April 2010 by Mint Male

VOLUME TWO ISSUE FOUR APRIL 2010

G N I V O D R M > A > > W > R >> FO

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Dear Reader Earth Day Ready to Run? Fast Affordable Health Joanna Newsom: Have One on Me Artist of the Month: Darren Jones Fashion: Moving Forward Political Play Offs Homophobia Under the Mask Making Up Wendy Williams Guerrilla Gardening

CREDITS Joey Grant /Publisher Lisa Kimmey /Director of Operations Christina Burton /Creative Director Josh Shores /Stylist Leslie Shores /Stylist Heather Bear /Make-Up Artist Jenn Schnoes /Editor + Writer Neil Bagadiong /Editor Jake Giles Nate Stoner

/Intern [journalism] /Intern [graphic design]

Dominic Garascia [LEED Certified] /Writer Jennifer Smith RD, LDN /Writer Michael E. Bricker PhD, LCD /Writer Alysse Dalessandro /Writer Gerard McGuiggan /Writer Eric Green /Writer Ian Millington /Writer Jorge Treviano /Writer Coleman Vander Meer Balogh /Writer Kevin Purvis BS, CSCS /Fitness Writer Nick Vandevelde Ricardo Sebastian Scott Cramer Shaina Rose

/Advertising /Advertising

/PR /PR

Agga B. /Fashion Designer Anna Fong /Fashion Designer SERPICO /Fashion Designer Evil Kitty /Fashion Designer City Soles + Niche /Shoes Original Penguin /Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clothing Bo Metz /Model Christina Rago /Model Joshua Hagan /Model Tana McFarlane /Model Toyota

/Vehicles MINTMALE///

Dear Readers, It’s been an exhilarating month for Mint, and we’re looking quite forward to sharing all of the excitement with you. In this issue, we had the pleasure of working with some great designers and collaborating with Toyota for our fashion spread. We hope you enjoy the outcome as much as we do. From health to fitness, politics to homophobia, we’ve prepared a great issue for you and have even more to come in the following months. Next month, we will be producing our first Mini-Mint Male Magazines, and best of all, they’ll be available in print. In the coming months, you can expect to see a lot of captivating changes from us. While our concept remains consistent, the overwhelming support we have received from you, our readers, has given us the opportunity to move forward and grow, and in turn, provide you with an even better product. As one of the founders of Mint Male, I’m absolutely delighted to be able to offer you, our readers, the ability to read our magazine even if you’re not in front of a computer. Going to print is an exciting step for us, and we hope to see you by our side as we take that step. I’d like to thank all of you for being a part of our movement. We would love it if you’d take a minute to fill out our survey so that we can better understand you and your needs as a reader. The more we know about you, the more we can give you what it is you desire from Mint Male. We’re always striving to improve and are grateful for your assistance in making that happen. You can find our survey at http://www.mintmale.com/survey/ As always, we love to hear your opinions! Email us your thoughts at Feedback@MintMale. com. Thank you again for everything. Lisa Kimmey Director of Operations

M AY > DEBUT OF THE MINI-MINT. CHICAGO FAVORITES ISSUE.

If you want to be a part of our movement and support our cause please email advertising@mintmale. com // We are accepting advertisers until 05.07.10. Thank you all for being such loyal readers!

> 06.01.10 = FIRST OFFICIAL MONTH IN PRINT.

JUNE

EARTH

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Earth Day is April 22nd and it could not come soon enough. With the world in climate crisis we need to take collective action to reverse the effects of our changing climate. We must take responsibility for the earth that sustains us. It may be a redundant cliche but we all must think globally and act locally. Emerging from our winter hibernation we enjoy spring and the breath in the fresh air and we are reconnected with the environment around us. Living in an urban or suburban landscape it is too easy to become disconnected from Mother Nature. We often do not walk out the door breath in the air and say, “I love nature.” But we all do, whether we realize it or not. For Earth Day this year I urge all of use to reexamine our connection to the environment. It must not be a conceptual place that we encounter only on a nature hike or a spring strawberry picking excursion. The earth is all around us. We eat breathe and drink nature everyday. If you are what you eat and we eat the fruits of the Earth, then how can we not have the utmost respect for Mother Nature. Once we conceive nature to be all around us and in everything we encounter, we will make more conscientious choices. “But how,” you ask, “what can I do, I’m only one person!” You may have hear it before but you can change the light bulbs in your house, buy energy star appliances the next time you make a purchase, buy green, or simply just walk somewhere instead of driving. For more ideas go to a http://billionactsofgreen.net there you can also join other like minded citizens. As this article goes to publish there have been over 5 million acts done. Small steps can make a big impact. Even take political action in support of the climate change bill, officially called the, American Clean Energy and Security Act to encourage a environmental policy shift. According to www.epa.gov you can save up 30% on your monthly energy consumption each and every month just by purchasing energy star appliances. And that’s equates to a 30% money saving as well! The EPA urges us to simply pick five. Choose five simple things you can do. If everyone in America picks five, we will have 1.5 billion acts done to improve our world.

Make a commitment to plant trees. According to the EPA the current biomass of trees in the United States absorbs approximately 15% of annual carbon output from transportation. If every American family planted just one tree, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would be reduced by one billion pounds annually. Join an environmental organization, http://www.environmentamerica.org/ is a great one. Get out there and enjoy the spring, enjoy the earth. Better yet, host an Earth Day Party to bring awareness to the issue, go to www.earthday.net for more tips and ideas. Take action, follow these concrete and legitimate steps each and every one of us can take part in. Whatever you do, just do not take advantage of the Earth. In everything you do just remember your connection to the Earth. Make April 22nd this year the day when we all pledge to taking positive steps to improve the environment.

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By Dominic Garascia

There is always more you can do. Conserve water. Turn off the tap when you are shaving or washing your face. Disconnect your downspouts from the city water system and connect a rain basin to water your garden. Join a community supported farm. Check out www.localharvest.org to find the nearest farm near you – in most cases you can have a full box of fresh produce delivered to your door each week for the growing season for less than $400 per season. Not only are you reducing your carbon footprint by buying local, but your also supporting local farmers. In most cases local farms are organic and free of toxic pesticides and herbicides. Frequent a community farmer’s market. Buy produce local, organic and fresh. Better yet, plant your own garden.

Y D A E R

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Considering the Challenge of Completing a Marathon? > Our

Guide to the Path of Most

Resistance By Ian Millington

So, you’re considering taking on the challenge of a marathon? Of course the first step is simply signing up. Then you’ll tell everyone you know you are doing it and they’ll all think you’re crazy or laugh at you. Then you will either go through with it or, and surprisingly a lot of people don’t, you won’t. It is estimated that only about 1% of the U.S. population have ran a marathon and that data is loosely based on the amount of participants that have actually signed up to run. So completing a marathon is a pretty big deal but completing in a decent time is even better. Now don’t get me wrong, my hat goes off to anyone that successfully completes a marathon, but if it takes you longer than five hours and there isn’t some extenuating circumstance as to why it took you that long – you are doing something wrong. I mean let’s be honest, no one wants to be Katie Holmes with a time of 5:29:58 - she clearly phoned that one in. All that being said, the task of preparing for a marathon is not easy – it costs a lot of money and it means that you will have to sacrifice some Friday or Saturday evenings to get up early the next day and run a ridiculous amount of miles for 18 weeks! Do I still have your attention? If I still do, I will tell you what to expect and what to look forward to, as it is actually a pretty enjoyable experience.

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Getting Started

Preparing for the Training

The first step is signing up and that does cost money. The average cost to sign up for a marathon can be between $60.00 to $125.00 and depending on which marathon you are running, spots can be limited. The Chicago marathon typically fills up by mid-Spring as local charities purchase spots to sell, in exchange the runner then raises money for their cause. For example, in 2007 I purchased my spot through the American Cancer Society and raised over $1200.00, my goal was $1000.00. Before committing to an organization, research their expectations because they will expect you to raise anywhere from $500.00 to $5,000.00. Unless you have wealthy friends and family, this can be a challenge in itself. And if you don’t raise the funds you agreed upon they will charge the balance to your credit card or bill you. Most organizations do make this easy for you though as they create an email template to send to family and friends as well as a website for people to donate to and track your progress.

That’s right, you should prepare for the actual 18-week training program. Joining a gym or running outside is a personal choice but doing either could cost you about the same. During the winter months I personally hate running outside and I like having the option and ability to do other workouts besides just running. Though costly, a gym membership gives you the ability to utilize the treadmills which will help you gauge your speed and track your distance. Running two to three miles every other day during this period helps build stamina before you start running the long runs well. Also at the gym you can work on different muscle groups with weight machines or take classes the gym offers such as yoga or Pilates. Both yoga and Pilates actually helped through my two marathons. Yoga helped me stretch and rehabilitate a pulled muscle in my leg before the 2007 marathon and Pilates strengthened my core and posture through the 2009 marathon. It is important to remember that it isn’t just your ability to run that helps you through the marathon - other muscle groups impact your performance as well.

Find a friend or a group you can join to keep you motivated and on track. I was lucky enough to have a close friend that I trained with but we also joined a running group called the Chicago Area Runners Association or CARA that meets every weekend during the 18-week program leading up to the marathon. They provide different pace groups to run with and along the way they have water and Gatorade stations to keep you hydrated. It’s also a great way to meet other runners with the same goal as you. Similar groups such as the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Illinois Runs, Nike and many other organizations offer training programs for free or minimal fees to join.

If you absolutely insist upon running outside you will have to purchase the proper running gear that can get expensive and in the end cost you about the same as a gym membership. Running shoes are not cheap either and a pair of good running shoes can run anywhere from $80 - $110. You will need to replace your shoes a few times over the course of the training as they wear out fast and you don’t want to risk any sort of injury. An excellent place to find proper running shoes is Fleet Feet Sports that has two Chicago locations in Old Town and Lincoln Square – they monitor how you run and place you with the right shoe based on fit and how your feet move within the shoe. Before training and even before the marathon it is a good idea to run some smaller races which will help you know what to expect the morning of the marathon. There are many races that vary in lengths but it is good to start smaller and work your way up with races like the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, The Soldier Field Ten-Mile Run and even the Chicago Half-Marathon.

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The Actual Training Program

The Finish Line

The 18-week program will consist of you running short distances three days during the week and one long run over the weekend. Most training programs follow the same schedule based on Hal Higdon’s marathon training guide, which can be found through his various publications or website. Some programs deviate but most are similar. It’s important to find the right pace and mileage you will run each week that you know you will be able to complete and not pay for the next day. With longer runs your body will experience a high amount of stress and you will notice chaffing between your legs and underarms, bloody nipples and black and blue toenails which may result in the loss of a toenail. I’m not going to lie, it’s not pretty but if you prepare you can minimize this damage by purchasing body glide to apply in chaffing areas, nipple guards and proper running socks and shoes are the best for the toenail situation but I can’t promise anything there.

If you make it through the 15th week of training and you successfully run 20 miles you shouldn’t have any problem completing the entire marathon – the last 6.2 miles are not as hard as when you hit around the 15th to 17th mile but once you are past that point your adrenaline will kick in and help you finish all 26.2 miles.

During the training it is important to eat a well-balanced diet as well. So many people make the mistake of blowing off proper nutrition because they believe they are burning so many calories during their long runs and therefore can eat whatever they want. In a sense this is true but you won’t have the proper energy you need if you are eating fast food after a 10 mile run. A diet high in protein with proper carbohydrates is the best diet to keep during the training. This diet should consist of various lean meats, chicken, fish, dark green vegetables like spinach, broccoli and peas, cheeses, peanuts, whole-wheat products which includes cereal, bread and pasta, any fruit but especially Banana’s are the best thing to eat before a long run as they provide energy and essential potassium that will help keep you going. I once had a trainer give me this ridiculous advice on grocery shopping and eating in general but it actually stuck with me: he said “think to yourself, ‘would a bear eat this?’” Meaning, is this food not processed and could it be found in the wild? A horrible example I know and this is not to say that you can’t treat yourself every once and a while, I mean you are burning off an inordinate amount of calories every week during your long run but moderation is key in not sabotaging yourself.

If I haven’t scared you off after all this and you still want to run then you have the right mindset. After running the 2007 marathon which was the hottest on record and the 2009 marathon, after black and blue toenails, chaffed thighs, bloody nipples, 6am Saturday morning runs and sore legs – I can honestly say I loved every minute of it and I never felt more accomplished in my life than when I crossed the finish line. It is not for everyone, as running in general is not for everyone but it’s an experience you will never forget and it’s something to be extremely proud of.

Websites >Running gear and shoes www.fleetfeetchicago.com >Running clubs http://www.cararuns.org/Running/Running%20Clubs. aspx. http://niketown.nike.com/niketown/info/event_locator.jsp >2010 Race Schedule http://www.cararuns.org/Racing/Find%20a%20Race. aspx >Marathon Training Guide http://www.halhigdon.com/

Another necessity during the training and especially on the longer runs is a large pocket or small fanny pack that you can stick your ID, house keys, cash and the important gel or goo packets. These packets come in many flavors and are mostly sold at sporting good stores but are highly recommended to increase energy and control hunger during long runs. They average about $1 to $2 a packet and are small enough to carry somewhere while running.

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FAST

D, L ,R ith Sm nif er Je n

HE ALTH

AFFORDABLE

Life today is over scheduled, over planned, and over stressed with little time to focus on our health: especially what we eat. Our schedules make it difficult to fit in a good meal in the middle of the day when we get preoccupied with emails, business meetings, co-workers and family. Usually lunches contain vending machine snacks, fast food, or just more coffee, all of which are not the best choices for our health or our pockets.

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Plan ahead. Taking just 5 minutes the night before a busy day can be the difference between fast food or a delicious home-made meal. On your Sunday, make a large portion of chicken, rice, and a salad. Cut up veggies and put them in small plastic bags. Make small servings of your favorite nuts, crackers or cereal. The next morning just put a serving of salad or chicken and rice in a plastic container and you are ready to enjoy a healthy meal to keep your energy elevated and spending low as you go throughout your day.

Use your leftovers. If you are making a meal on a Monday night, make a double batch. Take the extra serving and portion them into small plastic containers to enjoy the next day at lunch. A warmed meal of last night’s rice, chicken and steamed veggies is not only filling but will keep money in your pocket and leave you feeling much more satiated than your unhealthy alternative options of chips or candy.

Simplify. Don’t make it complicated. Don’t like cooking? No problem. Meals don’t need to be filled with multiple ingredients, spices and measurements. Taking whole, basic foods with the right combination can be a very enjoyable and satisfying meal. Try a can of tuna, whole wheat crackers, 2 tablespoons of hummus and baby carrots. Combine as you wish to get in a serving of protein, whole grains and healthy fats into your diet. So don’t forget the basics – who said a whole grain peanut butter sandwich, banana and yogurt wasn’t satisfying?. It was when our moms packed it on our brown bags growing up!

Oops! I forgot – Of course there will be nights when you are just too tired to prepare your lunch or mornings when you are rushing out the door and forget your lunch. So, what are you to do? When eating out, look for bakeries and deli’s that can offer sandwiches, salads and soups. They are usually the cheaper options on the menu and consist of the most basic ingredients. Choose broth based soups, sandwiches with more lean meats and vegetables rather than sauces, fatty meats and cheeses. Ask for condiments like cheese, bacon or dressing on the side so you can control your portions. And don’t feel like you have to eat the whole meal. Save some for later – it could be lunch for the next day!

Just tell me what to eat! – So many times we are just overwhelmed by all the food options and marketing that is out there. ‘Eat this, not that,’ ‘Low Glycemic,’ ‘Low Carb,’ ‘Low Sugar,’ ‘High Protein.’ These phrases constantly face us as we stroll through the grocery store or choose a meal when eating out. It’s easier just to just have someone say, – “eat this food, in this amount, at this time.” But how realistic is it to be able to comply to these guidelines? No day is the same, and our appetite and energy varies throughout our day.

Pick from these categories below to make your own balanced and nutritious meal no matter what time of day

+ when thinking of your next meal, always remember to have a complex carbohydrate, lean protein, and good source of fat. With that you can’t go wrong no matter what you choose.

Why can’t we find time to nourish ourselves without wasting our time and money? With the right tools, you can. Follow these easy meals and strategies to get in nutritious and inexpensive meals that will fuel your body throughout your busy workday.

Carbohydrates Fruits (dried and fresh) Veggies (frozen and fresh) Whole Wheat Pasta Whole Wheat Bread/Pita Sweet Potatoes Brown Rice Quinoa/Couscous Soups (Broth Based) Oatmeal High Fiber Cereal

Protein Chicken/Turkey/Beef Deli Meat (low sodium) Veggie Burgers Nut Butter Hard Boiled Eggs Legumes Low Fat Milk Greek Yogurt Cheese

Fat Olive Oil/Canola Oil Vinaigrette Dressing Hummus Avocado Nuts

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Joanna Newsom

Have

One

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Images courtesy of www.dragcity.com

Though the album title is Have ONE On Me, it’s ironic that singersongwriter Joanna Newsom gave not one, not two, but three discs of new music on her latest release. Clocking in at an impressive (but at times overwhelming) 2 hours, each disc contains 6 songs featuring motifs of new love, lost love, and loveless-ness. Although the collection is a lot to take in, repeated listens reveal that each disc tells a story about a woman hopeful about her life. She may compare her struggles to a young renaissance dancer, mourn the loss of something she never had, but in the end she emerges independent and ready for what’s next. The narrative travels lyrically in a thousand directions. Likewise, the music jetsets just as much. At one moment, Newsom will delicately pluck her signature harp, which she has been playing since age 5, and seamlessly move to a haunting piano line that carries the song into a completely unforeseen coda. The bold musical shifts make Newsom, age 28, one of the greatest composers of our generation. Such an accolade, one would think, should garner a performer unlimited success. However, one instrument that Joanna uses in a slightly different manner is her voice. She’ll be the first to tell you the laundry list of comparisons she’s received – witchlike, infantile, etc. On Newsom’s previous album, the critically acclaimed Ys (pronounced EESE), these descriptions may have been on the accurate side depending on who you ask. Unfortunately for Newsom, she injured her voice during a boozesoaked show and a passionate performance with her band. The result discouraged the loose, primal style of singing she employed on Ys. Though hardcore Newsomites may miss this quality in her music, new listeners will undoubtedly find her new voice something to fall in love

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with on Have One On Me. The new Joanna Newsom voice is more comparable to mid-70s Joni Mitchell and Kate Bush, featuring a velvet coo and vibrato that delivers her poetic prose in a more digestible form. That’s not to say Newsom lost the aspects of her singing style that make her a truly astonishing talent; on the contrary, you probably won’t find another record this year featuring such a wide array of vocal style. From a Texan twang to gospel runs, Newsom makes the epic journey of her new album at times pleasant and others heart-wrenchingly human. Above all, it’s the words of Joanna Newsom that will leave listeners spellbound and feeling slightly illiterate; never trite, never nonsensical, but always poetic. Newsom cleverly spins lines such as “I said to you, ‘Honey just open your heart’ when I got trouble even opening a honey jar – and that right there is where we are.” All of a sudden, you realize she’s saying exactly how you feel about your jilted love life better than you could have imagined – maybe even making you see it in a new light. Have One On Me’s downfall, as it will be proclaimed in many reviews, is its length. Depending on your attention span and dedication, you will either be thoroughly exhausted by the collection’s end, or graciously rewarded. I personally recommend listening to each disc separately, digesting it, and moving on to the next when you’re devilishly curious and hungry for more.

> Listen To: Easy, Good Intentions Paving Company, Baby Birch, In California, Jackrabbits, Go Long, Kingfisher, and Does Not Suffice

Hosted by:: Join the Impact Chicago

Thurs day

April Stardust 15th presents

10pm to 4am

Vogue!

]

[

magazine launch party

FOR TOTS part deux

DJs

Your Hosts Saya Naomi Diaz Deleon

Heather Doble All the Way Kay & Chester

2 dollar pbrs 3 dollar berlin bombs 6 dollar jack daniels Giveaways Compliments of

Scott Cramer Shaina Jenae Andi Cruzatti Felicia Rew & Bobby Pins

Jayme Darlingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Birthday Party!

Clothing and Food Drive for

Berlin Nightclub 954 W Belmont Ave. BerlinChicago.com

Vogue fashions from Kokorokoko & Knee Deep

Artist of the Month

DARREN JONES By Alysse Dalessandro Chicago-based artist Darren Jones always been interested in art, but it wasn’t until he was laid off from his corporate job that he decided to take the leap and paint fulltime. He says his corporate background helps him in the business side of art. Read what he has to say about his artistic inspiration and what he likes about the Chicago art scene.

Mint Male: How did you know that you wanted to get into art? >Darren Jones: I can’t say that there was a moment where I said “I know I want to get into art”, I believe that this was something inside of me that was always been there and it just took years for me to realize that instead of fighting it, to let it go and see what happens, pick up a brush and paint! I worked in the corporate world until I was laid off a year ago and although I was making both work together, I decided it was time to take the leap to paint full time and I have not regretted a moment since! MM: What kind of training did you go through to be an artist? >DJ: My life experiences, traveling and growing up with a mother who paints in watercolor has been my education to develop as an artist. Experimentation and following that little voice inside the right side of my brain is my formal training as I am a self taught artist. MM: For someone who has never seen your work, how would you describe it? >DJ: My art is a mix of contemporary, modern and impressionistic where I take everyday elements of nature and but my twist and style to it. I love heavy textures. MM: I read that your draw inspiration in your work from your mother’s garden. Can you describe how you find nature inspiring? >DJ: I really try to find the beauty in everything I see, but with nature there is not need to really search. I love the rawness of nature, the strength and the delicateness that you can find from something so simple as grass to something more complex like an iris or poppy. Nature itself tells some many stories and I like to try to take a snapshot of that story and expand upon it with my art. Many times when I find a location or a scene, I like to blur my eyes to allow the colors and elements meld together to imprint the image in my mind so I can reproduce it on the canvas. MM: What materials do you use in your art and how does that contribute to the paintings’ appearance? >DJ: I use a variety of materials and techniques to create different levels of depth and texture to each piece. I love texture and work in multiple layers to create different pieces of my collection. Many clients immediately want to touch the pieces to feel the art because of the textures. I use a various combination of recycled papers, wood fibers, paper fibers, sand from the beach of my family cottage, plaster, ink and acrylic paints, using a different combination for each piece. MM: You work has been shown across the world from Australia to the Middle East to Europe and North America. Can you tell me about a particular show that was most memorable for you? >DJ: To me knowing my art is in private collections in countries around the world is one of the most amazing and most memorable. I love meeting people at my shows who are touched or moved by my art and learning their story and about their lives so that I learn what about my art connected with them and that makes me grown as an artist. It is those life moment stories that are the most memorable.

MM: Many artists say they struggle with the business side of their work. What do you find is the biggest challenge of being a full-time artist? >DJ: I think the biggest challenge is the unknown. You can plan all the art shows and openings, paint, paint and paint and hope that your art sells. Many artists say how the economy has effected art sales, but I have found the opposite as people find purchasing art is an investment and are always looking for the wonderful find. Something that has been very helpful for me with that is having a background from my previous life with the corporate world along with schooling in business. I am able to combine both schools of thought, taking the essentials of my education about marketing, sales and strategy and apply them to the business side of my art. You need to put yourself out there in order to sell, but of course the artist in me fights that too because you hope your art would sell itself. MM: You showed your work at Chicago gay bar Sofo. How does you work relate to the gay community? >DJ: I am always open to showing my work at any venue that will expose people to works that they might not have had a chance to experience original art. I don’t like to label artists or art, but being openly gay, I feel has allowed me to open up as an artist. I don’t hide behind my art or my life. When I paint, I open up and let the paint flow from my hands and fall on to the canvas as an extension of who I am and not who people want me to be. MM: How would you describe the art scene in Chicago? >DJ: I feel the art scene in Chicago is under appreciated, undervalued and underestimated but incredible and unexpected. There are so many amazingly talented artists in this city. I think that there can be such a focus on the New York scene, but making it in Chicago, you can make it anywhere!! MM: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be and why? >DJ: So I have already spent most of my life not as an artist, spending it in the corporate world, working in a office and a cubicle or school so at this point I cannot imagine my life being anything else but an artist, it is who I am, it is in my soul -- I wouldn’t want to be anything else.

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R O

AR D

OV NG

TOYOTA

Christina Burton ///Photographer Josh Shores ///Stylist Leslie Shores ///Stylist Heather Bear ///Make-up Artist Bo Metz ///Model Joshua Hagan ///Model Tana McFarlane ///Model Christina Rago ///Model Agga B ///Designer Evil Kitty ///Designer Anna Fong ///Designer SERPICO ///Designer

> Mint Male consists of a diverse group of young, independent artists. Recently, Mint combined forces with The Creative Lounge Chicago to display their work in a gallery collaborated by an unlikely duo: Toyota engineers and some of Chicago’s most creative designers and artists. Mint Male was recently able to display a sampling of photographic work we’ve done for this April fashion spread, which features work from the designers that helped launch this incredible Creative Lounge. The Creative Lounge Chicago came to be after four aspiring designers (Anna Fong, Evil Kitty, SERPICO, and Agga B.) flew to Japan to produce garments influenced by Toyota design. Upon their return to Chicago, the designers were presented with not only a gorgeous, 4,000 square feet space in a vintage Wicker Park building to use at their disposal for work and storage, but also new sewing equipment, furniture, and décor. The space has provided these up and coming designers with an incredible venue to use as they wish for gallery space, a sales floor, a stage to spotlight other up and coming artists, screening room, photo studio, and much more. In the gallery space, Mint Male was able to display a glimpse into their April fashion spread, which took a deep look into these designers’ Toyota inspired collections. This is the continuation of that spread Mint Male’s interpretations of ‘Moving Forward’. The goal of the shoot was to combine these 4 designer’s clothing lines and Toyota’s message concerning the environment and eco-friendly practices. The figures in these images represent Toyota, and all they encompass: form, clean lines, color, power, a glimpse into the future of design, and a refreshing perspective on environmental practices in the car industry. The white boxes symbolize the mainstream car industry which is only just starting to think environmentally, where as Toyota is leagues ahead of them. Toyota is knocking down those barriers, tearing them apart, and standing above them to become one of the most eco-friendly car companies in the market. Paired with this concept, are images of Toyota’s conceptual additions to their vast family of cars: their newest concept and hybrid cars are introduced into the design of this spread in some very unusual, but interesting ways. Please enjoy the continuation of our presentation in Mint Male’s newest fashion spread: Moving Foward.

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POLITICAL

PLAY OFFS Vote for your winner at feedback@mintmale.com

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LIBERAL

By Jennifer Schnoes

What comes to mind when the word ‘liberal’ pops up? Change, open-mindedness... crazy? Sometimes all of the above. The media and the right wing like to shout loudly about how the left wing crazies are out to turn this country into a Socialist machine, and that we’re all a bunch of baby-killers and lazy couch potatoes who wait around for their government checks. What they’re not shouting so loudly about is what liberal politics has actually done for this country. I can honestly say that I am proud of what my party has done for the country, proud of my beliefs and the party that I have voted for time and again. I am proud of the change that has taken place in this country, not only recently, but in years prior. We’ve regretfully not had a Democratic president in office for a while, but that doesn’t mean our senators and members of congress haven’t been fighting the good fight. What does Liberalism mean for those who fight for our rights? It means Equality and freedoms for all men, women, and children of all races, ages, sexual orientations and religions. The right wing would rather have the status quo remain unchanged, and they don’t want us moving forward with new, fresh ideas and lighting the path for other people to start thinking in different ways and inciting change of their own. In the same vein, they seem to be very good at saying how progressive their own party is, and how they’re changing the future of America for the good of the people. The good of the people? What have they done for you lately? The Republican National Committee thinks, naturally, that republicans have done a great deal for their country, and that the Mistress of Evil (Nancy Pelosi) is just using her iron fist to pass unjust and unconstitutional (but generally logical and good for the nation type) bills through Congress and that The Master of Evil (Obama) is brainwashing us all and plunging America into a Socialist-run depression that we may never recover from. Sounds a bit off the rocker if you ask me. It sounds like a scare tactic too. What sort of record does the GOP have recently besides a list of largely backward stepping bills and proposals that would... plunge us into a depression that we would never recover from. On an unrelated tangent, there is an alarming amount of verbiage on the RNC website about slavery and referring to African Americans as ‘former slaves’, and they also have a separate site for women, the ‘RNC Women’, but who am I to judge them on separate their women-folk. Since the RNC Website is devoid of recent actual accomplishments on behalf of their party as of late, here is a list for them to choose from. 1. The recent removal of one of America’s Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson, from school books in Texas on the basis that his ideas about ‘Enlightenment’ were distracting students from the real issues about US Leaders in that period of time. The Texas BoE also struck the word ‘democratic’ from textbooks and replaced it with ‘constitutional republic’. On top of that, not only will it change all history related text books in Texas, but as Texas holds the largest percentage of textbook users in the United States, this ruling might change what is taught in textbooks all around the US. Thanks Texas. 2. Republicans have been working very hard to restrict and/or ban women’s rights and access to abortions and contraceptives while at the same time keeping schools from teaching students how to protect themselves from STDs and teen pregnancy. They can proudly put that vicious circle on their list of accomplishments. They’ve turned every 13 year old girl into a statistic in the name of ‘morality’. I don’t suppose the 3% rise in teen pregnancies in the US, the first rise in 15 years, or the 17 girls who made a pact to ‘get pregnant together’ last year could have taught them a little something about the effectiveness of abstinence only policies.

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3. Promoting the ‘family unit’ by making examples of themselves. Take Bob Barr for example. He was one of the biggest supporters of DOMA, and he was quoted saying “The flames of hedonism, the flames of narcissism, the flames of self centered morality are licking at the very foundation of our society, the family unit.” Well Bob, hypocrisy doesn’t look good on you. Bob has had three wives, paid for his second wife’s abortion, supposedly cheated on said second wife, and was photographed licking whipped cream off a stripper at one of his inaugural parties. That makes Clinton look good! If all of that isn’t enough, there is an Army Lieutenant that is refusing to obey orders from his superior officers, including Commander in Chief Barack Obama, until Obama produces a birth certificate. I can’t help but think that, since all of our presidents before Barack were ‘white’, are they only questioning his citizenship because he has darker skin? Or do Republicans really think that Hawaii is not a part of the United States. That and dinosaurs roamed the earth 4000 years ago. They can thank Palin for that one. To say all of this and not go into some of my own party’s short comings wouldn’t be fair. The left wing has had its fair share of crazies, and not all of their issues I, myself believe in, but even though the Democratic and Liberal leaning communities are passionate and sometimes go overboard, their point is well received. What has those Democrats done for us lately? 1. Obama recently passed the historic health care bill, aptly named, ObamaCare, that will help uninsured Americans get the health care they need. 2. Passing (in the House) the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 which requires annual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and addresses climate change. 3. Obama signing the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, which ensures that all Americans, regardless of gender, will receive equal pay under the law. 4. While it is still not enough, there have been changes to DADT which make it harder to enforce and ‘out’ someone. While it is not a full repeal, at least we’re seeing something happen. Change is necessary for the continuation of this country. New ideas and new ways to conduct business, new laws to protect citizens who are paying their taxes but not receiving the full benefits of the money they pay is necessary. Creating new jobs, even at the cost of the surplus is sometimes necessary to the continuation of this country. I am proud of this country, even though I may not be proud of the government at times, and I am most definitely proud of the issues I stand by and the people who are pushing those issues. Remember your liberal values: always stand by the freedoms of your fellow man and woman, strive for equality, and push for true change; change in the right direction! Or should I say ‘left’ direction.

CONSERVATIVE

By Gerard McGuiggan

What is a ‘Gay Conservative’? For that matter, what is a conservative? There is no one mold that defines conservatism, nor should there be. Conservatives, like Liberals, come under many guises and from every conceivable walk of life. Defining either through any narrow stereotype would be irresponsible. Even a gay man can have deeply conservative values. Just ask me! In all actuality, I do not consider myself a gay conservative, but rather a conservative that just happens to be gay. Gay does not define me, nor does any one thing. One could go on for what would seem like an eternity comparing conservative values to those of liberalism, but I want to express what makes me a conservative and why I’m openly proud of it. Too often, conservatives are collectively thrown into the republican pool. Conservative and Republican are not one in the same. There’s a clear difference. There is no single reason why I am a conservative and not a republican. Does anyone really agree with everything their party puts forth in their respective agendas? You’d be a lemming for sure if you did. However, it should be of no surprise to anyone that these lemmings do exist in all political parties. Like zombies, they freely and gladly support any agenda put forth as if they have no alternative. They follow blindly and aimlessly put their voice in someone else’s mouth. Unable to speak up for themselves or express their individuality, they follow and never lead. I believe, as a conservative, in limited government. Has the government ever taken over any part of your life and made it better? No? Same here. I can just hear the cries of liberals as they wait for the government to control and bankroll their every move. I hear cries from the right as well, but, they are cries of satisfaction at having done their own part for themselves and not having depended on long-term welfare programs to make everything alright. The liberal agenda has a long history of enabling people to allow others to do for them, with an emphasis on providing for people rather than on how to encourage people to provide for themselves. Our founding fathers never imagined that some would work and pay taxes so that many others would be treated as equal by giving them a share of the money earned by others. That’s not at all what they had in mind.

The economy has always been best left to being driven by a free-market system and not over-burdened with interference and regulation from the government. You reap what you sow is not just God’s basic nature of justice, it’s a fact! I work hard and it really irks me to see so much of my tax dollars be put to poor use. You see, conservatives never believed that you can spend your way to prosperity. Rather than throw purses full of cash at every situation, a conservative delves deep beneath the surface to discover and solve the problems that force us to continually blanket every problem with money. We don’t sit on our bottoms waiting for the next quick fix from Uncle Sam. We don’t wait, we get things done. I am often scolded by fellow gays for being so conservative as if they feel that a gay person must be liberal. Not so fast Mary! What have liberal values and movements done for you? Are you gay libs able to marry each other? Why not? We’ve had ample liberal administrations in the White House over the years. What exactly have the liberals done for you that the conservatives have not? Liberals have done nothing for you, face it. The liberals will also never change as change is seen as the enemy. They’d much sooner leave things as they are because in the end, Big Brother will make all decisions for them. Right? Let me be clear. I am not suggesting that the conservatives or republicans have done a whole lot for gays, but I do see a welcomed, promising change in their language and actions. More and more conservatives are becoming amenable to a deeper and wider acceptance of all people…even gays! Recently, some very notable conservatives have come out in support of the repeal of DADT and pro-gay marriage. Former VP Dick Cheney and Cindy McCain are among many that are taking the path of inclusion. I am pleased with the way things are beginning to look as gay issues are being recognized and respected by key conservatives the country over. It will take time, but I am willing to work hard and remain hopeful. While conservatives are steadfastly moving toward policies of more acceptance, without compromising values, the liberals will sit back with their inherent sense of hopelessness and entitlement, waiting for Big Brother to tell them what to do next. After all, that’s what government is for, isn’t it?

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T O G G FA TRANNIE F E O P M R O A H C FUDGE PACK

THAT’S SOOOOOO GAY

D Y Y K R I E R A E F UNCH

G A F KER

M T E

E R

R E D E

T O FA I G G A

HOM

I am angry. Let me tell you why.

Homophobia under the Mask By Michael E. Bricker, PhD, LCP

PAC FA KE

As a psychologist, I am reminded daily of how insidious homophobia can be in our lives. I hear stories of rejection from churches and families, of others avoiding “the topic” in the workplace, of individuals blaming themselves for feeling so confused about what they need and scared to know where to turn. I also hear what these individuals cannot; how these feelings of being “alone” in their struggles are a common thread shared by many LGBT individuals. This vantage point also offers me a unique view of how even the seemingly smallest incidents can impact our self-esteem. And, I feel angry at how destructive and invisible homophobic beliefs and attitudes can be in determining how we feel.

Let me explain. On my morning commute, while reading a reputable newspaper, I came across an apparently innocent editorial letter that caught my attention. The reader was writing in response to an article that had discussed the double-standard in the Superbowl’s decision to run a controversial anti-abortion ad by Focus on the Family, an Evangelical christian group, but to deny two gay ads from broadcast. The reader wrote in to state that Focus on the Family “wasn’t anti-gay” and was merely against gay marriage. The problem with this assertion is that Focus on the Family has a long track record of anti-LGBT campaigns, and is most prominently known for encouraging families to avoid “accepting their homosexual kid’s lifestyles” and promoting ‘conversion therapy’ - an approach without a shred of scientific support that is denounced as dangerous and ineffective by every major mental health organization in the country. But, even though this was upsetting, this wasn’t why I was angry. My anger came from the untraceable ramifications that many will face as a result of the publishing of such a misguided letter. Take, for example the readers of this column. This paper is well-known as a reputable source for news and information and its readers assume that the information in it is carefully considered in light of the facts. For many who are ambivalent about their support for the gay community, these words may validate a stereotype that society already overuses of LGBT individuals as being “dramatic” and “flamboyant”. It may also engender anger in these readers about our sense of “entitlement” or

D IRY YKE But, what happens to us, to me, as the reader? What message does it carry about what kind of LGBT individual, sibling, son/daughter, partner we are...and so on? Do we ever stop to recognize just how such sweeping characterizations impact our self-concept and esteem? We often are unable to ignore the larger events of homophobia in our life; those instances of blatant rejection from family or friends or being the victim of a hate crime. But how do these more muted expressions affect us? What impact do these brief experiences do to shape how we come to see ourselves? At the core, these instances seem to blame us for the hardships that come with being different and paint us as “trouble-makers”, once again. This wolf in sheep’s clothing aims to remind us that we should “know our place” and should be grateful for any scraps of acceptance we get. And these messages don’t just come in a headline, but appear in other forms. Maybe it is the deafening silence we experience when people avoid bringing up relationships when we’re around, or when we fail to get a call back from a potential employer or landlord after we have outed ourselves. Or the way in which we are reminded internally that we should be careful of how affectionately we talk about or interact with a partner, or how it feels to have someone praise us for not being “really gay” or not like “most gay people”. To have a partner referred to as a “friend” or to have our family express happiness (or silence) when our long-term relationship has ended. How do these moments shape us?

Maybe it feels too painful for us to look at this

However, naming these emotions may serve an important role in helping us to recognize the severity of the impact these instances have on us. These feelings also can allow us to better understand what we may need in order to feel more supported, valued, and acknowledged. For example, while a parent may not be willing or able to hear how devastating it was to experience a homophobic remark or for us to be treated differently for being gay, it does not make the event any less hurtful. Acknowledging such a comment to ourselves or someone who truly supports us can play a necessary role in helping to remind us that we are not deserving of it. This sharing can also help us to avoid internalizing these messages by replacing them with more supportive and affirming statements. While it may feel scary to name the hurt you feel, it may be one of the few ways you have to truly regain your voice and your place at the table. And, although these “headlines” will continue to interrupt our day-to-day lives, we reclaim what they attempt to take from us by recognizing their impact. We gain strength by remembering that we deserve better and by acknowledging them as the destructive forces they are. We find hope that we can experience a world in which we are loved and valued, in which we can be happy. And, through labeling our experience and sharing it with others, we recognize that we are not alone in our struggle and that we belong to a community that believes in our unconditional worth and value.

These events DO affect us. Maybe more than the larger events, they serve to slowly mold our views over time about whether we can be happy as an LGBT person, whether we can find a loving, committed relationship that will last, whether we deserve to feel valued as-is. These messages communicate powerful statements about our worth, about our spot in the pecking order, and about whether we can ask and expect things from others.

sometimes...that we fear we will be overcome with sorrow and depression if we let ourselves acknowledge the impact. We may have learned, too, that others aren’t capable of responding to us in this pain. Many of us are reminded of times when coming out where we made the huge step of sharing who we are and attempted to get support, only to have parents, siblings, or friends abandon or blame us for the difficulties we’ve experienced. And, while we must create boundaries to shelter ourselves from the repeated pain of being met with invalidation, denying these emotions can also have consequences. By failing to label how hurtful such experiences are, we begin to lose sight of the erosive impact they have on our well-being. It can also blind us to our needs for support and nurturance. It’s as if we no longer need those invalidating figures around anymore, as we readily invalidate ourselves through minimizing the destructiveness of each instance.

BREEDE

feelings of anger that we “aren’t happy with” the tiny patchwork of rights we have been been granted. For those readers who are hostile or unsupportive of our community, it serves as one more [misguided] example of why gay people need to be “stopped” and why society is justified in removing those rights that have been given.

P U G N I K MA

Y D N By Jorge Treviano

E W

Merrell Hollis Paints

Day Time’s Fab Diva

How do you trans form a New Jerse y housewife into the Media”? Merrell “Queen of all Hollis, the persona l make-up artist to sharpest diva, Wen daytime talk’s dy Williams, can tel l you how. “Wendy is open to what ever outland ish idea I suggest, “She is fearless an ” he explains, d confident enough to know that when out of the make-up she steps chair, she will look fabulous because fabulous. Above all, she is she’s fun and that’s what makes my job in daytime TV.” the best Mattifying the skin, gluing the eyelash es and applying the take up to an hour, make-up can but when Merrell’s at the brush, he ca the job in less tha n complete n 30 minutes. “I get so antsy sit ting in the make-up chair,” says Wendy “Merrell is so skille Williams. d that all I have to do is sit and presto know it I’m done , before I and looking fabulo us.” It’s no wonder his talents have been so ught out by many top celebrities. Am of today’s ong them: Mary J Blige, Vivica A. Fo Campbell, and Kim x, Naomi Catrell. In fact, be for e was the personal Mrs. Williams, Me groomer to Sean rrell Hollis ‘P. Diddy’ Combs, Key Groomer for Ba and later made d Boy Entertainm ent where he was the make-up and responsible for grooming of all Ba d Boy artists. Hollis’ artistry has been displayed on Oprah, America’s Model, Entertainm Next Top ent Tonight, and nu merous BET show been showcased s. He’s also in several top fashio n books including Stone, Vanity Fair, GQ, Rolling Vibe, and Essence. It was difficult for him, as an openly gay man, to carve himself in the hip a niche for hop industry, he ad mits. “Much of it own insecurities. was due to my I thought they did n’t want me aroun share their interests d because I didn’t in the ‘T and A gir ls’.” “Truthfully, though, most rappers didn’t know about my se they simply didn’t xuality or care. They knew me as the dude tha ladies look extra fin t made their e and that’s all the y cared about.” Well, that, and loo king fine themselv es. Merrell has bru faces of male artist shed the s like Ludacris, Sn oop Dogg, Nelly, GThough he won’t Unit and 112. name names - “I’ m not that crazy,” says fans would be he laughs – he surprised to learn ho w highly some of regard their make the men -up. It makes sens e. In an industry everything, make where image is -up can be career defining.

Image Courtesy of Project Publicity

WIL

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Ladies and Gentlemen, I have an itch and I just can’t seem to scratch it. It’s bad enough that I caught the travel bug, but we have that prescription filled already. No, this itch is a bit different and I can’t scratch it because it’s not on me. It’s on the ground and in the streets, behind fences and barriers, under cigarette butts and soda cans. Every time I walk down the street I want to claw at the soil, burst through the clouds, and pound on the pavement. I’m itching for Spring. I spent the first nineteen years of my life on an acre of land where my mother tended a beautiful garden. We had fresh vegetables and beautiful blooms from spring until fall; even in the winter the honeysuckle never seemed to lose its leaves. This time of year meant deciding between pumpkins or zucchini and where to plant the sunflowers. Like the seasons though, things change. I’m in Chicago now and loving it. I am constantly impressed by the amount of green this city erupts with and I can’t get enough of its beautiful parks and gardens. There are people and funds making these green places possible, and for that I am grateful. But I’m looking out my window right now spying three neglected tree pits, a stretch of grassy median, a parking lot with plenty of room for planters and I think: Why not there? Why not us? It’s obvious that beautification is a well funded aspect of Chicago, but I’m beginning to realize that it is a shared responsibility. We walk these streets, we drive these roads, we are intimate with this city on a daily basis. Why wait around for someone else to do what you can do with a trowel and some daffodils? People in cities all over the world have been taking matters into their own hands. They are fighting environmental misuse and wasted opportunity while promoting freedom and community. They do not see abandoned lots and barren sidewalks; they see horticultural possibility. They are the creators of guerrilla gardens. Turning neglected areas of our community into beautiful works of garden art is definitely reason enough, but it is not the only motivator. Litter and weeds have been cleared in some places to create community gardens to harvest crops. Action like this dates back to 1649 England, where it was done more out of necessity and as a

By Eric Green

GUERRILLA GARDENING

political statement. I encourage you to do it now for the joy and health you will find in it. There is no need to purchase what you can grow down the block. A garden like this will help create a sense of community. It is a place to bring a basket and have a picnic, or bring a shovel to get a good workout. Gardening is great exercise. The other side of community is security. It’s hard for crime to continue on land that was once baron and ignored, but is now tended and beautiful. As beneficial as guerrilla gardening can be for us, it is also good for business. Beauty and community can attract people to an area like nothing else, bringing money and possibility into a neighborhood that might not have been there before. There are others that use guerrilla gardening as a form of expression and to make a statement. My favorite act of illicit cultivation began recently in Manchester, England where artist Paul Harfleet began planting pansies at locations where homophobic acts of violence had occurred. The Pansy Project is now legal, documented and financially supported. Check it out at thepansyproject.com. Whatever your motivation, spring is the perfect time to start your own mini revolution or join an existing one. Register on guerrillagardening. org to connect with people that are already guerrilla gardening here in Chicago and all over the World. With this encouragement, I am responsible for highlighting this as a movement where laws, regulations, morals and ethics need to be carefully considered. Special care also must to be taken in knowing what will thrive when and where you plant it. Do your research and use your common sense. I owe having my eyes opened to “On Guerrilla Gardening” by Richard Reynolds. The philosophies and history of this movement are fascinating and clearly explained. Pick it up and the next time you go outside, notice just how possible it is to be your community’s own personal Johnny Appleseed. “Let’s fight the filth with forks and flowers!”

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