The Standard Magazine

Travels TOP 10 Destinations / Travel Companies / Must Haves / No Go Zones JUNE, 2014 | VOLUME 2 ISSUE 6 theStandardps.com

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Volume 2 Issue 6 Cover Get Up & Go Top 10 LGBT Vacation Destinations cover Come Fly With Me 10 Standout LGBT Travel Companies feature You Know You Want This 10 Travel Must Haves feature No Go Zone 10 Least Gay Friendly Destinations Read Living the Rainbow: A Gay Family Triptych june, 2014 3

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The Standard Magazine 1111 Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs CA 92262 760-831-4869 Nino Eilets Publisher Luciano McNulty Editor Maya Kalabic Art Director Photographer David A. Lee Contributors Chris Astrala, Jeff Dorta, Chris Heritage, Hans Hirschi, Dennis Mason, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Stephan Roth, Ken Toth & George Zander www.thestandardps.com Editorial Credits : BrandPoint, Huffington Post, LGBTQ Nation & Project Publicity 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.

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Gay Travel 2014

Ready for your Summer Escape

By George Zander

Buenos Aires

costa rica

For decades, it has been known that gay and lesbian folks are in every country continent in the world. All of us in our Desert have favorite destinations; some are made from dreams and some from reality. Therefore, in a sense all destinations are LGBT fun places.

Just as in America, all nations have areas and cities that are better known as “gay hot spots”.

It is clear that our community picks travel destinations based on many criteria- culture, history, partying, shopping, accommodations and recreation are all part of that decision. The following list of places starting with our Top 10 in the world LGBT travel destinations are classic and you will all be very comfortable and happy picking these spots. There also is a longer list of various other sites by region.

We of course, live in Palm Springs, which is on every one’s list of destinations. We enjoy Palm Springs so much as residents and tourists in our own town, that it stands unique in your own mind.

10. Buenos Aires The vitality of the emerging gay and Lesbian scene in Argentina’s capital makes this an ideal destination. Travelers will enjoy the city’s progressive laws- such as Marriage Equality, vibrant nightlife, and the flair of a colorful and exciting LGBTQ movement.

Buenos Aires is unique, spicy and sexy. It has risen to one of the world’s great destinations. Because of its sophistication, it is mostly compared to London, Paris Barcelona or New York City. It is more

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Rehoboth Beach

comparable to Europe than Latin America because of the cuisine, fashion, and arts and tango music all blend together to delight the senses.

9. Costa Rica From cloud forests, rainforests, and rushing rivers to active volcanoes and tropical beaches, Costa Rica boasts innumerable natural wonders that will arouse your senses. With its protective laws protecting gay rights, the country is a friendly place to visit without any hassles. San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital boasts a hopping bar scene with hot salsa dancing on the menu. Manuel Antonio and other beach towns have LGBT owned resorts.

8. Rehoboth Beach Starting out as Washington DC’s Provincetown, Rehoboth Beach has become a huge destination for folks from around the nation.

Both the North Shores Beach and Poodle Beach make for a fantastic time in this busting beach town. The beach and the bars are where the action is, but there are top galleries, theater, and restaurants as well. The town itself has many large summer circuit parties. Summer reservations are essential.

7. Barcelona and Sitges Barcelona, Catalan in spirit and European in appearance is a city rich with history that dates back to the Romans. It became the country’s art and music center in the early 20th century and poof!

traVel |cover the lGBt neighborhoods began to grow. the largest gay village in Gran Via and the ramblas. clubs all open at midnight where you will dance until dawn. though Barcelona has beaches, the best gay beaches are in a small town south of the city-sitges. It is a short train ride away and there are many lGBt accommodations here. people adore the great beaches and this colorful town. the main gay beach is across from the calipolis hotel. two small nude beaches- playa de muerto are

BArceLonA+sitGes

4. neW yorK cIty this has to be on everyone’s list for a great gay time. you will be a like a kid in a candy store...so much to see and do and experience, and all great and fabulous. you will be able to sample bars, restaurants, museums, shops, parks, historic sites that match any in the world. our community has been an historic sub-culture of the city since 1880s and moves continually through the decades of our politics!

BAnGKoK+ PhuKet

both a mile south of town. In july and august, book ahead... salud!

6. BanGKoK anD phuKet patong Beach at phuket has become a gay hotspot because of its unbelievably inexpensive nightlife, water sports and friendly atmosphere. the lovely beach hosts pride festivals and remains the place to meet in southeast asia. coupled with a few days in super vibrant Bangkok, the two cities make fir a perfect contrast for lively urban center and quiet peaceful beach. the city is huge with typical asian street noise and traffic chaos. Fabulous food is available everywhere from street cafes to five diamond restaurants. Serene temples contrast with the street scene. Doing both is perfection!

5. toronto this city sits on lake ontario and is the largest and most diverse city in canada. the lGBtQ is large and out! summer is the best time unless you a fan of cold weather. toronto was originally populated but folks from the uK, but now it is a kaleidoscope of hundreds of nationalities from around the globe. like everywhere else in canada, the safe is very safe and clean. this is the second best theater scene in north america after new york city. the Gay scene is centered on church street and is very busy and fun year around.

toronto

the stonewall riots of 1969, the hIV/aIDs crisis, and we are today a huge part of the fabric of the city. chelsea, hell’s Kitchen, and the upper West side and the Villages are huge viable gayborhoods. Book early to score a good price on flights and accommodations.

3. BerlIn Berlin is the capital of Germany and leads its nation and much of europe in the hip factor. this vibrant city has countless bars and restaurants. It is a city where convention and the extraordinary sit side by side. It is a metropolis where historic and modern blend side by side. We are everywhere in the city, but schoneburg is lGBt central. the city’s gay mayor is quoted as saying,” yes I am gay and that is oK!” 2. san FrancIsco clearly one of america’s favorite cities it appears on these lists every time. It is clearly one of the most picturesque cities on the planet. LGBT folks are part of the political and financial part of the city. Rainbow flags flutter everywhere and our people are in every neighborhood. some neighborhoods are gayer than others are, of course with historic castro with its rich story from the early days of the 1950s leading the way. castro has not changed much since the 70s. the vibe and sense of history follow you everywhere. the mission has

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neW YorK citY

sAn FrAncisco many lGBt folks, as does noe Valley, Bernal heights, polk Gulch, soma, the marina and many spots west of Van ness. the city is great all year so reservations are always recommended.

1. puerto Vallarta located in jalisco, Vallarta as it’s known locally was the uber famous filming site for the film, Night of the Iguana staring Elizabeth taylor. that was no doubt the springboard of this sleepy town to become the darling of the international gay travel set. toda’s pV offers visitors everything from great hotels and restaurants to offshore cruises on private islands to water sports to hot, loud and sexy bars and discos. the high season is october through may. hotels and condos are often booked well in advance for that period. Vacation rental homes and condos are everywhere and very popular. The official gay beach is playa de los muertos and sits in front of the world famous Blue chairs resort. there are dozens of inns and hotels and vacation rentals that cater to our community. oK, oK all of you will have your own specials places... for north america, Key West, Fort lauderdale, savannah, provincetown, Guadalajara, puerto rico, saba, st martins, and st Barts. canada in

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BerLin

Puerto VALLArtA addition to toronto lists Vancouver and montreal as favorites.

In south america, rio and santiago in Brazil, lima and santiago have huge lGBt communities.

In asia, hong Kong, singapore, phnom penh , Kuala lumpur, edo in japan, shanghai, new Delhi, hanoi and ho chi minh city.

In most of europe lGBt folks are part of the tapestry of life. paris, london, amsterdam, edinburgh, prague. Budapest, the canary Islands, rome, milan, Venice, madrid, athens, Ibiza, mykonos, and so many more.

In africa, casablanca, tunis, and cape town lead the list. In addition, australia has cairns and sydney not to mention fabulous melbourne!

With the wind at our back there are growing lGBt destinations that are safe, hassle free and fun worldwide. Be safe as you travel always but as our destinations grow and new names to follow just get out there and travel!

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Come Fly with Me

10 Stand-out LGBT Travel Companies

As Peter Hoeg once said, “Traveling tends to magnify all human emotion.” Whatever the reason you travel, to magnify those emotions or just to get away and unwind, you know you want to go somewhere. Regardless of how you go, you just know you want to go.

Where do you start? So many LGBT travel companies have emerged to help make those travel dreams come true. We have put together a list of some of our favorites, happy travels.

Atlantis Events In 1991, Atlantis Events held their first all-gay resort event with 300 guests at a Club Med Resort in Playa Blanca, Mexico. What started with the very simple idea of “a gay week on the beach with friends” has blossomed into a company producing all-gay cruise and resort vacations all over the world. Today, it is the largest company in the world dedicated to creating unique vacations for the gay and lesbian community. Even now, hosting some 20,000 guests a year, Atlantis is dedicated to the same premise of creating a welcoming community that simply doesn’t exist anywhere else: a place where you can relax, be yourself, and have fun in ways you never

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imagined. Our staff comes from a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds. , sharing a passion for travel and a commitment to ensuring that guests have the most memorable vacations ever. www.atlantisevents.com Detours Travel Get ready to tackle your bucket list while opening up your world to the most amazing people, places, and experiences out there. Detours isn’t just “travel”, its genuinely incredible experiences that promise to be unforgettable. Anything but your typical “group tour”, Detours is a laid-back, no-strings-attached approach to travel that feels more like exploring the world with old friends than anything else. Our group trip leaders know the country and our destinations so intricately that we’ll show you the ins and outs and help you discover a trip that is far beyond your greatest expectations. www.detourstravel.com Olivia Vacations Whether you want to enjoy the relaxed vibe of an all-inclusive resort vacation, or to sail the seas on a cruise with 1,800 lesbians,

traVel |cover Olivia Vacations, have a trip that’s sure to fit your style. The Olivia experience is about women having fun together, making friends, and maybe even finding that special someone. From their just-for-you entertainment and fabulous singles activities, to dolphin and atV excursions and our touching commitment ceremony, get ready for a trip you’ll always remember. al anD chucK traVel america’s #1 Gay travel specialist. From Bear cruises to Drag cruises and everything in between, alandchucK.travel is part of America’s largest gay owned travel company. With 11 offices, they plan cruises and tours worldwide to pride events, Gay Festivals, circuit parties and more. alandchucK.travel is a top 1% travel company and this allows them to enjoy special features you won’t find anywhere else in the gay marketplace. www.alandchuck.travel.com IGlta the International Gay & lesbian travel association is the world’s leading global travel network dedicated to connecting and educating lGBt travelers and the businesses that welcome and

support them along the way. Whether it’s for individual, group, corporate, or student travel, IGLTA has affiliates in the world’s most sought after locations offering the most competitive packages for your perfect getaway. www.iglta.org GaytraVel.com Gaytravel.com connects gay and lesbian travelers with gay friendly destinations, hotels, cruises and tours throughout the world.

We consider our site to be a virtual gay travel magazine! our mission is to provide our site visitors with the most comprehensive and accurate information available to ensure that every vacation is both pleasurable and comfortable. www.gaytravel.com he travel HE Travel is still bringing the finest world of gay travel tours to gay men, lesbians & friends. Whether you want adventure, culture, leisure or luxury, he travel has been the leader in gay travel tours and gay adventure travel for over 40 years, since running the first exclusively gay adventure tour down the Grand canyon in 1973. www.hetravel.com

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traVel|cover

Queer trIp Queertrip.com is a full service lGBt travel agency. established in 2008, Queertrip.com consists of dedicated lGBt travel specialists teamed up to bring you the best gay and lesbian travel worldwide. their passion is gay and lesbian travel and they as are gay and lesbian travelers themselves, spending years traveling and experiencing gay and lesbian communities across the globe. www.queertrip.com BranD G VacatIons the next generation in Gay travel, Brand g Vacations is a dynamic lGBt tour operator that encompasses the passion for discovering the new, revisiting the familiar, and giving back to the destinations that have led the way for the improvement of the lives of the lGBt community. www.brandgvacations.com Damron. the GranD parent oF them all.

In 1964, a businessman published a book of all the gay bars he knew from his constant travels across the United States. This book fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. Despite its petite size, this book was an impressive accomplishment. each one of the listings he had visited himself. every last copy of the book he sold himself. the name of this pioneer, Bob Damron. today, the Damron men’s travel Guide (aka Damron address Book) remains a bestseller. and it remains the model for the countless gay travel guides that have followed. the Damron company itself has also been through many changes since 1964. the company has grown quite a bit, and since the early ‘90s has been headed up by president and editor-in-chief Gina Gatta. they publish four regular titles--the annual men’s travel Guide and Women’s traveler, in addition to the sesquiannual Damron city Guide and Damron accommodations.

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10 Must Haves for your next Trip Headed for a getaway? Traveling for business, pleasure or both? Whether you’re making your way by plane, train, automobile, or even your own two feet, no trip is complete these days without latest travel must-haves. There are so many to choose from depending on your personal needs and tastes, so here are 10 that might come in handy to make the journey a bit more enjoyable. So pack your bags and hit the road, we got you covered.

Sony MDR-ZX750BN Noise Reduction Headphones Wireless freedom, precision noise cancelling, superior comfort and unmistakable sound; everything great headphones should be. Connect using Bluetooth®2 with NFC and bring out the best in your music with up to 98% ambient noise reduction. www.sony.com Price $199 Franklin 14-language (Speaking) Global Translator Over 2.5 million entries and thousands of travel and everyday phrases translated across 14 languages 18,000 item visual dictionary with translations into English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Hear the pronunciation in any language as needed with the press of a button. Global search to find matching entries from all databases at once. Travel guide with notable sights, hotels, and other information for 10 global cities with translations (excluding Arabic and Turkish). Native character and Romanized spellings for Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Russian. Organizer capabilities to store up to 100 names, addresses and phone numbers. Currency and metric converters and a calculator are programmed on the device. www.franklin.com Price $149

Jaybird Reign It’s not easy to stay fit on the road. But with this fitness tracker – an electronic wristband that tracks physical activity, monitors health, and suggests when to step it up or dial back on activity – you’ll always stay in stride. Seamless and uncomplicated, it’s exactly how every experience (the travel experience, working experiences, your entertainment experience, etc.) should be. Available Fall 2014. www.jaybirdsport.com Price $199

iPhone Super Suit The waterproof drop-friendly iPhone case that will quickly become your best friend if you suffer from the dropsies. The trim case is sealed for waterproof protection; The buttons and touchscreen are easily accessible. There’s no need to remove the case when you need to plug in your headphones or charging cable. www.photojojo.com List price: $79

The Polaroid Socialmatic The good old Polaroid brand isn’t dead yet — with the Polaroid Socialmatic, the concept has now become a product. It has a camera with a 14-megapixel camera, a 4.5” touchscreen LCD display that runs Android, a Zero Ink printer, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. The two main features that differentiate the camera from a smartphone are the printing and sharing aspects. After taking a picture with the back camera or the 2-megapixel front camera, you can share it on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest using the built-in software on a Wi-Fi network. At the same time, you can print a 2×3 little photo. www.polaroid.com/socialmatic Price $299

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travel |cover The Clear Card The Clear Card isn’t perfect, but at 20 airports around the United States flashing one allows you to cruise past most of the backed up security checks. Clear holders apply online, go to an enrollment center and present two forms of government issued I.D. and submit their biometric data, which is loaded onto a card. At the airport, you walk to the Clear kiosk, input your card and, in most cases, move right through the X-ray and metal detectors. The upsides are obvious: speed, and a wellvetted privacy assurance program that keeps your biometric information safe. The downsides are the relative paucity of airports currently equipped with Clear machines. (Replacements cost $9 a pop, but take three weeks to arrive.) Still, for frequent travelers who hate lines, it’s worth every penny. www.clearme.com Price: $100 a year, plus $28 TSA vetting fee

Reef Stash Sandals One of the biggest pet peeves we have about heading out to the beach, or even the local pool, is the fact that we never have anywhere to put our keys, cards etc. Popular sandal brand Reef looks to put an end to this age-old problem with Stash Sandals. Of course with Reef comfort is always mandatory, and the contoured EVA foot bed ensures just that. Stash sandals are comfortable enough to wear on the beach, but their real utility is as a mobile safe. The secret tray in the sole slides out to hold personal items and slides back in to make sure no one knows they’re there. www.reef.com Price: $45

VinniBag Inflatable Travel Bag VinniBag is a versatile travel bag that suspends items in an inflatable air cushion. Air chambers conform to the contents protecting against impact, leakage and shifting during transport.

Made of very durable materials, VinniBag is specifically engineered to withstand fluctuations in the altitude and temperature. Easy to use simply insert items partially inflate with just a few breaths, roll up the bottom flap to form a liquid tight seal, and snap the buckle closed.

Top off with air to suit your needs and space available. Can accommodate wine & spirits, olive oil, gourmet treats, breakable keepsakes, perfumes, camera lenses, toiletries, and more.

Meets all TSA & Airline requirements www.vinnibag.com Price: $28

Kensington’s Contour Overnight Backpack The checkpoint friendly Kensington Contour™ Overnight Backpack allows you to pass through security without having to remove your laptop.

Simply unzip the backpack, lay it flat and let it pass through the X-ray machine. There’s a built-in liquids pouch, too. When it comes out the other side, give the Contour Backpack one quick zip and go. It’s also the perfect size for airline travel whether on a quick business trip or overnighter. You’ll find plenty of room for clothes, laptop and other essentials without being too bulky. www.kensington.com Price $89

Mophie Space Pack Everyone’s on the run these days. Save yourself from having to sprint for a power outlet with this combination battery life extender case and portable storage solution for the iPhone. Based off our award winning juice pack air case, the space pack provides extra battery and storage together inside a lightweight, protective case. Not only does it roughly double your smartphone’s battery life, but also offers up to 32GB of additional storage so you can cram in hours of additional video, or thousands of photos and songs. www.mophie.com Price: $149

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Top 10 least gay-friendly holiday destinations worldwide

Responsibletravel.com, with help from the Human Dignity Trust, an NGO (Non-governmental organization) fighting for LGBT rights globally, has compiled a list of what it believes to be the least friendly vacation destinations for the LGBT community. The list is in no particular order.

Uganda: Land of the awe-inspiring mountain gorilla, with an equally jaw-dropping stance on LGBT rights. Chillingly the Ugandan President has pledged to sign a bill, which will see homosexuals face a life sentence in jail. This could become law at any time.

Russia: The Winter Olympics has invited the world to Russia,

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but to us it seems that the Olympic ethos of equality hasn’t extended to LGBT rights. Recent legislations make it illegal to educate minors about “non-traditional” relationships and there are a large number of reports documenting hate groups persecuting homosexuals.

Malaysia: This paradise of island beaches, unique wildlife and vibrant cultures has made our list not only for its British colonial-era antiLGBT laws, but also for its laws criminalizing cross-dressing. It is also reported that the Ministry of Education has given guidelines to parents on how to spot the ‘symptoms’ of homosexuality in their children.

Jamaica: It’s not all sunshine and a smile in this famously upbeat Caribbean nation – the danger of violence towards LGBT persons is high, driven in part by the popularity of “hate music,” with some major and popular artists recording extremely homophobic lyrics.

India: When it reversed its 2009 legislation decriminalizing homosexuality, India’s Supreme Court has essentially declared that an estimated 30-40million LGBT persons are now living as criminals. Although prosecutions are rare, police and vigilantes now have the power to harass homosexuals.

Nigeria: Not a particularly popular tourist destination we admit, but it’s truly shocking stance on LGBT rights earns its place in the list. Homosexual activity is punishable by death in certain Nigerian states and the country has passed a law criminalizing LGBT organizations.

Kenya: Well-known for its fabulous wildlife, less well known for its colonial-era laws criminalizing homosexuality. Currently prosecutions are rare, but Kenyan lawmakers have responded to President Obama’s recent call for African nations to respect LGBT rights by calling for the enforcement of these laws.

Ukraine: Ukraine makes the list as the government is considering similar legislation to Russia, against “propaganda of homosexuality” and NGOs have already been declared as “foreign agents.”

Certain parts of Latin America: At a glance Latin America looks like a great place for gay travel; most countries have decriminalized or indeed never criminalized homosexuality, major cities like Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires have flourishing gay scenes, and Argentina has led the way in equality laws. However, according to the 2012 Trans Murder Monitoring Project, between 2008 and 2011, 79 percent of the murders of transgender people reported throughout the world took place in Latin America.

Turkey: Despite the tranquility of its pristine beaches and the sparkling Mediterranean, levels of violence are high. Turkey registered the second highest number of murders of transgender people after Latin America in the same study.

For more info visit www.responsibletravel.com

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read

“Living The Rainbow: A Gay Family Triptych”

New Boxed Trilogy Examines the Many Colors of Today’s LGBT Families

By Jeff Dorta

“Living The Rainbow: A Gay Family Triptych”, a trilogy of three novels by Hans M. Hirschi, are a mirror on today’s LGBT community - the first generation able to legally marry and have children. Each tale offers a glimpse at how modern gay families live their lives, the unique worries they have, and how they deal with them. The stories are markedly different from television portrayals of LGBT families, many of which rely on stereotypes in order to get laughs from audiences.

Hirschi’s stories deal with issues that are on his mind as a gay father. In the opening novel “Family Ties”, readers are swept into the everyday drama of two dads and their twin sons. “Jonathan’s Hope” depicts how the LGBT family may look in a generation or two. “The Opera House” reveals the unraveling of a happy gay family and the creation of another. At the core of all three stories are love and hope, as well as the message that gay families are as tightly bound and complicated as any other family unit. “Living The Rainbow: A Gay Family Triptych” is available now, digitally and as a softcover boxed set, on Amazon. com, Barnes & Noble (Nook), and at selected local bookstores.

“Traditionally, LGBT novels have dealt with coming out, finding love and acceptance, or coping with HIV,” explains author Hans M.

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Hirschi from his home in Sweden. “I believe most of the world has moved beyond those themes. The main characters in my novels are gay but it is simply a facet of who they are. I do not explain or question their homosexuality. However, their lives are inextricably impacted by it. They suffer prejudice and unfair judgment from society based on their homosexuality, because prejudice and judgment are still very much prevalent in the world today.”

“I use my stories to question beliefs I hold true,” continues Hirschi. “I tackle issues like monogamy, honesty, trust, faith, religion, and death, asking questions and trying to present possible solutions.”

Hans M Hirschi began writing his first novel soon after he learned he and Alex, his husband of ten years, were expecting their first child.

He had just quit his corporate job and realizing he was unlikely to find work before his son’s birth, decided to take the opportunity to pursue his long held dream.

The prospect of fatherhood weighed heavily on his mind at the time. Would he be a good father? What would neighbors say about two fathers raising a child? How would society react when they learned the baby was a product of surrogacy? All of his concerns found their way in his first novel, “Family Ties”.

Set in a middle class family in Switzerland, “Family Ties” is the story of a young gay man and his brother that questions if blood really is thicker than water. The main story arc takes place within a twenty-four hour period, at the funeral of the family matriarch.

Hirschi admits he modeled the lead character, Sascha, after himself.

In fact, much of the book is autobiographical, containing events from the author’s life that he felt he needed to get off his chest.

“There are many parallels. Some very horrific things,” he says.

When he wrote the funeral scenes, he was aware that his own mother would soon succumb to Alzheimer’s disease. She passed away five months after the book’s release. “I purposely made sure to distribute the drama evenly, to make each character more interesting, but also to keep the story believable.”

“Jonathan’s Hope” is an emotionally packed love story that, among other themes, raises the question on whether or not love can survive between two men of different ages. It’s a question the author ponders often as he and his husband are separated by twelve years.

read “Alex was young when we met which was nice because he came with little baggage. He wasn’t already settled in life with a job and a home. It was easy for him to pick himself up and move his life to another part of the country and join me in my home.”

Similarly, young Jonathan in the book relocates to be with his older lover, Dan. The age difference doesn’t become an issue until later. Hirschi reveals the bittersweet ending of “Jonathan’s Hope” is a glimpse at how his own relationship may develop. “It scares me that I may not be there for Alex at some point. Or that he may have to care for me when I’m 82,” he admits.

The closing novel in the triptych, “The Opera House”, deals with the author’s latest concern: losing a child. “I remember being pregnant with Sascha. We were constantly afraid of a miscarriage.

After his birth, our fear turned to SIDS, then cancer, and so on. “The Opera House” is my attempt at trying to see what would happen if the ultimate tragedy occurred to me.”

The story also tackles LGBT homelessness. One of the main characters, Brian, encounters a struggle faced by thousands of teenagers around the world who have been disowned by parents for being gay. “As a parent who fought for the chance to have children, it is a slap in the face that others will discard theirs simply because the children are not what they expected them to be.”

Aside from the drama in “Living the Rainbow: A Gay Family Triptych”, Hirschi hopes readers will discover that LGBT families are as dull and exciting as the rest of them. “My son’s diapers smell as badly as any other baby’s,” he laughs. “We worry the same, have just as much difficulty finding day care and we’re as willing to sacrifice ourselves for our kids as any other parent.”

Additionally, he hopes the stories may help dispel some of the cruelness that he and his family have encountered. In some social circles, he and his husband are considered pariahs for using a surrogate. They have been accused of buying their child, and more than once, have been preached on prostitution and the trafficking and abuse of women.

Hans M. Hirschi is already hard at work on his next novel. It will be about a man’s travels. He has no idea where it’s going to take him, or what trials and tribulations are in store for the main character. “My writing is very fluid and extremely unconscious,” he explains. “I just let my fingers do the typing and marvel at the words that come to life on the computer screen. Every now and then, I gasp at the unexpected plot turns, wondering how on earth I’m going to fix that.”

Living The Rainbow: A Gay Family Triptych by Hans M. Hirschi is available online now at http://www.amazon.com/Hans-M.-Hirschi/e/B00E0DP0EE.

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feature

A GAY DAD’S FATHER’S DAY

By Hans Hirschi Becoming a father once had this dreamy quality to it. I was seven years old when I first knew the names of my future kids Sascha, Pascal and a third that got lost in the passage of time. There was also a wife in that picture somewhere. As a kid, the concept of marriage and sexuality was not a concern.

Later, when I realized that I was gay, fatherhood became an illusion, something I knew I would never achieve. In the nineteen eighties, finding a boyfriend was the height of gay aspirations. Living together was really a stretch goal. That all changed, when civil unions were first introduced. All of a sudden, the prospect of family moved from the realm of illusions to the land of possibilities.

My husband Alex and I had been thinking about becoming parents since before we met. It was a prerequisite for any future partner of mine as I had a real wish to start a family.

We first opted for foster care. We were evaluated, probed, prodded and finally approved as foster parents just before Christmas of 2011. Yet, due to the raging homophobia still permeating society, we were never awarded a child to foster.

Desperately, we resorted to surrogacy and in March last year, our son Sascha was born.

Since then, we have been asked countless times what it means to be gay parents. It is a difficult question. Being a “gay” parent per se does not mean much to me or my husband or even Sascha. It seems to have more of an impact on the people around us as they witness two men raising happy and healthy children.

I’ve come to believe that gays as parents may result in shifting attitudes toward the LGBT community as a whole. So much of homophobia is based on fear of the unknown. The more people see

LGBT families, the less they will fear us or listen to hate speech from politicians and religious leaders. Gay parenting may one day reduce prejudice; make it easier for gays to come out and for gay teens to face bullies.

For me, Father’s Day isn’t about getting a tie from my son (heaven forbid, as I don’t wear them). The day is to celebrate Alex and me, and our united contribution in raising our son, Sascha. Just as my dad once joined my brother and I in celebrating mom, paying to take her out to lunch and helping us make dinner and breakfast in bed, so too will we do for our boy. Happy Father’s Day, gay dads.

GaysWithKids.com A new Website that helps gay men navigate fatherhood, launches in time for Father’s Day Gays With Kids, a first-of-its-kind website to help gay dads navigate fatherhood - from creating their families to raising them - will launch June 4th in time for Father’s Day and this year’s Pride celebrations.

Co-founded by Brian Rosenberg and Ferd van Gameren, husbands and proud fathers of three children, the online community aims to normalize the experience of gay parenting by sharing stories, news, advice, and in-depth reporting on topics of interest to gay dads, many of which are typically not covered in mainstream media. Gays with Kids also hopes to inspire a whole new generation of gay men who are interested in raising children.

While gay dads are becoming more conventional, there is still a lot of work to be done to end both “Dadscrimination,” and “Gay Dadscrimination,” especially in areas where gay families are viewed as less than equal because gay marriage or gay adoption are not legal.

“We felt isolated because we had no community of gay dads to turn to and with whom we could identify, and we also felt alienated by all the mom-centric focus,” adds van Gameren. They knew they could make a change, but put their idea on hold to concentrate on their toddlers.

Four years later, they are ready to launch Gays With Kids to help other gay dads succeed as fathers.

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psp focus PS International ShortFest celebrates its 20th Anniversary

Screen Shots from Barrio Boy, Two Missing, Homophonia and Gabriel

Now in its 20th year, ShortFest will highlight more than 320 films from around the world in 53 thematically curated programs, which will screen June 17-23, at the Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs.

More than 3,000 festival submissions will be available in the ShortFest Market. The complete line-up will be posted on www.psfilmfest.org on June 8 with the online box office launch on June 10.

The 20th annual ShortFest will feature films from 54 countries, which will include 84 world, 71 North American, and 22 U.S. premieres. Over 2,700 other shorts will be available for industry viewing in the festival marketplace.

Kicking off the Festival on opening night is “Make ‘Em Laugh“ a selection of comedy shorts and continuing through the week with a wide variety of subjects that are sure to please everyone; including action, documentaries, world cinema, thrillers, romance and the ever

popular LGBT shorts just to mention a few.

Twelve films will screen in the fourth annual ShortFest Online Film Festival, appearing on a section of psfilmfest.org/shortfest. Online voting will run June 10-21 with the ShortFest Online Audience Award announced at the Festival Award Ceremony on Closing Night.

Designated by AMPAS as an award-qualifying festival, and accredited by the International Short Film Conference, the Palm Springs International ShortFest and its Short Film Market is the largest and most prominent short film showcase in North America. The Festival and its concurrent 3,000-plus Film Market continue to serve as a scouting ground for new filmmaking talent and are attended by those in the business of buying and selling short films.

Over the past 19 years, the festival has presented 97 films that have gone on to receive Oscar nominations. For a complete schedule of films, show times and dates please visit www.psfilmfest.org

june, 2014 21

psp focus The Tolerance Education Center Celebrates Gay Pride Month The Tolerance Education Center in Rancho Mirage is hosting events during the month of June to recognize Gay Pride that, by presidential proclamation, is celebrated across the country in the month of June. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.

The following is a list of events planned for the month. All will be held at the Tolerance Education Center, most are free of charge, refreshments will be served at the evening events and everyone is welcome to participate and enjoy.

JUNE 11 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Screening of the movie Maurice (1987) 140 min., R ~FREE~ Director James Ivory brings his subdued, “Masterpiece Theater” style to a forbidden subject -- homosexual love. Maurice is based on E.M. Forster’s suppressed 1914 novel that was held back from publication until after his death.

JUNE 18 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Screening of the movie The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert (1994) 121 min., R ~FREE~ Bernadette is an aging transsexual who tours the backwaters of Australia with her stage partners, Mitzi and Adam/Felicia. Their act, well known in Sydney, involves wearing lots of makeup and gowns and lip-synching to records. Nevertheless, when Mitzi and Felicia get an offer to perform in the remote town of Alice Springs at a casino, Bernadette decides to tag along. The threesome ventures into the outback with Priscilla, a lavender-colored school bus that doubles as dressing room and home on the road. Along the way, the act encounters any number of strange characters, as well as incidents of homophobia.

JUNE 19 6:00 p.m. A Night Of Humor With Dorothy Kirk “I Came Out In A Darkroom” Dorothy Kirk is a writer, essayist and humorist. She began performing her personal stories a few years ago as a result of taking singing lessons. Dorothy’s second show, I Came Out in a Darkroom, tells of her fifty-year coming out process and was inspired by a conversation with a much younger lesbian who said to her in astonishment, ‘My God, you came out pre-Stonewall, I’ve never known anyone who came out

22 theStandardps.com

before Stonewall. Tell me what it was like.’ Her stories are funny, poignant, and describe a world limited in possibilities. Dorothy tells what it was like to come out as a lesbian in 1963/64 where gays were expelled from school, fired, harassed, arrested. Dorothy’s journey, like that of many others, has been one from impossibility to possibility, from hiding to revealing, from fear to joy.

Admission is $15.

JUNE 25 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Screening of the movie Saving Face (2004) 97 min., R ~FREE~ An Asian-American woman and her mother both find their private lives are becoming a family matter in this romantic comedy-drama.

Wilhelmina Pang (Michelle Krusiec) is a surgeon living in Manhattan whose mother (Joan Chen) is eager for her to settle down with a nice man and get married. What Ma doesn’t know is that Wilhelmina happens to be a lesbian -- or rather, Ma prefers not to acknowledge it, since she once walked in on Wilhelmina and her girlfriend several years before.

June 26 Desert Rose Playhouse will present staged readings of two new plays at the Tolerance Education Center at 6 PM on June 26, 2014.

The plays, both by Texas playwright Allan Baker, are Click and A Midsummer Night’s Conversation. Baker’s plays have been produced from coast to coast; this reading marks their Coachella Valley premiere.

Click depicts two gay men at their computers trying to hook up online. One seeks quick and easy sex as a way to avoid intimacy; the other sees quick and easy sex as a way to get to intimacy more rapidly.

A Midsummer Night’s Conversation, involving two different gay men, focuses on the second step: the crisis when, six months into a relationship, one of the pair says “I love you.” The moment is complicated by the fact that one of the two is a very, very good actor Admission is $20. Tickets to all events can be purchased by calling the Tolerance Education Center at 760.328.8252. Reserve your seat today!

For more information or to purchase tickets to the non-free events, please call the Tolerance Education Center at 760.328.8252.

The Tolerance Education Center is located at 35-147 Landy Lane, Rancho Mirage.

psp Focus lauGhter, love and lunaCy

sonGs you can or can’t taKe serIously Following the success of this past season of plays and musicals, the coachella Valley repertory theater (cV rep) will continue entertaining local desert audiences this summer with three musical cabaret productions slated for June, July and August 2014. The first of the three-part cV rep cabaret series is a toe tapping, madcap musical revue entitled laughter, love and lunacy scheduled to run at the cV rep theatre in rancho mirage june 27-29. under the direction of cV rep artistic Director, ron celona and with musical direction by christopher marlowe, laughter, love and lunacy will feature a stellar cast of talented Broadway and cabaret artists including, alix Korey, janene luvollo and sal mistretta, who will be performing a selection of tuneful, heartwarming and in some cases, hilarious songs from Broadway and the american song Book. cV rep will offer two additional cabaret productions in july and august 2014. Details for these performances will be announced shortly.

“I’m so pleased to be able to bring quality musical cabaret to

our local desert communities, especially during the summer months when many theatrical and musical venues are on hiatus. cV rep’s 86-seat theater is the ideal cabaret venue. It provides just the right level of intimacy allowing audience members to get up close and personal with the performers and their music - a perfect way to spend a summer evening or afternoon”, says cV rep artistic Director, ron celona. the cV repertory theatre is located in the atrium, 69-930 highway 111, in rancho mirage. tickets are available at the theatre box office between 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM Monday-Friday, and two hours prior to show time. the coachella Valley repertory theatre is an educational and dramatic theater organization that presents innovative productions and children’s outreach programs designed to enrich the quality of life for coachella Valley residents and visitors. For more information, call 760-296-2966 or visit www.cvrep.org

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june, 2014 23

news natIonal

Gallup pollS Show SiGnifiCant GainS in publiC Support for lGbt CoMMunity public opinion on same-sex relations has improved more dramatically than it has on any other controversial issue with strong moral sensibilities, according to data released on Friday by the Gallup poll organization.

When asked to indicate, “Do you believe that, in general, the following are morally acceptable?” 58 percent said yes on “gay and lesbian relations.” that’s up from 18 points, from 40 percent in 2001, when the question was first asked. (and 40 percent in 2001 wasn’t the lowest year for the issue. In 2002, moral acceptability of “gay and lesbian relations” was at 38.)

Williams Institute scholar Gary Gates notes that the Gallup findings on moral acceptability are consistent with the Gallup findings last week that 63 percent of americans support allowing same-sex couples to adopt children and with the recent Gallup poll finding 55 percent support allowing same-sex couples to marry.

In the may 30 poll, “gay and lesbian relations” was one of 19 “moral issues” on which respondents were asked to weigh in.

Its acceptability level (58 percent) matched that of buying and wearing fur, having a baby outside of marriage, and (at 57 percent) medical testing on animals. the issue that has seen the greatest improvement in public acceptability, after “gay and lesbian relations,” is having a baby outside of marriage. It rose 16 points between 2001 and 2014. sex between an unmarried man and woman rose 13 points in acceptability. of the 19 issues, birth control had the highest acceptability rating (90 percent), followed by divorce (69 percent), and sex between an unmarried man and woman (66 percent). married men and women having an affair ranked the lowest of 19 categories at seven percent, followed by cloning humans (13 percent) and polygamy (14 percent). opinion about abortion went unchanged between 2001 and 2014, with 42 percent of the public saying it was acceptable.

Gallup has been conducting its “Values and Beliefs poll” every may since 2001. this year’s poll was conducted by telephone on a random sample of 1,028 adults in all 50 states plus the District of columbia. the margin of error is plus-or-minus four percentage points. the sample is weighted to match national demographics.

In the first four years of doing the survey, Gallup asked people

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about the moral acceptability of “homosexual behavior.” In those years, the response ran between 38 and 44 percent. For three years (2006-2008), it asked about “homosexual relations.” the response ran from 44 to 48 percent.

Beginning in 2009, Gallup asked about “gay and lesbian relations.” the improvement between 2008 (48 percent) and 2009 (49 percent) was only one percentage point. the biggest one-year leap in improvement came in may 2003, when 44 percent of the public said “gay and lesbian relations” were morally acceptable, up six percentage points from the low of 38 percent. the second biggest leap came in may 2013, when it showed a five percent jump over the previous year. (A year after President obama gave his nationally broadcast interview to aBc’s robin roberts, expressing his support for same-sex couples being able to marry, and six months after three states approved marriage equality ballot measures.) may 2013 was the high point in acceptance. polling this year showed a one-percentage point decrease, to 58 percent. this year’s poll was conducted may 8 to 11, just as an arkansas judge declared that state’s ban on same-sex couples marrying to be unconstitutional and national media attention riveted to openly gay national Football league draftee michael sam sharing a kiss and hug with his boyfriend.

Courtesy of Lisa Keen/LGBTQ Nation

news InternatIonal

obaMa iSSueS proClaMation deClarinG June lGbt pride Month the White house last week issued a proclamation by president Barack obama, declaring june as lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and transgender pride month, saying his administration “stands alongside all those who fight for LGBT rights.” “As we mark 45 years since the patrons

of the Stonewall Inn defied an unjust policy and awakened a nascent movement, let us honor every brave leader who stood up, sat in, and came out, as well as the allies who supported them along the way,” said obama, in this, the sixth consecutive year he has issued the proclamation.

by the preSident of the united StateS of aMeriCa a proClaMation as progress spreads from state to state, as justice is delivered in the courtroom, and as more of our fellow americans are treated with dignity and respect — our nation becomes not only more accepting, but more equal as well. During lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, we celebrate victories that have affirmed freedom and fairness, and we recommit ourselves to completing the work that remains. last year, supporters of equality celebrated the supreme court’s decision to strike down a key provision of the Defense of marriage act, a ruling which, at long last, gave loving, committed families the respect and legal protections they deserve. In keeping with this decision, my Administration is extending family and spousal benefits — from immigration benefits to military family benefits — to legally married same-sex couples.

My Administration proudly stands alongside all those who fight for LGBT rights. Here at home, we have strengthened laws against violence toward lGBt americans, taken action to prevent bullying and harassment, and prohibited discrimination in housing and hospitals. despite this progress, LGBT workers in too many States can be fired just because of their sexual orientation or gender identity; I continue to call on the congress to correct this injustice by passing the employment non-Discrimination act. and in the years ahead, we will remain dedicated to addressing health disparities within the lGBt community by implementing the affordable care act and the national hIV/ aIDs strategy — which focuses on improving care while decreasing hIV transmission rates among communities most at risk. our commitment to advancing equality for the lGBt community extends far beyond our borders. In many places around the globe, lGBt people face persecution, arrest, or even state-sponsored execution. this is unacceptable. the united states calls on every nation to join us in defending the universal human rights of our lGBt brothers and sisters.

This month, as we mark 45 years since the patrons of the Stonewall Inn defied an unjust policy and awakened a nascent movement, let us honor every brave leader who stood up, sat in, and came out, as well as the allies who supported them along the way. Following their example, let each of us speak for tolerance, justice, and dignity — because if hearts and minds continue to change over time, laws will too. noW, thereFore, I, BaracK oBama, president of the united states of america, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the constitution and the laws of the united states, do hereby proclaim june 2014 as lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and transgender pride month. I call upon the people of the united states to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the american people.

In WItness WhereoF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of may, in the year of our lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the united states of america the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

BaracK oBama

june, 2014 25

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LEGALLY SPEAKING

Planning a Trip?

Some Legal Tips for LGBT Safety

By Christopher Heritage You have an itinerary, reserved your lodging, bought your plane ticket and shopped for new clothes. Are you ready to hit the road?

No, not yet. You have homework to do. You aren’t really prepared to go until you learn about safe travel for people in the LGBT community.

Gay rights issues can complicate our plans, whether we are travelling within the U.S. or to international destinations. Some states and countries have laws supporting LGBT equality, may recognize same-sex marriage or registered partnerships, and offer a relatively comfortable gay scene in which we can be pretty much ourselves.

Some other states (especially in rural areas) and countries are much more conservative, don’t recognize gay relationships and may have little or no tolerance for physical shows of affection. Finally, in many areas of the world, laws and customs demonize and criminalize homosexuals. To be safe, exercise discretion wherever you are.

You can find out about travel situations from local LGBT groups, or trusted and well-informed travel agents or tour operators. They know the attitudes and issues of the country or city. Be especially careful if you intend to frequent cruising areas or internet chat rooms. Police in some countries have been known to carry out entrapment campaigns.

The often open and relaxed nature of gay scenes can mask criminal activity. Be wary of new-found “friends” who may simply be out to exploit you. Stay alert to the people and the area around you, and stay away from places that aren’t well lit or seem suspicious. It makes sense to give your itinerary to a relative or friend, and to have a plan with your travel partner for possible emergencies that could arise.

Check your health care coverage to see what medical care will be covered outside the U.S. Many policies provide for very limited or no services at all in other countries, and you may need a supplemental health insurance policy to provide coverage in case of a medical emergency. Make sure to have a copy of your Advance Health Care Directive with you.

In my practice, I encourage my clients to electronically store all their important documents in an account such as LegalVault or DocuBank.

Your health care directive, personal medical information, Will or Trust, power of attorney, list of credit cards, copy of passport, and any other important documents are securely stored, and can be accessed via internet, wherever you are. An emergency card lists your personal agents to be contacted, and gives medical professionals immediate access to your health care directive 24/7, anywhere in the world.

Don’t use hotel or other public computers or Wi-Fi networks to

access your personal or financial data. You have no way of knowing whether they are secure.

It is best not to bring debit cards on a trip, but if you must access cash at ATM’s, use ATM machines in bank lobbies rather than other locations. Banks are most likely to be secure, and usually have camera surveillance.

Don’t bring your checkbook, social security card, or more than two credit cards. Keep only your driver’s license and one credit card in your wallet, and keep the second credit card in the hotel safe (or in your luggage if on the road) in case your wallet is stolen.

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is a valuable service of the U.S. Department of State, offering assistance in an emergency.

You file your travel plans on-line, and then you can be contacted in case of a family or other emergency at home, or a crisis or change in safety level in the areas you are planning to travel to or through.

This article is part of an ongoing series of articles pertaining to legal issues relevant to the LGBT community, and is intended for general information purposes only – not legal advice. Christopher Heritage is an attorney in Palm Springs and San Diego, who focuses on LGBT estate planning, domestic partnerships, same-sex marriage, probate, trust administration, and bankruptcy. He welcomes questions and comments and can be contacted at 760-325-2020 or at chris@heritagelegal.com

june, 2014 27

fitness

tiMe travelerS By dennis mason, Bfa, cpt

Fitness is a word we use predominately to describe the present condition of our body. It generally indicates a level of health, strength, vigor, outward appearance, inner well-being and happiness. Guidelines for evaluation are based on the highs, lows and averages of others around us. For example, an olympic athlete is generally considered to have a high level of fitness, while a sedentary individual is considered to have a low level. most of us fall somewhere in between. another interesting aspect of our own health and wellness status is that, like everything else around us, it moves through time and space and maintains a constant state of change. so, I tend to view all of this evolution as traveling through time and space on an endless journey. We are all travelers in time. how we handle that voyage and what we learn from it further expands our own individual concept of whom and what we are. a progressive way of thinking about our body is expressed in the philosophy behind my new book the art of Fitness, available this summer. It requires that we open and expand our minds to better see the “whole picture” of our existence. We are indeed the physical or genetic being, for sure. however, we are also the mind, or intellectual self, and on a much grander scale, we are spiritual beings as well. this concept can simply be referred to as ‘Body, mind, and spirit’. It balances the physical world, our perceptions of the physical world through our mind, and that part of us which is eternal and omniscient. eVerythInG Is connecteD to eVerythInG else. that is quite a powerful statement. It may be hard to grasp that concept at first, but take a moment to reflect on it and consider all the ramifications. It applies to all three levels of who we are, as outlined above. certainly, it works on the spiritual level, as that part of all of us is connected on the same plane of awareness. our minds, including perceptions, thoughts, and intellect are connected as well. We are giving and receiving information with one another all the time. and, on the physical plane, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and our very existence on this tiny planet in the cosmos connect us. therefore, we are literally, physically connected to everything else physical around us. the old saying, ‘you are what you eat’ was founded in this thought.

Your body is also connected to external influences as well.

Stress is one of the most common externally stimulated influences in

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our daily lives. Of course there are still other influences linking us to everything else. emotional responses to various events in our lives, such as those experienced when we ‘fall in love’ or feel the pain associated with the death of a loved one, not only link us together, but have a marked physiological or behavioral effect on us, as well. how we take care of our body and mind noW will determine how well they will perform for us as we travel along the time line of our existence. In this case we are still connected to those influences above, but have the intellectual option to do something about them.

This then, becomes the first rule of changing your lifestyle to a happy, healthy, fit, and productive one. The rule is not new, but never the less is applicable here: “accept the things you cannot change, have courage to change the things you can, and look inward for the wisdom to know the difference.” dennis is a certified personal trainer and coach with over 30 years’ experience, an npc bodybuilding competitor, charity cyclist, health and fitness motivational speaker and author. He specializes in physique sculpting, and nutritional Guidance. he also offers aquatic conditioning, weather permitting, in your pool or his.

“Fitness is more than just a workout.” It’s a lIFestyle committed to staying active; eating healthy; reducing stress and having fun. join Dennis on demand on his internet radio programs, FItness & more InternatIonal and be taken on a journey to explore new ideas; separate myth from fact and gain new information. Dennis mason, only on: www.Blogtalkradio.com/Fitnessandmore

For more information regarding his services, please visit: DennismasonFitness.com or Fitnessandmoreradio.com.

Also on Facebook and Twitter as fitnessradio. Telephone 760 219-5877

OVULATION WITH DADDY - Austria - Director, Paul Ploberger

KISS ME SOFTLY - Belgium - Director, Anthony Schatteman

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A world class showcase of dazzling live action, animation, comedy, and documentary short films featuring programs of great LGBT shorts.

Don’t miss our annual “Gay!La” party!

Passes, ticket packages and more on sale now at psfilmfest.org or call 760-778-8979.

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wellness

An Ounce Of Prevention

By Dr. Kenneth Toth, BA, MAT, DC, RN, CPT

Almost everyone I know loves to travel! However, sometimes we might be too caught up in the excitement to not put ourselves in harm’s way. Be sure to check in with your health insurance carrier to find out what your coverage is regarding travel, especially travel outside the country. And if you’re a US resident and covered

by Medicare, it is especially important to check things out. As I understand it, Medicare does not cover health care outside the USA. So be sure to check out your health care coverage fine print before you go. If there is no coverage for you where you are to be traveling, purchasing a temporary travel plan could prove to be of inestimable value in protecting your bank account as well as your health, perhaps even your life.

Some out of country hospitals demand lots of cash on the spot, or you only get temporary “band-aide” treatment to hopefully get you home alive. I have a friend who got caught in that scenario and nearly died because of serious complications by the time he finally got home to San Diego. He did not have a huge cash stash on his person (the hospital would not accept his credit card) while traveling in Europe. Unfortunately, he hadn’t done his homework beforehand.

Some people have traveled all over the world with never a health mishap. They never gave a second thought to the boring topic of insurance, perhaps because they began their traveling adventures when quite young and healthy! What 25-year-old thinks about travel health insurance when planning a vacation? And likewise, some people with Medicare coverage assume its good everywhere because it’s good in all 50 states.

Let’s face it; it’s getting a bit dicey to travel these days with antibiotic resistant organisms on the rise globally, the latest being MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). There is no effective cure for MERS, and around one-third of the people who contract it die.

Also, be careful who you dally with if that should become a part of your vacation fun. As we’ve been hearing for some time, nasty things such as antibiotic resistant gonorrhea is very much on the rise!

Now that I’ve gotten you to think about travel health insurance coverage, let’s lighten up this conversation a bit!

What else can you do to facilitate a carefree vacation? Be sure to take a detailed list of every medication you take with dosages and frequencies (I always carry a medication in its dispensing bottle with attached pharmacy label), names of treating physicians and their phone numbers, current diagnoses under medical management, and very importantly a list of all allergies. You don’t want some in a hurry and overburdened health care provider out of town or country prescribing something commonplace like penicillin or sulfa when it

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could put an abrupt end to your life experience. Make several copies for several places such as your wallet, carry-on bag, and checked suitcase. You never know when you could get separated from any of these and you want to be prepared.

Carry all your important medications on your person or in a bag that you never separate from while traveling, especially like that little nitroglycerine pill or an inhaler! When you need some medications, you need them NOW, not after the plane has landed!

Bags do get lost or delayed on occasion, and you always want immediate access to your important pharmaceuticals.

In the event that you should require any medical attention while away from home, don’t forget to inform your personal physician as soon as you get home to keep him/her up to date. He may want to check you out with an office visit and more tests, etc., to protect your health. Physicians can get a little frustrated when their patients don’t keep them informed in a timely manner of any untoward health events, because it can hamper their ongoing management of your health.

Remember the old maxim: An ounce of prevention…is worth a pound of cure! And everything is always cheaper by the ounce.

Dr. Kenneth Toth, BA, MAT, DC, RN, CPT, holds multiple degrees and credentials as a science educator, chiropractor, registered nurse, and personal trainer. He is currently limiting his professional activities to Personal Training/Nutritional Coaching. Dr. Ken is accepting new clients for personal training along with nutritional coaching. You may contact Dr. Ken at 949-235-9408 or ken@kentothfitness.com or on his website at KenTothFitness.com.

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epicurean

Traveling? Tips on eating and staying healthy As vital as vacations are for our mental well-being, many of us find ourselves compromising on nutrition when we travel. Being away from our routines - and our own kitchens - can throw our weight loss efforts for a loop. Eating while traveling with limited time and restaurant choices is often the hardest part of keeping up with a healthy diet. Consider these strategies from Life Time - The Healthy Way of Life Company for maintaining a healthy way of eating even on the road.

1. Bring your own. Let’s face it: fast food snacks are typically not ideal for those looking to stick to a healthy way of life eating plan. By far, the best choice is to bring your own. With a little planning and few minutes of preparation, you can stock a snack bag full of healthy foods that will save you money and spare your healthy eating goals. Consider snacks such as chopped veggies with Greek yogurt dip or hummus, hardboiled eggs, fruit slices with almond butter, nuts, string cheese or homemade trail mix.

2. Fuel up at the gas station. You’d be surprised at what you can find if you’re willing to sift through the aisles of unhealthy items at a gas station. Look for protein bars, assorted nuts and seeds, jerky or snack sticks, canned or bagged tuna, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, Greek yogurt and oatmeal. They are all good options that are readily available at most gas stations.

3. Seek out salads. While eating a greasy sandwich and fries may taste good in the moment, an hour or two later you’ll likely feel like the energy was sucked right out of you. Instead of a sandwich or burger, try a fresh salad with some kind of protein such as fish, chicken or beef, but beware of the sweet-sounding vinaigrettes. If a sandwich is a must, ditch the bun and skip the fries or chips, opting for a side salad or fresh fruit instead.

4. Check ahead for available health clubs. If you know you’re going out of town for a weekend or longer, look online for a health club in the area. Find out information like location, cost and what equipment is available to use, and ask if they offer short-term or day passes. If you are a member of a health club, check to see if there are destinations in the city you’re visiting and ask if you can use their location. Even if you’re not a member, most health clubs often provide seven-day pass access. No health club? Take advantage of

travel tools. A heart rate monitor and pedometer are two simple tools that will fit right inside your carry on. Also, there are many “travel specific” resistance bands that have a door attachment that allows them to be anchored on the wall for additional exercises.

Otherwise, go for ultimate packing efficiency by relying on your own body weight for exercises like push-ups, crunches, lunges or squats.

5. Be good at the buffet. Many hotels offer buffet-style meals included with your stay or for an incredibly good deal. There is no reason to avoid eating at a buffet, but you do need to be cautious about how you fill your plate. The most inexpensive foods at the buffet are the breads, rolls and other starchy foods so think about getting the most value out of your meal both financially and nutritiously. Eggs, meats, cheese and vegetables will not only keep you from eating as much, they will also keep you full throughout the day.

It isn’t always easy to make the right decision when you’re traveling and the variety of pit stop options make it tempting to indulge, but the satisfaction of making healthy and nutritious choices lasts long after vacation is over.

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Starting May 15th

epicurean Make the most out of your trip to the Farmers Market A trip to the market is a great opportunity to indulge in fresh healthy produce and to expand your horizons by trying new items or preparing them in different ways.

Here are some tips to make the most of your visit to the Farmers Market: • Clean out your fridge’s produce drawer, and stock up on items that complement fresh produce, such as salad dressings and seasonings that can be used to turn basic veggies into delicious meals • Take your own reusable bags or baskets to carry your purchase - they’re better for Mother Nature. If you’ll be buying perishable items, consider packing a cooler as well.

• You’ll find the freshest produce and best selection early in the day. Get there early to ensure you get the pick of the day’s produce.

• Scope out the entire market before you begin making purchases. Certain popular items, such as

tomatoes, cantaloupe, melons, peas and potatoes will be available from multiple vendors. Strolling through the market first will allow you to compare prices and taste samples to ensure you’re picking the best and most delicious buys.

• Unpack bags as soon as you’re home and store each item appropriately. Create a menu plan for the week that incorporates everything you’ve purchased to help ensure nothing goes to waste.

• Every week, try something new; add in new items like kohlrabi, chard or broccolini. Not sure how to prepare something new? Seasonings are a great way to add flavor without fat. Spice-filled marinades or rubs are a perfect complement to produce. Throw your veggies on the grill to bring out the freshness.

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book review

Always Overbooked…

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Turn left.

You used to need a map to know that info, but these days, a voice from a screen tells you where to go on your trip. It’s easy and reliable, so who would want to go back to wrestling with a map, or wondering if turning left was right?

No, you haven’t used a paper map in eons but author Mark Gevisser has, and his maps show a city under change. In the new book “Lost and Found in Johannesburg,” you might see how.

Growing up in South Africa, Mark Gevisser was obsessed with maps; in particular, an archaic book of streets and neighborhoods that helped him play a pretend-game with himself. It was many years later that Gevisser realized that segments of his hometown of Johannesburg were missing from the book.

Those were the neighborhoods in which the city’s Black population lived.

Though his Jewish ancestors had endured discrimination when they immigrated to South Africa a century ago, Gevisser was born into a life of privilege and was mostly insulated from the Johannesburg filled with poverty and Black faces. And yet, his family had Black servants that lived, by law, in small houses behind the main home.

Eventually, though, it dawned on Gevisser that the racial system in “Joburg” was flawed. Perhaps he noticed because he had been immersed in a culture of activism, in which Whites ignored rules and regularly mingled with Blacks. Maybe it was because he was a world traveler and had gone to school in America at Yale, or because apartheid was beginning to unravel back home.

Or, perhaps, Gevisser’s realizations came about because he began to understand that he was gay.

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Lost and Found in Johannesburg author Photo Credit: James Oatway

Today, Gevisser lives in Johannesburg, a city that’s surprisingly progressive on issues of sexuality. He’s married to a man he calls “C,” who is of Indian descent. You would think that those factors – an award-winning white, Jewish gay writer married to a man of a different race in a city that relatively recently rejected apartheid – would make for a very fascinating book.

But alas, “Lost and Found in Johannesburg” is not.

First, it takes eighty-some pages to get past chapters on infinitesimally-detailed streets and neighborhoods, and a litany of author Mark Gevisser’s immigrant ancestors – neither of which will mean a thing to anyone who’s not related or in Johannesburg. I lost both interest and patience, but I sallied forth anyhow.

Admittedly, that led me to small pockets of interest – life as a gay South African,

brief accounts of apartheid and racism, small heartbreaking stories, and a breathless but disturbing tale of robbery – but they were buried beneath passages of esoteric literature and dozens of names, all of which become a blur.

Yes, I suppose that if you’ve lived in South Africa for a good length of time, or if you’re interested in the detailed genealogy of total strangers, you could certainly give this book a try. Most readers that see “Lost and Found in Johannesburg,” though, will want to turn left and keep on going.

“Lost and Found in Johannesburg: A Memoir” by Mark Gevisser c.2014, Farrar, Straus and Giroux $27.00 / $31.00 Canada 352 pages

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INFO & TICKETS desertAIDSProject.org or 760.992.0440 june, 2014 37

last minute booking Wild Rainbow African Safaris

By Stephan Roth

Wild Rainbow African Safaris is celebrating 10 years of creating customized, guided safaris to East and Southern Africa with a completely new lineup of safaris in 2015. Wild Rainbow’s 10th anniversary safaris include an epic Mt. Kilimanjaro climb and Tanzania safari, a Zimbabwe canoeing and walking safari, an unforgettable Rwanda gorilla safari, a classic Kenya and Tanzania safari and a diverse South Africa walking safari.

Wild Rainbow African Safaris was founded in 2004 by African safari expert Jody Cole, and the company took its first group to Africa in 2005. Since then, Wild Rainbow has taken 50 groups and over 300 individuals on safari in a total of 10 African countries and is the worlds only proudly lesbian owned and operated African safari company.

Since 2004, Wild Rainbow African Safaris has created custom adventures in Africa for its travelers. Wild Rainbow African Safaris is owned and operated by Jody Cole, one of the few American women with two of the highest certifications for field guides in Africa: Certified Level 2 Field Guide and Trails Guide from the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa. Based in Sacramento, California, Wild Rainbow offers every one of its guests the opportunity to safely experience Africa and all its delights, from five-star luxury lodges, mobile-tented camps and safaris to cultural exchanges and Cape Town nightclubs.

Wild Rainbow creates customized, individualized programs for its guests and offers each of its guests the opportunity to safely experience Africa and all it has to offer. Cole is one of the few American women to have achieved two of the highest qualifications for field guides in Africa, and she personally accompanies each group to help her guests maximize their safari experience.

“It has been the thrill of a lifetime to help my guests experience and appreciate the magic of Africa over these last 10 years,” said Cole. “Africa is a place that you feel in your soul. I’m honored to have been a part of that journey with so many people already and I’m looking forward to many more great journeys over the next 10 years.”

Wild Rainbow African Safaris’ 10th anniversary year kicks off with a climb to the continent’s highest peak in January 2015 and continue on through five different countries and a total of five unique itineraries over the course of the year.

Kilimanjaro Climb and Tanzania Safari January 11 – 30, 2015 and July 5 – 24, 2015 Join Jody and Wild Rainbow Safaris for an epic climbing adventure to the Roof of Africa. After three days relaxing and

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exploring at two idyllic farms at the mountain’s base, guests will spend the next eight days ascending Kilimanjaro’s awesome slopes and taking in the spectacular topography and views. The climb culminates with guests’ arrival at the 19,340-foot Uhuru Peak. This trip can be booked as “climb only” from January 11-23, 2015, “safari only” from January 23-30, 2015, or both segments together for an epic, 20-day adventure. The same options are offered again later in the year: “climb only” from July 5-16, 2015, “safari only” from July 16-24, 2015, or both segments together from July 5-24, 2015.

Zimbabwe Canoeing and Walking Safari May 28 – June 8, 2015 There’s no better way to experience Africa than on foot and by canoe. This safari begins a game drive through the famed Mana Pools, which draw a diverse array of animals including elephants, buffalos, kudus, zebras, and impalas, and the predators that pursue them – lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyena. Guests will enjoy three days of canoeing near the confluence of the Ruckomechi and Zambezi Rivers, with three glorious nights camping along the banks in spacious, walk-in style tents with comfortable beds, fresh linens and en suite facilities.

The adventure continues with a plane and boat ride to Matusadona National Park for three days at the remote and rustic Rhino Island Safari Camp on the shores of Lake Kariba, the world’s largest reserve. Guests experience an authentic African bush camp that merges colonial luxury with ancient tribal style in the Zulu warrior hunting grounds of Somalisa Camp in Hwange National Park. Begin or end this trip with an optional day at the iconic Victoria Falls for a trip that’s truly beyond your wildest imagination.

Rwanda Gorilla and Tanzania Safari June 11 – 21, 2015 This unique safari brings guests up close to the fascinating mountain gorilla and golden monkeys on invigorating hikes through dense, orchid-lined forests in and around Volcanoes National Park.

Visit noted gorilla expert Dian Fossey’s research center and tomb and learn why she was so fascinated these gentle creatures.

Shifting focus, the safari turns to Tanzania’s famed Serengeti National Park for sightings of the Big Five – the African lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape buffalo – as well as many other animals. The adventure concludes at the world famous Ngorongoro Crater, often described as the Eighth Wonder of the World, where

guests will spend two nights at the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge perched on the crater rim.

Kenya and Tanzania Safari June 22 – July 2, 2015 In the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, guests on this safari explore the wild Maasai plains of Amboseli National Park where they will see a wide array of wildlife within the park’s diverse terrain, including elephants, baboons, lions, cheetahs, and rhino plus over 400 varieties of birds.

In this safari straddling two nations, guests will also explore the wonders of Ngorongoro Crater, known as “Africa’s Eden,” where all the area’s fauna gather to drink and carnivores come to hunt their prey. This wildlife-viewing adventure ends in the Serengeti where guests might see the endangered black rhino and retired bull elephants.

South Africa Walking Safari September 7 – 16, 2015 Enjoy the myriad of wonders, urban and off-the-beaten path that South Africa has to offer on this diverse safari. The journey begins in Johannesburg and continues on to Hazyview’s Hippo Hollow, an excellent base of operations for visitors to Kruger National Park.

From there, the adventure moves on to Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, where guests will enjoy two nights at Angela’s Camp, an intimate, cliffside safari lodge overlooking the Klaserie River.

Following a visit to Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, the group returns to Johannesburg for a last evening together at the modern and stylish Rosebank.

For reservations and complete details on any of the safaris contact Wild Rainbow African Safaris at +1-800-423-1495 or www.wildrainbowsafaris.com.

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events calenDar in the Follies’ warehouses, offices and theater are being sold. Items include costumes, shoes, fabrics, wigs, computers, hats, lighting and sound equipment, memorabilia, and Follies souvenirs. photographs and descriptions of many sale items and complete details can be found at www.squareup.com/market/the-fabulouspalm-springs-follies

June 13 - 15 splash house palm sprInGs splash house, a palm springs pool Festival, announces its return to the desert june 13-15, in conjunction with new partner Goldenvoice. together with Goldenvoice and leD, leading southern california electronic promoters, splash house will draw on its appeal to bring a bigger experience for its second edition in the desert. splash house debuted in palm springs last august, drawing thousands to the city’s first multi-venue pool party to experience day life in the desert, soundtracked by some of electronic music’s most edgy and engaging acts. For more info visit www.splashhouse.com

June 13 - 14 palm sprInGs FollIes BloW out sale a fundraiser for the ps animal shelter at the palm springs convention center from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., where everything

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June 17 - 24 palm sprInGs InternatIonal shortFest the palm springs International shortFest, short Film Festival & Film market, one of the most acclaimed short film showcases in the world, will take place in palm springs on june 17-23, 2014. now in its 20th year, the palm springs International shortFest will showcase over 300 short films from more than 50 countries. www.psfilmfest.org

June 19 comeDy For a cause. copa palm sprInGs copa in association with some Fabulous leo’s will present comedy with a cause to raise money for casa of riverside county.

casa represents lGBt, abused and foster youth in and around the coachella Valley. tickets now on sale $10 Ga & $20 VIp (limited seating available): copa, www.coparoomps.com www.somefabulousleos.com at tropicale.

For more info go to www.casariversidecounty.org

throuGh July 2 streetBar artWall project. streetBar palm sprInGs streetbar artwall project welcomes David herholz with his second exhibit for the artwall project. an avid photographer, David’s simple straight-forward approach to capturing images is central to his talent and artistic vision. his work is elegant, precise images centered in nature and natural settings. the show runs through july 2, 2014. For more information contact drfar@aol.com or www.psstreetbar.com

dba June eventS june 9th mixer 6:00-8:00 pm hosted by club Intrawest palm Desert 3 Willow ridge, palm Desert june 23 mixer 6:00-8:00 pm mizell senior center 480 s. sunrise Way, palm springs For more info visit www. desertbusinessassociation.org

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EVENTS CALENDAR DJ in the sound booth. Every Sunday Complete list of events www.toucanstikilounge.com

ongoing >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Copa In a throwback to old Palm Springs’ nightclubs, the Copa is fashioned around an elevated performing stage and a stunning u-shaped bar lined with leather barstools, upholstered booths, and gilded cocktail tables. Sink into the sexy lounge, sip a cocktail, and enjoy the lineup of local and guest entertainers. For weekly schedule visit www.coparoomps.com The Purple Room Supper club, drinks and live music. It’s where Palm Springs plays. Great entertainment nightly and dinner specials. You never know whom you might see at The Purple Room.

For monthly schedule and info visit http://purpleroompalmsprings.com

Oscar’s Café & Bar You and your dog(s) are invited to join us every Saturday and Sunday from 7:30am - 2:00pm for a fun brunch on our always dog-friendly patio. Oscar’s Cafe & Bar participates in My Perfect Pet’s “Dine With Your Dog” program, offering fresh, whole, healthy 100% Human-Grade Food for your dog while serving delicious human food for our pet parents! Dog meals are offered FREE with a $2 per meal donation (which benefits local animal nonprofits) 7 days a week at Oscar’s Cafe & Bar. Make your Bow Wow Brunch Reservations by calling Oscar’s at (760) 325-1188.

PS: Brunch is also available indoors for those without pets!

Flirt at Hard Rock Hotel Thursday nights in downtown Palm Springs got a little hotter and a little more exciting with a new show/new dance party/ new venue/new room/new night/new international brand…Flirt at Hard Rock Hotel. Doors open each Thursday at 7:00 p.m. to the new Flirt Showroom, located inside the Hard Rock Hotel, Indian Canyon and Arenas. Two shows each Thursday, 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. No cover charge.

21+. Entrance is immediately off the Porte Cochere. Two item minimum (food and/or drink per person per show). Check out Hard Rock Hotel and Bella da Ball on Facebook. www.HRHPALMSPRINGS.COM

Wang’s in the Desert. The weekly Wang’s Live Entertainment series features the best in local and regional musical talents.

Guests can relax from cabaret and Broadway show performances to upbeat, jazzy showcases on the Zen Patio, with its beautiful stone outdoor fireplace, giant red Buddha statue and lush tropical surroundings. The Sunday series is becoming the new performance showcase for weekends and holidays in downtown Palm Springs. It’s the perfect, casual venue for great music, cool cocktails and of course, a fantastic crowd.

For more information about Wang’s in the Desert, visit 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 13 lucky years now! 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

Tuesdays Bella da Ball Cabaret Variety Dinner Revue at Azul features a different show each week with a cast of male and female vocalists and drag personalities. The highly popular show is hosted and produced by Palm Springs’ area social ambassador, Bella da Ball, and features music-comedysong-dance-costuming-headdresses-photo ops-door prizes-audience participation and more. The 95+ minute production features musical numbers ranging from show tunes to country to pop and everything in between.

Don’t miss the fun every Tuesday at 7:30pm! No cover.

Sundays “The Playgirls” at Toucans Tiki Lounge featuring Tommi Rose. Performances 8, 10pm.

These darling Divas of drag really deliver with their very own brand of entertainment to packed houses. Special guests appear weekly.

Starting next month we will feature a more complete and concise local calendar of events as we partner with Gay Desert Guide.

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EVENTS CALENDAR

Jun 10 - 15

Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival Honolulu, Hawaii The Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation is proud to present the 2014 Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival on June 1015. This year, the HRFF celebrates its 25th Anniversary as one of the longest-running and well-respected Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) film festivals in the country. -The Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival is the only festival in Hawai‘i with a full program of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender films. In honor of its 25th Anniversary, HRFF will feature its largest and most diverse film schedule ever, with 25 narrative feature films! 25 for 25!

Go to www.hglcf.org

Jun 11 - Jun 15

Key West Pride Key West, Florida Celebrate PRIDE on a tropical island that is legendary for its laid-back style and its open and accepting atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to party with friends, travel with family, or get lost in the magic of our tropical island, rediscover Key West and discover how one island’s One Human Family philosophy has created one of the most integrated and unique communities in the world. Show us your pride, we will show you our Key West Pride! For more info visit www.keywestpride.com

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Jun 13 - 15

Jun 28 - 29

Jun 21-22 & Jun 29

Through Jul 7

Gay Wine Weekend Sonoma Valley, CA Enjoy 3 Full Days of LGBT events in Northern California’s magnificent Sonoma Valley home to some of the world’s most prestigious wines and wineries. Celebrate with world class wine and culinary delights, music and dancing in a private estate vineyard, VIP Receptions, wine tasting excursions, passport wine tasting, champagne brunch, wine auction and pool party in one of the most famous luxury wine destinations in the world.

For info visit www.outinthevineyard.com

Chicago Pride Festival & Parade Chicago, Illinois Chicago Pride Weekend consists of a twoday festival and our world-famous parade.

Stake your claim along the parade route and festival concerts early, or wander to check out the other attraction - the colorful crowd. Bar and restaurant celebrations follow the parade and continue throughout the night in Boystown. The two-day festival (June 21 & 22) takes place along Chicago’s famed Halsted strip. The parade takes place over a four-mile route on Sunday, June 29. www.chicagopride.gopride.com

San Francisco Pride San Francisco, CA 2014 marks the 44th anniversary of the San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade. The theme is “Color Our World with Pride” and the event will be held over the weekend of June 28 and 29, 2014. With over 200 parade contingents, 300 exhibitors, and more than twenty community-run stages and venues, the San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade is the largest gathering of LGBT people and allies in the nation. The two-day celebration takes place in Civic Center Plaza in downtown San Francisco. The Parade, which takes place the Sunday morning of the event, kicks off from Beale Street along Market and ends at Market and 8th St. in the heart of downtown San Francisco. www.sfpride.org

National Queer Arts Festival San Francisco, CA QCC stages an annual month-long multidisciplinary National Queer Arts Festival, documents significant Bay Area Queer arts events on our Website, provides fundraising and other technical assistance services to emerging culturally-specific and gender-specific Queer arts groups, and conducts “Creating Queer Community,” a program that to date has commissioned more than 60 San Francisco-based artists to create new work. www.queerculturalcenter.org

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events calenDar

jun 10 - 15

tel-a-beef pride 2014 tel aVIV, Israel the BeeF group is happy to welcome you to the hottest pride in the most amazing oasis of the middle east, tel-aVIV: 2014 prIDe WeeK of tel a-BeeF: BeeFamIly. It’s a world wild fact that the BeeF line of parties has made tel aVIV famous not only for its amazing sun and beaches, but for its sexy masculine and hot kinky men. the unique parties of BeeF are famous for their masculine, sexy atmosphere; and as being the only fetish oriented cruising parties in Israel, have made the tourists pack some extra sexy gear in their suitcases, next to their tank tops and swimwear. no wonder these parties brought tel aviv to the front of the line with similar gay capital cities like nyc, london, paris, sydney, madrid, Berlin and many more. Info at www.gaypartix.com/ parties/telaviv-israel/telaBeef/

jun 12 -16

SitGeS Gay pride sItGes, spaIn the gay village by the sea is the epicenter of sitges pride, hosting 5 days of concerts, t-dances, fashion shows and more. 5,000+ people gather each evening to celebrate into the night. Gay pride sitges 2014’s centerpiece will be the pride by the promenade where every day the Gay pride Village will keep you entertained by the mediterranean… not to mention our other key events, concerts and more. the line-up includes, live concert tributes to cher, take that, michael jackson, the Black eyed peas and abba. the White night (Where the entire Village is in White), the return of lady Diamond’s jungle night, a Black night and of course the return of the pride parade on sunday. remember to check back often as and new events and details are being added on a daily basis. check them out at www.gaysitgespride.com

and diversity of the large gay community.

There is a colorful parade of floats and marching units that winds down the elegant, tree-lined paseo de la reforma and ends at the massive Zocalo main square with a rally and carnival. everyone invited as the whole city celebrates! www.mexcity.8m.com/custom2.html

jun 27 - 29

Gay pride barCelona 2014 Barcelona, spaIn For the sixth year running, Barcelona is well into the preparations to welcome you to the most important lGBt pride festival in the Mediterranean – Pride Barcelona’14. The main celebrations will be on the weekend of the 27th, 28th and 29th of june. www.pridebarcelona.org

jun 27 - 29 jun 14 - 29

dublin pride DuBlIn, IrelanD the Dublin lGBt pride Festival is an annual series of events that celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (lGBt) life in Dublin, Ireland. It is the largest lGBtQ pride festival in the republic of Ireland. the event has grown from a one-day event in 1983 to a two-week festival celebrating lGBt culture in Ireland with an expanded arts, social and cultural content. Visit www.dublinpride.ie

jun 27 - 30

MeXiCo City pride mexIco cIty, mexIco mexico city has the largest, wildest, most fun Gay pride celebration in latin america! the events every june will draw millions to the streets of mexico city to celebrate the pride

Canadian roCkieS international rodeo calGary, alBerta canaDa We proudly boast the most unique rodeo on the IGra circuit. We are able to offer all our events at one location; no other gay rodeo does this. this makes our event a favorite destination for many of the lGBt rodeo contestants and spectators. It is truly an international event with people coming from all corners of the globe to attend. We expect more than 3000 attendees to come to our event this year. www.argra.org

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the3d’s RESTAURANTS

dine | drink | dance { Coachella Valley }

Bars and Night Clubs

Wang’s in the Desert 424 S Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 Phone: (760) 325-WANG (9264) www.wangsinthedesert.com

Las Casuelas Terraza 222 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 325-2794 www.lascasuelas.com

Zin American Bistro 198 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 322-6300 www.pszin.com

Hunters Nightclub 302 East Arenas Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-323-0700 www.huntersnightclubs.com

Nature’s Health Food & Cafe 555 S Sunrise Way Suite 301 Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 323-9487 www.natureshealthfoodcafe.com

LuLu California Bistro 200 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 327-5858 www.lulupalmsprings.com

Birba 622 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 327-5678 www.birbaps.com

Toucan’s Tiki Lounge 2100 North Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-416-7584 www.toucanstikilounge.com

Pomme Frite 256 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 778-3727 www.pomme-frite.com

Cheekys 622 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 327-7595 www.cheekysps.com

Rainbow Bar and Grill 216 South Indian Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-325-3989 www.rainbowbarngrill.com

Rio Azul Mexican Bar and Grill 350 S Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 992-5641 www.rioazulpalmsprings.com

El Mirasol 140 E Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 323-0721 www.elmirasolrestaurants.com

Trio Restaurant 707 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 Phone: (760) 864-8746 www.triopalmsprings.com

Thai Smile Palm Springs 651 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 320-5503 www.thaismilepalmsprings.com

Hamburger Mary’s Bar & Grille 415 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 778-6279 www.hamburgermarysps.com

Studio ONE 11 Cocktail Lounge 67-555 East Palm Canyon Drive, Suite A103, Cat. City CA 92264 760.328.2900 www.Studio-One-11.com

Trio Restaurant 707 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 864-8746 www.triopalmsprings.com

Rick’s Restaurant 1973 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 416-0090 www.ricksrestaurant.biz

The Tool Shed 600 E. Sunny Dunes Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.3299 www.toolshed-ps.com

The Tropicale 330 E Amado Road Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 866-1952 www.thetropicale.com

Pinocchio in the Desert 134 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-322-3776 www.pinocchiops.com

Spurline Video Lounge 200 Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs CA 92262 760-778-4326 www.spurline.com

Sherman’s Deli & Bakery 401 E Tahquitz Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 325-1199 www.shermansdeli.com Acqua Pazza / The River at Rancho Mirage 71800 Highway 111 Suite A167 Rancho Mirage, CA Phone: (760) 862-9800 www.acquapazzabistro.com Azul Restaurant 369 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 325-5533 www.azultapaslounge.com Casa de Frida 450 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 459-1681 www.casadefrida.com Copley’s on Palm Canyon 621 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 327-9555 www.copleyspalmsprings.com

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business DIrectory your ad here! theStandardps.com

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cominG up neXt montH THE MUSIC ISSUE

Burning up the Dance Floor Celebrity Q & A Summer Delights june, 2014 45

Photo Rewind evening under the stars Photo Courtesy of david a. lee & The Standard Magazine Staff

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Photo Rewind evening under the stars Photo Courtesy of david a. lee & The Standard Magazine Staff

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I get a healing energy from my Reiki sessions.

Ron, D.A.P. client

D.A.P. treats and supports the whole person Treating my HIV takes enough medication already — I didn’t want to take even more meds for the stomach upset I was feeling. So I tried Reiki as an alternative. With each session, I feel my body healing in a new way.

The Reiki master’s hands rarely touch me, even lightly. But he seems to channel this amazing power into my organs. He says it’s the universe, not him. Whatever it is, I feel like each session is an important step toward being an even healthier person.

This and more...all under one roof Thanks to your generous support, Desert AIDS Project has been saving lives for 30 years.

Please continue to help by donating at desertAIDSproject.org, joining one of our annual giving programs, or by saving the date for one of our upcoming fundraising events.

Summer Mixer & Dance Party | July 24, 2014 Desert AIDS Walk | October 18, 2014 Dancing With The Desert Stars | November 15, 2014 World AIDS Day | December 1, 2014

760.323.2118

desertAIDSproject.org

Photo Rewind Cabot Museum + Harvey Milk Breakfast + John Celebration Photo Courtesy of david a. lee & The Standard Magazine Staff

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Ready to Party in August?

August 20-24, 2014

Meet & Greet at Pine Knot Pier Pool Parties Guest DJ’s Bears and Beer Sunset Cruise All Male Bartenders FEATURING COLTON FORD Host Hotel Northwoods Resort WWW.BBAWEEKEND.COM 10% OF TICKET SALES ARE DONATED TO AAP OF PALM SPRINGS