MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 1
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SUBARU OF GLENDALE SERVICE SPECIALS tire pressure • Replace drain plug Intermediate •• Adjust Rotate tires washer • Replace engine air filter • Replace engine oil filter Service • Replace washer fluid • Replace cabin air filter Model Years 2013-2016
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$ 6 cyl $ 4 cyl
95 WAS $169.95 95 WAS $179.95
Prices Plus Tax and Hazardous Waste Fee Recommended maintenance schedule meets or exceeds factory recommendations. Our maintenance schedules are designed to meet the demands of area road and weather conditions.
30K Major Service Model Years 2013-2016
199
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• Perform electrical system check • Replace engine motor oil
• And inspection of more. • See your Service Advisor for details.
Most 2011 and newer vehicles require synthetic oil to maintain warranty. Synthetic oils also available for an additional charge WITH THIS COUPON. May not be combined with any other coupons, discounts or specials. Not valid on prior purchases. Please present coupon when service order is written. Good at Subaru of Glendale only. Expires 5-31-16.
• We will perform the services as described in your warranty & maintenance booklet or per dealer recommendation to help keep your Subaru in top condition. • Includes multi-point inspection.
WAS $224.95
Plus Tax & Hazardous Waste Fee
Here’s How It Works:
Service Discount Good in the Subaru of Glendale Service Department!
OLDER MODELS MAY BE HIGHER. WITH THIS COUPON. Prices Plus Tax and Hazardous Waste Fee. May not be combined with any other coupons, discounts or specials. Not valid on prior purchases. Please present coupon when service order is written. Good at Subaru of Glendale only. Expires 5-31-16.
You Spend This: $150.00 - $249.99 $250.00 - $349.99 $350.00 - $499.99 $500.00 - or more
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Discount cannot exceed $100.00 Subaru vehicles only. Offer good only at Subaru of Glendale. Please present coupon at time of write-up. Cannot be combined with any other coupon or discount. Expires 5-31-16.
Brake Fluid Exchange
10995 Plus Tax & Hazardous Waste Fee
REPLACE YOUR CABIN AIR FILTER NEW CLEAN FILTER DIRTY USED FILTER
CHECK & REPLACE AIR FILTERS REGULARLY Replacing a clogged air filter with a Genuine Subaru Air Filter can help improve your car’s gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your car’s air filter helps keep impurities from CAN damaging the inside of your SAVE engine. Not only will replacing UP TO 2 MPG a dirty filter save gas, it will help protect your engine. Flushing the brake fluid will make the internal components last longer and the brakes work better.
Subaru Recommends Every 15,000 Miles
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Smoother stops leads to optimum fuel economy. Use steady foot pressure on the accelerator pedal, and plan ahead when braking. Quick starts and hard stops wear out driveline components faster and play havoc with fuel economy.
With Major Service Purchase of $300 or more WITH THIS COUPON. Must purchase any major service at Subaru of Glendale to receive the two movie tickets. While Supplies Last. Must be 18 years or older with valid driver’s license. Good at Subaru of Glendale only. Ask your service writer for details. Expires 5-31-16.
Driving People Happy
SUBARU OF GLENDALE 1308 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204
www.SubaruofGlendale.net
(818) 396-3900 MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 3
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
PRIDE IS IT ANYWAY? 19 WHOSE CSW Backlash in WeHo
20 BUILDING A BETTER WORLD The LA LGBT Center
19
20
22
34
22 SOME MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS New Fronts Of Injustice
30
OVERBOARD 30 GOING DJ Shane Stiel At Long Beach Pride CHANGES HANDS 34 FAULTLINE Jorge Usatorres Bids Farewell
35 GET PrEP LA
Los Angeles County Update
TIES 38 FAMILY Dr. Sam Najmabadi On LGBT Family Building
43 DRAG QUEEN WORLD SERIES Benefiting The Life Group LA
44 QUEER BIENNIAL II|
International LGBTQ Art Fair
ON THE COVER SHANE STIEL COVER PHOTO, TOC PHOTO AND FEATURE PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNINGHAM
DEPARTMENTS
15 THE LETTERS OUR READERS 16 THE TALK ROSIE PEREZ 18 THE CITY LONG BEACH PRIDE 26 THE SPREAD CODY JOSEPH TERRO 28 THE ROSTOW REPORT CAKE STORY 36 THE TRANSACTION NEW INITIATIVE 40 THE SHARE LOCAL SOBRIETY 42 THE JOYSTICK GAMING 45 THE EPIDEMIC PREP, PEP 46 THE EVENT WHITE PARTY
35
38 4 T H E F I GH T | www.thefightmag.com 4 T H E F I GH T | www.thefightmag.com
43
44
48 THE CALENDAR THINGS TO DO 50 THE FINAL FIGHT LAST WORD
GLENDALE INFINITI LIVE IN YOUR WORLD, DRIVE IN OURS
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2 YEAR FREE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
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RETAILER IN CALIFORNIA 2014 & 2015
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GLENDALE INFINITI CALL TODAY (888) 694-5555 812 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91204 WWW.GLENDALEINFINITI.COM MAY 2016 | 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 Rina Zaide Joe Faragher >> IN THIS ISSUE <<
“Every victory in the fight for social justice exposes new fronts of injustice, new wrongs to be righted,” writes Brenden Schucart in this issue of THE FIGHT (“Some More Equal Than Others,” page 22). “This past March, Michael Sam, the first openly gay man to play pro football in the United States, sat down with Attitude Magazine for their ‘All America Issue,’ reveals Shucart. “Sam told the UK-based gay publication that he had experienced more racism in the gay community than homophobia in the black community. My heart broke a little—but honestly I can’t say that I was surprised… Shortly before the Michael Sam interview hit newsstands, another prominent gay black man was making headlines. Mykki Blanco ignited a firestorm when a series of tweets from the queer rapper criticizing gay media organizations such as Out and GLAAD for their lack of inclusiveness and representation inspired the hashtag #GayMediaSoWhite. The anger and frustration in the ensuing conversation was palpable.” “I like to think of myself as practical and pragmatic, but to tell the truth I harbor some terribly romantic notions about the gay community,” reveals Shucart. “At our best we represent a space on the Venn diagram where all of the other circles overlap. A tribe of
individuals from radically different cultures and backgrounds, drawn together by a shared desire for pleasure and acceptance, and united in the sanctuary we’ve found in one another, often far from the communities and the cultures which birthed us. We are cooperative by nature— homosexuality is associated with heightened levels of progesterone, a hormone linked with pro-social behavior—and the circumstances of our formative years frequently involve alienation from the cultures of our birth and empathy-inducing struggle that often entails. And since we come from every people, we have the potential to be collective a force for compassion; bridge builders spanning the gulf of mutual incomprehension between the patchwork of cultures and tribes that make up Western Civilization. But for the most part we fall bitterly short of that ideal, as the experience of Michael Sam, Mykki Blanco, and many others clearly shows.” Scandal star Kerry Washington addressed this issue perfectly last year at the GLAAD media awards. “We must be allies and we must be allies in this business,” said Washington. “Because to be represented is to be humanized, and as long as anyone anywhere is being made to feel less human, our very definition of humanity is at stake, and we are all vulnerable.”
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 © 2016 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
6 6 TTH HEE FFIIGH GHTT || www.thefightmag.com www.thefightmag.com
For Display Advertising, please call (323) 297-4001
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* To receive 2.5% co-op, broker’s buyer must execute D.R. Horton’s Purchase Agreement on a home at The Faircrest and close per the purchase agreement. Co-op calculated on the base purchase price of the home. Broker co-op subject to change or cancellation without notice. D.R. Horton Broker Policy is in full effect and broker’s buyer cannot have previously registered with D.R. Horton either in person or on D.R. Horton’s website, interest list or pre-qualification list. Broker must hold a valid CA real estate license as of the date of registration and buyer’s close of escrow. If broker and buyer visit more than one D.R. Horton community, all conditions must be satisfied in each community, including registration. Drawings/photos are representational only. All square footage is approximate. Prices subject to change without notice or obligation. D.R. Horton VEN, Inc. dba Emerald Homes – CalBRE license #1253251; Contractors license #765023. © D.R. Horton 2016.
MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 7
N MAP NOT TO SCALE
TRIUMEQ is a once-a-day pill used to treat HIV-1. TRIUMEQ should not be used by itself in some people. Take TRIUMEQ exactly as your healthcare provider tells you. Is it time for you? Ask your doctor. APPROVED USES TRIUMEQ is a prescription HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus-type 1) medicine used alone or with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. TRIUMEQ is not for use by itself in people who have or have had resistance to abacavir, dolutegravir, or lamivudine. TRIUMEQ should not be used in children under the age of 18. TRIUMEQ does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. You must keep taking HIV-1 medicines to control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
you get any of the following signs or symptoms: yellow skin, or the white part of the eyes turns yellow (jaundice); What is the most important information I should know about dark urine; light-colored stools; loss of appetite for several days TRIUMEQ? or longer; nausea; pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side TRIUMEQ can cause serious side effects, including: of your stomach area • Serious allergic reactions (hypersensitivity reaction) that can • Worsening of hepatitis B virus in people who have HIV-1 cause death have happened with TRIUMEQ and other abacavirinfection. If you have HIV-1 and hepatitis B virus (HBV), your HBV containing products. Your risk of this allergic reaction to abacavir is may get worse (flare-up) if you stop taking TRIUMEQ. A “flare-up” much higher if you have a gene variation called HLA-B*5701. Your is when your HBV suddenly returns in a worse way than before. healthcare provider can determine with a blood test if you have Worsening liver disease can be serious and may lead to death. Do this gene variation. If you get symptoms from 2 or more of the not stop taking TRIUMEQ without first talking to your healthcare following groups while taking TRIUMEQ, call your healthcare provider, so he or she can monitor your health. provider right away: 1. fever; 2. rash; 3. nausea, vomiting, • Resistant hepatitis B virus. If you have HIV-1 and hepatitis B, diarrhea, or stomach pain; 4. generally ill feeling, extreme the hepatitis B virus can change (mutate) during your treatment tiredness, or achiness; 5. shortness of breath, cough, or sore with TRIUMEQ and become harder to treat (resistant). throat. Your pharmacist will give you a Warning Card with a list of these symptoms. Carry this Warning Card with you at all times. • Use with interferon and ribavirin-based regimens. If you’re taking TRIUMEQ and interferon, with or without ribavirin, tell your If you stop taking TRIUMEQ because of an allergic reaction, healthcare provider about any new symptoms. Worsening of liver never take TRIUMEQ or any other abacavir- or dolutegravirdisease that has caused death has happened in people infected containing medicines again. If you take TRIUMEQ or any other with both HIV-1 and hepatitis C who were taking antiretroviral abacavir-containing medicine again after you have had an allergic medicines and interferon. reaction, within hours you may get life-threatening symptoms Who should not take TRIUMEQ? that may include very low blood pressure or death. If you stop TRIUMEQ for any other reason, even for a few days, and you are • Do not take TRIUMEQ if you: not allergic to TRIUMEQ, talk with your healthcare provider before have the HLA-B*5701 gene variation taking it again. Taking TRIUMEQ again can cause a serious allergic are allergic to abacavir, dolutegravir, or any of the ingredients or life-threatening reaction, even if you never had an allergic in TRIUMEQ reaction to it before. If your healthcare provider tells you that take dofetilide (Tikosyn®) you can take TRIUMEQ again, start taking it when you are have liver problems around medical help or people who can call a healthcare What are other possible side effects of TRIUMEQ? provider if you need one. • People with a history of hepatitis B or C virus may have an • A buildup of acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis increased risk of developing new or worsening changes in certain can happen in some people who take TRIUMEQ. This serious liver tests during treatment with TRIUMEQ. Your healthcare medical emergency can cause death. Call your healthcare provider may do tests to check your liver function before and provider right away if you feel very weak or tired; have unusual during treatment with TRIUMEQ. muscle pain; have trouble breathing; have stomach pain with • When you start taking HIV-1 medicines, your immune system may nausea and vomiting; feel cold, especially in your arms and legs; get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in feel dizzy/light-headed; or have a fast/irregular heartbeat. your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away • Serious liver problems can happen in people who take if you start having new symptoms after you start taking TRIUMEQ. TRIUMEQ. In some cases, these serious liver problems can lead • Changes in body fat can happen in people who take HIV-1 medicines. to death. You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or • Some HIV-1 medicines, including TRIUMEQ, may increase your serious liver problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking nucleoside analogue medicines risk of heart attack. for a long time. Call your healthcare provider right away if Important Safety Information continued on next page. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please see Important Facts about TRIUMEQ on the following pages. ©2015 ViiV Healthcare group of companies. All rights reserved. Printed in USA. 527405R0 October 2015
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Not an actual patient. Testimonial is based on a collection of real patient experiences.
The most common side effects of TRIUMEQ include: trouble sleeping, headache, tiredness These are not all the possible side effects of TRIUMEQ. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRIUMEQ? • Before you take TRIUMEQ, tell your healthcare provider if you: have been tested and know whether or not you have a gene variation called HLA-B*5701 have or have had liver problems, including hepatitis B or C infection; have kidney problems; have heart problems, smoke, or have diseases that increase your risk of heart disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes; drink alcohol or take medicines that contain alcohol are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRIUMEQ will harm your unborn baby are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take TRIUMEQ • You should not take TRIUMEQ if you also take: abacavir (EPZICOM®, TRIZIVIR®, or ZIAGEN®)
lamivudine (COMBIVIR®, DutrebisTM, EPIVIR®, EPIVIR-HBV®, EPZICOM, or TRIZIVIR) emtricitabine (Emtriva®, Atripla®, Complera®, Stribild®, or Truvada®) • Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines (for example, antacids or laxatives; vitamins such as iron or calcium supplements; anti-seizure medicines; other medicines to treat HIV-1, hepatitis, or tuberculosis; metformin; or methadone), vitamins, and herbal supplements (for example, St. John’s wort). Some medicines interact with TRIUMEQ. 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.
MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 9
your liver (steatosis). Call your HCP right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms of liver problems: • your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice) ® IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT TRIUMEQ (TRI-u-meck) • dark or “tea-colored” urine The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn • light colored stools (bowel movements) more, talk about TRIUMEQ with your healthcare provider (HCP) or • loss of appetite for several days or longer pharmacist. Visit www.TRIUMEQ.com or call 1-877-844-8872 to get • nausea FDA-approved product information, including the Boxed Warning and • pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area Medication Guide. You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver What is the most important information I should know about TRIUMEQ? problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have TRIUMEQ can cause serious side effects, including: been taking nucleoside analogue medicines for a long time. • Serious allergic reactions (hypersensitivity reaction) that can • Worsening of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in people who have HIV-1 cause death have happened with TRIUMEQ and other abacavirinfection. If you have Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) containing products. Your risk of this allergic reaction to abacavir is and HBV, your HBV may get worse (flare-up) if you stop taking much higher if you have a gene variation called HLA-B*5701. Your TRIUMEQ. A “flare-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns, HCP can determine with a blood test if you have this gene variation. worse than before. Worsening liver disease can be serious and may If you get a symptom from 2 or more of the following groups while lead to death. To help avoid this, do not run out of TRIUMEQ. Refill taking TRIUMEQ, call your HCP right away to find out if you should your prescription or talk to your HCP before your TRIUMEQ is all gone. stop taking TRIUMEQ: Do not stop TRIUMEQ without first talking to your HCP. If you stop Group 1: fever Group 4: general ill feeling, taking TRIUMEQ, your HCP will need to check your health often and Group 2: rash extreme tiredness, or achiness do blood tests regularly for several months to check your liver. Group 3: nausea, vomiting, Group 5: shortness of breath, • Resistant HBV If you have HIV-1 and HBV, the HBV can diarrhea, abdominal cough, sore throat change (mutate) while you’re on TRIUMEQ and become harder to (stomach area) pain treat (resistant). Your pharmacist will give you a Warning Card with a list of these • Use with interferon and ribavirin-based regimens. Worsening of symptoms. Carry this Warning Card with you at all times. liver disease that has caused death has happened in people infected • If you stop TRIUMEQ because of an allergic reaction, never with both HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus who are taking antiretroviral take TRIUMEQ (abacavir, dolutegravir and lamivudine) or medicines and are also being treated for hepatitis C with interferon any other abacavir- or dolutegravir-containing medicines with or without ribavirin. If you are taking TRIUMEQ and interferon with (EPZICOM®, TIVICAY®, TRIZIVIR®, or ZIAGEN®) again. or without ribavirin, tell your HCP if you have any new symptoms. • Within hours of taking them, you could have life-threatening What is TRIUMEQ? symptoms like very low blood pressure that might lead to death. TRIUMEQ is a prescription HIV-1 medicine used alone or with other • If you stop TRIUMEQ for any other reason, even for a few days, and antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults. HIV-1 is the you are not allergic to TRIUMEQ, talk with your HCP before taking it virus that causes AIDS. TRIUMEQ contains 3 prescription medicines, again. Taking TRIUMEQ again can cause a serious allergic or lifeabacavir (ZIAGEN), dolutegravir (TIVICAY) and lamivudine (EPIVIR®). threatening reaction, even if you never had an allergic reaction to it TRIUMEQ is not for use by itself in people who have or have had before. If your HCP tells you that you can take TRIUMEQ again, resistance to abacavir, dolutegravir, or lamivudine. TRIUMEQ should not start taking it when you’re around medical help or people who be used in children under the age of 18. can call a HCP if you need one. TRIUMEQ does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. You must keep • Build-up of acid in the blood, called lactic acidosis, can happen taking HIV-1 medicines to control HIV-1 infection and decrease in people who take TRIUMEQ. Lactic acidosis is a serious medical HIV-related illnesses. emergency that can cause death. Call your HCP right away if you get any of the following symptoms Who should not take TRIUMEQ? Don’t take TRIUMEQ if you: that could be signs of lactic acidosis: • have a certain type of gene variation called the HLA-B*5701 allele. Your • feeling very weak or tired • feeling cold, especially in HCP will test you for this before prescribing treatment with TRIUMEQ. • unusual (not normal) muscle pain your arms and legs • are allergic to abacavir, dolutegravir, or any of the ingredients in • trouble breathing • feeling dizzy or light-headed TRIUMEQ. See the full Medication Guide for a complete list of • stomach pain with nausea • fast or irregular heartbeat ingredients in TRIUMEQ. and vomiting • Serious liver problems can happen in people who take TRIUMEQ. • take dofetilide (TIKOSYN®). Taking TRIUMEQ and dofetilide (TIKOSYN) can cause side effects that may be life-threatening. In some cases, these serious liver problems can lead to death. Your liver may become large (hepatomegaly) and you may develop fat in • have liver or kidney problems. (continued on the next page)
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IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT TRIUMEQ ® (TRI-u-meck) (cont’d) What should I tell my HCP before taking TRIUMEQ? Before you take TRIUMEQ, tell your HCP if you: • have been tested and know whether or not you have a particular gene variation called HLA-B*5701. • have or have had liver problems, including hepatitis B or C virus infection. • have kidney problems. • have heart problems, smoke, or have diseases that increase your risk of heart disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. • drink alcohol or take medicines that contain alcohol. • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRIUMEQ will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your HCP if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take TRIUMEQ. You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. What other medications might interact with TRIUMEQ? Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines interact with TRIUMEQ. Keep a list of your medicines to show your HCP and pharmacist. You can ask your HCP or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with TRIUMEQ. Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your HCP. Your HCP can tell you if it is safe to take TRIUMEQ with other medicines. You should not take TRIUMEQ if you also take: • abacavir (EPZICOM, TRIZIVIR, or ZIAGEN) • lamivudine (COMBIVIR®, DUTREBISTM, EPIVIR®, EPIVIR-HBV®, EPZICOM, or TRIZIVIR) • emtricitabine (ATRIPLA®, COMPLERA®, EMTRIVA®, STRIBILD®, or TRUVADA®) Tell your HCP if you take: • antacids, laxatives, or other medicines that contain aluminum, magnesium, sucralfate (CARAFATE®), or buffered medicines. TRIUMEQ should be taken at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after you take these medicines. • anti-seizure medicines: • oxcarbazepine (TRILEPTAL®) • phenytoin (DILANTIN®, DILANTIN®-125, PHENYTEK®) • phenobarbital • carbamazepine (CARBATROL®, EQUETRO®, TEGRETOL®, TEGRETOL®-XR, TERIL®, EPITOL®) • any other medicine to treat HIV-1 • iron or calcium supplements taken by mouth. Supplements containing calcium or iron may be taken at the same time with TRIUMEQ if taken with food. Otherwise, TRIUMEQ should be taken at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after you take these medicines. • medicines used to treat hepatitis virus infections, such as interferon or ribavirin • a medicine that contains metformin • methadone • rifampin (RIFATER®, RIFAMATE®, RIMACTANE®, RIFADIN®) • St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)
What are other possible side effects of TRIUMEQ? TRIUMEQ can cause serious side effects including: • See “What is the most important information I should know about TRIUMEQ?” • Changes in liver tests. People with a history of hepatitis B or C virus may have an increased risk of developing new or worsening changes in certain liver tests during treatment with TRIUMEQ. Your HCP may do tests to check your liver function before and during treatment with TRIUMEQ. • 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 HCP right away if you start having new symptoms after you start taking TRIUMEQ. • Changes in body fat can happen in people who take HIV-1 medicines. These 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. • Heart attack (myocardial infarction). Some HIV-1 medicines including TRIUMEQ may increase your risk of heart attack. What are the most common side effects of TRIUMEQ? • trouble sleeping • headache • tiredness These are not all the possible side effects of TRIUMEQ. Tell your HCP if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufactured for:
by:
ViiV Healthcare GlaxoSmithKline Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Lamivudine is manufactured under agreement from Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc Basingstoke, UK COMBIVIR, EPIVIR, EPZICOM, TIVICAY, TRIUMEQ, TRIZIVIR, and ZIAGEN are registered trademarks of the ViiV Healthcare group of companies. EPIVIR-HBV is a registered trademark of the GSK group of companies. The other brands listed are trademarks of their respective owners and are not trademarks of the ViiV Healthcare group of companies. The makers of these brands are not affiliated with and do not endorse the ViiV Healthcare group of companies or its products. ©2015, the ViiV Healthcare group of companies. All rights reserved. Issued: September 2015 TRM:3MG
MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 11
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
Murillo
Rostow
Lyonne
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
1 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
Shucart
Arellano
Cunningham
been involved in community events such as The Friendly House Luncheon, PATH, and LA PRIDE. Joe has appeared in Titus Andronicus, 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.” ORLY LYONNE Orly Lyonne is a freelance journalist, focusing on issues related to LGBT equality, culture and art. Her passions include skydiving, community theater and vegan restaurants. Orly can be reached at orlylyonne@gmail.com.
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THELETTERS >> FROM OUR READERS <<
MORE FUN Dear Editor, Just wanted to let you know that I appreciated the article you ran on enjoying the White Party as a sober person (“When To Leave The Party,” THE FIGHT, Issue #63). Many of us in recovery, especially those who are new to sobriety, often feel that we can’t enjoy the things we used to - as it will be a trigger to relapse. However, with the proper support, you can actually have more fun than when you were using. —Bob Breno, via the internet
AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE www.socalhomeguru.com text or call and leave a voicemail at 562-367-7867 A Home Seller’s Guide To Selecting The Right Agent To Market Your Home: What Every Home Seller Should Know Before Selling Their Home © Copyright MMXVI. All rights reserved.
OUR GRATITUDE Dear Editor, Major congrats to Jeffrey Erdman on winning the Mr. L.A. Leather title (“And The Winner Is,” THE FIGHT, Issue #63). I was impressed by his commitment to work on the issue of elder gay seniors. We definitely need to create more opportunities for seniors to come together with other people, for mentorship and friendship. We cannot let the brave folks who weathered the storm be forgotten. We owe them our gratitude and help, if needed. —H. Jackson, via the internet
RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE Dear Editor, Regarding Ann Rostow’s segment “Brunch And Political Correctness” (“The Rostow Report,” THE FIGHT, Issue #63), I respectfully disagree. Yes, if you look closely enough, you’ll find a reason to object to dozens of establishments, however that doesn’t compare with the severity of the owner of the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Sultan of Brunei, who believes in capital punishment for homosexuality. There’s a difference between someone objecting to same-sex marriage and someone who wants gays put to death, n‘est pas? Oh, and I’ve had brunch there—not that great! —-Robert Fineman, Los Angeles, CA
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MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 15
THETALK >> W H AT T H E Y ’ R E S AY I N G <<
VERSATILE CAREER
HURTLE BACKWARD “We see it right here in Mississippi… how swiftly progress can hurtle backward… How easy it is to single out a small group and marginalize them because of who they are or who they love.”
FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA
“When I finished working with Disney, I think I was just excited that I got to explore something completely outside of the box, and I think that’s all most actors can really ask for, to be lucky enough to have a versatile career.”
—First lady Michelle Obama on Mississippi’s recent “religious freedom law” marginalizing the LGBT BILLY CRYSTAL community in her commencement speech at Jackson State University last month.
LIVE MY LIFE
GARRETT CLAYTON
“I realize the gay community wants me to say and do certain things, but I am who I am. I’m not here to make a political statement, I’m just here to live my life and be myself. “ —Celebrity fitness trainer Jillian Michaels when asked by Cosmopolitan magazine last month if she feels pressure to be a role model for the gay community.
GET OVER IT JILLIAN MICHAELS
BRING SHAME
DUSTIN LANCE BLACK
“… I thought if I fell in love, I would go to hell, bring shame to my family, be bashed or be killed. That removes the possibility of love from someone’s entire life and replaces it with shame. As a young kid, you start to contemplate solutions for making this living thing shorter, I certainly did, and I know I’m not alone.”
—-Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black on growing up gay and Mormon to HuffPostUk for its Loud and Proud series, last month.
CALMLY TALK “I think if we calmly talk about it, people will understand how wrong it is and that it is discrimination.” —Former ‘N Sync member Lance Bass on Mississippi’s recent “religious freedom” bill allowing for discrimination against LGBT people. The Mississippi native recently returned home to help plant a community garden and announce his intentions to bring a “concert for love” to the hospitality state. He’s currently working with entertainment promoters Live Nation to organize this concert that would raise money to fight the bill.
1 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
—Actor Garrett Clayton to Out magazine on his upcoming role in the movie King Cobra, gay porn crime biopic about the 2007 murder of porn producer Bryan Kocis.
“It’s the 21st century, people. Get over it and grow as a human being, because it’s embarrassing that you still think this way. And it’s embarrassing, the political moves you have made… If you really want people to embrace your state, evolve!”
ROSIE PEREZ
—Actress Rosie Perez to The Advocate last month on North Carolina’s recently signed House Bill 2, which struck down LGBT-inclusive municipal anti-discrimination ordinances and prohibits cities from adopting any new ones. The legislation also expressly requires transgender people to use public bathrooms and locker rooms that do not match their gender identity.
YOU’RE WORTHY “I believe in you… I think you’re worthy of every right that every human being in this country, in this world, has been afforded… LANCE I’m a woman of color. I’m a BASS woman… There’s so many people who are disenfranchised, who are put in a classical narrative and then just as a device, VIOLA a stereotype, and it becomes a DAVIS reflection of our mindset of how we don’t want to explore them as human beings.” —Actress Viola Davis expressing support for LGBT families to The Advocate last month at the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of “Custody,” a movie about a mother’s struggle to keep legal guardianship of her child.
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MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 17
THECITY >> BY PAULO MURILLO <<
NEON TREES
PISTONS BAR IN LONG BEACH CLOSES
LONG BEACH LGBT PRIDE CELEBRATION The 2016 Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Celebration takes place this month on May 21 & 22, 2016 from 11am – 10pm along Shoreline Drive. The theme this year is “Solidarity Through Pride.” The Festival Celebration includes five large dance areas including a main stage with featured musical artists such as Neon Trees, Elvis Crespo and Ivy Queen.
Pistons Bar in Long Beach, one of the longest operating leather gay bars in the U.S. has shut down after serving the gay community for 51 years. No details yet on why the bar closed, but according their their website, which has also been shut down, times have changed and so have the needs of the community it once served. Pistons held many events for every segment of community, such as Gay Uniform Clubs, Gay Motorcycle Clubs, Gay Pool Leagues, Gay Soft Ball Teams, Gay Swim Teams and many more.
For more info visit longbeachpride.com.
JUDGE SLAMS LPBD SEX STING
The Long Beach Police Department received a tongue lashing by Los Angeles County Superior Judge Halim Dhanidina for their practices in conducting sex sting operations targeting gay men in public places. Judge Dhanidina invalidated the 2014 arrest of Rory Moroney for lewd conduct and indecent exposure. Moroney said he received repeated flirtatious signals from a decoy undercover detective and was then arrested by a vice team at Recreation Park. If convicted Moroney would have been required to register as a sex offender alongside rapists and child molesters.
WEHO LAUNCHES NEW PrEP CAMPAIGN The City of West Hollywood has launched a public-awareness campaign to inform the community about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent the spread of HIV. The City once again joined with Todrick Hall to produce the Public Service Announcement music video, Hakuna Truvada, released onYouTube last month. The city also collaborated with AIDS Project Los Angeles and the Los Angeles LGBT Center to include outdoor media advertising and targeted printed information with details about obtaining a PrEP prescription and about healthcare services available locally in English and Spanish.
BLATINO OASIS
CELEBRATES IN PALM SPRINGS Blatino Oasis, California’s largest gay and bisexual men of color weekend retreat celebrates its 10th anniversary in Palm Springs on May 5-8, 2016 with thousands of attendees from all over the country and around the world hitting the desert for some fun under the sun. Get Tested Coachella Valley and the hook-up app Jack’d are sponsors this year. HIV testing will be free and available to everyone. Rap Icon Foxy Brown will headline the kick-off party. Other feature “gaylebrities” include performances by Pablo Hernandez and Fly Young Red. For more event details, visit the blatinooasis.com.
PRANG RECEIVES STONEWALL DEMOCRATIC AWARD L.A. County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, JEFFREY who served nearly 18 years as a councilPRANG member for the City of West Hollywood, including four terms as the city’s mayor, was honored with the “Public Official of the Year” award by the Stonewall Democratic Club last month. Stonewall’s Annual “Stoneys” Awards also honored Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Rabbi Denise L. Eger, Jane Wishon and the late Bill, Rosendahl. For more on the Stonewall Democratic Awards, visit stonewalldems.org. n
For more information about PrEP, please visit weholife.org. 1 8 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
>> LA PRIDE <<
WHOSE PRIDE IS IT ANYWAY?
LGBT residents lash out against Christopher Street West at WeHo City Council. BY PA U LO MU RILLO
C
ommunity members packed the West Hollywood City council meeting this month to express their grievances against Christopher Street West (CSW)—the non-profit organization responsible for LA Pride, taking place next month, June 10-12. The main issues of malcontent revolved around the ticket prices—$35 at the festival gate, as compared to $25 last year, and the fact that this year’s Pride is being branded as a “music festival” focusing on millen-
nials—which some are calling a “blatant commercialization of Pride,” and an affront to older members of the LGBT community. Residents also complained about not being informed about the existence of components from previous Prides, such as the Country Western dance stage and the popular Erotic City. A number of transgender speakers said they felt excluded from this year’s festival, with the reduction of trans events in comparison to last year’s Pride.
WeHo resident Ivy Bottini blasted CSW for making changes to the festival without consulting the community. “Who is running CSW?” She asked. “Is it a one-man show; a two-man show…?” CSW’s current president Chris Classen said in response to the onslaught of criticism that “this year’s festival is the most inclusive ever produced,” and that “music has always been a huge component of LA Pride.” Classen agreed to have a dialogue about extending the free hours from 6pm to 9pm on Friday night. He said the Country Western section was not cancelled, and that the popular Erotic City would return to the library garage. He also agreed to look into providing discounted tickets for LGBT youth at the gate. For more info on the upcoming LA Pride—visit lapride.org.
Jeffrey Erdman Mr. CSW Leather 2016 Mr. LA Leather 2016 is proud to announce the first leather contest of the 2017 season. Mr. Christopher Street West Leather is being planned for Saturday, June 4, 2016. For more information, contact Jeffrey at jwe@bennetterdman.com
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MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 19
>> LGBT CENTER <<
BUILDING A BETTER WORLD
MACY GRAY
Macy Gray, Fortune Feimster to perform at “An Evening With Women” benefit for LA LGBT Center. BY O RLY LYO N N E
T
he Los Angeles LGBT Center has announced that singer/songwriter Macy Gray and comedian Fortune Feimster will perform at its annual “An Evening with Women” benefit on Saturday, May 21 at the Hollywood Palladium. “An Evening with Women” is both a star-studded celebration of women and
a fundraiser for the world’s largest LGBT organization, featuring a cocktail reception, dinner, and live performances by internationally-acclaimed talent. Last year’s sold-out event included performances by No Doubt, Sia and Sarah Silverman. Additional performers and special guests for this year’s event will be announced in
the coming weeks. Since 2009, the event—co-chaired by Linda Perry, Kelly Lynch, Annie Goto and Brent Bolthouse—has raised more than $4 million for the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s services specifically for women and girls. The Los Angeles LGBT Center is working to build a better world where LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal and complete members of society through programs that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Cultural Arts and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. No other organization does more for LGBT people. Tickets are now available for purchase at www.AnEveningWithWomen.org.
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MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 21
>> LEATHERMEN <<
MYKKI BLANCO
MICHAEL SAM
SOME MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS
KERRY WASHINGTON
Every victory in the fight for social justice exposes new fronts of injustice, new wrongs to be righted. BY BRENDEN SHUCART
T
his past March Michael Sam, the first openly gay man to play pro football in the United States, sat down with Attitude Magazine for their “All America Issue.” Sam told the UK-based gay publication that he had experienced more racism in the gay community than homophobia in the black community. My heart broke a little—but
2 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
honestly I can’t say that I was surprised. “It’s terrible,” said Sam. “People have told me I’m not gay enough, people have told me I’m not black enough. I don’t know what that means. You want to be accepted by other people but you don’t even accept someone just because of the color of their skin? I just don’t understand that at all.”
Shortly before the Michael Sam interview hit newsstands, another prominent gay black man was making headlines. Mykki Blanco ignited a firestorm when a series of tweets from the queer rapper criticizing gay media organizations such as Out and GLAAD for their lack of inclusiveness and representation inspired the hashtag #GayMediaSoWhite. The anger
>> NEW FRONTS OF INJUSTICE <<
and frustration in the ensuing conversation was palpable.
STRING OF VICTORIES I don’t have to tell you that we are living through a time of unparalleled historical significance for the LGBTQ communities—comparable only to the Plague Years in longterm impact. A remarkable string of legal, political, and cultural victories, arguably beginning with abolition of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and including (but my no means limited to) local adoption rights and employment protections, national same-sex marriage rights, the striking of archaic HIV-criminalization laws all around the country—even the coming-outs of Michael Sam and athletes in nearly every other major sport in America. Each of those victories represents courage, hard work, and determination of herculean proportions. And now we are fighting for equal protections and humane accommodation for transfolk—a situation that would have seemed unbelievable even five years ago. Each victory bringing us one step closer to that elusive phantom, “equality.” But rather than bringing us closer together, every victory seems to bring us a little closer to falling apart.
CRACKS IN THE FACADE Ever since same-sex marriage became a national reality, the cracks in the facade have really started to show—both within the gay community and between us and our cousins in the LBT. Not that we’ve ever been particularly monolithic. When I came out, in the mid ‘90s, gays and lesbians seemed more like two non-competing species who happened to share an environment than people who shared a community and culture, bisexuals usually stayed in the closet even within the gay community, and transfolk mostly seemed to keep to themselves. Cut to twenty years later and mutual disinterest (and heavy bi-erasure) seems to have given way mutual hostility (and slightly lessened bi-erasure), and for a while I’ve been wondering if “marriage equality” itself—or at least, the pursuit of same-sex marriage—was the problem.
HISTORY LESSON Los Angeles is one of the most diverse cities in America—but you’d be hard pressed to see that walking through the heart of Boys’ Town. Gay nightlife in the Southland often feels surreally segregated, and there are quite a few bars and
clubs which cater specifically to black and latino gays that I’d bet most of the gays in WeHo and Silver Lake have never even heard of—though several of those have closed in recent years. Los Angeles does not have one gay community, but several—which often seem closer to their communities of birth than to queers from differing backgrounds. If there was truly a time of unity, it was the Plague Years. Dying gay men were stacked like firewood in the halls of hospitals from New York to L.A. We didn’t have much time for infighting, when everyday was was a struggle simply to survive.
“LOS ANGELES IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE CITIES IN AMERICA—BUT YOU’D BE HARD PRESSED TO SEE THAT WALKING THROUGH THE HEART OF BOYS’ TOWN. GAY NIGHTLIFE IN THE SOUTHLAND OFTEN FEELS SURREALLY SEGREGATED…” Before the Plague Years, we weren’t fighting for “equal rights.” In the years leading up to those first AIDS diagnoses in the early ’80s, our people were involved in a struggle for “gay liberation,” the freedom to live our lives openly without interference from the state. I think perhaps we have invested too much energy pursuing those things that heterosexuals have—like marriage and military service—and maybe it has cost us something as a culture. We should be cautious about diving head-first into heteronormative institutions that seem to make so many heterosexuals miserable. Our community—or at least our political elites—has been overly focused on “equality” since the end of the worst of the AIDS crisis in the mid ’90s. During
the Plague Years we were understandably fighting just to survive, to have the right to die with dignity and to force the government and the big pharmaceutical companies to address the plague that was decimating our people.
PERSONAL SKEPTICISM Personally, I’ve been a little skeptical about our collective focus on “equality” for almost as long as I was aware we were fighting for it. Like many, I felt like we have bigger fish to fry, and thought perhaps our resources—time, wealth and social capital—might not be better spent agitating for an end to draconian HIVcriminalization laws, better legal protections for transfolk, getting homeless queer kids off the streets, or even (hey!) a cure for AIDS. There is a big part of me that isn’t even sure whether or not state-recognized matrimony is even an institution we want to be a part of. It is an inherently conservative institution, and hopelessly bourgeois. Didn’t the Women’s Liberation movement expend a lot of energy trying to throw off the shackles of matrimony? I’d often ask myself. Why are we so eager to try them on?
THE BENEFITS OF MARRIAGE Not that matrimony doesn’t have its upsides. Marriage is a powerful piece of social technology that benefits both society and those who enter into it. And marriage equality is an issue of profound symbolic importance that impacts us in ways we don’t even fully understand. Before national marriage equality there was some evidence that gay men in states that grant same-sex couples the right to marry experience measurable benefits to both their physical and mental health, while states that explicitly banned gay marriages saw significant upticks in their rates of HIV infection. Now, it’s impossible to draw a straight line from the passage of laws to changes in health signifiers—any such change is correlation, not causation— but I think it speaks to how being denied legal equality increases the ambient shame in our lives and feeds that nugget of self-destructive rage that just about all gay men carry around inside ourselves. But if it is psychologically toxic to have your second-class status enshrined into the laws of the place that you call home, I imagine it must be equally caustic to look at the covers or flip through the pages MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 23
>> NEW FRONTS OF INJUSTICE <<
of magazines ostensibly geared toward celebrating gay culture, only to have those pages populated by heterosexuals and gay men who look nothing like you.
those of us who fall into the category of ‘other.’ … As others, we are taught that to be successful, we must reject those ‘other others,’ or we will never belong.”
THE OTHER OTHERS
ALL VULNERABLE
I generally take a fairly dim view of GLAAD; an organization that has historically seemed more interested in word policing than “empowering real people to share their stories.” And I have especially small patience for the GLAAD media awards, which time and time again lionize heterosexuals rather than “[amplifying] the voice of the LGBT community.” And last year, when I heard that GLAAD was honoring Kerry Washington, I meh’d my heart out. But the straight Scandal star used the opportunity to magnificent effect. Washington opened her speech by acknowledging the seriousness with which she takes being an ally before calling out the way… “Women, poor people, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans people, intersex people, we have been pitted against each other and made to feel like there are limited seats at the table for
I like to think of myself as practical and pragmatic, but to tell the truth I harbor some terribly romantic notions about the gay community. At our best we represent a space on the Venn diagram where all of the other circles overlap. A tribe of individuals from radically different cultures and backgrounds, drawn together by a shared desire for pleasure and acceptance, and united in the sanctuary we’ve found in one another, often far from the communities and the cultures which birthed us. We are cooperative by nature—homosexuality is associated with heightened levels of progesterone, a hormone linked with pro-social behavior—and the circumstances of our formative years frequently involve alienation from the cultures of our birth and empathy-inducing struggle that often entails.
And since we come from every people, we have the potential to be collective a force for compassion; bridge builders spanning the gulf of mutual incomprehension between the patchwork of cultures and tribes that make up Western Civilization. But for the most part we fall bitterly short of that ideal, as the experience of Michael Sam, Mykki Blanco, and many others clearly shows. Every victory in the fight for social justice exposes new fronts of injustice, new wrongs to be righted. Our victories in the fight for equality have been hard fought and hard won, but they will always be hollow as long as some of us are more equal than others. And the war will never end as long as the “other others” are excluded from their rightful place in our culture and our community. To once again quote Ms. Washington: “We must be allies and we must be allies in this business, because to be represented is to be humanized, and as long as anyone anywhere is being made to feel less human, our very definition of humanity is at stake, and we are all vulnerable.”
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THESPREAD 2 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
CODY JOSEPH TERRO AGE: 39
PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNINGHAM
HOMETOWN: Creole, Louisiana SELF IDENTIFY AS: Gay RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single MAJOR LIFE EVENT: I was 12 years old riding passenger of a three wheeler when a Pizza Hut van jackknifed me in the back—penning my leg between the van and the three wheeler—severing my toes, crushing my ankle—compound fracture to the leg—three broken ribs, a busted lip and a chipped tooth. PET PEEVE: Liars, bullies, intolerance and people who don’t clean up after themselves. BEST/WORST QUALITY: My best and worst quality in my opinion is my heart. I love hard and unconditionally which leaves me vulnerable to being hurt and taken advantage of by those who use my kindness as a weakness. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT YOU: This is a hard question because I am an open book. I suppose not many people know I write poetry. CONTACT INFO: Facebook Cody Jo Terro, Instragram Codyjobeau.
APMAY R I L 2016 | TH E F I GH T 27
THEROSTOWREPORT >> BY ANN ROSTOW <<
PARTY LIKE IT’S 1967
regulation has effectively been deemed unconstitutional. The split three-judge panel ruled that the Obama Department of Education’s interpretation of Title IX holds force, and that the lower court must reevaluate the boy’s case under its guidelines. The guidelines, in turn, say that gender identity is protected under Title IX’s ban on sex discrimination in federally funded schools. Take that North Carolina!
JULHAS MANNAN
Have any of you readers of THE FIGHT registered as members of the American Independent Party in California? Apparently up to 75 percent of Party members checked the box for the archconservatives by mistake, thinking they were signing up to be “independents.” Um, no. The AIP is a legacy from the days of segregationist George Wallace, and its members are only allowed to vote in the AIP primary. Actual independent voters, who can vote in the Democratic primary if they like, are the people who checked “no affiliation.” I have some sympathy for the accidental registrants, but not that much. If you truly want to be an “independent” voter, than you do not pick a party. That’s the whole point, right?
TAKE THAT NORTH CAROLINA! Moving on, it looks as if our backlash against North Carolina is gaining strength, and could have an impact on the state election this fall, when Governor Pat McCrory faces the pro-gay Attorney General Roy Cooper. Cooper was lagging a bit, but recent polls show he is now running slightly ahead of McCrory, who has spent the last month sputtering in shocked dismay about the unfair overreaction to HB2, his state’s innocent common sense anti-GLBT law. As of April 25, the North Carolina legislature is back in a so called “short session” for an indefinite amount of time, but it doesn’t look as if recalcitrant lawmakers are in any hurry to roll back HB2. This despite almost universal outrage, the cancellation of numerous concerts, conventions and events, the rollback of corporate investments, and even the possible withdrawal
THE NEVER-ENDING CAKE STORY
“… THE HORRENDOUS MURDER OF BANGLADESH’S LEADING GAY RIGHTS ACTIVIST, JULHAS MANNAN… REMINDS US THAT OUR PROBLEMS ARE SMALL IN COMPARISON TO THOSE WHO LIVE IN FAR MORE DANGEROUS PLACES… IT MAKES RURAL MISSISSIPPI LOOK LIKE PROVINCETOWN IN JULY. of next year’s NBA championship. The other day, the U.K. Foreign Office even issued a notification, warning LGBT tourists of potential problems if they visit North Carolina or Mississippi. (Mississippi followed North Carolina with a “religious freedom” law that gives a green light to many forms of anti-gay bias.) Meanwhile, as negative publicity pervades the Tobacco
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State, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued a ruling in favor of a young transman who is fighting for the right to continue using the boys’ facilities in his Virginia high school. The court, one rung down from the U.S. Supreme Court on our country’s judicial ladder, happens to govern the state of North Carolina, ergo: HB2’s birth certificate gender toilet
I really don’t want to write about the horrendous murder of Bangladesh’s leading gay rights activist, Julhas Mannan, by all accounts an exceedingly courageous man who brushed aside death threats as he worked relentlessly to educate his countrymen and serve his community. Mannan was slaughtered at his home by machete-wielding Islamic militants, who also killed a friend who was in the apartment at the time. I don’t want to write about it because it’s jarring, it reminds us that our problems are small in comparison to those who live in far more dangerous places, it’s profoundly depressing. It makes rural Mississippi look like Provincetown in July. But our various fights here in the U.S. have long been conducted against a backdrop of violence and poverty in the larger world. That’s the way it is, and we don’t give up on the right to buy a wedding cake in Colorado because the Ugandans would throw us in jail. For the record, the Colorado Supreme Court has declined to hear the appeal of the anti-gay cake baker who got nailed for violating state anti-bias law. And the woman in Oregon who was fined for the same offense is going to appeal to a state appellate court. (Do these cases ever end?) n
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GOING OVERBOARD Badass DJ Shane Stiel presents “Overboard”—one of the most sought after annual Long Beach Pride events—at the infamous Queen Mary.
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f you’ve ever heard DJ Shane Stiel spin, you’re immediately convinced this guy was born to DJ. From the all-night events of the Rocky Mountains in his early years to the high-energy club events of the West Coast, this DJ turned Navy veteran turned DJ is making one indelible impression on the club scene and shows no signs of slowing down. Stiel has had music in his blood from the day he was born. Growing up in Colorado, his initial musical taste was stimulated by hip-hop, 80’s, hard rock, and electronic music. After attending many club and all-night dance events, he started developing a synergy with the vibe of the scene and found inspiration in artists like Seb Fontaine and Judge Jules. In the late 90’s, his DJ career kicked-off when he scored his first gig with ColoradoRave.com during one of their popular festival events. One night was enough to convince not only the crowd, but festival promoters, that he was ready for more and
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BY VICTO R MELAMED | PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNI NGHAM
shortly after he became the company’s top resident. After leaving ColoradoRave, he continued to work closely with friend and party promoter Ryan Dykstra. Dykstra’s successful long-running night at Club Pure gave Shane Stiel a chance to meet and befriend several well-known DJ/producers like Kimball Collins, George Acosta, Guy Ornadel, and Jon Bishop to name a few. Several years of hard work and determination landed Stiel some well-deserved time alongside some major global headliners. His big break came in 1999 when he played an opening set for George Acosta to a crowd of 1200, officially solidifying his name in the Denver nightlife scene. Shane Stiel quickly became a regular fixture in the DJ booths at Denver nightclub’s Traxx 2000 and Club Matrixx earning praise and respect as one of Colorado’s top DJs. With a vibe that’s all about pleasing hardcore clubbers, he’s been noticed and not just by club owners and promoters. Tiesto, The
Crystal Method, George Acosta, and Deep Dish are just a few of the big names he’s had the privilege of working with. At the height of his DJ career, the events of 9/11 struck a personal cord in Shane Stiel and, in early 2003, he took a break from music to join the Navy. The military eventually brought him to San Diego, but enlistment never quelled his DJ crave. Stiel’s engagements in the early 2000s at Rich’s and SPIN (formerly known as Montage) reinforced his true passion, and rekindled that fire to continue building his music career, not just as a DJ but also as a producer and promoter. His “style” is a hybrid of badass, sweetheart and energizer bunny that dance crowds literally absorb no matter where he spins. Stiel will be performing at “Overboard”—one of the most sought after annual Long Beach Pride events— at the infamous Queen Mary ship on Saturday, May 21, 2016. Tickets: www.overboardlbc.com.
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MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 33
>> LGBTQI SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS <<
FAULTLINE CHANGES HANDS As a parting show of his appreciation former owner Jorge Usatorres has set up two scholarship awards for LGBTQI students at Los Angeles City College. BY PA U LO MU RILLO
J
orge Usatorres, the financial executive who saved, rebranded and revived the Faultline, one of L.A.’s oldest gay bars, announced last month that he is selling the bar, which he bought in 2014.
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“In so many ways I regret leaving Faultline,” Usatorres said. “The people I’ve worked with—staff, promoters, DJs, performers—are so amazing. I feel so happy to have met them. But I have accomplished what I set out to accomplish,
JORGE USATORRES
the saving of a gay landmark. Now I’m ready for new challenges.” Faultline is a descendent of The Stud, a Levi/leather cruise bar that opened on 4216 Melrose Ave. east of the 101 about 40 years ago. Usatorres made a number of subtle changes to Faultline’s interior and more obvious changes to its vibe during his ownership. “My goal,” Usatorres said, “was to revive, rebrand, reorganize and ultimately save the iconic Faultline brand.” As a parting show of his appreciation to the LGBTQI community, Usatorres has set up two scholarship awards for LGBTQI students at Los Angeles City Collage. Usatorres is selling Faultline to the Boldwell Inc. group. Boldwell has committed itself to having the Faultline continue to serve the LGBTQI community in to the future.
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here are still 50,000 new HIV infections each year in the United States; in Los Angeles County, over 88% of people newly diagnosed with HIV are gay men. The good news is that you can take control of your health and prevent HIV. Did you know there is now a medication you can take to dramatically reduce your chances of becoming infected with HIV? It’s called HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP. By taking one pill daily, as prescribed, medication builds up in your body and provides up to 99% protection against HIV. PrEP may be right for you if: You don’t always use condoms • Your partner(s) has HIV • You don’t know if your partner(s) has HIV; or • You were recently diagnosed with an STD (e.g. syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia). How do I get PrEP? Talk to your doctor to see if PrEP is right for you. If you don’t have a doctor, visit GetPrEPLA.com for a list of medical providers in Los Angeles County with experience providing PrEP. Worried about paying for PrEP? Don’t be! There are programs to help make PrEP more affordable, regardless of whether you have health insurance. If you don’t have insurance, there are programs that cover the cost of the medication and medical services. For those with health insurance, the “Co-payment Assistance Programs” can reduce your out of pocket expenses. n Visit GetPrEPLA.com for more information. MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 35
THETRANSACTION >> CHILDREN <<
ERIC GARCETTI
TRANSFORM CALIFORNIA
Kick-off of statewide transgender movement promotes safety and respect. BY O RLY LYO N N E
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os Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti joined individuals from the transgender community, statewide LGBT organizations, local officials, civil rights groups, businesses, faith-based leaders and community members to launch Transform California last month—a statewide movement founded by Equality California and the Transgender Law Center to promote respect, understanding and safety for the transgender community. As part of the effort, coalition members signed a Transform California pledge – opposing discrimination against transgender people. “California and its residents are known around the world for standing up for the values of tolerance and equality,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Trans people should have the freedom to live their lives, to dream, and to plan for the future without worrying about their safety or basic rights. I am proud
to add my voice to the broad coalition supporting Transform California, a new step in the march toward full inclusion for our trans brothers and sisters.” “My message today, is that there are still many ways in which the world we live in tells transgender people like me that we aren’t welcome. And I encourage folks to think about how it would make you feel if you or your child faced that kind of discrimination,” added Maria Roman, a community activist and transgender Californian. “Transform California is one important step toward bringing our communities together to ensure respect and dignity for all.” According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, “transgender people face extraordinary levels of physical and sexual violence, whether on the streets, at school or work, at home, or at the hands of government officials. More than one in four transgender people has faced
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a bias-driven assault, and rates are higher for transgender women and transgender people of color.” Just recently in Los Angeles, a transgender teenager was purposely run over, and we’re mourning the loss of another young transgender woman, Quartney Yochum, who was murdered last month. Transform California is building a coalition of Californians committed to ending this violence and lifting up the voices and solutions of transgender people.
Executive Director. Following the Los Angeles launch, Transform California will host regional rallies throughout the state, which will be attended by organizations and individuals from vastly different landscapes, including civil rights organizations, business leaders, and local and state elected officials, among many others. While varied in background, the mission of every Transform California coalition member is the same: promote respect, understanding and safety for the transgender community, and oppose discrimi-
LOS ANGELES MAYOR ERIC GARCETTI: “I AM PROUD TO ADD MY VOICE TO THE BROAD COALITION SUPPORTING TRANSFORM CALIFORNIA, A NEW STEP IN THE MARCH TOWARD FULL INCLUSION FOR OUR TRANS BROTHERS AND SISTERS.” The statewide launch celebration in Los Angeles was held on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall and attended by more than 50 coalition members, including Pat Manuel, a transgender Californian, amateur boxer and small business owner; Maria Roman, a transgender Californian and community activist; Rabbi Becky Silverstein, one of the first openly transgender rabbis affiliated with the Conservative movement; Gary Toebben, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce; Isa Noyola, Transgender Law Center Program Director; Kris Hayashi, Transgender Law Center Executive Director; and Rick Zbur, Equality California
nation of all kinds. “I hope you’ll join me by going to TransformCalifornia.com today and signing our pledge to make the Golden State a place where all people can feel safe and live free from discrimination,” said Pat Manuel, a participant in the Transform California Los Angeles rally. By signing the Transform California pledge coalition members are openly declaring to make a meaningful effort to change the statistics on violence and discrimination that transgender people face each and every day. n For more information on Transform California or to sign the coalition pledge and join the movement, visit www.TransformCalifornia.org.
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Wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t radiation or chemotherapy damage the sperm? Yes. In many cases patients will no longer have viable sperm. rarely some patients retain a lower a sperm production. What is the sperm freezing and storage process? Sperm freezing is a process by which the semen specimen is placed in a small container and slowly lowered from vapor to liqiud nitrogen. It is then stored in liquid nitrogen until the patient desires to use that specimen. There is a fee for freezing and an annual fee for storage of that specimen. All patients intending to freeze semen need to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases. These tests include HIV 1 & 2, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis and HTLV 1 & 2.
FAMILY TIES Dr. Sam Najmabadi, the medical director of The Center for Reproductive Health & Gynecology, on family building options. BY VICTO R MELA MED
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ith more and more gay couples (and single men) opting to build a family of their own with the combination of donor eggs, their own sperm and a surrogate - we asked Dr. Sam Najmabadi, the medical director of The Center for Reproductive Health & Gynecology, a few questions regarding a manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health status when considering creating a family.
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Dr. Sam Najmabadi, is it possible to preserve fertility in male cancer patients? Men are able to produce sperm their entire life unless there is a family history of testicular cancer or other forms of cancer that can affect reproductive organs. We can preserve the sperm of patients diagnosed with any cancer prior to their chemotherapy or radiation.
How long must sperm be stored before it can be used in treatment? If a semen specimen is being used in the reproductive process to impregnate a nonsexual partner, the rules and regulations imposed by the FDA will apply. We would need to quarantine sperm for six months and test the male producing the specimen for sexually transmitted diseases, then repeat the testing in six months before we can release the specimen for use. If the semen is being used in a directed donation i.e. the two parties know each other, then the specimen can be used as long as the FDA rules of STD testing within 7 days are followed. Is the process the same for males with HIV? Males with HIV who desire to have a baby would need to do in vitro fertilizaDR. tion (IVF) and intraSAM cytoplasmic sperm NAJMABADI injection (ICSI) with a egg donor and a surrogate. In IVF the egg from a egg donor is retrieved. Sperm is then washed and processed. The sperm is then injected individually into each egg (ICSI). There have been no reported cases of HIV being transmitted to the person carrying the baby or the child if this process is followed. For more info on LGBT family building contact Sam Najmabadi M.D. at the Center for Reproductive Health & Gynecology in Beverly Hills, tel: (310) 3607584 - or visit: www.reproductive.org.
MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 39
THESHARE
THIS PAGE IS SPONSORED BY
>> BY PAULO MURILLO <<
SOBER GAY L.A.
Folks with different lengths of recovery on gay sobriety in Los Angeles. CHRISTOPHER MARTINEZ
FAIR BALANCE
“My sober life in LA is pretty amazing. There is such a huge network of sober gay men in Los Angeles. An important part of sobriety for me is that I am still able to have fun. I thought when I made the decision to stop drinking that my social life was over. Everything I did revolved around drinking. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The fellowship here is awesome. There is literally always something to do--sober birthdays, movie nights, dinners, volunteer work, hiking, and more. I completed my first ALC [AIDS Life Cycle] ride from SF to LA and I ran in my first Spartan race this past year. All of these things are possible because I am sober today. I really haven’t faced too many challenges in sober LA. At least not any that I would consider bad. The only challenge for me is sometimes there is too much to do and not enough time to do it. I try to create a fair balance of sobriety, work, family and friends. Sobriety always comes first though. Without it, I have nothing.” —Christopher Martinez, sober since January, 2014.
and support from like-minded healthy people in order to stay sober in Los Angeles. What I found challenging in L.A. is life after rehab—when you live in a sober living and try to keep up with the demands of the house rules, while working full time and going to several meetings a week—that was way too much on my plate. It was almost dangerous and could cause an aversion to recovery and I can see it causing people to go back out. I also found it challenging to go to meetings in Los Angeles because of the redundancy of the sober meetings with their same format.” —Sherman Hutchison, sober since July, 2015.
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“I live in Chicago, but I work for an airline, so I travel for fun. I go to Los Angeles a lot. The sober gay community in Los Angeles is huge. The gay meetings are monstrous compared to Chicago. When I first started going to L.A., I didn’t reVERNON ally know anybody, MAGSINO but I built my ‘L.A. family’ who I love. I maintain my relationships and make new ones every time I go. I miss it when I’m not there. I am grateful that I have SHERMAN some recovery time, because I think I would be intimiHUTCHISON dated by Los Angeles if I were a newcomer, because it “I believe Los Angeles is so huge. When I was new, I was able to find my way has more resources more easily in Chicago, because it was more intimate. I for people in recovery felt well taken care of in a smaller setting. Now I travel all than probably most over the world, but I always make it back to L.A because cities. It’s not a bad of my strong connections. I’ll fly out for an anniversary, place for LGBT people a sober watch, or a pool party. There’s always something to get help when they going on. You guys celebrate birthdays, you get cake and are new. I grew up in you get a watch where we wait up till midnight for someReno and it’s a much one to reach their year anniversary. We don’t get anything smaller place, but like that in Chicago. People don’t know what I’m talking it doesn’t seem like about. Basically the bottom line of why I love L.A. so much there are that many and why I keep visiting is because it is the city where CMA resources dedicated towards gay people except for a couple of [Crystal Meth Anonymous] was born. Those are my peeps.” gay meetings. I think it’s important for people to have friends —Vernon Magsino, sober since April, 2005.
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MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 41
THEJOYSTICK
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>> VIDEO GAMES <<
HAPPY LONG BEACH PRIDE Come to THE FIGHT booth at LB Pride to win a free prize courtesy of “World 8.”
AARON JONES
BY JO SEPH A RELLA N O
A
lrighty everyone. It is here upon us...the celebration of Long Beach Pride. We are here, we are us, and we keep fighting for the people who can’t. For those of us who are still silent and filled with sorrow, WE stand united with you. The LGBT boys and girls who don’t have a voice or are terrified around the world. World 8 takes great pride in the community and with it I am taking this page and discussing something aside from new game releases. The need for worlds that are not our own to exist.The need for artistic and individual expression, which to me, is the utmost importance. Why are they important you say? Well, where do I begin… 1) They are like steroids for your brain. According to the Huffington Post a group of of German researchers found that video games help with focus, brain stimulation, and motor skills. 2) They help kids read better. Studies have shown that kids who play video games have increased focus and they are able to read faster and accurately. Oh, and did I mention, they help increase intention spans? Yeah, they do. 3) Finally—the big revelation. People have their own demons and problems. Straight, gay, lesbian, transgender, etc, we all wish we can get anger or frustration out. Maybe release some catharsis from a bad day in general. In 2012, New Zealand researchers found that video games could, in fact, help kids cope with emotional stress to that of having one on one therapy sessions. I am not saying video games are the cure for mental illness, but they sure can help in aiding children. When we dive into our own worlds filled with kings, knights, explorers, monsters, fairies, and treasure, our need to experience a time without bullying, name-calling, or shaming, is crucial for our own personal healing. Our rejuvenation. Video games along with the arts, provide this gateway. Some may say that video games are not artistic. Some may say they are waste of time. My opinion stands completely opposite. I believe video games are the next wave in the entertainment industry. Providing experiences more so that compared to big budget films, video games offer an escape through a focused, adventurous journey with characters from all walks of life.
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According to Mental Health America and Human Rights only 37% of LGBT youth report being happy, while 67% of nonLGBT youth say they are happy. However, over 80% of LGBT youth believe they will be happy eventually, with nearly half believing that they will need to move away from their current town to find happiness. This evidence tells us that we need to make better strides in accepting the LGBT youth and provide them a safe place to live. Human Rights says that gay teens in U.S. schools are often subjected to such intense bullying that they’re unable to receive an adequate education. LGBT youth identified bullying problems as the second most important problem in their lives, after non-accepting families, compared to non-LGBT youth identifying classes/exams/grades. That’s why we need to keep providing areas of freedom. I know video games are a just a fraction, but it is a damn good place to start. We show it’s support and join in the fight for the LGBT community. We stand with you and we believe that everyone should be treated with kindness and equality. So go out and help our brothers and sisters. Our future. Make them feel safe, loved, and wanted. Let people have a right to express themselves as they are. And so. For this month we are offering a drawing for ... Wait for it ....
LONG BEACH PRIDE. Grin. May these plushes comfort whoever wins at the festival. Attend, have fun, spread love. n
DRAG QUEEN WORLD SERIES Charity event benefiting The Life Group LA: The LA Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence vs. The West Hollywood Cheerleaders. BY O RLY LYO N N E
For more info go to: www.dragqueenworldseries.com.
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he West Hollywood Cheerleaders return to defend their title from The LA Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in the 5th Annual Drag Queen World Series on Saturday, May 14, 2016 in a fun filled, comedic and antic full game! All money raised at the event will go to The Life Group LA (www. lifegroupLA.org) a coalition of people dedicated to the education, empowerment and emotional support of persons both infected and affected by HIV/AIDS so that they may make informed choices and decisions regarding their healthcare and personal well-being. Life Group LA’s 5th Annual: “Drag Queen World Series” will be held on Saturday May 14, 2016 from 1-4pm at Glendale Sports Complex (2200 Fern Ln Glendale, CA 91208). Tickets cost $10 pre-sale; $15 at door and are on sale now at www.dragqueenworldseries.com. The National Anthem will be sung by recording artist, Pepper MaShay. This year’s colorful commentary will be by two Chico’s Angels’, Chita Parol (the smart one) and Frieda Laye (the “friendly” one). These two heavenly creatures are part of Chico’s Angels—a trio of beautiful and comedic Latina drag queens who make up Chico’s Angels, along with Kay Sedia. Raffle items include a $5,000 grand prize; a week away for up to 6 people at the Hideaway Cove “Pu’u Poa” on the beautiful island of Kaua’i, Hawaii. n
visit us at
hellothello.com MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 43
> > L G B T Q A R T A N D C U LT U R E < <
QUEER BIENNIAL II International Art Fair focuses on current moments in LGBTQ art and culture. BY VICTO R MELA MED
Q
UEER Biennial Collective has announced the second installment of their international arts and performance event: “QUEER Biennial II, Yooth: Loss and Found.” The program will look closely at how the AIDS epidemic influenced artists that came of age during the 1980-90s and will explore potential bridges or connections to how a new generation of artists reflect on or deflect from this lineage within queer history. Queer Biennial is an international survey focusing on current moments in out/queer
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LGBTQ art and culture and will showcase emerging, mid-career, and established artists. Featured work includes installation, lm, live performance, and historical documentation. Participating artists include Daphne Von Rey, Enrique Castrejon, DANIEL Bruce LaBruce, Joey Terrill, Daniel HELLMANN Hellmann, Simone Aughterlony, Antonija Livingstone, Hahn Rowe and others. June 4–June 26, 2016 at various venues The International Art Fair: QUEER throughout Los Angeles. For more info Biennial II, Yooth: Loss and Found takes visit www.queerbiennial.com.
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THEEPIDEMIC >> LANDMARK PrEP / PEP BILL <<
ASSEMBLYMEMBER MIKE A. GIPSON (D-CARSON)
INCREASING AWARENESS
California legislature advances landmark PrEP, PEP bill, co-sponsored by the LA LGBT Center and APLA. BY VICTO R MELA MED
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egislation to boost awareness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV infection was approved by the California Assembly Health Committee last month and will advance to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Co-sponsored by the Los Angeles LGBT Center and AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) and introduced by Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson), AB 2640 would ensure high-risk HIVnegative individuals receive information about all methods that reduce the risk of contracting HIV, including PrEP and PEP, during HIV post-test counseling. PrEP is an HIV prevention strategy in which HIV-negative individuals take a daily medication to reduce their risk of becoming infected. PrEP has been shown to be up to 99% effective at preventing HIV transmission. PEP involves taking anti-HIV medications as soon as possible after a potential exposure to reduce the risk of becoming HIV-positive. According to a 2015 survey of gay and bisexual men by the California HIV/AIDS Research Program, only 1 in 10 respondents had ever used PrEP and nearly 85% had never talked to their doctor about PrEP. “Alarmingly, awareness of PrEP and PEP is particularly low for those most at risk of HIV infection in California: Black and Latino men who are gay or bisexual,” Los Angeles LGBT Center Medical Director Dr. Robert Bolan said. “This bill is a common sense approach to ensure people receive information about how to protect themselves. It will also encourage more open dialogue between medical providers and patients regarding sexual health.” n MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 45 THE
THEEVENT >> PHOTOS BY PAULO MURILLO <<
WHITE PARTY 2016 The threat of showers did not deter the gaggle of gays from attending White Party Weekend in Palm Springs this year. 30,000 gay men and some female friends endured a balancing act trying to hit up as many of the seven events that party promoter Jeffrey Sanker lined up for the entire weekend. Performers included DJ Offer Nassim, dance diva Inaya Day and Erika Jayne of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. For more on WP 2016, visit jeffreysanker.com.
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LIVE
11 AM - 6 PM
T EQU I LA
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2016 FOLSOM STREET BETWEEN 8TH & 13TH SAN FRANCISCO, CA THANK YOU TO OUR RETURNING SPONSORS:
The
FOLSOMSTREETEVENTS.ORG
Copyright Š 2016 Folsom Street Events. Folsom Street Events and Folsom Street Fair are trademarks of SMMILE, a non profit 501(c)3 California corporation. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. For more information, contact Folsom Street Events at 415-552-3247,
folsomstreetevents.org. Photography by Michael Smith. Art direction by Atom Edwards. Hair by Stefano Tarricone. Make up by Andrea Ortega. Graphic design by Greg Traverso. Special thanks to Mr. S Leather and Beatbox. This is a smoke free event, per SF Health Code, Article 19L.
MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 47
THECALENDAR >> THINGS TO DO << GROUPS
SATURDAY, MAY 7
ASIAN/PACIFIC GAYS AND FRIENDS www.apgf.org
RUPAUL’S DRAGCON Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S Figueroa St., For more information, visit rupaulgragcon.com. Tens of thousands are expected to attend this glitter-filled weekend that celebrates the art of drag and self-expression for all. Tickets are available at rupaulsdragcon.com.
GAY ASIAN PACIFIC SUPPORT NETWORK www.gapsn.org LOS ANGELES GAY AVIATION CLUB Pilots, Flights Attendants, Mechanics. www.unusualattitudes.info
ROUGH SEX—VERBOTEN Eagle LA 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, 9pm–2am. For more info, visit eaglela.com. Music by DJ Steve Cunningham. Hosted by Nabor Arias. Go-Go Studs in Rough Trade Gear. Giveaways compliments of Rough Trade.
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
BIG NIGHT OUT LA The City of West Hollywood, 4pm–7pm. For tickets, bignightoutla.org. The Thrive Tribe Foundation (TTF) is excited to announce that the Premier Gala Event will be hosted at the Hancock Park 1920’s English-Tudor style home of Dean Hansell, founder of GLAAD and leader in the LGBTQ community.
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 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
MEGAWOOF LA 7TH DE MAYO Precinct DTLA, 357 S Broadway, 9pm. Visit precinctdtla.com. Mexican festivity continues wth London Megawoof Residend DJ Glovibes, host George Unda and some amazing go-go bears. Plus a scene for next season of Where The Bears Are, will be shot. THE DRAG QUEENS OF COMEDY Acne Studios Eastern Columbia Building, 855 S Broadway. Tickets at axs.com. Sasha Soprano, Miss Coco Peru, Lady Bunny. Willam, Alaska 5000, Bob the Drag Queen, Peaches & Heklina, Katya and Jackie Beat serving up a no-holds-barred cocktail of comedic opulence. SUNDAY, MAY 8
ONIX—BOOT CAMP Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, 9pm–2am. For more info, visit eaglela.com. In remembrance of those who died while serving in the country’s armed forces—a pre-Memorial Day BOOT CAMP beer bust. All are encouraged to wear military inspired gear/attire. Raffles, Prizes, Kinky Go-Go Studs, and More! THURSDAY, MAY 12
POPPERS GAME NIGHT Redline DTLA, 131 E 6th St. 8:30pm–11pm visit facebook.com/events/1570352966595641 for updates. Play different games all night and win fantastic prizes. FRIDAY, MAY 13
DEVIANT BALL 2016 Globe Theatre, 740 S Broadway, 9pm. For tickets, visit deviantsball.com. Are you deviant? Here is a playground for those who live to break the rules of fashion, dance and all other forms of self-expression. Dress code is either simple black attire, or extreme Fetish, Lingerie, Schoolgirls/Nuns, Steam/Cyber Punk, Gothic/ Industrial, Latex/Leather, Dark Victorian, Cosplay, Vampy, All Creative/Deviant Costumes Welcome.
silverlake.com. Emcee: Drew Droege as Chloe Sevigne. Also featured: The Mac-O-Licious food truck, Huntees Tshirts, LAG Vintage. Free before 3PM / $6 after. WEDNESDAY, MAY 18
CHEER LA LEGENDARY BINGO Hamburger Mary’s WEHO, 8288 Santa Monica Blvd. Visit hamburgermarys.com/weho, for more information. A night of exciting bingo with some of WeHo’s most fabulous drag queens! SATURDAY, MAY, 21
LONG BEACH PRIDE FESTIVAL Shoreline Drive, 11am–10pm. Visit longbeachpride.com for updates. The Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration is one of the premiere Pride events nationwide now attracting over 80,000 participants for two days. The Festival Celebration includes five large dance areas including a main stage which has featured musical artists such as Grammy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Maya, India Arie, and Village People. SUNDAY, MAY 22
LONG BEACH LESBIAN AND GAY PRIDE PARADE Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave, 9:30am. Visit longbeachpride.com for more information. Kickoff begins with at 9am with the “Rainbow Run” Awards sponsored by FrontRunners of Long Beach. 9:45am there is a mass wedding. Celebrate with interactive crowd games and more high-energy music. Parade scheduled to begin at 10am.
SATURDAY, MAY 14
TUESDAY, MAY 24
THE BULLET BAR XVIII ANNIVERSARY Bullet Bar, 10522 Burbank Blvd. The Bullet Bar celebrates 18 years of serving the gay community. Join the fun and celebrate the XVII Anniversary. No cover.
I’LL HAVE ANOTHER WITH ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ Rockwell, 1714 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles.Tickets and Info: http://tickets.rockwel-la.com/event/e7bf87bfeecdab90b2a7cc3a392e02a9. A roller coaster of stories, audience participation, and dramedy, featuring music from stage, screen and pop.
SMACK Precinct DTLA, 357 S Broadway, 9pm–2pm. Visit facebook.com/events/233099603712332 for updates. Kinky Gear night. Free clothes check station to show off your GEAR whether it be Leather, Neoprene, Latex, etc. $5 Cover SUNDAY, MAY 15
BEARS IN SPACE W/ SOLAR (SUNSET) & DIRTY DAVE Akbar, 4356 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles. Info: akbar4 8 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
SATURDAY, JUNE 4
STUART TIMMONS’ WEHO LGBTQ HISTORY TOUR 2016 West Hollywood Library, 625 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, 11am-2pm.Tickets and Info: www.stuarttimmons.com. A fun-filled, fantastically informative, and FREE experience revealing the sensational, sordid, and surprising LGBTQ History of the City of West Hollywood!
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 CHEER LA Cheerleading. www.cheerla.org LA ROWING www.larowing.org DIFFERENT SPOKES Cycling www.differentspokes.com Rides start in various locations in the greater Los Angeles area. 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 SCUBA CLUB www.barnaclebusters.org 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
HOLLYWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH hollywoodumc.org, 6817 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028 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 DIGNITY CENTER dignitylosangeles.org, 126 South Avenue 64, Los Angeles, CA 90042 HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH-HLYWD hopelutheranchurch.net, 6720 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038 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
MAY 2016 | TH E F I GH T 49
THEFINALFIGHT >> PrEP <<
TEACHABLE MOMENTS
Why does the world’s largest AIDS service organization want to stifle PrEP information? BY D R. RO BERT BO LA N
I
f a woman came into my office for a pregnancy test and was relieved to learn the result was negative, it would be medically irresponsible of me to not at least offer information about birth control options. It would be just as irresponsible of me to not offer information about HIV prevention strategies to people who test negative for HIV. Alarmingly, there are still many medical providers who aren’t familiar with two very effective methods to protect against HIV infection: PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). There are also those who refuse to discuss or recommend PrEP for moralistic reasons, just as some doctors refused to prescribe the birth control pill in the 1960s. That’s why the Los Angeles LGBT Center, with AIDS Project Los Angeles, is co-sponsoring a bill in the California legislature (AB 2640) that would ensure high-risk HIV-negative individuals receive information about all CDC-approved methods that reduce the risk of contracting HIV, including PrEP and PEP, during HIV post-test counseling. Teachable moments in medicine occur when a patient has experienced a significant and bad health outcome, or has had a scare that their behavior may have caused a health event but at least this time did not. This is where studies have demonstrated the greatest effect of preventive health education. Frankly, it shouldn’t be necessary for a law like this, but unfortunately it is—especially when the world’s largest AIDS service organization actively campaigns against the use of a pill (known as PrEP) that, when taken daily, has proven to be 99% effective at preventing HIV infection. There are many things medicine cannot do. We cannot cure the
5 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
common cold; we cannot cure many cancers; we cannot cure HIV. But, we can promote handwashing to prevent cold virus transmission; we can provide information and assistance in quitting smoking; we can provide information to help prevent HIV infection. Yes, there are also many things doctors are required to do in their very short patient visits. Many of these have questionable bearing on quality care. However, to be against providing information about PEP and PrEP to someone who may not be aware of it because this would add a task to a visit, or because it somehow interferes with the doctor-patient relationship, is the specious and outrageous argument that’s being advanced by the California Medical Association. The simple fact is: medical providers are most effective when they give information that can help engage patients in their own health decisions. AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Sacramento lobbyist, in his Health Committee testimony against the bill, said he didn’t want to “talk about the medical science relevant to PrEP.” Bizarrely, his concern was that someone who may have little risk of being infected would be “condemned” to take PrEP “forever.” “If a 45-year-old man who has been married for 20 years, who has a fling and panics, and goes and gets tested, and is told that he should try PrEP, he’s going to run off to his doctor and ask to be prescribed Truvada,” said Rand Martin, “which means that a man who does not need the pill will be taking it. Truvada does have side effects. It can be toxic. And so you’re condemning a person who should not be taking it, to forever having to take
this pill as long as he wants to be sexually active.” First, this bill is not a mandate to prescribe anything; it doesn’t even require the healthcare provider to have a conversation with the patient (though that’s what should happen). It simply ensures the patient will get written information about PrEP and PEP. Second, this hypothetical man and his spouse are examples of two people who should know that PrEP is an option to protect themselves because a substantial proportion of new HIV infections occur within the context of a non-monogamous gay/bisexual relationship. Finally, there’s no reason to believe that people who don’t need PrEP will get a prescription for it simply because they’ve learned about it. But we do know, from a recent California study, that those at greatest risk of infection— Black and Latino men who are gay or bisexual—are least likely to know that PrEP and PEP can protect them. And though the CDC estimates that about 25 percent of gay/bisexual men should be on PrEP, the same study showed that only 10 percent have ever taken it. Our best hope for reducing and ultimately ending HIV transmission is to ensure people know PrEP is an option for them… To sign the Center’s petition to encourage the rest of the California legislature and Governor Jerry Brown to save lives merely by reminding medical providers to be the educators we are and to share information that can keep our patients healthy—go to: www.lalgbtcenter.org/ab2640. n Dr. Robert Bolan is the Medical Director of the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
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