Metrosource NY - August/September 2019

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 METROSOURCE NY

METROSOURCE

TREAT YOURSELF

TO AMSTERDAM

MEASURING UP

SHORTER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

MEN’S STYLE

STRICTLY BALLROOM

LIVE FROM THE SET OF POSE

MEN EN POINTE WHEN BALLET IS A DRAG

WELLNESS

DAVEY WAVEY WHAT MAKES MEN CLICK

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

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

(bik-TAR-vee)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: } Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section. } 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 BIKTARVY. } Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY. } Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. } Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. } The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

} Worsening of Hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you

have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: } dofetilide } rifampin } any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: } Have or have had any kidney or liver problems,

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.

including hepatitis infection. } Have any other health problems. } Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby.

Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. } 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.

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

} Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-

counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

} BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other.

Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

MyDailyCharge.com

GET MORE INFORMATION } This is only a brief summary of important information

about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

} Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5. } If you need help paying for your medicine,

visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, KEEP LOVING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

Version date: December 2018 © 2019 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0102 01/19

KEEP LOVING.

Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

To learn more, visit BIKTARVY.com.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.

THE DAY HER HEART STOOD STILL

VIEWS

EDITOR’S LETTER

YOU KNOW WHAT’S NOT A GREAT TIME TO RECEIVE A PHONE

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call that your homophobic Mom has been taken to the hospital? Just as a waitress is delicately setting down a full-to-brimming martini in front of you at a gay bar.

First, there came that moment of urgent panic that people often experience when they hear something bad has happened. It’s as though we tell ourselves that if we can respond fast enough, we just might be able to go back in time and fix whatever has gone wrong. In fact, I remember instinctively jumping to my feet — jostling the table and nearly spilling the cocktails I’d been sipping al fresco with friends in the West Village.

By that point, my mother had already been saved by both her own quick thinking and that of her then-neighbor, Joe. When she began to feel overcome by the effects of the heart attack she was having, she managed to stumble out into our front yard. There Joe had noticed her in distress. He called medical help for her as quickly as possible and stayed by her side until the EMTs arrived.

My second reaction was fear. But this was not fear about my mother’s health or that I might not reach her in time to say goodbye. This was pure, unadulterated fear of returning home. After many years of feeling like an outsider in my suburban NJ community, I had moved to NYC and begun to blossom in new and different ways. I could finally be openly gay and was almost constantly surrounded by people knew that I was. (It has been said that anyone with the ability to see and hear knew that I was.) Though my apartment was admittedly unglamorous, I knew that I was free to bring a guy home (if I ever found one who would come). That would not have been okay with my mom. My budget was strictly limited, but nobody judged how much of it ended up in the cash registers of boy bars — as I knew my mother would have. The crowded streets and constant thrum of the subway felt like freedom compared to the loneliness I’d left behind in the land of lawns and culs-de-sac.

How, I wondered, had my mother had managed to take me away from all that in a heartbeat (or lack thereof)? Could this be part of a master plan to do so? At some level, I was aware that I was not feeling things one is supposed to feel when one’s mom has a heart attack.

Instead, I was flashing back to years of pain and judgment and suspicion — feeling I thought I’d left far behind. I tried to collect myself and explain the situation to my friends, who were surprised, but supportive. I briefly considered leaving the drink on the table. Instead, I brought the glass to my lips and drained it in one long painful gulp.

It didn’t help. Much.

I followed the instructions I was given and got on a train to Jersey. One of my mother’s friends picked me up at the station in a minivan. I wondered if she could smell gin on my breath. And I wondered if she knew what was going through my head. I provided ID at the hospital entrance, wondering why they make people stop for such beauracracy in the middle of an emergency. Eventually, I found my way through labyrinthine halls to her room.

And there she was - looking more pale and tiny than I had ever seen her. There was a tube in her throat and machines that were whirring and beeping. And suddenly I was feeling the things I’d expected to feel all along. This, after all, was my mommy, who sang to me and studied with me and hand-sewed my costumes for school plays. All that fear of going home melted away. But it was replaced by a new fear — that she wouldn’t wake up.

I sat by Mom’s bed. I held her hand. I talked softly to her even though she was unconscious. Finally, she opened her eyes. At first she looked alarmed — both by the breathing tube and the fact that her son seemed to have somehow appeared from the next state over.

“Don’t try to talk,” I said. “You’re going to be okay. I’m here.” And I knew that, no matter what else I’d felt earlier, in that moment — I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

■ AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

METROSOURCE.COM

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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. ©2019 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 213 West 35th St., Suite 12W New York, NY 10001 212.691.5127 metrosource.com

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER MANNING • COURTESY DAVEY WAVEY • LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO PHOTO BY ZORAN JELENIC

August/September 2019 | VOLUME 30, NO. 4

40 28 GET SHORTY IN A WORLD WHERE “BIG AND TALL” options are everywhere, these entrepeneurs are crafting express-yourself fashion for guys closer to the ground.

34 LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN DRAG MEETS BALLET? We discuss with people who’ve been

asnwering this question in a company that’s been around for 45 years!

28 34

ON THE COVER COURTESY DAVEY WAVEY

CONTENTS

40 DAVEY WAVEY WE TALK TO THE INTERNET PHENOMENON about how he became a YouTube

superstar and why he’s using that power to help gay men love each other better.

52 THE ART OF LIVING IN LYON AND AMSTERDAM ONE IS A FRENCH CITY WITH A LIGHT FESTIVAL you can see from space. The other is a

Dutch city that’s famous for freedom and entering a new golden era.

DEPARTMENTS

44

5

52 culture

5 the scope Celebrate Fire Island, Pierre Cardin, Queen, Bisexuality, American Horror Story and more... in scope!

14 screen Queer teens, a murdered gay auteur and Trixie Mattel!

22 TECH The ultimate app to keep track of your meds.

23 FINANCE What you could learn from living off only cash...

24 music The latest from Dionne, Carly Rae and Madonna.

50 books Eye-opening work from photographers and chefs.

Body

Exclusively NY

12 metro hiv

56 HOME

What happens when two miracle workers join forces?

44 HEALTH Meet the gay yoga guru who is teaching the next generation of teachers.

views 13 POV Kevin spends one too many nights helping straight people get laid.

49 diary Wade and Gary struggle through each other’s fave fitness routines.

88 LAST CALL Three stars of Pose offer behind-the-scenes dish.

Blending beauty and function for bathing perfection.

62 NY SCOPE Get fit outdoors, then take that hot bod to a party!

66 weddings Clock unique venues and head to the Jersey Shore.

71 bar source Where to drink up…

72 RESTAURANT BITES …and chow down.

74 business directory Businesses that cater to the LGBT community.

82 Community resources Organizations and resources for NYC’s LGBTs.

This Page: Image courtesy of Alex Geana/Glitterati Editions from “Fire Island Photographs” • Photo courtesy sacred fig • Place des Jacobins - FDL 2018 ©Brice Robert for Only Lyon

wellness

August/September 2019 | VOLUME 30, NO. 4

THESCOPE

THE

CURATED BY SEBASTIAN FORTINO, PAUL HAGEN, AND SYRA TAUB

THIS PAGE: IMAGES COURTESY OF ALEX GEANA/GLITTERATI EDITIONS FROM “FIRE ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHS”

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CULTURE

SCOPE INK SPOTTED

A MAGICAL, GAY PLACE MANY BEACH TOWNS THAT STILL ATTRACT AND WELCOME THE

LGBTQ community began as secluded artists’ colonies in the last century. But in Fire Island: Photographs ($50, Glitterati Editions) by Alex Geana, we see what the island means to a new generation of gay men. “I was following a long list of artists who used the community as a safe haven from the city to find inspiration, connection and love,” Geana said of his work. “I wanted to share the respect, fun and happiness and as well as heartbreak that one experiences here, in addition to focusing on how climate change is affecting this special place.”Yes, there are pictures of beautiful men on beaches and dance

floors.You’ll find elegant nudes, sun-drenched poolsides and exquisitely costumed drag performers. But, there are also images to induce thoughts of solitude and reflection. In one, a lone figure poses against a stark backdrop - what appears to be a dry swimming pool. You can’t help wonder if the subject feels alone despite the summer revelers surely nearby.

In another, a blond stands among the ruins of a fire like a phoenix inside the ashes. It’s a potent reminder of the Fire Island staples that have been lost to actual fire. However you interpret its images, Fire Island: Photographs is an invitation to a very magical gay place indeed. alexgeanaphotography.com METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

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From Left: Pierre Cardin “Computer” coats, 1980.; Pierre Cardin “Cardine” dress, 1968.; Pierre Cardin (French, born 1922). Sketch for a “Cardine” minidress,1968. Photos: Courtesy of Archives Pierre Cardin. © Archives Pierre Cardin

the future is now If you’re able to visit Pierre Cardin: Future Fashion at the

culture

thescope

Brooklyn Museum, you’ll be treated to a view of more than 170 pieces related to this gay fashion titan. Among the wonders, you’ll find archival images of Cardin and examples of his work ranging from fashion sketches to designs for television and film. These works - largely sourced from the atelier and personal archives of the designer - reveal him to be a futuristic iconoclast. His designs favor geometric shapes - even when building bespoke gowns. They reference influences ranging from Japanese origami to American football uniforms. This allowed him to create new forms for the

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Tour Thing

Yasss, Queen!

With the success of the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen is

back for a whole new generation, and they’re making the most of it. The band formed in 1970, and is widely regarded one of the most important and influential rock groups in history. Now the British hitmakers behind “You’re My Best Friend” and “We Are the Champions” continue their North American Rhapsody tour throughout the month of August. Each Queen tour typically features a rotating cast of music notables, and this outing is no different. Led by founding members Brian May and Roger Taylor,

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modern era. They include synthetic unisex jumpsuits; vests, illuminated garments — and even those broad-shouldered jackets that became so ubiquitous in 1980s fashion. There will also be a selection of 1964’s Cosmocorps collection, which streamlined menswear with minimalist details and tailoring. Cardin is still working today and recently launched a line of menswear. Some 20 years ago, he purchased the ruins of the Marquis de Sade’s chateau in Lacoste, France where he still hosts exhibitions and musical events. So there’s something for all fashion lovers. The exhibit opened in July and runs through January of 2020. brooklynmuseum.org

august/september 2019

metrosource.com

The Rhapsody Tour will feature Adam Lambert on vocals, taking on the legacy left by the late Freddie Mercury.” The tour will certainly feature such audience favorites as“Somebody to Love,” “Don’t Stop Me Now” and “We Will Rock You.” Lambert brings a new and unique energy to Queen, while continuing to impress audiences and celebrate the band’s ‘70s and ‘80s heyday. Queen will appear in the New York area on August 6 and 7. They’ll also be making stops throughout the U.S., including Houston, TX; Washington, D.C. and Tampa, FL. queenonline.com

this page: Queen and Adam Lambert Photo Courtesy CBS

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ART BEAT

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CAN’T MISS

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT EMMY

THOUGH WE’VE STILL GOT MONTHS BEFORE THE BIG SCREEN’S AWARD

season gears up again, television gets its big night in the limelight September 22. Some of last year’s big LGBTQ-themed winners included The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story for Outstanding Limited Series and RuPaul’s Drag Race for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program. This year’s show will air live starting at 8pm on Fox, and there’s plenty to root for. Killing Eve stars Sandra Oh as a British investigator and Jodie Corner as an assassin with whom she shares a perpetual cat-and-mouse game — and a deeply complicated infatuation.

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The show could be a candidate for Outstanding Drama Series or for acting awards recognizing the performances of Oh and Corner. Another show with the potential to make an impact this year is Pose, with its largest recurring cast of LGBTQ actors ever for a scripted series, including Metrosource cover gent Billy Porter.

And LGBTQ-beloved backstage drama Fosse/Verdon will almost certainly compete for some statuettes, especially considering the white hot performance of Michelle Williams as Gwen Verdon.

As of press time, no host had been announced, leading some to speculate whether the ceremony will go hostless. emmys.com

DRINK UP

ALL BOTTLED UP WHEN CAMERON HUGHES WINE RELEASED A “WINE-BOW” FEATUR-

THIS PAGE: RUPAUL EMMY WINE PHOTO COURTESY PAUL DRINKWATER/NBC

ING six of their most popular wines in a rainbow-splashed six

pack for Pride, they certainly attracted our attention. We decided to turn to them on a topic that always gets trotted out when it comes to wellness: whether wine is actually good for you. In turn, they referred us to their very reliable source. The Mayo Clinic. So what did the #No. 1 hospital on the U.S. News and World Report Honor Roll have to say about whether raising a glass of vino can help you stay healthy? According to its staff, while wine is often thought of as heart-healthy, they don’t completely understand the link between the beverage and decreased heart attacks. That said, a substance found in red wine called resveratrol may be the hero: It’s an antioxidant that helps prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces bad cholesterol and prevents dangerous blood clots. Since resveratrol is found in grape skins which ferment in red wine longer, red is ostensibly the healthier tipple. For example, Cameron Hughes Wine recommended their “Lot 643 - Paicines Cabernet Sauvignon.” Even better news?

When consumed in moderation, the alcohol in wine also has health benefits. So you have something extra to feel good about next time you toast with friends. Now if only we could do something about that seductive cheese platter...

METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

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Circuit Shakers

It’s time to book your flights and get to

GOOD THING

the perfect time to bi

Everyone is getting ready for Celebrate Bisexuality Day this September 23! The

culture

thescope

holiday aims to bring the bisexual community into the spotlight and observe bisexual history. Also known as Bi Visibility Day, it was first celebrated in 1999 by three bisexual rights activists concerned that the bisexual community was still largely invisible compared to other components of the LGBTQ community. In 2014, the seven days surrounding Celebrate Bisexuality Day were declared Bi Awareness Week. During this time, allies and community members alike are encouraged to discover the history, culture and priorities of the bisexual community. Many choose to refer to the holiday as Bisexuality+ Day in an effort to include those who identify as pansexual, polysexual and omnisexual. Now in its 21st year of celebration, Celebrate Bisexuality Day is a great occasion to bring attention to the fact that some of our favorite folks are bi. These include Sara Ramirez (of Spamalot, Grey’s Anatomy and Madame Secretary), Michelle Rodriguez (of Avatar, Resident Evil, and the Fast and Furious franchise), Miley Cyrus, the late David Bowie, Shannon Purser (of Stranger Things and Riverdale), Janelle Monáe, Drew Barrymore, and the Queen of them all, Freddie Mercury. bivisibilityday.com

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TV Set

when roberts met kenworthy we didn’t know exactly what to expect going into

American Horror Story: Apocalypse. However, at least we knew it would be a mash-up of the characters from Coven and Murder House. The next chapter, American Horror Story: 1984 has been even more shrouded in mystery in the lead-up to its release. The show’s creators have revealed that Emma Roberts (pictured here at the premiere of Ugly Dolls) will return. What’s more, Olympian Gus Kenworthy will join the series playing her boyfriend. However, Evan Peters, who has appeared in all eight of the show’s other seasons, will not be returning this time. Nor will Person We Love Billy Eichner, who had roles in both Cult and Apocalypse. Apparently this season’s title refers to famous late-20th century slasher film franchises like Halloween, Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street. However, conspiracy theorists have guessed that the specific choice of 1984 - which is also the title of George Orwell’s novel about a dark, dystopian future - may also offer some hints about what’s in store. We’ll start getting answers when the show premieres September 18. fxnetworks.com

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august/september 2019

metrosource.com

Barcelona Circuit Festival August 8 - 18 There’s never a bad time to go to Barce-

lona. But, if you want 10 days of non-stop beats from 40 international DJs, this is the ideal moment for you to dance all night, and siesta all day while enjoying the Catalan experience. The event hosts 16 parties, so there’s sure to be something for everybody. circuitfestival.net/barcelona/about-us/ Chicago Market Days August 10 - 11 Since 1980, Northalsted Chicago Market

Days has attracted thousands of hip DJs, hot musicians, dancers and music lovers of all stripes. It’s also a street festival,with more than 200 unique vendors, so you can browse and nosh between sets. chicagoevents.com/ events/northalstedmarketdays/ P-Town Carnival August 15 - 24 Idyllic Provincetown knows how to

throw events with the LGBTQ community in mind. This year, with Stonewall 50 to celebrate, it’s gonna be an extra hot time in Ye Olde Towne! There’ll be a costume ball, local artists selling their wares, and a parade Thursday, August 22nd bearing the spellbinding theme of “Enchanted Forest.” ptownevents.com/provincetown-carnival/ Austin Splash Days August 30 - September 1 Austin Splash days offers four hot par-

ties over four hot Texas days. And you know what they say about everything being bigger in Texas, so expect this event to be no exception to the rule. As an added bonus, you can feel good knowing that 100% of the profits earned go to AIDS Services of Austin. Headlining DJs include LA’s Roland Belmares and J. Warren from Dallas. splashdays.com

this page: Sara Ramirez Photo by David Needleman/CBS • By Eric Charbonneau courtesy STX Films

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these hot parties in August and September.

Remember, even though it’s no longer June, we’re still celebrating 50 years of gay liberation since the Stonewall Uprising. Their fight led to your right to party!

this page: Downton Abbey photo courtesy focus features • The Inheritance Photos by photo by Simon Annand courtesy the british production at the Young Vic

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SCREEN IT

return to the Abbey When the last episode of Downton Abbey aired in 2015, many

viewers felt as if they were losing old friends. So it shall be quite the lovely reunion when the Crawleys and company return on the big screen September 20. Returning characters include Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), “poor Lady Edith”(Laura Carmichael), and most importantly, the Dowager Countess of Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith). Our friends downstairs are also in residence, including mercurial cook Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nichol), Anna (Joanne Froggat) and her husband Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle); kindhearted Mrs. Hughes (Phyliss Logan) now married to Mr. Carson (Jim Carter). And if you were

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a fan of the smolderingly sexy Thomas (Rob James-Collier) who was outed as gay in the series — he’s back too. It seems he’ll have a chance for romance (the trailer shows him sharing a kiss with another gent). One of the film’s central plotlines revolves around a royal visit by King George V and wife Queen Mary of Teck. And if you don’t know Mary of Teck (the current queen’s grandmother), Google her immediately. She knew her bling, and exactly how to flash it. Otherwise, series creator Julian Fellowes has kept mum about what his rabid followers might expect from the film. However in related news, his long-awaited follow-up series The Gilded Age recently moved to HBO. focusfeatures.com

STAGE ADVICE

heir it comes

Clear your schedule for Broadway’s next LGBTQ masterpiece.

“The Inheritance”is a play focused on several contemporary gay lives. And its smash hit production is traversing The Pond to NYC from London this fall. The play was written by Matthew Lopez and directed by the renowned Stephen Daldry (of Billy Elliot fame). Among the accolades already received: the 2019 Olivier Award for Best New Play. The piece, which is loosely inspired

by E. M. Forster’s Howards End, is set in 21st century NYC, a full generation after the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s. It follows a trio of gay men as they struggle to connect to the past and find their place in the world. Over two performances, the show examined more than 40 years of the gay experience, encountering loss, changing relationships and oppression in politics. Critics have hailed The Inheritance as a “moving” and “inspirational” piece.

The two-part play, which runs for a total of six hours, was first premiered at London’s Young Vic, where it starred such talents as Vanessa Redgrave. Now New York City audiences will have the chance to experience this slice of LGBTQ history at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Previews begin September 27 and the play is scheduled to open November 17. theinheritanceplay.com metrosource.com august/september 2019

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Important Facts About DOVATO

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: (cont’d) This is only a brief summary of important information about • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you DOVATO and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider take DOVATO. about your condition and treatment. ° You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing What is the Most Important Information I Should HIV-1 to your baby.

Know about DOVATO? One of the medicines in DOVATO (lamivudine) passes into your breastmilk. ° If you have both human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby. ° hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, DOVATO can cause serious side Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, effects, including: including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and • Resistant HBV infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV herbal supplements. infection before you start treatment with DOVATO. If you have HIV-1 and Some medicines interact with DOVATO. Keep a list of your medicines and show hepatitis B, the hepatitis B virus can change (mutate) during your treatment it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. with DOVATO and become harder to treat (resistant). It is not known if • You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that DOVATO is safe and effective in people who have HIV-1 and HBV infection. interact with DOVATO. • Worsening of HBV infection. If you have HIV-1 and HBV infection, your • Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your HBV may get worse (flare-up) if you stop taking DOVATO. A “flare-up” is when healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe your HBV infection suddenly returns in a worse way than before. Worsening to take DOVATO with other medicines. liver disease can be serious and may lead to death.

What are Possible Side Effects of DOVATO? Do not run out of DOVATO. Refi ll your prescription or talk to your ° DOVATO can cause serious side effects, including: healthcare provider before your DOVATO is all gone.

• Those in the “What is the Most Important Information I Should ° Do not stop DOVATO without first talking to your healthcare Know about DOVATO?” section. provider. If you stop taking DOVATO, your healthcare provider will need • Allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away if you to check your health often and do blood tests regularly for several months develop a rash with DOVATO. Stop taking DOVATO and get medical to check your liver. help right away if you develop a rash with any of the following signs What is DOVATO? or symptoms: fever; generally ill feeling; tiredness; muscle or joint aches; DOVATO is a prescription medicine that is used without other antiretroviral blisters or sores in mouth; blisters or peeling of the skin; redness or swelling of medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults: who have not received antiretroviral the eyes; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; problems breathing. medicines in the past,and without known resistance to the medicines dolutegravir • Liver problems. People with a history of hepatitis B or C virus may have an or lamivudine. HIV-1 is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency increased risk of developing new or worsening changes in certain liver tests Syndrome (AIDS). It is not known if DOVATO is safe and effective in children. during treatment with DOVATO. Liver problems, including liver failure, have Who should not take DOVATO? also happened in people without a history of liver disease or other risk factors.

Do Not Take DOVATO if You: Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver.

• have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine that contains dolutegravir Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the or lamivudine. following signs or symptoms of liver problems: your skin or the • take dofetilide. white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice); dark or “tea-colored” urine; What should I tell my healthcare provider before using DOVATO? light-colored stools (bowel movements); nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis including if you: • have or have had liver problems, including hepatitis B or C infection. is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare • have kidney problems. provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. One of the medicines in DOVATO that could be signs of lactic acidosis: feel very weak or tired; unusual (not normal) muscle pain; trouble breathing; stomach pain with nausea and (dolutegravir) may harm your unborn baby. vomiting; feel cold, especially in your arms and legs; feel dizzy or lightheaded; ° You should not take DOVATO if you are planning to become and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat. pregnant or during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Your • Lactic acidosis can also lead to severe liver problems, which can healthcare provider may prescribe a different medicine if you are planning lead to death. Your liver may become large (hepatomegaly) and you may to become pregnant or become pregnant during treatment with DOVATO. develop fat in your liver (steatosis). Tell your healthcare provider right ° If you can become pregnant, your healthcare provider will perform a away if you get any of the signs or symptoms of liver problems pregnancy test before you start treatment with DOVATO. which are listed above under “Liver problems.” You may be ° If you can become pregnant, you should consistently use effective birth more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you control (contraception) during treatment with DOVATO. are female or very overweight (obese). ° Tell your healthcare provider right away if you are planning to become pregnant, you become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant during treatment with DOVATO. ©2019 ViiV Healthcare or licensor.

DLLADVT190009 June 2019 Produced in USA.

Learn more about Leo and DOVATO at DOVATO.com

SO MUCH GOES INTO WHO I AM HIV MEDICINE IS ONE PART OF IT. Reasons to ask your doctor about DOVATO: DOVATO can help you reach and then stay undetectable* with just 2 medicines in 1 pill.

That means fewer medicines† in your body while taking DOVATO

You can take it any time of day with or without food (around the same time each day)—giving you flexibility

DOVATO is a once-a-day complete treatment for adults who are new to HIV-1 medicine.

Results may vary. *Undetectable means reducing the HIV in your blood to very low levels (less than 50 copies per mL). † As compared with 3-drug regimens.

LEO‡ Living with HIV

What are Possible Side Effects of DOVATO (cont’d)?

• Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having new symptoms after you start taking DOVATO. • The most common side effects of DOVATO include: headache; diarrhea; nausea; trouble sleeping; and tiredness.

These are not all the possible side effects of DOVATO. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. 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.

Where Can I Find More Information?

• Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

• Go to DOVATO.com or call 1-877-844-8872, where you can also get FDA-approved labeling.

Trademark is owned by or licensed to the ViiV Healthcare group of companies.

Compensated by ViiV Healthcare

‡

Could DOVATO be right for you? Ask your doctor today.

Lounge at StandUp Harlem House One bedroom unit at StandUp Harlem House

Charles King

Daniel Tietz

joining forces

12

It was a meeting of the minds and missions when Housing Works and

Bailey House, two of New York City’s most respected organizations in the HIV/AIDS healthcare arena, began to contemplate how to turn obstacles into opportunities.

The result: after significant strategic planning, the two organizations merged to become one of the region’s largest health and human services providers.

“Integrating housing and care coordination in a seamless way becomes the vision that we are working toward,”said Charles King, cofounder and CEO of Housing Works,“and if we do it well, it brings an infusion of Medicaid dollars into what was always seen as a separate service model.”

Such mergers are becoming more common as healthcare providers on the frontlines of HIV/AIDS services look to control costs, expand their footprint and provide a wider range of services amid uncertain federal funding. In his report, “Mergers as a Strategy for Success,” by the Metropolitan Chicago Nonprofit Merger Research Project, Professor Donald Haider said the key to success is identifying the right partner.

“It’s like a successful marriage. Finding the right organization is having the right advocates on the board, doing due diligence so you know each other’s organizations, being open and transparent with all stakeholders and having a pre-merger plan,” Haider says.“I identified 10 keys to successful mergers, but the most important was trust between the organizations to hold everything together.”

Haider adds, “It’s important in a successful merger that all parties are clear about their overall goals and what they’re going to do to achieve those goals.”

Those factors were evident as Housing Works and Bailey House began working to join forces. The process began three years ago when Bailey House’s longtime leader, Gina Quattrochi (who later died in December 2016), proposed that Bailey House find a strategic partner which would be able to provide clients with primary health care.

Both nonprofits initially emerged amid the AIDS epidemic to address the need of patients for stable housing. Since its founding in 1990, Housing Works had grown into one of the nation’s largest HIV/AIDS service organizations, serving nearly 10,000 people annually, operating four fedaugust/september 2019

metrosource.com

erally qualified health centers and a harm reduction-based outpatient drug treatment program. They also provided health home care management, behavioral health and syringe exchange programs (as well as running bookstores, cafés and thrift shops). Meanwhile, Bailey House - the nation’s first HIV/AIDS supportive housing provider - was assisting those with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses. They operate a center offering behavioral health clinics and provide a variety resources of their own.

The merger creates a new housing operations and development unit, which will retain the Bailey House name. Additionally those served by Housing Works and Bailey House now have access to such expanded service offerings as primary medical care. Housing Works is also extending its federally qualified health center to include Bailey House’s behavioral health program located in New York City’s East Harlem neighborhood.

Daniel W. Tietz, CEO of Bailey House, said the evolving Medicaid system puts funding at risk amid a time of desperate need for affordable housing. “Direct managed care contracting put organizations like Bailey House and other not-for-profits at essential risk,”he says.“The most sensible way to do this wasn’t the old ‘let-me-go-get-a-certificate-of-need.’

It was that we look around and see who is in this business already. But the first driver of this merger was mission, vision, culture and values.”

Experts say there is no one template that works best for organizations seeking to replicate a successful merger.

“There’s a lot of give and take and imagination that goes into looking at the possibilities of what can’t happen if folks driving the process are invested in doing things the way they’ve always been done or to holding onto turf,” King says. “[From] what I’ve seen of other merger efforts that failed, they generally foundered on those kinds of points. This merger would have never happened had it not been for Dan and his skill in helping folks look at things differently.”

Adds Tietz, who plans to step down after an initial integration period, “I took this job without knowing what comes next. But what happens to me can’t be the thing. You just have to trust that you are going to be okay.

The driver has to be the mission and the needs of the folks you’re serving, and when you set aside your own anxiety, a lot of interesting things can happen.”

■

this page: photos courtest housing works/bailey house

body

metroHIV

Backyard at StandUp Harlem House

Two of New York City’s most essential providers of services to people living with HIV/AIDS are reaping the benefits of working together.

By Jeff Simmons

crash of the wingman

metrosource.com august/september 2019

views

I was never the most popular and always the least toasted (lest I betray the urge to kiss one of guy in school. It always seemed those handsome unsuspecting guys). a dubious honor at best, and one One night, I ended up alone with a girl I had been dating that carries far too much pres- socially. With no one else to hide behind, I surrendered my Golden sure. You have to spend time Gay card then and there. It was either that or out myself to a girl with people who share only a few I knew would not deal well with the newsflash that she’d been of your interests and engage in a dating a gay dude for an entire semester. degree of brown-nosing I generAfter college, I moved to Austin and slowly emerged from ally find disagreeable. my straight cocoon. And over time, I outgrew the need to be in But I am a people person. And anyone’s shadow (Cue the Whitney.) For the better part of 10 years, growing up in a swirl of alcohol I co-hosted a drive time radio show called “Kevin & Kevin in the and chaos, I envied the popular Morning, from 5:30 to 9am Mondays through Fridays. We played kids. They had shiny cars, letter rootsy music called “Americana” (the station is now known as jackets and ‘60s sitcom-perfect “Austin City Limits Radio”), while our neighbors down the hall parents. Being a closeted gay teen, I longed to bask in the glow offered up shock jocks, classic rock and Rush Limbaugh wannabes. radiating from my neighborhood heroes, but not so evidently that On a break one day, I dashed out during a commercial break to I’d get clocked as a homo by anyone looking too closely. hit the restroom and a young woman stepped out from her booth My accidental alternative was to become besties with the most where she was spinning techno and house music for breakfast. popular guys in school. Age-wise, I fell right between two brothers, She looked me up and down. “You’re Kevin,” she said. I nodded. one a year older, one a year younger. We met when I was nine and “So you’re gay, right? a friend introduced us while trading comic books — Me, Marvel.

Unsure of where this was headed, I affirmed that indeed, I Them, DC. We were a multi-culti Jonas Brothers. was. “Do you know any straight guys?” Bewildered and bemused, For the next ten years, we were more together than apart. We I allowed that I have many straight friends. She said, “Oh, good. came from military families, and since they are black and I am Can you fix me up? I sure could use a date.” white, we were all minorities in 80% Hispanic El Paso. We were “Well,” I asked her, “what’s your criteria?” practicing Catholics too, and served mass together as altar boys.

“I’m not fussy,” she confided. “He just has to be J-O-B positive.”

I became more a part of their family than my own. When visitors Some weeks passed and before long, I introduced her to a came to their home, I was often introduced as “the white sheep young medical intern friend of my then-husband-to-be. She of the family.” seemed um, very into him during the happy hour where we David and Don were the coolest guys in their respective classes. handed them off to each other.

I was able to dwell in the vicinity of their mojo just because I had We never heard from the aspiring doctor about how their always been there. When their fancies turned to music, I followed encounter went. But I did run into my female deejay co-worker, suit. They learned guitar; I joined the choir. They landed gigs, and who had all but forgotten his name by that point — even though I took up writing about pop artists in the school paper. only two weeks had passed since she was in his lap, kissing him.

That’s where I quickly learned that the perks of writing about “You two really seemed to hit it off,” I said, sure that I had done entertainment included free tickets to concerts, movies, musicals, my Wingman best. “What happened?” plays and after-parties. I had no car, but there was always some She shrugged. “Two-pump chump,” was all she said before preppy hunk who did. It became the perfect subterfuge to date throwing all her weight against the door to her studio. guys I found attractive without anyone knowing. Not even them.

I’m pretty sure that in that moment I lost any desire to facilitate So began my career as a Wingman. someone else’s happy hook-up, as a wingman or otherwise. I still Once out of high school and into college, I honed my craft. I wake up occasionally with that poor kid’s tombstone illuminated became the ideal guy to hang out with at discos, nightclubs or in a flash of lightning like something out of Ebenezer Scrooge’s rough joints where cowboys still two-stepped to the “Cotton-Eyed Christmas Carol nightmare.

Joe”. The way I put the ladies at ease in conversation always made “Here he lies,” it says for all eternity: “Two-Pump Chump.” ■ my buddies feel like they could focus on getting drunk and laid - secure in the fact that their girls never quite seemed to be “my have you ever played wingman or matchmaker? share type.” I wasn’t the best dancer, but I was often the most willing your story in “gay voices” at metrosource.com.

POV

After a lifetime of helping his friends get laid to cover up his closetedness, Kevin’s final flight as a wingman goes down over No Man’s Land. By Kevin Phinney

13

TO BE HONEST

CULTURE

SCREEN

A queer-positive story about saying goodbye to high school; an artistic take on the murder of a gay Italian iconoclast; and some quality time with a Drag Race star who’s been dealing with a world of hurt all along. BY JONATHAN ROCHE

JEFF GOLDBLUM GLOWS WITH A DARK AND EERIE CHARisma against the stark backdrop of director Rick Alverson’s The Mountain. When Andy loses his father (Udo Kier), he ends up working for the man who years ago lobotomized his mother. Dr. Wallace Fiennes (Goldblum) travels the United States hammering metal spikes around the eyes and into the frontal lobes of anyone whose doctors and family will pay him for it. Meanwhile, Andy hefts the luggage and takes their patients’ pictures afterwards. Goldblum’s powers are on full display here as somehow his considerable charms seem not much diminished by the loathsome labors of his character. In fact he seems like a pretty nice guy, giving a job to the lost puppy of a man he helped to orphan.

Andy witnesses the good doctor chisel the spirit out of patients, mostly powerless women, who range from the manic to the simply depressed. However, he lacks the will to do anything about it. Goldbulm’s character is based on an ac-

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tual doctor who pushed lobotomies on the ignorant long after medicine had begun to widely question the practice.

As a reminder of this not-so-long ago era (the 1950s), The Mountain is both fascinating and haunting. But beneath the insidious mutilations we see on screen lies an even deeper layer of horror in the story. Audiences will surely feel its desolation and promise of a broken future. Young Andy is played by Tye Sheridan (Mud, Tree of Life) who costarred in Alverson’s anti-comedy Entertainment. Dynamic French actor Denis Levant (Holy Motors, Beau Travail) is thrown into the mix as a desperate father who offers up his wild-eyed daughter (Hannah Gross - Mindhunter) to the doctor for his savage cure-all. THE WORD: Alverson’s films are certainly an acquired taste, and the pacing will test many viewers. But if you can make it up the mountain (Goldblum’s presence really helps), there is singular vista awaiting at the summit. COMING TO: Theaters

THIS PAGE: THE MOUNTAIN ART COURTESY KINO LORBER

THE MOUNTAIN

THIS PAGE: BOOKSMART PHOTOS BY FRANCOIS DUHAMEL COPYRIGHT ANNAPURNA PICTURES • BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON PHOTO COURTESY AMAZON STUDIOS

BOOKSMART IT’S CLEAR THAT ACTOR/DIRECTOR OLIVIA WILDE (HOUSE, Tron) and a group of four female writers have done their homework about how to make a crowd-pleasing high school coming-of-age story loaded with silly and smart humor.

However, if they were metaphorically sharing a classroom with 2007’s Superbad, any observant teacher might accuse Booksmart of copying off its neighbor’s work. Both Booksmart and Superbad can accurately be described as ‘school’s-outforever’ odysseys. Each follows fiercely loyal misfit friends on quests to punctuate their high school experience by finally making it to the big party and seeing nascent crushes reach some level of fulfillment. The film also matches Superbad in many specific ways — too many to list. Suffice it to say that while Kaitlyn Dever does something of a Michael Cera impression, Beanie Feldstein could believably pass as Jonah Hill’s younger sister. That said, the category of ‘high school

comedy’ is certainly a well-worn form; so perhaps it’s not surprising that there should be so many similarities. However, Feldstein (Lady Bird, What We Do in the Shadows) and her co-star Dever (Short Term 12, Beautiful Boy) make Booksmart clever in a way that transcends the genre. It’s not necessarily in the writing (which is winning but often precious). Nor is it fully to be found in the characters (which are pleasing but not believable under scrutiny). Yet its cast, which also includes Diana Silvers (Glass, Ma), Molly Gordon (I Am Sam), and Billie Lourd (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, American Horror Story: Apocalypse) — supported by cameos from veterans Jason Sudeikis, Lisa Kudrow, and Will Forte — handily fulfill the film’s comedic promise. THE WORD: This film is like popcorn, delicious but primarily empty calories. Still the Booksmart’s main message is positive and queer-friendly, and stars have bright futures in Hollywood. COMING TO: Video on Demand

BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON THIS IS A FILM THAT’S MUCH FUNNIER AND FRESHER THAN its title and premise might suggest. Brittany is fabulous, funny, friendly, fat and pretty much makes sure that she is always the life of any party. But when she visits a doctor in the hope of scoring some Adderall, she gets slapped with a prescription that she never wanted. At the tender age of 27, her late night adventures and early morning walks-of-shame are starting to catch up with her, and it’s time to shape up. Thus Brittany (Jillian Bell - Rough Night, 22 Jump Street, Workaholics) begins a long trek towards self-improvement. She risks losing some old friends in the process, like her instagram obsessed roommate (Alice Lee - Wish Upon). But she will also gain some unexpected new ones amongst her new running crowd, (Michaela Watkins - Casual, In A World; Micah Stock - Escape at Dannemora).

Brittany also needs to focus on her non-existent career. And soon, working as a professional house/dog sitter, she ends up in an awkward state of cohabitation with her co-worker, Jern (Utkarsh Ambudkar - Pitch Perfect), after they both illegally move into the fancy New York apartment they’re taking care of. What makes this film by award-winning playwright Paul Downs Colaizzo (making his directorial debut) substantial is that the story rings true in so many ways. There’s a predictable dip into self-doubt and self-destruction just as Brittany is

starting to make things work. It’s a necessary counter-beat that’s been known to slow many other stories, but here it’s meaningful and well done. However, what really makes this film worthwhile is Jillian Bell, who - whether fat or fit - is very, very funny. The same can be said of all the actors named in this review, in addition to Lil Rel (Get Out) who plays Brittany’s brother-in-law. THE WORD: Brittany may learn to have a life, instead of just a succession of wild nights, but it’s still wicked fun. COMING TO: Theaters METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

15

!&4%2 (%2 #/-%$)# 4!,%.43 helped make Crazy Rich Asians such a hit, rapper and actress Awkwafina finds herself back in the East. This time, she’s in China with some less opulent Asians. Billi (Awkwafina) has a life and career in New York that aren’t going so well. That’s when she gets some distinctly bad news: her beloved grandma back in China is dying. Already Billi’s family have a plan. They’re not going to tell grandma about the stage-four cancer in her lungs. Instead Billi’s dad (Tzi Ma - The Arrival, Mulan) and his brother in Japan are conspiring to bring both their families for one last visit their ailing mother. They plan to use a cousin’s hastily assembled and entirely forced wedding as a cover to avoid making grandma suspicious at this sudden influx of family. Apparently keeping knowledge of terminal illness from the elderly (at least until the very end) is commonplace in China. Why? As Billi’s mother puts it patly, “When people get cancer, they die.” Deceptive as it may seem (and tangled as it may become) there may be some wisdom in the tradition. However, it mostly seems cruel to Billi — whose family

doesn’t even want her to come. (They fear that her special bond with her grandma will cause her to spill the beans.) Nevertheless, Billi buys a ticket she can’t afford and goes anyway. The story that unfolds as the family surrounds a still vivacious and utterly adorable matriarch is a pitch perfect mix of true-to-life comedy and well observed pathos. The blend is so smooth that audiences are likely to feel both elated and a little sad at the same time. THE WORD: The cast is excellent, but grandma (Shuzhen Zhou) and Awkwafina (who was raised by her own grandmother after her mother died when she was only four years old) carry the award-worthy, well-balanced film that easily crosses all barriers of culture and language to touch the heart. COMING TO: Video on Demand

0!3/,).)

7),,%- $!&/% 0/242!93 )#/./#,!34 &),- $)2%#4/2 0)%2 0!/,/ Pasolini in the final days before his murder in 1975. It’s immediately uncanny how much Dafoe resembles the 53 year old Italian director.

(Dafoe was 60 when the film was shot in 2014.) Why is the film only just reaching American audiences now? The delay isn’t so surprising given how European, intellectual, and non-linear this tribute to the

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 METROSOURCE.COM

legendary artistic and political provocateur is. Pasolini is perhaps best known for his controversial and graphically sexual film Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom. The auteur liked to challenge a society he believed was heading down a bad road. Consumerism was a particular concern of his, as was corrupt Christian democracy which he saw as similar to Italy’s fascist past. From the perspective of our current global political climate, Pasolini’s views appear prescient. What’s more, his belief that post-industrial culture was being degraded by consumerist and bourgeois values anticipates the dissolution of individual will into the media slurry we now inhabit. His opinion: ”We are all in great danger, we are not real people any more.”

Pasolini was a communist, but primarily an independent and outspoken thinker whose violent death sparked serious outcry within Italy. Was he murdered in a homophobic panic by the young man who was found driving his car? Or was his death an organized assassination by right wing forces? Director Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant, King of New York) faithfully serves both Pasolini’s essential character and brutal murder with a clear and unblinking eye.

Wisely, he does not attempt to copy Pasolini’s style, even as he mixes scenes of what would have been Pasolini’s unfinished final film. THE WORD: A good watch if you’re up for something intellectual that also features explicit gay sex. COMING TO: Video on Demand

4()3 0!'% 4(% &!2%7%,, 0(/4/ #/524%39 /& ! s 0!3/,).) !24 #/524%39 +)./ ,/2"%2

CULTURE

SCREEN

THE FAREWELL

TRIXIE MATTEL: MOVING PARTS

4()3 0!'% 42)8)% -!44%, -/6).' 0!24??.)#+?:%)' /7%.3?? ?7"?,2?5"' s $)!-!.4)./ 34,,3 #/524%39 +)./ ,/2"%2

4()3 !"./2-!,,9 7%,, 4)4,%$ $/#5-%.4!29 $)6%3 deep into the character of both drag superstar Trixie Mattel, and (more compellingly) the less-often-witnessed person behind the character: Brian Michael Firkus. In truth there doesn’t seem to be that much of a divide between the two personas. Brian comes across as a rather emotionally healthy and stable person. He’s almost surprisingly so for a wildly successful performer whose mother can still barely be bothered to come to one of his events (even as he helps pay her bills).

There’s a gentle sadness in Brian about this, and about a childhood spent being the family black sheep back in Wisconsin.

His abusive stepfather used to call him ‘Trixie’ when he acted feminine. The fact that Brain used this as part of his stage name evidences that he is the sort of entertainer who takes pain and turns it into laughter. Like the great clowns of old, he leaves a hint of the original sorrow in his act. That’s part of makes him great and why he draws so many kindred misďŹ ts to seek shelter in the shadow of his massive wig. Another apparent source of joy and sadness for Brian is his frequent comedy partner, friend and Drag Race alumni, Katya (Brian Mc-

Cook). Their YouTube’s series (UNHhhh) was so popular it got picked up to be a bigger series on Viceland. Katya’s subsequent meltdown before the end of the ďŹ rst season is something Moving Parts sheds some light on. The situation’s impact on Firkus, who again smiles and sings through the hurt, speaks volumes about his personal strength of character. Documentarian Nicholas Zeig-Owens achieves a level of behind-the-curtain intimacy that’s not easy to come by. He even lived on Trixie’s couch for a time. As a result, Owens doesn’t just capture Trixie in motion, but also the parts of this talented and terriďŹ cally real person are genuinely moving. THE WORD: Also worth seeing for Trixie’s music - she’s a legit singer/songwriter! COMING TO: Video

$)!-!.4)./ 4()3 )3 ! #!-09 '%.$%2 "%.$).' 0/245'5%3% &2/,)# It intertwines international soccer, mad science, government conspiracy, refugee crises and stampedes of mammoth, uffy puppies. If that sentence doesn’t make you want to see this ick, then you probably shouldn’t. But if you do, you’ll have fun time watching the titular Diamantino (Carloto Cotta - Tabu) playing a sort of burlesque version of Christiano Ronaldo. He’s the world’s most famous soccer player, a man as chiseled as he is childlike. The secret of his genius on the soccer ďŹ eld, he tells us, is the gigantic lap dogs that he perceives running with him through ďŹ elds of pink mist. However, after a day of pleasure boating with his elderly father/coach and his two bossy/ busty sisters ends in Diamantino rescuing a raft of desperate refugees from Africa, everything changes. As when young Sid-

dhartha ďŹ rst learned there was suffering in the world, so the princely Diamantino cannot get the event out of his mind.

Quickly this distraction leads to him blowing the ďŹ nal game of the World Cup and retiring in disgrace. Yet Diamantino has a new purpose now, to help the “‘fugeesâ€? and hopefully adopt one for himself. Here the plot gets really thick as government agents investigating him for money laundering use his bleeding heart as an undercover way into his home. Meanwhile his wicked materialist sisters make a secret deal with forces seeking to spark a nationalist surge to leave the EU using a team of Diamantino clones! Also: the mad science involved may cause Diamantino develop breasts. THE WORD: This wild romp isn’t high art, but does make good points about global politics and the dire need for more uffy puppies. COMING TO: Theaters METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

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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.

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 who weigh at least 77 lbs (35kg). 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 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: September 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. DVYC0085 11/17

my heart belongs to daddy

photos courtesy daddyhunt

The Daddyhunt app and website have become one of the fastest

growing social networks for men seeking a different approach to meet guys of disparate generations. The site now boasts more than a million members. But unlike other dating sites, Daddyhunt has employed a new tactic to engage a broader audience: storytelling.

The founders created Daddyhunt: The Serial, a three-season series revolving around the budding relationship between a middle-aged man and his younger admirer. Through ongoing vignettes – each with its own juicy cliffhanger – the series captures the promise and pain of relationships and romance. And, with each new season, the videos have begun to sprinkle in public health messages about HIV and AIDS, safe sex and sexually transmitted diseases.

“I recognize that people are turned off by safe sex public service announcement messages,”says Carl Sandler, CEO of Daddyhunt.“In today’s day and age, people have to get something for their time, and entertainment is a wonderful way to educate — if it’s done right.”

In the first season, neighbors Ben and Graydon meet and share a mutual attraction which quickly hits some humorous obstacles. Season Two subtly inserts a public health component into the storyline with messages about condoms, undetectable viral loads, PrEP, the importance of routine testing and safe sex practices.

Daddyhunt GM and executive producer Casey Crawford says that the next season is more diverse than ever. It will discuss how HIV disproportionately affects African American men, and addresses partner notification and PrEP. “It was important for us to touch on those topics in a way that was authentic,” says Crawford.

“We want the Daddyhunt community to be accepting, but we also want people to be more accepting in the gay community at large,” explains the exec. He hopes audiences will learn to “not stigmatize people“based on being short or tall, skinny or fat, black, Asian, Latino,

HIV positive or negative.“We want this to be an all-inclusive community.” Dan Wohlfeiler, Director and Co-Founder of Building Healthy Online Communities (BHOC) sought to help Crawford drive those messages home. Call it a public/private partnership between dating sites and apps and HIV and STD prevention organizations.

“We were talking with Carl and said,“Why don’t we try to incorporate a plotline into a second season where Graydon and Ben are clearly building a relationship, and Graydon wants to use condoms and Ben wants to use PrEP. And how do they work that out?”Wohlfeiler says. “What’s a better place to reduce risk than where guys are meeting, and that’s online, and taking advantage of the apps?”

When the actors were assembled to shoot the series, they also taped short PSAs in which they spoke directly to the camera to discuss such topics as dating someone who is positive, condom use, partner notification, navigating relationships, undetectable viral loads and making safe sex choices.

Jim Newman, who plays daddy Graydon, was captivated by the beauty of the budding relationship.“It struck a chord,”he says.“We all just want to meet a nice guy who respects us and fall in love.”

At 54, Newman recently joined the ever-fluctuating lineup of the Village People (as the cowboy). When he was called in to audition for this Daddyhunt serial, he learned they wanted him for the older partner.“Now I’m a daddy,” he laughs. Just the same, he says,“I get a lot of messages from kids who say this helped them come out. Because of this series, we have reached a lot of people who didn’t have positive images of gay men.”

The series strives not to be preachy, but to educate through entertainment.“The reality is it’s very hard to tell a story in a few minutes,” Sandler says, “People see themselves in the characters and perhaps they change their behavior as a result.”

■ metrosource.com august/September 2019

body

metroHIV

Intergenerational Relationships? Messages about safe sex, race and shaming?

This is how one dating app is shaking up the world of hooking up. By Jeff Simmons

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NEVER MISS A DOSE Concerned about forgetting to take pills, refill prescriptions or note drug interactions? Now there’s an app for that. BY DUSTIN CHARLES YOUNG 10 REASONS MEDISAFE IS A LIFESAVER

22

EFFECTIVE HIV THERAPY DEPENDS ON

medication adherence. That means taking your medication at the same time each day. Strict adherence to one’s HIV regimen will reduce the risk of HIV transmission and treatment failure due to drug resistance. Medication nonadherence in the US costs more than $100 billion annually. It doesn’t make sense to gamble with one’s health trying to remember when to take your prescription. The newest tech to help LGBTQ patients manage their medication regimens and improve their prescription adherence is medication adherence apps.

The intuitive Medisafe Pill Reminder app removes the stress associated with remembering to take medications on time. This prescription adherence app touts itself as the fastest, most secure and most accurate helpmate on the market.

It reminds when it’s time to take a medication while also keeping track of all the medications you might be taking.

The Medisafe app is currently the top-ranked pill reminder app in the world with an estimated 5 million-plus registered users. The app has a 4.7 out of 5-star rating by more than 200,000 reviewers. In 2016, Medisafe received awards as the“Most Innovative Healthcare & Life Sciences Technology” and “Best UX” from the Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange (MITX). MITX Award winners are meant to represent the best innovations in New England.

In 2017, the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) published a study by a research team that compared medication adherence apps by assessing their features, functionality, and health literacy of the 100 highest-ranking adherence apps. After analyzing the data, the research team ranked Medisafe the best app for medication management, connectivity, general features and health literacy.

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medications and vitamins, you’ll receive personalized reminders for each medication and/or vitamin. The feature supports even complicated medicine dosing schedules.

2. INTERACTION CHECKER—Contains over 30,000 severe drug interaction warnings, preventing harmful drug interactions that your doctor or pharmacist might possibly overlook. This can be critically important for patients with more than one physician.

3. CAREGIVER SUPPORT—If you list your caregiver as a Medifriend, the app will send them a notification should you accidentally miss a dose/medication.

4. DEPENDENTS—Have family members taking medications? With Medisafe, you can also manage all your family members’medications from one convenient app using the Dependents feature.

5. VITAL TRACKING—This Medisafe feature also keeps you on top of your blood pressure, weight and glucose levels.

6. ADHERENCE REPORTS—Create empowering reports that show you weekly and monthly medication adherence to create a picture over time.

7. NOTIFICATION RINGTONE LIBRARY—Select your favorite ringtone reminder from the app library, or add your own. Examples include “Star Wars”,“Morgan Freeman”,“Gandalf”, and even “Finding Nemo’s”Dory.

8. DIARY—Document symptoms, health events, or other important medical information to later share with your doctor.

9. PRESCRIPTION REFILL REMINDERS—Ever go to your medicine cabinet only to discover that you’ve run out of medication? The Prescription Refill reminder notifies you well in advance so that you never run out.

10. COUPONS—Keeping a stock of lifesaving prescription drugs can be costly. With the Medisafe app, you can receive budget-saving coupons and discount cards accepted by many U.S. drug stores including CVS, Rite-Aid and Walgreens.

Other app features include a “weekend mode,” schedule of appointments, a store of doctor’s information, pharmacist tip videos, and the extras don’t end there. Most of the Medisafe Pill and Medication Tracker features are available cost-free. However, access to all of the app’s features requires a $4.00 per month or $39.99 per year subscription. Medisafe is also compliant with HIPAA regulations in order to safeguard your medical information.

MEDISAFE APP SUPPORTED DEVICES The Medisafe app can be used on your smartphone, tablet and smartwatches including Apple Watch, LG Style, LG Sport, LG G, Moto 360 (both first and second generation), Moto 360 Sport, Samsung Gear Live, Huawei Watch, ASUS ZenWatch 2 and others). The app is available in the Google Play and Apple app stores or online at Medisafeapp.com.

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TECH

1. MEDICATION REMINDERS—After adding or importing all your

WHAT IT’S LIKE TO

LIVE OFF CASH

(FOR AN ENTIRE MONTH)

tence is perfect. If I’m splitting dinner with friends, I drop my debit card in the center of the table like I’m dropping a mic. Even for a $2 pack of gum at CVS, I swipe without a second thought. Handing my card over to the bartender at the end of the night is second-nature.

It’s not really hard to live a paper currency-free life. Especially in NYC, it’s often not necessary to carry cash anymore. Venmo, PayPal and other money-sharing apps make it easy to reimburse a friend or tip your piano player or favorite mixologist. And Apple Pay has come in handy too — especially when I realize I’ve left my wallet at home and had to buy coffee or groceries. Sweden actually has a goal of becoming a cashless society by 2023. In my humble opinion, the future is cash-free.

But before dollar bills go the way of the dinosaur, I decided to live the entire month of June without using my credit or debit cards once. As it was Pride month (and WorldPride, to boot) I knew that I would be hanging out with many of my friends, attending events and generally celebrating all things LGBTQ. But, I wondered, would putting away my plastic put a crimp in my Pride plans?

THE EXPERIMENT: AN ALL-CASH DIET

STOCK PHOTO COPYRIGHT: ALIASCHING

When starting my cash-only test, I turned off Venmo, hid away my Apple Pay and stashed my credit cards in my underwear drawer. Not only was my rule that I would pay for everything with cash, but I was also determined not to take out money from anywhere other than my own bank’s ATMs. I set myself a budget of $125 a week. That allowance was meant to covered everything aside from my fixed costs. (Among those were included rent, streaming services, internet, phone and insurance.) I’d pay for groceries, bars and restaurants, laundry, and transportation all in cash.

A FEW MORE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES: 1. I’d withdraw $125 every Sunday. That’s all I would have for the week.

2. If I didn’t spend my full weekly allotment, I would allow extra money to roll over to the next week.

3. I’d carry one credit card for emergencies. And by emergencies, I meant an actual crises — not merely the desire for one more cocktail.

SO HOW DID IT GO? Admittedly I had weeks where $125 wasn’t enough. Dinners out, toasts to Pride: it was probably the wrong month to try my experiment. But the biggest takeaway was how much more mindful I became of what I was spending. Handing over $80 in cash for dinner and drinks is more meaningful

than using Venmo to pay a friend. You really think about what those four $20-dollar bills mean — and how hard you worked to get them.

I walked more. The convenience of taking a Lyft had become secondnature to me, but living on a cash budget forced me to walk or take public transportation whenever possible. And when I was home, I ordered from Seamless less and cooked for myself more.

As an added bonus, I lost weight. The combined walking and cooking for myself managed to shave off around 10 pounds. I’m sure it would have been more if I hadn’t devoted much of my cash budget to Fireball shots and vodka sodas. But it was Pride, so I forgave myself.

OTHER LESSONS LEARNED Using a cash-only budget during the week is a great way to save for a big purchase. In your case, that could be a vacation to Mykonos, a new home, or a summer rental on Fire Island. If you are more mindful of what you are spending your cash on, you might be compelled to save more.

One budgeting method to try is the 50/20/30 budget rule that Senator Elizabeth Warren popularized in her book All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan. The basic rule is to divide after-tax income, spending 50% on needs and 30% on wants while allocating 20% to savings:

CULTURE

I NEVER CARRY CASH. NEVER. I’M A FIRM BELIEVER THAT A CASHLESS EXIS-

FINANCE

Here’s what happens when you choose paper in a world of plastics. BY JENNIFER DAY

• NEEDS: Needs are those bills that you absolutely must pay and are necessary for survival. These include rent or mortgage payments, car payments, groceries, insurance, health care, minimum debt payments and utilities. Fair warning: the “needs” category does not include certain items that may feel like needs, such as premium cable,Venti lattes and dining out.

• WANTS: Wants are all the things you spend money on that are not absolutely essential. Here’s where staying cash-only can make you think twice about splurging. Wants include visits to bars and restaurants, tickets to shows, new outfit and shoes. Basically, it’s all those little extras you buy that make life more enjoyable and entertaining. Using cash here will definitely make you think before you empty out your wallet at the register.

• SAVINGS: Finally, allocate 20% of your income to savings and investments. This includes adding money to an emergency fund in a bank savings account, making IRA contributions to a mutual fund account, and investing in the stock market.

By the end of June, I learned to appreciate how much money I was spending almost every time I went shopping or out for a night on the town with friends. Being mindful of my spending may just be my mantra for the rest of 2019. And just maybe that means: I’ll see you in Mykonos.

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grand madames music

Carly Rae Jepsen is no one-trick pony; Madonna can still stir controversy; and Dionne Warwick serves up some vintage soul. by matt gross

Madonna

24

On the diva’s 14th release, Madonna examines the current state of the world while imagining a peaceful, harmonious way to move it forward. Of the anthemic “I Rise,” Madge says the track gives “voice to all marginalized people who feel they don’t have the opportunity to speak their minds.” It features a spoken-word intro from Emma Gonzalez, the young social activist, gun control advocate and survivor from the Parkland school shooting in early 2018. Earlier this summer in Israel, Madonna performed another Madame X track, “Future” at the Eurovision Song Contest — and stirred up some controversy: While telling her audience to “never underestimate the power of music to bring people together,” her set featured two male dancers walking arm-in-arm with Israeli and Palestinian flags on their respective backs. When she’s not pushing the envelope in a political sense, Madame X includes some notable bangers, including the pulsating lead single,“Medellin,” a duet with the gorgeous Colombian reggaeton singer Maluma. Another collaboration, “Crave” with rapper Swae Lee, is a desiretinged pop gem. This Queen won’t be passing her crown along anytime soon. august/september 2019

metrosource.com

this page: madonna courtesy interscope

culture

Madame X (Interscope Records)

DIONNE WARWICK

She’s Back (E-One Records / Kind Music)

THIS PAGE: DIONNE WARWICK COURTESY OF THE ARTIST • CARLY RAE JEPSEN 2019 BY MARKUS & KOALA

The legendary chanteuse returns with an impressive new release comprised entirely of covers. It’s her first collection of new music in five years. Produced by her son, Damon Elliott, Dionne’s 36th album includes duets with singer-songwriter Kenny Lattimore (“What Color is Love”) as well as revered R&B crooner Musiq Soulchild (“Am I Dreaming?”). And that’s only two of the many soulful heavy hitters on this parade of ballads and slow jams. The lead single of She’s Back is her updated heart-wrenching version of the Burt Bacharach / Hal David classic,“What the World Needs Now,” which she originally recorded in the ‘60s. With an array of synthesizers, a steady in-the-pocket bass line and a touch of modern production, She’s Back is clearly meant to inject some modern vitality into the singer’s familiar easy-listening sound, and the album succeeds greatly in doing so. Warwick sounds weathered on certain tracks — which is to be expected at 78 with a six-decade career under her belt. But there’s also no denying it still possesses unparalleled warmth and sweetness.

CARLY RAE JEPSEN

Dedicated (School Boy / Interscope Records) In 2015, Carly Rae’s last release, EMOTION, proved that she’s much more than a one-trick pony (anyone remember her 2011 earworm “Call Me Maybe”?). Now, Dedicated proves she might be one of her generation’s more enduring popsters. Dedicated is the kind of catchy summer album that begs to be turned up full blast while roaring down the highway with the convertible top down. Admittedly Carly’s lyrics have never been particularly deep or introspective.

However, her cleverly crafted tunes chronicling crushes, first kisses and the sparkle of new love have never sounded stronger than they do on Dedicated. Highlights include the sultry opener “Julien,”“Now That I Found You,” (cat people are advised to watch the accompanying video immediately), and the deliciously funky “Want You in My Room.” She’s never sounded more self-assured, spirited or direct.

METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

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LIVING BY OPRAH’S WORDS THE WORDS OF OPRAH WINFREY FUEL KALVIN LEVEILLE’S PASSION AND PURPOSE

BODY

METROHIV

every day, motivating him to share his most personal trials to create positive change in the lives of others.“Oprah says we have two things we have to do in life; one is learning why you were born, and the other is learning what you are going to do about it,”Leveille says. Those words are his mantra and his mantle.

“As I’m getting older - I’m 32 years old now - I realize I have a responsibility to help people,” says Leveille, a proud New Yorker. “Maybe I can’t give someone a million dollars, but I can give someone hope. That’s what I feel like I was born to do.”

Leveille serves on the frontlines of educating others about HIV and AIDS, and is among those selected by the State of New York to champion the U=U or “Undetectable equals Untransmittable” initiative, which focuses on sexual health and safe sex. As Metrosource reported, the campaign in a simple and direct way explains how to protect yourself without surrendering to a life of celibacy. And it addresses how people living with HIV can bring their viral loads under control to the point that they too can become undetectable.

As a longtime leader in health education, Leveille has shared his life’s journey with more than 50,000 people in the greater New York City area, visiting college and high school classrooms to discuss his multiple comings out – as a gay man, and later as HIV positive.“Coming out,”he says,“is not just about coming out to your family or the world. It really starts in your heart and learning to love and accept yourself.”

Born in Jamaica, Queens, Leveille was the first in his family to be born in the states after his family relocated from Haiti. Raised by a single parent, he recognized his same sex attraction early on and came out when he was 17 years old. While he had familial support, he nevertheless felt alienated by not having a mentor to turn to or resources that would, in his words, “help me figure things out.”

A few years later, during his undergraduate studies, he learned he was HIV positive. This was a period he considers the most challenging of his

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life. He felt alone, fearing stigma and estrangement.“It’s crazy that I didn’t think about my health. I thought about whether I would be alone for the rest of my life,”he says.

As he came out to those close to him as a person living with HIV, Leveille found his way into advocacy. He became the Director of HIV Prevention Services at The Long Island LGBT Services Network. Then he joined Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. As a Health Educator for“Love Heals, the Alison Gertz Foundation”for the last decade, he has led more than 150 workshops populated most often by teenagers and young adults. He speaks about judgment, stigma and validation. “I tailor my story and experience to really target the issue and to bridge a gap and let people know, regardless of HIV status, that we are all in those together to make better decisions and make change,”Leveille says.

He also served three years as Co-Chair for the New York State Department of Health’s Statewide AIDS Services Delivery Consortium, and was then appointed as the youngest member and Prevention Committee Co-Chair to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Ending the Epidemic Task Force to reduce HIV infections in the state, taking on other prominent additional roles in healthcare initiatives.

If he’s ever doubted his impact, he needs to look no further than his Facebook inbox, where Leveille regularly receives messages from those who’ve heard his words. They write, “’You don’t remember me, but five years ago you came to my school and I just want to tell you that you changed my life’,” he says with satisfaction. Another man connected with him on an LGBTQ dating app and commented, “’You told me to always love and respect myself.’Those moments mean the world to me.”

Now, as he focuses professionally on his creative side – acting, modeling and consulting – he remains on the HIV/AIDS advocacy frontlines, most prominently in his role as U=U spokesperson. “U=U is hope. It is hope for people who are HIV positive and it is hope for individuals who are HIV negative,” he says.“In the HIV prevention toolbox, it is hope because it encourages people who are HIV positive to take their medication.

So not only are they able to live longer and be healthier and in control and able to manage their HIV diagnosis, but [also] so they can ensure that they are reducing the chances of infecting their sexual partners.”

Taking on such a public persona has reshaped his mindset as well — about what it means to be HIV positive and to be an advocate. Leveille notes that as an advocate, he is not only educating but also becoming a beacon for change, using his positions to generate broader awareness, combat stigma and elicit life-changing conversations.

“I want to use my experiences, my triumphs, dealing not just with me being HIV positive but me being a black gay male,” Leveille says.“I want to be able to help the generation that’s coming after me in particular. ... I always say that the H in HIV stands for ‘Human’ and we need to pay attention to that. One of the core things about being human is that we are all seeking validation. I was seeking validation, acceptance and love.”He’s embodying the words of his role model, Oprah, who said: “There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling.”

■

THIS PAGE: JAY WALKER - INSTAGRAM: @JUST_CALLMEJ

“Oprah says we have two things we have to do in life. One is learning why you were born, and the other is what you are going to do about it...“ BY JEFF SIMMONS

fashion is a part of many gay men’s identity — often compromised by height. we found designers giving them reasons to live. by Kevin Phinney were the third tallest in the world: at 5’7”.

Less than four percent of the population

was six feet tall or more. On average, males have grown more than an inch a century since record keeping began, with

Founder Steven Mazur says, “It’s always been frustrating to

walk into a store and find plus and petite sizes for women and big and tall sections for men, but nothing for people like me. My partner and I could never find any clothes that fit people who are 5’8” and under. You had to either get lucky, find something in the kid’s department or take what you’ve bought to a tailor. And even that doesn’t quite work.”

Most short men know how the routine. Buy a button-down?

The sleeves are too long, there’s a big gap under each armpit, and your shirt now billows around the trunk. Take it to be altered, and the tailor will show you just how much of the sleeve placket you’ll lose in order to move the cuffs to your wrists.

“People tend to think that it’s all about length,” muses Mazur.

“But as we got more and more into the design process, we found that it’s not so much about cutting a few inches off the pants or the shirt sleeves. There are a variety of details to take into consider-

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variations across the globe attributed to such factors as nutrition and genetics.

As men sprouted in stature, fashion

ation. In pants, that includes everything from where the zipper and the belt loops actually belong to the wash and taper of the leg. If those are in the wrong place — for example, a wash that highlights the knee — it’s clear they’re altered and not constructed to fit your body. And you can see that right away.”

Ash & Erie launched in 2015 (as Ash & Anvil) and got an unexpected push into the limelight on TV’s Shark Tank when entrepreneur Mark Cuban (who inhabits a different ecosystem at 6’3”) decided to partner with Mazur and co-founder Eric Huang. “We went on the show in 2017,” Mazur recalls. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pitch what we do, and we were looking for funding to continue to grow. We thought, ‘Why not?’ The worst case scenario is that nothing changes. The best is that you walk away with funding and exposure and the help of a new partner.”

Mazur and Huang entered the tank seeking $100,000 for 12 1/2 percent of their company. “Then the deal took a dramatic turn

this page: ABC/Michael Desmond) MARK CUBAN, STEVEN MAZUR, ERIC HUANG (ASH & Erie nee ANVIL)

A hundred years ago, American men

and clothing manufacturers instinctively followed suit. Now nearly every department store in the country has a “big and tall” men’s section and boutiques catering to their needs have popped up to compete.

All but shut out in the rush to keep pace with the largest segment of the market?

Men under 5’10” — though one in three American males is still under 5’8”. That’s roughly 40 million men.

During their exile, gays, straights and everyone between have been forced to

wear severely altered clothes created for our big bros — or found themselves scouring kids’ departments in chain stores.

To make matters worse, anyone who didn’t maintain a 30-inch waist had to choose garments meant for much taller men that were simply chopped off by tailors (who after all, aren’t miracle workers).

Boxy and ill-fitting formalwear became commonplace. Those who could afford it, like late funk fashionplate Prince, had every outfit made specifically for him.

Now, with online sales demonstrating that there was actually an underserved market for the vertically challenged, change is in the air. And a handful of entrepreneurs are willing to gamble that men will show up to buy menswear created with them in mind.

We spent time with three clothiers targeting shorter men and found that while each business seeks to serve the market they’ve identified, no two share the exact same business model for reaching them.

rie.com

r igned fo lly des a c ifi c e es sp ay cloth Everyd eights. h great f o n e m

THIS SECTION: ALL PRODUCT IMAGES COURTESY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE MANUFACTUERERS

E Ashand

where Mark was out, then came back again. Ultimately we got $150,000 for 25 percent. And there’s a photo of me with my head craned up just to look at him.”

The company changed names in 2017. “The first part comes from Detroit, where we’re located,” Mazur explains. “It’s the city motto: ‘We will arise from the ashes.’ And Erie is a tribute to the region we’re proud to be from.” We thought that Ash & Erie better represented our brand, but we’re the same company, people and clothes.”

The Ash & Erie line was created after interviewing and working with hundreds of men to not only identify where to place pockets and zippers, but to discover what wardrobe pieces they most longed for in their own sizes. Sure, says Mazur, there are slim and classic fits, “but it’s not just shorter guys. It’s men at a variety of waist sizes who now have an alternative to having everything in their wardrobe be sent through a tailor. Whatever size you are, we have perfect sizes for you, as long as you’re with-

in our height range.”

For now, the company serves online customers exclusively.

And while they make every effort to help clients find the right fit the first time, they know that having an easy and streamlined returns policy also makes shopping more adventure than chore. “We keep in close contact with the people we serve,” Mazur says. “And that starts from the very first time we hear from you. For us, customer feedback is vital and something we take into consideration as we’re trying to fill their needs. Not being a brick-and-mortar outlet and being able to see our customers all the time, it’s essential that we know what they’re responding to in what we provide.”

WEBSITE: AshandErie.com STANDOUTS: Lower-rise jeans with just enough spandex to create a slimming silhouette rather than suggest you’re dressing out of your generation. A plethora of button-downs to keep you looking on point, even in a casual setting.

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“I like seeing people come out of our dressing rooms

saying, “’This is the first time I haven’t had to have pants tailored.’ Sometimes their significant others will have to drag them in to check us out. But then you see that expression of satisfaction on their faces when they try on one piece after another and go, ‘Yeah. This is right. This fits.

Finally.’”

So says Zach Fields, product and marketing manager for Peter Manning, a menswear brand for customers they refer to with fraternal bonhomie as “not so tall men.”

Fields says Peter Manning debuted in 2011 with “a kind of everyday shirt” they call the weekend untucked shirt. That success led to a full line that now includes pants, sweaters, sport jackets, suits and their own take on the classic Baracuta jacket made immortal by Steve McQueen back in the 1960s. Their styles, like those of their competitors, intentionally telegraph that this is the way young professionals dress in 2019.

That’s not wrong. A young techie named Al Faiella appeared during our interview to shop and left after spending $1000 on wardrobe upgrades. “I did a lot of market research,” he confessed between changes. “I don’t shop until I can find a spot where I can really find things for guys like me. I had basically just given up, because I very rarely buy clothes anyway. But that’s what really led me here today.

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PeterMa

nningN

YC.com Classic C lothing F or Not-S o-Tall™ Guys.

I was thinking about what I was looking for, and the biggest surprise moment for me was just now trying on a pair of pants on for first time that completely fit everywhere. And because I couldn’t do that before, I really didn’t care as much how I looked all the time.

But as I’m getting older and making more money, dressing well is more meaningful. Why did I spend so much? Because everything I just tried on worked. So I bought it all.”

Fields jumped from a full-time career as an attorney to join Peter Manning a year and a half ago because he was convinced as a customer that this market was going through the roof. “Even though something like 90 percent of our business now comes from online traffic,” he says, “here you have the advantage of trying things on. So you have some expectation of what the fit and feel of each garment is like, and that saves a lot of time in terms of returning things until you have every purchase exactly the way you want.”

While almost all clothiers take pride in their designs, have clients raving about them on social media, and are vying for brand loyalty, what sets all these purveyors apart from most retailers is how passionate they are about what they do. They’re aware they’re selling much more than clothes. Each one is selling confidence and customer satisfaction.

“Being not so tall myself,” says Fields, “it helps you understand that what’s different here is all the details — where the pocket should be on a shirt, for example.

I can remember trying on suits in department stores and having the sales guy say, ‘That looks great,’ when you know the coat is too long, and everything else is completely out of proportion. That’s why I hate those guys,” he says. “Because they haven’t been there and they know nothing about what it’s like. They’re just trying to make a sale.”

Could this trend all suddenly go away? Is it some kind of fad or flirtation? Or are shorter men permanently back on the industry’s radar?

“There’s definitely still a long way to go,” says Fields. “It often takes me back to when I was shopping for a tux for my high school prom. I had to get a rental and I had no idea how bad the fit was back then. Now I know.”

WEBSITE: PeterManningNYC.com STANDOUTS: A pair of jeans so black you could wear

them to a funky formal dinner. The übercool Baracuta jacket. Their new puppy-soft sweatshirt.

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10.com

ed for design s d n ra thing b that fit! ality clo inally clothes F Best qu .

0 der 5’1 men un

under5

ELIE ROBINSON, THE FOUNDER OF UNDER 5’10, HAS DONE HIS HOMEWORK.

He says standard sizing began during the Civil War so that uniforms could be made in bulk. “General size buckets were created in order to make it easier for manufacturers to mass produce clothing,” he explains. “And getting uniforms fast that fit good enough was . . . well, good enough. Before clothiers could execute their work, they needed standard sizes (what we know today as XS, S, M, L and XL). “They were crudely created by sampling sizes from soldiers and finding obvious patterns that came up over and over again. When the war ended, standard sizing was adopted by the public market and has only changed slightly since then.”

As average male height in America increased over time, he says, mass manufacturers continually updated their sizing charts to accommodate “the natural evolution of men getting taller and heavier. And while this was happening, a new evo-

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lution of ‘Big & Tall’ began, leaving shorter men even further behind.”

No more, says Robinson. “At Under 5’10, we believe that the 32 million men in America who are 5’8” and under have simply been forgotten along the way.’

Like his colleagues, he decided that at 5’7”, he deserved more and better options. Robinson’s company was born “out of my personal need for off the rack clothing that fit well,” he says.

“My entrepreneurial curiosity recognized the opportunity for a niche buildout for a seemingly ignored market.”

The credo at Under 5’10 is simple: “We believe that men of all heights should have the opportunity to buy great clothing off the rack. Ours are engineered to fit men under 5’10 and without having to pay a premium for it. Men shouldn’t have to shop at the same stores as their children, be forced to buy custom or have to pay for extensive tailoring.”

Because theirs is such a narrow market and smaller batches make each item more expensive to produce individually, clothing can cost more than what shoppers are used to finding at The Gap or J. Crew.

Opening a brick-and-mortar store in Cedarhurst, NY helped to keep those costs under control. And with a less expensive space, Under 5’10 is also able to keep more of its inventory in house. Translation: You can walk in, try on clothes and walk out the door with them. “But our price points are probably the biggest differentiator,” maintains Robinson. “We firmly believe that if we are to succeed in outfitting our customers and to stop them from buying ill-fitting clothing from mass manufacturers, price cannot be a factor in their decision making.”

The company began with button-down shirts, then diversified into jeans, ties and polos. The company now even offers a first foray into footwear with their vegan sneaker. “Ultimately,” says Robinson, “we plan to offer a full line of men’s clothing and accessories as a one-stop shop for men.”

Everyone exploring this untapped market wants to make a profit, says Robinson, but the biggest winners will be those customers who wandered so long in the wilderness. “In the end, the more companies that get involved, the more that will benefit consumers looking for more options,” he concludes. “We are thrilled to be on the ground floor of this clothing revolution. Now that we have entered into the marketplace along with a few competitors, we also foresee a shift in the way shorter men shop. What started out as my desire to have off the rack clothes made for men under 5’10 and serve that demographic is evolving into a lifestyle brand specifically created for the shorter man.”

He’s certain of one thing: “The customer’s relationship with their local tailor will never be the same.”

Website: Under510.com Standouts: Slim, stretchy jeans in hypnotically deep indigo. A

gingham button down that would work at a Broadway opening or over a truck stop plate of biscuits and gravy.

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we visit the world’s premiere drag ballet company just as an alum’s drag race success garners them fresh attention. by paul hagen similarities. Creatures of impossible beauty take to the stage, where they create art through stylized movement and eye-catching costumes. Yet in other key ways, they diverge. Ballet requires years of rigorous formal training, in which adhering to rules earns opportunities to exhibit one’s skills. Meanwhile, the path to a drag career often involves experimenting - to find venues, audiences and styles that best suits the performer. They may join forces with colleagues and mentors to learn and grow, though rarely in something as formal as a school. And often a drag queen’s biggest success comes from breaking the rules.

Yet for decades, there has been a place where drag and ballet meet: Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (affectionately nicknamed “the Trocks” ). We spoke to their Artistic Director Tory Dobrin and dancer Duane Gosa about where the company has been and where it’s going. They revealed the unique triumphs and challenges of a career in drag ballet — from losing toenails to losing partners, and how they’ve kept on dancing through it all.

ALONG CAME BROOKE Forty-five years ago, a group of ballet enthusiasts came together to form a dance experience unlike any other.

Over time, they’ve seen extraordinary changes in how society regards LGBTQ rights, drag and dance. Then this year, along came RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11. The fact that Trocks alum Brock Hayhoe (a.k.a. Brooke Lynn Hytes) was the season’s runner-up has shone a new light on the company’s special place in the world of drag.

“Brock was a great guy and he danced with us [until] he didn’t want to tour anymore and he started doing drag in clubs,” remembers Dobrin, who joined the dance troupe as a performer in 1980 before going on to become artistic director. “We were super-thrilled,” he adds. “He comes across as very nice and chill and that’s exactly who he is.”

“I think that it’s kind of cool that she has brought

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something that we do to a mainstream audience,” says Gosa - who joined the Trocks at 27 and has been dancing with them for six years now. “A couple of episodes when she mentioned the company on the show, I got so many messages from people that I met all over the world.” How would Gosa judge Brooke’s performance? “She really did well on the show — very impressive drag queen, very talented — which I think really helped for people to be even more excited about what we do.”

WHO ARE THE TROCKS? For those unfamiliar with the Trocks, let’s get some basics out of the way: Male dancers perform all the roles, both male and female. They embody all the grace and athleticism of classical dance and blend it with a comic sensibility that makes the combination instantly accessible. “It’s classical ballet and it’s parody of classical ballet,” Gosa explains. “So you get to see classic works that are famous throughout history like Swan Lake and Don Quixote, and parody of even more contemporary works like some Merce Cunningham and George Balanchine. But you get to see it with a twist and you get to laugh at it.”

“You will go home astounded by the dancing and super happy about the comedy,” says Dobrin.“I would just say it’s a really great show, time well spent in the theater, basically not that expensive ticket-wise.” He emphasizes that although they have an enthusiastic gay audience, their fans include straight people, too. It’s a show where, for example, a woman who loves ballet can take her husband who hates ballet and both leave having had a good time.“That’s part of our longevity and popularity.”

NOT FEMALE IMPERSONATION Though Trocks must be many things, Dobrin is firm in his insistence that they are not female impersonators. He notes that hey were born just five years after the Stonewall Uprising as the community sought to throw off straight

background stock photo credit: Ghenadie Pascari

the arts of Ballet and drag share some surface

This Page: Photo By Zoran Jelenic

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Esmeralda The Art of Partnering

ONE NIGHT IN MONTE CARLO Dobrin likes the use the word “dynamic” in discussing the balance between dance and comedy that goes into any given performance by the Trocks. “You try to mix it up so that the balance comes out right,”he explains. In a typical three-act evening, they’ll begin with what he calls a “white ballet” — something grand like Swan Lake or Les Sylphides — and really camp it up. They begin act two with something more on the serious side and then close it with high

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THIS PAGE: PHOTO BY EMMA KAULDHAR • PHOTO BY ZORAN JELENIC • PHOTO BY MARCELLO ORSELLI. PHOTO USED WITH KIND PERMISSION OF FONDAZIONE TEATRO CARLO FELICE DI GENOVA (ITALY)

Pas de Deux

misconceptions about gays and girls.“In the ‘60s, the thing about the straight world … everything was always about: ‘What do you want to be - a girl? Is that why you’re a gay?’” recalls Dobrin.

“We’ve gone way past that. But back then it was really trying to prove to the world that no, we don’t’want to be girls. We’re men who fall in love with other men. That’s what makes us gay.”

Instead, Dobrin traces their philosophy to Charles Ludlam and the Theater of the Ridiculous. Ludlam, Dobrin explains, would create adaptations of great female roles from Camille to Cleopatra and play the characters without the pretense of feigning womanhood.

He points to Glenda Jackson in King Lear as a recent similar example.“The point of Trockadero is not that the audience thinks that we’re women. We’re men doing these roles in these costumes for comedic effect. Whether we’re gay or straight is immaterial, even though we’ve had maybe two straight people in the company in the past 40 years.”

“I don’t ever feel like I’m dancing as a woman,” Gosa offers. “I enjoy dancing with qualities that are more identified with women dancing . . . soft or lyrical … or demure or coquettish.”

Nor does he feel bound by traditional masculinity when dancing men’s roles. “I was never really interested in men’s roles in ballet, so I have tried to find a way to play these characters in a way that’s interesting for me,” Gosa adds.

“I do Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake and for me, trying to be a prince is kind of a joke because I don’t see myself as being this strong, big, cavalier type.” Instead, Gosa makes it fun. “I’m really puffing my chest up, and I’ve always got the one eyebrow raised. And you know I put on this wig that has like a really big kind of like pompadour in the front. I just try to make it like a Disney character.”

camp again, for example: Dying Swan. And then they’ll close the evening with a big ballet like Don Quixote or Raymonda’s Wedding which brings the entire cast onstage.

Dobrin says that the company’s aesthetic evolved in response to other companies abandoning some of ballet’s more grand trappings. “I guess it was in the early ‘90s when I started becoming the director, I would go to ballets,” he remembers. “A lot of other ballet companies were coming into New York and they were doing nothing but spandex. No tutus at all. Classical ballet companies were doing this, and I thought: ‘That’s ridiculous. You’re going to see a big ballet company.You want to see a tutu.You want to see the classical canon. And we’re not seeing that.’ So I said: we’re going to go in the opposite direction.” They started working with a woman in New York named Elena Kornikova, who staged classics for them seen rarely outside Russia.

At the comedy end of the spectrum, Dobrin points his dancers back to the Marx Brothers “with Margaret Dumont, how she’s reacting to Groucho Marx,”he says. “The use of her eyes, the use of her faux shock. Or Gracie Allen responding to George Burns, or even Lucille Ball.”

already been dancing for a little bit longer,” says Gosa. In addition to the rigors of dancing en pointe, another major challenge was makeup.“You kind of pick up things here and there as you go. I got a lot of tips from some people in the company. There’s some pretty fierce makeup artists that are there like Bobby [Robert Carter] and Albie [Alberto Pretto].”

“If you haven’t been in drag and then you get into a tutu, a wig and a headpiece and pointe shoes, you feel a little bit like you’re mummified, so it’s a little disconcerting for the first time,” says Dobrin.“It usually takes two or three performances before they start becoming comfortable.

The audience hopefully doesn’t realize that they’re not comfortable, but certainly I do.”

Dancers also get Trock names: one female and male, often hilarious. Gosa is Helen Highwaters and one of the Legupski Brothers. “When we come in, they have a stock of names that they pick from,” Gosa explains. To him they traditionally correspond to certain aspects of a dancer’s personality or appearance. “The Helen Highwaters, for me, were tall, lanky black girls,” he says. So he’s part of a line of Highwaters?“Yes,”Gosa says with a laugh,“of the Manhattan Highwaters.”

This Page: Photo By Zoran Jelenic

GETTING THE POINTE “Usually in the audition process – we assume everybody who is auditioning is really more interested in doing the pointe work and the drag roles,” says Dobrin. The trick is that male ballet dancers are not traditionally trained in this. “When I joined in 1980, no open class teacher would let me take class en pointe,” remembers Dobrin. Nevertheless, he says,“when the teachers would give the corrections to the girls en pointe, it’d be like, if you - as a music comedy person - you’re not necessarily interested in opera,” Dobrin explains. “And then you’re in a class and they talk about opera, and you would listen because you’re interested in the voice.”

“I always felt this way,” Gosa admits. “Any guy in ballet class who sees that, you’re definitely interested and curious about it, especially the homosexual ones.” Gosa had additional reason to focus on the females. “I was never that good at the male roles. I wasn’t really strong in my upper body. My legs are strong but I couldn’t lift or press anything; so I struggled a lot with partnering, which is the man’s main role. … I convinced the faculty to let me take pointe class a couple of semesters so that I could ‘see what’s going on in the shoe’ — so I could understand better how to partner.”

Dancing professionally en pointe took some getting used to for Gosa.“I was only doing it like three times a week for an hour,”he recalls.“So then once I got to the Trocks and having to do it for five plus hours out of a day, every day of the week, it’s a different kind of strength and challenge. I lost my first toenail actually last year which I was pretty proud of.”

A TROCK IS BORN “When I first started with Trockadero, I was 27; so I had

THE PHYSICAL CHALLENGE But even once you’re an official Trock, it’s not all tutus and applause. “I’ve had like bunion pain, which I don’t wish upon anybody. I had a stress reaction [which comes] just before a stress fracture a few years ago, which was pretty painful.”Whether or not a dancer has had pointe training, it’s trial by fire. “You’re going to make mistakes, and until you learn how to do it correctly – injuries make you stronger.”

Gosa has learned how to help his body cope. “I got my certification in Pilates ten years ago, and that has really helped my body and helped me understand how to use my body and how to take care of my body if an injury or some kind of stress happens. So that’s probably been my saving grace for a lot of my dance career.”

Disinterested in weightlifting since childhood, Gosa found other ways to strengthen his body, including jumping rope and doing push-ups. In terms of diet, he has experimented with intermittent fasting, but

Les Sylphides

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TROCK AROUND THE WORLD “The greatest thing about being in the company is getting to travel. We see a lot of the world, and we get to do something gay and take it around the world and show people and make people laugh and entertain, which is the most amazing gift,” says Gosa. He also admits that it’s one of the hardest parts of the job, too. “Traveling and touring definitely is exhausting and is a skill that you have to develop. And being able to rehearse all day and then do an evening show and then go back to the hotel and not even have eight hours of sleep to recover. And you’re up with your bag packed on the bus at six in the morning flying to the Duane Gosa next city.” This goes on for weeks,

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and presents additional challenges like finding healthy eating options and balancing the need to rest with a desire to get out and see the world.”These days in my free time, I’m happy to do anything that involves sitting.”

Dobrin remembers moments when the Trocks met hostility on the road.“We were in Mexico City,”he recalls.“1980 I think, and someone stood up and accused us of causing the explosion of Mt. St. Helen’s. We were picketed in Medford Oregon. We were in Owensboro Kentucky, and it was after the show, and I was waiting on a street corner. Some guy was talking on the telephone, and he said ‘I don’t know what they were doing up there, but they definitely were all lost in sin.”

“And then in 1994, we were in Russia and we went to Novosibirsk, which is in Siberia in the middle of nowhere.

And it was a really interesting kind of town. We went to the train station and it felt a little bit like in Star Wars when they go into the bar with all these weird characters. Anyway, I was the director already at that point, and it’s polite to go to the theater director and introduce yourself and say hello.

So I went. And the guy was an old Stalinist type,” Dobrin remembers. “He said, ‘Well, you’re on our stage tonight, but last year you all would have been arrested.”

BEING CAREFUL “The little thing that I worry about now is that our young gay guys are so comfortable and they don’t realize that when we go to Birmingham in the UK and they’re walking around holding hands…” Dobrin says with a sigh.“Unless you know your environment and you know it’s safe, you really still have to be careful in a lot of places that we go. And a lot of the young gay guys don’t have that DNA. And I’m happy that they don’t have that DNA, but I worry about the caution that is still necessary.”

“Even a few years ago when we were in London, some of

PHOTOS BY MARCELLO ORSELLI. PHOTO USED WITH KIND PERMISSION OF FONDAZIONE TEATRO CARLO FELICE DI GENOVA (ITALY) • PHOTO BY ZORAN JELENIC

says he generally burns enough calories dancing to not make extreme dieting necessary.

And then there’s dealing with the drag.“As far as my skin is concerned, I think moisture is key. Always moisturizing will save your face or any part of your skin. I swear by coconut oil. I can literally take a jar and just pour it over the top of my head and let it run down,” Gosa says with a laugh. “I think it’s great for everything. Oils have really saved my skin or at least preserved it. I think as far as with the makeup,” he says, “I think one thing that I get more of an issue with is shaving so often. That’s one thing I struggle with. So I have found that I can’t use these razors with seven or eight blades on them. I use the disposable, the two blade razor and it’s much better for my skin.”

the guys smoked,”Dobrin remembers.“They can’t smoke anywhere in the buildings anymore, so they were standing at the stage door, which was on a street, and three of them were attacked, right before the show. So, yeah, it still can happen. So I worry. And I also worry they’ll go out in drag at night after the performance. Some of them do and I say: you gotta be careful.”

Gosa says he hasn’t personally experienced this kind of confrontation. “I have not usually wanted to go out in drag as much as everyone else does. I’ve gone out a few times in drag, and we usually go to a gay bar or something and everyone is pretty excited for us to be there and really enjoying it. So I haven’t really experienced anything threatening or hostile,” he says. But he knows what it’s life to feel the danger of being different.“I grew up a black boy in white suburban America, so I’ve felt uncomfortable. I know that feeling. And I was gay too.” However, he also points out that most of the places they tour tend to be pretty accepting — or else they wouldn’t be booking a drag show.

Swan Lake

This Page: Photos By Sascha Vaughan • Photo By Zoran Jelenic

WHAT’S NEXT? “I’ve been at Ballets Trockadero almost 40 years,” says Dobrin. “This has been my entire adult life.”

He says he does not miss dancing. “I was with somebody. I had a partner in the company. Even though we had broken up as a couple, we were still very close as family members, as gay people do, and he died of AIDS. And so after he passed away — I’m talking about in the mid-’90s — I just said, ‘Okay, I don’t want to do this.’” These days, Dobrin says he does not have ambitions beyond keeping the Trocks in good standing. “If I were ever to leave, I would probably go sit on a beach and just look at the ocean and a tree,” he says.

“And I would be very happy to do that.”

Conversely, Gosa will be 34 this year. “I’ve thought about going into something other than dance,”muses Gosa.“I think I maybe want to take a break from dance being my full time job and explore different things after this.”

“I don’t really think there’s a set expiration date on it,” Gosa says. “It’s just kind of how you feel and what you want to get out of the career. I feel great about my career so far, and I just I want to leave it on a good note,” he adds.”But I think I’ve got a little bit more time here.”

Learn more about Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo — and when they will be coming to a theater near you — at trockadero.org.

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Raymondas Wedding

The Trocks Out of Costume

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CRUISE DIRECTOR IF YOU’RE GAY AND ONLINE, AVOIDING DAVEY WAVEY IS LIKE

avoiding the weather: Sooner or later, you’re going to get wet. At the moment, he presides over a million-plus subscribers from more than 150 countries who have seen his YouTube videos more than 300 million times.

Add to that another 662,000 Facebook followers and an additional 12,000 fans who keep up with his exploits on Instagram.

And they’re ravenous. Chatrooms lit up with soap opera curiosity in 2015 when he sold his LA apartment. How much did it cost? What does it mean for his boyfriend?

Fans hang on every word, and his relationship with them is symbiotic. In him, they see an idealized version of themselves and Wavey, the marketing manager-turnedinternet influencer, never strays far from his boy-next-door roots.

Don’t know Davey Wavey? Well, to paraphrase Rat Pack crooner Dean Martin’s description of Frank Sinatra, “It’s Davey’s world. We’re just living in it.”

For all the attention he gets and seeks, he exhibits nary a hint of celebrity attitude. A description that better fits him is evangelical. He is an unapologetic zealot for more mindful and connected encounters between men, which he believes will in turn foster a more loving, more inclusive community of gay brethren.

His New England preppy good looks and rigorous fitness regimen haven’t hurt his cause. Wavey (who does not use his birth name online) grew up in Rhode Island in a conservative Catholic family. He still splits his time between there and Palm Springs, although he says with a chuckle, “My family is no longer conservative or Catholic.”

Maybe one of the reasons Wavey is so comfortable in his own skin is that his earliest memories are entirely free of homophobia. “When I was young,” he recalls, “I thought that all the boys felt about other boys like I did. I would make out with my classmates. And it wasn’t until that ended in middle school that I realized no one was like me.

There wasn’t any internet or YouTube then. And then I met a family friend who my Mom explained to me later had a

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husband. She said, ‘And that’s called being gay.’”

At 16, Wavey came out to his friends. A year later, he told his parents. “It wasn’t the greatest experience,” he says with a wince.“My mom sent me to our Catholic priest, and I remember thinking, ‘Oh, this is gonna end well.’ I gave my folks a few years to come around, and they did. I figured the only thing that could get them to change their point of view was their love for me. And that’s exactly what it took.”

At college, Wavey spent time as a resident assistant — a garden-variety undergrad deputized as the dorm’s amateur authority figure and counselor. “I guess I’m a glutton for punishment,” he laughs. “I went from Catholic high school to a Catholic college as an RA. I saw a lot of incident reports about things the school didn’t like or want to recognize.

Long story short, it awakened an interest in supporting people like me. I got hired as a marketing manager by an LGBTQ rights group called the Family Equality Council to create community, so I started making YouTube videos, not thinking it would mean much. And then my seventh video was about my masturbating neighbor, and suddenly that video had several million views.”

Knowledge is power, so they say, and Wavey knew he had washed ashore on some uncharted isle of the cyberverse. “Honestly,” he admits, “I had a moment thinking to myself that I didn’t want any of this: seeing my life exposed online and having people comment on it. I was really put off by the whole idea. But I very quickly realized it was also an opportunity, if not a responsibility, to help other people like me. Shortly after that, Google bought YouTube and started monetizing content, and it became my full time job.”

Unlike many of his contemporaries — straight or LGBTQ — Wavey says he’s never pursued fame as an end unto itself. Instead, he says, “I’ve always created content about things I’m passionate about. Since I started at 23 years old, I’ve been driven by my passions and created videos about coming out and self-acceptance. That’s what my journey has been. And the stuff I’m interested in is different than a lot of what you see online. It’s honest and empowering at the same time.”

ALL PHOTOS THIS PIECE COURTESY DAVEY WAVEY

HOW DAVEY WAVEY BECAME A YOUTUBE SENSATION AND WHY HE’S USING THAT POWER TO CHANGE HOW GAY MEN LOOK AT EACH OTHER. BY KEVIN PHINNEY

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True, he’ll allow, the audience he’s amassed has provided a livelihood “in a world driven by metrics. But I don’t think about the numbers, because I don’t want to be some package in the world.

It’s never been a numbers game for me, and if enough tune in that I can make a living, that’s great. I don’t want to fall into the trap of chasing likes and clicks. That doesn’t seem like a particularly healthy perspective.”

What some might consider a lack of killer instinct, others regard as integrity. “I was in WeHo for two years,” he says, “and one of the reasons I only lasted there as long as I did is that so many people there look at fame as the end goal. The people I look up to didn’t do what they did to be famous. They were doing something they’re passionate about. So I’ve never asked myself, ‘What can I do to be famous?’ It’s a very disempowered approach. Doing what it is I love and making people laugh and smile and maybe learn something? I think people tune in because of that.”

Since he doesn’t deal in celebrity gossip or post every time a hot button issue starts to trend, the question arises: What does Davey Wavey have in common with the superstars of social media?

“That’s the big question, right?” he says with a twinge of mischief in his voice. “I think about this all the time when I’m evaluating myself. ‘Are you a good witch or a bad witch? Are you using your power to help people or to build your brand? I really measure myself by the content. You know, I’m not entirely sure what confluence of talents makes an influencer. Maybe they can take a sexy picture; maybe they have a message worth delivering. Me, I’m decent at a number of things. I’m not great at editing, filming or marketing. But I think that I’m decent at all of them. So I wear a lot of hats.”

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In 2017, he added to those responsibilities by launching HimerosTV.com, a website where Wavey gets to deliver his mantra of mindful exploration of intimacy between men.

The concept is meant to both expand and replace the template that the entertainment industry plants in the minds of almost every gay man: that sex is transactional. That people are archetypes meant to be used and discarded like products. That bringing 100 percent of who you are into your own sex life is something to fear.

Videos on the site turn that idea inside out. They include a man well into his 80s sharing a hot tub with men in their prime.

A quadriplegic is shown having the time of his life, and viewers can choose from an assortment interracial and daddy/boy scenes.

Subscribers will even find guided meditations (set to steamy visuals) on how to make even the most casual encounters into something beautiful that connects men to same-sex impulses that are as old as time.

“It’s authentic and joyful, the way we portray men interacting,”he says. “And it resonates deeply with my own experience. What most people watch is certainly designed to get you off, which is fine. But as gay men, it’s also served as our sex education, so a lot of us try to emulate what we see on our screens in our bedrooms. Porn is very good at getting you off, but it does nothing to create intimacy or connection. All of these things are important to living your best life.

So I wondered: ‘Can I use the same formula as my YouTube videos, and instead of goofiness and humor, can I package this so that we create content that is instructive rather than destructive?’”

Not being licensed in the field himself, Wavey partnered with tantric instructors, mental health experts and sexologists to create

videos that enhance men’s experience of what’s possible.

“So on our site, maybe the guy you see has a belly, or maybe he’s 83, or he might be in a wheelchair. We have our share of what the industry would call traditional guys on the site, too. But our community is so very siloed: young with young, older with older, and so forth. We’re trying to incorporate more of the range of guys we all experience in the real world, because they’re all hot in their own way. We want to open hearts and minds at the same time.”

Wavey believes that because we live in a youth-obsessed culture — especially when it comes to sex — people forget that experience has its advantages. “We filmed a scene with three generations of gay men,” he says. “Younger guys and guys in their 50s, 60s and 70s. And you can see what happens. The older men were so in their bodies with sound and movement; really inhabiting the moment. Yet it’s the 20-somethings we tend to collectively celebrate, even though they’re just starting out.”

Wavey is careful not to call more generic erotica obsolete.

“I think it’s a combination,” he muses, “but the apps we use have brought us to a place where sex is very transactional today. So I say, if you want to hook up, do it mindfully. Still connect with your partner in a way that’s real and present and intentional, not just mindless.”

Essentially, he says, “Our site is serving broccoli coated in something irresistible. And you can fool people into trying the good stuff. It’s a really good vehicle for pushing positive messages. We also host a deep-dive podcast, so it’s an opportunity to really have, like a gay dirty book club. We gather round and chat about it, like a bunch of queens. And we have a conversation which becomes very interactive.“ When Himeros conducted research, Wavey reports, 48 percent of his viewers wanted to see men over 50 rather than only models who share similar aesthetics, whether they were smooth, furry or otherwise.“Over time, archetypes become interchangeable,” he says. “It’s the same thing over and over. What I believe, especially when you’re measuring yourself against what you’re watching, it’s validating and empowering to see people who look like you do. People of color, people with disabilities, men of different shapes and sizes, all showing off the ecstasy and erotic connection that is our birthright.”

It’s an unusual calling for a boy who grew up conservative and Catholic, he’ll admit. But trying to enable men to reach out with their hearts and minds as well as their hands has given him a sense of purpose, as well as an opportunity to challenge his own imagination.

For the moment, that’s enough. “Ultimately, I’m not really worried whether people remember me or not,” says Wavey. “I hope people remember the message of what we’re doing. That they’re worthy, deserving and lovable. And sex can be an amazing vehicle for learning about life and the world around you.”

■ METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

43

THIS IS HOW YOU GROW

A SACRED FIG

ANYONE WHO BELIEVES THE PHRASE, “THOSE WHO CAN’T DO, TEACH”, HAS

clearly never met Anton Brandt. His preternatural ability to jump into gravity defying handstands or intertwine body parts (“binding” in yoga parlance) attests otherwise. Positions that would evoke fear or discomfort in most people are places of repose for the veteran yogi, who — after years of participating in others’ training programs decided to found The Sacred Fig — a roving school for international yoga students and certified teachers.

Tall and lean, Brandt has one of those bodies that appears to bend into any shape with relative ease. His calm vocal tone and clear eyes impart an energetic wisdom that extend well beyond his years. After a short amount of time in his presence, it appears Brandt was almost pre-ordained to become an instructor. Long before Brandt set foot into a studio (or even knew what yoga was, for that matter) he was drawn to key elements of the practice. And though the outcome in retrospect seems inevitable, his destiny had to find him first.

“During college, I’d smoke a joint, then go up to my dorm room, lay on my back and put my legs on the wall in what I now know is plow pose,”Brandt confides with a smile in his voice.“I would use that technique to draw inward, and did so for years before I learned that other people did the exact same thing - only they paid to do so in a class setting.”

Years after graduation and several spliffs later (but who’s counting?), Brandt found himself hiking at Joshua Tree in his home state of California. During this same camping trip, a friend suggested

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the two start their day off with a DIY yoga session.“We pulled out our sleeping mats and went through some poses,” he recalls.“I remember doing a Warrior 2 and realizing that was a huge access point for me - when I got into my breath and body, I knew it was what I had been seeking all along.”

From that moment on, Brandt couldn’t get enough. His passion for yoga led him to an ashram in India where he completed his first 200-hour yoga teacher training certification. Upon receiving his initial certificate, he immediately signed up for a second 200-hour course.

“The day I finished that, I sat in Vipassana - a silent form of meditation - for 10 days,” he shares. “I completed months of teacher training before going straight into that. And then I never really came home.”

After embarking on a third training program in Bali, Brandt landed in New York City where he taught at studios like Equinox and Sky Ting.

Eventually his ambitions would put him back on the road. “I never wanted to become a full-time studio instructor. I knew my dharma was to facilitate trainings,” he says with certainty. “My ultimate goal was to build a community so I could organize and lead more intensive training programs.”

And he did just that. Catching up with Brandt now, he’s just finished leading yet another 200-hour teacher training session in Coastal Alentejo, a city off the beaten path in Portugal, where he resides part time.

“I’ve always wanted to create the extraordinary, to give my students adventures and experiences that they’d never be able to find on their

ALL PHOTOS THIS SPREAD COURTESY SACRED FIG

BODY

HEALTH

Anton Brandt isn’t simply teaching yoga. He’s deeply invested in how to better embody its lessons - like LGBTQ inclusivity. BY MEGAN VENZIN

own,” he allows.“My farm in Portugal sits on the untouched Atlantic Coast. Here you can walk for miles along the beach without seeing another person — and that’s a good thing.”

Bringing students to these less trammeled locations in regions of Bali, India, Italy and Portugal are signatures of The Sacred Fig model, which has churned out more than 1,000 teachers since the company’s inception some five years ago. The 200-hour and 75-hour advanced trainings are fully immersive, starting with meditations every morning followed by rigorous asana and class lectures. All are delivered in intimate remote settings with the world’s leading voices in yoga instruction at the fore. Brandt’s handpicked destinations each possess unique qualities that complement his end goal of providing a sense of transformation within students. That means not only a physical transformation, as they deepen their practice and nosh on plant-based diets, but in their minds and spirits as they enter nature and disconnect from common distractions like technology (Remember: no cell phones in public spaces before asana!).

Also key to the Sacred Fig’s ethos is inclusivity. “I’m such a huge fan of inclusivity in yoga classes and studios. [Classes] should be as accessible for my mother as they are for my nephew,” he says. “There must be room for everyone, because we all need these tools. They are a practice in embodiment.”

When prospective students fill out their applications to participate in a teacher training, they’re then asked to provide their preferred pronouns. Brandt no longer assigns roommates based on gender, either.“As a faculty, we’ve cut out phrases like ‘you guys’,” he adds.“It’s just one way we are collectively working toward becoming a more conscious organization.”

Being part of the LGBTQ community himself, Brandt feels it’s his responsibility to uphold his core values both inside the shala and out. “I love being the leader of a strong community, and also being gay,” says Brandt.“I’m thrilled that I can be open with my sexuality and also serve as a role model for people who may want to become leaders in their own communities, whether those be in wellness or any other work they do. Growing up, I didn’t have gay mentors or role models; I had to find that for myself.” Now Brandt is giving students what he never had. And he’s spreading those positive messages from one continent to another.

In the same way someone’s yoga journey is considered unending, so too is the trajectory for The Sacred Fig. Soon, Brandt and his partner (yoga instructor Tony Lupinacci) will open a Wellness Retreat Center in Puglia, located along the southern tip of Italy’s “boot”.

The wellness center will serve as a new location for Brandt to demonstrate that he has the capacity to“do”as much as he does to“teach.” The site will also join the growing list of places he reverently refers to as “home”.

“That’s the joy of having a practice,” he says matter-of-factly. “When I’m eating, speaking and moving with intention; when I’m surrounded by others who are also doing the work — I’m living into my dharma. I’m at home.” ■

Anton’s classes are known for their potent combination of movement, breath and beat. Search “Anton Brandt” to peruse dozens of his yoga playlists on Spotify.

Some of his favorite artists to move to include: s &EATHERED 3UN s ,UCHS s 'ARTH 3TEVENSON s 3OL 2ISING s $* 4AZ 2ASHID s 0ORANGUI s 0ARRA FOR #UVA s .ICOLA #RUZ s 2ODRIGO 'ALLARDO You can learn more by following @thesacredfig on Instagram and Facebook or visiting them online at thesacredfig.com.

METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

45

FINDING FITNESS

Having trouble finding a workout routine that’s right for you? Check out these apps —

BODY

HEALTH

all designed to point you in the right direction. BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY LGBTQ PERSON WE TALK TO IS OBSESSED WITH FITNESS. BUT WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY OPTIONS AVAILABLE, FINDING WHAT WORKS

for you can seem overwhelming. In April 2019, Wellness Creative Co. published Gym Market Research & Industry Stats 2019. The report shared that more than one in five Americans belongs to at least one U.S. health club or studio. That means in 2018 there were 62.5 million gym members in the United States. But what about the rest of us? In a survey conducted by ClassPass last December, 59% of respondents said their 2019 resolution was to exercise more. We’re well into 2019 at this point, but it’s never too late to recommit: If you are new to fitness, new to your town, or simply trying to pump some new energy into your fitness routine, how do you find options to start or upgrade your workouts? Tech companies ClassPass and MINDBODY are two great resources for finding something just right for you.

MINDBODY MINDBODY, which describes itself as the leading technology platform for the wellness industry, is one of the top resources for finding both fitness and gym classes (plus local spa and salon treatments). The app even states,“We get it; the struggle is real. But finding & booking wellness services doesn’t have to be. There are no memberships or commitments, so you can drop in at a nearby gym or try a new fitness class at a great price.” If MINDBODY sounds familiar, that may be because it’s been around since 2001. Rick Stollmeyer founded the company in his garage in San Luis Obispo, California and over the years the company has grown to roughly 2,000 employees. MINDBODY offers a wide variety of classes, including barre, CrossFit, Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi, Bootcamp, Dance, Interval Training, Aerial, Gymnastics and more. You can filter classes by location, date and fitness category in order to ensure you’ll find the right fit. Or, if you’re in a mood to pamper yourself, you can opt to search for local salons and spas. Just how popular is MINDBODY? Well, they process some 5.5 million classes each day. In addition, the company recently introduced something long in the works: The MINDBODY Wellness Index, a statistical ranking of the overall health of the metropolitan areas in the United States. Their studies found that Austin-Round Rock, TX; San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA; Raleigh, NC; Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA; Tampa-St. PetersburgClearwater, FL; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clarita, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; and San Diego-Carlsbad, CA make up the 10 Strongest Wellness Markets in America. Are you in one of those cities? Jump into a class! Not in one of these cities? MINDBODY most likely still has some classes in your neck of the woods. Download their app and see for yourself.

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CLASSPASS Looking to find a local gym or studio, but can’t decide where to go? ClassPass can help you to sample a few local options and allow you the flexibility to search and try out various local classes. The company was founded in 2013

by Payal Kadakia, who was struggling to find a good dance class to join after work. Now, it’s a“monthly subscription service providing access to the world’s largest network of boutique fitness studios and gyms.” In less than a decade, ClassPass has grown to claim that it’s the world’s leading fitness membership and largest fitness network. ClassPass has more than 15,000 partners in 80 cities worldwide. Whether you prefer Pilates, yoga, cycling, barre, running, strength training, dance, sports or videos, they have you covered. Are you a jet setter? They’ve got that covered, too. In fact, ClassPass recently acquired GuavaPass, an aggregator of fitness experiences operating in Asia and the Middle East (including cities like Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai and Singapore). Recently, the company also launched an option they call “ClassPass Getaways.” It’s a series of experiential events exclusively available to members. Getaways transports fitness enthusiasts to luxurious locations for carefully curated adventures, including one-of-a-kind fitness programming from boutique studios, complementary treatments and an assortment of special treats.“At ClassPass we aim to provide stepping stones toward an active and inspired lifestyle, and ClassPass Getaways will do just that. We’re thrilled to give members the opportunity to take a mini-escape from their day-to-day to try new things and explore unfamiliar places. It’s our hope that attendees will leave feeling energized and empowered to continue living life to their

absolute fullest,” said Payal Kadakia. Interested in a Class Pass free trial? Check out their Instagram Page for a link in their profile. Book a spot and get yourself moving today.

■

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47

WHO SHOULD GET TESTED FOR HIV? EVERYONE.

See how often testing is recommended.

Visit HelpStopTheVirus.com © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. UNBC3150 06/16

feeling the burn spend inordinate amounts of time together. We run our own business. I write books, and he assists the publisher with all of my author marketing, touring, speaking engagements and social media efforts. We manage two households.

We even eat nearly every meal together.

What’s more, we travel together. Often, we end up in the same car for days and weeks at a time. We are not merely coworkers and business partners.

I like to term what we are as “gleefully codependent.”

Mostly, we are best friends.

However, when it comes to working out, we have very different routines. I go solo, while Gary goes group. I like to run long distances or work out at the gym. Gary thrives in a class environment. He goes to yoga nearly every day. He loves any class that has choreography — from spin to cardio funk.

I thought that this was working out well for us. We were not only taking care of ourselves, but also getting a mini-break from one another every day. Even our timing was staggered.

Gary loved to work out in the morning, while I preferred to go after lunch.

And yet, for years, Gary begged me to do yoga with him.

“I feel like you’re missing out on a big part of who I am,” he told me. “I think you’d love yoga, too. You run so much. You need to stretch more.”

I didn’t disagree with that conclusion. But Gary also knows that I don’t do well in group classes. Not only do I not feel the need to be motivated by a stranger, but I am also visually dyslexic. I simply cannot follow someone doing a routine backward.

For a brief time, Gary taught Zumba and kickboxing. I distinctly recall that when I attempted Zumba, I looked like Elaine dancing on Seinfeld. And when I tried kickboxing, I struck a woman in her hoo-ha with my foot.

Nevertheless, after a week of endless begging, I finally caved and went to yoga with Gary. It didn’t go well.

Gary didn’t warn me that they chanted and sang in the beginning of class. This is another thing I hate about group work.

Gamely, I mouthed “banana” until they were done.

Next, they began to maneuver into positions my body didn’t

particularly enjoy at eight in the morning. I fell over once, kicked Gary’s water bottle like I was trying to hit a field goal, cursed him (not under my breath), and did every pose in the exact opposite direction of what the instructor wanted. She said my name so many times, I felt as if we were dating.

Yet I am also one of the most competitive humans on the planet. A bunch of teenagers tried to pass me at the end of a 10k once, saying, “Let’s take the old guy.” I nearly lost a spleen just to spite them. So, after a determined hour of yoga, I finally began to understand the poses. And by the end of the hour and a half class, I even did a butterfly pose that was praised by the instructor.

“Showoff,” Gary said at the end of the class. “Didn’t you have fun, though? Isn’t it fun to work out with me?”

I looked at him. “Now it’s your turn,” I said.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, now it’s your turn to work out with me. Quid pro quo.”

“I don’t know what that means,” he said.

He soon found out.

That weekend, I made Gary run six miles with me.

Gary despises running. He finds it even more horrific than Fox News. I took him on my favorite run along a trail overlooking Lake Michigan. It’s beautiful, but hilly.

Gary moved at the pace of a turtle. With a truck on its shell.

What would have taken me 45 minutes to complete seemed to take Gary a week. I’d run way ahead and circle back to make sure he was alive.

“You’re like a vulture!” Gary finally screamed. “Stop circling!”

“Stop asking me to do classes with you!” I yelled.

Gary stopped. “You don’t like working out with me?”

“Do you like working out with me?”

Ultimately, Gary and I came to a complementary agreement after I resuscitated him. While we still generally adhere to our own fitness routines, we also use each other’s regimens as learning tools. He’ll take walks and hikes with me. I will stretch and even do some yoga with him.

These days we couldn’t be healthier.

Or happier.

■

views

My husband Gary and I

diary

After years of embracing decidedly contrasting fitness routines, husbands Wade and Gary attempt to embrace one another’s regimens of choice. BY WADE ROUSE

Check out Wade’s latest novel under the pen name Viola Shipman, The Summer Cottage, and visit him online at waderouse.com. has anyone taken a risk to show their love for you? share your story in “gay voices” at metrosource.com. metrosource.com august/september 2019

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A photographer exhibits flair for both the ordinary and the extraordinary, while chefs celebrate international fusion. Plus, tennis anyone? By sebastian fortino

SKREBNESKI DOCUMENTED: 1948 - 2018

By Victor Skrebneski; Rizzoli New York; $150.00 Some photo books bring to mind Hemingway’s recollections of

Paris in the 1920s: they are “a moveable feast.” The work of American famed photographer Victor Skrebneski, who was born in 1929, easily captures those ideas of the sacred and the profane. Across the 325 images collected here is something for anyone who appreciates art.

Skrebneski is renowned for his stylish glamorous fashion and advertising photography. The artist is also noted for his profoundly sensuous and sculptural nude studies as well as for casually elegant portraits of friends and the famous. The latter includes a veritable cavalcade of one-name stars: Minnelli, Warhol, Hepburn, Bowie, Ross.

In terms of noted American celebrities, Skrebneski’s images of Orson Welles loom larger than life — as Welles most certainly did.

A bearded face with the elan of a childlike curiosity looms over the darkly shrouded temple of his body. Bette Davis, captured in later

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years (but almost certainly long before her strokes and later ill health) is instantly recognizable — indelible as she ever appeared on the silver screen. Skrebneski is also known for snapping numerous photos of the legendary Audrey Hepburn in her prime. While there isn’t as much of her in this book as you’d expect, there is a fitting homage to the actress and humanitarian. Appropriately, some of the shots capture the image of a Givenchy label and, later, Hepburn seated next to Hubert de Givenchy.

But the photographer’s subjects vary. One wonders: Who is the plain woman who recurs in multiple shots from the 1950s? Did Skrebneski make an act of contrition after photographing the French church advertising “connfesseurs”? Why is the woman ordering a drink with her dog at a bar so very happy? Did he have his fortune read by Gina, the fortune teller, staring out her shop window? We may never know for sure, but the images invite us to happily conjure up our own answers.

this page: images from Skrebneski Documented: 1948-2018 byVictor Skrebneski. courtesy Rizzoli New York, 2019.

culture

books

more to love

Press • “Steven würth: Tennis Fan” images courtesy steven würth/artbook|dap this page: Images from “A Place at the Table” courtesy Prestel

A Place at the Table: New American Recipes from the Nation’s Top Foreign-Born Chefs Edited by Gabrielle Langholtz & Rick Kinsel; Prestel Press; $40.00 despite rabid xenophobia on the part of some of our elected officials,

the U.S. traditionally regards itself as a melting pot of people and ideas.

Perhaps this is best represented in our vast variety of culinary experiences.

Luckily for foodies and hungry people everywhere Americans have a long rich tradition of adopting the cuisines of newcomers. Consider what a night in would be without options like pizza, pad thai, tacos or sushi.

In A Place at the Table: New American Recipes from the Nation’s Top Foreign-Born Chefs editors Gabrielle Langholtz and Rick Kinsel have collected recipes from chefs who came to our shores with unique takes on (and taste in) food. This volume was created in partnership with the Vilcek Foundation, an organization which celebrates the contributions of immigrants to American society. Some 40 chefs are represented, including Dominique Crenn of France and San Francisco and Marcus Samuelsson with his Ethiopian/Swedish influences. Emma Bengsston, who brought her Western Swedish to NewYork is also celebrated along with rising stars.

Consider Scallops with Ponzu-Poached Butternut Squash by Colombian-born, French-trained chef Cesar Gutierrez for your next pescatarian guest. Open a fine wine to pair with chef Joseph Sukhendra’s Rosemary-Roasted Leg of Lamb and Mint Chutney. Sukhendra was born in New Zealand of Fijian and Indian heritage, and his recipe celebrates both savory influences.

Charles Olalia offers up a dessert based on a dish from his native Philippines using a staple found in American fruit bowls and larders all over the country: it’s a Banana Bibingka cake sweetened partially by coconut milk. “Moving stateside has allowed me to gain valuable experience I could not have gained if I stayed in the Philippines,” Olalia states simply. That sentiment is echoed by the chefs over and over again.

They treasure the food cultures they came to and from. And they each celebrate creating something exciting and new. As American eaters, we are lucky to have such international fare on our menus and on our lips.

Stephen Würth: Tennis Fan

By Stephen Würth; Distributed by ARTBOOK | D.A.P.; $40.00 Sports photography is a genre which has to capture the action

going on at any given moment. But that of course tells only part of the story. In Tennis Fan, by German-born photographer and tennis enthusiast Stephen Würth, we see well past what’s happening while the balls are in the air. In fact, this tome delivers much more of what goes on beyond the sidelines and baselines - and all the way off the court - with a confidence that what exists out of bounds is just as important.

From the very start, readers will be able to tell they are in for a different kind of sporting experience: The bold red cover displays the title and author name in a refreshing 1970s font, prompting them to wonder: Is that when this artist first fell in love with tennis?

Würth goes on to capture dramas of life on and off the court. He

catalogues empty arenas, hard-pressed cameramen, and of course ecstatic fans. The photos - all in black and white - starkly capture both the energy of actual matches and the way players and the sport are represented in the media. There is a quiet, almost sacred love of the game revealed in these photos. Even a small item, such as a tool used to mark court lines, takes on the sculptural quality of an object whose purpose lies in motion, deserves contemplation while momentarily at rest.

Whether his lens finds a location is a rooftop in Manhattan, a match in Palm Springs, a billboard featuring a three-dimensional tennis racket, or a snapshot of an a Nike ad taken on a gritty subway platform, Würth chooses not to simply record the sport, but its hold on him and his world as an artist and tennis fan. metrosource.com august/september 2019

51

Hotel-Dieu-Fotolia

IN LYON, THERE IS A STREET NAMED FOR SISTER BOUVIER, WHO DELIVERED

more than 100,000 babies during her decades-long tenure as a member of the hospital order at Hôtel-Dieu (or “hostel of God”).

One of the most historic buildings in France, Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon was the hospital where nearly two-thirds of all Lyonnais were born.

It’s an imposing structure along the Rhône with a 1,300-foot façade built by Soufflot, the architect who designed the Pantheon in Paris.

For more than 800 years, this magnificent structure has been a symbol of Lyon’s beneficence — first as a refuge for travelers and clergy in the 12th century and later for ex-prostitutes who, once they were coaxed off the streets by priests, formed the hospital’s nursing staff. What a testament to Lyonnais humanity: to be delivered into the world by former street-walking ladies of the night.

Much of this rich history is evident throughout Grand HôtelDieu, a brand-new hospitality and gastronomic complex that has transformed Lyon’s premier hospital into a dynamic center of luxury and well-being. Medicinal plants and botanical herbs bloom throughout the cloister gardens and courtyards. They now house restaurants and lounges such as Buddha Bar and L’Officine, as well as the fivestar InterContinental Lyon-Hotel Dieu. In a nod to the historic hospital’s fabled 70-ingredient theriaca (a cure-all panacea comprised primarily of opium poppies), the apothecaries fronting the Rhône in Soufflot’s original 18th-century design are now boutiques devoted to 21st-century health and wellness.

Nestled in the heart of Lyon’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Grand Hôtel-Dieu is also home to Lyon’s Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie: an interactive laboratory that focuses on food as a source of both pleasure and health. Designated“the world capital of gastronomy” by the famed 19th-century French food author Curnonsky, Lyon remains the spiritual home of Paul Bocuse, the beloved chef of chefs whose nouvelle cuisine revolutionized French cuisine with its focus on lighter,

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seasonal fare. And it was “Monsieur Paul” (as he’s affectionately known throughout the city) who founded the Bocuse d’Or, Lyon’s biennial cooking competition that has become the gastronomic equivalent of the World Cup. In part, Lyon’s culinary prowess is a consequence of its optimal location at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers where it is surrounded by several illustrious wine regions, including Beaujolais and Côte du Rhône AOC. Even during the Middle Ages, spiritual travelers would attest to Lyon’s gastronomic excellence, which is reflected today in the city’s 23 Michelin stars and a staggering 4,000 restaurants. Beloved for its bouchons (cozy inns serving the traditional Lyonnais cuisine often associated with grandmothers), Lyon has been cited by UNESCO for its rich foodie heritage. At Le Bistrot d’Abel, one of the city-certified Les Bouchons Lyonnais, guests can descend into a Proustian reverie induced by French comfort food such as pâté en croûte and pillowy quenelles, followed by baba au rhum.

Amidst such plenitude, it’s relatively easy to succumb to gluttony —particularly when confronted with a buffet laden with Lyon’s signature tartes aux pralines: rose-colored almond confections that melt in the mouth like cotton candy. Equally addictive are the regional cheeses and oysters shucked by the bushel at Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse. Home to more than 50 purveyors of Lyonnais delicacies, the market first opened in 1859 and has remained Lyon’s culinary centerpiece. Both locals and visitors commingle around the comptoir to sip and slurp side by side.

Further gastronomic temptations await at Le Grand Réfectoire, housed in the former refectory of the sisters of the hospital —complete with the pulpit from which the mother superior read aloud from her Bible during the sisters’ silent meals. Certainly those times have changed and the spectacular vault-ceilinged room now thrums with energy behind the guidance of Michelin-starred chef Marcel Ravin, who comple-

THIS PAGE: HOTEL-DIEU BY FRÉDÉRIC PROCHASSON PHOTOGRAPHE

SLEEP IN AN ANCIENT HOSPITAL, EAT WHERE THE CULINARY WORLD CUP TAKES PLACE, AND SEE A LIGHT SHOW LIKE NO OTHER ON EARTH. BY MARK A. THOMPSON

This page: Vieux Lyon de nuit by www.b-rob.com • Opera Lyon by Stofleth • Cells - théâtre des Célestins by Brice Robert for Only Lyon • You and the night - Place des Jacobins by Brice Robert for Only Lyon • Une petite place pour de grands ràves 2 Place Bellecourby Brice Robert for Only Lyon • Reflets - Colline de Fourviäre -by Brice Robert for Only Lyon

Vieux Lyon de nuit

ments traditional Lyonnais cuisine with indigenous ingredients from his native Martinique.

Yet even in the face of overindulgence, Lyon retains its reputation for health and well-being. Bicycles are as abundant as baguettes — with more than 4,000 shareable Vélo’v bikes available for traversing the city’s 300 miles of cycling routes. At Tête d’Or Park, which flanks the city’s contemporary art museum (known as MAC), nearly 400 acres of verdant meadows and rose gardens surround a vast 40-acre boating lake. Redeveloped river banks provide endless enclaves of relaxation with barge restaurants and floating bars that morph into moon-kissed clubs.

Maybe it’s something in the water, but innovation has been an integral part of the city’s reputation since Lyon’s dominance of the silk industry began in the 16th century. It is to Lyon that we trace the development of the Jacquard weaving loom, which is considered a forerunner to the computer. At the former Hôtel-Dieu, the Lumière brothers also pioneered the use of X-rays to treat cancer. And fun fact: the local duo also invented modern cinema and color photography.

Equally inventive is the city’s annual light festival known as Fête des Lumières, which illuminates the city with such a glow that French astronauts photograph it from the international space station. More than 30 international artists create scores of spellbinding installations throughout the city’s squares and parks. As Lyon Mayor Gérard Collomb states,“Few Opera Lyon

You and the night - Place des Jacobins

events are better positioned than Fête des Lumières, with its universal symbol of light, to showcase the soul of Lyon: its values of unity, sharing and solidarity.”

In keeping with the city’s sense of inclusiveness, Lyon hosts various annual LGBTQ events, including France’s second-largest Pride Parade each June. The event concludes with a massive festival on Place Bellecour, the largest pedestrian square in Europe. Biennial de la Danse occurs in September. In October, that’s followed by Lumière Festival, a celebration of film curated by the Institut Lumière with nearly 200 offerings shown on screens throughout the city.

Often listed as one of the world’s most livable cities, Lyon is home to no less than 29 bridges which straddle the rivers and make the city one of the most pedestrian-friendly in Europe. At Okko Hotels Lyon Pont Lafayette, premium rooms front onto the Rhône, with sweeping skywide vistas that lend veracity to the hotel’s tagline: Four stars and no clouds.

Behind the hotel’s traditional 19th-century Haussmann façade exists a sleekly urbane all-inclusive property that functions as a private club for guests, complete with a lounge and living spaces that are impeccably outfitted for 21st-century comfort. In the evenings, an Italian-style apéritivo is served with a focus on local products and regional wines. By that point, you’ll have plenty of reasons to toast l’art de vivre in Lyon. And you can always bike away that butter tomorrow.

■ Cells - Théâtre des Célestins

Une petite place pour de grands ràves 2 Place Bellecour

Reflets - Colline de Fourviäre

Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

Studio Phylicia

Exterior De L’Europe (1) - High Res-Hotel De L’Europe-Redactioneel

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BACK IN THE 1980S, AMSTERDAM WAS THE SIN CITY OF EUROPE. IT WAS THE CITY

where my boyfriend and I traveled whenever we needed respite from the Biblebleating hegemony of the United States. Grittier than New York, Amsterdam celebrated sex with abundant boys and brothels. Around every corner were cannabis coffeeshops. And when those clubs closed, there was Indonesian rijsttafel — a munchies-sating feast imported from colonial Dutch culture back when the Netherlands ruled much of the known world.

As UNESCO noted in 2010 when designating the city a World Heritage Site, Amsterdam’s tolerant and cosmopolitan culture evolved alongside its maritime trading empire. It also reflects the spirit of the Calvinist Reformation which made the city a refuge for generations oppressed by religious persecution. It’s unlikely that John Calvin anticipated Amsterdam’s ongoing popularity for stag and hen parties or the enduring appeal of its red light district. Nonetheless, and similar to Las Vegas, Amsterdam has always cultivated a laissez-faire attitude that has proven alluring to nearly 18 million annual visitors.

And just as Vegas has polished its brassy image over recent years, Amsterdam has done the same to usher in a 21st-century renaissance that replicates the prosperity and cultural prowess of its Golden Age. Throughout the 17th century, Amsterdam was the hub of global trade and the world’s most formidable economic power. As the majority shareholder in the world’s first multinational corporation, the Dutch East India Company, Amsterdam was renowned for its wealth, which was made manifest in art, architecture and haute cuisine.

At the Rijksmuseum, there is a genre of Golden Age painting known as pronkstilleven. It is famed for depictions of “ostentatious still life” — ornate canvases resplendent with abundance of flora, fruits and fauna that represented the patron’s affluence. Similarly, patrons at the museum’s Michelin-starred RIJKS restaurant are now fêted with new Dutch cuisine in a room reflective of the timeless grandeur of its recently-restored museum. In honor of one of the Golden Age’s most remarkable artists, Rijksmuseum has designated 2019 as the Year of Rembrandt with an exhibition of the world’s largest collection of the artist’s works, including Rembrandt’s masterpiece The Night Watch.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY THEIR RESPECTIVE ESTABLISHMENTS AND MRNY.COM

Waldorf Astoria Lobby

THE CITY, LONG CONSIDERED THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR INDULGING EVERY DESIRE, IS EXPERIENCING ITS OWN SPECIAL RENAISSANCE. BY MARK A. THOMPSON

Bijenkorf

Rijksmuseum

Not long after the Rijksmuseum opened in 1885, an unknown painter named Vincent Van Gogh wrote his brother declaiming, “It is with justice that they call Rembrandt ‘magician.’” Less than a hundred years later, the Van Gogh Museum opened near Rijksmuseum on Museumplein where it has become the most visited museum in the entire country. The world’s largest collection of works by Van Gogh is housed in a spectacular structure that also offers private dining experiences within view of Van Gogh’s self-portraits.

In another prescient letter,Van Gogh mused,“I’d like to do a decoration for the studio. Nothing but large sunflowers.”Today, those immortal sunflowers are also on view at the museum — including a reproduction that invites touch for the blind and partially sighted.

On the floral front, Amsterdam is also renowned for its tulips, which contributed to the city’s speculative wealth as a coveted luxury item during the 17th century. Guests at Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam are granted access to one of Amsterdam’s largest private gardens with more than 7,000 tulips. The hotel’s six adjoining UNESCO-listed canal palaces face the Herengracht, home to the city’s most illustrious citizens.

Inspired by the Waldorf Astoria flagship in Manhattan, the hotel’s marble lobby leads onto Peacock Alley where afternoon tea is served daily, augmented by musical accompaniment. For those guests who cherish their privacy, the garden’s octagonal 18th-century teahouse provides a perfect setting for private dining. It is particularly coveted for marriage proposals, but would be appropriate for almost any occasion involving the presentation of diamonds.

In the 17th century, nearly all of the world’s cut diamonds came through the ports of Amsterdam — and today the city remains a diamond capital. That’s due in part to Royal Coster Diamonds, the world’s oldest diamond polishing company. Equally prestigious, Gassan Diamonds hosts nearly half a million annual visitors at its factory and showroom. The Diamonds & Champagne package assures one lucky guest will leave with a cut diamond at the bottom of their champagne flute.

Given that Amsterdam was the Queen Bee of the mercantile world during its Golden Age, it’s fitting that the city’s premier department store, de Bijenkorf, is named for the Dutch word for beehive. That’s an accurate analogy for navigating the Netherlands’ most eye-popping emporium.

A haven of luxury since its founding in 1870, de Bijenkorf offers various dining options, beauty treatments and a personal shopping lounge for couture consultations. In keeping with the city’s esteem for arts and culture, de Bijenkorf inaugurated its artist-in-residence project in 2015 — which includes a panoramic rooftop studio apartment in the store’s historic tower to house accepted artists.

And while you’re buzzing about, you’ll note Amsterdam is a city of cyclists with more bicycles than residents. They peddle by the city’s 62 miles of canals, lined with 7,000 monuments. Built in 1987 as the world’s

Peacock Alley Spectrum - Zwarte Truffel

first LGBTQ memorial, Amsterdam’s Homomonument commemorates those persecuted throughout history — and especially during WWII. Equally inspiring are the denizens of Rapido, Amsterdam’s long-running party at the legendary Paradiso. What was once an 18th-century church building now houses a polyglot congregation of party people pounding floorboards previously trod by Lady Gaga, Madonna, Patti Smith and scores of other entertainers. More than 180 nationalities are represented in Amsterdam’s population — and a night at Rapido serves as a reminder of Amsterdam’s diversity and tolerance. For after all, it was in Amsterdam that the first same-sex marriage occurred after the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2000.

While it’s entirely possible to party all day and night in Amsterdam — particularly during ADE, the five-day annual autumn dance music festival that has become the largest club-based festival in the world — it’s equally restorative to return to the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam and check into the hotel’s Guerlain Spa for an afternoon of Champagne and hydrotherapy. Before the bubbles go to your head, be sure to raise a glass to Amsterdam's new Golden Age. ■ metrosource.com august/september 2019

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Balance is the way to a fabulous bath. By Deborah L. Martin In the most private room of the house, function is obviously impor-

tant, but it should definitely go hand-in-hand with form if you want to bathe in beauty. Think Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman or Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra. Enjoy your“me time”in the lap of luxury. Bathing — in an actual tub full of sudsy, decadently scented bubbles — is trendy all over again after decades of make-it-snappy showering. Search the hashtag #bathart on Instagram to see everyone from Rihanna to your favorite influencer du jour lounging around in tubs full of psychedelic-colored water, accompanied by a glass of sparkling rosé, beautiful apothecary-style toiletries and stacks of towels in all the hues of the rainbow. Don’t forget the rubber ducky.

Claw-footed tubs evoke luxurious nostalgia, and for those who want go full-Victorian, there are plenty of places around the country that specialize in rescuing such beautiful bits from bygone eras. In New York, Urban Archaeology is one of the primary sources for an authentic clawfoot or pedestal tub, likely salvaged from the estate of a titan of industry. If restoration is not in the cards, many manufacturers are designing tubs that evoke the beautiful designs of the past, but whose feet are firmly planted in the present. Kohler’s Artifacts collection offers ways to add classic touches to your daily ablutions: Their tubs, sinks, toilets and hardware come in vintage shapes and interesting finishes, including the very modern black plum (pictured, bottom right). The Artifacts tub can also be used with a base, for a more contemporary but still-elegant look. The Memoirs collection (pictured, top right) is also a retro-contemporary Kohler option that has tall gently sloping sides. Inside, bathers will find full lumbar support, which makes a deep long soak both therapeutic and comfortable.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Viu and XViu (pictured, left) collections from Duravit in collaboration with Sieger design exude beauty and glamour via geometric shapes and post-industrial elegance. Their strict geometry contrasts with the more organic shapes of the sinks in the line and is complemented by the ornate finishes and colors of the tubs, august/september 2019

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basins and such furniture as consoles, storage cabinets and vanities. For those whose tastes tilt minimalist, the collection includes glass cabinets and shelves. Christian Sieger says, “The perfection of a product is contained in the many aspects that you only notice on the second look: for example, the pretty inner lining of a suit jacket, the open engine compartment of a vehicle. We made that our motto with Viu/XViu. When I lie in the bathtub, I have a completely different perspective, for instance of the underside of the washbasin, and we wanted to take that into account, too.

It was at the front of our minds for every last detail of the series.”

When it comes to creating moods, lighting is always key. Harsh lights are not conducive to relaxation. However, some task lighting is also necessary, since you don’t want to shave or do your hair by candlelight. But lighting overall should be soft and gentle. Mixing decorative elements and periods — like pairing a claw foot tub and minimalist lighting —will keep your space from looking like the master bath in Norma Desmond’s manse.

The Ray sconce from Stickbulb is a beautifully designed new offering, introduced this year at ICFF. Stickbulb’s co-founder, Russell Greenberg says, “Ray is simple, clean, and quiet. The design is so minimal that it draws your attention closer to the subtle details of the wood grain and the machined precision of the sconce construction.” As with all of the company’s collections, the line comes in five carefully-curated wood types: sustainablysourced Maple, Walnut and Ebonized Oak, as well as reclaimed Heart Pine and Water Tower Redwood. All of Stickbulb’s wood is sourced from demolished buildings, decommissioned water towers, fallen trees and sustainably-grown forests. It’s time for conscious elegance.

Even if you don’t have time or resources for a complete remodel, you can still remake your bathroom into the calming private oasis you deserve.

The most important factor in creating a comfortable room is a sense of harmony and subtle contrast. Then sinking into a warm bubble bath in a room that soothes the senses becomes its own reward.

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tphotos his page (clockwise from left): courtesy viu/xvie • courtesy The Memoirs collection • courtesy kohler’s artifacts collection

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BATHING BEAUTY

CELERY, CRYSTALS, & CANCER:

An End of Summer Health Book Roundup Discover the power of celery; learn it’s not too late to transition; fight cancer with food; and — have you considered crystals? BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES

HAVE YOU NOTICED CELERY JUICE IS

suddenly everywhere? Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Dean Winters, Liv Tyler, Robert De Niro and even Kim Kardashian have gotten into it. A simple search for #celeryjuice on Instagram will return more than 162,000 posts. What’s the reason for the new craze? Anthony William has a few things to say about it:

Known as the “originator of the global celery juice movement,” William has been using his natural-born gifts to “read”people’s conditions and tell them how to recover their health. He’s the #1 NYT best-selling author of books like Medical Medium Liver Rescue: Answers to Eczema, Psoriasis, Gallstones, Adrenal Stress, Fatigue, Fatty Liver, Weight Issues, SIBO & Autoimmune Disease. His latest tome, Medical Medium Celery Juice: The Most Powerful Medicine in Our Time Healing Millions Worldwide takes readers into a closer look at the reasons for this focus on the buzz surrounding the often overlooked and underestimated vegetable. In the first chapter, the author explores the origins of celery juice and his intent to“ignite the global celery juice movement while dying out the fire of chronic symptoms and illness.” The

book explains the juice’s benefits and its value before getting into the topic of “How to Make Celery Juice Work for You” in Chapter 4, which gives you actual instructions and ideas for how to ease it into your everyday diet, including tips for those with juicers or blenders. William also weighs celery juice’s relationship to allergies. And the book even addresses whether you should even consider celery juice for your furry friends. The next couple chapters reveal “The Celery Juice Cleanse,” and “Healing and Detox Answers” in addition to “Rumors, Concerns, and Myths and More Healing Guidance.”Out of celery?

Chapter nine offers healthy alternatives, including cucumber juice, ginger and aloe water. The book also includes an index, inspiring quotes and a handy table of conversion charts.

IT NEVER GOES AWAY DR. ANNE L. KOCH’S It Never Goes Away:

Gender Transition at a Mature Age is a perfect read for anyone considering transitioning later in life. Koch, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, is the founder and past director of the post-doctoral program in endodontics and microsurgery at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

“If you are transgendered, the feeling of wanting your body to match the sex you

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feel you are never goes away. It is always there, like the tide.”Now that gender reassignment is more common, many wonder if it’s time to undergo the procedures they may have always dreamt of. Koch was married twice, is a veteran and traveled the world as a man before starting anew as Anne Koch at the age of 63. This memoir is also her personal map and a guidebook to those walking in similar footsteps.

THIS PAGE: BACKGROUND STOCK PHOTO CREDIT WARRENGOLDSWAIN

BODY

HEALTH

MEDICAL MEDIUM CELERY JUICE

CANCER FREE WITH FOOD

RESEARCHER

LINDA

WERNER-

Gray’s latest book, Cancer Free with Food: A Step-by-Step Plan with 100+ Recipes to Fight Disease, Nourish Your Body & Restore Your Health is a simple comprehensive guide to nutrition for those who have been diagnosed with cancer,

Werner-Gray teaches things like how to eat to strengthen your immune system — and conversely what foods to avoid. The second part provides a useful map for healthier living, with more than 200 recipes for immune-boosting juices, brain protecting smoothies, lifeextending lunches and dinners, comforting soups and broths, sides, condiments and even some sweet snacks. Indulge in meals like the Anti-cancer Omelet, or the Crazy Sexy Bean Chili, Dr. Oz’s Sauteed Portobello Mushrooms, Chocolate Almond Butter Cups, or Cashew Cheesecake. This book can be a useful guide for you, or a thoughtful gift for someone you know who has cancer or anyone interested in reading about steps toward a cancer-free life.

BODY

HEALTH

HEALTH

have a history of cancer in their family, or are interested in preventative measures.

The book unveils the latest scientific discoveries about what ingredients can help a body remain cancer-free, including some of the top cancer healing foods such as turmeric, blueberries, broccoli, flaxseed, dark leafy greens, garlic, mushrooms, cacao and tiger nuts. There are two parts to Cancer Free with Food: “Food as Medicine” and “Cancer-Free With Food Recipes.” Part One delves into the seven key nutritional principles for preventing and overcoming cancer, the top fifteen cancer-healing foods, anti-cancer supplements, which toxic foods to avoid, how to live the food upgrade mindset and an extremely useful list of healing guides for common cancers.

A NATIVE OF SOUTH AMERICA, BEATRIZ

Singer was introduced to the art of crystal healing by Hindu masters in India and was recognized as a crystal healer in Colombia, where she became a pioneer of crystal healing and the founder and director of the first

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interfaith alternative-therapy centers, The Centro de Integración Shambalah. In her new book, The Crystal Blueprint: Reconnect with Your Authentic Self Through the Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science of Quartz Crystals, she reveals that the same qualities that make crystals so desirable in modern technology have done so for healers for thousands of years. The book puts a strong focus on quartz, offering a self-guide for transformation, how to heal wounds and release patterns. Did you know it’s estimated that 10 billion quartz crystals are used in electronic devices like smartphones, credit cards, watches, TVs and more? Leaning into the idea of integrating crystals into your life may certainly be worth a try — this volume would be just the resource for anyone curious. Carved

into four parts including “Crystal Healing and What it Can Do for You,” “A Brief History of Quartz and Crystal Healing,” “The Science Behind Crystal Healing” and finally, “Establishing a Crystalline Body and Mind.” Crystal healing was born “from the evolution of primitive crystal mysticism.” It also reached its apex in Dark Ages. Some of the most intriguing parts of the book are in the section about quartz, which includes details about crystal healing and protection throughout the ages (all the way to) modern tribes, including details about Atlantis, Ancient Egypt, the Sumerians, The Maya, The Inca and more - as well as key information about “The Ancients’ Magical/ Curative Properties of Stones” and “Stones and Astrological Correspondence”.

THIS PAGE: BACKGROUND STOCK PHOTO CREDIT WARRENGOLDSWAIN

THE CRYSTAL BLUEPRINT

Living well with HIV. That’s my plan.

That’s my CHOICE.

Byron H., member since 2018

“I have special health needs. That’s why I have a specialized HIV plan.”

At VNSNY CHOICE SelectHealth, if you’re HIV positive your primary care doctor is an experienced HIV Specialist. But we see you as much more than your HIV. So, our plan brings together a full range of medical, dental, mental health and social services for your care. And we make it easy to access doctors and specialists at hospitals, physician groups, even private practices. As part of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, we’re helping thousands of New Yorkers live healthier lives.

Qualify for Medicaid?

Let’s make a plan.

Call 1-866-469-7774 (TTY: 711) 8 am – 6 pm, Monday – Friday vnsnychoice.org/selecthealth © 2019 VNSNY CHOICE

ID #D6763 | Rev# 08/09/18 | DOH Approved 08/30/18

Make sure you’re in top form at awesome exercise and athletic events - then show offParadise thatNew York body at your favorite parties. By megan venzin Arch Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art August 7th - September 1st Arch is a month-long exhibition celebrating the structures of support that queer collectives provide to the greater LGBTQ community. Each week a different artist or collective displays their unique creations through a gallery “takeover” with projects that range in style from Tripod Sweep, an interactive experience during which artist Savannah Knoop approaches spectators with a Jiu Jitsu-inspired movement (to explore the many qualities of human reaction), to Sin Sol / No Sun, an augmented reality game in which players get an inside look on the devastating

impact of climate change on trans, disabled and immigrant communities. Visit the gallery every week in August for surprising new experiences. leslielohman.org/project/arch

Geeks OUT Presents: Flame Con Five Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel August 17th - 18th If your End Game is to nerd out, then Flame Con is your home planet. The world’s largest queer comic convention returns to Times Square for its fifth year, and it’s shaping up to be super. Be sure to bring your best geekthemed cosplay look, because also returning is Fire Ball - the official Flame Con after-party, which will featuring performances, including drag, burlesque, boylesque and much more. flamecon.org

NYC Runs Presents: Brooklyn Ice Cream Social 5K & 10K

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Starts at Ocean Ave. and Lincoln Rd Saturday, August 24th End your summer on a sweet note with an allages fun run and ice cream social in Prospect Park. The organizers at NYC Runs are giving fit folks extra incentives to put on their running

shoes, and it comes in flavors like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. So take a lap and then lap up a cone of the cold stuff. Everyone wins when there is ice cream waiting at the finish line! nycruns.com

Free Outdoor Fitness: Industry City Courtyard Rec Industry City Courtyards 51 35th St., Brooklyn, 11232 Through September 1st We thought Brooklyn was already in great shape. But during “Summer Sundays,” New Yorkers can head there to enjoy free outdoor classes on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM through September 1st, all taking place in beautiful Industry City. Get Zen in Courtyard 5/6 with light vinyasa yoga, or turn up the heat in Courtyard 1/ 2 with a high-intensity workout. Sessions are free and held when weather permits. Registration for free classes opens two weeks in advance. Learn more online. industrycity.com/courtyard-rec

Gina Beavers: The Life I Deserve Museum of Modern Art Through September 2nd

This Page: Paradise New York CREDIT by Stephen Bondio •Arch image courtesy Leslie Lohman Museum

ny scope new york

fit for partying

This Page: Gina Beavers. Smoky Eye Tutorial. 2014. Acrylic and wood on canvas panel. Courtesy the artist

Financial Planning with Life Insurance Scholar Financial Group Does social media reflect reality? Rarely.

New York-based artist Gina Beavers uses social media-sourced imagery to create sculpture-like paintings that explore how humans hide behind the facades of their digitally fabricated lives. Her compelling and bewildering works of art take shape with the help of foam layers and acrylic paint, offering a candid look at the new era of exaggeration. moma.org

Life Insurance Can Be More Than a Safety Net for Your Loved Ones. Depending on the type of life insurance you get, it can be the foundation of your plan. Life insurance is defined as insurance that pays out a sum of money on the death of the insured person. There are two different types of life insurance, term life insurance and permanent life insurance. Term life insurance provides financial protection which covers you for a set amount of time, but once that term ends, so does your policy. Permanent life insurance provides coverage for your whole life and has living benefits including cash value that grows as you pay premiums.

You can use it to help with things like paying for your kids’ college, upgrading your home, or supplementing your retirement. The biggest concern for people is how much do they need? At times, people use both term and permanent life insurance to solidify their financial plan. Life insurance should be determined based on what is most important to you and what your priorities of your financial plan are. If you have questions or know a loved one who we can help.

245 Park Ave suite 1800 New York, NY 10167

Call us at (646) 366-6588 Gina Beavers. Smoky Eye Tutorial. 2014

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YOGA IN THE PARK

C

NEW YORK

NY SCOPE

Electric Zoo: Evolved

East River Picnic Area Randall’s Island Park Thursdays through September 19th Align your chakras and relieve your stress after a long day’s work with an all-levels yoga class on picturesque Randall’s Island. Every Thursday night from 6:30 - 7:30 PM, Manhattan’s expert instructors take students on a calming journey inward. Admission is free - just bring your yoga mat and an open mind. nycgovparks.org/events/

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6 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, New York 11050

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Aboard the Hornblower Infinity Pier 15 (East River Esplanade) Saturday, August 4 Anchors away, my boys! Step on board a three-deck yacht with some of our favorite queer partymakers, Hot Rabbit! Over Labor Day Weekend, the Hornblower Infinity is transformed into a floating nightclub where guests dance to the beats of award-winning DJs, vogue with go-go dancers, or mix and mingle over expertly crafted cocktails. Don’t miss your chance to get free on the open sea at Hot Rabbit’s only summer boat party. hotrabbit.com

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HOT RABBIT PRESENTS: F L O A T - AN LGBTQ+ SUNSET BOAT PARTY!

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ELECTRIC ZOO: EVOLVED Randall’s Island Friday, August 30th - Sunday, September 1st Bust a move and break a sweat at Electric Zoo, the East Coast’s premiere electronic music festival. Following the wild success of their 10 year anniversary celebration, Electric Zoo: Evolved is back, and bigger than ever. The 2019 lineup is impressive, with a slate including Eric Prydz, Kaskade and Dog Blood (Skrillex and Boys Noize) topping the all-star roster. New to the Zoo this year are never before seen collaborative sets from the likes of DJ Diesel (aka Shaquille O’Neal) B2B Borgore and Nitti Gritti B2B Wuki. Blessedly, it all takes place over a holiday weekend as revelers will need that extra day to rest and recoup. Single day tickets and three day passes are available. electriczoo.com

The Cher Show

PARADISE NEW YORK The Brooklyn Mirage Saturday, September 21st Experience a taste of Ibiza in your backyard when international tastemaker Jamie Jones brings his world-renowned Paradise concept to The Brooklyn Mirage.

Although this iteration’s lineup is still shrouded in mystery, you can certainly expect a top tier roster of techno and house music’s brightest stars to appear at one of the city’s most glamorous open air venues. Former Paradise performers have included Honey Dijon, Dubfire and Art Department, among many others. avant-gardner.com/brooklyn-mirage

THIS PAGE: THE CHER SHOW PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS

THE CHER SHOW Neil Simon Theatre Closes October 13th Don’t find yourself wishing you could turn back time. Snap out of it and catch one of the final performances of the Tony Award-winning musical about the fabulous life of a timeless diva - Cher!

Directed by Jason Moore and starring Stephanie J. Block as model, singer and actress Cherilyn Sarkisian, The Cher Show belongs nowhere better than Broadway. thechershowbroadway.com ■ METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

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THE CAROUSEL OF TIME Consider unusual venues; get married at the Jersey Shore; and check out the latest news from the global struggle for marriage equality. BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES AISLE ADVICE THERE'S A PLACE FOR US Gone are the days when weddings need to be traditional church events followed by French style service on crisp white linens. Couples have been branching out to locations like beaches, vineyards, museums, farms and gardens for this year's trend in weddings: unique venues

Love in the Stacks Sex and the City fans gasped when Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big planned nuptials at the spectacular New York Public Library, but weddings have been taking place at bookish spaces for years. The New York Public Library’s legendary Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is a quintessential New York City venue. The Beaux-Arts building hosts weddings in the Bartos Forum for up to 500 guests, Astor Hall for up to 750, Salomon Room for up to 325, McGraw Rotunda for up to 300, and the Trustees Room and Celeste Auditorium for smaller ceremonies. The Boston Public Library also offers a gorgeous literary backdrop for a well-read couple with a variety of ceremony, cocktail and dinner options in the courtyard, Bates Hall, Courtyard Restaurant,

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Map Room Cafe, Guastavino Room, Boylston Room, Deferrari Hall and Abbey Room. If you’re set on the West Coast, LA's The Last Bookstore might be just the ticket. With a capacity of 300 people (150 seated), the independent downtown bookstore was founded in 2005.

Under the Sea Looking for an emphasis on something blue?

Consider an aquarium wedding. Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific offers a variety of event spaces including their three-story Blue Cavern exhibit, an outdoor Shark Lagoon, or a catered dinner in their Grand Hall. NY Aquarium at Coney Island can accommodate up to 2,000 of your dearest (plus sea lions and sharks) for your big day. Connecticut's Mystic Aquarium throws a party even their beluga whales get into — or have guests head to the Roger Tory Peterson Exhibit for above-and-below water viewing with an additional 35 resident African penguins.

Mystic Aquarium can host up to 350 for dinner or up to 700 for an outdoor reception.

Lucky in Love Take a chance on a wedding at a resort and casi-

no. Foxwoods Resort Casino is operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in Ledyard, Connecticut. Foxwoods boasts extraordinary restaurants, pools, nightclubs and activities to entertain your party all weekend long. ARIA Las Vegas offers an exclusive wedding chapel that can accommodate up to 60 guests, as well as venues like their Fireside Lounge for an intimate reception of up to 80 guests, and the Poolside Verandah for 150 inside a lush garden.

Gather Around the Carousel Metrosource Editorial director Paul Hagen just married his partner of eight years at Bear Mountain Inn in NY's Bear Mountain State Park. The storybook Merry-Go-Round Wedding (pictured) took place inside a soaring 7,800-square-foot pavilion that features a menagerie of 42 handcarved native animals to ride. Once they sealed it with a kiss, the new husbands climbed aboard for a romantic first ride with family and friends.

Got It Bad for You, Darling The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum calls itself the “perfect prescription for your wedding ceremony.”Located in the heart of the French

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WEDDINGS NEW YORK

Bear Mountain

Quarter, the Pharmacy Museum offers a spectacular 19th century tropical courtyard inside a truly New Orleans venue. Louis J. Dufilho was America’s first licensed pharmacist. The location, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a historic building displaying an extensive collection in Dufilho’s former shop, where he set up business in 1823. The museum can seat up to 130 guests for a wedding ceremony, 150 guests for a cocktail reception and 70 guests for a seated dinner. Best part of having a wedding at the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum? It’s said to be haunted. Be on the lookout for any unexpected guests, but make sure you leave an extra seat at the table.

DESTINATION WEDDINGS JERSEY? SURE! Want to have a destination wedding but keep it close to NYC? My fiance Desmond and I began looking for venues in New Jersey and came across a few pictures of the Abbot Room at Porta (pizzaporta.com), a pizza place, Neapolitan restaurant and dance club in Asbury Park. For

the Springsteen fans, Porta is where “the Boss” first met his late bandmate Clarence Clemons.

The room looked just fabulous on the 'gram: 2500 square feet of space with a 20-foot ceiling and stained concrete floor, a private entrance, outdoor space, full bar and private restrooms.

The dance floor boasts a crystal canopy, an art installation that doubles as a DJ booth and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.

The Abbot Room can hold 50 -175 guests comfortably, with a 120-guest maximum for sit-down dining. Lovebirds plotting a more intimate soiree can reserve the quaint Monk Room, a 1,000 square foot space with a 20-foot stacked wood wall installation, full bar and two large-screen TVs for showing off embarrassing baby pictures and other memories.

When we took a day trip down to scope out the area, we boarded a convenient NJ Transit train to check into a room at the ultra gay Empress Hotel (asburyempress.com). I opened a window in the room to spy a wedding reception across the street at Watermark (watermarkap.com). To the right sits Stella Marina

Bar & Restaurant (stellamarinarestaurant.com), which seemed to hold yet another wedding group. Beyond that rose the remains of the former Asbury Park Casino and Carousel House, a vacant yet glorious Beaux-Arts backdrop featuring an elaborate art installation by HOTTEA with gorgeous pop culture murals on the exterior for wedding pictures. The boardwalk had a nice crowd of diverse happy people; rainbow flags hung in and outside of most shops, stores and watering holes.

One of our first stops was the historic Berkeley Hotel (berkeleyhotelnj.com), just steps off the boardwalk. Designed by Whitney Warren, the Berkeley offers Victorian charm with upgraded amenities. The Crystal and Versailles Ballrooms were equally impressive, and on our way out, we passed a bride being helped into a horse-drawn carriage with her two bridesmaids. While we loved the grandeur, we were searching for something more intimate.

The Asbury Hotel (theasburyhotel.com), combined the glitz of Asbury Park’s Victorian history with its rock'n'roll present. With 4,800

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square feet of indoor and outdoor space, The Asbury Hall & Terrace is a breezy spot for an elegant wedding at one of the most happening places in town. While the terrace offered an incredible view, the venue was booked for dates we were considering. So we headed up to enjoy the breeze at the hip rooftop lounge Salvation.

We went to Porta next, and like Cinderella's glass slipper, it was a perfect fit. They had in-house packages that took decor, flowers, and cake off of our to-do list. We locked in a date, and paid a deposit that day. In the months before our wedding, we were able to secure a block of rooms at the Berkeley, set up a rehearsal brunch nearby at The Robinson Ale House, got our marriage license at the local city hall, had a delicious lunch at Stella Marina Bar & Restaurant and walked the boardwalk picturing our wedding.

Lisa, my sister from another mister, flew in from Milwaukee to help me out with last minute wedding details and kick the pre-celebration off with me in Manhattan which included a surprise trip to The Cher Show with my best friend Maribeth and late night shots at The Russian Vodka Room. We made a detour to Atlantic City for a bachelor party experience at The Borgata Hotel & Casino (theborgata.com). We arrived in AC and made a beeline to Spa Toccare for massages followed by hot tub mischief at Borgata Indoor Pool & Gardens. The Borgata actually has six pools where you can relax or hang with friends. Lisa and I chatted about marriage for a bit before heading back to our gorgeous Vista Room at The Water Club. I hadn’t finished my vows yet, so I put some thought into them at Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian's Sun Room over nibbles and a martini. When I told my server what I was up to, she congratulated me and promptly brought me a second drink.

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Once I finished, Lisa and I tried our hand with Lady Luck, then headed over to Izakaya

by Michael Schulson, the sensual modern Japanese lounge where we sipped on Pear Martinis and shared small plates of flavorful dishes like Kiniki Chicken Wings, Cauliflower with Yuzu Aioli, and their popular Spicy Tuna Cracker.

We headed back up to Asbury Park the next morning. Guests who arrived early on Friday assembled in the new lounge on the main floor of the Berkeley. Our families met for the first time and after a few rounds, we headed out to the Boardwalk to The Silverball Museum Arcade (silverballmuseum.com) which features 600 playable pinball and video games in rotation. I looked across the arcade to see my stepmother playing pinball next to a friend from college, my dad chatting with a friend from high school, and my husband-to-be kicking ass at an arcade game. I hopped into a photo booth with my sister then challenged her to an old school game of ski ball. We also considered rock 'n' roll bowling at Asbury Lanes (asburylanes.com), and music at The Stone Poney (stoneponyonline.com), but ended up checking out live bands and enjoyed strolling the Boardwalk.

After brunch the next day, we found a sunny spot on the beach, then gathered with our wedding partiers for a night out on the town.

The laid-back and casual Georgie's Bar was first on the list. Later that evening, we ended our night dancing at Club Paradise, the premiere gay club in town. The sound of the ocean lulled me to sleep, and the next morning, we dressed in matching blue suits from Indochino and joined our guests for pictures with nightlife photographer JJ Mack near the old Conference Center. When the time was right, our mothers walked us in from the patio at Porta to vocalist Erica Taylor singing Brian McKnight’s“Never

Porta Asbury Park

Felt This Way.”My eyes teared up as I turned the corner and saw Desmond across the room, surrounded by some of the most special people in our lives. We said“I do”in Asbury Park.

WED IN THE WORLD BOTSWANA While rainbow wedding bells might not be ringing in Botswana yet, civil rights activists are reveling in the fact that Botswana’s High Court overturned laws that criminalized homosexuality. Judge Michael Leburu made the decision that these laws violate the country’s Constitution and ruled in favor of protecting human rights. Letsweletse Motshidiemang courageously challenged the country’s anti-sodomy laws stating, “We are not looking for people to agree with homosexuality [but] to be tolerant.”

Under section 164 of Botswana’s Penal Code, “carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature,”was an offense that could carry a maximum sentencing of seven years in prison.

In section 167 “acts of gross indecency” (public or private) were considered a punishable offense with up to two years in prison.

ECUADOR Good news came to the people of Ecuador this June when the Constitutional Court, Ecuador’s highest court, voted in favor of marriage equality. The 5-to-4 ruling came on June 12, 2019, just before the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. Ecuador officially became the fifth South American country to allow same-sex couples to marry, following Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay.

INDIANA All eyes were on Cathedral High School in Indianapolis this past June when the school

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Yachts for All Seasons fired a teacher for being married. The school terminated the teacher’s contract in order to protect its “Catholic identity.” In a letter posted on the high school’s website, Board Chairman Matt Cohoat and President Rob Bridges wrote “It is Archbishop Thompson’s responsibility to oversee faith and morals as related to Catholic identity within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

Archbishop Thompson made it clear that Cathedral’s continued employment of a teacher in a public, same-sex marriage would result in our forfeiting our Catholic identity due to our employment of an individual living in contradiction to Catholic teaching on marriage. If this were to happen, Cathedral would lose the ability to celebrate the Sacraments as we have it the past 100 years with our students and community.”

Earlier that month, The Archdiocese of Indianapolis cut ties with Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School after they refused to fire a gay teacher.

Cathedral High School addressed the difference of their decision, stating: “We respect the position of our brothers and sisters at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School as they also navigate this painful time. Brebeuf is sponsored by the Jesuits while Cathedral is merely affiliated with The Brothers of Holy Cross. Because Brebeuf is a specific ministry of the Jesuits, their canonical and nonprofit status is different than ours.

Therefore, the two schools cannot function the same way if Cathedral were to receive a similar decree as Brebeuf.”

Let’s Start Planning Your Special Day Today 212-534-6380 • 917-864-7670 www.y4as.com

ISRAEL During gay pride month, 23 couples held a fabulous party in Tel Aviv. At the party these couples had an “unofficial” wedding, bringing attention to the fact that the country currently only recognizes foreign same-sex marriages.

KENYA At the end of May, Kenya’s highest court voted to uphold its law banning gay sex. Activist Eric Gitari had filed a 2016 petition stating that two sections of Kenya’s penal code violated the rights of Kenayans. Article 162 penalizes“carnal knowledge against the order of nature” with a maximum of 14 years in prison and Article 165 addresses “indecent practices between males” with up to five years of prison. Same-sex relations continue to remain punishable with up to 14 years behind bars.

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FOOD BY SWEETFACE SNOBALLS L O C AT I O N : L e s l i e - L o h m a n M u s e u m , 2 6 W o o s t e r S t r e e t , N Y C 1 0 0 1 3 S P E C I A L G U E S T : C U P I D O J A L A’ S U N I C O R N U T O P I A C O L O R I N G B O O K C H I L D R E N ’ S MUSEUM OF THE ARTS - FIRE ISLAND ARTIST RESIDENCY BUREAU OF GENERAL SERVICES - QUEER DIVISION E X H I B I T I O N S O N V I E W: PA C O C A O : AT T R I B U T I O N - B E I N G S E E N M A K E S A M O V E M E N T P O S S I B L E

R S V P AT B I T. LY / L L M B L O C K P A R T Y Image: Catalina Schliebener, Best Friends, 2018, print 12x18 in. Courtesy of the Artist

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GOOD EGGS Egg custard, Beluga bacon, king crab merus and Marky's Alaskan Salmon Keta Roe

A Manhattan purveyor of caviar has created a storefront and cafe guaranteed to leave tongues atingle. BY MEGAN VENZIN MARKY’S ON MADISON

Halibut, Cauliflower, Pork, Ginger and Marky's Osetra Gold Caviar

Wagyu, celery root sour cream, black truffle and Marky’s Beluga di Venezia Caviar

White fish salad, cream cheese, Marky's Golden Ossetra Caviar

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plex. For centuries, caviar has been considered a delicacy held in reserve only for those with the most discerning of tastes. One Ukrainian had an affinity so strong for these glistening little orbs that it led him to the United States with dreams to make a difference in the food industry.

In 1983, Mark Zaslavsky and Mark Gelman launched a small shop on 79th Street in Miami that sold imported caviar and smoked salmon. More than 35 years later, the cofounders stand out among the industry’s leading providers of sturgeon caviar. Formerly only available online, New Yorkers no longer have to wait for high-end noshes to be delivered to their doors. Marky’s on Madison now brings the world’s best caviars to the Upper East Side with an inhouse cafe to boot.

“Madison Avenue was the perfect place for us to open our first brick-and-mortar [spot] due to the affluence, elegance and culture of this area,” says Danielle Zaslavskaya, granddaughter to Mark Zaslavsky and General Manager of Marky’s and eatery HUSO.“Caviar is really refined and special, and it's important for us to maintain its authenticity.”

Caviar enthusiasts will appreciate the many varieties Marky’s on Madison provides, including a Sevruga Classic Gray and Sterlit which is sourced from their sister outlet, Sturgeon Aqua Farms. Visitors can also sample complementary bites like foie gras and Leonidas chocolates. Still, the most compelling reason to visit Marky’s on Madison is to experience HUSO, the city’s first speakeasy caviar bar, tucked at the back of the house. Here, peckish shoppers can settle in for either a light lunch or an eight-course dinner tasting menu. The bill of fare is positively swimming in caviar, and it's crafted by Executive Chef Buddha Lo of Eleven Madison Park Fame.

“We’ve always liked the idea of our clientele knowing that they eat everything we sell in house,” Zaslavskaya shares. “We change our dishes and our chef constantly comes up with daily specials. He’s extremely creative, passionate about his craft and pushes the envelope with all of the dishes he executes.”

So head uptown to experience all that’s new in the world of “farm-to-spoon,” and buy yourself a little something special for ■ later, too.

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SOPHISTICATION HAS A FLAVOR, AND IT IS SALTY, BRINY, RICH AND COMOlivier potato with Marky’s Special Reserve Caviar

NEW YORK

NY HOTSHOPS

1067 Madison Ave. New York, NY 10028 212-288-0850 Monday - Sunday: 10 AM - 8 PM markysonmadison.com

BAR SOURCE Edited by Jeffrey James Keyes

CHELSEA BARRACUDA This Chelsea lounge features cool music and cute crowds plus wild drag shows and talent competitions hosted on the tiny stage in the rear. 275 W. 22nd St. at Eighth Ave., NYC 212-645-8613

BOXERS CHELSEA

FLAMING SADDLES

When they’re not mixing up vodka sodas in glass steins, bartenders jump up on the bar to do choreographed boot-scootin’ to Achy Breaky-type tunes at this one-of-a-kind tavern. 793 Ninth Ave. at 53rd St., NYC 212-713-0481. flamingsaddles.com/nyc

HARDWARE

A big gay sports bar with flat-screens showing sports, pool tables, a smoking patio, a pizza oven and hot bartenders. 37 W. 20th St. between Fifth and Sixth Aves., NYC 212-624-5942. boxersnyc.com

Cheap drinks fill the front bar and fun tunes fill the dance floor at this easy-breezy neighborhood haunt. In the summer, a garage door swings up, letting the scene spill onto the street. 697 Tenth Ave between 47th and 48th Sts., NYC 212-924-9885. hardware-bar.com

THE EAGLE

INDUSTRY

This dark,cruisy, leather-and-Levi’s clubs boasts a great rooftop deck. 554 W. 28th St. between Tenth and Eleventh Aves., NYC 646-473-1866. eagle-ny.com

GYM This sports bar has games on TV, a pool table and a basement dugout. 167 Eighth Ave. between 18th and 19th Sts., NYC 212337-2439. gymsportsbar.com

OSCAR WILDE Acclaimed mixologist Johnny Swet ironically sets this clever cocktail lounge and gastropub at the former headquarters of NYC’s Bureau of Prohibition as a glorious tribute to Ireland’s great writer. 45 W. 27th St. at Sixth Avenue., NYC 212-213-3066. oscarwildenyc.com

REBAR

This capacious venue features couch-filled nooks, a game room with a pool table and an industrial design that’s a nod to its parking-garage past. 355 W. 52nd St. between Eighth and Ninth Aves., NYC 646-476-2747. industry-bar.com

9TH AVENUE SALOON

This decades-old neighborhood fixture attracts tourists, locals and Broadway professionals from both sides of the footlights with strong drinks, cheap prices and friendly staff. 656 Ninth Ave. at 46th St., NYC 212-307-1503 A mixed bag of Hell’s Kitchenites spills out onto the sidewalk at this lounge, which is known for spinning pop and dance tunes. 405 W. 51st St. at Ninth Ave., NYC 212-957-2222. poshbarnyc.com

RISE BAR

EAST VILLAGE

THE RITZ BAR & LOUNGE

THE BOILER ROOM A welcoming throwback to the days when the East Village was a haven for the punky and funky, this no-frills lounge is popular with the college set and rocks with an eclectic mix of music and scruffy pool players. 86 E. 4th St. at Second Ave., NYC 212-254-7536

CLUB CUMMING Alan Cumming’s swank performance-based club invites everyone to a sassy throwback to a Berlin nightclub where anything goes, including (of course) cabaret! 505 E. 6th St. between Aves. A and B, NYC 212-777-2555. clubcummingnyc.com

THE COCK Longtime late-night haven for naughty go-go boys and those in search of debauched shenanigans. They draw an elite crowd of naughty thrillseekers and nightlife glitterati. 29 Second Ave. between First and Second Sts., NYC

NOWHERE Ultra-mellow East Villager with distressed rustic décor, a pool table and what may be the smallest back room ever. 322 E. 14th St. between First and Second Aves., NYC 212-477-4744. nowherebarnyc.com

PHOENIX Find video games, a pool table, a jukebox and a diverse crowd in an exposed-brick space as uncomplicated as its vibe. 447 E. 13th St. at Ave. A., NYC 212-477-9979. hoenixbarnyc.com

HELL’S KITCHEN/MIDTOWN WEST ATLAS SOCIAL CLUB With celebs like Andy Cohen, Anderson Cooper and Cher making cameos, who wouldn’t want to see this star bar? 753 9th Ave. between 50th and 51st Sts., NYC 212-262-8527. atlassocialclub.com

BARRAGE This Hell’s Kitchen lounge entices with a nightly happy hour from 11 to midnight. 401 W. 47th St. at Ninth Ave., NYC 212-586-9390

BOXERS HK The HK clone of the gay sports bar features a large ground floor, a basement game room “Dog Pound,” and spacious rooftop patio.

742 Ninth Ave. at 50th St., NYC 212-951-1518. boxersnyc.com

FAIRYTAIL LOUNGE Glittery centaurs and other enchanted-forest motifs distinguish this way-west lounge. 500 W. 48th St. between Tenth and Eleventh Aves., NYC 646-648-3897

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

CUBBYHOLE Called home by the local lesbian crowd (with a few gay boys usually thrown in for good measure), this small, unpretentious West Village bar features a capricious décor heavy on the fish. 281 W. 12th St. at Fourth St., NYC 212-243-9041. cubbyholebar.com

THE DUPLEX Downstairs at the city’s oldest continuing cabaret/piano bar, the staff performs between bouts of serving. Upstairs is a more traditional boy bar and a room that books cabaret acts. 61 Christopher St. at Seventh Ave. South, NYC 212-255-5438. theduplex.com

THE HANGAR Neighborhood bar where a diverse crowd grooves to classic tunes.

115 Christopher St. between Bleecker and Hudson Sts., NYC 212-627-2044

HENRIETTA HUDSON Jam-packed lesbian club/lounge with a multicultural crowd that’s gay-boy friendly. 438 Hudson St. at Morton St., NYC 212-9243347.henriettahudson.com

JULIUS’

POSH

This sexy Chelsea hangout (where G Lounge used to be) has a industrial décor, a hot staff, and draws all kinds of men (especially local muscle bears). 225 W. 19th St. between Seventh and Eighth Aves., NYC 212-929-1085. rebarchelsea.com

WEST VILLAGE

Three of the kings of nightlife joined forces for a fabulous yet unpretentious watering hole right in the middle of the bustling HK bar scene. 859 9th Avenue., NYC 646-892-3313. risebarnyc.com This upscale boy boîte boasts plenty of places to perch on multiple levels inside and out. 369 W. 46th St. at Ninth Ave., NYC 212-3332554. ritzbarandlounge.com

THERAPY

Now reopened! The beautifully designed, modern duplex draws a fierce crowd to legendary events like Showbiz Spitfire Paige Turner’s infamous Sunday night Slurp. 348 W. 52nd St. between Eighth and Ninth Aves., NYC 212-397-1700. therapy-nyc.com

VODKA SODA/BOTTOMS UP

The fun, two bar, two story neighborhood hangout is luring all of the cutest boys out from every nook and cranny of NYC. 315 W 46th St., NYC 212-969-0460

EAST SIDE

Once the Village’s oldest continuously operating bar went gay in the 1950s, it would go on to become the city’s oldest gay bar - an ideal place for cheap drinks, burgers and fries. 159 W. 10th St. at Waverly Pl., NYC 212-243-1928. juliusbarny.com

MARIE’S CRISIS Old-school sing-alongs are on tap at this long-running piano bar.

Stop in and “sing out, Louise!” 59 Grove St. at Seventh Ave. South, NYC 212-243-9323. mariescrisis.us

MONSTER A Sheridan Square stalwart where mature men and their admirers sing along to favorite show tunes upstairs while a diverse crowd jams to the dance tracks on the floor downstairs. 80 Grove St. at Seventh Ave. South, NYC 212-924-3558. monsterbarnyc.com

PIECES Shake to retro dance tracks or at the antics of drag queens at this longtime West Villager, where Adele and J-Law stopped by. 8 Christopher St. at Sixth Ave., NYC 212-929-9291. piecesbar.com

ROCKBAR For boys who prefer fur, there’s this butched-up bar with a fistpumping soundtrack and cheap drinks. 185 Christopher St. at Weehawken St., NYC. rockbarnyc.com

STONEWALL

THE TOOL BOX

This two-level dive bar hosts dance parties with a DJ and cute gogo boys on Friday and Saturday nights on the main floor, while the downstairs is a cozier lounge. 1742 Second Ave., between 90th and 91st Sts., NYC 212-348-1288. thetoolboxnyc.com

THE TOWNHOUSE

Two levels of mature gents and their fans sway to dance tracks or live songs from the Jerry Herman oeuvre. 236 E. 58th St. between Second and Third Aves., NYC 212-754-4649. townhouseny.com

UNCLE CHARLIE’S

This effervescent lounge revolves around live entertainment at the piano. 139 E. 45th St. between Third and Lexington Aves., NYC 212-661-9097. unclecharliesnyc.com

UPTOWN

Daddies, faux thugs, and girls who like girls rule the roost at this two-story birthplace of gay pride. Every night of the week offers a different theme. 53 Christopher St. at Seventh Ave. South, NYC 212-488-2705. thestonewallinnnyc.com

TY’S Ye Olde Boy Bar serves a loyal and friendly Christopher Street clientele. NYPD and Firemen especially welcome. 114 Christopher St. between Bleecker and Hudson Sts., NYC 212-741-9641. tys.nyc

BROOKLYN EXCELSIOR Park Slope hotspot popular for its great jukebox, garden and outrageously named drinks. 563 Fifth Ave. at 16th St., Park Slope, Brooklyn 718-832-1599. excelsiorbrooklyn.com

MACRI PARK

BOXERS WASHINGTON HEIGHTS

Even-further-uptown iteration of the gay sports bar boasts one of the city’s best happy hours, and those famously boxers-clad bartenders. 3820 Broadway (159th St.), 917-675-6884; boxersnyc.com

SUITE

Enjoy the cozy interior or snag a spot at a picnic table out back at Metropolitan’s sister bar. 462 Union Ave,. Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 718- 599-4999, macripark.com

METROPOLITAN

This lounge attracts with leopard-print lamps, leather banquettes and the drag stars on the small stage. 992 Amsterdam Ave. between 109th and 110th Sts., NYC 212-222-4600. suitenyc.com

Find friendly staff and eclectic entertainment inside and a sprawling patio out back at one of Williamsburg’s original gay bars. 559 Lorimer St. at Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn NYC 718599-4444. metropolitanbarny.com

WEST END LOUNGE

THE ROSEMONT NYC

Columbia boys, drag queens, and neighborhood cubs, converge at this Morningside watering hole for Topless Tuesdays, karaoke nights, and local drag queens. 955 West End Avenue between 107th and Duke Ellington Blvd., NYC 212-531-4759. thewestendlounge.com

Sexy mixed Williamsburg cocktail bar with a great happy hour and fun weekly entertainment - not to mention plenty of places to perch outdoors. 63 Montrose Ave., Brooklyn, NYC 347-987-3101. therosemontnyc.com

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RESTAURANT BITES Edited by Jeffrey James Keyes

CHELSEA THE BRESLIN

The Spotted Pig folks are behind this vintage-rustic restaurant in NoChel’s Ace Hotel. The British-inspired fare is egg-centric at breakfast and meat-and-terrine heavy for lunch and dinner, while martinis are the thing to drink at the bar. 16 W. 29th St. between Broadway & Fifth Ave., NYC 212-679-1939. www.thebreslin.com

CAFETERIA

Super-popular 24-hour dining scene offering great American fare and a trendy, heavily gay clientele. In warm weather, the sidewalk becomes one of the sexiest spots in town. 119 Seventh Ave. at 17th St., NYC 212-414-1717. cafeteriagroup.com

ELMO

This mod restaurant, featuring comfort food with a spicy edge, takes its name from fabulous 40’s nightclub El Morocco. Whether it’s a burger, a hearty salad, some down to Earth comfort food, or just an after work cocktail with friends Elmo is always a quality hotspot where you’ll likely run into a familiar face.156 Seventh Ave. between 19th and 20th Sts., NYC 212-337-8000. elmorestaurant.com

LASAGNA RISTORANTE

A window-filled space allows natural light in and lets you watch out for Chelsea boys strolling by, while an upbeat, welcoming staff keeps a heavily gay clientele smiling with delightful wine, cocktails and generous portions of delicious Italian cuisine, including - naturally - a wide variety of lasagna options boasting palate-pleasing combinations of veggies, seafood or meat. 196 8th Ave at 20th St., NYC 212-242-4551. lasagnarestaurantchelsea.com

THE PARK

There’s something very ski chalet about this restaurant, serving American and Mediterranean cuisine in a sprawling space. There’s a large patio and, after dinner, the entire venue becomes a party.

118 Tenth Ave. between 17th and 18th Sts., NYC 212-352-3313. theparknyc.com

SALINAS

Tapas go upscale at this Spanish restaurant where the fare highlights regional specialties and the luxurious setting features blue velvet chairs, limestone walls and art glass galore. The lovely tapas bar and main dining room are augmented by a charming garden that’s good for all seasons, thanks to its retractable glass roof and fireplace.

136 Ninth Ave. between 18th and 19th Sts., NYC 212-776-1990. salinasnyc.com

EAST VILLAGE/LOWER EAST SIDE BEAUTY & ESSEX

This lounge/eatery’s entryway is set up like a pawn shop, which leads to two sprawling levels, multiple dining rooms, two bars and fancy mid-century trappings. The menu of shareable small plates brims with eclectic tastes. 146 Essex St. between Rivington and Stanton Sts., NYC 212-614-0146. beautyandessex.com

METROGRAPH COMMISSARY

The restaurant at the Lower East Side’s new cinema is inspired by the great studio eateries from Hollywood’s golden age. This one includes a swank lobby bar, restaurant bar, and private dining room with snacks like burrata, panzanella, and Chicken Paillard. 7 Ludlow Street between Hester and Canal St., NYC 212-660-0312. metrograph.com

SAXON + PAROLE

A name referencing two racehorses explains this NoHo hot spot’s stable-chic decor, which was designed by AvroKO. Chef Brad Farmerie helms the grill, turning out upscale, eclectic spins on meat and seafood. There’s also a “secret” bar, dubbed Madam Geneva, accessible only to diners and only through the restaurant. 316 Bowery at Bleecker St., NYC 212-254-0350. saxonandparole.com

VESELKA

Nightlife legends dine beside eclectic locals at this Ukrainian comfort food staple after wild times in the East Village. Handmade Pierogies have been the star at this restaurant, which is open 24/7 and comes in handy if you’re looking for a late night bite. 144 2nd Ave. at 9th St., NYC 212-228-9682. veselka.com

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GRAMERCY PARK/FLATIRON DISTRICT BLUE SMOKE

Barbeque meets a jazz at Danny Meyer’s casual Flatiron hotspot.

The restaurant, inspired by America’s regional barbecue traditions, is named after the curl of tinted smoke that rises out of perfectly smoked meat. Pop in for dinner before heading upstairs to hear live jazz at the upstairs Jazz Standard. 116 E. 27th St. between Park and Lexington Ave. NYC 212-447-7733. bluesmoke.com

BOQUERIA FLATIRON

At this Spanish tapas destination, the casualness of a Barcelona cerveceria is invoked with barstools set around raised tables, elevated banquettes and a communal table in the rear. The tapas are, while authentic, completely adventurous. 53 W. 19th St. at Sixth Ave., NYC 212-255-4160. boqueriarestaurant.com

CRAFT NEW YORK

Opened by Tom Colicchio in 2001, this Gramercy go-to has launched popular restaurants across the company. It won the James Beard for Best New Restaurant when it first opened, and Colicchio was nabbed another for Best Chef in 2010. Choose from the a la carte menu or splurge on the seven-course tasting extravaganza. 43 E. 19th St. between Park and Broadway NYC., 212-780-0880. craftrestaurant.com

44 & X HELL’S KITCHEN A bit of South Beach on Tenth Avenue, this sleek haven of upscale comfort food has large and plentiful windows and a sidewalk cafe.

The perfect spot for people watching... 622 Tenth Ave. at 44th St., NYC 212-977-1170. 44andx.com

EL CENTRO The tiny space packs a big punch with low-priced Mexican street food, tumblers of frozen margaritas and light fixtures made of Corona bottles. El Centro recently celebrated their ten-year anniversary in Hell’s Kitchen, pop in for a fajita and stay for more! 824 Ninth Ave. at 54th St., NYC 646-763-6585. elcentro-nyc.com

FIKA TOWER CAFÉ & BAKERY Fika prides itself on sourcing the finest coffee beans, roasting them to perfection, and creating the most delicious savory and sweet foods we can imagine. Their menu, rooted in Swedish heritage and flavors is luring New Yorkers back into coffee shops for a café lifestyle almost forgotten. Fika has seventeen locations in NYC but this Hell’s Kitchen haunt with it’s rotating cast of characters and frequent events like The PlayGround Experiment make it worth a stop as well as a few refills. 824 10th Ave. at 55th St., NYC 646-4907650. fikanyc.com

HELL’S KITCHEN

Five eateries, each with its a focus (pizza and pasta, cheese and wine, fish, vegetables, meat), make this massive Italian Flatiron food hall a dining destination. Only beef specialist Manzo takes reservations.

200 Fifth Ave. at 23rd St., NYC 212-229-2180. www.eataly.com

Just when you thought NYC didn’t need another Mexican restaurant Hell’s Kitchen brought a taste of the south over the border of Ninth Avenue. Whether it’s tacos, quesadillas, or an after work margarita you crave, they’ve got it. Grab a booth or a seat at the bar for the best eye candy in the gayborhood. 754 9th Ave. between 50th and 51st Sts., NYC 212-977-1588. hellskitchen-nyc.com

GRAMERCY TAVERN

HUASCAR & COMPANY BAKESHOP

HARLEM

You may recognize Dominican-born Chef Huascar Aquino from the Food Network. He won Cupcake Wars in 2013 and was a contestant on Chopped in 2018. Now, he offers cupcakes, brownies, cookies, cheesecakes, flan, French macarons, coconut macaroons, brigadeiros and custom cakes in a small but mighty bakery serving delicious Latin American and Caribbean inspired treats 453 W 54th St, NYC 212-933-1041. hbake.com

EATALY NYC FLATIRON

Danny Meyer’s creative American emporium (as famous for its relaxed service as its award-winning wine list) never fails to please.

Meals can be enjoyed in the formal dining room or in the easier-onthe-wallet Tavern Room. 42 E. 20th St. between Broadway and Park Ave. South, NYC., 212-477-0777. gramercytavern.com

DINOSAUR BAR-B-QUE

Consistently voted the “best BBQ in New York” Dinosaur fills long tables of guests living it up over fried green tomatoes, St. Louis Ribs, and Churrasco Chicken. 700 W. 125th St., NYC 212-694-1777 If in Brooklyn, try their Gowanus location at 604 Union St., between 3rd & 4th Avenues, BKLYN 347-429-7030. dinosaurbarbque.com

LIDO HARLEM

Brunching in Harlem? Look no further. Three words: bottomless mimosa brunch. Get into this adorable Italian hotspot in the center of one of the most popping gayborhoods in the city. 2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd. at 117th St., NYC 646-490-8575. lidoharlem.com

RED ROOSTER

This Harlem hot spot features regional American comfort food by Marcus Samuelsson and a casual, lively environment filled with neighborhood-centric art and artifacts. 310 Lenox Ave. between 125th and 126th Sts., NYC 212-792-9001. redroosterharlem.com

SOLOMON & KUFF RUM HALL

IPPUDO WESTSIDE Decadent Japanese bites, small plates, craveable ramen and cocktails that could be considered arousing, Ippudo throws it down like no other. Discreetly nestled on 51st Street just between the theatre district and the gayborhood, this stylish outpost is worth a visit... every week. 321 W. 51st St., NYC 212-974-2500. ippudony.com

PIO PIO Guests sip pisco cocktails and craveable sangria while grazing over family-style Peruvian dishes, Chinese-Peruvian stir fries, steak, and fish below an elaborate ceiling made from thousands of tree branches intricately woven together. 604 Tenth Ave. between 43rd and 44th Sts., NYC 212-459-2929. piopio.com

VICEVERSA ViceVersa puts a sublime spin on run-of-the-mill Italian. The atmosphere is also near perfect — with elegant accents and a nicely tended outdoor seating garden. 325 W. 51st St. between Eighth and Ninth Aves., NYC 212-399-9291. viceversanyc.com

Harlem elites and Columbia giants mix and at this delicious upscale Caribbean restaurant. Named for the sons of a slave who purchased his freedom, Solomon & Kuff offers incredible rum cocktails bites like yuca fries and dishes like Sangria Braised Short Ribs as well as mouth watering desserts. Come in for the food, stay for the eye candy. 2331 12th Ave. between 133rd St. & 12th Ave., NYC 212-939-9443. solomonandkuff.com

This elegant neighborhood fixture attracts theatergoers; Broadway and off-Broadway performers; and former (and upcoming) Drag Race contestants who load up on the latest gossip while downing American eats. 407 W. 42nd St. between Ninth and Tenth Aves., NYC 212-695-6909. westbankcafe.com

HELL’S KITCHEN

HUDSON YARDS

AÑEJO

LEGACY RECORDS

Upscale, creative, beautifully prepared Mexican small plates are served in a rustic setting at this hotspot with a hopping bar scene and plenty of pavement tables in nice weather. Just as big of a draw is the cocktail selection, featuring a variety of refined margaritas (available by the pitcher) and tequila and mezcal flights. 668 Tenth Ave. at 47th St., NYC 212-920-4770. anejonyc.com

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 METROSOURCE.COM

WEST BANK CAFE

This chic, fun 85-seat restaurant is from the team behind Charlie Bird and Pasquale Jones. The menu features fresh, flavorful cuisine inspired by Italy’s northern coasts. Cockgails are curated by mixologist Jeff Bell from P.D.T. while on wine watch is Arvid Rosengren, reigning “Best Sommelier in the World.”517 W. 38th Street between Tenth and Eleventh Aves., NYC legacyrecordsrestaurant.com

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

RESTAURANT BITES Edited by Jeffrey James Keyes

MERCADO LITTLE SPAIN

José Andrés and his team have been cooking up a love letter to Spain and its finally open, Mercado Little Spain, an all-day dining destination for food lovers. This foodie destination, which includes a series of three restaurants, two bars, fifteen tapas kiosks, and a market sits on 35,000 square feet of brand new Hudson Yards real estate. Whether you’re heading to Lena, Mar, or the all-day casual diner there’s no way you’ll leave hungry. 10 Hudson Yards between Tenth and Eleventh Aves., NYC 646-495-1242. littlespain.com

TAK ROOM

LAMB’S CLUB

This gorgeous Theater District destination serves contemporary American fare that manages to feel both casual yet also upscale in a retro-swank supper-club environment. Picture long, red-leather banquettes; chrome torchères; head shots of movie stars and an impressive 18th-century fireplace (that you’ll find roaring in the winter). 132 W. 44th St. between Sixth Ave. and Broadway, NYC 212997-5262. thelambsclub.com

ORTZI NYC

MAREA

Chef Michael White, famous for homemade pasta and a commitment to seafood, has been awarded two Michelin stars, the 2010 James Beard Award, and an impressive list of accolades. Marea mean’s “tide” in Italian, and the collaboration of high-end Italian cuisine, over 750 wine options, and outstanding service makes it an exciting and fresh interpretation of “coastal cuisine”. 240 Central Park South Between Broadway and Seventh Ave., NYC 212-582-5100. marearestaurant.com

Thomas Keller’s latest Hudson Yards adventure, TAK Room takes a contemporary look on the classic Continental meal. Think throwback style, glamour, sweeping views, champagne carts, old school New York glamour in brand new digs. Go ahead, order the Oysters Rockefeller, you know you want to. 20 Hudson Yards between Tenth and Eleventh Aves., NYC 929-450-4050. takroomnyc.com

Nestled in the swank new LUMA Hotel, Iron Chef Jose Garces brings a scrumptious journey through Basque Country cuisine. Perfect for an after work Charcuteria or a pre-theatre bite. For the ultimate experience plan for the four-course traditional Basque Tapas Experience with Chef Jose Garces’ Tasting Menu. Bring your appetite! 120 W. 41st St. between Sixth Ave. and 7th Ave., NYC 212-730-8900. ortzirestaurant.com

PIZZERIA SIRENETTA

MEATPACKING DISTRICT

NOBU 57

TESSA

BATHTUB GIN

Take a step back in time with this dark and sexy 10th Avenue speakeasy. Gin was the predominant drink during prohibition-era 1920’s. Saunter up to the secret bar in this discreet Chelsea favorite for a stiff Hipster Reviver, hearty Eagle’s Dream, or a nip of Dorothy Parker’s Gin stirred, not shaken. 132 9th Ave., between 18th & 19th Sts, NYC 646-559-1671. bathtubginnyc.com

BUDDAKAN NYC

Dining guru Stephen Starr’s destination draws gasps from the moment you step down the grand staircase. A hodgepodge of modern Asian cuisines is served in a golden space of European tapestries, chandeliers, cozy banquettes and a lengthy communal table. 75 Ninth Ave. between 15th and 16th Sts., NYC 212-989-6699. buddakannyc.com

FRYING PAN / PIER 66 MARITIME

The Lightship Frying Pan is a historic floating lighthouse in NYC. Brought to the city in 1989 the ship became a staple of New York nightlife. Docked at Pier 66a, the bar offers a range of summer bites like their Calamari Fritti, Cheesy Risotto Balls, burgers, and a range of “Street Eats” like Fish Tacos, and Chinese Leftovers. It’s a perfect spot for sunset sangria or a blow out party with everyone you know and love. West 26th St. & West Side Highway in Hudson River Park, NYC 212-989-6363 fryingpan.com

The David Rockwell design of celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s uptown showplace for his peerless Latin-shaded sushi is a sexy, bubbly delight. 40 W. 57th St. between Fifth and Sixth Aves., NYC 212-757-3000. noburestaurants.com/fifty-seven

SOHO/TRIBECA DOS CAMINOS

This intimate hipster offers fine Mexican cuisine in a stylish setting, with a warm-weather dining garden. Highlights include guacamole made tableside and 150 types of tequila. 475 W. Broadway at Houston St., NYC 212-277-4300. Also, check out the other branches in the Meatpacking District, Times Square, Midtown East, and Murray Hill. doscaminos.com

THE DUTCH

Though it looks like a neighborhood joint, this multi-room eatery is actually SoHo’s sizzling boîte du jour, with a crowd that’s half Downtown scene-makers, half-foodies and all hot. Opt for Andrew Carmellini’s comfort-skewing menu, featuring imaginative renditions of American Southern staples, international leanings and raw fare at an oyster bar. 131 Sullivan St. at Prince St., NYC 212-677-6200. thedutchnyc.com

SUSHI NAKAZAWA

Two floors of high-design touches — like a wall made of 17,000 Ty Nant water bottles and upholstered walls and ceilings — create a fitting setting for the haute Japanese cuisine of Masaharu Morimoto.

88 Tenth Ave. between 15th and 16th Sts., NYC 212-989-8883. morimotonyc.com

Daisuke Nakazawa is the former apprentice to sushi guyu Jiro Ono (of Jiro Dreams of Sushi fame). Nakazawaopened this posh new West Village sushi kitchen to serve “New York-mae”. bathtub Comfortable high back leather chairs at the sushi bar set the scene for an impressive twenty-course meal and dynamic tasting menu in the style of Edomae sushi fluffing even the most seasoned sushi foodie to a state of euphoria. 23 Commerce Street between Seventh Ave. and Bedford St., NYC 212-924-2212. sushinakazawa.com

STANDARD GRILL

UPPER WEST SIDE

MORIMOTO

The hip cafe just beneath the southern tip of the High Line offers a long bar in the front, a dining room with arced red-leather booths, an open kitchen, plus a sidewalk patio for entertaining Meatpacking people-watching. Surprisingly, the prices are pretty moderate throughout. 848 Washington St. between Little W. 12th and 13th Sts., NYC 212-645-4100. thestandardgrill.com

MIDTOWN/TIMES SQUARE 21 CLUB

Belmond’s crown jewel in Manhattan is the most infamous speakeasy from the Prohibition Era. Designed with a disappearing bar and secret wine cellar chock full of epic stories about Ernest Hemingway and Zelda Fitzgerald, this landmark remains the ultimate spot to live it up or have a fun night out with friends. 21 West 52nd St. between 5th Ave. and 6th Ave., NYC 212-582-7200. 21club.com

HAKKASAN

Upscale tourists mix with knowing locals at the modern Michelinstarred Cantonese restaurant created by Chef Ho Chee Boon. The striking 11,000 sq. ft Hakkasan opened in 2012 and features dishes like stir-fried lobster, Salt and pepper squid, and Wagyu beef cheung fun. 311 W. 44th St. between Eighth and Ninth Ave., NYC 212-7761818. hakkasan.com

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

The same people behind the charming Mermaid Inn have also opened a delicious pizzeria - serving Neopolitan pizzas and rustic Italian fare. Stop by between 5-7pm for their happy hour (seven days a week) for one of their $12 pizza specials, an $8 aperol spritz and more! 568 Amsterdam Ave. between 87th & 88th Sts., NYC 212799-7401. pizzeriasirenetta.com

Chef Nicholas McCann blends French, Italian and Spanish fare in this neighborhood-approved hotspot. Perfect for a date spot, birthday dinner or drinks and light bites at the bar, you can’t go wrong with this fun find on the Upper West Side. Wine Lovers pay special attention to the TESSA Reserve list with over fifty labels. 349 Amsterdam Ave. between 76th & 77th Sts., NYC 212-390-1974. tessanyc.com

WEST VILLAGE CARBONE

Infamously one of the Obama Family’s favorite places in town, Carbone is the creation of Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick. This dreamy Italian supper club is a throwback to the great Italian-American restaurants of mid-20th century New York. 181 Thompson Street at Houston 212-254-3000. carbonenewyork.com

COWGIRL

This Texas-style West Village favorite is hopping every night of the week. Conceived after Sherry Delamarter visited the Cowgirl Hall of Fame Museum in Texas, the restaurant has been serving great food and no frills fun for twenty-five years. Blood Orange and Prickly Pear frozen margaritas in mason jars go perfectly with Tex-Mex food to make you feel like you’re that much closer to the border. 519 Hudson St. at West 10th St., NYC 212-633-1133. cowgirlnyc.com

TEA AND SYMPATHY

The Queen would be over the moon at the adorable sliver of the village serving traditional British fare. Indulge in classic British favorites like Afternoon Tea, Bangers & Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, Welsh Rarebit, Roast Beef with Yorkshire pudding. Be sure to save room for some Sticky Toffee Pudding and Rhubarb crumble (extra custard, please!)

Pop into their shop next door for popular British groceries, sweets and maybe even a new tea-pot. 108 Greenwich Street, NYC between Jane & Horatio Sts., 212-989-9735. teaandsympathy.com

THE LITTLE OWL

CAFE LUXEMBOURG

Ladies who lunch, incognito celebrities, and high rolling executives mix and mingle at this classic French-American Bistro on the Upper West Side. Regulars nuzzle up to the full service bar while locals gossip over power lunches at this unpretentious neighborhood gem. 200 W. 70th St. at Amsterdam Ave., NYC 212-873-7411. cafeluxembourg.com

Nestled in the middle of the historic Greenwich Village, this bold Mediterranean spot boasts gravy meatballs and pork chops that rival your grandmother’s secret recipe. No room at the inn? Try to get a seat at the bar so you can take everything in. 90 Bedford St. at Grove, NYC 212-741-4695. thelittleowlnyc.com

BROOKLYN

JEAN GEORGES

CHEF’S TABLE AT BROOKLYN FARE

LANDMARC

CLOVER CLUB

The crown jewel Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s culinary empire opened in 1997 to great critical acclaim and has been wowing foodies ever since. The space is bright and clean, but that spare décor simply means there’s nothing to distract you from haute French cuisine. Reservations for the more casual Nougatine Cafe are slightly easier to procure. 1 Central Park West between 60th and 61st Sts., NYC 212-299-3900. jean-georges.com

This Time Warner Center eatery serves wonderfully flavorful, affordable French bistro fare all day in a setting that stylishly mishmashes industrial and woodsy, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Central Park. 60th and Broadway, 3rd Floor, NYC 212-823-6123. landmarc-restaurant.com

This sophisticated and decadent spot summons foodies to this intimate 18-seat space for a truly unique dining experience. Michelinstars are difficult to come by and this is one of the only three-starred restaurants in town. Immerse yourself in the mouth-watering Frenchand Japanese-infused brainchild of Moe Issa before taking a stroll through old-school Brooklyn. 200 Schermerhorn St. between Hoyt and Bond Sts., Bklyn, NYC 718-243-0050 brooklynfare.com

Frequently featured as one of the “Best Bars in America”, the Brooklyn hotspot leads with pre-Prohibition drinks, a decadent brunch, American Caviar Service, and Seasonal Specials like Steak Over Toast and Deviled Eggs. 210 Smith St. at Baltic St., BKLYN, NYC 718-855-7939. cloverclubny.com

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73

ACCOUNTING –COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY

ACCOUNTING Dikman, Bernard L., C.P.A.

ADOPTION SERVICES Friends in Adoption

37 W 20th St, Ste 703, NYC ������� 212 929-4299

NYC ��������������������������������������������� 800 982-3678 www.friendsinadoption.org

Woloshen, Robert A. CPA

AESTHETIC SERVICES

29 W 15th St, Ste 1 NYC ������������������������������������������� 212 843-3486 www.rawcpa.com

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

ACUPUNCTURE Acupuncture-NYC 80 Fifth Ave, Ste 906 NYC �������������������������������������������� 212 874-0898 www.acupuncture-nyc.com

Advanced Dermatology Associates

200 Central Park South #107 NYC �������������������������������������������� 212 262-2500 NYC �������������������������������������������� 212 246-0800 www.adv-derm.com

(SEE AD PHYSICIANS PAGE 81)

Lexington Plastic Surgeons 113 E 39th St, NYC ���������������������� 646 374-2410 www.try.lexingtonplasticsurgeons.com/ metrosource

Sexual Health Men

290 Madison Ave 6th Fl NYC ��������������������������������������������973 493-7607 www.sexualhealthmen.com

Stoller, Roy B., D.O.

515 Madison Ave, Ste 1205 NYC �������������������������������������������212 920-4499 www.hairdoctornyc.com

(SEE AD HAIR REPLACEMENT PAGE 78)

ALLERGIES Aziz, Michael, M.D., FRSM

Midtown Integrative Medicine 509 Madison Ave @ 53rd St, Ste 1111 NYC ��������������������������������������������212 906-9111 www.michaelazizmd.com

ARCHITECTURE David Stern Architecture

www.davidsternarchitecture.com

Torre, Martin B. RA AIA

Architecture + Planning PLLC 605 E 14th St, #8 NYC ��������������������������������������������646 257-9081

ATTORNEYS Bing, Steven E.

276 5th Ave, Ste 1008 NYC ��������������������������������������������212 286-1666

Chianese & Reilly Law, P.C.

122 E 42nd St, Ste 3900 NYC ��������������������������������������������212 953-6447 100 Merrick Rd, Ste 103E Rockville Centre, NY �������������������516 599-2020 www.awclawyer.com • depression & anxiety • self esteem & self confidence • sexuality & sexual health • major life changes • relationships & communication

Chou, Luna, Esq.

NYC ��������������������������������������������212 226-2610 www.lunachoulaw.com

Goldman, Jeffrey E., Esq

501 Fifth Ave #1900 NYC ��������������������������������������������212 983-8999 NYC ��������������������������������������������212 949-5085 www.jgoldmanlaw.com

Law Offices of Thomas Sciacca, PLLC

44 Wall St, 12th Fl NYC ��������������������������������������������212 495-0317 www.sciaccalaw.com

Long & Associates

NYC ��������������������������������������������212 360-0394 www.landapllc.com

Parker | Waichman LLP

6 Harbor Park Dr. Nationwide �����������������������������800 JUST-CALL www.yourlawyer.com

(SEE AD PAGE 64)

Tesler, Richard, Esq.

41 W 72nd St NYC �������������������������������������������212 362-6961 (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

BARS (SEE BAR SOURCE PAGE 71)

74

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 METROSOURCE.COM

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY (CONTINUED) – DATING SERVICES

CATERING Li-Lac Chocolates

West Village: 40 8th Ave, NYC Greenwich Village: 162 Bleecker St, NYC Grand Central: 43rd & Lexington, NYC Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave, NYC Industry City: 68 35th St, Brooklyn NYC ��������������������������������������������212 924-2280 www.li-lacchocolates.com

Paul Evans Catering

Koetting, Michael E., L.C.S.W.

NYC �������������������������������������������� 212 741-2606 www.koettingpsychotherapy.com

McFadden, Stephen, LCSW SEP

435 W 23rd St NYC �������������������������������������������� 212 627-8419 www.smcfadden.com

Nelson, Joshua, Ph.D.

71 W 23rd St, Ste 1115 NYC ����������������������������������������������646 512-0043 www.jnelsonphd.com

20 W 20th St NYC ��������������������������������������������212 321-1822 NYC ��������������������������������������������212 243-4494 www.paulevanscatering.com

(SEE AD OPPOSITE PAGE)

CLOTHING

276 Fifth Ave #1101 NYC �������������������������������������������� 212 683-2454

Dave’s New York

Rayhill, Daniel, Ph.D.

Union Square ������������������������������ 917 406-7900 www.stevenrosstherapy.com

Jackson Boutique

Schuetz, Volker, PsyD

CONTRACTORS/CONSTRUCTION ABS Design & Construction

NYC ��������������������������������������������212 731-0642 www.abs-construction-nyc.com

COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY Angers, Marc E., M.A. Oxon, L.C.S.W./L.P.

Licensed Psychoanalyst, NCPsyA NYC ��������������������������������������������917 678-7929

Barneson, Jeff, LCSW

Campbell, Robert D., LCSW

Psychotherapy for Individuals & Couples NYC �������������������������������������������646 783-8155 www.robertdcampbell.com (SEE AD OPPOSITE PAGE)

Davies, Ann Conant, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.

740 West End Ave, Ste 1 Cell ���������������������������������������������917 923-2257

Dicker, Phyllis D., L.C.S.W., A.C.S.W., B.C.D.

NYC ��������������������������������������������718 855-5171

Factor, Rhonda J., PhD

85 5th Ave, Ste 912 NYC ��������������������������������������������347 834-6057 www.rhondafactorphd.com

Andrew Blatter, lcsw

COUNSELING/SUBURBAN

Convenient Flatiron Location andrewblatter.com 917-442-5213 ablatterlcsw@mac.com

Schwartz, Alan, M.D., Psychiatrist

West Village/Chelsea, NYC ���������� 212 727-0923

51 Fifth Ave, NYC ����������������������� 212 645-5795 http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/33692

DATING SERVICES

19 W 34th St, PH NYC. �������������������������������������������347 921-0431 www.nycbloomtherapy.com

1133 Broadway #913, NYC 10010 www.NYChangeManagement.com

Tallent, Marc, Ph.D.

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Blatter, Andrew, LCSW

Bloom Psychotherapy NYC

Individual & Couples Therapy for Gay Men Sexuality • Intimacy • Relationships

• Anxiety and Depression • Relationship and Social Difficulties • Body Image and Self-Esteem Issues • Career Transitions

Kingan, Peter L., Ph.D.

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Call 212-470-9024 for a FREE phone consultation

P S YC HOTHE RA P Y

1133 Broadway #913 NYC ������������������������������������������� 212 470-9024 www.nychangemanagement.com

119 Washington Place NYC ��������������������������������������������212 252-2314 www.jeffbarneson.com NYC �������������������������������������������917 442-5213 www.andrewblatter.com

Clinical Psychologist

Ross, Steven, LSCW

581 Ave of the Americas, NYC Toll Free ��������������������������������������800 543-8558 www.davesnewyork.com www.jacksonboutiquenyc.com

Volker Schuetz, PsyD

31 Oak St Patchogue, NY ���������������������������� 631 447-6425

SEE ALSO INTRODUCTION SERVICES

ManMate

NYC �������������������������������������������212 564-4025 www.manmate.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

ManMate Dinners For 8

NYC �������������������������������������������212 564-4025 www.manmate.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Wheaton, Grant

Dating Coach NYC �������������������������������������������� 212 564-4025

Get FREE weekly updates

from NYC’s only comprehensive site for talks, lectures, and offbeat events thoughtgallery.org/signup

Jarratt, Kent, L.C.S.W.

19 W 34th St, NYC ������� 212 947-7111, ext 119 Oceanport, NJ �����������������������������917 686-6179 www.kentjarratt.com

Johnson, Thomas E., L.C.S.W.

Chelsea ���������������������������������������212 645-3952

Kingan, Peter L., Ph.D.

99 University Pl, 4th Fl NYC ������������������������������������������������917 428-2431 TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

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DENTISTS – EVENT PLANNING & EVENT SPACE/RENTALS

DENTISTS

DENTISTS/PERIODONTISTS

Babushkin, Howard, D.D.S., L.L.C.

Bizzell, Steven J., D.M.D., D.A.B.P.

525 West End Ave #1G, NYC �������� 212 874-2880 www.manhattanoasisdentistry.com

Cassidy, J.R., D.D.S.

West 10th Dental P.C. 45 W 10th St, NYC ���������������������212 982-5883 www.west10thdental.com

De Bonis, William B., D.D.S.

World Wide Plaza Dental Associates 370 W 50th St, NYC �������������������212 333-2650 www.wwpdental.com

Lew, Spencer, D.D.S.

50-02 5th St Ste B, Long Island City ��������������������������718 530-6539 www.licdentalassociates.com

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St, NYC �����������������������212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

DENTISTS/SUBURBAN Rosa, John D., D.D.S., P.C.

40 Newport Parkway, Ste P-1 Jersey City, NJ ���������������������������201 626-2700

30 E 40th St #706 NYC ��������������������������������������������212 286-1717 www.nycdental.com

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

LuxDen Dental Center

SEE ALSO PHYSICIANS

2579 E 17th St, Ste 11 Brooklyn �������������������������������������718 382-3444 www.luxden.com

Rosa, John D., D.D.S., P.C.

DERMATOLOGY Advanced Dermatology Associates

200 Central Park South #107 NYC �������������������������������������������212 262-2500 NYC �������������������������������������������212 246-0800 www.adv-derm.com

40 Newport Parkway, Ste P-1 Jersey City, NJ ���������������������������201 626-2700

(SEE AD PHYSICIANS PAGE 81)

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Arora, Navin, DO, FAAD

Sengos, Demetrios, D.D.S.

West 10th Dental P.C. 45 W 10th St, NYC ���������������������212 982-5883 www.west10thdental.com

Arora Dermatology 115 Broadway, Ste 1800 NYC ��������������������������������������������212 244-1252 www.aroraderm.com

West 10th Dental P.C.

Goldman, Barry D., M.D.

45 W 10th St, NYC ���������������������212 982-5883 www.west10thdental.com

150 Broadway #111, NYC ����������212 962-1115

Juva Skin & Laser Center

60 E 56th St #2, NYC ����������������� 212 421-9501 www.juvaskin.com

Lumos Dermatology

“Stressing prevention through education and quality dental treatment... ...while making it affordable for everyone in our community.”

Peter Chien, MD, PhD 37 E 28th St, Ste 304 NYC �������������������������������������������646 820-1716 www.lumosdermatology.com

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St, NYC �����������������������212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

EMPLOYMENT

JOHN D. ROSA D.D.S., P.C.

GENERAL AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)

1700 Stadium Way LA �����������������������������������������������213 847-LAFD www.joinlafd.org

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) 700 E Temple St, B-38 LA ���������������������������������������������866 444-LAPD www.joinlapd.com

(SEE AD PAGE 63)

EVENT PLANNING & EVENT SPACE/RENTALS Office conveniently located via PATH, 15 minutes from 14th Street station.

Office on ground floor of James Madison Building, directly across from Newport Mall.

40 Newport Parkway Jersey City, NJ 07310 201.626.2700 BY APPOINTMENT drrosadds@aol.com

76

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SEE ALSO CATERING, WEDDING SERVICES

Elite Private Yachts

NYC �������������������������������������������866 862-7245 www.eliteprivateyachts.com www.entertainmentcruises.com/new-york (SEE AD PAGE 67 & OPPOSITE PAGE)

Hornblower Cruises & Events

Pier 40, NYC �������������������������������646 832-2805 www.hornblowerny.com/metrosource TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

EVENT PLANNING & EVENT SPACE/RENTALS (CONTINUED) – HAIR REMOVAL Houston Hall

FLORISTS

The Riverside Church

203 W 144th St, NYC ���������������646 850-5973 www.lafleurnyc.com

222 W. Houston St NYC ������������������������������������������� 212 582-2057

la Fleur d’Harlem

490 Riverside Dr. NYC ��������������������������������������������212 870-6762 www.trcnyc.com

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Yachts for All Seasons

14th Street Framing Gallery

NYC �������������������������������������������212 534-6380 Cell ��������������������������������������������917 864-7670 www.y4as.com (SEE AD PAGE 69)

FRAMING

BIG APPLE EVENT AV

225 W 14th St, NYC �������������������212 691-8156

GIFTS Li-Lac Chocolates

EVENT SERVICES Big Apple Event Audio Visual

519 8th Ave, Ste 815, NYC �������212 518-3175 www.avnycrentals.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

FINANCIAL SERVICES

West Village: 40 8th Ave, NYC Greenwich Village: 162 Bleecker St, NYC Grand Central: 43rd & Lexington, NYC Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave, NYC Industry City: 68 35th St, Brooklyn NYC ��������������������������������������������212 924-2280 www.li-lacchocolates.com

Lance R. Kash, Financial Advisor, CFP® 122 E 42nd St #2215 NYC ��������������������������������������������� 646 964-9400

Chelsea Pines Inn

Law Offices of Thomas Sciacca, PLLC

318 W 22nd St, NYC ������������������212 243-9669

New York Life/NYLIFE Securities

32 8th Ave @ W 12th St NYC ��������������������������������������������212 206-0007 www.incentravillage.com

44 Wall St, 12th Fl NYC ��������������������������������������������212 495-0317 www.sciaccalaw.com

212-518-3175

www.avnycrentals.com

Colonial House Inn

Incentra Village House

www.misterbandb.com

Peloso-Barnes, Julia A., CFP, CPM, CRPC

Advanced Dermatology Associates

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Weddings Corporate Trade Shows Conferences Conventions

317 W 14th St, NYC �������������������212 929-1023

Marlon J. Altoe 420 Lexington Ave, 15th Fl NYC ������������������������������������������� 646 227-8605 Cell �������������������������������������������� 646 761-4372 www.newyorklife.com/agent/maltoe Purchase, NY �����������������������������914 225-6391 www.advisor.morganstanley.com/thepeloso-barnes-group

• • • • •

YOUR M OMENT

GUEST HOUSES/B&B’S

Ameriprise Financial Services

Make Your Next Event FABULOUS

LUNCH | BRUNCH | DINNER | P RI VATE EVENTS

MisterBandB

EntertainmentCruises.com/New-York

HAIR REMOVAL 200 Central Park South #107 NYC �������������������������������������������212 262-2500 NYC �������������������������������������������212 246-0800 www.adv-derm.com

(SEE AD PHYSICIANS PAGE 81)

Scholar Financial Group

245 Park Ave, Ste 1800 NYC �������������������������������������������646 366-6588

(SEE AD PAGE 63)

FITNESS/GYMS/PERSONAL TRAINERS Mercedes Club

550 W 54th St, NYC �������������������212 265-1111 www.themercedesclub.com

Lefkovits, George, M.D., P.C.

9 E 62nd St, NYC ��������������������� 212 888-MALE www.parkplazaplasticsurgery.com (SEE AD PLASTIC SURGERY PAGE 82)

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St, NYC �����������������������212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

Julia A. Peloso-Barnes, CFP®, CPM®, CRPC® Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor® First Vice President, Portfolio Management Director, Wealth Advisor 2000 Westchester Avenue 1NC | Purchase, NY 10577 NMLS # 578741

Planning for LGBTQ people isn’t just my professional life, it’s my community

914-225-6391 Julia.Peloso-Barnes@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/the-peloso-barnes-group Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the US. © 2019 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Member SIPC

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

You deserve an advisor who understands the path that has gotten you here.

CRC 2514463 05/2019

METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

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HAIR REPLACEMENT/REPLICATION – OPTOMETRISTS

HAIR REPLACEMENT/REPLICATION OMNI Aesthetic MD

Foxwoods Resort & Casino

www.foxwoods.com

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St NYC �������������������������������������������� 212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

The Graham & Co

Stoller, Roy B., D.O.

125 W 26th St, NYC �������������������212 430-8500 www.hi-nyc.com

515 Madison Ave, Ste 1205 NYC ������������������������������������������� 212 920-4499 www.hairdoctornyc.com

Phoenicia, NY �����������������������������845 688-7871 www.thegrahamandco.com

Holiday Inn Manhattan 6th Ave - Chelsea Hotel Hayden

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

127 W 28th St, NYC �������������������844 423-6004 www.hotelhaydennyc.com

HOTELS

Hotel Henri

The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Atlantic City, NJ �������������������������� 609 317-1000 www.outatborgata.com

37 W 24th St, NYC ���������������������844 277-9123 www.hotelhenrinyc.com

Opus Hotel Vancouver

322 Davie St Vancouver, BC Canada ���������������������������������������604 642-6787 www.opushotel.com

Sandman Suites on Davie

Christopher T. Coad md, facs Advanced LASIK Premium Lens Implants Comprehensive Eye Care Visian ICL/Refractive Castle Connolly Top Doctor 2018 Complimentary Evaluations (on elective procedures)

0% financing available

1160 Davie St Vancouver, BC Canada ���������������������������������������604 681-7263 www.sandmanhotels.com

Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel

1088 Burrard St Vancouver, BC Canada ���������������������������������������604 331-1000 www.sheratonvancouver.com

Sunset Marquis

157 West 19th St. NYC 10011 212-220-0066

www.ChelseaEyeOphthalmology.com

1200 Alta Loma Rd West Hollywood, CA �������������������800 858-9758 www.sunsetmarquis.com

ROBOTIC HAIR TRANSPLANT

VIVE Hotel Waikiki

2426 Kuhio Ave Honolulu, Hawaii ������������������������808 687-2000 www.vivehotelwaikiki.com

INSURANCE HealthSherpa

Toll Free ��������������������������������������844 346-9476 www.metrosource.healthsherpa.com

INTRODUCTION SERVICES SEE ALSO DATING SERVICES

ManMate

NYC ������������������������������������������ 212 564-4025 www.manmate.com (SEE AD DATING SERVICES PAGE 75)

LASER VISION CORRECTION SEE ALSO OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

Coad, Christopher T., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Chelsea Eye Ophthalmology 157 W 19th St, NYC ������������������212 220-0066 www.chelseaeyeophthalmology.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St, NYC �����������������������212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

LIPOSUCTION Marfuggi, Richard M.D., D.M.H, F.A.C.S.

50 E 69th St, NYC �����������������������212 317-1188 Denville, NJ ���������������������������������973 377-8950 www.askdrm.com

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St, NYC �����������������������212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

MARKETING SERVICES Brand2Fly

San Jose ��������������������������������������408 763-7924 www.brand2fly.com

GayVan.com Travel Marketing www.gayvan.com

OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

Before

After

Dr. Roy B. Stoller is a Board Certified facial plastic surgeon with over 25 years experience in hair restoration medicine and surgery. He is a leading expert in performing ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplantation.

Dr. Stoller offers his patients advanced medical therapy for hair loss, including PRP injections for hair loss, Laser H a i r T h e ra py a n d S c a l p M i c ro p i g m e n t a t i o n ( S M P ) t o camouflage hair loss with medical grade scalp tattooing.

Roy B. Stoller, D.O. | 515 Madison Ave. Suite #1205, New York, NY 10022 Call Now: 212-920-4499

www.hairdoctornyc.com 78

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Coad, Christopher T., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Chelsea Eye Ophthalmology 157 W 19th St, NYC ������������������212 220-0066 www.chelseaeyeophthalmology.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St, NYC �����������������������212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

OPTOMETRISTS Coad, Christopher T., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Chelsea Eye Ophthalmology 157 W 19th St, NYC ������������������212 220-0066 www.chelseaeyeophthalmology.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St, NYC �����������������������212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

OPTOMETRISTS (CONTINUED) – PHARMACIES/DRUGS West Village Eyecare Associates

10 Sheridan Square NYC............................................212 242-6592 www.eyecarenyc.com

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Arrow Pharmacy

883 Ninth Ave NYC ...........................................212 245-8469 www.arrowpharmacy.com

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Avalon Chemists

Samuelson, Stefan T., MD

44 E 12th St, Ste MD1 NYC............................................212 993-8573 NYC............................................212 594-1600

7 2nd Ave NYC............................................212 260-3131

Bigelow Chemists

414 Sixth Ave NYC............................................212 533-2700

Chelsea Specialty Pharmacy

PERIODONTISTS Bizzell, Steven J., D.M.D., D.A.B.P.

Periodontist 50-02 5th St Ste B Long Island City ..........................718-530-6539 www.licdentalassociates.com

171 Seventh Ave NYC............................................212 255-9900

CVS Specialty

126 8th Ave NYC ...........................................212 807-8798 (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Personalized HIV Care and Support • Guidance from pharmacists

specially trained in HIV therapy • Medication refill reminders • Pick up at our location (below)

or any CVS Pharmacy® or get delivery by mail at no extra cost*

Habitat Specialty Pharmacy

PET SUPPLIES Nulo Pet Foods

171 7th Ave NYC ...........................................212 255-9900 www.habitatspecialty.com

nulo.com/love

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

PHARMACIES/DRUGS

21 Seventh Ave, NYC..................212 242-1444

Ansonia Pharmacy

New London Pharmacy

446 6th Ave NYC............................................212 477-0762 www.ansoniapharmacy.com

Apthorp Pharmacy

2201 Broadway NYC............................................212 877-3480

Call 1-212-807-8798 or stop in.

Mayfair Chemists

CVS Pharmacy Specialty Services

246 Eighth Ave, NYC ..................212 243-4987

New York Chemists

126 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10011 Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

77 Christopher St NYC ...........................................212 255-2525 www.newyorkchemists.com (SEE AD NEXT PAGE) PHARMACIES/DRUGS CONT. ❯

Continuing to Provide Courteous, Compassionate, Professional Customer Service.

883 Ninth Avenue @ 57th Street Ask AAHIVM Specialists Michael and Krista About PrEP, Your Current Regimen, or How to Best Take Your Medication

Tel 212.245.8469

Serving New York Since 1940

Fax 212.586.1502

*Where allowed by law. In-store pick up is currently not available in Oklahoma. Puerto Rico requires first-fill prescriptions to be transmitted directly to the dispensing specialty pharmacy.

Products are dispensed by CVS Specialty® and certain services are only accessed by calling CVS Specialty directly. Certain specialty medication may not qualify. Services are also available at Long’s Drugs locations. ©2019 CVS Specialty. All rights reserved. 75-47585C 112618

Located in the beautiful neighborhood of Chelsea, Manhattan; Habitat Specialty Pharmacy is your friendly full service pharmacy, offering specialized health management and wellness services for you and your furry friends.

Habitat Specialty Pharmacy 171 7th Ave New York, NY 10011 Tel (212) 255-9900 E-mail: info@habitatspecialty.com www.habitatspecialty.com TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

A visit to Habitat Pharmacy reminds one of the quaint apothecary stores of the days gone by; where service is personal and friendly, the store clean and fully stocked, a concept long forgotten by big box pharmacies.

Please visit us. Browse through our top of the line products like Cannaba RX, Imbue CBD, Avene, Dr. Hauschka, Klorane, Bluebonnet Vitamins, Life Extensions plus many more items.

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PHARMACIES/DRUGS (CONTINUED) – PHYSICIANS & MEDICAL SERVICES Thompson Chemists &

Thompson Alchemists 137 Thompson St 449 West Broadway, NYC �����������212 598-9790 www.thompsonchemists.com

Village Apothecary

346 Bleecker St, NYC ����������������212 807-7566 www.villageapothecary.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

PHYSICAL THERAPY Galán, Antonio, PT, DPT, MBA, CHC

RestoreRehab Physical Therapy 664 10th Ave, NYC ���������������������212 245-5259 www.restorerehabpt.com

Personalized attention from experienced and knowledgeable Pharmacists and staff • Free prescription pickup and delivery Most insurance plans accepted • Carrying some of the hottest health and beauty brands on the market

For all your Pharmacy needs and more New York Chemists 77 Christopher Street (Btw 7th Ave and Bleecker St.) T: 212-255-2525 F: 212-255-2524 nyc@newyorkchemists.com

www.newyorkchemists.com

Store Hours Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 8 pm Saturday 10 am – 6 pm Sunday 11 am – 5 pm

Symbio Physio Therapy

214 W 29th St, Ste 901, NYC �����917 338-6268 www.symbiopt.com

PHYSICIANS & MEDICAL SERVICES Advanced Dermatology Associates

200 Central Park South #107 NYC �������������������������������������������212 262-2500 NYC �������������������������������������������212 246-0800 www.adv-derm.com

(SEE AD OPPOSITE PAGE)

Amida Care

NYC ��������������������������������������������855 462-6432 www.amidacareny.org

Astor Medical Group

67 Irving Place, 5th Fl @ E 18th St NYC ��������������������������������������������212 253-2968 www.astormedical.com PHYSICIANS CONT. �

VILL AGE APOTHECARY T H E C O M M U N I T Y P H A R M AC Y T H AT C A R E S

fREE WELCOmE KIT! Come in

for your

BRInG THIs CARd In And RECEIVE $10 off On AnY PuRCHAsE Of $25 OR mORE Store HourS: Mon - Fri 8aM - 8pM • Sat 9aM - 6pM • Sun 10aM - 5pM 346 Bleecker St • Greenwich VillaGe, nY 10014 • VillaGeapothecarY.com

2 1 2 . 8 0 7. 7 5 6 6 80

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 METROSOURCE.COM

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

Advanced Dermatology Associates Proudly Serving the Community for Over Twenty Years MEDICAL, COSMETIC & SURGICAL DERMATOLOGY

All Skin, Hair & Nail Disorders.

All Skin Growths On-Site HIV & STD Screening, Immediate Results

Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Board Certified.

University Affiliated.

Confidential Treatment of All STD’s

www.adv-derm.com 200 Central Park South, Suite 107

212-262-2500 Day, Evening, Weekend and Same Day Appoitments Available.

All Major Credit Cards and Insurance Plans Accepted.

The Genital Wart Treatment Center A private medical facility specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of genital warts and all STD’s in a caring, supportive and confidential environment.

Board Certified Specialists • Diagnosis and Treatment of ALL Sexually Transmitted Diseases Painless Treatment with the Latest & Most Effective Therapies Available • On-Site HIV Antibody Testing • Immediate Results • Specializing in the Successful Treatment of Recurrent Genital Warts

www.CentralParkMedicalAssociates.com Central Park Medical Associates 200 Central Park South, Suite 107

212-246-0800

COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL

Day, Evening and Weekend Appointments Available. All Major Credit Cards and Insurance Plans Accepted.

PHYSICIANS & MEDICAL SERVICES (CONTINUED) – PLASTIC SURGERY Dormer, Anita L., M.D., F.A.C.C.P.

Central Park Medical Associates

200 Central Park South #107 NYC ...........................................212 262-2500 NYC ...........................................212 246-0800 www.centralparkmedicalassociates.com

22 E 72nd St, 5th Fl, NYC ...........212 535-5905

Coad, Christopher T., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Int. Med., Gastr.

121 E 60th St, 3rd Fl, NYC ..........212 980-8800

(SEE AD PREVIOUS PAGE)

Fonville, T.W., Int. Med.

29 Fifth Ave @ 10th St NYC............................................212 674-1020

Goldberg, Edward S., M.D.

Chelsea Eye Ophthalmology 157 W 19th St, NYC..................212 220-0066 www.chelseaeyeophthalmology.com

Hsu, Ricky K., M.D.

(SEE AD OPHTHALMOLOGISTS PAGE 78)

154 W 14th St, 4th Fl NYC............................................212 627-7560

Dillon, Stephen, M.D.

Icochea, Rosendo S., M.D.

Int. Med., Inf. Dis. 314 W 14th St, NYC ...................212 620-0144

117 E 18th St NYC............................................212 387-9199

Plastic Surgery Exclusively for Men A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in men - in an office with only men in the waiting room

Brazilian Butt Fill™

Using Fat Transplantation Male Chest Reduction Liposuction Tummy Tuck Hair Transplantation Eyelid Surgery, Facelifting Nasal Profiling Med Spa Services: )V[V_ ࠮ 1\]LKLYT ࠮ 9HKPLZZL :J\SWZ\YL -H[ 9LTV]HS

Dr. Lefkovits has been an international guest speaker on Male Plastic Surgery.

COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION FINANCING AVAILABLE

GEORGE LEFKOVITS, M.D., P.C. OUTPATIENT SURGERY

This is a model, not an actual patient

9 East 62nd Street, NYC (212) 888-MALE www.parkplazaplasticsurgery.com email: info@drlefkovits.com

Jaeger, Lawrence D., D.O.

200 Central Park South #107 NYC ...........................................212 246-0800 NYC ...........................................212 262-2500 www.adv-derm.com

(SEE AD PREVIOUS PAGE)

Jarratt, Kent, L.C.S.W.

19 W 34th St, Penthouse Ste NYC.............................. 212 947-7111, ext 119 Oceanport, NJ .............................917 686-6179 www.kentjarratt.com

Leach, Eric G., N.P.

154 W 14th St, 4th Fl, NYC ........212 627-7560

Lefkovits, George, M.D., P.C.

9 E 62nd St, NYC.....................212 888-MALE www.parkplazaplasticsurgery.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Lexington Plastic Surgeons

113 E 39th St, NYC.....................646 374-2410 www.try.lexingtonplasticsurgeons.com/ metrosource

Mandell, William, M.D.

Infectious Diseases 31 Washington Sq West, NYC.....212 475-8833

Marfuggi, Richard A., M.D., D.M.H., F.A.C.S.

50 E 69th St, NYC.......................212 317-1188 Denville, NJ .................................973 377-8950 www.askdrm.com

Maze Sexual & Reproductive Health

Maze Men’s Health Maze Women’s Health Maze Labs Maze Cord Blood 633 Third Ave, Ste 9B, NYC......646 585-8980 www.mazehealth.com (SEE AD PAGE 65)

Midtown Integrative Medicine

Aziz, Michael, M.D., FRSM 509 Madison Ave @ 53rd St, Ste 1111 NYC............................................212 906-9111 www.michaelazizmd.com

Namdar, Isaac, M.D.

Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist 425 W 59th St, NYC ...................212 262-4444 1090 Amsterdam Ave, NYC ........212 663-2210 www.newyorkentspecialist.com www.namdarmd.com

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St, NYC .......................212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

Pearl, Alan, M.D., Psychiatrist

135 W 70th St, NYC ...................212 724-5188

Samuelson, Stefan T., MD

44 E 12th St, Ste MD1, NYC .......212 993-8573 NYC............................................212 594-1600

PLASTIC SURGERY Dr. WW Med Spa and Laser Clinic

85-16 Queens Blvd, 2F, Elmhurst, NY 139 Centre St #224, NYC ...........718 457-0707 www.drwwmedspa.com

Lefkovits, George, M.D., P.C.

9 E 62nd St, NYC.....................212 888-MALE www.parkplazaplasticsurgery.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

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TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

PLASTIC SURGERY (CONTINUED) – WINE & SPIRITS Lexington Plastic Surgeons

113 E 39th St, NYC.....................646 374-2410 www.try.lexingtonplasticsurgeons.com/ metrosource

Marfuggi, Richard A., M.D., D.M.H F.A.C.S.

Perasso, Matt

Prominent Properties/Sotheby’s International Realty 2 Main St, Edgewater, NJ ............201 840-8898 Cell.............................................917 834-0454 www.goldcoastcribs.com

50 E 69th St, NYC.......................212 317-1188 Denville, NJ .................................973 377-8950 www.askdrm.com

RESTAURANTS

OMNI Aesthetic MD

RETAIL

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St, NYC .......................212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

Sexual Health Men

290 Madison Ave 6th Fl, NYC .....973 493-7607 www.sexualhealthmen.com

Skintology

Cosmetical Aesthetics 157 E 57th St, NYC 181 7th Ave, NYC.......................212 989-6555 www.skintologyny.com

(SEE RESTAURANT BITES PAGE 72)

Make My Cake

NYC............................................212 234-2344 www.makemycake.com

Eva’s Supplements

11 W 8th St (bet 5th & 6th Aves) NYC........................................... 212 982-2500 www.evassupplements.com

Brooklyn Heights Montessori School

185 Court St, Brooklyn ...............718 858-5100 www.bhmsny.org

Rudolf Steiner School

15 E 79th St, NYC.......................212 535-2130 www.steiner.edu

Ciment, Ethan J., D.P.M.

TRAVEL

REAL ESTATE Bonavita, David

Corcoran NYC ...........................................212 501-8281 www.davidbonavita.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Chroughan, Judy

Bucks County Pennsylvania

www.visitbuckscounty.com

130 W 42nd St #401, NYC .........212 398-0999 Toll Free ......................................800 237-7433 www.kennedytravel.com

Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce

36 Main St Ogunquit, ME .............................207 646-2939 www.visitogunquit.org

Sullivan Catskills

Coldwell Bank Residential Brokerage

TRAVEL/GETAWAYS

Douglas Elliman Real Estate Bridgehampton.......................... 631 537-6519 Cell.............................................516 695-3433 www.theenzomorabitoteam.elliman.com

Hendler, Lisa E.

Berkshire Hathaway Blake Realtors Kinderhook, NY ..........................518 929-4519

McGrotty, Amy, JD

Castelli Luxury Real Estate Services Fort Lauderdale, FL......................954 347-1732 www.amy.castellihomes.com

Powell, DeWayne A.

Town Residential NYC............................................917 748-5100 www.townresidential.com

Prince, Keith A.

www.foxwoods.com

Proposition Love

www.propositionlove.com

The Riverside Church

490 Riverside Dr., NYC................212 870-6762 www.trcnyc.com

Yachts for All Seasons

NYC ...........................................212 534-6380 Cell ............................................917 864-7670 www.y4as.com

Law Offices of Thomas Sciacca, PLLC

Philadelphia, PA ..........................215 599-0776 www.visitphilly.com

44 Wall St, 12th Fl, NYC .............212 495-0317 www.sciaccalaw.com

WEDDING SERVICES

WINE & SPIRITS

Bespoke Matchmaking

1180 Avenue of the Americas, 8th Fl NYC............................................888 422-6464 www.bespokematchmaking.com

Elite Private Yachts

NYC ...........................................866 862-7245 www.eliteprivateyachts.com www.entertainmentcruises.com/new-york (SEE AD EVENT SPACE PAGE 77 & PAGE 67)

Feinstein’s/54 Below

254 W 54th St, Cellar NYC................................... 212 302-5559 x114 www.54below.com

Cork Wines & Spirits

1450 Washington St Hoboken, NJ ...............................201 942-9964 www.corkwines.net

David Bonavita Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker The Corcoran Group david.bonavita@corcoran.com (m) 212.501.8281 www.davidbonavita.com

Gatherings Floral Design

REAL ESTATE/SUBURBAN

Pier 40, NYC ...............................646 832-2805 www.hornblowerny.com/metrosource

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

20 W 20th St, NYC .....................212 321-1822 NYC............................................212 243-4494 www.paulevanscatering.com

WILLS

Visit Philadelphia

5 Tudor City Place, NYC ..............212 682-2083 www.gatheringsfloraldesign.com

Keller Williams Hudson Valley, NY.......................845 800-5413

Our Wedding Officiant NYC

(SEE AD PAGE 69)

Foxwoods Resort & Casino

Brown Harris Stevens NYC............................................917 826-3451 www.brownharrisstevens.com

Habeeb-Clark, Deborah

Oheka Castle

135 West Gate Dr Huntington, NY ..........................631 659-1400 www.oheka.com

Paul Evans Catering

Kennedy Travel

Catskills, NY................................800 882-CATS www.sullivancatskills.com

Enzo Morabito Team

NYC............................................718 741-3836 www.nyzooevents.com

Peter Boruchowitz NYC............................................917 523-1438 www.nyc-gay-weddings.com

Julie B. Fee Sotherby’s 49 Purchase St Rye, NY ......................................914 262-5323

JC Waterfront – Team Francesco Robert G. Harris 1 2nd St, Ste 1 & 4 Jersey City, NJ .............................201 604-4200 Cell.............................................646 334-0559

Manhattan Penthouse

NYC............................................212 627-8838 www.manhattanpenthouse.com

New York Zoos and Aquarium

SCHOOLS

PODIATRISTS Collins, Michael, D.P.M. Chelsea Foot & Ankle Center 37 W 20th St, Ste 308, NYC .......646 929-4149 www.chelseafootandankle.com

Li-Lac Chocolates

West Village: 40 8th Ave, NYC Greenwich Village: 162 Bleecker St, NYC Grand Central: 43rd & Lexington, NYC Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave, NYC Industry City: 68 35th St, Brooklyn NYC............................................212 924-2280 www.li-lacchocolates.com

Hornblower Cruises & Events Houston Hall

222 W. Houston St, NYC ........... 212 582-2057 METROSOURCE.COM

The Corcoran Group is a licensed real estate broker located at 660 Madison Ave, NY, NY 10065

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

83

FIRE ISLAND PINES – CHERRY GROVE Carousel Guesthouse

BARS Blue Whale

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6500 www.bluewhalefireisland.com

Cherry’s

Cherry Grove ������������������������������631 597-6820

185 Holly Walk Cherry Grove ������������������������������631 597-6612

Cherry Grove Beach Hotel

Cherry Grove ������������������������������631 597-6600

Dune Point

NEW YORK COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Horizon Beach House

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

SeaBreeze Rentals

ATHLETIC

36 Fire Island Boulevard Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-3599

GYM

BIG APPLE SOFTBALL LEAGUE 208 West 13th St New York, NY 10011 212 696-7482

The Pavilion

Pines www.steelgym.com

Cultured Elephant

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6500 www.thepinesfireisland.com

Harbor Club

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6500 www.thepinesfireisland.com

Sip n Twirl

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6500 www.pavilionfireisland.com

CLOTHING/GIFTS

Cherry Grove ������������������������������631 597-6261 Cherry Grove ������������������������������631 597-6278 NYC ��������������������������������������������212 689-2699 www.horizonbeachhouse.com

Cherry Grove ������������������������������917 763-9029

Steel Gym

HARDWARE Pines Hardware & Sundries

Gostoso Pines �������������������������������������������646 262-1910

Bay Walk Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6237

LANDSCAPING/FLORAL

Summer Solstice

Harbor Walk Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-4200

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-3746

CONTRACTING

LIQUORS/WINES

Walter Boss, Custom Builder

The Pines Liquor Shop

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6262

Pines and Pools

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6262

Pines Propane

Beachscapes

Harbor Walk Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6442

POOL MAINTENANCE Dependable Pools

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-9191

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-7748

GROCERIES

REAL ESTATE

Grove Market

A Summer Place

Main Walk Cherry Grove ������������������������������631 597-6239

Main & Bayview Cherry Grove ������������������������������������ 631 597-6140

The Pines Pantry

D. Karen Fire Island Properties, LTD

Harbor Walk Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6200

GUEST HOUSES/HOTELS Belvedere Guest House

Bay View Walk, Cherry Grove ������631 597-6448 www.belvederefireisland.com

Pines ������������������������������������������631 597-7000 www.fireislandpines.com

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Pines Harbor Realty

36 Fire Island Blvd Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-7575

RESTAURANTS Blue Whale

Celebrating World Pride 2019

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6500 www.bluewhalefireisland.com

FIND YOUR FIRE ISLAND VACATION HOME

Sayville Ferry

River Rd NYC ��������������������������������������������631 589-0810

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 METROSOURCE.COM

OUT OF BOUNDS NYC & TEAM NEW YORK PO Box 372, Times Sq Station New York, NY 10108 www.oobnyc.org PINK PONG NY Sunnyside, Queens 718 623-2926 www.pinkpongfoundation.org SUN/MON/TUE NIGHT TEAMS c/o Chelsea Piers AMF Bowl Pier 60, New York, NY 10011 212 835-2691 SUNDANCE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SOCIETY www.sundanceoutdoor.org sundanceoutdoor@yahoo.com TEAM NEW YORK AQUATICS 212 691-3440 (hotline)

FRONT RUNNERS NY P.O. Box 87 Ansonia Sta New York, NY 10023 212 799-8781 www.frny.org

CULTURAL, ETHNIC & SOCIAL

GARDEN STATE GAY BOWLING LEAGUE www.gsgbo.com

APICHA 400 Broadway New York, NY 10013 212 334-6029 www.apicha.org

GOTHAM VOLLEYBALL P.O. Box 961 New York, NY 10034 212 388-8208 info@gothamvolleyball.org KNIGHTS WRESTLING CLUB P.O. Box 720161 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 718 815-3244 LONG ISLAND RAVENS MC CLUB c/o Long Island Eagle 94 Clinton Ave Bayshore, NY 11706 631 968-2750 www.liravensmc.org

BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY 5001 Angel Canyon Rd Kanab, UT 84741 435 644-2001 www.bestfriends.org BIG GAY MEN OF NEW YORK 9111 Liberty Ave #662 Ozone Park, NY 11417 631 780-2807 www.convergence.nyc EMPIRE CITY MEN’S CHORUS P.O. Box 1017 New York, NY 10185 empirecitymenschorus.org

NORTH JERSEY G&L BOWLERS Belle Aire Lanes West Caldwell, NJ 201 823-2250

TRANSPORTATION

84

FAST AND FABULOUS CYCLING P.O. Box 23008, Ansonia Sta New York, NY 10023 212 567-7160

Grove Pizza & Restaurant

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6500 www.thepinesfireisland.com

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-3597

fireislandpines.com

EZRYDERS SNOWBOARDING 445 W 46th St #4D New York, NY 10036 www.ezryders@ondbdx.com

MONDAY NIGHT FOURPLAY BOWLING LEAGUE Syosset Bowl 631 842-5166

Pines Bistro & Pizza

631.597.7000

CITY CRUISERS MC Old Chelsea Station PO Box 1614 New York, NY 10011 www.citycruisers.com (gay men’s motorcycle club)

Cultured Elephant

Cherry Grove ������������������������������631 597-6766

Contact Us

CHEER NY CHEERLEADING Felipe Hernandez 888 671-7312 www.cheerny.org

NYC GAY BASKETBALL LEAGUE www.nycgaybasketball.org

GAY & BI FATHERS FORUM OF GREATER NY PO Box 1321, Midtown Sta New York, NY 10018 212 721-4216 (recording) 718 728-0476

NY GAY POOL LEAGUE PO Box 1502 Ansonia Sta New York, NY 10023 212 496-4585

GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION (GLAAD) 150 West 26th St New York, NY 10001 212 807-1700 www.glaad.org

NY RAMBLER’S SOCCER CLUB, INC. 917 767-9789 www.nyramblers.com

GAY FATHERS OF NY 245 Eighth Ave #897 New York, NY 10011 212 388-2618

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

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

GAY MEN OF AFRICAN DESCENT 44 Court St, 10th Fl, Ste 1000 Brooklyn, NY 10201 718 222-6300 www.gmad.org

LIVE OUT LOUD 45 West 36th Street, 6th Fl New York, NY 10018 212 378-4095 www.liveoutloud.info

GAY MEN OF THE BRONX PO Box 511, Bronx, NY 10451 www.gmob.org

THE LOFT-LOWER HUDSON VALLEY LGBT Center 252 Bryant Ave White Plains, NY 10605 914 948-2932 www.loftgaycenter.org

IMPERIAL QUEENS & KINGS OF NY 70-A Greenwich Ave #120 New York, NY 10011 212 229-5900 x3655 IN OUR OWN WRITE 208 West 13th St New York, NY 10014 212 620-7310 x305 (monthly readings) IN THE LIFE 30 West 26th St, 7th Fl New York, NY 10011 212 255-6012 JERSEY CITY LESBIAN & GAY OUTREACH (JCLGO) 113 Pavonia Ave #247 Jersey City, NJ 07302 201 333-5725 LATINOS & LATINAS DE AMBIENTE/NY (LLANY) 208 West 13th St New York, NY 10014 212 367-1092 LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL & TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER 208 West 13th St New York, NY 10014 212 620-7310 www.gaycenter.org LESBIAN & GAY NATURAL HISTORY GROUP OF NY 80 Garfield Pl Brooklyn, NY 11215 718 965-0013 LESBIAN HERSTORY ARCHIVES PO Box 1258 New York, NY 10116 718 768-3953 LESLIE-LOHMAN MUSEUM OF GAY AND LESBIAN ART 26 Wooster St New York, NY 10013 www.leslielohman.org (SEE AD PAGE 69)

THE L.I. GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL ORG P.O. Box 360 East Northport, NY 11731 www.liglff.org LONG ISLAND GAY & LESBIAN YOUTH 34 Park Ave Bay Shore, NY 11706 631 665-2300 www.ligaly.org LONG ISLAND RAVENS M.C. c/o The Long Island Eagle 94 North Clinton Ave Bay Shore, NY 11706 631 968-2750 www.liravensmc.org MALES AU NATUREL (MAN) MEN’S NUDIST GROUP 347 704-0704 www.males.org MEN OF ALL COLORS TOGETHER NEW YORK PO Box 1518 Ansonia Station, NY 10023 NYC GAY MEN’S CHORUS 561 Seventh Ave, Ste 803 New York, NY 10018 212 344-1777 www.nycgmc.org NYC PRIDE 154 Christopher St, Suite 1D New York, NY 10014 212 807-7433 www.nycpride.org PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS (P-FLAG) PO Box 553 New York, NY 10021 212 463-0629

THE POINT FOUNDATION 5757 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 370 LA, CA 90036 866 33-Point www.pointfoundation.org (SEE AD OPPOSITE PAGE) PRIME TIMERS c/o Don Hargus 208 Anderson St, Suite 8DS Hackensack, NJ 07601 201 488-4839 QUEENS L&G PRIDE COMMITTEE PO Box 580445 Flushing, NY 11358 718 460-4064 QUEENS PRIDE HOUSE 76-11 37th Ave Jackson Heights, NY 11372 718 429-5309 QUEENS RAINBOW COMMUNITY CENTER 30-74 Steinway St, 2nd Fl Astoria, NY 11105 718 204-5955 SERVICES AND ADVOCACY FOR GLBT ELDERS (SAGE) 305 Seventh Ave New York, NY 10001 212 741-2247 www.sageusa.org SOUTHERNERS/L&G MEN IN NY PO Box 881 New York, NY 10008-0881 STONEWALL CHORALE Box 920, Old Chelsea Sta New York, NY 10011 212 971-5813 STONEWALL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 119 West 24th St, 7th Fl New York, NY 10011 212 367-1155 www.stonewallfoundation.org TRI STATE LG&B STUDENT COALITION 208 West 13th St New York, NY 10014

HEALTH/ COUNSELING AIDS CENTER OF QUEENS COUNTY 97-45 Queens Blvd #1220 Rego Park, NY 11374 718 896-2500 AIDS DRUG ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ADAP) 800 542-2437 AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION 475 Atlantic Ave Brooklyn, NY 11217 718 637-2970 888 AIDS-CARE www.ahfpharmacy.org AIDS HOTLINE/NYC DEPT OF HEALTH 311 Broadway, 4th Fl New York, NY 10007 800 TALK-HIV AIDS RELATED COMMUNITY SERVICES 2269 Saw Mill River Rd Elmsford, NY 10523 914 345-8888 AIDS SERVICE CENTER NYLIVEC 64 West 35th St New York, NY 212 645-0875 www.ascnyc.org THE ALLIANCE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE 64 West 35th Street, 3rd Fl New York, NY 10001 212.645-0875 www.alliance.nyc (SEE AD PREVIOUS PAGE) AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR AIDS RESEARCH 120 Wall St New York, NY 10005 212 806-1600 ANTI-VIOLENCE PROJECT 240 West 35th St, 12th Fl New York, NY 10001 212 714-1184 212 714-1141 (Hotline) BAILEY HOLT HOUSE 180 Christopher St New York, NY 10014 212 337-3000

BAILEY HOUSE 275 Seventh Ave, 12th Fl New York, NY 10001 212 633-2500 BETH ISRAEL MEDICAL CENTER AIDS CLINICAL TRIAL UNIT DIV OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES 350 East 17th St, 3rd Fl New York, NY 10003 212 420-4519 BODY POSITIVE OF NY 19 Fulton St Suite 308B New York, NY 10038 212 566-7333 800 566-6599 BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS 165 West 46th St #1300 New York, NY 10036 212 840-0770 BROOKLYN AIDS TASK FORCE 465 Dean St Brooklyn, NY 11217 718 783-0883 CALLEN LORDE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 356 West 18th St New York, NY 10011 212 271-7200 CHEST (CTRHIV/AIDS EDUCATION STUDIES & TRAINING) 250 West 26th Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY 212 206-7919 DESIGN INDUSTRIES FOUNDATION FOR AIDS (DIFFA) 200 Lexington Ave #1016 New York, NY 10016 212 727-3100 F.E.G.S. MANHATTAN COUNSELING CENTER 80 Van Dam St New York, NY 10013 212 366-8289 FRIENDS HOUSE IN ROSEHILL PMB#248 50 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10010 212 995-5000 www.friendshousenyc.org GAY MEN OF AFRICAN DESCENT 44 Court St, 10th Fl, Ste 1000 Brooklyn, NY 10201 718 222-6300 www.gmad.org GAY MEN’S HEALTH CRISIS 446 West 33rd St New York, NY 10001 212 367-1273 212 367-1489 800 243-7692 www.gmhc.org

86

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 METROSOURCE.COM

HEALTH EDUCATION AIDS LIAISON PO Box 1103 New York, NY 10113 212 873-0780 HETRICK MARTIN INSTITUTE 212 674-2400 www.hmi.org HEALTHSHERPA 844 346-9476 www.metrosource. healthsherpa.com HISPANIC AIDS FORUM, INC. 213 W 35th St, 12th Fl New York, NY 10001 212 868-6230 www.hafnyc.org HIV STOPS WITH ME www.hivstopswithme.org (SEE AD PAGE 59 & THIS PAGE) INSTITUTION FOR HUMAN IDENTITY 322 Eighth Ave, Suite #802 New York, NY 10011 212 243-2830 www.ihi-therapycenter.org LI ASSN FOR AIDS CARE (LIAAC) 631 385-AIDS (hotline) 631 385-2451 MEN OF COLOR AIDS PREVENTION PROGRAM (MOCA) 125 Worth St, Box 67 New York, NY 10013 212 788-4402 MEN’S HIV SUPPORT GROUP 212 877-8227 x214 MINORITY TASK FORCE ON AIDS 475 Riverside Dr New York, NY 10115 212 870-2691 NAMES PROJECT NJ P.O. Box 716 New Brunswick, NJ 732 249-3933 NAMES PROJECT NYC 75 Varick St #1404 New York, NY 10013-1917 212 226-2292 NYC DEPT OF HEALTH OFFICE OF G&L HEALTH 125 Worth St, Suite CN67 New York, NY 10013 212 442-6944 PROJECT ACHIEVE New York, 212 305-2201 Project ACHIEVE (Union Square) New York, 212 388-0008 www.nycvaccine.org www.hopetakesaction.org

GOD’S LOVE WE DELIVER 166 Ave of the Americas New York, NY 10013 212 294-8142 212 294-8100 www.godslovewedeliver.org www.racetodeliver.org

THE SAMARITANS OF NEW YORK SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE PO Box 1259 New York, NY 10159 212 673-3000 (24 Hours)

GREENWICH HOUSE 80 Fifth Ave New York, NY 10011 212 691-2900

TALK SAFE + PLUSES 203 West St #408 New York, NY 212 604-1500

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

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

TREVOR PROJECT 9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 271-8845 VILLAGE NURSING HOME DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM 133 West 20th St, Ground Fl New York, NY 10011 212 633-1616

LEGAL LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND 120 Wall St #1500 New York, NY 10005 212 809-8585 LEGAL (L&G LAW ASSN OF GREATER NY) 799 Broadway #340 New York, NY 10003 212 459-4873

LESBIANS

LESBIAN MOTHERS @ THE LOFT 180 East Post Rd Lower Level, White Plains, NY 914 948-4922

POLITICAL EMPIRE STATE PRIDE AGENDA 16 West 22nd St New York, NY 10010 212 627-0305 LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS OF NY Radio City Station PO Box 2321 New York, NY 10101 212 202-6431 www.newyork.logcabin.org PRIDE DEMOCRATS 70 Greenwich Ave New York, NY 10011 212 613-6039

LESBIANS ABOUT VISUAL ART 118 Fort Greene Pl Brooklyn, NY 11217

STONEWALL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 119 West 24th St, 6th Fl New York, NY 10011 212 367-1155

LES HERSTORY ARCHIVES PO Box 1258 New York, NY 10116 718 768-3953

STONEWALL DEMOCRATIC CLUB 212 561-9008 www.stonewalldems.com

TO ADVERTISE CALL 212 691-5127

STONEWALL REPUBLICANS PO Box 650052 Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 718 357-7075

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LESBIAN AND GAY AFFIRMATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPISTS 250 West 15th St New York, NY 10011 212 517-1722 FSIX FINANCIAL SERVICE INDUSTRY EXCHANGE www.fsix.org GAY OFFICERS ACTION LEAGUE PO Box 2038, Canal St Sta New York, NY 10013 NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NY 340 West 42nd Street New York, NY 10108 646 964-5027 www.nglccny.org

RELIGIOUS

OUT PROFESSIONALS 332 Bleecker St #149 New York, NY 10014 212 462-9255 THE PUBLISHING TRIANGLE 332 Bleecker Street #D36 New York, NY 10014 www.publishingtriangle.org

REFERRALS/ SWITCHBOARDS G&L SWITCHBOARD P.O. Box 693 New York, NY 212 989-0999 THE GAY PARENTING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FUND New York, NY 10011 www.menhavingbabies.org LESBIAN THERAPISTS REFERRAL NETWORK 119 Washington Place, Suite C New York, NY 10014 212 206-1589 TREVOR PROJECT 212 545-0081 www.thetrevorproject.org

BROADWAY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 263 West 86 St, 3rd Fl New York, NY 10024 212 316-5700 www.bwayucc.org CHURCH OF ST PAUL & ST ANDREW 263 West 86th St New York, NY 10024 212 362-3179 COMMUNITY CHURCH OF NY 40 East 35th St New York, NY 10016 212 683-4988 www.ccny.org CONGREGATION BEIT SIMCHAT TORAH 130 West 30th St New York, NY 10001 212 929-9498 DIGNITY NEW YORK PO Box 1554 New York, NY 10150 646 418-7039 Brooklyn - 718 565-2171 Metro NJ - 973 857-4040 New Bruns. - 732 968-9263 Nassau - 516 781-6225 Suffolk - 631 654-5367

INTEGRITY/NEW YORK (LBGT EPISCOPALIANS) PO Box 20067 New York, NY 10011 212 691-7181 MARBLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH 1 West 29th St New York, NY 10001 212 686-2770 www.marblechurch.org METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF NY 446 West 36th St New York, NY 10018 212 629-7440 www.mccny.org MIDDLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH 112 Second Ave @ 7th St New York, NY 10003 212 477-0666 www.middlechurch.org NOT SO CHURCHY www.notsochurchy.org ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH Reverend Mark Erson 81 Christopher St. New York, NY 10014 212-242-5737 www.stjohnsnyc.org

METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

87

such posers

views

last call

On an overcast and blustery spring day in New York, filming

88

continues on the fourth episode for Season 2 of Pose. A warehouse the size of a city block contains most of the world depicted in the series. There’s Blanca’s House of Evangelista apartment at one end, the renowned twostory ballroom a short walk away and Elektra’s S&M hotspot — Hellfire — tucked well out of sight. Since we live in the Age of the Spoiler Alert, it’s a rare event for a journalist to see any of this in real time. But the principals of Pose — Mj Rodriquez (Blanca), Indya Moore (Angel) and Dominique Jackson (Elektra) — have all agreed to provide a tantalizing glimpse into the realness they’ll be serving up this season.

Metrosource: Three years have gone by since the conclusion of the first season. Plot points off the table, can you provide any insights into how your character has grown?

Mj Rodriquez: I feel like Blanca is more established, you know? She’s more sure of herself as a mother now. She has her feet planted on the ground. I think she’s more aware of what her kids have, what their talents are, and how she can utilize them to make sure they flourish the way they’re meant to flourish. And that’s for her. She is her kids. She’s still dealing with her diagnosis for sure, but she’s also finding ways to cope.

Indya Moore: Actually, I wanted to go for Blanca. I didn’t know what the characters were going to be, but I related with her feeling like she wasn’t as pretty as the other girls in the ways that she felt. And I related to her not feeling comfortable or happy with the dynamics in the house too, because I had that experience myself in the ballroom scene; not feeling that it was family enough. So I thought I’d love to contribute to that character.

Metrosource: We now know that like you, Angel aspires to be a model. Do you think your experience modeling has given the writers a different perspective on Angel?

Indya Moore: Well, I think they had a vision of what Pose would look like before I came in. I won’t take away the possibility that in some way I may have influenced some of what they were inspired to write, or the way they developed our characters to be. But I already related to a lot of what Angel’s story had been. I’m dabbling in the fashion modeling world, and Angel’s aspiring to do that. I think to some degree I may have inspired that. But I also believe Tracey Africa has inspired that, because Tracey Africa was the first trans woman to do that around the same time that the show takes place. She’s also black and really important. She was the first trans person to be on the Clairol box in the pharmacy.

Metrosource: So you must have some sense of how empowering this show could be for young people growing up feeling like no one understands them or shares their experience.

Dominique Jackson: I come from ballroom. And the journey in ballroom is so amazing because it provided family — support that, being a woman of color and being trans and being from a religious background and a West Indian background, people don’t appreciate or accept any of that. august/september 2019

metrosource.com

They don’t realize that being trans is something that needs to be respected, not approved.

Metrosource: Do you find it remarkable that people were able to create such beauty in the middle of poverty and an epidemic?

Dominique Jackson: In ballroom, I found this place — this space — where talent was just abundant. People more mature than I am, the pioneers of ballroom, would sit in their little apartments, eight people in one place, like how I came into ballroom, with eight in one house. And we would sit and construct things for the ball. And that helped to bring us together and helped us function as a family. So when you see the artistry and the fashion on Pose, you have to remember that they are being extremely authentic.

Indya Moore: Actually, those of us who were lucky enough to find a space or a group of people that were there for one another no matter what: that helped them to survive.

Metrosource: It seems like the first season was devoted to whether creating a family of spirit was even a possibility, and the second zeroes in on what that kind of bond can generate.

Mj Rodriquez: Blanca has always been very street and very tomboyish.

Now, as a mother, she’s growing up and she’s like,‘Okay, no more time for being a child anymore. I gotta be a grown-ass woman. I have to make sure I take care of these three kids in an apartment and the other sisters I have outside of here.’ I think she’s establishing her womanhood and her adult life. Granted, she was an adult when she was in the House of Abundance, but she was still a child of Elektra. I feel like she’s definitely at a point where she’s figuring herself out and saying,“I’m finally settled into who I am. Now it’s time to take on the next chapter.”

Metrosource: Once the series airs its last episode, becomes history and gets put into a vault, what do you hope its legacy will be?

Dominique Jackson: Well, hope that Pose is never put into a vault. However, the one thing that I want people to understand is that we’re human beings. I think in society we have this thing where we suffer in silence and we don’t speak out. But we’re in an era where everyone is starting to come forward and say,“I matter. My life matters.”

It’s high time we started to remove ourselves from this taught toxicity where women believe that they are subservient and men believe that they are the ones in power and trans people believe that the only thing they can do is sex work.

We have a lot of myths and stigmas that we have to continue to debunk.

So if Pose were to be put into a vault, I hope that people would understand that it is for us to be human beings to each other. That is our foundation.

Right now, we have to know what your body parts look like before we can approve you or feel comfortable with you. We have to start learning to lead with kindness and to believe in respect for one another. We’re all fighting – ■ not for privilege, but for true equality.

this page: Indya by Pari Dukovic-FX • Dominique by Macall Polley courtesy FX • Mj by Pari Dukovic-FX

Mj Rodriguez, Indya Moore and Dominique Jackson fling open the doors of the Pose set to say that Season 2 has only begun: “You haven’t seen anything yet, darlings!” By Kevin Phinney

MY SHELTER PETS ARE MY BEST FRIENDS

OLIVIA MUNN WITH FRANKIE AND CHANCE: ADOPTED 2016 AND 2014.

They’re a little bit of a lot of things, but they’re all pure love.

THESHELTERPETPROJECT.ORG