December 2017 by OutSmart Magazine

DEC. '17

HATCHING A NEW PLAN MONTROSE CENTER LAUNCHES PROGRAM FOR TRANS YOUTH LIKE BEN ELDER Pg. 30

DALTON DEHART’S

YEAR IN PHOTOS Pg. 50

FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY IN THE WOODLANDS Pg. 43

RYAN LEACH’S

10 THINGS TO LEAVE IN 2017 Pg. 35

HOUSTON'S LGBTQ MAGAZINE

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DEC.2017 FEATURES

V O L U M E 2 4 • N U M B E R 11

‹ Ready to Romp Twelve-year-old Ben Elder of Friendswood says he’ll be first in line to join the Montrose Center’s HATCH Junior program. “I can’t wait to make a whole bunch of new LGBTQ friends, especially trans boys,” Elder says.

ERIC EDWARD SCHELL

COVER STORY

Montrose Center’s HATCH Junior program reflects changing face of LGBTQ movement

It’s all about draining the swamp, sometimes literally

Patent lawyer Danielle Healey hopes her remarkable story inspires others

NEW AGE ACTIVISTS

THINGS TO LEAVE IN 2017

TRANSITION OF POWER

LGBTQ residents and allies form equality coalition in conservative suburb

Agency unveils Montrose pharmacy and offers ACA help

Pastor Leslie Jackson is finally living his dream at Cathedral of Hope Houston

Dalton DeHart’s 2017 year in review

OUT IN THE WOODLANDS

REDEFINING LEGACY

HOPE FULFILLED

FABULOUS PHOTOS

Gay composer Ricky Ian Gordon premieres Christmas Tree musical at HGO

Houston’s best holiday lights

Be a smart shopper with gifts from Acadian Bakery, Coda, Eye Gallery, Molly’s Mutt House, Silverlust, and Lilly Roddy

Michael Carbonaro says it takes acting, illusion, and more to achieve his eponymous effect

QUEERLY CHEERY

GLOW AND GO

GIFT GUIDE

NOT-JUST-MAGIC MIKE

Out actor Kyle Baird helps bring The Color Purple —and its lesbian subtext—to the Hobby Center

How Hawaii changed this writer’s mind about prenuptial vacations

Eco-friendly Bellagreen, formerly Ruggles Green, debuts new concept

Unselfish love: Keith Clark and Dexter Williams knew they could do more for the community as a team

HINTS OF LAVENDER

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WEDDING GUIDE

Perfect catch: after a 50-yard-line engagement, Karen Hudson and Elaina Potts outran Trump to the altar

4 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

SUSTAINABLE SUSTENANCE

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DEC.2017

DEPARTMENTS N E WS & C O M M E N T

› NEWS & COMMUNITY 23 › LEFTOUT 13

Trumping the shark: 14 things our “dear leader” might do before you read this.

›

MONEYSMART

Looking out for aging loved ones: strategies for adult children to reduce the financial toll.

TIMEOUT

OUTSMART ’s readers and recommendations

A R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T 84

›

GROOVEOUT

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READOUT

QUEER QUOTES

Chelsea Handler, Kehinde Wiley, Barbie, and . . . Starbucks?

DVDS Upstairs Inferno The gift of LGBTQ music

Wedlocked and Straight Expectations

OUT & ABOUT 104 SIGNOUT 94 OUTTHERE 102 BAR/CLUB GUIDE 106 SCENEOUT A DVE RT I S E R S I N D EX 98 Advertisers Index 100 Classifi ed Marketplace

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Psychologist O.T. Porter talks about coming out as a gay black man in Houston. Just days after he came out, his mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. “I cursed my gayness, and I blamed myself for my mother’s condition,” he said. He recounts this and other experiences in his new book, Dear Anonymous Friend. Read all about it at OutSmartMagazine.com.

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E DITOR´S NOTE

f I had to choose an “LGBTQ Texan of the Year” for 2017, it might very well be a collective one: transgender youth and their families. So perhaps it’s only fitting that our final issue of the year features a cover story about the Montrose Center’s groundbreaking new program geared toward trans kids, HATCH Junior. These vulnerable children and their supportive parents bore the brunt of efforts to pass an anti-trans bathroom bill during this year’s legislative session in Austin. But they stood up and fought back—testifying in droves against the measures, and bravely sharing their stories in the media. Ultimately, with an assist from the business community, they prevailed. Kim Hogstrom’s piece on HATCH Junior highlights two local families, the Elders and Shappleys, who have been on the front lines of the so-called bathroom wars—and who have in some ways become the public faces of the post-

Obergefell LGBTQ movement. Kudos to the Montrose Center for recognizing the need for this program. But it isn’t just trans kids who are making headlines. Trans woman Danielle Healey, one of Houston’s top patent attorneys, is now literally pleading the case for equality, as Lourdes Zavaleta reports. And cisgender, LGB youth are doing great things, too. Don’t miss Hogstrom’s piece on a new group for LGBTQ people and allies in The Woodlands, which was cofounded by 15-year-old Jasmine Harrell. Elsewhere in our December issue, Ryan Leach runs down his annual list of “Things to Leave Behind” for 2017—which, not surprisingly, includes a few prominent supporters of the aforementioned bathroom bills. Leach notes that from Tropical Storm Harvey to the Astros’ World Series victory, it’s been a big year for Houston, though not always in a good way. OUTSMART photographer Dalton DeHart, who’s been documenting the local LGBTQ community for 32 years, also shares his Year in Review, and gives us an update on

10 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

the nonprofit foundation he established to preserve his archives. Finally, in the the spirit of the season, don’t miss our annual Gift Guide. Plus, Joanna O’Leary ticks off the best places in the Houston area to see holiday lights, and Don Maines talks to renowned gay composer Ricky Ian Gordon about the premiere of his Christmasthemed musical at the Houston Grand Opera. We’ll see you in 2018! —John Wright

DEC. '17

HOUSTON'S LGBTQ MAGAZINE

ON THE COVER HATCHING A NEW PLAN MONTROSE CENTER LAUNCHES PROGRAM FOR TRANS YOUTH LIKE BEN ELDER Pg. 30

DALTON DEHART’S

YEAR IN PHOTOS Pg. 50

FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY IN THE WOODLANDS

HATCHING A NEW PLAN

Montrose Center launches program for trans youth like Ben Elder (See page 30.)

Pg. 43

RYAN LEACH’S

10 THINGS TO LEAVE IN 2017 Pg. 35

Photo by Eric Edward Schell

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N EWS

Trial Set in Pride Houston Case Former president Frankie Quijano suggests lawsuit was unnecessary. By John Wright and Brandon Wolf

ormer Pride Houston president Francisco “Frankie” Quijano broke his silence in late November concerning a lawsuit filed against him by the organization. In a statement provided to OUTSMART by his attorney, Angie Olalde, Quijano suggested that the dispute should have been resolved out of court. “While I’m unable to speak for Pride Houston, I can say that to force a decade-long volunteer to retain counsel is disappointing when there were other options available—such as holding a meeting,” Quijano said in the statement. “In the best interest of all parties involved, I pray that a resolution can be reached with haste.” The lawsuit, filed October 23 on behalf of current Pride Houston board members, alleges that Quijano refused to relinquish control of the organization’s business assets—including social-media and bank accounts—after he was replaced as president effective October 1. The lawsuit also alleges that Quijano harassed and threatened current board members. In response to the lawsuit, State district judge R.K. Sandill ordered Quijano to turn over passwords and other information necessary to access the accounts, and barred him from acting in any way on behalf of Pride Houston, pending a trial set for April 2. U.A. Lewis, the attorney representing current Pride Houston board members, did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding Quijano’s statement. In court documents and hearings, Quijano has argued that he remains president and CEO of Pride Houston because Lo Moton-Roberts was not duly elected to replace him. Quijano, who led the organization from 2011 until October, claims Moton-Roberts had not spent a sufficient amount of time on Pride Houston boards and committees. Olalde, who represents both Quijano and his husband, co-defendant Abijah Kratochvil, also commented publicly on the lawsuit for the first time November 27, after previously saying

Parading into Court

Frankie Quijano, right, and his husband, Abijah Kratochvil, left, walk out of Harris County’s 127th Civil District Court on Tuesday, October 31, with their attorneys, including Angie Olalde.

she and her clients were barred from discussing the case under a confidentiality agreement. “After raising concerns to other board members—including whether Ms. Roberts can serve as president if she does not meet the bylaws requirements—they were sued. The issues in this case could have been resolved out of court, and both Mr. Quijano and Mr. Kratochvil hope this suit comes to a speedy resolution,” Olalde told OUTSMART. Kratochvil said in a statement that after serving with Pride Houston for three years, he was invited to join the board as a voting member in September, but has not been able to attend any meetings due to the lawsuit. “Before this lawsuit, I raised concerns regarding qualifications, expenses, and partnerships/contracts, and made documentation requests that have gone unanswered to this day,” Kratochvil said. “What should have been a very simple internal discussion has forced me, a volunteer, to retain counsel to maintain my good name. I believe Pride’s resources would be better used in other areas.” Community Leaders React Jack Valinski began volunteering for Pride Houston in 1982, and spent 25 years working for the organization, including a stint as executive director. “I hope it becomes a transparent organization, and that it is responsive to the community, [with] open meetings that are at set dates,” Valinski said. “This is an organization

that basically [exists] to represent the community, and we haven’t seen that in 10 years. “We don’t know how this new administration is going to turn out. It could be just as bad,” Valinski added. “I’m still not sure that they have a perspective on the community. I also hope that there is an audit of the books that is made public.” Ray Hill, who served as chair of Pride in the late 1970s and early 1980s, said he does not believe the organization has been operating according to the rules for 501(c)(3) nonprofits in recent years. “I knew in advance, from just watching what was going on, that they were headed for some trouble,” Hill said. “They did not structurally match what they said they were—and that would be fine, except there are papers to sign. “Get back within the rules, stay within the rules, and throw us a party that nobody will forget,” Hill added. Carol Wyatt-Woodell, a former Pride president who served as grand marshal of the 2017 parade, said that, for better or worse, Pride Houston is the recognizable “brand” of the local LGBTQ community. “In an ideal world, Pride Houston would be the glue that brings all the organizations in our community together, and would also represent the best of us to our allies, sponsors, and financial supporters who enable us to do all the good work we do,” WyattWoodell said. “I am hopeful that the new Pride

OutSmartMagazine.com

NEWS continued on page 17 |

DECEMBER 2017

WHAT IS GENVOYA®? GENVOYA is a 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years and older who weigh at least 77 pounds. It can either be used in people who are starting HIV-1 treatment and have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. These include having an undetectable viral load (less than 50 copies/mL) for 6 months or more on their current HIV-1 treatment. GENVOYA combines 4 medicines into 1 pill taken once a day with food. GENVOYA is a complete HIV-1 treatment and should not be used with other HIV-1 medicines. GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses, you must keep taking GENVOYA. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance

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What is the most important information I should know about GENVOYA?

GENVOYA may cause serious side effects: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. GENVOYA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking GENVOYA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking GENVOYA will need to monitor your health. Who should not take GENVOYA?

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Serious side effects of GENVOYA may also include: • Changes in your immune system. Your immune

• Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking GENVOYA. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. • Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. The most common side effect of GENVOYA is nausea. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking GENVOYA?

• All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. • All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Other medicines may affect how GENVOYA works. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe to take GENVOYA with all of your other medicines. • If you take antacids. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or after you take GENVOYA. • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if GENVOYA can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking GENVOYA. • If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please see Important Facts about GENVOYA, including important warnings, on the following page.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking GENVOYA.

Ask your healthcare provider if GENVOYA is right for you.

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GENC0176_A_8-125x10-75_OutSmart_Darius_r1v1jl.indd 1-2

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11/14/17 3:52 PM

IMPORTANT FACTS This is only a brief summary of important information about GENVOYA® and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

(jen-VOY-uh) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GENVOYA

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF GENVOYA

GENVOYA may cause serious side effects, including:

GENVOYA can cause serious side effects, including:

•

Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. GENVOYA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking GENVOYA. Do not stop taking GENVOYA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

• • • •

ABOUT GENVOYA •

•

GENVOYA is a prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 77 pounds and have never taken HIV-1 medicines before. GENVOYA can also be used to replace current HIV-1 medicines for some people who have an undetectable viral load (less than 50 copies/mL of virus in their blood), and have been on the same HIV-1 medicines for at least 6 months and have never failed HIV-1 treatment, and whose healthcare provider determines that they meet certain other requirements. GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to others.

Do NOT take GENVOYA if you: • Take a medicine that contains: alfuzosin (Uroxatral®), carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Carnexiv®, Epitol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®, Tegretol-XR®, Teril®), cisapride (Propulsid®, Propulsid Quicksolv®), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®), ergotamine (Cafergot®, Migergot®, Ergostat®, Medihaler Ergotamine®, Wigraine®, Wigrettes®), lovastatin (Altoprev®, Mevacor®), lurasidone (Latuda®), methylergonovine (Methergine®), midazolam (when taken by mouth), phenobarbital (Luminal®), phenytoin (Dilantin®, Dilantin-125®, Phenytek®), pimozide (Orap®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifamate®, Rifater®, Rimactane®), sildenafil when used for lung problems (Revatio®), simvastatin (Vytorin®, Zocor®), or triazolam (Halcion®). •

Take the herbal supplement St. John’s wort.

•

Take any other HIV-1 medicines at the same time.

GET MORE INFORMATION •

• •

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Those in the “Most Important Information About GENVOYA” section. Changes in your immune system. New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.

Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. The most common side effect of GENVOYA is nausea. These are not all the possible side effects of GENVOYA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking GENVOYA. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with GENVOYA. •

BEFORE TAKING GENVOYA Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical condition. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with GENVOYA.

HOW TO TAKE GENVOYA • •

GENVOYA is a complete one pill, once a day HIV-1 medicine. Take GENVOYA with food.

GENVOYA, the GENVOYA Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, SHOW YOUR POWER, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: September 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. GENC0176 11/17

GENC0176_A_8-125x10-75_OutSmart_Darius_r1v1jl.indd 3

11/14/17 3:52 PM

NEWS

Stopping His Watch Pride Houston board members voted unanimously on November 14 to remove Quijano from his position as board observer, which he assumed after Lo Moton-Roberts was elected president. Pictured (clockwise from left) are treasurer Dustin Sheffield, Roberts, secretary Jeremy Fain, and board observer Dan Cato.

continued from page 13

leaders are embracing this concept, and I for one pledge to do everything I can do to help them deliver on that mission.” Judge Hears Testimony Following a three-hour hearing on November 16, Judge Sandill handed down a preliminary injunction barring Quijano and Kratochvil from acting on behalf of Pride. The injunction effectively extended the terms of a previous restraining order against the defendants. During the hearing, Moton-Roberts and Pride Houston board member Jeremy Fain testified that Quijano worked closely with Roberts during the past year to prepare her to take over as president. Roberts and Fain also testified that Quijano never questioned Roberts’ qualifications during that period, or at the time of her election. Lewis, the attorney representing Pride Houston and current board members, said Roberts has been involved in the organization for six years. In addition to serving on nearly

every Pride Houston committee, Roberts spent one year as a non-voting board observer and one year as a voting board member, Lewis said. Quijano maintains that a board observer is not a board member, and that the organization’s bylaws require two years of board service before one is eligible to become president. However, the bylaws don’t appear to make such a distinction between board observer and board member. Roberts testified that without the injunction, she believes Quijano would continue to hold himself out as president of the organization. Fain testified that he believes Quijano

would continue to negotiate contracts on behalf of Pride Houston. Fain also alleged that nearly three-quarters of the contracts Quijano signed as president were finalized before board members knew about them. During a meeting of the current board on November 14, members voted unanimously to remove Quijano from his position as board observer, which he assumed after Roberts was elected president. John Wright is the editor of OUTSMART magazine, and Brandon Wolf is a regular contributor.

C OMMUNIT Y Photos by Dalton DeHart and Edgardo Aguilar

On October 26, OUTSMART hosted a viewing party for Balls at Stages Repertory Theatre. Pictured are members of the cast and attendees.

On November 8, the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce hosted Brewing Up Business at Balani Custom Clothiers. Pictured are Domingo Barrios, Tammi Wallace, Corrie Rhabby Domingo, Victor Flores, Gary Wood, and Roy Alvarez Jr.

On November 12, LIVE Consortium hosted This Is How We Brunch at La Griglia. Pictured are Alan Prewitt, Michel Muylle, Torey Hawkins, Beau Miller, Bathsheba Johnson, Michael Webb, Bill McDugald, Jason Black, and Clark Caperton.

On November 12, OutReach United hosted a check presentation for beneficiaries at the home of Bob Briddick. Pictured are members of OutReach United.

On November 18, the Montrose Center hosted the Transgender Day of Resources and Healthy Living. Pictured are presenters, volunteers, and attendees.

On November 8, Solaro Estate Winery hosted a Reason to Wine, benefiting Lazarus House. Pictured are Ralais Harper, Rachelle Welch, Nancy Galarza, Danielle Sampey, Darwin Ruiz, Josh Wright, and Rafferty Laredo.

On November 11, OUTWOD hosted a benefit at Skyline Crossfit for the Montrose Center’s LGBTQ Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. Pictured are participants.

On November 11, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church hosted Drag Bingo 2017. Pictured are K.K. Goodsell, Kelly Dempsey, Misty Brown, Van English, and Shavailya Long.

OutSmartMagazine.com

DECEMBER 2017

12/17

Calendar of Events Compiled by Marene Gustin

‘The Nutcracker’ Bigger, better, and on the move.

Artists of the Houston Ballet. INSET : Sara Webb and Chun Wai Chan.

BOTH PHOTOS - AMITAVA SARKAR/COURTESY HOUSTON BALLET

arvey may have devastated the Wortham Theater Center, home of Houston Ballet, but it can’t dampen the company’s holiday spirit. The show must go on, and that means the traditional performances of The Nutcracker will not be cancelled. Just relocated. And that’s a good thing for all who need some holiday cheer this year. Performances start a little later this year and will be split between Sugar Land’s

Smart Financial Centre and Houston’s downtown Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. If you missed artistic director Stanton Welch’s new production of this classic last year, now is the perfect time to see it and get into the holiday spirit. The world premiere last season wowed audiences and critics alike with sparkling new choreography from Welch, more than 250 gorgeous costumes

by scenic and costume designer Tim Goodchild, along with his massive Christmas tree and sugary land of the sweets. It is sweet indeed that this treasure will go on, despite the wrath of Harvey. —Marene Gustin • The Nutcracker • December 10–January 6 • Smart Financial Centre and Hobby Center for the Performing Arts • houstonballet.org

Radio * Performing Arts A Art & Photography R Ongoing + Other Things V Save The Date

1 World AIDS Day Luncheon

This year’s keynote speaker is former Olympic diver Greg Louganis. aidshelp.org

2 AC 2 + An intimate evening with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. smartfinancialcentre.com

3 Lady Gaga * Go gaga for Gaga! houstontoyotacenter.com

* Fronted by one of the best gay musicians, Jonny Pierce. whiteoakmusichall.com A Midnight Clear * thru 24 A musical tale of Christmas Eve in 1964. stagestheatre.com 18 DECEMBER 2017 OutSmartMagazine.com

* Singing on the island. thegrand.com

Lyle Lovett

The House without a Christmas Tree

* thru 17 A world-premiere opera for the holidays. (See page 57.) houstongrandopera.org

6 The Drums

7 Conversations on ‘Journey of the Universe’ last day Discuss the Emmy

Award-winning documentary of the 14-billion-year history of the universe. ctkelc.org/journey-of-the-universe

8 + Lace up those skates and hit the ice! discoverygreen.com

Rainbow on Ice

The Glamour and Romance of Oscar de la Renta thru Jan 28, 2018

mfah.org

For ongoing events, visit outsmartmagazine.com

9 A Charlie Brown Christmas * thru 17 All the Peanuts characters come alive on stage in this holiday classic. crightontheatre.org

* thru Jan 6, 2018 The show must go on! Houston Ballet’s annual holiday tradition has new dates and two new venues this season. (See opposite page, top) houstonballet.org The Nutcracker

thru Jan 7, 2018 Lights, ice skating, Santa, and more at Moody Gardens. moodygardens.com

Beautiful voices sing gospel favorites. africanchildrenschoir.com

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas thru 30 Family holiday

fare. alleytheatre.org

thru 30 A Christmas miracle musical. ensemblehouston.com

Exhibit of 16 area student artists at UH Clear Lake. uhcl.edu/artgallery/exhibitions/upcomingexhibitions

* thru 16 Celebrate Christmastime with this performance. houstonsymphony.org

* Deep-in-theheart-of-Christmas concert. thegrand.com Day for Night * thru 17 Musicians and trailblazers highlight this three-day event. dayfornight.io

Handel’s Messiah

The Texas Tenors

18 + A special holiday wine night at Helen Greek Food and Wine. helengreek.com

Wine Night

Everybody Talks about the Weather

A thru Jan 7, 2018

Pauline Boudry and Renate Lorenz. camh.org

21 Soulful Sounds of Christmas

17 The African Children’s Choir

15th Houston Area Community College Student Exhibit thru 15

13 2017 Festival of Lights

Bestowing Beauty: Masterpieces from Persian Lands thru Feb 11, 2018

An exhibition of more than 100 works drawn from one of the most significant collections of Persian art held in private hands. mfah.org

thru Jan 7, 2018 The exhibition showcases a range of contemporary sign painters. crafthouston.org

Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight thru 24 tuts.com Human Plus thru Jan 1, 2018

thehealthmuseum.org

16 Breakfast with Santa + Bring the kids for brunch with the jolly guy. woodlandsresort.com Christmas Village at Bayou Bend

thru Jan 13, 2018 A group exhibition at the McClain Gallery. mcclaingallery.com

thru Jan 6, 2018 A winter wonderland. mfah.org

20 Head Gear A thru Jan 21, 2018 A three-artist exhibit you’ll want to see. crafthouston.org

23 A Sun that Never Sets

The Celtic Tenors * Songs of the holidays. matchhouston.org

22 For Hire: Contemporary Sign Painting in America

24 * last night A musical tale of Christmas Eve in 1964. stagestheatre.com

A Midnight Clear

+ thru Jan 15, 2018 More than 2 million holiday lights light up the zoo. houstonzoo.org Zoo Lights

29 Chromatic Fantasy

thru Jan 6, 2018 A complement of color by artist Edward Lane McCarntney. hooksepsteingalleries.com

31thSave the Date

30 A Tribute to George Barris A thru 31 In this exhibit paying tribute to the King of Kustomizing, you can see a replica of Barris’s 1966 Batmobile and more. nmfh.org

HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE!

January 27, 2018

The Susan G. Komen Houston Race for the Cure

Rescheduled from October 2017. komen-houston.org

More CALENDAR ➝ OutSmartMagazine.com

DECEMBER 2017

| 19

12/17 Calendar of Events

Lawyers You Know, A Firm You Can Trust

continued from previous page

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas

Now thru December 30

Voted Best Family Law & Real Estate

Thru 30

–

Besides The Nutcracker, Houstonians love the holiday classic A Christmas Carol—A Ghost Story of Christmas brought to us every year by the Alley Theatre. Luckily, unlike Houston Ballet, the Harvey damage to the Alley’s main theater has been repaired, so Scrooge et al. will be back on the Hubbard stage with all the ghosts, turkeys, fog, and Christmas redemption. alleytheatre.org

KATINE JOHN NECHMAN LGBT Pride Grand Marshal, 2013

ASHLEY SCOTT

LGBT Pride Grand Marshal, 2001

Family Law Attorney

LGBT FAMILY LAW

Rainbow on Ice

December 8 –

Adoptions, surrogacy, child custody/visitation, pre-nuptial/post-nuptial/cohabitation agreements, divorce, name changes, and estate planning

Real Estate Disputes • Homeowner Association Law • Immigration Criminal Law • Family Law • Adoptions • Insurance and Disabilit y Claims HIV/LGBT Law • Estate Documents • Employment Law

Lace up those skates and hit the ice! Discovery Green’s annual holiday treat of icing over Kinder Lake is always fun for skaters, but December 8 is the evening you want to go for the 7th annual Rainbow on Ice. This year the LGBT celebration features DJ Joe Ross and Crawford Nation. discoverygreen.com

Katine & Nechman | 1834 Southmore Blvd. | Houston, TX 77004

713-808-1000 | info@lawkn.com | www.lawkn.com

Handel’s Messiah

December 14–16 –

HAVE YOU EVER HAD A GREAT IDEA FOR A TV OR RADIO SHOW? NOT YET.

YES!

December 15–17 –

Come realize your creative vision on HMS TV and HMS Net Radio!

Come share your ideas with us, and we will show you how to turn them into TV or radio programs.

Join like-minded individuals and share your creative genius at Houston’s public access stations. Get started by attending one of our free orientation sessions, held Mondays at 6 p.m. No RSVP Required. Questions? Email info@hmstv.org. Check out your show and other great programming at: AT&T U-verse - ch99 • Comcast - ch17 Phonoscope - ch96 • Sudden Link - ch99 Online - hmstv.org, hmsnetradio.org HoustonMediaSource

@HouMediaSource

713-524-7700 • hmstv.org • hmsnetradio.org

20 | DECEMBER | OutSmartMagazine.com 20 DECEMBER 2017 2017 OutSmartMagazine.com

14–16

Celebrate Christmastime with this beautiful performance by the Houston Symphony and the Houston Symphony Chorus led by conductor Paul Agnew. The vocals and the music of this Baroque masterpiece will stir your soul and get you in holiday spirit. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! houstonsymphony.org Day for Night

HOUSTON MEDIA

15–17

Popular musicians, visual artists, and trailblazers highlight this three-day event. The Free Press Houston-sponsored three-year-old festival packs a plethora of events, talks, and digital art works into the former 1936 Barbara Jordan Post Office, which is now a downtown event facility. Part of this year’s proceeds will go to the Greater Houston Community Foundation for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Among the stars are some LGBT faves, including Chelsea Manning (right) and St. Vincent (above). dayfornight.io ■

ST. VINCENT - ILOVESTVINCENT.COM; MANNING - HEIDI GUTMAN/ABC

MITCHELL KATINE

L EFT O UT

By Susan Bankston

Trumping the Shark Fourteen things our ‘dear leader’ might do before you read this.

Things I Bet Will Happen in Washington DeeCee This December • Trump ill call ussian president ladimir Putin to ask which U.S. state he wants as a Christmas gift. Americans cheerfully offer Alabama. • Trump ill re er to at least one nation s leader as a “dotard do-do head.” I bet on France. France bets on Mexico. Mexico bets on that

‹

have to tell you something that ain’t easy. My deadline for OUTSMART is two weeks before the publication date. On top of that, whatever I write has to be relevant to the political situation for a full month after publication. That’s six weeks total. So no matter what I write now, it’s gonna be buried under a pile of new Trump caca del toro by the time you get around to reading it. And then when you do read it, you wonder, “Where in the fool tarnation has this woman been for the past six weeks? Did she write this during recess on the cruise ship or something?” This has not always been true for most of American politics. A major crisis usually lasts at least three weeks. Since Trump took office, there have been three or four crises every damn day. Do you want to know what I hate most about Republicans? If I could only pick one thing, it would be that we can’t have satire anymore. They stole satire from us and stomped on it so badly that it won’t stop shaking for decades. Think about it: you read, “President sashays nekkid on the White House lawn, demanding that all his children be gilded in gold.” A year ago, you would have known that was satire. Now? Who the hell knows, because dammit, that could happen. Admit it—it’s within the realm of possibility, and not the craziest thing Trump has ever done. So here’s how this is gonna work this month. I’m just gonna make predictions about what Donald Trump is about to do. The way I figure it, about half of these will be right, and some of them might even happen on the very same morning you read this.

COLLAGE - BLASE DISTEFANO

To Russia with Love If Trump wants to gift a state to Putin, Alabama might be a good choice, especially if Roy Moore wins on December 12.

hunk in Canada. The hunk in Canada says, “Bring it on, Big Boy.” •T e ite House ill introduce a ne ice cream flavor: Trumplickin’ Good. It outsells their other flavor, Cap’n Hunch. • Trump ill issue special presidential subpoenas to everyone who attended his inauguration, to make them go through a turnstile so we can get a correct count to prove once and for all that his inauguration had the most people who ever went anywhere. And while they’re back in Washington, he repeats the whole event, calling it a recommitment ceremony. • Attorney eneral e essions ill be unable to recall his middle name, his exact date of birth, and how many fingers he has. Additionally, he has no memory of anything that happened two months ago, but he distinctly remembers that he was against it. (Sessions reminds us that the most dangerous airborne virus in America isn’t Ebola, it’s amnesia.) • s rea in e s lo o ill be donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Early American Impressionists Collection. Replacement CNN logo now reads “What The Actual F--k?” • Trump ill declare t at Poland is our ally in “The War on Christmas.” They supply our troops

with tinsel and a thoughtfully selected item from Target’s Martha Stewart Collection. • Trump ill announce t at e is lea in t e priesthood. • ice president i e Pence ill re eal in a tell-all interview on Fox & Friends that he’s going to stop calling his wife “Mother” and start referring to her as “The Old Balls and Chain.” Cheerful chuckles ensue over Pence being able to say “old balls” on the air. • Trump ill be disappointed to learn t at e doesn’t get to pick Australia’s ambassador to the U.S. Also disappointed: Kid Rock. • Trump ill nominate a 33 year old recent law-school graduate to a lifetime appointment as a federal judge—someone who has never tried a case, is unanimously rated “not qualified” by the American Bar Association, and who spent the last year as a paranormal investigator. • ean Hannity ill tell t e beauti ul and tender story about his frequent journeys up through Trump’s digestive system, where Hannity has decided to build his new home. There will be charts and graphs. • us imbau ill announce t at e s still alive. Nobody gives a damn, and even Rush can’t actually prove it. • Paul yan ill lea to t e press t at e as invited four professional wrestlers to perform with Trump during the State of the Union. They will be the ones displaying proper decorum. ay, ere s my e t ut oliday ui one of the above things has already happened. Can you uess ic one oin your ello e t ut readers online at OUTSMARTMAGAZINE.com and check to see if you were right. One more thing, y’all: I have come up with a way to help Alabama’s Roy Moore really find esus. t in ol es a ole mess o immen, some chains, and a lifetime subscription to Your Ass Just Got Kicked magazine. And to end the year: in last month’s special election, a 26-year-old lesbian Democrat was elected to the Oklahoma (do you hear me? Okla-damn-homa!) Senate in a district that went 67 percent for Trump in 2016. Now that’s how you say Happy Holidays, y’all! Susan Bankston lives in Richmond, Texas, where she writes about her hairdresser at The World’s Most Dangerous Beauty Salon, Inc., at juanitajean.com.

OutSmartMagazine.com

DECEMBER 2017

What is TRUVADA for PrEP?

Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP?

TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medicine that is used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: ® Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. ® Also take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP? Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-negative. ® Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. ® You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. ® If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. ® To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: ® Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. ® Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. ® Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. ® Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. ® If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: ® Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking TRUVADA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: ® Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA. ® Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. ® Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. ® Bone problems, including bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? ® All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. ® If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA. ® If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk. ® All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. ® If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include certain medicines to treat hepatitis C (HCV) infection. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page.

I'm open-minded, not uninformed. I know who I am. And I make choices that fit my life. TRUVADA for PrEP™ is a once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when taken every day and used together with safer sex practices. ® TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you. Learn more at truvada.com

IMPORTANT FACTS

This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEPTM (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.

(tru-VAH-dah) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative. • Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. • You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you think you were exposed to HIV-1 or have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. • See the “How To Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information. TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA for PrEP is a prescription medicine used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. • To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. • Take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • Use TRUVADA for PrEP together with condoms and safer sex practices. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP” section. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. • Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. • Bone problems. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.

BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. • Have any other medical conditions. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can pass to the baby in breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.

HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV infection. • Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.

TRUVADA FOR PREP, the TRUVADA FOR PREP Logo, the TRUVADA Blue Pill Design, TRUVADA, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0132 07/17

TVDC0132_PrEP_A_8-125x10-75_OutSmart_Latino_p1.indd 3

8/10/17 12:12 PM

M ONEY S MART

By Grace S. Yung, CFP

Looking Out for Aging Loved Ones Strategies for adult children to reduce the financial toll.

lthough average life expectancy continues to rise, those extra years are not always filled with good health. As a result, adult children are increasingly being called upon to provide care for aging loved ones, which can take a physical, emotional, and financial toll. If given the opportunity, most older people prefer to remain at home for as long as possible. In determining whether your loved one should remain at home, consider the cost of maintaining the residence, whether it is safe and suited to their physical needs, and whether the location is convenient for caregivers. If you determine that your loved one should not remain at home, options include skilled-nursing homes that provide medically necessary 24hour care, and assisted-living facilities where residents are more mobile and can participate in activities. If your loved one remains at home, they can still benefit from a variety of services including registered nurses, certified home health aides, occupational therapists, physical therapists, nutritionists, social workers, companionship services, and home-delivered meals. It would also be a good idea to install a personal emergency response system in the home. Healthcare is among the largest expenses for older individuals. In 2016, the estimated cost of a retired couple’s healthcare for the remainder of their lifetimes was $275,000, according to a Fidelity study. And this figure does not include the cost of long-term care. Although Medicare Parts A and B pick up at least some of the tab for hospitalization and doctors’ services, the program is rife with outof-pocket charges such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. For long-term care, Medicare won’t cover basic “custodial care,” or assistance with everyday activities like bathing and dressing—the type of care that more than 90 percent of recipients need. Even if your loved one requires more extensive “skilled” care, Medicare coverage is limited.

Another government program, Medicaid, requires people to “spend down” their assets to meet their state’s poverty level before longterm care is covered. Medicaid also leaves little choice as to where an individual receives care, and they may be required to go wherever there is an open bed. Fortunately, there are some private funding solutions available. One option is to purchase long-term care insurance, which typically covers care received either at home or in a facility. Unlike most types of investments, benefits from long-term care policies are often tax-free. Another option is purchasing an immediate annuity. Here, the income generated from the annuity can be used to pay for your loved one’s care. If someone is eligible for long-term care insurance, annuity income can be used to pay premiums. This strategy can be beneficial because while income from annuities is often taxable, long-term care insurance benefits may not be. One thing to keep in mind with immediate annuities, however, is that one would be exchanging a lump-sum investment for a fixed income stream. If liquidity is an issue, this may not be the best strategy. If your loved one has a cash-value lifeinsurance policy, it can be accessed tax-free and used for care. Many life-insurance policies and annuities provide “living benefits” riders,

meaning a portion of death benefits can be used to cover terminal illness, chronic illness, or long-term care needs without incurring surrender charges. While “customizing” a policy can help make it more appropriate for your anticipated needs, the myriad of riders and benefit options can be very confusing, so it is important to work with a qualified financial advisor when setting up your plan. Also, note that funds accessed as living benefits are deducted from the death-benefit payout. So if the benefits from a life-insurance policy are already earmarked for final expenses and/or estate taxes, you may not want to use them for long-term care needs. As always, it is beneficial to discuss your situation with professionals who are adept at suggesting options that may be best— especially if you are part of a non-traditional family. An LGBTQ or LGBTQ-friendly adviser can offer suggestions and solutions for your specific situation. Grace S. Yung, CFP, is a certified financial planner practitioner with experience in helping domestic partners plan their finances since 1994. She is a principal at Midtown Financial LLC in Houston and was recognized as a “FiveStar Wealth Manager” in the 2014 September issue of Texas Monthly. Yung can be reached at grace.yung@lpl.com.

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DECEMBER 2017

TIME O UT

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FOR YOUR CALENDAR Check out these fabulous events co-sponsored by O UT S MART and our marketing partners. December 1: World AIDS Day Events

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By Kim Hogstrom Photo by Eric Edward Schell 30 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

F F

our years ago, when James and Ann Elder’s eight-year-old started exhibiting atypical behavior for a girl, the loving parents took their child to Texas Children’s Hospital. There, they visited with Dr. Marni Axelrad, one of Houston’s leading experts on gender variance in school-age children. “Dr. Axelrad spent three hours with us,” Ann Elder recalls. “Then she told us that she thought our child may be transgender. The doctor explained that it is possible that Ben was born as a boy in a girl’s body. Dr. Axelrad suggested that we go home and let Ben take the lead—let him make the determination.” Axelrad says she always advises parents that if her diagnosis is correct, their child will send signals about when it’s time to transition. “We encourage the parents to let the child start by dressing as preferred at home, then move on from there,” she says. Things progressed quickly for the Elder family. Ann Elder recalls that for Ben, wearing boys’ underwear was “really important.” So the very next day, she bought him camouflageprint briefs. He quickly put them on, then strutted around the house, grinning and showing off. “I will never forget that,” his mother says. “It was a defining moment. My child was beaming with joy. He was glowing. I thought to myself, ‘As a parent, I must help him to be this happy for the rest of his life.’ He’s 12 now, and he’s been Ben ever since.” Kimberly Shappley had a similar experience with her six-year-old daughter. By age three, Kai was regularly telling her mother that she was in the wrong body. As a devout Christian and conservative Republican, Shappley struggled to accept Kai’s gender identity without a support network to lean on. “One night, when Kai was four, I went to tuck her in bed,” Shappley recalls. “Kai was asleep. When I felt her legs, they were cold, so I flipped on the light and saw that her legs were marbled and turning blue. She had taken a pair of small panties from a doll belonging to a neighbor, and somehow managed to squeeze into them. It was one of those moments for me—one I could no longer ignore.”

‹

HATCHing a New Plan Today, Ben and Kai are fortunate to have fully supportive parents who have become advocates for their children. Needless to say, not all LGBTQ youth are so lucky. In fact, statistics on the matter are stark. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, studies show that lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are nearly five times as likely to attempt suicide as their heterosexual peers. And for trans youth, the problem is even worse. According to the National Transgender Nondiscrimination Survey, more than 40 percent of trans people reported having made a suicide attempt, compared to less than 5 percent of the general population. Ninety-two percent of trans people who reported suicide attempts said they had tried to kill themselves before the age of 25. For the last 30 years, the Montrose Center’s HATCH Youth program has been addressing the needs of LGBTQ youth between the ages of 13 and 20 in the Houston area. As just one indicator of HATCH Youth’s remarkable success, none of the program’s thousands of young clients has ever taken their own life. Now, HATCH Youth is set to mark the start of its fourth decade by launching HATCH Junior, a groundbreaking new program that will serve children ages 6 through 12 (such as Ben and Kai) and their families. HATCH Junior, which launches in January, is believed to be the first program of its kind operated by an LGBTQ community center in the Southwest. “Kids are identifying as LGBTQ at younger ages than ever,” says Anna Garza, HATCH Youth’s assistant director of programs. “We will help not only these children, but also their families with support and resources that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere. HATCH Junior will fill in the gaps.” Kimberly Shappley says that if something like HATCH Junior had been available when Kai started talking about her gender identity, it would have “saved both of a us a lot of pain and misunderstanding. “It took me forever to find any resources to help us,” she says. Ben Elder, meanwhile, plans to be first in line to join HATCH Youth.

Trans Trailblazers Ben Elder (counter-clockwise from lower left) and Kai Shappley are among those who will be served by the Montrose Center’s new HATCH Junior program. Older trans youth, including Landon Richie and Lily Pando, helped pave the way for HATCH Junior.

“I can’t wait to make a whole bunch of new LGBTQ friends, especially trans boys,” Ben says. Noting that modern American medicine is finally starting to recognize gender dysphoria in children, Dr. Axelrad says programs like HATCH Junior can be “critical to the futures” of LGBTQ youth. “As soon as these children find and express themselves, they blossom,” she says. “These children can and do lead healthy, happy lives if they are raised in supportive environments.” Recognizing this need, a handful of mothers with trans children in north Texas founded their own support network in 2015. DallasFort Worth Trans Kids & Families (DFWTKF) began with about 20 members, but has since grown to 600 mothers, fathers, and children sharing their insights and experiences. Co-founder Melissa Ballard says that although DFWTKF’s gatherings are held in north Texas, it has members in the Houston area. She hopes that for those families, HATCH Junior “will provide the social outreach we parents seek for our kids and ourselves. “We all want our children to play with other LGBTQ kids, and each member can support and learn from every other,” Ballard says. “Our group sure does that.” Gender Infinity is another Houston nonprofit organization that serves trans people of all ages. Rather than duplicating efforts, the Montrose Center plans to collaborate with Gender Infinity on HATCH Junior. “We are lucky to have Gender Infinity in Houston,” says Kent Loftin, the Montrose Center’s development director. “They bring together helpful resources to make the world a better, safer place for trans people. “Together, we promote justice, equality, and hope in the celebration of infinite gender possibilities,” Loftin adds. “While HATCH Junior is open to more than trans youth, we certainly plan to continue to work together.” HATCH Youth was founded in response to a request from a lesbian teen who attended a Unitarian Universalist church in the 1980s. The young woman was desperately searching for a place where gay and lesbian teens could meet and support one another, an element often missing in their lives. Founded as the “Houston Area Teen Coalition of Homosexuals,” HATCH Youth now includes five programs, including HATCH Junior. ➝

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NEW AGE ACTIVISTS continued from previous page

Faces of a movement In many ways, trans youth like Ben Elder and Kai Shappley, along with their parents, have become the faces of the LGBTQ movement in recent years, especially in Texas. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in favor of nationwide marriage equality in 2015, anti-LGBTQ groups have turned their attention to trans issues. This was evident during the battle over Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), when opponents built their campaign around the fear-mongering lie that it would lead to predatory men in women’s bathrooms. The anti-HERO campaign subsequently morphed into a statewide effort to pass a “bathroom bill” that would restrict trans people’s access to public restrooms, including in schools. The Shappleys and Elders both traveled to Austin to testify against the bathroom bills in the Texas Legislature this year, and their stories have been featured widely in the mainstream media. Kimberly Shappley, who’s been fighting to get the Pearland Independent School District to allow Kai to use girls’ restrooms, was

recently named faith outreach coordinator for the statewide LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Texas. Shappley happens to be an ordained minister and a member of Houston’s Lakewood Church. Since Kai entered first grade in 2016, Pearland ISD has required her to use a separate restroom in the nurse’s office. School superintendent John Kelly even issued a statement on the issue that compared trans rights to legalizing polygamy and pedophilia. Meanwhile, Kai has had two “accidents” in the hall while waiting for a staff member to let her into the nurse’s restroom. “It traumatized my daughter,” Shappley says. “Some of Kai’s friends were there, and saw what happened. Kai was mortified and cried all the way home.” The Elders are facing a similar battle in the Clear Creek Independent School District. Throughout elementary school, Ben was allowed to use boys’ restrooms. But when he started middle school this fall, the policy changed. “He was told he had to use the special staff restroom now,” Ann Elder says. “We went all the way up to the assistant superintendent to

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be heard. I tried every angle to help the man understand. It didn’t work.” Next year, in seventh grade, Ben hopes to begin playing intramural sports. But under the current policy, he will not be allowed in boys’ locker rooms, which could prevent him from participating. “We will see how it happens as the time nears,” Ann Elder says. “This is what it’s like to have a trans child. You just have to keep fighting.” In addition to his Austin trip, Ben Elder has been to Washington DC to lobby Congress on behalf of LGBTQ rights. He has even been invited to the White House, where he met vice president Joe Biden twice. “The second time we visited, Vice President Biden spent some time with me, and then he hugged me. I really liked that,” Ben says. Following the hug, and while saying their goodbyes, Biden bent down, took Ben’s face between his hands, and said, “Ben, when you are elected president of the United States, please don’t forget your old pal Joe.” Kim Hogstrom is a regular contributor to OUTSMART magazine.

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Top10 Things to Leave in 2017

THERESA DIMENNO

By Ryan M. Leach

It’s all about draining the swamp—sometimes literally.

verything about 2017 was big for Houston. The Astros won their first World Series. The city hosted an outstanding Super Bowl with a subversive performance by queer artist Lady Gaga. LGBTQ advocates defeated the terrible “bathroom bill” in Austin—twice. We endured Tropical Storm Harvey, the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history, and responded by helping one another in the only way we know how—bigly.

1. Floods

Since 2015, Houston has been flooded by major storms annually, and each one seems worse than the last. While places like Meyerland were flooded during Harvey for a third time in as many years, residents of areas like the Energy Corridor discovered they are not immune to the problem, either. But through great tests come great triumphs. LGBTQ Houstonians stepped up to the plate in a big way as first responders, leaders in the public and private sectors, and just neighbors helping neighbors. To top it off, the Montrose Center created the largest LGBTQ naturaldisaster relief fund in history.

That said, the winds of 2017 blew in a few things that should stay in 2017. So out with the old and in with the new—and in no particular order, here is my third annual list of “Top 10 Things to Leave.”

2. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick

With the help of lackeys like state senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and governor Greg Abbott, Patrick was able to make Texas the center of negative attention for much of 2017. His obsession with what people do in the restroom brought the Texas economy to the brink of disaster twice. Fortunately, Patrick’s anti-trans crusades were flushed in both the regular and special sessions of the Legislature. But like any turd, Patrick and his hateful legislation will resurface if he is re-elected in 2018, when he faces both Republican and Democratic challengers. It’s bills like this that endanger the lives of trans people, 23 of whom have been murdered so far in 2017.

3. Mass Shootings It’s been one of the deadliest years ever for mass shootings in America. On average, we lose one person per day in mass-murder events, and dozens more in daily gun violence that barely makes the news. GOP leaders like President Trump seemingly replaced their tired “thoughts and prayers” mantra with “Now is not the time to talk about it.” But let’s face it, now will never be the time for those who have sold their souls ➝ to the NRA.

OutSmartMagazine.com

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TOP 10 THINGS TO LEAVE IN 2017 continued from previous page

4. Voter Apathy

Voter turnout in Texas is among the lowest in the nation. Maybe that’s how we elected GOP senator Ted Cruz, the anti-LGBTQ enemy of democracy, back in 2010. It may also explain why Houstonians have been saddled with Republican congressman John Culberson, who has a dismal record on LGBTQ issues, and Harris County’s Republican clerk Stan Stanart, who tried to prevent same-sex couples from obtaining marriage licenses after Obergefell. If pro-LGBTQ voters turn out in 2018, we’ll have a chance to topple these hurdles to equality. If you’re not registered, visit VoteTexas.gov/register-to-vote.

5. State Senator Joan Huffman (R-Houston)

users were vindicated, and some Apple users announced their defection on social media by writing, “A? HATE APPLE!”

7. Silence about Sexual Assault/Harassment

Sexual assault and harassment are illegal, and they must go. This year shined a spotlight on what many already knew—that victims and witnesses often don’t report it, resulting in a painful shame that only perpetuates the problem. We need to give victims of sexual assault and harassment safe spaces to come forward, and we need to speak up when we see it happen.

major boner for every team that was not the Astros. Houstonians grew tired of Buck drooling over the Red Sox (until we beat them), the Yankees (until we beat them), and the Dodgers (until we beat them). Go ’stros!

10. Confederate Statues

8. White Nationalism

Fran Watson Huffman (insert) has always supported legislation that endangers the lives of LGBTQ people, but this year was particularly significant for her. The Houston-based senator chaired the Senate Committee on State Affairs, where she helped ram through Patrick’s bathroom bills. During a marathon public hearing (where the vast majority of testimony was against the bills), Huffman was overheard on a hot mic apparently berating trans Texans. When contacted about her alleged comments, Huffman’s office had no response. The good news is, Huffman is up for re-election in 2018, and former GLBT Caucus president Fran Watson, a Democrat, is running against her.

6. A?

If you think the debate between political parties is heated, you should avoid the feud between iPhone and Android users. Apple launched a new line of products in time for the holidays, including a watch, the iPhone 8, and the iPhone X. However, it was the new version of Apple’s operating system that overshadowed its product release when a glitch started inexplicably replacing “I” with “A?”. Smug Android

White supremacy has been rebranded as “white nationalism.” Make no mistake, it is still racism. With the rise of Trump and his divisive politics, white supremacists are emboldened. The racists and neo-neo-Nazis who stormed Charlottesville, Virginia, over the summer with tiki torches are proof. This event ended with the murder of a young woman who was counter-protesting. Hatred is alive and well. Let’s make 2018 about eradicating it.

36 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

9. Joe Buck

If you watched the Astros win their first World Series, you are familiar with Joe Buck, the Fox Sports commentator who had a

A statue of a Confederate general who fought in the Civil War does not honor history; it memorializes treason, hatred, and slavery. Many of these statues were erected during the Jim Crow era as a subtle message to black people that they would never be considered equal. In other words, they are a middle finger to people of color, smack-dab in the middle of town squares throughout the South. And finally, according to reader suggestions, there are a few other items that should be left in the waste bin of time, including fidget spinners and cold-shoulder sleeves. I won’t argue with that. I don’t see how Houston could do things any bigger in 2018, and I don’t know that we would want to. Ready or not, here it comes! Ryan M. Leach is a regular contributor to OUTSMART magazine.

In adults with HIV on ART who have diarrhea not caused by an infection

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION This is only a summary. See complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or by calling 1-844-722-8256. This does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.

What Is Mytesi? Mytesi is a prescription medicine used to improve symptoms of noninfectious diarrhea (diarrhea not caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on ART. Do Not Take Mytesi if you have diarrhea caused by an infection. Before you start Mytesi, your doctor and you should make sure your diarrhea is not caused by an infection (such as bacteria, virus, or parasite).

Possible Side Effects of Mytesi Include:

Tired of planning your life around diarrhea?

Enough is Enough Get relief. Pure and simple. Ask your doctor about Mytesi. Mytesi (crofelemer): • Is the only medicine FDA-approved to relieve diarrhea in people with HIV • Treats diarrhea differently by normalizing the flow of water in the GI tract • Has the same or fewer side effects as placebo in clinical studies • Comes from a tree sustainably harvested in the Amazon Rainforest What is Mytesi? Mytesi is a prescription medicine that helps relieve symptoms of diarrhea not caused by an infection (noninfectious) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Important Safety Information Mytesi is not approved to treat infectious diarrhea (diarrhea caused by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite). Before starting you on Mytesi, your healthcare provider will first be sure that you do not have infectious diarrhea. Otherwise, there is a risk you would not receive the right medicine and your infection could get worse. In clinical studies, the most common side effects that occurred more often than with placebo were upper respiratory tract (sinus, nose, and throat) infection (5.7%), bronchitis (3.9%), cough (3.5%), flatulence (3.1%), and increased bilirubin (3.1%). For Copay Savings Card and Patient Assistance, see Mytesi.com

Please see complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com. NP-390-10

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• Upper respiratory tract infection (sinus, nose, and throat infection) • Bronchitis (swelling in the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs) • Cough • Flatulence (gas) • Increased bilirubin (a waste product when red blood cells break down) For a full list of side effects, please talk to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Should I Take Mytesi If I Am:

Pregnant or Planning to Become Pregnant? • Studies in animals show that Mytesi could harm an unborn baby or affect the ability to become pregnant • There are no studies in pregnant women taking Mytesi • This drug should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed A Nursing Mother? • It is not known whether Mytesi is passed through human breast milk • If you are nursing, you should tell your doctor before starting Mytesi • Your doctor will help you to decide whether to stop nursing or to stop taking Mytesi Under 18 or Over 65 Years of Age? • Mytesi has not been studied in children under 18 years of age • Mytesi studies did not include many people over the age of 65. So it is not clear if this age group will respond differently. Talk to your doctor to find out if Mytesi is right for you

What Should I Know About Taking Mytesi With Other Medicines? If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, herbal supplements, or vitamins, tell your doctor before starting Mytesi.

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Rx Only Manufactured by Patheon, Inc. for Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. San Francisco, CA 94105 Copyright © Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mytesi comes from the Croton lechleri tree harvested in South America.

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Transition of Power Patent lawyer Danielle Healey hopes her remarkable story inspires others.

‹

License to Thrive Danielle Healey changed her name in Texas Bar Association records, including her membership card, with the help of a colleague at her firm, Fish & Richardson, where she heads the patent-litigation division.

By Lourdes Zavaleta

f she could not live openly as a woman, she did not want to live at all. “I felt like I was falling apart,” recalls Danielle Joy Healey, one of Houston’s top patent attorneys. “I was willing to lose everything besides my family to transition. I was prepared to give up my job, my practice, and my friends. I just couldn’t do it anymore.” On July 20, 2017, Healey came out publicly as a transgender woman during a speech at the State Bar of Texas Advanced Patent Law Seminar. Since then, Healey says she’s received overwhelming support from her firm, Fish & Richardson, as well as from the legal and LGBTQ communities. She also became an overnight media sensation when her story was picked up by outlets including CW 39, Houstonia magazine, and Law.com. “I’m glad that my story is out there,” Healey says. “I want my experience to show trans people—whether they are young, old, closeted, or not—that if I can do this, so can they.” The day after her speech at the law seminar, Healey testified in Austin against Senate Bill 6, which would have restricted trans people’s access to public restrooms. Healey says the support that she has received has given her empathy for those who have not had the same experience. “I have been re-energized and refocused, in civil rights [work] as well as in my own patent practice,” Healey says. Healey is an active supporter of Equality Texas, the statewide LGBTQ advocacy group. She is also currently working pro bono on cases involving a woman allegedly discriminated against based on her sexual orientation, and a gay man seeking asylum from Russia. Though she now fights for the acceptance of others, for 40 years Healey had trouble accepting herself. As a child, Healey constantly questioned her gender. In elementary school, she secretly

wore girls’ clothing at home. At 12 years old, she read an article in Time magazine about a trans woman who underwent gender-confirmation surgery. That was when she first thought about transitioning, although things did not fully make sense to her until 30 years later when she watched an HBO documentary about a trans boy. The documentary inspired her to call her cisgender friend, Cynthia, to ask if she had ever thought she had been born into the wrong body. Healey was surprised when Cynthia said she hadn’t. “I couldn’t believe it,” Healey says. “I thought everyone was constantly thinking about changing their gender as much as I was.” In her 40s, Healey sought out therapists and psychologists because she wanted the feelings she had about her body to go away. Instead of getting the “conversion therapy” she wanted, she was diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Her psychologist encouraged her to start accepting that she might be transgender. Healey started living part-time as a woman for 15 years. During the day, she went to court presenting as male, and at night she went out as herself. At 57, she finally transitioned. “The more I spent time as a woman, the more peaceful I got,” Healey says. “The background noise that I lived with in my mind for my entire life was finally silenced.” After graduating from Brown University

in 1982, Healey moved to Texas for law school. She graduated from the University of Texas School of Law with honors in 1985. She then clerked for a federal judge in Houston for two years and went on to work at a national law firm for seven more years. Healey then opened her own law firm, where she oversaw 13 lawyers. When she decided that she no longer wanted to own her own practice in 2008, she took some of her employees to Fish & Richardson, where she became the head of the firm’s patent-litigation division. She continues to work there today, supervising cases across the globe. When Healey told Fish & Richardson that she wanted to live as a woman, they took her seriously. The company notified her clients, and one of her coworkers helped her change her name on Texas Bar Association records. Healey says she expected Fish & Richardson to assist her because they are a forward-thinking firm with an LGBTQ affinity group. “They have an enormous commitment to inclusion and diversity, and they do right by it,” says Healey. “Had they not accepted me, they would have lost a productive senior lawyer and my clients. But by accepting me, they now have a reenergized member of their firm.” Aside from practicing law, Healey has written a book and produced a movie. A near-death experience in 2009 inspired her to pursue ➝

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DECEMBER 2017

TRANSITION OF POWER continued from previous page

those endeavors. “I was literally drowning in my own lungs,” Healey says. “Near-death experiences sort of broaden your horizons.” Healey was diagnosed with valvular congestive heart failure, an infection that was eating away at her aorta. She came within hours of dying, but her illness was caught just before it was too late. After surviving her surgeries, she wrote Kindness for the Damned: Intrigue, Love and Redemption in Sicily, which was later developed into the film Leaves of the Tree. The film is still showing in the U.S., England, Germany, Croatia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Iceland. While it has been difficult, she remains with her wife and is still close to her two daughters. Healey says she overworked herself as a way to cope with the depression that her dysphoria caused. Noting that her life has more meaning now that she can completely be herself, Healey says she wants her transition to inspire others. “I am much happier now, and it shows in my work,” she says. “I want my story to show that LGBTQ people are stronger when they are accepted and supported.”

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Out in the Woodlands LGBTQ residents and allies form equality coalition in conservative suburb. By Kim Hogstrom

‹

n November 9, 2016, a day after the election of President Trump, most voters in The Woodlands were yee-haw, hot-diggity happy. But not all of them. While Trump carried Montgomery County with a whopping 73 percent of the vote, some people in the master-planned north-Houston suburb were horrified. Close friends Adria Alexander Keeney and Jennifer Majors Baca, both residents of The Woodlands, knew they had to do something. “We decided we must organize, so we called together a group of like-minded people to discuss how to move forward,” Keeney recalls. “We expected 15 people to attend our first meeting, but thanks to social media, 80 showed up,” Baca adds. “By the end, everyone was in tears. I think the emotion was an expression of the hope we all shared that night—the relief of knowing there were others who cared, and the result of trauma over the election itself. It was a powerful and moving moment. I will never forget it.” Who were these people at the meeting? They were straight, cisgender men and women as well as gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender folks. They were Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Indian, and Hispanic. They were white, black, and every shade in between. They ranged in age from 15 to 81, all citizens of the world. They were us. At that first meeting, the group was still loosely organized with no defined objective. Following a presentation, everyone introduced themselves and described their reasons for attending. Jasmine Harrell, a beautiful, soft-spoken 15-year-old girl, addressed the crowd. “I am a lesbian teen, and I want to set an example for my siblings and friends,” she began. “I want to be heard and counted. I want to be a part of The Woodlands, but I feel there are very few safe places for the LGBTQ community here. I would like to change that.” With her quiet but courageous introduction, Jasmine helped define the trajectory of

Proud Beginnings The Woodlands Coalition for Equality has been active in its first year, with members appearing at the Houston Pride Parade, and meeting with progressive Texas leaders including Wendy Davis, Beto O’Rourke, and Julian Castro.

the group’s future. And The Woodlands Coalition for Equality was born. ‘The Whitelands’ The coalition faces an uphill climb. The area has no well-organized LGBTQ groups, and the nearest PFLAG chapter is in Conroe. In LGBTQ circles, The Woodlands is perhaps best-known as the home of “The Woodlands Ten,” the teenage boys who took part in Houston’s most notorious antigay hate crime, the 1991 murder of Paul Broussard in Montrose. On top of that, City-Data.com reports that The Woodlands is 73 percent white, and only 3 percent African-American, 5 percent Asian, and 17 percent Hispanic.

But this racial imbalance was not by design. The Woodlands was the vision of Houston oil baron George Mitchell, who began his planning by flying to Europe to study similar master-planned communities. He was amazed at the blend of socioeconomic levels, professions, and ethnicities that made those projects model residential districts. “They were communities for all,” he told this writer in the 1990s. Mitchell snatched up about 44 square miles of land in Montgomery County, 30 miles north of downtown Houston, and photographed it to identify every tree. Then he planned all of the roads, buildings, and homes around them. In 1974, he launched The Woodlands, mingling ➝

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DECEMBER 2017

OUT IN THE WOODLANDS continued from previous page

mixed-income, multifamily complexes with middle-class homes and upper-class mansions. It was supposed to become north Houston’s “community for all.” The late billionaire visionary must now be rolling over in his grave.

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Why They Fight The reasons that these fine residents of The Woodlands decided to form a coalition dedicated to equality are as varied as the people themselves. Some have experienced hatred and injustice personally, and others have observed it, but all are committed to eliminating fear and ignorance—the root cause of hatred— through understanding. “I had two brothers who were gay,” Baca says. “Our family has always been accepting, but that does not always trump the messages people get from the rest of society. One of my brothers is happy and productive, but the other became a meth addict, and it eventually took his life. I think when people [don’t feel safe and] accepted for who they are, they often self-medicate. In the case of my brother, it killed him. “We are all affected by what others think,” Baca adds. “It may not match what we think of ourselves, but we still absorb some of its negative impact. [Coalition members] know that creating a safe place for people to be who they are helps everyone. We know that ‘equality’ means equality for all.” The Future in Her Eyes Jasmine sees a glaring need for more support in The Woodlands. She knows many LGBTQ teens who are simply too frightened to come out, and she admits to being one of them. “I am out, but not at school,” she says. “The Woodlands High School doesn’t have a Gay Straight Alliance. I think we are supposed to have one, like other schools, but there isn’t one. We do have a ‘No Hate Day,’ but one boy told me that telling him not to hate for a day just makes him hate more. We have a problem here. We need help.” Baca says that her new coalition is planning civic-engagement activities for students like Jasmine at the local high schools and colleges. There are even plans to enter a Pride float in The Woodlands’ Fourth of July parade. “We would like to start a series of videos that will inspire, empower, inform, and encourage us all to evolve,” Baca says of the coalition’s other goals. For now, Jasmine says the group has brought her a much-needed feeling of safety. “It’s wonderful to be a part of it,” she says. “I look forward to sharing my new friends with others.” Kim Hogstrom is a regular contributor to OUTSMART magazine.

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Redefining Legacy Agency unveils Montrose pharmacy and offers ACA help. By Marene Gustin

‹

egacy Community Health’s Montrose clinic opened a new pharmacy on Halloween. But there were no tricks, only treats. “Yes, we decorated it,” laughs Karen Gurwitch, Legacy’s vice president of pharmacy relations. “And we had a bowl of candy out for everyone. Not exactly healthy, but then we also had a bowl of oranges.” That first day, about 100 customers visited the pharmacy, which takes up most of the ground floor of Legacy’s Montrose location at 1415 California Street—a 40,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2011. Previously, a Walgreens pharmacy operated inside the clinic before Legacy’s leadership made the decision to own and operate their own facility. “People have been thrilled with the personal service,” Gurwitch says. “They can have a total coordinated-care experience.” This is the second Legacy pharmacy to open; the first was at their new Lyons Avenue clinic in the Fifth Ward. Going forward, Legacy may add pharmacies in some of its other 32 clinics, although none are on the drawing board yet. The organization’s growth strategy for 2017 included the two pharmacies, as well as the Lyons clinic and another new Southwest clinic that will open this month. Legacy Community Health grew out of The Montrose Clinic, founded in 1978 to provide healthcare services primarily for gay men. The clinic was instrumental in addressing the AIDS crisis in Houston throughout the 1980s and ’90s. In 2005, The Montrose Clinic merged with The Assistance Fund to become Legacy Community Health. Since then, Legacy has grown to serve 100,000 people each year, meeting the needs of the LGBTQ community and others who are uninsured or underinsured. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Legacy provides preventive and ongoing healthcare to patients regardless of their insurance situation or ability to pay. The orga-

Prescription for Growth Launched in 1978, Legacy Community Health now serves 100,000 people annually in 32 clinics. On Halloween, the agency opened its second in-house pharmacy at its Montrose location.

nization offers sliding fees based on a patient’s finances, and accepts most private insurance as well as Medicare and Medicaid. Legacy’s Montrose location offers dental and vision services along with primary care, preventive services, and mental-health counseling.. “FQHCs are playing a greater role today because of their affordability and the care they provide,” says Kevin Nix, Legacy’s senior director of communications. “We keep people out of the emergency rooms for non-emergency issues.” And, as Republicans try to gut the Affordable Care Act (ACA), FQHCs—which are funded under a separate federal program—are becoming more important for basic healthcare. Speaking of the ACA, it remains the law of the land and people have until December 15 (when the Open Enrollment Periods ends) to sign up to receive subsidized health insurance in 2018. There will be one new insurance provider and several new insurance plans in the Houston area next year, and some of the catastrophic or high-deductible plans are available at little or no cost. Even though the Trump administration reduced the signup period and cut funding for ACA advertising and assistance, Legacy still offers free help with the enrollment process. If you are comfortable choosing an insurance plan and enrolling on

your own, go to Healthcare.gov—otherwise, trained Legacy “navigator” staff members are available at no cost to help people sign up. As for the new pharmacy at the Montrose clinic, Gurwitch says her staff members are thoroughly trained in HIV/AIDS and transgender healthcare issues. They will also soon be able to provide home delivery for prescriptions and offer counseling, health coaching, immunizations, and smoking-cessation plans. Although Legacy’s Montrose clinic and pharmacy specializes in treating HIV/AIDS patients and providing transgender healthcare for those who may face uncomfortable or even hostile situations at other medical facilities, all of Legacy’s Houston clinics are open and welcoming to everyone. “The pharmacy isn’t just for our clients,” Gurwitch says. “We want this to be the Montrose pharmacy. We want to be able to help the entire neighborhood.” Legacy Pharmacy–Montrose • 1415 California St. • M–F 7:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.–2 p.m. • 713.665.8800; fax 713.559.3268 • PharmacyMontrose@LegacyCommunityHealth.org Marene Gustin is a regular contributor to OUTSMART magazine.

OutSmartMagazine.com

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Hope Fulfilled Pastor Leslie Jackson is finally living his dream at Cathedral of Hope Houston. By Marene Gustin

‹

eslie Lynwood Christopher Jackson says he first felt called to the ministry as a teenager attending Lakewood Church, which was then led by John Osteen, its founder and the father of the congregation’s current pastor, Joel Osteen. But it would be a long time before the Rev. Jackson began to preach—and even longer before he had his own flock. The reason was simple. “Teenage years can be very hard, particularly when you’re beginning to explore your own sexuality,” Jackson says. As the native Houstonian began to identify as gay, he felt less and less comfortable with the church. As a young man, he found his “church” was more about parties and nightclubs and less about sanctuaries. It was a difficult time. “God used all of my pain for his glory,” Jackson says, adding that he has no regrets. Jackson’s stint in the Navy finally taught him discipline and control. After that, he found his way back to the church, joining Houston’s Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, where he met his husband, Marcus Carter, a former Alvin Ailey dancer. After earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix, Jackson worked at the Houston Food Bank as manager of organizational culture. But when he turned 30, he reassessed his career goals. “Marcus asked me what it was I really wanted to do with my life, and I knew then it was to minister,” he says. His career goal was the same as it had been as a young teen. The couple relocated to New York City, where Jackson graduated from Union Theological Seminary in 2012. But he wasn’t ordained until 2016. After returning to Space City, the couple visited many churches before settling on Cathedral of Hope Houston, a United Church of Christ congregation. The pastor, Rev. Lynette

Preaching Diversity Although Leslie Jackson, pastor of Cathedral of Hope Houston, is a gay black man, he says the congregation is largely made up of white lesbians, and the church welcomes everyone.

Ross, whom Jackson had met in seminary, encouraged him to get ordained and join her as the church’s minister of education. He hasn’t looked back since. When Ross told Jackson of her plans to retire, he thought, “Oh no, I don’t want to learn to work with a new pastor.” But she just laughed and said, “No, you’re going to be the new pastor!” And so, on July 2, Jackson preached his first sermon. Almost four months later, he was officially installed as pastor. “It’s like a small, family church,” Jackson says. “We are very small, maybe 40 to 45 regulars who attend Sunday service—and several ‘frequent flyers’ who come often but aren’t yet members.” In 2009, Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, known as the world’s largest LGBTQ church, planted the Houston congregation as an “outpost.” In 2013, Cathedral of Hope Houston became an independent congregation. Cathedral of Hope Houston moved several times before landing in West Houston. Jackson and his husband live nearby in Oaks of Inwood with their cat, Langston Hughes (named for the African-American poet and playwright) and their dog, Josephine Baker (named for

the black dancer, singer, and activist who took Paris by storm in the 1920s and ’30s). They are clearly artsy fur-parents. Jackson is also active in the Diana Foundation and serves on the board of the Houston Association of the United Church of Christ Foundation. His hobbies include reading about stoicism and minimalism and listening to podcasts. He uses social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter, to reach his congregation and encourage new members. “I’m an African-American gay, and the congregation is largely white lesbians. While I identify as a progressive evangelical, we encourage everyone to join—gay or straight, UCCers, Baptist and New Age, agnostics, and even a few atheists,” he says. “We want diversity. We encourage different views and ideas, as long as all are open to listening and learning.” Cathedral of Hope Houston • cohhouston.org • 9022 Long Point oa , Houston, • 713.956.0600

77055

Marene Gustin is a regular contributor to OUTSMART magazine.

OutSmartMagazine.com

DECEMBER 2017

least of which has been the Trump administration’s assault on equality. The Houston community responded with renewed energy and spirit—and a slew of successful events. One of the early highlights of 2017 was the inauguration of Harris County’s new district attorney, Kim Ogg. Also memorable were the Red Dinner, the Human Rights Campaign Gala, the Diana Foundation Awards, and Bunnies on the Bayou. We had music from the Gay Men’s Chorus, the Bayou City Women’s Chorus, and the Houston Pride Band. I also photographed the Montrose Softball League Association, Houston Hurricanes Flag Football, the Lone Star Volleyball Association, and FrontRunners. Houston’s Theater District, including the Alley Theatre and Theatre Under the Stars, along with Discovery Green, offered entertainment of all

Dalton DeHart’s

2017

YEAR in

REVIEW

t’s been another busy year, as I photographed over 400 local LGBTQ events. These images will be added to my existing archive of over one million community photographs. The nonprofit Dalton DeHart Photographic Foundation will launch a website (tddpf.org) to house these photos sometime in early 2018. My 32nd year photographing LGBTQ Houston was memorable for a variety of reasons—not the

types. Pride Houston provided a top-notch parade and festival. The Montrose Center hosted numerous gatherings—from the first “There’s No Place Like Home” weekend to the annual Out for Good dinner. Legacy Community Health put on another successful Mint Julep and celebrated the opening of their new Legacy Pharmacy-Montrose. OutReach United continued raising funds for other organizations with its Coming Out Party, OutReach Goes Vegas Party, and Pool Party. Both the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Executive & Professional Association of Houston (EPAH) remained extremely active. AIDS Foundation Houston hosted the Red Umbrella AIDS Walk, as well as another successful Dining Out for Life. All of these events—and too many others to list here—made for a remarkable year.

DEC. 2016 December 12, 2016 Couture for a Cause

December 4, 2016 The Rose Experience

December 4, 2016 EPAH annual holiday party

Dec. 13, 2016 OUTSMART’s 2016 Holiday Party

JAN. 2017 January 27 EPAH

January 15, 2017 Snow Bunnies 2017

January 31, 2017 LAMBDA NextGen

January 14, 2017 EPAH and LHI Silver Anniversary Fundraiser

50 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

January 28, 2017 Miss LSVA Charity Drag Bingo

January 18, 2017 AIDS Walk Kick-Off

February 2 Ty Herndon live at Neon Boots

‹

FEB.

February 25 Mystery & Fantasy Mardi Gras Party

February 18 “A Seat at the Table: An Experience for the Black Gay Community”

February 1 Diana Foundation Happy Hour

MARCH

‹ February 2017

Dry Powder ActOUT

February 13 Houston GLBT Political Caucus

March 5 AIDS Walk 2017

March 12 Out at the Rodeo 2017 at NRG Park

‹

March 8 Equality Texas

March 5 LUEY 2017

March 2017 LGBT Chamber of Commerce

‹ March 25

OutReach United

OutSmartMagazine.com | DECEMBER 2017 | 51

APRIL

April 9 Brunch at the Eagle with Brian Sims April 27 Dining Out for Life benefiting AIDS Foundation Houston

April 16 Bunnies on the Bayou April 23 Victory Fund Champagne Brunch

April 16 Lone Star Volleyball Classic.

April 1 HRC Houston 20th Anniversary Gala

April 30 The Executive & Professional Association of Houston’s Champagne Mixer

May 7 Horns & Halos at Bayou City Performing Arts

‹ May 6

MAY

Legacy Community Health Services Derby Day

May 16 Out@TUTS featuring Fun Home, hosted by OUTSMART magazine and Theatre Under the Stars

May 11 ActOUT featuring A View from the Bridge at the Alley Theatre

52 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

May 23 Legacy Community Health’s Cocktails & Conversations

JUNE

June 2 “There’s No Place Like Home,” the Montrose Center’s VIP reception June 28 Houston Pride Festival and Parade

June 22 Pride Houston’s Pride Superstar Finale

June 1 Hatch Youth LGBTQIA Prom

June 23 Rainbow on the Green at Discovery Green

‹

June 2-4 Launch Party for LGBTQ SeniorHousing Project, ‘There’s No Place Like Home’

July 16 Legacy Community Health’s Mint Julep at Rich’s

JULY

July 10 Houston Stonewall Young Democrats Summer Social at Canopy

The Dalton DeHart Photographic Foundation award presentation

July 27-31 QFest

July 30 MSLA 2017 Annual Awards Banquet

July 22 Harris County Democratic Party Pride celebration at Hamburger Mary’s

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| 53

AUGUST

August 29 Daddy Don Dowden’s Dynamic Dog Dayz of Summer Extravaganza

August 13 Equality Texas Sunday Funday

‹

August 19 The Montrose Softball League Association Bomb Squad Softball Tournament

August 12 Rec Room hosted the Dead Rockstar Sing-A-Long Club

SEPT. September 2 Tropical Storm Harvey Fundraiser at South Beach

September 13 Harris County Democratic Party Brown Bag Lunch September 16 Tropical Storm Harvey Benefit Show at Rich’s

54 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

September 16 LHI’s 25th Anniversary Party hosted by EPAH

‹

September 28 KPRC-TV chief meteorologist Frank Billingsley book signing for his book, Swabbed & Found

September 22 Kindred Spirits Celebration Dance at SPJST Lodge

OCT.

October 12 Montrose Center’s Out for Good at the Ballroom

October 5 Rec Room’s Story Hole 2 – Holidays & Hurricanes

October 14 OutReach United’s Coming-Out Party

November 11 OUTWOD - crossfire event at Skyline Crossfit benefiting LGBT Harvey Fund

November 4 Transgender Unity Banquet

October 14 OutReach United’s Coming-Out Party

‹

October 5 Discovery Green’s “Show Your Pride” featuring Ty Herndon and the band Hennessy

October 21 Halloween Fantasy Ball

November 11 Resurrection MCC Drag Bingo

November 17 EPAH 2017 at Coda and Eclectic Home

‹

October 7 Diana Foundation’s Country Dinner at Neon Boots

NOV.

November 12 LIVE Consortium

November 11 Orgullo Houston’s Baile 2017

OutSmartMagazine.com

DECEMBER 2017

| 55

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Queerly Cheery Gay composer Ricky Ian Gordon premieres Christmas Tree musical at Houston Grand Opera. By Don Maines

‹

enowned gay composer Ricky Ian Gordon wishes everyone a happy holiday season with the world premiere of his new opera, The House without a Christmas Tree, which runs through December 17 in Houston. Gordon’s year-round gift, he says, is being “emotionally honest.” “We are in a world of recovery,” he says. “Emotional honesty is what I pretty much represent in the world.” The Houston Grand Opera commissioned Gordon and librettist Royce Vavrek to adapt The House without a Christmas Tree from an original story by children’s author Gail Rock, as well as an Emmy Award-winning holiday TV special that was first broadcast on CBS in 1972. Jason Robards played James, the gruff, emotionally distant father of 10-year-old Addie Mills. As a grown-up in Manhattan, Addie looks back on her childhood in Nebraska with her grandmother and James, a widower. Gordon, who also lives in Manhattan and has composed three operas inspired by the death of his lover in 1996, says the familyfriendly story “resonated” with him. “Watching the movie and reading the book was such a pleasure, and very touching for me,” he says. “Writing the music was very uninhibiting because I did not have to show how sophisticated I am. It rolled out like the truth.” Gordon has laid bare his truth before, including opening up to author Donald Katz for the 1992 narrative nonfiction book, Home Fires: An Intimate Portrait of One Middle-Class Family in Postwar America. Gordon’s parents and three sisters also told Katz what their lives were like on Harbor Isle, Long Island, from oftenconflicting points of view. “For five years, I was the liaison between Don and the other members of my family,” says Gordon.

Music Therapy Gay composer Ricky Ian Gordon, who endured a shame-filled childhood that included frequent bullying, has written three operas inspired by the death of his partner from AIDS in 1996.

Home Fires, which was nominated for a National Book Critics Circle Award, drew comparisons to 1973’s groundbreaking PBS documentary series An American Family, in which the late Lance Loud shocked viewers by coming out as cameras rolled. “I even met Lance Loud,” Gordon says. “He knew about the book.” Home Fires’ publication “was painful for my family,” admits Gordon, explaining that it exposed feelings and observations that were surprising to him because “people talk to an outsider in ways they don’t talk to each other.” The book includes the letter that Gordon wrote coming out to his father. Gordon’s “shame-filled” childhood included “getting beaten up a lot” by classmates. “It was so bad that at one point we had to move. It was definitely bullying because I was different, though antigay [bullying] is somewhat inaccurate because I had no idea what I was yet. I just knew I was unlike other kids, including being obsessed with opera.” Gordon found comfort as a college student when he took part in Erhard Seminars Training (EST), the organization founded by Werner Erhard in 1971. “It is now Landmark Education, which Kevin, my partner, is deeply involved with,” says Gordon. “I used to practice

Tibetan Buddhist meditation, but it morphed into regular old meditation. I learned [the Buddhist meditation] a very long time ago from a guru named Swami Muktananda at the Syda/ Syddha Yoga Foundation.” Gordon says EST “felt liberating—not from my own pain, but by making me want to tell ‘truth.’ That wasn’t the end of my problems, but it’s why I don’t hide myself anymore.” Gordon’s generosity of spirit is alive in performances of The House without a Christmas Tree, in which Addie believes that a Christmas tree will make her family’s home “look happy.” The composer also brought joy to the production’s cast and crew by arriving in Houston on October 29 to help with rehearsals. He planned to stay in town through the first two performances at the Houston Grand Opera’s Resilience Theater at the George R. Brown Convention Center. “It’s a huge thing to premiere an opera,” he explains. “In every rehearsal, anything can go wrong. You have to imbue the whole cast with the direction you intend the story to go.” The cast includes 10 local youngsters who perform as HGO’s juvenile chorus, singing “Gather around the Christmas Tree.” Members of the juvenile chorus also ➝

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DECEMBER 2017

QUEERLY CHEERY continued from previous page

portray Santa Claus, one of the three Wise Men, and part of the posse behind 10-year-old Addie’s love interest, played by Maximillian Macias, a student at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Montrose. What: The House without a Christmas Tree When: November 30 through December 17 Where: Houston Grand Opera’s Resilience Theatre, George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas Tickets: houstongrandopera.org Parking: Available at the Avenida North garage at 1815 Rusk Street, across from HGO’s temporary convention-center venue.

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Glow and Go Houston’s best holiday lights.

By Joanna O’Leary

• On December 1, kick off your luminescent journey through H-town by attending the 87th annual Mayor’s Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting in Hermann Square at City Hall. Rounding out the evening will be a fireworks show, as well as an appearance by Jolly Old Saint Nick himself. Those who bring a new unwrapped toy to the Reliant booth will be rewarded with a festive souvenir in the form of a light-up Santa hat. The toys will go to the Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command’s annual toy drive. For a tour of over-the-top and awe-inspiring holiday lights that can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own vehicle, head to the River Oaks and Upper Kirby neighborhoods, where upper-crust owners spare no expense in decorating not only the exterior of their houses, but also the surrounding stately oak trees and manicured bushes. And speaking of bushes, the palatial residence of George H.W. and Barbara Bush always looks particularly charming with the addition of classic white lights and wreaths. Just don’t linger too long outside, or the Secret Service may start to get suspicious.

‹

ome years, finding the time to put up holiday decorations can take a Christmas miracle. Fortunately, there are myriad ways to get in the spirit by basking in the glow of magical holiday lights without having to construct them yourself or foot the resulting high electricity bill. Here’s a roundup of our favorite holiday light displays in and around Houston.

A Few Bright Spots Sugar Land Holiday Lights, top, features 2.5 million bulbs at Constellation Field. Galveston’s Moody Gardens, middle, offers a mile-long promenade with bay views. Zoo Lights, bottom, includes life-size animal sculptures, as well as some of the facility’s nocturnal residents.

• Lights in the Heights, from 6 to 9 p.m. on December 9, began as a local event but has quickly grown in popularity due to the unique opportunity it presents to see an impressive lineup of private light displays, all conveniently located in one neighborhood. Street closures make it easy for visitors, especially families, to stroll up and down the streets to admire the illuminated houses and enjoy musical performances held on some of the front porches. • Now in its fourth year, Sugar Land Holiday Lights is an electronic holiday extravaganza held nightly through January 1. In addition to its dazzling walk-through display

of 2.5 million lights in the park at Constellation Field, Sugar Land Holiday Lights features Texas’ largest inflatable snow globe, holiday vendors, food trucks, and shows on select nights. • Zoo Lights, which runs through January 14, allows you to celebrate the season with other members of the animal kingdom via its approximately 15 miles of twinkling lights strung along the pathways of the Houston Zoo. Light projections and life-sized animal sculptures also line the route, and the zoo’s nocturnal creatures make guest appearances at their leisure. ➝

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| 61

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• For a less traditional, more eclectic illuminated celebration, check out the Magical Winter Lights Festival at Gulf Greyhound Park in La Marque, which runs through January 2. Millions of bulbs are used to recreate famous landmarks such as St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow and Rio’s giant Christ the Redeemer statue. Another highlight (pun intended) of the Festival are replicas of ornate imperialstyle Chinese lanterns, which serve as a fitting backdrop to the Chinese arts-and-crafts demonstrations. • Finally, serious seekers of Christmas lights should consider heading to Galveston, where the already-stunning Moody Gardens takes on another dimension of beauty as the site of the annual Festival of Lights each evening at 6 p.m. through January 7. Make your way along a mile-long promenade adorned with more than one million lights that showcase various illuminated holiday scenes, in addition to offering terrific views of Galveston Bay. Revelers can also opt to take a train ride through part of the trail, and then continue the fun by grabbing a hot chocolate at the concession stand or making figure-eights on the outdoor skating rink. Joanna O’Leary is a regular contributor to OUTSMART magazine.

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Not-Just-Magic Mike Michael Carbonaro says it takes acting, illusion, and more to achieve his eponymous effect. By Gregg Shapiro

Gregg Shapiro: How did you first become interested in—and I want to pronounce it correctly—prestidigitation? Michael Carbonaro: Oh, that’s really well done. Thank you! When I first moved to Los Angeles eight years ago and got to perform at The Magic Castle for the first time, I was working in the Parlour of Prestidigitation. So that was one I had to learn myself. [Laughs] I do love that you gave it another name other than magic or illusion, because it is a big umbrella for me. I began with, and still have, a love of special effects and a huge love of Halloween, costumes, and makeup. I talk about this in my live show. I had no doubt [as a kid that I would grow up to be] a makeup artist. I would buy makeup supplies at a local magic shop in Hicksville, near where I grew up on Long Island. There were guys behind the counter who were showing real magic tricks. I went there for the makeup, and it was full of masks and puppets and gags and pranks and bloody things and zombies. It was theatrical, too; there was stage makeup. It opened up this world [of illusion, and

‹

MATT CHRISTINE PHOTOGRAPHY

ith his mesmerizing and hilarious hidden-camera and practical-joke series The Carbonaro Effect, now in its third season on truTV, out actor and illusionist Michael Carbonaro keeps viewers (and his unwitting subjects) guessing. A whiz of a wizard if ever there was one, Carbonaro first crossed our gaydar as sex-obsessed Andy in the 2006 rom-com Another Gay Movie. But his greatest success and exposure has occurred through his longtime love of the magical arts on The Carbonaro Effect. I spoke with Carbonaro recently as he was kicking off a cross-country tour of live performances.

Secret Tricks Michael Carbonaro says growing up gay taught him how to hide things like a magician would.

when I bought some of] those tricks and tried them out on my friends, I noticed that I had a love for performing. If special effects brought me to magic, then magic brought me to performing. All three of those things are still just as strong, and they all tie together in the work I’m doing. Since I didn’t know whether I wanted to be an actor or special-effects artist or magician, how about if I do all three in the show? Who are, or were, your illusionist heroes? Excellent—look at how this all comes together! My favorite illusion book of all time is by Tom Savini. It’s called Bizarro, later titled Grand Illusions. I love that it was called Bizarro! [And I also admire] David Copperfield,because he, more than anyone, embodies all these things that were magical. He will talk to the audience and be funny, and go off into some weird fantasy illusion and come back and do a silly little gag. I love that atmosphere that he creates. How would you say that your sleight-of-hand skills worked in your favor as a gay man? Whoa! I don’t know if I’ve ever considered that question. There is something sexy about secrets, isn’t there? I wasn’t out in elementary school or junior high. But I started to find the right kinds of friends in high school. The music department in my high school was really tight-knit, and we did plays together and were in the chorus.

High-school music classes often served as the Gay Straight Alliance, before there were GSAs. Exactly, right? [Laughs] The wonderful theater where I’m from on Long Island was called the Creative Ministries Performing Arts Center. It’s now the Noel S. Ruiz Theater (named for the man who ran it), but we used to call it the Creative Ministries Coming Out Center. [Laughs] I think John Waters talks about this, too, from his generation. It was better when you had to sneak around and come up with little plots or plans, or however he put it. There was something about having a secret that was cool. I guess I was better at setting up secret situations, and knew how to hide my tracks the way a magician would—before I came out! In addition to being the title of your show, you use the catchphrase “the Carbonaro effect.” How did that catchphrase come into being? I’ll be honest with you, this was a pitch from the network. All projects are always changing and developing, and you find what it is as you’re making it. I was certain that I wanted to call the show Michael Carbonaro: Trickster. I love the trickster character. I think he embodies what I do on the show—like Bugs Bunny, poking you in the right direction, playing along with you, making you wonder. That made ➝

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NOT-JUST-MAGIC MIKE continued from previous page

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sense to me. When they first pitched The Carbonaro Effect to me, I was like, “Oh no, I don’t know!” I always had this weird thing with my last name. I always thought people wouldn’t remember it. It’s confusing. When I was 17, I used to perform as Michael Christopher. Is Christopher your middle name or something? Nope, made it up. If David Kotkin can be David Copperfield, I’ll be Michael Christopher! In retrospect, it did sound a little like a hair salon. [So “the Carbonaro effect” describes] that moment when an intelligent adult mind can be brought to a state where they wonder for a second if there’s a secret trap in the universe that they didn’t know existed, and they believe that for a moment. Isn’t that beautiful? That’s the Carbonaro effect.

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The Carbonaro Effect, the show, has as much to do with hidden cameras as it does with magic. Did you ever get to meet Allen Funt, the man behind the popular Candid Camera, one of the original shows of this kind? I never did, but I watched his show a lot as a kid. I’ve watched all the reruns of that show. You’re right, there’s a magic [and an illusion] to that. It’s like I’m hiding a camera secretly behind a mirror that doesn’t look like it could be there. That’s a magic trick. You appear to make good use of your “everyman” appeal and improvisational skills on The Carbonaro Effect. Which one of those assets do you rely on most during your show? That’s a great question. It really is a weave back and forth between those two. I would say that it depends on the moment. If someone is looking for clues as to what just happened, sometimes my best bet is just to look down and be in a state of amazement myself. That would be acting— processing the thought of something I just saw. That way I can [encourage their amazement] and react as they would. If I think the person is going to get me first, I’ll be like, “Wait a minute! Is this like a freakin’ prank show? How did we get out here?” I will throw it out there first. Because if I’m the only one who could have caused what just happened, then they start to doubt. So, there’s the acting again. [So there’s always this] back-and-forth between those two worlds. How does your husband, actor Peter Stickles, feel about magic and pranks? He loves them! He loves the life. Our house has a Gremlins puppet in it, and the face-hugger [creature from Alien], and Jaws posters. Peter was in love with horror as much as I was as a kid. We meet on that level. Peter travels with me to do the tour. There are magic acts he performs with me.

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You have also appeared in films, including Another Gay Movie, for which you received an acting award from L.A. Outfest. Do you have plans to do more acting? Absolutely! This show is serving [as a springboard for so many other] things that I like to do. I look forward to having a one-man Broadway show and comedic sitcom work and films. I want to direct a horror film myself.

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You are currently doing a series of live shows around the country. What can people expect when attending your shows? The best part about my live show [is that] energy of playfulness—that same Candid Camera world of non-mean-spirited fun. I regularly get letters from fans thanking me and saying that my show is the only one on television that they watch with their entire family. That’s the same energy that comes through in these big theaters across the country where I perform. The live show is a playful all-ages show, with the same wry wit from the TV show. I’m loving it as much as the audiences. Also, just come and check out that [the magic you see on TV is not done with] camera tricks. Every die-hard fan wonders if my TV show uses camera tricks. I say, “Get yourself a ticket, come on down, and watch the magic!” Gregg Shapiro is a regular contributor to OUTSMART magazine.

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Hints of Lavender Out actor Kyle Baird helps bring The Color Purple—and its lesbian subtext—to Houston. By Don Maines ‹

Purple Rainbow Kyle Baird says the Hobby Center show “will speak to the LGBTQ community and to anyone who has ever felt ostracized.”

n the 2013 documentary Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth, the queer feminist author of The Color Purple tells writer/director Pratibha Parmar, “I’m not lesbian, I’m not bisexual, I’m not straight. I’m curious.” So color me “curious” as to what extent Celie’s girl-crush on songbird Shug Avery will be on display when Houston’s Hobby Center hosts the 2015 Broadway revival of The Color Purple as a musical, January 9–14. A 1985 Steven Spielberg movie version reduced the couple’s mattress-dancing from Walker’s 1982 novel to a single kiss. Similarly, it seems, their love affair won’t be all that obvious to theatergoers, either. “It is 100 percent different than it was portrayed in the book,” admits openly gay cast member Kyle E. Baird. However, he says, “I love the Celie-Shug love connection. My interpretation of their relationship is more about the guidance that Shug gives Celie than necessarily sharing a bed. Shug teaches Celie to appreciate herself sexually and to be emotionally present, and to treat herself to a new image [of herself].” Rather than describing them as lesbian sweethearts, Baird says, “I think their relationship is just specific to them. I would have fallen in love with Shug because of her guidance. But I think, yes, the story will speak to the LGBTQ community and to anyone who has ever felt ostracized.” Baird plays two characters in the show, beginning with Sofia’s second boyfriend, Henry “Buster” Broadnax, after she and Harpo break up. “In the book, Buster is written about in much greater detail,” says Baird, explaining that Walker wrote him as an ex-prizefighting boxer.

Physically, Baird fills the role at nearly six feet two inches tall. “I’m a big dude,” Baird says. “People usually ask me if I’m a football player.” At 29, he adds, “I am old enough to know how, and young enough to still do it.” Baird also plays Bobby in the musical, the book version of which was penned by Marsha Norman. The music and lyrics were written by Stephen Bray, Brenda Russell, and Allee Willis. “Bobby is a funny little character at the end of the show,” Baird says. “He gets to help Celie show this new and improved version of herself. He’s younger than her.” (This is not sounding like the lesbian I thought Celie to be.) In the late 1980s, Baird was a baby in the small town of Ledyard, Connecticut, when Julia Roberts filmed Mystic Pizza in a nearby village. “My mother says she pushed me in a stroller when she walked around where the movie was being made. Later on, I even went to eat at Mystic Pizza,” he recalls, referring to the restaurant where the film’s story takes place.

Baird’s mother was the first to notice how her young, athletic son seemed more at home on a stage than a football field or basketball court. Baird, who is single, graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, and settled into an apartment in the city’s Queens borough. He calls it “a rough slice of heaven.” The Color Purple is Baird’s first time in a national tour, but it’s the third time he’s been part of a scaled-down version of a big, splashy Broadway show. “I got to be in Ghost the Musical when the owners wanted to get it back to its bare bones—what Bruce Joel Rudin intended when he wrote the screenplay and won the Oscar for the movie.” A six-piece acoustic chamber group played the score by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics and Glenn Ballard, who co-wrote Jagged Little Pill and “Man in the Mirror,” when Baird appeared in the revised production at the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. ➝

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Baird also performed in Goodspeed Opera House’s abridged production of Show Boat in East Haddam, Connecticut. Other credits include Chad in High School Musical and Seaweed in a production of Hairspray that played in the Ohio Valley. Audience reaction to the race-relations musical surprised Baird. “It was a great platform, especially in that part of the country, which is almost like the Bible Belt,” he says. “I remember some people telling us how much they enjoyed the show, but adding, ‘However, couldn’t you have changed the ending so that Seaweed ended up with his own kind?’” In the show, Seaweed is black, and when he falls in love with Penny, who is white, even Penny’s prudish mother approves, seeing how happy Penny is with Seaweed. “‘His own kind?’” Baird says with a laugh. “We said, ‘You said you enjoyed the show so much, but you didn’t get the message!’” What: The Color Purple When: January 9-14 Where: The Hobby Center, 800 Bagby St. Tickets: thehobbycenter.org Don Maines is a regular contributor to OUTSMART magazine.

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Aloha, ‘Weddingmoon’ How Hawaii changed my mind about prenuptial vacations.

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Hawaii Is for Lovers Writer Jenny Block, left, and her fiancée, Robin Brown, recently spent three weeks on the islands in advance of their March marriage ceremony.

By Jenny Block

here are two ideas that I used to think were silly, but absolutely do not anymore. One is the “weddingmoon.” Why would you need a trip before the happiest day of your life? I’ll tell you why: because planning your wedding and honeymoon is stressful, and a weddingmoon is the perfect way to regroup and remember why you’re getting married in the first place. The second idea that used to seem silly is going to Hawaii when you live in Texas. I mean, we’re so close to Mexico, right? Beautiful beaches, lovely sunsets, fresh Mexican seafood—check, check, and check. But Hawaii is different. It really is. After my fiancée whisked me away on a three-week escape, we arrived on Oahu and spent two nights at the Marriott Waikiki. The hotel is across from the beach, has an impressive sushi restaurant, and is steps away from great shopping—including Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Cartier, Chanel, and my new love, Tori Richard. We watched the moon rise over the waves and the sun set behind the mountains. Then we were off to Maui, where we stayed at Marriott’s Ocean Beach Club, a gorgeous property that looks like a blockbuster-movie version of Hawaiian glitz. The ocean view was remarkable, and the possibilities for playing and dining were seemingly endless. I sat in the pool for hours reading terrible novels and drinking Lava Flows. My fiancée watched the Astros at the beach bar, and I grinned every time she cheered. Then we spent one day driving to Hana. It’s a crazy, bumpy, windy adventure with waterfalls and epic views and fruit stands along the way. We played in the mysterious pebbles of the Black Sand Beach, waded in a waterfall, visited the painted eucalyptus trees, and ate a picnic lunch from the aptly named Hana Picnic Lunch Company. I threw my head back and let the sun warm my face in our Mustang convertible, which seemed far more prac-

tical than the Jeeps that are popular for this trek. Why? You can’t leave your belongings in a soft-top Jeep during the myriad stops you’ll make, and the Jeep hardtop is too difficult to take on and off. Thanks to my friend Kai McBride, who is also an island concierge, we spent an amazing day on the water with the Quicksilver Lanai Snorkel Adventure, where I saw more dolphins in one spot than I had ever seen before. We also got to spend an enormous amount of time with three spotted eagle rays, as a circling mother and two babies appeared to enjoy watching us as much as we enjoyed watching them. We had wonderful meals on Maui at Merriman’s, Sea House, and Star Noodle. One night we dressed in matching Hawaiian prints, donned leis, and immersed ourselves in the Feast at Lele luau, an oceanfront event featuring course after course of exotic fare. All week, I ate as much poke and shaved ice as humanly possible, and wondered if a woman could survive by eating nothing but these Hawaiian treats. Too soon, it was time to take off for Kaua’i, where we split our nights between the massive Kaua’i Marriott Resort and the kitschy Kaua’i Shores Hotel. The latter is home to Lava Lava Beach Club, which meant we got to enjoy toesin-the-sand happy hours, meals, and live music complete with a gorgeous hula dancer every night. I do my best not to play fast and loose with the word magical, but our adventure with

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters on our first day in Kaua’i was just that—from the first glide over the shoreline to the first dip into the canyon for a glimpse of multiple rainbows in the falls. The majority of the island can only be explored by air, and it is a view not to be missed. For our second Kaua’i adventure, we went tubing with Kaua’i Backcountry Adventures. Around 1870, tunnels were dug by hand for irrigation. No longer in use, you can float down the open canals and through the impressively engineered flumes. I don’t remember the last time I giggled and smiled as much as when we held hands with our tubes crashing over the “rapids.” We ended our stint in Kaua’i with a visit to Hamura Saimin, which has the best local saimin on the island. If you’re not familiar with the dish, it’s a classic noodle soup with optional toppings such as pork, Spam, egg, and fish cake. Order the special and make room for the Lilikoi chiffon pie. (Note: Hamura is cash only.) Back to Oahu we went. Before heading to our resort for the week, we spent a night in Honolulu on a mission: to eat at Sushi Sasabune. This is not an easy reservation to get, and the ensuing culinary adventure is not for the faint of stomach or wallet. The best seat in the house is at the sushi bar, but a table will do just fine. Go “omakase” style or “chef’s choice.” The restaurant’s motto is “Trust me”—and you should. Every bite was more delicious than the one before. ➝

OutSmartMagazine.com | DECEMBER 2017

ALOHA, ‘WEDDINGMOON’ continued from previous page 2017 READERS' CHOICE AWA R D S

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Finally, we made our way to the last stop on our trip, Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club. This was the second property that Michelle Gill at Concierge Realty found for us (with just 24hour notice, she’s a last-minute travel genius!). The club was gorgeous, and we decided to spend most of the week laying around the pool and taking in the surreal sunsets. We had noteworthy acai bowls one morning at Island Vintage Coffee, a delicious meal at Monkeypod Kitchen (I had to have saimin one last time before we left the islands), and a dinner I won’t soon forget at Noe at the Four Seasons. The food, service, and atmosphere at Noe made it the most perfectly romantic end to the most perfectly romantic trip. There is something spiritual and ancient about Hawaii—something inspiring and soulsatisfying. I could not be more grateful for the three weeks we had there, and I couldn’t be more excited about returning one day. I could not have asked for a better travel companion, whom I couldn’t help but fall in love with all over again every time the Hawaiian sun took its leave into the waiting sea. Jenny Block, a frequent contributor to OUTSMART magazine, will marry her fiancée, Robin Brown, in Houston in March 2018.

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Sustainable Sustenance Eco-friendly Bellagreen, formerly Ruggles Green, debuts new concept.

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liked Ruggles Green, so something tells me I’m going to love Bellagreen. After a branding makeover, the restaurant chain debuted its new concept in early October at Vintage Marketplace in northwest Houston. As other locations open, Bellagreen will continue to focus on offering patrons an even broader selection of nourishing, healthful dishes constructed from sustainable ingredients while at the same time reducing its ecological footprint. Popular items such as the quinoa macaroni and cheese, and the honey-fried goat-cheese arugula salad, will remain on the menu, which means that Bellagreen will seem familiar to enthusiasts of Ruggles Green. But this fan base is sure to expand, given the new and improved vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options in the form of salads, soups, desserts, sandwiches, pizza, and tacos. Bellagreen should become an ideal place for large groups whose members have differing tastes or nutritional needs. The body-builders in your group should start with a round of “Hi-protein Hempenadas,” three crispy pockets shaped from dough made with wheat and hemp flour, and stuffed with a sweet-savory blend of ground beef, raisins, cilantro, and cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Sides of roasted-garlic cilantro and peach chipotle sauces for dipping add welcome bursts of botanical twang and stonefruit heat, respectively. Another appetizer that’s certain to be a crowd-pleaser is the creamy, earthy house-made hummus laced with sun-dried tomatoes and kalamata olives, all served with crackly flatbread. It’s worth ordering the “Kale, Yeah!” as a prelude to your main, not only for the ensuing giggles from your dining companions, but also because of this salad’s terrific textural contrasts via the inclusion of roasted pumpkin seeds alongside tomatoes, red onion, mango, strawberries, and (natch) kale, all tossed in a rich, citrusy lemon-avocado dressing.

SAIM SALAHUDDIN

By Joanna O’Leary

Green and (Mostly) Lean Bellagreen, which recently debuted its new concept at Vintage Marketplace, offers everything from “Hi-Protein Hempenadas” (inset, top) to pumpkin caramel cheesecake.

Standout entrées include Dale’s Pizza, obviously named for a man with delightfully decadent porcine tastes. This wood-fired pie is loaded with ham, bacon, crème fraîche, basil, thyme, roasted garlic, and mozzarella cheese, and garnished with a dusting of sea salt and cracked black pepper. If, however, keeping it simple is your pizza philosophy, the standard veggie or margherita options are more than satisfying. Bellagreen offers burgers made from various proteins, including lamb, turkey, and buffalo, but there’s something about the refreshing, juicy flavor of the meatless veggie nut patty (composed of potatoes, hemp seeds, almonds, corn, bread crumbs, hummus, and sauteed vegetables) that is absolutely remarkable. Topped with house-made pickles, mixed greens, and your choice of swiss, mozzarella, or cheddar cheese on a whole-wheat bun, this burger easily silences any cries of “Where’s the beef?” Not into eating with your hands when it comes to the main course? Then try the quinoa linguine and turkey meatballs—comfort food transformed through the use of gluten-free pasta and vegetable-stock-based organic tomato sauce with cilantro and parmesan. Now that the weather has cooled down (comparatively), you can take the edge off the

chill with any of Bellagreen’s seasonal specials, such as a vegan fennel salad with cucumbers, roasted beets, baby carrots dressed with sea salt, ground pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil. It’s worth ponying up the extra two dollars (and taking a cheat day—shhhh—on your vegan diet) for the addition of creamy goat cheese. I also look forward to trying the new “Brick Chicken,” a half boneless chicken marinated in herbs, garlic, and olive oil, then sautéed so the skin is rendered crisp before being tweaked with lemon and rosemary. Accompaniments of chipotle mashed sweet potatoes and roasted vegetables only enhance the appeal of this perfect cold-weather entrée. The only possible reason for not cleaning your plate would be to save room for Bellagreen’s pumpkin caramel cheesecake, crowned with a chocolate trellis and buttressed by a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. And the best part? All of Houston’s former Ruggles Green restaurants will soon reopen as Bellagreen locations, which means eating this beautiful green food (and indulging in some dessert) will be convenient no matter where you are in Houston. Joanna O’Leary is a regular contributor to OUTSMART magazine.

OutSmartMagazine.com

DECEMBER 2017

WEDDING GUIDE

Unselfish Love

Keith Clark and Dexter Williams knew they could do more for the community as a team. 78 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

By Henry V. Thiel

Riding High Dexter Williams, left, and Keith Clark said every aspect of their wedding had a story behind it, including the Rolls-Royce.

that literally froze his computer. After rebootr. Keith Clark was crushing on Dexter ing, Clark received a message from Williams, Williams for nine months before Wiland they became Facebook friends. After three liams knew Clark existed. They first weeks of messages, they decided to meet at El crossed paths at a men’s discussion group at Tiempo 1308 Cantina in Montrose. the Montrose Center. “When I saw Keith walk into the restau“To be perfectly honest, I was on a date,” rant, I was instantly attracted to him,” Clark Clark says, recalling that they sat directly besays. “When he opened his mouth, I knew I had hind Williams that evening. been given a gift. He talked to me as if we had Williams was active in the group discusknown each other since birth.” Over dinner, sion and extremely opinionated, which Clark they shared their life liked. After the meet“We believe that love is nothing stories, including their ing, Williams went experiences in college, around the room shakif not shared by all.” their careers, and their ing hands and hugging religious beliefs. “When he spoke of his love for people. He even hugged Clark’s date, but never his family, especially his mother, he became even looked at Clark. even more attractive to me,” Clark says. The next day, Clark called his cousin and When Clark told Williams that he had seen told him, “I have found my husband! I actually him at the men’s group nine months prior, Wilhaven’t met him, but I saw him.” When Clark liams thought to himself, “How could that be? I confessed that he didn’t know the man’s name, never miss a cute face.” But the more Williams his cousin laughed hysterically. “How do you thought about it, the more he realized he wasn’t know he is the one?” Clark’s cousin said. “I just in a good place at the time, and that everything know,” Keith replied emphatically. happens when it is supposed to. Clark thought of Williams from time to Engrossed in each other, they ditched time over the next nine months. Then, one day, other obligations that evening so they could he saw a “People You May Know” suggestion continue to get acquainted. They would have ➝ on Facebook, with a photograph of Williams

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WEDDING GUIDE continued from previous page

stayed at El Tiempo until closing if it weren’t for a toddler who kept interrupting them. When they hugged each other goodbye, Clark says Williams exhaled in a sigh of joy. Williams remembers how Clark’s lips gently brushed against his neck, and how hard it was to end the hug. As Williams started his car, he decided he wasn’t ready for the date to end—so he called Clark and invited him to meet at Davenport’s Martini Lounge. When Clark walked through the front door, Williams knew he was in love. Three years later, they spent Valentine’s Day on the beach in Galveston with their furry children, Ziah and Jake. On a warm and breezy Saturday, as they ate lunch and drank Clark’s favorite margaritas, they talked about merging households—but also found themselves planning their wedding, too. There was no fanfare, no kneeling with a ring to propose; it was just another beautiful day in their life together. Their marriage proposal was simply an acknowledgement of a conscious decision that they both wanted to be together for the rest of their lives. “I knew this was the right decision when Keith told me that when we merged our households, we would be able to do more for our community as a team,” Williams says. “I’ve always

wanted a loving partner who loves people as much as I do. As a therapist for the Source of Healing Counseling Services, giving back to the community is second nature for Keith.” As a philanthropic couple, they have created the annual B.Y.O.P. Community Picnic to raise money and awareness about community organizations and small businesses. They have also raised thousands of dollars for the Dr. Willie and Robbie Clarke Scholarship Fund, which supports students in the medical field. With their Day Parties, Clark and Williams have stepped into the club/entertainment scene, giving established and mature LGBTQ people a place to have a good time. “It’s that unselfish love that makes me love Keith even more,” says Williams, who serves as the social media marketing manager for Bee Busy, Inc., a nonprofit that provides HIV/STD information, education, and testing to individuals and organizations. Since Texas didn’t legally recognize samesex marriages at the time, Clark and Williams decided to exchange vows in Washington DC. They were on their annual June vacation in Miami when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of nationwide marriage equality in 2015. Clark and Williams decided to have a second Texas marriage ceremony in Houston at Chateau Polonez on February 26, 2017, with pastor Reginald McCracken officiating. “We chose Chateau Polonez because it gave

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Beating the Clock Elaina Ray Potts, left, and Karen Marie Hudson were married at the Harris County courthouse in October 2016, because they wanted to tie the knot before a new president could backtrack on LGBTQ rights. Since they could have only a limited number of guests at the ceremony, they threw a two-night wedding party in Galveston (pictured).

After a 50-yard-line engagement, Karen Hudson and Elaina Potts outran Trump to the altar. By Henry V. Thiel

with the help of friends and family. s Karen Marie Hudson tells the story, when she came to pick me up,” Hudson says, Hudson arrived early at NRG Stadium, she met her soulmate, Elaina Raye recalling that Potts’ hair was newly colored while friends from work brought a blindfolded Potts, in October 2010. and she was wearing a long-sleeve Deer Park Elaina. A die-hard Texans fan, Hudson wanted Heartbroken after an ex-girlfriend cheated T-shirt. “When Elaina opened the front gate to to keep the location a secret. on her, Hudson moved back to Houston from my home, she absolutely took my breath away.” Unfortunately, they were not allowed to Dallas, and it turned out to be the best deciHudson, 39, is a service advisor at Advanturn on the lights at the stadium, so they were sion she ever made. It was while working at a tage BMW Clear Lake, and a graduate of LSU. rushing against a fast-setting sun. car dealership that Hudson met the beautiful Potts, 29, is now a student at the Vet Technical When Potts arrived, still blindfolded, Hudblonde, blue-eyed Potts. “She said so much with Institute of Houston. Hudson proposed to Potts son took her hand and walked her out to the those eyes, and still does,” Hudson says. on their one-year anniversary—December 17, 50-yard line. Hudson removed the blindfold, Hudson recalls that she had to ask a co2012—on the Houston Texans football field, dropped to her knee, and asked for worker a few times for Potts’ name, but Potts’ hand in marriage. Touchdown! once she was armed with it, the flirting They ran hand-in-hand to the end zone began. Hudson stole the small heater and snapped a few commemorative that kept Potts warm at her cashier pictures. Then the whole engagement station. team went to Outback Steakhouse for After the theft, Potts messaged dinner and drinks to celebrate. Hudson on Facebook. Soon, it was true The Baytown residents were marlove. Even though Potts wasn’t out to ried at the Harris County Courthouse her family, she took a chance on Hudon October 21, 2016. “We chose that son. “I will be forever grateful for her location and time because we wanted leap of faith,” Hudson says. “She was to get married before the possibility unlike anyone I had ever met before. that Trump could be president,” HudShe’s 10 years younger than me, but son says. that didn’t matter. It was one of the best “While President Obama had done surprises of my life.” so much to make sure our community It was on their first date, during had the same rights as any other couple, which they watched an LSU football Touchdown! and with all of Trump’s hate speech game, that Hudson knew she wanted to The couple’s first date was watching a football game together, and about immigration reform and gay spend the rest of her life with Potts. “I Hudson, a die-hard Houston Texans fan, proposed to Potts on the field rights, we felt it was important to get ➝ at NRG Stadium. will always remember how she looked OutSmartMagazine.com

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married before his administration pushed to make changes. It does not help that Texas is such a red state, and Greg Abbott is our governor. For us to get married before Trump went into office was very empowering.” Family and friends joined them as they said their “I do’s” in front of a judge. “The judge was so friendly,” Hudson says. “It was perfect. The moment that I looked into Elaina’s eyes while saying ‘I do’ melted my heart. I could not believe I was marrying the girl of my dreams. She is everything I could ask for, and so much more.” Potts says she was “super nervous.” “I said ‘I do’ way too fast, and everyone laughed,” Potts recalls. “I was just so anxious and ready for her to be my wife! That was definitely the best day of my life.” For their honeymoon, the newlyweds rented a house on the beach in Galveston. Since they were limited as to the number of guests at their ceremony, they threw a huge two-night wedding party. They built a fire on the beach the first night, and the next night they grilled. “We were both so happy that we were together with everyone who supported us through our journey,” Hudson says. Their best friend, Lorrie Gutierrez, decorated everything perfectly. Gutierrez surprised them with prints of the photographs from the ceremony and matching shirts that said, “Bride and Bride.” “We picked Galveston because we love the beach,” Hudson says. “It is so peaceful, and fit us both perfectly. The weather was beautiful. It just all came together like a fairy tale.” Karen Hudson-Potts and Elaina Potts currently reside in Baytown.

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he coffee giant released a commercial [in November] that showed different people enjoying the holidays, including two women who were obviously in love. The ad was released in conjunction with a new cup that’s also creating a buzz. Among other holiday motifs, it features two hands that could conceivably belong to a same-sex couple. • Linda Edgar’s tongue-in-cheek response: I can’t tell the genders of the people holding hands on this cup—could be an abomination, better not risk it. • Christian Kiefer is all in: I’m going to be buying tons of Starbucks if indeed their cups are pushing the gay agenda. • William Arndt (GrumpyBlueEagle) is also all in: By gay agenda do they mean pushing the idea of equal rights, fairness, not being discriminated against for sexual orientation? If that’s the case, I’m all for it Starbucks, push away.

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• Starbucks’ response: Each year during the holidays we aim to bring our customers an experience that inspires the spirit of the season, and we will continue to embrace and welcome customers from all backgrounds and religions in our stores around the world.

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( New York Daily News, 11.28.17, Constance Gibbs)

alibu fashion icon Barbie openly supported LGBT rights on her Instagram, wearing a “Love Wins” shirt. Aimee Song, who created the shirt for Pride Month in June, boasts more than 4.7 million followers on her Instagram (Barbie

has just over 1.8 million). Mattel told the Daily News, “We are an inclusive brand that celebrates diversity, kindness, and acceptance.” In addition to her shirt being featured on Barbie’s page, Song was also made into a Barbie herself, which appears in Instagram im-

ages with Barbie, including two where both dolls are wearing the shirt. Song shared the photo of her doll with Barbie on her own Instagram, saying, “Me and @BarbieStyle supporting equal rights because #LOVEWINS. Or as some of you have speculated,

maybe we’re secretly dating.” Many Instagrammers speculated this meant she was queer, lesbian, or bisexual herself. “Barbie? “MORE LIKE BAR-BI,” wrote @festive.nightmares. “All this time I thought Barbie was Ken’s beard,” said @jasfaithhand.

▼

Kehinde Wiley (The Huffington Post, 11.9.17, Priscilla Frank)

he presidential portraits wing of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery is lined with paintings of very powerful and equally pasty men. . . . Both the history of American politics and the history of Western art are blindingly white. In 2018, however, the gallery will receive an addition unlike the rest. As was reported earlier this fall, a portrait of former president Barack Obama will join the Smithsonian ranks next year, painted by 44-yearold contemporary-art star Kehinde Wiley. As a result, Obama will become the first black president featured in the gallery, and Wiley (along with Amy Sherald, commissioned

to paint Michelle Obama), the first black artist to grace its halls. The former president and first lady handpicked the artists who will render their official portraits. And those decisions hold weight. Antwaun Sargent, a 29-year-old critic who’s covered Wiley extensively, felt personally affected by Obama’s historic choice. “I grew up in Chicago,” he told Huff Post. “I knocked on doors in the dead of winter when Obama was running for Senate. To see him choose an openly queer, black man who has devoted his career to depicting black folks, it’s really full circle for me.”

OutSmartMagazine.com

DECEMBER 2017

By Gregg Shapiro

DVD S

‘Upstairs Inferno’ Could the DVD/Blu-ray release of this doc possibly be any timelier?

‹ Before Orlando

arrated by gay writer (and occasional New Orleans resident) Christopher Rice, and directed by Robert L. Camina, Upstairs Inferno is a powerful (and sometimes difficult-to-watch) documentary about the tragic and devastating 1973 fire in the Up Stairs Lounge, a New Orleans gay bar. With antigay hate crimes and other such activities on the rise in today’s toxic political climate (particularly with Donald Trump as POTUS and the even-more-dangerous and homophobic Mike Pence installed as vice president), this DVD/Blu-ray release of Upstairs Inferno couldn’t possibly be any timelier. Featuring extensive interviews with survivors, historians, reporters, patrons, and an extremely emotional Rev. Troy Perry, Upstairs Inferno provides a detailed history, including descriptions of the décor of the “off the beaten path” bar that first opened on Halloween in 1970. Located at the edge of the French Quarter, the Up Stairs Lounge was one of the city’s few racially integrated bars. Known as a “gathering place of

friends,” the bar was also renowned for its shows— “Nellydramas”—as well as being an early home for Rev. Perry’s Metropolitan Community Church. The January 1973 fire, which was said to have been set by disgruntled patron Roger Dale Nunez, tore through the second-floor space and resulted in 32 deaths and numerous injuries. The film includes graphic images from the disaster. The losses and the lack of

86 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

CROWD AT LOUNGE - JOHNNY TOWNSEND; RICE - CATHRYN FARNSWORTH; CAMINA- LARRY GRAHAM

The 1973 fire in New Orleans’ Up Stairs Lounge, which took the lives of 32 people, is the subject of the documentary Upstairs Inferno. Christopher Rice (l) narrates the film, and Robert L. Camina is the director.

any sort of compassionate response from politicians and law enforcement, as well as some members of the clergy, served to strengthen New Orleans’ now-visible LGBTQ community and prepare them for the unseen fights that lay ahead. More than 40 years later, memories of the tragedy continue to cause irreversible trauma for the survivors. Blu-ray and DVD bonus material includes the behind-the-scenes featurette “The Making of Upstairs Inferno,” as well as a “Present-Day Tour of the Up Stairs Lounge” and more. From Camina Entertainment (caminaentertainment.com).

Gregg Shapiro is a regular contributor to OUTSMART magazine.

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OutSmartMagazine.com

DECEMBER 2017

G ROOVE O UT

By Gregg Shapiro

The Gift of LGBTQ Music

George Michael, Pet Shop Boys, Jackie Shane, and The Smiths.

on’t look now, but the winter holiday season is upon us. The following expanded reissues by George Michael, Pet Shop Boys, Jackie Shane, and The Smiths are tailor-made for the LGBTQ music lovers on your holiday gift list. There’s no way that the late George Michael could have foreseen 2017’s TrumpWorld when he wrote “Praying for Time,” the opening track and first single from his underrated second solo album, 1990’s Listen Without Prejudice. However, with references to “wounded skies” and “days of the open hand,” as well as the “rich” declaring themselves “poor,” Michael was nothing short of prescient. Newly reissued in a variety of formats, including a double-CD set, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1/MTV Unplugged (Sony Music/Legacy), features the remastered original album on the first disc along with Michael’s previously unavailable 1996 MTV Unplugged set, as well as a Nile Rodgers reworking of the track “Fantasy.” The bonus material is lovely and all, but Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1 (there is no Vol. 2, by the way) is the focus here, and rightfully so. Sure, the album lacked the irresistible appeal of Faith, Michael’s flawless solo debut, but that’s an unfair comparison. Taken on its own merits, LWP holds up as well as its predecessor, particularly on the aforementioned “Praying for Time,” the drama of “Mother’s Pride,” the light jazz of “Cowboys & Angels,” and the rebellious beat of “Freedom ’90.” Michael even showed off his good taste as an interpreter via a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “They Won’t Go When I Go” and the interpolation of The Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” into his “Waiting.” Would we have had Pet Shop Boys without George Michael’s previous band Wham!? Like Wham!, Pet Shop Boys (Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe) is a British male duo that traffics in dancepop with an electronic influence. Unlike Wham!, Pet Shop Boys manages to remain in existence, still making wonderful music more than 30 years after the release of its groundbreaking debut album, Please. In 2001, the first six PSB albums were reissued in expanded editions, including a second disc of bonus material. Sixteen years (!) and a few different stateside record labels later, a new reissue campaign began with Nightlife, Release, and Fundamental. The two latest installments are Yes and Elysium (both on Parlophone), from 2008 and 88 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

2012, respectively. By the time these two albums were released, PSB was no longer the presence it was during the 1980s and early ’90s. Nevertheless, both of these albums have their allure, especially when it comes to the bonus material. Yes, for instance, includes PSB’s brilliant reading of Kate McGarrigle’s “I Cried for You” as well as a fabulous new version of “It Doesn’t Often Snow at Christmas.” Trans soul singer Jackie Shane made a splash in the Toronto music scene of the 1960s. She is the kind of semi-obscure performer that Queer Music Heritage’s JD Doyle (the historian who recently wrote the liner notes for a reissue of the subversively gay 1962 album Love Is a Drag ) usually gets credit for unearthing. But in this instance, the good folks at the Chicago-based reissue/archive label Numero Group were the ones shining a bright light on Ms. Shane. Any Other Way (Numero Group) is an attractively packaged double-album set that includes a 12-track studio disc and a 13-track live disc. Shane is a dynamic interpreter of other people’s songs, and she can effortlessly make them her own—including “In My Tenement,” “Sticks and Stones,” “Money (That’s What I Want),” “Walking the Dog,” and the title cut. The studio disc also includes a pair of Shane originals, “New Way of Lovin’” and “Cruel Cruel World.” The Smiths’ former front man Morrissey has a habit of making headlines—and often for rather unflattering reasons. To begin with, his penchant for canceling concert tours has more than a few of his fans jumping ship. And his controversial political comments recently put him back in the spotlight (in the U.K., at least). Among his other attention-grabbing antics is a 2013 statement about his sexuality, in which he declared that he is a “humasexual” rather than a homosexual. As he put it, “I am attracted to humans. But, of course . . . not many.” Since “humasexual” sounds like a post-modern way of saying bisexual, Morrissey and The Smiths— and the seriously expanded reissue of 1986’s ironically-titled The Queen Is Dead (Warner Brothers)—are included here. The Queen Is Dead has long been considered the best album by The Smiths, who disbanded not long after its release in 1987. The box set includes a 2017 mix of the original album, featuring songs such as “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,” “The Boy with the Thorn in His Side,” “Bigmouth Strikes Again,” and “Vicar in a Tutu.” A second 13-track studio disc features ➝

GROOVEOUT continued from page 88

B-sides, demos, and more. The third “Live in Boston” disc was recorded in August 1986 at the Great Woods concert venue in Mansfield, Massachusetts. The fourth and final disc is a DVD containing the 2017 audio master (in 96khz/24-bit PCM stereo) as well as The Queen Is Dead film directed by the late gay filmmaker Derek Jarman. This might be stretching the definition a little, but here’s why the expanded 60thanniversary CD reissue of Funny Face: Original Soundtrack (Verve/UMe) is included here. The screenplay for the film (which starred Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, and Liza Minnelli’s godmother, Kay Thompson) was written by gay writer Leonard Gershe. Gershe and his life partner, Roger Edens (Judy Garland’s music supervisor and arranger), wrote additional songs for the movie to augment the ones written by George and Ira Gershwin. Edens also produced the movie. Finally, Funny Face is set in the world of fashion. Gay enough for you yet? If not, definitely take a listen to the songs “Think Pink,” “Bonjour, Paris!,” and “On How to Be Lovely.”

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Gregg Shapiro is a regular contributor to OUTSMART magazine.

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OutSmartMagazine.com | DECEMBER 2017 |

R EAD O UT

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

‘Wedlocked’ The perils of marriage equality.

‹

Straight Expectations: The Story of a Family in Transition Peggy Cryden Everything in Peggy Cryden’s life, it seemed, had readied her for what was to come. Adopted as a small infant, her mother suffered with emotional issues that Cryden didn’t completely understand until she was an adult and a working therapist. Though she was generally independent much earlier, Cryden moved out of her parents’ house when she was still in high school. Later, while attending community college, she met the man she would marry, although Cryden indicates that she sometimes felt she couldn’t “bond.” That feeling extended to Julia, her firstborn child. Cryden was a little more centered when her second child, a boy named Jay, was born. But then Julia, who was just a teen, revealed that he had come to the understanding that he was really a boy. Shortly after this, fragile Jay, who’d always felt left out, decided to come out as gay to his family. With its message of affirmation, unconditional love, and healing, Straight Expectations is a good story that unfortunately needed some tough love with a red editing pen. You may like it enormously, but just be prepared. Jessica Kingsley Publishers (jkp.com). —Terri Schlichenmeyer

Wedlocked: The Perils of Marriage Equality by Katherine Franke 2015 (now in paperback) New York University Press (nyupress.org) 275 pages $26

Linsey Miller

ou’re not in any hurry. The ring’s on your finger, the engagement was just announced, and you both feel like you’ve got plenty of time. Now’s your chance to enjoy the process of getting married and planning your future together. But Wedlocked: The Perils of Marriage Equality by Katherine Franke asks the question: why marry at all? When president George Washington died, his will stipulated that his slaves should be given their freedom after the death of his wife, Martha, who inherited them. This, says Katherine Franke, accidentally “put a price on” Martha’s head, and revealed Washington’s acknowledgment of one of the complexities of slavery: marriage among the Washington slaves meant that freeing his without freeing hers would break up families. This issue, and others before and after the Civil War, illustrates how “many of the experiences of African-Americans held out a message to the same-sex marriage movement today.”

92 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Throughout American history, Franke says, the “rules” of marriage for non-white or gay individuals hid a doubleedged sword of enhanced rights and enforced matrimonial laws complicated by the pre-Emancipation fluidity of relationships and looser definitions of “marriage” within early African-American communities. The current lack of awareness about state marriage laws in today’s LGBT community presents a similar problem. The bottom line that’s often not emphasized: when a couple marries, the state suddenly “acquires a legal interest in your relationship.” Now, as then, marriage may also be legally “forced” on a couple: in the case of former slaves, to gain benefits in wartime; for LGBT couples, to continue receiving health-insurance benefits. And beyond all of that, marriage, as Franke reminds readers, has never offered a guarantee from discrimination.

Is it possible, Franke asks, that “the inability to marry creates a kind of freedom from the ‘bonds’ of marriage?” At a time when the marriage rate in the black community is low and LGBT parents are demanding new legal definitions of “family,” will marriage become antiquated? Or is the “freedom” to marry just another way for society to meddle in the lives of marginalized individuals? To be sure, Wedlocked is not exactly a fun weekend read that you’d take to the beach. Fun, no. Interesting, absolutely. It’s also quite thoughtprovoking. Author Katherine Franke is the director of the Center for Gender and Sexuality Law at Columbia University, and in this book she asks hard questions in between her jaw-dropping history lessons and arguments that marriage is both burden and boon to anyone who’s not white and straight. That’s not to say that the institution is dead; instead, Franke wonders if, of all the civil rights that were denied former slaves and gay individuals, marriage may have been the oddest choice to become the hallmark legal battle. But which other right would’ve been better? That question seems open for discussion—just one of many questions that readers are given to ponder in this heavy-duty, scholarly book. But be aware: Wedlocked, now in paperback, can’t be enjoyed and contemplated if you’re in any hurry. Terri Schlichenmeyer has been reading since she was three years old, and she lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books.

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96 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

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98 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

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FIT Athletic/David Muniz

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2409 Grant St......................... BayouCityBar.com

2502 Woodhead ............................713/528-2010

.............................................www.WellsFargo.com

5501 Main .......................................713/528-0527

Gary Gritz, CPA

HEALTH CARE–OPTOMETRISTS

Boutique Eye Care

Heights Dermatology/Alpesh Desai, MD

2120 Ashland ................................. 713/864-2650 Skin Renaissance Laser/Octavio Barrios, MD

507 West Gray ................................713/942-7546

HEALTH CARE/UROLOGIST

Regenx Health

2311 West Alabama .......................832/633-3001

HEALTH CARE-WEIGHT LOSS CLINICS

Dr. B-Fit/ Octavio Barrios, MD

517 West Gray ................................713/942-7546

HOME FURNISHINGS/ACCESSORIES

Alabama Furniture

4900 N. Shepherd ..........................713/862-3035 Cantoni

9889 Westheimer ...........................cantoni.com

coda

355 W 19th ......................................713/864-4411 Fountains and Statuary

11804 Hempstead Rd ....................713/957-3672

HOME REMODELING/RENOVATIONS

Luria Construction

LuriaConstruction.com............... 713/828-2155

HOME REMODELING/PAINTING

Luria Construction

1006 Missouri ................................ 713/529-4364

LuriaConstruction.com................. 713/828-2155

HEALTH CARE-EMERGENCY CENTERS

Jeffrey Bules/Insurance Associates Group

River Oaks Emergency

2320 S. Shepherd Dr ...................713/526-2320 SignatureCare Emergency Centers

1007 Westheimer ...........................281/709-2897 1925 TC Jester................................832/850-4338 1014 Wirt Rd....................................832/924-0312 Additional locations ......................ercare24.com

INSURANCE AGENCIES/AGENTS

Insuranceassociatesgroup.com…713/523-9400 Dolan & Palacios

7322 Southwest Fwy, Ste. 1-1888 ...........832/880-0332 Lane Lewis/Farmers Insurance

2200 North Loop W, Ste 136 ...... 713/688-8669 Patrick Torma/State Farm

3329 Telephone Road, Ste B ........832/649-4311

HEALTH CARE–OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

Houston Eye Associates/Stewart Zuckerbrod, MD

5420 Dashwood, Ste 101 .............. 713/668-9118

Silverlust

JEWELERS

1338-C Westheimer ...................... 713/520-5440 Zadok

1749 Post Oak Blvd ....................... 713/960-8950

LANDSCAPING/GARDENING

Tom Schwenk/The House Company

Joshua’s Native Plants & Antiques

TheHouseCompany.com ..............713-857-2309

Windswept Landscaping

Paul Silverman .............................. 832/283-6601

502 W. 18th St ................................713/862-7444 Windsweptlandscape.com ...........713/263-7771

MASSAGE THERAPISTS

Paul Silverman/Martha Turner Properties

Tim Surratt/Greenwood King

...........................................................713/320-5881 VJ Tramonte/Joe Tramonte Realty

Ryan Fugate, RMT

1802 Broadway/Galveston .......... 409/765-9837

Joel Leal, RMT

520 Post Oak.................................. 713/724-4306

RyanMassageWorks.com .............713/269-7926 .......................................................... 713/397-8808

Andy Weber/John Daugherty Realtors

RESTAURANTS/COFFEE/WINE BARS

PEST CONTROL SERVICES

Acadian Bakers

........................................................... 713/732-7742

Dessert Gallery

Andy’s All Star Pest Control Natran Green Pest Control

Natran.com .................................... 832/478-8220

604 W.Alabama .............................713/520-1484 DessertGallery.com.......................713-522-9999

Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino

3215 Westheimer ........................... 713/522-1934 Gloria’s

PET SERVICES& SUPPLIES

2616 Louisiana .............GloriasRestaurants.com

13157 Northwest Fwy................... 713/329-9989

2409 Grant ......................................713/677-0674

Aquarium World Last Wishes

www.lastwishes.com ....................713/452-0474 Midtown Veterinary Hospital

MidtownVetHospital.com............ 713-528-4900 Molly’s Mutthouse

3407 Montrose ...............................832/581-2453 3410 N. Shepherd ........................ 713/426-6888 2755 Vossdale.................................281/501-9062 Spay-Neuter Assistance Program

Snapus.org. .....................................713/862-3863

Hamburger Mary’s

Rita’s of Houston Heights

2802 White Oak Drive.................. 832/987-4827 Riva’s Italian Restaurant

1117 Missouri St............................. 713/529-3450 Urban Eats

3414 Washington Ave ........feasturbaneats.com

TELEPHONES/CELL/WIRELESS

Premier Wireless

12220 Murphy ............................... 281/575-8500

West Alabama Animal Clinic

2030 W. Alabama...........................713/528-0818

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Dalton DeHart Photography

DaltonDehart.com.........................713/622-2202

Yvonne Feece Photography

yvonnefeece.com ..........................832/876-1053

PHOTOGRAPHY

Houston Camera Exchange

5900 Richmond Ave ......................713/789-6901

PLUMBING

U-Plumb-It Plumbing Supply

1424 Montrose ............................... 713-942-2277 Village Plumbing & Appliance

5403 Kirby ..........................713/224-DRIP(3747)

POOLS & POOL SERVICES

Tranquility Pools

........................................................... 713/447-9201

PRINTING/COPY CENTERS

Copy.com

1201-F Westheimer ........................ 713/528-1201

PSYCHIC READERS

Readings by LA

readingbyLA.com ..........................832/856-2188

REAL ESTATE–MORTGAGE/TITLE

Interlinc Mortgage/Cody Grizzoffi

3815 Garrott St, Ste 202 B ............ 832/541-1103 Stewart Title/Michael Caballero

603 W. 11th ................................... 713/401-1850

REAL ESTATE–REALTORS

Jared Anthony/NextHome Realty Center

ichoosejared.com ......................... 832/570-5726

David Bowers/The House Company/Galveston

David@DavidBowers.com .........409/763-2800

Dolan & Palacios

7322 Southwest Fwy, Ste. 1-1888 ...........832/880-0332

Darque Tan

TANNING SALONS

........................................................Darquetan.com

TRAVEL/TRAVEL AGENCIES

Aquafest

Aquafestcruises.com ....................800/592-9058 Cruise Planners/Patricia Schneider

LoveTravelCompany.com ............ 832/409-5492 Concierge Travel, Inc

4920 Mimosa ...................................713/661-2117

Lynette Lew • 713.582.2202

Residential and Commercial Realtor Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene Gary Greene Commercial Properties

Lynette@LynetteLew.com | www.LynetteLew.com

VACATION RENTALS

Casa Azur

CasaAzurCosta Rica.com .............832/541-3704

WEDDING SERVICES - BAKERS Acadian Bakers

604 W. Alabama.............................713/520-1484 David Alcorta Catering

davidalcorta.net ............................ 832/439-0224 Dessert Gallery

DessertGallery.com.......................713-522-9999

WEDDING SERVICES - CATERERS David Alcorta Catering

davidalcorta.net ............................ 832/439-0224 Jim Benton of Houston Catering

2811 Eastman ................................ 713/802-2860

WEDDING SERVICES-PHOTOGRAPHERS Dalton DeHart Photography

DaltonDehart.com.........................713/622-2202

Yvonne Feece-Tran Photography

yvonnefeece.com ..........................832/876-1053

WEDDING SERVICES - SERVICES Harmony Strings String Quartet

....................................www.harmonystrings.com

WEDDING SERVICES - VENUES Butler’s Courtyard

ButlersCourtyard.com .................. 281/557-5551

Why give your money to a business that does not support diversity?

Why would you buy a cake from someone who doesn’t want to sell you one?

Whether you’re looking for the butcher, the baker, or the candlestick maker, OUTSMART can help you find equality-minded businesses that appreciate you and provide vital community support. Read OUTSMART, so you can have your cake and equality, too.

Martha Turner Properties

Marthaturner.com ......................... 713/520-1981 Karen Derr/Karen Derr Realty

karenderr.com ...............................713/875-7050

Jeremy Fain/Greenwood King Properties

...........................................................713/677-4337 Debbie Levine/Greenwood King Properties

...........................................................713/942-6857 Lynette Lew/Better Homes and Gardens LynetteLew.com. ......................713/582-2202 Vinod Ramani/Urban Living Realtors

Thank You for supporting OutSmart advertisers! Have your business listed here. Call 713/520-7237, ext. 10.

For advertising and subscription information, call 713/520-7237.

5023 Washington.......................... 713/868-7226

OutSmartMagazine.com

DECEMBER 2017

| 99

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Advertising Sales Executives

ANNOUNCEMENTS HOUSTON PRIDE RIDERS

A new LGBT motorcycle riding group is being put together for those in the Houston area who like to get out and ride! I’d love to have group rides/social gatherings every month, possible fund raiser rides for the community, etc.. All motorcycle types welcome - From Harley’s to Hayabusa’s, crotch rockets and cruisers - all are welcome. All rider experiences welcome! Please contact jasonmwilson@sbcglobal.net or look for Houston Pride Riders on Facebook.

CHURCHES

Successful candidates must be organized, self-motivated, energetic, outgoing, creative and goal-oriented. Previous experience in advertising and marketing sales preferred. Salary+Commission, health benefits program included. See the OutSmart website for more details. Email resume to: Employment @

OutSmartMagazine.com Attn: Greg Jeu, Publisher.

SUN. 10:00 AM: Worship Service WED. 7:00 PM: Bible Study 401 Branard : Houston, 77006

Let OutSmart help you find your next best employee!

COMPUTER SERVICES

Voted Houston’s Best Male Massage Therapist 2016

Thanks for Your Support! Tom Zeppelin, LMT

713.542.0426

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Call 713/520-7237 ext. 11

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ANDY’S ALL-STAR

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GALVESTON PROPERTIES

This is Termite Swarming Season Call us to Protect your Investment

3910 Ave O 1/2 Victorian cottage with back efficiency (rented $700mo) Needs work!… $114,500

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DEXTER’S

281-850-6230

16606 Jamaica Beach Rd, One block to the beach! 1,100 sq. ft with large lot…$269,000 1417 24th 3/2.5 1899 Victorian with double gallery wrap-around porch…$449,500

David Bowers, Realtor

409-763-2800

100 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

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ALL MALE HOT flirty GAY HOOKUPS! Call FREE! 281-404-6622 or 800-777-8000 Guyspyvoice.com • 18+

pet patrol A PEOPLE PET PARTNERSHIP

MARKETPLACE ADVERTISING RATES Deadline: DEC. 15 for the JAN Issue. For rates/information call 713/520-7237 ext. 10.

SIGNOUT continued from page 104

the month, so you may not be feeling that holiday spirit. You continue to be busy at work, along with spending more time with friends and professional organizations. You are doing more thinking about your future, especially as it relates to your career. By midmonth, you are back in action and ready to celebrate the holidays. You are interested in an alternative approach to the holidays. You will want to visit your family, but you’ll need an exit strategy as the day wears on. Relationships need some tending so your partner doesn’t feel like they are lost in the shuffle as you focus more and more on your career and future plans. Pay attention to your boundaries. AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18). Your career is the primary focus this month. This can be a great time for you to consider taking a leadership role at work, or even starting your own business after January 1. It can be easy for you to be pushy during January. You are rethinking your participa-

tion in social groups and media organizations. You are looking for a leadership role rather than just being a member of the audience. You could hear from old friends from the past with Mercury retrograde this month. You are releasing some of your old habits and traditions. The holidays may have a whole new bent for you. You are ready for a rest as we enter January. PISCES (February 19–March 20). With Mercury retrograde in your career sector, you may be redoing some of your projects at work this month. There is a lot of pressure on you to perform and do well, but most of that pressure is coming from inside yourself. Some of you will be starting your own business, while others are looking for ways to achieve more and get promoted at work. Despite the Mercury retrograde, it is a good month for you to get out of town for the holidays. Things remain busy well into January. Friends can be especially important to you this month! For more astro-insight, log on to lillyroddy.com.

RYAN

KEVIN STIPES

by Owner COMPLETELY UPDATED • Granite Counter Tops • Travertine Floors • Washer/Dryer Included • Fully Gated

Priced to Sell No flood zone $169,000

Kevin 3231 Allen Parkway • Houston, TX 77019 713.524.2749 • kstiles582@gmail.com

TECH 2013-2017

Voted Houstons best massage therapist, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017! –outsmart magazine

OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com || DECEMBER DECEMBER2017 2017 || 105 101

BAR & CLUB GUIDE HOUSTON BAYOU CITY BAR Montrose’s #1 party bar featuring DJs, drag shows, non-stop dancing and a great patio. Proudly serving food from Hamburger Mary’s. • Wednesday Saturday 9p-2a, Sunday 2p-2a, 2409 Grant St • 713.522 • 2867 BLUR Multi-level dance club featuring an upstairs lounge and balconies. Ladies enjoy Wet and Wild Wed., 18-year-olds welcome Thurs., Latin night on Sun. Happy hour 8–10pm; free cover before 11pm. 710 Pacific St. • blurbar.com. CLUB 2020 Located downtown, this urban club features Clubbers Friday with male and female dancers. Its 6,400 square feet also offers theater-sized viewing screens and VIP rooms. 2020 Leeland • 713.227. 9667 club2020houston.com. CLUB CRYSTAL Find many of Inergy’s former staff and décor at this two-room Latin/hip-hop club. Sunday evening drag shows rule the roost. 6680 Southwest Frwy, next to Colorado 713.278.2582 • crystaltheclub.com.

JR’s Bar & Grill A Taste of New Orleans in Montrose

- A LWAYS A

PA R T Y -

804-808 Pacific St. | 713.521.2519 jrshouston.com | Twitter @jrshouston

TONY’S

C OR N P OC K E E

WHAT THE DUCK SHOW! Wednesdays, 8:30pm

There’s always something going on at:

TONY’S CORNER POCKET

817 W. Dallas • 713/571-7870

Houston’s Hottest Male Amateur Strip Contest Headquarters! Nightly Specials – Call for Details Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Tonys_Corner_BG_Mar16.indd 1

CROCKER BAR This comfortably remodeled Montrose nightspot also offers karaoke on Tuesdays and Thursdays and extended happy-hour prices throughout the week. 2312 Crocker • 713.529.3355. F BAR This boutique nightclub offers elegance without arrogance and features a stage, dance floor, VIP area, glass-encased quiet bar, and attractive patio. Tues. and Sun. drag. 202 Tuam St. • fbarhouston.com 713.522.3227. GEORGE Regulars rule at this comfortable neighborhood sports bar. Sports Saturdays and Sundays start at 3pm with dart and pool tournaments. 617 Fairview • 713.528.8102.

GUAVA LAMP This trendy and friendly video and cruise bar gets busy during happy hour and stays busy ‘til closing. Karaoke on Wed. and Sun. 570 Waugh Dr. • 713.524.3359 guavalamphouston.com. HAMBURGER MARY’S everything looks good, just change the hours of operation to be Tuesday & Wednesday 4p-10p, Thursday & Friday 4p-2a, Saturday & Sunday 11a-2a EAGLE Part of the Eagle worldwide family, it’s the definitive home to the man’s man - leather, bear, jock or muscle, you’ll find them here! DJs every night, multiple patios and a leather/accessories shop inside the bar. Noon-2am every day, 611 Hyde Park, 713.523.BIRD JR’S BAR & GRILL This Montrose standard offers drag and strip shows throughout the week, karaoke Thurs. and Sun., plus pool tables and male dancers. 808 Pacific St. • 713.521.2519 jrsbarandgrill.com. MICHAEL’S OUTPOST Jerry Atwood, Clay Howell, Neil Massey, Steve Wheaton, and Roger Woest take turns at the keys at this comfortable neighborhood piano bar. 1419 Richmond Ave. • 713.520.8446. NEON BOOTS DANCEHALL & SALOON Houston’s only LGBTQ country dancehall opens Wednesday–Sunday. Wednesday features Steak Night and Bingo. Free dance classes on Thursdays and Karaoke. 11410 Hempstead Hwy • 713.677.0828 neonbootsclub.com. PEARL BAR This LGBT-friendly lounge in the Washington corridor features daily highlights like open mic night, steak night, and drink specials. 4216 Washington • pearlhouston.com.

2/24/16 12:32 PM

If you want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, that’s ours.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Hundreds of meetings a week in your area. Call (713) 686-6300 or visit www.aahouston.org For general information visit: www.aa.org

102 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

BEHIND

Thursday 9pm – 2am So You think You Can Drag Friday 9pm – 3am Best of 2000’s with DJ Tina Saturday 9pm – 4am

the BAR

With CHARLES GARIBAY, Houston Eagle Weekday & Sunday Funday Shifts What is your favorite shot to make? To drink? Lemon Drops to make, Espresso Shots to drink (he isn’t a drinker.) What is a current bar drink trend you’d like to see end? Lemon Drop Shots. Grindr, Scruff or other app you see most often? Scruff is so 2 years ago and Grindr so last year. I’m actually seeing more people-topeople conversations. Biggest tip from one customer? It wasn’t monetary; but it was great life advice (no details.) If you weren’t a bartender… what career would you choose? A pilot! I love heights.

RICH’S HOUSTON Houston’s most iconic and largest LGBT dance club, with multiple levels featuring a video/show bar and a private VIP lounge. No cover before 10:30 p.m. 2401 San Jacinto • 281.846.6685 richsnightclub.com. THE RIPCORD This multi-roomed leather bar boasts a busy patio, especially on the weekends. The Black Hawk Leather shop located inside the club. 715 Fairview Ave 713.521.2792. RUDYARD’S The eclectic British pub is known for its craft beers as well as for the burgers. Most weekends you’ll find up-and-coming local bands rocking the house. 2010 Waugh Dr. • 713.521.0521 • rudyardspub.com.

Your Country Sports Bar

ORLEANS STREET PUB AND PATIO The place to hang for food, fun, and booze in a newly renovated pub, in good weather or bad. Open every night from 7pm–2am. 650 Orleans • 409.835.4243.

617 Fairview • Houston, Texas • 713.528.8102

BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION HALO VIDEO BAR The only LGBT dance club in Bryan/College station, this sleek spot is open Thurs.– Sat. smack in the middle of Aggieland. 121 North Main • 979.823.6174 • halobcs.com. GALVESTON 23RD ST. STATION The bar features daily drink specials and the weekend is filled with pulsing music, hot dancers, drag shows, and a Sunday Tea Dance. 1706 23rd St. • 409.621.1808.

TC’S SHOWBAR With the longest daily happy hours in Montrose (8am–10pm), this neighborhood watering hole is very popular. Drag shows Wednesday–Sunday. Karaoke Monday & Wednesday. 817 Fairview • 713.526.2625 • tcsshowbar.com.

ROBERT’S LAFITTE The Island institution features a private patio with swimming pool. On Sat. and Sun. nights, the Ladies of Lafitte show takes the stage. 2501 Avenue Q (at 25th) • 409.765.9092.

VIVIANA’S Happening weekend-only gay dance club with Latin DJs, singers, talent shows & Sunday strippers. 4624 Dacoma • 713.681.4104.

$ 50

7am–2am HOURS: Mon-Sat Sunday 12pm–2am

BEAUMONT

SOUTH BEACH This mega-dance club is a frequent winner of OutSmart‘s Gayest and Greatest awards. No cover before 11pm. 810 Pacific St. • 713.529.SOBE • sobehouston.com.

TONY’S CORNER POCKET This comfortable club has one of the friendliest bar staffs in town. Amateur dance contest each Thurs., Fri., & Sat. at 11pm. Opens daily at noon. 817 W. Dallas • 713.571.7870 tonyscornerpocketbar.com.

All SKYY & SVEDKA Vodka Drinks

SPRING RANCH HILL SALOON With its two pool tables, 52-inch plasma televisions, and large dance floor, this popular northside spot also offers DJs Thursday–Saturday. 247041 I-45N Suite 103 • 281.298.9035 • ranchhill.com. THE ROOM BAR AND LOUNGE This bar and video lounge has a laid-back atmosphere including daily drink specials, karaoke, free pool, drag shows, and live DJs several nights a week. 4915 FM 2920 • 281.907.6866 • roombarspring.com. OutSmartMagazine.com

DECEMBER 2017

| 103

S IGN O UT

By Lilly Roddy

Time to See Old Friends . . . and clean out that hard drive! s the month begins, we are under the influence of Mercury retrograde that will last until December 25. We will be looking back at our holiday traditions and recapturing special moments! The mutable signs—Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces—are the most impacted by a Mercury retrograde. This is always a good time to go back and review, see old friends, clean out your hard drive, and complete projects that you have been putting off. The retrograde is never a good time to buy a phone, purc ase a car, or si n le al documents. • Good days this month are the 12th, 15th, 16th, 20th, and 28th. Days to keep a lower profile are 1st, 3rd, 6th, 10th, 22nd, and 25th. ARIES (March 21–April 19). December is usually a busy time for you, and this year will be no different. You are feeling lighthearted and positive as the month begins. Be careful that you don’t overcommit yourself during this holiday season. Personal relationships are tense as the month begins, but they do lighten up after the 9th. Career, long-term security plans, and social and family responsibilities take over your agenda at mid-month. You will be weighing some future plans and decisions over the holidays. Make those decisions after the 25th. Keep your personal holiday plans simple, and you may be happier! TAURUS (April 20–May 20). Relationships continue to be a big emphasis for you this month. You are looking to generate real and intimate time for sharing. You are open to listening to what your partner has to say. Problems that are unresolved will have you looking elsewhere, both in personal and business relationships. You will want to take a more laid-back approach as we get closer to the holidays. This won’t be true for relationships, which will remain demanding throughout the month. There are some huge changes for the Taureans with Uranus, the planet of reinvention, entering your sign in January. I know you can feel it! You will want to live more in the present, so get ready to break free from your past. GEMINI (May 21–June 21). This is a busy month for you, with lots of demands on your time. You are busier than usual at work, and tempers will be shorter. Make sure you get some time for a walk or a trip to the gym. With Mer-

cury (your ruler) retrograde, this is a month of review and rethinking. Relationships need some TLC. Keep your holiday plans simple, and don’t overload your schedule. You will appreciate the down time. At the end of the month, you are focusing on new interests or things to invest in. CANCER (June 22–July 22). You are working really hard on getting your routines in order, and are paying more attention than usual to the details. Even though this is the holidays, you are sticking with your health program since you’ve been making good progress. Family activities and plans have had a lot of tensions and problems, but those get better by midmonth. Relationships also become more of your focus after midmonth. This is a time of renewal for some, and a time to make commitments more permanent. You are more social at the end of the month, but you’ll still have your exit strategy ready wherever you go. LEO (July 23–August 22). The lions and lionesses are playful and creative this month. They enjoy sharing family time, especially with their children. Leos don’t expect everything to be perfect, but they do expect you to show up for events! There is a lot of tension around family events during this season. You may want to be with your family of choice rather than your nuclear family. Toward the end of the month, you are more focused on your health and diet regimen. Work will demand more of you as you assess your boundaries and commitments there. You are looking to make some major changes in the New Year. Don’t let negative situations influence when it’s time to take action. You will be ready in January. VIRGO (August 23–September 22). Home and family have been your major theme this year, and this gets stronger throughout December. Both your home and family could use some repair. This continues to be a good time to improve your nest, either through repairs or a relocation. With family, you are ready to find solutions to repetitive problems. You are expecting those around you to act more like adults, and if resolutions aren’t possible, you may just cut your losses and move on. With Mercury (your ruler) retrograde in the home and family area, you may hear from people from your early youth! This could be a nostalgic holiday time for you.

104 | DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

LIBRA (September 23–October 23). You are still burning the candle at both ends as the month begins. You have a lot of confidence and extra energy, but not much patience. Unwelcome expectations in relationships could make you feel trapped, and may make you run in the other direction. You are wanting to keep your holidays simple. Balancing your needs against your family’s demands makes you pay more attention to your commitments and boundaries. You are more verbal about how you feel. Work may be a good place to hide out! Watch your spending in December, since it will be easy to overspend. Keep those holiday commitments short and manageable! SCORPIO (October 24–November 21). Yes, December is busy and not likely to slow down. You may feel that there is always something that needs to get done this month. You will have more confidence and energy, and will stand up to anyone who makes you angry. You are still being conservative with your finances this holiday season. This is an excellent month to review your investments and your resource base. Although you’ve been more social during the holidays, you will want a quieter winter solstice. You are much more social in January! SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21). Happy Birthday (or “solar return,” as we say in Astrologese)! This is your personal yearly cycle of reviewing the past year and considering new ventures for your upcoming year. With Mercury retrograde in your sign, this birthday will be an especially introspective one. The past will be very important, and your holidays could be very nostalgic with this extra Mercury activity. Managing your finances and investments becomes more important toward the end of the month. Decisions will be easier in January!

DAVID EDUARDO FLORES PEREZ

CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19). You are in a period of retreat at the beginning of continued on page 101

Photos by Dalton DeHart and Edgardo Aguilar

On October 28, Urban Eats hosted a Day of the Dead Runway Show. Pictured are artist Ernesto Guerro and members of his family.

On November 3, the Verde Law Firm celebrated its 55th anniversary at Guava Lamp. Pictured are Jan Verde, Josh Verde and Eli Thortveit.

On November 4, the Krew of Olympus hosted a Fais Do-Do at Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church. Pictured are reigning queen Fred White, prior member John Lindquist, and reigning king Andy Eversole.

On November 4, Houston’s Transgender Unity Committee hosted the 25th annual Transgender Unity Banquet at the Marriott North. Pictured are honorees and participants.

On November 9, Houston council member Robert Gallegos hosted a birthday fundraiser, featuring special guest Mayor Sylvester Turner. Pictured are Richard Holt, Gallegos, Turner, and Mark McMasters.

On November 9, the Tejano Democrats held their November meeting featuring Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. Pictured are Ogg and Coleton Wade Mayo.

On November 11, the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum hosted a Veterans Day Opening. Pictured are Barbara Matthews, Zachary Elgart, Angela Holder, Desmond Bertrand-Pitts, Chuck Williams, Shelle Fair, Andrew Sperling, Robin Elgart, Cait Milder, and Andrea Mosie.

On November 11, the Empire of the Royal Sovereign and Imperial Court of the Single Star held its Empress 34 candidate announcements at JR’s. Pictured are Michael G. Clayton, Emperor XXXIII Cubby Christopher Prado, and Martinique Bouvier.

On November 11, Orgullo Houston hosted Baile 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Houston-Galleria. Pictured are male award winner Robert Gallegos; female award winner Linda Morales; trans award winner, Ana Andrea Molina, and members of the Latino LGBTQ Gay Pride, Inc., board of directors.

On Nov. 17, the Executive & Professional Association of Houston hosted 19th Street Holiday Shopping at Coda and Eclectic Home. Pictured are (back row, from left) Colby Weems, Dale Johnson, Frank Yunc, Tom Seymour, and Bob Burress; and (front row, from left) Michele Laprade and Jody Morris.

On November 18, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams donated $400,000 in furnishings to people impacted by Hurricane Harvey, through the Montrose Center’s LGBTQ relief fund. Pictured are Arnea Williams, Alexandria Mackzum, Lisa Crawford, Stephanie Duque, Rosie Savad, Mac Wasmuth, Ryan Rottum, Ernest Berger, Nikki Martin, Phillip Mason, and Kennedy Loftin.

On November 18, a Transgender Day of Remembrance service was held at the A.D. Bruce Religion Center at the University of Houston. Pictured are (back row) Cordelia Wannemacher, Michael Travis, and Jolanda Jones; and (front row) Ana Molina, Dylan Wilde Forbis, Fran Watson, and Rhys Caraway.

106 DECEMBER 2017 | OutSmartMagazine.com

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