on the inside
Central Florida Edition June 2017
Interview with Goldie Hawn & Amy Schumer A fun conversation with firecracker comic and national gay-loved treasure icon who revealed she used to comfort men with AIDS.
content: • • • • •
From the Editor What’s Hot Central Florida Queens We Love Genre Latino Hit List Hotspots Hotties
• • • • • • • •
Gay Disney 2017 One Love Cory Beetley One Mother’s Story Bliss Cares Tampa Bay Rays Polk Pride Queer Rock Opera
this month’s features:
hot shots •Out of The Closet St Pete •Harvey Milk Festival •Diversity Honors Orlando •Club Metro Wellness •Pride & Passion
What’s HOT ...everything you need to plan your month
hot shots
Metro Wellness Tampa
photos by tony fowler & brett yander (orlando)
The Center’s Diversity Honors Orlando
27TH ANNUAL GAY DISNEY
WEEK ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE
I
I can’t believe it’s almost been a year since Gay Disney 2016. Every year it’s a weekend filled with fun, mayhem and fond memories. If you haven’t been, I recommend you experience it, and if you have been go back! After all, it’s in our sister city of Orlando, just a few hours’ drive away. Here are the DJs and singers and entertainers you’ll get to see during Gay Disney Week, which runs this year from May 30 - June 5.
Pool Parties OFFICIAL GAY DAYS POOL PARTIES AT THE DOUBLETREE
GayDays Orlando is well-known for the daily pool parties which are held at the Official GayDays host hotel, the Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld. There are two pool parties, the “Midway Pool Party”, held at the main lagoon pool, and the “Arena Pool Party”, held near the bear wing of the hotel. GayDays is proud to host over 30 DJ’s from all over with 5
Days and 5 Nights of pool parties. The pool parties at “The Midway Pool” start on Wednesday, May 31 at 12Noon with DJ Tex Flex, switching over at 5p.m. to DJ Frank-O and closing out the evening at 10p.m. with DJ Chris Adams. The next day is titled as “Freakshow,” Thursday, June 1, with DJ Aracely Manterola 10a.m. – 4p.m., DJ Luke Hampel 4p.m. – 10p.m., and Pumpkin Spice 10p.m. – 3a.m. Friday, June 2 debut’s the all new bear themed pool party called, “Bear Watch” with DJ Chomper 10a.m.- 4p.m., DJ DeGiacinto 4p.m. – 10p.m., and DJ Alex Ferbeyre 10p.m. – 3a.m.. On Saturday, June 3 gear up for “Illumin8” starting with DJ Nancy Starr 10 a.m. – 4p.m., DJ Joe Ross 4PM – 10PM, and the evening headliner, DJ ChiChi LaRue 10p.m.- 3a.m. with performances by recording artist’s Malka Red, Blush, & FHB. The closing party on Sunday, June 4 “Therapeutic Sundaze” will be headlined by DJ Hector Fonseca 10p.m. – 3a.m., and DJ Joe Ross 10a.m. – 4p.m. and DJ Tristan Jaxx 4p.m. – 10p.m.
The “Arena Pool Parties” start on Thursday, June 1 with a DJ lineup of DJ Matt Effect 10a.m. – 4p.m., DJ Chris Tavi 4p.m. – 10p.m., and DJ Amy Alderman 10p.m. – 3a.m. On Friday, June 2, DJ Sushiman 10a.m. – 4p.m., DJ J Warren 4p.m. – 10p.m., and DJ Jack Reina 10p.m. –3a.m. Saturday, June 3 the DJ lineup consists of DJ Chris Adams 10a.m. – 4p.m., DJ Alex Ferbeyre 4p.m. – 10p.m. and DJ Chomper 10p.m. – 3a.m. Finally, the last day of pool parties Sunday, June 4 will feature music spun by DJ DeGiacinto 10a.m. – 4p.m., and then switching over to onePULSE’s Tea Dance with Pulse Nightclub DJ Flawless 4p.m. – 10p.m. and DJ Infinite 10p.m. – 3a.m. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to: GayDays.com
Riptide
Friday June 2nd
ONE MAGICAL WEEKEND at Walt Disney World® Resorts
One Magical Weekend will be set up at the B Resort and Spa for the third year in a row. In addition to the daily Therapy pool parties (11 a.m. to 6 p.m…. Sunday to 8pm)) and the signature events (Riptide at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Waterpark, the Main Event Red Vol 2 at Disney Springs House of Blues), there will also be daily after-hours parties called Cadabra at Old Town. Those parties will be held from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. (Sunday starts at 10pm) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The DJs for the Therapy pool parties on Friday are Edil Hernandez and Ben Baker. On Saturday, DJs JB Burgos and Guy Scheiman and Sunday features DJs Manny Lehman and Bio Zounds, the NEXUS Radio DJ Contest Winner. Riptide will be held at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Waterpark on Friday, June 2 from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. DJs Mike Cruz and Shane Stiel will be DJing this signature event. The Main Event will be held at Disney Springs House of Blues from 9 p.m. to 2 am. on Saturday, June 3. DJs Paulo and Dj Deanne will headline the event. Cadabra’s after-hours parties at Old Town begin on Friday late night with DJs Twisted Dee and Martin Fry. Saturday’s parties will be headlined by DJs Ivan Gomez and Nacho Chapado. Sunday night’s DJ lineup consists of DJs Power Infiniti and Oscar Velazquez (and starts early at 10pm and goes to 6 am). Don’t forget to stay at the Official OMW Host Hotel – The B Resort & Spa on Disney property. Tickets, VIP packages and hotel rooms can be purchased directly through the One Magical Weekend website. Visit onemagicalweekend.com for more information.
Macy Gray Saturday June 3rd
PARLIAMENT HOUSE
Parliament House will be inviting four different entertainers to perform during Gay Disney Week. The first one can be seen on Friday, June 2: Debbie Gibson live in concert singing her iconic hits: “Only in My Dreams,” “Shake your Love,” “Foolish Beat,” and more. On Saturday, June 3, they present the one and only Macy Gray live in concert singing her hits: “I Try,” “Sweet Baby,” “When I See You,” and more On Sunday, June 4 they present Keri Hilson live and in concert singing her hits: “Pretty Girl Rock,” “Knock You Down,” “Turnin’ Me On,” and more. On Friday and Saturday, June 2 and 3, Tim Evanicki productions presents CoCo Peru in “The Tamiong Of The Tension: An Epic Quest” at the Footlight Theatre at 8pm. Tickets are $35 ($40 at the door) and can be purchased at Phouse. Ticketleap.com All weekend long the Parliament House will feature the world famous Footlight Players at 10pm and 12am (Darcel Stevens, Shantell DMarco, Jazell Barbie Royale and Sonique) DJs Brianna and Scott Robert along with Adult film stars and Foam parties. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to: ParliamentHouse.com Tickets for all three of these acts can be purchased in advance by going to parliamenthouse.com.
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HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
ORLANDO REMEMBERS One year later, tribute event honors Pulse victims
A
An event to honor the lives of those taken during the Pulse nightclub tragedy a year ago, entitled “Orlando Love: Remembering Our Angels,” will take place at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando on June 12 at 7 p.m. The uplifting event, which is being produced with the assistance of Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan’s office, joins other events throughout the day as part of “Orlando United Day — a Day of Love and Kindness.” “What happened at Pulse was the darkest day in our city’s history, and we continue to grieve for the victims and fight for those who are still suffering,” said Sheehan. “This June 12, our entire LGBTQ community and our allies need to stand together and continue to show that we are a strong, united city that responds with love.” The tribute event will feature performances from Orlando-based groups and well-known artists on the amphitheater stage. Olga Tañón, a renowned Puerto Rican Grammy award-winning pop singer, who has been described as the “Queen of Merengue” will join the DanceIt Dance Studio Ballroom Dancers to perform “Hallelujah.” Central Florida native Sisaundra Lewis, a semi-finalist in season 6 of NBC’s The Voice, will sing and dedicate her song “Applause” to those who were at Pulse. The Orlando Voices United Choir reunites after their heart-stirring appearance at last year’s From Broadway With Love To Orlando benefit concert. Rounding out the tribute are performances by the Orlando Gay Chorus, violinist Jose Luis Navarro, The Venue’s Blue Star, actress Peg O’Keef, the CFCA Choral Group, the Orlando Firefighters Pipes and Drums and the Pipes and Drums of the
Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The program — to be emceed by WFTV anchors Jorge Estevez and Nancy Alvarez — will include brief introductory remarks by Commissioner Sheehan as well as First Baptist Orlando Pastor Israel Martin, Orlando City Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Pulse Nightclub owner Barbara Poma. Beyond the events taking place on stage, attendees will have the opportunity to view artwork related to Pulse, at the Washington Square Plaza section of Lake Eola Park. Artists including Michael Pilato, designer of numerous murals around the city, will be available to discuss their works. In connection with the homegrown movement “Acts of Love and Kindness” which inspires and encourages participants to take action in the community, a volunteer fair will help unite over 20 local LGBTQ+ organizations with prospective volunteers. Beginning at 5 p.m. attendees can visit the area located just north of Washington Square Plaza to learn about various opportunities and important ways to lend assistance. Finally, the Orlando Angel Force — a group comprising 49 individuals bearing angel wings — will have a presence throughout the event. The Angel Force is organized by the GLBT Center of Central Florida and has been a symbol of hope and compassion during numerous events and gatherings throughout Orlando. Orlando Love — Remembering Our Angels is being produced by local volunteers and is supported entirely through donations. For more information and updates please visit https://www.facebook.com/PulseAngels/ or www. orlandounitedday.com/#lakeEola.
Hotspots Central Florida
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hot shots photos by tony fowler
Pride & Passion’s Cirque de Mascarade Tampa
what’s hot everything you need to know
to plan your month
H
Hello, Hotspots Central readers! Welcome once again to the What's Hot column, where we keep you in the loop with lots of important nightlife events in Tampa Bay, Orlando, and points in between. We're also your connection to many activities and events organized by local LGBT service organizations and chambers of commerce. Want to know What's Hot in June? Read moreandfindout!
Thursday, June 1 It’s Gay Disney Weekend and lots of events happening: Gay Days, OneMagicalWeekend,andallthe events happening around Orlando…readon: Southern Nights Orlando presents “The Days of Gays” tonight and tomorrow where they invite everyone to stay local, drink local and pay local, with some great shows. Tonight catch Axel Andrews, Roxxxy Andrews,
Kai'ja Adonis and Mrms Adriend, and tomorrow, Roxxxy is back along with Maya Andrews, Tasha Long, Chevelle Brooks and Sassy Devine. Finding Neverland comes to 2 locations in Central Florida. This is the breathtaking smash that “captures the kid-at-heart” (Time Magazine). Vogue cheers, "it's a must-see you'll remember for years to come!” Directed by visionary Tony winner Diane Paulus, Finding Neverland tells the incredible story behind one of the world's most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright
J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys' enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. Catch Finding Neverland at the Straz Center in the Carol Morsani Hall throughJune4whereticketsstart
at$31atStrazCenter.organdthen at the Dr Phillips Center inside the Walt Disney Theater from June 611 where tickets start at $33.75 (DrPhillipsCenter.org).
Friday, June 2 As part of Gay Disney weekend the Parliament House always features top notch entertainment and this year is no exception as tonight they feature Debbie Gibson live and in concert singing her hits: “Only in My Dreams,”
tophatsandcapes,promisingfull frontalillusions. Goodmagicians don't need sleeves and great magiciansdon'tneedpants. This show proves just that. They will be performing tonight and tomorrow, June 3rd at Ferguson Hall at the Straz Ccenter where tickets start at $35 (StrazCenter.org). Price Level 1 tickets include a premium seat and a post-show meet and greet withthemagicians.
You,” and more. The entire weekend will also feature DJs Brianna and Scott Robert as well as a Foam Party and Adult Film Stars. Don't miss the three biggest days in the industry when the worldwide beauty industry gathers in Orlando, Florida from today until June 5, for the Premiere Orlando Tradeshow. Premiere Orlando & Premiere DAYSPA are open exclusively to
Saturday, June 3
“Shake your Love,” “Foolish Beat,” and more. The entire weekend will also feature DJs Brianna and Scott Robert as well as a Foam PartyandAdultFilmStars. The Naked Magicians returns to The Straz! The show features magic, mirth and more than a touch of mayhem as these two hot and hilarious magicians say abracadabra and take magic to a whole new level. Left without sleeves or pockets, the Naked Magician's (Mike Tyler and Christopher Wayne) saucy magic is baffling and entertaining, bringing a new meaning to “now you see it.” This boisterous Rrated magic show, strips away the
Stonewall Bar Orlando presents Sideshow! With the Stonewall Starlettes. This is a Gay Days Celebration and features 2 shows at 9:30pm and 11pm with special guest Sierrah Fox (Miss Florida F.I. at Large 1994). NoCover! In a Gay Daze, Barcodes Orlando invites everyone to their “Blacklight Glow Party” featuring raffles and prizes throughout the night. Never a cover and always freeparking. Continuing their weekend of entertainers, The Parliament House features Macy Gray live and in concert singing her hits: “I Try,” “Sweet Baby,” “When I See
members of the professional beauty industry and not open to the general public. No family, friends or anyone under the age of 16, including infants will be permitted. Verification of credentials is required for all a t t e n d e e s . premiereorlandoshow.biz
Sunday, June 4 Continuing their weekend of entertainers, The Parliament House features Keri Hilson live and in concert singing her hits: “Pretty Girl Rock,” “Knock You
Down,” “Turnin' Me On,” and more. The entire weekend will also feature DJs Brianna and Scott Robert as well as a Foam PartyandAdultFilmStars.
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Wednesday, June 7 Join The Tampa bay Diversity Chamber of Commerce presents their annual luncheon at the Tampa Club (101 E Kennedy Blvd #4200). Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn will be addressing attendees. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with business leaders from across the Tampa Bay area. Event is from 11:30a.m. to1p.m. andthecostis $35 for member and $50 for nonmembers. To register go to: DiversityTampaBay.com
Thursday, June 15 Prestige Pride, Carnival Cruise Line, Florida Cane Distillery and Hotspots Media present the monthly Hotspots Out For
GLAAD Award-nominated for her breakout Netflix documentary Tig, Notaro's riotous take on some of life's most don't-talkabout-it topics makes her beloved by audiences around the world. Tickets start at $27.50 at StrazCenter.org. For more information, visit: Tignotaro.com.
Saturday, June 17
Business Networker/Mixer at Franklin Manor (912 N. Franklin Street, Tampa) from 6:30p.m. to 8:30p.m. For more information, g o t o HotspotsCentral.LGBT/Outforb usiness.
The WBFF ORLANDO Fashion and Model Spectacular takes place at the Dr. Phillips Center inside the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater at 5pm. Go and be mesmerized by some of the most beautiful models in the world as they takethestage. This is a show of glitz and glamor that will excite
famed and remarkable career spanning almost five decades has resulted with major awards and accolades and music history milestones. Diana Ross is a consummate performer as well as one of the most iconic female singers of all time and one of the most prominent women in popular music history and pop culture of the late 20th century. AsleadsingerofTheSupremes,in the 60s, Diana Ross helped shape the sound of popular music, changing the landscape and paved way for contemporary music. Her love of life, neverending wonder, theappreciation of goals and achievements and sheer human spirit define the artist that is Diana Ross and continue to make her one of the most identifiable, unique, beloved and influential singers of successive pop generations. Catch Miss Ross at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater tonight at 8pm
Friday, June 16 TigNotarowillbeperformingat Ferguson Hall at the Straz Center at 8pm. One of Rolling Stone's 50 best stand-up comics of all time, the sensational Tig Notaro is currently best known for her starring role on the semiautobiographical Amazon hit series One Mississippi, which she also writes and produces. EmmyÂŽ and GrammyÂŽnominated for her HBO special Boyish Girl Interrupted and
the senses. An event like no other for all audiences, and is the only show of its kind worldwide. Tickets start at $73.75 at DrPhillipsCenter.org
Wednesday, June 21 Diana Ross: In The Name Of Love Tour with special guest Rhonda Ross makes 3 stops in Central Florida. Diana Ross'
with tickets starting at $67.50 (Rutheckerdhall.com). On Friday, June 23, she will be performing at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota at 8pm, where tickets start at $86 (VanWezel.org), and then you canc catch her in Orlando at the
Dr. Phillips Center on Tuesday, June 2127 at 7:30pm where tickets start at $49.50 (DrPhillipsCenter.org)
Friday, June 23 The 15th annual St Pete Pride Weekend starts today and goes all weekend long. Due to our advertisers request (we always listen to them) out July edition
up next months edition as your resource guide for everythign St Pete Pride. In the meantime if you want to know more information, goto:StpetePride.com. An Evening of song with Leslie Odom Jr. takes place at Ferguson Hall at the Straz Center
at 7pm. Direct from his Tonywinning role as Aaron Burr in Broadway'shottesthit,Hamilton, Leslie Odom, Jr. appears in this s o l o c o n c e r t fo r o n e performance only. His self-titled album dropped in June 2016 to wild critical and popular acclaim, launching an exclusive tour of his original works and beloved jazz standards. Tickets start at $35.50atStrazCenter.org
Sunday, June 25
will come out early and hit the streets on Thursday, June 22, and will have a huge section dedicatedtoStPetePride,sopick
Miracle of Love, Inc. presents an Orlando Pub Prance benefit to raise much needed funds. The event will take place from 2p.m. to 10p.m. and your wristband gets you incredible specials all day long. You can purchase your tickets online for only $15 ($20 d a y o f ) a t OrlandoPubPrance.com
Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
queens we
by scott holland photos by keisha
W
What was the first drag show you saw? Tell us about the experience… The first drag show that I saw was actually a pageant called “Miss Liberty Vouge” in Jacksonville, Florida. I was probably about 16 or 17 years old. I was truly amazed at the costumes andtheleveloftalent. Somefriendsofminewent andIwasabletosneakintowatch.
When did you decide you wanted to do drag and when did you realize it would be a profession? I saw a video of Sierra Foxxx, and it made me want to do drag. So I decided to try and do every talent show that I could. I realized from doing the talent shows that even if I didn't win, I still made tips. That's when I knew I could make a profession out of it. Those tips provided lunchmoneyfortheweekatschool.
Who is your drag mother and who is your favorite queen other than your dragmother-andwhy? My friends and I were too young to get into the clubs, so we would go to Krystals and hang out. Everyone would go there after going to 3D and other clubs in Jacksonville. One night I saw this beautiful girl with a red gown on; it was Stasha Sanchez, who became my drag mother. My favorite entertainer besides my drag mom is TamishaIman.
Angelica
Sanchez Miss Florida F.I. at Large is a Pulse survivor and a queen who is blessed
makes me different because I don't take things for grantedanymore. R.I.P. tothe49. Orlandostrong!
ueens we
Why We Love Her!
What does the future hold for you? I thank God to be able to have a future ahead of me. Right now, my future is making sure that I'm the best Miss Florida F.I. at Large that I can be! I'm so blessed to beapartofthisgreatfamily.
You can catch Angelica performing at the Parliament House on Tuesday nights and Southern Nights. Now that she is Miss Florida F.I. at Large, you can catch her performing at Boardwalk and around South Florida regularly. She will also be performing at the Boardwalk in Fort Lauderdale from time to time.
She is a multi-national title holder, but very down to earth.
She does Beyoncé like no one else!
She won Miss Florida F.I. at Large on her first try.
She is a survivor of the Pulse massacre and helped some of the other entertainers escape.
What's your favorite number to perform and why? My favorite number to perform is “Me, Myself, and I” byBeyoncé.
What's the best thing that has happened to youindrag? The best thing that happened to me in drag… the wonderful people I've met! I've been blessed to accomplish so much, but I couldn't have done it without all of the wonderful friends, my drag family, andthefansI'vemetfromdoingdrag.
What differentiates you from other queens? What makes you unique?
“...my future is making sure that I'm the best Miss Florida F.I. at Large that I can be!”
What's different about me is the experiences I've been through. I was blessed to call Pulse my home, in Orlando. Surviving the incident on June 12th
Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
Make one of our homes yours. Upscale and chic, yet earthy and comfortable, Brookview at Citrus Park offers the best of all worlds.
brookviewatcitruspark.com 813-400-2562
THE RISE, AND RISE, OF
CORY BEETLEY By Scott Holland
“
These diverse experiences have helped to provide me with the tools necessary to make a difference in each of my client’s lives, which has always been of highest importance to me.
Q: What made you want to be a lawyer? A: Since I can remember I have always loved being able to help others, and becoming a lawyer felt to me like the best way to be able to do that. Q: While in law school what did you do when you were not in class? A: I spent my time gaining legal experience as an intern and volunteering within the community and the law school. I was the president of the school’s Students for Equality organization, a representative for the Student Bar Association, and volunteered with numerous other organizations at the school. Additionally, I interned and provided pro bono work for the Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, helping to provide legal services for individuals in various areas of law. Q: Was law school everything you expected? A: Yes! Law school was certainly a lot of work, but having a passion for it made the challenges exciting.
“
C
Cory Beetley graduated with honors from the University of Central Florida where he earned his bachelor of arts in political science and pre-Law with a minor in legal studies. While obtaining his undergraduate education he worked and interned in various law firms throughout Tampa and Orlando. He then made the decision to attend law school, and successfully graduated with his Juris Doctor degree from Barry University – Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law in Orlando. Hotspots Central caught up with Cory for this interview:
Q: What did you do after graduating law school? A: After earning my license to practice law in Florida and New Jersey, I continued to advocate for the community as an assistant public defender in Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit. I spent much of my educational and professional career being an advocate for those without a voice, the underprivileged, and my community. These diverse experiences have helped to provide me with the tools necessary to make a difference in each of my client’s lives, which has always been of highest importance to me. Q: When did you open your practice, Beetley Law? A: I opened my practice a little under a year ago. Q: What kinds of Law do you Practice? A: Business law, from simple everyday contracts to starting your own business, Real Estate and Property and Family Law. Starting a family is a wonderful event to occur in anyone’s life. We can assist you with your family matters.
Cory Beetley can be reached at (855) 538-2338.
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Blending a familiar feeling of community, with a fresh sense of freedom and opportunity. At The Nolen, it’s all part of the plan. Make Clearwater’s hippest address your own.
thenolen.com • 727-308-4169
Love where you live.
Skyline Fifth. On the corner of hip and cool.
skylinefifthapartments.com 727.327.1444
by brett yancey
O
OnJune12th,Christine Leinonen gotthe news that no parent should ever have to receive. Her son, Christopher Andrew Leinonen, and his partner, Juan Ramon Guerrero, were among those killed at Pulse nightclub. As the one-year anniversary of the horrific Pulse tragedy approaches, Christine sat down with Hotspots to talk about that night, the loss of her son and how the biggest mass shooting attack in U.S. historyhaschangednotonly"TheCity Beautiful"butherworld.
Christine, how are you coping with your loss? I am coping with losing my only dear son, Christopher, by doing things that give me meaning and purpose. Of course, I grieve, lightly at times and other times with great difficulty. With the horrific nature, however, sometimes I simply have to be in a state of denial. The pain that the reality of myson'sdeathispotentiallysosevere,thattocope means to distract or busy myself. It's hard to comprehend the level of evil it took for one person to kill and injure so many, so deliberately. But for the most part, I try to turn my son's energy into good works. By doing that I'm turning the grief into good. I've been speaking out to give my son, whose voice was silenced, a voice. I have not only been a
gay-rights advocate, but an activist. Being a part of theDruProject.org has been tremendously helpful in my gay activism. I’ve also become a gun safety advocate. I've been speaking out in favor of common-sensegunprotections.
One year later, what is your perspective of this tragedy? One year later, I am very proud of the victims, families of victims, and friends of victims, who have turned our tragedy in a mission to not only survive, but to thrive in defiance of the evil. Some are going back to school for new careers, some are becoming political, some are becoming voices with various media, some are starting non-profits, some are becoming religiously active, writing books, getting tattoos, writing songs/raps. [There are] many different ways to heal. However, the pain is still there. The reality that my son will not see the new Disney Star Wars movie, or go to the ride at Magic Kingdom, or get married, or laugh or dance ever, ever again, is heartbreaking. During those times, I cry, or just rest and relax and feel the pain, then move forward, once that feeling passes. I know at the end of that pain, is a rainbow, and beyond that rainbow is a pot of gold. The feelings I get when I work through the grief are pretty wonderful. I get to see how it's very probable that there will not be 284 victims and their loved ones in sadness, but 284 victims and their loved ones full of success and a renewed vigor for life. The killer
“I know at the end of that pain, is a rainbow, and beyond that rainbow is a pot of gold. The feelings I get when I work through the grief are pretty wonderful.”
succeeded in our loss of 49 loved ones and I want to do whatever I can to insure that no one else is lost as aresultofhisevil.
If you could ask one question to the killer of these innocent lives, including your son's, what would it be? I don't have anything to say to the killer. I don't think it's even a good idea to address him in any fashion. Many of these mass shootings are a result of giving the killers notoriety. That's what they want… attention, saying their name, becoming infamous. Even my son's killer mentioned the Boston Bomber when he was on the phone with the police. That makes it clear that he was seeking that same notoriety. I've adopted the Aurora victims' loved ones position and I don't address the killer in any way, shape or form. I don't want to see any other familiesgothroughthepainoflosingtheirlovedone in a mass shooting because that future shooter was tryingtoemulatethePulseshooter.
How well has Orlando handled this tragedy in terms of response and support? The businesses of Orlando have been the best, most generous, kindest possible. Starting with the Baldwin Funeral Home that was so protective and giving my son and his friends a respectful, safe space to show their last respects. St. Luke's in downtown Orlando, again so beautiful and protective space for our services. The parishioners all came out to volunteer to make sure my son's
services were second-to-none. Then, you can't say enough about Disney, Olive Garden, Starbucks and JetBlue, just to name a few of the big companies who came out in force to donate to the victims and their families. It was awesome! Whenever people ask me about how they can give I always say, instead of giving to a charity that may or may not be legitimate, just take your grandma to Olive Garden, or buy your kids Disney toys, or go to Disney World, buy your neighbor a cup of coffee, or fly JetBlue. Just patronize the businesses that give back during a community tragedy, get a great product and let the companies donatewhenneeded.
There are children out there who have been abandoned by their parents--rejected and cast out--because they are LGBT. You embraced your gay child! What words would yousaytoparentswhodiscovertheirchildrenaregay? To think there are parents in this world who don't love their children exactly as they are is heartbreaking. The best advice I could give any parent is to love your child, period. They will grow up to be adults one day, and I can assure you, that if you live long enough, you will regret it if you did not provide your child with a safe and loving home… especially, if their personality is a little spicy, because they are gay or creative, or special, you will love them even more when they are young adults. The last couple of years of Christopher's life I told him while I loved him as a child, and as a gay child, I grew to love him even more as an
Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
“The gay community has activated not just to provide a safe gay area, or align with straight allies, but to demand protection...We are moving forward, with or without our governments.”
adult. Instead of the boring adult children of some of my friends, I had this vibrant, interesting, goofy, greatkid. Hewasspicy!
What has been the response to the Dru Project you have received? The Dru Project (thedruproject.org) has been growingandgrowingandhasbecomethis beautiful tribute and legacy of a great human being. Chris was kind, inclusive, giving, caring and fun. That's the meaning of the Dru Project. It exemplifies his spirit. We hope to set up a role model Gay-Straight Alliance that can be replicated statewide or nationwide and pass through any school board's scrutiny. And we are giving the first $1000.00 scholarship at our Launch Party at the Abbey on June 11, 2017, from 6-midnight. So, we will not only have a model to use for any other school wishing to start up a GSA, we will be giving scholarships twice a year to students who are either gay or straight, but are inclusive designed. We know that high schools that have clubs like a GSA have zero teenage suicides! Teenagers need a place to fit in as they are growing from being children to adults. And they are all growing into a newworldofsexuality. Theworsethingwecoulddo is to make them feel weird. So, the solution is to accept all and let them all feel like they are not only accepted,butlovedandsafe.
Besides the Dru Project, can you name some good that has come out of this terrible tragedy? Not just in Orlando but all over? Lots of good has come out of this tragedy. The gay community has activated not just to provide a safe gay area, or align with straight allies, but to demand protection. Our resistance, shown across the globe, is telling the world that we, as a people, will not go back. We are moving forward, with or without our governments. That we, the people of the world, own this planet. And we decide our rules and how we want our futures to evolve. It's impressive to watch how activeeveryonehasbecome.
You have accomplished so much in this past year…speaking at the Democratic National Committee, confronting Marco Rubio at a town hall discussion, the creation of the Dru Project… Do you think your son would be proud? My son would be mind-blown at everything that has happened since his death. Speaking about him at the DNC, when before he died, he remarked to a friend at a gay wedding that he wondered if his mom, who he had never seen done any public speaking, would be able to give a toast to him at his own wedding. Or for him to learnthathisownselfiedoodles,endinguponhisshirt design with his image in the Love Is Love comic book, inthemiddleofsuperheroes!
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by chris azzopardi
“We're serious bitches too,” says Amy Schumer, nearly in tears. The comic firecracker is seated next to national gay-loved treasure Goldie Hawn, and the screen icon has just made a touchingrevelation:SheusedtocomfortmendyingofAIDS. Perhaps that isn't the kind of heartwarming reveal you'd expect during a sit-down for their action-comedy, Snatched, but as this onscreen mom-daughter duo joke about a potential gaythemed sequel (the ladies already have several queer-centric working titles; for Schumer, the jokewritesitself),it'sclearnothingisofftopic. They'rejusthappytobeherespeakingtogaypress, whichhasSchumer“veryelated.”
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“This will be our favorite interview of the day,” the 35year-old raves from a hotel bungalow in Santa Monica. Beaming,Hawnsharesherenthusiasm:“Itwillbe!” “Snatched” is Hawn's first movie since 2002's The Banger Sisters. But donning a signature frilly, shoulder-less, royal blue dress, it seems like just yesterday the 71-year-old's frothy charm enraptured gay audiences on Laugh-In in the late '60s, and later, in 1996's First Wives Club and, of course, DeathBecomesHer,in1992. “It's fun doing press with her,” says Schumer, as Hawn, en route, recharges at the hotel's nearby buffet line before breezing in. “It's also relaxing, because she's like a mom – you'll ask her something, and you'll be looking for a sound bite and then we're out of time andI'mlike,'OK,cool. Goodjob.'” Before being snatched up for their next interview, HawnandSchumergotrealabouttheirrespectivegay followings, how Hawn thinks Schumer still has time to pursuealesbianrelationshipandtheircommitmentto “fighttothedeath”forLGBTpeople. Why has it been important to you both to advocate for the LGBT community, especially now, in this political climate? Schumer: I can't remember a time I didn't. When I was in high school, people weren't really out yet. I think it's more now. It was a different time even then, but it was never a question. It was never a choice. It was, “Yeah,ofcourse.” Hawn: Being an ally for LGBT people and an ally for all people, transgender or whatever – to me, that's a human story. I feel there are injustices in the world that I'll stand up for, and I think that it's important to realize that the world is filled with these kinds of issues. We're dealing with intolerance and what's going on with deportation and what's happening with Mexicans and what's happening with people who are Muslim. There are so many things, and if you can't stand up for it, then you're not standing up for humankind. Because that's who we are. We all have skin and blood, and we're all made of the same things. I have a note that I will probably needlepoint one day: “Love knows no gender.” And it doesn't. Love is something in the heart and in the mind, so
why would you chastise anyone for that? And this is somethingthatIfeelverystronglyabout. Schumer: Also, we're both people who will stand up to the death for our gay friends and gay people and what's going on in Chechnya and the fear of what will happen in the coming years. We'll be there to fight alongsideourgayfriends. Hawn: You know what I used to do? This is interesting. When we went through the AIDS period, it was a very scary time, and I would go visit guys and I'd get in bed withthemjusttobetherewiththem. Schumer: Comeon,thinkaboutthat. Hawn: Oh,Ijustremember. Schumer: Aw,Goldie. Andgreat– nowwe'reallcrying. Amy, on behalf of gays everywhere, thank you for being instrumental in bringing Goldie back to the big screen. Hawn: Awwww! Schumer: You'rewelcome! Hawn: Ohmygod,sosweet. You were missed, Goldie. Schumer: Dude, yeah. I completely agree, and I feel the sameway. Ijuststayedonher,andwedidittogether. Hawn: You were the one, I gotta tell you. It really was Amy. When in your career did you two first know you had a big gay following? Hawn: Gosh,honey,thisisalongtimeago. IthinkwhenI first came on – it started then. The early days. There wasn't a moment in my career, never a moment. I was a dancer, and I grew up and that's who I was. There was no issue. I mean, I had a tremendous amount of gay friends, so my whole life was basically like that while dancing. So, I never noticed who was gay or who wasstraight. Forme,itwaslikethat. Now, later on, you started seeing more, maybe excitement, around it. But I'll tell you, I don't pay much attention. You can't pay too much attention to those thingsandliveafulllife. Itcan'tbejustaboutthat. So,I don't pay a lot of attention to things. I have a little bit ofblinderson. Schumer: I've been on the road for 15 years. What I would do after shows is go dance at gay bars, and I started noticing, because even the worst towns have
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a fun gay bar, people being like, “Wewereattheshow.”Iremember itwasarealizationformegoingon the road. And I've had a bunch of gay couples say, “I wanna propose at your show,” and I get really psyched! Ha! You're like, “Yes!” Not because, “Oh, good, that's a market”; it's like, that's who you want to love you. I feel really grateful and lucky, and the loveismutual. Hawn: A really good friend of mine, who is gay, married her girlfriend and they wanted to get married in my house. All our friends were there, and it was the most beautiful thing. It was just so emotional, and (my son) Oliver, whois40now– atthattimehewas about 20-something – basically went, “Mom, I want a gay marriage!” Ha! I was like, “I know! It'ssobeautiful.” Schumer: I'm always walking around in every town I'm in and I'll find a park, and there are always people having their engagement pictures. I'm like, “Can I be in this photo?”Iwantinonthefun! As someone who used to dance in gay bars, were your dance moves in Snatched gay-inspired? And how about Goldie's? Schumer: Oh, definitely. Also, just
to watch Goldie dance is one of thegreatjoysofmylife. Honestly, toseethatlive. Hawn:Ha! Goldie, with your dance scenes in this movie, were you having flashbacks to your iconic dancing in First Wives Club at that lesbian bar? Hawn: Oh, right! I danced in a lot of movies! It's weird but it happened andit'sgood. Schumer: To have you not dance in amovieisacrime. Both of you have experience in a lesbian bar. Goldie in First Wives Club, and Amy, you were a bartender at one before your comedy career took off. Is this maybe a potential jumping-off point for a second movie starring both of you? Schumer: There's our sequel: The RealSnatched. Hawn: Ha! Snatched Unhinged! SnatchedUncensored! Schumer: AndUncut! How do you think this film may resonate with gay people and the relationships they do or don't have with their parents? Schumer: That'sagoodquestion. Hawn: Verygoodquestion. Schumer: I definitely haven't thought about how different sort
of lifestyles could experience it because it does feel pretty universal, but I get it. I think it really will bring together people who have had a struggle with a parent – that idea of, we're both doingthebestwecan. As kids, you're just so, “Oh, my mom just loves me.” We all take our parents for granted, and the goal is to be able to accept that they just love the shit out of me and did the best they could. And maybe it wasn't enough, but (it's important) to find peace for yourself in that and to get rid of some of the anger. I hope this movie brings kids and parents together– Ithinkitwill. Hawn: The other thing you're dealing with is a very strong rejection and it is arguably very, veryimportanttofindforgiveness. Thismoviemayormaynottoucha little on that, but we're talking about a relationship between a motherandadaughter. It'skindof like a fraught relationship, and we do get into it. I'd like the idea that perhaps whether you're gay or not that you're able to go in and say, “Maybe I should call my dad, maybeI'mgonnacallmymom.” One of the realities is that if you don'tmakepeace,they'regonna
“It's kind of like a fraught relationship, and we do get into it. I'd like the idea that perhaps whether you're gay or not that you're able to go in and say, ‘Maybe I should call my dad, maybe I'm gonna call my mom.’”
die one day, and it's really important to know that, because moms and dads don't last forever. If you've got unfinished business, we need to face that, and that's not easy. And a lot of parents are stoic and won't give, and if they don't give it's a very sad story, because you know why? Every child wants to love their mother and their father. Love is the most important thing, and when they feel rejected and unloved that hole can never be filled byanyoneelse. Amy, in the movie, you tell your brother that he's “so gay for mom.” Schumer: I wondered what the experience would be of thatline. Who are you gay for in your lives? Schumer: I'm gay for so many people that I think I may bejustgay. Hawn: Ha! Schumer: I love my girlfriends so much that I've kissed girls – but I've never had, like, a lesbian experience. Notyet. ButI'msure. Thelifeisyoung. Hawn: Iwasgonnasay:There'salotoftime! Schumer: There's time left. But you know how you just think your friends are so beautiful, and (with) my really good girlfriends, over the years I've had confusing feelings because I just love them so much. I just think they're so beautiful, so I'm gay for myfriends. Hawn: My best girlfriend is gay… and my other girlfriend probably could've been! She wore man shoes all the time, and I was always the one in little twinkle shoes. She'd go out with me and I'd say, “Now are you gonna wear your suit and your man shoes because we're quite a couple!” Ha! But my best girlfriend is gay, and this is the girl I laugh with
likecrazy. Andmynephew! Naturally, Goldie, everyone around you is gay, and with a résumé that includes First Wives Club and Death Becomes Her, I'd expect nothing less. Which of those films do you think earned you the most gay cred? Hawn: That's really interesting. Probably First Wives Club. ButDeathBecomesHerwasprettygay.
Did you know “Death Becomes Her” would eventually become a gay cult film? Hawn: Notatall!Ijustthoughtthatitwasgonnabeacult film forever because it's all about staying alive and staying young forever, and (director) Bob Zemeckis was way ahead of his time. So, for me, it was just a general commentary on where we're going, because everyonewantstostayyoungandnoonewantstoget oldandwhatistheelixirandwhatcanIdrink? When did you realize that it was adored by gay audiences? Hawn: I neverthoughtofit!ButIlovethat. Schumer:Ihopethisbecomesagaycultmovie. Hawn: Thatwouldbeawesome! I mean, basically anything that Goldie touches, right? Hawn: Well,mygod,that'squiteacompliment. Schumer: Weshouldallbesolucky!
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hot shots photos by tony fowler
Out of The Closet Grand Opening St. Petersburg
You are originally from Puerto Rico. What made you leave Puerto Rico in 1995? by scott holland
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The goal of Bliss Cares is to become the premier regional non-profit health care organization dedicated to HIV, sexually-transmitted diseases, and Hepatitis B and C in Central Florida. The Orlando-based organization offers services such as free HIV testing, counseling and referral, STD testing, HIV primary care, outreach and education. They envision a world without HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis and STDs, so their mission is to save lives by treating and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and STDs. It was a pleasure to sit down with their executive director Juan Rodriguez, to find out more aboutBlissCares.
My partner got sick and I didn't see much progress in Puerto Rico. I had an uncle in Orlando [so I] sold everything and came to live in Orlando. I am so happy that I did, because it gave my partner a few more years of life. I was committed to help him and take care of him. I learned a lot about the system whilecaringformypartner.
After working in marketing sales and advertising, what made you switch into working with the HIV community? Since I took care of my partner [with HIV], I learned a lot about the system. Then out of the blue I was offered a job to run a pilot project at Hope and Help Center of Central Florida [also an HIV outreach facility]. I was convinced to make an appointment with the executive director, but since I wasn't truly interested I arrived three hours late. I told her my story with my partner and I started crying. I lied to all the questions so she wouldn't hire me, but for some reason she still hired me and afterwards said she could see through my faรงade and knew I would be
amazing in the job as a health educator.
How did you become involved with Bliss Cares? Dr. Roberto Ortiz [CEO and founder] and I established a friendship in 2002. Many years later I decided I wanted a break from agency life and six months later he took a break as well. One day he was sitting at my house chatting -- I was about to open a restaurant -- and we decided that he should open his own clinic. After the clinic was established he came to me and said, 'I want you to open my nonprofit.' I thought he was crazy as I had never run a nonprofit. He believed I was capable and asked me to do him a favor and take the position. I agreed to getitopenandthenpassitontosomeoneelse.
What makes Bliss Cares different from other HIV agencies or treatment centers? We have everything under one roof: lab, medical care, pharmacy, research, mental health and the clinic. We also strive to serve anyone who walks through our doors, no matter if they can pay or not. So that means anyone who walks through our doors is going to get all their services in one place, and generally in one day. We provide Pep and PrEP (PreExposure Prophylaxis, the use of anti-HIV medication that keeps HIV negative people from becoming infected) at no cost according to the
federal poverty guidelines. This is done on a sliding scale fee. Also, our eligibility forms take only eight minutes to complete. We opened a program called TRANSaction, that is a focused program for the trans community to provide education and assess their immediateneeds,anditisasocialmovement.
If someone needed the services of Bliss Cares, how would they go about that and what are the criteria for getting help? Just walk in and bring in the required [identification andanyinsurance] documentation.
Youhaveaverytaxingjob!Whatdoyouliketodoforfun? I'm always doing things in the house, and that makes me happy. I am not a bar person, but I love to have friends over for dinner and travel. I leave for Europe in afewweeks.
How did you meet your current partner, and how long have you guys been together? We have been together for 15 years. We met at a Christmasparty.
What does the future hold for Juan and for Bliss Cares? The future was supposed to have me leaving the agency, and I even spoke to Dr. Ortiz about this, but his response was, 'I don't think you are walking out of here,' and he was right. I have really grown to love this project and I am here for a while. The future for Bliss Cares is the sky's the limit. It is growing and growing andweareallexcitedaboutit.
For more information go to BlissCares.org Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
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Vodka, Modelos Guapos y Otras Cosas que Guardo en el Sótano
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¡Hola compañeros lectores! Pues bien, ¡parece ser que otro verano está casi aquí! Espero que todos hayan ejercitado esos cuerpos de playa que se supone que tienen ahora. Yo he trabajado muy duro para conseguir mi cuerpo de verano y lo que me costó fueron unos vasos de Vodka, un cheque de $5.000 y la promesa de unas vaca-ciones en París. Y así es como conseguí este modelo de ropa interior que ahora tengo atrapado en mi sótano. ¿Qué? ¿Acaso no es cómo obtener un cuerpo de playa para el verano? A menos que esperabas que te dijera la dieta que hice y las muchas horas que estuve en un gimnasio tratando de verme musculoso para el verano que, en dado caso, tendría que recordarte que no debes mezclar alcohol con
analgésicos, a menos que no te importe tener alucinacio-nes con Donald Trump o imaginarme a mi levantando más de 2 libras enlamañana. No te preocupes demasia-do por sudar tanto durante el verano para perder peso y, perdón por sonar tan vanidoso, pero…¡estoy tan caliente! No lo digo de la misma forma en que mi huéspedmodeloderopainterior que vive en mi sótano lo diria. Quiero decir que es más caliente que la entrepierna de Papá Noel mientras camina el Desierto del Sahara durante 2 días seguidos. Hay personas que me siguen preguntando qué tipo de cosas pueden hacer durante el verano; pero no puedo pensar en otra cosa que no sea estar desnudo dentro de un jacuzzi lleno de cubitos de hielo; o ba-
ñarme desnudo en la playa; o paseando por la casa desnudo; o caminando...al perro...desnudo. Tal vez realmente me gusta estar desnudo. Eso explicaría por qué siempre hago sentir incómoda a tantagente. Espero que todos ustedes hayan tenido un gran Día de la Madre en compañía de sus madres, tías, y amistades. Yya pronto viene el Día de los Padres! Desearía tener el tiempo para pasar con mi propio padre, pero él se ha ido a conseguir cigarrillos. Dijo que regresa como a las 4:00PM. Hay son las 4:15PM, ¡así es que lleva como 15 años de retraso! ¡Esa tienda debe estar muylejos! A veces me entra un poco la paternidad, así es que adopté un cachorro para cuando me sienta así. Ya aprendió a sentarse y
ladrar cuando le ordeno. La semana que viene, voy a enseñarle cómo lavar los platos y sacar la basura. La verdadera razón de por qué lo tengo es para queseaunperrodeguardianque me protega de esos intrusos indeseados o para que se asegure de que no se me escapen esos modelos de ropa interior que tengo atrapados en el sótano. Esperoque tengasunfeliz Día de los Padres; Feliz Gay Days en Disney World; Feliz Verano y Feliz Día de Dirkmaticoulenshabby! Este es un día que he creado para cuando me quede sin razones para beber y celebrar cualquier cos. Feliz Día de Dirkmaticoulenshabby. ¡Salud!
Vodka, Underwear Models and Other Things I Keep in my Basement Hello fellow readers! Well, it seems another summer is here! I hope you all worked hard on those beach bodies you were supposed to have by now. I worked really hard to get my summer body and all it took was a few glasses of Vodka, a $5,000 check and the promise of a Paris vacation. And that's how I got this Andrew Christian underwear model trapped in my basement. What? Isn't that how you get a beach body for the summer? Unless you were expecting me to tell you about the diet I went on and the hundreds of hours spent at a gym trying to get muscular for the summer in which case, I'd have to remind you not to mix alcohol with pain killers unless you don't mind having hallucinations of Donald Trump knocking on your door while sitting on a
Unicorn or me lifting anything more than a 2.5 pound bowl of cereal in the morning. I shouldn't have to worry too much about sweating so much during the summer to lose weight and, excuse me for sounding so conceited, but I
am SO hot! I don't mean that in the way my underwear model guest in my basement would say it. I mean it's hotter than Santa Claus' crotch while walking the Sahara for 2 days straight. People keep asking me to come up with things they can do during the summertime, but I cannot think of anything else that does not involve me laying naked inside a hot tub filled with a million ice cubes or bathing naked on the beach or walking around the house naked or walking…the dog…naked…? Hey…maybe I just really like being naked. That would explain why I always make roommates so uncomfortable or people at church. Nah! That could not be the reason. I'm sure it's all those silly hats I wear and get all those church ladies jealous of my fabulous look. I hope you all had a great Mother's Day in the company
of your mothers, aunts, friends or that crazy lady on the streets who keeps confusing me with her son. Jeez lady! Your photos of me as a child and you holding my birth certificate or your strange resemblance to me will do nothing! Better try harder next time and no, I don't have bad memory so stop saying that I do. Anyway…what were we talking about? Oh yeah! Father's Day! I wish I could have the time to spend it with my own father, but he stepped out to get cigarettes. He said he'll be back by 4:00PM. It is 4:15PM now so that makes him about12 to 15 years late! That store must be REALLY far away! Sometimes I get paternal myself so I adopted a puppy dog for when those things happen. I already taught him how to sit and bark on command. Next week, I am going to teach him how to do the dishes and take out the garbage. The real reason why I got him was to act as a guard dog to do simple things such as protecting myself from unwanted intruders or making sure underwear models trapped in the basement don't escape. I'll get to those things in a minute, in the meantime, I hope you have a Happy Father's Day, Happy Gay Days at Disney World, Happy Summertime an d Happy Dirkmaticoulenshabby Day! It's just a day I created whenIrunoutofreasonstodrink and celebrate just about anything I w a n t . H a p p y Dirkmaticoulenshabby Day, everyone!Cheers!
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MATTHEW QUIJANO photos by
black rose photography Preferred Name: Matt blackrosephotog.com
Age: 24 Occupation: Self employed Relationship Status: Single Favorite Gay Disney Activity: Riding tower of terror over and over again
Scruff or Grindr: Yes. Favorite Gym Workout: Chest Day Favorite Body Part On A Guy: Legs Biggest Achievement This Year: They haven't found the body.....
Any Big Goals For The Rest of 2017: That they won't find the body.
Top Bunk or Bottom Bunk: Usually top bunk, but sometimes the bottom bunk
Coke or Pepsi: what kind of drug is Pepsi?
Favorite TV Show: “Walking Dead” Tacos or Burgers: Do taco burgers count?
Boxers or Briefs: COMMANDO
Wardrode provided & sold by Mojoman Swimwear & Clothing in Orlando Photos by Patrick Patterson
JUSTISS WILDER-BURRY Preferred Name:
J Wilder
Age: Almost 30...ouch. Occupation: Kept *insert nail painting emoji* Relationship Status: Married Favorite Gay Disney Activity: Leaving and going to Universal
Scruff or Grindr: Jesus? Favorite Gym Workout: Making boulders out of shoulders
Favorite Body Part On A Guy: The lips, hair, and neck (for kissing and choking, lol)
Biggest Achievement This Year: Grad school graduation
Any Big Goals For The Rest of 2017: Try to stop eating cookies
Top Bunk or Bottom Bunk: As long as I'm on the bunk, I'm happy
Coke or Pepsi: Absolutely 100% Diet Coke Favorite TV Show: “RHOA� Tacos or Burgers: Salmon Boxers or Briefs: Depends on how much I want people to see my endowments
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by russ martin
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Brian Auld, formerly employed with Goldman Sachs, moved to the Tampa Bay area at 12 years ago to work with his high school friend, Matt Silverman on the then Devil Rays 'turn around project'. “Itsoundedliketoocoolofanopportunity to pass up. So, here I am.” He came into the organization in 2005 having graduated from Harvard Business School with an MBA. He arrived with Andrew Freeman and Silverman. Silverman oversaw the business side of things and Auld oversaw a good chunk of the business side. When Freeman left (now president of operations with the Dodgers) Silverman became head of operations and Auld became team president. When asked how things are going as president of the Tampa Bay Rays, Auld said, “I think it's going ok. There is a lot yet to be accomplished but I'm pretty proud of the fact that we've become even more focused on our mission, to energy the community to the magic of Rays baseball. And we've also put more resources into building an employee first community here. I
always remind people that it's not just lip service where we are. We know our staff and we do everything we can to put them above revenues, profits, customer service, fan experience, the product…everything else because we believe if we do accomplish that the rest ofthosethingstakecareofthemselves.” Auld, born in Berkley, CA, grew up loving the Oakland A's. “Igrewupasabaseballfan. IspentsixyearsinJapan wheretheyarebaseballcrazy. MydadworkedforBankof America, which has offices in Japan. And, I always loved thegame. IcouldneverhitandIwasn'tparticularlygood at it but I could field a little bit.” His baseball heroes were RickeyHenderson,MarkMcGwire,andJoseCanseco. He loves his team now and politely says, “They're all my favorites.” When pressed he admits Kevin Kiermaier, Chris Archer, and Evan Longoria are not only three of everybody's favorites but they are also very near and dear to him. “They are the guys who have chosen to sign long term deals with us and are certainly leaving a huge mark with the team and choosing to be with the Rays long term because they
believe in what our organization is doing.” Auld expresses his gratitude for the confidence Kiermaier,Archer,andLongoriahaveshowninThe Rays and he adds “Obviously, we've shown some prettyseriousconfidenceinthem”aswell. His devotion to the Tampa Bay Rays extends well beyond the players and centers more on community. “We take very seriously our responsibilities as stewards of a community asset. IthinktheTampaBayRaysbelongtoboth Stewart Sternberg and his partners but also to the Tampa Bay community. And we really try to run ourselves in a way that is consistent with that philosophy. We want the community to be proud of us; proud of what we do, how we do it, the way we go about it. We don't kid ourselves that winning baseball games isn't the number one way to do that, but in addition to putting as much energy and effort behind that endeavor we also want to do right by the community as a
whole.” Auld acknowledges that winning games is the team's greatestchallengein2017butfeelsitwillbeagoodyearforthe team.” We don't generate the revenues that would make it easy to compete year in and year out with the Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays – those teams all have payrolls that double and sometimes triple what we can pay our guys. And so, when you've got that kind of resource disadvantage it makesithardtostaycompetitive. ButIamreallyproudofwhat we'vedoneoverthetimewe'vehadtheopportunitytorunthis organization. We've had four post season appearances whichisremarkable. Alotofteamswouldgiveupawholelotto havethatkindofrecord. Wearecomingoffatoughstretchthe last two to three years but I think we have a team that can be very, very competitive again this year and we're extremely proudofthat.” Auld received recognition last month at Equality Florida's St. Petersburg Gala for his work with the community. Last year was the TBR's 12th year holding a Pride Night. It began primarily as a group sale event. “We just wanted to reach out to the LGBTQ community in the same way we did to the African American and Latino communities, or even a particular church or religious group, just to get people out to the park and try to build a fan base from there.” In 2008, the Rays got involved with the It Gets Better Campaign and LGBTQ issues began to resonate more. “We recognized it was important to take a pretty firm stance that [the LGBTQ community] is a group that we certainly considered equal in every way to anyone else,anywhere. In 2015, the Tampa Bay Rays were asked to sign on to the marriage equality Supreme Court amicus brief. “We were the first team to do it. After we did it only the San Francisco Giants and New England Patriots got on board. So, we were one of only three teams and it brought us a lot of attention, I think, within the gay community. And I like to think, locally it brought us a lot of credibility with the LGBT community. It says, we are not just quietly doing these things but we are grand marshalling parades and we are waiving rainbow flags and we stand with you all in this sort of crusade for equality.” Auld was asked to be on a conference call representing the entire business community, over 600 companies that had signed the amicus brief including Google, Apple, and companies much larger than the Rays. Of the request, Auld says, “When I asked Marc Solomon (national campaign director of Freedom to Marry) about it, who was running the effort, he said, 'Look, you represent a sports team, in the south, andforyoutobeonboardwiththisspeaksmorehighlythat someone running a tech company in Silicon Valley or at least it brings things further.' So, it was then we started to recognize potentially that we could actually play a real role in this whole endeavor. We did that and we started to
Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
see a little bit larger crowd come out for games. We had Billy Bean come down, the only former major leaguebaseballplayerwhowasoutwhoworkswiththe commissioner's office supporting inclusion and diversity.” There were people in the Rays outfield with signsthatread“WeLovetheTBGays”andhethinksit's the first time that sign had been used in a nonderogatory manor. “It was great! We loved it and it felt good and we had more people here. We did that and wehadstrongereffortsbehinditforacoupleofyears. We brought together leading members of the gay community to help plan the night, to make sure we weredoingitappropriately,sensitively,andthosefolks have urged us to do more and more. Whether its handing out flags coming up with other elements and it'sbeenprettywonderful. Nottosaythattherehasn't beensomeunfortunatebacklashbutit'sbeensmaller thananyoneofuswouldhaveanticipated.” With the Pulse massacre last June, Auld says Pride Night really took off. The Rays Pride Night was on the team's schedule and just days before the Pulse shooting took place. “Internally we got together and said we've got to do something amazing and we didn't know what that meant yet. Our owner said, 'Do it, do it big, and do it right'. We didn't know what it meant at that time.” They wanted to make sure that they dealt with the situation appropriately and reached out to gay community leaders for input. “Forty thousand people showed up here and more wanted to come. It was an incredible show of support for the gay community. I think it demonstrated very clearly that Tampa Bay has come a lot further than some might have wondered. And that while we all have different issues and we may be among the most politically divided communities in the Country, in terms of Republican/Democrat split and the like, we aren't going to tolerate that kind of terrorism,
hate-crime, or whatever word you want to use for what took place in Orlando. It was wonderful. We gave 100% of the proceeds from that night to the victims' fund. And when I look back on 2016 it's the highlight of theyear.” Auld want to continue to grow the Rays Pride Night organically. “We had so many show up for it last year that we'll build some support going forward. I can't expect that we'll have 40K show up again but certainly have strong allies for the event in the gay community now. Facebook is going to spread the word. We expect people to come and to be together. I always say about any one of these community nights we do. One of the greatest benefits is we get a lot of people in the same room who might not otherwise get together. You see folks working on different parts of the same causes and making connections. And that's one of the things that I think is great about baseball, that we can help provide that type of a venue for the community. It's a three-hour long game. You put a bunch of people who care about the same thing in a small space together and they'll come up with ways to advancethatcause.”
Auld concludes by saying, “We've gotten an unusual amount of recognition for what we've done. I've been humbled and honored by the number of awards we've sort of gotten for this. But I think the biggest reason we do it is not because we are the largest business in Tampa Bay, we're an extremely highly visible business. I think it's just great that people are able to look at it see, oh yeah, there's a big business that's taken an outward stance on this. And I don't think we're the only ones. I think there are plenty. I want to make sure that I try to recognize all those other businesses doing all the same things but might not have quite the platform that we do to shout about it. Because important to keep fighting this fight everywhere.”
POLK PRIDE OFFERS EVENTS FOR EVERYONE
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It's that time of year again! The Polk Pride Committeehasannouncedafullweekendof events for the third year of Polk Pride to be held June14-17. “We are so excited about the events we have in this year's Polk Pride,” said Scott Guira, president of the Polk Pride Committee. “We really try to have events for everybody in the family. We try to break the stereotype and offer a space for the younger crowd,andpeopleoffaithalso.”
The events for Polk Pride include activities for youth and people of all religious denominations, stand-up comedian Fortune Feimster, the Pride festival,andaPrideclosingparty. Highlights (checkthewebsitetoconfirmtimes): Pride for Youth, June 14, 7 p.m., St David's Episcopal Church Pride in Faith, June 15, 7 p.m., Beacon Hill Fellowship FortuneFeimster,June16,7p.m.,LkldTV PrideinthePark,June17,10a.m.,MunnPark PrideafterDarkJune17,9p.m.,LkldTV Polk Pride is hosted by a joint effort from the LakelandYouthAlliance(LYA),andParents,Familyand Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) of Polk County. PolkPridecreatesaninspiringanddedicatedcultureof support and aspires to be the premier platform for educationandentertainmentforlesbian,gay,bisexual and transgender individuals, as well as their friends, familiesandallies.
For more information, email info@PolkPrideFL.com or visit www.PolkPrideFl.com. Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
GREAT MARKETING OPPORTUNITY! AD DEADLINE: Thursday, June 15 IN PRINT + ONLINE: Thursday, June 22
GLAM ROCK BAND BOYS' ENTRANCE RELEASES
THE QUEER ROCK OPERA, “TUNNEL VISION”
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Set during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, the new queer rock opera, Tunnelvision – which features the breakout single “The Wolf Is At The Door” – tells the story of Tim and Troy and their tumultuousrelationship,frombeginningtoend. Written by Tim Cain, the lead singer of the glam rock band, Boys' Entrance, the powerful 17-track album being released this month is being called the nextHedwigandtheAngryInch. Both use the power of rock to convey a dramatic and powerful story, but while Hedwig uses humor to defuse a personal tragedy, Tunnelvision is more operaticanddramatic,incorporatingawidearrayof music genres into its story. There is Heavy Metal and Goth, Soul, Industrial, New Wave, Hip Hop, Jazz, Psychedelic, Gospel and even Cabaret. The songs flowinstyleandtype,helpingtoinformthelyrics. A stage version, Tunnelvision: The Musical, will debut at Studio 620 in St Petersburg in June 8. Tunnelvision by Boys' Entrance is available on
iTunes now along with the band's first single release, “TheWolfIsAtTheDoor”. The opera opens with rocker Tim on stage, getting jeered by the audience for being queer. He responds by unabashedly claiming the title of “Mr. Sissy.” His bold declaration wins the crowd over, then, in “Creation,” he explains how the purpose of gay men istocreate,notprocreate. Troy, a closeted straight man, happens to be in the audience. The two hook-up after the show and begin a rollercoaster ride of a relationship that involves breakups and make-ups, drugs, alien encounters and one of the men becoming a call boy. The two say they want to be in a committed relationship together, but they simply don't know how to navigate the uncharted territory. The physical relationship between Tim and Troy eventually breaks down, but their desires continue unabated. That is when the “wolf” comes knocking at the door. The wolf in “The Wolf Is At The Door,” the first single release from the
Tim Cain photo by: julie perry
album, is temptation. The song is Peter Gabriel meets Duran Duran meets David Bowie. It is funky like Gabriel's “Sledgehammer” with a Duran Duran veneer and a final verse that pays homage to Bowie. It represents the climax of the opera, coming at a point of intense exasperation between Tim and Troy,conveyingsexualappetiteandfrustration. “Whohasn'texperiencedboth?”questionsCain. “It is a song that grabs listeners by the balls and won't let go. Itmakesyouwanttomove,”hesays. Inthe25years sinceTimCaincreatedhisband,Boys'Entrance,hehas producedsomeofQueerRock'smosticonic,political, and galvanizing music. The band features Cain on vocals and guitar; his multi-instrumentalist husband, Billy Ramsey on bass; lead guitarist, Jaybo Key; and drummer,JohnSpinelli. The group has enjoyed acclaim and awards over the years. In the '90s, Boys' Entrance received two “Rock Single of the Week” reviews in Billboard magazine. In 2005, Cain was awarded an OutMusic
Award for his 30-year career as a gay musician. And this past October, The Akademia Awards selected “The Wolf Is At The Door” as the month's Best Alternative Rock Song. It has now been nominated for BestAlternativeRockSongoftheYearfor2016. Cain is thrilled that Tunnelvision, his magnum opus, will follow The Who's Tommy with both album and stage versions. “They will stand alone as separate projects,” he says. “The album offers the old school idea of sitting down and listening, going somewhere in your mind. Tunnelvision: The Musical will be a tour de force. It will be filled with lust, drama, sex in parks and nakedmen. Yes,nakedmen!Itisadefinitemust-see!”
“Tunnelvision - the Musical” will debut in St. Petersburg, FL at Studio 620 in June 2017. Tickets for the shows are available now at thestudioat620.org/events/tunnelvisionby-tim-cain. Tunnelvision, the album by Boys' Entrance, featuring lead single “The Wolf Is At The Door,” is available on iTunes now. Visit boysentrance.com. Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
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