TheStandard_Vol11_Issue6.pdf

CONTENTS

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 6

HARVEY MILK DIVERSITY BREAKFAST

COVER EUROVISION

BIGGEST NIGHT IN MUSIC ON THE LGBT+ CALENDAR

COVER

KYLIE MINOGUE

16TH ALBUM “TENSION”

PRIDE

PRIDE MERCH

THE LATEST IN PRIDE PARAPHERNALIA

NOW HEAR THIS CHER / RELEASES FAN FAVORITE SET

PRIDE TV

DEKKOO SERVES HISTORY

LAUGHS & LOTS OF DRAMA

PSP FOCUS

THE LGBTQ CENTER OF THE DESERT

MIKE THOMPSON RETURNS AS NEW CEO

Q & A

MARISSA ALMA NICK / REBEL IN VENUS

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COMMENTARY

The Standard Magazine

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Palm Springs CA 92262

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NINO EILETS Publisher

LUCIANO McNULTY Editor

MAYA KALABIC Art Director

PHOTOGRAPHER

David A. Lee

CONTRIBUTORS

Connor Jenkins, Roger Estrada, Mona Elyafi, Michael Khordoc, Ryan Turrin, Stacy Holmes, Travis Espinoza, Tony Spinelli, Patrick Gerrity, Greg Stillwell, Dann Foley, Mikey Rox, Jill Langham & Terri Schlichenmeyer

www.thestandardps.com

EDITORIAL CREDITS : BrandPoint, Huffington Post, LGBTQ Nation, Project Publicity, MSN, Reuters, NBC News, Artsy, Forbes, Time.com, xtramagazine & ITV

The Standard Magazine is published monthly. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of the Standard or its staff, advertisers or readers with exception of editorials. Publication of the name or photograph of any person, business or organization in articles or advertising in the Standard is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such person, business or organization. The Standard disclaims any responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Advertising rates are subject to change without notice. The Standard reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject any advertisement for any reason including, but not limited to poor taste. It is the policy of The Standard that we only publish letters to the editor that are signed by the author and verifiable by phone number. We can reserve the right of anonymity upon request. The letters need to be original, in good taste and free of libel as well as edited for clarity and grammar. Letters are subject to editing by The Standard that also reserves the right to decline print. Please forward your letters to: info@thestandardps.com The views expressed is not necessarily those of The Standard. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. No portion of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed consent of the publisher.

EUROVISION

ONE OF THE BIGGEST NIGHTS IN MUSIC ON THE LGBT+ CALENDAR

BY TRAVIS ESPINOZA

COVER

Eurovision has a long and proud history of supporting queer artists and championing LGBT+ rights. There have been countless key moments that waved the flag for LGBT+ representation.

In 1998 Dana International entered the competition as the first trans performer - she went onto win for Israel, becoming the first trans Eurovision winner. The contest has had several out LGBT+ winners since then.

Another key moment came in 2014 when Conchita (a gay drag queen) brought her gender non-conforming drag to the masses. Her ‘Rise Like a Phoenix’ performance was described in the press as “the most genderqueer yet”.

Of course, none of these performers escaped the inevitable bigotry aimed at LGBT+ people - there were calls for Eurovisions boycotts from some, and offensive remarks made by certain country’s broadcasts of the contest.

But the message remained clear, as Conchita declared upon being awarded the Eurovision trophy: “We are unity, and we are unstoppable”.

The Eurovision Song Contest has become firmly ensconced in LGBTQ+ culture in recent years. It wasn’t always this way: in its first decades in the 1950s and ’60s, it was a firmly buttoned-up affair that verged upon staid, with restrained performers in tuxedos and ball gowns: not an onstage costume change or sexualized prop butter churner was to be seen. Toward the ’90s, it became more flamboyant, with flashy outfits and campy songs (the first openly gay contestant appeared in 1997.

Nowadays in Europe (and, increasingly, other parts of the world), the contest is a queer affair, with people going as far as holding Eurovision viewing parties (I attended a spectacular one this year). In that spirit, here are some pointers on the gay highlights of this past year’s contest. Another highlight was the interval performance put on by a fierce trio of drag queens that brought down the house. It was like giving the proverbial middle finger to all those who say Drag is a Crime. https://youtu.be/76ZbvwEyf0k

Even though, all acts might not be LGBTQ+ some of the performances certainly had an air of queerness. If you’re Euro-curious, consider it a list of songs you should check out; if you’re already a fan, well, show these acts to the not-yet-Euro-converted members of your chosen family.

COVER

LUKE BLACK (SERBIA)

This year, Serbia’s cup runneth over with queerness, and not just because singer Luke Black (Luka Ivanović) is one of the contest’s openly gay performers—an uber-twink in both look and demeanor. It’s hard not to be mesmerized by his song “Samo mi se spava.” The fashionminded segment of our community should also appreciate Black’s hard-but-soft laced-up white shirt and platform boot combo. https://youtu.be/I30TJ0oQJVg

VESNA (CZECHIA)

Before the music even kicks off on “My Sister’s Crown,” the styling on this girl group screams gay. The six members are in identical soft pink parachute pants with firm-shouldered sequined tops in an identical shade. Oh, and don’t forget the floor-length braids that Vesna whip around as part of the choreography.

https://youtu.be/-y78qgDlzAM

LOREEN (SWEDEN)

“Tattoo” is an objectively sublime electro-power pop ballad, and Loreen’s ability to hit money notes already netted her one Eurovision win 11 years ago. Plus, she’s one of this year’s two resident bisexual performers. Yet, a bit like a hit from Adele, Beyoncé or Mariah, Loreen is so hyper-polished and talented that “Tattoo” feels more like a song that the gays will love rather than a song that’s intrinsically queer. (2023 Winner)

https://youtu.be/1XpJnc4T-AM

ALESSANDRA (NORWAY)

If Loreen from Sweden could be compared to a Eurovision Beyoncé, Italian-Norwegian singer Alessandra is Katy Perry, but made better with some operatic vocal chops. Competent, yes, but just not quite so compelling. The second of two bisexuals in Eurovision 2023, she says her song “Queen of Kings” is about being proud of her identity. Her Xena: Warrior Princess styling earns her some queer points, plus, her performance radiates an energy that hovers somewhere between “butch” and “mother.”

https://youtu.be/zt7U0-N1mlk

LET 3 (CROATIA)

For Eurovision and their performance of “Mama ŠČ!,” they’re in drag no less—although and not naked as in previous performances the messy styling makes it feel more like men in dresses rather than full-scale drag queenery. There’s also a dash of military aesthetics, and hallucinogenic visuals on both the floor and towering wall behind their performance.

https://youtu.be/isZ_4AnCTnA

GUSTAPH (BELGIUM)

With a performance fronted by a former member of iconic queer electronic collective Hercules and Love Affair, Belgium’s Eurovision entry may be the most overtly promising for those of us on the LGBTQ2S+ spectrum. And while “Because of You” briefly seems like it’s going to channel Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams’s “Get Lucky” in a frustratingly straight way, it quickly kicks into high gear, helped along by dancers voguing and some Donna Summer–inspired backing vocals. A sweaty dancefloor bop that emanates joy, it’s undoubtedly a banger, although it feels more geared toward the gays rather than the queers and could be a little cloying for those who aren’t into down-the-line disco and house music. (Personal Favorite) https://youtu.be/uYWhh-E_VPo

MIMICAT (PORTUGAL)

Portugal has a history of being more like “Bore-tugal” at Eurovision, yet they’ve mercifully kicked that aside for 2023 with a soulful show tune called “Ai Coração.” But that’s the issue here: Mimicat goes all in on appealing to the theatre kids and Broadway fans. Her enthusiasm is infectious if you’re into cabaret, but it doesn’t leave much for the queers who aren’t.

https://youtu.be/wa3suiOzAAk

MAE MULLER (UNITED KINGDOM)

With “I Wrote a Song,” the Brits have finally learned how to serve. With an R&B tilt and a heaping spoonful of bitterness, it’s a little like if “No Scrubs” had been remade for Eurovision, with a little Lily Allen sass thrown in for good measure and a hip-shaking dancehall beat.

https://youtu.be/tJ21grjN6wU

KÄÄRIJÄ (FINLAND)

Between the shipping pallet set pieces, driving techno beat and his nipple-exposing, fluorescent green puffy-sleeved outfit, “Cha Cha Cha” has the ambiance of a queer, allgender orgy in a major European city. The music is a fraction messy, flipping between techno, pop and rock. (2023 Runner Up)

https://youtu.be/rJHe-iZ5HSI

TEYA & SALENA (AUSTRIA)

“Who the Hell Is Edgar?” a pop song about how (straight) poet Edgar Allan Poe’s spirit is possessing one of these Austrian singer’s hands has no right to be as good as this. Singers Teya and Salena put on a bookish yet dollish demeanor with exquisite poise, inhabiting a bizarre role as dowdy-glam poetry-loving office workers with more than a whiff of lesbianism about them.

https://youtu.be/nIfC_hpKV8U

ABOUT EUROVISION

The Eurovision Song Contest is organized annually by the European Broadcasting Union. Each participating country submits an original song to be performed live and transmitted to national broadcasters via the Eurovision and Euroradio networks, with competing countries then casting votes for the other countries’ songs to determine a winner.

Eurovision has been held annually since 1956 (apart from 2020), making it the longest-running annual international televised music competition and one of the world’s longest-running television programs. Active members of the EBU and invited associate members are eligible to compete; as of 2023, 52 countries have participated at least once.

Each participating broadcaster sends one original song of three minutes duration or less to be performed live by a singer or group of up to six people aged 16 or older. Each country awards 1–8, 10 and 12 points to their ten favorite songs, based on the views of an assembled group of music professionals and the country’s viewing public, with the song receiving the most points declared the winner. Other performances feature alongside the competition, including a specially commissioned opening and interval act and guest performances by musicians and other personalities, with past acts including Cirque du Soleil, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Mika, Rita Ora and the first performance of Riverdance.

Originally consisting of a single evening event, the contest has expanded as new countries joined (including countries outside of Europe, such as Australia), leading to the introduction of relegation procedures in the 1990s, before the creation of semi-finals in the 2000s. As of 2023, Germany has competed more times than any other country, having participated in all but one edition, while Ireland and Sweden both hold the record for the most victories, with seven wins each in total.

Traditionally held in the country which won the preceding year’s event, the contest provides an opportunity to promote the host country and city as a tourist destination. Thousands of spectators attend each year, along with journalists who cover all aspects of the contest, including rehearsals in venue, press conferences with the competing acts, in addition to other related events and performances in the host city. Alongside the generic Eurovision logo, a unique theme and slogan is typically developed for each event. The contest has aired in countries across all continents; it has been available online via the official Eurovision website since 2001. Eurovision ranks among the world’s most watched non-sporting events every year, with hundreds of millions of viewers globally. Performing at the contest has often provided artists with a local career boost and in some cases longlasting international success.

Several of the best-selling music artists in the world have competed in past editions, including ABBA, Celine Dion, Julio Iglesias, Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton-John; some of the world’s bestselling singles have received their first international performance on the Eurovision stage.

While having gained popularity with the viewing public in both participating and non-participating countries, controversial moments have included participating countries withdrawing at a late stage, censorship of broadcast segments by broadcasters, as well as political events impacting participation.

Eurovision has, however, gained popularity for its kitsch appeal, its musical span of ethnic and international styles, as well as emergence as part of LGBT culture, resulting in a large, active fanbase and an influence on popular culture.

Special thanks to xtramagazine & ITV for their contribution

KYLIE MINOGUE ANNOUNCES 16TH ALBUM “TENSION”

BY TONY SPINELLI

With the caption “Baby break the tension...” Kylie Minogue announced that her 16th album Tension will be ready for release on September 22nd. It’ll be her first collection since she shared the 2020 space-groove collection Disco, which was filled with “relentless bangers. “The first single ‘Padam Padam’ was released last month. In addition, the Australian singer was featured on a recent Oliver Heldens song, ‘10 Out Of 10,’ which came out on April 5th. Promoting the track, Kylie posted a video across her social media accounts of her dancing to the song in what appears to be an airplane hangar.

In a press release, Kylie adds: “I started this album with an open mind and a blank page. Unlike my last two albums there wasn’t a ‘theme,’ it was about finding the heart or the fun or the fantasy of that moment and always trying to service the song. I wanted to celebrate each song’s individuality and to dive into that freedom. I would say it’s a blend of personal reflection, club abandon and melancholic high”.

Alongside the post, she announced the track list (See Below) for the album, which features contributions from various producers,

including longtime collaborator Richard ‘Biff’ Stannard and ‘DISCO’ contributor Duck Blackwell, and includes the recent single 10 Out Of 10 with Dutch DJ Oliver Heldens.

She continues: “I loved being back in the studio with my collaborators but was also able to benefit from remote recording, which we have all got used to – my mobile studio never left my side for a year and a half!

“The album is a mix of songs I have written and songs which really spoke to me. Making this album helped me navigate challenging times and celebrate the now. I hope it accompanies listeners on their own journeys and becomes part of their story.”

Produced by Lostboy (Griff, Anne-Marie, Tiesto), new single Padam Padam is a classic slice of Minogue electro-pop. Filmed in Los Angeles and directed by Sophie Muller, its video sees a powerful and otherworldly Kylie dressed head to toe in red, including a custom-made Mugler catsuit with a dramatic sheer cape.

A statement from Minogue’s record label BMG promised that Tension delivers “a record of euphoric, empowered dance floor bangers and sultry pop cuts… 11 tracks of unabashed pleasureseeking, seize-the-moment, joyful pop tunes.”

On last month’s American Idol finale, Kylie shined with a live performance of the song for the very first time. She was accompanied by a whole crew of incredible dancers wearing futuristic visors while she skillfully moved across the stage with her impressive vocals and charming personality. Fans and viewers couldn’t help but be amazed by her awe-inspiring performance.

The transition from “Padam Padam” to “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” was perfectly executed. Kylie, who never fails to amaze, surprised and delighted the audience with the 2001 dance-pop classic that she sang with one of this year’s contestants, Nutsa. The unison of the two voices was refreshing and added to the overall euphoria of the performance. Those who were lucky enough to watch it were able to experience music at its finest in one unforgettable night.

Check out the track list for Kylie Minogue’s upcoming album Tension here:

1 - Padam Padam

2 - Hold on to Now

3 - Things We Do for Love

4 - Tension

5 - One More Time

6 - You Still Get Me High

7 - Hands

8 - Green Light

9 - Vegas High

10 - 10 Out of 10

11 - Story

Tension is set for release on 22 September via BMG.

For more info visit www.kylie.com Follow @kylieminogue

PHOTO CREDIT ERIL MELVIN

PRIDE, A DEEPER LOVE DEBBY HOLIDAY AND KRISTINE W RELEASE NEW PRIDE SONGS

BY PATRICK GERRITY

Jusko and Blacklow, the dynamic producing duo best known for their bootleg remixes of Lady Gaga’s “Rain On Me” and P!nk’s “Just Like A Pill”, as well as their official remix of Katy Perry’s “Small Talk,” are out this month with their first original track, “Love Lift Me Up” featuring Debby Holiday. The big-room electronic dance track is already gearing up to be the Pride anthem of summer 2023.

“We want everyone who hears the song to tune out any negativity and focus - even if for just a moment - on unity and love,” says Blacklow, “because isn’t leading with love always the best way forward?”

“The world is not perfect, especially with all of the political and social opposition to the LGBTQ+ community,” Jusko acknowledges. Living in Texas, he says that he experiences anti-LGBTQ sentiments every day. “Texas has introduced fifty-seven anti-LGBTQ bills in the

state legislature just this past year. It drives me to inspire change. Our hope is that through songs like “Love Lift Me Up”, the power of music will help people to put differences aside and work together to make the world a better place.”

Along with the radio edit, Jusko and Blacklow are releasing remixes of “Love Lift Me Up” from today’s top DJs including Dan Slater, Block & Crown, Matt Consola and Brett Oosterhaus. A second remix package, containing Jusko and Blacklow’s VIP House Mix, will drop on June 23rd along with remixes from Toy Armada, Larry Peace, and a disco remix from Dan Slater.

Another artist that knows about the power of music – it was the name of her much beloved 2013 album – is Kristine W. She returns

to dance floors this summer with her new Pride single, “By My Side”, the second soulful pop groove from her soon-to-be-released album.

The song is a celebratory homage to the people in our lives who offer unconditional love, support and friendship, no matter the circumstance. “My grandmother used to caution me about investing too much time in fair weather friends,” Kristine W explains. “I didn’t understand what that really meant until I got older, but now, I see. Loyalty is a rare characteristic. Many folks treat others as disposable. They don’t take the time to nurture a friendship or love interest. When you find that person who is willing to stick by you, cherish them. They are greater than gold.”

Kristine W wrote “By My Side.” James Hurr, one of the masters of UK House, produced the original track along with Smokin Jack

Hill, John Keenan, and Dirty Disco’s Matt Consola. Kristine began recording pop, R&B and dance tracks in the nineties. “Feel What You Want” was her first single to reach #1 on Billboard in 1994. Since then, she has had a steady flow of chart toppers and ties Mariah Carey for the sixth-most Billboard number ones.

Still, with all her success, she admits the last few years have been difficult. “The passing of my mom and my sister has been debilitating. They were my wing women throughout my life. I could always count on them to be there for me, by my side.”

She hopes “By My Side” serves as a reminder to all in the ‘Land of the Living’ a reference to her 1996 smash hit that we are here for a short time. She insists, “It is important we tell all of the angels in our life that we love and appreciate them.”

PRIDE 2023: WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE QUEER – WITH LOADS OF FUN GEAR

BY MIKEY ROX

Somewhere over the rainbow, there’s Pride swag galore. Pride isn’t just a parade in June anymore. It’s a whole vibe in these 2020s – a full-blown aesthetic that infiltrates our lifestyles year-round. Kick off this new season with these fresh finds designed with us in mind.

STONEWALL ’69 CANDLE

A torch still burns bright for LGBTQ+ equality – even though these dark times sometimes hinder its light – but you can stand vigil with Kendi Lux’s soy-blend, lemon-leafand-jasmine-scented Stonewall ’69 candle commemorating the movement-defining riot that blazed our first path. $17.50, KendiLux.com

RAINBOW EARRING STUDS

Sometimes less is more – yep, even at Pride – and Alexis Jae’s rainbow stud earrings (constructed of recycled gold and ethically sourced gems) are an understated statement piece that give your lobes lowkey sparkle without clamoring for desperate attention. Wear both or split ’em up to share with a friend. $135, AlexisJae.com

‘LET THE LIGHT SHINE IN’ BOXER BRIEFS

PERSONALIZED PRONOUNS NOTE KIT

The art of suggestion isn’t lost on queerowned Nice Paper Goods, which offers a first-of-its-kind personalized pronoun note kit – an all-in-one stationery set complete with 10 cards, envelopes, and USA Forever stamps that never expire, and printed with your preferred pronouns under your chosen name. $32, NicePaperGoods.com

Hang loose (but not too loose) in SAXX’s super-soft “Let the Light Shine In” boxer brief designed by queer artist Carlos Oliveras Colom who tapped into his LGBTQ+ and Afro-Latinx experiences to create this colorful, curvy, comfortable pair of skivs that give off more than few unassigned vibes. $34, SAXXUnderwear.com

DENTATA RING

“Teeth” – the 2007 horror-comedy about a good Christian girl with a mean set of chompers in her ‘sacred place’ – was probably enough to turn a few guys gay, but many feminists have reclaimed the vagina dentata myth as a symbol of pride and empowerment. All belts are off with KIL N.Y.C.’s Dentata ring, featuring a spiked mouth design that curves around the finger, mimicking the way a Victorian chastity would have been worn. Even better, 10% of each sale will support Her Justice, an organization dedicated to helping impoverished women in New York City. $150, KILNYC.com

RAINBOW ROLLING PAPERS

Puff, puff, pass the pride – legally, of course – when you share your supply wrapped in Papers+Ink Studios’ prismatic, organic, unbleached hemp rolling papers available in eight styles, including Love Lines, Tie Dye Fantastic, Cheeky Checkers, and We Say Gay!, among others. $14-$25, PapersAndInk.com

CALVIN KLEIN PRIDE JOCKS

Cyndi Lauper didn’t anticipate you prancing around in your barely-there Calvins when she invited you to show your true colors, but Klein’s Pride Edit five-pack thong set in a spectrum of flashy colors are practically begging for a remix. $42, CalvinKlein.com

NEFT VODKA PRIDE BARREL

Cocktail connoisseurs typically have a goto spirit to get them in, well, the spirit, but consider corking your staple swill this season and switching it out for something sassier, like NEFT Vodka’s pop-arty, communitysupporting Pride barrels, made with oxygen-rich water filtered deep in Austria’s Rhaetian Alp for an earthy, slightly sweet front and minerally smooth finish. $45, Shop. NEFTVodkaUS.com

RENE JACKET

It’s hard to choose just one Pride-primed piece from Orttu’s expansive collection of sophistisensual wearable art, but our money’s on its mesmerizing, double-breasted Rene jacket in deep black, featuring uniquely sculpted sleeves and a stunning geometric “laser light” print in high-contrast yellow-gold, so you can show up in the VIP as a status whoa instead of status quo. $450, Orttu.com

RAINBOW COIN PURSE

‘RAINBOW PARENTING’ GUIDE

Pride starts at home – it was only born in the streets out of necessity – and books like Lindz Amer’s “Rainbow Parenting: Your Guide to Raising Queer Kids and Their Allies” not only serve as a sign of how far we’ve come but it also provides effective tools for understanding, accepting and respecting LGBTQ+ minds and bodies – which is all we really want anyway. $19, US.Macmillan.com

Pocketless at the parade? Par for the course when you prefer to party in sequined banana hammocks, but Pop of Confetti has you covered with its cute-AF rainbow seed-bead coin purse that stashes your contraband… and condoms (because safe sex is still sexy, y’all). $32, PopOfConfetti.com

Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @mikeyroxtravels

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INDESIGN SUMMER TRAVEL AND DESIGN

BY DANN FOLEY

June is that time when I finalize my summer travel plans. Nothing inspires me more as a designer than traveling far and wide to experience and explore new places, cultures and people. But, do you have to go to the far corners of the earth before you consider yourself a traveler? I say no!

One of my favorite ways to travel is take long weekends close to home, a “staycation”, if you will. Finding something or someplace new close to home can be as rewarding…and a heck of a lot easier…than getting out your passport and heading the airport.

For me, travel is a part of my job and this past month I made my bi-yearly trek to Highpoint, North Carolina for the International Home Furnishings show. The Highpoint Market is the older home furnishings show in the world and one of the largest. It displays and celebrates every product for the home and the vendors come from across the globe to buy and sell. It is like a mini-United Nations for the home industry. You can travel around the world and back again as you peruse one showroom after another.

What I find so interesting is how, though styles change, so much stays the same. For example, one bit of information I found while at Highpoint is, Coastal Style remains the number one sought after look by consumers in the United States. This has been so for many years and the look continues to be as strong as ever, without any signs of slowing. This feeds into my theory that a vacation and the sense of inspiration and tranquility it can bring can be closer to home than you know.

As your resident designer, I want to take you deeper into the style than the obvious choices and cliché products. What does it mean to have a coast style home? Are their common elements? How do I personalize a style that is so very “retail”? The answers are the same that I give my clients, no matter what style we are discussing. One must always approach design from a deeply personal place. Here are some thoughts on finding your perfect coastal space…

Think beyond the obvious.

• Start with your personal thoughts and experiences of the coast, shore or beach.

• Forget about the cliché items like, starfish, lobsters, crabs, etc. Those items can be charming but, use them sparingly as a finish detail, not a start.

• Your coastal home can be casual or as formal as you like. There was a time when a home on the water was still a formal affair…think Victorian splendor on the seaside.

• Today’s lifestyles call for a mix of high and low living choices. Remember that everything does not to be made of drift wood. Fine pieces like blue & white porcelain and beautiful fabrics can enliven and personalize your space.

• Your color palette should be as unique as you. I love blues and white as much as the next designer and I would not suggest they aren’t a terrific choice. What I am suggesting, is to think about colors that are natural compliments to them like, reds, yellows and greens.

• Aqua is not just one color. There exists a rainbow of blues, aquas, teals in the color spectrum, all of which can make a coastal palette exciting, exotic, sophisticated and inspired.

When thinking about paint for your coastal home don’t underestimate or fear a glossy finish. Many a painting contractor has warned me against using high-gloss paint finishes on an interior. They say that it will show every imperfection in the wall surface. I don’t disagree but, I also don’t take issue with natural imperfections in anything. To be clear, I am not talking about damaged or badly finished walls. I am talking about character than can be derived from the imperfect. I don’t mind seeing uneven surfaces, it suggests the hand that created it. The reflective nature of the paint brightens not just the walls but, the whole room around it. I love shining walls in any room and in any color. The way they reflect light and cast a glow on the items and people in the room is quite beautiful.

As with any style or any home project, I hope to inspire you to be bold, be daring! It is your home, it is your story, tell it out loud!

Live Well,

Designer Dann

Foley & Stinnette Interior Design

Dann@FoleyStinnette.com

Designer Dann: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest & Houzz

CHER ANNOUNCES DELUXE LIMITED-EDITION OF FAN FAVORITE ALBUM

BY RYAN TURRIN

Cher’s critically acclaimed classic album It’s A Man’s World is being reimagined as a special deluxe limited-edition vinyl box set that features a remastered version of the original 14-track UK album on 2 LPs, as well as a newly compiled double LP containing eleven rare remixes including “Walking In Memphis (Shut Up and Dance Vocal Mix),” available HERE, and “One By One (JR’s Pride Mix),” available June 23rd. A previously unreleased and HD remastered director’s cut of the “Walking In Memphis” music video is also out now.

The 4 LPs in the limited-edition box are each pressed on a different colored vinyl (red, blue, green and yellow). The box includes an exclusive, numbered lithograph of an iconic photograph of Cher. The D2C version, sold via Cher’s official site, features its own exclusive lithograph. The deluxe album will also be released digitally and as a 2-CD set. Many of the remixes are available digitally and on vinyl for the first time.

First recorded in London and released in 1995, It’s A Man’s World rocketed to the top 10 in the UK where it was certified Gold. Long considered by Cher superfans as one of her best albums of all time, It’s a Man’s World featured the singles “Walking In Memphis,” “One By One,” “Not Enough Love In the World,” “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore” and “Paradise Is Here.” AllMusic’s Jose Promis praised the album as “one of the singer’s finest as well as one of her most overlooked and underappreciated works to date.”

IT’S A MAN’S WORLD – CD 1 AND LPS 1&2

Walking In Memphis

Not Enough Love In the World

One By One

I Wouldn’t Treat a Dog (The Way You Treated Me)

Angels Running

Paradise Is Here

I’m Blowin’ Away

Don’t Come Around Tonite

What About the Moonlight

The Same Mistake

The Gunman

The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore

Shape of Things To Come

It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World

IT’S A MAN’S WORLD – DELUXE CD 2 AND LPS 3&4

One By One (JF Vasquez Club Vocal Mix)

One By One (JR’s Pride Mix)

One By One (Piano Dub)

One By One (With Melle Mel)

The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore (Trevor Horn Remix)

Walking In Memphis (Shut Up and Dance Vocal Mix)

Walking In Memphis (Baby Doc Mix)

Paradise Is Here (Garage Revival Mix)

Paradise Is Here (Sunrise Mix)

Paradise Is Here (Runaway Mix)

Paradise Is Here (Glow Stick Mix)

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QUEER PROM A BENEFIT SOIRÉE FOR EQUALITY FASHION WEEK

BY MICHEL KHORDOC

Queer Prom Behind the Velvet Rope! an exclusive Studio54themed fundraiser party for Equality Fashion Week (EFW*) in partnership with The West Hollywood EDITION and as part of the City of West Hollywood’s #WeHoPride programming.

Queer Prom took place on June 1st transporting guests back to the days of Studio54 via Sunset, the underground club at The West Hollywood EDITION created by the co-founder of the original Studio54!

“The era of Studio54 celebrated creativity and individuality,” says NiK Kacy, founder and producer of Queer Prom. “This year’s Queer Prom will honor those before us and celebrate our generations perpetuating this mission.”

Queer Prom is an annual fundraising event for Equality Fashion

Week (EFW) during Pride Month that creates a nostalgic themed, inclusive adult prom experience infusing love and healing into the LGBTQIA+ community.

The event seeks to rally allies to help lift under-represented voices and eradicate the discrimination taking place all over the country.

Prom is a signature high school experience and a staple in American culture. A traditional rite of passage, it was a dream NiK Kacy had for years because they never felt safe to attend prom as a young student.

Coming out as a trans masculine, gender non-binary queer human in their adult life, NiK Kacy dreamt of finally attending prom as their authentic self and wanted others to be able to do the same.

“Many of us were not able to attend prom in high school as our authentic selves,” comments NiK Kacy. “As we are further marginalized and threatened by politics and social issues, our ‘Behind the Velvet Rope’ Studio54-themed celebration will unite all the colors and spectrums of our beautiful queer tribe,” adds Kacy.

Kacy, who is also the creator and Executive Producer of Equality Fashion Week, the first LGBTQ+ focused fashion week in LA, is committed to raise funds to continue the work EFW does to bring empowerment for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly with QTDBIPOC* folks. They are passionate about creating more joyful moments and experiences that lead to healing while continuing the fight for equal rights and equity, and respect in a world filled with discord, divide and discrimination.

To date, as part of the 2023 Legislative session, some 500+ anti-trans bills have been introduced restricting fundamentals such as health care, housing, education, and the freedom of expression for transgender and nonbinary individuals. These bills also include bans on transgender athletes, restrictions on gender-affirming medical care for minors, and laws that target drag performers and LGBTQ+ youth. A disheartening and alarming situation considering that per The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) there are more than 2 million transgender people across the US.

Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals continue to face stigma, bias, and systemic discrimination from an early age, heightening their vulnerability to violence.

The highly anticipated soirée was hosted by LGBTQ+ influencer Amber’s Closet, Trans model and musician, Laith Ashley and Trans model, comedian and actress, Arisce Wanzer. Speakers include Brian Michael Smith and Mayor Sepi Shyne, among others. Additionally, the evening featured special performances by Dragula and RuPaul’s Drag Race star, Drag King Landon Cider, LGBTQ+ activist and singer from Istanbul, Iliana Georgi, DJs Daisy O’ Dell, Mike Taylor and more.

For more information: https://equalityfashionweek.com/

ABOUT

NiK KACY

NiK Kacy is the founder of Equality Fashion Week, as well as the first gender equal luxury footwear and accessories brand, NiK Kacy Footwear - an LGBT-certified business enterprise. As a transmasculine individual who identifies as gender non-binary, Kacy’s designs are inspired by both their personal identity, style and activism. Since their successful Kickstarter campaign in March 2015, NiK has been featured in numerous publications including, but not limited to The Advocate, Autostraddle, CNBC, Forbes, Fortune, LA Times, Out, Ozy, PBS NewsHour, Refinery29, Ryot, SheWired, TimeOut, The Huffington Post, and WWD.

PRIDE

ABOUT EQUALITY FASHION WEEK

Equality Fashion Week (EFW) is the 1st and only premiere LGBTQ+ focused Fashion Week in Los Angeles consisting of a 3-day pop-up experience of queer and inclusive designers and vendors starting with an exclusive one-night-only opening gala fashion show during LA Fashion Week in October. equalityfashionweek.com

ABOUT SUNSET

A modern take on Studio 54, Sunset is a modern clubhouse with a dedication to great music located beneath The West Hollywood EDITION. In the spirit of the dozens of iconic clubs that dotted the sunset strip in the 60’s and 70’s, Sunset launched in November 2019 and quickly established itself as an exclusive hedonistic hotspot with regular globally renowned acts performing within the space. Designed for multiple experiences, the destination offers a cocktail bar and lounge, a private room that invokes the feeling of a speakeasy and LA’s most raucous dance floor beneath 400 disco balls.

www.sunsetatedition.com @sunsetatedition

*QTDBIPOC - Queer, Trans, Differently abled, Black, Indigenous & Intersex, People of Color.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION Healthy Living!

JUNE

Cardiac Medications: Why Taking Medications Matters

Presented in partnership with Mended Hearts of Coachella Valley

TH, Jun 8, 6 to 7 p.m.

Thurston Chen, PharmD, Janice Leung, PharmD, and Tingrong Yan, PharmD

To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/Calendar or call 760-423-4855

To join online, visit Zoom.us/j/91339348734

To join by phone, call 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 913 3934 8734

Bariatric Surgery Information

SA, Jun 10, 10 a.m. to noon

Bobby Bhasker-Rao, MD

Board Certified in General Surgery

To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/Calendar or call 760-834-3796

To join online, visit GoToMeeting.com/Join/262589909

To join by phone, call 872-240-3212 and enter meeting ID 262 589 909

A Heart Healthy Life: Staying Well and Recognizing Symptoms

W, Jun 14, 10 to 11 a.m.

Lydia Vincent, RN, and Sheenah Fernandez, RN

To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/Calendar or call 760-423-4855

A Healthier Life is in Your Hands

Scan the QR code with your mobile device to learn more about all of Eisenhower Health’s lectures, events, classes and support groups — many of fering simple online registration.

A Woman’s Guide to Healthy Aging

W, Jun 14, 4 to 5 p.m.

Cari Sudmeier, NP

To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/Calendar or call 760-423-4855.

To join online, visit Zoom.us/j/97589664971

To join by phone, call 669-900-9128 and enter meeting ID 975 8966 4971

The ABCDEs of Melanoma

TH, Jun 15, noon to 1 p.m.

Jaime DeVito, MD

Board Certified in Dermatology

To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/Calendar or call 760-423-4855

Bariatric Surgery Information

TU, Jun 20, 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Jorge A. Almodovar, MD

Board Certified in General Surgery

To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/Calendar or call 760-834-3796

Cancer Transitions –Moving Beyond Treatment: What is Cancer Survivorship?

Selby Dunham Community Lecture Series

TU, Jun 20, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.

Monica Sterling, MSW, and Kelly Mackay, MSW

To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/Calendar or call 760-834-3798.

Bariatric Surgery Information

W, Jun 21, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Bobby Bhasker-Rao, MD

Board Certified in General Surgery

To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/Calendar or call 760-834-3796.

To join online, visit GoToMeeting.com/Join/262589909

To join by phone, call 872-240-3212 and enter meeting ID 262 589 909

Blood Drive

W, Jun 28, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To register online, visit LStream.org/EisenhowerHealth or call 800-879-4484.

Staying Hydrated with Nutrition

W, Jun 28, 10 to 11 a.m.

Johanna Roberts, Registered Dietitian

To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/Calendar or call 760-423-4855.

To join online, visit Zoom.us/j/99417613359

To join by phone, call 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 994 1761 3359

Grocery Shopping and Meal Planning: A Guide for Healthy Eating

W, Jun 28 4 to 5 p.m.

Elizabeth Myers, Registered Dietitian

To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/Calendar or call 760-423-4855

To join online, visit Zoom.us/j/97589664971

To join by phone, call 669-900-9128 and enter meeting ID 975 8966 4971

SUPPORT GROUPS

For information or registration, call the number listed, or visit EisenhowerHealth.org/SupportGroups.

Adults Molested as Children

Every TH, 4 to 5 p.m.

To register, call 760-340-2336

Bariatric Surgery

Second M of month, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

To register, call 760-834-3796

Bereavement

Every W, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/SupportGroups or call 760-674-3618

Breast Cancer Information

Every W, noon to 1 p.m.

To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/SupportGroups or call 760-834-3798

Grupo de Apoyo Contra el Cáncer en Español

El primer y tercer miércoles del mes de 1 a 2 p.m. Llame a 760-773-1426 para confirmar asistencia o para más información.

Mended Hearts

Second TH of month

6 to 8 p.m., Oct to Jun

To register, call 760-770-8390.

Multiple Myeloma and Blood Cancer

First and third TH of month, 3 to 4 p.m.

To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/SupportGroups or call 760-834-3798

To join online, visit Zoom.us/j/99146440280 and enter passcode 874433

To join by phone, call 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 991 4644 0280 and enter passcode 874433

Prostate Cancer Information

First and third M of month noon to 1 p.m.

To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/SupportGroups or call 760-834-3798.

Annenberg Health Sciences Building

Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center

Joslyn Center, Palm Desert

Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center

Eisenhower George and Julia Argyros Health Center, La Quinta

Mizell Center, Palm Springs

Refreshments or meal available

Virtual option

Phone option

DEKKOO SERVES HISTORY, LAUGHS AND LOTS OF DRAMA THIS PRIDE SEASON

BY CONNOR JENKINS

Dekkoo, the first and only subscription streaming service dedicated to gay men, is celebrating Pride month with two original new series.

Historical Homos is executive produced by out movie star Zachary Quinto and uncovers and unloads the most tantalizing dish on some of the great queers of yesteryear. Did you know Socrates, Virginia Woolf, Michelangelo, and Shakespeare were all members of the rainbow tribe? If you didn’t, it’s because for thousands of years, world historians have kept some of the greatest names in civilization in the closet. In Historical Homos, hosts Bash and Donal Brophy prove how queer people have been around for eons, challenging society, serving looks, and living out their deepest fantasies.

Historical Homos premieres on Dekkoo on June 9, with a new episode streaming every Friday through Pride month. The four episodes in the series present a nice spread of L, G, B, and T with the first exploring male homosexuality in Greek Mythology and the second delving into the true story of an 18th century transgender spy and soldier.

Episode three focuses on the little-known bisexual proclivities of William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe and the final show reviews the life and loves of Virginia Woolf, particularly her lesbian affair with Vita Sackville-West.

PRIDE TV

“I wish I knew about these historic queer people as a child,” host Donal Brophy reflects. “It would have been so helpful in my coming out to have heard about positive, creative, intelligent gay people.”

“Our hope is that all viewers – gay and straight – learn to expand what they believe about the past and human sexuality,” says co-host Bash. “That’s one of the most powerful ways to better understand the queer community’s lived experiences and inherited contexts.”

Dekkoos’ second Pride offering is Peckham Mix. Premiering June 15, the lighthearted comedy follows Josh, played by the adorable George Turner, struggling to find new direction in his life after being dumped by his boyfriend. He moves into a new flat on Weston Street

in Peckham, with colorful new roommates who mysteriously leave the house each night. Josh’s curiosity into his roommates’ inexplicable 1am excursions lead him to potentially deadly consequences.

Created and directed by Marco De Luca and produced by Cédric Andries, Peckham Mix explores loss, life’s inescapable changes and the bias many of us carry in our rush to judgements.

Mr. De Luca’s hope is that viewers see that purpose in life comes in many different shapes and forms, and that taking the time to look beneath the surface of the people in our lives can challenge our belief systems and reveal unexpected blessings.

For information on both series, visit Dekkoo.com.

DATE EVENT

June 2 Lizzo in Concert at Acrisure Arena

June 2–4 Outloud Festival / West Hollywood Pride

June 2–11 Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week

June 3 Ross Mathews - I Gotchu Gurl @ Hotel Zoso

June 3 Riverside Pride Gayla – Moulin Rouge!

June 8 Pride is Universal

June 9 LGBTQ Showcase at Caliente Comedy

June 9–11 Splash House June

June 9–11 LA Pride

June 16 LGBTQ Night at Dodger Stadium

June 20–26 Palm Springs International ShortFest

June 24 Big Gay BBQ on Arenas

June 24–25 San Francisco Pride

June 30–July 2 Equality Wine & Food Fest

July 4 4th of July Palm Springs

July 13–23 Outfest LA LGBTQ+ Film Fest

July 14–16 Out in the Vineyard - Gay Wine Weekend

July 15 Artful Event: Mid Summer Dance Party

July 15–16 San Diego Pride & Parade

Aug 5–6 Long Beach Pride

Aug 11–13/18–20 Splash House August Weekends 1 & 2

Aug 18 Out on the Mountain @ Magic Mountain

Sept 10 Riverside’s Inland Empire Pride Festival

Sept 20 Odesza - The Last Goodbye Tour

Sept 20–24 Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend

Sept 23 8th Annual Aging Positively Conference

Sept 28–Oct 1 The Desert Jazz Festival

Oct 5–8 Joshua Tree Fall Music Festival

Oct 7 Pride Under the Pines - Idyllwild

Oct 8

Oct 19–22

Oct 26–29

Oct 29

Nov 3–5

Coachella Valley Filipino Festival

Modernism Week - October

Palm Springs Leather Pride

Palm Springs Halloween on Arenas Road

Palm Springs Pride

Nov 8 Michael Childers' One Night Only

Nov 3–5 Palm Springs Pride

THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE DESERT APPOINTS MIKE THOMPSON AS NEW CEO

BY ROGER ESTRADA

Community Center of the Desert is delighted to announce the return of Mike Thompson as our Executive Director and CEO. Many Coachella Valley localsknow Mike from his previous successful tenure with The Center from 2014 – 2021.

Mike returns to his previous post after a successful stint as Chief Impact Officer at CenterLink, an international network of LGBTQ Community Centers. His abilities as a strategic thinker and know-how for transforming policy into actionable, quantitative campaigns have carried him through a consistent string of lucrative engagements.

Current and interim CEO, Don Zuidema states: “I have had the great honor of serving as Interim CEO of this amazing organization during the last several months while the search committee took on the important task of finding a permanent CEO. I could not be happier to welcome Mike Thompson back into this role. I know I join the staff and the Board of Directors in welcoming Mike back and for this exciting new chapter for The Center.”

Mike is a tribal citizen of the Cherokee Nation, a graduate of The University of Oklahoma, and has a coaching certification from Hendricks Institute. He also holds a nonprofit board consulting certification from BoardSource and serves on the faculty of the Billions Institute where he is also a leadership coach. Mike has received numerous Community Leadership Awards and in 2019 was

named one of “50 People Who Impact the Quality of Life in the Coachella Valley”.

ABOUT THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE DESERT:

With origins as a social club for mature gay and bisexual men, The LGBTQ Center of the Desert has made impressive strides over the past 20+ years. Today the Center facilitates its endeavors to sustain an energetic and diverse community with open arms. Our foundation is built on providing support to ensure a healthy, thriving and equal community that benefits the greater good in our everyday lives. With an invincible staff, a dedicated corps of volunteers and generous donors, the Center offers social and educational programs, annual events, health and wellness services for multi-race and multi-generational clients throughout the Coachella Valley with offices located in Palm Springs and Coachella. Our mission is to create an open and welcoming environment for all members of the LGBTQ+ community.

For the latest updates follow @thecentercv on social media and our website www.thecentercv.org For more information:

Roger Estrada, Director of Communications LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert 760-416-7790 roger@thecentercv.org

EQUALITY WINE FEST >>

What if a bottle of wine represented something bigger, something more important than just a bottle of wine?

The Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs, in association with Montage Events and LGBT+ Wine Society is excited to announce this first of its kind event in Palm Springs, Equality Wine Fest on July 1, 2023. Featuring top LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and Women owned, managed, and/or produced wines. This exciting Wine Focused tasting event will be held inside the Margaritaville Resort Compass Rose Grand Ballroom in Palm Springs, California, and will feature some of the top wine producers in the US, local restaurateurs, artists’ showcase, retail pop-up shops, and silent auction. Charity beneficiaries include Give Kids the World Village, Brothers of the Desert, and the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert.

Equality Wine Fest will gather winemakers, industry professionals, celebrity chefs, vendors, and enthusiasts alike to learn and appreciate great wine and food, all while celebrating and supporting diversity. Festival goers will enjoy wine tastings of 60+ wine varietals and food samples, along with music, educational speakers, demonstrations, silent auction, and VIP experiences, all creating an environment that fosters community among everyone involved in enjoying every sip and taste.

The VIP Grand Tasting (12pm to 4pm) presented by Iron Horse Vineyards, begins one hour before general admission and includes an exclusive talk and meet & greet with Jim Obergefell (Equality Vines Co-Founder and civil rights activist who was the lead plaintiff in the

2015 U.S. Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage throughout the US), EXCLUSIVE Iron Horse Vineyards VIP tasting, exclusive VIP Gift Bag, and early access to all the sips and bites, along with a Souvenir Wine Glass, Program Book, and entrance to all pop-ups, silent auction, demonstrations, and talks.

Joining Jim Obergefell will be Celebrity Chef Andre Carthen (“The Fit Chef” as featured in Kathy Ireland’s many books, and coauthor with Janet Jackson of NY Times #1 Best Seller “True You”), bringing his culinary gifts to the stage. Chef Betty Berrysmith from B’s Table, a Coachella Valley staple, will bring her Southern inspiration. Wabi Sabi Japan Living founders Osamu Sagara and Darell Baum will demonstrate a traditional Japanese recipe, along with Sake tasting. Additional speakers continue to be added to the lineup.

The weekend will also include a Saturday evening Winemaker Dinner and Sunday Champagne Brunch.

Walter Clark Legal Group’s Safe Ride Home Program will be in effect for EQUALITY WINE FEST. When drivers who have become impaired by alcohol choose to take a cab, Uber, or Lyft ride home instead of getting behind the wheel of their car, Walter Clark Legal Group will reimburse their fare for the ride home.

*Registration is required.

Visit www.EqualityWineFest.com for tickets and detailed information.

PERSPECTIVE

FINDING YOURSELF

BY JILL LANGHAM

Hello everyone and happy Summer! I will be celebrating my 68th birthday in three weeks which happens to the first day of Summer. With these years comes a form of wisdom that allows me to be so grateful for all that I have in my life. One of the biggest things that I am grateful for is all of you. You have given me so much in the last 19 years that I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like had I not heard those powerful words which said, “Move to Palm Springs and train Gay Men!” It was to be both my epiphany and mission statement and has forever changed my life.

Part of that change is my ability to be up close and personal with all of you. This takes on many forms whether it be in conversation, a hug, a touch on the arm, an embrace (a longer hug), a kiss or just a smile. I say this because I had recently read an article about a young influencer, whatever that really means, who is a 21-year-old girl, who with a team of experts made her into an AI. She advertises that she will be your girlfriend for $1. To date she has already made something like $72K!

I find myself being appalled by this notion. Human touch is the one last thing that separates us from the BOT world and now for just $1 you can have a girlfriend who will tell you anything you want to hear and supposedly you will be better for it. Look, I have spent the last 10 years as a single woman having only had 3 dates during that time, so I know what deprivation feels like. Prior to that I was in a marriage of 13 years that left me feeling alone, a five-year relationship that was sex-less and a brief 18-month marriage that was not satisfying, so I know loneliness. But I have never stopped believing that there is and will be someone out there who is my equal and I’m afraid that if I were to go the way of AI that I would lose that hope.

For me a world without hope is doomed for destruction and there is enough of that message everywhere I look. In reflecting on the three relationships that I mentioned above, I now see how unprepared I was to have a true and intimate connection with a man and needed all three of those experiences and examples to move

towards a more meaningful co-mingling with the opposite sex, my preference, not particularly yours! :) LOL

I grew up in a family filled with loneliness even though I had 2 brothers, a sister and both parents living under one roof. But we were not close. Family dinners which were mandatory were anything but pleasant and I’m sure were the source of my eating disorders. I did not learn how to communicate at home as we were told that children were to be seen and not heard. I did not learn intimacy from my parents as they had not learned it from theirs’s. We are a total of all the experiences that we grew up around and sadly in my case, I grew up being bullied.

I then became a Bully in school, without having any understanding or appreciation for why I did what I did. I relentlessly bullied one boy, whom I hope will be at my 50-year high school reunion later this year. I owe him a huge apology and only hope that he will find it his heart to forgive me. Deep inside I knew that what I was doing was wrong, but I really did not know how to stop myself. And when all the other kids around were laughing at what I was doing, I guess it gave me the permission that I needed to continue my behavior.

The bullying then became self-directed and turned into selfloathing. You see I had so much inside of me to fix that there was no way I was going to have a successful relationship with anyone else until I had one with myself. So, for the next 40 years, I began the process of learning about myself, which of course continues today.

Most of you know that I was sober for 10 years in an attempt to find and understand myself and to begin to deal with not only issues of incest and rape, but also a relationship which included being physically abused. Can you say self-hatred? I was so lost and so empty that there was no way I could have had a successful relationship with anyone else. I needed to fix me first. I think that if there had been an AI for me to have had a “relationship” with at any point along the way it would have prevented me from finding the authentic version of myself. But that’s just my perspective!

What’s yours?

XOXO, Jill, your non-AI Dancing Queen

Let’s talk steaks. Steaks that are tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Perfectly aged, hand-trimmed, one-of-a-kind steaks that are GUARANTEED to be perfect, every single time. These aren’t just steaks. These are Omaha Steaks. THE

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH QUEER AUTHOR MARISSA ALMA NICK

BY MONA ELYAFI

Rebel In Venus takes place over one ‘girl’s night in’ spent between best friends, Maria and Layla. Over the course of the witty and unexpected evening, Layla’s memory is jolted, and her once carefully repressed past begins to return to her, triggering a sequence of events that ultimately jeopardizes Layla’s unconventional life. In REBEL IN VENUS, the bold, and sometimes brutally honest stories that unfold, are filled with sexual revelations, high-school humiliations, unwanted pregnancies, unwavering friendships, sex work, divorce, and loss. As the confessions unfold, Layla’s anguished past starts to crystallize and challenges the strength of her friendship with Maria, as well as Layla’s own life. Will Layla learn to save herself in time? Or will her past win over her ability to see a future?

Rebel in Venus is a book that illuminates queer experiences with an authentic perspective on emerging concerns including trauma, mental health, sexual assault, abuse culture, and gaslighting.

Marissa Alma Nick graduated from the New World School of the Arts, received her BFA from the University of South Florida, and was selected for the Creative Capital Continued Education Program (host: Miami Dade Department of Cultural Affairs). She’s moved to Los Angeles straight out of college, and signed to MSA dance agency where she worked as a freelance dancer in various music videos, commercials, tv shows, and movies. Then in 2012, Marissa moved back to Miami to start her own dance-theatre company Alma Dance Theater and became the founding artistic director for the festival: ScreenDance Miami. While in Miami she’s been an adjunct professor for the University of Miami’s Musical Theater Department and has produced, choreographed, and directed live shows for Art Basel Miami, Faena Miami, Tigertail Productions, Vizcaya Museum, Perez Art Museum, Showfields Miami, and Together Arts.

In 2018 Marissa began working on her most personal project: REBEL IN VENUS, inspired by her own awakening to her sexual trauma and the reckoning that came with it. REBEL IN VENUS is both a live show (that premiered in Miami in December 2019); and a novel, which she started writing in 2020 and is being publishing now.

We caught up with the renaissance woman to talk about her extraordinary journey leading to the release of her debut novel.

Queer author, Marissa Alma Nick is kicking off Pride Month with the release of her debut novel, Rebel In Venus, on Amazon and other online platforms.

Q&A

What Does Rebel in Venus mean? How did you come up with the title for the book?

The title, Rebel In Venus, is a message. It’s saying that there is more than one way to define what it means to be a goddess - a goddess being someone who moves in the feminine divine. A goddess might be messy, not white, not born with a vagina, they or she may make mistakes… many times. A goddess fights for herself, she loves herself, and she may not make babies. She or they may not be soft, or docile in nature. She might not identify as she, and they might be queer. They might be loud, expressive, and feisty. They may love having sex… a lot, for the sake of pleasuring themselves. And right now, at this very moment… a goddess might be wondering in the dark before she can even stumble into her own light. Basically, it’s saying there’s more than one way to be a goddess.

For those unfamiliar with the novel can you briefly describe what the book is about?

The formal summary: Rebel In Venus takes place over one ‘girl’s night in’ spent between best friends, Maria and Layla. Over the course of the witty and unexpected evening, Layla’s memory is jolted, and her once carefully repressed past begins to return to her, triggering a sequence of events that ultimately jeopardizes Layla’s unconventional life. In Rebel In Venus, the bold, and sometimes brutally honest stories that unfold, are filled with sexual revelations, high-school humiliations, unwanted pregnancies, unwavering friendships, sex work, divorce, and loss. As the confessions unfold, Layla’s anguished past starts to crystallize and challenges the strength of her friendship with Maria, as well as Layla’s own life. Will Layla learn to save herself in time? Or will her past win over her ability to see a future?

Q&A

My personal description: Rebel In Venus is a coming-of-age story, about a woman who is realizing she can no longer outrun herself, and it’s also a platonic love-story, and a testament to friendship.

Rebel in Venus is categorized as a novel, yet it seems very personal - would you say it is semi-autobiographical?

Yeah, that’s pretty accurate. I’ve always been the type of artist to draw inspiration from my own life. Even as a choreographer, there have always been clear parallels in the art I make, to what is happening in my own life. When both of my grandmothers passed from Alzheimer’s, I created a show called Flowers… because I would bring them flowers in their final years, and it was the last thing that jolted their memories in the end. Or the show Cask, inspired by the murderous short story, “Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe… which I created, while in the height of one of my most abusive romantic relationships. I mean, art has been my therapist, and saved my life… more than once. So yes, A LOT of my own life experiences, as Marissa, are most defiantly present in Layla’s story… in Rebel In Venus.

Which detail were you most apprehensive to share? Why?

Being a sex-worker, and the abortion. Claiming, and owning that you are or were a sex-worker is not trending. So that took some deep breathing. I mean bullying anyone about anything is next level these days… thanks to our incredibly determined thumbs.

Yet, despite my fears of some people “coming for me”, it was imperative that I did write sex-work into Layla’s journey of selfdiscovery, because I wanted to write about that line of work, and that environment from a very specific point of view. The entire book is not about sex-work, but there is a portion and time in Layla’s life when she embarks in that world. And it was important to me, given the rest of the subject matter, that the world and its other workers were written about with a certain amount of care, humanity, nuance, empathy… and even respect. And I felt I was equipped to do this, because I have been a sex-worker, and some of closest friends still work in the industry today.

On the other hand, the abortion portion made me apprehensive because I was writing this book while living in Florida. And well… I got my own abortion in Florida, right before the ban. So, abortion anything… and declaring the choice to have one, and even feeling not guilty, or hung up on it… is even more radical, because… yeah… again, its 2023 and it’s a terrifying climate for abortions, and the

right for women, and trans people to make a legal choice about their body. In fact, I predict this book could get banned in certain states, and at certain schools… because of the current abortion political climate. And that, is a wild thought to be having, while writing a book in America… predominately for, Americans. Free speech is an interesting topic these days, right?

The book does a really great job of laying out very contemporary topics such as mental health, sexual harassment, and self-acceptance. What do you think needs to change about the way we approach all these issues in America?

Thank you, that means a lot because those are the intended themes, and topics in the book. Also, answering that questions feels like a lot of responsibility, so I want to be careful…

I think we need to listen more. Care about the needs, and experiences of others because we’re forgetting about the ripple effect, we all have on each other, especially when we stop listening.

I think we need to remove the filter and stop presenting to each other.

I think we need to hang out in person more, but for reasons beyond going to a party, taking photos, or escaping.

I think we need to learn how to ask each other “How are you?” - and stop responding with “I’m fine.”, especially when we’re not at all fine.

I think a lot of us are scared to feel like a burden, and we’re not talking about what we need to talk about… like: “How are you feeling?” - “What do you need to make it through today?”- “Are you okay?”

I think we need to learn to be okay to say out loud: “I am not okay. Can you help me? Please.”

And when someone says that we need to learn better how to respond with compassion.

I think we need to re-brand ourselves on a human-to-human level.

We need to embrace the strength in creating bold, honest, and vulnerable relationships with others, and really make time for others… especially when it has nothing to do with money.

I mean, we as American’s are capitalists, and so naturally we all lean a little word self-serving.

So, I think we can afford do a little more of the opposite.

I say all this because there are so many systemic issues, beyond our own individual control, and I personally battle with feeling hopeless, and despondent about the things hurting other humans, and

our earth… that I can’t directly help, the way I’d like to. So, I turn to the power that is in each of us. Our human connection. I think we are all pretending to be a little “too perfect” right now, because I think we (myself very included) are scared to admit… that we aren’t really that okay. And I think that unrealistic pressure is creating a disconnect from each other, and that … we each have the power to change.

In 2019 you premiered the show Rebel in Venus. Then in 2023 you’re publishing the book. Can you walk me through what happened to get you from one to the other?

It was not planned. I didn’t even plan to veer out of my lane of dancer/choreographer…

In October of 2019, I premiered a show I had been working on called Rebel In Venus. It was inspired by the #metoo movement, and the memories I was starting to recall from my own sexual childhood abuse. Then a few months later, in December of 2019 (while performing), my right meniscus tore, and required an emergency surgery (where I was told I’d be in crutches, and non-weight baring, for three months). Then a couple weeks later, on January 1, my best friend committed suicide. That, plus the death of my own naive belief that my body was invisible… just took me out. My world was upside down, and a couple months later, because of the pandemic, the worlds world was upside down, too. To be honest, I was sinking into my darkest days, while I wrote this book. I even was actively in therapy for CPTSD , while I wrote this book. So, I started writing because I had to. I needed to give myself a purpose, or I was going to kill myself… and I’m not saying that hyperbolically, I’m saying that quite literally. So, for three years, I kept on writing, and the more Layla’s the story crystalized… that’s when I really realized this was really Rebel In Venus, in novel form. So, I gave the title of my show, to my book.

Why was it important for you to write this book?

After I lost my best-friend to suicide, I almost lost myself the same way. And honestly, representation matters… even the representation of someone living with shame. The shame of depression, the shame of being abused, the shame of feeling like something is wrong with you, just because you exist… so much shame. I know that my best friend, and I weren’t and aren’t the only ones living with the weight of it. So, it became important that I wrote a book that gives a voice to those people, my people. And in hopes that, by seeing themselves in this newly fashioned hero, the readers feel empowered, visible, and know that they are not a burden.

As a LGBTQ+ author, in what way is this book the best vessel for self-understanding and articulating feelings part of your queer experience? Well I did not want the book to read as though Layla is queer, because she’s been sexually abused. I always found that argument dismissive of both of my own personal experiences with being queer, and a survivor of abuse. One has nothing to do with other. They never have, and they never will. So that was something I hope was translated in the book.

Also, I really wanted to display that queer people, can, and do, have healthy non-sexual relationships, ones that have nothing to do with sex. I’m talking about the friendship between Layla, and her best friend Maria. And I mean, I love sex! But representation matters… and there are still few stories in mainstream media about queer people, without their queer sex-lives being the driving force of the narrative. Though I love, very much love those stories, I’m also curious about the other dimension of those human beings. And what

ALL PHOTOS BY JADE LILLY

Q&A

if being queer, can be as nonchalant a part of the protagonist’s character, just like if they were written as a heterosexual one? As queer people, we have often felt as though we must over-explain our selves… and justify our own existence… which, can sometimes also lead to internalized homophobic shame. So, when writing, I just wanted to give Layla the chance to live in a world where being queer wasn’t too big of a deal or needed to be overly discussed.

How do you think LGBTQ+ representation in books has improved or expanded in recent years?

I keep saying to the Gen-Zer’s in my life, that I am a little jealous of them. But it’s true, just on TikTok alone, there’s several, entire accounts, with thousands, upon thousands of followers, dedicated to sharing queer literature. And I remember when I came out in college (2005), I went to the school library, at the University of South Florida, and went to LGBTQ+ section. It was a narrow, VERY NAROW, five shelf section. I know for a fact there’s more than that now!

So… I think it has expanded, and improved. It’s not in hiding, and it’s not banned… yet, or again.

That’s so weird to say. But very real. Again, I’m currently in Florida.

So, I hope we continue to expand, especially in this very unsafe climate that queer people are experiencing right now. Yes, there are still obvious limitations… like a book with a queer, and leading protagonist, is not your common New York Times Bestseller… but maybe that’s more systematic? I wonder. So, I’d like us to break down that barrier…. and more than once! One is NOT enough. On the other hand, reading about queer characters, written by heterosexual writers… in New York Times Bestseller’s… that also warms me, even though they are secondary characters, or secondary to secondary characters… and sometimes even a little misguided…they are at least starting to show up. So maybe not as much, or as fast as I’d like to read… but I do think it’s apparent (for now), that we have made some progress.

Though I’d love more.

Wouldn’t you?

What is the one question you wish I had asked you and didn’t?

Q: Why did you choose to independently publish?

A: Two reasons:

The publishers and literary agents I submitted to rejected me. I really believe in Layla’s story.

For more information go to: https://www.rebelinvenus.com/

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