NO VEMB ER 2016 | T H E F I GH T 1
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THECONTENTS Features 19 MODELS OF PRIDE
CENTER’S LIFEWORKS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
22 SEXUALLY EXPRESSIVE
MR. REGIMENT 2017 MARCO VALADEZ
26 GUYS AND DOLLS
AY COLLECTION’S DANIEL RANDELL
30 PULSE HERO
IMRAN YOUSUF’S COURAGEOUS ACTIONS
32 OLD FRIENDS
THE UNIQUE LANDSCAPE OF GAY AGING
34 BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS
JORDAN EAGLES’ BLOOD MIRROR
40 WHO IS YOU?
MOONLIGHT: A POETIC, VISUAL, EMOTIONAL JOURNEY
44 TO BE ABLE TO LOVE
GEORGE FIGARES AND DJ BLACKLOW
Departments 10 THE TALK SEAN HAYES 15 THE LETTERS READERS RESPOND 16 THE STATE AMERICAN JUSTICE 18 THE CITY CENTER’S NEW CAMPUS 20 THE DESERT DAVID MURDOCK 24 THE ROSTOW REPORT GAVIN GRIMM 28 THE TRANSACTION DAY OF REMEMBRANCE 38 THE SHARE COUPLES IN SOBRIETY 42 THE JOYSTICK GAMING 45 THE EPIDEMIC PRICING PrEP 46 THE EVENT PALM SPRINGS LEATHER PRIDE 48 THE CALENDAR OUT & ABOUT 50 THE FINAL FIGHT WENTWORTH MILLER 4 TTH GHT www.thefightmag.com 4 H EE FFII GH T || www.thefightmag.com
ON THE COVER DANIEL RANDELL COVER PHOTO, TOC PHOTO AND FEATURE PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNINGHAM
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NO VEMB ER 2016 | T H E F I GH T 5
THEEDITOR
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Stanford Altamirano MANAGING EDITOR Mark Ariel ART DIRECTOR Nadeen Torio MARKETING CONSULTANTS Tom Pardoe Eric Slayton Sean Galuszka SOCIAL MEDIA Paulo Murillo Sinan Shihabi >> IN THIS ISSUE <<
This month’s cover model is Daniel Randell—managing partner at AY Collection—a line of luxury fashion dolls by multi-media artist and designer Andrew Yang (“Guys And Dolls,” page 26). Growing up “I was a nerd,” confesses Randell. “I loved costumes, comics, villains and the fashion around them. I could clock a time period and the clothes that belonged there. I knew my references…” When Randell met Yang “he was developing a brand for a beauty mogul and had asked me to help create content and some branding around these new characters. I loved the idea of bringing fashion into a new space focusing on personal expression, play and openness. Coming from my previous experience, I was caring less about do’s and don’ts and more about finding growth and bigger things. Andrew shared this vision and we started creating more and more work together, which eventually evolved into a full fledged new partnership and a little unexpected romance.” The romance flourished and after moving to Los Angeles the two eventually got married. “It super low key and private, just us and some witnesses. That’s where I am a bit binary. I never really had a grand vision for a wedding. I
sort of reveled in being stoic about it. Growing up in a single parent family, I actually pulled the punk move getting married. I never thought I would. But when he asked, it made sense and felt right. For the first time I saw the possibility. I embrace the commitment, and am up for a lovely, glowing challenge. It’s pretty great.” Also in the issue Marco Valadez, the new title holder Mr. Regiment 2017 of the Black and Tan Club talks about sex positivity (Sexually Expressive,” page 22). “Some activities that I see myself engaged in as a title holder are having sex positive events,” reveals Valadez. “I want people to see sex as a gift that should be explored, enjoyed, and not hinted at behind closed doors. I think that everyone should have the sexual freedom to do what they want as long as it is between consenting people and that these people know what they are getting into.” “My story of being a leather man will come from a sex positive, socially conscious, and freely expressive place,” states Valadez. “Winning Mr. Regiment 2017 means that I now have a group of men who are just like me: confident, sexually expressive, smart, outspoken, and passionate about life—all qualities I possess and now share.”
WEBMASTER Nadeen Torio ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Sinan Shihabi GET THE FIGHT AT HOME Sent Via First Class Mail 12 Issues: $36 6 Issues: $24 Mail check or money order to: Third Step, LLC 611 S. Catalina St. Suite 307 Los Angeles, CA 90005 PUBLISHER Third Step, LLC DISTRIBUTION Pride In Media The Fight Magazine is published monthly by Third Step, LLC. 611 South Catalina Street, Suite 307 Los Angeles, CA 90005 Telephone (323) 297-4001 Fax (213) 281-9648 Email info@TheFightMag.com THE FIGHT MAGAZINE LEGAL CAVEATS By listing in The Fight Magazine, advertisers acknowledge that they do business in the spirit of cooperation, fairness and service, maintaining a high level of integrity and responsibility. Providers of products or services are fully and solely responsible for providing same as advertised. The Fight Magazine assumes no liability for improper or negligent business practices by advertisers. Advertisers and their agencies assume responsibility and liability for the content of their advertisements in The Fight Magazine. Publisher assumes no liability for safe-keeping or return of unsolicited art, manuscripts or other materials. The Fight Magazine reserves the right to edit all material for clarity, length and content. All contents © 2016 Third Step LLC. All rights reserved. Content may be reproduced with permission. The Fight Magazine assumes no liability for any claims or representations contained anywhere in this magazine and reserves the right to cancel or refuse advertising at publisher’s discretion.
STANFORD ALTAMIRANO Editor-In-Chief
6 T H E F I GH T | www.thefightmag.com
TheFightMag.com For Display Advertising, please call (323) 297-4001
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ANGEL GONZALEZ
5905 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401
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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. 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 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. SABEL SAMONE-LORECA Sabel Samone-Loreca has engaged in HIV prevention and care work for much of her adult life. Samone-Loreca is currently a Commissioner on the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV, holding the SPA 4 Consumer seat. Samone-Loreca
Murillo
Arellano
Rostow
Melamed
Samone-Loreca
Cunningham
Green
Pickle
continues to remain a visible, out, HIV-positive trans woman. She has participated in numerous panels and workshops, training both the community and the providers who serve them. BRENDEN SHUCART Brenden Shucart is an HIV AIDS-LGBT rights advocate, actor, and writer whose work has been featured in Out There,The Advocate and HIV Plus magazine among others. His essays around HIV-related health issues and stigma have been described as “humanizing and heartbreaking” and “beautiful, honest, and important.” As an actor Shucart has appeared in the short film “Bug Chaser,” James Franco and Travis
Shucart
Mathews’ “Interior. Leather Bar.,” and Mathews’ 2010 short film “I Want Your Love.” 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. VICTOR MELAMED Victor Melamed began his
career in journalism writing for the now-defunct Israeli gay magazine “Magaim.” He is currently working on a novel based on a true story about a love affair between two men on opposite sites of the Middle East conflict. PICKLE Pickle is a MILF who lost custody of her kids after the fire and is just trying to explore her creative side. She has a lot of opinions and in spite of her limited qualifications, she likes to share them. Her career was detailed in her retrospective: Pickle: 30 Years in the Business, and you can catch her as Peg Bundy in Purgatory in the upcoming show “Peg Bundy Has an Existential Crisis.” Pickle lives in Los Angeles where she drives a Prius (for now). Follow her escapades on instagram @itspicklebitch. ROBERT GREEN Robert is a photo journalist and current member of the California B&B Corps uniform club, founding member of the Southern California Bondage Club and official event photographer for the Los Angeles Leather Coalition (LALC). Branded as Motorboot Photography his photos document and follow the breadth of the leather and fetish community in the LA area.
It’s Time To Join
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THETALK >> W H AT T H E Y ’ R E S AY I N G <<
DON’T SHUDDER
TYLER GLENN
“I think I’ve always been trying to fit myself into something that doesn’t have a space for me, and now I’m trying to just exist as Tyler… For the first time in my life, I don’t shudder at the thought of saying,
‘I’m gay, and fuck off.’ I don’t care.” —Tyler Glenn, front man of Neon Trees, in an interview with The Advocate.
ANYBODY ELSE
ELLEN DEGENERES
“I can’t imagine not being married. I have my best friend, the person I want to spend time with more than anybody else in the world.”
THE NEXT LEVEL
“He took things to the next level … For one sex scene, I thought I was being crazy by telling him had to be fully naked wearing a cock sock, and bent over taking it up the ass. I told him to say some corny porn things, and he started screaming, ‘Give me that big dick!’ Franco one-upped me.”
—King Cobra director Justin Kelly on how far actor James Franco, who plays a porn producer, was willing to go on screen, in an interview with The Guardian.
BRIAN ANDERSON
—Ellen DeGeneres on her marriage to ‘Portia de Rossi in interview with People magazine.
WE ARE HERE
OUR LESSONS
SEAN HAYES
“My name is Brian Anderson, I’m a professional skateboarder, and we are here to talk about the fact that I am gay.”
“I know I should’ve come out sooner and I’m sorry for that. Especially when I think about the possibility that I might have made a difference in someone’s life. I would probably be able to sleep a lot better than I do if I had acted sooner, but such is life. We learn our lessons only when we are ready.” —Will & Grace star Sean Hayes, in accepting the Trailblazer Award at the Outfest Legacy Awards last month, apologized for not coming out as gay earlier in his career.
—Brian Anderson, in a video posted on Vice Sports, last month.
CHEYENNE JACKSON’S HUSBAND, JASON LANDAU, WILLOW AND ETHAN
BEST DAY
INTO THE NIGHT
“Best day of our lives. We will never recover. Welcome to the world our beautiful Willow and Ethan.”
“I’m sorry if the haters have decided that gays over forty are supposed to put on the board shorts, move to the suburbs and settle down to bridge parties once per week. I don’t plan to ever go quietly into the night.
—Actor and singer-songwriter Cheyenne Jackson on social media, Jackson and husband Jason Landau welcomed twins—Willow, a girl, and Ethan, a boy—last month.
—Former Fox news anchor Jim Walker, now working as a gay porn star, in an interview with Cocktails and Cocktalk.
10 0 TTH HEE FFIGH IGHTT || www.thefightmag.com www.thefightmag.com 1
JAMES FRANCO
JIM WALKER
Married and your spouse needs a green card? Deportation a problem in your life? Citizenship with personal twists? Transgender issues?
Areyou youinterested interested in in trying trying to Are tryingto to Are you interested improve theway way your your brain works? improve brain works? improve the way works? Are the you interested in trying to
improve the way your brain works?
If yes, join If yes, you youmay maybebeable ableto tojoin join where you add FDAa Ifstudy FDAa study where you add FDAyes, you may be able to join approved medication(s) to approved to a studymedication(s) where you addto FDAyour HIV-regimen to improve your HIV-regimen to improve yourapproved HIV-regimen to improve medication(s) to neurocognitive performance. neurocognitive performance. your HIV-regimen to improve neurocognitive performance. neurocognitive performance.
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This study HIV-positivepeople people who who also have This study is is forfor HIV-positive also haveHIV-associated HIV-associated This study is for HIV-positive people who also have HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) as defined defined by the Frascati criteria. This study is for HIV-positive people who also have HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) as by the Frascati criteria. neurocognitive disorder (HAND) as defined by the Frascati criteria. neurocognitive disorder (HAND) as defined by (MVC) the Frascati criteria. It will help us to identify if adding Maraviroc and/or It will help us to identify if adding Maraviroc (MVC) and/or It will help us us to their identify if adding Maraviroc (MVC) and/or It will help to identify if adding Maraviroc (MVC) and/or Dolutegravir (DTG) to current antiretroviral therapy will improve Dolutegravir (DTG) to their current antiretroviral therapy will improve Dolutegravir (DTG) their current antiretroviral therapy will improve Dolutegravir (DTG) to to their current antiretroviral therapy will neurocognitive performance. Participants will be enrolled inimprove this neurocognitive performance. Participants will bebeenrolled ininthis neurocognitive performance. Participants will enrolled this study for about 96 weeks. Compensation provided. neurocognitive performance. Participants willwill bebe enrolled in this studystudy for about 96 weeks. Compensation will for about 96 weeks. Compensation willbe beprovided. provided. study for about 96 weeks. Compensation will be provided.
To join you must be: Toyou joinmust you must To join be:orbe: 18 years of age be: older To join must 18you years ofor age or older 18 years of age older HIV-positive with an undetectable 18 years of age with or older HIV-positive an undetectable HIV-positive viral load with an undetectable viral load HIV-positive with an undetectable viral loadhad a HIV-associated Have Have had a HIV-associated viral load Have had a HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder within 45 45 neurocognitive disorder within Have had atoHIV-associated neurocognitive disorder within 45 days prior entry days prior study to study entry days to complete studydisorder entry neurocognitive Able to complete thethe within 45 prior Able to days prior to study entry Able to complete the neuropsychological testtest in English neuropsychological in English neuropsychological test in English Able to complete the neuropsychological test in English
For more information contact For more information contact For more information contact the UCLA CARE Center contact at Forthe more information UCLA CARECenter Centerat at the UCLA CARE careoutreach@mednet.ucla.edu thecareoutreach@mednet.ucla.edu UCLA CARE Center at careoutreach@mednet.ucla.edu or via phone 310-557-9062 or phone 310-557-9062 careoutreach@mednet.ucla.edu or viavia phone 310-557-9062 There are limitations to the confidentiality of email communications. arephone limitations the confidentiality email communications. Do notThere include any sensitivetohealth information ifofyou choose to or via 310-557-9062 There are limitations tovia the confidentiality of emailif communications. Do not include any sensitive health information you choose to contact the study team email. the study team via email. Do notcontact include any sensitive health information if you choose to There are to the confidentiality of email communications. contact thelimitations study team via email. Do not include any sensitive health information if you choose to contact the study team via email.
Protocol ID:IRB#15-000159 UCLA IRB Approved Approval 12/16/2015 Through: 12/15/2016 Committee: Medical Protocol ID:IRB#15-000159 UCLA IRB Approved Approval Date:Date: 12/16/2015 Through: 12/15/2016 Committee: Medical IRB IRB 1 1
Protocol ID:IRB#15-000159
UCLA IRB Approved Approval Date: 12/16/2015 Through: 12/15/2016 Committee: Medical IRB 1
Protocol ID:IRB#15-000159 UCLA IRB Approved Approval Date: 12/16/2015 Through: 12/15/2016 Committee: Medical IRB 1
NO VEMB ER I GH T T 11 SEP TEMB ER2016 2016| |THE T H EF F I GH 11
What is TRUVADA for PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis)?
uYou may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver problems
TRUVADA is a prescription medicine that can be used for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection when used together with safer sex practices. This use is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This includes HIV-negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex, and malefemale sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV-1. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.
Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP?
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP?
Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: uYou must be HIV-negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-negative. uMany HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: uYou must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. uYou must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. uTo further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: • Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior. • Have fewer sex partners. • Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. uIf you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: uToo much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats. uSerious liver problems. Your liver may become large and tender, and you may develop fat in your liver. Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, lightcolored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain.
if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking TRUVADA for a long time. In some cases, these serious conditions have led to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of these conditions. uWorsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you also have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider tells you to stop taking TRUVADA, they will need to watch you closely for several months to monitor your health. TRUVADA is not approved for the treatment of HBV. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you also take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA).
What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP?
Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: uKidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA for PrEP. uBone problems, including bone pain or bones getting soft or thin, may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. uChanges in body fat, which can happen in people taking TRUVADA or medicines like TRUVADA. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomacharea (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP?
uAll your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you
have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. uIf you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Pregnancy Registry: A pregnancy registry collects information about your health and the health of your baby. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take medicines to prevent HIV-1 during pregnancy. For more information about the registry and how it works, talk to your healthcare provider. uIf you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. The medicines in TRUVADA can pass to your baby in breast milk. If you become HIV-1 positive, HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. uAll the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. uIf you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA for PrEP, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include ledipasvir with sofosbuvir (HARVONI). You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page. 1 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
Have you heard about
TRUVADA for PrEP ? TM
The once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when used with safer sex practices. • TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. • You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA. Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.
visit start.truvada.com NO VEMB ER 2016 | THE F I GH T 13
IMPORTANT FACTS (tru-VAH-dah)
This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP
Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative. • Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP.
TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP" section. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Bone problems. • Changes in body fat.
While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. • You must stay HIV-1 negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • Tell your healthcare provider if you have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. • See the “How to Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information. TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Buildup of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats. • Severe liver problems, which in some cases can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months. You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking TRUVADA for a long time.
ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP (PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS) TRUVADA is a prescription medicine used with safer sex practices for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection in adults at high risk: • HIV-1 negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex. • Male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not. To help determine your risk, talk openly with your doctor about your sexual health. Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. • Take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA). TRUVADA, the TRUVADA Logo, TRUVADA FOR PREP, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and HEPSERA are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2016 © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0050 09/16
1 4 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.
BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical conditions. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you become HIV-1 positive because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.
HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • You must practice safer sex by using condoms and you must stay HIV-1 negative.
HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK • Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior. • Have fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.
GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV-1 infection. • Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.
THELETTERS >> FROM OUR READERS <<
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THEIR OVERALL Dear Editor, I read other local media outlets reporting on Frontiers’ demise and I found yours to be the most fair (“End Of An Era,” THE FIGHT Issue #69). Whatever anyone thought of them during their last few years should not overshadow their overall contribution to the community, since they first appeared on the scene 35 years ago. —Jack Roth, via the internet
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PAINFULLY HONEST Dear Editor, I read Andy Nicastro’s “Decent Into Darkness.” (THE FIGHT, Issue #68). The candor, the rawness and the unflinching way he describes his “slipping headlong into utter nothingness” was so powerful it haunted me long after I finished reading the article. Nicastro’s painfully honest recounting of his drug use past is something one doesn’t usually see lately—most people are far too concerned with preserving some type of self image that is more palatable. Kudos to Andy Nicastro for sharing such a personal story—and kudos to THE FIGHT for publishing it. —Cedric Dimitriou, via the internet
HUGE BLUNDER! Dear Editor, Gay activists, who believe in Jesus, make a huge blunder when they dissociate Jesus from His historical roots. Jesus was not an American hippy going around preaching free love. No, He was a Jewish Rabbi during the first century! And as such, He had to hold to the basic tenets of Judaism as it was understood at the time. This means, Jesus had to affirm the moral teachings of the Torah. The Torah is opposed to homosexuality. Gay activists use the “Jesus was silent” argument to justify homosexuality. Just because he was silent—doesn’t mean he endorsed it. Food for thought. —John Brown, 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 2016 | THE F I GH T 15
THESTATE >> G W E N A R A U J O <<
GWEN ARAUJO
AMERICAN JUSTICE Killer of transgender teen Gwen Araujo granted parole after 14 years.
O
BY VI CTOR MELAMED
ne of the men convicted in the brutal 2002 murder of a California transgender teen has been approved for parole after serving 14 years in prison, NBC Bay Area reports. Jose Merél was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2002 beating death of Gwen Araujo, in which he and another young man killed the 17-year-old after discovering she was transgender. Merél was sentenced to 15 years to life. The parole approval is the first step in a five-month process leading to his release from custody, reports lgbtqnation.com. The night Araujo was murdered, she attended a party at Merél’s home. At the party, Araujo was interrogated about her gender and discovered to be trans. Two of the men who’d had sex with Araujo—Merél and Michael Magidson—became enraged and began to assault her. Two other men, Jaron Nabors and Jason Casarez, witnessed the assault and left to get tools to bury the teen’s body after she was beaten and strangled to death. During trial, attorneys for Merél and Magidson used a “trans panic” defense to avoid a hate crime enhancement, arguing that the men lost it after discovering they had sex with a transgender woman, rather than a cisgender one. Araujo’s death inspired California to pass Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act in 2006, which limited the use of the “gay/trans panic” defense. In 2014, that law was strengthened by the passage of a law prohibiting defendants from even invoking the so-called defense. n
1 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
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THECITY NEON TREES >> BY PAULO MURILLO <<
LONG BEACH HIGH LGBT FRIENDLY SCORE
Over 10,000 participants helped raise upwards of $2 Million to benefit APLA Health services and other area organizations at this year’s AIDS WALK Los Angeles, which debuted at its new home in Grand Park in Los Angeles. City of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Supervisor Hilda Solis, Peter Gallagher, Pauley Perrette, Estelle, and other city officials joined a list of celebrities at the opening and closing ceremonies.
The city of Long Beach has been once again recognized by The Human Rights Campaign as one of the best cities for the LGBT community nationwide for their inclusive municipal laws and policies. The HRC gave Long Beach and 59 other cities a perfect score of 100 on its Municipal Equality Index (MEI), however Long Beach received an additional eight bonus points for a welcoming place to work, enforcement mechanism, services to LGBTQ youth, services for people living with HIV/AIDS and openly electing or appointing LGBTQ municipal leaders. This is the fifth year Long Beach has been recognized by the HRC’s MEI for upholding LGBT rights.
For more on the AIDS WALK Los Angeles, visit: la.aidswalk.net.
For the complete MEI list, visit: hrc.org/mei.
AIDS WALK LA RAISES OVER TWO MILLION
SAN DIEGO PRIDE BOARD CONTROVERSY
WEHO CREATIVE BUSINESS AWARDS West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (WHCC) will host the West Hollywood Creative Business Awards 2016, on Wednesday, November 16, at The W Hotel Hollywood. This gala is the Chamber’s most prestigious and longest-running event. Each year the Chamber celebrates businesses that have shown innovation and creativity in their business model. The nominees are selected by their peers and the winners are voted by the Membership and announced at the event. For a list of nominees, or to purchase tickets, visit wehochamber. com or call (323) 650-2688
The San Diego Pride Board has been in the midst of controversy STEPHEN over their alleged lack of transparWHITBURN ency with the community after their executive director was abruptly fired. San Diego Gay & Lesbian news reports that problems began back in August when the board dismissed Executive Director Stephen Whitburn without reasons, even though San Diego Pride had been the most successful in San Diego’s history during his tenure this year. Committee members have threatened to resign if he was not re-instated. Additionally some committee members disagree with the board’s stance against their main revenue coming from alcohol sales. For more on San Diego pride, visit: sdpride.org.
MEN‘S HEALTH FOUNDATION MENINGITIS VACCINES
The city of West Hollywood joined Men’s Health Foundation last month to host an event offering free meningitis vaccinations during Sample Saturday held at a booth outside Capital Drugs and Power Zone on Santa Monica Boulevard. The vaccine was free regardless of health insurance status. Los Angeles County public health officials and LGBT advocates are urging gay and bisexual men to get meningitis vaccinations, citing a recent outbreak of potentially deadly meningococcal disease that is disproportionately affecting men who have sex with men. 1 8 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVES CENTER’S NEW CAMPUS
The Los Angeles City Planning Commission unanimously approved plans for the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus in Hollywood last month. The revolutionary new campus will include up to 100 units of affordable housing for seniors, 100 beds for homeless youth, new senior and youth centers, up to 35 units of permanent supportive housing for young people, and a ground floor retail space. The project now moves on for approval by the full Los Angeles City Council.
>> BILLY GILMAN <<
MODELS OF PRIDE Challenging SoCal youth to “be the change” not only in their own lives, but also in their communities and throughout the world. BY O RLY LYO N N E
M
ore than 1,500 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth (LGBTQ) and their allies from two dozen Southern California cities and more than 35 schools attended the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s 24th annual Models of Pride conference at the University of Southern California campus last month. Models of Pride is the nation’s largest free conference of its kind, offering a full day of life-enriching programming designed
to help young people build confidence and self-esteem and develop valuable life skills. Organized through the Center’s LifeWorks youth development and mentoring program, the day also includes over 100 workshops and presentations, lunch and dinner, resource/college/career fairs, and live entertainment—for youth aged 24 and under. Billy Gilman, a contestant from the current season of The Voice, and theatrical dance company Academy of Villains—who
BILLY GILMAN
made it to the semi-finals of America’s Got Talent—performed. Additionally, models from Oxygen’s reality series Strut participated in a fashion show. “With this being an election year that could potentially have big consequences for the LGBT community, we are challenging youth to ‘be the change’ not only in their own lives, but also in their communities and throughout the world,” said Center Associate Director of Education and Youth Development Kevin McCloskey. “The attendees of Models of Pride are the next generation of leaders who will help the Los Angeles LGBT Center to build a world where LGBT people are healthy, equal and complete members of society.”
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THEDESERT >> PALM SPRINGS <<
STDS ON THE RISE IN COACHELLA VALLEY Health officials issued a warning last month regarding an increase in sexually transmitted disease cases in the Coachella Valley. The spread of syphilis is a growing concern among gay and bisexual men in Palm Springs. The extrapolated 2015 rate of syphilis cases was 167 to 192 for every 100,000 residents, far higher than the national rate of 7.5 cases per 100,000 people. In the entire Coachella Valley, the rate was 30.9 per 100,000. Riverside County had 9,807 chlamydia infections and San Bernardino had 11,059 – the majority among women and girls, state statistics show. The number of gonorrhea cases grew to 2,168 in Riverside County and 2,756 in San Bernardino County last year. All three can be cured by antibiotics.
PSLOD’S DAVID MURDOCK PASSED AWAY Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert (PSLOD) long time member David Murdock passed away last month, a few days after he underwent knee replacement surgery. “David has been one of our beloved leather club members for decades as well a leader and a DAVID longtime devotee to Palm Springs MURDOCK and greater LGBT and leather community,” stated PSLOD President Leo Newcomb. “Just as soon as the appropriate time allows Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert will commemorate his life and many achievements in order to remember him with the same pride he had in us.”
DESERT AIDS WALK 2016 CELEBRATES 30 YEARS Over two thousand people attended the Desert AIDS Walk 2016 raising over $200,000 for Desert AIDS Project services at Ruth Hardy Park. This year Desert AIDS Walk celebrated 30 years of “Walking to Make a Difference.” Since the first step was taken in 1987, the Desert AIDS Walk has contributed to helping patients and clients get high quality clinical services which provide primary and HIVspecialty health care, wellness, and behavioral health programs that offer support for the elderly, the young, the unemployed, the impoverished, and many more. Collectively the Desert AIDS Walk and the Get Tested Coachella Valley team continue their mission to get 100% of the Coachella Valley tested for HIV. For more information, or to donate, visit support.desertaidsproject.org. 2 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
GAY PHOTO EXHIBIT ‘FLAMING CREATURES” In the spirit of 70s drag and all things gay at Palm Springs White Party, the Ted Casablanca Gallery in Palm Springs presents “Flaming Creatures,” a photo exhibit scheduled to run from November 4 to December 5. The show captures two unique gay moments in time, featuring Michael Childers’ photographs from two gay events. The first set is from a LA drag ball in 1974 and the second features photos from the 2002 White Party Palm Springs. The drag ball images were featured in an Italian magazine and will be displayed in a gallery setting for the first time. For more on the exhibit, visit: tedcasablanca.com.
SHORES DEBUTS SNEAK PEAK SEQUEL CLIP Clips from the much-anticipated sequel to the cult classic, Sordid Lives, were shown this month at Camelot Theatre. The sneak peak coincided with director and writer Del Shores’ turn as this year’s Palm Springs Pride Grand Marshal at the pride parade. The screening from A Very Sordid Wedding included members of the cast, including Ann Walker, Newell Alexander, Bonnie Bedelia, and Rosemary Alexander.
DEL SHORES
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL HELD FOR GEORGE ZANDER
Organizers of Palm Springs Pride held a candlelight vigil in memory of George Zander and to pay tribute to all victims of hate crimes. The vigil was GEORGE ZANDER held on November 1st, which marks the 1st year anniversary of the day he and his husband Chris Zander were attacked in downtown Palm Springs. Zander died on December 10 from what was later determined to be natural causes unrelated to his attack. The gathering began in front of the new Grand Central Station. After a short program, the rally marched through the heart of Palm Springs.
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> > MARCO VALADEZ < <
chance to reach out to people at the margins of the leather community,” said Valadez in an interview with THE FIGHT.
“I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR LGBT PEOPLE OF COLOR TO TAKE SPACE IN CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTS IN TODAY’S HOMOPHOBIC, RACIAL SOCIAL STRUCTURE.” “My story of being a leather man will come from a sex positive, socially conscious, and freely expressive place,” states Valadez. “Winning Mr. Regiment 2017 means that I now have a group of men who are just like me: confident, sexually expressive, smart, outspoken, and passionate about life—all qualities I possess and now share.”
SEXUALLY EXPRESSIVE Mr. Regiment 2017 Marco Valadez: “Sex is a gift that should be explored and enjoyed, not hinted at behind closed doors.” B Y V I C T O R M ELA MED | PH O TO BY RO BERT G REEN
M
arco Valadez won the title of Mr. Regiment 2017 of the Black and Tan Club last month, and will compete for the coveted Mr. LA Leather 2017 title next year. “Winning means that I have the opportunity to represent a community from my perspective, and it gives me a
2 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
HYPER MASCULINITY “At the age of 16, I was introduced to West Hollywood and was taken to a book store,” reveals Valadez. “In the book store, I was pulled by curiosity to a Tom of Finland book, and it was at this movement that my attraction to hyper masculinity and men in leather emerged without actually knowing it. So in retrospect, I was involved in the leather community since I was 16.” Born in Mexico City, Valadez and his family migrated to the US when he was 6 years old. “I grew up in a pretty bad neighborhood in the San Gabriel Valley—with a lot of gangs, violence, and drugs. As a teenager, I had two friends pass away— one committed suicide and the other was shot.”
With the support and encouragement of his family, Valadez graduate High School and went to USC. “I double majored in Economics and American Studies & Ethnicity with a minor in Business Entrepreneurship. I was very involved in leadership and was even the President of the Latino Business Student Association. I graduated with honors and conducted my own honors research project which was published.” “Today,” reveals Valadez, “I work as an analyst at a bank. I deal with Corporate Governance, Risk & Compliance. I also work with Information Security, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery as it relates to contract management. I love what I do because I think it is important for LGBT people of color to take space in corporate environments in today’s homophobic, racial social structure.”
SEX POSITIVE As Mr. Regiment 2017 Valadez says that he is “passionate about helping individuals in the leather community. What I mean by this is that I want to be able to financially assist people that are experiencing financial difficulties.” Additionally—states Valadez—“some activities that I see myself engaged in as a title holder are having sex positive events… I want people to see sex as a gift that should be explored, enjoyed, and not hinted behind closed doors. I think that everyone should have the sexual freedom to do what they want as long as it is between consenting people and that these people know what they are getting into. Overall, I want to help raise money for the LGBT community while people enjoy and express their sexual identity without shame.”
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THEROSTOWREPORT >> BY ANN ROSTOW <<
A BIT OF INFIGHTING
W
ere you aware that our community’s legal and political leaders are indulging in a bit of infighting? The bottom line? Some GLBT activists suggest we’d be better off in the near term to limit our state legislative strategies by focussing only on job and housing discrimination. That way, we’d be able to sidestep the pesky question of public accommodations and avoid all the troubling talk of bakeries and— most pesky of all—bathrooms. It is this image, incrementalists imply, the image of burly masculine transwomen lurking next to the little seven-year-old girl at the sink, that keeps us from making progress on regular old antigay discrimination. And indeed, such anti-trans propaganda sunk our civil rights bill in Houston in a public vote. So if we give up on efforts to win trans-inclusive rights to public accommodations, we can avoid the whole subject. Maybe we’ll come back to it a later time! Happily, from what I can tell, no serious organization agrees (unless you count the deep pocketed Gill Foundation). As we all finally recognized in the marriage fight, there’s no such thing as a little bit equal. No, we didn’t want civil unions or domestic partnerships. Similarly, we can’t insist that we should be treated fairly on the job, while telling our fellow citizens that we don’t really mind if stores and restaurants turn us away. Oh, but we have to take one step at a time, they say. After all, weren’t civil unions a step towards marriage equality? Perhaps in a way, but that’s only because most of us kept insisting on full equality. If you ask for half a loaf, not only will you wind up with a quarter, but no one will believe that you needed the whole loaf in the first place. Finally, consider the question of whether or not discrimination
GAVIN GRIMM
THE BIG NEWS OF COURSE IS THE SUPREME COURT’S DECISION TO TAKE ON TRANS RIGHTS THIS TERM, ACCEPTING THE CASE OF A VIRGINIA TRANSGENDER BOY—GAVIN GRIMM—WHO SUCCESSFULLY FOUGHT FOR THE RIGHT TO USE THE BOY’S FACILITIES AT HIS HIGH SCHOOL. against transgender people is itself a form of sex discrimination (and therefore should be covered by current federal law)— that question has already been airing in our courtrooms and policy debates for years. The bathroom fights themselves may be novel, but the principle that animates them has been under discussion for a long time. It’s ironic, but in terms of case law, we have technically made more progress on trans rights than gay rights, beginning with the Supreme Court’s 1989 ruling that sexual stereotyping is sex discrimination for purposes of federal law. Anyone who thinks that going “one step at a time” means taking gays first and trans second does not realize that we have already well down the
2 4 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
road towards trans rights, and it’s a road that indirectly leads to gay rights at the same time.
BACK TO THE HIGH COURT!
T
he big news of course is the Supreme Court’s decision to take on trans rights this term, accepting the case of a Virginia transgender boy who successfully fought for the right to use the boy’s facilities at his high school. Are we happy about this development? Since we won in the lower court, perhaps conservative justices are seeking to reverse that victory. On the other hand, this case will likely be heard by the 4-4 Court. A tie would leave the lower court ruling intact. Lastly, there’s another legal issue in
this matter that has nothing to do with GLBT rights, so perhaps some justices hope to deal with that and punt the trans part. More on that in a few minutes. Coincidentally, Gavin Grimm won his 2-1 ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit just days after North Carolina passed its infamous HB2, the law that forces boys like Gavin to use the ladies rooms in all public settings throughout the state. After the Fourth Circuit refused to reconsider its decision, the Gloucester County School Board asked the justices to take review, and on October 28, they said yes. Grimm’s case turned mainly on whether or not Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 should be interpreted to ban transgender discrimination. Title IX, of course, outlaws gender bias in public education and is known as the force that gave women and girls equal opportunities in sports. Beyond athletics, the interpretation of sex discrimination under Title IX runs parallel to the interpretation of sex discrimination under other federal laws, in particular Title VII of the Civil Rights Act which covers workplace bias. Bear with me here! If you read the first story in our column carefully as I trust you did, you’ll recall that the High Court thinks sexual stereotyping is a violation of Title VII, ergo one can argue that sexual stereotyping is also forbidden under Title IX. And what exactly is sexual stereotyping? In the Supreme Court’s 1989 Title VII case, it was manifest in a policy by Price Waterhouse to limit partnerships to stylish women, if you know what I mean. One woman who excelled professionally, but failed the femininity test and was not promoted, filed suit and won under Title VII’s ban on sex discrimination. It has taken time, but other courts eventually extended this premise to
> > A B I T O F I N F I G H T I N G , B A C K T O T H E H I G H C O U R T, P L E A S E D O N ’ T L E AV E M E Y E T < <
cases of trans discrimination as well. After all, is there any more egregious example of sexual stereotyping than messing with transgender men or women? Eventually, Obama’s Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights announced that, it its view, Title IX indeed bans trans discrimination; significantly, the Office sent a letter to that effect to the Fourth Circuit panel which brings us to the other important issue in Grimm’s case. In ruling for Grimm, the Fourth Circuit said that since the legal situation was unclear, it was obliged to accept the Education Department’s protrans interpretation of Title IX as a matter of law. Really? We all like what transpired in this instance, but that would mean that the next administration could change its interpretation and undermine the status of this or any other federal am-
biguity, maybe with a simple note to a court. In accepting this case, the Supreme Court said it will first consider whether or not an agency letter, like the one sent to the panel, should be given deference. It will then consider the merits of Grimm’s Title IX and Equal Protection arguments. So what does this all mean for us? I guess we’ll find out in about eight months.
PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME YET
I
f you’re waiting for some enjoyable community anecdotes to break up our serious reading, you can forget it. We are focussed like a laser on civil rights law this month and indeed, we have another major piece of related news! Please don’t leave me yet. Recall that we were talking
about Title VII and mentioning that trans rights are ironically further along that regular old gay rights in terms of federal law? Well the other day a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit pointed out that this irony is becoming absurd. In theory, the court noted, a flamboyant heterosexual could file a discrimination suit under Title VII (based on sexual stereotyping) while a straight-acting gay man could be fired for getting married and have zero recourse. Writing in a Title VII case, the majority said they were bound by circuit precedent to rule against Kimberly Hively, a lesbian who was not promoted at the community college where she worked, but the majority ruled against her reluctantly, recognizing that Title VII needs to be re-interpreted. Now the full bench of the
Seventh Circuit has agreed to review Hively’s case, a strong signal that we can look forward, for the first time, to a federal appellate court ruling stating that Title VII covers gays and lesbians. I’m not sure how long this review will take, but it’s likely that this case will also wind up at the High Court. Coming around full circle from the bickering groups at Gay Inc. that started this column, the question of what strategy we should pursue in state legislatures will likely be rendered moot by court action in the next couple of years. So again, now is not the time to skulk around like little mice taking teeny nibbles off the civil rights cookie. It’s time to finish the damn thing in two big bites the same way we finished off marriage equality—in the courts. We are returning to exciting times. n
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> > C O V E R F E AT U R E < <
GUYSANDDOLLS Daniel Randell on falling in love with a creative partner and bringing fashion into the toy space.
C
urrently managing partner at AY Collection—a line of luxury fashion dolls by multi-media artist and designer Andrew Yang—Daniel Randell, 33, has been immersed in various creative fields since childhood. “I was a nerd,” confesses Randell in an interview with THE FIGHT. “I loved costumes, comics, villains and the fashion around them. I could clock a time period and the clothes that belonged there. I knew my references…” Originally from a small town in upstate New York, right outside of Woodstock, Randell’s coming out was “a gradual process.” “I was a queer, this was always clear, however I didn’t identify as a gay man until I was in my mid 20s when I met my mother for the first time as an adult. I was raised by my father, who’s also a creative, and exposed us to a lot of people and culture that I don’t think I would have had in a more binary upbringing, so on the home front it was always a pretty open space. I remember early being told I can love who ever I wanted, period. That always stuck in the back of my mind as a subtle affirmation. Coming out was never an event. Just an ‘oh, this is my new friend and he’s not a girl.’” Eventually Randell found his way into the world of fashion. “I started working for a heritage stylist in New York who taught me a lot about the editorial and advertising worlds, and the realities around them. Working with top tier publications and brands like Italian Vogue, W magazine and Elle gradually helped shift my interests. I became more excited by the history of fashion, my mentor’s place in it, and her evolution within the business. This took me to the publishing space where I created what started as an internal archive and then a book for Harper Collins of her 30 year body of work. This project took me full throttle into publishing, the licensing space, the legal process of creative ownership and beyond into the marketing and press elements.” 2 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
BY MA RK ARI EL | PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNI NGHAM
BUSINESS AND ROMANCE “During this time,” reveals Randell, “I had also started working creatively with another artist in the fashion space—Andrew Yang. Andrew’s work was unique. Trained as a designer, he created super high end and one of a kind products. He was discovered by Anna Wintour—while making couture fabric dolls based on runway looks. This launched him into retail fashion spaces and installations all over the world, Barneys New York and Japan, Galleries Lafayette Paris, Joyce Boutique and elements Hong Kong, as well as collaborations with beauty brand Lancôme Paris, Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs and more.”
“GROWING UP IN A SINGLE PARENT FAMILY, I ACTUALLY PULLED THE PUNK MOVE GETTING MARRIED. I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD. BUT WHEN HE ASKED, IT MADE SENSE AND FELT RIGHT.” “When we met, he was developing a brand for a beauty mogul and had asked me to help create content and some branding around these new characters. I loved the idea of bringing fashion into a new space focusing on personal expression, play and openness. Coming from my previous experience, I was caring less about do’s and don’ts and more about finding growth and bigger things. Andrew shared this vision and we started creating more and more work together, which eventually evolved into a full fledged new partnership and a little unexpected romance.”
The romance flourished and after moving to Los Angeles the two eventually got married. “It was super low key and private, just us and some witnesses. That’s where I am a bit binary. I never really had a grand vision for a wedding. I sort of reveled in being stoic about it. Growing up in a single parent family, I actually pulled the punk move getting married. I never thought I would. But when he asked, it made sense and felt right. For the first time I saw the possibility. I embrace the commitment, and am up for a lovely, glowing challenge. It’s pretty great.” Working together as a couple is “a lot less difficult than one would think,” says Randell. “We both were very committed to our work when it was separate, and in unifying, we share the same goal. It makes it pretty clean on that end. You know the ins and outs. The challenge becomes about cultivating space in social contexts, the gym, outside the home, those little spaces. But we both try to be sensitive to the balance.”
PERMISSION TO PLAY “Our business has evolved quite a bit as we’ve entered the licensing and entertainment space,” says Randell. “The development process is slightly different from our fashion brand collaborations. It moves at a different pace. Bringing fashion in the toy space has been our world, so it’s interesting to continue to cultivate that in the classic toy space. It’s become a bit of our signature. It’s all about permission to play, a strong design, and a little bit of story. All the good stuff.” “Currently,” reveals Randell, “we’ve been developing great licensed material around the signature dolls, consulting for content development as well as creating new toy products with a number of brands and classic toy companies. We’ll be offering our first line of iconic classic super hero and villain dolls through Sideshow Toys. That’s a little childhood dream come true.” Check out their website Andrew-yang.com for more details of their installation work and collaborations.
> > AARON VALENZUELA < <
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THETRANSACTION >> DAY OF REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY <<
TRANSGENDER AWARENESS MONTH Film Festival, Day of Remembrance Ceremony, the lighting of City Hall in the colors of the Transgender Flag.
T
he City of West Hollywood and its Transgender Advisory Board will celebrate Transgender Awareness Month in November with events and the lighting of City Hall in the colors of the Transgender Flag. Transgender Awareness Month is recognized throughout the United States in November each year. On Sunday, November 13, 2016, at 1pm, the City of West Hollywood, through its Transgender Advisory Board, will host a Transgender Film Festival at the City of West Hollywood’s City Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room at West Hollywood Library, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. The festival will feature two documentaries: Raising Zoey, which chronicles 13-year-old Zoey Luna’s fight for her right to self-identify in school and Shunned, an award-winning and thought-provoking film about the trauma and struggles faced by a group of trans women in the Philippines as they
compete in a pageant. On Sunday, November 20, 2016, at 1:30pm, the City of West Hollywood’s Transgender Advisory Board will host the Transgender Day of Remembrance Ceremony in the West Hollywood Library Auto Court, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. The
THE REJUVENIZER Phyllis Light, Ph.D & Telepathic Healer
event will include speakers from the community, city representatives, and transgender performers. The flag flown at City Hall will be flown at halfstaff in remembrance. n For additional information about Transgender Awareness Month visit www.weho.org.
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IMRAN YOUSUF
PULSE HERO Imran Yousuf’s courageous actions in the face of mortal danger saved over 70 lives during the massacre at Pulse.
M
arine Corps veteran Imran Yousuf, credited with saving more than 70 people during the June mass shooting at Orlando gay nightclub Pulse, was recognized for his actions at a San Diego gala this past September for the American Military Partner Association. Yousuf was working as a bouncer at the club during the early hours of June 12; that was when Omar Mateen stormed into Pulse and began shooting. Yousuf quickly noticed a group of trapped patrons, rushed over to them, broke open a door, and allowed dozens to escape. Officials believe that without Yousuf’s actions, the casualties of that morning—49 murdered, 53 wounded—would be much higher, reports The Advocate. The American Military Partner Assocation—the largest organization advocating for LGBT military families—honored Yousuf during its September 17 West Coast gala. Yousuf served as an engineer in the Marines from 2010 to 2016 and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. “Imran represents the best of America and the best of America’s military community, as evidenced by his quick and heroic actions amid the chaos and carnage of the tragedy in Orlando,” AMPA president Ashley Broadway-Mack said in a statement. “While he humbly may not consider himself a hero, his courageous actions in the face of mortal danger that saved the lives of more than 70 of our LGBT brothers and sisters say otherwise. He is certainly a hero to our community and to all of America, and we are proud to honor Imran with our 2016 Community Hero Award.” n
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> > JESUS RAMIREZ VALLEZ < <
gay aging through scholarly research and interviews with 11 racially and economically diverse men who provide firstperson narratives on their experiences with work, family, the AIDS epidemic, activism, their roles as caregivers, and getting older. “Aging is very different for gay men,” said Ramirez-Valles. “Their social support systems look different from those of heterosexual individuals and couples, and many senior housing or assisted living facilities struggle to provide services while being sensitive to their gay clients.” Ramirez-Valles said such men can feel stigmatized in senior housing because of the lack of other gay men or couples. “Sometimes staff or other residents just don’t know how to interact with people who are LGBT because they may not have had many gay friends or experience with the LGBT community,” he said.
OLD FRIENDS Aging gayby boomers don’t fit the largely heteronormative beliefs and ideas about aging or caring for older adults. BY VICTO R MELA MED
I
n “Queer Aging: The Gayby Boomers and a New Frontier for Gerontology” (Oxford Press, 2016), Jesus RamirezValles, professor and head of community health sciences in the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, makes it clear that aging gayby boomers don’t fit the largely heteronormative beliefs and ideas about aging or caring for JESUS RAMIREZ-VALLES older adults, reports thefiftypluslife.com. His groundbreaking book explores the unique landscape of
3 2 TTHHEE FFIIGH www.thefightmag.com 32 GH TT || www.thefightmag.com
EMOTIONAL STRESSES “Gay men also have unique responses to the physical and emotional stresses of aging, and gerontology studies have not yet really explored this,” RamirezValles said. “Gay culture is youthoriented, so age discrimination is multiplied among gay men, and this is a major additional source of stress.” Aging also affects the sex life differently among such men, Ramirez-Valles said. “For instance, sex is a major way that gay men stay connected to the gay community and form friendships, but because gay culture is so youthobsessed, opportunities for sex diminish as these men age—and this can be especially isolating.” During his research for the book, Ramirez-Valles found that many men worried about who will take care of them as they get older, since many lack a spouse or child to fulfill the caregiver role. For some single, older men, the lack of a spouse
is due to gay marriage being relatively new. For others, the AIDS epidemic took partners from their lives. Without a legally-identifiable spouse, navigating issues like advance directives, pension benefits, health disclosures, or even how to explain to an assisted-living facility who your partner is can be problematic and lead to unease.
REJECTION FROM FAMILY Another family dynamic impacting gayby boomers is rejection by their biological families. Families cutting ties with their sons and brothers who came out during the gay rights movement is unfortunately not uncommon, Ramirez-Valles said. “This is one of the reasons friends are so important for gay men and serve as a kind of chosen family. But how do you explain that your ‘friend’ will be living with you in an assisted living facility that has no other gay couples? “The thing that stuck out the most during my research was the housing issue,” RamirezValles said. Mostly heterosexuals, including support staff, populate the vast majority of group housing or assisted living facilities for older adults. “When a gay man or couple comes into one of these facilities, many experience some form of discrimination or will be treated differently. Some even feel the need to hide their identities because they are no longer in their own community where people know who they are and other like-minded people surround them. So making the decision to go into supportive housing, which is already an extremely stressful decision, is compounded by sexual orientation. For gay men who have been living openly gay for decades, it can be very hard.” More LGBT-friendly housing is sorely needed, RamirezValles said, as well as education and training for staff.
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>> JORDAN EAGLES <<
BLOOD, SWEAT&TEARS
Jordan Eagles on his “Blood Mirror”—a protest against the FDA’s 33 year long ban against the donation of blood by gay and bisexual men.
M
ade from human blood encased in resin, the Blood Mirror looms like something from another time. It casts strange red shadows and it’s inky scarlet surface hints at primordial depths. But there is a warmth there. A calm vitality. A purpose. Despite it’s appearance, and the accompanying almost undeniable awe that it inspires, the Blood Mirror is no ancient artifact, but the work of Jordan Eagles, a New York-based blood artist who created the Mirror as a protest against the FDA’s 33 years long ban against the donation of blood by gay and bisexual men.
BIRTH PAINTINGS Growing up in Manhattan and New Jersey, Eagles never set out to be an activist—or even an artist. He began working with blood in 1998 while studying at NYU. “I was having conversations with my best friend at the time about life after death and the connection between body and spirit. Simultaneously, I was looking through images of childbirth from a medical encyclopedia. These images were black and white line illustrations with no blood—and I understood birth to be a very bloody process. So the combination of looking at images of where life begins that lacked the blood I knew they should have and talking with my friend about what happens when you die inspired me to make these four paintings. This was my way of answering the friendly argument that we were having.” 3 4 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
BY BRENDEN SHUCART
JORDAN EAGLES
After those first four birth paintings Eagles didn’t make any more art for another two years. “I wasn’t looking to be an artist. The concept that I could be an artist wasn’t even on the radar.” He moved to Los Angeles and took a job in creative advertising, but he didn’t find the corporate world an easy fit, and eventually found himself once again drawn to making art using blood. “It was when I started making art again two years latter I realized I had to do it. I would come home from work and all I would do was spend my time experimenting, for no reason other than I wanted to do it.”
A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT Blood Mirror is Eagles’ first project using human blood. “The subject has been on my mind for a very long time, blood do-
nation, gay men being turned away. I was turned away from donating blood when i was in my early 20s… I wasn’t even having a lot of sex back then. It was illogical to be turned away—and embarrassing. It didn’t make sense to me. I knew that I was a healthy young man who wanted to do my civic duty by donating blood. Both my parents donate blood, frequently. I was raised in a family culture where that’s just something you do. And I’m not allowed to participate. That bothered me, a lot.” “There was a moment where I just had this sense that there may be a way for me help. People weren’t really discussing this issue. The FDA hadn’t issued any public comment periods in almost three decades. It was a very under the radar subject. And given both my skill set of being able to preserve blood, and being a gay man who is pissed-off about the issue, I felt like maybe there is a way to do this, to engage a conversation about it.” Jordan’s first step was to develop a team. “The project itself is collaborative in the sense that it obviously requires the generous donations of many men, but also it was a sensitive issue. There were a lot of questions about how to deal with this topic, so it was important to get a creative team.” “We knew we were going to make a film, or a short documentary. It was obvious that if you were going to have humans donating blood that you were going to want to talk to these people, interview them, get their thoughts.”
> > AARON VALENZUELA < <
Filmmaker, writer and advocate Leo Herrera joined Eagles, along with the Carry Nation—the passionate and politically active DJ duo of Will Automagic & Nita Aviance. “The four of us would get together, sit in the studio, order Chinese take-out and brainstorm, discuss the issues <<<beyond>>> the policy. There are so many other issues that can be raised when you talk about our community and our blood… And if you’re only going to use 9 people, for example, how do you represent a community? You also
BLOOD EQUALITY PANEL AT THE HAMMER MUSEUM
don’t want to make caricatures out of people, but at the same time you don’t know any of these people yet.” Eventually the group decided on the following nine men: Oliver Anene, an LGBT activist from Nigeria living in political asylum in New York City; Blue Bayer, a jewelry designer and polysexual biological father of two; Kelsey Louie, CEO of Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC); the Reverend John Moody, an 89-year old, openly gay priest; Loren Rice, an artist, activist, and transgender
man; Ty Spicha, a gay man with an identical straight twin brother; Lawrence D. Mass, M.D., co-founder of GMHC; CPT Anthony Woods, who served two terms in Iraq; and Howard Grossman, M.D., an internist at AlphaBetterCare and former director of the American Academy of HIV Medicine in addition to being medical supervisor on the Blood Mirror Project.
MIRROR IN TRUTH Two days after Jordan and his team collected blood from the first four participants—the
November 22, 2016, 7:30pm. 10899 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90024.
I
n advance of December 1st, World AIDS Day, this panel examines the FDA’s ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men, which currently requires celibacy for one year before donating. Panelists include Brad Sears, Associate Dean and Executive Director of the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law; Jim Halloran, president of TwitterOpen; Jeffrey Klausner, MD, professor of medicine and public health in the UCLA Division of Infectious Diseases and Department of Epidemiology; Kelsey Louie, CEO of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis; and moderator Mark Joseph Stern, writer, Slate.com. Organized by artist Jordan Eagles. The FDA’s public comment period for the blood donor ban ends on November 25, 2016.
NO VEMB ER 2016 | THE F I GH T 35
>> JORDAN EAGLES <<
FDA announced that it would accept blood from gay men who had been celibate for one year. A development which threw the whole project into doubt. “When we started this project there was no conversations about the blood ban at all, then suddenly half way through there is this major shift. Which left us thinking, do we even need to continue?” Ultimately Jordan and his team decided that the new policy was in some ways worse than the original lifetime ban. “A lifetime ban implemented in 1983, as unfortunate as it is, I can understand. To make a change in 2015 that has zero basis in science is an absolute slap in the face. Asking gay men to be celibate for a year is still, in effect, a life-time ban. And to require that from gay people but not heterosexuals? It’s worse. It’s saying that the government doesn’t trust science.” Eventually they added the blood of 50 men who were all on PrEP, and the sculpture became a mirror in truth, “I wanted to incorporate the idea that the viewer could see themselves through the blood of their gay brothers. When we had the first nine men then the views becomes the
3 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
10th participant. Now there are 59 blood donations It enables the views to become part of it.” “The idea here is that 50 tubes, when you combine all the blood, fills one blood bag. each tube is 10ml, and a bag is 500ml. So you end up with a community pint. It’s a powerful symbol of the lives gay men could be saving if we were allowed to donate.” “Also you hear the thoughts of each person. I interviewed everyone who participated in this project. So you get to hear how they feel about this issue, how they feel about sex, how they feel about their own identity and community. And you understand how important this issue is to them. And now they are interesting me to do right with their life force. I take that as a huge responsibility to do right by them.”
SKIN IN THE GAME Blood Mirror clearly began a conversation, but the tragedy in Orlando made the Blood Ban a national issue over night. “The FDA had been fielding a lot of anger from the gay community once they put the
one year celibacy policy into place, then Orlando happened, and I think the combination of those two things prompted the FDA to announce a new public comment period.” Blood Mirror evolved, ultimately, into the Blood Equality Campaign. “FCB Health (a New York City based advertising agency creating award-winning work for consumers, patients, and healthcare professionals) approached me about doing a pro bono campaign about this issue. I introduced them to GMHC and the three of us joined together to form Blood Equality. That was founded with two purposes in mind: 1) putting together an awareness campaign to continue keeping this issue in the public eye and educating people about it and 2) creating a medical board to address how this issue could be resolved. And so what we ended up doing with the blood equality campaign is that 46 of the men from the PrEP layer let their quotes and images be used as the campaign. Which was great because all of the people who were speaking on behalf of this campaign had skin in the game in that they had all donated blood.”
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NO VEMB ER 2016 | THE F I GH T 37
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GRATEFUL TO LOVE AGAIN
Douglas Lantis and Jose Gonzales, two sober men who found each other in the rooms of recovery, on how gratitude impacts their sobriety. DOUGLAS LANTIS, JOSE GONZALES.
Beach. I had a ring and he freaked out and started to cry. I never thought that I would get married. I wouldn’t have any of this if I was not sober, or if I took it for granted. I’ve never been sober this long before. I have an amazing life today and I know that picking up again is a decision to throw it all away. I’m not willing to pay the price that comes with picking up. I’m grateful for everything in my life. Gratitude did not exist before I got sober. I wanted to die. The only prayer I knew before sobriety was, ‘please let me die.’ Thank God that prayer was not answered.” —Douglas Lantis, sober since December 30, 2012.
REAL BLESSING
M
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THANKSGIVING TOGETHER
3 8 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com
PHOTO BY GIL CORTES
ratitude is key for me in my recovery. I’m one of those people who still does a gratitude list every day. If I am not in gratitude, I can become such an ungrateful little so-andso and I take what I have for granted. Being grateful is about wanting what I have. I also never thought I would find love again when I started this journey in sobriety this time. I never thought I could love myself again, let alone somebody else. I especially didn’t think I would meet somebody I would want to spend the rest of my life with—and—he’s sober also. I remember when Jose walked into the rooms [of recovery] almost three years ago. The second I saw him, I was like, “oh wow...” I waited until he had a year, before I approached him romantically. Then the rest is history. We’re going to be spending Thanksgiving together with his family, which is amazing. They have totally welcomed me with open arms and that’s sort of on the heels of me proposing to him. I proposed to him on one knee, on the beach at Laguna
y gratitude list is long. I never imagined that one, I would be a college student, and two, that I would actually be engaged. My life today did not seem feasible three years ago. Today I’m very grateful I found love in sobriety. That is amazing to me. He and I are kind of on the same page in that I don’t think either one of us thought we would fall in love again, especially for me after my ex died four or five years ago of heart failure, which was probably due to his extended drug use. I did not think love in sobriety was a possibility, but I was still open to it. Being engaged to another sober man really sweetens the deal. We both know where we come from. It’s a real blessing. When Doug proposed to me, I had a suspicion that something was going on. He insisted on going to the beach and I didn’t understand why, but when he proposed it was still kind of a surprise. It was an immediate yes. There was no thinking about it. My gratitude is indispensable. It has to be a part of my sobriety. If it is not, I lose sight of what I do have and the old behaviors of not appreciating my life kick in. Before I got sober, gratitude was non-existent. It was more about how I didn’t have what I wanted, or how I wanted it. Gratitude did not exist in my vocabulary. Today, not a day goes by where I’m not grateful. —Jose Gonzalez—sober since January 12, 2014
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>> BARRY JENKINS’ <<
WHO IS YOU? Barry Jenkins’ introspective coming-of-age drama Moonlight: a poetic, visual, emotional journey. BY PICKLE
O
ne of the things I loved most about Barry Jenkin’s exquisite film Moonlight, which came out earlier this month, was the ocean. As the young Chiron (named “Little” in the first chapter) learns to float on his back from Juan, a crack dealer who steps into Little’s life as a paternal figure, we are overcome by the serenity and massiveness that the sea provides. The ocean returns throughout the movie, and I get the sense that it provides Chiron a sense of assurance, that perhaps it may not have the answers, but instead reminds us that we don’t always need them. From Moonlight we receive a poetic, visual, emotional journey through the aging of Chiron (played sequentially as “Little” by Alex Hibbert, “Chiron” by Ashton Sanders and as “Black” by Trevante Rhodes in three separate chapters). There is stunning visualization; the sea, the hand of Chiron’s friend Kevin gently wiping his presumably jizz-stained hand through the sand after a handjob, and of course the moon—bright and vibrant, but the language and imagery move together like a cohesive poem. Since we aren’t beat over the head with petty narrative details, identity is allowed to have the emotional complexity it deserves. Jenkins repeatedly uses ambiguity as a story-telling device throughout the film (we don’t even really ever have an “I’m gay” moment with Chiron apart from his general outsiderness and physical attraction to Kevin) which is a stunning insight, I feel, into the ambiguity of sexual and racial identity itself.
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The experience of race is also obviously an integral part of the film, and it’s refreshing to see race exist in a way that is transcendent; there are no white people in the movie (thank sweet Jesus), and it doesn’t become an issue of defining blackness as it compares to whiteness. There are pressing issues of violence, drug abuse and incarceration that give the film an overarching viewpoint beyond the individual experience of Chiron, which makes it both personal and social. But Moonlight isn’t about any one thing because empathy and identity aren’t about any one thing either. In spite of heavy subject matter and grueling moments (Chiron’s mother Paula begging him for crack money, for instance), the film is not depressing or soul-crushing. At the risk of sounding basic, it’s just real. Chiron is quiet, reserved, cautious and his pain comes from deep loneliness. He admits to an older Kevin, who has expressed regret for attacking Chiron at the behest of the school bullies, that since the beachside handjob, no one has touched him. In the next moment, we see them embraced, not pounding out some grand sexcapade or living the gay romance of the century, but simply holding one another, and there is a sense of ease as if, for just a moment, the question asked throughout the film has been answered. “Who is you?” And then, as a reminder that answers are fluid and ever-changing, we see a young Chiron looking over the ocean.
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Nintendo is finally making the leap with new power, titles, and once again, innovation. BY JO SEPH A RELLA N O
S
ince the 1990s Nintendo has had first party exclusives that were legendary in all aspects of the gaming world. Legend of Zelda, Mario, Metroid, Pikmin, Animal Crossing, and Smash Bros have all conquered sales and spawned a mass following for the company in numerous countries across the globe. But the past few years their old nintendo console has dwindled out. The Wii U was innovative and filled with great ideas. Screen controller, online gameplay, chat rooms, and the virtual console housing some of the best titles to grace the console thanks to Miyamoto. It seemed like a great idea—until the titles stopped coming. Well Nintendo has been hard at work on something different. For months many fans have been speculating and nicknamed the hidden console Nintendo NX. What was it? Was it going to be powerful? Was it going to have their fans in mind? Is it Portable?
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Their business has doubled in recent years through the portable market with the 3DS and a slew of titles so it was a fine hypothesis to think that maybe, just maybe, Nintendo would make the move. So what is Nintendo’s next move? Ladies and Gentlemen, meet the Nintendo Switch. Boasting a new super powered CPU, innovative controller, and a portable screen to play gaming on the go, the Switch is Nintendo’s answer to the future of gaming. Already with a market of gamers who are die hard fans of their best selling portable 3DS, Nintendo is planning to focus, not only on their hardcore gamers that were forgotten, but also on enriching the future for allowing gaming to be accessible anywhere in the world and allowing newcomers to join the ranks. Of course the games are what make a system great and already Nintendo has some finest first and third party developers making some stellar titles. And what titles you say? Well, like the new Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild—yeah—take a deep breath. Look. Boasting a color palette compared to a Studio Ghibli animation, Nintendo is making the new Legend of Zelda to be available for the new console upon release. Alongside are Mario, and perhaps SKYRIM, a Elder Scrolls rerelease title in HD and updated graphics that might be enough to finally push hardcore gamers to purchase the console on day one. Aside from those bells and whistles, the Nintendo Switch can also have a multiplayer functionality where you and friend can play split screen on the controller. In the keynote video released last month, it showed friends racing each other on Mario Kart and some playing basketball with a NBA title. All of which were utilizing the split screen on the portable handheld. No one knows how long the battery will last and from the what the sources are saying is that Nintendo is not letting any more information out until 2017. Damn—and I was hoping for some more tidbits about their mysterious new home/portable console. Nintendo is finally making the leap with new power, titles, and once again, innovation. But is it enough to pull the company back to its fans? Is it enough to get their groove back? Only time will tell but I will say one thing: Nintendo might be on to something and if it succeeds expect another treasure to sit by your side anywhere you go. n
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>> GEORGE FIGARES & DJ BLACKLOW <<
GEORGE FIGARES, DJ BLACKLOW
TO BE ABLE TO LOVE George Figares and DJ Blacklow Reinvent a 15-year-old Club Anthem For Today’s Dance-floor BY JO H N STEIN | PH O TO BY SEA N JA ME S MURPHY
G
eorge Figares and DJ Blacklow are well known DJs in L.A. nightlife. Blacklow’s sets are noted for his big diva vocals, while Figares, a product of Miami’s underground house scene, takes a more after-hours, minimalist approach to his sets and production work. The duo united on their first musical collaboration three years ago. It was a high-energy remix of Sara Bareilles’ “Brave”. Since then, they have unleashed a slew of remixes to clubs including Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl”, Fifth Harmony’s “BO$$”, and a sweatinducing tribal take on Toy Armada & DJ GRIND’s “St. Elmo’s Fire”. This month, they’re upping the ante with their first single release, “To Be Able To Love (Remix EP #1)”. It’s a remake of the Jessica Folker song made popular by DJ Jonathan Peters in 2001. “I first fell in love with the track on the dance floors of NYC,” says Blacklow, recalling how, at the turn of the millennium, Junior Vasquez would play JP’s remix of “To Be Able To Love” at Twilo and Peter Rauhofer and James Andersen would play it at Roxy. The song really started to
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become an anthem for the national gay community when DJs David Knapp and Manny Lehman began playing it at circuit events. “George and I were looking for a big vocal track to do together and I kept finding myself gravitating towards “To Be Able to Love,” continues Blacklow. The song is about wanting to embark on a new romance but not being emotionally able to because of lingering damage from a past relationship. Blacklow admits its a song he can relate to. “I went through a really tough break-up in 2009, during which the foundation of my life fell out from under me in a circumstance that I didn’t see coming. It took many years before I was able to date again in a healthy manner. The lyrics from ‘To Be Able To Love’ were often played in my head.” The guys knew remaking the song would be an enormous undertaking. “Properly resurrecting the feeling and integrity of the original Johnathan Peters mix was of real concern to us,” says Figares. “In order to introduce the song to a younger generation, we had to get it right.” In many ways, their version follows a similar formula as the original but with a more modern take and feel. San Francisco-based vocalist Brenda Reed breathes new life into the track by nailing the heartbreak. “We were familiar with Brenda and her work, but it wasn’t until she demo’d some lines for us in the studio that we realized we needed to offer her the track,” explains Figares. “She’s got a voice like Kristine W, Erin Hamilton or Heather Small.” The remix package on “To Be Able To Love (Remix EP #1)” is equally stellar. Toy Armada & DJ GRIND deliver a gorgeous anthem in their trademark Big Room style. The UK’s Lucius Lowe takes the track in a Nu-Disco direction. Division 4 & Matt Consola serve a classic house entry, while the Virgo Brothers (Orlando) present a progressive house remix reminiscent of classic Hex Hector. House of Labs from Portugal delivers an epic tribal/circuit mix, while Bret Law (Seattle) and Jay Santos’ (Manila) mix bridges the gap between circuit and house. “To Be Able To Love (Remix EP #1)” is available on iTunes. A second package will release soon. Featuring remixes by Dirty Disco, Seth Cooper, Luque & Thiago, The Perry Twins, Dan De Leon and Oosterhaus, it is sure to take the track in even more exciting directions. Visit swishcraftmusic.com.
THEEPIDEMIC >> PrEP COSTS <<
••• photo attached == THE EPIDEMIC ==
PRICING PrEP
New report examines annual PrEP costs through Covered California. BY VI CTOR MEL AMED
A
PLA Health, in partnership with the Southern California HIV Policy Research Center, has released a new policy brief that will help consumers better understand the cost of accessing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) through Covered California health plans. Open enrollment for Covered California, the State’s health insurance marketplace began November 1 and continues through January 31, 2017. PrEP is an HIV prevention strategy in which HIV-negative individuals take a daily medication to reduce their risk of becoming infected. When taken every day PrEP is up to 99% effective. Truvada, the only medication currently approved for PrEP, is expensive and it is important for individuals who are considering PrEP to carefully examine their options before enrolling in a new health plan. The study, titled “PrEP Cost Analysis for Covered California Health Plans,” finds that, with a co- pay card from the drug manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, PrEP could cost many individuals less than $400/year on all Covered California health plans except Bronze plans. However, these costs assume that medical and pharmacy deductibles have not been met and do not include monthly premiums. Covered California recently announced average premium increases of 13.2% for 2017, so it is important for consumers to consider both out-of-pocket costs and monthly premiums before selecting a new health plan. Before enrolling in a new health plan, individuals who are considering taking PrEP should review a number of factors, including: monthly premiums, copays for the medication, and copays for regular doctor visits and laboratory tests. These costs vary significantly, depending on age, income, area of residence, and other factors. The report includes examples of the total costs (both out-ofpocket costs and monthly premiums) associated with accessing PrEP via Covered California for individuals of different ages and incomes from different regions of California. n For more info visit aplahealth.org. N OV E M B ER E R 2016 2 0 1 6 | THE TH E F I GH G H T 45 45 NO VEMB
THEEVENT >> PALM SPRINGS LEATHER PRIDE <<
PALM SPRINGS
LEATHER PRIDE
P
alm Springs Leather Pride, which took place at the end of last month, was an overwhelming success. The week leading up to the event, however, was clouded by the passing of long time member David Murdock. During the formal dinner and beginning of the contest a video tribute was shown in his honor. The new New Mr Palm Springs Leather 2017 is Jimmy Hicks, Mr. Off Ramp Leather. For more info visit desertleatherpride.com.
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>> PHOTOS BY ROBERT GREEN, MOTORBOOT PHOTOGRAPHY <<
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THECALENDAR >> THINGS TO DO << Join the Men of Onyx Southwest for their Black and Blue beer bust. Hot go-go studs, demos, positive energy, strong Jell-O shots and some of the hottest leather men Southern California has to offer.
THROUGH NOVEMBER 27
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles. Tickets: visit ticketmaster.com. This genre-bending, fourth-wallsmashing musical sensation, with a pulsing score and electrifying performances, tells the story of one of the most unique characters to ever hit the stage.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20
TOY BOX PARTY Pailhouse West Hollywood, 8465 Holloway Dr., West Hollywood, 4pm–8pm. More info: www.aplahealth.org/toybox. Hosted this year by Ryan Black and a special “Elf Host Committee” that includes Ryan Murphy and David Miller. Bring an unwrapped toy as price of admission and enjoy a cocktail on the house! Toy donations will be distributed to the families of APLA Health clients as holiday gifts.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
LOS ANGELES PUP CONTEST 2016 The Bullet Bar, 10522 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601. 10pm. Info: www.bulletbarla.com This is the main event for Los Angeles Puppy Pride Weekend. Enjoy an entire night of suspenseful fun, as the 2016 LA Pup Class competes for the title of Los Angeles Pup 2017.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
L.A. FIREHOUSE CHILI COOK OFF Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. 3pm–6:30pm. Info: www.EagleLA.com. Join the men of The Regiment of the Black & Tans for a Chili tasting afternoon. $6 donation requested for chili sampling. LIFE DRAWING SESSION UNINSTRUCTED Tom of Finland Foundation, 1421 Laveta Terrace, Los Angeles, CA 90026. 1pm–4pm. Info & reservations: Miguel at miguelreyesart@yahoo.com A Nude Figure Drawing & Painting (no photography). Reservations are required. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14
SPANK: THE DARK SIDE OF KARAOKE The Bullet Bar, 10522 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601. 9pm–1:00am. Info: www.bulletbarla.com Hosted by Alex Kitay, Mr. Long Beach Leather 2010. Presented by Singing For My Supper Entertainment.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17
GARDEN PARTY HARVEST A private Hancock Park residence, 7pm–10pm. Tickets may be purchased at lalgbtcenter.org/garden. The Los Angeles LGBT Center special evening of community and thanksgiving to support the Center’s programs and services for LGBT seniors. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19
LIFEWORKS THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION Los Angeles LGBT Center, The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N McCadden Place Los Angeles, CA 90038. 2pm–5pm. Info: lalgbtcenter.org. A FREE Thanksgiving Feast with FUN and Entertainment. Dinner will be served at 3:00pm, followed by entertainment at 4pm. BLACK & BLUE Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. 9pm–2am. Info: www.EagleLA.com.
For Breaking Daily LGBT News Visit
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RHONDAVOUS: THANKSGIVING EVE Union, 4067 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90019. Thanksgiving Eve, feast on this ferocity: 9 DJs, 3 Rooms, 1 Woman. No Inhibitions. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1
WORLD AIDS DAY: A GLOBAL REMEMBRANCE AIDSWatch at www.AIDSWatch.org is a 24 hour (only) online memorial that recalls lost lives and lost love of over 24,600 people dead from AIDS. It runs midnight to midnight in every time zone on the planet. Names are submitted at the site during the year. There is no charge to add names to the roster. THROUGH DECEMBER 25
WORLD AIDS DAY FOOD DRIVE Various locations throughout Los Angeles County. For a complete list of all locations where you can donate, see www.aplahealth.org/fooddrive. In honor of World AIDS Day, which is observed December 1, APLA Health invites you to participate in their annual countywide food drive that collects non-perishable food and personal hygiene items for people living with HIV/AIDS.
“It’s better at Pedder!” More Than Just “Gay Friendly” Hi! My name is Rebecca Bond. As a lesbian woman, along with my colleague, Chris Gagnon-Reyes, a gay man, we warmly welcome members of our community. We know that heteronormative environments such as car dealerships can be very intimidating, to say the least. Not knowing how “safe” you can feel about being out—can make the car buying process less than pleasant. We will do our utmost to make your visit with us at Pedder Nissan a fun, stress free experience. We also have a few amazing LGBTQ Pride specials which will make your visit with us even more enjoyable :)
Call us today at
(888) 314-4746
Ask for Rebecca or Chris We look forward to working with you!
Pedder Nissan, 200 Carriage Circle Hemet, CA 92545 NO VEMB ER 2016 | THE F I GH T 49
THEFINALFIGHT >> WENTWORTH MILLER <<
International Film Festival. “However, as a gay man, I must decline. “I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government,” he continued in the letter, posted on GLAAD’s website. “The situation is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly.”
“YOU JUST HAVE TO TRUST THAT PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE WAITING TO LOVE YOU AND CELEBRATE YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE.”
MAN OF THE YEAR
Wentworth Miller to LGBTQ youth: “It gets better. One day, you’ll find your tribe.”
A
ctor Wentworth Miller has been honored by Attitude as their Man of the Year, with a cover story that delves into his struggles with self-acceptance, leading to serious bouts of depression and suicide attempts. Miller came out in 2013 in an open letter declining an invitation to Russia, criticizing their anti-LGBT “propaganda” law. “Thank you for your kind invitation. As someone who has enjoyed visiting Russia in the past and can also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it would make me happy to say yes,” Wentworth wrote in a letter to Maria Averbakh, director of the St. Petersburg 5 50 0 T TH HE E F F IGH IGH T T || www.thefightmag.com www.thefightmag.com
When Miller was mocked on an internet blog a few years ago for his post “Prison Break” weight gain he shot back that he was suicidal at the time, prompting an apology. In a preview of the magazine’s feature, Wentworth gives advice to LGBTQ youth who are struggling with the same issues he has had to work through over the years. “I would say what others have said: it gets better. One day, you’ll find your tribe. You just have to trust that people are out there waiting to love you and celebrate you for who you are,” he says. “In the meantime, the reality is you might have to be your own tribe. You might have to be your own best friend. That’s not something they’re going to teach you in school. So start the work of loving yourself.” Last month, Miller starred in a suicide prevention video encouraging those in need to find a support group through the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, and for those in serious crisis to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK, or text “START” to 741-741. n
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Please call or email me. I’m here to help you with your car buying needs. ―Gianni Valencia
(310) 500-6989 gianniv@culvercitytoyota.com
9077 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 424.298.4900 • CulverCityToyota.com
New 2017
129
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2017 Toyota Camry SE Sedan FWD Auto • MSRP $24,929 • Model #2546 • STK #14095 • VIN #342798 • $129 per month for 36 months, $0 Security • $4,650 due at signing after $500 Toyota lease cash and $1,768 dealer discount • Adjusted/Net Capitalized Cost: $19,623.17 • $129 month + Tax, + Acquisition fee, + DMV License Fee + $80 dealer doc. fees • 12,000 miles/yr $0.15 per mile over 36,000 miles • *Tier 1+ credit through Toyota Financial Services. 8 available at these terms. See dealer for details. Not everyone will quality. Offer valid until 12/05/16
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