MintMale October 2009

MintMALE The gay man's guide to living in mint condition

EXHAUSTICATING CAZWELL FALL IN LOVE FASHION EDITORIAL

QUEER PolASSitics

5 OCTOBER 2009

Volume One Issue One

PUMPED UP VINTAGE EXERCISES

CONTENTS Exhausticating

CAZWELL Exclusive Interview

MINT COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH

5 PUMPED UP VINTAGE EXERCISES

FALL IN

LOVE

Dear Reader, All of us at Mint Male want to say THANK YOU! This being our first issue, we couldn’t be more excited about having YOU read it!

Mint Male is a movement that encourages gay men to live a happy, healthy life with the assistance of those who are passionate about the issues and interests of modern gay culture. We are a multimedia community that promotes the highest quality of health, fitness, culinary techniques, fashion, art, sex, and livelihood for a sophisticated market. Mint originated from the founders’ desire to produce the type of mature, gay-specific content they had long felt was missing in the community. Our constantly evolving generation, combined with the immense power of the internet, led to the concept of Mint: an online resource that the gay male community can turn to for information about bettering their lifestyle. This is a magazine that caters to the needs of gay men as MEN. With mint, gay men will have ONE source that they can turn to for their information on health, fitness, fashion, sex, etc.

And now, October 1st, 2009, here it is - Our first issue of Mint Male Magazine! We would not have been able to do this without the help of our incredible and hard working staff. Its been a crazy couple of months putting this together, but we’ve met so many amazing, creative people and we wouldn’t trade our staff for the world. We couldn’t be more delighted to have Cazwell on the cover of our first issue and had a blast interviewing him (not to mention watching him perform). We are overwhelmingly grateful for the love and support we’ve received from our families, friends, and our phenomenal Mint staff. We hope you enjoy Mint Male as much as we do.

While we are striving to be one source for gay men to turn to, we are not just one voice. Mint Male is a community of voices, and we intend for all of these voices to be heard. A large number of our articles will be opinion pieces. If you strongly agree or disagree with any of these opinions, let us know (Feedback@MintMale.com)! We plan to show every side of every story in every way we can.

Thank You, Lisa Kimmey, Joey Grant, and Josh Shores

E B O T R C O CTOBEER O CTOB O

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Mint Toast Party @ Cocktail 11pm - 2am Drink Specials 3359 N Halsted

Opening Reception for Gay Pride Local Photographer New City Film Critic Drinks, Music, Food, Sales on Sel. Merch.

Dovetail: 1452 W Chicago Ave 8-11pm

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MintMALE Launch Party @ Jet Set Sky Bar 9pm-2am Sky Bar: 2242 N Lincoln

Spank the Original Go-Go Nite 10pm @ Cocktail 3359 N Halsted

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Berlin Drag Matinee 9:30pm NO COVER 954 W Belmont

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Stardust Presents: Leslie HALLoween ZOMBIES Leslie & the Lys (LIVE) Berlin: 954 W Belmont

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MINTOWEEN Costume Contest + Halloween Party TBA

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CHICAGO

DESIGNER PAYS TRIBUTE TO

MICHAEL JACKSON

To view the rest of Bouggy’s collection please visit www.bouggy.com

THE DOCTOR IS OUT MintMale strives to help gay men stay in mint condition. If you have medical questions that you would like to share with our readers, contact Dr. Joe Yates at DocYates@MintMale.com.

Thein Human Factor Health Care Reform

by Joseph R. Yates, M.D., FACEP

Everybody’s talking about health care reform. Some are trying to push it. Some are trying to stop it. Many are simply confused and concerned.

I’d like to frame the debate in human terms. The other night, while working as the emergency room physician at a local hospital, a twenty-something hairdresser named “Jon” was brought to me.

Jon was in a great deal of pain having suffered injuries in an automobile crash. His specific pain suggested he might have internal injuries, so I ordered a routine CAT scan.

Shortly thereafter, Jon summoned me into his examination room and introduced me to his life partner. They had discussed Jon’s injuries and despite the possibility he had complications that could not be diagnosed from just a physical examination, they had decided to refuse the CAT scan. Why? The two men were both employed, but they had no health insurance. Having this expensive test performed would jeopardize, or at the very least, delay their plans to move from their apartment into the house they had been saving to buy.

Since they were reasonable and intelligent people who clearly understood my explanation of the risk they were taking, there was nothing I could do but allow them to refuse the test. Their difficult choice was between disrupting their plans for a future together and risking Jon’s health.>

>This scenario is happening with increasing frequency. Forty-seven million Americans are without health insurance. Complicating matters, patients repeatedly come to emergency rooms for asthma attacks and seizures, simply because they can’t afford the medicines that prevent such events. Even if you have health insurance, your increasingly unaffordable premiums reflect skyrocketing medical costs inflated to keep hospitals afloat so they can provide service to the uninsured and perform unnecessary tests on patients just to prevent malpractice losses. In a recent three-year period, 12.6 million non-elderly adults were denied coverage by insurance companies due to preexisting conditions. Illness or medical bills contributed to 62.1% of American bankruptcies. Clearly, our health care delivery system is broken.

Reform will be difficult. There must be compromise. The American Medical Association (AMA) insists on these fundamental requirements of any health care system that results:

•Protects the sacred relationship between patients and their physicians, without interference by insurance companies or the government •Provides affordable health insurance for all through a choice of plans and eliminates denials for preexisting conditions •Promotes quality, prevention and wellness initiatives •Repeals the Medicare physician payment system that harms seniors' access to care •Eases the crushing weight of medical liability and insurance company bureaucracy

There are several proposals on the table to overhaul the health care system and how it is funded for the entire nation. All of the proposals address these basic issues: 1. Mandated insurance coverage for all individuals. All the proposals have some provision to mandate that citizens purchase insurance coverage or pay a penalty. They all agree on some exemption for people unable to afford insurance. In exchange for these mandates, which would expand the market for insurers, the insurance companies could no longer denying coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. Insurers would also be barred from charging higher fees based on gender or health status of the insured.

2. Either a public insurance plan for those who cannot afford insurance in the marketplace, or some sort of nonprofit cooperative. This piece is largely opposed by insurance companies, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and several state medical associations, although the American Medical Association has endorsed the House proposed bill once the House dropped a proposal to limit doctor payments to medicare rates.

3. All plans either include or are considering tax benefits to employers who provide insurance for their employees.

4. All the plans mandate a basic level of coverage. None proposes to fund health care for illegal aliens. The plans disagree on what will be provided for those individuals who want more than the basic coverage. Clearly, any proposal will have to allow a higher level of services, such as elective or cosmetic procedures, for those who can afford it. The bills are outlined and compared in a New York Times article posted on line on August 12, 2009, entitled “Comparing the Health Care Proposals.”>

>The AMA, a traditionally conservative organization, now recognizes that its members and their patients cannot continue to thrive in the current environment. The AMA says the status quo is unacceptable and they are right.

American’s patients and physicians deserve better, but problems with passing a health care reform bill will center on at least three key issues which have been debated at town hall meetings, on blogs, in the media and on the street: Abortion Funding The Catholic Bishops have dropped their support for President Obama’s health care initiatives until they have reassurance that the government system will not fund abortions. While the plans don’t mandate any plans to cover abortions, it is clear the option to include this as a choice that can be purchased is being considered in the plans.

Coverage for Illegal Aliens The system relies on hospitals with busy emergency departments as key providers of episodic and emergency care.

Since hospitals and emergency doctors are mandated by law to provide care to all comers, the system somehow will have to pay for that care. If illegal aliens aren’t covered for emergency care, the system will have to find a way to keep hospitals operating. It isn’t likely the American people will support a plan that allows hospitals to ignore people bleeding or dying in waiting rooms because they’re in the country illegally.

Cost This is the biggest stumbling block reformers face given the current weakened economy that is drowning in the expense of two wars and suffering double-digit unemployment. The key to affording health care reform may lie in the funding of preventive medicine that reduces overall costs by improving the health of all citizens.

Back to the emergency room and my young friends. Jon was lucky. He suffered relatively minor bruises. But although some luck out, there are a growing number of others for whom surgical care is delayed and whose lives are jeopardized by decisions based on their inability to pay.

SWINE FLU UPDATE WHO SHOULD GET THE H1N1 FLU VACCINE? The Centers for Disease Control is predicting a potentially severe flu season in the upcoming winter. A flu vaccine will reduce the overall incidence of flu each year, but the traditional flu vaccine will not prevent infection with swine flu (H1N1 virus). The CDC is recommending the following people receive the H1N1 vaccine, as it becomes available:

•Pregnant women, •People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, •Health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact, •Children 6 months through 4 years of age, and •Children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions.

Because people over the age of 64 are less susceptible to this virus, the next move will be to vaccinate everyone between the ages of 25-64 and, finally, with plentiful supply in the future, the entire population.

ANDREW KLASS Artist. B-Rated Movie Enthusiast.

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1. What first sparked your interest in Scratchboarding?

In high school my favorite teacher, Levi McCulloch, had us work with scratchboards. I’ve loved it ever since.

2. What inspires you?

I get a lot of my inspiration from film and photographers. I love people’s faces, and the different things you can convey with it.

3. Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Rochester, NY.

4. What do you aspire to be/do in the next 5 years?

In the next 5 years I hope to get my BFA is advertising art direction, get a job at an agency in the city all while continuing my fine arts career and getting my work involved in the Chicago art scene.

5. What is your favorite alcoholic drink?

The creamsicle. 2 shots of vanilla vodka, one can of orange soda. Delicious.

6. Have you been featured in any art shows/ galleries? If so, what galleries?

Since I just moved back to the area, all of the galleries I’ve been featured in are on the east coast. I’ve had work in The Eclipse Mill Gallery, The Williams Club, North Adams Artist Co-Op, North Adams Open Studios.

7. What do you do if you make a mistake while etching?

I usually just take some black ink and cover it up, then re-work it.

8. Are there any art mediums that you wish were or weren’t so mainstream?

I think it would be nice to see scratchboards be used more commonly in mainstream work. They are so versatile, they could be used for just about any subject. I would like to see less manga in the mainstream. I’m not hating on anyone! It’s just tiring seeing the same things over and over... no offense.

9. Do you support gay marriage (as Perez Hilton would say)?

I was raised Christian, and am still a practicing Christian. This instantly would make most people think I then oppose gay marriage, due to the way the majority of Christians have handled gay marriage issues. Which has been, for lack of a better term, rather poor. They say that it says in the Bible that being gay is a sin, which is true, it does say that. However, it also says that judging others is a sin, and it is in no way man’s job to judge other men. And personally, all religion aside, I have absolutely no problem with it at all. People’s personal relationships do not effect me in any way so why should care? I think we should be allowed to love whoever we love, without being persecuted for it.

10. Do you know of any off-the-wall art galleries in Chicago? If so, what/where are they?

There is a new gallery/store called RSVP located at 1753 North Damen that opened recently here in the city. I have a few good friends who are involved with it, and it’s bringing a modern Tokyo vibe to the Midwest. Go check it out!

11. Queer Art. Do you like it? What are your feelings towards it?

I’ve seen some brilliant work come from the gay community. I love good art and artists no matter who creates it or who the artist is.

CHECK HIM OUT BY CLICKING THE LINKS BELOW: www.middlemanart.com awklass@gmail.com

HOMO EC - 101

Halloween has always been a gay high holy day. A day for us to show our creativity, ingenuity, and innovative style… By, Keegan Greene

The first and hardest part of a Halloween costume is deciding what to b e. Whether you go for the sexy or the macabre, the glamorous or the dirty, it is vital you have a clear understanding of what you want to be. Once you have narrowed your costume selection down, I find it handy to obtain a picture of the person or thing you want to be. If a picture is not readily available or you go for something more abstract, sketch out a design on paper. Seeing the elements of your costume on paper will better help you obtain your materials and stick to your vision.

I have always wanted to be a Spice Girl and since doing full on drag this Halloween seems like a lot of work and a lot of money, I decided to go as a Spice Boy. After going through my photos of the Return of the Spice Girls tour, I found a fabulous outfit Ginger Spice wore that could easily translate into a super glam look for a guy. Her tour costume consisted of a silver sequined and crystal embroidered one shouldered tunic, white short-shorts and silver platforms. Next, I went to my closest to see what I had already that could be used for the costume. I started by choosing a pair of silver Dolce and Gabbana track shoes with a solid chrome toe that were ultra shiny, futuristic and would tie in perfectly with my silver and white themed look. And because I already had the shoes, that was one less thing I had to buy, leaving more money open for the rest of the costume and Halloween on the town. Seeing that shoes were all I had for my look and determined not to spend more than $60 on the costume, it was time to get creative. Armed with my photo of Ginger, I set out to local shops to find the rest of the pieces for my costume.

Known for their trendy, easy to wear, sometimes off the wall, sometimes cheap clothing I decided to make American Apparel on Belmont my first stop. Almost immediately after browsing the selection of men’s garments I came across a white nylon short and to the point bathing suit that resembled 70’s track shorts for $29.50. These would work perfectly. I was also keen on the fact it was a bathing suit because it was fairly durable, had built in underwear, and was something I could wear in the summer. Although the trunks were half my budget, I purchased them because I knew they were something I could get multiple uses out of.

Walking down Belmont, I still wasn’t quite sure how I could translate the solid silver tunic into a shirt. The tunic was so unique I started to have doubts that I could reproduce it. I passed Hollywood Mirror and looked at the window display where a disco ball sat in the corner reflecting light from its faceted, mirrored tiles. Then an idea…what if I glued disco ball tiles to a white shirt?! Brilliant! Over to Marshall’s I went and purchased a 3 pack of white Calvin Klien V-neck undershirts for $14.99. Again, a somewhat costly item but I would only be using one of the shirts for the costume and the other two would be used in day to day life. Another purchase/investment as.

Now it came time for the most daunting task: finding the disco ball tiles and adhesive. I popped into Walgreens not really expecting to find much that would help me, but in the small sewing and craft section I found a bottle of GemIt!-a fabric glue the late, great Billy Maes hocked on T.V. for adhering rhinestones and gems to jeans and t-shirts. Dubbed as super strong and flexible, the bottle of GemIt! was only $4.99. Score!

Upon returning home, I simply googled “silver mirrored tiles” and a plethora of retailers selling the individual mosiac tiles populated on my computer screen. I clicked on the happycraftsmenmosaicsupplies.com as it advertised low prices and speedy delivery. Looking through the wide variety of tiles, I found light weight silver mirrored tiles for $5.00/100. I purchased two packages and with tax and shipping the total was $17.00; delivery time five-seven business days…plenty of time to complete the look by Halloween. The total of all my purchases came to $66.48. Although I was $6.48 over budget, it was well worth the money because everything purchased could be used again.

Two days before Halloween I began to assemble my shirt. Using fabric scissors, I carefully cut each of the sleeves off the white Calvin Klien v-neck which turned the shirt into more of a tank, laid it flat on my kitchen table and began to arrange the mirrored tile into funky shapes and paterns. I decided on an asymmetrical pattern that ran from shoulder to mid-chest and then down my torso. Once the pattern was completed and all the tiles had been carefully arranged and lined up, I began using the GemIt! to adhere the tiles to the shirt. This process was the longest, taking me two and a half hours to complete. In all I used 162 of the 200 tiles purchased. Per the GemIt! instructions, the shirt set out to dry for 24 hours.

Halloween came around and I was uber-excited to rock out my Spice Boy costume. After spraying myself down with silver body glitter from head to toe it was time to get dressed. The completed shirt was a bit heavy, but not uncomfortable. Any light that hit me reflected back off the mirrored panels in a silvery shimmer and created an AMAZING effect. Paired with the short, white swimming trunks and my silver shoes and a pair of white aviator sunglasses borrowed from a friend I was ready to spice up the night.

I received TONS of compliments on the costume and was photographed more times than I can count. Everyone was amazed by the shirt and often asked where I purchased it. When I told them it was homemade, their jaws hit the floor. Using practical applications of style, a little creativity, and a little hard work, I created a fabulous, one of a kind costume and you can too! And remember, nothing is too over the top on Halloween. * Photographed By Keegan Greene

Five Pumped Up Vintage Exercises.

By Kevin Purvis BS, CSCS. Mint Male’s Personal Trainer

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but exercises seem to have become increasingly complex lately. Lifting has grown into something that’s more of a Cirque du Soleil act than a workout program. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of multi-joint “functional” movement patterns, as I am a huge fan of Cirque du Soleil. My clients would tell you that some of their workouts have left them ready for a trapeze act. I just think that we shouldn’t ignore some of the old-school exercises that our muscle-building forefathers used as the staples of their program.

These exercises don’t have to be as cut-and-dry as the originals. So, to borrow from my friends in the fashion department, consider the following suggestions an updated take on a vintage look. The changes are subtle, but even the smallest tweak can be enough to stimulate a response in your muscular adaptation.

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cise r e x E e Vintag ps Pull-U

rcise body exe re p p u t ht e bes guably th i-joint, body weig quickly r a e r a s shape is mult Pull-up rform. Th ck and arms into e p n a c up, tr y you your ba m a pull- ur gym. r s t fo s r la e b p t e canno e at yo exercis ely. If you d pull-up machin et your self iv t c e ff e g and iste eight ass r y using a chair to slowly (8w e h t g t in us r self tion, ot an op ve and lower you le pattern of If that’s n o the who of the m m r p o fo t r e e p h t to u can ) until yo 10 count nt. moveme an greater th ly : t n h g o li i s t a that is Prepar nd-width a h a h it •Start w . width. rhand grip e v o n a shoulderin . hould be ehind you b m •Hands s lly extended. e h t fu nd cross •Arms are legs at the knee a ur •Bend yo vel as e same le h t : t t a n is e chin Movem until your p u lf e s r u he •Pull yo r during t e h t e g o . t s s your hand ur shoulder blade o y e your z •Squee own until d k c a b y a t. movemen r yourself all the w e w lo .

•Slowly extended y ll fu re a arms one. Fight is h t n : o s r s ne facto Aware o be a big nd count to 4. t g in o g •Tempo is y while lowering a ravit against g

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Updated Exercise: Corn-on-the-Cob Pull-ups 4

Preparation: •This exercise starts in the same position as the original.

Movement: •Pull yourself up to the right side first, as if you were going to kiss the back of your right hand.

•At the top of the movement, slide your body over to the left side, as if you were going to kiss the back of your left hand.

•When you are completely lowered and your arms are fully extended, initiate movement to the left side and reverse the exercise.

Awareness: •Don’t get lazy on this exercise.

You may not be able to perform as many repetitions, but keep your movements exaggerated.

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Vintage Exercise: Push Ups Push-ups are an excellent exercise, not only for strength in the chest, shoulders and arms, but also for building ‘core’ strength. By changing hand positioning, you can confuse and challenge your upper body to adapt to a movement pattern that is never exact or precise. This can bring continual stimulus to your body, which means constant muscle growth.

Preparation: •Start in the plank position, hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.

•Spine should be ‘neutral’, meaning you should have the same posture while performing this exercise that you do while standing. Think of it as elongating the spine.

•Your feet should be hip-width apart.

Movement: •Lower yourself down toward the ground with your elbows slightly back.

•As you lower, check to make sure that your hands are at chest level, as opposed to shoulder-height or higher.

•The tempo of this movement should be a 3-count for lowering and 2-count for pushing back to the start position.

Awareness: •Pay attention to your head positioning, as well as your hip positioning. •Make sure that neither drop out of the ‘neutral spine’ position.

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Updated Exercise: Push-ups with Alternating Hand Position Preparation: •Start in the plank position, as before. This time your hands should be staggered; one placed slightly higher than shoulder-height, one placed approximately at the mid-torso.

Movement: •The movement will be the same as before, but you will reverse hand positioning at the top of the push-up.

Awareness: •Be aware of tempo and posture.

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Vintage Exercise: Forward Lunges Lunges are considered a primal pattern of movement, meaning that it is something that we do in one form or another as a natural movement. Imagine dropping something on the floor and stepping forward into a lunge and bending down to pick it up. Lunges are also a multijoint exercise, which means more muscle groups are working and you have more potential to get your heart rate up. Form is extremely important on this exercise. If you experience knee pain while performing this exercise, you should discontinue doing it until you speak with a professional that can diagnose the pain.

Preparation: •Stand upright with your feet together.

•Lengthen your spine.

•Place your hands on your hips.

Movement: •Take a big step forward with one foot so that when the foot is planted, your knee is centered over the ankle of the foot that is performing the movement.

•Once your foot is planted in place, bend your back knee so that your movement is down, rather than forward.

•Your weight should be centered over your heel of the front foot as you push back to the starting position.

•Alternate sides.

Awareness: •Keep your shoulders back and chest lifted throughout the exercise.

•Lift your toes up inside your shoes to keep the weight distributed properly.

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Updated Exercise: Forward Lunge with Rotation

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Preparation: •Begin with your feet together, as before.

•Hold either your hands together, a medicine ball, or a dumbbell in your hands with your arms extended.

Movement: •Step forward and begin the lunge as before.

•Once your are down in the lunge position, slowly rotate your arms and torso toward the rear leg.

•Keep your eyes forward.

•Return your arms to the front and step back to the starting position.

•Reverse the exercise and perform on the opposite side.

Awareness: •Make sure that you are not only moving your arms, but your torso, as well.

Vintage Exercise: Crunches Crunches are the staple exercise for the vast majority of the workout-savvy. There are two-things I want to say here, just in case anyone was wondering: Doing ab workouts everyday are counter-productive. Your abdominal muscles need time to recover and rebuild, just as other muscles in your body do. Also, if you are doing a high number of repetitions per set (20 or more), it’s time to somehow make the exercise harder. The updated exercise I present (Pike-ups) is a great way to do this. Don’t slack on this; beach season is a year-round event.

Preparation: •Lie spine (face-up) on the floor with your hands behind your head.

•Keep your knees bent with your feet flat on the floor.

Movement: •Draw your navel towards your spine.

•Keep your chin tucked in and your elbows back at you lift.

•Concentrate on bringing the bottom of the ribcage to the top your you hipbone.

•Lower your upper body back to the floor and repeat the movement.

Awareness: •Make sure to breathe throughout the movement.

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Updated Exercise: Pike-ups

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Preparation: •Lie spine on the floor with your arms and legs fully extended Movement: •Draw your navel toward your spine, as before •Lift your upper body off of the floor as you simultaneously lift your legs •Touch your hands to your toes as they meet over your torso •Return your upper and lower body to the start position. Challenge yourself by not allowing your hands or feet to touch the floor in between toe touches.

Awareness: •Be aware of the amount of curve in your lower back (lumbar curve) as you begin this exercise. You should be able to maintain the integrity of this curve during this movement. If you feel your back start to hyper-extend, or feel your back lifting off of the floor, do not lower your legs as close to the floor before restarting the pattern of movement.

•Try lifting your shoulder blades off the floor with your upper-body movement

Vintage Exercise: Romanian Deadlift

rcise when trying to perform with the Deadlifts can be a challenging exe mirror so that you can watch your correct form. It’s best to work in a Pay as you go through the movement. technique and correct the mistakes what you tell s tips that I list below as I’ll particular attention to the Awarenes e e. Deadlifts are great for building cor to check while your doing this exercis er oth in your hamstrings and glutes. In stability as well as building muscle this which one of us doesn’t?) then add words, if you want a great ass (and to your routine.

Preparation: apart.

•Stand upright with your feet slightly ether. I’ll call this ‘keeping your tog •Pull your shoulder blades back and shoulders engaged.

•Slightly unlock your knees.

Movement: •Start by pushing your hips back.

•Allow your knees to bend slightly. in your hamstrings, or until your form •Bow forward until you feel a stretch ition. breaks then return to the starting pos Awareness: n ts until you get the form correct. The igh we t hou wit e rcis exe this ice act •Pr t as you feel comfortable. you can gradually increase the weigh uld keep your shoulder engaged.

•Throughout this movement you sho You e you maintain your lumber cur ve.

•Watch your lower back to make sur . k your butt out as you bend forward can do this if you remember to stic p downward to the floor. This will kee ving mo e tinu con uld sho s eye ur •Yo your neck in a neutral position. k up.

•Squeeze your glutes on the way bac

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Updated Exercise: Single-Leg Deadlift

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Preparation: •Begin with your body upright and your feet slightly apart.

•Engage your shoulders.

•Slightly unlock your knees.

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Movement: •Slowly lift one leg behind you as you lower your upper body toward the floor.

•Slightly bend your standing knee.

•Try to move into a ‘T’ position before returning to the standing position.

•Continue to work through multiple repetitions on the same side before moving to the opposite leg.

Awareness: •As I said before, practice this exercise without weights until you get the form correct.

•Try concentrating on lifting your leg behind you, rather than bending your upper body down. Focus on tipping. This tends to correct your upper-body posture.

•Remember to look down as your body moves downward. This keeps your neck in a neutral position.

HALLOW’S EVE STEW 2 all-natural chicken breasts, cut into bite-size cubes (Safety note. Raw chicken should never come into contact with other foods. Make sure to thoroughly wash your hands, surfaces and utensils that come into contact with raw chicken.)

1 cob sweet yellow corn, taken off cob 1 diced large red pepper 1 diced medium sized jalapeno pepper (seeds in jalapeno add a kick, use at discretion) 3 diced green onions 1 garlic clove, smashed 6 small red potatoes, cubed 1 8 oz can coconut milk 1 small pumpkin or acorn squash (2 to 4 lbs depending on size of party) 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon sea salt 3 dashes of crushed black pepper (use a fresh grinder or dried) 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 of cup grated muenster cheese

Since Halloween falls mid-week this year, we suggest an at-home dinner party to celebrate the national gay holiday. You can parade your winning costume from the previous weekend’s contests, then serve up a great autumn meal before heading out to the parade on Halsted. Easily prepared between greeting the young trick-or-treaters at the door, this hearty, savory treat is sure to delight any trick, or even a small gathering of fiendishlydressed friends. By Josh Shores.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut top off of pumpkin or acorn squash; remove and hollow out inside using an ice cream scoop. Be careful not to scrape the bottom.

Preheat 1 tablespoon olive oil in non-stick skillet over medium heat on stove.

Add chicken, corn, red pepper, garlic, thyme, chili powder, salt and pepper and saute until brown.

Then add coconut milk, jalapeno, green onion, meat from squash and potatoes.

Bring to light boil and simmer until potatoes feel soft to touch of fork.

Remove from heat and scoop into pumpkin or squash.

Top with shredded muenster cheese and half cover with top of the pumpkin or squash.

Place on baking sheet or aluminum covered pan and place in oven. Bake for 1 1/2 hours.

For an added touch serve in hollowed out pie pumpkins (miniature punpkins) or Halloween theme dishes.

Helpful hint: For a larger party increase the size of the pumpkin and double your ingredients.

DATE MANHATTAN My favorite fall drink is, without question, a well-made Manhattan.

This is a slightly sweeter version with a playful kick. By Carlie Wagner.

10 oz Pitted Dates 1/4 Cu p Amaretto Honey Whiskey Bitters (to taste)

In a food processor, combine dates and amaretto. Pulse until the mixture has become a fine paste. In a shaker full of ice, combine two tablespoons of date mixture with two and a half ounces whiskey and bitters (I generally use about four dashes but you can use more or less to your preference). Strain into a martini glass.

BLACKBERRY MINT This rich martini builds on the flavor of blackberry with the addition of my favorite fall fruit, clementine, a refreshing hint of mint and a surprise dash of spice. By Carlie Wagner.

10 oz Frozen Blackberries 10 Mint Leaves 1 Clementine 1 Lime 2 Tablespoons Sugar 2 Tablespoons Water Premium Vodka White Pepper (optional) Nutmeg (optional)

In a small sauce pan, combine blackberries, the rind of the clementine, sugar, and water at medium heat. Stirring occassionally, allow to come to a low boil and cook for approximately 30 minutes. More water may be added if needed. Add chopped mint leaves just before removing from heat. Transfer mixture into a small bowl and place in a refrigerator. When the mixture has cooled completely, squeeze through a small sieve to extract seeds, rind, and mint leaves. In a shaker full of ice, combine four tablespoons of blackberry mixture with two ounces of vodka.

Strain into a martini glass and top with a dash of white pepper, fresh nutmeg, and a squeeze of lime. Adjust the amount of blackberry mixture to taste. A good premium vodka should be used for a crisp tasting martini, but these can also be served with citrus or vanilla vodkas. Make sure to use the fruit of the clementine. One of my favorite fall snacks is to toss clementine segments with balsamic vinegar, sugar, and black pepper.

THE

P I S GOS

Rumor has it: Music For Men is spreading Gossip

By Jake Giles

Outspoken and out lesbian Beth Ditto has people talking. Sporting technicolor sequin dresses at award shows and just her birthday suit on a recent magazine cover, her voice as lead singer of Gossip is a hybrid that rocks back and forth between the throaty wails of Courtney Love and the twangy belting of Patsy Cline within a four-minute song. Gossip fans have crowned Ditto as the new face of the latest queer movement in pop music.

Ditto’s status as gay icon began with the band’s sleeper hit “Standing In The Way of Control,” a riot-theme for gays spurned

by Dubya’s harsh stance against gay marriage. In live performances of the song, Ditto often removes her shirt, flails her arms to reveal unshaven pits, and lets her full-figure breathe from its spandex confinement. In the space of a single Gossip concert, Ditto, guitarist Brace Paine, and drummer Hannah Blile physically and musically defy all boundaries placed on pop bands.

No wonder famed producer Rick Rubin was drawn to Gossip. He first collaborated with them on their live record, 2008’s “Live in Liverpool.” Rubin infused rock strategies found on Beastie Boys, Slayer, and Red Hot Chili Peppers classics, then took a snapshot of the unique celebratory atmosphere found at a Gossip show. Rubin’s success with Gossip led to his producing the band’s fourth album, as well as their major label debut. The result is Music For Men, on which the Arkansas-based band takes their loud blend of punk-pop and southern-rock and dresses it in a glossy but accessible package.

Die-hard Gossip fans will delight in the repeated riffs and hard-hitting hi-hat taps in time to Ditto’s lyrics that distinguished their past releases. With Rubin in the pilot’s seat, however, Gossip brings new elements of musicianship to their sound. For example, “Love Long Distance,” a classic tale of a geographically-challenged relationship, begins with a haunting piano line, a previously foreign instrument in Gossip’s repertoire. Coupled with an unabashed disco beat, the song morphs into an anthem that decries fading desire. In terms of anthems, Music For Men orders up and generously tips. The infectious, gay pride playlist fodder of “Men In Love” is a disco-rock shaker boasting a bridge of 80’s synth. A Gossip virgin might think they were hearing a new Cyndi Lauper track by the time Ditto sings, “Na na na na/Men in love/with each other/hey!”

Thankfully, Rubin didn’t tamper with the rough edges of the band’s overall sound. If anything, this release sounds just as full and raw as its predecessor, 2007’s Standing In The Way of Control. But Rubin amplifies the strengths of the band by rotating the spotlight among the Gossip team. Paine’s guitar work in the slow burning opener, “Dimestore Diamond,” is central to the sultry mood of the song. In “8th Wonder,” Blile’s drumming creates an uncontrollable urge to head bang along with Ditto’s biting vocal about being the leader of a revolution. The collaborative nature of Music For Men casts Gossip as a unit and less as the Beth Ditto Band.

Despite Gossip’s unhinged persona, Music for Men occasionally sounds restrained. Structurally, the songs suffer from the timehonored pop formula of verse/chorus/verse/bridge/chorus/chorus that eventually grows tired after eleven songs. Although unique in their execution of queer themes, the lyrics are cliché-heavy, which can clog up otherwise free-flowing pop gems.

Still, Music for Men’s strengths as a dance album performed by an unapologetically punk band outweigh any weaknesses. This Gossip is worth spreading. ** Artwork By Jennifer Schnoes Original Photo By Lee Broomfield

QUEER ASS

POLITICS AND

PREEMPTIVE CIVIL WAR

By Joseph Johnson

OURS IS THE GREATEST NATION, or so we are constantly being told, but often we here at MintMale Magazine are embarrassed for our country. We have grown weary of pompous politicians continually braying, “This is the greatest nation on earth.” Oh, really, greater than Canada, Mexico, Australia, and all of Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Central and South America? How nice you should point this out and give people around the world yet another reason to love us – for our humility. When we visit those places for our travel section, we surmise that we may find something to like better. For example, we wouldn’t mind living in a country where local TV news covered visual and performing arts instead of devoting one-fifth of their total air time to franchised sports. That’s just us, but surely there are countries that elect national leaders who unabashedly advocate equal rights for all citizens.

We live in a country that has overthrown fourteen foreign regimes since 1893. We still enjoy self-rule at home; however, even after the election of President Barack Obama, minority citizens continue to face racial profiling and institutionalized discrimination. Meanwhile, the American Dream seems mired in a nightmare of jobless recovery. The rich get richer, while the rest work harder, only to be left behind when their jobs are outsourced abroad.

Perhaps there’s a country with less than ten-percent unemployment that permits any two people in love to marry – and provides national health care. We would prefer legislators who don’t attempt to interfere with personal medical decisions, a high court that doesn’t undermine national elections and elected leaders who don’t advocate discrimination based on sexual orientation.

We also would favor a nation that doesn’t torture prisoners of “preventive” war. In fact, we’re inclined to side with President Harry Truman, who once noted that the only thing you prevent by war is peace. (And this from a man who dropped two hydrogen bombs on Japan!) Today, while President Obama looks ahead with the audacity of hope, we are all still paying for mistakes made by greedy, hypocritical neoconservatives who have sucked all compassion out of American politics.

Despite such shortcomings, we love our country and believe it can be rescued from past leaders who called it the greatest, but sold our nation short. Our political focus at MMM will target gay rights, championed in the context of human rights for all. This is not a new concept, for it was Jane Addams, the first American woman awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, who said, “The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated in our common life.”

Our commitment to gay rights reflects a controversial and colorful history. Back in the 1980’s, reports of a newly-drafted gay rights ordinance for Obama’s hometown of Chicago provoked an evangelical right-wing political rally. Toting young children, and dressed in their Sunday church finery, bused-in protesters from suburban Schaumburg, Illinois, sat up straight in rigid rows of folding chairs beneath the Picasso in Daley Plaza. They all listened quietly as a parade of religious wackos described – or more precisely, misrepresented – gay sex acts, yelling, “Faggots shove gerbils up their asses!”

Here at MMM, religious zealots do not intimidate us – because God is not a Republican (or a Democrat). Besides, the US Constitution guarantees separation between church and state – or so we once thought. No one could foresee that gay social progress seized in a bygone era of banner AIDS headlines would not survive the new millennium. The political pendulum swung sharply to the fundamentalist right, and widespread political ostracism became shockingly transparent when, according to exit polls, the 2004 presidential election ostensibly turned on a hard-hearted issue. President George W. Bush won re-election with his unwavering vow to deny same-gender partners the right to legally wed. Gerbils could relax.

Once firmly in power, the neoconservatives engaged in deceptive governance, bolstered by dressed-for-church bigotry and sheer arrogance. Intolerant of dissent, President Bush thumbed his nose at congressional oversight and overstated his constitutional powers. While routinely eroding federal regulation vital to a healthy economy, his brazen administration lied to the American people, to Congress and to the UN. War-hungry officials insisted that Iraq harbored weapons of mass destruction. In truth, the Bush administration had nothing close to clear proof because there were no WMDs; yet they insisted they had conclusive evidence of their existence. Poised behind Bush’s faith-infused “crusade,” the “haves” salivated over prospects to become “have-mores.” To dole out huge no-bid, cost-plus military contracts to his political cronies, Bush launched a bait-and-switch preemptive war on Iraq that, conversely, incited increased global terror.

Bush also refused to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, vetoed funding for stem cell research and approved torture that jeopardized troop safety abroad. He slashed taxes for the rich and left the tab for two billion-dollar-a-week wars for future generations to pay. With secrecy, dissembling and domestic spying as established modus operandi, the Bush administration>

> waged preemptive civil war on our democratic freedoms, essentially obliterating informed consent. Then our “bring’em on” war president allowed a foreseeable natural disaster to displace an entire city of middle class working people. President Bush’s divestiture of civic compassion and global responsibility wasn’t just a mistake – it was unconscionable.

With Barack Obama’s election, the political pendulum again has swung back toward center. Obama was sworn in as president at a time of crisis for our nation. A crisis is a decisive moment comprised of two components -- danger and opportunity. Despite warnings from critics that he has taken on too much at one time, President Obama has wisely met the dangers we face head on, and he has demonstrated the potential to become the most inspiring leader in recent history. The stakes are quite high. Responsible government must be restored to correct neoconservative damage done to our country’s global standing, the global economy and our daily lives. Now more than ever, we also must acknowledge that righting social injustice is just as critical as repairing our economy.

While a reformist Obama administration offers renewed hope, preemptive civil war wages on. The Republican Party might be in disarray, but the irrational right is here to stay. Without fearless leadership from the top, coupled with an unwavering commitment to champion true equality for everyone, long overdue social changes are in danger of further setbacks and delays. Progress may be painfully slow as vital issues -- such as single-payer health care and unfettered marriage rights – fall victim to debatable prioritizing. Ultimately, compassion and fairness must prevail over political expediency, or the audacity of hope will unravel into an audacity of broken promises.

To fully meet today’s challenges, President Obama could take a page from history and seize the moment, just as President Abraham Lincoln did when he signed the Emancipation Proclamation and freed the slaves. As our first black president, Barack Obama has the opportunity to proclaim that all citizens have the right to EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW – the words which are chiseled above the Supreme Court building entrance – and challenge us to make a renewed commitment that equal justice truly becomes the law of the land. We at Mint Male Magazine will be watching with hopeful audacity.

-- J.H. Johnson NEXT MONTH: MintMale Magazine asks, “Who’s up your ass?”

RED,

, AND

RAINBOW By, Joey Grant

When I was young I proudly waved my country’s flag with excitement. Whether that excitement was patriotism or the abundance of sugar in my can of soda, we may never know. As I matured, Independence Day fireworks and flag raising seemed childish. Plus, I was growing into a new community with a new flag which was much more colorful, and I felt a stronger attachment to it. I’m not knocking our nation’s flag, but sometimes I feel like a gay man first and an US citizen second. In a country that still denies me the right to wed, openly serve in the military, and in some states, adopt children, this should not be surprising to anyone.

I enjoy my freedom and rights as an American citizen, but I am limited by the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell (DADT). So I wave my rainbow flag vigorously with excitement and emotional pride. I don’t have a physical flag hanging outside of my house, nor do I wear one, or even have one constructed of feathers. But I do understand the importance of the rainbow flag. That seven-colored flag represents those who have been beaten, brutally murdered, or stripped of their rights and are fighting for the equality they deserve. It is vital for us as a community to have a flag that symbolizes our unity. Together we can end bigotry and injustice, if our community is unified.

So I ask myself, is my gay country more important than the country I share with all Americans? Does my gay agenda come first? When it comes to health care, corporate greed, and limiting pollution, I must respectfully fold up the colorful flag and pick up the other. I chose my Red, White, and Blue and stand proudly with every American to demand for all of us the right to live a healthy life. I demand that the greed of large businesses, banks, insurance companies, and others submit to regulation and to an end to the corruption that erodes our economy health. I believe all Americans need to be more responsible in limiting pollution and making our world a healthier, cleaner place.

Some may scream socialism, big government, less rights. But here’s the reality check. Perhaps the government can not do a better job than greedy corporations, but as a democracy, we have the right to try a new course of action. We lost control over banks and corporations that negatively affect our lives. Corporate lobbyists write our laws, poison our food, and pricegouge our hard earned money. These are realities that affect every American, regardless of sexual preference.

My bright rainbow flag is soaring high when I demand the right to marry, to join the military, and to enjoy the rights all other Americans share. America was founded on equality. I believe in equality for all. Opposition to equality is bigotry. Marriage is the dream of most American, yet in my community that dream is denied. Without marriage as an option, many gays have come to despise or ignore it. There is a great force pushing us forward towards marriage equality, but all gays are not fighting.

Perhaps they forgot what is was like to even consider the option, so their minds have moved on, but the inequality still breaks their spirit. I’m not a supporter of war, but we all deserve equal opportunity to serve our country. No one should not be denied a place in the military because of whom they sleep with.

Our detractors are very vocal about denying our rights. They say we will destroy the military, destroy marriage and basically, destroy America. Religious and conservative groups work tirelessly to defeat gay equality. They are often the same groups who demand that big government be kept out of their personal lives. What? Ironically, perhaps that is where we agree. If they don’t want the government to interfere with their personal lives, don’t let the government interfere with ours.

When we don’t have to say “gay” before “marriage” or “civil rights,” then we will all share in true equality. Till then, I will hold each of my flags, one in each hand, and choose my battles carefully.

I remain a proud man of two flags.

That is who I am.

OPE H

WHAT HAS OBAMA DONE FOR GAY LATELY? By, Gerard McGuiggan

What, if anything, has president Obama done for you, a gay man? He seems to have an acute condition that I call ‘promise-itis’. He’s not really all that un-like any other politician. They all like to make promises that they know they can’t, or in Obama’s case, won’t keep. Being that he’s made so few direct promises to gays, it should be easy for him to keep them all, right? Not so fast!He’s blindly made many campaign promises to the gay community, that now seem to have been broken or just simply forgotten.

His eloquence, sophistication, and gentle, warm demeanor have many of you hood-winked and blinded by his divine light that shines oh so bright. Winds of change? I think it’s just more hot-air and guess where he’s blowing it. He cares so much about your feelings and your lives, as evidenced by his selection of Rick Warren to deliver an invocation at his inauguration. Pastor Warren is noted for making statements such as: “homosexuality is not the natural way” and “certain body parts are meant to fit together”. Yeah, like my foot right up his big fat homophobic ass. The good pastor also said that gay marriage is the same as an “older guy marrying a child”. Earlier this month, Obama urged a U.S. court in Massachusetts to dismiss a gay couples benefit lawsuit after enjoying strong support from gays for promising to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act(DOMA), which bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages . At the very moment he tells you that he is working to repeal DOMA, his administration’s attorneys are fervently defending the act in federal courts.

President Obama, during his campaign, promised to “use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws”. Considering his administration’s work to defend DOMA, it’s ridiculous to accept that he is so concerned with your same-sex family and adoption rights. He must think we’re stupid. Even worse, an Obama administration Department of Justice brief claims that it is reasonable for states to favor heterosexual marriages, because they are “traditional”. Gay marriage, in the brief, was further categorized as being likened to a marriage between cousins or an uncle and his niece. Gay marriage in the brief was also compared to underage marriage and pedophilia. This is the president that so many gay boys opened their wallets to and fought so hard for? He’s done nothing to repeal the ridiculous ‘don’t ask, don’t tell policy’ for our gay brothers serving in the military, just another broken campaign promise netting him untold numbers of gay supporters. In July, the Obama administration announced plans not to repeal that rule, but to “selectively enforce” the rule so that some gays could serve in the military. Some gays? Feeling more included now? Me either.

In April, another promise was broken when Obama released his budget. The budget includes a paragraph banning federal funding for needle-exchange programs for drug addicts. Additionally to the dismay of HIV/AIDS activists, the white house also removed from its official website, a statement that supports such programs. While he and his democratic congress “work” on the problem, scores of new HIV infections loom. I guess he didn’t mean to actually put that promise in print for all to see. Gone!

You see, no matter how you slice it, you’ve been misled. Obama is using the old ‘bait n’ switch’ tactic. He baited you with delusions of grandeur and promised you that if you’d just click your heels, you too will believe he is the one. You’re not in Kansas anymore dear, you’re in Obama-ville where the promises flow recklessly and freely and you’d better believe that change is coming.

Just remember, not all change is good.-

DRESS

UP

CASUAL

YOUR

In these trying economic times, it is more important than ever to look your best. You never know who you may run into (and may offer you that next big interview). It’s time to raise the bar on your casual wear this fall. Here are some ideas to do just that while keeping your finances in order until you actually land a dream job or get that overdue raise. We recommend adding affordable accessories, such as scarves, ties, and suspenders to dress up casual wear. You can also reverse it, if, after a long day at the office when you want to run back out for a drink or bite to eat, just dress down your business attire.

For example - a pair of dress pants, some converse, and t-shirt. A colorful bow tie with suspenders to accompany formal pants can be a huge hit. This look keeps you looking modern and stylish without feeling frumpy. You can add youth to your suit by trading the dress shoes for a nice pair of sneakers. Scarves are an even more popular trend than they were last year. We are seeing more colors, sizes, and embellishments in scarves. You can go designer chic or vintage quaint with scarves. Picking up things from resale shops and vintage stores and mixing them with quality staples can give you a John Varvatos or Marc Jacobs look without running up your credit cards. So enjoy Mint Male’s top ten ways to dress up your casual without breaking your budget: 1. Scarves - www.BuffaloExchange.com 2. Levi’s Organic Super Skinny Jeans - www.Levis.com 3. Suspenders - www.AmericanApparel.com 4. Vintage Bow Ties - www.Dovetail.com 5. Hats - www.Gap.com 6. Man Broaches - www.ClothingOptional.com 7. Necklaces, Cuff Links, and Bracelets - www.HisStuff.com 8. Sunglass - www.BigVintage.com 9. Vintage Fit Dress Shirts - www.AmericanEagle.com 10. Sneakers - www.Converse.com

Leo wears Hat Gap Vest Vintage Shirt Banana Republic Slim Fit Jeans Levi’s Slim Straight 514 Boots Tractor Supply Company

Justin wears Glasses Oliver Peoples Bowtie + Suspenders American Apparel Dress Shirt American Eagle Vintage Fit Jeans Levi’s 511 Skinny Jean Shoes Converse Black Leather

Justin wears Scarf Diesel Shirt American Apparel V-Neck Tuxedo Pants Dolce + Gabbana Shoes Dolce + Gabbana

CA AZZW W EL EL L

L L E L L W E Z L W L A E Z CCA ZW LL E A W C Z A C L L E W Z CA CAZWELL Interview: Joey Grant Photography: Christina Burton

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

In downtown New York City nightlife, disco is back and hip hop is alive and well. Spreading his “exhausticating” dance beat across the country, clubland rapper Cazwell blew into Berlin, Chicago’s long-established dance club, last month, and Mint Male was there.The blue-eyed West End Records recording artist conquered NYC party life by way of Boston, and debuted his first album, Get Into It, in 2006, splashing onto the pop charts. Not your typical rapper, Cazwell’s hip hop lyrics bypass the typical obsession with violence and misogynistic bravado, and instead cheerfully celebrate licking ass, flirting with trannys and masturbating “All Over Your Face.” But to hear Cazwell describe it, it’s all about the dance. He credits his manager, Bill Colemen, with directing his focus on what is played in the dance clubs, and learning, first hand, why certain music is easy to dance to.

“Before I was signed, before I really understood dance music,” Cazwell told Mint Male founder Joey Grant, “I didn’t understand why a song had to have a certain beat per minute, you know what I mean? So, I learned a lot about what makes people dance.”

When asked who inspires him musically, Cazwell quickly responds, “Not Madonna,” then laughs. He will confess to some artists he likes. “I listen to a lot of rock and I love the Gossip.” But he insists his sound is his own. “It’s not like I just listen to artists at home and be like, oh, I want to sound like this.” In the studio, everything starts with the dance beat samples. “It’s the beats that I would dance to that I try to write with.”

His playful, teasing lyrics are certainly his own: I seen Beyonce at Burger King.

She ordered two cheeseburgers with onion rings.

She got a chocolate shake and a side of fries. Chicken strips with apple pies. ...

Then she looked dead in my eye, and said “Can I borrow ten dollars.

I left my purse in the car. In the car.

It’s three blocks away and baby, that just too far. Too far.”

Cazwell started writing with friends. He and a girlfriend, Crasta, wrote raps for friends’ birthdays. Eventually, they began recording them. The New York dance bar crowd responded enthusiastically to Cazwell’s in-your-face gay lyrics, set to lilting mid-tempo dance beats. Somehow the often dirty rhymes seem less nasty when set to a sauntering beat. Unfortunately, his “All Over Your Face” video was judged too hot for LOGO, but that didn’t deter a growing following of gay fans, who have adopted Cazwell’s “I’m exhausticated!” as the new gay phrase, perhaps because the line is proceeded in Cazwell’s lyrics by “I masturbated till my K-Y faded.” He describes his personal musical style as “Just imagine if Biggie Smalls ate Donna Summer for breakfast.” There’s an image for you.

Cazwell has collaborated with many artists from New York and beyond, including Amanda Lepore, Boy George, David Lachapelle, The Ones, Chris Joss, Peppermint, Karl Giant and Lost Daze. The album title cut, Get Into It, is a duet with Lepore. Cazwell has opened for Cyndi Lauper at Radio City Music Hall, performing with Lepore and twenty-two drag queen “Rockettes.” He also has frequently performed with Lady Gaga. >

“Just imagine if Biggie Smalls ate Donna Summers for breakfast�

> “The first time I performed with Lady Gaga was before she was really famous at a dirty gay bar where the stage was like five feet wide. She had an artistic vision for everything. So, it was definitely really cool.”

Cazwell contributed to Lady Gaga’s House of Gaga show, but found the experience to be a bit stressful.

“Four dances and eight songs and it was definitely a big production, so I actually learned a lot, but because I had so much responsibility on my hands, I wasn’t able to enjoy it. I am mostly an un-contrived performer.”

Cazwell has spent the last several years touring the world, scouting new dance beats and garnering a large following.

He often flaunts his sleek bare torso in his videos. When asked about his fitness regimen to keep his bod camera ready, Cazwell admits he’s currently trying to get in shape for an upcoming shoot.

“I love sweets and I love to eat. You have to go to the gym and eat right and you can’t just do one or the other. But when you do, they help each other. When I leave the gym, I don’t want a chocolate bar, I really want to have a protein shake or some turkey. I enjoy the track of a healthy lifestyle.”

Despite his rather unique status as a white, gay rapper, Cazwell has mixed feelings about whether such labels help or hurt a career. “I would like to say that it has helped me, but, at the same time, I guess you never really know what is happening. People who don’t like you usually don’t say it to your face. Ultimately, I don’t think anything I do would be a success if it wasn’t me doing it.”

Cazwell offers some surprising, but insightful advice for up-and-coming gay artists.

“Don’t make it about being gay, make it about the music. If you’re into making music and you want to make a success out of it, no one’s going to like you just because you’re gay. Make your music your priority.”

Like many out-artists, Cazwell is troubled about how gays are represented in the media.

“It does seem like anytime the gays are mentioned, it is because of a problem. I don’t know, like “oh, gays are trying to get the right to marry” or this person was gay bashed.”

Cazwell is especially irritated when the sexuality of celebrities is turned into “news.” “’Oh, is Queen Latifah gay or is Queen Latifah straight?’ Look, it’s her personal life, so it is none of our business! I just can’t wait for it not to be a big deal, you know what I mean?”

While Cazwell was proud to gain fame as the “gay rapper,” he was even happier to turn the corner and be identified by his songs, not just the gay label.

“When I first came out, people were like, ‘oh, the gay rapper,’ but then, it turned into ‘oh, the guy who sings, “All the New Things,” or ‘the guy who sings, “All Save the King,”’ or ‘the guy who sings that song we just played.’ ” When they play Cazwell’s songs, people don’t argue gay politics, they get up and dance, and that’s the way Cazwell likes it. After all, he’s exhausticated!

Puerta Vallarta

Gay Paradise on a Budget

By Joey Grant

Puerta Vallarta is one of my favorite spots to experience a fantastic vacation on a relatively modest budget. Their dollar is worth nearly double that of the US, and the cost of living is considerably lower. Airfare may be pricey, but hotels, such as Blue Chairs have insanely good deals to balance out your basic travel expenditure. Puerta Vallarta is rich in colors, nightlife, and culture. The high travel season in Puerto Vallarta runs from late November through March.

Puerta Vallarta sits off of the Banderas Bay, snuggled into what is called Zona Romantica. Modern Vallarta has become a sea of vacationing gay men, along with many gay residents, all eager to meet and mingle. It’s easy to fall into the habit of spending your days at the two most popular spots (Blue Chairs and their neighbor, Green Chairs) on the Pacific Ocean front.

You may feel bombarded with the roving vendors selling everything under the sun. Sporting, beautiful, warm colors, are a variety of jewelry, clothing and trinkets, and even temporary tattoos. The merchandise can be dazzling, and sometimes there are some spectacular deals.

To avoid constantly pestering, you can nod the vendors away or just ignore them. It sounds rude, but there are over hundreds of people working the beaches at any given time, and sometimes that can disrupt your nap time, or worse, day drinking! My boyfriend hails from the south, and his southern hospitality translated into seven necklaces, two wind chimes, three rings, and some kind of dolphin family. He couldn’t resist acknowledging the vendors, but beware: Browsing quickly turns into buying. I’m just glad I never found a temporary tattoo on him! On the upside, bartering and negotiating are not only more than welcome in Puerta Vallarta, but expected. We always started at a minimum 50% of the asking price and wound up getting some great deals.

Nightly events at Blue Chairs can blossom into stellar evenings (more info is available at www.HotelBlueChairs.com). The high energy bar scene doesn’t end until the sun comes up. While in Vallarta, it’s easy to meet people from all over the world, including a constant stream of hot, scantily clothed men. Couples, too, can enjoy a romantic getaway in a city that is accepting to gay relationships. I was never afraid to hold hands or kiss on the beach without worrying about receiving a disapproving glance. As for single men, just brace yourself. What goes down in Vallarta stays in Vallarta, so get ready for a slew of good times. I’ve keep in touch with most of the people I’ve met in PVR and even still see some of them in hometown Chicago.

There are dozens of restaurants with a broad range of cuisine, and the bill for two in US dollars never topped $80. Our favorite hangout is Banana Catina on Amapas 147, at Pulpito. Whenever you go to the bars or leave the beach, you pretty much pass it. Banana Cantina is known for their frozen chocolate bananas and delectable dinners, but even more so for the owner, Debbi Egan, a native Chicagoan. Her charisma, energy, and charm can at times, overwhelm your heart. Debbi is an absolute delight, and I cherish every moment we spent sitting outside late at night laughing it up and chatting the night away. We picked Debbi’s brain for her favorites stores restraunts and places around town. Her favorite website for the area is gayguidevallarta.com and you can use this to find maps, locations and reviews.

Debbi’s Favorites.

Trattoria Michel Olas Altas 507 Apache’s Martini and Cocktail Bar Olas Altas 439 Apaches Bistro. Olas Altas 433 Garbo’s Piano Bar at Pulpito 142 Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, Basilio Badillo 276 Barcelona Tapas, Matamoros & de Octubre Los Muertos beach, Life Styles Magazine We also found a hidden treasure, Frida. This bar is tucked away and the crowd is a bit older. What makes it a treasure is their homemade tequila. Its allegedly a secret, but I bet the owner would share it with you. Honestly, its the smoothest and most delicious tequila I’ve ever had (and I’ve had plenty of tequila). Cafe de Olla, located off of the main drag on Basilo Badillo was another favorite dinner spot. The tortilla soup and the seafood platter are two must eats before you die.

Puerta Vallarta became popular four decades ago after John Huston’s 1963 filming of Tennessee Williams’ The Night of the Iguana starring Richard Burton, Ava Gardner and Deborah Kerr. It was the international fame of Burton and Elizabeth Taylor that prompted the tourism boom to this quaint tropical destination. Another tourist surge followed the August, 1970 summit between President Nixon and Mexican President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz. These events made American and international travelers feel safe in PVR. You still need to keep in mind that you are in a foreign country with different laws and regulations. It can be easy to get into trouble or be scammed for some extra cash. As long as you watch yourself and keep this in mind, you should be safe. I also never drank the water or ate anything that absorbs water during washing.

Puerta Vallarta can be as relaxing or as wild as you make it, and we chose the combination. There are lots of physical activities like para sailing, zip lining and many others (which are for sure at your own risk). I don’t know if there is a such thing as gay golfers but I’ve heard the links are beautiful. Use your resources wisely and check into everything before you go (www.gayguidevallarta.com). Also I would recommend a daytime cruise on Diana’s Tours (www.dianastours.com). There are also great deals on condo rentals at (www.PPRPV.com).

FALL in

love

ďż˝ 4 types + 6 jackets

Marc wears Blue Jacket Modern Amusement www.hisstuff.com Shirt Gap www.ursupermodels.com

Simon Wears Brown Jacket + Black Tank Gap www.gap.com Pants Modern Amusement Shoes Johnston & Murphy Belt Vintage Necklace Model’s Own www.ursupermodels.com

Marc wears White Jacket Energie www.hisstuff.com Slim-Fit Jeans Gap Underwear 2(x)ist www.ursupermodels.com

Simon wears Black Jacket Howe Double-Breasted Vest + Man Broach Vintage www.ursupermodels.com

Anthony Wears Blue Jacket Horacio Nieto Sweater Arlo Menswear www.arlomenswear.com Man Broach Vintage Scarf Sandro Paris Jeans Levi’s Organic Skinny Shoes H&M

Rafael wears Black Jacket Energie www.hisstuff.com Jeans Levi’s Organic Skinny Cap Gap Shoes Aldo

Rapheal wears Blue Jacket Horacio Nieto Black Vest Arlo Menswear www.arlomenswear.com Man Broach Vintage

Anthony wears Grey Jacket Horacio Nieto www.arlomenswear.com Scarf Sandro Paris Man Broach Vintage Pants H&M

“GOOD MORNING!”

“What are you stil doing here?”

By Daniel Spagnuolo

It was Labor Day weekend and I was in one of my favorite bars in Michigan. Normally, I was the only gay man in that bar. It was great. I would finish waiting tables or bartending, then I would drink with my friends in public without worrying about how I looked. On this occasion, I was hit on not once, but twice by actually attractive and close to my age gay men. I figured, it must be a sign so I decided to take at least one home. Well, that turned out to be a mistake.

I’ve always believed that you learn something everyday. I’ve learned from every one-night stand I’ve had, and every time is different. Sometimes you’d like to see the person again, sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you want to call your friends right away because you need to tell them how funny everything was, but the person won’t leave! Sometimes you awake from a drunken haze to find no one there, but a business card was left on your fridge. One night stands are a part of life for many gay men. I’m not promoting promiscuity over being in a committed relationship (in fact, I believe personally in the opposite), but I do think it’s important to deal with some of the emotions and actions that can make that morning after not completely awkward.

1. Whose place is it? Yours, his, or someone else’s Yours: First of all, you should always have an ample supply of condoms and lubricants on hand for immediate use. Have a goody drawer or box that other people cannot get into. Safety and preparation are always important and non-negotiable in this day and age. So after you’ve had whatever sex you’ve consensually decided to have (whether under the influence of alcohol or not), what do you do with this guy? You have two options, let him stay the night or send him on his way. It’s your home homo, you can make that decision. Not everyone is comfortable with having someone stay the night and sleep next to them. It’s an intimate experience. Consider your feelings about this now, before you have your next fella over. Personally, I let the guy stay over. It’s only fair, he’s put in the effort. So be a gracious host. Let him sleep as long as you will sleep.

Offer blankets and pillows to make his stay more comfortable. If you’ve been drinking alcohol, provide a glass of water or any food on hand to help alleviate any hangover that could ensue. If he wants to hang out in the morning and get breakfast, go if you want to. If you have to work or something equally important to do in the morning, inform him of that so he understands that he will not be receiving much sleep. Consider discussing your “morning after” before you go to bed so that both of you have an idea of what will happen. If the sex was unsatisfactory, please continue to be a gracious host, but don’t go that extra mile.

His: I can’t believe I have to say this, but do not break personal items of your host. Be careful of other people’s toiletries and property. You work hard for what you have, so extend that same respect to his personal belongings. Here’s a fun thing to do: if you both need to leave at the same time, make the bed the next morning while he is in the bathroom. If you had incredible, earthquake style sex, fluff the pillows. You should follow the proper etiquette for being an overnight house guest. You are appreciating his courtesy by performing tasks that will make your presence less of an inconvenience. If you sneak out during the night for whatever reason, at least leave contact information (business cards are acceptable).

Lastly and most important, don’t overstay your welcome!

Someone Else’s: I’m still apologizing to my friend Billy for using his bed without permission! What can I say? It was my first month in college and the police came to the house. Regardless, I learned my lesson. First, instead of making the bed, strip it and put the sheets either in the dirty laundry or in the wash. If the bed-owner is a friend of yours, apologize. Regardless if you had permission or not, apologize to your friend. If they are upset, make it up to them with a bottle of their personal favorite liquor. If they’re truly offended and disgusted, give them a quality set of new sheets and pray they forgive you. If, after all of that, the person still doesn’t forgive you, there’s nothing you can do. Cut your losses and vow to yourself to have sex in your own bed for a while.

2. Contact Information Even if you have no intention of seeing this guy again, you need to get a phone number. Last names help too (otherwise you end up putting them in your phone directory as John ??). I can’t stress this enough, in this age of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, you need to inform other people if a problem arises after your evening together. If he asks, “Are you going to call me?” answer honestly. If it comes down to it, say, “Because if you gave me a disease I’m coming after you” Wait . . . that may not be the best thing to say. There are plenty of reasons to keep someone’s information: business contact, want to be friends and hang out again, etc. Always get the name and number. Also, a time may come when he asks you for your information and you have no intention of seeing him again. Don’t lie. Be honest and say, “Only call me if it’s an emergency.”

3. Where do I go from Here?

Eventually, you may feel like one night stands are not your thing anymore. On the other hand, you may conclude that “one-nighters” are the only way to go through the rest of your life. Whatever you feel, know what’s best for you. Don’t give in to what other people think you should do.

Simply be honest with yourself. You’re having sex for you first and foremost, but it’s a two (sometimes three or more) way street. When all is said and done, figure out what you are using sex for. Is it meant to be fun and that’s it? Is it meant to connect you with someone on a more personal and spiritual level? Is it simply a biological need that you are fulfilling? Is it something you keep secret and don’t tell your wife about? Whatever you use sex for, find out the reason and don’t kid yourself about what you’re doing it for.

Be prepared: it’s known as “the walk of shame” for a reason. Psychological repercussions from your evening can exhibit themselves in the actions of your everyday life (just like any other repressed feeling). My advice: take the time to check in with yourself after and consider the gravity of the situation. What did your actions that night mean and how is your behavior reflective of how you want to treat others? Taking care of your emotional state in this volatile day and age is paramount.

Nothing is more important to me than your happiness with yourself and with the actions of others. When it comes to sex, you need to think of yourself like a guest service industry where the greatest driving factor of your business is referrals. The last thing you want is him saying to other gays that you’re not only bad in bed, but rude!

And just to let you know, going back to that fabled Labor Day Weekend, I awoke the next morning to find that this guy had left hickies on my neck when that was expressly forbidden. So I let him sleep for about an hour before saying, “Oh my God, my parents are coming home and I’m only 17!! You need to leave! My daddy’s gonna kill you!!” Was I 24 when I pulled this maneuver? Yes!! But the point is, the drunken vampire left and would never return to bite me again.

ROLL YOUR

EYES By, Keegan Greene

While standing in line at the Walgreen’s check-out counter about a month ago, I noticed a new product on display. Drawn to anything that claims to make my face tighter, fresher, and younger looking I picked up the Garnier Nutrioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller and studied the box with giddy excitement. The green pen-like instrument pictured on the box promised to massage and cool my delicate under eye area with it’s unique ball bearing applicator and apply a thin layer of pro-vitamin B of caffeine to decongest puffiness, diminish dark circles, refresh and hydrate. I had just moved into a new apartment, worked a seven-day work week, my 25th birthday was days a away, my parents were coming, I looked like hell and this eye-roller was sure to be my salvation.

I completed my purchase and skipped home as if I had just found the last golden ticket. After I had washed the remains of the day from my face, moisturized and had a glass of Pinot Noir it was time to put the roller to the test. I carefully opened the box and slid the roller into my palm. It was small and green, identical to the photo on the box. I unscrewed the cap and the steel ball bearing gleamed in my vanity light. Rolling the ball over the back of my hand a few times got the flow of liquid going which I immediately smelled. A light, clean fragrance with the subtle undertone of avocado permeated my nostrils. I rose the applicator to my left eye, touched it to my skin and rolled it gently back and forth as described on the box. The cool steel felt fabulous on my skin and the serum it delivered tingled and immediately refreshed. I followed the same procedure with my right eye, screwed the cap back on, and went to bed.

Dark circles and puffiness develop overnight because circulation slows down during sleep causing fluids to collect in the under eye area. “Eye bags”, as they are called on the street, are often seen as a sign of fatigue, stress, and age. Hoping to arise and look in the mirror without the deep dark circles that had been hanging out under my eyes for the past week I was disappointed to find that my circles were still there, I was still puffy, and still looked 5 years older than my actual age. It was only the first time I had the used the product and knew it would take longer to show more visible results so after I had showered, exfoliated, and moisturized, I again waved my not-yet-so-magic wand under my eyes and went to get dressed.

The product again cooled and tingled and upon returning to the mirror, I was astonished to see that in the five or so minutes it took to get dressed, the morning puffiness had greatly diminished and I didn’t look so beat down. This was all the proof I needed to continue on with my new beauty regimen. My only thought that day was coming home, washing my face and again applying the roller to my eyes.

I faithfully used the eye roller each morning before I went to work and each night before I went to bed and each day, saw continued improvement in my under eye complexion. The dark circles that often appeared to drift into the apples of my cheeks receded, the puffiness deflated and I looked well rested, fresh, and vibrant. Even my roommate commented on my revitalized peepers - as did co-workers!

The Garnier Nutritioniste Eye Roller is a product I continue to use and highly recommend.

Pick one up at your local drug store and see the difference for yourself. Whoever said it was a bad thing to roll your eyes? * Photographed By Keegan Greene: Day One (Upper Left) through Day 12 (Lower Left)

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*Zodiac Signs Designed By Jennifer Schnoes

ARIES Put on your dancing shoes, Aries. You’ll reap the biggest benefits in the boardroom and the bedroom by showing off your social side. Find ways to party that won’t leave you in a financial rut. Nobody loves a broke Betty.

TAURUS Take a break, Taurus. October gives you plenty of reasons to stay inside with a stiff drink and a movie marathon. Career demands require some personal reflection time. You’ll be rewarded for your temporary hermit habits with increased intimacy with your main squeeze. Flying solo this month? Take time to evaluate just what kind of lover you’d like. It’s all in the details.

GEMINI Look for the silver lining, Gemini. Although your boss is doing their best Joan Crawford imitation, business efforts are flowing despite them. Spend a little of that extra cash coming your way on pampering yourself. Your lover will appreciate the boost in confidence it brings and you’ll appreciate their increased affections.

CANCER Look out, Cancer! Although you’re sitting pretty on the successes of last month, you can’t get too comfortable. Partnerships take a rockier turn early this month as the claws come out and people struggle to get even. Use your natural grace to stay focused and dazzle the competition.

LEO Hush, Leo. Choose your words wisely. Although relationships will benefit from a little pillow talk, gossiping or angry words show a nastier side to your co-workers. Stay off your soapbox and out of the public eye and you’re opinions will be more in demand next month.

VIRGO Feelin’ sassy, Virgo? Work it! An increase in positive energy has put you in the driver’s seat. This is a great time to pursue that beau or business venture you’ve been courting. Now is not the time to be stingy, however.

Put your money where your mouth is. If you want it, pay up.

LIBRA Slow your roll, Libra. Although your plate is filled with opportunities, devouring them will leave a bad taste in your mouth. Exercise patience this month and wait for the perfect moment. Timing is crucial in matters of the heart as well. Don’t rush a good thing.

SCORPIO Indulge yourself, Scorpio. You’ve put in those extra hours at the office and done a lot of damage control at home. Money is flowing more freely this month, and you’ve earned a mini spree. As long as you don’t let the luxury go to your head, your lover will join in the pampering. Lucky you!

SAGITTARIUS Take a breath, Sagittarius. Troubles with a loved one or family member are weighing you down and affecting your work life. Offer your services as a shoulder to cry on and you can soon move on to happier things. Flying solo? Find a creative outlet to express yourself to the object of your affections. Now is your time to shine.

CAPRICORN Be nice, Capricorn. Although your signature sass has taken you far, your sweeter side will get you through this month’s rough patches. Kill your co-workers with kindness and wow your lover with your more demure side. If you can’t control your feistiness, consider traveling until tempers cool.

AQUARIUS Surprise, Aquarius! Things come flying at you from all sides this month. Although the increases in financial flow and friendly affections feel long overdue, don’t overindulge. Reward the people that have helped you along the way. You’re the belle of the ball, but make sure you invite others to the party.

PISCES Give it a rest, Pisces. Demands at home and work are leaving you drained and in the need of some relaxation. Put hard partying on the back burner and catch up on sleep. The bar will still be there when you wake up. Strangers will influence your business ventures this month. Be sure to make a good first impression.

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CREDITS CARLIE WAGNER mixologist Christina burton Director of photography + graphic design danny spagnuolo writer doc yates joseph r yates, m.D., facep jake giles writer jennifer morgan writer jennifer schnoes artwork joey grant writer + publisher joseph johnson editor-in-chief josh shores director of fashion keegan greene writer kevin purvispt personal trainer lisa kimmey director of operations robert brady make-up artist stephanie crosby writer

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