The Pride Issue 30, December 1, 2017

ISSUE NUMBER 30, VOLUME 2 12.01 – 12.14.2017

| DEC. 01 – DEC. 14, ‘17

LOS ANGELES

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L.A. LOOKS TO AN HIV-FREE FUTURE MORE ON PAGE 5

World A.I.D.S. Day • 12.1.17

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LOS ANGELES

What is TRUVADA for PrEP?

Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP?

TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medicine that is used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex.

This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health.

Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you:

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

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

While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. ® You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. ® If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. ® To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: ® Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. ® Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you.

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

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

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

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? ® All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis.

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

® If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA.

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

® If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

® If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

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

® All 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. ® If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include certain medicines to treat hepatitis C (HCV) infection.

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

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

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I'm passionate, not impulsive.

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

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

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

Learn more at truvada.com

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IMPORTANT FACTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

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

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

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

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

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

• New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure.

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

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

• Bone problems.

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

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

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

• Have any other medical conditions.

• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0139 07/17

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12.01 – 12.14.2017 NEWS

INTERNATIONAL

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LOS ANGELES

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FROM THE COVER

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

L.A. Looks to an HIV-Free Future In L.A., World AIDS Day invokes the complicated, tragic past of AIDS awareness history through events, talks, and community-oriented thinking.

When the first World AIDS Day took place on December 1, 1988, the virus had already started to strip America of some of its most vital gay artists, leading urban capitals like Los Angeles to lose many of their most active citizens, activists, bars, bathhouses, and vibrant subcultures in a matter of years. Today, the virus is still a threat to be reckoned with. In L.A., however, with the introduction of preventative treatments like PrEP, the possibility of an HIV-Zero future doesn’t seem so far away.

No matter how far we’ve come, we can’t forget the sweeping changes enacted by gay culture’s first, chaotic reckoning with the disease in the 1980s. By the time of the inaugural celebration, AIDS panic was in full swing, having taken the lives of cultural icons like Rock Hudson, Michel Foucault, and Liberace. In the years to come, it would end the lives of artists and activists like Keith Haring, Alvin Ailey, Howard Ashman, and Lou Sullivan, men whose work re-shaped the notion of gay identity and culture for decades after their deaths.

In 1985, after her close friend Rock Hudson was diagnosed as HIV positive, Elizabeth Taylor got involved with AIDS Project Los Angeles to raise awareness and funds to fight the disease. By 1988, it had become clear that the disease wasn’t just wiping out friends, community leaders, and lovers.

It was wiping out an entire urban culture that wasn’t soon to return, leading Fran Lebowitz to write in a 1987 piece for the New York Times entitled “The Impact of AIDS on the Artistic Community:” “The Impact of AIDS on the Artistic Community is that when a 36-year-old writer is asked on a network news show about the Impact of AIDS on the Artistic Community particularly in regard to the Well-Known Preponderance of Homosexuals in the Arts she replies that if you removed all of the homosexuals and homosexual influence from what is generally regarded as American culture you would be pretty much left with “Let’s Make a Deal.”

She wasn’t far off. Today, it’s clear how much those early victims of the AIDS virus contributed to American culture, from art to film to academia, medicine, and the social sciences.That’s why, each year since 1988, the L.A. community, along with the rest of the world, observes December 1 as a day to remember and honor the many lives lost

Photo: ACT UP/Los Angeles Records.

Second vigil at the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Hospital, July 9, 1988.

since the start of the crisis, as well as to double down on efforts to end the disease entirely.When it comes to AIDS awareness and activism, perhaps no group of activists has been as dedicated to stopping the virus in its tracks as L.A.’s West Hollywood community, where, along with the queer community of San Francisco in the 1970s and ‘80s, the seeds of the gay movement were first sown.

While AIDS activist group ACT UP was getting off its feet in New York City, the citizens of West Hollywood were taking to the streets with APLA to raise awareness.A young medical researcher at the UCLA Medical Center named Michael Gottlieb, along with his out gay colleague Joel Weisman, founded APLA in 1982. By 1985, L.A. citizens held a march in West Hollywood under the banner of APLA, the same year that Elizabeth Taylor’s AIDS foundation was getting started. West Hollywood and the broader Hollywood community continued to spread the message with growing passion each year.

On December 4, 1987, ACTUP L.A. was born. A year later, the first official World AIDS Day celebrations were held in the newly-official City of West Hollywood. In 1989, ACT-UP L.A. protesters had stopped traffic on Santa Monica Boulevard in response to the passing of the homophobic “Communicable Diseases Act,” or Prop 96, which forced individuals to be tested for HIV without their consent. That same year, according to writer David Lacaillade: “In early 1989,ACT UP/LA conducted a weeklong vigil, complete with tents and a soup kitchen, outside the Los Angeles County Hospital. This action launched a sustained campaign lasting all spring and included a disruption of a Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting that result-

ed in fifteen arrests. Soon after, Los Angeles County acceded to the central demand for the creation of a dedicated AIDS unit at the hospital, and in September 1989 a 20-bed unit was opened.”

Needless to say, L.A.’s queer community is no

stranger to a good fight, especially in the face of crisis.

This year’s celebration, the first to be held in Trump’s America, will be no less radical or crucial to L.A. queer history. West Hollywood is putting out all the stops for the 2017 World AIDS day celebrations, starting with a march and candlelight vigil in the center of town. Afterwards, the Paul Starke Warrior Awards program honoring individuals who provide services to people living with HIV/AIDS will be held, featuring guest speaker and LGBTQ+ advocate Laurie McBride, who formerly held the role of California Assistant Secretary of State. On WeHoTV, starting at 12:01 a.m., an art piece called AIDSWatch will be televised across local T.V. screens. Legendary gay activist Cleve Jones’ the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt will also be on display at City Hall. According to a press release, since its first National Mall display in October of 1987, “the quilt has since grown from 1,920 panels to more than 48,000, and has not been displayed in its entirety since October 1996.”

The official theme of the day is “Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability, and Partnerships,” and the celebrations will bring together activists, artists, and WeHo citizens who are dedicated to making sure this remarkable part of history is never forgotten.

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NEWS

NATIONAL

STAY SAFE

⚫ BY GENNA RIVIECCIO

FBI Reports Show An Alarming Trend: Anti-LGBTQ+ Incidents on the Rise

O Sa PE t/ N Su H n O 1- US 4 E pm

It’s not as though one can be truly shocked by a recent FBI report detailing how anti-trans incidents, along with discriminatory hate crimes in general, have increased by five percent since 2015. After all, the vortex for all things sanctioning of hate – the Trump administration – hasn’t exactly been a beacon of light and tolerance attempting to spread messages of love to those with a generally bigoted worldview to begin with. Still, it’s a sobering thing to see how firmly we now hold the proof in black and white.

The Bureau’s 2016 Hate Crimes and Statistics intel reveals some especially alarming trends for those in the LGBTQ community.

For example, 17.7% of biased acts were motivated by a person’s sexual orientation and 124 reported instances were a result of the victim’s actual or presumed gender identity.

The statistics are indicative of a greater trend at large: one that seeks to alienate both trans Americans and those who are non-gender conforming. As of this year, there have already been twenty-five murders of trans people, surpassing the final tally of twenty-three

murders reported in 2016.

But it isn’t just individuals that can be targeted. As per the FBI’s standards for classifying a hate crime, victims can also include religious organizations, businesses and government agencies like the FBI itself. Even by offering this objective information about trans casualties at the hands of hate-motivated actions, the FBI could themselves risk being targeted.

And as you scratch your head in wonderment over what year it’s actually supposed to be based on the administration’s rescinding of rules about bathrooms for transgender students and the tweet that notoriously backed the sentiment “the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military,” yet another hate crime is committed.

So if you’re concerned about your or someone you know’s safety or well-being because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, there are various establishments you can contact to make your case known, among them the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Human

Photo: Thinkstock.

According to a newly-released FBI report, anti-gay hate crimes are gaining traction.

Rights Campaign or the FBI’s Victims Assistance Programs. The more we make our government and non-governmental organizations

aware of what’s happening, the sooner we can help put a stop to this disconcerting spike in violence against our fellow humans.

PANORAMIC VIEWS!

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4 bedrooms, 3 baths | Built in 1961 | 2,444 sq. ft. on 13,074 sq. ft. lot (assessor)

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Private and secluded writer’s retreat with lush canyon and mountain views from almost every room. A leaded diamond-cut glass window to the right of the front door creates beautifully intricate shadow play on interior walls. The living room has original oak parquet floors, built-in entertainment wall, wall-to-ceiling rock fireplace, and very wide windows - with window seats - showcasing the spectacular view. French doors adjacent to the formal dining room open to a tranquil patio with terraced gardens and stairs leading to a private viewing station with panoramic views - perfect to relax and enjoy morning coffee and evening sunsets. The kitchen has granite counters, plentiful cabinets, eating bar, and windows to display more of the amazing view. There is a bonus room downstairs which currently serves as an office. The three upstairs bedrooms are bright and include a master with private bath. Located just minutes from Glendale College and the Sports Complex in one of Glendale’s most desirable areas.

Information provided by seller or third-party sources. Information not verified or guaranteed. Some features may be without permits. Buyer to investigate all measurements, permits and other information to their own satisfaction with appropriate professionals and official records.

12.01 – 12.14.2017

LOS ANGELES

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With the perfect partnership, you can bank from anywhere.

At U.S. Bank, we think banking should be secure and easy. Now you can open a U.S. Bank checking account1 with mobile banking and take control of your finances at any time.

Visit your local branch, call 800.720.BANK (2265) or visit usbank.com/checking to open an account today and

choose the new U.S. Bank Visa® Debit Card Pride Design.

1. All regular account opening procedures apply. $25 minimum deposit required to open a U.S. Bank checking account. The U.S. Bank Visa Debit Card is issued by U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Deposit products offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC. ©2017 U.S. Bank. 171651C 11/17

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ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS

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GAY L.A.

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

M

en in hats and trenchcoats standing over a crime scene. A secretive femme fatale with something to hide. A body by a river. No matter how many times you see the same succession of images straight out of a 40s noir, it never stops feeling like the essence of truth when capturing the good old days of a crime-ridden, scandal-saturated L.A., simply bursting at the seams with controversy, murder, secrets, and lies.

This uniquely Angelean concupiscence for crime is, happily, the subject of a new book from Taschen, set for release on December 20. “Dark City: The Real Los Angeles Noir” is writer and Taschen Executive Editor Jim Hei-

The Gay Side of L.A. Noir mann’s glossy look at the gangsters and scandals that made up old L.A. in its golden age of crime, from roughly 1920 to 1950. Starting in the silent era of the 1920s, a decade defined by screen star scandals with cocaine, rape, and murder, Heimann goes through all the crimes and subcultures that defined L.A. in those formative years, when the movie industry and Hollywood itself was still, for most Americans, a town synonymous with unspeakable vice.

Starting in with Roscoe Arbuckle’s controversial rape trial and film star Wallace Reid’s death by speed overdose, “Dark City” breaks apart all the elements that made early L.A. a perfect den of vice. Hollywood women of loose morals and men with questionable ethics? Check. Gay film stars like Rudolph Valentino who were living closeted lives and dying shocking deaths? Check. Sex murders like those of the infamous Black Dahlia and Thelma Todd redefining the idea of the femme fatale? Check and check. Heimann’s tome covers corruption within the LAPD starting from the ‘30s onward, while laying out all the ways

in which Hollywood culture gave the city its reputation for being a dark, desperate underworld that was still a highly desirable place in which to live. “Dark City” discusses the crimes that served as inspiration for some of the best L.A. noir films, like the adaptations of the L.A. crime writer James M. Cain’s “The Postman Rings Twice” and “Double Indemnity,” along with Roman Polanski’s “Chinatown” and Curtis Hanson’s “L.A. Confidential.”

Heimann doesn’t just stick to the script when it comes to L.A.’s many-checkered history. In addition to the stories everybody knows, “Dark City” delves into a few deep cuts, like the story of the cult of husband-and-wife con artists Guy and Edna Ballard, who created a “Church of I Am” and offered to save lost souls in return for “love offerings.” He also dips (if slightly) into the world of queer controversy in old Hollywood, where top-billed stars like William Haines and Ramon Novarro (who was murdered via a grotesque hate crime in the late 1960s) had to live undercover lives and present as straight for the camer-

as to avoid scandal.

L.A. has never been a city to shy away from the grotesque, the obscene, the licentious and the depraved. That’s why so many of us love it so dearly. Even during the high point of L.A.’s crime streak, the city has stayed true to the loners, the drifters, the queer folk and the glamorous denizens of the city who will never tire of living in its dark, deep shadows.

Photos: Taschen.

In “Dark City,” Jim Heimann explores the darkest corners of L.A. crime history.

⚫ BY DOUG MONTGOMERY

WEST HOLLYWOOD SINGLE FAMILY HOMES SEPTEMBER SALES

720 N Orange Grove Ave. 9009 Lloyd Place 1224 N Ogden Dr. 7366 Waring Avenue 1202 N Poinsettia Pl. 8970Clinton Cynthia Street 8009 St. 7320 Clinton Street 729 N Spaulding Ave. 8987 Norma Pl. 8164 Willoughby Avenue 622 Ave. Place 717NNLaurel Poinsettia 939 N Wetherly Dr. 634Huntley N Orlando Avenue 656 Dr. 9040 Dicks Street 942 N Crescent Heights Blvd.

839 N Gardner St. 139 N La Peer Drive 740 N Stanley Ave. 9030 Phyllis Avenue 366 Huntley Dr. 518NHuntley 935 La JollaDrive Ave. 741NNOrlando Fuller Avenue 829 Ave.

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16 UP 23.08% $1,955,000 UP 26.54% $2,596,625 UP 45.97%

Santa Monica’s Step Up on Second Turns to Social Media in Fight Against Homelessness The homeless advocacy group Step Up on Second is turning to social media to promote its campaign to reduce homelessness in Southern California. The organization promoted itself during Giving Tuesday, a philanthropic movement

that occurs on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

Assisting them in this push is Los Angeles photographer Panas Wiwatpanachat, who runs the local photography studio Panas Photography.

“Giving back to community is an important part of our mission.Whenever we have a chance, we will lend our talent and specialty to those who need them,” said Panas.

For Giving Tuesday, Step Up on Second will take to its social media channels, such as Facebook,Twitter, and Instagram, as well as its website and text messaging to promote its ending homelessness campaign. Panas will be taking photos and video of board members, donors, staff, and homeless members holding a large key.

“Our message is ‘You are the key to ending homelessness.’ We are hoping to raise both awareness and donations in our efforts to end homelessness for 1,000 individuals living on the streets of Southern California over the next two years,” said Diedre A. Strohm, Vice President of Step Up on Second, in a press release.

Step Up focuses on the subset of the homeless

STEP UP, see page 17

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LOS ANGELES

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In adults with HIV on ART who have diarrhea not caused by an infection IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION This is only a summary. See complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or by calling 1-844-722-8256. This does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.

What Is Mytesi?

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

Possible Side Effects of Mytesi Include:

Tired of planning your life around diarrhea?

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

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

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

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

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

Should I Take Mytesi If I Am: Pregnant or Planning to Become Pregnant?

• Studies in animals show that Mytesi could harm an unborn baby or affect the ability to become pregnant • There are no studies in pregnant women taking Mytesi • This drug should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed A Nursing Mother?

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

What Should I Know About Taking Mytesi With Other Medicines?

If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, herbal supplements, or vitamins, tell your doctor before starting Mytesi.

What If I Have More Questions About Mytesi?

For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

To report side effects or make a product complaint or for additional information, call 1-844-722-8256.

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

Please see complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com.

NP-390-21

• Upper respiratory tract infection (sinus, nose, and throat infection) • Bronchitis (swelling in the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs) • Cough • Flatulence (gas) • Increased bilirubin (a waste product when red blood cells break down) For a full list of side effects, please talk to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

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

RELIEF, PURE AND SIMPLE

⚫

12.01 – 12.14.2017

LOS ANGELES

10

ENTERTAINMENT

>

TWO-SPIRITED

` ⚫ BY GENNA RIVIECCIO

West Hollywood-based Singer VIZIN is Making Us Feel Mighty Real Integers have long seemed to rule VIZIN’s life.

Starting with the number that once represented her weight: 703. That’s right, at one point 703 pounds while depressively eating her way into a numbing coma after having to move back in with her parents in 2008 after a failed attempt at escalating her drag career while also working a “survival” job in Bismarck, North Dakota,VIZIN

was most definitely at what they call rock bottom (plus, one imagines it isn’t exactly “a cinch” – no weight pun intended – to draw too much encouragement for drag in such a milieu.)

After VIZIN’s mother urged her to see a doctor who could perform gastric bypass surgery, thereby saving her from certain death as a result of obesity, the singer felt more than just a physical weight remove itself from her body.With her new look, VIZIN regained something in place of the pounds: confidence. And that self-assurance led her to, once again, showcase her gift as a chanteuse – one that revealed itself as early as twelve years old when, as she recalled, she “shocked the entire school when I sang ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ for a seventh-grade recital.” She added, “I remember some of my teachers telling me I had made them cry. After that, I just kept singing and knew I could always stand out that way. It was nice being known as a singer.”

Armed with a Native American background

that adheres to the “two-spirit” philosophy – which refers to Native American tribes’ belief in a third gender, somewhere beyond and between male and female – VIZIN takes the stage with a “fake it until you make it” attitude.And, apparently, it’s that “fakeness” that’s gotten VIZIN back on track as one of the biggest names in drag right now. Need proof? Just check out the video for her latest single, “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” with cameos from the likes of RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Manila Luzon and Mariah Balenciaga. VIZIN currently lives in West Hollywood, where children who loved to sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” have flocked since time immemorial.

To be sure, she’s come a long way from the couch at her parents’, but that doesn’t mean VIZIN doesn’t still take the time to have a healthy sob fest, well, every day because, as she puts it, “I think it’s healthy.And when I’m feeling down I take the time to reflect. I like to have my moments of

Photos: Instagram.

Native American two spirit artist VIZIN survived South Dakota to bring us some truly life-changing pop.

reflection to gather my thoughts. I reflect on the big picture.” And the big picture is: VIZIN’s got a bright future ahead.

` ⚫ BY AMY PATTON

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“ROTTERDAM” is Damn Good

With the LGBTQ+ community evolving and growing with (or against) society, it can be difficult to pick the exact label to which one subscribes. More difficult? Navigating your identity as your partner’s own changes.

In Skylight Theatre’s “Rotterdam,” it is New Year’s eve in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Alice has finally found the courage to email her parents to tell them she’s a lesbian. But before Alice hits send, her girlfriend Fiona reveals that she has always identified as a man, and now wants to live as one. Alice now questions whether she can still identify as a lesbian while in a committed relationship with her now-boyfriend? Does it make her bisexual… or straight, since Fiona was the only woman she has ever loved?

The play revolves around a quickly crumbling relationship as both partners explore what their gender and sexuality mean to them as both individuals and as a couple.

“Rotterdam” hits you right in the gut with love, loss and identity struggles relatable to

anyone, especially the LGBTQ+ community.

Labeled (arguably) as comedy by director Michael A. Shepperd, the play uses humor as a distraction and refresher to the raw emotions being thrown onto the stage.

From poignant pop culture references like “The L Word,” to suggesting that running

REVIEW, see page 12

Photo: Courtesy Skylight Theatre.

12.01 – 12.14.2017

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 11

TAKE THE LEAD

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⚫

12.01 – 12.14.2017

LOS ANGELES

12

>

NEWS

POLITICS

NO SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY FOR THE LGBTQ+

` ⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

The South’s “License to Discriminate” Laws are Just What They Sound Like

With the passage of HB1523 in Mississippi, religious freedom has started to officially trump queer rights in the South.

If you haven’t yet heard of HB1523, a local Mississippi mandate that became law in October, you’re not alone. Even though Mississippi’s “Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act” has been described by the Daily Beast as the “most Anti-LGBT law in America,” its recent passage has been met with a distinct lack of vocal queer outrage, mainly because the bill has slipped so quietly under the urban liberal radar. In early October, an injunction against

6

HB1523 was lifted, making it legal for housing complexes, shelters, and small businesses in Mississippi to discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals on the basis of their orientation or gender identity. What’s worse, it allows people to refuse service based on whether or not they think someone looks or presents as queer. Never has a law been so sweepingly vague and threatening as HB1523, which protects discrimination due to: “The sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions protected by this act are the belief or conviction that: (a) Marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman; (b) Sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage; and (c) Male (man) or female (woman) refer to an individual's immutable biological sex as objectively determined by anatomy and genetics at time of birth.”

SPIRIT AWARDS NOMINATIONS BEST

INCLUDING

PICTURE

★★★★ (HIGHEST RATING)

“LUCA GUADAGNINO’S STUNNING ACHIEVEMENT— THERE’S MAGIC IN EVERY FRAME. A NEW CLASSIC AND ONE OF THE YEAR’S VERY BEST FILMS.” -Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE

After the creation (and eventual repeal) of Prop 8, the California law that would have made gay marriage illegal had it stayed in effect past 2014, Frank Schubert, a man who raised 40 million for the discriminatory campaign, looked for newer ways to limit LGBTQ+ rights across the country. Schubert came up with a few different ideas, including North Carolina’s infamous “Bathroom Bill,” as well as an idea for a “partial birth” anti-abortion bill that will specifically apply to LGBTQ+ individuals. Schubert has been working tirelessly since Prop 8’s demise to find new ways to prohibit LGBTQ+ rights across the country. HB1523 is the newest version of the religious freedom protection initiative that people like the Colorado cake shop owner cling to just to avoid servicing queer couples and individuals. While there’s been a ton of state-specific legislation across the country over the past few years that has tried to pit religious freedom against queer rights, HB1523 goes a bit further. Under the new house bill, business owners, medical practitioners, landlords and other providers will be able to deny service on the assumption that someone is queer. The power to discriminate will become completely subjective under the new regime.

The Mississippi branch of the ACLU put out a statement after HB1523 went into effect in October: “The nation’s most extreme anti-LGBTQ law is now in effect in Mississippi, and it

will bring undeniable damage to the lives of thousands of Mississippians, paving the way for deep harm and discrimination.

HB1523 allows some state government officials, healthcare providers, businesses, and employees to cite their personally held religious beliefs as a justification to discriminate against Mississippi residents and visitors. This is wrong. Although HB 1523 is now in effect in Mississippi, we will do everything we can to limit its consequences.

We stand proudly with LGBTQ Mississippians, as well as their friends, families and allies who are committed to fighting this law and ensuring everyone can live their lives free from fear of state-sanctioned discrimination. We stand ready to challenge discrimination in all forms and where possible, and will bring lawsuits against those who discriminate against their LGBTQ neighbors and fellow Mississippians.”

REVIEW,

from page 10 A FILM BY

LUCA GUADAGNINO

ARMIE HAMMER

TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY

ANDRÉ ACIMAN

MICHAEL STUHLBARG SCREENPLAY BY

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out to buy Dr. Martins as soon as one comes out as a lesbian (guilty) is mandatory, comedic relief threads throughout the plot of the play so that the audience has a chance to recover from the heart-wrenching struggles of the young couple trying to stay afloat.

“To live your truth out loud can be dangerous,” stated Shepperd in a press release.

“But to take that step into your authentic self can make you much more powerful than anything the world can throw at you.

This is the world of Rotterdam.”

“Rotterdam” is a refreshing piece of Queer entertainment, shedding light to very real issues LGBTQ+ couples face.

The play is running at the Skylight The-

Photo: Courtesy Skylight Theatre.

atre at 1816 ½ N. Vermont Ave. in L.A. now through December 11 with showings at 8:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. on Sundays; and 8 p.m. on Mondays. Tickets are $15 - $41. For reservations, call 213.761.7061 or 866.811.4111, or online at http://SkylightTix.com.

12.01 – 12.14.2017 COMMUNITY FESTIVITIES

>

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 13

SECULAR CELEBRATION

` ⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

L.A.’s “Voices of Reason” Choir Proves You Don’t Have to Be Religious to Sing Out Loud

For many LGBTQ+ individuals, the holidays can be a painful time full of questioning, isolation, and your run-of-the-mill seasonal affective disorder. Throw in the jingling bells of a Salvation Army Santa outside of your local Whole Foods, along with the onslaught of Christmas carols being piped through every Vons in the city, and it’s easy to get a bit overwhelmed. Delightful as the Christmas spirit is, it can be a bit much for queer folks and straight folks alike who are just looking to get through the weekday without hearing yet another aggressive rendition of “Good King Wenceslas” in the public sphere.

Enter Voices of Reason, L.A.’s one and only atheist choir, dedicated to spreading good cheer without the schlockiness and ‘fa la la la laing’ of it all. Begun in 2001, Voices of Reason brings together amateur singers and performers to indulge in a love of secular song. After breaking up in 2004, the

choir started up again in 2011 and has been going strong ever since, thanks to one of its organizers Amanda MacLean. MacLean, who had sung in her college choir for years, was sick of singing religious, Roman Catholic-oriented songs for no reason.

“I thought, 'We are in a school choir that is government funded, why are we always singing religious stuff?'” MacLean told L.A. Weekly.

‘Voices of Reason’ is attached to the group Atheists United and performs at meetings often. However, they’re not opposed to branching out. According to the Voice of Reason Meetup page, anyone can join in to sing a mix of Sammy Davis Jr., Monty Python originals, and show tunes at gatherings, always “with a humanist twist.”

The group practices regularly in Echo Park.

“Our group is really about having fun and becoming better musicians, first and foremost.” The Meetup page explains. “It really

L.A.’s sole Atheist choir makes holiday celebrations delightfully secular.

doesn't matter what your religious or political beliefs are, as the ultimate agenda of this group is to sound great together and

Photo: Voices of Reason.

entertain.”

Voices of Reason will perform on Saturday, December 16 at 7pm at East West Players.

⚫ 14

LOS ANGELES

12.01 – 12.14.2017

12.01 – 12.14.2017

B:10 in T:10 in

⚫ 15

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S:10 in

LOS ANGELES

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Sometimes I search it.

Sometimes I put it off.

Sometimes I freak out.

But, I trust my Cedars-Sinai doctor every time.

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T:11.7 in

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⚫ 16

ENTERTAINMENT FILM

12.01 – 12.14.2017

LOS ANGELES

>

ON THE SILVER SCREEN

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

The 2018 Spirit Award Nominations Recognize LGBTQ+ Talent, Achievement

Each year, the Film Independent Spirit Awards take a look at the past year’s output and call our attention to some of the most moving scripts, performances, and debuts in the indie film world. Judging from this year’s list of queer nominees, the trend set in action by last year’s “Moonlight” win wasn’t just a one-time thing. The wild success of the queer indie sensation paved the way for this year’s spate of excellent, queer-headed films, from prestige projects like “Call Me By Your Name” and “Mudbound” to smaller artsy sensations like “God’s Own Country” and “Beach Rats.”

This year’s Spirit Award nominations singled out some of the best queer films, writers, and actors for consideration, calling our attention of the many things we can be grateful for (and excited about) in the coming cinematic year.

Without further adieu, here are some of our favorite nominees and honorees.

“The Florida Project”- Best Feature,

Best Director: The poignant coming of age story set in South Florida has had critics raving since the first Sundance reviews. Director Sean Baker, the man who brought us 2015’s “Tangerine” about a group of transgender sex workers in L.A., crafted “The Florida Project” as a seedy, touching tribute to the state that brought us Walt Disney world, among other delights.

“Oh Lucy!”- Best First Feature: When an older woman from Tokyo meets English teacher Josh Hartnett (still a heartthrob after all these years,) she follows him to America, and a mad romantic caper begins. Atsuko Hirayanagi’s debut film is an unlikely romantic comedy, to be sure – but is there any better kind?

“Women Who Kill”- Best First Screenplay: Ingrid Jungermann, the woman who brought us such brilliant lesbian comedies as

“The Slope” and “F to 7th,” wrote and directed this wry feature about two lesbian exes obsessed with – and possibly embroiled in – true crime stories.

“Mudbound”- Robert Altman Award: Dee Rees of “Pariah” fame just put out her prestige film via Netflix, a tale of two families set at odds in post-WWII South.

“Beach Rats”- Best Cinematography: Eliza Hittman’s drama about a Dorian Gray-esque pretty boy who roams the beaches of outer Brooklyn looking for trade (straight and gay) has been winning hearts since its first appearance at Sundance early this year. As one of the few films zeroing in on the young male bisexual experience, “Beach Rats” is destined for cult status in years to come.

Photo: Beach Rats.

Harris Dickinson in “Beach Rats,” a film nominated for the 2018 Best Cinematography Spirit Award.

“Call Me By Your Name”- Best Feature: When mega-hunk Armie Hammer and twink Timothee Chalamet meet in Northern Italy one summer, sparks fly, and flies unzip.

Luca Guadagnino had to cut down his original 5-hour version of the film to a Spartan 2 hours and is already talking about a sequel.

“Patti Cake$”- Best First Feature: In addition to being a hilarious and moving film about an aspiring teen rapper, “Patti Cake$” also features queer icon Bridget Everett in her most poignant role yet.

Lesbian filmmaker Ingrid Jungermann in “Women Who Kill,” nominated for Best First Screenplay.

Photo: Women Who Kill.

12.01 – 12.14.2017

NEWS

LAWSUIT

>

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 17

WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION

⚫ BY SAMUEL BRASLOW

Gay Man Claims Rampant Harassment and Discrimination in New Lawsuit

Omar Lara tolerated as much as he could before he turned to the legal system. For a year and a half, the business analyst working for the general engineer contractor AECOM endured harassment and abuse from coworkers and supervisors on account of his sexuality, according to a complaint filed on November 15. Now, Lara has filed suit against AECOM, a Fortune 500 company, for anti-gay harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and creating a hostile work environment.

The lawsuit also lists BuildLACCD, a taxpayer funded construction project for the Los Angeles Community College District.

Lara is represented by Lawrance Bohm and Brandon Oritz from the Bohm Law Group.

According to Bohm, Lara “claims he was subjected to extreme harassment because he is Gay and married. He alleges in this lawsuit that he was referred to as ‘she,’ ‘her,’ and ‘it,’ called a ‘princess’ and a ‘faggot,’ mocked for being too feminine, and physically assaulted twice. One co-worker allegedly told him that ‘fags’ were killed in his home country. He repeatedly complained about the mistreatment, only to be told to ‘man up’ and to stop acting so feminine so the ‘old ladies’ would stop picking on him.”

The complaint also alleges multiple instances of physical assault and a case of sexual assault.

According to his case, Lara experienced retaliation when he tried to address the harassment.

When Lara reported reported the behavior of his coworkers, he “received sympathy, yet no action was taken,” according to a statement released on Lara’s behalf. In response to his complaints, Lara’s supervisors assigned him “enough work for multiple employees” while refusing to compensate him for his work.

“With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, Mr. Lara began to feel helpless and suffered depression, suicidal thoughts, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety, as well as many other physical and mental issues,” the statement says.

“This toxic work environment caused a deterioration of his mental health, which forced him to

take a stress leave,” Oritz said.

However, when he requested time off due to stress, Lara was denied protected medical leave and soon fired.

“I am pursuing legal action because no American, Gay or straight, should ever have to suffer the toxic work environment I endured at BuildLACCD,” Lara said in a statement.

“Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect at work. No one should feel ashamed because of their sexual orientation. I hope that my case causes BuildLACCD to clean up its act, and to start providing a work environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and welcomed.”

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Van Nuys citizen Omar Lara took action against a workplace that harassed him for his gay identity.

AND OF COURSE WE DO

STEP UP

from page 8 population suffering from severe mental illness.

Within Los Angeles County alone, homelessness afflicts nearly 58,000 individuals, according to the latest annual count performed by the County.

Uniquely, compared to other homeless populations around the country, Los Angeles’s homeless experience rates of mental illness as high as 30 percent, local authorities estimate.Assisting this population is made more difficult by factors like drug abuse.According to University of Pennsylvania professor and homelessness researcher Den-

nis Culhane, about half of mentally ill homeless people also struggle with alcohol or drugs.

Step Up provides permanent supportive housing for mentally ill, formerly homeless people, which includes services like counseling, case management, and substance abuse treatment. Step Up’s programs have been hailed as a possible national model for dealing with homelessness.

Step Up’s work extends beyond Los Angeles County, with plans at continued expansion. Since its founding in 1984, the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization has grown its operation into Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in California, and is starting operations in Seminole County, Florida.

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⚫ 18

12.01 – 12.14.2017

LOS ANGELES

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

The best goings-on around and about L.A., period.

World AIDS Day Events WHEN: December 1 WHERE:West Hollywood Council Chambers at West Hollywood Library WHAT: A candlelight vigil at 6 P.M., followed by the Paul Starke Warrior Awards at 7.

WHY: Honor those we’ve lost and celebrate the progress we’ve made since the first World AIDS Day in 1988.

Unique L.A. Holiday Market WHEN: December 2-3 WHERE: 110 E. 9th St., DTLA WHAT: A weekend pop-up event featuring local vendors and holiday-themed crafts.

WHY: Enjoy free drinks, DIY projects, and goods from over 400 vendors all weekend long.

Los Angeles Krampus Run WHEN: December 14, 8 P.M. WHERE: Winston St. between Main and Los Angeles WHAT: Celebrate the legend of the Christmas Krampus by parading down the streets

EDITOR

Henry Giardina

CREATIVE DIRECTOR AMY PATTON

VP OF ADVERTISING

JUDY SWARZ | judy@smmirror.com

Please call (310) 310-2637 for advertising rates and availability.

BUSINESS MANAGER MAX MONTEMER max@smmirror.com

NATIONAL DISPLAY ADVERTISING Rivendell Media / 212.242.6863

Century City/ Westwood

NEWS

of downtown next to “dozens of Krampuses pursuing those deserving the switch.”

WHY: There will be an after party at The Lash.

Echo Park Community Parade WHEN: December 9, 11 A.M. - 2 P.M. WHERE: Down Sunset Boulevard between Vin Scully Avenue to Park Avenue.

WHAT: A community gathering full of floats, classic cars, and special guests.

WHY: This year’s theme: “Golden Memories of Echo Park.”

A Taste of the Holidays Christmas Market WHEN: December 15, 16, and 17 WHERE: Crafter at the Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro.

WHAT: A “European-Style” craft fair full of uniquely handcrafted offerings.

WHY: Pick out your own Christmas tree in the lot and make some DIY ornaments all in one sitting.

Full Moon Hike WHEN: December 3, 5 P.M. WHERE: Franklin Canyon Ranch, Beverly Hills.

WHAT: A Community Nature Connection-hosted hike led by a local naturalist.

WHY: Cast off your big city roots and bask in the light of the full moon!

La Casa Azul WHEN: December 9, 2 P.M.- 9 P.M. WHERE: Plaza de la Raza WHAT: A night of dancing, food, and fun hosted by Pacifico Dance Company.

WHY: This family-friendly event is inspired by the work of Frida Kahlo.

Jollywood WHEN: December 9, 11:30 A.M. WHERE: 6562 Hollywood Blvd.

WHAT:You guessed it...another crafty Holiday pop-up, with an Old Hollywood twist!

WHY: Santa will be in attendance.

Dirty John Live WHEN: December 11, 7 P.M.- 10 P.M. WHERE: The Theatre at Ace Hotel DTLA WHAT: The hit L.A.Times podcast comes to life as journalist Christopher Goffard takes the stage for a deep dive into the story behind “Dirty John.”

WHY: In case you’re totally sick of holiday stuff.

CenturyCity-WestwoodNews.com

THE PRIDE L.A., The Newspaper Serving Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender L.A., is published by MIRROR MEDIA GROUP. Send all inquiries to: THE PRIDE L.A., 2116 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA. Phone: 310.310.2637 Written permission of the publisher must be obtained before any of the contents of this paper, in part or whole, can be reproduced or redistributed. All contents (c) 2017 The Pride L.A. THE PRIDE L.A. is a registered trademark of MIRROR MEDIA GROUP. T.J. MONTEMER, CEO 310.310.2637 x7

© 2017 The Pride L.A. All rights reserved.

“I, Tonya” Q&A WHEN: December 7, 9 and 10 WHERE: The Landmark on Pico WHAT: “I,Tonya” director Craig Gillespie and star Margot Robbie discuss the infamous newly-released Tonya Harding biopic.

WHY: Potentially learn who threw that lead pipe.

12.01 – 12.14.2017

>

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 19

IN CONCERT

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

Babs is Back, and Not a Moment Too Soon Netflix showcases the First Lady of American Gayness with “Barbra: The Music...The Mem’ries...The Magic!”

In the last episode of the recently (lamentably!) cancelled “Difficult People,” a dance instructor notes that “some people find Sondheim not very catchy and hard to dance to,” quickly adding, “and to those people I say, ‘go fuck yourself!’”

There’s a familiar sentiment in the air when it comes to Barbra Streisand's effect on queer culture. Sure, there are some who say that Barbra, like Judy Garland, Dolly Parton, and other outsized grande dames of the past, simply have no place in the queer landscape of the present. And to those people we say...well, you can guess.

That said, those who have no fondness for kitsch and nostalgia will not find the new Netflix concert special “Barbra: The Music...

The Mem’ries...The Magic!” enjoyable. While Streisand could never be accused of resting on her laurels, it is the spirit of nostalgia that guides us through the story – if it could be called that – of the concert itself, as we follow Barbra through her by now familiar repertoire. A bit of “Yentl,” a bit of “Funny Girl,” even a smattering of “Funny Lady” for the three people who enjoyed that tragic sequel. We’re also given a privileged glimpse into the backstage life of La Streisand, as she cavorts with her dog Sammie (R.I.P.) and eats key lime pie and crab. And in the midst of all of it we’re left to wonder, who, actually, is Barbra Streisand? Who is the woman who famously owns a mall attached to her home?

Who is the woman who paved the way for other women who dared to have anything more than the tiniest button nose in Hollywood? Who is the Funny Lady who changed the game for good?

If you’re looking for answers for these questions, you’re probably not going to find them in “Barbra,” or anywhere else for that matter. Happily, not many of us are in a huge

rush to get to the bottom of the Streisand mystique. Most of us are content to bask in the Barbra facade, thrilled that there is still here living and thriving among us a woman whose godlike performer status remains untouched and untouchable by the passage of time and the changing of political regimes.

In the beginning, there was Barbra, and in the end, you bet your ass there will still be Barbra. Who can say the same for the pop starlets of today? Who can promise that, out of the crop of Disney proteges and aging American Idols there will be one left among them with talent substantial enough to stand the test of time? The Streisand legacy, though it does rest heavily on nostalgia, is actually built of stronger stuff. For one, her voice seems to get stronger with age, in the way that a late-career Frank Sinatra’s did, breaking your heart with every new ballad, however cheesy. She also tries to convert the music into message without overstating the case. Singing one of Carole King’s anti-war ballads in front of a backdrop of tragic, violent images, she says “what a waste of

Photo: Netflix.

a planet.” Indeed, Barbra. But as long as we can claim Streisand among our number, we can’t ever claim that we’re not the luckiest people in the world.

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PAREL

DECURDAY 10AM . 2 ND -5PM

*Rate of 3.99%, 7.99%, 9.99%, 14.99% or 15.99% will be assigned. Examples of monthly payments over a 36-month term at a 3.99% rate: $29.52 per $1000 financed; and at a 15.99% rate: $35.15 per $1000 financed. Program minimum amount financed is $2,500 and minimum 0%-10% down payment required. Rate and down payment based on credit approval criteria. Offer is subject to credit approval by Synchrony Bank. Offer good only in the U.S., excluding the state of Hawaii. Dealer remains responsible for complying with all local and state advertising regulations and laws. Some models shown with optional accessories. Dress properly for your ride with a helmet, eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, gloves and boots. Do not drink and ride. It is illegal and dangerous. Yamaha and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation encourage you to ride safely and respect the environment. For further information info regarding the MSF course, please call 1-800-446-9227. ATV models shown are recommended for use only by riders 16 years and older. YFZ450R recommended for experienced riders only. Yamaha recommends that all ATV riders take an approved training course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Always avoid paved surface surfaces. Never ride on public roads. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Never carry passengers. Never engage in stunt riding. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. Avoid excessive speed. And be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Professional riders/drivers depicted on closed courses. Always protect the environment and wear your seat belt, helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Read the owner’s manual and product warning labels before operation. Model shown with optional accessories. Vehicle specifications subject to change. ©2017 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. • YamahaMotorsports.com

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LOS ANGELES

12.01 – 12.14.2017