April 20, 2016 by Next Magazine NY

CONTENTS

APRIL 20, 2016 | VOL 23.44 Rufus Wainwright pays homage to Shakespeare on his new album, Take All My Loves.

THE NEXUS P.17

11 Gay D.D. 12 The Week in Photos 14 What’s Next | COMMENTARY: Mississippi Still Feels Like Coming Home 17 What’s Next | TALENT: Hector Medina 18 What’s Next | FILM GUIDE: Queer Cinema before Stonewall

FEATURES 20 Brief Encounter: Justin Tranter

P.28

NEXT STEPS 28 Fitness: Rub Out Lower Back Pain, In Three Simple Steps. 30 Travel: TropOut Redefines Gay Travel 32 Dining: Mamo

NEXT WEEK 35 Calendar of Events 40 Bars + Clubs Map

P.30

42 SHOT IN THE DARK THIS WEEK ON NEXTMAGAZINE.COM + More party pics and event coverage

ON THE COVER: Rufus, 2016, Painting by P.24 6 APRIL 20, 2016

Timothy Cummings Photo by: The Artistic Image. Albuquerque

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAGNOLIA PICTURES (Hector Medina), AUSTON MATTA (Travel), MATTHEW WELCH (Rufus Wainwright)

24 - RUFUS DOES SHAKESPEARE

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8 APRIL 20, 2016

THE

GAY D.D. · WEEK IN PHOTOS · WHAT’S NEXT

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MAGNOLIA PICTURES

VISIT THE NEXUS ON NEXTMAGAZINE.COM FOR YOUR DAILY DOSE OF GAY GOSSIP, PARTY PHOTOS, AND MORE.

VIVA MEDINA

Héctor Medina continues a string of queer roles in Viva, about Havana’s drag scene

PG.17

APRIL 20, 2016 9

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COMMENT OF THE WEEK: “I deeply apologize,” American Idol’s La’Porsha Renae said after her anti-gay comments blew up the internet last week.

APRIL 20, 2016

GOT GAY-TENTION DEFICIT DISORDER?

Did Rihanna surprise her cast mates with anal beads during a tribute video at Pride? SHINE BRIGHT Celebrities making public shows of support for the LGBT community is nothing new, but it’s a bit more surprising to see a major star take the time to help out a fan and keep it all private. That’s exactly what Rihanna did when she spoke to a closeted gay fan through direct messages on Twitter, encouraging them to come out. “Baby it’s okay to be scared,” she wrote back, “but it’s more important to be who you are! You don’t have a choice, really. That’s not a decision to be made! You are who you are…”

A VERY JAZZY PRIDE Heritage of Pride just announced three Grand Marshals—Cecilia Chung, Subhi Nahas, and Jazz Jennings—for the 47th NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 26. At 15, Jazz Jennings is the youngest Grand Marshal in pride history. The co-founder of the Transkids Purple Rainbow Foundation is releasing a

book this summer, Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen, and currently stars in the TLC docu-series I Am Jazz.

HE’S GOT JOKES Speaking to E!, Jared Leto revealed that he sent all of his cast mates a friendly in-character gift while they were on-set for DC’s upcoming Suicide Squad movie: used condoms and anal beads. “I did a lot of things to create a dynamic to create an element of surprise, a spontaneity and to really break down any kind of walls that may be there,” he said of the presumably unwelcome presents. “The Joker is somebody who doesn’t really respect things like personal space or boundaries.”

PAYING TRIBUTE Margaret Cho is paying tribute to her Anna Nicole Smith nine years after she died from a drug overdose. In a new music video titled “Anna Nicole,” the

47-year-old comedian honors Smith. Cho opened up about her friend’s final days on Sirius XM. “I think that her grief was overwhelming,” she said. “So it has to do with some postpartum depression, some overwhelming guilt that her son had died. They both had an issue with prescription painkillers and different drugs like that. I don’t know if there’s anybody that’s necessarily at fault.”

GAY PANIC Adam Lambert has argued that top music executives are still “scared” of gay men singing about other men, leading most gay singers to adopt gender-neutral pronouns. He told Digital Spy that the younger generation of fans and artists are ready to accept gay singers singing gay love songs as “people are becoming less ignorant,” but admitted that the decision isn’t always in the artists’ hands. APRIL 20, 2016 11

THEWEEKINPHOTOS PHOTO BY WILSONMODELS

THE INDUSTRY Alex Newell, Jiggly Caliente, and Joshua McKinley were among the judges of the Miss Industry pageant, April 10 at Industry. PHOTO BY WILSONMODELS

PHOTO BY WILSONMODELS

AN ODE TO RED WINE Tituss Burgess celebrated the release of his wine, Pinot by Tituss, April 5 at The Box.

PHOTO BY GUSTAVO MONROY

OH WHAT A NIGHT Jean Malpas, Geena Rocero, and Hamilton’s Javier Muñoz at A Night of a Thousand Genders, a benefit for the Ackerman Institute, April 11 at City Winery. 12 APRIL 20, 2016

HOLY MCGOWAN Stephanie Stone and Rose McGowan kiki’d at Ladyfag’s spring-themed Holy Mountain soirée at Slake, April 9.

COMMENTARY

MISSISSIPPI

STILL FEELS LIKE COMING

HOME

Despite passing the toughest LGBT discrimination laws in the country, the state isn’t everything you read about in the headlines. BY MICHAEL LAMBERT

ississippi. It’s like coming home. That’s the slogan that greeted me for nearly eight years when I drove along I-20/59 from western Alabama into the Magnolia State. I stopped each time in Toomsuba. I called my father to tell him where I was. I filled up my tank, had a burger at the gas station and followed the pavement until it split, spilling me onto I-59 and toward the coast. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made that drive, but the sign and the slogan always stand out. Now, in the shadow of HB1523, the slogan sounds like a cruel joke—said with a sneer. Yes, it’s like coming home—but not for you, gay boy. The “religious freedom” bill, signed into law by Gov. Phil Bryant, provides sweeping protections for people, companies or organizations that choose to refuse goods and services based on three religious principles. Marriage is the union of one man and woman. Sex should only occur in such marriages. Gender is “immutable” and “objectively determined” at birth. The law takes effect July 1. The legislation has the broadest reach of any such laws, like the one recently passed in North Carolina or the ones proposed in South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. Apart from blatantly violating the establishment clause, the bill masquerades discrimination against LGBT people as “freedom” and “conscience.” A Mississippi doctor is free to refuse the surrogate mother for two gay fathers an ultrasound. A Mississippi gym can kick out the transgender man who uses the men’s locker room. A Mississippi school counselor 14 APRIL 20, 2016

WHAT’SNEXT can refuse to speak with the genderqueer teenager facing daily bullying and threats. I imagine these scenarios are what my fellow New Yorkers imagine about Mississippi. I would like to say they aren’t true. Sadly, they are. Sadder still, few get the chance to understand the Mississippi that I have known—and that I hope fights back against this law. As a teenager, I helped my father build a home in southern Mississippi, near the small town of Carnes. I cleared with him the ground for the foundation. I smoothed the land with his tractor. I set the strong pinewood posts. In the summer, bees would build hives along those posts. We called the local beekeeper to collect the bugs, and we invited our neighbors to eat the raw honeycombs. All of our neighbors on that dusty, oppressively hot road—from the Army officer to the undocumented Mexicans to the poor retiree living in renovated storage shed—were welcome. Together we shared in the sweetness of that Southern honey with little thought for all that divided us. I have lived throughout the South before settling in New York, and I can honestly say that Mississippi is the only place where I have found the purest form of “hospitality.” Strangers would cheerfully stop me in stores, egg carton in my hand, because I resembled a cousin of a cousin. Travelers at rest

stops along I-59 past Hattiesburg would trade news with me from Louisiana, Texas and farther west. Over the years, I felt that the word “stranger” had little meaning to a Mississippian. That was—and hopefully still is—the Mississippi that feels like coming home. I know not every LGBT person has shared this experience. I know my privilege as a white, cisgender man protected me from the darker wariness of Southern conservatives. But I say this—the people of Mississippi rarely reflect the leaders of Mississippi. These people live in a state plagued by serious losses. Education, health care, unemployment, drug abuse—this is the state that often ranks worst in the nation for all these and more. Surrounded by dying communities, these people rarely have time for petty hatreds when a basic livelihood remains out of reach—and which Bryant and his ilk do nothing to improve. From the safety of New York, I watch the home I love capitulate to the hatreds of the few and the petty. I wish I could be there to rally, to cry out, to scream outside the Jackson capitol building that I, too, am of Mississippi. So are my brothers and sisters in the LGBT community. The best I can do is remember my Mississippi—not a backward land on the wrong side of history, but a place of solid, good people leaning on each other. That is what feels like home. N

“

I WISH I COULD BE THERE TO RALLY, TO CRY OUT, TO SCREAM OUTSIDE THE JACKSON CAPITOL BUILDING THAT I, TOO, AM OF MISSISSIPPI. SO ARE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE LGBT COMMUNITY.

“

APRIL 20, 2016 15

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TALENT

VIVA MEDINA Héctor Medina continues a string of queer roles in Viva, about Havana’s drag scene

rom his role in Camionero, a violently sinister short about the repercussions of a boarding school gay bashing, to his turn as a trans hooker amidst urban turmoil in King of Havana, Héctor Medina is setting himself up to be the James Franco of Cuba; the straight, scruffily handsome actor who’s embraced a number of queer roles.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF STUDIO DELFIN

Not that it was ever his intention. “I’m not really interested in playing gay or trans [roles]—what I’m interested in is if it’s an interesting character and the challenge as an actor,” says the 26-year-old newcomer, through an interpreter. The Cuban actor notes these roles are part of a bigger trend in Latin cinema. “In the last couple of years, there’s been this big boom of actors playing drag queens and trans women. Some people see it as something strange or new, but I don’t see it as something strange… For me personally, within my own social group and friends, I feel more comfortable

One of the big things for me that was hard “about this movie was that I couldn’t cry. I had to hold back, and that was difficult because every time I see this movie I cry.

“

and have more fun in a gay bar or discotheque. This is the world I live in.” That trajectory continues in Viva, Paddy Breathnach’s buoyant drama opening April 29 at Angelika Film Center. Medina stars as Jesus, a hairdresser who styles wigs for drag queens at an underground Havana nightclub. To make ends meet, Jesus takes a clumsy stab at drag, coinciding with the emergence of his long estranged father. Needless to say, the alcoholic ex-boxing champion disapproves of his son’s new passion. Against the rhythmic backdrop of a Havana slum, their relationship becomes a negotiation between familial responsibilities, cultural divisions, and acceptance. As an actor, Medina identified with Jesus’s trajectory as a drag queen—the insecure newcomer who blossoms into a dazzling entertainer. “I’m actually shy. I’m an actor who is introverted, or was introverted, and the more I started to work as an actor, the more I started to love myself,” says Medina. “So the process that Jesus goes through to work hard and interpret those songs is the same process that I’ve had to go through on my own as an actor.” Medina says he learned the fundamentals of drag from Yudis Bany, a Cuban drag queen. “She helped me with so many things: with the gestures, and one of the most difficult things--walking in heels. We didn’t have a lot of time to make that happen,” he says. Does he think he’s a pretty girl? “Sí.” Another challenge was embodying Jesus’s fragile stoicism, particularly during a hospital scene with his father. “I have to be honest with you. In some ways, I wanted it to be a very American thing, very melodramatic,” he says. “One of the big things for me that was hard about this movie was that I couldn’t cry. I had to hold back, and that was difficult because every time I see this movie I cry.” N – Mitchell Kuga APRIL 20, 2016 17

FILM GUIDE

AN EARLY CLUE TO THE NEW DIRECTION

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ANDY WARHOL MUSEUM

Thomas Beard’s survey suggests LGBT life before Stonewall was more than furtive glances.

rowing up in a small town in South Carolina, Thomas Beard recalls the moment he became fascinated with the history of queer cinema. “Stumbling upon the documentary version of The Celluloid Closet on TV as a not-yet-out teenager was definitely a revelation for me,” says the lead programmer for the Film Society of Lincoln Center, referring to the 1995 film based on Vito Russo’s book about Hollywood’s historical portrayal of LGBT characters. “When I was younger, I desperately wanted to locate, to belong to, a history of queer aesthetics and politics that felt invisible to me, so I embarked upon a research project that, essentially, remains ongoing, all these years later.” A chunk of that project can be found at An Early Clue to the New Direction, a survey of queer cinema before Stonewall, running April 22 to May 1 at Film Society of Lincoln Center. From classic Hollywood cuts and Sapphic vampire flicks to grainy home movies and formal experiments, Beard has compiled 23 features and 25 shorts that reflect alternative narratives to the accepted history of pre-Stonewall oppression. “In a number of cases, we see queers in a context where they aren’t simply lurking in the shadows, but rather are part of a rich and lively demimonde,” says Beard. “I relish the flashes of innuendo one finds in a film like Hitchcock’s Rope, but it’s equally exciting for me to showcase, say, Mona’s Candle Light, a recently rediscovered home movie made at a lesbian bar 18 APRIL 20, 2016

in San Francisco in the early ’50s.” The following page features just a sliver of the program’s offerings—the most comprehensive of its kind—that might be of interest to Next readers, though as Beard notes, there’s something in the survey for everyone. “Since the series brings together many different styles of moviemaking, my hope is that the program will appeal to a wide range of audiences,” he says. “Each screening is essential in its own way.” Together, they piece together a portrait of a pre-Stonewall era that’s complex and varied. “The narrative of early queer cinema is so much more than furtive glances, and this series, I hope, will illustrate that fact—lavishly.”

WHAT’SNEXT

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KOBAL COLLECTION

DOCUMENTARY: Glen or Glenda, 1953 PLAYING APRIL 24, 9 PM Move over Caitlyn. Originally titled I Changed My Sex!, Ed Wood’s 65-minute doc was intended to capitalize on the media frenzy surrounding Christine Jorgensen, the ex-GI turned tabloid sensation after having sex reassignment surgery. Wood seeks consultation from doctors and scientists to paint a sympathetic (for it’s time) portrayal of gender nonconformity, by turns reading like a PSA for cross-dressing. The film settles into the story of Glen, who’s conflicted about whether or not to tell his fiancé that he’s sometimes Glenda. A lengthy dream sequence—BDSM, a marriage scene with a devil—abruptly sends his story down a bizarre rabbit hole that’s caused critics to scratch their heads in disbelief—and earning the movie its cult status.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ANDY WARHOL MUSEUM

RARE AND INDEPENDENT: An Early Clue to the New Direction, 1966 and My Hustler, 1965 PLAYING APRIL 30, 3:15 PM Experimental filmmaker Andrew Meyer’s An Early Clue to the New Direction, from which this program takes its name, features cult actress Joy Bang, poet Rene Ricard, and his boyfriend, the gay-rights activist Prescott Townsend. The black and white film spontaneously captures the trio wandering aimlessly through the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston improvising sparks of monologue, like Prescott’s snowflake theory about human sexuality. Andy Warhol took similarly experimental risks with My Hustler, about an older man jockeying for the attention of a young hustler on Fire Island. The banter, by turns lewd and catty, led a New York Times reviewer to quip: “Of course, My Hustler is a come-on for the curiosity seekers and voyeurs. But I would say that The Endless Conversations would be a better title for this fetid beach-boy film.”

HOLLYWOOD PRODUCTION: Reflections in a Golden Eye, 1967 PLAYING APRIL 30, 9:30 PM In this John Huston produced gothic set on a southern Army base, Major Weldon Penderton (Marlon Brando) pines for the attention of a mysterious soldier (Robert Forster) with a not so secret penchant for naked horseback riding. Though married to a tempestuous Elizabeth Taylor, Penderton develops a repressed, unspoken obsession with the young boy. Meanwhile, Anacleto, the neighbors’ Filipino houseboy, sashays flamboyantly through the drama; the effete foil for Penderton’s rigid masculinity. Despite the film’s star power, it lacked commercial success, leaving Roger Ebert to wonder, in his four star review of the film: “Was the movie so wretchedly bad that Warner Bros. decided to keep it a secret? Or could it be, perhaps, that it was too good? Perhaps it could.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KOBAL COLLECTION

BEARD’S PICK: Portrait of Jason, 1967 PLAYING MAY 1, 3:30 PM While programmer Thomas Beard views each movie in his survey as pieces to a bigger picture, he’s particularly excited about Shirley Clarke’s film about Jason Holliday, a gay hustler and aspiring cabaret performer. The extended interview was shot during a single night in her penthouse apartment in the Chelsea Hotel, capturing the jazzy raconteur saying things like “I Hustle. I’m a stone whore and I’m not ashamed of it,” while clutching a cocktail. “It’s one of the great movies about hustling and being hustled,” says Beard. “Ingmar Bergman dubbed it ‘The most fascinating film I’ve ever seen.’” Over time, it isn’t clear who’s being hustled and who’s doing the hustling, as Holliday’s stories unravel themselves into a chaotic and enthralling character study. Or as Vito Russo put it: “Two hours with Jason Holliday is like a month in another country.” N – Mitchell Kuga For the full schedule visit: Filmlinc.org N APRIL 20, 2016 19

BRIEF ENCOUNTER

JUST IN TIME

Semi-Precious Weapons lead man Justin Tranter is now behind pop music’s biggest hits. BY GREGG SHAPIRO

20 APRIL 20, 2016

PHOTO COURTESY OF BLOGINITY.COM

ven if you don’t know Justin Tranter’s name, you probably know his music. In recent years, the openly gay songwriter has written hits for DNCE (“Cake By The Ocean”), Selena Gomez (“Hands To Myself”), Justin Bieber (“Sorry”), Hailee Steinfeld (“Love Myself”) and others. Perhaps his most high profile project, Tranter co-wrote all of the songs on Gwen Stefani’s This Is What the Truth Feels Like album with Stefani and his longtime collaborator Julia Michaels. Tranter, who also has a career as a solo artist, as well as the leader of the glam/punk band Semi Precious Weapons, is a man of many talents, including being a jewelry maker. I spoke with Justin about his musical life shortly after the release of the Stefani record.

Justin, you received a 2003 Outmusic Award for your song “Blend In.” As a gay artist, what did that honor mean to you at that time and what does it mean to you today? It was and still is a great honor. If we want the rest of the world to fully accept us, we have to accept and encourage our community and ourselves first.

you’ve co-written hit songs for artists such as Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. What is it about your personality that makes it easy for you play well with others? I’m a very positive person who always dreams really big for everyone around me. Maybe that’s it? I guess we would have to ask those I play with.

When I interviewed you the first time 12 years ago, you had just released your second album Tear Me Together. Do you ever go back and listen to your early solo albums, and if so, how do you feel about them? How the time flies [laughs]! I do go back every few years and have a listen. Some of the songs I still love, and some terrify me. But mainly, I’m just proud of myself for being so boldly weird and queer in my lyrics at such a young age.

How did it feel the first time you heard a song you’d co-written for someone else on the radio or in a club? It was magic. It was insane. For some reason, it felt even more gratifying than hearing myself.

How would you say you’ve developed as a songwriter since that time? I’ve become much more interested in helping other people tell their stories. Between my solo stuff and the band, I talked about myself for way too long. Four years passed between the release of Tear Me Together and the 2008 debut album by your band Semi Precious Weapons. What were you doing during that period? Collecting cans on the street, starting a jewelry line, hosting a night of LGBTQ artists at Sidewalk Cafe. Basically just doing anything and everything I could to make my living as an artist. I think I’m also partially responsible for the gentrification in Greenpoint, Brooklyn during that time [laughs]. My apologies. What is the genesis of the name for the band Semi Precious Weapons? It’s the contrast of masculine and feminine, and just good old fashioned word play. What was involved in the process of evolving from a solo performer to leading a band? The band was just all about recreating the over-the-top NYC I fantasized about and thought still existed when I moved there. But everyone wanted to be in Sex and The City, not Blondie, by the time I arrived.

One of your recent big projects is the new Gwen Stefani album This Is What the Truth Feels Like, for which you cowrote all of the songs. Were you a Gwen Stefani fan when she was in No Doubt or did you prefer her as a solo act? I was a massive Gwen fan in every era. She is one of the greats. And anyone who can combine brutal lyrical honesty with high glamour visuals is a hero in my book. What was involved in the process of co-writing the songs with Gwen? It was all about capturing exactly what Gwen was thinking, feeling and saying in the moment. It’s Gwen’s journey. We are all just lucky to be on it. Your regular collaborator Julia Michaels was also integral in the project with Gwen. How did the two of you come to work together as a team? We just met in a session put together by my publisher and it was creative love at first note. But to get the first note out, Julia had two panic attacks and a Subway sandwich. What’s next for you, Justin? Hopefully a lot more songs, signing and developing artists I believe in, hanging out with my parents and possibly breasts when I’m 70 [laughs]. N

Semi Precious Weapons released three full-length studio albums. Is there a fourth in the works? We are sadly on a semi-permanent hiatus. The life of an openly queer and happily femme singer in the major label world can be VERY exhausting and difficult. Our band faced so many obstacles that when the writing started happening I decided to focus on that full time. But I made sure to hook my band members up with good jobs though. Cole is in DNCE and Stevy and Dan play with queen Gwen (Stefani)! Being in a band means that you have to be open to collaboration. You obviously are considering that in recent years,

APRIL 20, 2016 21

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Rufus

DOES

SHAKESPEARE

(AND JUDY) (AND HADRIAN) Rufus Wainwright pays homage to Shakespeare on his new album, Take All My Loves BY MITCHELL KUGA

PHOTOS BY MATTHEW WELCH

24 APRIL 20, 2016

ONTHECOVER

ufus Wainwright is getting tired of looking back. Between releasing an album inspired by Shakespeare’s sonnets, gearing up to perform Judy Garland’s entire 1961 live album at Carnegie Hall, and finishing up Hadrian, his opera about the Roman emperor from 117 AD, the 42-year-old singer-songwriter is feeling a bit anxious. “I will say, I’m kind of dying to do a pop record actually,” says Wainwright. “I don’t want to look like I have to do every goddamn type of music on planet earth. Seems a little over the top.” Not that we’re complaining. Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets is a lush, ornately detailed record inspired by a 2009 stage production that Wainwright composed for the Berliner Ensemble. As such, he sings lead on only three songs, allowing his haunting, melancholy voice to flicker in and out of focus behind guests like Florence Welch, Helena Bonham Carter, and William Shatner. We chatted with Wainwright about the new album, out April 22, his musical crush, and his thoughts on Shakespeare’s love life. How are you? I’m good, I’m good. I’m in Toronto at the moment, on planet North America. I keep a place in New York but my husband and I have been up her for a few years doing his Luminato Festival. Let’s talk about the new album, Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets. I’m curious to know, out of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets, how did you decide which nine to interpret? There was a couple that I felt very tied to. One being a Woman’s Face, Sonnet 20, because it’s about the beauty of a young boy—I should say teenage boy—and that’s a position I once enjoyed, being the beautiful young boy. Now I’m the older admirer. So I’ve lived both sides of that equation. And then there’s another one called the Expense of Spirit in a Waste of Shame (Sonnet 129), which my mother told me, many, many years ago, when I was a teenager, that it was about masturbation—so that always struck with me. So you can tell where my priorities are. Otherwise, it was a group effort with [stage director] Robert Wilson and the dramaturge from the Berlin ensemble. This record is extremely collaborative—your sister Martha, soprano Anna Prohaska, and Florence Welch all make appearances. Was that your intention going into the project? When this project was first conceived of in Berlin seven or eight years ago it was a theater piece. I had to write these songs for other singers, so it started off as a collaborative concept. When I go back to the pop world, which is going to be fairly soon, that’s when you’ll hear a lot of me. This record also reunites you creatively with producer Marius de Vries, who co-produced your set of Want albums from the early 2000s. How did it feel to be working together again? I knew right away that Marius was kind of the only one who

could do this properly. Mainly because, in addition to being a great musician, he’s somewhat of a scholar in all things Shakespearean, so I knew that he would pay really, really strong attention to my diction and if the sonnets were being communicated or not in a feasible manner. He’s not afraid of high culture, which whoever was going to do this album had to have that quality: Fearless snobbism. [laughs] Scholars have debated whether or not Shakespeare’s relationship with the teenage boy was plutonic or sexual. What’s your interpretation of what went down? The reading that I get is he’s definitely attracted to this kid and I think it’s definitely sexual. I’m not convinced that Shakespeare was gay personally. I think his relationship in the sonnets to the dark woman are far more groin related. He was kind of a prisoner of her tempestuous personality. With the boy it’s more idyllic. That being said it seems to be a deeper love. I think he’s more in love with the boy than with the woman, but I think the woman kind of has him by the balls—so I don’t know. He’s definitely sexually out there on many precipices. Also on your horizon is the return of Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall June 16 and 17. Having tackled her live album from start to finish ten years ago, does it feel like Rufus does Rufus does Judy? Or are you approaching it from a new place? I’m really playing it by ear, meaning I have no idea what it’s going to feel like to get back up there and sing these songs. I’m hoping that, you know, my voice and my technique and my memory will have deepened and I’ll be like an old pro. But I could also be…you know I’ve been looking at pictures of Liza Minnelli recently, due to the death of her ex-husband David Gest, so it could go either way. [laughter] Does being married and having a child change your interpretation of Judy’s material? Well the wonderful thing about these songs is they do deepen with age. There are certain facets that really are only revealed after a little bit of time has occurred under the belt, and you’ve had to undo the buckle a couple of notches. So that’s the great thing about standards: they never really age. It’s a tough set to sing. It’s pretty Herculean and I’m confident that I can get through; I just want to enjoy it. But if I wasn’t scared I’d be an idiot. APRIL 20, 2016 25

ONTHECOVER Take All My Loves is pegged to the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death and Rufus Does Judy is the ten-year anniversary; Is this the year of reunions for you? Well you know what’s also happening around the Judy Garland concerts, which I sadly can’t go to, is my high school’s 25th reunion, so there does seem to be some kind of circular motion occurring here, where we’re back where we started. I’m loving where I am, but these anniversaries are also sort of an ending, I hope, because I would like to get out there. I’ve been writing a lot of pop songs. And one of my strategies working on all these other projects is to amass a large quantity of material and have a lot to choose from to make that pop record. So I’ve got my eye on the future. Any dream collaborations for the next pop record? Well I’m going to stop asking to collaborate with Björk because she never picks up the baton. I’ve been trying for years and I actually know her quite well. But she doesn’t seem to be getting the message—she only talks to the aliens. I loved working with Florence Welch on this record. I saw her live show in L.A. recently and it was one of the best things I’ve ever seen in general, in opera, pop, whatever. I also think Brandon Flowers and I still have a few evenings we could spend together. To clear up what didn’t happen many years ago. [laughter] Do tell! No, I’ve just always been a big fan of his and have always had a slight crush on him. And now that he’s faded slightly he might be more willing to, ya know… [laughter] What can you tell me about Hadrian, your second opera slated for a 2018 release? It’s very grand opera. He was a Roman emperor who had Antinuous, his gorgeous Greek lover. They just kind of trotted around the ancient world—on barges and chariots—until mysteriously the boy was drowned in the Nile, at which point Hadrian drank himself to death in his massive palace just outside of Rome. Kind of like the Liberace story basically. He was the Liberace of his era. What turned you onto his story? There’s a very famous book called Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar, a historical novel written in the 40s. It’s incredible and has aged particularly well. The opera isn’t totally based on the book but I was inspired by it. I think part of it is also accepting the challenge. A lot of critics will say “Oh Rufus, why are you so obsessed with grand opera and a romantic era? Why don’t you write something more contemporary?” And I’m like, “Here’s my new four act opera about the Roman Empire. What do you think of that?” N 26 APRIL 20, 2016

CIRCLING BACK TO SHAKESPEARE — TOP OR BOTTOM?

I think he’s supremely versatile. Probably could top a gay guy but would bottom for a straight guy.

APRIL 20, 2016 27

FITNESS 路 TRAVEL 路 DINING

FITNESS:

RUBOUT

LOWER

BACKPAIN,

INTHREE SIMPLESTEPS BY TOM BONANTI

28 APRIL 20, 2016

FITNESS

s low-back pain causing you to skip the gym, miss work and incur loads of medical expenses? Over 80% of all Americans struggle with lower back pain every year! A healthy, pain-free back is often something you take for granted until an injury occurs. You don’t have to be an orthopedic specialist or trainer to realize that taking a few preventative steps each day can keep your back in tip top form.

STEP ONE You’ve got to lose that belly! Excessive abdominal weight (a big gut) can lead to an exaggerated lumbar curve (sway back). This in turn can cause postural problems while sitting, standing or walking, increasing the chances of inflaming and irritating nerves, discs and muscles. For those who sit all day at work, problems are multiplied since this position increases pressure on the lower back muscles, discs, ligaments, etc. by as much as 40%. So what can you do to lose that muffin top? Firstly, eat a high protein diet which will speed up your metabolism, help you burn fat, and build lean muscle all at once. Secondly, consume more citrus since the vitamin C in oranges, grapefruits, lemons, etc. has terrific fat fighting properties. Thirdly, uptake the amount of fiber (beans, whole grains, fruit and veggies) in your diet which will fill you up and clean you out. Fourthly, don’t skip meals, instead eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. This method of eating actually keeps your body from storing fat!

STEP TWO Train those abs! The abdominal muscles must be exercised as seriously and consistently as every other muscle group in your body. Hitting abs two or three times a week is preferable to 100’s of sets of repetitions day in and day out. Leg lifts, straight leg sit-ups and excessive twists are only going to cause more problems. Crunches and lots of them properly performed are the best plan of action here. A proper crunch is performed flat on your back, knees bent and legs elevated

over a bench or exercise ball. Place your hands behind your head, but do not interlock your fingers. Cradle your neck and head as you crunch up bringing your elbows to your knees. Do not pull up with your hands on the back of your head as this will place undue strain on your seven cervical vertebrae. Do not roll up on your tail bone. Simply crunch, bringing your elbows to the knees, pause and contract your gut muscles, and return to starting position. Make sure to take your abs through their full range of motion as you contract the muscles hard at the top of the crunch. As you get stronger, continue to challenge these muscles by adding resistance to the exercise. For example, hold a dumbbell or plate on your chest as you perform your sets.

STEP THREE Watch your posture! Your mother was right when she admonished you to “stand up straight!” Always stand tall, shoulders back, head and chin up and watch that tendency to slump forward with your head and upper body. Check your posture throughout the day. Take time to stretch. Watch your work ergonomics; be careful not to stay in the same position for hours on end. Stay active all day, get up and move around! N

Tom Bonanti is a certified personal trainer and licensed massage therapist with his own one on one personal training facility.

APRIL 20, 2016 29

TROPOUT

REDEFINES

GAY TOURISM Photo Courtesy of Auston Matta

BY ALEXANDER KACALA

The newest movement in gay tourism is coming out of Australia. TropOut is an exclusive week-long travel festival for gay travelers from all corners of the globe. The first ever was set at the tropical paradise of Phuket’s Bang Tao Beach. The mission as a business is simple: to deliver exceptional and comfortable experiences for gay travelers--experiences filled with relaxation, cultural discovery and chic parties. We had the opportunity to experience TropOut firsthand. It’s taking the idea of a gay cruise and putting it on land. In an intimate environment, gays can come together and experience a destination together as a group. Approximately 120 travelers gathered at Phuket staying at two different resorts, the more cost conscious Cassia and the ultra-lux Angsana. Guests hailed from all over – from Los Angeles to Brazil to Paris, but most of the group came from Australia. But I mean who doesn’t love a lad with that accent? No complaints here. We sat down with founder Aaron Zoanetti between pool dips to get the down low on TropOut. From why it initially began to what’s next, we got the details on this endeavor redefining the future of gay travel and tourism. 30 APRIL 20, 2016

TRAVEL What is TropOut? It’s a stylish gay beach festival which brings together like-minded gay travelers from all over the world for a week of chilling, partying and exploring together. How did the idea come about? The idea came about as my partner Jamie and I traveled to beach resorts and did not feel totally comfortable being ourselves. We looked at what was on the market for gay travelers and it was more geared toward circuit parties and gay cruises, and there was a bit of a gap for something a bit more stylish which allowed us to get out and explore the destination and return to some new and cool venues to party with fellow gay travelers in the evening. Why did you choose Thailand as the first destination? We chose Thailand because it’s a really welcoming destination for gay travelers. The tourism authority are really active in trying to get gay travelers to come to Thailand and experience the destination. It’s not only beautiful and culturally diverse and rich, it’s also a really friendly gay destination for gay travelers. It’s been absolutely beautiful the past couple of days. What’s next for TropOut? We’re gonna come back to Thailand later on in 2017 and for May of 2017, we’re taking TropOut to a little Pacific island off Australia called New Caledonia.

Tell me about that. It’s a French territory about three hours from Sydney by plane so you can get there easily from the states through Sydney. It’s a really nice destination that approached us. They want to take TropOut and gay travelers to their nation to let us have a good time and showcase what is beautiful in that country. The vibe has seemed really chill. I’ve done the circuit party thing, and this feels like a more diverse group of people connecting over experiences. I feel like with circuit parties there can be more of a connection over material things, where this is a connection over experiential moments. Definitely, most of our people have taken at least two day tours, cooking classes, sharing experiences from wherever they’re from. We’ve got about 21 different nationalities here and everyone’s jelling pretty well. It sounds corny, but they’ve turned into a bit of a family. I think you’re right – it’s because of those shared experiences creating new bonds and I think there have been a number of lasting experiences to come out of this. N

For more information, visit tropout.com

Photo Courtesy of Amazing Thailand

APRIL 20, 2016 31

DINING

A TRIP TO FRANCE

Mamo serves up Italian and French delicacies in the heart of Soho. BY ED COSMAN

32 APRIL 20, 2016

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAMONYC.COM

hen we suddenly realize that we’re hungry, we wood walls are toned down by long, narrow mirrors, and usually look for something close, quick, and sure to rough cut pickled wood beams. satiate. We tend to go back to our old favorites and The food has been packing the house with celebrities nowhere else, and certainly don’t go exploring an unfamiliar in its parent location on the French Riviera for over 25 years. area of the city. But even our own neighborhood can surprise This year-old offspring has been helmed by the son of the us. Within a few streets of home, there are blocks we may never owner since it opened a year ago, and he’s been packing traverse, revealing hidden gems waiting to be discovered. customers in ever since. No wonder, with offerings like the Though I don’t know how I could have missed it: Mamo, magical Risotto with black truffles. It’s perhaps a bit soupier a wildly popular restaurant specializing in Italian and French than you’d expect but otherwise, perfection. While pricey Provençal cuisines, is located on West Broadway, a street I like for a starter, at $39 it’s worth it for a dish redolent with those to think of as the Main Street of Soho. I’ll blame it on the scaf- lavish, pungent French fungi. Among the more reasonably folding from two back-to-back endless construction projects. priced appetizers, you’d be very happy with the $14 supplì From the street, Mamo looks more like a precious tea rice croquettes, served over a mildly flavored salad of raw salon than a fine restaurant, with large wood-framed windows fennel shavings. For entrees, both the $42 lamb chop and half covered with sheer cafe curtains. the $36 beef cheek will serve you well, Though upon entering you will be especially if you keep in mind that the swept into a beach-y, casual-but-ellatter, while as flavorful as short ribs, egant atmosphere. Pickled wood do not share the same velvety texture. and lime-washed brick walls at the While I’m not typically a fan of entrance continue up the tiled stairspecialty cocktails, at Mamo they’re case to the large main dining room. worth exploring. Our excellent server Stylish and comfy off-white leather suggested I begin with a Roza, a light chairs contrast with the bright white gin based concoction to carry me trim, tablecloths, and the marble bar in through the starter and then switch the center. Lovely as it is, the room can to a Negroni for the beef. She was spot get quite noisy as diners shout over the on. The boyfriend was so enamored by music. A better option is the intimate his Grand Side Car (and rightly so), she lounge area downstairs just off the “allowed” him to order a second one MAMO entrance, set up for overflow on busy to go with his lamb chop. At $15 each, nights. The bar dominates the back 323 West Broadway, Canal/Grand Sts, the pricing is in line with anywhere 646-964-4641 wall of the narrow room and its dual else—and you’ve saved yourself the MamoNyc.com rows of tables. Bright white paneled cost of a trip to France to try them! N

WEEK

WHAT TO SEE & WHERE TO BE APRIL 22 THROUGH APRIL 28

CONTACT LISTINGS@NEXTMAGAZINE.COM IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE LISTED. LISTINGS ARE FREE AND SUBJECT TO EDITORIAL DISCRETION.

SEQUIN-CLAD FILTH

PHOTO BY

GUTO

Londoners Bourgeois and Maurice bring their subversive cabaret to The Slipper Room APRIL 27.

APRIL 20, 2016 35

FRIDAY APRIL 22 TRANS AND THE NOTION OF RISK RECEPTION Leslie-Lohman Prince St. Project, 127-B Prince St (Wooster St), leslielohman.org. Montreal’s Ianna Book presents a series of self-portraits that explore the risk inherent in occupying a social space as a trans woman, translating the terror of being unmasked and stigmatized. Showing through Sunday. 6 pm–8 pm; free.

CONFESSIONS OF AN UN-NATURAL BLONDE The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St (Ninth/Tenth Aves), spincyclenyc. com. A one-night only encore of Paige Turner’s romp that answers the question, “Do un-natural blondes have more fun?” Expect musical parodies, rapid-fire comedy, and dumb videos from the showbiz spitfire. 7 pm; $22 (plus

IS THAT ALL THERE IS? The Red Room, 85 E 4th St, (Second/Third Aves), redroomnyc. com. The premiere of Zachary Clause’s new cabaret comedy features his alter ego Sherry Duvall-Covington, who’ll explore her emotional triggers through the classics of Nina, Liza, and Bette. 7:30 pm; $15 (plus two drink minimum).

PUP NIGHT The Eagle, 554 W 28th St (Tenth/ Eleventh Aves), eaglenyc.com. Leather, beards, and maybe a tail or two; expect to find it all at this monthly cruise fest. If you’re just up for watching, hang around the fenced kennel; with its rough housing and water dishes it’s the best spot to post up. 9 pm–1 am; cover varies.

THE PARTY BY OSTBAHNHOF House of Yes, 2 Wyckoff Ave (Jefferson/Troutman Sts), Bushwick, houseofyes.org. Underground Berlin descends on Bushwick at this international party series, with your master of ceremonies Mister Wallace. Richard Kennedy and Shagasyia Diamond perform, with DJs Bearcat, Clark Price, and Sprklbb on deck. 10 pm; $15 limited pre-sale tickets/$20 general admission.

ELEVENELEVEN Open House, 244 E Houston St (Aves A/B), openhouse-nyc.com. Make a wish. Resident DJs Michael Magnan and Donkey spin Ladyfag’s weekly downtown turn-up. Club kids and hostess Stephanie Stone and co. keep things extra cute, with special guests. 11 pm; free before midnight/$5 general admission.

$20 food/drink minimum).

SATURDAY APRIL 23 KIKI AND HERB: SEEKING ASYLUM! Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St (Astor Pl/E Fourth St), joespub.com. The iconic 90s cabaret duo—Justin Vivian Bond as the alcoholic lounge singer Kiki and Kenny Mellman as her gay pianist Herb—is back after serving their stint as Middle Eastern correspondents for Al Jazeera. Oh the stories they’ll tell! Playing through May 22. 9:30pm; $45–$105. YAS MAMA! Macri Park, 462 Union Ave (Metropolitan Ave/Conselyea St), Williamsburg, macripark.com. Untitled Queen hosts Horrorchasta’s new monthly serving cervesa and tequila to Latin Hip-Hop beats by Raul De Nieves and Tortura. Lady Quesadilla and Horrochata herself give shows. 10 pm; free.

RAW Analog BKNY, 177 Second Ave (14th St), Gowanus. Leave your baggage at the door. Twitch Productions presents a brand new party at this brand new 5,000-square foot nightclub, where DJs Manny Ward and That Kid Chris spin on a state of the art analog sound system. Hosts like Kevin Aviance and Rikk York keep things extra cute, with special surprises! 10 pm; $10 before midnight/$20 general admission.

TWO IN THE STINK Nowhere, 322 E 14th St (First/Second Aves), nowherebarnyc.com. DJs Ana Matronic and Sammy Jo hit you with classic disco joints where it hurts at this East Village basement bar featuring cheap drinks all night. 10 pm; free.

BELOW TEA The Monster, 80 Grove St (Seventh Ave), manhattan-monster.com. Hop into the disco dungeon of this West Village staple for DJ Greg Scarnici and Robin Byrd’s monthly disco tea dance. 6 pm–10 pm; free. 36 APRIL 20, 2016

TRADE Undr, 637 W 50th St (Eleventh/ TwelfthAves), brianraffertyproductions. com. Get your life at Brian Rafferty’s circuit party featuring resident DJ Nando and special guest DJ Felipe Lira from Brazil. Open bar before 1 am, $10 cocktail specials, and shirtless eye candy make this the perfect stopping point for the night. 11 pm–6 am; $10 advance/$15 before 11pm/$20 general admission.

SUNDAY APRIL 24 SEÑOR FROG’S DRAG BRUNCH Señor Frog’s New York, 11 Times Square (41st/42nd Sts), vossevents.com. Season 8’s southern belle Chi Chi DeVayne makes a special guest appearance at Brandon Voss’s bottomless drag brunch, with your resident queens Bootsie LeFaris, Ebonee Excell, and Jada Valenciaga. Noon–4 pm; $45.

BAD HABIT Lot 45, 411 Troutman St (St. Nicholas/Wyckoff Aves), Bushwick, thehotrabbit.com. A truly mixed, LGBTQ dance party presented by Hot Rabbit featuring DJs Night Doll, Nikki Lions, with a performance by Beyoncé impersonator London Jae Precise. Vogue emperor Omari Mirahi and Molly Electro bring fierce. 10 pm; $8.

PUSSY FAGGOT House of Yes, 2 Wyckoff Ave (Jefferson/Troutman Sts), Bushwick, houseofyes.org. Earl Dax presents the seven-year anniversary of New York’s seminal queer performance party with London’s Ben Walters kicking things off with BURN, showcasing the moving images from cabaret artists. Linda Simpson hosts Pussy Faggot at 10 pm, with featured acts that include Octavio Campos, Machine Dazzle, and David John Sokolowski, to name just a few. Amber Valentine DJs at midnight. 8 pm–2 am; $7 advance/$12 general admission.

MISS STONEWALL 2016 The Stonewall

Inn, 53 Christopher St (Seventh Ave/Waverly Pl), thestonewallinnnyc.com. Miss Fire Island Ariel Sinclair hosts this annual drag pageant boasting over $500 in cash and prizes, with a panel of nightlife celebrityjudges. 8 pm; free (with two drink minimum).

BATTLE HYMN Flash Factory NY, 229 W 28th St. (Seventh/Eighth Aves), battlehymn. club. Ladyfag’s new weekly residency takes you to church at this new Chelsea nightclub. Special guest DJs Honey Soundsystem and Tiki Disco’s Eli Escobar spin “the gospel according to the dance floor” to an eclectic crowd. 8 pm–3 am; free before 9 pm/$10 general admission.

MONDAY APRIL 25 BROADWAY MONDAYS Hardware, 697 10th Ave (47th/48th Sts), hardware-bar. com. Resurrect your inner high school theater geek every Monday night with hosts Justin Luke and Sutton Lee Seymour. VJ OhRicky plays clips from your favorite shows and movie musicals all night, and there’s usually a special guest performer direct from the Great White Way! Your inner theater queen deserves one night of geeky freedom. 7

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE VIEWING PARTY Boxers HK, 742 Ninth Ave (50th St), boxersnyc.com. The competition’s heating up! Showbiz spitfire Paige Turner hosts this weekly viewing party at this gay sports bar (lots of screens!), with two-for-one drinks from 4 pm to 9 pm and $6 Stoli cocktails all night. 9 pm; free.

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE VIEWING PARTY Macri Park, 462 Union Ave (Metropolitan Ave/Conselyea St), Williamsburg, macripark.com. Alotta McGriddles welcomes you to her weekly Brooklyn viewing party featuring banter and giveaways during commercial breaks. Stay for The Look, her variety show with Heidi Glum, Lady Simon, and Crimson Kitty, where you’ll play games like Are You Smarter Than A Drag Queen? 9 pm; free

com. Michael R. Jackson’s self-referential musical about Usher, a gay black musical theater writer working as an usher. Special guest stars portray Usher’s thoughts through different manifestations, including online sex apps and a Tyler Perry gospel. As part of the New Musicals at 54 series. 7 pm & 9:30 pm;

WONDER WOMAN VERSUS CHEETAH DRINK N DRAW Phoenix, 447 E 13th St (First Ave/Ave A), phoenixbarnyc. com. Geeks out presents this fierce DC comics themed drink n draw featuring Lilith LeFea and Princess Bitch striking bad ass superhero poses, with a happy hour until 8 pm. Bring a board and a dry medium of your choice. 7

pm–midnight; free.

TUESDAY APRIL 26 SALEEM HADDAD READING The Center, 208 W 13th St (Seventh Ave/Greenwich St), gaycenter.org. This Kuwait-born author reads from Guapa, his debut novel about a gay Arab man’s coming of age amidst political upheaval in the Middle East. 7 pm/$10. A STRANGE LOOP 54 Below, 254 W 54th St (Eighth Ave/Broadway), 54below.

$30–$40 (plus $25 food/drink minimum).

pm–10 pm; free.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 27 LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT Roundabout’s American Airlines Theater, 227 W 42nd St, (Seventh/Eighth Aves), roundabouttheatre.org. Roundabout Theatre Company presents this Broadway production in association with Ryan Murphy. His American Horror Story star Jessica Lange stars in this tale about buried family secrets that rise to the surface over the course of an ordinary day with extraordinary consequences. Through June 26. 7 pm; $67–$147. YOUNG TRAILBLAZERS GALA The TimesCenter, 242 W 41st St, (Seventh/Eighth Aves), liveoutloud.info. Live Out Loud’s annual

gala-celebration of LGBT leaders in business, politics, art, and culture features a scholarship presentation to its trailblazing youth. 6 pm–9:30 pm; $300.

DEFIANTLY FABULOUS 48 Street Studios, 353 W 48th St Studio 1 (Eighth/Ninth Aves), 212-757-2539. Robert Monegan writes and directs this gay comedic take on The Defiant Ones, Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier’s 1958 film about two escaped prisoners, one black and one white, who are shackled together in freedom. 8 pm; free. BOURGEOIS AND MAURICE The Slipper Room, 167 Orchard St (Rivington/

Stanton Sts), slipperroom.com. The fabulous London-based guerilla cabaret duo will present their first full-length New York City show. Expect subversive, sequin-clad satire and politically charged filth. 8 pm; $10–$20. CAKES Metropolitan, 559 Lorimer St (Metropolitan Ave/Devoe St), Williamsburg, metropolitanbarny.com. Brooklyn boys shake their asses at Untitled Queen and Elizabeth James’s weekly humpday rage, with Horrorchata on DJ duty. The winner of the “Dance Off Pants Off” competition takes home $50, and all contestants win a free drink. 10 pm; free.

THURSDAY APRIL 28 NEXTWORKS W New York, 1567 Broadway (47th St), vossevents.com. DJ Lady Bunny DJs this magazine’s monthly LGBT networking event, presented by Voss Events. Rub elbows with other out professionals and have a few drinks at this swanky lounge. 6 pm–9 pm; free with RSVP at vossevents.com/ nextworks.

BARE! Sidewalk Café, 94 Avenue A, (6th/7th Sts), 212-473-7373. Comedians, sex educators, and writers share true stories about sex, 38 APRIL 20, 2016

desire, and romance at this traveling monthly series. Graham Nolan, Harmon Leon, and Mary Cyn are among the readers, with host Jefferson. 8:30 pm–10:30 pm; $10. MAHALO PUTA El Cortez, 17 Ingraham St (Morgan Ave/Bogart St), Bushwick, elcortezbushwick.com. Join Elizabeth James for this monthly island turn up in the upstairs Tiki lounge of this Mexican themed nightclub (with frozen drinks to boot). DJ Miss Kenia

spins a mix of classic disco, soul, and world. 11 pm; free.

SHOWOFF Therapy, 348 W 52nd St (Eighth/ Ninth Aves), therapy-nyc.com. Show up and show off at this lip synch show down. If you win, host Miz Cracker will show you the $200 prize. A new lip synch for your rent weekly, featuring music by DJ David Scott. 11 pm; free.

BARS+CLUBS

MANHATTAN

554 W 28th St

THE EAGLE

516 W 42nd St

667 10TH Ave

301 W 39th St

ESCUELITA

656 Ninth Ave

104 Dyckman St

CASTRO

742 Ninth Ave

BOXERS HK

344 W 52nd St

BAMBOO 52

369 W 46th St

THE RITZ

215 W 40th St

315 W 46th St

VODKA SODA/BOTTOMS UP

SHADOW BOXERS

ATLAS SOCIAL CLUB 753 Ninth Ave

355 W 52nd St

INDUSTRY

FLAMING SADDLES 793 Ninth Ave

WEST END LOUNGE

955 West End Ave

9TH AVENUE SALOON

401 W 47th St

BARRAGE

405 W 51st St

POSH

348 W 52nd St

THERAPY

402 W 54th St

DIVE BAR LOUNGE

697 10th Ave

HARDWARE

500 W 48th St

FAIRYTAIL LOUNGE

859 9th Ave

RISE BAR

DISIAC LOUNGE

992 Amsterdam Ave

SUITE

227 E 56th St

LIPS

236 E 58th St

TOWNHOUSE

1742 Second Ave

THE TOOLBOX

UNCLE CHARLIE’S 139 E 45th St

221 E 58th St

EVOLVE

APRIL 20, 2016 41

LATE-NIGHT CRUISING

CLUB

LESBIAN

FOOD

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

HAPPY HOUR

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

DANCING

WHAT’S THE SCENE?

>>> MAP KEY

185 Christopher St 114 Christopher St

TY’S

100 7th Avenue S

115 Christopher St

ROCKBAR

DUPLEX

159 W 10th St

JULIUS

208 W 13th St gaycenter.org

LGBT CENTER

G LOUNGE

225 W 19th St

438 Hudson St

80 Grove St

THE MONSTER

PIECES

8 Christopher St

STONEWALL

53 Christopher St

HENRIETTA HUDSON

59 Grove St

MARIE’S CRISIS

61 Christopher St

BOOTS & SADDLE

281 W 12th St

CUBBYHOLE

THE HANGAR

167 Eighth Ave

GYM SPORTSBAR

275 W 22nd St

BARRACUDA

37 W 20th St

BOXERS

93 Second Ave

THE COCK

BOILER ROOM 86 E Fourth St

505 E Sixth St

EASTERN BLOC

447 E 13th St

PHOENIX

322 E 14th St

NOWHERE

1.Frenchie Davis 2.Payton Knight&Paul Iacono 3.Frankie Grande 4.Martha Plimpton 5.Jessica Philips

IN路THE

SHOT DARK

TITUSSBURGESSPINOTNOIR@THEBOX

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FLIRTFRIDAYS@RISE 1.Tyler, Ross&Jesse 2.Marciano&Nick 3.Jason&Matty 4.CT&Matt 5.Leo Gugu, Ted Arenas&Aquaria

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42 APRIL 20, 2016

1.Anthony, Kyle&Bruce 2.Drew G&Mitch Ferrino 3.Eric&Mikhail Torich 4.Sapphira Cristal&Honey Davenport 5.Jay&Mike

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SHOT DARK

MANSTER@THEMONSTER

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MISSINDUSTRYPAGEANT@INDUSTRY 1.Mario, Julius, Zhivko&Thiago 2.Adam&Vinny 3.Holly Box Springs&Chelsea Piers 4.Joshua McKinley&Alex Newell 5.Miss Industry 2016 Contestants

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APRIL 20, 2016 43

M AY 14 , 2 016

WA L D O R F A S TO R I A N E W YO R K

Honoring

ROBERT DE NIRO Excellence in Media Award

Tickets and Special Guests at glaad.org/mediaawards

Download our Mobile App from the App Store and Google Play

#glaadawards

1.Xavier, Eric&Thomas 2.Danilo&Ivan 3.Kris&Steven 4.Jay&Kenny 5.Diego&Ed

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HAPPYHOUR@FLAMINGSADDLES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GUSTAVO MONROY

CHOMP@ETCETC 1.Kevin&Aaron 2.Event Producers Peter Schwartz&Rick Weber 3.Dave&Rob 4.Curtis&Shawn 5.Kevin&Victor

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APRIL 20, 2016 45

1.Sidhartha, Rue&Nafees 2.Faisal&Richie 3.Aamil&Dev 4.Devon&Anif 5.Steve&Ashwin

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SHOT DARK

SHOLAYBIRTHDAYBASH@STAGE48

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HOLYMOUNTAIN@SLAKE 1.Justin, Julian&Chad 2.Kindra&Jon Corry 3.Anna Balmanica, Marta Del Rio, Lilian Levean&Pat 4.Ladyfag&Marco Ovando 5.Debora Spencer, Sean&Ora

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46 APRIL 20, 2016