THE FIGHT SOCAL'S LGBT MONTHLY MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2015 by The Fight Magazine

DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 1

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W E D O N AT E A P O RT I O N O F O U R P R O C E E D S T O T H E L A L G B T C E N T E R

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THECONTENTS >> MORE TO COME <<

C O V E R S T O R I E S A N D F E AT U R E S

WARS 22 SEX Battle Of The Billboards SUSPECT’S GAY CONNECTION 25 TERROR Paris Terror Fugitive Salah Abdeslam

COVERED 26 GETTING Choosing A Health Plan

PrEP OR BOTH? 32 PEP, Navigating New HIV Prevention Strategies JOURNEY OF REDEMPTION 34 A Scott Bloom’s Southern Nights FOR THE PEOPLE 38 NIRVANA Dr. Andrew Vanderveer On Cannabis & HIV YOU FOR THE MUSIC 40 THANK Gay Men’s Chorus Of Los Angeles

42 BEATING THE BLUES

Overcoming Holiday Stress

44 BEING UNDETECTABLE

Thrive Tribe Foundation’s Kevin Stalter

ON THE COVER FIVE MEMBERS OF THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF LOS ANGELES COVER PHOTO, TOC PHOTO AND FEATURE PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNINGHAM LOCATION FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENTS

11 THE LETTERS Readers Respond 16 THE TALK Kit Williamson 18 THE STATE Undocumented Immigrants 20 THE CITY Charlie Sheen 28 THE ROSTOW REPORT Brigadoon 36 THE TRANSACTION Modeling Agency 46 THE JOYSTICK Gaming 48 THE SHARE Local Sobriety 50 THE EPIDEMIC Educating Doctors 54 THE EVENT Palm Springs Leather

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56 THE CALENDAR Things To Do 58 THE FINAL FIGHT Last Word

H I V T R E AT M E N T C H E C K I N

IM PO RTA N T: Tear this sheet out and share it with your healthcare provider.

WHEN TAKING YOUR HIV MEDS, HAVE YOU NOTICED THAT YOU: STRONGLY AGREE

SOMEWHAT AGREE

SOMEWHAT DISAGREE

STRONGLY DISAGREE

Feel tired a lot Have trouble sleeping Have frequent diarrhea Have frequent headaches Often feel dizzy or have an upset stomach Skipped taking medicine to avoid having to deal with a side effect WHAT’S NEXT? If you “agree” with any of these, or have any other side effects, talk to your healthcare provider. Especially if side effects are making it hard for you to take your medication as prescribed. There may be something your healthcare provider can do. To determine the best treatment option for you, the advice of your healthcare provider is always best.

Visit treatmentcheckin.com to learn more.

DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 5

THEEDITOR

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Stanford Altamirano MANAGING EDITOR Mark Ariel ART DIRECTOR Nadeen Torio MARKETING CONSULTANTS Tom Pardoe Eric Slayton Joe Faragher >> IN THIS ISSUE <<

In recognition of World AIDS Day this month Dr. Tony Mills from SoCal Mens Medical Group writes about navigating new HIV prevention strategies (“PEP, PrEP Or Both?” page 32). “Everyone has had an incident where an unexpected high-risk exposure occurred,” writes Dr. Mills. “Condoms break, needle sticks occur, judgment can be impaired… it happens. If something occurs that makes you really worried that you had a serious exposure to HIV, see a medical provider immediately. Post Exposure Prophylaxis or PEP has been around for many years and it is highly effective in stopping an HIV infection from taking hold.” “Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP is a new HIV prevention strategy targeting people who may have ongoing high risk for acquiring HIV,” explains Dr. Mills. “It’s called PrEP because its something you do prior to the time the high-risk exposure occurs to prevent HIV from infecting your body. The only medication currently approved for this purpose is Truvada.” “Today PEP, PrEP or a combination of the two provides an amazing opportunity to decrease HIV transmission,” states Dr. Mills. Also in this issue Brenden Schucart interviews Dr. Andrew Vanderveer of the Nirvana medical cannabis clinic on Sunset about cannabis and HIV (Nirvana For The People,” page 38).

“I know first-hand how helpful cannabis can be when you are HIVpositive,” reveals Shucart. “I had smoked pot before being diagnosed (I was in my early twenties after all), but never with any consistency or enthusiasm. I just didn’t like the high. But a friend suggested a little reefer might help with some of the side effects from the antiretroviral medication used to keep my HIV in check. Crazy dreams which kept me up at night— vivid, uncomfortable dreams—and nausea which left me feeling tired and gross. Cannabis kept me taking my antiretroviral medication which otherwise I might have given up on. The impact it had on my anxiety and depression seemed like icing in the moment, but in the long run probably helped keep me from going too far down any number of self-destructive paths.” “I’ve probably seen hundreds of patients [living with HIV],” Dr. Vanderveer tells Schucart, “The number one thing I hear from patients [about cannabis] with an HIV diagnosis who are on antiretroviral therapy is relief from some of the side effects of their medications—nausea, anxiety & insomnia.” “Cannaboids [the active chemicals in cannabis] have anti-cancer properties,” states Dr. Vanderveer. They help regulate cells and interact heavily with the immune system. There is talk they could they have a role against the actual virus.”

SOCIAL MEDIA Paulo Murillo Eric Slayton WEBMASTER Nadeen Torio GET THE FIGHT AT HOME Sent Via First Class Mail 12 Issues: $36 6 Issues: $24 Mail check or money order to: Third Step, LLC 611 S. Catalina St. Suite 307 Los Angeles, CA 90005 PUBLISHER Third Step, LLC DISTRIBUTION Pride In Media The Fight Magazine is published monthly by Third Step, LLC. 611 South Catalina Street, Suite 307 Los Angeles, CA 90005 Telephone (323) 297-4001 Fax (213) 281-9648 Email info@TheFightMag.com THE FIGHT MAGAZINE LEGAL CAVEATS By listing in The Fight Magazine, advertisers acknowledge that they do business in the spirit of cooperation, fairness and service, maintaining a high level of integrity and responsibility. Providers of products or services are fully and solely responsible for providing same as advertised. The Fight Magazine assumes no liability for improper or negligent business practices by advertisers. Advertisers and their agencies assume responsibility and liability for the content of their advertisements in The Fight Magazine. Publisher assumes no liability for safe-keeping or return of unsolicited art, manuscripts or other materials. The Fight Magazine reserves the right to edit all material for clarity, length and content. All contents © 2015 Third Step LLC. All rights reserved. Content may be reproduced with permission. The Fight Magazine assumes no liability for any claims or representations contained anywhere in this magazine and reserves the right to cancel or refuse advertising at publisher’s discretion.

TheFightMag.com STANFORD ALTAMIRANO Editor-In-Chief

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THECONTRIBUTORS >> WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS <<

PAULO MURILLO West Hollywood resident Paulo Murillo has been writing for gay media for over twelve years. He got his start writing a bi-weekly column called “Luv Ya, Mean It” for FAB! Newspaper. Visit his website at thehissfit.com, or friend him on Facebook. ANN ROSTOW Ann Rostow writes news analysis columns for THE FIGHT and other gay publications across the country. For weekly LGBT News updates, visit her blog at: annrostow.blogspot.com. Ann can be reached at: arostow@aol.com. DUSTI CUNNINGHAM Los Angeles based photographer Dusti Cunningham grew up in a very clean single-wide trailer home in rural Kansas. His family didn’t own television so they watched tornadoes. None of his dogs were named Toto. Dolly

Mills Murillo

Rostow

Arellano

Parton and his mother were his heroes, both wore wigs. His inspirations are gypsies, pirates, circuses, 1970s glamour, and the National Enquirer. www.dusticunningham.com. JOSEPH ARELLANO A stage and film actor from Bedford, Indiana, Joe has been involved in community events such as The Friendly House Luncheon, PATH, and LA PRIDE. Joe has appeared in Titus Andronicus,

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Shucart

Cunningham

Dark Side of the Moon, and Take Me Out. He also co-starred in the music video Hopeful Romantic, Hallmarks’ Holly’s Holiday, and other various short films. BRENDEN SHUCART Brenden Shucart is an HIV AIDS-LGBT rights advocate, actor, and writer whose work has been featured in Out There,The Advocate and HIV Plus magazine among others. His essays around HIV-related health issues and

stigma have been described as “humanizing and heartbreaking” and “beautiful, honest, and important.” As an actor Shucart has appeared in the short film “Bug Chaser,” James Franco and Travis Mathews’ “Interior. Leather Bar.,” and Mathews’ 2010 short film “I Want Your Love.” TONY MILLS, MD A leading LA-based clinician in the fields of men’s health and wellness, Dr. Mills serves as the primary care provider for over 2,000 patients, including approximately 1,000 living with HIV. Dr. Mills received both his undergraduate and medical degrees from Duke University. He completed an internship in Internal Medicine, a residency in Anesthesiology and a fellowship in Cardiovascular Anesthesiology, all at the University of California, San Francisco. He can be contacted via his website: SoCalMensHealth.com.

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THELETTERS >> FROM OUR READERS <<

ME NAVIGATE Dear Editor, I very much enjoyed you article on polyamorous relationships (“When Three Is Not A Crowd,” THE FIGHT Issue #58). As someone who has been there, done that (I am currently single, and happy) I wanted to share with your readers something I read a few years ago that helped me navigate my way during the time I spent in a poly relationship. These tips are from a site called Queering the Mind, queeringthemind.com, by therapist Laura Booker. She has worked for many years at the LGBT Center in the West Village in New York. Here are her tips for making the most out of a poly relationship. Both people have to really want it. Both partners have to be invested in the process and the experience.... Now that said, some couples go through a trial period, where they are essentially “trying on” polyamory with an agreement that they will decide if it’s the right construct for their relationship.... Being in a poly relationship requires ongoing conversation and acknowledgement that feelings are fluid and changeable. Accept that difficult feelings will come up. Individuals succeed in poly relationships when they accept that dealing with feelings like jealousy, insecurity, fear, hurt and anger may be part of the process. How the person or couple deals with these feelings is more significant than their presence alone. Communicate beyond your wildest imagination. If you’re a poor communicator, I urge you now to retreat to monogamy. It will still be difficult, but not as difficult as being poly. Come from a family that made you feel loved and secure. When a child grows up feeling safe, secure, loved and valued, typically they internalize a sense of safety, calm and self-worth. This fundamentally critical experience can help a person navigate poly relationships. Get support from people who can affirm your relationship choices. Just like coming out as gay, lesbian or bisexual, poly people need to seek out others both in and out of the poly community who support and understand their choices. —Daryl Hudd, via the internet

> WRITE TO THE EDITOR

Email: editor@thefightmag.com Fax: (213) 281-9648. Letters may be shortened due to space requirements. DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 11

WHAT IS PREZCOBIX™ ?

• It is not known if PREZCOBIX™ is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age. • When used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection, PREZCOBIX™ may help:

Medihaler,® Migergot,® Wigraine®, Wigrettes®), methylergonovine (Methergine®), lovastatin or a product that contains lovastatin (Altoprev,® Advicor,® Mevacor ®), lurasidone (Latuda®), oral midazolam (Versed®), pimozide (Orap®), ranolazine (Ranexa®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifater®, Rifamate,® Rimactane®), sildenafil (Revatio®) when used for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), simvastatin or a product that contains simvastatin (Simcor,® Vytorin®, Zocor ®), St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) or a product that contains St. John’s Wort, or triazolam (Halcion®).

○ reduce the amount of HIV-1 in your blood. This is called “viral load.”

• Serious problems can happen if you take any of these medicines with PREZCOBIX.™

○ increase the number of CD4+ (T) cells in your blood that help fight off other infections.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking PREZCOBIX™ ?

• PREZCOBIX™ is always taken in combination with other HIV medications for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults. PREZCOBIX™ should be taken once daily with food. • PREZCOBIX™ does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS, and you may still experience illnesses associated with HIV-1 infection. You must keep taking HIV-1 medicines to control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses. • Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions on how to prevent passing HIV to other people. • Please read the Important Safety Information below and talk to your healthcare provider to learn if PREZCOBIX™ is right for you.

• About all health problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have liver problems, including hepatitis B or hepatitis C, have kidney problems, are allergic to sulfa (sulfonamide), have diabetes, have hemophilia, or have any other medical condition, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking PREZCOBIX.™ • About all medicines you take. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines interact with PREZCOBIX.™ Keep a list of your medicines to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take PREZCOBIX™ with other medicines.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What are the possible side effects of PREZCOBIX™ ?

What is the most important information I should know about PREZCOBIX™ ?

• The most common side effects of darunavir, one of the medicines in PREZCOBIX,™ include diarrhea, nausea, rash, headache, stomach area (abdominal) pain, and vomiting.

• PREZCOBIX™ may cause liver problems. Some people taking PREZCOBIX™ may develop liver problems which may be life-threatening. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before and during your treatment with PREZCOBIX.™ ○ Chronic hepatitis B or C infection may increase your chance of developing liver problems. Your healthcare provider should check your blood tests more often. ○ Signs and symptoms of liver problems include dark (tea-colored) urine, yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes, pale-colored stools (bowel movements), nausea, vomiting, pain or tenderness on your right side below your ribs, or loss of appetite. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of these symptoms. • PREZCOBIX™ may cause severe or life-threatening skin reactions or rash. Sometimes these skin reactions and skin rashes can become severe and require treatment in a hospital. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash. ○ Stop taking PREZCOBIX™ and call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any skin changes with symptoms such as fever, tiredness, muscle or joint pain, blisters or skin lesions, mouth sores or ulcers, red or inflamed eyes like “pink eye” (conjunctivitis). • PREZCOBIX,™ when taken with certain other medicines, can cause new or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should check your kidneys before you start and while you are taking PREZCOBIX.™ Who should not take PREZCOBIX™ ? • Do not take PREZCOBIX™ with any of the following medicines: alfuzosin (Uroxatral®), cisapride (Propulsid®, Propulsid® Quicksolv), colchicine (Colcrys®, Mitigare,® if you have liver or kidney problems), dronedarone (Multaq®), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E.45®, Embolex ®, Migranal®), ergotamine tartrate (Cafergot ,® Ergomar ,® Ergostat ,® 1 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

• Other possible side effects include: ○ High blood sugar, diabetes or worsening diabetes, and increased bleeding in people with hemophilia have been reported in patients taking protease inhibitor medicines, including PREZCOBIX.™ ○ Changes in body fat can happen in people who take HIV-1 medicines. The exact cause and long-term health effects of these changes are not known. ○ Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. These are not all of the possible side effects of PREZCOBIX.™ For more information, ask your healthcare provider. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please see accompanying full Product Information for more details. Janssen Therapeutics, Division of Janssen Products, LP © Janssen Therapeutics, Division of Janssen Products, LP 2015 05/15 034168-150507

027409-150108

• PREZCOBIX™ is a prescription HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1) medicine used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). PREZCOBIX™ contains the prescription medicines PREZISTA® (darunavir) and TYBOST® (cobicistat).

{

Wisdom inspired by real people

DISCOVER YOUR WISDOM WITHIN

Visit WisdomLosAngeles.com to hear wisdom inspired by experts and people like you living with HIV. Ask your provider if Once-Daily* PREZCOBIX™ is right for you.

WisdomLosAngeles.com *PREZCOBIX™ is taken in combination with other HIV medications for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults. DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 13

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION PATIENT INFORMATION PREZCOBIX (prez-koe-bix) (darunavir and cobicistat) tablets Please read this information before you start taking PREZCOBIX and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. What is the most important information I should know about PREZCOBIX? • PREZCOBIX may cause liver problems. Some people taking PREZCOBIX may develop liver problems which may be lifethreatening. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before and during your treatment with PREZCOBIX. If you have chronic hepatitis B or C infection, your healthcare provider should check your blood tests more often because you have an increased chance of developing liver problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the below signs and symptoms of liver problems. • dark (tea colored) urine • yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes • pale colored stools (bowel movements) • nausea • vomiting • pain or tenderness on your right side below your ribs • loss of appetite • PREZCOBIX may cause severe or life-threatening skin reactions or rash. Sometimes these skin reactions and skin rashes can become severe and require treatment in a hospital. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash. Stop taking PREZCOBIX and call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any skin changes with symptoms below: • fever • tiredness • muscle or joint pain • blisters or skin lesions • mouth sores or ulcers • red or inflamed eyes, like “pink eye” (conjunctivitis) • PREZCOBIX when taken with certain other medicines can cause new or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should check your kidneys before you start and while you are taking PREZCOBIX. See “What are the possible side effects of PREZCOBIX?” for more information about side effects. What is PREZCOBIX? PREZCOBIX is a prescription HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1) medicine used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). PREZCOBIX contains the prescription medicines PREZISTA (darunavir) and TYBOST (cobicistat). It is not known if PREZCOBIX is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age. When used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection, PREZCOBIX may help: • reduce the amount of HIV-1 in your blood. This is called “viral load”.

1 4 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

• i ncrease the number of CD4+ (T) cells in your blood that help fight off other infections. Reducing the amount of HIV-1 and increasing the CD4+ (T) cells in your blood may help improve your immune system. This may reduce your risk of death or getting infections that can happen when your immune system is weak (opportunistic infections). PREZCOBIX does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. You must keep taking HIV-1 medicines to control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses. Avoid doing things that can spread HIV-1 infection to others. • Do not share or re-use needles or other injection equipment. • Do not share personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them, like toothbrushes and razor blades. • Do not have any kind of sex without protection. Always practice safe sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions on how to prevent passing HIV to other people. Who should not take PREZCOBIX? Do not take PREZCOBIX with any of the following medicines: • alfuzosin (Uroxatral®) • cisapride (Propulside®, Propulsid® Quicksolv) • colchicine (Colcrys®, Mitigare®), if you have liver or kidney problems • dronedarone (Multaq®) • ergot-containing medicines: • dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45®, Embolex®, Migranal®) • ergotamine tartrate (Cafergot®, Ergomar®, Ergostat®, Medihaler®, Migergot®, Wigraine®, Wigrettes®) • methylergonovine (Methergine®) • lovastatin or a product that contains lovastatin (Altoprev®, Advicor®, Mevacor®) • lurasidone (Latuda®) • midazolam (Versed®), when taken by mouth • pimozide (Orap®) • ranolazine (Ranexa®) • rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifater®, Rifamate®, Rimactane®) • sildenafil (Revatio®), when used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) • simvastatin or a product that contains simvastatin (Simcor®, Vytorin®, Zocor®) • St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), or a product that contains St. John’s Wort • triazolam (Halcion®) Serious problems can happen if you take any of these medicines with PREZCOBIX. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking PREZCOBIX? Before taking PREZCOBIX, tell your healthcare provider if you: • have liver problems, including hepatitis B or hepatitis C • have kidney problems • are allergic to sulfa (sulfonamide) • have diabetes • have hemophilia • have any other medical condition

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION • a re pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if PREZCOBIX will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking PREZCOBIX. • Pregnancy Registry: There is a pregnancy registry for women who take antiretroviral medicines during pregnancy. The purpose of the registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry. • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take PREZCOBIX. • You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV to your baby. • It is not known if PREZCOBIX can pass into your breast milk. • Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines interact with PREZCOBIX. Keep a list of your medicines to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with PREZCOBIX. • Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take PREZCOBIX with other medicines. How should I take PREZCOBIX? • Take PREZCOBIX exactly as your healthcare provider tells you. • Do not change your dose or stop taking PREZCOBIX without talking to your healthcare provider. • Take PREZCOBIX 1 time a day with food. • If you miss a dose of PREZCOBIX by less than 12 hours, take your missed dose of PREZCOBIX right away. Then take your next dose of PREZCOBIX at your regularly scheduled time. • If you miss a dose of PREZCOBIX by more than 12 hours, wait and then take the next dose of PREZCOBIX at your regularly scheduled time. • If a dose of PREZCOBIX is skipped, do not double the next dose. Do not take more or less than your prescribed dose of PREZCOBIX at any one time. • If you take too much PREZCOBIX, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. What are the possible side effects of PREZCOBIX? PREZCOBIX may cause serious side effects including: • See “What is the most important information I should know about PREZCOBIX?” • Diabetes and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Some people who take protease inhibitors including PREZCOBIX can get high blood sugar, develop diabetes, or your diabetes can get worse. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice an increase in thirst or urinate often while taking PREZCOBIX. • Changes in body fat can happen in people who take HIV-1 medications. The changes may include an increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the middle of your body (trunk). Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen.

The exact cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known. • Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having new symptoms after starting your HIV-1 medicine. • Increased bleeding for hemophiliacs. Some people with hemophilia have increased bleeding with protease inhibitors including PREZCOBIX. The most common side effects of darunavir, one of the medicines in PREZCOBIX, include: • diarrhea • nausea • rash • headache • stomach area (abdominal) pain • vomiting Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of PREZCOBIX. For more information, ask your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. How should I store PREZCOBIX? • Store PREZCOBIX tablets at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Keep PREZCOBIX and all medicines out of reach of children. General information about PREZCOBIX Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use PREZCOBIX for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give PREZCOBIX to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about PREZCOBIX that is written for health professionals. For more information call 1-800-526-7736. What are the ingredients in PREZCOBIX? Active ingredients: darunavir and cobicistat Inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, and silicified microcrystalline cellulose. The tablets are film-coated with a coating material containing iron oxide black, iron oxide red, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol (partially hydrolyzed), talc, and titanium dioxide. Manufactured by: Janssen Ortho LLC, Gurabo, PR 00778 Manufactured for: Janssen Therapeutics, Division of Janssen Products, LP, Titusville NJ 08560 Issued: January 2015 © Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2015 027415-150108

DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 15

THETALK >> W H AT T H E Y ’ R E S AY I N G <<

KIT WILLIAMSON

NEVER IN “I was never in.” —Actor Reid Ewing in response to a fan who asked him on Twitter if he just “outed himself.” The Modern Family star recently revealed his past struggles with body dysmorphia and cosmetic surgery.

REID EWING

HISTORIC YEAR BILLY CRYSTAL

SPREADING MISINFORMATION

“I expected to see some ignorant responses after Charlie Sheen revealed his HIV status this week, but I have to admit I was stunned by Jenny McCarthy’s statement that he should have disclosed his status to her before shooting scenes together on Two and a Half Men. On her SiriusXM radio show, McCarthy said ‘in playing a love interest, you would think there would be some type of, I don’t want to say criminal issue, but I don’t even know how to feel about that,’ adding ‘Ick! That’s not fair. It’s scary.’ To be clear, unless she had full on ShortbusBrown-Bunny-Von-Trier-Gaspar-Noé sex in the indie, art-house sex drama that is Two and a Half Men, her risk of contracting HIV from Sheen was about as high as her risk of contracting HIV from a swimming pool or a toilet seat, which is to say 0%. By speculating that he had an ethical and possibly legal obligation to disclose his HIV status to her, McCarthy is spreading misinformation and fear, and the media should call her on it.” —Actor, filmmaker, and activist Kit Williamson (“Mad Men,” “EastSiders”) in an op-ed in OUT.

SO PROUD

“I think it is changing… and it’s pretty amazing how it’s changing. And one of the things that I’m so proud about [Brokeback Mountain is that], within the past basically 10 years, how much has changed. When the Supreme Court [issued a ruling] just a little while ago, I felt like we had been part, a little part JAKE GYLLENHAAL and parcel of that movement. I was proud, you know? To me that’s really a pretty incredible moment.” —Jake Gyllenhaal on the legacy of Brokeback Mountain and his friendship with the late actor Heath Ledger with The Hollywood Reporter. 1 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

“An historic moment in an historic year.” —Out Magazine, after naming President Obama its “Ally of the Year” and putting him on the cover of its latest issue — the first time a sitting U.S. president has graced the front of a national gay publication. In an interview with the magazine Obama said that he “wasn’t surprised by the Supreme Court’s decision [on marriage equality] ... but like millions of Americans, I was proud and happy that it came down the way it did. And I was honored to stand in the Rose Garden and reiterate for every American that we are strongest, that we are most free, when all of us are treated equally. I was proud to say that love is love.”

SO BADLY “I just wanted so badly to be straight, because I love her so much. I think that was one of the most painful things when we decided to separate.” —Passion Pit’s frontman Michael MICHAEL Angelakos on author Bret Easton Ellis’ ANGELAKOS podcast. Angelakos discussed his marriage and subsequent divorce, telling Ellis that he’s gay, and detailing the struggles he’s faced with that actualization.

HOLDING IT IN “I’m gay. I’m tired of holding it in, it is what it is. I live my life.” —Professional boxer Yusaf Mack in an interview with FOX 29 news last month. After an adult entertainment video surfaced two months ago the 35-year old father of 10 initially claimed he was drugged YUSAF MACK and forced into doing gay porn. “My whole life, I’ve been what they call a whoremonger. I love females,” Mack told Philly.com in October. “The only time I touch a man is when I’m in the ring fighting.”

NOBODY CARES “Our biggest challenge as AIDS activists is that nobody cares anymore. It’s apathy.” —Activist Peter Staley addressing one of the biggest problems facing those working on ending AIDS in a new documentary produced by HBO and Vice “Countdown To Zero.”

PETER STALEY

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THESTATE >> M AT T H E U S S T E P H E N S <<

RICK ZBUR

LGBT UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS Equality California joins Supreme Court Brief calling for Restoration of Immigration Relief.

ogether with a group of other labor, civil rights and service provider organizations, Equality California has submitted an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to grant certiorari in a case seeking to lift a federal injunction blocking implementation of programs awarding temporary legal residency status to limited classes of undocumented immigrants. The programs, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA), would give between four and five-million undocumented immigrants an opportunity to apply for a permit to temporarily avoid deportation. President Obama announced an expansion of the programs last year, prompting a lawsuit by the state of Texas and 25 other states claiming that Obama had overstepped his executive authority. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas issued a temporary injunction against implementation of the expanded programs earlier this year; the U.S. Department of Justice last month filed a petition for the U.S. Supreme Court to hear its case to remove the injunction. “We represent the interests of LGBT people and are committed to advancing social justice in all the communities that LGBT people are a part of,” said Rick Zbur, executive director of Equality California. “These programs directly impact millions of people who have grown up here, paid taxes here and raised their families here— including hundreds of thousands of LGBT people in California alone. Bringing undocumented immigrants into the full social, economic, and civic life of our communities is not only just and fair, it simply makes economic sense.” n For more info visit: www.eqca.org.

1 8 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

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Video West In West Hollywood To Close

West Hollywood Recognizes World AIDS Day

he City of West Hollywood recognized World AIDS Day this month with several events, including the World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil which was co-presented by the Alliance for Housing and Healing, AIDS/LifeCycle, AIDS Project Los Angeles, Being Alive, West Hollywood Cheerleaders, The Thrive Tribe, and The Life Group LA. The City once again had a broadcast of AIDSWatch—a 24-hour electronic art piece and memorial on WeHo TV. The Paul Starke Warrior Awards were given to individuals who provide service to people living with HIV/AIDS. The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt was also on display at West Hollywood City Hall.

LA LGBT Center On Charlie Sheen

n response to last month’s Today Show interview in which CHARLIE Charlie Sheen said he is HIVSHEEN positive, Los Angeles LGBT Center Director of Health and Mental Health Services Chris Brown said: “We must end the shame that causes people to conceal the fact that they’re HIVpositive. Thirty-four years into the epidemic, treatments for HIV have advanced considerably, but perceptions regarding people who are positive haven’t. So it’s no surprise, yet still very sad, to learn that even someone as privileged as Charlie Sheen felt the need to hide his status for years.” “… Much of the reaction and media reports before and after Sheen’s announcement reveal how much people still have to learn about HIV.”

San Diego Holds LGBT Student Speak OUT

an Diego Pride, San Diego LGBT Community Center, The Trevor Project— San Diego, PFLAG San Diego County, and GLSEN San Diego County have come together to create the Speak OUT About School: Student Essay Contest, where junior high and high school LGBTQ students within San Diego Unified School District are being encouraged to write a 500 word or less essay about their experience within the local school system. The contest was created to open dialogues and encourage diversity and inclusivity across the county, starting with the city’s youth. 2 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

ome West Hollywood residents were sad to learn of the closing of West Hollywood’s oldest and only video rental store, which has been open since 1984. Other residents had no idea and could not believe the video store was still open. WEHOville reports that Video West, located on 805 Larrabee Street, could not compete with the digital world where videos can be streamed on the Internet through services such as Hulu and Netflix. Claudia Flores, the owner of Video West has not confirmed a closing date.

Arrest Made In Palm Springs Hate Crime

eith Terranova, 35, was arrested last month for his part in what police are calling a hate crime after gay activist KEITH George Zander and his husband were atTERRANOVA tacked in the gay district of Palm Springs on South Calle Encilia, between Arenas Road and Tahquitz Canyon Way. The couple was leaving a nightclub, when they were assaulted on November 1. George Zander suffered a leg injury that required surgery while Chris Zander suffered a head injury after being hit over the head with a bottle. Terranova is being held on suspicion of the felony crimes of elder abuse, battery with serious injury, assault with a deadly weapon, and committing a hate crime. Police are looking for a second make suspect in the attack.

WeHo Recognizes Transgender Day of Remembrance

n Friday, November 20, the city held its annual Transgender Day of Remembrance event at the auto court of the West Hollywood Library. Hosted by the city’s Transgender Advisory Board, the event included speakers from the community and city representatives. The event is known for the reading of names of transgender people who have passed due to transgender hate crimes, followed by a candlelight march. Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed all across the world and serves to honor and memorialize those who have lost their lives because of anti-transgender hatred and prejudice. It also helps to raise public awareness about ongoing hate crimes against the trans community. n

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IT’S MORE THAN JUST HEALTH CARE. IT’S KEEPING WELL CARE. AND READY FOR WHAT’S NEXT CARE. IT’S LIFE CARE. Most Californians who enrolled through Covered California got help paying for health insurance. Find out if you can too. Free, local, in-person help is available. Enroll by December 15 to be covered by January 1. CoveredCA.com

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DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 21

>> MASCULINITY AND BROTHERHOOD <<

to feel free to discuss any aspect of their life that could impact their health, including sexual practices, without fear of judgement. Unfortunately, there are still too many people who don’t even feel comfortable acknowledging their sexual orientation or gender identity to their doctor, so our community isn’t getting the type of care we need and deserve.” “We decided,” reveals Key, that “it was important for our campaign to reflect the fact that the Center is a place where everyone feels welcomeBY MA RK ARI EL -whatever their sexual orientation or gender identity--and whatever they’re into. And because smart phone he Los Angeles LGBT Center recently launched a camapps are how people are meeting and communicating todaypaign dubbed “What R U Into?” showing men at dif-whether you like that or not--we wanted our ferent WeHo hot spots conveying “what they’re into” campaign to acknowledge that, without by using various emojis on smart phone apps. stigmatizing people for it. The last Scrawled under the images, the message Jim thing any of us need is more stigma from the Center is “Whatever you’re into, caring for Key, LA LGBT regarding who we are or how we your sexual health is our priority at the new Los have sex.” Angeles LGBT Center-WeHo.” Center: “…Smart phone “The reaction to the camLocated just above Gym Sportsbar and apps are how people are paign has been great and Coffee Bean at 8745 Santa Monica Blvd., the more importantly, tremennew Center-WeHo offers free HIV testing, meeting and communicating dous numbers of people STD testing and treatment, HIV prevention today--whether you like that or have been coming to the medications: PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxnot… we wanted our campaign to Center-WeHo and we’ve is) and PEP (post-exposure prohylaxis), vachelped hundreds of people cinations for hepatitis A/B and HPV, partner acknowledge that, without stigget on PrEP,” states Key. notification services, and condoms.

Sex Wars Battle of the billboards in Los Angeles. The Center versus AHF.

matizing people for it. The last SCARE TACTICS thing any of us need is more With a very different marketing approach— When asked if the Center’s stigma regarding who we AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) recently came «sex positive» marketing was out with billboards equating hookup apps with STIs driven by the fact that many are or how we have and casual sex with greater community activists were angered sex.” risk of contracting HIV. by AHF’s “scare tactics” marketing FEAR OF JUDGEMENT

JIM KEY

Under the AHF billboards, the type reads: “Tindr, chlamydia, Grindr, gonorrhea” and “Do you trust him?” In an interview with THE FIGHT Jim Key, Chief Marketing Officer at the Los Angeles LGBT Center — explained the Center’s “sex positive” outreach. “In order to get the best medical care and health advice, people need to feel completely comfortable with their healthcare providers. They need

28 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com 1

approach—Key says the concern was first and foremost getting treatment to those in need. “We examined marketing campaigns developed by LGBT and HIV/AIDS organizations all over the country, going back for many years, and a number of them influenced us one way or another. But ultimately we decided on this campaign and approach-after consultation with many of our sexual health experts and outreach staff--simply because we believed it was the right one to encourage gay and bisexual men to get the care and treatment they deserve and to be aware that we offer that care at the Center-WeHo and our other facilities.”

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2 4 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

Salah Abdeslam, who is now believed to be in disguise (right) and going by a new name.

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ne of the terrorists involved in the deadly Paris shootings last month was thought to be a rent boy, after he was regularly seen flirting with other men in Brussels’ gay bars, according to various media reports. Salah Abdeslam, 26, has been on the run after gunning down crowds of Friday night revelers in cafes and bars on November 13, in a bloody massacre that left 130 people dead. The bartender of a club visited by him a month ago, told the Sunday Times that, while Islamic State (Isis) routinely executes gay men, Abdeslam was very much part of the gay scene in Brussels. “We had him down as a rent boy, he was always hanging out with that kind of crowd,” the bartender who did not want to be named, stated. Abdeslam’s brother Ibrahim, who blew himself up outside the Comptoire Voltaire cafe in Paris, ran a bar in the Molenbeek district of Brussels, dubbed the “Jihadi capital of Europe.” His close friend Karim revealed that the bar was closed down a week before the Paris attacks because he had used it as a den to sell drugs. “Brahim [Ibrahim] and Salah spent most of their days smoking hashish and playing on PlayStation in the bar,’ he said. “There was nothing to suggest they were radicalized.” The revelations about Abdeslam’s alleged private life contravenes the staunch moral edicts of Isis. The terror group has released several propaganda images and videos of suspected gay men and adulterers being executed, hurled off buildings to their deaths or crucified in village squares. n

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hellothello.com DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 25

>> TIPS FOR COPING <<

Getting Covered F

Guide for choosing a health plan through Covered California—for people living with HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and those considering PrEP.

ive leading California HIV organizations—Access Support Network, AIDS Project Los Angeles, Los Angeles LGBT Center, Project Inform, and San Francisco AIDS Foundation—have released an updated guide for people living with HIV, hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis B (HBV), and individuals considering pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) on choosing a health insurance plan through Covered California. The guide contains two parts. The first part explains important things to consider when choosing a plan and includes information about additional benefits that might be available to help pay for the cost of health insurance. The second part includes an analysis of the availability of HIV, HCV, HBV, and PrEP drugs on each of the 12 plans’ drug formularies. For individuals living with HIV, HCV, HBV, or considering PrEP, it is important to understand all of the options available before enrolling in a new health insurance plan through Covered California. A recent analysis by Avalere found that some 2015 Covered California plans provided limited coverage for prescription drugs and had high out-of-pocket costs. Their analysis of 2016 Covered California plans found that coverage and cost-sharing for HIV, HCV, HBV, and PrEP drugs varies significantly among insurers. Thus, it is extremely important for individuals to review each plan’s formulary and associated out-ofpocket costs before selecting a new health insurance plan. In addition, because plans can change at any time, we recommend that individuals speak with a certified enrollment counselor or certified insurance agent who understands their individual health needs before making a final decision. Among the guide’s recommendations: • People with chronic conditions and routine medication needs, including PrEP, should avoid Bronze and Minimum Coverage plans. Despite their low premiums, these plans have high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs that are likely to make access to medications and other benefits unaffordable. 2 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

• People with incomes between 138% and 250% of the Federal Poverty Level ($16,243-$29,425 for individuals) should strongly consider Silver plans where they will be eligible for help with out-of-pocket costs. The exception is people living with HIV who qualify for additional help through the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and the Office of AIDS Health Insurance Premium Payment program (OA-HIPP) with incomes over 200% of the Federal Poverty Level who may have lower out-of-pocket costs by selecting a Platinum plan. • Some Californians living with HIV can get their medications covered and/or additional help paying for their medications through ADAP. They may also be able to have their insurance premiums paid by OA-HIPP. People living with HIV are now eligible for these programs if their modified adjusted gross income does not exceed 500% of the Federal Poverty Level ($58,850 for individuals) based on family size and household income. • For Californians interested in PrEP, there are now multiple financial assistance programs that may be able to help pay for the cost of the medication. These programs are supported by Gilead Sciences, Patient Access Network Foundation, and Patient Advocate Foundation. • For the 2016 plan year, people who enroll in a Covered California health plan will pay no more than $250 per month for a 30-day prescription drug supply for Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans and no more than $500 for a 30-day prescription drug supply for Bronze plans. • All Covered California plans are now required to maintain a dedicated prescription drug customer service line where current and prospective members can call for help and receive an estimate of the out-of-pocket cost for specific drugs.

The release of the guide coincides with the open enrollment period for Covered California which began November 1, 2015, and continues through January 31, 2016. The guide is available at www.projectinform.org/pdf/CCguide.pdf.

DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 27

THEROSTOWREPORT >> BY ANN ROSTOW <<

Pass the Bubbles

It’s official. We are entering the LGBT news dead zone, the final weeks of the year when for unknown reasons, a soporific holiday lull envelops our community and keeps us out of the headlines until early January. With the salient exception of 2013, when a federal court dismantled Utah’s ban on marriage and sent the equality ball on it’s final trajectory into the goal, December has been a lackluster month for transformative moments in our long march to civil rights. It looks as if this year will be no exception. Take the Google gay news searches of the last few days. My favorite is from the Mirror’s web site, and reads: “Mum of two attacked Gay Village revellers with broom after legal high binge.” Legal high binge? Sounds like fun! (And where were the kids during this melee?) You can also find a bunch of stories about antigay sentiment in Russia, an article about a pro hockey referee who is gay, items about antigay preachers, a list of 15 myths about gay men, and a piece about a married lesbian in Wisconsin who is getting pushback from the courts on her effort to clarify that she is the legal parent of their child (who was artificially conceived by her wife). So why does this happen? Do our activists and political leaders just kind of shut down? Does the media put our stories on the back burner in favor of shopping crowds, recipe tips and the War on Christmas? Is it perhaps my own imagination? My own annual mental hibernation that blinds me to normally compelling community events and themes? Now that I’ve written the above, be prepared for an onslaught of major gay news to inundate us just as this issue of THE FIGHT goes to press. And because I know you want to know, the mum of two was a 30-something woman

Ever seen Brigadoon? One of the 15 myths about gay men was the “myth” that my gay brothers are all experts on show tunes. And again, I know that’s not a myth, and I know that only age separates those of you who remember the Lerner and Lowe stage and screen classic from those of you who do not. Personally, I think of it every time I roam through a field of heather. named Rebecca Lowrey. Lowrey went to a gay nightclub in Manchester last January, met a gay man and a woman, and wound up drinking all night and taking a drug called “bubble.” Later, the man put the moves on her, reportedly as a joke, and Lowrey turned on both of her new friends and whacked the stuffing out them with the aforementioned broom. She was recently given a suspended sentence and promised never to do such a thing in the future.

2 8 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

For your information, bubble is slang for mephedrone, and is also referred to as “drone,” “M-Cat,” white magic,” and my favorite, “meow meow.” Sadly, the cocaine-like substance is, in fact, illegal in the U.S.. We are stuck with booze.

Back to the High Court?

Normally, I do not like to regale THE FIGHT readers with yester-month’s news, the

stuff that made headlines two or three weeks ago, which you probably read elsewhere and which is now sliding into a warm fog of obscurity. But beggars can’t be choosers, and unless you really care about Russia or, let’s say, the two champion divers who are boyfriends at the University of Miami, it is time for a look back. The divers are cute by the way, so you might check them out. Oh, and as for the myths about gay men, do you really think the notion that “gay men can’t help themselves from hitting on straight men” can rightly be called a “myth?” A generalization, maybe. Not every straight man warrants a second look. So here’s a big deal. The Alabama Supreme Court, not known for its forward looking jurisprudence, ripped a page out of the Constitution, chewed it into a little ball, and spat it into the face of two women and their lawyers at the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The women, known as VL and EL, were together for 17 years, during which time EL gave birth to three kids, two of them twins, all of whom were adopted by VL through the Georgia courts. The women moved to Alabama, broke up, and VL sued for visitation. Remember that VL is the legal mother of her adopted kids, right? Wrong! Defying over two centuries of constitutional interpretation of the Full Faith and Credit Clause, the Alabama high court decided that its sister state misunderstood its own state law and that VL’s adoption should not have been granted in Georgia and was therefore not valid in Alabama. Under the Full Faith and Credit Clause, a state court judgment must be respected throughout the country, period, and may not be second guessed except by a federal court. On November 16, the NCLR asked the U.S. Supreme Court

> > B U B B L E S , H I G H C O U R T, C O M E T O M E , G O S S I P B O Y S < <

to review the case, and to restore VL’s visitation rights at once while the litigation is pending. Once again, we await High Court action on a critical gay rights issue. I’m not sure how quickly the justices must reply to such a motion, but keep an eye out for some news from the Big Nine.

Come to Me, Bend to Me

I just checked Google to see if something earth shattering occurred in the thirty minutes since last I checked, and I was encouraged by the mysterious headline “Screening of Brigadoon addresses LGBT issues.” Ever seen Brigadoon? One of the 15 myths about gay men was the “myth” that my gay brothers are all experts on show tunes. And again, I know that’s not a myth, and I

know that only age separates those of you who remember the Lerner and Lowe stage and screen classic from those of you who do not. Personally, I think of it every time I roam through a field of heather. You can imagine how intrigued I was to discover that there might be a gay angle to the haunting tale of the mystical (and musical!) town that comes to life only once every hundred years. Did someone perhaps produce a version where the two American men fall for each other and remain in Brigadoon to avoid the homophobia of the 1950s? Or did I misread the headline, which actually referred to a screen of the youtube video “Bridegroom?” Um, yes that’s what happened. Listen, those of us who remember Brigadoon cannot always see without reading

glasses, so give me a break. Or give me a gay break as our generation used to say, for reasons that elude me at present. Sing with me: What a day this has been! What a rare mood I’m in. Why it’s almost like being in love!

Gossip Boys

Speaking of aging, eyesight is not the only threatened human function. Memory goes too. I was just reading about actress Holland Taylor, who sort of came out of the closet the other day but sort of was never in the closet to begin with. I patted myself on the back at the news, because I had long known about Ms. Taylor’s orientation thanks to a buddy of mine who saw her enjoying what appeared to be a romantic liaison with another woman at a hotel bar.

Ha! I thought. Dan was right. I subsequently reviewed Taylor’s filmography, or whatever it’s called, only to realize that it was not Holland Taylor who Dan saw at the bar, but Kate Mulgrew, the erstwhile Captain Janeway of the starship Voyager and currently the compelling Russian prisoner on Orange is the New Black. A quick check of Mulgrew indicates she is twice divorced, so Dan’s tip (in which he identified the actress as Captain Janeway and who I then mistook for Holland Taylor) must go back into the “who knows?” category. I will leave you to chew on that, and to consider another one of the 15 so-called myths, namely that all gay men are gossips. Again. Not a myth. Who came up with these myths anyway? A bunch of PFLAG mothers? n

DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 29

THESPREAD 3 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

DECEMB E F I GH T 31 NO VEMB ER 2015 | TH THE

WHAT I MOST WANT FOR CHRISTMAS: “IT MAY SOUND CORNY BUT WHAT I MOST WANT IS TO CONTINUE TO HAVE LOVE IN MY LIFE… OH, AND ALSO A NEW COUCH.”

SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT YOU: “I LIKE COOKING IN THE NUDE (BUT I NEVER FRY IN THE NUDE).”

BIGGEST FEAR: “LOSING MY MIND TO DEMENTIA, LOSING CONTROL.”

PET PEEVE: “GETTING MEN TO UNDERSTAND THAT ‘RACIAL PREFERENCE’ IS RACISM.”

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: BEEN WITH HUSBAND FOR 5 YEARS, MARRIED 6 MONTHS AGO.

OCCUPATION: ADMINISTRATIVE NURSE, WORKING IN SENIOR CARE.

AGE: 47

PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNINGHAM

PEP, PrEP or Both? > > C O V E R F E AT U R E < <

Dr. Tony Mills from SoCal Mens Medical Group on navigating new HIV prevention strategies.

B Y T ONY MI L L S , M D

met with a patient last week—recently diagnosed with gonorrhea—to discuss STD and HIV prevention. His HIV test with the new more sensitive 4th generation assay had come back negative but the unprotected encounter that led to the STD certainly put him at risk for HIV. What are the options for someone who wants to stay HIV negative but who may occasionally have a high-risk exposure? I always make sure patients know that risk varies depending on what activity you are engaging in. For gay men, semen is the most common vector. Thus being the insertive partner in anal sex carries a lower risk than being the receptive partner where potentially infectious semen can be taken into the body. Using a condom decreases the risk of diseases like HIV and gonorrhea that are transmitted by genital fluids, though they have less effect on those spread by skin-to-skin contact such as syphilis and herpes.

Unexpected High-Risk Exposure Everyone has had an incident where an unexpected high-risk exposure occurred. Condoms break, needle sticks occur, judgment can be impaired… it happens. 3 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

If something occurs that makes you really worried that you had a serious exposure to HIV, see a medical provider immediately. Post Exposure Prophylaxis or PEP has been around for many years and it is highly effective in stopping an HIV infection from taking hold. A combination of 2 or 3 HIV meds are taken for 28 days and the risk of HIV transmission is dramatically reduced but the trick is it needs to be started within 72 hours (3 days). PEP isn’t 100% successful but studies have shown the infection rate after PEP to be much lower than it was prior to it being used regularly. PEP is most often prescribed by provid-

DR. TONY MILLS

ers who work in an emergency or urgent care setting and insurance coverage for PEP is generally good so cost concerns should not limit its use. PEP is great for a one time high-risk exposure but it isn’t a great solution when there are ongoing exposures that are also high risk. PEP shouldn’t be used repeatedly. If someone needs PEP more than once, a longer-term strategy is probably needed.

“Extremely Effective In Preventing HIV” Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP is a new HIV prevention strategy targeting people who may have ongoing high risk for acquiring HIV. It’s called PrEP because its something you do prior to the time the highrisk exposure occurs to prevent HIV from infecting your body. The only medication currently approved for this purpose is Truvada. Truvada contains 2 different drugs that fight HIV combined in one pill and is very effective in both treating HIV and in preventing HIV infection. The medication needs to be taken every day in order to be effective and it takes about 7 days of regular use before protection is in place. Truvada was approved by the FDA for PrEP in July 2012 but it became more

PrEP: Preventing HIV from infecting your body

>> DR TONY MILLS <<

PCR assay. Making certain that patients are truly seronegative at the time they start PrEP decreases the likelihood that Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP is a any resistance to the medications might develop. new HIV prevention strategy targeting Many are concerned people who may have ongoing high risk for about the cost of PrEP. How acquiring HIV. It’s called PrEP because its much will it cost to cover all of those who are at high risk something you do prior to the time the of HIV infection? Insurance high-risk exposure occurs to prevent HIV payment for PrEP has evolved from infecting your body. The only over the past years but generally is good. If no coverage is medication currently approved possible, a generous patient asfor this purpose is Truvada. sistance program is available to cover the cost of the medication itself.

Transition From PEP To PrEP widely used last year in 2014 when the CDC strongly recommended it for anyone at substantial risk for HIV, especially partners of those who are HIV positive, MSM who engage in high risk behaviors, heterosexual men and women who are at substantial risk, and intravenous drug users. PrEP has been found in most studies to be extremely effective in preventing HIV infection in a variety of populations. Effectiveness is directly correlated with adherence. Obviously taking the medication regularly is necessary in order for the drug to work, just as it is with any therapy. In the vast majority of clinical trials, no HIV infection has been seen in study participants who had detectable levels of the medication in their bloodstream.

Generous Patient Assistance Program

A unique opportunity is created when patients on PEP get to the end of their course of treatment. There is an opportunity to evaluate existing HIV risk behaviors, address them head on, but, if the behaviors appear to be here to stay, to address a possible transition from PEP to PrEP. Traditionally after PEP, repeated HIV testing would be performed for the 6 months after stopping PEP to see if the PEP had worked by monitoring closely for HIV seroconversion. Patients were instructed that their HIV status was uncertain during that time and they

should take full precautions to prevent any potential spread of HIV. In reality, this plan was difficult to execute as high-risk behavior often continued without any additional protection of condoms. Because patients had been taking Truvada as part of their PEP regimen and often had worked through any minor side effects, an opportunity also presents itself to transition seamlessly from PEP to PrEP and continue to provide protection for the individual patient. Patients are queried for any potential seroconversion symptoms and tested with 4th generation testing to insure that no active HIV infection is present that would be inadequately treated with use of only the two drugs in Truvada. Theoretical concerns about development of drug resistant virus have not proven to be warranted in clinical practice where drug resistance has proven extremely rare in PrEP treated patients.

Amazing Opportunity To Decrease HIV Transmission

Today PEP, PrEP or a combination of the two provides an amazing opportunity to decrease HIV transmission. In spite of our best prevention efforts, approximately 50,000 patients are newly infected with HIV each year with an estimated 1.2 million individuals in the US living with HIV infection. Widespread testing can help to identify as many of those living with HIV as possible but CDC statisticians predict that about 14% of those living with the virus have never been HIV tested and do not know their status. This relatively small number of people is felt to be responsible for over 60% of new HIV infections. How do we protect those who are exposed to those who themselves do not know their status? Comprehensive HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis or PEP has been prevention behaviors around for many years and it is highly effective including reductions in risky behaviors, use of in stopping an HIV infection from taking hold. condoms, and utilizaA combination of 2 or 3 HIV meds are taken tion of PEP and PrEP for 28 days and the risk of HIV transmission is in high risk populations are integral to protect dramatically reduced but the trick is it needs to this vulnerable population be started within 72 hours (3 days). PEP isn’t from infection.

PrEP is generally very well tolerated. Side effects may include headache, mild abdominal pain and weight loss but generally they do not lead a patient to want to stop therapy. The drugs in Truvada also are effective in treating Hepatitis B so all potential users of Truvada should be screened for Hepatitis B prior to starting treatment. Kidney issues can occur but are very rare and the small amount of bone loss that occurs is felt not to be clinically significant. Additionally, patients must be CONFIRMED to be HIV negative prior to starting PrEP. This is usually done either by the 4th generation HIV antigen/antibody test or by the HIV

PEP: Reducing the likelihood of HIV infection after potential exposure

100% successful but studies have shown Tony Mills, M.D., specializes in the the infection rate after PEP to be treatment of HIV and AIDS. He is one much lower than it was prior to of the leading clinicians in the fields of it being used regularly. men’s health and HIV disease. For more info visit SoCalMensHealth.com.

DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 33

>> TIPS FOR COPING <<

ory of those who died faded so quickly from public consciousness. I wrote the first draft some 25 years ago while I was working in a tape vault in Studio City and I put it in a drawer. I would bring the script out from time to time over the years to tweak or edit it. The story has matured, as my recovery has. It’s taken on deeper meaning as I’ve worked through my own issues of loss and trust. Recently, my dear friend Myra Turley and

A Journey Of Redemption Filmmaker Scott Bloom on the deadliest hate crime ever committed against the LGBT community. BY SCO TT BLO O M

Dates of significance: June 24, 1973 an arsonist set fire to The Upstairs Lounge, a gay bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans. That evening 32 people lost their lives in what is the deadliest hate crime ever committed against the LGBT community. Some of the victims’ families were so horrified that one of their own could actually be gay; a handful of bodies went unclaimed. “They’re fruits. Bury them in fruit jars” was a common joke heard about town, especially among law enforcement. The community was shattered. January 2, 1989 after many miles and numerous attempts, I get sober for the final time – so far. It was a drunken spiral downward toward my bottom—a journey of a dozen years and thousands of miles that took me to very pits of despair and suicide. God saved me and I’ve spent nearly 27 years rediscovering my passions, my purpose and myself. I’ve also gained a sense of empathy and compassion for others that was missing from the previous incarnation of me. I have hope. Today I’m a filmmaker with a passion for gay history. I’ve released three award-winning documentaries – Original Pride: The Satyrs Motorcycle Club, Call Me Troy and Out For the Long Run. Our latest project, Southern Knights, was inspired by the tragedy at the Upstairs Lounge. As a native of New Orleans, I was privy to many of the tales of those left behind after the fire and the courage it took to heal from this senseless tragedy. Over the years, these stories haunted me and I was aghast that the mem3 4 TTHHEE FFIIGH www.thefightmag.com 34 GH TT || www.thefightmag.com

I have partnered together to polish this story into a tale that pulls at the heart but offers the sense of hope that was gifted to me. Southern Knights is a journey of redemption. It’s about taking your life back after a senseless tragedy committed at the hands of the hateful and ignorant. It’s about family of choice and it’s about unexpected miracles. And so we have begun the journey of bringing Southern Knights to life on the big screen. And as I’ve learned over the years, I’m here asking for your help. Please go to our IndieGogo page—igg.me/at/southern-knights and donate as much or as little as you can. It all helps us get to where we need to be. And secondly, tell your friends and family. They tell me that’s how this crowdfunding thing works. Tell them in person or in a note, experience says this works best. But tell them! Additionally we are still seeking interested investors to partner up with. Making movies is not for the faint of heart, but a project of this importance is worth taking a risk. We’ve mitigated some of that risk by writing a solid screenplay. A recent reading of the script to a local New Orleans audience elicited both laughter and tears—from a reading. Imagine how powerful this story will be when the film is complete. Many, many thanks for helping in any way you can. For more info visit igg.me/at/southern-knights.

Become a part of our incredible film...

A story inspired by the most lethal gay hate crime in history

igg.me/at/southern-knights You can participate in our Indiegogo fundraising campaign which ends on December 9th. Also visit debbystreetfilms.com for all the latest about Southern Knights.

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THETRANSACTION >> TRANS PRIDE L.A. <<

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Slay Model Management—first fashion agency with an all-transgender roster.

lay Model Management, the first exclusively transgender modeling agency, has opened its doors in downtown Los Angeles. “We believe one’s gender identity should not be a hindrance to one’s fashion dreams,” says founder Cecilio Asuncion, a former film director who entered fashion after his documentary film focusing on transgender issues, What’s the T?, won awards at major LGBT film festivals. His agency is working to break down barriers that have prevented trans models from rising to the top echelons of the fashion industry. “It’s time the world recognizes the amazing talent the trans community has to offer.”

SCOUTING TALENT While being trans is a prerequisite for all models on the Slay Model Management roster, it is not a guarantee for being signed with the agency. “We do

not sign just anyone,” contends Asuncion, who works alongside Genesis Ilada, a make-up artist and photographer whose work has appeared in VOGUE, KIT, DEFURE, TRASH, BELLO and JUTE Magazines, in scouting new talent. “Models must have the right height, measurements and a drive like no other!”

DO THE JOB He says he and Ilada view talent as models first and trans individuals second. “We’re competing against the world’s top girls. We’re not asking clients to give our models special treatment. We’re simply saying, if trans models can do the job, let them do the damn job,” he says. Asuncion points out that trans models such as Lauren Foster, Caroline Cossey and Tracey Africa have had successful careers for years, appearing in fashion magazines and campaigns. “But they often had

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to hide who they were in order to secure opportunities,” he explains. “We’re encouraging our models to wear their gender as a badge of honor. We want them to view their uniqueness as an asset that may help them to stand out in a crowded fashion field.”

Top Model and The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, Charriez is excited to be part of a community who understands and supports one another in an industry that still considers them outsiders.

MORE COMFORTABLE

2015 has been a year of progress for the trans community with many exciting breakthroughs. There was the reality show devoted to Caitlyn Jenner’s life and transition. Laverne Cox of Orange Is the New Black on the cover of Time Magazine. And the recent hire of Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, the first transgender appointee in the White House. o ignored But Asuncion is quick to draw the line between progress and acceptance. “Trans issues are being talked about more but it’s too early to assume it’s all better.” In his view, he’ll believe real change has been made the day a trans model appears in an ad for Target or Walmart. “The day I see a trans model pushing a shopping cart in a campaign for a major retailer—and no one bats an eye—is the day I will know my work is done.” n

At 12-years-old, Alex is the youngest trans girl on the Slay Model Management board. Her mother says she signed her daughter with Slay because she’s more comfortable with her daughter’s participation in the fashion industry being represented by an exclusively trans agency. Arisce, formerly with Ford Models, is perhaps the most recognizable face on the roster. This month, she is featured in German Vogue. She believes being represented by an agency that consists solely of transgender models frees her from the need to conform to preconceived notions of what a top model should be like. Claudia Charriez echoes Arisce’s sentiments. Having forged a modeling career with stints on America’s Next

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>> DR ANDREW VANDERVEER <<

Nirvana for the People Nirvana’s Dr. Andrew Vanderveer on cannabis and HIV. BY BRENDEN SHUCART

know first-hand how helpful cannabis can be when you are HIV-positive. I had smoked pot before being diagnosed (I was in my early twenties after all), but never with any consistency or enthusiasm. I just didn’t like the high. But a friend suggested a little reefer might help with some of the side effects from the antiretroviral medication used to keep my HIV in check. Crazy dreams which kept me up at night—vivid, uncomfortable dreams—and nausea which left me feeling tired and gross. Cannabis kept me taking my antiretroviral medication which otherwise I might have given up on. The impact it had on my anxiety and depression seemed like icing in the moment, but in the long run probably helped keep me from going too far down any number of self-destructive paths. When the The Fight asked me if I’d be interested in speaking to Dr. Andrew Vanderveer, Medical Director at the Nirvana Clinic on Sunset for their World AIDS Day issue, I leapt at the chance. Warmth and compassion spill out of the phone. His voice betrays his roots in the South and Midwest: charming, curious, and plainspoken. He sounds like a healer. Hello Doctor Vanderveer! Why don’t we start by hearing a little bit about you? I’m from the Midwest originally, but i grew up in North Carolina. I went to North Carolina State on a football scholarship. I studied biology, and I got to know all about sports injuries and training and things like that. Got a masters degree in neuroanatomy in Richmond Virginia, then i went to medical school at Chapel Hill. Why did you decide to be a doctor? It seemed like a good career move [laughs]… I always liked science, and I like to help people. Also, my dad’s a doctor, his 3 38 8 TTH HEE FFIGH IGHTT || www.thefightmag.com www.thefightmag.com

dad is a doctor, four of my uncles. It was kind of expected. Why got you interested in medical cannabis? My own personal injuries and struggles with pain is what really showed me what plants could do, that they had a place in medicine.

DR. ANDREW VANDERVEER

I was really sort of raised in and studied a lot of strict, western medicine. I didn’t believe in plants until my own experiences with really bad back pain. I was taking all kinds of pills, but nothing helped until i tried cannabis. Then, I went to residency in Greenville, and learned more about it. I saw people suffering in the hospital and not doing well with pharmaceutical medications. I started to educate myself about cannabis, then I started to grow it. I thought “Wow, if people can grow this plant and treat some of their symptoms, or help cure their cancer, that makes a lot of sense...” You can’t overdose from cannabis. No one has ever died from it. People have used for thousands of years.

Was all of this in North Carolina? Yeah. I stopped after one year of residency, moved to California and got my medical license. I’ve been here for three years. Have you been with Nirvana that whole time? No, I started out in San Francisco and Sacramento. I’ve been I’ve been the medical director at Nirvana for two years. What can you tell us about Nirvana’s operational philosophy? It’s a place where patients can come and get an affordable recommendation and everyone is welcome. Whether that be a first time patient who needs an hour with the doctor, or someone who needs a renewal who has a busy schedule and needs to get in and out. It’s a business that wants to provide a service which is affordable, reliable and legitimate; where we can educate patients. For a lot of doctors’ offices writing cannabis recommendations that hasn’t been the case. Most of the patients I see have a primary care doctor; but either they don’t know how to provide that recommendation or they are unwilling to provide that recommendation. It’s somewhat looked down upon. Many doctors are unwilling to recommend cannabis, due to either fear of professional scrutiny or overall lack of knowledge. That seems strange, we’ve had legal medical cannabis in California for the better part of a decade. Cannabis is an ancient healing plant which has been used for thousands of years to treat a number of conditions, including HIV. The medical use of cannabis got to a start in California because doctors wanted to be able to talk to their patients about cannabis.

What are some common ailments which cannabis can be used to treat? Menstrual cramps, anxiety, depression, insomnia, psoriasis, nausea—

“The number >> CANNABIS AND one thing I hear from patients [about Sometimes people have a cannabis] with an HIV newer diagnodiagnosis who are on antisis and they are feeling retroviral therapy is relief bummed out, from some of the side effects instead of going of their medications— for a pharmaceutical antidepresnausea, anxiety & sant, cannabis can insomnia.” definitely help brighten

Psoriasis? Really? Yeah, it’s really good when used topically. Cannabis can be used to treat literally hundreds of conditions. I met one patient in Sacramento with an incredibly rare mitochondrial disease he treated with cannabis. Do you see many patients coming in for recommendations related to HIV? I’ve probably seen hundreds of patients [living with HIV]. The number one thing I hear from patients with an HIV diagnosis who are on antiretroviral therapy is relief from some of the side effects of their medications—nausea, anxiety & insomnia.

the mood, and help people be a little more active— especially a sativa during the day. Cannaboids [the active chemicals in cannabis] have anti-cancer properties. They help regulate cells and interact heavily with the immune system. There is talk they could they have a role against the actual virus. Do you have any generalized advice for individuals considering cannabis to treat any ailment? I would start by learning about the plant— do some research. Know the source, do some experimentation; there can be wide variability in the effects. Cannabis isn’t all the

HIV <<

same, sort of like “music isn’t just music.” Inspect the flower, smell it, and use one that which has a smell that appeals to you or that matches with you, that matters. All the terpenes—the things that make flowers smell the way they do, like lemonene or pinine—signal to our body what the effects are going to be. I would suggest vaporizing. Whats the best place to self educate? ProjectCBD.com is a good website. And I’d also recommend they check out norml. com the National Organization of Marijuana Laws. it can tell you what the laws are in their area, and other resources and people. This plant has a great way of bringing people together, form a lot of different backgrounds and different medical problems. It’s good to link up with other people and NORML is a great way to do that. Nirvana Clinic is located at 4511 W. Sunset Blvd., in Los Angeles. Tel: 323-663-4444. Dr. Andrew Vanderveer, Medical Director at the Nirvana Clinic, can be reached via email at Doctorandyvandy@gmail.com.

Medical Marijuana Evaluations www.nirvana-clinic.com nirvanamedical@yahoo.com

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Thank You For The Music

Hailed as “one of the last important links to a glorious tradition in music,” the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) has been a notable part of Southern California for over thirty-five years. BY MA RK A RI EL | PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNI NGHAM

n a July night in 1979, a Advocacy Arts small group of men opened “GMCLA sees itself as an advocacy Through the height the doors to a room at the arts organization,” Kevin Bolling, GMCLA’s Plummer Park Community Director of Philanthropy, tells THE FIGHT. of the AIDS crisis, Center in Los Angeles (now “When the chorus was founded, the Chorus lost over 150 West Hollywood) and waited and and for a long time, having a group of wondered if anybody would show out gay men singing on stage was members. Only 12 original up. They had posted flyers around a political and social statement. members remain. As a result, the neighborhood announcing the Presenting high-quality entertainformation of a new gay chorus GMCLA has a deep history of service ing concerts and enhancing men’s and this night was to be its first choral arts are highly important and within the LGBT community, singing key to GMCLA’s success.” rehearsal. To their great surprise, 99 men appeared and a chorus was “While over time, the audacity at countless memorials, making and born. Within three months of that of being openly gay in Los Angeles commissioning music that helps rehearsal, founding director Harold has diminished, but the impact is still Kjellberg led the group through its first felt. The chorus receives messages the community to mourn, to major event: the March on Washington, regularly that a parent is bringing their celebrate, to dream, and to newly-out D.C. and the first national lesbian, gay, child to one of our concerts beprepare for victory. bisexual and transgender (LGBT) concert cause they want to support their child and at the Washington Memorial. show them there are lots of other openly Hailed by the LA Times as “one of the gay people.” last important links to a glorious tradition GMCLA has performed for 2 sitting in music,” the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Alive Music Project U.S. presidents, The Academy Awards, Angeles (GMCLA) has been a notable part of “There are two programs that are very VH1 Awards, Dance Moms, Parks & Southern California for over thirty-five years. important to the chorus,” says Bolling Recreation, Access Hollywood & I Am Since its humble beginnings, GMCLA “our youth outreach programs: the Alive Cait. GMCLA has gone on three interhas grown in size, gained professional Music Project and the it gets better Tour.” national tours to South America, Russia artistic and administrative staff, toured na“The Alive Music Project began in 2007 and Eastern Europe and has performed tionally and internationally, released several and to date has reached over 43,000 stufor over 41,000 middle and high school compact discs, and appeared with numerdents in Los Angeles area middle and high students in Los Angeles. ous stage, film, and television celebrities. schools. As arts programs in schools are

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>> DAVID REST <<

being cut, GMCLA goes in to schools and provides arts education/appreciation. If the school has a choral student group, our Artist Director will work with the students, improving their skills and teaching the students a song to sing with the members of GMCLA as part of the school performance.” Members of GMCLA will meet with the gay-straight alliance, discussing bullying and the importance of being an advocate. GMCLA also performs for the school. “This isn’t just a performance though. GMCLA shares their personal stories with the students and answers questions from the students, opening a dialogue with the students to be able to change stereotypes and teach acceptance and equality. The relationship doesn’t end after the performance at the school. GMCLA invites the students to our guests at upcoming concerts, even providing free transportation to the concert. Usually, we host a Q&A with the students following the concert as well. Being able to work with students, using music to be able to have a relationship with them, we know that we are helping transform the future generation to be more inclusive and open to the gifts everyone has to offer.”

It Gets Better Tour The it gets better Tour began in 2012 and have traveled across the country to 20 cities and held over 80 workshops in middle/high schools and colleges. “The 8 member cast of the it gets better Tour goes to each town or city for a week. During the week, the cast does as many workshops, presentations, community discussions as possible. We go in to schools to talk with students, Gay-Straight Alliances, teachers, and administrators to raise awareness of the bullying and building supportive environments for LGBT youth. We talk with community leaders and elected officials to help them understand the problems facing today’s youth and helping them develop strategies to support their young people. Also during the week, we work with a community chorus (many times made up of several different choruses) and they perform a song with the cast. The week ends with a musical theatre performance for the entire community – and the community chorus sings as part of the performance.” “It is a powerful week,” says Bolling. “The cast is able to interact with so many youth people in towns where there may

not be many role models. The Tour is having a major impact across the country.”

Deep History Of Service Today the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles is comprised of an impressive assemblage of 250+ men - using their diverse backgrounds of triumph and tragedy - combining their stories with the common thread of music to create an unbreakable fraternal bond that brings inspiration to the world. While public understanding of gay life has evolved much since 1979, there is still fierce resistance to lasting change by opponents to LGBT equality. And the road to today has not always been easy. Through the height of the AIDS crisis, the Chorus lost over 150 members. Only 12 original members remain. As a result, GMCLA has a deep history of service within the LGBT community, singing at countless memorials, making and commissioning music that helps the community to mourn, to celebrate, to dream, and to prepare for victory. For more about the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles visit www.gmcla.org. DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 41

Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed.

>> TIPS FOR COPING <<

and be open to creating new ones. Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to all of your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they’re feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too. Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Try these alternatives: • Donate to a charity in someone’s name. • Give homemade gifts. • Start a family gift exchange. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That’ll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can’t participate in every project or

5 6 7 8

Beating The Blues Stress, depression and the holidays: tips for coping.

BY VICTO R MELA MED

tress and depression can ruin your holidays and be detrimental to your health. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off the holiday blues. Here are a few tips to prevent holiday stress and depression, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic at mayoclinic.org. When stress is at its peak, it’s hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past. Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can’t be with loved ones, realize that it’s normal to feel sadness and grief. It’s OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season. Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships. Be realistic. The holidays don’t have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to,

1 2 3

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activity. If it’s not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time. Don’t abandon healthy habits. Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Try these suggestions: • Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don’t go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks. • Get plenty of sleep. • Incorporate regular physical activity into each day. Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm. Some options may include: • Taking a walk at night and stargazing. • Listening to soothing music. • Getting a massage. • Reading a book. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

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>> LEATHERMEN <<

and why the Thrive Tribe now welcomes PrEPsters as members.

KEVIN STALTER

Being Undetectable An interview with Kevin Stalter, Board Director of the Thrive Tribe Foundation—a Los Angeles based not-for-profit and peer-to-peer organization with a mission to end HIV stigma and HIV transmission.

BY PA U LO MU RILLO

eet Kevin Stalter. He was diagnosed as HIV positive at age 19 in 1989 and was given about 10 years to live. Today Stalter thrives as a HIV survivor who is fighting the good fight to end stigma and HIV transmissions. This year, he was appointed commissioner to the LA County Commission on HIV, and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board Director of the Thrive Tribe Foundation—a 4 4 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

Los Angeles based not-for-profit and peer-to-peer organization with a mission to end HIV stigma and HIV transmission by empowering members with information, community connection, and offer tools to help navigate the health care system. In an interview with THE FIGHT, Stalter discussed the end of HIV transmissions, the difference between being HIV positive and being undetectable, the dialogue surrounding actor Charlie Sheen’s HIV status,

How old were you when you were first diagnosed? I was 19. I had no idea. I moved here Labor Day weekend in 1988. I went out on my birthday December 27, and I went home with someone. The situation got out of control. I thought that wasn’t a good thing and I didn’t think about it again. I gave blood at a church drive in July. A year later, I got a letter from the Red Cross. They said there was something wrong with my blood...I cried and all of that. The last thing the nurse said to me was, well you’re young, if you take good care of yourself, eat right, and stay off drugs, you have a good 10 or 11 years ahead of you How is receiving an HIV+ diagnosis today different from when you were diagnosed? It’s much different. When I first started working with the Thrive Tribe, I thought, oh these guys today have it easy; they just take one pill. You no longer die from it, but it’s still a devastating diagnosis. There’s the stigma, the isolation, the drug abuse that can happen, and it can be horrible navigating the medical care path. It’s not a deadly disease, but it’s a devastating disease. What is the most common stigma you face being HIV positive? Rejection is the biggest stigma. So many people who have HIV have been rejected because of it. Some people get rejected because of size, height or weight, so it’s just another thing, but it goes deeper than that. The word AIDS is very stigmatizing as well. Even today, if you have an AIDS diagnosis you are always an AIDS diagnosis. I am still an AIDS diagnosis from 1994, even though I haven’t had t-cells of that level in 20 years. It’s a legislative thing that needs to change. It’s outdated. Are there benefits in the dialogue about HIV after someone like Charlie Sheen comes out as positive? Yes, there are. A lot of our members were taking offense from how the media was covering it; old stigmas were brought up, but any celebrity of that stature that is out, I applaud. The media hasn’t talked about HIV in a decade, so I think it’s good. I just want more people to come out and say they’re undetectable, if they are undetectable, and not just say they’re positive. Those are two

> > K E V I N S TA LT E R < <

How did you get involved with the things we need to distinguish. We have Thrive Tribe? our four statuses on the website [undetectJulian Goldstein, the foundable, PrEPared, negative and positive]. er, decided to step away, If you get everybody that’s so I was the natural already positive on treatment “If we’re really choice to take over and undetectable, you because I had wouldn’t even need going to break been managing PrEP, research shows. down the walls of it day to day. We formed How do you feel stigma we need to start in December about those who with ourselves. If there are 2013. We have criminalize Sheen 2500 members. for not having people who are willing to Now there’s a disclosed his stabe part of the fight with financial compotus early on? nent no different We have to decrimius, then we should than The [L.A. nalize the act of having welcome them.” LGBT] Center or any sex, because we have to [non-profit] group. We consider whether that person were able to partner with is undetectable or not. We should APLA for the AIDS Walk, so we got be screaming from the rooftops that if to keep 80 percent of the money that we you’re positive and undetectable, you’re not raised from that. We set a record. going to pass it. I’m very concerned about the conversation people are having about After being an exclusively poz PrEP right now, because they’re leaving group in the beginning, why do you out the undetectable, and the treatment as now include HIV negative guys? prevention portion of the dialogue.

If we’re really going to break down the walls of stigma we need to start with ourselves. If there are people who are willing to be part of the fight with us, then we should welcome them. Bring the poz-friendly boys, or the PrEPsters, as I sometimes call them, on board. There are only 22 percent of us, so that leaves 78 percent of the guys who are negative. In the 90s, the gay community was united 100 percent over what had to be done. We needed medications and we needed to save each other’s lives. What would you tell your 19-year old self after being diagnosed knowing what you know now? Stay strong. Get yourself in care. Hook up with our organization. Learn as much as you can about what programs are available if you don’t have health insurance. Find a doctor you love. Take your medication. And you’re going to be just fine. There is great hope for the future. To donate or for more information on the Thrive Tribe Foundation, visit thethrivetribe.org.

It’s Time To Join

Are You Passionate About The LGBTQ Community? Become An Advertising Sales Executive for THE FIGHT! If you have outside sales experience and would like to join our team DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 45

THEJOYSTICK

THIS PAGE IS SPONSORED BY

>> VIDEO GAMES <<

NAUGHTY OR NICE

Some stocking stuffers and Santa approved recommendations that will even make the biggest video game fanatic drool. BY JO SEPH A RELLA N O

Fallout 4 Not only did this game get some of the biggest launch madness in history, but the game lived up to the hype. Being a hero, you roam the nuclear wasteland to recover a loved one and on your journey you find unlikely friends, cool guns and toys, and a shitload of trinkets. All that while taking in Boston’s landscape. Not to mention the story is just stellar. Every choice and action you make, so many other events unfold down the line. So if you have someone who is a science fiction or action adventure player, don’t hesitate to get them a ticket to this awesome open world wasteland.

Halo 5 : Guardians The fifth entry for the XBOX One. Halo 5 still keeps it’s mechanics that made it great as a first person shooter, but also improves on what made it lacking in the past. Keep the perfect controls and fix the problems, and put an engrossing action packed story..and you have HALO 5 (Preach). Plus the new guns in this title are so freaking cool. I mean, come on..Other developers need to take note of this…because throughout the whole game you find yourself taking in the visuals as well as firing some insane arsenal that makes you itch to see what other new guns are hiding.

Metal Gear Solid V The Phantom Pain—Ok Ok….yea, this game might be a little intense. But I said, goddamn..It is oh so good. Hideo Kojima’s last hurrah in the Metal Gear Solid franchise comes to a brilliant finish while you play as Big Boss and take down some eccentric foes while building your military that sets the stage and finishes one of the biggest stories in video game history. A lot of controversy surrounded Hideo’s final days, but this is his last touch took video game players by storm with it’s stealth action, free roaming sand box mission system, and it’s partner mechanics. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the graphics are just mind blowing. Have someone who loves spy and war games.. or hell..action adventure.. Metal Gear is a sure fire classic.

Super Mario Maker Aww yeaa… You know him. You have seen him. You have played countless times as the lovable plumber with the stache. But have you made the perfect levels that made you fall in love with him? Probably not. We all have a nintendo friend. The one who keeps it old school and this game is no exception. It is sheer fun and addicting. Construct some of the coolest and hardest levels with Super Mario Maker. Upload them. Play other people’s levels and rate them. No matter how many great titles there are, Nintendo always has a ace up their sleeve and with Mario, you see why he is still the most kick ass character around even Santa couldn’t put it down. Just Sayin. 4 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

Bloodborne Sleek character design. Check. Haunting and beautiful environments. Check Hardcore yet simple gameplay mechanics. Double Check. Getting your life back? I lost count on how many times I died in such a stellar game. Bloodborne, a break off hit from Dark Soul’s and has become a huge behemoth in the action adventure category. But with it’s old school style gameplay, you feel a sense of nostalgia. Some of us can remember Castlevania on the game boy as well as the nintendo console, where you would fight werewolves, ghouls, zombies, dragons, and whatever else that was lurking in the shadows. And with Bloodborne. it feels similar..except on steroids, and on the PS4. Make sure for when you gift this..Bring a stress ball and some bandages. It just hurts so good. grin. n Of course, all these titles are available at WORLD 8. So take a drive and see the lovely crew and they will help you with your video game needs. World 8 is located at 1057 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006.

There are thousands of siblings in foster care who will take you just as you are. 323. 417. 1440

RaiseAChild.US DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 47

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>> BY PAULO MURILLO <<

FAMILY AFFAIR

December is a month for family gatherings during the holiday season. We asked a list of local folks with different lengths of recovery time how their sobriety affected their relationship with their families. D’JUAN POWNS

BEYOND HAPPY

“My family is ecstatic that I’m sober. They love everything about it. It was not the best relationship before that. I was lying and doing anything to get what I wanted. I wasn’t allowed to know where they lived or have their phone numbers. I was completely cut off. I got a year and they allowed me back in, but then I relapsed and they were like, nope-nope-nope, but it’s gotten better now because they see that I’m really doing it--especially my little sister who had to deal with a lot of it. They are beyond happy that I reached a year sober and very supportive of me.” —D’Juan Powns, sober since December, 2014.

TELL THEM EVERYTHING “They’re all for it. They love me unconditionally. I tell them everything about my life. When I wasn’t sober, I tended to use my mom a lot as a bank, and I didn’t involve anybody or let them know that I was using. I would also avoid family functions. Now I DOUG DANGERFIELD know why they were involved, because they were concerned.They love me. They’re very happy for me and for my sobriety.” —Doug Dangerfield, sober since November, 2014. 4 8 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

FEAR IS GONE “I just got back from a relapse. I have almost a month now. I’m grateful, but not as grateful as they are, because when I was out they were very scared and desperate. My mother was calling my partner at the time, he would call my sister and they were so lost. Now that I’m back, I can see it in their eyes that they’re resting and they’re happy. Their fear is gone and nothing makes me want FREDDIE to stay sober more than watching LARA them sort of rest and see that I’m OK. The desperation is lifted from them.” —Freddie Lara, sober since November, 2015.

I DESERVED BETTER “Oh it’s fantastic. I just celebrated ten years, so it’s really a big deal. My family is proud of me. My friends and my bosses are so supportive. At ten years sober they understand. My relationship with my family was not very good, because for 20 plus years, I wasn’t responsiKRYSTAL DELITE ble. It was a mess. I stood up in jail as a newcomer and I really needed my life conditions to change. I had an epiphany and decided I deserved better. Now my family trusts me. I get to babysit my nieces and nephews. I’ve been working the same job for ten years and that in it of itself is a miracle. My life is great.” —Krystal Delite, sober since November, 2005.

STAY IN GRATITUDE “My siblings are happy for me. The beauty of being sober is that I do have my sobriety family too. The holidays are hard as my mom died over 6 years ago and my Dad and I don’t speak. I stay in gratitude and action to remember days gone.” —Jim Fosset, sober since November, 2013.

JIM FOSSET

DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 49

THEEPIDEMIC >> TRUVADA <<

EDUCATING HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

rindr recently surveyed users about Truvada and found some noteworthy trends, reports The New York Times. They’re particularly interesting considering the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said last month that one out of four gay and bisexual men should take the pill. Among Grindr users who took the survey, more than 25 percent said they were currently taking the pill, which is known as PrEP—short for “pre-exposure prophylaxis.” More than 55 percent of respondents said they are interested in taking it. One out of ten respondents said they struggled to get a doctor to prescribe it.

Black men, who have a higher rate of HIV infection than the general population, were twice as likely to get pushback from doctors, Grindr found. Some doctors have expressed concerns about the potential long-term side effects of the pill and argued that it could encourage risky behavior that results in other types of infections. Among respondents, Latino men were the least likely to be taking Truvada.

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Physicians don’t appear to be pushing the pill enthusiastically. The majority of those surveyed said they heard about the pill from friends, rather than from a doctor. The stigma surrounding the drug, which was fairly widespread when the pill hit the market, appears to be subsiding. Fifty two percent of respondents said they were “unconcerned” about the stigma of taking PrEP and only 2.9 percent said they were extremely concerned about the stigma. The CDC is seeking to educate health care providers about the drug, which it sees as a key tool in reducing HIV infections. Roughly 40,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. Despite that, the CDC found one in three primary healthcare doctors and nurses hadn’t heard about the pill, the federal agency said in the report, which was released late last month. n

DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 51

5 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 53

THEEVENT >> PALM SPRINGS LEATHER PRIDE <<

Palm Springs Leather Pride

ast monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Palm Springs Leather Pride was jam-packed with hot men and exciting events, including a Meet and Greet at Hunters Nightclub, a clothing optional pool party hosted by Clifton Tatum, Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2015, a Formal Leather Dinner at the Palm Springs Hilton, the Tool Shed/PSLOD Vendor Market and Back Lot Cruise Party and of course the Mr. Palms Springs Leather Contest. Christopher Durbin won the title of Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2016.

5 4 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

>> PHOTOS BY ROBERT GREEN, MOTORBOOT PHOTOGRAPHY <<

DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 55

THECALENDAR >> THINGS TO DO << SEE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31

GROUPS ASIAN/PACIFIC GAYS AND FRIENDS www.apgf.org GAY ASIAN PACIFIC SUPPORT NETWORK www.gapsn.org LOS ANGELES GAY AVIATION CLUB Pilots, Flights Attendants, Mechanics. www.unusualattitudes.info CLUB NUR Gay Middle Eastern. www.clubnur.com GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF LOS ANGELES www.gmcla.org GAY & LESBIAN SALSA Every Monday, 8 p.m. Little Temple Bar, 4519 Santa Monica Blvd., Silverlake, 90029. gaysalsanight@yahoo. com or www.facebook.com/gaysalsanight GAY TRAFFIC SCHOOL Third Tuesday and Wednesday of every month, 6-10 p.m. The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Los Angeles 90038. 1-800-Gay-4-You or www.laglc.org

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

ONYX SOCAL/SOUTHWEST JINGLE BALLS

Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 4pm–8pm. ONYX SoCal/Southwest Leather Men Of Color monthly beer bust. MONDAY, DECEMBER 14

EXPOSURE DRAG

Offbeat Bar, 6316 York Blvd., Los Angeles, 10pm–2pm, for more info: offbeatbar.com Every Monday Night. No Cover, Drink Specials! 21+. Featuring the fabulous talents of New Queens, Seasoned Queens, Queens from Rupaul’s Drag Race and everything in between. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16

AUNTIE MAME

Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd, 6:15. For tickets, visit americancinemathequecalendar.com/ content/auntie-mame-5. “Live! Life’s a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!” Special screening. Rosalind Russell is in fine form as the jet-setting, Park Avenue aunt who suddenly becomes guardian to her young nephew. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17

12TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY GROOVE @ SOUND NIGHTCLUB

Sound Nightclub, 1642 N Las Palmas. 9:05pm–3am. Visit WeSimplyRule.com for more information. ONE NIGHT ONLY! Massive Year End DJ Celebration with over 40 Celebrity DJs Performing & Surprise Guestsat Sound Nightclub. Bring an unwrapped Toy valued at $20 or make a cash donation for admission, benefiting The “Spark of Love” Toy Drive FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18

LIGHTSABER BATTLE LA 2015

Downtown Los Angeles, 532 S Olive St., 8pm– 11pm in Los Angeles. Reservations can be made at: newmindspace-tour.myshopify.com. Join a massive battle of Jedi vs. Sith in Los Angeles on Star Wars Episode VII opening weekend. Pick a side of the force and use that venerable, ancient, glowing tool: the lightsaber, in the ultimate nocturnal showdown. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19

STUFFED! HOSTED BY BEARSLA

Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., 9pm. Visit eaglela.com for more info. Join the Annual Christmas silent auction at EagleLA bar. $5 at the door. Portion of the proceeds will go to Project Angel Food. Come stuff your stocking with hot bears, leather, fur and beards. 5 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

A NIGHT AT THE PARADISE GARAGE

The Hollywood Palladium, 6215 W Sunset Blvd 9pm–4am. Purchase tickets at concerts.livenation. com/event/09004F4DD70A990B. This very special event is to raise awareness for the GMHC through the up coming PARADISE GARAGE: INSPIRATIONS 12” compilation that will be released in 2016 on Good For You Records. MS. BULLET LEATHER 2016

The Bullet Bar, 10522 Burbank Blvd, 10pm. For more info, visit BulletBarLA.com. Join the fun at the Ms. Bullet Leather 2016 feeder contest. If intrested in running for Ms Bullet Leather, please contact Michael Lara @ MLBullet@aol.com. GMCLA’S HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR

Alex Theatre, Glendale, 3pm and 8pm. Sun., Dec 20 at 3pm. For moire info and tickets go to: gmcla.org. From classical repertoire to reinvented holiday classics. MONDAY, DECEMBER 21

COURTNEY ACT: HEAD TO MISTLETOEROCKWELL,

1714 N Vermont Ave, 8:00pm in Los Angeles. For tickets, visit rockwell-la.inticketing.com. This is not a show about oral fellatio or poisonous holiday garlands. Join Aussie enchantress Courtney Act for an evening of festive cheer as she regales you with stories of Christmas in Australia and Christmas around the world. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31

#BOOM—ALCOHOL & DRUG FREE NEW YEARS EXTRAVAGANZA

West Hollywood Park Auditorium, 647 San Vicente Blvd., 8pm–2am. Visit, BOOM2016.EVENTBRITE. COM for reservations. Now in its third year, #BOOM! brings over 700 party-goers under one roof, complete with a DJ, dancing, food, games and #BOOM! Pageant. #BOOM! is a blast, but its purpose is important—to create a safe space for the West Hollywood community to celebrate New Year’s Eve, where alcohol and drugs aren’t the focus. MASTERBEAT 2016: NEW YEAR’S EVE

The Mayan, 1038 S Hill St. Los Angeles, 9pm–6am, Powered by Scruff. The largest and longest running New Year’s Eve event in the world returns to Los Angeles at The Mayan for the 16th edition of Masterbeat’s signature event. Special surprises, performances and Masterbeat’s signature production combined with superstar DJ’s Joe Gauthreaux and Micky Friedmann will have you ringing in the new year with thousands of the hottest men from around the world.

HIV MEDICAL & CASE MANAGEMENT “Smart Health LA” At Valley Community Healthcare In North Hollywood Offers HIV Testing And Medical Services Including Counseling And Medical Treatment. For Testing Call Brian at 818-301-6314; For Medical Services Call Gilbert at 818-301-6390. www.SmartHealthLA.com POP LUCK CLUB Second Sunday of every month, 11 a.m. Locations vary. Los Angeles based organization for Gay Dads, Prospective Dads, and their families. www.popluckclub.org PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, at the Gay & Lesbian Center. RSVP to Dennis@malecare.org or call (323) 860-7340. GREAT AUTOS OF YESTERYEAR The largest LGBT classic car club on the West Coast. www.greatautos.org LOS ANGELES PRIME TIMERS Social group for older mature gay men and admirers. www.laprimetimers.org LOS ANGELES GAY BRIDGE CLUB www.communityvisions.org/IAGLBC LOS ANGELES GAY/LESBIAN SCIENTISTS www.lagls.org LOS ANGELES GAY FOR GOOD Gays making a commitment to volunteer for social welfare and environmental service projects. www.gayforgood.org LOS ANGELES GAY NATURISM California Men Enjoying Naturism. cmen.info BI-OSPHERE P.O.V. Every 2nd Wednesday, 8-9:30 p.m., The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 860-7302. M-F between 6-9 p.m. Topic-driven discussion for women and men who identify as, or are exploring bisexuality. MEN’S SPEAKEASY Every Tuesday at 8 p.m. The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 860-7302. Fun, alternative space for gay and bisexual men to meet and make new friends. LGBT BOOK CLUB First Wednesday of each month, 7:30-9:30 p.m. The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 860-7302, M-F between 6-9 p.m. USC LAMBDA LGBT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION alumnigroups.usc.edu/lambda/ LOS ANGELES BLACK PRIDE www.myblackpridela.com

> EMAIL YOUR EVENT OR GROUP TO editor@thefightmag.com POSITIVE IMAGES WORKSHOP Every Monday, from 7-9 p.m. The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles. If you’re looking for ways to deal with HIV, the Live Life Better Workshop can help you learn coping skills, build a support system, and work toward your health goals. An RSVP is required. For more information or to reserve your place, call (323) 860-7321. The e-mail contact is positiveimages@lagaycenter.org. TRANSGENDER PERCEPTIONS Every Friday, 8 p.m. The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 860-7302. M-F between 6-9 p.m. Social networking group offers a safe and welcoming opportunity for people of any age and gender identity to learn from others and to share experiences. GET CENTERED Meditation Class. Every Saturday, 10-11 a.m., $10. Gay & Lesbian Center, 1625 N Schrader Blvd. Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 860-7300. SENIORS SERVICES Ongoing, The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 860-7359. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT Ongoing, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, 1625 N Schrader Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 860-5806. MPOWERMENT WEEKLY WORKSHOPS Tuesdays and fridays, 6 p.m. APLA, 3550 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 300, Los Angeles. More info: Donta Morrison, tel: (213) 201-1561. For young gay men of color—ages 18 thru 24—looking for a safe place to hang out. TRAVEL

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Mondays, 6:10-7:10 p.m. CRYSTAL METH ANONYMOUS Saturdays, 9:10-10:10 a.m. DEBTORS ANONYMOUS Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m. MARIJUANA ANONYMOUS Wednesdays, 8:15-9:45 p.m. Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. SEXUAL COMPULSIVES ANONYMOUS Mondays, 8-9 p.m. Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m. Wednesdays, 8-9 p.m. Thursdays, 8:15-9:15 p.m. Saturdays, 12:15-1:45 p.m. WOMEN’S NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Saturdays, Noon-1 p.m. SPORTS

LOS ANGELES LESBIAN SOFTBALL www.lagaysoftball.com LOS ANGELES LESBIAN TACKLE FOOTBALL www.californiaquakefootball.com LOS ANGELES LESBIAN RUGBY www.eaglerockrugby.com WOMEN’S SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GOLF www.womensgolf.org/wscga LOS ANGELES LESBIAN POKER www.lalpg.com LOS ANGELES WOMEN ON A ROLL Luncheons, Comedy Nights, and Conversation Groups. www.womenonaroll.com LOS ANGELES GAY RODEO CLUB www.gsgra.org

FRIENDS TRAVEL www.FriendsTravel.com Gay Owned & Operated, Since 1985.

LOS ANGELES GAY FLAG FOOTBALL www.laflagfootball.com There’s also lesbian tackle football.

12 STEP GROUPS

WEST HOLLYWOOD GAY RUGBY www.larebellion.org

All groups meet at The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 860-7302 M-F between 6-9 p.m.

LOS ANGELES POOL LEAGUE Friendly Billiard teams. www.lapl8ball.com

GAY & LESBIAN BOWLING LEAGUE www.tavernguildleague.com

KOL AMI REFORM SYNAGOGUE kol-ami.org, 1200 North La Brea Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90038

SAGA LA Gay Ski & Snowboard Club. www.sagala.org

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LOS ANGELES fccla.org 540, South Commonwealth Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90020

V.O.I.L.A. Volleyball. www.lagayvolleyball.com GREAT OUTDOORS The largest gay outdoor recreational organization in Southern California. www.greatoutdoorsla.org GAY AND LESBIAN SIERRANS Camping, Outdoors, Hiking Angeles. www.sierraclub.org

DIGNITY CENTER dignitylosangeles.org, 126 South Avenue 64, Los Angeles, CA 90042

LA ROWING www.larowing.org DIFFERENT SPOKES Cycling www.differentspokes.com Rides start in various locations in the greater Los Angeles area.

HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH-HLYWD hopelutheranchurch.net, 6720 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BLADES Ice Hockey. www.bladeshockey.com LOS ANGELES FRONTRUNNERS Running and walking club. www.lafrontrunners.com WEST HOLLYWOOD SOCCER CLUB Comfortable, supportive environment for learning and playing the world’s most popular game. www.gaysoccer.com

LOS ANGELES GAY ROCK CLIMBING www.lalgbtclimbing.com WEST HOLLYWOOD AQUATICS Swim and Water Polo Teams. www.wh2o.org WORSHIP

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH mccla.org, 4953 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027 BETH CHAYIM CHADASHIM SYNAGOGUE bcc-la.org, 6090 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035

HOLY SPIRIT holyspirit-la.org, 4201 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029 UNITED UNIVERSITY CHURCH uniteduniversitychurch.org, 817 West 34th St., Los Angeles, CA 90089

CHEER LA Cheerleading. www.cheerla.org

LOS ANGELES GAY SCUBA CLUB www.barnaclebusters.org

HOLLYWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH hollywoodumc.org, 6817 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028

WEST HOLLYWOOD PRESBYTERIAN wehopres.org, 7350 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046 MOUNT HOLLYWOOD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH mthollywood.org, 4607 Prospect Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027 IMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH immanuelpres.org, 3300 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010 ST. MATTHEW’S LUTHERAN CHURCH stmatthewsnoho.org, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood, CA 91602 CHRIST CHAPEL OF THE VALLEY christchapel.com, 11050 Hartsook St., North Hollywood, CA 91601 ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH stpaulssm.org, 958 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403 ST. MONICA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY stmonica.net, 725 California Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403 WEHO CHURCH wehochurch.com, 916 N. Formosa Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90046 ST. VICTOR’S CATHOLIC CHURCH saintvictor.org, 8634 Holloway Dr. West Hollywood, CA 90069 ST. LUKE LUTHERAN stlukelutheran.com, 5312 Comercio Way, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

For Breaking Daily LGBT News Visit

www.thefightmag.com

DECEMB ERER 2015 | TH T T5757 DECEMB 2015 | TEH F EI GH F I GH

THEFINALFIGHT >> N AT I O N A L H I V / A I D S S T R AT E G Y <<

AIDS ACTION PLAN

Implementing the updated National HIV/AIDS Strategy next year and through 2020.

n conjunction with World AIDS Day this month, the White House Office of National AIDS Policy has released the Federal Action Plan for 2016-2020, which outlines specific Federal agency actions to implement the updated National HIV/AIDS Strategy next year and through 2020. Some of the action items include: • To improve widespread HIV testing and linkage to care: The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services will provide information to State Medicaid Directors on the latest treatment guidelines, scientific advances in prevention, and program flexibility available for increased access to testing and improved care coordination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will establish new standards for linkage to care (within 1 month of diagnosis) for all new funding announcements and demonstration projects. CDC will collaborate with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to assess and identify ways to increase 5 8 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

HIV testing among patients in health centers who are diagnosed with acute sexually transmitted infections, an important indicator of risk for HIV infection. • To improve broad support and attain universal viral suppression for people living with HIV: CDC will scale up use of the Data to Care public health strategy, which uses HIV data to identify those not in care, by including use of the strategy in all relevant HIV funding opportunities. ◦HRSA, in consultation with CDC, will develop a Data to Care learning collaborative across communities served by the Ryan White program to share effective models for addressing gaps along the HIV care continuum. ◦HUD will work to improve the ability of HUD-funded “Continuums of Care” to identify homeless persons living with HIV and link them to housing assistance, medical care, and other services. • To improve full access to comprehensive PrEP services: CDC will increase awareness and uptake of PrEP by rapidly disseminating lessons learned from demonstration projects and implementation research. Agencies including HRSA, HHS Office of Minority Health, SAMHSA, Indian Health Services, and Department of Veterans Affairs, will disseminate information and provide education about PrEP to their award recipients and service providers in order to improve access and increase uptake. HHS will develop an inventory of current, federallyfunded PrEP programs, policies, research, and technical

assistance activities, and conduct a gap analysis to identify high-priority research and policy needs, as well as potential geographic and population targets where PrEP access should be scaled up. • To reduce discrimination against people living with HIV: The Department of Justice (DOJ) will continue to open new investigations, as appropriate, of HIV/AIDS discrimination under the Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative, as well as under the Fair Housing Act to address discrimination by housing providers. ◦The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will educate job applicants and employees living with HIV of their employment non-discrimination rights by developing materials for distribution through new channels, including health care delivery sites. DOJ will send to all State Attorneys General, its Best Practices Guide to Reform HIV-Specific Criminal Laws to Align with Scientifically Supported Factors, with a cover letter alerting them to its purpose and contents. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta—which took place this month—the Office of National AIDS Policy released a Community Action Framework to accompany the Federal Action Plan as a tool for community organizations to ensure their priorities and programs align with their national goals, priorities, and outcomes. The Community Action Framework will assist community organizations in developing plans similar to the Federal Acton Plan. n

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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 7

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 5

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DECEMB ER 2015 | TH E F I GH T 59

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