Looking Back
2019 REVISITED
BROADWAY CARES / BROADWAY CAROLS FOR A CAUSE LIVING OUT LOUD / NEW LGBT RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
DECEMBER 2019 | VOLUME 7 ISSUE 12 | THESTANDARDPS.COM | @THESTANDARDPS
CONTENTS VOLUME 7, ISSUE 12
theStandardPS.com twitter.com/theStandardPS facebook.com/theStandardPS instagram.com/theStandardPS
ALWAYS OVERBOOKED BOOK REVIEW
SEASON’S READINGS! PAGES 23-25
Volume 7 Issue 12 COVER THE STANDARD MAGAZINE: 2019 REVISITED COVER 2019 LGBT HEADLINES BOOK REVIEW BEST BOOKS OF 2019 Q&A THE “X” FACTOR EROTIC QUEER THRILLER “X” WELLNESS UNDERSTANDING QI AS A KEY TO HEALTH MUSIC AMUKA / DON’T FALL FOR IT
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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
We wish all of our readers, supporters and partners a safe and very happy holiday season. It’s been a great year and we are very grateful for your support, support of which allows us to continue to be a successful publication; we could not have done it without you, a million thanks. Also a huge thanks to our incredibly awesome Art Director, our great team of writers, wonderful photographer and of course our advertisers. We look forward to providing you with great editorial, LGBTQ news, views and perspectives as well as fun and informative features as we move forward into 2020.
All the Best for an amazing Holiday & Very Happy, Safe, & Prosperous New Year!
Daniel Clemens, Christian De LaCruz, Jeff Dorta, Dann Foley, Paul Hutnick, Richard Jones, Michael Khordoc, Jill Langham, Jacob Lopez, Jason Phillips, Christina Vronay Ruggles, Mike Sandoval, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Ethan Thorpe & Thomas Torres
www.thestandardps.com EDITORIAL CREDITS :
BrandPoint, Huffington Post, LGBTQ Nation, Project Publicity, MSN & Reuters 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
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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.
COVER
THE STANDARD MAGAZINE 2019 REVISITED BY THOMAS TORRES When looking back at 2019 one has to say that it most definitely was at times, unbelievable. The old adage that “Truth can be Stranger than Fiction” comes to mind. So instead of rehashing all of the crazy, we decided that the Year in Review we would revisit some of the articles featured on the pages of The Standard Magazine because we are certain that many of you are fed up with the daily barrage of political ramblings. As a way to look back we are highlighting excerpts from particular articles from each month that we think deserve a second gander. You can read the complete article by cutting and pasting the link at the end of each month’s entry in your browser.
JANUARY 2019 How Can Alternative Treatments Help With HIV? By Jenna Fletcher Many people living with HIV use alternative therapies. According to one source, over 70 percent of people with HIV in the United States have tried alternative treatments, and many people use them regularly. Certain health insurance plans may cover some alternative medicines, such as chiropractic and acupuncture therapy. While alternative treatments do not cure HIV, they may relieve symptoms and can improve a person’s quality of life. However, not all alternative medicines are safe. Some alternative treatments may have side effects or interact with medications. Always talk to a doctor or healthcare provider before trying alternative medicine. Can Alternative Therapies Help? When used alongside traditional medication, alternative treatments may help relieve some of the symptoms of HIV or AIDS. Physical therapies may help improve a person’s movement, help them relax, and enhance their overall health. While other
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therapies, such as Reiki, aim to help restore a person’s energy flow. Like meditation, this therapy treats the whole person but does not directly target HIV. Some healthcare providers support the use of alternative therapies to complement conventional treatment while others do not. https://issuu.com/home/published/thestandard_vol7_issue1
FEBRUARY 2019 ClexaCon 2019 / Pushing The Envelope Forward For LGBTQ+ Women’s Visibility in Entertainment By Mona Elyafi Standing tall and strong as the largest convention for LGBTQ+ women and allies, ClexaCon continues to affirm its unwavering commitment to focus on the power of queer women to create big and lasting change in front and behind the camera. The event will once again brings together actresses, directors,
producers, writers, comic book illustrators, visual artists, academics, journalists and fans from over 40 countries and all 50 U.S. states to celebrate the best of LGBTQ+ TV and film. Fans will have a chance to attend a series of panels on a variety of topics, workshops, charity events, parties, a red-carpet soiree as well as a three-day film festival. Bringing their “A” game, Ashley Arnold and Danielle Jablonski the masterminds behind the hugely popular convention - are not just shaking things up this year; they are changing the game too. https://issuu.com/home/published/thestandard_vol7_issue2 The duo is decidedly cranking up the volume on ClexaCon’s mission to push forth its enduring message of diversity, equality and inclusion of LGBTQ+ women in entertainment at various levels of the industry.
MARCH 2019 Modernist Menus: Curating of Cuisine in the Coachella Valley By Dann Foley
During this month each year, we at The Standard offer the best in Dining. This year I wanted to go deeper and give my readers an “experience.” The most successful restaurants are more than just a menu. They create a fully immersive atmosphere where food, service, décor and a creative nature come together seamlessly. They create a story. They become a production. Case in point: Liz & Mark Ostoich, owners of FARM Restaurant and the soon to be opened Tac/Quila, both in downtown Palm Springs. Liz & Mark are both attorneys, Liz was looking for her “second act” and decided to focus her razor-sharp intellect, love of food and her organizational skills on an existing restaurant. She proves the point that dining excellence speaks to all senses. https://issuu.com/home/published/thestandard_vol7_issue3
Living in our resort towns of the Valley, we have a plethora of restaurants, from culinary artisans to the proverbial “diners & dives.” I do not believe I am overstating myself when I suggest that the Valley is undergoing a bit of a restaurant renaissance. This awakening is due, in part, to many years of cooking programming and TV networks. We have all become foodies. The restaurant experience has become about ingredients, exclusivity and farm-to-table freshness. Diners are savvy, they want to be inspired and challenged. From Palm Springs to La Quinta food hipsters and aficionados are demanding an immersive experience when they dine.
APRIL 2019 One Night Only, Broadway Showstoppers By Ian Ewing One Night Only will be directed by famed Broadway choreographer and director Larry Fuller, with music direction by Christopher Marlowe and presented by Michael Childers. The legendary and world-renowned photographer, Michael Childers has photographed some of the most iconic stars in Hollywood.
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From Natalie Wood and Groucho Marx to John Travolta, Grace Jones and Andy Warhol. Chances are that if the were photographed, Michael was behind the lens. His iconic style is unmistakable. For those who are unaware, Michael is also a philanthropist. He has been on the board of several organizations including the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Palm Springs Art Museum and Jewish Family Services. But today we are here to talk about one in particular; One Night Only and Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, the organization this event benefits. Michael, thank you for taking the time to talk to us. I know you must be very busy with the event quickly approaching so let’s get right to it. https://issuu.com/home/published/thestandard_vol7_issue4
MAY 2019 LGBTQ Travel Safety By Matt Solomon Safety should be a top priority for every traveler. Overall, traveling as a LGBTQ traveler isn’t much different than traveling for others, but there are times special considerations should be made. It is important to keep in mind that as a LGBTQ traveler, a destination’s attitude toward the LGBTQ community is an important factor to consider. Experiences for LGBTQ travelers can vary globally, so it is important to have an understanding of where you are traveling, so you can have an enjoyable and safe vacation or business trip. We recognize the need for greater understanding and awareness regarding safety for LGBTQ travelers, and developed the following resources and support to assist LGBTQ travelers with information that will help them feel more comfortable as they plan their travel.
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The following are some key statistics about LGBTQ travel and risks: According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), there are 72 countries where homosexuality is illegal. (That’s over a third of the world!) In eight of those, homosexuality is punishable by death. https://issuu.com/home/published/thestandard_vol7_issue6
JUNE 2019 Stonewall: “Where Pride Began” By Justin Tiller We remember the uprising at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, as what sparked the modern LGBT rights movement in the U.S. In the early hours of June 28, 1969, New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village in New York City. The raid sparked a riot among bar patrons and neighborhood residents as police roughly hauled employees and patrons out of the bar, leading to six days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement outside the bar on Christopher Street, in neighboring streets and in nearby Christopher Park. The Stonewall Riots served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world. The 1960s and preceding decades were not welcoming times for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. For such reasons, LGBT individuals flocked to gay bars and clubs, places of refuge where they could express themselves openly and socialize without worry. However, the New York State Liquor Authority penalized and shut down establishments that served alcohol to known or suspected LGBT individuals, arguing that just the gathering of homosexuals was “disorderly.” Thanks to activists’ efforts, these regulations were overturned in 1966, and LGBT patrons could now be served alcohol. But engaging
in gay behavior in public (holding hands, kissing, or dancing with someone of the same sex) was still illegal, so police harassment of gay bars continued and many bars still operated without liquor licenses—in part because they were owned by the Mafia. https://issuu.com/home/published/thestandard_vol7_issue6
JULY 2019 The Mod World of Josh Agle a.k.a. Shag By Jacob Lopez Josh Agle commonly known as Shag (a contraction of the last two letters of his first name and the first two letters of his last) is one of today’s most popular and widely regarded artists His trademark style is spotted on everything from cocktail napkins to mosaics and beach towels. The cartoon-like paintings are an ode to the cocktail culture of the 1950s and 1960s, done in the style (albeit over the top) of commercial art of the era. Nostalgia for the optimism and
fashionable hedonism of that time is one reason for Shag’s popular appeal. But like the best art, it’s the doors in our own imaginations opened up by his work that keep viewers engaged—and coming back for more. One look at a piece of artwork by Shag and you can’t help but smile. The swank and swagger of his imagery owes a lot to early James Bond films and David Bailey’s “Swinging London” photography. Other influences include Lowbrow artist (and Juxtapoz magazine founder) Robert Williams, graffiti and visual artist Keith Haring, and animator David Weidman. The Shag Store, the world’s first retail shop and gallery dedicated exclusively to the art of Shag is open in Palm Springs with a second store in West Hollywood CA. They have quickly become must-see destinations for locals and visitors alike. This month’s we are totally honored to have the cover of The Standard Magazine exclusively designed by Shag. We also had the pleasure to speak with Josh about his inspirations, his popularity in Palm Springs and sneak a peek into the mind of the artist himself. https://issuu.com/home/published/thestandard_vol7_issue7
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AUGUST 2019 Justin Utley’s “Survivors” Overcoming the Trauma of Conversion Therapy Conversion Therapy: the disproven pseudoscientific practice of attempting to change an individual’s sexual orientation using psychological and spiritual interventions. OUTMusic Award winning singer/songwriter Justin Utley releases “Survivors” Recorded in Salt Lake City, “Survivors” is an anthemic pop track, written by Swedish songwriting duo Linda & Ylva, reworked and expanded upon by Utley to include his rallying cry against The stirring music video to “Survivors” features a collaboration with the University of Utah Chamber Orchestra, and the orchestral version will be featured on the forthcoming album. “Survivors” is the debut single from Justin Utley’s highly anticipated third studio album, Scars. The album is expected to be one of the most heartfelt, brutally honest, thought provoking and vulnerable collection of songs he has ever produced. It also introduces an exciting new sound for Justin Utley: it is a bold move into up-tempo, anthemic and gritty pop. “At this point in my musical journey, the gloves are off,” Utley declares. “There was a time for playing it safe, but I’ve come to a space
where I am no longer satisfied with the status quo, musically and personally. I don’t want to spend time placating and catering to the willful ignorance and self-induced biases of people, especially to those who have the power to spark change and shape a better life for LGBTQ youth.” “Survivors is about facing and overcoming insurmountable odds and learning to thrive in the face of adversity,” explains Justin Utley from his Salt Lake City home. “It’s about survivors of abuse in all forms and how it takes a great deal of effort to move forward in life while carrying the heavy burden of trauma.” Justin Utley knows about survival first-hand. https://issuu.com/home/published/thestandard_vol7_issue8
SEPTEMBER 2019 Straight Footballer Blasts Homophobia In Soccer By Dawn Ennis Sweden’s Albin Ekdal is straight and says it’s time to change soccer so closeted gay players feel comfortable coming out. Albin Ekdal might not be a household name outside Europe, but the midfielder for
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Sweden’s national team and Italy’s Sampdoria has a message he wants soccer players all around the world to hear: men’s soccer can learn a lot from women’s soccer when it comes to acceptance of gay athletes. “We have a lot to learn from them in this aspect,” Ekdal told Sport Bladet in an interview recorded in Italy and picked up by UK Yahoo Sports and Goal.com “There is obviously a greater acceptance. Women are probably smarter and more civilized in a group than men can be. But we should absolutely learn from how they’ve done it, because you obviously wish that it would be as accepted among men as among women to show your love. It doesn’t define who you are, just who you’re in love with. It should affect the football extremely little but sadly those problems are still here in 2019.” Prior to the interview, the captain recorded a 90-second video that is now posted online. It features Ekdal sitting in front of the rainbow flag speaking in Swedish — with English subtitles — but his message is universal. “No homosexual men play football, they say. How did we let it come to this? My name is Albin Ekdal and I have played football in two of the biggest leagues in the world. I have participated in both the European Championships and the World Cup but I have still never stood on the same pitch as an openly homosexual player. The issue can’t be shown more clearly than that. https://issuu.com/home/published/thestandard_vol7_issue9
Kristine W will launch Palm Springs Pride on Friday, November 1 when she takes the Arenas District Stage at 9pm. In addition to performing her greatest hits like “Land of the Living” and “Stronger,” she will debut songs from Love and Lies, the first part of her threeepisode Issues double-album. It’s been five years since the release of Kristine’s last album, New & Number Ones. That album included re-edited versions of six of her classics and introduced new hits like “Everything That I Got” and “Love Come Home.” The Issues album will include “Stars”, Kristine’s 17th Billboard #1 that now ties her with Mariah Carey for the sixth-most number ones on the Billboard Club chart, and her next sure-to-be hit, “Just a Lie.” We spoke with the diva from her Las Vegas home. Why did you decide to break Issues up into three parts? Kristine W: I thought it would be fun to present the music like chapters in a book or a TV series, where they all have a common thread and fans can look forward to the next creative episode. https://issuu.com/home/published/thestandard_vol7_issue10
NOVEMBER 2019 The Holidays…From a Queens Point of View By Jason Phillips
OCTOBER 2019 Kristine W Releases Her Issues at Palm Springs Pride By Hailey Robertson
It may not feel like it but like it or not the holidays are just around the corner. With that in mind we wanted to bring you a bit of holiday fabulousity, fierceness, & fun and what better way to do that but by hearing from a few members of Palm Springs Drag Royalty and what they might have in store for the holidays. Get ready, here’s what they had to say.
Billboard Magazine’s “Dance Music Artist of the Decade” opens up about her experiences with love… and lies.
https://issuu.com/thestandardmagazine/docs/thestandard_ vol7_issue11
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DECEMBER 2019 15
COVER
WORLDWIDE LGBT HEADLINE MAKERS IN 2019 JANUARY 2019 Bermuda Appeals to London High Court to Enforce Gay Marriage Ban Bermuda’s government filed an appeal to a high court in London seeking to uphold a law challenged in local courts that would ban gay marriage in the British overseas island. February 2018, Bermuda’s governor, John Rankin, approved the Domestic Partnership Act (DPA), which allows same-sex couples to form domestic partnerships but not marry, marking a rare departure from the trend toward legalizing gay marriage in Western countries.
FEBRUARY Most Americans Back Transgender Troops: Reuters/Ipsos Poll Nearly 60 percent of Americans said transgender people should be allowed to serve in the U.S. armed forces, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll conducted ahead of a congressional panel’s review, set for Wednesday, of Trump administration curbs on transgender service.
MARCH Some 4.5% of U.S. Adults Identify as LGBT: Study An estimated 4.5 percent of U.S. adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, and they tend to be younger and poorer than the population at large, according to an analysis of polling data released on Tuesday. The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law examined previously released results from the Gallup Daily Tracking survey and went deeper into the data, enabling a more detailed demographic picture of the adult U.S. LGBT population of roughly 11.3 million people.
APRIL U.S. Attorney General Orders Probe into Mistreatment of Gay Employees U.S. Attorney General William Barr said he was ordering certain Justice Department offices to investigate possible discrimination targeting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees after an internal gay affinity group complained of low morale. In an April 4 letter to DOJ Pride, Barr said he was “troubled” by the group’s concerns, and was directing the FBI and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to “investigate and address allegations of discrimination. ”Barr also released a formal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) statement declaring that no department employee or applicant should face discrimination over race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation.
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MAY Far-right Vox challenges Spain’s acceptance of LGBT rights Attacks by the far-right Vox party on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights are testing years of political consensus on the issue in Spain, which in 2005 became only the third country in the world to allow same-sex marriage. In the campaign for this for local, regional and EU elections, Vox has pledged to curtail gay pride parades, heaped ridicule on diversity lessons it wants to scrap in schools and has even drawn parallels between homosexuality and bestiality. MAY Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in Taiwan On May 17, in an Asian country first, Taiwan voted to legalize same-sex marriage. The bill will go into effect on May 24.
MAY First openly gay DUP candidate elected in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, which has consistently opposed the introduction of gay marriage in the British region, welcomed the election of its first openly gay candidate, Alison Bennington. The DUP, whose 10 seats in the British parliament prop up the government of Prime Minister Theresa May, has repeatedly vetoed gay marriage despite opinion polls that indicate a significant majority in Northern Ireland supports it. JUNE LGBTQ Heroes Celebrated with Wall of Honor at Stonewall Inn in New York A half century after the launch of the modern LGBTQ rights movement, 50 trailblazers in the struggle for equality were honored with the unveiling of a wall of honor inside New York’s historic Stonewall Inn. The ceremony fell on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising on June 28, 1969, when the Greenwich Village gay bar’s patrons fought back during a police raid, sparking days of sometimes violent demonstrations to protest harassment. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) activists are still fighting for the achievements of their predecessors to be recognized. JULY North Carolina ‘bathroom bill’ settlement approved Transgender people in North Carolina can use any public restroom in state-run buildings that conforms to their gender identity under a U.S. court settlement approved on Tuesday, in the latest turn of a long-running dispute that divided the state. The settlement, which overturns part of a state law, ends a three-year legal fight by transgender people in North Carolina seeking the right to use the bathroom of their gender identity. JULY Cure for HIV in Mice On July 2, researchers announced that they had successfully eliminated HIV from the DNA of infected mice. This is a positive step towards curing HIV and changing the lives of the 37 million who are affected.
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COVER AUGUST Coca-Cola ads promoting gay tolerance stir furor in Hungary Advertisements by Coca-Cola around a music festival in Hungary that promote gay acceptance have prompted a boycott call from a senior member of the conservative ruling party. The posters, in tandem with the week-long “Love Revolution” event starting on Wednesday in Budapest, show gay people and couples smiling with slogans like “zero sugar, zero prejudice”. AUGUST Bug in Gay Dating Apps On August 8, it was revealed that popular gay dating apps, such as Grindr and Jack’d, have a bug that reveals users’ specific location. This problem was noticed years ago, but many makers have not made the changes necessary to fix it.
SEPTEMBER Polish Police Protect LGBT Marchers as Tensions Rise Before Election Polish anti-LGBT protesters clashed with riot police in the south-eastern city of Lublin on Saturday just before a gay pride march that has highlighted increased social tensions in the devoutly Catholic nation ahead of an election next month. Nobody was hurt in the clashes but police said they had detained at least 30 people. Right-wing groups in Poland have expressed strong opposition to gay rights and have targeted such marches in the past. OCTOBER Northern Ireland Prepares for Momentous Abortion, Same-Sex Marriage Changes Campaigners who fought for decades to end Northern Ireland’s same-sex marriage ban and restrictions on abortion gathered in Belfast in October to prepare for a momentous change to the laws. Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom that does not allow same-sex marriage. Also, unlike England, Scotland and Wales, laws in Northern Ireland forbid abortion except where a mother’s life is at risk, bans that have been upheld by the region’s conservative politicians. OCTOBER U.S. Supreme Court Divided on LGBT Employment Protection; Gorsuch Could be Key The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared closely divided over whether a landmark federal law forbidding sex discrimination in the workplace protects gay and transgender employees, with conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch emerging as a potential decisive vote. The nine justices heard two hours of high-profile arguments in three cases that could broaden LGBT rights involving three workers - two gay and one transgender - who sued after being fired by their employers, claiming unlawful discrimination. The Supreme Court has never ruled on transgender rights. NOVEMBER Staff Exodus Hits Top U.S. Transgender Group on Eve of 2020 Election Campaign A majority of employees have left the leading U.S. transgender advocacy group amid a failed attempt to oust its leader, with many expressing frustration over the organization’s lack of minority hiring and outreach. The exodus at the National Center for Transgender Equality takes place as the non-profit group prepares for two monumental events in 2020: the presidential election and the world’s largest survey of transgender people. Thank you to Reuters.com for their contribution to this article
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AMAZON TRAIL
THE TERMINATOR BY LEE LYNCH
This week I went to the movies. It’s been a long time since I’ve said that. Do people even say “the movies” anymore? I married a movie geek. My sweetheart can tell you within a nanosecond who starred in which and the director was so and so and oh they filmed that in such a place. Plus, the year. I, on the other hand, am inclined to stay in a cozy chair and read. With my sweetheart beside me, reading or wearing earbuds and laughing at mysterious one-liners. But last week, she definitely shocked me when she said, “I’m going to see the new Terminator next Tuesday at 2:40.” As it happens, I have a kind of mild PTSD relationship with movie theaters. For most of my life, I was so severely allergic to corn that the very scent of the stuff popping impacted me physically and emotionally. This made movies more intensely movie-ing for me. The physical symptoms were not life-threatening. The emotional ones were both life-threatening and life-changing. Down films and the accompanying popcorn sometimes sent me into deep depressions. Once I understood my condition, I was able to
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avoid them by walking out on a film like “The Godfather” before its corruption, sexism, and facile attitude toward violence made me head for the barfroom. Up films have inspired me to test my mettle. For example, after seeing “Rocky,” I quit a job I loved, found another that freed up more of my time, and got back to writing. It was a quandary. I have had treatments for the corn allergy, but it’s impossible for me to tell if the fumes still affect me, or if they trigger ghost reactions. Would I ruin my sweetheart’s return to movie theaters if I accompanied her and became ill? Would we grow apart if she found herself alone in theaters for the rest of her life with only a bag of popcorn for company? I love my wife beyond measure and want to share what she loves, as she does so well for me. Therefore, I girded myself with earplugs to moderate the sensory overload, swallowed a calming prescription drug (deep breathing in the cinema is not a good practice for me), and took a few hours off from writing to squire my sweetheart to the movies for the first time in twelve years.
So. “The Terminator.” Number six, I believe, but my first. My only previous experience with the film happened before the franchise was a franchise. I was in a stereo store having something repaired and, because the business had a sales component, I was surrounded, nay, assaulted, by sounds and moving images. I watched a TV screen in horror as a large metal robot who would later become Governor of California performed acts of greater violence than I had ever before witnessed. The sound track had been fine-tuned to noise level Off-the-Charts. Of all the films in the world, this new “Terminator” was not one I could have imagined willingly watching. Fortunately, I’m a little savvier than I was thirty years ago in that stereo shop. Plus, the Internet is at my disposal. I researched the heck out of the new “Terminator.” The reviews were rock-bottom dismal. Governor Schwarzenegger was in this episode. My sweetheart warned me about violent scenes, so I determined to filter the scary parts with humor. I mean, really, turning puddles of glop into king-size killer droids? Who thought that one up? But the promo picture was, may I say, hot? The tall androgynous woman, the sweet-looking young woman beside her, and on her other
side, the Irresistible. Mature. Weathered. Woman Warrior. Someone involved in the production was quoted as saying that the lesbians wouldn’t be ready for this trio, but I gotta tell you, this lesbian was more than ready. Tough-talking, gutsy women against a giant male machine? Oh, yeah, right up my alley. Shoot him up, ladies, bash him good. Accept some help from the Governor ‘cause he has a more intimate familiarity with terminators. Improvise fast, create weapons out of nothing, parry the blows of the violent malevolent, mindless robot and his government. Quintessential butchy heroine, young femmey type finding herself and her strength while under attack, enraged mother avenging the loss of a child—I want to be on their team come an apocalypse. I want them on the Supreme Court with Ruth, Sonya, and Elena. I want them, one at a time for twenty-four years, to be president. Yes, I was a little disoriented and wobbly when we eventually left the theater, after watching until the very last credit rolled off the screen. But after this maiden voyage, me and my sweetheart, we’ll be going to the movies again.
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BOOK REVIEW
ALWAYS OVERBOOKED BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER
So, it’s a wrap. Everything’s under paper and under the tree. You’re done with all your shopping, except for one person. Or two. Maybe four. So what do you get for that hard-to-buy-for person who never likes anything? Well, as they say, a book is a present they’ll open again and again, so why not head to your local bookstore for these great gifts:
LGBTQ community and their families, so it’s for them, too. Or it might make a great gift for the adult who still possesses the wonder of a child. Or for an adult, just because. For the newlywed (or the about-to-be-wed), “The Gay Marriage Generation” by Peter Hart-Brinson is the book to give. It takes a look at how same-sex marriage became law across the country, and how it changed the way America looks at gay men and lesbians. The gay giftee might also like “Out of the Shadows: Reimagining Gay Men’s Lives” by Walt Odets in that same wrapped gift.
LGBTQ INTEREST For the person who loves someone who doesn’t identify strictly as male-female will appreciate unwrapping “She He They Me” by Robyn Ryle this year. It’s a book that acts a bit like those old “choose-your-own-adventure” as it examines and explains gender, its definitions, and the way it’s been perceived historically. Hint: this is fun, and it’s also a book for someone who’s questioning… If your giftee is exploring the ideas and limits of gender, you can’t go wrong by wrapping up “Nonbinary: Memoirs of Gender and Identity,” edited by Micah Rajunov and Scott Duane. This is a book filled with tales of those who’ve examined (or are examining) questions of gender, sexuality, age, and race. For the child with two Mommies or two Daddies, and for the kids in that child’s preschool session, “The GayBCs” by M.L. Webb will make a great class gift. It’s the A-B-Cs, but with terms familiar to the
The person on your list who enjoys reading short stories will love “Every True Pleasure: LGBTQ Tales of North Carolina,” edited by Wilton Barnhardt. It’s absolutely filled with tales from the South and from the heart. For the parent of someone who’s come out this year, consider giving “Embracing the Journey” by Greg and Lynn McDonald, with Beth Jusino, foreword by Greg McDonald Jr. It’s a guide, really, for Christian parents who learn that their child is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, and how it fits with your spiritual beliefs. For the giftee who is searching for new meaning in life, wrap up “My Buddha is Pink: Buddhism for the Modern Homosexual” by Richard Harrold. It’s a book of essays being a gay Buddhist and reconciling old beliefs with a new way of mindfulness and fulfillment in a new lifestyle.
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BOOK REVIEW
NON-FICTION For the lover of scary stories, “Virginia’s Haunted Historic Triangle, 2nd Edition” by Pamela K. Kinney will be a big treat to unwrap. Here, full-color pictures accompany hair-raising tales of weirdness and ghosts. Also for lovers of the Unknown: “Lost Civilizations” by Jim Willis, a book about the ancients and what they knew that we need to know now. Still need more creepiness beneath your tree? Then find “Celebrity Ghosts and Notorious Hauntings” by Marie D. Jones, a book about Hollyweird’s weirdness, and others; and “Unexplained” by Richard Maclean Smith, a book of hair-raising stories that will show you that there are things to learn from a good scare. Wrap them both up with “I Know What I Saw” by Linda S. Godfrey, a book about monsters, urban legends, and things that go BUMP in the night. The lover of justice will both enjoy unwrapping “Life and Death in Rikers Island” by Homer Venters. It’s the story of one man’s incarceration in prison for a small theft he didn’t commit. It’s the tale of his suicide, once released. And it’s the story of what prison will do to a person, both physically and mentally. Wrap it up with “Free
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Cyntoia” by Cyntoia Brown-Long; it’s the story of Brown-Long’s days as a sex worker, her wrongful conviction and incarceration, and her life after prison. The person who has a hard time tearing himself away from a certain show on television will love to read “Generation Friends: An Inside Look at the Show That Defined a Television Era” by Saul Austerlitz. It’s a nice look back at TV that mirrored real life, even for just a minute of our lives. And speaking of generations, look for “Connecting Generations” by Hayim Herring. It’s a good look at the disparities between Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millennials, and how we can all learn to come together for the betterment of all involved… ANIMALS AND PETS No dog lover is going to want to miss “Unleashing Your Dog” by Marc Bekoff and Jessica Pierce. It’s about how your giftee can learn more about their dog by learning about the dog’s senses and how to make Doggo as happy as possible through those senses. Wrap it up with “Smoky the Brave” by Damien Lewis, the true story of a tiny Yorkie dog and his role in World War II.
That cat lover on your list will yowl with joy when “Tiny but Mighty” by Hannah Shaw is unwrapped. Filled with the cutest of kitten pictures, this book is a delight right there. Add plenty of information and tips on saving orphans, and you’ve got a book absolutely meant to give this holiday. AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES For the thinker on your gift list, “We Can’t Breathe” by Jabari Asim might be the perfect thing to give. In essays that provoke thought and invite discussion, Asim tackles Black culture, Black families, the necessity of Black writers, and how Black America has its own narrative to claim from history. Wrap it up with this book for the poetry lover, “My Eternity in Time” by Carol Coles. It’s filled with verse on love, life, and death, and it offers plenty of food for thought. The reader who works to understand racial issues will want to see “When I Was White” by Sarah Valentine beneath the tree this year. It’s the true story of a little white girl who grows up to be a woman who learns that her father was a black man. Complicated, yes. Fascinating? That, too. Also look for “Self-Portrait in Black and White” by Thomas Chatterton Williams, the story of an entire family’s reckoning with race. FICTION For the reader who loves a little bit of romance with their ghost story, “The Ghost Clause” by Howard Norman is a good choice to wrap up. It’s the story of a ghost and his reflections on his marriage, as he observes the union of the new owners of his former home. Wrap it up with “The Plus One” by Sarah Archer, a novel about a robotics engineer who needs a date for a wedding. So why not just make one? The traveler on your list will love reading “Layover” by David
Bell. It’s the story of a man who meets an intriguing stranger in an airport and falls in love with her. What happens next isn’t a love story… Wrap it up with “The Dollmaker” by Nina Allan – because it is a sort of love story. Readers who enjoy crime fiction will love “The Shameless” by Ace Atkins. When a twenty-year-old suicide suddenly becomes of interest to a couple of big-city reporters, Sheriff Quinn Colson wonders why – but before he can find out, he’s embroiled in another, more recent crime and an election that could send Tibbehah County into a crime-ridden tailspin. MIDWESTERN INTEREST The beer aficionado and the Beer Crafter will be overjoyed to open “The Drink That Made Wisconsin Famous” by Doug Hoverson. This gigantic, heavy book takes a look at the history of beer, starting more than a century ago. But foamy drinks are not the focus; your giftee will also learn about advertising, working in a brewery, beer and World War II and more. Wrap it up with a new bottle opener for a gift your beer drinker will love for a long, long time. And now the homework: Books change, release dates change, things get cancelled, none of this is brain surgery or set in concrete. If you have any questions, need more ideas, or need help finding things, be sure to ASK your local booksellers. They’re the ones wearing invisible Super Hero logos, because they know things and they know how to make your giftee smile. Seriously, they’re just that good. Season’s Readings!
DECEMBER 2019 25
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DECEMBER 2019 27
INDESIGN LOW MAINTENANCE, HIGH CURB APPEAL: TOP EXTERIOR HOME TRENDS OF 2020 BY CHRISTIAN DE LaCRUZ
Whether you are thinking of selling your home next year, or simply looking to update certain elements, investing in your exterior will deliver a return on your investment in both resale value and enjoyment. From siding and garage door to the landscape and patio, there are many opportunities to refresh the outside of your home for style and function. The top trends of 2020 are all about bringing fresh ideas to tired spaces, updating with the latest product innovations, and ensuring your exterior gets as much love as the interior of your home. INDOOR-OUTDOOR LIVING With a strong desire to expand living space, homeowners are investing in decks and patios that have a seamless flow from indoor to outdoor. Products such as Royal(R) Building Products’ Zuri(R) Premium Decking offer all the beauty of real hardwood flooring without the maintenance. Zuri’s variety of rich colors allow homeowners to create intricate designs and inlays that add an upscale look that can be completely customized. Screened porches with floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors are popular as well as porch/deck hybrids that can be designed to feature built-in kitchens, fireplaces and seating. To further personalize the space, homeowners are mixing textures and materials, including metal, wicker and wood, in outdoor furniture and features to create individualized style. MIXING STYLES AND DESIGNS Following the popularity of farmhouse styles in the last decade, homeowners continue to create a hybrid look that incorporates select modern farmhouse designs, as well as elements of midcentury modern and industrial influences into the exterior home design. Mixed-use siding is at the forefront of this trend. Board and batten siding mixed with stone continues to gain popularity for a modern farmhouse look. Another popular design is mixing clapboard siding with textures of shake or vertical style of board and batten to create visual interest and balance. Black windows add a modern industrial look along with a sleek metal garage door to pull together the overall design. EXTERIOR COLORS AND ACCENTS Across the country, darker, more pigmented colors are transforming homes with show-stopping appearances that stand out
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from a sea of beige that was so popular in the past. The traditional red front door is being replaced by statement doors that define an entryway with style and class. Black and blue doors are trending as well as designs that feature glass and iron elements. Dutch-style doors are also popular for 2020 and beyond. In addition to a statement front door, homeowners are thoughtful about entryway decor, adding personalized doormats, house numbers and door knockers, as well as changing out decor seasonally. While dark colors are trending nationwide, pastel colors are popular for coastal homes. Light blue is just one example that looks striking paired with white PVC trim in exterior applications. Royal Building Products Celect Canvas, an unpainted version of the brand’s cellular PVC siding, is an ideal lowmaintenance option for coastal homes that need durability for harsh weather. The siding can be customized with hundreds of beachy paint color options to suit your individual style. MINIMALIST MAINTENANCE Homeowners are continuing to invest in design solutions for their exteriors and yards that require little to no maintenance, yet allow them to fully enjoy outdoor living. They are opting for high quality products using durable materials, such as limestone, gravel and bamboo. Garden bed designs incorporate pavers, rocks, evergreen plants and annual plants, to achieve a low maintenance exterior that still delivers on curb appeal. Above all else, homeowners are looking to make exterior designs their own in 2020. New builds and home renovations that utilize durable materials are a top trend, and the sky’s the limit when it comes to design. For more exterior design inspiration, explore the photo gallery at www.royalbuildingproducts.com/gallery.
HOME BARTENDING: YOUR GUIDE TO THE PERFECT DRINK BY CHRISTIAN DE LaCRUZ
When Stacie Grissom of Garden Cocktails has folks over to her apartment, she makes sure to offer guests something to drink before they can even get through the door. She built her brand on the notion that anyone can make gorgeous and tasty alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks right at home, whether it’s while entertaining or just relaxing. Below, you’ll find some tips and tricks she has curated to help make anyone’s home bartending experience a little more seamless. 1. EDUCATE YOURSELF Consider a beginner’s course in bartending, read articles online or even watch some YouTube videos. These materials are intended to give you the basic knowledge of various tools, lingo and more to help you find your way around your home bar, as well as equip you with the confidence to serve! 2. ICE REALLY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE One of the simplest ways to elevate a drink is to use the right ice. Not only do the large, clear ice spheres look beautiful, they melt slowly to help keep drinks chilled longer without diluting - whether it’s iced coffee or scotch. LG’s InstaView is the only refrigerator that automatically makes large slow-melting spherical Craft Ice, measuring two inches in diameter, and can store 25 at a time in the freezer drawer, helping you eliminate the hassle of manually filling and freezing ice molds. Plus, it still has crushed and cubed ice in the door for the ultimate in convenience.
3. GARNISH YOUR DRINKS Incorporating herbs, edible flowers and fresh produce into your drinks presents the opportunity to incorporate personality and additional smells into the whole experience. Think about using lavender, basil, colorful flowers and more to top off your drink. 4. MASTER YOUR SYRUP GAME Many classic cocktails and mocktails call for every mixologist’s secret weapon, simple syrup. Rather than go down the store-bought route, consider crafting your own! With a simple mix of water, sugar and a little elbow grease on the stove, you can crank out your own syrups with ease. One way to up your game even more is to add seasonal herbs, spices, veggies or fruits to your syrup. 5. PRESENTATION IS KEY Certain types of drinks are meant to be enjoyed from specific forms of glassware. Consider expanding your collection to ensure you’re serving in proper form. For example, a Moscow Mule must be served in a copper mug or a spritzer in a Collins glass. “My favorite drinking vessels are the collection of eclectic tiki mugs that I’ve made in the pottery studio over the years,” Grissom said. For more information, visit www.LGCraftIce.com.
DECEMBER 2019 29
Q&A
THE “X” FACTOR: SCOTT J. RAMSEY’S EROTIC QUEER THRILLER “X” BY MICHEL KHORDOC
“As the famous saying goes: Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable,” says Scott J. Ramsey. And that is exactly what he and his team known as The Foundation did with the provocative feature film “X”. Marking Ramsey’s directorial debut, “X” “ is the story of Christian King, a wealthy young woman who hosts charity events at her beachside estate that double as masked sex parties. These lavish balls are known for being a safe space for the guests to express their every desire - in Christian’s house, no fantasy is too obscene. However, the appearance of an uninvited guest from her past threatens to bring to light Christian’s darkest secret. Exuding a razor-sharp edge and a rough-around-the-edges indie sensibility, the erotic thriller offers a refreshing queer/feminist spin on the tragedy of the Hitchcockian voyeur. Since its release, X has been successfully traveling the film festival circuit and earned a slew of awards including “Best First Time Filmmaker” at the 2019 Los Angeles Independent Film Festival. It is next set to screen at the 16th Annual Another Hole In The Head Film Festival in San Francisco. We caught up with San Francisco native, Scott J. Ramsey to talk about “X”
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Tell us a little bit about your directorial debut “X”. What is the film about? “X” is the story of Christian, a young woman who hosts exclusive masked charity balls for a mysterious foundation at her beach house - which double as sex parties. Little do the guests know that behind the gilded sheen of this good fun debauchery, Christian is a pervert - a voyeur who gets off to watching the guests on a hidden camera in the guest bathroom. The movie is about the lengths she’ll go to protect this secret, and her shame, which causes her to feel, and behave, like a monster. It’s lush and beautiful, but tonally, it has a raw, indie edge - because just like how us filmmakers were rookies and just kids trying to hold it all together behind the scenes, Christian and her cohorts are also 20-somethings hosting these events. The title is a shortening of her name and also, of course, means “kiss”. The film is described as a fresh and brazen take on an old age Shakespearean tale, can you elaborate on that? I wanted the story to be in acts like a play, so producer Hannah Jost, who wrote the movie with me, had the idea to make it a Shakespearean five act tragedy - with the party guests serving as a chorus. We saw Christian, the lead, as this tragic figure in the Shakespearean or Greek tradition, who seems to have everything but is brought down by one fatal flaw. To be reductive about it, you could say the story is Hitchcock by way of Shakespeare - shot like Lynch by way of Xavier Dolan - but feminist and queer.
This is obviously not a queer film per se, but your characters’ sexual identities certainly fit the “queer” category. Why was it important to inject some “queerness” into the film? I would argue that “X” is a queer film - I think it can exist as that and also exist as a psychological thriller, a melodrama, a black comedy, and a midnight movie. People and art don’t have to be just one thing - we contain multitudes! I also wouldn’t say we injected any queerness into “X” - the queerness was already in its veins, because the story idea came from me and I’m queer - Hannah and I wrote it together and she’s queer Chantel the cinematographer is queer, many of the actors and crew are. The character Christian was originally a queer boy because I saw Christian as an avatar for myself - I’m certainly not a predatory voyeur with a hidden camera, but I share Christian’s self fulfilling shame - I’ve been an outcast, and I’ve always felt like a freak - plus her penchant for building personas and masks. But we changed Christian to a cis woman - queer men are already constantly derided as perverts, and
cis women aren’t often depicted as sexual agents in this way, so it felt fresh and subversive and a way to address her psychology on its face instead of reverting to a trope. And thank the Art Gods we went that direction, because Hope - who plays Christian - blows the performance out of the water and made this incredibly heightened character into a dynamic, flawed, fascinating person. Speaking about LGBTQ+ representation in front and behind the camera, how does X fit in? 19 of 32 crew roles were women, the leads were a queer woman and a woman of color - and a large percentage of the cast and crew were queer, including myself. There was no quota - the people right for most of these roles who had chemistry with us and each other, were mostly women and/or queer. We’re proud that we see our movie as being distinctly feminine in many ways - despite a lot of themes that are traditionally associated with men. As a first time director, what was the most challenging step in the making of the film? Writing was hard work, but wasn’t overly challenging, because the story came to me very clear in my mind, and Hannah who wrote it with me is excellent at the craft - so it was mostly excavation digging into ourselves to find the movie. Editing, for me, is similar - because it’s just writing with pictures, and instead of an alphabet, you have shots - so you just move the viewer through the story with the shots you have in as engaging a way as possible. The hardest part for me is the actual directing, because a movie is just a rectangle - you can fill that rectangle with anything onset that’s in your budget. I get excited about everything and sometimes find it hard to keep up with my own ideas. Lucky for me, our cinematographer Chantel Beam is the best, and our cast was
DECEMBER 2019 31
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Q&A generous and knew their characters inside and out. I just tried to have the characters serve as my religion. What they want or fear that’s God. Every single element in the rectangle and coming out of the speakers must follow that. X is presented by The Foundation, what or who is The Foundation? The Foundation is our creative collective that produced “X”. We called it “The Foundation” because on one level, it was the literal foundation for our creativity - and also because in the movie, the characters never say the name of their charity or even what it does, which we thought was a nice inside joke for these privileged kids to literally never say what they’re doing there in the first place. It does, though, serve as a safe space for the characters to live out their fantasies, no matter how obscene - and on an artistic level, it does the same for us. It’s our little kingdom of freaks. What do you hope to accomplish with X? A few things. One aim is to create an immersive story world not just a movie, but storytelling on multiple levels: there is also the music, which can live outside the movie. Myself and Kevin De Nicolo; one of the producers, have a music duo called The Major Arcana that made three songs for “X”, and we made an album coming next year. We also made three music videos to songs in the movie, which can be seen on our website. Story wise, I’d love people to question their views on sexuality - to enter our world and feel entertained, but also uncomfortable. Art is communication - it’s empathy. Feeling empathy for someone who may be a monster is hopefully disturbing and cathartic. Movies are movement - it’s in the word itself - so if people feel moved or changed, then I feel like we’ve communicated with the audience. That’s what makes me feel alive. Stepping outside of that, for us as filmmakers, hopefully “X” will demonstrate that we can make an engaging movie with limited experience and a small budget. We don’t want to wait for permission to make our art of course, but we would be very grateful and elated to have partners! What’s next for X. Where can our readers see it? After our Bay Area premiere in San Francisco at Another Hole in the Head on December 3, it will very soon be available to see online - and on more screens. We don’t have details yet but our instagram @everybodylovesX and our website everybodylovesX. com will surely announce as soon as we know!
What is the one question you wish I had asked you? Anything about the music in the film. In addition to the songs by The Major Arcana (which I sang and co-wrote!), Lien Do and Kevin composed a luscious, gorgeous score, and it’s truly the soul of the movie. It’s all streamable on all platforms under “MUSIC FROM THE MOVIE X”. Sound designer Matt Pereira made some hair raising pieces we put on the album, and my singer friends Nancy Tran and Amber-Tiana have angelic voices that are featured on songs at key points in “X”. I’m so proud of the music both within the movie and as its own piece. What is your favorite quote or mantra in life? Not a quote, but my guiding light is every last word of “Just Kids” by Patti Smith. I read it earlier this year after experiencing New York for the first time, and it’s my Bible - anyone who is even related to an artist should read that book. And then, in her video “Marry the Night”, Lady Gaga has a monologue where she’s talking about her art and she says “Truthfully, the lie of it all is much more honest, because I invented it.” I also love the quote “Obstacles do not block the path, they are the path”, which I write at the top of a lot of my journals. For more information go to: everybodylovesX.com Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SvQGgrUSUU
DECEMBER 2019 33
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FITNESS
MY YEAR IN REVIEW BY JILL LANGHAM
Hello dear friends. I hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving and are gearing up for a healthy, happy and safe Holiday Season. How is it possible that 2019 is almost over? Where did the time go! This has been quite a year for so many of us. I have had some of my highest highs and lowest lows over the last 12 months and I am grateful for each and every day. This year I learned that I always feel best when I’m right here in my favorite place, Palm Springs, California and am with all of you. I travelled more this year than I ever have before. I re-visited a few cities but also checked out some new cities as well as new countries. Prague, Pisa, Warsaw, Amsterdam, Portugal to name a few of both. I got to live in a Tuscan Farmhouse in Monterotondo, Italy. I went to Israel for the first time and truly fell in love with Tel Aviv, so much so that I will be returning in June to celebrate my 65th birthday. Ok, and I was blessed to be on 3 different cruises as well. A Fitness Cruise and 2 Atlantis Gay Cruises that were Polar Opposite experiences. I attended many Prides, starting with Puerto Vallarta Pride as well. Needless to say it was a whirlwind year I which I was taught a lot about other cultures and tons about myself.
Will I repeat those experiences, I think not. It was very expensive and reminded me that I missed my friends and family here in Palm Springs making the saying, “There’s no place like home,” quite accurate for me. Too much of a good thing can be just that, too much. I shared with you last month that I started my Re-birthing Program and am now 9 weeks into it. I love the growth and progress I’m making. I realize that for the first time in my life, I am trusting myself and the process and am learning that I have more patience with myself that I’ve ever had. It feels so good to not be in such a hurry to see changes but I am instead embracing the changes that I’m making. Could it be that I’m growing up? I guess only time will tell. But, I do know that I will forever be, young at Heart. And although I don’t think this is what it means but since I was born on June 21st that I will be Forever 21! I Wish You a Happy & Healthy New Year Filled with Lots of Love & Dancing! My Love to You All! XOXO Jill, Your Dancing Queen
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TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH: GET TESTED FOR BREAST CANCER. Lesbian and bisexual women may be at increased risk for breast cancer – and other cancers – compared to heterosexual women.* Knowing about breast cancer and what you can do to help prevent or find it early (when the cancer is small and might be easier to treat) may help save your life or the life of someone you love. The American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines for breast cancer early detection for women at average risk: Women ages 40 to 44 have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with a mammogram if they wish to do so. Women ages 45 to 54 should get a mammogram every year. Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every 2 years, or can continue to get a yearly mammogram. Screening is recommended to continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years. To learn more about how you can help reduce your risk of breast cancer or find it early, visit cancer.org/breastcancer or call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.
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All women should talk to their health care team; they are familiar with the known benefits, limitations, and potential harms linked to breast cancer screening. Women should also be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel, and they should report any changes to a health care provider right away. Some women at high risk for breast cancer – because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors – should be screened with an MRI along with a mammogram every year, typically starting at age 30. Talk with a health care provider about your breast cancer risk and the best screening plan for you.
* Blosnich JR, Farmer GW, Lee JG, Silenzio VM, Bowen DJ. Health inequalities among sexual minority adults: Evidence from ten U.S. states, 2010. Am J Prev Med. 2014;46(4):337-349.
©2019, American Cancer Society, Inc. Models used for illustrative purposes only..
WELLNESS
UNDERSTANDING QI AS A KEY TO HEALTH BY DANIEL CLEMENS, CMT Vital energy or “Qi” (pronounced “chi”) has many names. The Japanese call it “Ki”; in India it is called “Prana.” In our Western world view we often use the names “bioenergy”, “universal energy” or simply “energy.” Whatever we call it, we know that it exists. Science is now comfortable with the concept of invisible Qi. Like gravity, we cannot see it but we know that it exists by the results it produces. Acupuncture, which works primarily with Qi, is now accepted as a viable healthcare choice by all Western countries. But what is this enigmatic substance and how can we keep our own Qi active and vital? For over four thousand years, people in the East have been aware of Qi. It has been mapped, manipulated, cultivated and honored as the all pervasive life force in and around everything. Its importance to Chinese Medicine and the martial arts cannot be overlooked. Kung Fu, Karate, and Tai Chi all rely upon the cultivation of Qi force. The balance of this vital life energy creates physical, metal and spiritual strength and health. A lifetime of study can be dedicated to the understanding of Qi. Countless books exist and many ancient teachings, which used to be considered sacred and secret, are now available to any seeker. The road to balanced Qi is long and the methods may seem austere but the following tips contain sound advice not only for Qi cultivation and preservation but also for a healthy life in general. 1. SEXUAL TEMPERANCE: Known as “Jing,” translated as “essence” and established as the first of “The Three Treasures” of good health, sexual Jing or sperm must be preserved as much as possible. This cannot be overstated. Sexual overuse and overindulgence will greatly reduce one’s storage of Jing. A great amount of energy and Qi is required to replace this loss resulting in accelerated aging, poor memory, weak bones and two of the most common signs; low back pain and knee weakness. 2. HEALTHY DIET, GOOD SLEEP AND EXERCISE: This advice is well known but in terms of healthy Qi, these three requirements are essential. We lose Qi throughout our daily activities and we need nutrition, rest and exercise to replenish it. Qi is the second of The Three Treasures. 3. CORRECT BREATHING: Many ancient and native cultures
taught their children how to breath. Qi has been translated as breath in some texts. Proper breathing has the potential to change one’s life on so many levels. The Dutch athlete Wim Hof holds many world records and has defied medical science by exhibiting new physical extremes to which the human body can withstand. All through concentrated, isolated breathing. 4. MEDITATION/SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: “Shen” translated as “spirit” or “mind,” is responsible for consciousness, our emotional life and our peace of mind. The third of The Three Treasures, healthy Shen is cultivated by peaceful living, maintaining a spiritual connection, and love. It rests in the heart and is dependent upon healthy Jing and Qi. The ancient concept of Qi and the The Three Treasures may seem outdated or quaint to some, but there is a reason why such knowledge continues to be passed down and practiced. Quite simply, it works. In fact, medical science has a done a magnificent job of finding the mechanics behind Qi. We use terms like “genes”, “metabolism”, “respiration” and “hormones.” What may be lost in translation is the intrinsic beauty of Qi and the sheer wonder of the aptly named Three Treasures.
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PSP FOCUS RING IN THE NEW YEAR: PALM SPRINGS STYLE TOUCAN’S TIKI LOUNGE Bring in the New Year with a tropical flare. Toucan’s is the place to be. Champagne toast at midnight. Get your tickets at www.toucanstikilounge.com HUNTERS PALM SPRINGS The best dance club in the desert is throwing a spectacular New Year’s Eve bash, no cover, Champagne bottle specials, free champagne toast and of course a balloon drop at midnight. www. huntersnightclubs.com TRIO Trio is open New Year’s Eve for Brunch, 3 Dinner Seatings at 5:30, 7:30 3 course prix fixe & 9:30 3 course prix fixe unlimited champagne & wine and a Party at The Bar! Midnight balloon drop and party favors. Starting at 10pm party at the bar. Reserve early www.triopalmsprings.com SAGUARO PALM SPRINGS The 4th Annual “Drag Me To NYE” 2020 Tuesday, December 31st 2019 Hosted by: Miss Rusty Waters with Sabryna Williams & Ava Stone plus additional Surprise Guest Performers For lovers of disco, here’s the New Year’s Eve line up from the Saguaro in Palm Springs. Hosted by Miss Rusty Waters and featuring complimentary buffet style appetizers, infused drink specials, live entertainment, special guest DJ and complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Join us as we bring you a one of a kind New Years Eve Soirée filled with Comedy, Top-40, Studio54 Disco & Dancing! Plenty of holiday surprises & treats for all in attendance. Age: 21+ www.thesaguaro.com MICHAEL HOLMES’ PURPLE ROOM SUPPER CLUB If swinging Sinatra style is on your agenda, New Year’s Eve at one of the Rat Pack’s favorite haunts is the place to be. Hob nob with the cool cats at this swanky supper club featuring three different prix fixe menus and three separate dinner times with live entertainment. At 5 and 7:30 p.m. seatings, Rose Mallet and Mark Kahny will perform for diners. At the 10 p.m. seating, dinner includes wine, unlimited champagne, and party favors with Diva Sharon Sills singing. Michael Holmes’ Purple Room Supper Club, 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760-322-4422. www.purpleroompalmsprings.com
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WANG’S IN THE DESERT Latin Jazz New Year’s Eve. Join your Jazzville family for a special and delicious 3 course dinner, live Latin jazz quintet, bubbly, free parking and more. Calixto Oviedo is a living encyclopedia of Cuban drumming and percussion. His innovative and brilliant techniques have made him the in-demand drummer for The Afro Cuban All Stars, Buena Vista Social Club, and Arturo Sandoval. Calixto’s wife, Lily Hernandez, is charming and vivacious, and delivers Cuban canciones with a captivating voice and radiant stage presence. Doors open at 8 PM for drinks and dinner with the first set of live music and dancing at 9:30 PM. The second set will begin at 11 PM and the band will play until COUNTDOWN at midnight, followed by a rousing salsa rendition of Auld Lang Syne. ¡Una noche fantástica de buena comida, música y baile! www.jazzvillepalmsprings.com OSCAR’S CAFÉ AND BAR For the dinner show there is a choice of special prix fixe menu or pay the show cover and order off the a la carte regular menu. Either way, the show will end around midnight with a champagne toast. www.oscarspalmsprings.com COPA NIGHTCLUB Copa Nightclub invites you to ring in the New Year, 2020 with friends and family for an amazing New Years Eve celebration inside Copa Nightclub Palm Springs! Sounds by DJ Banks & Mr. Miami playing live in the mix! Complimentary Party favors upon arrival and complimentary champagne toast per person. Massive Live NYE count down on our huge LED wall! www.thetropicale.com www.coparoomps.com MAGICAL MYSTERY NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION. PEACE LOVE YOGA PALM SPRINGS Create a clear intention and focus: How you want to live and the changes you want to embrace in the New Year! Master yoga teacher and healer Dennis Daniels invites you to a fun, creative transformation experience that blends yoga, meditation, dance, writing, sharing and more to help you create a clear intention and focus for the new year, how you want to live it and the changes you want to embrace in 2020! www.myspiritquest.net
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PSP FOCUS KOAR INTERNATIONAL LLC ANNOUNCES LGBTQ CONDOMINIUM COMMUNITY LIVING OUT PALM SPRINGS
Los Angeles-based real estate development company KOAR International LLC, announced today that it will break ground in the fourth quarter of 2019 on Living Out Palm Springs. Living Out Palm Springs is an active retirement community designed to meet the unique needs of LGBTQ adults. KOAR International owners and creators of Living Out Palm Springs, Loren S. Ostrow and Paul Alanis, have over 30+ years of experience in the development industry and Ostrow is recognized as a highly respected leader in the LGBTQ community for over 25 years. Living Out Palm Springs will provide a safe, supportive and enriched environment in which LGBTQ seniors can live openly and thrive. LGBTQ seniors are currently faced with very limited options for welcoming and inclusive senior living environments. Living Out communities will celebrate the LGBTQ aging experience in a way that has yet to be realized. Living Out Palm Springs will be ideal for seniors who live in, travel to or would like to have a second home with resortlike amenities in the celebrated desert community of Palm Springs. “Knowing that too many LGBTQ seniors live in unsafe or even openly hostile environments, we wanted to address this issue that is near and dear to us by creating a safe and beautiful community for those 55 and over. The Living Out development will be the first of its kind in the Southern California area,” said Loren S. Ostrow. “Living Out Palm Springs was designed by, invested in and created by members of our community who recognize the unique needs we face as we begin the next chapters of our lives.”
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Ostrow is a long-time advocate for the LGBTQ community. He has served on the Board of Directors/Trustees of the LA LGBT Center for 20 years, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force for nine years and as a member of Congregation Kol Ami, a reformed synagogue with a large LGBTQ membership in West Hollywood, CA, for 10 years. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his husband. In addition to Ostrow and Alanis, LuAnn Boylan is also a key member of the Living Out leadership team. Like Ostrow, she is a respected leader in the LGBTQ community, serving on the Board of Directors of the LA LGBT Center for more than 27 years. LuAnn also serves as a Board Director for the Anita May Rosenstein Foundation, managing that Foundation’s philanthropic efforts with organizations like LAMBDA Legal, LA LGBT Center, Women’s Sports Foundation, Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, and more. She will serve as head of the marketing and sales efforts for Living Out communities. Living Out Palm Springs will be the flagship property for Ostrow’s plan to develop Living Out communities around the nation. A critical component of Ostrow’s national vision is to build in areas where there are already significant LGBTQ populations. Ostrow says, “We want our Living Out communities to always be a part of an existing LGBTQ community because we believe that is the best way to provide the enriched, inclusive, active and authentic experience our brand is about.” More information on Living Out Palm Springs can be found at www.livingout.com
MUSIC I
BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS RELEASES ITS ST 21 ANNIVERSARY For over twenty years, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ holiday CD, Broadway’s Carols for a Cure, has been a staple of every theatre-lover’s wish list. The beloved series pairs casts from award-winning Broadway musicals with seasonal songs that are both classic and new. This year’s compilation, Broadway’s Carols for a Cure Volume 21, features 18 tracks from the companies of Hadestown, Beetlejuice, Ain’t Too Proud, Freestyle Love Supreme, Dear Evan Hansen, Come From Away, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, and more! It is available now for $25 in the Broadway Cares store, along with Volumes 1 through 20. Broadway’s Carols for a Cure Volume 21 is also available at participating theaters. “This year’s 21st anniversary edition features eighteen original, newly recorded singles, creatively arranged and performed by the incredibly talented performers and musicians from the 2019 Broadway season,” explains producer Lynn Pinto. Once again, she has collaborated with engineer Andros Rodriguez on the album. “Several of the casts really made their song sound like it could be a song from their show!” With over twenty years of creating Broadway’s Carols for a Cure, Lynn Pinto has developed a recipe that works. She allows each company a great deal of freedom in choosing the material and the style of their arrangement. She also works with their demanding Broadway schedules. “We record the musicians and singers in layers, utilizing isolation booths for a higher quality recording,” she says. “It gives our holiday album a unique sound from most cast albums and allows us to properly showcase these amazing voices and instrumentalists.” The first Broadway’s Carols for a Cure album debuted in 1999. Recorded at St. John’s Church in Greenwich Village, it featured carols from the casts of Cabaret, Fosse, Chicago and Swing!, as well as from Phantom of the Opera who also appear on the 21st anniversary edition. Fans of today’s Great White Way will be overjoyed to hear original recordings from today’s top productions, including the cast of Hamilton with a sweeping rendition of “What Child is This?,” the cast of Frozen performing “O Holy Night,” and the cast of Tootsie singing an all-new, frolicking version of “Jingle Bells.”
Additionally, this year’s album includes two unique Chanukah songs. The cast of Dear Evan Hansen performs “Hine Ma Tov/ Together” and the cast of Fiddler on the Roof presents “Drey Dreydele,” sung in Yiddish! Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is a nonprofit organization that helps individuals with AIDS and other serious illnesses receive the health care and support they need. In addition, they provide financial support in the form of grants to AIDS and family service organizations throughout the country. Broadway’s Carols for a Cure Volume 21 exclusively benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and can be purchased (along with Volumes 1 through 20) at https://broadwaycares.stores.yahoo. net/caforcucds.html or by calling Broadway Cares at 212-840-0770.
DECEMBER 2019 41
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The Digital Worldwide Bear Republic
Bear Video And Photo Blogging & Social Network App www.wbear.lgbt
DECEMBER 2019 43
MUSIC II
AMUKA THE BEAUTIFUL THE DIVA RELEASES NEW BATTLE HYMN FOR THE DANCE FLOOR BY PAUL HUTNICK
Amuka’s first dance single in ten years continues its ascent up the Billboard charts this week, currently at #17. Produced by Grapefruit Sound Lab and being distributed by Howe Records, “Don’t Fall for It” strikes back against the ongoing rhetoric coming from the White House. “The track started out as a song about surviving personal relationships with dangerous people,” says writer Robert Coitner of Grapefruit Sound Lab. “But a bigger story emerged due to the troubling times in which we are living.” “I see the song as a way to spread love through awareness,” Amuka explains. “Pay attention to that little voice that tells you to hesitate when something doesn’t pass the smell test. Follow your gut. Beware of false tongues. Consider things more thoroughly. We all need to wear extra armor, especially our youth, as they will be the most affected by the decisions our leaders make today.” We spoke with the legendary dance floor diva from her home in Detroit. It’s been over ten years since your last club single. What have you been doing with yourself? Amuka: After my divorce from my ex who was also my manager, I went on tour in Japan with (funk singer) George Clinton. It was the best medicine ever. After Japan, my friend invited me to participate in a project he was doing with Chuck D & Public Enemy. We went
44 THESTANDARDPS.COM PHOTO CREDIT: KATRINA DEL MAR
into the studio to work on a track called, “Everything”, which turned out to be the title track of Public Enemy’s album, “The Evil Empire of Everything”. I also appear on three tracks on the album. Back in the day, you released big dance hits with the late, great Peter Rauhofer. Amuka: I will always love and respect Peter Rauhofer for believing in me and giving me a platform. He had my back when it mattered most. Did you know “Appreciate Me” would be such a huge smash? Amuka: Peter did. He told me he knew “Appreciate Me” was going to be a big hit when he first played the acapella for his crowd and they went crazy. I wrote the lyrics and the melody to that song. It came from my heart. I realized a lot people weren’t comfortable saying the words “appreciate me” out loud. I knew there would be a certain amount of relatability and my hope was that people would use my song as their voice when they were not able to say the words themselves. It appeared on the soundtrack for Queer as Folk. What was it like being part of such a groundbreaking TV show? Amuka: It was quite awesome! It actually gave me goose bumps every time I watched the program and heard the song being played on air. I was honored that they chose my record to be a part of that show. I also got a real thrill when MTV aired True Life: I Have a Summer Share and the song was played over 35 times during its run. I’m thankful for every blessing and love it when my songs are featured in film and TV. Your latest track, “Don’t Fall for It,” appears to have a special message for your gay fans. Amuka: I want everyone to understand and receive in their hearts how precious life is, and we definitely need to thank God for it every day. I hope they hear “don’t fall for anything that does not serve your higher purpose”. Don’t get entangled with or distracted by people who talk out of both sides of their mouths and avoid the tailspin altogether. In the lyrics “Now that you’ve found love, that’s what it’s all about”, we’re
referring to finding love of yourself and the love of others. How did you get together with Grapefruit Sound Lab for the song? Amuka: A friend from Star69 Records, Peter Rauhofer’s label, introduced me to Robert Cotnoir of Grapefruit Sound Lab. Robert needed a vocalist for three songs, one of which was “Don’t Fall for It.” When Robert presented me with the song, the words immediately resonated. I felt a sense of relatibility with the song and I could sing it as if I had written all the words myself. Was this just a one-off or will we be hearing more of Amuka on the dance floor in 2020? Amuka: No one-offs for me! I have two more songs on the Grapefruit Sound Lab’s “Eight Days Across America” LP. I’m also working on an EP with a full album to follow, God willing. What’s your wish for 2020? Amuka: I pray that we all become wiser with a greater understanding of how precious life is and that we realize how we must protect our humanity. “Don’t Fall for It” is a battle cry in the form of a love song. I hope it creates positive change and helps us to come together as one nation under one groove.
Visit https://www.grapefruitsoundlab.com
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TRAVEL
WELCOME TO OKINAWA BY RICHARD JONES
Okinawa is an island south west of Japan and is surrounded by the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Historically, it was an independent country called Ryukyu, and became part of Japan in the 1860’s. Okinawa has a rich local heritage, with its own customs, food, and clothing, and is seen as very different to the mainland of Japan. This makes it a great destination for the Japanese population to “Vacation”. With great weather most of the year, and many, many beaches; it’s a perfect location for a great get-away. You can also take a ferry from the port of Tomari and go to remote islands such as Tokashiki Island and Aka Island. Many people also go to the “Gyokusendou” (the best limestone-cave in the Orient) and the “Himeyuri Tower” in the south of Okinawa. There is also a popular gay beach in Mibaru (South East of Naha).
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What’s great about Okinawa is its overall friendliness to the LGBT Community. With over 40 Gay Bars & Gay Friendly restaurants in the Sakurazaka region of Naha, any LGBTQ+ tourist is sure to have a great time. For more information on all the nightlife in Okinawa (and Japan) head to the new website www.rainbownightout.jp There is also a great small club called “Luv” in Sakurazaka, where events are held every week. Once a month they have very a popular party, which features performances by drag queens and Gogo boys. Also, gay bars organize beach parties on the beaches in Okinawa, where DJs play music and enjoy BBQ on the beach side. If the party is large, there will be as many as 300 participants. At the end of June every year, Bay 036 attracting over 250 people
from all over Asia organizes a bear party. It is considered the biggest bear party event in Asia. Our friends at Out Asia Travel offer tour packages for this event. Head to http://outasiatravel. com/gaydestination/japan/group_tour/bearbeachparty2020 for all details of next year’s Beach Bear Event. For trips to Okinawa all year round, check out Out Asia Travel’s information at www. outasiatravel.com/ For more detailed information as well as links for all LGBT Nightlife, restaurants, and more in Okinawa head to the new website – www.rainbownightout.jp.
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TRANSCENDENCE
BEHIND
BY CHRISTINA VRONAY RUGGLES
If I had to sum up this year, I would want to say it’s been a bad year. But that ignores a lot of the good that my self-pity wants me to ignore. It’s been hard, yes, but it’s also been clarifying. It’s not something I would want to do again, I think, but, if I become a better person because of it, has it been worth it? Is my suffering valuable, if it helps pay for a better me? At the end of the day (or in this case, year) I feel like these are childish and immature questions. But they’re the ones I’m grappling with. It’s like, would I be transgender if I didn’t have to be? If I could mess around with my fetal chromosomes, get that precious XX, would I? If being cis meant not living the life I’ve led, would I? Should I? I don’t believe in soulmates, but I’ve found someone who I’m in love with. I don’t want a life without her. But a theoretical life without certain troubles might mean I wouldn’t be the same person. It would mean I wouldn’t have her. So, current me wouldn’t make fetal me cis. But I digress. This year has been hard. This year has been clarifying. It’s clarified what I want from life, where I want to live, who I want to live it with, and given me an inkling of how I want to make that life function. Some of these revelations were like a shower curtain being pulled back; I already had vague idea that they were there, in some abstract form. Others were a surprise. I never thought domesticity would be some satisfying. It’s been a minute or two since I’ve shared my life with someone, and it’s scary how all-consuming my joy for it is. How much of my life I’m able to put aside for another’s. How much that ultimately satisfies me. I always had some vague notion that I was some ambitious go-getter type. Maybe, probably I still am. But no project (except 1!) makes me feel better than the sound of my partner drifting to sleep. Or the sight of her chopping vegetables. Or her in general. Her continued flourishing existence is my dream. And I’m getting to live that dream. It’s wonderful! It’s mindblowing every single day I wake up and actually think about it all. That I just get to live with the person I love? And experience sadness and struggle and joy and romance and everything with them? That this is just my life now? That, if I don’t mess it up, it will only get better? We moved in together this August and it was the most terrifying
achievement of my life. Signing an actual lease, having my name on bills. Having actual bills! What a concept that I would eventually grow up! It shocks me to my core. What an adult life I’m getting to live. A life I’ve helped make. That I will continue to help make. Because I’m an active participant! It’s all very strange for this seeming-everchild who thought she would never function in society, but this year I’m doing just that! I know the year didn’t start in August, but it certainly feels like my life did. I never knew I was drowning until I had the fresh air of no longer being long distance filling the empty lungs of my soul. Well, that’s not entirely true. I knew I was drowning when I was apart from her. It was just a race. Do I run out of breath before we begin our life together, or do I not? I didn’t, thankfully. That’s the important part, isn’t it? That I didn’t fail. That we didn’t fail. We made it. And sure, hardships lay ahead; neither of us denies that. But after the absolute monster of a year we’ve had, we both know we’ll handle it. We’re both making it out of this year alive, aren’t we?
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the3D’s
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
THE TROPICALE 330 E Amado Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.866.1952 www.thetropicale.com
BARS AND NIGHT CLUBS
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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COMING UP NEXT MONTH DESERT AIDS PROJECT: PERSPECTIVE
DECEMBER 2019 51
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EVENTS CALENDAR
DEC 7 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PARADE The Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade kicked off in the early 1990’s along Palm Canyon Drive and has been held every year since on the first Saturday in December — becoming a much-loved holiday tradition in downtown Palm Springs! The parade allows residents and visitors to celebrate the spirit and joy of the holiday season while at the same time creating a unique tourism event, which over the years has brought in an estimated 100,000 people annually to the downtown. www.psfestivaloflights.com
DEC 14 CATHEDRAL CITY SNOW FEST This annual event captures all the holiday spirit and places it at one location with a lit Main Street at Santa’s North Pole, holiday music and carolers, Santa Claus, holiday tree lighting ceremony, a 20,000 Candy Cane Drop for Kids, Snow Bubble Play for Kids, children’s bike giveaways, free movie at the Mary Pickford Theatre, free ice skating passes to Desert Ice Castle, and a silent auction featuring “Charlie Brown Christmas Trees” decorated by local celebrities benefitting the Cathedral City Boys and Girls Club. There will also be an outdoor market featuring holiday arts & crafts, food, treats, and beverages including hot chocolate and cider. www.snowfest.us
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JAN 2-13 PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. PALM SPRINGS, CA Now entering its 31st year, the Palm Springs International Film Festival has a wellestablished reputation as one of the most prestigious and well-attended film festivals in the country. The Festival has long secured its place on the world stage as the portal for the very best in world cinema, welcoming more than 136,000 enthusiastic filmgoers to Palm Springs every year. www.psfilmfest.org
DBA Mixers For more info visit www.desertbusinessassociation.org
ONGOING >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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 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
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EVENTS CALENDAR
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
WANG’S IN THE DESERT The bar & patio at Wang’s in the Desert is known as ‘the venue’ and offers daily happy hour, exciting daily events & amazing no-cover entertainment. Award winning, community giving, Top Shelf Happy Hour & Amazing Palm Springs Pan Asian Cuisine. Well known for Friday “Boys Night Out” Complete calendar list at www.wangsinthedesert.com
HUNTERS NIGHTCLUBS® Palm Springs, Palm Springs’ go-to gay bar and dance club, has been leading the way in full-out fun for 20 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 on Sundays 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 community events visit our Media Partner, O’Bayley Communications. CLICK ON LOGO WWW.OBAYLEY.NET
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DEC 27 - JAN 1
NEW YEAR PROVINCETOWN FIRST LIGHT PROVINCETOWN, MA Last but certainly not least, we usher in the New Year Provincetown-style. First Light is a fourday celebration happening from December 27th-January 1st. Come and watch or ride in the Lite Brite Bike Ride, catch a show, join the Polar Bear Plunge (January 1st at 11 a.m.), and eat at one of our gourmet restaurants. Fireworks will be held on the beach on Sunday, December 29th at 5:30pm. It’s a festive time in one of the most festive places in the world. Welcome 2019 in Provincetown. www.provincetowntourisimoffice.org
JAN 17 - 19
MID-ATLANTIC LEATHER WEEKEND WASHINGTON, DC Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend is a threeday long party and event with participants that now number in the thousands. The heart of the weekend is the historic leather formal Saturday evening cocktail social, Leather Cocktails. Leather Cocktails is the weekend lynchpin gathering from which all other weekend events evolved. www.leatherweekend.com
JAN 12 - 19
JAN 2 - 13
PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. PALM SPRINGS, CA Now entering its 31st year, the Palm Springs International Film Festival has a wellestablished reputation as one of the most prestigious and well-attended film festivals in the country. The Festival has long secured its place on the world stage as the portal for the very best in world cinema, welcoming more than 136,000 enthusiastic filmgoers to Palm Springs every year. www.psfilmfest.org
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ASPEN GAY SKI WEEK ASPEN, COLORADO Aspen Gay Ski Week is the premier gay & lesbian winter travel vacation event in Colorado. Not only is it a great vacation destination but also it is a fundraising event for local and national LGBTQ organizations. Aspen Gay Ski Week has gained the reputation of hosting the most exclusive and explosive winter entertainment. Worldrenowned DJ’s, indoor & outdoor pool parties, debauchery that will take you into the morning hours just in time to hit the slopes. www.gayskiweek.com
JAN 22 - 26
WINTER RENDEZVOUS. STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT, VERMONT The largest and longest-running gay ski event
in the northeast offers amazing discounts on lift tickets, rentals, lessons along with nonstop action; daily après-ski, wine tastings, pool party, champagne reception, downhill drag race, bonfires, hot tubs, spa treatments, dance parties, ice sculptures and more! www.winterrendezvous.com
JAN 2 - 5
Q CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA Discover what makes the Q Christian Conference the world’s largest, most celebrated, and highly anticipated annual LGBTQ Christian event. Join us for the 2020 Q Christian Fellowship Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This year’s gathering is called The Great Communion; as we grow as an organization, we have discerned the need to shift our posture in critical conversation from one of debating who is right to one centered on the fellowship made possible through Christ: The Great Communion. Whether you’re LGBTQ, you love someone who is, or you just want to learn more, this four-day event is designed for you. www.qchristian.org
Our National Media Partner, Queer Forty, is the online magazine for the LGBTQ over-40 community. Its mission is to inspire and support older LGBTQ people to keep living amazing lives! www.queerforty.com
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NOV 25 - DEC 22
PINK CHRISTMAS MUNICH, GERMANY For the 15th time “Pink Christmas” will open this years doors in the heart of the famous “Glockenbachviertel” in Munich. It is a small, pretty, colorful, diversified market - and as social as no other! Gays, locals and guests feel equally happy and are looking forward to the friendly vibes, the various and special stands, the famous tasty “Glühwein” as well as our unique nightly shows. Pink Christmas will be open during the full advent season, starting November 25th. Right next to the historic graveyard “Alter Südfriedhof”, people will be strolling, shopping, eating and drinking. Pink Christmas can be reached from the “Sendlinger Tor” in just a few minutes walking. www.pink-christmas.de
natural wonders like the Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss, Thingvellir national park and the Blue Lagoon, celebrating New Years in Iceland the Icelandic way with a bubbly bonfire tour, a house party and some late night dancing followed by a relaxing dip in the Blue lagoon on the first day of the new year. www.pinkiceland.is
JAN 19 - FEB 9
DEC 27 - JAN 1
WHITE PARTY / NEW YEARS EVE 2019/2020 PUERTO VALLARTA A week of parties to bring in a new decade. Presented by Jeffrey Sanker and Javier Jimenez. www.jeffreysanker.com/wppv-new-yearseve/
DEC 5 - 9
MERLINKA QUEER FILM FESTIVAL BELGRADE, SERBIA The Festival aims at presenting films dealing with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, intersexual and queer issues. The official program will highlight short, documentary and feature films from all over the world. www.merlinka.com
DEC 29 - JAN 1
ULTIMATE NEW YEAR IN ICELAND REYKJAVIK, ICELAND The package combines quality time in Reykjavik, visits to some of the most famous
parties while you’re enjoying yourself with various activities throughout the week. There is a wide range of accommodations. Don’t forget to order your event pass for the week, or do you want to miss the foam party, a fondue night at the mountain hut, a classical piano concert, the pool party, our cabaretnight or the drag- queen ski race?? www.arosa-gayskiweek.com
JAN 18 - 25
AROSA SKI WEEK AROSA SWITZERLAND The annual Gay Ski Week in Arosa, one of Switzerland’s most enchanting winter resorts. Come experience Swiss hospitality, the charm of a true mountain resort and glamorous
MIDSUMMA FESTIVAL 2020 MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA Don’t miss Melbourne’s most famous familyfriendly community day that kicks off summer’s beloved three-week Midsumma Festival season. Midsumma Carnival will serve-up a tasting plate of performances and personalities from the festival program – in one giant showcase – with something for everyone. Check out sports displays, get pooch-smooched at the famous Dog Show, or test out your favorite songs in the Lipsync Limelight competition. Food trucks, bars and stalls galore, all top-full of treats to keep you hydrated, fed and in the community spirit. For complete schedule visit www.midsumma.org.au
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
DECEMBER 2019 55
PHOTO REWIND PS PRIDE PARADE PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE
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PHOTO REWIND PS PRIDE PARADE PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE
DECEMBER 2019 57
PHOTO REWIND MAYOR PETE BUTTIGIEG FUNDRAISER PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE
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PHOTO REWIND PALM SPRINGS DANCE PROJECT PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE
DECEMBER 2019 59
PHOTO REWIND HRC GARDEN PARTY PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE
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PHOTO REWIND EQCA WOMXN EVENT PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE
DECEMBER 2019 61
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