TheStandard vol6 issue9

ECHO V // REACHING FOR THE RAINBOW

LIZ BAXTER // FROM LOVE CONNECTION TO FEMALE CONNECTION JONATHAN SHUFFIELD // QUEER, FORTY & AMAZING SEPTEMBER 2018 // VOLUME 6 ISSUE 9 // THESTANDARDPS.COM

CONTENTS VOLUME 6, ISSUE 9

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ALICE TEMPLE PAGE 13

Volume 6 Issue 9 COVER ECHO V REACHING FOR THE “RAINBOW” FEATURE THE POWER OF A WOMAN TRANS SUPERWOMAN LAUREN FOSTER FILM LIZ BAXTER: FROM “LOVE CONNECTION” TO “FEMALE CONNECTION” PSP FOCUS PS PRIDE HONORS RECOGNIZING LOCAL RESIDENTS PERSPECTIVE JONATHAN SHUFFIELD QUEER, FORTY & AMAZING

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COMMENTARY

The Standard Magazine PO Box 2074, Palm Springs, CA 92263 760.831.4869 Nino Eilets Publisher Luciano McNulty Editor Maya Kalabic Art Director PHOTOGRAPHER David A. Lee CONTRIBUTORS Steven Boyce, Jeff Dorta, Dann Foley, Michael Khordoc, Jill Langham, Connor Pondavis, Christina Vronay Ruggles, Martha Tang, Terri Schlichenmeyer & Jonathan Shuffield www.thestandardps.com EDITORIAL CREDITS :

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COVER

THE BOYS OF ECHO V REACH FOR THE “RAINBOW”

BY JEFF DORTA

PHOTO BY BERNARD MESA

Jay, Mike, Randy, Devin and Gama are ECHO V, five guys with distinct, echoing voices that combine to create one beautiful sound.

By all outward appearances, they seem to be the typical boyband with good looks, lush harmonies and killer choreography, but they have one important difference: they’re all gay. Their debut single, “Rainbow,” reflects their decision to be out about their sexuality.

While it is a fun, high energy pop anthem with an explosive hook that will get listeners dancing and singing, it also has an important message. “Be proud,” explains Jay. “Our hope is that the song inspires people to stand up and claim their truth, be happy with who they are and find comfort in the fact that they are not alone.” ECHO V’s “Rainbow” is available via the band’s website. The music video is on YouTube.

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“The narrative in ‘Rainbow’ is personal,” Jay continues from the Los Angeles studio where the band recorded the song. “It kind of came from a place deep within that was filled with despair and even frustration. The first few lines of the song are about finding yourself.

It then continues with how the struggle to conform to society’s standards can be harmful to some. In the second verse, there is a moment of acceptance and defiance where we come to terms with how this one life is for us and not for them.”

“Rainbow is about unapologetically owning your multifacetedness and realizing that you have to live for yourself. It’s a journey to self-discovery and the strength it takes to live life in the open, day in and out.”

PHOTO BY BERNARD MESA

Part of what the boys of ECHO V are hoping to break is the stereotype that being an out, gay musician is a nail in the coffin of an artist’s career. In 2018, the entertainment industry is more vibrant than ever with the mainstream success of television shows like Queer Eye and RuPaul’s Drag Race; but there is still progress to be made, especially in the music arena. “We hope our album can be enjoyed by all regardless of age, gender, sexuality or race because art and creation is universal,” says Mike.

“It seemed only fitting that a song called ‘Rainbow’ show a rainbow of people,” he explains.

Mike was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Rhode Island when he was 10. He grew up in a typical working-middle class household with his parents fully supporting his love for music and financing his hopes and dreams the best they could, for which he is extremely grateful. Unfortunately, they weren’t as supportive of their son being gay.

Jay, (from Sanford, NC), Gama, (Mexico), Randy (Denver) and Devin, a self-described musical theater nerd who grew up in central Florida, also experienced difficulty with family after coming out to them. “My mother would be a lot happier if I were not gay,” admits Jay. But their relationship is strong today and she remains very supportive of his music.

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COVER

PHOTO BY MAX MGEM

Gama, Randy and Devin also say their relationships with family have gotten better.

The five were united by their management who were looking to build the next generation of boy band. At first, management didn’t know the group they had assembled were all gay. It was the guys that realized it after coming together. They and management decided to go with it. “At the end of the day we are musicians who take a great pride in the art we create,” Jay explains. “We want listeners to be proud of who they are and there is no other way for

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us to do that other than to be honest with who we are.”

Says Mike, “I hope listeners find something fresh in ECHO V. Something different.”

“Is it over zealous to hope they find the voice of a generation?” he questions, with a grin.

Visit http://www.echovmusic.info Follow ECHOV on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @echovmusic

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COVER|INTERVIEW

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN

BY CONNOR PONDAVIS

The boys of Echo V made their Palm Springs debut at last year’s Pride. Jay, Mike, Randy, Devin and Gama wowed the crowd with their good looks, killer choreography, and distinct, beautiful sound.

“It was an amazing experience, but also a comedy of errors,” remembers Mike.

“Right as we were going on stage for the performance, we realized we had forgotten a mic in the van! One of the guys went to get the mic, came back and then we realized we forgot a pair of headphones, then a wire… Every five minutes, a different member of Echo V was running back to the van. In hindsight, it’s funny as hell. Like how many gay boyband members does it take to put on a pride show.”

They’ve spent the year working on their debut album, The Rainbow EP, out this month. The title track is a fun, high energy pop anthem that reflects on their decision to be out about their sexuality. “In 2018, the entertainment industry is more vibrant than ever but there is still progress to be made, especially in the music arena. We hope our album can be enjoyed by all regardless of age, gender, sexuality or race because art and creation is universal,” Mike says.

The guys will also be back in Palm Springs for this November’s Pride, and Randy, especially, can’t wait. “I’m so excited to go back to Trios, my favorite restaurant! The food is so good.”

We spoke with all the boys of Echo V to learn what Pride means for the first openly gay boyband.

DEVIN What does Pride mean to you?

Devin: To me, Pride simply means being proud of who you are. No one can tell you what you can be.

When did you first realize you were gay?

Devin: I figured out I was attracted to men when I was in the 3rd grade, but it was around freshman year of high school that I started to come to terms with it. I didn’t fully identify as gay until about five years ago.

Tell us about your coming out experience.

Devin: Honestly, I can’t remember the very first person I came out to. I wasn’t very good at hiding things when I was young, so a lot of time I would say something or do something to completely blow my straight cover. A very interesting challenge I faced while coming out was trying to keep track of who I told and who I didn’t, as to not out myself to people who I wasn’t comfortable telling yet. I chose to tell my friends and some close family members first. It was years later before I told my parents and began introducing myself as gay.

Does it get better?

Devin: Life is better, period, when you can

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feel free enough to express exactly who you are at any given time, without hesitation of judgment or ridicule!

What is your message to fans this Pride?

Devin: My message to everyone at this year’s Pride is be proud of who you are and live your best life. Be the Rainbow; and spread your lovely colors all over the world.

RANDY What does Pride mean to you?

Randy: Pride is letting your true self shine.

Taking ownership of who you are without being egotistical and without worries of what others may think.

When did you first realize you were gay?

Randy: When I started having crushes on boy classmates in middle school.

Tell us about your coming out experience.

Randy: I came out to my mom first. She was shocked and thought it was a phase I’d get over but years later, I’m still in this fabulous phase. Luckily, mom has always supported me.

Does it get better?

Randy:Yes, it does. Stay strong and keep walking with pride ’til you reach the greener side.

What is your message to fans this Pride?

Randy: Be kind. Know that we all have the power to create our own reality, and that our mind is capable of so much more. 11:11 GAMA What does Pride mean to you?

Gama: Pride means being proud of who you are and where you come from.

When did you first realize you were gay?

Gama: I always kinda knew, but it became crystal clear when I was attracted to all the boys on the high school soccer team.

Tell us about your coming out experience.

Gama: It was way better than I thought it would be. I told my siblings first and they were cool with it.

Does it get better?

Gama: It gets better once you learn to love yourself just the way you are.

What is your message to fans this Pride?

Gama: I want to tell everyone out there to go after their dreams, no matter what they are. Even the impossible is possible.

MIKE What does Pride mean to you?

Mike: Pride means celebrating inclusion and self-acceptance and it’s also a kind of renewal for the year to come.

When did you first realize you were gay?

Mike: I guess you don’t really understand straight vs. gay until you understand sexuality and you don’t really understand sexuality until sometime after puberty when all that stuff gets turned on for real in our bodies.

I became fully aware of it in high school at around 15 or 16 years old.

Tell us about your coming out experience.

Mike: The first person I came out to was my best friend who I had known since I was ten.

My family were some of the last people I told.

They terrified me. I was afraid I’d be thrown out. Although that didn’t happen, my parents’ reaction was still less than ideal. I’m not sure they will ever fully come to peace with it.

community for making this country the type of place where we can openly celebrate who we are.

When did you first realize you were gay?

Jay: My first crush was on a boy in day care. Then, when I was 11 years old, I was watching Queer as Folk and there was a scene when Brian is rimming Justin and then they have sex. By the time the episode ended, there were no doubts.

Tell us about your coming out experience.

Jay: The first time I tried to come out to my mother, she ignored it for a year. When I was 14, I decided to be bolder and shout it at her.

She reacted by punching me and crying.

Does it get better?

Mike: I have found a community of friends that make everything better. I’m very lucky to have that, and I truly hope for anyone struggling with their sexuality to find that as well.

Does it get better?

Jay: My relationship with my mother is much better now. She has even tried to adopt politically correct terminology. It’s so heartwarming to know that she cares.

What is your message to fans this Pride?

Mike: Don’t become jaded or complacent with all that’s happening in our country and in the world politically, culturally and systemically. Change is possible but only if we make it happen together.

What is your message to fans this Pride?

Jay: Celebrate who you are, unapologetically.

JAY What does Pride mean to you?

Jay: Pride means giving thanks to the

Echo V’s “The Rainbow EP” is out now. Visit https://www.echovmusic.com

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FEATURE

INDIE-ROCKER ALICE TEMPLE RELEASES HER LONGAWAITED ALBUM, “THE END”

BY JEFF DORTA

Nearly thirty years after the release of 24 Years of Hunger, an album AllMusic described as “one of the finest, most refined and fully realized recordings of the era,” alternative rocker Alice Temple makes her triumphant return to music with The End. In it, Alice delivers a searing new set of self-produced and performed, soul-baring indie pop tracks, all with her venerable, take-no-prisoners bite. ”The concept for making The End was simple,” explains Alice. “Just me in my bedroom writing songs about how I was feeling at the moment.

That goes for the style of each song as well. It’s all about moods and feelings. The overall sound of the album is eclectic; home-made; heartfelt.” The End is being released through Brooklyn indie, Peace Bisquit, and is available for purchase iTunes, Amazon, and all other major retailers, as well as through streaming on Pandora and Spotify.

“The End is very much the sound of a fearless queer woman who has been through some stuff and is not afraid to confess it,” says Bill Coleman of Peace Bisquit. “It’s gritty, alternative and ruminating with a dark night of the soul undercurrent. Not dissimilar to other strong female artists like PJ Harvey, Courtney Barnett, Marianne Faithfull or Aimee Mann. Most importantly, The End has lots and lots of heart. It’s our pleasure to share Alice’s album and hopefully not only give her older fans something fresh to relish — she sounds as good as ever— but introduce her music and legacy to a whole legion of new ears.”

“Music takes me somewhere nothing else can,” reflects Alice. “I get totally lost in it and am able to create a better world in my head.

99% of my songs are autobiographical and about what was going on for me at the time while writing each one. I don’t consider myself a proper singer — and can be overly critical of my work — but I found a way to get the best out of my voice; and someone’s got to sing them! It matters that I put everything of me that I can into each song, otherwise it feels false.”

The first two focus cuts from the album will be “Move Me” and “I Grab My Keys”. “Move Me” is a churning, minimal, stomp of a song about being attracted to someone out of the norm. “I Grab My Keys” is a slightly hypnotic, new wave-ish dance track, set to an undeniable groove, about the end of a relationship. Together, the two songs act as jammy bookends to the story of a relationship.

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FEATURE A Londoner by birth, Alice Temple is known for a number of things. She was an ’80’s club kid staple and friend of Boy George.

They were part of London’s Blitz Kids, which is credited with launching the New Romantic cultural movement and groups like Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Spandau Ballet, Billy Idol and Visage. She was in the music video for Culture Club’s 1986 single, “Move Away” and is believed to be the subject of George’s 1988 song, “A Boy Called Alice” in which she can be heard in the background, declaring “My name’s Alice and I am not a boy”.

Alice is also notable for being the first female UK and European BMX champion, as well as a top fashion model shot by the world’s finest photographers such as Mario Testino and Bruce Weber. She also had a well-publicized relationship with American model Rachel Williams.

Alice began her music career with collaborator Eg White (Adele, Florence & The Machine, Kylie Minogue). Their project, Eg and Alice, released only one album, 1991’s acclaimed 24 Years of Hunger. Q Magazine has since named the album one of the ‘Best of the 20th Century’.

She then caught the attention of tastemaker James Lavelle, one half of trip hop pioneers, UNKLE, alongside DJ Shadow. Alice was brought in to contribute “Bloodstain” to their critically-lauded 1998 album, Psyence Fiction, which also featured Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, Badly Drawn Boy and Richard Ashcroft of The Verve. She returned to working with Eg and together they produced her 1999 solo debut, Hang Over, released on V2. Alice’s second solo album, Be With You in A Minute was released in 2008 independently.

The End is Alice Temple’s first collaboration with Peace Bisquit.

“Peace Bisquit is a small but passionate indie label,” explains Coleman. “It’s important for us to not be steered by current trends but to support our music community and its diversity. That includes a policy of ‘No Ageism.’ An artist like Alice deserves to have her story told and her music available.”

The End is being released through Brooklyn indie, Peace Bisquit and is available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, and all other major retailers, as well as through streaming on Pandora and Spotify. The album also includes a couple favorite selections from Alice’s out of print album, Be With You In A Minute.

FOLLOW ALICE TEMPLE FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AliceTempleOfficial/ TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/alicetemple INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/alicetemple/ SPOTIFY: https://artists.spotify.com/c/ artist/0rk4UQWQEjlUGTaNraBsPY/profile#about YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu7K4iTGsXmeW_ Qld9E81Aw

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FEATURE

THE POWER OF A WOMAN

BY STEVEN BOYCE

Lauren Foster is the first trans woman to be honored by Variety Magazine as a Woman of Empowerment. “It’s an incredible honor,” says the supermodel and LGBTQ Activist. “It is one of those delights that tells me that I’m on the correct life path.”

Lauren believes she’s lived two lives. Her second path began at 18, when, with the full support of her loving parents and family, she transitioned into a woman. It was the early ‘80s and Lauren was just beginning to experience success as a fashion model. Worried her truth might stunt her burgeoning career, she chose to live stealth; a trans-term that refers to a person who passes as their desired gender and lives in secret. It all came to a head, however, when after appearing in Vogue, a rival model outed Lauren as transgender in the pages of the supermarket tabloid, National Enquirer. “Vogue Model Used To Be a Man,” read the magazine’s headline.

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“I literally stared at the Enquirer and cried and locked myself in my apartment for a week,” remembers Lauren. “I couldn’t tell anyone why I was upset because then I would out myself again. I had counted on living my entire life with my secret but now the world knew. It felt like a violation.”

She thought it meant the end of her career, but it wasn’t. She continued modeling. She also proved herself an actress in Circuit and Joseph Lally’s provocative and artistic films, Faces and Miss America Commits Suicide. She then found success throwing rave parties, working alongside Jeffrey Sanker, the most powerful promoter in the underground party circuit, and eventually began managing club music artists like DJ Paolo, Tracy Young and even Grace Jones. Most recently, Lauren starred on Real Housewives of Miami, becoming the first transgender woman to appear regularly on the franchise.

“The world today is so much more accepting,” she reflects now from her Miami home. “The trans community is experiencing a whole renaissance, so to speak. Especially with the millennial generation, the whole idea of fluid gender doesn’t faze them. It’s probably why some of my best relationships have been with men in their 20s and 30s.”

She jests, of course, but you know what they say; there’s a grain of truth in every joke. Lauren Foster is often compared to Samantha Jones from Sex and the City. Like Jones, she is a bold, sexually liberated, powerfully independent woman who has never been reliant on anyone or anything for success and happiness. “Samantha lived her life the way she wanted to live it. So I appreciate the comparison, but they should have called me when they wrote the script. My input would have made Samantha way wilder.”

To trans youth coming of age, Lauren advises they learn and appreciate their herstory. “We’ve come a long way, baby!”

To the cisgender community who are finally coming to terms with the rise of trans, she advises they keep an open mind and understand that ultimately everyone wants the same thing.

As for her future, it is shining brighter than ever. She is Director of the LGBTQ Clinic at the University of Miami where she works with trans patients. She also continues to act and model. She is fun, exciting, reckless, adventurous, a risk taker, and now, a recognized Woman of Empowerment.

“It’s a great time to be me and my being able to acknowledge that, itself, is a blessing.”

Instagram: thelaurenfoster | Facebook: ElectronicBlonde Twitter: thelaurenfoster

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B E N E F I T I N G

FILM

LIZ BAXTER: FROM “LOVE CONNECTION” TO “FEMALE CONNECTION”

BY MICHEL KHORDOC

Liz Baxter broke ground and made history last year being the first openly lesbian contestant on the iconic game show Love Connection airing on Fox. The show was re- booted last summer with Andy Cohen and featured Liz searching for love in the LA lesbian scene. Baxter’s personal experience and interest in filmmaking inspired the short film “Female Connection”.

The short tells the story of Liz, an out lesbian, and Kylie (played

by Tennile Goosic), a questioning heterosexual, who are neighbors.

When they first meet, there is an undeniable attraction between them.

Their chemistry is immediately apparent even to Kylie’s boyfriend Matt. The two girls fall in love and Matt is soon out of the picture.

But despite all their passion, Kylie continually pulls away, fighting the

reality that she is in love with a woman. In the end, Kylie’s fear of disappointing her family is too great and she leaves Liz. Now, she must live with heartache of true love lost.

Directed by Adrienne Levy and written by Baxter, “Female Connection” exposes the idea that when you give into fear, all is lost.

“Female Connection” already set to screen at a variety of upcoming film festivals” including Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival ( September 20 - 23, 2018); Outflix Film Festival in Memphis, TN ( Sept 7 -13); Florence Queer Festival in Italy (Oct 2-7); and The Barcelona International LGBTQ Film Festival (Oct 18-28).

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FILM

In the meantime, The Standard caught up with the talented trailblazing Indianapolis native to talk about the short, love and LGBTQ representation in front and behind the camera.

vision come to life!! I had an idea and she made it a reality. I am so incredibly lucky to have known her and had the chance to see how she creates a story through film.

What was your inspiration for making this film?

A similar personal experience inspired this film. I’m pretty sure every lesbian has experienced heartbreak because of someone not being ready to “show up”. I love this story because it’s so relatable but also because it shows the both sides of the heartbreak. I certainly dealt with the pain of losing someone I loved but the one who seems to be doing the heartbreaking deals with long lasting pain as well.

“What if’s” can be brutal! When you are being true to yourself and putting yourself out there, you might get crushed momentarily but it just makes the way for someone who is READY and on the same page. The director, Adrienne Levy, was the force behind making my

Why do you feel this was an important story to tell?

It’s so important for LGBTQ stories to continue to be told. Our hearts are broken, and we feel just like everyone else. Also, I think it’s important for women to see and know that it’s normal to feel connections with other women. Be bold, be vulnerable...you never know who you could fall in love with. Wouldn’t you rather live with no regrets?

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How did “Love Connection” change your life”?

My idea to make this film came after my participation on the show Love Connection with Andy Cohen which was an incredible experience.

It was an honor to represent the lesbian community on national

television. It came with a lot of pressure though and I was nervous! I can only represent who I am which doesn’t begin to cover the diverse LGBTQ community. But, I was super lucky in the support that I felt from the media and the community. I’m hoping that there were people who watched the show who maybe had never had any exposure to lesbian or gay individuals. Maybe this tiny bit of exposure helped open their minds a little. All we can do is keep making ourselves be seen and heard...just being our authentic selves. And maybe, people will see how relatable we are? And how awesome we are?! :) My hope is that this film is just one more piece of relatable LGBTQ content out there that might reach someone who needs to feel understood.

What do you want the audience to take away from this film?

Who doesn’t love a good emotionally charged love story?! Not every love story ends with a happy couple. Lessons are learned, and life goes on. You can choose to grow and be better moving forward or stay bitter. I feel grateful for having my heart broken because I know that it helped me take a hard look at myself, what I really want, and my boundaries and expectations.

It’s good to come to a point when you know that you deserve more, and you don’t wish anything bad upon anyone. I hope that people will have one more relatable story to watch and know that we are all human and there is life beyond pain and heartbreak... and it’s pretty damn good.

How do you want the audience to feel after watching this film?

Empathy. I think sometimes we make villains out of people, but we don’t see their pain. I think we all need to live with more empathy.

I hope that people also see that there is beauty in being vulnerable and putting yourself out there.

What was the most challenging part of the filmmaking process?

Communicating without words is challenging. Everyone will have different takeaways from a wordless film which is scary but also awesome because people will probably take away something that is applicable or relatable to something in their life. That’s why it was so important to have a great director and Director of Photography to make sure that we were really capturing the emotions in a way that was tangible to viewers.

Collaboration is such a huge part of filmmaking. What makes a fruitful collaboration?

The people you surround yourself with can make or break your film and they can certainly make or break the experience of filmmaking. I was very fortunate to team up with my Director of Photography Nicholas Matthews. He was signed on to lens this film from the beginning; so, he was involved throughout the development process. However, the last month, even the last week leading up to the shoot, was when we really began our collaboration. We spent a considerable amount of time sharing reference photos and talking through each scene. A fruitful collaboration is simply removing ego from the equation and putting the story above everything else. Nick brought many wonderful ideas to the table. You’ll see when you watch the film, it’s really beautiful.

What was the most difficult scene to shoot?

I thought that the fighting scene would be the hardest, but it actually ended up to be pretty easy! Tennile brought so much energy that it was easy to work with. The scene that was the hardest for me was when I locked eyes with the newly engaged woman who had recently broken my heart, at a bar. Capturing that moment where your heart sinks into your stomach is tough! We definitely had to shoot that a few times.

Follow Liz Baxter: @lizbinla

SEPTEMBER 2018 21

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BOOK REVIEW

ALWAYS OVERBOOKED

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

Dates, times, and old dead guys.

When you were in school, that’s all history was to you: a list of years and names to memorize and then forget, twenty minutes after Finals Week. So maybe now it’s time to find a history book that’s relevant to you – a book like “The Boys of Fairy Town” by Jim Elledge.

Because Chicago was considered to be a “largely male frontier city” when it was established in 1837, the Windy City has always been home to a strong population of gay men, cross-dressers, and male sex workers. Here, Elledge tells the stories of some of the ones who might otherwise have been forgotten.

Take, for instance, John Wing who, says Elledge, “was a sodomite.”

That’s the word many post-Civil War Chicagoans would have used for Wing, although most people then only had a vague idea of what a sodomite was. They knew it was something bad, though, even as Wing did something good: he was a faithful diarist and left his volumes for historical posterity.

Female impersonators were tolerated in Chicago in the latter 1800s, but sometimes only barely. Those who were most accepted were men who put their feminine sides to work as entertainers; for others, the desire for women’s clothing was meant for strictly private times. For families, such things were often an embarrassment: Elledge cites a story of “Mrs. Noonan,” who was married and worked at a nearby military fort. Despite her final wishes, the “women at the fort” went to prepare her body upon her death and discovered that Mrs. Noonan was a man. Her third husband swore that he hadn’t known but he was ashamed and killed himself.

Gay men posed nude for other gay men in perfectly respectful and artful ways that went mainstream. Newspapers reported on samesex love – sometimes kindly, sometimes scandalously. Gay lectures were open to the public; entire neighborhoods became hubs of openly gay life; and living as another gender was easy until, alas, the tide started to turn in the 1940s and being gay could suddenly get a man arrested…

At first blush, it may seem like “The Boys of Fairy Town” is just another historical tome. Dates, times, old dead guys, but look deeper and you’ll see why you should want to read it: it’s bursting with stories that are irresistible.

In his introduction, author Jim Elledge explains how he chose the tales he shares in this book, and why recording these stories for public consumption is absolutely essential. In addition to being lively and ever-relevant, the tales show an interesting historical arc of acceptance and persecution, displaying a youthful America that’s

just dipping her toes into the pool of difference and duality. Readers are lent a feeling of pride but may also be particularly affected when Elledge shows the tide turning.

“The Boys of Fairy Town” contains nudity, but also the kind of delight you get when you come across a pile of old newspapers in Grandma’s attic: it’s quaint, informative, and entertaining. It’s totally worth your time.

“The Boys of Fairy Town” by Jim Elledge c.2018, Chicago Review Press $29.99 / $39.99 Canada | 290 pages

SEPTEMBER 2018 23

INDESIGN FASHION AT HOME: THE RUNWAY MEETS THE DRIVEWAY

BY DANN FOLEY

The fashion industry has never been more tightly interwoven than in recent years. Fashion designers are no long considering a global brand until they have their home line. Home products have become a natural extension of their runway offerings.

as important as it is in fashion. Being in the forefront of style is what counts, following behind is for everyone else. Those are tuff words, but my clients demand the best. I demand the best for them.

Inspiration is the key.

As a designer of more than thirty years (yikes, it sounds really long when I write it out), I know for certain that what I see this year on the runway, will make its way into home products in the next 12 months or so. The way it has traditionally worked is, what comes down runways in Asia then makes it way to Europe and then filters into America in 6 to 12 months. The only thing that has really changed is the time between the three is becoming shorter and shorter.

My preference is for “classic� interiors. That does not have to mean traditional interiors, they can be modern and cutting edge as possible. What I mean by classic is an approach for timelessness that transcends trend. My modern and contemporary clients can expect from me interiors that are lasting, comfortable, warm and very personal. Cookie cutter design is not why you hire my firm.

As an interior designer and product designer who is always on the lookout for what is next, I subscribe to European design magazines as much as my favorite U.S. publications. I watch carefully for color and style trends. Being ahead of the curve in home is every bit

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We create one-of-a-kind interiors for each client, tailored to their needs and desires. Our service is couture for the home. You can shop for your clothes at any number of big names, big chain stores and see your look coming and going everywhere, or you can go to high-end boutiques and custom tailors or dress makers and get

the best you can afford and fit it to perfection. Either way it is not just the money you spend, but the choices you make and how those items fit in your life that makes all the difference. My hope for you is that you make better choices. Quality over quantity.

If you love designer brands, it does not necessarily mean you live in them every day. Like me, you may choose your favorite pieces from each label at each season, that best fit your style and life.

Along the way you fill in with those pieces from the mall and online and other every day brands and off-price stores and sales. This is how most people build a great wardrobe. Well guess what… It works the same way when building a beautiful room and home!

I am more than just a designer who lectures you about what you should or should not do. I am here to give you some tips and ideas about making those changes or adjustments to help you create a home and life a little that is better, today.

• Just like in fashion, fit is everything! Scale and proportion are paramount to a successful room. measure, draw, research, then purchase.

• If you are fashionista who is always looking ahead by perusing European and Asia fashion magazines, you can do the same for your home. Buy some of the foreign titles at better newsstands and bookstores. They are a glimpse into the future of style.

At the end of the day, though we all love and gravitate toward current trends, it is mostly because we are influenced by marketing.

Style is supposed to be personal. Truly personal home design and style is actually easier to achieve because you cannot get it wrong.

Play, experiment and choose pieces that make you happy and that have meaning. It only needs to matter to you! And just like that favorite blazer or pair of jeans, fit is everything! Your style works when it fits right.

Live Well,

• Your favorite fashions can be a terrific starting point to finding your personal style. Look for color stories and favorites patterns in your wardrobe to incorporate into your home.

• Seasonal fashion is also a great “tell” in how to update any room.

Lighter in spring in summer, warmer and richer for fall and winter.

Dann Foley www.danninc.com DesignerDann on Instagram Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Pinterest

SEPTEMBER 2018 25

WHAT WE DO: • Daily hot nutritious meal to over 135 people a day, 6 days a week.

• Sack lunches daily –over 1200 a week served.

• Phone and mail service.

• Morning coffee, rolls and fruit.

• Showers daily.

• Furniture for people in need.

• Clothing for job interviews and those who need them.

• Assistance with food stamps, MISP, id’s and more.

• Utility assistance.

• Rental assistance.

• Free notary service.

• Resume writing assistance.

• One way tickets home.

• Saturday food distribution of healthy foods to working families, seniors, veterans, the disabled, families with children.

• Emergency food boxes.

• Some transportation to medical and social service appointments.

• Van transportation to hot lunch sites.

• Home deliveries to seniors who are homebound or frail.

• “Well Assist” program to downtown merchants and other business owners.

• Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations for all in need.

Christmas presents for all the children.

• Well houses available for long-term group family living, and emergenies.

• A family-friendly environment where all can feel welcome, cared about, and respected.

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PSP FOCUS 2018 PALM SPRINGS PRIDE HONORS AWARDS RECOGNIZES SEVEN PS RESIDENTS & A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

DENISE GOOLSBY, DOUG HAIRGROVE AND WARREN “WOODY” WOOD, LENA INGRAM, LISA-MIDDLETON, LYNN HAMMOND & SHERRY FULTON

The prestigious Pride Honors are presented annually to individuals to recognize their efforts in raising awareness and furthering the causes of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and their allies. The awards ceremony is September 26, at the Hilton Palm Springs.

Five of the seven awards celebrate exceptional women from all walks of life who are making a difference for all residents of Palm Springs. Award recipients include two educators who have influenced generations of youth, and a local chapter of a world-wide nonprofit organization.

Recognized as Advocate of the Year, Lisa Middleton became the first transgender person ever elected to any non-judicial office in California when she was elected to Palm Springs City Council in November 2017. Whether it’s advocating for the right to equality, freedom from discrimination and standing up for the right to marriage and family, Lisa is an active community leader who works tirelessly building bridges within the community and promoting collaborative relationships between neighborhoods and the people of Palm Springs.

From selling girl scout cookies to documenting the life stories of lesbians, Sherry Fulton is a behind the scenes volunteer who demonstrates leadership by helping others. As a dedicated community volunteer, she is recognized as the Spirit of Stonewall Volunteer of the Year.

Recognized as an up-and-coming leader, who aspires to further the rights and medical care of transgender people in the world, Lena Ingram is the recipient of the 2018 Emerging Leader Award.

The 2018 Friend of Pride is Lynn Hammond who is an inspiration to others for her community involvement, volunteerism and for defining what success looks like when you are a socially minded, women-owned business entrepreneur. The Spirit of Stonewall

Community Service Award recognizes Denise Goolsby, a twentytwo-year resident, community leader and advocate who works to improve the quality of life, in Palm Springs, for all.

Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to Doug Hairgrove and Warren “Woody” Wood, who have devoted their lives to teaching and mentoring youth.

Celebrated as the Organization of the Year, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is a charitable organization that has participated in many community events throughout the Coachella Valley and over the last ten years has raised $100,000 for LGBT charities.

“The spirit of giving runs deep within the heart and soul of each honoree. They lead by example and live life with compassion and love for others. They have advocated for equality and social justice and they have marched against systems of oppression to ensure realization of economic and social rights for all,” said Ron deHarte, president of Palm Springs Pride. “This is not a group that seeks attention or applause. They quietly serve, and we are grateful for the profound impact they have had and continue to have in our community.”

The prestigious Palm Springs Pride Honors Awards are presented annually to individuals to honor the work they have put into furthering the causes of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and their allies.

The awards reception will take place September 26, 2018, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at the Hilton Palm Springs located at 410 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.

Tickets are available online https://pspride.org/events-2/pride-awards/honors/ Proceeds from the reception will support the Pride organization’s efforts to foster Pride in and respect for the region’s LGBT communities.

SEPTEMBER 2018 27

PSP FOCUS PALM SPRINGS SPEAKS ANNOUNCES MEGAN MULLALLY AND NICK OFFERMAN AS FIRST SPEAKERS OF THE SEASON

Megan Mullally, celebrated for her role as Karen Walker on the television series Will and Grace and Nick Offerman, best known for his role as Ron Swanson on the television series Parks and Recreation, together will appear in Palm Springs on Friday, October 5th at 7:00 p.m. at the Richards Center for the Arts, Palm Springs High School. They will be the kickoff speakers for the second season of the speaker series Palm Springs Speaks. At the event they will discuss their new book, The Greatest Love Story Ever Told: An Oral History and reveal the full story behind their epic romance–presented in a series of intimate conversations between the couple, including photos, anecdotes, and the occasional puzzle.

Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman have been a couple for nearly twenty years and married for fifteen, which in the world of

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Hollywood is closer to 102 years. As actors and humorists in today’s frenzied media cycle, where celebrity hookups and breakups often make headlines alongside changes in world policy, they are selfacknowledged outliers. Now they are ready to share the who, what, where, why, and how of their relationship in full for the first time in The Greatest Love Story Ever Told: An Oral History.

Tickets for the Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman event are now available to purchase at palmspringsspeaks.org. Tickets start at just $30 and include a copy of the book.

A collaboration between the Friends of the Palm Springs Library and the Palm Springs Cultural Center, Palm Springs Speaks launched last season featuring a diverse selection of internationally known speakers and authors including Dan Savage, Vice President Al Gore,

PSP FOCUS Dr. Deepak Chopra and best-selling author Lisa Scottoline.

Palm Springs Speaks seeks to entertain and educate while shining the spotlight on the written word and literacy for the Coachella Valley.

The speaker series will provide access to culture and the arts with

a variety of speakers representing many walks of life. This series will also provide an opportunity for the Friends of the Palm Springs Library and the Palm Springs Cultural Center to raise funds. For more information, please visit www.palmspringsspeaks.org

CINEMA DIVERSE PALM SPRINGS LGBTQ FILM FESTIVAL Cinema Diverse September 20 through September 23 at the historic Camelot Theatre, Cinema Diverse is dedicated to advancing and further strengthening our diverse gay community through the establishment of a world-class film festival that presents lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cinema from around the world.

Cinema Diverse features an exciting and varied combination of feature films & short films from around the world celebrating LGBTQ Cinema. Each year, we invite filmmakers, writers, directors, producers, actors, film artists, film lovers, distributors and other industry professionals to join us in Palm Springs for an exciting celebration of the motion pictures that reflect, inform, enrich and often transform lives. We believe LGBTQ films and LGBTQ film festivals are critical to our local community, and to the world community, because they tell stories that remind us of where we came from, who we are, and who we can be. They tell stories that not only inform and transform those within our community, but also have the power to change the lives and attitudes of people outside our community.

For a complete schedule of events and films or to purchase tickets visit www.palmspringsculturalcenter.org

SEPTEMBER 2018 29

AMAZON TRAIL

“WHAT?”

BY LEE LYNCH

Grandpa Lynch, a retired Railroad Engineer, had big clunky hearing aids. Grandma Lynch needed a pair, though her family said she could hear perfectly well when she wanted to. There was definitely hearing loss on my mother’s side, but her parents couldn’t have afforded hearing aids if they’d wanted them, which they didn’t any more than Grandma Lynch did.

Shame was attached to the very idea of needing such devices.

Do people reject hearing aids out of pride? Vanity? Was it the stigma of disability? Maybe back then the new-fangled things weren’t very effective. Probably they were uncomfortable.

I was excited when I got my hearing aids last month. I mean, thrilled, looking forward to, happily anticipating, tickled pink. For years I’d been having trouble distinguishing between consonants like b, t, v, d. I was never certain what a speaker said so it was difficult to respond. Of course, my native shyness played into those feelings, but that’s a whole other story.

This year, I looked forward to the lesbian Golden Crown Literary Conference (GCLS) because I’d be able to hear actual words spoken in panels, readings, speeches, and noisy restaurants. I’d hear words spoken on the dance floor. Maybe I’d reply sensibly to readers and other writers.

Shame? Heck, no. I got good at spotting the now near-invisible gadgets and honed in on folks in my neighborhood to get the scoop on brands, deals and comfort. They were not always chatty—that lingering shame. Is it shame of getting old? Bring it on, Mother Nature. If I don’t fight aging, I have more energy to work with it.

There are pitfalls, mainly monetary. My sweetheart and I like to support local businesses, so we went down the street to a Doctor of Audiology. She confirmed that I was a candidate for hearing aids. They were terribly expensive, though, so I dithered. Neighbors kept telling me to go to Costco, which they said was cheaper, but when you live on Social Security and what your wits as a gay writer can bring in, even Costco products can break the bank. I sat on the information for another eighteen months.

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Until… Conversations with my sweetheart became peppered with the word “what?” It was driving us both nuts. As it happens, we’re from New York and New Jersey, which predisposes us to certain unintelligible quirks of speech. Understanding each other can be trying. Add low hearing and you have a formula for a cranky couple.

It was off to Dr. Ear again. The tech gave me a demo set of aids to wear around for a week. I almost cried when it was time to return them. The cost for a pair of my own? Six grand. We could plump up the GCLS scholarship fund with that much cash. Pay a few years of

our taxes. Keep the animal shelter in food for a while. Help get an intelligent politician elected to office.

But… I never used the word “what” that whole week. How do you put a price on a happy lesbian household? Plus, the conference was coming up. We took a chunk of our life savings, got me fitted, and placed the order.

And then, out of nowhere, my sweetheart’s job was eliminated.

We were stunned. She’s so good at anything she does, the employer should’ve created a new job for her, never mind Scrooging away the one she had.

We high-tailed it to Dr. Ear’s office and cancelled our order.

But we weren’t about to relinquish the blessed tranquility afforded our marriage by these tiny doodads. My sweetheart plunged into umpteen hours of researching every fact known to woman about hearing gizmos. Turns out what we’d been told—that Costco sells instruments with older technology—was no longer true.

The nearest Costco is worth the three-hour roundtrip drive.

Bottom line, with the already more palatable Costco prices and benefits from signing up for executive membership and Costco’s credit card, we saved four thousand dollars on the same exact same contraption. Our warranty is now longer and more comprehensive and we can still afford our cat’s veterinary bills.

When I first put in the hearing aids, I felt a giant exhalation of tension. Though I knew of my relatively modest hearing loss, I was unaware what a strain it put not just on my marriage and public life, but on my mind and body.

The New York Times (Sep 25, 2017): “When the brain struggles to make sense of the world it may be less able to perform other important tasks.” Research on this continues, linking hearing (and vision) loss to cognitive decline.

Now I seldom ask “What?” and even though GCLS was held at a casino hotel where music boomed and blared unbearably almost everywhere, I don’t think I missed one beautiful lesbian word.

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FITNESS

A WORLD AWAY

BY JILL LANGHAM

Hi everyone. I’m just returning from Europe where I’ve been on my own Music Tour which just so happens to be this month’s topic of what else, but Music!

Speaking of music, you all know by now that the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, passed away on August 16. Most likely you also heard that “The King”, Elvis Presley, died on August 16 and that “The Queen”, Madonna Ciccone was born. It just so happens that my mother, Alma Bianchi was born August 16th, making it even more personal and significant.

But, the beat goes on as they say and after attending Circuit Barcelona and all the bars in Sitges, Spain, I headed to Mykonos for XLsior Festival 2018 to “dance to the Music! “These are all festivals that bring together some of the biggest names in the DJ world and allows us to dance and party until the sunrises. And it’s through this music that we celebrate our lives. I have met some of the best people in the world there and have made lifelong friendships along the way.

In the past, before the advent of boom boxes, iPods and iPhones, gyms piped in music through a generic sound system that played the top hits of the day.

Through these now antiquated systems, we hummed, or softly sang the words to the songs that most of us knew. There was a sense of community and the songs were another way for us to be together while working out. We were sharing the same space and friendships evolved. At times the music even brought us together as more than friends. I, in fact met my second husband at the gym!

But, once iPods hit the gyms we began to lose this cohesiveness.

Then when the iPhone came along, we became an even more distant group of gym attendees. Just in case you haven’t figured it out, I am not a fan.

It saddens me to see all these headphones in or on the ears of today’s gym goers. People stop making eye contact; they appear lost in their own world’s. They sit on machines and try to hook up with people on Grindr (no judgement, more astonishment) when they could be meeting the guy on the machine next to them. Then there’s the person who hasn’t quite figured out that their voice is way louder than they realize as a result of wearing their headphones and end up screaming a response to a hello!

Last summer when I was in London I joined a gym for a week.

It was brand new and was totally self-serve. No human contact, all computer operated. So, not only was I the oldest person in the gym but I was also the only one not wearing head phones. Not one person made eye contact or spoke to me until almost the last day.

The person and I were both bopping along to the piped in music because he, like me was not wearing headphones. It was the only human contact I had, and it made me sad!

But, as always that’s just my opinion. I’d love to hear yours!

XOXO Jill Your Dancing Queen

SEPTEMBER 2018 33

FITNESS

HOW TO TRANSFORM YOUR MORNING WALK INTO A PERFECT WEIGHT MANAGEMENT ROUTINE

BY CHRIS J. CAMPBELL

Are you getting increasingly worried about your weight? Getting more and more desperate to lose those extra pounds and get back in shape? But all those magic weight loss products are turning out to be nothing but rip-offs? And taking out time for the exercise or low-calorie diet preparation sounds next to impossible because of your hectic schedule? And you hardly find any energy in your system after a full day of work to make it to the gym and working out? Then morning walk can be the answer to all your health and fitness related predicaments, especially the weight related problems which are becoming a real cause of concern for people living in developed countries.

Morning walk is easy, it’s fun (especially if you can get a friend to join you) and it can be a morale booster as well.

Here’s how you can turn a simple morning walk into a perfect

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weight management routine. But remember that managing your weight, or the overall health and fitness to be specific, will need a change in lifestyle. You shouldn’t be looking for a two or three months crash diet or exercise plan, so that you can get in shape and go back to your usual unhealthy routines after that.

SLEEP & WAKE UP EARLY Depriving your body of a good night-sleep, especially in the early hours of the night will increase the likelihood of weight or health related problems. If you are spending long hours on Internet or watching Television, and sleeping late at night, you are not helping your cause. True that you need some recreation but staying up and watching Television while compromising on your sleep will do more harm to your body than good. What’s more rejuvenating

for a tired mind and body than a good night sleep? Even if you are trying to work or study till late at night, you should better be going to bed early, and waking up early in the morning to do that with the regained energy and a fresh mind.

Waking up early and going for a walk will allow you to have a good breakfast, which is an integral part of a healthy diet routine.

They say, breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a beggar and this is a balance you cannot achieve without waking up early. Sleeping late, and getting up late means you will end up doing the opposite i.e. breakfast like a beggar and having dinner like a king.

Not to mention all that fresh oxygen and hassle-free environmental that you won’t get at any time other than the early morning.

PUSH YOURSELF When someone suggests that morning walk will let you burn enough calories to lose excessive fat, they are not talking about a casual stroll for 15-20 minutes. Ideally, you should spend at least 3040 minutes on your walk and exercise, but even if you cannot invest that much time on your morning walk, you need to make sure that you are pushing yourself to walk a little longer, and a lot more briskly

using long strides. You cannot have a lazy stroll for ten minutes, while you are not even fully awake and then expect to lost weight.

INCLUDE OTHER EXERCISES IN YOUR ROUTINE Just because it is called morning walk, doesn’t mean you should just stick to walking and not try anything else. There are many stretching and body weight exercises that you can do, depending on your fitness goals and objectives. Doing these exercises in the early morning will boost your metabolism. Simply start walking at a moderate pace to get a move on, and then slowly increase your pace. Once you’re warmed up, do some basic stretching exercises and then follow it with body weight exercises like squats, push up, or some of ab exercises.

BE REGULAR This is the most important part and often the most challenging one for people looking to stay fit. Persistency is one of the most important ingredients for the success of any exercise routine. If you are not an early riser, it is going to be quite difficult to persist with your morning walk routine, but you have got to keep pushing yourself to persist. It is a matter of 2-3 weeks and you will start getting used to of your new routine.

SEPTEMBER 2018 35

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FEATURE

CLEXACON

PUTTING QUEER WOMEN’S STORIES AND VOICES ON THE BIG AND SMALL SCREEN FRONT AND CENTER

BY MICHEL KHORDOC

ClexaCon, the largest multi-fandom event for LGBTQ women & allies, is going across the pond this Fall for the first time ever kicking off ClexaCon London.

Building from the massive success of ClexaCon, which has taken place in Las Vegas, NV for the past two years, the European edition will bring together in London the best in queer television, movies, books, blogs and more.

The highly anticipated pop-up event will take place at the Novotel London West (Hammersmith International Ctre,1 Shortlands, Hammersmith, London W6 8DR) November 3-4, 2018.

The London chapter, while a smaller, more intimate version of the main event held annually in Las Vegas that hosts 4,000+ LGBTQ women and allies, represents a key geographical expansion for the

iconic Con. Focusing on a more curated experience for its European attendees, ClexaCon London is committed to raising awareness about the differences in creative spaces and support for LGBTQ women in the UK in comparison to the US to inspire more LGBTQ women to create more content.

LGBTQ+ representation matters now more than ever. While there seems to be an overwhelming move towards diversity with LGBTQcentric narratives and characters popping up in movies these past few years, still major studios are remaining behind when it comes to fully embracing a culture of inclusion.

In fact, GLAADS’s annual Studio Responsibility Index (SRI) recently noted a drop in the representation of LGBTQ people in films in the past year.

SEPTEMBER 2018 37

FEATURE

ClexaCon DIRECTORS-DANIELLE, ASHLEY, HEIDI & HOLLY

By allowing the LGBTQ+ community to tell their stories on the small and big screen, we not only allow viewers to have a more accurate view of society, but as well give LGBTQ+ individuals the chance to see themselves as integrated members of said society and showcase the universality of our lived experiences.

Sure, many Cons claim to be different, innovative and disruptive in some ways, but ClexaCon not only talks the talk but walks the walk, genuinely pushing the envelope forward for female LGBTQ+ representation in front of and behind the camera.

Ashley Arnold, Danielle Jablonski, and Holly Winebarger, the masterminds behind ClexaCon, are actively working to shift conventional thinking by continuing to advance the conversation about female representation in the film & TV world.

“We hope attendees leave ClexaCon London feeling empowered.

We want them to know this industry, like all industries, is in desperate need of more diverse voices, “said Danielle Jablonski.

“Their voice matters. Pick up a camera, grab a pen, start writing, start creating because there are other people who care about what you have to say,” added Ashley Arnold.

High on the agenda at the UK Con is the urgent need to listen to LGBTQ+ voices to create more diverse content and to put queer female stories front and center.

To that end, ClexaCon London will feature a packed agenda of panels, meet and greets, photographs, and workshops from an elite community of LGBTQ gamechangers, industry tastemakers, media influencers and actors.

Aside from fan panels (including UK Wynonna Earp Fan panel), the event will also offer content creation panels, acting panels as well as academic panels.

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Discussing the future of diversity, inclusivity and intersectionality in entertainment the panels will be covering a wide range of timely and trending topics from women’s voices (“Placing ourselves in the narrative: Queer Women and Fanfiction”) to non-binary & gender conforming people representation (“I have a Que(e)ry: where non-binary and gender non-conforming people fit within gendered, queer spaces), among others.

In addition, the organizers have added a London Tour on Friday, renting a bus and filling it with as many LGBTQ woman as possible.

Much like its US counterpart, ClexaCon London will gather under one roof the stars behind a slew of unique and original queer-centric narratives and LGBTQ-themed programs.

Celebrating the illustrious female individuals who make the entertainment industry’s progressive and prolific LGBTQ community so powerful and diverse, ClexaCon London’s Celebrity roster includes Elise Bauman (Camilla, Almost Adults), Natasha Negovanlis (Camilla, Almost Adults), Briana Venskus (Supergirl, The Walking Dead), Jamie Clayton (Sense8), Mandahla Rose (Forever Not Maybe, All About E), Hanan Kattan, Shamim Sarif, among many others.

“Whether you are a fangirl, a creator, an activist, or all of the above, ClexaCon offers something for everyone,” said Holly Winebarger.

Dedicated to lead the push for diversity, equality and inclusion of LGBTQ+ women in entertainment, ClexaCon London brings Europe’s diverse community of queer women together, providing a safe space and a valuable platform to amplify their voices and celebrate their many cultural identities. An empowering experience both professionally and personally.

For more information go to: https://clexa-con.com/london/

SEPTEMBER 2018 39

PERSPECTIVE

I’M QUEER, I’M FORTY… AND I’M AMAZING!

BY JONATHAN SHUFFIELD

As I quickly approach my 43rd birthday two things begin to happen. Inevitably I begin reflecting, as if I am an 85-year-old Jessica Tandy, on the wonders of my historic life (let me have this one) and second people become fixated with my age.

To be honest, in the gay community we have always been hyper-aware of our ages. It’s like the minute we are born and the doctor smacks us on the ass to be sure we are breathing, he is simultaneously placing a “Best By...” date. (*Side note: maybe this is where the fetish of being spanked begins, on a constant quest to have a later date placed upon our backsides).

The gays have internalized this number issue better than anyone, we use it like a line in the sand, creating sides and nurturing an unconscious bias for war. It rules so many of our lives; the 20s are the golden years, our 30s are the wind down... but still acceptable, get beyond 40 and you can hear the booming voice of Mufasa from The Lion King, “That’s beyond our borders, you must NEVER go there!”

Well I’m there, an explorer in the shadowlands, and I see so

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many amazing things. I am surrounded by ghostly figures just like me and you know what? I can definitely get down with them!

I’ve learned a lot over my 42nd year and I try to constantly grow and appreciate my journey as I discover it. Looking back over time I realize that I have never felt my age, not my chronological one at least. I believe this is a natural state of mind for humans. One moment I feel 24 and living loud and the next moment I am 112 and embracing my “wisdom.” Let’s face it, this number is arbitrarily given by some agreed upon rule that we weren’t even there to vote on. It was meant for scientific purposes and yet we have affixed a million and one meanings and boundaries to a ridiculous integer. I am struck by this concept of the “agreed upon rule.”

Well, what if I don’t agree with it? The old cliché is true, “age is just a number.” An assigned number tells me absolutely nothing about myself or anyone else. The way I see it, we are all just the effects of our individual journeys. That’s why someone can be “56” and act “22.”

It’s why I can connect with my best friend who is 20 years younger than I am and can find someone my own age absolutely annoying.

It has nothing to do with the number. I am drawn to those I connect with, those whose experiences have led them to a similar place of consciousness. As I look at my friends, they range across the chronological scale and I feel just as close to those younger as to those older.

The other lesson I have learned is that everything is a choice.

From where I buy my coffee to how I allow the world to make me feel. The sad truth is there are those bitter queens who choose to wage war within the boundaries of age. They hail from either side of the scale and they will always exist. I have no time for them.

The choice I make is to put my energy elsewhere. If the fairies can only live if I pay attention to them and clap my hands as Peter Pan taught us, then I guess I’ll place my attention elsewhere. I choose to celebrate what I am and who I am, to live my life without limits and accepted insecurities.

As I have advanced on my journey I have relaxed a lot and reveled in the joy of human connection. I’ve danced with bears, surrendered to the joys of sex, accepted my body daily as it is now, and embraced the power of choice. If the world is what we make it, I want mine surrounded by love and celebration. I want to choose to be limitless. Now THAT is a gift I give to myself as I move along in my path. I’ll take any day where I can celebrate me!

Queer Forty celebrates everything I hold dear. It helps drive me forward with new ideas and inspirations, and it shows me that what I believe is true. Age is but a number and this journey is far from over, in fact it’s only just beginning! Go check out www.queerforty.com and share in this exciting new magazine concept, made for the whole over-40 LGBTQ community. Be sure to follow their new Facebook

Page too, www.facebook.com/queerforty.

As I approach my birthday I am reminded of the poet Samuel Ullman’s poem, Youth; “Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.”

My soul is ageless, what about yours?

Jonathan Shuffield has worked within the entertainment industry for over 20 years. Jonathan learned the art of entertaining early with the success of the Pacific North West LGBT and Liberal radio talk show, OUTSpoken, and the highly popular The Martini Lounge with Jonathan and Sergey podcast. He has become a bold voice in the world of entertainment and politics. With his unique style of humor and passion, he continues to prove to be the consummate entertainer.

Queer Forty is the new online magazine for the LGBTQ over-40 community. Its mission is to inspire and support older LGBTQ people to keep living amazing lives! Queer Forty launched back in April 2018 under its original name Gay 50 Plus. After a hugely successful trial, feedback was taken on board and a name change was implemented to ensure everyone from across the LGBTQ community felt welcome. Queer Forty looks forward to continuing to serve an audience traditionally overlooked by the mainstream LGBTQ press and encouraging everyone to live their lives to the full.

PHOTO CREDIT KATIE HARTWIG

SEPTEMBER 2018 41

TRANSCENDENCE

YOUTH GONE WILD

BY CHRISTINA VRONAY RUGGLES

The More of More to Come Narratively we left off on me exiting my very first transgender support group meeting, having made friends, and being told that villains exist and they’re here, and they’re queer and I hate them. I left you off in a truly strange time in my life. A time where I realized I could finally start answering the question of who the hell I am, and what am I going to do. I was learning that growing a pair of tits could be on the agenda. Scientifically possible, emotionally, who knew at this point? It’s 2014 and I’m 18 and terrified.

But that’s why Charlotte has a name, you see? I was confused.

I was lost. Being transgender and……some flavor of sexually attracted to someone, right? I masturbated, therefore I was some kind of sexual. Right? Though sex has never stopped being something terrifying I might add. More on that later. We’ll call that chapter “the

42 THESTANDARDPS.COM

more to cum of the more to come”. Back to being lost, and Charlotte being a beacon, nay a lighthouse! Mostly because she’s tall, slender, and she lit up so many of my nights just by existing. I don’t know if I was her first transgender rescue attempt, but by god it felt like she had done it a hundred times before.

Taco Belle After that first meeting, we continued to message more, as the next meeting was 2 weeks away. I think. It’s been so long, and my memory is fading. My pre-coming out memories are consumed more and more every day by the necrotic touch of time. I’ve lost more than I’ve kept, and dates are fuzzy, if not nonexistent. I’m sorry I’m not a perfect narrator, I’m simply human. But let’s mosey on to the important part of this story. So, 2 weeks to think and grind and mull it all over. 2 weeks to realize that I was excited, genuinely excited

for something, which was new. Messaging Charlotte, hyping myself up for the next meeting, and imagining my life as a woman, all made me realize I had been living a life doused in a thick fog of depression, apathy, and loneliness. That there WAS the possibility of positive emotion, was a fresh revelation to me.

The 2nd meeting was less eventful, less dramatic. I barely remember it. I know I met a few more people but still stuck to my main group of Charlotte and Roger. We ended up going out to Taco Bell for dinner as a trio and we ate inside, laughing loudly, and generally just existing. However even these generally minor things were still revolutionary acts of queerness, validation, and happiness.

Existing alongside these transgender individuals, who were happy, who lived normal lives, who did things I liked doing-late night Taco Bell runs, making bad puns, and yelling back things at strangersthese simple facts were news to me. I thought I would have to live my life outside of regular society, because I was part of regular society before this, and I didn’t know that this whole grab gab of transgenderism existed, and if I didn’t know about it, then clearly didn’t exist, right?

Somehow throughout this entire night some makeup or something got on my face. We might have played with lipstick and eyeliner in

the car, Charlotte might have given me a goodnight peck on the cheek, something. I’m not sure.

This unknown makeup event is important for a few reasons chiefly that my parents had NO idea what I was doing or where I was going, they were just happy I had friends and was returning the car in 1 piece and with more gas than it had originally. Secondly, because that next morning I woke up and ate breakfast with my them, which was an incredibly unusual event as they were used to me slithering out of bed at around noon, rather than a respectable 7:30 am. I remember all them, my little brother and sister, step mom and my dad, they were all staring at me like my face had been melted off, and by the time I had sat down at the table, it was getting very unnerving, and I was trying to play it cool and come up with a reason for the makeup staining my skin, until my little sister broke the silence with a “What did you DO to your hair???” And that’s when I realized that the caffeinated soda I had the night before with my new friends must have caused my dandruff to act up something miserable, because my dark brown hair was covered so thickly, it appeared gray. While disgusting and mortifying, I wasn’t caught. I wasn’t out. I was relieved. I was safe.

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RESTAURANTS VILLAGE PUB 266 S. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.3265 www.palmspringsvillagepub.com NATURE’S HEALTH FOOD & CAFE 555 S Sunrise Way Suite 301 Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.323.9487 www.natureshealthfoodcafe.com SHERMAN’S DELI & BAKERY 401 E Tahquitz Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.1199 www.shermansdeli.com RÍO AZUL 350 S. Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.992.5641 www.rioazulpalmsprings.com 849 849 N Palm Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.8490 www.eight4nine.com COPLEY’S ON PALM CANYON 621 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.9555 www.copleyspalmsprings.com WORKSHOP KITCHEN & BAR 800 N. Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.459.3451 www.workshoppalmsprings.com

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DINE | DRINK | DANCE Palm Springs LULU CALIFORNIA BISTRO 200 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.5858 www.lulupalmsprings.com

CHEEKYS 622 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.7595 www.cheekysps.com

PURPLE ROOM 1900 E. Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.322.4422 www.purpleroompalmsprings.com

POMME FRITE 256 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.778.3727 www.pomme-frite.com

EL MIRASOL 140 E Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.0721 www.elmirasolrestaurants.com

CHILL BAR 217 E. Arenas Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.1079

THAI SMILE PALM SPRINGS 100 South Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.5503 www.thaismilepalmsprings.com

RICK’S RESTAURANT 1973 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.0090 www.ricksrestaurant.biz

TRIO RESTAURANT 707 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.864.8746 www.triopalmsprings.com

PINOCCHIO IN THE DESERT 134 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.322.3776 www.pinocchiops.com

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ZIN AMERICAN BISTRO 198 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.322.6300 www.pszin.com LULU CALIFORNIA BISTRO 200 S Palm Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.5858 www.lulupalmsprings.com

HUNTERS NIGHTCLUB 302 East Arenas Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.0700 www.huntersnightclubs.com TOUCAN’S TIKI LOUNGE 2100 North Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.7584 www.toucanstikilounge.com

STREETBAR 224 E. Arenas Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.1266 www.psstreetbar.com THE TOOL SHED 600 E. Sunny Dunes Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.3299 www.toolshed-ps.com STACY’S AT PALM SPRINGS 220 E Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.620.5003 BLACKBOOK BAR 315 E Arenas Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.832.8497 www.blackbookbar.com QUADZ 200 S Indian Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.778.4326

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EVENTS CALENDAR

SEPT 10 BOOTS IN SQUARES CATHEDRAL CITY Come out and square up with the third largest LGBT square dance club in the world. Make new friends while learning the Dosado. Have fun and get some easy exercise while mastering the Allemande Left. The first two classes are free, then $6 per class. Open to new students until September 24, 2018. Instructor & Caller – Bill Eyler Everyone is welcome – LGBT, straight, singles, couples. No experience needed. No partner needed. Dress casually! New beginning square dance class starts Monday September 10, 2018 6:00pm – 7:30pm. Full Plus dancing from 7:30 – 8:00 pm Full Advanced [A1 & A2] dancing from 8:00 – 9:00 pm. Cathedral City Community Center. For details visit www.bootsinsquares.wordpress.com

SEPT 15 THE IMPROVABLES. DESERT ROSE PLAYHOUSE PALM SPRINGS The Improvables, the Coachella Valley’s very own ambassadors of laughter, bring their playful improv to The Desert Rose Playhouse.

Join guest emcee, Jeffrey Norman, for a night guaranteed to work out your laughter muscles! Saturday, September 15, Showtime 7:00 PM $25 benefiting The Center For info contact 760-416-7790 or www.thecenterps.org

48 THESTANDARDPS.COM

SEPT 21 JAPAN CLASS SERIES: BONSAI 101 WABI SABI. PALM SPRINGS Join Wabi Sabi Japan Living Friday, September 21 from 5:30 – 6:30PM for an interactive class on Bonsai for beginners. Learn Bonsai basics. Q&A. Starter Bonsai available for purchase. Attendance and participation are free!

Wabi Sabi offers many classes on Japanese culture , from Saki Pairing to Sushi making. A great cultural experience.

Visit www.wabisabijapanliving.com DBA EVENTS WWW.DESERTBUSINESSASSOCIATION.ORG ONGOING >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET MAY - SEPT The Palm Springs Cultural Centers’ Certified Farmers’ Markets have changed their locations to indoors for the duration of the summer season.

Certified Farmers’ Market Palm Springs Pavilion, PALM SPRINGS- JUNE 2 – SEPT 15 The Summer Saturday Market runs from 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. inside the Palm Springs Pavilion at 401 S. Pavilion Way (adjacent to Sunrise Park and the City Swim Center).

Certified Farmers’ Market Westfield Mall, PALM DESERT- MAY 6 – SEPT 16 The Summer Sunday Market runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. inside the Level 1 Center Court of the Westfield Shopping Mall in Palm Desert.

For more information, please visit www.certifiedfarmersmarkets.org or call 844-7FARMCV (844–732-7628).

TG MONDAYS. TRANSGENDER SOCIAL EVENT Every second Monday of the month, Transgender Social Hour discussing advocacy, transitioning & HRT. Allies, respectful admirers, and transgender umbrella all welcome. Portion of proceeds to benefit the Raina Chessman Fund.

For more info www.transcc.org

THE JUDY SHOW. PURPLE ROOM SUPPER CLUB PALM SPRINGS The spirit of Judy Garland is alive and well and in Palm Springs at the famed Purple Room Supper Club every Sunday at 7:00! This blend of hysterical comedy and outstanding music explode into an evening of nonstop belly laughs, glamour and high camp, as celebrated entertainer Michael Holmes parodies Judy Garland, who in her 1964 television variety show, played host to some of the greatest female icons of the Golden Age of Hollywood. www.purpleroompalmsprings.com

CHILL BAR PALM SPRINGS A warm and fabulous twenty first century modern venue located on Arenas, suited with multi faceted rooms for any celebration.

The gorgeous island bar is surrounded by hi-definition video entertainment and a comfortable designer lounge. Chill on the patio enjoying music and refreshing beverages with friends after a game of pool, or come by and say hello to our friendly staff. Open for business seven days a week. Get out of the heat, and come join us! Happy Hour (From Open to 7pm) and Late Happy Hour (From Midnight to Last Call) www.chillbarpalmsprings.com

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EVENTS CALENDAR

THE SUNDAY BAND W/ SPECIAL GUESTS. PAPPY & HARRIET’S PIONEERTOWN The Sunday Rock + Roll Service is a Pappy and Harriet’s institution celebrating the healing powers of music and community! Every weekend the club’s favorite singers and players get together and trade songs. Come join us to see Victoria Williams, Gar Robertson, Carol Ann Crandall, Damian Lester, Bob Furgo, Rachel Dean, Ryan Norman, Caleb Winn, Danny Frankel and other talented locals performing for your drinking and dancing pleasure. With a come-as-you-are vibe, Sundays have seen great special guests like Robert Plant, Lucinda Williams, The Jayhawks, Rickie Lee Jones to name a few. www.pappyandharriets.com

BLACKBOOK The sleek industrial styled BlackBook Bar located in the heart of the gay strip on Arenas now has Happy Hour everyday from 4-6pm and NAUGHTY hour from 10:00 PM-midnight.

During these times you cam enjoy specials such as $5 pint glass well drinks, $1 off all bottle and draft beer, and $2 off all wines by the glass! www.blackbookbar.com

OSCAR’S CAFÉ & BAR Located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs on the corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Indian Canyon, Oscar’s has a huge outdoor patio with lots of umbrellas for shade and misters to keep you cool, too.

You can beat the heat any time of year and enjoy the views of Palm Springs. On Saturday and Sunday from 8am – 2pm, enjoy a $9

Bottomless Mimosas (juice included), a single $2 mimosa or a $5 Bloody Mary with brunch, during which both our full breakfast and lunch menus are available. Also join us for Sunday Funday Weekly Tea Dance 4pmClose! Live entertainment weekly visit our website for details. www.oscarspalmsprings.com

LIPSTICK AT COPA Thursday nights at Copa just got a little hotter with a new show at the new showroom inside Copa. The Hot New Lipstick show is a raucous affair where the audience is encouraged to participate in singing, clapping, dancing, partying and celebrating special events. Featuring performances by Charles Herrera, Pinkie Meringue Shimmer, Marina Mac, Sassy Ross, Dion Khan, and Cherilyn, and emceed by the fabulous Bella Da Ball, this show will not disappoint. For ticket info and schedule of performers visit www.coparoomps.com

HUNTERS NIGHTCLUBS® Palm Springs, Palm Springs’ go-to gay bar and dance club, has been leading the way in full-out fun for 16 years now! And we keep it pumping, making it better for you all the time with our unparalleled event line-up. We enjoy having

the desert’s most sought-after and friendly DJs, full-on themed events, and a staff that has it all without the attitude. And of course, we are proud to hold the longest happy hour in the entire Valley. Remember: Size Matters.

Come by for our happy hour from 10am- 7pm.

Yes, that’s right: 9 hours long! For a list of all events and specials visit www.huntersnightclubs.com

SUNDAYS “The Playgirls” at Toucans Tiki Lounge featuring Tommi Rose. Performances at 8 & 10pm.These darling Divas of drag really deliver with their very own brand of entertainment to packed houses. Special guests appear weekly. DJ in the sound booth. Every Sunday Complete list of events www.toucanstikilounge.com FOR A COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EVENTS VISIT OUR MEDIA PARTNER, GAY DESERT GUIDE. CLICK ON LOGO

SEPTEMBER 2018 49

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EVENTS CALENDAR

OCT 5 - 7 SEP 14

OUT ON THE MOUNTAIN. SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN, VALENCIA, CA The entire park goes gay for the night, which provides a safe and inclusive environment of fun for the LGBTQ community, with rides, dance party, and performers. Out on the Mountain is the creation of Six Flags Magic Mountain and DJ Ray Rhodes started in 2008. Over 6,000 people are expected to attend this seventh annual Southern California event of thrill rides and private gay party, while raising funds for local gay charities and organizations. The entire park is closed to the general public for this private party from 6pm-1am. Info at www.outonthemountain.com

SEPT 27 - OCT 7

OUT ON FILM ATLANTA, GEORGIA Out On Film is an eleven-day cinematic journey of our lives, culture and identity.

Our stories of how we live, love, laugh, and grieve. Stories chronicling our history, struggles, present, and how we fight today. www.outonfilm.org

MAUI PRIDE 2017 MAUI, HAWAII The Maui Pride celebrates LGBT heritage and culture. Regular events that occur over the Maui Pride Weekend are ‘Rainbow Dine-Out, Pride Dance Parties, Beach BBQ’s and Sunday Brunch. Come to Maui for our special weekend.

Maui Pride is a nonprofit organization founded “to encourage, celebrate and educate all people of the positive diversity of the LGBTQ community. www.mauipride.org

OCT 1 - 15

OCT 4 - 7 SEPT 19 - 23

FRESNO REEL PRIDE LGBTQ FILM FEST 2018 FRESNO, CA Since its inception in a classroom at Fresno State in 1990, Fresno Reel Pride has grown to become the sixth oldest and one of the largest gay and lesbian film festival in the United States. Reel Pride is a celebration of gay and lesbian cinema and is a premiere cultural event in Central California attracting thousands of attendees to its five-day festival of international features, documentaries and short films. www.reelpride.com

50 THESTANDARDPS.COM

OCTOBEARFEST 2018 DENVER, COLORADO This year Octobearfest celebrates its 27th anniversary. As always, we promise a memorable time for all who participate. We have put together a weekend around good company, good food, and good times for you. Meet old and new friends and enjoy some of the finest Denver, Colorado has to offer. As we combine the best of the past with new and exciting activities in the Denver area! Come and play with the Front Range Bears. OctoBearFest will be in an exciting adventure around the Metro Denver area. www.octobearfest.org

CELEBRATE ORGULLO MIAMI, FLORIDA The Celebrate ORGULLO Festival Showcases Hispanic LGBT Pride during Hispanic Heritage & LGBT Pride Month. Celebrate ORGULLO showcases the cultural contributions of the Hispanic LGBT community, and is proudly produced by Unity Coalition, with proceeds benefiting our LGBT Youth Scholarship Fund and year round programming. www.celebrateorgullo.com

Our National Media Partner, Gay 50 Plus is a new online LGBT magazine, proving that being over 50 is cool and your life is just beginning! www.gay50plus.net

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EVENTS CALENDAR SEPT 15 - 22 SEPT 3 - 9

BENIDORM GAY PRIDE BENIDORM, SPAIN Benidorm Gay Pride is set to be the biggest and most wow factor event on the Costa Blanca coast in 2018! With a weeklong series of flamboyant events leading up to the Playa Levante big parade and main stage open-air party, visitors can expect an exciting week in the resort that truly never sleeps. The main attraction for visitors is the old town, which is where you will find the pumping heart of the gay village still very much local, and Spanish where we visitors can blend in and mix with our lovely hosts. Enjoy up to 30 hugely friendly but small and intimate gay bars and eateries all just a hop and a skip from each other. www.benidormpride.com

SEPT 5 - 9

FOLSOM EUROPE BERLIN, GERMANY The European edition of the infamous Folsom street party, Folsom Europe stirs your imagination and makes you go wild.

Thousands and thousands in fetish gear will be flocking the streets in the Berlin-Schöneberg district for the 15th edition of Folsom Europe.

Berlin offers something for everyone. There’s a lot to discover from the traditional leather bars in the district Schöneberg to the alternative scene in Kreuzberg. The number of countries represented at Folsom Europe is unmatched. Enjoy Berlin, enjoy Folsom, live your fetish! www.folsomeurope.co

CARIBBEAN PRIDE 2018 PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC A weeklong celebration of pride, diversity and community. With Punta Cana’s sexiest and most luxurious all-inclusive resort as the venue, this event will be filled with fun activities, tons of entertainment including international DJs and drag performances, and sets the standard for future Caribbean Pride Weeks all through the tropics. www.caribbeanpride.com

local and international artists catering to the LGBTQ community and their friends.

The highlights of the Curaçao Pride are the Pride Walk, Pride Happy Hours, beach party, White Party and Boat Party. www.curacaopride.com

SEPT 18 - SEPT 23

QUEER SCREEN FILM FESTIVAL SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Queer Screen Film Fest showcases a diverse range of LGBTIQ stories across narrative features, documentaries and shorts and the 2018 edition is the largest festival to date, with 29 films from 12 countries, including 15 Australian premieres and a massive 55% of films directed or co-directed by women.

Highlights include the Sydney Premiere of George Michael Freedom: The Director’s Cut; Opening night film and Sundance Award Winner And Breathe Normally; Teddy Award winner from Berlinale, Bixa Travesty. And the Australian Premiere of dance film Nothing To Lose; the sexy soccer film Mario and a star studded closing night film, A Kid Like Jake. www.queerscreen.org.au

SEPT 27 - 30

CURACAO PRIDE CURACAO, LESSER ANTILLES We are proud to present the sixth edition of the Curaçao Pride, September 27 - 30, 2018. Curaçao Pride is a 5-day long event filled with plenty of parties and activities with

OCT 2 - 10

BLACK & BLUE FESTIVAL 2018 QUEBEC & MONTREAL CANADA Since 1991, the Black & Blue Festival, which is held during the joint holidays of Canadian Thanksgiving and American Columbus Day, welcomes thousands of participants from around the world to celebrate diversity and inclusiveness as well as to raise money for Montreal-based LGBTQ+ and AIDS/HIV community groups. The week-long festivities include dance parties, cultural events, sports activities, live performances, social gatherings, and much more. www.bbcm.org Our international media partner, FNQ Magazine, www.fnqmagazine.com Cairns gay lifestyle and travel publication that gives Australia and the world a taste of gay life in the tropics, sponsors the International Calendar. www.go2gaycairns.com

SEPTEMBER 2018 51

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1-888-610-2324 ask for 51689BTT | www.OmahaSteaks.com/family04 *Savings shown over aggregated single item base price. Limit 2 Family Gourmet Buffet packages. Your 4 free burgers and 4 free kielbasa will be sent to each shipping address that includes the Family Gourmet Buffet (51689). Standard S&H will be added per address. Flat rate shipping and reward cards and codes cannot be used with this offer. Not valid with other offers. Expires 7/31/18. All purchases acknowledge acceptance of Omaha Steaks, Inc. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Visit omahasteaks.com/terms-of-useOSI and omahasteaks.com/info/ privacy-policy or call 1-800-228-9872 for a copy. ©2018 OCG | Omaha Steaks, Inc. | 18M0094

52 THESTANDARDPS.COM

Best of

Rodgers and Hammerstein Featuring

Bobbie Eakes

Theresa Jewett

Charles Herrera

Keisha D

With Performances by:

Members of the Palm Canyon Theatre Company and Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus

and Ice Cream Social September 30, 2018

Palm Canyon Theatre Show: 7:00 p.m. Ice Cream Social: 8:30 p.m. ®

$65 All Inclusive - Hosted Bar & Ice Cream

Tickets: PalmCanyonTheatre.org 760-32 3-512 3

Benefitting

A Hocker Productions Event SEPTEMBER 2018 53

HALLOWEEN PALM SPRINGS OCTOBER 31 Debby Holiday

DJ Phil B.

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VIP Tickets $75

HalloweenPalmSprings.com 54 THESTANDARDPS.COM