Echo Magazine - Arizona LGBTQ Lifestyle - April 9, 2015

LGBT NEWS, VIEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT | Vol. 26, #15 | Issue 667 | April 9-22, 2015 | COMPLIMENTARY

e.

inside this issue Issue 667 | Vol. 26, #15 | April 9, 2015

features

NEWS 10 4 Your Information 12 News Briefs 16 Datebook 17 Aunt Rita’s brings back casino night 2015 PHOENIX PRIDE PREVIEW 23 Pride Timeline 24 Local leader recalls early days of Pride 28 2015 Phoenix Pride festival 32 Wilson Phillips headlines Pride stage

Photo by Nightfuse.com

34 Ana Bárbara brings Latin flavor to Pride

LGBT NEWS, VIEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT | Vol. 26, #15 | Issue 667 | April 9-22, 2015 | COMPLIMENTARY

21

36 Pride parade moves to Sunday

2015 Phoenix Pride Preview From headliners to the parade, here’s everything you need to know ahead of this year’s festivities.

38

Miss and Mister Phoenix Gay Pride Trixxie Deluxxe and Dee Jae Galaxy named 2015 titleholders.

52

Building A Body Beautiful, Part IV Find out how body acceptance offers effective path to health and fitness.

PREVIEWS AND REVIEWS 59 Without Reservations 62 At the Box Office 66 Opening Nights 67 Recordings 69 Between the Covers COMMUNITY 70 All Over The Map 71 Money Talks 72 Balanced Living

44

DEPARTMENTS 76 Classifieds

Spring Stages Valley theatre heats up just in time for Pride season.

78 Nightlife Guide 82 Lambda Directory ON THE COVER 35 Years of Pride mosaic by Geoff Hulme.

6|

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

inside this issue

notes from the managing editor

By Kara J. Philp facebook.com/EchoMagazine twitter.com/EchoMagAZ Kara J. Philp is managing editor of Echo Magazine and can be reached at kj@echomag.com.

Y

sou may remember that I ended my last note with the promise of an upcoming Echo announcement, and the time has finally come. It is with great pride, immeasurable support and boundless ambition that I announce that you are holding the very last biweekly issue of Echo in your hands.

Echo Is Going Monthly

After 26 issues of Echo each year, for 25 years – 667 issues of LGBT news, views and entertainment, to be exact – we will be transitioning our business to a monthly publication, complemented by our super chic website and our ever-growing social media platforms.

For our readers, contributors and advertisers this means we’ll be bigger, better and longer (both in page count and

in shelf life). It also means that some of our content will evolve with us – you’ll find the bulk of the community happenings on our online community calendar, breaking news at echomag.com, national news on social media and stories on our community’s extraordinary individuals, organizations, efforts right here in print. For a list of publication dates, through the remainder of 2015, see page 12.

On behalf of the entire Echo family I’d like to thank you for your support over the years, through countless changes. We’re excited to begin the next chapter in Echo’s history.

2015 Pride Preview Speaking of history, you may have noticed there’s more history to celebrate this issue.

Not only do we have our annual Pride

Preview in store for you, but we’ve also dug up 35 years of Phoenix Pride photos and milestones to add to the celebration.

Have a safe and happy Pride, and don’t forget to come visit us at the Echo booth!

Echo Readers’ Choice Awards Finally, for those of you anxiously awaiting the reveal of the 2015 Echo Magazine Readers’ Choice Award winners, you’ll have to meet me at Club Downtown at 8 p.m. tonight or to be sure to pick up our May issue, which hits newsstands April 23.

Until then, let me just say that I was blown away by the amount of votes we received this year. Thank you all for your love and participation, and, to all the winners, congratulations on the well-deserved honor!

on echomag.com Web Exclusives

The Last One AIDS Memorial Quilt documentary screens in Scottsdale. echomag.com/the-last-one

The Sound of Oz Filmmaker Aaron Harburg revisits the legendary work of his great-grandfather. echomag.com/the-sound-of-oz

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

|7

Celebrating 25 Years of News, Views, Culture and Community PUBLISHER: Bill Orovan ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Bill Gemmill Editorial MANAGING EDITOR: Kara J. Philp CONTRIBUTORS: Cait Brennan Anthony Costello Hana Khalyleh Lorraine Longhi Art Martori Melissa Myers Mark Ogle Desi Rubio Richard Schultz Megan Wadding

Alex Chambers Alexis Getscher Laura Latzko Anna Mackey Liz Massey David-Elijah Nahmod Hans Pedersen Terri Schlichenmeyer Michael J. Tucker Nate Whitten

Production ART DIRECTOR: Geoff Hulme PHOTOGRAPHY: Gregg Edelman, Nightfuse.com, Bill Gemmill Advertising ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Ashlee James ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Brit Kezar ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Gregg Edelman National Advertising Representative: Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 CLASSIFIEDS MANAGER: Bill Gemmill Copyright © 2015 • ISSN #1045-2346

ACE PUBLISHING, INC.

P.O. Box 16630 Phoenix, AZ 85011-6630 Biweekly Readership: 50,000 Phone: 602-266-0550 Non-Phoenix Metro: 888-EchoMag Fax: 602-266-0773 Subscriptions: $29/year

Email: manager@echomag.com Website: EchoMag.com Member:

Echo Magazine is pub­lished by and is a trademark of Ace Publish­ing, Inc. All rights re­served. Written permis­sion must be obtained in advance for par­tial or com­plete re­production of in­clud­ing any advertising ma­te­ri­al contained therein.

Opin­ions ex­pressed in are not necessar­ily those of the pub­lisher or staff or ACE Publishing, Inc. does not as­sume re­spon­sibil­ity for claims by its ad­ver­tis­ers. Publication of the name or pho­to­graph of a per­son or or­gani­za­tion in ar­ticles, ad­ver­tising or list­ings inis not to be con­strued as an in­di­ca­tion of the sexual ori­en­ta­tion of such or­gani­za­tions or persons (unless such ori­en­ta­tion is specifically stat­ed). Manuscripts or other ma­te­ri­als submit­ted re­main the property of ACE Publishing. Free copies lim­it­ed to one per per­son.

8|

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

new 2015 Subaru WRX’s Brand new 2015 inSubaru stock WRX’s in stock ready for immediateand delivery! ready for immediate delivery!

2015 SUBARU 2.5I SUBARU 2.5I

2015 SUBARU 2.5I

OUTBACK FORESTER ORESTER

1 69 169mo.

249 mo. mo.

$ $

+ tax

ase for: Lease for:

$

+ tax

+ tax

Lease for:

Lease aForester 2015 Subaru Outback #5S493 for $249/Month on afor 39-Month Lease 10K 015 Subaru 2.5i #5S400 $169/Month Lease on a 2015 a Subaru 39-Month Forester 2.5i #5S400Lease for $169/Month10K on a 39-Month Lease 10K miles per due year. $4,999 duesigning. at signing. $0 security deposit.

Additional charges may year. $4,999 at $0 security deposit. miles per year. $4,999 due atcharges signing. $0 security deposit.

Additional may Additional charges may ed at the be end lease approved credit. be imposed at the Not end of theall lease customers term. With approved credit. Not all customers imposedof at thethe end of the lease term. term.

With approvedWith credit. Not all customers y. Plus tax, title, license $399 doc fees. Seewilldealer qualify. Plus tax,for title, license details. and $399 doc fees. See dealer for details. will qualify.

Plus tax, title, license and and $399 doc fees.

See dealer for details.

res 4/15/15.

Offer expires 4/15/15.

Offer expires 4/15/15.

77-717115th•Street CamelbackSubaru.com and Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 602-277-7171 • CamelbackSubaru.com

2014 VOLKSWAGEN

JETTA 2.0L S M/T

Lease for:

159mo.

$

+ tax

r. Tax, title, and#5V225 license - 36 month lease additional. on approved credit. $1,899 Expires down. 10,000 miles 4/15/15. per year. Tax, title, and license additional. Expires 4/15/15.

7-7171 •15th CamelbackVW.com Street and Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 602-277-7171 • CamelbackVW.com

ON THE RECORD “Today, I, along with my colleagues on the Phoenix City Council unanimously approved updates to the city’s Anti-Discrimination Ordinance to address equal pay for equal work for men and women ... an important part of giving women the confidence to discuss their financial future. I congratulate Councilwoman Gallego, the Phoenix Women’s Commission and city staff for their work to take the steps to close the pay gap and to address an issue that greatly impacts the hard working families of Phoenix.”

– Councilwoman Laura Pastor in a statement on Phoenix’s approval of equal pay measures March 24.

SOCIAL MEDIA HER, the leading app for lesbian and bisexual women, is launching in Arizona after receiving $1million investment to grow beyond its existing markets, which include San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York.

According to a HER press release, Phoenix was one of the most hotly requested areas, and Tucson will follow behind Phoenix.

SAFE SEX Ahead of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is observed in April SayItWithACondom.com recently launched a effort to raise awareness for sexual assault prevention. Formally called “The Consent Project,” this campaign includes a line of condom wrappers that reinforce the important consent.

“Consent is mandatory in every sexual situation - even if it’s a kiss,” said SayItWithACondom.com CEO Benjamin Sherman. “Our hope is that our Consent Condoms help to kick start a conversation advocating ask-first sexual activity.”

“I’m so excited to bring HER to Arizona,” said Robyn Exton, HER founder. “We’ve had thousands of requests and so much support from the community there to launch in both Phoenix and Tucson, and I can’t wait to see how we can connect and grow the existing LGBT community there.”

HER is available to download on the Apple app store and will be available on the Android store soon. For more information, visit weareher.com or find @hersocialapp in Twitter and HER (app page) on Facebook.

For more information, visit sayitwithacondom. com/the-consent-project.

BY the numbers Arizona’s same-sex couples married on or before this date must file their 2014 income taxes as “married” in order to avoid the marriage penalty. For more information, see “Money Talks” on page 71.

10 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

4 your information

Families come in all shapes and sizes So do our plans. They come with features to fit your needs.

See how we offer support to families just like yours.

Visit www.AetnaLGBT.com to learn more.

Š2015 Aetna Inc. Plans are offered by Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna).

2015050

news briefs

Echo Announces Transition to Monthly Magazine Echo Magazine formally announced today that, after 26 issues each year, for 25 years, the publication will transition into a monthly format effective April 23.

“Readers and advertisers will notice the positive effects of going monthly immediately,” said Bill Gemmill, Echo’s associate publisher.

“We’re cutting ad rates and improving content to offer a more distinctive product to our audience.”

Look for new issues of Echo on newsstands as well as echomag.com on the below dates.

“We’ve studied all angles of the industry, and it’s time for us to regain our competitive

edge in print, while catering to our website and social media audiences, too,” he said. “Stay tuned for a bigger, better, longer Echo Magazine in the coming months.”

To supplement the new monthly format, the Echo team is inviting readers to stay in touch via social media by liking Echo Magazine on Facebook, following @ EchoMagAZ on Twitter and by using #EchoMagAZ to join the conversation.

For more information on Echo advertising, call 602-2660550, or to tell Echo about your upcoming event, visit echomag. com/community-calendar.

#668 April 23, 2015

#669 May 21, 2015

#670 June 18, 2015

#671 July 16, 2015

#672 Aug. 20, 2015

#673 Sept. 17, 2015

#674 Oct. 15, 2015

#675 Nov. 19, 2015

#676 Dec. 17, 2015

#677 Jan. 21, 2016

#678 Feb. 18, 2016

#679 March 17, 2016

Harvey Milk Foundation Hosts Second Annual Tucson Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast The second annual Tucson Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. April 21 at the Tucson Doubletree, 445 S. Alvernon Way, in Tucson.

The purpose of the breakfast will be 12 |

april 9, 2015

•

EQAZ and LUCHA announce Fair Housing Education and Outreach Project

EchoMag.com

Living United For Change in Arizona (LUCHA) and Equality Arizona launched the Fair Housing Education and Outreach Project March 24, having been awarded a City of Phoenix grant.

According to an Equality Arizona press release, the project serves to “provide outreach and education around fair housing issues targeting traditionally underserved populations including those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), refugees, and the LGBTQ community.”

The press release when on to state, “LGBTQ Phoenicians are disproportionately discriminated against in renting and purchasing housing. And too often victims don’t recognize they’re the victims of discrimination and when they do, they don’t know what to do or who to go to. The most affected

to celebrate personal and professional accomplishments that help promote and advance Harvey Milk’s dream for a just and inclusive society for those who are excluded – gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, racial and ethnic minorities, the elderly, the young, and the disabled.

Stuart Milk, president and co-founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation and nephew of Harvey Milk, will serve as the keynote speaker. Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and Guy Atchely, News Anchor,

communities are the ones without a voice. This project will go directly to the communities most affected and provide education about identifying housing discrimination and what to do when it happens.”

The project, which will be managed in conjunction with the city of Phoenix and grant funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, was launched March 24 at the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center in Phoenix.

The project will include: • Processing fair housing intakes for those experiencing discrimination.

• Workshops, educational sessions, and community events that provide information and promote fair housing.

• Organizational and community outreach.

Equality Arizona is directing anyone interested in volunteering to sign up via equalityarizona.org/ volunteer.

KGUN 9, will also be in attendance.

Additionally, as part of the breakfast, the Harvey Milk Community Award, the Harvey Milk Legacy Award and the Milán Rózsa Youth Award will be presented.

For additional information and ticket details, visit facebook.com/tucsonhmdb. news briefs

Echo Magazine is making changes.

See for yourself April 23.

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 13

2.21.15IVF_MarAD@Echo

2/24/15

11:31 AM

Page 1

IVFPhoenix.com Full Service Fertility &Treatment Center

John L Couvaras MD FACOG

Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist

Tel. 602.765.2229

IVF • Donor Egg/Sperm Reproductive Surgery Intrauterine Insemination Prenatal Genetic Screening Fertility Preservation/Egg Freezing

© Copyright 2015 by IVF Phoenix ®. All rights reserved.

Meet Donna Taylor

Educator for more than 30 years and a graduate of a Maricopa Community College Learn more at: goo.gl/CFsLOu

“Every day I try to learn something new. Every day my students teach me something different.”

Learn more at maricopa.edu University Transfer and Career Training Programs | Affordable | Flexible Class Schedules | Quality Instruction Chandler-Gilbert | Estrella Mountain | GateWay | Glendale | Mesa | Paradise Valley | Phoenix Rio Salado | Scottsdale | South Mountain | Maricopa Corporate College | Skill Centers The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

14 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

date book

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 15

April 18

Date book April 11

April 11-12

The 2015 Phoenix Pride Festival will take place at Steele Indian School Park, Indian School Road between Central Avenue and Seventh Street. phoenixpride.org April 12

The Phoenix Frontrunners present the Pride Run & Walk and 2015 Adventure Expo. The expo will take place from 6:30 to 11 a.m. at Third Street and Clarendon Avenue. See website for race times, routes and registration. phxfr.org April 11 and 19

Trans* Spectrum Arizona will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center, 801 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. phoenixpridelgbtcenter.org

The 2015 Phoenix Pride Parade, which will showcase 2,000 individual participants as well as community and celebrity grand marshals, will kick off at 10 a.m. traveling from Third Street and Thomas Road to Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix. phoenixpride.org April 12 and 19

Join Desert Valley Squares for a dance party from 5 to 7 p.m. at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church, 3456 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix.480-704-9604; info@ desertvalleysquares.com

April 12, 16 and may 3

Orpheus Male Chorus presents “Nature’s Gifts,” a series of three spring concerts, including 3 p.m. April 12 at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, 13658 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West; 3 p.m. April 26 at Velda Rose United Methodist Church, 5540 E. Main St., Mesa; and 3 p.m. May 3 at Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley. orpheus.org April 15

The LGBTQ Consortium’s Safe Out Meeting will take place at 6 to 7 p.m. at TERROS Central Office, 3303 N. Central Ave., #200, Phoenix. lgbtconsortium.com

phoenixpridelgbtcenter.org April 18

The Phoenix Gaymers host a monthly gaming party from 6-10 p.m. at the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center, 801 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. phoenixpridelgbtcenter.org April 18

A new support group for women in the LGBTQ community will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center, 801 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. phoenixpridelgbtcenter.org April 18-19

April 16

The Arizona Foundation For Women will host its 19th Annual Awards Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Phoenician, 6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. azfw.org

FEZ. Within Reach.

Produce on Wheels With Out Waste (POWWOW) distributes fresh produce once a month – $10 for up to 60 pounds – at the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center, 801 N. Second Ave., Phoenix.

April 16

The city of Phoenix’s 15th Annual Diversity Employment Day Career Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2532 W. Peoria Ave., Phoenix. citycareerfair.com/index.php April 17-19

Scorpius Dance Theatre presents its repertory showcase, featuring contemporary dance, theatrics and aerial arts, at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively, at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 8355 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria. scorpiusdance.com/shows April 23

The Greater Phoenix Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly NetMixer from 5:307:30 p.m. at Phoenix Theatre, 100 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix.

RSVP at phoenixgaychamber.com April 25

Luxury condominiums and lofts — Downtown Phoenix is taking flight.

saguarocup.com

NOW SELLING

PortlandParkCondos.com 602.344.9977 No binding offer to sell may be accepted until the Arizona subdivision public report is issued.

16 |

april 9, 2015

The Saguaro Cup Sports Festival, which includes the Southwest’s premier gay softball tournament and related festivities, will take place at various sports complexes throughout Phoenix.

•

EchoMag.com

SWAY Events presents Buzz Bash, a brunch mixer and happy hour that will feature trendsetting products, brands, ideas and demonstrations, will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m., respectively, at Mod, 2828 N. Central Ave., #100, Phoenix.

RSVP to cozette@swayevents. com. swayevents.com

MARK OUR CALENDARS

To have your event considered for Echo’s print and online calendars, submit your event details to echomag.com/community-calendar.

All submissions are subject to Echo’s discretion. news

Viva Aunt Rita’s Places High Stakes on Charity

By Hana Khalyleh

A

unt Rita’s Foundation is hosting its second annual “red hot casino night” April 17 at The Venue of Scottsdale.

Viva Aunt Rita’s, a Vegas-themed charity event, is one way the organization raises funds for its 17 benefiting organizations, which include Compassion In Action, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, one n ten, Joshua Tree Feeding Program Inc. and the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS “Viva Aunt Rita’s is a cocktail reception with fabulous Vegas entertainment,” said CJ Minott, Aunt Rita’s director of events. “Last year was a great success, with over 500 attendees in its first year, [and] our guests couldn’t wait to see again.”

Upon arrival, guests with general admission will receive $50 in Rita Bucks and VIP guests will receive $100 in Rita Bucks.

From there, the Rita Bucks can be exchanged for chips and used at the 27 casino tables, which will include blackjack, craps, poker, roulette and a money wheel. Additional Rita

Bucks are available for purchase.

“We also hope to increase public awareness and education around HIV within the community,” Minott said.

Then, at the end of the evening, guests are invited to exchange their “winnings” for raffle entries. Each entry costs $100 Rita Bucks.

The event’s silent auction will include more than 100 items – ranging from gift certificates and jewelry to art and tickets to local theatres and museums – that have been donated by local businesses, charities and artists.

“This will be a lot of fun, in a great setting, with a little bit of glamour,” said Barbra Seville, the event’s hostess. “My job is to keep the night moving ... and make people laugh. So basically, it is another day at the office.”

“I love working with Aunt Rita’s … I am honored to be a part of anything that they do,” Seville said.

The evening will also feature a silent auction and entertainment by The Kenny Thames Trio and Anthony La Motta.

Viva Aunt Rita’s 8 p.m.-midnight April 17 The Venue of Scottsdale 7117 E. Third St., Scottsdale vivaauntritas.org

“I am honored to be a part of this event,” said Kenny Thames, the band’s owner and frontman. “We plan to bring the Las Vegas feel to the stage.”

According to Minott, the event’s objective is to bring the community together and to raise much needed funds for Aunt Rita’s benefitting agencies.

Hana Khalyleh is an ASU student and Echo intern who also runs a biweekly blog that critically analyzes the progress of the digital gaming community.

Is it time to take your toys and go home?

Divorce Law Offices of

602.714.2598 www.divorcephoenixarizona.com

Flat Fee Family Law EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 17

OUT ‘n ABOUT “I have a Dream Boutique” Ribbon Cutting April 5 at Rebel & Divine at First Congregational United Church of Christ Phoenix Photos by Kara J. Philp

For more Echo photos visit echomag.com/gallery.

18 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

news

RESERVE NOW!

Affordable modern luxury...near everything!

Introducing Coronado Commons, Midtown’s newest urban community. A unique collection of just 20 urban homes at 3rd Street and Coronado. With 2 & 3-bedroom townhomes ranging from 1730-2150 SF+-. You’ll love the contemporary design and walkable lifestyle. Target priced from just $399,000 to $485,000.

Construction has already started. Hurry, reserve your home today! www.coronadocommonsliving.com Contact Scott Jarson or Sherry Cameron 480.425.9300

Now accepting sales reservations only at this time. No sales until issuance of ADRE Public Report. No binding offer to sell prior to issuance of the final Arizona Subdivision Public Report for the property. All architectural illustrations reflect an artistic interpretation of the project and may differ from actual built environment. Square footage is approximate. Courtesy to Brokers.

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 19

the hiGh eNerGy hot BeAr DANCe PArty!

APril 11th

10pm

No Cover

4 DeCks – 3 Artists – 1 exPerieNCe exteNDeD outDoor PAtio | GoGo BeArs | leD DANCe Floor AmAziNG GiveAwAys AND Door Prizes | liGht show

4343 North 7th Avenue Phoenix facebook.com/stacysatmelrose 20 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

602-361-6560

602-264-1700

PRIDE 2015

35 YEARS OF PRIDE Take a look back at the milestones in Arizona’s LGBT history 1981 More than 700 gay and lesbian activists, led by Kirk Baxter and BJ Bud, organized the first Pride march and rally from Patriots Square Park in Downtown Phoenix to the State Capitol. It was a politically focused march to bring awareness to gay rights issues in Phoenix. The keynote speakers at the rally were gay activists Arlie Scott and Leonard Matlovich.

1982 Tucson Gay Pride Festival is canceled due to a nationwide call to fight discrimination and oppression. Instead, the LGBT community of Arizona planned a 130-mile Civil Rights March from Tucson to Phoenix.

1985 The LGBT community of Tucson formed Tucson AIDS Project (TAP), Shanti Foundation and People with AIDS Coalition of Tucson (PACT) for Life. Eventually, these organizations merged under the name Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF).

It’s ‘Bout Time (IBT’s) bar opened its doors in Downtown Tucson.

1986 The first annual Fiesta de Mayo event was held as a fundraiser for Tucson Lesbian/Gay Pride Committee (TLGPC), later renamed Tucson Lesbian & Gay Alliance (TLGA) and then Tucson Pride. The theme was “Forward Together” to encourage unity and acknowledge gays and lesbians of MexicanAmerican heritage.

1987 Ed Buck, a gay activist, formed the Mecham Recall Committee, a drive to recall Arizona Governor Evan Mecham, who was openly anti-gay and racist.

1988 Wayne Blankenship and other LGBT community members met at Southern Arizona’s Unitarian Universalist Church to form Wingspan, a lesbian and gay resource center for the Tucson community.

For the first time, Tucson Mayor Tom Volgy proclaimed June 19-26 as Tucson’s Lesbian and Gay Pride Week.

1990 Kirk Baxter co-founded Phoenix Body Positive, an advocacy organization that provided HIV/AIDS information, nutritional help and counseling services. Today, the organization has been renamed to the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS and is the largest clinical trial site in the Southwest.

1991 A group of volunteers joined together to coordinate the first annual Phoenix Pride Festival. This committee, best known as the Phoenix Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee, Inc. (PLGPC) helped establish a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under Desert Pride (later renamed Arizona Central Pride and finally Phoenix Pride).

Bill MacDonald co-founded Arizona Human Rights Fund, later renamed Equality Arizona. It served as a political advocacy organization that supported LGBT and LGBTfriendly candidates, voter education and lobbied for LGBT inclusive legislation.

1983 The Arizona AIDS Fund Trust was established to provide information and referral services to individuals being affected by the AIDS epidemic.

1984 John King and Kenny Cunitz opened a second Charlie’s Bar in Phoenix. A few weeks later the Arizona Gay Rodeo Association (AGRA) is formed. AGRA is one of the five founding members of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA).

Kim Hunter becomes the first openly gay delegate from Arizona to attend the Democratic National Convention.

22 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

Photo courtesy of Celebrating LGBT History! Arizona: 1969-2014.

1993 Valley One In Ten (VOIT), later renamed one n ten, was founded by a group of concerned community members, lead by Toby Urvater.

It was a program within a non-profit organization called Valley of the Sun Gay and Lesbian Community Center (referred to as The Center).

1994 Ken Cheuvront became the first openly gay man elected to the Arizona House of Representatives.

1996 Neil Giuliano became the first openly gay mayor of Tempe. Five years later, his political opponents unsuccessfully tried to remove him from office by organizing a recall campaign.

The first annual Pride in the Pines Festival, organized in Flagstaff by the Northern Arizona Pride Association (NAPA), drew more than 300 people to Fort Tuthill County Fairgrounds.

Arizona Governor Fife Symington signed SB 1038 into law. This bill banned the recognition of same-sex marriage in Arizona and the recognition of marriages performed in other states.

1997 The first Gay West event was held at Old Tucson Studios. This was a fundraising event supported by statewide organizations, including Wingspan, AGRA, TLGA, SAAF, Team Arizona, Desert Voices, Reveille, PFLAG and Arizona Central Pride.

1998 The Valley of the Sun Gay and Lesbian Community Center established the BJ Bud Memorial Library and Archives for the community.

2001 The 2001 Arizona Equity Act, signed by Arizona Governor Jane Hull, repealed the state’s sodomy laws that prohibited any sexual acts not intended for procreation.

2002 Don Hamill created and planned the first Rainbows Festival in Phoenix, which drew in 25,000 attendees.

The Richard Heakin Memorial Committee and Tucson Pride raised $5,000 to purchase and place a granite stone memorial bench at City Hall.

2003 The Tucson Mayor and City Council unanimously approved Arizona’s first domestic partner registry at the recommendation of the city’s Commission on LGBT Issues.

2005 The first Bisbee Pride Festival was planned by Bisbee Pride, Inc., a non-profit organization with a mission of producing and promoting educational, cultural, and recreational events for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

2006 Arizona voters, by a margin of 48.2 percent to 51.8 percent , defeated Proposition 107, a constitutional amendment that would have banned same-sex marriage and any legal status similar to marriage.

2008 Arizona voters, by a margin of 56.2 percent

to 43.8 percent, passed Proposition 102, a constitutional amendment that defined marriage in Arizona as the union of one man and one woman.

2013 The cities of Bisbee and Tucson approved Civil Unions between same-sex couples thereby expanding their rights related to inheritances, property ownership and guardianship.

2014 Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed SB 1062, a controversial bill that would have allowed businesses to deny services to customers based on their religious beliefs.

Following the initial passage, local and national businesses, civil rights groups, and gay rights groups opposed the bill. This bill also prompted State Senator Steve Gallardo to come out as gay.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge John Sedwick ruled on October 17 that Arizona’s law banning same-sex marriages was unconstitutional, making Arizona the 31st state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage.

Source: Celebrating LGBT History! Arizona: 1969-2014

BE A PART OF HISTORY Celebrating LGBT History! Arizona: 1969-2014, is an ongoing collaboration – brought to you by Phoenix Pride, the Hip Historian Marshall Shore and ASU Libraries – to preserve Arizona’s LGBT history for future generations.

To contribute to or volunteer as part of this effort, visit the Celebrating LGBT History! Arizona: 1969-2014 booth at the Phoenix Pride festival or contact one of the following: BJ Bud Memorial Library, Phoenix Pride Center: 602-712-0111 The Hip Historian Marshall Shore: 602-359-9559 BJ Bud Memorial Archives, Arizona Collection, ASU Libraries Nancy Godoy: 480-965-2594 EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 23

PRIDE 2015

35 years later Local leader recalls the early days of Pride in Phoenix

By Art Martori

the obscure early history of the Phoenix LGBT community, whose members have since dipped back into anonymity or passed away.

And for Taylor, the lack of recognition is just fine.

“It’s OK. It’s absolutely fine, because I know what I did,” she says. “I will go to my grave with that. If it made it so that just one person was not committing suicide in our community, then that’s fine with me.”

Again, Simeone cuts in.

T

he IHOP on 19th and Northern avenues in Phoenix isn’t quite the gayborood hotspot, but longtime LGBT activist Donna Taylor seems to like it fine as she deliberately picks her way though a Belgian waffle.

Joined by Jean Simeone, her partner of more than 30 years, Taylor is telling a story about one of the first marches in Phoenix that bore the Pride moniker. Well, she’s trying at least.

Taylor sighs as her partner interrupts for like the umpteenth time. It’s part of their dynamic; Taylor, 65, is more reserved while Simeone, also 65, often lets her New Yorker’s outspokenness derail conversations. Taylor begins again. It was in the summer of 1981. At the time, it seemed just like another day.

“I’m the one that’s mad. I see what she did.

I was by her side,” Simeone says. “Donna was part of this way back when. I’ve been mad ever since.”

Indeed, it was anger, in fact, that motivated Taylor in those early years.

Rather than a sense of duty or vision toward the future, Taylor describes it as simply having enough, a human reaction to some intolerable thing like pain or sorrow, or

“If it made it so that just one person was not committing suicide in our community, then that’s fine with me.”

Donna Taylor

“It was just one of those days, clear blue skies, all of that. I remember Shamoo from Shamoo’s bar, which was way back in history,” she continues. “He had gotten a flatbed truck, and he’d put all his dancers from his bar up there. We had all these dancers up on a flatbed truck and music just blaring. It was funnier than heck.

“They were seeing us go by but they weren’t saying much. They were just kind of surprised. They were half ignoring it. It wasn’t like the modern-day Prides, when you have people in different costumes and different types of hair.”

The event she’s describing is the genesis of Phoenix Pride. Although LGBT advocacy in Arizona had been around for a while by then, the 1981 parade represented the beginning of a sustained effort that would eventually become the Phoenix Pride of today.

Taylor has been a tireless fighter for equality since the early days, but hers is far from a household name. She represents 24 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

Donna Taylor (left) and her wife, Jean Simeone. Photo courtesy of Donna Taylor.

oppression.

“I wasn’t scared,” she says. “I was plain mad most of the time.”

By the late 1970s Taylor was out of the closet after ending a marriage that had been forced upon her, despite her obvious sexual orientation, by a domineering mother. It produced a son with severe emotional issues. She was a single mother struggling to begin a career and raise a child, and at the same time grow into her new identity.

Taylor says her station as a single mother also put her in a difficult position among lesbians, who tended to avoid her. Meanwhile, the LGBT community as a whole was splintered. As early as 1979, Taylor remembers, she was attending marches that had appropriated the name Pride, yet no group had emerged as a single representative organization.

“At that time it was a separatist community. The lesbians didn’t like me because I had a son. And I’m like, I can’t control that,’ she says. “The guys were saying the lesbians were taking over, and the lesbians were saying the guys were

taking over.

“That’s how we identified each other, ‘What bar do you go to?’ That was the code word.”

Simeone chimes in: “We were blowing each other up because we were all on power trips over who was doing what.”

With the 1981 Phoenix Pride march, though, something stuck. The LGBT community had a rallying point. Phoenix Pride parades and festivals continued year after year. Key individuals emerged as leaders. One of them, Linda Hoffman, now 65, has been involved in some way for more than two decades.

Hoffman remembers the early years when Phoenix Pride was a less-organized version of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that today garners support from local businesses, networks with other LGBT advocacy groups and draws thousands of people to the annual Phoenix Pride festival.

Each year, Phoenix Pride names a recipient of the Linda Hoffman Spirit Award for their contribution to the LGBT community.

“The name wasn’t so imperative back then, it was the event. It didn’t matter who put it on,” Hoffman says. “People burned out, and then somebody else would show up. But it wasn’t really a group. It just kind of happened.”

While Phoenix Pride slowly coalesced, Taylor had returned to school and before long started to organize the LGBT community at Arizona State University.

Taylor describes struggling to gain cooperation with student organizations, which seemed to resist legitimizing her work. Eventually, she took matters into her own hands.

“I went around to every one of the professors I could find and I introduced myself,” Taylor remembers, describing her one-woman campaign. “I said, ‘Hi, I’m Donna and I’m a lesbian. I just want to let you know this. If you have any gay or lesbian people in your classes who seem uncomfortable, they can always come and talk to me.’”

Taylor and Hoffman would eventually work together in the early and mid 2000s, when they both served on the board of directors for Phoenix Pride. By then, Hoffman remembers, Taylor had come to be known as part of the old guard.

“She’s a hard worker. A very hard worker,” Hoffman says. “Her heart is in the right

place. I’d ask her to do anything, and she had ideas to do things. A lot of people have been on the board over the years, and I would have to instruct them what I wanted to do.

She had the initiative.”

Taylor remains humble. Tonight she’s sitting with her partner at a table toward the edge of the dining room at Harley’s Italian Bistro.

“Wherever I felt that I could be of service,” she says. “It was very loose and very low key, people just tapping people on the shoulder and saying hey this is what we’re going to do. It was a rumor thing.”

It’s about 6 p.m. on a Friday, and the Melrose neighborhood destination is quickly filling up with fabulous, beautiful people.

But rather than eying the social scene, the couple remains fascinated by their menus, with pages tucked inside the covers of vintage cookbooks.

“Welcome to Harley’s!” The server seems to sense there’s significance to Taylor and Simeone’s visit.

Taylor offers a brief sideways glance followed by, “Glad to be here.”

As the discussion turns to the old days, Simeone starts getting animated. “Let me talk, please, Jean?” Taylor offers gently. “Eat.” Not long after Taylor came out and started crusading for gay rights, she met a woman at a New Year’s Eve party. It was 1983. The woman who initially annoyed Donna Taylor with her habit of leaning in close to hear people speak was Jean Simeone.

“I went home with her,” Taylor admits.

“And we’ve had a one-night stand that lasted 32 years.”

Their fling, as it were, came to an end on Oct. 17, 2014, as Taylor heard the news she’d awaited for more than three decades.

Seconds after the ruling, which effectively legalized same-sex marriage in Arizona, Taylor left work for the day. She needed to pick up her partner. She needed to find their pastor.

“When they made the decision around 9:15, I stood up,” Taylor remembers. “I told my boss, ‘I’m outta here.’ They all stood up and applauded me as I walked out the door. We put on a slam-bang wedding.”

Strides of Phoenix Pride

By Anna Mackey Phoenix Pride began as a grassroots movement, not always unified, organized, or even run by the same groups of people, but certainly genuine. Through the triumphs and pitfalls, Pride has survived and become the leading LGBT community event in Arizona.

Here are some of the key strides of Phoenix Pride: 1979

One of the first unofficial Pride parades in Phoenix commences; unadvertised and run by local bartenders, the march was small but effective.

1981

Phoenix’s first organized Pride march and rally draws more than 700 community members.

1991

Phoenix Pride is recognized as a 501(c) (3) organization. The first festival is organized Phoenix Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee, which later became Phoenix Pride.

1979

Incorporated Phoenix Pride has its first official parade.

2001

A notorious Arizona monsoon devastates the grassy field where the festival was to be held, ruining the night and canceling a RuPaul performance.

2007

Phoenix Pride hires its first paid staffer, an executive director.

2015

Art Martori is a Phoenix-based freelance writer who contributes to various newspapers and magazines.

Phoenix Pride celebrates the 35th anniversary of organized Pride events.

EchoMag.com • april 9, 2015

| 25

5 1 0 2 , H T 2 1 & APRIL 11TH g r o . e d i r p x i www.phoen JOIN 35,000 OF YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY NATIONAL BANDS & PERFORMERS 10,000 SF DANCE PAVILION BUD LIGHT MAIN STAGE OVER 300 EXHIBITORS BISTRO & ARTS EXPO COMMUNITY STAGE EROTIC WORLD FOOD TRUCKS KIDSPACE WILSON PHILLIPS 8 PM SATURDAY

BE

NE

KATY TIZ 7:30PM SUNDAY

FI

TI

NG

PRESENTS

ANA BARBARA 7PM SATURDAY

SUNDAY APRIL 12TH  10AM KICKS OFF AT 3RD ST AND THOMAS

BETTY WHO 8PM SUNDAY

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 27

PRIDE 2015

2015 Phoenix Pride Preview Annual festival continues to evolve and entertain in 2015

MAIN STAGE

By Laura Latzko

P

ride holds different meanings for everyone and, no matter what your definition involves, you’re invited to show it, share it, rock, it, flaunt it and celebrate it at Arizona’s biggest LGBT celebration.

This year’s Phoenix Pride festival, which marks the 35th anniversary of Pride events in Phoenix, is expecting 35,000 attendees, 300 exhibitors and nearly 500 volunteers to descend on Steele Indian School Park April 11-12.

“Every year is someone’s first pride festival,” said Justin Owen, the organization’s executive director. “I’ve seen it in all ages, I’ve seen it in all demographics – from older members of our community, who were so afraid to be themselves because of how they were brought up or their history … to teenagers who come in from a rural part of Arizona – they come through that gate and realize they can be themselves, they can truly experience who they are.”

To accommodate festivalgoers of all ages and interests, the 2015 festival boasts three stages of entertainment, a dance pavilion, an Arts Expo, the Erotic World (18 and over), a Wedding Chapel, an LGBT History Exhibit, a KidSpace for families, a VIP Experience (for details, see page 42) and a variety of food

Photo courtesy of Phoenix Pride 28 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

and beverage options.

According to Owen, all the festival participants – from the local and national talent to the community-based vendors – combine for a more diverse experience than in past years.

“Pride is so much bigger than one person, than one organization,” said Dani Logan, Phoenix Pride program manager. “There’s so much love that goes into the festival.”

Hosted by Barbra Seville (pictured), the Main Stage will feature a mix of local and national acts, including: Wilson Phillips Carnie Wilson, Wendy Wilson and Chynna Phillips topped the pop charts in the early ‘90s with “Hold On,” “Release Me” and “You’re in Love” and went on to win the 1990 Billboard Music Award for Hot 100 Single of the Year. Read Echo’s interview with Wilson Phillips on page 32.

However, it was the proceeds from last year’s festival Pride Pageant that allowed the organization to acquire the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center, formerly the 1 Voice Community Center. The center, located at 801 N. Second Ave., in Phoenix, is now part of organization’s greater mission.

Ana Bárbara

“I get to come to work daily and serve our community,” Logan said. “That’s what Phoenix Pride does with the center, with the festival, with the events and with the scholarships.”

Betty Who

According to Owen, in his 2015 Phoenix Pride welcome letter, the festival will continue to help the organization fund more than $100,000 in grants this year and continue to sustain the center.

“This is only possible because of you … the phenomenal community members that come out and support our events,” Owen wrote. “A portion of every dollar you spend with Phoenix Pride goes back into the community …”

The festival, Owen added, is the culmination of an entire year of planning as well as the organization’s biggest effort – one he, Logan and the Phoenix Pride board of directors are proud to present.

With international acclaim as La Reina Grupera (the queen of grupera music) and a 2005 Latin Grammy for Best Grupero Album for Loca de Amar, Bárbara will be Pride’s first-ever Latin headliner. Read Echo’s interview with Bárbara on page 34.

Australian singer-songwriter Betty Who released her debut album Take Me When You Go in October 2014. Her song “Somebody Loves You” became widely known after a video of Spencer Stout proposing to his boyfriend Dustin Reeser in a Home Depot flash mob dance went viral.

British pop singer Katy Tiz, best known for her cover of Rock Mafia’s “The Big Bang”; Katja Glieson, an Australian pop/ dance/hip-hop artist known for her song “Look At Us” and her portrayal of Elsa in the Snow White vs. Elsa Princess Rap Battle; Betty, a three-piece band out of New York, started in 1986 and is most known for “The L Word” theme song, will also take the main stage.

As for local acts, The Random Gingers, four-piece acoustic cover band and Madeleine Miller and Bret Bender, who make up the indie rock band Bogan Via are set to perform.

For the complete Main Stage schedule, see page 30.

Abilities, will give a class on mediation. For the complete Erotic World schedule, see page 30.

tish tanner community stage

Home to local flavor, including performers from such neighboring cities as Las Vegas and Los Angeles, the Tish Tanner Community Stage hosts hour-long sets by a mix of veteran and newcomer entertainers.

From drag stars and dance crews to singers and comedians, the entertainment here is guaranteed to be a diverse reflection of our community. For the complete Community Stage schedule, see page 30. arts expo & bistro stage

Organized by artist and interior designer Dawn Bowman for the past 11 years, the Arts Expo and Bistro Stage showcases independent visual artists from throughout the Valley.

This year, 13 artists booths will feature the work of photography, painting, drawings, jewelry, wood designs, glass art and, for the first time, a henna artist.

Exhibiting artists have also donated pieces for hourly raffles, proceeds of which benefit the Phoenix Pride Scholarship Program. Raffle tickets will be available for $5.

Festival attendees are invited to make their mark on a 20-foot chalk mural, which Bowman said, “adds an urban art walk quality to the space.”

On the other side of the tent, the Bistro Stage will feature a different performer every hour. For the complete Bistro Stage schedule, see page 30. erotic world

A space for attendees 18 and older, Erotic World offers a wide variety of mature material throughout both days of the festival.

exhibitors

Year after year, Phoenix Pride festival exhibitors continue to grow both in number and in diversity. And, according to Logan, attendees will see many newcomers this year, including an increased number of allied business owners, which she summarizes as a reflection of the changing needs of the community.

Since same-sex marriage became legally recognized in Arizona, Logan explained, more businesses and organizations in the allied community have realized our buying power and reached out.

Local retailer Green Gurl will make its Pride debut this year, and, according to owner Laura Allred-Roossin, the store, located at 3122 W. Indian School Road, regularly attracts a diverse client base, including LGBT community members and drag performers.

“I think it has to do with our openness and the people who work here,” Allred-Roossin said. “I think word has just gotten out that we’re a safe space.”

In the past, Allred-Roosin said, Green Gurl has donated to the Phoenix Shanti Group and one n ten, and bringing her business to be part of the festival finally worked out. kidspace

Parents and children (ages 12 and younger) are invited to celebrate pride as a family in with face painting, bounce houses, arts and crafts and a photo booth For the first time, new sponsor Microsoft will bring Xbox consoles and Surface Pro tablets to KidSpace.

Here, attendees are invited to learn about and explore different fetishes and practices through demonstrations, including flogging, role-play and whips, and such talks as “BDSM and the Law.” Back by popular demand, Romantasy Cabaret will perform its brand of burlesque on both days of the festival and for the first time, Nadine Sabulsky, author of Living the Naked Life: 10 Ways to Expose Your Unlimited Creation

Romantasy Cabaret. Photo courtesy of Phoenix Pride.

In lieu of a YouthZone, six community organizations, including Terros, one n ten and Safe Out, will be set up inside a shaded alcohol- and tobacco-free area near the community stage.

Phoenix Pride Festival Noon-9 p.m. April 11 and 12 Steele Indian School Park Enter on Indian School Road, between Central Avenue and Seventh Street Admission: Single-day pre-sale, $15; single-day express entry, $20; Two-day express-entry, $30; children 12 and under, free; VIP, $75.

Meet and greet with Wilson Phillips, Ana Barbara or Betty Who, $75 phoenixpridetickets.org Laura Latzko is a Phoenix-area freelance writer, originally from Michigan, who holds a bachelor’s degree in English and communication studies from Hollins University and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

BE A PART PHOENIX’S LGBT HISTORY The 35th anniversary of Phoenix Pride also marks the launch of Celebrating LGBT History! Arizona: 1969-2014, an ongoing collaboration – brought to you by Phoenix Pride, the Hip Historian Marshall Shore and ASU Libraries – to chronicle and preserve Arizona’s LGBT history for future generations.

The first phase this effort, informally referred to at the history project, will be unveiled at the Phoenix Pride festival.

Attendees are invited to visit the 20-by-20-foot tent to view periodicals, pictures and scrapbooks dedicated to LGBT history in the Valley.

Over the next five years, Owen said, partnering organizations will continue to expand on the project into what will eventually be a museum-quality traveling exhibit.

For information on contributing to or volunteering as part of this effort, visit the Celebrating LGBT History!

Arizona: 1969-2014 booth at the Phoenix Pride festival or see page 23 for more information.

– Laura Latzko EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 29

PRIDE 2015

5 PRIDE FESTIVAL ENHANCEMENTS NEW THIS YEAR Each year, Phoenix Pride tries out new ideas, makes enhancements and takes community-generated suggestions into consideration, all in an effort to make the festival a better overall experience for everyone in attendance.

Here are this year’s five most noteworthy festival enhancements:

Phoenix Pride 2015 Schedule of Events

1 The Parade Moves to Sunday This year marks the first time the parade will take place April 12. The procession will still kick off at 10 a.m. at Third Street and Thomas Road and run to Steele Indian School Park. For more information, see page 36.

2 Adventure Expo

3 The Wedding Chapel The biggest addition to this year’s festival is the wedding chapel where, for the first time, legally recognized same-sex weddings will be performed. For details, see page 31.

4 Festival Fare This year, the festival will feature an expanded food court area with more tables and chairs and a wider variety of food choices. In addition to the cuisine attendees have come to expect, there will also be more vegetarian and vegan options this year.

5 Size Matters (So Does Quantity) Last year’s Dance Pavilion expansion (to four times its prior size) was such a success that it’s back again. The KidSpace and Erotic World have also been expanded and will be housed in larger tents.

Festival entry lines have been modified to acomodate the high volume of attendees (see festival map, page 30).

There will also be more ID checkers on hand and twice the number of portable restrooms.

– Laura Latzko april 9, 2015

April 11 Noon .................. DJ Aris 1 p.m. ................. Phoenix Pride Welcome 2 p.m. ................. Pride Royalty 2:30 p.m. ......... DJ Crashattack

In addition to the annual Pride 10K/5K run and 5K walk, the Phoenix Frontrunners have added a half-marathon run and a 3K walk to this year’s race options.

All races will take place April 11 and participants and spectators are invited to the first-ever Adventure Expo, which will take place from 6:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Third Street and Clarendon Avenue. For more information, visit phxfr.org.

30 |

MAIN STAGE

•

EchoMag.com

4 p.m. ................ Phoenix Phollies 5:15 p.m. ........... Katja Glieson 6 p.m. ................ Betty 7 p.m. ................. Ana Bárbara 8 p.m. ................ Wilson Phillips April 12 Noon .................. DJ Cullen Daniel 1:30 p.m. .......... Random Gingers 3 p.m. ................. Bogan Via 4 p.m. ................ Austin Head 5:45 p.m. .......... Shadina 6:30 p.m. ......... Bright Light Bright Light 7:30 p.m. .......... Katy Tiz 8 p.m. ................ Betty Who bistro STAGE

April 11 11:30 a.m. ........ Opening Acoustic Tracks Noon .................. Sister Lip 1 p.m. ................. Clyde Ottney 2 p.m. ................. Sam Tolson 3 p.m. ................. What’s The Big Idea Jazz Trio 4 p.m. ................ Tina Estes Music 5 p.m. ................. Jane N’ The Jungle 6 p.m. ................ Corday April 12

3 p.m. ................. Jacob Acosta 4 p.m. ................ Coles Whalen & Kim O’Hara 5 p.m. ................. Kristen Ford 6 p.m. ................ Treasurefruit 7 p.m. ................. Mary Godfrey Trio tish tanner community stage

April 11 11:30 a.m. ........ Pride Has Talent 1 p.m. ................. Diva’s Tucson Show 2 p.m. ................. Stars Choice 3 p.m. ................. Afeelya And Friends 4 p.m. ................ Phoenix Pride Pageant Contestants 5 p.m. ................. Arizona Entertainer of the

Year/Bedazzled Hour 6 p.m. ................ Tradiciones Dance Company 7 p.m. ................. Elements 8 p.m. ................ Musical Mayhem Cabaret April 12 11:30 a.m. ........ Pride Has Talent 12:30 p.m. ....... Divine Chaos Tribal Fusion 1 p.m. ................. Dance Crew Hour 2 p.m. ................. Stars Choice 3 p.m. ................. Latino Hour 4 p.m. ................ King Court 4:45 p.m. ......... Brittany & Sally Pennington 5 p.m. ................. Phoenix Heatwave 5:30 p.m. .......... Ghazaal Beledi 6 p.m. ................ Gentleman’s Club 7 p.m. ................. All Miss Arizona Titleholders Hour dance pavilion

Noon .................. Linda Bilque/Rochelle Raya

April 11 11:30 a.m. ........ DJ Eclair 2 p.m. ................. Obbie Winehouse

1 p.m. ................. Phoenix Soujorn

4 p.m. ................ DJ Mic Mixxers

2 p.m. ................. Pearl Ridge Duo

6:30 p.m. ......... Miss DJ MJ

11:30 a.m. ........ Opening Acoustic Tracks

April 12 11:30 a.m. ........ Astony 2 p.m. ................. Musa Mind 4 p.m. ................ DJ Shorty 6:30 p.m. ......... DJ Tsunami erotic world (18+)

Walk Down the Aisle – Pride Style

By Desi Rubio

April 11 Noon .................. Comedy Spot 1 p.m. ................. Flogging/Impact Demo 1:45 p.m. ........... BDSM and The Law 2:30 p.m. ......... Single Tail/Flogging Demo 3:15 p.m. ........... Real Sex For Real Adults 4:15 p.m. ........... Bull Whip Demo 5 p.m. ................. Romantasy Cabaret 6 p.m. ................ Exotic Dancers April 12 Noon .................. Comedy Spot 1 p.m. ................. Flogging/Impact Demo 1:45 p.m. ........... Real Sex For Real Adults 2:30 p.m. ......... Single Tail/Flogging Demo 3:15 p.m. ........... Arizona Bound/Rope 4:15 p.m. ........... Heavy Metal Bondage 5 p.m. ................. Romantasy Cabaret 6 p.m. ................ Exotic Dancers

Festival map

F

or 35 years, the LGBT community has gathered, marched, rallied, paraded and celebrated under the Pride moniker. This year, for the first time in Arizona’s history, same-sex couples will legally wed as part of the weekend festivities.

Phoenix Pride is inviting couples to say “I Do” April 12 as part of the festival’s popup style wedding chapel.

“After the marriage ruling, community members arriving at Rainbows Festival showed a lot of interest in getting married at our event and we wanted to give the community what they wanted,” said Dani Logan, Phoenix Pride program manager.

“So, we got in touch with people who we knew could make it happen.”

Phoenix Pride organizers collaborated with Marisa Tristan, owner of I Do Events, who specializes in both same-sex and pop-up weddings.

“When we were approached by Pride with the idea, we were excited and wanted to be involved and support the community,” Tristan said. “Phoenix Pride makes a perfect setting for a wedding because it is such a lovely day and time to celebrate love in Arizona [and] we want to give couples the chance to have the full wedding-day experience.”

should last about 15 minutes,” Tristan said. “The ceremonies will then be followed up with an opportunity to take professional photos with their guests.”

Additionally, Tristan’s wife, Jennifer Tristan, will offer her professional photography services from 61 Productions and be taking photos of the ceremonies.

Festival organizers launched a link, located at the bottom of the phoenixpride. org home page that leads to a digital form that couples are required to complete ahead of their ceremony. This digital form includes information about obtaining a marriage certificate and also acts as a reservation for a guaranteed time slot in the wedding chapel.

According to Logan, couples must meet the following requirements to be eligible to be married at Pride: complete and submit the digital form, obtain a marriage license and all wedding attendees must purchase admission to the Pride festival.

Then, couples must bring their marriage license, forms of ID, guests and a wedding officiant (optional, as officiants will be provided) to the pop-up chapel ahead of their assigned wedding time slot.

Following the ceremony, Logan said newlyweds and their guests are invited to eat, drink, dance and celebrate in the park throughout the remainder of the Sunday festivities.

Desi Rubio is a Chandler-based freelance writer, who holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and culture. She can be reached at rubiodk@gmail.com.

As couples and their guests enter the chapel, which will be located on the west side of Steele Indian School Park, they will be greeted by a traditional wedding ambiance, which will include floral arrangements, crystal accents, manzanita trees and other touches.

“The ceremonies will be very intimate and

Photo by Bill Gemmill.

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 31

PRIDE 2015

Wilson Phillips Pop trio brings signature harmony and ‘90s hits to Phoenix Pride

By Laura Latzko

I

n the ‘90s, female pop groups reigned supreme. Pop trio Wilson Phillips made its mark with the universally relatable and equally timeless lyrics, “Don’t you know things can change; things’ll go your way; if you hold on for one more day.”

On April 11, the three original members of Wilson Phillips – Carnie Wilson, Wendy Wilson and Chynna Phillips – will perform on Phoenix Pride festival’s Main Stage from 8 to 9 p.m.

Wilson Phillips topped the charts in 1990 with three singles from its self-titled debut album, of which the group sold 10 million copies.

After the group disbanded in 1993, the members worked on other projects before reuniting for the 2004 album California. From that album, the trio’s cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way” reached the No. 13 spot on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Music Chart.

Carnie Wilson: We’ve just been touring for going on four years now. Just going on weekend gigs. We’ve got nine children between the three of us girls here; so it’s the perfect schedule ...

Echo: What do the three of you bring to the group musically and personality-wise?

Wilson: Everyone has a special way of being creative. It hasn’t really changed much … We have the same kinds of insecurities or fiery sides to us and funky sides. We crack each other up every second. I think it’s very similar to 25 years ago.

Chynna Phillips: We have known each other since birth, literally. We know each other’s ins and outs. We know each other’s personalities so well … Carnie is immensely talented with melodies, and the humor that she brings to the shows is just so great and so refreshing. Wendy is super talented when it comes to playing chords on the piano and coming up with obscure, different sounds and quirky lyrics… I’m just kind of like the free spirit, kind of goofy. But we blend together really nicely. We complement each other really well.

Echo: What’s the vibe of a Wilson Phillips show like these days?

Wilson: It’s a different time. It’s more of an appreciation and gratitude time, giving back because everybody’s been so loyal. It’s such a blessing to be able to go out on the road together at all years later. So it’s kind of like this celebration feeling every time we do a show. It’s not like work.

The group saw a spike in popularity in 2011 after singing “Hold On” in the film Bridesmaids.

In 2012, Wilson Phillips released Dedicated, an album of cover songs originated by their parents – Carnie and Wendy Wilson are the daughters of Brian Wilson, co-founder of The Beach Boys, and Chynna Phillips is the daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas.

That same year, drag queens Willam Belli, Detox Icunt and Vicky Vox made a parody of “Hold On” called “Chow Down (at Chick-fil-A).”

Carnie Wilson and Chynna Phillips spoke with Echo about the group’s new album, evolving sound, harmony and the group’s LGBT following.

Echo: What have the three of you been doing lately as a group?

Photos courtesy of Phoenix Pride.

32 | april 9, 2015 • EchoMag.com

Echo: Do you feel like your sound is different now than when you started?

Wilson: I think our sound is still the same, but I think our voices are lower, more mature sounding. But the actual harmonic sound is still the same and so very warm. So even though we sound a little older, it still has that certain signature sound. I don’t think we’re ever going to lose that … I have a much more calm, kind of a centered feeling. Knowing who you are as a woman makes a difference when you go to perform.

Echo: Have you always had the type of chemistry audiences see today, or has it evolved?

Phillips: We’ve had it since day one. We just understand each other. We finish each other’s sentences. When one of us comes up with a melody, the other one comes up with the lyrics, or vice versa.

Wilson: Although we haven’t written together in a really long time. We’ll have to do that soon.

Echo: Do your performances include songs from your 2012 cover album, Dedicated, or more of your original music?

Phillips: We love to pay homage to our parents, so we definitely do some Mamas & Papas and some Beach Boys. The audience loves it, and for us, it’s such as honor. We absolutely love singing those songs. We’re really proud of that record, and we never really set out to make it better than our parents’ music because that would be an impossibility. We just wanted to put our own signature on it.

Wilson: We do the hits, of course, and a few obscure ones. We have a little fun with the disco moments. We sing songs from our California album. It’s a little bit of everything; we do a little bit from each album.

Echo: Does your song “Hold On” still hold relevance for you?

Phillips: There are no words really to describe what a blessing that song has been for all of us … We see this when we are on stage, that you can be a part of something that’s so much bigger than just the three of us. It’s taken on a life of its own. It’s universal lyrics that so many people can identify with. I feel like the song has morphed and changed, and it’s sort of like a custom-made song because you can apply it to anything that’s going on in your life. I think a lot of people have found strength in it for different reasons,

and that’s what makes it special.

Wilson: It was really Bridesmaids that, I think, took it to another level. It was our first single, and it was the first glimpse that you got of the group. We were lucky enough that we had a number of No. 1 hits, we were lucky that we weren’t just a one-hit wonder. I would have been happy if any one of the songs had come back and was featured in the film, but it just seems like that’s the message that’s so universal, that people love and identify with.

Echo: When you saw the parody video “Chow Down (At Chick-fil-A)” for the first time, what did you think?

Phillips: I laughed my butt off. I just thought it was hysterical. You know, it’s an honor.

When somebody’s making a parody of you, you know you’ve made it. So I can’t complain.

Wilson: Especially when it’s gay men.

Nothing makes me happier.

Echo: Have you had an LGBT following throughout your career or has it been more recent?

Phillips: Carnie has a big gay following.

Wilson: I think we always have. For sure …

I would say gay men in particular. You know how they like those bold, gregarious, takeno-shit kind of women, that are glamorous and being who they are. I think they really relate … with us. We are just very downto-earth real people who don’t like to judge people for sexual orientation. It just doesn’t register in my heart or in my brain.

Echo: What do you think makes your sound identifiably Wilson Phillips?

Phillips: When those three voices mix, there’s something really special that happens. We love singing a cappella. It is one of our favorite things to do. We are trying to incorporate more of that into our shows because people come for the harmony…

That’s really the essence of our group, the harmony.

Echo: After the hiatus, did you have to work on getting that harmony back or was it immediate and natural?

Phillips: It was laughable. I remember the first rehearsal we got together, it was like, “Has any time passed at all?”

Wilson: Nothing has ever changed since day one. Nothing. Literally zero.

Echo: Do you feel like your experiences during the hiatus influenced you as artists and as a group?

Phillips: All three of us had time to really grow up. We were stuck in the whirlwind of singing and making records. I think when we got that time off, it was really a time for us to evolve and to become mature as women and to become more compassionate and understanding and better communicators.

Wilson: I worked with my sister on projects and did a lot of stuff in between, but nothing besides having my own children could ever compare to that sense of purpose. Having children, you have that sense of purpose, and the group, that was a sense of purpose for me before my children. When we disbanded, it took me two years to not be devastated, but it was something that had to be done … I think that’s why there’s so much appreciation now because we had that separation. It just puts it in another field of gratitude because it’s not like it’s five years ago we had some hits. It’s a quarter of a century ago. We just don’t take it for granted.

We’re still on the ride, and we’re still high from it.

Laura Latzko is a Phoenix-area freelance writer, originally from Michigan, who holds a bachelor’s degree in English and communication studies from Hollins University and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 33

PRIDE 2015

La Reina Grupera Ana Bárbara Brings Latin Flavor To Phoenix Pride

By Megan Wadding

A

na Bárbara, a Latin Grammy awardwinning singer originally from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, will headline the Phoenix Pride festival’s Main Stage at 7 p.m.

April 11.

Best known for her regional Mexican music, grupera, Bárbara will be singing solely in her native Spanish during her Saturday evening set.

Through the translation of her manager, Bárbara, who is currently on tour, made time to chat with Echo ahead of her upcoming Pride performance.

Echo: How did you get involved with Phoenix Pride? Is this your first Pride event?

Bárbara: I jumped at the chance to perform for Phoenix Pride, when the opportunity was presented to me. Phoenix Pride will be my

first performance ever at a gay Pride festival. I am also performing this year at Los Angeles Gay Pride in June.

Echo: What about headlining Phoenix Pride most excited you?

Bárbara: Well, this will be my first ever performance at a gay Pride event, so that makes me very excited and nervous at the same time. The gay community has high expectations and I will work hard to give them the best show possible. So far, all of the shows I have done on the gay club tour with Club Papi have been incredible and the support from the community was amazing.

Echo: Can you tell me a little about your national gay club tour?

Bárbara: I am on a tour of gay clubs with Club Papi Productions. We just finished the first phase of the tour with performances all over America in 12 amazing cities. Now we are in phase two with the upcoming gay pride events in Phoenix and Los Angeles and one last gay club show in Salt Lake City the day after my performance at Pride in Arizona.

Echo: Have you ever been to Phoenix before, or anywhere in Arizona?

Bárbara: Yes, and I loved it. Arizona is great.

I love Phoenix and could absolutely see myself living here one day. Arizona was one of the places we did not visit on the national gay club tour, so [Pride] is definitely a great way for me to connect with my many fans in the state.

Echo: What is your fanbase in Arizona like?

Are you in contact with your fans?

Bárbara: I have many amazing fans in Arizona, and I love hearing from them on social media (follow @AnaBarbaraMusic on Twitter) and AnaBarbaraOfficial on Facebook). I have gotten quite a few messages from fans in the state very excited for my upcoming performance at Pride. I can’t wait to see [them all] at Phoenix Pride.

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

Bárbara: My music is made from the heart. I pour so much of my soul into my songs.

Echo: What is your connection to the LGBT community? Do you have a big LGBT fanbase?

Bárbara: I have always had a lot of love and respect for the gay community. They have been so supportive of my career through all of the ups and downs. They have never abandoned me, and I love them all for that support. I have many friends who are gay, and support their ongoing struggle for equal rights worldwide.

Echo: Do you have any sort of message for the LGBT community?

Bárbara: Yes, I wish the community lots of love, peace and respect. Let liberty rain all over the LGBT community. I will always have your back in the fight for equal rights.

Megan Wadding is a freelance writer and travel addict with a degree in journalism.

Follow her on Twitter at @MeganWadding.

TAKE IT ONLINE Jacob Acosta To find out more about Tucson’s own Jacob Acosta before he takes the Bistro Stage at 3 p.m. April 12, visit echomag.com/jacobacosta.

Coles Whalen Read Echo’s interview with folk pop singer songwriter Coles Whalen, who will take Bistro Stage with Kim O’Hara at 4 p.m. April 12, at echomag.com/coleswhalen.

Echo: What new projects do you have coming up? Any new music coming our way?

Kristen Ford

Bárbara: Currently, I am living in Los Angeles while filming for my role as a judge on the Estrella [television] show, “Tango Talento, Mucho Talento.” I have a very big musical project coming up, but right now it is a big surprise.

Echo talks touring, instruments and Pride with indie rocker Kristen Ford ahead of her Bistro Stage performance, 5 p.m. April 12. Read the interview at echomag.com/kristen-ford.

Echo: Where do you draw inspiration for 34 |

your music?

FEATURE STORY

OUT ‘n ABOUT Pet Pride March 28 at BS West, Scottsdale Photos by Fernando Hernández

For more Echo photos visit echomag.com/gallery.

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 35

PRIDE 2015

Phoenix Pride Parade MoveS to Sunday Arizona’s longest-running LGBT tradition changes days

By Laura Latzko

Brendan Mahoney (front) and his husband, Gordon P. Street, III.

F

or the past 19 years, the Phoenix Pride parade has beckoned community groups and clubs, local businesses and organizations, colorful costumes, dazzling dancers and festive floats – and well as spectators from near and far.

For the first time, however, the parade will take place ahead of the second day of the Phoenix Pride festival. The procession will still kick off at 10 a.m. Sunday at Third Street and Thomas Road and run to Steele Indian School Park.

According to Justin Owen, Phoenix Pride executive director, the expansion of the Phoenix Frontrunners’ annual Pride Run and Walk, on the morning of April 11, prompted the parade’s move to April 12.

Last year, Owen said, 120 participating organizations and businesses participated in the parade, adding that approximately 2,000 people walk or ride in floats before a crowd of 15,000 spectators.

Owen said his hope is that moving the parade to Sunday will reinforce the weekend-long celebration.

This year, Owen said, there will be a large number of LGBT employee resource groups,

Gay-Straight Alliances, neighboring Pride organizations, local media and community business will have representation in the parade.

Attendees can expect to see the Grand Canyon Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s Veil of Freedom – a veil the group put up to shield festivalgoers from protesters two years ago.

“Putting up the Veil of Freedom represented that our LGBT community will not take the hate, misinformation and ignorance of the protests anymore,” said Sister Gabby Le Ankles, Abbess-President of the Grand Canyon Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. “When we put it up, it was emotional for some of us. We made history with it … For me, it was the best moment I’ve had at any Pride parade as a Sister.”

For the second year, Trans* Spectrum of Arizona, a Phoenix-based organization with support groups for the transgender community, will walk in the parade and have a booth at the festival.

For support group facilitator Mel Rodis, who transitioned at age 36, last year’s pride parade marked the first time he was out as trans man in a public setting.

“Just to be out in public in a shirt that said, “Proud to be Trans,” was a really big step for me,” Rodis said. “When I was in the parade, everyone was cheering and clapping … It really helped me to feel like the transgender community was being acknowledged and accepted as part of the LGBTQ community in Phoenix.”

Phoenix Pride Parade 10 a.m. April 12 (Sunday) Parade kicks off at Third Street and Thomas Road and run to Steele Indian School Park phoenixpride.org/events/pride-parade

Photo by Nightfuse.com 36 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

Brendan Mahoney Named Parade’s Grand Marshal He’s served as the LGBT liaison to the Phoenix Mayor’s Office, he’s the founder of the Arizona State Bar Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, he’s a 2014 Echo Hall of Fame inductee and now, Phoenix Pride has named Brendan Mahoney the parade’s grand marshal.

Mahoney, who resides in Phoenix with his husband of 20 years, Gordon P. Street, III, has been active in many facets of community service in Arizona and considers himself a passionate advocate for equality for all people.

As a working sabbatical, Mahoney recently served for two years as Mayor Stanton’s Senior Policy Advisor and leading the Mayor’s team to enact Phoenix’s LGBT non-discrimination ordinance. Mahoney has since worked with other Valley cities on similar ordinances and proposals.

As a founding member and chair of the Arizona State Bar Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, the first of its kind in the United States, Mahoney worked on revisions to attorney’s ethical rules to prohibit discrimination against LGBT people in the practice of law. He has also testified before the Arizona Senate as part of the successful repeal of Arizona laws criminalizing sexual activities between members of the same gender.

Most recently, Mahoney conceived of and has worked on the team for the City of Phoenix Equal Pay Act, which was approved 9-0 by council members March 25, changing to the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance to mirror federal law on the issue. Currently, Mahoney is General Counsel for HBI International.

Source: Phoenix Pride

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 37

PRIDE 2015

2015 MisS and mister phoenix gay pride crowned

By Laura Latzko

A

s part of another annual Phoenix Pride tradition, three drag kings and seven drag queens, representing different community bars and organizations, took the stage of Comerica Theatre March 22 in hopes of being crowned the next Miss or Mister Phoenix Gay Pride.

Krazzy Latinos also received an award.

Leading up to the pageant, the contestants raised a combined total of more than $10,000 for the Phoenix Pride Scholarship Program, and according to Justin Owen, Phoenix Pride executive director, the organization will award $30,000 in scholarships this year.

The newly crowned titleholders become ambassadors for Phoenix Pride and the LGBT community while they continue to raise money for, and bring awareness to, the scholarship fund throughout their reign.

Each contestant’s individual fundraising total and points from personal interview (which was conducted prior to the pageant) were combined with their scores in onstage question, eveningwear and talent categories to determine their final scores.

After the panel of judges, which included a wedding planner, pageant promoters and former titleholders from Phoenix Pride pageants as well as systems, tallied up all final scores, it was former Miss AGRA Trixxie Deluxxe and newcomer Dee Jae Galaxy that earned the 2015 Miss and Mister Phoenix Gay Pride crowns, respectively.

Galaxy succeeds his drag father, Eddie Broadway, as Mister Phoenix Gay Pride, and Deluxxe succeeds Barbra Seville as Miss Phoenix Gay Pride.

The pageant, co-hosted by Olivia Gardens, Aimee V. Justice and Afeelya Bunz, included performances by Broadway, Seville, Coco St. James and Nevaeh McKenzie.

In the drag king portion of the pageant, Galaxy won in the fundraising category, Jack Jack took the onstage question category and Osiris Diazz was the first alternate. The

Photo by Leaked Glass.

38 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

In the drag queen portion of the pageant, Saellah VI won the evening gown category, and Mishal Mishal took the talent category for an Annie Lennox mix with seven backup dancers.

Miss phoenix gay pride Trixxie deluxe

For community members involved in the rodeo world, Trixxie Deluxxe isn’t a new name. Also known as Marcos Sandoval, Deluxxe served the community as Miss AGRA in both 2011 and 2012.

And according to Deluxxe, her reason behind entering the Phoenix Gay Pride Pageant was for a new way to serve and fundraise for the community.

“Being part of AGRA and Phoenix Pride, those are community-based organizations and pageants,” she said. “I really enjoy [representing them] because it is a chance to give back to a community that has embraced me.”

For Deluxxe, “pride” is deeply rooted in giving back to others.

“Pride is community, respect for each other, showing respect and just loving your community that you live in,” she said. “You want to make it a better place for yourself, your friends and the people that you love.”

Deluxxe, who started doing drag in 2007, credits her drag family – the D’Angelo drag family – and mentors in the community with helped her to grow as a performer and person.

“I’m a lot more confident, definitely. I used to be a little shyer than I am now, and I’m just able to make better choices,” Deluxxe said of her career evolution. “[Drag has] helped me in life also; I do a lot of speaking in front of women for different events throughout the U.S., and sometimes I have 200 to 500 women that I’m speaking in front of. So you’ve got to have confidence.”

That confidence as served her well, as she regularly performs big ballad numbers by such singers as Gladys Knight, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross and Christina Aguilera.

However, for this pageant, she performed a Mariah Carey mix that included “Emotions” and “Hero,” complete with seven backup dancers.

“I just wanted to do something I felt comfortable with. In a competition, you’d rather be comfortable on stage, otherwise the judges can really see it,” she said. “You’ve got to be really confident in your choices and really know what style works for you.”

When asked during the onstage question portion about what community means to him, Sandoval spoke about love, respect, family and assisting others in need.

As Miss Gay Phoenix Pride 2015, Deluxxe hopes to become more involved with youth and HIV/AIDS organizations. And, during her reign, she would like to take a tour of Arizona as the new Phoenix Gay Pride titleholder, traveling to such cities as Flagstaff and Tucson.

Mister phoenix gay pride Dee jae galaxy

Following in his drag father’s footsteps, Dee Jae Galaxy – also known as MK Underwood – hopes his reign as Mister Phoenix Gay Pride will provide him with more opportunities to give back to the community.

“Eddie has done so many things in this past year, and watching him do it has been such an inspiration to me,” Galaxy said. “I know I can step up, I know that I can fill his shoes [and] I know that I can continue his legacy.”

Galaxy hopes to be a role model for and help youth at one n ten, the organization he said helped him at the lowest point in his life – after being kicked out of the house after coming out of the closet at 17.

“I knew I had to reach out to someone. I didn’t even know

any gay people back then … all that I was taught was ‘gay’ was something bad and was a sin,” Galaxy said. “[one n ten] gave me strength when I needed it, and now that I’m in a position where I can do the same, I have to.”

Galaxy grew up in a large Catholic family and attended Xavier College Preparatory.

“There’s so many LGBT youth who struggle with who they are and their identity. That’s something I definitely struggled with,” Galaxy said. “Being at Xavier as a queer kid was very difficult. I was not accepted at all. I was definitely the odd one out. I found my comfort in one n ten, I found my comfort in my community.”

According to Galaxy, the first time he went to one n ten was the first time he didn’t feel like the odd one out – a feeling he believes all LGBT youth should experience.

“I felt normal, and that feeling alone gave me such a feeling of release. It makes me sad that there are kids who’ve never had that sense of release,” Galaxy said. “I feel that it’s my obligation to make it easier for LGBTQ youth.”

Galaxy started to do drag about five years ago, at age 18, performing in amateur drag shows in Tucson while attending University of Arizona. He moved back to the Valley three years ago, said he began taking drag more seriously within the past year.

“The reason I wanted to go for Phoenix Gay Pride is because this is my home; this is my community,” he said. “It has done so much for me … this is my time to give back.”

Laura Latzko is a Phoenix-area freelance writer, originally from Michigan, who holds a bachelor’s degree in English and communication studies from Hollins University and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 39

OUT ‘n ABOUT GPLGCC & Phoenix Pride 35th Anniversary Party April 3 at Phoenix Theatre Photos by Fernando Hernández

For more Echo photos visit echomag.com/gallery.

42 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

ANYTHING GOES

A Phoenix Theatre/Lyric Opera Theatre Co-Production ASU School of Music 2014-2015 Lyric Opera Theatre Season

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter Original Book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Harry Lindsay & Russel Crouse New Book by Timothy Crouse & John Weidman

April 17–18 and April 24-25 at 7:30 p.m.

April 19 and April 26 at 2 p.m.

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT , THE BOX OFFICE, OR BY PHONE AT 1-800-745-3000.

All dates, acts and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. Ticket prices subject to applicable fees.

Performances are held in the ASU School of Music’s Evelyn Smith Music Theatre, located just north of ASU Gammage. Tickets: $8-$21. Buy tickets online: herbergerinstitute.asu. edu/events/tickets or by phone at 480.965.6447. Group rates available.

ANYTHING GOES is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc.

EVERY TICKET PURCHASED ONLINE INCLUDES A COPY OF HER NEW CD – IT’S THE GIRLS– FOR COMPLETE TOUR AND TICKET INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.BETTEMIDLER.COM & WWW.LIVENATION.COM. Produced by Live Nation Global Touring, Larry Magid Entertainment Group, and Danny Zelisko Presents.

BE

NE

FI

TI

NG

SUNDAY APRIL 12TH  10AM KICKS OFF AT 3RD ST AND THOMAS

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 43

feature story

Spring Stages Valley theatre heats up just in time for Pride Season

By Richard Schultz

S

pring is a time of momentum. For the LGBT community, Pride celebrations renew our spirit each year, and in the arts, theatres dazzle some of their largest audiences with memorable productions – sneak previews of the forthcoming season.

From classic musicals and sidesplitting comedies to timeless love stories and thought-provoking dramas, spring is a celebration of the most vibrant of sensations. Here are three productions, with an LGBT twist, to keep the momentum rolling through April:

revivals of Oklahoma! and On Your Toes.

Randy Graff received the Tony and Drama Desk awards for her role in City of Angels, as well as Outer Critics, Drama Desk and Tony award nominations for her work in A Class Act. She has the distinction of creating the role of Fantine in the original Broadway production of Les Miserables, for which she received a Helen Hayes Award nomination.

Andrea McArdle first captured the hearts of theatergoers when she originated the title role in the mega-musical Annie, becoming the youngest performer ever to be nominated for a Tony Award as “Best Lead Actress in a Musical.” Since then, she has starred in several Broadway musicals and appeared in theaters in New York, nationally and internationally.

Faith Prince. Photo by Annamarie Rewal.

Randy Graff. Photo by Chia Messina.

Spring Stages: 4 Girls 4 Brings Broadway’s Best to Arizona

S

everal of Broadway’s most luminous female performers will join forces to share stories and songs in an exuberant single-evening celebration of women.

and memories. Together, these veteran performers perform some of the biggest hits from their extraordinary careers, with musical direction by Grammy and Emmy Award-winner John McDaniel.

4 Girls 4 unites Christine Andreas, Randy Graff, Andrea McArdle and Faith Prince, four award-winning musical stars from Broadway, film, TV and recordings for an evening of song, dance, laughter

Christine Andreas rose to fame starring as Eliza Doolittle in the 20th-anniversary production of My Fair Lady, for which she earned a Theatre World Award. She later received Tony Award nominations in the

44 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

One of Broadway’s best-loved leading ladies, Faith Prince has been dazzling audiences since winning the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for her performance as Ms. Adelaide in the revival of Guys and Dolls. She was also nominated for Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for A Catered Affair. Prince recently starred as the scheming, irascible Miss Hannigan in the Broadway revival of Annie.

Prince effortlessly moves between theatre, concerts, television and movies.

She is well known for her quirky trademark humor as well as touching moments filled with pathos. Her Broadway credits include such shows as The Little Mermaid, Bells Are Ringing, Nick & Nora, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, Little Me and Noises Off. She also starred in the national tour of the Broadway hit Billy Elliott.

As a guest artist, Prince frequently works with the Boston Pops, Utah Symphony, Cincinnati Pops and Philly Pops, and starred

Prince acknowledges the audience’s curiosity about each performer’s experiences.

“I want the audience to know more about each of us,” she said. “Audiences want to know our stories … [and] like it when they attend and leave knowing more about the performers.”

Prince added she’s thrilled to share the stage with the other three women.

“Our chemistry is strong. We all get to reveal things about ourselves – I am a storyteller and a comedian. That’s what I do is share those life stories,” she said.

“What that says is that there is a lineage of women. Our stories are part of that legacy.”

Christine-Andreas.

Courtesy photo.

in the Orlando Philharmonic’s concert version of Sweeney Todd.

On television, she had a recurring role on Lifetime’s “Drop Dead Diva” as Brooke Elliott’s mother, Elaine. She also appeared on the recent season finale double episode of ABC Family’s “Melissa & Joey,” which has now been canceled after four seasons.

Prince, who is also currently working on a

Prince is adamant in her support of the LGBT community and has worked with such LGBT organizations as the Boston Men’s Chorus and New York City Gay Men’s Chorus.

Andrea McArdle.

Photo by Grace Rainer Long.

“We are all part of one family,” she said.

“We all want to love and be loved. I’m always willing to help the community. The LGBT events are always so tasteful and well done.”

stage musical based on the film First Wives Club, spoke with Echo Magazine about the concert, her career and her affinity for the LGBT community.

“I enjoy the quality of work and sense of community on stage. It’s great being with the other women; we are one tribe who have been through much together,” she said. “[4 Girl 4] is a night by women for women. It’s a very positive experience. We support each other.”

4 Girls 4 8 p.m. April 17 Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale Tickets: $39-$69; 480-499-8587 scottsdaleperformingarts.org

The Patterson Family Phoenix, AZ

Build Your Family

with Arizona’s Children Association

Join us for a special foster care and adoption orientation and Q&A session with LGBT foster and adoptive parents!

Wednesday, April 15th from 6 PM - 8 PM Phoenix Pride LGBT Center (801 N. 2nd Ave) No RSVP required. or call us, statewide, to get started: 602.253.1620 or 800.944.7611

Every child deserves a forever family! www.ArizonasChildren.org

EchoMag.com 1503031_3375wx475h_Echo_Mag_ad_r3_032515.indd 1

3/24/15 5:26 PM

•

april 9, 2015

| 45

Spring Stages: Buyer & Cellar Stars Streisand Super Fan in Six Roles

Ron May. I have had the privilege of doing several shows recently that involved throwing my whole body, mind, and soul into the role and portrayals and performances. So, I’m just going to keep doing that.

Echo: What was the audition process like?

L

ocal audiences will be treated to a tour-de-force performance by popular Valley leading actor Toby Yatso in a one-man show that explores an obsession with Barbra Streisand.

Buyer & Cellar, a chart-topping offBroadway fictional tale written by Jonathan Tolis, asks the question: “What’s a diva of stage and screen to do with decades of paraphernalia from her illustrious career?”

Alex More is an underemployed actor toiling in the oddest of odd jobs in the basement “mall” of a tough customer, Hollywood A-lister Barbra Streisand. As Alex sorts through Babs’ cave, all of the items are “displayed with totalitarian precision” in a series of rooms designed to look like shops.

“Barbra’s basement is just like any other mall, except for the total lack of customers or employees,” he said.

Directed by Ron May, this hysterical new comedy details an unlikely friendship where Alex begins to wonder if the relationship will ever make it up the stairs.

Echo chatted with Toby Yatso, who portrays six characters, in the midst of rehearsals.

Echo: Are you a Barbra Streisand fan? If so, when did you become one?

Yatso: Yes, I truly am. I went through a discovery obsessive phase in high school, fueled to a great deal by the movie version of Hello, Dolly! I have never been to one of her concerts, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t have her 1994 live concert recording memorized, plus some other recordings too. She seemed to find a way to get away with things in a brilliantly engaging way that most performers could only dream getting away with, and I respect and admire that.

Echo: Have you ever taken on the challenge of a oneperson show?

Yatso: Besides performing for my cats in my living room, I have not. Small casts, yes, but never all by my lonesome. Honestly, I do not have any concerns on this one that I don’t have with any other show. I’m in very good hands with my director,

Yatso: I auditioned back in August with three different sections of the script: the opening, a scene between Alex and Barbra, and a scene between Alex and his boyfriend, Barry. I did a lot of homework and rehearsing and preparation for the audition. It actually was one of the most fun audition experiences. It was in that audition that I felt what the script could do and I fell in love. I thought if those three sections were that much fun, then to experience the entire story would be awesome. A week or two later, I received the phone call from the Phoenix Theatre company manager that I booked it!

Echo: What is your favorite part the show?

Yatso: There are several gems of thoughtful and philosophical text that give me chills each time I say them. I thank Jonathan Tolins for giving those to the world. I don’t want to give them all away here, but here’s one example: “Sometimes I think that’s what we’re all doing, all day long. Even if we’re not involved in politics or city planning, we’re all just struggling to make a perfect little world to fit our life into. To design it and cast it with the right people.” That makes my brain and heart and gut all simultaneously shout “YES” in agreement.

Echo: How do you think this play will appeal to LGBT audiences?

Yatso: The play offers a nice, honest portrayal of a modern gay man’s relationship with his boyfriend. It does so in a way that – for lack of a better explanation and since I’m not a political sociologist – treats the relationship as normal, or as normal as a dating relationship would be between any modern-day two people in their 30s.

Echo: In this celebrity-driven era, how does this speak to our obsession with those who are famous?

46 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

“I would be lying if I said I didn’t have her 1994 live concert recording memorized.”

Toby Yatso

Yatso: I think our celebrity obsession is two-fold; half is dying to know what a celebrity has or does that the rest of us don’t or can’t (yet) and the other half is dying to confirm that a celebrity is actually no different from the rest of us.

This play does a beautiful job of exploring both sides.

Echo: If you were to meet Barbra Streisand, what would you ask her?

Yatso: Hmmmm, if I was feeling dangerously opportunistic, maybe, “Can I read for a role in your movie version of Gypsy?”

Buyer & Cellar April 15-May 3 Phoenix Theatre 100 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix Tickets: $30-$80; 602-254-2151 phoenixtheatre.com

• Family/Civil

• Immigration • Criminal

602-314-1340 2627 N. 3rd St. • Suite 102 Phoenix, AZ 85004

Photos courtesy ofPhoenix Theatre

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 47

How much longer will you put off quitting tobacco?

Learn how to double your chances of successfully quitting.

9976-2 BTCD_Gurney_EchoAd.indd 1

3/25/15 11:52 AM

You are a child of God, gifted and called for a purpose in God’s design.

We invite you to participate in the Sixteenth Annual “ It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church’s pastors wherever it occurs.”

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Gifted and Called Retreat for Gay and Lesbian Christians Fr. Peter Kirwin, OFM and Norbert Zwickl

May 15 - 17, 2015

For more information or to register, call 480.948.7460 or visit thecasa.org

Franciscan Renewal Center Peace. Renewal. Good.

5802 East Lincoln Drive | Scottsdale, AZ 85253 480.948.7460 phone | thecasa.org All are welcome!

50 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com CasaGandCAd2015 Echo.indd 1

3/24/2015 1:05:34 PM

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 51

feature story

Building a Body Beautiful, Part IV: One Size Fits All Body Acceptance Offers Effective Path To Health And Fitness

By Liz Massey

F

or more than 75 years, one of the major premises driving physical self-improvement regimens has been that being fat is bad for one’s health. In 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled her “Let’s Move” campaign, designed to eliminate childhood obesity in one generation. The Affordable Care Act, signed into law that same year, boosted existing incentives in the medical community to make reducing obesity among Americans a higher priority.

Just five years later, a growing body of research is calling into question the presumption that weighing over a certain amount designated as “normal” is in and of itself harmful to one’s health.

THE CASE AGAINST DIETING As counterintuitive as it may seem, there is quite a bit of scientific data indicating that calorie restriction as a means of weight reduction – that is, going on a diet – is rarely successful in the long term.

Researchers Priya Sumithran and Joseph Proietto, co-authors of a 2013 article in the journal Clinical Science, explained the physiological dynamic this way: “Although weight loss can usually be achieved through dietary restriction and/or increased physical activity, the overwhelming majority of people regain the weight that they have lost over the long-term ... Diet-induced weight loss is accompanied by several physiological changes which encourage weight regain, including alterations in energy expenditure, substrate metabolism and hormone pathways involved in appetite regulation, many of which persist beyond the initial weight loss period.”

Nutrition professor and researcher Linda Bacon, the author of the books Health At Every Size and Body Respect, asserts that the link between obesity and ill-health is less established than the antiobesity forces have made it seem.

“The relationship between body size and 52 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

NFL - Echo

Join Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS

SATURDAY MAY 9, 2015

CO-CHAIRS: CHRISTI WARNER-BEYER ROBERT BLACK & MARC REID

The Cuisine

The Entertainment

The Mission

A signature black-tie affair celebrating our 20th anniversary gala and 25 years of fighting HIV/AIDS in the community.

Presenting Sponsors

FOR TABLES & TICKETS:

NightforLife.org *All funds raised from the event support programs and services provided to those impacted by or at-risk for HIV or AIDS. EchoMag.com

NFL - Echo - Aprl 2015 v5f.indd 1

•

april 9, 2015

| 53

3/6/2015 12:22:14 PM

Building a Body Beautiful, Part IV health is very much exaggerated,” Bacon said. “Despite what we hear from the media and ‘experts,’ there are plenty of larger people living happy, healthy lives – and plenty of thinner people diagnosed with conditions that are conventionally attributed to obesity.”

QUEERING THE SCALES Another factor related to obesity in LGBT people that’s frequently overlooked is the health consequences of oppression.

According to globalhealth.gov, a website produced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Global Affairs, throughout the world lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals face poorer health outcomes than the general population. The site identifies denial of care, substandard care and, in some cases, an unwillingness on the part of queer people to go to a doctor because of discrimination as major factors in producing the poorer health outcomes.

Bacon, who identifies as queer in her sexual orientation and genderqueer in her gender identity, takes the link between antiLGBT oppression and disease a step further, asserting that the stigma that LGBT people face in their daily lives is a factor in poor health that’s far more significant than the community’s higher-than-average rates of obesity.

“Data show that chronic stress exacerbates metabolic dysregulation, contributing to many of the diseases we blame on obesity,” she said. “Chronic stress arises from all forms of stigma, oppression and discrimination, including homophobia … The social gradient in disease can’t be primarily explained by weight, genetics or lifestyle alone and has its roots in inequalities in life opportunities and experiences.”

PERSUING HEALTH AT EVERY SIZE Bacon’s alternative to dieting and exercise as a vehicle to lose weight is a system that emphasizes healthy living as an end in itself.

Participants in her Health At Every Size (HAES) programs are encouraged to listen to their body’s signals related to hunger and fullness, and to find pleasurable ways to move their body on a frequent basis.

“Ideas of good foods and bad foods, certain times or amounts we’re supposed to eat, etc., get in the way of being able to feel and respond to our hunger and fullness,” Bacon noted. “The good news is that once we lighten up on the rules and the cognitive control (dieting), we can reclaim sensitivity to these signals 54 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

– and actually feel satisfied by eating.

There’s a parallel process in other aspects of self-care. For example, we all have an innate drive to move, and being regularly active supports us in feeling a general sense of well-being, in addition to many other benefits.”

There is already some evidence that programs structured in ways similar to HAES are effective. A study published in the November 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that found that food intake in response to feelings of hunger was significantly lower at a one-year follow-up in both a HAESstyle health focused group and a weightloss-focused social support group, when compared to a control group receiving no intervention. In addition, overconsumption of food in response to a variety of stimuli was significantly lower at the one-year mark in the HAES group than in the control group.

A separate study published last year in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics indicated that health interventions that do not focus on dieting had completion rates as high as 92 percent – meaning that the participants were able to stay with the program and continued to experience physical and mental benefits from doing so.

SELF-LOVE AS THE ROAD TO HEALTH One of the keys that Bacon said drove the success of her program was that it was rooted in an appreciation for the body that one has, right now, rather than being driven by shame or self-hatred about one’s current shape or health level.

Linda Bacon and her book Health at Every Size.

Courtesy of lindabacon.org.

“The most basic step I’d recommend is to put the focus on enjoying and appreciating your body,” she said. “ I look at my legs, for example, and I think about how amazing it is that they help me get from one place to another … People take good care of things they like. There’s plenty of research that shows that self-care, like eating well and exercising regularly, improves when people start from self-acceptance, rather than selfcriticism.”

Beyond renegotiating one’s relationships with food and exercise, LGBT equality activism might well be considered another path to body acceptance. Bacon said that being able to celebrate one’s sexuality and gender identity was an important part of healing one’s relationship with self-care behaviors.

“There are clear connections between all social justice struggles,” Bacon said. “Ultimately, we’re all looking for the same thing: the right to inhabit our bodies with respect.”

Visit your newest neighbor in the Melrose District!

Our products consist of stylish Vases, Table & Floor Lamps, Wall Decor, Paintings, Consoles, Accent Tables and numerous other hand-crafted artisan home decor products. We are honored to be displaying unique Italian artist Nicoletta Belletti’s stunning 3 dimensional artwork.

602.228.1405 | serendipity-decor.com 4225 N. 7th Ave. Phoenix AZ, 85013

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 55

Building a Body Beautiful, Part IV Seeking The Bear Necessities Of Life – And Health

W

hile the effectiveness of dieting has come under increased scrutiny in recent years, groups within the LGBT community that have always practiced body acceptance say this has helped them create an inclusive niche that buffers the stress of being stigmatized by a oftentimes hostile mainstream society.

While he didn’t invent the term, Richard Bulger is credited with popularizing the term bear to refer to a husky, hairy, masculineappearing gay male. Bulger, along with his partner Chris Nelson, founded Bear Magazine in 1987.

According to Dennis Veneigh Jr., vice president of the Bears of the Old Pueblo group in Tucson, while bears he knows these days focus more on the amount of body hair than on physique, the bear community is definitely a place where thin is not a requirement for seeming desirable.

“In the bear community, we are all very

comfortable in our body image and size. We are all very friendly, supportive and outgoing with each other,” he said.

Veneigh said that his friends in the Bears of the Old Pueblo group vary in their approach to diet and exercise. In his case, a struggle with his weight eventually led him to discuss weight-loss surgery with his doctor. Last year, he decided to undergo a procedure called Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy to deal with his weight, which at one point topped the scales at 384 pounds. He says he has lost a total of 125 pounds in nine months and is aiming for a goal weight of 190 to 210 pounds.

Overall, Veneigh said he feels the queer community is open-minded about body shape and appearance, although there were definitely exceptions.

“I feel that some LGBT folks are very accepting (of various body sizes), but not all communities are,” he said. “Some still look down on the bear or chub (large-man) communities.”

That inside-the-community stigma seemed especially sad to Veneigh, who said that the acceptance he experienced within the bear community also offered protection against the hostility that he and other gay people can experience from conservative quarters of the cultural mainstream.

“We just need to support each other in our life choices and struggles,” he said. “We are all brothers.”

GET HIM ON THE LINE Try For Free

800-765-6196

Ahora en Español /18+

56 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

Liz Massey has been involved in LGBT community-building activities in Kansas City and the Valley of the Sun, and is a former managing editor of Echo Magazine.

She can be reached at lizmassey68@gmail.com.

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 57

58 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

WITHOUT RESERVATIONS

The Vig Uptown

Story and photos by Mark Sterling-Ogle

T

he Vig has four locations in town – Uptown, Arcadia, Fillmore and McCormick – all of which offer just about the same menu and the upscale neighborhood tavern theme with inviting patios, but you’ll find a little individual flavor and flair depending which one you visit.

The Vig Uptown, located near the corner of 16th Street and Bethany Home Road, is housed in what was once a bank, but you would never know with all of the renovations. Now the artfully decorated dark wood and stone, complimented with inviting lighting and large windows that open on a horizontal swing to let in plenty of natural sunlight, combine for a cozy-chic vibe. Parking is limited, but complimentary valet is provided.

On our first visit, we were looking for a bite after one of my busy shifts at work (at another restaurant). Even late at night the venue was still nearly full, but we managed to find two comfortable chairs at the bar. Although there is a limited menu for late night diners, there are quite a variety of options available.

We started with the steamed

edamame, laced with a soy and ginger dressing instead of the sea salt alternative. The sauce was so impressive that it had me deconstructing the flavor profile in hopes of duplicating it at home.

I also ordered the grilled fish tacos – large chunks of grilled rockfish complimented with a spicy slaw, fresh pico de gallo and a tomatillo and avocado salsa. Even my husband, who is not a seafood lover, appreceated the naturally light flavor of rockfish and wanted to indulge.

The Trifecta, more his speed, is three plump beef sliders, topped with American cheese. The spicy mayo added a slight kick and the grilled onions perked up the tiny burgers with a wonderful smokiness.

The bartender was attentive, without being obtrusive, and offered an industry discount after taking notice that I was a restaurant employee (due to my garb).

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 59

Egg Rolls

On another visit, to celebrate my husband’s birthday, we were expecting a party of seven and the only table large enough to accommodate us at the time was on the covered patio. The restaurant’s open-air concept helped to diffuse the DJ spinning beats with a live trumpeter that was loud, but not too loud. It turned out that The Vig Uptown was also celebrating, this occasion was their fifth anniversary of operation, and the music added quite the festive feel.

Sunday brunch at The Vig Uptown draws

a diverse crowd. We spotted many friendly and familiar faces, including the Storm rugby team and many members of the LGBT community.

On Sundays there is a Bloody Mary bar set up with all sorts of additions for perfect personalization: assorted pickled vegetables, a dizzying array of hot sauces and various tomato-based juices all await the hefty pour of Tito’s vodka, on the rocks, that’s delivered to your table by your wait staff. For those who prefer mimosas, the bottomless option is also available here.

We didn’t waste any time in ordering appetizers to share while waiting for the rest of our party to arrive.

We decided on Hot Vings, skipping the spicy sounding Thai Chili sauce in favor of the traditional.

We all agreed the heat level of the plump and meaty wings, dressed in grill marks and caramelized sauce, was just right.

We also ordered a side of onion rings, opting for a large

60 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

order at the suggestion of our helpful server. That was a good call, as the crispy golden-brown rings disappeared quickly.

To round out our appetizer selection, I asked for the smoked salmon. A good-size piece of house-smoked salmon arrived on a bed of arugula that had been tossed in lemony vinaigrette – a perfect accent. The plate was adorned with warm pita crisps, slices of ripe tomato, hard-boiled egg, a dollop of chive and lemon-infused cream cheese and diced red onion and capers dotted the top of the salmon. This was my favorite dish; I actually ate all but one bite myself.

When it came time for entrées, our server eagerly suggested an item off another menu that my undecided friend might like: The Prime Rib Vig Dip. She obliged and was presented with mediumrare slices of beef, topped with smoked Gouda cheese and grilled onions, on a pretzel bun. The tender beef was so moist that there was almost no need for the small bowl of au jus that accompanied it. Thankfully, she shared half of the sandwich with me and I delighted in the addition of diced green chili that the server had delivered upon request.

Two of our guests were happy to continue the appetizer theme and ordered the Double Down, roasted garlic and red pepper hummus with warm pita bread, and the special of the day, half a dozen wings, a shrimp cocktail and a small flatbread with

dining

sausage, black olive and cheese.

Unfortunately, none of our party was in the mood for some of the tasty-sounding brunch selections. However, the next time I am in the mood for Tres Leches French toast or a twist on a Monte Cristo (a French toast sandwich with ham and Swiss cheese), I know just the spot.

So, if it’s a menu that will appeal to all palates or just a comfortable place to grab a beer or handcrafted cocktail, the website sums it up … “Let’s just go to The Vig.”

The Vig Uptown 6015 N. 16th St., Phoenix 602-633-1187 | thevig.us Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Mon-Wed 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Thurs 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fri 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Sat 10 a.m.-midnight Sun Mark Sterling-Ogle is a graduate of the Scottsdale Culinary Institute who has experience working in Valley restaurants.

Hula’s modern tiki

HULASMODERNTIKI.COM phoenix • scottsdale

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 61

AT THE BOX OFFICE

By Hans Pedersen

Dior and I In theatres April 24 | 90 minutes

Effie Gray In theatres | PG-13 | 108 minutes

When young Effie Gray marries Victorian writer John Puskin, their wedding night in this film is anything but romantic: when she disrobes, he marches out of the room. In this drama written

by Emma Thompson (who plays a supporting role) the famous writer shows no sexual impulses toward his wife, and Effie soon feels trapped as his treatment of her grows from indifference to disgust. Whether gay or asexual, Pushkin is portrayed as an abusive husband in this skillfully made period piece.

This behind-the-scenes look at the Christian Dior fashion house profiles its new artistic director, Raf Simons, and shows how its industrious team brings his haute couture to life. Fans of the fashion world are reportedly inclined to love this documentary, which is still approachable for non-label conscious folks. Written and directed by Frédéric Tcheng, the film includes appearances by actress Marion Cotillard and Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

Lambert and Stamp In theatres April 24 | R | 117 minutes

Desert Dancer In theatres April 16 | PG-13

This film, based on the incredible true story about Afshin Gaffarian (Reece Ritchie), tells how he was willing to risk everything to start a dance company during political turmoil in Iran in 2009, Despite a national ban on dancing, Afshin and members of his underground troupe learn from the masters, utilizing YouTube to study Michael Jackson and Gene Kelly. They launch a risky plan to stage an isolated performance in the desert, away from police, in this political drama co-starring Nazanin Boniadi (“Homeland”).

62 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

This rock documentary profiles two mod men in the United Kingdom in the 1960s who abandon their plan to be filmmakers in favor of managing the young group of musicians that went on to become the seminal rock band The Who. James D. Cooper directs this film about Kit Lambert, a gay man whose lifestyle never seemed to conflict with straight guys on the rock circuit, and Chris Stamp, brother of actor Terence Stamp who’s interviewed for this film packed with archival footage. Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey co-star.

Hans Pedersen is a freelance writer based in Phoenix.

movies

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 63

F(l)ag Football

Photos courtesy of flagfootballthemovie.com.

Phoenix Hellraisers star in Phoenix Film Festival documentary

By Hana Khalyleh

M

embers of the Phoenix Hellraisers made their big-screen debut last month, as a documentary on the National Gay Flag Football League (NGFFL) was presented at this year’s Phoenix Film Festival.

F(l)ag Football, directed by Seth Greenleaf, follows three teams – the Phoenix Hellraisers, the Los Angeles Motion and the New York Warriors – on their quest for the national championship, Gay Bowl X, which was held in Phoenix in 2010.

While the film is centered on the fundamentals of football, and includes a heavy dose of practice footage, the message is deeper, according to Greenleaf.

“The goal is to shed the light on gay athletes, to show what incredible athletes these guys are, to create more interest in athletics in the gay community, as well as to open eyes in the straight community,” Greenleaf said.

From the beginning, Greenleaf said his goal with the project was to generate more interest in sports and the positive role sports leagues play within the gay community – despite a hesitation some may have before entering what many regard to be an intolerant space.

“I think a lot of gay men were turned off by sports and sports culture from a young age, which is a shame because the companionship and experience of sports culture is a great thing to be a part of, and would be great for young people in the gay community,” Greenleaf said.

The documentary, Greenleaf added, also delves into the stories and personalities of the team members, each team’s playing style and the involvement of each team in the LGBT community both on and off the field.

64 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

“The [Phoenix Hellraisers] happen to be, for good reason, the fan favorite team,” he said. “They really play from their heart, and you can’t help but fall in love with them.”

Joey Jacinto, the team’s quarterback and coach during the filming of F(l)ag Football, said he believes that being allowed to be yourself in any sport allows to reach your full potential “It’s important to see this film, so kids going through this in college or high school have something to relate to,” he said, “so they could feel comfortable about themselves and reach their full potential.”

Jacinto, who was heavily involved in sports growing up, said he hopes F(l)ag Football brings about change in the lives of LGBT children seeking a safe space in athletics.

“Sports, for me, have always broken barriers,” Jacinto said. “I think this film brings it to people’s attention. Gay leagues and teams have been … knocking down barriers and changing stereotypes for a long time.”

According to Jared Garduno, the Hellraisers’ rusher and co-captain, the film’s significance will not only resonate with LGBT community, but with straight audiences as well.

“The mainstream sports community needs to see the participation of these LGBT sports teams on and off the field,” he said. “I don’t see how [they] wouldn’t just fall in love with the passion of the leagues in the movie and the bonds we’ve all created.”

Greenleaf is not only a straight ally, but also a straight athlete who sees the disconnect between the athletic communities.

was great to watch them put something like this together. It’s a great tool for social change.”

For more information on F(l)ag Football, or to watch the trailer, visit flagfootballthemovie. com. To find out more about the Phoenix Hellraisers of the Phoenix Gay Flag Football League, visit phoenixflagfootball.com.

TAKE IT ONLINE Read Hans Pedersen’s review of F(l)ag Football, at echomag.com/ flag-football.

Hana Khalyleh is an ASU student and Echo intern who also runs a biweekly blog that critically analyzes the progress of the digital gaming community.

“For someone like [Greenleaf] to recognize what we have and why it matters is great,” Jacinto said. “I think most of the crew [are] allies, and it

movies

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 65

OPENING NIGHTS

By Richard Schultz Ain’t She Brave Black Theatre Troupe

Described as a play of poetry written by Ntare Ali and Erika Gault, this memoir of self-discovery features four women, Uhuru (Freedom), Njozi (Dream), Nia (Purpose), and Imani (Faith), who walk back through history and portray the stores of both the pain and promise of being black and female in America.

These four characters transport the audience to settings shifting from contemporary neighborhood girls lamenting the lack of their visibility in America to mid18th century New Orleans when a commonlaw married Creole woman organized a way for free women of color to insure the safety of their children and themselves. Through layers of poems, stories and memories, Uhuru, Njozi,

Nia and Imani weave a tapestry timeline of black women’s continuous bravery and the history that shaped their many tragedies and triumphs. These women are living “between hope and history” in a series of vignettes filled with touching moments of love, fear and dreams. These are truly stories of strength and survival.

David Hemphill directs this provocative new “choreo-poem” which premiered in the 2014 New York Fringe Festival and stars Sasha Wordlaw, April Rozier, Melvina Jones and Niesha Esene Ain’t She Brave April 10-26 Black Theatre Troupe The Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center 1333 E. Washington St., Phoenix Tickets: $35; 602-258-8129 blacktheatretroupe.tixato.com/buy Photo courtesy of Arizona Theatre Company.

The Velocity of Autumn Theatre Artists Studio

Funny and dangerous, aching and revelatory, this perceptive play by Eric Coble reveals both the fragility and ferocity of life.

Alexandra, an aging but still feisty artist played by Judy Rollings, is set on spending her remaining years in her Brooklyn brownstone. She’s mixed up some Molotov cocktails just in case her family gets any other ideas.

Barricaded in her apartment and provisioned only with her fleeting memories and homemade bombs, Alexandra’s defenses begin to crack when her long-absent son, played by Brad Allen, crawls in through her window. No sooner are the words “Hi, Mom” uttered than a fuse is lit and the countdown to an emotional – and perhaps very literal – explosion begins. Directed by Robyn Allen, this is the Arizona premiere of the Tony-nominated Broadway sensation that captures a fiery debate familiar to millions.

The Velocity of Autumn Theatre Artists Studio April 10-26, 2015 4848 E. Cactus Road, #406, Scottsdale Tickets: $20; 602-765-0120 thestudiophx.org 66 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

River City

Avenue Q

Borderlands Theater

Mesa Encore Theatre

Diana Grisanti’s stirring play explores the often humorous and heartwarming challenges facing those who are biracial and bicultural. Just weeks after her father’s death, Mary discovers a childhood photograph of him from a past he never mentioned.

Determined to excavate her heritage, Mary leaves the comfort of her husband and home in Chicago and goes on a quest to uncover a half-century of family and town secrets that haunt the West End of Louisville, Ky. River City is a fascinating and funny story about connecting to your past without abandoning the present.

Diana Grisanti is a Playwright in Residence at Theatre [502] in Louisville, Ky. In this play, Grisanti writes about the struggles that biracial Americans face as they search for their own identities and place in their communities. The play also touches on the legacy of urban renewal.

Esther Almazán directs this play, which is part of the National New Play Network (NNPN) Rolling World Premiere. It was first produced in September at the Actors Theatre of Charlotte and in January at the Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis.

River City April 9-26 Borderlands Theater Zuzi’s Theater 738 N. Fifth Ave., Tucson Tickets: $20; 520-882-7406 borderlandstheater.org

Winner of the 2003 Tony Award triple crown – best musical, score and book – this Valley favorite is part flesh, part felt and packed with heart. Humans and puppets interact in this tale of 20-somethings learning how to live and discover their purpose in the big city.

This laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. There, he meets Kate, the girl next door; Rod, the Republican Trekkie, the Internet sexpert; Lucy, the slut; and other colorful types who help Princeton find his path in life. This is Sesame Street for grown-ups.

Avenue Q April 10-26 Mesa Encore Theatre Mesa Arts Center 1 E. Main Street, Mesa Tickets: $29; 480-644-6500 mesaencoretheatre.com Richard Schultz is a playwright, actor, director and freelance writer based in Phoenix.

theatre

recordings

By Cait Brennan

Namoli Brennet. Photo by Milo, courtesy of namolibrennet.com.

Marc Almond The Velvet Trail SFE/Cherry Red |

Namoli Brennet Ditch Lilies

self-released |

In a career full of astonishingly beautiful songs, Namoli Brennet continues to rise.

Every album since her daring debut, Boy In A Dress, has been leaps and bounds above the last. On her new album, Ditch Lilies, Brennet steps up her game yet again with one of the strongest albums of the year.

Drawing on folk, country and rock influences, Ditch Lilies kicks off with “Marjorie,” a driving, desperate tale of an older woman trapped in a paycheckto-paycheck grind. Brennet is a gifted storyteller who finds the humanity in each of her characters, often outsiders struggling to make it in a dehumanized world. The strong acoustic groove, subtle but gorgeous harmonies and extraordinarily fine musicianship stand out, with great slide guitar and mandolin flourishes. “Bloom” celebrates the possibility of second chances in “the freedom of a vine, the stretching poetry of shoots.”

It takes a delicate hand to write songs about political issues without sounding like sloganeering, but Brennet’s always been adept at making the political personal and vice-versa. The elegiac, do-not-go-gentle “Bleecker St.” is a trip through decades, celebrating progress in LGBT rights while cursing the hate and ignorance that made the struggle so necessary, and mourning the losses of those taken by HIV. Songs like “Babylon” and “18 Summers” touch on contemporary American life with the timelessness and power of traditional folk ballads.

Brennet’s voice has a gorgeous timbre that conveys urgency and tenderness with equal skill and her lyrics have a literary depth few can match. There’s no finer artist making music today, and Ditch Lilies is one of her best. music

When longtime Soft Cell/Marc Almond fan Chris Braide heard that Almond had essentially retired from recording new original songs, he just couldn’t take it lying down – he had to hear Almond sing again.

It helped, of course, that Braide is one of the top record producers in the business (Beyonce, Lana Del Rey, Sia, Christina Aguilera).

Braide reached out to Almond and the pair struck up a highly unusual partnership without ever having met or even talked on the phone, they created The Velvet Trail, Almond’s first new album of originals in five years.

Braide sent Almond instrumental tracks from LA and the London-based singer then added his contributions. The result, though, is seamless. The album is divided into three acts, with each opening with a lush instrumental. “Bad To Me” kicks off act one, a zippy dance number with a weird Casio rhythm and a sinister, tonguein-cheek ode to naughty boys everywhere.

The ‘80s synthpop era comes out in full measure on the upbeat “Zipped Black Leather Jacket,” “I’m a shape shifting changeling, so stop trying to assimilate me.” You hear that, Gay Borg? Almond won’t be your Locutus. Almond’s voice sounds magnificent and his playful, funny lyrics reference gay icons and his own image. “Scar” breaks out the piano and cello synth for a big-beat ballad, while “Pleasure’s Wherever You Are” is a gentle midtempo tune about enjoying life as it comes.

“Minotaur” is another playful lyric, while “When The Comet Comes” teams Almond up with Gossip’s Beth Ditto for the album’s most upbeat, earworm-ready pop moment. It’s ideal hit-single material.

Almond’s at his best as a romantic torch

singer. “The Pain Of Never” lingers sadly on what might have been, while “Winter Sun” is an impressionist painting of a breakup, with a beautiful chorus. The title track ends the set with a haunting goodbye of remembrance and regret.

Almond, who was nearly killed in a motorcycle accident in 2004, had to learn to sing again from scratch in the intervening years. His melancholy, richly romantic voice is a joy to hear again.

Fairy Bones Dramabot

80/20 records |

From Alice Cooper to the Gin Blossoms and Jimmy Eat World to Nate Reuss of fun, Arizona’s “local music” has a funny habit of becoming globally huge. You might want to keep that in mind while listening to Fairy Bones’ glorious full-length debut, Dramabot.

The thundering opener, “Demons and Dogs,” sets the tone early. Lead singer Chelsey Louise rolls from a soaring banshee wail to a guttural rock and roll EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 67

growl that’s practically demanding to be heard in stadiums. It’s a declaration of intent, and you’d better take notice.

“You And You Again” doubles down with a sucker-punch jolt. Matthew Foos’ drumming will knock your fillings out, while Ben Foos’ inventive, spot-on bass lines pound out the rhythm. Robert Ciuca’s guitar sparks like an arc-welder. It would take guys this good, and this anarchic, to keep up with Louise.

Produced by dapper sonic wonderboy Bob Hoag at his soon-to-be legendary Flying Blanket studio (The Ataris, The Format, etc.), Dramabot has the analog fullness and resonance that is Hoag’s bread and butter. It belongs on vinyl. Hoag also does a great job of capturing the intensity of their amazing live shows.

“Waiting” is a particular highlight, with a gorgeous melody and one of Louise’s finest vocal performances. Hoag’s production shines, with layers of swirling keys (is that a Moog or an ARP?) and an almost disco giddiness that ends with a huge smile. “Jack” sells the drama with rock ballad swagger and a jagged, Cobain-esque guitar riff. Indeed, parts of Dramabot definitely have a Seattlecirca-1991 feel, coupled with an Iggy and the Stooges Raw Power vibe that is straight out of the ‘70s.

Your “Alternative” Dental Office With a Holistic and Biological approach to your Dental Needs and Overall Health

Michael Margolis, DDS, PC Stephen Kovar, DMD, FAGD

 Cosmetic / Aesthetic Dentistry  Lumineers / Veneers  Complete Family / General Dentistry  Close-in East Valley Location  Member GPGLCC  All Services Provided by Arizona Licensed General Dentists

2045 S. Vineyard Rd., Suite 153 | Mesa, AZ 85210 | www.MyDentistAZ.com

And yet there’s nobody like Louise. Her volcanic vocal explodes on “Yeah Pretty Yeah” and the aptly named “Banshee,” while the album closer, “Notes From Wonderland,” blasts and crashes like mountains coming down. It’s another winner from 80/20 records. With an album this powerful, we’re gonna have a hard time keeping these guys in town.

Cait Brennan is a singer/songwriter and freelance writer based in Phoenix.

68 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

music

between the covers

I Left it On the Mountain

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

“I

’m sorry.” There they are: two words you learned (or should’ve learned) as a toddler to make amends, set things right, receive forgiveness, and move on. Followed by, “please forgive me.”

If acknowledged, those words are cathartic and weight lifting.

If ignored, they can be crushing.

Or, as in the new book I Left It on the Mountain by Kevin Sessums, they can do both over the course of a lifetime.

On the morning of his 53rd birthday, Sessums woke up in a funk. It wasn’t his workload that his body had “already begun to rebel at,” he was scheduled that evening to attend an Oscar party with Courtney Love. No, what plagued him was that he’d signed up to walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain, a pilgrimage of 500-some miles.

Sessums wasn’t sure what he hoped to gain by walking the Camino.

He’d been told that the trek was spiritual, one “that pilgrims have walked for over two thousand years.” He’d been told that it would change him.

Change was what he realized he needed.

As a child growing up in Mississippi, Sessums was a “sissy boy” and he knew

BOOKS

that he’d disappointed his father. Efforts to align with his father betrayed his mother in ways that hurt her. But because both his parents died when Sessums was 9 years old, he couldn’t ask for their forgiveness.

Molested at 13, now HIV positive and feeling abandoned as an adult, Sessums had been bingeing on drugs and sex for months when a friend suggested the Camino. The journey “beckoned” – but not without questions.

frustration with) family as well as painful years of grief, loss and fear. This unfiltered, diary part of his Camino journey – the passages about passages, if you will – underscore his talent.

Readers, however – especially readers unfamiliar with New York society or the pop-culture-fashion magazine industry – may struggle with frequent, unfamiliar namedropping. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the presence

of very explicit, brutal sex.

Still, despite eye-poppers and flaws that really aren’t flaws, there was a bigger part of me that couldn’t put this book aside.

It’s beautiful, it’s ugly, and if you skip reading I Left it On the Mountain you may never forgive yourself.

I Left it On the Mountain

By Kevin Sessums St. Martin’s Press, 2015 | $25.99

Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm, lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 13,000 books. She’s been reading since age 3 and, to this day, she never goes anywhere without a book.

“How,” Sessums mused, “do I fully combine the spiritual with the carnal?”

Weeks later, the answer arrived in pieces as he chose the more difficult path of the Camino walk, up hills and through mud, fighting blisters and exhaustion but noticing men and miracles. Answers would come as he learned to “let go” and as he met people he enjoyed, “including now myself.”

But that’s not the pinnacle of this powerful memoir – not by a long shot. And yet, my emotions ran the gamut from “OMG” to “Ho-hum” while reading it.

To start, Sessums is a first-rate memoirist. He opens his heart and soul and lets you see everything that’s there: warm childhood memories, recollections of time spent with “heightened acquaintances,” love of (and Photo by Matt Edge

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 69

ALL OVER THE MAP

The Inflection Point

By Liz Massey

I

f you’ve read my column in this magazine for any length of time, you probably know that I enjoy writing about change.

Technological change, social change, political change, personal change ... I love to cover it all because a) it’s usually fascinating and b) I always am assured of having something to write about, since change is ever-present in our world.

the change process to a series of “before and after” photos, skipping over the story of transformation with all its complexity and messiness. That makes change sound easier than it really is, and renders it far less interesting, too.

It’s estimated that the world will experience the equivalent of 20,000 years worth of change during the 21st century at today’s rate of change. That stupendous pace is generally good for LGBT folks, who are seeing societal attitudes about our rights and dignity evolve at light speed.

However, this dizzying rapidity can also be difficult to bear, as certainty can dissolve in an instant and the path forward through change can often seem difficult to discern.

When I think about my personal inflection points – which include coming out, becoming involved with my spouse (after a period of chasing after unavailable women), telling off a domineering ex and deciding to take better care of my body about nine years ago – what I see is that in each case, I chose what I needed in the moment over the status quo. To me, that is the key to what kicks off successful change: the willingness to allow something radically different to happen.

When I think about change, I often focus on what is called by some the inflection point – that moment when the change actually begins. The media often reduces

LGBT Rights Employment Law/ discrimination Family Law Business Law Personal Injury

Serving the Underserved.

I'll Stand by You!

Trust & Estates/ Estate Planning Real Estate Transactions

Salvador & Associates, PLLC Anthony G. Salvador, Esq. 1 E. Washington St. Ste. 500, Phoenix, Arizona 85004

www.asalvadorlaw.com Office: 602-533-2802 70 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

With this issue, Echo Magazine stands at an inflection point.

Going forward, some aspects of this publication will be very different.

Just as it was when I was managing editor in the early 2000s, Echo will still be relentlessly local, and still relentlessly focused on LGBT trends and issues; but as the needs and interests of the Valley’s queer community have progressed, so too must the publication that covers them.

Technology has influenced this moment in a significant way.

Fifteen years ago, I could tell that Echo’s web presence would eventually be a driving force in how it interacted with readers. Now the magazine is much more than a printed piece – you touch base with us through echomag.com, on our social media channels and via email. Today, Echo isn’t just something that people read – it’s the focal point of an entire network of LGBT people and their straight allies, who together are redefining what it means to be gay in this part of Arizona. It’s not just the staff and freelance contributors talking to you ... it’s all of us talking together and co-creating the future.

And what will that future look like?

Well, you have a huge impact upon Echo’s ultimate trajectory. Every advertiser you support, every post you retweet, and every event of ours you attend tells us what kind of community you want to be a part of, and what you need from Echo to support that tribe.

Computer pioneer Alan Kay said that “the best way to predict the future is to invent it.” It’s impossible to know exactly what lies ahead for Echo as we make these changes, but because of the 25 years of support we’ve received from you, our readers, we know that together we’ll invent an enterprise that delivers the LGBT “news, views, community and culture” you need to thrive.

Liz Massey has been involved in LGBT community-building activities in Kansas City and the Valley of the Sun, and is a former managing editor of Echo Magazine.

She can be reached at lizmassey68@gmail.com.

all over the map

Married Filing Married

money talks

By Melissa Myers and Michael J. Tucker Melissa Myers: Well, the height of tax season is almost behind us for 2014 filings.

Michael J. Tucker: What’s unique about this tax season is that 2014 was the first year many married Arizona same-sex couples are filing jointly for their federal and Arizona tax returns.

Myers: Right. Until Oct.17, 2014, when Arizona legally recognized same-sex marriages, couples that had married in other states had to file joint Form 1040 with the IRS and individual Arizona state returns.

Tucker: That rather cumbersome process required taking information from the couple’s joint federal return and extracting each individual’s income for the Arizona returns to reflect unmarried status.

Myers: There will be no more of that! Couples who married in 2014 or prior years in any state, now including Arizona, must now file joint returns for both federal and Arizona income tax. For 2014 and forward, the process should be much easier.

Tucker: A couple is treated as married for purposes of a particular tax year if they are married on December 31 of that year.

Tucker: According to Lind, “[s]ome parts of the inequity, referred to by many as the ‘marriage penalty,’ aren’t related to tax rates but rather certain peculiarities in tax law. For example, let’s assume a couple each has $80K of AGI, before claiming about $10K of losses from several rental properties they co-own and manage. If unmarried, they were able to use the rental losses to offset other income. But the ability to deduct such losses is generally suspended for those with AGI over $150K whether the return is for a single person OR a married couple. As a result they would not be able to claim that current deduction, increasing their income subject to tax by $20K.” Myers: Among other surprises for same-sex married taxpayers this tax season, filing jointly instead of individually may have affected certain calculations for benefits such as healthcare subsidies, tax credits, education credits or federal student financial aid, if either spouse has children.

Tucker: If a couple is not yet married and is considering the financial and tax implications of a potential marriage, we suggest the couple first research the many details that may

affect them. This may entail meeting with your financial, legal and tax professionals.

Myers: Some couples have been blindsided by unexpected tax consequences of marriage.

Know what you’re looking at.

Melissa Myers is a certified financial planner with Camelback Retirement Planners, in Phoenix, a registered representative with Commonwealth Financial Network and a registered investment adviser.

Michael Tucker is an attorney with Michael J. Tucker, P.C., in Phoenix, and is a certified specialist in estate and trust law. For more information, see their ads in this issue.

This material has been provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute either tax or legal advice. Investors should consult a tax or legal professional regarding their individual situation. Neither Camelback nor Commonwealth offers tax or legal advice.

Myers: We spoke with local tax professional Bob Lind, of Camelwest Tax Services, about his observations and experiences during this tax filing season.

Tucker: Lind notes a lot of confusion (and apparently some widespread internet rumors) wrongly suggesting couples that married toward the end of 2014 can choose to file taxes as unmarried, since they were not married for “most” of 2014.

Myers: Those who were legally married as of the end of 2014 and who nevertheless filed taxes as unmarried are technically filing fraudulent taxes, and they must amend their returns to correct that claim.

Tucker: Because 2014 was the first year for which many same-sex married couples filed joint income tax returns, some had interesting and perhaps unexpected results.

Myers: Depending upon their respective incomes, some couples experienced a “marriage penalty.”

Tucker: The income tax marriage penalty is not some new way to discriminate against gay people. For years, married straight couples that are dual income earners often owe more in income taxes than they would have owed if they hadn’t been married to one another.

Myers: Right. “Marriage penalty” describes the circumstances of a married couple that paid more in combined taxes than the total of what the two would have paid individually had they been unmarried. Lind elaborated further on this point and provided an example. money

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 71

balanced living

5 Tips For Perfecting Your Gym Etiquette

By Nate Whitten

N

o matter which type of gym you work out in – your apartment complex exercise room, the big chaingym or the local independent gym – there is proper etiquette involved when it comes to sharing the space with other gymgoers.

And, just as you share the road with other drivers or share your cubicle with a co-worker, you have to learn how to peacefully co-existence with others in a way that doesn’t make you end up looking like a jerk.

There are pages and pages of gym etiquette tips and advice online, but here are five of the basics to get you started:

1. TAKE A TOWEL WITH YOU Most quality gyms offer their members some sort of towel service. Take advantage of it.

You may think your sweaty back outline on the bench is a sexy way to mark your territory, but that really only applies in the bedroom. The gym equipment is not your tree to pee on when exerting your masculine dominance.

So, for everyone’s sake, wipe that equipment down when you’re finished. And please don’t wipe down the seat with the same towel you sop up the perspiration from your body.

That’s kind of like washing the kitchen counter with your sandy beach towel – so maybe take two towels.

Unique Moon Valley Home!

2. DON’T DROP THE WEIGHTS Everyone has dropped a weight a time or two; it’s unavoidable. But there’s that guy who drops his weights to show off how hard he’s working and then walks away with his lats spread so far apart that the slightest breeze could take him into the sky like a kite. Don’t be that guy! If you can’t control the weights enough to set them down with ease, then they are too heavy for you. When you are unable to utilize negative resistance that is part of the full range of motion of your exercise, you aren’t strong enough to perform the routine correctly.

So, now you look like an amateur.

3. DON’T BE A DISTRACTION

• 4 Bedrooms (2 Master Suites) • 3 Bathrooms • 2977 Sq Ft • Vaulted Ceilings • Loft • Balcony & Wrap Around Private Patio • Convenient to Central Hospitals & Downtown via 7th Street • Park-Like Setting... A Must See!

Charles SantAngelo 602-620-5700 ChazSantAngelo@gmail.com 72 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

This means stop using your boobs to distract from your inactivity in the weight room and stop gawking at the other bodies, forms, techniques, etc., around you. Similarly, just because you own your own yoga mat and can do a sun salutation without instruction, doesn’t grant you exclusive rights to the 10-foot diameter space around you. And, while yoga is a great physical practice, don’t use your downward-facing dog just to get attention. Just like the sweat puddles, leave that stuff at home or in the spacious yoga studio.

4. DON’T BE A “BRIDESMAID” If you haven’t seen the movie, you must turn in your gay card immediately. Of course, this is calling out the gym-goer who stealthily follows a personal trainer and their client around, mimicking everything they do.

You’re stealing. Everyone sees you doing it, and you look creepy.

Stop it!

5. WATCH YOUR MOUTH I’m all for lots of cussing and swearing, but keep in mind that not everyone has the same sense of appropriate when it comes to language. Also, if you sound like you’re having an orgasm while maneuvering the weights or equipment, you should stop that too. Most people appreciate a good orgasmic vocal response – in the bedroom. Again, keep it at home. Lastly, gyms are full of gossip, business conversation and social commentary. Not only do people not want to hear your conversations, you actually may not want to be overheard speaking your mind to your neighbor on the treadmill because this isn’t Vegas – what happens in the gym, does not stay in the gym.

TAKE IT ONLINE For tips on fixing your gym etiquette faux pas, read the rest of the column online at echomag. com/balanced-livingapril-9-2015

Nate Whitten is a successful living coach and personal trainer in Phoenix. Find out more at natewhitten.com.

health & wellbeing

business cards For a complete listing of all Echo display advertisers, please see our Lambda Directory on page 82.

• Income Tax Preparation and Planning for Singles & Couples

• Tax Audits • Accounting for Small Businesses and Corporations

Bob Lind, EA

• Free Electronic Filing With Tax Preparation

(Fed. & Most States)

(602) 841-5414

Near Bethany/43rd Ave., Phx

camelwest@aol.com

Complimentary Consultation

Valdez Refrigeration

509 W. McDowell Rd Phoenix, AZ, 85013 (602) 271-9146 Easleys.com

All your heating and cooling needs Office 602.266.0812 E-mail ZOUCHAVALDEZ@hotmail.com All major credit cards accepted.

K39-ROC177793 Res and Comm

Dean W. O’Connor Attorney at Law

attorneys

Serving Our Community For Over 30 Years

See why we say, “Our business is fun!”

Arcadia Dentistry

Matthew Milana, D.D.S. Cosmetic & family Dentistry

Personal Injury/Civil Litigation Bankruptcy | Family Law Estate Planning

|

(602) 956-9555 DWOConnor@aol.com 2850 E. Camelback, Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85016 Free Initial Consultation

Dr. Milana, D.D.S. 4214 E Indian School Rd STE 102

We Create Beautiful Smiles

602-957-2170

www.MilanaDDS.com

LOCAL BUSINESS

fitness

attorneys

A Debt Relief Agency

cosmetic

Serving Phoenix LGBT Communit y Since 1983

Botox ® Latisse ® Radiesse ® Juvéderm ® XC Juvederm Voluma™ Sermorelin Chemical Peels Testosterone Therapy HCG Therapy Facial Lipoatrophy SkinMedica ® Neova ®

costumes

Camelwest Tax Service

• • • • • • • Nello A Rossi MD • 2 0 1 E a s t M o n t e r e y Wa y • Phoenix AZ 85012 • w w w. W i l l o M e d i S p a . c o m • (602) 296-4477 •

dentist

air conditioning /heating

accountants/tax preparation

To advertise your business here, call 602-266-0550.

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 73

to nancy, from this

HAIR STUDIOS

Eric

2449 E. Indian School Road

life coaching

Phoenix, 85016

(623) 939-4389 AZ. Lic. #I-2362 B

personals

E ODUS

The day I married my soul mate & best friend; the day the hole in my heart was filled.

I will always carry your love with me all the days of my life, for there will be no other who can replace it.

pest control

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

day forward .

hair salon/barberS

602-955-2121

mortgages

Bigger is ALWAYS Better!

• All pool repairs • Weekly services

Bigg Momma’s

pool cleaning

8602 N. 39th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85051

Complete Pool Care LLC.

• Trained Movers in Uniform • Fully Insured & Bonded • Packing & Unpacking Services • “Family” Owned & Operated

(602) 242-2180

2905 W. Indian School Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85017 email: info0167@twomen.com

602.434.8028

real estate

moving & storage

Britney Bazzell

www.TwoMenPhoenix-WestValley.com

74 |

real estate

moving & storage

Each franchise independently owned and operated

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

Local business

religious group

real estate

Berney Streed, ABR, SRES, CIAS REALTOR® 480-628-6576 Cell 480-355-3500 Bus | 480-563-3995 Fax 8510 E. Shea Blvd. Suite #100.

Scottsdale AZ 85260 www.BerneyStreed.com bstreed@cox.net Each Office independently owned and operated.

PERSONALIZED FINANCIAL STRATEGIES C AMELBACK R ETIREMENT P LANNERS

• 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments • Located in the Melrose district!

Contact: Jason

CFP®, CLU, ADPA®

2720 E. Camelback Rd, #200, Phoenix 602.424.7503 camelbackrp.com

Securities and Advisory Services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network; Member FINRA/SIPC, A Registered Investment Advisor

Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor SM

roofing

religious group

602.538.0555 priderentals.com

Melissa Myers

retirement

real estate

with an understanding of LGBT issues

CONTACT US TODAY!

602-266-0773

manager@echomag.com

LOCAL BUSINESS

Echo Magazine is proudly a BBB Accredited business

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 75

ECHO CLASSIFIED SUBMISSIONS classifieds Mail: Echo Classifieds, P.O. Box 16630, Phoenix, AZ 85011-6630.

Fax: 602-266-0773 • E-Mail: classified@echomag.com

ACCOMMODATIONS AND TRAVEL ARIZONA ROYAL VILLA RESORT A men’s clothing optional mini resort. From $89.95.

Centrally located. Pool, spa, Sun tanning day passes $15. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. WI-FI. A Drug Free Community. 602-266-6883 www.royalvilla.com

Lyons Roofing - Check out our ad in the Business Card Section!!!

AZ IMPROVEMENTS Home & Business 602-434-5577 Residential & Commercial.

Kitchens- Baths- Countertops- PaintingFlooring- Roofing - Office. Quality Work/ Fair Price. ROC 233352KB02

HEALTH AND FITNESS FLEXSPAS.COM PHOENIX Private Gay Men’s Club. Array of amenities, room sizes, saltwater pool, new steam room www.flexspas.com 602-271-9011 Personal Training.

Guaranteed Results From Beginner to Competitive Body Building and Sports Conditioning. Rob Morley Fitness. 602-370-1316.

1st Session Free!

HELP WANTED Chute is now accepting applications for employment up to 32 hours a week, hourly rate monthly bonus. 4 pm - 12 am, and 12 am - 8 am, must have a clean work history and transportation to work.

Call Ray at 602-234-1654 The Sky is the Limit! The more you sell, the more you make! Are you a “people” person? Are you motivated to enrich your lifestyle? Do you have sales skills and at least 2 years experience? Do you care about the GLBT community? If you answered “yes” to all four questions, you owe it to yourself to contact Bill Gemmill at Echo Magazine, 602-266-0550 x106, or send your resume to Manager@echomag.com. Part time positions also available. Echo is an equal opportunity employer. This is not a Call Center position.

HOME SERVICES READER NOTICE: Under Arizona law, all residential and commercial contractors are required to be licensed by the state unless they fall under the handyman exemption for projects which require no building permit and are less than $750 for the total contract price. For more information or to verify the license status of an Arizona contractor, call 602-542-1525, 888-271-9286 or visit www.rc.state.az.us.

76 |

april 9, 2015

•

Blake Housecleaning. Serving all parts of the Valley. Housecleaning with customer service. 480-241-5651 www.blakehousecleaning.com Brian’s Bzzy Buns Home Cleaning Service Take the sting out of housework! Weekly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly. Bonded Quality Work.

Buzz 602-510-5493 for free quote Desertscape Nursery 623-492-0799 36544 N 7th Ave Phoenix 85086. Open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. daily. One free five gallon plant with this ad. No purchase necessary.

Eduardo’s Cleaning Serving all Parts of the Valley Quality Service, See our all (A) reviews on Angie’s List. weekly, bi weekly, $30.00 Off with this Ad Call Eduardo 602-334-3234 eduardoscleaning@gmail.com Landscape Installation and Makeovers Sprinkler Repair. Trees, shrubs, gravel, sod, brickwork, outdoor lighting, trimming, clean-up, etc. Charlie 602-481-8571 ROC 180193 Licensed Contractor, BBB accredited.

The Naked Butler Cleaning and any and all other services.

Green products used. Reasonable rates, days/eves availability Bonded and insured. VISA/MC accepted. 602-486-1053 please leave message/text or thenakedbutler32@gmail.com Your Handyman Service - AZ MR. Fix It “No Job Too Small” is our motto. We fix garbage disposals, drywall, plumbing, irrigation, electrical and more.

602-589-7274 azmrfixit.com

EchoMag.com

RICH VARNUM PLUMBING 623-583-4170 Licensed, bonded and insured. No job too small. Reasonable rates. Free estimates. Residential/ Commercial. ROC 152031 www.RichVarnumPlumbing.com

MASSAGE THERAPISTS READER NOTICE: Local law requires that only Arizona State Licensed Massage Therapists can advertise under this listing. License numbers are required on all massage therapist ads. All therapists listed below have their licenses on file with Echo Magazine. For more information or to verify the license status of an Arizona massage therapist visit www.massageboard.az.gov/ Massage by Page. Feel and move better with therapeutic massage. Monthly memberships now available. Located in the West Valley MassagebyPage.com 602-550-7244 MT# 07359

Massage Kai PERSONAL SPA 14 Years Anniversary - Thank you for your support. The best combination of therapeutic and relaxation massage. www.MassageKai.com 602-300-3071 MT# - 00717P Massage in the East Valley. Therapeutic and relaxing. Over 20 years experience. In call/out call service. Call/Text Andrew 480-516-7648. MT# 18359. .

Reduce your stress and increases your energy by receiving a therapeutic massage.

Vincent 602-618-1467 MT# 04689P

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES READER NOTICE: Under Arizona law, all residential and commercial contractors are required to be licensed by the state unless they fall under the handyman exemption for projects which require no building permit and are less than $750 for the total contract price. For more information or to verify the license status of an Arizona contractor, call 602-542-1525, 888-271-9286 or visit www.rc.state.az.us.

Straight Eye For The Queer Computer. Solving your computer problems since 1983. Viruses, upgrades, repairs, internet. Call Art: 602-319-6569

Ken: 602-971-5799

Obamacare & Medicare plans We’re ready to help - Call Now. REAL ESTATE

RENTALS RESIDENTIAL GM to rent a room Surprise - 425 a month cable,utilities included call 623-977-4288 Camelback & 7th St Area 2BR fenced brick house, A/C, ceramic tile floor, $850/mo incl water. 602-264-2500 26th St & Campbell GLBT, safe, friendly, quiet, large 1 Br, AC ceiling fans, pool, enclosed courtyard, covered parking, laundry, starting at $625/mo. 602-840-1882.

1 BDR Apartments from $549 2 BDR Apartments from $699 Great location in Central Phoenix. The Melrose District. Friendly, quiet and safe area. Just blocks from two light rail stations. Walking distance to restaurants, shopping, coffee houses and night clubs.

Pool Views, Cable/Satellite Ready, DSL Compatible, Covered Parking, Laundry and much more. 4425 N. 8th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85013. By Appointment Only. Please call Jason 602-538-0555

Near VA, spacious 1 Bedroom unit, tile throughout. French doors open to your own quiet park setting, covered parking. Laundry on site. Gay Owned and Operated. $635 mo. with 1 yr lease.

602-694-8606

1 br, 2 br & Studios. Rents start at $525.

Call for move-in special. Large units with and granite 1hardwood br, 2 br floors & Studios.

Rents countertops. start at $525.

Covered parking,special. swimming pool & sauna.

Call for move-in Large units with hardwood floors and maintenance granite countertops.

On site manager personCovered parking,Arcadia swimming pool & sauna. nel. Convenient location.

On site manager and maintenance person2930 N 52nd St. To view call 602-840-3053. nel.

Convenient Arcadia location.

Gay owned and managed.

2930 N 52nd St. To view call 602-840-3053.

Gay owned and managed.

Under New Management!! LGBT owned and property in the Under Newmanaged Management!!

LGBT heart ofand Central Phoenix, The Heart owned managed property in theof heart of Central The Heart Melrose District,Phoenix, now renting Studiosof Melrose District, rentingstarting Studios starting at $395 1now bedroom starting $395 and 1 bedroom starting at $435 toat $525 2 bedrooms 2 at $435 to starting $525 andat2$595 bedrooms 2 bathroom to $695/mo. bathroom starting at $595 to $695/mo.

Pet friendly. Enjoy everything from ResPet friendly. Enjoy everything from Restaurants, Nightlife, Shopping, Gyms & taurants, Nightlife, Shopping, Gyms & Light Rail within walking distance. $199 Light Rail within walking distance. $199 Security Deposit Deposit $99 $99 1st 1st month’s month’s rent rent Security (OAC).

(OAC). Melrose Melrose Apartments Apartments 4444 4444 N. N. 7th 7th Ave Contact Michelle Guzman at Ave Contact Michelle Guzman at mguzman@excelresidential.com or call 602-277-8170. Monday through Friday 99 am am to to 66 pm. pm.

Become an Echo Magazine Distribution Point: Call Echo Become an Echo Magazine Distribution Point: CallonEcho Magazine today for details how Magazine for details on how to sign up today for regular deliveries for to sign you up for deliveries for andregular your clients. you your clients.

Calland 602-266-0550 Call 602-266-0550

Welcome home to Palos Verdes Fairways...

We offer remodeled and UPGRADED spacious apartment VerdeFairways...

Fairway Welcome homehomes. to PalosPalo Verdes offers one, two and three bedroom ApartWe offer remodeled and UPGRADED spament homes up tohomes.

1200 sq.

Welcome cious apartment Paloft.Verde Fairway offers to one, twoVerdes and three bedroom home Palos Fairways...

WeApartoffer ment homesand upUPGRADED to 1200 sq.spacious ft. Welcome remodeled aparthome homes. to PalosThe Verdes We offer ment PaloFairways...

Verde lifestyle offers remodeled and UPGRADED convenient modern living inspacious a prime,apartcentral ment homes. The Palo Verde lifestyle offers Phoenix neighborhood; steps away from the convenient modern living in a prime, central Metro Light Rail and near the I-17. Imagine Phoenix neighborhood; steps away from the living in a relaxed suburban atmosphere Metro Light Rail and near the I-17. Imagine while still accessatmosphere to downtown, living in a having relaxed easy suburban Biltmore Fashion Park, Melrose while still having easy access toDistrict, downtown, and otherFashion great entertainment leisure Biltmore Park, Melrose and District, venues! contemporary and otherExperience great entertainment andliving leisureat venues!

Experience contemporary at its best and make yourself at homeliving at Palo its bestFairway and make yourselfHomes! at home1x1 at Palo Verde Apartment $800, Verde$850, Fairway 1x1 $800, 2x2 3x2 Apartment $950, PalosHomes!

Verde Fairways.

2x2 $850, 3x2 $950, Palos Verde Fairways.

602-242-6000, palosverde@chamberlinas602-242-6000, palosverde@chamberlinassociatesllc.com sociatesllc.com

Echo Magazine is making changes.

See for yourself April 23.

ROOMMATES Bedroom for rent in my home.

ROOMMATES Small dog and cat friendly. Large back Bedroom forWireless rent in Internet, my home. yard. Utility’s, Amazon Small cat friendly.

Largedryer back Fire TVdog withand Netflix and washer, yard.

Utility’s, WirelessofInternet, included.

No smoking any kind.Amazon Fire TV with Netflix and washer, dryer $150.00 deposit. $450.00 Monthly.

First included. No smoking of any kind. months rent due upon move in. “CLEAN $150.00 deposit. $450.00 Monthly. First AND RESPONSIBLE” PERSON ONLY months rent due upon move in. “CLEAN PLEASE. Call Brent @ 480-797-8126 AND RESPONSIBLE” PERSON ONLY PLEASE. Call in Brent @ 480-797-8126 Nice home central Phoenix

approx.

1 mileinfrom PCH Phoenix , Loma Linda Nice home central neighborhood.

Looking someLinda one approx.

1 mile from PCHfor , Loma neighborhood.

Looking some one to rent Master Bed Roomforwith attached to rent Master Room with attached shower.

Nicely Bed remodeled.

I would like shower.

Nicely remodeled.

I would like a roommate that is not a party person. aI live roommate that is not a party person. a 4/20 lifestyle and enjoy life. The I live a 4/20 lifestyle and enjoy life. The room is furnished if needed. Small pet room is furnished if needed. Small pet is ok, dog is better, I have a dog and she is ok, dog is better, I have a dog and she is a terrier and is not good with cats. I is a terrier and is not good with cats. I work hard am an early to bed person work hard am an early to bed person and early early to to rise. rise. Monthly Monthly rent rent 500 500 aa and month with with 1/2 1/2 utilities utilities approx. approx. 50 50 month to 100 100 aa month. month. Deposit Deposit non non refundrefundto able 250.00 must fill out application. khester.ici@gmail.com or 602-540-5956

Phoenix boys of Leather

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 77

Greenway Pkwy 20

•

EchoMag.com

Roosevelt

17

Broadway

C L e

Neighborhood Bar Full Restaurant Dance Club

101 15

10 Mesa Chandler

Baseline

N r d

5t h

32nd St.

24th St.

143

*MAP IS NOT DRAWN TO SCALE

Bar Codes: M Mostly Males F Mostly Females MF Mixed Male/Female

.

5

7

10

Van Buren

© 2015

Av e

1

202 10 19

12

Scottsdale Rd.

Tatum

16th St. 24 4 18

McDowell 13 3

.

Ave

april 9, 2015

9

nd

78 |

22

Gra

10

4428 N 7th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85013 (602)200-9154

Home of

51

2

21

14

Lincoln

40th St. 44th St.

8 23 27 2 6 11 17 25 Indian School 16

Your Neighborhood Community bar...

Cr

26

Camelback

Thomas

ve Ca Northern 7th St.

Central

7th Ave.

27th Ave.

43rd Ave.

51st Ave.

Glendale 17 Bethany

Shea Blvd

ee

N

Dunlap

Cactus

k

Thunderbird

Country Dancing Leather/Bears Entertainment (drag, strippers, etc.)

1

aNViL 2424 E. Thomas Road

M, d, L 602-956-2885

15

NUToWNe saLooN 5002 E. Van Buren St.

M, N, L 602-267-9959

2

aPoLLo’s 5749 N. Seventh St.

MF, N, e 602-277-9373

16

oFF ChUTe Too 4111 N. Seventh Ave

Me 602-274-1429

3

aQUa NighTCLUB 1730 E. McDowell Road

F, N, e 602-253-0689

17

oz 1804 W. Bethany Home Road

MF, N 602-242-5114

4

Bar 1 3702 N. 16th St.

M, N, e 602-266-9001

18

PLazMa 1560 E. Osborn Road

MF, N 602-266-0477

5

Bs WesT 7125 E. Fifth Ave.

MF, d, e 602-200-9154

19

reBar/BLiss 901 N. Fourth St.

MF, N, r 602-795-1792

6

BUNkhoUse 4428 N. Seventh Ave.

M, N 602-200-9154

20

raiNBoW CaCTUs 15615 N. Cave Creek Road

MF, N 602-971-1086

7

Cash iNN 2140 E. McDowell Road

F, C 602-244-9943

21

rosCoes 4531 N. Seventh St.

M 602-285-0833

8

CharLie’s 727 W. Camelback Road

M, C, e 602-265-0224

22

royaL ViLLa iNN 4312 N. 12th St.

M 602-266-6883

9

CrUisiN’ 7Th 3702 N. Seventh St.

M, e 602-212-9888

23

sTaCy’s @ MeLrose 4343 N. Seventh Ave.

M, F 602-264-1700

10

Fez 105 W. Portland St.

MF, r 602-287-8700

24

The ChUTe 1440 E. Indian School Road

M 602-234-1654

11

harLey’s BisTro 4221 N. Seventh Ave.

MF, r 602-234-0333

25

The roCk 4129 N. Seventh Ave.

M 602-248-8559

12

FLex sPas PhoeNix 1517 S. Black Canyon Hwy

Me 602-271-9011

26

TiCoz resTo-Bar 5114 N. Seventh St.

MF, r 602-200-0160

13

karaMBa 1724 E. McDowell Road

d 602-254-0231

27

zoaN 4301 N. Seventh Ave.

F 602-265-3233

14

koBaLT 3110 N. Central Ave., Ste. 125

MF, e 602-264-5307

daily bar specials

S

m

t

w

t

f

S

Bunkhouse $1 drafts and HH prices all day and night

6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.: Free-to-join poker. HH prices for participants.

Winners get $10 Bunkhouse bar tabs

7 and 10 p.m.: Free-to-join poker. HH prices for participants.

Winners get $10 Bunkhouse bar tabs

9 p.m. Karaoke

Underwear night: $1 off all drinks if in skivvies!

8 p.m.-close: 8 p.m.-close: $2.50 Miller family $2.50 Bud family products. 4 p.m. products and 6 p.m. Freeto-join poker

2-8 p.m. 2-for-1 well and domestic bottles, $3 pitchers; 2-for-1 cocktails and beer 8 p.m.close

2-8 p.m.

2-for-1 well and domestic bottles, $3 pitchers; $3 Three Olives vodka flavors, 8 p.m.-close

2-8 p.m. 2-for-1 well and domestic bottles, $3 pitchers; 2-for-1 cocktails and beer openclose

2-7 p.m.

2-for-1 well and domestics, $3 pitchers; HH 7-9 p.m.; $1 well and domestics, $1 drafts 10 p.m.midnight

Noon-7 p.m.

2-for-1 well and domestics; HH 7-9 p.m.; $1 well and domestics, $3 Absolut and Bacardi flavors 10 p.m.-midnight

HH 11 a.m.8 p.m.; Martinis & Massage 6 p.m.; $5 Martinis, $5 Bacardi flavors; Garden Variety Revue with Olivia Gardens 9 p.m.

HH 11 a.m.8 p.m.; Trivia Night w/cash prize 9 p.m.; $4 Stoli cocktails 8 p.m. – midnight

The HH Hotspot $3 signature cocktails, $2.75 domestics, 2-4-1 call drinks; 10-11 p.m. video bar

HH 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Showtune night 7 p.m.-close; Celia Putty’s 2 Girls One Cup Show (every 2nd Sat)

2-4-1 ALL DAY; $3 monthly charity shots ALL DAY; live DJ, top 40 and dance

Thirsty Thursday; HH and $1 draft pint, 4-8 p.m.; $1 draft pint AND wells, 8 p.m.midnight; live DJ, top 40 and dance, 8 p.m.close

HH, 4-8 p.m.; $3 monthly charity shots ALL DAY; $2 Kamikaze shots ALL DAY; live DJ, top 40 and dance, 8 p.m.close

HH, 4-8 p.m.; $3 monthly charity shots ALL DAY; $2 Kamikaze shots ALL DAY; live DJ, top 40 and dance, 8 p.m.-close

charlie’s Super HH 4-7 p.m., $3 pitchers; $3 Long Islands open to close

2-8 p.m. 2-for-1 well and domestic bottles, $3 pitchers; 8 p.m.-close, 1/2 off cocktails and beer for those in underwear, $3 Jack Daniels

koBalt HH 10 a.m.8 p.m.; Bar Match Buy-In Dart Tourney 2 p.m.; 2-4-1 call drinks 7-8 p.m.; Karaoke 9:30 p.m.

HH 11 a.m.Karaoke 8 p.m.; 9:30 p.m.; Drag Race viewing HH open to close at 7 p.m.; $5 Absolut cocktails

stacy’s @ Melrose $1 Rolling Rock pints and well drinks until 10 p.m.

Karaoke, 9 p.m.-close; HH and $3 monthly charity shots ALL DAY

HH, 4-8 p.m.; $1 draft pint, $3 monthly charity shots, $4 Mojitos and Caipirinhas ALL DAY; live DJ

(Subject to change without notice; check with bartender when ordering.)

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 79

OUT ‘n ABOUT

Customer Appreciation Wine Tasting March 25 at Kobalt, Phoenix Photos by Kara J. Philp

For more Echo photos visit echomag.com/gallery.

7.25 x 4.75 trim

Hot ’n horny hookups.

Non-Stop

Cruising Get up to 10 days unlimited access.

Join now for FREE. Accessible:

80 |

april 9, 2015

•

EchoMag.com

Jeffrey J. Quatrone RTRP, PLLC Registered Tax Return Preparer

Call Jeffrey today to find out about his personal approach to limiting your tax burden.

Taxes • Bookkeeping • Payroll CALL WEB OFFICE

602.548.0744

www.JJQtaxprep.com 3420 E. Shea Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85028

EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 81

lambda directory Please support our advertisers who help keep Echo free.

Call the Echo sales office at 602-266-0550 to inquire about adding your hyperlinked email address or website to your listing in the Lambda Directory online.

ACCOUNTANTS/ TAX PREPARATION

Camelback Retirement Planners, Melissa Myers p. 75 Camelwest Tax Service p. 73 JB Financial, Jonathan Bengel p. 83 Jeffrey J. Quatrone PLLC p. 81 Robert F. Hockensmith, CPA p. 41

AdOPTION

Arizona’s Children Association p. 45

AIR CONdITIONINg & HEATINg

Aire Serve Valdez Refrigeration

p. 50 p. 73

East-West Apartments

p. 75

APARTmENTS ATTORNEYS

Dean O’Connor p. 73 Cody Hayes Esquire p. 83 Laura Gillis, Family Law p. 17 Law Office of Jose Saldivar p. 47 Law Office of Melody Harmon p. 41 Marc J. Victor, Attorney p. 71 Phillips Law Group p. 15 Salvador & Associates PLLC p. 70 Michael Tucker p. 73 Tyler Allen Law Firm p. 51 Udall Shumway Law Firm p. 49

AUTO dEALERSHIP Camelback Subaru

AUTO SERVICES

Community Tire & Automotive Specialists

BARS & CLUBS

Bunkhouse Charlie’s Phoenix Kobalt Bar at Park Central Stacy’s @ Melrose 82 |

april 9, 2015

•

p. 9

p. 2 p. 78 p. 8 p. 81 p. 20

CHAT LINE

Guy Spy Squirt

COSmETIC PROCEdURES

p. 56 p. 80

Arizona Medical Aesthetics & Laser Center p. 49 Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center p. 5 Willo Medi Spa p. 73

COUNSELINg SERVICES

Arcadia Dentistry My Dentist Open Wide Dental

EdUCATION

p. 73 p. 68 p. 37

Maricopa County Community College District p. 14

EVENTS

Anything Goes, ASU Lyric Opera Viva Aunt Rita’s Bears of the West Bisbee Pride The Franciscan Renewal Center Echo Magazine Gay Days Bette Midler, Live Nation Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Summer End Music Festival Black N Blue Ball Phoenix Pride Festival Phoenix Pride Parade Dine Out for Shanti Night For Life Gala

FERTILITY

p. 43 p. 63 p. 56 p. 19 p. 50 p. 13 p. 65 p. 43 p. 4 p. 57 p. 77 p. 42 p. 43 p. 39 p. 53

IVF Phoenix

p. 14

EXTERmINATORS

Rainbow Bug

HEALTH ANd FITNESS

p. 74

Avenger Fitness, LLC p. 73 Flex Spas Phoenix p. 78 Neuromotional Training p. 55

HOmE déCOR

Serendipity Décor

p. 55

Semeruco Cleaning

p. 83

HOmE SERVICES

EchoMag.com

Hospice of the Valley

INSURANCE

p. 49

Benefits Arizona, Ken Leombruno p. 68 Health Markets, Amy Powell p. 83 Liberty Mutual Insurance, Michael Kosse p. 83 Aetna p. 11 Allstate, Hector Cerda p. 3

LANdSCAPERS

Deaf Access of Arizona p. 68

dENTISTS

HOSPICE

Semeruco Landscaping p. 83

LIFE COACHINg

Estate Group p. 74 Butch Leiber, Uptown Realty p. 83 Berney Streed, Re/Max Excalibur p. 75 Fred Delgado Team, Keller Williams p. 3 David Oesterle, ReMax p. 3 Jan Dahl, HomeSmart p. 3 Bradley B. Brauer, HomeSmart p. 3 Matthew Hoedt, Realty One p. 3 Shawn Hertzog, West USA p. 3

RELIgIOUS gROUPS

Nate Whitten

p. 74

Community Church of Hope p. 75 First Congregational UCC p. 75 Love Life Ministries p. 68

The Mattress Man

p. 69

RESTAURANTS

mATTRESSES mORTgAgES

Loan Star Home Lending, Richard Silva p. 83 Pinnacle Capital Mortgage, Roseanna Diaz p. 74 Pinnacle Capital Mortgage, Jeremy Schachter p. 3

mOVERS

Two Men and a Truck

PAINTERS

p. 74

Angry Crab Shack p. 60 China Chili p. 61 Hana Japanese Eatery p. 61 Hula’s Modern Tiki p. 58,61 Marcellino Ristorante p. 61 Squid Ink Sushi City Scape p. 61

RETIREmENT PLANNINg

Don’s Painting Service

p. 74

Easley’s Fun Shop

p. 73

Camelwest Tax Service, Bob Lind p. 73 Stragety Financial Group, Calvin Goetz p. 3

To Nancy

p. 74

Lyons Roofing

PARTY SUPPLIES PERSONALS PHARmACIES

CVS / CareMark Pharmacy p. 41 Fairmont Pharmacy p. 55

PHOTOgRAPHY

Cyndi Hardy Photography

POOL CLEANINg

Bigg Momma’s Complete Pool Care

REAL ESTATE -

Charles Santangelo, HomeSmart Portland on the Park Coronado Commons

REALTORS

p. 83

p. 74

ROOFINg p. 75

SALONS Salon Exodus

p. 74

SmOKINg CESSATION Ashline

p. 49

TESTOSTERONE THERAPY Willo Medi Spa

p. 73

TITLE ANd ESCROW p. 72 p. 16 p. 19

Andrew Zea, Desert 2 Mountain Realty p. 74 Arizona Gay Realtors Alliance p. 3 Nicholas Yale, Realty Executives p. 3,84 Michael Smith, Gentry Real

Empire West Title, Steven Rust

p. 83

TRAVEL San Marcos La Laguria Chateau

p. 41

UTILITY COmPANY APS p. 45 * Denotes more than one location.

LAMBDA DIRECTORY

REAL ESTATE

Butch Leiber, Realtor Uptown Realty 602-390-1399 HOME LOANS

Richard Silva, Sr. Loan Officer LoanStar Home Lending MLO# 422347 NMLS# 1094582

602-373-3654 AUTO/HOME/LIFE INSURANCE

Michael Kosse 480-688-5482 Liberty Mutual Insurance HEALTH INSURANCE

Amy Powell Health Markets Insurance 520-440-5802 License #OH90041

TAX & ACCOUNTING Photo by: Cyndi Hardy Photography 2015

We can help.

What do you need?

Jonathan Bengel, RTRP JB Financial 602-502-0027 LANDSCAPING

Hermann Braasch Semeruco Landscaping 602-561-1356 HOUSE CLEANING

Giselle Braasch Semeruco Cleaning 602-451-4357 FAMILY LAW

Need to find a new place? Whether buying or selling, house, townhouse or condo, give Butch Leiber, Realtor a call - 602-390-1399

INTEGRITY SERVICE EXCELLENCE

IBCAlliance.com

Cody Hayes Hayes Esquire, PLLC 480-300-5777 PHOTOGRAPHY

Cyndi Hardy Cyndi Hardy Photography 623-252-1582 TITLE AND ESCROW

Steven Rust Empire West Title 602-327-1525 EchoMag.com

•

april 9, 2015

| 83

Continue for PHOENIX PRIDE 2015

h, 2014

April 5th & 6t

April 5th & 6th, 2014

Welcome to the 35th Annual Phoenix Pride Festival!

I couldn’t be happier to welcome all of our attendees from around the Valley of the Sun and across the country to Phoenix Pride! We are thrilled to have you here for the 35th Annual Phoenix Pride Festival! This year, we have a phenomenal weekend of activities planned for everyone, including some amazing entertainers like Wilson Phillips and Betty Who! Also, we are overjoyed to have our first ever Latin Headliner, Ana Bárbara! Make sure you check out the rest of our amazing entertainment lineup and the over 300 great exhibitors and food options! With 5 different stages, you will, without a doubt, find something to do all weekend!

As well, we are ecstatic that the Phoenix Pride Festival will continue to help us fund over $100,000 this year in Grants and Scholarships.

This is only possible because of YOU…the phenomenal community members that come out and support our events! A portion of every dollar you spend with Phoenix Pride goes back into the community through our Grants & Scholarship Programs and the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center. Once again, welcome to Phoenix Pride and I hope you the time of your life!

Justin Owen

Justin Owen Executive Director, Phoenix Pride

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

®

EXHIBITOR MARKETPLACE

WEDDING CHAPEL HISTORY EXHIBIT

FESTIVAL HOURS Saturday Noon- 9pm Sunday Noon- 9pm

ONLINE TICKET ONLY

ENTRANCE

KIDSPACE

BUY TICKETS HERE

ENTRANCE

ARTS EXPO ARTIST BOOTHS: 13 Artist Booths Including featured artists from 2015 RAW VISIONARY SHOW, DOWNTOWN PHOENIX, FOUNTAIN HILLS ART FESTIVAL AND PHX LOCAL ARTISTS! Including: Glass Artists, Photography, Custom Made Jewelry, Fine Art Paintings, Drawings, Wood Designs, Henna Body Art and More PRIDE COMMUNITY CHALK WALL! 20 ft. Community Art Wall with chalk stations A LIVE MURAL OF CHALK ART ART RAFFLES: All (13) Artists will be raffling off (1) art piece each as a donation to Phoenix Pride Scholarship Fund!

Raffle Tickets will be sold for $5 a piece and winners will beannounced every hour during the two day festival!

SATURDAY APRIL 11TH 12:00PM SISTER LIP 1:00PM CLYDE OTTNEY 2:00PM SAM TOLSON 3:00PM WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA JAZZ TRIO 4:00PM TINA ESTES MUSIC 5:00PM JANE N’ THE JUNGLE 6:00PM CORDAY SUNDAY APRIL 12TH 12:00PM LINDA BILQUE/ROCHELLE RAYA 1:00PM PHOENIX SOUJORN 2:00PM PEARL RIDGE DUO 3:00PM JACOB ACOSTA 4:00PM COLES WHALEN & KIM O’HARA 5:00PM KRISTEN FORD 6:00PM TREASUREFRUIT 7:00PM MARY GODFREY TRIO

MAIN MAIN

STAGE STAGE

SATURDAY APRIL 11th 12:00PM DJ Aris 1:00PM Pride Welcome 2:00PM Pride Royalty 2:30PM DJ CrashAttack 4:00PM Phoenix Phollies 5:15PM Katja Glieson 6:00PM BETTY 7:00PM Ana Bรกrbara 8:00PM Wilson Phillips

MAIN MAIN

STAGE STAGE

SUNDAY APRIL 12th 12:00PM DJ Cullen Daniel 1:30PM Random Gingers 3:00PM Bogan Via 4:00PM Austin Head 5:45PM Shadina 6:30PM Bright Light Bright Light 7:30PM Katy Tiz 8:00PM Betty Who

SATURDAY APRIL 11TH 12:00PM DJ ECLAIR 2:00PM DJ ROBBIE WINEHOUSE 4:00PM DJ MIC MIXXERS 6:30PM MISS DJ MJ SUNDAY APRIL 12TH 12:00PM 2:00PM 4:00PM 6:30PM

ASTONY MUSA MIND & DJ NUBE DJ SHORTY DJ TSUNAMI

SATURDAY APRIL 11TH 12:00PM PRIDE HAS TALENT 1:00PM DIVA’S TUCSON SHOW 2:00PM STARS CHOICE 3:00PM AFEELYA AND FRIENDS 4:00PM PHOENIX PRIDE PAGEANT CONTESTANTS 5:00PM EOY POWER HOUR 6:00PM TRADICIONES DANCE COMPANY 7:00PM ELEMENTS 8:00PM MUSICAL MAYHEM CABARET SUNDAY APRIL 12TH 12:00PM PRIDE HAS TALENT 12:30PM DIVINE CHAOS TRIBAL FUSION 1:00PM DANCE CREW HOUR 2:00PM STARS CHOICE 3:00PM LATINO HOUR 4:00PM KING’S COURT 4:45PM BRITTANY & SALLY PENNINGTON 5:00PM PHOENIX HEATWAVE 5:30PM GHAZAAL BELEDI 6:00PM GENTLEMAN’S CLUB 7:00PM MISS ARIZONA TITLEHOLDERS HOUR

KidSpace Ages 12 and Under

12PM - 5PM

Free Face Painting Photo Booth

Bouncy House Surface Tablets

Music XBox Ones

Bring your Metro Light Rail Pass to the Phoenix Pride Booth to enter to win Bette Midler Concert Tickets.

PARKING $5 4041 N. Central Ave. (behind Phoenix School of Law)

STATION:

Indian School Rd.

Central Avenue

Highland Avenue

Seventh Street

Clayton McKee, Katy June, Jonathan Brier and Kat Carlson

Indian School Road

Fairmount Avenue

Announcer’s Stage

Clarendon Avenue Judge’s Stage

Third Street

Osborn Road

Thomas Road

Sunday April 12th @ 10am Kicks off at 3rd St and Thomas

(Must be 18 yrs or older with ID)

SATURDAY APRIL 11TH 12:00PM Comedy Spot 1:00PM Flogging/Impact Demo 1:45PM BDSM and The Law 2:30PM Single Tale/Flogging Demo 3:15PM Real Sex for Real Adults 4:15PM Bull Whip Demo 5:00PM Romantasy Caberat 6:00PM Exotic Dancers SUNDAY APRIL 12TH 12:00PM Comedy Spot 1:00PM Flogging/Impact Demo 1:45PM Real Sex for Real Adults 2:30PM Single Tale/Flogging Demo 3:15PM Arizona Bound/Rope 4:15PM Heavy Metal Bondage 5:00PM Romantasy Caberat 6:00PM Exotic Dancers

ECHO MAGAZINE

| APRIL 9, 2015

|

ECHO 667

|

VOL. 26, Issue 15

ECHOMAG.COM