She Magazine—Aug15

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DIRECTOR’S CHAIR Not long ago, I spent some time in a round table discussion with a group of lesbian media professionals. In the course of discussion, what some would consider a ‘controversial topic’ came up. Leaving the discussion, I promised to bring this topic to you for your feedback.

A recent survey showed that the majority of lesbians say that they are more likely to support a business that advertises to the lesbian community than one that does not. The thought process being that if a business goes out of its way to support lesbian media, lesbians believe it’s the company’s way of saying, “We support you and welcome you in our establishment.”

Speaking strictly as a consumer, I am one who agrees with that position. If, as a business, you sink your money into something that benefits my community’s media, I am far more likely to go out of my way to sink my money into your business.

The controversial part of the issue comes with the question, “What if we’re talking about a gay or lesbian owned business?” Meaning, are we more likely to spend our money with a gay or lesbian owned business, just because it’s gay or lesbian owned, even if that business doesn’t support our community’s media? I don’t mean ‘support’ in terms of writing a check for a charity function or hosting an event. I mean ‘support’ as in helping to pay for the free magazines and newspapers you love to read or the shows you love to listen to or watch on the internet.

Hypothetically, if a straight club decided to have a lesbian night and the owners said, “We don’t need to advertise because once the lesbians find out we’re here for them, they will just come because they will be glad they have somewhere to go,” would we, as a community, or you as an individual, support that club?

My guess is that you are shaking your head, rather than nodding. But, do we apply a different standard to gay or lesbian owned businesses? Do we patronize gay or lesbian owned businesses even if they are also saying, “I don’t need to advertise because once the queers know I am queer too they will just be glad to have a queer place (or service) to go to?”

I’ll be honest. Looking back at my 33 years of ‘out’ life—several of which were before I had anything to do with the media—when I was ready to buy a house, I went to a real estate agent, an attorney and a mortgage broker whose ads I had all seen in a lesbian publication.

My last three cars were purchased from dealerships that advertised to the LGBT community.

Both the beer and vodka I drink come from companies who have advertised in our publications. No matter how much I loved the artist, I never saw a gay or lesbian-oriented concert unless I had seen or heard an advertisement about it in a LGBT publication or radio show. And I wouldn’t have watched even one episode of Orange is the New Black if Netflix had not put its money into our media. I’ve put a huge chunk of my ‘disposable income’ into companies that I know are willing to reciprocate and give some of my money back to something that directly benefits me through my community’s media.

Across this country, there are countless LGBT publications, as well as radio and internet shows that rely solely on advertising to the support production costs that keep them free for us to enjoy. By no means are we, as media professionals, saying that you should not spend your money with businesses that don’t advertise. We’re just encouraging you to think about it and give us your feedback.

See you next month!

Tina Sordellini Managing Executive Editor

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MANAGING EXECUTIVE EDITOR Tina Sordellini PUBLICITY DIRECTOR SHE ESPAÑOL EXECUTIVE EDITOR Maria Espinal ASSOCIATE EDITORS Marissa Cohen • Shawn Nicholson Denise Warner • Donna Solomon-Carter CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Marissa Cohen •Verónica Espinal The Village Sage • Tina Sordellini Denise Warner CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Verónica Espinal • Yadira Claralt Shawn Nicholson • Angie Sowers Juan Saco Mironoff • Boi-Photography SALES ASSOCIATES Maria Espinal • Marissa Cohen ads@shemag.com DISTRIBUTION JR Davis • Randy Justice SUBSCRIPTIONS www.shemag.com EDITORIAL OFFICE 6511 Nova Drive, #173 • Davie, FL 33317 954.354.9751 office info@shemag.com • www.shemag.com facebook

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SHE: WOMEN OWNED. WOMEN OPERATED. WOMEN EMPOWERED! The ideas and opinions expressed in She Magazine do not necessarily reflect opinions of Shemag, L.L.C., She Magazine, or of editors or staff. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization should not be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of that person or organization. All advertising subject to approval by She Magazine. She Magazine/Shemag, L.L.C. is not responsible for unauthorized use or copyright infringement as present in camera ready, client provided ads, nor is it liable for any loss or suit arising from submitted advertisement, copy, photography, or artwork. Reproduction of She Magazine, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of Shemag, L.L.C.

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in this issue

august 2015 / volume 17 / issue 7

20

16 features 12 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE The conference will be the first major national gathering of LGBT advocates and supporters since the Supreme Court marriage decision.

16 MELISSA FERRICK “...it doesn’t matter where you’re from, what your sexual orientation is, what you do for a living, what your ethnicity is—women are women, and we all have a lot in common.”

20 Key West Womenfest “Womenfest has a variety of events to please every visitor and Key West is full of adventures. “ 27 VAREKAI “A dormant volcano, a mystical forest and an ancient prophecy... the adventure of Icarus begins when Varekai, Cirque du Soleil’s latest arena touring production, descends from the sky...”

she espaÑol 24 NOTICIAS 25 SOY MUJER

photos 04 SHE SCENE

departments 06 DIRECTOR’S CHAIR 10 MULTIMEDIA 14 IN THE NEWS 22 SHE GIRL 26 GOOD READS 30 SCOPES

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>> READ OUR FREE DIGITAL EDITION AT WWW.SHEMAG.COM

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multimedia

with marissa cohen

Jill Scott’s fifth studio album, Woman, showcases her ability to swing from 60s style R&B to blues and self-empowering lyrics.

The sixteen new tracks are cool and rich with emotion and depth, much like Scott herself.

From the sassy and sharp “Closure” about a last fling with an ex to the lovelorn and gorgeous “Fool’s Gold,” which turns pain into joy, the album is brilliant. The sixteen tracks even include a spoken word track and the upbeat “Run, Run, Run.” Available now.

The movie is Ricki and the Flash, but can we please call it what it is? Streep Sings Springsteen with Rick Springfield; Looks Rocker Chick with Hippie Braids! Meryl Streep is amazing as an aging rocker. Chemistry a-bounds with her real life daughter and Kevin Kline as the family she once abandoned. This movie has plenty to recommend but let’s face it. We’ll all pay good money to watch Streep wailing on an electric guitar—and it will be worth every cent. With Audra McDonald. Out August 7.

Most of us hated camp. The bugs. The sunburns. But in Netflix’s Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, camp ain’t just a row of tents, as the saying goes. It’s 1981 in First Day of Camp. Amy Poehler and Bradley Cooper and all your other super-funny favorites, revise their roles from the original Wet Hot American Summer and this prequel series is wacky and hilarious. With Molly Shannon, Elizabeth Banks, Janeane Garofalo, Aisha Hinds.

The seventh album from British jazz artist Joss Stone is indeed Water for Your Soul.

It’s her first album since her 2011 release, LP1 and her 2012 collection of covers The Soul Sessions, Vol.2. Producer Damian Marley inspired Stone’s reggae sound, and she fuses it with eclectic-hip-hop, and even Irish fiddle.

“The Answer” dropped in June as the first single and it’s fantastic. Go get it! It’s available now.

Surely queer cinema angels sang over Grandma, the quirky dramady staring Lily Tomlin as lesbian poet Elle, who signs up to take her grandkid for an abortion. Ever-fabulous Laverne Cox is Deathy the tattoo artist, a former buddy of Elle’s. This is not a drill: Lily and Laverne are in a tattoo parlor together. Forget your Red Hat club and cookies, grandma. After this, all that’s rainbow and wonderful will be measured in this feminist, so-sharp-it-hurts look at female relationships. Out August 21.

Check out Killjoys on Syfi (Fridays, 9 pm), about three bounty hunters who make their cash by chasing deadly criminals through the Quad, a system that’s in danger of being destroyed altogether by a multi-planetary war, fueled by class warfare. Hannah John-Kamen plays Dutch and she’s exactly what you’d want in a witty, gun toting bounty hunter. Killjoys is from the producer of Orphan Black, so fans of that award-winning show will love Killjoys.

NOT TO BE MISSED: Retromix: Madonna, Centaur Music’s album is a tribute to the iconic legend with new remixes of her biggest hits spanning four decades. From “Vogue” to “Causing A Commotion”, “Frozen” to “Ray of Light”...You’ll love this new dance Madonnathon!

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feature

LGBT-certified business owners from around the world will meet in Fort Lauderdale, FL this month to reflect on an unprecedented year of advancement as the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) presents its 2015 International Business & Leadership Conference. The milestones include Apple CEO Tim Cook announcing he is gay to the U.S. Supreme Court decision affirming marriage equality in all 50 states.

Also, for the first time at NGLCC, the CIA will serve as a sponsor. The CIA has developed a strong working relationship with the NGLCC since 2012. The CIA seeks to be an employer of

Part of the 2015 Conference Keynote & Plenary Speakers include: • Suze Orman, who USA Today has called “a force in the world of personal finance” and a “one-woman financial-advice powerhouse.” • Speaking on Wednesday. Aug 12th at 12:15pm-1:45pm • Richard Quest, CNN’s foremost international business correspondent and host of “Quest Means Business.” • Panelist on Thursday. Aug 13th at 4pm-5:30pm • Jonathan Capehart, Washington Post columnist and MSNBC commentator. • Panelist on Thursday. Aug 13th at 4pm-5:30pm

choice for the LGBT community, and sees the NGLCC as a key partner in these efforts.

The conference will be the first major national gathering of LGBT advocates and supporters since the Supreme Court marriage decision. Attendees take part in three days of symposia, panel discussions, development seminars, and special events designed to generate business opportunities and build strong relationships with corporate champions and one another.

• Sally Hogshead, personal branding expert • Speaking on Wednesday. Aug 12th at 9am-10:30am The NGLCC Biz Competition will involve LGBT entrepreneurs from three companies who will be selected to give their best 15-minute presentations on their company, a new or existing product, market, or other innovation with the purpose of gaining valuable feedback from an expert panel of angel investors, venture capitalists and other business experts.

“This has been a momentous year for the LGBT movement. That is why it is so important to keep the momentum going and continue to push forward,” says Justin Nelson, president and co-founder. “NGLCC and our allies will keep urging Congress to enact the Employment Non Discrimination Act, which would ensure the well-being of America’s diverse and innovative workforce.”

The conference, which will be held Aug. 11—14 at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, will be the largest LGBT business development event in the world. The welcome reception, presented by host affiliate GFLGLCC (Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce) will take place at Gallery of Amazing Things at 6pm. On Thursday, Aug. 13th at 6:30pm the NGLCC will present its Hero’s Reception, an evening of celebration and recognition as we honor special guests Dennis and Judy Shepard with the first ever NGLCC Hero Award for their work with the Matthew Shepard Foundation. This award was established to recognize outstanding LGBT and allied leaders for their commitment, courage, brave deeds, and noble qualities. The Shepard’s are the perfect recipients for this inaugural celebration. Conference is set to conclude on Friday, August 14th at 1:30pm.

The NGLCC is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global not-for-profit advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT owned businesses.

For a full list of events, registration and more, visit them at nglcc.org/nglcc15

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in the news GLAAD and DignityUSA call on Pope Francis to meet with Catholic LGBT families

Williams Institute Scholar Testifies at Constitutional Court in Colombia

marriage equality, according to the Public Religion Research Institute. The Catholic Church’s teaching and pastoral practices on LGBT people, however, often cause “an enormous pastoral crisis, as well as upholding systemic, institutionalized discrimination against LGBT people and our families,” the letter states.

On July 30, Prof. Nan Hunter, Associate Dean at Georgetown Law and Williams Institute Distinguished Scholar, testified at the Constitutional Court in Bogota, Colombia (South America). An expert on matrimonial law, Hunter was invited to testify at a hearing to decide whether to extend equal marriage rights to same-sex couples.

This hearing follows years of litigation by same-sex couples seeking marriage equality in Colombia. In 2011, the Constitutional Court issued a decision recognizing the equal rights of same-sex couples to civil marriage. The Court, however, stopped short of ordering government agencies to issue marriage certificates. Instead, the Court ordered the National Congress to enact legislation, setting a deadline of June 20, 2013. The Court’s ruling provided that if the Congress failed to act by that deadline, same-sex couples could have their marriage solemnized by act of a notary.

As news outlets across the globe prepare to report on the Pope’s upcoming visit to the United States, GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, and DignityUSA, the nation’s foremost organization for LGBT Catholics and their supporters, called on Pope Francis to meet with Catholic LGBT families during his September 22-27, 2015 visit to the United States.

In a letter sent to the Vatican this week, the organizations wrote: “Many LGBT people and family members have experienced a resurgence of hope for full acceptance in our Church as a result of your words and reports of personal meetings with LGBT people. We see your visit to the U.S. as an opportunity for you to hear from us how central our faith is to our lives, and to work together towards creating a Church where all families know that we are truly loved and welcomed.

Currently, our Church’s teaching and pastoral practices surrounding LGBT people are causing an enormous pastoral crisis, as well as upholding systemic, institutionalized discrimination against LGBT people and our families. In the U.S. and around the world, we are experiencing alienation from the Church, higher rates of poverty and violence, and discrimination in employment, housing, educational opportunities, and access to health care.”

Approximately 60% of Catholics in the United States, of diverse backgrounds, support

Twenty-eight additional organizations and individuals co-signed the letter calling on the Vatican to address the compelling pastoral need for healing and reconciliation for LGBT members of the Catholic Church.

The letter was mailed directly to the Vatican in advance of the Pope’s September 2015 visit to the United States.

Additionally, GLAAD will soon release “Reporting on Pope Francis & LGBT People,” a resource guide for journalists covering Pope Francis and his upcoming visit to the United States. The guide provides the best practices and story ideas, a timeline, and prominent statements about LGBT people from Pope Francis and U.S. bishops.

what she said about...

“This is a historic moment for transgender people.

Everyone deserves to live, learn, work, have a home, shop in stores, and participate in society without discrimination, and the majority of Americans agree. This bill is especially important as it comes on the heels of unprecedented public attention on trans lives. Despite that, trans people have faced record rates of violence--just this week, we learned of the 10th trans woman of color murdered in 2015. For trans people, equality is a matter of life and death. Congress must understand this urgency as they work toward passing this landmark legislation...

This is the bill the LGBT community needs.”

Mara Keisling

National Center for Transgender Equality Executive Director Applauds Introduction of Equality Act on July 23, 2015.

“This Court must now decide whether each individual’s right to equality and dignity can be properly protected in any way other than by granting access to civil marriage. The Court in its prior decisions has already recognized the equal dignity of gays and lesbians,” Hunter noted.

“Waiting for the National Congress to act is not a neutral of even-handed resolution: It is a decision to continue the denial of the recognition of equal dignity for all persons.”

Hunter points out that the Colombian Constitution recognized not only equality but the fundamental right to dignity.

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VotinG hAS BeGUn For 3rD AnnUAL PinK FLAminGo AwArDS PreSenteD By LGBt ViSitorS center WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED ON SEPTEMBER 24

The first round of voting for the 3rd Annual Pink Flamingo Awards has begun and will continue through August 21st. Presented by the LGBT Visitors Center located on Miami Beach, the Pink Flamingo Awards honor people, places and organizations that have demonstrated a level of excellence in the South Florida community throughout the year. Voting is conducted online at www.

PinkFlamingoAwards.com, with winners to be announced at an entertainment extravaganza at the Miami Beach Convention Center on September 24th.

The entire community is invited to participate in the nomination and voting process, with the first round consisting of open nominations for favorites in each of 21 categories.

The top five vote-getters in each category will become the official nominees, with a final round of voting to begin on August 28th.

Vote for your favorites in the following categories: Hotel Resort, Boutique Hotel, Restaurant – Fine Dining, Restaurant – Casual, Chef, Drag Queen, Fundraising Event – 1 Day, Fundraising Event – Weekend or Longer, Singer/Band , Nightlife Destination, Dance Club, Local DJ, Bartender, Media Personality, Miami Attraction, Retail Store, Gym, Spa, Promoter, Nonprofit Organization and Local Hero.

“The Pink Flamingo Awards party is the quintessential commemoration of ‘Community Celebrating Community,’” said Lori Lynch, Executive Director of the LGBT Visitors Center. “It’s not only an opportunity for the community to honor those who serve or entertain them year ‘round, but also to put the ‘fun’ back in fundraiser. This year’s awards celebration will include lots of surprises, making for an evening to remember.”

The 3rd Annual Pink Flamingo Awards dinner attracts more than 500 attendees, including high-profile community influencers, political leaders and members of the South Florida business community.

For additional information, including voting, sponsorship opportunities and tickets, go to PinKfLaminGoaWarDs.com or contact Lori Lynch at lori@gogaymiami.com

saVe To honor foUr of soUTh fLoriDa’s YoUnG ProfessionaLs aT Their LUminaries aWars On the evening of Thursday, August 20, SAVE will honor four of South Florida’s brightest young professionals working towards a more equal future for South Florida’s LGBT community at the Bacardí headquarters building in Coral Gables, FL. It’s been such an amazing year for equality, and none of these advances would have been possible without young leaders like our 2015 Luminaries fighting the good fight at the front lines of the battle for equality.

THE 2015 LUMINARIES OF EQUALITY ARE: A.J. BLECHNER, for his tireless dedication and long-term commitment to SAVE’s transgender prejudice reduction initiative.

FATHER GREY MAGGIANO, for his unwavering commitment to LGBTQ equality as a value of the faithful in his role as Associate Rector at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in downtown.

JESSICA FERNANDEZ, for her innovative efforts to grow support for LGBTQ equality in South Florida.

NADEGE GREEN, for her highly accessible and carefully-sourced coverage of developments in the local LGBTQ equality movement, as well as her reporting on the plight of queer Americans in general, as an award-winning journalist and producer for the Miami Herald and WLRN.

What to do, Where to Go oUT of The shaDoWs through Aug. 30 • 7-9 PM Stonewall National Museum/Wilton Manors Gallery • 2157 Wilton Dr. • Wilton Manors stonewallnationalmuseum.org israeLi DancinG WiLTon manors through October 1 • 6pm-9PM Hagan Park • 2020 Wilton Dr. Wilton Manors The 2015 nGLcc inTernaTionaL BUsiness & LeaDershiP conference August 11-14 • Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa 3030 Holiday Drive • Fort Lauderdale FL nglcc.org/nglcc15 cirQue du soleil: VareKai Aug. 12 - 23 • BB&T Center 2555 NW 136th Ave, Sunrise, FL cirquedusoleil.com/Sunrise

macK PoWer miXer business & social netWorKinG Aug. 14 • 6:30pm - 9pm Scarfone’s Coal Fired Pizza 2160 Wilton Drive • Wilton Manors, FL $10 / cover • mackplanet.com cUsTomer serVice chamPion ProGram Aug. 14 & 28 • 9am - 12pm LGBT Visitor Center 1130 Washington Ave. • gogaymiami.com Pridelines masQuerade ball Aug 15 • 6:30pm - 8pm Cocktail Hour and Silent Auction 8pm - 11pm Dinner, Dancing/Presentations Biltmore Hotel • 1200 Anastasia Avenue Coral Gables, FL 33134 pridelinesmasquerade.com

PoVerello boWl-a-thon Aug 15 • 11AM - 3PM Sawgrass Lanes • 8501 N University Drive Tamarac, FL 33321 • poverello.org The GreaTer fT LaUDerDaLe G & Lcc 4Th memBer neTWorKinG LUncheon Aug. 25 • 12pm - 1:15pm Dapur Asian Tapas and Ultra Lounge 1620 N. Federal Hwy. • Fort Lauderdale gflglcc.org african WarDroBe fesTiVaL Aug. 29 • 12pm African-American Research Library 2650 NW 6th St. • Fort Lauderdale africanwardrobefestival.org Dine oUT LaUDerDaLe Sept. 1 - Oct. 12 various restaurants • sunny.org/restaurants

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by denise warner photos by Shervin Lainez

on the cover

Melissa Ferrick is back with a brand new, self-titled, original album, which she made with the help of her very loyal fans. This interesting, unique concept allows her to get direct input from them.

Gone are the days when a label executive tells her what she needs to do. She’s listening to YOU now and it’s FANtastic! I recently had the pleasure of discussing the process, in depth, with the musician, herself.

This newest album, your 12th original album, 18th overall, has a very different feel to it. It’s a solo effort, just a girl and her guitar and it’s so raw and powerful. Was that the intention?

Yeah, and so, I’m really happy with it. It felt so much more like me. I think the song writing is getting stronger and stronger. I recorded this at home, so it’s me at home, recording and playing everything. I’ve been listening to some of my favorites on vinyl and I knew that was a sound I was going for. That layered vocal sound. I even went back to some of my early stuff, some of my first few records and

listened to them. I could hear how...almost... “wanna-be commercial” they sounded. Even the pictures—how posed I was. That’s not me.

I actually disliked it. So, if you notice, even the new cover, it’s just a simple black and white photo, no words, no text. I’m wearing my own clothes. My sister did my hair and quote unquote “make up” and it’s just me. Ya know? (laughs) Just me. What a concept, right?

How interesting that you went back and listened to your own older stuff. Is that the first time you’ve done something like that?

Delved into the past?

Yes. Yep. I’ve never done that before. I sat

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Get social with melissa @melissaferrick /melissaferrick

upstairs and spent time listening to “Massive Blur” and “Willing to Wait” and “Everything I Need” and I also listened to “The Other Side” because that’s one of the few records I made by myself. So, I thought, I can do this better now. I’m a better producer, a better engineer.

I even went back and looked at what the most downloaded songs were, to see what the fans liked best, what albums had done the best— and oddly enough I saw that “The Other Side” was one of the most popular with the fans and it’s the one I did all by myself. That really resonated with me and I ended up making the decision to do this, again, by myself, not through crowd funding, or Kickstarter but through a fan-based website that I started myself. The money comes directly to me through PayPal and it’s member based—so I could throw up demos, music, pictures— and get these couple hundred people who pitched in $100 or so a person, and get their actual input on everything and I could take it or leave it. It was really cool. It’s a great way to do pre-production. It’s a LOT of preproduction, a lot of thinking and getting a lot of advice and direction from the people who are the ones that are helping to get it made.

Well, it’s really paid off. The songs are incredible. I love “Elephant”— it’s so soothing (for lack of a better word). Like, soul soothing, really.

Oh, thank you! Thanks! That means a lot.

It’s funny you said that, because I’ve never put an instrumental on a record before and it was actually my father’s idea. I had three other songs, but they just didn’t fit this particular record, ya know? I had a song called “Baltimore” that’s up on my YouTube site and two others—and who knows, I may record them and put them out eventually, but for this one, it wasn’t the right feel. I was struggling a bit about it and my Dad was like, “Why not just do an instrumental?” and it was so bizarre. I was like, “Yeah, why not?!” and it’s so perfect. It fits right in the middle of the record so effortlessly—and because

on the vinyl that I’m pressing, which comes out in September, it ends side A, just like an instrumental should. The night before we were going to masters, I was up there in my little home studio. I must have listened to it four times in a row—and I kept wondering what I could add to it, playing different instruments. Without changing anything at all, I just looked at my girlfriend, Alicia, and said, “It’s done, that’s it. Just like that. It’s done,” and she was like, “It’s beautiful just the way it is,” and it really is.

I agree. I feel like it creates the perfect fluidity in the whole album.

Yeah, the changes in that song are just so subtle. It’s such an A, B, A, B song but like a happy accident, really, that when I was recording it, the delay pedal actually got stuck on the A change and that forced me to find the downbeat. I left it in because, hey, happy beautiful mistake or whatever it was, it made the song—the guitar part so airy and full. I mean the whole album is performances.

It’s completely unedited, so I was like, “Well, that’s what happened there,” and it’s really kinda neat.

You’ve re-launched your own label, Right On Records. How does the business side of things work with the creative side? Is it a cohesive blend or do you have to keep it separate?

I have to keep them really separate. Usually.

When I opened up the MelissaFerrick. com site to having a place where you can click on a spot within the “Music” section to become a member and commit to an annual donation, it was also explained as it being a platform for the fans be able to communicate, contribute, and fully engage with me in the total process of making this record. My friend Ashley wrote the code for it. It’s a business partnership

and we have big plans for it moving forward, but in 2014, it was a way for me to make the record myself based on what my fans, who are like producers, sort of, wanted to hear.

My goal was to get 300 people to donate annually, and I got 200, so that’s really good.

If you do the math, it comes out to $20,000.

That’s exactly what funded the making and pressing of this album. So, it’s not a lot of money and that drove the business decisions that A.) the record would have to be made at home, and it feels way more indie and way more real, which is cool because that’s what I wanted, too. It’s not in a sound proof studio that’s costing a fortune and it’s also lending to the realness of the sound I wanted. And B.)

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“I don’t want to be tied to 2003. I’ve changed a

lot since then.

It’s been twelve years...”

It’s also allowed me to press vinyl, which is really expensive but with this membership driven process, I was able to get that feedback—and know that vinyl was what they wanted. So, in a way, having something funded this way, collecting the input of the people who are going to be buying the final product, working with a budget, knowing I had vinyls to press and a certain amount of CD’s —those business decisions had an impact on the creative side a bit, but in a good way. I’ve learned over the years that those are the decisions you should be making before you record an album! (laughs) “Maybe don’t spend 30 grand on studio time that you only have so much of --and will have to pay off the debt with interest over a gazillion years!” I guess, with age comes wisdom, right? So, like I have a new record coming out in a couple of weeks and I’ve already recouped! I’m not in any debt. This is what I’ve learned over the years, to approach things more conservatively, make smarter business decisions, and in a way, it lends to the creative process overall, not having that stress and debt. It means not having a publicist that costs four grand a month, utilizing my fan base to help spread the word, schedule my own things, use my social media. It’s a different way of doing things and that’s okay.

I love that you really use the input from your fans. From the music, to the photos, you really listen to them and they’re really invested in the project. I mean, as a fan, you’re so connected to the project and that’s so cool.

Exactly, yeah. Even after the first photo shoot for the album, there were a bunch of shots that hadn’t even been edited yet and I threw ‘em up on the site and was like, “From favorite to least favorite, what do you like best?” so I got to see what images they liked the most. So, it’s like they’re executive producing it, or as I call it they’re A & R, like in the old days, a label would send over an A & R guy to work with you, and it’s like one guy—who doesn’t even know you, that’s supposed to guide you—and you know what? There are no rules today. Why can’t I have 10 or 100 or a couple thousand A & R people telling me what they like? So, it’s pretty cool and what do they get for it? They get the music they want, for free...okay, well for their annual donation, they get exclusives, they get the music first, before it’s released to the public, they get bonus tracks, new mixes, remixes, they get songs no one else has. The only way I can do that is because I own the songs. I own the masters and I want to do this for them.

You’ve learned so much over the years. Tell me about the biggest changes in your life over the past few years and how they’ve affected your music making process, like how you’ve evolved.

Probably just like not trying to fit in. Ya know what I mean? Like, the older you get you realize “I don’t need a LOT of friends, just good ones,” and like, I don’t have time for drama and that kind of stuff. It’s a beautiful thing and I can transfer that exact thing into my art. I can

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retire “Drive” for a while, and just have some songs out that aren’t hard rocking, head banging. That’s not really what I’ve been writing now, and not for a while, really. I don’t want to be tied to 2003. I’ve changed a lot since then. It’s been twelve years. This is my choice. I know that there are always going to be people in the audience shouting “Drive!” If I don’t feed into it, maybe it’ll change. I don’t know. Maybe they won’t come. And I guess that’s okay. Maybe it’s not their thing and they don’t like it. I mean, it’s all new to me, too, kind of, but I have to do what I feel like doing and this is it.

Do you find your music is reflective to where you are at this point in life? I feel like with the kind of fans you have, they’re interested in knowing this side of you, too.

There is an element of ...reflectiveness...sure, but, what’s happened with this record, and it’s going to sound crazy, but remember, I wrote these songs a while ago. Basically, what I see is not so much that they’re reflective, but they’re kind of predictive in a sense that what I wrote about then is happening now.

Like...I didn’t even know I was writing about it, because I wrote “Scenic View” in December and “Careful” in January, so it’s been a while.

“Scenic View” is the perfect example, it was about my life and not feeling accepted and then a month ago—same sex marriage gets passed in all 50 states. That’s kind of what’s happening, like the Caitlyn Jenner thing, things are slowly being accepted...and so I play it and the bridge means something so different to me now. So it’s reflective, yes, but in a way, I’m fore-telling my own growth and our progress.

Does it feel like a lot of pressure when you decide to record a completely solo effort?

It’s a total creative relief, because I know that I like it.

You mentioned that you recorded this at home, I read. What’s it like to record at home with all kinds of distraction versus in a studio?

Oh, it’s way easier for me to work from home and I love it. I love that I can work as much or as little as I want. I mean, when you’ve booked studio time, you’ve got to get your work done, you’ve got a deadline. I mean, it’s costing you $1000 a day in a studio, you’re working 12-14 even 16 hours a day, getting minimal sleep, and the creative process suffers, there’s no room to breathe. So, when I work from home,

it’s great. I mean, yeah once in a while, I’ll putz around to the last minute and work 20 hours straight, but my studio is on the third floor, there’s a bed in there, a window. I like that I can go downstairs, make a fresh cup of coffee, check my email, catch a little television. I live in the downtown area, so I can even walk outside and go to a cafe. My parents can call and say, “Come on over for dinner” and I can go. I’m not restricted and getting away—even just for a few minutes—means I can reset and get back up there and knock something out.

I love making my own schedule especially because there’s days when I might feel like I’m playing like crap or I’m not in the mood.

So what? I’m not paying for studio time. So, there’s no pressure. I mean, a record takes longer to make, that’s for sure. I guess, you can look at it two ways: if you’re in a studio, you have a deadline and it has to get done.

This way, I can take my time. But, I could set a deadline for myself and stick to it, if I have to.

This just works better for me.

You’ve got a very cool side gig teaching at Berkeley. What’s it like seeing all that up and coming talent?

I do! First of all, the students are a reason to do it. But I mean, it’s an institution, with a hierarchy and I have a boss, which I’ve never really had. I had no formal training for this, so I was green when I first started! I’ve been doing it for five years now and the great news is my boss is this woman named Bonnie Hayes, and she’s an incredible song writer.

She wrote “Love Letters” and “Have a Heart” for Bonnie Rait on Nick of Time. She really does understand me and respect me She knows who I am and she knows my career. I feel way inspired about music and the music business. The level of songwriting that’s going on with these students is amazing. It’s crazy, these kids can’t believe that I know Jeff Buckley. They’re like “What do you mean— you did a Tower Records tour with Evan Dando?!” They make me feel like I’m cool (laughs) and they turn me on to these really

great new bands! At 44 years old, I don’t think I’d be on top new bands and what’s out there now. I use their songs as examples rather than my own. So I get to hear it all. I’m like “Play me the best bridge you’ve heard or the best chorus you’ve heard this year,” and it’s exciting. I’m so psyched about it. There was a time that I was stretching myself way too thin and it impacted my music, my tour schedule and my health, but I’ve worked it out so I could have a better schedule to fit my life. I mean, I’m in a totally crazy good relationship right now, there are kids involved, and things are really great. I’m only working the spring semester. It’s a bi weekly schedule. In the summer, I’m the artistic director of the five week singer/songwriter division and that’s enough for me right now. They are so good to me at Berkeley. I get continue my own education, to finish my degree, be with my family, record my music. Yeah, maybe my touring schedule gets reduced a little, but I can do online concerts nowadays, like from my backyard, or my living room and somehow that’s just got to be enough.

Your LGBT fans are such a huge and loyal bunch. Anything you want to say to them?

Yeah, I mean I love them and the whole trans fan base, that’s growing so much. You know, I took a lot of slack for playing Michigan Music Fest. I’m so...it’s made me feel so....conflicted and confused. I made a pretty prolific statement with the help of my friend Alix Olsen. I said that I’m playing Michigan to honor the women who came before me. That’s why—for me personally.

I mean, I’ve played venues and clubs all over the country and I may not have agreed with the politics of the promoter or managers but I don’t NOT play a certain bar because of it. I’m going to play the gig, fill it with queers and we’re going to have our night there. Of course, I believe in equal rights for all human beings, but I guess I feel a little misunderstood about that whole thing. I mean, I played that festival to honor the women who went through so much and fought so hard to be able to BE themselves and...Look, I’m not in charge of making the festival rules. I can only tell you I was invited to play and why I chose to play it. It’s a tough thing, but there are bigger and much more offensive things and corporations to boycott than a festival that’s been making a space for women for 40 years. I mean, I’m excited that there will be something new that comes of it, a closing of one chapter and a look ahead to another. I only hope I’ll get asked to play again.

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feature

Nothing makes a summer hotter than Key West Womenfest and this year’s event promises the hottest end of summer event yet! Key West Womenfest 2015 starts Thursday, Sept. 10 - Sunday Sept. 13, 2015. Womenfest has a variety of events to please every visitor and Key West is full of adventures. If you identify as lesbian, bi-sexual, gay, transgendered, straight or any other letter under the rainbow you will feel welcome all over the island, Key West celebrates “One Human Family” as its city motto.

Thursday, Sept. 10th is the Womenfest kick-off party at Aqua Nightclub from 5pm-8pm.

The world famous 801 Girls will be performing drag at 9pm & 11pm at 801 Cabaret on Duval St. $10 cover. Aqua hosts Lipstick & Ties night with DJ Frenchie starting at 11pm, ties and/or lipstick encouraged. No cover.

Friday, Sept. 11th Alexanders Guesthouse will be hosting the Beach Bunny Party at Higgs Beach. Expect beach volleyball, paddle board rentals, a party DJ, prizes, and give-aways.

The beach party starts at noon. The beach also

provides showers, grills & chair rentals.

Friday evening, the Gardens Hotel will

open their majestic courtyard & Wine Galley to host a wine tasting at 5:30pm with discount on wine purchases. Starting at 9pm, at 801 Cabaret, Frenchie hosts the 2nd Annual King of Womenfest, Drag King Pageant with special guest and renowned King, Spikey Van Dykey. Tickets are $20 at the door. Afterwards, head to Aqua Nightclub for the “Get Lei’d Party” with Miami’s top DJ Citizen Jane.

No cover.

Saturday, Sept. 12th kicks off with a mustache ride, The Southernmost Tattoo Mustache Ride. This is a community & family friendly event and bicycle parade that begins in the city’s center, Bayview Park and ends at the rainbow crosswalks in downtown Key West. Show off your best mustaches as you cruise the local streets of Key West along with the Key West Micro DJ Trike. Bring your bike or rent one while in Key West. Registration is $15 with a free T-shirt for the first 25 registrants. Registration begins at 11am and bike parade sets off at 12pm. The parade ends downtown at Bourbon Street Pub’s Annual

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Womenfest Pool Party 12-4pm. Pool party hop to Alexanders Guesthouse with a Hip Hop Pool party featuring DJ Frenchie, 4-8pm, drinks, music, & give-aways. The $10 cover benefits Womankind, women’s health care facility.

Saturday Evening highlights also includes a Fury sunset sail with sexy singer/songwriter, Jennifer Corday. Pre-book your tickets online, the catamaran departs at 6pm and returns at 8pm. Saturday night, Bourbon Street Pub hosts the tantalizing Key West Burlesque in a special WomenFest show featuring Florida’s top burlesque performers.

Tickets are $20 at the door, show starts at 10pm.

Sunday Sept. 13th rejuvenate yourself with beats & eats. DJ Frenchie hosts Old School Brunch at Point 5 on 915 Restaurant. Brunch starts at 10 am. 801 Bourbon bar will be hosting karaoke downstairs starting at 4pm and Gay Bingo upstairs with QMitch at 5pm. Bingo is $5 or $10 with prizes galore. The All-star Aquanettes, Reality is a Drag, shows nightly 9pm Aqua Nightclub on Duval with $15 cover.

Daily land & sea activities will also be happening during Womenfest. Nomadic SUP will be providing paddleboard trips. Sunset Watersports has daily water adventures and sunset sails. Take a stroll through the Key West Butterfly Conservatory and experience the beauty of Mother Nature. Venus Charters offers personalized fishing charters, snorkeling or that romantic trip you have always wanted on the water.

These are just a few adventures to experience; stop in at the Key West Business Guild at 513 Truman Ave for the complete guide! Key West Womenfest 2015 will have you making new friends, meeting up with old ones and creating new experiences. womenfest.com

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SHE GIRL

becca // st. petersburg, fl // virgo

photos by boi-photography.com // more at www.shemag.com

Relationship Status: Single Dream Girl: A stylish, soft stud Dream Job: Business Owner My occupation: Entertainer Turn-ons: Good hair, smile, eyes, sharp dresser Turn-offs: Possessive behavior.

Sensitive Body Part: Lower back.

My Best Quality: Reliability and empathy my mother thinks i: March to the beat of my own drum Secret Fetish: BDSM I have a weakness for: Pie and doughnuts I like to wear: Absolutely nothing If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?: Mind reading to know exactly what someone is thinking to get what I want.

What breakfast cereal best describes you?

Fruit Loops If my life were made into a movie, my part will be played by: Olivia Wilde most memorable date: My girlfriend took me on a 7-hour drive to see my best friend before I went into the military.

Celebrity’s butt I would most like to squeeze: P!nk The cartoon character I am most like: Bugs Bunny The strangest place I’ve ever been naked: In a Figure Drawing Class French Fries, French Vanilla, French Toast or French Manicure? French Fries If you could change your name, what would you pick? Maxine My greatest accomplishment: Moving across the country alone I first kissed a girl at the age of: 21 The last thing I listened to on my Ipod was: BB King The weirdest thing I ever ate was: Spider My favorite TV show: Parenthood If I could have one wish granted, I would wish: To be financially secure in life with my soul mate.

My favorite flower: Tulips I just won a million dollars. The first thing I am going to do is: Pay off my student loan My coming out was: Somewhat forced. My mom caught me in a lie.

If you were to become an activist in the LGBT community, which organization would you choose: Human Rights Campaign, because I like what they stand for.

I think the LGBT community needs: Unity My favorite quote:

“I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints. The sinners are much more fun.” –Billy Joel she 22 08.15

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noticias Repercusión de la invitación del Papa Francisco a SOMOSGAY en medios nacionales e internacionales Durante la visita del Papa Francisco a Paraguay este pasado mes de Julio, la invitación a Simón Cazal, co-fundador y director ejecutivo de SOMOSGAY— una organización que se estableció legalmente hace seis años para luchar por los derechos de las minorías sexuales de Paraguay—para la reunión de representantes de la sociedad civil, fue noticia a nivel nacional e internacional, ya que es la primera vez que existe un acercamiento del Papa a una organización LGBT. “Creo que es la primera vez que ocurre algo así”, afirmó Simón. “Es la primera ocasión que la iglesia local y el Vaticano invitan a una organización LGBT participar de este tipo de programa“, reconoce con orgullo el activista.

Este encuentro se realizó el 11 de julio en el Estadio León Condou a las 4:40pm y la invitación fue realizada a través de la Conferencia Episcopal Paraguaya, quienes reconocen el alto impacto de SOMOSGAY en la sociedad paraguaya.

El enorme impacto de este hecho se vio reflejado en la prensa nacional e internacional. Reconocidos medios de prensa como The Wall Street Journal, portales italianos como Italintermedia il Giornale y Euronews, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, The Advocate, y varios de países como Japón, Alemania, Turquía, Argentina, Brasil. La cadena CNN también brindó una cobertura especial en la sede del Centro Comunitario LGBT en Asunción.

En un programa especial, producido y transmitido por Telefuturo llamado “Francisco, el papa de todos” y conducido por Menchi Barriocanal, activistas católicos de SOMOSGAY hablaron sobre la invitación recibida para participar del encuentro del Papa con las organizaciones sociales, además hablaron de su experiencia de vida desde la fe y como sus familiares luchan día a día contra la discriminación.

Organizaciones LGBT festejaron cinco años de matrimonio igualitario en Argentina El miércoles 15 de julio a las 7PM en la “Sala de Representantes” de la histórica Manzana de las Luces, 100% Diversidad y Derechos y la Comunidad Homosexual Argentina (CHA) festejaron los 5 años de la aprobación de la Ley de Matrimonio Igualitario con un acto donde las parejas renovaran sus votos matrimoniales, reafirmando su amor colectivamente.

Las organizaciones sostuvieron que festejaron que “cambiamos la historia de nuestro país para siempre, que ahora las leyes nos reconocen como iguales en dignidad y derechos” y recordaron que festejaron “porque la alegría y el orgullo de ser quien cada uno/a es fueron y seguirán siendo la mejor respuesta política frente a la discriminación y la exclusión”.

A cinco años de la sanción del matrimonio igualitario desde la CHA y 100% Diversidad y Derechos informaron que al acto fueron especialmente invitados los organismos de derechos humanos, para reconocer y agradecer su lucha que nos permite hoy disfrutar de esta democracia que avanza en el reconocimiento de más y mejores derechos.

Cuba se convierte en paraíso turístico para la comunidad gay En medio del boom turístico que está experimentado Cuba, la isla se perfila como destino para la comunidad gay, donde ya funciona la primera agencia de viajes online especializada en recorridos turísticos diseñados especialmente para el colectivo LGTBI. Los pioneros en este negocio han sido los responsables de Mi Cayito Cuba, una web intermediaria entre la “iniciativa privada cubana gay friendly y los clientes en el resto del mundo”, según contó a EFE su director, Alain Castillo, un cubano residente en Madrid.

“La isla tiene un gran potencial como espacio de convivencia. Estamos abiertos a todos, creemos en un espacio libre y tolerante donde el respeto es valorado“, asegura este joven emprendedor de 35 años que quiere la mejora del colectivo LGBTI en su país.

A pesar de ser una sociedad machista, en Cuba ya se notan avances en cuanto a los derechos y la manera en que se ve a la comunidad LGTBI.

Mi Cayito (en la costa este de La Habana) es el nombre de la que probablemente sea la única playa gay de la isla, por lo que Castillo pensó sería buena idea denominar así a su empresa, que funciona desde agosto de 2014 con una oficina virtual en la capital española y representantes en La Habana.

Los destinos más populares entre los usuarios de Mi Cayito Cuba hasta ahora son La Habana, Viñales, un paraíso verde situado en la occidental provincia de Pinar del Río; y la playa de Varadero, señala Castillo.

El sitio web solo está disponible en español y ofrecen servicio de guías personalizados que llega a costar hasta 120 euros (unos 132 dólares). Otras opciones a las que acceden los visitantes son las listas de alojamientos en varias ciudades de la isla y vehículos.

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SOY MUJER

CON verónica espinal

TRANSformando Opiniones Como ya me cansé de ser “políticamente correcta” y no decir lo que pienso sobre la ya no tan reciente entrevista de Bruce Jenner, y de quien ahora es Caitlyn Jenner, es que decidí escribirlo en mi columna.

Si merecía o no el premio, si se está aprovechando de la fama de otros, si lo hace por publicidad o no, es algo que yo no puedo corroborar al cien por ciento basándome en los escándalos de los medios y de la forma en que ellos lo presentan. Sinceramente, no creo que sea así. Lo que me molesta es la cantidad de comentarios negativos en las redes sociales, y sobre todo aquellos que vienen de algunos miembros de la comunidad LGBT. Aunque no son la mayoría, realmente no concibo la idea de que un hombre o mujer gay diga algo negativo después de haber vivido en carne propia las dificultades o inseguridades por las que pasamos al salir del closet y previamente aceptar nuestra orientación sexual. Y si para una mujer u hombre que es gay puede ser difícil, no me puedo imaginar cómo puede ser para un hombre o mujer transgénero, y peor aún cuando se es una persona pública. ¿Cómo diablos se le ocurre a alguien que Caitlyn Jenner puede hablar y aceptar su identidad ante el mundo por publicidad?

De todas formas, si quieren criticar a Caitlyn Jenner…perfecto, pero también deberían de criticar a quienes llegaron antes que ella y que han aceptado públicamente su identidad de género. He aquí una muestra.

Vamos a empezar por la que es considerada la primera estadounidense en hacerse la operación para cambiar su género: Christine Jorgensen quien se hizo la primera de tres operaciones el 24 de Septiembre de 1951 en Dinamarca y fue una sensación al regresar a Estados Unidos en Febrero de 1953 (por obvias razones). Aunque se convirtió en vocera de transexuales y transgénero de esa época, Christine escribió una serie de 5 artículos a los

que tituló “La Historia de Mi Vida” (The Story of My Life) y fueron publicados por la revista The American Weekly en 1953. También se grabó un LP con una entrevista de 51:42 minutos con Christine grabada en New York el 26 de Noviembre de 1957 y salió a la venta en 1958 bajo el sello J Records. ¿Para qué incluyo esta información? Aunque me parece fantástico que haya tenido tanta publicidad, ¿de verdad crees que no recibió dinero por esto al igual que lo puede recibir hoy en día Caitlyn Jenner? Y si fue así, ¿cuál es el problema?

Si vamos a criticar a Caitlyn, vamos también a criticar a Chaz Salvatore Bono, músico, actor y activista LGBT e hijo de la famosa Cher. No se te olvide que, entonces Chastity Bono, salió del closet como lesbiana en 1995 y luego escribió su primer libro, Family Outing, en 1998, donde contaba su historia como mujer gay. En el 2003 escribió otro libro.

Luego, en Junio del 2009 su publicista confirmó que estaba llevando a cabo su cambio de sexo, de mujer a hombre. Yo no recuerdo haber leído comentarios negativos sobre por qué primero dijo que era lesbiana y luego dijo otra cosa. Chaz completó su transición en Mayo del 2010 y en el 2011 se estrenó su documental Becoming Chaz en el festival Sundance y se transmitió por OWN, el canal de cable de Oprah Winfrey. Después de eso, ha publicado dos libros sobre su transición. ¿De verdad crees que no recibió dinero por sus libros y su documental al igual que lo puede recibir hoy en día Caitlyn Jenner?

Menciono también a Jazz Jennings, una jovencita transgénero de 14 años quien ha sido muy afortunada de recibir el apoyo de su familia. Jazz, quien vive como niña desde sus 5 años, se dio a conocer en el 2007 durante un especial de 20/20 y su entrevista con Barbara Walters. Jazz también se ha convertido en activista LGBT llevando una ventana y esperanza a los pre y adolescentes quienes se consideran transgénero. Pero Jazz también escribió su libro infantil, I am Jazz. En el 2011 se transmitió un documental, I Am Jazz: A Family in Transition por el Oprah Winfrey Network. La compañía Johnson & Johnson la contrató para comerciales de una de sus líneas de productos. El pasado mes de Julio se empezó a transmitir su programa reality, I am Jazz, en el canal de cable TLC. ¿De verdad crees que sus padres no han recibió dinero por su programas, su libro y ahora su documental al igual que lo puede recibir hoy en día Caitlyn Jenner? Hello!

Las personas públicas no pueden hacer algo que no sea de manera “pública”. ¿Por qué? Porque el desafortunado morbo es el que da rating, y tú y yo lo consumimos. Punto.

Cualquier persona puede criticar a quien quiera, pero en este caso y sobre todo viniendo de la misma comunidad LGBT, antes de criticar a Jenner acuérdense de los jóvenes que se han quitado la vida por temor a las consecuencias, por temor “al que dirán” y a las “criticas” de otros. Antes de criticar, acuérdense de los hombres y mujeres que hoy en día prefieren no salir del closet por temor a las críticas; a esas mismas críticas que tú y yo en algún momento quisimos evadir, pero tuvimos el valor de enfrentar.

Hablo de estas personas con todo mi respeto y considero que de la forma que escojan, están aportando a TRANSformar opiniones. Para concluir...de ser tú una figura pública, ¿hubieses pasado todo eso sólo por publicidad?

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GOOD READS

BY MARISSA COHEN

TOO LATE…I LOVE YOU by Kiki Archer Connie Parker is a would-be novelist, struggling through her relationship with her boyfriend and spending all her time with her three year old and her gay best friend. Suddenly, a chance meeting with Maria, the local Amal Clooney look alike, has Connie realizing that love doesn’t always show up where you expect it. Kiki Archer does U.K. lesbian romances like no one else. Too Late…I Love You is the queer answer to rom-com classics like Notting Hill, only with more toddlers. This one is sexy, fun, and adorable, with a twist that’s truly clever. Pick it up before the summer’s over.

IMOGENE’S ELOISE by Marguerite Quantaine Essayist and blogger Marguerite Quantaine’s first novel isn’t just a love story between the titular characters; it’s a queer romp through the New York of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Quantaine’s Imogene is crisp, clever, and just quirky enough to embark on a wild goose chase to find the gorgeous woman she met the night before.

She’s racing against time, because the mysterious Eloise is only in town for the weekend. Their fated affair, based on a true story, is backlit by a broad cast of queer characters, each with their own unique tale. This is a sort of East Coast Tales of the City, done with Quantaine’s own saucy humor and delicious writing. Fabulous, heartbreaking, funny, historically accurate – just a few words I’d use to describe this genius debut. This will become a classic; buy it now.

THE GREAT WHITE STORM by Whitney Hamilton Hamilton’s follow-up to her Civil War epic Firefly is The Great White Storm, a magical queer tale about time, love, magic, and the nature of existence.

Three couples wrestle with fate. Among those couples is one-time rogue and painter Richard Rhys and his heiress wife Victoria, who struggle to survive the great New York blizzard of 1888. Through a twisting of time and space, their paths cross with two modern day women: Ashley, a southern-born female painter and Chelsea, the arts writer who comes to interview her. Guided by the mysterious Ansa, each couple must fulfill a unique destiny. In Hamilton’s strange, mystical New York, all time is porous. Similar in scope to Mark Helprin’s classic Winter’s Tale, The Great White Storm is currently being discussed for film.

The Knot, the multiplatform wedding resource, released its third annual LGBTQ Weddings Study and The Knot LGBTQ Edition digital magazine. The LGBTQ Weddings Study surveyed more than 1,200 LGBTQ singles or couples who were recently married or engaged and planning a wedding to uncover spending habits, trends and traditions that couples are embracing or adapting to bring their wedding vision to life. The issue is available now on TheKnot.com, and a 10-page insert of the edition is printed in The Knot Summer 2015 weddings magazine.

The Knot LGBTQ Wedding Study has revealed that 95% of couples surveyed refer to this occasion as a wedding, as opposed to a commitment ceremony or civil union, up from 82% in 2014.

Additionally, 96% of couples do not think of their wedding as a “same-sex wedding” but a wedding. Of the people surveyed, 70% said they are walking down the aisle; men are nearly three times more likely to walk down the aisle together, whereas women prefer a friend or family member escort. Half of couples have a friend or family member officiate their wedding ceremony, and the most popular reception venue choices are restaurants, friends’ or family members’ homes, and historic buildings.

The featured celebrities on the cover of The Knot LGBTQ Edition, Lance Bass and husband Michael Turchin, exemplify a personalized wedding and many of the trends revealed in The Knot LGBTQ Weddings Study.

See more at THEKNOT.COM

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feature

PHOTOS: John Davis ©2010 Cirque du Soleil

VAREKAI DESCENDS from the skies

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 155 million spectators in more than 300 cities in over forty countries on six continents.

A dormant volcano, a mystical forest and an ancient prophecy... the adventure of Icarus begins when Varekai, Cirque du Soleil’s latest arena touring production, descends from the sky and into the BB&T Center for 15 performances from August 12-23, 2015! Tickets range from $40 – $100.

Deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano, exists an extraordinary world...a world where something else is possible. A world called Varekai.

The story of Varekai begins as Icarus, a solitary young man, falls from the sky and lands in a lush, wonderous world called Varekai.

Parachuted into the shadows of a magical forest—a kaleidoscopic world imbued with fantastical creatures—Icarus takes flight in an adventure both absurd and extraordinary. At the edge of time, in a place of pure and undiluted possibility, begins an inspired incantation to a life rediscovered and to a newly found wonder in the mysteries of the world and the mind.

The word Varekai (pronounced ver•ay•’kie) means “wherever” in the Romany language of the gypsies, the universal wanderers. Directed by Dominic Champagne, this production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to those who quest with infinite passion along the path that leads to Varekai.

The show includes stunning costumes by Eiko Ishioka and numerous acts that will make you gasp and applaud, including the gorgeous single point trapeze, aerial straps, clown shtick and powerful Russian swings. If you’ve never seen a Cirque du Soleil show before, this is a great opportunity to become hooked. If you’re already a fan, then Varekai will not disappoint.

For more information visit cirquedusoleil.com.

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AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 19 You’ve been hitting the floor running, busy, busy every day, whether working or playing, going until your battery runs out. Now is a good time to stop and consider what or who needs some of your attention. How you interact within relationships of all kinds could use some fine-tuning. Try to treat everyone the way you want them to treat you. Not out of sight, out of mind.

leo July 23 - aug 22 You have five planets visiting your sign, empowering you to go forth and conquer! It will feel as if a switch was flipped and with a mighty SHAZAM, all of your super powers are back. Use them to reinvent yourself yet again, this time using them more wisely.

Confront obstacles with immediate action to overcome them, rather than old pattern of pretending to be oblivious to the obvious.

pisces feb 20 - mar 20 The planets are giving you permission to stop thinking so hard about the future. Just enjoy being in the here and now, doing your everyday tasks. Adopt a go along to get along attitude. This should include gratitude for what you do have, even as you strive for better. By month’s end, many restrictions to future planning will have lifted.

virgo aug 23 - sept 23 Focus inward now, as the planets urge you to stop skimming the surface of past issues. Instead, take the time to do a deep dive into your most private and guarded feelings. Find the courage to face your truth and your fears. Release old negative patterns. By the 11th you need to be ready to rock into a great new year full of happiness, achievements and success.

aries mar 21 - apr 20 You have lots of opportunities to enjoy summer fun in the sun, as long as you don’t forget your responsibilities. The world will keep spinning if you stop spinning. Figure out how you can work more efficiently and get the job done faster. This is a good time to make a realistic budget of your cash flow and your time.

libra sept 24 - oct 23 The planets are rewarding you with a hall pass from your everyday “to do” lists, in order to enjoy a very social summer. Allow yourself vacation days in the middle of the week and indulge your hedonistic self.

Give yourself quality time with yourself. Have a dialogue with your inner voices. Identify what you can do to enjoy more, rather than less.

taurus apr 21 - may 21 You’re focused on making improvements to everything in your life, including yourself, your interactions with your family and your current financial situation.

Be open to opportunities to gain the cooperation of all involved. Make every effort to compromise when necessary. Be positive that solutions to every problem are possible, so be flexible.

scorpio oct 24 - nov 22 The planets are providing much needed relief from the tensions caused by your crazy work schedule of the past few months. You will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Quiet the critical voice in your head in order to truly appreciate what you have. Be critical of your own performance to assure success of the next phase.

gemini may 22 - june 21 You are torn between having a good time and having more fiscal responsibility. The good news is you can do both. Don’t overspend, overdo, or over promise, not only your money, but your time as well. Past issues and people will make themselves known and you will have to deal. Being sarcastic is self-defeating.

sagittarius nov 23 - dec 21 You’re about to enjoy a positive change in the direction your career and your finances. The subtle changes you’ve been making will become apparent to one and all as you break out of the rut you dug for yourself. The adventure of a lifetime is waiting for you to take a chance. Risk having everything you ever wanted.

cancer June 22 - july 22 The planets are empowering you to finally address unresolved issues and now is the perfect time to negotiate positive resolutions to negative situations.

Pay special attention to your finances and your plans to increase your immediate cash flow. Your career can soar now. Make sure you don’t choose the known without checking out the unknown.

capricorn dec 22 - jan 20 You have the opportunity to make right what went wrong in important relationships, both in your personal life and in your career. Your finances are also in need of some attention. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the fruits of your labor, the appreciation of your friends and family and well deserved down time.

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