TheStandard_Vol7_Issue9.pdf

SEPTEMBER 2019 VOLUME 7 ISSUE 9 THESTANDARDPS.COM

ANN UA L

SPO RTS ED ITI O N

HOMOPHOBIA IN SPORTS PRO FOOTBALLER SPEAKS OUT 2019 FITNESS TRENDS SPORTS FANS LOCALS CHIME IN

CONTENTS VOLUME 7, ISSUE 9

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PICTORIAL WORKING OUT IN STYLE

Volume 7 Issue 9 COVER ANNUAL SPORTS EDITION

PAGES 14-15

COVER HOMOPHOBIA IN SPORTS PRO FOOTBALLER SPEAKS OUT FEATURE 2019 FITNESS TRENDS WHAT’S NEW AT THE GYM FEATURE SPORTS FANS LOCALS CHIME IN PSP FOCUS BODYTUNE PAIN: IT’S IN THE BRAIN

SEPTEMBER 2019 3

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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

Daniel Clemens, Jeff Dorta, Dawn Ennis, Dann Foley, Richard Jones, Michael Khordoc, Jill Langham, Jacob Lopez, Christina Vronay Ruggles & Terri Schlichenmeyer

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 expressed is not necessarily those of The Standard. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. No portion of the publication may

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COVER

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 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.

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“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.

“Elite football pushes away homosexuals, or puts pressure on boys to be quiet as something as natural as who they love. We must support the boy who is right now thinking about quitting not to get mocked, who might have heard the word ‘faggot’ be used as an abuse in the locker room, because it’s not the individual boy’s responsibility to dare.

“It is mine, yours and everyone else’s task to make sure that you don’t need to be brave to come out. It should be simple and fun

to tell people that you’re in love. I can’t do more than welcoming everyone into the world of football. Neither can you.

“But if we do it together, in every stand, on every bus trip, on each away game and in every changing room, then soon we won’t have this problem anymore.”

Following the recording of the video, Sportbladet asked Ekdal — who just turned 30 — a few questions.

Is there any difference between a homosexual and a heterosexual player?

“No. Obviously not. One hardly knows how to respond to such a question. It’s just about who you like and who you’re in love with.

Technical skills, finishes, speed or game intelligence has nothing to do with that.”

“It should be obvious that also gay people shall be open with who they are in football. However, there are hardly any gay people, so we have a problem. And therefore I think it’s about time we change that.”

How do you perceive the attitude towards gay people in Italy?

“Just like in Sweden and in the rest of the world, there are some people who are a little bit homophobic. That’s how it is everywhere.

It feels so obvious that everyone should be able to love whoever they want, but unfortunately that isn’t always the case.”

“Most people behaved as they should but the homophobia was still there. Insults such as ‘faggot’ and other things existed. I’m sure they

SEPTEMBER 2019 7

COVER

still exist among boys in changing rooms and classrooms. If I would’ve been gay and heard all of that it would’ve made it much harder to come out. I bet it has stuck around today, so even though you don’t mean to hurt anyone it’s important to think about what you say.”

Otherwise?

“At the end of the day it can lead to many good players quitting. Hopefully, there aren’t too many stopping to play because of this, because everyone should obviously be able to play football regardless of who they love. But every person forced to quit is a double loss: primarily for the individual but also for football at large.”

What do you say about boys who are in love with boys not being able to get that boost as a player if they have to keep everything happening off the pitch inside of themselves?

“That I wish that they could get to tell. It is everyone’s right to be able to be in love with whoever they want. That’s nothing one should feel a need to hide or feel ashamed of, it should be fun. I really hope that it will get better when it comes to this. It would be great for society if gay men could play football without having to take any shit for it. It would be cool to see it too.”

What are your feelings about how few openly gay soccer players there are in the world? Some say there are only eight.

Do you remember when you fell in love as a teenager?

“Yes, I am in love with the same girl that I fell in love with back then. We have been together since I was 17 so I remember it well.”

Did falling in love make you a better player?

“Yes, you obviously get a different harmony when you’re in love. A safety. So it probably contributes to you becoming a better player, since love gives energy and joy.”

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“That’s extremely few. Either there are many, many more who don’t want to come out, or they’ve already quit. Both options are equally bad. I hope that there can be a domino effect that one dares, someone comes after and that in a couple of years it’s completely normal. That’s my hope.”

A special thanks to Dawn Ennis & Outsports for this article

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COVER

7 FITNESS TRENDS FOR 2019 EXPERTS SAY EVERYONE WILL BE TRYING THIS YEAR

Whether you work out at home or in the gym, basic cardio and weightlifting tend to be the staples in most people’s fitness routines, with the occasional spin class, yoga class, or nature walk thrown into the mix.

However, there always seems to be new, inventive fitness trends that rise in popularity, and that eventually become The Thing everyone wants to try. The fitness trends that are going to be huge in 2019 might surprise you, but may also give you ideas on how to keep your workouts feeling fresh — with some classics thrown in there for good measure.

SHORTER CLASS TIMES AND WORKOUTS According to Shari Castelli, the Director of Empowerment Funding and Expansion at ClassPass, shorter classes and workouts are in higher demand — especially for those with busy schedules.

“ClassPass found that 33 percent more people signed up for classes 44 minutes or less in 2018 than they did in 2017. People are busier than ever, and studios are catering to that more and more,” Castelli tells Bustle, adding that, “9 percent class schedules under 44 minutes were added to ClassPass last year.”

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GROUP CLASSES Group fitness classes in general seem to be on the rise in 2019. “Following the rise of boutique fitness, we believe that group fitness classes will continue to increase in popularity as more and more consumers discover the motivational appeal of working out as a community,” Amaya Weddle, Ph. D., the Director of Product Marketing and Research at MINDBODY, says. “Our research from earlier in 2018 shows that 27 percent of U.S. adults participate in group fitness once a week or more.”

TREADMILL CLASSES Treadmill classes may have earned the title of the fastest growing fitness trend in 2018 according to Classpass, but Castelli says that they are projected to become even more sought-after in 2019. “As studio fitness continues to rise year after year, it’s not surprising that we’re seeing more classes incorporating treadmills,” she says. “Running has always been a popular form of exercise and combining that with the same team atmosphere, awesome playlists and motivating instructors

we love in cycling and high intensity interval training (HIIT) classes, has made running inside more appealing than ever.”

FITNESS APPS Considering that fitness apps are super accessible — and can be completed at home, outside, or even while traveling — it’s no wonder that they will continue to grow in popularity. “Fitness technologies and apps such as the Fitplan app will be huge in 2019, and will only continue to grow,” Amanda Cerny, a fitness expert who recently launched the ‘Cerny Fit’ plan on the Fitplan app, tells Bustle. “People love the idea of being able to access valuable information from their devices, from the convenience of their own home, as people can see success with social and technology friendly programs that are easy and fun to use.”

SWIMMING “For individual fitness activities, swimming seems to have universal appeal for all age groups.” As TIME reported, swimming is easier on your joints, back, and your body in general — making it a great option for someone looking for the health benefits of exercise, without the added pressure (and possible injury) other forms of cardio can cause.

KICKBOXING AND HIIT WORKOUTS Kickboxing, HIIT, and CrossFit classes are receiving a lot of interest among Gen Zers and Millennials,” says Weddle. However, you can still partake in these trends at home if you don’t live near a gym offering them as classes. People have found both kickboxing and HIIT workouts are great coping skills that can boost your mood and self-esteem.

YOGA Yoga has been “a fitness mainstay for many years now, but [...] our data shows it’s the most popular group exercise modality across all age groups in the U.S.,” she explains. “We believe an aspect of yoga’s long-standing influence stems from studios introducing their students to new ways of approaching and improving their holistic health — including their mind and body.”

Research has shown that yoga can boost your body’s production of oxytocin and endorphins, help regulate your sleep cycle, lower your stress, and even lower levels on inflammation in your body. You can do yoga at home or in a class setting, but try to develop a practice that is mindful of cultural appropriation. You could even opt to find a studio that is free of racial or size discrimination.

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PICTORIAL

WORKING OUT IN STYLE

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SEPTEMBER 2019 15

WALK A DAY IN OUR SHOES

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B E N E F I T I N G

SEPTEMBER 2019 17

FEATURE

SPORTS FANS OR NOT… This being our annual Sports Edition we decided to have some fun with it and ask a few simple questions to members of the community. Following are the questions and what they had to say.

1. Did you participate in sports when you were growing up and if so what sports?

2. Do you follow any sports now?

3. If Palm Springs had an option to be home to a professional sports team what type of sport and what do you think should be the team’s name?

Ron deHarte – Executive Director Greater Palm Springs Pride I participated in your typical grade school sport activity and high school tennis. I think I did everything in my power to find something else to occupy my time. I follow The Oregon Ducks. Mainly because my husband is a Duck so I’m a fan by marriage. If Palm Springs had a pro team, I would like it to be a swimming team and team name: The Divas

Geoff Kors – Palm Springs Mayor pro tem I played football, golf and tennis growing up. I follow tennis, football and lots of other sports during playoff season. Hockey is in our future and I am looking forward to it. Palm Springs Heat is a name I hope is considered.

Thomi Clinton - President and Founder, Transgender Community Coalition I really did not participate in sports nor do I follow any sports currently. For this reason I really don’t know what type of sports team would work here in Palm Springs but I do think a great name for it would be The Rainbow Unicorns… Joking !

Bill Sanderson – Owner Townie Bagels Bakery Cafe I was into Bowling growing up. Haven’t followed any sports and I am not sure about what kind of team would serve the valley best but whatever it is I like Desert Heat as a name to consider.

Jill Langham – Personal Fitness Trainer & Author I did quite a bit of sports growing up, Field hockey, skiing, bike riding, softball, tennis, and weight lifting.

I really don’t follow any sports currently. And regarding a local team, I have no idea. LOL!

Willie Rhine- Co-owner & operator EIGHT4NINE Restaurant & Lounge I did not play sports as a kid :-( No interest in sports now.... Not sure I’m the right person for this. Lol

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Alexis Ortega – Director of Community Engagement, The LGBT Community Center of the Desert I played soccer, basketball, and softball. I was even a cheerleader for a hot second. I don’t really follow any teams these days, but overall, I’ll watch almost any sports games that might be on TV – football, basketball, tennis. Mostly basketball. I think it would be incredible if Palm Springs had a feeder team for the NBA. Having the team name be related to our landscape or flora or fauna would be cool. Like the Jackrabbits or Vinegaroons!

Brett Klein - Clinics Marketing Specialist, Eisenhower Health I was in Track and Field: hurdles, 440 and relay and volleyball. I follow and participate in Road Cycling and I play volleyball. I follow College football – PAC 12 only and especially the UO Ducks! I think that any sports team whether it is semi-pro or hopefully pro field team would be great for Palm Springs. I have numerous friends and colleagues that choose to reside in Arizona as they have pro/semi-pro teams and that’s a key luring in sports fanatics and those they love. Lol

Beau Stinnette – Designer/CFO Foley & Stinnette Interior Design Growing up I was involved in tennis, golf, swimming, soccer, and football. Currently I enjoy weightlifting and spin class. The sport that would be great in Palm Springs should be Softball or Baseball and the name could be The Springers.

Eric Davis – GED Magazine I participated in track 100 dash/440 relay and Yell Leader. I really don’t follow any sports currently.

Palm Springs would do great with a Football team with the name Dust Devils

Mike Thompson - Chief Executive, The LGBT Community Center of the Desert I was in Track 100 Dash / 440 Relay. Also I participated in Little League Baseball and Intramural Softball.

I currently don’t follow any sports but sometimes College Football: Boomer Sooner!. “Ooh, I like Eric’s response, so I’m going with, what Eric said.” :)

Tommi Rose, Producer, Entertainer, Philanthropist In our Gay household, we really don’t give a crap about sports. Actually I do not think we need the arena that is already being planned. We don’t have the infrastructure or the ability to handle that kind of congestion in downtown Palm Springs. If you want to build something, build it out by the freeway with their is easier and direct access. As far as sports goes, not for me.

Tony Marchese Owner Trio Restaurant I played Soccer growing up. When I have time to follow sports it’s usually tennis or soccer. It would be great if Palm Springs had a soccer team, Desert Ballers LOL… kidding or maybe a Baseball team.

Melissa Neiderman Philanthropist I did participate in track. I was also the score keeper for the boys’ soccer team( nice, huh?). I currently like to follow Tennis and Baseball. I would love to see Palm Springs bring in a Soccer team and a great name for it would be Palm Springs Pride

SEPTEMBER 2019 19

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BOOK REVIEW

ALWAYS OVERBOOKED

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

The light beneath the door is just a sliver.

It’s enticing, though, and you’re eager to see what’s on the other side, finally ready to open that door and come out. In “Yay! You’re Gay! Now What?” by Riyadh Khalaf, you’ll find some advice for doing it.

For awhile, months, maybe years, you’ve been “feeling different.” You think you might be gay and that’s “okay, it’s normal, and it’s not something you need to change.” Or you may be bi or pan or non-binary, “it simply comes down to how you feel” and it may have everything or nothing to do with the anatomy you got at birth.

The thing to remember is that “You Cannot Change Who You Are.” This may cause a lot of worry, for yourself and for people you love. Recognize that anxiety before it goes wild, and know how to break the cycle. Being gay, says Khalaf, is actually a “gift,” as you’ll eventually begin to see.

That’s a gift you can share or not, says Khalaf, because “you can come out whenever and however you want,” it’s your call. Yes, family members might freak out at first and your friends might retreat but you’ll find advice on how to cope with that, and a reminder that “almost every relationship is salvageable.”

So let’s say you’re out, comfortable with it, and you’re ready to find your first true love. It’s okay to go online and look but Khalaf says to be wary: you know how easy it is to pretend you’re someone you’re not when you’re on a computer, so be safe. Also be safe when you go to clubs or parties, and remember that protecting your heart is important, too. Relationships can be different, your first kiss can be amazing, and your body may respond in embarrassing ways to all of the above. And on that note, remember that consent is the new hot…

Here’s the very first thing you’ll need to know about “Yay! You’re Gay! Now What?”: absolutely anyone can read it – including parents and allies – but it’s really geared toward gay teen boys and young men. Indeed, author Riyadh Khalaf includes pages expressly for those allies and parents, but later parts of the book are filled with valid information that may be more graphic than they’ll want.

Still, that info will speak directly to the heart and the health of young men just coming out, in a way that’s not stuffy or clinical, but that’s more lightheartedly factual. Khalaf is gay and he uses his own personal anecdotes as tools to teach, but he’s not pious or pushy.

Instead, there’s a whole lot of care and camaraderie in these pages,

and the words “you are not alone” are not just written, but they leap from each page.

That could make this book a lifesaver for a boy with a dawning understanding but a short support system. “Yay! You’re Gay! Now What” is serious but fun to read, and may help to shed some light.

“Yay! You’re Gay! Now What?

A Gay Boy’s Guide to Life” by Riyadh Khalaf c.2019, Frances Lincoln $14.99 / $19.99 Canada/ 223 pages

SEPTEMBER 2019 21

FEATURE

THE FIRST ANNUAL “UNICORN PARTY” IN HONOR OF BI AWARENESS MONTH

BY MICHEL KHORDOC

Have you always wanted to go to a Pride event but felt nervous because you thought that you might not be “queer enough”? You’re not alone, and the Unicorn Party is for you. If you rock your rainbow joy loud and proud, or if you’re an ally who’s looking to celebrate bi+ pride, Unicorn Party, at the Bootleg Theatre is where you should be this September.

Produced by Good Trouble Makers - the first bisexual led and focused arts collaborative in the world - the event will take on September 14th from 5pm to 9pm at the The Bootleg Theatre 2220 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90057.

Kai Hazelwood, the mastermind behind Good Trouble Makers is committed to giving the bisexual community a platform to exist and thrive. Over the last 5 years her community of bi+ movement artists has grown to 12 members. Under the title Invisible, they have created 4 dance theatre works about bi+ identity, hosted 5 bi+ community storytelling workshops, and 2 bi+ story silent discos. In recognition of her work leading the collaborative Kai was named an artist in residence for the city of Los Angeles.

Good Trouble Makers are artist-agitators based in Los Angeles and working internationally. Inspired by the words of John Lewis, they are committed to making art, making room, making change, making good trouble.

The Bi Task Force has worked hard to have an annual art event in honor of Bi Pride month, but decided to end it after last year.

It made sense to create something to take the baton and continue their work. After receiving a grant from the California Institute of Contemporary Arts to produce Invisible the dance theatre work, Good Trouble Makers approached #stillbisexual and The American Institute of Bisexuality to team up and make a larger community celebration.

The response was enthusiastic and so Unicorn Party was born!

We sat down with Kai Hazelwood to get the scoop about this unique and highly anticipated event.

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What inspired Unicorn Party?

Unicorn Party is the event I wish I could go to when I was searching for bi+ community! Thanks for my work with AmBi LA I realized how much celebration and fun is an important political act.

Of course, we need to march and change policies, but we also need to celebrate and build our communities, and that’s what Unicorn Party is all about.

What is the event about?

Unicorn party, in honor of Bi Pride month, is a 21+ evening of

art, dance, music and revelry celebrating love for more than one gender. Produced by Good Trouble Makers and hosted by Miss Barbie Q, Unicorn party includes Invisible, a dance theatre work directed by Kai Hazelwood featuring real bi+ stories from real bi+ people, a musical line up of some of LA’s best bi+ artists and bands like VATTICA and Cindy Jollotta plus a queer craft market featuring bi+ goods from Queerdo by Kiki. And of course drink specials and food trucks! Unicorn Party is supported by The California Institute of Contemporary Arts, The American Institute of Bisexuality, AmBi, and #stillbisexual.

SEPTEMBER 2019 23

FEATURE

What makes your event a MUST-ATTEND party?

This is the only multimedia art party featuring an all bi+ line up in LA!

in the real world as well leading to a lot of misconceptions about bi+ community and its members often not feeling comfortable enough to come out, or that they’d have a welcoming community if they did.

Why do we need events like yours? What makes is relevant within today’s political and cultural landscape?

According to “The Bisexuality Report” “Of all the larger sexual identity groups, bisexual people have the worst mental health problems, including high rates of depression, anxiety, self harm and suicidality... Bisexuals experience high rates of being ignored, discriminated against, demonized, or rendered invisible by both the heterosexual world and the lesbian and gay communities...This erasure has serious consequences on bisexuals’ health, economic well-being, and funding for bi organizations and programs.” Political action and activism are a vital part of changing this, but being joyful, proud, and creating space for visible community celebration are powerful acts as well. In that spirit Unicorn Party is truly a get down celebrating our people, our stories, our artists, and making a space for a community that often feels like it doesn’t belong anywhere.

What is your role with Invisible and what does the organization do?

Invisible is the name of the dance theatre piece we’re premiering at Unicorn Party. I’m the director and choreographed this in collaboration with the other performers.

Why do you feel the Bi-sexual community is underrepresented?

Unfortunately, the statistics also support that bi+ representation in media and society at large has a long way to go. Bi+ people are often portrayed as untrustworthy, devious, doing it for attention, or just on their way to being gay. These same stereotypes are believed

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What is it like being an artist in residence in Los Angeles?

It’s GREAT! I’m so thankful for the financial support and the visibility being an artist in residence has given me. I’m so grateful for the support from the Department of Cultural Affairs, and The Independent Silverlake Jewish Community Center for being my host venue partner.

Where can our readers keep up with you and all of these events and organizations online?

w: goodtroublemakers.com F: https://www.facebook.com/goodtroublemakers/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/goodtroublemakers/

The

CENTER

Mission

Creating vibrant community by helping LGBTQ people along their way.

Vision

Thriving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, living authentically in supportive, inclusive communities.

THE SCOTT HINES

THE COMMUNITY

FOOD BANK

The

CENTER

@ THE CENTER

The McDonald/Wright Building 1301 N. Palm Canyon Dr., 3rd Floor | Palm Springs, CA 92262 | 760-416-7790 | www.thecenterps.org

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

• Sack lunches daily –over 1200 a week served.

• Phone and mail service.

• Morning coffee, rolls and fruit.

• Showers daily.

• Furniture for people in need.

• Clothing for job interviews and those who need them.

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

• Utility assistance.

• Rental assistance.

• Free notary service.

• Resume writing assistance.

• One way tickets home.

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

• Emergency food boxes.

• Some transportation to medical and social service appointments.

• Van transportation to hot lunch sites.

• Home deliveries to seniors who are homebound or frail.

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

• Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations for all in need. Christmas presents for all the children.

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

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

SEPTEMBER 2019 25

INDESIGN SPORTS & DESIGN: THE GENTRIFICATION OF THE “MANCAVE”

BY DANN FOLEY

As a community, we have not flown the LGBTQ “sports-lover” flag as high as some others (said with tongue planted firmly in cheek). As with other aspects of our lives we have had to create the dialogue.

that the best rooms are those we share with our family and friends.

Since I know this to be one of the few absolutes of interior design, I make it imperative that all decisions be made consciously.

In my case, being a designer does not necessarily mean I have no understanding or appreciation for sports. To me, a collection of objects that someone cherishes or the theme that a client describes to me, is a perfect jumping off point for the design of personal space. A preferred style or theme is a way for client and designer to communicate and then together, create spaces that speak to the owner’s interests and sense of home.

The love of sport is not just a masculine phenomenon. Both male and female clients ask for sport and hobby related rooms all of the time. The difference at Foley & Stinnette Interior Design is the approach. As with any themed design I guide my clients to the right selections and choices. Ahead are a few of my go-to thoughts when designing this type of space…

What I wish to offer this month, is the idea that any theme, be it French country, midcentury modern or sports enthusiast, is a beginning point, not the destination. When discussing the design of masculine spaces (mancaves) I find that though they are meant to be the domain of the male, they are still shared with the spouse or significant other. The overriding considerations may be for the occupant but, part of the pleasure of having this very personalized space is to share it with others. I have often said here in these pages,

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It’s Not a Frat House, It’s Your House.

The design should be clean and focused. If sports are your thing, then most likely the television is a huge consideration. Make the screen as big and as top notch as possible. I love to make space for television in every room, this is one of the rooms where it becomes the focus. Go big or go home!

Grow Up! All too often themed design relies heavily on cliché and basic

choices and can run to the truly juvenile. A room for and by adults should be layered and reveal itself in many ways. In other words, you don’t need turf carpeting to let people know you love football! LOL Curate Your Collections.

I am always looking for quality over quantity and meaning over mania. When it comes to collecting and displaying I follow two rules.

Like items should be gathered together for more visual impact and make sure you choose the best you can afford. A framed game jersey, a signed game ball, an original album cover. These are all popular collectibles, how they are displayed is the key to success of the room.

Details, Details, Details!

If your mancave is supposed to be your escape from the world, then make sure it is properly fitted. This is more than the size of your tv screen. It includes the quality of the sound system, the quality of the acoustics, the quality of the lighting and yes, the quality of your snacks! Television glare is one of the most common mistakes people make. Be mindful where you hang your tv and be conscious of window treatments to reduce or eliminate glare.

The trick to great design (if there is such a thing), is to make selections with you in mind. Don’t let a theme or your passion for a single thought or idea consume your good taste and good judgement.

When spending your hard-earned money on items that are meant to last a long time you should be conscious of every choice. You should not be telling just any story, tell your story.

Lasting style is not about following the latest trends, it is about making the choices that make you happy on every level. Comfort, configuration, color are all elements of personal style. Your passions and hobbies are a part of the style puzzle. Knowing when to deviate from the theme is just as important as when to stay the course.

Live Well!

Dann www.foleystinnette.com designer dann on: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest

SEPTEMBER 2019 27

AMAZON TRAIL

THE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE

BY LEE LYNCH

As disheartened as I am about all that is going on in our country and our planet, there are times when I have to appreciate the good things in life. They are often about ice cream.

I was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this July. What a great little city that is. Four of us went to dinner at an extremely noisy Gastropub that was all about dolled-up meat dishes.

It was a relief to get outside to the relative quiet. We searched for an ice cream joint named Millie’s, a tiny local favorite with a line halfway down the block. I tried the Vietnamese Coffee flavor, which was your basic coffee ice cream with the addition of tiny dark specs that deepened the flavor without unleashing the bitterness of coffee.

It was the best of nights, two dyke couples holding hands for all to see, catching up with one another after a year of emails. We closed the 2019 Golden Crown Literary Conference dancing with a chorus line of friends.

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From Pittsburgh we drove to North New Jersey and stayed with gracious family. For dessert there was, hooray, ice cream! This was, after all, during a heat wave. What better excuse? The next morning, rushing for the train into the city, my sweetheart’s aunt made us bagels. Genuine New York metro bagels. Crisped outside, soft and warm inside. It had been years since my last real bagel. There are certain moments I could be lured back to the East Coast to live.

That was one of them.

When my sweetheart, her youngest sister, and I exited Penn Station in New York the first thing I did was breathe deeply. Yeah, despite the influx of mega-billionaires, the out of control developers, the city still smelled like home. We three walked a little over one glorious mile to Grand Central Station, taking turns with my rolling suitcase, stopping only when one rude curb tripped my sweetheart and gave her a bloody gash in the knee.

She wasn’t one to ruin my first time back on the streets of New York in over two decades—she limped on, despite all the fussing we did over her.

Then I saw the Dunkin’ Donuts stand, another big reason to live back east. Once I was seated on the Metro-North, bag of two jelly donuts in hand, my sweetheart made it back from a newsstand with seconds to spare, and tossed a New York Times into my lap. Except that we would be apart for forty-seven whole hours, my life at that moment was perfect.

Friends picked me up from New Haven’s Union Station. When I awoke the first morning, one of them had driven to the best donut shop in the area and I have to say, those jelly donuts were terrific, almost a reason to move back to New Haven. Later that day, we drove to the best Chinese restaurant I’ve been to in a while. I tried to explain the difference between East Coast Chinese food and Chinese fare out West, which is either very inferior, or a mishmash of Chinese, Thai, American, Cantonese, Szechuan, or anything else that sounds nouveau and hip. At some restaurants egg rolls aren’t even offered. I mean, I grew up on the things, and on a sweet and sour sauce that wasn’t gooey and gelled.

That afternoon, my friends insisted I try the best ice cream ever.

Wentworth Homemade Ice Cream in Hamden, Connecticut is worth the trip from the Northwest. They even had an ordinary coffee flavor, which is hard to find in these days of espresso and lattes.

My sweetheart met us, the next day, at Katz’s Deli Restaurant in Woodburn, Connecticut, just off the Merritt Parkway. Oh my gosh, their pastrami on rye almost made me cry. West Coast pastrami doesn’t even look like the real thing.

We arrived at my brother’s home in Massachusetts and shopped for good old New England franks and beans and coleslaw. At the table that evening, my brother pronounced, “It’s Thursday! Franks and beans are to be eaten on a Saturday.” We laughed, but that’s how ingrained the meal is in both of us. Our father, as a boy, delivered Friend’s Baked Beans with a horse and cart in Western Massachusetts.

While we didn’t go out for ice cream, I tried Edy’s and was impressed by the natural ingredients. My sweetheart conspired with my niece to deliver a dozen Dunkin’ Donuts for breakfast, while she took a train to spend the day with a college pal at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Apparently, the museum offers fine cuisine in its five—five—eateries.

If you ever get to Essex, Massachusetts, do not miss The Village Restaurant. From baskets of fried clams to haddock baked with blue cheese, there wasn’t even room for ice cream.

I had to wait two days, until we were home and my dentist discovered a challenging cavity, before I could visit our local fast food chain, Arctic Circle. I wouldn’t be able to chew much for a couple of days, so I allowed myself one of their large coffee milkshakes, clicked my heels three times in sheer pleasure, and was overjoyed to be home.

(760) 891-4072 SEPTEMBER 2019 29

Q&A

LGBTQ ROM-COM, ANALYSIS PARALYSIS, NOW ON AMAZON, iTUNES AND GOOGLE PLAY

BY MICHEL KHORDOC

From the writers & producers of The Perfect Wedding: Boy wants to meet boy, but boy’s got a few issues. Jason T. Gaffney is a native New Yorker, living in LA, who has danced his way from New York City to Alaska and back. He was born in Bethpage Long Island in 1985 and lived in NYC, MA and Los Angeles, CA. He is best known for his roles in the movies, The Perfect Wedding and Jolly, and in the Off-Broadway production of Looking for Billy Haines. He is also known for his American Sign Language YouTube videos.

As the driving force behind My Pet Hippo Productions, Jason and his husband Matt Gorlick’s independent film company, the duo’s artistic direction is focused on one goal: to shine a different spotlight on the entertainment community as it pertains to LGBTQ individuals, but also on any culture in Hollywood who is marginalized, simply because of their race, sexuality, or gender.

Breaking the mold, and playing it bold, they’re successfully planting the seeds to do just that with the romantic comedy, The Perfect Wedding; the thriller, Russian Doll (both distributed by Wolfe Releasing) and their latest rom-com Analysis Paralysis, which was just released on Amazon, iTunes and Google Play.

We chatted with Jason to learn more about him, the film and his endeavor to break Hollywood stereotypes.

Tell us more about Analysis Paralysis – what is the movie about?

Analysis Paralysis tells the story of Tyler O’Conner (Jason Gaffney), a young gay author, who discovers that he suffers from an anxiety disorder commonly called “Analysis Paralysis” — an inability to take action without imagining the ways that each possible choice could go wrong. The problem is that, unchecked, the condition will lead Tyler into a state of complete inaction.

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To confront the disorder, Tyler decides to fight through his anxiety and ask his cute neighbor, Shane (Kevin Held), out for coffee. Despite a flurry of imagined disasters, the date goes well, and Shane and Tyler ultimately become involved. Against all odds, the relationship moves forward, but not without every step of the way preceded by an avalanche of negative, albeit hilarious, fantasies.

What inspired the making of the film?

I love LGBTQ+ films. All of them have a very important voice in these hard times. But I personally hadn’t seen many films where the leads just happened to be Gay and their sexual orientation has nothing to do with the conflict or humor of the story—they experience the same problems and conflicts that the rest of the human population does.

I also felt a need to make a movie where people can watch it and laugh—we all need to laugh, because the world is on fire.

Why did you decide to take a shot at directing and what was your experience like as a first time director?

I had a very clear vision in my head for how this story should be told, and I wanted to make sure that it would be told the way that I saw it.

What would you say makes this film a MUST-SEE? Most movies that deal with mental illness or depression show it in a very dramatic light. And while the issues are serious, the people suffering from them aren’t always walking around in a haze, and they do know how to laugh. (I should know, I’ve struggled with anxiety my whole life.) They are real people with multiple emotions, and this film tackles extreme anxiety with a comedic slant which not often seen in films or tales of mental illness. It’s a story we can all relate to on some level.

This is also a movie about two out gay men—played by out gay actors—who meet and fall in love, set in a world where their being gay doesn’t provide any of the conflict...

Plus it’s a seriously funny rom-com, at a time in our history when laughter is desperately needed.

What does the film offer in terms of perspective or message for the LGBTQ community that others don’t?

I was a little nervous at first, because wearing so many hats during a production can be challenging. (Hiring a great cast and crew helps a lot!)

As a filmmaker, my goal is to make movies set in the inclusive, welcoming, LGBTQ-friendly world where I grew up. (My “coming out at age fifteen” story was basically my mom kissing me, and saying “I know. I love you. Where did you put your dirty socks, I’m doing a load of laundry...”) And although there’s definitely still an important place in LGBTQ films for angsty coming-out dramas, I just don’t see my own reflection in those stories.

I love romantic comedy, but I’m an actor in a world where there simply aren’t enough LGBTQ rom-coms being made, so I decided to write one myself, back with The Perfect Wedding. It wasn’t that big a step to go from writing to producing, as I did with that film—and then to directing with Analysis Paralysis. I’ve been learning as I go!

So, in both my movies and my books, I deliver stories where the LGBTQ characters have moved beyond any conflict surrounding their sexual orientation. I make rom-coms where the gay main characters get to be conflicted by the same zany hijinks that straight, cis characters have been dealing with for decades.

SEPTEMBER 2019 31

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Q&A

Boy meets boy, boy loses boy, boy wins boy and they live happily ever after!

What do you want your audience to feel after seeing the movie?

Happy and hopeful. (And refreshed and ready to fight on!)

While it may not look like it, I do believe that the world is changing for the better, and I like to think that Analysis Paralysis represents the future that we all deserve.

Anything else you want to add which you feel is important we know about?

Our production company’s mission is to create high quality, exciting, and entertaining movies featuring a universe where: LGBTQ characters have leading roles that are never based on stereotypes.

The main conflicts of our LGBTQ characters aren’t created by their sexual orientation. Female characters have roles that go beyond mother, wife, daughter, and/or woman-in jeopardy.People of color have roles that are never based on stereotypes. A limited budget does not mean a compromised product.

Analysis Paralysis was co-written by the gay son/straight father team of Jason T. Gaffney and Ed Gaffney. Jason and Ed are also the authors of three m/m romance novels, the California Comedy Series (Creating Clark, A Match for Mike, and Fixing Frank). Jason’s husband Matt Gorlick, his mother New York Times Bestselling Author Suzanne Brockmann, and his cousin Jack Gravina helped produce it, making it a family-made film.

Watch the film at: AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Analysis-Paralysis-Jason-TGaffney/dp/B07W97Y1XT/ref=sr_1_2?crid=ASSZKXUT1VVX&k eywords=analysis+paralysis+movie&qid=1567179276&s=gatew ay&sprefix=analysis%2Caps%2C1330&sr=8-2 ITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/analysis-paralysis/ id1475735028 GOOGLE PLAY: https://play.google.com/store/movies/details/Analysis_ Paralysis?id=DX1UbxuO58M.P

SEPTEMBER 2019 33

WELLNESS

PAIN ( IT’S IN THE BRAIN )

BY DANIEL CLEMENS

Every athlete, has an intimate and ongoing relationship with pain. On the softball field, around the tennis court or in the pool, the impacts and sudden stresses we place upon our bones and muscles, eventually bring us into close contact with pain. But what is pain? We know it hurts but how does it work? The answer may surprise you and understanding the pain cycle can open up new ways to alleviate the physical and mental discomfort caused by injury or illness.

Neuroscientists have shown a clear connection between pain and emotion. The centers in the brain that processes pain overlap with the brain centers controlling emotions. The emotional component of the pain response is crucial to the understanding of how to relieve it. Sports neurologist Dr. Vernon Williams tells us that, “Pain is not an electrical signal transmitted to the brain from an area of injury or damage. Pain is the emotional experience associated with the signal. And the signal doesn’t become pain until it’s processed and experienced in the brain as unpleasant in some emotional context.

The emotional context is critical.”

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This is how an athlete can “play through” with a serious injury or how the results of a car accident can become truly apparent the next day. When we are deeply focused, our emotions take a back seat and without an emotional trigger, pain isn’t processed by the brain.

This is such an important concept that the International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as an “unpleasant sensory and emotional experience.”

And let’s not forget emotional pain. The sudden loss of a loved one or a job can make us feel like we’ve been hit by a train. The physical pain is all over and we barely have the energy to get out of bed. It’s clear that negative emotions can drive pain, but emotions can also show us a way out of it.

Chronic pain is so common that enormous resources have been allocated to its relief. But so many times, the emotional component is left out of the equation. Manual manipulation of muscle, bones and fascia can offer a solution but the patient must be in a positive and healthy emotional state. If not, we may find only temporary relief.

Therapies like craniosacral and body tuning work with the emotional and physical bodies.

Chronic pain is often connected to a sense of hopelessness and depression amplified by a feeling that no matter how many treatments are tried, the pain just keeps coming back. In order to finally feel truly healed, a change In one’s emotional state must occur. Exercise and movement of any kind have been shown to be a vital step in this kind of change. It may seem like a monumental effort when everything hurts but exercise, even a walk, if possible, moves the blood and releases happy hormones. Staying social is another way to release beneficial endorphins into the body. Meditation can calm the nervous system and help us to maintain a positive attitude.

PAIN ( It’s In The Brain ) Pain is a complex and multifaceted syndrome. There is no oneshot solution. Whether we choose medication, more body centered therapy or a combination of both, it is extremely helpful if the pain patient takes charge of his or her recovery and cooperates in finding a personalized treatment plan suited for the best possible recovery.

Involvement in that recovery, is key. A willingness to explore the emotional aspects of pain, and the readiness to participate in the steps needed to heal helps to open the door to a life of pain free possibilities.

Daniel Clemens, CMT Owner of BodyTune Studio President, Holistic Care Cooperative www.bodytune.studio

SEPTEMBER 2019 35

FITNESS

SEEING EUROPE IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT

BY JILL LANGHAM

Ole, friends. Here’s hoping that this finds you well and enjoying your summer. I’m on a 6-week once in a lifetime vacay traveling to 7 different European cities. I’ve already been to Mykonos, Amsterdam, Warsaw, and Prague.

I’m currently in Barcelona, but leave tomorrow for Tuscany where I’ll be staying in a dreamy, under the Tuscan sun-type farmhouse owned by a new friend. I’m so excited to be going back to Tuscany after a 20-year hiatus.

I’m Italian on my Dad’s side and write about this life-changing event in my book “How I Became the Dancing Queen of Palm Springs”.

While there, I had a one-off moment while driving my parents through Tuscany. I share how I was called by a higher power I couldn’t ignore, to pull off the road. The energy guided me to get out of the rental car I was driving, get on my hands and knees and start digging into Italy’s rich, red soil or what I think might be it’s soul. I’ll see if that same energy grabs me this time around.

Meanwhile, this current trip was meant to be quite different from the other times I’d been abroad. Over the past 6 years I typically danced all night at circuit parties and slept all day, especially in Barcelona.

This time I did what this Dancing Queen has not done before and enjoyed the great and beautiful City of OZ, err, I mean Barcelona.

I say OZ because between Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia and so many other eccentric architectural buildings, one might mistake themselves to be in OZ! My bestie and I lived like residents. We shopped in the Mercado and cooked meals in. We went to the gym every day, and took time to walk as much as we could while stopping at cafes along the 35 Ramblas’ that Barcelona has. We averaged about 5 miles a day but also did 45 minutes of cardio on the stationary bike while bingewatching Designated Survivor, which, btw I highly recommend it for its relevance to today’s political struggles.

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Barcelona was the home to not one but two Universal Expositions back in 1888 and again in 1929, our year of the Great Depression. The Expo ran from May 20 December 9 meaning that it was open on October 24, 1929, the day of Market Crash.

I imagine those days were tragic for the individuals abroad who did not know what they would be facing when they returned.

This month’s issue focuses on Sports and in 1992, the city of Barcelona, won the bid for the Olympics, a huge victory for a well designed, linearly octagonal city that was not the hub that it is today. Tourism rose from an average of 350,000 people a year to 100’s of millions today!

The city hosted the Olympics and took advantage of showing the world its beauty. The land that they built the Olympic Village on overlooked the whole city with mountain views in the distance as well as the seashore to the East. They intentionally built the pools on the city side of the park giving the audience a drop-dead view of all it had to offer. These pools are still used today. Can you imagine some of the fantasies that young athletes have thinking that Olympic Gold medals were won by people diving from the same boards that they were training on! Greg Loganis, one of our own, competed here and won but he ironically also hit his head on diving board which most people will remember more so than his win! So heads up!

Today, the Olympic stadium, called the Palua Sant Jordi is used to host some of the best music acts in the world. This includes recent stars like Madonna, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and Coldplay.

The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and David Bowie played there as well. There is also a permanent museum that you can visit or you can take a bike tour of the Olympic City.

So music and sports continue to have a connection that works well for this Dancing Queen!

XOXO

SEPTEMBER 2019 37

PSP FOCUS PALM SPRINGS WOMEN’S WEEK

JAZZ-IN-PINK Palm Springs, well known as a major destination for gays and Lesbians, will further solidify its reputation with the arrival of Palm Springs Women’s Week in late September. This 8 day affair, September 29-October 6, 2019, is intended to bring women from around the country to the Coachella Valley to participate in a week of events designed to celebrate Lesbian culture and elevate the status of women. It will cast a bright light on talented local women and explore the issues and attitudes that define women’s experiences everywhere.

It is a week of social and cultural events that opens with a much anticipated exhibit of women artists at the Barba Gallery in Palm Springs. The June L. Mazer Archives will display a series of photographs from its vast collection of lesbian memorabilia throughout the week at the Palm Springs Women’s Club. There is a food and wine tasting featuring celebrity chef, LaTasha McCutchen,

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JUDITH HILL

PSP FOCUS

LaTASHA McCUTCHEN

TANYA PETROVNA PHOTO CREDIT STACY JACOB

NENA BALESTIER

SHERRY PRUITT

the winner of season 13 of Hell’s Kitchen and a tribute to the Blues at Oscar’s nightclub with The Queen of Texas Blues, Sherry Pruitt and her all female blues band.

PS Women’s Week is anchored by the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival and the L-Fund Charitable Golf Tournament at Mission Hills, two events that draw large numbers of Lesbians to Palm

SEPTEMBER 2019 39

PSP FOCUS

KOKO TAYLOR

ROSE MALLETT

Springs each year. The Jazz Festival opens up with its pre-jazz party on Thursday night, poolside on the roof of the Rowan Hotel. On Friday and Saturday concerts at the Indian Wells Theater in Palm Desert will feature the smooth-jazz sensation, Maysa, along with the popular all-female band Jazz in Pink and from The Voice and the Prince band, the soulful Judith Hill.

long conference on women’s health and a POWER gathering to discuss politics.”

According to the executive producer, Gail Christian, what makes this event different is from the usual LGBTQ parties is “while there are plenty of opportunities to reflect on serious issues that concern women. For instance, there is the Body and Soul Experience, a day-

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Barbara Carpenter, the Executive Director of the L-Fund, which provides emergency assistance and education grants to Lesbians, went on to say, “another factor that sets this event apart from others is that it is sponsored by the Lesbian community with more than a dozen organizations and a hundred women contributing their time and money to making this a success.”

The full schedule of events and activities is available at www.palmspringswomensweek.com

SEPTEMBER 2019 41

PSP FOCUS STEVEN FALES’ INTERNATIONAL SOLO HIT CONFESSIONS OF A MORMON BOY BEGINS RESIDENCY AT HOTEL ZOSO THRU JANUARY 2020

After a highly-acclaimed tour to Australia, Norway, and South Africa this summer, and two sold-out runs at the Desert Rose Playhouse followed by a sold-out four-week encore run at Oscar’s Cabaret earlier this year, award-winning solo performer/playwright Steven Fales returns to the Coachella Valley with his “new and improved, updated, unbridled, and uninhibited” Confessions of a Mormon Boy which transfers its successful “Storytelling Tuesdays” to the 120-seat The Club at Hotel Zoso in fabulous downtown Palm Springs for a 22-week residency starting Sept 10 thru Jan 28, 2020 at 7:30 PM, before touring East Asia, India, South America and other countries on its way to a commercial revival in New York City. Based on original Off-Broadway direction by Tony Award Winner Jack Hofsiss, the solo play contains adult themes but without swearing or nudity!

Told with humor, song and unflinching honesty, Confessions of a Mormon Boy is the inspiring true story of Steven Fales’ journey from being a devoted, sixth-generation Mormon, former missionary, and

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father of two to coming out as gay after trying conversion therapy and being excommunicated from the church of his birth. Riding an emotional roller coaster of extremes – from perfect Mormon boy in Utah to perfect rent boy in Manhattan – Fales discovers what it means to finally come home, if only in your heart. Written and performed by Steven Fales, Confessions of a Mormon Boy is based on original direction by Tony Award Winner Jack Hofsiss (The Elephant Man). Press acclaim has included comments such as ‘Compelling confessional theatre’ (New York Times), ‘As moving as it is funny’ (New York Daily News), ‘A triumph’ (Newsday), ‘Epic’ (Washington Post), ‘Fierce’ (Boston Globe) and ‘Hilarious’ (Chicago Sun-Times).

The production, which was first premiered in 2001 in Salt Lake City, has since been seen across the USA, Australia, Canada, Scandinavia, Europe, and South Africa. Steven Fales received the Overall Excellence Award for Solo Show at the New York International Fringe Festival and was nominated for the Oscar Wilde Award for Outstanding New Writing for the Theatre at the

PSP FOCUS International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. Fales was also nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Solo Performance for his Off-Broadway performance that ran for 81 performances at the SoHo Playhouse in 2006.

The solo play was dusted off in 2018 as Steven re-explored the piece with Scott Schwartz at Bay Street Theatre. Fales’ groundbreaking work has been newly updated with script and performance and has been workshopped playing to sold-out crowds wherever it goes. Fales says, “It’s as if this is now the version that was meant to be. I think the early draft was ahead of its time. Maybe Confessions is now right on time.”

“I’m thrilled to now be in residence at this amazing venue at Hotel Zoso performing this story of hope and acceptance with lots and lots of humor,” says Fales. ‘I hope all kinds of audiences find it an entertaining look at how one troubled young dad first learned to wake up and grow up—and then kept learning. The play is about so many things—but ultimately, it’s about personal transformation. And that is universal.”

Tony Award-winning actress, Judith Light raves, “Steven’s oneman show is a combination of an incredibly emotional and heartwrenching story, a powerfully written and nuanced script, and a knock-it-out-of-the-ballpark performance. Confronting the ‘demons’ within, and seemingly around him, and ending up such an inspiring example of true self-respect and authenticity left me deeply touched and equally inspired.”

CA 92262, USA. For special room rates, reservations, and more information about Hotel Zoso www.hotelzosopalmsprings.com Confessions of a Mormon Boy runs approximately 90 minutes without intermission. There is no swearing or nudity, but the solo play contains adult themes not appropriate for children under 12. 100% of proceeds from opening night benefit gala go to charities fighting human trafficking. 2% of proceeds from ticket sales and merchandise for the entire run go to help victims of human trafficking.

Dress for opening night gala on Oct 22 is “Cowboy” optional.

Please note that shows on Tuesday, December 24 and 31 will be replaced with special holiday shows called A Mormon Boy Christmas and A Mormon Boy New Year’s Eve. For tickets and information visit www.mormonboyexperience.com

Confessions of a Mormon Boy begins a new 22-week residency in The Club at Hotel Zoso in downtown Palm Springs for “Storytelling Tuesdays” presented by NF2 Productions. Previews begin Tuesday, Sept 10 at 7:30 PM. Press previews Tuesday, Oct 1, 8, 15 at 7:30 PM. Opening Night Benefit Gala Performance with opening comedienne Jill Kimmel, Tuesday, Oct 22. All shows begin at 7:30 PM with special “Short Story” guest appearances at 7:00 PM. Doors open at 5:30 PM for drinks and dinner featuring an extensive full-service “Mormon Boy” food, wine, and cocktail menu. Tiered table/booth/bar seating with special preview ticket prices range from $15-50. Regular highseason prices are $25-100 beginning October 22. Tickets available at www.mormonboyexperience.com through Eventbrite, in person, or reservations at (917) 583-0632. Group rates for 8 or more by contacting info@mormonboyexperience.com. Student rush tickets and discounts available for locals and military with valid I.D. Wheelchair and handicapped accessible. Valet parking available. Ample free parking near hotel located at 150 S Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs,

SEPTEMBER 2019 43

TRANSCENDENCE

ON BALLS AND SPORT BALL, THE TRANSGENDER PERSPECTIVE

BY CHRISTINA VRONAY RUGGLES

Imagine me, all 6 feet 2 inches slender white me. My sides all shaved, my dark brown hair all slicked back in some crude imitation of Orange is the New Black’s ever-hot Daddy. My glasscutting cheekbones and jaw strutting about my face. My dark, thick eyebrows resting into their usual concern drawing scowl as my bluegreen eyes dart across the room.

Imagine me, suddenly the focus of attention in a room filled to the brim with curious, hungry-eyed cis people at the mere mention of “transgender” and “athlete” in the same sentence. Imagine me, trapped in the eye of the storm as soon as the topic of transgender athletes is brought up. Just because I’m a dirty tranny people think I have not only an opinion on that topic, but an educated one (I say dirty not because I’m transgender, but because I am--in fact--a filth mongering whore of Satan herself, irrespective of the whole “trans pride worldwide” lifestyle that I maintain). As a transgender person, I do, occasionally have unique, highly informed opinions on things.

Even more rare, those opinions are had because of my unique, lived experiences as a transgender woman.

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But sports and sportball related things? Nuh-uh. No way.

It’s a contentious argument, it’s an important one to have as we begin, you know, ACTUALLY including non-cis bodies into sports.

My problem is that I, very lazily and very privileged, have not yet bothered to build any logical framework or anything of that nature about the “issue” of trans and non cis bodies in traditionally cisgendered sport enclaves. I support my trans and non-cis siblings 100% but beyond that I don’t have an opinion, a policy, or much less any thoughts on what implementation and integration would even begin to look like. In short, I got nothing but a sign that vaguely implies: “free hugs for trans cuties” (with, of course, all trans people being cuties). I wish I had that sign to be honest, rather that than having to mumble and bumble and mishandle any kind of debate or discussion on the issue of transgender people in sports. The sign would be better for a few, now to be listed, reasons.

First, Maybe someone thinking about talking about transgender people in sports with a transgender person is deterred and, hopefully,

delayed indefinitely from ever doing so again by my cute sign and me, why debate when they can support the hug brigade? Or, second they think I’m an idiot and thus, leave me the hell alone.

To be honest though, the topic of transgender people in sports is just too outside of my Overton Window for me to care, much less form a proper, functioning, opinion and back up argument(s) and evidence.

That sounds terrible though since millions of transgender people worldwide are most likely struck by this issue across all competitive levels of sports from Frisbee golf beer leagues to champion MMA fighters, the question of “what do with you?” always hangs over a trans persons’ athletic life.

And an (often) cisgendered person’s decision on one’s athletic life can veer from fun ending to life ruining to humiliating. Hell, just look at the case of Caster Semenya. A person who has always identified as a woman and always will, and whose existence as an intersex woman ran her afoul of a variety of sport governing bodies.

Her body and the advantages it gives have almost always sought to be banned, while the mutations and genetic advantages of someone like Michael Phelps are hailed as luck.

Though in the cases of Michael Phelps and Caster Semenya, one could also point to a host of other issues such as racism, due to Caster Semenya being a powerfully built black South African woman, and Michael Phelps being a powerfully built white man. The governing bodies that lord over the both of them however, are deeply white male organizations. So, maybe there is more than meets the eyes in her case. And by maybe, I mean obviously.

Caster Semenya’s case has been made complicated by cisgender officials for years and she isn’t even transgender. They just thought she might be and took as much legal action as they could to bar her entry and hamper her career. She should give everyone an inkling of an idea of the shit-show that is transgender peoples’ existence in the realm of competitive sports.

I know the sheer amount of mess is what deters me from having these conversations with cis people. Having to get all the various sport-related varieties of cisgendered nonsense gathered up in a single, easy to read place, just so some cis people could maybe understand the already lived experiences of many transgender people. It’s tiring to do that for such a major issue, that I can seemingly not give a hoot about. I also say that knowing I just wrote 800 words or so on the topic of sports. So, know, how much I really care is clearly a mystery, even to me.

SEPTEMBER 2019 45

MUSIC

STEWART TAYLOR RELEASES NEW SINGLE AND MUSIC VIDEO, “MESS YOUR HAIR UP”

BY JEFF DORTA

Stewart Taylor has known he wanted to be a singer since he was seven years old. he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston where he had the opportunity to work alongside American Idol’s Kara Dioguardi. She introduced Taylor to Charlie Puth, who taught him the inner-workings of the studio. After graduating Berklee, Taylor moved to New York City to gig on the Lower East Side for two years before making his way to Hollywood In 2017. Since then, he has been writing and recording in LA and regularly pitches songs to artists like Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes.

“Show business is a huge hustle,” he says. “It involves a lot of rejection, tons of networking, recording sessions, and figuring out how you’re going to pay your bills and rent. I’ve worked so many part-time and dead-end jobs to make ends meet and have moved so many times, but I’m still here!”

In “Mess Your Hair Up”, Singer/Songwriter Stewart Taylor encourages fans to be playful and adventurous with their significant others. produced by David Pramick and John Silos, the R&B funk track is reminiscent of off the wall-era Michael Jackson and was inspired

by Taylor’s own long-distance relationship. “I had recently moved to LA from New York and my partner sent me a super sexy picture,” he explains. “I told him I wanted to jump on him and mess his hair up! The chorus of the song came to me almost immediately afterwards.”

“Mess Your Hair Up” is a marked departure from “Liberation,” Stewart Taylor’s inspirational LGBTQ Anthem from four years ago that was featured on numerous anti-bullying platforms. Stewart’s own coming out story was featured in Dan Savage and Terry Miller’s New York Times bestselling book, “It Gets Better”. As Taylor has grown and matured, so has his music. These days Stewart’s songwriting focuses less on coming out and more on navigating through the good, the bad, and the ugly of relationships.

“Everyone deserves to be happy in and outside of the bedroom,” he reflects. “While ‘Mess Your Hair Up’ may appear simplistic and perhaps more superficial than my previous tracks, sometimes simple and fun is better. one of my favorite Prince songs is literally about wanting his lover’s “extra time and their kiss,” and it’s still iconic.

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“The biggest hurdle I’ve had to face has been being an outpop artist,” he continues. “I’ve been passed up by major TV shows, executives, and record labels simply because I am out. Even with all the progress the LGBTQ community has made in the last few years, there still needs to be more LGBTQ visibility in music and entertainment. At the end of the day, so what if I’m not an allAmerican straight guy? All of my favorite artists and songwriters started from nothing and built empires, despite obstacles and adversity, and I aim to be the next out artist who breaks through.”

His optimism shines through in the colorful music video for “Mess Your Hair Up.” “I wanted to keep it fun like the song itself, with a hint of old classic Hollywood in the black and white scenes.

The video celebrates white, black, Latino, and even drag queen hairstyles because all of it is beautiful to me. I also had the privilege of working with LA-based choreographer Johnny Rice (Taylor Swift, Adam Lambert) on the dance numbers in the video, so hopefully it makes people want to get up and dance, too.”

Stewart Taylor’s “Mess Your Hair Up” is available on Apple Music, Spotify and All Digital Platforms. Visit Www.Stewarttaylorofficial.

Com. Follow On Instagram @ Stewarttaylormusic

TRAVEL

TOKYO BEAR WEEK 2019

BY RICHARD JONES If you have ever wanted to go to Japan, now is the perfect time! This year sees the launch of Tokyo Beer Week, Oct 3-7, 2019.

The Tokyo Eagle & Out Asia Travel, with a great lineup of parties, sightseeing and relaxation, hosts the weekend.

If you love Rugby, or the men who play it, then you are in luck as the Rugby World Cup is being hosted this year in Japan from September 20th – November 2nd. So pack your shorts, boots and socks, and be prepared to enjoy the rugby as well as the bears!

DAY 1: The long weekend starts with welcome drinks on the first evening hosted by Out Asia Travel at a local restaurant/lounge in Shinjuku.

DAY 2: The next days is full day of sightseeing hosted with an English-speaking guide, 9am – 5pm lunch and dinner is included.

Later that night is the Welcome party & Bearrfukker at the Eagle Tokyo Blue DAY 3: Today is your chance to explore Tokyo on your own and perhaps rest before partying at the Bear-Train party at Aisotope Lounge, and heading to the second night of Bearfukker at Eagle Tokyo Blue.

DAY 4: The final full day is again at your leisure to explore or rest, with the closing SCRUM party at Eagle Tokyo Blue with 200 rugby guys! Rugby Kit is encouraged!

DAY 5: Enjoy the final breakfast in the hotel and plan to come back next year!

Out Asia Travel has planned several great packages that include hotels, entry to all the parties, excursions and all meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner). Package prices start at US$800.00 – not including flights.

If you want to extend your trip and stay longer in Japan, Shintaro and the team at Out Asia Travel can work with you to seamlessly plan travel to other cities, or other hotel accommodations.

TO Book the event package and flights please head to www. vacationermag.com/tokyo-bear-week-2019 and fill in the form at the bottom of the page.

SEPTEMBER 2019 47

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 PALM SPRINGS PRIDE EDITION

“MILLIONS OF MOMENTS OF PRIDE”

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EVENTS CALENDAR

SEPT 5-26 BROADWAY AT THE RIVER ACQUA, THE RIVER RANCHO MIRAGE Broadway at The River is a two and one-half hour dinner theater show (with intermissions) held on Thursdays in September featuring the students of Musical Theater University performing as singing waiters and as the cast of a Broadway-themed song and dance revue. A guest performance from a rotating cast of Broadway stars caps the show. Tickets are on sale now for all dates and are just $45 for the show and a three-course meal, including tax and gratuity.

Reservations can be made by calling Acqua at 760-862-9800.

SEPT 10 DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR PALM SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY For the third season the Palm Springs Public Library will feature Drag Queen Story Hour featuring local diva Bella da Ball every other month beginning on Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Youth Room.

Each evening will start with a craft, followed by stories and then dancing but we will also mix it up with an occasional special guest and other surprises, kids of all ages are invited to attend. For more info & future dates visit www. palmspringslibrary.org or 760322-7323

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SEPT 19-27 CINEMA DIVERSE PALM SPRINGS Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival celebrates its’ 12th anniversary at the Palm Springs Cultural Center in Palm Springs, California. The festival will run for two weekends: September 19 through the 22 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center and September 27 and 28 at the Mary Pickford Theatre in Cathedral City. Each weekend will feature original content as well as question and answer sessions with the filmmakers. For a complete schedule visit www.psculturalcenter.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

ONGOING >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CERTIFIED FARMERS’ MARKET Certified Farmers’ Market Palm Springs PS Pavilion Saturdays 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m Certified Farmers’ Market Palm Desert Westfield Mall Sundays 9:00am – 1:30pm For more information, please visit www.certifiedfarmersmarkets.org or call 844-7FARMCV (844.732.7628).

CV REP The Coachella Valley Repertory (CVRep), now settled into its newly renovated 210 seat playhouse in Cathedral City, has announced it will remain open throughout the hot summer months to present an exciting line-up of one night only summer performances beginning in June, 2019. CVRep’s exciting array of entertainment this summer will include jazz, cabaret, dance and classical music concerts, as well as Tales from the Twilight Café – staged readings of original works from the members of the CVRep Conservatory Writers Workshop. www.cvrep.org 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

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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EVENTS CALENDAR SEP 19 - 21

REELING 2019 CHICAGO, IL The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, founded in 1982, is the second longest-running film festival of its kind, and prides itself on showcasing the best LGBTQ+ films and videos each year. https://reelingfilmfestival.org

SEP 13

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

SEP 26 - OCT 6

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

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

OCT 6 - 13

MAUI PRIDE 2017 MAUI, HAWAII The Maui Pride celebrates LGBT heritage and culture. Regular events that occur over the Maui Pride Weekend are ‘Rainbow Dine-Out, Pride Dance Parties, Beach BBQ’s and Sunday Brunch. Come to Maui for our special weekend. Maui Pride is a nonprofit organization founded “to encourage, celebrate and educate all people of the positive diversity of the LGBTQ community. www.mauipride.org

SEP 27 - OCT 5 SEP 18 - 22

FRESNO REEL PRIDE LGBTQ FILM FEST 2019. FRESNO, CA Since its inception in a classroom at Fresno State in 1990, Fresno Reel Pride has grown to become the sixth oldest and one of the largest gay and lesbian film festival in the United States. Reel Pride is a celebration of gay and lesbian cinema and is a premiere cultural event in Central California attracting thousands of attendees to its five-day festival of international features, documentaries and short films. www.reelpride.com

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OCTOBEARFEST 2019 DENVER, COLORADO This year Octobearfest celebrates its 28th anniversary. As always, we promise a memorable time for all who participate. We have put together a weekend around good company, good food, and good times for you. Meet old and new friends and enjoy some of the finest Denver, Colorado has to offer. As we combine the best of the past with new and exciting activities in the Denver area! Come and play with the Front Range Bears. OctoBearFest will be in an exciting adventure around the Metro Denver area. www.octobearfest.org

OCT 1 - 15

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

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EVENTS CALENDAR

SEP 21 - 29

SEP 11 - 15

FOLSOM EUROPE. BERLIN, GERMANY The European edition of the infamous Folsom street party, Folsom Europe stirs your imagination and makes you go wild. And wild you will be! Thousands and thousands in fetish gear will be flocking the streets in the Berlin-Schöneberg district for the 16th edition of Folsom Europe. Berlin offers something for everyone. There’s a lot to discover from the traditional leather bars in the district Schöneberg to the alternative scene in Kreuzberg. Meet the world at Folsom Europe and the world meets you! Enjoy Berlin, enjoy Folsom, live your fetish! www.folsomeurope.info

WINE COUNTRY WALKS PORTO, PORTUGAL This once in a lifetime adventure is designed for men who want to spend a week in the spectacular Douro Valley wine country of Portugal, lodge in 4 and 5-star restored manor houses, venture out each day for leisurely hikes amid the vineyards during the harvest, sample the wines at numerous vineyards, and enjoy an awesome Portuguese cuisine. We also visit Porto, a medieval city with old world charm, lodge in a 4-star historic hotel, sample port wines, stroll along the riverfront promenade, and visit historic buildings. www.adventureboundmen.com

OCT 9 - 15

SEP 25 - 29

SEP 18 - SEPT 22

QUEER SCREEN FILM FESTIVAL SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Queer Screen Film Fest showcases a diverse range of LGBTIQ stories across narrative features, documentaries and shorts and the 2019 edition is the largest festival to date.

Queer Screen Film Fest 2019 is here to set your world ablaze with amazing LGBTIQ stories. Join us for a sizzling 29 films across five days, aflame with heart and soul. www.queerscreen.org.au

awards the largest short film prize in the world - the prestigious £30,000 Iris Prize. Iris also runs LGBT+ community outreach projects throughout the year in Wales & beyond. www.irisprize.org

CURACAO PRIDE CURACAO, LESSER ANTILLES Curaçao Pride is a 5-day long event filled with plenty of parties and activities with local and international artists catering to the LGBTQ community and their friends. The highlights of the Curaçao Pride are the Pride Walk, Pride Happy Hours, beach party, White Party and Boat Party. www.curacaopride.com

OCT 8 - 13

THE IRIS PRIZE CARDIFF, WALES UK Celebrating LGBT+ film in Cardiff, Wales, UK all year round, including a six-day international queer film festival every October. The Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival

BLACK & BLUE FESTIVAL 2019 QUEBEC & MONTREAL CANADA Since 1991, the Black & Blue Festival, welcomes thousands of participants from around the world to celebrate diversity and inclusiveness as well as to raise money for Montreal-based LGBTQ+ and AIDS/HIV community groups. The week-long festivities include dance parties, cultural events, sports activities, live performances, social gatherings, and much more. www.bbcm.org

Our international media partner, FNQ Magazine, www.fnqmagazine.com Cairns gay lifestyle and travel publication that gives Australia and the world a taste of gay life in the tropics, sponsors the International Calendar. www.go2gaycairns.com

SEPTEMBER 2019 53

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presents

We’re putting The Center on Stage and Throwing A BIG 80’S PARTY to celebrate!

Honoring Brian Rix Outgoing Board Chair

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019 FOR TICKET INFORMATION: visit www. thecenterps.org or call 760-416-7790

@ THE RIVIERA PALM SPRINGS RECEPTION/SILENT AUCTION: 5:30PM DINNER PROGRAM: 6:45 PM BIG 80’S PARTY: 8:15PM

The

CENTER

BENEFITTING THE LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE DESERT

SEPTEMBER 2019 55

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