed so hard he nearly wet himself. Days later, he still wouldn’t let it go. “He thought Wade was that blonde actress!”Gary told everyone about me being mistaken for Cannon, who was nominated for an Oscar for Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice in the 1960s and famously played a sexy older judge on Ally McBeal.“She’s 80 now!” he added for good measure. Cannon still ends up on TV fairly frequently on the West Coast — often spotted at Lakers games. She’s developed something of a reputation for dressing much “younger than her age.”Apparently, it’s a trait we share. Multiple friends have told me I dress too young for my age. On the night I was mistaken for Ms. Cannon, I was wearing skinny jeans with a rather flouncy shirt, topped off with a cute cap. I had purchased the jeans at Zara because a 20-something sales associate (who looked like Harry Styles) told me I looked good in them. I bought the shirt at a vintage boutique because the fabric reminded me of shirts my mother had worn in the 1970s. And I tend to resort to a cap when my hair doesn’t turn out quite right. It’s a far cry from anything I once would have dared to wear. As a chubby kid, I was relegated to“husky”jeans and clothes created by my grandmothers — which included ascots and flowered vests. These usually left me feeling like a fashion outsider. In my teens, I attempted desperately to follow the trends: splurging on Calvin Klein jeans and popping the collars of my layered pastel Polos. But as we lived in a place where cowboy boots and hats still ruled the day, my choices mostly got me picked on by country roughnecks.

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Next, as an young adult, I conformed to the work world: navy suits, white shirts and conservative ties. That was the corporate dress code, and I felt fairly certain that fitting in was the way to success. I think I finally hit my style stride when I became an author. It helped that, since I was not going into an office every day, I was not so constantly confronted by the conventional. I had also unlocked myself as an artist. In workshops, I teach that writers should have no fear when it comes to their work, so that they can heed whatever inspiration calls to them. Ultimately, I came to feel the same way about fashion. I can enjoy a five-dollar scarf I find at Goodwill as much as a luxe Versace jacket. I will mix a pair of Trina Turk pants in a wild print with a classic white tuxedo shirt — worn open, without a tie. And, yes, I guess that some days I dress like Dyan Cannon. Like Dyan — and Christie Brinkley, Halle Berry, Jane Fonda and Sting — I could not care less what people think I should be wearing as a“mature”person. I refuse to let age keep me from dressing on my own terms. And like young trendsetter Jaden Smith, I won’t let notions of masculinity or femininity get in my way, either. I may have my mother to thank for this spirit of fashion independence. When I was growing up, she was something of a trendsetter in the Ozarks, where women’s fashion revolved largely around overalls. Mom wore billowing palazzo pants and outrageous jewelry. She was known to change her hair color from blonde to black overnight. Sometimes, I would act embarrassed — begging her to tone her look down and wear something preppy. “You shouldn’t care a whit about what people think of what you wear, how you act or what you do,”she’d reply.“The world wants us to conform. The strong do not.” Today, my style is a testament to the fact that I finally took her advice to heart. Gary, of course, still delights in calling me “Dyan.” I take it as a compliment. ■ HOW DO YOU DEFY FASHION CONVENTIONS? TWEET YOUR ANSWER TO US @METROSOURCEMAG.

Something is brewing...

POV

Design Warfare BY KEVIN PHINNEY

Kevin learns that, though interior design can be a wonderful way to express yourself, it can also be a way others try to keep you from doing so.

I RECALL LEARNING EARLY ON — FROM THE KIDS WHO INVITED

me home after school to trade comics, assemble models and watch TV — about the human impulse to introduce new people to your world (and thereby learn about each other) by showing off “Our Stuff.” As kids, it was like we were saying:“Look around. This is who I am. See anything we have in common?” In college, this process became an essential part of dorm life. Sports memorabilia, religious iconography, music, art, books and movies: collectively they telegraph something of our identity. A total stranger only had to walk into my room, thumb through my burgeoning music collection or glance at the framed posters on my wall to know instantly who they were dealing with. But there was one resident in particular who introduced me to the concept of design as a form of warfare. Herbie was a stoner whose first roommate mysteriously disappeared halfway through the fall semester, which perfectly suited his hermitic demeanor. But in the spring, university housing dropped another roomie on him — a babyfaced Jonny Quest doppelgänger named Tony. Tony seemed unfazed by the indignities that drove Herbie’s first roommate away; the late-night phone calls, the unmistakable scent of pot. One night, Herbie began his siege by painting the walls of their room black and the ceiling red, then letting the excess paint drip down the walls like blood. He followed that up with posting Playgirl centerfolds on the wall and leaving ungodly refuse in their shared sink. Eventually critical mass sent Tony running and Herbie was once again master of his own domain. Whatever his methods, Herbie had a point about marking one’s territory. When I partnered, I found myself giving up more and more of my tastes to please them. My first partner David and I bought a custom couch and chair we’d seen on The Real World. He chose the fabric — off-white with subtle vertical stripes. I chose their infinitely more colorful covers — bold red for the couch and blue for the chair with cactuses and cowboys and horses replicated from the inside of Boy Scout sleeping bags. As we drifted apart, David got a dog who made several unwelcome contributions to our once-prized pieces. When we parted, I left the dog and

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the furniture in his care. Ray, my next partner (and now ex-husband), was enthralled with Asian minimalism — which meant I had to say goodbye to my folk-arty Santa Fe-style dining room table and chair set. I was permitted wall art — a gold record for my Otis Redding album essay, a framed 2008 Obama poster and a cartoon by a friend who’d won a Pulitzer. Our condo boasted a view of the Seattle skyline and Space Needle not unlike Frasier’s TV home. A stark a leather-and-chrome couch and chair set sat at one end of our living room, offset by a dining table of mahogany and smoked glass. I felt like I was living in a law office. His favorite features were the floor-to ceiling windows, which had to be kept blinds-up all day, every day. I quickly learned that in such an environment, you cannot stumble out naked to make your coffee without posing for a neighbor with a telescope. I tried to push back against his austerity by suggesting an element of whimsy:“How about a restored barber chair from the Baby Boom era?”I asked. I’d loved them since my first haircut and thought the novelty would liven the place up. He nixed the idea, and (as a consolation prize) he let me design a desk that could be closed into a cube. I assume that after I left, he used it for kindling. Eventually I decided to stop depending on anyone else to shape my world. This involved accepting how little of the universe any of us actually controls, as well as asserting my will over what sits behind my front door. Now I’m in a tiny NYC apartment that leaves little room for dramatic decor decisions. I did recently repurpose a set of carefully mismatched‘40s and‘50s luggage into a kitschycute chest of drawers, and my shelves remain crammed with books and movies that have brought me a lifetime of delight. These days, a stranger could walk into my place and once again have an inkling of who I am just from looking at my stuff. And maybe someday I’ll figure out how to squeeze in that vintage barber’s chair. ■ ARE YOU A DESIGN WARRIOR? KNOW ONE? TWEET ABOUT IT @ METROSOURCEMAG.

DOES THIS LOOK GAY TO YOU? The founders of unapologetic clothing brand Rufskin talk loving men’s clothing and each other. BY KEVIN PHINNEY

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, HUBERT PIERRE POUCHES AND DOUGLAS COATS STARTED A LINE OF MEN’S CLOTHING THAT SENT

shock waves through the fashion industry. Rufskin designs didn’t stick to time-worn masculine stereotypes like Levi’s or Wrangler. They were boldly and explicitly gay in their approach to the male form. Their jeans were skin tight (even before Spandex allowed them to stretch and move as they do today), and the models wearing them were handpicked for bodies built to the popular gay ideal. Today, as the pair celebrate not only their union as husbands but the 15-year mark as business partners, they face increased competition from such brands as Nasty Pig and other up-and-coming online retailers. While they operate as a pair, the biggest division of labor is that Pouches is the visionary designer, and Coats (once a model himself) focuses on marketing and public relations. Still they say, each of them contributes to all aspects of the Rufskin empire — which keeps them both on their toes.

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METROSOURCE: Do you remember the first time you saw your husband? Was it love at first sight? POUCHES: As if it was yesterday. Twenty-seven years ago at the agency where I was working in Paris, I remember Doug coming straight from Milan for the shows there . . . COATS: He was this charming Frenchman with a strong accent, dealing all day with an army of Brazilians for the castings, which should have given me an indication that he was pretty intense and hands-on with every aspect of his business. I'm not sure the love arrow didn't strike us at once; I'm not even sure we were each other's type. How long it took you to become serious about each other, to move in together, and to decide to become business partners? POUCHES: Doug came to my apartment that same night. A week later, we were a couple, and our business partnership became official 15 years ago. Now we've been married for almost two years. COATS: There were some discrepancies on the living situation in Paris for the shows, so I ended up crashing at Hubert's flat the first night (with too many models smoking hashish who never moved out until about four years later, when we moved to the States). It took us a week to really share a bed, and it took me about a month to clean up his pad and get rid of all the crazy models crashing all over his Madeleine apartment. I guess that's what you call serious! We always knew that we would end up being business partners, and we started Rufskin in 2002. METROSOURCE.COM

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realize we are being dumb and smoothly get back to reality and compromise on our disagreements calmly.

Hubert has said that after years of designing for women, he was ready to move on to the male form. What's the biggest difference? POUCHES: Everything. Women's fashion is ... contracts, collections, calendars, deadlines, shows, salons, etc. Designing for men was an escape, in a certain way — it meant absolute freedom, especially since we were creating our own company and structure. COATS: Don't get me started. I still ask Hubert once in a while about developing a girl's line for Rufskin, but his Catalan blood always cuts me off immediately. When disagreements come up between the two of you, what do you argue about, and do you have a system for working through them? POUCHES: Just about everything! Opposites attract and react. It's part of my French heritage too, I guess. And having strong and genuine points of view. It's what enriches the whole relationship. After 27 years, we do have many ways to faire la paix [make peace] as they say. And we got two dogs; two Frenchies. They will solve any crisis. COATS: You could ask this question of our employees, as they have borne witness to many of our fights. I also feel that I’m one of the very few people who can actually push Hubert's buttons and get away with it. Our system is to yell at each other at the top of our lungs, give each other the silent treatment and then

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METROSOURCE.COM

How has Rufskin changed over the years, in terms of the clothing? POUCHES: We started with four jeans designs, then we added underwear and swimwear, since I was working in Brazil with a huge factory. In 2006, when we decided to have our clothes manufactured entirely in California, we extended the line to what it is today. The freedom of our structure allows us to basically do what we want when we want, including the way we manage our sales. COATS: Although we continue to follow our concept, I think we’ve matured our line in the following years. The focus isn't as much on that übersexual vibe as it was at the start, but has extended to a wider range of designs, according to our lifestyle. California played a huge role in that evolution. How do you keep your line unique? When you started, there weren’t many doing what you do. POUCHES: For sure. As I said earlier, we have no restrictions. Guys had no real choices unless they were willing to go to a women's store to search for their size. Low-rise jeans, sexy denim, edgy underwear were the base of our our brand back then. Now 15 years later, we're seeing the market explode right and left. Some of our vintage pieces are being reborn or knocked off by others, but Rufskin is what it is and keeps us constantly motivated to create something new. We are a lifestyle brand, not

THIS PAGE AND FACING PAGE PHOTOS COURTESY OF RUFSKIN

METROSOURCE: What do you think Rufskin contributes to the ethos of being gay? POUCHES: I grew up in the mid-'70s in the south of France, so I never really was conscious of gay issues — maybe because of the time of total liberation in all directions, including sexually. So if we contributed to the gay community in any way, we didn't have the feeling we were pushing that agenda. Maybe that's why we started with so much attention right away. In 2002 when Rufskin started, the line was all about sex and rock 'n' roll: low-waisted jeans and zippers around the crotch with actual "butt cleavage" around the back. Later, the stretch denim underwear/swim line caused a major splash, too. But for us, it was always about standing for who you are. We did The Janice Dickinson Show and became “the gay brand from California.” This, plus a series of images from Justin Monroe, and suddenly, there go all the taboos and norms out the window. Year after year, we stand for what we believe and Rufskin is as much a lifestyle as a brand of clothing. Our campaign to promote pot legalization in California is a perfect example of that, too. So Rufskin is all about the free spirit and open mind vibe. COATS: I think Rufskin embodied our desire for freedom without restrictions and disregarding mainstream judgments and attitudes towards fashion. We hope our campaigns deliver the same message, presenting an image that's sexy, but not vulgar, and I believe our clothing reflects that and gay people are attracted to our formula.

a fashion label, and we intend to keep it that way. COATS: I'll agree to disagree. From my perspective, I'm always surprised at how Hubert manages to "trip" over certain concepts, totally disregarding the current trends. That may be where our joint influences come into play. Was there a garment that took off so successfully that it surprised you? POUCHES: Our first four denim jeans were a surprise hit. The low-rise, straight leg — or boot cut — being available for guys absolutely jumpstarted the whole brand, but the "butt cleavage" jeans sealed the deal. The Western chaps-cut jeans with names like "Hustler," "Cody" and "Chuck" made them more personal, so we were delighted with the whole project. But when we started the underwear and sport lounge with fishnet underwear and terrycloth lounge pants, we really began to see massive returns. We manufactured the Tambo sweat pants and the Dino shorts for more than four years, but I finally had it, and I killed them! COATS: That may be the biggest difference between us. I have an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality, but Hubert is always craving new styles and drives the whole team crazy. So there are always many new surprises in store. Do you get responses about the models being so perfectly sculpted, e.g. the bear community and people who criticize aggressive gym goers? POUCHES: That's another "Damocles' Sword" question. Of course we do, But here's the thing: I think in general people are too analytical about everything. We live in a society and a community that needs to learn how to respect and accept each other. It's all about choices. Some love to suffer to reach an aesthetic that makes them feel good. Others love to eat and could care less about their looks. What matters is to feel with yourself. ... We never intended to cast anyone away. COATS: We could go in the current direction of the new normalized aesthetic that has taken over so much of the fashion world, but Rufskin has always been and will always be a brand that stays true to its roots. Aside from the technical execution of the garments — including size, cut and construction — there is also a partisan (and very reflective of our current political landscape) position from our company that is the essence of our brand. We are continuously baffled by messages like "I can't wear your clothes!" or "I don't have that body!" attitude, but I see that as self-blocking behavior. With a closer look, we realize that our customer base is really as diverse as the community itself, so I say: Let's embrace that! Any pushback from the straight community about “scandalous” pieces? POUCHES: We do have a fairly consistent customer base that could give a damn about whether the clothes are "gay" or not. We started our brand with sexy pieces, and so is our image sometimes. But the goal has always been to make the guys feel sexy without crossing a line to vulgarity. We've actually gotten more negative comments from gay people than straight dudes. COATS: When you stand up for your choices, you can't expect

to avoid reactions. We are actually often pleasantly surprised by the open-mindedness and the wide range of our customer base. We can observe this from our headquarters store in San Diego every day, and it is quite refreshing and gives us some hope about how mentalities can change. What do you see as the future for your brand? POUCHES: We don't live in the future. We are super-fortunate to be able to do as we please — most of the time — so there are no real plans. After 15 years, each day is a new page of a new chapter. Some stay in fiction, others become reality. That's the beauty of life, isn't it? ... If we can in any way open people's minds, let them express themselves, or just tease their curiosity to realize that we are all different, but part of the same world, then that will do for us. COATS: That may be why we are so different — Hubert and I — and yet working in the same direction. I am always browsing for new adventures, disregarding the technicality, and that's probably why I keep us always on the move. I think the whole Rufskin concept a the beginning was a little daring, and ambitious at the time, but it is also what keeps us on the edge of our own destiny. ■ You can see and purchase Rufskin apparel online at rufskin.com. METROSOURCE.COM

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EACH DAY, MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY SEND KIDS TO SCHOOL WONDERING WHETHER THEY’LL FACE JUDGMENTS BECAUSE OF THEIR PARENTS’ SEXUAL ORIENTATION. SO WE SOUGHT OUT SOME LGBT PARENTS TO TALK ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS, THEIR CHOICES AND THE VALUES THAT MOTIVATE THEM. BY KEVIN PHINNEY

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METROSOURCE.COM

into the mainstream, increasing numbers of same-sex couples are choosing to expand their families by raising children, while other members of the LGBT community have opted to raise kids as single parents. But even as the military has come to more fully embrace our community with the end of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and our unions have gained greater recognition thanks to the Supreme Court’s decisions about marriage equality, many aspiring gay parents are left wondering how their children will be treated in one of the places that shapes them most and parents see them least: school.

DIDN’T YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT MOM LAST TIME? HOW AN LGBT PARENT CAN ADDRESS THE SITUATION DEPENDS IN NO SMALL

part on their location and what kinds of school alternatives exist there. Especially in the so-called “red states,” religious freedom laws and bathroom use statutes can send a message that, while we as a people are more free than ever, that freedom is far from universal. For the children of gay parents, those messages of judgment and otherness can cause harm that lasts a lifetime. It may be reassuring that, as Dr. Martin Luther King was fond of saying,“the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends to-

PHOTO COURTESY ISTOCK.COM/ MATTOMATTEO

THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

AS GAY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO MOVE FROM THE MARGINS OF SOCIETY AND

“I do think the political climate has something to do with it as well. Suddenly, it’s okay to be mean to people, and that’s sanctioned in our national conversation.”

ward justice,” for the parents of school age children, this is not a rhetorical problem: it’s an issue they must confront every day. For example, take Kelly and her wife, Rose. Kelly is a white educator and administrator in the Midwest. Both her wife and her son Jackson are black. Their son, she delights in saying, is 11 years old and about to enter the sixth grade. “We got him when he was four days old,” she says with a smile,“so he’s really been with us his entire life.” At the university where she works, Kelly’s focus revolves around social justice and “all the -isms; you know, racism, sexism, genderism. I concentrate on Intergroup Relations, which means social identities and how that connects to institutions that grant privilege to some members of society while marginalizing others.” When she leaves her office at the end of the day, she brings those same concerns right back through her front door. “I don’t know how typical we are, but then who does?” she says. “I have the luxury of living in a college town and working at a university, so I’m not sure where I live is representative of the Midwest as a whole. But here? As parents — and even before Jackson was born — there were issues around race more than there were around sexual orientation. Early on, we found a network of lesbian moms in the largest city nearby. And then we found an LGBT parenting network.” She describes her network of fellow gay parents and neighbors as“quite supportive”and credits them with helping her family largely avoid negative experiences. Once their son was old enough to attend school, the moms “tested the waters,” Kelly says — making inquiries and talking with other parents especially. To their surprise, “we discovered we were not much of an anomaly. There were a lot of interracial couples, black and white straight parents, too. We were more of a novelty really, and we became in demand because other parents wanted to have their kids exposed to diversity.” The sea change in attitudes toward gay people was something Kelly saw firsthand as she was preparing Jackson for school. During his earliest years, there was no “second parent adoption,” which meant that — although she and Rose considered themselves equally invested as parents — only one of them was registered as legal guardian. “Still,” she says, “all of his teachers were gracious and saw us the same, and even though they could have insisted that only one of us make decisions about his education, we never had any negative repercussions. We presented ourselves as co-parents, and they never treated us otherwise.” Kelly says that she and Rose share a few bedrock values: academics, racial diversity and public education.“We both believe in public education and wanted to send our son to a public school,”she attests.“We had pretty smooth sailing for a while, which I appreciate and never took for granted because you don’t get that everywhere. Kids would ask questions about us, and that was fine,” Kelly remembers. But circumstances changed. “It went from that to teasing and bullying,” Kelly explains. Jackson attended public school for his first five years, but ultimately his moms decided that he needed to relocate. “I have nothing but good things to say about his teachers,” Kelly says. “But kids in elementary school can get ... confused. I would go on a field trip with Jackson, and then Rose would go, and there’d be kids who’d say, ‘Hey, wait a minute: didn’t you have a different mom last time?’” Kelly says it wasn’t just the kids that changed. “Kids getting older and turning from curiosity to judgment might be partly to blame,” she says. “But I do think the political climate has something to do with it as well. METROSOURCE.COM

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Suddenly it’s okay to be mean to people, and that’s sanctioned in our national conversation because of the president. There’s been so much negativity and misogyny, and it’s like something in the air or water now. It seeps into everything.”

THE WAY WE PRESENT OURSELVES THOSE CLOSER TO MAJOR POPULATION CENTERS HAVE THEIR OWN UNIQUE

perspectives. Carter and Nick relocated to New Jersey not long ago from midtown Manhattan with their son Tyler. (The family asked that we refer to them by pseudonyms to protect their privacy.) The move was partly motivated by their plans for Tyler’s education. In New York, Carter explains,“We were basically next door to a school we were interested in, but ultimately it turned out to be very competitive. In retrospect, we probably should have applied to more schools.” After two years with Tyler in school on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the couple decided it was time to make a move.“The way New York school is structured, we were going to have to start Tyler in kindergarten when he was four, and we just felt that was too young.” These days, Tyler is seven and in second grade, attending a school in a New Jersey suburb not far from Manhattan.“You could say we chose the neighborhood and the school together,” says Carter. “We wanted to live in an environment that not only practiced inclusivity in the classroom, but also a neighborhood that celebrated community and was integrated as well. Where we are now, most of the kids go to a school in the zone where they live. It’s important to us that Tyler be able to socialize in his free time with the kids from school, too. That was an important consideration. We’re also fortunate because there are other same-sex parents in the school, and everyone seems very open and accepting when it comes to community, diversity and inclusivity.” Carter and Nick check in with Tyler on a daily basis to monitor his progress and to generally “get as much information out of him as we can.” So far, they are“pretty happy with his academics”but they also keep a close watch on his emotional and social development. Outside the classroom, the couple want to make sure Tyler will have a sense of pride about his family and families like them, and so they ‘ve made a point of showing him that every child is lucky to have a parent or a couple who loves and supports them, no matter what they may look like.“It’s important to be visible and supportive of other different kinds of parents,” says Carter.“Part of that is proudly proclaiming that Nick is my husband and the way we present ourselves, and I think that helps give Tyler confidence, too.” They also emphasize the benefits of sharing their circumstances. “One of Tyler’s classmates has two dads,” says Carter.“It’s helpful to have other LGBT families to reach out to, whether that’s in person or online, so that you have some sort of support system in place. Basically, you want your child to know that they’re not alone and that, while our family may be a little bit different, there are many others like ours, too.”

THE FAMILY BALL MEANWHILE BACK IN NYC, EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO ENSURE THAT NO

matter what the family configuration, parents and their kids feel embraced. Jared Fox, the LGBT Community Liaison for the New York City Department of Education, says that’s been his mission since arriving in

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 METROSOURCE.COM

“You want your child to know that they’re not alone and that, while our family may be a little bit different, there are many others like ours, too.”

PHOTO COURTESY ISTOCK.COM/ SOLSTOCK

January of 2016. “The great thing about New York City is that there are so many schools,” he offers. “No matter who the parents are, they want a good school for their kids. They want to feel affirmed and welcomed. That’s why we provide Parent Coordinators, who are what we consider frontline support for parents. They’re the ones who arrange periodic chats with the principals. They make sure there’s a translator available if one is needed; they organize family diversity nights, and really act as the intermediary between the school and all kinds of parents — inclusive of ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation. When you think of same sex families, it’s really about making room for all families.” On Fox’s watch, inclusive language has come to the fore, which is how “The Father/Daughter Dance” became “The Family Ball.” But Fox says their efforts begin at the earliest stages of education. “We start in Pre-K,”he says.“We’ve worked hard to find developmentally appropriate material for them, especially because this is their first foray into the New York public school system.” How would he suggest parents pick the ideal environment to get an education for their child — in NYC and beyond? “Go to schools, make

visits, attend open houses,” he recommends. “There are actually fairs where young people can see what an art school — versus another kind of school — is like.” Fox also acknowledges that as important as it is to find a school that supports same-sex parent-led families, it’s equally important that they appreciate not all such families are the same.“Families are like community, and they’re very rarely monolithic.” He notes that some families need affirmation. Others require integration. Still others need language access. Children do best in schools where the faculty and staff are able to provide students and their families with the tools for success. “That’s why we try to serve New York families in a multi-dimensional way,” he says. ■

ARE YOU AN LGBTQ PARENT? WE WANT TO SHARE YOUR CHALLENGES, TRIUMPHS AND ADVICE WITH THE METROSOURCE COMMUNITY. VISIT METROSOURCE.COM AND CLICK ON “SHARE YOUR POINT OF VIEW” TO CONTRIBUTE YOUR EXPERIENCE TO OUR GAY VOICES INITIATIVE AND HELP OTHER PARENTS SUCCEED.

METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Jeremiah Brent

JEREMIAH BRENT LIVING BEAUTIFULLY The designer brings his partnership with husband Nate Berkus to TV — hoping to change hearts, minds and lives. BY PAUL HAGEN

“WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, MY MOTHER USED TO ALWAYS SAY TO ME

every time we traveled somewhere, whether it was a park or a store: ‘Find one beautiful thing in this place and just tell me what the beauty is,’” Jeremiah Brent remembers. “I feel like that shifted the paradigm since I was a kid.” As we sit sipping coffee and discussing his decision to share his life with husband Nate Berkus and daughter Poppy Brent-Berkus on his recent show Nate and Jeremiah by Design, the memory seems an apt reflection of his values. “I care about the connection — connection to your home, connection to the people you’re working with, connection to your family. Because, really, that’s it. That’s the birthplace of all of it.”

JEREMIAH BRENT PHOTO COURTESY BRITTANY AMBRIDGE

TO THE RESCUE On Nate and Jeremiah by Design, Brent teams with Berkus to bring out the beauty in homes where renovations have gone awry. Whether from lack of time, lack of funds or inability to make decisions, the homes are often often in shocking disrepair when the husbands arrive.Yet in episode after episode, they manage to create miraculous transformations. I ask Brent if it makes him feel like a superhero.“Not at all,” Brent says with an easy laugh.“I always look at Nate, and I’m like: ‘Are we talented or frauds?’” However, anyone who has seen their results can tell that they are talented. What may be harder to understand is how these homeowners allowed their properties to become money pits.“Here’s the thing,” Brent explains. “Design television — for the last ten years — has been about how much we can do for how little. The truth is, it’s expensive, and if you’re not doing it correctly, it costs you a lot.” Many homeowners don’t take this into account before beginning. “People just swing a hammer and ask questions later,” Brent says.“I’m like: ‘That’s a wall! Hold on!’”

And though each episode is in a large part about dealing with a home’s physical problems, it also ends up being about dealing with the homeowners’ personal issues. “It was interesting getting people to take responsibility for their situation,” Brent reflects. “That’s part of the process of moving through it.”As Brent and Berkus worked with couples, one half of each tended to gravitate toward each of them like a life coach. “It happened organically every single time,” Brent explains.“I respond to vulnerability. ... I can deal with it all day.” Meanwhile, those in need of a firmer hand gravitated toward Berkus. “Nate is amazing in his ability to ask the real questions, the hard questions, in a way that’s respectful,”says Brent.“He’s really good at being very direct and honest, whereas I’m like: let’s just like hold each other. You know? I’m Mama Bear.” After the emotional work is done, it ultimately comes down to the frenzied moments before the big reveal. “It’s so chaotic,” Brent says. “You’re juggling 3,000 different types of energies. My husband is a stress case and focuses on the weirdest little things. I’m big picture,” Brent explains. “It’s a unique adrenaline rush because it’s the culmination of everything that’s been in your head, and it’s at your fingertips.” Brent describes their renovation team as a symphony working in concert, but the final decisions come down to Brent and Berkus.“He and I place every bowl, every bead — because the show’s so important to us.”

A MASTER CLASS Brent’s route to Nate and Jeremiah by Design took some unexpected turns along the way — including a detour into fashion that introduced him to many television viewers via The Rachel Zoe Project. “Working for Rachel was a crazy coincidence,” Brent recalls. “She asked me eventually to be METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Family Portrait: Jeremiah, Nate and Poppy

OPPOSITE PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY TLC/PEGGY SIROTA

on the show. And I was like: ‘Okay, fine. This is what I’m going to do.’ And I wore too many tank tops.”He laughs.“I learned that the hard way.” Despite his love of fashion, Brent soon saw it was time to shift focus.“I realized at a certain point that I cared more about the sofa that the model was sitting on than about actually putting the woman in the dress,” he explains. Zoe advised him to follow his passion. “She goes, ‘You don’t care about dresses; you care about furniture,’”Brent recalls.“She was like a master class in professional maturity.” Even as Brent embarked on the process of setting up his own design firm, Zoe would also be influential in opening yet another new chapter of his life. “She introduced me to Nate,” Brent explains. “So I always believed that the reason I started working with her is because I was following that heartbeat.” Brent and Berkus would eventually be married in May of 2014, and their union soon connected Brent to a certain media mogul who had a Do-It-Yourself show that needed a host.“Home Made Simple came about because Oprah asked me to do it,” Brent says. “She was like, ‘Would you do this little show?’” And though Brent describes hosting the “master class in DIY” as an amazing experience, he and his husband had their eyes on what would come next. “We had done a couple of projects together and we were ready to kind of tackle something bigger,” Brent remembers.“Nate had done a couple of other shows at the time, and we were like, ‘We need to get you back to design. You need to be in the room doing it again. And so we created this show.” Judging from how their relationship appears on Nate and Jeremiah by Design, Brent and Berkus have absolutely adorable chemistry — the camera often catches them sweetly teasing one another about their respective foibles. In person, Brent seems just as lovingly exasperated with his husband. “We got into an argument this morning on the way down about my earphones,” Brent says with a chuckle. “I was like, ‘Why can’t you figure out how to work anything? Like, what is wrong with you? How have you survived for so long?’” The show also features the pair being genuinely affectionate with one another, and I wonder whether they were aware of how revolutionary it could be to see a same-sex couple interact with each other in that way on TV. “We’re cognizant of it so we constantly are just like: let’s just be honest,”Brent explains. He realizes they are in a unique position to show what it means to be a gay family to audiences who might not have other gay families in their lives. He recalls both he and Nate being moved when they received a tweet saying: “It’s so nice to watch a show where two men kiss that’s not about two men kissing.” In the first episode of the show, Brent says he never anticipated his life turning into this kind of story. “If I was going to be asked, I’d have guessed I’d be alone in the hills with a couple of dogs. The house would be nice, and the dogs would be well maintained.” He laughs at the idea but grows serious. “I never thought that I’d have a great love story,” he confesses.“I love him madly. And that’s not something—you don’t grow up with a lot of gay people with their amazing love stories in front of you. You just don’t.”

AND POPPY MAKES THREE

Design follow the couple into their personal lives — including raising their daughter Poppy, who they had by surrogacy in 2015.“I’ve only done reality television. Nate’s never done it. He’s always been hosting or had his talk show. So I was a little bit nervous to see how it would pan out,” explains Brent. Nevertheless, they wanted to invite audiences into their home in the same way that homeowners were inviting the designers into theirs. “It was all about the most intimate moments we could share with our family — because these [homeowners had] shared that.” And so we see moments with the family playing and parenting and planning for the future. “All that stuff just kind of happened really organically. We had a really amazing showrunner, and TLC was great. They were like: ‘Okay, we’re going to follow the way you lead us,’” he says. Initially, they were not sure how Poppy would react to the cameras. “The first day I was like, ‘Okay, well, let’s just ease her into this. It’s going to be weird, but Daddy’s here!’ And she walked in and she goes, ‘Hey guys!’ She starts talking to everybody,and I was like, ‘Oh Lord!” Brent remembers. “It’s like she was almost too good — like [a young] Drew Barrymore! I was like, ‘What’s happening?’” Brent tells me that he and Berkus are in the process of trying to have a second child, and he admits to feeling a familiar sense of trepidation. “Having a child is like a type of vulnerability that nobody really prepares you for,” he says. “The luxury that we had with surrogacy,” he adds, “is that we had the time and the space to have some really important conversations with each other.”Primary among their goals for Poppy was to provide her a life free of rigid expectations.“She can be who she wants and do what she wants. We’re gonna teach her how to be a good person,” he elaborates, “but she doesn’t need to be a doctor for me; she doesn’t need to be a decorator. She doesn’t need to be anything! And that’s the gift we’re going to try to give both of the kids.” As a gay parent, he worries about government forces that would seek to limit or deny the rights of gay people to be parents — partly because of the message it sends to future generations. “I’m concerned about the ways that affects kids that are gay — who are looking at a system where they don’t feel like they’re validated,” he says.“Never mind your political affiliation,” he adds.“It’s about human decency.” “I LOVED THE REACTION FROM THE SHOW,” ADMITS BRENT. “RANDOM PEOPLE — including husbands, wives, kids, whatever — come up and give me

hugs! They’re like, ‘I cried with you!’ And I cry with them!” He loves that what started out as a home-makeover show “became a show about humanity, and the fact that we are a gay family, living openly and honestly [and we’ve] connected with all different types of people. It didn’t matter the religion, it didn’t matter skin color, it didn’t matter — any of it. It was about the idea of us coming in and looking at people and saying, ‘We see ■ you and we hear you,’ and helping people live beautifully.”

FOR MORE, FOLLOW BRENT ON TWITTER @JEREMIAHBRENT AND CATCH UP WITH NATE AND JEREMIAH BY DESIGN AT TLC.COM.

In addition to the rescue renovations, episodes of Nate and Jeremiah by METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

What is TRUVADA for PrEP?

Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP?

TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medicine that is used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV. 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.

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. ® Also take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP? Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-negative. ® 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 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: ® You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. ® You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. ® If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. ® To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: ® Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. ® Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. ® Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. ® Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. ® 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: ® Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking TRUVADA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: ® Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA. ® 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. ® Bone problems, including bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (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? ® 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. ® 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. ® If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk. ® All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-thecounter 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. ® If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include certain medicines to treat hepatitis C (HCV) infection. 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.

We’re adventurous, not reckless. We know who we are. And we make choices that fit our lives. TRUVADA for PrEP™ is a once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when taken every day and used together 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. Learn more at truvada.com

IMPORTANT FACTS

This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEPTM (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.

(tru-VAH-dah) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. 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: • You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. • You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you think you were exposed to HIV-1 or have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • 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: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV, your HBV may suddenly get 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.

ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA for PrEP is a prescription medicine used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. • To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider 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 certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

HOW TO TAKE 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. • Use TRUVADA for PrEP together with condoms and safer sex practices. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP 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. • 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. • Bone problems. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (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.

BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. • 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-positive, HIV can pass to the baby in breast milk. 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 FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV 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.

TRUVADA FOR PREP, the TRUVADA FOR PREP Logo, the TRUVADA Blue Pill Design, TRUVADA, 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. TVDC0110 07/17

METROHIV

Bath Curtain

BATH CURTAIN BY HUGH STEERS COURTESY ESTATE OF HUGH STEERS / ALEXANDER GRAY ASSOCIATES.

No Place Like Home An exhibition showcases art that explores the early years of the epidemic from a very personal perspective. BY JEFF SIMMONS AS THE AIDS CRISIS UNFOLDED DURING ITS EARLY DECADES,

even the hidden spaces of domestic life became sites of showing resistance and proving resilience for New York City activists and artists. Often out of necessity, homes became places for community support, political action,and creative possibility. A new exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York elucidates the compassion and ingenuity of New Yorkers supporting people living with HIV and AIDS. AIDS at Home features paintings, sculpture, photos and video — alongside archival objects from activist groups and support programs — that illustrate oft-untold intimate stories of HIV and AIDS. “AIDS at Home humanizes a dark chapter in the city’s history by shedding light on the emotional bonds forged in times of crisis, as well as the activist and creative responses born of necessity,” says Whit-

ney Donhauser, who is the Museum’s Ronay Menschel Director. Separated into three distinct sections, the exhibition escorts visitors through the first two decades of the epidemic, focusing on caretaking networks, housing and homelessness and family and kinship. The exhibition includes works from more than 20 artists — including those well-known, emerging, and newly discovered — as well as contributions from activist and support groups. “The idea of the show is to really look at HIV and AIDS through a new lens, focusing on home,” says curator Stephen Vider. “A lot of the history that is primarily circulated about HIV and AIDS focuses on public activism, public representation and medical history. Looking at HIV and AIDS through the lens of home allows us to get more personal stories.” METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTMEBER 2017

Eric Sawyer and Luis Lopez-Detres

Self-Portrait (Reality Sets In)

FROM AIDS AT HOME: (Above, Left) Eric Sawyer is one of the founding members Housing Works, created in 1990 to advocate for supportive housing for people living with HIV/AIDS. Luis López-Detrés was a member of the Latino Caucus and Global AIDS Action Caucus of ACT UP and later became editor of SIDAahora, the first HIV/AIDS magazine in Spanish. (Above, Right) Diagnosed with HIV as a teenager, photographer Luna Luis Ortiz documented his life and the lives of friends throughout the 1990s. He now works as a youth educator for GMHC.

A portion of the exhibition focuses specifically on caretaking efforts, including Gay Men’s Health Crisis’ groundbreaking “buddy” program and the work of God’s Love We Deliver. There are also tributes to the organizations that emerged in response to the crisis, such as Housing Works, and reflections on gentrification and conditions within city-funded housing. As a whole, the space exudes an aura of cozy familiarity: the walls adorned with wallpaper and moldings created by artists to reflect a homelike setting. “We recognize that for many people coming to the museum, this is a history that is deeply personal and emotional, so we wanted to create a space that would feel like home so that people would feel comfortable accessing these memories,” he says. Vider curated the exhibition as he worked on his first book, Queer Belongings: Gay Men, Lesbians and the

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METROSOURCE.COM

Politics of Home After WWII ( for University of Chicago Press), which delves into the history of home, LGBT life and politics. As visitors make their way to the end of the exhibition, they are presented with a new original documentary that examines the stories of three activists and artists working today. “That film brings this history to the present,”Vider says.“I really want visitors to come away with a new understanding of HIV and AIDS as an ongoing history, and one that at this moment is often under-discussed … and to feel closer to the history than they have before, to understand the intimate impact of HIV and AIDS and how the illness can be worsened by stigma and silence." ■ AIDS at Home is at the Museum of the City of New York now through October 22. For more info, visit mcny.org.

ERIC SAWYER AND LUIS LOPEZ-DETRES BY BILL BYTSURA COURTESY OF THE ARTIST. SELF-PORTRAIT BY LUNA LUIS ORTIZ COURTESY OF THE ARTIST.

METROHIV

DEVASTATION AFTER THE HURRICANE IN HAITI

Cold Is So Hot Right Now BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES WHEN LISA VANDERPUMP AND YOLANDA FOSTER TRIED

an intriguing, trendy wellness treatment on a recent episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, we had to check it out for ourselves. It’s called cryotherapy and involves being exposed to extremely low temperatures: under -200 degrees Fahrenheit. The Housewives aren’t the only ones giving it a go. Daniel Craig is rumored to have turned to cryotherapy to maintain his James Bond physique. Lind-

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METROSOURCE.COM

say Lohan has posted cryotherapy selfies as has Mandy Moore. Alicia Keys, Demi Moore, Jennifer Aniston and Jessica Alba have also allegedly felt the chill. Though some forms of cryotherapy were used as early as the seventeenth century, Whole Body Cryotherapy evolved in Japan in the late 1970s thanks to Dr. Toshima Yamaguchi, who started utilizing freezing treatments to address pain in arthritis patients. Since then, the process has been used to speed muscle recovery, decrease inflammation, reduce pain, ease muscle spasms, boost collagen and more. We headed to Chill Space NYC, where Kinesiologist Dr. Joshua Kantor (with 20 years of experience helping patients overcome pain, illness and disease) provides cryotherapy treatments to weary New Yorkers.“One of the ‘off label’ uses for cryosauna is for mild cases of depression and melancholy,” he explains. “I have personally seen a patient’s entire demeanor improve after a few sessions; cryo is like exercise for your nervous system and physiology. It promotes health by imparting a positive stress that your body adapts to, which promotes healing.” Using the latest technology, Kantor and company uses a special cryosauna that pulsates nitrogen mist at a temperature of -220 degrees Fahrenheit. The threeminute hyper-cooling process is exhilarating. First, you wipe all moisture off your body, then step into the cyrosauna, which lowers the subject’s skin temperature to 40 degrees and produces an immediate rush of endorphins. Dr. Kantor recommended turning around a few times during the treatment and was on hand to snap pictures, contribute insights and offer friendly encouragement. The kind of technology at Chill Space NYC is also fast becoming a staple for professional sports teams, replacing the old school ice baths. The doctor says that athletes increasingly come in for cryotherapy after intense workout sessions, so they can recover fully and get back into the game more quickly. Cryotherapy can also increase metabolism. During a three-minute treatment, the body can burn roughly 300-600 calories. Even better, the endorphins released during a cryotherapy session feel fabulous. This sensation, similar to a “runners high” may make you inclined to laugh, feel an inspiring head rush and return to your day with a new perspective and increased sense of well-being. For the ultimate in bliss, you may also find it beneficial to pair the sudden jolt of cryotherapy with something bit more soothing. Options include an infrared sauna or a floatation therapy session. chillspacenyc.com ■

PHOTO COURTESY CHILL SPACE NYC

HEALTH

Mackerel and Melon BY GAYLE VAN WELY MACKEREL WAS NEVER ONE OF MY GO-TO FISH WHEN ORDERING OUT UNLESS I WAS DINIG AT A HIGH END SUSHI BAR, but

a few years ago I decided to entertain a few guests with this light mackerel dish and was so pleased with the outcome that it’s become a staple. Its marinade and torched skin transform the oily fishy into a crispy, meltin-your-mouth flavor bomb. Mackerel also provides health benefits; among both fresh and saltwater fish, it’s got one of the highest concentration in Omega-3 acids, which lower your blood pressure and raises your good cholesterol. Plus watermelon boasts vitamins A, B6, C, lycopene, antioxidants, amino acids and even a modest amount of potassium — helping to make this unlikely pairing a healthy hit that serves four.

INGREDIENTS

PHOTO BY GAYLE VAN WELY

MACKEREL 1/2 cup mirin 1/2 low sodium soy sauce 2 tbsp sake 1 tbsp caster sugar 2 chips dry galangal ginger Juice from 1/2 a lemon 2 whole mackerel fillets, with pin bones removed and sliced down to make 4 fillets 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil GARNISH 1/2 whole watermelon 12 shiso leaves 3 scallions sliced 1/4” diagonally 2” fresh ginger julienne sliced Nasturtium leaves

PREPARATION MACKEREL 1. Heat the mirin, soy sauce, sake, sugar and galangal ginger. Bring to a boil, reduce to low, then remove from the heat. Pour into a jar, and mix in the sesame oil and lemon. Pour the mixture into a container large enough to hold the fillets. 2. When the mixture has cooled, place the mackerel fillets into the container flesh-side down. Set aside to marinate for 20 minutes. 3. Remove mackerel from the marinade. Pat skin with a paper towel. To prevent curling of the skin during cooking, make several diagonal scores in the skin, cross the length of each fillet. 4. Place the fillets on a sheet pan lined with foil. Skin side up, drizzle the mackerel with grapeseed oil, and gently blowtorch the skin side until charred. Gently torch the flesh side until slightly cooked through. Then season with freshly ground black pepper. 5. Slice 4 diagonal pieces of seedless watermelon 1/4” thick, about the same length as the individual fillets. 6. For plating, place 3 shiso leaves on the center of the plate. Lay the watermelon slice followed by the mackerel. At one corner, diagonally place the scallions and ginger along with nasturtium leaves. Gently drizzle with shiso soy sauce and serve. METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

HEALTH

The Future of Fitness? Traditional gyms leaving you fatigued? Consider these alternative gyms to help wake up your fitness routine. By Jeffrey James Keyes ALREADY HAVE A GYM YOU LOVE? THAT’S GREAT. BUT MANY PEOPLE FIND

MARK FISHER FITNESS What do Broadway, unicorns, hot bodies, and ninja armies have in common? Mark Fisher Fitness. Its secret to success is a radically inclusive community. MFF describes their group classes as “like an orgy, but without all that awkwardness and messy cleanup.” Every four weeks they serve up a new menu of group classes, continuously changing your workouts to help avoid plateaus. Both MFF locations (Hell’s Kitchen and Lower East Side) market themselves as anti-gyms, and refer to their venues as “Ninja Clubhouses,” where clients can become stealthy badasses. MFF offerings include group classes, semi-private training, and their infamous “Snatched” program — a six-week intensive designed to boost your sense of health and hotness. Snatched in Six Weeks features three kettle bell and body weight-based group classes per week, nutritional coaching and daily education emails, a workbook, before-and-after workshops (including before-and-after pictures — plus “glitter, dragons, and magical unicorn rides (weather permitting).”There are also Snatched sequels: Snatched II features advanced exercises and techniques, while Snatched X challenges ninjas to set new personal records for strength, conditioning and confidence. Classes include a balance of serious strenth training and major fun (including an occasional class theme like Madonna Day, Neon Day or Pirate Day). The “Snatchery” walls are covered in graffiti-style motivational quotes, unicorn details, superhero-like posters of their trainers and images of sweaty ninjas smiling. At the end of each Snatched cycle there is a notorious “no pants party,” where everyone celebrates their

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METROSOURCE.COM

THIS PAGE: MARK FISHER ON A DRAGON COURTESY OF MARK FISHER FITNESS. OPPOSITE PAGE: COURTESY RISE NATION.

themselves unmotivated to return to a traditional gym setting, and to meet their needs, alternative gyms across the country are attempting to entice potential clients with something different: specialization, a sense of community, one-on-one training and whole-person fitness philosophies. We identified two — Rise Nation in Los Angeles and Mark Fisher Fitness in New York City — to get a sense of how they’re reinventing the idea of getting fit.

progress and winners are awarded prizes. Elsewhere in the Ninja clubhouse, members take classes like “Kick-Ass Conditioning” and “Superhero Strength.” Classes change format to keep everyone on their toes with exercises like themed-burpees (my favorite is the “Stranger Things Burpee”) and are generously peppered with high fives, jumping jacks, dance breaks, games and booty slaps. Things get extra steamy in the intimate “Circuit Party” classes where ninjas move between a range of (often unconventional) fitness activities at more of an accelerated pace. Newbies join MFF by going to a“Ninja Baptism” where they gain the fundamental fitness skills and nutritional knowledge to begin their journeys. Much of the clientele (and many of the trainers) come from an extensive theater background; so be prepared to “Sing Out, Louise!” as you hurl heavy objects around the room. It’s a workout and lifestyle change like no other. markfisherfitness.com RISE NATION Rise Nation takes the idea behind Phys Ed rope climbing to a whole new level. This unique group studio fitness experience was developed by celebrity trainer Jason Walsh. The concept offers a total body workout in a half hour, focused on the instinctual movement of climbing. Their VersaClimber is a proven tool with a low risk of injury that helps individuals burn 600-800 calories per 30 minute session. Climbing movement works both upper and lower muscle groups, while also keeping the body upright and in a comfortable position with minimal impact on bones and joints.

There are three levels of Rise Nation classes: Level One: Intro, Level Two: The Climb, and Level Three: Extreme. In Level One, the estimated climb is 7002500 feet. This slower-paced class focuses on instruction of proper form and understanding of the movements. Level 2 is a tempo/rhythm class utilizing the beat of the music to inspire climbers to reach 15003500 feet. Level Three is a high-intensity, extreme elevation class using timed intervals to achieve a high caloric burn and a height of 2500-6000 feet. After classes, Rise Nation invites everyone to relax and enjoy their patio overlooking West Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills. Their community table is a great spot to recover, stretch and make friends after class. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Emma Stone have been spotted at the studio (at 613 N. La Cienega Boulevard). And if you’re training to be an action superhero, it’s worth noting that Walsh helped sculpt Matt Damon’s buff body for the Bourne movies and Bradley Cooper’s for American Sniper. rise-nation.com ■

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

METROHIV

Well Enough to Eat? Making smart choices about nutrition. BY SCOTT KRAMER, LCSW-R

Common

but when living with HIV, there may be additional dietary concerns to keep yourself feeling healthy. We spoke to holistic health coach Timothy Stahl (timothyericnutrition.com) and took away helpful information about managing your diet. VITAMIN MINIMUMS Make whole organic foods the cornerstones of your diet and be certain you are getting all the nutrition you need. People living with HIV may have trouble absorbing certain vitamins and minerals — such as zinc, iron, selenium and B12, so make sure to consult with your doctor and dietitian to stay aware of any nutrients lacking in your diet. But also discuss any dietary or herbal supplements with your health team before taking them, as they can interact with certain medications. PROTEIN PLEASE People living with HIV may have higher protein needs, as protein is important to the body’s function on the cellular level — including repairing damage

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METROSOURCE.COM

and building new cells; it’s also essential for creating hormones, enzymes and parts of the immune system. Sources of protein can include lean meat, poultry, fish, low-fat dairy, eggs and legumes, but for optimal health, experts recommend limiting your intake of red meat to once or twice a month or fully investing in a fish and plant-based diet. SAFETY FIRST Food poisoning is not fun for anyone, but if your immune system is weakened, you may be even more vulnerable. So avoid eating raw animal products or drinking water from lakes or rivers. Wash fruits and vegetables and use separate knives and cutting boards when preparing raw meat and produce. COUNT ON CALORIES When you are not feeling well because of symptoms or side effects, good nutrition becomes even more crucial for recovery — though you may not be inclined to eat. Talk to your dietitian about strategies to pack calories into your day even when going through periods when eating is a challenge. ■

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTEST ISTOCK.COM/PEOPLEIMAGES

NUTRITION CAN BE A COMPLEX SUBJECT TO BEGIN WITH,

WHO SHOULD GET TESTED FOR HIV? EVERYONE.

AUTOFOCUS

Volvo S90 - Exterior

The Fine Lines Volvo S90 - Interior

THERE CAN BE A FINE LINE BETWEEN AUTOMOTIVE DESIG-

signs that will be admired for ages and others which should have been sent back to the drawing board. “Good design is about the beauty of line,”says Robert Cumberford, Automotive Design Editor for Automobile magazine. Cumberford compares the emotional sensation of seeing a well-designed car to noticing an attractive person. "You don't necessarily want the person,"he explains, "but it is a plus." So what aspects of automotive design tend to draw the eye? Lines that sweep unimpeded from front to rear tend to offer an attractive sense of motion. The Mercedes-Benz 2018 E-Class coupe (pictured, right) recalls a classic Mercedes Gullwing with its twin hood bulges, while also smoothing the harder angles of the past into more contemporary curves. Volvo’s flagship S90 sedan (pictured, top) also offers beautifully rendered lines — with a long hood

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

METROSOURCE.COM

Volvo S90 - Interior

Mercedes-Benz 2018 E-Class Coupe

and shorter trunk lid that convey a sense of performance. Meanwhile, its interior (pictured, above, middle) boasts burnished wood and laseretched edges that speaks to its Scandinavian design roots. Two models can be designed to function similarly but appear aesthetically quite different based on their lines of design. Let's say your

THIS PAGE AND FACING PAGE: ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF THE RESPECTIVE MANUFACTURERS

Design that communicates what lies within. BY CASEY WILLIAMS

Lexus LC 500

goal is to transport five passengers swiftly and comfortably. You could end up with with a beefy BMW 5-series or the longer, sleeker Lincoln Continental (pictured, right). Design can also help expand a brand’s direction. The 2018 Lexus LC (pictured, above) has a large"spindle grille” up front that ties it to the Lexus luxury tradition. But note the design details — like its bulging haunches, deep air inlets and jewel-like bladed lamps — that hint at the cutting-edge performance offered by its V8 and hybrid powertrains. For further evidence of design that seems intended to telegraph power, consider the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (pictured, bottom right). Its muscular flanks and “plunging neckline” grille seem to beckon drivers to take the 505 horsepower twin-turbo V6 and rock it out on the open road to 191 mph. Ultimately, great auto design makes drivers feel something — from a desire to reach out and caress a fender to a need to jump in and stomp the throttle. As Nissan’s former design chief Shiro Nakamura once said, “Design is communicating emotion from designer to customer.” And whether they’re creating a sense of slick speed or powerful performance, these designs are definitely putting ideas in our heads. ■

Lincoln Continental

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

WE SEEK OUT SPECTACULAR ARCHITECTURE, FAB FOOD AND WINE, SPLENDID SCENERY AND UNFORGETTABLE ART IN NEW YORK — AND WE’RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE CITY. BY MARK THOMPSON

THROUGHOUT MY CHILDHOOD, NEW YORK CITY BECKONED LIKE A SIREN. I FELT far away upstate in Ithaca where university students wore punny

t-shirts that proclaimed “Ithaca is Gorges.” And it really is gorgeous — particularly in summer and autumn, when Cayuga Lake (the longest of the Finger Lakes at 40 miles) shimmers with sailboats amid a multicolored quilt of fall foliage. But in 1977, when the “I Love NY” advertising campaign debuted with Broadway stars singing its catchy jingle, I was a tap-dance loving gay boy for whom the song was all about the city. However now, as the campaign marks its 40th anniversary, I have grown to appreciate it as a celebration of all ten of the state’s other vacation destinations — which include Greater Niagara, the Adirondacks, Hudson Valley, the Catskills, Thousand Islands Seaway and Finger Lakes.

ESCAPE FROM THE BIG APPLE Given the blinding brightness of the city’s appeal for tourists (with nearly 62 million visitors in 2016), the state of New York sometimes seems to

THIS PAGE: FINGER LAKES PHOTO COURTESY NEW YORK STATE TOURISM

EXPLORING THE EMPIRE STATE BEYOND THE FIVE BOROUGHS

Glenmere Mansion

THIS PAGE: GLENMERE PHOTO COURTESY THE GLENMERE MANSION

The Finger Lakes

linger in the city’s shadow. But not so long ago, many urban New Yorkers were anxious to flee in the opposite direction — with people of means and social standing desperate to escape the ills of the city and head to their “Great Camps” in the Adirondacks. Financier J.P. Morgan used to escape in a private Pullman railcar furnished with four bedrooms, a full kitchen, private baths and crew quarters — bound for his estate Camp Uncas in the Adirondacks. Today, the Adirondack Park’s six million acres includes approximately 35 former Great Camps of wealthy industrialists such as those of the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers, whose way of life required extensive domestic staffs of chambermaids, valets, chefs, butlers and laundresses to maintain estates nearly on the order of Downton Abbey. Tours of these phenomenal spots are offered by Adirondack Architectural Heritage (aarch.org), the nonprofit historic preservation organization for Adirondack Park. During the Gilded Age (toward the end of the 1800s), Lake George was lined with the mansions of millionaires, four of whom purchased

Green Island to build The Sagamore (thesagamore.com), which opened in 1883. Now a member of Opal Collection, the Sagamore Resort offers visitors a luxury retreat on a private 70-acre island. Guests can sail along the shores of Millionaires Row aboard the Morgan, a 72-foot replica of a 19th-century touring vessel. A year-round resort with hiking trails, an 18-hole golf course, and a full-service marina, the Sagamore also makes a secluded island setting for weddings and honeymoons. Similarly, in the lower Hudson Valley, New York magnate Robert Goelet built a replica of an Italian villa and christened it Glenmere (glenmeremansion.com) for the lake nearby. Throughout the Roaring Twenties, Goelet entertained there not unlike the Great Gatsby — hosting royals and heads of state alike on his 3,000-acre estate. Glenmere’s renaissance commenced in 2010 when the 35-room Tuscan villa reopened as a member of Relais & Châteaux. Designed by Carrère and Hastings — the architects renowned for Manhattan’s Beaux-Arts New York Public Library — Glenmere offers 18 rooms and suites named for various luminaries such as Vanderbilt and Ogden. Guests at Glenmere in search of cultural pursuits head to Dia:Beacon (diaart.org). The former Nabisco box printing factory situated on the banks of the Hudson River houses the Dia Art Foundation’s collection of art from the 1960s to the present. Also nearby is one of the world’s leading sculpture parks: Storm King Art Center (stormking.org), an openair museum encompassing nearly 500 acres. More than 100 sculptures can be found among the fields, hills and woodlands. The surrounding area also includes the Harness Racing Museum, the 11-mile Heritage Trail, and U.S. Military Academy at West Point — in addition to Woodbury Commons (premiumoutlets.com) for those in search of retail therapy.

DAYS OF WINE AND GLASS Upstate New York has hosted its share of historic music events, including Woodstock in 1969 and the 1973 Summer Jam at Watkins Glen, which METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

set a world record for the largest music festival with 600,000 attendees (nearly twice as many as Woodstock). What was also happening during those years was the establishment of a burgeoning viticulture industry

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

METROSOURCE.COM

This Page: Pavilion ResTauRanT PhoTo couRTesy of The ResTauRanT • coRning museum PhoTo couRTesy of The museum

Corning Museum

in the Finger Lakes that has subsequently become the nation’s largest wine-growing region east of California. More than 100 wineries are located within the Finger Lakes’ microclimate. Notable for its signature Riesling, the region is celebrated for its aromatic whites, which can be savored by following any of the four wine trails that meander along Seneca, Cayuga, Keuka and Canandaigua lakes. The region also produces ciders, meads, and spirits, all of which are showcased at events such as the annual Finger Lakes Wine Festival (flwinefest.com). The fine art of wine-making also flourishes on Long Island, where 50 such operations produce a half million cases of wine annually. Long Island also offers a wealth of beaches — including those of Fire Island, which remain as enticing as Oz to the gay community. Close by, Gold Coast mansions line the North Shore where Gatsby once pined for Daisy in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece. Visitors in search of Jazz Age opulence might opt for an overnight stay at Oheka Castle (oheka.com), which was the erstwhile residence of financier Otto Kahn and served as inspiration for Gatsby’s palatial digs. Once America’s second largest private home, it’s now a 32-room luxury hotel listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Jazz Age tycoons furnished their mansions with treasures created

New York State Viticulture

This Page: PhoTo couRTesy of The new yoRk boaRd of TouRsim

by artists such as Louis Comfort Tiffany, whose glass mosaics can be viewed throughout New York State. A Tiffany Driving Tour leads from New York City to The Pavilion western New York and showcases more than 50 pieces dating from the 1890s through the 1920s. An exhibition of Tiffany’s Glass Mosaics can be viewed at the Corning Museum of Glass (cmog.org) through the end of 2017. Founded in 1951 in honor of the centennial of Corning Glass Works, the museum presents more than 45,000 objects chronicling 3,500 years of glass-making history in a building designed by the same architect behind the U.N., Lincoln Center and the original home of the MoMA.

FOR EVERY TASTE In Ithaca, the Johnson Museum of Art on the campus of Cornell University was built in 1968 by the great I.M. Pei. Famed for its concrete façade, the museum houses more than 35,000 works in its permanent collection, including two stained glass windows by Frank Lloyd Wright. Nestled among gorges and waterfalls, Cornell’s 745-acre campus offers spectacular vistas of the lake and surrounding landscape. Graduates of the university’s hotel school have opened bars and restaurants in the Ithaca area, which makes the town of 30,000 a foodie paradise — with more restaurants per capita than even New York City. Restaurateurs turn to Ithica’s famed farmers’ markets to help source the farm-totable comestibles at restaurants such as Moosewood (moosewoodcooks. com), which has spearheaded the evolution of sustainable vegetarian cuisine here and in the process has become one of the “most influential

restaurants of the 20th century,” according to Bon Appétit. Photography and film aficionados might consider a visit to Rochester’s Eastman Museum (eastman.org), the world’s oldest museum dedicated to photography. Located in a historic Colonial Revival mansion (once home to the founder of the Eastman Kodak Company), its formal gardens and conservatory underwent a restoration in 1990. It’s as imposing as the Hollywood stand-in where Montgomery Clift (playing George Eastman) crossed its threshold in hot pursuit of Liz Taylor in the 1951 Academy Award-winning classic, A Place in the Sun. For more art, consider Saratoga Springs, home to the fabled artists’ community Yaddo (yaddo.org). The 400-acre estate once belonged to financier Spencer Trask and writer Katrina Trask. For more than 90 years, the mansion and its surrounding studios have housed artists who have collectively amassed 66 Pulitzer Prizes (and numerous other awards). The Yaddo Gardens are free and open to the public year-round. Another draw for visitors is the famous mineral springs that gave the town its name. Thanks to the development of European-style spas in the 19th century, Saratoga Springs became home to numerous grand hotels, including the Pavilion Grand Hotel (paviliongrandhotel.com), originally built in 1819, and The Adelphi (theadelphihotel.com), which reopens this summer following a meticulous restoration. Other local institutions include the Saratoga Race Course — which has been hosting thoroughbred races for more than 150 years — and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. For many, summers in Saratoga Springs have become synonymous with the New York City Ballet, which has held residencies there since 1966, often showcasing choreography by such great gay choreographers as Jerome Robbins. ■ Looking for more great reasons LGBT travelers can say “I Love New York”? Visit iloveny.com/lgbt.

LAST CALL

Alexis’ Turn Drag Race season nine’s “Broadway Queen” dishes on her unique road to Ru. BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES Snatch Game I would pray, “Please nobody do Liza!”Everything happens for a reason, and this is what I was supposed to do. I was supposed to get on the show and get on Snatch Game and hopefully do her proud. I’m still waiting to hear if I did. I’m hoping I hear from her soon.

Can you remember the moment when you first encountered a drag performer in person? There was a very pivotal moment for me. I can’t remember the year, but I do know I was under age, so I shouldn’t have been where I was. Those were different times: you could get away with it back then. It was a post-Wigstock party at Webster Hall, and the the drag entertainer Edie performed. She wore a little black dress, a little black bob and black character shoes and did a lip-sync and dance routine to Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man” with two boys dancing behind her. It set my mind and heart aflame. It was amazing, beautiful, theatrical, very Fosse and just made me feel like there was this opportunity to express myself in a way that I had yet to put into physical practice.

You two should go on the road together! That would be amazing.

What draws you to performers like Liza and Judy? My drag beginnings go to those iconic women. I really think my love of acting and performing grew out of watching movie musicals as a kid. I always wanted to emulate these powerhouse women: Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, Bette Midler, Barbra. Whenever I go through their material, it’s a loving tribute — not to mention just plain good material. What was it like winning Snatch Game for your Liza? In some ways that was the big dream come true for me. In auditioning for the show for the past eight years, performing Liza was a big part of it, going back to that first tape eight years ago. There were a couple years where I didn’t include her in my tape, but I often did ... and every year that I didn’t get on the show and watched

Or at least a show at 54 Below... That sounds great. Let’s do it. Speaking of 54 Below, how did you put your show there together? I have styled many Broadway ladies for their shows there and have always fantasized about doing my own show there. I wanted to put something together that encompasses my experience and how dressing up in drag contributed to making my dreams come true, but I also wanted to make sure there are things that show the political climate that we’re in and the fact that the world is very mixed up, and there’s a lot of unrest for many people. What was it like getting that call to be on Drag Race? When the phone rang, and I could see it was a Los Angeles number I just felt that it was good news. There was a first phone call that was an interview. In that moment, I felt a tremendous combination of feeling recognized but also a huge weight off my shoulders. After so many years of auditioning, I’d wondered if they even noticed me. Was I wasting my time? Was I wasting their time? And in this phone call, they asked me something about my audition tape from four years ago and right away it was that beautiful feeling that they have been watching and paying attention — they did notice. How’d your Drag Race journey begin on a cruise ship? I went on the “Drag Stars at Sea” cruise, and I

got to meet a lot of my heroes in the first year. The second year I approached Michelle Visage and asked if I could sing a song at her cabaret. She hosts this cabaret where she and some of the queens sing and do some numbers. I thought it would be so amazing to go and sing. She said she would have to check on it with some other folks but didn’t mind. I showed up at the dressing room without having been confirmed — because so much in life and show business is just showing up. I think there was some question about whether I would be [allowed] to do it. I think my determination — in showing up and being ready to go on — spoke to people. I was actually asked by someone running the entertainment why did I feel that I should be able to perform? I was not a Ru Girl, I was not scheduled to perform, why do I think I should be there performing. I thought about it and said, “Well, I’m not a Ru Girl yet, but I will be. I want to sing with these people.”You know, some people might find that brazen, but it was bold and something I felt like it would come through in my heart. And I was right. Yas! And what did you perform? “Rose’s Turn” from Gypsy.

ALEXIS TAKES US BACK TO HER FIRST ENTRANCE INTO THE DRAG RACE WORKROOM AND LOOKS TO THE FUTURE AS THIS PIECE CONTINUES ON THE FREE METROSOURCE APP AND AT METROSOURCE.COM.

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ALEXIS MICHELLE COURTESY VH1

Alexis Michelle is a New York-based drag performer who placed fifth in the most recent season of RuPaul’s Drag Race but ruled the infamous Snatch Game episode with her memorable turn as “Liza.” She spilled the tea with Metrosource about how she ended up racing with the queens.

LAST CALL EXTRA

Alexis offers a peek behind the scenes of auditioning and filming for Drag Race — plus a look ahead at what comes next for her. BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE SEASON NINE CAST COURTESY VH1

Do you remember the moment you realized this kind of performing is what you’re meant to do? It might have been one of those nights that you came to see my show at the Green Room at New World Stages, Jeffrey. It was a very small stage right in the heart of the theater district in New York. There are just these magical moments that happen when you’re onstage sometimes: You just feel like you’re living to your fullest, and people are witnessing it. When those moments happen is when I go, “Oh God, this is my happy place, it’s what I’m supposed to be doing.” What was it like walking into the Drag Race workroom for the first time? It was nuts. The producers are very careful not to let you see anything before you have that initial experience. Just walking into the building is a trip because you’re like, “Oh my God, I’m recognizing things!” And then when you walk into the workroom: I wasn’t the first one in, so I could feel there were people to my left. The important thing is you have to walk in and hit your mark and make a good impression; so I’m trying to do that, but I really want to turn my head and see who was there! You didn’t have any idea who’d be on the show with you? No. The producers are so careful at protecting the secrecy of who’s getting cast. The moment you walk in the room is the same moment when you actually see

who is there. They do a great job with that. We really had not physically seen each other until we walked into the room. Was it hard to come back and not talk about the show? It was very hard, and of course a lot of people had their suspicions based on [who they noticed] dropping off of social media. Some people would cross the line but most were respectful and didn’t ask me things I couldn’t answer. We were encouraged by the producers to treat it like our little secret, something to protect. What is something you learned about yourself from being on the show? I learned that — as strong as a competitor as I might seem to other people — I’m very sensitive and a big softie. Even though I’m at this place [in my career], there’s still more wisdom to be gained. One of the wisest things I’m taking from RuPaul is to not take everything so seriously. I’m trying to laugh at life. Can you take us through the experience of moving from being on the show to being on tour? It’s been extremely gratifying, of course. I’ve been pursuing performing for my entire life. It’s also rewarding, to suddenly be thrust into a travel schedule full time. It’s one of the most incredible opportunities that’s actually the least glamorous. It’s amazing

How does your time on Drag Race change the course of your career up until now? I’ve definitely been paving the way for quite some time. Now that I have this platform, I hope it will continue to open more doors in entertainment. I want to be on stage. I want to be on Broadway. I would love to be on film. Stage is always my first love, but there’s an intimacy that can be achieved on screen; I find it intriguing. Delicate, subtle, nuanced work is alluring. I just want to be a real show biz queen. I want to make music, act, entertain. There’s a lot I want to do. What hast it been like connecting with all of these new fans all over the world post-Drag Race? It’s extremely humbling and puts a new sense of responsibility on your shoulders. The thing I was not anticipating that I’m hearing from everyone is what an inspiration we all are. At first I didn’t understand it, but now I see that it’s all about living an authentic queer life. It’s meaningful to young people, and it’s meaningful to their parents. I had a woman that I met at DragCon with her son and he was probably 6’5’’ or 6’6’’ in the high heels that he was wearing,and he had a beautiful face of makeup on and he was there with his mom at DragCon. I took a picture with them in my booth, we talked, and I told him he has a beautiful mom and thanked her for bringing her beautiful son. She had such an emotional response. She just cried

and we hugged each other. There’s such a tremendous responsibility for us to be their role model and to continue to do so, and to thank them because their support keeps us going. It’s a two way street. I’ve seen your family quite a bit at your shows. My family is on board now, but there was an adjustment period. There was definitely a progression, and things continue to evolve. That’s all the more reason, when I see a young person accompanied by their parents, I’m really moved by it. Do you have any advice for someone who wants to get into drag but is concerned with what their parents might think? If you really feel that dressing [up as] this part of yourself could do you some harm from someone who is not a friend or even — God forbid — a family member, you need to be safe: Put safety first. My bigger advice is to find a place, an avenue, a way to express that part of yourself. If it’s in you, you have to let it out, it’s not good to keep it in. I would encourage you to try living authentically. By living this way you can change people’s perspectives. People can [turn their lives] around by living so truthfully. What else is on the horizon for you, Alexis? Stay tuned for upcoming music, and my solo show — in New York and around the world. ■ Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexislives.

RUPAUL COURTESY VH1

how glamorous we look on the outside when we’re basically living on airports and airplanes.

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