OMG! Magazine V3I8

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12 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

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INDEX VOLUME 3 ISSUE 8

CONTENTS

20 >> Travel

Stockholm Puerto Vallarta Sao Paulo Whistler, B.C. Chattanooga

48 >> Look Book 62 >> Celeb

Absolutely Fab Drew Ginsburg

66 >> Health

HIV Rising

68 >> VIP

DJ Maximus Francois Nel

72 >> Gay In America

76 >> Fitness

68

DJ MAXIMUS

Shoulder Boulder

80 >> Politics

The Race to Hate

82 >> Taste

Gaylord Opryland Cook It

86 >> Sound

Midnight Red

88 >> Flik

The Family Tree

90 >> Q&A

James Duke Mason

84 >> Why Steven Y 14 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

Publisher/ Executive Editor: James L. Clark - james@omgmag.com Associate Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Joey Amato - joey@omgmag.com; 407-496-8751 Associate Editor: Lucas Mariano Creative Director: Joshua Beadle - Beadlemedia.com Features Editor: Dustin Fitzharris Travel Editor: Cole Wakefield Business Editor: Michael Goodman Food and Wine Editor: Mike Trost Contributing Editors: Eric Liebman, Gibby Leon Segura Fitness Reporter: Scott Herman Political Correspondent: Steven Binko VP of Operations: Tim Evans – tim@omgmag.com; 310-990-6780 Marketing Director: Parker Sund – parker@omgmag.com; 954-283-8539 Sales Representatives: Alexis Lords – 305-992-0629 Alex Maximus – 305-609-9236 National Sales Agency: Rivendell Media; 908-232-2021 Contributors: Rick Desmond, Tim Evans, Ben Rock, Mick Sandoval, Jared Sharon, Ron Slomowicz, Steven Youngstein OMG! Magazine Corporate Office: Tampa, Florida OMG! Magazine Editorial/Sales Office: Nashville, Tennessee

The deadline for advertising each monthly release is the third Friday of each month before 12pm. please call our office for any questions. Opinions expressed in the Magazine are not necessarily the opinion of OMG! MAGAZINE©, OMG MULTIMEDIA COMPANIES, LLC or its staff. Publication of the name or photograph of any living person or organization in articles or advertising in OMG! MAGAZINE© shall not be construed or implication made as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or organization. All copy, text, display, photos and illustrations in the ads are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized, have secured proper written consent for the use of names, pictures and testimonials of any living person, and OMG! MAGAZINE© may lawfully publish and cause such to be made and the advertiser automatically agrees by submitting said ad to indemnify and hold harmless the Publisher from any and all liability, loss and expense of any nature out of such publication. The DEADLINE for every Thursday’s release of OMG! MAGAZINE© is the Tuesday before at 12: 00 p.m. (noon) for new advertising made and designed in-house by OMG! MAGAZINE© or the Thursday before at 12:00 p.m. (noon) for advertising submitted from an outside graphics firm.In the event that an ad is accepted after deadline, the advertiser agrees by submitting such an ad to indemnify and hold harmless the Publisher from any and all liability, loss and expense of any nature that may arise from any error that may be made in said ad. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or in whole of this publication without written permission is strictly forbidden.

Become our fan on Facebook for all the latest OMG! news and events.

Photo By William Cory Location: The Frist Center for the Visual Arts

LETTER LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Welcome to our special Travel Issue. In this edition of OMG! Magazine, you will be taken on a journey around the world.

From majestic Stockholm, to energetic São Paulo and the beauty of Puerto Vallarta to the snow-capped mountains of British Columbia, we will take you there with no passport required!

of individuals from around the country, as part of a series of stories published in a book called Gay In America. These inspirational and memorable stories from people in the Southeast are just a fraction of the stories in this wonderful new book. I encourage you to pick up a copy.

OMG! is always evolving, and it is our goal to change with the times. One very important topic, yet not given the attention it deserves by many LGBT publications is that of HIV and We would also like to welcome a few new AIDS. Beginning in this issue, we will people to the OMG! family. First, Alexis dedicate a section to the latest news and Lords and Alex Ferbeyre join our South developments regarding this disease. We Florida marketing and promotions staff. know that we can’t provide 360-degree These two men bring decades of combined coverage, but we will try our best! knowledge and experience to the table, and we are glad to have them aboard.

Many people have asked me where they can find a copy of OMG! Well, I am pleased Another wonderful addition is Chef Mike to announce that last month, OMG! Trost, an amazing philanthropist, personal ventured into historical Chattanooga, chef and dear friend, who will be delivering Tenn. Chattanooga is an obvious choice his culinary creations to us in each issue. for expansion; it is the midpoint between Furthermore, Ben Rock from Nashville has Atlanta and Nashville, two of our major joined our editorial staff. Ben is a skilled distribution cities. professional in the areas of design and technical writing, and we welcome him to In other exciting distribution news, OMG! our team as well. has increased the number of drop-off locations in each of our major cities. In In this issue, we share with you five stories Nashville, we are now proudly available Also, a big thank you is due to the beautiful and talented Gloria Estefan who agreed to be our cover model.

18 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

on the campus of Vanderbilt University in addition to over a dozen other locations.

In Atlanta, you can find a copy at many venues along Piedmont or Juniper streets. In Fort Lauderdale, visit one of the wonderful guesthouses to grab the latest issue. We are also available digitally to our readers around the nation and around the world.

Last month, as I was delivering our Women’s Issue, a gentleman said to me, “I love your magazine. It’s on my coffee table at home. My parents even like it!”

That made me smile. It was exactly what I intended to happen when I assumed this role back in February. We don’t want to be the magazine you hide when relatives stop by for a visit. We want OMG! to be the magazine you are proud to share with friends and family. We want to be as much a part of your life as you are of ours.

So please sit back, relax and enjoy OMG! Magazine. As always, thank you for your readership!

Come for the music, stay for the fun. The party lasts all summer long, kicking off with the CMA Music Festival in June, celebrating with a Nashville Pride Festival and heating up to the explosive festivities of 4th of July weekend. Book a trip to Music City where the fun never stops and the music plays on 24/7/365.

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TRAVEL

By Joey Amato

STOCKHO 20 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

Aerial view of Stockholm Harbor

OLM

There are few places I’ve visited that captivate my emotions as much as Stockholm, Sweden. This was my second visit to the city; a place so heartfelt that it is almost difficult to express in words. The people, the culture, the history and the scenery of Stockholm are truly remarkable and make the city a must-see destination.

Upon arrival into Stockholm’s Arlanda airport, we were greeted by Johan Tegel, one of our gracious hosts for the four-day visit.

We were whisked off to our first adventure, a lovely breakfast at a quaint 19th century apartment owned by the Stockholm City Museum. It was from there, which we began our first sightseeing excursion of the city.

Although we were transported by bus, I recommend embarking on a walking tour of Stockholm to better observe the splendor of the city.

One landmark that must not be missed is the Vasa Museum. Its centerpiece is a 69-meter-long warship commissioned by King Gustav II Adolf in 1626. The ship, which measured 52.5 meters in height capsized in Stockholm harbor, just 1300 meters from its dock, during its maiden voyage in 1628.

It was not until 1961, some 333 years later, that the entire ship was salvaged from the bottom of the sea by Anders Franzén and Per Edvin Fälting.

What visitors to the Vasa discover is a remarkable display of beauty, as almost 95 percent of the ship has been reconstructed using original materials.

Later that evening, our group visited the Robert Mapplethorpe exhibit, currently on display at Fotografiska Museet. More than 200 images are on display ranging from Mapplethorpe’s nude images to photos taken of legendary musician and friend, Patti Smith.

Mapplethorpe died of AIDS in 1989, and this is the first time many of his works have been brought to Sweden.

After a comfortable night’s sleep at the luxurious five-star Sheraton hotel, our second day began, which turned

www.omgmag.com | OMG! 21

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out to be one of the most magical and memorable days of my journey.

What many people don’t know is that Stockholm is made up of approximately 30,000 islands, some large and many uninhabited. A vast cry from Stockholm city center, one can reach almost any island in the archipelago in about 2 hours time via boat.

Our first stop was the island of Sandhamn, a quaint island known in the past for being home to the Royal Swedish Sailing Association. After a brief stroll through the tiny village, we begin our kayaking adventure.

Although physically draining, viewing some of the islands by kayak is a sight to be seen.

We then head to the island of Svartso, where we are greeted for dinner at the home of Chef Lena Salomonsson. Chef Lena prepared a delicious three-course spread consisting of an assortment of starters including crayfish salad and quiche, to a wonderful beef tenderloin accompanied by a scrumptious potato cake.

The experience of dining in a private home in Sweden is one that I will never forget. The warmth and hospitality of Chef Lena made for timeless memories.

What trip to Sweden would be complete without a little shopping spree? So the following morning, we were met in the lobby by fashion guru Patrik Janson, who brought us on a guided tour of some of Stockholm’s most esteemed boutiques and hidden gems. I opted for a pair of jeans by Swedish designer Why Red. One highlight of our third day in Stockholm was our visit to Skansen, where we had the opportunity to partake in the traditional art of glassblowing. It was in the factory, where we also enjoyed a lovely dinner prepared by a renowned Swedish chef.

Anders Lindström from SAS Airlines also joined us for the occasion.

If enjoying breakfast at the hotel doesn’t meet your fancy, I suggest heading to Chockladkoppen, a lovely gay-owned café in the heart of Old

22 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

Town, or Gamla Stan as its known as by the locals. For starters, order a large cup of extra-creamy white hot chocolate and grab a seat outside on the terrace to partake in some of the best people watching in Stockholm.

Gamla Stan is the ideal spot to begin the ABBA walk. This unique experience walks tourists through the city and visits destinations that played a role in ABBA’s illustrious career. But this tour is not for the faint of heart.

No, there isn’t an ABBA rollercoaster involved, but people must be prepared to be embarrassed as they walk through narrow cobblestone streets as “Dancing Queen” and “Waterloo” blare from our guide’s mobile speaker system. Even our host Magnus Lindbergh began running the other way as passersby turned to see what all the commotion was about.

For history and culture buffs, head to the Royal Palace and Millesgården, a park that was once home to Carl and Olga Milles. Carl was a renowned sculptor and many of his wondrous works can be seen throughout the venue, which boasts beautifully manicured terraces, lavish fountains and endless waterfront views of Stockholm.

To complete your city tour for the day, venture to Malarpaviljongen, an outdoor restaurant, which is only open during the summer months and is the hottest spot in town among LGBT audiences.

a remix of some ABBA classics, and Paradise sure knows how to throw a party.

Another interesting venue is Patricia, a ship originally built in the 1930s, which was converted to an entertainment complex and restaurant. Their website claims that musicians including Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Ace of Base have all performed here. On Sunday evenings, it is the hottest place to be in all of Stockholm.

So, as in life, all great things must come to an end. I chose to end this visit to Stockholm in the same manner I ended my last visit, with a late-night stroll through Gamla Stan back to my hotel.

As I sat in the SAS lounge at Arlanda airport on Monday morning, I was sad to be leaving for a second time, but happy to know I made many friends along the way. I will be back to visit them very soon, so I can explore other parts of Sweden I have not yet discovered.

Sweden always finds a place in my heart because of the warmth of its people, the depth of its history and culture and its unparalleled beauty. It may seem like a far journey, but once you arrive, you will feel like you’re home.

And of course, one cannot visit this magnificent city without taking part in some extracurricular activities at some of Stockholm’s hottest bars and clubs. The city is home to dozens of establishments, but unfortunately I only had time to visit three.

Torget is a friendly neighborhood bar, which I credit as one of the reasons why I fell in love with Stockholm during my first visit nearly two years ago. It was at Torget where I had the opportunity to interact with the locals and really get a feel for the vibe of the city.

For club goers, venture to Paradise, a large establishment with multiple rooms and DJs, spinning a wide variety of music from contemporary Swedish acts to Madonna. Throw in

Standing Guard Outside the Stockholm Royal Palace

TRAVEL ISSUE

Inside The Vasa Museum

www.omgmag.com | OMG! 23

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TRAVEL

By Cole Wakefield

PUERTO VALLARTA

Puerto Vallarta has successfully combined beautiful beaches, mild weather, great food and cute guys to become Mexico’s top gay destination.

The city sits on Banderas Bay and is bordered to the East by a lush rain forest.

While a modern city by Mexican standards, Puerto Vallarta still maintains the charm of a long-ago coastal outpost. The city and surrounding area provide a widerange of activities.

The gay tourist will find plenty to do here from unique shopping and exciting clubs to swimming in the bay and jungle adventures.

Arrival in Puerto Vallarta can be overwhelming. Once you have cleared Immigration and Customs, a normally painless process, you must then exit the airport through the “Shark Tank”. No, this isn’t an aquarium full of local sea life, it’s a large room full of time share salesmen who will do whatever it takes to get you to stop and talk.

Locals recommend that you just hold your head down, walk directly to the doors at the other end of the room and speak to no one.

There is literally no reason you need to communicate with anyone in that room. They are not security, you do not need

them to call you a cab, and ignoring their aggressive, high-pressure sales pitches does not make you a bad person. The Shark Tank is a little frustrating and it would be nice for officials to do something about it, however that minor gauntlet is worth a stay in the paradise of Puerto Vallarta.

Time shares are a huge business in Puerto Vallarta so it is no surprise that there are lots of timeshare salespeople around ready to offer you free tours and assorted perks.

These “freebie” tours are rarely worth the time you will have to spend listening to the time-share pitch. Instead, find a reputable tour operator or travel services company and use them to book excursions.

Puerto Vallarta has an amazing LGBT travel service call Go Gay! Puerto Vallarta gaypuertovallarta. com They can organize everything from personal shopping trips to day cruises. They will even stock the fridge at your resort! Using a service like Go Gay! Puerto Vallarta is key to getting the most out of your vacation.

There are tons of resort options in the Puerto Vallarta. The beachside resorts in-town, like the gay-centric Blue Chairs, tend to be older, value-focused properties. However,

you can find plenty of super-nice, luxury properties in the area. The city to the north, Nuevo Vallarta features several fine resorts, such as the uber-swank Villa la Estancia. The top gay lodging can be found perched on a hill at the edge of the jungle but just minutes from the bars and beach.

Casa Cupula offers a one-of-a-kind stay to LGBT travelers.

The luxury resort features unique rooms, a topof-the-line gym and an amazing atmosphere.

The tropical surroundings and bay view are a perfect home away from home.

The Puerto Vallarta nightlife has enough to offer to keep even the biggest city gays occupied.

A great way to start the evening is with some fine dining at one of the “Zona Romantica’s” oldest establishments.

Daiquiri Dick’s may sound like a beachside dive but it delivers four-star cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. The 30 year-old restaurant consistently earns local “best service” and “best margarita” awards.

After a filling dinner at Dick’s you can walk over the Blue Chair’s resort to catch Puerto Vallarta’s hottest drag show, “The Dirty Bitches”. Here some of Mexico’s finest queens do their best

impressions of all the divas we know and love.

Following “The Dirty Bitches” show, a nice crowd can be found at the delightfully hip La Noche Martini Bar. La Noche is half ultra-lounge, half nightclub. Here you can chill with a specialty cocktail or flirt with the boys.

It’s a great place to grab some drinks and set a nice vibe for the evening.

A short distance away is Wet Dreams.

Located in the Lazaro Cardenas corridor, Wet Dreams provides a "men only" upscale atmosphere reminiscent of a New York martini bar or lounge, with a twist.

A curved shower lies in the middle of the bar behind the bartenders, home to the constantly rotating go-go boys showing their skills to the crowd. In the back VIP lounge, guests can then enjoy the dancers on stage in next to nothing as well as lap dances, and private shows in one

of two VIP rooms. Another nightlife highlight is the popular dance bar, Paco’s Ranch.

Puerto Vallarta has plenty to offer during the day as well. A real jungle adventure can be found just 15 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta. The Go Gay! Jungle adventure offers a day of canopy zip lining, local Mexican food, tequila tasting, and a beautiful waterfall hike. The local guide staff seems very excited to welcome gay travelers to the Jungle Adventure and provide a very accommodating atmosphere. The Go Gay! Crew offer several other “adventures” including local cruises and horseback riding.

Puerto Vallarta also offers plenty of shopping for souvenirs, gifts and art. Angels Boutique and Liquid

Men both offer an exciting array of shoes, swimsuits and other clothing geared toward the discerning man.

You can find tons of unique Mexican art and keepsakes at Banderas Bay Trading Company.

You can also find the best in handcrafted jewelry and silver at Cassandra Shaw Jewelry. All of these shops can be found in old town Puerto Vallarta which is known as Zona Romantica.

Between the shopping, clubbing and just plain being lazy at the beach or your resort Puerto Vallarta is the perfect weeklong get away.

The destination is essentially as safe as most American cities and offers plenty of unique charm. So grab that passport, book one of the many flights into town, and begin your excursion into the best small city Mexico has to offer.

www.omgmag.com | OMG! 27

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TRAVEL

By Joey Amato

30 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

SÃO PAULO Brazil has always been one of those destinations which people only dream of visiting. The iconic images of Rio de Janeiro, Florianopolis and São Paulo are those of legend. On my recent journey to São Paulo, I had the opportunity to experience adventures I never thought I would be able to, in a city full of love, life and culture.

São Paulo is vastly different from Rio, far from the sun-soaked beaches. In fact, São Paulo reminded me more of New York and Toronto, a bustling metropolis of over 18 million people with hills and winding roads running through the city. Needless to say, one can easily get lost, so having a guide – or at least a map – is a must.

The people of Brazil speak Portuguese, although some are fluent in English and Spanish. Most of the signs, menus and buildings are marked in Portuguese, so be sure to learn a few words before arriving in the country to make your experience a bit more enjoyable.

Catedral da Se

When in São Paulo, be sure to check in at the Pergamon Hotel, which is located in the heart of the city and within walking distance to many LGBT bars and restaurants. The 120-room Pergamon boasts beautiful views of the city, comfortable guest rooms, a fitness center as well as

a restaurant offering full Brazilian breakfast.

Culture seekers should head to one of São Paulo’s numerous museums, which range from their unique, interactive Soccer Museum to the Brazilian Museum of Art, which at the time I visited was featuring an exhibition of Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco. The exhibit, spearheaded by the royal family of Monaco, takes guests on a tour of her glamorous life.

Another wonderful place to visit is Ibirapuera’s Park, designed by Oscar Neimeyer in 1954 and is one of the most famous symbols of the city. The park features an outdoor amphitheater, museum, and fabulous restaurants; it is home to numerous festivals as well, including São Paulo Fashion Week. This is only one of 30 green spaces in São Paulo's city limits.

São Paulo is home to the largest Pride parade in the world. This year, despite a bit of inclement weather, the parade drew close to three million spectators and featured dozens of floats.

The parade, which runs along Avenida Paulista, begins at the beautiful Museu de Arte Moderna de Sao Paulo and stretches a few miles in length.

While parade floats are blaring with music and revelers atop them, proud

www.omgmag.com | OMG! 31

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Brazilians can been seen dancing and singing in the streets leading the floats down the avenue, creating a spectacle that cannot be described in words.

Being that São Paulo’s LGBT population is one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere, there are dozens of options to choose from when it comes to nightlife. Huge venues like Megga, Bubu and the Week are not only a great place to dance the night away, but a sight worth seeing. Brazilian’s sure do know how to throw a party. These venues are enormous, feature state of the art sound and lighting and the Week even boasts a 30-foot LCD screen, something straight out of a U2 concert.

If clubbing is not your forte, head to Society, a fairly new establishment, with a more relaxed environment.

Located in the center of São Paulo, Society features a dance floor on the lower level and cozy lounge upstairs if patrons are looking for a more intimate setting.

Brazilians take pride in their cuisine, and every meal in Brazil is an experience. From the fresh fruit enjoyed at breakfast to the delicious Caipirinha, a traditional Brazilian cocktail, made with cachaça, sugar and lime. Variations on the drink include crushed kiwi, passion fruit, pineapple and mango, my personal favorite.

As in any major city, there are numerous dining options. Some recommendations include Skye, Bovinu’s and Spot. While Bovinu’s provides diners with a traditional selfserve selection of churrascaria-style meat, fish, pasta and sides, Skye and Spot are contemporary and vibrant, complete with full bars, wonderful service and beautiful scenery.

32 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

Skye is located on the rooftop of Unique Hotel and is one of the city’s top restaurants, complete with an outdoor patio reminiscent of a Miami ultra lounge.

There are several key shopping areas to visit in São Paulo, the first being the neighborhood of Jardins, full of high-end fashion boutiques including Versace, H. Stern and Alexandre Herchcovitch. The streets of Rua Augusta or Alameda Lorena are the two places to find high-end luxury fashions, jewelry and gifts.

In addition, the Japanese neighborhood in Sao Paulo is another fabulous stop for Oriental items, and on Sundays there is a fantastic food market with shop stalls, where everything from Buddhas to bonsais can be found here.

If you’re hoping to purchase some souvenirs, or just want a completely different shopping experience, take a visit to one of the weekend street markets, including Benedito Calixto Square, where over 320 exhibitors come to sell crafts, antiques and art.

Although it is not common to haggle with shop owners, it is okay to do so at these markets. They are a great place to find unique gifts and most vendors accept credit cards.

Whenever visiting a city for the first time, it is always a good idea to pick up a copy of one of the local magazines or newspapers. The three that I highly recommend in São Paulo are Junior, Via G and Time Out. These will give you a taste of what the city is like and are always a good reference guide throughout your stay.

São Paulo is definitely a city I will never forget and hope to visit again.

The friendliness of the people made the adventure truly magical.

TRAVEL ISSUE

Bridge Octavio Frias de Oliveira

www.omgmag.com | OMG! 33

celebrating

20 years 1992 to 2012

www.omgmag.com | OMG! 35

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By Dean Nelson

So, I’m a homo riding the chairlift with a couple of really attractive British guys. They seem pretty straight.

Despite the fact it’s 50 feet to the ground and they could shove me off to an early death, I pop a burning question: “You know it’s Whistler’s Gay Ski Week, right? Does it freak you out that gay guys might be checking you out, you know, thinking you’re hot?”

“Dude,” the hotter one replies, “I’m offended when they don’t check me out!”

That is the general attitude around British Columbia's Whistler Blackcomb ski resort for seven days every February. “The gays are here, it's gonna be fun,” reports Randall Shirley, travel writer.

GayWhistler’s WinterPRIDE has evolved over the last 20 years from a group of gay skiers, lead by Brent

WHISTLER, B.C. Benaschak, protesting Colorado’s Amendment 2 into one of the world’s largest gay and lesbian ski events.

WinterPRIDE made history as it hosted the first gay pride pavilion, PRIDE House, at the 2010 Olympics.

Immediately following the games WinterPRIDE put on the annual Gay Ski Week amazing the world media as they watched Olympic banners be replaced by iconic gay pride flags.

If you are a skier you no doubt already know about the 11-plus feet of snow the resort has. The return of La Nina is expected to bring a whole lot more.

But, WinterPRIDE is so much more than just skiing. Sitting on 8,171 acres of pure, orgasmic, snow bliss, there are hot tub parties, dog sledding, snowmobiling, and canopy tours that zip you from one treetop to another.

When you're hungry, incredible 36 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

dining experiences await such as the Whistler Tasting Tours, the No. 1 “must do” according to “Trip Advisor.” You can also explore the culinary delights of the Bearfoot Bistro, Araxi, Hy’s Steak House, Quattro’s, and a classic burger joint like the White Spot. Don't forget, there are the social events and parties too.

Whistler’s Gay Ski Week turns 20 this coming season, and you can expect some pretty amazing talent to turn up the heat in a world-class resort town. Last year DJ Eddie Baez whipped up the grand finale party that snowballed into a fantastic frenzy. Special guest performances included Destineak, DJ Adam Dready and Zayra from Rock Star SuperNova. WinterPRIDE also had the crowd rolling in the aisles with comedian Michele Balan.

You can expect the roster of the 20th annual celebration to be online by mid-October, and it's sure to impress. Your best bet to lock in the best deal is by Nov. 15.

Visit GayWhistler.com or call 1.866.787.1966 for more details. WinterPRIDE is Feb. 5-12, 2012.

www.omgmag.com | OMG! 37

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TRAVEL

By Joey Amato

24 HOURS IN

CHAT Chattanooga is one of the most historic cities in Tennessee.

A pivotal Civil war battleground, the city has earned its place in United States history. The word “Chattanooga” is a Creek word meaning “rock coming to a point” and it is thought to be a description of Lookout Mountain, one of the destinations we visit during our journey.

Chattanooga’s main attraction is without a doubt the Tennessee Aquarium, home to a collection of thousands of animals, divided amongst two buildings: River Journey and Ocean Journey.

The first stop on our visit is River Journey, the aquarium’s original building and features freshwater creatures and habitats from the Southeast and around the world.

Visitors can explore two living forests under glass and get face to face with giant catfish, prehistoric sturgeon and alligators.

Ocean Journey at the Tennessee Aquarium

40 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

Ocean Journey takes

visitors beneath the waves where 10-foot sharks, fierce barracuda and graceful stingrays glide through amazing coral formations. Other galleries showcase cuttlefish, squid, crabs and jellyfish.

An indoor rainforest showcases the aquarium’s beautiful butterfly exhibit.

After touring the aquarium, head over to IMAX and enjoy, Born to be Wild 3D, an inspiring story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals, narrated by Morgan Freeman.

The film documents orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them.

This heartwarming adventure transports viewers into the lush rainforests of Borneo and across the rugged Kenyan savannah as they watch the animals be rehabilitated and returned back to the wild.

Operated by the aquarium is the River

Gorge Explorer, a 70-passenger catamaran, which transports guests downstream into “Tennessee’s Grand Canyon,” the Tennessee River Gorge. This scenic waterway is home to a remarkable array of plants and animals in addition to historic mansions.

Angled seating allows each guest to enjoy the scenic beauty and wildlife.

The 3-hour sunset cruise is not to be missed.

After a long day of sightseeing, check into the Sheraton Read House.

Nestled in the heart of downtown Chattanooga, the historical property combines Georgian architecture with modern amenities, including an indoor pool, fitness center and spacious guest rooms complete with complimentary wireless Internet, feather and down pillows and luxury linens.

The hotel is also home to Porter’s Steakhouse, voted one of the best restaurants in the city as well as a Starbucks Coffee

TRAVEL

TTANOOGA located in the hotel’s lobby.

Well-rested and ready for adventure, we head to Rock City, one of the city’s greatest attractions.

The destination, said to have been “created by God and enhanced by man,” is a unique geological and botanical wonder.

Located toward the top of historical Lookout Mountain, the attraction offers people the opportunity to experience enchanting beauty as they adventure along a nature trail, with added manmade entities.

The adventure begins as guests wind in and out of narrow rock formations and caverns. Intertwined into the attraction are Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village, a fun experience for any age. One cannot deny Rock City’s overall beauty.

The massive rock formations are estimated to be 200 million years old and the panoramic views of seven states from

the observation deck at 1,700 feet above sea-level are unparalleled. If that isn’t enough, Rock City features a majestic 100-foot waterfall and thrillseeking swing-along bridge suspended hundreds of feet high.

Also located on Lookout Mountain is the mystical Ruby Falls, one of the largest underground waterfalls in the world. Discovered in 1928 by cave enthusiast Leo Lambert, Ruby Falls is also located in one of the deepest commercial caves, at a staggering 1,120 feet underground.

Guests visiting Ruby Falls for the first time will not know what to expect. Upon being transported via elevator hundreds of feet below, visitors are welcomed into an enormous cave, which doesn’t give any indication that it is home to a gigantic waterfall.

As a tour guide leads a group through a maze of

rock formations, one can only be in amazement of what Lambert went through to discover the falls, which he named after his wife.

After a nearly 30-minute hike past breathtaking stalagmites and stalactites, the cavern opens up and visitors get a glimpse of the aweinspiring wonder.

Enhanced by multicolor lights, Ruby Falls is one of the most thrilling sights in Chattanooga.

Guests are encouraged to walk around the falls to really appreciate its sheer beauty.

Chattanooga is definitely a place that can be enjoyed by history buffs and thrill seekers alike, however, visitors should take in a little of both for the best experience. Who would have thought we could do all of this in just 24 hours?

For more information, visit www.

ChattanoogaFun. com

The lobby at the Sheraton Read House

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42 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

Sip the FineSt Margarita...

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FEATURE 44 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

G

By Dustin Fitzharris

G

G G THE RHYTHM IS GONNA GET YOU… AGAIN! Gloria Estefan has an announcement to make about Pharrell Williams. “We have a baby!”

Before you get the wrong idea, Estefan clarifies, “No sex.” What the seven-time Grammy Awardwinner is referring to is “Miss Little Havana,” her new, all-dance album, that was largely produced and conceived by Pharrell Williams. The first single, “Wepa,” which Estefan says is just an expression like “woo” or “hey”, is already climbing Billboard’s dance charts.

A year and a half ago the duo met through their trainer at the gym.

Williams was already thinking of collaborating and had written three songs for the most successful crossover artist in Latin music history. Once he played them, Estefan was immediately sold on his vision.

“I was looking so forward every day to going into the studio,” Estefan says. “I kept telling Pharrell this is how I felt when we were doing ‘Primitive Love’ way back in the day. It was fresh and very exciting.”

The “Primitive Love” album was released in 1985 and spawned “Conga,” the song that put Miami Sound Machine, the group Estefan fronted, on the map in America.

Like “Conga,” the new album features Estefan’s signature sound of live horns incorporated into dance music, rather than relying on synthesizers. Similar to the early days of her career when it was a battle to convince the record company to use live brass, Estefan had to persuade Williams.

model.” Estefan quips that this is not her story. She once said, “When I was a teenager I was fat.

I was shy. I wore glasses. I had a big eyebrow and hair all over my body. They were years of torture.”

She calls Miss Little Havana a “cautionary tale.” It’s about any girl who wants to make something of herself, but has to contend with the dangers in life that can throw a person on the wrong path. She was delighted to tell the story through dance music.

“I told him, ‘I love these arrangements, but I would love if you would be open to bringing in my horn players and do exactly what you wrote, but with a live sound.’ He said, ‘Do you think it will work?’ I said, ‘Absolutely!’ He loved that part of it, but that’s what it is when you do a collaboration.

There should be something that you both take away from the experience that wouldn’t have been there if the other person wasn’t there.”

“As an entertainer, my job is to help people have fun. I was excited to go out there and do something that would be fun for my fans, that was just a down and dirty thing that you put on when you’re having your celebrations,” she says.

As the album was near completion, Estefan realized they had unintentionally written a story about Miss Little Havana. It begins with the title track that contains the lyrics “17 with a body like a

To make sure the music passed the test, Estefan took a CD of the mixes down to her car because that’s the one place she always listens to music. If she could feel the music in her butt, she knew it was good to go!

She hopes her LGBT fans will agree because she says, “they are on the cutting edge of everything.”

People used to tell the Miami Sound Machine, “You’re too www.omgmag.com | OMG! 45

FEATURE

G

Latin for the Americans and you’re too American for the Latins.” She would respond, “This is who were are.” The LGBT community always understood.

“They embraced me with my heritage, my name and my sound,” she says. “They listen to lyrics.

Women listen to lyrics and my gay fans listen to lyrics! I think there are a lot of lyrics that spoke to them about acceptance. They just spoke to some of their concerns and hopefully empowered them and made them feel stronger.”

G

Estefan says she identifies with the LGBT community because she had a tough upbringing. Born in Havana, Cuba in 1957, her family fled when Fidel Castro rose to power.

Her father, Jose Manuel Fajardo, participated in the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 and later joined the U.S. Army and served for two years in Vietnam. Upon his return, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and Estefan and her younger sister carried much of the burden of taking care of him while their mother worked and attended school. Fajardo died in 1980. Estefan realizes her gay fans have also gone through tough times.

“There’s no two ways about it.

Whether you have the most accepting of parents and a family that loves you, there is society and the way things are.”

She also knows it’s a big celebratory community, and they love her dance music. Still, out of all the songs she’s written, the ones that she identifies the most with are “Always Tomorrow” and “Path of the Right Love.” People always ask her how she can write so many love songs when she’s been married for 33 years—to her first boyfriend, nonetheless. Her response is, “I’m married; not dead!”

Being a wife and mother to her two children, Nayib, 31, and Emily, 16, is what brings her the most joy in life. Since her last album and tour, she’s been busy attending Emily’s basketball games and jazz band concerts. Emily demonstrates her musical capabilities by playing the electric guitar solo on the new track “On.” With all the musicality in the

46 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

house, Estefan says she was never the kind of mother who walked in her kids’ bedroom and yelled “turn that music down!”

“Are you kidding? I would’ve turned it up!” she says. “We blast that stuff.”

Hearing the energy and enthusiasm Estefan has in her voice, it’s hard to imagine that 21 years ago she was told she may never walk again after suffering a fractured spine when a semi-truck crashed into her tour bus during a snowstorm. Two titanium rods were implanted in her back and after extensive physical therapy, Estefan returned to the stage in top form. Today she says she isn’t without pain, but it’s something she doesn’t pay attention to. However, she must continue to focus on her work out regime, which was difficult to do when she was recording “Miss Little Havana.”

“I was coming home sometimes at 4 in the morning. I’m not going to get up for my Pilates class at 9. There is no way in hell! I need my sleep,” she says laughing. “But I’m great. Are you kidding me? They said I would never have another baby and that I wouldn’t get back on stage or walk possibly. So this is all pie.”

Eventually Estefan would like to write a memoir, but being a private person, she says the project will be “toughie.” Rather than rehash the events in her life, she would like to write about the lessons she’s learned over the years. The biggest one is that we are in control of our own lives. She believes that depending on what we choose to give energy to, we will manifest it, and we can’t get stuck in the things we hear on the news or use our family’s situations as an excuse not to evolve.

“It’s kind of like a game we are playing here. We’re all here to learn something and grow,” she says. “I want to win this game. I want to play it well. I want to make my life the way I want it to be.”

And right now she couldn’t be happier with the music she’s making.

“I’m super excited to present this new baby to my fans.”

For more information on Gloria Estefan, visit www.gloriaestefan.com

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Mi ch ae l Ja ck so n : Th e Im mo rta l W or ld To ur

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Vi va El vis at Ar ia Re so rt an d Ca sin o

CELEB

By Dustin Fitzharris

ABSOLUTELY

FAB

62 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

Feb. 21, 1990 was a night that will forever be a part of pop culture history. It was the 32nd Annual Grammy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The nominees for Best New Artist were Neneh Cherry, Indigo Girls, Soul II Soul, Tone Loc, and Milli Vanilli – a duo comprised of Rob Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan. Having just sung their No. one hit, “Girl You Know It’s True,” Pilatus and Morvan waited in the wings as the nominees were read. Like other artists that evening they were praying, but their prayer was different. “Please don’t let us win. Please don’t let us win,” is what filled their thoughts.

Then, Young MC opened the envelope and announced, that the best new artist was Milli Vanilli.

The Shrine erupted in applause and screams. Pilatus, dressed in a red blazer and Morvan in a blue one, strutted on the stage with their trademark dreadlocks and did their best to be gracious.

Nine months later, their lives and careers came crashing down. Their Grammy was stripped away after revealing they did not sing one note on their album. Their record company dropped them, and there was even a court ruling in the United States that would offer a refund to anyone who bought their album and wanted to return it.

By now Milli Vanilli’s fall from grace is legendary. Frank Farian, a top record producer found two goodlooking men to pretend they are singing, so he could sell his music.

All the while, the voices heard are actually three men and twin sisters.

On the day after what would have been Pilatus’ 46th birthday had he not committed suicide in 1998, Morvan confessed that he doesn’t think people know their story at all.

In fact, he even believes what Milli Vanilli did is no different than what is happening in the music industry today. Except he said it’s now controlled.

“I call it organized vocal crime,” Morvan said from his home in Amsterdam. “People always try to crucify me, and I’m like, ‘People, wake up! It’s happening right under your nose.' It’s actually become a style.”

Morvan is referring to Auto-Tune, a device used to correct pitch and alter tone. While Morvan acknowledges some use it for a particular effect, as Cher did with her worldwide smash, “Believe,” others use it because they don’t have the ability to sing live.

“The computer has taken over,” said Morvan. “People say, ‘Well, you didn’t sing on the record.’ I say, ‘Well, they are not either. It could be anybody!’ I’m not talking shit. I’m just exposing it.”

Morvan hopes to further clarify his point of view in the Milli Vanilli movie, on which he is working as a consultant. Currently it’s in pre-production, and those involved are still working on the script and casting.

Today at 45 years old, Morvan has put the past behind him but still believes people don’t really know who he is. However, when asked the question, he admitted, “I don’t even know who I am.”

After giving it some thought he said: “I’m someone who found salvation through music; music for me is life. Music brought me back to life. Music brought me hope, gave me faith and gave me strength. It’s the reason I’m here. People have wondered why I’m still here. It’s because of music.”

Looking back at old photographs he gets a kick out of seeing the image that ultimately was Milli Vanilli.

He remembers how he and Pilatus would be in London or Tokyo, just shop and then throw everything together.

“I look at those two guys, and I haven’t seen anybody who’s looked like that since,” Morvan said. “Some may have tried.”

He said it’s surreal too. Looking beyond the clothes he questions, “Was that me?”

At times it seems like a whole other lifetime to him. His face in the photographs reminds him that it was all too much.

“I see the pressure of carrying this secret we had,” he said. “This secret

that was guarded and protected that eventually led us to the nightlife just to forget that we had this schizophrenic life."

As Morvan once told “People” magazine, they "did an alphabet of drugs.” Eventually he pulled his life together and discovered what success meant to him.

“Money is important, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve experienced going up the mountain and looking out and realizing, 'Oh wow, you’d think things would be more pink or more happy up here,’ when, in fact, happiness comes from within. That’s one of the lessons I’ve learned,” Morvan said. “Success is loving yourself, and when you love yourself, you can love others as well.”

Love and fulfillment is something Pilatus could never find. Following the scandal, Pilatus’ life went from bad to worse. Even while they were trying to put their careers back on track by recording a new album called “Rob and Fab” singing their own vocals, Morvan said Pilatus had difficulties focusing, and he was forced to carry much of the load.

In the end Morvan said, without hesitation, Milli Vanilli did kill his music partner and friend.

Morvan refused to suffer the same fate as Pilatus. In 2007 he began traveling back and forth from Los Angeles to Europe concentrating on new projects because he wasn’t happy with the pop sound of music in America, calling it “dead.” Finally he said to himself, “I’m going to get out. I’m just going to waste my career waiting for the big producer to come to save my ass.”

He realized if he wanted to make something happen, he had to do it himself. One of the first obstacles he had to overcome was stereotyping.

When he would play new material for others, he said he would often hear that it was cool, but it was too white. “In America, when you’re black, you’re expected to be doing black music,” said Morvan. “You had to do something for your hommies.”

Last spring Morvan released the single “Anytime,” and he’s working on various projects, including

one called “Cinnamon Road” and another called “Fabulous Addiction,” a collaboration with Dutch producer Dani Hageman, also known as Muzikjunki. In September, the first single, “See the Light,” was released.

Still, in his act, he always includes Milli Vanilli songs because he said he really does like them. “Blame it on the Rain” and “Girl I’m Gonna Miss You” remain his favorites.

Morvan’s commitment to his dreams is something he said earned him a lot of respect from his father. Born and raised in Paris, Morvan spent a lot of time in his head. He wrote poetry and visited museums. Getting love from his parents was never a problem, but when it came to his father, he had the philosophy of “show me what you’ve got.” In fact, Morvan recalls that when Milli Vanilli was exposed, his father laughed. Morvan said it was as if he was saying “I knew it anyway, so what are you going to do now.”

Being accepted has always been important to Morvan. However, he believes he is no different from others in show business who he said all have one thing in common: They all want to be loved. After all these years, he feels he is. But he’s not in love. Right now he said he’s sampling, and he’s okay with that because he feels it’s best to meet people when you’re not at your best game; that way you know if they love you for who you really are and not for the image you represent.

While Morvan is the happiest he’s ever been and has found peace, he still hasn’t been able to forgive Frank Farian, the man responsible for the rise and the fall of Milli Vanilli.

“I don’t have an adjective to describe that guy,” Morvan said. “This guy caused a lot of pain to a lot of people.

It’s weird to see people drop before he drops.”

Morvan never dropped; he may have stumbled, but never fell. That’s the thing he said he’s the most proud of.

“I’ve still got all my marbles.” www.omgmag.com | OMG! 63

CELEB

by Dustin Fitzharris

Drew Ginsburg

THE MOST ELIGIBLE MAN IN DALLAS 64 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

ra vo 's 'M os t th e ca st of B a s' E li g ib le : D a ll Drew Ginsburg likes to say he is a proud gay man who prefers cars to couture. Thankfully he’s been able to make a living doing what he loves by working for his family’s business, which owns Boardwalk Auto Group and controls 10 car dealerships throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area and San Francisco. Although he’s found professional success, he hasn’t been so lucky when it comes to love. He’s hoping that will change.

In Bravo’s latest reality show, Most Eligible Dallas, the camera follows Ginsburg, 30, and five others—whose paths have somehow managed to cross at one time or another—through the ups and downs of living the single life in the Lone Star state. If Ginsburg didn’t have the show and decided to place an ad in the personal’s column, he would describe himself as funny, unique and obscure.

“I don’t feel like your stereotypical gay guy,” he says. “For example on my [computer] screen right now isn’t a fashion mag. I’m looking at Autoblog and Car and Driver. I’m one who doesn’t like to play the game, in terms of the gay world.”

He didn’t mind, however, living his life on camera when he was approached through Facebook to do the show. When asked to elaborate how he was selected, the show’s rep intercepted and told Ginsburg

they like to leave that vague. During the show, which he confirms was completely unscripted, Ginsburg says he learned more about himself than at any other time in his life.

One lesson was being more sociable.

His taste in men also matured, and now he says he has a clearer idea of what he’s looking for. Not that his list of demands are long, but Mr. Right does have to have a nice smile and beautiful eyes. He also has to be selfsupporting, determined, and he has to want a family. Without hesitation Ginsburg says, “I want babies.”

Born in Washington, DC, Ginsburg’s father worked for Senator John Culver of Iowa and Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. Two weeks after Ginsburg was born, the family packed up and moved to Florida, where his father got involved in radio. Eventually the family, which by then included his two younger brothers and a sister, moved to Dallas because Mr. Ginsburg interest in radio expanded nationwide and Dallas, being the hub for American Airlines, became a natural fit for business travel. In 1998 Mr. Ginsburg retired from the radio business and soon thereafter found success in the automotive industry.

Ginsburg loved his father’s new career. While growing up he had a passion for cars that was instilled by his grandfather who passed away

about two years ago. He remembers lining up his toy cars and pretending to have a car dealership. He even had the little Matchbox carwash.

When it came to cars or GI Joe, he says the action figure didn’t stand a chance.

Growing up in a conservative state with liberal views wasn’t a problem for Ginsburg. He felt more ostracized by being overweight. At 20 years old he weighed over 400 pounds and decided he need to take control of his health. He had gastric bypass surgery and lost over 200 pounds. Ten years later he’s kept the weight off through eating a carefully planned organic diet and working out with a trainer. At times he still looks in the mirror and sees what he refers to as a “fat guy,” but other times he amazes himself.

“Sometimes I look in the mirror and go, ‘Holy crap! That’s a bicep!’ I get shocked,” he says.

As Ginsburg was taking control of his weight, his drinking spun out of control. At first drinking was just a social activity. Being shy, he thought it was the only way he could interact with others, but soon he couldn’t go a day without a drink. Then he turned to drugs. It got to the point where he would drink and use drugs until he blacked out.

to commit suicide. According to a blog he once kept, he wrote that he woke up in detox clinic in Dallas, shaking while the poison he had drank and snorted from the last few days left his system. He realized then and there he needed help. Today he’s been sober for close to seven years and says alcohol is no longer a temptation. In fact, his roommate drinks, and it doesn’t faze him that alcohol is in his home.

Close to two years after seeking treatment, Ginsburg came out.

Following the congressional election, his father was discussing same-sex marriage.

“I was like, ‘Funny you mention that because I’m gay,’” Ginsburg recalls.

“He was kind of shocked, but about two hours later he sent me a message that said, ‘No matter what you are, no matter who you are, I love you unconditionally.’ That was probably the most ensuring thing to ever hear from a father.”

Ginsburg isn’t sure what the future holds, but he says it would be fun to have a career in entertainment.

In fact while doing Most Eligible Dallas, he asked, “What do I have to do for a spinoff?” Someone looked at him and responded, “You’re worse than a housewife!”

On Christmas Eve 2004 he tried

www.omgmag.com | OMG! 65

HEALTH

HIV RISING AMONG AMERICA’S YOUTH “We cannot allow the health of a new generation of gay men to b e lost to a preventable disease..."

By Rick Desmond

66 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently released their first multi-year estimate of the annual number of new HIV infections in the United States. The results found that overall new infections have remained relatively stable at 50,000 a year from 2006 to 2009. But new infections among young men who have sex with men (MSM) have increased.

“We are deeply concerned by the alarming rise in new HIV infections in young, black gay and bisexual men and the continued impact of HIV among young gay and bisexual men of all races,” said Jonathan Mermin, M.D., director of CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention.

only subpopulation that experienced a significant increase.

The new findings also confirm that HIV continues to disproportionately affect MSM of all races and ethnicities.

The CDC estimates MSM represent 2 percent of the total U.S. population, but they accounted for 61 percent of all new HIV infections in 2009. In 2009, white MSM represented the greatest number of new HIV infections at 11,400 followed by black MSM at 10,800 and Hispanic MSM at 6,000.

“We cannot allow the health of a new generation of gay men to be lost to a preventable disease.

It’s time to renew the focus on HIV among gay men and confront the homophobia and stigma that all too often accompany this disease,” Mermin stated.

“While we’re encouraged that prevention efforts have helped avoid overall increases in HIV infections in the United States, and have significantly reduced new infections from the peak in the mid-1980s, we have plateaued at an unacceptably high level,” said Kevin Fenton, M.D., director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention.

The findings show a 34 percent increase in new infections among young MSM from 2006 to 2009.

Even more alarming though, young, black MSM, aged 13 to 29, experienced a 48 percent increase.

That group is the

“Without intensified HIV prevention efforts, we are likely to face an era of rising infection rates and higher health care costs for a preventable condition that already affects more than one million people in this country,” he stated.

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Becoming one of Miami’s most sought-after DJs was not Alex Ferbeyre’s initial goal growing up. Even though music was always alive in his home, it was while pursuing a visual arts degree that he began experimenting with music by studying album covers, reading liner notes and learning about every genre of music.

In fact, he says some of his first gigs were providing soundtracks for experimental art exhibits and installations.

“I was always intrigued by the dichotomy of music and the visual arts and how they can go hand in hand,” Ferbeyre says. By the time he was seventeen, he opened a fully-operational mobile DJ company and began booking events for a vastly diverse clientele. Finally, in 1997, at age nineteen, he discovered his real passion for club DJing and started landing several residencies that ranged from Goth nights to underground parties.

By Ben Rock

“Most of my family didn’t really see music, DJing, and nightlife entertainment as a career,” Ferbeyre says. “They were waiting for me to someday become a ‘suit’.” However, he continued on his path and began adding video production, directing, and editing to his repertoire.

“I started experimenting with video editing and making extended music videos in the early 2000s by splicing and looping b-roll for club versions of my favorite tracks,” he says.

“This was before I even know what video bars were!” To add this emerging media into his production, he took entire video projection systems and mixing gear into some of South Beach’s trendiest rock bars.

By producing his own re-edits and extended mixes for his live VJ performances, Ferbeyre’s talent began catching the eye of numerous venues and events ranging from ultra-

SPINNING AROUND WITH

DJ MAXIMUS 3000 When his parents wanted him to become a “suit”, Alex Ferbeyre did the opposite and became Miami’s DJ Maximus 3000 instead.

Photo: Dale Stine Styling: Carmine Dagnell Hair: Ricco Roland Makeup: Max Brava Studio/Art Direction: Mark Lowe Post Editting: Max-Ink 68 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

chic boutique restaurants and hotels to edgy underground mod-rock bars, from philanthropic fashion shows and art exhibits to electronic music festivals and pride events.

The popularity and success of DJ Maximus 3000 not only secured Ferbeyre’s current residency at Living Room Nightclub, one of Florida’s most successful clubs, but also culminated in the 2008-founding of his record label, 8025 Alliance Music Group.

“8025 Alliance Music Group is actually a spinoff of a smaller micro-label I had formed back in late 2006,” he says. While touring, he began amassing remix singles from DJs all over the world and learned how to license their tracks to several compilations, get placement in radio, TV and club rotation, and service the national

helping out very talented, wonderful people.”

He couldn’t have done it, however, without the support of his family. Even though they were not all on board with his career choice at first, they have really started to see just how successful he has become.

“I’ll never forget the day I played Miami Beach’s first gay pride in 2009,” he explains. “My parents came to have ‘a drink’ and dance a bit. When 20,000 people showed up and their son [was] the guy playing the music and moving a sea of people, I think it sort of clicked!”

Playing to those seas of people on a consistent basis is something Ferbeyre finds amazingly powerful. “It sort of feels like I’m the sorcerer’s apprentice, conducting in the cosmos,” he says, explaining that he is always looking for that

VIP

name : DJ Maximus 3000 age : 31 co mpany : Max-Ink Enterprises, LLC title : Founder & CEO relationship status : Happily taken!

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Favorites Movie: The Fifth Element Book: The Da Vinci Code Color: Purple Food: Thai/Japanese Cocktail: Dirty Martini

Multiple Choice : Mac or PC: Mac Dogs, cats, other: Dogs Prom king or drama queen: Principal Early bird or night owl: Night owl

Short Answer Biggest fear: Being mauled by sharks, although I think I can take one on as of lately.

Guilty pleasure: Sweet tooth Favorite TV Couple? Kermit and Miss Piggy.

Most embarrassing moment? Just like everyone else I have plenty! I am only human.

Favorite Quote? "Do onto others what you would have them do unto you" Matthew 7:12 Boxers or Briefs? Boxer Briefs. wink wink.

Favorite thing to do (when you’re not working)? I love arcades, movies and reading up on pop culture. I keep very close tabs on current memes.

record pools and Billboard-reporting DJs.

rush in more and more powerful doses.

His work gained the attention of several independent artists and micro-labels, and so he created 8025 Alliance Music Group and secured a distribution deal with IODA/Sony Red.

“I am very blessed to have made a name for myself,” he adds, “and continue to successfully make money as a working DJ, producer, and consultant. Because of the broad spectrum of what my company covers and the various skill sets I have under my belt, I can traverse into almost any scene and handle just about any situation. I’m constantly evolving and growing and have so many things in store.”

“The label has gone through many phases,” Ferbeyre says, “including working and housing other micro-labels from London, Miami, New York, Aruba, and South America. We have released several compilations and remix maxisingles, and our artists’ releases have been licensed to companies such as Abercrombie & Fitch and have been featured on FM, Internet, and XM/Sirius satellite radio.

“It really has been a very rewarding, selffulfilling labor of love,” he continues, “all while

For more on DJ Maximus 3000, check out twitter.com/DJMaximus3000 and Facebook. com (keyword: DJ Maximus 3000).

On dating/being in a relationship? In my personal experience, as both an independent business owner and an artist, relationships can be tough for people like us. I’ve had a few that couldn't compete with my DJ persona, who in essence is the other man in life.

It’s a constant job to promote, manage, negotiate, and create yourself even with the help of a professional team. I’ve had to learn to make time for my personal life outside of my business, which is never an easy thing to do, as I am always working and my brain never stops firing off new ideas. But, I am beyond lucky and happy to be in an exclusive relationship with someone who is supporting my endeavors and makes me feel confident I’m doing the right thing every day. As an artist and public persona, I’m extremely self critical and hard on myself when I think I’m not perfect; this man balances me out every time.

For that I am lucky. My advice to anyone who is selfemployed, make sure you learn to clock in and out just like you would a real job and make time for your significant other. www.omgmag.com | OMG! 69

VIP

By Rick Desmond

Mr. Gay World is a competition meant to bring 20-something men from around the world together to build powerful experiences and friendships they will hopefully be able to cherish for a lifetime.

The contest runs over the period of one year, and contestants must first compete in a series of regional events. They stand before a panel of judges and are quizzed on everything from LGBT rights and history to people who have inspired them.

The current Mr. Gay World is Francois Nel, a native of South Africa, whose poise, leadership and dedication have truly made him an inspiration.

“The brand of Mr. Gay World was introduced in Whistler, (British Columbia) in 2009 when key international producers of the event met to create a global competition,” stated Dean Nelson, VP of Operations for the organization. He mentions the key founders were from Canada, Norway, Ireland, Philippines, and Australia.

Having traveled to various regions around the world, Nelson and his team quickly realized that being gay was less comfortable in some regions than others.

“We also noticed through speaking with some of our youth, that there was a void of positive gay role models to look up to, who possess qualities necessary for proper social development.”

“We are trying to create a network of gay role models that we can mobilize around the planet for various issues,” Nelson said.

“And when one of our Mr. Gays calls upon his brothers for support, we are there for him.”

Francois Nel decided to compete in Mr. Gay World after entering Mr. Gay South Africa, a national competition seeking gay men to be a spokesperson for the community.

“My initial interest was in the personal experience I have had with my sexuality,” Nel said. “Adolescence is such an intricate and important part in the development of young individuals, and sometimes we

MR. GAY WORLD

FRANCOIS NEL experience an internal conflict when faced with belief systems that teach certain sexual desires are wrong or sinful.”

“Francois is a very well-spoken and articulate individual,” Nelson said, “Coming from South Africa, he has seen change and how diversity is able to bring a nation together. He is also very aware that much work still needs to be done and has much passion in creating safer and more inclusive environments for all people.”

Although South Africa has a progressive constitution which protects LGBT individuals on paper, Nel points out that social issues such as bullying, crime and unfair treatment toward people based on either sexual orientation or 70 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

VIP

going through the same issues as you are.”

Having a support system in place is also very important. Family has played an integral role in Nel’s life. “My mother has helped me a great deal in the last few months, not only in helping my business but inspiring me as an artist,” he said.

“While my grandmother is the person I would most want to be like; she embodies the traits I most admire: love, compassion, integrity, wisdom and empathy.”

gender still exist.

“Coming from a politically active family, I had an interest in these issues, and have become more interested in such issues after some of my travels as Mr. Gay World,” Nel said. “I also have an interest in social issues that are still present in our society along with equal human rights; the competition seeks an ambassador to learn about the plight for globally equality.”

Nel’s experiences as Mr. Gay World are still taking place, but he stated his favorite moments thus far are of the Manila competition where the contestants took part in educational outreach projects.

“After that I went to Europride in Rome, and let me tell you, I was nothing but impressed with those Italians,” Nel laughed.

“I found the greatest pizza close to my hotel, and as you can imagine, the food was yummy. Also, Lady Gaga gave an inspirational performance and speech during the festival. I wish to see her sometime in Africa.”

In addition to Rome, two of Nel’s most liked destinations include Sao Paulo and Vancouver. “Sao Paulo had electricity in the evening air like no other, a nightlife that lures with a thumping beat. There were many cultural spots, from the shopping district to the graffiti walls that are so memorable.”

Vancouver had Nel from the start. “You should see the beautiful airport,” he jokes.

“We had the most amazing view of the ocean from the Sheraton Hotel, where the GLISA OUT Games were held. I truly enjoyed the 10 km run in Stanley Park, as well as the Human Rights Conference,” Nel said. “Then there is Whistler, a wonder that echoes beautiful greenery and wonderful cultural activities from skiing and biking.

It’s nestled between beautiful snowy mountain tops, and you can just sense the romance and winter wonderland feeling it exudes.”

Although holding the title may sound intriguing to many people, it takes a unique individual to enter and win the title of Mr. Gay World. “The ideal contestant is one that cares and has a profound interest in the social issues our community is still

faced with today. One who advocates positive change on the discrimination that still exists, and who shares the ideology of equality beyond racial differences, sexual orientation or disability.”

In addition, Nelson adds that leadership plays an important role, and an individual able to command attention, motivate others and move a cause forward is most likely going to win the competition.

Time and balance are two of the most important aspects of Mr. Gay World. Being a volunteer project, one still has to make a living and maintain personal relationships on the side. “The competition definitely had an effect on my personal life,” Nel said.

“I became single close to the Mr. Gay World crowning.”

Although his life now sounds glamourous, all was not easy for Nel growing up in South Africa, a victim of homophobia at a young age. “I was teased and mocked plenty, sometimes during sport participation and sometimes just in general,” he said. “It didn't make me hate school but it didn't make me love it at times either.”

Nel stresses the difficult matter for young gay individuals in social contexts is that they don't have people to relate to in terms of their affection being different from the majority, and what is considered the norm.

“I experienced this especially in my youth, and I feel it is responsible for many of the issues within the gay community and beyond,” he said.

For those struggling with their sexuality, “The best advice will always be to be yourself, and to listen to what you feel is right for you. We all search for acceptance and love, we all feel pain and we all want to enjoy company and social interaction. There are more qualities that make us similar than what separate us in differences, like sexual orientation.”

Nel stated that sexuality is an innate and inherent quality saying, “You will know what you are and what you are not – embrace yourself. Be part of a community, where you can make friends that may be

When Nel is not traveling, he spends time volunteering for two charitable organizations “Lulekisizwe is an organization that works on fighting corrective rape in South Africa,” he said.

“The word 'corrective’ is used as there is the cultural belief that you could 'cure' a lesbian from homosexuality by raping her, and we had a visibility project in Cape Town, led by a vibrant and inspiring woman, Ndumi Funda, who has achieved a great deal by advocating the need for more protection for lesbian woman in Africa.”

In addition, Nel has worked with Resthill, a gay-friendly frail care centre in Centurion, South Africa.

Currently single, the 30-year-old likes to read, listen to music and exercise whenever he gets the opportunity. “I love physical activities and am living proof of needing exercise to have those endorphins released,” he laughed. “Luckily I love exercise because I love food equally as much. Food can also be a beautiful art in itself, and I love trying new things. I love everything from the peanut butter and banana sandwich to the decadent baked cheese cake.”

Coincidentally, next year’s competition will be held in South Africa from April 4-8, 2012.

“This will be a truly unique experience,” stated Nelson. “There is something about the ‘Rainbow Nation’ that makes us believe our delegates and spectators will have an amazing experience.”

Nelson also informed us of exclusive travel packages for spectators to join Mr. Gay World on this incredible journey, which includes a safari expedition.

In addition to hosting Mr. Gay World, South Africa has just launched their plans to host the first African Human Rights and Business Forum. “Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come as Africa is faced with 37 countries where anti-homosexuality laws still apply,” Nel stated. “Governments and businesses have a responsibility to enforce equality in other countries via different measures, one being withholding aid.”

For more information of Francois Nel or Mr. Gay World, visit MrGayWorld.org.

www.omgmag.com | OMG! 71

1. STEPHEN Miami, Florida

I must have been around ten or so. I had always known I was attracted to men and never felt anything negative about it, other than the fact that the other boys in my crowd didn’t share my feelings—at least outwardly. One day, as my mother and I were doing the dishes after a family lunch, she began to have “the talk” with me.

GAY IN 1.

AMERICA

PORTRAITS BY SCOTT PASFIELD

72 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

She did the “birds and bees” thing as she washed and I wiped plates. Then she said that there were women who were attracted to other women and men who were attracted to other men. “They are called ‘homosexuals,’” she said. And I remember as clearly as if it was this morning, gazing out the window into our small backyard and thinking, “Well, if there’s a name for it, then I can’t be the only one.” It was that simple, that clear, that undramatic. came out to my family when I was sixteen.

They, of course, hauled me off to the psychiatrist. I went in first and had a lovely fifteen-minute conversation with him about me, my feelings, my fears, my sexuality, etc. Then he asked me to sit in the waiting room while he spoke privately with my parents. I went out; they went in. After about thirty minutes, they emerged— he strolling, she storming—and home we went. Silence in the car, so after about ten minutes I asked what the good doctor had said. Pause. “He said that he wanted to see us every week for at least six months, but that you didn’t have to go back,” my father said.

The following day I called the office and asked to speak to the doctor. He took my

University of Georgia. I was handsome young man, content with myself, pursuing a good education. Then, the most wonderful thing happened to me: I met and fell in love with the sweetest, most handsome, charming, loving, giving, passionate, and driven man God ever graced this world with. To have such a man love me was the greatest gift of my life.

2.

call. Asking him what had transpired, and telling him that when we arrived home Mother had taken to her bed and not another word had been spoken about it, he said, “Well, Stephen, I told your parents that you were the most well-adjusted teenager and homosexual I’ve ever met, and that it was they who needed therapy to address and resolve their own conflicts about it.”

And ever since, wherever, whenever, with whomever, I’ve been myself. Solid.

Confident. Frightened.

Unsure. Definite.

Strong. Kind. Lover.

Son. Brother. Friend.

Never thinking it was necessary to be “proud,” since I am myself. It is all I’ve ever known and been and, with luck, all I will continue to be for a long, long time.

There are a million tales I could tell you, but they all funnel back to the above.

Early knowledge, early assurance, early truth, and a lifetime of being honest and true to the only one who I can and must be: myself.

At fifty-five, I feel younger, stronger, and more confident (prouder?) than ever.

Maybe I’ve managed to find a drop of wisdom somewhere along this crooked road.

3.

2. ROB & KEITH

Atlanta, Georgia I’m sure there are many out there who have never met a pair like us: a gay couple in the Deep South—one African American, a military brat and computer geek hailing from a liberal western state; the other of strong British descent, a roaming scholar with dual citizenship originating from the U.K.; both sharing similar interests in techno, gadgets, and Project Runway. A more perfect alignment could not have been made.

The discussion of marriage has been tossed around on numerous occasions, but since it’s not yet a

legal option in Georgia, instead of adorning shiny bands of commitment, we share personalized military dog tags around our necks to symbolically represent our union.

We collided into one another without the intent of ever letting go.

3. RICK

Lexington, Georgia The majority of my life as a gay man has been nothing but a gracious blessing. I realized my sexual desires toward men when I was sixteen, and I lost my virginity to a man twice my age a year later.

I went off to college not long after that, but then took a few years off before going back to get my degree at the

Marc and I met in a calculus class in the fall of 1976. I had been “out” for five years; Marc had never had sex with a man before.

We became friends, but not intimately at first.

We courted platonically for months until just before Valentine‘s Day, when our relationship turned physical. I realized almost right away that Marc was not the type of person who was interested in a casual affair. I knew that a relationship with him would mean a deep commitment.

I understood I had to be ready for that.

Thank God that I was.

I recognized him as an angel sent to me. How could I be so lucky?

I always told him he was the most adorable cherub ever on Earth.

We had a beautiful chemical and sexual attraction and were always honest and true to each other. We were very fortunate as well to both have loving families and be surrounded by very dear friends. We also shared a common religious faith. Our hearts and souls were bound together not by any institution but by love, passion, and commitment. We fed off of each other’s energy and even started a business together in the spring of 1977.

We channeled all of our common interests into an enthusiastic, passionate machine that could make us a shared life and living.

Marc was the fuel and I was his spark. We accomplished a lot of things as partners, both personally and professionally. We had a storybook life together, which is not to say we didn’t have our tough times.

You can’t be around someone 24/7 for thirty-one years and not have a few hurdles to jump.

Marc’s battle with cancer became the final and most difficult challenge of our life together. When he died in 2008, I hit the ground hard. I was devastated, and alone for the first time in three decades. It was overwhelming. I had lost the love of my life, my very best friend, and my business partner all at the very same moment.

Somehow I managed to pick myself up, and have stumbled along for the past year. I am still devastated emotionally, very tired, sad, and lonely.

I am, however, a strong person. And I am reminded every day that I am still very much alive. I know that Marc made me a better man than I ever would have been without him. I know I will always have him in my heart and in my soul. I will forever treasure the memories of our life together.

I feel that I am at the edge of a tremendous precipice now, facing a hurdle that is unimaginable in scope.

I am making decisions that will affect the remainder of my years...by myself. I am anxious and scared, but I am also optimistic. I have to be. I know I will carry the love I shared with Marc with me for eternity, which gives me great comfort and joy. I look at my future without him now not as the next chapter, but as a whole new book in my life: Volume Two. I miss the man I loved

with all of my heart and soul. The emptiness is so very real and powerful, but so is the fullness of the love we shared, and I know I will be okay.

4. ROBERT, RICHARD & DALE Savannah, Georgia

When I was a schoolboy in Pennsylvania, I never thought geometry was going to help me understand my love life at age sixty-four.

The desire in any “triad” relationship is that of an equilateral triangle and not of an isosceles triangle. But, as we are human, the lines are always changing.

The key in maintaining an equilateral triad is open, truthful communication on a regular basis. When that fails, tension rises and threatens the triad’s delicate balance and the entire relationship is jeopardized.

Our first serious triad attempt lasted about a year and a half and ended after this photograph was taken, when Dale left for greener pastures. Much of what precipitated the breakup was Dale’s inability to openly communicate his feelings, negative and positive, for me and Robert. Once Dale did leave, it opened the floodgates of understanding, and Robert and I now have a stronger sense of what will work and what will not. On paper, the perfect man to complete our triad in the future is one who is strongly sexually compatible with me-—and Robert, to a smaller extent— enjoys antiques and gardening, and works in massage therapy or hospitality.

Robert has been HIVpositive since I first met him, and therefore our physical relationship is www.omgmag.com | OMG! 73

more affectionate than sexual. He has always kept me as the “china doll” on the shelf and will not do anything to put my health at risk.

On top of that, he is not jealous, which is another key to a good triad relationship.

Robert is happy for me to have other lovers.

I am a full-blown romantic. Robert is not. I would describe him as a “classicist.” He believes romantic love is bullshit and has no time for it—now that isn’t to say I can’t get him to cuddle a bit now and again. But he is not that kind of person. Robert was very active sexually in the pre-AIDS era of New York City when you could enjoy anonymous sex in the parks any time of the day or night. To him, sex is not emotional.

Robert’s feeling is that as gay men, we are out of the box to begin with—so why do we have to pattern our gay relationships and families after the straight community, which has failed miserably?

Robert is the first man I lived with as an openly gay male. We have been together for the last sixteen years. In late spring of 2003 we decided to cash out of our lives in New York City and move somewhere else. I wanted to move to a place that had palm trees and lizards.

I figured we would move to Ft. Lauderdale because I wanted to work in massage and I needed a large gay community to serve.

However, my mother raised me to believe that Florida was “God’s waiting room,” and Robert and I really did not wish to relocate there.

Before we made any decisions, two men called Robert within ten minutes of each other and both recommended Savannah, Georgia.

As a Yankee, I had no interest in moving below the Mason-Dixon Line and certainly not to Georgia—a curse worse than death.

But as a spiritual man, I saw these two recommendations as the universe sending us a message. We visited Savannah for about four days and were sold. That December, we moved to Savannah lock, stock, and barrel and haven’t looked back.

This city truly is a state of mind, full of beauty, elegance, and grace along with a fantastic gay community.

My growing up was all about men with shirts off and muscular torsos, like Steve Reeves and Tarzan. I found bookstores in downtown Pittsburgh at an early age that sold used and new physique magazines to supply my secret

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4. magazine collection.

My guilt generally lasted less than twentyfour hours.

As a young man and now, I always came across as fairly straight.

When I went to an all male college in Pennsylvania in 1965 and joined the theater group, I met and got close to gay men. The problem was that they were mostly flaming queens. I wasn’t like that, but knew I liked men and the male body. If a very masculine male, such as a football or soccer

player, had come on to me in college, I probably would have come out then. In my senior year I applied to ten business schools for my MBA and one master’s program in theater at Smith College.

I was rejected by all the business schools and accepted to Smith.

But it was 1969, and Vietnam was hot and heavy. The last thing I wanted to do was to be “cannon fodder” for our government, so my stepfather very gracefully got

me into the National Guard, and I then moved to New York City and joined Morgan Guaranty Trust Company.

I didn’t fully come out until I was about forty.

At that point I was a respected husband, father, churchman, and businessman living in Pelham Manor, New York, trying to be a good guy. But once I came out sexually, I returned to my late teens and needed to grow up as a gay man.

I took to male sex like a duck to water.

I would visit the old raunchy Times Square in New York City, get all the male porn I desired, and visit the various theaters and baths. (Today Times Square is pristine and Disneylike.) I would fall for single gay men, but they would push me away because I was married. They did not want to be the cause of a family breakup.

I did not deliberately come out to my former wife, Carol, but I did leave a porn magazine lying around one day, and the “genie was

being nude gives us.

It’s relaxing. When we decided to start working for ourselves, we sat down and thought about our ideal job. Key requirements were being our own boss, control of our daily experience, ability to work from home (preferably nude), and being together as much as possible in the outdoors. We both enjoyed camping, and Neil had some past experience with a campground business.

So we set our goals, worked hard, saved, planned, and made our dream a reality.

After eight years of building and running a successful business, we wanted to downsize, so we sold the business and moved to Tennessee. We had survived a house fire, I had been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, and Neil’s mom, who lived with us, passed away. We were ready for a change.

Our best memories of the business are the connections we made with guys like ourselves from all over the world, with our neighbors, and the closeness that working together allowed our relationship.

5. out of the bottle.” She was very calm and intelligent about it, though she wrestled with my orientation quite a bit. After my coming out, we stayed together for about six years and she permitted me my freedom.

But one evening, while having dinner with my now long-time partner Robert at Café Sha Sha in Greenwich Village, he showed me three incredible co-op apartments, all next to one another in Hudson View Gardens in the

Washington Heights neighborhood. He said, “Wouldn’t it be great if these three apartments were bought by gay men and we could all be neighbors?” I went home to Carol that night and thought about how I would probably never be able to participate in anything like what Robert had proposed.

After I got into bed that night, Carol turned over and said, “You are itching to leave again, aren’t you?” I agreed and she said, “I think it’s time. I think it’s best for

both of us if we part.”

I had been released!

Carol and my two wonderful children are very close to me and Robert today.

Periodically, the straight world communicates that we—gay men—are too sexually focused.

Well, sexuality is the best thing about being gay. To be able to make a sexual connection to another male— whether it is through a relationship, a lover, a casual encounter, or through my massage practice—is extremely

powerful and fulfilling.

Sexuality is something I am gifted with and one of the reasons I am here on this Earth, and I feel no shame in that.

Without sex, being gay is meaningless to me.

I mean, otherwise you are just a eunuch.

5. HARRY & NEIL Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee

My partner Neil and I have been together over seventeen years.

We met at a nightclub.

We bought each other drinks, got to talking,

hit it off, and moved in with one another within days of meeting.

We’ve been together ever since.

I was raised on a cotton farm in rural Mississippi. I worked on the farm from an early age, did well in school, and joined the Navy after college. Neil was raised in the Missouri Ozarks and is a selfproclaimed hillbilly.

Our rural childhoods led us to the nudist lifestyle. We enjoy the outdoors, nature, and the freedom

Tennessee has great natural resources, wildlife, no state income taxes, great housing prices, and our county has the smallest population in the state. We found a rustic rural cabin a few minutes’ walk from the lake, simplified our lives greatly, and left those stresses behind. We have built a life together despite society’s issues. We live our lives as men who love one another and find no shame in that. We’re living a new dream. www.omgmag.com | OMG! 75

FITNESS

By Scott Herman

Shoulder

BOULDER 76 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

FITNESS

Scott Herman’s fitness club, ScottHermanFitness.com, has over 70,000 “Hermanites”, as he affectionately calls them, and adds 1,000 more every week. It’s a free club, with Scott as personal trainer, providing tips and video to help all Hermanites reach their fitness goals.

Here’s his “Shoulder Boulder” routine to build and define your shoulders in four simple exercises. Perform each exercise for 3 sets of 8-10 reps.

exercise 1: Standing Single-Arm Dumbbell Shoulder Press: Stand with your feet a bit wider than shoulder length apart and a slight bend in your knees. Next, pick up the dumbbells and hold them up by your head so that your arms elbows form 90 degree angles. While keeping your head up and core tight, extend one arm to the ceiling.

Once fully extended, lower arm back to 90 degrees and repeat with the other arm. Breathe OUT as you extend your arm.

exercise 2: Single-Arm Dumbbell Lateral Raise:

Stand with your feet a bit wider than shoulder length apart and a slight bend in your knees.

Rest one hand on your hip and hold the dumbbell in the other. As you keep your head up and core tight, proceed to raise the dumbbell away from your body. Stop once your arm is horizontal to the ground. Hold for 2-3 seconds and then bring your arm back down by your side. Breathe out as you raise your arm and complete a full set with one arm before moving to the other one.

exercise 3: Dumbbell Bent-Over Raise:

Stand with your feet a bit wider than shoulder length apart and a slight bend in your knees. While holding the dumbbells bend over so your body is almost horizontal to the ground while maintaining an arched back. Next, as you keep your head up, core tight, and a slight bend on your elbows; begin to raise the dumbbells away from your body. Hold the movement at the top for 2-3 seconds. Breathe out as you raise the dumbbells.

www.omgmag.com | OMG! 77

FITNESS

exercise 4: Dumbbell Front Raise:

Stand with your feet a bit wider than shoulder length apart and a slight bend in your knees. Hold both dumbbells in your hands. Next, keep your head up and your core as tight as you can as you raise one dumbbell, palm facing in, forward and away from your body. Hold your arm in the extended position for 2-3 seconds before lowering it back to your body. Once by your side, repeat with the other arm. Breathe out as you raise your arm.

Scott Herman works out 5-6 days a week, clocking in two hours in the gym each day. He eats every 2-3 hours, maintaining a high carb diet of pasta, bagels, and rice, along with grilled chicken. He dips his bagels in peanut butter for extra protein.

He also utilizes Syntha-6, a protein supplement, and multivitamins for added nutrients.

78 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

POLITICS

By Steven Binko

THE THE RACE TO HATE HATE TO

As the 2012 presidential elections near, the political battlefield is beginning to heat up. With candidates from around the nation "coming out" with their stance on important issues, it should come as no surprise that gay rights have once again entered the spotlight. While "same-sex issues" do not entirely determine my presidential selection, I can't help but feel persuaded by a number of the statements these politicians have made.

The blatant hate and misunderstanding directed towards the Gay, Lesbian and Transgendered community is dumbfounding. One candidate in particular has caught my attention and I feel it incredibly pressing that the LGBT community make itself and allies aware of this horrible woman: Michele Bachmann.

In February of 2008, I had the opportunity to interview Shirley Phelps-Roper of Westboro Baptist Church. Westboro members protest the funerals of fallen soldiers and believe that events such as the September 11th attacks and Hurricane Katrina are Gods punishment for America's tolerance of gay people.

Since that interview, I never imagined a woman like that running for presidency. Surprisingly, I was wrong. Below, you will find a small side-byside condensed comparison of condensed quotes by both Shirley Phelps-Roper and presidential candidate Michele Bachmann.

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Shirley Phelps-Roper 1. "Being gay is not anatomically correct. It's bondage; the bottom wrong of the depravity chain."

2. "Homosexuality is the work of the Devil."

3. "This (homosexuality) is the sin that is at the forefront of the moral crisis in this nation."

4. "Saying "gay" is a way to glorify this sexual dysfunction. They are fags."

5. "The US doesn't just "tolerate" gay people, they're determined to bow down and kiss fag ass. America is a bunch of fag-enablers" 6. "You're paying these priests to rape boys. You're teaching kids that this abomination is normal."

7. "I probably love them (gay people) more than anyone else. I love them enough to tell them that their sin is taking them to hell."

Michele Bachmann 1. "If you're involved in the gay and lesbian lifestyle, it's bondage. It is personal bondage, personal despair and personal enslavement."

2. "It's part of Satan I think to say this is "gay". It's anything but gay" 3. "This is probably the biggest issue that will impact our state and our nation in the last, at least, thirty years.

4. "Don't misunderstand. I am not here bashing people who are homosexuals, who are lesbians, who are bisexual, who are transgender. We need to have profound compassion for people who are dealing with the very real issue of sexual dysfunction in their life and sexual identity disorders."

5. "They aren't just kind of gay-friendly, they are gay advocates..."

6. "Because the immediate consequences, if gay marriage goes through, is that K-12 little children will be forced to learn that homosexuality is normal, natural and perhaps they should try it. That's child abuse" 7. "This is not about hating homosexuals. I don't. I love homosexuals."

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TASTE

By Joey Amato

A Taste of

OPRY LAND

Opry Backstage Grill

For a true culinary adventure, one could either travel the world, or let the world travel to them. The later is what guests will experience when they visit Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland, the largest noncasino hotel in the country. With over 2,800 guest rooms and 20 dining options, Opryland is a one-stop destination for everything from fine dining to a casual burger.

As guests enter the Cascade Lobby, they immediately notice the enormity of the property. A quick glance up and around and one would think they were standing in the center of the hotel, but alas, that is just a small portion of Opryland. The entire resort sprawls over nine acres and is accented by waterfalls, gardens and a maze of indoor waterways.

Earlier this year,

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Opryland opened Jack Daniel’s, a whiskey lounge and southernstyle restaurant reminiscent of the Jack Daniel’s distillery not too far away in Lynchburg, TN. The restaurant features dark woods and its menu contains local favorites including Country Ham Sliders, Fried Delta Catfish and Sweet Tea Pork Chops.

For those craving Mexican, head to Solario, where guests can enjoy homemade guacamole, Chili Relleño, or Iron Seared Tuna served with a fresh mangocucumber salad, chipotle-garlic aioli and red rice. End your meal with one of their scrumptious desserts like Tres Leches or Coconut Flan with caramelized pineapple.

Opryland’s Old Hickory Steakhouse offers fine dining at its best. Situated

in an antebellumstyle mansion, this restaurants has unparalleled atmosphere and food to match.

Begin your meal with either the Fried Oysters Rockefeller, Foie Gras Torchon or a selection of Artisanal Cheeses, handcrafted and prepared tableside by the restaurants Maitre Fromager.

Entrees at Old Hickory range from Pan Seared Diver Scallops, to Bacon Wrapped Ashley Farms Chicken. And don’t forget the DryAged KC Strip steak served with bleu cheese butter.

The more casual diners should journey over to Findley’s Pub, Opryland’s take on a gastropub.

Highlights on this menu include homemade Beef Jerky, Scotch Olives and Butter Chicken Curry. Of course, they also offer traditional Irish favorites such as Fish and Chips in addition to Bangers and mash.

A new addition to

the resort is the Opry Backstage Grill.

Indulge in some Music City favorites including Trace Adkins’ Just Fishin’ Trout, Loretta Lynn’s Country Dumplin’s or the Southern Buttermilk Fried Chicken, served with mashed potatoes and creamed corn.

Solario

Not to be outdone, Ravello is Opryland’s Italian choice and offers some of the best fare I’ve had in Nashville. Great choices abound at Ravello, but try the Sea Scallops and Summer Melon, with fried saffron risotto, crispy prosciutto and white balsamic reduction, or Aqua Pazza, a delicious seafood stew made with lobster, shrimp and mussels served over pasta.

Let’s not forget, this is Nashville, Tennessee, and live music is abundant throughout many of Opryland’s restaurants and bars.

One of the most impressive venues is Fuse, which in the afternoon and early evening doubles as a sports bar with over 100 high-definition televisions. This is the perfect place to enjoy a football game with some friends.

So whether you are visiting, or if you call Nashville home, head to Gaylord Opryland for the feast of a lifetime.

www.omgmag.com | OMG! 83

COOKIT

Chef Mike Trost is a personal chef and food photographer for Ambassador and Mrs. Alan Blinken in New York City. A food artist, he loves to travel and has been to over 45 countries eating his way around the world. Amsterdam and Ibiza are his favorite places to visit. He has lived in Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Sun Valley Idaho and currently resides in New York City. He’s a champion fundraiser, having raised close to a half-million dollars for various LGBT organizations.

You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

Make t hes e at d i s hes ho m e

Roasted Baby Chicken INGREDIENTS: • • • • •

2 4½ lb Chickens 2 Stick’s of salted butter 3 Teaspoons Kitchen Bouguet Browning and Seasoning Sauce 3 Teaspoons Soy Sauce

DIRECTIONS: Mix together butter, browning sauce, and soy sauce. Tie legs together, Rub all over chickens and marinate for 6 hours, lay chickens on rack on sheet pan, then cook at 500 degrees for 1 hour. Baste chicken every 20 minutes for the hour. Cover chicken with aluminum foil if it starts to burn. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving, Serves 6

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INGREDIENTS:

• • • • • • •

12 large red beets 10 oz baby arugula 1 bunch of radishoots 1/3 Cup red wine vinegar 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup pistachios 8 edible flowers

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place all the large beets on a sheet tray and bake for 45 minutes or until a fork slides in and out of the beets easily. Slice the large beets into 1/2-inch thick slices. Place the arugula in a bowl and drizzle in about half of the vinegar and olive oil and season generously with salt. Toss the salad gently to incorporate all of the ingredients. Toss all of the beets together in the salad bowl and add the remaining oil, vinegar and salt, and toss. Arrange the dressed beets on the arugula and top with the pistachios.

Serves 8

Flourless Chocolate Cake INGREDIENTS: • • • • • •

2 Cups semisweet chocolate, chopped 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 3/4 cup sugar 6 eggs ¼ Cup espresso 1 teaspoon vanilla

COOKIT

Roasted Beet Salad on Arugula with Pistachios

CHOCOLATE CURLS INGREDIENTS: • •

1 Cup chocolate chips 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 10-inch springform pan with baking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with a circle of parchment paper. In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the chocolate, butter and espresso, constantly stirring until fully incorporated. Remove from heat and set aside, separate the eggs, place the yokes and sugar in a mixer and whip until pale yellow. Add in the vanilla. By hand, fold the cooled, melted chocolate into the yokes. Whip the whites until stiff, then gently fold them into the mixture.

Pour into the springform pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean .The top will be crust and may split. For the curls of chocolate, combine chocolate and oil, melt and spread evenly in a cook sheet. Put in freezer until chocolate has set. Using a tip of spatula scrape across the sheet. Put curls on top of cake. Serve with Whipped Cream.

WHIPPED CREAM INGREDIENTS: • • •

1 cup whipping cream 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar 1 tablespoon brandy

With a hand-held mixer, beat the cream until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and brandy and beat to combine ingredients.

www.omgmag.com | OMG! 85

SOUND

By Rick Desmond

86 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

MIDNIGHT RED

As the massive popularity of such acts as The Jackson 5, New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys has shown, people can’t resist the simple pleasure of five talented, upbeat guys singing and dancing in unison.

on that legacy by bringing stellar harmonies and electrifying dance moves to the pop landscape. The group recently opened for New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys on their co-headlining tour and released their first digital EP in July.

Midnight Red, a new group of exciting young performers from across the country are carrying

The EP features Midnight Red’s ultracatchy debut single, “One Club At A Time,” plus two remixes, and a cover of NKOTB’s “Step By Step” produced by acclaimed hit-maker RedOne (JLo, U2, Lady Gaga, Pitbull). In addition, “One Club At A Time” was selected as one of three National Dance Day Songs in conjunction with National Dance Day from “So You Think You Can Dance,” which took place across the country on July 30.

Midnight Red consists of Joey Diggs Jr., a Los Angeles native, who said his father, who is best known as the voice behind Coca-Cola’s “Always” campaign jingle, taught

him everything he knows. “I’m ready to show the world what it means to chase a dream and work hard to make that dream become reality,” he said.

Thomas Augusto hails from Arlington, Texas and was called the “little entertainer” by his family as a kid because “my parents could never shut me up,” he laughs. A fan of Beyonce, Radiohead and No Doubt, Thomas has spent years dreaming about being on a huge stage doing what he loves to do. “There were always pyrotechnics in my daydreams,” Thomas stated.

The baby of the group, Anthony Ladao has been singing since the age of 12 and dancing since the age of 6. Seeing Usher perform at the MTV Video Music Awards first sparked his interest in dance and “from there it became my passion.”

through videos he had posted on YouTube. A huge fan of “American Idol,” Colton credits the show for exposing him to many different genres of music. “I lean toward artists who have a passion for pure singing,” he said. “There’s no need for all the smoke and mirrors if you have a great voice.”

Finally, Eric Secharia, a self-described “hipster,” singer, dancer and guitarist cites Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson as his main musical influences. He can even play the ukulele. “Stevie and Michael are two people who truly stood out as performers that mastered their craft and used it to change the world.”

The excitement of Midnight is beginning to build. Be one of the first to discover them by visiting their site: www.midnightred.com.

Colton Rudloff, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., was selected as Midnight Red’s fifth member after being discovered

www.omgmag.com | OMG! 87

FLIK

By Lucas Mariano

The Family Tree

My family tree is not unlike many others.

It certainly has its fair share of crumbling leaves and twisted branches, even broken limbs. With my expertise in family dysfunction I expected “The Family Tree” to be as close a relative to me as any film.

Director Vivi Friedman's first full-length feature opened in select cities on Aug. 26 and has just enough star power to breathe life into an audience. Dermot Mulroney and Hope Davis reunite from “About Schmidt” to play Jack and Bunnie Burnett – a suburban couple in a rotting marital relationship.

The Burnett's twins haven't fallen far from their parent's problems, but they branch out as complete opposites.

with their neighbor Simon (Chi McBride), leads to amnesia.

Spring returns for Bunnie, as she only remembers the pleasant and intimate buds of her and Jack's marriage.

Although the stage is set for high laughs by the storyline's stark contradictions and dramatic irony, Friedman's movie does not take full advantage; it holds back, significantly. The film is almost being cautious of something, maybe going too far.

If only “The Family Tree” let loose, it could have been 95 minutes of slightly less bazaar “It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia” humor.

Rating :

It may be the low-hanging fruit of weekend flicks, but “The Family Tree” will keep you rooted for a night.

OM (2/4)

88 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

Eric (Max Thieriot) is a gun-slinging, Bible-wielding teen, while Kelly's (Brittany Robertson) alternative lifestyle unexpectedly leads her to getting between a scandalous lesbian relationship.

The seasons change for the Burnett's when Bunnie's head injury, which she sustained while cheating on Jack

Nevertheless, comedy does have its moments in the feature.

Mulroney's character spurts a number of caustic one-liners. Jack also has a tendency to make ordinary situations seethingly uncomfortable.

Mulroney pulls off awkward on a Eugene Levy scale.

“The Family Tree” was rather relative to me,

but not how I hoped.

In a way, its themes are like my very big family – too many to fully connect with. The movie touches on, in no particular order, marital and family troubles, religion, race, gun control, sexual orientation, and others. A seasoned auteur would be challenged to flush out all these themes in a lighthearted dark comedy.

Don't send “The Family Tree” to the paper mills just yet. Thieroit, a former Gap model, has the raw acting ability to match his good looks.

It is also worth seeing Christina Hendricks of “Mad Men” play a small role.

Plus, it's always refreshing to see people overcome odds and adversity.

We see characters change for better and worse throughout “The Family Tree,” and we wonder what they've learned. The film gives our dysfunctional families hope that maybe we can learn to stick together like the Burnetts.

Q&A

that I feel gay actors in Hollywood can follow; the oppression and resistance that he faced as a black actor in the 1940's, 50's and 60's is the same kind of thing that we're seeing being pitted against gay actors now.

Explain one challenge that you’ve been faced with and how you overcame it:

James Duke Mason In this edition of Q&A, we get up close and personal with James Duke Mason, a young aspiring actor from West Hollywood, California who at the age of 19 has already been named to The Advocate’s “Forty Under 40” and AfterEllen’s “Hot List.”

The son of 80’s popstar Belinda Carlisle, Mason has dedicated the majority of his teenage life to LGBT advocacy.

Tell me about yourself and your family:

I'm very lucky to have the parents I have and to have the kind of relationship with them that I have; they've always supported me unconditionally, and have always

encouraged me to dream big and pursue whatever it is I've wanted to do in life, regardless of how ambitious or challenging it might be.

What age did you come out?

I came out when I was 14. That June I had watched a gay-themed film on TV called "The Trip" that inspired me to stand up and be proud of who I am.

Before that point I had been scared and afraid, and had planned to stay in the closet, but the movie gave me the courage to believe in myself and helped me feel the confidence and strength I needed to come out to my parents and friends,

90 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

which I did later in October.

Who are some of your biggest influences?

I definitely have a few role models, Harvey Milk and Robert Kennedy among them.

But the one who really stands out for me is Sidney Poitier, who was the first Black American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964. Poitier is, in my view, the original trailblazer; he was the first black movie star, the one who really set the stage for actors like Will Smith, Denzel Washington and Jamie Foxx that we see today.

Although he is not gay, the blueprint he has created is one

When I was 17, I began to feel very disillusioned and frustrated about the state of the LGBT community and the apathy that I saw among gay youth; I didn't know how I was going to help change it, how I was going to help alert my peers to the fact that there is still a huge battle to fight. But in the last couple years I really do feel that I've overcome that and I'm more idealistic and optimistic about the future than ever, and I think that things are moving 100% in our direction.

What is your biggest fear in life?

I've always been afraid of not having a voice; for me, it's very important to feel

that I'm contributing to something bigger and more important than just my own self-interests, and for awhile I didn't know how I could or would be able to do that. It was a very difficult period for me to go through, but soon afterwards I had a reawakening and renewed sense of faith in myself and in my ability to make a change. The fact is that anything is possible if you put your mind to it, and that's how I see this fight for LGBT equality.

Why is it important to you to advocate for LGBT rights?

What's particularly important about the gay movement in Hollywood, I think, is that Hollywood has always been ahead of the curve and a huge influence in the way that the rest of the country sees and feels about certain issues, including gay ones. The more that gay entertainers come out and express themselves in an honest, open way, the more young gay people across America will see that and the more positive role

models they'll have.

What are your plans for the future?

I have several big film projects in the works, some as an actor, some as a producer, and some as both. That's where my main focus is right now, but I've also got some cool speaking engagements lined up for this fall and next year, including a speech at the Florida Together 2011 LGBT Leadership Conference in Miami that I'm very excited about.

What would you say to someone struggling with his or her sexuality?

I would tell them how vital it is to stay idealistic and stay strong, and how important it is to keep the faith and never back down in the face of obstacles. I know from personal experience how tough coming out can be, but I also know how amazing and liberating it feels once you've actually done it.

WHY STEVEN Y

My friend has told me many times that she is gay. She secretly dates girls and hides it from her family and most of our friends.

We discussed having a coming out party and she was excited. Today she decided she doesn’t want to come out. I want her to be happy.

Is she ashamed? How can I help her see that she needs to come out?

Help! -Jen Some people do not enjoy attention; especially fanfare regarding coming out.

There is no written law, paper to file, paid memberships, quotas, or a free toaster ovens for coming out. Although some groups like to think our community is a concocted-pyramidscheme; we are just regular people.

Boring I know.

Frequently, most of us decide when-ready; to leave the proverbial closet door open and slowly allow people to see in. TAH-DAH! Blowing the doors off the hinges is just not her style. (Different) TAH-DAH! Allow your friend to come out how/ when she feels most comfortable.

I have encountered many LGBT people that were prematurely pushed out. The negative effect almost always results in a stressful double-life.

Make this less about your needs and more about her. Remember she is the one coming out.

stion e u Q a e v a h U O Y O D for steven?

Email him at:

asksteven@omgm

ag.com

r@ Steven on Twitte ow ll Fo ?

W NO lp ok!

Need he ike" him on Facebo WhySTEVENy or "L 94 OMG! | volume 3 | issue 8

It is great that you want your friend to start experiencing her life. Her resistance to a party is her requiring more time. Eventually, she will become more comfortable with herself.

She will grow to no longer care what people think. This takes time.

Be there for her. Listen, answer questions, and help her prepare when she is ready. She is lucky

to have such an advocate in her life. Remember, you don’t get a toaster oven for signing her up either.

I am considering coming out to my family during the holidays; when I come home for winter break.

I have been seeing a guy since last semester and have even met his parents. I think I am ready. Is there a better way or time to do this?

Help! –Mason First. I am so proud of you. The decision to come out requires courage and understanding. There is no best time or best day to do it. You know your family. If your family is private; I would NOT recommend doing it while dad is carving the turkey or grandma is serving the warm apple pie. If your family hates surprises; I would NOT barge into your house at 3AM; screaming SURPRISE! I’M GAY! All kidding aside; don’t forget we must consider the feelings of those receiving the information. It is sometimes better to open the discussion by referencing something i.e. news event, famous gay person, etc. Get a feel for the room. If your dad came home from work in a bad mood or your mom is fighting with the neighbors; best to wait a day.

Odds are your parents will see this coming and have been waiting for you. Don’t be scared.

Parents are very intuitive and usually know before their children do. I would explain (without going into great detail) that your boyfriend makes you happy and that you are being safe. Speak confidently and reassure them they did nothing wrong. It will probably feel awkward at first but over time it will get easier.