THE FIGHT SOCAL'S LGBT MONTHLY MAGAZINE APRIL 2015

Law Group

WE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU

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Michael H. Moghtader, Attorney At Law

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THECONTENTS >> MORE TO COME <<

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

MR. L.A. LEATHER 2015

17 MEET PATRICK SMITH 17

18

24

SHE LIVES 18 HOW LEANN RIMES ON EQUALITY

29

22

DANCING IN THE USA 22 GO-GO WHITE PARTY’S DAVID REST THE BATHS 24 AT BOYS AT ROMAN HOLIDAY COWBOY 29 LONESOME SEAN GALUSZKA AT OIL CAN HARRY’S YOUR TRANS CHILD 30 SUPPORTING ON WARREN BEATTY AND ANNETTE BENING THE MUSIC PLAY 32 LET PAULO MURILLO DANCING CLEAN & SOBER REBEL 34 BOLD RICKY REBEL ON SEXUALITY TIMOTHY GOULD 38 BEING SUCCEEDING AGAINST ALL ODDS

ON THE COVER COVER MODEL: DAVID REST COVER PHOTO, MAIN TOC PHOTO AND FEATURE PHOTO BY: DUSTI CUNNINGHAM DAVID IS WEARING ES COLLECTION

ESCOLLECTIONUSA.COM/USWEB/

LOCATION: ROMAN HOLIDAY HEALTH CLUB II, VAN NUYS

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11 THE LETTERS READERS RESPOND 12 THE TALK KERRY WASHINGTON 15 THE STATE NEW PETITION 16 THE CITY WHITE PARTY 20 THE ROSTOW REPORT INSANE DEVELOPMENTS 28 THE LAW DAVID HAKIMFAR 36 THE EPIDEMIC HERPES VACCINE 40 THE SHARE LOCAL SOBRIETY 42 THE EVENT TOM HOUSE

30

32 4 T H E F I GH T | www.thefightmag.com

34

38

44 THE CALENDAR WHAT’S COMING UP 46 THE FINAL FIGHT MICHELANGELO SIGNORILE

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THEEDITOR

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

In this issue of THE FIGHT twotime Grammy winner LeAnn Rimes, performing this month at White Party Palm Springs, talks to Mark Ariel about LGBT rights and acceptance of one’s self (“How She Lives,” page 18).

“I strongly believe that everyone should have the right to love whomever they choose and that was something I knew very early on in life,” says Rimes.

“I was luckily given a platform at a very young age to try and help promote equality for the LGBT community. The LGBT community has been some of my biggest supporters throughout my career and they have stood strong by me through thick and thin and I intend to keep on doing the same for them.”

Rimes performs at Circus T-Dance on Sunday, April 26 during White Party Palm Springs, which takes place April 24-27, 2015. Event details, schedules, hotel information and passes are available at: www. jeffreysanker.com.

Also in this issue, Paulo Murillo interviews dancer David Rest on gay life in Columbia, stepping out of the closet and what it’s like to be married to a porn star (“Go-Go Dancing In The USA,” page 22).

Rest, 25, one of the main dancers

at this month’s White Party, came to the U.S. from Columbia two years ago, and met the love of his life adult film entertainer, Trenton Ducati, founder of Ducati Models.

Six months after their initial meeting they got married and life is good, says Rest.

When asked if Ducati’s line of work in the adult industry was ever a problem for him, Rest claims that he manages to separate between the fantasy and real life.

“Dating a porn star is not that strange in California. Everybody has a story about why they do what they do, right? He told me his reasons for doing porn and to me his story was amazing.

I almost cried. I told him I support him... Of course, I don’t want to see what he’s doing. I don’t want to be around it, but I let him do his thing...

I’m not a jealous guy, so maybe that’s why it is easy for me...”

“I don’t really care about what people think,” says Rest. “His family supports him and they support me.

I’m not a sensitive guy. People will always have something negative to say—whether it’s you’re too fat or too skinny or too whatever... People can think whatever they want. It’s my life.

I love my life. I’m very happy.”

SOCIAL MEDIA Paulo Murillo Michael Bishop WEBMASTER Nadeen Torio GET THE FIGHT AT HOME Sent Via First Class Mail 12 Issues: $36 6 Issues: $24 Mail check or money order to: Third Step, LLC 611 S. Catalina St. Suite 307 Los Angeles, CA 90005 PUBLISHER Third Step, LLC DISTRIBUTION Pride In Media The Fight Magazine is published monthly by Third Step, LLC. 611 South Catalina Street, Suite 307 Los Angeles, CA 90005 Telephone (323) 297-4001 Fax (213) 281-9648 Email info@TheFightMag.com THE FIGHT MAGAZINE LEGAL CAVEATS By listing in The Fight Magazine, advertisers acknowledge that they do business in the spirit of cooperation, fairness and service, maintaining a high level of integrity and responsibility. Providers of products or services are fully and solely responsible for providing same as advertised. The Fight Magazine assumes no liability for improper or negligent business practices by advertisers.

Advertisers and their agencies assume responsibility and liability for the content of their advertisements in The Fight Magazine.

Publisher assumes no liability for safe-keeping or return of unsolicited art, manuscripts or other materials. The Fight Magazine reserves the right to edit all material for clarity, length and content. All contents © 2015 Third Step LLC. All rights reserved. Content may be reproduced with permission.

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

STANFORD ALTAMIRANO Editor-In-Chief

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

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

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THECONTRIBUTORS >> OUR WRITERS <<

PAULO MURILLO West Hollywood resident Paulo Murillo has been writing for gay media for over twelve years. He got his start writing a bi-weekly column called “Luv Ya, Mean It” for FAB! Newspaper. Visit his website at thehissfit.com, or friend him on Facebook.

ANN ROSTOW Ann Rostow writes news analysis columns for THE FIGHT and other gay publications across the country.

For weekly LGBT News updates, visit her blog at: annrostow.blogspot.com.

Ann can be reached at: arostow@aol.com.

DUSTI CUNNINGHAM Los Angeles based photographer Dusti Cunningham grew up in a very clean single-wide trailer home in rural Kansas. His family didn’t own television so

Murillo

Melamed

Rostow

they watched tornadoes. None of his dogs were named Toto.

Dolly Parton and his mother were his heroes, both wore wigs. His inspirations are gypsies, pirates, circuses, 1970s glamour, and the

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Jefferson School of Law in San Diego. While there, he made the Honor Roll and National Dean’s List. Currently David Hakimfar is a Trial Attorney and Senior Partner of Hakimfar Law, PLC. He can be reached at: 1-888-789-PRIDE (7743).

Lyonne

Hakimfar

Cunningham

National Enquirer. www.dusticunningham.com.

DAVID HAKIMFAR Los Angeles based Attorney David Hakimfar received his law degree from Thomas

VICTOR MELAMED Victor Melamed began his career in journalism writing for the now-defunct Israeli gay magazine “Magaim.” He is currently working on a novel based on a true story about a love affair between two men on opposite sides of the Middle East conflict.

ORLY LYONNE Orly Lyonne is a freelance journalist, focusing on issues related to LGBT equality, culture and art.

Her passions include skydiving, community theater and vegan restaurants. Orly can be reached at orlylyonne@gmail.com.

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THELETTERS >> FROM OUR READERS <<

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BURIED DEEP Dear Editor, It’s been a long time since a gay magazine cover made me squirm (THE FIGHT, Issue #50). At first, truth be told, I felt a little uncomfortable seeing a manly looking leather guy (Eric Paul Leue) in red high heels, holding on to a “pup” by his collar on one side, with a naked man in boots lovingly gazing into his eyes on his other side. But honestly? I couldn’t stop looking at it! After I read the interview with him (THE FIGHT, “Erotic Outlaw,” Issue #50) I understood his take on “The Modern Leatherman.” And—I have to admit—I realized that my initial distaste regarding the cover photo had more to do with my own sexual hang-ups than an objective critique. In short—thank you for making me examine something within myself that I must have buried deep inside of my soul after accepting the fact I was gay, many years ago.

—Steven Bluher, Los Angeles, CA

OUR QUEER Dear Editor, Eric Paul Leue’s honest and candid views on gender, sexuality, leather and kink were very much appreciated (THE FIGHT, “Erotic Outlaw,” Issue #50). The Leather community, and the LGBTQ community at large, need more folks open to exploring our queer identity. While it’s great that we are slowly gaining rights on the legislative level—we need to be careful not to fall into some kind of gay hetero-normativity. Just because we can get married—for example—doesn’t mean that our marriages need to mirror those of our straight counterparts.

—John Tobiasz, via the internet

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COULD JUST Dear Editor, Fierce cover photo (THE FIGHT, Issue #50)! I love your magazine.

You’re the only one I actually read. Great articles, fun photos and lots of good info. Because of you—I went to my first leather event in my life—and I loved it! Now, if you could just find me a husband—you’d be perfect. Lol. —Ronnie Mendoza, via the internet

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> WRITE TO THE EDITOR

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

AP R I L 2015 | TH E F I GH T 11

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

JASON COLLINS

SUSAN SARANDON

BILLY CRYSTAL

SHAME ON

THRU LOVE

“Shame on you @GovPenceIN. What will be the next group you can refuse to serve?

Where does it stop?”

—Susan Sarandon, in a tweet last month regarding Indiana’s “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.”

“Religion should bring communities together thru love and acceptance of all your neighbors. Never should it be used to justify discrimination.”

—NBA’s first openly gay player Jason Collins, in a tweet last month regarding Indiana’s “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.”

CHER

KERRY WASHINGTON

PITTED AGAINST “Women, poor people, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans people, inter-sex people, we have been pitted against each other and made to feel like there are limited seats at the table for those of us that fall into the category of ‘other.’ As a result, we have become afraid of one another. We compete with one another, we judge one another, sometimes we betray one another. Sometimes even within our own communities, we designate who among us is best suited to represent us and who, really, shouldn’t even really be invited to the party.

As ‘others,’ we are taught to be successful we must reject those ‘other ‘others’ or we will never belong.”

—Actress Kerry Washington, best known for her role as Olivia Pope in “Scandal,” in a speech after being honored as an ally to the LGBT community at the 2015 GLAAD Media Awards, last month.

TIM COOK

BARNEY FRANK

ANOTHER EXAMPLE “... Another example of right wing racism, assault on woman’s rights & hatred of LGBT Americans. Ppl used bible 2 justify slavery also.”

—Cher, in a tweet last month regarding Indiana’s “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.” BETTE MIDLER

BETTER RECEIVED “My having married a man when I was a member of Congress was much better received than having chaired the committee that wrote the financial reform bill.”

—Former Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank in an interview with “To The Point.”

GREATER EQUALITY “These bills rationalize injustice by pretending to defend something many of us hold dear... They go against the very principles our nation was founded on, and they have the potential to undo decades of progress toward greater equality.”

—Apple CEO Tim Cook, in an opinion piece in the Washington Post, on Indiana’s “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.”

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THE DIVINE “Indiana’s new law allows “religious” discrimination against LGBTs. Next project, CHURCH OF THE DIVINE, where we refuse to serve bigots.”

—Bette Midler, in a tweet last month regarding Indiana’s “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.”

DAVID LETTERMAN

THE SAME “What I don’t understand is, they’re human beings—so why aren’t they generally protected the same way all human beings are protected?”

—”Late Show” host David Letterman, regarding Indiana’s “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.”

THESTATE >> D E AT H T O G AY S <<

CA ATTORNEY GENERAL KAMALA HARRIS

PETITION TO DISBAR “KILL GAYS” LAWYER

CA Attorney General Kamala Harris calls lawyer‘s voter initiative “patently unconstitutional” and “utterly reprehensible.”

BY VI CT O R M E LA M E D

A

West Sacramento resident has started an online petition that calls on the California Bar Association to disbar Matthew Gregory McLaughlin, the Huntington Beach lawyer who authored the state voter initiative that would “put to death by bullets to the head” anyone who has had sexual relations with a person of the same gender, reports OC Weekly.

Carol Dahmen‘s Change.org petition had, at press time, over 118,000 signatures, Her pitch reads: People in the LGBT community are our family members, neighbors, and co-workers. They are people like Apple CEO Tim Cook who have changed the way we live. Imagine a law that would make it legal to kill them all. The “Sodomite Suppression Act” is a real voter initiative in California that would “put to death by bullets to the head” anyone who has had sexual relations with a person of the same gender. The initiative wasn‘t submitted by a fringe group, but by a California lawyer named Matthew G. McLaughlin.

Calling for the legalized murder of the LGBT community makes Mr. McLaughlin unfit to practice law. We are demanding the California Bar Association to immediately disbar Matthew G. McLaughlin to prevent him from practicing law in California.

A lawyer “who actively pursues creating laws that permit genocide has no business practicing law in California or any other state,” explained Dahmen.

California Attorney General Kamala Harris revealed last month that she will seek authority from the state Supreme Court to quash his measure, which she called “patently unconstitutional” and “utterly reprehensible.” n AP RIL 2015 | THE FIGHT 15

THECITY >> BY PAULO MURILLO <<

at Revolver Bar in West Hollywood last month for an inaugural meeting of “Gay Geeks.” The geek group was organized by Grindr creator Joel Simkhai. The Grindr app is one of the most popular mobile phone apps for gay men. The purpose of the meeting was to build a successful LGBT tech community in Los Angeles and to bounce ideas off one another through networking.

Gay combat veteran and AVER President, LTC Steve Loomis (Ret) and Vice President CPO Julz Carey (Ret) welcome all LGBT American armed forces active duty service members, veterans, reservists, guardsmen, and supporters “to share the Pride” at this chapter start-up luncheon honoring LGBT military service past and present.

Rights Project Director at the National LGBTQ Task Force told WEHOville “This epidemic of violence must end and we urge everyone to join us in creating a safe, just and equitable society free from discrimination and prosecution.”

For more information visit aver.us.

KELLY OSBOURNE

KELLY OSBOURNE QUEEN OF WHITE PARTY

F

ashion icon and former star of E! Entertainment’s “Fashion Police,” Kelly Osbourne has been named “Queen of White Party 2015.”

Osbourne will be officially crowned at a special ceremony when she co-hosts the White Carpet arrivals on Saturday, April 25. White Party Ambassador and co-host Frankie Grande, will join her at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

“I’ve been blessed my entire life to be surrounded by members of the LGBT family who support me as I support them. I am beyond thrilled and honored,” Osbourne stated in a press release.

Visit www.jeffreysanker.com for more info White Party Palm Springs.

TEOFIL BRANK

LTC LOOMIS

KYLAR BROADUS

RALLY PROTESTING VIOLENCE AGAINST TRANS PEOPLE

A CPO CAREY

T JOEL SIMKHAI

GAY GEEK LGBT TECH GROUP

G

ay techies from across Los Angeles gathered

AMERICAN VETERANS “SHARE THE PRIDE”

he American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) hosted an open house and luncheon last month at the T Lounge in the Hillcrest area of San Diego.

“Share the Pride” was the theme of the luncheon, which kicked off this new chapter that was open to all LGBT armed forces veterans and service members.

1 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

ctivists from FAMILIA: Trans and Queer Liberation Movement and the TransLatin Coalition, along with the National LGBTQ Task Force staged a rally to protest violence against transgender people, last month, reports Wehoville.com.

The “Spring into Love Rally,” called to put an end to violence against and killings of transgender people and gender non-conforming individuals in Southern California and throughout the country.

“Eight transgender and gender non-conforming people have been murdered across the U.S. this year alone,” Kylar Broadus, Transgender Civil

A

PORN STAR ACCUSED OF BLACKMAIL

gay porn star is accused of blackmailing an unidentified wealthy California man out of $500,000 by threatening to broadcast the lurid details of his personal life, according to federal officials, reports the Los Angeles Times.

FBI agents arrested Teofil Brank—better known by his stage name Jarec Wentworth—last month.

In a March 20 indictment, Brank, 25, was charged with one felony count of extortion by threatening to injure someone’s reputation. If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison.

According to a sworn affidavit, Brank began sending the man text messages in February this year, demanding $500,000 cash and the man’s Audi sports car.

The adult performer pledged to post photos and other details of the man’s trysts through his Twitter account, according to the affidavit.

PHOTO BY PAULO MURILLO

From L to R: Second runner-up Chris Jones, Mr. L.A. Leather 2015 Patrick Smith, first runner-up Justin Natoli.

> > PAT R I C K S M I T H < <

Mr. L.A. Leather 2015

Patrick Smith will compete at the upcoming International Mr. Leather contest in Chicago.

BY PA U LO MU RILLO

E

agle LA Mr. Leather Patrick Smith was awarded the title of Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2015 last month at

Club 333 in Downtown Los Angeles.

Smith will go on to compete at the upcoming International Mr. Leather contest

in Chicago in May 22-25, 2015.

First runner-up was Justin Natoli, Mr. Sister Leather 2015 and 2nd runner-up was Chris Jones, Mr. SoCal Leather 2015, who was also awarded the Bob Tomasino Brotherhood Award by his fellow contestants.

Smith, originally from Canada, moved to L.A. four years to pursue his Masters in Business Administration at UCLA. In an interview with THE FIGHT, moments after his big win last month, Smith revealed that one of the issues he plans on tackling as Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2015 is Measure B—the law that mandates condoms in porn in LA County.

“It’s a reprehensible law,” says Smith.

“It violates our free speech rights, it’s driven the porn industry out of LA. I have friends who lost their jobs because of Measure B. I believe it is completely unconstitutional, so whatever I can do and however I can lend my voice to get that taken off books, I’m going to do it.”

For more on Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2015 Patrick Smith—and more photos from the event—visit www.thefightmag.com.

AP R I L 2015 | THE F I GH T 17

“The LGBT community has been or gay family some of my biggest members? supporters throughout my My uncle was gay. He career and they have stood passed away strong by me through thick from AIDS when I was and thin and I intend to young. I was keep on doing the same very close to for them.” him and feel our

>> MASCULINITY AND BROTHERHOOD <<

relationship drove me to be very vocal about my passion for equality.

How did your views on equality evolve?

Was there a specific incident or experience that influenced you?

The bottom line is that it is the right thing to do. I strongly believe that everyone should have the right to love whomever they choose and that was something I knew very early on in life.

I was luckily given a platform at a very young

HOW SHE LIVES Two-time Grammy winner LeAnn Rimes, performing this month at White Party Palm Springs, on her passion for equality and acceptance of one’s self.

BY MA RK A RIEL

PHOTO COURTESY OF WPPS

L

egendary Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist LeAnn Rimes will perform at this year’s Circus T-Dance on Sunday, April 26 during White Party Palm Springs April 24-27, 2015.

Already a two-time Grammy winner by the time she was 14 years old (the youngest individual artist in history to do so), LeAnn Rimes has sold 44 million records to date. In addition, she has received twelve Billboard Magazine music awards with hit songs like, “I Need You,” “Can’t Fight The Moonlight” and “How Do I Live.”

“It’s truly an honor to have a music legend like LeAnn joining us. We look forward to an absolutely magical performance,” said White Party producer Jeffrey Sanker.

In an interview with THE FIGHT Rimes talks about her passion for equality, country musicians coming out of the closet and acceptance of one’s self.

You have always been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ community. Growing up in Texas, did you have many gay friends, 1 8 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

age to try and help promote equality for the LGBT community. The LGBT community has been some of my biggest supporters throughout my career and they have stood strong by me through thick and thin and I intend to keep on doing the same for them.

You said in an interview recently that country singer Ty Herndon texted you right before he came out publicly. Do you think that country music is becoming less homophobic?

It is such an exciting time for this country overall - I really do think we are getting to a place where most Americans agree that people should be allowed to love WHOMEVER they choose.

And with established artists like Ty and Billy [Gilman] coming out, hopefully this allows fans who may not otherwise embrace the LGBTQ community to realize that the singer and songs they have always loved, are in fact still the same.

Are there any songs of yours that you feel particularly resonate with the LGBTQ community?

“What I Cannot Change” is a song [producer] Darrell [Brown] and I wrote about acceptance of one’s self; a serenity prayer of having peace with who we are and where we are in life. It is a such a personal song for me in my life and the message seemed to resonate greatly with some of my fans. The song is one of my favorites.

Is there anything we haven’t asked you that you would like to share with our readers?

Hmm...nothing? Come dance like you don’t give a f*ck!!

Leann Rimes performs at Circus T-Dance on Sunday, April 26 during White Party Palm Springs, which takes place April 24-27, 2015.Event details, schedules, hotel information and passes are available at: www.jeffreysanker.com.

HOW MIRACLES HAPPEN...

2014

brought many new babies for Coastal Fertility Medical Center (Coastal).

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He pioneered two studies to assess the effects of PGS/PGD. This is the screening of chromosomes and genes of an embryo. Dr. Werlin says, "This allows couples to test for abnormalities of an embryo and potentially eliminate hereditary disease in a family."

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AP R I L 2015 | TH E F I GH T 19

THEROSTOWREPORT >> BY ANN ROSTOW <<

MICHAEL SAM, WITH PETA MURGATROYD

Did you read that gay football player (and “Dancing With The Stars” contestant) Michael Sam said he ran into a lot of closeted athletes during his brief stint in the NFL? Some of them were pretty famous, he said, although he did not name names. Sam did say that the cowardly stars were very supportive. That’s nice I suppose.

S

INDIANA’S “RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTORATION ACT”

o, have any of you readers of THE FIGHT been wondering why we’re all making such a fuss about that Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in Indiana when “similar” laws have long been in place in 19 other states plus the federal government?

Well, here’s the thing. “Similar” does not mean “the same.”

A few tweaks and a different context have mutated a somewhat innocuous legal concept into a potential monster.

Twenty years ago, the idea of a state or federal religious freedom act was spawned by a fear that generic government rules could force individuals to violate their religious consciences. A Jewish prisoner might be fed pork. Native Americans might be jailed for using peyote in religious services. What was it I read recently? Oh yes, Amish farmers might be ordered to attach neon signs to their carriages in order to drive at night!

The original version of the RFRA simply required a government to demonstrate that its generic rule served a compelling interest and that the rule was narrowly tailored to achieve that aim. The Amish farmer, for example, might be allowed to use a glow-in-the-dark paint instead of an impermissible sign. The prisoner would be given

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

a kosher meal, etc.

But last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal RFRA allowed a Christian-owned for-profit company to demand an exemption from federal law. Say what?

Specifically, the 5-4 majority said Hobby Lobby did not have to provide its workers with medical insurance that included contraception, because the legal obligation was not narrowly tailored to government goals. Since the U.S. health care law made an exception for religious groups, the Court determined, it was not unreasonable to insist that the law make an exception for other religiously minded employers.

Taking a cue from the misguided Court, Indiana’s new law specifically applies to forprofit companies (among others). It defends anything faith based, even if the threatened belief is not central to the faith in question. And it allows civil claims between individuals and businesses. In other words, it’s not just defending your faith against government trespass.

It’s defending a for profit business entity’s so-called “faith” against anything and everything that entity might not like.

Nothing in the law mentions “homosexuality,” but the law is targeting us, same-sex couples.

This measure was pushed and lobbied for by anti-marriage activists anxious to protect bakers and innkeepers from having to respect Indiana’s new marriage equality rules. In a state where there are no (statewide) discrimination protections that cover gays and lesbians, the statute was clearly designed to shine a green light on public prejudice.

No wonder everyone’s bent out of shape! I hope the world withdraws en masse from Indiana. By the way, did I mention that according to the law, the loser in a lawsuit might have to pay the other side’s court costs? Is it really worth a hundred grand to sue that cake store on principle, or will

most couples just find another baker and move on?

THE MOST EFFECTIVE DEFENSE AGAINST BIGOTRY

Y

ou know, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The most effective defense against the classic bigoted baker is publicity. There’s nothing like public outrage and/ or a boycott to bring some of these pious prigs to their senses. Earlier last month, a (Democratic) Oklahoma lawmaker suggested that business owners who insist on refusing to serve GLBT clientele be required to post a notice to that effect both online and in their stores. This sign, she suggested, would be useful to both the owners and the clients, since it would let the gay couples know in advance that they should move on to another purveyor.

The Oklahoma bill failed to advance, although I’m not sure if the wonderfully clever amendment had anything to do with that. There are still numerous antigay bills of one sort or another outstanding in legislatures around the country. Most lawmakers are also watching to see the impact of some of these stink bombs on the rest of the nation. In Indiana, for example, several companies have dropped or are reevaluating expansion plans, and others have expressed dismay. The city of Seattle just said employees would not be sent to Hoosier land on business in the future.

And the NCAA said they’d think twice about holding events in the state after this month’s Final Four.

The backlash has been such that Indiana Governor Mike Pence said lawmakers are considering another bill to “clarify” what was intended in the original version. That sounds helpful, but considering the legislature has already rejected passing anti-bias measures to protect

> > R E L I G I O U S F R E E D O M R E S T O R AT I O N A C T, B I G O T R Y, S U P R E M E C O U R T R U L I N G , C A L I F O R N I A V O T E R S < <

gays, there’s not much clarification available now, is there?

INSANE DEVELOPMENTS & AN UPCOMING SUPREME COURT RULING

Y

ou should know that a lot of marriage equality turmoil struck Alabama since last we discussed conditions in Dixieland. Indeed, it would take many paragraphs to do justice to the insane developments, paragraphs that I have instead devoted to Indiana.

We can’t have both in one small column! We can’t have Indiana and Alabama, so let me just tell you that various state and federal courts have gone back and forth, confusing the situation in the Bigot State

and I’m sure you can review all the details with a brief google search. Normally, we would care more about this renegade anti-marriage state, but since the Supreme Court is going to rule (in our favor) three months from now, we’re just going to wait until everything sorts itself out after that happy date.

Indiana, with its messy attempt to undermine marriage equality, is the future.

Alabama, with its doomed effort to prevent marriage equality from even taking place, is the past. Onward!

HOW TO PROTECT CALIFORNIA VOTERS FROM PURE NONSENSE

D

id you read that gay football player (and “Dancing With The

Stars” contestant) Michael Sam said he ran into a lot of closeted athletes during his brief stint in the NFL? Some of them were pretty famous, he said, although he did not name names. Sam did say that the cowardly stars were very supportive. That’s nice I suppose.

In other news—I’m not sure I have anything helpful to say about the man who is trying to qualify a ballot measure that would subject gays to the death penalty in California. In my view, this story has nothing to say about the gay civil rights movement, and everything to say about the California initiative system.

But I keep getting just a tiny bit stuck on the idea that a ballot measure calling for the extermination of people of color in California would have

roiled the national media more than this, don’t you think?

There’s an undertone here. It’s a joke, perhaps. It’s unfathomable and unconstitutional, of course. But it’s understandable in a fringe way. There are some people who...um. You know. Particularly now with all this marriage business!

At any rate, I’m glad Attorney General Harris is looking into ways to avoid having to advance this proposition, but I would also be interested to see if this guy can get the required number of signatures. If he could, that would really provide a horrifying insight into the dangers of the California system. I love democracy with a small d, but there should be at least a minimal gate keeping function to protect the California voters from pure nonsense, let alone pure evil.

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GO-GO Dancing In The USA

White Party dancer David Rest on gay life in Columbia, stepping out of the closet and what it’s like to be married to a porn star.

BY PA U LO MURI LLO | PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNI NGHAM

T

o say that David Rest’s life hasn’t gone according to plan would be putting it lightly.

Rest, 25, one of the main dancers at this year’s White Party in Palm Springs, came to the U.S. from Columbia two years ago with a clear objective. He would live in Atlanta for six months to practice his English, and go back home to put his degree in international business to good use. And that’s how it would have gone down if he hadn’t found the love of his life—adult film entertainer, Trenton Ducati, founder of Ducati Models.

“To be honest with you, the first night I met him, I didn’t know he was a porn star.

He was dancing in a club in New Orleans and I thought, oh my God that guy is so hot,” reveals Rest.

“He was on his break and we saw each other and I didn’t even say hello, I just kissed him. I spent the weekend with him and he told me he was a porn star.

I was like, OK, I don’t care, because it’s just for one weekend—that’s it. But after that weekend, he flew to Atlanta to see me, and everything changed from there...”

They got married six months later. Rest left behind his car, family, friends, and his business degree to give marriage and gogo dancing a go.

In an interview with THE FIGHT Rest talks about gay life in Columbia, dancing and what it’s like to be married to a porn star.

BIBLE QUOTING “Gay life in Colombia is not as open as it is here,” explains Rest. “You don’t get 2 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

into trouble with the government for being gay—but I lived there as a straight man.

Once I came here, I felt free. Every city has their gay area. People are more open.

I love it.”

Rest, raised in a religious household, has not come out to most of his family.

“I know that my mom doesn’t like gay people, she’s very Catholic. We know somebody who is gay, and when she talks about him, she quotes the Bible and she is not too friendly. I have two brothers—I’m the oldest—I don’t know how accepting

“People will always have something negative to say— whether it’s you’re too fat or too skinny or too whatever... People can think whatever they want. It’s my life. I love my life. they will be about me being gay.”

Some family members, however, have been more open, says Rest.

“I have a cousin who came to visit me in San Diego recently. She didn’t know about me, but she wanted to stay with me

for two to three days and have me show her around. I worried about what I was going to tell her. I told Trenton to lie for me and say that he’s my roommate and I told him he couldn’t hang out with us, but when I saw her, I changed my mind, and I told her everything. She simply said OK. So once she knew the truth I was able to relax. We hung out in Los Angeles, saw the sights and at night, I took her to The Abbey and gay places. I think she had fun.

She’s 22, so being young makes her more open, but someone older than me like my uncles or aunties, they are not very open.

I thank God that I showed my cousin my real life. It was a big step for me...”

MEETING PEOPLE Being a go-go dancer is another issue Rest feels that his immediate family would have a problem embracing.

“In Colombia we don’t have go-go dancers. We have strippers and that’s different from a go-go dancer, so when my friends found out I’m go-go dancing in the USA, they thought I was a stripper, like a prostitute... I wish everybody in my country could come here to see what a go-go dancer does.

Go-go dancing is one of the best things that happened in my life. I get to travel. They pay for my hotel. I get paid to work. They take me to Vegas, New York, San Francisco... I’m not a party guy, but I love meeting people and having different experiences.”

MUTUAL SUPPORT Married life, says Rest, has been a wonderful experience. “It was the best decision I made—ever. Trenton is the most

>> DAVID REST <<

important guy I have in my life. We are happy. We have a very good relationship.”

When asked if Ducati’s line of work in the adult industry was ever a problem for him, Rest claims that he manages to separate between the fantasy and real life.

“Dating a porn star is not that strange in California. Everybody has a story about why they do what they do, right? He told me his reasons for doing porn and to me his story was amazing. I almost cried. I told him I support him... Of course, I don’t want to see what he’s doing. I don’t want to be around it, but I let him do his thing...

I’m not a jealous guy, so maybe that’s why it is easy for me...”

“I don’t really care about what people think,” says Rest. “His family supports him and they support me. I’m not a sensitive guy. People will always have something negative to say —whether it’s you’re too fat or too skinny or too whatever...

People can think whatever they want. It’s my life. I love my life. I’m very happy. I’ve never had a moment where things got bad and I wanted to go back to Columbia.”

KEEP DANCING Rest is definitely excited about dancing at the White Party Palm Springs this month.

“For me it means a lot. When I posted that I was selected as one of the main go-go dancers at the White Party, other dancers were like, oh my God, who can I contact to dance there? A lot of people want to work that party. I was lucky. I heard that White Party is the biggest event here in the USA, so I’m very happy.”

As for the future, things seem to be moving in the right direction for Rest, with new job offers tumbling in.

“In any job you do, you always want to feel like your growing and moving up.

I’m happy I’m not the kind of dancer that dances in the same bar every weekend.

Also, in my country I never thought I could be a model—I wished, but here they like something about my look, so I’m getting a lot of calls from photographers and getting calls to dance in Australia, Guatemala and Canada, so it’s really cool, because I’ve never danced in a different country outside of the USA. I really love what I do and I want to keep dancing.”

For more on David Rest, follow him on Instagram: @davidrest89, or on Twitter: @david14rv.

For more information on the upcoming White Party Palm Springs visit: www.jeffreysanker.com.

AP R I L 2015 | TH E F I GH T 23

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

Photography: DUSTI CUNNINGHAM Photo Shoot Models: Danny Dolan Rikki Crowley Garrett Swann Danny Axl David Rest Shawn Morales Wardrobe Stylist: Michael St. Michael Models are wearing Charlie By MZ www.charliebymz.com Location: Roman Holiday Health Club II, Van Nuys www.romanholidayclubs.com

>> DAVID REST <<

AT THE BATHS

Records of men meeting men in bathhouses date back to the 15th century.

I

Models are wearing N2N Bodywear www.n2nbodywear.com

n 1975 “The Bathhouse Series” (styled by Polly Mellen and photographed by Deborah Turbeville) was one of Vogue’s most controversial photo shoots, featuring female models lounging in a steam room.

The photos, portraying a stark intimacy and detached sexuality, troubled some Vogue readers, many of whom canceled their subscription to the fashion magazine, in protest.

In the gay world—records of men meeting men in bathhouses date back to the 15th century.

In the West, men have been frequenting bathhouses since at least the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

All models are wearing CA-RIO-CA swimwear (cariocawear.com) except second to left (sitting) who is wearing Geovanny (geovannyunderwear.com).

2 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

> > AT T H E B AT H S < <

In the 1950s exclusively gay bathhouses began to open in the United States. Though subject to vice raids, these bathhouses were an oasis of homosexual camaraderie and were, as they remain today, places where it was safe to be gay, whether or not patrons themselves identified as homosexual.

While the AIDS epidemic and later on apps like Grindr may have hampered attendance to a degree, men still use bathhouses as a convenient, safe place to meet other men.

In homage to the aforementioned Vogue photo shoot, THE FIGHT features this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hottest swimsuits and underwear on location at one of L.A. Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most iconic bathhouses, Roman Holiday Health Club in Van Nuys.

Model on left is wearing N2N (www.n2nbodywear.com). The other two models are wearing Andrew Christian (www.andrewchristian.com).

Model on left and model lying down wearing Marco Marco (marcomarco.net), model standing on bench is wearing Andrew Christian (andrewchristian.com).

THELAW >> R I D I C U L O U S V O T E R I N I T I AT I V E <<

Thus, it is simply not worth worrying about “The Sodomite Suppression Act,” as the arc of humanity is leaning toward Justice.

QUIET SUPPORTERS

THE BEST REVENGE

How to respond to Matt McLaughlin’s ridiculous voter initiative and how internal policies have motivated public activism.

BY D AVID H A KIMFAR

I

f you haven’t heard, an Orange County lawyer by the name of Matt McLaughlin wants to make homosexual behavior a capital crime in California. It’s been dubbed “The Sodomite Suppression Act.” “Seeing that it is better that offenders should die rather than that all of us should be killed by God’s just wrath against us for the folly of tolerating wickedness in our midst, the People of California wisely command, in the fear of God, that any person who willingly touches another person of the same gender for purposes of sexual gratification be put to death by bullets to the head or by any other convenient method.”

Should the state refuse to enforce the law, it would empower and deputize citizens to be “immune from any charge and indemnified by the state from any and all liability.”

The San Francisco Chronicle observes that “it seems inconceivable that such a proposal would collect the 365,000 valid signatures it would need to make the 2016 state ballot. Or, if it did, that the voters would approve it. Or that any court this side of Uganda or Saudi Arabia would uphold it.”

TRULY HISTORIC “The best revenge is massive success,” Frank Sinatra once said.

Looking beyond the shock value - it is clear that “The Sodomite Suppression Act” is not the direction this country is going in.

You simply have to be up to speed on the actual direction of LGBT rights today. 2013 was the last time the Supreme Court reviewed gay marriage. Back then, it was banned in more than 40 states. In that case, United States v. Windsor, sexual orientation essentially became a full-fledged protected class under the 5th and 14th Amendment for States that have protective laws. That is indeed truly historic.

Today, same-sex couples can marry in 37 states.

As LGBT rights have continued to expand, more LGBTs have made their way into the upper echelons of corporate America. For years, big corporations have been relatively quiet supporters of gay rights and have offered at least some kind of domestic partner benefits to same-sex couples.

Now, internal policies have begun to turn into public activism. Look at what happened just recently in Indiana, where Governor Pence signed the infamous “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.” The bill would have allowed businesses to discriminate against LGBT. However, after many corporations came out in protest, Gov. Pence has signed a modification to protect LGBT, rather than leave out.

SIGN THE PETITION Back to “The Sodomite Suppression Act.” Activists are trying to get McLaughlin disbarred. The California State Bar only disciplines attorneys for acts of “moral turpitude” usually in relation to their work and clients, not their protected free speech activities.

While in the end, McLaughlin will probably keep his law license and face no official sanction, you can sign the change.org petition to “Disbar lawyer who wants to legalize the murder of LGBT people.”

David Hakimfar is a trial attorney and partner of Hakimfar Law, PLC, and a member attorney of Pride Legal. He can be reached at 310-730-1250.

Looking beyond the shock value—it is clear that “The Sodomite Suppression Act” is not the direction this country is going in.

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

PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNINGHAM

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Lonesome Cowboy Sean Wolf Galuszka performs “Songs For Lonesome Gay Cowboys” this month at Oil Can Harry’s.

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erforming at the end of this month at Oil Can Harry’s in Studio City songs from his new country album “Songs For Lonesome Gay Cowboys,” it seems as though actor, singer/songwriter Sean Wolf Galuszka is taking Los Angeles by storm.

Originally from New York, with a BS in Acting/Directing from Syracuse University, Galuszka’s credits include producing and starring in the award winning short film “How Much” (voted Audience Favorite at both the Los Angeles International Film Festival and CineVegas) and performing in the LA premiere smash hit “The Complete Works Of Wm Shkspr (Abridged)” at the Globe Playhouse.

Galuszka also recently appeared in the film “Primrose Lane.”

Galuszka’s current project is a country album, “Songs For Lonesome Gay Cowboys.”

“I had a band a while back and licensed music to Touchstone and SONY,” reveals Galuszka in an interview with THE FIGHT. “We played alt folk rock and I wrote some gay themed songs that just sounded like, well, regular songs. So I thought, why not delve into one of the straightest music genres out there - classic country. Country is all about heartache and cheatin’ and drinkin’ and fightin’ and loss and being an outlaw - those are strong themes in the gay world! By changing a few pronouns in even a classic country song, it brings it closer to home. No longer a song about a man and a woman and we as a gay audience have to make that mental leap - now it’s closer to our hearts. More accessible. The way it should be heard. I’m really enjoying writing it.” n Catch Sean Wolf Galuszka performing “Songs For Lonesome Gay Cowboys” at Oil Can Harry’s, 11502 Ventura Blvd, in Studio City on Wednesday, April 29 at 8pm. No cover!

AP R I L 2015 | TH E F I GH T 29

>> MASCULINITY AND BROTHERHOOD <<

WARREN BEATTY

ANNETTE BENING

Supporting Your Trans Child

E

Out.com’s Michael Musto pens open letter to Warren Beatty and Annette Bening about their trans son.

arlier this month journalist Michael Musto, in his column “Musto! The Musical!” on Out.com, took Warren Beatty and Annette Bening to task regarding their trans son, Stephen. Musto urges them to “help other young trans people by putting your public stamp of approval on your son.”

Here’s Musto’s “open letter” to the celebrity couple.

“Hello, Warren and Annette. First off, I’ve admired your work.

Warren, you went from a matinee idol and real-life playboy to changing the face of movies with groundbreakers like Bonnie and Clyde, Reds, and Bugsy. Annette, you are superb, having dazzled in films from The Grifters to your lesbian turn in The Kids Are All Right and beyond. And since you’re a sort of offbeat, march-toyour-own-drum style of Hollywood couple, I assumed you’d be liberal, progressive, and totally with it.

But when it comes to your transgender son, Stephen Ira, it doesn’t seem like you have been. In fact, you haven’t said a word in public about him, and I hear you’ve even dodged press to avoid having to confront this subject. Maybe you think it’s not our business, but it became our business when Stephen Ira came out as trans at 14, especially considering the fact that your family is a high profile one that happens to consist of public figures. And Stephen has gone on to be vocal, articulate, and an advocate for trans medical rights, doing videos and making statements on a variety of important subjects.

And you won’t give him a public benediction! In fact, whenever Stephen thanks people for their support, your names don’t seem to be included in those he’s most grateful to.

Faced with a somewhat similar premise, Brad and Angelina have lived up to their cool rep and behaved differently than you have. Their child, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, started wanting to be 3 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

called John since age 2 and apparently still does, wearing boy’s clothes and attitude.

So they call their kid John!

Brangelina is aware that this could well be a phase, but they see no harm in it, and recent reports said they’ve decided to please their kid’s wishes and see it through.

With Stephen, it’s not a phase. He has transitioned. He is out and proud and an adult.

We’ve heard stories where young transsexuals, dismissed or not encouraged enough by the people around them, take their own lives, or try to, in horrifying developments that could have been prevented with more loving care. I’m not at all saying that this is a possibility here—just that you could contribute to the accepting mood out there and help other young trans people by putting your public stamp of approval on your son. In the process, you would also undoubtedly give Stephen the boost of a lifetime. It would take all of five minutes and would constitute a sublime statement from the mouths of two major icons, and then you can go on with your lives. Do it for me—and Stephen-and everyone else.

After all, when trans teen Leah Alcorn killed herself last December, Stephen tweeted with passion, admitting that he’d survived conversion therapy and warning parents, ‘IF YOU CAN’T HANDLE HAVING A TRANS KID, DON’T HAVE KIDS.’ You definitely raised a gem.”

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AP R I L 2015 | T H E F I GH T 3 1

>> LEATHERMEN <<

Let The

Music Play

BY PA U LO MU RI LLO | PHOTO BY JUAN M. MONTENEGRO

I

went to Palm Springs for the 25th Anniversary of White Party Weekend last year. What’s the big whoop-whoop about me attending WP, you ask? Well, it’s no big whoop, but I’ve never done a circuit party—especially one that massivecompletely clean and sober with the intention of keeping it that way well past the weekend’s Closing Party.

They say that we can do anything we want in sobriety as long as we don’t get loaded over it, and we are willing to pay for the consequences of our doing, but some seasoned sober folks cautioned me to stay away from the big WP. I was asking for it, kinda/sorta like a diabetic has no business being in an ice cream shop, or a married man who goes into a gay bath house thinking he’s only there for an innocent bath... spend time at a carnival long enough, and the chances of taking a jumpy ride are 3 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

greater than if you steer clear from carnies who make you wanna go bump in the night.

PARTY PAST It had been almost 10 years since I attended WP. I was 7 years sober at the time (I recently reached an 8-year milestone thankyou-very-much), so it had been a long time since I last tapped into the part of myself where I schemed and starved extra hard to impress people that I didn’t really like— however, I wasn’t about to phone that shit in. It was a look at me, but don’t look at me moment, where on the one hand I didn’t care what others thought of me, but on the other hand, I didn’t want to give any ghosts from my party past any reason to be like, “Damn, what happened to that tragic bitch?”

I took all precautions necessary. I went so far as to get a meningitis vaccine and I even got a B vitamin booster shot to avoid

getting sick—yet despite all my efforts, sickness is what I got days before the big weekend. I was coughing so hard, my nuts hurt. Some would call my getting sick a “God shot” to slow my roll. I called it annoying as all hell.

My friends and I skipped the underwear party Friday night, because I had no kind of business walking around in my undies with a partner and a dog at home, but we hit up the Splash Pool Party on Saturday, which was actually a lot of fun, despite my being sick. I ran into a lot of sobers working the door, because Jeffrey Sanker is no fool; sobers suit up and show up, we don’t cheat or steal (anymore) and we aim to please to a fault. Of course, my sober sistas gave me shit when they saw me standing in the VIP line. “Miss, please step aside for a random drug test.” they taunted me. “Pee in a cup bitch, this is not the VIPNP line.”

BY JUAN M MONTENEGRO

Paulo Murillo on experiencing the White Party, clean and sober: “I was just grateful to be able to hit the dance floor with nothing but H20 in my system.

Sounds lame, I know, but the dance floor was ground zero for my drug use.”

>> WHITE PARTY <<

SERIOUS HEAT

men in it were gorgeous too, but all I could think of was meningitis stew.

The pool party was way bigger I survived the pool party than I remember it. Mermen with integrity and my swam in the pool. There “We really sobriety intact, but the were live performances can do whatever real event and ultimate and the costumes the hell we want test was the actual among my fellow gays WP, which was every were just too many in recovery, if we’re bit as massive and things. And of course, willing to put in the amazing as promised. you had the battle of work, use our tools and I’m not going to say the bulges with guys set ourselves up to that it was drugwalking around in infested cesspool, but I swimsuits with built-in make the right can’t pretend that I didn’t contraptions, padding choices.” encounter some glassyand stitching that pushed eyed creatures of the night. their tiny peckers way out to It was a little jarring at first. I hadn’t simulate the packaging of some seribeen around that shit for years, but I have ous heat. It’s was like a stuffed bra, but no kind of room to throw daggers at my for your balls. Man, the game ain’t what it gay tweakers who were on a mean one. I used to be. get it—I don’t dig it (anymore), but I can’t I had no hidden agendas and/or expectajudge it. I was just grateful to be able to tions of what the pool party should offer, hit the dance floor with nothing but H20 in which is probably why I had so much fun.

I didn’t feel the need to get crazy. I didn’t my system. Sounds lame, I know, but the even strip down to my bathing suit, nor did dance floor was ground zero for my drug a dare get in the water, because I’m sorry, use. I loved dancing from dark past dawn the pool was all pretty and blue and the and speed is what got me going. I thought

Take Your Dreams and Turn Them into Reality!

I had lost the ability to lose myself at a club in sobriety, but I danced my ass off at WP/25 all night long---of course, the whole night I could not shake all those times that I used to rip on a 40-plus circuit party queen who I felt had no kind of business polluting a dance floor (moving along).

STILL REMARKABLE The White Party T-dance pretty much concluded my White Party experience. I was wrecked. Lack of sleep, being sick and being exposed to the elements of the hot desert sun took its toll, but T-dance was still a remarkable affair. I walked away from those two giant Ferris wheels that evening feeling so damn grateful; we really can do whatever the hell we want in recovery, if we’re willing to put in the work, use our tools and set ourselves up to make the right choices.

My friends and I barely scratched the surface of Jeffrey Sanker’s White Party Weekend last year, which brought in a crowd of over 30,000 attendees—the largest turnout in White Party history. I was there, and I did it all completely clean and sober.

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>> RICKY REBEL <<

Bold Rebel

Ricky Rebel: “I’d like to be the first openly gay male pop star to ever have a hit song singing about a love relationship between two men.”

BY VICTO R MELA MED

R

icky Rebel, also known as Ricky G., the artist who performed last month at Off Sunset Fair, achieved worldwide success as the lead singer in the pop group No Authority. In 2012, Rebel released his “Manipulator” LP that included music featured on the hit MTV animated series “Good Vibes” and was awarded Artist Of The Year at the 2012 RAWards.

Last year Ricky released “The Blue Album,” a collection of dance-pop rebel tracks mixed by Claudio Cueni. Now, in 2015, Billboard chart-topping DJs Hector Fonseca (Sia, Beyonce, Katy Perry), Casey Alva (Erika Jayne) as well as Tommy Love

remixed “Star” from “The Blue Album.”

“Being an openly gay male pop star who is actually expressing his sexuality is very rare,” says Rebel, 30, in an interview with THE FIGHT. “The industry at first was extremely homophobic towards my particular boldness in expressing myself,” reveals Rebel.

“However - now - more and more gay artists are being true to themselves and open and honest about who they are. It’s starting to change. But the change isn’t big enough or fast enough in my eyes. I feel like we still have a long way to go. I’d like to be the first openly gay male pop

star to ever have a hit song singing about a love relationship between two men.”

Ricky Rebel Star (Remixes) Album is available on iTunes released under Audio4play Records.

If you’d like to know more about upcoming Rebel shows and appearances, visit www.

RickyRebelRocks.com

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THEEPIDEMIC

I found a home and a family here. Teri, D.A.P. client

D.A.P. treats and supports the whole person I was so sick when I came to D.A.P. the first time that my case manager called an ambulance and sent me to the hospital—and then visited me there to finish my intake, so I could get the services I needed so much!

When I was released, I was homeless...but my case manager set me up with an apartment and made sure I was back on the right track to good health. Although I’ve had other case managers since that first visit, D.A.P. has always been there, helping me every step of the way.

This and more...all under one roof Thanks to your generous support, Desert AIDS Project has been saving lives for more than 30 years.

Please continue to help by donating at desertAIDSproject.org, joining one of our annual giving programs, or by saving the date for one of our upcoming fundraising events.

Dining Out for Life | April 30, 2015 Queen of the Desert | May 27, 2015

760.323.2118 desertAIDSproject.org

4 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

>> HERPES VACCINE <<

VACCINE FOR HERPES The unconventional methods used to create immunity in mice could hold key to HIV and TB vaccines.

S

cientists have developed a new, counterintuitive vaccine to prevent the spread of herpes—the most common sexually transmitted infection with over 500 million suffers, reports hivplusmag.com.

The scientists were able to create the vaccine by taking a new approach to vaccine development. It had been assumed that the way to fight the virus was to stimulate production of neutralizing antibodies against a specific viral surface protein (glycoprotein-2) the herpes simplex virus-2 (genital herpes) uses invade cells. Researchers spent decades trying to stimulate antigens against gD-2—but these versions of the vaccine were unable to prevent infection.

“We decided to take an approach that runs counter to most of the tactics used by other scientists—and we seem to have cracked the code,” said Dr. Jacobs, co-study leader. This, according to researchers, suggested that previous vaccine strategies were stimulating the wrong antibodies.

Researchers used genetic manipulation to remove the gD-2 gene from HSV-2 DNA to design a live vaccine. This weakened the virus and made it unable to infect cells in lab mice that were given the live vaccine.

The vaccine design also opens up possibilities for other vaccines against viruses, including HIV and tuberculosis.

“Genital herpes infections can not only be seriously in and of themselves, but they also play a major role in fueling the HIV epidemic,” said one of the researchers, who explained that people infected with HSV-2 are more likely to get and transmit HIV. The team hopes to begin human trials in the next few years. n

>> DARLENE LOVE <<

Evening Under The Stars Palm Springs Aids Assistance Program’s 2015 gala to feature Darlene Love.

BY O RLY LYO N N E

T

he 22nd annual “Evening Under the Stars” gala to benefit AIDS Assistance Program of Palm Springs (AAP) will feature an incomparable performance by music legend Darlene Love, followed by dancing to Nightshift— The Ultimate Dance Band. The event, considered by many to be the unofficial finale of the desert social season, will take place Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 5:30pm at the O’Donnell Golf Club.

“Evening Under the Stars” was recently named ‘Best Annual Charity Event’

in Coachella Valley Independent’s inaugural ‘Best of Coachella Valley’ reader’s poll, and AAP was a finalist in the ‘Best Charity’ category in Desert Magazine’s ‘Best of the Valley’ competition. In conjunction with the organization’s Jeannette Rockefeller Angel Program, “Evening Under the Stars” provides the majority of funding for AAP’s food voucher program for lowincome residents of the Palm Springs area living with HIV/AIDS. The organization receives no state or federal support.

In addition to exciting entertainment and dancing, gala festivities will also include refreshing cocktails, fabulous live and silent auctions, delectable cuisine, and inspiring honorees.

Tickets for the benefit are $395 and $500 per person, and individual VIP seats are still available.

DARLENE LOVE

”Evening Under the Stars” will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 5:30pm at the O’Donnell Golf Club in Palm Springs. For more information, please call 760-325-8481 or visit aidsassistance.org.

AP R I L 2015 | TH E F I GH T 37

>> LITTLE THINGS <<

Being Timothy Gould Actor, musician “ Timothy Gould on his role in “Little Things,” coming out and overcoming tough times.

B Y O R LY LYO N N E

L

ittle Things,” a short film written and directed by Christopher Au-Young, has been submitted to be screened at various film festivals throughout the year.

Conceptualized as a story based on the experiences of actor Timothy Gould, and told

from the perspective of a 20-something year old college student, it tells the story of two students, both gay, who meet on campus.

As the characters move closer toward making the first move, they reflect on society’s views of homosexuality, and the repercussions of coming out in today’s world.

Gould, 26, grew up in a religious house-

hold in Santa Clarita. “We weren’t allowed to participate in many activities unless they were church related,” reveals Gould, in an interview with THE FIGHT. “Everything was the church and the bible.”

When his family found out he was gay (accidentally, reveals Gould), “I basically had a week to get my things and move out. It was one of the hardest times of my life.”

After intermittently living with friends, being homeless, turning tricks and doing various odd jobs, Gould eventually moved to L.A. and landed a gig on the television series “The Office” as an extra. Since then he has had other acting jobs, as well as music gigs (“I started playing piano at 6 years old and started composing at age 9...”).

Gould, one of the lead actors in “Little Things,” says that “in many ways, the film portrays the emotions I felt in college... the content is relatable to young men who also were in the closet or unclear of their sexuality.”

Upcoming projects, reveals Gould, include “another short film that is based on my life experience.”

For more about Gould visit his web site: timothymichaelgould.com

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>> BY PAULO MURILLO <<

PARTY SOBER

With White Party Weekend in mind, we asked a group of clean and sober folks how they maintain their sobriety intact at a party/club/bar atmosphere, when everyone around appears to be under the influence.

PHYLLIS W. RICHARDSON

THE WORK A woman offered me champagne at a work function and I told her, sweetheart, I do not drink. I have an allergy to alcohol, but thank you. And she left it alone. I’ve been that way in bars.

I may stay a few minutes, have a cola, socialize, but I don’t hang around for too long. I have no desire to drink. That’s the miracle and the gift for me. It’s really that simple, and it’s all because of the work that I’ve done.

—Phyllis W. Richardson, sober since March 2009.

ing alcohol, but I’m not sure I want to be around people who are partying... I try to go with a large group of sober people.

When I was getting high I would always try to lose myself in the music. After getting clean I found that I could reach that without drugs or alcohol. I don’t really have the desire to go to like an after-hours party, but I’ll go to like a t-dance or something like that. The desire to use has been lifted.

—Keith Evan, sober since March 15, 2005.

THE DESIRE I have no problem being around people who are drink-

if your drinking and using buddies are supportive, they can’t really be supportive when they’re over at the corner doing shots, or going out to the car to do a bump.

—Edward Slavin, sober since February, 2011.

EDWARD SLAVIN

TONY SCKOROPAD

THE SUPPORT

THE FRIENDS

KEITH EVAN

with. I’ll have a Redbull and dancing really helps; it keeps me busy. If you’re new and you want to go out, choose some sober friends to do it, so you can help and watch out for each other.

—Tony Sckoropad, sober since November 2012

When I first got sober it was tougher, I was really twitchy when I went to bars and I realized I couldn’t go out 6 days in a row religiously. It was too much. I gave myself a little bit of time and then it wasn’t so bad anymore. I no longer feel triggered, but if I do for whatever reason, it’s time for me to go home. I go out in moderation and I choose the right people to hang around

4 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

We should not shy away from going to bars if we go there with the right motives.

I’ve been to the White Party sober. I tend to look towards the methiest looking person I can find and it makes me really grateful for the sobriety I have. Circuit parties usually don’t trigger me because I did not want to be out with people when I was methy. I would hide. Now I can feel comfortable in a club party scene. I would not recommend it to somebody newly sober, but if you do, you have to go with sober people, because even

STEPHEN MOLINARO

THE FOCUS I definitely would not recommend going in the first year of sobriety. Go after you have realized what sobriety has to offer, when you can make your focus something other than just getting fucked up. You can still go out and look for guys— and dance—and you can still look for sex or whatever—you just don’t need drugs and alcohol to do it.

—Stephen Molinaro, sober since September, 2005.

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THEEVENT >> PHOTOS AND TEXT BY PAULO MURILLO <<

VIP Reception At Tom House For LA Leather Pride 2015

T

he Tom of Finland House hosted a VIP Reception for Leather Pride Week last month. Attendees included sponsor representatives, contestants and judges for the Mr. LA Leather 2015 contest, and major donors. Also in attendance were representatives from the City of Los Angeles Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office, including Mayor Garcettiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LGBT Liaison,

Edgar Garcia and Leo Daubs who presented a Certificate of Recognition to Tyrone Rontganger, the current Mr. German Leather honoring his efforts at building bridges between the Sister Cities of Berlin and Los Angeles. A certificate was also presented in recognition of the Los Angeles Leather Coalition.

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

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AP R I L 2015 | TH E F I GH T 43

THECALENDAR >> THINGS TO DO << GROUPS

CONFESSIONS OF A MORMON BOY

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

SUNDAY, APRIL 12

FRIDAY, APRIL 24

CONFESSIONS OF A MORMON BOY Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, 7pm.

Playing every Sunday thru April 26. For more information: www.mormonboyonline.com.

Steven Fales’ award-winning, off-Broadway one-man sensation. An hilarious, harrowing and inspiring true story of extremes from perfect Mormon boy to perfect rent boy and how he found a middle ground.

FRIDAY SPLASH POOL PARTY Renaissance Palm Springs, 888 Tahquitz Canyon Way, 12pm–6pm. For more information: jeffreysanker.com.

Kick off White Party weekend pool side at the Renaissance Hotel.

POSITIVE TRANSFORMATIONS Lula Washington Dance Theatre, 3773 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, 4pm–7pm.

In observation of National Youth HIV AIDS Awareness Day a compilation of performances centered around the HIV & AIDS epidemic. The goal is to use performance art as a method of outreach to encourage youth ages 13-25 to be informed and educated about the HIV epidemic.

MONDAY, APRIL 13

HMMM... HOT METRO MONDAYZ MESS Fubar, 7994 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo, 9:00pm– 2:00am. For more information: fubarla.com.

Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race! $5 Cocktails, GoGo God’s, Underwear Giveaways & performances by Rhea Litré, Mayhem Miller, Raja Gemini & Pusse Couture.

ADDICTED TO WHITE UNDERWEAR PARTY Renaissance Palm Springs, 888 Tahquitz Canyon Way, 9pm–4am. For more information: jeffreysanker.com.

Dance with no pants at the official underwear party presented by “Addicted” from the internationally acclaimed ES Collection.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

SATURDAY SPLASH POOL PARTY Renaissance Palm Springs, 888 Tahquitz Canyon Way, 10am–7pm. For more information: jeffreysanker.com.

Spend the day pool side with thousands of the world’s sexiest men!

THE WHITE PARTY Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N Avenida Caballeros, 9pm–5am. For more information: jeffreysanker.com.

“A unique dance environment taking you beyond your wildest expectations.”

SUNDAY, APRIL 26

HIV MEDICAL & CASE MANAGEMENT Valley Community Clinic in North Hollywood offers HIV Testing and Medical Services including counseling and medical treatment. For more info: www.valleycommunityclinic.org POP LUCK CLUB Second Sunday of every month, 11 a.m. Locations vary.

Los Angeles based organization for Gay Dads, Prospective Dads, and their families. www.popluckclub.org PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, at the Gay & Lesbian Center. RSVP to Dennis@malecare.org or call (323) 860-7340.

GREAT AUTOS OF YESTERYEAR The largest LGBT classic car club on the West Coast. www.greatautos.org LOS ANGELES PRIME TIMERS Social group for older mature gay men and admirers. www.laprimetimers.org LOS ANGELES GAY BRIDGE CLUB www.communityvisions.org/IAGLBC LOS ANGELES GAY/LESBIAN SCIENTISTS www.lagls.org LOS ANGELES GAY FOR GOOD Gays making a commitment to volunteer for social welfare and environmental service projects. www.gayforgood.org LOS ANGELES GAY NATURISM California Men Enjoying Naturism. cmen.info

CLIMAX AFTER HOURS Renaissance Palm Springs, 888 Tahquitz Canyon Way, 4am–9am. For more information: jeffreysanker.com.

Just steps away from the Palm Springs Convention Center, the party continues back at the Renaissance Hotel.

BI-OSPHERE P.O.V. Every 2nd Wednesday, 8-9:30 p.m., The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles.

For more information, call (323) 860-7302. M-F between 6-9 p.m. Topic-driven discussion for women and men who identify as, or are exploring bisexuality.

SUNDAY SPLASH POOL PARTY Renaissance Palm Springs, 888 Tahquitz Canyon Way, 11am–4pm. For more information: jeffreysanker.com.

With DJ Manny Lehman. Bask in the sun & SPLASH in the pool. VIP Cabanas available.

MEN’S SPEAKEASY Every Tuesday at 8 p.m. The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 860-7302. Fun, alternative space for gay and bisexual men to meet and make new friends.

LGBT BOOK CLUB First Wednesday of each month, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

CIRCUS T-DANCE Palm Springs location TBA, 3pm–10pm. For more information: jeffreysanker.com.

LeAnn Rimes performs. Experience the largest outdoor T Dance in the world. Take in the breath taking view from the top of the world-famous White Party Ferris Wheel. Revel in the magic & dance to the music.

CHEER LA LEGENDARY BINGO Hamburger Mary’s, 8288 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo, 9pm. For more information: hamburgermarys.com/weho/.

A night of exciting bingo with some of WeHo’s most fabulous drag queens!

CLOSING PARTY Renaissance Palm Springs, 888 Tahquitz Canyon Way, 10pm-8am. For more information: jeffreysanker.com.

DJs Isaac Escalante and DJ Abel will spin. Feel the energy of the weekend and gather together for the last dance of the White Party Palm Springs weekend.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18

THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND The Lyric Theatre, 520 N La Brea Ave. 6pm–10pm.

An AIDS LIfecycle Benefit. An evening of friendship, love, and laughter as we support Adam G. Bass, Dave O’Brien Dan Wentzel and Paul Loy as they ride 545 miles from San Francisco to LA May 31 to June 6.

GAY ELDER CIRCLE Wellness Works, 540 West Broadway, Glendale, 10am– 4pm. R.S.V.P. at: gayeldercircle.net/contact.html.

“A Day Apart: Discovering Our Gifts,” a free one-day workshop to discover and explore the gifts each of us possesses as individuals.

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

USC LAMBDA LGBT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION alumnigroups.usc.edu/lambda/ LOS ANGELES BLACK PRIDE www.myblackpridela.com GREATER PASADENA AID FUND www.greaterpasadenaaidfund.org

> EMAIL YOUR EVENT OR GROUP TO editor@thefightmag.com POSITIVE IMAGES WORKSHOP Every Monday, from 7-9 p.m. The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles. If you’re looking for ways to deal with HIV, the Live Life Better Workshop can help you learn coping skills, build a support system, and work toward your health goals. An RSVP is required. For more information or to reserve your place, call (323) 860-7321. The e-mail contact is positiveimages@lagaycenter.org.

TRANSGENDER PERCEPTIONS Every Friday, 8 p.m. The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 860-7302. M-F between 6-9 p.m. Social networking group offers a safe and welcoming opportunity for people of any age and gender identity to learn from others and to share experiences.

GET CENTERED Meditation Class. Every Saturday, 10-11 a.m., $10. Gay & Lesbian Center, 1625 N Schrader Blvd.

Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 860-7300.

SENIORS SERVICES Ongoing, The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 860-7359.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT Ongoing, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, 1625 N Schrader Blvd., Los Angeles.

For more information, call (323) 860-5806.

MPOWERMENT WEEKLY WORKSHOPS Tuesdays and fridays, 6 p.m. APLA, 3550 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 300, Los Angeles. More info: Donta Morrison, tel: (213) 201-1561. For young gay men of color—ages 18 thru 24—looking for a safe place to hang out.

TRAVEL

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

CRYSTAL METH ANONYMOUS Saturdays, 9:10-10:10 a.m.

DEBTORS ANONYMOUS Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m.

MARIJUANA ANONYMOUS Wednesdays, 8:15-9:45 p.m.

Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m.

SEXUAL COMPULSIVES ANONYMOUS Mondays, 8-9 p.m.

Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m.

Wednesdays, 8-9 p.m.

Thursdays, 8:15-9:15 p.m.

Saturdays, 12:15-1:45 p.m.

WOMEN’S NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Saturdays, Noon-1 p.m.

SPORTS

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

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

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

12 STEP GROUPS

WEST HOLLYWOOD GAY RUGBY www.larebellion.org

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

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

GAY & LESBIAN BOWLING LEAGUE www.tavernguildleague.com

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

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

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

V.O.I.L.A. Volleyball. www.lagayvolleyball.com GREAT OUTDOORS The largest gay outdoor recreational organization in Southern California. www.greatoutdoorsla.org GAY AND LESBIAN SIERRANS Camping, Outdoors, Hiking Angeles. www.sierraclub.org CHEER LA Cheerleading. www.cheerla.org LA ROWING www.larowing.org DIFFERENT SPOKES Cycling www.differentspokes.com Rides start in various locations in the greater Los Angeles area.

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

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

HOLLYWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH hollywoodumc.org, 6817 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028 HOLY SPIRIT holyspirit-la.org, 4201 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029 UNITED UNIVERSITY CHURCH uniteduniversitychurch.org, 817 West 34th St., Los Angeles, CA 90089 DIGNITY CENTER dignitylosangeles.org, 126 South Avenue 64, Los Angeles, CA 90042 HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH-HLYWD hopelutheranchurch.net, 6720 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038 WEST HOLLYWOOD PRESBYTERIAN wehopres.org, 7350 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046 MOUNT HOLLYWOOD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH mthollywood.org, 4607 Prospect Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027 IMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH immanuelpres.org, 3300 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010 ST. MATTHEW’S LUTHERAN CHURCH stmatthewsnoho.org, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood, CA 91602 CHRIST CHAPEL OF THE VALLEY christchapel.com, 11050 Hartsook St., North Hollywood, CA 91601 ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH stpaulssm.org, 958 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403 ST. MONICA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY stmonica.net, 725 California Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403 WEHO CHURCH wehochurch.com, 916 N. Formosa Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90046 ST. VICTOR’S CATHOLIC CHURCH saintvictor.org, 8634 Holloway Dr. West Hollywood, CA 90069 ST. LUKE LUTHERAN stlukelutheran.com, 5312 Comercio Way, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

For Breaking Daily LGBT News Visit

www.thefightmag.com

AP R I L 2015 | TH E F I GH T 45

THEFINALFIGHT >> MICHELANGELO SIGNORILE <<

IT’S NOT OVER

An excerpt from journalist, author and talk radio host Michelangelo Signorile’s new book “It’s Not Over: Getting Beyond Tolerance, Defeating Homophobia, and Winning True Equality.”

B Y MICH ELA N G ELO SIG N O RILE

O

wners of businesses often use “decorum” or “inappropriate behavior” as an excuse to boot out gay couples for the kinds of public display of affection that we see heterosexual people engaging in every day in public spaces. In 2013 a lesbian couple in Portland, Oregon, said a cabdriver hurled antigay slurs at them and dumped them and a friend out of his cab on the side of a busy highway after midnight, all because the couple were holding hands and had kissed; in March 2014 the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, after an investigation, found

4 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

“substantial evidence of discrimination.” That same year, in October, two men were allegedly thrown out of a cab on their way into Chicago from O‘Hare International Airport after their driver became incensed when they exchanged what the men described as a quick kiss; they filed a lawsuit in 2014. An Iraq war veteran and his boyfriend were tossed out of a cab in Tacoma, Washington, on Independence Day 2014. Eric Williams, who had served two tours of duty in Iraq, left a bar and got in a cab with his boyfriend and exchanged what the two described as a “peck.” “[The driver] said, ‘You‘re two men, why are you kissing?’”

Williams told Q13FOX TV in Seattle. “We said that’s my boyfriend, I’m gay. That’s when the cabby started to get really hostile with us. He pulled off the road and told us to get out of the car, he wasn't going to serve us.”

Such stories of people turned away from businesses seem to be reported at least every week, and those are only the ones we know about, the ones in which the individuals come forward or the stories are reported in the media.

Each time I have reported them on my radio program, not only do calls come in from gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender listeners, or their friends and family, telling similar stories, but I also hear from straight, gay-supportive people who express shock that such discrimination is happening and cannot believe that it is often legal and that there are no federal protections against it.

The calls from the opposing side are just as revealing. I hear from listeners who, though they claim not to hold such

beliefs themselves, say a business owner should have the right to ban LGBT customers.

Others proudly say they believe LGBT people can or should be banned from certain kinds of businesses, or all of them; and I've fielded calls from business people, from shopkeepers to real estate brokers, who’ve said they should have the right not to serve gay or lesbian couples. Business owners do have a great deal of freedom to turn away anyone they want, for a variety of reasons, such as rude or loud behavior or failure to abide by a dress code enforced equally for all.

But people cannot be turned away based on race, gender, religion, or any other protected class, such as disability. In the majority of states, however, this protection does not extend to sexual orientation or gender identity. Why should LGBT people live with and accept the idea that a shop can at any time put up a sign saying NO GAYS ALLOWED—or even NO GAY WEDDINGS SERVED—even if there is another shop down the street that will happily serve them? (Of course, in many small towns there isn’t another shop down the street and not one for many miles.) Beyond the humiliation and degradation of such actions, allowing this discrimination opens the door, legally and morally, to larger acts of discrimination against LGBT people—and other people—for purported religious reasons.

Whether based in religion or not, such behavior is bigotry and simply can’t be tolerated. We must not allow victory blindness to keep us from seeing that.

Read the entire excerpt at www.adovcate.com. For info on The Michelangelo Signorile Show on SiriusXM visit: www.signorile.com.

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David Hakimfar is a Partner at Hakimfar Law in West Hollywood and a member of Pride Legal

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