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GED SIDELINES

Volume 11 Issue 08

FROM THE EDITOR HAPPY NEW YEAR! We have an exciting lineup of new and improved features for you in the months ahead. Starting with this January issue, we aim to ignite your curiosity with a diverse array of articles and captivating visuals. Our team has worked diligently to curate content that resonates with this month’s theme of Health and Wellness. Along with the new print improvements and increased distribution, digital improvements to enhance our online presence and strengthen our connection with you, our readers and visitors, are on the way. Look for our community calendar (and upload your own event), and our digital business directory. You will even see us on your television screen soon, so stay tuned for that announcement. Our commitment to our LGBTQ Community is unwavering, and we will be engaging our markets even more in the coming year, through interactive events and forums across all of California. We aim to have something for everyone, from pool parties to wine tastings, bingo to fundraisers. Here’s to a year of discovery together through the lens of GED Magazine. For all the updates on social media, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @GEDmagazine and tag us in your photos to be featured…

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GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

CONTENTS

Volume 11 Issue 08

12 ADVICE FROM AN IDIOT 14 JOHN REED FITNESS Opens in West Hollywood

20 JESSE PATTISON Oh, Pit Crew!

26 LA SPA TREATMENTS A Healthy and Invigorating New Year Start 2024

30 ON STAGE 32 YEAR IN PHOTOS 38 ELEVATION GAY SKI WEEK Returns to Mammoth and Park City

40 MOVIE REVIEW Saltburn Provocative Art or Fodder for Shock Value?

44 PUERTO VALLARTA 46 LA, PS, SF DIRECTORIES

COVER: Model: Jesse Pattison

Photo by: Stuart Matthews

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ADVICE FROM AN IDIOT

Hello Sugar Loves and Happiest of 2024!

How do I maintain a solid firm age of 37, for all these years? Good clean living and vodka, lots and lots of vodka! I received some great emails over the holiday season and have selected a couple for some advice. Hope you enjoy! Write in if you fancy… I love dolling out the advice! Now that I said dolling, I want a Dole Whip… BY BILLY FRANCESCA

Dear Idiot, Thank Christ, Christmas is over… better late than never on this question, but over the holiday season, I found myself really running on a short fuse. I love my family and friends, but more than a few mentioned how quick I was to get angry. I’m not usually like that, but I must admit, upon further reflection, I was definitely more combative than I normally am. What’s happening? How do I fix it? Am I just a monster? Thank you and happiest of new years! Calmly, I Swear I’m Not the Grinch

My Dearest I Swear I’m Not the Grinch, Of course, you’re NOT, I AM! Hello love, and you’re not a monster at all! This is something so many of us deal with around the holidays (of course for me I’m like that in a dead sleep), and it is no surprise the holidays get us all on edge. It’s a panic riddled, over exposed, non-stop event, that has us believing, we need to make magical happy moments the entire time. YUCK! It sounds to me like you may not have taken enough time for you. For myself, I need HUGE amounts of time on my own, even when visiting family and friends, so I don’t get burnt out. I truly believe that’s what it is. Taking even 10 minutes to hide, and I do mean HIDE, where no one can get to you to regroup and just chill, makes all the difference. The other thing I read, or maybe Jeff Goldblum told me, I can’t remember where and how, is this - “The only thing we have control over is our reaction.” I was like…damn. My initial reaction is to yell, and growing up, the loudest yeller always won whatever the nonsense was. As I too am feeling the burn out, I started this new thing, where I don’t react at all. When I know I am ready to blow my stack, I simply stare, like a crazy person, but I don’t react. Nine times out of ten they think I’m nuts, but it really helps to keep my sanity in check. I think it’s because I am controlling the narrative, and honestly not draining my own energy fighting and having and all the drama that comes with that. Try it out! You don’t need the holidays to yell, or not yell! XO - BF

Dear Advice Idiot, Happy New Year! Although I hate the expression “new year, new me”, my New Year’s resolution is to stop doing the same things over and over again. A lot of the time I see myself going down the same roads, making the same choices, places, people, all of it. And I thought this year, I would try doing different things and not what I have done before. Any advice on how not to fall back into old patterns and traps? You look like you’ve been around the block and figured you could help. Thanks, Rickie with an ie

Well Hello Rickie with an ie, I’’m not sure what you meant by, “you look like you’ve been around the block,” especially since I just had two grand in Botox injected into my forehead, but I will let that go for the moment. I’ve gone down so many of my old paths, so many times, they built a Starbucks. I will tell you one thing that helped me was playing out the situation when and old issue, person, trip, place, comes up. I would literally say to myself, ok, you will talk to them, they will say this, you will say that, and talk it all the way through until I could see the end result. So many times, for me anyway, the action of talking it through not only stops me from making the same mistakes, but it helps me to see why I think “this time will be different”. One year I said I was not going to visit anywhere I had been before. It helped, I had new experiences - new people to hate, new places that drove me nuts, it was wonderful. Not sure if that is the true spirit of the exercise, but the outcome was different. I did do new things, and I did feel different, dare I say better, afterwards. So, my advice is talk it out loud. I really find that helps. Now if you keep implying that I’m old, your first new experience will be the ER. [Laughs] Thank you Rickie with an ie. XO - BF

My Loves! Thank you for writing in, please keep those messages coming to theadvcieidiot@gmail.com Follow on IG @BillyFrancesca and @GEDMagazine We got you covered!

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OPENS IN WEST HOLLYWOOD ike a scene out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, West Hollywood became a flurry of chatter and rumors when the old West Hollywood 24-Hour Fitness location put up colorful and bold signs announcing the coming of John Reed Fitness, accompanied by the delivery of large fitness machines and décor during the night. Who is John Reed? What new space is this? Is this only for rich people? What happened to the pool? Will this be gay enough? All of these and more questions started to swirl around the gayborhood. Well, being invited to the sneak preview, we had to check it out ourselves. To join the fun, we brought along model and fitness guru, Steven Dehler, who has consistently been using John Reed every week to give us his full report. The entrance to 8612 Santa Monica Blvd was jam-packed with influencers with selfie sticks, clearly fit people in workout gear, and the usual casual chic look of The Abbey. It was a mix of

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younger, older, gay, straight, and everything in between. The small entrance doors opened to another world. What struck me first was the ambiance and high energy – from the staff to the music, to the art, to the eye candy, it was a pleasant assault on the senses. If you didn’t feel pumped before walking in, you did now. Each guest was assigned an informed tour guide and quickly we were whisked away from the full produce bar (for smoothies) to the main lobby that truly resembled what you’d expect from a Wonka factory. After our tour, Steven headed to the weight room, I headed to the open bar. John Reed Fitness hails from overseas, with locations in London, Paris, Prague, and more, springing up in early 2016. As a division under the international RSG Group, John Reed Fitness has come to the States with locations in Dallas, Santa Monica, Downtown Los Angeles, and now, West Hollywood. According to COO of John Reed Fitness Colin Thomas, “JOHN REED is the club

that the West Hollywood community deserves. Its bold design, world-class equipment, and carefully crafted playlists pull everything together to create a place where you want to be. Aside from the workout spaces, we’ve added spaces that encourage our members to socialize - a much-needed hub for the Boulevard and the community as a whole.” The space is massive. As someone who frequented the previous 24-Hour Fitness, you can see glimpses of the club that used to be, but, for the most part, the space has been totally reimagined and seems four times the size of the original space. The club boasts 50,000 square feet, custom-designed Gym80 equipment from Germany, individual rooms and selfie stations designed in different themes, a row of golden thrones to sit and charge your phone, a Disco Lollipop Garden, neon signs, high ceilings, art pieces from local LA artists, and even leather-clad walls. The space also includes DJ stations for their guest DJs, massage and cupping areas, an intimate

P H OTO S CO U R T E S Y O F J O H N R E E D F I T N E S S

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

cycling gym, treadmills looking over the Boulevard, and free weight, stretching, and machine areas over three levels. Enterer beware, it will probably take a couple of visits to get the full lay of the land and discover every nook the space has to offer. The pool and hot tub, the reason the opening was delayed in the first place, won’t come until the summer of 2024. The club is open Monday to Sunday, from 5 am to 12 am, and comes with a $160-a-month price tag. The price tag was perhaps the most talked about element of John Reed. $160 a month? Is it worth it? Well, in my opinion, it is if you make it worth it. As someone who doesn’t frequent a gym multiple times a week, and who goes through periods of intense workouts to no workouts, the gym can seem a little advanced for where I am at. Because of the artwork (on the walls, ceilings, everywhere), snakeskin machine pads, and high-end machines, I felt like my grubby sweat shorts and old Snoopy t-shirt might not make the dress code. The staff are dressed in sleek black outfits, very classy. Also, because of the price tag, the ones who would pay that amount probably spend a great amount of time at the gym meaning they are at a different fitness level which can add some peer pressure if you are new or returning on your gym journey. That being said, the times I have used the gym, none of that was an issue. People were wrapped up in their routine, or their own selfies. I was annoyed at the amount of influencers needing to film their workout, I don’t want to be making a cameo in the background of someone’s Instagram story while I’m trying to lift a five-pound dumbbell. I do have to stay, because of the quality of machines and atmosphere around me, I did feel the urge to push my workout up a notch to match the energy around me. John Reed Fitness is looking to bring the nightlife to the club, and their DJ-hosted timeslots are totally fun and keep your blood pumping. Where I would always try to leave the gym earlier and earlier, I feel the need to make my workout the best it can be and might as well do a full GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

“ The small entrance doors opened to another world. What struck me first was the ambiance and high energy – from the staff to the music, to the art, to the eye candy, it was a pleasant assault on the senses.” ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

“They have a well-rounded set of equipment that covers everything I do personally, and then some.” STEVEN DEHLER

an avid gym goer…I love the atmosphere and the energy and am very encouraged to give it my all. Is the atmosphere and fancy machines enough to encourage me to spend that amount each month? To be honest, the location wins me over. It is just convenient. If there was a Planet Fitness right next to me, I might reconsider. I think this is a great effort from the John Reed Fitness family and the majority of gymgoers I have talked to are happy with their experience. To get a different opinion from someone who actually uses the gym on a daily basis, we chatted with Steven Dehler. In addition to being a print and model runway, he received his personal training certification through the International Sports Sciences Association and has taken specialty courses in bodybuilding. As a long-time resident of West Hollywood, he had a lot to say about the new gym. What do you like most about John Reed? For me, it’s all about location, equipment, and cost. I love the fact that it’s

located in the heart of West Hollywood and at a competitive price point. The machines and equipment are all new and on a high-end scale in terms of quality. What doesn’t work for you at John Reed? There’s a lot of unused space. Some rooms are reserved solely for “hanging out” and because of that, the main workout room can feel cramped. What time of day do you usually go? I try to go outside during busy hours; so usually around 8 am or early afternoon after lunch. What does your workout week look like? I work out about 12 times a week, which is much more than the average individual. Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri are two workouts (upper body), Wed/Sat are legs/glutes and Sunday is a rest day. I try to do some light cardio every day as well before at least one workout.

P H OTO S CO U R T E S Y O F S T E V E N D E H L E R

routine if I am going to be surrounded by the artistry that is John Reed. Maybe the fact that it does make a dent in the wallet just adds to the commitment, if you are going to pay for it, you might as well use the hell out of it. As far as some of the things that don’t work for me, there is a lot of open space that seems unutilized. There is a myriad of sitting and chatting stations, but after a vigorous workout, I don’t want to sit on a crushed velvet settee in my sweat. These stations seem to take up a lot of space and are meant to encourage community fellowship, but I haven’t seen the spaces filled with chatting gym goers. And, as beautiful as the art is, and I am not an art critic, it seems a little utilitarian and sometimes drab. Also, the mission of the West Hollywood location is to reflect the local community. I wasn’t expecting rainbow flags and men in underwear, but I did expect some more visual representation of the surrounding gay community. A sign of the changing times that Weho is becoming more inclusive? Maybe. My opinion as someone who is clearly not

GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

What suggestions would you make to John Reed? The largest complaint I’ve heard is that there’s no towel service - so if you want to take a shower or use the sauna, you’ll have to bring your own (they do have hand towels for workouts). Will you continue going there after your membership runs out? Yes, I will. They have a well-rounded set of equipment that covers everything I do personally, and then some. I’m all about functionality and as aesthetically pleasing as John Reed is from a visual perspective, the equipment there does stand on its own in terms of content and quality. What advice would you give to someone making the gym part of their fitness New Year resolution? Don’t. New Year’s resolutions never work, and it sets you up to start the new year with the feeling of failure. Start now, don’t wait. If it’s something you really want to change about your lifestyle then a New Year’s resolution isn’t going to make a difference. Just be consistent and don’t overwhelm yourself. Don’t go 5-6 days a week right off the bat. 2-3 days. Something you can add to your schedule that doesn’t overwhelm you that you can do every week. What advice would you give someone just starting at John Reed? They emphasize the influencer aspect at John Reed and highly encourage creating content there. So just be prepared for tripods and shirtless guys filming themselves - but remember they’re more focused on themselves than anyone (as is everyone at the gym). So don’t let it intimidate you.

STEVEN’S 5-STAR RATINGS:

Steven’s 5-Star Ratings: Access to machines: 4/5 Access to machines: 4/5 Quality of machines: 5/5 Quality of machines: 5/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Staff Customer Service: 4/5 Staff Customer Service: 4/5 Location: 5/5 Location: 5/5 Amenities: 3/5 Amenities: 3/5 Cost of membership: 3/5 Cost of membership: 3/5 Value of membership: 3/5 Value of membership: 3/5

GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

FINAL OPINION: So, at the end of the day, John Reed is a SMASH for both Steven and I, if, and only if, you are going to commit and get the full John Reed experience. It is catered to those who appreciate the gym experience and is worth it if the quality of machines and the environment are important to you. My qualms about fitting in as a non-gym rat went away, come as you are. This is an elevated experi-

ence for sure, but the attention to detail is intense. Just bring your own towels. [Laughs] For more information, visit us.johnreed.fitness. Follow Steven Dehler on IG: @theOnlySteven.

GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

PATTISON OH, PIT CREW! BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

P H OTO S CO U R T E S Y O F J E S S E PAT T I S O N

JESSE

“I have worked extremely hard to earn my spot in these upcoming episodes. I cannot wait for everyone to see what’s in store.”

GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

ho isn’t a fan of the scantily clad male models that accompany RuPaul and her Queens on Drag Race? Well good news for the New Year, one of our favorite Pit Crew models and entertainment personality, Jesse Pattison, is going to be getting a lot more screen time this season. Having made his Drag Race debut in Season 10 (masked and uncredited as a unicorn), he returned for Seasons 14 and 15 as well as on All Stars 8 and will be returning to both Drag Race and All Stars this month. Not just showing off his muscles, rumor has it he will be taking more of a spotlight role this run. For Jesse, it’s not just a gig, it’s a family. I can’t tell you much, but I can say that I have been waiting for these moments for a minute! I come from a theatrical and dance background so any chance to highlight my true talent as an artist, I turn it all the way up. I have worked extremely hard to earn my spot in these upcoming episodes. I cannot wait for everyone to see what’s in store. From day one, every single person from the security, head producers, crafty, the queens, to my Pit Crew brothers... EVERYONE is so sweet, supportive, professional, and great at what they do. It’s like walking into gay excellence at every turn on set and I get so excited every chance I’m given to come back. Having been in the entertainment biz since he was young, this multi-hyphenate performer (actor, model, dancer, stuntman, trainer, influencer) is finally finding his stride. With roles on TV and film, dancing around the world, and earning a place in the fitness industry, he’s been fitting in wherever he needed to since his childhood in Seattle, balancing football, track, and early entertainment career. I was raised on the river, like in the sticks, just north of Seattle. And it was amazing. We were building tree houses and doing all the fun outdoor activities right outside our house. I loved it. I can’t imagine being raised anywhere else. I was one of those kinds of all-overthe-place kids… part of every single social group. I never fit into one clique. I think that’s kind of been the story of my entire life; I’ve always been too gay

GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

for the straight crowd, too straight for the gay crowd. I’m Leo, so I’m just in general, a very outgoing person. A lot of people would say vain and showy and all the things that come with Leo. [Laughs] When I came into high school, automatically the coaches pushed me into football. I had already played junior football and was one of the best defensive backs. But going into high school, it was just very intimidating and a lot of pressure. And I’ve felt like that in a lot of different areas, so I broke away. I’ve always been that person to just do

something different and unexpected. I never wanted to follow a crowd or a group because that is what I was supposed to do. I always rebelled against that. That’s what led me into acting. While still in football and track, I was also going to auditions and commercials. That’s when I really fell in love with the theatrical and artistic side of my personality. The focus on Jesse’s looks has always been a part of his career, something that manifested during that time of life when most of us were getting pimples and looking awkward in our own bodies.

“My New Year’s resolution is to try and spend more time with my family.”

Even with his career taking off, he still had his body issues. While in middle school, I was looking into a spoon and I said, you are really, really, really ridiculously goodlooking. I just batted my eyes and got my myself through school. I was golden. [Laughs] No, it was nothing like that. I did get little whispers here and there, like, oh, you should model, you should do this. That’s when I started teaming up with photographers and getting with an agency, talking to people, and just putting my feelers out. When I was 10 or 11 years old, I started taking acting and modeling classes. So, I knew in high school that that was the direction I wanted to go in. Modeling then took over when I got to LA. I was very insecure and uncomfortable. I was 130 pounds and very skinny. I remember even just in college having swim shorts on and taking a picture looking back and my swim shorts were falling off to the side. I was tiny, and

it was not cute. I still have in the back of my head that I need to put on some more weight, because I see this young, thin kid. As his career was becoming solidified, he tragically, Jesse lost his mom when he was 21 years old. Calling her “the sweetest angel of the world,” he now had to take care of himself. She raised me with the biggest heart. She really did everything for us... took me to all my auditions, shows, and commercials. She really pushed me to do what my passion was. I didn’t get that support from anyone else. She was the main driving factor of why I came down to LA. I pushed so hard she sacrificed so much for me to do this. I must carry that on. There’s no way I can drop it. I’m a very spiritual person. I prayed, meditated, and threw myself into work. I love to be busy. I think I get it from my mom too, where she was such a relentless, hard worker and very dedi-

cated to what she loved. I don’t have kids, my kids are my projects and my visions, and what I want to create for myself in the future. It has blossomed into a world that sometimes I wake up and think, how am I here? His move from Seattle to Los Angeles and getting more in tune with his gay side did not come without some trepidation. The support of his mom was gone, the river life he had known was miles behind, and all at once, entertainment and LGBTQ culture were now all around him. Ironically, his relationship with drag queens was something he had to grow into. I have amazing, amazing, amazing connections with drag queens. But it’s so funny when I first moved down here, I was deathly afraid of talking to a drag queen. I only went out to gay clubs a handful of times just to kind of see the scene. As I moved down to LA, I had mutual friends who were drag queens and started getting to know some GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

of these amazing, talented LGBTQ performers of the world. And then falling in love and being a fan of Drag Race and then now being on one of the biggest drag shows and having such amazing connections with so many of these queens that I can’t even imagine how I was afraid. It just goes to show that your perspective changes, you’re not the same person. You don’t look at things the same way. Adding to modeling and acting, Jesse has spent the last couple of years training

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with XMA and 87 North Productions for stunt work in action films. His first big action scene was for the upcoming Beverly Hills Cop 4 which has him plowing through a huge chain link fence and water barrels. Stunt work in Hollywood is stereotypically a “macho” man’s domain. Has he ever felt pressured to hide his sexuality? I always do. In every area. I’m always conscious of it because I’ve worked in areas, even just bartending or serving, when I first came out

here, and when people would find out that I’m gay, I can automatically read people, their body language, their eye contact, their tone of voice. You cannot get it past me. I know what you’re thinking and can sense changes in how you view me. XMA and 87 North Productions were doing a TV show about stuntmen in LA and so they were casting for it, and they’re filming it over two years. They chose me along with three other people from my class and interviewed us right away. I was so nervous. Talk about my sexuality? I thought, I don’t know. But I did. You should always be 100% authentic. And if they don’t want you, or this person doesn’t cast you, or that job disrespects you, it’s going to put you in a better position. It always has. With so many facets to his career, how does Jesse know what to focus on next? That’s been a huge challenge for me. And I love a challenge. I love every aspect of the entertainment industry, and I only have so much time, right? So, to pair my acting with my stunts and go from dance choreography to fight choreography, was my lane. I love to create. And so, when I have that urge, especially when I have celebrities that I really look up to wanting to put something like this together, I’m game. I hear a track and I can visualize it. It’s so fun to me to get other entertainment entrepreneurs, singers, actors, dancers, and musicians all together to build something that’s unique and also has a message behind it. It has been a challenge to really focus on one thing and I try every day to reel it back. Well, he hasn’t really reeled it back. His fitness has also taken a spotlight in his career. In 2022, he represented California in Mister Supranational United States, getting his body into fierce condition. His mental health and physical health remain a major part of Jesse’s life. From getting up extremely early for workouts and classes to missing out on LGBTQ late nightlife, he’s laser-focused on his career. This month also sees the launch of his new fitness app, Coach JP powered by LENUS. It’s something I’ve been thinking

about for years, but recently all the people and opportunities have fallen into place to go live. I have teamed up with some of the most amazing humans over at LENUS. With their help, I have been able to finally realize my goal of creating a platform that can really change people’s lives in the most significant way, to be a virtual transformation partner to people all over the world one on one. From exercises, mobility, stretching, warm-ups, mental training, to a catalog of over 10,000 meals for diet plans, my team and I are excited to help people find a streamlined way to create a new and improved lifestyle that works for them. One of my biggest goals for 2024, is to get 200 people signed to my app. This is my first time starting a company. To be able to go from helping transform five to seven people in person, to 40 times that would be incredible. It would probably be the most fulfilling thing I could do in the New Year. His app launches just in time for all those who are making fitness part of their New Year resolutions. What are the biggest mistakes people make when starting a New Year fitness goal? For most people including myself, the biggest mistake when making fitness a part of their New Year resolution is making it too vague or making it unsustainable. When we create a goal for fitness many people will say “I want to lose weight” or “I want to build muscle.” Our plan is to hit the gym every day. The problem with this is it gives no perimeters for what our goal actually is. The more detailed we can get, the more sustainable it can be because you have metrics and physical tracking that allows you to have consistent measurements of success. Another reason that it becomes unsustainable is that we try to create too many changes at one time and most all of us fall off of the plan because it gets too overwhelming or it quite honestly doesn’t realistically fit into our life in terms of time, energy, finances, or whatever other lifestyle choice combats that plan. Regardless, you do have the power to create a plan that works for you, and day by day you CAN become the best version of your-

self. You just have to find that person to help guide you. That’s where I come in. And Jesse’s personal New Year resolution? My New Year’s resolution is to try and spend more time with my family. Creating an additional company that I can do remotely is something I have premeditated and organically created to be able to do that. I lost my mom almost 15 years ago and it has been the hardest thing to live with every day since. Now that my father has an exponential health decline, my resolve to spend more time with him and others that I love in my life has become that much more important. At the end of the day, that is what means the most to me. And Jesse’s message to his fans for 2024? I first want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for rocking with me. Through the various eras of my life, it’s because of you that I am blessed enough to walk through many of the doors in my life. The other part I give credit to is my self-guidance and spiritual guidance that I am excited to

share with others. The most important thing I could ever do, which seems so counterintuitive, especially for me, is to DO NOTHING. Unplug from media, social media, friends, and family that are not on the same frequency as your goal or wildest dreams. There are so many things we give OUR LIFE to in this world. We often forget about giving that precious time to ourselves every day. Create tools to become in sync with that end goal. I use meditation, journaling, reading, exercise, recovery, and time with those closest to me to bring me closer to myself. Whatever you do give yourself that time to remember who you are. Then go out in the world and share it with as many people as you can with no apologies. Look for Jesse on this season’s Drag Race franchises! Follow everything Jesse at JesseJamesPattison.com

GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

A HEALTHY AND INVIGORATING NEW YEAR START 2024 WITH AN

LA SPA

TREATMENT BY STEVE GOTTFRIED can’t think of a better way to start a new year than with a fabulous spa treatment tucked away within a five-star hotel. Adding another layer of opulence to the spa experience and taking advantage of the other benefits associated with 5-star service at a luxury hotel, is a great way to reset your body and mind for 2024. What follows are my impressions and experiences at three exceptional spas that stand as respites from the daily grind, all within a 5-mile radius of each other.

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LA PRAIRIE SPA WALDORF ASTORIA HOTEL The bar is set high with La Prairie Spa situated in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in the heart of Beverly Hills. The Waldorf Astoria - the name itself exudes unparalleled luxury and refined elegance. The hotel proper is a visual feast with Instagram-worthy images at every turn. The vaunted origin story for this premier hotel began over a century ago in New York City circa 1893 eventually expanding to become a global brand spanning 15 countries. They say first impressions are everything and if that’s the case, The Waldorf Astoria hits a home run with its impressive lobby punctuated with bursts of colorfully spectacular floral arrangements and exquisite Lalique crystal vases in the lobby lounge which hosts chocolate and wine tasting events. As you ascend to the second story where the spa is situated, you’ll notice the beautifully appointed spa reception area with artistic statement pieces like the fanciful gold light fixture, the framed gold-leaf floral wall art, and an eye-catching blue fiberglass carved art piece resembling ocean waves. The combined effect of these works creates a relaxing art-infused ambience. I arrived an hour ahead of

schedule to take full advantage of their deluxe steam and shower featuring multi-directional wall jets, rainfall and color therapy, an adventure in relaxation unto itself. As my appointment time approached, I donned my ultra-plush Waldorf Astoria bathrobe, retired to the relaxation lounge, and enjoyed a cup of green tea and some nibbles. I opted for the Signature Facial, sixty minutes of pure bliss. The esthetician applied creams, masques and exfoliants from the La Prairie skin caviar collection designed to restore elasticity to the skin. After my spa treatment, I wandered up to the Rooftop by JG, the open-air restaurant with expansive views of the city and felt like I had crashed an exclusive members-only club before returning to the slightly more formal ground floor restaurant Espelette for my dinner reservation. I started with a refreshing green juice, followed by their Brussel & Kale salad with shaved broccoli and avocado drizzled with their Yuzu Miso in-house vinaigrette. For the main entrée, I had the New Zealand Ora King Salmon with a delectable barigoule sauce accompanied by haricots verts sautéed with French butter, shallots, garlic, and parsley. For dessert I had a trio of delectable delights consisting of a dark chocolate Chantilly (my favorite), a raspberry cream and a vanilla puff, capping off my indulgent spa day with a delightfully sweet ending.

BAMFORD WELLNESS SPA 1 HOTEL The Bamford Wellness Spa is situated in West Hollywood on the iconic Sunset Strip inside the 1 Hotel. When you pull up to the 1 Hotel, the outside world slips away. The first thing you’ll notice is the abundance of native greenery and potted plants. The soothing earth tone palette and the use of reclaimed wood throughout the expansive property exudes relaxation and reflects the hotel’s emphasis on eco-conscious practices. It’s like you’ve found your way to an ecotourism resort in Costa Rica or another exotic locale. I ascended to the second floor where I was greeted by the welcoming spa director and offered a brief questionnaire and a choice of herbal teas. I was then admitted to the inner sanctum where the treatment rooms are located with names like Birch, Willow, and Hazel. My usual go-to spa treatment of choice is a facial, but since the Bamford Spa was promoting its “B Grounded” massage, I decided to opt for that. “B Grounded” begins with an aromatherapy foot soak and encompasses more of a holistic approach to the spa treatment

as healing experience. This hour and 50-minute treatment combines different modalities from Swedish massage, a botanic sugar scrub and lymphatic drainage to release toxins. Lymphatic drainage is not as clinical as it sounds and just amounts to light feathering strokes positioned at various lymph nodes throughout the body. Who knew there were so many? After that, a jade stone mask is placed over my eyes, a heated jade stone on my chest, along with two other unheated heart shaped stones. The stones are strategically placed at various chakras to increase vibrational energy and promote healing. I’m not sure what it all meant, but there was something magical and healing about it. With a heated infrared sonar blanket and soothing music, you’ll have a fully immersive experience. After my treatment, I had a refreshing and nutritious spa lunch at the 1 Kitchen Restaurant on the ground floor adjacent to the lobby. I had the House Made Chickpea Burger on a spinach herb wrap, a delicious Superfood Salad and a Pitaya Smoothie. GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL SPA BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL The third hotel on my spa-spectacular odyssey was the famed Beverly Hills Hotel which first opened its doors in 1912 and became synonymous with Hollywood’s Golden Age, hosting the likes of true Hollywood icons from Charlie Chaplin to Judy Garland and Joan Crawford. I’m happy to report that the five-diamond luxury hotel and bungalows have retained the glamour and grandeur of their glory days. A walk around the lush grounds is better than a day pass to Universal Studios, with hallowed reminders of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra whose names grace the bungalows that continue their legacy. Suspend disbelief and you can imagine Lucille Ball getting those famous locks colored in the hotel’s salon or George Burns and Groucho Marx having a cigar in the Polo Lounge. Nowadays, you won’t find a hint of tobacco on the premises. I couldn’t pass up a chance to dine at the famed Polo Lounge. I entered the

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Lounge to hear their longtime pianist George playing “Moon River” bridging Old Hollywood with New Hollywood. Known for celebrity sightings, the Polo Lounge did not disappoint during my visit. Seated on the terrace was none other than our very own, age-defying Dorian Gray, Rob Lowe, no doubt discussing his latest venture over a leisurely lunch. For myself, I had the Polo Power Salad which consisted of chilled seasonal vegetables over a bed of wild rice with sliced avocado and marinated tofu, all tossed with a delicious tahini mustard vinaigrette. I followed that with their grilled Scottish Salmon entrée with a delightful grapefruit beurre blanc and fava bean succotash. For dessert, the Chocolate Soufflé is served piping hot with whipped cream and vanilla sauce on the side. Satiated and savoring the meal, I went for a leisurely stroll on the lush grounds before checking in for my spa appointment.

The spa menu has an intriguing use of Hollywood lore, such as the Red Carpet Radiance Facial and the Sunset Boulevard Pedicure. But, the Marilyn Monroe Massage beckoned, offering 90 minutes of soothing relief from the everyday stressors. I’d been recovering from a lower back strain over the past few weeks and this 90-minute massage included use of CBD oils which is known for its anti-inflammatory benefits and pain relief. What ensued was 90 minutes of pure bliss. The massage therapist used a combination of heated pink Himalayan salt stones and aromatherapy-infused oils to work her magic with a soothing, intuitively guided massage that revived and restored. You can’t go wrong at these three luxurious LA spas. So, start your year off right and treat yourself to some post-holiday stress-relief.

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ON STAGE

BY STAN JENSON

THE WIZ: I’m really excited about this one. The Wiz, an African American re-telling of the classic Wizard of Oz, is headed for its first Broadway production in 50 years. Some of us recall the 1978 movie version which starred Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsy Russell, Richard Pryor, and Lena Horne. In The Wiz, Dorothy is now a 24-year-old schoolteacher in New York. Her dog Toto escapes from her apartment and when Dorothy runs out into the street to find him, she gets surrounded and lifted by a magical whirlwind. It deposits her in an inner-city playground where she finds she has killed a witch with an electric sign she dislodged as she fell. The Munchkins who occupy the playground, suggest she visit a magical man (“He’s the Wiz”), and as she sets out on her quest, they sing “Ease on Down the Road,” the song which is most associated with the show. Typically, after a show has played for a while on Broadway, a touring version heads out across the country. In this case, the producers have decided to tour the country first to hone the material, then open on Broadway. Stage technology in scenery and sound has advanced so much since 1974 that I’m more anxious to see this show than anything else coming this year. It plays at the San Diego Civic 1/9 – 14; San Francisco’s Golden Gate 1/16 – 2/11; and the Hollywood Pantages 2/13 – 3/3.

AVENUE Q: Palm Springs’ newest theatre company, Revolution Stage Company, has had a soft opening over the past few months with several original pieces and an incredibly good production called Charles Dickens Writes a Christmas Carol. This month they are presenting Avenue Q. It’s their first presentation of a mainstream recognizable musical and I am optimistic about their interpretation. I know their production values are always great, and they have rounded up some of the top performers in the area for this offbeat musical. In case you haven’t seen this delightful show, it features Sesame Street-type puppets operated by puppeteers who walk around the stage in full view of the audience and create the voices of the puppets. The curious thing is that almost immediately, the audience finds itself looking only at the puppets and not their operators. The gay angle? Nicky, a straight slacker, lives with Rod, probably the only gay Republican puppet in the world. Perhaps the funniest moment in the show is when Rod tries to pass as straight by singing, “My Girlfriend Who Lives in Canada.” The musical won the “Best Musical” Tony when it premiered in 2004, and its Broadway and Off-Broadway runs have amassed 6,569 performances! The show’s format is a parody of Sesame Street, but its content involves adult-oriented themes. It has been praised for its approach to themes of racism, homosexuality, and internet pornography – it includes puppet nudity and sex center stage. 1/9 – 25.

MATHEW BOURNE’S ROMEO & JULIET: Just in case you haven’t heard of Matthew Bourne (and shame on you if you haven’t), he is one of the most creative and homoerotic choreographers alive. The British dance master first came on the world scene in 1995 with a reimagining Swan Lake as a young man’s fantasy about abut being visited by shirtless male swans. He has created numerous ballets since then, often using existing titles such as Edward Scissorhands, Cinderella, Lord of the Flies and Dorian Gray. The titular star-crossed lovers live in a gender-segregated institution and so must sneak around to meet. Of more interest to me is the homoerotic relationship between Romeo, Mercutio, Benvolio and Balthasar. Although it has just completed a UK tour, Los Angeles’s Ahmanson Theatre is the ballet’s only US date. Plays 1/28 – 2/25.

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ELEVATION GAY SKI WEEK

RACE YOU TO THE TOP BY ETHAN LAIRD

Trade your sunglasses for goggles, your flip flops for snowboard boots, and your jockstraps for... more jockstraps. It’s that time to gear up for ELEVATION. Once a year, thousands of queers descend upon two small mountain towns, raining men (and drag queens and go-go boys and lesbians and twunks and twinks and bears and otters) onto the unsuspecting population. This deluge of neon and glitter and harnesses and muscles onto slopes of fresh powder can only be the Elevation gay ski weeks. (Okay, the population is not unsuspecting - Mammoth Lakes and Park City look forward to the return of Elevation all year long.) Whether it’s Mammoth or Utah, you know exactly what you’re getting into with an Elevation event: superb slopes for shredding, DJs for dancing, drag queens, go go boys, performances, a friendly crowd of sexy queers, and of course, a theme party or two. Though there’s no pressure to fit the theme, many attendees definitely dress the part. The Onesie Apres-Ski is an ELEVATION Gay Ski Week tradition that somehow manages to be sexy without losing its sense of humor. Where else can you find a collection of burner boys in rainbow bodysuits, gaymers in unicorn-horn hoodies, circuit boys in ass-less onesies and lumberjocks in wool socks? The Saturday night event, GEAR, is

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the most overtly sexy party of the week, but again, doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s like a warehouse party at altitude (don’t think about it too hard). The dress code is gear – leather gear, sports gear, ski gear. Just put some THOT into it. (What’s the difference between a straight ski week and a gay ski week? A harness.) Event producer Tom Whitman, a former racer on the UCLA ski team turned big-gay party promoter, created Elevation Mammoth 22 years ago. “I’ve loved Mammoth since I was in college. It’s a gigantic mountain with terrain for every type of skier and snowboarder,” he says. “It’s a mountain you can ski for years and always find something new.” He’s not the only one who sings the praises of Mammoth Mountain. USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards voted

Mammoth “Best Ski Town of 2022 in North America.” Travel & Leisure says “Mammoth Mountain is a dream ski destination for many reasons, but it’s perhaps best for those traveling in groups with varying abilities. It not only has amazing backcountry terrain for experts but also one of the best lesson programs in the nation.” Every season comes the question: “Will I still have a good time at Elevation if I’m not a great skier?” Hundreds of first timers and beginners come to Elevation each year to learn to ski or to get better. And, if all else fails, everyone knows how to hot tub, and the apres-ski parties start at 4pm every day. 14 years ago, Whitman added Elevation Utah to the gay ski week family. “Park City is world-famous for a lot of

P H OTO S CO U R T E S Y O F E L E VAT I O N

“It’s a mountain you can ski for years and always find something new.” TOM WHITMAN

reasons – it’s the largest resort in the US, the Utah snow is epic, the historic mining town is filled with fine dining options and lux shopping, but also...the Utah boys are darn cute.” I’ve attended Elevation many times over the years, and regardless of which Elevation I pick (and yes, sometimes I do both), I have a different experience at ELEVATION. You can ski all day and crash early, party hard and sleep in, or be the first-chair-last-call hero we all wish we were. Visit www.elevationgayski.com for tickets and all the latest information.

GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

MOVIE REVIEW

SALTBURN

PROVOCATIVE ART

OR FODDER FOR SHOCK VALUE? altburn is perhaps the most disagreed-upon film this season. To some, the film has been so disturbing that people have walked out, while some audiences have greeted the film with applause. Critics disagree – is this provocative art or fodder for shock value? No matter what side of the fence people are on (and there seems to be no middle ground), people are talking about it. This is Emerald Fennell’s second major film, following her other provocative piece, Promising Young Woman. Fennell wrote, directed, and co-produced Saltburn with extreme attention to detail. The result is a Shakespearean tragedy, with sexuality, bloodshed, nuance, and a killer soundtrack. On the surface, with the beautiful cast, the sexual situations, and the clever script, it first appears like an artistic and envelopepushing celebration of the Seven Deadly Sins. When you think about the film and trust me, you will think about this film a lot after seeing it, it becomes a statement on society and class, all under the guise of a psychological thriller. Set in 2006, the story (without giving

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away any plot details) is simple enough. Oliver Quick (played by Barry Keoghan, hot off his award-nominated performance in The Banshees of Inisherin) comes to Oxford as a nerdy, lower-class outcast who finds it hard to make friends and fit in. The student body is made up of rich, snobby kids who make sure Oliver knows his place. Upon seeing the impossibly gorgeous Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi from Euphoria fame) in the student yard, he becomes obsessed with Felix. We wonder, is he in love with his good looks and popularity, or does he want to be him? Oddly enough, Felix befriends Oliver, taking him under his wing and sharing moments that could be considered homoerotic. We certainly see enough of Felix to set the scene. We think we know where this is going, but clearly, we do not. Felix invites Oliver to his family estate, Saltburn, for the summer. The estate is no humble abode. It is sprawling and gothic, with hidden rooms, a garden maze, creaking doors, and artifacts from generations before. Oliver meets and enchants Felix’s parents, Sir James and Lady Elspeth (played by Richard Grant and Rosamund Pike). Also visiting the manor are Felix’s

sister, his cousin, and family friend Pamela (Carey Mulligan). A lead butler and soundless staff spookily curate the house. While the Sir and Lady are bemused by Oliver’s lower-class ways and fashion, the rest of the household is not so eager to welcome him with open arms. As the summer progresses, the characters all start unraveling, and we see the cracks and ugliness that lie under the good looks and money. The house slowly turns into a madhouse. Oliver’s obsession with Felix grows in intensity, from watching him have sex to watching him masturbate, to needing to be by his side at every minute. Is Felix aware? Is he toying with Oliver? Is Felix so narcissistic that he feeds off Oliver’s attention, regardless of his sexuality? Felix starts to solidify his place in the house and by Felix’s side by engaging in questionable activities with the rest of the house guests. For a while, it is like being at the Mad Hatter’s tea party. Drugs, sex, parties, and money drip from the ceiling in a tempting, wild ride until it turns on a dime to bloodshed and tragedy. No one is victimless in this story, except perhaps Oliver. Or is Oliver still a victim in all of this? Filmmaker Fennell told Vanity Fair

P H OTO S CO U R T E S Y M G M A N D A M A ZO N S T U D I O S

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

that she wanted the audience to sympathize with unlikeable people, stating “the sorts of people that we can’t stand, the sorts of people who are abhorrent—if we can love them, if we can fall in love with these people, if we can understand why this is so alluring, in spite of its palpable cruelty and unfairness and sort of strangeness, if we all want to be there too, I think that’s just such an interesting dynamic.” Whether you like the film’s content or not, there is no denying that this is a powerful ensemble with no weak players. There is an exaggeration in the presentation of these characters, but also a dark core that must be played with skill and sincerity. There are witty one-liners that would make Karen Walker jealous, but that would not be enough to sustain these characters. Masterfully directed, these actors must play all sides of the tragedy with equal vigor and reality, while maintaining the heightened drama of it all. The leads, Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi, not only exude the sexuality needed for the occasion but also draw us in with this dark intensity that builds up to a surprising end. Their chemistry is palpable, and handling the duality of their characters is done with care. At times we are attracted to them, at times we hate them, at times we pity them. Without their performances, the rest of the film would just be a raunchy affair. Barry Keoghan received the Golden Globe nomination, and deservedly so. As Oliver, he is given the most to do in this tale. His innocent surface belies a personality that is both horrific and attractive. Handling the sexual situations with style, he makes the sex part of the power struggle at play. He is naked on the screen, both figuratively and acting-wise. He is raw, he is intense, and completely captivating to watch. As Sir James and Lady Elspeth, Richard Grant and Rosamund Pike almost steal every scene they are in (Pike also received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance). Initially presented as rich, out-of-touch socialites, their visage is viscerally ripped away, and we see them at their core. Their performance is a master class in acting. A special shout out to Carey Mulligan in her all too brief appearance as the family friend. She is

kooky, beautiful, and brilliantly crafted. Unbelievably, she is the most normal of the housemates. This ensemble is brilliant, and everyone is in on the atmosphere that Fennell has so artfully created. Ok, let’s talk about the sex that everyone is freaking out about. While the film is extremely sensual and graphic, there is actually very little actual sex. That is the key. The movie is one big build-up, the audience feels the tension waiting for the characters to fulfill their own desires. Us wanting them to fulfill these desires is a statement in itself. We still want these seemingly awful people to hook up. Does that make us awful as well? Fennell uses sex and the graphic nature of what we are seeing as a tool to show the characters as they truly are. Sex is used to control, it is used to show power, it is used to manipulate, it is not there to be pleasurable. How often do we succumb to these sexual manipulations in our own lives, regardless of our class, gender, or sexuality? The scenes that have been called out for being disgusting are actually beautifully done in both cinematography and direction. If you are just paying attention to what is happening, you are missing out on what it is actually saying. There is a graphic intensity to show us just how dark these characters are. And yes, some of the situations are homoerotic, but that isn’t the point. It isn’t a gay film, it isn’t a straight film. It’s about the power of sex and greed and how it can make victims of us all.

Fun fact: To add to the mystique of the Saltburn estate, Fennell insisted on using an estate that had never been seen in film before. Established in 1328, the property has only been passed down through inheritance since it was first sold in 1361. The contract for the film prohibits the estate from being used for future productions. Curious indeed! This film is a head-trip for sure, but a fun ride for those that can stomach it. I do consider this film an art piece. It is about class struggle, the ugliness that can reside in us all, the power of greed, and questions motives of love versus lust. Visually the film is stunning, the acting is prime, and no matter what your opinion of the film, it is an experience. Your heart starts to race while the audience becomes uncomfortable and shifts in their seat. This will make you run the movie over and over in your head trying to figure out what the hell happened. If you consider Barbie intense social commentary, you may not like this film. But still go see it. This film will be streaming on digital services soon, the film only received a short time in theaters. Go see it in the theatres on the big screen to fully immerse yourself in the story without distraction. Fennell filmed Saltburn in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio to give the feeling that the audience is peeping in. Peep if you dare. Saltburn – Pass or Smash? SMASH GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

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PUERTO VALLARTA

NAVIGATING A WELLNESS

MEXICAN VACATION BY PACO OJEDA

uilty as charged! Healthy habits are something I don’t think about as much as I could throughout the year. Then, come New Year’s Eve, it’s next to impossible to avoid endless conversations about resolutions. Can you relate? To make things interesting, you are about to embark on a Mexican vacation and are wondering how to navigate our world of calorie-rich creamy sauces, hearty portions of guacamole and chips, and margaritas— one of those alone can set you back 300 calories! No worries. Not all Mexican food is calorie intensive. With so many restaurant choices, not to mention a variety of health clubs throughout the city, and so many outdoor activities to choose from, you can have an impressive Mexican holiday by being mindful of a few details, and also nurturing your body, mind and soul while you’re at it.

FOOD

For starters, you don’t have to go Mexican all the time, and not all Mexican food will contradict your resolution. Stick to the grilled or roasted choices—think chicken or fish. Load up on veggies. Salads, grilled veggies, and salsas are your diet amigos. Pico de Gallo, the classic tomato, onion, and hot pepper salsa, is prepared with fresh ingredients, for example. Fried foods are tempting but limit the love. In fact, the moment that large bowl of fried tortilla chips lands on your table, simply have it removed. And most importantly, watch those portion sizes. Mexican meals can be like, “Hola, I’m huge!” Share a plate or go for a smaller size if you’re feeling dainty. Your travel budget will appreciate it, too! In terms of drinks, Margaritas may call your name, but sip responsibly. Consider lower-calorie options and hydrate with water between sips. Keeping your body hydrated will help you avoid eating the entire taco truck.

BODY

Participating in activities that involve physical movement can run the gamut from walking

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tours to mountain climbing expeditions, so the choice is personal. At the very least, you will be surrounded by plenty of opportunities to explore Puerto Vallarta on foot—and while we’re at it, be sure to pack a good pair of walking shoes! And if you enjoy the nightlife, salsa dance the night away and then reward yourself with more guac. Browsing Facebook Events in Puerto Vallarta or the local gay guides (readily available throughout the gayborhood) will also present you with a variety of activities and expeditions catered to the LGBT+ community, from hikes and meditations to scuba diving and whalewatching excursions.

MIND

Planning ahead on how to treat your body, mind, and spirit to a Mexican vacation is the key to nurturing the holy trinity of wellness south of the border. Embrace the art of the siesta. Take a midday break to recharge and savor the tranquility. Your mind will thank you, and you’ll be ready for a night of fiesta. Feed your mind with the rich cultural buffet Mexico offers. Art galleries and historical sites are plentiful. And don’t forget to practice your

Spanish by engaging with locals. Learning a few phrases not only expands your mind but also creates connections that go beyond words.

SPIRIT

As you enjoy some of the activities mentioned above, remember to immerse yourself in Mexico’s natural beauty. The jungle is still green from the summer’s rainy season, surrounding our city with a spectacular backdrop. And the cooler winter air will make every single sunset you enjoy completely different than the one before. Remember, balance is the key. Mix and match these tips to create your personalized wellness retreat in Mexico, where every taco is a step toward nirvana!

Catch up with Paco Ojeda live Monday Saturday at 10:30 am local time on his talk show, “Coffee & Headlines,” where he shares headlines and stories for Puerto Vallarta’s local English-speaking community. facebook.com/pacoojedalive

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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

GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

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

GEDMAG.COM JANUARY 2024

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 JANUARY 2024

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