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

NO VEMB ER 2015 | T H E F I GH T 1

Robert Witte, Connie Norman, David Reed, Randy Lance,Robert Tanella, Stephen, Kolzak, Paul Monette, Eric Lantz, Mark Ferguson, Tommy Powell, Vernon Mit Paul Betts, David Antony Castro, Michael Thomas Freiberg, Ron Cayot, Russell Klumpp, Victor D’Lugin, Glenn A. Flor, Eugene Paul Kamminga, German V. Ma gh O. Rice, Walter Currier, Michael Currier, Ham Jones, Roderick, Cyril Chapman, Edward T. Helms, Frank Gary Randolph, Terry M. Hicks, Darrell Dean Lars A. Sachs, Randy Reichart, Stanley Jon Spector, David M. Frable, Robert D. Penland Jr.Roger Wenrick, Newman, Joseph F. Moffa, Patrick Dennis Condry, Bob Da elbex, Bryan Stephenson, Ron DeBona, Richard Lippman, Raymond Derek Lee, Gary Livingstone, Glenn Gilchrist, Louis Gutherie, Reggie Hardin, Victoria ino Rodriguez, Joyce Corets, Olga Torres, Lyle Baker, John James Opperlee, Terry Lynn Kirsch-Piersol, Armando, Gabriel Arreola, David A. Garcia, Greg Alliop l Bennett,Jason Walker, Marshall Porter, Bobby Watts, Rick Weiss, Ray Lloyd Jr., Dean Licitra, Lee Mathis, Jeffrey Ray Moore, Freddy Mercury, Kevin Allen Br enner, Wayne Burgos, Bob Rubin, David Rodale, Bob Greenfield, Jeff Fields, Michael Grant, Steve Tracey, Rick Varetta, Paul Staron, Jim Vaughan, Tom Villard Greg York, Timothy Patrick Murphy, Jerry Moreno, David Oliver, Tim Butler, Anique Jaqueline, Casper, Christopher Chadman, Tim D’Arcy, Anthony Perkins, Ma n, Wes Skelley, Bob E. Horn, David Johnson, Richard A. Nunez, Ernie Gonzalez, Geoff Leon,,Paul Latchaw, Tom Kindle, Larry Kert, Rick Sachelli, Kenny Schissler, Bruce Decker, Tony Faso, Kevin Peter Hall, Matthew Hammond, Gordon Halliday, Don Johnson, Bob Hawes, Michael A. Burns, Gary Patock, James Louis Earl Mayo, John Michael Silva, Robert Allan,. Mark David Monteleone, Paul Francis Kufrin, Luke, Blair, Brian LeFevre, Stanley Rowland, Jamie R. Di D. DeWitt, Christopher Allen Santell, Clinton John, Clark, Chuck Long, Lorraine Dunnings, Ted Lee, Terry Stewart, Bobby Hardy, William Draden, John B Casiano, Rodger Paplim, Christine Nakata, Tracy Evan, Bernard Clay, Jamie Jamison, David Buntino, Tiffany Shipman, Michael Wiggins, Rick Barber, George Gon Henerson, John Harrison, Darryl Birt, Henry Grant, Cleveland Fendleton, Ron January, Joe Deloatch, Antonio Fox, Graves, Rodney DeShields,, Lamar Pugh, n, Earle Hubert, Robert Johnson, Sammy Meyers, Christine Hicks, Michael Sheffield, Ollie Quine, Miguel Zarate, Curtis Berry, Donald Hubbard, Lucian Richa oleman, Earl Watson, Hank Ballard, Kenneth Holmes, Alester Gant, Brad Gordon, David Castro, Matthew R. Cooper, Mark Anthony, Davalos, James M. Derdzins F. Holmes, William Knudtson, August Marth, Howard Nebeker, Robert,, William Sellman, Richard Eugene Vogel, James Weatherall, Robert Alan Pine, Joey Dee Cu Workman, Michael K. Wilson, Roy Oaks, Lupe Canno Jr., Michael Cull, Rob Eichberg, Louie Dorado, Ryan White, Manny Paredes, Gabe Kruks, Jurgen T l Rix Stengler, Michael B. Stream, Patrick Blare, Jim Henderson, R. A. Johanningmeier, Julio Naranjo, Richard C. Barnes, Duane Kearns Puryear, Glen T. Nak Nakatani, Bryan S Obst, Gary Gordon, Jesse Spindler, James Johansen, Robert Callahan, Dennis Bisano, Louis Gaspar, Richard Kanae, Jeff William, Gary Bixler, , Leland Knight, Derrick Tomlin, James Auwae, Rick Crownove, Wallace DePriest, Minka Hamilton, William Human, Jose Lucero, Terrance Martin, Beljin ph Cochrane, Lawrence Duhaylong, Gary Fletcher, Russell Gaustad, Curtis Head, Phillip Debs, James Kuehne, James Levin, Cory Medeiros, Richard Nothe, James Patino, Phillip Payuer, William Ch Rivera, Roger Rodrigues, James Strauch, Henry Shapiro, Archie Tyner, John Marciel, Scott McQuown, Joe Moulton Eric Easter, John Aloha, Scott Chenoweth, Landon Scott, Tim Rogerson, Kris Lauffer, Neil Cunningham, Allen Kron, Weylin Addo-Hamilton, Pacita Fern l Beeson, Gilbert Parsons, Raymond Grune, Jesse Spinnler, Andrew Fleet, James Coker, Robert Dee Cayford, Jim Ackerly, Jonathan Adams, Garth Howe, Seth Hym Kim, Chris Kimura, Gilbert Mendez, George Strand, Robert Parada, Richard Woodard, James Panui, Bonifacio Fernandez, Amanda Blake, Corey Medeiros, D eil Jones, Ronald Kach, Frank Gampon, Rob Thrasher, Gilbert Parsons, Sylvio Lanaro, Terry Casey, Kent Eley, James Dean George, Charles Alan Cobb, Dona , Dale R. Hardy, Kenneth L. Weaver, John Frank, Jesse Flowers, J. Raymond Sandeen, Michael M. Lynch, Jerome Zimmler, Ed Shannon, Calvin Hampton, Ka an, James Bonnette, Delton Grooms, Daniel Cisneros, Terry McCormick, Roy Henderson, John Bethel, John Bowen, Roger Novak, Kirk Kimball, Judd Wozencraft, i, Dave Clerici, Lyle Roberts, John Vaughan, Steve Hodges, Willis Mathews, Jack Trux, Nick Mein, Rob Little, Ron Brannen, John Verducci, Mark Bloomfield, her, Michael Vayssie, Tony Giovenetti, Kammann, Rick Eastman, Alain Scofield, Ted Krulwich, Billy Weider, Werner Seelig, Cesar Casado, Ray Noya, Scott Dou l McCall, Gary Toro, Bob, Scrofani, Rick Hall, Ric Chanon, David Burkhardt, Mark Botelho, Steph Adams, Colston Young, Ron McGurer, Rick Hesterman, s, Mark McClelland, Rusty Nicholls, Dan Delbex, Bennie Craig, John Bryant, James, Carroll Pickett, Michael Stuart Shere, Vincent Barron, David Stebbins, Joe F s Muscardelli, Robert Chesley, Bill Oxendine Santana, Scott Giantvalley, Wilson DiPalma, Pete Pecina, Joey Cundiff, Jack R. Sturdy, Jim Merriam, Harry Losleben y, Richard A. Nunez, Ernie Gonzalez, David Rose, Danny Fajardo, Brad Hearth,Jamie Rosenthal, David Peirona, Scott Roderick, Scott O’Hara, Jeff Ethrnthaller, Doug Pinkley, Samuel Tivvis Faggard, Johnny Williamson, Olivia Star Hesketh, Donald Bevenger, Oliver Burgess Coggins, David Farris, John Aguliar, M rd, Rick Neill, Randy Gorden, Roy Gordon, Rodney Necaise, Orville Graham, StevenBlomquist, Orville Baker, Tim Martin, Greg Erickson, Orville Baker, C land, Charles Flora, Patrick Mobley, Arthur Ashe, Phonencia Brown, John Miles, Ronnie Johnson, Cecil McClendon, Margaret Walden, Tyrone Cooper, Dana M ra Grant, Arthur Howard Jr., Rose Jones, Dorothy King, James Marshall, Bill Moore, Michael Jaqubino, David DunkleJr., Richard Graham, Steven George, n, Jim Marin, Don Miller, Bob Kono, Roberto Tyson, Norm Bren, Brian Ardt, Jim Close, Fred Deming, Charles Flora Jr., Lyle Hoffman, Rolando Cordon, S , Greg Boast, Michael Schuttlefield, Tony Leigh Leiby, Michael Lewis, Dennis Dozer, John Hayes, Patrick Spanne, Michael Leist, William Moore, Mark Jones n, Greg Gorges, John Michael Thomas, Kevin Plaehn, Perry Peterson, Hotchkiss, Kevin Rae, Charles Finley, Michael Fletcher, Chuck Lisatano, Timothy Edwards n, Bob Vargas, Randy Shilts, James Baker, Marshall Cason, Liz Cunningham, Bill Kraus, Byron Stuart, John Galvin, James Logan, Charles Paskiewicz, William Br F. Gonzalez, Connie Norman, Roger Horowitz, Steven Kolzak, Paul Monette, Bruce Kahl, Bob Thomas, Jay Pitkin., Wade Richards, Cory Roberts Auli, Wayne Kar d, John Miller, Jay Wehrfritz, Stan Long, Gabe Kruks, Sean Kinney, Mac McCoy, Andrew Escajeda, Joseph Alan, Thompson, Stephen Shawn Goonan, Ric Abeytia Keiran Prather, James Carroll Pickett, Stephen R. Husa, Kenny Sacha, Mark Kearney, Chris Conway, Bernie Castagnola, Rock Hudson, Luis Oliveras, Bruce h Grell, Joe Clark, Lori Levine, Susan Harrigan, Roxy Ventola, Jayne Little, Michael Callen, Don Olivier, John Boles, Jerry Clark, Jim Dionisio, Dave Johnson, erg, Louis Schiavo, Michael Hirogoyen, John Lorinsor, Ken, Thompson, Bruce Spicer, Thomas Licari, Cary Bobier, Mark Kostopoulos, Larry Feldman, Phillip on, Gil Cuadros, Griff Humphries, Carl Lukes, Jim Hauf, Neil Baumler, Paul Ketterer, Angel Ampuero, Jody Bummalo, Mark Hamilton, Bob Culnen, Pat G do Jimenez, Jeremy Lock, Eric Westerdale, Elaine Cruz, Curt Hughes, Frank Sears, Michelle Derer, Christopher Lee Blauman, Pat Tessier, Larry Andrews, M , Brian Callanan, Tony Paone, Rubin Reyes, John, Bangle, Jason Aston, Willard Michael Raper, Easy “E”, Russell Lynn Green, C. Vernon Mitchell, Angus B , Wayne Mersel, Angel Ingelmo, Christoph Fischer, Ricky Caimi, Tony Engels, Michael Erickson, Peter Davidson, Tony Clark, Jeffrey Mane, Elizabeth Glaser m, Stephen J. Hardesty, Alfred Schulz, Pedro de Alba, Bruce Neveu, Michael, Bishop, Tom Bonica, Keith Ferguson, David Smith, Michael Bret, Tony Bulos, Greg E hl, William Dobbles, Greg Gonzalez, Bill Goodyear, Billy Cota, Jim Landfraf, James Johnston, Michael Ostman, Freddie Mercury, Pat Burke, Rudolf Nureyev n, Sherrod Smith, Craig McArthur, Billy Ray Parker, Ciro Vitale, Jeffrey Rice, Robert Kratzer, Cork Palmer, Carlos Jones, Mike Patterson, Robert Keyser , Ernest Hannibal Jr., Duke Evans, Bill Sullivan, Tom Olson, Martin Trego, David Connor, Lance Fuller, Joey Silva, Glenn Burke, Joel Willingham, John Ha Gardner, Larry Wilmer, Ed Tyndale, Jim Gandy, Mark Marcangelo, Phil Gerber, Brent Madison, Tom Reardon,,, Larry Niblett, Mike Hylton, Mike Willis, Steve W ischer, Richard Parsons, Randy Duits, Jerry Hart, Charles Lewis, Jerry Russell, David Stewart, Joey Bulman, Glen Smith, Jeff Stratchen, Paul Spear, Don Hahne Norman Lowery, Richard Pulley, Edward Johnson, Ruben Perez, Steven K. Blomquist, Eddie Dugan, Kurt Schmidt, Tony Pince, Glen Robinson, Justin Jones, y, Tony Carden, Richard Smith, Greg Shears, Stephen Olsen, Mark Abrahams, Barbara Griffiths, John Murray, Mark Coleman, Lorraine Cibilic, David L. Cartw Robinson, Steven R. Rambo, Joey Stefano, Don Pamplin, Jeffery L. Crom, John Munsell, Timothy G. Rose, Jim Elliott, Steven Bradley, Michael Watson, Jody Robic White, Darren Hall, Dennis Taylor, Fred Johnston, Bill Scott. Kevin May, Philip Malaret, Richard Aichele, Julio Duarte, Greg Patyk, Manuel Vargas, Jerry M umlin, Jose Ramos, Paul Monette, Tony Caputo, Buzzy Costanza, Phil Bruno, Jay Gurrero, Wes Sullivan, Timothy, Patrick Compton, Ric Wells, Thomas Pecora, ck, Paul Plauche, Phillip Ray Howell, Chuck Boudreaux, Donnie Ezelle, Roy Templeman, Michael Kullman, Paul Monts, Thomas Joseph Timmons, Charlie Tomeny s, Alfredo Allan, Waldo Suarez, Valeriano Suarez, Antonio Del Aguila, Paul Dubois, Jose Barrientos, Randy Peterson, Scott Butcher, Tom Denton, Charlie Wills, ws, Joey Marzo, Craig Figurski, Jim Parcells, Parker Acosta, Trace Dixon, Paul Menton, Donald David Freuenbach, Richard Romero, Bobby Peterson, Bob Daggett, t, Walter Hansen, Tony Fransen, Rand Weisman-Curtwright, Danny Carlson, Rick Stover, Gary Lee Disney, Stephen Wright, Michael Johnson, David Fox, Ted B Cella, Steven Katz, Mark Johnson, Michael Ader, Michael Lott, Michael Peters, Steven Quaady, Doyle Whitaker, Isaac Asimov, Jeff Struckman, Kevin San do Caballero, Ronald Mayfield, Robert Baxter, Thom Gibson, Chris Free, Derald Newby, Charles Selber, Greg Ashley, Javier Abreg, Wayne Hill, Richard Aichele, e, Gilbert Belanger, Paul Campelain, Greg Loftus, Brian Silversides, Gary A. Reynolds, Tom Escamilla, Matthew A. Taylor, Jack Fitzpatrick, Pedro Medina, F William Burns, Janusz Makiewiecz, James Dawson, Wayne Davis, Tom Clark, Philip Malaret, David C. Fox, Clifford D. Amick, Carlos J. Martinez, Keith Hall ki Sanchious, George A. Hurst, Jay E. McAlister, Robert Clepper, John Donaldson, Richard King, Oliver Johnston, Andy Tse, Ocean Liu, Calvin Lowery, Craig R usse, Charles Jurrist, Curtis Vasquez, Jon Pate, Bob Fournier, Bob Abajian, John Dubay, Herb Rosenfeld, Luke Quinn, Bob Hattoy, David Kamens, James Manley John Cichetti, Bob Best, John Minelli, David Poot, Alfred Segura, Michael Lizaola, Richard Villegas, Henry Negrete, Jeff Neff, Stephen Michael, Wayne Holt, , Halston, Michael Lord, Scott Reeve, Randy Wayne Marr, Keith Ryan, Ed Mackey, Rene Clemente, Jerry Dean Edwards, Russell L. Green, David L. Tucker, Ron Payne, Richard Moise, David Harold Tarbell, Allan James Tarbell, Michael Gene Knisley, Umberto De La Riva, Timothy Cariel, Michael Jeter, David Dreier, R , Arturo Sese, Dominick Cooper, Darryl Libby, Galen Shane Kraft, Don Marone, Tim Cotterill, Norman Ralph, Rock Hudson, Anthony Perkins, Kenneth Holly len, Trent Taylor, Jack Wright, Terry Piersoll, Steve Klar. Steven HusaJerry Thompson, Ed Benbenek, Ronald Philip Best, Pete Blandon, Dack Rambo, Gary Lane, d, Bob Lee, Bobby Carver, Dwayne Durant, Eric Spivey, Larry Holloway, Frank Palazzola, Bob Wallace, Terri Gleason, Donald Key, Matthew Culp, Mark Sica, Sylv itzpatrick, Edward Meyers, Steven HarveyAnthony Dewayne Waller, John Hilberer, Liberace, David Range, Mike Cloake, Alun Jones, Scott Haycock, Wayne G Pole. David Royster, Wright Rushing, Jim Shackelford, John Kappers, Debbie DillonTerry Rose, Mark Sundstrom, Terry Eister, Porter Cutler, Ron Halstead, R AIDSWatch @AIDSWatch2015 www.AIDSWatch.org Chris Parsel,2 Charles Yeats, Ben Maxwell, Mitty Cowan, Larry Lambert, Rudy Kurakos, Virjes Moultrie, Rod Stringer, Ed Stiffler, Carey Sutlive, Roger Ruthe T H E F I GH T | www.thefightmag.com efano, Patrick Taylor, Ron Lewallyn, Lee Bomhoff, Gary Dietz, Bland Wilson, Michael Creaven, Leasal Anderson, James R. Gray, Matt Crews, Rob Elwood, Leo

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NO VEMB ER 2015 | T H E F I GH T 3

THECONTENTS >> MORE TO COME <<

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

HEALTH IN WEHO 22 SEXUAL LGBT Center’s New Facility

FOR SAFE SCHOOLS 24 OUT LGBT Student Safety Program

BABY 28 MAYBE Dr. Sam Najmabadi On Family Options FORWARD SIDEWAYS 32 MOVING Palm Springs Pride Headliner Wrabel THE SEX POLICE 36 FIGHTING National Coalition of Rent Boys & Allies THREE IS NOT A CROWD 38 WHEN The Next Sexual Revolution LIVES 42 CHANGING You Can Make A Difference

44 FINDING YOUR WAY HOME

One Gay Man’s Guardian Angels

50 TOUGH LOVE

Intimate Partner Violence Report

ON THE COVER STEPHEN WRABEL COVER PHOTO BY JOSEPH CULTICE MAIN TOC PHOTO AND FEATURE PHOTO BY MATHEW TUCCIARONE

DEPARTMENTS

42 4 T H E F I GH T | www.thefightmag.com

16 18 20 26 30 34 46 48 50 52 54 56 58

THE TALK Darryl Stephens THE STATE Trans In Prison THE CITY Fonda Awarded THE ROSTOW REPORT Lenny Dykstra THE SPREAD Diana Joy THE TRANSACTION Trans Chorus THE SHARE Local Sobriety THE JOYSTICK Gaming THE EPIDEMIC New Vaccine THE REVIEW Le Bal THE EVENT Out & About THE CALENDAR Things To Do THE FINAL FIGHT Last Word

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THEEDITOR

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

>> IN THIS ISSUE <<

With his first single “Sideways” featured on iTunes and downloaded nearly half a million times—and his song “Ten Feet Tall,” featured in a Bud Light commercial during the 2014 Super Bowl—it’s safe to say that singer and songwriter Stephen Wrabel (better known as simply “Wrabel”) is on his way to becoming a household name, writes Mark Ariel in this issue’s cover feature—“Moving Forward Sideways” on page 32. Wrabel, headlining at Palm Springs Pride this month, has written songs for Phillip Phillips, Adam Lambert, Katharine McPhee, Pentatonix, Will Young, and Ellie Goulding and is consistently called upon by top producers in the music industry while continuing to write for his next record. In the interview with THE FIGHT Wrabel, a gay man, talks about a painful breakup, his creative process and the “bully in his head.” Also in this issue Brenden Shucart examines a “sexual revolution quietly building momentum”—gay polyamorous relationships (“When Three Is Not A Crowd,” page 38). “Not to be confused with polygamy, an often very repressive system where one dude is entitled to multiple wives, polyamory can be described as the practice of accepting non-exclusive romantic and/or sexual relationshipsbasically ethical and honest non-monogamy,” explains Shucart.

“Polyamory is clearly experiencing something of a ‘moment,’” states Shucart, “and the fact that it doesn’t occupy a radically more prominent position within public discourse seems like it can only be attributed to its being overshadowed by the bombardment of news about PrEP and marriage equality.” According to “Loving More,” a polyamory advocacy group, there are anywhere between 1 million and 1.5 million people living in the United States who poly-identify, and “I am one of them,” reveals Shucart. Being in a poly relationship, says Shucart, “taught me how to love, how to communicate. Any poly practitioner you talk to will tell you that the essence of any successful poly relationship is communication, but they don’t explain to you what communication is—it’s listening with an open heart even when you don’t like what you’re hearing, and doing your utmost to speak your truth clearly, even when you’re afraid it’ll hurt.” “Marriage” can be redefined, states Shucart. “If it can include two people of the same sex—why not three?” “Assimilation works in both directions, as we are changed by acceptance into the mainstream, the mainstream itself is changed. And perhaps, now, those lessons, hard learned, can be our gift to the broader culture.”

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

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6 6 TTH HEE FFIIGH GHTT || www.thefightmag.com www.thefightmag.com

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NO VEMB ER 2015 | T H E F I GH T 7

WHAT IS PREZCOBIX™ ?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What are the possible side effects of PREZCOBIX™ ?

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

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

• PREZCOBIX™ may cause liver problems. Some people taking PREZCOBIX™ may develop liver problems which may be life-threatening. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before and during your treatment with PREZCOBIX.™ ○ Chronic hepatitis B or C infection may increase your chance of developing liver problems. Your healthcare provider should check your blood tests more often. ○ Signs and symptoms of liver problems include dark (tea-colored) urine, yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes, pale-colored stools (bowel movements), nausea, vomiting, pain or tenderness on your right side below your ribs, or loss of appetite. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of these symptoms. • PREZCOBIX™ may cause severe or life-threatening skin reactions or rash. Sometimes these skin reactions and skin rashes can become severe and require treatment in a hospital. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash. ○ Stop taking PREZCOBIX™ and call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any skin changes with symptoms such as fever, tiredness, muscle or joint pain, blisters or skin lesions, mouth sores or ulcers, red or inflamed eyes like “pink eye” (conjunctivitis). • PREZCOBIX,™ when taken with certain other medicines, can cause new or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should check your kidneys before you start and while you are taking PREZCOBIX.™ Who should not take PREZCOBIX™ ? • Do not take PREZCOBIX™ with any of the following medicines: alfuzosin (Uroxatral®), cisapride (Propulsid®, Propulsid® Quicksolv), colchicine (Colcrys®, Mitigare,® if you have liver or kidney problems), dronedarone (Multaq®), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E.45®, Embolex ®, Migranal®), ergotamine tartrate (Cafergot ,® Ergomar ,® Ergostat ,® 8 T H E F I GH T | www.thefightmag.com

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

027409-150108

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

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

WisdomLosAngeles.com *PREZCOBIX™ is taken in combination with other HIV medications for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults. NO VEMB ER 2015 | T H E F I GH T 9

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

1 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

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

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

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

NO VEMB ER 2015 | THE F I GH T 11

THECONTRIBUTORS >> WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS <<

PAULO MURILLO West Hollywood resident Paulo Murillo has been writing for gay media for over twelve years. He got his start writing a bi-weekly column called “Luv Ya, Mean It” for FAB! Newspaper. Visit his website at thehissfit.com, or friend him on Facebook. ANN ROSTOW Ann Rostow writes news analysis columns for THE FIGHT and other gay publications across the country. For weekly LGBT News updates, visit her blog at: annrostow.blogspot.com. Ann can be reached at: arostow@aol.com. DUSTI CUNNINGHAM Los Angeles based photographer Dusti Cunningham grew up in a very clean single-wide trailer home in rural Kansas. His family didn’t own television so they watched tornadoes. None of his dogs were named Toto. Dolly Parton and his mother were his heroes, both wore wigs. His inspirations are gypsies, pirates, circuses, 1970s glamour, and the National Enquirer. www.dusticunningham.com. JOSEPH ARELLANO A stage and film actor from Bedford, Indiana, Joe has been involved in community events such as The Friendly House Luncheon, PATH, and LA PRIDE. Joe has appeared in Titus Andronicus, Dark Side

Murillo

Lucas

Lyonne

Cunningham

Arellano

Rostow

Slayton

Shucart

of the Moon, and Take Me Out. He also co-starred in the music video Hopeful Romantic, Hallmarks’ Holly’s Holiday, and other various short films. 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. BRENDEN SHUCART Brenden Shucart is an HIV/ AIDS-LGBT rights advocate, actor, and writer whose work has

Pickle

been featured in Out There,The Advocate and HIV Plus magazine among others. His essays around HIV-related health issues and stigma have been described as “humanizing and heartbreaking” and “beautiful, honest, and important.” As an actor Shucart has appeared in the short film “Bug Chaser,” James Franco and Travis Mathews’ “Interior. Leather Bar.,” and Mathews’ 2010 short film “I Want Your Love.” ERIC SLAYTON Eric Slayton is a member of the African American HIV University and Scientific Treatment (AAHU) Class of 2016, in conjunction

with UCLA and Black Aids Institute. He serves on the board of BTAN (Black Treatment Advocates Network), Black Aids Institute, The Friends of The Thrive Tribe, and volunteers as a coordinator for access to PrEP within the minority and LGBT communities. Eric is also a marketing consultant at THE FIGHT Magazine. MICHAEL LUCAS Michael Lucas is a RussianIsraeli-American gay pornographic film actor, director, activist, writer and the founder/CEO of Lucas Entertainment, New York’s largest gay-adult-film company. He is a columnist for The Advocate, Huffington Post and Pink News. PICKLE Pickle (@itspicklebitch) was born in the strained and hazy imagination of Joe Faragher, LA native and once goodie-two shoes who has since collapsed into just another depraved, thirsty homosexual following his “education” at Sarah Lawrence College (once a manners school for girls and now a school of rudeness for girls and degenerates) Her favorite color is cheetah print. You can catch Pickle @exposuredrag on select Mondays and working the back alley of Gold Coast every Tuesday night after 1:30am. Joe works at THE FIGHT as a marketing consultant and can usually be spotted in a crowd.

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

THELETTERS >> FROM OUR READERS <<

MAKE A DIFFERENCE Dear Editor, I enjoyed reading the interview with Clifton Tatum, Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2015 (“Following Your Passion,” THE FIGHT Issue #57). What a sweet, kind man! Please continue reporting on folks who make a difference in our community. —David Ross, via the internet

LITTLE EYE CANDY Dear Editor, I hope the 2 page centerfold will be an ongoing thing in your magazine (“The Spread,” THE FIGHT Issue #57). I’m fine with your articles—usually smart and well-written, but a little eye candy never hurts—and Joel Anderson is not only a hottie— but intelligent as well! —Michael Garcia, via the internet

PUT IN PERSPECTIVE Dear Editor, Reading the first line of Lawrence Ferber’s review of “Stonewall,” the movie (in the October issue of OutSmart Magazine), is impossible to deal with unless Stonewall, the event, is put in perspective. It says: “The question of who threw the first brick during the 1969 Stonewall riots, thereby launching the modern LGBT civilrights movement and annual Pride parades, has been a point of controversy and disagreement long before director Roland Emmerich’s new film depicting that pivotal moment.” The event would not be considered the “start” of the modern GLBT movement if it had not been reported on by the media. The same type of event and other public demonstrations had happened before and could have been/should have been the “start,” but were not—only because they were ignored by the “general” media. Where is the interest in the hundreds of other activists, who have been working since the continuing movement to gain equal/civil rights for homosexual Americans started in 1950? —Billy Glover, via the internet

> WRITE TO THE EDITOR

Email: editor@thefightmag.com Fax: (213) 281-9648. Letters may be shortened due to space requirements. NO VEMB ER 2015 | THE F I GH T 15

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

STILL LEFT

DARRYL STEPHENS

“There’s homophobes still left. Most of them are running for president.” —Vice President Joe Biden, in a pointed jab at the Republican White House hopefuls, last month at a meeting of the Human Rights Campaign.

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN

STILL FACE BILLY CRYSTAL

HILLARY CLINTON

WHITE MEN

“I like the idea that Hollywood is at the forefront of... [social] changes, but I think Hollywood is also very sensitive to the nation’s sentiments and wary [about what sells]... I think it’s a similar issue with gay stories too, but because white men can be gay, Hollywood is a little more lenient in terms of pushing that envelope. The progress of the LGBT movement in Hollywood can be moved along as long as the face of the gay movement is white men... [In Hollywood] you can be one or the other. You can be black or you can be gay. You can’t be both.” —Actor Darryl Stephens (“Noah’s Arc,” “DTLA”) in an interview with the Los Angeles Times on how Hollywood’s famed progressive social views often take a back seat to commercial considerations.

HOTTEST CHICKS

“In skiing, there’s such an alpha male thing about pulling the hottest chicks... I know hooking up with hot girls doesn’t sound like the worst thing in the world. But I literally would sleep with a girl and then cry about it afterward. I’m like, ‘What am I doing? I don’t know what I’m doing.’” —Olympic medalist Gus Kenworthy, the GUS KENWORTHY No. 1 ranked freestyle skier in the world, coming out last month in a cover story for ESPN magazine.

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

MOVE AMERICA “One of their leading [GOP presidential] candidates argued that going to prison turns you gay... Another candidate boasts that he introduced an amendment to end nationwide marriage equality... We PRESIDENT BARACK need to reject politicians who are OBAMA supporting new forms of discrimination as a way to scare up votes. That’s not how we move America forward.” —President Barack Obama at Democratic fundraiser in New York, last month.

MY JESUS “When someone is introducing antigay legislation and you happen to be gay, it’s hard not to take it personally... I’m doing the best I can to not let these issues be personal and respect their view, but I was raised a different way, and my Jesus is different.” CELIA ISRAEL —Texas State Rep. Celia Israel in a new documentary about the role of religion in the Texas Legislature, “God And Governing.”

WRONG GENDER

THEIR OPINION “I want to be a figure in the gay community, who speaks for gay men... I sell records in countries where gay men get killed and that’s a big thing for me, because maybe one person in that country will pick up my album, realize it’s by a gay artist, and it might change their opinion.” —Singer Sam Smith in an interview with NME.

“I see the injustices and the dangers that you and your families still face... I’m running for president to stand up for the fundamental rights of LGBT Americans.” —Hillary Clinton last month at a meeting of the Human Rights Campaign.

SAM SMITH

“I used to go to bed and bargain with God and say, ‘I’ve been good today, so can I wake up a girl?’ ... I’d like to think in 2015 being trans is so mainstream now that it won’t be an issue but sadly there will be people who will think JAMES DAWSON it’s weird... [but] I’m not wasting any more time in the wrong gender.” —James Dawson, author of international best seller “This Book is Gay” on her gender transition in an interview with Buzzfeed News.

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alifornia became the first state in the nation last month to agree to pay for transgender prison inmates to receive sexual reassignment surgery. Prison officials released specific guidelines in the wake of several lawsuits. Mattheus Stephens, a partner at Progressive Law Group, said the law says it must be medically necessary for the state to pay for the surgery, reports KPBS. “If you have any kind of medical issue, let’s say a liver condition, you would get treatment for that medical condition in prison, they wouldn't just say, ‘OK, you’re a prisoner, you’re going to suffer with your liver condition,’” he said. “This is exactly the same from a legal premise, and it’s cruel and unusual in violation of the Eighth Amendment to deny the medical services when it’s determined that it’s medically necessary.” Stephens said life for transgender people in prison can be particularly brutal. Prisons across the country have different rules for housing transgender inmates and different standards for recognizing gender dysphoria as a medical condition. In California state prisons, transgender inmates are housed with members of their gender at birth, not the gender they identify with, unless they have had sexual reassignment surgery. There are 375 males and 26 females currently undergoing therapy in California prisons, said Joyce Hayhoe from California Correctional Healthcare Services. To qualify for sexual reassignment surgery, inmates must be diagnosed with gender dysphoria, have lived as the opposite sex and received hormone therapy for at least a year and have at least two years left on their sentence, she said. n

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THECITY >> BY PAULO MURILLO <<

ARCHBISHOP BEAN

ARCHBISHOP GETS HIV/AIDS ADVOCACY AWARD

rchbishop Rev. Carl Bean will receive an award of distinction from the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation (SDHDF) at the upcoming Aston-Brooks Gala on November 7. Archbishop Bean is the third and final honoree who has been selected to receive the Sunshine Brooks HIV/AIDS Advocacy Award. “Archbishop Bean has taken adversity and created inspiration for the disenfranchised,” said John L. Brown, SDHDF executive director in a press release. “He knows first-hand the struggle and heartache people of color who live with HIV/AIDS experience and has created a safe, welcoming religious space so they feel loved and accepted.”

LGBT CENTER TO HONOR JANE FONDA

he Los Angeles LGBT Center will honor Academy Award-winning actress Jane Fonda at the LA LGBT Center’s 46th Anniversary Vanguard Award gala on November 7. Fonda will receive her award from Lily Tomlin, her co-star in the Netflix JANE FONDA series “Grace and Frankie.” Actress Frances McDormand will also be at the gala to present an award to screenwriter Ron Nyswaner—a gay writer, producer, documentary filmmaker, activist and pioneer in LGBT-related films. The fundraiser will take place at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel. For more on the gala, visit lalgbtcenter.org.

TRANSGENDER JOB FAIR IN WEHO

he City of West Hollywood held a Transgender Job Fair last month in collaboration with the L.A. LGBT Center. The job fair was an effort to connect transgender women and men with employment resources and opportunities, as well as offer services to help transgender women and men develop professional skills, find employment with trans-friendly employers, and thrive in the workplace. For more information, contact the L.A. LGBT Center’s Transgender Economic Empowerment Project at 323-860-3713. 2 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

LESLIE JORDAN

HOMOPHOBIC ENCOUNTER INSPIRES SHOW

ctor Leslie Jordan is turning a homophobic incident that took place in West Hollywood into art. The Emmy Award winning actor is set to star in a one man show called “Not In My House” which taps into an incident on July 29, when Jordan shouted at three young men who were using the slur “faggot” at the Big Gay Starbucks in WeHo. WEHOville reports that Feinstein’s at the Nikko—a cabaret in San Francisco, is featuring Jordan in the one-man show. The show takes its title from what Jordan shouted before flinging his coffee at the three homophobes.

TRANS BOY TAKES HIS OWN LIFE

14-year old transgender boy, Emmett Castle, took his own life early last month in the city of EMMETT CASTLE San Diego, making this the fourth trans teen suicide in the San Diego area. The Advocate reports that Castle began transitioning last summer, and his family was supportive and accepting of his transition. However, the family stated that Castle suffered from severe depression, and that he had attempted to take his life several previous times. Any trans or gender-nonconforming person considering suicide can reach a Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860. LGBT youth (ages 24 and younger) can reach the Trevor Project Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386.

LGBTQ HISTORIC PLACES IN L.A.

he Los Angeles Conservancy explores LGBTQ Historic Places in L.A. with a new interactive map and microsite that’s part of their ongoing “Curating the City” programming, reports Los Angeles Magazine. More than 30 locations ranging from architectural masterpieces like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Samuel-Novarro Residence in Los Feliz to an absolutely anonymous storefront in Boyle Heights that housed the popular lesbian bar Redz for more than 50 years. Some of the locations, including the Black Cat bar in Silver Lake and the modernist residence of Margaret and Harry Hay, are officially listed as city monuments for their LGBT history. Los Angeles was home to the first gay pride parade in 1970, the world’s first LGBTQ synagogue, the oldest continuously operating Christian LGBTQ ministry, and the country’s longest-running LGBTQ publication. For more info visit laconservancy.org/lgbtq.

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>> MASCULINITY AND BROTHERHOOD <<

Sexual Health In WEHO Los Angeles LGBT Center opens new West Hollywood facility to promote, protect sexual health. HIV/STD testing capacity triples; PrEP and PEP services expanded.

Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic in Hollywood, which offers the same sexual health services as the Center-WeHo. “If everyone who is HIV-positive could get treatment and reduce their viral load to an undetectable level, HIV could be stopped,” said the Center’s Director of Sexual Health Services, Dustin Kerrone, B Y O R LY LY O N N E | PH O TO S BY LISA LISA PH O TO G RA PH Y “but first they have to know they’re positive. Today, one out of undreds of people turned out last month to celebrate seven people who are HIV-positive the opening of the new Los Angeles LGBT Centerdon’t know it. By increasing our WeHo. Located just above Gym testing capacity, by offering fast Sportsbar and Coffee Bean at 8745 and convenient testing in a sexSanta Monica Blvd., the new Center CEO positive environment, and by makCenter-WeHo will offer free HIV testing, Lorri L. Jean: ing it easy to obtain PrEP and PEP, STD testing and treatment, HIV preven“We’re offering the we hope to help slow the spread tion medications: PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure services and support that of HIV in L.A. where 83% of those living with HIV or bisexual men.” prohylaxis), vaccinations for hepatitis are essential to protecting areIngay addition to offering PrEP and PEP, the CenterA/B and HPV, partner notification the sexual health of our WeHo will help those who are uninsured, or whose services, and condoms. Soon, Pap insurance plans don’t cover it, qualify for financial smears will also be available. community—and we’re assistance programs to help cover the costs. “At the new Los Angeles LGBT providing them in a To promote the new facility, the Center has Center-WeHo, we’re offering the welcoming, sex-posilaunched a marketing campaign dubbed “What R U services and support that are esInto?” that features a diverse range of men in various sential to protecting the sexual health tive environment.” West Hollywood locations, pictured with the wideof our community,” said Center CEO range of emojis they use on smart phone apps to convey Lorri L. Jean, “and we’re providing them in what they’re “into.” The campaign’s simple message reads: a welcoming, sex-positive environment where “Whatever you’re into, caring for your sexual health is our priority everyone will feel comfortable talking to our providers and at the new Los Angeles LGBT Center-WeHo.” The campaign will counselors about their risk factors, their interest in going on PrEP, run in print, online, mobile and outdoor media supported by the STD symptoms they may be experiencing, and more.” website whatRUinto.org. The new 2,600-square-foot facility is considerably larger than the West Hollywood facility where the Center previously offered HIV/ STD testing and STD treatment, enabling staff to provide up to The Los Angeles LGBT Center-WeHo’s hours of operation are Monday— 15,000 HIV/STD tests a year—that’s three times the capacity they Friday, 11 a.m.—2:30 p.m. and 4—7 p.m. Testing services are available on a could provide at The SPOT. Those who test positive for an STD walk-in basis or appointments can be made by calling 323-860-5855. Centercan be treated onsite; those who test positive for HIV can receive WeHo is located above Gym Sportsbar and Coffee Bean at 8745 Santa immediate medical care and support services from the Center’s Monica Blvd. Additional information is available at lalgbtcenter.org/WeHo.

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>> STUDENT SAFETY <<

Out For Safe Schools Los Angeles LGBT Center’s student safety program goes nationwide. BY VICTO R MELA MED

pilot program developed and launched two years ago by the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) with community partners to help make schools safer for LGBTQ students, has proven so successful—with students, teachers and administrators—that it’s being adopted by school districts throughout the country with the support of the Center and the Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network), reaching millions of students. Since the “OUT for Safe Schools” initia-

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tive was launched in the nation’s second largest school district in October 2013, more than 30,000 LAUSD teachers and other staffers have been wearing rainbow badges that proudly identify themselves as LGBTQ allies and protectors of students who are LGBTQ. Now, nine other school districts throughout the country—in New York, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego, Duval County (Florida), and Washington, D.C.—are adopting the program, reaching more than 2.5 million students (grades K-12).

“Despite increased public acceptance of LGBT people in general, many school campuses remain toxic environments for LGBTQ students, contributing to higher rates of suicide, depression, homelessness and HIV infection,” said Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Lorri L. Jean. “We approached the LAUSD about developing this program to create visible adult allies throughout the entire school system, helping LGBTQ youth feel safe and supported while helping to deter would-be bullies. Now, wherever students look, they’re sure to see adults who proudly identify themselves as LGBTQ allies for students.” Staff in all participating districts will be trained by GSA Network staff, with funding from a grant, to improve the campus climate for LGBT students.

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THEROSTOWREPORT >> BY ANN ROSTOW <<

SMARMY MODERATORS & SELF-IMPORTANT PARTICIPANTS

Here’s a little tidbit extracted from the Atlanta Journal Constitution the other day about a small focus group in Indiana. By the way, I cannot stand political focus groups with their smarmy moderators and self-important participants, encouraged to believe that their clueless pronouncements exemplify a larger electorate truth. Obama was born in Africa? Immigrants are criminals who drain our entitlement programs? Clinton could have prevented Benghazi? The earth is 4,000 years old? It's a good idea to preemptively bomb Iran? I hate when news anchors nod their heads after a segment on focus groups. “Thanks Tim. Interesting reactions from the voters down there.” No, their reactions are not interesting. They are moronic. That said, with no sense of irony, I will tell you that a focus group in Indianapolis by Peter Hart of The Annenberg Focus Group found that even extreme Republicans think the issue of marriage equality is decided and that candidates should drop the subject. Of the dozen group members, all but one were described as “hard core” and eight of them told the moderator that their party should “just shut up” about marriage and move on to other things. And yes, naturally the group supported Trump and Carson. This while acknowledging that they weren’t sure exactly what Trump or Carson's policies might be. Think about it. When conservative Republicans give up on gay bashing, we're doing pretty well. By the way, political junkies out there should know that the aforementioned group's main beef was with the far right members of Congress who talked the talk but never walked the walk once they got into

Lenny Dykstra, the Met’s right fielder back in the 1990s, paid private eyes to investigate umpires. He discovered a few gay ones, and blackmailed them into calling a narrow strike zone, which in turn allowed him to lead the national league in bases on balls. office. Do any of these tea party types ever notice that they and their representatives remain a fringe minority in Washington, do not speak for the much ballyhooed “American people,” and thankfully do not have the clout to impose their deranged policies on anyone else?

BLACKMAILING GAY UMPIRES & INCOHERENT BLATHER

Moving along, here’s a story only baseball fans could love. Anyone remember Lenny Dykstra? I knew you wouldn’t. The man was the Met’s right fielder back in the 1990s, before retiring and serving time behind bars for bankruptcy fraud and

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theft. A real jerk. Now we learn that Dykstra kept a slush fund of half a million dollars that he used to pay for private eyes to investigate umpires. He discovered a few gay ones, and blackmailed them into calling a narrow strike zone, which in turn allowed him to lead the national league in bases on balls. “It wasn't a coincidence I led the league in walks the next few years,” he told a sports reporter. “I had to do what I had to do to win and support my family.” That’s like saying you “had” to cork your bat, you “had” to steal signs or you “had” to put a toxin in the opposing team’s water supply. Meanwhile, speaking of Mets, Mr. October, Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy, is on record as antigay.

“Maybe, as a Christian, we haven’t been as articulate enough in describing what our actual stance is on homosexuality,” said Murphy. “We love the people. We disagree with the lifestyle. That’s the way I would describe it for me.” Huh? Among other things, Murphy reflects the increasing tendency for public figures to mangle the English language. Rachel Maddow and others creamed House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy last month for his incoherent blather on foreign policy, a descent into a grammatical abyss that made George W. Bush sound like Barbara Jordan. I just heard him “speak” again a few days ago, and he seems to have learned nothing from the backlash, garbling a mix of sentence fragments and nonsequiturs and abandoning key connections between subject, verb and adjective. The other thing is that Daniel Murphy is a judgmental man. Not only do I want his team to lose, but I want him to go hitless because I disagree his opinion.

DOLPHIN-ASSISTED BIRTH: PAGING DOCTOR FLIPPER

Let’s see what else we have to discuss. I was struck to read that Pat Robertson said the High Court’s marriage decision was “only” an opinion, and that state laws against marriage equality remain in force. Really? Back in July I gather the avuncular lunatic warned us that “love affairs between men and animals are going to be absolutely permitted.” We’ve all read versions of the slippery slope arguments, but I’ve never heard the threat of legalized bestiality expressed in such anthropomorphic terms. It’s as if someone fighting against affirmative action insisted that we’ll soon be obliged to let animals go to college. Or maybe the bans on discrimination in public accommodation

> > M O D E R AT O R S A N D PA R T I C I PA N T S , G AY U M P I R E S , D O C T O R F L I P P E R , C H I K I N < <

will someday force a baker to take a cake order from a squirrel. Lots of nuts please Mister. Speaking of anthropomorphism, I also read about women who plan to have dolphins aid them in childbirth in the open sea. Google it! People do this, or more accurately, discuss doing this, and there’s even an official dolphin blessing ceremony involved in the process. One article, a Newsweek piece headlined: “Dolphin-Assisted Childbirth is a Bad Idea,” noted that the ocean is filled with bacteria and other bad stuff, and that dolphins, for all their intelligence and charm, are unpredictable wild animals. “It’s also conceivable,” the author added, “that another sea creature—such as a shark—could try to ‘help.’” Another story on the subject, this one titled “DolphinAssisted Birth. Possibly the Worst Idea Ever,” had com-

ments at the end. My favorite: “We have something like this in Canada. It's called polar bear-assisted birth. This might explain why Canada has one tenth America’s population.”

EAT MOR CHIKIN

You know what everyone? It seems as if it might be okay for our community to return to Chick-fil-A. Hear me out. I was just reading about how the chicken shack is sponsoring a gay film festival, and I recognized that indeed, I’ve been reading over the last few years about numerous other pro-gay gestures and policies advanced by the company. You recall that we all boycotted Chick-fil-A after CEO Dan Cathy told the Baptist Press that he opposed marriage equality in 2012. We even staged a nation-wide kiss-in at Chick-fil-A franchises (although

at the one I went to, several of my gay brothers missed the point by ordering food while waiting for the speeches). But it may be that our protests had an effect. “Every leader goes through different phases of maturity, growth and development and it helps by (recognizing) the mistakes that you make,” said Cathy after the hoopla died down. “And you learn from those mistakes. If not, you’re just a fool. I’m thankful that I said lived through it and I learned a lot from it.” Now, our roles have been reversed with the religious far right, who have started some petition against the company and are calling for a boycott of their own. “Shame on you, Dan Cathy,” wrote conservative blogger Geoffrey Grider. “Christian Americans stood by you and Chick-fil-A every

step of the way back in 2012 when you were persecuted for taking a stand for Jesus Christ. But we will not stand with you on this. No sir. One of my favorite places to get lunch is at one of your restaurants, but that can and will change.” I was pretty smug during our boycott, given that I had never eaten at Chick-fil-A and never wished to. But I was struck at the time by an essay from a gay man who adored their chicken sandwiches. His mouth-watering description of the pleasure they gave him was so evocative that I had to stop myself from running out to get one. And, I admired his sacrifice, for indeed he pledged to forego his habit. Under the circumstances, however, I think I'll stop at the next opportunity and try one. Boycotts don't have to be forever. n

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>> MASCULINITY AND BROTHERHOOD <<

e b y Ma y b a B

An interview with Dr. Sam Najmabadi, the medical director of the Center for Reproductive Health & Gynecology, on LGBT family building. Dr. Najmabadi, what options are currently available for a gay couple interested in having their own children? Same sex male couples have to use an egg donor and a surrogate. The egg donor and the surrogate can be one in the same or it can be an egg donor giving eggs and we would do in-vitro to get the eggs out and then transfer into a surrogate. With all couples in advance to the process we do an STD test and a semen analysis for men. (Women also do a hormone test). All patients contributing to the egg or sperm are tested genetically. Females can purchase sperm for in home insemination or insemination by a doctor into the uterus with or without medication. If intrauterine insemination does not work then further testing is needed and then the next step would be IVF. We can also remove the egg from one partner inseminating with semen from donor and then putting the egg into the other partner so that each person can be a part of the process. Can you explain the process of finding an egg donor and gestational carrier? A gestational carrier carries eggs from a donor. The process of finding an egg donor and gestational carrier starts with a consultation with your endocrinologist. You will then select an agency to work with. The agency will help you find an appropriate donor and surrogate. Once the donor or surrogate is chosen they have to be medically cleared for the process. Then they have to go through legal clearance, with all the appropriate contracts. This process may take a few weeks to a few months. After finding a donor and carrier—what needs to be done from a medical point of view? This varies by needs of the patient. For egg donation—the donor is screened then stimulated for retrieval of eggs. For 2 8 TTHHEE FFIIGH www.thefightmag.com 28 GH TT || www.thefightmag.com

surrogates—after being screened—we prepare the uterus with hormones for transfer of embryos. For sperm donors—after being screened—we will need it either fresh or frozen for the treatment. What effect—if any—does the gestational carrier have on the genetic composition of a baby? Zero. The gestational carrier does not contribute to the genes of the baby. Only the sperm and egg donor. That is where the DNA comes from. What are some obstacles we need to be prepared for during this process? If at any point if someone has a positive STD panel this can derail the process. If anyone contributing to the creation of the baby has abnormalities—that will decrease the odds or make the process not possible. We may have to look at alternative ways of getting pregnant. DR. SAM NAJMABADI

Is it possible to have a healthy baby if my partner is HIV positive? How safe is sperm washing? Yes—it is possible as long as their viral count is negative. Sperm washing—depending on the type of washing done coupled with viral testing—can be safe and reduce transmission at very low levels. Is there anything we haven’t asked you that you would like to share with our readers? There are many ways for gay couples to plan for a family! We encourage people to come and have a consultation to discuss ways to preserve their fertility by freezing their sperm for a future date or help them with any other process to create a family. For more info, or to schedule a consultation call 310-360-7584 or visit reproductive.org.

The Center For Reproductive Health & Gynecology Is Proud To Help Gay Couples Build Their Families With The Assistance Of Fertility Treatments. Family building for same-sex male couples is more achievable than ever! Discover how donated eggs, gestational carriers, and financial options can turn growing your family into a reality.

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DIANA JOY THESPREAD

PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNINGHAM Photo Shoot Location: RETRO FITNESS

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Age 34 Occupation Costume Designer, Wardrobe Stylist, Fitness Instructor, Performer. Hometown Vermont. “I grew up out in the woods in a house my parents built.” Relationship status Single by choice. Something no one knows about you “I lost my virginity to a Blue Man while dressed as a clown.” Official bio Diana Joy is the creator of HyperBody: a lifestyle where you take everything to the max. For her this includes: fitness, fashion, and performance. All the facets fuse together to create a winning spark.

Diana is also known for her dance pop performances. She owns the stage with hilarious energy and genuine song-craft. Picture the sporty lovechild of David Bowie and Jim Carrey! Upcoming shows The Lash DTLA, November 10th. New projects “I am really excited about a new short film I co-wrote and starred in called “Dealing with Dana.” I play a lonely vixen lusting after her gay best friend. It will be screening next year at some festivals so be on the lookout! Contact info hyperbodyfitness.com, vimeo.com/dianajoy, www.facebook.com/dianajoymusic

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

Moving Forward Sideways

Palm Springs Pride headliner Wrabel on finding your own voice, a painful breakup and the “bully in his head.” BY MA RK A RI EL | PHOTO BY MATHEW TUCCI ARONE

ith his first single “Sideways” featured on iTunes and downloaded nearly half a million times—and his song “Ten Feet Tall,” featured in a Bud Light commercial during the 2014 Super Bowl—it’s safe to say that singer and songwriter Stephen Wrabel (better known as simply “Wrabel”) is on his way to becoming a household name. Wrabel, headlining at Palm Springs Pride this month, has written songs for Phillip Phillips, Adam Lambert, Katharine McPhee, Pentatonix, Will Young, and Ellie Goulding and is consistently called upon by top producers in the music industry while continuing to write for his next record. In an interview with THE FIGHT Wrabel, a gay man, talks about a painful breakup, his creative process and the “bully in his head.” Where did you grow up? I was born in Long Island, but we moved quite a bit... I spent time in Virginia, northern and southern California, Massachusetts, Texas, even Australia. Bouncing around was fun for the most part... challenging at times, but I really got used to being the “new kid,” which had its pros and cons. Were you ever bullied as a kid? I was only bullied directly a few times that I can remember. The meanest bully growing up, and still now at times, is myself. I can really do a number on myself in 3 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

my head. I’ve been working through that as I grow up (whatever “growing up” really means... still trying to work that one out). I find being honest and open with myself—and those close to me—brings about so much healing. Sharing my story with people and sitting and listening to the stories of others is so eye and heart and mind opening. We’re all given a gift in our story, and it really is so important to share that gift with others.

When did you know you wanted to be a singer/songwriter/musician? I remember writing my first song around 3rd or 4th grade. My parents bought me a little janky keyboard, and I wrote a song about climbing up a mountain to one of the preset demo songs on it. Oh what I would give to hear it now... Through middle school and high school I was in choir and show choir and school musicals and all that. I started playing the piano when I was about 16 and really started writing then, too. After high school I went to Berklee College of Music in Boston for a semester, before moving out to LA.

“It’s so easy to just wake up and go where somebody tells you to go, How did you start writing for other artists? And when did you decide to write with who somebody perform your own material? tells you to write with, sound Writing for others was kind of an like what somebody tells you to accident? Well, not completely... I was writing songs with whomever I could sound like. It’s much harder, write with and playing shows wherever I could. My first placement was with Blake I’m finding, to just sit with Lewis on his sophomore album. He’s a yourself and express very sweet guy! So talented, too. Since then, yourself...”

It’s easy for me to exist completely in my own little world, but that’s when the big bully in my head really starts to work. I can bring myself to tears, keep myself in bed, lock myself inside... it’s so hard sometimes, but something as simple as talking about that begins to take away its power and can start to quiet its very, very loud voice.

I’ve written songs with/for Phillip Phillips, Adam Lambert, Katharine Mcphee, Pentatonix, Will Young, and Ellie Goulding... Wow. I just got goose bumps saying that out loud... It’s so bizarre to me looking back and realizing how many songs I’ve been a part of. I don’t mean that in a “well LOOK at ME!” kinda way... it’s actually quite the opposite! (Back to the bully in my head... ha). I feel so humbled and honored to have

>> DAVID REST <<

worked with such wonderful and brilliantly talented artists. Many of the songs that ended up with other artists started as songs for me—and through some weird, unexpected series of events, ended up with somebody else. Through it all, I’ve been performing my own material. I sometimes feel like I ‘m leading a double life in that regard, but I wouldn’t change it! Ten Feet Tall,” was featured in the Bud Light commercial during the 2014 Super Bowl. How did that change your life? Oh, in so many ways... it was the first time I heard myself on TV like that. It was just such a bizarre feeling. I spent the day surrounded by friends watching and reeling and crying and laughing (and tweeting). So much exposure... I was (and am) so proud of the song, and so in love with what Afrojack did to it—a true moment to remember. Can you tell us about the process of working on Sideways? What frame of mind were you in at the time?

Almost all of it was written in London. One song in Paris, and one in LA. I was going through a breakup at the time. A twoyear relationship seemingly falling apart at the seams. It was a very painful time for me, but also a very eye-opening experience. The EP really arcs over the whole thing. From the week it started, with “Ten Feet Tall”, to trying to find the spark again in “Into The Wild”, to the summer I flew out to Ohio as a complete surprise (whilst broken up...) in “Give It Time.” I typically start with chords and then will get on the mic and just sing some melodies and any words that happen to come out. Then it’s about piecing it together and looking at what it is and where it’s going and shaping it as it comes. What projects are you currently working on? I just woke up this morning to see that the Pentatonix record I worked on debuted at number 1 this week on Billboard! Such an amazing feeling! Unbelievable, really... So proud of the song and even more

proud of the group. An acapella record at number 1?! Freakin. Yes! I’m anxiously awaiting November 6 which is when Ellie Goulding’s new record “Delirium” comes out. I co-wrote a song on there called “Devotion,” which is very special to me. Other than that, I’m back in working on my next body of work which I am beyond thrilled to say is now taking form and turning into something I ‘m very inspired by. I’m independent now, and at first that was very scary. It’s so easy to just wake up and go where somebody tells you to go, write with who somebody tells you to write with, sound like what somebody tells you to sound like. It’s much harder, I’m finding, to just sit with yourself and express yourself... I’m pushing myself by working with new collaborators, while also learning to trust myself all over again in the studio. Fighting the bully in my head, and really relearning to allow myself to just be, personally and professionally and creatively. For more on Wrabel visit wrabelmusic.com. NO VEMB ER 2015 | THE F I GH T 33

THETRANSACTION >> TRANS PRIDE L.A. <<

TRANS CHORUS OF LOS ANGELES

The first chorus for transgender and gender-expansive people in the nation with a transgender artistic director. BY O RLY LYO N N E

n Sunday, October 19, the members of the newly founded Trans Chorus of Los Angeles (TCLA) rehearsed together for the first time, giving birth to one united voice for transgender people. Since the beginning of the gay civil rights movement in the 1970s, the gay and lesbian community has raised their voices and visibility, while fighting for acceptance and inclusion. The Trans Chorus of Los Angeles is determined to give visibility and a voice to a community that has been historically invisible and silent. We need to hear trans voices and their stories. The chorus encourages

and fosters artistic expression and personal development in transgender and gender-expansive people and presents performances that provide the opportunity and space for all, however they identify, to say "this is a space where I am accepted for who I am and everything that I bring."

COMING TOGETHER Led by their incredibly talented Artistic Director,

Lindsey Deaton, the Trans Chorus is a natural extension of her vibrant energy and heartfelt depth. Deaton is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Diverse City Youth Chorus in Cincinnati, Ohio, the only Queer arts youth program in the state. She received the Dalcroze License from the Julliard School in New York City, and has previously apprenticed with Jesus Lopez-Cobos, conducting the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. One of the biggest struggles transgender people face, both before and after transitions, is when their voices and bodies do not seem to go together. TCLA will help transgender people find their voices while living their true, authentic lives. "My voice is one of the very few things that betrays me—many males transitioning to female are constantly mis-gendered because of their voice," Deaton said. "It will be very interesting to see all of our voices come together."

MESSAGE OF STRENGTH While there are numerous choruses and performing arts groups that cater to LGB people, TCLA is the only organization creating community for transgender and gender-expansive people in the performing arts. There is no existing or comparable

organization in California and TCLA is the first chorus for transgender and gender-expansive people in the nation with a transgender artistic director. "It is great for us to be visible. It gives people permission to accept and love and affirm us. And when you change hearts and minds, the ecology becomes safe," Deaton said. "The Trans Chorus of Los Angeles will save lives." "No other intersection of society, except society itself looks like the Trans community with its array of human beings. Not only are chorister voices transforming, TCLA has a message of strength and unity to share with everyone, and a hope to help change the world through its reflection of life and song." As the buzz surrounding TCLA continues to gain momentum, the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles has been a supporter and ally for TCLA and generously donated their time and administrative resources to assist the formation of the new chorus. TCLA's first performance will be for the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20 in West Hollywood. The chorus will perform one song with Our Lady J, another with Alexandra Billings, and one song by themselves. n All members of the transgender and gender-expansive community are invited to sing in the chorus Rehearsals are on Sundays. For more information, please visit www.TransChorusLA.org.

“It is great for us to be visible. It gives people permission to accept and love and affirm us. And when you change hearts and minds, the ecology becomes safe.” 3 4 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

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>> MASCULINITY AND BROTHERHOOD <<

“It is no business of the government to tell consenting adults what they may or may not do within a private setting.”

FIGHTING THE SEX POLICE

“The National Coalition of Rent Boys & Allies” advocates for the legal rights of male escort workers.

B Y VICTO R MELA MED

Federal agents joined the NYPD in shutting down Rentboy on the assertion that Rentboy was using interstate commerce to violate local New York laws. Last month Crutchley made a financial contribution to the legal defense team representing Jeffrey Hurant, founder of Rentboy.com. Crutchley is not alone in believing that federal agents violated the constitutional rights of U. S. citizens. The editorial board of The New York Times called the raid “peculiar.” “I founded my company in the name of individual privacy and sexual freedom,” Crutchley said. “In the name of individual liberty, the Federal government needs to do the job it was given to do by the Constitution.”

n association of rent boys and their supporters has organized a national advocacy group in response to the Homeland Security and NYPD raid on Rentboy.com in New York city, August 25, 2015. The National Coalition of Rent Boys & Allies (www.ncorb.com) was created as a not for profit ATTORNEY corporation in Florida by Fort Lauderdale attorney Norm NORM KENT Kent, a well known First Amendment advocate. Along with Kent, the initial incorporators include an internationally known rent boy, who is now a law student at Hastings School of Law in San Francisco, and Pamela Dore (mr. Pam) a California based activist and ally who has spoken out frequently on behalf of sex workers.

A COLLECTIVE VOICE

“The Department of Homeland Security has initiated a questionable legal action which has terrorized thousands of men who were lawfully trading their time and companionship for legitimate compensation,” said NCORB founder attorney Norm Kent last month. “There is a need for these men to have a collective voice and open forum to speak out against the raid and for their rights.” NCORB aims to fill the need. Its website contains a media outpost of news ENTERING THE BEDROOMS articles, columns, reactions and informaJonathan Crutchley, founding partner and owner of tion about the Rentboy raid. the world’s largest gay brands that includes Manhunt The site will also soon provide unfetand Jack’d, joined the advisory board of The National MANHUNT’S tered access to legal advisories and ‘know Coalition of Rent Boys & Allies (NCORB) last month. JONATHAN CRUTCHLEY your rights’ forums for rent boys remaining in “It is no business of the government at any level—be it the industry, as well as regular updates on the federal, state, or local—to enter the bedrooms of consenting status of the federal case against the principals of the adults and tell them what they may or may not do within that Rent boy prosecution. private setting,” said Crutchley on his decision to join NCORB. “Public pressure may not stop the prosecution, but it will “Such matters are certainly not the business of the Department certainly let the US attorney know where the LGBT community of Homeland Security, which was created after September 11, stands on targeting our population and our partners,” says Kent. 2001 to protect citizens from foreign terrorists.” 3 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

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>> LEATHERMEN <<

E E R H T When D W O R C IS NOT a Is the queer community on the edge of assimilation, or a sexual revolution? BY BRENDEN SHUCART

2015

has been a monumental year for the queer communities. The admittance of gays into the military and the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage represent the culmination of the long fought equality agenda that has dominated the LGBTQ political landscape for more than a decade. Admittedly, there’s still lots of work to be done; many states still lack employment nondiscrimination, and a Republican in the White House could undo much of our recent success. But as, so many minority groups before us, the queer communities stand poised to become a part of mainstream middle-class America. (Yay?) Yet even as same-gender couples across the county face the newfound opportunity and mounting pressure to assimilate, another sexual revolution is quietly building momentum—no, not PrEP (at least, not yet). I’m talking about polyamory.

POLY COMMUNITIES Not to be confused with polygamy, an often very repressive system where one 3 8 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

dude is entitled to multiple wives, polyamory can be described as the practice of accepting non-exclusive romantic and/or sexual relationships-basically ethical and honest non-monogamy. There are growing poly communities popping up in out of the way places like Louisville KY and Lebanon OH. Practitioners are taking over apartment complexes in Brooklyn. It’s even seriously being discussed by Chinese economists as a solution to their country’s cavernous gender gap. Polyamory is clearly experiencing something of a “moment,” and the fact that it doesn’t occupy a radically more prominent position within public discourse seems like it can only be attributed to its being overshadowed by the bombardment of news about PrEP and marriage equality.

FACING STIGMA Trying to get solid statistics on practitioners of polyamory is basically impossible. There is no “poly” box on the census and even if there were many would be likely not to check it. Like many other groups en-

gaged in sexual and relationship practices alternate to the mainstream, poly folk often face stigma and discrimination. But the best estimates of organizations like “Loving More,” a polyamory advocacy group, there are anywhere between 1 million and 1.5 million people living in the United States who poly-identify, and I am one of them. My first real relationship was with two men I met in San Francisco—and quickly fell in love with. There were men before them of course—men I fucked, men I lived with, even men I loved—but if I’m being honest, the three years that I spent in the home that we shared just off 18th, where the mission meets the Castro, was the first one, I think, that I regarded with complete and total seriousness. The boys (let’s call them Elijah and Enoch, after my two favorite characters from Hebrew mythology) had been together for two years, and moved to the city together not long before I had met them. Elijah loved to cook and work in the garden. He was both a lover and a fighter, who radiated a smoldering sexuality that capti-

>> POLYAMORY <<

vated even straight boys and possessed a scathing temper it was best not get to close to. Enoch and I worked together at gay bookstore which was once beacon of queer culture and history in San Francisco’s Castro district, and which now, sadly, no longer exists. He had a beautiful angelic face beneath a tangle of dark silky curls, and eyes so achingly sad they inspired in me a desperate need to put my arm around him and keep him safe. We shared a love of books and old movies and drinking far too much when we felt uncomfortable. There is a lot of responsibility that goes along with being invited into the relationship and home of a pre-existing couple. There’s a sense of obligation to do right by them, to tread carefully and not somehow weaken their bond, matured long before my arrival. Also outwardly, I felt responsible to represent us as a valid and fulfilling unit, every time I pointed across a bar, or a pool table, or Dolores Park and told some incredulous queen, “I’m here with them, and I’m going home with them.” In fact, I held our relationship with something approaching reverence, at least in the beginning.

WORSHIPFUL SERIOUSNESS Looking back, I think that was the only way it could be. The notion of the three of us, fierce young wild faggots such as ourselves, with our often hungry eyes and prevalent impulse control problems, could form a serious partnership seemed so laughable on its face, so far outside even the relatively lax societal norms of our California upbringings, that the only way to make it real (for myself and everybody else) was to treat it with an almost worshipful seriousness. Not that translated into me being an awesome boyfriend necessarily, or even a consistent one. I was young, and oftentimes selfish and cruel in the way young men can be, but I was devoted to them, in my way, and I loved them more than I ever thought possible. In a real sense they taught me how to love, how to communicate. Any poly practitioner you talk to will tell you that the essence of any successful poly relationship is communication, but they don’t explain to you what communication is—it’s listening with an open heart even when you don’t like what you’re hearing, and doing your utmost to speak your truth clearly, even when you’re afraid it’ll hurt.

HUNGER FOR NOVELTY Of the interpersonal quirks I had inherited from my parents, a penchant for serial monogamy is probably the most boring. I had a pattern: I would meet someone awesome and fascinating, spend three passionate months with them, and then I would begin to wonder “can I really spend the rest of my life with this person?” and bolt; either into the arms of one of the two guys I dated in high school (because I also got my dad’s painfully romantic love of lost causes and inability to admit defeat) or into a shiny new three-month tryst.

Assimilation works in both directions, as we are changed by acceptance into the mainstream, the mainstream itself is changed. And perhaps, now, those lessons, hard learned, can be our gift. I could never articulate to any of these guys that my feelings for them hadn’t diminished in any way, I was just horny, and worse, I was curious. I wanted to try everything. Initially I think some part of me thought that hunger for novelty— which always seemed to be getting me in trouble—would be satiated by two men. In retrospect it fed it.

ABUNDANCE OF LOVE My SoCal friends would tease me and say I had developed “San Francisco Values,” one even told me (with deadly seriousness) that I was being selfish and should just be satisfied with one guy. When I laughed he threw his hands up in the air and called me a “slut,” and I only laughed harder, because I totally was. The three of us fucked constantly. It was both amazing and exhausting. But on those rare occasions I didn’t have it in me, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself excited for their good time and pleased by the pleasure. Most poly practitioners refer to as ‘compersion’,

the feeling of happiness at other people’s happiness or success. I came to believe in principle what I had always felt in my heart, love and sex are not scarcities to be jealously guarded but are instead abundances to be shared. That abundance of love, which suffused our relationship is the real heart of the polyamory revolution. When things eventually broke down, it certainly wasn’t due to a lack of love.

NEXT IN LINE I never expected to get married, not really; more importantly, I didn’t grow up with the expectation that I’d get marriedand mine will probably be the last generation of gay men for whom that’s true. Growing up I was conscious of the pressure on my brothers to “meet a nice girl and settle down” that seemed to emanate from our parents and the very fabric of society itself that seemed to bypass me altogether. The notion of two men getting “gay married” seemed to me to be fantastically farfetched, a practical impossibility. And that societally imposed gulf between me and holy matrimony in some ways made polyamory both more appealing and more possible. Part of me thrilled at the inherent queerness of three men together. But I think much of one’s perspective in these matters can be attributed to the generation into which we are born. You see, I came out in 1996, the same year Ellen went on “Oprah” and got denounced by a bunch of nice-looking mid-western mom types, with their overabundance of denim and vaguely moistlooking perms. I remember thinking “If they don’t like Ellen, they’ll never like me.” And if had ever secretly held hopes of a big gay wedding, I quickly abandoned any notion that I’d land the staring role in any ceremony that didn’t involve keeping a good friend in the country. I suspect that that my fiancé had a somewhat different experience growing up queer. Whereas my only gay role model options growing up were basically limited to be “Xena, Warrior Princess” and Ricky Vasquez from “My So Called Life”—both of whom are fucking awesome, let it be known—my fiancé, just four years behind me, had a much richer, more varied, and (frankly) more empowered cast of queers to choose from. I’m pretty sure he was always confiContinued on page 40 NO VEMB ER 2015 | THE F I GH T 39

>> POLYAMORY <<

dent that there would be a wedding in his program. If he felt excluded from the straight world, it was with the expectation of someone next in line to get in. For me the line was too long to think about the party inside. I made my own fun.

SENSE OF EXCLUSION It made me melancholy at first, the sense of exclusion. I used to consider my brothers over the protective wall provided by whichever sci-fi paperback had my attention for the moment and try to take stock of the gulf that seemed to languish between us. As I gradually came into my own as a gay man, melancholy receded to make way for that certain wistfulness one reserves for countries they’ll probably never visit, until gradually, by the time I found myself living in San Francisco I had come to regard my queerness as a gift. The sense of otherness that separated me as a teenager began to seem like a blessing as an adult. The proverbial world of normal boys seems enticing to those of us who are, for whatever reason, denied entry. But

4 40 0 TTH HEE FFIGH IGHTT || www.thefightmag.com www.thefightmag.com

I realized long ago that what looks like a carnival from the outside can also feel like a prison for those unhappily trapped inside its metaphorical walls. As a gay man, I knew I would have had to fight if I wanted to get married, or have a kid, or serve in the military, I knew that I’d have to struggle too if I wanted a life that resembled those of my friends from high school, but I knew that I would have chosen it, because I wanted it. That’s the gift of being queer, I think. The freedom of choice being different forces us to reckon with.

OUTSIDE THE CARNIVAL I have a sneaking suspicion that my fiancé (who grew up in the Midwest, in a very nice, upper middle class family of doctors and lawyers) regards my time with Enoch and Elijah with the same bemused affection one might have for a partner’s time in college spent chained to a tree of following The Dead around the Pacific Northwest. He’s spent practically his whole life waiting just outside that carnival, and now that he can go inside, he can’t imagine

why anyone would want anything else. And I’ll be honest, now that I have this ring on my finger, I feel the allure of statesanctioned matrimony. I appreciate the idea of standing before my friends, family, and community with my man and saying “We are a family. We are in this together.” I find myself using the word “fiancé” in conversation to lend my relationship extra weight. However—it’s worth noting that all across the western world marriage, that institution which conservative heterosexuals fought for more than a decade to exclude us from, is dying. Fewer and fewer heterosexual couples get married each year, and those that do end in divorce about half the time. But it doesn’t have to be that way. “Marriage” can be redefined. If it can include two people of the same sex? Why not three? Assimilation works in both directions, as we are changed by acceptance into the mainstream, the mainstream itself is changed. And perhaps, now, those lessons, hard learned, can be our gift to the broader culture.

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Changing Lives There are not enough parents to care for all of the children in the foster care system. You can make a difference. BY O RLY LYO N N E

aiseAChild.US is a national nonprofit that promotes family building to a broad spectrum of prospective parents to solve the U.S. foster care crisis. They do not discriminate based on sexual orientation, marital status, gender, age, or income. There are not enough parents to care for all of the children in the foster care system. Every leading child welfare organization concludes that successful families come in a variety of configurations. Research supports equality. Together, we can decrease

the number of children in the system, by increasing the number of qualified prospective parents. You can make a difference. RaiseAChild.US recruits, educates, and nurtures supportive relationships equally with all prospective foster and adoptive parents while partnering with agencies to improve the process of advancing foster children to safe, loving, and permanent homes. Their vision is to be the nationwide leader in the recruitment and support of LGBT and all prospective parents inter-

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ested in building families through fostering and adopting to meet the needs of the 415,000 children in the foster care system. They promote family building by fostering and adoption to a broad spectrum of prospective parents through social media, radio, television, and outdoor advertising campaigns. As foster/adoptive parents themselves, RaiseAChild.US Parent Advocates provide personalized support to help prospective parents navigate the foster/adoption process with their partner agencies. From orientation to training and throughout the child matching process, their Parent Advocates are available to assist with your concerns and questions. For more info visit: RaiseAChild.US.

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>> MASCULINITY AND BROTHERHOOD <<

“Adoption affects kids, not listen to teachers, the life of the adoptee and get suspended. I had anger problems—I needed and the adopter. Giving a coping mechanism to faith and hope to someone help me deal with my frustrations and feelings, who felt they have without lashing out at nowhere to go and no one people. I found that music was to love them is truly my cure—it allowed selflife changing.” expression without judgment,

ERIC SLAYTON, FAR RIGHT

I wasn’t expected to look or act a certain way, just be willing to learn how to read, write, and play the music in front of me. It was love in a pure form. My last few months of the adoption process were a little less rough, as my grandparents had been awarded custodial rights, and the process of severing parental right from my mother and father had begun. It was finally becoming a reality. Music has helped establish a means to cope and further help me grow. My

Finding Your Way Home How one gay man’s guardian angels saved the day.

BY ERIC SLAYTO N

was a six-year-old child raising my two-year-old and infant brothers. My mother was a drug addict and my father was no where to be seen. I remember my childhood being a merry go-round of insecurity and change, not understanding what I was witnessing. A mother who slurred her words, a father who walked out on us, and an internal feeling that I was different, were the feelings I harbored and held inside. Luckily, I had a guardian angel, two to be exact. One day we were whisked away by Social Services and taken to the local police department. We were kept there until our grandparents arrived. I do not remember the major details, yet my mother [grandmother] tells me about the phone call she received: “Ma’am if you ever want to see your grandchildren again, you need to get down here asap!” After having raised a family of three my grandparents answered the call and decided to adopt myself and two younger brothers. This process is considered a “Closed Adoption,” when the biological parents have no contact with the adoptive parents or the child, and all records are sealed. Through out the two-and-a-half years of my adoption process I was involved in decisions that would affect me—would I want to see my father when I came to court, did I want to live with my grandparents, were they taking proper care of me, was this a process I was okay with, and how am I doing. I chose to never see my father nor my mother as my grandparents had primarily raised me since infancy. My mother only wanted me when she saw fit and father couldn’t care less. These conditions caused me to have problems at school, bully 4 4 TTHHEE FFIIGH www.thefightmag.com 44 GH TT || www.thefightmag.com

caseworker and judge were delighted to see my sing and show my smiling face when I appeared, and my level of comprehension had grown. Teachers no longer feared having me as a student, I mellowed out in my interactions with other kids, and could play on the playground without throwing the tetherball into someone’s face! I remember the finalization; the day the adoption was complete and approved. I sat in the courtroom, staring at the judge, and nodding my head to everything he asked. He was actually speaking to my new “parents”, yet I was answering every question asked. He finally asked me, “Eric, are you ready to go home with your parents”, I yelled “YES” at the top of my little lungs! It was over: a two-and-ahalf year journey had finally ended, at least the legal portion of it. In my new home I had everything a child could want—every Nintendo system, roller blades, Game Boy, skateboards, and so much more. Yet the feeling of discomfort I once had as a little kid was still there. What was it? I was GAY! BOOM the world turned upside down! It wasn’t until I came to terms with that one feeling of angst and discomfort, did I truly become at peace with myself and understand a lot more of the struggle through this adoption. Not only was I harboring the feelings I had about the situation, I was dealing with this feeling of “why do I not like girls” and “I love to vacuum and shop!” Understanding that vital piece of information allowed me to grow even more, understanding myself, my desires, inspirations, and channel that into who I want to become. The support received from friends and family helped me know I was loved, regardless of the situation I felt I was in. Adoption affects the life of the adoptee and the adopter. Giving faith and hope to someone who felt they have nowhere to go and no one to love them is truly life changing. Embracing that individual and opening your heart to them is a gratitude that cannot be measured in success or money.

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THESHARE

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>> BY PAULO MURILLO <<

BEING GRATEFUL

With Thanksgiving in mind, we asked a few local sober folks with various lengths of sobriety, why staying grateful is an important part of their recovery. TREY SAVARIO

GRATITUDE LIST

HAPPY AGAIN

“It’s important to be grateful. I’ve been doing this for 26 years and it’s the first time I ever reached a year and it is exciting because I feel like I have a life now. I’m also very grateful for L.A. recovery because there are so many different options. Los Angeles is a great place to get sober. We have so many different fellowships all over town, and a great mixture of people with shares from all over the world. I’m grateful that I don’t have to live in the way I used to live. Before, I was never really grateful for anything. I was just getting by. Today, I’m happy again.” —Trey Savario, sober since October, 2014.

KEEPS ME HUMBLE

BALANCE THINGS OUT

“Gratitude is important in recovery because without it, I tend to fall into thinking of myself as a victim, which can lead to my desire to use and medicate and escape from my reality. Life is full of difficulties and you don’t get what you expect, so it’s very easy fall prey to old kinds of thinking. Gratitude is what JOHN KING keeps that from happening. I have a lot of little things that I can be grateful for. When you remind yourself of the good things you have in your life, you can balance things out.” Gratitude is like a lifeline for me. —John King, sober since April, 2006.

“Gratitude keeps me humble. I don’t take things for granted today and I count all the blessings I have in my life, because they can be easily be taken away, so I appreciate every little thing I have, which reminds me of when I had AJ BRODY nothing. Before recovery, I had nothing to be grateful for. I didn’t really have much in the realm of true friendships in my life. I didn’t have people I trusted, or that trusted me. I didn’t have self-respect. I remind myself on a daily basis of God’s given gifts and to be grateful for them.” —AJ Brody, sober since March 2009. 4 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

“Gratitude is especially important in recovery. I remind myself to be grateful when I’m crazy, which is pretty often. That’s when I write a gratitude list and I also remind other people who are acting crazy around me—I ask them how they’re doing and I tell them about writing MICHELLE A. a gratitude list, because it’s not just ENFIELD for sober people. I did not think of gratitude in the same way before I got sober. Gratitude really means so much more to me now than it ever has before. Today I have a lot to be grateful for.” —Michelle A. Enfield, sober since August, 2007.

WHAT I HAVE “Gratitude keeps me grounded. It keeps me attached to what is important on a day-to-day basis and it reminds me to look at things from the aspect of the glass being half-full. Before I got sober I would often look at things with a negative spin and worst MARK O’NEIL case scenario, instead of being a little more positive and being happier with what I have, versus what I want. Life doesn’t stop happening just because I’m sober, but today life is good and I’m at peace. —Mark O’Neil, sober since June 2008.

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STAR WARS: BATTLEFRONT The game is being recognized to be the most detailed Star Wars title to date. Releases November 17. BY JOSEPH ARELLANO

Luke... I am your father. Those five words became movie history when the amazing and jaw dropping “Empire Strikes Back” hit theaters right after “A New Hope.” “Star Wars” is a movie saga that, as kids, took us to Yoda’s home in the swamps, the desert sands of Luke’s beginnings... and to the cold dangerous, icy planet of Hoth. As kids we were battling Vader, repeating the dialogue and the scenes, hell, we were using our lightsabers to duel Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader!!! It was iconic! And now we are on the cusp of a more diverse cast, new story, and new characters to whisk us away to the universe we all fell in love with once again... And with it... comes Star Wars Battlefront. This game stunned E3 last year with it’s bone chilling sound effects, first person shooting, ships and vehicles gameplay, and the sheer scale of the worlds... it all was just astounding. This month Battlefront is releasing all over the United States and it is sure to be released in some other countries as well. We are here to tell you why this game is so !@#$%^ important. So put on your seat belts and get ready to hit light speed. Star Wars Battlefront is being developed by DICE studios. The company that brought you the Battlefield series and as well as the innovative title and classic Mirror’s Edge. With dedication and perseverance, they have been pouring their souls into Battlefront and it is no miracle why the game is being recognized to be the most detailed Star Wars

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title to date. From the sound effects and visuals, DICE is and has been nailing the feel of living out the most epic battles of the entire series. Ranging from Episode IV -VI you traverse snowy plains, dense wooded areas from Return of the Jedi, and you can control some of the best spaceships (Looking at you Millennium Falcon) across the sky to wage war against other players. Now keep in mind, before you buy the title, remember that this game will not have a single player campaign. The studio felt that in the best interest of what they were aiming for, the game will have many other modes, but the single player mode won’t be one of them. Instead the feel and driving force of the title is to play with your friends and other players online while enjoying the camaraderie and adrenaline of the Star Wars canon. Now this is where is gets really interesting... There are so many different ways to play! You can be a stormtrooper, fly a Tie-Fighter, be a Rebel, fly a X-Wing...or hell, fly Han Solo’s ship and annihilate the opposing side. Oh, did I mention you can be a !@#$%^ Jedi and fight Darth Vader one on one!? Yes, that’s right. Be Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader and use the force for evil or good to help your side win the war. Yea... and this all at the heels of the upcoming installment of Star Wars: The Force Awakens....chyeah...which, THAT is a WHOLE another conversation.. Just know that the game releases November 17, 2015. Grab your lightsaber, get your squad ready, and buy some energy drinks and block out your work schedule... May the force be with you... because you are going to see some serious shit! n

NO VEMB ER 2015 | THE F I GH T 49

>> VIOLENCE <<

Report on intimate partner violence in LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities: transgender people face increased risk of violence. BY VICTO R MELA MED

he National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has released its report “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Intimate Partner Violence in 2014.” Key findings in the report include the following: • For a fourth year in a row cisgender men killed by their male partners were most impacted by “intimate partner vio-

5 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

lence” (IVP) related homicide. • LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities of color, bisexual survivors, transgender communities, and cisgender male survivors were uniquely and disproportionately impacted by IVP. • A higher percentage of LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of intimate partner violence attempted to access the police, courts, and domestic violence shelters for

support compared to previous years. Additionally, the 2014 report found that transgender survivors were 1.98 times more likely to experience IPV in public areas, and 3.39 times more likely to experience discrimination than people who did not identify as transgender. “Transgender people face increased risk of violence for many reasons, including transphobia and discrimination on the basis of gender identity,” said Mieko Failey, from the Los Angeles LGBT Center. “It is critical that we address the barriers transgender survivors experience in accessing resources and provide supportive programs that explicitly include the transgender community,” added Susan Holt, also from the Los Angeles LGBT Center. If your partner is abusive, or if you are abusive to your partner, the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s STOP Domestic Violence and/or Domestic Violence Legal Advocacy Project can help you. Call the STOP Domestic Violence Project at 323860-5806. After regular business hours, you can also call the 24-hour national domestic violence hotline at 888-7997233 (SAFE).

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A WORLD WITHOUT AIDS

Engineered protein awakens resting immune cells infected with HIV and facilitates their destruction.

cientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have created a protein that awakens resting immune cells infected with HIV and facilitates their destruction in laboratory studies, reports sciencedaily.com The protein potentially could contribute to a cure for HIV infection by helping deplete the reservoir of long-lived, latently HIV-infected cells that can start making the virus when a person stops taking anti-HIV drugs. Further studies in animals and people are needed to determine the viability of this approach. The researchers found that the protein triggered the activation and killing of latently HIV-infected helper T cells when the cells were taken from patients on antiretroviral therapy and then incubated in the lab with the patients' own killer T cells. In addition, the scientists found a monkey-adapted version of the protein to be safe and well-tolerated when given to monkeys infected with a simian form of HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy. The engineered protein has two ends: one activates T cells by binding to a surface molecule called the CD3 receptor, and the other--based on an antibody called VRC07--powerfully binds to more than 90 percent of HIV strains. VRC07-CD3 facilitates the killing of latently HIV-infected cells in three steps. First, the CD3-binding end attaches to a resting, HIV-infected helper T cell, activating the cell so it starts making HIV and displaying pieces of virus on its surface. Next, the HIV-binding end of the protein latches onto those pieces of virus while the CD3-binding end attaches to a killer T cell, activating it and bringing it close to the helper T cell. Finally, the activated killer T cell destroys the HIV-infected helper T cell. n

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THEREVIEW

’ l a B e L ‘ o T t I Wen w I Have o N d n A t f e L g n i th o N or F e v i To L >> LEATHERMEN <<

Drag correspondent Pickle on “Le Bal” at Ace Hotel DTLA last month: “The whole evening could be described as relentless orgasmaticness.” BY PICKLE | PHOTOS BY SARA TOLLEFSON

“I

t almost looks like there should be mummies hanging from the ceiling,” remarked the gorgeous Candis Cayne, appropriately calling attention to the fact that a drag extravaganza was being held in a space that looked a little more suited for Dracula’s piano recital. The beautiful Theatre at the Ace Hotel with its Spanish Gothic architecture has the remarkable quality of being both incredibly ornate and austere all at once. Don’t get me wrong, the dark grey backdrop and industrial DJ booth featuring the charismatic Kim Anh, was the perfect aesthetic choice for housing the evening’s glitzy divas.

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These are champions of glamour who have no need for backdrops or moving sets. Take-away? Le Bal was the shit. The whole evening could be described as

relentless orgasmaticness. Ms. Cayne was, obviously, a fab host. She has a melodious voice and a nudge-nudge show-bizzy tone that is still earnest and warm, somehow. “I’m not having a nip slip, so that’s good,” she noted, splaying herself on the lip of the stage, “My parents are here.” Sidenote: her hair looked as if it had been spun from gold and gently passed through the water that trickled from Venus’ shell as she emerged from the sea. The acts were stellar. Willam’s Spanish version of the iconic “Boy is a Bottom” was yet another testament to her literally infallible comedy and showmanship. Midsong she charged through the aisle wildly shaking a tiny blue maraca, her Louboutins tearing up the carpet and I couldn’t help but think, “If you don’t like Willam, you’re literally a moron.” Same with Courtney Act. Her hypnotic accent and unspeakable beauty is divine to experience. The lights in Ricky Rebel’s act almost gave me a seizure (he looked like an extra from “Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century”)

>> LE BAL <<

stage stomping Paris isn’t just burning it’s literally a mushroom cloud of FIERCENESS, tearing off her huge, what I’ll call “preliminary wig” and gold coat in a reveal that gave me a heart attack. And that was before she cartwheeled into the splits 5,045 times. Of course the crowned headliner herself, Raja, who is so creative it makes me want to kill myself, appeared at the end in a glow-in-the-dark Venus fly trap. I thought for a wild moment that someone had (finally) roofied me but then remembered where I was and that I should have expected no less from the queen of fashion herself. A VENUS FLYTRAP. Like, as in, its GLOWING mouth opened and she was there, wriggling her long, tentacle fingers and looking like deities WISH they did. The incredible performances aside, perhaps my favorite part of Le Bal was the

The incredible but I still lived for it. performances And I guess he likes girls, too. Or rather, aside, perhaps my “boys boys boys favorite part of Le Bal boys and sometimes girls.” Ladies? was the event itself. Delta Work’s numTasteful, elegant, bers are always untouchable. Her sharp, full-bodied fabulous. lip-synch always gives me goosebumps (plus her hair was so high it caught three separate spotlights). Mariah Balenciaga brought old-school,

event itself. Tasteful, elegant, fabulous. A crowd of screaming queers and supporters, grinning and having to be pried away from the lobby bar by some very diligent ushers. There’s no doubt that the night did take Drag and elevate it to a proper stage, but it also didn’t take the chaotic fun and life we love about Drag in its usual context. I mean, the show started an hour and a half late! Thank god. Very few good things in life are punctual. Pickle out.

NO VEMB ER 2015 | THE F I GH T 53

THEEVENT >> PROJECT NUNWAY L.A. <<

Project Nunway L.A.

rganized by the legendary Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the third annual Project Nunway L.A. exploded last month at The Mayan Theatre with over 25 designers showcasing their designs inspired by the “Tarot” theme. An extravagant celebration of design, art, fashion, and music, the event raised over $20,000, for two local HIV/AIDS services organizations—Life Group L.A. and Being Alive L.A. Emmy award winning makeup artist and designer Glen Alen won “Top Designer 2015.” For more info about The Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence visit: lasisters.org.

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>> PHOTOS BY ROBERT GREEN, MOTORBOOT PHOTOGRAPHY <<

NO VEMB ER 2015 | THE F I GH T 55

THECALENDAR >> THINGS TO DO << THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12

GROUPS

PUP DOCUMENTARY SCREENING The Bullet Bar, 10522 Burbank Blvd., 9pm-2am. Visit bulletbarla.com for more info. The first event for LA Puppy Pride Weekend. The documentary follows the journey of a pup from L.A. to the International Puppy contest, starring Pup Tim. There will be an intro and Q&A with the star of the film, Tim Hamilton.

ASIAN/PACIFIC GAYS AND FRIENDS www.apgf.org

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

STREEP TEASE: AN EVENING OF MERYL STREEP MONOLOGUES BY ALL-MALE CAST Macha Theatre, 1107 N. Kings Road, WeHo, 8pm. For more information, visit brownpapertickets.com. Male actors performing their own interpretations of their favorite Meryl Streep characters.

SEE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

PALM SPRINGS PRIDE FESTIVAL Downtown Palm Springs, Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 7-8. On Palm Canyon Dr. from Amado to Baristo Rd. and on Arenas Rd from Belardo to Calle Encilia. For more info visit pspride.org. Palm Canyon Drive will be closed to traffic and transformed into a vibrant, pedestrian friendly Pride Festival, unique to Southern California. The festival includes music stages, cutting edge DJ stages, dancing in the streets, food vendors, exhibitors and non-profit organizations. BEARRACUDA LA Faultline Bar, 4216 Melrose Ave., LA, 9pm. Visit Bearracuda.com for more info. Bearracuda is back on first Saturdays at Faultline. Rotating DJs Ryan Jones, Mateo Segade, GloVibes and very special guests take the decks at Bearracuda. Just 5 bucks all night! Decor and photos by Dusti Cunningham. FOX HOLE The Bullet Bar, 10522 Burbank Blvd, NoHo, 9pm-2am. Green Mirror Entertainment proudly takes you back to the golden days bathhouses. Free towel service and clothes check. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8

PALM SPRINGS PRIDE PARADE Tachevah and Palm Canyon Dr., 10am-12pm. For more info visit pspride.org. Travels south along Palm Canyon Drive from Uptown to Downtown Palm Springs. WORD IS OUT: STORIES OF SOME OF OUR LIVES (1977) Billy Wilder Theater, Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., 7pm. Widely considered the first feature-length documentary on gay and lesbian identity, offering a vastly different perspective on American queer lives. Also showing, “We Were There (1976),” a glimpse at gay pride celebrations in San Francisco and Los Angeles in the U.S. bicentennial year of 1976. 10TH ANNUAL LA FIREHOUSE CHILI COOK OFF Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 3pm. For more info, visit blackandtans.org. The Regiment of the Black and Tans. Trophies will be given in 5 categories. Go for the Chili—stay for the men. THE 42ND CROWNING OF QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE Circus Disco, 6655 Santa Monica Blvd., 7pm. For more information, visit queenuniverse.com. Portions of the proceeds to benefit: Christ Chapel Long Beach Food Bank. 5 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

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

GRAND OPENING—1OAK FRIDAYS 1OAK, 9039 W Sunset Blvd., WeHo, 9pm-2am. For more info visit: 1oakla.com A fresh new take on Friday nights.

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

LOS ANGELES FETISH FILM FESTIVAL The Stockroom, 2809 W Sunset Blvd., LA, 8pm-1am. Visit thestockroom.com, for more information. Join the opening evening of the LA FETISH FILM FESTIVAL WEEKEND, hosted inside the Stockroom Hall by Mistress Bella Bathory w/ a special Midnight Fashion Show costumed by Syren Latex.

HIV MEDICAL & CASE MANAGEMENT “Smart Health LA” At Valley Community Healthcare In North Hollywood Offers HIV Testing And Medical Services Including Counseling And Medical Treatment. For Testing Call Brian at 818-301-6314; For Medical Services Call Gilbert at 818-301-6390. www.SmartHealthLA.com

LOS ANGELES PUP CONTEST Bullet Bar, 10522 Burbank Blvd., NoHo, 9pm-2am. For updates, visit facebook.com/LAPuppyPride. It’s the main event for Los Angeles Pups during Puppy Pride Weekend. There will be three segments, which will include male and female pups. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14

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.

OUT AT THE ROSE BOWL The Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., 12pm-10pm. Tickets available at giving.ucla.edu/OutAtTheRoseBowl. Another season is underway and UCLA Lambda Alumni Association is excited to once again host an LGBT game day experience at the Rose Bowl.

GREAT AUTOS OF YESTERYEAR The largest LGBT classic car club on the West Coast. www.greatautos.org

GAY LA DOWNTOWN HISTORY WALKING TOUR Union Station, 800 N Alameda St. 10:45am. To RSVP zerve.com, event ID 3752794. Join Out & About Tours for their first of three walking tours in the City of Angels. Downtown LA houses the richest and most vibrant LGBT history, ranging from ancient Native American settlements to underground bars, hotels, bath houses, and other sites significant to the closeted stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

LOS ANGELES GAY BRIDGE CLUB www.communityvisions.org/IAGLBC

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20

MR.BLACK: THE RESURRECTION The Belasco, 1050 S. Hill St., 9pm-3am. For updates, visit their facebook page at MR.BLACK: THE RESURRECTION. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21

ONYX SOCAL/SOUTHWEST BAR NIGHT Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 8pm-2am. ONYX SoCal/Southwest Leather Men Of Color monthly bar night. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28

GOODBYE CIRCUS DISCO Circus Disco, 6655 Santa Monica Blvd. 10pm-4am. For tickets, visit goodbyecircus.eventbrite.com. After 40+ years, LA’s legendary Circus Disco will be closing its doors soon. The producers of Momentum invite you to join the fun for one final time Under the Big Top as the circuit says Goodbye to Circus Disco. DJs Tony Moran & Alexander are spinning Thanksgiving Saturday.

LOS ANGELES PRIME TIMERS Social group for older mature gay men and admirers. www.laprimetimers.org

LOS ANGELES GAY/LESBIAN SCIENTISTS www.lagls.org LOS ANGELES GAY FOR GOOD Gays making a commitment to volunteer for social welfare and environmental service projects. www.gayforgood.org LOS ANGELES GAY NATURISM California Men Enjoying Naturism. cmen.info BI-OSPHERE P.O.V. Every 2nd Wednesday, 8-9:30 p.m., The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 860-7302. M-F between 6-9 p.m. Topic-driven discussion for women and men who identify as, or are exploring bisexuality. MEN’S SPEAKEASY Every Tuesday at 8 p.m. The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 860-7302. Fun, alternative space for gay and bisexual men to meet and make new friends. LGBT BOOK CLUB First Wednesday of each month, 7:30-9:30 p.m. The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place, Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 860-7302, M-F between 6-9 p.m. USC LAMBDA LGBT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION alumnigroups.usc.edu/lambda/ LOS ANGELES BLACK PRIDE www.myblackpridela.com

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

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

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

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

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

12 STEP GROUPS

WEST HOLLYWOOD GAY RUGBY www.larebellion.org

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

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

GAY & LESBIAN BOWLING LEAGUE www.tavernguildleague.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UNITED UNIVERSITY CHURCH uniteduniversitychurch.org, 817 West 34th St., Los Angeles, CA 90089

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

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BLADES Ice Hockey. www.bladeshockey.com

LOS ANGELES GAY ROCK CLIMBING www.lalgbtclimbing.com

HOLY SPIRIT holyspirit-la.org, 4201 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029

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

LA ROWING www.larowing.org

LOS ANGELES GAY SCUBA CLUB www.barnaclebusters.org

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

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

For Breaking Daily LGBT News Visit

www.thefightmag.com

NONO VEMB ERER 2015 | THE T T5757 VEMB 2015 | T HF EI GH F I GH

THEFINALFIGHT >> RADICAL MUSLIMS <<

RADICAL MUSLIMS & DOUBLE STANDARDS Where is the outrage when Muslims publicly murder Muslim men for being gay? BY MICH A EL LU CA S

he relatively modest amount of news coverage and the surprising absence of protest over the executions of men suspected of being gay by Islamic extremists in Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere in the Muslim world - is frustrating, to say the least. In recent months ISIS has released photos and videos of its masked members dragging these men to the rooftops of tall buildings and pushing them off, to the apparent delight of crowds below. In several cases, the hapless victims reportedly survived the fall, only to be stoned to death by onlookers. The murders, which have taken place in ISIS strongholds such as Mosul and Raqqa, are often preceded by a jihadi denouncing the Koran-prohibited “crime” of sodomy. And they’re accompanied by cries of the Islamic phrase “Allahu akbar,” “God is great.” Killing gays by making them plunge off high buildings is just the newest method used by Muslim radicals; other, more traditional means of murder are also in full force. Photos published on social media show the beheadings of two men for alleged homosexuality in the Nineveh province of Iraq, after a man described by a local official as an “Islamic State religious judge” read an indictment. Others have reportedly been crucified, and some mercilessly mutilated. I ask you to envision a similar, horrific scenario in a very different location. Imagine if priests were tossing gay men off the top of St. Peter’s Basilica into the square below, with jubilant crowds filling

5 8 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

Vatican City yelling “Praise be to Jesus Christ” (or the equivalent in Latin or Italian). It is considered brave to bash the pope or a cardinal, but when anyone does the same of Muslim clerics, that critic is called a racist, an Islamophobe, or prejudiced. Wouldn’t the Vatican scenario I described above be the headline on every American newspaper, the lead story on every newscast, the top trending topic on Twitter? Would not every LGBT leader, every human rights activist, every liberal and right-thinking person in the U.S. denounce the atrocities, as well as the religion that gave rise to such hateful actions? Would the streets of American cities not fill with protest marches and angry demonstrations? Yet radical Muslims somehow seem to get a pass. Intensive news coverage and progressive protests apparently get detained at the border of Islam. Why is there this atrocious double standard? There was worldwide revulsion when ISIS burned to death the caged Jordanian pilot, and decapitated Western journalists. But where is the outrage when Muslims publicly murder Muslim men for being gay, or stone to death Muslim women for adultery or for having been raped? It’s been called “the soft bigotry of low expectations,” this notion that Muslims can’t be held to the same standards of behavior as those of other faiths. Liberal voices often compare conservative Christians or Jews with radical Muslims. But have longtime anti-gay preacher Pat Robertson or Judaism’s Lubavitcher Rebbe ever advocated actual violence against gay “sinners”? Of course not. Political cor-

rectness, however, forces us to tiptoe around the truth that Islamists today are slaughtering people for homosexuality, blasphemy, and adultery, not to mention for sketching pictures of Muhammad. Where are the celebrities, LGBT leaders, and progressive politicians who decry the slightest hint of homophobia, yet remain silent when gay men descend to their deaths at the hands of thugs who say they are acting in the name of Islam? In speaking recently about Muslim terrorism, President Obama, who cannot even bring himself to utter the phrase “Islamic extremism,” said, “Lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ.” The president entirely misses the point. Christianity and Judaism have continued to evolve over the centuries. In the last few days alone, the Presbyterian Church became the largest Protestant group to formally recognize gay marriage. And a Reform rabbi became the first openly lesbian president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Much of Islam, however, is like a mountain that has never moved during the thousand four hundred of years of its existence. Seventy years ago, the average American citizen might have been able to say, despite sporadic news reports, that he or she was not aware of the evil that was taking place inside Nazi concentration camps. Today, none of us can make that claim about the evil that is radical Islam. Smartphones in the very hands of the killers show us their savagery, and we excuse or ignore it at our own peril. n

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RaiseAChild.US NO VEMB ER 2015 | THE F I GH T 59

When You Need A Lawyer Have You Been Hurt? Discriminated Against? Arrested? David Hakimfar is a Partner at Hakimfar Law in West Hollywood and a member of Pride Legal

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TEL: 1-888-789-PRID E (1-888-789-7743) www.pridelegal.com

We Reserve The Right To Provide Friendly Service To EVERYONE 6 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com