Wire Magazine Issue 9.2024 Photo Studio Miami + OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival by Wire Media Group

PHOTO STUDIO MIAMI

ADDITIONAL

LIFESTYLE CONTENT & VIDEOS

Visit wiremag.com/free and subscribe to our digital issue to read additional LGBTQ lifestyle content and click on links to interesting videos.

PHOTO

By Rafa Carvajal

URGE MIAMI FESTIVAL RETURNS THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

Fall has arrived, although is still feels very much like summer in our alluring Magic City. With the arrival of autumn, it is time to start planning for the return of the URGE Miami Festival Thanksgiving weekend, November 29 to December 2. The 2024 Festival will include three massive night spectaculars, the high-energy Royal Palm Pool Party bash and everyone’s favorite steamy Sunday Beach Party on the beautiful sands of South Beach, hosting thousands of very sexy men from around the world.

URGE Miami Festival will feature an impressive list of the world’s most famous circuit DJs for its events and parties. According to Luis Morera, one of URGE’s event producers, “URGE is not only a music festival. Throughout the years, it has become a place where friends, old and new, meet up to celebrate gratitude. URGE offers a space like no other where everyone has the freedom to express themselves while dancing to the sounds of the greatest DJs of our time.”

URGE Miami Festival will kick off Friday, November 29 at 10 p.m. with the Miami premiere of GUAPO, a Sao Paulo, Brazilbased festival brand that has become world-renowned for its happy and fresh vibe. It will take place at M3 Studios and showcase the sounds of GUAPO’s resident DJ Adham, Brazilian DJ Liza Rodriguez, and Mexico DJ Jesus Montanez. The Saturday pool party will be at the Festival’s host hotel The Royal Palm South Beach. “Patrons love to dance under the Miami sun with the flexibility and comfort of being just a few steps from their hotel room,” explains Raul Griffith, one of the Festival producers. The Pool Party DJs will be Yazz Burrell, who launched his DJ career at Miami’s Score and URGE, gay influencer and DJ Eliad Cohen, and DJ/Producer Jerac.

Saturday night will showcase the Festival’s main event URGEVerse at M3 studios. According to Luis Morera “we’ll be celebrating the brand’s 13th birthday!” DJ Edu Quintas will return to URGE from vibrant Rio de Janeiro and will be joined by world renowned Israeli DJ/ Producer Mor Abrahami, and Miami’s DJ/Producer YORDI. This year’s Sunday Beach Party is going to be very different from previous parties because URGE producers will bring you an innovative new look and higher level of production. DJ/Producer Joe Gauthreaux will headline alongside international festival DJ Erik Villar. The closing party will be URGE AFTER DARK, an after-hours spectacular that will feature three headliners for the first time: Danny Verde, House of Labs, and Alison Nunes.

Visit urgemiamifestival.com to get your tickets for URGE Miami Festival. General Admission and VIP tickets are available, as is the popular 24-hour pass which includes the Sunday Beach Party and the weekend’s main event URGE-Verse.

Photos by J.R. Davis

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY® and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment. (bik-TAR-vee)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including: Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months, and may give you HBV medicine.

ABOUT BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS.

Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:

dofetilide

rifampin

any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY

Tell your healthcare provider if you:

Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. Have any other health problems.

Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.

Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks of breastfeeding during treatment with BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

BIKTARVY and other medicines may a ect each other. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including: Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.

Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to ﬁght infections that may have been hidden in your body. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.

Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.

Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.

Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. The most common side e ects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

These are not all the possible side e ects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.

You are encouraged to report negative side e ects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY

Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5.

If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

People featured take BIKTARVY and are compensated by Gilead.

*Source: IQVIA NPA Weekly, 04/19/2019 through 05/19/2023. #1 PRESCRIBED HIV TREATMENT*

BIKTARVY® is approved for more people than ever before.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

*This information is an estimate derived from the use of information under license from the following IQVIA information service: IQVIA NPA Weekly, for the period week ending 04/19/2019 through week ending 05/19/2023. IQVIA expressly reserves all rights, including rights of copying, distribution, and republication.

BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. Scan to learn more about BIKTARVY.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and at BIKTARVY.com.

PUBLISHER’S CORNER LET'S KEEP SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY

Welcome to our September issue. This month, we preview three great events that many of us like to attend and support every year as season gets started in South Florida and autumn arrives. We preview the National LGBTQ Task Force Gala, the Fall Edition of the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival, and the URGE Miami Thanksgiving Festival.

The National LGBTQ Task Force Gala will honor LGBTQ activist and Emmy-winning Queer Eye star Karamo and former Task Force Board Co-Chair Roger Thomson and SAVE advocate Jim Tyrrell. The Gala will have Jai Rodriguez as the emcee and feature amazing performances by American Idol’s Frenchie Davis and RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Ginger Minj. Read our editorial about this very important fund raising event in our community.

I also want to let you know that whether you attend this year’s National LGBTQ Task Force Gala or not, you can also celebrate the spirit of the Gala at the AfterGlow Ball dance party, hosted by H.O.T. (House of Trouble) and emceed by Athena Dion, with show-stopping talent sponsored by R House and refreshing cocktails by Bacardi. This dance party will take place after the Gala in the Miami Beach Convention Center Grand Ballroom on Saturday, October 19 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Let’s celebrate progress together and let hope bloom on the dance floor among friends and allies old and new. Like the Gala, proceeds for this fundraiser support the advocacy work of the Task Force and fund many local South Florida community-based LGBTQ organizations. The Ball will also highlight the Task Force’s ‘Queer the Vote’ initiative and urge our community to vote — especially at this November’s presidential election.

The 42nd Fall Edition of the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival will offer you 62 acclaimed features and shorts that include premieres and documentaries from 25 countries. The Festival will take place in both Broward and Miami-Dade counties during the same run for the first time in its history. Check out our preview of some of the best Festival films. Then comes the URGE Miami Thanksgiving Festival attended by thousands of very sexy men from around the world every year. We tell you all about the parties and the DJs that will be entertaining you at URGE!

In closing, I want to remind you how important it is to remain active in our community and vocal about supporting our gay rights. Make sure you vote for candidates who believe in protecting the LGBTQ community, rather than politicians trying to discriminate against us by taking away our hard-earned rights!

Cheers,

Rafa Carvajal Publisher & Editor in Chief rafa@wiremag.com

For this week’s cover story, we caught up with our friends Jorge Freire and Abel Cruz from Photo Studio Miami. These very gifted photographers have been working with Wire Magazine for many years. In this issue we showcase a selection of outstanding photos of some of the hottest male models photographed by Photo Studio Miami and interview Jorge and Abel to get an update regarding their recent relocation to Kentucky.

THE LENSE:

PHOTO STUDIO MIAMI BEHIND

Rafa Carvajal

Photos by Photo Studio Miami

Jorge Freire & Abel Cruz

Rafa Carvajal: What do you enjoy the most about photographing models?

Photo Studio Miami (Jorge Freire & Abel Cruz): We’ve been photographing together for over 20 years now. What we enjoy most about photographing models is working together and making new friends who share in our creative process. Almost everyone we have shot has become a good friend of ours.

RC: How long have you been in this business as professional photographers and how did you get started?

PSM (Abel Cruz): Jorge has been a photographer practically all his life. When I met Jorge, he wanted me to try photography and one day I did and fell in love with it. So here we are 20 years, 600+ covers later as Photo Studio Miami living the dream.

RC: Why do you think you have been so successful over the years doing model photography?

PSM: We have had the opportunity to shoot some of the most sought-after models in the field. Some of these models’ careers started in our studio. We think it's about creating together, model and photographer, establishing a goal, and respecting the model’s boundaries. Even though sometimes we have more boundaries than they do. LOL! Not to mention the support we receive from getting published in magazines like Wire Magazine, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude.

RC: What’s new about Photo Studio Miami?

PSM: Well… we’ve relocated. We are now in Kentucky and our grand opening for our new photo studio location will be in November 2024. We have met some great models here and look forward to creating new images with them. So, get ready!

RC: What does it take to create such beautiful photos?

PSM: Beautiful models. LOL! Seriously, a photographer must really fall in love with their subject for the moment. If the photographer does not feel anything at the moment for the model, then the photos will reflect that. Apart from all the makeup, hair, costuming, sets, lighting, and angles, there has to be some emotional investment behind the camera for the magic to happen.

RC: How can models contact you for photoshoots?

PSM: Models can email us at photostudiomiami@gmail.com.

RC: Where can our readers follow you on social media?

PSM: Instagram pages: @PhotoStudioMiami, @jorgino29official, and @abel4all. Facebook: @PhotoStudioMiami.

RC: Is there anything else that you would like to share with the readers of Wire Magazine?

PSM: We appreciate all the support we have received from all the Wire Magazine readers and beyond. If you see us pop up on your feed, say hi.

By Rafa Carvajal

GET READY FOR THE 42ND EDITION FALL OUTSHINE LGBTQ+ FILM FESTIVAL

The 42nd Fall Edition of the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival is going to offer you 62 acclaimed features and shorts that include premieres and documentaries from 25 countries in both Broward and Miami-Dade counties during the same run for the first time in its history. This year, the fall Festival will open in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, October 17 at Regal Dania Pointe (128 Sunset Dr, Dania Beach) and will run through Thursday, October 24, at Paradigm Cinemas: Gateway Fort Lauderdale (1820 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale) and Savor Cinema (503 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale). Then, from Friday, October 25 through Sunday, October 27, the Festival will move to Silverspot Cinema Miami (300 Southeast 3rd Street) and Regal South Beach (1120 Lincoln Road Mall, Miami Beach). OUTshine’s AT HOME extension will follow with select screenings available from Monday, October 28, to Sunday, November 3. Visit outshinefilm.com for the full lineup of films and to purchase your tickets.

OUTSshine will open with the film Young Hearts (Belgium/ Netherlands, 2023) on Thursday, October 17, at 7 p.m., at Regal Dania Pointe. This feature debut is written and directed by Anthony Schatteman and explores first love as 14-year-old Elias (Lou Goossens, in a breakthrough performance) contends with his feelings for Alex, a cool new neighbor. The movie is exquisitely filmed in the Belgian countryside, and its story resonates as a solace for those whose initial queer experiences were traumatic, a mirror for today’s LGBTQ+ youth, and a hopeful message for parents of future generations. An afterparty will take place at the Dania Improv after the screening.

According to Festival co-director Allen Martello, “We are thrilled to introduce the newly reimagined OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival to South Florida. Film is better with friends and our vision is to bring our community together to celebrate inspiring LGBTQ+ cinema with a fall and a spring festival in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. We’re also thrilled to welcome back FREE Uber rides to and from select film screenings in Miami making it easier for our Fort Lauderdale neighbors to travel

to Downtown Miami via rail. By connecting our community, we’re also adding on extra viewings, parties and special events, increasing the Festival’s run dates in theaters and at home.”

The East Coast premiere of Hammarskjöld - Fight For Peace (Sweden, 2024) will be the Centerpiece Film screening at 7:30 p.m. on October 24 at Savor Cinema. This film, directed by Per Fly, is a speculative biopic about Swedish UN SecretaryGeneral Dag Hammarskjöld who was an anti-colonialist allegedly queer diplomat who died under mysterious circumstances during the Cold War while he was trying to bring peace to The Congo.

The Festival’s Latin Spotlight will feature critically acclaimed men’s and women’s films on October 25 at Silverspot Cinema Miami with the movies The Astronaut Lovers (Los Amantes Astronautas) (Argentina/Spain, 2024) for the men and the North American premiere of The Muleteer (La Arriera) (Mexico, 2024) for the women. The Astronaut Lovers is a cheerful comedy about Pedro and Maxi, childhood friends reuniting as young men who fall in love and comically try to hide it from family and friends and is directed by Marco Berger.

The Muleteer, directed by Isabel Cristina Fregoso, is a compelling 1930s narrative about daring teenage Emilia who ventures from the ranch where she grew up to find her biological father. She rides her horse through the mountains

Young Hearts

The Astronaut Lovers (Los Amantes Astronautas)

Hammarskjöld Fight For Peace

ONE BITE

Try the world’s most tender steaks, extra-aged 28+ days to perfection. Discover premium quality beef that’s grain-ﬁnished for exquisite ﬂavor.

Experience the juiciest air-chilled chicken, tastiest burgers, and so much more.

Butcher’s Cut Filet Mignons (5 oz.)

Air-Chilled Boneless Chicken Breasts (5 oz.)

Omaha Steaks Burgers (4 oz.)

Gourmet Jumbo Franks (3 oz.) 4 Individual Scalloped Potatoes (3.8 oz.) 4 Caramel Apple Tartlets (4 oz.) 1 Omaha Steaks Seasoning (3 oz.) 8 FREE Omaha Steaks Burgers (4 oz.)

76946CDM separately $279.93

pretending to be a young muleteer and discovers a different world that leads her to find her destiny.

Other notable films to watch at OUTshine are High Tide (United States, 2024) with Brazilian star Marco Pigossi, Marisa Tomei, Mya Taylor, and Bill Irwin in a moving tale of a gay immigrant in Provincetown maneuvering through the gig economy after an unexpected breakup; Drive Back Home (Canada, 2024) starring Alan Cumming in a brotherly road trip drama taking place in 1970; All Shall Be Well (Hong Kong, 2024), Director Ray Yueng’s Teddy Award-winning film exploring family dynamics, unraveling relationships and the intricacies of Hong Kong’s inheritance laws; award-winning Pet Shop Days (USA/Italy/Mexico/UK, 2023) from Director Olmo Schnabel, a realistic and raw throwback to American independent cinema with a gripping portrait of lost young men seeking connection which features outstanding performances with raw emotion — including by Willem Dafoe;

and the documentaries Linda Perry: Let It Die Here (United States, 2024) and Sapir (Israel, 2024), an enthralling portrait of Sapir Berman, the world’s first professional league transgender football referee.

OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival’s fall edition will close at 6 p.m. at Regal Cinemas South Beach with the film Layla (UK, 2024), which is a love letter to the queer community. This film is written and directed by Amrou Al-Kadhi and focuses on Layla, a struggling Arab non-binary drag queen whose confident façade hides their desperate desire for love. As marketing executive Max’s attentions sweeps Layla off their feet, both Max and Layla face uncomfortable truths. OUTshine’s Closing Night Party on historic Lincoln Road will follow the film.

“Film lovers can expect a lineup of international, North American, U.S. and East Coast premieres stacked with notable award-winning and up-and-coming directors, actors and writers sharing creative visions and personal experiences that excite, exhilarate, and uplift the human spirit. At a time when diversity and acceptance is in the spotlight, it’s paramount for us to present films and programs with balanced viewpoints that promote tolerance, equality, understanding and empathy,” explains OUTshine’s Director of Programming Joe Bilancio.

Festival Co-Director Owen Carhart wants everyone to know that “the OUTshine staff, leadership and board of directors are all incredibly excited to bring this new approach to OUTshine in both cities [Fort Lauderdale and Miami] this fall.”

OUTshine: OUTrageous. OUTspoken. OUTstanding.

Drive Back Home

Sapir

Layla

By Rafa Carvajal

SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY AT THE NATIONAL LGBTQ TASK FORCE GALA

Join me in supporting our community by attending this year’s National LGBTQ Task Force Gala celebrating ‘Roots of Progress, Blooms of Hope.’ LGBTQ activist and Emmywinning Queer Eye star Karamo will be honored with the National Leadership Award. The 2024 Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award will also be awarded to former Task Force Board Co-Chair Roger Thomson and SAVE advocate Jim Tyrrell — a beloved fixture in our South Florida community who have been a couple since 1999. Through their generous philanthropy and committed service, Roger and Jim have supported the LGBTQ movement both locally and nationally.

The 2024 benefit Gala will have Jai Rodriguez as the emcee and feature amazing performances by American Idol ’s Frenchie Davis and RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Ginger Minj. This beautiful evening affair will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center Saturday, October 19 to raise funds in support of the Task Force’s ‘Queer the Vote’ campaign. The National LGBTQ Task Force is dedicated to advancing full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people to build a future where everyone can be free to be their entire selves in every aspect of their lives. With your support, the Task Force trains and mobilizes millions of activists across our country to deliver a world where you can be you. Purchase your tickets by visiting thetaskforce.org/task-force-gala

Karamo will be recognized for his work combating HIV stigma and providing mental health support and HIV education to the Black queer community. “Together, we have made incredible strides toward equality, and though there is still much work to be done, I remain committed to amplifying our voices, fighting for our rights, and supporting those who need it most.” Karamo is best known for his role on Netflix’s Queer Eye, hosts The Karamo Show, a daytime talk show, and works in LGBTQ advocacy and youth empowerment through initiatives like President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance.

Roger Thomson was Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Brinker International Inc., which operates Chili’s and Maggiano’s restaurants, an executive at Burger King Corporation and S&A Restaurant Corp., and at 49 years old became one of the first Fortune 500 executives to openly identify as gay. Jim Tyrrell started his career as a disco instructor straight out of high school, pursued a degree in landscape architecture from Rutgers University, and worked as an interior designer and as a licensed massage therapist. Jim is also a cancer warrior and survivor.

Jai Rodriguez is a Broadway veteran, comedian, and LGBTQ advocate best known for his role in the Emmy Award-winning series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Jai’s successful career includes working in television shows like Malibu Country and The Rookie, acting in film, and starring roles on Broadway. Frenchie Davis is a powerhouse singer and actress known for her outstanding performances on American Idol and The Voice, and starring roles in Broadway’s RENT and Ain’t Misbehavin’, which earned her a Grammy nomination. Ginger Minj is a talented drag performer best known for competing on RuPaul’s Drag Race and starring in Hocus Pocus 2.