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GED SIDELINES

Volume 11 Issue 09

FROM THE EDITOR HEALTHY, HAPPY AND FILLED WITH LOVE! We hope you are healthy and happy, and everyone at GED MAGAZINE wishes you a month filled with LOVE. Whether it is a romantic dinner, exchanging gifts, or simply enjoying quality time together with your loved ones, Valentines Day is simply a reminder to appreciate those closest to you and express it. We hope you enjoy this issue with our exclusive interviews with Jason Caceres, Stan Zimmerman, and drag queen Matthew Martin, along with the scoop on the new Mean Girls movie. If you are seeking some adventurous travel ideas, we have some for you in Amador County, California, along with a review of the new Celebrity Cruises ship Ascent. We are looking forward to bringing you new events, new columns, and new excitement as 2024 progresses. As always, the GED Magazine Team is committed to bringing you the best in LGBTQ entertainment, nightlife, travel, and lifestyles. Visit us on the web at GEDmag.com and sign up for our monthly insider newsletter. Insiders will also be entered into future drawings for trips, event tickets, dinners and more. And for all the updates on social media, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @GEDmagazine and tag us in your photos #GEDmag. GED MAGAZINE is here for YOUR entertainment!

— MICHAEL WESTMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Westman CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cesar A Reyes MARKETING Christopher Jackson FEATURES WRITER Alexander Rodriguez CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Billy Fancesca

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GEDMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2024

CONTENTS

Volume 11 Issue 09

12 ADVICE FROM AN IDIOT 14 MATTHEW MARTIN A Bay Area Legend

20 JASON CACERES Ready for His Close-Up

26 THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED Amador County’s Distinctive Wines

30 ON STAGE 32 STAN ZIMMERMAN Just One of The Girls

36 WELCOMING DIVERSITY

Captain Sandy Yawn and Michelle Dunham Christen Celebrity Ascent

40 MOVIE REVIEW Mean Girls Smash or Pass?

46 LA, PS, SF DIRECTORIES

COVER: Model: Jason Caceres

Photo by: James Townsend

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1/27/24 2:14 PM

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Saturday March 16, 2024 8pm - 12am Palm Springs Air Museum

photo by Aaron Marrero

Tickets on Sale Valentine’s Day $99+ thecentercv.org

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WOULD YO U L I K E FRIES WITH THAT?

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ADVICE FROM AN IDIOT

Ahhhhh February… you sneaky b*tch

that shows up right after the holidays with your silent ‘r’ and reminding us that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and we’re alone and have no one. Even my cat left for Puerto Vallarta. Hi y’all - Billy Francesca here… not cynical, just bitter, there IS a difference! (It’s a tax bracket thing.) Let’s get into some juicy “Advice from an Idiot” emails we got this past month! BY BILLY FRANCESCA

Dearest Idiot, Is dating an actual thing in the “Gay World”?! I don’t know what else to do. Bars don’t hold the same luster they once did. Meeting people for a “one night stand” really isn’t cutting it either. I just feel like, the gay community at large is so based on fly by night relationships, that it is difficult to actually find someone who wants to connect and grow. I’m 36 years old, and by gay age, that’s 60, so I don’t know what else to do, to meet new people. What I’ve done in the past isn’t working, and I just keep wondering, am I supposed to just float around until something maybe happens? I sound like Debbie Downer, I get it, but just looking for possibly a fresh take on things. Thanks so much, Dinner for One My Dear Dinner for One *Slaps Face “Snap Out Of IT!”, Thank you, I’m Cher now… Hey Babe, I get it, and let me tell you, I BLAME February! Listen I get it, and it does feel that way sometimes. I can’t believe that one night stands aren’t cutting it! REALLY?! I guess you never went to Baskin Robbins! Ok for starters, you have your own answer, You said “ What I’ve done in the past isn’t working.” Thats part of it, NOT all of it, but some. Maybe doing something you haven’t done will open up some new channels to meet people! Here in LA, Dodge Ball is so fun, I don’t do it, because it involves moving, however, so many friends (lots of them who are single) love it and have met an entirely new group of friends. I always feel like if you make a conscientious decision to let the universe know you are trying something different, that brings magic in! I know how gay that sounds, I don’t care… It’s about getting way outside your comfort zone and trying something new. If there aren’t events or gatherings that you are interested in, HELLO, create that group! Get a singles group together and go axe throwing! It’s a hoot! My point is, yes, our community can feel daunting and transparent at times. I get that, but you have the power to change any of it! Step outside that box and even if you meet terrible people (and most likely you will, humans are AWFUL), at least you are shaking off the cosmic dust and putting it out there YOU are open! XOXO Hang in there Love! BF

Idiot, Some friends came by my condo for drinks before heading out to have fun, and one of them went into my medicine cabinet and found a bottle of Doxycycline. I was super annoyed and of course, the gaggle of gays we were with started calling me hooker, and slut shaming. It bothered me, but I didn’t get into it too much, as I didn’t want to ruin the night ahead. I just don’t get it, why do gays cut down each other, and why is sex still so taboo and weird for people to enjoy? I just got it to be proactive, which is what I told them, but then I feel like I’m having to defend myself. This b*tch said she was looking for an aspirin, I don’t know how she had a headache, she’s the one giving me one! Thanks, Do I Look Like a Slut? My Darling, “Do I Look Like a Slut?’ B*tches! There, I said it! For starters, those of you who don’t know, Doxycycline or “Doxy-Pep”, I think (look it up loves, I ain’t a nurse). Basically, it’s a morning after pill for STD’s. I always have a box of tampons in my medicine cabinet, that way when someone is being sneaky or nosey, they ask themselves, “Why does he have this?!” In a word ‘Internalized Homophobia,’ Oh wait that’s two words, Whatever, you get it. So many of our gay community suffer from this and they don’t even know it. Sex isn’t a bad thing, GAY SEX isn’t a bad thing, I got a question about this with PREP a while back too, it is weird! At the end of the day, you are doing what’s right for you. I have a bottle as well, and nobody wants the cupcakes I keep trying to give away. I am sure you were caught off guard, and that sucks, if it comes up again, I would educate the gays, and take less of a feeling attacked feeling. Easier said than done, as I would have broken her hand… but part of stereotypes and misinformation is people don’t get it. Sidebar, YOU do YOU.. Slut shaming and negative connotation for people working in the sex industry, is soooooo boring. Your body is yours, its living art, treat it like the most amazing thing you have ever know, because guess what… it is! I’m sorry your friends ganged up on you, but I am happy you are taking care of you, and sharing this, so now more people will know what it is, and possibly get it! Both Doxy-Pep and some Lovin’. Thank YOU Love! YOU DO YOU! XO Well, these are just a few of the kick ass emails I get, I get lots of ones that people don’t want published, and I love sharing my “knowledge” yes in quotes, with Y’all! Write in at theadviceidiot@gmail.com and I will see you all in March!

Lots of Love and Thanks! XO BF

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P H OTO S B Y R A N D A L L W H I T E H E A D

“I fell in love with the Silver Screen Divas at a very young age. I was fascinated by their personalities and the drama of the world they lived in. “

GEDMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2024

ith the words iconic and legendary being thrown around casually as of late, Palm Springs is getting a true icon to take the stage at Oscar’s Palm Springs on Saturday, February 3rd. With four decades of working in the entertainment biz under his girdle, Matthew Martin (the queen who is so good he never took a sassy pseudonym) has not only become a legend himself but brings Hollywood legends of the past to the stage as he transforms himself to the likes of Bette Davis, Judy Garland, Katharine Hepburn, Peggy Lee, and more. Audiences are treated to an evening of song, stories, humor, camp, and a lot of heart as this Treasure of San Francisco continues to thrill. His current fare, simply titled An Evening with Matthew Martin, is the culmination of eons of shows that Martin has performed throughout his career that include titles like Shit & Champagne, Baby Jane?, TROG Live, Eve (a musical version of All About Eve), Christmas with the Crawfords, and recent fare, like Golden Girls Live. This time, he’s bringing Drew Sebastian to add a little daddy energy and song to the proceedings. Matthew started singing and dancing in high school, then moved on to major in theatre at Francisco State University. He has credited his parents for their support throughout his childhood and career. Little fun fact, his mother appeared in local commercials and even played Martha in a production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Martin’s first professional drag performance came when he was cast in After Dark at the Alcazar Theatre in 1984. Matthew got his first real-life brush with a classic Hollywood starlet a year before when he was called in to replace a dancer in a local production of Sugar Babies with the incomparable Ann Miller. He’d continue to mix with Hollywood stars as he took the stage for performances that included guests Patty Duke, Lorna Luft, Piper Laurie, Jane Russell, Mitzi Gaynor, and once again, Ann Miller. His roster of characters he portrays has grown over the years and also includes fictional characters alongside his popular Hollywood diva list. He’s played Helen Lawson from

MATTHEW MARTIN

THIS BAY AREA LEGEND BRINGS HIS LEADING LADIES TO PALM SPRINGS BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

Valley of the Dolls, Mama Rose from Gypsy, Blanche from The Golden Girls, and Victoria Grant from Victor/Victoria. Who can’t he play? We caught up with Matthew between costume changes to get the tea about his career and what to expect from An Evening with Matthew Martin. When did you first become a fan of classic Hollywood divas? I fell in love with the Silver Screen Divas at a very young age. I was fascinated by their personalities and the drama of the world they lived in. Would you consider yourself a drag queen? I always say I’m an actress/actor, not a drag queen, with no disrespect to any who identify themselves as that. A rose by any other name! You first performed drag in 1984 at the Alcazar Theatre in After Dark, did you fall in love with doing drag at that point, or did the love affair with drag develop over time? I was very fortunate to get into After Dark; it was a wild cabaret show from Sweden. I never really considered what I was doing as “drag” per se, I was playing

the part, and an actor could or should be able to play any part, or attempt to. You have been doing drag for 40 years. In your opinion, how has drag culture changed the most? Time flies! The art form certainly wasn’t new when I first started doing it, but definitely not in mainstream culture. I think it has become much more accepted by most, although you see drag bans and conservative groups against Drag Time Storytelling, and one realizes that we haven’t made as much progress as we think. What is the key to creating your characters as an homage rather than just a cheap imitation? I always try to come from a place of deep respect and admiration. That is where my attraction to these women begins, and an understanding of what they were conveying in the various roles that they played onscreen. While I don’t want to be overly serious in doing so, I also want to perform with humor as well and capture the essence as much as possible so that it rings true with audiences. What Hollywood starlet has been the biggest challenge in getting right? GEDMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2024

“A night of classic Hollywood stars being conjured onstage with love, respect, and humor.”

GEDMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2024

None! [Laughs] What of the Hollywood starlets do you secretly love doing the most? Honestly, I love all that I do. Some are more popular and recognizable with audiences, but it would be difficult to state one favorite out of so many glorious stars! What can we expect from your show at Oscar’s? A night of classic Hollywood stars being conjured onstage with love, respect, and humor. What do you love most about performing in Palm Springs? The audiences have been very receptive in Palm Springs and “get” what I’m trying to do. They know and love these ladies as well. Over the years in your career, how have you personally changed the most? In many ways, I am the same person I have always been. I take nothing for granted in life or onstage and only try to get better with both as I go along. If you were to add a new diva to your roster of characters, who would it be? I have had some ideas to add Lucille Ball to my pantheon of stars. Favorite part about doing drag? The audience! Least favorite part about doing drag? Hair, makeup, and nails! I have never been outstanding in any of those departments. Favorite hotspot? The Oasis here in San Francisco, owned by my wonderful friend and star Darcy Drollinger. What would the name of your biography be? The wonderful designer Chris March always suggested it be The World is My Ashtray! [Laughs] Maybe My Pronouns Are Me, Myself, and I! Favorite song to perform? Tough question… they are all my favorites! One spectacular dance number I did with Patrick Makuakane’s world-renowned Hawaiian dance troupe was Shirley Bassey’s “History Repeating” with an army of backup dancers. That was my Vegas fantasy come true!

What is your after-drag ritual? Taking a nice bath. What’s your favorite pickup line? Oh Lord, I don’t have a script for that. Rather than a pickup, I like it delivered.

Tickets for An Evening with Matthew Martin are available at OscarsPalmSprings.com. The show runs for one evening on Saturday, February 3rd with doors opening at 5:30 pm. The evening includes special guest Drew Sebastian with Tom Shaw on piano. GEDMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2024

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JASON READY FOR HIS CLOSE-UP BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

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T H I S PA G E : P H OTO B Y J A M E S TO W N S E N D

CACERES

ctor Jason Caceres has been seen on screen for over a decade, from commercials to network TV, soap operas to film shorts, music videos to web series, he’s done a bit of everything. He’s currently having his moment in the gay independent series world with two major series that have recently dropped. Exploring the world of current-day romance and sexuality, he is the eye candy and voice of the younger generation in both Boy Culture: Generation X and Open To It. Before dealing with his sexual identity, Jason grew into his cultural one. He hails from Miami and was immersed in family, being the younger brother, and keeping a busy school schedule with karate, Boy Scouts, water polo, and art and theatre classes. As a Cuban American, he was finding his footing. Growing up in Miami was almost surreal. I had the opportunity to grow up in between two cultures which, I

T H I S PA G E : P H OTO B Y M AT T H E W R E T T E N M U N D / B OY C U LT U R E G E N E R AT I O N X

believe, made me a bit more openminded to the world around me. I got to experience the Cuban culture firsthand at home, listening to Celia Cruz, dancing with salsa with my relatives at every family gathering, learning Spanish as my first language, and then, alternately, I lived an American life in my schooling, attended social gatherings with my friends where we listening to punk rock, and eventually joined a fraternity in college. Not to sound corny and quote Hannah Montana, but it was kind of the best of both worlds. Of course, with that comes a few struggles as well. It does split your sense of identity in half at times. I did find myself questioning whether I was Cuban or American, or some combination of both. I grew up listening to amazing stories about my family’s antics back on the island, but I had never been. I would learn very interesting things in school in English, and then have trouble translating it to my ev-

eryday life in Spanish. It can be a little overwhelming. My brain still sometimes skips when I’m asked a question in Spanish and wants to answer in English and the inverse also happens when I’m asked a question in English and the best answer for it comes in Spanish. Before acting, he was immersed in art and writing, starting instruction at the age of 5. By the time he was 15, he was a published author when his poetry was published in the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans two years running. He also had the opportunity to showcase his artwork in museums around Downtown Miami. My parents always encouraged us to find our passion, whatever that may be. My mom used to say, “I don’t care if you’re a garbage man as long as you’re safe and happy.” That’s the mentality that led us to try a bunch of different things. You can’t possibly find what you love doing without trying a bunch of different things first. When I was growGEDMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2024

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“If HBO comes calling, let them know I’m ready for my close-up.”

T H I S PA G E : P H OTO B Y J A M E S TO W N S E N D • PHOTO COURTESY OF B OY C U LT U R E G E N E R AT I O N X

ing up, I was always writing. I had a very active imagination. I would write little, short stories, very bad jokes. I remember I wrote a book about a boy who gets trapped in a video game once. I have no idea where that went. Surprisingly, Jason came to theatre by way of his deep involvement with the Boy Scouts of America for over 15 years. During camping trips, Jason would write, direct, and act in skits for the final banquet. He was hooked. He would attend Florida International University and earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Performance. As he continued his discovery of his heritage and his passions, he also started to identify his sexuality. My first realization was in middle school. I had a huge crush on one of my classmates who was openly gay at the time. I remember struggling with it a little bit but only because he didn’t like me back. My coming out story is very anti-climactic, which is, I guess, what we’ve all been working towards. My father found out, I believe, when I was about thirteen, and only because I hadn’t learned how to clear my browser history. (Sorry, Dad.) We never really spoke about it though. He was using my laptop and asked me what some website was. I looked at it and panicked. I believe I said it was some sort of pop-up. His response was, “Weird. Nothing else seems to be popping up.” Then he kissed me goodnight and left. I was mortified! I told my mom when I was eighteen because I had my first serious boyfriend. She kind of already knew. The funny thing about this story is my parents have never separated. They are still married. I asked my dad why he never told my mom and he said that it wasn’t his story to tell. My parents have always been very supportive of my process. They’re great people. After getting his bachelor’s degree he decided to make a major move from Florida to pursue his career. After heading to New York for a brief stint, he decided screen acting and the hot weather were better suited for him, and he made his way to Los Angeles. Upon arriving in Los Angeles, he appeared in

T H I S PA G E : PHOTO COURTESY OF B OY C U LT U R E G E N E R AT I O N X

a bevy of commercials and screenwork that ranged from Criminal Minds to Where The Bears Are to ATT. It never occurred to him to be in the closet for his film career. I never made an active decision to be an openly gay actor. I kind of just fell into it. I think it all comes from growing up in Miami and being around my family. My mom used to say, “Whatever you do in the dark always comes to light.” She encouraged me to always be myself, and so, I was. Not to say that there wasn’t a lot of self-doubt and struggle initially like everybody goes through internally when you’re a teenager, but the overarching theme was always “We love you no matter what.” I also didn’t grow up in “the industry.” I had no concept that this was something that may hinder you professionally. Since I was coming of age right around the time that social media began to spike, my true self was already out there. So, when I moved to Los Angeles, I was already out and in a relationship. That’s just how I presented myself to the world. Does Jason think being an openly actor is limiting, even in today’s boom of LGBTQ representation? Absolutely. I know that now. I didn’t when I first moved out here. I still wouldn’t change anything. I can’t imagine the struggle that so many closeted actors go through to keep their professional careers alive. I can’t handle that kind of stress. My only struggle now is to find work while being my authentic self, but it is absolutely still limiting to be an openly gay actor in this industry. This reminds me of a story though. My very first agent out here in Los Angeles actually dropped me for being openly gay. She called me up one day and told me I needed to consider taking accent reduction classes. I was a bit blindsided but was very young and open to notes. In my head, I thought she meant my “Miami” accent, which is English with a slight Cuban twang. So, I responded with the fact that I didn’t know my Cuban accent was that strong, and her GEDMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2024

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In Boy Culture: X Generation, Jason plays Chayce, who, simply put, pimps out an escort to a variety of clients while teaching his protegee how to use hookup apps and teach him what is current in the world of gay sex and dating. In Open To It, Jason plays Princeton, a younger, sexually active gay man whom a couple invites into their home to try a threesome and open their relationship. Both roles showcase Jason in a variety of sexual encounters with not much left to the

T H I S PA G E : P H OTO B Y A R T H U R M A R R O Q U I N

response, and I can remember it now, was “No, the gay one.” I was shocked. I wasn’t aware I had a gay accent or that one even existed. I remember getting very upset with her on the phone to which her response was to drop me from her agency. This is all to say, yes. It is still somewhat limiting and I’m sure people go through a version of that on a much higher level where much more is at stake.

imagination. As an actor who acts in mainstream and LGBTQ content, did he have any trepidation in showing so much skin in an overtly gay sexual environment? I love this question. The answer is both, of course, and, not at all at the same time. The only trepidation came from society telling us that it’s wrong and could ruin your career. But if we take a step back and look at the issue of sensuality on a wider scale, it has always existed. There have always been nudity and sex scenes in the entertainment industry. Granted, there is so much more now, but it’s always been there. It has mostly been at the expense of women. So, my first thought on this issue is, why not level out the playing field? Why is it, and has it, been ok to exploit a naked woman’s body for art but we have shied away from men? Shows like Euphoria and Sex Education have started to break down those barriers, so we are seeing much more male nudity now, which I think is great. Bodies in general are a form of art. We need to get rid of this taboo and over-sexualization of nudity. At the end of the day, it is just a body. My second thought on this issue is the double standard that the gay community is presented with when it comes to nudity in film and television. I grew up watching franchises like American Pie, National Lampoon, and all those silly college straight comedies. There is so much nudity in those and those actors are elevated as opposed to denigrated. Why can’t the queer community also have silly campy comedies that are just fun to watch without it being labeled cheap or softcore porn? How is a male queer nude body different than a straight male nude body? They’re not. And on a higher level, we see A-list actors go full frontal for an arthouse film or an independent movie and they are lauded as brave or heroes. We actually see their profiles rise in status because they dared to strip down for their art, but when an openly queer actor does it for their art on a television show, we shoot them down

T H I S PA G E : P H OTO B Y M AT T H E W R E T T E N M U N D / B OY C U LT U R E G E N E R AT I O N X

and label them as sell-outs or pornographic. That has never made any sense to me. Sorry for my tangent but it’s a double standard I don’t understand. All of this is to say, that if HBO comes calling, let them know I’m ready for my close-up. [Laughs] In Jason’s opinion, why is showcasing the sexual part of a gay relationship on screen so important? It’s important because the fight for equality is not over. Just because we are seeing progress doesn’t mean that we’ve arrived. The best way to help people overcome an issue is through education, and the best way to educate is through exposure. The more we see queer people being represented in media the more “normal” we become. Which is a word I hate because what even is “normal?” I think it’s important to show all aspects of queer life. Yes, what makes us different is who we are attracted to and the way we have sex, but that’s not all we are. We have romantic lives, we have professional lives, we go on vacations, and we have struggles. The more people know about

the “monsters” they’re afraid of, the less scary they become. We’re all just people. Much of the gay media and social media fans have latched on and commented on Jason’s twink looks and fit body… and booty. With the focus on his looks, has he ever felt overshadowed as an actor by his physical appearance? Not at all! The way I see it, an actor’s body is part of their toolbox. What actors have to work with are the lines they’re given, the subtext they create, and the look that got them the part (This is a gross oversimplification by the way. There is so much that goes into preparing for a role). That’s not to say that everyone has to be incredibly fit or you won’t work. Not at all. At this stage in my life, my looks cancel me out of a lot of jobs. But as I age, I’ll grow into those other roles. I could also be offered a role that would require me to reconstitute my physique. It’s part of the job. I love embracing it and I’m very proud of what I’ve done with it. To me, my looks are part of the package, and I won’t have them forever so may as

well use them while I’ve got them! Plus, I do think my physique has helped with garnering some publicity for my projects. [Laughs] With his innocent good looks, he wants to flip the narrative in future roles and would love to play something on the darker side. A serial killer perhaps? He continually wants to challenge his acting chops and look for projects that say something. Having been an integral part of so much gay programming, what does he think the future of LGBTQ content look like? Hopefully plentiful. I think we’re going to see less and less specifically gay content and we’re going to see more and more LGBTQ+ characters and storylines integrate into mainstream media. There will always be a need for queer content but as the movement progresses, I think we won’t need a gay movie because there will be movies where people happen to be gay, if that makes sense. You can follow Jason on IG: @JasonCaceres GEDMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2024

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THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

SAVOR THE UNIQUE TERROIR THAT DEFINES AMADOR COUNTY’S DISTINCTIVE WINES BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

fers an escape from the outside world and unlocks a host of VIP experiences. You can even buy olive oil that comes from the estate olive trees. Sitting in the grand living room feels like home, with a roaring fireplace, a glass of wine, and a beautiful charcuterie. And, if you ask nicely, some homemade chocolate chip cookies. Now, that is my kind of luxury – wine and chocolate! All of this is indicating you don’t need to venture out to experience the region’s offerings, however, new experiences in the area await….

Teneral Cellars, through its many different varietals takes you on a “round the world” tour with wellknown grape varietals from Spain, Italy, France and beyond. The special added bonus of the exceptional wines from Teneral Cellars, is that they donate 10% of profits to organizations that empower women and promote gender and racial equity. Sitting down with CEO Jill Osur over a glass of wine at the Teneral Cellars at Wildrotter Vineyard tasting room (a stone’s throw from the Inn), Osur tells us, “Wine brings people together. Our

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estled in the picturesque Sierra Foothills of California, Amador County boasts a flourishing wine region of over 50 wineries that you may, or may not, be familiar with, that is renowned for its bold Zinfandels, Barberas, and other robust varietals. With a rich viticultural history dating back to the Gold Rush era of the 1850s, the region’s vineyards benefit from warm days and cool nights, yielding wines of intense depth and character. The region knows what it is, and what it is not, and has a unique sense of place. Dotted with small family vineyards, each possessing a love of the land and a love for the fruits of their labor, Amador County, and neighboring El Dorado, has a strong wine community that opens its arms to you. A short hour drive east of Sacramento, Amador County provides delightful landscapes, historic charm, and a thriving wine industry. To start your adventure, check in to the Grand Reserve Inn, a charming 5-star boutique inn, smack dab in the middle of the vineyards. This will serve as your home base for your adventure and provide a luxurious experience of service. Take a bike ride through the vineyards, book an in-room massage, enjoy the daily gourmet breakfast, and of course, drink wonderful wines. With the Teneral Cellars at Wildrotter Vineyard tasting room at the foot of the property, you are not far from the wine action. The drive through the vineyard and up the small olive tree lined road to The Grand Reserve Inn will have you immediately breathing a sigh of calm. The Inn offers five Tuscan inspired suites, all boasting stone fireplaces with private sitting areas, breathtaking views, private patios, a pillow menu, and all the plush amenities such as robes, slippers, and personal care items. Of course, there are large HDTVs and high-speed wireless internet, but I would encourage you to disconnect, soak in the beauty around you, and engage with your fellow travelers. Established in 2016, the Inn truly of-

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VISTING AMADOR COUNTY GRAND RESRVE INN 19890 Shanandoah School Road Plymouth, CA 95669 209-245-5466 grandreserveinn.com TENERAL CELLARS AT WILDROTTER VINEYARD 19890 Shenandoah School Rd. Plymouth, CA, 95669 209-245-6016 teneralcellars.com Visit to D

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bottles start conversations and prompt important dialogue that supports progressive changes toward a better future.” We couldn’t agree more. One varietal we sampled with a special meaning is the 2019 PRIDE Barbera (Silver Award Winner in the San Francisco Chronicle 2022 Wine Competition). Teneral Cellars created the “Love is Love” series to honor the history of PRIDE and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. A rich wine of beautiful black and red fruits interwoven with herbal, floral, and spice components. Pairing notes? The bottle states it clearly – “Pair with Allyship and Advocacy.”

Another in the “Love is Love” series is the delightfully crisp and bright 2020 Uprising Chenin Blanc. This varietal from the Loire Valley brings hints of lemon, pear, and apple, is approachable and friendly on the palate. Also a Silver Award Winner in the San Francisco Chronicle 2022 Wine Competition. Teneral’s tasting menu is large and the tasting room offers all sorts of fun souvenir items for purchase, from special gift box sets, brand merchandise, and local handmade pottery and food items. We really could spend the day here on the patio, but onward we must go.

TASTE RESTAURANT & WINE BAR 9402 Main Street Plymouth, CA 95669 209-245-3463 restauranttaste.com CASINO MINE RANCH 10690 Shenandoah Road Plymouth, CA 95669 209-330-0695 casinomineranch.com DIAIRE VINEYARD & WINERY 19919 Shenandoah School Road Plymouth, CA 95669 209-245-4700 cgdiaire.com GEDMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2024

Up the road we arrive at Casino Mine Ranch, founded in 1936 by Simone Shaw, who bought the property with the intention of mining for gold. Vineyard planting began in 2011, and today, wines can be sampled in their beautiful new tasting room with views of surrounding Amador County. Make an appointment for one of their special experiences in the tasting room, on the patio, or in the garden. Known for its Italian and Spanish varietals, my favorites included the 2021 Greco and the 2018 Marcel. Greco is an ancient white wine varietal thought have been brought to Southern Italy by the Greeks. Fermented in stainless steel barrels and bottled shortly after harvest to capture its inherent freshness, this wine is crisp, clean and delicious. Marcel is a blend of the Spanish Tempranillo and the Italian Teroldego and produces a unique wine with bold long-lasting black-cherry flavors. Our day of adventure concluded with a wine pairing dinner at Taste Restaurant & Wine Bar on Main Street in Plymouth, California. News of the creative global menu at Taste has certainly gotten out, having been named one of the top 100 wine restaurants in America by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, received the Wine Spector Award of Excellence, and rated by ZAGAT as one of the top restaurants in America. Owners Mark and Tracey Berkner deserve every accolade, having renovated the former saloon known as the Sportsman’s Club, into what is now a gourmet experience of local and seasonal ingredients, whose menu changes based upon availability of products. This gem is truly a destination to be placed on your Amador bucket list. The tasting menu on our visit was decadent: A fennel and sunchoke salad with goat cheese aioli; seared scallop with chive beurre blanc; black pepper new York steak with truffled duchess potato, crispy shallot, and squash puree; duck confit with wild mushroom risotto; and chocolate indulgence with five-spice whipped cream. My mouth is watering just writing this! Each course was expertly paired with a wine from Teneral Cellars. While a favorite is hard to choose,

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I will single out the black pepper New York steak paired with Teneral Cellars All In Zinfandel. The All In Zinfandel is a collaboration with the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, to raise awareness and funds for the non-profit dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Tracey joined us for dinner, and explained that, “We want to make sure our guests have a great experience here at Taste. We produce high-quality products, the freshest that we can get all the time. So, everything on the menu is going to be delicious, seasonal, and sustainable.” Vegan? Gluten-free? Allergies? No problem at Taste. They truly go out of their way to make sure everyone has a great dining experience. There is nothing quite like the sunrise in the vineyard… in our robes with a cup of coffee on our patio, watching the painted backdrop of pinks, oranges, and purples signaling the new day. In the dining room, a full breakfast awaits - with pumpkin scones, spinach frittata, bacon, fresh squeezed juice and, even some bubbles if you’d like with your juice. With a full belly once again, we headed out to DiAire Vineyard & Winery. Winemaker

and proprietor Chaim Gur-Arieh greeted us with a big smile and hearty handshake. Chaim, a food technologist by trade, brought his expertise to the art of winemaking and his enthusiasm and passion for his wines is easily apparent. Chaim is a story in himself, as he is the man responsible for the creation of some of America’s favorite food products: Cap’n Crunch Cereal, Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing, Tiger’s Milk Bar, pudding cups, Power Bar, and the list goes on. Chaim and his wife, Elisheva, purchased a 209-acre parcel of land between the south and middle forks of the Cosumenes River in the Shenandoah Valley of the Sierra Foothills, and planted 42 acres of rolling vineyards with 11 varietals. They designed and built a winery facility and tasting room perched on a hillside with unbelievable views of their land below. This dynamic duo has an intense love for the land and conservation. A tasting of the 2017 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits the high quality of the grapes. Two different clones were fermented and aged separately, and then blended just before bottling. “I like to make wines that are elegant and have good balance. My style of wine has for-

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ward fruit that carries to the mid-palate and a long-sustained finish. I like to use the oak to enhance the varietal identity of the wine and not mask it,” says Chaim. Smooth and soft with aromas of dark berries, this Cab is one to savor. Did someone say sushi for lunch? Yes, please. The Gur-Arieh’s love of sushi spawned (pun intended) another venture – Hikaru, The Sushi Wine. Hikaru means “to shine” in Japanese, and this unique wine was crafted to reflect the pureness of the fish, guided by the principles of balance, harmony, and attention to detail. Chaim tells us “Hikaru was born out of our [my daughter and me] love for sushi and our love for each other. Our epic father daughter sushi dinners have always been a sacred time for us to connect, catch up, and bond over our favorite cuisine. We wanted to create a wine that shines a light on these heavenly meals.” Available in Sauvignon Blanc, Chilled Red Blend and Sparkling Rose, the especially acidic light to medium-bodied varietal blends achieve the perfect complimentary balance. After lunch and wine tasting was a perfect time for a relaxing in-room massage. That, and a short siesta, provided some rejuvenation before gathering for a pre-dinner glass of Teneral Cellars 2020 Rosé and a recap of our wonderful day. This, our last night at the Grand Reserve Inn, we experienced a multi-course wine dinner prepared by the in-house chef, which provided a bounty of flavors from Amador County. From the leek and carrot soup with spiced pistachios and crème fraiche; to the roasted wild halibut with blistered tomatoes, capers, kalamata olives, and a Chardonnay butter sauce; to the pear and almond tart with Frangelico sauce; each course was lovingly prepared and paired with an exceptional wine. This was a fitting finale to our first (but not last) visit to Amador County. This weekend, while filled with wonderful food and wine, had bigger concepts at work – togetherness, love, sense of place, community. So, next time you’re looking for a new experience, try an authentic wine country experience and head to Amador County. You’ll be glad you did! GEDMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2024

ON STAGE 30

BY STAN JENSON

CABARET – Palm Springs: Cabaret has been performed by almost everyone since it emerged on Broadway in 1966. It is based on the anthology Goodbye to Berlin by gay author Christopher Isherwood. It was a blockbuster film in 1972, and it had a significant West End revival in 1993 with Alan Cumming as the hedonistic emcee of the Kit Kat Club. That production moved to Broadway in 1998. This month, Coachella Valley Repertory is reconceiving the show in a very immersive production. CVRep Artistic Director Adam Karsten is helming this new production, and he wants the audience to experience the show as if they are part of the period with all design elements compelling the audience to face the question, “What would you do?” From the moment they step into the lobby, the audience will look at WWI, Germany’s first depression, the devaluation of the Deutch Mark, and the conditions that caused the Germans to elect a dictator. Sound relevant? Plays through February 4th with tickets at www.cvrep.org.

WITCHLAND – Palm Springs: Palm Springs’ newest theatre, Revolution Stage Company, is presenting Witchland this month in what is aimed to be a pre-Off-Broadway production. It is based on playwright Tim Milligan’s experiences growing up in a small town in eastern Washington which was deemed to be “the most toxic place in the Western Hemisphere.” After moving there, the family learns that the town is plagued by decades of misfortune and terror. Is the terror due to the nearby nuclear reactor or maybe something more sinister? And what about that mysterious woman who lives across the street in her rundown government home? Is she actually a witch or another victim of Witchland? If you haven’t visited the Revolution Stage Company yet (in the former Desert Rose Playhouse which, in turn, was the former Zelda’s Nightclub,) do yourself a favor. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming with both a drinks bar and an ice cream counter. Plays 2/7 – 3/2 with tickets and further information at www.RevolutionStageCompany.com or (760) 318-4115.

AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ – Laguna Beach: Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a musical revue featuring the songs of Thomas “Fats” Waller. In the 1930’s, Harlem nightclubs like The Cotton Club and The Savoy were the playgrounds of high society. At the same time, dive bars on Lennox Avenue pulsed with piano players banging out new tunes that were a wild mix of raucous, rowdy and mournful and those same society folks loved to finish their evenings “slumming.” This revue features two men and three women, all African American, and plenty of songs that are part of the American Songbook. It’s also a great reason to visit Laguna Beach, an area that still has a lot of charm in the winter months. Plays Laguna Beach Playhouse 1/24 – 2/11. www.lagunaplayhouse.com or (949) 497-2787.

THE NEW CENTURY: Palm Springs’ LGBTQ+ theatre, The Bent, has been open for over a year now and they have hit homeruns with every one of their productions. Every show in their inaugural season was nominated as Best Play by the Desert Theatre League. Their current production, The New Century, was written by Paul Rudnick whose other works include Jeffrey and The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, an “adjusted” biblical tale about Adam and Steve in that famous garden. In The New Century, several stories intersect, including a Midwest housewife who is sure the Trade Towers were invaded by cheaply dressed folks – The Muslins – and Mr. Charles who was run out of Manhattan for being too gay and now has a cable show in Palm Beach where he is billed as “The Gayest Man in the Universe” – joined by his very, very sexy assistant, Shane (who we get to see a WHOLE LOT of). The Bent performs in the Palm Springs Cultural Center, and this show runs 2/8 – 18. www.TheBent.org.

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“Unlike actors, writers are rarely recognized, so we don’t naturally get to hear how our work affected people.”

STAN

ZIMMERMAN BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

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Y H I S PA G E : P H OTO B Y D U S A N V U K S A N O V I C

JUST ONE OF THE GIRLS

espite his youthful appearance and exuberant energy, Stan Zimmerman has been an active member of the entertainment industry for almost four decades. As a writer, he’s worked on some of the most history-making television shows. Golden Girls (the debut season), Gilmore Girls, and Roseanne… he’s worked on them all, and boy, does he have stories. He’s talked before about his experience working on all three shows, but that barely scratches the surface. Now, ready to tell his complete story, his debut memoir The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore, hit shelves this month. The tagline reads, “Stories about all the wonderful women I’ve worked with…and Roseanne.” Readers wanting a juicy tellall will get that, and a whole lot more. Stan’s memoir is more than a Hollywood tell-all. Not even through the first few pages and you know this one’s different. The memoir is funny, touching, at times heartbreaking, and surprisingly enough, serves as a life guide in keeping up the good fight, following your passion in the face of adversity, and dealing with grief. Peppered in are enough Hollywood tales to keep your mouth watering, but there is so much more. I’ve known Stan for years and was still taken aback by the reality of what he’s worked through to get where he is. This is Stan at his own intimate. Did he have any trepidation and sharing his personal life in such a big way? Anyone who’s seen me perform as The Narrator in my suicide awareness play, Right Before I Go, will have seen that side before. People may know me as “the funny writer guy,” but in the play, I delve into the pain of being bullied as a teen, and not wanting to go on living. With the book, I was able to be more intimate in my work, because I wrote it in the first person. I’m not hiding my emotions behind any character. Although I can be “devastated, just devastated” just like Blanche Devereaux. Stan’s fascination with entertainment started as a kid. In his basement, he created his own fake network complete with starring shows for Lily Tomlin, evening talk shows, commercial breaks,

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Debbie Harry, Stan and Allee Willis

and more. His writing skills began when he started writing for his school newspaper, about entertainment, of course. His pre-Hollywood writing days inexplicably include Andy Warhol at Studio 54, appearing in ballet on Broadway with Rudolph Nureyev, allegedly flirting with Tom Cruise on set, driving cross country to Los Angeles, and more. Trust me, you must read all about it. His memoir is aptly titled The Girls, but it is not just about the stars from his lead shows. His female relationships have popped up anywhere from the writer’s room, after parties, and sets and include special appearances by celebs Sandra Bernhard, Allee Willis, and Mindy Sterling, just to namedrop a very few. In all his projects, he’s striven to write strong female parts and captures their strength, beauty, and humor in all of his work. I have always been drawn to women. Since I was a kid. Their warmth, sensitivity, and ability to express themselves. I also feel like the one part of my body that is female, is my heart. That may sound strange, but I’ve been told that’s the one commonality in my work, it has heart.

The top leading lady in his memoir is his mother. She, along with his grandmother and sister, laid the solid foundation for the man Stan is today. Stan’s mother plays a part throughout the book, coincidentally taking on aspects of the characters we see in The Golden Girls. Being a gay momma’s boy is definitely a thing, and in Stan’s case, it was a beautiful thing. My mother taught me so many things, it could fill an entire new book. She knew to celebrate and support my uniqueness at an early age, especially my love for theatre and dance. Whether it was taking me to plays, concerts, and art museums early and often in my life. She was also smart to hide my ballet shoes from my father so that the first time he saw me in them was on stage with an audience enjoying my performance. And I love that she introduced me to indie movies, including the lifechanging Next Stop, Greenwich Village directed by Paul Mazursky. Handled in a beautifully nuanced way, Stan details the decline of his mother and her passing. Celebrating the GEDMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2024

joy of her life over grief, Stan shares that spirit that has kept him in the entertainment race. Unfortunately, loss has been a constant companion for Stan. Loss due to suicide, dementia, cardiac arrest – it has run the gamut. The honor of growing older is losing those you love along the way. Sometimes it hurts so much because you cared so much. But I think it’s important to appreciate that we allowed ourselves to open our hearts to that person and have many beautiful, shared memories. I also just realized that with so many close people in my life no longer here on this planet, they must be up there, plotting and planning things for me here on Earth. Why else would I be experiencing all these dreams of mine suddenly coming true? The Golden Girls was one of the first jobs to put Stan’s career on the map. Some of the show’s favorite lines that continue to be recited and made into memes came from Stan and his writing partner James Berg. Two newbies to the business, they certainly had to earn their place at the table, even if, at times, there was no room being made there.

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The two earned a WGA nomination for the episode “Blanche and the Younger Man.” Not all roses, their experience with Golden Girls was rocky but successful. Besides their being part of TV history, one of the best aspects was forging a special relationship with Estelle Getty. Fans of the Golden Girls will love the behindthe-scenes aspects, how the shows were written, how the ladies acted on set, and what a day of taping was like, it’s all there. Even while basking in the success of the show, Stan had to hide his sexuality. At the height of the AIDS epidemic, jokes and ill-informed comments were being made in the writing room. At the risk of his career, Stan’s personal life had to remain hidden. Even though Golden Girls wasn’t the ideal environment, Stan continues to celebrate his role in creating the show (coming up with St. Olaf) by making appearances at conventions, themed cruises, and events. I think it’s important not to sugarcoat our work experiences. I also think you can hold two thoughts at one time. While Golden Girls was a dream job, it was also fraught with feelings of inadequacy and not being appreciated

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James Berg, Priscilla Presley and Stan

for how hard we were working and all the contributions we were making. This kind of work environment was repeated on the original Roseanne show. This is why we quickly grew tired of the grind of making a sitcom series. But also, so grateful to be a small part of historymaking television. Unlike actors, writers are rarely recognized, so we don’t naturally get to hear how our work affected people. I’ve been lucky to go on multiple Golden Fans at Sea cruises and attend both Golden Cons in Chicago. There I’ve heard the sweetest stories of what the show meant to the fans. I especially appreciate how it was a bonding experience for many kids and their grandparents. I’ve also met some amazing Gilmore Girls fans at the annual Fan Fest Society every fall back east. So many of these fans have become my chosen family in this changing world where I often feel isolated and alone. As time went on, society started to change, and being gay was not the absolute stigma it was. Stan felt the courage to live his truth. I had come out to family and friends, and I could feel the world starting to change. I wanted to finally live authentically and not have to hide who I was at work. I also knew that we were being lauded for our quirky POV in our writing and that was in large part due to us growing up as closeted gays. So, we were naturally outside observers of life. We just decided to use all we were seeing and put that down in words and pictures. Reading his memoir is also like reading a guidebook to the world of screenwriting. Not only do many working screenwriters never see their scripts come to fruition, but there are the writing “odd jobs” such as script fixers, story treatments, punch-ups, ghostwriting, and writing on spec that often come without credits or appreciation. Stan once had to work in an almost broom closet. Stan details the tough times as well as the good times. Periods of time between big-name projects when nothing seemed to take, projects that were on the brink of being made just to be shut down, it’s all there. A few times Stan felt defeated to the

brink of giving up. But he didn’t. Another thing my Mom taught me. She’d say, “What choice do you have?” What she meant by that was, you have a given set of facts of a situation. You can’t fight that. But what are you going to do about it? Don’t wallow. Be proactive. And learn from that situation. Keep moving forward. Luckily, I’ve had a great writing partner in Jim Berg. Over our many years together, we pull each other out of moments of selfdoubt and despair. Oddly, I’ve never been able to find that level of honesty and intensity in a love relationship. For some reason, that still eludes me. Looking back at his career, what has been a personal triumph? I think it was many years ago when I figured out how to truly live in the moment. To not get stuck in the past or the future. And most importantly to wipe fear off the table. That has enabled me to ride the waves of a long career, to constantly stay engaged and to continually re-invent myself while I explore new and meaningful ways to use my craft of creativity. His most enjoyable writing project? Hands down writing both Brady Bunch movies. It used every part of my being. From the silly to the smart side. And everything in between. We also got to push the envelope of queerness in a mainstream piece of popular entertainment. I think that’s why those movies still resonate today. We still want to make The Brady Ladies as a streaming series. The three actors from the film would star as the famous sisters who finally move out of their house to a condo in West Hollywood. It’s 2024, but they’re stuck in 1995, the year the movie was released. Always wanting to challenge himself, Stan wanted more. Stan returned to his roots in the world of theatre by directing and writing plays, some of which have recently received their first publication after a series of successful runs. Along with his comedic works, Stan has been able to expand his reach and use theatre to make change. I’ve always been sensitive to the feelings of others. When I see people hurting, I hurt. That’s why in the last

few years I’ve devoted so much of my theatre work to marrying art and advocacy. I’ve been producing and directing a LatinX production of The Diary of Anne Frank. We’ve had eight iterations of the show since 2018. And since 2015, I’ve been presenting (and now performing in) my suicide awareness play, Right Before I Go, all over the United States. It helps me heal, but it’s also powerful to provoke discussions about important topics such as immigration, antisemitism, and mental health. Stan’s memoir is a complete package, there’s something for everyone, and depending on where your mind is, there’s some rather good advice or a story that can fit many scenarios. What does Stan want readers to get most out of his book? I want people to read my book and feel like we’ve been gabbing over a nice cup of hot coffee. Or a crisp glass of Rose. Or better yet, a delicious Ciroc martini. The book has a very conversational tone to it. I share the highs and lows of my work and personal life. And yes, names are dropped. But that’s only because those are the artists that I’ve been lucky to work alongside for so many years. In the end, they’re just people like you and me. People with struggles. And I share how I maneuvered through those. This month, Stan opens his latest directed show, Paul Rudnick’s The New Century at the Bent Theatre Company in Palm Springs. Like Stan, Paul has been writing themes for our community for a

long time. Paul Rudnick is a writer I’ve admired for years, ever since I started reading his hysterical movie reviews he penned under the pseudonym Libby Gelman-Waxner. Then I was introduced to his brilliance through his plays Jeffrey and The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told. Most people know him from his many screenplays, such as In & Out, Stepford Wives, and Addams Family Values. He’s so smart and I couldn’t be more thrilled to introduce this play to residents and visitors to the Coachella Valley. With so much Stan has contributed to the entertainment industry and our community, what legacy does he want to leave behind? I’m so fortunate in that my work can and does live on. I’ve seen so many generations come along and they still recite lines I wrote from our TV shows and movies. It’s just as important to make people think as it is to laugh. If you can do both. And Stan’s message to his fans? Keep dreaming and laughing. And taking action. Keep your eyes open to all that’s happening in the world. And don’t be afraid to call out injustice when you see it! Follow everything Stan at Zimmermanstan.com. The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore is now available. GEDMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2024

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WELCOMING DIVERSITY

CAPTAIN SANDY YAWN AND MICHELLE DUNHAM CHRISTEN CELEBRITY ASCENT BY MICHAEL WESTMAN elebrity’s winning formula continues with their newest awardwinning resort at sea, Celebrity Ascent - the fourth and most innovative ship in their highly awarded Edge® Series. Celebrity Ascent features 32 distinctive restaurants, bars, and lounges, including the newly designed Le Voyage by Chef Daniel Boulud. Ascent does not disappoint, with all the best features of Celebrity’s Edge Series – from the huge atrium Martini Bar, the inviting multi-deck Sunset Bar designed by Nate Berkus, to the open-air Rooftop Garden where two cantilevered floating pools offer breathtaking views over the ship’s edge.

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Celebrity once again made cruise ship history by naming two brothers as co-captains of Ascent – the extremely accomplished, handsome, and affable Captains Dimitris Kafetzis and Tasos Kafetzis. And just when you think the “firsts” have all been had, Celebrity named two sisters as co-godmothers of Ascent. They found the perfect pair there as well, in Captain Sandy Yawn, star of Bravo’s Below Deck, and her sister, Michelle Dunham. Captain Sandy is a tireless advocate for women in the maritime industry, children’s education, children with disabilities, and the environment. Michelle is the successful founder and executive director of a nonprofit school for children with autism. Says Celebrity Cruises President, Laura Hodges Bethge, “These two women are on a mission to make a positive life impact on others, in their pursuit to educate, engage and inspire.” GEDMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2024

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ner begins with a complimentary glass of champagne and an amuse-bouche. My main course of lobster risotto was meltin-your mouth perfection. And, as an admitted chocoholic, I couldn’t resist the Café Cardamom, a chocolate encrusted dessert, in which ice cream is revealed when the waiter pours warm chocolate sauce on top. Heavenly! Chef Boulud has also designed contemporary dishes for Luminae, Celebrity’s private dining experience included for all guests of The Retreat, offering another glimpse of the master chef. For fans of anytime dining, Celebrity has not one dining room, but four complimentary main restaurants for you to discover, each with a distinctive design and signature dishes inspired by specific regions of the world – the Mediterranean dishes of Cyprus Restaurant, the French cuisine of Normandy Restaurant, the Italian flare of Tuscan Restaurant, and the worldly flavors of the Cosmopolitan Restaurant. So, whether you enjoy specialty dining options or not, you will always have menu and ambiance choices for your culinary experiences on board. Entertainment is another key aspect of any good vacation, and the Ascent again raises the bar with “The Theater” of mesmerizing visuals on the wraparound LED screens, staging which juts into the audience, moving stage parts and lighting elements, and true surround

sound … this is theatre innovation at its best. And to accompany the physical stage are unbelievable theatre productions and performances by world-class artists and musicians. There is certainly nothing average about these performers or productions. Now you might be thinking, this ship sounds wonderful, but will I feel comfortable on a sailing that is not exclusively LGBTQ? The answer is a resounding YES. Celebrity was the first cruise line to host a legal same-sex marriage at sea back in 2018. And they continue LGBTQ passenger support across their fleet with LGBTQ meet-ups and cocktail hours, where you can connect with other community members and allies and talk about your travels. Celebrity Cruises strives to make every single one of their guests feel welcome, and we know how much they value the importance of diversity among all their guests and crew. When asked about diversity and equity, Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said, “We want to make sure that we are a company that leads in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we don’t do that by just saying words. We are making sure culturally that we are waking up every day and doing that.” So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your next adventure at sea by visiting celebritycruises.com.

P H OTO S B Y © M E T R O S O U R C E

“We name this ship Celebrity Ascent. May God bless her, and all who sail on her,” Sandy and Michelle said as they christened the ship during the naming ceremony onboard the vessel in waters off Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Everything about this ship says relaxed luxury. From the ship design, which is improved even from the Beyond, which launched in 2022. Soft color palettes, curved walkways, museum quality artwork … every attention to detail looked after. The staff are, as expected, stellar. Genuine, attentive, and not overbearing. They all work very long hours, but all have a smile and the goal of a positive guest experience. The Infinite Veranda cabins, the largest cabin type onboard, are designed to blend indoors and outdoors, and add a good amount of square footage to the size of the cabin by using bi-fold doors. Of course, if you are opting for a luxury suite, Ascent has options, from the 5000-square-foot Iconic Suite with two bedrooms and 700-square-foot balcony, to the two-story Edge Villa with private plunge pool. Book a suite and you’ll gain access to The Retreat, a resort-within-aresort, offering private pool, bars, lounge areas, and more. One of the magical highlights of the new Celebrity Ascent, is the Edge series signature orange “Magic Carpet” which is another cruise industry first – an open-air cantilevered platform that moves and up and down the side of the ship – positioning itself as a Bar/Lounge, tender platform, or restaurant, at various decks. This engineering feat makes for great Instagrammable moments. Another highlight is the newly designed Le Voyage Restaurant by Chef Daniel Boulud. Chef Boulud is widely celebrated as one of America’s leading culinary authorities, with restaurants across the U.S., as well as Toronto, Montreal, Dubai, Singapore, and The Bahamas. In Ascent’s Le Voyage, Boulud’s signature remains the contemporary appeal he brings to soulful dishes rooted in the French tradition. His inspired global flavors resonate in the menu and take you on a culinary journey. On our recent voyage, we were lucky enough to have Chef Boulud himself in the kitchen. Din-

JULY 19-21, 2024

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MOVIE REVIEW

MEAN GIRLS

SMASH OR PASS? k, going to be honest… I didn’t have too much faith that Mean Girls 2024 was going to be any good, I mean how many reboots are successful? I was pleasantly surprised and now have seen the film twice. Once for work, once for pleasure. Once sober, once tipsy. Loved it both times. Just to be clear, this is not a reboot of the original film that debuted twenty years ago. (Can you believe it’s been 20 years?) This also has no relation to Mean Girls 2 – the complete trainwreck that no one should ever be forced to see. This is the movie version of the Broadway musical, fine-tuned and translated for the big screen. That being said, there is a lot of the same energy and throwbacks to the original film, with Executive Producers Lorne Michaels and Tina Fey still at

GEDMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2024

the helm. Mean Girls 2024 remained at the top of the box office for two straight weeks, making its money back in the first week. This iteration of Mean Girls won’t win any Academy Awards, but it was a fun ride. The audience started to murmur in the very first moments of the new Mean Girls. There is no mistaking after the first few seconds that this is a bona fide musical with the movie opening with a singing Instagram Live by beloved characters Damian and Janice that masterfully shifts to Cady Heron (Angourie Rice, originally played by Lindsay Lohan) singing her heart out to the fields of Kenya. The musical star of the film, and who ends up stealing the entire movie, is Reneé Rapp as Regina George. After making her splash playing the role on Broadway, she returns here having the best material to work with. Her voice is sensual with

a great range and she steals the spotlight in every scene she is in. Her version of one of the film’s titular moments, “World Burn,” has been repeatedly on my playlist. The cinematography and stylized direction are very well done, elevating the movie to more than just a slapped-together reboot. The musical numbers also offer us glimpses into different layers of characters, making them more complex and relatable. With the musical portions so well done and artfully filmed, you forget that the music might not be the best. The film is glued together by a stellar ensemble. Each actor understood that balance of paying homage to the energy and personalities of the original film characters but built on that to add definition and their own interpretation. It helps that the script and music give them more to work with. Rewatching the original Mean Girls, we were only presented

P H OTO S CO U R T E S Y O F PA R A M O U N T

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

with very surface caricatures that while fun, lacked depth. Even The Plastics get special moments to show us why they are the way they are. Angourie Rice as Cady really captures the sweet innocence of the role, but also dives into the turning into a Plastic a bit more. We also get to see her breakdown as she realizes the consequences of her actions. Jaquel Spivey as Damian is a close second in stealing the film away. We all know and love Daniel Franzese’s take on the character, and Jaquel is given many of the same lines as the original. Jaquel has a great voice and excellent comedic timing, adding some flair to the original dialogue to make it his own. Watching Tim Meadows and Tina Fey reprise their roles as teachers is a heartwarming homage to the original, and even they are given more to work with. The only misstep is the direction of Damian’s partner in crime, Janice. Janice here is very cool and beautiful, making us doubt that she is an outcast at school with not many friends. We also get higher visibility from the LGBTQ community here. Same-sex kissing, and queer and trans kids all take their place at North Shore High School. Being socially responsible, the film has a stronger message that is anti-bullying, body positivity, and self-acceptance. There is even an added scene where Regina and Cady make amends and move on. It escapes the heaviness of being preachy because the film is such a fun ride. With everyone hating on each other in the real world, it’s a really nice moment to include. Die-hard Mean Girls and musical theatre fans just need to take a breath and give the film a chance, it works and it’s fun. The movie does need to shave about ten minutes off, but that can be attributed to most of us knowing the original story and just wanting to get there. All in all, this film can sit with us. Oh, and addressing the film’s cameo. Yes, someone major from the original film makes an appearance. Wink, wink. Mean Girls: Definite SMASH

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LOS ANGELES DIRECTORY BARS & CLUBS AKBAR 4356 W. Sunset Blvd Silverlake, CA 90029 323.665.6810 akbarsilverlake.com BEACHES WEHO 8928 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.360.0395 beachesweho.com FIESTA CANTINA 88565 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.652.8865 fiestacantina.net FUBAR 7994 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 323.654.0396 fubarla.com GYM SPORTSBAR 8919 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 424.313.8202 gymsportsbar.com HAMBURGER MARY’S 8288 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 323.654.3800 hamburgermarys.com HEART WEHO 8911 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 heartweho.com HI TOPS 8933 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 hitopsbar.com MICKYS 8857 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.657.1176 mickys.com ROCCO’S 8900 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 424.343.0123 roccosweho.com

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SAINT FELIX 8945 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.275.4428 saintfelix.net

CIRCUS OF BOOKS 8861 Santa Monica Blvd and West Hollywood, CA 90069 323.337.9555 circusofbooks.com

THE ABBEY 692 N Robertson Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.289.8410 theabbeyweho.com

ROUGH TRADE LEATHER 3915 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90029 323.660.7956 roughtradegear.com

THE CHAPEL 692 N Robertson Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.289.8410 theabbeyweho.com

THE PLEASURE CHEST 7733 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 323.650.1022 thepleasurechest.com

THE EAGLE 4219 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90029 323.669.9472 eaglela.com REVOLVER VIDEO BAR 8851 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069 424.382.1108 Revolverweho.Com STACHE 8941 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.402.0770 Stacheweho.Com THE BAYOU 8939 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.273.3303 Thebayouweho.Com TRUNKS 8809 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.652.1015 west.hollywood.trunksbar.com

CLOTHING & LEATHER 665 LEATHER & FETISH 20810 Lassen St Chatsworth, CA 91311 818.678.9193 665leather.com BRICK & MORTAR 8713 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.652.6605 shopatbrick.com

HAIR SALONS BLADE 801 N. Larrabee St, Ste #1 West Hollywood 310.659.6693 SHORTY’S BARBER SHOP 755 N Fairfax Ave West Hollywood 323.297.0554 shortysbarbershop.com

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

HEALTH/COUNSELING AID FOR AIDS AFA 8235 Santa Monica Blvd #200 West Hollywood, CA 90046 323.656.1107 aidforaids.net AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION/MENS WELLNESS CENTER • 6255 W Sunset Blvd, 21st Fl Los Angeles, CA 90028 888 AIDS CARE • 1300 N Vermont Ave, Ste 407 Los Angeles, CA 90027 866.339.2525 800.367.2437 inspotla.org AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION PHARMACY 8212 Santa Monica Blvd The David Geffen Center West Hollywood, CA 90046 323.654.0907 ahfpharmacy.org

APLA HEALTH

CLIENT & COMMUNITY SERVICES

The David Geffen Center • 611 South Kingsley Drive Los Angeles, CA 90005 213.201.1600 213.201.WALK (9255) • 3743 S. La Brea Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90016 323.329.9900 • 5901 W. Olympic Blcd. #310 Los Angeles, CA 90036 • 1043 Elm Avenue #302 Long Beach, CA 90813 562.247.7740 apla.org

AIDS RESEARCH ALLIANCE 1400 S Grand Ave Ste 701 Los Angeles, CA 90015 310.358.2429 www.hopetakesaction.org aidsresearch.org AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY 3333 Wilshire Blvd #900 Los Angeles, CA 90010 800.227.2345 cancer.org BEING ALIVE PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS ACTION COALITION 621 N San Vincente Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.289.2551 beingalivela.org LA FREE CLINIC • 5205 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038 323.653.1990 – appts 323.653.8622 – admin lafreeclinic.org • 6043 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 • 8405 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048 LA Public Health reallycheckyourself.org OUT OF THE CLOSET THRIFT SHOPS • 8224 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 323.848.9760 • 3500 East Pacific Coast Hwy Long Beach, CA 90804 562.494.0340 • 1726 East Colorado Blvd Pasadena, CA 91106 626.440.1719 • 360 North Fairfax Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036 323.934.1956

PALM SPRINGS DIRECTORY PROJECT ANGEL FOOD 922 Vine St Los Angeles, CA 90038 323.845.1800 angelfood.org THE TREVOR PROJECT 9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.271.8845 thetrevorproject.org VALLEY COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE 6801 Coldwater Canyon Ave North Hollywood, CA 91605 818.301.6314 - HIV testing 818.301.6390 - Medical Services smarthealthla.com

LEGAL LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION FUND INC. Western Regional Office 3325 Wilshire Blvd #1300 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213.382.7600 lambdalegal.org NATIONAL G & L TASK FORCE 5455 Wilshire Blvd #1505 Los Angeles, CA 90036 323.954.9597 thetaskforce.org

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ATTRACTIONS THE LIVING DESERT ZOO AND GARDENS 47900 Portola Ave Palm Desert, CA 92260 760.346.5694 livingdesert.org PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM 745 N Gene Autry Trail Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.778.6262 palmspringsairmuseum.org PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM 101 Museum Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.322.4800 psmuseum.org PS AERIAL TRAMWAY 1 Tram Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 888.515.8726 pstramway.com

QUADZ 200 S. Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.778.4326 Spurline.com

EL MIRASOL VILLAS 525 Warm Sands Dr Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.327.5913 elmirasol.com

STREET BAR 224 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.1266 psstreetbar.com

INNDULGE PALM SPRINGS 601 Grenfall Rd Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.327.1408 inndulge.com

THE BARRACKS 67-625 E. Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.321.9688

SANTIAGO RESORT 650 San Lorenzo Road Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.322.1300 santiagoresort.com

REFORMA 333 S Palm Canyon Dr Unit 2, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.902.6630 reformaps.com

THE HACIENDA 586 S. Warm Sands Dr Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.327.8111 thehacienda.com

BARS & CLUBS

THE ROOST LOUNGE 68718 E Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.507.8495 theroostcc.com

BLACKBOOK 315 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.832.8497 blackbookbar.com

TOOL SHED 600 E. Sunny Dunes Rd. Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.320.3299 pstoolshed.com

CHILL BAR 217 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.1079 chillbarpalmsprings.com

TOUCANS TIKI LOUNGE 2100 N. Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.7584 toucanstikilounge.com

DICK’S ON ARENAS 301 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.0753 eagle501bar.com

CLOTHING OPTIONAL RESORTS

CLOTHING & LEATHER

BEARFOOT INN 888 N. Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA. 92262 760.699.7641 bearfootinn.com

EL TUGGLE 388 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.880.4338 eltuggle.com

DESCANSO 288 E. Camino Monte Vista Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.1928 descansoresort.com

GAYMART 305 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.6436

HUNTERS 302 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.0700 hunterspalmsprings.com ONE ELEVEN BAR 67555 E Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.537.3111 oneelevenbar.com OSCAR’S 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 108 Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.1188 oscarspalmsprings.com

DESERT PARADISE 615 S. Warm Sands Dr Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.320.5650 desertparadise.com

TRIANGLE INN PALM SPRINGS 555 San Lorenzo Rd. Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.322.7993 triangle-inn.com TWIN PALMS 1930 S. Camino Real Palm Springs, CA 760.841.1455 twinpalmsresort.com VISTA GRANDE RESORT 574 S. Warm Sands Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.322.2404 vistagranderesort.com

GEAR LEATHER & FETISH 650 E Sunny Dunes Rd #1 Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.322.3363 gearleather.com

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PALM SPRINGS DIRECTORY ROUGH TRADE LEATHER 321 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.699.7524 roughtradegear.com

GIFTS DESTINATION PSP 170 North Palm Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.354.9154 destinationpsp.com

JOHANNES 196 S. Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.778.0017 johannespalmsprings.com

MICHAEL’S HOUSE 1910 S Camino Real Palm Springs, CA 92262 844.768.0633 michaelshouse.com

PS FINE MEN’S SALON 750 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 3 Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.904.0434 psfinemenssalon.com

RICK’S DESERT GRILL 1596 North Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.2127 ricksdesertgrill.com

PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.416.5718 psanimalshelter.org

REALTORS

GREETINGS PALM SPRINGS 301 N Palm Canyon Dr # 102 Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.322.5049 greetingspalmsprings.com

3 BEARS REALTY 2905 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.699.6175 3bearsrealty.com

JUST FABULOUS 515 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.864.1300 bjustfabulous.com

PALM SPRINGS HOME TEAM Conrad Miller (DRE #01973983) 760.464.9559 Brandon Holland (DRE # 01986968) 760.413.1220 Palmspringshometeam.com

MISCHIEF CARDS & GIFTS 226 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.322.8555 mischiefcardsandgifts.com PEEPA’S 120 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.318.3553 peepasps.com PS HOMEBOYS 108 S. Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.318.7388 pshomeboys.com Q TRADING COMPANY 606 E Sunny Dunes Rd Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.416.7150

HAIR SALONS

MEN’S GROOMING SPOT 68487 E Palm Canyon Dr Suite 43 Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.992.0028 mensgroomingspot.com

RESTAURANTS 1501 UPTOWN GASTROPUB 1501 Uptown Gastropub 1501 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, 92262 760.507.1644 1501uptown.com BLACKBOOK 315 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.832.8497 blackbookbar.com BOOZEHOUNDS PS 2080 North Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.656-0067 boozehoundsps.com

CUT BARBER 1109 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.322.2999 cutbarber.com

EIGHT4NINE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE 849 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.8490 eight4nine.com

DADDY’S BARBERSHOP 192 S Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.537.1311 daddysbarbershop.com

FARM 6 La Plaza Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.322.2724 farmspalmsprings.com

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SHERMAN’S DELI 401 E Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.1199 shermansdeli.com TRILUSSA 68-718 E Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.328.2300 trilussarestaurant.com TRIO RESTAURANT 707 N. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA. 92262 760.854.8746 triopalmsprings.com WILMA & FRIEDA’S 155 S Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.992.5080 wilmafrieda.com

COMMUNITY RESOURCES DAP HEALTH 1695 N. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.2118 daphealth.org DESERT CARE NETWORK 760.561.7373 desertcarenetwork.com DESERT OASIS HEALTHCARE 275 North El Cielo Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.DOHC (3642) mydohc.com EISENHOWER HEALTH 39000 Bob Hope Drive Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 760.340.3911 eisenhowerhealth.org

PALM SPRINGS FRONT RUNNERS & WALKERS frontrunners.clubexpress.com STONEWALL GARDENS 2150 N. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.548.0970 stonewallgardens.com LGBTQ COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE DESERT 1301 North Palm Canyon Dr, 3rd Floor Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.7790 thecentercv.org

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SAN FRANCISCO DIRECTORY BARS & CLUBS 440 CASTRO 440 Castro, San Francisco, CA the440.com BEAUX 2344 Market St., San Franciso, CA beauxsf.com HI TOPS 2247 Market St, San Francisco, CA 415.551.2500 hitopsbar.com

THE MIX 4086 18th St., San Francisco, CA 415.431.8616 thesfmix.com THE PORT BAR 2023 Broadway, Oakland, CA portbaroakland.com WHITE HORSE BAR 6551 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA 510.652.3820

LOBBY BAR 4230 18th St. Unit A, San Francisco, CA lobbybarsf.com

HAIR SALONS HEALING CUTS 2350 Market St., San Francisco, CA 415.286.2970 healingcutssf.com

LOOKOUT 3600 16th St., San Francisco, CA 415.431.0306 lookoutsf.com

SPUNK SALON 4147 19th St., San Francisco, CA 415.701.7865 spunksalon.com

MAC’S CLUB 39 Post St., San Jose, CA 408.288.8221

THE CASTRO BARBER LOUNGE 2265 Market St., San Francisco, CA 415.678.5942 thecastrobarberlounge.com

MIDNIGHT SUN 4067 18th St., San Francisco, CA 415.861.4186 midnightsunsf.com MOBY DICK 4049 18th St., San Francisco, CA 415.294.0731 OASIS 298 11th St., San Francisco, CA 415.795.3180 sfoasis.com RENEGADES 501 W Taylor St., San Jose, CA 408.275.9902 renegadesbar.carrd.co SF EAGLE 398 12th St., San Francisco, CA 415.200.2002 sf-eagle.com SPLASH 65 Post St., San Jose, CA 408.292.2222 splashsj.com THE CINCH SALOON 1723 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 415.776.4162

COMMUNITY RESOURCES HEALTH/COUNSELING/SUPPORT API WELLNESS CLINIC 726 Polk St. SF LGBT Center 1800 Market Street San Francisco, CA apiwellness.org BILLY DEFRANK LGBTQ CENTER 938 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 408.293.3040 defrankcenter.org

PACIFIC CENTER FOR HUMAN GROWTH 2712 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, CA 510.548.8283 pacificcenter.org QUEER LIFESPACE 2275 Market St, San Francisco, CA 415.358.2000 queerlifespace.org RAINBOW COMMUNITY CENTER 2380 Salvio St., Concord, CA 925.692.0090 rainbowcc.org SF AIDS FOUNDATION 470 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 415.437.3400 strutsf.org SF LGBT CENTER 1800 Market St, San Francisco, 415.865.5555 sfcenter.org STONEWALL PROJECT 1035 Market St, #400, San Francisco, CA 415.487.3000 stonewallsf.org THE TREVOR PROJECT 866.488.7386 Text: 678.678 thetrevorproject.org UCSF ALLIANCE HEALTH PROJECT 1930 Market St, San Francisco, CA 415.476.3902 ucsf-ahp.org

LEGAL

LYRIC CENTER FOR LGBTQQ YOUTH 127 Collingwood St (@ 18th St), San Francisco, CA 415.703.6150 lyric.org

AIDS LEGAL REFERRAL PANEL 1663 Mission St, #500, San Francisco, CA 415.701.1100 alrp.org

OAKLAND LGBTQ COMMUNITY CENTER 3207 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland, CA 510.882.2286 oaklandlgbtqcenter.org

OASIS LEGAL SERVICES 1900 Addison St, #100, Berkeley, CA 510.666.6687 oasislegalservices.org

HOTLINES THE GLBT HOTLINE OF SAN FRANCISCO: 415.355.0999 GLBT NATIONAL HOTLINE: 1.888.843.4564 GLBT NATIONAL YOUTH TALKLINE: 1.800.246.7743 TREVOR PROJECT HOTLINE (Queer Youth Suicide Prevention): 866.488.7386 CALIFORNIA AIDS, STD, & HEPATITIS HOTLINE: 1.800.367.2437 SEXUAL ASSAULT - COMMUNITY VIOLENCE SOLUTIONS: 800.670.7273 CONTRA COSTA CRISIS CENTER for Suicide & Crisis Intervention: 800.273.8255

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TRANSGENDER LAW CENTER 510.587.9696 transgenderlawcenter.org GEDMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2024

& MAPS

Sonoma & beyond... "Bringing together wine lovers and LGBTQ+ friendly wineries, restaurants, hotels and others for a community experience."

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