April 2018 by OutSmart Magazine

2017 READERS' CHOICE AWA R D S

Voted one of the Best Fertility Clinics

1/18/16 4:54 PM

CHATEAUS AT MEMORIAL

THORNTON

CHATEAUS

L A N D I N G

AT MEMORIAL

ROSE STREET

Starting at $299,990 L A N D I N G

Independence Heights

ROSE STREET L A N D I N G

Starting at $559,000

$649,900

Rice Military

$389,000

Rice Military

EaDo

A FULL-SERVICE REAL ESTATE COMPANY

713-868-7226

TREC Broker #476135

4:54 PM

URBANLIVING.COM

An Equal Housing Lender. NMLS 70345

03222019.MCSR-3049.OUTSMART_AD.pdf

3/28/18

10:18 AM

YO! KID

FROM THE

C O N G R AT S

ON 25 YEARS FROM A

GROOVY CHILD OF THE

Legacy Community Health Congratulates

OutSmart on 25 Years

OutSmart reflects the vibrancy and strength of Houstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LGBTQ community. The magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment year after year to telling the stories that need to be told, fighting for equality, and shining a light on discrimination is unmatched. And still badly needed. We look forward to the next 25 years!

Connecting our communities to health every day, in every way. | LegacyCommunityHealth.org

Lawyers You Know, A Firm You Can Trust

MITCHELL KATINE

LGBT Pride Grand Marshal, 2001

JOHN NECHMAN

ASHLEY SCOTT Family Law Attorney

LGBT Pride Grand Marshal, 2013

Houston’s LGBTQ Law Firm With you, we celebrate 8 proud years of continuing to make history and serving the legal needs of Houston’s LGBTQ/HIV community.

Real Estate Disputes • Homeowner Association Law • Immigration Criminal Law • Family Law • Adoptions • Insurance and Disability Claims HIV/LGBTQ Law • Estate Documents • Employment Law

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

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

Performances By

International Female Delusionist®

Miss Conception

Eric Michael Krop

of Broadway’s Godspell

Internationally Acclaimed Artist

Abigail Zsiga

Amy and Freddy Time Warp will bring together Houston’s vibrant LGBTQ community World Renowned Musical Duo for an inspiring evening of entertainment and fabulous food. With drag, vocal and dance talent from around the globe, the event highlights the last four decades of struggle and success of the LGBTQ community. All of the event’s proceeds will benefit LGBTQ homeless youth. Join us in celebrating 40 years! Visit www.montrosecenter.org for more event details

APR.2018 FEATURES VOLUME 25 • NUMBER 3

118

108

The legacy and future of Houston’s LGBTQ magazine

For LGBTQ activists, OUTSMART has been a lifeline

A look at some of OUTSMART’s most epic issues

The fight for LGBTQ rights is far from over

SMARTER WITH AGE

GAY PRESS, GAY POWER

Jessica Gonzalez to become third openly LGBTQ member of Texas House

Senator Tammy Baldwin headlines group’s Houston brunch

OUT FOR CHANGE

UNRIVALED COVERAGE

COVER STORY

CELEBRATING VICTORY

BENDING TOWARD JUSTICE

MODEL YOUTH

Trans teen Madelyn Whitley is burning up the runways at Page Parkes Texas

Trans superstar Laverne Cox returns to Houston for UH luncheon

Bisexual UH scholar Margot Backus leads school’s first queer-focused study abroad

Houston doctor’s study finds rampant antigay bias in medical profession

Jim Obergefell to help unveil Pride mural in the Heights

LIVING HER VISION

PROFESSOR B

DISTURBING DIAGNOSIS

WALL OF NO SHAME

Anti-Defamation League to honor trans pioneer Phyllis Frye

Shining star Vanessa Williams illuminates Houston’s Brilliant Lectures Series

Former OUTSMART editor returns to Houston as TUTS’ marketing chief

Out director Francesca Zambello previews HGO’s West Side Story

100

105

108

Out actor Mark Capri on bringing “the greatest sex scandal in film” to the Alley

An interview with Casey Spooner of Fischerspooner

Queer storytelling showcase returns to Rec Room this month

100 best restaurants in Houston

ENEMY OF HATE

A PERFECT STORM

THE BRIGHT STUFF

SIR, YES SIR

FOREVER YOUNG

FIGHT NIGHT

GUNFIGHT AT THE OPERA

EATING OUT

118

121

128

130

Gay-owned Montrose bakery seems destined to become community staple

What it takes to cook up some Houston faves

For Kandice and Kristen Webber, a family photo shoot led to true love

25 years after their first dance, Steve Roberts and Rex Marzke finally said “I do”

A TASTE OF LA SICILIA

TO DIY FOR

10 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

WEDDING GUIDE

COLOR CRUSH S P R I N G 2 018 C O L L E C T I O N

join today >

MG+BW COMFORT CLUB O ur complimentar y loyalty program offers 20% savings every day and exclusive access to special offers & services. Visit our Houston Signature Store or mgbwhome.com for details.

APR.2018 MAKING HOME OWNERSHIP DREAMS A REALITY.

DEPARTMENTS N E WS & C O M M E N T 20 36

› ›

›

NEWS & COMMUNITY LEFTOUT

Who’s worse: “Pharma Bro” or Donald Trump?

MONEYSMART

Best cities for LGBTQ retirees: seniors have plenty of options, but why not stay in Houston?

TIMEOUT

OUTSMART ’s readers and recommendations

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

Joel Garza, Realtor®

132

›

138

›

140

›

QUEER QUOTES

Quotes from the past 25 years from Roseanne Barr, Ellen DeGeneres, Joan Rivers, Margaret Cho, John Waters, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Kevin Spacey, Wanda Sykes, Bill Maher, and many more

GROOVEOUT The GrooveOut column over the years

READOUT Tomorrow Will Be Different and When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir

OUT & ABOUT 160 SIGNOUT 142 OUTTHERE 158 BAR/CLUB GUIDE 162 SCENEOUT

FRONT STREET PROPERTIES 1426 Yale St. Houston, TX 77008 713.516.0060 Joey@FrontStreetProperties.com FrontStreetProperties.com

WILL MEET OR BEAT ANY COMPETITORS PRICEE

A DVE RT I S E R S I N D EX 154 Advertisers Index 156 Classifi ed Marketplace

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

O u t S m a r t M a ga z i n e . c o m

5 STAR YELP RATING

23020 N. Frwy. Service Dr. Spring, TX 77373 - 832.610.2858 TIRELINKCO.COM 12 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

M-F 8am-6pm SAT 8am-5pm

Don’t miss OUTSMART’s photos from Bunnies on the Bayou 39, held at the Water Works at Bayou Park on April 1. Visit OutSmartMagazine.com/ Category/Photos.

ON THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018

DINE OUT ONE DAY FIGHT AIDS Participating restaurants: AIDSHelp.org PRESENTED BY:

gillmansubaru.com

Now publishing in our 25th year! NoW PublIshING IN ouR 20th yEAR!

Design your Future

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Greg Jeu Associate Publisher Tom Fricke

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Greg Jeu Editor JohnPublisher Wright Associate Tom Fricke Creative Director/Entertainment Editor

Blase DiStefano Creative Director/Entertainment Editor ArtBlase Director/Graphic Design Alex Rosa DiStefano

Assistant Editor Megan E. Smith Graphic Artist Terry Klumpp Contributing Writers Rich Arenschieldt, Susan Bankston, Jenny Contributing Writers Rich Steven Arenschieldt, Block, Andrew Edmonson, Foster, David Susan Bankston, Bouderdaben, Troy Goldberg, MareneAisha Gustin, Kim Hogstrom, Josh Carrington,Ryan Kit van Angel Curtis,Daryl Inocéncio, M. Cleave, Leach, Don Maines, Karen Derr, Foster, David Goldberg, Moore, JohnSteven Nechman, Joanna O’Leary, D.L. Groover, Gustin, Hayes, Annise Parker,Marene Lilly Roddy, TerriBlake SchlichenmeySuzie Lynde, Donalevan Davider, Gregg Shapiro, Janice Maines, Stensrude, Henry V. Elijah Megan Nahmod, Neil Ellis Orts, Lilly Roddy, Thiel, Wadding, Lou Weaver, Brandon Terri Schlichenmeyer, Gregg Zavaleta Shapiro, Janice Wolf, Grace S. Yung, Lourdes Stensrude, Brandon Wolf, Grace S. Yung Photographers/Illustrators

Photographers/Illustrators Edgardo Aguilar, Dalton DeHart, Theresa Dalton DeHart, Yvonne Feece, Mark Hiebert, DiMenno, Yvonne Tran, David Eduardo Manuel Lara, David Eduardo Flores Perez Flores Perez

HCC iD

AccountExecutives Executives Account JackBerger, Berger,Tad P CDvorak, Douglas, Joanna Jackson, Jack Joanna Jackson Greg Jeu Web Editor John Wright

Web Editor Ann Walton Sieber

National Advertising Representative

National Advertising Representative Rivendell Media - 212.242.6863 Rivendell Media - 212/242-6863

Interior Design Associate of Applied Science Degree 

Visual Design Communication MSA

INTERIOR

Fall 2013 Registration begins on May 6th!

DESIGN

Start designing your future today, visit central.hccs.edu/iDesign or email: iDesign@hccs.edu

StHope_Aug16.indd 1

7/20/16 10:24 AM

outsmart Media Company Publishers of Publishers of OutSmart OutSmartMagazine Magazine 3406 Audubon Place • Houston, TX 77006 713.520.7237$27/12 • 713.522.3275 subscriptions: Issues, $48/24 Fax Issues Subscriptions: $30/12 Issues, $58/24 Issues E-mail: letters@outsmartmagazine.com Website: www.OutSmartMagazine.com E-mail: letters@outsmartmagazine.com Website: www.OutSmartMagazine.com

O u t Sm a rt is publishe d mont hl y. E s t imate d

OutSmart is published monthly. Estimated readership in Houston readership Houston and surrounding areas and surroundinginareas is 60,000. OutSmart Media Company isisnot responsible claims and practices of advertisers. 6 0,0 0 0. Outfor Smar t Media Company is not The opinions and views expressed herein do not necessarily responsible forstaff claims and practices advertisers. reflect those of the or management of OutofSmart . Inclusion inThe Outopinions Smart doesand not views imply sexual orientation. ©2018 by expressed herein do not OutSmart Media Company. reserved. Reproduction necessarily reflect thoseAll of rights the staff or management in whole or part without permission of the publisher is strictly of OutSmart. Inclusion in OutSmart not imply prohibited. Unsolicited material is accepted.does No manuscript returned SASE. ©2013 by OutSmart Media sexual without orientation.

D R . J U L I E T FA R M E R Therapeutic Optometrist

boutique

2502 Woodhead Houston, Texas 77019 713-528-2010 www.boutiqueeyecare.com

1 14RedCo_2018_OS_MagAd_1_16_Horz_FA_Outlined.indd | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

8 2013 OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com 8 SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2013

3/19/2018 6:01:01 PM

CMY

Saturday, April 7, 2018 | Marriott Marquis Hotel

HRC Visibility Award

Presented to Gary Tinterow HRC Leadership Award

Presented to Ryan Levy HRC Ally For Equality Award

Presented to Jenni and Scott Tranweaver

For tickets and information, visit hrchouston.org presented by

Anniversary

PUBLISHER´S NOTE

tsmar

th P

versar

hen I sat down to write this note, I was overwhelmed by the thought that 25 years have really gone by so quickly. Yes, it is obvious that time does not stand still—especially when it comes to publishing and deadlines. On April 25, 1993, I traveled with a group of friends to Washington DC to attend the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. We were just a small part of the Houston contingent at an unforgettable event attended by close to one million people across the country. Energized by the march, and personally inspired to want to make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ people, we came home eager to start a magazine called OUTSMART. The magazine’s 1993 launch came together pretty quickly. However, it never could have been sustained through all these years without the generous support and well wishes from our advertisers and community. It is still very humbling to realize that many friends and advertisers have been with us from day one. It’s even more humbling to know that they confidently threw in their hard-earned money and support from the beginning, and have continued with us for over two decades. I hope our readers will continue to support OUTSMART’s family of advertisers—businesses that share your values for creating a world with LGBTQ equality. It is these advertisers who make it possible for us to put out this free magazine, both in print and online. Over the years, we’ve been very fortunate to have a talented team producing the magazine every month—our writers and editors, artists and photographers, production and distribution crews, and advertising sales reps. Some of our coworkers are no longer with us, and we strive to keep their memory alive. Others have gone on to make their mark in other arenas. If you would like to know more about the legacy and future of OUTSMART, check out writer Andrew Edmonson’s story on page 44. Our 25th Anniversary Issue also features retrospective pieces from two former columnists who have gone on to do extraordinary things. Annise Parker, who wrote 94 columns for OUTSMART before she became the first openly gay person elected mayor of a major U.S. city, reflects on the role of LGBTQ media in the broader movement. And Daryl Moore, who wrote our LeftOut column for a decade

UD SPONS

prior to becoming a State district judge, reminds us that despite all of our progress, the fight for LGBTQ rights is far from over. This anniversary issue’s cover features trans teen model Madelyn Whitley, who is quickly making a name for herself at the Page Parkes modeling agency. As we celebrate a quarter-century marked by incredible civil-rights advances, Whitley is a hopeful symbol of the future in the battle for LGBTQ recognition and equality. This issue also includes stories on several others who have played significant roles in the magazine’s history, such as Houston transgender pioneer Phyllis Frye. And Kyle Young, a former OUTSMART editor, is returning to Houston to become the marketing director at Theatre Under The Stars. Long-time contributor Steven Foster also gives us a great rundown on some of OUTSMART’s most memorable covers and feature articles. April is also our annual Food and Dining Issue, and John Nechman (a local LGBTQ activist in his own right) shares his top 100 restaurant picks, as well as his list of 50 uniquely Houston dishes. What would a silver anniversary be without a party? Please join us in celebrating our 25th anniversary at a festive reception on Tuesday, April 24, at the McGovern Centennial Gardens in Hermann Park. This event is also a fundraiser for the Dalton DeHart Photographic Foundation, the nonprofit organization set up to preserve the Houston LGBTQ community’s legacy in photography with a massive online digital archive. Thank you—each and every one of you—for your 25 years of support. It truly is appreciated. —Greg Jeu, Publisher

ON THE COVER

MODEL YOUTH

Trans teen Madelyn Whitley is the future of Page Parkes (See page 74.)

Photo by Select Studios Clothing by Roshan Moayed 16 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

CITY OF HOUSTON

Sylvester Turner Mayor P.O. Box 1562 Houston, Texas 77251-1562

Greetings,

Telephone – Dial 311 www.houstontx.gov

As Mayor of Houston, I extend a special congratulations to the editors and staff of Greetings, Magazine on their 25th anniversary. OutSmart As Mayor of Houston, I extend a special to the editors andrich staffand of Over the years, OutSmart Magazine hascongratulations remained consistent in writing th OutSmart on their anniversary. informativeMagazine articles about the 25 LGBTQ community which highlight the vital role that the LGBTQ community has in helping improve Houston. In its 25 years of existence, Over the years, OutSmart Magazine has remained consistent in writing our richcity. and OutSmart Magazine has shown continued support to culturally strengthening informative articles about the LGBTQ community which highlight the vital role that the community has in helping Houston. In its in25serving years as of aexistence, ILGBTQ commend OutSmart Magazine for improve its continuous presence voice for OutSmart Magazine has shownWe continued support to culturally strengthening our city. Houston’s LGBTQ community. are proud to have a longstanding magazine that celebrates and advocates for diversity. I commend OutSmart Magazine for its continuous presence in serving as a voice for Houston’s LGBTQ community. proud to have a longstanding magazine that Please accept my best wishes onWe thisare special occasion. celebrates and advocates for diversity. Please accept my best wishes on this special occasion. Sincerely, Sincerely, Sylvester Turner Mayor Sylvester Turner Mayor

Council Members: Brenda Stardig Jerry Davis Ellen R. Cohen Dwight A. Boykins Dave Martin Steve Le Greg Travis Karla Cisneros Robert Gallegos Mike Laster Larry V. Green Mike Knox David W. Robinson Michael Kubosh Amanda Edwards Jack Christie Controller:

Chris Brown

LUXURY IS IN THE AIR

CELEBRATE SPRING IN LINCOLN BLACK LABEL STYLE

2018 LINCOLN

B L AC K L A B E L N AV I G ATO R

O U R U LT I M AT E E X P R E S S I O N O F D E S I G N & P E R S O N A L S E R V I C E

At-Home Test Drives Lincoln Black Label Experience Liaison 4 year/50,000 mile Premium Maintenance Plan Service Pick Up and Delivery Complimentary Anytime Car Wash and Annual Detail

(888) 242-5059 | 20403 I-45 NORTH, SPRING, TX 77388

PLANETLINCOLN.COM

N EWS

GOP Judge Blames Defeat on Anti-LGBTQ ‘Slates’ Jay Karahan says he was targeted for officiating at same-sex weddings. By Brandon Wolf

respected, longtime Republican judge in Harris County says he lost his GOP primary because he followed the law under Obergefell v. Hodges and officiated at same-sex weddings. Judge Jay Karahan, who has presided over County Criminal Court No. 8 for the last 16 years, blamed voter guides published by right-wing activists for his defeat on March 6. The right-wing voter guides, commonly referred to as “slates,” are distributed in the form of glossy magazines by the likes of Steven Hotze and his Conservative Republicans of Texas, which is considered an anti-LGBTQ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Republican candidates who take out advertisements in the guides are typically given favorable treatment, in a system known as “pay to play.” “As a judge, I followed the law. As a candidate, I spoke the truth. Today, as a man, I stand on high ground with hope and gratitude,” Karahan wrote on social media following his defeat. In an essay published March 12 by Big Jolly Politics, a local news website, Karahan wrote that “certain special-interest groups in Harris County have long influenced judicial elections according to their narrow interests.” “Each campaign season, these special interests become ‘pay-to-play,’ mostly for-profit ‘slates’ that send ballot recommendations to many thousands of voters,” Karahan wrote. “These publications often contain fake news: misleading information, exaggerations, and half-truths.” He added that publishers of the slates

Hate Mail A voter guide from right-wing activist Terry Lowry singled out Harris County GOP judge Jay Karahan for officiating at same-sex weddings.

“have arrogantly anointed themselves ‘judgemakers.’” Karahan lost to challenger Don Simons, who reportedly was handpicked by conservative activists, by a margin of 86,993 votes to 36,085. Simons was endorsed in three right-wing voter guides, including Hotze’s. Thirty percent of Harris County GOP voters did not complete the 20-page primary ballot, skipping over judicial races and making them more susceptible to influence by right-wing activists. The voter guides utilize colors and logos that could be mistaken for official Harris County Republican Party (HCRP) materials. The sample ballots can be removed and taken

20 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

into polling places. In addition to Hotze’s Conservative Republicans of Harris County publication, Gary Polland publishes Texas Conservative Review and Terry Lowry produces Links Letter. The HCRP has censured the publications numerous times, and the main page of the party’s website features a warning about them. Marco Roberts, president of Log C abin Republicans Houston, said Karahan— a straight ally and longtime member of the gay GOP group—was targeted solely for his decision to officiate at same-sex weddings. “What this tells us is that these ‘slates,’ ➝

TAKE THE LEAD

Take an active role in your health. Ask your doctor if an HIV medicine made by Gilead is right for you.

UNBC4619_A_LEAD_8-125x10-75_OutSmart_Blue_p1.indd 1

8/4/17 11:19 AM

News ews N

continued continued from from page page 20 20

which misleadingly market themselves as which misleadingly market themselves as ‘official’ guides, giving unsuspecting voters ‘official’ guides, giving unsuspecting voters the impression that they come from the the impression thathave theyacome from the Republican Party, disproportionate Republican Party, have a disproportionate impact on judicial races where voters are not impact judicial races whereRoberts voters are not familiaronwith the candidates,” said, familiar with the candidates,” Roberts said, adding that “despite our best efforts, even gay adding that “despite our best efforts, even Republicans were spotted taking these guides gay Republicans were spotted taking these into the polling booth.” guides into the polling Karahan was one ofbooth.” two incumbent Karahan was one of two incumbent Republican judges targeted for officiating at Republican judges targeted for5,officiating same-sex weddings. Precinct Place 2 justice at Precinct 5, Place 2a of same-sex the peace weddings. Jeff Williams was forced into justice of the peace Jeff Williams was forced runoff against challenger Mike Wolfe. intoWhile a runoff againstguide challenger Wolfe. Polland’s simplyMike indicated Polland’s guide simply theWhile candidates he favored, Hotzeindicated included an the candidates favored, included asterisk next tohe the names Hotze of Karahan andan asterisk next to the names of Karahan and Williams to indicate that they “support the Williams to indicate they “support the movement.” homosexual politicalthat homosexual political movement.” Lowry, meanwhile, wrote below Karahan’s Lowry, wrote below name that meanwhile, he “performs gay weddings.” Below Karahan’s name that he “performs gay

Williams’ name, Lowry wrote: “Asked [Harris County Commissioner] Stevename, Raddack for a weddings.” Below Williams’ Lowry temporary chapel for (gay) weddings after the wrote: “Asked [Harris County Commissioner] Harvey flood.” for a temporary chapel for (gay) Steve Raddack Wolfe took out a full-page ad in Lowry’s weddings after the Harvey flood.” Links Letter, which typically for $15,000. Wolfe took out a full-page sell ad in Lowry’s Williams did which not purchase ansell ad. for $15,000. Links Letter, typically While Karahan supportsan same-sex Williams did not purchase ad. marriage, Williamssupports has said that he opposes While Karahan same-sex it, but believes in following the rule law. marriage, Williams has said that heofopposes Williams declined a requestthe forrule an interview it, but believes in following of law. from OutSdeclined mart. Williams a request for an interview Judges Texas from mart . are not required to officiate OutSin at weddings. they refuse to officiate Judges in However, Texas areifnot required at must alsototurn at same-sex weddings.weddings, However, they if they refuse officiate away heterosexual couples. at same-sex weddings, they must also turn A December Houston Chronicle article heterosexual couples. away explained Williams’ alleged “gay wedding A December Houston Chronicle article tent.” When Williams’ courtroom was flooded explained Williams’ alleged “gay wedding by Tropical Harvey, he and his tent.” WhenStorm Williams’ courtroom wasstaff flooded were moved Storm to temporary A storage by Tropical Harvey,quarters. he and his staff room becametoa temporary conferencequarters. room thatAwas used were moved storage for anybecame proceedings requiring privacy, andused was room a conference room that was

the most appropriate venue for weddings. interview with , Karahan OutSmart for In anyanproceedings requiring privacy, and was described the 2018 primary as “real dogthe most appropriate venue for weddings. whistle heO said has, Karahan no regrets. In anpolitics.” interviewBut with utShe mart “I’ve had greatprimary 16 years as working in described thea 2018 “real dogthe people’s courtroom, and now I’m turnwhistle politics.” But he said he has no regrets. ing“I’ve it back people,” heworking said, adding hadtoa the great 16 years in the that he finds the state of now the local GOP it people’s courtroom, and I’m turning “dismaying.” back to the people,” he said, adding that he Karahan plans tolocal be inGOP the Log Cabin finds the state of the “dismaying.” Republicans tent during Houston Karahan plans to be inthe the2018 Log Cabin Pride Festival. Heduring said hethe will marry any Republicans tent 2018 Houston coupleFestival. with a valid Harris County marriage Pride He said he will marry any licensewith at noacost. will be wearing a name couple validHe Harris County marriage tag thatatsays “Jay Karahan,” with an asterisk license no cost. He will be wearing a name next to it. In small letters beneath hisasterisk name, tag that says “Jay Karahan,” with an the tag will that the asterisk next to it. Inindicate small letters beneath his means name, he “follows the law and against the tag will indicate thatdiscriminates the asterisk means no“follows one.” the law and discriminates against he no one.” Brandon Wolf is a regular contributor to OutSmart Brandon Wolfmagazine. is a regular contributor to More News ➝ OutSmart magazine.

The University of Houston LGBTQ Alumni Association hosted its Red Dinner III Kickoff at Archway Gallery. Pictured are Crimson Jordan, Shawn Kuehn, Kevin Hamby, and Jenna Pel.

On February 23, George Country Sports Bar presented proceeds from its Gumbo Cookoff to the Montrose Center. Pictured are Tad Dvorak, George Konar, Crimson Jordan, Ken Steuart, Walter Pollpeter, Bryan Taft, Alexandria Mackzum, and Shane Fruge.

C ommuNit y Photos by Dalton DeHart and Edgardo Aguilar

On February 22, the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce hosted its second anniversary celebration at Guava Lamp. Pictured are Jonathan Netek, Tiffany Tosh, Sam Jacobson, Tammi Wallace, Gary Wood, Corey Allen, Deborah Lawson, and Roy Alvarez, Jr.

On February 14, the Montrose Softball League Association hosted Opening Day Ceremonies at Jones Plaza. Pictured are MSLA board members with Houston mayor Sylvester Turner.

On February 11, Numbers hosted an NRG Reunion/The Boom Honey Edition, featuring DJ Lane Lewis. Pictured are Lane Lewis, Jerry Vann, and Alan Bellinger.

On February 24, the Empire of the Royal Sovereign and Imperial Court of the Single Star, Inc. hosted Investiture 34 at Neon Boots. Pictured are Boy Cubby Christopher Prado Emperor XXXIII, and representatives from beneficiaries Montrose Grace Place and the Montrose Center Spry program.

On March 4, Bunnies on the Bayou hosted a VIP reception at the home of Richard Warner and Tony Bravo. Pictured are Colleen and Chandon Neely, Tony Bravo, and Kurt and Kate Tyler.

| APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com 22 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

On February 24, the Mystic Society of Isis and Osiris (MSIO) presented checks to its beneficiaries at the Montrose Center. Pictured are MSIO Officers, along with representatives from the Gulf Coast Archive and Museum, the Montrose Center, Out for Education, Bering Open Gate Ministry, and PWA Holiday Charities.

On March 8, the Alley Theatre hosted ActOut featuring “Satchmo at the Waldorf.” Pictured are Nancy Giles, Tina Berry, and Dean R. Gladden.

Our Triumphant Return

2018/19 SEAS O N

TO THE WORTHAM THE ATE R CENT ER

SEAS ON SUBS CR I PT I O N S O N SALE N OW! BA RTO N | KY LI Á N | P E C K

F E B . 2 1 - M A R C H 3 , 2 0 19

M A R C H 7 - 10, 2 0 19

M AR CH 2 1 - 2 4 , 2 0 19

M AY 17 - 2 6, 2 019

SUB S C RIPTION ADD - ONS

Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance N OV. 3 0, 2 01 8

M AY 31 - J U N E 9, 2 0 19

J U N E 14 - 2 3, 2 0 19

7 1 3 . 2 2 7. A R T S ( 2 7 8 7 )

The Nutcracker

Academy Spring Showcase

N OV. 2 3 - DEC. 2 9, 2 0 18

APR IL 2 6 - 2 7, 2 019

H O U S TO N B A L L E T.O R G

News

continued from page 22

‘There Will Never Be Another Joe Watts’ Pioneer of gay theater dies at the age of 76. By Don Maines

festive memorial event is planned for 7 p.m. on April 17 at the Montrose Center to celebrate the life of Joe Watts, widely considered “the father of gay theater in Houston.” For Watts, who died March 13, all of Houston was a stage—especially for the LGBTQ-themed scripts that he produced in spaces ranging from gay bars to an art-museum lobby to a professional venue, Stages Repertory Theatre. Watts was 76. “There will never be another Joe Watts. He was a life force,” said actor Taavi Mark, a friend and frequent collaborator, whose first show with Watts was the popular Dirty Little Showtunes. “Joe was very passionate and had a connection with what we were going through as a community,” said actor Brett Cullum, who appeared nude and simulated masturbation in a typically sparse production of Jerker that Watts directed. “The entire show was two guys having a relationship over the phone. They were afraid of getting AIDS,” Cullum explained. “Joe was way ahead of the curve. He would do plays that no other director would touch. He allowed us, as gay actors, to give voice to characters that general audiences weren’t interested in seeing.” The shows included campy musicals with goofy names like Gulp and Fruit Cocktail; irreverent comedies such as Paul Rudnick’s The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, in which God set Adam and Steve in the Garden of Eden along with lesbians Jane and Mabel; and high dramas including Martin Sherman’s Bent, which Watts directed at

Hard Act to Follow After moving to Houston in the 1970s, Joe Watts directed 65 plays and appeared in 75.

the Holocaust Museum Houston alongside a national touring exhibit called Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals, 1933–45. For a 2010 production of The Laramie Project at the museum, former Houston Chronicle theater critic Everett Evans noted that Watts ratcheted up the “tear-wrenching” dramatics by opening act 2 with the director’s original poem, “Matthew’s Flame,” and closing the show with a sentimental ballad, Jacques Brel’s “If We Only Have Love.” Working with Watts was “fabulous,” said local thespian Buzz Bellmont. “It was wonderful to get to perform the gay point-ofview of life. But it took a lot to get gay theater up and running. In one show, there were six of us initially, but one of the actors fell off the wagon and showed up drunk, so Joe fired him. We had to make the show work with five people. It was hysterical.” The director’s friends said Watts was born February 21, 1942, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he lived recently before returning to Houston about six months ago to battle Stage IV kidney cancer with treatment at the top-ranked

24 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center—as well as the support of his “inner circle” that included Mark, Steve Bullitt, and Lee Sirois. Houston became home to Watts in the 1970s. He worked in sales and promotions at KRBE and K-ARTS radio stations, and used the skills he learned at work to help corner the market on gay plays in Houston. Bellmont recalled that in 1983, another pioneering director of gay theater, John David Etheredge, enlisted Watts to direct Mart Crowley’s The Boys in the Band for Diversity Theatre. The production featured local actor Randall Jobe and was staged at the Pink Elephant, an ’80s gay bar. Next, Watts directed Doric Wilson’s Street Theater about the Stonewall riots, staging it first at Marion Coleman’s Kindred Spirits bar, and then at Numbers nightclub as a Pride event. In 1985, Watts titled his ad hoc assemblage of thespians “The Group (Theatre Workshop),” and presented Kent Johnson in the one-man play One, considered to be the first Houston production about AIDS. Watts contributed to “Art against AIDS” in 1988 by staging A Dance against Darkness at Main Street Theater. continued on page 126

CONGRATULATES

ON THEIR

NI V ERS

Y R A

E R P A RTN

N EWS News

continuedfrom frompage page24 20 continued

GayOfficial Official Fights Back Gay Fights Back afterGrindr GrindrPhotos Photos Leaked After Leaked Cross Coburn refuses to resign, and his attorney is investigating. By Lourdes By LourdesZavaleta Zavaleta

espitebeing beingpublicly publiclyouted outedin inwhat what espite hebelieves believeswas wasan ananti-gay antigay political he politiattack, Cross Coburn says he he hashas cal attack, Cross Coburn says no plans to resign from the City Council in Groves, Texas, outside of Beaumont. “This is not going to put an end to my caUTSmart MART in an reer,” the 19-year-old told Out exclusive interview. Coburn, who was elected last November in re since late the city of 16,000, has been under fi fire February, when nude photographs of him from the gay dating app Grindr were anonymously mailed to local news outlets and City Hall. The envelopes, envelopes, with withno noreturn returnaddresses, addresses,included a cover letter with contact information included a cover letter with contact informafor Coburn, as well a statement: “Is this any tion for Coburn, asas well as a statement: “Isinthis way proper behavior of a councilman to reprein any way proper behavior of a councilman to sent himself onlineonline or a ‘dating’ app? I felt theI city represent himself or a ‘dating’ app? felt council made aware of this situation.” the cityshould councilbeshould be made aware of this situation.”

Outedand andProud Proud Outed

Groves City City Councilman councilman Cross Groves Cross Coburn, Coburn, one one of the the youngest youngest LGBTQ LGBTQ elected elected officials officials in of in the the nation, says human rights will be at the forefront nation, says human rights will be at the forefront of his agenda. of his agenda.

Thephotos photoswere weretaken takenfrom fromaaprivate privateconconThe versation between Coburn and an unknown versation between Coburn and an unknown individual.Coburn, Coburn,who whois isstudying studyingdrama dramaat at individual. LamarUniversity Universityin inBeaumont, Beaumont,believes believeshe he Lamar wastargeted targetedbecause becausehe heis isaagay gayman manin inaaconconwas servative town. servative town. “I’vecome comeup upwith withthe theconclusion conclusionthat thatthis this “I’ve isabout aboutmy mysexuality,” sexuality,”Coburn Coburnsaid. said.“That “Thatis is is the only reason that somebody would want to the only reason that somebody would want to do this to me, because I am gay and they don’t do this to me, because I am gay and they don’t wantme meon onCity CityCouncil.” Council.” want Priorto tothe thephotos photosbeing beingsent, sent,Coburn Coburnwas was Prior out only to his close friends and family. He out only to his close friends and family. He saidthe theincident incidenthas hascaused causedhim himaagreat greatdeal dealof of said emotionaldistress. distress. emotional “Despiteall allof ofthis, this,IIlove lovebeing beingon onCity City “Despite Council,” Coburn said. “I love my city, andII Council,” Coburn said. “I love my city, and want to continue being a part of the process want to continue being a part of the process continued on page 127 that builds it up and helps it flourish.” continued on page 127

C ommuNit y Photos by Dalton DeHart and Edgardo Aguilar

On March 9, Resurrection MCC staged “Torch Song Trilogy.” Pictured are (front row, from left) Karen Van Amstel, Josiah Franklin-Greene, and Harry Goldberg; and (back row, from left) Richard McLeod, Mark C. Brown, Marcy Bannor, Elisa Garcia, Seane Greene, Mike Martin, and Mark Eggleston.

On March 11, Kevin Beganud and David Riddle hosted a brunch to benefit the Provincetown Film Festival. Pictured are Richard Nguyen, Steven Duble, Jeff Peters, Reza Nouri, Kelly “Tigger” Schexnayder, Kevin Begnaud, Dave Riddle, Debbie Levine, Dr. Bill Gilmer, E.J. Farhood, and Evan Choate.

On March 10, the Lone Star Volleyball Association hosted Miss LSVA at Rich’s. Pictured are Miss LSVA 2017 Crystal Gel, Mimi Mosa, Miss LSVA 2018 Ivanna Bath, Lady Byrd, Ruby Roxx, and Monae Sparkles.

On March 21, the Executive & Professional Association of Houston hosted its March 2018 dinner meeting at Ouisie’s Table. Pictured are Brooks Ballard, Mike Adams, Jessica Celaya, Ray Price, Kevin Hamby, Frank Staggs, and Cynthia Corral.

On March 11, Texas Pride Impact Funds hosted a Houston brunch at La Griglia. Pictured are Chree Boydstun, Tripp Carter, Judy Sherman, Mike Holloman, Janie Lopez, Bryan Hlavinka, Tim Martinez, and Ron Guillard.

On March 18, the Krewe of Olympus distributed money to beneficiaries at JR’s Bar & Grill. Pictured are the Krewe Ball captain and president with representatives of the beneficiaries.

Grove man C one o LGBTQ ficials says h be at his ag

MILLENNIUM by Durango Doors

STEEL WINDOWS AND DOORS FABRICATED, INSTALLED, AND GLAZED BY DURANGO DOORS.

The Houston Design Center 7026 Old Kay Rd. Suite 300 Houston, TX 77024 P: 713.680.3435 F: 713.680.2128 View our gallery online durangodoors.com For inquiries, contact jill.durangodoors@gmail.com

Durango Doors of Houston

17th ANNUAL

LGBT CRUISES & TOUR EVENTS

Halloween Cruise

from $599

Oct 28- Nov 4, 2018 7 Day Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston

Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas Ports: Galveston, Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel

plus

2 FREE Open Bar Cocktail Parties! Private shows with guest celebrities * $1000 in Costume Prizes Gay DJ * Afternoon T-Dance Themed Dance Parties * Group Dining on most cruise lines *Optional Gay Beach Parties Single, Couples, & Lesbian Get-Togethers and much more.. Starring: Miss Conception Billy Gilman from “The VOICE”

Amy & Freddy

(800) 592-9058 / AquafestCruises.com

713-857-2309 T m Schwenk, Broker tomsgalvestonrealestate.com tomsgalvestonrealestate.com TOM’S GALVESTON REAL ESTATE

UPCOMING GALVESTON EVENTS:

“Tom’s team treasure’s Island life. Talk to us to buy, sell or lease Galveston.”

123 2th St - Shearn Moody 290,652 SF for Lease

7611 Stewart Road $1,100,000 Biz & Building

BUY BUY -- SELL SELL -- LEASE LEASE

16th Anniversary FeatherFest - April 17 to 22 10th Annual Galveston Island Beach Revue - April 27 & 28

1618 Ave L $199,500

1812 37th St $220,000

1913 Ave N $223,900

815 10th St $245,000

2402 Ave O $259,000

816 10th St $275,000

1914 Ave M $679,000

4111 Swashbuckle $699,000

NEW LISTING!

809 13th St $225,000

1722 Market $229,000

NEW LISTING!

1728 Church $399,000

1509 Postoffice $489,000

3 HOUSES, 1 LOT!

1002 12th St $499,000

4/18

Calendar of Events Compiled by Marene Gustin

16th Annual Tommy Tune Awards! TUTS’ annual event is April 17.

I 2

t’s that time of year again, time for the annual Tommy Tune Awards from Theatre Under the Stars, honoring the best local high school musicals. Tune, of course, is the legendary tall talent, winner of multiple Tony Awards, and a graduate of Lamar High School. This year another local star, Jim Parsons of The Big Bang Theory, announced the nominees in a video on

the award’s Facebook page (facebook.com/pg/TommyTune Awards). • In a preface, Parsons encouraged all high-school students to participate in the arts, whether or not they intend to make a career of it. He then read the nominees for best musical and was clear about giving a shoutout to his alma mater, Klein Oak High School, which won a nomination for the production Big Fish. (Go

Blue Plate Special + all month Dine out to end child abuse. thethreadalliance.org

2 Biorhythm: Music & The Body

thru July 31 Make music with your body. thehealthmuseum.org

3 Toddler Tuesdays at Discovery Green

+ Storytime in the park.

discoverygreen.com

Eye on Houston: High School Documentary Photography thru June 24

Student photographs. mfah.org

5 *

16th Annual Tommy Tune Awards • April 17 • tuts.com

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

Jam at Discovery Green

Panthers!) Tickets for the fun-ﬁlled celebration go on sale at tuts. com on April 9. Support the local arts and these talented kids and, if you’re in the Big Apple next month, catch Parsons on Broadway in The Boys in the Band. Bazinga! —Marene Gustin

Da Camera offers a free concert. discoverygreen.com Dark Matter * thru 14 A collection of short stories by Don Nigro. mildredsumbrella.com

6 *and 7 Fun and free! milleroutdoortheatre.com Cleo * thru 29 When Liz met Dick. alleytheatre.org (See page 98.) Shrek: The Musical

30 APRIL 2018 OutSmartMagazine.com

4 Anti-Defamation League

Houston in concert against hate. houstonsymphony.org Dissent and Desire A thru 29 Unprecedented portrait of LGBTQ+ lives in India today. camh.org

7 * Music fit for a queen. arslyricahouston.org Hair * Go back to the Age of Aquarius. islandetc.org Texas Wine & Art Festival + and 8 mainstreetfestivals.com Long Live the Queen

8 An Evening with Sophia Loren

Meet a legend. thegrand.com Ann * thru 22 The one-woman play about Texas governor Ann Richards written by Holland Taylor. stagestheatre.com

For ongoing events, visit outsmartmagazine.com

9 Eighth Day of the Week * thru 15 Originally presented in 1995 by the Alzheimer’s center at Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. ensemblehouston.com

Magical Inspirations

Music that Should Be Danced

A celebration of the city’s diverse talent. milleroutdoortheatre.com

Annual event by Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse. avda-tex.org

Michelangelo and the Vatican

+ Only in Houston! thehoustonartcarparade.com Houston’s Got Bollywood * Dance. milleroutdoortheatre.com Amazing Grace * A musical saga. thegrand.com Art Car Parade

Houston BBQ Festival

All things barbecue. houbbq.com

* A new kind of folk music. milleroutdoortheatre.com

comedy. thegrand.com

Traditional stepping company. milleroutdoortheatre.com

Take mom for crafts, cars, and food. cyspringsffabooster.org

Step Afrika!

Mother’s Day Market & Car Show

Show your colors for LGBTQ youth! truecolorsfund.org (See page 32.)

29 Crawfish Boil

+ Rotary Club of

Galveston’s 8th annual mudbug fest. galvestonchamber.com

Texas Crawfish and Music Festival

+ More mudbugs, this time with music.

16 +

19 Out from Under the Rug

* thru 20

True-life tales of abortion. matchhouston.org

20 HAYA Band: The Magician * A celebration of the city’s diverse talent. milleroutdoortheatre.com West Side Story * thru May 6 The opera version. (See page 96.) houstongrandopera.org

24 * thru May 20 One of the greatest musicals ever comes to Houston! hamiltonmusical.com Hamilton

25 #TrueColorsDay

* thru May 5 Willkommen to the Kit Kat Club. obsidiantheater.org

22 Houston Earth Day + Lots going on at Discovery Green park downtown. earthdayhouston.org

See zany

Bill Murray, one night only! houstonsymphony.org

Old Settler’s Music Festival

Cabaret: Das Musical

New Worlds Tour

18 Moving Myths

Sneak Peak at Art Cars

wheels before the parade. discoverygreen.com

thru 22 Real Texas tunes. oldsettlersmusicfest.org

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder A Tony Award-winning

17 Tommy Tune Awards * Best of the local high school musicals. tuts.com (See opposite page, top.)

thru June 10 From the Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte. mfah.org

13 Vanessa Williams * In concert. brilliantlectures.org (See page 90.)

End Abuse Awareness Breakfast

A chamber concert by River Oaks Chamber Orchestra. roco.org

Dining Out for Life

AidsHelp.org/DiningOutForLife Freedom Train * Black history. milleroutdoortheatre.com Latin Wave A 13th annual Latin film festival. mfah.org

Birding Festival

All day bird-watching and events. junctiontexas.com

28 Coco A See the Academy Award-winning animated film in the park. discoverygreen.com Dance of Asian America

East meets west. milleroutdoortheatre.com

30 Save the Date Save the Date Color Bursting Hermann Park

thru May 31 You’ve never seen tree skirts like these! artuniti.com/ color-bursting-hermann-park

May 4–6

Houston Polish Festival

All things Polish at this biggest party in the Southwest. houstonpolishfestival.com

May 18

Mercury Gala

An evening of dining and music. mercuryhouston.org

texascrawfishfestival.com

More CALENDAR ➝ OutSmartMagazine.com |

APRIL 2018

| 31

4/18 Calendar of Events continued from previous page

Cleo

CINEMA, SEX, AND SCANDAL: WHEN LIZ MET DICK

WORLD PREMIERE

CLEO BY LAWRENCE WRIGHT DIRECTED BY BOB BALABAN

April 6–29 –

6–29

When Liz met Dick, it was magic—and the beginning of a legendary film romance. They met on the set of the film Cleopatra, which didn’t fair as well as their scandalous affair. But the 1963 film, although over-budget and over-long, did help fuel the public’s fascination with Taylor and Burton, and they became one of the first Hollywood couples to be stalked by paparazzi and featured in tabloids despite being condemned by the Vatican and the U.S. Congress. This is a play for lovers of love and the Golden Age of Hollywood. (ActOUT performance is April 19.) alleytheatre.org Gay 10K April 7 –

All are welcome at this run, and you can choose between the 5K and 10K routes. Lace up those sneakers and bring a friend, or an entire team. Race proceeds go to Legacy Community Health centers. Run not just for your health but for the community’s. thegay10k.com HRC Rise April 7

ALLEY

–

After the run, head to the Marriott Marquis for the 21st Annual Human Rights Campaign Houston gala: Rise. There will be cocktails, dinner, a silent and live auction, and special guest speakers. hrc.org Vanessa Williams April 13

6 – 29 APR

APR

–

ActOUT Thursday, April 19 suitable for mature audiences

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

Official Airline of Alley Theatre

ALLEYTHEATRE.ORG 32 | APRIL | OutSmartMagazine.com 32 APRIL 20182018 OutSmartMagazine.com

Let Freedom Ring is a stirring Vanessa Williams concert celebrating the life and enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The award-winning singer, actress, and former Miss America has overcome plenty to rise to fame, and she is an LGBTQ ally. brilliantlectures.org #TrueColorsDay April 25

– Formerly #40toNoneDay, #TrueColorsDay brings awareness to the plight of LGBTQ homeless youth. This national day, founded by Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund, provides supporters with simple ways to make a difference, and hosts live conversations online about the issue and what everyday people are doing to end it. This year welcomes Marriott International as the firstever presenting partner. LGBTQ young people are 120 percent more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ youth. So join the effort to stop this problem and show your true colors! truecolorsfund.org ■

A GREAT EXPERIENCE STARTS WITH THE RIGHT PARTNER.

Time-consuming, stressful closings may be the industry norm, but Stewart

Experience a better kind of partnership. Call the Fine Properties team of Stewart Title today.

Title delivers a smoother experience. By communicating clearly and tailoring closings to meet your unique needs, we deliver an experience that moves your customers and also makes you look good.

Parker Witt Escrow Officer, Manager

Michael Caballero Escrow Officer

Stewart Title Company 720 W. 11th Street, Ste 200 Houston, Texas 77008 713.401.1850 1980 Post Oak, Ste 120 Houston, Texas 77056 713.625.8626

222430654 - STC-HOU Outsmart Magazine Ad April - Roseann Rogers.indd 1

3/20/18 1:42 PM

SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

GAY OWNED & OPERATED

Bringing The World’s Best To Houston

20 MIN. from MONTROSE

Custom Shower s backspla shes countertops

taking care of all of your

flooring needs for the past 60 years!

NEW NOW SERIES

SEVEN THINGS I’VE LEARNED

IRA GLASS An Evening with

Jones Hall • Sat., May 12, 7:30 p.m.

CARPET WORLD Abbey Flooring Center

2840 East Sam Houston Pkwy S. Pasadena, TX 77503 - 281.998.3200 usacarpetworld.com

SPAHOUSTON.ORG OR 713.227.4772

Showroom MON-THU 9am-7pm FRI 9am-5pm SAT 9am-4pm

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

PREFERRED HOTEL

34 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com Outsmart_Ira_3.625x4.75.indd 2

3/19/18 2:44 PM

Happy 25th Birthday, OutSmart! We’ve been with you from day one. You’ve been a huge part of my success.

Karen Derr, Broker

Rene Ibarra Camiba REALTOR© Associate (713) 446-8331

Karen Derr Broker (713) 875-7050

Karen@KarenDerr.com 1135 Heights Blvd • Houston TX 77008

@GraciousHomesandLiving

L eft O ut

By Susan Bankston

Who’s Worse, ‘Pharma Bro’ or Trump? Exclusive: president’s daily White House schedule leaked.

judge has sentenced Martin Shkreli (aka “Pharma Bro”) to seven years in federal prison and ordered him to pay $7.3 million in fines. You remember, I am sure, that Shkreli acquired ownership of an HIV drug and raised the price from $13.50 to $750 overnight. Then he laughed publicly about how rich he was going to get. By the way, that’s a 5,600 percent increase. I think they should also increase Shkreli’s prison time by 5,600 percent, for no damn reason at all. Oddly, the HIV drug scam is not what Shkreli is going to prison for, although it’s hard to believe he actually did something worse than this. Instead, he was convicted of securities fraud. So, here’s the deal: he’s going to jail for defrauding rich people. If we had laws that mandated jail time for people who exploited the poor and the vulnerable, then a whole lot of other rich people would be in jail, too. In other news, as you probably know, Donald Trump wakes up in a new world every day. Honey, I’m telling you he’s so forgetful that he can hide his own Easter eggs. Seriously, he could also lose a bar of soap inside a washrag. So to help the president, White House staff members made him a daily schedule and taped it to his bathroom door so he’ll know what to do next.

Trump’s Daily White House Schedule :

8 a.m.: Wake up and viciously assault Twitter. Repeatedly. 8:30 a.m.: Look in the bathroom mirror and ask, “Who’s your president for life? Who’s a good boy?” 8:45 a.m.: Do whatever it is that you do with your hair. We really don’t want to know, because it appears to involve things that PETA, the National Hairdressers Association, and even the duct-tape industry would strongly object to. 9 a.m.: Watch Fox & Friends and know in your heart that they truly are your best friends, your

AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

I have poster board and a felt-tip marker, and I want this protestor’s job. I don’t care what it pays or where it is; I want it. I’m sure the sign doesn’t bother Paul Manafort: after all, he knows for a dead-solid, guaranteed, freeze-dried, natural fact that he’s a damn traitor. But boy howdy, it would make me feel a whole lot better. —Susan Bankston

posse, your cahootin’ cousins, your blondes in the ’hood—and the first ones to jump ship when it starts sinking. 10 a.m.: Ask three different people if you can fire Mike Pence. (That guy is getting on your nerves.) Keep tweeting to ask people if you can fire him until some guy in Georgia answers, “Oh hell yeah, Bubba! Does a one-legged duck swim in a circle? Is a frog’s butt waterproof? Fire that sumbitch.” Then appoint that Georgia guy to the Supreme Court. 11 a.m.: Order Grub Hub to bring you a Burger King burger, fries, and a Diet Coke. Ask nicely if they could please include the Burger King’s crown with this order. Don’t tip the driver. If he can afford a car to live in, he doesn’t need money. Noon: Design your own Certified Guaranteed Certificates of Security Clearance (with gold trim and your giant signature) and then tell the FBI to kiss your royal butt. 1 p.m.: Call Stormy Daniels and ask, “Was it good for you, too?” 2 p.m.: Give former Texas governor Rick Perry a lifetime appointment as Secretary of Colossal Dumbass. Give him a robe, a gavel, and a fun-

36 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

ny hat to wear at all of his public appearances. 3 p.m.: Prank-call Robert Mueller and ask, “Do you have Prince Albert in a can? No? How about Noco Lusion? Do you have him in a press release?” 4 p.m.: Help Sarah Huckybooboo Sanders’ glue on her false eyelashes. While in her dressing room, steal the last remaining tidbits of her soul. 5 p.m.: Ask Putin if you can have some of that cool poison he “doesn’t have.” 6 p.m.: Announce that the White House is not in chaos. You’re simply taping Round 14 of your new reality-TV spinoff called Hire All the Best People. 8 p.m.: Watch Rachel Maddow. Bring in your hired Russian hookers to pee on the TV. See you next month, and remember: stop saying, “How stupid can you be?” Some people see that as a challenge.

Susan Bankston lives in Richmond, Texas, where she writes about her hairdresser at The World’s Most Dangerous Beauty Salon, Inc., at juanitajean.com.

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

RELIEF, PURE AND SIMPLE

• 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.

What If I Have More Questions About Mytesi? For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or speak to your doctor or pharmacist. To report side effects or make a product complaint or for additional information, call 1-844-722-8256.

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.

M oney S mart

By Grace S. Yung, CFP

Best Cities for LGBTQ Retirees Seniors have plenty of options, but why not stay in Houston?

hoosing where to retire is a major decision, with a number of factors to consider. These include cost of living, climate, proximity to family and friends, and things to do in the area. For LGBTQ retirees, there are added variables such as whether the area is welcoming, or if it has inclusive nondiscrimination protections. LGBTQ retirees have more options than in the past, as a growing number of cities have become welcoming. In addition, LGBTQ-specific retirement facilities have sprung up around the country in recent years, including one that’s being planned for Houston. Here are some of the top options for LGBTQ retirees: Atlanta: The Deep South has not always been known for LGBTQ inclusion, but things have changed in places like Atlanta. The city also boasts expansive art and music scenes, as well as an airport that offers a slew of direct domestic and international flights daily. However, Atlanta may or may not be budgetfriendly, depending on where you want to live. According to Expatistan’s cost-of-living estimates, monthly rent for a 900-square-foot apartment in Atlanta is just under $1,200, with utilities running $175 per month. Austin: Based on a recent Gallup poll, Austin, Texas, has the third-highest percentage of LGBTQ residents in the United States. The Texas capital also boasts a mild winter climate, and is well-known for its arts and culture. Austin can also be somewhat pricey, depending on the neighborhood you choose. Here, Expatistan found the average price of a 900-square-foot apartment to be in the $1,330 per month range. Phoenix: Also a former conservative city, Phoenix has been inching up the ladder as a destination for LGBTQ retirees. This includes the neighboring areas of Scottsdale, Tempe, and Chandler. Here you will find a warm (and dry) climate year-round, as well as numerous cultural activities and eateries. Based on these factors, as well as the availability of healthcare,

affordability of housing, and quality of life, Arizona was recently named by WalletHub as one of the best states for retirees in 2018. In Phoenix, you should find the cost of living to be fairly reasonable, with an average monthly rent of $1,040 for a 900-square-foot apartment. Tampa: If the Gulf Coast is appealing to you, then Tampa may be a good option. Florida’s climate alone has long made it a top option for retirees, and over the last few years Tampa’s LGBTQ community has grown substantially. The cost of living in also fairly reasonable, with monthly average rent on a 900-square-foot apartment in the $1,375 range (based on Expatistan figures). Dallas: Big D has long had a thriving LGBTQ community, which is primarily centered in the Oak Lawn and Oak Cliff neighborhoods. In addition, Dallas is home to the world’s largest LGBTQ church, the Cathedral of Hope. While Dallas still has a reasonable cost of living, housing prices have been steadily inching upward in recent years. Although putting down roots in a new city has its advantages, there is definitely something to be said about staying close to home. If you’re leaning toward remaining in the Houston area, there are a number of benefits to consider. For instance, Space City has a more affordable cost of living than most other large

38 | APRRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

metropolitan areas. Plus, if you intend to start a second career, Houston has a rapidly expanding job market—particularly in the energy, aerospace and aviation, life sciences, manufacturing, and distribution industries. Houston will also have its first LGBTQspecific senior living facility, a 112-unit project being planned by the Montrose Center at 2222 Cleburne. Regardless of whether you opt to stay close to home or make new memories elsewhere, it is important that you are well-prepared financially. This includes ensuring that your income sources can cover your basic living expenses as well as travel and entertainment costs. The best way to map out a plan is to meet with a financial advisor who not only has experience in retirement planning, but also LGBTQ issues. This way, you will feel comfortable discussing all of your current and future financial needs and goals. 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.

MONTROSE Hyde Park Boulevard | $780s 3/3 - ±3,166 sf big lot | fantastic home | move-in ready now Wade Knight | 713.582.0264

GALVESTON Porch Street | $670s 4/3 - ±2,685 sf divine lakefront villa | stellar upgrades | grand master Jim Rosenfeld | 713.854.1303

MONTROSE Montrose Boulevard | $100s 1/1 - ±630 sf prime location at Park V | west views | 6th floor condo Wade Knight | 713.582.0264

sothebyshomes.com | 713.520.1981 Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.

TIME O UT

with

Show Us Your OUTSMART

Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt

The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

In December of 2014, David McAninch took OUTSMART to Antarctica on an Adventure Life cruise. Machu Picchu, Peru

FOR YOUR CALENDAR Check out these fabulous events co-sponsored by O UT S MART and our marketing partners.

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

April 1: Bunnies on the Bayou 39 benefitting several local LGBT charities. (new location for this year only) bunniesonthebayou.org April 7: Human Rights Campaign presents the 21st HRC Houston Gala. hrchhouston.org April 21: Bering United Methodist Church, “Oodles of Noodles” All You Can Eat Pasta” Benefitting the Bering Support Network. beringsupportnetwork.org April 26: The Council on Recovery 35th Annual Luncheon featuring Kristen Johnston, benefitting the council. councilonrecovery.org

SAVE THE DATE May 6: Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund Houston Champagne Brunch, benefitting future LGBTQ Leaders. Victoryfund.org/houston

Be social! Connect with us! 40 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Abu Simbel Temples, Egypt

The Taj Mahal, India

Show Us Your OutSmart GOING OUT OF TOWN?

Take OUTSMART along. Snap a high-res pic of yourself with the magazine and send it to us. Send to: Letters@OUTSMARTM AGAZINE.COM.

@outsmarthouston

/outsmartmagazine

@outsmartmagazine

TRANQUILITY POOLS & VENTURE POOLS CO N G RATU LATES O UTSMART MAGAZINE ON 25 YEARS!

WHETHER YOU WANT

SOMETHING

SIMPLE OR EXOTIC We have the talent and experience to achieve your design and budget! New Construction, Renovations, Weekly Maintenance & Repairs

713.462.0762 | venturepoolco.com

Joshua’s Native Plants & Garden Antiques

Best Garden & Nursery Supply

HUGE SELECTION OF POTTERY � PLANTS � FOUNTAINS � SUCCULENTS � ART

713.862.7444 502 W.18th Street @ Nicholson 77008

Tues - Sun 9-5

JoshuasNativePlants.net

tsmar u o

vers

y r a

Smarter with Age The legacy and future of Houston’s LGBTQ magazine. By Andrew Edmonson

hen OUTSMART was born, Bill Clinton was in the White House, LGBTQ people could not serve openly in the military, and Section 21.06 of the Texas Penal Code still criminalized gay sex between consenting adults. A quarter-century later, the lives of LGBTQ Americans have been transformed in extraordinary ways: from the landmark 2003 Supreme Court ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, which invalidated sodomy laws nationwide, to Annise Parker becoming the first openly LGBTQ person elected mayor of a major American city in 2009, to the marriage-equality decision of 2015. Through it all, OUTSMART has chronicled— and often helped catalyze—a wave of profound change. “OUTSMART has seen the LGBTQ community go from outsider status to being Supreme Court-approved legal,” says Ann Walton Sieber, who served as editor of the magazine

from 1999 to 2002. “Of course, there is still enormous stigma in many quarters, but still, it’s a mind-blowing amount of positive change. “I hope that perhaps OUTSMART was part of making that change happen,” she adds. “We really believed that one very important part of the way to change was for people to come out— to make themselves known as gay people to their circle of friends, family, and coworkers— [so everyone could see] that gay folks aren’t all stereotypes. And we were the magazine that also showed that panoply of gay/queer people to ourselves, so that we would know who we were.” Clifford Pugh, a reporter who has covered the Bayou City over four decades, including for the Houston Post and the Houston Chronicle, praises OUTSMART ’s editorial department for “consistently producing such a highquality publication that really has elevated the discussion of what’s going on in Houston’s LGBTQ community.”

44 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Annise Parker, a one-time OUTSMART columnist who now heads the LGBTQ Victory Fund, concurs. “The LGBTQ press is an essential component of our movement for equality, ensuring that our community understands the issues by providing a platform to LGBTQ elected officials and advocates who are working on our behalf,” Parker says, adding that OUTSMART was “a lifeline and a connector” for activists in the 1990s and 2000s. “Houston was not always a friendly place for LGBTQ people,” she says. “But OUTSMART provided that sense of community and common purpose that was critical for organizing to make positive change. “I know the coverage it provided—including exposing those opposed to our equality— played an essential role in changing the hearts and minds of many of Houston’s policymakers and elected officials,” she adds. “Houston is a better place because of OUTSMART ’s coverage.”

on LGBTQ issues. But DiStefano’s specialty is For noted LGBTQ start-up magazine,” Jeu “It’s time to be Out. historian JD Doyle, says. “I think 50 percent actually his long-form interviews with a bevy It’s time be Smart. of celebrities. Through pluck and perseverof magazines don’t OutSmart has made a It’s time for ance, he has landed interviews with such even make it through major contribution to luminaries as Eartha Kitt, Shirley MacLaine, their first year. We documenting the evanesOutSmart.” Harvey Fierstein, Lily Tomlin, Joan Rivers, started the magazine cent history of Houston’s —Penned after attending the and Kathy Griffin. with a handful of credit queer community and 1993 March on Washington for “My focus is mainly entertainment, not cards, and credit from the institutions that Gay, Lesbian and Bi Equal Rights politics—but I feel that talking to celebrities a generous Vietnamese comprise it. “In 1999, about anything gay is political anyway,” newspaper printer. Those were some rough OutSmart did a year-long series focusing on DiStefano says. days, and the only one getting rich from the Houston LGBT history, and it was wonderful. Pugh, the longtime Houston journalist, magazine was the bank—from all of my NSF And there have been lengthy articles over the admits that reading DiStefano’s interviews is [Not Sufficient Funds] charges.” years about our organizations. I love Outhis “guilty pleasure.” The first issue of OutSmart featured a Smart. It gets better and better.” “I always find something new about the cover story about high-glam A-listers Rod and OutSmart sprang directly from an activist Bob Jackson-Paris, which might have signaled celebrity from his questions.” impulse. During OutSmart ’s first five years, mainthat the magazine aspired merely to be a gay In a letter from the publisher and staff Vanity Fair. But the articles inside that issue in the magazine’s first issue on February 15, stream organizations began to take note of revealed much greater ambitions, and were a 1994, publisher Greg Jeu observed, “The emothe magazine’s quality. In 1998 and 1999, Outharbinger of future editorial trends that would Smart was named Best Local Gay and Lesbian tional and pivotal experience of participating define the magazine. in the 1993 March on Washington for Gay, Magazine by the Vice Versa Awards. In that maiden issue, there were profiles Lesbian and Bi Equal Rights was also integral Not content to rest on its laurels, the magof two Houston artists, Damion Sondergaard to the decision to create OutSmart.” azine continued to blaze new trails. In 2002, a and Missy Gentile, establishing OutSmart ’s decade before the mainstream media began to The letter ended with a clever call to arms: seriously cover the transgender community, “It’s time to be Out. It’s time to be Smart. It’s trademark commitment to in-depth arts and time for OutSmart.” culture coverage. OutSmart produced Community leader Jeu made a key business decision that its first “transgender During OutSmart’s first Rev. Ralph Lasher would set the magazine apart: he would not issue.” Editor Sieber five years, mainstream penned an essay, “In accept the highly lucrative, sexually explicit interviewed Lilly organizations began to God’s Name—Gays, advertising favored by many LGBTQ publicaRoddy (the magazine’s Lesbians, and the tions and alternative weeklies such as the take note of the magazine’s astrologer and longestBible,” expertly Houston Press. contributing writer, quality. In 1998 and 1999, debunking homopho“At the time, there was a double standard who transitioned in OutSmart was named Best bic religious leaders’ that existed for advertising in mainstream January 1999) for an armisuse of scripture to Local Gay and Lesbian and gay publications,” Jeu recalls. “We’re ticle titled “Everything stigmatize gays. talking about a time in history before Ellen Always Wanted Magazine by the Vice Versa You’ve Veteran activist DeGeneres came out. Even a same-sex kissing to Know about Your Awards. Not content to rest Transgender Friends.” Bart Loeser wrote scene on TV was too much for mainstream an article entitled America. on its laurels, the magazine D.L. Groover profiled “Exposing the Myths “Mainstream publications could have several pioneering trans continued to blaze new of HIV Testing.” topless bars, chat-line ads, and other sexually activists including Sara trails. In 2002, a decade Since the beginning, explicit advertising in it, and still be distribRook, who transitioned uted in major grocery stores and restaurants,” while working at Shell OutSmart has played before the mainstream Jeu adds. “However, if you had photos of shirtOil’s Deer Park chemia significant role media began to seriously less gay men dancing, it would be considered cal plant. in helping to bind cover the transgender by some to be unacceptable and would cause During the same together a commuproblems. We also decided not to take sexually year, there was also a nity devastated by the community, OutSmart explicit advertising because we felt it would significant change on AIDS epidemic. produced its first be a distraction from the other aspects of the the publication’s mastAnd the publicacommunity that we wanted to highlight.” head and in its mission: tion also has its lighter “transgender issue.” In those early days, Jeu was also confrontthe magazine added side, supplied in many ed with the practical realities of homophobic “transgender” and “bisexual” to the “gay and cases by creative director and entertainment Texas: finding a printer that was willing to editor Blase DiStefano, a stalwart of the maga- lesbian” audience it had previously identified. handle gay content. In the early 2000s, the magazine also zine for over two decades. His Queer Quotes “Financially, it was extremely challenging introduced a regular column by Parker, then column provides a witty, bite-size roundup of since banks were not quite willing to loan to a serving as Houston’s city controller. She ➝ the comments of public figures sounding off OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 45

The Council on Recovery invites you to join us as we stand together in choosing recovery. Reserve your table now for the opportunity to hear Kristen Johnston share her personal journey of addiction and path to recovery. THE WAGGONERS FOUNDATION SPEAKER SERIES I N M E M O R Y O F J AY WA G G O N E R

The WAYNE DUDDLESTEN FOUNDATION presents the

Kristen Johnston 35th Annual Spring Luncheon with

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Hilton Americas - Houston · 1600 Lamar · Houston, TX 77002 Check-in 11:15 am · Lunch & Program 12:00 - 1:30 pm CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD David Taylor LUNCHEON CHAIRS Devon Anderson / Bob Newhouse

THE SMART CHOICE FOR T-SHIRTS.

CODY GRIZZOFFI Consistently voted YOUR mortgage lender year after year

NMLS#293460 FL#LO40195 BRANCH MANAGER

(832) 541-1103 cell (866) 393-2634 fax

CodyG@lincloan.com www.CodyGrizzofﬁ.com 3815 Garrott St. Suite 202 B Houston, TX 77006 InterLinc Mortgage Services LLC NMLS #293460 FL#LO40195 Branch NMLS# 1618421 www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

46 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

tsmar

versar

Smarter with Age continued from page 45

in a caring way, more well as a commitment to more extensive covwrote candidly about By 2009, Houston Press than any other job I’ve erage of news and politics. In January, for exmany parts of her life, had named OutSmart Best encountered. And he example, longtime reporter Brandon Wolf broke from instructing the City Local Magazine four years pects loyalty in return. I a story about the record number of LGBTQ protocol office that her think he and OutSmart candidates in Texas in 2018. The story quickly partner, Kathy Hubbard, in a row in its annual Best went viral, and was picked up by media outlets would be included on all deserve loyalty.” of Houston competition. as diverse as the Fort Worth Star Telegram, official invitations, to DiStefano says Jeu “We keep waiting for a The Hill, and Breitbart News. navigating the long, emo“never gives up. He has “Texas is the second-largest state in the tionally fraught journey always had the tenacity local magazine to stand up nation, and it still has a major shortage of through the court system to—as fashion guru Tim and snatch this prize away LGBTQ media,” Wright observes. “So I think it’s to adopt her two daughGunn would say—‘make from OutSmart, but it just critical that we do what we can to fill this gap. ters. OutSmart lavished it work,’” he says. “Over time, I envision us devoting more By 2009, thanks to coverage on her historic never happens.” and more resources to our digital presence,” Jeu’s leadership and a rise to mayor and her rehe adds. “In recent months, we have signifitalented and passionately committed editorial election campaigns from 2010 to 2016. cantly increased our web traffic and greatly team, Houston Press had named OutSmart There were also many challenges along expanded our reach on social media. I expect the way, most notably in the wake of the terror Best Local Magazine four years in a row in its that we will soon redesign our website and attacks of September 11, 2001. “We suffered annual Best of Houston competition. “We keep gradually begin to place a greater emphasis on from the consequences of that nightmare, as waiting for a local magazine to stand up and digital sales.” did almost all other businesses,” DiStefano resnatch this prize away from OutSmart, but it In this era of “fake news,” accurate, calls. “We were a glossy magazine at the time, just never happens,” the Press wrote. “Even discerning reporting—whether online or in and had to revert back to newsprint. Since I as the masthead changes from time to time, print—has become an increasingly valuable am kind of snobbish about the inferiority of the quality remains high: smart, insightful commodity. newsprint, that was a very challenging time. features into Hous“In this time of But let’s keep in mind that that was nothing ton’s gay past and “Houston was not always segmented media, talking compared to what some businesses endured.” present, sharp reviews a friendly place for LGBTQ heads, and sensationalisThrough all of the ups and downs, the of theater, music, and people. But OutSmart tic journalism, commuanchor for OutSmart has been publisher Jeu. gay-targeted movies, nity publications play an and lively interviews Born in Houston in 1959, he attended Bellaire provided that sense of important role in organizwith national figures High School, where he started his first busicommunity and common ing individuals around letting out their ‘Did ness with friends in 1978—a singing-telegram purpose that was critical a common purpose,” they just say that?’ company that featured singers, belly dancers, Parker says. side. And it’s free. It’s tasteful strippers, and balloon deliveries. In for organizing to make “OutSmart remains a hard combination to 1985, he cut his teeth in magazine publishing positive change.” beat, but maybe some when he founded Uptown Express, which was one of the first places —Annise Parker, former Houston newly out Houstonians go year some [competing later renamed Health and Spirit Magazine. mayor and OutSmart columnist to learn about our commagazine] will.” “Greg’s leadership is ground-zero for OutIn a story entitled munity,” she adds. “It reSmart,” Sieber observes. “Greg hires staff who “Five Great Moments in Houston’s Gay Hismains the publication LGBTQ candidates and bring their own visions and skills—but really, I tory,” Houston Press cited the founding of elected officials go to when trying to reach our credit Greg with how OutSmart has thrived.” people. And it remains a place to learn about Sieber notes that Jeu, whose grandfather OutSmart in 1994, along with the city’s first the rallies and events that bring Houston’s owned a Chinese restaurant in San Antonio, Pride parade in 1979 and the Lawrence v. LGBTQ community together. OutSmart is a comes from a “family-business ethos.” Texas Supreme Court decision. “It was open 24 hours; it didn’t even have a As OutSmart embarks on celebrating necessity in a city like Houston.” lock on the door,” she says. “When they needed its 25th anniversary, it is looking decisively to close for his grandfather’s funeral, they had Andrew Edmonson is a member of the board of forward, not back. In March 2017, John no way to lock the restaurant. directors of The Oral History Project, which is Wright joined the team as editor, bringing two “So I have a theory that owning businesses decades of experience at both mainstream and chronicling Houston’s response to the AIDS crisis. comes more naturally to Greg, because he LGBTQ publications. grew up in a family culture that was familyUnder Wright’s leadership, OutSmart This article drew significantly on research done business oriented,” she adds. “Greg values by LGBTQ historian JD Doyle, and the website has placed greater emphasis on reflecting the loyalty. He really takes care of his employees houstonlgbthistory.org, which he curates. diversity of the city’s LGBTQ community, as OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 47

1404 W 25th Street Shady Acres Crest | MLS: 27339194

Live near where the FUN is! Walking distance to restaurants and an easy bike ride to the Heights Bike Trail too! This gracious end unit has open, first floor living with wonderful natural light throughout with French doors opening to the deck and back area. The second floor includes the master suite plus 2 additional secondary bedrooms with a full bathroom. Entertain in style with the expansive third floor gameroom (bedroom 4) which opens onto your sweeping rooftop deck! This well-planned space also includes a full bathroom and large walk-in closet too! High ceilings, hardwood floors on the first floor and master + a decadent master bathroom oasis! Contact me today for a private showing of this stunning home!

Lynette Lew

Residential & Commercial REALTOR® Accredited Luxury Home Specialist

713.582.2202

www.LynetteLew.com | Lynette@LynetteLew.com

©2018 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Better Homes and Gardens® is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated. If your property is currently listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers.

48 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Vitality IV Studio is a premium IV vitamin drip therapy spa located in the Houston Heights and River Oaks Shopping Center. Our Formulas •

Myer’s Cocktail

•

Hydration Enhancer

•

Detox Specialty

•

Beauty Promoter

•

Energy Boost

•

Tom J’s Fitness Mix

HANGOVER

CURE RIVER OAKS

HEIGHTS

Inside Phenix Salon Suites 4th Floor Above Barnes & Noble 2034–A West Gray Suite 125 Houston, TX 77019

Inside Sola Salon, Across From CHASE Bank 535 W 20th Street Suite 100, Studio 16 Houston, TX 77008

A p p o i n t m e n t s P r e f e r r e d , Wa l k - i n s We l c o m e ! vitalityivstudio.com

•

713.861.4848

Family. Friends. Community. We’re all in this together. State Farm has a long tradition of being there. That’s one reason why I’m proud to support and serve our community. Get to a better State . ®

Finalist BEST INSURANCE AGENT Patrick Torma, Agent 3329 Telephone Road, Suite B Houston, TX 77023 Bus: 832-649-4311 patricio.torma.kyk3@statefarm.com

1211007

State Farm, Bloomington, IL OutSmartMagazine.com |

APRIL 2018

| 49

Voted one of the Best Female Eye Doctor OutSmart Readers’ Choice 2017

Thank you OutSmart readers for voting Premier Wireless the best place to buy your wireless products!

We have the BEST phone deals, Best rate plans for personal or business and we provide FREE delivery.

DR. JULIET FARMER

Call (832) 639-2900 today. Lea Bogle, Owner

THERAPEUTIC OPTOMETRIST

2502 Woodhead Houston, TX 77019 713.528.2010 Schedule online at

BOUTIQUEEYECARE.COM

FREE DELIVERY 12220 Murphy Road

Premier Wireless is Houston’s Oldest Gay-Owned Wireless Company Premier Wireless

Authorized Sprint Retailers & Business Dealer Gay-Owned and Serving our Community Since 1993

50 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

FRIDAYS

Doors Open at 10pm

SUNDAYS

Doors Open at 5pm - NO COVER

52 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

tsmar

Gay Press, Gay Power

versar

For LGBTQ activists, OutSmart has been a lifeline. By Annise Parker Photo by Dalton DeHart

e didn’t trust the police. We eyed strangers warily. And we knew that at any moment, things could go horribly wrong. That was the life of a lesbian activist in the 1970s—organizing and attending meetings intended to advance our movement for equality, but always with a lingering sense of fear. Fear of becoming a target of discrimination or a victim of a hate crime. Fear of being arrested, because sodomy laws were alive and well in Texas. Fear of abandonment by family members shamed by our activism. It was a different time. And while people of color, immigrants, and other members of our community continue to face many of these same challenges, attitudes toward LGBTQ issues have changed dramatically. Many factors contributed to this shift, most notably the push for our community to come out of the closet and the increased visibility in media, politics, and everyday life that resulted. Yet, a driving force behind much of that progress was also a strong LGBTQ press—easing our isolation, chronicling our lives, and providing a sense of community. Before the Internet, it was our primary source of information for community gatherings—whether a rally at City Hall or a fundraising event for friends with HIV/AIDS. For activists around the country, these publications were lifelines. In Houston, one of my lifelines was OutSmart. OutSmart debuted near the start of my political career, and was a source of pride for our community from the beginning. While the weekly papers had

more current events, OutSmart was a glossy monthly magazine. Though it has always featured entertaining columns, it has stayed true to its core mission of being our voice and our watchdog. It has also been our voters’ guide—laying out the slate of candidates for local office and the positions they hold on equality. Its political coverage helped secure LGBTQ support for my nine successful races for public office—three each for City Council, city controller, and then mayor. The monthly OutSmart column I wrote while I was city controller gave me a chance to raise my public profile while also providing readers with needed information. While mainstream media now covers our community and issues more extensively, and information and events can be shared through social media with ease, OutSmart and other LGBTQ publications remain as critical as ever. They continue to provide a platform for LGBTQ candidates who have yet to catch the mainstream media’s attention. They ensure that the diversity of our community and its perspectives are given a platform. And they continue to provide the in-depth coverage of our issues that is essential to sharing our story on social media or elsewhere. OutSmart deserves our gratitude for 25 years of public service. I am confident that Houston is a more equal—and fun!—city for LGBTQ people because of its great journalism. Annise Parker is president and CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund.

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 53

Serving the LGBT Community - Since 1979

We’re On The Way! • Plumbing Repairs • Water Heater Service & Replacement • Whole House Re-Piping & Renovations

Receive a gallon of BioOne Eco-Friendly Drain Cleaner when you mention this ad. 1420 N. Durham Houston, TX 77008 • 713.597.8624 • nicksplumbing.com

Relationships Are Everything To learn about the solutions we can the LGBT community, call today.

Shane P Theriot Financial Advisor .

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

281-391-6137 shane.theriot@edwardjones.com edwardjones.com/shane-theriot

shane.theriot@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com/shane-theriot

54 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Our fever is fierce and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just the prescription we need. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to another 25 years of Outsmart. Getting Better, Together. avitapharmacy.com

UNRIVALED COVERAGE A look at some of OutSmart’s most epic issues.

wenty-five years ago, a small local publication debuted with little fanfare. It was quickly embraced by a community eager for something that spoke to it, reflected it, and served its needs. It was a publication like no other in the Southwest, and one of only a few nationally. No one knew whether it was economically viable, or whether a diverse, sometimes fractured community could get behind it. What tone would it take? What voice would it speak with? And more importantly, what would it say with that voice? That publication is the very same one you now hold in your hands: OutSmart magazine.

No one, and certainly not the magazine’s staff, could have predicted that this once-fledgling magazine would turn into a venerable community staple. Other organizations have come and gone, and so many publications have fallen by the wayside. But OutSmart has (sometimes just barely) given Houston’s LGBTQ community a platform to speak with, and a powerful voice that speaks to them. To celebrate a quarter-century in publishing, we we went through our archives, issue by issue, to piece together some of our most meaningful moments, including a few of the noteworthy people we’ve covered over the years.

By Steven Foster

56 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

FEBRUARY 15, 1994 (our premiere issue) The cover features one of the best-known gay couples in the nation, Rob and Bob Jackson Paris, a former Playgirl centerfold model and a former Mr. Universe, respectively. The cover is in color and printed on glossy paper, while the inside pages are black-and-white newsprint.

JANUARY– FEBRUARY 1995 In keeping with the times, AIDS is featured prominently on the cover and in the magazine. Subsequent issues focus on the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, as well as the Alley Theatre’s production of the seminal Angels in America.

JULY 15, 1994 OutSmart ’s first celebrity interview, with Melissa Etheridge. FEBRUARY– MARCH 1996 OutSmart stirs up controversy with its Sex Issue, including a feature about adult-film star Tom Steele of Houston, who appears shirtless on the cover.

OCTOBER 1996 The magazine begins monthly publication and streets on the first of every month. (Well, as close to the first as we can get.)

JANUARY 1999 OutSmart is named “Nation’s Best Local Magazine” by the Vice Versa Gay Press Awards, and also receives its first of many “Best Local Publication” awards from the Houston Press.

APRIL 1997 A very pregnant Denay Hudson is featured on the cover in an article on same-sex families. NOVEMBER 2000 An interview with then-Houston mayor Lee Brown is featured.

JANUARY 2001 OutSmart is named “Best Local Magazine” again, winning its second Vice Versa Award. The magazine also grabs three Houston Press Club awards.

MARCH 2003 Lawrence v. Texas attorney Mitchell Katine is interviewed. The magazine is now printed on glossy paper throughout, with no newsprint. ➝

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 57

E DITOR´S NOTE

Get the BODY you want in less than 8 weeks!

pring has sprung— and as it turns out, there is a campy rainbow-colored lining, if you will, to the dark cloud of the Trump administration. Artists like Randy Rainbow are thriving (while keeping hope and humor alive) as part of the Resistance. The gay YouTube star is bringing his show to Texas this month, with an appearance at Houston’s House of Blues on March 23. For our March cover story, writer Kim Hogstrom spoke with the man behind those hilarious viral show-tune parodies of the president and his merry band of misfits. Elsewhere in this issue, I report on my recent chat with Houston Independent 2116 Bissonnet St. Ste A School District’s superintendent, Richard Carranza, who has made headlines with his Houston, TX 77005 unprecedented support for LGBTQ equality. Meanwhile, with voting under way for the March primary elections, we continue our vidaandhealthdayspa.com “Out for Change” series with Brandon Wolf’s profi le of Michael and Steven Byrum-Bratsen

832.804.6182

Daniel R. Garza,MD

Medication Management Psychotherapy

of Iowa Colony, who could become the first married same-sex couple in Texas in which both spouses hold elected office. In our annual real-estate section, Marene Gustin chats with Galveston’s Tom Schwenk as part of her rundown of the Houston area’s top LGBTQ-friendly Realtors. This issue also includes “What Drives You,” in which James Hurst takes a look at the latest automotive trends. On the entertainment front, Don Maines has previews of several upcoming shows, including Cirque du Soleil at the Toyota Center and a production of The Laramie Project in conservative Brazoria County. Our lovely spring weather also means it’s time for the Sherwood Forest Faire and Bunnies on the Bayou, while the Lone Star Volleyball Association serves up its 30thanniversary season.

Specializing in: Depression • Bipolar Anxiety • ADHD Disorders

BEST PSYCHIATRIST OutSmart Readers’ Choice 2008–2017

Free

ON THE COVER

281.610.8190 BORN THIS GAY

Randy Rainbow415 3131 Eastside St. • Suite does Texas.

Body Contouring

Limited Evening Appointments (See page 30.)Available Se Habla Español

Here’s to new beginnings.

Consultation

Photo courtesy

of Randy Rainbow DRGarzaMD.com

—John Wright

Grab a coffee, take a survey, change the world. Making a Difference is Easy.

Take the 12th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey

LGBTQsurvey.com

Your information is confidential, used for research purposes only. You will not be contacted for marketing purposes.

58 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Proudly LGBTQ-owned and -operated A pioneer in LGBTQ research, founded in 1992 NGLCC-Certified LGBTQ Owned Business Enterprise

OutSmartMagazine.com | MARCH 2018 OutSmartMagazine.com | MARCH 18 | 13

Unrivaled Coverage continued from previous page

Kathy Griffin DID SHE JUST SAY THAT?!

PLUS

OCTOBER 2009 Kathy Griffin appears on the cover.

JULY 2006 Team Houston goes to Chicago and Montreal to compete in the Gay Games. JULY 2003 OutSmart publishes its first Galveston Issue, an annual tribute to Houston’s sister city that continues to this day.

Wanda Sykes Shocks! • Rocky Horror Goes Local! Secrets from the 2009 Gayest & Greatest Winners!

NOVEMBER 2010 OutSmart continues to be the city’s gay cultural touchstone, this time featuring Bill Arning, the new artistic director at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.

JUNE 2007 OutSmart ’s annual Pride Issue, with a complete Pride events calendar, hits a record-setting 148 pages.

JUNE 2008

30 Years of Pride CELEBRATING GAY HISTORY AS THE PARADE MARCHES ON

OCTOBER 2003 Lawrence v. Texas plaintiffs Tyrone Garner and John Lawrence are featured.

NOVEMBER 2005 OutSmart interviews Tab Hunter and Kathy Griffin. Griffin says she’s “a complete militant atheist” in the interview. OutSmart gets a “mention” on CNN.

CARLY SIMON CYNDI LAUPER ANDY BELL & MORE! Houston’s GLBT magazine • www.outsmartmagazine.com • Now publishing in our 15th year

JANUARY 2007 A controversial image of Janina Gavankar from the Showtime series The L Word.

JUNE 2008 The previous record is broken just a year later, with the Pride Issue coming in at a whopping 162 pages.

JANUARY 2010 Annise Parker appears on the cover again after making national news as the first openly gay person elected mayor of a major American city. ➝

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 59

SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Bringing The World’s Best To Houston

Best Landscaping Company

WINDSWEPT LANDSCAPE STUDIOS Distinctive Landscapes

OUR SERVICES Landscape Consultation & Design • Installation Landscape Lighting & Ornamental Fencing • Pool/Spa Design & Layout • Arbors, Pergolas, Garden Structures & Water Features Hardscape Design, Patio, Entry & Outdoor Kitchens Irrigation & Drainage Solutions

JONES HALL•JUNE 1-3, 5 SHOWS SPAHOUSTON.ORG OR 713.227.4772

PREFERRED HOTEL

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

Outsmart_SoundofMusic_3.625x4.75.indd 1

1706 McDuffie St., Houston, TX 77019 713.263.7771 • www.WindsweptLandscape.com

3/19/18 2:15 PM

GUEST

DJ’S

2401 San Jacinto Houston, TX RICHSNIGHTCLUB.COM FRI. APRIL 6

FRI. APRIL 13

KERRI CHANDLER

THUGF*CKER

FRI. APRIL 20

SAT. APRIL 21

FRIDAYS

Doors Open at 10pm

SATURDAYS

Doors Open at 10pm

RUEDE HAGELSTEIN

SUNDAYS

Doors Open at 5pm

MONDAYS

CINDEL

FRI. APRIL 27

WALKER & ROYCE

60 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Unrivaled Coverage

GET THEE TO A THEATER! OUR FABULOUS FALL ARTS PREVIEW

HONORING HOUSTON'S LGBTQ HISPANIC LEADERS

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL: MAYORAL CANDIDATES SPEAK OUT

Houston’s LGBT Magazine OutSmartMagazine.com

continued from previous page

SEPTEMBER 2015 SEPTEMBER

2007

Lily lin Tom Before

orms in

she perf

s to us

, she tallk

Houston

ALSO INSIDE preview s 20 • Fall artsVoic V es turn QFest • Queer ors magic with • Movie high school seni azine.com utsmartmag • HATCH • www.o

Lily Tomlins on a Roll Orange Is the New Black’s Lea DeLaria ‘Gender Rebel’ Kate Bornstein Author CJ Pascoe • LGBT Immigration

ine GLBT magaz14th year Houston’s hing in our Now publis

001_9524128LR.indd 1

JANUARY 2011 Always in touch with the national news, OutSmart covers the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

the

Musical’

curtain call from the Great Beyond

houston WoMens’ Music Fest an estrogenic celebration

OCTOBER 2017 OutSmart salutes the LGBTQ Heroes of Harvey.

NOVEMBER 2012 Fran Drescher is featured on the cover of the annual Pet Issue.

JUNE 2014 OutSmart sets a record again, with a 170-page Pride issue.

‘Death

8/28/15 6:20 PM

SEPTEMBER 2015 Lily Tomlin graces OutSmart ’s cover for the second time.

JUNE 2016 170 pages again!

Binnie Fisher a Woman of Mystery

Houston’s LGBT Magazine OutSmartMagazine.com

OCTOBER 2011

3o Years and Counting! LegaCY CommunitY HeaLtH’s Pioneering sPirit tHrives witH tHe arrivaL of a new Home!

Celebrating

ory MontH Gay Hist with the Gayest & Greatest and GLBt’s Iconic Leaders

OCTOBER 2011 Legacy Community Health moves in to a giant new Montrose facility.

JULY 2013 OutSmart covers the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Windsor that strikes down the Defense of Marriage Act.

JULY 2015 Marriage equality (ushered in by the Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision) is the talk of the country and the cover of OutSmart.

JULY 2017 Out lesbian Harris County district attorney Kim Ogg grants OutSmart an exclusive interview.

Steven Foster is a frequent contributor to OutSmart magazine. He can be reached at ste7en@ste7enfoster.com OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 61

CARING IS OUR BUSINESS

Applied Health Care Nursing Division, Inc. was recognized and certified in 1996 by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as one of modern home-health care agencies which are scientifically measured and assessed to have high quality home-health care services for promoting health and improving the quality of life.

NURSING • PHYSICAL THERAPY • OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SPEECH PATHOLOGY • MEDICAL SOCIAL • HOME HEALTH AIDE APPLIED HEALTH CARE NURSING DIVISION, INC. 6647 Mayard Rd. • Houston, TX 77041 • 713.782.4487 Home Health Services being offered by Applied Health Care Nursing Division, Inc.

BFG & Associates

High Quality Compassionate Care

Voted One of the Best Psychiatrists – OutSmart 2011-2017 Readers’ Choice

Don’t let yourself get bogged down with taxes, Leave your troubles at my door!!

• 20+ Years Experience • Monthly & Quarterly Payroll Tax Returns • Local & State Government Filing • Arbitration with IRS

• Preparation of Financial Statements to third parties • General Ledger packages—Quick Books, etc. • My oﬃce or yours! • Proud member of EPAH

Gary M.Gritz,CPA CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT Specializing in Personal & Business Accounting Services VOTED Best Accounting and Bookkeeping Service

Call (713) 784-3030

230 Westcott, Suite 210 • Houston, Texas 77019 WWW.GARYMGRITZPC.COM • GGYANKSSS@AOL.COM

62 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

3310 Katy Freeway, Suite 310 713.784.3030

Barry F. Gritz, M.D. Psychiatrist

Diplomate of the American Board Proud memberofofPsychiatry EPAH! and Neurology

• Saturday Hours • Male or Female Providers Available • Centrally Located Ofﬁce • Appointments Readily Available

Christine Wysong, RN, PMHNP, BC

Nurse Practitioner Board Certified

Access to Providers via Cell Phone 24/7 713/869-7400

230 Westcott, Suite 210, Houston, Texas 77007

tsmar

versar

Bending toward Justice The fight for LGBTQ rights is far from over.

wenty-two years ago, OutSmart welcomed me to its pages and published my first LeftOut column. For 10 years, publisher Greg Jeu gave me a monthly platform to write about issues that engaged me, enraged me, and frequently perplexed me. I wrote my last LeftOut column in 2006, when I felt like I’d run out of fresh things to say. Last month, Greg messaged me to ask if I wanted to write something for OutSmart’s 25th-anniversary issue. I said yes without hesitation. I said yes because I welcome the opportunity to write about what’s changed and what hasn’t in the last 25 years, and why it’s as important as ever to stay engaged and to continue the fight for equality. When I wrote my first column in 1996, everything was different. State laws criminalizing oral and anal sex between consenting adults were still on the books because of Bowers v. Hardwick, the 1986 case in which the Supreme Court held that the Constitution did not confer “a fundamental right to engage in homosexual sodomy.” President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996, denying federal recognition of samesex marriages. That same year, the military discharged almost 900 service members for violating “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the mili-

By Daryl Moore tary’s policy that prohibited gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals from serving openly. Much has changed since 1996. In 2003, the Supreme Court overruled Bowers with Lawrence v. Texas and invalidated sodomy laws nationwide. In 2011, President Barack Obama certified the end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In 2013, the Supreme Court held in United States v. Windsor that DOMA’s provision of allowing the term “spouse” to apply only to marriages between a man and a woman was unconstitutional. Then, in 2015, the Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges ruling declared that the right of same-sex couples to marry is fundamental under the U.S. Constitution. In 1996, I was a thirty-something single young lawyer who was not really all that out. Today, I’m a fifty-something married and out elected official in Harris County, Texas. The relative speed at which we have been moving toward equality has, in many respects, been mind-blowing. Even the labels used by our community have changed: GLBT to LGBT, to LGBTQ, to LGBTQI, or simply to LGBT+. If you had asked me in 1996, when I started writing my OutSmart column, whether we would see the undoing of DOMA, the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and marriage equality in my lifetime, I would have responded without hesitation: “No way.” And while I’m thrilled

about our progress, this is no time to take our foot off the gas. It might seem like morning in America for our community, but there could well be more dark days ahead. If we assume there’s nowhere to go but up, we’re sunk. And there is historical precedent for my anxiety. Let’s talk about race relations and reproductive freedom. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968 are all more than a half-century old. Undoubtedly, all three helped kick-start our nation’s remarkable progress with racial justice. But still, the fight continues. Just last year, two different federal courts found that the State of Texas had acted with “racially discriminatory intent” and with a “discriminatory purpose” against minority voters in congressional redistricting and in enacting voter-ID laws. Federal courts have found intentional discrimination by the State of Texas eight times since 2011. More than 50 years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, America’s courts are finding that the promise of racial justice remains unfulfilled. And let’s talk about women’s reproductive freedom. In 1965, the Supreme Court held in Griswold v. Connecticut that married couples had a constitutional privacy right that ➝

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 63

OPEN 24/7 WE ACCEPT MOST INSURANCE PLANS!

MONTROSE LOCATION

YOU WILL ALWAYS BE GREETED BY OUR SMILING STAFF MEMBERS Our ER wait times are typically 10 minutes or less. SignatureCare treats minor and major emergency care needs 24 hours a day. All of our centers are staffed with board-certiﬁed physicians and emergency room trained RNs, that can see adults and children.

OUR LOCATIONS MONTROSE

HEIGHTS

1007 Westheimer Rd. 1925 E. TC Jester Blvd. 77008 77006 832.735.7193 281.942.4306

MISSION BEND 8910 Hwy. 6 S. 77083 281.717.6164

MEMORIAL CITY 1014 Wirt Rd. 77055 832.735.6304

COLLEGE STATION

STAFFORD

3531 Main St. 77477 281.918.4056

AUSTIN

1512 Texas Ave. S., Suite 500 77840 979.985.2343

5701 W. Slaughter Ln., G101 78749 512.817.2126

ERCARE24.COM

DENISE O’DOHERTY LPC, LMFT, LCDC, RN

COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY • Addiction • Relationship • Personal Development Counseling to individuals, couples, and families of varying age, gender, race and sexual orientations.

E S T AY G REATES & T G 2017

BEST MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST

OutSmart Reader’s Choice Awards 2004–2017

RelationshipTherapistRN.com 64 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

3131 Eastside St., Ste 435 • 713-524-9525

Bending toward Justice continued from page 63

includes legal access to contraception. Eight years later, in Roe v. Wade, the high court held that a woman’s constitutional right to privacy includes the right to terminate a pregnancy. After these two seminal cases, many women thought their march for reproductive freedom was over. Hardly. Last year, President Trump rolled back the birth-control mandate and allowed employers and insurers to refuse to provide contraception for religious or moral reasons. Every bill that Congress considered to roll back the Affordable Care Act called for defunding Planned Parenthood. And today, all but 10 states have imposed at least one major abortion restriction: onerous regulations on abortion clinics, mandated counseling to dissuade women from having abortions, a mandated waiting period before an abortion, a requirement of parental involvement before a minor obtains an abortion, or a prohibition on the use of state Medicaid funds to pay for medically necessary abortions. The unfinished fight for racial justice and reproductive freedom reveals that although we now have marriage equality, the fight for full equality has just begun. Today, while we can legally marry, only 20 states have employment nondiscrimiMoore nation laws that cover sexual orientation and gender identity. Fifty percent of the LGBTQ population lives in states that allow employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. And 51 percent live in states that allow publicaccommodation discrimination or the right to refuse LGBTQ individuals entry into stores, restaurants, hotels, etc. In other words, while we can legally marry, half of us live in states where we can be fired at work if we put our wedding pictures out on our desks. And more than half of us live in states where we can be turned away at a restaurant or hotel because of who we are. In a commencement address at Wesleyan University in 1964—the same year the Civil Rights Act outlawed discrimination based on race—Martin Luther King Jr. reminded new graduates that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Even with the passage of the Civil Rights Act at hand, King knew that the fight for racial justice had just begun. So has the fight for full equality. Daryl Moore is a former contributor to OutSmart magazine.

FREE CONSULTATIONS

TRANSform into a

Timeless Beauty

Actual Patient

timeless Peter Chang, M.D. Ankur Mehta, M.D. BOARD CERTIFIED BY THE AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY

Actual B/A Pictures Shown • Surgical Excellence Beautiful & Natural Results • Accredited Surgical Facility Experience Matters • Concierge CARE

Center of Excellence for Cosmetic Surgery

281.242.TIME (8463) TimelessPlasticSurgery.com

Eye to Eye IN THE HEIGHTS

eye to eye

Dr. Michelle M. Hung Therapeutic Optometrist, Optometric Glaucoma Specialist

432 West 19th St. 713.864.8822 EyeHeights.com Mon., Tue., Thur., Fri. 9a - 6p Sat.9a - 2p • Wed. & Sun. closed Signature Eye Care | Contact Lenses | Designer Frames

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 65 OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 |

Adve�ture�f� Ever�on� Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, Gay & Lesbian Travel & Cruises, International LGBT and Milestone Events, and Just Pure Fun

“I Do the Work, You Have the Fun” BOBBY KNOWLES Proud Member

832.963.8523 | bkcruiseplanners.com bobby.knowles@cruiseplanners.com CST #2034468-50. FST #ST 39068. HST# TAR-7058. WA ST# 603-399-504.

66 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

THE RIGHT BROKER MAKES

ALL THE DIFFERENCE

JOE ROSS

713.301.4444 Joe@WoodwayProperty.com

We offer premier opportunities for both buyers We offer premier opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Our relationships give us knowledge that you need to know. We offer a variety of solutions based on your timeline and need.

2500 E T C Jester Blvd., Suite 130 Houston, TX 77008

WOODWAYPROPERTY.COM

THE INTERIOR DESIGN PORTFOLIO SHOW AT H O U S T O N COMMUNITY COLLEGE

W E D N E S D AY, M A Y 9 , 6 P. M . T H E D E C O R AT I V E CENTER HOUSTON

LEARN

hccs.edu/reveal

Queer Latinas, Represent Jessica Gonzalez to become third openly LGBTQ member of Texas House. By Marene Gustin Editor’s Note: This article is part of “Out for Change in 2018,” a monthly series on LGBTQ candidates in Texas, who were the subject of our January issue. For more, visit tinyurl.com/outforchange2018.

68 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

for

Change

essica Gonzalez says her primary focus as a member of the Texas House will be improving the quality of life for families—whether that involves child welfare, education reform, or criminal justice. “One of my top priorities will be addressing affordable housing,” she adds. “It’s a big problem in Dallas. People are being forced out of their homes, and the state keeps decreasing funding for education, making the school districts rely on raising property taxes.” Gonzalez is also prepared to take a stand on another issue, should it come up again in the 2019 session. “If the bathroom bill comes back,” she says, “I will definitively be at the forefront of blocking that.” Gonzalez, an out lesbian and attorney, handily defeated her opponent, incumbent State representative Roberto Alonzo (D-Dallas), in the March 6 primary. Gonzalez has no District 104 Republican opponent in the November general election, meaning she will be sworn in prior to the 86th Texas Legislature. “The campaign was really a grassroots effort,” Gonzalez told OutSmart from her Dallas law firm on her first day back at work following the primary election. “I started knocking on doors back when it was just me and my consultant.” As time went on, the campaign gained more staff, supporters, and funds. Gonzalez says the campaign included mail pieces and social media, “but it really was all about talking to people one-on-one, just getting voters to turn out.” “And the LGBTQ issue was never raised during the campaign,” Gonzalez says. “A lot of the demographics in the district are changing; it’s getting younger and more LGBTQ-friendly.” Gonzalez will become one of at least three openly LGBTQ lawmakers in the Texas House, marking the first time in history there have been more than two. She will join incumbent State representatives Mary Gonzalez (D-El Paso) and Celia Israel (D-Austin), who are also both queer Latinas. These three Democrats could be joined by at least one more in November. Julie Johnson won her Democratic primary with 77 percent of the vote in District 115, so she will face incumbent representative Matt Rinaldi (RIrving), who is rabidly anti-LGBTQ. “Wouldn’t that be something if she wins?”

Gonzalez says of Johnson. “That would make four of us.” The Texas Legislature saw 33 anti-LGBTQ bills in the 2017 session, the most in any state. Although the bathroom bill was defeated, State lawmakers passed one of the most antiLGBTQ adoption laws in the nation. Chuck Smith, CEO of Equality Texas, says even though the community is clearly outnumbered in the Legislature, people shouldn’t underestimate the power of having three openly LGBTQ House members. “It’s very true to say that if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” Smith says. “There is power in their presence, and they can be effective.” Of course, there could also be a much larger regime change in Austin next year. Former Dallas County sheriff Lupe Valdez, also a queer Latina, was the top vote-getter in the Democratic primary for governor. She will face Houston businessman Andrew White in the May 22 runoff, with the winner meeting Republican incumbent governor Greg Abbott in November. “Dallas is very blue, very progressive,” Gonzalez says. “[Valdez will] do fine here, but it’s going to be all about turnout in the general election. I’m just hoping what’s happening in Washington will mobilize people.” District 104 stretches across Dallas County, including more than 172,000 residents in the cities of Dallas, Grand Prairie, Cockrell Hill, and Irving. It is predominantly Hispanic, and a strong Democratic bastion. Alonzo had held the seat since 1994 and had not drawn an opponent since 2008. This was Gonzalez’ first run for public office, but she has a history of public service. The youngest of four children of Mexican immigrants, Gonzalez was the second in her family to graduate from college. She attributes her work ethic and values to her parents, who opened their own business to support the family. After earning her undergraduate degree,

she taught life skills at the Dallas County Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center, and served as the interim restitution coordinator for the Dallas City Attorney’s Office Community Court division. She then decided to enroll in law school at Western Michigan University, where she graduated at the top of her class. She served as a White House intern in the Obama administration, working on immigration issues. Returning to Dallas, Gonzalez opened her own law firm, Gandara and Gonzalez, PLLC. Her law partner is also an LGBTQ woman, and their firm specializes in personal-injury cases, routinely providing low-cost or pro bono work to the community. The firm actually moved its offices during the campaign, so Gonzalez had a lot of catching up to do when she returned to work. “I really haven’t had any down time yet,” she says. “I’m really bad about taking time for myself, but I definitely need to take a little break before I go to Austin in January.” In what little down time she does have, she enjoys working on her 100-year-old home in Dallas and taking bike rides. “I’m really looking forward to biking the trails in Austin, and the live music scene—that is, if I have any down time there,” she says. At the capitol, Gonzalez says she plans to try to reach across the aisle. “I think that will be important,” she says. “It’s going to be about building coalitions and getting people involved.” She also plans to work with local governments and use their expertise. As for the future, she hasn’t really had time to think too far ahead. “Certainly I want to stay in the House long enough to see my agenda through,” she says. “Maybe 10 years. Then it would be time to turn the set over to younger, newer voices.”

out

for

Change

“IF THE BATHROOM BILL COMES BACK, I WILL DEFINITIVELY BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF BLOCKING THAT.”

Marene Gustin is a regular contributor to OutSmart magazine.

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 69

‹

Wisconsin’s Finest Tammy Baldwin, who became the first openly LGBTQ person elected to the U.S. Senate in 2012, is seeking re-election this year.

70 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Celebrating Victory Senator Tammy Baldwin headlines group’s Houston brunch. By Ryan M. Leach Photo by Bill Clark

he theme for the eighth annual Houston Victory Fund Champagne Brunch should be, “New Brunch. Who Dis?” Everything is new—from the venue, to the organization’s president and CEO (former Houston mayor Annise Parker), to the record-breaking slate of LGBTQ candidates in Texas. The keynote speaker will be Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin, the first openly LGBTQ person elected to the U.S. Senate in 2012 who is facing a tough re-election fight this year. “Tammy is our sole LGBTQ voice in the U.S. Senate, and anti-LGBTQ forces are coming together to spend enormous amounts of money to defeat her,” Parker tells OutSmart. “It is critical for the LGBTQ community to step up to help ensure we do not lose this important LGBTQ leader in the Senate.” The brunch is moving from its traditional date in April to May 6—just eight days before early voting for the primary runoffs in Texas. It is also moving from The Corinthian to the Ballroom at Bayou Place. Although Parker is no stranger to the brunch, this will mark her first year as leader of the 27-year-old organization dedicated to electing openly LGBTQ candidates, which played a critical role in her successful City races. In 2009, Parker became the first openly LGBTQ person elected mayor of a major U.S. city. “Although I attend the Houston Champagne Brunch almost every year, unsurprisingly I am more excited about the 2018 brunch than any before,” Parker says. “Houston is my home, so standing before friends as the first former elected official to serve as Victory Fund president and CEO will be a proud moment for me.” Houston activist Bryan Hlavinka, a Victory Fund board member of nine years, will co-chair the brunch with Jani Lopez for the second consecutive year. Lopez has participated in the brunch for the last five years. Hlavinka says he believes Parker is “ready to take the organization to new heights. With our former mayor as the new Victory Fund president, the energy will bring new growth and scale that enables historic levels of LGBTQ representation at all levels of government in all 50 states,” Hlavinka says. “As we all know, representation is power. Representation is access. Representation is equality.”

Pastor Matt Russell will serve as honorary co-chair of the brunch, a title reserved for someone who has contributed to the advancement of LGBTQ people in Houston. Russell is the leader of projectCURATE (projectcurate.org), a public theology and racial-equity collaborative with a mission of working toward a more just society. Houston has long played an outsized role in the success of the Victory Fund. The enthusiasm around Parker’s Houston races created a base of support locally that has allowed the city to host the organization’s only large-scale fundraising brunch outside of Washington. This year, local LGBTQ candidates are again vying to make history. Judge Steven Kirkland hopes to become the first LGBTQ person elected to the Texas Supreme Court, while activist and attorney Fran Watson would be the first out Texas state senator. Kirkland and Watson were among 10 Texas candidates endorsed by the Victory Fund in the March primaries. Eight of those endorsed candidates advanced to runoffs or the general election, including Kirkland, Watson, and Harris County judicial candidates Jim Kovach, Beau Miller, and Jerry Simoneaux. On a national level, in addition to helping re-elect Baldwin, the organization is hoping that Arizona Democratic congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema will join her in the Senate. Sinema is vying to replace retiring GOP senator Jeff Flake. Hlavinka says the Houston brunch is important to the success of the Victory Fund’s mission—especially in a critical election year. “It allows us to showcase the work of the Victory Fund nationally, and the candidates that are endorsed and supported by the Victory Fund,” he says. “It also allows national candidates to come speak to the Houston LGBTQ community about the work they are doing on the national stage.” What: Victory Fund Houston Champagne Brunch When: Noon to 2 p.m., Sunday, May 6 Where: Ballroom at Bayou Place, 500 Texas Ave. Tickets/sponsorships: VictoryFund.org Ryan Leach is a regular contributor to OutSmart magazine.

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 71

QUALITY DENTISTRY ONE PATIENT AT A TIME!

MIDTOWN V ETERINARY HOSPITAL Your Neighborhood Pet Care Solution

ONE OF THE BEST DENTISTS

OutSmart Readers’ Choice Awards 2006 — 2017

VOTED AS ONE OF HOUSTON’S TOP DENTISTS 2004 – 2017 — H Texas Magazine

Our Mission is to deepen the bonds between people and their pets by providing personalized, compassionate care. We are a full-service veterinary hospital offering high-quality

713.942.8598

w w w. C o r y L o g a n D D S . c o m

530 Waugh Dr. | Houston TX 77019 72 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

services for your pet.

1434 W. Alabama St. • Houston, TX 77006 (713)528-4900 main • (888)504-9006 fax

www.MidtownVetHospital.com

No Drama ...Just Results

ALL ROADS LEAD TO CENTRAL HOUSTON CADILLAC!

TOP PRODUCER 2001-2017

Central Houston Cadillac as Best Domestic Auto Dealership!

Ask for TONY McCLELLAND

Clairvoyant Tarot Readings By L.A. Here is what one client has to say: “As a professional forecaster myself, I can attest to L.A. Brown’s remarkable ability to “see” the future. She’s as insightful as she is delightful, whether she’s amazing my party guests or giving me a personal reading, L.A. is spot-on with her To schedule your reading Call (832) 856-2188 predictions...and she goes out a lot farther than www.ReadingsbyLA.com — Frank Billingsley my 10-day forecast!”

5 years in a row. 2013-2017

Readings • Romantic Relationships • Business • Past Lives • Mediumship • Life Coaching • Party Entertainment

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 73

MODEL YOUTH Trans teen Madelyn Whitley is burning up the runways at Page Parkes Texas. By Jenny Block

eventeen-year-old Carnegie Vanguard High School student Madelyn Whitley has been modeling for only a short time. But Whitley is already a hot commodity at Page Parkes Texas, with a mix of photo shoots and runway shows under her belt, and a TV documentary in the works. Given Whitley’s edgy looks and lean, leggy body, it is no wonder she has made a splash. But she is more than the beautiful girl next door. She’s also the beautiful transgender girl next door. Assigned male at birth, Whitley began transitioning when she was 14. “I started having these feelings [when] I was really little and couldn’t wear a princess dress, bring my Barbies to school, or paint my nails like all the other girls,” Whitley tells OutSmart. “It was hard feeling so isolated. “It’s been the best and worst thing that’s ever happened to me,” she adds. “I love my life now. I love the person I’ve become, but there are a lot of people who simply don’t understand and who try to bring me down—and [they] almost succeeded.” 74 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

While Whitley’s parents and step-parents have had mixed reactions to her decision to transition, she has found acceptance in the modeling world. Page Parkes, founder of the agency that represents Whitley, still remembers the day she came in, describing it as “a regular Saturday.” “Madelyn had asked for information through the Page Parkes website, and I was the one who had the pleasure of meeting her myself,” Parkes tells OutSmart. “She was magical. When she turned to speak to me, I was inspired by her look—just stunning.” Although some may think looks are the only thing to consider when it comes to modeling, Parkes will be the first to tell you otherwise. And that was especially true with Whitley. “The real magic came when I asked, ‘Why have you never been to Page Parkes before?’ And she said, ‘Well, there is a back story,’” Parkes explains. “Madelyn began to trust me with her story. I was then saying to myself, ‘This is a dream come true for me as a model agent. She is the future, and I am on board.’ “I felt Madelyn was super-special and so very smart, as ➝

➝ OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 75

Model Youth continued from previous page

“I EDUCATE PEOPLE, [AND] BY SIMPLY LIVING MY LIFE, PEOPLE CAN GAIN AN AWARENESS OF THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE TRANSGENDER”

well,” Parkes adds. “She is one brave girl, standing up for all transgender teens.” Indeed, Whitley views herself as not only a model, but also an activist. “I educate people, [and] by simply living my life, people can gain an awareness of the community and what it means to be transgender,” she says. “Everyone is watching the current trends and news and events, so I think that being an activist for equal rights, especially for my LGBTQ+ community, is going to bring a lot of attention to the matter, sparking a conversation for change.” Whitley has done runway shows for Fashion X and Fashion Fusion, as well as a photo shoot for a Jonathan Blake social media campaign, a test shoot with Select Studios, and a modeling shoot for Alan Gonzalez’s line of clothing with Roshan Moayed. She is now working with the production company Audacious Media on a TV documentary. Parkes says Whitley’s gender identity has not been an issue for the agency’s clients. “My clients are open-minded, and she sells

clothes, so they have loved using her locally.” But locally is just the beginning, Parkes says. “Our dreams are much bigger. I will present her to Gucci and other leaders in fashion this summer. She is also studying acting, and my hope is for her to be a film actress long-term. But her academics are very important as well. She can do it all.” The admiration is mutual. “I’ve been headover-heels in love with the entire process,” Whitley says. “I love the people, the energy, taking pictures, going to castings, walking on the runway—everything. It’s been an amazing time in which I’ve met some really great people and had so much fun.” Whitley says her idols include Tyra Banks, Romee Strijd, Kendall Jenner, and Laverne Cox. And she has a role model right at home— her twin sister, Margo, who is also transgender. “But to be fair, I think every transgender person is my idol,” she says. “It sounds really corny, but to be able to show so much strength and courage to be your authentic self is amazing and inspirational.”

76 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Margo came out in January 2017, not long after Madelyn. “I knew the hardships she would face and the struggles she would have. But I was also really excited for her, because being able to express yourself in a new way, like with hair and clothes, is so much fun, no matter the hate,” Madelyn says. “Margo is my biggest fan and my biggest critic, all in one, and I love that. She’s always helping me better myself, and will always be there for me.” Whitley says if there is one thing she would say to people who don’t seem to “get it,” it would be, “It’s not about you at all. It is something deeply personal and emotional, which means I have no space nor tolerance for your opinions on how I live my life. “I try to think of all the love I receive when I hear hateful comments,” she adds. “Life is too short to waste it trying to please the people who will never understand or respect you.” Jenny Block is a frequent contributor to OutSmart magazine.

Cosmetic Reconstructive TMJ/TMD Treatment Implant Placement & Restoration Preventive Dentistry

T.D. Tran, DDS J.T. Haney, DDS 1302 Waugh Dr., Suite 200 Houston, TX 77019

info.AllstarsDental@gmail.com

AllstarsDental.com SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT SOON!

713.526.2424

D I S T I N C T I V E E Y E W E A R • C O N TA C T L E N S E S • E Y E E X A M S

4317 montrose blvd • 713.529.3937 www.WearUsOut.com Evan Mapes OD Optometric Glaucoma Specialist OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 77

Living Her Vision Trans superstar Laverne Cox returns to Houston for UH luncheon. By Lourdes Zavaleta Photo by Dalton DeHart

averne Cox has come a long way since her last appearance in Houston, when she headlined the National LGBTQ Task Force’s Creating Change Conference in 2014. “I am so blessed in my life that I get to tell stories through my work as an actor, through my work as a producer, and as an advocate for the issues that mean so much to me,” Cox said in 2016, after becoming the first trans honoree at Variety’s Power of Women event. Cox will keynote the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work’s (GCSW) Living the Vision 2018 Scholarship Luncheon at the Post Oak Hotel on April 11. Organizers of the second annual gala, which raises funds to provide scholarships for GCSW students by bringing nationally recognized speakers to Houston, recruited Cox because she embodies the college’s mission of achieving social, racial, economic, and political justice, according to spokeswoman Connease Warren. “Through a number of her philanthropic and activist efforts, Laverne has shined light on several social-justice issues, especially within the transgender community,” Warren says. “Since she puts these issues at the forefront of her work, we felt that she was a great candidate to showcase Living the Vision.”

In 2008, Cox became the first trans woman to appear on an American reality TV program, VH1’s I Wanna Work for Diddy, for which she won a GLAAD Media Award. Two years later, she worked with the network again for TRANSform Me, a makeover series that made her the first black trans person to produce and star in her own television show. When Netflix debuted Orange Is the New Black in 2013, Cox became the first trans woman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream television show. She also became the first openly trans person nominated for an Emmy Award for her role as Sophia Burset, a trans woman who was sent to prison for creditcard fraud in 2014. Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word, a documentary produced and narrated exclusively by Cox, premiered on MTV and Logo in 2014 and won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2015. In 2017, Cox began her role as trans attorney Cameron With on CBS’s Doubt. She also hosts Glam Masters, Lifetime’s new beautycompetition series that premiered in February. Also in February, Cox expanded her media presence beyond television with the release of her debut music video, “Beat for the Gods.” At the Houston luncheon, Cox will speak

about her social-justice efforts and present awards to Houston mayor Sylvester Turner and Karen Winston. Turner will receive the Spirit of Social Work Award, which honors non-social workers who display the values of social work, for his actions during Hurricane Harvey. Winston, a GCSW alumnae who has been a social-work clinician in Houston for 20 years, will be honored with the Social Worker of the Year Award for her work at the George R. Brown Convention Center during Harvey. Proceeds from the annual luncheon represent GCSW’s largest source of unrestricted scholarship funds, so donors can help make UH’s social-work degrees more affordable by purchasing tickets. Prices range from $250 for a single seat to $50,000 for two tables seating 20 and a VIP meet-and-greet with Cox for six guests. What: Living the Vision with Laverne Cox When: 1:30 p.m. on April 13 Where: The Post Oak Hotel, 1600 West Loop South Tickets: Giving.uh.edu/gcsw Lourdes Zavaleta is a regular contributor to OutSmart magazine.

‹ Trans-formative Laverne Cox last visited Houston in 2014 for the National LGBTQ Task Force’s Creating Change Conference.

78 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 79

Professor B Bisexual UH scholar Margot Backus leads school’s first queer-focused study abroad. By Lourdes Zavaleta • Photo by Justin Tijerina 80 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

hen University of Houston professor Margot Backus was 18, her adoptive father was outed as gay and publicly humiliated. “It was intolerance that led my dad to believe he had no other options than to hide,” recalls the 57-yearold Backus, who identifies as bisexual. “Between intolerance, HIV, and self-hatred, I am so lucky that he survived through the ’80s.” Prejudice against LGBTQ folks such as herself, her father, and her younger brother, who was also bullied for being gay, inspired Backus to put queer visibility at the forefront of her work.

‹ Putting Family First University of Houston professor Margot Backus says seeing her father and brother bullied for being gay inspired her to put LGBTQ visibility at the forefront of her work.

This summer, she will lead UH’s first queer-focused study abroad, a two- week English course about Ireland’s LGBTQ history. From May 21 through June 2, “Irish Heritage and the Queering of Contemporary Ireland” will take Backus and her students to Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Killarney, and Northern Ireland to explore connections between the country’s heritage and its contemporary queer culture. “Ireland has a huge tourist industry, but it’s usually marketed in such a vanilla way,” Backus says. “Most people think the country is

sweet, conservative, and traditional—almost like 1950s America. But it’s not. There’s something so fun about getting to be a part of what Ireland really is.” In 2015, Ireland became the first nation to legalize marriage equality by popular vote. Backus says this represented an extraordinarily rapid shift out of a period of extreme sexual conservatism, even though gender and sexual diversity are deeply rooted in Ireland’s early history. The first time Backus visited Ireland in 1989, she was celebrating the completion of her master’s degree in English literature at the University of Texas at Austin. She studied at Ireland’s Yeats International Summer School with fellow UT alumnus Ed Madden, a closeted gay Arkansan who had been raised by religious fundamentalists. Among other things, Backus and Madden met LGBTQ people who had returned to Ireland and created safe spaces after leaving to flee persecution from the Catholic Church. “About a year after our trip, Ed finally came out,” Backus recalls. “He gives the time he spent with me wild amounts of credit for accelerating his coming-out process. I just did what I always do, which was chatter away about queerness.” Backus has returned to Ireland a number of times since, including when she taught in Belfast for a semester in 2015. During her upcoming study abroad, Backus hopes to replicate her initial visit to Ireland while teaching her students what she has learned about the country over the years. Though she now resides in Houston, Backus grew up moving around the Midwest with her adoptive parents, Russell Thomas and Suzanne Fitzgerald, and her younger brother, Tom. When she was old enough to move out of her parents’ home, she relocated to San Francisco, where her father helped her land a position in IBM’s mail room. While living in the city, she fell in love with a woman from

New England and decided to move there to be with her. In Boston, Backus discovered her desire to become an English professor. While working at the Boston Public Library shelving books, she came across examples of queer writing that she never knew existed. Lillian Faderman’s Surpassing the Love of Men, a study of romantic relationships between women from the Renaissance to the present, and other books like it, led her to study English literature at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she graduated in 1987. Though most Bostonians put on a liberal façade, Backus discovered that many of them were racist. She decided to move to Texas for graduate school because it seemed like an easier place to avoid people who did not share her intersectional feminist values. “Boston was a very racist city in the ’80s, and other white people interacted with me as if I held their same attitudes,” Backus says. “I felt that if people in Texas had problematic beliefs, they would be up-front about it and I wouldn’t have to waste my time on them.” After completing her doctorate in English literature at UT in 1993, Backus served as an assistant professor at St. John Fisher College in New York for seven years. When Backus and her then-partner decided to have a child together, the two got married and moved to Houston, where Backus gave birth to their daughter. Motivated by the idea of working for a university that represents Houston’s diversity, Backus applied for an opening in UH’s English department. “UH was urban, offered inexpensive credits, and had loads of people who come from many different experiences,” Backus says. “I knew that was where I wanted to teach.” Backus has been a full-time English professor at UH since 2000. She teaches modern Irish literature and a queer-theory course on Irish author James Joyce’s 1922 novel Ulysses. Backus is also working on her third book, The Crux of the X: Literary Dispatches from Ireland’s War on Children, a study of sex scandals in Ireland, with co-writer Joseph Valente. “My goal is to create safer spaces by acknowledging the reality of difference,” Backus says. “I have been very fortunate in finding places where people see me as having something to offer and facilitate me doing that work.” Lourdes Zavaleta is a regular contributor to OutSmart magazine. OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 81

GALVESTON ONE OF THE TOP 7 HOME PORTS IN THE WORLD

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SUNDAY • APRIL 22 WORSHIP • 9:00 & 11:00 AM CELEBRATION • 12:30 PM Guest Preacher Rev. Kristen Orion

Circa 1937 English manorial-style brick home on 4 prominent corner lots in mid-town Galveston. With a kitchen with three ovens, two refrigerators and two butler pantries, you may have an excuse not to go to all the great restaurants in Galveston! $639,500 and the main house did not flood in Ike! Coolest guest quarters!

David Bowers, REALTOR

The House Company

409/763-2800

David@DavidBowers.com • 2009-2010 President Galveston Historical Foundation • 2010 President of Galveston Association of Realtors® • 2011 GAR Realtor® of The Year • 2013-14 Galveston Daily News Reader’s Choice Award

Thank you for voting me Best Realtor® in Galveston -OutSmart Readers’ Choice 2013-15

Serving our

Voted One of the Best Attorneys -OutSmart Readers’ Choice 2017

•

• •

•

•••••••••••

Dwane Todd

Congratulations, OutSmart! Dwane Todd Law Firm ~ Licensed Since 1983~

801 Congress Street, Suite 350, Houston, Texas 77002

713-965-0658

dwane@dwanetoddlawfirm.com 82 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Community in a Safe & Caring Environment. Denis “Woodja” Flanigan, Ph. D. Licensed psychologist

Psychotherapy, Career Counseling, Individual, & Relationship Counseling

Voted Best Psychologist 2011 – 2017 OutSmart Readers’ Choice Awards

Specializing in individuals, couples, & family relational issues to regain your direction, sense of meaning, and your happiness.

Helping you reach your full potential! 2211 Norfolk St., Suite 206, Houston, TX 77098 www.Houston-Psychologist.com | 713-589-9804 For mental health news, and information, you can follow me at

www.facebook.com/Flanigan.psychotherapy

Disturbing Diagnosis Houston doctor’s study finds rampant antigay bias in medical profession. By Kim Hogstrom

was any difference at all, I would say that discrimination was less evident there. That surprised me. The fact is, it’s everywhere.” While the survey used the term “homosexual,” there is little risk in assuming that if “LGBTQ” had appeared in its place, the number of medical professionals reporting Barbaric Practices religious objections would not have Dr. Joseph Varon says he was shocked to learn that one in five shrunk. healthcare professionals reported treating gay people In fact, Dr. Gordon Crofoot, one differently than straight patients. “In which century are we living—the 1800s?” Varon asks. of Houston’s leading physicians in LGBTQ healthcare, estimates that if more questions about transgender patients between helping sick people and living by one’s were added to the survey, the percentage of moral or religious convictions, and the new respondents reporting objections would have division will help guarantee that victims of increased from 20 percent to 45 percent. unlawful discrimination find justice. For too Crofoot established his practice in the long, governments big and small have treated 1980s to serve AIDS patients who were often conscience claims with hostility instead of shunned elsewhere. Today, he heads the largprotection, but change is coming and it begins est privately owned research clinic dedicated here and now.” to LGBTQ health and disease in the South. OutSmart asked Dr. Veron what can be Dr. Abel Flores says he joined Dr. Crofoot’s done about this disturbing development. practice to help patients who are not able to get “The first thing we need to do is add trainhelp elsewhere. ing geared specifically for treating LGBTQ “It is grotesque, the way the the medical people in all medical schools,” he says. community manages LGBTQ patients, and “Following that, most medical professionalso people of color and the disadvantaged,” als are required to take continuing-education Flores says. “As a gay man myself, I expericourses. We need to add training on the care enced discrimination throughout my medical of LGBTQ patients in all areas of medicine. training and much of my career. What I have These steps would make a big difference. seen and experienced has left me mortified.” “There have always been [antigay medical And as bad as things are, they may soon professionals], and there may always be,” Vabe getting worse. In January, the Trump ron adds. “But we can diminish their numbers administration announced the addition of a through education. Maybe then they will disnew “Conscience and Religious Freedom Divisolve into history. It’s certainly time to try.” sion” to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the Varon presented the preliminary results Department of Health and Human Services. of his survey at the fall annual meeting of According to a news release, the division’s the American College of Chest Physicians in purpose “is to protect healthcare professionals Toronto. He hopes to have a paper published in who refuse to provide services that contradict a prominent journal in the next year. their moral or religious beliefs. “ OCR’s director, Roger Severino, stated in Kim Hogstrom is a regular contributor the release, “No one should be forced to choose to OutSmart magazine.

‹

oseph Varon is a celebrated Houston pulmonologist with an insatiable curiosity about the world, and a deep commitment to human rights. Throughout his career, Dr. Varon says he has witnessed discrimination in every corner of the medical profession—from doctors and nurses, in clinics and hospitals, and in teaching environments. The fierce ally says this discrimination has been particularly flagrant toward LGBTQ patients—a fact that gnawed at him. Were his observations anomalies, or disturbing snapshots of the larger medical community? He was determined to find out. Varon proceeded to design a 30-question anonymous survey and send it to 12,000 professionals working in 147 healthcare institutions in 40 countries around the world. The questionnaire was issued in multiple languages and went to people in all types of medicine. About 3,000 (or one quarter) went to practitioners in the U.S. Respondents were asked about their religion, gender, and age, in addition to their attitudes. “Do you feel comfortable working with a homosexual colleague? As a healthcare provider, does a patient’s race affect your treatment of them? Do your religious preferences affect the way you treat homosexual patients?” A total of 10,106 questionnaires were completed and returned. “I was in shock when I started to organize the data,” Varon says. “Roughly one in five reported treating homosexuals differently from straight patients, based on their moral or religious beliefs. That’s 20 percent. “In which century are we living—the 1800s?” Varon adds. “I found it difficult to believe at first. It still alarms me every time I look at it.” Were the survey results possibly skewed by responses from countries known for antiLGBTQ attitudes, such as Saudi Arabia or Pakistan? “Not at all,” Varon says. “If there

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 83

Wall of No Shame Jim Obergefell to help unveil Pride mural in the Heights. By Kim Hogstrom Photo by Dalton DeHart

84 | APRIL FEBRUARY 2018 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com | OutSmartMagazine.com

ollowing the Pulse Nightclub massacre in 2016, Select Skate Shop created what would become Houston’s most prominent “Pride wall.” The outdoor mural, bursting with the colors of the rainbow flag, quickly developed into a popular lower-Westheimer attraction, serving as a backdrop for selfies and other photos. When the wall was suddenly repainted earlier this year with a black background and 10-foot-tall white letters spelling “Select,” some in the LGBTQ community were disappointed. Houston photographer and LGBTQ activist Eric Schell responded by seeking out a new location to host a bigger and better Pride wall. Schell partnered with his friend, artist Hugo Perez, to design the mural, and longtime LGBTQ ally Jenni Tranweaver offered the large façade at her Heights restaurant, Jenni’s Noodle House, as a canvass. The “Be Visible” Pride Wall, set to be unveiled April 5, will feature a quote from Supreme Court marriage-equality plaintiff Jim Obergefell, who will attend the ceremony: “I march because of the people who marched before me. Thanks to them, I live in a better world due to their bravery, and I owe it to them and those who come after me to continue the fight for equality.”

ERIC EDWARD SCHELL

Jim Obergefell

ful commentary on equality. All of these components are exactly what Schell had in mind when he launched Pride Portraits in 2016. “Our mission is to represent the LGBTQ community and its allies, one photograph and story at a time,” he explains. “Because visibility and insight are keys to fully humanizing people, this new, free public art will serve as a reminder for those in the community to ‘be visible’—to show their support and pride.” Schell is not the only one with a deep commitment to the Pride Wall project. “As a gay person of color, I am proud to have the opportunity to help create it,” Perez says. Jenni Tranweaver and her husband, Scott, own four locations of their popular Vietnamese restaurant. They hope the Pride Wall will contribute to a better future for American youth. “We want to participate, to help young people feel safe and comfortable to rise up and speak out about who they are,” Jenni Tranweaver says. “We love the Heights and think it’s the perfect location for the wall.”

Pride Personified Since OutSmart introduced Schell to our readers in a cover story 10 months ago, he has rapidly grown his nonprofit organization, Pride Portraits, photographing members and allies of the LGBTQ community locally, statewide, and nationally. Today, Schell has about 3,000 portraits in his portfolio, including musician Melissa Etheridge, congressman John Lewis, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, actress Alyssa Milano, comedic actor Leslie Jordan, and many others. Perhaps the most compelling elements of Schell’s collection are the statements that accompany the photos. Subjects are asked to write down what they would like the world to know about them. The photos, coupled with these personal revelations, add up to a power-

A Hero in History Ohio resident Jim Obergefell says he took all of a New York minute to decide to fly to Houston for the unveiling of the mural.

‹

“It’s just as Harvey Milk used to say: we as a community have to come out. We have to introduce ourselves, to be seen and known for who we are. It’s the only way things will change,” Obergefell says in his gentle, gracious tone. Who can forget Friday, June 26, 2015, when the Obergefell v. Hodges decision in favor of nationwide marriage equality was announced on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court? Obergefell recalls the outpouring of joy among thousands who had gathered. “Most of them started crying when the verdict was read,” he recalls. It was bittersweet for Obergefell. In 2013, he married his partner of 20 years, John Arthur, in Maryland because Ohio, where the coupled lived, would not recognize their union. Arthur died from ALS three months and 11 days after their wedding, and Ohio would not list Obergefell’s name as the surviving spouse on Arthur’s death certificate. It was a cruelty he refused to accept. “I promised to love, honor, and protect John when we exchanged our vows,” Obergefell says. “Bringing the case was one of the ways I could keep my promise to him.” Amid the cheers and tears on the steps of the Supreme Court that day, Obergefell was fielding live interviews with major networks. Just as he was wrapping one up with CNN, a producer said he had a call and handed him a phone. He had no idea who it could be. It was president Barack Obama. “Congratulations, Jim. Love wins,” Obama told him. That is all Obergefell remembers of their conversation. “Honestly, I am not even sure my feet were touching the ground, or for many days after,” he says. “It was a moment of joy I will never, ever forget.” What: “Be Visible” Pride Wall unveiling When: 3-6 p.m., April 5 Where: Jenni’s Noodle House, 602 E. 20th St. Free and open to the public Kim Hogstrom is a regular contributor to OutSmart magazine.

Rainbow Rampart The ‘Be Visible’ Pride Wall is shown under construction at Jenni’s Noodle House in the Houston Heights in late March. Pictured are Pride Portraits artist Hugo Perez, Pride Portraits creator and photographer Eric Edward Schell, Pride Portraits director of operations Crimson Jordan, and restaurant owner Jenni Tranweaver. OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 85

Enemy of Hate Anti-Defamation League to honor trans pioneer Phyllis Frye. By Marene Gustin

ight years ago, Phyllis Randolph Frye became the first openly transgender judge in the country. But that accomplishment is hardly Frye’s only triumph, or the focus of her amazing story. Frye will be one of four honorees at Houston in Concert Against Hate: Many Voices, One City, hosted by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) at Jones Hall on April 4. The other honorees at the annual event, which features speakers, a silent auction, and a performance by the Houston Symphony, will be A.J. Durrani, Adrian Garcia, and Alfred Tribble. “The Anti-Defamation League sought out civilrights leaders in Houston who are on the ground doing the work to further ADL’s mission ‘to secure justice and fair treatment to all,’” says Bailey Player, ADL’s associate director of development. “Phyllis Frye was an obvious choice. Her work for the trans community, not only in Houston but across the country, speaks for itself. One only has to google ‘New York Times Phyllis Frye’ to read about the lifetime of work Phyllis has committed to making sure members of the trans community are treated with justice and [get] the respect that everyone deserves.” Frye transitioned in 1976, after she was forced to resign from the military, disowned by her parents, divorced by her first wife, separated from her son, and lost job after job. It was her second wife who encouraged her to live openly as a woman, and who has stood by Frye for more than four decades now. “I’ve been in the business of working in the LGBTQ community for decades,” Frye says. “I’ve spoken at the last two women’s marches and have been honored by more than my share, but the ADL award is something else because they have been at the forefront of the fight against all kinds of hatefulness. When they told me, it just really blew my socks off.” Frye plans to bring her wife, her two law partners, and pioneering Houston activist Ray Hill to the event. Frye, who is widely considered to be the grandmother of the trans movement, says coming out to

86 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

‹ Living Legend Phyllis Frye, shown above at the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1979, became the nation’s first transgender judge in 2010.

her family was heartbreaking. “They still don’t know how to deal with it, and many of them have gone to their graves without accepting me. I was also run out of the military and blackballed by the engineering community.” While struggling to make a life in Houston, Frye lobbied City Council members for four years to repeal an anticross-dressing ordinance, which they finally did in 1980. That sparked her desire to fight for the rights of all trans people, so she enrolled in law school at the University of Houston. Still, she faced rejection and isolation, even from the local gay community. After graduation, when no law firm would hire her, Frye began defending indigent people at the Harris County Courthouse. Eventually, in 2003 she founded her own firm, Frye, Benavidez, and O’Neil (liberatinglaw.com). She now focuses almost exclusively on LGBTQ clients, aiding them with name- and gender-marker changes on legal documents, as well as other issues. In the 1980s, Annise Parker befriended Frye and invited her to become the first trans woman on the city’s lesbian softball team. Two decades later, when Parker became mayor in 2010, she appointed Frye as an associate municipal judge, where she still presides for a few nights each week. At 70, Frye is very comfortable with her life—but there is one more battle looming on the horizon. “If November comes and the Republicans [still have] a stranglehold on Texas, there will be another bathroom fight [in 2019],” she says. “I hope it doesn’t come to that, but I’ll be ready if it does.” She has already made plans for a very public arrest to launch the legal fight against any bathroom bill that passes. “I’ve been using women’s bathrooms since the ’70s, and I’m not about to stop now.” What: Houston in Concert Against Hate: Many Voices, One City When: 6–10:30 p.m., April 4 Where: Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St. Tickets: houstonconcert.org Marene Gustin is a regular contributor to OUTSMART magazine. OutSmartMagazine.com

| APRIL 2018 | 87

CALL Dermal fillers can take years off, even decades; giving a natural, pleasant, and well rested look. Dr. Barrios added volume to patient’s upper & lower cheeks and chin to reverse the signs of aging.

Let our family move yours™

• NON-SURGICAL • IMMEDIATE LASTING RESULTS • AFFORDABLE Botox® • Restylane® • Radiesse® Belotero® • Sculptra® Wrinkles • Rosacea • Facial Sagging Acne (active & scars) • Face & Leg Veins Laser Hair Removal

Call for your FREE Consultation 713.942.SKIN (7546) 517 West Gray St. • Between Montrose and Taft

www.SkinRenaissance.net Dr. Octavio Barrios, MD is a Fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery & American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine Member.

VOTED ONE OF THE BEST Dr. Barrios •WINNER 2015 Dr. Barrios BestOctavio Aesthetic Physician Best Physican 2005-2017 Skin Renaissance • WINNER 2005-15 Skin Renaissance Best Skin Care Center Best Skin Care Center 2005-2017

Your Medical Approach to Weight Loss PERSONALIZED | COMPREHENSIVE | DOCTOR SUPERVISED

OCTAVIO BARRIOS, MD

LUCIA MANGLE ARNOLD, MPAS, PA-C

CALL TODAY! 713.942.7546

MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF BARIATRIC PHYSICIANS

88 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Official Mover US DOT No.: 2491964 MC: 863077 TX DMV #006801984C

GETTING OLD IS A

g a r D

HAPPY Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;DAY

OUTSMART!

Ashton Martini

Broker Associate

832.878.7686 ashton.martini@sothebyshomes.com

Voted One of the Best Male Real Estate Agents 2017

THE BRIGHT STUFF Shining star Vanessa Williams illuminates Houston’s Brilliant Lecture Series. By Gregg Shapiro Photo by Gilles Toucas

ou would be hard-pressed to find a performer more versatile than Vanessa Williams. As a singer, Williams has had numerous hit singles and best-selling albums. As an actress, she has played leading roles in the Broadway musicals Into the Woods and Kiss of the Spider Woman. She has also performed regularly on the big and little screens, with memorable roles in Ugly Betty and Soul Food, to name a few. She has even co-written a book with her mother, Helen. The definition of a born performer, Williams will perform at The Corinthian in downtown Houston on April 13 as part of the Brilliant Lecture Series. I had the pleasure of speaking with her in mid-March. Gregg Shapiro: We are speaking the day after your birthday. I want to wish you a happy birthday, belatedly. Vanessa Williams: Thank you! Did you do anything special to celebrate? I was in-flight from Guam, so I spent my birthday in a zillion different time zones. I had a total of eight birthday cakes all week, from every restaurant that I went to and every event that I attended in Guam. I flew in there last week on Monday and they got word that it was my birthday. Everywhere I went they sent me a cake. I finished it last night when I came home. My mom made me dinner and, of course,

a birthday cake. I had a total of eight cakes [laughs]. When I left Guam I was serenaded by some wonderful Chamorro dancers and island music. It was spectacular. GS: Speaking of anniversaries and special occasions, 2018 is the 30th anniversary of the release of your first album, The Right Stuff. Do you have any plans to commemorate the occasion? We’re working on something. I don’t know right now, but we’re trying to figure that out. When you are on a concert tour, such as the one that will be bringing you to The Corinthian in Houston, how much of the music is drawn from albums such as The Right Stuff and The Comfort Zone, and how much comes from your performances in Broadway musicals such as Into the Woods and Kiss of the Spider Woman? It’s a combination of my hits —“Save the Best for Last,” “Colors of the Wind,” “The Sweetest Day,” “Dreamin’,” and “Love Is”—which people all know from the radio. I also do a Broadway section, which is wonderful. I do some Sondheim, and one from Into the Woods. I do my covers that I’ve done, some jazz, and R&B. It’s a nice mix of Broadway, R&B, pop, and jazz. I’m glad you mentioned covers, because you covered songs by Bill Withers on The Right Stuff as well as on your most recent album, The Real Thing. What does

90 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

a songwriter such as Withers mean to you as a singer? I grew up with Bill Withers’ music. I’m a huge fan of his. I love his songs. “Ain’t No Sunshine” is a phenomenal song. He wrote and sang. I got a chance to meet him in the studio. He came and surprised me when I was recording his number. It was a great opportunity to tell him how much I adored his music and songwriting. I’m at that age now where my kids are like, “This is a great song!” And I say, “Do you want to hear the original?” And they’re like, “Oh my God!” Most of my kids are very appreciative of the origins of where a lot of these songs come from. It’s been almost 10 years since the release of your 2009 album The Real Thing. Is there a new recording in the works? Yes. We started in January or February. We’re mixing now, and it will be out in the fall. You recently returned as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race. What can you tell me about the experience? It’s great! Any time Ru calls, I’m there for him. It was great because it was his All-Stars. Shangela had judged before, and is just amazing. It’s fantasy and the creativity is unbelievable—what the queens come up with for their costumes and makeup and ideas. Also, learning the choreography so quickly. They had to do a huge number that they learned immediately. I’m so impressed by their talent.

The resilience, and how they can up with some fantastic ideas and then make them come alive. Have you ever had occasion to see a drag queen perform a number dressed as you? We did an episode of Ugly Betty where there was a drag queen doing Wilhelmina. The whole episode was me going incognito to this club to see who was doing me. When they cast it, our producer asked me if my brother would be into it. My brother, Chris Williams, is an actor. I said, “Oh my God, he’d love it!” So my brother plays me in drag. I think it was one of the proudest moments my mom ever had [laughs]. Both of her kids, performing in the same episode of a hit show on ABC. That was probably the most fun. As a performer who has appeared on TV, in movies, on Broadway, and on recordings, would you say that you have a preference for one type of entertainment over the others? I just got off the road after three weeks with my band. It’s wonderful, because we’ve been performing together for 20 years. We started off with Luther Vandross back in 1997. There are so many tunes that we know, and so many ways that we can shape a show. That’s my natural go-to. There’s something about Broadway. I think it’s because I grew up doing shows and wanting to be on Broadway in musical theater—that first day of rehearsal when you

get your new music and you’re sitting in a semi-circle around a piano with your music stand and you’ve met the cast for the first time. Then you hear what you’re doing, and it’s always thrilling. The fact that you’ve put it up so quickly, and then it’s opening night. You pray that you remember everything—our choreography and your words and your breath support. I think musical theater is probably the most thrilling because it’s the most familiar to me. Speaking of Broadway, are you planning to see your Ugly Betty co-star Michael Urie in Torch Song Trilogy on Broadway this fall? I saw him opening night when he was offBroadway. Of course I’ll support him! What: Vanessa Wiliams in concert When: 8 p.m. on April 13 Where: The Corinthian, 201 Fannin St Tickets: BrilliantLectures.org Gregg Shapiro is a regular contributor to OutSmart magazine. OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 91

OCTAVIO BARRIOS, M.D. ADULT PRIMARY CARE

BOARD CERTIFIED AMERICAN BOARD OF FAMILY MEDICINE BY APPOINTMENT SAME DAY AVAILABLE FOR ACUTE ILLNESS

Ask us about PrEP Today!

OCTAVIO BARRIOS, MD

HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis MOST INSURANCES ACCEPTED

LUCIA MANGLE ARNOLD, MPAS, PA-C

You enjoyed a colorful 40-year career. Now you are working on your first greatest hit. You never imagined moving to a community would be so inspiring, and now you couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Be Inspired.

BEST PHYSICIAN

2013-2017 FINALIST

Renaissance Family Clinic 517 West Gray St. • 713.942.7546

of Th e H e i g h t s 1407 Studewood Houston, TX 77008

BOOKKEEPING | TAXES | CONSULTING MARY CARMODY, CPA

License # 106191

Tax Partner

MERLIN CAVALLIN, CPA Partner

of R i v e r Oa k s Independent Living Assisted Living • Memory Care

1015 S. Shepherd Dr. Houston, TX 77019

License # 148171

92 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

VOTED ONE OF THE BEST MALE ACCOUNTANTS

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

281.833.3302 merlincpa.com

MERLIN CAVALLIN CPA PC 2190 North Loop West Houston, Texas 77018

Forever Young Former OutSmart editor returns to Houston as TUTS’ marketing chief. By Don Maines

alking sex, politics, and religion with Kyle E. Young, a one-time editor of OutSmart, brings up the subject of right-wing Texas lieutenant governor Dan Patrick. “I had the ‘privilege’ of being fired by Dan Patrick for being gay,” says Young, with a journalist’s knack for spotting a headline. Young, who graduated from Houston’s Second Baptist School, holds a bachelor’s degree in radio, television, and film (RTF) from Texas Christian University. Patrick hired Young as a sales representa-

tive at the populist talk-radio station that the lieutenant governor now owns. Even “before coming out to my mother,” Young says, he told his supervisor at the radio station that he was gay. The next thing he knew, “Dan pulled me aside and basically fired me. He said, ‘I don’t think you’re happy here.’ I had neither the vocabulary nor the courage to do anything other than to leave.” Young recently moved back to Houston after more than a decade in New York City. He is the new “marketing and partnerships pro/ chief smile officer” at Theatre Under The Stars

(TUTS). It’s a joyous “homecoming” for Young, but, oops, bad timing for Patrick. “I am getting registered to vote, and certainly getting involved in the community,” he says. “I am excited and very inspired to use the skills I learned in New York and connect again with my little corner of the world.” Young was born February 23, 1968, at Methodist Hospital and grew up in Briar Meadow, an idyllic-sounding neighborhood that straddles Richmond and Westheimer at Hillcroft. “It was a place for riding bikes, and we ➝

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 93

BUYING • SELLING • LEASING APARTMENT LOCATING

mike cope

MIKE COPENHAVER Broker Associate 713-528-4963 mikecopenhaver@remax.net

REMAX METRO 2626 Richmond Ave. Houston, TX 77098

clear lake

94 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Forever Young continued from previous page

had a neighborhood pool,” he says. “We worshipped at St. Luke’s Methodist Church, and I was very involved in church, especially in junior high and high school. But by attending Second Baptist School from kindergarten through 12th grade, I got a perspective that, even within protestantism, there were differences. Meanwhile, I was such a closet case, having this internal battle about being gay. I tried to pray it away, but that wasn’t going anywhere.” At TCU, Young began as a theater major (“It was my jam,” he says), but wound up with an RTF degree with minors in both journalism and art history. After he returned to Houston, the position at the radio station teased his lifelong appreciation for marketing. “Marketing has always been second nature to me,” he says. “I understand how to get people’s attention.” Young produced radio spots for his clients, then promotions for the station, until someone finally asked him, “Why don’t you just become our marketing director?” Which he did. After Patrick put a quick quietus on Young’s radio career, he “did a little of this and a little of that,” including penning articles for the Texas Triangle, a statewide LGBTQ publication, and earning a master’s degree in social work from the University of Houston. “My career has unfolded in unpredictable and magical ways,” he says. “With each chapter, I’ve developed a richer array of skills, grounded in my ability to balance creativity with analytical thinking.” Young parlayed his stint at OutSmart into sales and marketing jobs at Stages Repertory Theatre and Clear Channel Entertainment, which became Live Nation Entertainment. In 2005, Young was lured to the Big Apple, where he created innovative platforms to drive a marketing relationship between American Express and Broadway. “We stuffed DVDs of Broadway shows into magazines,” he says. “Then came the call from ‘the Mouse,’” when Disney Theatrical Group (The Walt Disney Studios) enlisted Young to manage an annual budget of $2.25 million to market its Broadway productions and North American tours. More opportunities followed, including an out-of-the-blue offer, in 2014, to become chief operating officer of the gym where he worked out. “It felt very ‘close to home’ because most of the trainers and the clients grew out of the Broadway community,” he says. “One day, they asked me to be COO, and I said, ‘I don ’t know anything about being a COO.’ They said, ‘That’s great; we don’t either.’” Young began the job “officing in somebody’s apartment.” The gym, Mark Fisher Fitness, expanded into two facilities serving more than

Yo m

aj sa

If rig th lo m an fo

Ih “I ci w Is co is

Do to

3,000 clients. In 2015, it was named one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. by Inc. magazine, and designated one of the best gyms in America by Men’s Health in 2016. While home for the holidays in December, Young decided to take the job at TUTS and move back to Houston. His partner, hairstylist Michael Girel, left a job on Park Avenue, “and we came back on the same plane,” Young says. “I felt like I had done New York theater, and I feel like the universe is pointing me in the right direction with TUTS,” he says. “The first thing I had to do is go buy a car. We are still looking to buy a house, so we are living with my parents. I just celebrated my 50th birthday, and my mom’s packing my lunch every day for work.” Young says OutSmart has had a lot to do with bringing him back to Houston. “Every month it arrived in my mailbox, so I have watched it flourish and grow,” he says. “I have gotten to watch one of the most diverse cities in the country also become inclusive, with the LGBT community leading the way. I saw an opportunity to feel a sense of community connection through work that is so inspiring.”

nan prop

Don Maines is a regular contributor to OutSmart magazine.

All cleaning in house

Conveniently located in Montrose

Alterations available

up to date

vida 2018 PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTION DATES Early Voting: Monday, May 14 Friday, May 18, 2018 Election Day: Tuesday, May 22, 2018

714 W. Gray St. Houston, TX 77019 713.522.6626 M-F: 7am - 7pm SAT: 8am - 3pm

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 95

A Gunfight at the Opera Out director Francesca Zambello previews HGO’s ‘West Side Story.’ By Don Maines

he groundbreaking ethnic musical about teenage violence—which out director Francesca Zambello is staging with the Houston Grand Opera April 20– May 6—sounds like something from the latest news cycle. But West Side Story began as a 1950s collaboration by four gay New Yorkers—and is actually based on Romeo and Juliet, William

Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed 16th-century lovers from rival families. Stephen Sondheim and the late Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, and Jerome Robbins changed the story’s setting from Verona, Italy, to a blue-collar neighborhood in New York City where a white gang, the Jets, and a Puerto Rican gang, the Sharks, battle for turf. The musical’s Romeo character, Tony, pledges allegiance to

96 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

‹ Handsome Shark The original West Side Story starred George Chakris as Bernardo Nunez (forefront), leader of the Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang. Chakris, who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, later came out as gay. Francesca Zambello (opposite page), an out lesbian, directs the Houston Grand Opera’s upcoming production.

the Jets until he falls in love with Maria, whose brother is the leader of the Sharks. “I love every character,” Zambello says, “but I think my favorite is Maria, because of how she goes from being an innocent to a person with a voice who can articulate herself so powerfully about guns and violence.” “Now, I can kill, too,” she screams at the end, “because now I have hate.” Zambello hesitates to “make a connection” between the show’s final bloodbath and today’s gun-control debate, shrewdly allowing the senseless violence in the material to speak for itself. Zambello was born August 24, 1956, and recently celebrated her sixth wedding anniversary with her wife, high-powered Manhattan attorney Faith E. Gay. Their wedding was in Cooperstown, New York, where Zambello works in the summertime as general director of the Glimmerglass Festival. Zambello was born in New York City, but grew up in cities throughout Europe. “Paris, Vienna, Frankfurt—it was great,” she says. “My father, Charles C. Zambello, worked for TWA, so we got to travel a lot and I developed a love of travel.” Her mother was the late actress Jean Sincere, who played the school librarian in the 2009–2015 TV series Glee that entertained a big gay following. “She was the first to introduce me to the theater,” Zambello says. “I grew to love music and storytelling, and I have always enjoyed the extremely heightened emotions of opera. They range from the very real to the very fantastical, and they have the power to communicate effectively. Discovering opera as a way of expression, I felt like, ‘This is me.’” As for coming out, Zambello says, “Like most people, I got a crush on someone, and something happened. My parents were very understanding.” In 1984, Zambello was an assistant director to the late Jean-Pierre Ponnelle when HGO’s former general director, David Gockley, tapped Zambello to direct a production of Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio. In it, a woman disguises herself as a man and works as a jailer’s assistant in a plot to rescue her husband from the dungeon where he is being held as a political prisoner. Gockley, who would leave Houston in 2005 and retire as general director of the San Francisco Opera in 2016, gave Zambello an important break. “I owe a lot of my career to him. He was an amazing general director and collaborator, as is Patrick Summers,” HGO’s current artistic and music director who succeeded Gockley. In 1987, Zambello debuted as a director in Italy at the Teatro la Fenice in Venice, with Bellini’s Beatrice di Tenda. Zambello has returned to the Wortham Center to direct several productions, including 2012’s Show Boat, in which she cast Montrose favorite son Tye Blue as Frank Schultz, the star

of the Cotton Blossom, a Mississippi River steamer. However, West Side Story will be performed at the George R. Brown Convention Center’s Resilience Theater—actually a convention exhibit hall that HGO’s production team has transformed into a performance space for its post-Hurricane Harvey season of “triumph over adversity.” “I think it’s fantastic,” says Zambello, who visited the space prior to rehearsals for West Side Story. What: West Side Story When: April 20–May 6 Where: Resilience Theater, 1001 Avenida de las Americas Tickets: HoustonGrandOpera.org Don Maines is a regular contributor to OutSmart magazine.

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 97

A Perfect Storm Out actor Mark Capri on bringing ‘the greatest sex scandal in film’ to the Alley. By Don Maines

‹ Turbulent Affair At left, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton are shown on the set of Cleopatra in 1963. The Alley’s production of Cleo used a temporary rehearsal space at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston, above. Cleo was written by Lawrence Wright, shown below right with Lisa Binbaum, who plays Taylor. Mark Capri, below left, plays Rex Harrison.

urricane Harvey may have delayed the perfect storm of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton last August, but it will take more than April showers to stop the Alley Theatre’s second attempt to stage a new play about “the greatest sex scandal in film and ancient history.” “It’s glamorous, it’s full of zingers, it’s about two of the greatest tabloid stars of our time,” says openly gay actor Mark Capri, who plays Rex Harrison, the Oscar winner whose part as Julius Caesar in the 1963 film Cleopatra was upstaged by the Liz & Dick affair. In the play, says Capri, his character “is not crazy about this. He is a big personality who has a lot of needs, so he doesn’t like getting overshadowed. He’s a lothario himself, very much a ladies’ man.” Capri, who lives in the Hollywood Hills, flew into Houston last year in time for only one day of rehearsing Cleo before Harvey struck on August 25. As the Alley took stock of its situation, Capri says, “We rehearsed downtown at

the Four Seasons Hotel, across from the convention center that was ground-zero for homeless flooded-out people. From our luxurious perch, we watched as Houston pulled its socks up. Nobody can be prepared for such a heartbreaking storm, but once disaster hit, the City of Houston certainly knew what to do.” The Alley had to postpone the play’s planned fall premiere, but saved a spot for Cleo this month on its huge Hubbard Stage. The play will run April 6–29. “What better way to ring in spring than with a writer, director, and love affair, all of epic proportions,” says James Black, the Alley’s interim artistic director. The writer is celebrated author Lawrence Wright, who has penned 10 books, including The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11, which won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. He also wrote Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief, which HBO adapted into a 2015 TV documentary series. This month, Knopf will

98 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

publish Wright’s new book, a personal history titled God Save Texas. Wright, a longtime Austin resident, grew up in Dallas, where Capri spent his teenage years as a student at the St. Mark’s School of Texas. Capri went on to Stanford University and then to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. “Playing Rex Harrison is right up my alley,” says Capri, 66. “I was just a kid in 1956 or 1957 when I started listening to the LP of My Fair Lady and wearing the grooves off. I memorized every word. He was my role model.” Several times in his career, Capri would even portray Harrison’s most famous role, professor Henry Higgins, in California stage productions of My Fair Lady. Capri won a Theatre World Award when he performed in On Approval at The Roundabout in New York City, and he covered roles on Broadway in Private Lives and Blithe Spirit. He has also appeared in the movies Titanic and The Empire Strikes Back.

Among his many TV roles was a turn as the French master of ceremonies at an international awards show in the episode of Modern Family where Pritchett’s Closets & Blinds finally scores a nomination. In 2008, Capri married TV writer/producer/show runner Michael Chessler, whose latest credit is the VH1 series Daytime Divas starring Vanessa Williams. The couple married in 2008, before marriage licenses in the Golden State were halted by the passage of Proposition 8. “We have been together a lot longer,” Capri says. The cast of Cleo, adds Capri, includes two New York actors, two Los Angeles actors, “and one local—Adam Gibbs. He’s just terrific as singer Eddie Fischer.” Taylor was married to Fischer, and Burton was married to his first wife (and the mother of actress Kate Burton) when Taylor and Burton began their turbulent affair on the set of Cleopatra. “It brought condemnation from the Vatican and the U.S. Congress,” says the Alley’s press material. “It opened the age of pa-

theater at the College of the Mainparazzi and tabloid celebriland in Texas City. ty, ensuring that the names “Being a story about the love Burton and Taylor would “What better triangle between Eddie Fisher, always be associated with way to ring in Richard Burton, and Elizabeth the greatest sex scandal in Taylor, I was brought in to choreospring than film and ancient history. graph a couple of slaps and a punch With lavish sets and coswith a love or two in scenes where the volatile tumes, Cleo goes behind the affair of epic relationships are brought to a boil,” scenes and explores what proportions?” Balaban says. “I’m also choreosparked the sexual revolugraphing some intimacy movement tion in Rome in 1963.” that involves two people in a pasThe director of Cleo sionate embrace, gracefully navigating from a is veteran actor Bob Balaban, who is widely standing position to a more horizontal one. It’s known for his performances in Close Encouna really fun, funny, and fascinating show.” ters of the Third Kind, Gosford Park, and multiple films with Christopher Guest, including What: Cleo Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show. BalaWhen: April 6–29 ban directed and produced the long-running Where: The Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave. off-Broadway play The Exonerated, which won Tickets: AlleyTheatre.org the Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama Desk awards. Don Maines is a regular contributor Balaban has been assisted by a stage-comto OutSmart magazine. bat coach, H. Russ Brown, who is the head of OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 99

' YES SIR

An interview with Casey Spooner of Fischerspooner.

By Gregg Shapiro Photo by Rinaldo Sota no exaggeration to say that Fischer ooner's time has come. In addition to e release of the new album Sir (Ultra), Fischerspooner has been the subject of a mu seum exhibition, a book, and a recent article in Vogue. As Fischerspooner's first studio album since 2009's Entertainment, Sir is its sexiest and most personal effort to date. On Sir, out vocalist Casey Spooner's long history of creative collaboration with Warren Fischer expands to include Michael Stipe and Andy LeMaster, as well as Caroline Polachek (of Chairlift), Holly Miranda, and Boots. I had the pleasure of speaking with Casey shortly before the album's release.

Gregg Shapiro: Casey, if you don't mind, I'd like to begin by talking about collaboration. The name of the band, Fischerspooner, combines your name with longtime collaborator Warren Fischer. You've co-written Fischerspooner songs with others, most recently including Michael Stipe and Andy LeMaster. What is it about you that makes you so good at playing well with others?

Casey Spooner: I tried to be a painter, and it was too solitary for me. And I was an only child. I don't know if that's related, but I just love going to work, going to the studio, going to a rehearsal space, and I love working with other people. I also think it's the way I learned. I've always been kind of a bad student. I'm not really good at homework and doing stuff by 100

APRIL 2018

myself. But if you put me in a room with some one, I love learning how someone else is going to approach something, or how they are going to do something. Right out of college, I worked with an experimental theater company called Doorika, which was very collaborative. I've been making collaborative work now for 20 years. It's kind of the way I get things done.

In the 15 years since the release of the first Fischerspooner album, and the nine years between Fischerspooner albums, elec tronic music has become an increasingly dominant force. As one of the forebears of the "post-electroclash pop revolution," what do you think of the current scene and Fischerspooner's place in it?

It's cool! I've always loved electronic music. To me, it's just another tool. We live in such a digital world now. The thing that was exciting for us is that all of a sudden we had access to these tools, and to a network of communi cation and sharing music that was so easy. That's been an amazing historical thing, to be a part of this huge cultural shift that's now become kind of the way we live. I'm flattered. It's so crazy. I would never have imagined that I'd be in that place. I thought I was going to be this performance artist/painter/fine artist. I never imagined I would have such an exten sive impact on pop entertainment. My idols were people such as Grace Jones and Laurie Anderson. It's cool that I got to be one of those people.

OutSmartMagazine.com

The songs on Sir, such as "Everything Is Just All Right" and "Togetherness," are intensely and unapologetically erotic and sexual, but also feel extremely personal at the same time.

In gay culture there's a schism between sex and emotion. I think that's tied to shame. One of the things I wanted to do on this record is create a world where you can be very sexual and very emotional, and you can have anony mous sex and it can be valuable and important and respected and romantic. Or you can have a more complex long-term relationship that's equally valuable and romantic and respected. I tried to give value and respect to all kinds of queer relationships, whether they are one night stands or romances or long-term rela tionships-to represent and respectfully let all those beautiful and amazing queer connec tions exist in one place and not [be measured] against a heteronormative fantasy.

The music video for "TopBrazil" is a perfect example of the brazen sexuality of the album. What can you tell me about the influences for the video?

I actually met Tom Brown, the director, on the dance floor at Fire Island. We started our conversation there. There were different things that I wanted to do. There was this idea oflasers that I brought in. There was the idea of these different queer spaces. I love the light on Fire Island, underneath the decks. When it comes through, it's super-graphic. There were--,

➝ OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 101

‘Sir,’ Yes Sir continued from previous page

these different architectural and light spaces in which I was interested. The sauna scene felt kind of like where Tom and I first met. It was about representing these queer spaces with beauty and glamour. We were also concerned about having a cool, dynamic New York cast. There was a lot of debate about how there were so many men! In the end, the thing I like about it is that it’s kind of a classic cliché of a pop video. You would see women in a video displayed with the same kind of eroticism, but you would never see men objectified in the same way. To me, the thing that’s interesting is to put men in a similar situation as women. To see the reactions and YouTube comments alone has been fascinating. Especially at this point in time, and with what’s happening with the #metoo movement. Yes, exactly. I think it’s an interesting document of the double standard applied to men versus women. Also, the innate homophobia that exists in the culture. When we turned the video in, people were like, “This is so pornographic!” I was like, “What are you talking about? Have you seen a Rihanna video? Have you seen a Nicki Minaj video? There’s nothing pornographic here! Just because you’re used to devouring women, it’s strange that you’re not able to look at a man in the same way!” I was especially struck by the song “Oh Rio,” which features a spoken-word segment, as well as guest vocals by Holly Miranda. That song is a big thesis for the whole record. Actually, that’s the song that convinced Michael [Stipe] to produce the record. That kind of writing and performance is a little bit more of where I’m coming from traditionally as a performance artist. I didn’t come from music. I came from storytelling and performance and theater. That song is basically as it always was. Michael didn’t write on that one. It was one of the songs that stayed after he got involved. The title comes from a Bruce Weber book called O Rio de Janeiro.

When I was growing up in the South in the ’80s, there wasn’t a lot of access to anything homoerotic. There was a bookstore in the mall that had this Bruce Weber book. The first verse tells the story of me going to the mall and visiting this book. It was in the photography section. It never sold. I would pick it up, look at it, and get turned on. I would get confused and freak out and put it back on the shelf. Because of the book, Rio became this erotic fantasyland in my mind. It was someplace I always wanted to visit. I was never able to get to Rio until March of 2013. I was working on the record. I jumped through all kinds of travel and budgeting and scheduling hoops to get to Rio. When I finally got there, I got deathly ill. It was March and I was coming from a deep New York winter; fat, pale, sick. I finally got to my sexual dream-come-true, and it was not pretty. The second verse is about that moment on the beach where I’m sick and old and tired in a Speedo. It’s the end of summer there, and everyone in Rio is hot. They have amazing bodies. Athletes—what I had fantasized about. My dream came true, but it was a failure for me. There was this beautiful, amazing, sunga swim-trunks salesman smoking weed on the beach who tried to pick me up, but it was the saddest moment—I couldn’t even pretend to be able to engage because my self-esteem was so crushed. I was just stuck on the beach drinking cough syrup.

Yes, sick on the beach. I always visualized that scene a little bit like Dirk Bogarde at the end of Death in Venice. The first half of the song, to me, is very Bruce Weber O Rio de Janeiro, and the second verse is me as Dirk Bogarde in Death in Venice.

“Hacking up a lung,” as you say in the song.

Gregg Shapiro is a regular contributor to OutSmart magazine.

102 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

I hope you get to go back again. I went back last month, and I shot a video for the song. That beautiful video is going to come out soon. Finally, the cover art for Sir features you sticking out your tongue. A tongue was also featured prominently on the cover of 2002’s major-label reissue of Fischerspooner’s debut album, #1. It’s funny; that Sir cover photo was taken in Madrid two summers ago by a fan named Vincent Claudio Urbani. I reluctantly went to shoot with him, more as a personal favor than wanting to do a photo shoot. I just happened to be in Madrid. It was completely his idea. He was like, “I want you to do this, I want you to pose this way, I want you to stick your tongue out.” Vincent came up with that idea. I liked the idea that it connected to the continuity of the first record. There was a cool connection, and it is kind of a great, classic, iconic image. I can’t take much credit for it. Vincent Claudio Urbani came up with that idea.

Text. Test. Know.

Free HIV and Syphilis testing.

281. 962. 8378

Winner Best Financial Planner

IT'S YOUR LIFE. LIVE IT WITH PRIDE. Serving the Planning Needs of the LGBT Community.

Text us and we will come to you.

Bryan K. Cotton

Financial Services Professional

HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH

@Testing123htx

Newest Chamber Member

MassMutual Greater Houston Three Greenway Plaza Suite 1800 Direct: 713.402.3881 Cell: 281.960.0447 Houston, Texas 77046 bcotton@financialguide.com

Insurance Representative of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). Springfield, MA 01111-0001, and its affiliated US insurance companies. Local sales agencies are not subsidiaries of MassMutual or its affiliated companies. OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 103

HEIGHTS DERMATOLOGY & AESTHETIC CENTER Come in for a free cosmetic consultation!

2013-2016

General Dermatology Cosmetic Dermatology Skin Cancer Surgery Micro Laser Peel IPL Photofacial Microneedling Chemical Peels

Botox & Fillers Laser Hair Removal Leg & Facial Veins iS Clinical Glytone EltaMD obagi

Dr. Alpesh Desai Dr. Tejas Desai Board Certified Dermatologists

2120 Ashland St. Houston, TX 77008 713.864.2659 HeightsSkin.com

When detail matters!

Since 1978

Best Eye Doctor

as voted by OutSmart Readers 2017

State-of-the-Art Medical Eye Care Stewart Zuckerbrod, MD Ophthalmology

Exams for glasses Cataract Surgery Comprehensive Ophthalmology

Now Affiliated with

DEPRESSION • ANXIETY • SEXUALITY • GENDER Identity • ADDICTION GRIEF & LOSS • COUPLES & MARRIAGE • PARENTING • career goals coming out • chronic illness • divorce • stress • self-esteem suicidal thoughts • domestic abuse • eating disorder • social internalized homophobia • sexual assaul assault • religious abuse domestic violence• eating disorder • bipolar disorder•anger disorde FAVORITEdating LGBT personality disorder • family issues & relationships

Because life happens. PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATION THANK YOU HOUSTON!

5420 Dashwood, Suite 101, Houston, Tx 77081 | www.HoustonEye.com NEW ADDITIONAL LOCATION

10907 Memorial Hermann Dr., Suite 150, Pearland, TX 77584

713.668.9118 832.553.EYES (3937) 104 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

401 BRANARD STREET | HOUSTON, TEXAS 77006 | MONTROSECENTER.ORG

713.529.0037

affordable Sliding scale. Insurance accepted, including medicare & medicaid

Fight Night Queer storytelling showcase returns to Rec Room. From staff reports

drag queen, a social worker, an oil-andgas employee, and a comedian will all be part of the cast for Story Hole: “Let’s Fight!” The third installment of the queer storytelling showcase is set for April 5 at Rec Room. Since its premiere in June 2017, Story Hole has twice presented a collection of local LGBTQ storytellers to sold-out crowds. Stories have ranged from hilarious to heartfelt, and from serious to sexual. The showcase creates a safe space for queer voices to be heard, and the cast is representative of the diverse groups that make up Houston’s LGBTQ community. The cast for “Let’s Fight!” includes Jenny Block, Aaron Flores, Crimson Jordan, Hoja Lopez, Melanie Pang, Brian Redmond, Eric Schell, and Darius “Blackberri” Vallier. “LGBTQ people have spaces for socializing with each other, like bars and clubs, or for supporting each other, like clinical settings for therapy,” Pang says. “I think a storytelling platform like Story Hole is important because there aren’t many spaces in between [where we can] be both socially informal and seriously vulnerable.” Vulnerability is a component that all of the storytellers bring to Story Hole. Cast members are not usually professional performers, but regular members of the community who have funny or interesting stories to share. For many, this marks their first time sitting before an audience and relating a piece of themselves. “I don’t consider myself a performer, so this is definitely a first,” Brian Redmond says. Redmond has attended the last two installments of Story Hole, but this will be his first as a storyteller. “I think storytelling brings people together and builds community,” Redmond says. “It’s easy, today, to isolate ourselves. Coming together to hear others’ experiences can help us see what we have in common with people we

‹

Holey Spirit Comedian Hoja Lopez will make her third Story Hole appearance during ‘Let’s Fight,’ on April 5 at Rec Room.

wouldn’t normally find commonalities with.” Although the majority of the cast are first-timers, one performer, Hoja Lopez, is making her third appearance after two hilarious appearances. Lopez is a seasoned local comedian and hosts her own popular podcast, Relationsh!t, with co-host Stacey Daniels. “Houston is such a large city, and while our Pride and nightlife are poppin’, I definitely feel like we lack grassroots art and comedy events that are queer-centric,” Lopez says. “To feel a part of something through storytelling is healing—and flat-out fun.” Block, a nationally published author and performer, says she is excited to join the family of story-holers. “I love the idea of Story Hole,” Block says. “I am a writer and performer by trade, so this has been something I have wanted to be a part of from the very first time I heard about it.” The theme is always an important component of the show. All of the evening’s stories connect to it, either loosely or literally. “Let’s Fight!” will feature stories that touch on a struggle or confrontation encountered by the storyteller. In some cases, those confrontations may inadvertently play out on stage. For the first time, one of the stories will be told simultaneously by a couple, Eric Edward Schell and Crimson Jordan. “I’m not used to sharing the spotlight in a theatrical experience,” Schell says. “As Bobbie Adler from Will and Grace said, ‘I always have to be the star—God cast me in the role.’”

“I want to make sure that I tell my story in a genuine way [so that, together with my partner, we] effectively communicate it to the audience,” Jordan says. “I’d like people to have a takeaway without actively attempting to teach anyone anything.” A principal component of Story Hole is that it allows the LGBTQ community to share outside of a political or educational context. This was one of the main drivers for show creator Ryan Leach. “After the 2016 election, I felt like I needed a space to be queer and to blow off some steam,” Leach says. “I was tired of my ‘gayness’ being politicized. I felt we needed a space where we could come together and laugh about our wonderful, beautiful, and sometimes boring lives as queer people. When the first shows sold out and the reaction was so positive, I realized that it really touched on something that the community needed.” Leach plans to develop Story Hole into a podcast. “What I have learned from producing Story Hole is that LGBTQ people and allies want to share and hear our collective stories,” Leach says. “It’s a beautiful thing. I want to spread the Story Hole gospel.” What: Story Hole: “Let’s Fight!” hosted by Ryan Leach and Kathryn Way When: 8 p.m., April 5 Where: Rec Room, 100 Jackson Street Tickets: $10, available at RecRoomArts.org

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 105

The Experience and Discretion to help protect all of Your achievements. Insuring Accomplished Texans like You since 1996. Specializing in High Value Homes and Personal Fine Arts Collections.

2205 Montrose Blvd. Houston, TX 77006 | 832.426.4573 www.STRETCH-Studio.com @StretchStudioMontrose

106 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

@STRETCHmontrose

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS. THOUSANDS OF STORIES. ONE COMMUNITY.

r versa

The staff of OutSmart cordially invites our family of advertisers, friends, and readers to join us in a celebration of gratitude commemorating our 25th Anniversary! Tuesday, April 24, from 6 to 9 pm McGovern Centennial Gardens, 1700 Hermann Drive Event Sponsors

Houston

Sandy Bubbertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Benefitting The DaltonDeHart Photographic Foundation

John Nechman’ s

100 BEST

RESTAURANTS

in HOUSTON

JENN DUNCAN

‹

108 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

here’s something gloriously, uproariously queer about Houston’s dining scene. It gives us our edge, it’s hard to define, and it’s undeniably present. It’s transgressive, ebullient, explosive, unpredictable, and captivating—but because we’re surrounded by it and it’s part of our DNA, the rest of the world celebrates the gastronomic gift of “Mutt City” cuisine more than we do. Still, we all know that Houston’s food scene is one of the best reasons to call this hard-to-peg sprawl of ours home. We’re cowboy/cowgirl. Cajun. Every country from Afghanistan to Zaire. Some say we don’t have an identity or iconic dishes like our friends in New Orleans or Philly. But is that really the case? We (or rather, our own Mama Ninfa) gave the world fajitas. I don’t think I’ve ever met a Houstonian who doesn’t have a favorite bánh

mi place. We’ve been gleefully scarfing down chef Hugo Ortega’s grasshoppers and flying ants for years. Crawfish season excites every community here, and boil recipes know no borders. Boudin kolaches? Crawfish phở with Cajun seasonings? We have Tex-Mex, Tex-Cajun, and Tex-Soul, but no single style dominates our indomitable cuisine. So why is H-Town food getting its star turn? Because we are the America of tomorrow, today. We are the trendsetters. Unlike most cities with fairly fixed identities, we are in the astounding position of being able to be anything we want to be, incorporating the best of the world into our vivacious mix. It just doesn’t get more exciting than that. This dynamism is giving all of us new reasons to be Houston Proud. We’re also better at appreciating the base that supports our disparate mix. Farmers markets are emerging in every neighborhood, and Houstonians are discovering that our rich soil is capable of growing virtually anything. We’re embracing the bounty of the Gulf, and doing more to protect our waters and reefs. Local purveyors and brewers are opening every day, and suddenly the concept of farm-to-table is part of our culinary lexicon. Even a catastrophe like Harvey (which could have annihilated other cities’ food scenes) resulted in overwhelming generosity from every corner of Houston, including local restaurateurs and food suppliers. We showed

the world what it means to be Houston Strong and the City of Heart. For the last few years, I have enjoyed compiling and sharing a list of the best places to eat in the Houston area. My initial list of 30 turned into 100 last year, including eateries in adjoining counties (since our scene is too big for just one county!). But this year I wanted to celebrate what makes us special, so I took a more Houstoncentric approach. Making this year’s list required more than just serving great food. I wanted to see Houston Pride—support for local purveyors and brewers, new dishes that could become icons, and an involvement in and a commitment to this community. While non-Houston chains, or eateries serving dishes from other parts of the globe, were still considered, preference was given to those that have shown dedication to contributing to our mesmerizing mosaic. Do you participate in Houston Restaurant Weeks? Do the actions of your business show that you are welcoming to all in our great community? Are you invested in Houston Strong? If so—and if your food is amazing—I had a place on this year’s list for you. And, as for Houston’s purported lack of iconic dishes, I beg to differ. In the most diverse city in America, we simply have more iconic dishes than most cities. I’ve taken a stab at creating a list of some dishes that are uniquely ours, having sprung up from the Mutt City magic. Just like Houston, this list will evolve and grow over time. This year is special—25 years of OutSmart. It’s a reason to celebrate, and in Houston, that inevitably involves eating. Something deliriously, exuberantly queer is taking place in our great town. There’s never been a better time to be Houston Proud.

The 10 Crème de la Crème

JENN DUNCAN

Theodore Rex (Mutt City) 1302 Nance St. - trexhouston.com $$

If I had to choose who from H-Town to put up in the World Cup of Cooking against the likes of Grant Achatz, René Redzepi, and Massimo Bottura, the golden spatula would go to Chef Justin Yu. He’s proven time and again that he’s capable of anything— without pretense and with incredible flair. Even the most modest of vegetables become unforgettable in this kitchen. Though it’s often the hardest reservation in town to snag, if you get one, bonhomie and egalitarianism will reign. I never thought he could top his miraculous Oxheart, but to experience Houston on a plate, head to T-Rex. ➝ OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 109

INSPIRED BY FAMILY. CRAFTED BY LOCALS.

our M-F 3h y 6 p pp a s h h sat & un 10am m -3p nc u m br

BREAKFAST * BRUNCH LUNCH * DINNER * HAPPY HOUR 25 a co ! ! s r t mazing yea ng r a rat ulations outsm 3 414 WA S HI NG TO N AVE

@FEASTURBANEATS

100 BEST RESTAURANTS IN HOUSTON continued from previous page

COURTESY BY KILLEN’S BBQ

Killen’s BBQ (Barbecue) 3613 East Broadway St., Pearland killensbarbecue.com $

Always packed, and always worth the drive. Think of it this way: at Austin’s Franklin, you’ll wait four times longer for BBQ that cannot match Ronnie Killen’s, and an open keg of Lone Star makes the wait even more bearable. If they’re serving chicken-fried steak or fried chicken, you won’t find better. Although a full beef rib might come out pricey, it will feed three, and when you see one on a neighboring table, you’re going to kick yourself if you haven’t ordered one. And your dog will love you even more.

Himalaya (Pakistani)

6652 Southwest Freeway himalayarestauranthouston.com $$ When you dine at chef Kaiser Lashkari’s Himalaya, don’t bother to look at the overwhelming menu. Just ask the chef to take care of the table. The amount of food you’ll get, the breathtaking quality, and the absurdly low cost will show you why this has been Desi Central in this part of the country for decades. And to make the meal even more compelling, Himalaya is BYOB (except during Ramadan). Chef Lashkari has come up with his own spirited renditions of such Southern staples as chickenfried steak, fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, and smoked brisket. They are now a legendary part of Houston’s culinary history.

Kitchen 713 (Asian-inspired Southern)

4601 Washington kitchen713.com $$

Chefs James Haywood and Ross Coleman, two military journeymen, have created one of the most riveting menus in town, combining the soulful dishes of the South with ingredients from around the globe. Here, masala-fried chicken and waffles match up with black-vinegar-braised oxtails and hoe cakes topped with labne and house-cured salmon. Sunday brunch is legendary, as are the powerful spirits on the well-curated cocktail list. The 713 is what Houston is all about. ➝

The Rest of the Best (11-36) 11. KATA ROBATA (Japanese) 3600 Kirby $$$ 12. CAFE TH (Vietnamese) 2108 Pease St. $ 13. DORIS METROPOLITAN (Israeli Steaks) 2815 S. Shepherd $$$ 14. TONY’S (Italian) 3755 Richmond Ave. $$$ 15. FIELDS & TIDES (Houstonian)

20. ANDES CAFÉ (South American)

29. BRENNAN’S (French Creole)

21. ROOST (Global Eclectic) 1972 Fairview $$ 22. MF SUSHI (Japanese) 1401 Binz $$$ 23. RUDY & PACO’S (Central/South American)

30. PELI PELI (South African)

16. XOCHI (Oaxaca, Mexican)

1658 Westheimer $$$ 25. PAULIE’S (Italian) 1834 Westheimer $

705 E. 11th St. $$

1777 Walker St. $$

17. KILLEN’S STEAKHOUSE (Steaks)

2804 S. Main St., Pearland $$$

18. PRESIDIO (Houstonian)

911 W. 11th St. $$

19. STATE OF GRACE (American Texan)

3258 Westheimer $$

2311 Canal $$

2028 Postoffice St., Galveston $$$

24. ONE FIFTH (Eclectic)

3300 Smith St. $$$

5085 Westheimer $$

31. EL REAL (Tex Mex) 1201 Westheimer $ 32. NANCY’S HUSTLE (New American)

2704 Polk St. $$

33. CAFE ANNIE (New Southwest)

1800 Post Oak Blvd. $$$

26. PAX AMERICANA (New American)

34. CAFE BRUSSELS (Belgian)

27. B&B BUTCHERS & RESTAURANT (Steaks) 1814 Washington Ave. $$$ 28. CUREIGHT (Global Tasting Menu)

35. LUCILLE’S (Modern Southern)

4319 Montrose $$

24 Waterway Ave., The Woodlands $$$

1718 Houston Ave. $$

5512 La Branch St. $$

36. SUD ITALIA (Italian)

2347 University Blvd. $$

OutSmartMagazine.com

APRIL 2018

| 111

100 BEST RESTAURANTS IN HOUSTON continued from previous page

Pondicheri (New Indian) 2800 Kirby pondichericafe.com $$

(New American and Tasting Menu)

Always fresh, exciting, and welcoming—Pondicheri is a perfect stop for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—or takeaway from the wonderfully inventive bake lab upstairs. The ambience is informal but engaging, and the food is ethereal and reflective of the seamless fusion that characterizes our city’s food. Chef Anita Jaisinghani has been enthralling Houston diners since the day she first started serving us at her groundbreaking Indika.

Killen’s STQ (Houstonian/Steaks)

2231 South Voss killensstq.com $$$

STQ is the restaurant every city wishes it could have. It offers superb food to suit every taste, and no pretentiousness. Chef Ronnie Killen, who trained at the Cordon Bleu in France, has created a spot where spectacular steaks and wine may draw a lot of attention, but you’ll still be treated like a star whether you order a Mishima Ranch Wagyu filet or one of their excellent burgers and an iced tea.

The Rest of the Best (37-60)

The Pass and Provisions 807 Taft passandprovisions.com $$$

Two restaurants in one, and both rank among the best Houston has to offer. Chefs Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan have established themselves as H-Town superstars, and we’ve been cheering them on ever since. If you do the tasting menu at The Pass, order every possible course—you won’t regret it. ➝

37. KENNY & ZIGGY’S (Deli)

45. UCHI (Japanese) 904 Westheimer $$$ 46. CAJUN GREEK (Cajun Greek Seafood)

39. OPORTO FOODING HOUSE & WINE (Portuguese) 125 West Gray $$ 40. LANKFORD GROCERY (Texas)

47. DISH SOCIETY (New American)

41. HAROLD’S IN THE HEIGHTS (Southern Creole) 350 W. 19th St. $$ 42. LUCIENNE (Upscale Mediterranean)

49. BENJY’S (New American) 2424 Dunstan

2327 Post Oak Blvd. $ 38. BCN (Spanish) 4210 Roseland $$$

88 Dennis St. $

2226 61st St., Galveston $$

5740 San Felipe $$

48. ALADDIN (Middle Eastern)

912 Westheimer $

and 5922 Washington Ave. $$

43. KILLEN’S BURGERS (Burgers)

50. AL ASEEL GRILL AND CAFE (Middle Eastern) 8619 Richmond Ave. $$ 51. CARACOL (Mexican-Inspired Seafood)

44. ORIGINAL NINFA’S (Tex Mex)

52. GOOD DOG HOUSTON (Hot Dogs)

1070 Dallas St. $$$

2804 S. Main St., Pearland $ 2704 Navigation $$

2200 Post Oak Blvd. $$

903 Studewood and 1312 W. Alabama $

53. GILHOOLEY’S (Seafood) 222 9th St. $$ 54. THE CONSERVATORY (Food HallHouston Businesses) 1010 Prairie St. $ 55. AQUI (Modern Filipino)

520 Westheimer $$

56. HUGO’S (Mexican) 1600 Westheimer $$ 57. GAIDO’S (Seafood) 3828 Seawall Blvd.,

Galveston $$

58. HABANERA AND THE GRINGO (Mexican) 9902 Gulf Freeway,

South Houston $$

59. ROKA AKOR (Japanese Steaks/Sushi)

2929 Weslayan $$$

60. THE SALTWATER GRILL (Seafood)

2017 Postoffice St., Galveston $$

OutSmartMagazine.com

APRIL 2018

| 113

n u F e h t t u P e W ! e f i L n i k c a B Call Us Today... 713-802-2860

100 BEST RESTAURANTS IN HOUSTON continued from previous page

Giacomo’s (Italian) 3215 Westheimer giacomosciboevino.com $$

Chef Lynette Hawkins has been part of the Houston culinary scene for decades, and we’re all the better for it. Her Giacomo’s has allowed us to experience the finest of Italy—all made with top-quality local ingredients and at remarkably affordable prices.

Criteria

5 points: How fabulous is the food?

Rainbow Lodge (New American)

2011 Ella Blvd. rainbow-lodge.com $$$

This 100-year-old log cabin set on a bayou in the heart of the Heights has been called Houston’s most romantic restaurant, but it can also take its place as one of our best places to eat. Expect wild game and regional seafood paired with Texas Gulf Coast flair. If you haven’t been here since your high school prom, go now. The Lodge is quintessential Houston, and has never been better.

3 points: Does the place represent H-Town by creating something uniquely Houston/Upper Texas Gulf Coast, dedicating itself to locally sourced products/booze/Houston spirit while also exhibiting community involvement? 2 points: Other Intangibles: location/value/ BYOB option/versatility/ambience/ service/Houston-style welcome to everyone Price: $$$ = Very Expensive $$ = Medium Expensive $ = CHEAP!

Local Foods (Houstonian) 2424 Dunstan Road houstonlocalfoods.com $

Local Foods may be a chain, but it’s our chain, and every location hits the right notes. Each sandwich and side is made with care and local ingredients. Order a combination of a gulf crab and shrimp sandwich with a banana squash slaw, and rejoice in what it means to be a Houstonian. John Nechman is an immigration attorney with the Houston law firm of Katine & Nechman L.L.P. as well as an adjunct professor of law at South Texas College of Law. He’s also an inveterate food and H-Town junkie.

The Rest of the Best (61-81) 61. OHN KOREAN EATERY (Korean)

9630 Clarewood Dr., Bellaire Asian District $$

62. STEVE’S LANDING (Seafood)

1290 Bay Vue Rd., Crystal Beach $$ 63. MALA SICHUAN (Chinese) 9348 Bellaire Blvd. and 1201 Westheimer $$ 64. SOUTHERN GOODS (Southern)

632 W. 19th St. $$

65. CRAWFISH & NOODLES (Vietnamese Cajun) 11360 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire $$ 66. PINKERTON’S (BBQ) 1504 Airline Dr. $ 67. FLIP ’N PATTIES (Filipino)

1809 Eldridge Parkway $

68. STAR FISH HOUSTON (Seafood)

76. KAT’S BBQ (Barbecue)

69. THE GROVE (New American)

77. BURGER-CHAN (Burgers)

70. POTENTE (Italian) 1515 Texas Ave. $$$ 71. ESTHER’S CAJUN CAFE & SOUL FOOD (Cajun Soul) 5204 Yale $$ 72. COLTIVARE (Italian) 3320 White Oak

78. AMÉRICAS (New Central/South American)

191 Heights Blvd. $$ 1611 Lamar St. $$

3813 FM 646 Rd. N., Santa Fe $

5 Greenway Plaza $

2040 W. Gray and 21 Waterway, The Woodlands $$

Drive $$

79. CLEBURNE CAFETERIA (Upper Kirby/ West U) 3606 Bissonnet St. $ 80. JAXTON’S (Italian French)

Galveston $$

81. TONY MANDOLA’S (Cajun Gulf Seafood) 1212 Waugh Dr. $$

73. CUCHARA (Mexican) 214 Fairview St. $$ 74. BENNO’S ON THE BEACH (Cajun Seafood) 1200 Seawall Blvd., 75. SALTILLO MEXICAN KITCHEN (Steaks, Mexican) 5427 Bissonnet, Bellaire $$

9955 Barker Cypress Rd., Cypress $$

More Restaurants ➝ OutSmartMagazine.com

APRIL 2018

| 115

CONGRATULATIONS OUTSMART 25 YEARS!

COMING SOON!

LOVE’S MAGICAL HEART A Collection of Poetry Written by Sandra Jean Bubbert

And you thought I was just a humble little Baker….I am!

If you love gazing at starlight flickering in the eyes of your lover while being kissed in the suppleness of a waning moon, then you will love my book of poetry. It’s about LOVE and it is a malady I have been stricken with so many times in my life that I am afraid my beloved friends, it is incurable!

100 BEST RESTAURANTS IN HOUSTON continued from previous page

50 ICONIC HOUSTON-AREA DISHES BREAKFAST

APPETIZERS/SOUPS/ SALADS/SIDES

• Boudin Kolaches and a Dozen Hot Glazed Shipley’s on North Main (Saturdays only) (Sunset Heights) • Katfish & Grits, The Breakfast Klub (Midtown) • Bò Né (Vietnamese steak & eggs with paté, baguette, and salad), Bò Né (Bellaire Asian District) • Morning Thali, Pondicheri (Upper Kirby) • Chicharrón and Eggs Taco, Villa Arcos (East End) • Border Quail and Eggs, Goode Company Taquería (Lower Kirby) • Brisket & Egg Tacos, Plantation BBQ (Richmond) • Grand Slam Breakfast, Kelley’s (various locations in southeast metro area)

• Smoked Oysters, Gilhooley’s (San Leon) • Vietnamese-Style Crawfish, Crawfish & Noodles (Bellaire Asian District) • Cajun-Style Crawfish, Crawfish Shack (Crosby) • Watkin’s Bisque, Gaido’s (Galveston) • Potato Salad, Baba Yega’s (Montrose) • Banana Squash Slaw, Local Foods • Crawfish Phở, LA Crawfish (various locations) • Phở Tai Nam Gau, Phở Binh Trailer (Pearland) • Queso with Chips, Little Pappasito’s (Upper Kirby) • Jalapeño Corn Bread, Goode Company

LUNCH • BBQ Beef Ribs, Killen’s BBQ (Pearland) • Smoked Oxtails and Boudin, Ray’s BBQ (South side) • Homemade Hot Links, Powell’s (Sunnyside) • Cheese Coney, James Coney Island (everywhere) • Grim Burger, Lankford’s (Montrose) • Gulf Crab and Shrimp Sandwich, Local Foods (various locations) • The Zellagabetsky, Kenny & Ziggy’s (Galleria area and Upper Kirby) • Steak Sandwich, Champ Burger (East End) • Grilled Pork with Egg Bánh Mì and Chả Giò, Cali Sandwich (Midtown) • Antone’s Original Po Boy with Chow Chow (various locations) • Spaghetti and Meatballs with Extra Link Hot Sausage, Sacred Heart Society (Thursdays only) (Sunset Heights)

DINNER

DRINKS • Lemonade, Irma’s (Downtown) • Blue Frozen Ritas, El Patio (Woodlake)

DESSERTS

• Fajitas, Original Ninfa’s (East End) • Fried Chicken, Frenchy’s (Third Ward) • Panuchos, Chapultepec (Montrose) • Cheese Enchiladas with Eggs, Larry’s (Richmond) • Musakhan, Al Aseel (Woodlake) • Fried Shrimp, Bubba’s (San Leon) • Mala Pot Roasted Tilapia, Mala Sichuan Bistro (Bellaire Asian District and Montrose) • Le Complet Belge, Café Brussels (First Ward) • Steak Tikka, Himalaya (Sharpstown) • Huachinango a la Plancha con Camarones, Tampico (Sunset Heights and north side) • Chicken Fried Steak, Goodson’s (Tomball) • Smothered Pork Chops, Mikki’s (Stafford)

• Maple Sweet Potato Cheesecake, Esther’s (Independence Heights) • Grand Marnier Soufflé, Tony’s (Greenway Plaza) • Trés Leches, Américas (River Oaks) • Bayou Goo Pie, House of Pies (Upper Kirby) • Butter Pecan and Sweet Corn Ice Cream, Hank’s (Astrodome area) • Crème Brûlée Bread Pudding, Killen’s Steakhouse (Pearland) • Chai Pie, Pondicheri (Upper Kirby)

The Rest of the Best (82-100) 82. RITUAL (Smoked Meats/Southern)

87. YAUATCHA (Chinese Dim Sum)

92. BRANDANI’S (Italian)

96. MARINI’S EMPANADAS (Argentinean)

83. RIEL (New American/ Canadian/Ukrainian)

88. STATE FARE KITCHEN & BAR (Southern) 947 Gessner,

93. NAM GIAO (Vietnamese)

97. RAY’S BBQ (Barbecue Soul Seafood)

84. URBAN EATS (New American)

89. DA MARCO (Italian)

94. MAX’S WINE DIVE (Gourmet Comfort Food)

98. ECULENT (New American Tasting Menu) 709 Harris

602 Studewood St. $$ 1927 Fairview St. $$

5045 Westheimer Road $$ Memorial City $$

1520 Westheimer $$$

3414 Washington Ave. $$

90. BAYOU & BOTTLE (New American) 1300 Lamar

Galveston $$$

91. LIBERTY KITCHEN (New American)

85. NUMBER 13 (Steaks and Seafood) 7809 Broadway St., 86. SHRI BALAJI BHAVAN (Indian) 5655 Hillcroft $

St., Four Seasons Hotel $$

1050 Studewood St. $$

3340 FM 1092 Road, Missouri City $$

6938 Wilcrest, Bellaire $

10001 Westheimer $

3929 Old Spanish Trail $

Ave., Kemah $$$

4720 Washington Ave. and others $$

99. TEOTIHUACÁN (Mexican)

1699 Research Forest Dr., The Woodlands $$

100. GOURMAND KITCHEN (American Contemporary)

95. FIELDING’S WOOD GRILL (American/Grill)

4624 Irvington and other locations $

9818 Fry Road, Cypress $$

OutSmartMagazine.com

APRIL 2018

| 117

A Taste of La Sicilia Gay-owned Montrose bakery seems destined to become community staple. By Marene Gustin Photo by Dalton DeHart

alk into this boutique bakery on Lower Westheimer, and the first things you notice are the divine aroma and the decadent pastries filling the glass-enclosed counter. The second thing you notice will likely be coowner Antonio Rios, a Cuban-American with a 100-watt smile, working the counter and the few tables. If you’ve been there before, he’ll greet you by name and strike up a friendly conversation. La Sicilia Italian Bakery & Cafe, which opened March 12, is like a little slice of Europe in Montrose—a welcoming home filled with tasty treats and aromatic coffees that seems likely to become a mainstay in the community. The genius behind both the artwork in the café and the food coming from the back is Antonio’s husband, chef and co-owner Diego Chiarello Rios. “It had always been my dream to move to the United States,” says the native of Sicily who has been baking since he was 8. His four brothers are also pastry chefs. Six years ago Diego moved to New York City, where he met Antonio within a week. “A mutual friend set us up,” Diego says in a charming Italian accent. “I didn’t even speak English then, so I wasn’t expecting much, but we married within a year.” Antonio is a Houston-area native who was working in human resources for a corporation. But he and Diego dreamed of running their own small European bakery. While they were traveling around the country looking for a location, Antonio’s parents convinced the couple to visit them in Spring. “I wasn’t sure the South would be so welcoming to an openly gay couple,” Antonio says,

“but this was not the Houston I left. “This area has just been wonderful,” he adds. “We received flowers and cards welcoming us to the neighborhood. It’s so inclusive, and we want to be a part of the area and the gay community here.” The couple starts baking at 4 each morning, and the shop is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Everything—from the buttery croissants to the raspberry-and-almond braids, cookies, savory paninis, and pizza-style pastries—is made fresh daily. At the end of each day, unsold inventory goes to The Women’s Home, a local charity that assists homeless women. The co-owners are currently staying with Antonio’s parents in Spring, but after leasing their Montrose space they will soon move to a nearby apartment. “I love Houston, because it reminds me of home,” Diego says. “[It has] so much more green space than New York.” What down time they have is mostly spent hanging out with friends, watching movies, and cooking. “We make Cuban and Italian food, and it’s really what we prefer,” Antonio adds. But they have discovered Lupe Tortilla’s fajitas, which Antonio says they are “kind of hooked on.” Visitors—the shop already has many local regulars—may want to take home one of everything they see. And the owners admit it is not always easy for them to

118 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

resist their own treats. “We go to the gym a lot,” Antonio laughs. “But it’s worth it.” Although the café already has plenty to offer, there’s one more thing to look forward to: custom cakes. “Diego is a real artist,” Antonio says, showing photos of elaborate cakes on his phone that would rival those at any black-tie gala or overthe-top wedding. There’s even a photo of a multi-tiered white confection that Diego made for the couple’s own wedding. “I just love the colors, the decorating, and the artistry of cakes,” Diego says. As if we didn’t already have enough reasons to return to La Sicilia. La Sicilia Italian Bakery & Cafe 515 Westheimer Rd., Suite C 713.636.2900 facebook.com/lasiciliausa/

‹

Confectionary Couple Antonio Rios, left, and Diego Chiarello Rios were set up by a mutual friend six years ago, just one week after Diego moved to the U.S. ‘I didn’t even speak English then, so I wasn’t expecting much, but we were married within a year,’ Diego says.

➝ OutSmartMagazine.com

APRIL 2018

| 119

FINALIST BEST MEXICAN

WINNER BEST BRUNCH

HAND-CRAFTED PASTA AND WOOD FIRED NEAPOLITAN STYLE PIZZAS.

- Pure & Simple

3333 Weslayan • 77027 713.892.8100 WWW.PIZZERIASOLARIO.COM 120 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

To DIY For What it takes to make some Houston faves.

GIACOMO’S

SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA Makes one serving

Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino 3215 Westheimer giacomosciboevino.com

• Place the smashed garlic, black pepper, and guanciale in sauté pan with the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté until garlic is golden and the guanciale has rendered its fat and is crispy on the outside, but still juicy on the inside. Discard the garlic (it has already yielded its deliciousness to the sauce).

¼ cup guanciale lardons (if guanciale isn’t available, substitute pancetta) 1 whole clove garlic, smashed 1 tbsp olive oil 1 whole egg, plus 1 egg yolk ¼ cup grated pecorino romano ½ tsp coarsely ground black pepper 2–3 oz. pasta water 4 oz. spaghetti, cooked al dente in plenty of salted boiling water (reserve some of the pasta water for sauce)

• Beat the eggs and cheese together. • Put the cooked spaghetti in the pan with the guanciale and set over medium-high heat. Add 2 oz. pasta water and simmer until the water is boiling. Turn off heat, and drizzle the egg mixture on top of the pasta. Quickly stir and toss pasta vigorously to make a creamy sauce. Add more pasta water if needed. Serve with more grated cheese if desired.

Note: no salt is necessary in this recipe because the guanciale and pecorino romano are quite salty.

OutSmartMagazine.com |

APRIL 2018

| 121

TO DIY FOR continued from previous page

URBAN EATS

OEUF DE MONDE (SOCIETY EGG) Makes 24 My mother made the most amazing deviled eggs. They started out simple— mayo, mustard, dill relish, onion, paprika, etc.—but were always so delicious. Later, she began getting more creative. One of my favorite versions was a pesto deviled egg she made for Easter, Memorial Day, and the Fourth of July. They were so fancy with perfectly piped whipped egg salad, and often topped with crumbled bacon. Our Oeuf de Mode (Society Egg) is a take on this family favorite. —Levi Rollins, Urban Eats Hard-Boiled Eggs • In a large saucepan, cover 18 eggs with cold water, bring to a rapid boil, cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 12–14 minutes, depending on the size of the egg. Remove from water and place into an ice bath, cool completely. Peel and half 12 of the eggs, remove the yolks, and set aside. Rinse whites with cold water and refrigerate on a flat surface until needed. Hold the remaining six whole eggs for the recipe.

Pesto Combine the following in a food processor, and pulse until smooth in texture: 2 cups fresh basil leaves and small stems 1 cup Italian flat-leaf parsley 3 cloves garlic ¼ cup toasted pine nuts ½ cup grated parmesan ½ tsp sea salt ¼ tsp black pepper ¾ cup high-quality olive oil (You will have about 1 cup finished product, more than required for the recipe,

but leftovers will be amazing tossed with pasta, smeared on toast, or rubbed on roasted chicken.) You will need the following to complete: 8 oz. cream cheese ½ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup chopped white onion 1 tbsp white truffle oil ½ cup crisp, chopped bacon ¼ cup balsamic glaze or reduced balsamic vinegar • In the food processor, combine reserved yolks, six whole eggs, ½ cup prepared pesto,

cream cheese, mayo, onion, and truffle oil. Process until smooth and creamy. Salt to taste if desired. • Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large closed star tip (#848 preferred). Pipe egg salad into chilled whites, making sure to overfill. Top with chopped bacon and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Urban Eats (now celebrating its third anniversary) 3414 Washington Ave. feasturbaneats.com

DANTON’S SEAFOOD

OYSTERS KYLE APPETIZER 6 large Gulf oysters 3 tbsp. unsalted butter 2 tbsp. garlic Yummy! 3 tbsp. Cajun spice 2 tbsp. heavy cream 1½ tbsp. kosher salt Juice of ½ lemon (to taste) Fresh cropped green onions or chives • Combine butter and garlic in a preheated pan. Cover over high heat while shaking pan until butter has dissolved. Add oysters, salt, lemon juice, heavy cream, and green onion. Continue cooking, while shaking until oysters open. Serve in a small casserole dish or bowl with garlic parmesan toast. Danton’s Gulf Coast Seafood Restaurant 4611 Montrose Blvd. dantonsseafood.com 122 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

STOMACH STILL HOWLING? WE’RE OPEN LATE! Open ‘til 3:30am Thu-Sat

DESSERT GALLERY BAKERY & CAFÉ

1902 Westheimer Rd | Houston, TX

OLD-FASHIONED DINER CAKE Cake 4 oz. margarine, softened ½ cup vegetable shortening 2 cup granulated sugar 5 egg yolks 1 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt 2 cups flour 1 cup buttermilk ¾ tsp. vanilla 5 egg whites Soaking Syrup 2 tbsp. vanilla coffee syrup (such as Monin)

LA SICILIA Italian Bakery & Café

Croissants • Breads Cookies • Italian Pastries Lunch Specials Daily 515 Westheimer • 713.636.2900 LaSiciliaUSA.com Open 7a-7p Weekdays; Saturdays 8a-5p Closed Sundays

Chocolate Frosting 4½ oz. unsalted butter, softened ¾ cup cocoa, sifted 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted ½ cup half-and-half 1½ tsp. vanilla 1½ tsp. corn syrup • Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray three nine-inch pans with Baker’s Joy. • Cake: cream margarine, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add yolks slowly and mix well. Combine dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Add vanilla. Beat egg whites to stiff peaks, but not dry. Fold whipped egg whites to mixing batter. Divide batter between the three pans. Bake 25 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool completely before frosting. Lightly drizzle vanilla syrup on each layer. • Chocolate frosting: cream room-temperature butter. Sift cocoa and powdered sugar. Add to butter alternately with half-and-half. Add vanilla and corn syrup. Blend well, scraping down sides of bowl. • Decorate/assemble: ice top and sides of cake with chocolate frosting. Dessert Gallery Bakery and Café 3600-D Kirby Drive dessertgallery.com

Voted Best Italian 2017

by Outsmart Readers

Runner up

for Most Romantic or Date Night

Top 100 Restaurants

Serving All Day Tues-Sat 11:30am-10.00pm • Closed Sunday & Monday

- Alison Cook, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

Dog Friendly Patio

3215 WESTHEIMER, HOUSTON, TX 77098 • 713.522.1934 • GIACOMOSCIBOEVINO.COM

WANT TO TAP INTO THE $200 MILLION+ LGBTQ WEDDING MARKET IN TEXAS?

Advertise in OutSmart’s monthly

WEDDING GUIDE to let our readers know that you welcome their business!

713.520.7237 or email marketing@outsmartmagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 123

TO DIY FOR

ON THE 6 DAY th

GOD CREATED MAN...

ON THE 7th DAY

DALTON DeHART TOOK HIS PICTURE...

AND, THE REST IS HISTORY. Chronicling Houstonʼs LGBTQ organizations and events since 1985.

continued from previous page

JR’S BAR & GRILL

CANTALOUPE SHOT 1¼ parts Grey Goose melon vodka ¼ part mango purée Splash of orange juice Splash of pineapple juice • Shake all ingredients together and strain into shot glass.

JR’s Bar & Grill 808 Pacific St. jrsbarandgrill.com

Creator: Sarah Tompkins-Gutierrez, award-winning bartender

DRIPPING SPRINGS VODKA

The mission of The Dalton DeHart Photographic Foundation is to digitize, catalog and preserve an expanding collection of approximately one million photographs chronicling the Houston community, primarily nonproﬁt and community events, and to make these images publicly accessible for their educational, historic, and cultural value.

GARDEN SPRINGS 1.5 oz. Dripping Springs Vodka 3 oz. grapefruit juice ½ oz. Domaine de Canton (ginger liqueur) 1 large sprig of basil • Muddle basil in a shaker, then add vodka, grapefruit juice, and liqueur. Shake vigorously and strain over fresh ice.

JALAPEÑO HILL-COUNTRY MULE 1.5 oz Dripping Springs Texas Orange Vodka 4.5 oz. ginger beer ½ fresh-squeezed lime Slice of jalapeño

PHOTOGRAPHIC FOUNDATION

• Shake orange vodka, lime, and jalapeño vigorously over ice. Top with ginger beer, stir, and garnish with a lime twist.

Check out our new website

PHOTOGRAPHIC FOUNDATION DaltonDeHart.com 124 || APRIL 2018 2018 || OutSmartMagazine.com

San Luis Spirits-Dripping Springs Vodka, Gin & Bourbon Distillery drippingspringsvodka.com

FR E E 00 DE LIVE RY minimum $12 — tipping is appreciated

DUMPLING HOUSE

Chinese Restaurant S i n c e 1990

2621 Shepherd #290 • Houston, Tx 77098

P: 713.524.8410 F: 713.524.4134

Lunch Specials 7 days a week until 4 pm

Top 100 Chinese Restaurant in USA “...the best dumplings in town...” —Houston Chronicle

3600 Kirby Drive 713.522.9999

www.dessertgallery.com Congratulations Outsmart!

Happy 25th Anniversary OutSmart! From Riva’s

Voted as Best Italian and Voted as one of the Friendliest Restaurant Staff

Rivas Italian Restaurant

1117 Missouri St. (1 Block West of Montrose) (713) 529-3450

Book Your Wedding at Our Place.

Winner Best Seafood Restaurant

4611 Montrose between Richmond & Bissonnet 713.807.8889 www.DantonsSeafood.com

Voted Best Italian by Outsmart Readers & One of the Best for Brunch –2016 OutSmart Reader’s Choice Awards

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 125

News

Award Winning Financial Advisor M

2012–2017 Five Star Wealth Manager Award Winner as seen in Texas Monthly *

Thank you, OutSmart Readers!

MIDTOWN FINANCIAL www.midtownfg.com 3355 West Alabama, Suite 180, Houston, TX 77098

midtown Financial

Based on 2010–2017 OutSmart Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Female Financial Advisor **

MIDTOWN FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC

grace.yung@lpl.com 713-355-9833 DIRECT 855-4-MIDTOWN TOLL FREE

GRACE S. YUNG, CFP® MANAGING DIRECTOR

SECURITIES OFFERED THROUGH LPL FINANCIAL, MEMBER FINRA/SIPC

*Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of 2012-2017 Five Star Wealth Managers. **Based on readers polled for their favorite businesses.

Robert Cameron Lic#TACLA55198E

Financing Available

NE WPO R T newport

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION

281.808.8630 • NewportAir.net 126 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

continued from page 24

In addition to directing 65 productions, Watts acted in 75 plays, including his portrayal of playwright Eugene O’Neill in former Houstonian Andrew Hager’s monologue Eugene at Chocolate Bayou Theater, presented in tribute to the 100th anniversary of O’Neill’s birth. In a Playbill biography for one of his acting gigs, Watts admitted that “being on the cusp of Aquarius and Pisces, [I am] a strange and moody, yet wonderful person.” Watts also allowed that his many interests outside theater included “spending time with my pet ulcer.” In the director’s later years, Watts shined as a playwright, penning Joe’s FairieTales, a program of short plays that he produced at his apartment on Hawthorne Street Watts in Montrose. He also wrote a winning entry shined as a in Scriptwriters/ Houston’s 15th annual playwright, 10x10 showcase of 10 penning Joe’s new scripts, each about FairieTales, 10 minutes in length, that were performed at a program a community theater in of short west Houston. Watts also watched plays that he as mainstream theater groups began produced at performing plays with his apartment gay characters and themes that tackled in Montrose. the AIDS epidemic and LGBTQ rights. Undeterred by the competition, he soldiered on with his pioneering brand of grassroots gay theater. In the past six months, said Cullum, Watts had considered directing a revival of The Boys in the Band before finding out that the performance rights aren’t currently available because an all-star cast of gay actors, directed by a Tony Award-winning gay director, is performing the seminal gay play on Broadway this spring. But Watts had a backup plan. He also imagined staging Take Me Out, Richard Greenberg’s 2003 Tony Award winner for Best Play, about the tragic results of a professional baseball player revealing to his team that he’s gay. Like other shows that Watts directed “with a reputation for lack of costuming,” said Cullum, Take Me Out scintillates with a locker-room scene of naked athletes in the shower.

w th

Don Maines is a regular contributor to OutSmart magazine.

Lo to

Ci fo di sc el Po

ze ta hi

in Te m m m

w be

ou an no

in le le ry be Cr w th G ot ne ap

as ci

in le is

ity “W fo lik

po ca hi

eq of

News

continued from page 26

that builds it up and helps it flourish.” Coburn says some of his colleagues in City government have not been supportive following the incident. Although Coburn did nothing illegal, mayor Brad Bailey described the photos as “unbecoming of an elected official” in an interview with the Port Arthur News. Bailey also told media outlets that a citizen-driven recall election for Coburn could take place after he has served six months in his position. Coburn’s attorney, Jill Pierce, said the individual who sent the photos violated Texas Penal Code Chapter 21.16, which makes the unlawful distribution of intimate visual materials a Class A misdemeanor. Pierce is working with Grindr to find who sent the photos. Police have not yet been involved in the investigation. “I have reached out to Grindr to figure out who did this,” Pierce said. “However, anybody can create profiles online. It might not be possible to find out who it was.” Cross said the story of his outing was inaccurately reported by several news outlets. And Ruben Gonzalez, vice president of leadership initiatives for the LGBTQ Victory Fund, believes there is a double standard because Cross is an LGBTQ politician.“If Cross was a single straight man, his photos wouldn’t have been sent to City Hall, and there would have never been a controversy,” Gonzales said. “He had the right, like any other young person, to build his social network and friend group through online applications.” On the bright side, Coburn has emerged as one of the youngest LGBTQ elected officials in the nation, according to Gonzalez. “We’ve seen a rush of young people really inspired to get involved in politics,” Gonzalez said. “It’s pretty remarkable that Cross is a City Council member at 19.” “Constituents appreciate the authenticity of out elected officials,” Gonzalez added. “We hope that Cross will be able to move forward so that he can inspire people just like him to run for office.” Coburn says being an openly LGBTQ politician will benefit the community because human rights are at the forefront of his agenda. “We’re not where we want to be with equality,” Coburn says. “I want to be a part of changing that.”

Voted the Best Fertility Clinic

houston fertility

Build a beautiful family with Houston Fertility Specialists. Call today. 713-512-7900.

Texas Medical Center | Katy | Sugar Land | Clear Lake | CyFair

Ask about our Saturday appointments!

www.houstonfertilityspecialists.com

molly’s

Lourdes Zavaleta is a regular contributor to OutSmart magazine. OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 127

WEDDING GUIDE

Picture Perfect For Kandice and Kristen Webber, a family photo shoot led to true love.

Young Nurses in Love Kandice, left, and Kristen Webber, both registered nurses, met when Kandice was assigned to be Kristen’s clinical preceptor at Memorial Hermann Hospital.

By Henry V. Thiel

andice and Kristen Webber met when Kristen was a nursing student at Memorial Hermann Hospital, and Kandice was assigned to be her clinical preceptor. “The first day Kristen and I spent together outside of work was not really a date,” Kandice recalls. “I had recently moved into a new house and I wanted new family photos taken of me and my kids, and Kristen overheard me talking about it with a coworker. After she finished her semester as my preceptee, she contacted me and volunteered to take the photos.” In addition to being a registered nurse, Kristen has a degree in photojournalism. “I told Kandice that I wanted to take the photos as a ‘thank you’ for the great clinical experience I had with her the previous semester,” Kristen says. They met in Galveston for the photo shoot. “My kids instantly loved her,” Kandice says. “They all had a great day full of smiles and laughter. When we were leaving, my daughter whispered to me, ‘Mom, she is totally into you.’” “I denied it, of course, but it still made me blush,” Kandice says. “I thought to myself:

Could a woman as beautiful as she is really be into me?” The second time they met was to look over the photos. “Kristen had made me a photo album of all the photos she thought were the best,” Kandice says. “While looking at the photos, my connection to this woman was sealed. Her photographs captured the best of all three of us, and radiated my love for my children in a way that perfectly told our family’s story. When I caught my breath, I knew I had to know more about this woman.” Five years later—on April 22, 2016—Kandice and Kristen Webber tied the knot at The Gallery in Houston. It was Kandice, 42, who outraced Kristen, 29, to a marriage proposal. “We had planned a trip to New York and were both trying to keep it a secret that we had been working on rings for each other. I think we both knew, but pretended not to,” Kristen recalls. “I assumed that she was going to propose in New York. The ring I had made for her was [there], so I planned on picking it up when we got there, trying to beat her to the punch. Well, I guess she figured all this out, so she had my best friend (who lives in New York) fly

128 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

down to Houston a few days before we left, and she proposed to me here.” Having already said yes to Kandice, Kristen was still planning a day in Central Park riding bikes, followed by her own proposal during a picnic. “Well, that sounds way more romantic than it is,” Kristen says. “It was hot, and there are a lot of hills in Central Park. I guess she still liked it, though, because she said yes to my ‘re-proposal.’” Kandice’s proposal in Houston didn’t exactly go perfectly either. She says she wanted to pop the question at Bayou Bend Gardens while the flowers were in bloom, but it was the weekend in May 2015 when Houston flooded, necessitating a change of venue. “In order to get Kristen to the garden all dressed up, I told her a friend of ours was proposing to his girlfriend at the garden, and there was a reception afterward,” Kandice says. “At one point in the day, Kristen looked at me and said, ‘I feel horrible for Christian. He’s supposed to propose to Jenny today, and the garden is completely flooded.’ “So I improvised,” Kandice says, adding

that Kristen thought her best friend from New York, Emily, was in town for someone else’s graduation. “I had Emily call Kristen to tell us to meet her at the Galleria,” Kandice says. “We somehow got her to go over to the Waterwall. I walked her to the center, took the ring out of my pocket, and said, ‘So what do you think?’ I know that was kind of lame, but I was nervous—give me a break! She said yes.” The brides chose to marry at The Gallery events venue near the Galleria because they wanted an outdoor wedding and an indoor reception. Their good friend, Dakri Brown, officiated, and they made a point to include “jumping the broom” in the ceremony. “In African history, before it was associated with slavery, the broom ceremony represented two families becoming one,” Kandice says. “It was intended to honor our ancestors and our heritage.” They reached out to the LGBTQ community to cater their wedding. Pandora’s of London provided their signature Bundt cakes, and Café Natalie took care of the meal. The newlyweds honeymooned at a Secrets resort in Cancún, where they enjoyed lots of sun and tequila. They now reside in Houston. Henry V. Thiel is a regular contributor to OutSmart magazine. He loves weddings. More Wedding guide ➝

Massage therapy

coming soon

Get a SMOOTH Start

to Pool Party Season!beyond • • • •

Full Body Waxing for Men & Women Individual Eyelash Extensions Facials, Chemical Peels & Micro Dermabrasion Now Offering Intimate Bleaching

Appointments Required. 832.699.9496

Mention code for 20% Off OutSmart*

*New guests only

RECENTLY MARRIED? open

Email us at Editor@OutSmartMagazine.com

OUTSMART wants all of the details and may feature your LGBTQ love story in our monthly Wedding Guide.

Houston’s LGBTQ Magazine

select

SelectJewelers_Sep15.indd 1

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 129 8/18/15 3:15 PM

WEDDING GUIDE

Space Cowboys Rex Marzke, right, and Steve Roberts were both NASA employees when they met during a country-western dance lesson at the Brazos River Bottom Saloon in 1992. Twenty-five years later, they danced at their wedding (inset).

One Two-Step at a Time Twenty-five years after their first dance, Steve Roberts and Rex Marzke finally said ‘I do.’ By Henry V. Thiel • Photos by Dalton DeHart

teve Roberts and Rex Marzke met on December 29, 1992, at the Brazos River Bottom Saloon, which was a popular gay bar in Midtown. Marzke recalls that he went to the “BRB” that night to meet a friend and take his first country-western dance lesson. Roberts happened to be the instructor. As they danced, Roberts and Marzke found they had a lot in common. They were both NASA employees who lived in the Clear Lake area, and they were both “small-town boys.” Roberts grew up in Falmouth, Kentucky, and Marzke is from Edinburgh, Indiana. They also discovered they had seen each other at a white elephant Christmas party a few weeks before. “Actually, I thought Rex was a snob,” Roberts recalls, laughing. “When I finally got to meet him, Rex was really different and sweet, and someone I wanted to get to know better.” Marzke says he had such a great time danc-

ing with Roberts that he wanted a “real date.” “I loved that he was always smiling, and that he made me feel like I was a special person,” Marzke says. Twenty-five years to the day after they met, Roberts and Marzke were married on December 29, 2017, at the Bay Area Museum. “You have to understand: we had been together since 1992, and had been living together since 1999,” says Roberts, now 66. “Gay marriage was illegal our entire lives, and so it was never really an option. Neither of us had any preconceived ideas about what our dream wedding could be.” It was Marzke, now 56, who said to Roberts over a cheeseburger at their local Wendy’s, “Shouldn’t we get married?” “We are both Christians, although neither of us goes to church now since we both think American Christians are no longer actually Christian anymore. But we still wanted a church wedding,” Roberts says. “Since we do

130 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

not belong to any church, we thought that was an impractical choice.” However, they had been supporters of the Bay Area Museum, and the centerpiece of that charity organization is a small church building built in 1901. Since it only has 77 seats and would not accommodate all of their guests, they decided to have a small church wedding followed by a larger celebration at the Hobby Event Center. That space was formerly a TexMex restaurant where the couple had once eaten together, and they were thrilled that it had a stage, dance floor, spotlight, and several bars. When they discovered that the center’s caterer could provide the cake and DJ—and that they could provide their own liquor and have an open bar—they signed the contract. The entertainment at their wedding included local performer Morgan Fairview. “We knew our friends had never seen a performance quite like the one she puts on,” Marzke says. The Rev. Raphael Warner of Bay Area

Unitarian Universalist Church officiated for the ceremony, and Dalton DeHart served as photographer. The ceremony consisted of a reading from The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach, as well the exchange of rings while the couple read vows that they had written themselves. Since both men are type-A personalities who rarely get emotional in public, many of their friends had never seen them cry. But just prior to the wedding, Marzke got teary-eyed while rehearsing his vows. He urged Roberts to re-read his vows, too, but Roberts laughed it off and said, “No way am I going to cry.” Sure enough, during the ceremony, Roberts began crying after the first sentence and could only stop long enough to look at the guests. Some were chuckling, but the vast majority were crying, too. Marzke was doing both. They finally composed themselves just long enough to get the words out. The week after their wedding, the newlyweds went on a cruise. “It wasn’t much of a honeymoon or very romantic, since Rex’s dad and sisters and niece joined us,” Roberts says. “But we did dance together every night—to country-western music, of course.” The happy couple lives in Clear Lake with their Tonkinese cat, Tippi (Hedren). Henry V. Thiel is a regular contributor to OutSmart magazine.

Best Wedding Event Live Music

CATER IN G CAKE S david al EVENTS

harmony

832.439.0224 S T R I N G S

PROFESSIONAL STRING QUARTET CONTEMPORARY & CLASSICAL MUSIC

Chef David Alcorta

www.harmonystrings.com

BEST CATERING FIRM

davidalcorta.net david@davidalcorta.net

FOUNTAINS & STATUARY OPEN 7 DAYS

E S T AY G REATES & T G 2017

Finalist BEST GARDENING/NURSERY SUPPLY

fountains

NEW!

Pebble Pots Handcrafted in Bali

713.957.3672 Just Outside the 610 Loop in Houston!

11804 Hempstead Rd., Houston, TX 77092 fountainsandstatuary@yahoo.com

www.FountainsAndStatuary.com

• Disappearing Fountains • Glazed Urns • Fountains • Birdbaths • Decorative Precast Rock Waterfalls • Fiberglass Garden Ponds • Bowls • Tables & Benches • Pumps & Tubing • Planters • Pedestals • Flower Pots • Fountain Tops • Religious Statues • Concrete Animals, Fish, Birds & Reptiles • Talavera Style Mexican Pottery • Various Sized Stepping Stones

ASK ABOUT

Metal Carports Gazebos & Yard Buildings

C A S A

AZUR DOMINCAL, COSTA RICA

azur

• 24HR CONCIERGE • MONITORED, GATED SECURITY • 3 BEDROOMS/UP TO 6-10 GUESTS (ADDITIONAL ADJACENT ACCOMMODATIONS)

• PRIVATE CHEF AVAILABLE • WEDDING COORDINATION • GAY-OWNED & OPERATED

Enjoy stunning Paciﬁc Coast views while minutes away from Eco Tours with Surﬁng, Zip Lines, White Water Rafting, Horseback Riding, Volcanoes, and Waterfalls.

CasaAzurCostaRica.com

832.541.3704

Mention OutSmart for 20% Off Your Booking Fee Exclusions Apply OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 131

Anniversary

tsmar

Queer Quotes A

versa

UD SPONS

▼

Twenty-five years of quotes from LGBTQ people, our allies, and a few from those who don’t consider us their equals.

1994

Simon Gilbert (Suede’s drummer) ABC

(Out, 11.94, Ray Rogers)

When a British journalist asked [Gilbert] what he thought of [Suede’s lead singer Brett Anderson] calling himself a bisexual who has never had a homosexual experience, Gilbert [who is openly gay] replied playfully, “I can understand completely. I’m a bisexual who’s never had a heterosexual experience.”

1995

Roseanne Barr

(The Advocate, 1.24.95, Peter Galvin)

Peter Galvin: It’s been rumored that D.J., your son on the show, is going to be gay. Is that true? Roseanne Barr: Everyone has said that about Sara Gilbert’s character, Darlene, too. Well, we just don’t know, do we? You never know if anyone’s gay until he or she tells you. How would you feel if any of your kids told you they were gay? I talked to my real-life kids, and I said, “If you tell me you’re gay, I plan to be really, really bored. If you tell me you’re going to be a Republican, I shall be shocked.” I would hope that they would be safe and be in a good relationship and be happy.

1996

Janis Ian

(The Advocate, 10.15.96)

I have nothing intrinsically against dresses— some of my best friends wear them. I’ve just never enjoyed the feeling of air rushing up past my ankles into my nether regions without a pair of lips attached at the other end. ‹ Bi’s in the Band?

Suede’s lead singer, Brett Anderson (top), and the band’s drummer, Simon Gilbert. (See 1994)

132 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine OutSmartMagazine.com

1997

‹ Roseanne Barr What if she had gay children? (See 1995)

Kevin Spacey

(Esquire, 10.97, Tom Junod)

I say, “Kevin, my mother thinks [you’re gay],” and he puts his forearms on the table and pushes his face close to mine and says, “More power to you, Mom.” Then he says, “I don’t see anything wrong with sexuality. And so I’ll put it to you this way. I live in a world in which I work with many different people all day long. They’re my friends, and I love them. And many of those are gay or homosexual. And I can’t imagine feeling the need to jump up and say, ‘I’m not one of them.’ If anyone wants to think that, they’re absolutely free to think that. I have no interest in confirming or denying that at all.”

1998

Sandra Bernhard (Out, 11.98, Tom O’Neill)

“You know,” says [Sandra Bernhard of her sixmonth-old daughter Cicely Yasin], “the thing I like best is burping her, giving her the little rubs and taps on the back. Sometimes I end up burping before her, but she burps as loud as I do,” Bernhard smiles proudly. “She burps, she farts, she laughs, she eats, she sleeps, and she’s the prettiest girl I’ve ever had in my bed.”

1999 Lucy Liu

support gay marriage, then f--k you. Taking the flowers of a culture without easing the burden of minority is like when white people took rock ’n’ roll from black people in the ’50s. “I love that song, but please don’t use that drinking fountain.”

(Details, 2.99, David A. Keeps)

‹

David A. Keeps: Has a woman ever come on to you? Lucy Liu: Oh yeah. It can be pretty sexy. I mean, c’mon—everyone is sort of bisexual. It’s not a big deal. I’ve thought about it, when relationships don’t work out with guys and you think, “God, this woman friend is so wonderful. It would be so much easier.” But really it’s going to be the same damn problems.

Eddie Izzard Fantasizing about men? (See 2002)

Pam Grier

(Girlfriends, 12.04, Candace Moore)

If I ever met a man who felt he was a woman and I absolutely fell in love with him, and he was wonderful and wanted to change [to a woman], but stay with me, I would go down that road.

2000

Greg Berlanti

(Entertainment Weekly, 10.00, Lisa Schwarzbaum)

We’re here, we’re queer, we’re funnier, with better haircuts. Get used to it.

2001

2005

Ellen DeGeneres

Jackie Mason

(The 53rd Annual Emmy Awards, 11.4.01, CBS)

On a personal level, I felt that it was important for me to be here tonight because, number one, our leaders have asked us to get back to our jobs; number two, there is no number two, but things are funnier in threes; and number three, I feel I’m in a unique position as host, because—think about it—what would bug the Taliban more than seeing a gay woman in a suit surrounded by Jews?

(New York Post, 6.9.05)

transsexual help group there—the only one in the whole country. It was down the road a half mile. And I thought, Well, this is karma. So I went down there, and that helped me to come out. My whole big thing when I came out was that I had to go to the dentist, the doctor, the bank . . . in makeup, and break conventions. But if you’re a straight transvestite, it’s confusing. Why am I not bisexual? It seemed so much more logical. I’ve tried fantasizing about men, like Johnny Depp—God, that guy looks amazing—but I still don’t want to sleep with him. So I’m a male lesbian.

NBC

2002

Eddie Izzard

(The Advocate, 10.29.02, Austin Bunn)

Austin Bunn: You’re a heterosexual transvestite—what was it like to come out? Eddie Izzard: When I was 23, I was in Islington [a London borough], and there was a

(The Advocate, 1.31.06, Matthew Hays)

2004 Margaret Cho

2007 Carrie Fisher

What I tell straight people in my standup is that if you watch Will & Grace but don’t

After viewing a contestant’s egregiously bad film on Fox’s reality show On the Lot, Fisher (acting as one of the judges) said, “That was my least favorite thing, next to adolescence and being left by a man for a man.” ➝

(Medical doctor, and Vermont’s governor at the time) (The Advocate, 4.1.03, Chris Bull)

Michael Musto: Do you know a lot of gay people in show business? Bea Arthur: Isn’t that a rhetorical question?

Valerie Harper

Chris Bull: As a medical doctor, what do you think of sexual orientation “conversion” therapy? Howard Dean: It has no basis in science. When all the evidence is in, it will be shown that being gay has a significant genetic component. The idea that you can change sexual orientation is laughable. It just goes to show the ignorance of the right wing.

Howard Dean

(Out, 8.01, Michael Musto)

2006

Matthew Hays: There’s an episode in season three of The Mary Tyler Moore Show where Rhoda dates Phyllis’ brother, and Phyllis is horrified to think that he might fall for Rhoda. Then Rhoda breaks the news to Phyllis about her brother. Valerie Harper: That he’s gay! Yes, I loved doing that episode. When I tell Phyllis, she says, “Oh, what a relief!” Do you know, when I said that line “He’s gay,” we got the biggest laugh ever on the show? I mean, this was the ’70s, long before Will & Grace and Ellen; there really weren’t gay characters on television back then. The audience laughed and cheered for over a minute. They had to take out most of the audience response for the broadcast cut. It was amazing.

2003

Bea Arthur

On same-sex marriage in his Freshly Squeezed one-man show at New York’s Helen Hayes theater: I don’t care if a guy is in love with a horse, unless it’s my horse. And even then, the only thing that really matters is this: is the horse happy?

(Interview, 6.04)

(Entertainment Weekly, 7.13.07)

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 133

Daniel Radcliffe

Queer Quotes

(Attitude, 8.09, Matthew Todd)

continued from previous page

I just loathe homophobia. It’s just disgusting and animal and stupid, and it’s just thick people who can’t get their heads around it and are just scared. And I’m not just saying that because I’m being interviewed for Attitude [a UK gay magazine]. I’d be using a lot stronger language if this wasn’t on tape.

2008

John Waters (Radar, 1.08)

Radar: What would you do if you knew the world was going to end tomorrow? John Waters: Think about what I’ll wear to the resurrection.

2010

Cynthia Nixon

Jackie Collins

(The Oprah Winfrey Show, 5.1.08)

(Vanity Fair, 2.10, George Wayne)

Oprah Winfrey: I heard that you just sort of met Christine, you fell in love, and it didn’t matter to you whether she was male or female. Cynthia Nixon: It didn’t, no. [Puzzled] How does that work? You haven’t met my girlfriend! [Now wife]

George Wayne: Any bouts of lesbiana in your past? Jackie Collins: Well, I did go to an all-girls school. Need I say more? Honey, I’ve dabbled in everything.

Jason Jones (a Daily Show correspondent) and Scott Lively (Defend the Family president)

Elton John

(The Daily Show, 7.28.10, Jason Jones)

(Entertainment Weekly, 7.25.08, Dave Karger)

In The Daily Show’s Jason Jones’ interview with Scott Lively (the report was titled “Gay Reichs”), Lively asserted that the Nazis, including Hitler, were gay. When Jones asked why gay Nazis would persecute gays, Lively replied that the Nazis needed to “distract public attention away from their homosexuality.” Jones: So, that which you hate the most, you secretly are? Lively: [long pause, taking in what Jones was suggesting] I am not gay. Jones: I didn’t say you were.

2009 Sigourney Weaver (The Advocate, 2.09, Dale Hrabi)

‹

I’m horrified by how hard Americans are making it for my gay friends to live. To me, that’s un-Christian.

John Waters Is this the ensemble that he would wear after the end of the world? (See 2008)

Marie Osmond

Re: reconciling her Mormonism with her daughter’s lesbianism.

‹ Wanda Sykes Where are the welfare checks? (See 2012)

I love my daughter. She’s my baby girl, come on. So what if she’s gay? She’s my daughter and she’s an amazing woman, she’s a good kid. I raised her, she better be good. I think it’s sad when we have to separate something from society. Whether it’s “Oh, you’re Jewish,” “Oh, you’re a Mormon,” or “Oh, you’re gay.” There are a lot of women out there who have gay children. Who cares? The thing I want is love. I’m a Christian, and Christ was that way—he loved everybody.

134 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

PAUL DRINKWATER/NBC

(Entertainment Tonight, 5.20.09, NBC)

GA FULLNER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

On July 21, 2008, the rock icon became part of music’s most exclusive clique: after his Essex Junction, Vermont, show, he had now played live in all 50 states. Here, Sir Elton, 61, dishes about [one of] his most memorable tour dates [in Texas]: “I was threatened with death in Houston at a show in the late ’80s. But they were so stupid, they put their seat number on the letter.”

Kristen Johnston (Out, 10.10)

I’m all about the gays, but if I try to fit even one more of you in my life, I will officially have to go on Hoarders.

Sarah Silverman YouTube video, 10.4.10)

Dear America, when you tell gay Americans that they can’t serve their country openly or marry the person that they love, you’re telling that to kids, too. So don’t be f--king shocked and wonder where all these bullies are coming from that are torturing young kids and driving them to kill themselves because they’re different. They learned it from watching you.

2011

Joel Osteen

(Piers Morgan Tonight, 1.26.11, CNN)

The scripture shows that [homosexuality is] a sin. But I’m not one of those that are out there to bash homosexuals and tell them that they’re terrible people. I mean, there are other sins in the Bible, too. [But] I don’t believe homosexuality is God’s best for a person’s life.

Lady Gaga

(During her Monster Ball Tour at Madison Square Garden, 2.11)

The only thing better than a unicorn is a gay unicorn.

2012

Joan Rivers

UNCOMPROMISING EXCELLENCE in DENTISTRY

(Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?, 1.25.12, We TV)

Before going in for plastic surgery, Joan talks with her daughter about the possibility of dying. The serious conversation ends with Joan’s mention of her grandson, Cooper, who is 11 years old: The only thing that makes me a little sad is that Cooper’s not gay.

Roseanne Barr

(Piers Morgan Tonight, 8.9.12, CNN)

I’m not like my gay sister and my gay brother that have both been with the same partner for 25 and 26 years, respectively. I, as a straight person, have not been able to hold any relationship together as well as they.

2017 READERS' CHOICE AWA R D S

Wanda Sykes

Voted one of the Top Dentists by OutSmart Readers Cythia Carral Voted Best Female Dentist by OutSmart Readers

I’m a black, gay woman. I think the only way for the GOP to hate me more is if I sent them a video of me rolling around on a pile of welfare checks.

Dr. Marcus de Guzman

(NewNowNest Vote with Wanda Sykes, 9.10.12, Logo TV)

Dr. Cynthia Corral

2013 Cher

(Maclean’s, 9.8.13, Elio Iannacci)

I can’t name names, but my friend called who is a big oligarch [in Russia], and asked me if I’d like to be an ambassador for the Olympics and

Arts District @ Sawyer Yards 2313 Edwards St., Ste 150 Houston, TX 77007 • 713.518.1411

BAYOUCITYSMILES.COM UNCOMPROMISING

EXCELLENCE IN DENTISTRY

• FREE Whitening–for Life! • Premier Provider of Invisalign • Veneers, Implants, Esthetic Fillings & Smile Makeover • In House Financing

• Your Dentist is Certified in Oral Conscious Sedation • Most Insurance Accepted • Underarmor Sports Guard provider.

open the show. I immediately said no. I want to know why all of this gay hate just exploded over there. He said the Russian people don’t feel the way the government does.

Holly Near

(One of the originators of the women’s music movement in the ’70s, The Advocate, June/July 2013)

If I had been asked in 1975 if I thought we would soon have out lesbian singers and comedians, be winning Grammys, be showing up at events with our sweethearts, be producing and directing films with positive lesbian images that are distributed by Hollywood companies, see gay characters on many TV sitcoms, have [openly] gay people in Congress and legislatures and on the bench, out gay athletes, marriage equality, and on and on—well, I would ➝

Buying | Selling | Leasing Looking forward to helping you with your real estate needs, questions, or concerns. TO SERVE ALL EQUALLY AND WITH GRATITUDE

danielh70@outlook.com | 832.638.0095 OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 135

Queer Quotes continued from previous page

have been happy with the fantasy. But I’m not sure I would have believed it possible in such a short amount of time. It is worth pausing to celebrate.

Marco Rubio

(Republican senator from Florida, The Andrea Tantaros Show, 6.13.13)

If this bill has something in it that gives gay couples immigration rights and so forth, it kills the bill. I’m done.

A KATZ/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Josh Hutcherson (Out, 11.13)

Maybe I could say right now that I’m 100 percent straight. But who knows? . . . I have this dream that one day, my kid’s gonna come home from school and be like, “Dad, there’s this girl that I like, and there’s this guy that I like, and I don’t know which one I like more, and I don’t know what to do.” And it’s just a non-issue, like, “Which one is a good person? Which one makes you laugh more?”

‹ Cynthia Nixon Nixon (holding child) is seen here at the 2016 NYC Pride March with her wife, Christine Marinoni (far right), and (from left) Bill de Blasio, Chirlane McCray, and Al Sharpton. Will she be the first female and first openly gay governor of New York? (See 2018)

Lady Gaga

Annise Parker

You know what? It’s not a lie that I am bisexual and I like women, and anyone that wants to twist this into “she says she’s bisexual for marketing,” this is a f--king lie. This is who I am and who I have always been.

Being an out activist here in Texas in the ’70s, being a very, very visible lesbian activist in the ’80s, it was a very different time. I had death threats. I would debate homophobes on radio or TV and come out to the parking lot by myself and find my car covered with Bible tracts or the tires slashed. Nothing that’s ever happened in a public meeting since I’ve been an elected official compares in any way to the pressures or the dangers of being a lesbian activist in those days.

(The Advocate, June/July 14, Tom Dart)

(The Huffington Post, 10.31.13, James Nichols)

Joan Rivers

(The View, 7.1.14, ABC)

Abraham Lincoln was gay as a goose. If he had been straight, he would have been alive, cuz I said, “Abe, stay in bed.” He said, “No, I’d rather go the theater.”

Ted Cruz

(At the 5th annual Faith and Freedom Barbecue in South Carolina, 8.24.15)

No man who doesn’t begin every day on his knees is fit to stand in the Oval Office.

2016

Dolly Parton (CNN Money, 6.3.16)

Re: HB2, the anti-trans bathroom bill. I think everybody should be treated with respect. I don’t judge people. I try not to get too caught up in the controversy of things. I hope that everybody gets a chance to be who and what they are. I just know if I have to pee, I’m going to pee—I don’t care where it’s going to be.

2015

Jason Stuart

‹ Dolly Parton Where is she gonna pee? (See 2016)

2014

Michael Sam

(ESPN, 2.9.14, Chris Connelly)

I’m not afraid to tell the world who I am. I’m Michael Sam. I’m a college graduate. I’m African American. And I’m gay.

After performing in Indiana, Stuart joked, “I read in one of the Christian papers that only 1 percent of the country is gay. If that’s true, I slept with everybody!”

Miley Cyrus

(Papermag.com, 6.9.15, Amanda Petrusich)

Re: her fluid sexuality. I am literally open to every single thing that is consenting and doesn’t involve an animal and everyone is of age. Everything that’s legal, I’m down with.

Caitlyn Jenner

(2015 ESPY Awards, 7.15.15, ABC)

If you wanna call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions, go ahead. Because the reality is, I can take it. But for the thousands of kids out there coming to terms with being true to who they really are, they shouldn’t have to take it.

136 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

TRAE PATTON/NBC

SCREEN GRAB FROM CNN

(Press release, 4.10.15)

‹ Miley Cyrus Really really open. (See 2015)

Lady Bunny

(The New Yorker, 9.5.16, Hilton Als)

We’ve become so politically correct that they just made Dick Van Dyke change his name to Penis Von Lesbian.

2017

Kristen Stewart (Saturday Night Live, 2.4.17)

The president is not a huge fan of me. But that is so okay. And, Donald, if you didn’t like me then, you’re really probably not gonna like me now, ’cause I’m like so gay, dude.

TURN YOUR CAMERA

INTO CASH @ HOUSTON CAMER A E XCHANGE

Ruby Rose

(NBC’s Sunday Today, 2.5.17, Willie Geist)

Re: Rose’s mother’s reaction to her coming out to her at the age of 12. I didn’t know anyone else that was gay or lesbian. So I didn’t really know how to word it. So I was just like, “I think I should let you know that when I eventually get a boyfriend, they’ll be a girl.” And she was just like, “I know.”

Ellen DeGeneres

(The Ellen DeGeneres Show, 4.14.17)

When I was younger, I had so many first dates that were just horrible. And then one day I figured out why: I was dating men.

2018

Cynthia Nixon

(CynthiaForNewYork.com, 3.19.18)

I’m running for governor because I love [New York] . . . . For the last 17 years, I’ve traveled across this state to fight for better schools, LGBTQ equality, and women’s healthcare, including the right to choose. . . . This is the state where I made my career, raised my kids, and met and married the love of my life, my wife Christine. . . . Together, we could show the entire country and the world that in the era of Donald Trump, New Yorkers will come together and lead our nation forward. It won’t be easy. But I know that together, we can win this fight.

Bill Maher

(Real Time with Bill Maher, 3.23.18)

Let’s see what went on in this week’s episode of Honor and Dignity. First, there’s a former Apprentice contestant who says she was the victim of Trump’s unwanted sexual advances; she’s suing him. Playboy centerfold Karen McDougal said they had an affair; she’s suing to tell her story. And, of course, porn star Stormy Daniels revealed a lie-detector test about the time she was f--king Trump, and [she] passed the test. It also came out that Don Jr. apparently was having an affair with an Apprentice contestant. This must be the breakdown of the family that conservatives warned about if we allowed gay marriage.

5900 Richmond Ave. (at Fountainview) Houston, TX 77057 Store Hours: Mon-Fri: 10am-7pm; Sat: 10am-6pm

713-789-6901 1-800-CAMERA-5 hcehouston.com OutSmartMagazine.com |

APRIL 2018

137

G roove O ut

By Gregg Shapiro

Over the Years Cyndi Lauper, Andy Bell, Ruthie Foster, Ty Herndon, and many more.

‹

hen I tell people what I do for a living—that I am an entertainment journalist, writing reviews of music and movies, as well as doing interviews—they invariably have a lot of questions. The funny thing is that as someone who spends a lot of time asking questions of musicians, filmmakers, actors and actresses, comedians, poets, playwrights, novelists, photographers, and assorted folks in the arts, I am often reticent about answering other people’s questions about myself. Since the early days of this new century, I’ve had the privilege Singing Out for Equal Rights of having almost 90 of my interCyndi Lauper was on her True Colors tour in views published in the pages of 2008. Inset: Lauper in 2017. Below (l–r): Scissor OutSmart. Writing mainly for the Sisters’ Jake Shears (2012), Ruthie Foster (2014), LGBTQ media is a fascinating (and Candye Kane (2011), and Tarell McCraney (2016). occasionally frustrating) experience. For example, I spend a lot of time explainHerndon at the time of his coming out in 2014. ing to publicists—still, to this day—that the LGI was fortunate enough to speak with him again BTQ community’s tastes have expanded beyond in 2015. Fellow country artist Billy Gilman also divas, disco, and Broadway show tunes. spoke openly about being gay in a 2014 interThe good thing is that, in terms of music, view I did with him. Speaking of coming out, queer artists have expanded into genres not sometimes you get an unexpected scoop—as known for being welcoming to LGBTQ performin the case of Carly Simon (2008) and Maja ers. Some examples include blues musicians Ivarsson of The Sounds (2009). Gaye Adegbalola (whom I interviewed in Many out musicians (whose vocal and me2006), Ruthie Foster (2014), and the late Candia presence has done so much to advance the dye Kane (2011); jazz artists Patricia Barber cause of LGBTQ rights and acceptance) have (2006) and Ann Hampton Callaway (2009); also taken time to speak with me over the years. gay Canadian rapper SoCalled (2011); and We owe a debt of gratitude to the words and Klezmer musician Lorin Sklamberg of The Klezartistry of Andy Bell, Ashley MacIsaac, and Rumatics (2007). fus Wainwright (2003), Melissa Etheridge, Janis Thanks to OutSmart, one of my most rewardIan, and Jill Sobule (2004), Jennifer O’Connor, ing interview opportunities came when I had Lucas Silveira of The Cliks, and Susan Werner the chance to speak with country-music star Ty (2007), Catie Curtis, Scott Free, Missy Higgins,

and Sonia (2008), Emily Saliers (2009), Patty Larkin and Owen Pallett (2010), Seth Bogart, Diamond Rings, and Amy Ray (2011), Jake Shears and Jay Brannan (2012), Spencer Day, Steve Grand, Levi Kreis, Vicci Martinez, and Sara Quinn of Tegan and Sara (2013), Ferras and Mary Lambert (2014), Jonny Pierce of The Drums (2017), and others. The LGBTQ community has a reputation for being voracious readers and lovers of literature. Over the years I have spoken to an assortment of writers, including Caryn Aviv and David Shneer (2002), mystery novelist Greg Herren (2002), humorist Kim Ficera (2003), award-winning graphic novelist Alison Bechdel, actor and memoirist Craig Chester, gay novelist John Weir, and trans novelist T Cooper (all 2006), gay novelists Aaron Ham-burger and Samuel Park (both 2007), poet Dan Vera (2013), and comedian Paula Poundstone (2018). It goes without saying that the gay presence in film and TV is immeasurable, exemplified by my interview subjects that have included TV producers Neil Meron, Craig Zadan, and Chuck Ranberg (2004), the Next Food Network Star winners The Hearty Boys (2007), filmmakers Ira Sachs (2013) and Patrik-Ian Polk, Oscar-winner Tarell McCraney (2016), and actor and illusionist Michael Carbonaro (2017). Of course, we wouldn’t be anywhere without our allies, including Tori Amos (2001), Linda Eder (2003), Aimee Mann (2008), Idina Menzel (2009), Joe Manganiello (2012), Helen Reddy (2014), LeAnn Rimes (2017), and especially Cyndi Lauper, whom I had the honor of interviewing four times for OutSmart (2002, 2007, 2008, and 2017). Congratulations to publisher Greg Jeu and the staff at OutSmart, including my longtime entertainment editor Blase DiStefano. Happy Anniversary, y’all, and many happy returns of the day!

Gregg Shapiro is a regular contributor to OutSmart magazine. 138 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Appointments & Walk-Ins OK!

Barber Service Available 515 Westheimer 713.524.7858 www.HairSalonHouston.com

Mon. — Fri. 10am - 7pm | Sat. 10am - 5pm | Sun. Closed

HOUSTON’S

NEWEST

VISIBILITY. REPRESENTATION. HUMANIZATION. JOIN THE CAMPAIGN. PridePortraits.org

Pride Portraits is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

GAY BAR

Over 40 Stage Acts including: Full Contact Jousting, Comedy & Music

817 FAIRVIEW ST. HOUSTON, TX 77006

LESS THAN 2 HOURS from HOUSTON!

JM Professional Services LLC

PRIVATE PRACTICE Qualified Substance Abuse Professionals

10 am - Dusk Voted One of the Best Mental Health Therapists

• Personal & Workplace • SAP Evaluations • Drug & Alcohol Abuse

JEFFREY MYLES NCAC I, SAP, LAP-C

713.447.2164 | JMylesSAP@gmail.com

Weekends from March 3 - April 22, 2018 plus Spring Break Friday, March 16 Feasting, Beer & Wine Tasting

51 2 . 2 2 2 . 6680

CAMPING AVAILABLE

S he r wood F ore s t Fa i re . c om OutSmartMagazine.com |

APRIL 2018 |

139

R ead O ut

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

‘Tomorrow Will Be Different’ Love, loss, and the fight for trans equality.

‹

Tomorrow Will Be Different • by Sarah McBride, with a foreword by Joe Biden • 2018 • Crown Archetype (crownpublishing.com) • 288 pages • $26

hings are never as bad as they seem. There’s always a brighter spot, if you just look for it. There’s always something to be thankful for and a way of making yourself feel better, because things aren’t as they seem. As in the new book Tomorrow Will Be Different by Sarah McBride, there’s always a chance to make a change. Though she was 10 years old the first time she heard the word “transgender,” Sarah McBride knew from an early age that she was really a girl. Problem was, everyone around her saw her as a boy, and she didn’t want to disillusion or disappoint them. And so, McBride tamped down a feeling of “homesickness” inside herself, and she tried to be a boy by dating girls, joining a fraternity at college, and doing “guy” things that felt wrong. It wasn’t ’til the end of her time as student-body president at American University that she took the leap and came out, publicly, as a woman. It was a relief, she says, and though there was some initial

140 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

MAT MARSHALL

When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir Patrice Khan-Cullors & asha bandele with a foreword by Angela Davis Growing up as the third child in a family of four, Patrisse Khan-Cullors lived with her mother and siblings in a “multiracial” neighborhood near Sherman Oaks, California. Even though her mother worked all day and into the night, Khan-Cullors was reared in a loving atmosphere. But she was only 12 years old when she was arrested for the first time. By then, she’d witnessed her brothers being questioned by police just for hanging out with friends. She started truly noticing her surroundings. • Not long afterward, as Khan-Cullors came to understand that she was queer, she began to earnestly question many things in her life. At 16, she became an “organizer” and an activist, and she doubled down on it after her brother was arrested and called a “terrorist” for yelling at a woman. She was driven to act when, following the death of Trayvon Martin and the acquittal of George Zimmerman, she sent out a message to her friends: “I hope it impacts more than we can ever imagine. #BlackLivesMatter” • Khan-Cullors gives her story an urgent hear-me-now outrage. That “done playing” feeling is what readers may come away with—a feeling that underscores Khan-Cullors’ activism. And that’s what this book is about: it’s a rallying cry wrapped in a memoir, tied in with a call to legal action. If you’re ready, When They Call You a Terrorist is worth a look. • St. Martin’s Press (us.macmillan .com). —Terri Schlichenmeyer

Author Sarah McBride

shock, her friends and family never stopped loving her. She acknowledges her good fortune in their acceptance, since a high percentage of her LGBTQ peers aren’t so lucky. Not long after this major life-changer, McBride landed an internship at the Obama White House, which was a dream come true. She’d been fascinated by politics ever since she had volunteered as a young campaign worker in her home state of Delaware. Starting in the Office of Public Engagement, she was quickly engaged; activism, as McBride learned, was something she could sink her teeth into as a trans woman. Happier than she’d ever been, McBride’s life continued to rise: she fell in love with

Andy, whom she’d met at a party, though she didn’t see him again until he emailed her months later. He was trans, too—a homegrown Wisconsin boy with a sense of humor, and she adored him. The future was bright. And then things changed again. There’s a message inside Tomorrow Will Be Different— but it’s not the usual ode to trans activism that you think is there. Oh, there’s no denying that author Sarah McBride is an activist and she’s played a big part in making change, both locally and nationally. She’s a history-maker and a shaker. But this book isn’t just about that. Oh-so-subtly, McBride makes readers’ brains itch. LGBTQ teens can be fragile, and you’ll watch them more closely after reading this book. Healthcare isn’t just an issue for the middle class, and you’ll understand that better now. Politics isn’t just something to rant about, and you may be better off than you think you are—even in the midst of a Trump presidency. This book forces a different way of looking at things, but you might not initially notice that as you’re crying over the rest of this memoir. So grab some tissues while you read, and let your brain itch. Let Tomorrow Will Be Different sink in, because things can always be better than they seem. 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.

AUTO | HOME | LIFE | BENEFITS | RETIREMENT Call us for a FREE quote

TUE-THUR 10am - 8:30pm FRI 10am - 6:pm SAT 9am - 12pm SUN & MON Closed

1511 N.Durham Dr. Houston, TX 77008 713.955.1232

Book online

TANSPIRE.COM

We have major carriers to shop, including Allstate, to find you the best rate without compromising coverage. CANDACE DOLAN right ☎ Direct: 713.653.4769 LUCIA PALACIOS left Hablo Español ☎ Direct: 832.495.3265 Voted as One of the Best Female Insurance Agents

VO L U N T E E R S N E E D E D TO HELP PET OWNERS WITH HEALTH CHALLENGES

KEEP THEIR COMPANION PETS 7322 Southwest Fwy, Suite 1-1888 | Houston, TX 77074 | 832.680.0332 Find us on facebook.com/weinsuretexas | info@weinsuretx.com

w w w.t h e p e t pat r o l .o r g

2 81 . 733 . 7696 p e t pat r o l pa r t n e r s @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t

pet patrol

I FF BUYING HOUSES

A PEOPLE PET PARTNERSHIP

GLBT CRUISES & TOUR EVENTS

a division of CruiseCenter

Any Condition, Any Situation Vacant Foreclosure Poor Condition Divorce Inherited Property Back Taxes Relocation

Shenice Brown Investor

(800) 592-9058 www.AquafestCruises.com

281.819.0055

magnahomes@outlook.com

Call for passive investment opportunities. OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 141

O ut There

Photos by Dalton DeHart & Edgardo Aguilar

March for Our Lives Houston - Tranquility Park - March 24

142 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

O ut There

Photos by Dalton DeHart & Edgardo Aguilar

Montrose Softball League Association - Opening Day, Lone Star Classic - February 24, March 16–18

144 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Stay In-The-Loop With W

ANDY IMPROVE YOUR SMILE TODAY WITH

TEETH TOMORROW®

WEBER

Resident of Montrose since 1983 Consistent TOP Producer, John Daugherty, Realtors If you wish to be In-The-Loop, whether selling, buying, or just looking around,

Voted One of the Best Realtors in Houston 6 years in a row – OutSmart Readers’ Choice 2012-2017

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS CUTTING-EDGE PROCEDURE, TEETH TOMORROW visit LifeSmiles.US or TeethTomorrowHoustonCentral.com

CALL ANDY NOW!

713.724.4306 CELL

713.561.6653

Continuously voted One of Houston’s Best Dentists since 2003

713.592.9300 1722 W. ALABAMA ST. - HOUSTON, TX 77098

DIRECT

andyw@ johndaugherty.com J O H N D A U G H E R T Y. C O M 520 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, TX 77027

713.626.3930

Randy Mitchmore, DDS

S ERVING THE LGBTQ C OMMUNITY WITH S AME S EX V ISA P ETITIONS , R ESIDENCY , N ATURALIZATION , B USINESS V ISAS , I NVESTOR V ISAS , T EMPORARY W ORKER V ISAS , R EPRESENTATION BEFORE THE I MMIGRATION C OURTS , A PPEALS TO THE B OARD OF I MMIGRATION A PPEALS C IRCUIT AND S UPREME C OURT OF THE U.S.

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 145

O ut There

Photos by Dalton DeHart & Edgardo Aguilar

Decadent Desserts and Dancing - AssistHers - Neon Boots - February 25

Bringin’ in the Green - The Montrose Center - Home of Glenn Dickson and Justin Liendo - March 16

146 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Oodles of Noodles All you can eat...variety of pastas and salad Silent Auction and Entertainment Benefitting Bering Support Network

We have immediate openings for experienced advertising executives at OutSmart Media Company. Salary, commissions, and benefits. A creative, fun environment.

APPLY TODAY! Send your cover letter and resume to employment@outsmartmagazine.com

April 21, 2018 at

Bering Memorial UMC Fellowship Hall 1440 Harold Street Houston, TX 77006

Time: 5:00 - 8:00 pm Purchase tickets: In advance: $12 each or two for $20

We’re answering the call ...with no ‘hang-ups!’

At the door: $14 each

BSN

*Buy tickets after church in the Community Room *Online @ beringsupportnetwork.org *Call: 713.526.1017

•HIV/AIDS •Grief Support •Chaplaincy Care •Cancer Support •Caregiver Support

24-Hour HelpLine

713.529-3211

Depression / Suicide / Crisis Intervention Domestic Violence Help & Shelter Sexual Assault & Hate Crimes Support Addiction Support & Treatment HIV & STD Info • GLBT-afﬁrming Resources Community Events & Visitor Information

NOW YOU CAN SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR BELOVED PET IN THE COMFORT OF HOME... Weekend & Holiday Appointments Available!

Tel: (713) 452-0474 www.lastwishes.com wecare@lastwishes.com

A service of the Montrose Counseling Center

Compassionate In-home Pet Euthanasia Pet Hospice Services Quality of Life Consultations Pain Management & Comfort Care End-of-Life & Aftercare Planning Memorial Keepsakes Pet Loss Support

3036 Antoine Drive Houston, Texas 77092 OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 147

O ut There

Photos by Dalton DeHart & Edgardo Aguilar

AIDS Walk 2018 and Rock the Walk - AIDS Foundation Houston - March 4

Diana Foundation - 65th Annual Diana Awards - March 10

148 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

ONE HOUR FREE

REAL CHAT WITH REAL MEN 1-281-404-6622 MORE NUMBERS:1-800-777-8000 GUYSPYVOICE.COM

Body Mechanics

WEST UNIVERSITY STUNNER! NOW AVAILABLE!

Chris Munguia, LMT

5305 WESLAYAN $760,000

Muscle Deep tissue

2,867 sq. ft. 4 Bedrooms * 4.5 bathrooms MLS#62513012

Sports Massage

CALL ME FOR85603062 DETAILS! HAR#

Swedish Accident Injury CREDIT CARD ACCEPTED 832.296.1141 • Chrismun1@yahoo.com

Andy’s All-stAr

Pest Control

713-732-7742 Complete Pest Control Service 6 Month Warranty - on Standard Pest Control This is Termite Swarming Season Call us to Protect your Investment

Call

Andy

EMPOWERING, MOTIVATING, AND ADVOCATING FOR OUR CLIENTS TO UNLOCK THEIR PHYSICAL POTENTIALS Dr. Roy Rivera, Jr. PT, PhD, DPT, MCHES 946 N. Shepherd Dr. Suite A Houston, TX 77008

for a free quote

713.868.2766 Andy Sassie – Owner

TPCL# 13558

We accept most major health insurances

Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Physical Therapy cromrehab.com OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 149

26310 Millies Creek Lane | MLS#: 91413324

3326 Rochdale Street | MLS#: 89229947

4903 Wilderness Glen Court | MLS#: 62427630

10610 Ella Lee Lane | MLS#: 69080426

Contact me today for a private showing of these stunning homes!

Lynette Lew

Residential & Commercial REALTOR® Accredited Luxury Home Specialist

713.582.2202

www.LynetteLew.com | Lynette@LynetteLew.com

1404 W 25th St | MLS#: 27339194

Thank you forYou voting your Community Thank formevoting me yourHero and your Favorite Community Photographer! Favorite Community Photographer!

Here’s looking at you, kids.

Montrose Softball League TGRA HRC Gala GMCH & Bayou City Women’s Chorus Out @ TUTS Night at the Hobby Center Act OUT/Alley Theatre Black Tie Dinner Houston Pride Band Pride Parade And more!

www. DaltonDeHart .com

Learn more about HPTN 083, a research study comparing the effectiveness of injections and oral tablets to prevent HIV.

GIVEPREPASHOT.ORG ARE YOU: • HIV negative,

This HIV prevention research study is funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN)

Support OutSmart advertisers, so you can have your cake and equality, too.

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

• Free and confidential HIV/STI testing, • Free counseling and referrals, and • Compensation for study procedures

HPTN

HIV Prevention Trials Network

Give Prep A Shot Houston HPTN CLININCAL Research Site Call or text: (847) PrEP HTX (847.773.7489) Email: PrEPHouston@uth.tmc.edu

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 equalityminded businesses that appreciate you and provide vital community support.

YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A RESEARCH STUDY THAT FEATURES:

• A man (assigned male gender at birth), or a transgender woman, who has sex with men, • Age 18 or older, and • Able to attend study visits where this study is being conducted? .

Need a professional photographer for your special event? Call Dalton at (713) 622-2202.

Give PrEP a Shot!

unny uddies

Saving the World… Bunny Buddies is a 501(c)(3) not-forprofit organization, serving the Greater Houston area. We work with area animal shelters to foster, spay/neuter, and facilitate adoptions for the hundreds of domestic rabbits surrendered/abandoned each year. Rabbits are wonderful companion animals, but they’re not a good fit for every family. To learn more about living with a house rabbit, visit our website!

one bunny at a time!

w w w. b u n n y b u d d i e s. o r g

Recent event photos on the website:

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2018 | 151

Be Sexy.

O th to pa

RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL. Rescued Pets Movement, Inc. (RPM) is a Houston-based nonproﬁt providing a second chance for thousands of homeless dogs and cats through rehabilitation and transport to forever homes in communities throughout the country that have a need for adoptable pets.

You can help by becoming a temporary foster home partner.

Rescued Pets

Movement

Problems Problems Meth? with

midtownhouston.com

cu w O ne fa N O

RescuedPetsMovement.org/Foster-Us

with Meth?

I Lost I Lost Me Me

to Meth

to Meth ADAPT-2

ADAPT-2 ADAPT-2 is enrolling adults (18-65) is enrolling adults (18-65) is in enrolling adults (18-65) ina aresearch research study study inevaluating a research study evaluating medication to evaluating medication to medication to treat treat methamphetamine treat methamphetamine methamphetamine addiction. addiction.

addiction.

Contact Contact the ADAPT-2 Study Team: Contact

Helpline 713-46P-FLAG www.pflaghouston.org

Where Everyone is Welcome!

the ADAPT-2 Study 713-486-2635 The ADAPT-2 StudyTeam: Team:

713-486-2635 713-486-2635

ms.CNRAresearch@uth.tmc.edu

ms.CNRAresearch@uth.tmc.edu ms.CNRAresearch@uth.tmc.edu McGovern Medical School

McGovern Medical School

152 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

SUPPORT EDUCATION ADVOCACY

H St Pic

O Sl op Tra ro br in lo

BUSINESS NEWS

THANK YOU OUTSMART

READERS FOR VOTING ME

Photos by Dalton DeHart

Best Male Mental Health Therapist 2016 & 2017

OUTSMART magazine is pleased to announce the addition of account executive Tad Dvorak to its staff. A native of Spring, Tad has been part of the Houston club scene as a DJ for two decades. Before joining OUTSMART, Tad served as a manager for a national tire chain, where he retired after 25 years. Tad has been a close friend of the publication for many years. He brings several years of experience in retail Tad Dvorak sales, marketing, and customer service—as well as a strong familiarity with the LGBTQ community—to the magazine. Outside of work, Tad enjoys live music, trying new restaurants, travel, and spending time with family and friends, as well as his two dogs, Nacho and Juno. He can be reached at Tad@OutSmartMagazine.com.

Hollywood Hair and Nails, at 2409 Grant St., celebrated its 15th anniversary on March 3. Pictured are staff and guests.

713.257.0972

Do you have the LOOK? One of the BEST Places to Buy Eyewear ONE OF THE BEST EYE DOCTORS (Dr Christine Tyler, OD) 2013–2017 OutSmart Readers’ Choice Awards

On March 21, Lisa Slappey, Elizabeth Slappey and Mehdi Abedi celebrated the opening of the new showroom for PostModern Traditions and Pride of Persia Rug Co. The showroom is at 7050 Portwest Drive, Suite #140. It brings together all of their great rug selections in one location that is easy to find and centrally located. For more info, visit prideofpersia.com.

2055 Westheimer Rd. @ Shepherd 713-520-6600 | www.eyecontact.com Eye Health and Vision Exams, Contact Lens Fittings Huge Selection of Designer Glasses Many Vision Plans and Health Plans accepted Independent, privately owned Serving Central Houston for more than 18 years OutSmartMagazine.com | | APRIL 2018 2018 | | 153 OutSmartMagazine.com

Get your business listed here. Call 713/520-7237 ext 10 for details. AccomModations/Hotels

CATERING SERVICES

Rich’s Houston

2401 San Jacinto................. RichsNIghtClub.com

...........................................................Lemerson.net

David Alcorta Catering

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

The Village of The Heights

Jim Benton of Houston Catering

SherwoodForestFaire.com.......... .512/222-6680

L’Emerson Corporate Lodging

www.vilageoftheheights.com..... 713/802-9700

The Village of River Oaks

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

www.villageofriveroaks.com..........13/952-7600

CHURCHes/Spiritual Centers

AccountaNTS/Bookkeepers/ CPAs

1440 Harold................................... beringumc.org

230 Westcott, Ste 210...................713/784-3030

401 Branard St................................ 832/971-0364

MerlinCPA.com ............................. 713/833-3302

6221 Main Street.............................713/529-6196

Gary Gritz, CPA Merlin CPA

Paramount Bookkeeping Services

ParamountBookkeeping.net ..... 713/623-1210

Advertising/Marketing

OutSmart Magazine

Bering United Methodist Living Mosaic Church

Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church Resurrection MCC

2025 W 11th..................................... 713/861-9149 St Paul’s United Methodist Church

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

3406 Audubon................................713/520-7237 Tephra Agency/Roger Bare

TephraAgency.com........................ 713/398-0863

AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING

Newport Air

newportair.net ..............................281/808-8630

ARCHITECTS

Morningside Architects

MorningsideArchitects.com.........713/529-2630

Astrologer

Lilly Roddy Astrology

...........................................................713/529-5842

ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES

Gonzalez Olivieri LLC

gonzalezolivierillc.com..................713/481-3040 Erik J. Osterrieder/Rao deBoer Osterrieder

RDOip.com......................................281/372-6114 Katine & Nechman LLP

Sherwood Forest Faire

2320 S. Shepherd Dr....................713/526-2320

Stages Theatre

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

StagesTheatre.com......................... 713-527-0123 Tony’s Corner Pocket

817 W. Dallas...................................832/722-7658

Doors/Door Replacement

Durango Doors of Houston

Durangodoors.com ...................... 713/680-3435

FERTILITY/GYNECOLOGY

Aspire Fertility

AspireFertility.com.........................713/425-3003 Houston Fertility Specialists

www.fertilityspecialists.net..........713/512-7900 Men Having Babies

COMMUNITY/NONPROFIT

Bering Support Network

...............................................713-526-1017, ext.20 Diana Foundation

.......................................TheDianaFoundation.org Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce

HoustonLGBTChamber.com.........832-510-3002 KPFT Radio

kpft.org............................................ 713-526-4000

Lesbian Health Initiative (LHI)

401 Branard................................... lhihouston.org Lesbians Over Fifty (L.O.A.F.)

............................................ www.loafhouston.org Midtown Houston

............................................midtownhouston.com MyGayHouston.com Pet Patrol

Ryan White Planning Council

rwpcHouston.org .......................... 713-572-3724 U of H Graduate College of Social Work

Bryan Cotton/Mass Mutual Three Greenway Plaza...............281/960-0447 Richard Dickson/Galene Financial

GaleneFinancial.com.................... 713/489-4322 Shane Theriot/Edward Jones Investments ........................................................... 281/391-6137 Grace Yung/Midtown Financial

3355 Alabama, Ste 180..................713/355-9833 Wells Fargo Bank

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

FITNESS CLUBS/Personal TRAINers

Club Houston

2205 Fannin ................................... 713/659-4998 Stretch Montrose

2205 Montrose Blvd...................... 832/426-4573

Handyman Services

My All Pro Handyman

aphandyman.net........................... 936/689-2252

hair/nail/make-Up salons

Azur Salon

2800 Kirby, Ste A-2.........................713/400-2987

2305 Yale St.................................... 713/862-6630

Colleges/Education

515 Westheimer..............................713/524-7858

NU-Cuts Hair Salon

Houston Community College ............................................................. hccs.edu

2034 A West Gray, Ste 118........... 713/540-7383

37 Waugh Dr................................... 713/863-8244

COMputers/Internet/IT Services

HEALTH CARE–COUNSELING/THERAPY

AUTOMOTIVE SALES

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

2520 Main St....................................832/981-7590 Clear Lake Subaru

15121 Gulf Fwy...............................346/229-3234 Planet Lincoln

20403 I-45 North Spring, TX...... 888/242-5059 Sterling McCall Lexus/Denny Holiday

10235 Southwest Fwy....................713/995-2447

Copy.com

Bayou City Bar & Grill

Tirelink.com.....................................832/610-2858

617 Fairview ...................................713/528-8102

Bakeries/Custom Cakes

611 Hyde Park........................HoustonEagle.com

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

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

DessertGallery.com.......................713-522-9999 La Sicilia Bakery

515 Westheimer............................. 713/636-2900 Tipsy Pastry

tipsypastry.com............................. 832/303-2522

Carpet and Flooring

Carpet World

Usacarpetworld.com.................... 281/998-3200

George Country Sports Bar Houston Eagle

Houston Media Source

410 Roberts Street..........................713/524-7700 Houston Sabercats

...........................................houstonsabercats.com Island ETC

2317 Mechanic St, Galveston....... 409/762-3556

Gordon Crofoot, MD Maggie White, FNP-BC

3701 Kirby, Ste 1230..................... 713/526-0005 M. Sandra Scurria, MD

6565 West Loop South, Ste 300... 281/661-5901

Health Care-Plastic Surgeons

Timeless Plastic Surgery

TimelessPlasticSurgery.com.........281/242-8463

HEALTH CARE–Services

Avenue 360

offeringhope.org.............................713/778-1300

The Montrose Center

535 W. 20th, Ste 100..................... 713/861-4848

Robert Snellgrove, LMSW-ACP

2034-A West Gray., Ste. 125........ 713/861-4868

3131 Eastside St, Ste 4...............15281/610-8190 401 Branard.................................... 713/529-0037 4617 Montrose, Ste C206.............. 713/522-7014 Christine Wysong

230 Westcott, Ste 210..................713/869-7400

HEALTH CARE–Dentists

All Star Dental

Allstardental.com.......................... 936/689-2252 Samuel A. Carrell, DDS/Bruce W. Smith, DDS

1006 Missouri................................713/529-4364 Bayou City Smiles/Marcus de Guzman, DDS

2313 Edwards St., Ste. 150............. 713/518-1411 Bayou City Smiles/ Cynthia Corral, DDS

Miller Outdoor Theatre

1722 W. Alabama........................... 713/592-9300

Pearl Bar

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

154 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

507 West Gray.................................713/942-7546 7106 Spencer Highway................. 281/542-9400

Dr. Daniel Garza, MD

530 Waugh Dr................................ 713/942-8598

4216 Washington................... PearlHouston.com

HEALTH CARE–Physicians

Octavio Barrios, MD

RWPCHouston.org.........................713/572-3784

Lake Charles

MillerOutdoorTheatre.com...........281/373-3386

Cromrehab.com..............................713/868-2766

Dr. Barry F. Gritz, MD

2313 Edwards St., Ste 150............ 713/518-1411

Visitlakecharles.org/greattimes.... .800/456-7952

Health-Physical Therapy

Crom Rehabilitation/Dr. Roy Rivera

1415 California Street.................... 832/548 5000

JR’s/Santa Fe

808 Pacific....................................... 713/521-2519

AvitaPharmacy.com...................... 713/489-4362

Denise O’Doherty, LPC, LMFT, LCDC, RN

230 Westcott, Ste 210................... 713/869-7400

817 Fairview St................................ 713-526-2625

Health Care/PHARMACIES

Avita Pharmacy

Publichealth.harriscountytx.gov..713/439-6293

ENTERTAINMENT/NIGHT LIFe

BARCODE

Spectacles on Montrose

4317 Montrose, Ste. 2....................713/529-3937

Jeffrey Myles/JM Professional Services

3131 Eastside St., Ste. 435...........713/524-9525

7326 Southwest Fwy..................... 713/772-5900

Eye Gallery

1806B Westheimer.........................713/523-1279 1700 Post Oak Blvd, Ste 110.......... 713/622-7470

Avenue360.org................................713/426-0027

714 W. Gray St................................ 713/522-6626 Arena Theatre

Eye Contact

D. “Woodja” Flanigan, MS, LPA

2600 SW Fwy, Ste 409.................. 713/589-9804 ........................................................... 713/447-2164

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

Acadian Bakers

Revolt Hair

Dry Cleaners

Up to Date Cleaners

Automotive/Tire Service

TireLink

HEALTH CARE–OPTOMETRISTS

Boutique Eye Care

2055 Westheimer.......................... 713/520-6600

..................................................uh.edu/socialwork

Audi Central Houston 2120 Southwest Fwy................ 866/673-7093 Central Houston Cadillac

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

FINANCIAL PlanNing/Banks

Automotive repairs

Tech Auto Maintenance

HEALTH CARE–ophthalmologists

Houston Eye Associates/Stewart Zuckerbrod, MD

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

..................................................... ThePetPatrol.org

RMS Auto Care

6647 Mayard Rd..............................713/782-4487

...............................MenHavingBabies.org/Austin

Perfection Plus

Dwane Todd Law Firm 801 Congress St., Ste. 350……..713/965-0658 Clyde Williams, Attorney

1759 Westheimer............................713/529-5855

Health Care/In Home Nursing

Applied Health Care Nursing Division

...........................................................713/664-9911

.............................. MyGayHouston.com/discover

Master Car Care & Collision

SignatureCare Emergency Centers

Cleaning Services

1834 Southmore.............................713/808-1001

.......................................................... 713/236-0064

Health Care-Emergency Centers

River Oaks Emergency

Cory Logan, DDS

LifeSmiles by Randy Mitchmore, DDS

Bruce W. Smith, DDS/Bruce Smith, DDS

Harris County Public Health

Legacy Community Health Services

Ryan White Planning Council

St. Hope Foundation

Vitality IV Studio Vitality IV Studio

HEALTH CARE–Skin care

Heights Dermatology/Alpesh Desai, MD

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

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

Skin Care & Waxing Services

Beyond Beauty Boutique Spa

..........................................................832/699-9496

Health Care-Research Studies

UT Health Substance Abuse Study

...........................................................713/486-2635

HEALTH CARE-Weight Loss Clinics

Dr. B-Fit/ Octavio Barrios, MD

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

713-344-4057

HOME FURNISHINGS/ACCESSORIES

Alabama Furniture

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

PLUMBING

Nick’s Plumbing & Sewer Services

Nicksplumbing.com ......................713/597-8624 U-Plumb-It Plumbing Supply

RESTAURANTS/COFFEE/WINE BARS

Acadian Bakers

604 W.Alabama .............................713/520-1484

Auntie Chang’s Dumpling House

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

1424 Montrose ............................... 713-942-2277

355 W 19th ......................................713/864-4411

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

4611 Montrose Blvd...................... 713/807-8889

POLITICOS

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

coda

Fountains and Statuary

11804 Hempstead Rd ....................713/957-3672 Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

4091 Westheimer........................ 832/3976-5130

HOME REMODELING/RENOVATIONS

Luria Construction

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

HOME REMODELING/PAINTING

Luria Construction

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

INSURANCE AGENCIES/AGENTS

Jeffrey Bules/Insurance Associates Group

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

7322 S.W. Fwy, Ste. 1-1888 ..................832/680-0332 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

Select Jewelers

JEWELERS

2221 S. Voss Rd ............................... .713/789-221 Silverlust

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

LANDSCAPING/GARDENING

Joshua’s Native Plants & Antiques

502 W. 18th St ................................713/862-7444 Windswept Landscaping

Windsweptlandscape.com ...........713/263-7771

Village Plumbing & Appliance

Fran Watson Campaign for State Senate

..................................... FranWatsonForTexas.com

POOLS & POOL SERVICES

Tranquility Pools

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

PRINTING/COPY CENTERS

Copy.com

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

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

T-SHIRT PRINTERS

WEDDING SERVICES-PHOTOGRAPHERS

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

1980 Post Oak Blvd. Suite 120 .... 713/625-8626

Jared Anthony/NextHome Realty Center

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

Brooks Ballard/Engel & Volkers

2200 Post Oak Blvd., Ste. 1475 ..832/866-3206

Rene Ibarra Camiba/Karen Derr Realty Karen Derr/Karen Derr Realty

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

Joey Garza /Front Street Properties

Frontstreetproperties.com ......... 713/516-0060 Dolan & Palacios

PEST CONTROL SERVIC

Ashton Martini/Martha Turner Properties .................................................... 832/878-7686 Jason Nguyen/Nan Properties

Martha Turner Properties

2200 Post Oak Blvd., Ste. 1475 ... 713/703-0217 Wade Knight / Martha Turner

Last Wishes

Wadeknight.com........................... 713/582-0264

Midtown Veterinary Hospital

...........................................................713/942-6857

West Alabama Animal Clinic

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

Debbie Levine/Greenwood King Properties

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

5023 Washington.......................... 713/868-7226 Red & Co. Real Estate

redunlocked.com .......................... 832/654-3293 Tom Schwenk/Tom’s Galveston Real Estate

Darque Tan

TANNING SALONS

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

WEDDING SERVICES - SERVICES Harmony Strings String Quartet

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

Thank You for supporting our advertisers!

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.

VJ Tramonte/Joe Tramonte Realty

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

PHOTOGRAPHY

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

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

Tim Surratt/Greenwood King

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

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

TELEPHONES/CELL/WIRELESS

Premier Wireless

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

...........................................................713/320-5881 1802 Broadway/Galveston .......... 409/765-9837

Yvonne Feece Photography

Yvonne Feece-Tran Photography

Tomsgalvestonrealestate.com .....713-857-2309

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Dalton DeHart Photography

Inktify

Thomas Eureste/Nan Properties

Marthaturner.com ......................... 713/520-1981

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

Dalton DeHart Photography

5104 Cedar St. Bellaire .................713/470-2600

Mike Copenhaver Remax Metro

AllMySons.com/Houston..…..…281/612-7973

Spay-Neuter Assistance Program

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

mikecopenhaver@remax.net .... 713/528-4963

7322 Southwest Fwy, Ste. 1-1888 .......832/680-0332

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

WEDDING SERVICES - CATERERS David Alcorta Catering

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts

309 Gray .......................................... 713/522-7474

MOVERS

Molly’s Mutthouse

Urban Eats

...........................................................281-557-6200

REAL ESTATE–REALTORS

Chris Munguia LMT

MidtownVetHospital.com............ 713-528-4900

Dessert Gallery

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

Riva’s Italian Restaurant

Interlinc Mortgage/Cody Grizzoffi

Karenderr.com ...............................713/446-8331

www.lastwishes.com ....................713/452-0474

David Alcorta Catering

3700 Buffalo Speedway................713/418-7000

...........................................................713/677-4337

PET SERVICES& SUPPLIES

Raising Cane’s

604 W. Alabama.............................713/520-1484

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

Joel Leal, RMT

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

WEDDING SERVICES - BAKERS Acadian Bakers

REAL ESTATE–MORTGAGE/TITLE

Chicago Title –Inner Loop

Jeremy Fain/Greenwood King Properties

Andy’s All Star Pest Control

Jenni’s Noodle House

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

1902 Westheimer .......................... 713/528-9020

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

All My Sons Moving & Storage

Hamburger Mary’s

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

VACATION RENTALS

Casa Azur

Shenice Brown/EXP Realty ...........................................................281/819-0055

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

2116 Bissonnet, Ste A ................... 832/804-6182

Gloria’s Latin Cuisine

2616 Louisiana ...............................832/360-1710

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

Inktify

Vida & Health Day Spa

3215 Westheimer ........................... 713/522-1934

Lafayette Travel

LafayetteTravel.com ..................... 800/346-1958

REAL ESTATE - INVESTORS

David Bowers/The House Company/Galveston

MED SPA

Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino

Concierge Travel, Inc

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

La Sicilia Bakery

2200 Post Oak Blvd., Ste. 1475 .. 915/999-6364

........................................................... 832/296-1141

...........................................................832/419-0165

BK Cruise Planners Your Land & Cruise Experts

Bkcruiseplanners.com ................. 832/963-8523

515 Westheimer ............................ 713/636-2900

MARKETING/PROMOTIONAL ITEMS

.......................................................... 713/397-8808

Free Grillin’/Chef Michele

Aquafestcruises.com ....................800/592-9058

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

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts

MASSAGE THERAPISTS

Dessert Gallery

TRAVEL/TRAVEL AGENCIES

Aquafest

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

PSYCHIC READERS

Readings by LA

5104 Cedar St. Bellaire .................713/470-2600

Ryan Fugate, RMT

Danton’s Gulf Coast Seafood Kitchen

tanspire.com...................................713/955-1232

3111 S. Shepherd............................713/523-7600 602 E. 20th St. ...............................713/862-3344 2027 Post Oak Blvd .......................713/621-4200 3773 Richmond ..............................713/714-8258

Taylor Black/Nan Properties

...........................................................281-557-6200

2621 S. Shepherd, #290 ...............713/524-8410

TanSpire

Andy Weber/John Daugherty Realtors

Christopher Williams/Heritage Properties

HeritageTexas.com ...................... 713/855-4419

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

Houston Camera Exchange

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

OutSmartMagazine.com

APRIL 2018 |

155

OutSmart Marketplace ACCOMMODATIONS

EMPLOYMENT

Fully Furnished Corporate Apartments

MASSAGE & BODYWORK Adam Skidmore L.M.T. PAIN RELIEF & RELAXATION CERTIFIED IN:

Medical Massage, Structural Integration, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release

936.443.1975 | adamskidmore108@yahoo.com

Advertising Sales Executives

www.LEmerson.net 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

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

OutSmartMagazine.com Attn: Greg Jeu, Publisher.

Andy’s All-stAr

Pest Control

713-732-7742 Complete Pest Control Service 6 Month Warranty - on Standard Pest Control This is Termite Swarming Season Call us to Protect your Investment

Call

• SwediSh MaSSage • Deep Tissue • Thai • Facials

Andy

for a free quote Andy Sassie – Owner

TPCL# 13558

Email resume to: Employment @

Raising Cane’s 1902 Westheimer Rd Now Hiring

COMPUTER SERVICES

JOSH BRISENO 214.883.0299

In & Outcalls

Voted Houston’s Best Male Massage Therapist 2016

Apply online at

RaisingCanesJobs.com

Plain Talk

Real help.

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.

SERVICES

FOR RENT Gary Joseph Owner

PC Home ech

In-Home In-Home Computer Computer Services Services 832.496.9246 www.pchometech.com

MONTROSE OFFICE SPACE

Perfect for Psychotherapist, Personal Coach, etc. Utilities, Phone, Voicemail included. 24 hour, 7 day access. $650/mo. (713) 817- 4507 AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY

Thanks for Your Support! Tom Zeppelin, LMT

713.542.0426

ZeppelinMassage.com PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS

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

CLEANING SERVICES

DEXTER’S F I V E S TA R S E RV I C E

FOR SALE

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

GALVESTON PROPERTIES

KEEP THEIR COMPANION PETS

Doing the chores you hate to do

1215 Ball 3/3 Circa 1881 $368,500 Beautiful Greek Revival Low flood insurance

HOME & OFFICE CLEANING

1323 Ball 3/2.5 Circa 1894 2 Story Victorian $310,000

DESIGNATED DRIVER SERVICE

HOUSE & PET

SITTING

BOB SAMORA

832.252.1961

913 16th 4/2.5 Circa 1898 Victorian great kitchen OR JUSTwith ASK! $367,500

Live in historic architecture!

David Bowers

david@davidbowers.com 409-763-2800

156 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

TO HELP PET OWNERS WITH HEALTH CHALLENGES

PSYCHIC/TAROT READER

BILL O’ ROURKE Tarot Readings Guided Meditations

w w w.t h e p e t pat r o l .o r g

2 81 . 733 . 7696 p e t pat r o l pa r t n e r s @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t

pet patrol A PEOPLE PET PARTNERSHIP

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

832.541.3166

Thank you for supporting OutSmart advertisers. Please be sure to tell them you saw their ad in OutSmart!

MARKETPLACE ADVERTISING RATES Deadline: April 20 for the May Issue. For rates/information call 713/520-7237 ext. 10.

SignOut continued from page 160

need completing around the home and workplace. The first week of the month can be very demanding of your time. Make sure you schedule some time for yourself so you don’t feel so resentful, because you have so much to do! This month is all about boundaries, and it will be much easier to see where your boundaries aren’t working with Mercury retrograde. Try to channel that energy into reworking those fence lines, rather than wasting energy on being mad. This is a great month to get back into your health and workout regimen. AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18). April is a mixed-energy month for you. You are currently happier working behind the scenes, but you have so much on your to-do list that you aren’t sure where the list even stops. You are emotionally and psychically more sensitive this month. You will not want to be around rude and mean people, and you’re ready to speak up if they are in your arena. This is a good month for getting your day-to-day activities more organized. You don’t want to be responsible for some things any more! You are looking for something

new to bring a spark of excitement back into your life, and possibly reinvent yourself from the ground up. This starts in mid-May, while career and social opportunities begin to show up at the end of the month! PISCES (February 19–March 20). Finances and resources are the focus as we begin our journey through April. With Mercury retrograde in your financial sector, you are reviewing your investments, monthly bills, debts, and looking in to ways to improve your fiduciary position. You have really been working hard to get rid of as much debt as you can. With Mercury retrograde, this is a very good time to look at moneymaking projects from the past. It is also a great time to reconnect with employers from the past and to see what is available there. You are becoming more outspoken, so it’s also a very good time to consider writing, teaching, or accepting a position in another country. After the 20th, you are ready to make some choices and put your plans into action. In mid-May, there could be some new money-making opportunities attached to your artistic endeavors! Reinvention is on the way!

rYan

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

For more astro-insight, log on to lillyroddy.com.

Right now is the perfect opportunity TO BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE TO BE COMPASSIONATE TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS

IDEAL FOR SUMMER INTERNS Thank you again to my OutSmart readers for voting me Best Astrologer for all of these years.”

When business or pleasure brings you to Houston for a month or more, why not make L’Emerson your address?

TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO THOSE YOU LOVE AND TRULY APPRECIATE Voted BEST ASTROLOGER by OutSmart Readers

LILLY RODDY

open (lIllY?)

l’emerson

A S T R O LO G E R Personal astrological sessions Relationship readings - personal/business • All the amenities of home.

Presentations & lectures to organizations

• Ideally situated in the Montrose-Midtown area.

CONSULTATIONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

• Much more affordable than a downtown hotel room.

GIFT CERTIFICATES • CREDIT CARDS

713.529.5842

lillycath@aol.com • www.lillyroddy.com

Tom Fricke, Proprietor

LillyRoddy_Nov14.indd 1

LEmersonad_May15.indd 1 10/21/14 11:29 AM

4/15/15 2:28 PM

Bar & Club Guide HOUSTON 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. 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.

All Your Country Sports Bar

Vodka Drinks

$ 50

Mon-Sat 7am–2am Sunday 12pm–2am

HOURS:

617 Fairview • Houston, Texas • 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.

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

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.

- A LWAYS

RT Y A PA

HAMBURGER MARY’S Tuesday & Wednesday 4p-10p, Thursday & Friday 4p-2a, Saturday & Sunday 11a-2a EAGLE Part of the Eagle worldwide family, it’s the

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

SUPPORT

Best Steak Night at a Bar Winner

GUAVA LAMP Tuesday Nights GEORGE SPORTS BAR Thursday Nights

TONY’S

C OR N P OC K E E

freegrillin/

/chefmichelefree

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!

158 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com Tonys_Corner_BG_Mar16.indd 1

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. 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 Forge shop located inside the club. Saturday nights with DJ Tad Dvorak 715 Fairview Ave • 713.521.2792.

EDUCATION

•

ADVOCACY

Where Everyone is Welcome!

Pop-up Cooking Events, Catering & Private Chef

CHEF MICHELE 832.419.0165

•

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

2/24/16 12:32 PM

Helpline: 713-46P-FLAG www.pflaghouston.org

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

BEHIND

the BAR

With BORIS GREENE George “Your Country Sports Bar” Mon-Wed 7am-1pm; Saturdays 1pm - 7pm

What is your favorite shot to make? Cinnamon Toast Crunch (RumChata and Fireball) Where is your favorite place to drink when not onduty? The Cozy Corner in Westbury What are you best known for? My Manhattans and my Bloody Marys! Biggest tip from one customer? 1981 Mercedes 500 SLC!

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. SOUTH BEACH Closed for remodeling. BARCODE 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. 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. VIVIANA’S Happening weekend-only gay dance club with Latin DJs, singers, talent shows & Sunday strippers. 4624 Dacoma • 713.681.4104. BEAUMONT

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.

�� : Private Parties, Company Events & Social Mixers TipsyPastryHouston TipsyPastry Info@TipsyPastry.com www.TipsyPastry.com

A �� A ��

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. 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. RUMORS BEACH BAR Drink specials every night and daily day drinking specials starting at Noon. Great drag shows Friday – Sunday and karaoke Sunday – Thursday at 8p. Sunday Drag Bingo. 3102 Seawall Blvd. • 409.497.4617 • rumorsbeachbar.com SPRING

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.

BAR NONE! OUTSMART’s Bar Guide is the best place to advertise your bar!

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 |

APRIL 2018 |

159

S ign O ut

By Lilly Roddy

Patience! And act more responsibly.

he first half of the month is a time to prepare, and after the 20th we are ready to act on plans and ideas because Mercury will be direct then! Our patience will be tested this month, especially during the last week. The cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn are the most impacted, but if you have planets in those signs, you will be affected as well. We are being called to act more responsibly. • Positive days this month are the 7th, 12th, 13th, 14th, and 29th. Days to be aware of your environment are the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 15th, 17th, 18th, 25th, and 26th. ARIES (March 21–April 19). Happy Birthday to the Rams and Ewes! This is your personal yearly cycle, a time of review and renewal. It’s an especially significant time of review with Mercury retrograde in your sign. After the 20th, it will be time to put your new plans into action. There continues to be a lot of focus on career and long-term future plans, but you are looking for something that brings out that spark of desire! Boredom with your routine is only a sign that you need to make some changes. Finances and resources are in the spotlight as the month comes to an end. TAURUS (April 20–May 20). As the month opens, you are in a period of rest and retreat. You are more sensitive to your environment and are selecting your companions carefully. This is a very good month for self-healing and self-care. Although you are feeling very connected to your friends and associates, their demands on your time could be draining. This continues to be a good time for travel, working on your education, and improving your current relationship. If you’re involved, this is a super time to renew those bonds. And if you are single, after the 20th is your time to find that special someone! You will feel more grounded and in your element toward the end of the month. You will be breaking out of your chrysalis in May, looking for new experiences and opportunities! GEMINI (May 21–June 21). This past month you have been reconnecting with friends and people from your past, with retrograding Mercury’s help. That trend continues through the 20th, when it’s the time to act on your new ideas. Business and community organizations can be very helpful for your career, and provide you with a new social

atmosphere. Financially, you are paying a lot of attention to your overall resources and debts. You are working to free yourself from this situation, even though you will feel more pressure. Don’t let that dampen your spirits and slow your path to the finish line. By the end of the month, you are ready for a break and will need some time for yourself. CANCER (June 22–July 22). With Mercury retrograde in your career sector, you have been reviewing your current situation. You are looking at what is not working, and how to fix it or get rid of it. With situations that are bad, Mercury retrograde won’t allow us to avoid the problem. We have to make decisions about what is in front of us before we can move forward. This same energy is also impacting your relationships—both business and romantic. It’s a great time to review your past progress and to consider new goals to bring the relationship back onto a shared path. After the 20th, it’s time to put those ideas into action. Your career continues to be very active and dominant in your life. LEO (July 23–August 22). As the month begins, you have been giving a lot of thought to your future plans, especially around your career. You are in an incubation period, and you will be breaking out of your shell in May! Some are considering taking a new career path, while others are contemplating retiring. You are needing to reinvent yourself on some level. The first part of the month is better for planning, while action is favored after the 20th. You are more outspoken than usual and will not let others block your path. Continue to put energy into revamping your health routines, particularly in the latter part of the month. VIRGO (August 23–September 22). Relationships continue to be your theme for the month. You are looking past your old view of what relationships “shoulda, woulda, coulda” been in your life, and opening up to the idea of having a better relationship with yourself rather than looking for someone else to complete you. As a result of this, you are looking for a relationship that enhances who you are. Deeper and more intimate values must also align this month. With Mercury retrograde here, you are ready to look at the truth and not just how you want things to be. After the 20th, you are ready to put your new emotional influences into play! LIBRA (September 23–October 23). With Mercury retrograde in your relationship sector, you have been reviewing your relationships, relationship structure, and relationship habits! You

160 | APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

are paying a lot more attention to your own needs, rather than just trying to compromise and work with your partner’s agenda. Good relationships are enhanced with Mercury retrograde, while negative relationships must improve or end. You are wanting and expecting more participation from your partner, so you don’t feel that you have to do all the work. You are speaking up, and your patience is very low. You are improving your relationship boundaries, including your work relationships. Be glad you are seeing what is not working as you improve your boundaries. By the end of the month, you are looking for results. SCORPIO (October 24–November 21). You have been reviewing your relationships with your coworkers this month. You are speaking up and not letting old situations repeat themselves ad nauseam. You are interested in new approaches to marketing and selling your services. You are also guarding your time closely and being selective about any events you participate in, especially those associated with family activities. You are working on getting your life organized and taking care of projects that you have been putting off. Relationship opportunities open up after the 20th. These connections can be good for both business and personal partnerships. The Full Moon in Scorpio on the 29th can make that path more accessible. SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21). You are dealing with a mixed bag this month. Part of you is really having to focus on your money and resources, so you’re working on getting that part in order. You are also in a very creative period, so review old ideas that you may have discarded in the past. Financially, you are in a time of review. You may be putting yourself on a budget, wanting a raise, and reviewing your current romantic involvement. You are wanting to break away from your past and invest yourself in your projects, which should be very possible after the 20th. The end of the month is a better time for you financially. And in the creative department, you are wanting to use your talents to free yourself from old jobs so you can do what really makes you happy! There are some opportunities coming in May that can help you achieve your goals. CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19). April continues to be an intense time for you. While your home, family, and career have captured your time and attention, you have been struggling to take some time for yourself. While Mercury has been retrograde, you are working on projects that continued on page 157

INTRODUCING

LEGACY PHARMACY

Staying well takes teamwork and dedication. That’s why we’ve introduced Legacy Pharmacy. Our pharmacists become a part of your health care team, helping you maintain health and wellness. It’s how we drive healthy change in our communities, one person at a time. To learn more about our comprehensive pharmacy services, stop by one of our pharmacies or contact us at: 1415 California St., Houston, TX 77006 (713) 665 8800 PharmacyMontrose@LegacyCommunityHealth.org

LegacyCommunityHealth.org

3811 Lyons Ave., Houston, TX 77020 (713) 366 7400 PharmacyLyons@LegacyCommunityHealth.org

Photos by Dalton DeHart and Edgardo Aguilar

On February 25, Neon Boots hosted Decadent Desserts and Dancing, benefitting AssistHers. Pictured are Lynn Schwartzenburg, Linda Arnold, and Renée Tappe.

On February 25, Ovations hosted Caring Cabaret Walks Again, benefitting AIDS Foundation Houston and Avenue 360. Pictured are Alli Villines, Patti Barnes, Glynda McGinnis, Terry Jones, Kelly Young, Roger Woest, Katherine Engleman, Julie Stonebarger, Mark Stonebarger, Roger Woest and Aaron Reines.

On March 4, AIDS Foundation Houston hosted AIDS Walk 2018 and Rock the Walk on Allen Parkway and at Sam Houston Park. Pictured are JJ Simmons, Derrick Shore, and Kelly Young.

On March 9, the LGBTQ Victory Fund hosted its 2018 Houston Champagne Brunch Kickoff at the home of Annise Parker and Kathy Hubbard. Pictured are Annise Parker, Emily Hammell, Bryan Hlavinka, Jani Lopez, Sallie WyattWoodell, Bryan Cotton, and Seth Schermer.

On March 10, the Diana Foundation hosted its 65th Annual Diana Awards at the Hilton Post Oak Hotel. Pictured are Brian Teichman, Miss Richfield 1981, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, and Dan Maxwell.

On March 11, Kevin Beganud and David Riddle hosted a brunch to benefit the Provincetown Film Festival. Pictured are Kevin Dunn, Barbara Radnofsky, Ben Rybeck, Evan Choate, Jeff Peters, and Steven Duble.

On March 11, Neon Boots hosted a Celebration of Life for Norman Salvado. Pictured are Jerry Atwood, Sharon Montgomery, Tommy Lee Bradley, George Armstrong, Julie Link, Ricky Comeaux, and Glynda McGinnis.

On March 16, the Montrose Center hosted Bringin’ In the Green 2018 at the home of Glenn Dickson and Justin Liendo. Pictured are Justin David Dickson, Glenn Dickson, Tom Seymour, Kennedy Loftin, Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan, Bob Burress, and Meleah Jones; and (kneeling) Marco Tapia and Brian Tapia-Sacum.

On March 21, the Executive & Professional Association of Houston hosted its Spring Social hosted by David Alcorta and Marcus de Guzman. PIctured are Israel Mejia, Froi Flores, Sebastien “Mr. D” Boileau, Guzz Jensen, David Alcorta, and (in front) Liza Carlos.

On March 22, MATCH hosted the Alantude 2018 Spring-Summer Fashion Show. Pictured are Shelby Peach, Debbi Griffith, Alan Gonzalez, Lanny Griffith, Sandra Gonzalez, Hannah Griffith, and Roland Maldonado.

On March 24, OutReach United hosted OutReach Goes Vega at Jaguar Central Houston. Pictured are Brittany Cartwright, Jason Stewart, and Gary Wood.

162 APRIL 2018 | OutSmartMagazine.com

On March 26, the League of Women Voters hosted a Repast Luncheon at the Junior League of Houston. Pictured are (back row) Grace White of KHOU Channel 11, co-chair Mary Benton, co-chair Lindsay Taylor Munoz, co-chair Ernie Manouse of Houston Public Media, and co-chair Aimee Bertrand; and (front row) Carla Cisneros, Amanda Edwards, Brenda Stardig, Ellen Cohen, and John Palmer.

IN 2017, MORE ANTI-LGBTQ BILLS WERE PROPOSED IN TEXAS THAN ANY OTHER STATE. IN 2018, WE’RE FIGHTING BACK.

VICTORY FUND HOUSTON CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH 2018

Sen. Tammy Baldwin

Sunday, May 6 | 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. | The Ballroom at Bayou Place Featuring Mayor Annise Parker & Keynote Speaker Senator Tammy Baldwin!

The Victory Fund Houston Champagne Brunch brings together over 400 prominent members of the Texas LGBTQ community, business leaders, elected and endorsed officials and Victory supporters from across the region. Join us in supporting Victory Fund’s efforts to recruit, train and elect openly LGBTQ leaders at all levels of government.

Tables available at victoryfund.org/houston or call Emily Hammell at 202.567.3318 Senator Tammy Baldwin is appearing at this event only as a featured speaker. Senator Tammy Baldwin is not asking for funds or donations. OUTSMARTad1-2018-Tammy.indd 1

3/26/18 1:28 PM

HAPPY

ANNIVERSARY OUTSMART! from BRUCE W. SMITH, DDS and SAMUEL A. CARRELL, DDS

Cosmetic, Reconstructive and Preventive Dentistry for Adults since 1981 SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT SOON

1 0 0 6 MISSOU RI STREET HOU STON, TX 770 0 6 7 1 3 . 5 2 9 . 4 364 | BRU CESMITHD D S.COM

BEST DENTIST