Happening Digital Volume 1 | Issue 5 | Dec 2022

PHOTO BY: B. Yeager From PLAYBOY ARCHIVES

THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE

The raven-haired lady with the wry wink and sassy smile, hanging a ornament on a retro, white flocked Christmas tree to the left is infamous pin-up model from the early 50’s - Miss Bettie Page. Many of you many know Bettie from a resurgence in popularity she had during the early 80s when artist Dave Stevens used her likeness as the model for the character of “the whole girl next door” in the famous ROCKETEER comic (from which later a Disney movie was made). Or perhaps you know Bettie from literally thousand of images that she took in fetish gear for the Irving Klaw Studios. Still others may know her from Olivia Boudoir paintings that are very popular with our lesbian sisters. Many have seen a bio-pic (see inset photo) about her life which was made several years back, but at one point or another we all stumble upon the “babe with the bangs” - Bettie Page!

I know Bettie because I’ve always felt some strange connection to her. You see, Bettie’s smile looked carefree and fun-loving, but was painted on to hide a mountain of pain. Deep down inside, I think I could feel that when I looked at her images. If you do a little digging on the INTERNET, you will find out that she lived a very troubled life. So much so, that in the height of her career she quietly disappeared and was never heard or seen from again until the aforementioned comic artist, Dave Stevens set out to find her after she had a huge cult following again and her image were making millions of dollars for others. He found her in Florida (believe it or not) where she ran to escape so many demons. It took her years before she would come forward. She wanted her fans to remember her as the beautiful young lady she was in the pictures. It finally became a full-circle moment when she allowed herself to visit and be photographed at the PLAYBOY mansion in the 90s for their 50th Anniversary soirée (image inset also to the left, and yes, that is Anna Nicole Smith and Pamela Anderson next to her in the photo).

This sexy, but wholesome Christmas image, is coincidentally the second coveted centerfold for Hugh Hefner’s playmate laden magazine (the first being Marilyn Monroe by Tom Kelley. The only difference being Bettie consented to being the centerfold in her case.)

I guess by now your saying,”OMG! We get it. YOU love Bettie Page.” The difference is now I know why. Remember I said above I felt a “connection” to her that I did not understand. Well, I finally get it. Because of her good-natured and outgoing personality even as a child, Bettie was abused by many. While being an highly intelligent honor student in high school (being named salutatorian) she was taken advantage of by a boy she met who told her she was “pretty enough”. In her memoirs, she admits to being abused by several family members and neighbors.

Later on as a young woman she was raped by someone she trusted. The list of atrocities goes on and on. So, what does all that have to do with me? Well, simple.

Just replace the name “Bettie” with “Frank” and all the same things happened to me. Also, like Bettie, I’m using a very public forum on my own terms to tell me story for the first time - my own magazine’s Publisher’s Note. Why now? Why here? Because I feel safe within the pages where I’M IN CONTROL. And, because (I think) I finally feel enough to admit it to myself and others. Plus, I hope that my story, like Bettie’s did for me, will help others.

A few weeks ago I was at Matthew Darren’s amazing Holiday Fantasia charity event which he co-hosted with dear friend Varla Jean Merman. I helped Matty with all the graphics for the event and also set up some my art to raise money via auction for the Bow-tie Kids Foundation (look them up...they are amazing). During the intermission, as everyone was getting up to buy a drink, peruse the artwork on display or just use the restroom, I was hanging back near the table with my art in case someone had a question. While watching from a distance, I saw a familiar figure. One I could recognize from a mile aways. He came up to my table, recognized my artwork, began to paw at it with his filthy hands (rude) and then walked aways. I felt as if a bucket of slimy fish guts had just been dumped on me. You see, that man, that ex-friend, that now “pillar of our community” and philanthropist was also my rapist. Seeing him handle my art felt like I was being VICTIMIZED all over again. The only difference was THIS TIME I was actually awake and lucid to witness it. Like so many other men in our LGBTQA+ community I was drugged and then taken advantage of. But, also like Bettie, I kept a smile painted on my face the whole time. Because that is what “good girls” and “big boys” do.

We don’t make a fuss.

That night, I went out with a friend that I feel safe with and I drank - A LOT. After a few days of feeling physically and emotionally sick, I decided that I was going to be strong, again, just like Bettie. I decided I was going to tell my story and it was going to start here in these lines I write every week. Wish me luck! I bet you a million dollar that I’m going to be attacked and ridiculed, because that’s what happens to brave survivors of abuse who come forward when it’s “inconvenient”.

It’s sure to be an interesting week.

Oh, I almost forgot, HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Sorry for the T.M.I., but I had to get it out before 2023 chimes in. You see, I’m leaving all that baggage behind.

Love, light and peace to us all, Francisco Garcia

Let’s talk about beards. And no, I am not talking about the girl you took to your parent’s house for Christmas trying to fool everyone. I am talking about facial hair. Beards are not just for bears or leather daddies. If done properly, anyone can rock some facial hair.

As a hair stylist and makeup artist, I have been transforming women, and the occasional man, to look their best.

In makeup, we use contouring and highlighting to create the illusion of a more perfectly shaped face. I create shadows and light, basically I use a darker cosmetic product to give the illusion of a thinner nose, dramatic cheekbones or a softer jaw line. I can make your face look slimmer and create the illusion of having a more ideal face shape.

In our society the most ”ideal” face shape is oval. If you have an oval face, you basically can rock whatever look you want to with facial hair and look great. But for those of us who are not blessed with this ideal face shape, there are things we can do to give the illusion of a more balanced face. Just like women use makeup, us guys can use our facial hair. And below I am going to explain the best beard style for you.

Let’s start with a round face. Think Mark Wahlberg. The best facial hair look for you would be a goatee. Which is basically a well groomed mustache, with a beard just around your mouth and on the chin. Keep it short and well groomed. You can let the hair on the chin be slightly longer. This will create the illusion of having a longer face. Also a goatee will draw the eye to the center of the face, making your face look more oval. Also, if you have sideburns, they need to be kept short and well groomed.

The next shape is square. Imagine Brad Pitt or Nick Lachey. If you have a square face you should opt for a style that will make your face look less box-like and more slender. A perfect option for you would be an all over beard that is well-groomed close to the face. The best way to achieve this look is to let your facial hair grow out for about a month and then trim it down using a beard trimmer. The hair should be about ¼ inch long and no more than ½ inch in length. Also when doing this type of beard, a cleanly shaven neck is appropriate.

Rectangular/Oblong faces are up next. An example I enjoy looking at is Ben Affleck. You would look great with the 5 o’clock shadow look. This beard is the easiest to maintain, which is why I rock this type of beard. Let your beard grow for a week and trim it down using your beard trimmers every two to three days. This is also perfect for us folically-challenged men. The 5 o’clock shadow will make your face look less angular and your receding hairline less noticeable.

The last face shape we will be talking about is the diamond. To create the appearance of an oval shaped face, having sideburns and an all over the face beard will help. With this shape you can have thicker, bushier sideburns and well groomed all over beard. Your beard can be a little longer.

This would be about a month to six weeks worth of hair growth.

As with the hair on our head, we need to take care of our facial hair. A great facial cleanser for men with beards is a product called Kalamazoo by LUSH. A blend of citrus oils will clean your face, as well it will keep your beard feeling soft and touchable. Another great product is Beard Lube by Jack Black. It is a pre shave oil shave cream and skin treatment all in one! Perfect for guys who do not like to use a lot of different products. And for those of you prone to razor bumps or with sensitive skin, try using Nivea sensitive post shave balm.

With Vitamin E and chamomile your skin will be noticeably improved and your razor burn relieved.

Now if all of this is confusing or you need some help achieving any of these looks, please consult with your hairstylist or barber. Also, most of the Art of Shaving locations have a barber spa in them, where you can get your beard perfectly coiffed.

Remember, it is just hair. It grows back, and can be shaved off. So don’t be afraid of trying one of the fore mentioned looks. Maybe by next Christmas the only beard at your holiday dinner will be on your face. Or maybe somewhere else if Santa brings you what you really want. WOOF!

Joe Phillips career spans professionally over 35 years. He began drawing comics of Speed Racer and painting Interview with the Vampire. Joe worked for DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Wildstorm and IDW comics on nearly every major character. He also created hundreds of trading cards for Marvel Masterpiece and DC comics along with game companies.

Joe created his independent comic The Heretic as well as his signature Joe Boys for calendars and coffee table picture books.

Some of his career highlights include national campaigns for Bud Light and illustrating the 3rd edition of The Joy of Gay Sex for Random House.

HDM: Your artwork exudes joy to so many in the LGBTQA+ community. What do you attribute that special quality of your artwork to?

JP: When I was younger, my favorite artist was Norman Rockwell, and I always love the attention to the average every day slices of life that he would create, and I wanted to have those with gay characters in them, so that was my inspiration.

HDM: You are a very prolific artist. How many pieces of art would you say you create a week?

JP: It fluctuates on the week, sometimes I can do as many as 7 to 10 pieces.

It depends on how complicated they are but I have a lot of reference and I do

of sketching pretty much. I carry a sketchbook with me all the time, so I’m always drawing when I’m just sitting around waiting for waiters or in the car or on a trip.

HDM: What is your favorite subject matter to illustrate?

JP: Normally whatever pays the most LOL, but I like to draw joy over anything else.

HDM: Do you still do commission work?

JP: Yes. I’m very happy to do commission work.

HDM: How do fans of your purchase original pieces or colored prints?

JP: They can contact me through social media or from my website which is joephillips.com, or they can contact me on my other website which is called witchboys.com.

HDM: What’s next in the amazing world of Joe Phillips?

JP: I’m working on several projects. One of them is my graphic novel, called Snow White, a horror tale, which is a really fun project that I will be writing and drawing and I will also be doing some more traditional superhero comics, hopefully for DC or one of the other companies later this year, so it should be a lot of fun 2023 should be a very interesting year.

PHOTOS: Jozef Szekeres

JOE PHILLIPS ARTICLE

The first Barbie Movie teaser trailer has arrived to disrupt our expectations of a movie based on a toy — much like Barbie apparently disrupted the baby doll industry in the late 50s.

Clocking in at just over a minute, Warner Bros.’ movie tease introduces audiences to Margot Robbie’s embodiment of the famous Mattel doll with her towering figure, winning smile and knowing wink. Plot details have been kept secretive — the current IMDb synopsis reads “Barbie lives in Barbie Land and then a story happens” — but the script has been a huge draw around Hollywood. Robbie, whose character made her debut in 1959, told the Hollywood Reporter in 2020 that the film is hoping to subvert expectations.

“We like the things that feel a little left of center,” the Babylon and Amsterdam star said about her production company that took on the project.

“Something like the brand Barbie, the name itself gives people immediately an idea of, ‘Oh, Margot is playing Barbie, I know what that is,’ but our goal is to be like,‘Whatever you’re thinking, we’re going to give you something totally different — the thing you didn’t know you wanted’ … Can we truly honor the brand and the fan base and also surprise people? Because if we can do all that and provoke a thoughtful conversation, then we’re really firing on all cylinders.”

The Barbie Movie is produced by Mattel Films, which gave Gerwig access to the decades-old Barbie archive, Heyday Films and Robbie’s LuckyChap Entertainment banner with Tom Ackerley.

Will Ferrell, who also stars in the movie as Barbie’s brother and C.E.O. of Mattel, has described the forthcoming film as the “ultimate example of high art and low art.”

“It’s a loving homage to the brand and, at the same time, couldn’t be more satirical — just an amazing comment on male patriarchy and women in society and why Barbie’s criticized and yet why every little girl still wants to play with Barbie,” he told Variety last month. “Boy, when I read it, I was like, ‘This is fantastic.’”

ARTICLE BY: N. SAAD

CAPRICORN DATING SEASON You’ll need a grappling hook and a strong set of tethers, as well a GQ style and an impressive résumé, if you want wrap your rope around the Goat Ambitious, sure-footed and tightly focused on reaching the peak, Capricorn is all about success-and you’d better be too.

The most important thing to Capricorn will be that you can be used to get ahead. Name-dropping celebrities you are chummy with, bragging about a new condo, or casually mentioning your latest screenplay deal, will all stir the loins of the Goat. Take care in falsifying your credentials, however, as he’ll be sure to run a background check on you prior to your first scheduled alone time.

Sugar-daddies will pleased to find that Capricorn is ready and waiting to take advantage of your bankroll and position to jump start his own career. Although thrifty in their own bookkeeping, Capricorns love a generous lover and particularly a successful one. If Eros pricked you while you were gazing upon the chiseled features of a muscular goat, plan to double your entertainment budget and start shopping for an interior designer.

Don’t rub it in his face, though, or you’ll have one pissed-off Goat on your hands. While Capricorn craves your success, remember that he primarily wants it so he can shine himself, not merely bask in the glow of your fame.

Capricorns aren’t prone to give up on a good thing, so once he’s suitably impressed with your career potential, you may have a partner for life. But beware messing up on the job; the Goat may skitter off to another mountain if you become unemployed.

If your game plan usually involves a lot of BS, don’t bother trying that on Capricorn-he can smell a phony like a dung on a hilltop, and can be counted on to be direct and straightforward himself. An Earth sign, he will be fiercely protective of anyone who earns his trust, and will be utterly impervious to manipulation.

HOW TO ATTRACT A CAPRICORN

You’ll find Capricorn at financial planning lectures, Real Estate seminars and motivational coaching sessions. Don’t expect Capricorn to pursue fellow attendees, however; he’ll be going after the presenter. If you happen to be an expert in these matters, plan your own event and you’ll have your pick of the litter.

Don’t expect a fawning groupie, however; the Goat is in it to win it, and a slighted Capricorn will not hesitate to butt you down the mountain if he feels you are a threat to him. A loyal enough companion to those who forward his cause, don’t become an obstacle or you may find horn-prints on the seat of your pants.

Under that gruff exterior, Capricorn is sorely in need of affirmation and will brighten up to a genuine compliment. False flattery, however, will get you nowhere, and you won’t find Capricorn responding to a blatant pick-up. Mac-Daddies Beware: the Goat does not like being hunted.

GAY CAPRICORN EROGENOUS ZONES

If your Capricorn complains of a cramp in his leg, you’ve struck gold! Goats go absolutely crazy for a leg massage, so taunt him with an extended thigh rubdown to get him properly rutting. A few tender kisses underneath the knee is guaranteed to get him kicking.

Once unsprung, the Goat is a lusty and selfish lover, almost certain to desire the top position at first. Old-fashioned bucking will be the order of the day, so stock up on lube and call in sick to work tomorrow.

Capricorns tend to disdain overly sexualized relationships, and absolutely abhor being taken advantage of; if your Goat gets a whiff of this, you’ll be rocked off right in the middle of your ride.

A DATE WITH A CAPRICORN

Business dress casual is the norm for a first date with a Capricorn.

Bring your stock portfolio and two forms of ID, tax returns for the past five years, and flowcharts demonstrating your upward mobility.

For a casual date, plan a hiking adventure along steep canyons, rock climbing, or skiing. Capricorns are outdoorsy and competitive; you’ll want to keep up, but not leave him trailing. At night, bring him to a Battle of the Bands or techno music club, as he’s likely to be a great dancer and will love showing off for you.

You’ll probably be paying for the adventure, but fortunately the Goat prizes miserliness as much as success, so you needn’t book an upscale restaurant for your date. Actually, you’re best off suggesting an intimate dinner by candlelight at your place, unless you happen to live in a cramped studio overlooking the train tracks.

Over the years there have been thousands of gay bars across the United States. Most of them are sadly no longer around but the memories survive. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and remember our gay old days!

FT. LAUDERDALE 624 SE 28th Street/2800 S. Federal Hwy The Fort Lauderdale COPA in the 70s & 80s was the premier gay dance club in South Florida, continuing to serve the gay community until 2005. In addition to featuring entertainers like the Village People, Madonna and Donna Summer, the complex offered a large dance floor, state of the art sound and lighting, a game room, a boutique and outdoor patio space. A 1991 raid by the anti-gay local sheriff help inspire local action to end LGBTQA+ harassment and discrimination in South Florida.

The building met its fate in late 2005 when Hurricane Wilma hit South Florida. The iconic dance club never reopened.

KEY WEST COPA 623 Duval Street The Key West COPA in the mid-80s was a huge 1912 theater turned island-style disco inferno. Like its Fort Lauderdale sister, it was known for its stellar entertainment. Performers like Divine, Grace Jones and Sylvester graced their stage and enthusiastic crowds packed the bar. They had elaborate theme parties and contests, fabulous drag shows and dancing. The Garden Bar was another popular feature. Sexy bartenders served up stiff cocktails and friendly smiles to the revelers. The COPA was THE place to see & be seen. What a way to go! The bar’s high-energy vibe was snuffed out by a suspicious fire in 1995. Flames erupted as the music thumped while firefighters doused the blaze! Fortunately no one was seriously injured.

Copa Key West BartenderJohn McMarlin with Divine

FIRE ISLAND - Cherry Grove According to the PinesHistory.org,“Like a shooting star The Copa nightclub arrived in Cherry Grove and lit up the night.” Built on the former site of the Sea Shack, it was in direct competition with the legendary Ice Palace. The concept was the same as the Florida locations but it never had a chance to prove itself.

After a fabulous first season, the COPA in Cherry Grove was completely destroyed by a mysterious fire in 1981. No one was ever charged or convicted.

All three locations were established by John Castelli and Bill Bastiansen and showcased many extremely talented and popular local entertainers as well.

Grace Jones at The Copa in Cherry Grove. Photo: PinesHistory.org