METROSOURCE LA - JUN/JUL 2024

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.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including:

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. 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, and may give you HBV medicine.

ABOUT BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. 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, 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.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

 Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

 BIKTARVY and other medicines may a ect 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.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, 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 that may have been hidden in your body. 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 e ects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

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

You are encouraged to report negative side e ects 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

Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

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.

CELEBRATING PRIDE

I AM THRILLED TO PRESENT TO YOU OUR LATEST ISSUE OF METROSOURCE, DEDICATED ENTIRELY TO CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH. As we embrace the spirit of diversity, inclusion, and love, we aim to amplify the voices and stories of the LGBTQ+ community.

In this special edition, you will find a blend of narratives, experiences, struggles, and triumphs, from individuals who have helped pave the way for greater acceptance and equality. Through these features, interviews, and viewpoints, we honor the resilience and courage of the LGBTQ+ community, as we do in every issue of Metrosource.

Pride is more than just a month; it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience and authenticity that defines the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a time to honor the trailblazers who fearlessly marched, protested, and fought for equality. It’s a moment to reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive society where everyone can live authentically and without fear of discrimination. It’s a call to action to stand up for equality, justice, and acceptance for all.

Some of the prideful and powerful voices you will recognize in this issue include our cover, Ben Platt. This actor, singer, and songwriter, rose to prominence for originating the title role in

the Broadway coming-of-age musical Dear Evan Hansen (2015-2017). His performance earned him a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award. Ben is hitting the road this month to begin tour on his third studio album Honeymind. Actress and comedian Marsha Warfield, who played Roz in Night Court during the ‘80s and ‘90s, talks to us about returning to the entertainment industry after a 20-year retirement, and being out and proud. Paula Pell was a writer for SNL creating such iconic sketches as “Debbie Downer” and the “Spartan Cheerleaders.”Pell appeared on 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, and many other television and film projects. She is featured in the smash Netflix show Girls5eva and married to fellow cast member Janine Brito.

Some voices you may not immediately recognize, but none the lesser, include comedian Modi Rosenfeld, who talks about his new special Know Your Audience, where he folds in his gay life with Jewish jokes. Modi believes the power of comedy can help build bridges between the LGBTQ community and other minority groups. Social media star Chris Stanley, who, with over 2 million followers, was one of the first LGBTQ+ creators on TikTok to go viral. Chris is known for his meme videos and candid street interviews. And Matt Cullen gives us a fresh take on the gay content creator, with his documentary style series Our Queer Life interviewing all corners of our community.

We recognize that our responsibility as storytellers extends far beyond the confines of our pages. It’s a commitment to fostering dialogue, driving change, and creating a more inclusive world. It is my sincere wish this pride season, that we work together to create a future where everyone can live authentically, free from fear and discrimination. Our strength IS our diversity.

With deep appreciation and pride,

Michael Westman

James Delyea

WRITERS Bent Share Entertainment, LLC

Cesar A Reyes

Christopher Jackson

Alexander Rodriguez

Ben Rimalower

Mark A. Thompson

Megan Venzin

Michael Westman

NATIONAL DISPLAY ADVERTISING Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com

Los Angeles 6475 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., #438 Long Beach, CA 90803

New

511 Avenue of the Americas, #901 New York, NY 10011 800.818.0480 info@metrosource.com

COVER: Ben Platt

Photography by: Vince Aung

June/July 2024 | VOLUME 35, NO. 3

DEPARTMENTS

CULTURE

7 THE SCOPE

“Future Of Us” is Our Lady J’s first major music release in a decade. Heartstopper season 3 This coming-of-age series centers around teens Charlie and Nick, who discover their unlikely friendship might be something more. Cactus Country: A Boyhood Memoir A striking literary memoir of genderfluidity, class, masculinity, and the American Southwest. Plus more.

TRAVEL

22 Coast into Costalegre Mexico’s Most Exclusive Oasis

VIEWS

4 EDITOR’S LETTER Celebrating PRIDE

CURATED

BY

MICHAEL WESTMAN

OUR LADY J “FUTURE OF US”

OUR LADY J IS AN EMMY-NOMINATED WRITER AND PRODUCER, BEST-KNOWN FOR HER WRITING ON POSE, TRANSPARENT AND AMERICAN HORROR STORY

Before Lady J’s career in television, she toured the world performing as a singer/songwriter, as well as a collaborative pianist and musical director for pop, theater, and classical music. She has received two Peabody Awards, three American Film Institute awards, three Writers Guild Award nominations and two NAACP Image Award nominations. As a producer, her shows have garnered a combined total of 48 Emmy nominations, 13 Golden Globe nominations, 20 Critics’ Choice nominations, among others. She is currently writing and coexecutive producing on the upcoming Netflix series, The Boroughs.

“Future Of Us” is Our Lady J’s first major music release in a decade, since she put her musical career on hold to focus on television and filmmaking. Featuring sweeping, classical orchestrations and supporting vocals by members of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, the composition is a meditation on the aftermath of societal chaos, and the responsibility artists have to steer us back towards creation. Our Lady J says,“The song paints a portrait of a world worn from mounting anxieties, building towards a revelation that calls for a return to LOVE.”

The recording of the song, written and performed by Our Lady J, was inspired by the artist’s personal journey of healing from the isolation of the pandemic, after which, she attended dozens of symphonic concerts to find community with other creatives and like-minded artists. In this period of inspiration, Lady J notes that “concert-going reconnected me with my roots as a collaborative musician and chamber pianist. I resumed my formal studies in classical piano at the Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles, and I fell back in love with the healing power of classical music.”

While“Future Of Us”is a classically inspired piece, Our Lady J is also releasing more music this summer that is more traditional singersongwriter material. Her upcoming single“Little Queen,”out in June in time for Pride month celebrations, is dedicated to all her trans and queer siblings in the LGBTQ+ community.

Listen on Spotify here:

tinyurl.com/y4p35e77

THESCOPE

LISTEN

HEARTSTOPPER SEASON 3 (NETFLIX)

THIS COMING-OF-AGE SERIES CENTERS AROUND TEENS CHARLIE AND NICK, WHO DISCOVER THEIR UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP MIGHT BE SOMETHING MORE AS THEY NAVIGATE SCHOOL AND YOUNG LOVE. THE LONG-AWAITED SEASON 3 WILL DEBUT ON NETFLIX ON OCTOBER 3RD. Charlie would like to tell Nick that he loves him. Nick also has something important to say to Charlie. As the summer holiday ends and the months race on, the friends begin to realize that the school year will come with both its joys and its challenges. As they learn more about each other and their relationships, plan social events and parties, and start thinking about university choices, everyone must learn to lean on those they love when life doesn’t go to plan.

Heartstopper is about love, friendship, and loyalty. It encompasses all the small stories of Nick and Charlie’s lives that together make something larger.

Netflix has led the way in diversity and the amount of Queer representation. With shows such as Orange is the New Black, Young Royals, Heartstoppers, and others, Netflix as demonstrated their commitment to getting Queer characters on screen.

WATCH

CACTUS COUNTRY: A BOYHOOD MEMOIR

BY ZOË BOSSIERE (AUTHOR) HARDCOVER $27

A STRIKING LITERARY MEMOIR OF GENDERFLUIDITY, CLASS, MASCULINITY, AND THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST THAT CAPTURES THE AUTHOR’S EXPERIENCE COMING OF AGE IN A TUCSON, ARIZONA, TRAILER PARK. Newly arrived in the Sonoran Desert, eleven-year-old Zoë’s world is one of giant beetles, thundering javelinas, and gnarled paloverde trees. With the family’s move to Cactus Country RV Park, Zoë has been given a fresh start and a new, shorter haircut.

Although Zoë doesn’t have the words to express it, he experiences life as a trans boy— and in Cactus Country, others begin to see him as a boy, too. Here, Zoë spends hot days chasing shade and freight trains with an everrotating pack of sunburned desert kids, and nights fending off his own questions about the body underneath his baggy clothes.

As Zoë enters adolescence, he must reckon with the sexism, racism, substance abuse, and violence endemic to the

working-class Cactus Country men he’s grown close to, whose hard masculinity seems as embedded in the desert landscape as the cacti sprouting from parched earth. In response, Zoë adopts an androgynous style and new pronouns, but still cannot escape what it means to live in a gendered body, particularly when a fraught first love destabilizes their sense of self.

But beauty flowers in this desert, too. Zoë persists in searching for answers that can’t be found in Cactus Country, dreaming of a day they might leave the park behind to embrace whatever awaits beyond.

Equal parts harsh and tender, Cactus Country is an invitation for readers to consider how we find our place in a world that insists on stark binaries, and a precisely rendered journey of self-determination that will resonate with anyone who’s ever had to fight to be themself.

VISIT

THE BANKSY MUSEUM

277 CANAL STREET

NEW TORK CITY, NY 10013

SOHO IS NOW THE HOME TO THE WORLD’S LARGEST COLLECTION OF BANKSY’S LIFE-SIZED MURALS AND ARTWORK. Displaying over 160 works by the world’s most famous-yet-anonymous street artist, The Banksy Museum recreates the revolutionary and often ephemeral art that Banksy has painted on surfaces in London, Bristol, Paris, Venice, Bethlehem, New York, Los Angeles, and beyond. Visitors to the museum will immerse themselves in an environmental experience, giving viewers access to Banksy creations, much of which has long since been whitewashed or dismantled. Beyond the iconic street art, the exhibition also features some of the artist’s studio work, as well as animated visual and video elements.

The New York Banksy Museum experience, an American premiere, follows successful exhibitions in Paris, Barcelona, Kraków and Brussels. The new exhibition, a New York premiere, is expanded to over 160 recreations, making it the largest display of Banksy work ever seen in a single setting.

Banksy Museum founder Hazis Vardar initially had his doubts.“Street art belongs in the raw setting of the streets,” said Vardar.“But if people can’t see it, is it even art? Little of Banksy’s works are visible to the public at large. Most have been stolen for resale, inadvertently destroyed, or erased by overzealous city cleaning teams. Most of this transient art could only be viewed on tiny smartphone screens, which is no way to experience the scale or emotion of Banksy’s work. So, we knew that we

needed to create an exhibition that would bring Banksy’s art back before the public.”

Banksy is undoubtedly the world’s most celebrated and elusive guerrilla street artist. Armed with little more than spray paint and stencils, the man behind the pseudonym Banksy has fostered an alluring identity that doesn’t embrace tradition but shreds it. There’s still much we don’t know about the mysterious artist since he first made his mark in the ‘90s, but what we do know is that Banksy’s striking, satirical work always delves into political and socio-critical discourse. Banksy’s artwork is characterized by striking images, often combined with slogans.

His work often engages political themes, satirically critiquing war, capitalism, hypocrisy, and greed. Common subjects include rats, apes, policemen, members of the royal family, and children. In addition to his two-dimensional work, Banksy is known for his installation artwork. A hero to some, a vandal to others, Banksy’s artwork has been known to sell for record-breaking sums, with landowners rushing to profit from - or whitewash - buildings chosen as his latest canvas.

The Banksy Museum is open daily, 10am – 8pm and tickets are available online at MuseumBanksy.com and on site at the museum. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged. Tickets are $30 for adults; $26 for students & seniors; $21 for children, 6 - 12 years. Admission is free for children 5 years or younger.

OUT AT THE FAIR® IS A ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENT THAT CELEBRATES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVENESS IN A FUN AND FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE. The event takes place at a fairground, providing a perfect backdrop for a day filled with music, food, games, and entertainment for all ages. The main stage features a lineup of talented musicians, dancers, and performers from a wide range of genres, giving attendees the opportunity to enjoy a diverse mix of music and entertainment.

OATF® is a community-focused event designed to bring people together and promote a message of acceptance and love. The event is open to everyone, regardless of their background, sexual orientation, or beliefs, making it a safe and welcoming space for all. So come out and join the fun at Out at the Fair® – where diversity and inclusiveness are celebrated!

California events include the following: San Diego County, Solano County, Alameda County, Marin County, Santa Barbara County, California State Fair, Orange County, and Monterey County. Also coming up in Oregon is the Washington County Fair. Visit outatthefair.com for all the dates and details.

PAULA PELL AND JANINE BRITO

FOREVER

FUNNY

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

GIRLS5EVA IS ONE OF THE MOST CHARMING SHOWS ON TV. THE SHOW FEATURES FOUR WOMEN WHO WERE ONCE PART OF A GIRL GROUP REUNITED DECADES LATER TO FIND MUSICAL SUCCESS, ALL WHILE MANAGING THE REALITY OF THEIR PERSONAL LIVES. Now enjoying its third season, it is funny, sincere, and heartwarming at its core. Part of the magic of the show is instilled by Paula Pell and Janine Brito. Paula plays Gloria, one of the women of Girls5eva, the “always working one” whose daily life consists of dentistry and whose love life is being divorced from her wife, played by Brito, who Paula’s wife in the real world. Brito also serves as a writer on the series, so it truly is a family affair.

Paula wanted to be an actor early on. Growing up in the Midwest gave her many colorful characters in her life between family and school, she says those voices are often in her head while writing comedy. Though acting is her passion, she arrived there by way of writing. She has earned an Emmy and multiple WGA Awards for her work on SNL and 30 Rock Where did she develop her signature wit?

My parents and sister are all very funny. My father is a true comedy genius. He is stealthy with his wit but has always been incredibly funny. I am definitely an apple that rolled from his tree. I was a big-time class clown in school but also a good student and loved to befriend my teachers. I would love to make them laugh along with

my classmates, so no one would be left out and I wouldn’t get in trouble. Just like my dad, I always loved getting laughs through both words and through physical schtick and props. I can draw very realistic eyes. I used to draw them and put them inside my glasses and pretend to be snoring during class (always a winning bit).

Paula took a job at Walt Disney World. She got involved in the comedy scene that would eventually lead to her long stint at SNL

I occasionally wrote and performed characters for sketch nights at my pal’s improv theater called the Sak Comedy Lab. They were all such hilarious and talented performers. They wrote a pilot of sketches called “chucklehead” and asked me to do my characters I wrote. That pilot ended up at SNL and I got a call from my local agent in Orlando. It was from a phone on the wall of my green room at the theme park. SNL wanted me to come for an interview. I flew up and Lorne Michaels asked me to be a writer. It was so surreal, and I was terrified, but I said yes, and five days later I was there and didn’t leave for 18 years.

At SNL, Paula created Debbie Downer, the Culps, Justin Timberlake’s Omeletteville mascot, and the Spartan Cheerleaders, among a long list of others. She has been nominated for a Primetime

Emmy 10 times for her work at SNL, winning once. How did working on that show change her life?

Working on SNL shaped me so deeply. I learned how to work and think and thrive in live television, which can be the most adrenaline-driven job of all in entertainment. There are no second chances, so you must always be sharpening your skills and your courage and last-minute fixes become a truly developed muscle. That muscle of making something funnier in a short amount of time in high stakes has served me for many years after I left. Most of the comedy writing world works at a much slower pace. My mind thinks of jokes in fast motion.

As a woman in the writer’s room, did she have to deal with the alleged men’s club that comedy shows have been accused of?

In terms of the men’s club, that was all of entertainment at that time. I didn’t know anything different so it’s hard to say if I was aware of it that much. We were so collaborative there that the men and women, both writers and cast, were all in a big soup trying to come up with funny stuff.

Coming from Cuban and Icelandic descent, Janine moved around in her early years. She was born in Florida, studied school in Scotland and Hong Kong, and went to university in St. Louis. It was in St. Louis that she started her comedy career, eventually heading to Oakland to pursue her career. There she met comic W. Kamau Bell and would eventually work on his FX series Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. Setting the scene for her following career, she served as on camera talent as well as a writer. She would go on to work on One Day At A Time, Bless the Harts, and of course, Girls5eva. Where did her sense of comedy come from, was she the class clown growing up?

I had a very funny and charming Dad and loved all things comedy from a young age (cartoons, joke books, SNL, Mad Magazine). I was very introverted, so only the clown around friends once I was comfortable with them.

Paula and Janine had a backyard wedding in 2020, after a few delays due to COVID. The two met on Twitter and Paula suggested they meet up in real life. They are the poster wives for making it work while in the biz. How do they do it?

Paula tells us, “Shooting each season has been a pretty brisk process of a few short

I LOVE PLAYING A GRAY-HAIRED LESBIAN DENTIST-TURNED-POPSTAR AGAIN WHO GETS MORE ACTION IN THIS SHOW THAN ANYONE.”

months in NYC. Janine and the other writers were in person this year in New York, so she and I had some time apart but always were together on the weekends with our house full of delectable animals upstate. I loved that she wrote for this season and always love when she comes on to play my ex-wife.”

Janine adds, “We have fantastic petsitters, and it thankfully works out since the writers’ room is mostly done before filming starts. So, Paula and I trade the baton on who stays home with the babies during the week. I commute home every weekend, so we get quality time together and don’t have to be apart for too big a stretch.”

Has being openly queer ever affected Paula’s career?

I came out at SNL when we were doing a commercial parody that James Anderson wrote, and I was helping with. It was called “homocil” and it was a pill for parents to take if they think their child is gay. The tagline was ‘Because it’s your problem, not theirs.’ It was so gay-positive, and the producers were worried it would seem homophobic. I blurted out in a meeting ‘Well I’m gay and I promise you that it is a very pro-gay message.’ A few of my close friends knew but I think it surprised a lot of people. I gratefully only got love and support from those around me. In general, as an actor, I never felt limited by being out. I have always been a character actor, so I don’t think I came across as much bullshit as some actors who play romantic leads and there was such stupid fear around that.

Did being out cost Janine jobs in the industry?

I knew from as far back as I can remember that I was a lesbian. I always wished I could be a boy and had BIG HEART THUMP feelings about Jessica Rabbit and Peg Bundy. I was dragged out of the closet senior year of college by my dear friend Danielle, who finally said “I don’t think you’re straight” and at that point, I was tired of denying it. I don’t know if being out ever cost me work but when I was first touring as a standup, I made a very conscious decision to come out onstage halfway through my set… win the crowd over before officially springing it on them. It felt like something I needed to do while doing shows in tiny rural towns.

IN MY 61 YEARS OF LIFE, I’VE SEEN SO MUCH PROGRESS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR POWER AND PLACE IN THE WORLD.”

At age 61, Paula brings so much life to her role on Girls5eva. As Gloria, she steals practically every scene she is in. Moving from the writer’s room to the acting chair, what does playing Gloria mean most to Paula?

Playing Gloria at my age is such a profound joy and honor! I love playing a gray-haired lesbian dentist-turned-popstar again who gets more action in this show than anyone, but is surrounded by three of the foxiest co-stars on the planet. Gloria is not afraid to get what she wants and to finally know and tell the truth about it. I personally find growing older to be very empowering because you really choose truth overall. I spend so little time now worrying about how I’m perceived. I’m just unfiltered and still kind, but much more direct, clearer, and honest. It’s so freeing.

And what is Paula’s message this Pride season?

In my 61 years of life, I’ve seen so much progress in our community and our power and place in the world. There have been great strides in assuring that we have the same rights and privileges as all Americans. But that forward movement has faced some real pushback in the last few years and it has shown us that we still have a lot to do to support each other and know that together we are the strongest. We must protect and lift up each other.

Janine adds, “I hope we continue to fight for the most vulnerable members of our community.” ■

is currently streaming on Netflix.

Girls5eva

STRENGTHENING THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY MATT CULLEN

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

IN TODAY’S AGE WHERE WE GIVE MAJOR CLOUT TO LGBTQ INFLUENCERS FOR JUST SHOWING SKIN, DOING A DANCE, OR SAYING SOMETHING SHADY, YOUTUBER, TIKTOKER, AND INSTAGRAMMER MATT CULLEN SERVES A REFRESHING TAKE ON THE GAY CONTENT CREATOR. Over the last few years, he has been turning the camera on our community with his series Our Queer Life. Whereas many interview shows from the community go after the latest Queen from Drag Race, or the popular hottie on that one show to talk about the latest in pop culture, Matt has cultivated content that truly represents the far-reaching realm of our community in moments that are at times provocative, heartbreaking, titillating, hopeful, gritty, and at the core of every episode, sincere. And don’t worry, there are the Queens and hotties as well.

WE NEED ALL OF US TO STAND TOGETHER AND LISTEN TO EACH OTHER AND BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER AND FIGHT THE FIGHT TOGETHER.”

He has spoken with old and young, popular and not, gay rodeo contestants, drag queens, people raised in the mob, couples, members from every letter of LGBTQ, and, in a mission to remove the stigma of sex from our community, has spoken to street workers, escorts, and porn stars. LGBTQ at its fullest, the beautiful and the tragic, is fully represented in this series. He wants to spotlight members of the community who have overcome hurdles, and he works toward amplifying issues that affect the LGBTQ.

Matt is not just a host of the show. He is the life of the show. His optimistic personality, his listening, and his genuine care for his subjects jump off the screen. He gains his guests’ trust, often revealing aspects of their lives they have not shared openly before. He is a master at his game. He was raised in Northern California with an all-American family, a sibling, and two parents. But there was a gleam of entertainment in his eye.

I think I was a kid who always had crazy dreams of moving from a small town to a city and making my dreams come true. Ever since I was like six years old, I would tell people, I’m gonna move to Hollywood or New York and be a director, an actor, and I just always had so much passion and drive even as a young kid. So, it’s really mirrored who I am today, for sure. I honestly have no idea (where it came from) because none of my family are remotely in this business at all. My grandpa was a composer, and he was a gay man too. I always feel an affinity towards him and I think that I probably got my love for arts and stuff through him, but there was not one specific incident that drew me to this. It just feels like it has been part of me since I can remember.

Matt, like many of us, was picked on in school for having feminine traits, and loving dance and musical theatre. When he was a senior in high school, he wrote a coming-out note for his parents and left it on the table.

Sometimes when I get nervous, I don’t say what I want to say or I don’t say it in the best way that I want to say it, especially when I was a kid. I thought the best way to do it was just to be able to write down my thoughts and make sure that they were what I truly felt in my heart, and that they were authentic to me because I knew that once I said what I said, it was going to be out there. I just wanted to make sure that the way I said it was accurate and respectful and true to how I felt.

He credits his parents for their love and acceptance, especially after having interviewed so many who did not have that benefit. Matt moved to New York to study acting and then to Los Angeles, where he currently resides, to pursue his acting career. Then his focus started to change.

Covid happened and of course, everything stopped, and it just gave me a lot of silence and a lot of time to reflect on my happiness and what was bringing me happiness. The hustle of acting and also the lottery of acting was making me very anxious. The fact that my destiny was in the hands of other people writing a role that was right for me, of other people getting me an audition to get in the room, of other people giving me the yes that I could play this role. That kind of led me to the series because the series was really me taking it and doing everything by myself.

I edit, I find the people I want to interview by myself, I find the locations by myself, and it gives me full control. That’s what I love about YouTube and content creation so much is that you are not waiting for anybody else to give you the yes. You can make anything you want to make and put it on the internet and you can find your audience yourself. And that just inspires me and drives me so much. It’s really been a journey of just learning, teaching myself on YouTube

how to edit, teaching myself how to interview people, teaching myself how to use camera equipment, how to sound sync. All of that stuff has just been self-taught, but it’s made me such a well-rounded person that I just love it so much.

Though Matt has always had the benefit of living in largely liberal and accepting places, he realized that our community was bigger, and there was a need for a show like Our Queer Life

I think that I really needed to learn from other people in my community about what they have gone through in order to live an authentic truth, about the strength and resilience that so many people in our community have to go through to live authentically for themselves. Because for me, my story was different. I was accepted from the moment I came out and I was embraced. I know that’s not the story for so many people. So, I think the impetus for Our Queer Life was really for me to learn. And then as the show has grown, I have felt like I have really been that vehicle and that POV for other people that maybe want to learn and maybe don’t live in these liberal places, to enter the world through me and to learn through my eyes.

Through TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, the majority of his content gets hundreds of thousands of views. Though he feels the pressure to count clicks and keep his platforms growing, he stays true to his pieces, knowing some subjects may not be as popular as others, but the stories still need to be told. As his content grew, so did the trolls with some keyboard warriors protesting his covering of everything LGBTQ. Though nervous at first, he knows that this kind of interaction means people outside of our community, or even people from within who don’t agree, are still watching these stories and still feeling strong enough to interact. When did he first start to realize he was going viral?

My version of viral at that moment was like 9,000 views and it was seven months in. It took so long for me to find my audience. Especially these days with content creation, it’s so oversaturated that you really have to

work hard and find your niche and just keep going. But I put out this one TikTok with one of my guests named Mousie, and she has helped my series so much. But with this one TikTok in particular, I started getting a lot of views. And at that time it was like 5,000 views or 6,000 views, and I was like calling my best friend, “Oh my gosh, I’m getting views, I’m getting views, I’m getting views!” It was finally working. So I always equate that first moment to that when I started finding my audience, my first round of an audience, and also reading the responses. For so long it was like five comments from my mom and my best friend commenting on these videos. It was hard to grasp or to feel where the needle was and how people felt about the series. It just really showed me that I’m in the right direction and I just need to keep going.

Over 300,000 people watched the episode that featured Mousie, a trans woman and street hustler, sharing the most intimate parts of her life, including living in several men’s prisons and talking about her past with drug use and sex work. In the third episode that featured Mousie, Matt shared with his audience that she had passed. The time with Mousie solidified the kind of trust Matt was able to build with his guest. He was as heartbroken as we were. This is part of why his audience has grown so strongly. I think it’s the way that I approach these sensitive subjects with so much empathy because that’s just who I am and it’s a genuine curiosity. I’ve been such a curious person since I was a kid. I never went to school for journalism, but something I always have had is just this innate curiosity to learn about other people and to learn about their wants and their desires and their dreams. I just could talk to somebody for so long my entire life for that. So, I think that the audience feels that genuine curiosity. And I think the audience also relates to me. I think that I can be a very palatable person for people to enter those kinds of worlds into. Maybe they don’t know the trans sex worker in Puerto Rico, or they don’t know the

I APPROACH THESE SENSITIVE SUBJECTS WITH SO MUCH EMPATHY BECAUSE THAT’S JUST WHO I AM AND IT’S A GENUINE CURIOSITY. ”

RuPaul’s Drag Race celebrity. So for them to be able to enter that world through my eyes, I think has made the show really easy for people to watch.

What does Matt viewers to walk away with most from watching Our Queer Life?

I just want people to walk away with a sense of realizing that we are all on this earth together, and we are all so much more alike than we would think. Maybe there’s a corporate, white, straight man who lives in Texas and has no connection to anybody in the queer community. I want them to watch my episode of the street hustler when I’m in her house and I’m looking at picture frames of her mom who has maybe passed, and she’s sad about her mom passing, and he had his mom pass and he realizes he’s connecting to this person so that when he leaves the episode, he’s like, wow, I feel a deep connection to this person I would’ve never thought I had a deep connection with. Then that changes the world because when voting comes around or other things come around, they’re thinking about these people and they’re like, wait, but I’ve empathy for these people that I didn’t have empathy for before because I had never met these people, I’d never heard these stories before. I think especially in the world that we live in today, so many people in our community are so vilified and painted in a certain type of way. I just really want people to see the human beings in us and to realize that we all have a heart and we all have dreams for the future, and we all want food on our table, and we all want a roof over our heads, and we all just want so many of the same things in life.

Even with Matt being in the mix of the community and rubbing elbows with just about everyone (he did his first gay cruise on the series), his life can still be very isolating. He does run his own machine, from start to finish. That, along with taking the feelings of his interviewees to heart, sometimes can be a lonely job and something that requires him to maintain his mental health.

That is something that I go through a lot because I actually can be very introverted and a homebody. I

have five close friends in my life and I’m not this crazy outgoing person that’s involved in these scenes that I’m shooting at. And then oftentimes, I wonder, am I hiding behind my camera? Am I using my camera as a safety blanket to kind of bring me into worlds that I want to be in, but not fully be there because I’m there to interview? I thought about that on the cruise a lot because I was so shy to go on it because it just made me nervous. But then every time I’d get nervous, I’d take my camera out. But it is something I go through, and I just love these oneon-one conversations that I have with people because that’s where I really feel comfortable. I love the deep connection that I can have with just one person. When I sit down with someone and talk with them for an hour, I leave feeling a part of their heart with me and I carry that with me everywhere I go.

Matt is still doing his personal hustle, working a side job while single-handedly bringing us new episodes that continue to inspire, challenge, and curate the stories of the LGBTQ community. He hopes to be picked up by the likes of Max or Netflix so that he can just focus on the interview part. While the majority of his fellow LA community queers are dancing the night away in Weho, he is busy editing for hours on end. But what you see on camera is what you get in person, he is setting the standard high for any influencer on how to act in person and what kind of content is really relevant to our cause.

And what is his message to the LGBTQ community this Pride season?

I think what I’ve learned the most is that we all need to stand together. I think that a lot of episodes I’ve done have kind of shown that there is segregation within the letters of our community and I think it’s so important that we listen to our trans community and we stand with them, especially in the times we’re at right now. We’re stronger as one. We need all of us to stand together and listen to each other and be there for each other and fight the fight together. ■

COAST INTO COSTALEGRE

MEXICO’S MOST EXCLUSIVE OASIS

BY MARK A THOMPSON

EVERYBODY LOVES PUERTO VALLARTA—FOR ITS NIGHTLIFE, ITS BEACHES, THE FOOD, THE PEOPLE. PV HAS BEEN AN LGBTQ+ OASIS FOR DECADES, NOT UNLIKE LOS ANGELES OR NEW YORK. But sometimes you want to escape to a more exclusive oasis—and that’s when you head to Costalegre, the coastal region between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo.

Costalegre is like the Hamptons of Jalisco. Notable for its cerulean beaches and bays, and numerous private villas and luxury resorts, it’s the sort of destination where certain celebrities and luminaries can relax beneath a palapa without intrusion from paparazzi.

Costalegre is where you find yourself at polo practice at Careyes Polo Club on Saturday morning, and then off to lunch at Playa Rosa Beach Club where you run into an editor you know from the States, as well as a handful of European expats and a well-known American novelist, all swilling mezcal margaritas with a mound of guacamole that resembles a close encounter of the third kind.

In the evening, there might be an art opening at the Careyes Art Space, which is located on Plaza de los Caballeros del Sol, or a private screening at a jewel box theatre that recalls Cinema Paradiso. Later, you might consider volunteering at the Sea Turtle Protection & Conservation Center, where thousands of sea turtles nest along Playa Teopa.

There’s also Ondalinda, a celebrated tribal gathering which evokes Burning Man or Coachella for its ability to attract hundreds of global nomads to the beaches of Costalegre for a multi-day festival marked by music, art, and consciousness. The word ondalinda means“beautiful wave,”which is both a metaphor and a testament to the eco-sensibility of Costalegre residents who work together to protect the natural environment and preserve Mexican heritage.

In all honesty, I knew nothing about Costalegre until my friend mentioned she’d been traveling there on behalf of a client: five trips in the past year. And there was another friend who’d recently relocated from Los Angeles to Careyes, and another who was leaving PV for Costalegre. There were also two friends of friends who traveled there regularly from Connecticut. Suddenly, it seemed like I was the last to know.

That’s not unusual. For one thing, Costalegre values its privacy. It’s one reason many people consider Costalegre to be Mexico’s undiscovered treasure. Those who do find their way there are often the more intrepid travelers. The drive from PV to Costalegre takes about three

hours on Mexico’s federal highway known as Carretera Pacifico. But there’s also the jungle, a dense tropical nature reserve that separates Costalegre’s pristine beaches from the two-lane paved highway. Of course, there are heliports and private airstrips for private aircraft—and the new Chalacatepec International Airport is scheduled to open in the near future. For now, those who wish to visit Costalegre fly into PV or Manzanillo where, invariably, a driver awaits to take them to the resort or villa of their choice.

Located within the Mexican state of Jalisco (aka Land of Tequila), Costalegre is loosely defined as the 150-mile stretch of Pacific coastal beaches between PV and Manzanillo. The term Costalegre, which means“happy coast’ or“coast of joy,”has been employed since the 1990s when the state government of Jalisco began promoting the destination for tourism—but the origins of Costalegre’s global appeal can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s with the arrival of European expatriates such as Sir James Goldsmith and Gian Franco Brignone.

Both Goldsmith and Brignone purchased thousands of coastal acres to build private estates, which have now become luxury ecoresorts known respectively as Cuixmala and Careyes. Situated across a series of dramatic cliffs and secluded bays, Careyes includes more than eight miles of private beaches, 46 villas, 40 casitas, as well as two ocean castles and the oceanfront El Careyes Club & Residences with five infinity pools.

In late 2022, Four Seasons Tamarindo opened in nearby Tamarindo with a spectacular low-density cliffside enclave that maximizes the dramatic setting with panoramic water views from 157 cliffside and beachfront accommodations located on more than 2,000 acres of protected eco-reserve. More than 98% of the property remains undeveloped and protected as a nature reserve. As well, the resort includes its own 35-acre organic farm, Rancho Ortega, alongside numerous fields of agave glistening silver in the sun.

At the resort’s Discovery Centre, ornithologists and conservationists are on site for ethnobotanical walks during which guests encounter various indigenous species—though, fortunately, I didn’t glimpse a single scorpion. As for grasshoppers and maguey worms (aka edible caterpillars), they’re served atop guacamole and lobster tacos at the resort’s taqueria known as Nacho. If you’re anxious about eating insects, just close your eyes; they’re as crispy as chips— and twice as nutritious.

Infinity pool at Sol de Oriente at Careyes

Casa Carioca at Careyes

The resort’s various restaurants include Coyul, which is helmed by Elena Reygadas who was designated World’s Best Female Chef 2023 by the judges of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Framed by infinity pools, the dining room overlooks the Pacific ocean and the menu reflects the ocean’s bounty and its impact on regional Mexican cuisine with various varieties of ceviche, aquachile, and seafood carpaccio.

As for the breakfast buffet at Coyul, let me remind you that Reygadas is the owner of the acclaimed Rosetta in Mexico City, where her bakery La Panadería de Rosetta offers no less than fifty unique sweet and savory baked goods. Dock it there, sailor—and linger long over estate reserve Mexican coffee.

Located just down the coast and overlooking the islands of Bahia de Chamela, the 387-acre Las Rosadas was originally a family compound for a California couple. Intoxicated by the region’s beauty, the couple traveled regularly to Las Rosadas where they raised their children in a beachfront bungalow. The bungalow remains, a reminder of the couple’s first romance with the region—albeit now transformed into a onebedroom barefoot luxury lodge known as Casita Las Palmas. Perfect for guests who yearn to sleep with the ocean lapping at their feet.

Secluded and romantic, Las Rosadas is a clandestine retreat for those who value privacy over publicity. It’s where you go when you need only the sounds of nature. Chachalaca birdsong in the morning, the ocean at night, and a staff who anticipates your needs with hardly a word exchanged. The expansive estate is crowned by the three-acre Paloma Blanca, a six-bedroom modern villa with infinity pool and fire pit

Cliffside Suites at Four Seasons Tamarindo

Four Seasons Tamarindo infinity pools

Sal restaurant at Four Seasons Tamarindo

Ocean Club Casitas at Las Rosadas

Playa las Rosadas at twilight

THERE’S A SENSE OF WONDER THAT ACCOMPANIES MOST PEOPLE WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN COSTALEGRE.”

overlooking the Pacific, as well as four Ocean Club Casitas, each of which is a masterpiece of contemporary Mexican design and architecture. Regardless of which accommodation you choose, complete privacy is all but guaranteed.

Situated at the edge of a palm grove, Playa Las Rosadas is one of those pristine beaches that fuels fantasies of tropical escape. Sugar sand, cerulean water, palapas—it’s all there, along with tequila and mezcal at the palm thatch palapa bar and grill known as Bar Mono. For dinner along the beach, there’s La Terraza, a charming garden restaurant with wood-fired oven and grill. In keeping with the region’s prevalent eco-conscious ethos, Las Rosadas honors the environment with its low-density development and the maintenance of an extensive nature preserve, much of which is accessible via the property’s Polaris fleet.

According to Luis Villaseñor, Director General of Puerto Vallarta, and Fernanda Landa, Director of PR for Guadalajara, the state of Jalisco has become the most progressive state in Mexico. “Guadalajara is like the Brooklyn of Mexico for its visionary vibe,” says Landa. “And also, the Silicon Valley of Mexico,” agrees Villaseñor. Thanks to education and outreach, Jalisco has become a beacon of progressivism for much of the rest of Mexico. Consequently, the entire state of Jalisco is extremely welcoming to LGBTQ+ visitors from around the world. In a world where so many LGBTQ+ people are unwelcome in too many places, it’s a comfort to bask in Costalegre.

There’s a sense of wonder that accompanies most people who find themselves in Costalegre, as if they have discovered the correct portal into a different consciousness, where natural beauty is celebrated and protected. Those who climb to the top of La Copa del Sol at Careyes or the lighthouse at Xala are rewarded with panoramic vistas of the region’s breathtaking beauty—and a reminder of Costalegre’s enduring empyrean appeal. ■

Interior of Ocean Club Casita at Las Rosadas

Bar Mono at Playa las Rosadas

Hammocks along Playa las Rosadas

A HUGE PART OF MY COMFORTABILITY COMES FROM FINDING MY LIFE PARTNER, NOAH.”

ON OUR MIND

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

DESPITE BEN PLATT’S YOUNG AGE, HIS CAREER IS NOT WANTING FOR SUCCESS. HE IS AN OSCAR AWAY FROM BECOMING AN EGOT TITLEHOLDER AND CONSIDERING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS HE HAS ALREADY MADE, IT IS NOT A FAR REACH. Now, with a very public relationship and engagement with actor Noah Galvin on the books, he hits the road to tour his third studio album Honeymind Honeymind refers to the “honeylike” state of being in love and the album truly reflects that. Claiming Noah as his muse for the record, it is a queer ode to Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Carole King. It is folk, it is Americana, it is stripped down and beautiful in its simplicity. Melodies and harmonies are artful counterparts to lyrics that actually tell a story. Ben sounds at his most reflective, his most sincere, and his most relaxed even as he soars through his vocal register. Love clearly has done a number on him. What inspired him to peel back the music back to its roots?

I think it came pretty organically. When I started working on this album in the spring of 2022, I went to Nashville because there were just so many writers there that I already loved and wanted to work with again, and some that I wanted to work with for the first time. And I just knew that their storytelling and emotional narrative and kind of songwriting is always the focus there. There’s not a lot of bells and whistles, and I think I was at a point in life where I was really looking to strip it back, and I didn’t necessarily go in with a stylistic plan. It felt like a great landing place in terms of my own style and just felt very organic to the type of singing and storytelling that I like to do. It felt like a really beautiful fit.

I also got excited by this crossroads of soft, introspective Americana and a really expressively queer perspective. I don’t think that’s necessarily a combo that I’ve experienced or seen a lot and I love all of that super-American classic imagery. I think the idea of getting to reclaim some of that through a queer lens was when the album sort of started to take shape for me, when those songs started coming out and I could experience the joy of that intersection.

This may be Ben’s most raw and vulnerable recording to date. Without the pomp of musical theatre, and without servicing a pop fandom, he is speaking from the heart, unaided by a script. How is he the most different, personally, from his other albums?

I have come to a stage in life, by sort of trial and error, that everybody does where I’m learning how to be less concerned with perception and external validation and what people are maybe wanting or expecting or

thinking about me or saying online about me. This is meaningful to me because I wrote it from a place of purely just confidence in my own perspective and being as totally transparent and free in myself as I can be. A huge part of my comfortability comes from finding my life partner, Noah. Being in my relationship with Noah, gave me the freedom to a) write a million love songs about him, but b) to feel a lot of safety in not filtering myself or trying to put any external ideas or stylistic choices on it, and just be exactly what I want it to be.

Honeymind is not just for young lovers. It speaks to a queer narrative and beyond for those who have loved and those who have loved and lost. What does Ben want listeners to take away from the album most of all?

I think it depends on the listener. If it’s someone who feels like they’ve found love or in a relationship or with their partner, I hope that it feels like a way to express what that feels like and what they feel about their partner or what it feels like to be in a relationship, or how scary it can be to meet somebody, or how important it can feel to try to keep someone close. And for people that aren’t, I hope that it just gives them a better sense of me and my internal life and where I’m at and that the specificity begets some universality and hopefully, there are life experiences or moments or things that people are going through that it either soothes or triggers in a positive way or helps to cope with.

Most of what Ben has done has been in the spotlight. From his appearance in the Pitch Perfect films to hitting Broadway and film with Dear Evan Hansen, to last year’s turn in Parade, he’s media’s sweetheart. Following suit, his relationship with Noah has also been a highlight for the media. The two met as friends and didn’t start the dating process until five years later, choosing to explore their relationship during COVID. Galvin announced their dating relationship on a podcast appearance in 2020. In 2021, they made their red-carpet debut as a couple for the Dear Evan Hansen film adaptation. In 2022, Platt proposed to Galvin, and six months later, Galvin returned the gesture. How do they maintain a healthy relationship with career and media whirling around?

It’s day by day, but a huge priority has been making sure there are a lot of elements and things about our relationship that are just for us and that we take

Noah Galvin & Ben Platt

privacy very seriously; just really wanting to focus first and foremost on our real everyday day-to-day life separate from public consumption. We make sure that there’s a foundation of one-on-one connection that is just for the two of us. Then we can just feel free and joyful to share the things we feel comfortable sharing. We both feel really lucky as queer people to be in a position to share our relationship. I think I have always underestimated the power of just being totally forthright and transparent about the good things and the joyful things and the complex, normal things. You don’t really realize as you’re growing up how few examples of that you have until you see one. I certainly loved seeing that when I was growing up. It’s worth it to us to balance that public persona because we see that it’s valuable and we want to be part of the community in a visible way.

Ben had to cultivate his voice in many ways growing up. Los Angeles-born, he is the fourth of five kids and was surrounded by the entertainment industry. At an early age, he was already appearing at the Hollywood Bowl and on a national tour while performing in school musicals. By the time he headed to his brief stint at Columbia University, he had a resume of productions that belied his age.

Coming from a full family and surrounded by the biz, how was he able to establish his own voice?

I had a wonderful loving family, and I still do. I grew up in a community that was very close-knit and so there was a lot of emphasis on sameness, a lot of unity and community came from like-mindedness. That can be a really beautiful thing in a lot of ways. But I think as I started to get older and feel the differences that I felt, I learned the importance of diverging and being confident and comfortable diverging. It’s easier said than done. And I think for me, I feel really privileged that I was working in the theater from such a young age because that’s where I found all of my first queer representation and saw queer producers and queer performers and writers and costume designers and saw them with their partners and their boyfriends and living their lives.

It was so much part of the context that it made it easy for me to identify myself and to feel, I’m like that guy. Even before it was a sexual thing. It was just an identity thing of like, this energy is what I experience. So, I really chalk up the ability to figure out my queer self to getting to be part of the theater because it’s so inherently

queer and run by and created by so many queer people.

In terms of my own voice and perspective, I think as late as my early twenties when I did Evan Hansen - and I did the musical for so many years - when that was ending, I just felt such an intense desire to get back in touch with my own feelings and my own experiences because I’d focused so much on this other person and trying to inhabit this other person and put this kind of narrative across and this emotional experience. It was a really wonderful, cathartic thing to reinvestigate myself and focus on my own ideas. I feel like that is the period where I really kind of started to get a handle on my actual point of view.

In 2019, Ben released the music video for“Ease My Mind,” the second single on his debut album Sing to Me Instead. The video featured Platt with actor Charlie Carver. Without meaning to, he publicly came out. The media again swirled with headlines.

The funny thing is that I didn’t really view it (as coming out) because everyone I’d ever met knew that I was - every cast member I’d ever worked with, every fan I’d ever met, all my family, all my friends, all my coworkers - I felt out. So, when I

went to write that song, it was very much about the experience of anxiety and how relationships can allay anxiety, and that to me was the event of the song. And when I thought about what video I would make, it just seemed natural to depict my actual experience, which was this relationship that it was based on. It wasn’t until it came out and it was sort of received as a coming out that I even realized that’s what it was. There was no way to avoid it, essentially. I had no issue talking about it and there was finally a piece of art or storytelling that was relevant to the story. I just included it and have ever since.

Another part of Platt’s identity is his Jewish faith. Last year, he had the opportunity to star as Leo Frank in the Broadway revival of Parade, the real-life story of a Jewish American factory superintendent who was accused of the murder of a young girl. The court case became a media circus and Frank was convicted and sentenced to death. His conviction was changed to life in prison but was kidnapped by a mob and lynched, fueled by antisemitism. Modern research has concluded that Frank was wrongly accused. During show previews, the theater where the revival was being performed was met with neo-Nazi protestors sporting signs and antisemitic propaganda. The musical not only addresses antisemitism but also misogyny and racism towards the Black community. What was Ben’s reaction as he was preparing to take to the stage?

To be honest, it was not as surprising as maybe you would think. When you grow up a Jewish person, it’s just like antisemitism is part of the deal the same way it is when you’re a queer person, it’s like homophobia is just built into society. It was obviously upsetting, and I hate that it happened, but, if anything, it acted as a reminder of the reason we were telling that particular story and how important it was to be doing that, and how art is super powerful. I think any kind of art can be very powerful, even if it’s not that directly dealing with something that is top of mind as a modern person. But I think particularly when you get a piece that’s really hitting something on the head that needs to be hit, it feels like such a gift because you feel so productive getting to go and do it every day. It’s beyond comprehension that there are people with that much ignorance and hatred who are so willfully ignorant. But, I felt grateful to be able to put that into action in that I didn’t have to

just witness that and then go home and sit with it, but that I could get on stage and tell that story and put some of that anger and frustration into something productive.

Ben will be hitting the road for his Honeymind tour in June and July. Connecting with an audience is very special to him, and kind of the whole point of his putting music out there.

Performing live is like the end game for me, always. I love to song write and put out records. I obviously love that people have the opportunity to listen to them in their homes, but the idea of performing them is always in my mind. It always feels like the finish line, a celebration when I finally get to sing my songs live on stage. I think so much can feel ephemeral or virtual or nonspecific; everything can feel amorphous,

especially when you’re putting music out into a void. When you go on the road and you see real faces and real people and feel real energy and see that they understand it and they like it and it makes them dance or listen, or cry, or smile, it’s like the ultimate vote of confidence and the ultimate reminder of why I do it in the first place. It’s definitely bar none my favorite part of being an artist or performer of any kind is the live connection with people and people who take the time to come and see specifically me. It makes me want to give as much as I can give.

While Ben’s career and personal life continue to thrive, he is involved in perhaps his most ambitious project that won’t wrap for two more decades. He will star as Charley Kringas in the film adaptation

THIS PAGE : PHOTO BY VINCE AUNG

IT’S WORTH IT TO US TO BALANCE THAT PUBLIC PERSONA BECAUSE WE SEE THAT IT’S VALUABLE AND WE WANT TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY IN A VISIBLE WAY.”

of Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along. The story centers around a trio of friends whose friendship suffers the trials of Hollywood over the course of 20 years, told in reverse chronological order. The film, in following with the musical, will be filmed over 20 years with the cast coming together every couple of years.

Because it’s written about the disillusion of a friendship over the course of many years, it’s hard to really express that on stage authentically. The idea of actually getting to do that over the course of time and watch us go from our most jaded to our youngest and most pure selves, I think has the opportunity to be really powerful. But it’s just so crazy. You have to just kind of think about it as little, short films that come every couple of years that are such a

gift for a couple of weeks to get to reunite with this great group of people and focus on the scene at hand and do the best you can.

All eyes continue to be on Ben, in whatever direction he moves in next. Personally and professionally, he is under entertainment’s microscope. With the pressure of being Platt, how does he keep his mental health in check?

I’ve definitely had a journey in the last couple of years. It kind of happens without you or even realizing it when you’re an artist, especially in an American society or modern society, which is that there’s so much that hinges on external validation and praise and critique and social media and all these things that are outside of the actual thing itself. I think I’ve learned a lot of meaningful lessons in the last couple of

years just about trying to not put too much value and expectation on those things and to just do things that feel organically fulfilling, meaningful, fun, joyful, important to me. That’s way easier said than done, but it’s been a positive kind of energy. I think a huge part of maintaining my mental health has become my partner. I feel really lucky to have somebody who can be a really unbiased voice and supporter and who knows me inside and out and will tell me the truth whether it’s a hard truth or a happy truth. It just puts into a much bigger perspective for me, people who say things who really don’t have any context for who I am or what’s actually going on in my mind and heart. It makes it much easier to swallow that there are always going to be people all over the spectrum where that’s concerned. It’s all about focusing on the people who really see you and understand you and respect you. To have someone like that who’s such a champion has really changed the game for me in terms of my own wellness.

And what is Ben’s message to the community this Pride season?

I think it’s to really focus on the joy, complexity, humanity, and reality of being a queer person, and to be as forthright and open and loud about that as we can. As much as it’s important to talk about being on the offensive and the things that we’re having to defend ourselves against, and scary legislation, and homophobia, and trauma and oppression, all those things are real, and I don’t think that we need to ignore them, but I think it’s so powerful to lean into the ways in which we’re not only equal but honestly superior and very special. It behooves us to really let those things sparkle. And additionally, specifically this Pride season, just lifting up our trans community members and making sure that they get to celebrate those things too because they’re busy having to fight for their identities and their existence. They’re not getting to enjoy just the compelling nature of who they are as humans and their joy and their talents and their art. So just lifting up each other is our job as queer community members. ■

For information on Ben’s Honeymind tour, head to BenPlattMusic.com

MODI ROSENFELD

PAUSE FOR LAUGHTER

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

MODI ROSENFELD IS ONE OF THOSE COMEDIANS WHO DOESN’T NEED TO TRY AND BE FUNNY, HE JUST IS. Talking to him is like talking to that cool guy you met at a party, he’s not setting up one-liners, he’s not performing for you, he just is talking about real life through his point of view – and it’s very entertaining. Now, in a career that has taken him from being a Merrill Lynch international banker to a stand-up comedian (with a little Yeshiva University’s Belz School of Music cantoring studies for good measure), he recently premiered and is now touring his debut comedy special, Know Your Audience. And he knows his audience well. His special is a funny, intimate, and sometimes provocative look at his Jewish faith and – gasp! – his homosexuality. Yes, the two can survive together quite successfully in the world that Modi has created for himself.

THERE’S A LOT OF ACTIVISM GOING ON AND FIGHTING FOR OUR RIGHTS, BUT IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL OF THAT, TAKE A PAUSE FOR LAUGHTER.”

Modi immigrated from Tel Aviv, Israel, when he was just 7 years old. His parents were the last of their siblings to make the journey, having opportunities in the US to provide for their family. He majored in psychology and voice at Boston University and became a high-level banker before fate intervened and changed his entire life.

I was funny amongst my friends and used to do imitations of the secretaries I worked with, and my friends said, this is really good stuff. It’s one thing to be a “table comic,” it’s another to bring it on stage. My friend organized a comedy night and I did the imitations that I was doing of people on stage, and that’s how the whole thing began. The owner of the club said, this is really funny stuff, you got to keep at it. At first, I was doing these over-the-top characters, it was literally drag without the dress. I was doing these massive characters, the secretaries, things that you probably can’t even do today. Then when you start doing comedy, your voice develops, and the voice developed much more Jewish. Now my voice is developing as a man married to another man who’s a millennial. Being married to a millennial, and living a life with a millennial is become more of what my act is about. That and the fact that my husband is Catholic and has planned more events and fundraisers and raised more money for Israel than most Jews!

In his special Know Your Audience, Modi folds in his gay life with his Jewish jokes without pomp and circumstance, without flinching, and without shock. When did he first realize he wasn’t like the other boys?

I knew right away. I liked guys when I was very, very young. But you have to understand something, hen I was young, it was in the ‘80s and I didn’t know what gay meant. Today, gay is your senator, your lawyer, your doctor, your representative, all of that. Back then, gay was just a flamboyant hairdresser my mother had, that was the only type of reference I had to gay. So, I just thought, I just like, guys, I’m not gay. Then you realize later on you’re a BIG homosexual.

Modi was also coming into his own sexuality with the AIDS epidemic as a backdrop.

In my act now, I talk about how the “millennial gays” biggest problem is where they’re going to have Botox put in or where they’re going to have filler done. Whereas when I turned 30, in 1990, the height of AIDS, we saw our friends, it was like, oh

I FEEL VERY MUCH THAT THE ORTHODOX COMMUNITY IN THE JEWISH WORLD HAS BEGUN TO EMBRACE THE GAY WORLD A LOT MORE. THEY’VE REALIZED THAT THE MAIN GOAL OF LIFE IS JUST TO SPREAD LIGHT AND MOSHIACH ENERGY.”

my God, you are still alive.

Coming from a conservative Jewish family, how did they react to his coming out?

To be honest, it was a slow burn. They kind of knew it was happening, and they’re like, okay, okay, it’s okay. We didn’t all sit down and sing Kumbaya and hug each other. I’m trying to think if my mother was more shocked that I left banking or that I was gay.

Modi continues to sing at the synagogue where he worships, and he has incorporated his Jewish customs into every aspect of his life. Shabbat dinners and Passover Seders with his entire family are held at his home. Though his one-man shows have had more Jewish audiences by nature, that is starting to shift. He unapologetically believes the being Jewish and being gay can coexist.

First of all, all of the Testaments - the New Testament, Old Testament, this and that - everything boils down to love your neighbor as yourself. So that’s the first thing. And then, it’s basically to bring light into the world, how I believe it is Moshiach energy. Whatever’s written in there is great. Just however you interpret it, make sure you interpret it to be a better person and to help other people. And of course, you have to love yourself first. The main prayer of the Jewish world, what we have on the mezuzah – “Hear, Oh Israel, the Lord our God. The Lord is one.” Not that there is one God judging everybody, it’s that God is oneness - me, you, this interview, whatever, is a piece of God right here, that’s a Godliness. And so, whatever it says in Matthew or in

John or Job, just make sure you interpret it to be good.

Modi, from his one-man shows, special appearances, and club nights, is in demand. He was named by The Hollywood Reporter among the top 10 comedians in New York City. He has appeared on all the major networks, cable networks, and even Howard Stern. The print media loves him (after this interview, I can see why), and headlines around the globe. He is also a co-founder of The Chosen Comedy Festival, celebrating Jewish humor from a diverse collection of comedy acts from coast to coast. When Modi did an interview with Variety, the reporter found out mid-interview that Modi was gay and married. When the piece came out, Modi, who hadn’t really hidden anything, was officially publicly gay. What it did was open up conversations within Jewish, Orthodox Jewish, homes where fans who had already loved his material could now relate to his gay side or have open conversations with their own loved ones, Modi fans, about being gay while living a Jewish life.

Even with all the social and political pressures on the LGBTQ community, Modi does not feel the pressure to change his material or amp things up. Perhaps the success of our building bridges with a conservative side is through ease and humor.

It is what it is. Here it is - a regular guy making people laugh. He happens to be gay. He’s got a husband, he’s doing good, he’s helping others. He’s performing here and there, and singing “Hatikvah” at the end and making people who aren’t Jewish and people who are Jewish come together and laugh. There’s no need to scream, we can slide right into each other’s worlds.

Modi celebrated his 30th anniversary with the Comedy Center in NYC. He’s had his success with the Jewish community, the mainstream comedy clubgoers, and his fellow gay comedians like Matteo Lane. He’s in the center of many circles. Did he ever feel the need to butch it up to appease his audiences? Watching his special, he is what audiences would call straight passing, he’s not talking Drag Race or telling Grindr jokes.

It is not me! I’m more of an “Oy, vey girl!” I’m so Jewish. It’s funny, you know, Matteo and I always talk about what’s in our heads, like, what are the voices in our heads? So, in his head is Liza Minnelli. Liza Minnelli is speaking and then he translates, and it comes out as Matteo Lane. Rather than Liza speaking in my head, there’s an old Jewish Borscht Belt comedian trying to get the lines out. It’s not, “Hey girl, what’s up? Uh, no, she didn’t!” It’s, “Two Jews walk into a bar.” Where can I make this funny in a Jewish way? That’s what’s ringing and dinging in my head.

After all these years in the biz, his special is finally out. He credits his husband Leo and agent, Michale Grinspan, for getting him to the point where he felt ready. Leo also acts as his manager and, during COVID, started to work on Modi’s social media and brand, growing his followers into the multi-hundreds of thousands. He also directed the special. Leo actually made an appearance during our interview that was both sweet and telling. These two are in love and between the millennial Catholic and the daddy Jew, they are changing the narrative of what a gay couple looks like. Out of a scene from a movie, the two met while locking eyes and hard cruising each other on the 6 Train. They exchanged numbers and went on a date – to the Comedy Cellar. Leo had no idea that Modi was a comedian or that he was performing that night. After two more dates, they moved in. That was 9 years ago. How do they maintain a healthy relationship while working so closely together?

It’s so much easier! Do you know how much easier at the end of the day? You’ve spent the day together; you don’t have to recap the day with each other. You have these intense, insane days that you need to be able to tell your life partner, your husband, your soulmate about, but who has the energy? You just want to sit down and plotz. It makes it easier that we’re in the same head space. He gets it and he gets the audiences, and he gets the humor and he punches up my material, which is such a gift to have a funny husband who could actually punch up your lines is like heaven-sent.

Modi’s comedy does not shy away completely from hot topics. He has jokingly talked about the cancel culture that we are currently in and notes that there is a hypocrisy that resides. Antisemitism goes on without repercussion, no matter where it is coming from.

It’s just so easy to say horrible things against Jewish people and get away with it. Am I going to scream that this is not okay, and this is bad? No, let’s make a joke about it. And in that joke, not only does it mention that it’s so skewed crazily, it also mentions the Holocaust Museum, which some people never heard of. And even they might Google it. And whenever you mention the Holocaust or something horrible, it’s so good because people who don’t know what it is are going to Google it. It’s an amazing thing to do. So again, I don’t know why it’s okay to shit all over Jews and get away with it. I don’t curse usually, but that’s what it is. But I’m not going to solve it. I’m not going to go picketing, but I’ll make a joke to bring it to people’s awareness.

Of course, Modi believes the power of comedy can help build bridges between the LGBTQ community and other minority groups, like Orthodox Jews. Through laughter, we can see the similarities between our two groups.

I feel very much that the Orthodox community in the Jewish world has begun to

embrace the gay world a lot more. They’ve realized that the main goal of life is just to spread light and Moshiach energy. And even if someone’s gay, they are a part of the community. You can’t exile them. We are embracing and loving, and family is the most important thing. Big headways have come in the Orthodox Jewish community, but the best way to bridge anything is through laughter. When a gay kid comes to his mother and says, how funny is this comedian? And it’s not even about a gay joke, it’s whatever the joke is. And it’s just, “Mom, you know, he’s gay?” It’s comedy. Comedy’s the answer.

And his message to the LGBTQ community this Pride season?

You know, the LGBTQ community falls under the umbrella of gay, which is just happy. Find a way to be happy, find some comic that you love. Go watch him. There’s a lot of activism going on and fighting for our rights, but in the middle of all of that, take a pause for laughter. Go dancing with some friends, have some fun, and then still fight. We have to keep fighting for all of our rights but pause for laughter. ■

For all things Modi and to watch his special, head to ModiLive.com.

CHRIS STANLEY BRINGING ABOUT COMMUNITY

CONVERSATIONS

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

CHRIS STANLEY IS JUST A BUNDLE OF FUN AND POSITIVITY. HE’S BEEN HEATING UP THE CONTENT CREATOR SCENE FOR OVER 5 YEARS, BECOMING ONE OF THE FIRST LGBTQ+ CREATORS ON TIKTOK TO GO VIRAL, FOR A VIDEO FEATURING HIS MOM REACTING TO EXPLICIT LYRICS ON A GAY LIP-SYNC VIDEO. From travel vlogs and meme videos to street interviews and heartfelt life sharing, he’s amassed well over 300 million views on his content, garnering the attention of Madonna herself. He is one of the fastest-growing queer content creators on the scene. And he does all the work himself.

His personality developed quickly while creating his own identity in a childhood that included a house full of 5 brothers, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, and becoming a star soccer player. He was used to all eyes on him, his personality and sense of humor was already starting to take shape.

I always felt like I was the favorite child, but I’m not confirmed on that. [Laughs] I never really felt like I was competing with them for any attention or anything because I felt like I kind of already had it a little bit. I used to get in a bunch of trouble with my siblings when I was younger, but I kind of just felt like I already had everyone’s attention.

I always liked trying to make people laugh. What I would do before I came out to make people laugh is act kind of feminine, but like, in funny ways. And then that’s why people always thought I was gay, and I thought everyone always knew that I was gay, but apparently no one did when I came out. But my inspirations were The Office, Schitt’s Creek, and Parks and Recs. That’s my favorite type of humor, I’ve always just found that super funny. Then I made a meme page in 2018 on Instagram, which took off. I think just being in that culture, gay meme culture, helped me a lot to learn what people think is funny.

In his more somber content, Chris has made videos with his family about his coming out and sexuality, being a staunch advocate for gay youth and queer acceptance. His own coming out at school did not go well. After being outed by accident, he lost the majority of his core group of friends. He was ostracized to the point that he quit the soccer team. This would be a double-edged sword as it led to him becoming reclusive but would ultimately lead to a thinking tank for his future content. His coming out with his family fared better.

I told my mom and she said, I thought we already went over it because we had this one conversation - she asked me if I was gay, and I said I wasn’t. So, you know, they say mothers always know. I guess she just knew even

though I was lying to her. I was really scared to tell my Dad, but I never knew that my uncle was gay. After I told him, I felt so stupid, how did I not see that? So, I guess I have the gay gene. [Laughs] With my brothers, they just didn’t really care. My older brother used to make fun of me a little bit because he clearly saw that I was a little gay. After I came out, he instantly changed his whole thing. It was just a sibling way, how he was giving me a hard time. He didn’t actually mean it in a negative way because after I came out in school and I lost a lot of my friends, he let me hang out with him and his friends and he just took me in. That was definitely the worst period of my life. I know everyone says this and it’s so cliche, but it gets better. I started writing. I would write poems and short stories just to have an outlet for my creativity. I would say that’s where it started more because I would

just write these gay poems and gay stories with characters and that really helped me. But I think what saved me was, I remember being mad at the world and going to visit my friend in Washington. We went camping and I don’t know, they say nature really can help you if you’re depressed. The next year I was a little bit better. So, I would say other than the advice “it gets better,” go camping! [laughs]. Find the people who accept you and keep them close and just know that it won’t be like that forever. I feel like it really shaped me into who I am. So, it can shape you and make you into a better person.

Since then, Chris has included straight people in his content to initiate conversation and understanding between the LGBTQ community and our allies. One of his videos with one of his straight friends has garnered over 35 million views.

Chris had initially intended to go to college after a gap year, but COVID hit, and he ended

FIND

THE PEOPLE WHO ACCEPT YOU AND KEEP THEM CLOSE.”

up using YouTube to teach himself how to record and edit content. It was his way of giving back to the community as the content he had viewed on social media helped with his coming out transition. His lip-synch video with his mom reached the million-view mark, and that’s when he knew this was something he should continue. His content just continued to grow and each time he pivoted into a different type of content; his audience would increase. Even Madonna reposted one of his videos. What does he think audiences respond to most about his work?

I think they just like to see me living my authentic gay life. I think especially they like it when I make videos with my cousins and my family and my straight friend because I guess they just like to see the interaction and it’s nice to see that my whole family just doesn’t care; that they love me for me and they’re down to be in my silly videos.

With continued all eyes on him, he feels the pressure to keep the ball rolling, knowing his audience may get a little tougher to please.

I feel a lot of pressure sometimes. We know gays, sometimes they’re a little bit brutal in just judging things. It’s challenging thinking of content that I want to make so that people will keep enjoying it and not get tired of it or think it’s stupid or just not like it, but I enjoy it at the same time. I would say the pressure adds up, especially with burnout. I was making YouTube videos for five years every single week. Literally every single week. And I didn’t even skip any weeks. So now I’m finally at a place where I’ve stopped doing it every single week because I really want to try and raise the bar for myself and make cool stuff. I’ve found that it takes me more time than just one week.

And how is Chris the most different as a person than from his on-camera persona?

I’ll talk to anyone now, but the biggest misconception people always have about me is they think I’m this huge extrovert, but I’m still more of an introvert I would say. Especially in social settings, especially when I meet a new person, I’m so quiet and I’ll just watch everything and take it all in.

Another common guest in Chris’ content is his boyfriend, Bret. Bret serves the Boston PD and was a contestant on The Amazing Race and Survivor. Bret is older than Chris, with one foot in the bear community. The difference between Chris and Bret has inspired a lot of commentary, and their videos have millions upon millions of views. Was Chris nervous about sharing his relationship in his content?

We were very hesitant at first. I kind of always wanted to do it more than him, but we were a little nervous about the age gap and everything. Eventually, I wore him down and I convinced him to be in some videos. It definitely took a while before we were both comfortable with it. I’m glad we did because a lot of people have said how it’s helped them with their relationship and stuff like me being a twink and him being a bear. I guess people also like it because we address the beauty standards in the gay community.

How did he get into bears?

I just started realizing that I like dad bods more than skinny guys. You know, any body type is attractive. But specifically,

IF SHARING SOMETHING IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE MORE THAN IT’S GOING TO BE A LITTLE EMBARRASSING FOR ME FOR OVERSHARING, THEN IT’S STILL WORTH IT TO PUT IT OUT THERE.”

for me, I started liking dad bods and bears because when I think of lumberjacks it’s just like these burly, masculine guys. Maybe it’s just because I like bears the animal too; bears are probably my spirit animal. [Laughs] Abs are still hot - like go off with abs and everything - but a dad bod is just so nice. Companies that I see at Pride always like to hire these muscle skinny, muscle bros and they’re always advertising their stuff and I’m like, that’s great but you know what would work on me is if you hired some bears to do that. Like, come on now!

With his videos covering all aspects of his life, where does Chris draw the line when keeping it personal?

I feel like my life is just like an open book. Obviously, I keep personal things to myself, but I feel like if sharing something is going to help people more than it’s going to be a little embarrassing for me for oversharing, then it’s still worth it to put it out there and let people in on it because someone could be going through something similar, or they just relate.

So where does someone as young as Chris go from here with more than a pocketful of followers? He has started to add short films to his roster, has reality TV ideas, and will be releasing a single for Pride. He is continually seeing how he can challenge himself. What does he want audiences to get most from his work?

I want them to be comfortable in themselves for sure by seeing me be me. I wouldn’t say I’m like super funny, but sometimes I’m a little funny, so hopefully I make them smile or chuckle and have more confidence in doing whatever, just being themselves. I feel like every gay person is trying to have their moment, it’s definitely a little exhausting. But because we just love attention, we all want to be in the spotlight all the time and keep trying to one-up each other. Maybe we should just chill and have fun and do the simple things that make us smile, like my videos. ■

You can follow Chris on IG and YouTube: @StanChris; TikTok:@StanChrissss

MARSHA WARFIELD

IS HOLDING COURT

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

SHE’S BAAAACK! AFTER A 20-YEAR RETIREMENT FROM THE BUSINESS, ACTOR AND COMEDIAN MARSHA WARFIELD IS BACK ON THE SCENE, OPENLY OUT, AND HAS A LOT TO SAY. POLITICS, COMING OUT, HER ROLE AS A BLACK WOMAN IN SOCIETY, AND EVEN PIZZA… AT AGE 70 SHE’S NOT SHYING AWAY THIS TIME. Not even meaning to, Marsha made national fame for her role as Roz in Night Court during the ‘80s and ‘90s. This year, she returned to the role for the reboot, and as life imitates art, her character is also out and proud and newly married to a woman. Representation has certainly come a long way.

Marsha grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Right away, she learned the basics of life and human interaction, and she would start to find her way into comedy.

I’ve been putting a phrase into my act, pretty much words to live by – “people have been people-ing since people were people.” Once you understand that human beings are people and that they’re all human - unlike what we’re taught, we’re taught some people are lesser humanand there are a series of sliding scales that put people in lesser positions, and you’re born into them - a lot of times without having any idea that you are or who you are or what you are - once you slip all of that and strip all that away in your mind and just start looking at things and just remember people have been people-ing since people were people.

I was always interested in comedy,

standup, and the whole thing from a small child. I grew up on variety shows and there were always comedians and singers and dancers and performers, and I always watched them. But it was also the ‘60s, so I had no idea that there was a path for me, that just didn’t exist as a possibility. Like walking on the moon didn’t exist before 1969, it wasn’t something that I could conceive of.

It was that environment that helped Marsha come into her own sense of humor and wit.

I always hate the phrase class clown because it kind of suggests an idiot. It’s like somebody who makes funny faces and asks you to pull their finger. Where I’m from, people played the Dozens, which was basically now what they call rap battles when they set it to music. You just talk about people. And, in a lot of ways, if you could do that, you didn’t have to fight. If you rank them, then they lose all status. I got pretty good at that and good at being silly.

In 1974, Marsha saw an article in the Chicago paper promoting an open-mic night at the Pickle Barrel with comedian Tom Dreesen. Working at an answering service at the time, this industry jargon was new to her. She finally made her way to the club and would see comedians like Judy Tenuta and Brad Sanders in action. Finally, it was her turn.

They called all the new comedians “virgins.” I was 20, and I walked on stage,

at about two in the morning. It was the comics and a couple of the drunks and some people cleaning up. I went on stage and said, “Good evening. My name is Marsha Warfield, and I’m a virgin, so please be kind.” They laughed. And I was hooked.

When Marsha was 22, she packed up and left for Los Angeles. The growing trend was for comedians to travel West. And those comedians that she saw at her first open-mic nights would become her peers and mentors. Was she nervous at all about leaving her life behind for an unventured territory?

I never thought about it. Never. It was 1976 when I left Chicago. People don’t understand the ‘60s - it was an amazing time. It was turbulent, it was like living in a popcorn machine, there was always something going off somewhere. There was a lot of change happening in a lot of things. I was growing up with rock and roll, Motown, the Civil Rights Movement, and the protest movement of that day. People were trying to make a world where we could just exchange flowers instead of confrontation. And you could do it, make things happen. At that time, young people had decided, or we had been manipulated to decide, that it was enough for you old people, over 30, you were out to pasture. I was coming of age at that time, so I thought about moving to Los Angeles or moving to San Francisco.

People were actually thumbing rides across the country.

So, I had no fear. I didn’t understand my parents’ fear. I didn’t understand older people what they do. Everybody’s doing it. I never considered seriously coming back, even though I went home a couple of times. It’s not that I didn’t love Chicago or love my family, it was that Los Angeles had always had that kind of allure and pull on me even as a little girl.

As for Marsha’s burgeoning sexuality, she had an interesting take on it all, even early on. I didn’t think that I wasn’t like all of the other girls, I thought other girls weren’t honest about being like me. Not just girls -boys, men - I didn’t understand the ultra-masculine feminine, that just seemed stupid to me. It seemed like posturing, like it wasn’t authentic. Like, what are you doing? What the hell? And so I was very much go with the flow. It wasn’t normal or accepted. I was groomed into heterosexual normality effectively from birth. Even as a child, I was a tomboy. I didn’t want a pink anything. I hated dolls. They smelled bad. And these little fake dead babies… why are you telling me to practice loving a little pink dead baby? I didn’t understand. It wasn’t until I got to high school that you’d hear little things - you’re mannish, you’re different, or whatever. It wasn’t until I was 23 that I really realized, oh – okay! I was never against the idea of having relationships with women. When I realized it was like - duh! And it was really a relief.

When Marsha came out to her mother, she made Marsha promise not to come out publicly while she was alive. What does Marsha think she was most afraid of?

Truthfully? Her image. I think most parents are afraid that they will be looked upon badly as bad parents as having failed, as having not been worthy. Then the indoctrination of God is going to send you (to hell) and you’re going to burn and all that stuff, that comes into play. I think it all comes together in that, what are people going to think? It sounds bad and horrible, but we do care about our images. I mean, they wouldn’t be selling makeup

and your whole-body stinks stuff if we didn’t care what other people thought. There’s this whole notion of perfection, that there can be perfection in families and people. There are no perfect people. So, two people together aren’t going to be perfect. They’re going to get that much more imperfect. And so people trying to make their humanity fit into somebody’s imaginary perfect family2.5 kids and a dog and a station wagon back then - while watching them eat on TV trays – doesn’t work, your family didn’t look like that. We are not inclusive at all. And even when we talk about being inclusive, we’re really not.

Having come this far and looking back, would Marsha have made a different decision in keeping her sexuality under wraps?

Not unless it was this time, and then I would’ve made different decisions and probably have had an entirely different life from birth. But it wasn’t, and I can’t. At that time that request seemed reasonable. Your fear is that you’ll be turned out, that you’ll be hated, that your family will disown you and not talk to you. The fear of actually telling somebody how you are identifying and saying it out loud is terrifying. So I can understand the response from people who also have their own fears and stuff and give ‘em a little grace. And so that was not unreasonable at the time.

After moving to Los Angeles, Marsha would appear at The Comedy Store. Comedian Paul Mooney happened to be there and was working on The Richard Pryor Show and invited her to join the show as a writer and performer. That was her big step in television, something that she had not considered before. Her audition for Night Court wasn’t really an audition, it was fate.

I was a standup from the time I stood on stage, and I never thought of myself as an actress. I never thought of myself in that role. I was not one of the people who was doing standup so that I could get a sitcom, I was doing standup ‘cause I wanted to do standup. I had no real knowledge of Night Court.

The show was scrambling for a replacement. Already on air for a couple of years, Night Court had lost its two previous bailiff characters due to death by natural causes. Filming was set to begin with scripts already written. Show

THE FEAR OF ACTUALLY TELLING SOMEBODY HOW YOU ARE IDENTIFYING AND SAYING IT OUT LOUD IS TERRIFYING.”

creator Reinhold Weege called Marsha to come to his house.

It was the middle of the summer and he had a fire going in the fireplace and the air conditioning on. I said, “Why do you have the fireplace going and the air conditioner?” He said, “Because I can.” I had on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt and had a pack of cigarettes, and I wasn’t carrying a purse. So, we started smoking and talking and found out he was from Chicago and we just had a nice little meeting. He asked me what I was doing, I told him I was going to Seattle to do standup. I got on a plane and went to Seattle. When I got off the plane, they said, call your agent. You got it. So that’s how that happened.

The show continued to be a hit. Among other successes in Marsha’s career were appearances on Family Ties, Cheers, an extended run on Empty Nest, and over 200 episodes of her own talk show. Was it odd having this success, yet hiding a big part of her life from the spotlight?

No. Hiding that part of my life was my life. People think maybe there were some choices made or decisions made by things planned out. No, that was my life. That’s how you navigate through the world. It was very weird how that was consciously subconscious, but it was internal.

Marsha came out publicly in 2017. Was she scared to finally come out?

Terrified. And it’s a look that you can identify on the street when you see someone trying to step out boldly into their identity - whatever it is - and know that they’re subject to that kind of judgment that we do care about. It can be threatening on a lot of levels - emotionally, physically, all kinds of ways. But I was 60-something, so it was such a relief, you know? Most people were cool, it’s almost like once I accepted me, everybody else did too.

A lot of it for me, and hopefully for everybody else, is once you get comfortable in your own skin, everybody else either embraces it or falls off. And so everything looks a lot easier, and you breathe a lot easier. You still have your little moments of thinking about other people’s judgment of you, but everything made a lot more sense. The things that were unnecessary, basically armor to arm me psychologically, are all gone, I don’t need that anymore.

After coming back from her retirement, she hit the comedy scene first. She says that she had

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE-ING SINCE PEOPLE WERE PEOPLE.”

to start at step 1, no one knew who she was. Her comedy show “The Book of Marsha” changed all that quickly. Bolder and brasher, she incorporates all elements of her life into her act and, at this point, doesn’t care who likes it or doesn’t. She returned to TV for a run in 9-1-1 and then onto her twoepisode appearance on the Night Court reboot. Her character Roz also came out during Marsha’s absence, and the episodes featured her marriage to a woman. In Marsha’s personal life, she also is newly married. Her wife attended Marsha’s show, and the rest is history. A new start in her career, a new marriage…what does she think of all of it?

It’s serendipitous. Everything just seemed to flow. When you’re ready, the blessings will come. It might seem

optimistic, and it probably is, but for me, it just seems that it’s all coming together and that my life to this point makes sense. It’s the life I imagine that I could never imagine, but it’s a life I would have wanted if I knew what the hell to want. It’s authentic. And her message to the community this Pride Season?

Strut. Just strut. I love to see people with confidence, bravado, and that strut. You don’t owe anybody any explanations. You don’t owe anyone anything. And if it feels good, if it’s how you see yourself, do that. Strut. Work it. Go.

Follow Marsha on IG: @MarshaWarfield

■

BUBBLY BUBBLY BINGO BINGO BRUNCH BRUNCH

‘LOVE WINS’ Blanc de Blanc by EQUALITY VINES by EQUALITY VINES

‘LOVE WINS’ Blanc de Blanc

Margaritaville Palm Springs

Prepaid 20% Gratuity & Tax Equality Wine Fest Weekend

One Price Includes:

Welcome Glass of Sparkling Wine

Choice of Brunch Items (Eggs Benedict; Avocado Toast; Chilaquiles; or Breakfast Burrito)

Bingo (4 cards ea/5 games)

ALICE B ELEVATES THE FOODIE SCENE

IN PALM SPRINGS

SUSAN FENIGER AND MARY SUE MILLIKEN BRING THEIR PASSION FOR FOOD TO THE DESERT

BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

TO KNOW THE AWARD-WINNING CULINARY DUO OF MARY SUE MILLIKEN AND SUSAN FENIGER IS TO LOVE THEM. To have been to any of their awardwinning eateries in Southern California like Border Grill, CITY, or Socalo, is to love their food. Feniger and Milliken teamed up over 40 years ago, and their most recent creation, Alice B, proves that these two tamales are still red hot.

“Over the years, we’ve allowed each other to embrace what we were passionate about. And we trusted each other enough to give each other that space. That really allowed our partnership to get stronger and stronger over the years,”says Feniger.

Alice B is Palm Springs’ newest upscale restaurant and offers a California twist on Mediterranean cuisine that combines innovation with timeless flavors. Inside the doors of Living Out, Southern California’s first and only luxury, active adult LGBTQ community, Alice B is one of the first sights you’ll see when you enter the main doors. The restaurant has a warm inviting ambiance of mid-century modern design and desert colors and has a chic vibe and buzz about it. Our team visited on a Wednesday night, and there was nearly a seat available in the main dining room, on the heated outside patio, or in the bar area.

Invoking its name, the restaurant’s central art pieces are paintings of Alice B. Toklas and her life partner Gertrude Stein. Other exceptional artwork adorns the walls, with pieces created by local female and LGBTQ+ artists, enhancing the dining atmosphere.

The menu is a collaborative effort between Feniger, Milliken, and Executive Chef Lance Velasquez, showcasing their passion for bold flavors and global influences, using seasonal inspiration that Southern California provides. Each dish is crafted to tantalize the taste buds and ignite the senses. Whether you’re craving comfort food with a modern twist or adventurous creations that push the boundaries of culinary exploration, Alice B delivers on every front.“The way we operate is to constantly refresh. We’re never sitting still. We’re always evolving menus,” says Milliken.

A start to any meal at Alice B (after ordering a signature cocktail) must begin with Chef Velasquez’ signature Cornmeal Cheddar Drop Biscuits with cardamom honey. (Chef Velasquez was named a “Rising Star Chef” by Esquire and “Best New American Chef”by Food & Wine Magazine.) Crunchy on the outside and deliciously flavorful and moist on the inside, give me a plate of these biscuits and a glass of wine and I’m set for the evening.

Continue your culinary journey with small plates, such as the Spring Carrot and Ginger Soup – a refreshing soup with turmeric cashew crunch and crème fraiche. The lingering note of ginger on the palate was a pleasant finish. The Crispy Yukon Gold Potato Croquettes are a unique mix of potato, smoked ham, Emmental cheese, poblano chile, topped with an espelette pepper aioli. The Kenter Farms Chicory Salad with garlic balsamic vinaigrette, fried bread, and parmigiano reggiano,

is large enough for two.

Our main course standouts included the Branzino and Grilled Prime Ribeye. The perfectly crispy skinned Branzino was garnished with celery root remoulade, potato puree, and a uniquely delicate and savory arbequina olive almond relish that was a perfect complement to the fish and the accompanying micro-greens. The medium rare Ribeye was accompanied by fingerling potatoes, parsley butter, worcestershire vinaigrette, and black pepper crema. We added a side of charred Broccolini with pomegranate seeds to round out the plate.

No meal at Alice B is complete without sampling their decadent desserts. The Butterscotch Budino, basically an Italian pudding, was decadently rich and creamy with a hint of salt. The Tahini Ice Cream was also an unexpected treat, topped with chocolate sauce and crispy sesame seed clusters. Both offered a refreshing conclusion to the dining experience.

The service at Alice B is impeccable, with attentive, but not oppressive, staff who are there to ensure every guest has a memorable experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking an unforgettable dining experience, Alice B by Susan Feniger and Mary Sue

For more information visit aliceb.com or call 760537-4311 to make a reservation. Dinner is served Wednesday through Sunday starting at 5:00 pm, and brunch is now available on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

OVER THE YEARS, WE’VE ALLOWED EACH OTHER TO EMBRACE WHAT WE WERE PASSIONATE ABOUT.”

— Susan Feniger

Milliken exceeds expectations at every turn and is a much welcomed addition to the Palm Springs dining scene. ■

LOS ANGELES DIRECTORY

ACCOUNTING

Greg Cash TaxPlus

Cash, Gregory D , EA, MST

5150 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste 350

Long Beach 562 597-4300

www gregcash com

ATTORNEYS

Parker | Waichman LLP

6 Harbor Park Dr

Nationwide 800 JUST-CALL

www yourlawyer com

BAKERIES

Cake and Art

8709 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood 310 657-8694

www cakeandart com

BANKS

US Bank

Toll Free 800 720-2265

www usbank com/checking

Wells Fargo Toll Free 800 869-3557

www wellsfargo com/lgbt

BOOKS & BOOKSTORES

Book Soup Bookstore

8818 W Sunset Blvd West Hollywood 310 659-3110

Crossroads Books

1196 E Walnut St

Pasedena 626 795-8772

COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY

Lotus Place Recovery

1111 Baker St Unit A Costa Mesa 800 951-0735 www lotusplacerecovery com

EMPLOYMENT

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

FRAMING

Framing Gallery

8527 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood 310 657-6904

FITNESS/GYMS/PERSONAL TRAINERS

Body Builders Gym

2516 Hyperion Ave Silverlake 323 668-0802

Fired Up Athletics

8474 W 3rd St, Ste 208, LA 213 608-9425

www firedupathletics com

GUEST HOUSES/B&B’S

MisterBandB

www misterbandb com

HAIR SALONS

Blades

801 N Larrabee St, Ste #1 West Hollywood 310 659-6693

Shorty’s Barber Shop

755 N Fairfax Ave West Hollywood 323 297-0554

www shortysbarbershop com

HOTELS

Opus Hotel Vancouver 322 Davie St Vancouver, BC Canada 604 642-6787

www opushotel com

Preferred Hotels & Resorts

www preferredpride com/metrosource

Ramada Plaza West Hollywood Hotel 8585 Santa Monica Blvd 800 845-8585 www ramadaweho com

Sunset Marquis

1200 Alta Loma Rd

West Hollywood 800 858-9758

www sunsetmarquis com

INSURANCE

Marc Berton Insurance LA 323 872-0482 San Fernando Valley 818 365-9449 Toll Free 800 924-4459 www marcberton com

INTRODUCTION SERVICES

Bespoke Matchmaking LA 888 422-6464 www bespokematchmaking com

LEATHER

665 Leather & Fetish Co

8722 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood 310 854-7276

Rough Trade

3915 W Sunset Blvd, Silverlake 323 660-7956

www roughtradegear com

MARKETING SERVICES

Brand2Fly San Jose 408 763-7924

www brand2fly com

GayVan com Travel Marketing

www gayvan com

NUTRITION & FITNESS

Power Zone

8578 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood 310 289-1125

www powerzoneonline com

PET SUPPLIES

Nulo Pet Foods nulo com/love

PHARMACIES/DRUGS

AHF Pharmacy

1400 S Grand Ave, Ste 801

Downtown LA 213 741-5271

1300 North Vermont Ave

Hollywood 323 661-0643

www ahfpharmacy com

Cienega Pharmacy

99 N La Cienega Blvd, Ste 104

Beverly Hills 310 360-9969

www uniteddrugs com

PHYSICIANS & MEDICAL SERVICES

Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic

Family Medicine & Mental Health

3324 W Sunset Blvd, LA 323 660-2400

www hsfreeclinic org

TATTOO

Body Electric Tattoo and Piercing

7274 1/2 Melrose Ave LA 323 954-0408

www bodyelectrictattoo com

THRIFT SHOPS

Berda Paradise Thrift Store 3506 W Sunset Blvd LA 323 661-8246

VIDEO

Broadway Video

3401 E Broadway, Long Beach 562 433-1920

WEDDING SERVICES

Cake and Art

8709 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood 310 657-8694

www cakeandart com

LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY RESOURCES

ATHLETIC

ARRIBA SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB

PO Box 69611

West Hollywood, CA 90069 www.arribaski.org

CHEER LA 1223 Wilshire Blvd #1580 Santa Monica, CA 90404 www.cheerla.org

DIFFERENT SPOKES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

P.O. Box 2466 Hollywood, CA 90078 www.differentspokes.com

GOLDEN STATE GAY RODEO

ASSOC - GLAC

P.O Box 2407

Long Beach, CA 90801 562 498-1675 www.larodeo.com

GREATER LA GAY BOWLING www.igbo.org

LA BLADES ICE HOCKEY PO Box 4346 Laguna Beach, CA 92652 310 288-3632 www.bladeshockey.com

LA POOL LEAGUE PO Box 2227 Los Angeles, CA 90078 818 426-2171 www.lapl8ball.org

LA TENNIS ASSOC. (LATA) PO Box 481226 Los Angeles, CA 90048 www.lataweb.com

SHORELINE FRONTRUNNERS OF LONG BEACH PO Box 90774 Long Beach, CA 90809 562 252-0218 www.shorelinefrontrunners.org

SURF & SUN SOFTBALL www.surfandsunsoftball.com

WEST HOLLYWOOD AQUATICS www.wh2o.org

CULTURAL, SOCIAL

ASIAN PACIFIC

AIDS INTL TEAM 6501 West Olympic Blvd Ste 610 Los Angeles, CA 90015 213 553-1830 www.apaitonline.org

BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY

5001 Angel Canyon Rd Kanab, UT 84741 435 644-2001 www.bestfriends.org

BEST FRIENDS PET ADOPTION & SPAY/NEUTER SERVICES 15321 Brand Blvd Mission Hills, CA 91345 818 643-3989 www.bestfriends.org/la

CHRISTOPHER STREET

WEST/GAY PRIDE

8235 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 969-8302 www.lapride.org

GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION (GLAAD) 5455 Wilshire Blvd, #1500 Los Angeles, CA 90036 323 933-2240 www.glaad.org

GAY MENS CHORUS OF LA 9056 Santa Monica Blvd, #300 West Hollywood, CA 90069 800 636-7464 www.gmcla.org

LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER

The Village at Ed Gould Plaza 1125 N McCadden Place Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 860-7302 www.laglc.org

LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER

McDonald/Wright Building 1625 North Schrader Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 323 993-7400 www.laglc.org

LA YOUTH

SUPPORTIVE SERVICES 8111 Beverly Blvd #306 Los Angeles, CA 90048 877 465-2977 www.la-youth.org

LONG BEACH

LESBIAN & GAY PRIDE PO Box 2050 Long Beach, CA 90802 562 987-9191 www.longbeachpride.com

OUTFEST THE LA GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL 3470 Wilshire Blvd #1022 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213 480-7088 www.outfest.org

PACIFIC PRIDE FOUNDATION

126 East Haley, Ste A-11

Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805 963-3636 www.pacificpridefoundation.org

THE POINT FOUNDATION

5757 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 370 Los Angeles, CA 90036 866 33-Point www.pointfoundation.org

VALLEY PERFORMING

ARTS CENTER

18111 Nordhoff St Northridge, CA 91330 818 677-2488 818 677-3000 valleyperformingartscenter.org

WORLD HARVEST

FOOD BANK

1014 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 213-746-2228 www.worldharvestfoodbank.org

HEALTH/ COUNSELING

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

AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION/MENS

WELLNESS CENTER

• 6255 W Sunset Blvd, 21st Fl Los Angeles, CA 90028

888 AIDS CARE

• 1300 N Vermont Ave, Ste 407 Los Angeles, CA 90027

866 339-2525

800 367-2437 www.inspotla.org

AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION PHARMACY

8212 Santa Monica Blvd

The David Geffen Center West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 654-0907 www.ahfpharmacy.org

APLA HEALTH

Client & Community Services

The David Geffen Center

• 611 South Kingsley Drive Los Angeles, CA 90005

213.201.1600

213 201-WALK (9255)

• 3743 S. La Brea Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90016

323.329.9900

• 5901 W. Olympic Blcd. #310 Los Angeles, CA 90036

• 1043 Elm Avenue #302 Long Beach, CA 90813

562.247.7740 www.apla.org www.aidswalk.net

AIDS RESEARCH ALLIANCE

1400 S Grand Ave Ste 701 Los Angeles, CA 90015 310 358-2429 www.hopetakesaction.org www.aidsresearch.org

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY 3333 Wilshire Blvd #900 Los Angeles, CA 90010 800 227-2345 www.cancer.org

BEING ALIVE PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS ACTION COALITION 621 N San Vincente Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 289-2551 www.beingalivela.org

GAY & LESBIAN CENTER Orange County 1605 N Spurgeon St Santa Ana, CA 92701 714 953-5428 www.thecenteroc.org

HOLY FAMILY SERVICES, ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE

840 Echo Park Ave Los Angeles, CA 90026 213 202-3900 www.hfs.org

LA FREE CLINIC

• 5205 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038

323 653-1990 – appts 323 653-8622 – admin www.lafreeclinic.org

• 6043 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028

• 8405 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048

LA PUBLIC HEALTH www.reallycheckyourself.org

OUT OF THE CLOSET THRIFT SHOPS

• 8224 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046

323 848-9760

• 3500 East Pacific Coast Hwy Long Beach, CA 90804 562 494-0340

• 1726 East Colorado Blvd Pasadena, CA 91106 626 440-1719

• 360 North Fairfax Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036

323 934-1956

PROJECT ANGEL FOOD 922 Vine St Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 845-1800 www.angelfood.org

THE TREVOR PROJECT 9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 271-8845 www.thetrevorproject.org

VALLEY COMMUNITY

HEALTHCARE

6801 Coldwater Canyon Ave North Hollywood, CA 91605 818 301-6314 - HIV testing 818 301-6390 - Medical Services www.smarthealthla.com

LEGAL

LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION FUND INC. Western Regional Office 3325 Wilshire Blvd #1300 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213 382-7600 www.lambdalegal.org

NATIONAL G & L TASK FORCE 5455 Wilshire Blvd #1505 Los Angeles, CA 90036 323 954-9597 www.thetaskforce.org

LESBIANS

LESBIAN LAWYERS ASSOC OF LA PO Box 480318 Los Angeles, CA 90048 213 486-4443 www.lgla.net

POWER UP

419 North Larchmont Blvd, #283 Los Angeles, CA 90004 323 463-3154 www.power-up.net

WOMAN ON A ROLL PO Box 5112 Santa Monica, CA 90409 310 578-8888 www.womenonaroll.com

PROFESSIONAL

LOS ANGELES GAY AND LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 8424 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood,CA 90069 424.209.2708 www.laglcc.org

REFERRALS/ SWITCHBOARDS

LA Gay & Lesbian center

Jeff Griffith Youth Center

7051 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90038

TOLL FREE: 800 773-5540

LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER MacDonald/Wright Bldg 1625 North Schroder Los Angeles, CA 323 933-7400 www.angelfood.org

THE TREVOR PROJECT 9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 271-8845 www.thetrevorproject.org

THE VILLAGE AT ED GOULD PLAZA 1125 North McCadden Place Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 860-7328 prevention@laglc.org www.laglc.org

RELIGIOUS

ALL SAINTS PARISH 504 North Camden Dr West Hollywood, CA 90036 310 275-0123

BETH CHAYIM CHADASHIM 6000 West Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035 323 931-7023 www.bcc-la.org

GLORY TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN CENTER

3215 East Third St Long Beach, CA 90804 562 438-7758 www.glorytabernacle.com

OPEN DOOR MINISTRIES 4101 Willow St 562 925.3533 www.open-door-ministries.org

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

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

KATHYGRIFFIN

PALM SPRINGS DIRECTORY

ART

Mod City Gallery

737 E Twin Palms Dr

Palm Springs, CA 92266 760 567-6852

www modcitygallery com

The Shag Store

745 N Palm Canyon Dr

Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 322-3400

www shag com

Trevor Wayne Pop Art

386 N Palm Canyon Dr

Palm Springs, CA 92262 442 268-5498

www trevorwayne com

ATTRACTIONS

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

47900 Portola Ave

Palm Desert, CA 92260 760 346-5694

www livingdesert org

Palm Springs Air Museum

745 N Gene Autry Trail

Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 778-6262

www palmspringsairmuseum org

Palm Springs Art Museum

101 Museum Drive

Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 322-4800

www psmuseum org

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

1 Tram Way

Palm Springs, CA 92262 888 515-8726

www pstramway com

BAKERY

Over the Rainbow Deserts

1775 E Palm Canyon Road, Suite 150 Palm Springs, CA 92264 760 322-2253

www romanblas com

Pastry Swan Bakery

70225 Highway 111 Suite A Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 760 202-1213

www pastryswan com

CANNABIS

PSA Organica

400 E Sunny Dunes Rd Palm Springs, CA 92264 760 778-1053

www iheartjane com

The Lighthouse Dispensary

395 N Palm Canyon Dr

Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 320-4420

www lighthousedispensary com

The Vault Dispensary and Lounge

35871 Date Palm Dr

Cathedral City, CA 92234 760 866-9660

www enjoythevault com

CASINO

Agua Caliente Casino

• 401 E Amado Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262 888 999-1995 www sparesortcasino com

• 32-250 Bob Hope Dr, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino 84-245 Indio Springs Dr Indio, CA 92203 760 342-5000 www fantasyspringsresort com

Morongo Casino Resort & Spa 49500 Seminole Dr Cabazon, CA 92230 800 252-4499 www morongocasinoresort com

CLOTHING

GayMart

305 E Arenas Rd #6635 Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 416-6436

Revivals

• 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 760 318-6491

• 68401 Hwy 111, Cathedral City, CA 760 969-5747

FINANCIAL ADVISORS

Simon Hobbs

California Financial Partners Inc California 818 637-0180 simon@calfp com

GIFTS

Destination PSP

170 North Palm Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 354-9154 www destinationpsp com

Greetings Palm Springs

301 N Palm Canyon Dr # 102 Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 322-5049 www greetingspalmsprings com

Just Fabulous

515 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 864-1300 www bjustfabulous com

Mischief Cards & Gifts

226 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 322-8555 www mischiefcardsandgifts com

Peepa’s

120 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 318-3553 www peepasps com

HAIR SALONS

Cut Barber

1109 N Palm Canyon Dr

Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 322-2999 www cutbarber com

Daddy’s Barbershop

192 S Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92264 760 537-1311 www daddysbarbershop com

Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon 750 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 3 Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-904-0434 www psfinemenssalon com

PET SUPPLIES

Bones-N-Scones

633 S Palm Canyon Dr Suite #26 Palm Springs, CA 92264 760 864-1133

Cold Nose Warm Heart

187 South Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 424-2006 www pspetstore com