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CONTENTS
I
December/January 2015 2016
What's Inside! 10
LGBT TALENT: The New Orleans Gay Men's Chorus
16
EQUALITY MATTERS: Planned Parenthood and Women's Health
21 23
Happy New Year: 2015 Flashback
LOCAL EXPERIENCE: Go Inside the Kitchen with Chef Brandon Green and Louisiana Bistro
28
ART IS STYLE: Homosurrealism Artist
30
SOCIAL: A Parade of Men in Calendar
FASHION MATTERS: Shop BEbyTees.com and Celebrate with Tees Matter & VIP Magazine at BE by Tees Hit Parade New Orleans LifeStyle Studio in the French Quarter
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for Harvey Milk the day he was murdered. The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus proceeded to tour the country, inspire thousands, and ignited the worldwide gay and lesbian choral movement. Presently, there are more than 250 LGBT choruses around the world including the New Orleans Gay Men's Chorus. These choruses have provided a safe environment for gay men around the world and continue to push for gay rights. Each chorus has a unique mission statement and history. During this season of giving I believe we should give these organizations the credit and recognition they deserve for all they have done and continue to do for our community.
nogmc.com
OUR MISSION: The New Orleans Gay Men's Chorus seeks to positively influence diverse communities by providing a musical voice to enrich and enlighten through outreach and the pursuit of artistic excellence.
HISTORY: appearance was in Baton Rouge at the Emporium on December 45, 1982. In September 1983, the chorus traveled to New York City to appear at the Lincoln Center with 10 other choruses in the nations first festival of gay choruses. These choruses evolved into the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses, of which NOGMC is a founding member. The Chorus has performed at every subsequent festival. In 1988 the NOGMC sponsored ShowTime at Le Petit Theatre in the French Quarter, which brought together groups from Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Madison, Wisconsin, Denver, and Seattle. have participated in several events over the years such as: the Lazarus Remembrance Service, AIDS HAART, Pride Parades (BR & N.O), Mr. Louisiana Leather, and Mardi Gras Balls for Petronius, Lords of Leather, and Armenius. Although their primary purpose has been to serve the gay community, the chorus also serves as a model of gay pride to the straight world. The Chorus has also performed with the New Orleans Opera Chorus in Aida in 2008, and has appeared on news programs on both the local CBS and NBC affiliates. The NOGMC has aslo performed at the New Orleans World's Fair and have caroled at the Riverwalk along the Mississippi River.
OUR MISSION: Chicago Gay Men's Chorus is an inclusive, community based performing arts organization that creates musical experiences to entertain and enlighten, inspire and change, and build community. Through colorful performances that blend traditional choral music with musical theater, jazz, and pop, and a gay aesthetic, we seek to delight our audiences, enrich our members and explore issues relevant to LGBT people and their allies--enlivening Chicago's cultural landscape and creating a better community for all.
cgmc.org
HISTORY: cultural and gay communities since 1983. For the last three decades, we have entertained audiences across the continent with innovative musical programming exploring everything from love to politics to the sometimes fabulous, sometimes challenging world of being gay-often all at the same time. Our always-memorable performances have included original musical revues; five popular productions celebrating the Sidetrack show tune experience; full-length book musicals including presentations-all punctuated with our signature joyous irreverence.
nycgmc.org
OUR MISSION: organization that sings fabulously and celebrates the joy and power of music. It provides a safe and inclusive space where singers can grow through performance and social interaction, and it campaigns unceasingly for equality and justice for the LGBTQ community, forging alliances to make our voices heard.
HISTORY:
December 19, 1980. One year later the Chorus was performing in Carnegie Hall. In July of 1979, Edward Dryer
22nd and 23rd. At these two events both the official gray and burgundy T-shirts and banner had their debut.
Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles gmcla.org
OUR MISSION:
To create musical experiences that strengthen our role as a leader among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and performing arts organizations, enrich our member-artists, support LGBT youth, challenge homophobia, and expose new communities to our message of equality.
HISTORY: It was a hot July night in 1979. A small group of men opened the doors to a room at the Plummer Park Community Center in Los Angeles (now West Hollywood), waiting and wondering if anybody would show up. They had posted flyers around the neighborhood announcing the formation of a new gay chorus and this night was to be its first rehearsal. To their great surprise, 99 men appeared and a chorus was born. Within three months of that rehearsal, founding director Harold Kjellberg led the group through its first major event: the March on Washington, D.C. and the first national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) concert at the Washington Memorial.
OUR MISSION:
The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus creates extraordinary musical experiences that inspire community, activism, and compassion.
sfgmc.com
HISTORY: During the fall of 1978, a call went out to men in and around the Castro who liked to sing inviting them to a gathering with the purpose of possibly creating a chorus. The driving force was Jon Sims, the conductor of the Freedom Band. October 30th was chosen as the date of the first neighborhood. Interest mounted leading up to that first gathering with about 100 men showing
decision. The rest of the story is now legendary and suitable for movie scripts.
RING IN THE NEW YEAR AT NAPOLEON'S ITCH!
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Planned Parenthood: A Vital Provider in Women’s Health On Saturday, December 5th the Louisiana Equality Foundation held its monthly commUNITY® Speak Out and were very fortunate to have representatives from Planned Parenthood to talk about women’s health in Louisiana. Planned Parenthood plays a vital role in Louisiana for not only those in underserved rural areas, but also for those who do not have the means to pay for expensive healthcare. After the event I was able to sit down with Senior Director of External Services for Louisiana Planned Parenthood, for a behind the scenes Q&A to take the conversation a little further. Derek Penton-Robicheaux: What types of services does Planned Parenthood provide to women in Louisiana? Raegan Carter: Annual Well-Woman Exams, Birth Control, HPV Vaccines, Emergency Contraception, Pap Tests, STD Testing and Treatment, Pregnancy Testing, HIV Testing and Counseling, Breast Exams, Pregnancy Options Information, Sexual Health Education, and Diagnosis and Treatment of Abnormal Pap Tests. DPR: Does Planned Parenthood provide services to those without health insurance? RC: Yes, Planned Parenthood uses a fee service system where people may pay small fees for certain procedures, it’s much less than services provided in other settings. We NEVER turn anyone away. DPR: What does types of services does Planned Parenthood offer to men? RC: Planned Parenthood provides services that beneÞt both men and women, such as HIV testing and general education. There have even been instances where people have come in and we have found other signiÞcant health issues that the patients were not even aware of, enabling them to now be aware of such issues and seek proper treatment. DPR: What does Planned Parenthood have in store for 2016? RC: Coming up there will be New Orleans and Baton Rouge Spring Luncheons and the New Orleans Fall Fundraiser which will help continue services. There is also an April or May spring lobby session. Of course the sex education and programs are always ongoing. DPR: Planned Parenthood has been “under fire” in the media lately, what is being done to counteract this? RC: By telling the truth about our services and exposing the false dialogue and information. Talking about services that are actually provided. DPR: What is the mission of Planned Parenthood?
RC: A Reason for Being: Planned Parenthood believes in the fundamental right of each individual, throughout the world, to manage his or her fertility, regardless of the individual's income, marital status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or residence. We believe that respect and value for diversity in all aspects of our organization are essential to our well-being. We believe that reproductive self-determination must be voluntary and preserve the individual's right to privacy. We further believe that such self-determination will contribute to an enhancement of the quality of life and strong family relationships. Based on these beliefs, and reßecting the diverse communities within which we operate, the mission of Planned Parenthood is • to provide comprehensive reproductive and complementary health care services in settings which preserve and protect the essential privacy and rights of each individual • to advocate public policies which guarantee these rights and ensure access to such services • to provide educational programs which enhance understanding of individual and societal implications of human sexuality • to promote research and the advancement of technology in reproductive health care and encourage understanding of their inherent bioethical, behavioral, and social implications DPR: How can the community help Planned Parenthood achieve its ultimate goal? RC: Sign up to volunteer, you can also donate and show up for events. Let people SEE your support. Get involved.
Planned Parenthood plays a vital role in women’s healthcare, not only here in Louisiana, but across the entire nation. Contrary to popular belief they provide more than just abortion services. As a matter of fact Planned Parenthood doesn’t perform any pregnancy termination services in the state of Louisiana. If you would like to get involved in their healthcare advocacy, please visit their website at www.plannedparenthood.org To view the entire Planned Parenthood speak out or any of our complete speak outs, you can visit our YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/LaEqualityFDN You can also visit us on the web and Facebook at www.louisianaequalityfoundation.org and www.facebook.com/ laequalityfoundation Our next speak out will be January 9th check out our Facebook page for event details.
Derek Penton-Robicheaux, is a native of Mississippi and a longtime resident of New Orleans. He is a national LGBT and community activist, as well as a freelance contributor to multiple publications. He is a Founder and Executive Director of the Louisiana Equality Foundation. Derek and his husband, Jon Penton-Robicheaux, were legally married in Iowa on Sept. 23, 2012, and led the successful challenge to Louisiana’s same sex marriage ban as lead plaintiffs in the Federal Lawsuit, Robicheaux et al. v Caldwell et al., securing Marriage Equality here in Louisiana. He can be reached for question or comment at dpenton@louisianaequalityfoundation.org
VIP's A Year in Review
As this year draws to a close, VIP Magazine takes a closer look at the ups and downs for the LGBT community in 2015. I think we can all agree that the biggest story of the year was Marriage Equality. June 26, same-sex marriage became legal, an historic moment in LGBT and American history.
2015 will be remebered as the inflection point in LGBT civil rights, where everything began to move forward at a faster pace. Hopefully 2016 will be even better and we can focus on the next steps in making America a safe place for everyone regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We still have a long way to go but we are certainly headed in the right direction. Here are the LGBT events and stories that made us laugh, cry, and cheer in 2015.
"The Year of Caitlyn"
"Resilience & Rememberance"
August 29, 2015 marked the 10 Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. It was a day of reflection on the magnitude of the destruction upon our city. We also remembered the lives lost, destroyed homes, and grief of the entire nation. More importantly we celebrated the resilience of our city and we will continue to make a better New Orleans.
"President Obama"
NEW ORLEANS:
From "The Big Easy" to
THE REBOUND CITY "Ireland Votes Yes!"
With the whole world watching, Ireland became the first nation to enact marriage equality by popular vote. The Irish voted overwhelmingly in favor of marriage equality sending a message to the rest of the world that everyone is equal and deserves the right to love. May 23, 2015 will forever be remembered as the day “Love Won”.
We give credit where credit is due and President Obama deserves a standing O for all efforts in moving LGBT civil rights forward in 2015. Obama appointed the first openly gay Army Secretary, Eric Fanning and had the courage to give an LGBT equality speech during a visit to Kenya in front of the country’s homophobic President. He illuminated the White House in rainbow colors to celebrate the passing of same-sex marriage and endorsed the Equality Act. Hopefully our next President will continue President Obama’s work within the LGBT community.
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What will the Supreme Court actually be ruling on?
June 29 the Supreme Court is set to make a ruling on whether state bans on same-sex marriage are
"Rentboy.com"
The Feds raided the New York offices of rentboy.com, an LGBT run casual hookup site. The chief executive and several employees were arrested. Rentboy will stay in 2015 and was not one of our proudest moments.
Caitlyn aka “Bruce” Jenner made a huge splash in the LGBT community when she came out as a transgender woman. She showed the world that no matter who you are or where you come from to be true to yourself if you want to be truly happy. She has inspired countless people to accept and to be proud of who they are. Through her efforts she inadvertently started the trans movement in America and brought the very real struggles of the transgender community to the forefront which couldn’t have come at a better time given the alarming number of transgender people being murdered and discriminated against. We must continue to support the trans community in the upcoming year as the fight for equality continues for transgender people.
"LOVE Wins!"
3 days after the Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states Earl Benjamin and Michael Louis Robinson became the first Louisianan same-sex couple to tie the knot. Louisianan politicians (Jindal) did their best to thwart the marriage license but were unsuccessful. Love will always win!
1-15-16
Bar & Lounge 2218 25th Avenue Gulfport, MS 39501
Kitchen INSIDER with
Chef Brandon Green Brandon Green was raised in Marrero, LA where he learned the basics of Cajun and creole cooking from his grandmother. While most children were sitting in front of the television on saturday mornings watching cartoons, Brandon would watch cooking shows with his beloved grandmother. He immediately fell in love with cooking and personalities such as Chefs John Folse, Justin Wilson, Julia Child, and his idol Chef Paul Prudhomme. His grandmother taught him how to cook a roux before he learned how to ride a bicycle. His mother had a taste for more eccentric flavor profiles which he combined with his grandmother’s Cajun style giving him his unique cooking style. He learned to appreciate the importance of fresh ingredients by spending summers on his family’s farm in Donaldsonville, LA where they grew their own crops and raised livestock. He prides himself on sticking to his roots and purchasing produce
and protein sources from local farmers whenever possible.
There was never a doubt in Brandon’s mind that he was born to bring joy to those around him through his cooking. Brandon won his first cooking competition at 8 years old with his Jambalaya recipe and he never looked back. His professional career started when he was 15 in the kitchen of Restaurant Des Families in Crowne Point, LA. Brandon went on to work at several of the top restaurants in Louisiana like K Pauls Louisiana Kitchen,
Andreas, and Nottaway Plantation. Brandon accredits his professional success to Chef Heidi Evenson who was the Executive Chef during his time at The Red Maple in Gretna, LA. Chef Heidi taught Brandon how to take his love for simple, soulful Louisianan cuisine and turn it into complete and beautiful dishes. Chef Heidi saw Brandon’s potential and guided him in his culinary development making him the incredible chef he is today. Brandon is currently the Executive Chef at Louisiana Bistro located in the heart of the French Quarter where he brings a simply elegant design and exciting style of creole/Cajun cuisine.
Chef Brandon Green's
"FEED ME" Special
Crawfish Beignets
Served on a white remoulade with popcorn fried crawfish for garnish
Shrimp & Grits
Blackened Shrimp on a bed of creole tomato and smoked gouda cheese grits topped with Abita Amber New Orleans style BBQ butter cream sauce
Pan Seared Quail
Served on Cajun Dirty Rice with fresh baby zucchini and squash and a chicken demi glace
Orange 'Creme Brulee' Oarange Creme 'Creme Brulee' with a fresh berry and grand marnier compote
For the more adventurous tables, try a truly freestyle menu featuring our freshest ingredients and chef ’s newest creative ideas. Making every table unique and equally delicious!
Sweet Potato & Pecan Crusted Flounder Sweet Potato and Pecan Crusted Flounder served over sweet mashed potato
A movement and art form founded by Atlanta based artist Jack Sanders rooted in surrealist art from a queer perspective. To learn more see Homosurrealism15 ’ by Homosurrealism at www. readymag.com/415153