January Issue: Look-Ahead

BIG FREEDIA

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E-cigarette makers and vape shops are enticing kids with flavors like cotton candy, gummy bear and bubble gum. And nationally, over 3.5 million kids are using these flavored e-cigarettes.

Vape shops and tobacco companies say their products aren’t ending up in kids’ hands, but that’s just not true. Many retailers still sell to minors, and many of them in Denver even illegally sold products during the COVID-19 shutdown violating emergency orders.

Let’s stop pretending vape shops and the industry care about public health or the health of our children. It’s time to stop the sale of flavored tobacco products to protect our kids.

Take action now by visiting FlavorsHookKidsDenver.org to tell your City Council Members to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

Paid for by Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund

Cherry Creek Mortgage Sponsored Content

T

hink about the last time you were doing business with someone and made the conscious choice to switch pronouns while talking just to avoid a

potentially awkward conversation. Or the last time you steeled yourself against an arched eyebrow or an implied question when someone realized you and your partner were going to be sharing a bed, on a date, or making a big financial decision together. Or about the last time you had to weigh the pros and cons of speaking up when you or a loved one were casually misgendered during an otherwiseunremarkable transaction.

I, Hayes Burton, think it's safe to say that, as far as we've come in the world, we've all had that experience of having to defend our families—out loud or in our heads—to someone we don't know.

Families come in many different forms, and when yours decides it's time to make a huge decision like buying a home, it should be a time to celebrate. You should never have to question the level of respect or commitment to your wellbeing or the professionals you choose to involve in such an important process. You deserve to feel seen, heard, and safe.

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I've spent my life surrounded by beautiful families of all kinds, and it's my goal to turn homeownership into a radically inclusive opportunity in our community. I'm happy to be a mortgage resource for you and anyone you love. Together, let's find every family a path to their perfect home.

Cherry Creek Mortgage Co., Inc. NMLS #3001. This material is informational only and not an advertisement to extend credit as defined by TILA/ Regulation Z nor an application for credit as defined by RESPA/Regulation X. All applications are subject to underwriting approval and determining applicant’s ability to repay. Not all applicants are eligible for or qualify for all loan products offered. All loan programs, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Rates and terms are valid as of the date of printing/ distribution [01-2021]. outfrontmagazine.com 5

CONTENTS VOLUME 44 NUMBER 19 JANUARY 2021

08 10 16 18 25 28 34 42 46 54 56 61 64

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

OFM BREAKING

LISA FRANK 666// photo by Julius Garrido

COVID Vaccine Presidential Report

6 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

OFM HEALTH

New Year, Same You

OFM GALLERY Photos by Julius Garrido

OFM ART

Jason Lazarus

BOUNCE INTO THE NEW YEAR WITH BIG FREEDIA OFM DRAG

Coco Peru Evelyn Evermoore

OFM MUSIC

Lady Gang

OFM STYLE Randy Fenoli

OFM DINING

The Rio Grande

OFM THOUGHTS

A Queer in Recovery American Queer Life

OFM CANNABIS OFM LIT

Unrealized Bisexuality

SERVING THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS SINCE 1976 PHONE 303-477-4000 FAX 303-325-2642 WEB /OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM FACEBOOK /OUTFRONTCOLORADO TWITTER /OUTFRONTMAGAZNE INSTAGRAM /OUTFRONTMAGAZINE

FOUNDER

PHIL PRICE 1954-1993 ADMINISTRATION INFO@OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM CO-PUBLISHER MAGGIE PHILLIPS CO-PUBLISHER ADDISON HERRON-WHEELER PRESIDENT JERRY CUNNINGHAM CHIEF STRATEGIST JEFF JACKSON SWAIM EDITORIAL EDITORIAL@OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ADDISON HERRON-WHEELER CREATIVE DIRECTOR VERONICA L. HOLYFIELD COPY EDITOR KEEGAN WILLIAMS CELEBRITY INTERVIEWER DENNY PATTERSON BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, PODCAST EDITOR RAY MANZARI WRITERS ANGEL RIVERA, ASH TREGO, RICK KITZMAN ART ART@OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM GRAPHIC DESIGNERS DESIGN2PRO AND

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OFM IS PUBLISHED BY Q PUBLISHING, LTD., A COLORADO CORPORATION AND IS A MEMBER OF: THE NATIONAL EQUALITY PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION AND COLORADO LGBTQ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

outfrontmagazine.com 7

From the Editor

8 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

Y

ou may have noticed some MAJOR changes to our magazine as of this month, and we couldn't be more excited for our new look.

Like all great makeovers, it was a long time coming with a lot of discussions, but at the end of the day, you just have to take the plunge into the new and unexplored. OUT FRONT, or OFM, is now a monthly, true-bound, hard-cover magazine. Our website also has a bold, new look, and you can expect some exciting things rolling out with our merch, podcast, and other new features.

I know a lot of us are hoping to reinvent ourselves in 2021, but make no mistake, we are keeping the past in firm view. Although we have new ownership, a new office, a new website, and a new mag format, a few things will stay the same. We will always be a voice to the queer community, and although our 2021 slogan is #StrongerThanEver, we will always believe that every person and culture is a vibrant contribution to the fabric of humanity.

So, with that in mind, check out this special new issue, and get excited for what’s to come in 2021. We have a lot of healing to do, but we’re humanity, and we’re wonderful.

This year, anything is possible.

-Addison Herron-Wheeler

outfrontmagazine.com 9

OFM breaking

A

COVID VACCINE

IS ON THE

HORIZON

by Ray Manzari

A

s 2020 comes to a close, we are brought hopeful news of two highly effective COVID vaccines.

With the FDA approving Pfizer’s vaccine for emergency use in October, and authorization of Moderna’s gaining approval by the end of the year, officials are saying we could see a return to normalcy by next June. Both vaccines require two doses administered 21 days apart. Clinical trials held that both vaccines were operating at a 95 percent efficiency rate, yet not all Americans felt the same boost of confidence from this report.

Most polls show that anywhere from 50 to 70 percent of Americans are willing to get vaccinated, which is not as high as health officials would like to see for a vaccine to fully eradicate the virus. Polls are showing 1 0 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

that skepticism is even higher among racial and ethnic minorities, as those groups have been hit especially hard by the disease.

However, a diverse group of people participated in every phase of the clinical trials of the vaccine, including populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. In Pfizer’s clinical trials, about 42 percent of volunteers identified as Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, or Native American.

About 37 percent of volunteers for Moderna’s trials identified as Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/ Latino/a, or other.

In November, officials ruled that distribution would be carried out by the states; however, both the FDA and CDC have issued guidelines for doing so. Officials

Weathering hardships and challenges, we made it, a new year.

Make the commitment to take time for you in 2021.

recommend that healthcare professionals who work with COVID patients be the first to get the vaccination.

Beyond that, other front-line workers, such as nursing home employees and those who are at high risk, such as people over 65, will also receive the vaccine. As there has not been sufficient testing done on vaccinating children, only people 18 years and older will be eligible to receive vaccines.

Colorado is adopting a phase-in approach to vaccinating its residents, much like the guidelines set by health officials. Phase one will include healthcare workers, hospice workers, fire fighters, EMTs, police officers, correction officers, and COVID response personnel. Phase two, which is likely to start in the spring of 2021, includes people who are 65 or older, people with conditions which leave them immunocompromised, people who interact directly with the public during work, or people who work in high-density settings. Phase three, which it set to start in the summer, includes the general public.

Pfizer vaccines began distribution on December 14, and as states and cities prepared for the incoming shipments, many released statements regarding distribution plans.

Denver’s website assures that anyone who receives the first dose of the vaccine will be able to get the second within the 21-day period. Denver will be vaccinating its residents for free; however, pharmacists or providers may ask for insurance so that they can bill for the vaccine administration fee.

When you need help, we’re here, providing a safe space and outstanding staff, who care about your mental health wellness.

Call us today

Denver officials warn that although the end is in sight, now is not the time to become complacent.

“Until the vaccine is widely available, we all need to continue following critical public health protocols. Wear a mask in public; maintain at least six feet of distance from others; avoid gatherings; wash your hands often, and stay home when you are sick,” reads the Denver COVID information website.

303.617.2300 aumhc.org outfrontmagazine.com 11

OFM breaking

PRESIDENTIAL REPORT:

BIDEN'S WIN AND A TUMULTUOUS TRANSITION TO POWER

by Ray Manzari

O

n November 7, four days after the election, the Associated Press declared former Vice President Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 election and the 46th president of the United States.

People around the country, including hundreds in the deeply blue city of Denver, poured into the streets to celebrate the victory. However, months later, the incumbent Trump administration, as well as select republicans, continue to fight election results.

The counting of ballots lasted a nail-biting four days, with some states being barred from opening mail-in ballots until election day. A recordbreaking 66.8 percent of the 239.2 million eligible American voters turned out for an incredibly close race, making this the highest voter turnout since 1900.

1 2 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

Key battleground states such as Arizona (D), Florida (R), Georgia (D), and Michigan (D) were hard-won by small margins. Voters and analysts kept a close eye on Nevada and Pennsylvania, both of which Biden took with just over 50 percent of the vote, coming mostly from the metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and Las Vegas. Biden took Colorado with just over 400,000 votes, with counties like Denver and Pueblo remaining blue despite the surrounding sea of red.

The election results depict a country deeply divided, an issue Presidentelect Biden addressed in a speech given after his election was called. “Today, once again, we are a house divided, but that, my friend, can no longer be. We are facing too many crises. We have too much work to do. We have too bright a future to leave it shipwrecked on the shoals of anger and hate and division.�

In the weeks and months that followed, President Trump continued his legal battle against the results while refusing to concede. While there is no legal obligation for an incumbent president to formally concede, the tension between the two parties began to cast doubts on whether we’d see the same smooth transition to power we’ve become accustomed to.

Would like you to join us!

The people in charge of that transition to power make up Biden’s appropriately named Transition Team, whose diversity made headlines with LGBTQ members such as Shawn Skelly, Chai Feldblum, Pamela Karlan, and Dave Noble. In addition to his transition team, Biden has begun assembling the members of his cabinet. The following is a list of those he has named thus far: Biden has also named some of his cabinet-level staff members such as Ron Klain, who will be acting White House chief of staff, or John

Vice President Kamala Harris

Secretary of State Antony Blinken Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsak

Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra

Build a fabulous career in the culinary arts!

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona

Kerry, who has been named U.S. special presidential envoy for climate.

President-elect Biden will continue to name mebers throughout the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the incumbent President Trump has continued to fight election results through every exhaustible legal method. Yet on Friday, December 11, the Supreme Court ruled against a bid from the Texas attorney general to block the ballots of millions of voters in battleground states that went in favor of President-elect Joe Biden.

The court's order, issued with no public dissents to dismiss the challenge, is the strongest indication yet that Trump has no chance of overturning election results in court, and that even the justices whom he placed there have no interest in allowing his desperate, legal bids to continue.

The Electoral College convened on December 14 to affirm Biden's win.

Join us for an exclusive Facebook Live event @outfrontcolorado on Jan 4 from 2 p.m - 4 p.m.

Stay tuned for Feb's Facebook live event!

Scan the QR-Code and start your journey to enter the Culinary world For more info visit: EmilyGri th.edu or go to @outfrontcolorado on Facebook.

Questions? Contact: Blake Stine or Ciara Martinez at:

blake.stine@emilygri th.edu / 720-607-2190 ciara.martinez@emilygri th.edu / 303-579-5102 outfrontmagazine.com 13

OFM breaking

PRIDEFEST CHANGES DATES

by Ray Manzari

THE OFM PODCAST

by Ray Manzari

We’re looking to 2021 as a not only a new year, but a new chance to excel at bringing you the latest news within the LGBTQ community.

One of the ways we plan on doing this is with the relaunch of our podcast, formally called The OUT ‘Cast. With a new name, and COVID-safe recording practices, we’re excited to bring The OFM Podcast to new heights.

Our main mission for this podcast is to amplify queer voices within our community.

Each episode, we invite a guest to tell their story, talk about their art, and have their voice heard by a larger audience. First and foremost, we want to give the opportunity to be heard to those who often don’t have it.

1 4 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

We continuously look for new ways of reaching a wider audience, and the ever-growing medium of podcasting was a perfect fit. This free, widely available media source has the potential to reach listeners not just in the Denver metro area, but around the world.

Each episode of The OFM Podcast can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite pod catcher.

If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on one of our upcoming episodes, or would like to become a sponsor, please email us at outfrontpodcast@gmail.com.

D

enver PrideFest is shifting to the fourth weekend of June in 2021—a move that will help PrideFest avoid conflicting with other large, cultural celebrations, including Denver’s Juneteenth Music Festival. The 2021 Denver PrideFest will now take place June 26 through 27, 2021.

Officials at The Center are working with Juneteenth organizers to help expand the annual celebration, which commemorates the official end of slavery in the United States in 1865. Eventually, the two organizations would like to have a presence at the other’s event, to broaden their appeal and potential audience.

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While this year’s PrideFest celebration was held virtually, The Center’s goal is to host an in-person event in 2021. The Center will continue to monitor coronavirus-related restrictions and encourage the public to do its part to stop the pandemic’s spread.

Read the full story at outfrontmagazine.com.

QUALITY VS. QUANTITY S h ort l i ne s , As k Q ue s t i o ns, G et Up -C l o se .

E x ce l l e n t cu st om e r s e rv i c e i s w ha t se pa ra t e s P ea k f rom e v e ry ot he r r e cr e at i ona l d i spe nsa ry i n D en ve r .

O ur w a r m a t m osph e re , sh ort -l i ne s, a n d hi g hl y t ra i n e d bu dt e n de rs cr ea t es a on e of -a - k i nd, pe r sona l i ze d e xpe r i e n ce.

outfrontma ga zine.com 15

OFM health

NEW YEAR, SAME YOU – AND THAT’S OK

by Zachari Breeding, MS, RDN, CSO, LDN, FAND

W

e have heard it before, “New Year, new you!”

Even as a nutrition professional, I have been guilty of saying that in the past. It has always been thought that with a new year, we are given a fresh opportunity to make any changes we want to see in our lives. That’s fine and dandy in theory, but no one has to make any changes if they don’t need or want to. And that’s important … especially when it comes to the idea that we need to lose weight at the beginning of every year.

The unnecessary pressure that we place on ourselves to make “changes” every new year can actually cause undue stress on our minds and our bodies. This stress means we usually don’t stick to the changes we are so adamant about implementing on January 1 for very long. Fluctuating our body weight significantly—that is, losing weight and then gaining it back time and time again, is actually worse for our bodies than maintaining a little extra weight all of the time. We also shame ourselves for not sticking to the unrealistic regimen we set for ourselves, which can lead to depression and demotivation.

Getting back to your normal eating patterns after the holiday season (of eating) is likely a more attainable goal than changing your entire diet drastically overnight. Regardless of your body weight, choosing more nutrient-dense foods (such as fruits and vegetables) and exercising regularly in your own way is always a goal worth reaching for, in your own time. With nutrition, one thing is definitely tried and true—slow and steady results in longer and more significant outcomes than hurrying to get to the finish line.

With the year that 2020 brought us, many of us have experienced unimaginable levels of stress and depression. It’s important to recognize how those feelings can impact our lifestyle choices and not place blame on ourselves for coping any way we choose to. Forgiveness is key—so that when you are ready, you can move on to accomplishing whatever lifestyle goals you may have. Knowing things

1 6 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

OFM health

are unlikely to radically change until well into 2021, keep this in mind as our society and the media tell us differently. The new year will bring large, advertising campaigns for gyms and diet programs; these have historically been a source of self-sabotage and shame for most people. Don’t fall victim to these ploys.

Remember that the most important aspect of beauty and health is mental and emotional wellness. Without those core foundations, the changes we want to make for ourselves will never come to fruition.

Adopting a different lifestyle than we’re used to is already a lot of work. There is no need to put extra pressure on ourselves to accomplish our goals just because the year changed. The only construct you need to live by is one of your own rules, where you reach your personal goals slowly over time and limit the expectations set on yourself by media and society. Pick one or two things you want to reach, and set a realistic time span. Set small goals to get there. Each small goal reached will feel like a success, which will motivate you to keep going. Whether your goal is to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables every day or simply go for a walk after dinner several nights per week, your goal is yours to own.

Remember that as we venture into 2021—you don’t need to become a new you to be happy or successful. You are beautiful and fabulous just the way you are!

outfrontmagazine.com 17

OFM gallery

Bubble Yum photos by Julius Garrido

1 8 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

666

Harlequin Cheshire Glamour

outfrontma ga zine.com 19

OFM gallery

Lisa Frank

W

OFM gallery

hat can we expect from 2021 lwwks? Definitely '90s, Barbie, alt, reclaimed weirdness, and we're here for it. I personally ran out to Claire's right after seeing these pics and stocked up on accessories..

But there's a deeper meaning behind these photos, one that may not be immediately clear under the bubblegum pink smiles. Yet it's a theme that's all-too-familiar to many of us.

2 0 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

OFM gallery

"The concept is looking proud and beautiful and accepting one’s self in redemption after being rejected," says photographer Julius Garrido. "And it’s rejection in any form— whether it’s a job, family, friends, or a special someone." outfrontmagazine.com 21

OFM gallery

While model Harlequin Cheshire Glamour lives in St. Louis, Missouri and is a part of the House of Glamour, she's also a sibbling of the House of 666, model Lisa Frank 666's drag house. The distanced shoot brought the models closer through collaboration.

"The Kawaii and anime scenes are very welcoming to all kinds of people," Lisa says.

We can't wait to see more from these gorgeous performers, and from Garrido, in the coming year.

2 2 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

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thejoint.com *Offer valued at $39. Restrictions apply, see clinic for details. Initial visit includes consultation, exam and adjustment. NC: IF YOU DECIDE TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL TREATMENT, YOU HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO CHANGE YOUR MIND WITHIN THREE DAYS AND RECEIVE A REFUND. (N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-154.1). FL: THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT OR BE REIMBURSED FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED OR REDUCED FEE SERVICES, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT. (FLA. STAT. 456.02). Subject to additional state statutes and regulations. See clinic for chiropractor(s)’ name and license info. Clinics managed and/or owned by franchisee or Prof. Corps. Restrictions may apply to Medicare eligible patients. Individual results may vary. © 2020 The Joint Corp. All Rights Reserved.

Wings Over the Rockies

The foundation has already awarded dozens of flight training scholarships and grants to Colorado students, providing them with the necessary support to achieve their dreams in aviation.

Sponsored Content

W

ings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum (Wings) is located on the former grounds of Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. Tucked away in the historic Lowry neighborhood and housed in Hangar No. 1, the museum preserves the history of Lowry Air Force Base's operations from 1938 to 1994 in its collections, archives, and research library. As Colorado’s Official Air & Space Museum, Wings is dedicated to educating and inspiring visitors about aviation and space endeavors of the past, present, and future.

The museum features dozens of aircraft, space vehicles, and interactive exhibits.

The collection includes an Apollo boilerplate capsule, a rare B-18A Bolo–one of only five remaining WWII-era bombers, five Century-Series fighters, a Star Wars™ X-Wing Starfighter, and one of only two B-1A Lancers.

While remembering and preserving the past is important to Wings, the museum is also looking to the future to inspire the next generation of aerospace leaders.

Their enrichment program, Wings Aerospace Pathways (WAP), prepares that next generation through hands-on, experiential learning. Students in grades 6 through 12 build an RV-12 aircraft, 3D print, fly RC aircraft and drones, and much more.

Just last year, Wings joined forces with the Jeppesen Aviation Foundation to create the Wings Over the Rockies Captain Jeppesen Foundation, a new 501(c)(3) organization.

2 4 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

As one of the most significant, educational outreach initiatives ever undertaken, Wings Over the Rockies’ Teacher Flight Program provides a free flight experience to one teacher in every school along Colorado’s front range, so they can inspire the next generation of aviation and space professionals in their own classroom. With over 250 educators flying since 2017, the connectivity between flight and a growing population of students is becoming ever-more powerful.

These educator flights take off from Centennial Airport in Englewood, where Wings Over the Rockies’ newest campus, Exploration of Flight, houses future-focused aviation and space centers designed to educate, entertain, and provide visitors with unique experiences and exhibits. The Boeing Blue Sky Aviation Gallery at the Exploration of Flight campus is a dynamic, flight-focused exploration center that offers visitors interactive flight related experiences and gives visitors a chance to participate in flight and flight-related activities.

For m o re information go to wingsmuseum.org.

and

to

plan

your

visit,

Courtesy of Jason Lazarus

J

ason Lazarus is a mixed-media artist from Shreveport, Louisiana. Looking for new opportunities, he recently moved to Colorado Springs.

Dabbling in painting, writing, and fashion, Lazarus can do it all. However, he is not your typical, run-ofthe-mill artist. Lazarus loves to take the ideas of drag, body horror, BDSM, and Satanism and incorporate these themes and elements into his work. No matter how morbid, uncanny, or grotesque the subject may be, Lazarus can show its glamorous side.

OFM had the opportunity to chat more with Lazarus about his artwork, why he gravitates toward the alternative and surrealism, and his love for true crime. He runs a Facebook page to help missing and unidentified, LGBTQ people.

Can you begin by telling us how you discovered your passion for art?

For sure. My grandma was a realism painter in her youth and heavily encouraged me from childhood. It is what I have always naturally gravitated to, especially watercolors. I am from Shreveport, LA, and when I moved to Baton Rouge a few years back, that is where I

OFM art

ALTERNATIVE, QUEER, AND SURREAL

Jason Lazarus

by Denny Patterson

started doing it professionally. I have done art markets, galleries, and I also design logos and stuff.

I am kind of all over the place. I pretty much paint on anything anyone will give me. I did a huge, Black Lives Matter mural in Baton Rouge before moving here, and that was a lot of fun. Also, many moons ago back in high school and college, I wrote for a couple alternative fashion, gothic-type magazines. So, I have a little bit of experience with that, too. I like doing anything artistic.

Your art is a mix of dark, goth, and horror, but still super queer. What drew you to this aesthetic?

When I saw the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus live for my 11th birthday, and I had just learned about Miley’s breakup with Nick Jonas. I was so hurt! Just kidding [laughs]. It really kicked off in high school when I found out about bands like Depeche Mode, Alien Sex Fiend, Dead or Alive, and Jayne County, and that began to shift my world into queer mischievousness. I also grew up in love with horror movies like Return of the Living Dead and Ginger Snaps, and outrageous drag performers.

I love Dragula, and I wish there were more of that underground, disgusting, filthy art form. I love all of it. I was not until after college, that I started bringing all these influences together into my artwork. I think outfrontmagazine.com 25

OFM art

Images courtesy of Jason Lazarus

someone once described it as, alternative, queer surrealism, and I kind of clinged onto that because I am influenced by surrealism and abstract. I also love taking influence from drag queens and trans people and making it horror and glam.

What made you move out here to Colorado Springs?

I always wanted to try out Colorado and go more southwest. I have never really traveled out this far before. I have only ever really been to like, Texas, and maybe Florida once or twice. Coming out here was out of my comfort zone, but we just wanted to be more like nature people. It is so much more gorgeous out here. In Louisiana, everything kind of looks the same.

We have a beautiful view of the mountains from our 2 6 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

apartment, and that trips me up every time I see that.

It is just gorgeous out here, and people seem more chill.

I see more alternative types, like myself, so it has been more comforting.

What would you like to bring to the Colorado art scene?

I really enjoyed doing the mural work before I moved, so I would like to do more community, artistic stuff. I wanted to get more involved with this community since I was so involved with Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

I also kind of want to get back into writing for things.

I don’t know; I want to do it all. As long as I am creating something with people like me, whether it is designing, makeup, community outreach, I love it. I want to meet more people.

Have you had a chance to connect with the Colorado art scene since moving out here?

I have met a few incredible artists and creators online in local groups. I know it is only a taste of what Colorado has to offer.

What do you hope people take away from your art?

That we are all dying! And life should be Satanic and glamourous.

You also do volunteer work and run a Facebook page for missing and unidentified people. How did you get into that?

I went to college for medical, legal, death investigation because I wanted to get into forensics. As I went along with that, I realized how involved you have to be with law enforcement, and that could be a doozy. The more I went along with that, I really wanted to dive more in the artistic aspect, like forensic and crime scene sketches.

I liked doing that, and when I started, I came across unidentified people.

I love the Boulet Brothers, Divine; I am a sucker for John Waters. There are some alternative artists I like such as Fecal Matter, Parma Ham, and Jazmin Bean.

What more would you like to accomplish with your platform as an artist?

I want to continue using my skills for community work and encourage other Black, queer artists.

Making short horror movies and creating an angry, synth-punk band are my next goals. I feel like I have a whole world undulating inside of me that is oozing at this point. I also want to get more into fashion.

Right now, I do T-shirts and handbags, but eventually, I want to get more involved with sewing and adding modifications. I love to handpaint shirts, but screen-printing ones with my work on them, I feel that would be killer. I want to hop on that more. I want to make harnesses and gay, cowboy-inspired outfits. Spikes and leather everywhere.

As a person of color in the alt scene, what are some of the challenges you have faced?

Tons of other alternative kids loved to give me skin-bleaching advice to “further” my appearance. Lots of people accused me of “acting white” and would try cutting my hair off. I grew up in Louisiana, so you can get a whiff of how enthralling that was.

To stay up-to-date with Lazarus, follow him on Facebook and Instagram @dungeoncowboy and TikTok @riselazarusrise. Make sure to check out his official website, dungeoncowboy.squarespace.com, and his Facebook page, Missing and Unidentified LGBT Individuals.

It’s our differences that make us great.

Susan Boynton, Agent 9200 W Cross Dr Ste 122 Littleton, CO 80123 Bus: 303-948-2905 susan.boynton.lcfc@statefarm.com

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Here to help life go right.

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outfrontmagazine.com 27

OFM art

For some reason, those are my favorite types of cases.

I am just very drawn to it. The fact that you could have a full life and do all these things, but when you die, no one knows who you are, and nothing will come up. It is very depressing and haunting. I think everyone should die with their name, even if they were a shitty person. I do it for the family and friends because there is always someone looking for them.

I sort of dived into that, then I realized that there are so many trans and gendernonconforming people that died, and no one gives them any attention. They think that this was just a cross-dresser, and they had it coming. That is when I decided that there really are not enough people who take enough time out of their day to help with these cases, and that is when I started researching about it and participating in forums.

From there on, I started writing about cases and posting about them wherever I felt they were needed. Regardless of their lifestyle, we all have a name and identity. Everyone should know who you are when you die.

And these are real cases you are writing about?

They are all active cases. I comb through a bunch of news articles and forums to gather the information.

Sometimes, people will message me directly and ask if I could write something or pass a case along to get it circulating. When you notice how many Black/Brown/ queer bodies are missing or unidentified and piling up, you cannot help but start writing and talking about it.

If at least one person sees their name and reads about their circumstances, it keeps their names alive longer, and they cannot truly fade away. I write about any LGBTQ-potential/LGBTQ person I come across, but I like to put my focus on Black/Native American, trans, missing and unidentified people.

I can see how dealing with something dark like this can influence your art. It is an outlet to get all that negativity out.

Yes, it is great. That is why I love painting weird and fucked-up things. It is a lot of fun, and I have always been drawn to it. It comes natural to me.

Who are some of your biggest influences when it comes to artists, drag performers, and musicians?

Bounce into the New Year with

Big Freedia

by Denny Patterson

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Images courtesy of Big Freedia

A

lthough 2020 was an absolute train-wreck for the entertainment industry, artists and celebrities embraced the year’s challenges the best they could. Big Freedia took this time to channel her inner creativity and focus on hot-button issues.

An irrepressible force behind bounce rap music going mainstream, Freedia has been a trailblazing, LGBTQ figure in the industry since she roared onto the scene with her first LP, Queen Diva, back in 2003. Collaborating with iconic music stars like Beyonce, Lizzo, and Drake, not only does she like to get the party started, but her projects come with a message that immediately captures our attention.

An outspoken voice for LGBTQ and Black Lives Matter activism, Freedia is a vibrant and full-of-life figure who has overcome several odds throughout life. From growing up as an overweight, gay, choir boy in one of the worst neighborhoods in New Orleans, to surviving Hurricane Katrina, to flourishing in the underground bounce music scene, her signature creativity and resilience continue to set her apart. outfrontmagazine.com 29

In addition to a new EP and Christmas album, Freedia also released a new documentary last year titled Freedia Got A Gun, which focuses on her New Orleans upbringing and gun violence. Her memoir, Big Freedia: God Save the Queen Diva!, was re-released in paperback; she has been killing it with her YouTube cooking series, and we can see her at the virtual Creating Change Conference scheduled for January 28 to 31.

Constantly on the go, Freedia was able to take some time to catch up with OFM and talk about her projects and how she hopes her voice continues to inspire hope and change.

Hi, Big Freedia! Thank you for taking some time to chat with me, and happy new year!

Any resolutions?

Just to have a better year!

I think we can all agree that 2020 was an absolute shit-show. What were some of the biggest challenges you've faced?

I lost a cousin right before COVID hit hard, and I had COVID myself. It was tough. It had to try and figure out different things for me and my team.

We needed to survive through this pandemic. It was very tough for me, and I tried to focus on restructuring my life and rebranding myself. It was hard.

On the other hand, what was something positive that happened in 2020 that you are thankful for?

I am still here and still alive. That is most important.

I am still able to make things happen, and I am just grateful to be here.

You are known as the Queen of Bounce. For those who are unfamiliar, how would you describe bounce music, and how does it differ from other kinds of hip-hop?

Bounce music is up-tempo, heavy bass, call-andresponse type music. It is New Orleans-based, and it is a subgenre of hip-hop. It is party music and has to do a lot with ass shaking. When you put on a bounce song, you definitely get the party twerking. It has been around in New Orleans for so many years, and now you can see that it is happening all over the world.

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How did you get your start in music, and has this always been your passion?

I started in gospel music when I was a kid. I sang in choirs for many years; I was a choir director for my church and high school, and I had my own choir. So, I have been musically inclined since I was a little kid. When I started with bounce music, I started backgrounding for Katey Red in 1998 and helping her with some of her projects. Around 2000, I came out with my own solo project, and things just started to take off from there.

You have worked and collaborated with the likes of Beyonce, Lizzo, Drake, and Kesha. What do you take away from these experiences?

The most important thing is just to be grateful, gracious, and humble throughout all the experiences of collaboration that I have had, and just be appreciative to even be able to collaborate with all these different artists. I have worked with some very amazing artists thus far, and I hope to continue to work with some more great artists.

I am grateful for the relationship and the bonds that we have.

One of your biggest projects from last year was releasing your documentary, Freedia Got a Gun. The film focuses on your New Orleans upbringing and the issues of gun violence. How has the film been received, and why did you want to do it?

Everybody loved the film. The film is very deep and informative on a lot of things going on in New Orleans that people do not see. Gun violence is a big epidemic for the city of New Orleans, and the kids of New Orleans, especially Black, young men. It is important to get the message out there that these kids need help. Not just on a local level, but on a national level. We need our government officials to step in and help with some of these situations because some of the things that are happening now were happening when I was kid.

It is worse now.

I want to see these children have a future and be able to be kids. Enjoy their lives like they should when they are kids. It was very tough to do this film because I had to revisit losing my brother, my

mom, who I lost in 2014, was a part of the film, and my cousin was done wrong by the criminal justice system here in New Orleans. So, the film is very deep, and I am grateful to be able to do it. It was definitely one of the roughest projects I have ever done thus far in my career.

I saw that you talked about losing many people to gun violence, including your brother. Why do you think gun violence is still such a big issue? What more needs to be done?

We really don’t need guns. If there were no guns for people to have, I do not think it would be such a big issue. I only think the military needs guns in order to

fight when we go to war. Otherwise, we need to put stronger gun laws in place.

Can you tell us how the film also brought some light to the Black Lives Matter movement?

It was perfect timing because the film was shot a while ago, six months after my brother was killed. It just so happened that the production and timing came out right around when the Black Live Matter movement was happening. All of that was God’s timing. We did not know when the film would be finished. It all worked out so perfectly, and it could not have been a better time for the film to come out. outfrontmagazine.com 31

Trans women of color have specifically been targets of violent crimes. Do you think someone as mainstream as Elliot Page transitioning will have an impact for trans people?

I think each and every day, we are getting a step further.

You will still have ignorant people in the world no matter how far we go with the LGBTQ community.

There are just some people that will not get it. There are some people who will still not like our family.

I think things will continue to get better, and things will continue to get lighter, but we must continue to make people aware and bring awareness to what is going on in the LGBTQ community, especially with trans women.

We have to put laws in place to protect these trans girls and other people of the LGBTQ family.

I was very excited to learn that you will be involved with the virtual Creating Change Conference at the end of January. What are you looking forward to the most about that?

Just being able to have the platform to talk, and hopefully somebody will get the message of what needs to be changed and what needs to be done.

Just talking on the panel, and hopefully, there are some listeners out there that this can affect. Hopefully, this will help them in their everyday life.

What kind of change do you hope you are making?

I definitely hope that I am continuing to bring love and light to the world. I want people to know that there is hope and that they can dream big. Each day that I wake up and live my life, I hope my light is shining and giving people inspiration.

I see you have also been busy in the kitchen with your YouTube series, Big Freedia’s Garden Cookout.

What can audiences expect in future episodes?

They can expect to keep on learning how to cook, for sure. I want to keep coming up with creative, fun things that you can do in the kitchen. It’s all about enjoying what you like to cook and enjoying what you like to eat and the nourishment that goes into your body. I want to continue to give people fun stuff that I like to eat, what I like to do, and how I like to cook. Hopefully, they will learn something from it and take away something from it and can create their own meals.

Also, congrats on the recent paperback release of your memoir, Big Freedia: God Save the Queen

Diva! Why should one read your book, and what do you hope they take away from it?

First and foremost, the book is very inspirational. It tells my story from when I was a kid to roughly about 2014 through 2015. I am excited about the book being rereleased because the book has helped so many people.

Whether it was a young, gay boy still trying to find his way or a mom who is still struggling with accepting the fact that her child is gay. I talk about the music side of things, my background in church and how I grew up there, and the balance going from gospel to bounce music. I talk about all the different transitions in my life, as well as about the people that I lost and gained.

The book is definitely inspirational. It is a great story, and I think people will enjoy it. It will take you on an emotional roller coaster of my journey, and you will get to know me a little bit deeper.

You founded a charity called Bounce UP in 2019 that supports local programs to help improve the well-being of children in New Orleans. How has that been going?

It has been going very well. We have still been working with No Kid Hungry and some of the other organizations here in New Orleans and helping them throughout their everyday hustle to do different things for the community. Bounce UP is definitely going to keep on making things bounce up in any direction that we can. We are going to keep creating change, creating opportunities, and supporting the less fortunate that need help.

What more do you hope to accomplish with your platform?

I just want to continue to grow, create change, make people happy, spread love and light into the world, and put out great music.

Before we wrap up, are there any other, upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for?

My new Christmas album dropped on December 11, and it is so different from my previous music. I came so hard. It is a whole new Freedia album, and I am excited about it because it gave me an opportunity to keep on show my skills and what I want to do with my career.

It is a fun time!

Follow Big Freedia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to stay up-to-date with the latest news and projects, or visit her official website, bigfreedia.com.

I hope my light is shining and giving people inspiration.

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Images by Peter Palladino

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OFM drag

OFM drag

The Hostess with

SOMETHING EXTRA

Miss Coco Peru

by Denny Patterson

F

or over 25 years, Miss Coco Peru has been a household name within the LGBTQ community.

Starting in the early 90s as a downtown favorite in the cabaret scene of New York City after writing, producing, directing, and starring in her first show, Miss Coco Peru in My Goddamn Cabaret, she has since enjoyed an expansive career ranging intimate stage productions to appearing on film and television.

Coco has received worldwide acclaim for her work and has become a viral sensation on media platforms like Instagram and YouTube. She is also known for her long history of passionate activism, support for the LGBTQ community, and fierce dedication to AIDSrelated charities and organizations.

OFM had the opportunity to chat one-on-one with Coco and talk about how she has been holding up during quarantine, her hit show Conversations with Coco, appearing in trailblazing TV shows like Will & Grace, and how drag has become a celebrated art. outfrontmagazine.com 35

OFM drag

Hi, Coco! Thank you for taking some time to chat with me.

How have you been holding up during this pandemic?

I have been doing okay. I think it has been a roller coaster for everybody. So surreal!

While in quarantine you were posting these “Coco Thoughts While in Solitude” videos on your YouTube channel. Was that a therapeutic way to help you cope with the insanity?

Yes. It has been a real experiment for me. Of course, I am not dressing up in drag every day; it just takes so much work. Then I had a medical issue, pre-cancer on my lip, so I thought, I still want to reach out to my fans without having to put on makeup, so I decided to do these videos. The real challenge for me was, because I am such a perfectionist and because I am a writer, the challenge for me was to film something once, and that’s it. Like, if I fuck up, whatever. In a way, that was very freeing for me, and the wonderful thing was reading all the beautiful comments.

For those who do not know, how did Coco Peru come to be?

I wanted to be a part of the change. I was inspired by a drag queen in Peru, who at that time in the late 80s, it was a very homophobic, Catholic country. Yet, this drag queen had become famous in Peru and was celebrated. I thought, there is something about owning 100 percent of who you are that even the most homophobic person can sometimes sort of take a step back and go, OK, yeah, I respect that. That empowered me so much. Also, there were people, even in the gay community, who would say things like, 'Well, we need to take things slowly, or we need to play it right. Now is not the time.' I was always the person of hey, this is my life, now is the time. Change does not happen unless you completely push for it. Sometimes I do it through storytelling; I did march in the streets and whatnot, but all of us need to work together to create change, and pushing it takes people with vision and passion.

When you start touring again, and who knows when that will be, will you be performing a new show or another series of Conversations with Coco?

No, Conversations with Coco was something I did local here in Los Angeles, and they were hoping to turn it into a TV show. Who knows? Maybe it can still happen. My one-person shows, I have several that I do, and the one I was touring with was a best-of show called Have You Heard?

I was taking some of my favorite monologues from all my shows. Like, there is a seven-minute monologue about performing at Wigstock. It is one of my earliest monologues, and it is the one that kind of put me on the map in New York City.

That has been a lot of fun, but I am going to start writing a new show. This crisis has made me take a step back. I feel like everyone is improvising a new life and how they fit into it. I am thinking that as well, even with my next show. Let’s approach it in a completely different way.

Would you like to continue Conversations with Coco?

Oh, I would love to! I believe that storytelling is the key to us feeling connected to something bigger than ourselves, and to each other. I do believe that young people love guidance, and when I first started to talk about my age on stage and growing older, my husband got very nervous and thought, 'Oh God, you are going to lose the young people. They don’t want to hear about that because Hollywood is such an age-phobic town.' I said, 'I have never fit into the box of Hollywood or anything, so I do not really give a shit if people have a problem with getting older.'

I don’t, and I think young people are looking for mentors and that crazy, kooky aunt or grandma because they are already writing to me asking, can you be my aunt? Can you be my grandma? So, I might as well just own it. Kids respect that; they respect truth. That has been part of my journey as well.

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Now, all of that has changed, and I think World of Wonder had the vision. Their vision was bigger than the fears of what other people might have said. Like, that’s never going to last on TV. I always knew that it could before RuPaul’s Drag Race even came out. I always knew there was room for drag on television.

Even with my own show, yes, I wrote it thinking that gay men would be the only one that would come and see it, but I always thought it should be a bigger audience than that, and it started to turn into that. People started to bring their moms, their family, their children to see my shows. Shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race and the internet have just blown the doors open.

Can you tell us more about your digital horoscope series on LogoTV.com, Madame Coco Knows?

Logo had an idea, so they wrote to me and said, would you be interested in doing this when you are in New York doing your show? I said sure! We filmed that, and it’s unfortunate that the COVID virus hit because I am supposed to give people horoscopes, but who could have seen this coming? It is meant to be a fun thing, but the horoscopes are real. They did their research and hired several people who do horoscopes, and those horoscopes are actually real. People have contacted me asking for a personal reading. I’m like, honey, that was all written. I don’t read cards or do horoscopes.

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for?

There is an upcoming project, but I am not allowed to speak about it yet. I am not superstitious, but I believe in respecting the timing of things. When the time is right, I will be at liberty to talk about it.

It is something I can say that I am excited about. I feel like it is right up my alley.

To stay up-to-date with Coco, visit her official website misscocoperu.com, and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. outfrontmagazine.com 37

OFM drag

So, my point being, when I interview these other people and we have this lovely conversation, I always try to make it feel like the stories being told are universal.

When I interviewed Allison Janey, she talked about painful moments in her life. About the journey, about the choices, and that can inform anybody. It makes you feel less alone.

Who would you love to interview?

There are two people who I would really love to interview. Because I did Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, I would love to do Dolly Parton. That trifecta of "9 to 5," and just because I am just such a huge fan, and she has had such an impact not only on me, but the world.

Especially queer people.

Then, on a personal level, I would love to interview Shirley MacLaine because I used to have these very powerful dreams about her after I saw Terms of Endearment. So, I would love to connect with her.

You had the distinction of appearing in both the first and rebooted seasons of Will & Grace. What does a show like Will & Grace mean to you as an actor?

I think back to when I was little; there were no gay characters, if there were, they were sad or completely absurd. There were no gay characters on television that you could look up or feel connected to.

So, I realized that Will & Grace was so groundbreaking, and then to be included on it was so great. To be invited back the second time around, it was really wonderful.

I could not believe when I walked in on that set, they had Coco wigs everywhere, they had that neon sign, they had Coco coasters made. They went above and beyond what I ever expected to make me feel celebrated.

It was great.

When you first started drag, it was not celebrated or brought to the masses like it is today.

I enjoy shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, and I do think it has changed the whole landscape and drag world. There have been times when I have gone out to pitch things and whatnot, and production companies look at you like, a drag queen? I have had things said to me where I think, I cannot believe they actually felt as though they could say that to me. I think that is just because of how they think about drag.

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Photo by Jeremiah Corder

OFM drag

OFM drag

HOPING FOR A YEAR OF GROWTH AND CHANGE

e r oo m r e v E n y l e v E

by Denny Patterson

L

iving in the heart of Denver, Evelyn Evermoore is a multi-award-winning drag entertainer, comic, and costume designer who has provided audiences fun and engaging performances with her blend of comedy and beauty since 2017. From private nights to public brunches, she is no stranger to being on stage.

Evermoore has hosted various events in queer spaces throughout the city, such as Hamburger Mary’s and Pride and Swagger.

Although she may be a “dumb broad” in drag, outside, she is an intelligent and vocal, queer activist fighting and speaking up for Denver’s marginalized communities. She is also an advocate for sobriety in the queer community and says the choice to stay away from alcohol has made a positive impact on her life.

Hi, Evelyn! Thank you for taking some time to chat with me again. Happy New Year! Any resolutions?

If anything, I have a desire to be more intentional with the way I use social media and how often I am on it.

What are you looking forward to the most about 2021?

The thing I am looking forward to the most is a new beginning. I am moving into a new era of my life, beginning my transition, and starting a new sewing, fashion-line business. I look forward to doing something new.

I think we can all agree that 2020 was an absolute shit-show. What were some of the biggest challenges and hurdles you faced?

The biggest challenge was really coming out of the last year of my life of being in a different medical crisis. My partner at the time was diagnosed with cancer, and I was his primary caretaker. So, it went from being in this medical crisis to having a breakup and then being in a different medical crisis so close together. It was like being in the headspace of, I’m finally free, then, just kidding, we are in quarantine again.

Entertainers across the country, specifically drag performers, have been severely impacted by the pandemic. From your point of view, how bad was it for the Denver drag scene?

It has been pretty bad. I think there were two main impacts on the Denver scene. One, quarantine and shutdown, several of us felt lost and did not know what to do. Then, at the start of the Black Lives Matter protests, there were also a lot of backlash against some of the larger names in the community.

A lot of people feel like they have a monopoly on the entertainment in Denver. A lot of people have expressed frustrations that we are in a time where there are only so many limited numbers of shows, and because there are one or two main people controlling all the bookings, there are not a lot of opportunities for marginalized people.

How have you been staying connected and engaged with your fans while in quarantine? outfrontmagazine.com 39

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I actually did not stay engaged. Last year, I was in a very public breakup, sharing every detail of the crisis we were experiencing. This year, I was like, you know what, I am starting my transition, and I do not want to talk about it publicly. I am going through a lot of things personally that I do not want to stand up and share with people that I do not necessarily know. So, I took a lot of time to just be with myself and kind of sit with me rather than focusing on what other people might find entertaining.

Would you like to talk about your transition?

Sure! I think that was really the best thing that came out of quarantine. I started drag knowing in my heart that I wanted to be a woman. I kind of conflated the idea of being on stage and being a woman as my main option. I just ran with it and jumped in full force. I became a full-time drag entertainer, like a full-time woman, within a year-and-a-half of starting drag, which made no sense, but I was like, this is correct for me.

You don’t make a lot of money doing drag, so you have to do it a lot to survive. So, I did a lot of thinking like, oh, this is just what I want to do and not what I want to be. Being in quarantine and having a space where I was not able to be in drag and got a separation from that identity, and realized oh, I don’t know what my name is outside of drag. Recognizing that, it was like, ‘Oh, this is for you. You are trans. Just transition.’

Now that you are transitioning, are you going to continue to pursue drag?

I am, but to a lesser degree. What I have really been considering is how much space I, as a white entertainer, take up in the Denver scene. I want to be more cognizant of how I am using privilege that I have in these spaces. Drag was really invented by Black, trans women and Black, trans femmes. For the only full-time entertainers in Denver to be three white, AMAB entertainers, it is unfortunate.

How do you think the pandemic has changed the future of live drag shows?

I think it has changed them in more ways than we are aware of right now. I think the most important thing is, hopefully as a community, we become more aware of how important the community is and not as a concept of social status, but identities as human beings. I feel like the drag community was so focused on status, who had the power, who would book people, and the dynamic of trying to get those bookings rather than focusing on drag as an art form. We are artists, and we need to be celebrating artists of all walks of life. Not just to fit in a specific idea of what this art is.

Does Evelyn Evermoore still have the ditzy, dumbbroad aesthetic, or will that change?

When I have been asked in interviews before what the difference is between Evelyn and myself, I never had an answer. That should have been answer enough, but I was like, Evelyn is the space between the jokes. Out of drag, I am hesitant to be myself. In drag, I feel like I can be myself. So, Evelyn is kind of like the highest 4 0 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

form of myself. I do not think she is going to change.

She may get a little hotter, but that’s about it.

You are very well-known for your costumes and looks. Do you try to incorporate elements of femme, nonbinary, etc.?

I have done a couple nonbinary looks in the past. As fun as those are, the way I am viewing drag now is that it is an outlet to be very hyper-feminine. Whereas, in my day-to-day life, I’m in a button-up and good to go.

Even though drag artists and performers have been out of work, drag has still evolved. How do you think it has changed over the past year?

You know, I have not been watching a lot of drag. A lot of the online shows, as far as I can tell, have been very incredible, but I have not really been in the mental space to watch. I wanted to take some time away from that and focus on my identity as a woman and not a drag entertainer. I would hope that this has given people more time to really assess why they are doing drag and what about it attracts them, rather than the idea of doing drag to be famous.

You have also been on a journey of sobriety, and I applaud you for making that decision. How has that been going, and what made you make that choice?

I originally started going sober two years ago for No Drink November. I thought, you know what, let’s just try it this year. I had a moment where I recognized that, as I was performing shows, I was like, ‘I cannot do this unless I need to drink. That is not a good sign.

That is bad.’

So, I decided to go a full year of sobriety and realized in that year how important it was for us as queer people to recognize that drinking and alcoholism is so much a part of our culture. It is a part of the way we exist as queer people. The only safe, community spaces we really have are bars and places that focus on the sale of alcohol. When you are in an already traumatized community, that puts us in a place of normalizing substance abuse; that is very dangerous to our health.

It sounds like sobriety has had a positive impact on your life.

It has, yes. I noticed when I don’t drink, I am able to just kind of wake up and feel OK, whereas as a full-time drag entertainer, I was drinking four to five times a week and waking up hungover for six days in a row.

It was not healthy or good. I am able to be better.

What advice can you offer to those who are struggling with alcoholism and addiction, especially during these times of COVID? It is hard because alcohol is absolutely a coping mechanism, and we are in a place of great turmoil. I would not advise anybody to not cope in ways that are helping, but I think it is important to be aware of when you are using alcohol, and how often. If you are using it to mask emotions and to numb pain rather than cope, I think that is a sign of addiction. I think

DISSOLVABLES

Make anything an edible. Just mix it in.

in office, move on. Biden has enacted so many of the criminal reform policies that are hurting the BIPOC currently. Biden was not supportive of LGBTQ marriage, and he is also a figurehead for a much larger state of violence against marginalized people, and it is unfortunate that so many people in our community are ready to not see it.

There is a statistic that I saw that said 25 percent of LGBTQ people voted for Trump this year versus the 14 percent who voted for Trump in 2016. So, the queer people who voted for Trump doubled, and I do not think that is something we are recognizing as a community. Support for Trump and his white supremacist ideology has increased, whether or not we are seeing it.

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you would like to mention or plug?

Yes. I will be posting more about my fashion line and costumes, so you can check out my collection of clothes that you can buy for everyday wear on my website. The only other thing I would say is, if you marched in the protests in 2020, and you have not been keeping up with what’s happening with the names you were chanting, let’s consider those reasons.

Visit evelynevermoore.com, and follow her on Instagram @evelynevermore to stay up-to-date on the latest news and projects.

NEW!

Let the world dissolve on your tongue.

Your feel good gummies. @stillwater.life o u t f r o n tm a g a z i n e.co m 41

OFM drag

it is important for people to know that you are not alone in this, and yes, it is difficult, but there is a way out, and there are places and resources for you to get help. There is community support.

Another one of your passions is social justice, and we saw a lot this past year, especially with Black Lives Matters. What more do you hope to do with your platform in 2021?

What I want to be doing more with my platform is raising awareness for those who are not aware of what is happening, as well as promoting mutual aid.

I think mutual aid is one of the best ways that we, as white people, can help our more marginalized allies, or people around us.

By redistributing our wealth that we have gained through the benefits of being white, we can help those marginalized people rather than donating to a charity organization where their CEO is making $30,000 a month. We can donate directly to a trans person, a Black, trans person, and Black family that needs the money to pay their rent next week. I think mutual aid is so important, and that is something I really want to spend this year doing.

Even though we will have a new president, do you think society will stay as vocal as it has been on social issues?

Absolutely not. I think so many people are ready to put all the blame on Trump, and now that Biden is

OFM music

A Femme Force in the Denver Music Scene

by Denny Patterson

J

en Korte is a singer-songwriter who has been a major presence in the Denver music scene for more than a decade. Known to us as both a solo artist as well as a champion collaborator, Korte has performed at all major venues throughout the city.

She may have a career rooted in both indie rock and hip-hop, but she is well-versed in all music genres.

From her band Jen Korte & The Loss to her experimental, hip-hop-inspired looping project Lady Gang, Korte artfully steps outside of the familiar and moves toward the discomfort of a good idea. She has opened for national acts like The Pharcyde, Mac Lethal and Wax, Shamar Allen of Galactic, and Nappy 4 2 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

Roots, and has been nominated for “Best SingerSongwriter” by Denver Westword in 2018, winning the title for 2019.

Fans have taken note of Korte’s ability to take listeners for a ride that demands our attention. In February, we can expect Lady Gang’s debut, full-length album, Full Throttle.

OFM had the opportunity to chat more with Korte about the album and her music, how she has been coping during times of COVID and quarantine, and what she hopes will happen once music venues start opening back up.

Images courtesy of Jen Korte

about the election to get people to go vote.

Just thinking about other avenues to express myself, other than just hitting “go live” in my dirty bedroom on my cell phone.

You are involved with several musical groups and projects like Lady Gang, Jen Korte & The Loss, The Dirty Femmes, and Def Knocks.

Can you give us a brief history of how each one began?

Jen Korte & The Loss was the first band I started here in 2007. I came to Denver to see an exgirlfriend, and I ended up staying. I found it was easier to get gigs here versus Austin. Jen Korte & The Loss is my first love, my true love, and that has been a band since 2007 or 2008. Then, I started The Dirty Femmes in 2012.

We opened for the Violent Femmes at the Botanic Gardens a couple years ago, I traveled to the Caribbean and Chicago, all kinds of bizarre moments in time from this one-off project.

Def Knocks is a nine-or-10-piece hip-hop group that I play guitar and sing vocals in.

Then, Lady Gang is my solo project, and that has only been around three years now. I started that because somebody left a loop pedal at my house. I learned how to play and started writing with it.

Can you tell us more about your debut Lady Gang album?

It is called Full Throttle. Since I am self-taught with everything, including engineering and recording, I felt like I have finally come to the table with a pretty serious set of skills. So, I call it Full Throttle because now is the time to apply those skills, even when you want to quit. That is the title track of the album, and that is exactly what it is about. Like, ‘Hey, can somebody push up my chin, fix my shirt, and push me back onstage?’ I do not quit.

This is also a very personal album. I am half Latinx, and I have been thinking a lot about the immigration crisis and understanding how detrimental it is right now. I have been talking with my grandparents about their experience with racism, redlining, and all the things they went through in their life. So, there is a lot of reflection, but also, a lot of fun.

Musicians and artists have been using the pandemic and these times of quarantine as a source of inspiration. Have you?

It has inspired me, and I have written a lot. I have written a lot of music about the pandemic, outfrontma ga zine.com 43

OFM music

What are you looking forward to the most about 2021?

I am releasing a couple albums. My first, fulllength, Lady Gang album will be out in February, and I spent two years making that album.

Recording, engineering, producing, mixing, playing everything, so I am really looking forward to that. I am also recording with my other band, my Americana, Latin band, so I am looking forward to releasing music from that. On a personal level, I am looking forward to going to the beach at some point. That is all I want to do!

I think we can all agree that 2020 was an absolute shit-show. What were some of the biggest challenges and hurdles you faced?

I think I have really been questioning my identity with music being taken away. Somebody asked me what the difference is between me as a person and me as an artist, and they are so intertwined that I don’t think I can separate them. So, for me, and this sounds very privileged that I can sit here and think about my existential crisis as a human. Like, who am I if I am not a musician? That is something I have been struggling with.

Also, just the entire breakdown of the music situation. Losing venues, losing everything, basically feeling, even though I may not be lost, but feeling like I have lost everything I have worked for over 15 years and not having skill sets that can go across the board to try and start a new career. That has been very difficult. I am a 38-year-old woman who has spent 15 to 20 years building up this massive amount of skill set that only pertains to one thing. Thinking about finding a new job, career, or avenue is overwhelming and really sad and depressing.

What happened in 2020 that you are most grateful for?

I have a lot to be grateful for. I truly do. I have a beautiful home, a beautiful wife, and we have a wonderful relationship. I read something the other day that said 2020 was supposed to be the year you got everything you wanted, and it turned out to be the year that showed you everything you have.

I have an incredible, supportive community around me. I have been trying to continue my education in terms of learning broadcasting software and making videos. Whether they are fun or silly videos, I made a bunch of videos

OFM music

Black Lives Matter, and the civil unrest that we are feeling these days, as well as the helplessness and defenselessness of it all. Feeling like, if you have a voice, how do you use it? Even if you feel like your voice is small.

How have you stayed connected and engaged with your fans during quarantine?

I have been making silly videos and did some livestreams. I did a whole photo series of me and my weird, paper-mache birds, just things to entertain people so they do not feel as isolated. I have stayed connected more on my personal accounts than my music accounts. As a musician, you spend so much of your life on the hustle and on the computer emailing and begging people to listen to your work. It has been kind of nice not having to do that.

There are periods where I go weeks without posting anything, or I don’t want to say anything because I don’t have to.

I constantly go back and forth between the idea of deleting everything or coming up with new concepts.

Once the pandemic dies down, how do you think we can get back out there and do live music again?

That is such a huge unknown. I think the reason why venues are not open right now is just because, when alcohol is involved, your ability to rationalize your behavior goes out the window. So, keeping people safe at music venues has been hard. People have a couple drinks; they feel super comfortable; they start hugging others, and it becomes a thing. It feels good to be reunited with everybody, but we have to remember that this is not an existential, emotional thing that we are going through. We are fighting a physical thing.

So, I do not know what the safest way is. I do hope it will be a renaissance of sorts on the venue’s ability to take better care of musicians than it did before. I think there was a great disparity in pay, and some genres were not represented or booked as often. If we lose companies like Live Nation, I hope that those venues can become independent again. Pay structures can be renegotiated so musicians are more taken care of.

What do you hope audiences and listeners take away from your music?

I haven’t been asked a question like that in a long time [laughs]. I want to say comfort. A lot of times, we write music for us because we have something we have to get out. I have something I have to get out, or an idea 4 4 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

I have to get out. Then, when I perform, I think about this statistic. I don’t know if it’s true anymore, but way back in the day, 84 percent of people would rather be dead than have to get onstage and speak to people, nonetheless sing.

Part of my job is to express emotions, words, feelings, or comfort. I listened to so much sad music when I was a kid, still to this day because it is comforting. It tells a story that I relate to and holds me. That is truly what I hope listeners get from my music. Comfort can also be a happy feeling. It can be like, 'Oh, I love this song; I just want to jam out and take a drive.’ Anything as simple as that to a very dark, sad song that is also comforting. Comfort can look like a lot of different things.

How is the Denver music scene unique?

How does it stand out from other cities?

I think it is very supportive and not cutthroat. I remember growing up in Austin, even the first few gigs I played when I was young and not knowing what I was doing, it was so competitive. The competitiveness here in Denver is healthy, and nobody is dragging anyone to get ahead. I have been here for 15 years and have done all the things, so it is more or less how I stay connected to the community and music.

Overall, it is a supportive scene. I do think that hip-hop and Black artists in general definitely need more support from venues and booking agents in the city.

Hip-hop is a $2 billion industry, the biggest industry in the world, and venues are hesitant to book hip-hop and Black performers. That is something that needs to be rectified.

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects you would like to mention or plug?

I do have some big news coming out with Sarah Slaton, and before the pandemic hit, I started a queer music showcase. I am looking for a new venue for it. Also, I am going to continue to try to keep uplifting queer, Black and Brown Indigenous people of color, and believe it or not, it is very hard to find them. If you are BIPOC, please hit me up. I would love to showcase your art.

I really hope to get that showcase rolling again. We were entering our third or fourth month, and it was starting to get some legs. I am constantly searching for people to showcase on that.

To stay up-to-date with Korte, follow her on Instagram @jenkorte, or visit ladygangmusic.com.

OFM NEW MUSIC

Midnight Sister: Painting the Roses Take a melodic ride back in time to the discoteque with Midnight Sister's new release, Painting the Roses, where this band's new music blends soulful, psychadlic pop tunes with the melancholic flair of a memory of better days.

Mary Tyler Moore nostalgia meets Moira Rose vibrance on these new tracks.

Releases January 15, 2021.

LVDY: "Concrete Life" Denver-based, pop-folk duo LVDY have kicked off the new year with the release of a brand-new single, "Concrete Life." The first of three new songs to be released by spring, the women hope that this track can act as an anthem for anyone who has been struggling in the now-empty city streets due to the impacts of COVID-19. Though fatigued, the pair is never too tired to take us down a peaceful path of harmonies as rich as a warm blanket in winter. Releases January 15, 2021.

Struggling with Tinnitus? Hearing Loss? Sound Sensitivity?

Find the help you need and the relief you deserve.

DR. JULIE PRUTSMAN AU.D.

o u t f r o n tm a g a z i n e. co m 45

OFM music

Ani DiFranco: Revolutionary Love The queer, feminist icon takes to using her voice and platform again as she explores the deep frustrations and tension that we have been facing, both personally and politically, in this charged and emotional new album. With her passionate rigor and poetic prowess, the highly anticipated new album will undoubtely help us relieve some of the pent-up frustration of the last four years. Releases January 29, 2021.

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Images

OFM style

A BRIDE’S BEST FRIEND

Randy Fenoli

by Denny Patterson

A

s a fashion designer and bridal consultant on TLC’s hit, reality television series Say Yes to the Dress, Randy Fenoli’s fun personality and ability to advise and calm overwhelmed brides has captivated audiences across the country. His expertise is not only a talent, but also a gift.

Coming from humble beginnings, Fenoli was raised on an Illinois farm and taught himself to sew at age 9. He then went on to graduate from The Fashion Institute of Technology and immediately designed and released two bridal dress collections afterwards. His fate as a wedding dress aficionado had been sealed.

After 19 seasons and several spinoffs of Say Yes to the Dress, Fenoli has become Kleinfeld Bridal’s most trusted expert to help brides find the gown of their dreams. He knows what to look for from a dress, and a bride-to-be.

OFM had the opportunity to chat more with Fenoli about the show’s success, how COVID19 has hit the wedding industry, what drew him to designing wedding gowns, and latest edition, Say Yes to the Dress: In Sickness and In Health, which launches on the Discovery+ app January 4.

courtesy of TLC

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What are you looking forward to in 2021?

To be able to get back to normal life. I cannot wait to hug my brides and see their happy faces in person.

Our incredible team pulled together and made these virtual appointments absolutely amazing, but for me, there is nothing better than standing alongside a bride and sharing that emotion and the interaction with family and friends.

What can audiences expect from the new spinoff, Say Yes to the Dress: In Sickness and In Health, that will premiere on the new Discovery+ app?

It is going to be so exciting! What’s great about this series is that we have figured out how to jump through hoops to reach brides whose weddings were canceled or postponed. This has been quite a year, so for us to be able to find a way to help them, that is an amazing accomplishment for 2020. We were able to help these brides find a dress and say yes virtually.

How bad has the pandemic hit the wedding industry, and do you think it will ever be able to fully recover?

That is a good question. I’ll be honest with you, Denny, a lot of these salons are mom-and-pop salons.

They are basically living paycheck to paycheck, and they are struggling and having to close their doors.

It is going to be very difficult. When the pandemic started, I had a collection of around 22 new dresses ready to show in Amsterdam, and I was not able to show those. To this day, I have, like, 150 dresses that are still stuck in a storage facility in Kentucky that I have not been able to ship out because weddings have been put on hold, postponed, canceled, or whatever.

So, I am paying for storage for those dresses. In the bridal industry, you may not know this, but a store puts in an order, and we pay for the fabric, the production, the shipping, and the fees to get them imported in. Because of the virus, fewer flights have been coming in from overseas. There are now limited spaces on flights. It used to cost about $25 to ship a dress, but now it is costing me, like, $150. I am actually losing money on every, single dress I sell.

Say Yes to the Dress began in 2007 and has produced 19 seasons, as well as several spinoffs.

Why do you think the show has been such a success all these years?

I will tell you my personal take on it. In the beginning, I said, ‘Absolutely not. I will not do this show.’ Now, doing the show, one, we do not script the show. I won’t even meet the bride until the cameras are rolling because I want that first meeting to be genuine.

I do not want to know anything about her or the entourage. I want to walk into that appointment like I would any other appointment and it be caught on camera, so you get the real reaction. I think the fact that it is real reality TV, I think the audience can tell.

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Beyond that, Say Yes to the Dress addresses some deep subjects. Like, a father is not going to be able to live long enough to walk the daughter down the aisle. We had the girl who lost her leg in the Boston bombing, a girl with a bionic arm, a girl who lost her dress in the floods in Louisiana, girls who come in and have such horrific family members, whether it be their mother, brother, or whoever. Friends that treat them so horribly, or they have body issues. Even though we go through this throughout the entire appointment, at the end, you always end up with this couple walking down the aisle in love.

[Also, there is] this beautiful song that was written by Kristian Bush, specifically for our show. He came as a guest, and he was so inspired by being there, he created the song for us. To have that song being played and seeing these people walk down the aisle and sharing their love, I think it gives people hope. During this pandemic, I think that is one of the greatest things that we need right now. Just some hope.

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OFM style

You grew up with a love of fashion and began sewing dresses when you were 9 years old. What drew you specifically to wedding gowns?

In my third semester at FIT, they had a contest. If there was a contest for anything, my teachers were always like, ‘You got to enter this; you got to enter this.’ Well, the contest was really for fourth-semester to eighth-semester students, and I was only in my third semester. Because I had such a passion for evening wear, I did female impersonation for about 10 years, I always wanted to do evening wear, but this bridal contest came along, and I entered it.

We were supposed to design a mood-board bridal and bridesmaid design. Me being an overachiever, I designed five mood boards, five bridal designs, and five bridesmaid designs. When the judges came in, they were supposed to choose the top 10, and they chose all five of mine not knowing it was the same student. Whoever was in charge was like, ‘Listen, you have to go back and choose one of these and go back and choose four others because this is the same guy.’

One of the judges was Vivian Dessy Diamond, who passed away in 2019. She spotted my drawings and said, ‘We have to get this kid.’ They called me, and her husband owned The Diamond Collection Bridal Company, and they said they wanted to hire me. They wanted to give me my own name and label. I am the only student who graduated from FIT with their name on two labels.

I got thrust into it, but the reason I love bridal so much is because this is the singlemost-important garment a woman will probably ever wear in her life. She has thought and dreamt about it, so for me, it is such a personal garment. They bring in their mothers, fathers, best friends, and everyone to help them with this decision because it is so important to them. When that bride puts on a dress, and she feels beautiful, sometimes for the very first time in their lives because they have had body issues, but when they step into that dress, look in the mirror, feel beautiful, start to tear up, and say yes to that dress, it is like winning an Academy Award for me. Every, single time. It never gets dull.

Follow Fenoli on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up-to-date, or visit his official website, randyfenoli.com. Visit tlc.com for more information on Say Yes to the Dress.

To read the full interview, visit outfrontmagazine.com.

OFM style

Racks, on Racks, on Racks (of Clothes)

by Angel Rivera

5 0 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

S

tarting a new year means setting yourself up for a “new� you.

Fashion may seem like the least of your worries, but it can be a great way to help keep your mind in a fresh, confident state. Here are some tips to help kick-start your fashion game so you can be uniquely you.

Fashion is split into two, distinct seasons, spring/summer and autumn/winter. These two signify a paradigm shift in not only color but texture and outfit composure. For one, when you step out, you want to make sure the colors you are wearing complement your mood and your actions. A bold, bright pink may give you a dash of bold confidence in the spring and summer the same way muted, millennial pink will give your outfit the spice it craves in the winter and fall months.

Usually these seasons will run from January to June for S/S and July to December for A/W, so remember, your outfit choices should be for the oncoming season, or at least add to older outfits, hence the term fashion forward.

OFM style

Speaking of fashion forward, let’s talk about some trends that you are going to see be more popular in the chilly end of winter and the blossoming of spring. Corduroy is making a big comeback in unexpected ways. Adding a corduroy jacket to your outfit is a great way to add some texture and layers to an outfit where you might pull out a jean jacket. The same goes for corduroy skirts; use the texture of the skirt to highlight a black or gray, color-block shirt and some black stockings for a comfy, mature look.

If maturity isn't for you, then inject your look with some youthful notability by mixing professional with leisure. Band or graphic tees mixed with the comfort and notability of slacks or dress pants can keep your outfit sharp and everyone around you looking. (For extra brownie points, make sure to wear the dress pants that make your behind look amazing.)

If you decide to go with this look try tucking in the shirt neatly into the pants to create a more tapered, masculine silhouette or draping an oversized shirt over the look can add some subtle, feminine charm a la Ariana Grande. This look is best complemented with a belt-and-shoe combo. Wear black accessories with warmer colors and brown or beige accessories with cooler colors to make your waist and feet pop.

Speaking of accessories, let's talk about the phrase coined by miss Coco Chanel: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror, and take one thing off.” Well, eat your heart out, Coco, because layering jewelry or double accessories from the 90s is making a comeback.

Layer two to three chains and necklaces to help elongate your neck while smaller coin or medallion pieces add a sparkle to your outfit by catching light and eyes.

Or, for a more contemporary look, pair Cuban link and tennis bracelets for dual masculine and feminine energy, adding grit and eleganza to your outfit. The point of accessories is to mix and match your favorite pieces to help embolden a plain sweatshirt or give yourself eye-catching, unexpected moments. It's OK to start small, but remember to be brave.

Fashion is ever-changing, and no two looks are ever the same: a small tuck, additional flare, and a new accessory can give your outfit the breath of fresh air it needs. Remember these small tips for the coming months to help bolster your looks, and keep an open mind to trying out new shapes and colors on your body and skin tone. outfrontmagazine.com 51

OFM style

BE IN THE KNOW

GET THE GLOW

by Angel Rivera

H

eading into the first “real year” of a new decade, we must wonder, how is this new year going to treat us? Especially compared to 2020. Unlike the coming year, your skin care doesn't have to be a mystery.

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Cleansing is always the first step of the routine, so you want to make sure it's cleaning off all the sebum, dirt, and dead skin from the night before. Some beautiful morning cleansers to help kick start you are Murad's Essential C cleanser, which is jam-packed with vitamin C to help reduce the look of dark spots and even skin tone.

CeraVe Foaming facial Cleanser is great for those sensitive to fragrance and who are looking for a light exfoliant, or Fenty Skin’s Remove It All cleanser is a perfect product for something clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and all-around good for the planet with its recyclable bottle and materials. Whichever cleanser you choose to roll with, make sure it's going to synergize with the rest of your routine for the best results.

The next few steps of the routine are the lifeblood for making your skin WERK. After cleansing, you want to tone it, and I know you may have heard toning can be left out, but I say keep it, as you can add more moisture to your skin, or it can act as a light, double-cleanse for those who are more oily and acne-prone. Add moisture with Fenty’s Fat Water Serum-toner hybrid with niacinamide to help reduce the look of pores and control oil. Or, use micellar water which can gently double cleanse the skin while adding moisture without irritation. Setting the tone is great, but the secret is in the serum.

Serums can be a scary part of the routine, as they can be confusing and overwhelming, so just remember, serums are concentrated power bombs for the skin. If you're still striking for skin brightening, then vitamin C is going to be your BFF. Or, if you want to keep your skin acne-free, use a serum with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) or BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) such as glycolic acid, which helps cell turnover and increases luminosity of the skin.

Lactic acid also increases cell turnover and helps with collagen production in the skin; if you don't know what collagen does, it helps keep the skin looking plump and looking young! Pro tip: when applying your serum, make sure to firmly swipe your pointer finger from the bridge of your nose to the back of your cheeks to help with lymphatic drainage and decrease puffiness in your skin. With all that, we still need to lock all that good stuff in.

Moisturizer is going to be your final step for glowing and healthy skin. Even if your skin is oil-prone, you want to make sure you are adding moisturizer to it so your skin doesn't overcompensate for the cleanse and produce more oil than it already does. Make sure to use something “non-comedogenic,” as it’s formulated to not clog pores.

A great starter for anyone is Neutrogena’s Hydro boost moisturizer gel, as it's filled with hyaluronic acid, which sounds terrifying but actually helps retain moisture in the skin and joints. For those without oil-prone skin, moisturizers with extra active ingredients can be good options, such as Algenist’s Collagen moisturizer, or even Peter Thomas Roth’s Vitamin C Moisturizer. Remember, we are locking in the final steps of our routine.

With all that, I remind you to ask three simple questions. Did I cleanse? Did I use toner/serum?

And did I moisturize? A good routine is not only as good as the results. Stay dewy all, and use sunscreen.

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outfrontmagazine.com 53

OFM style

So, where can I start, you may wonder? The best and easiest option is morning routine; this is a critical time for your skin; you have just finished sleeping and are about to get going for your day, be it at home or social distancing at work. The morning pamper sets your mood for the day. The first step is making sure that you have an amazing cleanser that is going to give you that refresh.

Shakes Up Mexican Food in Denver

by Ash Trego

Images courtesy of The Rio Grande

OFM dining

The Rio Grande

T

he Rio Grande, a Mexican restaurant in Denver’s historic LoDo district, has been a well-known and much-loved eatery for over two decades.

The roots of the operation started to take shape when three, young friends decided to pack up their van and go wandering about and eating their way through the Yucatan in the late 70s. It was on this trip that the ideas began to develop that would eventually evolve into what we now know as the Rio. In 1986, founder and owner Pat McGaughran opened the O.G. (Rio in Fort Collins. The Denver Rio, located at 1525 Blake St. in Lodo, opened in 1999.

A while after his return from that fortuitous culinary tour de Mexico, McGaughran began developing the dream that sprang from a bean. Not only did he bring his love of black beans ( frijoles negros) back with him, but due to black beans not even growing in Colorado at the time, he decided to team up with a local farmer, Lucy Stromquist, and began to grow them. A true “farm-to-table” story before that was a thing.

From front to back, this venue exudes a kind of easygoing, swanky, industrial charm. The rustic, brick exterior; vaulted ceilings; and ornate, mixedmedium staircase leading to the upstairs lounge area all play their integral parts. The real eye-catcher in the downstairs dining room is by far the beautifully crafted bar. It is from said bar that an endless array of happy concoctions continually flow.

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OFM dining

The care and attention to detail in Rio's decor is evident in the entire atmosphere of the place, from the enticing, neon glow of the sign on the exterior to the eye-catching accents in every nook and cranny.

The vibrantly colored artwork and mosaics throughout along with a multitude of lush, tropical plants, add an exotic overtone, and the loftlike design provides a wonderfully open feel. This is a place and space that invites you in with an everwelcoming charm and intoxicates the olfactory before you even step inside the front door.

Aromatic, black beans are made fresh daily, and the beautifully eclectic menu boasts something for every palate. The Rio chefs craft each bite using the freshest and most flavorful ingredients to ensure a memorable meal every time, and the love of good food shines in every dish that arrives at the table.

Creamy guacamole, house-made salsa, crispy chile rellenos, steak fajitas (McGaughran’s favorite),

delicious tacos, and burritos with green chile are just a few delectable choices.

A must-try for those who like spicy are the fried jalapenos. Charred to perfection with a nice, firm texture, these are so good. The menu goes on and even offers options for Ketoand vegan-sensitive diets.

And then, there are the margaritas.

The Rio restaurants, including all locations, make nearly a million margaritas each year, and they even have a full-time, tequila ambassador on staff who is always happy to tell guests about their collection of more than 60 tequilas, including 17 “vault tequilas� (meaning muy especial) that are literally kept under lock and key. The list is something to marvel at and prices range from $10 to $300 a shot. In addition, they also offer a fine selection of wine, beer, and other spirits.

Now with locations in Denver, Boulder, Park Meadows, Greeley, and, of course Fort Collins, this

ever-evolving establishment prides itself on always seeking new and inventive ways to grow and continually strive to be a welcoming and appreciative part of these continually diversifying Colorado communities.

Another way that these guys are keeping things interesting is with cool, new seating options that are COVID-safe. Depending on the location, diners can sit in igloos, an airstream or a trolley car, and even a cute, little greenhouse. They have also come up with some creative ways to help customers to simplify their meals in style: family-sized meals and even margaritas for takeout or delivery!

So, whatever you and your crew are up for, be it heading out for drinks and some food with friends or staying in for a nice dinner and margaritas with the family (or that special someone), The Rio Grande has you covered. Salud! outfrontmagazine.com 55

OFM thoughts

Introducing

A Queer in Recovery

Hi, my name is _______, and I am an alcoholic.

Those words are still hard to say. Even after bargaining, wavering, and battling with my addiction to alcohol for more than 15 years, I still don’t want to believe that I can never drink like a normal person. Yet, I have to admit to myself and to other human beings that I believe in the depths of my soul that to take even one more drink will surely be the death of me. So, here we are, I am admitting to myself, and to you, that I’m a drunk.

I have chosen to write this column not because I am an expert in recovery from substance abuse, but because I am doing everything I can to save my own life. As dramatic as it feels to say, I was truly on my deathbed that final night of my active addiction. I was drinking close to a half-handle of vodka a day; my body was shutting down, and my mind was mush.

While divulging the facts of my alcohol consumption will likely be one of the most scary things I will ever do, I only tell this to give you some background information so that then I can then inform you of my mission.

5 6 OFM J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

How had it gotten this bad? I asked myself that question on a daily basis. I was ruining my life; I was hurting those around me who cared about me, and I was slowly and painfully killing myself. It’s not that I didn’t try to stop, but every attempt to quit or cut back was then met with an even larger amount of alcohol consumed and for an even longer period of time. I was desperate, hopeless, and willing to completely succumb to the consequences of my alcoholism.

Any addict has an insane gift: we can convince ourselves it’s not that bad so that we can continue using. I admit that my stubbornness has gotten me far in life; however, it is also my most destructive quality. I must talk about the negative impacts without minimization because if I don’t talk about it with transparency and honesty, I will absolutely drink again. And for me, to drink is to die.

Perhaps it was COVID that set me off on this spiral, or maybe I was just a ticking time bomb. Who’s to say?

All I know is that I was at the depths of a bottom that I no longer had the energy to try and claw myself out of. I lived to drink, and I drank to live; it was as simple as that.

As of the day I’m writing this, I have 72 days clean from all mind-altering chemicals. Alcohol was my drug of choice (DOC), but that doesn’t mean that was the only substance I was using before I got sober. I am an addict, after all, so one vice definitely won’t suffice, but my relationship with alcohol was the drug I always went back to and was the thing that was ruining my life.

In my active alcoholism, I did demoralizing things that have left me with a ton of shame, guilt, embarrassment, fear, and unrealized potential. I hurt people I cared about; I took advantage of people’s kindness and generosity; I missed opportunities and obligations, and I have done major damage to my body, all for the sake of staying drunk. Perhaps the worst part of it all is that I didn’t care, not while I was in my illness. All I really cared about was when and where I was going to get my next drink.

For me, alcohol wasn’t about having fun, and it hadn’t been about fun for a long time. It wasn’t just a means of temporarily altering my state of mind, softening the rough edges of my personality, and letting loose. It was the only means of survival.

When I took that first drink of the day, it finally felt like I could breathe.

In order to feel at ease and OK in my own skin, I had to drink. It wasn’t a want, not in that final year at least; it was a necessity. The hangovers felt like death, and the only thing that would calm the tremors in my hands was taking another shot of vodka.

It took an intervention for me to finally put down the bottle. I was not able to stop on my own; I desperately needed help so I went to an inpatient treatment center.

I also recognize that attending rehab is a complete privilege which many folks don’t have access to. In my opinion, this by no means the only way to obtain and maintain sobriety; this is just what it took for me.

Perhaps you are reading this because you yourself are in recovery and are curious about what I have to say.

Maybe you think you have a problem or suspect that your substance use is getting to a point where it’s too much to manage. Or you may know someone whom you suspect is suffering from the disease of addiction.

My only piece of advice would be this: don’t wait. Get help now. Many of us don’t make it out of this illness alive. Who knows; in the long run, I may not be one of the lucky ones who survives it, either. All I have is today.

As I mentioned earlier, my mission is simple, but simple doesn’t mean easy. My hope is to use our time together to offer some insight into the life of an addict in recovery, provide some education around the disease of addiction, and offer some LGBTQ resources for those who are seeking help with their own substance abuse issues. This queer in recovery may not know much, but I do know two things: 1. I am an alcoholic.

2. I am ready and willing to be honest so that I no longer have to suffer in my illness.

It’s great to meet you, reader. I can’t wait to start this journey together.

-An anonymous queer in recovery Follow @queer.in.recovery on Instagram or email a.queer.in.recovery@gmail.com for additional support and resources. outfrontmagazine.com 57

OFM thoughts

It’s simple, really. I am on a mission to share my story in hopes that I can someday help someone else who is struggling. I am not trained in any therapeutic methods or holistic approaches to substance abuse treatment, nor do I condemn the use of alcohol. I am simply here to share my own story of addiction and recovery.

That’s one of the bitter truths about this “getting sober” thing, I have to remember how bad it was so I can never convince myself that I can drink again.

OFM thoughts

American Queer Life

The Lamentable Loss of 4 Commons: Decency, Ground, Knowledge, Sense

by Rick Kitzman

T

ragedies defined 2020: the COVID-19 pandemic, racial strife, a bitter election. And I lay them all at the feet of Donnie John Trump.

Four years of fingernails on a chalkboard were to have come to an end on November 3. The day was to be filled with joyful shouts and sighs of release. But with a contested outcome—and its disgusting, dangerous support by liars, cowards, and traitors (oh my!)—the screeching continued and will continue indefinitely.

I’m left disheartened, worried about my country’s future, and feeling disconnected from the 74 million citizens who voted for Donnie-John. Much of Americans’ commonality seems to have been lost, assuming it was ours in the first place

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OFM thoughts

COMMON DECENCY The social convention of everyday courtesy, respect, and politeness is missing.

When Donnie-John came on the political scene he embodied an attack, accuse, distract, cheat, and claim victory mode of campaigning. As president, he has acted no differently—215 indictments during his administration; Nixon had 76, Obama 0—lying, blaming, proving himself reckless, cruel, narcissistic. He and his sycophants, inept family members, cronies, and brown- His believers say, “God works in mysterious ways.” nosing reporters epitomize indecency at every rally, in Mysterious, yes, moronic, no. I quote their Bible: Matthew 7:15—“Beware of false prophets, which come every Twitter snit, and with every fake-news report. to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Donnie-John is foaming and howling all the COMMON GROUND way to the bank in an ill-fitting, $6,000, off-the-rack, Overlapping interest and compromise are missing.

Brioni wool suit. Any Christian who voted for him has There was much wailing and keening when three, simple forfeited their right to claim they are a Christian. That’s guides to combat COVID 19—wear masks, keep six just common sense. feet away from others, wash your hands—supposedly trampled constitutional rights and threatened the Turns out sense is not so common; neither is decency, common ground, or knowledge in this four-year delicate masculinity of American men. shit-show.

“It’s my body, and I’ll do what I want.” (Let’s hope they remember that rallying cry when abortion issues arise.) I come from a white, working-class family in a Never mind a killer disease is loose; the health of others small, agricultural town. My parents and aunts and doesn’t matter. Donnie-John stupidly led us into our uncles, some Russian immigrants, were conservative American debacle—the worst in the world—and has republicans, and they would have been appalled at failed miserably to lead us out of it. But he’ll take credit everything, EVERYTHING, Donnie-John says and does. for the vaccines.

Devotees of this megalomaniac, who could not care less about them except as sources of devotion and dollars, COMMON KNOWLEDGE have been duped but will never admit it. Why should Belief in facts is missing. they? They have permission to rape America, and if a white supremacist, neo-Nazi, or fascist, you’ve One person’s fact is another’s fake news. Still, you’d think you’re been given permission to threaten and attack people of Americans could agree the world is round; trials have color, and by extension healthcare workers and election witnesses; 81 million votes is greater than 74 million officials. Thinking themselves courageous patriots, these votes; sexual assault is bad. But in Donnie-John’s bizarro cowardly turncoats betray their country to its foreign world, flat-earthers have made a big comeback; an enemies who slink closer and closer to their ultimate impeachment trial can be held without witnesses; 74 goal: the destruction of America from within. beats 81, and women enjoy having their privates grabbed.

Donnie-John declared the 2020 election Here’s a fact that was missing from my bucket of common When fraudulent himself victor, he elevated this knowledge: Every democrat is a cannibal and traffics in self-inflictedand ruination of our democratic ideals to sex with children inside pizza parlors. treasonous sabotage. With zero evidence, 18 state attorneys supported a baseless, Texas lawsuit asking the Supreme Court to overturn Biden’s victory with 126 COMMON SENSE U.S., Republican representatives adding their names.

Sound, practical judgment is missing.

All of them are traitors and should be charged, tried, Christians love Donnie-John, chosen by God to lead this convicted of treason, and jailed. Now that’s law and country away from its sinful, liberal path, meaning away order. And holding people accountable. And wouldn’t from queer marriage, trans rights, abortion, racial equity, that be a great way to celebrate the new year. etc. Common sense should tell them the man has broken most of their Ten Commandments, hitting the jackpot Before the president-elect is sworn in, I’m betting with adultery and coveting neighbors’ wives. I assume he Donnie-John’s selfish and psychotic unpredictability hasn’t killed anyone, but he did brazenly declare, “I could will spawn some final tricks. Whether he believes it or stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, not, America has said, “You’re fired!” With Biden and and I wouldn’t lose voters.” Let’s hope we never have to Harris at the helm, maybe American commonalities will return. At least, they give us a chance to reconnect. test his braggadocio. outfrontmagazine.com 59

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OFM lit

UNREALIZED BISEXUALITY A MEMOIR EXERPT

by Amanda E.K.

I

n the summer of 2005, I traveled from my home town in Iowa to Willmar, MN with my youth group friend Faith and her sister Eve—a cheery, blonde girl who wore striped, polo shirts and khakis every day like some sort of unofficial, Christian uniform. We were on our way to the Sonshine Music Festival—three days of Christian bands, Christian skateboarding competitions, and Christian people-watching. It was the first time I’d traveled with friends unsupervised by an adult. I’d just turned 18 in April and felt a touch of independence I was yet to fully own. I had a high school diploma. I could smoke a cigarette if I wanted to. Not that I would—I’d seen my grandpa sneak cigarettes while hooked up to an oxygen tank, and it seemed like an unforgiving addiction. But I could smoke one, if I wanted. I could buy porn magazines. I could sign up for the army. When I thought about it, it didn’t seem fair that all the things I was now allowed to do didn’t interest me.

The festival campgrounds rose in the distance like a mirage as we pulled into town, all of us gripping our seats with excitement for the weekend’s endless possibilities.

I’d never seen so many people I wanted to get to know. People with dreadlocks and tattoos of Bible verses (which I decided must make the tattoos OK).

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Average teens dressed like rockstars, with lip piercings, Mohawks, and combat boots. I stood awestruck at what could’ve easily been mistaken as the crowd at a Van’s Warped Tour while peering through the list of bands on a glossy leaflet. There was a band for every secular genre’s counterpart—Jon Reuben for Eminem, DC Talk for Nirvana, Barlow Girl for Avril Lavigne, Relient K for Blink-182.

It was the kind of place to invite your unchurched friends. Let the music do the converting so you didn’t have to.

I felt like I’d stepped through the gates of Heaven. Was it possible for The Rapture to have happened without me realizing it? Was this indeed the afterlife? If so, thank you Jesus! It was cool to be a Christian here. At Sonshine, my whole body felt like something big could happen—some tangibly-felt presence of God, like a mountain really could be moved, or world peace could be achieved. My blood pulsed with hope. Or maybe that was just the heat stroke from hours spent outside with no escape from the sun.

As the three of us wandered through the crowds after setting up our tents by a pond, I couldn’t help but notice how many attractive people were here. Help me Jesus not to lust, I prayed. The more people I saw, the more my mind raced. How did all these Christians get to be

OFM lit

so cool? I looked down at my modest top and Bermuda shorts. All of a sudden I was acutely aware that my clothes didn’t represent me at all. How—dressed like this—would anyone know I read the Beats? How would they know I liked hard music and once played in a band?

I looked more like an elementary teacher-in-training.

A girl my age with dreadlocks and a dozen bracelets cuffing each arm walked past, and I followed her with my eyes. That’s more like it, I thought. I wished I were bold enough to look like that. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her.

I felt self-conscious the entire weekend. My redhead complexion made getting a sunburn inevitable at an outdoor event no matter how much sunscreen I put on. After the first 24 hours, my lips were blistered and my nose tomato-red, enhancing my cystic acne. My shoulders and arms were a mercurial salmon-pink. I was glad there weren’t any mirrors around so that I couldn’t see how lame I looked. I prayed I didn’t get my period early. It was bad enough relying on port-a-potties as the only bathroom. What would I do if I had a blood leak?

There were showers, but I didn’t use them. Not after I saw that they were locker room-style, with dozens of naked girls and women showering in the same space. I bounced my eyes away as soon as the first set of nipples

came into view. I couldn’t conceive of showering without a swimsuit if showering in a group. Modesty was for every situation, not just around men. How could so many women be so comfortable without clothes on?

I chastised myself for looking too long at a girl my age with a flat stomach and much bigger breasts than mine.

It was just that I’d never seen nipples as large or dark as hers. I knew it was wrong to look, but I wished I could be invisible so that I could study all their bodies. Looking back, I can see my latent bisexuality peeking its head out, but I wouldn’t start to notice it until well into my 20s. I wanted to look longer to compare thickness and shape of pubic hair, but I felt perverted and fled the locker room, the heat of my sunburn flushing twice as hot. Best not to bathe until back in Iowa.

Amanda EK is a writing instructor and the former editor-in-chief of Denver's Suspect Press magazine. She's currently pitching her memoir about her sexual development while growing up in evangelical purity culture, and she's working on projects for film and TV with her production team Glass Cactus.

Follow her on instagram @amanda. ek.writer and read more about her projects at AmandaEKwriter.com. outfrontmagazine.com 65

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