THE FIGHT LA'S LGBT MONTHLY MAGAZINE MAY 2014 by The Fight Magazine

ABOUT PREZISTA

PREZISTA® is always taken with and at the same time as ritonavir (Norvir ®), in combination with other HIV medicines for the treatment of HIV infection in adults. PREZISTA® should also be taken with food. • The use of other medicines active against HIV in combination with PREZISTA®/ritonavir (Norvir ®) may increase your ability to fight HIV. Your healthcare professional will work with you to find the right combination of HIV medicines • It is important that you remain under the care of your healthcare professional during treatment with PREZISTA® PREZISTA® does not cure HIV infection or AIDS and you may continue to experience illnesses associated with HIV-1 infection, including opportunistic infections. You should remain under the care of a doctor when using PREZISTA.® Please read Important Safety Information below, and talk to your healthcare professional to learn if PREZISTA® is right for you.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about PREZISTA®? • PREZISTA® can interact with other medicines and cause serious side effects. See “Who should not take PREZISTA®?” • PREZISTA® may cause liver problems. Some people taking PREZISTA,® together with Norvir ® (ritonavir), have developed liver problems which may be life-threatening. Your healthcare professional should do blood tests before and during your combination treatment with PREZISTA.® If you have chronic hepatitis B or C infection, your healthcare professional should check your blood tests more often because you have an increased chance of developing liver problems • Tell your healthcare professional if you have any of these signs and symptoms of liver problems: dark (tea-colored) urine, yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes, pale-colored stools (bowel movements), nausea, vomiting, pain or tenderness on your right side below your ribs, or loss of appetite • PREZISTA® may cause a severe or life-threatening skin reaction or rash. Sometimes these skin reactions and skin rashes can become severe and require treatment in a hospital. You should call your healthcare professional immediately if you develop a rash. However, stop taking PREZISTA® and ritonavir combination treatment and call your healthcare professional immediately if you develop any skin changes with these symptoms: fever, tiredness, muscle or joint pain, blisters or skin lesions, mouth sores or ulcers, red or inflamed eyes, like “pink eye.” Rash occurred more often in patients taking PREZISTA® and raltegravir together than with either drug separately, but was generally mild Who should not take PREZISTA®? • Do not take PREZISTA® if you are taking the following medicines: alfuzosin (Uroxatral®), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E.45,® Embolex,® Migranal®), ergonovine, ergotamine (Cafergot,® Ergomar ®), methylergonovine, cisapride (Propulsid®), pimozide (Orap®), oral midazolam, triazolam (Halcion®), the herbal supplement St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), lovastatin (Mevacor,® Altoprev,® Advicor ®), simvastatin (Zocor,® Simcor,® Vytorin®), rifampin (Rifadin,® Rifater,®

Rifamate,® Rimactane®), sildenafil (Revatio®) when used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, indinavir (Crixivan®), lopinavir/ ritonavir (Kaletra®), saquinavir (Invirase®), boceprevir (Victrelis™), or telaprevir (Incivek™) • Before taking PREZISTA,® tell your healthcare professional if you are taking sildenafil (Viagra,® Revatio®), vardenafil (Levitra,® Staxyn®), tadalafil (Cialis,® Adcirca®), atorvastatin (Lipitor ®), rosuvastatin (Crestor ®), pravastatin (Pravachol®), or colchicine (Colcrys,® Col-Probenecid®). Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking estrogen-based contraceptives (birth control). PREZISTA® might reduce the effectiveness of estrogen-based contraceptives. You must take additional precautions for birth control, such as condoms This is not a complete list of medicines. Be sure to tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you are taking or plan to take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. What should I tell my doctor before I take PREZISTA®? • Before taking PREZISTA,® tell your healthcare professional if you have any medical conditions, including liver problems (including hepatitis B or C), allergy to sulfa medicines, diabetes, or hemophilia • Tell your healthcare professional if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding — The effects of PREZISTA® on pregnant women or their unborn babies are not known. You and your healthcare professional will need to decide if taking PREZISTA® is right for you — Do not breastfeed. It is not known if PREZISTA® can be passed to your baby in your breast milk and whether it could harm your baby. Also, mothers with HIV should not breastfeed because HIV can be passed to your baby in the breast milk What are the possible side effects of PREZISTA®? • High blood sugar, diabetes or worsening of diabetes, and increased bleeding in people with hemophilia have been reported in patients taking protease inhibitor medicines, including PREZISTA® • Changes in body fat have been seen in some patients taking HIV medicines, including PREZISTA.® The cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known at this time • Changes in your immune system can happen when you start taking HIV medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden • The most common side effects related to taking PREZISTA® include diarrhea, nausea, rash, headache, stomach pain, and vomiting. This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you experience these or other side effects, talk to your healthcare professional. Do not stop taking PREZISTA® or any other medicines without first talking to your healthcare professional 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 refer to the ritonavir (Norvir ®) Product Information (PI and PPI) for additional information on precautionary measures. Please read accompanying Patient Information for PREZISTA® and discuss any questions you have with your doctor.

28PRZDTC0288R8

PREZISTA® (darunavir) is a prescription medicine. It is one treatment option in the class of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) medicines known as protease inhibitors.

ily Once-Da

Once-Daily PREZISTA® (darunavir) taken with ritonavir and in combination with other HIV medications can help lower your viral load and keep your HIV under control. The PREZISTA® Experience isn’t just an HIV treatment. It’s an HIV treatment experience as unique as you. Find out if the PREZISTA® Experience is right for you. Ask your healthcare professional and learn more at PREZISTA.com

Snap a quick pic of our logo to show your doctor and get the conversation started.

Please read the Important Safety Information and Patient Information on adjacent pages.

Janssen Therapeutics, Division of Janssen Products, LP © Janssen Therapeutics, Division of Janssen Products, LP 2014 01/14 006960-131202

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION PREZISTA (pre-ZIS-ta) (darunavir) Oral Suspension PREZISTA (pre-ZIS-ta) (darunavir) Tablets Read this Patient Information before you start taking PREZISTA and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or your treatment. Also read the Patient Information leaflet for NORVIR® (ritonavir). What is the most important information I should know about PREZISTA? • PREZISTA can interact with other medicines and cause serious side effects. It is important to know the medicines that should not be taken with PREZISTA. See the section “Who should not take PREZISTA?” • PREZISTA may cause liver problems. Some people taking PREZISTA in combination with NORVIR® (ritonavir) have developed liver problems which may be life-threatening. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before and during your combination treatment with PREZISTA. If you have chronic hepatitis B or C infection, your healthcare provider should check your blood tests more often because you have an increased chance of developing liver problems. • Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the below signs and symptoms of liver problems. • Dark (tea colored) urine • yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes • pale colored stools (bowel movements) • nausea • vomiting • pain or tenderness on your right side below your ribs • loss of appetite PREZISTA may cause severe or life-threatening skin reactions or rash. Sometimes these skin reactions and skin rashes can become severe and require treatment in a hospital. You should call your healthcare provider immediately if you develop a rash. However, stop taking PREZISTA and ritonavir combination treatment and call your healthcare provider immediately if you develop any skin changes with symptoms below: • fever • tiredness • muscle or joint pain • blisters or skin lesions • mouth sores or ulcers • red or inflamed eyes, like “pink eye” (conjunctivitis) Rash occurred more often in people taking PREZISTA and raltegravir together than with either drug separately, but was generally mild. See “What are the possible side effects of PREZISTA?” for more information about side effects. What is PREZISTA? PREZISTA is a prescription anti-HIV medicine used with ritonavir and other anti-HIV medicines to treat adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. PREZISTA is a type of anti-HIV medicine called a protease inhibitor. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). When used with other HIV medicines, PREZISTA may help to reduce the amount of HIV in your blood (called “viral load”). PREZISTA may also help to increase the number of white blood cells called CD4 (T) cell which help fight off other infections. Reducing the amount of HIV and increasing the CD4 (T) cell count may improve your immune system. This may reduce your risk of death or infections that can happen when your immune system is weak (opportunistic infections). PREZISTA does not cure HIV infection or AIDS and you may continue to experience illnesses associated with HIV-1 infection, including opportunistic infections. You should remain under the care of a doctor when using PREZISTA. Avoid doing things that can spread HIV-1 infection. • Do not share needles or other injection equipment. • Do not share personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them, like toothbrushes and razor blades.

• D o not have any kind of sex without protection. Always practice safe sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions on how to prevent passing HIV to other people. Who should not take PREZISTA? Do not take PREZISTA with any of the following medicines: • alfuzosin (Uroxatral®) • dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45®, Embolex®, Migranal®), ergonovine, ergotamine (Cafergot®, Ergomar®) methylergonovine • cisapride • pimozide (Orap®) • oral midazolam, triazolam (Halcion®) • the herbal supplement St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) • the cholesterol lowering medicines lovastatin (Mevacor®, Altoprev®, Advicor®) or simvastatin (Zocor®, Simcor®, Vytorin®) • rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifater®, Rifamate®, Rimactane®) • sildenafil (Revatio®) only when used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Serious problems can happen if you take any of these medicines with PREZISTA. What should I tell my doctor before I take PREZISTA? PREZISTA may not be right for you. Before taking PREZISTA, tell your healthcare provider if you: • have liver problems, including hepatitis B or hepatitis C • are allergic to sulfa medicines • have high blood sugar (diabetes) • have hemophilia • are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if PREZISTA will harm your unborn baby. Pregnancy Registry: You and your healthcare provider will need to decide if taking PREZISTA is right for you. If you take PREZISTA while you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about how you can be included in the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry. The purpose of the registry is follow the health of you and your baby. • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. We do not know if PREZISTA can be passed to your baby in your breast milk and whether it could harm your baby. Also, mothers with HIV-1 should not breastfeed because HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in the breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using PREZISTA and certain other medicines may affect each other causing serious side effects. PREZISTA may affect the way other medicines work and other medicines may affect how PREZISTA works. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take: • other medicine to treat HIV • estrogen-based contraceptives (birth control). PREZISTA might reduce the effectiveness of estrogen-based contraceptives. You must take additional precautions for birth control such as a condom. • medicine for your heart such as bepridil, lidocaine (Xylocaine Viscous®), quinidine (Nuedexta®), amiodarone (Pacerone®, Cardarone®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), flecainide (Tambocor®), propafenone (Rythmol®) • warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®) • medicine for seizures such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®, Epitol®), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®) • medicine for depression such as trazadone and desipramine (Norpramin®) • clarithromycin (Prevpac®, Biaxin®) • medicine for fungal infections such as ketoconazole (Nizoral®), itraconazole (Sporanox®, Onmel®), voriconazole (VFend®) • colchicine (Colcrys®, Col-Probenecid®) • rifabutin (Mycobutin®) • medicine used to treat blood pressure, a heart attack, heart failure, or to lower pressure in the eye such as metoprolol (Lopressor®, Toprol-XL®), timolol (Cosopt®, Betimol®, Timoptic®, Isatolol®, Combigan®) • midazolam administered by injection • medicine for heart disease such as felodipine (Plendil®), nifedipine (Procardia®, Adalat CC®, Afeditab CR®), nicardipine (Cardene®) • steroids such as dexamethasone, fluticasone (Advair Diskus®, Veramyst®, Flovent®, Flonase®) • bosentan (Tracleer®) • medicine to treat chronic hepatitis C such as boceprevir (VictrelisTM), telaprevir (IncivekTM)

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION t N FEJDJOF GPS DIPMFTUFSPM TVDI BT QSBWBTUBUJO 1SBWBDIPMÂŽ), atorvastatin (LipitorÂŽ), rosuvastatin (CrestorÂŽ) t NFEJDJOF UP QSFWFOU PSHBO USBOTQMBOU GBJMVSF TVDI BT DZDMPTQPSJOF (GengrafÂŽ, SandimmuneÂŽ, NeoralÂŽ), tacrolimus (PrografÂŽ), sirolimus (RapamuneÂŽ) t TBMNFUFSPM "EWBJSÂŽ, SereventÂŽ) t NFEJDJOF GPS OBSDPUJD XJUIESBXBM TVDI BT NFUIBEPOF .FUIBEPTFÂŽ, %PMPQIJOF )ZESPDIMPSJEF CVQSFOPSQIJOF #VUSBOTÂŽ, BuprenexÂŽ, SubutexÂŽ), buprenorphine/naloxone (SuboxoneÂŽ) t NFEJDJOF UP USFBU TDIJ[PQISFOJB TVDI BT SJTQFSJEPOF 3JTQFSEBMÂŽ), thioridazine t NFEJDJOF UP USFBU FSFDUJMF EZTGVODUJPO PS QVMNPOBSZ IZQFSUFOTJPO such as sildenafil (ViagraÂŽ, RevatioÂŽ), vardenafil (LevitraÂŽ, StaxynÂŽ), tadalafil (CialisÂŽ, AdcircaÂŽ) t NFEJDJOF UP USFBU BOYJFUZ EFQSFTTJPO PS QBOJD EJTPSEFS TVDI BT sertraline (ZoloftÂŽ), paroxetine (PaxilÂŽ, PexevaÂŽ) t medicine to treat malaria such as artemether/lumefantrine (CoartemÂŽ) This is not a complete list of medicines that you should tell your healthcare provider that you are taking. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if your medicine is one that is listed above. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your EPDUPS PS QIBSNBDJTU XIFO ZPV HFU B OFX NFEJDJOF %P OPU TUBSU BOZ new medicines while you are taking PREZISTA without first talking with your healthcare provider. How should I take PREZISTA? t 5BLF 13&;*45" FWFSZ EBZ FYBDUMZ BT QSFTDSJCFE CZ ZPVS IFBMUIDBSF provider. t :PV NVTU UBLF SJUPOBWJS /037*3ÂŽ) at the same time as PREZISTA. t %P OPU DIBOHF ZPVS EPTF PG 13&;*45" PS TUPQ USFBUNFOU XJUIPVU talking to your healthcare provider first. t 5BLF 13&;*45" BOE SJUPOBWJS /037*3ÂŽ) with food. t 4XBMMPX 13&;*45" UBCMFUT XIPMF XJUI B ESJOL *G ZPV IBWF EJGGJDVMUZ swallowing PREZISTA tablets, PREZISTA oral suspension is also available. Your health care provider will help decide whether PREZISTA tablets or oral suspension is right for you. t 13&;*45" PSBM TVTQFOTJPO TIPVME CF HJWFO XJUI UIF TVQQMJFE PSBM dosing syringe. Shake the suspension well before each use. See the Instructions for Use that come with PREZISTA oral suspension for information about the right way to prepare and take a dose. t *G ZPVS QSFTDSJCFE EPTF PG 13&;*45" PSBM TVTQFOTJPO JT NPSF UIBO 6 mL, you will need to divide the dose. Follow the instructions given to you by your healthcare provider or pharmacist about how to divide the dose. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure. t *G ZPV UBLF UPP NVDI 13&;*45" DBMM ZPVS IFBMUIDBSF QSPWJEFS PS HP to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. What should I do if I miss a dose? People who take PREZISTA one time a day: t *G ZPV NJTT B EPTF PG 13&;*45" CZ MFTT UIBO IPVST UBLF ZPVS missed dose of PREZISTA right away. Then take your next dose of PREZISTA at your regularly scheduled time. t *G ZPV NJTT B EPTF PG 13&;*45" CZ NPSF UIBO IPVST XBJU BOE UIFO take the next dose of PREZISTA at your regularly scheduled time. People who take PREZISTA two times a day t *G ZPV NJTT B EPTF PG 13&;*45" CZ MFTT UIBO IPVST UBLF ZPVS missed dose of PREZISTA right away. Then take your next dose of PREZISTA at your regularly scheduled time. t *G ZPV NJTT B EPTF PG 13&;*45" CZ NPSF UIBO IPVST XBJU BOE UIFO take the next dose of PREZISTA at your regularly scheduled time. *G B EPTF PG 13&;*45" JT TLJQQFE EP OPU EPVCMF UIF OFYU EPTF %P OPU UBLF more or less than your prescribed dose of PREZISTA at any one time. What are the possible side effects of PREZISTA? PREZISTA can cause side effects including: t 4FF â&#x20AC;&#x153;What is the most important information I should know about PREZISTA?â&#x20AC;? t %JBCFUFT BOE IJHI CMPPE TVHBS IZQFSHMZDFNJB Some people who take protease inhibitors including PREZISTA can get high blood sugar, develop diabetes, or your diabetes can get worse. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice an increase in thirst or urinate often while taking PREZISTA. t Changes in body fat. These changes can happen in people who take antiretroviral therapy. The changes may include an increased BNPVOU PG GBU JO UIF VQQFS CBDL BOE OFDL iCVGGBMP IVNQw CSFBTU and around the back, chest, and stomach area. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen. The exact cause and longterm health effects of these conditions are not known.

t Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Call your healthcare provider right away if you start having new symptoms after starting your HIV medicine. t Increased bleeding for hemophiliacs. Some people with hemophilia have increased bleeding with protease inhibitors including PREZISTA. The most common side effects of PREZISTA include: t EJBSSIFB t IFBEBDIF t OBVTFB t BCEPNJOBM QBJO t SBTI t WPNJUJOH Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of PREZISTA. For more information, ask your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report TJEF FGGFDUT UP UIF '%" BU '%" How should I store PREZISTA? t 4UPSF 13&;*45" PSBM TVTQFOTJPO BOE UBCMFUT BU SPPN UFNQFSBUVSF < ÂĄ' ÂĄ$ > t %P OPU SFGSJHFSBUF PS GSFF[F 13&;*45" PSBM TVTQFOTJPO t ,FFQ 13&;*45" BXBZ GSPN IJHI IFBU t 13&;*45" PSBM TVTQFOTJPO TIPVME CF TUPSFE JO UIF PSJHJOBM DPOUBJOFS Keep PREZISTA and all medicines out of the reach of children. General information about PREZISTA Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those MJTUFE JO B 1BUJFOU *OGPSNBUJPO MFBGMFU %P OPU VTF 13&;*45" GPS B DPOEJUJPO GPS XIJDI JU XBT OPU QSFTDSJCFE %P OPU HJWF 13&;*45" UP other people even if they have the same condition you have. It may harm them. This leaflet summarizes the most important information about PREZISTA. If you would like more information, talk to your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about PREZISTA that is written for health professionals. 'PS NPSF JOGPSNBUJPO DBMM What are the ingredients in PREZISTA? Active ingredient: darunavir Inactive ingredients: PREZISTA Oral Suspension: hydroxypropyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylparaben sodium, citric acid monohydrate, sucralose, masking flavor, strawberry cream flavor, IZESPDIMPSJD BDJE GPS Q) BEKVTUNFOU QVSJGJFE XBUFS PREZISTA 75 mg and 150 mg Tablets: colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose. The film DPBUJOH DPOUBJOT 01"%3:ÂŽ 8IJUF QPMZFUIZMFOF HMZDPM QPMZWJOZM alcohol-partially hydrolyzed, talc, titanium dioxide). PREZISTA 400 mg and 600 mg Tablets: colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose. The film DPBUJOH DPOUBJOT 01"%3:ÂŽ 0SBOHF '% $ :FMMPX /P Ă¸ QPMZFUIZMFOF HMZDPM QPMZWJOZM BMDPIPM QBSUJBMMZ IZESPMZ[FE UBMD UJUBOJVN EJPYJEF PREZISTA 800 mg Tablets: colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose. The film DPBUJOH DPOUBJOT 01"%3:ÂŽ %BSL 3FE JSPO PYJEF SFE QPMZFUIZMFOF HMZDPM QPMZWJOZM BMDPIPM QBSUJBMMZ IZESPMZ[FE UBMD UJUBOJVN EJPYJEF 5IJT 1BUJFOU *OGPSNBUJPO IBT CFFO BQQSPWFE CZ UIF 6 4 'PPE BOE %SVH Administration. Product of Ireland Manufactured by: PREZISTA Oral Suspension PREZISTA Tablets Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V. Janssen Ortho LLC, #FFSTF #FMHJVN (VSBCP 13 Manufactured for: +BOTTFO 5IFSBQFVUJDT %JWJTJPO PG +BOTTFO 1SPEVDUT -1 5JUVTWJMMF /+ 3FWJTFE %FDFNCFS NORVIRÂŽ is a registered trademark of its respective owner. PREZISTAÂŽ is a registered trademark of Janssen Pharmaceuticals ÂŞ +BOTTFO 1IBSNBDFVUJDBMT *OD

THECONTENTS

>> WHITE PARTY <<

COVER STORIES AND FEATURES NEW MAYOR 21 WEHO’S John D’Amico Takes The Gavel

THE RACE 22 TIGHTENING Long Beach Mayoral Hopeful Robert Garcia

26 24

OF PRIDE 23 REFLECTIONS Long Beach LGBT Pride Celebration POINT 24 TURNING Kit Williamson Interviews Van Hansis TO LA PRIDE 26 COUNTDOWN Shivering With Anticipation ROAD TO IML 32 THE The Politics Of Leather

33 WEINSTEIN’S STAND

AHF Responds To Truvada Controversy

TO SERVE 36 PROUD The LAPD Wants You

38 CROSSING OVER ON GHB

How One Man Got Clean And Sober

ON THE COVER COVER MODEL: VAN HANSIS COVER PHOTO, MAIN TOC PHOTO AND COVER FEATURE PHOTOS BY ALEX DEAN www.alexdeanphotography.com

DEPARTMENTS 13 THE LETTERS Thrice Commended 14 THE TALK Dustin Lance Black 17 THE STATE Transgender Students 20 THE CITY Get Vaccinated 30 THE ROSTOW REPORT Games Kids Play 34 THE MONEY Unequal Incomes 36 THE LAW Sexual Harassment 40 THE EPIDEMIC Coral Reef 42 THE EVENT White Party Photos

44 THE CALENDAR Events

33 6 T H E F I GH T | M AY 2 014

46 THE FINAL FIGHT Rob Smith

Upcoming Special Events in Southern California Call Me Mom Saturday, May 3rd A free informative brunch event to learn about becoming a foster or adoptive mother at the beautiful Andaz Hotel West Hollywood.

A Special Fundraising Event

HONORS

Sharing the Stories of Our Families Saturday, May 18th

Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Celebration Sunday, June 15th Join us for a Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Brunch at The Abbey, followed by a free family concert in West Hollywood Park.

To RSVP and information, visit www.RaiseAChild.US or call (323) 417-1440.

THEEDITOR >> IN THIS ISSUE <<

l In this issue the very talented actor, writer and director Kit Williamson (“Mad Men,” “Eastsiders”) interviews actor Van Hansis (“Turning Point,” page 24), who played the role of Luke Snyder on “As the World Turns,” half of daytime TV’s first gay “power couple.” “The couple broke new ground for daytime television audiences,” reveals Williamson, “from having the first gay kiss on a soap to actually consummating their relationship, despite pressure from antigay groups.” “While the series should be applauded for the storyline,” states Williamson, “the progress towards equal representation owes just as much to the fans of the show, who led numerous campaigns to give the characters more screen time and to afford their relationship as much intimacy as the straight characters on the show.” Hansis ventured once again into uncharted waters when he was cast in the role of Thom on “EastSiders,” a web series that Williamson created that aired on Logo. The series is a dark comedy about infidelity, following a gay couple in Silver Lake trying to stay together after Hansis’ character is exposed as having a second boyfriend. “EastSiders” is currently raising funds on Kickstarter to shoot a second season this summer, with new cast members including New Girl’s Satya Bhabha and Drag Race alum Willam Belli. Also in this issue—Paulo Murillo delves into what it takes to become International Mr. Leather (“The Road To IML,” page 32). Fifteen Los Angeles Mr. Leather titleholders have competed at IML, with two actual wins—one by titleholder Guy Baldwin in 1989 and another by Mikel Gerle in 2007. The purpose of the International Mr. Leather (IML) contest is “to identify an individual who can represent the world of radical sexuality for a period of one year and not be destroyed by the process,” states author, activist, and Leather Hall of Fame inductee, Guy Baldwin, in an interview with THE FIGHT. “The range and variations you’ll see on the IML stage is tremendous,” Baldwin tells Murillo. “You get people who put leather on once a year, just because they think they look hot in it and you get people who live in it, 24/7.” The International Mr. Leather contest will take place Sunday, May 25. For more information, visit imrl.com. Last, but not least, The Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Celebration, (“Reflections of Pride,” page 23) will be held this month on May 17 & 18, from 11am-11pm along Shoreline Drive. Performers this year include Kelly Rowland, CeCe Peniston, Cazwell, Pamela Williams, Mr. Nikki, Lady Jazmynne, Merril Crump, Dev, Jay Justified and many others. Kicking off the parade on Sunday, May 18th, will be the Grand Parade Marshal—entertainment correspondent Ross Mathews (Hello Ross). THE FIGHT is a proud Long Beach Pride media sponsor. Drop by our booth to say hello—and be sure to participate in our raffle for free Cher tickets! Happy Pride!

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Stanford Altamirano MANAGING EDITOR Mark Ariel ART DIRECTOR Nadeen Torio MARKETING CONSULTANTS Paul Vallejo Timothy Walker SOCIAL MEDIA Paulo Murillo 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 © 2014 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.

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STANFORD ALTAMIRANO Editor-In-Chief

8 T H E F I GH T | M AY 2 014

DAY 1:

To get help for drug and alcohol addiction, to start your day one now.

Residential and Outpatient Treatment in Palm Springs, California

THECONTRIBUTORS

>> OUR WRITERS <<

GRANT GOCHIN Grant Gochin is a Wealth Advisor and Certified Financial Planner professional located in Encino. Grant is married (to a man) and he and his husband have one son. He can be reached at (818) 827-3410 or via email at: grant.gochin@raymondjames.com.

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.

KIT WILLIAMSON Actor, writer, director Kit Williamson resides in Silver Lake. He has acted on Broadway, Off-Off-Off Broadway and everything in between. Most recently he played a recurring role on “Mad Men” on AMC. He wrote, directed and stars in “EastSiders,” a dark comedy web series. “EastSiders” is currently raising funds on Kickstarter to shoot a second season. For more about Williamson, visit his web site at kitwilliamson.com.

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.

1 0 T H E F IGH T | M AY 2014

DAVID HAKIMFAR Los Angeles based Attorney David Hakimfar received his law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego. While there, he made the Honor Roll and National Dean’s List. Currently David Hakimfar is a Trial Attorney and Senior Partner of Hakimfar Law, PLC. He can be reached at: 1-888-789-PRIDE (7743). ROB SMITH Rob Smith is an author, lecturer, writer, and LGBT activist. His first book “Closets, Combat, and Coming Out: Coming of Age as a Gay Man in the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Army” is in stores now. He can be found at www.robsmithonline.com.

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MAY 2014 | T H E F I GH T 11

THELETTERS >> FROM OUR READERS <<

BEEN FOLLOWING Dear Editor, Nice work on your White Party cover (THE FIGHT, Issue 39)—Jai looks amazing! I have been following Jai Rodriguez’s career ever since “Queer Eye For The Straight Guy,” and I was happy that he was chosen to be White Party ambassador. I wish him continued success. On another note: I also wanted to mention Rob Smith—the writer of “The Final Fight.” I always find his views refreshing and inspiring. —Andrew Garcia, Los Angeles, CA

THRICE COMMENDED Dear Editor, I am a new reader of THE FIGHT. I first picked up a copy of the magazine in a bar in Palm Springs about 2 months ago. I wanted to commend your publisher on the high quality of paper on which your magazine is printed. Similarly, I wanted to commend the stunning 665 Leather fullpage ad on page 41 of the April issue (THE FIGHT, Issue 39). I have been a customer of Stefani’s (owner of 665 Leather) for more than 15 years. I also wanted to commend you for refraining from publishing any hustler ads. —Austin Barkley, Monrovia, CA

WILLING TO CONCEDE Dear Editor, What is up with the new Mr. LA Leather and his attack on AHF [AIDS Healthcare Foundation]? According to the news item on your web site (thefightmag.com) Eric Paul Leue has “launched a petition for the removal of Michael Weinstein as President and CEO of the AHF.” All this why? Because of his outrage towards Weinstein’s comments where he called the Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) drug Truvada, a “party drug.” Outraged? Why? It seems to me that this drug encourages unsafe sex. In other words—sex without a condom. And while—from what I have read—Truvdada has a ninety percent success rate in preventing the contraction of HIV—what about other STDs? At the moment—nothing works better than condoms for preventing STDs including HIV. I am willing to concede that if you are adamant about having bareback sex with someone you don’t know (which is stupid, in my opinion—but to each his own)—and you don’t care about exposing yourself to other STDs—then by all means take Truvada. But for most of us—that is way too risky. —Name Withheld, via the internet

> WRITE TO THE EDITOR Email: editor@thefightmag.com Fax: (213) 281-9648. Letters may be shortened due to space requirements. JANUAR YMAY 2014 2014 | TH | ET H FE I GH F ITGH13 T 13

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

NOTHING WRONG

SPITTING OUT

“I did nothing wrong and I refuse to be shamed for this any longer... Yes, we were doing what DUSTIN gay men do LANCE when they love BLACK and trust each other, we were having sex.” —Oscar-winning screenwriter of “Milk,” Dustin Lance Black, in an open letter to Pasadena City College, after the school canceled their invitation to be commencement speaker at his alma mater, citing intimate photographs of Black and a former boyfriend that were leaked on the Internet in 2009.

WITHOUT THEM “I feel lucky to have been surrounded by gay people throughout my career. I love them and they’re my family. I’m honored and blessed to be welcomed and supported by the community, because I wouldn’t NAOMI be where I am today CAMPBELL without them.” —Naomi Campbell at the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards 25th anniversary celebration.

HOW WE SPREAD “We as a community don’t ask very much of our allies, we just ask that you stand with us and that’s really easy to do. Simply hug your WILSON LGBT brothers CRUZ and sisters, love them. Vote with us when our rights are on the ballot. Tell all your friends and family members that you support us because that’s how we spread the word and we spread love.” —GLAAD Spokesman Wilson Cruz at the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards 25th anniversary celebration. 1 4 T H E F IGH T | M AY 2014

Hollywood has been eating up and spitting out the beautiful and unconnected for over a century. What remains shocking to me is that so many gay men, a group I’ve long considered superior in empathy and morality to their straight brothers, are complicit in this behavior. —The Advocate’s Neal Broverman NEAL in a commentary BROVERMAN on the recent sexual assault allegations against “Superman Returns” and three-time “X-Men” film director Bryan Singer.

IT’S A SHAME

MEGHAN MCCAIN

THE FIGHT NEEDS

“Being an ally is unbelievably important to me, and the LGBT movement has become such a passion of mine. I really do believe it is the civil rights movement of my generation, and a night like tonight is great because we’re celebrating how far we’ve come, but it’s also a reminder that the fight needs to be ongoing.” —Meghan McCain (daughter of U.S. Sen. John McCain) at the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards 25th anniversary celebration.

CHARLIE CONDOU

“I’m really surprised by the level of homophobia that still exists here in Hollywood. I’ve been here for a week, and I had dinner with a big movie star and his boyfriend, and he is not out because of fear. I also had lunch with a daytime soap star and his boyfriend, and they are also not out because of fear. I find that really surprising because I’m very out in my career at home. I’m with my partner, we go out together, we have children and it’s never been an issue. I’m particularly surprised to see there’s so much fear surrounding gay people here in Los Angeles. It’s a shame.” —Charlie Condou (out actor on the British drama “Coronation Street”) at the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards 25th anniversary celebration.

ALEX NEWELL

HOLD ON “If you have support from even one friend, hold on to them and let them know how much you appreciate them. But furthermore, just know that it’s okay to be who you are regardless, and if someone doesn’t like you for being you, that’s their fault.” —Alex Newell (“Glee”) at the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards 25th anniversary celebration.

MAY 2014 | TH E F I GH T 15

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California counties do not have to turn over records that would help sponsors of a failed ballot referendum challenge the invalidation of thousands of voter signatures, reports www.lgbtqnation.com. Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley granted the state’s request last month to quash subpoenas issued on behalf of “Privacy for All Students,” which sought to repeal a new law that spells out the rights of transgender students in public schools. Relying on counts submitted by county offices, the secretary of state determined in February that the group was about 17,000 signatures short of the number needed to qualify its proposed referendum to repeal the law. The Pacific Justice Institute, a Christian legal group, asked the court to compel Secretary of State Debra Bowen to qualify the measure for the November ballot. The group argued that county election officers improperly invalidated more than 17,276 signatures from the petitions the referendum’s supporters circulated. The state argued that the referendum’s supporters were entitled to review the discounted signatures, but that supplying copies of the detailed records they requested would violate voters’ privacy. At least 504,760 signatures were required to force a public vote on the statute approved by the California Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last year. The law’s opponents submitted 619,387, but county election officers determined that just 487,484 of them were valid, according to a final count posted on the secretary of state’s website on February 24. The “School Success and Opportunity Act” (AB 1266) law took effect Jan. 1, and guarantees students in grades K-12 the right to use the school restrooms and to participate in the sex-segregated activities that correspond with their expressed genders instead of their school records. The groups behind the repeal effort say the law violates the privacy of youngsters who may be uncomfortable sharing facilities with classmates of the opposite biological sex. “Privacy for All” said it plans to appeal. n

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THECITY >>

BY PAULO MURILLO

SF ISSUES WARNING ON SEX WITH LA GAYS l San Francisco’s Department of Public Health issued a statement last month warning SF gay men to get vaccinated for meningitis before engaging in sex with men from Los Angeles at least seven to ten days prior to sexual contact. The San Francisco health department reports there have been no cases of meningitis involving gay men in that city since 2011. The LA County Health Department has reported 11 cases of meningitis involving gay men in Los Angeles County in the past 18 months. Eight people are on record as being infected with invasive meningoccal disease. Four of those men were gay, and three of those four, ages 27 and 28, died of the disease. All of them lived in or socialized in West Hollywood or North Hollywood.

LONG BEACH PRIDE RUN l The Shoreline Frontrunners of Long Beach, celebrating their 30th anniversary, are launching the 22nd Long Beach Pride Run 5K Race/Walk and 10K Race on Sunday, May 18 at 8am, taking place on the scenic Long Beach Shoreline Bike Path starting at the intersection of Ocean Blvd. And Junipero Avenue. On-line registration available at www.shorelinefrontrunners.org/long-beach-pride-run. Funds raised by the LB Pride Run support Long Beach and Orange County LGBT youth, education, and health organizations.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION ON SEX, METH AND GHB l The City of West Hollywood will host “Tina and Gina: Killing Us Softly,” a community panel discussion - part of the city’s ongoing efforts and commitment to providing information, services, and resources regarding substance abuse. The event takes place on May 7, 2014, 7pm-9pm at the West Hollywood Park Auditorium at 647 N. San Vicente Blvd. The panel will include experts, former users, and others who aim to raise public awareness and provide education regarding crystal meth and/or GHB abuse. Crystal meth and GHB are two potentially lifethreatening drugs used both separately and in combination that continue to have a huge impact in the community, particularly in regard to gay men who live, visit, and play in West Hollywood.

ACTIVISTS CALL FOR HOTEL BOYCOTT l Some LGBT activists are calling the boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel after Hassanal Bolkiah, the hotel owner and Sultan of Brunei--a small Southeast Asian nation--instituted outrageous anti-gay legislation in his home country that includes death by stoning for gay sex. According HASSANAL to news reports, The Out Giving Conference, an BOLKIAH event for wealthy LGBT donors hosted by the Gill Action Fund, has cancelled their conference originally planned at The Beverly Hills Hotel. In a statement to the press, The Beverly Hills Hotel said, “the laws and policies that govern how we run our hotel have nothing to do with the laws that exist in any other country outside of the United States.”

LA GAY CENTER JOINS FORCES WITH GLEH l The Center and Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing (GLEH), the nation’s first developer of affordable housing for LGBT seniors, are joining forces to provide better, more efficient services to help more seniors live healthy, happy and fulfilled lives. The merger of GLEH and The Center will provide a broader range of services for residents and will provide a greater investment in the development of affordable housing for LGBT seniors. GLEH staff will join the Center’s Senior Services team. 2 0 T H E F IGH T | M AY 2014

GAY FOR GOOD SAN DIEGO JOINS FOOD BANK l In honor of Harvey Milk Day, “Gay for Good San Diego” will join San Diego Food Bank to help assemble packages of food for those in need. The San Diego Food Bank helps feed people countywide. Gay for Good aims to energize and mobilize the LGBT community to interact with the greater community by volunteering time to various social welfare and environmental service projects. Each month, G4G San Diego selects a different nonprofit to donate time for community service. For more information, visit gayforgood.org. n

WEHO’s New Mayor JOHN D’AMICO BECOMES MAYOR OF WEST HOLLYWOOD. BY PAULO MURILLO THE CITY OF HOLLYWOOD held its annual City Council Reorganization and Installation ceremony last month, with an outdoor reception held at Plummer Park. City Clerk Yvonne Quarker performed the swear-in of Mayor Pro Tempore John D’Amico as the new Mayor of the City of West Hollywood and city councilmember John Heilman was sworn in as the new Mayor Pro Tempore. Mayor D’Amico took the Mayor’s gavel and thanked his partner of 22

years, Keith Rand, for his support and expressed gratitude to his family, friends for their support, who were in the audience. He thanked a long list of people including city staff members, members in the community and he thanked his peers on the council chambers. He gave special thanks to councilmember John Duran who endorsed his run for city council three years ago. “For me, the best thing about West Hollywood is the people. Individually and collectively as a community, we have consistently invented extraordinary ways of thinking about and being in the world,” he said in his speech. “We will redouble our efforts to share with the residents how we do business and engage in as much conversation as possible at every level about what is best for our WeHo,” he stated. “Please know that WeHo will continue to do all the things we always do, fill potholes

and fix sidewalks, fund social services and build subsidized housing, issue parking tickets and collect the trash, protect rent control, redouble our public safety efforts, wrestle with our traffic problems and celebrate events big and small.” “I never did think I would be the mayor,” D’Amico told THE FIGHT after the ceremony. “When I think back, there have been subtle and not so subtle hints that when strung together, begin to add up.” “I wanted to use the opportunity of being installed as Mayor to remind people that our inventiveness and innovation is what makes West Hollywood a great city; there is a long history of culture-making. And if we want to keep WEHO wonderful, people, residents, businesses and visitors all need to be involved, participate, take a stand, invent their lives here, live in a big authentic way and by extension help us invent the future West Hollywood.” n

MAY 2014 | THE F I GH T 21

MY MOM OFTEN WORKED TWO JOBS AT ONCE SO I DIDN’T SEE HER MUCH. MY GRANDMOTHER RAISED US AND SHE TAUGHT US THE VALUE OF WORKING HARD.

Tightening The RACE IF ELECTED, ROBERT GARCIA WOULD BECOME LONG BEACH’S YOUNGEST, FIRST LATINO, AND FIRST OPENLY GAY MAYOR. BY VICTOR MELAMED OPENLY GAY VICE MAYOR ROBERT GARCIA has tightened the race to becoming the next mayor of Long Beach in the runoff elections on June 3. Garcia emerged as a top candidate in unofficial votes last month, and will face real estate investor and former NFL player Damon Dunn who came in second. According to unofficial vote totals, Garcia, the 1st District councilman, had 25.4 percent of the vote, far short of the 50 percent mark required to win outright. Dunn had 22.3 percent. Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, who received 19.6 percent of the vote came in third. “This is a city that represents everyone,” Garcia told supporters at a traditional party outside the Hotel Maya. He added that he was optimistic and feels great pride in Long Beach’s diversity and spirit of inclusiveness. Garcia was born in Lima, Peru. He came to the United States with his family on a visa when he was 5 years old, and they immediately began the process of obtaining permanent residency and citizenship. He took the oath of citizenship in the early 90s. If elected, the college professor and member of the California Coastal Commission would become the city’s youngest, at 36, the first Latino, and first openly gay mayor. Departing Mayor Bob Foster and 2 2 T H E F IGH T | M AY 2014

the Press-Telegram newspaper are endorsing Garcia. In an interview with THE FIGHT Garcia talks about his college years, coming out and Long Beach politics. Growing up in Covina - how would you describe your childhood? I was a happy kid. Even though we grew up without much money or support, my family was close. My mom often worked two jobs at once so I didn’t see her much. My grandmother raised us and she taught us the value of working hard. At what age did you come out to yourself, your family, your friends? I was 22 or so. I had just graduated college. I figured out I was gay in college. What was the coming out process like for you? How did your family, friends react? My experience was pretty good. Both my parents were supportive and my friends were great. Most people were not surprised. At what age did you become interested in politics? In college I ran for student body president and I won. I was able to advocate for student

scholarships, financial aid, and for student programs. I learned a lot about working with others and fighting for what you believe in. When did you become involved in local politics in Long Beach? In 2007 I was elected President of my neighborhood association and two years later I was elected to the city council. My experience as a neighborhood leader really opened up my eyes to local issues and community challenges. What would you say are your major political accomplishments - to date. When I was elected we had a $40 million budget deficit, today we have a surplus. Crime is at a historic low, and we’ve reformed public pensions that will save the city over $250 million over 10 years. I also authored our city’s first anti-bullying law for our after school programs, opened the first park in America named after Harvey Milk, and got the city to include trans-inclusive healthcare in our policy for city employees. As mayor of Long Beach, what would be your top priorities for the city? Most importantly we need to ensure that we stay fiscally responsible. We need to focus on the budget and invest in growing our police force. We also need to ensure we are protecting the environment and focusing on poverty. Is there anything we haven’t asked you that you would like to share with our readers? Please remember to vote on June 3. n

Reflections Of Pride ONE OF THE PREMIERE PRIDE EVENTS NATIONWIDE, LONG BEACH ATTRACTS OVER 80,000 PARTICIPANTS DURING THE TWO-DAY CELEBRATION.

BY ORLY LYONNE THE LONG BEACH LESBIAN & GAY PRIDE CELEBRATION, “Reflections of Pride,” will be held on May 17 & 18, 2014 from 11am–11pm along Shoreline Drive. The annual Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Parade will be held on Sunday, May 18th, with step off at 10:30am on scenic Ocean Blvd at Lindero Avenue and will include over 150 entries. Over the past several years, the Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration has become one of the premiere Pride events nationwide now attracting over 80,000 participants over the twoday celebration. This year’s Gay Pride Celebration includes six large dance and performance areas. Performers this year include Kelly Rowland, CeCe Peniston, Cazwell, Pamela Williams, Mr. Nikki, Lady Jazmynne, Merril Crump, Dev, Jay Justified and many others. Kicking off the parade on Sunday, May 18th, will be the Grand Parade Marshal—entertainment correspondent Ross Mathews (Hello Ross). Selected as the “Morris Kight” Political Grand Marshal is a strong supporter of the Long Beach LGBTQ community, the honorable Mayor Bob Foster. The Female Community Grand Marshal is community servant and non-violence advocate Giovanna Martinez. The Male Community Grand Marshal is community leader and co-owner of the only International gay iconic restaurant chain Hamburger Mary’s, Dale Warner. Chosen for the “Whitey Littlefield” Community Bridge Building Award is the honorable Chief of Police from the Long Beach Police Department, Jim McDonnell, and for Grand Marshal Special Recognition is The Center of Long Beach’s own Kyle Bullock. n For more information and updates go to www.longbeachpride.com. MAY 2014 | TH E F I GH T 23

3 2 T H E F IGH T | M A R C H 2014

VAN HANSIS was thrust into the national spotlight when he was cast in the now iconic role of Luke Snyder on “As the World Turns,” half of daytime TV’s first “power couple.” The couple broke new ground for daytime television audiences, from having the first gay kiss on a soap to actually consummating their relationship, despite pressure from anti-gay groups. While the series should be applauded for the storyline, the progress towards equal representation owes just as much to the fans of the show, who led numerous campaigns to give the characters more screen time and to afford their relationship as much intimacy as the straight characters on the show. Ultimately, “As The World Turns” fans proved that their voices were louder than the voices of the hate groups that wanted to suppress the storyline. Hansis ventured once again into uncharted waters when he was cast in the role of Thom on “EastSiders,” a web series that I created that aired on Logo. The series is a dark comedy about infidelity, following a gay couple in Silver Lake trying to stay together after Hansis’ character is exposed as having a second boyfriend.

BY KIT WILLIAMSON PHOTOS BY ALEX DEAN

were a lot of fans who liked them for them—not because of their sexuality but because of their character’s strengths and flaws. I think there were long time fans who started off not liking the storyline for the gay content of it who were won over by the love story—indeed, at the time I got a lot of mail saying such—and Luke and Noah helped change and shape their views about the LGBT community. As far as making history at the time—I knew because I was being told that by people who knew the world—I had never watched soaps, so the historical part of the show didn’t truly resonate until I started getting response from people whose lives the story changed. I didn’t really get the weight of it at the time. I think it’s incredibly cool that you were instrumental in changing LGBT representation on daytime TV and that now you are an instrumental part of changing LGBT representation online with your role on “EastSiders.” What are the differences and similarities between Luke and Thom? They are both a product of their respective times/ages/and genres. Luke was on a major network daytime soap, which—although in my experience wasn’t at all the truth—the senti-

As with the LGBT storyline on “As the World Turns,” our show would not exist without the fans, as we financed the first season of the show entirely through a Kickstarter campaign. By producing the show independently, we were able to tell the story on our own terms, free from the constraints of a commercial development process. Over the past few years the internet has experienced a veritable renaissance of LGBT programming, and it’s such an honor to work with someone like Van who was instrumental in the battle to depict gay characters on TV. I sat down to interview Van for “The Fight” about his career, discrimination in the industry and the Kickstarter campaign for season two of EastSiders. You were nominated for three Daytime Emmys for playing Luke Snyder on “As the World Turns,” and Luke and Noah’s storyline was a first for soap audiences around the world. Were you aware that you were making history at the time? The reaction was really fantastic from the fans. I feel like Luke and Noah were embraced as characters. Of course I think part of their popularity came from the fact that they were gay and that was new and exciting and different at the time. But there

TURNING POINT “MAD MEN’S” KIT WILLIAMSON INTERVIEWS “AS THE WORLD TURNS” VAN HANSIS. DAYTIME TELEVISION’S FIRST GAY KISS, SEASON TWO OF “EASTSIDERS” AND WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT “MS. GUIDANCE.”

>> COVER FEATURE <<

MAY 2014 | TH E F I GH T 25

>> COVER FEATURE <<

mentality of the media, in regards to the typical soap viewer, painted them as conservatives from the bible belt. I think Luke’s story, while groundbreaking, was also very cautious. I think it says something for the viewers that they reacted so wholeheartedly to the story, thus giving affirmation to the creators and network to move forward. Thom exists almost a full decade later than the initial Luke stories— and he exists in the world of web content, which inherently can takes more risks in its storytelling. I think a similarity that both characters share is falling into the gravitational pull of self-centeredness—but feeling really, really bad about it.

have characters so well rounded that you can be all three, and so much more. As we all are, often in the same day. The first season of “EastSiders” was financed through a Kickstarter campaign and the second season of “EastSiders” is being crowd funded through another Kickstarter campaign that ends on May 19th— what are your thoughts on crowdfunding?

“EASTSIDERS”—ALONG WITH SO MANY OTHER REALLY REMARKABLE SHOWS—WHETHER LGBT FOCUSED, OR JUST INCLUDING SOME REALLY GREAT LGBT CHARACTERS—ARE CHANGING THE NARRATIVE ON PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS.

You were out in your personal life, but you didn’t speak out about your sexual orientation at the start of your career. What was your hesitation? I guess it was a combination of a lot of things—It was my first job, it was a different time back then in regards to LGBT stories being told—I mean, the Luke story was groundbreaking at the time. Now, I think every remaining soap has a gay storyline. I was completely green, fresh out of college, and honestly, I was scared. I’ve been out since I was sixteen, but when I first came to LA my agents were a bunch of Hollywood bro guys and I was afraid they wouldn’t be able to see me in straight roles. It’s a fear I still harbor, and it’s not necessarily paranoia. I met with a manager a couple of years back who told me I was “fey” and that I would need to “work on that” to be her client. On the flip side of things, I was once fired from a movie because I wasn’t “gay enough.” Have you ever felt pressure to act a different way to fit into someone’s preconceived notions? I think this is part of the reason I connect with a show like “Eastsiders” so much. It, along with so many other really remarkable shows—whether LGBT focused, or just including some really great LGBT characters- are changing the narrative on preconceived notions. While for decades LGBT characters in cinema could be the villain, victim, or asexual comedic relief—shows like what you have created 2 6 T H E F IGH T | M AY 2014

It’s amazing. I wouldn’t have been able to be a part of “Eastsiders” without crowdfunding. Also, I think it’s really fantastic that people can have a louder voice when it comes to choosing what stories they want to hear, what sort of media they want to consume. It seems a natural progression in how we view television from just having three networks, to cable booming in the 90’s, to today. I think crowdfunding is one of the great success stories when it comes to the arts in the internet age. What are you most looking forward to in season two? I am excited that the scope of the project is so much larger, it is kinda like season one was the tip of the iceberg in the lives of our characters. Season two really opens those lives up—where they live, who they love, who they maybe hope to become some day. It keeps though, the heart and intimacy that was so beautiful constructed in the first season.

Speaking of web series, you’re about to direct a web series of your own called “Ms. Guidance.” What’s the story behind your new project? Honestly, watching you create “Eastsiders” was a really huge eye opener for me. It was so refreshing and exhilarating to see someone have an idea, and nurture that idea to execution and beyond. I saw firsthand how this was a real and exciting possibility. “Ms. Guidance” is an idea I’ve had for a long time now. I went to a performing arts boarding school, as did you. We both know what a unique high school experience we had—what a unique world we experiencedwhere such a premium is put on creativity. My story is a dark comedy about a woman who went to a school like ours and upon graduation has everything going for her, but also unfortunately has an inhuman amount of entitlement. Ten headshots later, her resume is still the same and she has a nervous breakdown and is forced to return to her old school to act as an interim guidance counselor. Any final words to the “EastSiders” Kickstarter backers? All I can say is thank you, truly. “Eastsiders” is a project that I really love being a part of. Even if it had just been one season, the series is something I am so proud of, for you, for myself, for everyone on board. The opportunity to come back—this time to an even bigger and stronger family, both in front of the camera and behind—Is a really amazing prospect for me. I can’t wait to be back in LA filming. n EastSiders is currently raising funds on Kickstarter to shoot a second season this Summer, with new cast members including New Girl’s Satya Bhabha and Drag Race alum Willam Belli.

Countdown To LA PRIDE

THE BANGLES

JENNIFER HUDSON, MARY LAMBERT, AZEALIA BANKS, AZEALIA BANKS THE BANGLES AMONG THE PERFORMERS AT LA TLGB PRIDE, JUNE 6-8, 2014. BY VICTOR MELAMED WITH A SLEW OF BRIGHT TALENT—LA Pride is poised to make some noise when celebrating the community next month, on June 6-8, 2014! This year’s Pride, with a spotlight on the transgender community, has been titled: The TLBG (Transgender, Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual) Celebration. Pre-sale tickets for Saturday and Sunday’s Festival are now on sale at: www.lapride.org. Academy and Grammy Award winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson will peform Saturday night with a dynamic, energy filled performance set to wow PRIDE-goers, as well as hip-hop bad girl Azealia Banks—with her blend of power club beats and hard hitting rap lyrics. Kicking off “Lavender Menace”—“A Free Friday Celebration Of Women” are two highly anticipated performers, both of whom have recently had career highlights, including a performance at the Grammy’s, to an adorable viral video that has gone on to reach millions of viewers across the world. Mary Lambert, best known as the powerful female voice on Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Same Love,” headlines for the annual free event honoring women. Music legends The Bangles take over Sunday night’s main stage to perform some of their global hits, which include “Walk Like An Egyptian,” “Manic Monday,” and “Eternal Flame.” Check out lapride.org in the coming weeks for additional performer announcements including Latino Carnival headliners, the all-new VIP Experience, Art & Culture Pavilion and more! n For Tickets & LA PRIDE show schedules visit: lapride.org. MAY 2014 | TH E F I GH T 27

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his or her fingers and demand more briefs and a full court vote on whether or not to rehear a case even if the losing party has not requested a review. Who knew? Oh, fine. You fancy lawyers out there may be familiar with this wily tactic. But to me it came as an unpleasant shock. Some of the briefs have already been filed as I write in late April. And now, we have to hope that the full court will vote to leave this historic ruling intact. Then what? Can the Supreme Court step in uninvited and fiddle around with this decision? I don’t think so, but by all means lawyers-who-read-The-Fight, let me know if that’s a possibility.

MITTEN STATE JOINS FEDERAL COURT WIN LIST

> Since last we encountered

We did not come this far due to a polite exchange of opinions. We came this far because we demolished the core stereotypes that most of America took for granted. And we did that by coming out of the closet, virtually en masse over the last two decades. FANCY LAWYERS, WILY TACTICS AND THE GREAT GAY JUROR RULING

> Last month, I launched myself into a (premature) victory dance after the deadline to appeal the Great Gay Juror Ruling came and went without action. I capitalize Great Gay Juror Ruling to emphasize that the late January decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is as significant as any of our marriage victories. Maybe more so. Forgive me for thinking that the litigation was over and done with, and that the idea that sexual orientation discrimination is presumptively unconstitutional was binding law throughout the western United States. It seems, however, that any old random appellate judge who doesn’t approve of - let’s say equality to pick a concept at random - can snap 3 0 T H E F IGH T | M AY 2014

each other in these pages, a judge in Michigan has struck the state’s antigay marriage amendment. That decision was stayed, but not before a few hundred fast acting couples tied the knot. Those marriages, like those conducted during the window of opportunity in Utah, will be recognized by the United States, but not by state authorities. Michigan’s case now joins a line of other marriage related rulings awaiting appeal at the Sixth Circuit. In fact, we now have appeals pending from all four states in the Sixth Circuit’s jurisdiction. Michigan’s attorney general (not our friend) has asked the full Sixth Circuit to combine the cases, which also include victories for marriage recognition in Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky, and to decide the matter “en banc” as our lawyer friends like to say. The only problem with that idea is that the Sixth Circuit includes ten GOP nominated judges and five Democratically appointed judges, so the math is not in our favor. We’d have better luck taking our chances with three-judge panels, most people think.

Most people, however, do not include Edith Windsor’s champion, attorney Roberta Kaplan, who is trying to intervene in the litigation. Kaplan wants the full court to hear the marriage cases in order to neutralize a bad precedent in the Sixth Circuit that could force smaller panels to use the easiest legal test in evaluating states’ amendments. Unlike the smaller panels, the full court is free to overrule its own case law. That’s enough for now, don’t you think? I will add that a threejudge panel just heard two sets of arguments in the Tenth Circuit; one for the Utah case and one for the Oklahoma case. The general consensus was that we can’t tell how the panel will rule based on oral arguments, but we’re cautiously optimistic. And keep an eye on the Fourth Circuit, where arguments on the Virginia case are scheduled for mid-May.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY: A MATTER OF OPINION—OR A MATTER OF BIAS

> So, there’s a big community hoo haw over the proper way to address or admonish those people who oppose marriage equality. Triggered by the guy at Mozilla, who got drummed out of his new position as CEO because he gave $1,000 to Prop 8, the debate centers on the subset of our opponents who are otherwise innocuous, but who support “traditional” marriage for whatever reason they might have. On one side are those who shed few tears at Mr. Eich’s departure. On the other are those who fear the community is reveling in witch hunts and has lost the capacity to respect those with different opinions. Listen, this side says, if people had refused to listen to our opinions back in the day we would have never made so much progress to begin with. My problem with the “respect-

> > F A N C Y L A W Y E R S , M I T T E N S T AT E , M A R R I A G E E Q U A L I T Y, A N D G A M E S K I D S P L A Y < <

ful” side is that I don’t believe opposition to marriage equality is a matter of opinion. I think it’s inherently a matter of bias, of believing that gay unions are second class. Nor do I think the gay community, or gay activists, were the driving force behind Mozilla’s decision to oust its new leader. He was bad for business, many people denounced him, he was inciting bad PR for a high tech firm in a competitive field. Plus, he didn’t just oppose marriage equality. He handed the Prop 8 people a thousand bucks! Finally, we did not come this far due to a polite exchange of opinions. We came this far because we demolished the core stereotypes that most of America took for granted. And we did that by coming out of the closet, virtually en masse over the last two decades. I have no interest in vilifying people like Eich, or being rude, or dismissing the humanity of our worst enemies, let alone our more benign foes. But I have no problem boycotting their companies and speaking out against their so-called opinions, which in the case of marriage equality, cannot be properly explained as anything short of pure prejudice. That said, let the debate continue. It’s interesting. Check out the Atlantic blog for a manifesto from the respectful side.

NANA AND GRAND ANN: GAMES KIDS PLAY

> Did any of you read “Fun Home,” Alison Bechdel’s brilliant graphic memoire? This phenomenal book was critically acclaimed, ergo someone at Charleston College in South Carolina added it to an optional reading list at which point the Palmetto State legislature promptly stripped the college of some $50,000 in state funding, an

amount that matched the purchase of books on the list. Go get it on Amazon if you haven’t read it. Oh, and here’s a nice irony. Do you remember Charles Cooper, the inept advocate for Prop 8 who argued the bad side before the High Court? Cooper’s step daughter is marrying another woman, and Cooper himself says his views on marriage equality are now evolving. I’ll bet they are. I’m almost out of space, so I’ll just tell you that my granddaughters informed us the other day that they have a game called “Nana and Grand Ann,” in which each of them pretends to be me and Mel. Gwen likes to be Grand Ann, and Addy likes to be Nana. We’re not sure exactly what transpires during the fantasy, but we were flattered! Does Grand Ann ask Nana to pick up two packs of Winston Lights while she’s out? Does Nana tell Grand Ann

to fix her another Campari and soda? Do they sit around watching Game of Thrones and eating smoked salmon? Strangely, Gwen, who is four, has asked me about 20 times whether Mel and I are married and whether or not Mel gave me the wedding ring I wear on my finger. In the course of these interrogations, I’ve had to explain repeatedly that two girls can get married. Don’t get me wrong. Gwen is happy for us. But I have to wonder why she finds it so confusing and how at her age, in her family, she has internalized the idea that marriage is only for a boy and a girl. The answer is that this is taught. This message is transferred implicitly and subconsciously to the smallest child, who in a gay friendly family has to struggle, like Gwen, to reconcile the conflict between society and reality. Gwen’s doing a great job. n

MAY 2014 | T H E F I GH T 31

MR. L.A. LEATHER 2014 ERIC PAUL LEUE, R, WITH MR. L.A. LEATHER 2013 JUSTIN EMERICK

FIRST RUNNER-UP GABRIEL GREEN

THE ROAD TO IML ERIC PAUL LEUE, THE NEWLY SASHED MR. L.A. LEATHER 2014, WILL COMPETE AT INTERNATIONAL MR. LEATHER (IML) AT THE END OF THIS MONTH. BY PAULO MURILLO AFTER WEEKS OF INTENSE, excruciating, nail-biting anticipation, Eric Paul Leue, 27, Eagle LA Mr. Leather, was awarded the title of Mr. L.A. Leather 2014, at Circus Disco at the end of March this year. Leue will now go on to compete at International Mr. Leather (IML) following his Los Angeles win. IML is an international conference and contest of leathermen that’s been held annually in late May since 1979 in Chicago, Illinois. Fifteen Los Angeles Mr. Leather title holders have competed at IML, with two actual wins—one by title holder Guy Baldwin in 1989 and another by Mikel Gerle in 2007. The purpose of the International Mr. Leather (IML) contest is “to identify an individual who can represent the world of radical sexuality for a period of one year and not be destroyed by the process,” states author, activist, 3 2 T H E F IGH T | M AY 2014

and Leather Hall of Fame inductee, Guy Baldwin, in an interview with THE FIGHT. “There is no way I could begin to summarize what is in store for Eric Paul Leue, because each person who competes for IML has a different experience,” explains Baldwin. “There will be 50 or so men who will go through what I have come to refer to as the velvet meat grinder, which is what I think about IML,” Baldwin reveals. “The range and variations you’ll see on the IML stage is tremendous. You get people who put leather on once a year, just because they think they look hot in it and you get people who live in it, 24/7.” “I’m not just talking about the material itself. I’m also referring to a lifestyle,” says Baldwin.

“People need to remember that the word is a euphemism. It doesn’t always literally mean the material. It also refers to a kind of outlaw sexuality as well. And an increasing number of young guys are discovering an interest in broader ways to express themselves sexually.”

TOM OF FINLAND MAN “Eric is the epitome of the Tom of Finland man,” opines Leue’s mentor, Daddy Don, Los Angeles Mr. Leather 2002. “I think he has what it takes,” states Daddy Don confidently. “We’re working to help groom him to get him prepared. I like to use the old verse, we’re bridge builders. In effect, a lot of the things we’ve dealt with, we can build bridges to help other people have an easier path.” At age 27, Leue is a younger LA Mr. Leather titleholder. “I was 47

PEOPLE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT THE WORD [LEATHER] IS A EUPHEMISM. IT DOESN’T ALWAYS LITERALLY MEAN THE MATERIAL. IT ALSO REFERS TO A KIND OF OUTLAW SEXUALITY AS WELL. AND AN INCREASING NUMBER OF YOUNG GUYS ARE DISCOVERING AN INTEREST IN BROADER WAYS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES SEXUALLY. when I competed,” says Daddy Don. “We see the emergence of a new guard. Kink fetish is coming in and they’re carrying their own. They’re wearing uniforms, they’re wearing neoprene, and they’re wearing sports gear. I think just from that perspective, it’s so powerful, because young people are coming into the leather community in droves. They’re carrying their own ideals.” Gabriel Green competed against Leue and came in second, as first runner-up—weeks before his 37th birthday. While Green was not the youngest contestant at the competition, he’s a newbie in the leather community. When Green was asked to compete at the Mr. LA Leather Bear feeder contest he decided—on a whim—to go for it. He won the feeder contest and later found himself standing on the same stage with Leue. “This was a perfect opportunity to learn something different and be a part of something that was out of my scope,” Green tells THE FIGHT. “I have experienced a whole new world of amazing and loving people in a community that I otherwise would not have had.”

DIFFERENT GENERATIONS According to Andy Cross, International Mr. Leather 2013, young guys are not new on the IML stage. “There have always been young guys competing at IML,” says Cross. “It’s always great to see a mix of people from different generations in a contest because each brings their own unique perspective on—not only how leather has affected them personally—but also on their view of the community as a whole.” Cross says age is not a factor at IML. “The judges are more interested in who the man is, rather than what year he was born. I guess a lot of people probably think that being younger is an advantage because it seems sexier to have a young, hot guy as the winner, but that isn’t the case.” Some community members have condemned Leue and blamed his youth for the controversy he stirred up last month when he started a petition asking for the removal of President and CEO of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Michael Weinstein, after Weinstein called the Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) drug Truvada a “party drug.” While some see Leue’s attack on AHF misguided and irresponsible, others in the leather community commended Leue’s stand against the leadership at AHF. “I believe that the current leadership at AHF is not open to the realities of 2014. They are running things like its 1992 and Eric is shedding a light on that,” Mikel Gerle, International Mr. Leather 2007, told THE FIGHT. Gerle states that he is confident Leue will do well at IML. “He’s committed to making a difference. He appears to want to make the world and the community a better place.” n For our interview with Mr. LA Leather 2014, Paul Eric Leue, go to: www.thefightmag.com [1].

Weinstein’s STAND AHF’S MICHAEL WEINSTEIN RESPONDS TO THE TRUVADA CONTROVERSY AND THE CALL FOR HIS REMOVAL.

BY MARK ARIEL ERIC PAUL LEUE, the recently titled Mr. LA Leather, launched a petition last month calling for the removal of Michael Weinstein as President and CEO of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). Leue’s discontent with Weinstein stems from the CEO’s comments calling the Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) drug Truvada, a “party drug.” According to Leue and some other community members, Weinstein’s party drug comment caters to stigmas and paints those who use Truvada as drug users. Leue initially lent his name and image to AHF as part of an ad campaign where he challenged people in the leather community to “test your limits” and get an HIV test, however he recently withdrew from the campaign. The FDA approved Truvada in 2012. It is the only PrEP pill that has been proven to prevent HIV transmissions—up to 99%, if taken daily as directed. The “taken daily as directed” directive is one of the reasons why Weinstein, the head of the largest AIDS service organization in the world, is not embracing the use of Truvada as prevention against HIV infection. “I recently had a case of sinusitis, and was given pills to take for 10 days,” Weinstein revealed in an interview with THE FIGHT. “At the end of the 10 days—I had 8 pills left. I was almost sure I had taken them as directed—but obviously I had forgotten a few doses.” “That is one of my issues with Truvada—that people will stop using condoms, thinking that they do not need that protection anymore... Additionally, Truvada will not protect you against a slew of other STDs, such as syphilis, gonorrhea and hepatitis.” “I realize this is an emotionally charged issue for many folks,” states Weinstein, “however the bottom line is that every single study has shown that there is a huge problem with adherence.” “If there was a responsible alternative to condoms—I would be one of the first people to embrace it,” says Weinstein. Regarding the petition for his removal, Weinstein states that his “board of directors are behind me.” “AHF is involved in a global health response. We are here to keep the community as healthy and safe as possible. I answer to the needs of public health, first and foremost. That is, and always will be, my main concern.” n MAY MAY 2014 2014 || TH THEE FFIIGH GHTT 33 33

THEMONEY

>> UNEQUAL INCOMES <<

One creative income solution for married couples with unequal incomes is accessing Social Security incomes early under a strategy called “File and Suspend.”

MARRIED GAY COUPLES WITH UNEQUAL INCOMES PRE-PLANNING FOR CONTINGENCIES ARE A CRUCIAL FACTOR IN SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGES. BY GRANT GOCHIN l Many working couples have unequal incomes, as well as different savings and spending patterns. What happens when one retires voluntarily or otherwise? There are uncertainties with Social Security, pensions and unstable markets. Lifetime spending, longevity and healthcare costs are somewhat unpredictable, and even with planning through life, what happens when the unexpected happens? There can be envy and resentment from the now sole remaining working spouse who views themselves as now carrying the income burden, and their spouse as retired - planned or otherwise. Some of the other resulting issues include guilt, resentment, power struggles between spouses, overspending, lying about money, denial of needs, and eventually, divorce. After all, finances are the biggest factor in divorces between long term spouses. Communication and pre-planning for contingencies are a crucial factor in successful marriages.

UNEXPECTED OCCURRENCES Cash flow planning is key, having financial flexibility when it comes to unexpected occurrences removes the necessity for hasty decisions. Couples need to have an understanding and agreement on mutual support with enough reserves set aside to address short term 3 4 T H E F IGH T | M AY 2014

financial needs. A shift from dual incomes to a single income, with a simultaneous need for additional spending can put extraordinary strains on a couple, both financially and emotionally. Contingency plans need to be established for what spending may be eliminated, and what responsibilities the other spouse is willing to assume. Couples need to be able to shift thinking from “my money” to “our money,” or to have pre-established plans with firm guidelines as to what is to remain separate assets at the time of a crisis. The spending gap from only one income will show what needs to be withdrawn from retirement or other assets and what othe plans need to be made.

CASH FLOW STRATEGY A solution other than debt has to be found, and solutions are possible, we simply need to know where to look. One creative income solution for married couples with unequal incomes is accessing Social Security incomes early under a strategy called “File and Suspend.” Here is a simplistic version of how this strategy works: Ideally, Social Security should only be accessed at full retirement age when seniors would receive 100 percent of their primary insurance amount (PIA). Filing later means a higher income for life, but what if a married couple has an immediate need for cash? The spouse with the higher PIA files for benefits at their full retirement age (FRA) then immediately files a notice to suspend payments of those benefits. This allows the lower PIA spouse to then apply for a Social Security spousal benefit, which is equal to half of the higher income

spouses benefit amount. This strategy allows for cash flow to enter the household while the other spouse continues to work, and accrue higher benefits, until they are ready to start payments at the latest possible time. The lower earning spouse would then switch to their own full benefit, thus having maximized their future income insofar as possible. To learn more about which social security strategy may be best for you, consult with your financial professional. Financial planning is not only about current and future planning, it is about contingency planning for unexpected events. Creativity is an imperative. n Grant Gochin is a Wealth Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(tm) professional at 16200 Ventura Blvd # 415, Encino, CA 91436 Ph: (818) 827-3410. Grant is married (to a man) and he and his husband have one son. Questions and suggestions for future articles should be sent to him at grant.gochin@ raymondjames.com. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/ SIPC The Fight Magazine is not affiliated with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. RJFS does not provide tax advice or tax preparation. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with a qualified professional. Any opinions are those of the author and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the forgoing material is accurate or complete.

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THELAW >> SEXUAL HARASSMENT <<

BOYS BEHAVING BADLY SEXUAL HARASSMENT ON THE JOB. BY DAVID HAKIMFAR l A story is making the rounds about a certain heavyweight A-List film director who is being sued by a man claiming sexual harassment. The plaintiff claims that he was employed by an entertainment company as an actor when he was a minor, and was then expected to perform sexual favors for several Hollywood power players in order to advance his career. Criminal charges were never filed, despite the claim by the accuser that the FBI was notified of the alleged abuse at the time. Statistically, chances are that the case will be settled out of court so that the parties involved will avoid the costs and negative publicity that a trial would entail. After being a national hot button issue in the U.S. throughout the 1990s (due in part to the Anita Hill allegations against Supreme Court Justice nominee Clarence Thomas), sexual harassment cases have actually declined in the United States. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of cases involving sexual harassment are still filed by women claiming sexual harassment by a male coworker or supervisor. Yet sexual harassment can happen to both men and women. It can also happen regardless of the sexual orientation of the victim or aggressor. In fact, counter to the national trend, the number of men claiming sexual harassment on the job is on the rise. The decade between 1999 and 2009 saw a 33% increase in sexual harassment lawsuits filed by men. As these cases have become better covered in the press, men have become more comfortable speaking about their ex3 6 T H E F IGH T | M AY 2014

periences, less stigma is attached to the issue and, thus, more cases filed. Support in this tide change can also be attributed to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1998 ruling in the ground-breaking case of Oncale vs. Sundowner Offshore Services, in which oil rig worker Joseph Oncale was sexually assaulted, threatened and humiliated by coworkers while on crew in the Gulf of Mexico. The District Court of Louisiana ruled that, as a male, Oncale was not protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits sexual harassment. However, on appeal to the Supreme Court, the court ruled that sexual harassment also “applied to harassment in the workplace between members of the same sex.” Since then, several other high profile sexual harassment cases have made the headlines. This includes an Arizona case in 2009 where six male employees prevailed against The Cheesecake Factory. And a Nevada case in 2013, the EOCC (the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) filed suit against Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. on behalf of four female bank tellers who say they regularly endured sexual comments, gestures and images from a female supervisor and another female co-worker.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND THE LAW According to the EOCC, the agency in charge of filing federal suits on behalf of workers, sexual harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. In “quid pro quo” cases, for example, the perpetrator may expect a sexual favor in exchange for giving the employee a positive job review or promotion. In some other cases, the abuse may create a hostile work environment. In practical terms, this can range from offensive or demeaning

“jokes,” inappropriate touching, and outright sexual assault. It can also include seemingly innocuous behavior such as male roughhousing or horseplay that crosses the line into inappropriate behavior.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE BEING HARASSED 1. Document Your Experiences Keep detailed notes about the dates, places and types of conduct that occurred and any conversations you had with the perpetrator, supervisor or coworker about the events. 2. Tell the Person to Stop This seems obvious. Yet, sometimes letting the offending person know that their behavior is inappropriate and unwanted is enough to get them to stop. 3. Complain to Your Manager Take your complaint to your supervisor, manager or human resources department if your attempts to get the person to stop the behavior are unsuccessful. By law they are required to protect workers from harassment and sexual abuse. 4. File a Complaint with the Appropriate Government Agency. You must first file a claim with the EOCC (or the Department of Fair Housing and Employment in California). They will investigate and, in some cases, sue on your behalf. It they choose not to take up the case, they will issue you a “right to sue” letter so that you may secure the services of a private attorney to take your case to court. Be sure to file your claim in a timely manner, as there are limits on how long you have to take legal action. n

David Hakimfar is a trial attorney and senior partner at Hakimfar Law, and a member attorney of Pride Legal. He can be reached through Pride Legal at 888-789-7743.

PROUD TO SERVE

OFFICER NURIA VANEGAS

BEING GAY IS NO LONGER LOOKED AT AS BEING TABOO,” STATES OFFICER NURIA VANEGAS, ADDING THAT HER EXPERIENCE AS A LESBIAN OFFICER IN THE LAPD HAS BEEN “NOTHING BUT POSITIVE.”

BY PAULO MURILLO IN TODAY’S WORLD, “equal equality” in the workplace is no longer confined to the equality of men and women, but there is also a growing acceptance of equality amongst sexual orientation—a growing acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender groups. Law enforcement agencies look to fill their ranks with diverse groups to better reflect the population that they serve. Growing up in the City of Los Angeles, Officer Nuria Vanegas was inspired to create change through servicing and mentoring the public. As a child, Officer Vanegas first-handedly witnessed crime and violence: both her

mother and brother were robbed at gunpoint and her family’s home was burglarized on three separate occasions in one month. By joining the Los Angeles Police Department, Officer Vanegas strives to not only enforce and protect others, but also to mentor others to help them stay out of trouble. Officer Vanegas enjoys being able to work in a diverse community and on a team open to diversity. She states that she “not only had the opportunity to work with partners and supervisors from different backgrounds, race, and sexual orientations, but also had the opportunity to serve [the] community in many different ways.” As a police officer, she has the authority to put those who commit crimes in jail to keep the community safe, and more importantly, she has the opportunity to positively impact people’s

lives by mentoring young men and women in the community. Furthermore, as member of the LGBT community, Officer Vanegas says she is proud of how much the Department has changed over time and is open to diversity and accepting of diverse sexual orientations. “Being gay is no longer looked at as being taboo,” states Vanegas, adding that her experience as a lesbian officer in the LAPD has been “nothing but positive.” Law enforcement requires that individuals who serve the diverse community are empathetic and as diverse as the community they serve. It is a field that not only respects and promotes individuality but also requires diversity. Being a member of a minority group does not limit your ability to become a law enforcement officer or hinder your chance of career success. n For more info visit: joinlapd.com.

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MAY 2014 | THE F I GH T 37

CROSSING

OVER ON

GHB YOUR BODY WANTS TO BE PRESENT AND IN THE MOMENT, BUT YOU COLLAPSE AND A POWER GREATER THAN YOURSELF SUCKS YOU INTO DARKNESS AND THAT DARKNESS IS FOLLOWED BY NOTHINGNESS. BY PAULO MURILLO THE FIRST TIME I DISCOVERED GHB, was at an orgy in some WeHo apartment back in the early 2000s. I know an orgy may sound like a sexy and fun way to start this piece, but it really isn’t when you add crystal meth into the mix. About nine guys answered a Craigslist ad promising PNP, porn and favors to share. The setup was a typical tweaker’s den and the sex group was more like a gathering of twitchy naked guys sitting on sheet-covered furniture with not one tweaker being able to get it up, despite the rubbing and pulling of limp members while dilated eyes zeroed in on some gay porn. My friend Chum and I were on our second night of partying when he drove me to this orgy. Friday night bumped into Sunday morning. An entire Saturday had been consumed by crystal meth. I was feeling sketched out after two nights of no sleep at this orgy. There were two queenie guys who were on a different high than the rest of us—which made everyone uncomfortable. These little bitches sang and giggled and tried to give me a lap dance, which put my teeth on edge. We didn’t really talk about it, but Chum was in the early stages of dealing drugs at the time. His specialty was meth, but that night he was packing some GHB. I remember Chum lured those annoying guys into the kitchen. They weren’t in there long. The first guy came out and sort of leaned on the counter and started panting. It looked like someone poured a bucket of water over his head. I watched his naked body sort of collapse on the floor. The second guy came out of the kitchen with his wet bangs stuck to his forehead. He also collapsed near dining room table.“Happy?” Chum asked me. Then he explained that he deliberately gave those guys a high dosage of GHB mixed with Vodka to knock them out. They would be out for hours. I looked over at those two wet limp bodies on the floor. Nobody paid them any mind. I vowed that I would never EVER do GHB. Anything that made you faint like that was not for me. I later learned that Chum could have killed those two guys. I learned that G is used as a date drug because of its clear form that dissolves easily into a drink. I learned that those two guys experienced something known as crossing over, which is similar to a K-hole. 3 8 T H E F IGH T | M AY 2014

I COULD HAVE DIED IN THAT BASEMENT. THAT CROSSOVER SPED THINGS UP FOR ME TO GET CLEAN AND SOBER. But what resonated most for me, were stories about guys crossing over at circuit parties. They’d collapse on a dance floor, and come to at a hospital and find a police officer waiting at their bedside. I swore I would never do GHB.

IN THE CARDS Of course, as my drug use escalated, so did my exposure to GHB. Tina and Gina work well together. One gets you all speedy and sketchy, while the other has a euphoric counter effect similar to ecstasy. Who was I kidding? G was in the cards for me. I normally didn’t hook up with a guy more than once, because I always experienced great shame and regret after doing drugs, but there was this cute (ish) white boy who lived on Hayworth, close to Sunset Blvd in WeHo. He had a sweet setup in his basement. There was a sling, lots of porn and free drugs. I would take my first sip of G in that basement-yeah, yeah, the G felt good and the sex was great, but the fear of fainting was never too far from my mind’s reach. Then my drug use took a turn for the worse and one night it happened: Cute-ish white boy gave me a G dosage that knocked my ass out. I remember feeling vertigo and saying, “Hold on a second.” My

forehead felt wet and slippery. Then there was blackness, like the kind you experience when you go under for surgery. I took that sip around 10am and crossed over to 8pm that night. I gained consciousness inside a dark basement. The porn on the TV screen was the only light in room. My shorts and underwear were wrapped around my knees. My underwear was on inside out and backwards. I checked myself for signs of any violation, but I was lucky. The guy didn’t rape me; he tried to dress me, but I was too heavy for him so he left me on a cot half-naked. Then I remembered he told me I couldn’t stay for too long because his boyfriend was coming over later that day.

IMAGINE DYING Crossing over on GHB is what

I imagine dying must feel like. Your body wants to be present and in the moment, but you collapse and a power greater than yourself sucks you into darkness and that darkness is followed by nothingness. Then you come to, and the day is gone. I could have died in that basement. That crossover sped things up for me to get clean and sober. I remember my friends gave me shit when I first got sober seven years ago. “You used to be cool,” they would tease me, but today they are grateful I’m in recovery. Many men have died seven years into it—some from meth-induced heart attacks, some from suicide after a drug relapse and sadly some have died from GHB overdoses. They crossed over. n For more Paulo Murillo commentary, visit thehissfit.com.

MAY 2014 | TH E F I GH T 39

THEEPIDEMIC >> VACCINE PROGRESS <<

I fought my way back from addiction. Carl, D.A.P. client

D.A.P. treats and supports the whole person Like everyone, I’ve made lots of mistakes in my life. One of the biggest was letting alcohol and crystal meth consume me for a time. It led me into unsuccessful relationships, homelessness, and even ignoring my HIV medication therapy, causing me to lose one of my eyes. With the help of a counselor at Desert AIDS Project, I’m in recovery and am proud of my accomplishments at College of the Desert. I may have lost an eye...but I’ve never seen more clearly than I do today.

This and more...all under one roof Thanks to your generous support, Desert AIDS Project has been saving lives for 30 years. Please continue to help by donating at desertAIDSproject.org, joining one of our annual giving programs, or by saving the date for one of our upcoming fundraising events.

760.323.2118 desertAIDSproject.org

4 0 T H E F IGH T | M AY 2014

CORAL REEF EXTRACT BLOCKS VIRUS THE PROTEINS WERE FOUND IN A FEATHERY CORAL COLLECTED IN WATERS OFF AUSTRALIA’S NORTHERN COAST. BY VICTOR MELAMED

> Researchers have discovered a new class of proteins capable of blocking the HIV virus from penetrating T-cells, raising hope that the proteins could be adapted for use in gels or sexual lubricants to provide a potent barrier against HIV infection, reports Science Daily at sciencedaily.com. The proteins, called cnidarins, were found in a feathery coral collected in waters off Australia’s northern coast. Researchers zeroed in on the proteins after screening thousands of natural product extracts in a biorepository maintained by the National Cancer Institute. “It’s always thrilling when you find a brand-new protein that nobody else has ever seen before,” said senior investigator Barry O’Keefe, Ph.D., deputy chief of the Molecular Targets Laboratory at the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Cancer Research. “And the fact that this protein appears to block HIV infection— and to do it in a completely new way—makes this truly exciting.” “When developing new drugs, we’re always concerned about the possibility of undermining existing successful treatments by encouraging drug resistance in the virus,” said O’Keefe. “But even if the virus became resistant to these proteins, it would likely still be sensitive to all of the therapeutic options that are currently available.” The research team identified and purified the cnidarin proteins, then tested their activity against laboratory strains of HIV. The proteins proved astonishingly potent, capable of blocking HIV at concentrations of a billionth of a gram by preventing the first step in HIV transmission, in which the virus must enter a type of immune cell known as the T-cell. “We found that cnidarins bind to the virus and prevent it from fusing with the T-cell membrane,” said Ramessar. “This is completely different from what we’ve seen with other proteins, so we think the cnidarin proteins have a unique mechanism of action.” The next step is to refine methods for generating cnidarins in larger quantities so the proteins can be tested further to identify potential side effects or activity against other viruses. n

MAR CH 2014 | T H E F I GH T 41

THEEVENT

>> JEFFREY SANKER’S WHITE PARTY <<

PHOTOS BY PAULO MURILLO, THEHISSFIT.COM

JEFFREY SANKER’S WHITE PARTY

> Jeffrey Sanker’s annual White Party in Palm Springs celebrated 25 years with a diverse crowd of over 30,000 attendees. Gay men of all colors and backgrounds from all over the world attended the three-day event, which offered eight parties in a span of 72 hours. Actor singer and TV producer, Jai Rodriguez moved things along with ease as White Party host. Karmen Electra, Lisa Vanderpump, actor/producers Kit Williamson and John Halback were among the many celebrities who attended the event. Musical performances included Ariana Grande, Deborah Cox, G.R.L., Che’Nelle and Bleona. The Silver Anniversary celebration had the largest turnout in White Party history. For more information, visit JeffreySanker.com.

4 2 T H E F IGH T | M AY 2014

Creative solutions for your individual and business marketing needs.

contact ntoriodesign@yahoo.com www.ntoriodesign.com

MAY 2014 | TH E F I GH T 43

THECALENDAR >> THINGS TO DO << 12 MONDAY, MAY 12

MATT YEE, SEE SATURDAY, MAY 10

ASIAN/PACIFIC GAYS AND FRIENDS www.apgf.org

BYOB GAY PAINT NIGHT Paint & Sip Studio Los Angeles, 351 S. La Brea Ave #3 (Second Floor), Los Angeles, 8pm. Bring your favorite bottle of wine and come get your art on. A monthly gay paint night featuring the artwork of popular LGBT artists. SATURDAY, MAY 17

LONG BEACH PRIDE FESTIVAL Shoreline Drive, May 17 & May 18, 11am-11pm, for up-to-date info visit: www. longbeachpride.com. One of the premiere Pride events nationwide now attracting over 80,000 participants over the two-day celebration. WEDNESDAY, MAY 7

TINA AND GINA: KILLING US SOFTLY West Hollywood Auditorium - 647 N. San Vicente Blvd, 7pm - 9pm. Community discussion on sex, meth and GHB in the gay community. Panel will include former users in recovery, medical information/ updates and therapeutic interventions. SATURDAY MAY 10

3RD ANNUAL DRAG QUEEN WORLD SERIES Glendale Sports Complex, 2200 Fern Lane, Glendale 1pm-4pm, more info: DragQueenWorldSeries.com. Defending Champions, The LA Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence vs. The West Hollywood Cheerleaders! Proceeds benefit Life Group LA. NOH8 CAMPAIGN OPEN PHOTO SHOOT West Hollywood Elementary, 970 Hammond St, 1pm-4pm, more info: NOH8Campaign.com. In support of Relay for Life. Funds raised will also be used to continue promoting and raising awareness for marriage equality and anti-discrimination. MATT YEE’S OUTRAGEOUS ADULT SING-ALONG Don’t Tell Mama, 8279 Santa Monica Blvd, WeHo, 8pm. With Hawaiian funny man Matt Yee. SUNDAY MAY 11

RAINBOW FISH #2: QUEER MIXER Gal Palace, 131 S. Rampart St, 5pm-10pm. A safe space for LGBTQIA+ folks to meet and be themselves, whether it’s to flirt, network, make friends, or just hang out and mingle. , MAY 4 4 T H E F IGH T | M AY 2014

GROUPS

BACKTODISCO: 11 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY Circus Disco, 6655 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood, 8pm-11pm. Spinning all of your disco classics. BEARS IN SPACE Akbar, 4356 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, 2pm. Get set for a terrestrial lot party / beer bust. Enjoy music, sunshine, food trucks, pop ups and intergalactic mayhem. SATURDAY, MAY 25

MASTERBEAT PRESENTS XLSIOR MYKONOS MEMORIAL DAY The Mayan, 1038 S. Hill Street, Los Angeles. 9pm-6am. Join thousands of men from around the world for the debut of XLSIOR, which promises to deliver the visuals, costumes and men of Mykonos Greece. SATURDAY, MAY 31

PROM 2014 The Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, 8pm, more info: thetrevorproject.org. Celebrity hosts and musical performances. Proceeds benefit The Trevor Project. CAZWELL AT TRANNYSHACK LA The Dragonfly, 6510 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, 9pm. Also includes performances by Heklina, Love Connie, Killer, Ambrosia Salad, Cupcake Canne, Toxic Waist, Wendy Ho, Devan M., Sue Casa, Sugah Betes and Paulie Addams.

GAY ASIAN PACIFIC SUPPORT NETWORK www.gapsn.org LOS ANGELES GAY AVIATION CLUB Pilots, Flights Attendants, Mechanics. www.unusualattitudes.info CLUB NUR Gay Middle Eastern. www.clubnur.com GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF LOS ANGELES www.gmcla.org THANK GAYS IT’S FRIDAY STANDUP COMEDY Every Friday, 8:30 p.m. MJ’s Bar, 2810 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles. (323) 650-1503 GAY & LESBIAN SALSA Every Monday, 8 p.m. Little Temple Bar, 4519 Santa Monica Blvd., Silverlake, 90029. gaysalsanight@yahoo. com or www.facebook.com/gaysalsanight GAY TRAFFIC SCHOOL Third Tuesday and Wednesday of every month, 6-10 p.m. The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Los Angeles 90038. 1-800-Gay-4-You or www.laglc.org 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 GREATER PASADENA AID FUND www.greaterpasadenaaidfund.org POSITIVE IMAGES WORKSHOP Every Monday, from 7-9 p.m. The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los

> EMAIL YOUR EVENT OR GROUP TO 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. “Each week offers a great opportunity to vent, laugh, make friends, and simply celebrate who you are.” TRAVEL

FRIENDS TRAVEL www.FriendsTravel.com Gay Owned & Operated, Since 1985. 12 STEP GROUPS

editor@thefightmag.com 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

>> LISTINGS << www.sagala.org 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

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

LA ROWING www.larowing.org

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

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

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

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BLADES Ice Hockey. www.bladeshockey.com LOS ANGELES FRONTRUNNERS Running and walking club. www.lafrontrunners.com WEST HOLLYWOOD SOCCER CLUB Comfortable, supportive environment for learning and playing the world’s most popular game. www.gaysoccer.com LOS ANGELES GAY SCUBA CLUB www.barnaclebusters.org LOS ANGELES GAY ROCK CLIMBING www.lalgbtclimbing.com WEST HOLLYWOOD AQUATICS Swim and Water Polo Teams. www.wh2o.org

LOS ANGELES GAY RODEO CLUB www.gsgra.org

WORSHIP

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

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH mccla.org, 4953 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027

WEST HOLLYWOOD GAY RUGBY www.larebellion.org

BETH CHAYIM CHADASHIM SYNAGOGUE bcc-la.org, 6090 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035

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

fccla.org 540, South Commonwealth Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90020

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.

GAY & LESBIAN BOWLING LEAGUE www.tavernguildleague.com

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

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Mondays, 6:10-7:10 p.m.

SAGA LA Gay Ski & Snowboard Club.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LOS ANGELES

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 2014 | TH E F I GH T 45

THEFINALFIGHT

>> GRINDR <<

CONFESSIONS OF A RECOVERING GRINDR ADDICT WE’RE SO USED TO THE PERPETUITY OF THE HUNT, WE DON’T HAVE A CLUE WHAT TO DO IF AND WHEN WE FIND WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR. BY ROB SMITH

> True confession: I used to be a Grindr guy. You know the type, right? I had the requisite torso photo taken at the moment of peak summer beach body, the snarkily delicious tag line and profile text, and my stats listed at a very respectable 5 lbs beneath and 2 inches above my real weight and height. Maybe I wanted a real connection, maybe I just wanted sex, or maybe I wanted a real connection by pretending I just wanted sex, but the behaviors are all the same. For a lot of us Grindr guys, it becomes a semi-addiction. Checking Grindr is this thing you just have to do whenever you’re in a gay bar or a new part of town or traveling because, who knows, maybe the only thing standing between you and that perfect guy is being on Grindr at the exact right moment so that you can connect and live happily ever after. But then again, it never really happens quite like that, now does it? More likely than not, you become bitter and jaded. The perfectly normal bodies contained in those 3-inch squares no longer become enough when you’re expecting to see perfectly chiseled physiques that look like they just stepped off of a cover shoot for Men’s Health. That semi-snarky but still cute profile text becomes just plain mean, and with abject horror one afternoon you realize that you’ve become the type of asshole that writes things like “if you think you shouldn’t be talking to me you probably shouldn’t be.” After one awkward hookup that doesn’t amount to much, going to the bar in your local gayborhood becomes an embarrassing trip through your online sexual history. How many guys have seen that one perfect photo of your dick that you sent out with abandon during a “wild” period? How many have you slept with? Damn, there’s that asshole that never called back. Wow, there’s that guy that I never called back. And so on and so on. So when does it stop? Grindr provides an escape into a fantasy world in which that hot guy with the ripped torso could possibly be into you. You’ll meet up, fall in love, delete the app, lie to people about how you really met, and live your happily ever after. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. Maybe you go out and the guy cannot stay off of Grindr for the duration of the meal. Maybe you do hook up and you hear that oh so familiar *ping* that means your guy has just gotten a message from yet another potential suitor during that point in time where it is physically impossible for you to be more connected to another person. Why is this one little app with the creepy skull and crossbones-esque logo a source of such obsession in the lives of so many gay men? Grindr addiction is not about sex addiction at all, really. It’s about the addiction to what is fresh and new and different, the ultimate technical accessory of that guy who scans the room for something more appealing while looking over his boyfriend’s shoulder. The very essence of the app speaks to the problem with most gay men, which is that we’re so used to the perpetuity of the hunt, we don’t have a 4 6 THE F IGH T | M AY 2 01 4

Looking for a great guy in a major metro city is like looking for the proverbial needle in the gaystack, but I remain optimistic that he’s out there. Maybe now that I’ve stopped spending so much time looking down at my iphone screen, I’ll be able to see him when he finally shows up. clue what to do if and when we find what we’re looking for. The real world of talking to and dating men is a scary place. It requires a thick skin to brush off rejection and thick latex to ward off infection. Looking for love is a lot harder than trading “sup’s” and “pics plz” in little blue and yellow bubbles while the rest of the world goes on around you. Ultimately, I’d like a guy who wouldn’t be on Grindr. I’d like someone who’s comfortable

enough in his skin to not reduce himself to a torso photo, and a guy who doesn’t feel like he’s missing out on anything by being disconnected from the virtual bathhouse of online hookup apps. Looking for a great guy in a major metro city is like looking for the proverbial needle in the gaystack, but I remain optimistic that he’s out there. Maybe now that I’ve stopped spending so much time looking down at my iphone screen, I’ll be able to see him when he finally shows up. n