QUEER PIONEERS
Five local Asian American & Pacific Islander leaders Pg.37
MAY '21
HOUSING OUR FUTURE Providing resources for homeless LGBTQ youth
STANDING AGAINST HATE Trans youth and their families respond to legislative attacks
Pg.16
Pg.30
HOUSTON'S LGBTQ MAGAZINE
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FEATURES M AY 2 0 2 1
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37 HOMECOMING KING
40 GLAMMING UP
44 42 FUNDING THE ARTS SCENE POLICY INNOVATOR
Thai American Macie Oupraxay has a booming career as a makeup artist
Vietnamese American Bao-Long Chu is a passionate writer and grant-maker at the Houston Endowment
Indian American Eesha Pandit promotes social justice with her consulting work
52 PINEY WOODS
54 CAREFREE
Solar-Wilson Village provides a welcoming African experience
Arrow Acres offers family-friendly getaways in East Texas
Grizzly Pines is a clothing-optional oasis for gay men
56 TRANQUIL
58 COMMUNITY-ORIENTED
60 BUDGET-FRIENDLY
Abundance Retreat is a Hill Country haven teeming with natural beauty
Rainbow Ranch thrives on its inclusive atmosphere and popular activities
Wanderstay Houston offers affordable hostel options close to downtown
Trans Filipino American Mel Gonzales shares his ambitious career plans
HOUSTON
46 FIERCE
48
PHYSICIAN Indian American Bhavik Kumar provides gender-affirming trans care and abortion services
AUTHENTIC HOSPITALITY
HIDEAWAY
62 TOURISM’S
64 SAFE & SIMPLE
2021 vacation bookings see a strong rebound as travel restrictions ease
OUTbound cruises take the worry and guesswork out of travel abroad
COMEBACK
4 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
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52
CRUISING
PARADISE
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CAMPGROUND
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98 WIGGING OUT Ivanna Cupcak is one of Houston’s few Asian American drag performers
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Harris County officials voice support for trans kids; District Attorney’s office seeks hate-crime charges; Homeless LGBTQ youth receive housing aid
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EDITOR’S NOTE
L
ast December, OUTSMART’s editorial team sat down with leaders from Equality Texas to learn more about what to expect from the Texas Legislature’s current session. The organization had also been monitoring state sessions around the country to prepare for the onslaught of political attacks against the LGBTQ community. As expected, we are seeing an unprecedented nationwide spike in legislation that targets transgender youth in particular. Over 250 anti-LGBTQ bills are being considered in state legislatures across the country this year, with Texas leading the pack in the number of bills filed. As Equality Texas projected, a majority of the bills would discriminate against
trans children seeking to participate in school sports teams and access gender-affirming medical care. None of these bills’ objectives are supported by science, and every major medical association in the U.S. has taken a stand against all of them. In this May issue of OUTSMART, our new writer Adriana Salazar chats with Brad Pritchett, Equality Texas’ new Houston-based field director, about the organization’s advocacy strategy. Writer Brandon Wolf also introduces you to five Houston-area families who have been traveling to Austin to testify against anti-trans bills at the Capitol since hearings began on March 26. If you’re able to get involved with these pro-equality efforts,
please consider testifying at the Capitol, submitting written testimonies, or contacting your representatives by phone or email. You can find their names at texas.house.gov. Because we all deserve some much-needed respite as pandemic restrictions begin to ease, this May travel issue is your personal guide to LGBTQ-friendly getaways in Texas and beyond. Our cover feature spotlights five local gay-owned destinations, while writer Marene Gustin interviews top LGBTQ travel agents about popular vacation options and writer Jenny Block interviews celebrity couple Jonathan Bennett and Jaymes Vaughan about their new queer cruise venture. Elsewhere in this issue, we
celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month by highlighting five local AAPI professionals from the LGBTQ community who work to make Space City great. Finally, we’re looking forward to celebrating June Pride Month with you through another expanded June issue of OUTSMART. If you know of any local Pride-related events, personalities, or merchandise, let us know by emailing editor@outsmartmagazine.com.
Thank you for your support! 10
MAY 2021
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NEWS
Harris County Passes Resolution in Support of Trans Kids Lina Hidalgo’s statement opposes discriminatory legislative attacks. By MARENE GUSTIN
A slew of bills targeting transgender youth is moving quickly through the 87th Texas Legislative Session, and Harris County has responded by taking a stand against hate. During a meeting on April 27, the Harris County Commissioners Court enacted a resolution that opposes bills that discriminate against trans children. The resolution, authored by longtime LGBTQ ally Judge Lina Hidalgo, passed 3 to 2 along party lines. “My resolution basically states that the Commissioners Court opposes antitransgender bills, and will uphold the diversity and inclusivity of the County,” Hidalgo said. “It seems to me that schoolchildren face enough challenges as it is.” More than 250 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country this year, and Texas has introduced more harmful bills than any other state. Of the more than 30 anti-LGBTQ bills filed, at majority of the bills attack the rights of transgender children—specifically trans student athletes and any trans youth trying to access gender-affirming medical care. Legislative attacks against the trans community are not new, according to Equality Texas, an organization that has been advocating for LGBTQ rights at the Capitol since its inception in 1978. The group has worked with hundreds of pro-equality Texans in the past to successfully defeat anti-trans bills. “We had a conversation in 2017, and Texans spoke loud and clear and rejected the bathroom bill targeting transgender Texans,” said Equality Texas senior adviser Angela Hale. “Now, 70 percent of Texans—a supermajority— support equality for all Texans and oppose discriminatory legislation targeting vulnerable transgender children.” Hale notes that despite strict pandemic 12 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
“THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OPPOSES ANTI-TRANSGENDER BILLS, AND WILL UPHOLD THE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY OF THE COUNTY. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SCHOOLCHILDREN FACE ENOUGH CHALLENGES AS IT IS.” —Judge Lina Hidalgo
protocols, trans children and their parents have traveled from all over the state to the Texas Capitol to testify in opposition to the bills. “We’re grateful that members listened to the voices of families and real experts. We ask the Legislature, and especially leaders in the Texas House, to once again reject this and all unnecessary and harmful legislation, and focus on issues that unite us as Texans.” Equality Texas is grateful that Harris
County’s leaders are listening, Hale said. “We are pleased that the Harris County Commissioners Court voted to pass a resolution to protect trans kids in Texas,” she added. “The unprecedented onslaught of anti-LGBTQ bills filed this session—30 in all, targeting innocent Texas children, their parents, their doctors, their health care and insurance—denies lifesaving, best-practice medical care.”
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NEWS
District Attorney’s Office Pursues Hate-Crime Charges The victim alleges he was approached with a firearm, threatened with violence, and called derogatory names because he is gay. By RYAN LEACH
The Harris County District Attorney’s office filed criminal charges against Christopher Dwayn Hall, 42, on April 21. The charge alleges that Hall threatened his victim with a firearm and that Hall intentionally singled him out because he is gay, thus elevating the incident to a possible hate crime. If convicted, the hate-crime charge could land Hall in jail for a minimum of five years, with a fine of up to $10,000. The victim, who asked not to be identified in this story for fear of further retaliation, was allegedly assaulted by Hall at an apartment complex where Hall lived. The victim, who was with his sister at the time, alleges that Hall approached them with a firearm, threatened physical harm, and called him “faggot,” among other things. The defendant is currently eligible for a $25,000 bond, and has been ordered not to have any contact with the alleged victim or his sister, who is a witness in the pending matter. Hall has also been ordered not to possess any firearms, ammunition, or other weapons, and he must submit to random urinalysis testing. He is also prohibited from using alcohol or other drugs not otherwise prescribed to him by a doctor. Assistant District Attorney Ryan Volkmer is the prosecutor assigned to this case. Volkmer has been with the DA’s office for eight years. “The crime alleged is Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. It is a second-degree felony that carries a punishment range, if convicted, of no more than twenty years and no less than two years and up to a $10,000 fine. The hate-crime enhancement is pursued 14 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
District Attorney Kim Ogg has expressed her ongoing commitment to protecting all citizens in Harris County, including LGBTQ citizens.
“THE DEFENDANT’S VIOLENT THREATS AGAINST THE VICTIM SPECIFICALLY TARGETED HIM BECAUSE OF HIS SEXUAL ORIENTATION.” —Assistant District Attorney Ryan Volkmer by the Office on a case-by-case basis, after an evidence-based review of the law-enforcement investigation and facts of the case. When the evidence clearly and unambiguously demonstrates the perpetrator’s motive [was to commit] a hate crime, enhancement may be appropriate. In this case, the defendant’s violent threats against the victim specifically targeted him because of his sexual orientation,” said Volkmer. Hate-crime enhancements are rare in Harris County when compared to the sheer number of crimes that the DA’s office pros-
ecutes. This is also due in part to the difficulty in proving the motive for the crime was rooted in prejudice or hate. In this case, the fact that there were witnesses to the incident allowed the DA to get a clearer idea of what actually transpired. Many times, there is either no corroborating witness or the witnesses are reticent to get involved, for fear of retribution. “Proving the motive for a crime is challenging. Evidence about why someone does something is not usually readily available. Our constitutional protections make sure that a defendant does not have to testify and can remain silent when facing criminal prosecution. Our Office typically proves a person’s motive by putting on evidence of their actions and drawing inferences as to the why. There are cases, like this one, where the defendant made his motive clear through announcing it to the victim and witness,” said Volkmer. Volkmer will next present the case to the Harris County Grand Jury. If indicted, the victim and the defendant will move one step closer to having their day in court if the case is not settled beforehand. “The District Attorney’s Office will work to see a just outcome for all those involved,” Volkmer added. District Attorney Kim Ogg, who is a lesbian, was re-elected to serve as the Harris County District Attorney in 2020. In an interview with OutSmart in September, Ogg expressed her ongoing commitment to protecting all citizens in Harris County, including LGBTQ citizens. She has implemented implicit-bias training to improve the cultural competence of DA staff, and advanced what she called an “evidence-based approach to casework for victims and those arrested.”
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NEWS
Housing Our Future The Montrose Center provides homeless LGBTQ youth with the resources to thrive. By KIM HOGSTROM
Elena, a 22-year-old, prides herself on her independence. But when the pandemic hit, she lost her job and became homeless. The Houston woman, whose name has been changed to protect her privacy, initially sought support from her family. Although they kicked her out when she came out as transgender at age 17, she believes that they have become more accepting over the years. Even so, living under their roof again was not good for her well-being. So she pledged to find her own housing, and with the Montrose Center’s help, she did. Elena got her own apartment through the Center’s Youth Rapid Rehousing program. Freed from the stress and the burden of having to find and maintain housing, Elena is now thriving. She enrolled in her first online college course and found a new job. Her experience is just one of Montrose Center’s success stories. Committed to emboldening LGBTQ citizens, the Center provides its clients with the tools to live their best lives. Its youth program assists homeless LGBTQ kids by offering them safe and stable housing. The organization’s comprehensive approach to LGBTQ youth homelessness includes supplying them with rent, furniture, food, and utilities. Each youth also receives personalized case management that incorporates mental-health and substance-use services, life skills training, as well as employment-search assistance. To continue the lifesaving Youth Rapid Rehousing program, the Center launched the Housing Our Future peer-to-peer team fundraising campaign. The Center aims to raise $150,000 by May 19, and every dollar donated will go directly to supporting homeless LGBTQ youth. The Center is looking for more amazing community members to spread the word about the Housing Our Future campaign, and encourages loved ones to give local homeless LGBTQ youth a second chance. 16 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
Contributors will get to experience great perks such as a celebratory virtual watch party on May 19 at 7 p.m. The event will feature testimonials from participants in the Youth Rapid Rehousing program, speeches from Center staff and supporters, performances from Athena Oya Sapphire, Dina Jacobs, Duo Dorado (Amy Armstrong and Fernando Gonzalez), Eric Michael Krop, plus messages of support from some amazing celebrity guests. According to Austin Ruiz, communications and marketing manager for the Center, as many as 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. Queer youth are also more than twice as likely than their heterosexual peers to experience homelessness. “The Housing Our Future campaign enables us to keep LGBTQ youth off the streets and give them a second chance at an independent and successful adult life,” Ruiz says. “Ultimately, it gives them hope.” Since the pandemic began, the Center has seen an increase in both the number and the needs of homeless LGBTQ youth. “Our Housing Our Future campaign is more important than ever,” Ruiz states. Jovon Tyler, the current Houston GLBT Political Caucus president, was lucky enough to be taken in by former Houston mayor An-
nise Parker and her wife, Kathy Hubbard, when he was a teen. He was embraced and supported by that affirming family during his youth. However, he will never forget what he experienced while living on the streets. When he was younger, Tyler came across a few agencies that tried and failed to help homeless LGBTQ kids. The organizations’ intentions were good, but their programs were ineffective at best. “I know how important a program like Rapid Rehousing is for these kids. Not only because of their homelessness, but because of all the dangers that go with it,” Tyler says. “So often, they fall into drugs and prostitution. I made many homeless friends when I was on the streets, and today, every one of them is either fighting drug addiction or dead.” Although he did not participate in the Center’s initiative, he is impressed by the Youth Rapid Rehousing program’s comprehensive approach, and recognizes how important that program is to homeless LGBTQ youth, especially during a pandemic. “I have seen what great work they do. I proudly lend my name to it in any way I can,” Tyler concludes. To contribute to and learn more about the program and the Montrose Center, visit montrosecenter.org/housing-our-future.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS By Adriana Salazar
QUEER THINGS to DO Resolve to stay involved with the help of our weekly planner. Visit OutSmartMagazine.com
ART
May 1
MONTROSE ART MARKET
Head over to BUDDY’S Houston for the bar’s monthly artisan vendors soirée. The market will feature local artists and their handmade creations, including paintings, crafts, sculptures, wall art, fashion accessories, and more. tinyurl.com/e7zufr34
STAGE
Live Performances Return to Miller Outdoor Theatre Miller Outdoor Theatre is reopening with a full season of summer shows. The outdoor Hermann Park venue kicks off the season with a Cinco de Mayo celebration featuring the groundbreaking Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea, a Grammy award-winning, L.A.-based, allwomen mariachi band. The summer season will feature all types of entertainment, including the Houston Ballet’s first performance since the start of the pandemic 18 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
and the Houston Grand Opera’s Marian’s Song, an opera about Black opera singer and civil-rights icon Marian Anderson. Then on May 2, HGO presents a virtual performance of the opera Strongest of the Strong. The Miller Outdoor Theatre has also introduced “The Miller 2-Step” safety protocols to ensure everyone is following Houston’s COVID-19 guidelines. Step 1 requires all participants to reserve
tickets online to prevent lines and overcrowding. Tickets will be available beginning at 9 a.m. one week before the performances, and covered seating will be extremely limited. Step 2 requires masks at all times (except for eating or drinking), and groups must keep their blankets and lawn chairs within designated circles on the hillside seating area. The full summer schedule can be found at milleroutdoortheatre.com.
ART
Thru June 27
‘SEASON IN HELL’ AT BILL ARNING EXHIBITIONS
Legendary gay Texas artist Michael Tracy presents his first solo exhibition in five years at Bill Arning Exhibitions on West Alabama. Entitled Season in Hell: Michael Tracy Paintings, Sculpture, and Film 1990–2021, the exhibition will feature arge-scale encrusted-silver works, diabolical erotic altars, and more. tinyurl.com/2t8ammvz
NIGHTLIFE
May 5, 12, 19, 26
H-Town Kings
Every Wednesday night, the H-Town Kings perform a themed show at Pearl Bar Houston. The drag collective features drag kings, queens, and everything in between. ANGELO S ORTIZ VELA
tinyurl.com/9trk5p5x
STAGE
COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY
May 7
May 9
May 15
May 15
HOUSTON BALLET REIGNITED
MOTHER OF MONTROSE
STRIDES FOR EQUALITY
UNDERWRITER KICKOFF
STAGE
COMMUNITY
May 16
May 19
The Houston Ballet presents Houston Ballet Reignited, their first onstage performance in over a year. The performance at Miller Outdoor Theatre will reflect on the past year and its leap forward to the reopening. Tickets are available online one week prior to the event, and seating is limited. tinyurl. com/uh4tr37v
FESTIVAL
May 14-16
ART CAR EXPERIENCE
The Orange Show Center for Visionary Arts presents The Houston Art Car Experience, a three-day immersive art event where 80 art cars transform the Orange Show headquarters. The event offers interactive walking tours, audio guides, special performances, children’s craft activities, and more. https://tinyurl.com/3rv4w6ae
Michael’s Outpost hosts the 18th annual Mother of Montrose, a drag pageant show where contestants are judged on presentation, Q&A, and talent. All proceeds from the event will go to Omega House in honor of the reigning Mother of Montrose, Viola DeGradable Dion-Debris. https://tinyurl.com/36f86d3k
SOCIAL
May 16
SUNDAY FUN-DAY WITH THE CUB-EE’S
Head over to BUDDY’S Houston to support the newest addition to the Montrose Softball League Association’s E Division. The event includes an auction, raffle, bake sale (and their signature drink, the BEAR-y shot). https://tinyurl.com/y6ztb52j
NIGHTLIFE
May 23
DENALI FOXX AT REBAR
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13 star Denali Foxx performs at ReBar. Presented by Manzano Entertainment, the show is hosted by Blackberri and features performances by ONDI, Hun’ee B, and Rose Noir. tinyurl.com/azvchnme
Join the Human Rights Campaign Houston for their virtual 5K and 10K Pet Walk and Bike Ride. Registration starts at $35 and includes a T-shirt, a bib, a training toolkit, and a oneyear HRC membership. https://tinyurl.com/tashrsdc
Go to JR’s Bar & Grill for the Krewe of Olympus’ Underwriter Kickoff. The event is a fundraiser for the charity’s annual Mardi Gras Ball, with proceeds going to causes that impact the LGBTQ community. https://tinyurl.com/szcja6hc
HOUSTON SYMPHONY LIVESTREAM AT DISCOVERY GREEN
HOUSING OUR FUTURE
COMMUNITY
FESTIVAL
Go to Discovery Green’s Anheuser Busch stage for a livestreamed performance by the Houston Symphony, led by music director Andrés Orozco-Estrada. Reservations are required and seating is limited, and guests will be supplied with a small lawn circle to ensure social distancing. https://tinyurl.com/864fha2w
May 23
PRIDE HOUSTON KICK-OFF + THEME REVEAL PARTY Pride Houston kicks off Pride Month with a party at Pearl Bar. Attend to learn more about the organization’s Pride Month 2021 theme, events schedule, and this year’s grand-marshal honorees. tinyurl.com/ppnurah6
Join the Montrose Center’s virtual celebration for Housing Our Future, a campaign that benefits local LGBTQ homeless youth. Join the volunteer team or donate online to receive a link to the virtual event. tinyurl.com/88mevm8
May 29
HOUSTON FOOD FEST
Head over to Midtown Park for the annual Houston Food Fest, an event with hundreds of food vendors and live music. From tacos to vegan burgers, there will be plenty of food and fun activities. tinyurl.com/38e4p2ry
More Queer Things to Do ➝ OutSmartMagazine.com | MAY 2021 19
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FAMILY LAW MATH:
QUEER THINGS to DO
SAVE the DATES
ADD * SUBTRACT * DIVIDE ps)
(Adoptions) – (Divorces) – (Pre-Nu Thanks for Voting me “Best Female Attorney”
SOCIAL
June 19 P.O. Box 940082 Houston, TX 77094 713.478.2618 deborah@lawsonlegal.net Live your legacy. In real time. No apologies. No regrets.
Bae Watch x Salvation Pride Houston and Lesbians of Color (LOC) Nation Entertainment present Bae Watch
x Salvation, an official Pride Houston 2021 pool party. The event is 21+ and pool attire is strongly encouraged. tinyurl.com/km76cn67
STAGE
June 25
ning with Christina Wells, a performance of what she calls her “love letter to Houston.” Wells, a local LGBTQ singer, was a semi-finalist on America’s Got Talent. https://tinyurl.com/3jm5j6mn
COMMUNITY
June 26
Pride Sports Houston’s Dodgeball Open Play Pride Sports USA presents Pride Sports Houston – Dodgeball Open Play, an LGBTQ
dodgeball league for adults over 21. There is no registration fee to play, and the cover is $5. tinyurl.com/2pp6jzmu
Submit your events at calendar@outsmartmagazine.com 20 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
An Evening with Christina Wells Miller Outdoor Theatre presents An Eve-
MONEY SMART By GRACE S. YUNG, CFP
Should You Sell in May? A new look at the old stock-market adage. It’s that time of year again, when flowering trees line our streets, daffodils and tulips wake up our gardens, and headlines encourage investors to consider the “Sell in May and Go Away” investment strategy. What exactly is this strategy, and should investors consider this in 2021 when we are still coping with the pandemic? “Sell in May and Go Away” is an old stockmarket adage suggesting that investors should sell their stocks in May, avoid historically weak stock market performance during the summer, and return to investing in the stock market after Halloween in November. This strategy is also known as the “Halloween Indicator.” Like many old sayings about the market, this one may have some basis in historical data, but it is not necessarily a sound strategy for making present-day decisions. Assess Macroeconomic Momentum Although we can find many interesting statistics and data points regarding “Sell in May and Go Away,” we want to be mindful about the importance of staying focused on our thoughtful longer-term plans, and we need to be aware of global market and economic forces. Here in 2021, as we slowly make our way through this pandemic, we are seeing improving economicactivity forecasts, business optimism, and bull-market momentum. Taken together, these indicators paint an encouraging macroeconomic picture. Specifically: • Global growth estimates climbing. To be sure, the global pandemic is far from over, and the loss of human life continues to be devastating. In the LGBTQ community, the impact of the pandemic has been extremely
challenging for people from a health and economic perspective, as has been documented by the Human Rights Campaign. Thankfully, progress is being made with vaccine rollouts and stimulus measures in the United States and other large economies, so we are seeing an improved outlook for global growth. Acknowledging this progress in a few large economies, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) increased its global growth forecasts in April and is calling for economic activity to increase by 6 percent worldwide, and by 6.4 percent in the United States. Along with this encouraging outlook, the IMF did emphasize the high level of uncertainty about the path of the pandemic, which we should be mindful of. • Business optimism increasing. The Institute of Supply Management (ISM)’s monthly manufacturing and services surveys are indicating that the vaccines, stimulus payments, and statewide re-
openings are driving economic recovery in the United States. These surveys are important gauges of optimism, which continues to improve across many industries as the U.S. economic recovery progresses. • Bull market birthday. The current bull market entered its second year in March. Although we do not know how far this bull will run (and we would not try to forecast this), we are interested in historical data from LPL Research that suggest bull markets tend to build on first-year gains in their second year. According to LPL Research, “stocks [have been up in] the second year of a new bull market every single time—up a solid 16.9 percent on average.” Stay Focused on Longer-Term Plans Moreover, and most importantly, the idea of selling in May runs counter to the age-old advice about staying invested and focusing on longer-term financial plans. Strategies that encourage investors to focus on headlines and
22 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
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make decisions about ducking in and out of the markets do not take your specific situation into account. These strategies do not incorporate the thoughtful longer-term planning you have done for retirement and the protection planning for your loved ones (as examples), nor do they account for the potential tax implications of moving investments in and out of taxable accounts. If you have questions about the “Sell in May and Go Away” strategy and any headlines you are seeing, you might consider working with a financial planner who can help you look behind the headlines and take stock of the markets and current broader economic trends, and assess how they might apply to your specific situation. In addition, working with an advisor who is knowledgeable about issues that pertain to the LGBTQ community can provide an added benefit, because various laws regarding same-sex couples can also be factored into your overall plan. Grace S. Yung, CFP ®, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER practitioner with experience in helping LGBTQ individuals, domestic partners, and families plan and manage their finances since 1994. She is the managing director at Midtown Financial Group, LLC, in Houston.Yung can be reached at grace.yung@lpl.com. Visit letsmake aplan.org or midtownfg.com/lgbtqplus.10.htm.
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S M A R T H E A LT H By DARYL SHORTER, MD
Adapting to “The New Normal” How to combat the stress of returning to a changed world.
As states across the country reopen and vaccinations are now widely available, figuring out how to approach life in a new COVID world can be both a challenge and an opportunity. For those who are apprehensive about adjusting to this changed world, these tips for nurturing your own mental health during stressful times may help. The Basics: Get Vaccinated, Follow Guidelines Getting vaccinated is the number-one strategy for reducing the spread of COVID. All adults in Texas are now eligible for vaccination (regardless of health status), and many of the barriers to vaccine access have been substantially reduced. As more individuals are vaccinated, venturing out into the world with a sense of security is starting to feel within reach. However, the easy availability of the vaccine does not mean we should disregard the safety protocols developed over the last year. Even after being vaccinated, it’s important to continue adhering to recommendations from the CDC and other trusted healthcare professionals. For example, according to the CDC, wearing masks in public is still recommended, even with a vaccination. However, for those who have been fully vaccinated, indoor gatherings without masks should be safe. Also, the need to quarantine or isolate for 14 days after being exposed to someone with COVID is no longer required if you are fully vaccinated. Monitoring yourself for symptoms (and responding accordingly) is now sufficient and far less disruptive. As we continue to learn more about the virus and the ways it can be transmitted, staying 24 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
up to date with current recommendations is an important part of lowering risk for yourself and others. The Anxiety of Venturing Out After so many months of life filled with restrictions, it can feel a little strange to venture out into the world again. A gradual approach may help in managing any feelings of anxiety that crop up. For example, if dining inside a restaurant seems like a bridge too far, but you can’t stand the idea of another night of take-out, consider trying a restaurant with outdoor seating, or dine inside before the dinner rush begins. This way, you will be able to assess restaurant protocols without the fear that a large group will be seated next to your table. Also, give yourself permission to leave public spaces that feel too enclosed or constrained. In some cases, we can’t always choose whether or not to become proactive about mitigating risk. With companies increas-
ingly bringing employees back into the office, dealing with more people in the workplace is on the horizon for many. Following guidelines regarding distancing in elevators and conference rooms and continuing to mask in public areas will not only keep you safe, but also allow you to get comfortable with the idea of engaging with larger groups. It’s also a nice way to demonstrate respect for others and their need for space. For many, feeling stressed about the fallout from COVID has impacted the way we feel about ourselves and our outlook on life. Chronic feelings of worry or nervousness have become particularly commonplace over the past year. Changes in appetite, bodily symptoms like an upset stomach or heartburn, and insomnia can be especially troublesome, and result in weight gain, physical discomfort, and fatigue. Give “Mindfulness” a Chance Implementing a “mindfulness” practice can
be extraordinarily helpful in managing stress and reducing overall levels of anxiety. Many podcasts or YouTube videos can be found that focus on meditation, or “quieting the mind” using a wide variety of approaches ranging from guided imagery to listening to the sounds of nature. It may take several tries before you are able to find the type of relaxation method that works best for you. Smartphone apps such as Headspace and Calm also provide exercises that focus on breathing and promote relaxation. Exercising, going on walks, and listening to music or audiobooks can also be ways of moving your mind into the present moment, rather than ruminating on things in the past (which you can’t control) or in the future (which you can’t predict). The trick here is to try something—or maybe all of these things! While one single activity may not substantially reduce worry, the combination of several activities can have a great impact. Given the stress of the past year, we can’t assume that our usual methods of coping will be sufficient. Doing what you used to do (while also adding new skills) is the best way to manage the stresses of a changed world. When the pandemic first began and the world shut down, many of us thought about all of the things we would do with that extra time at home. People said they were finally going to get around to things they had put off for too long. We read books, caught up on movies and television (remember Tiger King?), and connected with old friends. We resumed old hobbies, tried new ones, and started home projects and businesses. Fantasies of exiting the pandemic in better shape—financially, mentally, and physically—consumed our culture. Perhaps what we did not anticipate is that the last year also provided an opportunity to slow down and take stock of what truly matters. Rather than focusing solely on what it is that we do, we could think about who it is we would like to be. Ask yourself: What is the quality of my relationship to work, to others, and with myself? Are there any areas that are ripe for continued growth? Finally, savoring the moment is now all the sweeter because we have been forced to recognize that life can be short and unpredictable. What lessons did you learn from all of the death and suffering during the past year, and what new knowledge will you carry into your “new normal”? Daryl Shorter, MD, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is board certified in both general and addiction psychiatry. His clinical practice focuses on veteran care, and he lectures widely on LGBTQ mental health.
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MAY 2021 25
IN MEMORIAM
A
lan Davidson, a longtime Houston resident, author, teacher, and internationally known specialist in the area of mind/body wellness, died unexpectedly on Easter Day, at age 62. Davidson is survived by his husband of 19 years, Jim Giulian, several family members, and a worldwide cadre of individuals from his numerous endeavors in entertainment, massage, wellness and, most recently, strategic online marketing. Davidson was born in the small ranching community of Refugio, Texas, on December 31, 1958. “Alan’s father was in the Navy, so the family moved several times,” Giulian remembers. “Alan lived there until age 16, left home, and eventually moved to Houston.” Davidson lived on his own throughout the ’70s, working and eventually graduating from the University of Houston with a degree in psychology. Early in his life, he received support from many in the gay community, and in the early ’80s became “Bartender to the Fabulous” by working at the Montrose Mining Company and then, most famously, at Rich’s disco. While there, the notoriously charismatic Davidson began to develop a following. One of Davidson’s close friends, Gary Archer, remembers those early days. “Alan and I met in 1983 while we were working to open Rich’s. I was a member of the technical staff and Alan had been recruited to manage the bar.” From 1983 to 1986, Rich’s was a cornerstone of Houston’s gay nightlife. “The club and its ‘family’ of employees were important to our patrons,” Archer recalls. “By today’s standards this may seem odd, but at that time, a clubcentered social life was the norm in the LGBT community.” Like many of Davidson’s friends, Archer remembers their first meeting vividly. “In walks this big man with a big personality.” Davidson had been hired to recruit patrons to populate Rich’s then-iconic upstairs bar, and to make the space his own. It quickly became the off-the-dance-floor destination for everyone who visited the disco. “Alan was so warm and welcoming, he just took people in,” Archer says. “If you didn’t know who Alan was when you walked in, within a matter of seconds you wanted to.” 26 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
Remembering Alan Davidson The wellness expert and teacher died last month on Easter Day. By RICH ARENSCHIELDT
Davidson’s outsized persona enabled people to experience that warehouse-sized space and still have a connection to someone on a personal level. Teacher and mentor Helen Terry met Davidson around that same time. “Alan was part of a very small nucleus I call family,” she remembers. “We met at the old downtown YMCA where I had started to teach. Alan took the Saturday-morning class that was offered just before mine, which he described as being
filled with ‘all those badass people.’ He would hang around, wondering what we were doing [in my Nia sensory-based movement and healing class] and what music we were listening to. He eventually grew interested enough to take classes with me, and that’s how we began to know each other.” Terry and Davidson quickly realized their potential for creative synergy. “We would be in a conversation, something would ‘spark,’ and we’d just riff off of it,” Terry recalls. “Alan
would come up with these off-the-wall ideas, stretching the boundaries of what had been done previously. Suddenly we were both creating something interesting out of nothing. “One of the first things Alan and I did was rent out Rich’s and offer a chakra-centered meditation training utilizing the club’s lighting and disco balls,” Terry explains. It was the first of many unique joint endeavors. “Alan was magnetic in his ability to attract people. His friends were simultaneously eclectic and connected. He also had very long ‘coattails,’ having stayed in contact with everyone from his various careers. He drew all of them to every new venture he created. If Alan Davidson was going to do something, people knew that it was worth showing up for.” As Davidson transitioned professionally away from the club scene, Terry and her studio became an anchor in his life. He continued to meet others in the wellness community and develop a collective of friends and associates. Eventually, he taught and hosted events on his own at her studio. Both the Montrose Counseling Center and Body Positive Wellness Center provided Davidson with his entrée into professional wellness leadership. While at the Counseling Center, he helped with their crisis hotline and, at Body Positive, began to work with HIVpositive individuals. Archer remembers the parallels between Davidson’s contrasting careers: “Your hairstylist, bartender, and massage therapist are all ‘listeners,’ performing essentially the same function at different venues. Alan was a trusted counselor to me and many others, always providing advice, friendship, and unconditional love.” A watershed moment in Davidson’s life occurred in the midst of the AIDS epidemic, when he received a negative HIV test. Taking this as a prompt from the universe to transform, he altered his life’s trajectory away from the entertainment industry and toward the field of wellness. According to his husband, “Alan became a licensed massage therapist who was interested in mind/body work—an area where his impact and expertise is still internationally recognized. He eventually became an award-winning author who penned books, short pieces, and essays—some of which were published in OutSmart magazine.” Giulian recounts their early days together: “When we met 19 years ago, I was widowed after 25 years of marriage. I had retired from the Navy and had a teenage daughter. I often traveled between Corpus Christi and Houston for work. A friend of mine in Houston invited me to dinner, and suggested we meet at his gym. He neglected to tell me it was a gay gym full of men. I had been the senior enlisted naval officer on five different submarines, so seeing
Alan Davidson and Jim Giulian
“ALAN WAS SO WARM AND WELCOMING, HE JUST TOOK PEOPLE IN. IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW WHO ALAN WAS WHEN YOU WALKED IN, WITHIN A MATTER OF SECONDS YOU WANTED TO.” —Gary Archer naked men was no big deal. “Alan was there, and we struck up a conversation and went to dinner. I enjoyed his company and experienced happiness [with Alan] for the first time since my wife’s sudden death.” Their courtship lasted two years. “I had a young daughter still at home [to consider]. She got married, and at that point I knew that Alan and I could be together. I moved to Houston in 2004.” In stark contrast to Davidson, Giulian is pragmatic and introverted. “At first, it was a bit overwhelming being with him,” he recalls. “However, our core values—those things we wanted to do as a couple—coincided. Alan introduced me to an entirely different way of life, and a new group of people. “Even though we shared everything, our professional lives were completely different. Alan was heavily involved in mind/body
work—his domain at that time. Our professional lives were completely different. During our partnership, he had the freedom to expand his knowledge and finish the book that he had been trying to complete. Body Brilliance: Mastering Your Five Body Intelligences was published in 2010.” Though their lives were completely enmeshed, the naval officer and the mystic healer didn’t always mesh. Giulian, reportedly a homebody, nonetheless supported Davidson completely. Together, they hosted and entertained numerous personalities from around the country. “I wasn’t part of his ‘woo-woo’ world, [laughs] but all of his friends accepted and tolerated me,” Giulian says. “Most people assumed that Alan was always outgoing and gregarious. In reality, our life together was much quieter. With me, he didn’t have a persona. He used our domestic calm to recharge.” The community’s response to the news of Davidson’s death has been profound. Several Zoom tributes have taken place, each with hundreds of friends and colleagues from around the world. A group of his closest collaborators has agreed to finish the second book Alan was working on at the time of his death. “I have a real appreciation of his impact on others, as does Alan’s family,” Giulian notes. “Everyone has supported me wonderfully since his death.” Mentor Helen Terry sums up Alan’s life: “He was humorous, speaking truth in a lighthearted way. He was a visionary, but entirely without ego. He was generous, but without intent or expectation.” OutSmartMagazine.com | MAY 2021 27
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.
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BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, 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 effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).
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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. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-
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BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other.
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These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects 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
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visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.
BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, KEEP CREATING, and LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2021 © 2021 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0370 04/21
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COMMUNITY
Standing Against Hate Transgender Texans and their families respond to the Texas Legislature’s unprecedented attacks. By BRANDON WOLF
M
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX ROSA FOR OUTSMART
ore than 250 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country this year, according to the Human Rights Campaign. The advocacy organization, which has been tracking anti-equality legislation for over a decade, notes that Texas has introduced more of these harmful bills than any other state. A majority of our state’s proposed bills attack the rights of transgender
30 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
children—specifically trans student athletes and any trans youth trying to access genderaffirming medical care. Dozens of Texans have been advocating against anti-trans bills at the Capitol since the legislative hearings began on March 26, and they plan to continue doing so until the 2021 session concludes on May 31. OutSmart spoke to five Houston-area families who have traveled to Austin to advocate for themselves and their children.
“As parents of a trans child, we are horrified and scared, and as Texans, we’re deeply ashamed. This legislation attacks the equality of Texans, and it’s wrong. If the healthcare bill were to pass, we would have to leave Texas, because we couldn’t stay somewhere that threatens the rights and freedoms of our child and her gender-affirming medical care. Trans people are who they say they are. They deserve respect and love, and to have all the rights that everyone else has. Our daughter is just like every other kid. We hope the community will contact their legislators to stop these bills.” —Lisa Stanton
THE STANTONS Trans child Maya Stanton (l) with her parents Lisa and Jeffree and sibling, Max.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX ROSA FOR OUTSMART
“In one word, the proposed legislation is heartbreaking. I don’t think most people know the devastating impact it would have on real people. A recent study shows that approximately 24,000 Texas minors would be in danger of losing access to genderaffirming health care. This legislation is aimed at preventing trans youth from existing. [It tells us we are] not deserving of love and care. Trans youth are youth before they are trans—they are just like all other kids, with hopes and dreams. We just want to exist.” —Landon Richie
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX ROSA FOR OUTSMART
THE RICHIES Trans teen Landon Richie (center left) with his nonbinary sibling Charlie and parents Erika and Aaron.
“It’s baffling to us that these bills are targeting children, and it’s horrific that children are being used as pawns in a political battle. Even though our children are not minors, these bills call their existence into question, and don’t recognize ‘transgender’ as true or valid. Texas is sending a clear message that they don’t want our children here, which is hurtful.” —Mandy Giles
THE GILES Mandy (l) and Neil Giles holding baby pictures of their nonbinary twins Indigo and Maddie. OutSmartMagazine.com | MAY 2021 31
STANDING AGAINST HATE | CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
—Emmett Schelling
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANI BENOIT
“The idea that our legislature is trying to affect so many families is unfathomable. The bills would have an enormous impact, not just on the trans work we do, but on who we are. It would mean that trans folk would have to navigate a world where we face discrimination to a greater extent than we already do. The idea that [lawmakers are] trying to block LGBTQ medical care is unthinkable. Legislators with antitrans agendas can’t figure us out, but we are still proud to be out, and for the journeys we have taken. The idea that we should be ashamed is despicable.”
THE SCHELLING-SEGOVIA FAMILY Trans man Emmett Schelling (r-l) with his nonbinary child, Alex, and fiancée, Andrea Segovia.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX ROSA FOR OUTSMART
“The proposed bills are outrageous. They have shocked me to the core, because I’ve been involved in so many of these fights in the past. The misinformation and level of attacks are astounding. They put my daughter at risk by making trans children targets of people who don’t understand them. Trans people are no different than anyone else—they just want to live their lives fully.” —Anna Eastman
THE EASTMANS Anna and Brad Eastman with their transgender daughter, Helen (center). 32 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
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AN INTERVIEW WITH ...
Brad Pritchett Equality Texas’ new field director discusses the wave of anti-trans legislative attacks. By ADRIANA SALAZAR What do you do in your new role at Equality Texas, and what inspires your work? As the field director for Equality Texas, [which is the largest statewide organization solely dedicated to securing full equality for LGBTQ+ Texans], I look at my role as helping to identify LGBTQ+ Texans and our allies across the state so that we can empower them to make their voices heard at every level of our government. Seeing people tap into the power that they have for the first time is one of the most inspiring things about this type of work. Once we help someone take that first step into advocacy, [we start] a journey with them as part of our shared commitment to securing equality for all LGBTQ+ Texans. That’s pretty exciting. The Equality Texas team has been at the Capitol in Austin fighting against antitrans bills since this year’s legislative session began. What impact might these “bad bills” have on the LGBTQ community? We have around 30 bills moving through the Legislature that target LGBTQ+ Texans, and another 30 or more that could be amended to negatively impact us. In every session, we see attempts to pass legislation that uses “religious freedom” as a weapon against the LGBTQ+ community, and this session is no different. On top of those bills are attempts to attack local control, especially in places where cities have passed local nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ residents. We track all of these bills and any dangerous amendments [that are added], and we work to ensure they never become law. But we can’t do that work without the help of advocates from all over Texas. According to a recent report by Axios, more anti-trans bills have been filed throughout the country in 2021 than ever before. Tell us about those bills in other states, and their potential impacts. Unfortunately, what we’re seeing right now is a nationally coordinated attack on transgender kids. Anti-LGBTQ+ organizations are literally “shopping” model legislation to state legislatures across the country, and Texas is just the latest proving ground for it. Right now, Texas accounts for more than 30 percent of all the anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have been filed in the United States. The bulk of those bills attacks 34 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
of supporting evidence-based, trans-affirming health care. What is Equality Texas doing to stop these harmful bills? Stopping these bills takes a coordinated effort within and outside of our community. At Equality Texas, our first line of defense will always be to empower Texans to contact their elected officials, to tell their stories, and to put a human face on these discriminatory pieces of legislation. It is much harder to hurt someone you know. We also work with coalition partners and other organizations to mobilize constituents in a variety of ways.
access to affirming health care for trans youth, and bans transgender kids from participating in sports. Right now, we have many bills that attack access to health care for transgender kids—HB 68, HB 1399, HB 2693/SB 1311, and HB 4014/ SB 1646. Different bills do different things. Some threaten the licenses of medical professionals, some go after their liability insurance, and some label transition-related care as “child abuse.” But the goal is all the same: cruelty toward transgender kids. We know from reputable medical professionals and organizations that affirming health care for transgender youth can be lifesaving. That’s why organizations like the American Medical Association have a history
How can people get involved with these efforts? The pandemic has made going to the Capitol much more complicated than in previous sessions. We encourage anyone who has been vaccinated to consider testifying in person. With vaccines becoming available to the wider public, we are hearing more and more from people who are ready to make their voices heard in person. But you can also submit written testimony to Equality Texas, and we will deliver it to lawmakers. This year, we’ve also been working to collect virtual testimonies. We are sharing those with lawmakers and posting them on social media to help shape the narrative around these discriminatory bills in the public sphere. Sometimes being involved can be as simple as sending an email, making a phone call, or talking to your friends and family about what is happening and how they can help. What does Equality Texas have planned after the legislative session ends? The session ends on May 31, and then we roll right into Pride Month. We’re still trying to get a picture of how Pride celebrations will look as we make our way through COVID, but Equality Texas will have a presence in many Pride celebrations around the state. And we will continue to engage LGBTQ+ Texans with educational opportunities and begin to get folks ready for upcoming elections where issues of LGBTQ+ equality should be on their minds when they go to the polls. For more information on Equality Texas, visit equalitytexas.org.
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Spotlighting five local LGBTQ pioneers from the AAPI community
ay is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, an annual observance that recognizes the contributions and influences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the nation’s history, culture, and achievements. OutSmart is joining in this celebration by honoring five local LGBTQ leaders from the AAPI community. First, meet history-maker Mel Gonzales,
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the first known transgender prom king from a Texas high school. Then get to know Macie Oupraxay, a makeup artist who finds happiness in creating sophisticated makeup looks. Next, we introduce you to Bao Long Chu, a grant maker who helps creative groups prosper. Then writer-activist and consultant Eesha Pandit describes her work to strengthen social-justice organizations. Finally, Dr. Bhavik Kumar discusses his journey to becoming a dedicated provider of trans care and abortion services in Texas.
OutSmartMagazine.com | MAY 2021 37
AAPI LEADERS
Fit for a King Mel Gonzales, Texas’ first trans homecoming king, reflects on his ambitious plans. By LILLIAN HOANG
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el Gonzales, a Filipino American, was 17 years old when he came out to his classmates as a transgender man. Then he asked them to vote for him for homecoming king, because he wanted to give the trans community a reason to celebrate. “The only things I saw in the news were negative things—hate crimes, anti-trans bathroom bills—and it was really upsetting to see that,” he says. “I wanted the homecoming king race to be used for better purposes, rather than as a popularity contest.” Gonzales didn’t expect to be nominated, much less to win. Even so, on September 12, 2014, he entered Edward Mercer Stadium as a student at Stephen F. Austin High School and went home as Texas’ first trans homecoming king. His story went viral, being picked up by local and national publications such as the Houston Chronicle, Refinery29, and LGBTQ Nation. “I just hoped that if people saw me trying to live my authentic life, it might inspire them to look at their own opinions on transgender people, what it means to be trans, and the queer community in general,” Gonzales explains. A lot has happened since that fateful day when he became his high school’s homecoming king. Gonzales graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. He is seeking a doctoral degree in physical therapy at the University of Texas Medical Branch, and he’s getting top surgery.
38 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
Gonzales was born in Houston but grew up in suburban Sugar Land, surrounded by a diverse array of cultures. He was heavily involved at school and joined his high school’s marching band as a percussionist, playing the marimba for three years. He even helped form his high school’s first Gay-Straight Alliance. But his childhood wasn’t without conflict, as he struggled with his identity. He first came out to his parents as a lesbian. Even then, he wasn’t sure. It was only after he watched a trans man’s transition journey on YouTube at age 13 that he realized who he was. When he finally came out to his parents as a trans man, they didn’t fully understand. “They weren’t aware of what it means to be trans,” Gonzales says. “The terminology didn’t resonate with them—generally, and culturally. Every time I tried to explain, it fell flat.” But his parents became supportive over time. A year into Gonzales’s transition, he overheard his mom say to a family friend on the phone, “If I’m having such a difficult time coping with this change, I can only imagine what he’s going through.” His parents have come a long way since then. Although it took them years to get his pronouns right, they now proudly refer to him
as their son and are helping him pay for his top surgery. They also plan on taking care of him after his operation. “My whole family has been so loving and generous. They’ve been nothing but gracious to me,” he says. His family has also supported his dream of becoming a physical therapist. He’s always wanted to go into health care, especially after he saw how his grandma benefited from physical therapy as part of her dementia care. Physical therapy allowed her to walk, dress, eat, and even use the bathroom on her own. “What I realized about physical therapy is it doesn’t matter if they’re going downhill. What matters is that you give the patient dignity and honor the best that you can, even though they know how the end will be,” he emphasizes. Gonzales is currently a full-time lead rehabilitation therapy technician at a rehab hospital in Katy. He wants to use his experiences as a trans person to help make his patients feel more secure and comfortable. He hopes to educate others on what it means to be trans and to work with trans patients. Ultimately, he wants to be a resource to the trans community.
“Physical therapy and rehabilitation are very vulnerable places. You’re very hands-on with your patients. If I can be a therapist who offers services where queer people feel safe to be themselves, I’ll feel like my job is done,” Gonzales says. Although he doesn’t see himself as athletic, Gonzales loves being outdoors and lifting weights. He’s an Aquarian who loves spending time with his family, his boyfriend of three years, and playing video games. By sharing all of these experiences and plans, Gonzales hopes to normalize the trans experience for others. “I like to be known for my work ethic, the decisions I choose to make every day, and then as transgender. I’m just another person. It’s important to me to be myself.” Gonzales also wants to inspire people to help those in need, especially members of the LGBTQ community from multiple marginalized groups. “Resources matter, so reach out,” he concludes. “If you know someone is struggling, give them a hand!” Follow Mel Gonzales on Instagram @melohelohel.
OutSmartMagazine.com | MAY 2021 39
AAPI LEADERS
Glamming Up Houston Macie Oupraxay’s life journey led to a booming career in makeup.
It took a while for Macie Oupraxay to find her bliss in life. The 45-year-old woman was born in Thailand. She moved to California in 1989 and then relocated to Houston 1995 to attend college, where she graduated with a master of science double-major in organic chemistry and molecular biology. After spending time doing research and development in her field, she finally realized that fashion would always be her passion. “Coming from an Asian family, you’re supposed to have a ‘traditional’ career, like a doctor or a scientist,” Oupraxay says. “It was expected. But you can’t really be creative in research. I just wanted to interact with people and be happy. I wanted to wake up every morning and be happy to go to work.” Oupraxay had always loved clothes and makeup, and had been doing makeup for others since she was a teenager. Creating looks for others was a survival tactic, she notes. After coming out to her family as transgender at 16 years old, her mother kicked her out of her home. “When you have to fend for yourself, you have to be more street smart,” she says. “You have to find ways to survive.” While struggling to make ends meet at her coffee-shop job, Oupraxay met two dancers in California who allowed her to do their makeup for extra cash. She was soon painting faces for some of the dancers’ co-workers, and eventually built up a clientele of about 40 performers.
40 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX ROSA
By MARENE GUSTIN
Today, Oupraxay is a full-time fashionista working as a sales manager at a large retail beauty store while continuing to do freelance makeup and wardrobe styling. “I never thought I could make a living doing what I love, but I am!” she says, adding that she often shares her success story with others who are facing challenges. “Even if they’re not in the community and they’re going through something with their own family, they understand that I’ve been in their shoes before, and that [it gets better].” You can see Oupraxay’s handiwork on Instagram, where she has over 5,000 followers. “I [specialize] in ‘no-makeup makeup looks,” she says, noting that her work ranges from doing wedding makeup to simple everyday styles. “Sometimes people just want to go out and look fresh and cute, so they call me.” When she’s not working, she likes hanging out at coffee shops reading fashion magazines to keep up on the trends. Her favorites are V Magazine, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar (one of the oldest fashion and beauty magazines), and the more celebrity-focused Elle. She also loves pop culture and keeps up with television shows like The Real Housewives, Pose, and RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Oupraxay used to live in the Museum District, but moved downtown because of its easier access to the Galleria and her private clients. She also loves being closer to one of her favorite eateries, Mai’s Restaurant, which has been serving authentic Vietnamese food in Houston for three generations. “My favorite foods are super-spicy Thai, Laotian, and Vietnamese—but not the greasy stuff,” Oupraxay explains. But she also enjoys the classic French cuisine being served at the River Oaks Brasserie 19 and Artisans Restaurant downtown. Her favorite cosmetic lines are Kevyn Aucoin, Armani Beauty, and M.A.C. (which also makes her favorite brushes). “But I prefer the older ones with natural bristles,” she says. “Now they’re all synthetic because it’s cheaper, but they’re not as good to work with.” When it comes to clothes, she loves the classic Diane von Furstenberg styles and the more contemporary Marni line from Milan. As for relationships, she’s cautious. “I’m single and ready to mingle,” she says with a laugh. “But it’s difficult to date when you’re trans living in Texas. Men are confused about that, so I’m not holding my breath. If I did, I’d turn blue like Smurfette!”
The pandemic hasn’t been easy for Oupraxay, since the store was closed during the lockdown last spring. But that gave her more time to work with private clients. “I’d work one-on-one with previous clients and referrals,” she recalls. “People wanted makeup for a special brunch or family occasion, as opposed to special events. It was great to do the work I love and to catch up with clients. I enjoy talking with them.” And she wasn’t too worried about catching or passing on COVID-19. “Coming from a science background, I’m very OCD about hygiene,” she says. “I only apply makeup with brushes, I don’t use my hands or sponges like some other artists do, and I don’t touch people’s faces.” So that science degree is being put to good use, but in a way she never imagined back in her graduate-school days. And she’s happy with that. Her best advice: “It’s all about living for today,” Oupraxay says, “not tomorrow. Follow your bliss.” Keep up with Macie Oupraxay on Instagram @rankinworks.
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AAPI LEADERS
Investing in Houston’s Arts Scene Writer and grant-maker Bao-Long Chu helps creative groups prosper.
The health and vitality of a city can often be measured by its arts landscape. No one understands that quite as well as Bao-Long Chu, a senior program officer with the Houston Endowment, which has been involved in nurturing Houston’s arts scene for over eight decades. “The arts are critical to a city’s identity and existence. On a personal level, that’s why I do the work. Houston Endowment supports arts and culture because we believe that for Houston to have its worldrecognized level of vibrancy, the arts ecosystem has to be strong,” Chu says. This belief in how the arts connect to all aspects of a city’s vitality is part of what drew him to work for the Endowment. Founded by Houston business icon Jesse H. Jones, the Endowment nurtures philanthropic and cultural organizations throughout the region. Chu specifically oversees the arts and culture portfolio of the foundation, which means he works with organizations of all sizes to support the artists and events that make the city’s arts landscape so lush. With Houston’s performing-arts scene pummeled by Hurricane Harvey and then crippled by the pandemic restrictions for over a year now, institutions like Houston Endowment have become that much more vital. “We recognize that we’re one of many resources. What we learned from post-Harvey and again in 2020 is that disruptions often highlight or exacerbate existing gaps. What we try to do is make systemic changes to fix those gaps. For example, after Harvey, artists and small organizations were left quite vulnerable. Oftentimes, artists and small entities just don’t have access to the local and federal resources that become available after disasters. After Harvey, we provided structural support [and funding] to arts workers through the Harvey Arts Recovery Fund. That fund was established by the community and operated through the Houston Arts Alliance,” Chu explains. Providing that support isn’t something Houston Endowment can achieve alone. It takes a proverbial village. “When the pandemic came, we followed the Harvey model and initiated support for the Greater Houston Arts Relief Fund, and with our initial support, 42 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX ROSA
By SAM BYRD
other funders also joined in. Houston Endowment can’t do the work alone—we need to work in partnership with not only nonprofit organizations, but also with public and private entities to ensure the resiliency of the arts sector,” he says. Chu’s appreciation and love for the creative fields began during his childhood as a refugee from Vietnam. He understood early on how storytelling can help both individuals and groups. “Learning from my family’s moving from loss to loss, I understand that stories can help us negotiate, find, and navigate our way to the shore. Our stories as Vietnamese refugees are not unique. More than 1.5 million people took to the seas as boat people to escape to various places across the globe. My role in telling my family’s story allows us to process and understand our place in the world,” Chu emphasizes. His passion for writing followed him through college, where he double-majored in English and psychology at Houston Baptist University. Chu went on to enroll in the MFA creative-writing program at University of Houston, one of the most widely respected programs in the nation. “I am captivated by the personal storytelling that we can do as writers. Stories are powerful tools, and my work at the Endowment
“THE ARTS ARE CRITICAL TO A CITY’S IDENTITY AND EXISTENCE. THAT’S WHY I DO THE WORK, AND THAT’S WHY HOUSTON ENDOWMENT SUPPORTS ARTS AND CULTURE.” —Bao-Long Chu is a continued thread [that furthers] my love of poetry and writing. Stories can help a community explain who they are, what they want, and why it matters,” he says. After graduating from UH, Chu was associate director of the literacy-education nonprofit Writers in the Schools, where he developed his passion for literacy training, arts education, and community engagement. He collaborated with a wide variety of Houston-area institutions and organizations, including Art League Houston, Houston Grand Opera, Texas Children’s Hospital, and University of Houston’s Moores School of Music. Chu’s poems and essays have been pub-
lished in several anthologies, including The New Anthology of American Poetry: Postmodernisms 1950–Present and From Both Sides Now: The Poetry of the Vietnam War and Its Aftermath. His libretto for the opera Bound, set to the music of Huang Ruo, premiered in Houston in 2014 and in New York in 2019. “That project was through Houston Grand Opera, and focused on stories from the Asian diaspora. They asked if I would work and write with Huang to create a chamber piece about the Vietnamese American experience. It’s a story that doesn’t define the narrative of the Vietnamese American experience, but instead shows a very small aspect of it,” he explains. Additionally, Chu serves on the board of directors of Grantmakers in the Arts. Having the ability to flex his muscles in the grantmaking sector is a reflection of his love for the city. “Houston is an amazing city, and it has given sustenance to my family. I feel very much like I belong to the city, and I’m grateful for the work I get to do, especially with such a storied foundation as the Houston Endowment,” he adds. “I truly enjoy being in the landscape and supporting a sector that I love.” For more information about the Houston Endowment, visit houstonendowment.org.
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AAPI LEADERS
Social Justice Visionary Writer and activist Eesha Pandit uses her expertise to empower progressive organizations. By DAVID WEBB
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hat quickly becomes clear about Houston writer, activist, and social-justice consultant Eesha Pandit is how busy she is—and always has been since her youth. She acknowledges the observation with a laugh and adds, “Yes, I am!” Pandit is the co-founder of the Houstonbased Center for Advancing Innovative Policy (CAIP), a think tank that helps grassroots groups of all sizes develop policies and strategies to achieve progressive goals. CAIP’s clients include national and international coalitions focused on issues of reproduction, policing and criminalization, gender and sexuality, racial justice, domestic violence, sexual assault, healthcare access, and immigration. Her writing appears in various national publications, and network television news outlets frequently solicit her expertise. She is also a
co-founder of South Asian Youth in Houston Unite, a transnational feminist collective empowering that population, and a member of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s LGBTQ Advisory Board. Pandit has always felt like she was destined to become an activist. Even as a high school student in Houston, national and global justice issues would catch her attention. Her earliest activism focused on opposition to large American corporations using sweatshops in other countries for cheap labor. “I wanted to be a person who worked in accordance with my values,” the 40-year-old notes. Pandit’s journey to the life she has today began in New Delhi, India, where she was born. At age 3, her family emigrated to New York City, and at age 16 they moved to Houston, where she finished high school. Houston was a bit of a culture shock at the time. “It felt really suburban after New York,” she recalls, admitting that she was expecting more of a “wild west” atmosphere. Her family still lives here today. During her senior year of high school, Pandit applied for scholarships to colleges throughout the United States, and she finally settled on Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. From there, she moved to the
“I WANTED TO BE A PERSON WHO WORKED IN ACCORDANCE WITH MY VALUES.” —Eesha Pandit University of Chicago for her graduate work. “I was really needing an adventure. I needed to go somewhere to do that.” Originally, Pandit planned to study biology exclusively, but a college philosophy course she took intrigued her with its introduction to social justice and political theory. An internship with Amnesty International after her junior year hooked her as the organization immersed her in the most challenging social-justice issues in the world. “I found that really inspiring,” she recalls. After finishing her education, Pandit worked in leadership roles at a number of nonprofit groups focusing on women’s reproductive and healthcare issues, as well as the violence against women in some areas of the country. The programs included the Civil Lib-
erties and Public Policy Program at Hampshire College, the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard University, and Amnesty International USA’s women’s-rights program. Seven years ago, Pandit returned to live in Houston. She co-founded CAIP four years ago, along with Veronica Bayetti Flores. Believing that policy agendas should be created by grassroots organizations, the two share information that empowers group leaders to lobby local, state, and federal officials to implement new laws and regulations. As busy as she is, Pandit also manages to find the time for a personal life. At a party in Atlanta, she met Rachel Afi Quinn, her partner of eight years. Quinn is an assistant professor of women’s, gender & sexuality studies and comparative cultural studies at the University of Houston, and also the co-founder of South Asian Youth in Houston Unite, along with Pandit. As for her goals for the future, Pandit hopes to do more writing “about political awakenings” and also develop and expand CAIP’s outreach and influence. “It feels like we are just getting started,” she adds. For more information on Eesha Pandit, visit eeshapandit.com.
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AAPI LEADERS
Fierce Physician Dr. Bhavik Kumar is a dedicated provider of trans care and abortion services. By DAVID WEBB
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rowing up “brown, gay, and marginalized” in a small Texas town inspired Houstonian Bhavik Kumar to become the activist and physician he is today. As the medical director for primary and trans-care services at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast (and an abortion provider at the Planned Parenthood Center for Choice), Dr. Kumar says his work extends beyond the traditional role of a family physician. “I think it is important that physicians like me get involved in activism.” To that end, he advocates for making comprehensive health care available to everyone. Kumar was born in London but raised in the United States after his family eventually emigrated from India. Arriving in Corsicana, Texas, in 1994 at age nine, he joined predominantly white classmates in an ultraconservative community that did not accept differences of color, heritage, and sexuality. He felt the sting of racism intensify after the 9/11 terrorist attacks because of his family’s undocumented status, and it was this pain that led him to forge a commitment to pursuing fairness and justice for all people.
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Kumar attended medical school at Texas Tech University and completed his training at institutions in New York City that included Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Columbia University. During his New York City training, the aspiring doctor became intrigued with reproductive-health issues and felt a calling to assist disenfranchised populations. “I realized early on that access to abortion allows people to control their lives and destinies. Helping the most marginalized reach justice is the most rewarding life purpose for me,” Kumar says. While many adventurers who leave conservative states to pursue their careers never return, Kumar saw things differently. He knew life and work would be easier for him in New York City, but he wanted to return to his adopted home state where a more critical need existed. “It was important to me to return to Texas to provide abortion and trans care,” he notes. For years, Kumar traveled throughout Texas for Whole Woman’s Health to help provide access to abortion care for those in need. He then moved to Houston and went to work at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, which has
expanded its services for trans and gendernonconforming patients who struggle to find appropriate and affordable health care. With his dangerous work under unprecedented assault by conservative religious groups and the Texas Legislature, Kumar and his associates must remain vigilant about the threat of violence from anti-abortion forces. A quote on his office wall from the Black feminist Audre Lorde helps keep him grounded: “When I choose to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” “Unfortunately, those who oppose the health care we provide to patients go to great efforts to terrorize both the providers and those seeking care,” Kumar notes. “They are relentless, aggressive and, quite frankly, terrorists. As a queer person of color, navigating this type of hatred is not new to me, so the fear never paralyzes me. It’s just there.” Kumar noted that conservative politicians, at the behest of religious groups, are prioritizing legislation to deny access to abortion services, while none of the proposed bills would do anything to help patients. “They are attempt-
ing to pass laws that will really hurt people. It’s the most drastic effort we have ever seen, and it could wipe out care.” The erosion of access to safe abortions could result in an increase in maternal mortality, which particularly impacts minority and low-income women. In the 1960s and ’70s before the Supreme Court legalized abortion services, women took extreme health and legal risks to terminate unwanted pregnancies. “It really worries me that we are getting closer to that,” Kumar emphasizes. Kumar says that his work has become his life’s mission, and that someday he wants to participate in training and mentoring the next generation of people who will provide access to safe abortion services. “I really enjoy the work I do. I don’t plan to leave Texas, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. Abortion care and gender care brings joy and meaning to my life. I don’t see that changing.” For more information on Planned Parenthood, visit plannedparenthood.org. Keep up with Dr. Bhavik Kumar on Facebook at @drbkumar.
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Rainbow Ranch on Lake Limestone
48 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
GREAT travel issue As summer approaches and life feels more carefree, many of us start longing for an escape from our busy lives. Fortunately for those of us in Texas, it’s easy to discover destinations within a few hours’ drive that can provide all kinds of recreation and rejuvenation. From river retreats to scenic campgrounds and luxury cabins nestled under the pine trees, this travel issue of OUTSMART takes you on a journey to five LGBTQowned must-visit spots throughout the Lone Star State.
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MAY 2021 49
Margaret (l) and Moji Solar-Wilson
“[WE] CREATE SAFE SPACES FOR CELEBRATION, RELAXATION, OR RECHARGING. AUTHENTIC AFRICAN HOSPITALITY IS AN EXPERIENCE THAT VERY FEW IN THE WESTERN WORLD HAVE EXPERIENCED.”
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—Margaret Solar-Wilson
50 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
TRAVEL
AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE Solar-Wilson Village provides African hospitality in the heart of Texas. By JENNY BLOCK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX ROSA FOR OUTSMART
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fter Moji and Margaret Solar-Wilson became the first known Nigerian lesbian couple to be legally married in the U.S. in 2017, they became the victims of a barrage of homophobic attacks from the Nigerian community. Living in New York at the time, the women experienced stalking, cyberbullying, death threats, and an onslaught of attacks from the African press. Nigeria’s criminalization of LGBTQ activity meant that Moji and Margaret would be subject to a sentence of 14 years in prison if they ever returned to their home country. Moji and Margaret moved from New York to Texas in 2018, and decided that since they couldn’t visit Nigeria, they would bring a little bit of Nigeria to the Texas Hill Country. They founded Solar-Wilson Village (SWV) a 40-acre ranch retreat in Ledbetter that offers “a taste of Africa in the heart of Texas,” Moji says. “The mission is to create a sanctuary and a safe, inclusive space for all, regardless of ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion, or gender.” SWV hosts a variety of events, from weddings to reunions and romantic getaways. “[We] create safe spaces for celebration, relaxation, or recharging. Authentic African hospitality is an experience that very few in the Western world have experienced,” Margaret says. Recalling the welcoming sense of community from their childhoods, the couple created SWV in order to share that kind of hospitality with others. “The idea for the village was a shared vision, driven by our experience as an African lesbian couple simply seeking to live our authentic lives and celebrate the love we have for each other.” Sadly, many African countries, including Nigeria, are increasingly homophobic, violent,
taught medicine in Nigeria, the U.K., and the U.S. She also holds an MBA with a specialization in healthcare management. SWV is a sanctuary that is grounded by two principles, Margaret explains. The first is the couple’s commitment to recreate a traditional African experience in the heart of Texas. “No two continents are as far apart as Africa and the U.S. The perception of Africa in the U.S. is so far from reality. [It’s a bit] like having a perception of America as all cowboys and Indians. That perception really colors everything.” The second principle is their commitment to inclusion and diversity. There are so many things that make Solar-Wilson Village unique. First, of course, in that SWV is a Black-, African-, LGBTQ-, and woman-owned business. Then there is the design, from the exteriors to the interiors. “The grounds are reminiscent of an African Village,” Moji notes. “The interior decoration of our cabins is grounded in African handmade art, carvings, textiles, and masks.” They are even able to offer assistance in facilitating an authentic African traditional wedding. “Why Texas?” you may be asking. Because, Margaret says, “This is where we are. We don’t have to go anywhere else to share the experience. It’s cultural values. There are no borders to that. We take our culture wherever we go.” The couple hopes that Solar-Wilson Village will speak to their guests from both continents. To their African guests, it will say, “Remember our history steeped in glorious hospitality to all.” To American guests, it will say, “Forget what you think you know about Africa. This is what real, traditional African hospitality feels like.” SWV brings everyone together. Margaret adds, “It’s For more information, a lesson, and it’s a modeling.” visit solar-wilsonvillage.com
and hostile to LGBTQ individuals, Margaret says. She adds that this is not consistent with traditional African culture, which is known historically for welcoming strangers with hospitality. Moji, who is from Western Nigeria, has lived in the U.S. for over 35 years, while Margaret, who is from Mid-Western Nigeria, has lived in the U.S. for over 25 years. They were both born “in the ’60s in post-colonial Nigeria, a few years after Nigeria obtained its independence from Britain, and a few years before the Nigerian Civil War,” Moji explains. On top of founding and running SWV, Moji is a licensed real-estate broker in New York, and a social commentator, certified life coach, and “inclusion and diversity” expert. Margaret is a physician who has practiced and
OutSmartMagazine.com | MAY 2021 51
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TRAVEL
PINEY WOODS PARADISE Arrow Acres offers family-friendly tiny houses in East Texas. By JENNY BLOCK
B
efore they were a married couple (and even before they were engaged), native Texans Virginia and Lily Moore decided to purchase a piece of wooded property that felt like magic to both of them. And from the moment they purchased it, they knew in their hearts that it would become Arrow Acres Tiny House Retreat & Venue. “I think it all comes down to the fact that it was built on a love story. I wanted a place to spend time with the love of my life and our future child,” Lily says. Virginia, 41, is from South Texas and is now a senior wells engineer at British Petroleum. Lilly, a 29-year-old native of Warren, Texas, works at iOffice as a social-media strategist. The couple now resides in Houston. Arrow Acres sits on eight acres in the Piney Woods of East Texas, just outside of the Big Thicket National Preserve and two hours
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north of Houston. This little slice of heaven allows guests to go tiny-house glamping, host an event, and otherwise find peace and joy away from all the noise of daily life. After discovering that the Piney Woods property adjacent to Lily’s childhood home had come up for sale, the pair decided to purchase it. “It was a big commitment on both of our parts,” Virginia says. “By the time we left the property on the day of our tour, we had already discussed our vision, as if we were a married couple, of a place to bring our future child to experience the small-town country life we both grew up in,” Virginia explains. It was the first time they had discussed having a child together. They closed on the property on May 17, 2019, and Virginia proposed to Lily that same day. “I recreated our first date inside the barn tucked in behind the trees. I was 100 percent certain that this place was going to be special and magical,” Virginia notes.
Lily (l) and Virginia Moore The three tiny houses on their property are named Emmylou Harris, June Carter, and Dolly Parton because of the couple’s shared love for old country music rooted in both of their upbringings and Lily’s background in the music industry. Both Lily and Virginia love country music icon Kacey Musgraves, especially her song “Follow Your Arrow” about self-acceptance and same-sex relationships. The cleverly worded song was perfect for the female-countrysinger-songwriter theme of the resort. Hence, the name Arrow Acres.
“Most guests don’t realize Kacey MusThe couple recently completed their first graves was the largest influence behind the cycle of in vitro fertilization, so with a little overall vision,” Virginia says. Even better, not of that Arrow Acres magic, they hope to soon only was “Follow Your Arrow” co-written by be living out their vision of introducing their openly gay writers, it came just three years afchild—as well as other families and kids—to the ter Chely Wright’s coming out made headlines. joys of life in rural Texas. The property has stayed busy from the “I had the luxury of having access to my day they began welcoming paid guests—and paternal grandparents my entire life. They giving back to the community, as well. When were just a short walk away, and now our child the pandemic began, they offered free stays of will have that with my parents in the same up to one week for fi rst responders. And with way,” Lily says. “It’s sort of a legacy kind of two of the tiny houses able to run entirely off thing we have in mind. Arrow Acres was the the grid,they were able to offer fi rst big thing we did together as families that were displaced after a couple. Then we got engaged For more information, Hurricane Laura a place to stay at there. Then we built it into what visit arrowacres.com highly discounted rates. it is today.”
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here is a forest in Navasota where you can find bears, cubs, otters, wolves—and maybe even a twink or two. These are just some of the types of gay men you may encounter at Grizzly Pines, Texas’ premier gay, clothing-optional campground. Since it opened in 2015, Grizzly Pines has been providing a safe and affirming place for men to become one with nature. Whether you’re there to camp or glamp, the space allows visitors to disrobe and disengage from the hustle and bustle of the urban experience. Of course, disrobing is optional, but owners James Schwab, 57, Rigoberto Rosales, 49, and Connor Thompson, 28, opened the campground as a place where gay (or questioning) men can be themselves. “We purchased the Rockin R Campground in September 2015 from then-owner Todd Collins, and we reopened it as Grizzly Pines LLC. We used to come camping here, and we realized that if we didn’t step in to try to save the campground, then we would no longer have what I think is a safe space for us gay men,” Schwab explains. Since its reopening as Grizzly Pines, men have been making their way to the campground year-round. Special events are held throughout the year, and the April events
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CAREFREE CAMPGROUND Grizzly Pines is a clothing-optional haven for gay men. By RYAN M. LEACH | Photos by CONNOR THOMPSON
Connor Thompson (l), James Schwab, and Rigoberto Rosales
included a Fetish Weekend, the Houston Bears’ Bear Necessities event, and the Spring Fling Pool Party that was centered around the campground’s large new pool. “Grizzly Pines has a very open atmosphere. We have two tent areas with electrical service and a water supply. We also have cabins and RVs that range in price from $50 per night for a comfortable sleeping cabin all the way up to a well-appointed two-story cabin at $150 per night that looks out over the pool. Grizzly Pines has additional showers and bathrooms for those who choose to tent stylishly with water and electricity, as well as for those who say they feel like roughing it,” Schwab says.
For many, the most intriguing (and sometimes the most stressful) aspect of Grizzly Pines is the clothing-optional opportunities. Schwab explains that guests need not worry about privacy being breached, or about any insecurities they may have about being naked. “We have a strict rule: No cameras in the park. Yes, we realize that we all have phones with cameras, but for the most part our clients respect each other’s privacy,” Schwab notes.
acceptance of who we are, no matter how different. I also found it difficult to overcome my insecurity, but I eventually realized that I only have what I have, and I am what I am. I decided I didn’t want to waste my life trying to be what someone wanted. I just wanted to enjoy my life. Since I quit worrying about that, I discovered it was much easier to just be. The gay community is amazing—both for its ability to be so judgmental and its ability to be so accepting. We promote acceptance at Grizzly Pines. We do feel that freedom here in the woods, surrounded by nature.” Guests can also enjoy the space fully Unfortunately, Grizzly Pines is not curclothed, if they so choose. Nudity is not a rently open to women, with the exception of requirement, but it might be a fun option. once a year during the opening of the Texas “Years ago, I was a bit more shy than I am Renaissance Festival. On that weekend, men today. To me, it doesn’t matter whether you are allowed to bring their female friends and want to be naked or hang out fully clothed. family. Grizzly Pines is a safe haven for “For the rest of the year, you. We promote mutual respect, Grizzly Pines belongs to the For more information, consideration of others’ feelmen—whether gay, straight, or visit grizzlypines.com ings, needs, and desires, and an questioning,” Schwab says.
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A TRANQUIL HIDEAWAY Relax by the riverside at Abundance Retreat. By KIM HOGSTROM
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n 2004, when Houston couple Tina Sabuco and Shellye Arnold decided to celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary, they wanted to locate an exceptional place to commemorate one of the happiest days of their lives. But where could they find a unique and tranquil escape for their celebration? Both women are executives with demanding schedules, so finding a time and a place to relax was difficult. Sabuco is the founder and artistic director of Arts Alive!, a popular arts-education program for children in Houston. Rather than force kids to sit still with their hands behind their backs, Arts Alive! encourages children to learn through movement, dance, yoga, and music. Arnold is the president and CEO of Memorial Park Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of Houston’s largest urban park. She is responsible for 56 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
Shellye Arnold (l) and Tina Sabuco managing the park’s long-range restoration and expansion plans. The couple decided to search locally for their anniversary getaway spot, since they did not want to waste time in airports. They soon found a hideaway in Wimberley, Texas, that
offered everything they sought, and it was only a three-hour drive from Houston. ”We found a perfect getaway on sparkling Cypress Creek, across from a nature preserve and just steps from historic downtown Wimberley,” Arnold says. They enjoyed their getaway so much that they purchased the property. “We were able to establish a welcoming and distinctive place for guests to celebrate, restore their spirits, and even to heal,” Arnold explains. “We seek to create a superlative experience for our guests—including the furry ones,” Sabuco adds. The couple transformed the spot they purchased and named it Abundance—A Hill Country River Retreat. The couple’s care and attention to detail is seen in the comfy seating on their 2,500 square feet of porches and decking; homemade treats for pups; an array of dog beds and toys; clean, well-stocked, and
creek, wildlife, and magnificent setting all restore our energy and recharge our batteries. Plus, Wimberley has many artists, unusual shops, and really good dining.” Sabuco and Arnold’s guests are supplied with everything they might need during their stay: kitchenware, linens, kayaks, and even deer feed for those who want to attract “visitors.” “We like to call Abundance Retreat an immersive experience,” Arnold explains. “There is so much to take in and enjoy. Our guests often tell us this is their favorite vacation spot in the world. It is so rewarding to be able to share it.” Mandy Trichell has been a returning guest for over a decade. In May, she and her fiancé will spend four days together in Moondance Cabin, and she can’t wait. “We’ll sit on the porch with coffee and enjoy the cool mornings,” Trichell says. “My fiancé loves to cook, and they provide all the equipment we need; he is really looking forward to that. I like to watch the wildlife and feed the deer. Last visit, we counted 30 in one herd. The entire experience is heaven on Earth.” In April, Sabuco and Arnold celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Who wants to venture a guess as to where they went to celebrate?
For more information, visit abundanceretreat.com
beautifully appointed homes; and a popular “Must See and Do in Wimberley” guide for their guests. For the past 16 years, the couple has enjoyed many visits to Abundance, and they’ve developed a deep bench of returning guests who love it, too. “Half of our guests are repeat visitors, some of whom have come three, five, even twelve times. Guests call us Nature’s Disneyland,” says Sabuco. Abundance consists of two log homes that seamlessly blend natural beauty with luxury in a unique Hill Country location teeming with ancient trees. Sundance Lodge, the larger of the two log homes, is named for its bright interior that is bathed in natural light. It is a
sumptuous and spacious log home that brings nature indoors. Popular with groups, its three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths can accommodate eight guests. The smaller Moondance Cabin is noted for its rustic and romantic charm and coziness. This three-room log cabin accommodates up to four guests and includes a private sauna and an oversized soaking tub. Moondance’s recently added 400-square-foot back porch may be the prettiest perching place in Texas. Georgia Lister, an entrepreneur and married mother of two, is a “frequent flyer” at Abundance. “We think of it as a quick getaway close to home,” Lister says. “My family feels rejuvenated when we spend time there. The
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—Brad Camp
Ragen Allsbrooks and Brad Camp 58
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX ROSA FOR OUTSMART
“WE ARE OPEN TO EVERYBODY, YEAR-ROUND. IT’S MORE THAN JUST A CAMPGROUND. IT’S MORE OF A FAMILY ATMOSPHERE.”
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COMMUNITY-ORIENTED OASIS Rainbow Ranch thrives on its inclusive atmosphere. By ZACHARY McKENZIE
T PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX ROSA FOR OUTSMART
ucked away in the Texas Hill Country is an outdoor For the weekend warriors looking to get some fresh air and enjoy outoasis where members of the LGBTQ community can door activities, the lakeside camp is stacked with fun features. “We’re on enjoy some rest and relaxation, curated events, and the lake and we have canoes. People can bring whatever watercraft they tons of outdoor activities. Rainbow Ranch is the welllike and go fishing. There’s a pool area to enjoy, a pavilion with a number known LGBTQ campground on Lake Limestone that of games, and we’ve got a lot of hiking trails,” the outdoorsman boasts. prides itself on being “owned by the community and Rainbow Ranch is known both for its inviting communal atmosphere for the community.” With summer right around the and its popular year-round events. “We try to pick events that everyone corner, now is the perfect time to snag your slot in the will enjoy. For instance, drag bingo is a huge hit!” Camp notes. “We also camp’s calendar before they’re all booked up. try to do equal amounts of events for men and women—three or four a Rainbow Ranch’s aptly named owner, Brad Camp, explains that the year. Some events are simple gatherings and hanging out, and others are property originally operated as a lesbian retreat. “It was owned by a pool parties. The pool events are so fun! Oktoberfest and Halloween are lady named Peggy, who started it in 1997 as a lesbian tent campground.” also some of my favorites. On Halloween, we’ve got a group of campers When Peggy decided to sell the property in 2004, Camp and his ex were that put together a complete haunted house in the pavilion. We’ve done quick to make an offer. “We had met so many nice people and made close haunted trails, which is a huge hit!” friends—people from Dallas, Austin, Houston, Central Texas, OklahoAnd since all of these events book up early, Camp’s advice to people ma, Louisiana,” the Dallas native recalls. “We wanted to buy it and keep looking to book their spot is to do so sooner rather than later. “People it a gay camp, instead of letting it go some other way.” definitely want to reserve those dates early.” Camp, who now co-owns the campground with his husband, Ragen Rainbow Ranch’s original sense of community that attracted Camp Allsbrooks, touts the accommodations and features of the retreat: in the first place is what guides his vision for the popular getaway. When “We’ve got about 150 sites, most of which are RV sites. There are eight asked what sets his camp apart from others, he doesn’t hesitate to note cabins and a house for rent that sleeps 14 people, which is great for famthe camp’s tradition of inclusion and acceptance that makes it unique ily events or reunions. We have the pavilion area, and surrounding areas and special. “We are the largest LGBT campground in Texas. To my that work great for weddings.” Camp adds that several of the RV sites knowledge, we’re the only one for men and women alike, as opposed to are reserved by people year-round who visit Rainbow men only. We are open to everybody, year-round,” he emRanch on the weekends to build decks, plant gardens, phasizes. “It’s more than just a campground. It’s more of For more information, and make it their home away from home. a family atmosphere.” visit rainbowranch.net.
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eidre Mathis has traveled to over 44 countries on all seven continents. Through her extensive travels, she fell in love with the way that boutique overnight accommodations can provide instant community and promote cross-cultural awareness. So this determined Houstonian took her expertise in traveling on a budget and founded the Wanderstay Hospitality Group in 2018. “I got the travel bug as an undergrad when I studied abroad. I lived in Australia after I graduated, and had an ‘ah-ha’ moment about traveling and opening up boutique accommodations for travelers,” Mathis explains. “I realized [that owning and operating one] was something I could do.”
BUDGET-FRIENDLY LODGING Deidre Mathis’ Wanderstay Hospitality Group provides affordable stays in Houston. By ZACHARY McKENZIE
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“AT WANDERSTAY HOUSTON, WE IMPROVED ON WHAT IS TYPICALLY OFFERED AT A HOSTEL. MAYBE WE WENT A LITTLE BIT OVERBOARD WHEN IT COMES TO ENSURING GUEST COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE.” —Deidre Mathis
Wanderstay caters to the budget-conscious traveler looking for the opportunity to meet other people, Mathis says, noting that her website describes both her modern private and shared accommodations as being “for the young, broke professional.” “Our prices are relatively low, so we are the place for people on a budget who want to meet other people. Our guests go on to see shows, explore the city, or grab a drink together. You don’t get this kind of experience staying anywhere else.”
In addition to private spaces, Wanderstay Hospitality Group offers guests shared accommodations, such as this 8-person female-only dorm. Fostering community seems to guide everything that Mathis does. After living the nomadic lifestyle for years, Mathis took her research on what typical hostels offer travelers and turned it on its head. “At Wanderstay Houston, we improved on what is typically offered [at a hostel]. Maybe we went a little bit overboard when it comes to ensuring guest comfort and convenience, but we kinda felt that it was time.” With her second Wanderstay location slated to open soon in EaDo, Mathis is aiming
to diversify her clientele as she continues to offer a unique communal experience for travelers on a budget. While it is still expected to have the charm and affordability of her first hostel near Hermann Park, Mathis explains that this one will cater to those looking for a little more privacy. “The EaDo location will [only have private rooms] and cater to the older Millennial who may be willing and able to pay a little more.” Mathis’ EaDo guests will feel right at home, with free access to WiFi, breakfast light bites
(in addition to the use of a full kitchen), games, parking, and luggage storage. It is not lost on Mathis that being the first Black hostel owner in the U.S. is a sign of progress and opportunity, especially since she was named to the Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list last year. “It means so much, and it adds diversity in the industry. I was surprised. There are many people of color abroad who have opened hostels and boutique hotels,” she says. “Hostels aren’t as popular here, so I’ve encouraged others to step outside of their comfort zones, and I explain to them that they can do it, too. It’s all really exciting for me.” When asked what her future ambitions are for her business, Mathis explains, “I don’t plan on selling it. I know some people create a business and then sell it, but this is something I want to do for quite some time. I want to keep growing this, slow and steady.” The unique spaces that Mathis dreams up are packed with personality, and she is proud of the inclusive vibe that her hostels offer. “We have guests and employees of all backgrounds, gender identities, and races. Our house rules include ‘No racism, no homophobia, no hate, and all love.’ We literally welcome everyone.” For more information, visit wanderstayhotels.com.
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New Orleans Cruise (2021)
TRAVEL AND TOURISM MAKE A COMEBACK With nearly half of the country vaccinated, Houstonians plan to vacation nearby and abroad. Photos by VACAYA TRAVEL
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fter a year of being cooped up, Americans are ready to get— as Willie Nelson sings—“on the road again.” And according to the Transportation Security Administration, they are also ready to hit the airports and start flying again. However, since COVID-19 is far from being under control, travel and tourism will look different for the foreseeable future. “Compared to the latter part of last year, more people are flying today,” says Kim Gustavsson, owner of Concierge Travel, Inc. He notes that young people and fully vaccinated individuals hoping to reunite with relatives make up the bulk of today’s flyers. “Overall, even if air travel is slowly easing its way back, 62 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
tourism is badly hurting and has not made much of a recovery at all.” Due to the pandemic and early lockdowns, cruise ships, resorts, and those who book them have had almost no income since March or April of last year, and current bookings are nowhere near pre-pandemic numbers. Although cruise lines still have a few kinks to work out, there is a high demand for the few Caribbean cruises that are scheduled to sail this summer, notes Peter Weeks, franchise owner and travel advisor for Cruise Planners. “Land-based vacations are the most popular right now. Domestic travel is on the rise, but with summer upon us, we would recommend an all-inclusive resort. Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica have the highest con-
centration of options, with others spread out throughout the Caribbean.” Tom Baker of Aquafest Cruises, which specializes in LGBTQ cruises, agrees. “Mexico is the hottest ticket for Houstonians,” he says. Both Puerto Vallarta and Cancún have been hits, as restrictions have been very light. While not necessarily the safest place to travel because COVID is a massive problem there, many travelers have been willing to risk going there.” Week says passengers will always experience a degree of risk while traveling. To stay safe, flyers must consult their travel agent and follow current travel advisories implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the State Department’s website.
“There’s a ton of things you can do to be safe: bring extra masks, bring travel-size antibacterials and, most importantly, know everything you can about your destination’s safety requirements—and what requirements there are when you return home,” he says. “For example, if you are traveling to an all-inclusive resort, make sure it is one that is offering free antigen tests to return home.” Baker encourages flyers to get vaccinated, carry their vaccination card in their passport if they’re traveling overseas, follow COVID testing routines where required, wear a mask, and practice social distancing. “I suggest being considerate to others, as the virus is real and people are still getting sick and dying.” While resorts and vacation homes in Mexico are currently hot (or at least more so than last year), short getaways to Galveston Island are also popular among Houstonians. “We are definitely seeing an uptick in weekend day-trippers and hotel guests, now that the weather is warmer, more people are vaccinated, and fewer restrictions like capacity limits at businesses and restaurants are in place,” says Michael Woody, chief tourism officer at the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We predict a strong spring season with the return of special events, and the kickoff to the summer tourism season that begins on Memorial Day weekend.” For people who want to avoid crowds on the Island, there are still plenty of activities they can participate in. “If you’re looking to stay socially distanced, there are several walking tours you can experience on your own time,” Woody says. Vacationers can take part in Galveston’s African American History Tour, which takes participants to significant markers, statues, churches, and other sites like Ashton Villa, the birthplace of Juneteenth, when federal troops came to the Island to announce the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of slaves. They can also check out Galveston’s public art program known as Turtles About Town, featuring turtle-inspired artwork placed throughout neighborhoods and the downtown district. The Island City’s Tree Sculpture Tour allows visitors to see one-of-akind art made from oak trees that were damaged during Hurricane Ike in 2008. Before COVID-19, Galveston was home to the fourth-busiest cruise port in the country. “That has definitely changed!” Woody admits. “But we’re optimistic that they will return stronger. In fact, Royal Caribbean is committed to building a brand-new terminal here in the coming years. While Galveston’s status as a cruise port is currently in murky waters, other sailing options are on the horizon. “We are still hopeful that several smaller ships, riverboats, and Royal Clipper sailings will happen this
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“THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL IS VERY STRONG, AND WE EXPECT THINGS TO NORMALIZE MORE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.” —Peter Weeks, Cruise Planners
year,” says Gustavsson. “For those that are interested, the booking terms and cancellation policies are very favorable, given the continuous changes and updates that occur monthly, if not weekly.” Although tour prices hit rock-bottom last year, things are looking up for cruise lines in 2022. According to Gustavsson, VACAYA, a new gay cruise operator on the scene, has already sold out three cruises on smaller high-
end ships for 2022, and each one sold out in less than two weeks. Brand g Vacations, which operates smaller ships and tours, has several sold-out departures for 2022. Despite the uncertainty over cruise lines being allowed to operate at full capacity, Atlantis Events’ 30th Anniversary Caribbean Cruise in January 2022 has also sold out. “The future of travel is very strong, and we expect things to normalize more by the end of the year,” Weeks predicts. “Travel is certainly on the rise, and travel agents have never been in greater demand. With so many people itching to travel, resort and cruise prices are sure to rise. We love helping our clients bypass all the stress of searching endless websites for what they’ve been wanting for over a year now.” Learn more about LGBTQ 2021 travel by following the links below: • conciergetravel.cc • cruiseplanners.com • aquafestcruises.com • galvestonparkboard.org OutSmartMagazine.com | MAY 2021 63
“WE’LL TAKE CARE OF EVERY SINGLE PART OF YOUR JOURNEY. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SIT BACK, RELAX, AND CHECK THINGS OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST.” —Jonathan Bennett
Jaymes Vaughan (l) and Jonathan Bennett
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Transformational Travel OUTbound offers bucket-list-worthy trips that are safe, simple, and satisfying for LGBTQ guests. By JENNY BLOCK
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raveling abroad can be both fabulous and formidable. And that goes double when you’re a member of the LGBTQ community. As far as we’ve come, it can still be tough to know what local attitudes about queer travelers might be. Celebrity couple Jonathan Bennett and Jaymes Vaughan are taking all the guesswork out and putting all the fun back in with OUTbound, their new queer-travel venture. You may recognize Jonathan Bennett from Mean Girls or his reprised role on Shondaland’s Station 19, or even his cameo in Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” video. He also released a Mean Girls-inspired Burn Cookbook and starred in the recent Hallmark film The Christmas House. Jaymes Vaughan is an actor, director, writer, and producer who, impressively, finished second on CBS’s Amazing Race. He’s also hosted American Music Awards’ Red Carpet Live TV special, and he now hosts Celebrity Page. And together, the engaged duo also made history recently by simply appearing in a photograph. Bennett and Vaughan became the first gay couple to ever appear on the cover of The Knot wedding magazine in April. But when it comes to advocating for the LGBTQ community, that photo was just the beginning, they say. “Advocacy is so important, and so we’re going to do our wedding as loud and proud as possible, because there are some little Jaymes and Jonathans out there who need to see it to have that hope,” Vaughan explains. “We realize it’s so much bigger than us,” he adds. “So let’s use it. Let’s use it in every way we can. We have this platform. We definitely are aware of our privilege. So let’s use it to open those doors the best we can.” That includes, of course, opening the doors to LGBTQ travel. Enter OUTbound, the result of the couple’s vision for developing a sense of family, creating safe spaces where people can be free to be themselves, and crafting experiences steeped in the joys of travel without fear
and without all the work. “We are all-inclusive and all-included,” Bennett explains. “Everyone’s welcome, and everything is included.” When they say everyone, they mean everyone—especially those who might not have found the best cruise fit. “There are people in their 20s that don’t necessarily want to party, but who want to see the world. There are people in their 60s and 70s and 80s that want to see the world, but don’t want to just go on a cruise and sit there. They want to do things,” Jaymes notes. From food to drinks to planned excursions, OUTbound takes care of guests’ every need. “When you get off the ship, you don’t have to think. What we like when we go on vacation is not having to plan anything. Well, at OUTbound, you don’t. We’ll take care of every single part of your journey. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and check things off your bucket list,” Bennett says. And OUTbound’s trips are indeed worthy
Jonathan Bennett and Jaymes Vaughan made history in April when they became the first gay couple to appear on the cover of The Knot.
of any bucket list. Their cruise that is now booking for November is a Greek Isles Cruise featuring an optional pre-cruise Gods and Monsters-themed Halloween party, a cocktail toast overlooking the famed Acropolis, and a brunch with RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Heidi N Closet, Jan, and Jackie Cox. The first stop on the cruise is Mykonos, and guests will get two nights there instead of the traditional one night (or even just a brief port stop) because OUTbound wants guests to have the chance to really explore the awe-inspiring destinations on the itinerary. They charter entire ships, but their largest ship is only 99 cabins in order to offer what Bennett calls, “intimate, boutique experiences to bucket-list destinations. It’s about going to those locations that you’ve always dreamed about going to, and going with a family where you’re safe and you are celebrated while you do it. We’re really creating a community that’s also a Pride party at sea. That is OUTbound in a nutshell.” For Bennett and Vaughan, travel is about more than just taking a trip. It’s about expanding minds and making connections in a way that no other experience provides. “Those moments where you get to actually be a part of the [local] culture are the moments that really grab you and make you say, ‘I want to do more of this,’” Vaughan emphasizes. Their ultimate goal is to create the kind of lasting relationships that can only spring from unforgettable shared experiences. “If you and I see the Acropolis together, I’m always going to remember that you and I saw the Acropolis together,” Vaughan explains. “And I’m always going to have that jaw-dropping moment that we shared, where our emotions and excitement level were all elevated.” “We always say, ‘If you think that ‘gay’ cruising isn’t for you, then we’re the cruise for you,’” Bennett says. “Because we’re not gay cruising,” Vaughan adds. “We’re LGBTQ+ cruising.” For more information, check out iamoutbound.com. OutSmartMagazine.com | MAY 2021 65
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OutSmartMagazine.com | MAY 2021 67
ARTS
Enraptured by Ecstasy Michael Tracy’s artwork explores erotic transfixion. By JOSEPH STALEY Photos by KEVIN GREENBLAT
E
xisting in a mysterious realm between provocation and uneasy invitation, pioneering gay Texas artist Michael Tracy’s work asks bold questions that give nuanced answers. Specifically: How does he navigate the distance between erotic sensuality, divine transfixion, and abject horror? How does his practice relate to contradiction—works that are simultaneously this and that? And how do these nuances relate mostly, but not totally, to Mesoamerican thought, ritual, and inquiry? Season in Hell - Michael Tracy - Painting, Sculpture, and Film 1990–2021 furthers this sense of wonder, as one can’t help but focus intensely on the body of work’s transgressive subject matters, intricacies, and provocative presentations—qualities that often force an impulse in audiences to look (and look back) in a frenzied double-take that concludes with unavoidable captivation. Tracy’s thought-provoking artwork is now on display at Bill Arning Exhibitions in Montrose through June 27. Tracy is an art-world legend. And during the 1970s, with his career on fire, he exhibited at every major Texas art museum. Now 78, his practice is still relevant, particularly when it comes to contemporary border issues. Currently living in the sleepy border town of San Ygnacio, Texas, Tracy’s relationship to Mexican culture centers around a deep connection to site specificity. With the rise of Donald Trump’s assault on border politics, Tracy’s work still retains tremendous relevance as it relates to contemporary issues of social justice. As it relates to this review, his paintings straddle the line between complete abstraction and figuration. Conversely, his exhibited bronze sculptures convey a complex relationship to clarity, although the figures are mixed together, beaten up, weathered with a rustic patina, and composed in a surreal manner that defies straightforward representation while
68 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
Mixed-media artist Michael Tracy still depicting fairly accurate, if not exaggerated, human anatomy. They are supplemented by fantastical, erotic figures gripped by agony and ecstasy, as well as mysterious references to otherworldly phenomena. The mixed-media work Amor Omnia explores a Mesoamerican prayer ritual in the form of a bewildering book, which combines mysterious imagery with even more mysterious text. Amor Omnia (1993) depicts a reenactment of a Mesoamerican “prayer,” as Tracy puts it, and is contextualized (or de-contextualized)
through mostly illegible text scrawled in primitive, rigid, and angular lettering, as if carved in stone. The title translates from Latin as “Love Is All” and furthers the notion that his works seem lost in time. The work focuses primarily on a singular Latin American man clothed in a mythical manner who is bathed in cracking mud, and carries the limp body of a sacrificial lamb. The progression between scenes mixes ritual with colonial eeriness, as the mostly white onlookers stare perplexed and perhaps even put off. Lacking any punctuation or spac-
Amor Omnia, the artist’s handmade book documenting a performance on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1993 in collaboration with James Lee Byars and Yupanqui Aguilar.
Michael Tracy, Xenalalia, 1999-2000 (bronze, 19”x15”x11”) ing, a mode that’s loosely in line with Tracy’s own writing style, the accompanying text is suggestive of a dreamlike progression, syncing up with the imagery in a cryptic way. Presented as a cohesive quartet, his painting studies for the Hindu goddess Devi embody her divinity without directly depicting bodily form. They tend toward complete abstraction, and defy straightforward representation as she dissolves into a barrage of heavenly color. Arn-
ing notes that its inclusion in the exhibit relates to the old-school connection between gay culture and goddess worship. It also highlights the diversity present in Tracy’s work, while still remaining conceptually consistent. His brutally imposing bronze sculptures, perhaps the most erotic part of the exhibit, gracefully fuse Surrealism and harsh conflict (seemingly both internally and externally), some with a particularly nightmarish quality.
And to reinforce the notion that his practice is deeply steeped in contradiction, as his studio manager Chris Rincon puts it, these sculptures are both “gentle and violent, but they all express urgency and passion.” The title of the sculptural centerpiece War Campaign Parade of Busts, Heads, and Juggernauts, Presided Over by a Pair of Candelabras Dedicated to the Baroque Master Pergolesi (1998-2000) describes its subject matter in a straightforward yet verbose way that is typical of Tracy’s maximalist use of language. He describes their inspiration and formation as “beginning simply [as a series of constructed] busts [that then transitioned] into wagons.” They include multiple components that contort and overlap one another, forming a unity that recalls something mythological. Homoerotically subversive, they rightfully demand undivided attention. Tracy’s work is unapologetically transgressive. It’s both uncanny and inviting. It asks you to think, instead of telling you what to think. It doesn’t pander, it doesn’t preach, and it’s sublimely universal. Enter his void and descend. What: Season in Hell - Michael Tracy Painting, Sculpture, and Film 1990–2021 When: Thursdays through Sundays, noon–6 p.m. through June 27 Where: Bill Arning Exhibitions, 604 West Alabama St. Info: billarning.com OutSmartMagazine.com
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MAY 2021 69
GROOVE OUT
12 UPLIFTING ALBUMS by QUEER ASIAN MUSICIANS These must-hear works range from techno-pop to R&B. By ALYS GARCIA CARRERA
During Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month this year, OutSmart is sharing this curated list of uplifting albums by LGBTQ Asian artists who stand at the forefront of their movements with music that can empower marginalized communities around the world.
Sawayama
by Rina Sawayama
Rina Sawayama, an openly pansexual Japanese British singer-songwriter, released her much-anticipated debut studio album in 2020. The genre-defying Sawayama features songs ranging from rock to techno-pop, metal, and R&B, all heightened by her breathy and unique vocals that are sure to please her listeners. A love letter to early2000s chart-toppers, Sawayama’s album takes the best parts of our favorite pop songs and makes a sound that is uniquely hers. And if that wasn’t enough, Sawayama was revealed to be Elton John’s favorite album of 2020, even though Sir EJ was featured in Lady Gaga’s 2020 album Chromatica! Perfect for fans of: Lady Gaga and Britney Spears
X Marks the Swirl by Kimmortal
Canadian-born R&B, rap, and hip hop artist
70 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
Kimmortal is an openly queer and nonbinary creator who seeks to honor the great emcees who kickstarted the genre with poetic lyrics and resounding beats. With each carefully crafted rhyme and verse, Kimmortal effortlessly straddles the line between poetry and rap. Their music is an expansion of the work they do as an activist and educator who champions civil-rights protections for gay, lesbian, and trans Asian and indigenous groups. Perfect for fans of: Princess Nokia and Chance the Rapper
Lucid
by Raveena Aurora
Raveena Aurora is the openly bisexual daughter of Indian Sikh refugees, and is known for her trademark
style and aesthetics. Her colorful outfits hearken back to ’60s and ’70s retro influences, perfectly complementing the jazzy R&B and experimental pop sounds that make her music dreamy, relaxing, and effortlessly romantic. Through her music, Raveena seeks to empower and create safe spaces for her audience to practice self-love. Perfect for fans of: FKA twigs and Orville Peck
Angry
by Vivek Shraya and Too Attached
Award-winning writer, professor, and openly transgender musician Vivek Shraya is the front woman of the band Too Attached, which she formed with her brother in 2015. Their latest album, Angry, showcases her strong vocals, backed by expertly mixed techno-pop beats that contain enough synth to remind us of musical icons from the ’80s and ’90s—with a modern twist. Each song features topical lyrics that range
from comical to full-on revolutionary. Perfect for fans of: Charli XCX and Scissor Sisters
Evolution by Jake Zyrus
Aptly named, Evolution is Philippines-born Jake Zyrus’ fi rst album since he came out as a trans man after over a decade in the music industry. Known for his incredible vocal range, Zyrus capitalizes on his best asset with the smooth jazz sounds and power ballads that make up the bulk of the album. With trans representation still sorely lacking in mainstream media, it’s a wonderfully welcome sight to see an openly trans artist of color grow and thrive despite all of the public scrutiny. Perfect for fans of: Sam Smith and Adele
HOLLAND by Holland
Known as the fi rst openly gay K-pop star, Holland personally fi nanced and produced his debut single, Neverland, a catchy dance-pop song that stood out in the competitive world of K-pop. After that release, he found more mainstream success and released his self-titled debut album, HOLLAND, which further showcased his musical talents while maintaining his uniquely smooth neo-pop sound and alwaysinspirational lyrics. Perfect for fans of: Hayley Kiyoko and Troye Sivan
Heartbreak on the Dancefloor
by Vardaan Arora Born and raised in India, Vardaan Arora made the move to America to attend New York University, fi nding success in music and acting on the way. With heavy ’80s
influences, his most recent album shows off a stylized synth-pop sound that accompanies his lyrical blues-themed performance. A vocal advocate for neuroatypical awareness in the LGBTQ community, his steady rise into the mainstream promises further visibility for intersectional queer artists. Perfect for fans of: Years & Years and Kim Petras
The Chase by Alextbh
A raw new talent from Malaysia, Alex Bong (known as Alextbh) celebrates queer love and heartbreak in his retro-inspired discography. A true talent within the R&B music scene, Bong’s silky voice blends with his groovy electronic beats to create a hypnotic sound that any listener will easily become a fan of. Despite being a rookie in the music scene, his audience has grown and expanded across the globe with each new single release, making him an artist to keep an ear out for. Perfect for fans of: Bruno Mars and Ariana Grande
Temple
by Thao & The Get Down Stay Down
Thao Nguyen, an openly queer Vietnamese American singer-songwriter, formed the folkrock band Thao & The Get Down Stay Down in 2003, and their latest album is the fi rst to be released since Thao’s coming out. While Thao & The Get Down Stay Down are known for their Americana folk and country sounds, Temple features an innovative incorporation of hip-hop and electronic beats that welcomes new listeners without alienating longtime fans. Also showcasing a wide range of lyrical themes, the album delves into the exploration of identity and the trauma of coming out while in the public eye. Perfect for fans of: Brandi Carlile and Kacey Musgraves
Premonitions by Miya Folick
An artist in tune with the 21st century, Miya
Folick is an openly queer Japanese American muscian who, after learning how to play guitar in college, found her band by searching on Tinder. Armed with a charmingly unique voice, Folick delivers an incomparable pop-rock setlist that ranges from upbeat dance singles to soulful rock ballads. Clever, funny, and vulnerable, Premonitions features an array of relatable lyrics that will tug at your heartstrings. Perfect for fans of: Tegan & Sara and Miley Cyrus
Eat Your Local Fruits by Shh… Diam!
Fueled by the increasing hatred and oppression of LGBTQ people in Malaysia, this indie rock band loudly and proudly weaves LGBTQ narratives into every song and performance. Reminiscent of early queercore punk bands, Shh...Diam! mixes ’90s grunge sounds with retro rock ’n’ roll riffs that feel like a transformation of familiar tunes. Going beyond inspirational, Shh… Diam! uses their music to fight back against homophobic systems of oppression and bring queer people together locally and globally. Perfect for fans of: Pansy Division and No Doubt
The Masquerade
by mxmtoon
A rising Gen Z star, Maia (aka mxmtoon) is an openly bisexual Chinese American singer-songwriter who gained attention by sharing her “bedroom tracks” on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Known for her effortlessly emotional vocals, Maia’s folk-pop songs are deeply intimate, and her vulnerability endears her to audiences everywhere. Barely 20 years old, her debut album The Masquerade delivers a timely setlist full of comforting melodies that spell a promising future for the artist. Perfect for fans of: Ben Platt and Rebecca Sugar OutSmartMagazine.com
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MAY 2021 71
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
Breaking the Ice Figure-skating drag star Denali Foxx talks life after RuPaul’s Drag Race. By MARTIN GIRON
The list of accomplishments for RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13 star Denali Foxx is no short one. Since the show wrapped in April, the Alaska-born fan favorite has gone on to reach over 3 million views on YouTube with their lip-sync showdown against fellow Chicago-based queen Kahmora Hall. Foxx, a professional figure skater, was also named one of the two “lip-sync assassins” of Season 13 with Lala Ri, who she beat in a lip sync for charity that won $10,000 for the National Center for Transgender Equality. Foxx has also since released viral content online, including a promotional music video for queer singer Kali Uchis and Chicago Drag Excellence. That video pays homage to Chicago’s drag scene, and has inspired performers from cities like Houston and Copenhagen, Denmark, to create their own. Prior to her May 23 performance at ReBar Houston, Foxx spoke with OutSmart to discuss her Drag Race run and her upcoming projects. Martin Giron: It’s been a busy year for you. From creating tons of social-media content to performing at in-person shows, what has life been like for you since appearing on Drag Race? Denali Foxx: Life has absolutely been insane. They always say everything changes when you get on Drag Race, and truly everything has changed. I really wasn’t sure what my reception was going to be from home, because my placement was kind of in the middle of the pack and I wanted to make it a lot further. So I put a lot of that energy and confusion into the post-production content, which I loved to do. [At that time,] Chicago had been doing digital drag for a whole year, so when I got home I just tried to do that on another level. I’m so happy to see the fans have resonated with my stuff. It’s very sweet, and I’m so grateful. You really had your YouTube content ready. What was the process for putting together your videos that aired during Drag Race Season 13? I really wanted to put out content that would capitalize on what was happening during the show, and it was tough. When I got home I was really disappointed and frustrated, but instead of letting that consume me, I did what any healthy, toxic ice skater does and put that negative energy into my work. It was hard because we were doing it in a 72 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
“LIFE HAS ABSOLUTELY BEEN INSANE. THEY ALWAYS SAY EVERYTHING CHANGES WHEN YOU GET ON DRAG RACE, AND TRULY EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED.”
pandemic. We had to really make sure that we planned the Chicago Drag Excellence video super-tight, and that everyone was tested and could maneuver through it really safely. It took a little extra effort, but it’s what I love to do so I found a lot of gratification from it. Your Chicago Drag Excellence video inspired a Houston Drag Excellence video, and it’s sure to inspire more from other underrepresented cities. How did you feel watching that Houston video, and seeing the response to your original video? It was so good! I have some ‘good judies’ in Houston, and I’m pretty close with [one of the video’s stars] Blackberri. She’s worked up here in Chicago before. I just love seeing cities come together and celebrate themselves after such a hard year, and it was really nice to see the community is still alive. I was gagged. Speaking of Houstonians, Rose was your close friend on the show. What was it like forming bonds with the queens on a reality competition show, and how have those relationships changed since the show began airing? Trauma really brings people close together. That environment is extremely intense. For me, especially after being in quarantine for six months by the time we filmed Drag Race, it was just really nice to connect to other human beings. Because of the circumstances we had to film in, we grew a lot closer as a cast because it was a lot harder. I’m so grateful for the friendship that Rose and I had, especially in the moments where I was really scared or sad. Watching it now, it’s really nice to see those moments where you forget your mic is on and you’re just having a real conversation with a friend. I feel like our bonds have gotten even closer since the show ended. I didn’t get to talk to Symone much on the show, but off the show I’ve gotten a lot closer with her. I’ve gotten a lot closer to Olivia, too—she’s one of my closest friends from the show. And obviously I’m so much closer to Kahmora. We were Chicago sisters from the beginning, and now we’re best friends. Do you have any upcoming collaborations planned with anyone from the Season 13 cast? I have a lot of special projects I’m working on. I’m going to continue doing YouTube content since the fans really connected with that. Eventually I’d love to do music, but right now I’m focusing on continuing with this momentum. I’d love to travel and meet the fans and perform as much as I can, now that I’m a vaccinista. I have a few projects coming up for May and June and Pride season. And of course, my merch!
You recently released a video lip syncing to “Telepatía” by Kali Uchis. How did that opportunity come about? So I’ve been obsessed with Kali for a long time. She’s one of the go-to artists that my drag mother and I perform to. After the show, I came home and got an email from Kali’s manager, who was a huge fan. They said “Telepatia” had just been released, and asked if I would do promotional content for her. The fact that I was asked was crazy—she even commented on it. I’m really, really proud of that video. It’s just cool to have that kind of reach, and connect and collaborate with artists I’m super-inspired by. You’ve mentioned that you’re Mexican and Jewish, and your drag name comes from your hometown in Alaska. Why did you choose to represent your heritage this way, and what has the response to this been like? I am only my experiences and my journeys through life, and my name and identity is represented in those experiences. When it came to choosing my name, I asked myself what inspired me, and it was my homeland. That’s why there’s a lot of nature themes in the runways I present. I also thought about the most inspiring women in my life, and one of those women is my grandmother, who passed away at a [long-term care facility] called the Denali Center, so it felt very fitting. Being able to dedicate things to my homeland is very important to me, and so is embracing my Latinx roots and being able to be very loudly and proudly Mexican. I’m so glad to have Mexican fans on my side, and to hint at my heritage in a few of my runways. I love them so much. How has performing changed during COVID-19, and what do you wish more people knew about being a drag queen in the midst of a pandemic? What attracted me to drag are the live performers with [a strong] stage presence. It’s why I started to do drag. I love being in the spotlight and being on stage and making an audience go up. My drag was designed for club performance. When I got on the show, I was like, “Oh my God, this is my dream. I want to focus all my energy into traveling and performing.” And then when the pandemic hit, it was hard. When I left home for the show, I hadn’t been doing drag for like six months. Digital drag just didn’t really speak to me, because I really loved the relationship I had with audiences and being able to connect with them that way. I had to start to redefine why I did drag and look into other venues that still inspired me, like content creation and stuff like that. I’m not going to lie—if it weren’t for Drag Race, I probably would’ve taken a break from drag because that
sense of audience connection is [such a big part of] why I do drag. Now that I’m vaccinated and I’m finally able to start getting that connection back and perform, it has completely revived my passion for drag. I think what people don’t realize about doing drag in a pandemic is that drag is so expensive. It’s an added layer of pressure and innovation to really try and do drag on a high level when fabric stores are closed. It’s more difficult to connect with audiences, and it’s way more difficult to make money now. So many things have held us back. It has completely redefined the industry, and at the end of the day it’s up to us to really push our brands and stay relevant. The RuPaul’s Drag Race wheels keep turning, and Season 14 is going to come along and we’ll have to compete with them, so it’s difficult. That’s the system. Tell me about your upcoming Houston performance at ReBar on May 23. What can your fans expect? You can expect to see me turn the party, buck and kick and stunt, and give you my all. I’m here to give it 100 percent—to connect and feel that relationship with the audience and show love to my fans again. I want to truly feel like a Ru girl, and give that love back to the communities that have lifted me up for a while. I can’t wait to twirl for everybody! Any favorite destinations you’ve been to when you perform on cruise ships? Norway was beautiful. Beautiful men, beautiful country. Favorite K-pop song, other than How You Like That by Blackpink? Hmm, either Watercolor by Wheein, or Rose’s On The Ground. Or anything that Chungha releases. Favorite outfit we didn’t get to see on the show? Definitely my “beast” look, which was made by Eda Birthing (@eda_birthing). It was like this acid trip—a pregnant monster with four legs, and it was very psychedelic. Best advice for someone learning how to skate? Bend your knees and use your ass. [That’s also] how I have lived my life.
What: Denali Foxx’s ReBar performance When: May 23 at 10 p.m. Where: 202 Tuam St Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/DenaliHTown Keep up with Denali Foxx on Twitter @ denalifox and on Instagram @denalifoxx. OutSmartMagazine.com | MAY 2021 73
COMMUNITY Photos by Dalton DeHart and Crew On April 27, Executive Professional Association of Houston (EPAH) held their monthly dinner meeting at Candente Restaurant, the organization’s first inperson event in 13 months.
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DINING OUT
oyster places in Houston, Acme’s oysters are all from the Gulf Coast and are not designated by bay. But that doesn’t seem to slow down their consumption at this new hot spot. Another go-to menu item has been the crawfish dip. “We can’t seem to keep it on the shelf,” Rodrigue says of the appetizer, which is served with pita bread. He also recommends trying his favorite dish: a plate of butter beans cooked with shrimp and tasso served over rice, which he eats topped with fried alligator. Another of his top choices is the “10 napkin” roast beef po-boy piled high with debris (meaning shredded) meat. “We’re known for our seafood, but I’d put that up against any beef sandwich in Texas or Louisiana.”
Acme Oyster House opens in Montrose.
“ACME IS KNOWN FOR ITS TYPICAL NEW ORLEANS FOOD. BUT FOR OUR HOUSTON RESTAURANT, WE’VE ADDED A FEW TEXAS SPECIALS.”
By MARENE GUSTIN
— Tony Rodrigue
A French Quarter Favorite A much-anticipated taste of the French Quarter arrived in Montrose last month as Acme Oyster House opened in the historic Tower Theater. The spot was last home to El Real Tex-Mex, and hungry locals now flock there to feast on raw and chargrilled oysters instead of chips and queso. (But don’t worry, seafood tacos are still on the menu.) “Acme is known for its typical New Orleans food,” says Tony Rodrigue, food and beverage manager and corporate chef of the familyowned franchise. “Fried seafood, red beans and rice, and oysters. But for our Houston restaurant, we’ve added a few Texas specials.” 76
MAY 2021
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OutSmartMagazine.com
There are four Texas-exclusive tacos on the Houston menu: fried shrimp, fried oyster, fried alligator, and Boom Boom tacos (fried shrimp with the house Boom Boom sauce, chipotle ranch slaw, and green onions). And thanks to having inherited two frozen-drink machines from El Real, there are also frozen margaritas. “Houston has impressed me with how busy the bar has been,” Rodrigue notes, “and I come from a drinking town!” Where the tortilla station used to be, there is now an oyster-shucking station where you can watch your mollusks being prepared. You can dine on them raw on the half shell, fried, or chargrilled in a garlic-herb butter sauce and topped with Romano cheese. Unlike most
Acme opened in 1910 in New Orleans’ French Quarter as Acme Café, but the name was changed to Acme Oyster House in 1924 when the eatery moved into another building after a fire at the original location. In 1985, it was bought by Mike Rodrigue, father of Tony Rodrigue, and his sister Monique Rodrigue Ricci, who serves as the director of marketing and branding for the business. “No one really knows why it’s called Acme,” Rodrigue Ricci says. “We like to think it’s because the definition of acme is ‘at its best,’ or ‘perfect.’” The chain now has five locations along the Gulf coast, but this is the first location in Texas.
Boom Boom Shrimp Tacos “We had been looking for a few years,” she says. “Houston is like a sister city to New Orleans, so it just fits. And the neighborhood here is so like New Orleans, with so much culture and history. And when we saw this building, it just spoke to us—it has so much character. And we’re known for our neon signs, so the neon marquee out front was perfect.” Houstonians who frequently travel to New Orleans—and those transplanted from there— were thrilled to have a taste of the French Quarter come to Montrose. April’s opening weekend saw long lines waiting to get in, and the restaurant had to shut down the following
Monday and Tuesday to restock. “I think we’re going to stay closed on those days for a while,” says Rodrigue. “It’s also a staffing issue. We’re all having a hard time staffing.” Since the pandemic caused the loss of so many jobs in the hospitality industry, restaurants around the country are struggling to hire more employees as COVID-19 restrictions ease and more people are dining out again. Long lines are a tradition at Acme Oyster Houses (much like Houston’s popular barbecue joints), and Acme doesn’t take reservations. But Rodrigue says the lines in Houston have been socially distanced, and
The Boom Boom Shrimp appetizer he’s removed about 20 tables inside to keep diners safer. “And all the staff are wearing masks,” he adds. When you’re ready to head out to eat again, Houston’s fi rst Acme Oyster House should be at the top of your list for fresh Gulf Coast seafood. (But don’t forget to try that roast beef po-boy, too!) Acme Oyster House is currently open in Houston for lunch and dinner Wednesdays through Sundays. For more information, visit acmeoyster.com.
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MAY 2021 77
ARTS
Revving Up the Fun Houston’s Art Cars are back, in an entertaining new format. By DAVID WEBB If ever an event would appeal to Houston’s LGBTQ community, it would be the three-day Houston Art Car Experience coming to the five-acre campus of the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. “The cars are fabulous,” says Jonathan Beitler, an openly gay publicist for Barrelhouse Media, the marketing agency that is promoting the event. “It’s really artsy. It’s like drag for cars.” The show, which features automobiles transformed by 80 artists into canvases for creative expression, will be on display May 14–16 near the University of Houston campus. COVID restrictions forced the annual Art Car Parade to cancel again this year, but visitors can still view the automotive artwork in a fun setting that allows for social distancing. “Houston Art Car Experience will allow the public to more closely engage with the art than they have in the past, while also enjoying the aspects of Houston Art Car Weekend that they have grown to love—community partnerships, artistic collaborations, incredible musical entertainment, and the joy that comes from a true freedom of artistic expression,” according to Tommy Ralph Pace, the Orange Show’s executive director. Beitler notes that several of the car artists are gay, along with Pace and multiple members of his staff. Diversity is key to the success of the event, the publicist explains. “We are always looking for new groups and individuals to use their creative talents to build their own cars,” Beitler says. “We would like to see more representation [from a wide array of] community groups—whoever wants to be part of it.” The program this year will vary from day to night. Visitors to the day shows will embark on the Art Car Walk, which is a quarter-mile digital self-guided tour. Each car in the maze will display a barcode to link visitors’ smartphones to video clips of the artists explaining their work. Entries from previous parades will be on display, and a few of the lowriders, painted cars, contraptions, and mobile sculptures will be driven around each day. Children’s crafts, refreshments, and art-car merchandise will also be available. 78 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
ics and brightly-painted On Friday and figures created by HousSaturday evenings, the ton postal worker Jeff Houston Art Car Experi“HOUSTON ART CAR McKissack, who named ence by Night will feature EXPERIENCE WILL ALLOW THE it after his favorite fruit. live music, light and He repurposed comprojection art, elaborate PUBLIC TO MORE CLOSELY mon building materials costumes, and special ENGAGE WITH THE ART THAN to transform his East performances. Tickets End lot. After his death will start at $40, with THEY HAVE IN THE PAST, WHILE in 1980, Houston arts reserved VIP areas for ALSO ENJOYING THE ASPECTS patron Marilyn Oshman groups of four available formed the nonprofit Orfor $1,000. Proceeds will OF HOUSTON ART CAR ange Show Foundation to benefit the Orange Show WEEKEND THAT THEY HAVE perpetuate McKissack’s Center for Visionary Art. artistic vision. The live-music stage will GROWN TO LOVE.” Beitler notes that the feature Tomar & The FCS —Jonathan Beitler Art Car Experience is the and Bayou City Funk on largest public event in Friday night, and The Houston today, and that Suffers and Los Skarits continued growth is anticipated. “It’s one of nales on Saturday night. the iconic events that makes Houston unique. The art-car tradition began in 1984 when We encourage dressing wacky, having fun, and the Orange Show Foundation commissioned being yourself.” the Fruitmobile as a novel display of self-expression. That led to the first annual Houston What: Houston Art Car Experience Art Car Parade, which grew to include the Art When: May 14–16 Car Weekend that has attracted visitors from Where: Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, around the world. 2334 Gulf Terminal Rd. The Orange Show was originally a maze of Info: orangeshow.org architectural elements decorated with mosa-
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OutSmartMagazine.com | MAY 2021 79
READ OUT
Rebel Writer Lesbian author Lauren Hough recounts her childhood years in a religious cult. By GREGG SHAPIRO Photo by KARL POSS IV
M
You mention murdered gay soldier Barry Winchell a couple of times, and refer to other victims of homophobic violence, including Matthew Shepard, Brandon Teena, and Arthur Warren. Would it be fair to say that your experiences in both Children of God and the military also made you hyper-aware of the potential for harm to LGBTQ people?
emoirs are a tricky form of writing. Remember James Frey and A Million Little Pieces? Nevertheless, memoirs are also an endless source of fascination for readers, and Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing (Vintage, 2021) by Texas writer Lauren Hough is definitely fascinating. Raised in the notorious Children of God cult, Hough’s rough-and-tumble 1970s childhood, as well as the years of turmoil that followed, is nothing less than astonishing. From her time in the armed forces to her stints as a bouncer at the beloved DC gay disco Badlands, as well as working as a cable installer and serving time in jail, readers will marvel at her ability to write about her experiences in such a clear and inviting manner. Hough was kind enough to answer a few questions for OutSmart just before the book’s publication last month. Gregg Shapiro: Were the essays in Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing written in the order in which they appear in the book? Lauren Hough: No. But I couldn’t tell you the order. Some of the essays began as a digression in a separate essay, or the digression [became the entire] essay and I had to go back and delete 90 percent of the first draft. It’s as fun as it sounds. [Laughs] The Badlands essay about working at a club was my white whale for several months. I just couldn’t find a way in. The great thing about Twitter is that I’ve made friends with writers who are incredibly generous. I could send an essay that might as well have been a few Post-it notes to people like Sandra Newman and Heather Havrilesky, who could tell me I’d made it too complicated— again. And I simply didn’t want to write the jail essay. I didn’t want to have to think on it long enough to write it. As it was, I kept having to get up and stand outside, just to remind myself I could. When did you realize you had a book? I think I always knew I had a book. I spent a long time not writing it, and writing anything else [instead]. I tried songwriting. I thought maybe instead of writing a book, I’d be the les80 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
bian Townes Van Zandt. But I’m lousy at guitar, and Mary Gauthier already has that covered. I wrote half of a few novels that sound exactly like someone else. It wasn’t until I started writing about my life that I started sounding like me. The “leaving” theme (where you describe leaving the Children of God cult, the military, and your girlfriends Rhonda and Autumn) is one of the threads that stitches the essays together. Do you think this personal history would have been different if you hadn’t spent your formative years in the cult? They do call them “formative” years. [Laughs] But it’s impossible to say who or what or where I’d be, who I’d be with, or what my life would look like if I’d grown up any different. It’s one of those thoughts that’ll keep you up at night, make you reach for your drug of choice, or write a book trying to unravel and understand it all. I think it’s safe to say I might have had healthier relationships earlier had I not been raised in a cult.
I think most queer people are hyper-aware of the threats out there. Some are definitely more sheltered. That used to anger me. It’s one of the less attractive human traits—the need to be pissed at those who have it better. Runs right alongside being pissed at those who have it worse, who might be allowed a little sympathy. But it’s beautiful that we live in a world where not every queer kid is raised to be ashamed. Unfortunately, it’s still a world where we do have to be aware of the threats. I think it’s important to remember the price that some have paid, and recognize how easily the freedoms we do enjoy can be taken. [People] who do have a voice need to use it to fight for and protect those who don’t. You write a lot about the music you were listening to, including Indigo Girls, Sarah McLachlan, Melissa Etheridge, Emmylou Harris, and Ani DiFranco, among others. Does Sarah McLachlan know how much you wrote about her? God, let’s hope she’s too busy being Sarah McLachlan to read my book. [Laughs] You currently live in Austin, home to SXSW and ACL. I was wondering if you’ve been able to take advantage of the amazing music scene that Austin has to offer? You know, the shame of it is that when I first moved to Austin, I was working five nights a week at a bar. So the only acts I saw were those that played our bar during SXSW. Then I was supposed to be writing a book, so I only saw a few shows. The last show I saw before COVID was Carolyn Wonderland at the Continental
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Club. I ended up doing coke in the alley with a six-foot-eight Icelandic dude named Thor. One of those decisions you know you’ll regret, but how often does an honest-to-God Viking named Thor offer you coke? About as often as a pandemic keeps you in your house for the next year.
Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing is coming out at a time when the country is still reeling from having a president who was the closest thing to a cult leader we’ve ever experienced. Do you see parallels between your experience in a cult and the experiences of Trump’s followers? That’s something you touched on in your final essay, “Everything That’s Beautiful Breaks My Heart.” I’ve probably given five different answers on this. The similarities are there, especially when we’re talking about why so many people became enamored with him (or, for that matter, Bernie or anyone who inspires that level of zealotry). Americans really love a cult. We love conspiracy theories. We like easy answers, like “They’re all stupid, they’re poor, they’re racist.” I don’t think it’s that simple. These movements offer all the benefits of a cult—the community, the secret map to happiness and success, someone to blame for their problems. But I don’t know that we have the vocabulary for what this is, and that’s a problem.
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On a recent episode of Finding Your Roots, Glenn Close talked about her family’s involvement in the Moral Re-Armament religious cult. Have you ever encountered Close—or Rose McGowan or Joaquin Phoenix (who were also raised in Children of God)—and shared stories of your experiences? No, but if you run into Glenn Close, can you give her my number? [Laughs] I’d love to talk about anything else with her. If there was a movie version of Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing, who would you want to play you? I don’t know. I’ve had some shockingly bad hair phases. I’d hate for anyone to have to spend a year growing out a yellow mohawk. Have you started writing or thinking about your next book? I have an idea for it. I’ve started writing sentences. I’ve even written a paragraph or two. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that what I think will be the next book will in no way resemble the book I write. For more information about Lauren Hough, visit laurenhoughauthor.com.
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OutSmartMagazine.com | MAY 2021 81
READ OUT
Celebrating Safe Spaces Jeremy Atherton Lin’s revealing memoir reminds us why gay bars are important. By TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER Photo by JAMIE ATHERTON
T
he bar stool over by the window is all yours. Maybe that’s because you’ve spent a lot of time there. It’s the right height, you can easily see who comes and goes, and the bartender knows your favorite drinks, so why not? In the new memoir Gay Bar: Why We Went Out by Jeremy Atherton Lin, that stool is one of the best places to be. Long before it was legal for him, Lin, like most gay teenage boys, dreamed about going to gay bars. Ironically, he says, “I can’t remember my first.” As someone with a foot on two continents, he has a long list of old favorites—places that have mostly closed, been re-named, or relocated. He’s danced in them and had sex in them. Some were carved out of a back room or basement— places that used to be something else. They might be packed with men dancing or doing drugs, or thick with bachelorette parties and tourists (to the annoyance of the gay men who are regulars). Some of them were routinely raided by the police once upon a time. And they’re all an important part of being a gay man pre-Stonewall, pre-AIDS—and now, post-pandemic. You can’t stop Lin from sharing fond memories of those nights in the Castro or Los Angeles or London—even though, he says, “There does remain something embarrassing about a gay bar.” You could be forgiven for wondering what you’re getting yourself into while reading the first few pages of Gay Bar. Lin leaps right into a hazy description of a night on the town. Clarity comes later, and it’s fragile. He assumes that readers are familiar with the men he mentions, or others exactly like them.
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Gay Bar: Why We Went Out by Jeremy Atherton Lin is now available on Amazon.
Still, his sex-and-booze-filled tales of drag, dance, and la dolce vita are compelling as he weaves gay history in with interesting thenand-now comparisons and explicit tales of life as a young gay man. While each chapter takes us inside a particular gay bar, once we’ve entered with Lin, there are times when we feel like we’ve been abandoned, the music’s too loud, and we just want to go. In spite of those rough spots, the surreality of Gay Bar is not insurmountable. In fact, if you wait it out, you’ll be mostly glad you did.
GROOVE OUT
TikTok Star on the Rise Out singer-songwriter JORDY on being a new music sensation. By GREGG SHAPIRO Photo by DANTE VELASQUEZ
J
ORDY, the latest in the long tradition of mono-monikered performers in the music world— from Cher to Madonna and Beyoncé—gets up close and personal with listeners on his viral TikTok hit single “Long Distance.” The song, which tells a story about the challenges of falling for a guy who lives far away, is the runaway song of the season. JORDY has made the most of various viral-video platforms throughout his career, and is poised for stardom. A proud Pisces and out singer-songwriter, JORDY’s infectious enthusiasm and expressive vocals are a winning combination. The young performer was kind enough to take time out of an incredibly busy week in April to answer a few questions for OutSmart. Gregg Shapiro: JORDY, I’d like to begin by congratulating you on your thrilling week, beginning with signing your first record deal with 300 Entertainment. What does such an accomplishment mean to you? JORDY: Oh, my gosh! Thank you so much, I really appreciate the kind words. To me, it means that we’re just going to keep working harder than ever. I’m gonna keep grinding harder than ever, and the hard work doesn’t stop. It also means that we have more people in my corner and we’re expanding the family. There’s going to be more hands on deck getting the music to more ears around the world. For that, I’m very, very excited.
In addition to your record deal, you also performed on The Today Show. What was that experience like for you? Completely surreal. I grew up with The Today Show. It was one of those moments where my mother is like crying herself crazy. Very exciting for me and my family. It’s really cool to be able to see this little song I wrote on national TV. It’s pretty cool. Earlier this year, you competed in the Battle of the Instant Songwriters on The
Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, where you won $1,000 and a Tonight Show notebook for the song you wrote, “Wedgie in My Ski Pants.” [ Laughs] I loved when you picked up your guitar to sing the song and there were rainbow stickers visible on the back. Oh, my God! The best part is that the guitar is one of my really good friend Dom’s guitars. She’s also queer, like me. I needed a guitar, and she was like, “Oh, I got you!” She provided! It was perfect—everything I stand for, obviously. ➝ OutSmartMagazine.com | MAY 2021 83
JORDY | CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
And as if your record deal and Today Show performance and interview didn’t provide enough excitement for one week, your song “Long Distance” continues to grow in popularity. The song is especially notable for the out gay content of the lyrics. How important is it to you, as a gay artist, to share your identity in your work? It’s essential—there is no alternate option. That’s how I’ve been doing it from the start. I was lucky enough to come out at an early age and have a super-supportive and loving family. I grew up in the Chicagoland area, and felt really at home and welcome. I want to use that voice for those who feel that they don’t have the power to speak out yet. I’m really glad you mentioned your family and their support. While you were still a student at Glenbrook North High School, you and your mother did an interview about your coming out that ran on the Your Teen magazine website. Can you please describe what that experience was like for you? Oh my God! I haven’t thought about that in a really long time, actually. My mom is the best! She is a huge reason why I am where I am. I
think we had this opportunity to write this article from each of our perspectives. It’s special to have such a close relationship with her. Her validation and support is definitely the reason why I’m so comfortable being who I am. I’m very lucky. She is the absolute best. “Long Distance” already has an irresistible dance beat. Is there a remix in the works? Yes, there actually is. There’s a remix out right now by one of my favorite DJs, Luca Schreiner. It is on Spotify, Apple—wherever you listen to music. It’s very fun, and perfect for the dance floor. Speaking of dance floors, what would it mean to you if “Long Distance” became popular with DJs spinning at tea dances this summer in gay hot spots like Key West, Provincetown, and Fire Island? Honey, go for it! All the way! That’s why it’s there. Please, by all means. That would make me the most happy. When things return to normal and Pride festivities resume, would you perform at a Pride festival if you were invited to do so?
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68th Annual Diana Awards April 24, 2021
The Diana Foundation, which is the oldest LGBTQ organization in the country, presented its awards online from various locations across Houston. Hosted by drag performer Muffy Blake Vanderbilt III, the event honored entertainer Dina Jacobs with a Diana Award for community achievement.
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Montrose Softball League Association – Week 4 April 25, 2021
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The Brunch! Mixer + Market with Pride Houston April 25, 2021
Pride Houston presented its brunch mixer event at Pitch 25 Beer Park to kick off Houston’s 2021 LGBTQ Pride celebration. Activities during the event included yoga, a fitness boot camp, shopping, giveaways, music, and more.
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Pride Sports USA Kickball–Houston kicked off its 7th season with their Spring Kickball Opening Day at Memorial Park. The LGBTQ-centered event was open to anyone over 20 years old, and featured games, awards, an afterparty, and more. The sports organization will host kickball tournaments every Saturday during its seven-week season, with playoffs scheduled for June 5.
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WEDDING GUIDE
Chih Lin (l) and Mike Dorsey
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK Chih Lin and Mike Dorsey launched their business shortly after getting married. By JENNY BLOCK In 2019, mechanical engineer Chih Lin and chemical engineer Mike Dorsey did what most people only dream of—they quit their day jobs after just 15 years and followed their true passion. The duo founded a dumpling business that they aptly named Dumpling Dudez. The 40-year-old husbands are both Geminis born in the Year of the Monkey, and their common interests and entrepreneurial spirit make them a match made in heaven. Lin is from Taipei, Taiwan, and Dorsey is a Houston native, and the pair now lives in Houston in EaDo after having met online 13 years ago. “To put it in perspective, we were chatting on Gay.com and AIM, which was the Tesla of 90
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our time,” Mike recalls. They messaged for four or five months before they finally met at a coffee house in Austin called Mozart’s Coffee Roasters. “It was a short meeting, just to make sure that we were who we had said we were.” They were off to the races after that meeting, and Chih proposed to Mike on January 5, 2017. Chih had been scheming to propose to Mike at that same Austin coffee shop, but things got off to a rocky start. “I didn’t want to get coffee that day,” Mike says. “We were in Austin visiting friends.” Mike just wanted to get on with his friends, but he finally agreed to grab a cup. “I got my coffee and walked down by the water and waited for everyone to get there. I turn around to walk back up, and there he is down on one knee. I was so stunned that
he proposed that I don’t remember what all he said. I said, ‘Of course, yes! Oh my God. Yes!’” Although they didn’t realize it until a Facebook Memory reminded them, their January 5 wedding date was actually the same as their proposal date. Their 2019 wedding was purposely limited to nine guests so they would have the funding to start Dumpling Dudez later that year. All of their friends chipped in to rent a house in Austin, and they also brought a few covered dishes for the reception. “The wedding was small, but it was full of love and memorable stories,” Mike recalls. Their best friend officiated the wedding, and their goddaughter was the flower girl. “Our dog, Connor, even wore a bow tie for the occasion,” Chih says.
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The ceremony may have been small, but the gestures of the day were certainly not. “My ‘something borrowed’ was from my best mate, Lisa Zavala. When she and her husband (our officiant) got married, they had a lasso in their service, as is the practice in Mexican weddings. It wasn’t until it was time for us to say our vows that she revealed the ‘something borrowed.’ My heart swelled. It was so beautiful—the lasso, and the gesture,” Mike says. When Chih and Mike finally started their dumpling business, they posted a wedding photo of themselves kissing on LinkedIn. “The story described how we kept our wedding small to start a new business, and the sacrifices we made as a couple to follow our passion,” Chih explains. “With over 50,000 views, we got a lot of support—and some negative comments. ‘Gross. Get out of Houston. You make me sick. Disgusting. You guys are what’s wrong with this country…’” On the other hand, one response they received was from a man who was so inspired by their LinkedIn post that he decided to go home and propose to his boyfriend that day. “And he said yes!” Chih adds. Mike and Chih honeymooned in the Pacific Northwest, beginning in Seattle and taking the train to Vancouver, Canada. “Chih had never been on a winter vacation, so we planned a snow day up in the mountains. We tobogganed all day. It was the best part of the trip, honestly,” Mike says. After that, they returned to Seattle and headed by train again to Portland. “We stayed a few days and got upgraded to the honeymoon suite—just like in Friends, our favorite show,” Chih jokes. After two years of marriage, the couple says they can offer a few tips for running a business with the one you love. First off, have
clear individual responsibilities. “Just because you own a business together doesn’t mean you have to do everything together. Tap in to your unique superpower to determine your roles. In our case, I am in charge of the finances, processes, and products, while Chih is in charge of marketing and business development,” Mike says. But the couple’s real secret to success is communication. “Even though you may be working on the same project, you cannot read each other’s minds,” he adds. “Each person’s vision will be different. Open communication will align and unify, [so you can avoid] working in two different directions.” And they both agree that you have to “celebrate all the little wins together, and hold each other up when either of you falls. You are going to get into arguments, and there are moments you will hate each other! Remind yourself of why you decided to build a life together, and work through the obstacles with laughter and common goals.” This is one couple that really knows the value of teamwork. Chih tells Mike that he’s the most understanding husband a man could ever ask for. “Thank you for giving up your dream wedding, so we can follow our dream together. I still owe you our first dance when we have the resources to do it all over again.” Mike describes Chih as a man of action: “I am always impressed with the way he can work a crowd, like when we have our dumpling-making classes. He knows how to make everyone in the room feel important and special, like we are having the class just for them. But above all this, he has always been there for me.”
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1210 Gray ..................................................................713/289-1221 Central Houston Cadillac/Tony Mcclelland
2520 Main St.......................................................832/981-7590 Fred Haas Toyota World
FredHaasToyota.com ...................................832/764-8914 Planet Ford
20403 I-45 Spring TX 77388 ................... 866/879-9328 Planet Lincoln
204031 I-45 Spring TX 77388...................888/242-5059 Team Gillman Subaru North
Gillmansubarunorth.com.......................... 832/564-7230
BANKING/FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
719 W. Gray St................................................... 713/5212-0500 NU-Cuts Hair Salon
515 Westheimer...............................................713/524-7858
COMPUTERS/INTERNET/IT SERVICES Copy.com
1201-F Westheimer.............................................713/528-1201
ENTERTAINMENT/NIGHT LIFE Alley Theatre
615 Texas Ave.................................................alleytheatre.org George Country Sports Bar
617 Fairview .........................................................713/528-8102 Houston Eagle
611 Hyde Park..........................................HoustonEagle.com JR’s/Santa Fe
808 Pacific............................................................. 713/521-2519 La Granja Disco Y Cantina
5505 Pinemont Dr.............................................713/518-6753 Midtown Houston
..................................................................Midtownhouston.com Miller Outdoor Theatre
MillerOutdoorTheatre.com.........................281/373-3386 Papi’s
570 Waugh Dr......................................................713/524-3559 Pearl Bar
4216 Washington...................................PearlHouston.com ReBar
202 Tuam................................................................346/227-8613 Round Top Festival Institute
248 Jaster Rd.......................................................979/249-3129 Round Top Festival Hill
Spartanhnadguntraining.com................ 281/435-2645
HEALTH CARE–COUNSELING/THERAPY
Denise O’Doherty, LPC, LMFT, RN
3701 Kirby, Ste.1230........................................713/526-0005
Dr. Daniel Garza, MD
3131 Eastside St, Ste 4.....................................281/610-8190 Dr. Barry F. Gritz, MD
230 Westcott, Ste 210....................................713/869-7400
The Montrose Center
................................................................................... houstontx.gov
401 Branard...........................................................713/529-0037 Robert Snellgrove, LMSW-ACP
4617 Montrose, Ste C206............................... 713/522-7014 Christine Wysong
230 Westcott, Ste 210....................................713/869-7400
HEALTH CARE–DENTISTS
Bayou City Smiles/Marcus de Guzman, DDS
2313 Edwards St., Ste. 150...............................713/518-1411 Bayou City Smiles/ Cynthia Corral, DDS
2313 Edwards St., Ste 150................................713/518-1411 Cory Logan, DDS
530 Waugh Dr.................................................... 713/942-8598 LifeSmiles by Randy Mitchmore, DDS
1722 W. Alabama............................................... 713/592-9300 Montrose Dental Group/Samuel A. Carrell, DDS
620 W Alabama................................................. 713/529-4364
Houston Health Department/COVID
1440 Harold....................................................... beringumc.org
888-A Avenue A, Katy......................................281/391-6137
Resurrection MCC St Paul’s United Methodist Church
5501 Main...............................................................713/528-0527 St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
1805 W. Alabama........................ststephenshouston.org Trinity Episcopal Church
1015 Holman St......................... www.trinitymidtown.org
CLEANING SERVICES
Dexter’s Five Star Service/Bob Samora
...................................................................................... 832/252-1961
COMMUNITY/NONPROFIT
AIDS Foundation Houston
Aidshelp.org.........................................................713/623-6796
92 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
Grace Yung/Midtown Financial
3355 Alabama, Ste 180................................. 713/355-9833
FITNESS CLUBS/PERSONAL TRAINERS
Montrose Emergency Room 24 Hour ER
SignatureCare Emergency Centers
Sole Aesthetic/Dr. Vanessa T. Barrow
HEALTH CARE/HOSPITALS
Avenue 360
FOOD/SPECIALTY & SPIRITS
HEALTH CARE–OPHTHALMOLOGISTS
FIX Vodka
.................................................................................... FixVodka.com NEFT Vodka
.................................................................................NeftVodka.com
beautyandwellnessdoc.com................... 832/844-1754 Dr. B-Fit / Octavio Barrios, MD
HOME FURNISHINGS/ACCESSORIES
355 W 19th.............................................................. 713/864-4411 Lane Lewis/Farmers Insurance
2200 North Loop W, Ste 136......................713/688-8669 Patrick Torma/Goosehead Insurance
3420 Rusk, Ste. 22.............................................281/723-1294
INVESTMENTS Doug Smith/Hawthorne Funds
1210 West Clay, Ste. G................ HawthorneFunds.com
JEWELERS Silverlust
1338-C Westheimer......................................713/520-5440
LANDSCAPING/GARDENING
Joshua’s Native Plants & Antiques
502 W. 18th St...................................................... 713/862-7444
RyanMassageWorks.com...........................713/269-7926
.................................................LegacyCommunityHealth.org
Dripping Springs
HEALTH CARE-WEIGHT LOSS
Alexia McClerkin, MD /Beauty & Wellness Doc
HEALTH CARE-HIV/STD TESTING
John Aaron Online Fitness
...................................................... drippingspringsvodka.com
507 West Gray.....................................................713/942-7546
MASSAGE THERAPISTS
Smokefreestudy.com.....................................713/792-2265
Avenue360.org...................................................713/426-0027
www.jaofit.com ..............................................832-649-8422
Heights Dermatology/Alpesh Desai, MD
Skin Renaissance Laser/Octavio Barrios, MD
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Club Houston
2205 Fannin .......................................................713/659-4998
HEALTH CARE–SKIN CARE
2120 Ashland....................................................... 713/864-2650
INSURANCE AGENCIES/AGENTS
Houston Health Department/HIV
Soleaesthetictx.com.....................................713/666-9934
2025 W 11th............................................................ 713/861-9149
St. Hope Foundation
offeringhope.org................................................713/778-1300
.......................................................................houstoniamlife.com
1700 W Loop S, Ste 255..................................713/489-4322 Shane Theriot/Edward Jones
Ryan White Planning Council
RWPCHouston.org........................................... 713/572-3784
coda
CHURCHES/SPIRITUAL CENTERS Bering United Methodist
Legacy Community Health
LegacyCommunityHealth.org................ 832/548 5000
HEALTH CARE-/HIV/COVID TESTING
620 W Alabama................................................. 713/529-4364
HEALTH CARE-FOOT/ ANKLE SPECIALISTS
Richard Dickson/Galene Financial
Houston Health Department
517 West Gray......................................................713/942-7546
FINANCIAL PLANNING/BANKS
davidalcorta.net..............................................832/439-0224
817 W. Dallas........................................................832/722-7658
Harris County Public Health
Montrose Dental Group/Austin T. Faulk, DDS
David Alcorta Catering
CATERING SERVICES
HEALTH CARE–SERVICES
Avenue 360
Publichealth.harriscountytx.gov.......... 713/439-6293
Tony’s Corner Pocket
DessertGallery.com........................................713-522-9999
Maggie White,MPH FNP-BC AAHIVS/ Gordon Crofoot
3701 Kirby Dr., Ste.1230.................................713/526-0005
Jeffrey Myles/JM Professional Services
....................................................................................... 713/447-2164
3209 Montrose Blvd........................................281/709-2897 1925 TC Jester....................................................832/850-4338 1014 Wirt Rd......................................................... 832/924-0312 Additional locations.......................................ercare24.com
800 Bagby, Suite 200......................................tuts.com/out
Derek Smith, AGPCNP-BC/Crofoot MD
Avenue360.org...................................................713/426-0027
Theatre Under The Stars
Dessert Gallery
StagesTheatre.com..........................................713-527-0123
M. Sandra Scurria, MD
Houston Behavioral Healthcare Hospital
2801 N. Gessner Road....................................877/489-4707
1110 W. Gray St., #101.........................................713/242-1436
David Alcorta Catering
Gordon Crofoot, MD/Crofoot MD
6565 West Loop South, Ste 300...............281/661-5901
HEALTH CARE-EMERGENCY CENTERS
davidalcorta.net..............................................832/439-0224
507 West Gray.....................................................713/942-7546 7106 Spencer Highway.................................281/542-9400
D. “Woodja” Flanigan, MS, LPA
Stages Theatre
SPAHouston.org.................................................713/227-4772
HEALTH CARE–PHYSICIANS
3701 Kirby, Ste.1230........................................713/526-0005
Society For The Performing Arts
BAKERIES/CUSTOM CAKES
Legacy Pharmacy
Connections Wellness/Dr. Tracy Carlson
houstontx.gov................................................... 832-393-4220
HoustonFCU.org........................................... 866/OUR-HFCU
............................................................ AvitaPharmacy.com/HIV
Octavio Barrios, MD
Spartan Handgun Training
................................................................................. FestivalHill.org
Houston Federal Credit Union
HEALTH CARE/PHARMACIES
Avita Pharmacy
HANDGUN TRAINING
2411 Sunset..............................................................713/859-1591
......................................................................................713/524-9525
The Woodlands PRIDE
Montrose Eye Care/ Paul Lovero, OD
520 Waugh Dr.....................................................713/352-0974
..........LegacyCommunityHealth.org/services/pharmacy/
Ryan White Planning Council
..........................................................thewoodlandstxpride.org
Eye Gallery
1806B Westheimer............................................ 713/523-1279 1700 Post Oak Blvd, Ste 110..........................713/622-7470
Studio A Salon
2600 SW Fwy, Ste 409..................................713/589-9804
rwpcHouston.org .............................................713-572-3724
.......................................................................................281/768-4731
HAIR/NAIL/MAKE-UP SALONS Green Apple Salon
Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast
......................................................................................713/529-5842 Charles Hunter/Hayes Hunter PC
Jovon Tyler............................................................713/562-0004 Leslie Bonnie.......................................................281/203-7830
MyConnectionsWellness.com...............888/580-5995
..................................................................ppgulfcoast.org/lgbtq
ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES
Dignity Memorial
Pet Patrol
..............................................................................ThePetPatrol.org
ASTROLOGER
Lilly Roddy Astrology
FUNERAL/MORTUARY SERVICES
Legacy Community Health
Houston Eye Associates/Stewart Zuckerbrod, MD
5420 Dashwood, Ste 101................................ 713/668-9118
Ryan Fugate, RMT
Tom Zeppelin/Zeppelin Massage
ZeppelinMassage.com..................................713/542-0426
MUSEUMS
Galveston Railroad Museum
galvestonrrmuseum.org............................409/765-5700
PEST CONTROL SERVICES
Andy’s All Star Pest Control
....................................................................................... 713/732-7742
HEALTH CARE–OPTOMETRISTS
PET SERVICES & SUPPLIES
1806 Westheimer, Ste. A.............................. 713/528-2010
4720 Washington.............................................713/343-9909
Boutique Eye Care/Juliet Farmer, OD
Bayou City Veterinary Hospital
ADVERTISERS INDEX Midtown Veterinary Hospital
MidtownVetHospital.com...........................713-528-4900 Spay-Neuter Assistance Program
Snapus.org...........................................................713/862-3863 The Urban Vet
2625 Louisiana St.Ste D100.....................713/903-2364 West Alabama Animal Clinic
2030 W. Alabama.............................................. 713/528-0818
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Dalton DeHart Photography
DaltonDehart.com............................................713/622-2202 Yvonne Feece Photography
yvonnefeece.com............................................ 832/876-1053
PHOTOGRAPHY
Houston Camera Exchange
5900 Richmond Ave........................................ 713/789-6901
PLUMBING
In The Loop Plumbing Services
....................................................................................346/253-4444 U-Plumb-It Plumbing Supply
Dessert Gallery
DessertGallery.com........................................713-522-9999 Free Grillin’/Chef Michele
......................................................................................832/419-0165 Gloria’s Latin Cuisine 2616 Louisiana....................................................832/360-1710 Niko Niko’s 2520 Montrose...................................................713/528-4976 Niko Niko’s 1040 W. Sam Houston Prkwy. N.............. 832/981-4976 Pizza Birra Vino 544 Waugh Dr....................................................832/581-3664 Riva’s Italian Restaurant 1117 Missouri St.................................................. 713/529-3450 Urban Eats 3414 Washington Ave.....................feasturbaneats.com
TELEVISION/ENTERTAINMENT KPRC 2
8181 Southwest Fwy......................... click2houston.com KTRK
1424 Montrose......................................................713-942-2277
3310 Bissonnet St....................................................abc13.com
POOLS & POOL SERVICES
TRAVEL/TRAVEL AGENCIES
....................................................................................... 713/447-9201
4920 Mimosa.......................................................... 713/661-2117
PRINTING/COPY CENTERS
..................................................................................... 901/351-0054
1201-F Westheimer.............................................713/528-1201
REAL ESTATE -ARCHITECTS
........................................................... visitgalveston.comVisit Palestine visitpalestine.com.........................................800/659-3484
4229 Bellaire Blvd.............................................713/529-2630
WEDDING SERVICES/BAKERS
REAL ESTATE–MORTGAGE/TITLE
davidalcorta.net..............................................832/439-0224
Venture Pools
Copy.com
Morningside Architects
Janet Friedman/J Friedman Mortgage
JFriedmanLoans.com.....................................713-785-5626 Cody Grizzoffi/NRL Mortgage
Concierge Travel, Inc
Cruise Planners/Peter Weeks Galveston Tourism
David Alcorta Catering Dessert Gallery
DessertGallery.com........................................713-522-9999
Codygrizzoffi.com.............................................. 832-541-1103
WEDDING SERVICES/CATERERS
3700 Buffalo Speedway.................................713/418-7000
davidalcorta.net..............................................832/439-0224
REAL ESTATE–REALTORS
WEDDING SERVICES/PHOTO/VIDEO
Chicago Title –Inner Loop
Brooks Ballard/Engel & Volkers
309 Gray.................................................................. 713/522-7474 David Batagower/Compass Realty
bayoucitypropertygroup.com................. 713/523-8609
David Alcorta Catering
Dalton DeHart Photography
Yvonne Feece-Tran Photography
yvonnefeece.com............................................ 832/876-1053
David Bowers/The House Company/Galveston
WEDDING VENUES
Eric Bradley/In the Loop Properties
galvestonrrmuseum.org............................409/765-5700
David@DavidBowers.com........................409/763-2800 2118 Waugh Dr......................................................713-252-7205
PHOTOGRAPHIC FOUNDATION
DaltonDehart.com............................................713/622-2202
Galveston Railroad Museum
PHOTOGRAPHIC FOUNDATION
Mike Copenhaver/Remax Metro
mikecopenhaver@remax.net ................. 713/528-4963 Karen Derr/Karen Derr Realty
karenderr.com....................................................713/875-7050 Tom Eickleberry/Pride Street Realty
TomSellsHoustonHomes.com...................713/201-5257 Jeremy Fain/Greenwood King Properties
3201 Kirby Dr.........................................................713/677-4337 Houston Association of Realtors
har.com................................................................... 713/629-1900 Thomas Phillips/City Side Properties Exp Realty
....................................................................................832/305-7848 Debbie Levine/Greenwood King Properties
3201 Kirby Drive.................................................713/942-6857 Lynette Lew/Better Homes and Gardens
LynetteLew.com................................................713/582-2202 Jose Ocque/Gary Greene-Post Oak Park
1177 W. Loop South, Ste 1200..................... 713/301-1136 Dan Ritchel/Keller Williams
.......................................................................................214/384-1164 Tom Schwenk/Tom’s Galveston Real Estate
Tomsgalvestonrealestate.com................713/857-2309 VJ Tramonte/Joe Tramonte Realty
1802 Broadway/Galveston.........................409/765-9837 Martha Turner Properties
NURTURE your LOCAL
BUSINESSES WHO believe IN
EQUALITY. Thank You for supporting our advertisers!
Marthaturner.com..............................................713/520-1981
PRESERVING YEARS OF HOUSTON LGBTQ HISTORY!
Andy Weber/Sotheby’s International Realty
520 Post Oak........................................................713/724-4306 Becky Wheeler /Compass
Compass.com.....................................................713/562-8472 Christopher Williams/Gary Greene-Post Oak
1177 W. Loop South, Ste 1200.....................713/885-4419
RESTAURANTS/COFFEE/WINE BARS
ACME Oyster House
1201 Westheimer ......................................AcmeOyster.com
Our Legacy Through The Lens
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For rates/information call 713/520-7237 ext. 710.
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MASSAGE Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. Find new clients for your massage business.Place your ad today. 713/520-7237 ext. 710
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Right now is the perfect opportunity TO BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE TO BE COMPASSIONATE TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS
Thank you again to my OutSmart readers for voting me Best Astrologer for all of these years.”
TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO THOSE YOU LOVE AND TRULY APPRECIATE Voted BEST ASTROLOGER by OutSmart Readers
LILLY RODDY A S T R O LO G E R Personal astrological sessions
Voted Houstons best massage therapist, 2009, 2010,
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OutSmartMagazine.com LillyRoddy_Nov14.indd 1
10/21/14 11:29 AM
BEHIND THE BAR WITH . . .
Jay Kayvilay JR’S BAR & GRILL
Shifts: Wed & Thur 9p – close; Fri 7pm – 1am; Sat & Sun 8pm-close
with Chambord Liqueur, Champagne, and Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka What is the best and worst holiday to work? Why? I like them all. My favorite is Halloween and all of the elaborate costumes. Where else can you see a Patrick Starr costume with thigh-high boots! JACK BERGER
Biggest tip from one customer? $100 on the card, plus $100 cash! Who are the hardest customers to please? Indecisive guests that cannot make up their mind, especially when we are busy.
What is your favorite shot to make? To drink? Favorite to make: Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop. Favorite to drink: Jameson Irish Whisky with a Coke back.
If you weren’t a bartender… what career would you choose? Probably healthcare – dermatology or plastic surgery. Or, maybe a professional drag queen – “Giselle OEll”
Where is your favorite place to drink when not on duty? Right here at JR’s. What are you best known for? The Stockholm Royale Martini
Do you have any pets? One dog, “Clio” Rapid Fire: Favorite Food? Fried chicken Favorite Restaurant: Still experiencing all that Houston has to offer. Favorite Travel Spot: San Francisco Dream Vacation: Somewhere tropical Advice to a wannabe bartender in an LGBTQ bar: “Live and let live. Don’t be too serious, and drink responsibly. The Super Power You’d Like? The power to control people’s memory. Theme Song: “Sweet Dreams” by Beyoncé or “Wet” by Nicole Scherzinger.
BAR GUIDE There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET!
Houston’s Hottest Male Amateur Strip Contest Headquarters! 817 W. Dallas 713.571.7870 Voted the Best Place to Watch Male Dancers Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights
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MAY 2021 95
SIGN OUT By LILLY RODDY
Review and Renew The eclipse focuses decision-making.
ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Finances, making the best use of your resources, and finding ways to improve your skill set are all active goals this month. You may also be exploring new ways to access your finances by letting go of antiquated bookkeeping systems. The first half of the month is a better time to improve your job situation, or to consider starting something on your own. Home and family take on extra importance this month, and you may need to take a leadership 96
MAY 2021
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OutSmartMagazine.com
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20)
Happy Birthday to the cows and bulls! This is your personal new year cycle when you look back at the past-year and try to determine which new directions you will take. Your career is really under review this year, and that may take most of your attention during May. This is a time to step up and make your voice heard. You may be exploring your own business, or putting more focus on the income-producing activities that you enjoy. In the last half of the month, you are examining your finances and finding out how to have more financial freedom. Your partnerships need some TLC. The two of you need a spark to
role there. Business groups and associations can be very helpful to you this month. Relationships may be overshadowed by your financial concerns. In the latter part of the month you are more communicative, especially about the past. GEMINI (May 21–June 21) This is certainly going to be an active and busy month for you, particularly toward the end of May. Your ruler, Mercury, goes retrograde in Gemini on the 22nd, so you should try to have all new projects already in place and running by that time. Otherwise, you will need to wait until June 29 before you start new ventures and have a better chance of success. You will need more time
JOHN-PAUL ARREAGA
This is a very active month, especially during the last two weeks. Mercury will go retrograde in Gemini from May 22 through June 29, and that will have the strongest impact on the mutable signs—Gemini, Virgo, Pisces, and Sagittarius. We also have the first half of the eclipse phase, with a lunar eclipse on May 26. The corresponding solar eclipse will occur on June 10. The eclipse will give all of us a better perspective on how to make our daily habits and routines better. Days to be active are May 2, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 19, 26, and 31. Days to keep it low key are May 3, 15, 22, 27, 29, and 30.
break you out of your boredom and remind you of the reasons that brought you together in the first place. Relationships that make you free trapped will have to change, or they may end. Act in your own best interest.
to yourself for rest and retreat during the first half of May. Choose your company carefully. In the last half of the month, you are more ready to interact with the other humans. The eclipse on May 26 will have a strong impact on your relationships. Those that are solid will experience the eclipse as a time of renewal and boost your interest in the partnership. If your partnership isn’t doing well, the eclipse will bring you to the bargaining table. CANCER (June 22–July 22) Your social life is beginning to open up again, and you are ready to connect with your friends and colleagues. Even if you are still “social
distancing,” you are connecting with friends online or even on the old-fashioned telephone! This is also a good month to market your services. By the middle of the month, you will need to balance your restand-retreat time with your desire to put more energy into yourself, your health, and your partnerships. The need to free yourself from debt still remains strong. This is a good month to look into refinancing or finding credit cards with a lower interest rate. In your partnerships, this is a time to look at new goals and interests that can renew your relationship. This can also be a good time to look into wills and estate plans so that your money can be safeguarded.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your career sector is where most of the action is taking place this month. This is a theme that has been strong since the end of 2020, but this month helps to bring some focus and decision-making to that area of your life. Some of you will want to start your own business, others will be looking to move up the ladder, and those who are older may be looking at working only part-time or retiring. You are reviewing your boundaries as well as your goals. You are expecting more adult behavior from those around you, and you will not be as patient. The second part of the month is more socially interactive. Mercury retrograde will be putting you in touch with friends and co-workers from the past. Be careful that you don’t put too many demands on yourself this month!
self this month, and you want to create a greater sense of intimacy and trust in your partnerships. With healthy relationships, this helps to deepen the connection. With unhappy relationships, this is an excellent month for counseling to find the blocks, remove them, and move forward—or consider alternate solutions. This same energy is pushing you to rid yourself of debt or other obligations that limit your freedom. With work, you get a big boost of energy to look for new clients or new territories. You may be stepping into a leadership role. At the very end of the month, you are going to be much more reflective about your ideas and views, and open to sharing them with those around you. This would also be a great month to get away for a vacation and renew your soul.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24–Nov. 21) VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Relationships are the primary topic This time of the year is normally for you as the month begins. The busy for you as the planets travel larger theme of renewing your rethrough the more public parts of lationships has been ongoing since your horoscopes. This month you January, but this month there is are open to learning new topics and extra energy there to help you focus sharing your ideas through your and arrive at some decisions. Old work, social media, and with your relationships may be falling away as friends. With your work, this is a you look for a partner that matches great month to promote your serwho you are now! Stable relationvices, to seek a better position, or to ships will renew and rebound. There consider more education to improve are shifts in your home and family your career opportunities. In the that indicate a change in duties last part of May, the emphasis shifts and/or taking on the patriarchal or to your career arena. Mercury will matriarchal position as the head of be retrograding through your career the family. This may also be a time area by the end of the month, and for moving or remodeling. With your until June 29. This will be a good career, you are more specific about time to push forward with ongoing your goals and what you will and projects, but not for starting new will not do. For older folk, this can be ones. The eclipse cycle is also oca time of downsizing and possibly curring in this same area. Eclipses just working part-time. You are tend to open the door to new oppor- working on creating greater stability tunities. You might even consider in your life! relocating during this eclipse cycle that extends through the end of the SAGITTARIUS (Nov.22–Dec.21) year. Lots of rethinking to do at the As the month begins, you are end of the month. improving your work environment by updating your equipment and LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 23) finding a better way to work with You are more open about your inner difficult co-workers. You are looking
for more autonomy, and you may shift to working from home as a permanent solution. Health and exercise routines are also very active this month. This would be a great month to start a routine, renew what you were doing, or get a physical to make sure you are ready for more activity. In the last half of the month, and especially at the end, the Mercury retrograde and the eclipses will be directly impacting you. This is likely to have the most impact on your relationships, business dealings, romances, and friendships. With Mercury retrograde, you may hear from old friends and romantic partners. With the eclipse, there could be new people coming into your life. The eclipses are on May 26 and June 10. Keep your eyes open!
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) This month, you are in a creative, playful, and self-indulgent period. (Yes, I used the word “indulgent” for the Capricorns!) You can really apply yourself to your hobbies and alternative interests during May, and get the same satisfaction that you get from your work. If you have children, this is a great month to be with them since they help to keep you in a playful mood. Toward the middle of the month, you are getting back into your routines. Mercury retrograde will affect the fluid functioning of your work environment, and you may have to look at new office equipment. Relationships are very active over the next two months. Mars, planet of courage and instant gratification, enters the relationship area of your horoscope. If you are single, the first two-thirds of the month is a great time to meet someone new. If you are already involved, this is a time for renewing your relationship by making some time to be together without external distractions. If you are having problems in your partnerships, this will certainly push you to some sort of resolution. You are ready to take action all month!
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) This month, your home and family roots take the spotlight. You will want to make your nest more comfortable, and this may include remodeling and even relocating. There could also be some shifts in the family hierarchy as aging relatives need more care. You have been focused on prioritizing your life and eliminating the parts that have outlived their usefulness. You are wanting more from your partner, and this is certainly a time when renewing long-term commitments will help to create a stable family base. This is still an excellent time for a career focus and expanding to new markets or new career opportunities. By the end of the month, it’s time to kick back and reflect on what gives you pleasure. You will be wanting a more relaxed and flexible agenda with Mercury retrograde. Make sure you put yourself first! PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) As the month begins, you are in a stabilizing time when you are attempting to gain some freedom by improving the boundaries in your day-to-day life. You may feel that there are lots of small projects and tasks this month. This is an excellent month for writing, teaching, or attending classes. By midmonth, you are beginning to feel more optimistic and open to new possibilities for living your life. This can be a great time to travel, even with the current restrictions. New options will be coming your way after the Mercury retrograde ends on June 29. Your life could be a lot busier. Mercury retrograde will be activating the family area of your horoscope. You may be hearing from people you haven’t heard from in a while. With the eclipse cycle occurring in your career sector, there could be new career opportunities in store. Keep your eyes open after June 29! For more astro-insight, log on to lillyroddy.com. OutSmartMagazine.com | MAY 2021 97
WIGGING OUT
Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice Ivanna Cupcak shares her recipe for success. By SAM BYRD Photo by ALEX ROSA
Sweet-treat lovers, gather round, y’all . . .what’s the best drag confection of them all? Chances are, if it’s a drag performer in H-town, the answer is Ivanna Cupcak. This delicious morsel has been entertaining crowds for years, and has found a niche in raising money for charities. Read on for the story of one of Houston’s few Asian American drag performers, who is busy not just representing but also giving back to the LGBTQ community. And it only gets tastier as each layer is unwrapped. Pronouns? As Ivanna, She/Her. As Ivan, He/Him. Hometown? Born and raised in Houston. Specifically, in Chinatown/Bellaire. Inner avatar? A polar bear—strong and hungry. Drag birthday? Christmas 2013 was when I put on my first pair of boobies—made from socks and underwear! Describe your drag persona. Ivanna is kind and caring. I would take the wig off my head to help my sisters. It’s just my nature. Ivanna is the extrovert to my inner introvert. Talk about your philanthropic work. I’m part of ERSICSS, and through drag I organize and develop shows with my peers in order to raise money for charity. Being a charity queen brings my two passions together: 98 MAY 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com
volunteering and performing. Any pageant titles? I am currently Imperial Princess Royale 36 for ERSICSS, and also Mr. Gay Pride Houston. Previously, I have held titles as Miss Tony’s Corner Pocket and Miss Gay Fort Worth America. Future goals? I would like to create a large annual charity
show where we raise money to support homeless LGBTQ youth, along with organizations like Legacy and Kindred—those who help our community every day. Talk about your outfit in this photo. I am wearing a traditional Vietnamese dress called an áo dài by Thuy Anh in California. I am very proud to be one of very few Vietnamese female illusionists in Houston, and I wanted to represent not only for my culture, but also for the larger Asian community. What is something interesting about you that people might not know? My drag name is Ivanna Cupcak, and I am diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I just can’t help but laugh at the irony. Thoughts about Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month? With the recent events going on, I think this month is going to mean something different than it did before. #StopAsianHate has shown that there is still racism toward Asians today, but it wasn’t until a horrific tragedy that we started to stand up and speak out. Who are your drag idols? There was a local queen named China Doll, who was one of the very first Asian queens I ever had the privilege to meet. She inspired me with her tenacity. She broke through many barriers to pave the way for my generation to be here today. Where can people see you perform? People can find me with ERSICSS doing local charity shows throughout Houston. Check out ersicss.org for more information and events.
Keep up with Ivanna Hyde Cupcak on Facebook at tinyurl.com/vn5n2srn.
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