October 2014 by The Vital Voice Magazine

th HARMONY

W NONNA AND THE BIG NOISE

FRIDAY, NOV 7 | 8 PM EVENT CENTER $44.50 – $77.50 Visit RiverCity.com, Ticketmaster.com, or call 800.745.3000. Concert is subject to change or cancellation without notice. Valid ID required. ©2014 Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

AD thevitalVOICE.com

Advertisers at a glance Pinnacle (River City) 2 Rehab Bar & Grill 3 Nutri-Site 6 Fabulous Fox Theatre 7 St. Louis Art Museum 8 Regional Arts Commission 8 Curbed KC Real Estate 12 Planned Parenthood 12 Just John Night Club 16 St. Louis Science Center 18 Hilton President KC 18 Immerse by Atlas 18 KC Convention & Visitors 30 Bistro 303 31 Midwest Mortgage Captial 31 Walter Knoll 31 Pam Schneider 36 Hilton President KC 36 Choice Art 38 Forsyth Dental Group 38 MO History Museum 38 AARP 40 Body Brite 47 Clear Channel 50 Lumiere Place Hotel & Casino 51 St. Louis Science Center 52

25K Issues Printed Monthly 400+ Points of Distribution throughout the St. Louis and Kansas City area Vital VOICE is your premier

LGBT publication and reaches a diverse readership from thoughtful leaders and young thinkers to trendsetters in culture, entertainment and beyond.

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Darin Slyman

dsly@thevitalvoice.com

Associate Publisher/Director of Marketing Jimmy Lesch jimmy@thevitalvoice.com

Art Director Andrea Piamonte andrea@thevitalvoice.com

Content Manager Brent peterson brent@thevitalvoice.com

Communications Assistant sam sanchez sam@thevitalvoice.com

Staff Writer Chris andoe chris@thevitalvoice.com

Staff Writer Hanna botney hanna@thevitalvoice.com

Staff Writer Denny patterson denny@thevitalvoice.com

Contributors

Photography: Ma Petite Enterprises, Berkley Books, Isabella Vosmikova/Syfy,

Jordin Althaus/Syfy, Jonathan Barbe, Hayden Andrews, Chris Andoe

Writing: Brent Peterson, Andrea Piamonte, Hanna Botney, Penelope Wigstock,

Denny Patterson, Chris Andoe, Nikki Vogel Design: Andrea Piamonte, Sam Sanchez and Shana Dollinger Social Media: Sam Sanchez, Mallory Olwig and Dylan Boyer

Advisory Board

William A. Donius, Thom Halter, Jay Perez, Pam Scheider, Kellie Trivers and Sharon Tucci

Online

thevitalVOICE.com facebook.com/VitalVOICE twitter.com/VitalVOICEmag youtube.com/TheVitalVISION instagram.com/VitalVOICE

Contact

Vital VOICE Magazine

4579 Laclede Ave #268 St. Louis, MO 63108 VitalVOICEmag@gmail.com St. Louis: 314.256.1196

Advertising

vv@thevitalVOICE.com

October 2014

October 2014 | Volume 15 | Issue 10

Table of

Contents

4. advertisers at a glance 7. publisher’s letter 9. Tami Miller from Immerse 13. Face Off Star Drew Talbot

17. When walls talk 20. Laurel K. Hamilton 22. Voice Your Choice St. Louis Winners

32. Voice Your Choice

Kansas City Winners

37. National Coming Out Day 41. Penelope Wigstock — Local Choice Awards

42. STL playdates 44. KC playdates 46. Scene on Instagram 48. scene in KC 49. scene in STL

26. On the

Cover

Exclusive: Behind the scenes with 2014 VMA’s Artist to Watch winner, Fifth Harmony. Cover photo exclusively for Vital VOICE courtesy of Epic Records

Stay Connected with us thevitalVOICE.com

Avoid those â&#x20AC;&#x153;you looked better from across the roomâ&#x20AC;? moments!

Improve Your Vision Naturally www.getMacuTab.com 6

October 2014

publisher’s Letter

DID YOU

VOICE OIC I E

YOUR CHOICE?

Welcome to the resurrection of VOICE Your Choice, our Reader’s Choice Awards. Several months ago, Associate Publisher Jimmy Lesch found a back issue from 2002 that was titled VOICE Your Choice. After hours of figuring out how we could modernize this same concept and allow you to vote for the best things in St. Louis and Kansas City, it was an obvious solution to take it all online. We are very proud to announce that over 15,000 votes were cast in 30 days — a great turnout for our first time in a digital format for VOICE Your Choice. The experience of reviving VOICE Your Choice has been so much fun. Jimmy and I called the staff together to brainstorm what categories we should feature. Of course, the obvious ones like Favorite Gay Bar and Favorite Drag Queen were right at the forefront of our list. We all wanted to expand our LGBT horizons and really look at the different aspects of our lives. Things like Favorite Brunch and Favorite Non-Profit Organization came to mind. This year, we settled with 13 different categories for St. Louis and 12 categories for Kansas City. The winners for VOICE Your Choice

can be found on page 22 for St. Louis and page 32 for Kansas City. Next year, we will continue this list and hope to expand VOICE Your Choice by adding more categories. For example, I could easily see adding the category of Favorite Real Estate Company for the LGBT community. If I had to vote today, the winners would be Pam Schneider of Coldwell Banker Gundaker for St. Louis, and Ashley Kendrick, Courtney Beaumont and Sandra Irving of CurbedKC Realty for Kansas City. If you have a suggestion for a category, please feel free to email your ideas to vv@thevitalvoice.com We are very thankful to all who voted and we congratulate all the winners of this year’s VOICE Your Choice.

Darin Slyman Publisher/CEO

YOU’LL HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE. THE FOX THEATRE

OCTOBER 21 - NOVEMBER 2

314-534-1111 or MetroTix.com

thevitalVOICE.com

Atua: Sacred Gods from Polynesia is a National Gallery of Australia exhibition. Presenting partner Australian Government International Exhibitions Insurance (AGIEI) Program, Major partners the Gordon Darling Foundation and Qantas Freight and Qantas.

October 12â&#x20AC;&#x201C;January 4, 2015

This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. Additional support has been provided by Christieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Financial assistance has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

Explore this groundbreaking exhibition of the most important Polynesian sculptures in the world in its only US venue

SLAM.org/Atua Vital Voice Oct Atua ad hori.indd 1

October 2014

Aotearoa (New Zealand); Warrior Chief Te Rauparaha, fixed in his canoe, c.1835; wood, traces of red ochre; 17 1/8 x 19 11/16 x 12 13/16 in. (43.5 x 50 x 32.5 cm); National Gallery of Australia, Canberra 9/16/14 3:58 PM

Tami Miller

immersed

in style WRITTEN BY Chris

Andoe PHOTOGRAPHED BY Hayden Andrews

thevitalVOICE.com

lumbing fixtures are the jewels of the home,” says Tami Miller, Business Development Manager for Immerse by Atlas. Immerse is St. Louis’ only “live” plumbing showroom where you can actually step into a working therapeutic shower and try it out. “We sell more than a faucet. We sell a piece of art. People don’t realize this, but in Europe, people take their kitchens with them when they move and the kitchen faucet is considered a family heirloom.” There’s nothing like talking to someone who’s at the top of their game and the impeccably put together Miller is knowledgeable and inspired. Living with her partner Lisa high above the bustling streets of the Central West End, she centers herself while looking out her floor to ceiling windows. “It’s different in a high rise because there’s so much light, and you’re looking at the sky all the time,” Miller says. At only 18, Miller obtained her real estate license; a year later, she became a licensed appraiser, but decided she wanted to pursue kitchen and bath design instead. To do that, she’d have to pay her dues and work her way up, which she did. With the solid reputation she earned, Miller was the obvious choice when Immerse by Atlas decided to bring their “live showroom” concept to St. Louis, something you would previously have to travel to Chicago to experience. Miller says that people are bringing the spa experience home. “Car Wash” showers have taken a back seat to therapy. “Therapy is in,” she explains. “Steam, essential oils, sound, light, aromatherapy, and chromotherapy – sometimes called color therapy. Red, for instance, is an invigorating color.”

October 2014

Other trends include the return of gold tone finishes, oil-rubbed bronze fading, mixed metals and free-standing tubs. Hotels make great clients because guests often become interested in Immerse’s products there. “People fall in love at hotels,” she explains. “We have a luxury illuminated mirror line in the Four Seasons, for example, and guests decide they want those mirrors at home.” A nice percentage of her business also comes from the LGBT community. “The LGBT market likes to be treated well and they tend to take care of themselves,” she says, stressing that her products aren’t just for affluent people. “We can fit all price points. Unique doesn’t equal expensive.” There is also more to fixtures than style or pampering – some can immeasurably improve one’s quality of life. “Jason’s micro-silk technology can stimulate hair in cancer patients,” she says. “It cleans without soap or oils, instead using ionic bubbles, exfoliator and cleanser.” Miller says another example is the Toto Bidet Toilet Seat: “It’s a heated seat that washes, dries and deodorizes, meaning someone who’s elderly or handicapped can use the restroom without assistance. It gives people their dignity back.” V

thevitalVOICE.com

A $500 DonAtion Will Be MADe to tHe AiDS Service FounDAtion oF greAter KAnSAS city For eAcH cloSing tHrougH tHe MontH oF AuguSt WHen Mentioning vitAl voice

cHArtWell reAlty

HelPing clientS MAKe tHe rigHt Move

ProuDly Serving tHe glBt coMMunity AnD All coMMunitieS Since 2001

October 2014

Sandra IrvIng aShley KendrIcK courTney BeaumonT curBeDKc@gMAil.coM

816-877-8222

Inhuman Creatures in human places

t o lb a T w re D r ta s ff O e c Fa molds monsters out of men Written by Brent Peterson Photography by Isabella Vosmikova/Syfy

Monsters and creatures have long been a staple of the Halloween season. Kids dress up like vampires and werewolves, teenagers drag their friends to haunted houses and adults put up skeleton and ghost decorations around their homes. Although the Halloween season comes and goes for most of us, there are those who stay in that frame of mind. Drew Talbot is a competitor on Season 7 of the Syfy reality

show Face Off. The show focuses on a cast of aspiring â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and established â&#x20AC;&#x201D; makeup effects artists, all competing for a shot at glory with their grotesque creations. Hailing from St. Louis and being the only gay man in the cast, Talbot has had a successful run on the show this season. He chatted about ghouls, ghosts and why wearing pants is important. thevitalVOICE.com

How long have you been doing makeup like this? I started messing around with effects makeup when I lived in St. Louis in about 2009. I worked for The Darkness there. It was always something I was really interested in. Even as a kid, I would set up really terrible haunted houses and make my parents go through them and act like they were afraid. I’d go to the beauty store with my mom and buy those styrofoam wig heads, and then use Play-Dough like modeling clay and sculpt monsters on top of the wig heads. I really started this when I was little, without realizing what I was doing. From working at The Darkness and working with haunted house makeups and stuff, I realized this was something that I really enjoyed and wanted to pursue. From there, I started researching schools for special makeup effects to see where I could go to do this for real.

Where did you attend school? I went to the Tom Savini School of Special Makeup Effects at the Douglas Education Center in Monessen, Penn., which is in the middle of nowhere, outside Pittsburgh.

The show’s theme this season is Life and Death. Do you personally feel more comfortable with the death aspect? Yeah. In the first episode of the season, we had that sudden death elimination where they told us we weren’t on the show yet. The room was split in half between life and death, and I knew I had to run to the death side. I like the creepy aspects of creatures and monsters. I’ve always been drawn to the creepier, scarier creatures over the cutesy, happy creatures.

Did you watch the Judge Match episode? What judge do you think did the best job and which was your favorite look? 14

October 2014

I really liked watching that episode. I really wish the judges judging the judges were a little harsher on them, but I really enjoyed Neville’s designs (he had the Pawn and the Bishop). I really enjoyed those designs out of all of them, but my favorite makeup out of the group was probably either the Pawn or Ve’s Evil Queen. It’s really funny watching them do what we did. I was critiquing them from home and it was like, “Oh, Glenn made a totally mask-like makeup.” That’s something that they yell at us about constantly – it can’t be a mask. The actor has to act through it. You can’t cover up your whole actor in a makeup because then, they’re not in there anymore.

What makeup has been your favorite to do? It’s hard picking favorites because it’s sort of like a parent picking their favorite child. I love them all so much, even my poor, sad yellow alien. I really loved the witch. Even though she fell short on the Wonderland aspect, I still feel like it was a beautiful makeup. Working with George on that challenge was awesome. I loved the MonkeySquirrel on the individual level. I haven’t decided what to call that thing yet. FoxMonkey? MonkeyFox? It was less creepy and more into the fantasy realm, which is a way I like to go sometimes too.

This show is different than other shows because there is very little drama between cast members. Why is that? There is lots of swearing and yelling, but it’s not because we’re angry with each other. It’s because we’re… degenerates, I guess! [Laughs] No, it’s a different kind of group of people. It’s a different industry. It’s a competition, but out in the world, we’re artists. I think we’re all rooting for each other because we’re all artists, so when we come on the show, even though we’re in competition with each other, I don’t think anyone has the mindset that they’re gonna try to sneak around and

shark each other or stab each other in the back.

You seem pretty close with all your castmates. Are there any eliminations where you feel that the judges made the wrong call? That’s a really hard question to answer. The short answer is, “Yes.” Without throwing anybody under the bus and saying, “It should’ve been this person instead of this person,” I feel like Barry [Mahoney], who went home on the gangster’s challenge, went home too soon. Barry and I have been friends for years and actually went to effects school together. I know Barry’s work, and I know he’s capable of greater things than what people were able to see of him on the show. That was a bit disappointing. Vince [Niebla] has an Emmy in Makeup Effects. He has a deep background in makeup effects and he’s worked on major motion pictures and huge film and television projects. I was shocked that he did not last longer than he did. When I first got there and we started learning more and more about each others’ backgrounds, he started revealing more and more. I was like, “Oh, shit! This is someone we’ve gotta watch out for. He’s got a freakin’ Emmy!” It just didn’t play out that way.

Any tips for people that may want to get a little creative with their Halloween outfit this year? Don’t be afraid to be ugly. If you’re afraid to be ugly, you’re limited by what you could do. I think that’s why so many people go as “Sexy Cat” or “Naked Batman.” It’s sort of like in Mean Girls when she shows up to that Halloween party and she’s the only one that’s dressed up. She wasn’t afraid to be ugly and she was doing her. I love Halloween because it’s a time that everyone can test themselves and see how far out of the box they can go. I think that’s the most fun part.

Have you gotten any kind of support from the LGBT community specifically?

“Unfortunately, I think there’s a gap between what people think gay people are and what we really are.” I think that a large part of my fan base is gay and lesbian people, which feels amazing. It’s my community. Support from my own community just feels awesome. I like being a positive figure in that community. I’m not saying I’m the Rosa Parks of gays or anything, but I’m achieving my own level of success. I think that on any level, not only in the LGBT community but the world at large, it’s important for people to see gay and lesbian people who are creative, intelligent, successful and chasing their own dreams. Unfortunately, I think there’s a gap between what people think gay people are and what we really are.

Were there any other gay cast members? I was the only gay man. Stella is gay, if you couldn’t tell by her short haircut! [Laughs] She and her wife have been together for years and years. I wouldn’t say this if I didn’t think that Stella was comfortable with talking about it herself, but she was a little standoffish at first. After we all started to get to know each other, she was out and proud about it.

Where would you like to be in five years? What would be your dream job? I think my conception of a dream job has changed over the years. I’m moving to LA in November, and my short-term goal is to get a job in an effects shop. I want to work in an effects shop with other people that have been in this industry longer than me and are more successful than me. Long term goal, I really wanna be an on-set makeup artist for film or television. Ideally the best of both worlds would be working at an effects shop in the prosthetics department,

and then being one of the select few that get to go to set with the prosthetics or creature suits and apply and pain them on set.

What’s an effects shop? It’s a business where creature suit or the prop body parts, or where the puppets, animatronics or prosthetics – anything that falls under the “special makeup effects” umbrella – are created. That’s where they’re sculpted, molded, painted and put together. From the shop, they’re sent out to where they need to be. A lot of the shops are located in LA, and from there, the stuff shipped to wherever the film is shooting.

What part of the process do you think is your strongest? I definitely feel like application is my strongest point. Application is the part of the process where you have a prosthetic and you have a face, and you have to get the prosthetic glued on the face. After it’s glued, it has to be seamed, which means the edges of the prosthetic has to be blended into the skin so that it becomes undetectable. That’s one of my favorite parts of the process, and I think it was one of my advantages on the show. I am able to pull off application really successfully, really quickly.

What would be your favorite monster to do a reboot and design all the makeup for? Well first of all, I would love to do all of them. That’s so hard! You’re making me pick favorites again! I love vampires, so a reboot of Dracula – but I feel like that’s already been done with

Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The makeup effects for that are amazing. I’d like to do Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The classic Jekyll and Hyde story, but I’d like to redo them with a lot more darkness and a lot more digging into Jekyll’s psyche and where he’s coming from. I’d like to go more into how he’s able to transform into this creature, aside from scientific experimentation. My makeups for that would be really awesome.

Finish this sentence: “I can never leave the house without…” Oh God. I can never leave the house without… Pants! [Laughs] I didn’t wanna say the stupid shit like cell phone or keys or something like that. Pants! Pants are important. Some kind of clothing to cover the downstairs.

What is something that people are always surprised to learn about you? I used to wanna be an archaeologist. I was an Anthropology major for a long time in college, and I actually was an archaeological assistant on several digs for like two years. I’ve had a lot of really weird jobs.

anything else you’d like fans to know? The biggest thing I wanna stress whenever I have an outlet is how fortunate I feel about being able to be a part of [Face Off]. The impetus of me doing this was just to have a way to spring board my career and show people what I’ve got. If I can do these kinds of things under an insane time rush, hopefully people will start to wonder what I can do with a real amount of time. V

thevitalVOICE.com

October 2014

When Walls Talk The Confession Behind Plaster

Written by Chris Andoe Photography by Hayden

In the late 90s, State Rep. Steve Vossmeyer was renovating the grand staircase of his West End mansion when a shocking discovery was made under layers of wallpaper — a confession. April 3, 1902 Forest Park By the time you read this I’ll be gone. Paxton did murder Tyrese Simpson on April 3, 1902 in Forest Park Tyrese Simpson was a young girl and her case was never solved. In April 1902, the Westminster Place home was under construction and Earl Paxton was the plasterer. If his date is correct, he returned after the murder to write and conceal his confession, perhaps so he could boast about it from the grave. Realtor Gregg Williamson of Berkshire Hathaway HSA lives in the neighborhood and is familiar with the story. “I’m very interested the history of the houses in the West End,” he says. “I want to know everything I can about them and record that information.”

Andrews

When he listed this property, he needed to decide how to handle the confession on the wall, which had been framed. “I had an agent open house and asked for opinions,” he recalls. “It was unanimous that I leave it. It’s creepy, but it’s not like someone was murdered in the house, plus it is part of the history. ”When friends around the world ask about St. Louis, I tell them it’s a haunted old city. First of all, it’s built atop the ancient burial grounds of the mound building Mississippians, a tribe that created a mighty civilization that thrived on this land from A.D. 700 to 1400 A.D. and was larger than London in A.D. 1250, only to vanish for unknown reasons. It’s where the real story behind The Exorcist took place and it’s the home of the famous Lemp Mansion, where three members of the brewing dynasty committed suicide and are believed to haunt the property – one manifesting as a “stink spirit,” which engulfs some visitors in a putrid odor. It’s the kind of town where we find a murder confession under the wallpaper, frame it in crimson and list it as an amenity; where we entomb a favorite drag queen’s ashes in the old brick wall – as is the case with Midnight Annie at Clementines – so she can hang out with us in spirit. V

thevitalVOICE.com

REVEAL THE INVISIBLE SAINT LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS

PRESENTED BY

SMELLY

FEET? Find out why!

slsc.org/muwvital

October 2014

When Walls Talk The Cursed Cadaver Home

Written by Chris Andoe Photography by Chris Andoe

Although St. Louisans have a high tolerance for the spooky, there’s at least one property that strikes terror in the hearts of many familiar with it – people who claim it isn’t merely haunted, it’s cursed. At the corner of Lafayette and Louisiana Avenue, there is a house so feared, the only willing buyer was a collector of macabre properties. I learned about the story when a friend listed the house and spoke of its history of tragedy and misfortune. For instance, of three recent owners, one went bankrupt and two died during renovations. Built in 1898 for a doctor who studied sexually transmitted diseases, the basement was once used to conduct research on cadavers. In those days, cadavers were often the unclaimed bodies of the poor and mentally ill and some say that’s the origin of the curse. Of course, “curse” is in the eye of the beholder. The widow of one deceased owner told me she blames her husband’s death on cancer rather than a curse, but others aren’t risking it. A few years ago, a realtor, who told me that one deceased rehabber was only in his 20s, opened up the back door for me, but made it clear he’d wait outside. “I’ll open up the door but I’m not going in. It’s creepy as hell!” the agent says. I wonder if Paxton has secrets hidden in other homes around town, and I wonder what will come of the next person who attempts to defy the Curse of the Cadavers. Today, the forbidding house sits and waits, vacant but not unoccupied, in this haunted old metropolis where restless spirits still speak. V

thevitalVOICE.com

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY WRITER “The St. Louis author Laurell K. Hamilton discusses LGBT roles in her best-selling books” WRITTEN BY Denny

Patterson PHOTOGRAPHY BY Ma Petite Enterprises & Berkley Books DESIGNED BY Shana Dollinger

She may not be creepy or spooky, but her books will certainly give you a thrill. Many often wonder what’s behind the thought process of St. Louis’ very own paranormal and romance writer Laurell K. Hamilton. Known for her best-selling Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter and Meredith Gentry: Fairy Princess/Private Eye series, Hamilton takes readers on an adventure following the protagonists as they grow in power and deal with dangers of the world where legendary creatures and monsters live. There are currently more than six million copies of her books, and they’re available in over 16 languages. Hamilton chatted about Anita and Merry, in addition to some of her characters and choices with these LGBT themes. We see the good, bad, ugly and downright sexy.

What attracted you to write about the paranormal/thriller genre? I decided to write a book series that was hard-boiled detective fiction, horror and had real relationships – with everything that entailed – for character growth. When I first wrote it in the late 80s, and even after it was published in 1993, it was just mixed genre because the term paranormal hadn’t been applied to publishing yet. I wrote what interested me and what I wanted to read. In fact, the first Anita Blake novel, Guilty Pleasures, was rejected over two hundred times because no one knew what to do with something that was genuinely so many different genres. I 20

October 2014

got some of the best rejection letters and even had editors recommend me to other publishing houses, or other parts of their own house. Horror editors thought it was science fiction; science fiction thought it was mystery; mystery thought it was fantasy. No one ever considered it romance. I’m still shelved in horror rather than romance.

Why did you decide to base Anita in St. Louis, but put Merry Gentry in Los Angeles? I was living in St. Louis when I started writing the Anita Blake novel, so it was easier to set it in a city where I could

hop in my car and research in real time. Merry Gentry actually divided her time between Cahokia, Ill.and Los Angeles. Cahokia is close enough for me to visit as needed since I still lived in St. Louis and I lived in Los Angeles after college, so I had some familiarity with it too. I’m a writer that works better if I can walk the streets of a place that I’m writing about.

Are the crimes described in your books based off reality and you just add a paranormal twist? Any crime in my books that can happen without my magic system is based on a real crime; that should frighten anyone more than all the fictional monsters I’ve written about.

Did you ever imagine that the Anita Blake series would be as popular as it is? Definitely not. I just wanted a chance to write a series beyond one book, since my first novel, Nightseer, a high fantasy/ heroic fantasy cross, had been the beginning of a four book series but didn’t sell well enough for the publishing house to want the second book. Having had one series die at just one novel, I just wanted to write more books with Anita.

There are currently 22 books within the series. What’s next for Anita? The next Anita Blake novel is Jason, which hits shelves Dec. 2, 2014. It’s the first original paperback since Micah in 2006.

Why do you focus a lot on bisexuality with your characters rather than just straight or gay? It wasn’t a conscious decision on my part, but it’s what the characters have told me about themselves. Who am I to dictate their sexual orientation? I actually think more of my characters are hetero-flexible than anything other label. They are mostly straight or gay, aside from one or two exceptions. Since I, myself would list as heteroflexible, rather than anything else I may lean towards that in characters because I understand it more, but it’s not deliberate on my part. Bisexual, to me, means that you truly

“no one knew what to do with something that was genuinely so many different genres.”

enjoy both men and women and have a history of dating both. Although I just celebrated our fourth anniversary with our girlfriend, now fiancé, she is the first woman I have ever dated. I feel if I were bisexual I’d have had other girlfriends before her.

Happy anniversary! Care to give us some details about your girlfriend? Thank you! As I said above, my husband, Jon, and I just celebrated four years of dating our girlfriend, Genevieve. In that time she met and married her husband, and he is part of our fourple (a couple made up of four people). We recently proposed to Genevieve and she did us the honor of saying yes. Legally she will have to be our fiancé forever since the law doesn’t allow for multiple partner marriages, but we would if we could.

Are Jean-Claude and Asher your primary gay male characters? Neither Jean-Claude nor Asher are gay. They met when they were both the lovers of Belle Morte, who is a woman. The two men fell in love with each other and became lovers, but they also had 20 years of being a happy threesome with their beloved and long-dead Julianna. On the Kinsey scale, Asher would be closer to gay and Jean-Claude would be closer to heterosexual, but I’m not sure how much weight I give the Kinsey scale. It’s a way of keeping track of something that can be very fluid for some people. Asher has two serious male lovers currently and one has proposed, though he hasn’t accepted. JeanClaude is currently engaged to Anita. They all have other lovers because honestly the major sexual orientation in my books is polyamory. Some people think of it as a lifestyle choice, but I’ve found for myself that being in multi-layered relationships with several people at once makes me happier than anything else ever has and I actually think of it as my sexual orientation.

When not writing, what are some of your other hobbies? Does gym count? I’m there three to five times a week. We have three dogs, and I love them much. I see friends when I can. We saw Aladdin on Broadway in between business meetings recently. It was fabulous! Honestly, between writing, having a daughter and being in a serious relationship with three other people, I don’t think I have time for hobbies [laughs]. V thevitalVOICE.com

NCH FAV RGER FA ORITE VORIIT TE DJ BE ST BRUN N BEST CH BURGER FAVORIT VORIT T E DJ B TE QUEE N BEST BURGER T BRU C FAVORIIT H TE DJ U N BE TE DJ B ST BURG ST R ER FAVO URGER RITE QUE EN BEST ORI BURG E BRU N BEST NCH FAV BURGER O R F IT TE QU AVORITE RIT ITE QUEE DJ BEST BRUNCH BES BU FAV G R F V H FAVOR ORIIT TE DJ BE TE QUEE ST BRU N B ST ST BRUN BURGER CH FAV F A V ORIT ITE DJ ORIIT TE QUEE RIT N BEST TE DJ BE BURGER ST BRUN CH FAVO R FAVOR R IT T E Q UEEN B IT TE DJ BE ST BRUN CH FAVO URGER F R AVORIT TE DJ BE S T BRU ST BURG ER FAVO RIIT

St.

Thank you to all of our fabulous readers who voted for the first VOICE Your Choice Awards since 2002. We are very proud to announce that over 15,000 votes were cast in 30 days! Congratulations to all winners in both St. Louis and Kansas City!

Favorite Drag Queen: Krista Versace

Known for her big blonde hair and glamorous style, Krista Versace has been entertaining the St. Louis area for over 20 years and is a former Miss Gay Missouri America, Miss Illinois Continental, Miss Tri-States Continental and a Miss Missouri Continental. A frequent entertainer in the days of Novak’s, Versace most recently became a staple at the now-closed Hamburger Mary’s of St. Louis at the establishment’s wildly popular Dining with the Divas party. Versace was also the Show Director at both Novak’s and Hamburger Mary’s and claimed the Miss Gay Missouri title in 1997.

Favorite Gym: club St. louis Club St. Louis is located between Downtown and Midtown, and offers various amenities to its members, including a circuit gym, a steam room, dry sauna, therapeutic whirlpool and heated seasonal outdoor pool. The Club also believes in promoting the well-being of the gay community through supporting various organizations that protect gay health and civil rights, including supporting the formation of Metropolitan Community Church and the National Gay Task Force and contributing to the Human Rights Campaign building in Washington, D.C. Visit The Club’s website at www.theclubs.com.

Favorite Brunch Spot: Luvy Duvy’s Café Established in 2007, Luvy Duvy’s Café on Arsenal has quickly become a brunch hotspot. Owners Cassady Caldwell and Jackie Seal have fostered a very welcoming environment for the LGBT community. The couple even includes a section of their restaurant’s website dedicated to displaying pictures of their customers, welcoming people from all walks of life to submit photos. Luvy Duvy’s offers breakfast all day Saturday and Sunday and includes items like breakfast burritos, French toast and BLTs. Visit www.luvyduvys.com for menu information. 22

October 2014

Louis

Favorite Theatre: The Fabulous Fox Theatre

A man named William Fox opened The Fabulous Fox Theatre of St. Louis in January of 1929. Since that date, The Fox has entertained St. Louis with myriad shows, concerts and productions. Big-time musicals, including The Book of Mormon and Wicked, have graced the Fox’s stage. In 1981, Leon and Mary Strauss first saw the Fox Theatre and quickly began a one-year, $2 million+ restoration program on the theatre. Visit www.fabulousfox. com for ticket and show info.

Favorite Gay Bar: Just John Nightclub Branded as St. Louis’ premier gay and lesbian nightclub, Just John opened its doors on February 2009 in the space previously occupied by Freddies. Owners John Oberkramer and Jeromy Ruot offer weekly events as well as regular theme parties. Affectionately dubbed “JuJo” by the regulars, the bar has won accolades from various puclications around St. Louis, including Best Gay Bar, Best LGBT Hangout and Best Karaoke Bar. For more information on the club, visit their website at www.facebook.com/justjohnclub or contact the bar via phone at (314) 371-1333.

Favorite DJ: DJ Karma DJ Karma got her start in St. Louis eight years ago. Her first regular gig was a monthly spot at Halo Bar in The Loop about four years ago. After that, Karma (Amber Staub) moved on to a weekly residency at Erney’s 32 Degrees, where she performed three nights a week. Karma has also had a residency at Fusion on The Landing and Rehab Bar and Grill in The Grove. Karma’s current home is at honey. in The Grove, where she DJs every Friday and Saturday night. Karma has also entertained for charity organizations, including HRC and Doorways.

thevitalVOICE.com

St.

Favorite Retail Spot: Cheap Trx

Cheap TRX on South Grand aims to please all your candle-needing, incense-craving, novelty-sex-toy desires with an all-in-one shop. You can buy gag birthday cards, novelty adult items and apparel. The store isn’t simply all novelty, however, and you can head to the adults-only downstairs area if you’re feeling extra naughty or adventurous. Michael Mahler has been serving the LGBT community with his shop for years. You can even head next door to TRX Tattoos and get a tat or a piercing after you’re done shopping.

Favorite Non-Profit Organization: Stray Rescue Stray Rescue’s mission is to rescue stray animals in need of medical attention, restore them to health and place them in loving adoptive homes. Stray Rescue has been serving the St. Louis area and its pets for years and virtually every animal they have saved has been abused and neglected. Stray Rescue also works closely with the LGBT community and holds various fundraisers at gay and lesbian bars around the city. Stray Rescue is a no-kill organization and takes pride in giving abused and neglected pets a new lease on life. Visit them online at www.strayrescue.org.

Favorite Restaurant: CJ’s on the Hill CJ’s on the Hill has brought a new venue to the Hill neighborhood. In late 2013, Rehab Bar and Grill owners Chad Fox and Jim Weckmann opened CJ’s on the corner of Southwest Avenue. and Dalton. The restaurant serves a wide array of southern fare food, from steaks to pasta and offers daily specials. CJ’s was able to incorporate an LGBT slant into the Hill neighborhood and has become a restaurant beacon for the LGBT community outside of The Grove. For menu information, visit www.cjsonthehill.com.

October 2014

Louis

Favorite Activist: Todd Alan

Todd Alan is an activist that has been involved in multiple organizations over the years in St. Louis. As one of the loudest and proudest supporters of Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS), Alan is also known as the Founder and Chairman of Thirst for Life, and a founding Co-Chair of ChoiceArt. Alan also sits on the Board of Directors for Pride St. Louis as the Sponsorship Director and is an outspoken supporter of every organization he represents.

Favorite Performer: Gateway Men’s Chorus Founded in April 1988, the Gateway Men’s Chorus has been performing in the St. Louis region since. The organization is dedicated to the freedom and message of music, and affirms and promotes gay culture and acceptance through music. The Chorus also takes a large role in community outreach, including raising money for local organizations such as St. Louis Effort for AIDS, CARE, Project ARK, Pride St. Louis and the LGBT Center of St. Louis. For more information on GMC, visit www.gmcstl.org.

Favorite Fundraising Event: Dining Out For Life “Dine Out, Fight AIDS” at this annual fundraising event. Each year, Dining Out for Life takes place across the country and raises money to benefit HIV and AIDS research and vital services to those living with the disease. Participating restaurants offer at least 25 percent of each customer check to the cause, and in St. Louis, the money benefits St. Louis Effort for AIDS. With the option to dine out for breakfast, lunch or dinner, families and groups of people can eat any time of the day and raise money for a great cause. Visit www.diningoutforlife.com/stlouis for more info.

Favorite Party: Divas of the Grove @ Rehab Divas of the Grove takes place every Saturday at Rehab Bar and Grill in The Grove. Owners Chad Fox and Jim Weckmann refer to it as “back-porch drag,” as they are the only bar that holds its shows outside from spring through fall. The party features regular cast members, as well as guest spots each week. The notorious Victoria Rose heads up their shows. She has no filter, loose morals and loves to get and keep the audience on their toes. Hit up Rehab this Saturday and check it out! Visit www.rehabstl.com for more information on the show. thevitalVOICE.com

C O N F I D Behind the Scenes with the Girl Group Fave WRITTEN BY Andrea

Piamonte Photography by Ben Cope

October 2014

a day with fifth HARMONY 2:30 p.m.

Normani, with her recently dyed blue hair, sits in front of the Hollywood-style mirror while her makeup is retouched. Dinah casually lays stomach-down on the counter texting, while Camila and Lauren sit on chairs beside her also nose deep on their phones checking out the latest social media. It’s been a long tour, and relaxation before a big night is absolutely necessary.

Meeting 5H

Backstage and on the third level of the Fabulous Fox on Sept. 5, the five members of Fifth Harmony lounge around and prepare for their big concert in St. Louis. The colorful walls and hallways leading to their dressing room are adorned with autographs and murals of previous shows and concerts.

In a bright yellow pleather skirt, Ally hops over to greet us with a hug and genuine smile. As exhausted as these X Factor fan favorites are with a tour and upcoming album release, their down-to-earth nature and welcoming smiles could have fooled us. “We were just in Nashville last night and we’ve been up since 4 a.m.,” Ally fixes her hair and sighs. “We’re definitely tired, but just as excited for tonight.”

E N T

With this being the official VOICE Your Choice Issue, Fifth Harmony is the perfect candidate to celebrate this issue. Two years ago, these BO$$ singers won third place in The X Factor USA by audience vote. This year, they beat out some heavy hitters to win Artist to Watch on the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards. Now, Vital VOICE has the opportunity to follow this fan-favorite girl group as they continue their tour at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. As seen on The X Factor, these diverse personalities and vocal ranges combine to create the sweet sound of Fifth Harmony, also nicknamed 5H. Ally, with her vibrant energy and powerful voice, has been dubbed “just the brightest ray of sunshine” by bandmate Normani, the Atlanta native with bluesy vocals. Lauren brings her mature and smoky voice, which adds a fierce flavor to the group. Camila, known for her trademark silly faces in music videos, gives the group a unique and distinguishable voice. Lastly, there’s Dinah with her dynamic range of vocals that has drawn comparisons to Beyonce and Alicia Keys.

Regardless of their lack of sleep and already guest appearing on radio and television that morning, the five girls gives a genuine effort to get to know us and break the ice. The members of 5H are definitely no strangers to having a back-to-back busy schedule and even so, the group admits that touring is quite different from days on The X Factor. “First of all, X Factor was a different experience every week because the show was made to have you adjust to change,” Camila says. “Everything changed so quickly and you had to be so flexible and just go with it. Going on tour is just the opposite in that everything is so routine and you have to create change or you’ll go crazy.” “I think it’s important make fun out of everyday,” Lauren adds. “We’ve been going for two years basically nonstop —well, except for the tiny breaks between — but I think this is the first tour we have genuinely taken our free time and done something. We got to have fun and go out, do sports.” A month following The X Factor, the five rising stars signed a joint deal with Syco Music, owned by Simon Cowell, and Epic Records, owned by L.A. Reid. As with almost any artist on the journey to fame, 5H focused on gaining attention through cover versions of popular songs. “My favorite cover would probably be ‘They Don’t Know About Us’ by One Direction,” Dinah says. “It’s seriously the jam. I think that is the song that we’ve had more of a group interaction.” “Or the Sam Smith medley we did on our last tour,” Camila eagerly adds. “He tweeted us about it! We didn’t even know he had seen it.” thevitalVOICE.com

3:00 p.m.

The girls start to get pumped up to meet with their adoring fans — or Harmonizers, as they like to call them. Occasionally we heard singing from all areas of their dressing room as they retouched makeup and prepared for the Meet and Greet. There was screaming —even hysterically crying — fans of all ages awaiting 5H for the Meet and Greet. One fan even had her nails painted for the performance with the word “BO$$.” With music playing and the cameras flashing, the five ladies received a sudden burst of energy and excitement. The earlier exhaustion from the late nights and constant traveling of the tour melts away when they see their Harmonizers anxiously waiting in line. They made sure to make every photo taken was unique and each fan was catered to differently. After taking the time to pay extra attention to each diehard supporter, we descended down the grand staircase to the main area of the Fox. Camila, with her silly and playful personality, takes the opportunity to stop, drop and roll down the aisle. All five girls approach the front stage, admiring the ornate details of the grand theatre. “This is the most beautiful venue I’ve ever seen!” Ally shouts, slowly spinning and trying to take in the grandeur. This came as a bit of a shock to us as St. Louis natives and regular Fox Theatre attendees because these are the same girls who attended the MTV Video Music Awards the previous month. Despite their rising fame, the young group was still excited to attend the VMAs, and even had some closet fan-girl moments of their own. “They can all attest to this,” Ally says motioning to her

October 2014

bandmates, “But I was SO excited to meet J. Lo. She’s one of my biggest inspirations in life. We were sitting literally right behind her and I just kept staring at her,” Ally excitedly continued. “I was holding Normani’s hand and was like, ‘Oh my God. Oh my God. She’s talking to me.’ It was literally one of the best moments of my life.” Lauren, who had been fairly quiet up until this point, lit up: “We saw Jay Z and I saw Beyonce on the red carpet. Those were just moments that you thought, ‘Woah, those people are real.’ You know what I mean? Like they are real, tangible people.” “Yeah! [Beyonce and Jay Z] were kind of sitting behind me, but I could still see them clearly,” Dinah interjects. “After looking back, I saw baby Blue Ivy and I was like, ‘Wow, I guess the whole family is here.’ I was trying so hard not to fan girl, but I’ve always talked about wanting to babysit this child. I looked at her and she looked at me. My life was made.” If all the celebrities surrounding them wasn’t enough, Fifth Harmony also got to perform “BO$$” on the red carpet. Through audience vote, the group even took home the honor and title of Artist to Watch. With 5H up against big names like Sam Smith and Charli XCX, the girls weren’t expecting the win. “Oh. My. Gosh. We were absolutely shocked,” Dinah exclaims recalling the awe from that night. “Especially because we were up against Sam Smith. I play that guy 24/7 on my phone and I was sure he was going to win. I was doubting it the entire time and thinking, ‘Man we aren’t going to get this.’ And then they announced ‘Fifth Harmony as the winner!’ My heart dropped out of my butt.” “After we won the VMA, everything just started happening,” Normani says. “We hung out with Taylor Swift and Lorde! It’s like our dreams started coming true.” “It was like a door opened — a magical, wonderful and beautiful door!” Ally enthusiastically adds.

The Meet & Greet

The day is just getting started with Fifth Harmony’s VIP Meet and Greet as the next task on the agenda. Lauren takes the time to flip through the September issue of Vital VOICE and declares a “Hell, yeah!” pointing to Kelly Osbourne’s positive quote on the LGBT community. Normani takes the time to arrange some plans with her sister to attend the upcoming concert in Atlanta, while Dinah offhandedly plays with her new Vital VOICE sunglasses.

4:30 p.m.

“In the beginning, I don’t think any of us knew of a group dynamic,” Camila recalls. “So I don’t think it — I think it developed. Now, we’ve kind of learned the mechanism of how to blend our voices when we are doing a harmony, or lines when we are doing choreography. It’s about changing your perspective to make five people, as a picture, look good.” “And also, I don’t think it only goes with the singing portion, but I think it also goes with personality too,” Normani adds.

the soundcheck

With only hours left before their opening set for Austin Mahone, the members of Fifth Harmony head to the front stage for a soundcheck. As they get mic’d up, the girls dance and joke around with each other. It’s clear to see the dynamic and different personalities of the group is in harmony as well.

As the members trickle onto the stage, they begin to test run a few of their songs for that night’s concert. They went through their choreography and belted out snippets to their hit songs, like “Miss Moving On” from their EP and “BO$$.” The sassy and C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T lyrics to newest release, “BO$$,” has attracted over 19 million views on YouTube and even name drops famous figures like Michelle Obama and Oprah in the chorus. Of course, we wanted to know if they’ve heard a response from these female powerhouses. “Unfortunately no, we have not heard from them — yet,” Ally says optimistically. “I say ‘yet’ because I’m hopeful and positive, but I know they are busy because they are kind of ruling the world right now so…”

7:30 p.m.

It’s time. They head down the two flights of stairs for the much anticipated performance. Behind the curtain, you could hear screams from fans and chants for Fifth Harmony. Some members collect their thoughts, while others snap a few quick selfies before the set. They step in front of the Fox’s bright lights and those five once-giggling girls kick into star mode. The ended their set with a few sneak peeks of their new songs. Now, what’s next for Fifth Harmony? This group to watch is planning an upcoming album Reflection to be released in December 2014.

“Well, [Reflection] happens to be a title of one of the tracks, but that’s not the reason we chose that for the album name,” Lauren assures. “We thought it was a good title to show the reflection of where we are now as artists. 5H says: “Harmonizers!!! Our debut album #Reflection is coming out December 2014! December has played a major part in 5H history. December 2012, we finished third on The X Factor, which changed our lives forever. December 2013 we did our first holiday radio tour, which included playing at Madison Square Garden. So putting our debut album out in December 2014 just felt right.” Although it may seem like a long time until the new album release, fans should still get excited for their new sound and approach to their music.

the performance

Finally, after a day of jam-packed with events, it’s time for 5H to hit the stage. The group dramatically transformed their look with high-fashion outfits — all matching in black. Minutes before the show, Ally takes the time to add her signature to the autographed walls backstage. With music blaring in their dressing room, Dinah and Normani start dancing around to get pumped up for the concert, while Camila and Lauren sang along to the songs.

“There’s a huge growth [in our music],” Lauren explains. “I think the first EP was more pop-oriented than our LP is going to be. We kind of changed directions a bit with sound. I think our content is a lot more mature and more grown-up than what we have done before — more rhythmic and more urban. There are also more group moments. There’s also more girl power…ness.” V

thevitalVOICE.com

October 2014

$5 COSTUME CONTEST YOUR ENTIRE COSTUME MUST COST $5 OR LESS PRIZES FOR MOST CREATIVE, MOST INAPPROPRIATE, MOST SKIN AND MORE!

ABSOLUT & MILLER LITE BUST W/ DJ REMIX

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 TH 4 PM- 7 P M

Bistro 303 | 303 Westport Rd. KCMO 64111 | 816.753.2303 | www.Bistro303.com

A personalized touch and attention to every detail.

Events (314) 352-7575 | www.wkf.com thevitalVOICE.com

KANSAS

Favorite Drag Queen: Daisy Buckët

Daisy Buckët began her career in 2006 after performing in an all-live singing female impersonation show called The Girly Show at Kansas City's piano cabaret bar, Bar Natasha. She then worked her way up to becoming Queen of Kansas City Pride in 2008 and named The Pitch's Best Drag Performer in 2011 and 2013. With a full schedule, Buckët hosts Friday night shows at Missie B's and can be found at Hamburger Mary's hosting Sunday brunches, Wednesday charity bingos and Saturday night drag shows. Aside from appearing in her own self-produced shows (Balls of Brass, Broadway Baby and Rocks Off!), she also tours internationally with “America's Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet,” The Kinsey Sicks, as Trampolina. Buckët also contributes to the AIDS Walk and her team has raised nearly $100,000 for local HIV/AIDS organization in the Kansas City Metro area. For more information, visit her website at www.missdaisybucketkc.com.

Favorite Gym: W.E. FIT W.E. FIT, located on 6875 W. 91st in Overland Park, Kan. has been in business for two years. At affordable prices, the establishment offers one on one personal training, in addition to small group classes such as boot camp, kettlebells and mens yoga. Even though gay men are the gym’s main clientele, women and straight men are welcomed as well. W.E. FIT has four personal trainers, three massage therapists and one private relaxation room where clients can spend 30-60 minutes on a motorized relaxation table enjoying herbal tea and listening to relaxing music. The overall goal of W.E. FIT is to make personal training affordable to everyone. Their motto: We fit your lifestyle! Operating hours are Monday through Sunday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call (816) 7169091 or visit their website at www.wefittraining.com.

Favorite Brunch Spot: Bistro 303 Bistro 303 is a gay owned and operated restaurant/bar located on 303 Westport Road in Kansas City, Mo. Attracting friendly, diverse and fun clientele, Bistro 303 was established in 2003 and will be celebrating its 11 anniversary on Sept. 19. Serving a French-inspired American menu, hours of operation during the week are 3 p.m. to midnight on Monday and Tuesday and 3 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Wednesday through Friday. Some evenings include nightly specials such as $5 Martini Wednesday and $5 Wines by the glass on Thursday. Bistro 303 is only open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, the establishment has a full-service patio. For more information, call (816) 7532303 or visit their website: www.bistro303.com.

October 2014

CITY

Favorite Theatre: Late Night Theatre Late Night Theatre, located in Kansas City’s very own Missie B’s, began in 1997. Known as a camp, parody, gender bender theatre company, this popular establishment does send-ups of famous movies and television shows with a twist of pop culture. Missie B’s has built a 100 seat theatre that converts to a drag stage after performances. Late Night Theatre is currently showing Golden! Girls Gone Wild! with an all-male cast and recently finished running Dykes of Hazzard with an all-female cast. Boys play girls and girls play boys – it’s full of drag craziness. Past shows include the all-male version of A Scary CARRIE Christmas and Stepford Wives, in addition to the all-female versions of Purple Rain and Bonanza. For more information, check out Late Night Theatre on Facebook, call (816) 235-6222 or email onetrunkproductions@ yahoo.com. Calls may also be made to Missie B’s phone number.

Favorite Gay Bar: Missie B’s Missie B’s, located at 805 W. 39th Street, is currently Kansas City’s most popular drag bar. Opening its doors in 1994 as a piano lounge, the establishment features the best in female impersonation and have shows five nights a week, in addition to offering karaoke two nights a week. They offer affordable drinks daily from noon to 8 p.m. and nightly drink specials Sunday through Thursday. Missie B’s also offers a DJ six nights a week in the upstairs area that’s well equipped with a dance floor complete with dance boxes and poles for those who wish to shake their groove thing. Upstairs also offers a leather shop which is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information, call (816) 561-0625 or visit their website at www.missiebs.com.

Favorite DJ: Chad Slater Chad Slater has been a regular in the Kansas City club scene for over a decade. Dropping beats and working his magic, you can guarantee there will be a packed dance floor. Slater is the owner of All Star Entertainment, a mobile DJ and karaoke company and has played at numerous bars and venues, including Club NV, Bistro 303 and Missie B’s, in addition to private events and parties. Slater blends mainstream club, Circuit, Progressive and Disco House, drawing inspiration from influential artists such as Thunderpuss 2000, DJ Escape and Dave Aude – just to name a few. He produces a high energy that will make you dance the night away. His passion soars through his music. Check out some of his samples at www.soundcloud.com/chadslater. thevitalVOICE.com

KANSAS

Favorite Retail Spot: Wonderland

Wonderland can be described in one word: magical. Located on 307-309 Westport Road, this retail shop is full of beautiful merchandise is known for having the best window displays in town. Wonderland is a must stop spot for Kansas City locals and out of town guests. From vintage clothing to decadent jewelery, this retail shop comes with a good vibe and friendly staff. Store hours are Tuesday – Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, check out their Facebook page or call (816) 674-9645.

Favorite Non-Profit Organization: Millennial League Millennial League is a group of young adults of the Millennial Generation that share an overall goal: to promote HIV/AIDS awareness across all ages, cultures, ethnicities and gender. The Millennial League is an affiliate of the AIDS Service Foundation of Greater Kansas City and supports the foundation’s mission in assisting to raise funds for local AIDS service organizations and awareness of HIV/AIDS within the community. The organization raises funds by hosting its annual Code Red and Val-o-Ween events, in addition to hosting monthly happy hours and other activities. For more information, visit their website, www.millennialleaguekc.org or email Millennial.League@gmail.com to sign up for announcements on future events.

Favorite Restaurant: Hamburger Mary’s Hamburger Mary’s Kansas City is a proud member of the infamous Hamburger Mary’s franchise. Located at 101 Southwest Blvd., the establishment’s main goal is to serve food in a fun, welcoming environment where everyone can “eat, drink and be...MARY!” Hosting a wide variety of events such as Dining with the Divas, Charity Drag Bingo and Mary’s Drag Brunch, customers are guaranteed to have a good time. Hamburger Mary’s KC is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call (816) 842-1919 or visit their website at www.hamburgermarys.com/kc.

October 2014

CITY

Favorite Activist: Joshua Minnis Joshua Minnis is one of Kansas City’s most well-known activists. He is the President of the Board for Millennial League, a non-profit organization that works with a group of young people to raise HIV/AIDS awareness within the Kansas City community and funds for local AIDS service organizations. His role consists of reaching out to the community, raise money, coordinate event planning and simple volunteering. He says that reaching out to the KC youth makes him proud to be working with the AIDS Service Foundation. You can reach out to Minnis through his Facebook.

Favorite Performer: Dirty Dorothy Dirty Dorothy is about to take you on a bumpy ride over the rainbow! Wildly energetic, quick as whip and adorably foul-mouthed, any Dirty Dorothy show will be tickling your funny bone. She has been performing at Missie B’s for almost six years and is also seen regularly at Hamburger Mary’s KC. Beginning her career over ten years ago at Bar Natasha with the original Girly Show cast, this diva knows how to have a good time. So click your heels together three times and get your butt over to see Dirty Dorothy. Regularly scheduled shows at Missie B’s are Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 p.m. For more information, check her out on Facebook or visit her website at www.dirty-dorothy.com.

Favorite Fundraising Event: AIDS Walk AIDS Walk Kansas City is the largest HIV/AIDS fundraising event in a five-state area. Beginning in 1988 and raising over $8.5 million for the AIDS Service Foundation of Greater Kansas City, AIDS Walk Kansas City supports the 5,700 men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in the area. In 2014, over 3,500 participants helped raise over half a million dollars. Next year’s AIDS Walk will be held on Saturday, April 25. It will also be the fundraiser’s 27 anniversary. For more information, visit their website: www. aidswalkkansascity.org. thevitalVOICE.com

October 2014

1 of 2

National Coming Out Day

Chloe Warner High school Freshman comes out to her class about having two gay dads Every year, the LGBT community and allies celebrate a national day of observance and awareness called National Coming Out Day. Held on Oct. 11 and marking its 26 anniversary, this holiday celebrates individuals who identify as a specific type of gender or sexual minority. It is a reminder that the power of coming out and being open is one of the most basic tools. Founded in 1988, the Oct. 11 date was chosen because it was the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights – also known as “The Great March.” In addition to raising awareness of the LGBT community, National Coming Out Day highlights the civil rights movements as a whole. Yes, the holiday is usually in regards to individuals opening up about their gender or sexual identity, but there are different perspectives that may not always be considered. Sometimes sharing the fact that you have a gay friend or relative is just as good. Take the story of Chloe Warner for example. Warner is a 14-year-old girl from Liberty, Mo. who came out to her eighth grade class on the first day of school. Not about herself, but about the fact that she is being raised by two dads. “Honestly, I felt like it was time to come out and be open about it,” she says. “In sixth and seventh grade, some people kind of seemed like it was a bad thing to have gay

parents, so I just didn’t say anything. Now that they are different and more mature, they need to realize that it’s okay.” Wes Warner, Chloe’s dad, was really nervous about the situation at first, but he is beyond proud of his daughter. “I wasn’t sure what the reaction would be like from her class,” he says. “For the past few years, Chloe has been kind of quiet and closed off from talking about her family, but I thought it was all part of being a teen. I never wanted to talk about my parents in high school or middle school. I am certainly proud for her being brave enough to stand up in front of the class and come out and say I have gay dads. It’s really cool.” Wes’ partner of 11 years and Chloe’s other dad, Chris Wilson, agrees. “She told me the day before that she was going to tell her class,” he recalls. “I was very, very proud of her for wanting to do that. I was actually surprised that she didn’t seem too nervous about it at all. I couldn’t wait to get home from work the next day and see how it went. Coming out at school in any way can result in various positive and negative results. Fortunately, the class reaction was better than what Chloe had hoped for. “When I said I have two dads and they are gay, it took a few minutes for the class and my teacher to wrap their heads

WRITTEN BY Denny

Patterson PHOTOGRAPHED BY Jon Barbe around,” she says. “There was a few seconds of quiet and I was nervous. Did I say something wrong? Will I be bullied? Just in general, are people going to like or dislike me because of this? “Some kids had their jaws dropped,” she continues. “Some were smiling as if they were thinking, ‘She’s brave.’ One of my friends even said, ‘I love you so much right now.’ In the end, everyone was clapping and smiling. It was a happy moment. Many were happy to hear and learn something new about me and even think it’s awesome.” Chloe does not foresee any bullying over this revelation, but would certainly know how to handle herself if ever needed. “I would tell them they are missing out and it’s not a problem,” she says. “It is important to come out because it’s you being you. I’m basically telling the world that I’m proud to be raised by two gay dads.” “By the reaction Chloe received from her class, it gives me great hope for the future knowing that kids with gays parents don’t have to deal with awful things they had to 10 to 20 years ago,” Wilson says. “Obviously, kids Chloe’s age are growing up in a world that’s far more accepting. Kids learn to fear the unknown and they learn bigotry from parents and adults. Kids aren’t necessarily born with that. They are a lot more open-minded these days.” V thevitalVOICE.com

ART AUCTION

COCKTAILS

AN EVENING TO BENEFIT PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE ST. LOUIS REGION AND SOUTHWEST MISSOURI

NOV 8 | CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM TICKETS ON SALE OCT 1ST @ CHOICEART.ORG

VIP $75 | 7:00PM GENERAL $35 | 8:30PM VIP TICKETS INCLUDE EARLY BIDDING, ARTIST MEET-AND-GREET, AND A CELEBRATORY CHAMPAGNE TOAST.

Photo by Philip Deitch

Joan Lipkin, Artistic Director

Presented by

THE BIG, FAT LGBT

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Show of Shows

Thursday, October 23

6:30pm: Information Tables/Networking; Show: 7:30pm | Free A fun- and fact-filled romp through the realities of LGBTQ life using sketch comedy, song, dance, breaking news, and more. A panel discussion with LGBT leaders in St. Louis follows.

Sunday, October 26 | 2:30pm to 4:30pm | Free This version of the show is tailored for LGBTQ and allied youth and is followed by a panel discussion with local LGBTQ young leaders.

Missouri History Museum Forest Park | 314.746.4599 | mohistory.org

October 2014

2 of 2

National Coming Out Day Caleb Moore

A courageous 14-year-old opens up about coming out in a small town WRITTEN BY Nikki

Vogel

Caleb Moore, a 14-year-old from Mt. Olive, Ill. made a big decision right before starting his freshmen year of high school — he chose to come out to his family and friends about being gay. Moore says he is relieved and related his choice to come out to feeling like “a weight has been lifted off of his shoulders.

because I am being honest with them,” he explains. “And my male friends? They just drifted off except a few of them.”

He opened up about coming out, smalltown life, high school and his future as a part of the LGBT community.

He says not everyone has nice things to say about his lifestyle says it’s tough, but still remains strong. Mt. Olive has a limited LGBT community, but Moore says quantity is not what is important to him.

“I remember looking at guys differently than girls,” he recalls. “I dated girls, but it didn’t feel right. There was something missing.” Something that truly inspired Moore to come out was a particular film that he could relate to. The influence of a specific character gave him the strength to be vocal about who he was. “One thing that lead me to come out was the movie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” he explains. “The openly gay character seemed happy about who he was and it inspired me.” The first person Moore came out to was his best friend, Mia. He mentions many friends that are supportive of him, but has a certain friend that “just plain gets him.” He never had problems telling her things in the past, so he felt comfortable coming out her. “She is always there for me in tough times,” Moore says. “I could explain anything to her and she would understand.” His family members are okay with his decision and Moore says that they still think of him the same; however, his social life has changed all across the board. Although many friendships flourished, some did not and establishing new ones seemed difficult. “Female friends love me even more now

“[The hardest part is] talking to male peers,” he continues. “It’s not like I have a hard time talking to them; they have a hard time talking to me.”

“There’s not many people who are like you, but you don’t need that,” he says. “What matters most are your true friends. One hard aspect [of coming out in a small town] would be finding a way to ignore all of the snide comments but I can still stand tall.” The first day of high school for anyone is downright stressful. You don’t know how to act, where to go or what people will think of you. Now, imagine going into that shark tank after coming out as gay in a rural town. “When I walked into school, I was shaking because I didn’t know what the older kids would think of me,” Moore recalls. “To my surprise, no one seemed to care. The next day, kids in my class started telling people that I was gay, but said it in a disgusting manner. It hurt inside.” Despite the negativity, Moore describes his tight-knit support group. He doesn’t fret that his circle is mostly girls and praises them for being behind him. “I have quite a few people that are there for me,” he says. “I can’t name all of these people or you’d be reading for a while. They are mostly girls, but I don’t care. They care about me so much and I can’t thank them enough for being there for me.” He explains that before coming out, he

could never fully express himself in front of his friends. He feels more open and comfortable now that everyone knows. He was having to keep a part of himself a secret and couldn’t be happier to now be who he really is. “Before, I had to be careful of what I said so I didn’t accidentally slip who I actually was,” Moore says. ”Now, I can talk openly with my friends and they don’t even care. I can finally be who I am without having to hide myself.” Moore is taking it step-by-step for now, but he sees a future for himself. Although he doesn’t know exactly what he will be doing, he has a good idea of the direction he strives to go. Where will he be in five years? “I’ll be eating ice cream while watching soap operas,” he says. “I’m just kidding! I’ll probably be going to college or beginning a career as a motivational speaker.” Moore knows his coming out publicly can help other closeted LGBT youth. Being so young, he makes the path for many other people who are still in the closet. He has the opportunity to be an example and a role model for peers. He shared what he believes is important when coming out. “Understand that being gay isn’t a bad thing and now, people seem to be more accepting,” he says, “Love is all you need. There is really nothing to be afraid of.” Moore’s message to LGBT youth proves that you can overcome anything with a positive mindset. “Be proud of who you are,” he says. “There’s nothing wrong with you. Most of all, be yourself and don’t hide who you really are. Be confident and you’ll be fine. People around you may not agree with it, but the people who do overcome the bad. Love conquers everything.” V thevitalVOICE.com

Can’t Hide Our Pride.

Real Possibilities start with a dream and turn into a lifelong achievement that everyone can celebrate. AARP is glad to be a part of making your life better. If you don’t think, “Pride in St. Louis,” when you think AARP, we may surprise you. We’re cooler than you think! Visit aarp.org/pride to discover the difference being an AARP member can make in your life. aarp.org/stlouis Sponsored by the AARP Office of Diversity and Inclusion

October 2014

Real Possibilities is a trademark of AARP.

Best place to have a (fake) emotional breakdown:

Best place to rob/harass tourists: No brainer. Laclede’s Landing. The downside: you may have to endure the assault of a cringe-worthy 70s rock song (best bet: “Carry on, My Wayward Son”) emanating from inside the club that your “mark” just exited.

This one brings me touchless orgasm. I have manufactured several contrived meltdowns in Saks Fifth Avenue at Plaza Frontenac. The horrified reactions from the well-heeled shoppers there was almost reward enough…almost. I strive to make such an uncomfortable scene for all present that the salesgirl usually “shoos” me out without even noticing that my items haven’t been paid for. Several Michael Kors bags and an Armani wool skirt can attest to this.

Best place to have public sex: A tie between a) Men’s dressing room of Target on Hampton and b) Behind the trash dumpster of the Church’s Chicken in Maplewood. Both of these spots are discreet and can be accessed via public transportation/Metro.

Written by Penelope

Wigstock Illustrations by Andrea Piamonte In tandem with our current “VOICE Your Choice” awards, I’ve decided to share some of my juiciest picks of local venues that hold a special place in my charred little heart.

Best place for a brick right: Although the choices may seem countless, there is indeed only one ideal location that offers just the right ambience: the old deejay’s booth of The Loading Zone on Euclid. Several years ago, I went toe to toe with former American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino there. The cramped space forced us to fight like street rats. An added plus was the discovery of some cocaine residue aging on the turntable that I was able to quickly ingest for an added burst of energy.

Note: Several witnesses insist that it was a drag queen dressed like Fantasia, but in my fragmented memory bank, it was the reality TV champ herself.

Best place to “out” a closeted Republican: Clearly, this should be done at the individual’s country club during a crowded social event, but in lieu of that, my pick is at a packed Cards home game at Busch Stadium or one of those horrendous monster truck rallies. If all else fails, the Super-Schnuck’s on Manchester Road in West County is also acceptable. Announcing it loudly in the liquor aisle is particularly effective.

thevitalVOICE.com

OCTOBER

STLPlaydates 10/23

spotlight

The Big, Fat LGBT Everything You Need To Know Show of Shows at Missouri History Museum www.mohistory.org or www.uppityco.com This fun and fact-filled 50-minute romp through the realities of LGBT life features sketch comedy, song, dance, breaking news and more. That Uppity Theatre Company will be presenting two performances in October: one on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and a youth version of the show on Sunday, Oct. 26 @ 2:30 p.m. Short discussion panels accompany each event with various St. Louis LGBT leaders. The youth version of the show will also feature LGBT youth speaking about their unique experiences.

10/4

9 Annual Grove Fest AT the grove www.grovefeststl.org

Venture out to The Grove on Saturday, Oct. 4 for the 9 Annual Grove Fest! The party starts early at 2 p.m. and lasts until 10 p.m. Brought to you by the Grove Community Improvement District and Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, Grove Fest has expanded its boundaries this year. The festival streches from Tower Grove Avenue. to Sarah Street. The newly crowd-funded event has the potential to be bigger than ever with the addition of national music acts, enhancement to the Fashion Village and a 42-foot Ely Ferris Wheel.

10/9

Tenacious Eats Presents: Best In Show At The Eclipse Restaurant www.tenaciouseats.com

Watch a classic comedy and benefit charity at the same time! Tenacious Eats is showing Best In Show at the Moonrise Hotel’s Eclipse Restaurant. Be sure to bring your Busy Bee and enjoy five courses of food and five cocktails, all tailored to the theme of the movie! Tickets are $65 per person and $85 on the day of the event. Sales will benefit Stray Rescue of St. Louis. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the film begins at 8. You don’t have to be a genius or a wizard to understand that this is a film you don’t want to miss!

October 2014

Playdates STL

10/18

BandTogether Halloween Concert at 560 Music Center www.bandtogetherstl.com

Help BandTogether kick off its 18 se,ason with its annual Halloween concert. Witches, wizards, trolls and unicorns are just a few examples of the creatures you’ll see at the show. The concert is filled with music that’s sure to transport you to a world full of fantasy and magic. “The Music of Wicked,” De Meij’s “Lord of the Rings: Gandalf” and “The Witches Sabbath” from Symphonie Fantastique are just a few of the amazing pieces in this show you don’t want to miss. Show starts at 8 p.m.

10/19

Jason Derulo At the Pageant www.thepageant.com`

With over 30 million singles sold worldwide, over one billion views on YouTube and five Top 5 radio singles in the Top 40, Jason Derulo is a certified pop phenomenon. With early singles like “Whatcha Say” and “Ridin’ Solo,” his career skyrocketed. His latest singles “Talk Dirty To Me” and “Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle” have only cemented his pop status. And in case you forget his name (how could you?), he’s usually pretty good about reminding you. Head to the Pageant to see him and Wallpaper live on stage. Show starts at 8 p.m.

10/2111/2

Dirty Dancing At The Fabulous Fox www.fabulousfox.com

DIRTY DANCING The Classic Story On Stage is an unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensational dancing. Seen by millions across the globe, this worldwide smash hit features the hit songs “Hungry Eyes,” “Hey Baby,” “Do You Love Me?” and the heart-stopping “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life.” London’s Sunday Express says “This crowd-pleasing stage adaptation hits the jackpot!” Samuel Pergande and Jillian Mueller will star as Johnny Castle and Frances “Baby” Houseman in the North American tour.

10/25

Ani Difranco The Pageant www.thepageant.com

After 20 years in the music biz, self-described “Little Folksinger” Ani DiFranco is still technically little, although her influence on fellow musicians, activists, and indie-minded people the world over has been huge. She still proudly identifies as a folksinger, too, but her understanding of that term has always been far more expansive than a bin at the record store or a category on iTunes, with ample room for soul, funk, jazz, electronic music, spoken word, and a marching band or two. Show starts at 8 p.m. thevitalVOICE.com

OCTOBER

KC Playdates Jerry Seinfield spotlight arvest banktheater

10/11

The Midland

www.midlandkc.com Jerry Seinfeld revolutionized sitcom TV by starring in his infamous “show about nothing” alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander and Michael Richards. Seinfeld has continued giving audiences what they want with his hit web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Seinfeld continues the trend by giving us the opportunity to see him live onstage. Head to the Arvest Bank Theater and find out, from the legend himself, what the deal really is with airline food.

10/10 10/19

KC Ballet Presents “Alice (in Wonderland) At Kauffman Center for the performing Arts www.kauffmancenter.org

Take off on an incredible and magical journey and take another trip down the rabbit hole. Experience the odd and whimsical world of Wonderland and see all your favorite wacky characters like the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts and Cheshire Cat. This is a reimagined and full-evening take on the classic story. Critics call this performance “big and glossy” and “crackling with energy and innovative movement.” For a full list of showtimes and dates, visit www.kauffmancenter.org.

10/1010/12

Show-me showdown At Frank White Jr. Softball Complex www.showmeshowdownsoftball.com

The Heart of America Softball League presents this year’s Show-Me Showdown Softball Tournament. With teams invited from states all over the country, including Chicago, Dallas, Des Moines and Atlanta, the tournament is set to be bigger than ever! Teams entered in this tournament are receive a 4-game guarantee. Head to Frank White Jr. Softball Complex and cheer on your favorite team!

October 2014

Playdates KC

10/13

Ingrid Michaelson At Uptown Theater www.uptowntheater.com

From indi-pop princess to bona-fide pop star, Ingrid Michaelson has come a long way in the past two years. Her latest single “Girls Chase Boys” has been a commercial success and she can only get better from here. The New York Times has declared her songwriting “smart” and her music “irresistible.” Head to the Uptown Theater and see what all the buzz is about as Ms. Michaelson soothes you with music from her indie roots to her newfound popstar status.

10/24

Last Comic Standing At Ameristar Casino and Hotel www.ameristar.com/kansas_city

Five comedians for one admission ticket! The Last Comic Standing Tour comes to Kansas City. The tour features LCS finalists Nikki Carr, Rocky Laporte, Joe Machi, Lachlan Patterson and winner Rod Man. These finalists were chosen by judges Roseanne Barr, Keenan Ivory Wayans and Russel Peters as the funniest of the top 100 comics in the country! Head to Ameristar and see the judges were all aflutter about on Oct. 24.

10/24

Ani DiFranco at Uptown Theater www.uptowntheater.com

After 20 years in the music business, self-described “Little Folksinger” Ani DiFranco is still technically little, although her influence on fellow musicians and activists has been huge. After a long hiatus, DiFranco is back and is ready to entertain! Although she still identifies as a folk singer, her music allows ample room for soul, funk, jazz, electronic music and spoken word. Head to the Uptown Theater and see DiFranco in action on Oct. 24.

10/25

Dinner Detective Murder Mystery at Starlight theater www.kcstarlight.com

Dinner Detective is America’s largest murder mystery comedy dinner show! Solve a hilarious murder case while you enjoy a fantastic four-course plated dinner. Be the gumshoe to solve the case and you’ll win a tantalizing prize package – but be careful! Everyone in the show is a suspect, including you and the killer may be sharing your table. Get yourself in the spirit of the Halloween season with a good ol’ fashioned murder mystery – and eat some food while you’re at it!

thevitalVOICE.com

Scene

St. Louis

Photography by Mikey

October 2014

Berner

Scene in the STL

St. Louisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; LGBT community gathered at the Moonrise Hotel for Pearl Vodka Presents Queens in Space: The Sequel. Guests enjoyed unique space-themed entertainment, including a drag show hosted by Siren and music played by Kansas Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DJ Remix and YouTube sensation DJ Scotty Dynamo. Complimentary cocktail was provided by Pearl Vodka and Bacardi Rum. A portion of the proceeds benefited the Human Rights Campaign of St. Louis.

thevitalVOICE.com

Scene Kansas

Photography by Darin

October 2014

Slyman

City

Scene in KC

Kansas Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LGBT community raised awareness and support for equality at the first Rainbow Run for Equality. A portion of the proceeds went to PROMO, Missouriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statewide organization advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality through legislative action, electoral politics, grassroots organizing, and community education.

thevitalVOICE.com

Pamper Yourself. Support the Cause. Book a 50-minute Your Choice Massage or a 50-minute Classic Facial and ask for the “Pride St. Louis Spa Package”. Guests will pay the retail rate and Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis will donate a portion of sales to Pride St. Louis, Inc. Call 314-881-5758 or visit fourseasons.com/stlouis/spa_and_salon

Void for persons ineligible to game or excluded from Lumière Place Casino for any reason. Must be age 21 or older to gamble. Gambling problem? Call 1-888-BETSOFF. ©2014 Casino One Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

S A I N T LO U I S S C I E N C E C E N T E R

SOLVE THE MYSTERY October 9, 2014 - January 4, 2015

Exhibition developed by Exhibits Development Group and Geoffrey M. Curley + Associates in collaboration with the Conan Doyle Estate Ltd, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. and the Museum of London.

We specialize in making science fun! Investigate and explore over 700 interactive exhibits and take in a film on one of the world’s largest domed screens in our OMNIMAX® Theater. Come, play and exercise your brain! General admission is always free.

slsc.org/voicesherlock