THE FIGHT SOCAL'S LGBTQ MONTHLY MAGAZINE JANUARY 2018

JANUAR Y 2018 | TH E F I GH T 1

2 T H E F I GH T | www.thefightmag.com

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THECONTENTS FEATURES 18 SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER

CENTER ON TRUMP’S WORD BAN

22 GOOD HAIR

GENDERQUEER HAIR STYLIST OUTREACH

24 WE ARE FAMILY

COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUPS

26 A HEALING HOME

PRIDE RECOVERY’S MATTHEW BIANCHI

30 BE YOU

GENDER NON-CONFORMING YOUTH

31 BEING ALIVE

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

32 WHAT MAKES A MAN

REALITY TV STAR DEREK J

36 ONE LAST LOOK BACK

ANN ROSTOW’S ANNUAL LGBTQ NEWS QUIZ

41 CHAIN MALE

LOCALLY HANDCRAFTED CUSTOM JEWELRY

44 BUCKLE UP

AMANDA LEPORE’S NEW SINGLE

DEPARTMENTS 09 11 15 16 20 34 38 40 42 46 48 50

THE LETTERS READERS RESPOND THE TALK ROBBIE ROGERS THE STATE TONI ATKINS THE CITY GABRIEL FERNANDEZ, RIP THE ROSTOW REPORT CARSON JONES THE SHARE LOCAL RECOVERY THE HOME WINTER TIPS THE THEATRE THE GENTLEMEN THE ART LOCAL ARTISTS THE EVENT KINKY XXXMAS! THE CALENDAR THINGS TO DO THE FINAL FIGHT LAST WORD

ON THE COVER MATTHEW BIANCHI COVER PHOTO, TOC PHOTO AND FEATURE PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNINGHAM

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JANUAR Y 2018 | TH E F I GH T 5

THEEDITOR

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Stanford Altamirano MANAGING EDITOR Mark Ariel ART DIRECTOR Nadeen Torio MARKETING CONSULTANTS Tom Pardoe Sean Galuszka Jacci Ybarra John Michael Gambam SOCIAL MEDIA Mark Ariel Sinan Shihabi WEBMASTER Nadeen Torio ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Sinan Shihabi EVENTS MANAGER Joseph Arellano >> IN THIS ISSUE <<

Madin Lopez, a genderqueer hair stylist, gives free haircuts to gender nonconforming youth once every other Monday from a mobile salon—a vintage Airstream trailer parked outside the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center, reports Larry Buhl (“Good Hair,” page 22).

Lopez, who has a thriving practice as a hair stylist at Folklore Station in Echo Park, says it’s important to give back to the community. Now 31, Lopez suffered family rejection for being gender nonconforming, rejection many of their clients know all too well.

Lopez said that, while youth clients may not have a permanent home, they can have greater self-worth, and an expression of self-pride and queer visibility from a kick-ass ‘do.

Also in this issue Matthew Bianchi, Admissions and Outreach Coordinator at Pride Recovery Los Angeles, an LGBTQ Intensive Outpatient facility, talks about his journey becoming clean and sober (“A Healing Home,” page 26).

“At the age of 25 I was a full blown opiate and tranquilizer ad-

dict,” he reveals in an interview with THE FIGHT. “I had multiple doctors prescribing me opiates and tranquilizers and was buying them off the street. I would take prescription narcotics, snort other drugs up my nose and drink myself to oblivion. I had to be numb all the time and if I wasn’t, I was frantically in search of how to get back to not feeling again.”

After an intervention by his parents and sister-in-law, Bianchi went through a detox center and then a 30 day residential treatment program.

He then lived in a sober living facility for over nine months while attending an intensive outpatient center daily.

“During this time I came to learn the value of life and friendship and I came to appreciate my family and all of the good things in my life,” he reveals.

“I discovered who I am and slowly came to love that person. With hard work and dedication my life began coming back together.”

For more info on Pride Recovery Los Angeles call: 844-303-1515.

And last, but not least, we would like to wish all of our readers a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

CONTRIBUTORS Larry Buhl Dusti Cunningham Dr. Steve Ganzell Orly Lyonne Victor Melamed Paulo Murillo Roxie Perkins Timothy Ray Ann Rostow Paul V. Vitagliano 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.

STANFORD ALTAMIRANO Editor-In-Chief

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 © 2018 Third Step LLC. All rights reserved. Content may be reproduced with permission.

The Fight Magazine assumes no liability for any claims or representations contained anywhere in this magazine and reserves the right to cancel or refuse advertising at publisher’s discretion.

TheFightMag.com For Display Advertising, please call (323) 297-4001

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THELETTERS >> FROM OUR READERS <<

CUT ABOVE Dear Editor, It’s gratifying to see the more fortunate in our community giving back. The first person who comes to mind is Brian Pendleton, the philanthropist who created the Resist March earlier this year. Secondly, Bryan Thompson, in your December issue (“Baby You Can Drive My Car,” THE FIGHT, Issue #83). Obviously he is a successful car designer. But paying that gift forward—by creating a scholarship for talented LGBT design students to help pay for their education—puts him a cut above the rest.

—Jonathan Belasio, via the internet

MY FAVORITE Dear Editor, I love Chico’s Angels and I love the the fact they grace your cover (“Touched By Angels,” THE FIGHT, Issue #83)! They are my favorite drag queens in Los Angeles. Thank you for featuring them.

—Robert Garcia, via the internet

AND SUBMIT Dear Editor, As a public service to your readers I would like to refer you to the following quote from Scripture, Romans 1:26-27: “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.”

Please repent and submit.

—Douglas Walker, via the internet

> WRITE TO THE EDITOR

Email: editor@thefightmag.com Fax: (213) 281-9648. Letters may be shortened due to space requirements.

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YOU ARE LOVED

ROBBIE ROGERS, GREG BERLANTI AND THEIR SON CALEB.

“To members of the LGBTQ2 communities… here in Canada and around the world: You are loved. And we support you.”

—Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau apologizing in the House of JUSTIN TRUDEAU Commons for a decades-long campaign by previous governments to rid the military and public service of LGBTQ people.

BEEN A PART

“I’m obviously very young and I’ve had a short career, but I’ve never been a part of anything like this.”

—Actor Timothee Chalamet on filming Call Me By Your Name. Chalamet has won Best Actor from both the New York Film Critics Circle and Los Angeles Film Critics Association.

TIMOTHEE CHALAMET

ABSOLUTELY PUMPED

I am absolutely pumped. I think this is so wonderful.”

—Australia’s prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, after his country’s Parliament voted in favor of gay marriage last month.

MALCOLM TURNBULL

MY OWN SHIP

“I am the captain of my own ship, and I’ve never looked to anyone else to validate that.”

SARAH PAULSON

—Actress Sarah Paulson, 42, responding to those questioning the age difference between her and her girlfriend of two years, Holland Taylor, 74.

EXCEEDING ANY DREAM “Still recovering from the most emotional beautiful day, exceeding any dream I ever had.

To marry the man I love in front of all of my loved one’s was not something I grew up thinking would ever happen.”

—Former Los Angeles Galaxy player Robbie Rogers on his marriage to producer Greg Berlanti, last month on Instagram.

YOU TEACH ME

UPSET THE WORLD “He had a lot of lady fans and he told me he just didn’t want to upset the world.”

—Patti LaBelle on why her friend the late Luther Vandross never came out of the closet, during an interview on Watch What Happens Live.

P!NK PATTI LABELLE

“Last week Willow told me she is going to marry an African woman… I was like: ‘Great, can you teach me how to make African food?’”

—P!nk on raising her children free from labels & gender roles.

JANUAR Y 2018 | TH E F I GH T 11

What is TRUVADA for PrEP?

Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP?

TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medicine that is used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health.

Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: ® Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. ® Also take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP? Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-negative. ® Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin.

While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. ® You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. ® If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. ® To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: ® Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. ® Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. ® Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. ® Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. ® If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: ® Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking TRUVADA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: ® Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA. ® Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. ® Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. ® Bone problems, including bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.

Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? ® All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. ® If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA. ® If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk. ® All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. ® If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose.

These medicines include certain medicines to treat hepatitis C (HCV) infection.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page.

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

I'm active, not unaware.

I know who I am. And I make choices that fit my life.

TRUVADA for PrEP™ is a once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when taken every day and used together with safer sex practices. ® TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.

Learn more at truvada.com JANUAR Y 2018 | TH E F I GH T 13

IMPORTANT FACTS

This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEPTM (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.

(tru-VAH-dah) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative.

• Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1.

• You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you think you were exposed to HIV-1 or have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

• See the “How To Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information.

TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA for PrEP is a prescription medicine used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1.

• To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health.

Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status.

• Take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1.

• Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection.

• Use TRUVADA for PrEP together with condoms and safer sex practices.

• Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP” section.

• New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure.

• Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.

• Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.

• Bone problems.

Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight.

These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.

BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis.

• Have any other medical conditions.

• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

• Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can pass to the baby in breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

• Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.

HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners.

• Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you.

• Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners.

• Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV infection.

• Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.

TRUVADA FOR PREP, the TRUVADA FOR PREP Logo, the TRUVADA Blue Pill Design, TRUVADA, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.

Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0131 07/17

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

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GLASS CEILINGS

Equality California congratulates first LGBTQ and first female Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins.

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S

enate President Pro Tem Kevin de León announced last month that Senator Toni Atkins is the consensus pick of the Senate Democratic Caucus to succeed him as leader.

The formal vote will be held early this month and the transition will be take place later in the year.

“Senator Toni Atkins is one of the LGBTQ community’s most respected and effective leaders and her upcoming election as the Senate President Pro Tem breaks multiple glass ceilings,” said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur in a statement.

“Not only will she be the first woman to serve as leader of the California Senate, but Senator Atkins will also be the first LGBTQ person to serve in that role. This follows on her historic career in the Assembly where she became the first lesbian Speaker.

Electing role models like Senator Atkins is important to the LGBTQ community because it sends a clear message to our community across the country, particularly LGBTQ youth, that LGBTQ people can achieve anything. By having a seat at the table, LGBTQ elected officials can speak with their colleagues with authenticity and firsthand experience on issues that affect our community…” n

“SENDING A CLEAR MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY, PARTICULARLY LGBTQ YOUTH, THAT LGBTQ PEOPLE CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING.”

We Met By Accident.

340 N. Juanita Ave. Los Angeles, CA. 90004 Tel: 323-486-7208

JANUAR Y 2018 | TH E F I GH T 15 THE

THECITY >> BY PAULO MURILLO <<

a data revision that take into account the migration of patients to different locations.

Health officials stated that the total number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Riverside County in 2016 was 8,404 and not the 5,552 first estimated.

The recalculation is due to a new counting methodology called “migration prevalence.’’

Prior to this new calculation of HIV/AIDS surveillance, patients were associated to specific locations based on where they were living when they were first diagnosed.

ORA NGE COUNT Y

AIDS SERVICES FOUNDATION NOW RADIANT HEALTH CENTERS

GABRIEL FERNANDEZ, RIP

L OS ANGE L E S

DEATH PENALTY FOR MAN WHO KILLED 8-YEAR BOY HE BELIEVED WAS GAY A man in Los Angeles faces the death penalty after being convicted for killing an 8-year-old boy because he believed the boy was gay. A jury recommended the death penalty after deliberating for seven hours.

Isauro Aguirre was found guilty of first degree murder for killing his girlfriend Pearl Sinthia Fernandez’s son, Gabriel Fernandez, because the boy liked to play with dolls. The boy suffered from a cracked skull, broken ribs, and burns before he died after being hospitalized.

The boy’s siblings testified that he was brutally tortured by his mother and her boyfriend. He was beaten daily, pepper-sprayed, and kept in a cage. He was also forced to eat cat feces.

The boy’s mother is also being prosecuted for murder and several L.A. County social workers are being charged with criminal negligence for leaving Gabriel in the home despite several red flags.

Aguirre could be sentenced to die in March.

SAN DIE GO

SAN DIEGO PRIDE’S $100,000 DONATION TO LGBT NONPROFITS San Diego LGBT Pride had a successful pride this year. As a result, the organization was able to donate $104,182.00 of their proceeds to nonprofit organization that serve the LGBT community. San Diego Pride’s community contributions have exceeded 2 million dollars over the years. These contributions have been distributed to dozens of organizations through Pride Community Grants, sponsorships, and event support.

To learn more, visit sdpride.org.

PAL M SP RINGS

NEW DATA ON HIV/AIDS PATIENTS IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY The Department of Public Health reports that the estimated number of HIV/AIDS patients in Riverside County are 51 percent higher than what was reported last year due to 1 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

AIDS Services Foundation Orange County has changed its name to Radiant Health Centers. The organization has been helping people living with HIV and those at risk for over 32 years and will continue to do so under the new name.

San Diego Weekly reports that the new name was inspired by the organization’s role as a hub that connects people to care and by the optimism inherent in the word radiance, which signifies the quality or state of having or giving off light. The new logo mark captures that radiance in a subtle rainbow of colors and a door shape which ties into its welcoming new tagline: Compassionate Care for All. To learn more, visit: radianthealthcenters.org.

WEST H OLLYWOOD

PANEL ON HIV & THE CRIMINALIZATION OF SICKNESS The City of West Hollywood is hosting a panel on Punishing the Disease: HIV & the Criminalization of Sickness at the West Hollywood Library Community Meeting Room, 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard, on Tuesday, January 16, at 7pm.

The city, in conjunction with Lambda Literary, is sponsoring a panel and book launch featuring “Punishing Disease” author and sociologist Trevor Hoppe (University of Albany), Robin Barkins (Positive Women’s Network USA) and Craig Pulsipher (APLA Health) in a conversation with Tony Valenzuela (Executive Director, Lambda Literary).

The panel discussion will focus on the outdated and poorly written criminal laws to punish people living with HIV.

In adults with HIV on ART who have diarrhea not caused by an infection

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION This is only a summary. See complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or by calling 1-844-722-8256. This does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.

What Is Mytesi?

Mytesi is a prescription medicine used to improve symptoms of noninfectious diarrhea (diarrhea not caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on ART. Do Not Take Mytesi if you have diarrhea caused by an infection. Before you start Mytesi, your doctor and you should make sure your diarrhea is not caused by an infection (such as bacteria, virus, or parasite).

Possible Side Effects of Mytesi Include:

Tired of planning your life around diarrhea?

Enough is Enough Get relief. Pure and simple. Ask your doctor about Mytesi.

Mytesi (crofelemer): • Is the only medicine FDA-approved to relieve diarrhea in people with HIV • Treats diarrhea differently by normalizing the flow of water in the GI tract • Has the same or fewer side effects as placebo in clinical studies • Comes from a tree sustainably harvested in the Amazon Rainforest What is Mytesi?

Mytesi is a prescription medicine that helps relieve symptoms of diarrhea not caused by an infection (noninfectious) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Important Safety Information Mytesi is not approved to treat infectious diarrhea (diarrhea caused by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite). Before starting you on Mytesi, your healthcare provider will first be sure that you do not have infectious diarrhea. Otherwise, there is a risk you would not receive the right medicine and your infection could get worse. In clinical studies, the most common side effects that occurred more often than with placebo were upper respiratory tract (sinus, nose, and throat) infection (5.7%), bronchitis (3.9%), cough (3.5%), flatulence (3.1%), and increased bilirubin (3.1%).

For Copay Savings Card and Patient Assistance, see Mytesi.com

Please see complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com.

NP-390-12

RELIEF, PURE AND SIMPLE

• Upper respiratory tract infection (sinus, nose, and throat infection) • Bronchitis (swelling in the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs) • Cough • Flatulence (gas) • Increased bilirubin (a waste product when red blood cells break down) For a full list of side effects, please talk to your doctor.

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• It is not known whether Mytesi is passed through human breast milk • If you are nursing, you should tell your doctor before starting Mytesi • Your doctor will help you to decide whether to stop nursing or to stop taking Mytesi Under 18 or Over 65 Years of Age? • Mytesi has not been studied in children under 18 years of age • Mytesi studies did not include many people over the age of 65. So it is not clear if this age group will respond differently. Talk to your doctor to find out if Mytesi is right for you

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Rx Only Manufactured by Patheon, Inc. for Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. San Francisco, CA 94105 Copyright © Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mytesi comes from the Croton lechleri tree harvested in South America.

JANUAR Y 2018 | TH E F I GH T 17

> > J A M E S G U AY, L M F T < <

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

> > T H E T R U M P A D M I N I S T R AT I O N ’ S M A N D AT E T O T H E C D C < <

The Trump administration wants to ban the word “transgender,” among others. The Los Angeles

In

response to the Trump Administration’s mandate to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to not use the words: diversity, entitlement, evidence-based, fetus, science-based, transgender, and vulnerable, the Los Angeles LGBT Center issued the following statement: “The Trump Administration’s effort to banish science and evidence from the lexicon of the CDC is the marriage of reckless irresponsibility and political correctness. Facts do not cease to exist simply because they are ignored, as Aldous Huxley famously observed. The ‘banning’ of accurate and meaningful words from the science of the CDC is an intentional attempt to harm the public.

“Unbiased science, evidence, and accurate language are basic and imperatives requirements for the CDC to fulfill its mission and duty to improve and save people’s lives. Public health is about helping all people, not divisively segmenting and ignoring vulnerable populations.

“This is the latest, and perhaps most pernicious, example of ideology

LGBT Center responds. trumping science. ‘Disease control and prevention’ is in the very name of this agency. It is not ‘control of some diseases and prevention for certain populations,’ while prohibiting the very mention of those populations that are the most vulnerable.

“There, we’ve just uttered a banned word. But unlike other countries—not to mention regimes in other historical epochs—we still have the freedom and responsibility to speak truth to power, not cower in fear of banned words and religious orthodoxies.

“Conservative political ideology cannot and must not be a substitute for sound public health policy. In truth, it is the ideology behind President Trump’s silencing of the CDC that is the true disease in need of control and prevention.

“We must resist this latest assault on common sense and human decency and ensure that the CDC continues to place science and the public health above the politics of fear and retribution that this Administration seems to repeatedly impose on the American people. Silence still equals death.”

E F I GH T 19 JANUAR Y 2018 | TH THE

THEROSTOWREPORT >> BY ANN ROSTOW <<

IT’S A THING!

Let’s get one thing out of the way here. The Australian parliament passed a marriage equality bill, and they did so without adding a raft of antigay amendments. So good on y’all Mates, as we say here in Texas. It’s about bloody time.

I believe I read that the parliament had tried to pass marriage equality but failed no less than 22 times before its recent victory. (Cue: slow clap.) It’s because of these successive failures, each one accompanied by its share of gay news hype, that I vowed to ignore Australian marriage news until it was actually a thing.

In other good news that you already know about, our new Senator elect from Alabama has a 22-year-old gay son, Carson, who is handsome, single and (wait for it) a zookeeper by profession! I know. It’s right out of a 21st Century madefor-TV movie. You can come up with almost anything for a plot.

I like one where Carson invests so much of himself in caring for his animal friends that he has no emotional space left for anyone else.

After he befriends a small boy who spends lots of time at the zoo, he realizes that the larger world needs his contributions as well. When Carson tracks down the boy’s family, he meets his gay uncle, a police officer in town, who has also been worried about the boy and the boy’s disturbed addicted mother. During a life or death crisis at the elephant pen, the two men acknowledge their love for each other, the mother agrees to go into rehab and Molly the elephant saves the young boy from an injured escaped tiger (who also survives and lives happily ever after).

THE BIG HARD

Here’s a first. We were in New Orleans last weekend and a waiter in a crab shack

history on our behalf. They also declined to touch a Texas Supreme Court ruling that appeared to leave the door open for marriage discrimination, and they left a few other big cases in limbo along with the Mississippi lawsuit.

CARSON JONES

THE CAKE IS IN THE OVEN

“OUR NEW SENATOR ELECT FROM ALABAMA HAS A 22-YEAR-OLD GAY SON, CARSON, WHO IS HANDSOME, SINGLE AND (WAIT FOR IT) A ZOOKEEPER BY PROFESSION! I KNOW. IT’S RIGHT OUT OF A 21ST CENTURY MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE.” used the term lagniappe in conversation. I wanted to opt out of some hushpuppy thing that came with my catfish, and he told me the hushpuppy was just a lagniappe (a small extra treat) so I couldn’t really switch it for something else. Nor did he try to explain the word, so it just felt as if everyone in the New Orleans area must be familiar with it.

I’m not sure why that seemed so cool. But you know, New Orleans is cool, period.

I walked past the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and gave the building a curt nod of acknowledgement.

One of the most conservative of all federal appellate

2 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

courts, the Fifth Circuit has a bad habit of telling Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana what to do and what not to do. And it’s usually not what we want to hear. Earlier this year, they gave the thumbs up to a state law in Mississippi that allows businesses and other service providers to reject GLBT customers on religious grounds.

That decision has been appealed to the Supreme Court, which has yet to decide whether to take the case. In early December, the Justices disappointed gay lawyers by refusing to accept review of a lesbian workplace discrimination case out of Georgia that could have made legal

So the High Court is not on our “nice” list, shall we say, as 2017 draws to a close.

But it gets a little worse actually. On December 5, the High Court heard arguments in the famed Masterpiece Cakeshop case, the litigation that pits antigay baker Jack Phillips against the state of Colorado, which bans GLBT discrimination in public accommodations. We know we have four votes in our favor, but whither the fifth? Naturally, we assume that Justice Kennedy will tip the balance our way, but he seemed alarmingly sympathetic to Mr. Phillips and he seemed alarmingly annoyed at the Colorado officials who condemned the baker’s behavior in previous legal contests.

Was that just a facade designed to shade nuance into a complex picture before offering a black and white opinion? Or does the gay rights champion now think that “enough is enough” and it’s time for the other side to win one, much as a basketball referee might blow his whistle at the home team after calling fouls on the visitors four times in a row. Even if the home team didn’t foul!

And finally, what about John Roberts? Some analysts believe he’s turning ever so slightly towards the center, and most analysts think he finds Neil Gorsuch annoying (as does everyone else on the bench). Will he have an impact on our lives going forward?

Maybe a small one? Look for the Masterpiece opinion this

> > A THING • B I G H A R D • CAKE • TRANS BAN • BERMUDA < <

spring. It could be a killer. It could be a sigh of relief. It could be sent back on a technicality.

It probably won’t be a big step forward. Sad.

BANNING THE TRANS BAN

In other highly significant legal news, two more federal court rulings came down hard on Trump’s unexpected decision to ban transgender men and women from the military, again ruling that spontaneous tweets, unprompted by any discussion with experts, do not qualify for the kind of judicial respect usually accorded national security decisions by the executive branch. Trump lawyers have tried to trot out the notion that courts shouldn’t interfere with Important Government Military Business, but in these cases, the courts aren’t buying it.

Trump is also trying to suggest that because the deadline for the transgender ban isn’t until next March, the petitioners don’t yet have anything to complain about! Here again, courts have noted that the thousands of transgender soldiers and sailors, who face automatic discharge for no good reason, have every right to raise their complaints in a court of law.

So far, we have three rulings against Trump, Judge KollarKotelly in the D.C. area, Judge Marvin Garbis in Maryland, and Judge Marsha Pechman in Seattle. Another federal case challenging the trans ban is pending in L.A. ,where Judge Jesus Bernal has heard oral arguments and should rule shortly. At the moment, transgender applicants will be able7.375 to sign in.up for military jobs starting January 1, although some may be held back by

Pentagon plans to require all gender reassignment treatment be completed 18 months prior to joining the service.

JUST SAY NO TO BERMUDA

Finally, did you read about Bermuda becoming the first autonomous political entity in history to revoke same-sex marriage after it had been established. Yes yes, we had marriage in California before we didn’t. (Mel and I got married in the 2008 window.) But that was ten years ago.

Now, Bermuda has passed a law outlawing same-sex marriage, which had been authorized by the Bermudian high court eight months earlier. The British Overseas Territory is part of Britain in some way that I can’t figure out, but it is not controlled

by Britain, so—well—they’ve just done this on their own,

offering some domestic partner nonsense as an alternative.

True, it’s just a little island.

But it’s essential to react. The reaction of the GLBT community and our allies to the North Carolina bathroom bill had a far reaching impact, and continues to serve as a warning to other states considering antigay laws. So now, I’d like to see Bermuda tourism wither and dry up like seaweed caught above the tide line. I’d like to see those pretty hotels start back-channeling discounts. I want the scooters sitting idle in front of the rental shops. I want the lawmakers to start lying awake at night, wondering whether they’ve done the right thing, whether they really thought this through.

I want Bermuda to suffer. n Ann Rostow can be reached at arostow@aol.com.

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JANUAR Y 2018 | TH E F I GH T 21

>> NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION <<

MADIN LOPEZ TRIMS THE HAIR OF ONE OF THEIR YOUTH CLIENTS

GOOD HAIR Madin Lopez, a genderqueer hair stylist, gives free haircuts to gender nonconforming youth in Los Angeles.

O

BY LARRY BUHL

n the day before Thanksgiving, as Madin Lopez (they/them/their) introduced me to several homeless LGBTQIA youth—they asked me, “Are you a good white?”

I was thrown for a second, partly because the construct made me think of Glinda’s query of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, and partly because I had to wonder: Am I a good white guy?

Madin explained that it wasn’t a trick question.

“I was asking if you’re a safe person to be around my youth,” Lopez said. “It also lets trans and genderqueer and gender nonconforming people know that there are some safe people who want to help them, and some who don’t. It’s important to make that distinction.”

I met Lopez and about two dozen youth during a daylong retreat, Thanks-living, which was held at an art studio near Chinatown in downtown L.A. Thanks-living—the living part is about empowerment—included lessons in sexual defense, self defense and martial arts, acupuncture (to release physical and mental trauma), and hair styling sessions with Lopez and their wife, Sabine, also a stylist. The event would end with a full thanksgiving feast.

Lopez holds retreats twice a year—the May event is called “(We Don’t Have) Mother’s Day.” 2 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

“It’s the two times a year when I have the most anxiety,” Lopez says, suggesting it’s the same for the youth as well. “If you are queer you might not have family to spend the holiday with.”

Lopez, a genderqueer hair stylist, gives free haircuts to gender nonconforming youth once every other Monday from a mobile salon—a vintage Airstream trailer parked outside the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center. It’s part of ProjectQ, a nonprofit Lopez founded six years ago.

The Airstream (or Hairstream, as Lopez calls it) toured to all of the California trans Pride events in 2017 and served more than 250 new clients. Lopez says they’ve seen around 700 clients this year.

Though no money is exchanged, there is a currency system for the haircuts. Clients are requested to answer a question on a white board. The Thanks-living day question was, ‘how do you show yourself through love?’

Lopez, who has a thriving practice as a hair stylist at Folklore Station in Echo Park, says it’s important to give back to the community. Now 31, Lopez suffered family rejection for being gender nonconforming, rejection many of their clients know all too well.

>> MADIN LOPEZ <<

Lopez said that, while youth clients may not have a permanent home, they can have greater self-worth, and an expression of self-pride and queer visibility from a kick-ass ‘do.

Anthony Daniel (he/him/his) got a Mohawk at the Thanksliving retreat. “I trust Madin to do anything with my hair,” Daniel said. “Once, on one side of my head, I had them shave the word ‘queer.’ I wanted to wear that for the world to see who I am.”

Daniel added he has been inspired to do something for others, “the way Madin has done for me.”

Zahav (he/him/his) a 22-year-old trans man who was getting “the usual” do said that Madin had inspired him to be altruistic.

“I want to have the patience to teach younger and older generations,” Zahav said. “Right now, I’m about being visible.

In the queer and trans community, we have always been there, but the media seems to forget about us.”

“ONE SIMPLE WAY FOR GENDERQUEER AND GENDER NONCONFORMING YOUTH TO FEEL SAFE IS FOR PEOPLE WHO MEET THEM TO ASK HOW THEY IDENTIFY.”

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Lopez is making sure they’re not forgotten. Beyond cutting hair, they also mentor youth through an informal program they call Being a Queer Black Entrepreneur. “I show (youth) what could be simply by example, by living my life, happily,” Lopez said. “I show them ways they can do something with themselves without following the rules. If I can help them get a job, I do.”

Securing employment is often difficult for trans youth of color, and many spend time on the streets, at least for a while. On the streets they face a high risk of violence.

The 2016 Hate Crime Report, released last month by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations found that crimes against transgender people surged percent in a year, with the vast majority being violent crimes.

Cory Klink, (they/them/theirs), founder of Bold Alchemy, a queer and trans self defense program, gave a martial arts training demonstration during Thanks-living. Klink said it’s crucial for queer and trans communities to know self defense, “so we can approach dangerous situations like us being aggressed on or our consent being violated or aggressive cops.”

Kling added that trans and genderqueer people must be able to “read” a space. “In my space where I’m walking, could there be someone behind me? Are there people to the left and right? And stay conscious and be in a space mentally to protect themselves.”

One simple way for genderqueer and gender nonconforming youth to feel safe, Lopez said, is for people who meet them to ask how they identify. “It’s appreciated when you ask someone how they identify,” Lopez said. “It’s like asking for a person’s address, so you’ll know where to meet them.”

The Airstream “Hairstream” mobile salon is definitely she, and trans, Lopez added. “She transformed from being a family outing mobile to a gender affirming salon.”

JANUAR Y 2018 | TH E F I GH T 23

>> MILO YIANNOPOULOS <<

CAIN ANDRADE

GINA BIGHAM

WEAREFAMILY

The LA LGBT Center in Hollywood offers an abundance of support and social networking groups.

BY ROXI E PERKI NS

C

ain Andrade and Gina Bigham are facilitators of the LA LGBT Center’s weekly social networking groups, providing a space for queer people to find community and support.

In an interview with THE FIGHT they talk about the Center’s locations and resources, services geared towards the Spanish speaking community and the difference between online support and in-person meetings.

Thank you both for meeting me today…First off—how many support/networking groups are there at The Center?

Cain Andrade: Currently there are six groups at the Village and one at the Mi Centro sight in Boyle Heights for Spanish speakers.

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

For those unfamiliar with The Center can you tell us about the different locations and the resources?

Gina Bigham: The Center has several locations. The main headquarters is the McDonald Wright building in Hollywood which is slowly turning into a full medical building with a pharmacy, trans health center, women’s health center, HIV prevention, and HIV care resource. The Village is our community center, where we have 2 theatres, a full working art gallery, meeting spaces and classes—workshops and groups all meet here. The Youth Center on Highland is our transitional living program for young adults making their way out of homelessness. Our satellite locations are in West Hollywood which is mostly a test-

ing spot, and Mi Centro which is in Boyle Heights and is in its third year.

Andrade: Mi Centro is geared more towards the Latino community… Many services are not offered in Spanish which leaves such a large portion of the LGBT community with no services directed towards them.

What type of groups are offered at The Center?

Bigham: There’s Men’s Speakeasy which is for gay, trans and queer men. Herstory, which is similar to the Men’s Speakeasy but a feminine version for queer and trans women. The Transgender Perceptions group—strictly for trans people. We also have a special first Friday of each month which is what we call S.O.F.A. night which is an acronym

>> THE LA LGBT CENTER IN HOLLYWOOD <<

for Significant Others, Friends/Families, Allies. And so on those first Fridays our group members can bring outside guests to come and join the conversation.

We also have a group called BioSphere for the bi community which meets biweekly—and we didn’t plan that out. Haha.

All these groups are drop in and free. We pass around a donation envelope at the end. If you have money to donate—great. If you don’t there’s no pressure or problem.

We do have two groups that are a little stricter about attendance and those are our Coming Out Workshops—Men’s Coming Out and Women’s Coming Out… The program takes about six months and the goal is that you come in knowing that within that six month period you are going to get yourself to a place where you are able to come out to yourself and to others… It’s a more focused workshop where as the drop-in groups’ topics cover a variety of things.

How does one sign up for the Coming Out Workshop?

Andrade: Anyone can call the phone number that’s available on our website

(877-OUT-4-LIFE)… A lot of the times it’s a very heartbreaking and really challenging call for them to make, because it’s probably taken them months and who knows how long for them to really make that first decision to come out. And then once they make that call and I speak to them—we go over some of the guidelines of the group, and what it offers, and how it works, and then I tell them when the groups are available and invite them to join.

queer people technically more visible to each other than ever?

Andrade: Surprisingly, people continue to feel like they’re the only ones that are going through this… If I can just encourage them to come once and have them be surrounded by people like them, people who are able to laugh and cry with them about the journey they’re going through—then they start to crave more and more community.

Andrade: What these groups offer is a different way of connecting that you can online or in the clubs. It offers a place for people to have conversations that they might not be able to have with their friends or parents…

Bigham: Online support can only take you so far. I think that human connection is where the real work is getting done and where the real progress and support can happen. Me, personally—I’m not a big fan of social media because it seems so combative and so often less than ideal for support… You’re not going to get the same type of support you can get in person. I think that true support comes from sitting face and to face and knowing that: wow, this person is sharing my pain, or my joy.

This person understands where I’m coming from. You see that and you feel that energy from another human being that you can’t get from a keyboard.

Can you talk a little about the need that these groups fill in a time when social media has made

For more info on the Center’s support and social networking groups—visit lalgbtcenter.org or call: 323-993-7400.

What would you say to someone who feels too afraid or nervous to make that call or come to a group?

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> > M AT T H E W B I A N C H I < <

A HEALING HOME Pride Recovery’s Matthew Bianchi on structure, accountability and accepting, without reservation, who you truly are.

BY MA RK A RI EL | PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNI NGHAM

M

atthew Bianchi, Admissions and Outreach Coordinator at Pride Recovery Los Angeles, an LGBTQ Intensive Outpatient facility, knows a thing or two about becoming clean and sober.

“At the age of 25 I was a full blown opiate and tranquilizer addict,” he reveals in an interview with THE FIGHT. “I had multiple doctors prescribing me opiates and tranquilizers and was buying them off the street.

I would take prescription narcotics, snort other drugs up my nose and drink myself to oblivion. I had to be numb all the time and if I wasn’t, I was frantically in search of how to get back to not feeling again.”

Born and raised in the city of Taunton, Massachusetts, Bianchi says that while his family was supportive and loving after coming out as a gay man “it was a very long and cautious period of adjustment for me that continued through my teens and well into my 20s.”

“The adjustment was in regards to the expectations of greater society more than anything else,” he explains. “The goal was to be authentic and at the same time be safe. Without any real LGBTQ role models this is very to hard to do.

«My older brother Mark Anthony, who is also gay, would offer me guidance and style advice when most needed but he seemed to face the same issues I was facing in regards to lack of proper role models.”

THE TURNING POINT Bianchi’s growing addiction almost led to jail time. “I took an ax to the back of a pharmacy at 3 in the morning,” he reveals.

“This was a desperate attempt to get drugs. If you didn’t know, an ax will create sparks when it’s swung hard against steel. Luckily all it did was make scrapes and some sparks. It was a close brush with a long prison career. I think of that night often. It helps me to remember.”

26 6 TTH HEE FFIGH IGHTT || www.thefightmag.com www.thefightmag.com 2

“THE WORLD WASN’T DESIGNED FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE, AND THAT CONSTANT EXPERIENCE OF BEING ‘THE OTHER’ COMES AT A COST, A COST THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE HUGE STATISTICS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN OUR COMMUNITY.” “The turning point,” he confides, “came in the form of an intervention led by my father, my mother and my sister-in-law Caycie. They persuaded me to seek treatment for a third time. This time I was given the gift of desperation or the desire to do whatever it took to get and stay sober. I began chasing recovery with the same fervor I had when I was chasing the drugs. I went through a detox center and then a 30 day residential treatment program. I then lived in sober living for over nine months while attending a intensive outpatient center daily. During those nine months I learned how to live while still having the structure and accountability I needed in early sobriety.

During this time I came to learn the value of life and friendship and I came to appreciate my family and all of the good things in my life. I discovered who I am and slowly came to love that person. With hard work and dedication my life began coming back together.”

“As time went by I naturally wanted to learn more about the psychology behind my drug dependence. I discovered The Velvet Rage, a book written by Los Angeles psychologist Dr. Alan Downs.

This book opened my eyes to the fact that it was my own shame about being a gay man that had led me to create a disaster of my life. I found that it wasn’t that others had done this to me, it was all my own doing. Simply because I couldn’t fully accept, without reservation, who I truly am.”

“Today I have a much welcomed sense of normalcy in my life. My days revolve around my fiancé Roger, our 2 chihuahuas and a very moody African grey parrot, not drugs and alcohol. I live with an immense amount of gratitude on a daily basis… My biggest challenge today is trying decide where in the yard I should put the white picket fence.”

CULTURALLY SPECIFIC TREATMENT Bianchi’s career in the recovery field began over 10 years ago as a counselor’s assistant at large treatment center on Cape Cod, located in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

The facility provided all substance abuse related services, from detox stabilization, a 30 day residential rehabilitation center, multiple halfway houses, sober livings and a handful of day treatment settings.

“I worked in most of those settings diligently during my seven years with the company,” says Bianchi. “The most challenging and most rewarding work was while working in the detox. Fast paced and rarely a dull moment. Throughout my time there I was always a strong resource for the LGBTQ clients. I wanted them to know that you can be a member of the LGBTQ community and be sober and be happy at the same time-in very sharp contrast to what the culture tells us.”

Eventually Bianchi found himself in Southern California, working as a sober companion. “I was fortunate to be able to

> > C O V E R F E AT U R E < <

JANUAR Y 2018 | TH E F I GH T 27

>> PRIDE RECOVERY LOS ANGELES <<

work for a highly esteemed and well established company. I received regular assignments and would be paired up with LGBTQ clients. Here I developed a very special skill set for working with substance dependent transgender individuals that have proven be highly effective,” he says.

Bianchi was then hired as a counselor at a 30 day detox and residential rehabilitation center in Sherman Oaks. “Here I once again found myself as the island in the storm for substance dependent gay and transgender clients. I was then approached by Larry Hymes, the clinical director of Pride Recovery Los Angeles, to join his team in creating and promoting effective substance abuse and mental health treatment for our LGBTQ community. After too many years of watching LGBTQ individuals have little to no culturally specific treatment and me feeling like the only lighthouse within a thousand miles, I quickly said yes.”

RESILIENT AND BEAUTIFUL Pride Recovery is an LGBTQ Intensive Outpatient facility.

“THE LGBTQAFFIRMATIVE PRIDE RECOVERY MODEL UNDERSTANDS THAT THE LGBTQ EXPERIENCE COMES WITH A LEGACY OF RELATIONAL WOUNDING.” “Our specially trained LGBTQAffirmative staff offers a whole-person, strength-based approach to treating the LGBTQ individual,” states Bianchi.

“We use trauma-informed and evidencebased practices to effectively treat the whole LGBTQ person. Modalities include: DBT, CBT, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Psycho-education, along with various trauma interventions. All of

these modalities are used in individual, group and experiential therapy settings.

We also offer dual-diagnosis treatment.”

“The LGBTQ-Affirmative Pride Recovery model understands that the LGBTQ experience comes with a legacy of relational wounding,” says Bianchi.

“The world wasn’t designed for LGBTQ people, and that constant experience of being ‘the other’ comes at a cost, a cost that contributes to the huge statistics of substance abuse in our community.

Traditional treatment is great, but LGBTQ people are ‘the other’ there, just like we are everywhere we go. Pride Recovery is a place where members of our community can find a healing home and sober community. After all, the members of our community have come a long way because we are resilient and beautiful. We want to celebrate that.”

Matthew Bianchi, CADC II, is the Admissions and Outreach Coordinator at Pride Recovery Los Angeles. He can be reached at mbianchi@ priderecoveryla.com. For more info on Pride Recovery Los Angeles call: 844-303-1515.

It’s Time To Join

Are You Passionate About The LGBTQ Community?

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JANUAR Y 2018 | TH E F I GH T 29

>> GENDER NON-CONFORMING <<

“CALIFORNIA CAN AND SHOULD STRIVE TO BE AN ONGOING MODEL OF ACCEPTANCE AND INCLUSION.”

BE YOU 27% of Californian youth identify as gender non-conforming.

A

BY VICTO R MELA MED

ccording to a new study out of UCLA, more than a quarter of California adolescents feel comfortable enough to dismiss societal pressures to identify with one gender or another, reports Vice at broadly.vice.com, Researchers out of the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research analyzed data from the 2015-2016 version of the California Health Interview Survey, which collected data from 1,300 households. For the first time ever, the survey included a question for young people (ages 12-17) about gender expression. Participants had to answer how they thought their classmates viewed them in terms of their appearance, style, dress and/or the way they walk or talk; the answers ranged from “very feminine” to “very masculine.”

The study’s authors, reports Vice, took these answers and analyzed them in context with what gender/sex adolescents chose in the survey. With this information, researchers identified two groups of gender-nonconforming youth: “highly gender-nonconforming (GNC)” and “androgynous.” Young women who thought people at school saw them as

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“mostly masculine” or “very masculine,” and young men who chose “mostly feminine” or “very feminine” were categorized as highly GNC. Young people who said they were “equally feminine and masculine” were categorized as androgynous.

The remaining youth were categorized as gender conforming.

Ultimately, reports Vice, the study’s authors found that 27 percent, or 796,000, of California’s youth, are GNC. Of the two sub-groups, 21 percent were classified as androgynous, and 6 percent as highly GNC. Unsurprisingly, the study found GNC youth were more likely to experience severe psychological distress compared to gender-conforming teens (17 percent compared to 7 percent, respectively). “This finding highlights the need to increase access to affirming mental health care and other supports, as well as to educate parents, schools, and communities on the mental health needs of gender nonconforming youth,” the authors write. “It also makes it clear that we must focus on continuing to reduce known risk factors, such as bullying and bias, against gender nonconforming people.”

Another interesting finding from the analysis, reports Vice, was that “GNC and gender conforming youth did not statistically differ in their rates of lifetime suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts.” This conclusion differs from past research using similar measures, which found the level of suicide attempts were higher among feminine males than non-feminine males, according to the study.

“It’s possible California’s policy environment has made it safer for adolescents to be gender nonconforming,” Tara Becker, a co-author on the study, said in a statement. “But given events at the national level, we should by no means relax our stance. California can and should strive to be an ongoing model of acceptance and inclusion.”

> > S P E C I A L I Z E D M E N TA L H E A LT H S E R V I C E S < <

CLIENT-MEMBER, KEITH MOLTER

BEING ALIVE The go to place for mental health and more.

B Y S T E V E G A N ZELL A N D G A RRY BO W IE

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y introduction to Being Alive happened in one phone call. I was sitting with a close friend who had just heard that he had tested positive. It was overwhelming. It always is. The agony of being asked, will I live a normal life? What am I gonna tell my family? Then I made that phone call. Before we hung up, he had an appointment to start the process of accessing services, he had an appointment to come in and get supportive counseling….and he had an answer. It wasn’t gonna be easy but he would make it.

A while later, there was another phone call. It was from his mom.

From thousands of miles away. She called to say thank you…

There’s more to health than just medical care services when you are HIV+. Feeling safe and helped by caring, empathetic, compassionate, and a non-judgmental staff is vital. Being Alive is West Hollywood’s and Los Angeles County’s go to place for the best in LGBT & HIV specialized mental health services even for those in sero-discordant relationship (with PrEP helping create new dynamic relationships), those at-risk and even sex workers, in a safe, LGBT-affirming environment.

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hellothello.com JANUAR Y 2018 | TH E F I GH T 31

>> DEREK J <<

WHAT MAKES

A Man

Reality TV star Derek J’s new documentary “Gay Like Me” explores the lives of “masculine” gay black men.

D

erek J is fierce, hunny. Not just because the award-winning celebrity hairstylist, television star and entrepreneur wears flashy, flamboyant styles with stilettos, or has a face beat to the gods. But now, the Toledo, Ohio-native, is ferociously taking on the biggest role of his career: filmmaking.

The reality star—best known on Bravo TV’s hit shows The Real House Wives of Atlanta and Fashion Queens—has released a new documentary about black gay men. The film, “Gay Like Me,” tells the story of five openlygay men who look straight or fit into society’s skewed definition of “masculinity.”

Derek J, 36, explores this hunky male image of gayness rarely shown in mainstream media which contrasts his own.

He sat down with THE FIGHT to talk about the new film, the status of “Fashion Queens” and a surprise revelation: he’s never had sex.

Why did you want to produce a film focusing only on “masculine” men?

I have masculine friends that say they never see themselves on TV. So I said hey if you have a problem with it, let’s do something about it.

For this to be my first project, I really wanted to make an impact. I made sure that the men were good looking and wellspoken. I wanted a woman or a gay man to look at them and say this is someone I would date. Or for a straight man to say this could be my homeboy.

I went back to my high school in Ohio and I noticed there were a lot of feminine gay black men. What I realized is they are acting out what they visually see of gay men on television. And then there are men who know they like men, but don’t want 3 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

“DEREK J IS A COSTUME. HE’S A CHARACTER. DO I ENJOY WEARING HEELS AND FLOWY TOPS ON MY DAY-TO-DAY? PROBABLY. BUT WOULD I RATHER BE IN SNEAKERS AND A JOGGING SUIT? MOST OF THE TIME—YES. WE ALL HAVE A GIMMICK TO TAKE US TO THE NEXT LEVEL. THE HEELS ARE MINE.” to be like what they see on TV. I wanted the film’s message to say “hey there are other types of gay men out here.” The film is a learning tool for everyone.

Some people would say you perpetuate and exploit the stereotype of a black gay man in mainstream media.

In the opening monologue of “Gay Like Me,” I say I am guilty of it. In entertainment, being gay on television is still new.

Think about when black people were initially on television. They were maids, prostitutes, crackheads, drug dealers.

There were no roles that were befitting and high ranking for black people. Gay people on television are going through that stage in television.

Black women are not mentally evolved enough to see a gay black man that she can be physically attracted to. There’s no way she can see a Boris Kodjoe type character on TV and think he’s a gay man. They just wouldn’t watch it. All hell would break loose. The only person sliding through is Karamo Brown but the industry makes it very clear he’s a gay man.

Derek J is a costume. He’s a character. Do I enjoy wearing heels and flowy tops on my day-to-day? Probably. But would I rather be in sneakers and a jogging suit? Most of the time—yes. We all have a gimmick to take us to the next level. The heels are mine.

Have you received criticism for focusing on the stories of just “masculine” men?

Not yet [laughs]. But I really think the content of the stories are so well-rounded people will look past that. Regardless of the look of it you could see yourself in one of these stories.

Which story in “Gay Like Me” do you identify with?

The stories of these men helped me understand them, but my story is different. I am considered a feminine gay man. I’ve never been gay bashed. I’ve never been beat up. I don’t have issues with straight men. My mom knew that I was gay. We just didn’t talk about it. It was

DEREK J. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAVO

BY TIMOTHY RAY @FREEMAN. JASPER

>> GAY LIKE ME <<

just like “Ok, child. We know.” I always had support from my mom and dad. I never had that trauma growing up gay.

As a child, I prayed “since I like boys and I know girls like boys, Lord just let me be a girl.” I never wanted to stop liking boys [laughs].

I’ve always been very vocal about my journey. I’m 36-years-old. I’ve never had sex.

When you start having that conversation with people, you learn that there are a lot of other grown-ass men that haven’t had sex either. And since we make sex such a big deal, these men never talk about it.

Or there are men that have had sex once before and they didn’t like it, but they know they are still attracted to men. It’s about having those conversations. I just want to be able to vocalize that “hey you are not alone.”

You have never had sex? Why? My mother was a big police officer back home in Ohio, so she always instilled in us that what you do is a reflection of me. So when I was home, I was not going to get into any of this stuff. I don’t need anything coming back to this lady.

In the Midwest, you’re only gay at night. When I moved to Atlanta, I was like what the hell is going on

here? And then I got on television. That was a whole situation I was trying to figure the fuck out. So now that I’m 36. I’m too old to be a ho. You really can’t yearn for something you’ve never had. Intimacy is a great and you can be intimate with someone without having sex. You have to be very cautious now. I’m coming in an age where people are not caring about

themselves so why would they care about you? Now that I’m a personality it makes it harder.

Getting back to “Gay Like Me.” The documentary has been shown at conventions and special events in Atlanta, Cleveland and New Orleans. What has been the overall reaction from people who have viewed the film During the talkbacks, people are able to talk about what they just saw. They like that it’s very transparent. It’s fluid.

Through making the film, Derek J says he’s learned masculinity is subjective and open to interpretation and discussion.

For dates on where you can attend a screening of “Gay Like Me” go to gaylikemeproject.com. Derek J plans to add a sequel to the film that explores how parents cope and react to learning their child is gay.

In the meantime, however, he is still making waves in the hair care industry and television. He will have regular appearances on the 10th season of “RHOA,” including appearances in an upcoming streaming series, yet to be announced. He is also writing a scripted piece about a character who is criticized for being a fat, feminine gay.

As for the future of Bravo’s “Fashion Queens,” Derek J says the series is not returning. “They basically told us that our show has ran its course. They didn’t expect us to do well but we did. You think you would get rewarded but you get punished.

I like that we changed the look of who could talk about fashion. We gave people hope.”

DEREK J. JANUAR Y 2018 | TH E F I GH T 33

THIS PAGE IS SPONSORED BY

THESHARE >> BY PAULO MURILLO <<

FIRST YEAR SOBER

Happy New Year! These men recently celebrated one year of continuous clean and sober time. We asked what that first year of recovery was like for them.

MAGNO RAMIREZ

THE REALITY

“My first year sober has been about self-discovery and self-study. I learned to look at things that I was not willing to look at before, like jealousy or having unreasonable expectations. I’ve learned to be open and staying teachable. I always had a problem with God and I had many judgments about recovery.

I now believe there is something bigger than me that is keeping me sober. It shifts the way I look at things. My life has been great, but I always focused on the negative. I took things for granted like my friends, my job, my family and I focused on the small things I didn’t have, but the reality is that I have health, I have friends and I now have relationships with people. Those ERIC are the things that count WE INSTEIN the most. I know it sounds cliché, but I take it one day at a time. That’s what I’ve learned this past year.”

—Magno Ramirez, sober since November 6, 2016.

SPIRITUAL PROGRAM “It’s been a pretty heavy year. I had a boyfriend. We were both addicts. We met in rehab

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and we relapsed together. Things got crazy. He threatened to kill himself and then he stepped in front of a truck on the freeway and committed suicide. It was an extreme grief for me. I stayed sober through that and now I have my year. This was the worst year of my life, but this has also become the best year in my life thanks to my spiritual program. A big part of spiritual sobriety is you pray. When Kyle died, I couldn’t pray. I was very mad at God. And then I had a spiritual awakening, which I experienced because I stayed sober. Good things are happening for me right now. I’m working at a really good job. I’m actually happy. Having joy for me isn’t the miracle. The miracle is that I got sober. If I hadn’t stayed sober, I know I would dead.”

—Eric Weinstein, sober since December 5, 2016.

WORAWARUN KONGPENNID

RECOVERY EVERYDAY

“I didn’t know anything about recovery, but I used drugs until I hit the bottom of my life.

My friend introduced the recovery program to me. He told me about the Van Ness Recovery House. They asked me to call for two weeks to get help from them and then I became a resident. After that I did everything they asked me to do. It was hard for a while, because I’m from Thailand and English is not my first language. The staff gave me time and patience and I also was willing to learn. I was very thorough and then it worked for me. I do the 12 steps. I have a sponsor and I go to the meetings. My life is recovery everyday. I love it. When I got a year, I did not think it was possible. The most important thing I learned this year is don’t use no matter what.”

—Worawarun Kongpennid, sober since November 14, 2016.

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11/17/17 9:31 PM

>> 2017 <<

ONE LAST LOOK BACK Ann Rostow’s annual LGBTQ news quiz—summing up the past year.

2018 cannot help but be an improvement.

BY A N N RO STO W

I

t’s that time again, dear readers. Quiz time! These quizzes are more labor intensive than they seem, and they oblige me to reread my last 26 columns. For the record, my most over-used word this year was “insufferable,” an adjective I applied to everyone and his cousin from Neil Gorsuch to Paul Manafort’s lawyer.

Speaking of Gorsuch, if I had to rank my most appalling lapse of judgment, I’d start with my optimistic “glass half full” reactions to Gorsuch, all of which were to be retracted in full as he joined the bench and revealed that, Surprise!, there wasn’t a drop left in the damn glass and the bottle was empty too.

Finally, I’m always saddened by the little snippets that can’t find a place in the yearend quiz. The gay crosswalk signals that Madrid installed for International Pride; the lesbians attacked in London after walking out of a pub singing “I’m in the mood for dancing;” the dismal crowd at the National Organization for Marriage antigay protest; the insufferable Margaret Court; the talking Wonder Bible. But you see, they did find a place here after all.

Have a lovely New Year everyone. 2018 cannot help but be an improvement. And now to the quiz!

1

Who are Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, Marvin Garbis and Marsha Pechman? a) They are transgender teenagers, arguing for the right to use the facilities on their high school campuses. b) They are three FBI agents, dismissed from the Mueller investigation for protesting Trump’s immigration policies on Facebook.

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c) They are federal judges, who have ruled in favor of transgender troops fighting the trans military ban. d) They are plaintiffs in a polygamy lawsuit, now headed for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

Answer: c) Federal judges. Judge Marsha Pechman’s decision out of Seattle was only announced recently so you couldn’t have read about it in this column. But you should know it anyway!

GAY LIONS

3

LGBT animals in the news this year included:

a) Gay goats that participate in yoga classes in the Sacramento area. b) Gay lions condemned as immoral by a Kenyan bureaucrat. c) Gay reindeer mowed down by an express train in Norway due to miscommunication. d) Transgender coconut crabs capable of killing and eating small birds and animals in the South Pacific.

Answer: b) The lions, Simba and Mufasa are gay.

The other animals mentioned were presumably heterosexual. The crabs may have been involved in the death of Amelia Earhart, who may have crashed on a remote island and been eaten by the (presumably heterosexual) three-foot crustaceans.

4

We know that Masterpiece Cakeshop will be the most important Supreme Court case for our community this session, but what will be the next one? Will it be:

JUSTIN TRUDEAU

2

Which of these leaders issued apologies for their nation’s past antigay behavior? a) Secretary of State John Kerry. b) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. c) Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan. d) President Trump. e) All of the above.

Answer: a), b) and c). Did you pick e)?

Are you kidding me?

a) The Title VII workplace discrimination case of a Georgia lesbian. b) The Title VII workplace discrimination case of a dead sky diving instructor. c) The Title IX case of a Wisconsin high school transgender student fighting for bathroom access. d) The First Amendment case of a florist out of Washington State who declined a gay wedding client.

Answer: b) or c). The High Court recently denied review of the Georgia case, which leaves the sky diver next in line for a major Title VII review. The sky diver, Donald Zarda, killed himself BASE jumping in Switzerland, but his lawsuit lives on.

It is now pending a decision by the full Second Circuit and in theory, it could wind up before the Court next session. Meanwhile, the Seventh Circuit ruled in favor of trans-youth Ash Whitaker in a case that now sits on the High Court’s petition pile. Will they take it? We’ll see. As for the florist, why would they take that case when they’re already considering the same issues in the Masterpiece Cakeshop lawsuit?

>> ANN ROSTOW’S LGBT NEWS QUIZ <<

5

Which of these stories was “fake news?”

a) The Australian beach goer whose legs ran with blood after an encounter with sea lice in Melbourne? b) The two men who were told by a noted D.C. restaurant that they could not share a sundae, because it wouldn’t be “appropriate?” c) Cancellation of a gay revival of the TV show Xena, Warrior Princess? d) News that Donald Trump was diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome by military physicians.

Answer: d) The Trump story is fake. Klinefelter syndrome describes a man who carries a redundant extra “x” chromosome. Although someone marked “XXY” on Trump’s draft paperwork, the shorthand refers to draft eligibility, and has nothing to do with chromosomes. So it’s not true.

authorized a formal and binding referendum for next February. b) A non-binding postal vote, that seemed to favor marriage equality, will be certified only after the country’s top court gives the okay. c) Following a pro-marriage postal vote, Parliament has been considering a number of draft laws, but most of them include loopholes for religious actors. d) After marriage activists won the postal vote, Parliament promptly passed a full marriage equality law with no antigay amendments. e) While election officials continue recount the ballots from November’s non-binding postal vote in Australia, marriage equality came into effect in Austria. Close! Only two letters apart!

Answer: d) They passed it without exceptions.

Surprised? I know! I’ve been so negative over the years. I’ve painted the powers-that-be in Australia as cowardly rabbits, kicking the can down the road with their powerful hind legs. In my defense, check out the New York Times coverage which points out that the Australian Parliament has tried and failed to pass marriage equality 22 times since 2004. As they say, 23rd time’s the charm.

HILLARY CLINTON

6

(Pick five answers) Would you rather:

a) Have dinner with Steve Bannon or Bill Cosby? b) Spend a week in Chechnya or Azerbaijan? c) Listen to a one-hour speech by Sarah Huckabee Sanders or MSNBC ethics expert Richard Painter? d) Read the transcript of the tax conference committee minutes or all six books of Karl Ove Knausgaard’s My Struggle? e) Dine on perfectly cooked rack of lamb with Donald Trump or eat a “rock hard” steak with Hillary Clinton?

Answer: If you ask me: Bannon, Azerbaijan, Painter, My Struggle and Trump. (I cannot stomach overcooked steak.)

7

What happened to the fight for marriage equality in Australia?

a) After a non-binding postal vote showed citizens favor marriage by a two to one margin, the Parliament

KEVIN SPACEY

8

Who said it: “Of course I dress well, I didn’t spend all that time in the closet for nothing.” a) Kevin Spacey, one day prior to a press conference by a mother whose teenaged son was molested by Spacey just a few years ago. b) Ric Grenell, Trump’s ill qualified nominee to be Ambassador to Germany, who still awaits confirmation. c) Chadwich Moore, gay pedant who also said gays only care about “pop music and going to the beach.” He was on a family radio show, he later said, that’s why he couldn’t say “dick and meth.” d) Joey Slivinski, a Missouri high school senior whose yearbook quote was deleted by the administration.

Answer: d) The high school senior. His principal later apologized. “In an effort to protect our students, quotes that could potentially offend another student or groups of students are not published. It is the school’s practice to err on the

side of caution. Doing so in this case had the unintentional consequence of offending the very students the practice was designed to protect.”

9

The most irritating television commercial discussed in this column in 2017 was: a) The repellent toilet paper bears with their tag line, “enjoy the go!” b) The misguided GMC truck ads that suggest being a “good person” and a “good dad” are pathetic goals. c) The “untuckit” shirt commercials, that rebrand an indifferent and slovenly personal style into a deliberate fashion statement. d) The annual phenomenon in which random products are marketed as Christmas presents, best exemplified by the company that makes rubber floor mats for the car and suggests these could serve as holiday gifts.

Answer: b) GMC Truck. These others are all annoying, but the GMC ads reflect a soulless mentality.

Oh, and I talked about the floor mats last year not this year, but they’re back again, worse than ever.

10

One year from now, we will have been most surprised by:

a) The historic level of the Democratic midterm wave. b) The unexpectedly powerful gay rights victory in Masterpiece Cakeshop. c) Donald Trump’s resignation for medical reasons. d) The sudden and unexplained divorce between Donald and Melania Trump. e) The nuclear stand down by Kim Jong-Un. f) The continued expansion of the American economy. g) The fact that nothing surprises us anymore.

Answer: b) I can’t imagine a great ruling coming out of the Masterpiece case, so that would surprise me most. I’m already dreaming about the midterm wave. Nothing about Trump would surprise me. I don’t think North Korea wants war, and I think the economy will continue to grow. As for g), that’s not a surprise now is it?

JANUAR Y 2018 | TH E F I GH T 37

THEHOME >> HOME SAFETY TIPS <<

WINTER HOME TIPS

As winter approaches, now is the best time to make sure your home is well protected, especially due to the extreme climate elements we are experiencing.

Here are a few home safety tips.

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The most important part of life is to have a roof over your head, so the first tip is to get your roof inspected. If your roof is over 15 years old you should have it checked out. Many companies offer free roof inspection.

Inspect your exterior wall covering. Many people assume that the exterior paint/coating is just for show, however it is to protect the stucco/wood from absorbing water and transferring it to the insulation and electricity running in the walls.

Insulation. If you feel like your home doesn’t keep the heat or takes too long to heat up, the cause may be the insulation. This can be due to missing insulation, moisture, or just due to age. The rule is if you’re missing 10% of the insulation, you losing 90% of the insulation of the house.

Windows. One of the most common areas for the cold and rain to come in to the house are the windows, if you have older windows—especially if they’re single glass or thin windows they do not insulate properly. The solution is to change them to double glass windows with Argon gas insulation between the glass panes.

Heating System. Many heating units in older homes don’t perform as they used to, the new units are more energy efficient and get the job done better. n

Golden City Remodeling is a well reputable company that delivers quality work with affordable pricing and supports the community. Call today for free consultation 213-787-4427.

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THETHEATER >> T H E AT E R A R T S <<

THE GENTLEMEN

A special one night only event at The Lyric Hyperion Theatre in Silverlake.

BY O RLY LYO N N E

A

n original comedic play—The Gentlemen explores the infidelity that occurs when a beautifully-handsome online “star” decides to break-up a seemingly perfect gay marriage.

Hilarity ensues when the scandalous affair causes calamity amongst a close-knit community of friends.

Meant as an homage to the 1939 classic The Women, The Gentlemen stars an all-gay male cast, including Darryl Stephens (Noah’s Arc, DTLA), Adam Ramzi (gay adult entertainer), Ian MacKinnon (Planet Queer, The Gay Hist-Orgy), and a plethora of other gorgeous gay actors.

The Gentlemen was written by queer Cuban Peruvian playwright, and artist, Juan Martin Matamoros.

Matamoros prides himself in creating unique worlds inhabited by culturally diverse groups of gay men. He is also the force behind Wham!

The Boys Behind the Shorts (the story of George Michael’s first band) which ran successfully at the Cavern Club Celebrity Theater.

The Gentlemen is a special one night only event that happens on Saturday February 3rd at The Lyric Hyperion Theatre, 2106 Hyperion Ave., in the heart of Silverlake.

For more info and tickets visit: thegentlemenplay.bpt.me 4 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

JUAN MARTIN MATAMOROS

MEANT AS AN HOMAGE TO THE 1939 CLASSIC THE WOMEN, THE GENTLEMEN STARS AN ALL-GAY MALE CAST.

>> HANDCRAFTED CUSTOM JEWELRY AND FETISH ITEMS <<

TONY PARKER (L), WITH HUSBAND ROB

CHAIN MALE Locally handcrafted custom jewelry and fetish items.

BY VICTO R MELA MED

P

alm Springs resident Tony Parker has created “Chain Male” (chain-male.com) a site that offers unique, one of a kind, handcrafted custom jewelry and fetish items.

Parker, who has been working in the travel industry for the past twenty years, came up with the idea while shopping at a leather store.

“My husband and I found a very interesting jockstrap made of stainless steel rings. Unfortunately it didn’t fit, so I googled it…” he reveals. “What I found really intrigued me and I got the wild idea of trying to design and make my own jewelry and fetish wear. I am a very creative person and I’m always looking for new ideas, things that excite me and hold my attention.”

“The jockstrap that we found was made from chain maille— typically armor or jewelry made by connecting metal rings to one another,” explain Parker.

“So I dug in and learned chain maille and created Chain Male (chain-male.com), designing jewelry and fetish wear for gay men.

Interestingly enough, many of my customers are women buying things for their straight boyfriends or husbands.”

“I’ve always been a bit shy,” reveals Parker, “but Chain Male has opened some doors for me. My husband and I have been to some really fun leather, bear and other events where we have met and become friends with many amazing people and we look forward to meeting more.” n For more info visit: chain-male.com.

JANUAR Y 2018 | TH E F I GH T 41

THEART >>

LGBTQ ARTISTS

<<

DANYOL LEON

DANYOL LEON

Exploring intersectional identity and the inconsistencies in our social fabric.

A

San Francisco-based multidisciplinary Latinx artist Danyol Leon has been active in the Bay Area arts community for over 14 years. His saccharine, pop-influenced mixed media art utilizes bright colors and cartoon-like figures to explore intersectional identity and the inconsistencies in our social fabric.

Leon has hosted over 30 solo exhibitions at venues like SF AIDS Foundation’s Strut, The W Hotel, San Francisco, Counterpulse and Nickelodeon Studios; and has participated in extensive group shows at venues like SOMArts Cultural Center, 111 Minna, and The Center for Sex and Culture. His work was included in 1800 Tequila’s Essential Artist Series and he was named a featured artist by Redbull in 2007. Leon is also an active musician in the bands Adonisaurus and Muñecas and performs in San Francisco and LA as drag queen Tamale Ringwald. n Contact info: www.facebook.com/iheartdanyol, www.danyol.com, IG @Danyolleon.

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>> AMANDA LEPORE <<

BUCKLE UP Amanda Lepore puts the pedal to the metal in sultry new single, “Buckle Up.” The first release from her upcoming LEPORE. EP.

BY ORLY LYONNE

G

et ready, you’re in for a bumpy ride says Amanda Lepore in “Buckle Up,” the first single from her soon-to-bereleased LEPORE. EP. The flirty and playful song, with its burlesque, retro-pop swing, is the first original solo release from the world’s mega-famous transsexual since “I...Amanda Lepore,” her acclaimed 2011 album debut that featured the smash hits, “My Hair Looks Fierce,” “Champagne,” “Turn Me Over” and “My Pussy.”

“My goal with ‘Buckle Up’ is to whip naughty boys and girls around and leave ‘em asking the questions they don’t want their mothers knowing the answers to,” coos Lepore.

“Buckle Up” was written and produced by RedTop (“Convertible”), Knifekick, Ted Ottaviano (Book Of Love), DJ Angelo “Pepe,” indie-pop ingenue Megan Vice and Lepore’s long-time musical collaborator, Bill Coleman from Peace Bisquit.

“The song is sexy, bubbly, and takes on the night like me,” Lepore continues. “And just as I am easy on the eyes, ‘Buckle Up’ is easy on the ears.”

Amanda Lepore’s “Buckle Up” is being distributed by Peace Bisquit and is available for download now by pre-ordering LEPORE., releasing February 2018. n “Buckle Up” is available on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud and Amazon.

“THE SONG IS SEXY, BUBBLY, AND TAKES ON THE NIGHT LIKE ME.” 4 4 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

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THEEVENT >> PHOTOS BY DAVIDE LAFFE @DAVIDELAFFE <<

Since Daddy Issues touched down in LA in June, the party has been giving you life every month downtown at The Lash. Last month, at “Daddy Issues Sausage Fest,” music from the awesome Chris Bowen and David Oh kept everyone dancing till closing time. Daddy Issues is back at The Lash this month 01/18/17.Keep up to date with news on all their ventures via their instagram: @daddyissuesparty.

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>> PHOTOS BY GABRIEL GREEN AND XAVIER ESPEJO <<

Produced by Green Mirror Entertainment, Kinky XXXmas was about rewarding all those who have been naughty all year long!

Leathermen, Puppies, Kinksters and those who love them came out in full force to the Bullet Bar in North Hollywood. They wore their holiday kinky best and turned the party out like never before!

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THECALENDAR >> THINGS TO DO <<

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5

EXPOSURE WITH SPECIAL GUEST GIA GUNN

Faultline Bar, 4216 Melrose Ave., 9pm-2am. Visit faultlinebar.com for more information.

Start the first Friday of the new year with Faultline Bar and join a very special guest star Gia Gunn of Rupaul’s Drag Race Season 6.

GO FIGURE, THE RANDY GARDNER STORY

West Hollywood City Council Chambers, 625 N San Vicente Blvd., 7pm-9pm. Visit weho.org/ arts for more information.

Figure skating icon Randy Gardner discusses his personal and professional life in his one-man, autobiographical show.

DTLA PROUD BLOCK PARTY. SEE SATURDAY, JANUARY 27.

More info: www.thelavendereffect. org/tours/airbnb/ Meet at Redline for a mimosa and a tasty appetizer then hit the streets and wind your way through the richest and most vibrant Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) history and culture the City of Angels has to offer. Then back to Redline for brunch.

DJ Paul V Presents: Wild Planet!

An Intergalactic Genderf#ck Dance Party Party Starring: Jackie Beat, Sherry Vine and Alaska Thunderf#ck.

A special fundraiser for “Dragstrip 66: The Frockumentary.”

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18

RAAARRR IV: LIBEARATION!— MEAT ‘N GREET

Blvd., 8pm-2am. Contact Gabriel Green at gabrielvgreen@gmail.com for more information.

Bears LA celebrates 25 years as an organization and calls out for the next Mr. LA Leather Bear! It’s also a celebration of the amazing current Mr. LA Leather Bear 2017, Daniel Josue Soto! Enjoy drink specials, go-go bears, and other surprises. $7.00 COVER! SUNDAY, JANUARY 21

REBELLION DRAG BINGO

Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029.

4pm-8pm.

Party with the men of ONYX SoCal-Southwest.

Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., 9pm-11pm. For more information, visit: eaglela.com.

Come and meet the judges and the contestants that will be competing for the Mr L.A. Leather Bear Contest 2018.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19

Hamburger Marys WEHO, 8288 Santa Monica Blvd., 8pm-10pm.

Rebellion returns to Hamburger Mary’s for our annual Legendary Bingo night from Bingo Boy Inc. Hosted by one of LA’s premier Drag Queen Bingo Hostesses and featuring a celebrity Ball Caller to spice up the proceedings.

MR. OIL CAN HARRY’S LEATHER 2018

BEARRACUDA DTLA LAUNCH PARTY

RAAARRR IV: LIBEARATION— BEARSLA DINNER

RAAARRR IV: LIBEARATION!—VICTORY CELEBRATION!

Oil Can Harry’s, 11502 Ventura Blvd., 4pm-8pm. To be a contestant or for any other information, contact Lanej@theThriveTribe.org.

Leather Up for a leather contest.

Wieners in buns, suggested $5 door donation, jello shots, and a 50/50 raffle to benefit The Thrive Tribe Foundation.

NOH8 OPEN PHOTO SHOOT IN WEST HOLLYWOOD

ANDAZ Hotel, Mezzanine Level, 8401 West Sunset Blvd., 2pm4pm. For more information, visit noh8campaign.com.

Join the #NOH8worldwide movement to take a stand against hate and add your face to the fight for equal human rights!

SUNGAY BRUNCH DTLA WALKING TOUR

Redline Gay Bar—DTLA, 131 E 6th St, Los Angeles, 90014. 12pm-3pm.

FREE BALLING

Precinct DTLA, 357 S Broadway, 9pm-2am. Visit, bearracuda.com/la for more information.

Join 100’s of guys for a launch party in DTLA with DJ Paul Goodyear (Sydney). Phots and decor

by Dusti Cunningham. Hosted by Matt Bearracuda, Paul Gonzalez, BamBam Mateo Segade and Micah Perry.

DRAGTASTIC

Renberg Theatre, 1125 North McCadden Place, Los Angeles, CA 90028. 8pm.

World Premier screening, live performances by Pandora Boxx& Kelly Mantle and a Q&A with Pandora, Kelly and the film’s producer/ director Andre Meyerson.

WILD PLANET!—AN INTERGALACTIC GENDERF#CK

Echoplex, 1822 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026. 9pm-2am.

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Farmboy Kitchen, 1050 Vine St., 7pm-10pm.

Join Bears LA along with Raaarrr!

IV: Libearation! The Mr L.A. Leather Bear Contest 2018 contestants and judges for a pre-contest dinner at Charlie Hunter’s critically acclaimed Farmboy Kitchen!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20

FUKR JOCK/HARNESS PARTY

BY MAN UPP & JOE WHITAKER

Los Globos, 3040 W Sunset Blvd., 9pm-3am. Visit manupp.net for more information.

The DILF Party & FuKR taking over the entire building. It’s an underwear party you don’t want to miss.

RAAARRR! IV: LIBEARATION! THE MR L.A. LEATHER BEAR CONTEST 2018 Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica

Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., 3pm-7pm. For more information, visit: eaglela.com.

Come join the celebration of the winner of the Raaarrr! IV: Libearation! The Mr L.A. Leather Bear Contest 2018!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27

DTLA PROUD BLOCK PARTY | NIGHT ON BROADWAY 2018

Broadway Theater District, 3pm-12am. For more information, visit: dtlaproud.org.

DTLA Proud invites you to the second annual DTLA Proud Block Party at Night On Broadway in front of Precinct at 4th and Broadway! It’s a FREE night of performances, music, and art highlighting the diverse LGBTQ+ community of DTLA.

JANUAR Y 2018 | TH E F I GH T 49

THEFINALFIGHT >>

M A S T U R B AT I O N

<<

“THE CHURCH HAS NEVER COME OUT AND SAID, ‘THROW AWAY THIS MANUAL; IT IS NO LONGER RELEVANT,’” RYAN MCKNIGHT, FOUNDER OF MORMONLEAKS, TOLD NEWSWEEK.

IN GOD’S HANDS

Masturbation will make you gay, according to leaked Mormon handbook.

BY VICTOR MELAMED

M

asturbation should be strictly banned because it can turn young people into homosexuals and criminals, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes, according to a leaked guidebook issued to members, reports Newsweek at newsweek.com.

The 1981 guidebook, released last month by the transparency group MormonLeaks (mormonleaks.io), provides some insights into what many young Mormons have been taught about sexual development and homosexuality over the years.

“Early masturbation experiences introduce the individual to sexual thoughts which may become habit forming and reinforcing to homosexual interests,” the guidebook claims.

“Self-masturbation is almost universal among those who engage in homosexual behavior, and is a very difficult habit for most to overcome.”

The Mormon church believes homosexuality is “of grave concern” because it may involve violent or criminal behavior and is as sinful as heterosexual adultery and fornication, the guidebook says. The book also claims that homosexuality is a learned behavior influenced by unhealthy development in early childhood, and says that absentee fathers and dominant mothers are among the main culprits for these developmental problems leading to homosexuality.

The guidebook also lays out guidelines for counseling Mormons with “homosexual problems.” Gay Mormons who do not renounce their sexual orientation will be prohibited from participating in the church, it adds.

“Persons who have engaged in homosexual activities and who have not totally repented and forsaken these evil practices will not be admitted to study at or be employed by any church university, college, school, or program,” the guidebook reads.

The pamphlet was created in 1981, and the Mormon church has become somewhat more tolerant of homosexuality since it was issued, reports Newsweek. Nevertheless, some Mormons say the pamphlet reflects the beliefs of many Mormons about homosexuality.

“The church has never come out and said, ‘Throw away this manual; it is no longer relevant,’” Ryan McKnight, founder of MormonLeaks, told Newsweek.

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“That being said, if you were to track the rhetoric coming from the top leadership you will see somewhat of a shift in their views on the subject.”

“Many members of the Mormon church still believe many of the concepts and ideas put forth in the 1981 manual. Most of the shift has come in the form of simply not talking about the issue as much,” McKnight added.

In recent years, some Mormons have taken the position that homosexuality itself is not sinful but engaging in homosexual sex is. Given that reality, the website Mormon and Gay (mormonandgay.lds.org) launched last year to help gay Mormons openly discuss maintaining their faith without practicing their sexuality.

The website is owned by the church and is the first time the church acknowledged that people do not choose to be gay. Still, it is unclear how many people are aware of the website or its teachings.

Homosexuality is still contentious for many Mormons, but the church has become more tolerant.

“The church still has a very, very long way to go to be LGBT affirming, but even the harshest critic must acknowledge the progress of the past decade,” Dr. John Dehlin, a Mormon personal counselor and social activist told Newsweek.

“The Mormon church has significantly softened its position on the origins of same-sex sexuality, and no longer overtly encourages reparative or conversion therapy,” Dehlin added. n

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