Hotspots! March 2, 2023 (Issue 3805)

38th Year

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WHO WE ARE

WMEG Inc., is a Community Marketing and Events organization incorporating Hotspots magazine and Happening Out Television Network.

Our mission as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit is to promote South Florida, and especially Wilton Manors,as a welcoming LGBTQ+ destination through marketing and events. WMEG produces about 50 events a year, including the annual Stonewall Pride Parade and Festival in Wilton Manors. Other events include Art Walk on Wilton Drive and Vibes On The Drive. Visit W MEG.org for more info.

WMEG also manages the Sculpture Walk project which is responsible for the installation of sculptures in public spaces in Wilton Manors.

u Watch Queer News Tonight streaming live Monday through Thursdays at 7 p.m. at HappeningOut.com

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Tony Ardolino Mr. Gay World USA 2021/22

I last sat down with Tony in November of 2021 right after he captured the title of Mr. Gay World USA (the next Mr. Gay World USA will be in June). I was a judge that night and Tony had the “It Factor” that I have rarely seen in my life and was the clear winner that night. Since then, Tony has been an amazing King traveling all over the country and went on to place 1st alternate in the Mr. Gay World International contest.

Originally from New Jersey, Tony has lived in New York, Los Angeles, Maine, and even Singapore as well as having traveled all over Asia, Europe, and all 50 states. As an award-winning Actor, Director, and producer for the short film “Far Far Away,” Tony takes pride in creating LGBTQ media as well as managing his own event/entertainment company. Tony has been seen in film, television, and numerous commercials as well as the original Ryder from Nickelodeon's paw patrol live. Coming from a big family, Tony

understands the power of community, and love. Tony's newest project is that he is one of the contestants in Out TV's newest show “For The Love of DILF's

It was a pleasure to sit down with Tony, once again, for this exclusive Hotspots follow up interview:

How did life change once you won the title of Mr. Gay World USA?

My life has changed immensely. Within my year as Mr. gay world USA 2022 I had the chance to tour all over the country. I had the opportunity to talk and speak at schools, pride events, colleges, and LGBTQ+ centers around the USA. I published my lgbtq+ children's book "Gill the Merboy" that focuses on gender norms, anti-bullying, and positive representation. I had the chance to work on American Horror Story as well as film a reality show for OutTV. I bought a house on the lake, started a new marketing job with the US Army, got a dog, and started my passion project which is "My gay big brother" a mentorship program that gives every lgbtq+ youth member a gay big brother (or sister) to talk to and guide. I even got to go to pride events and filmed interviews with the public to get their stories and showcase our community with fun questions like who was your first gay

celebrity crush to real questions like, how did you come out. From waving in numerous parades to getting a key to the city, it has been an honor to be a part of this grand adventure.

What are some of the favorite places you have traveled to as Mr. Gay World USA?

I went to Atlanta a lot which is a city I really love. I have also been in LA and Fort Lauderdale a lot.

How did you prepare for the International Competition?

My main thing was just being myself as I am new to the whole pageant world. Mr. Gay World USA was my first pageant, so the international pageant was my second pageant. I also got to make a gay Captain America costume which is something I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Tell us about your experience in South Africa and at Mr. Gay World?

It was the coolest thing in the world, and my mom surprised me and showed up for the main contest. Meeting people from different countries was one of the most amazing things. I had never been to Africa, so exploring was incredible. I also made good friends with some of the candidates from other countries. In South Africa we got to go to orphanages and LGBTQ+ centers and it was heartwarming. I loved

every sec of it. The South Africa Pageant of Mr. Gay World was amazing. I wanted every look to represent a city in the US. MY Swimsuit was a star spangle banner look for Dallas; my evening wear was the sparkle and lights look for New York City; my high fashion was the grunge and strength of Chicago; and my national costume was the inspiration and pop culture that comes out of Hollywood. My speech paid homage to the wizard of oz which had the audience (and some of the judges) standing on their feet and when I got backstage the crew came up to me and said "Mr. American man, you made me cry, very beautiful. They crowned me First runner up and crowned Puerto Rico that night. They then told us that we were one point away from each other. At the end he left the stage, and I stayed on stage and did a full meet and greet. I was so surprised with all the people that wanted to meet me (And others wanted to meet my mom). This was a dream I get to live. I couldn't be happier. Did you have a crush on any of the other candidates and who are you still in touch with?

I didn't have a crush on any of the competitors, but I did have a crush on some of the people backstage. I still speak to

South Africa, Czech Republic and Philippines.

How did you get cast in “For the Love of DILF's?”

I was in Wilton Manors during Stonewall Pride last year and there was a casting thing going on. My friend, who was Mr. Kentucky, forced me to do an audition tape and I sent it in 5 min before the deadline. Two months later I bought my house, and that same day I got a call that I was on the show.

What was it like filming “For the Love of DILF's?”

It was very interesting as I am a big fan of Flavor of Love, etc. Being stuck in a mansion with Stormy Daniels and a bunch of Hot guys is a gay dream come true. What does the future hold for you?

As of right now I am excited to be touring with the book and producing my own things and I am waiting to see what “For the Love of DILF's” bring me. I am here for the ride, and I am going to enjoy every second of it.

For more information about Mr. Gay World USA 2022, you can follow him on Instagram.com/ Tony. Cannoli; Instagram.com/Farfarawaytheseries; or Youtube.com/Tony Ardolino

The Queer Lives She Has Changed

Why Madonna Still Matters to LGBTQ+ People

On January 17, Madonna announced her first retrospective hits tour, with the first tickets going on sale a whole three hours later. “Take my money!” gays often say when their divas pull up with fresh product. But nobody is happier to take it than Madonna, our favorite '80s capitalist turned '90s kabbalist turned '20s TikTokateur.

For many Madonna fans — we were stans before stans were stans — confirmation of The Celebration Tour represents a long-awaited movement from Madonna toward unapologetically embracing her feel-good musical legacy. It's a huge change for an artist whose concessions on the dance floor have been many, but whose approach to touring has been to focus on what's new and to dole out what's the opposite of new judiciously, even stingily. Sometimes with

unexpected bagpipes and guitar riffs.

On her Madame X Tour in 2019, she told one audience her manager wanted her to do more hits, saying this as if he'd suggested she take Guy Ritchie back. But while icy in her convictions, Madonna is a sucker for timing, and in the 40th year since the release of her self-titled debut album, a victory lap must have struck her as not just potentially lucrative, but an organically good idea. Is she ready to be a legacy act? The phrase is dismissive, yet their supremacy in arenas means legacy acts are nothing if not relevant, even if they are not driving the culture forward.

While ready to acknowledge her legacy, Madonna is still always in that pop cultural driver's seat, and no, you can't take away her license, kids. Her notoriety is evergreen, fueled by her brilliant grasp on how to trigger the world and her disdain for convention. In her tour announcement video — a black-and-white homage to “Truth or Dare” — when participant Eric Andre deems the proceedings “sad and gross,” Madonna cheerfully replies, “Sad and gross is very popular right now.” She couldn't have come up with a better explanation for how social media works, or a more apt updating of the old adage, “No publicity is bad publicity.”

Unlike with other artists, Madonna singing her back catalog is not selling out. Her songs, with very few exceptions, are not guilty pleasures; they're classics

that defined (and defied) multiple eras and genres. Madonna's diehards know what we were doing when she behaved un-“Like a Virgin” on MTV; when she warbled about being great with child on “Papa Don't Preach,” giving Tipper Gore hysterical morning sickness; when “Like a Prayer” first blessed the radio; when she rapped (it is a rap) all our favorite movie stars on “Vogue”; when she stepped out onto that balcony to command “Don't Cry for Me Argentina”; when she let loose with that primal scream in “Ray of Light”; when she stalked her catwalk, a Leo in a leotard, to “Hung Up”; and even when she went upside down during “Human Nature” on her Madame X Tour, making

it harder to hang your shit on her.

There are examples of divas before Madonna who seemed aware of their LGBTQ+ audience, but Madonna was the first in the trenches with us. Contrary to popular belief, queering her work did not usurp anything. Had she winked at us at arm's length, as many gayhousehold-name divas have since, her already incredible career would have been all the more monumental. She lost countless fans when she began openly inviting speculation about her sexual orientation over 30 years ago, culminating with her book “Sex.” She not only ate with that, she ate ass with that.

Last year, Madonna took part in a silly TikTok video in which she tossed her panties at a wastebasket. The “if I miss, I'm gay” challenge ended with Madonna missing and shrugging — and with everyone missing the point. She wasn't coming out as gay — she was saying, “Think what you want.”

If Madonna's gay antics feel tired, instead of dragging her, thank her for that — her goal from the beginning has been to inform the world, often by tweaking its inhabitants with cheeky scandals, that being gay should be a non-issue.

“I don't think it's relevant,” she said in a 1992 interview of gay rumors about herself. “If people say, 'Oh, she sleeps with women, 'I don't bother to deny it because I don't think it matters. Who cares?”

Now, unfortunately, some in the LGBTQ+ community are saying, “Who cares?” to Madonna, taking her for granted and even at times trying to erase or demonize her past efforts. This is largely because the culture has become so permissive that concerns about appropriation have taken over, a fight that could distract us from keeping an eye on why drag is suddenly casually being likened to grooming children for sex. And it's a shame Madonna is so frequently rejected, because the path she forged in the very middle of the mainstream helped allow us to be in a place where she could be seen as old hat.

Probably “old” is the operative word there. Madonna, always the kind of girl unembarrassed to say she deserved that “Evita” Oscar (she did) and to call herself a revolutionary (she is) and to sing “You're just jealous 'cause you can't be me” (you are), got away with being aggressively user-unfriendly for over 30 years because she was young, and then looked young. Now that she is older, her sass is less tolerable to a society conditioned to value youth over most things and convention overall. Especially from women. And especially from women past 60. Maybe that is why Madonna still matters so much to so many. Yes, she is a legacy artist — and what a legacy! What she has accomplished cannot be taken away, cannot be diminished by others or herself, and will never be eclipsed by new artists thanks to her talent and timing.

“Madonna is still always in that pop cultural driver's seat, and no, you can't take away her license, kids.”

But legacy artist or not, she continues to be more of a touchstone than ever by forcing us to confront the fact that aging gracefully is probably a bullshit, paternal, corporate construct, and really isn't very fun. And while it is OK for some artists to go all gray and demure, it should be equally OK, even encouraged, when Madonna vamps like Mae West (another maligned sex bomb with a killer body of work) or swears like a sailor, French kisses Jack Black (as she did in her tour announcement video) or forgets to wear anything but a gap-toothed grin.

I would never argue that Madonna is above criticism. She has said and done dumb things — nobody scrutinized for 40 years, let alone an artist committed to chaos agency, fails to fuck up.

Still, I think queer people who aren't under Madonna's spell should always remember two equally important things: You absolutely don't have to be a fan, and you absolutely don't have to be a hater.

God help me for writing it, but Madonna is a metaphorical load-bearing wall for more people than you know. When you tear her down, we feel it. We know she is not perfect, but she gives us strength, and if we react viscerally to your demolition efforts, it's because we know there are cracks in the wall,

but we're so very tired of waking up to the wrecking ball every day.

In response to Madonna's The Celebration Tour confirmation, @heyjaeee wrote on Twitter, “I might actually cry seeing Madonna live and sharing the space with older gay men who grew up with her and who also lived through the AIDS crisis and are still here.”

This tweet touched me, even if the “older gay men” part had me contemplating a lower blepharoplasty. Because Madonna was there, and because she made the most of her time there, and because she shows every sign of trying to keep doing so until someone is rolling around on her grave like she did on her mom's in “Truth or Dare,” the truth is that Madonna, like all icons, means a lot to so many of us, sometimes for reasons beyond her own doing, sometimes for reasons even she dares not guess.

And when someone gives you joy and strength and inspiration, let alone for 40 years, that is always worth celebrating.

Matthew Rettenmund blogs at BoyCulture.com and is the author of the new edition of "Encyclopedia Madonnica." He grew up in Flushing, Michigan, and now lives in NYC.

As part of the year-long 50th anniversary celebration of the National LGBTQ Task Force, Winter Party Festival 2023 will return to Miami Beach from March 1 - 7. Winter Party Festival is an annual dance and music festival with a week-long series of events benefiting the local and

national LGBTQ community. The festival is a celebration of community, produced by the Task Force to raise critical funds for the LGBTQ movement and will feature a diverse mix of people, music, and entertainment. Winter Party Festival brings in over ten thousand attendees

annually, with twelve signature events and twelve international DJs hosted in seven exhilarating worldclass Miami Beach venues.

The National LGBTQ Task Force donates a significant portion of the proceeds raised at Winter Party and its sister event, the National LGBTQ Task Force Gala, to

like-minded community advocacy groups in South Florida through the LGBTQ+ Equity Fund, a philanthropic collaboration between the Task Force, Our Fund, and The Miami Foundation. Since 2005, the Task Force has given back more than $3.3 million and supported over 90 community organizations in South Florida and will directly fund social justice causes locally and nationally. Winter Party brings nearly $4.2M in revenue to Miami, supporting over 800 local jobs in hospitality, food & beverage, retail, recreation, and entertainment.

It was a pleasure to sit down with DJs Marti Frieson, who will be DJing the Heat Party on Friday night at Studio 60, for this exclusive Hotspots interview.

When did you realize you wanted to be a DJ?

I always had a passion for music as I play guitar and I sing and write music. However, in 2017 I was bartending and one day it clicked that I wanted to do what our resident DJ was doing. I then asked him to teach me how to mix and he taught me for a few months and once I felt comfortable, I got some l ocal gigs and then my DJ career took off

What was your first residency, how did that feel?

It was where I was bartending, at Rich's, which is one of the oldest venues in Houston. It's been around forever, and it goes through different phases, sometimes its straight and sometimes gay and it has had

many different names. Since I had bartended there, they trusted me to give me my first residency.

What separates you from other DJs?

There are not too many bi-racial circuit DJs, and my name doesn't match what I look like. In addition, I am masculine but play many feminine songs. Its my versatility and my contrast combined with my sound that makes me stand out from other DJs.

What are some memorable moments from the DJ booth?

Recently, I had the opportunity to play in Mykonos and Rio, places I had never been to to….it was a dream come true. That is the most memorable to me.

Describe yourself in 3 words?

Eclectic, ambitious, and real!

Other than DJing, what do you like to do for fun?

Besides working out, I love traveling. If I was independently wealthy, I would be traveling and bouncing from place to place. In addition, I love eating food!

Are you single or taken?

Currently I am not available, but an ideal match for me would be, someone who is confident, open minded, adventurous, and they need to be stable. What should our readers expect from your set at HEAT, on Friday night at Studio 60 Nightclub?

For this set I really want to give a little bit of all the circuit flavors. I will close it out with some grungy and aggressive stuff. I try and make everyone happy throwing in my flavor.

What does the future hold for you?

I don't know, I have been working really hard, and I am really proud of myself that I got booked for Winter Party as its one of the most recognized brands. I want to keep sharing my sound and name with more festivals and traveling abroad.

Marti's Top 10 this Week

Peter Rauhofer - Musica Electrica

Mark Knight - Your Love

Deadmau5 - Sex Lies Audiotape

Tyler The Creator - Goblin

Tyler The Creator - Garbage

Shade - No Ordinary Love

Erykah Badu - Next Lifetime

No doubt - Don't Speak

Fear Before the March of FlamesWhat happens in Vegas stays in Vegas

Nicki Minaj - Stupid Hoe

..............................................

Featured events for Winter Party:

• Ignite

Thursday, March 2 / 10PM – 5AM

Exchange Miami, 1532 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139

Featuring: DJs Jace M & J Warren

• HEAT

Friday, March 3 / 10PM - 6AM

Studio 60 Nightclub, 2300 NW 36th St, Miami FL 33142

Featuring: DJs Marti Frieson & Orel

Sabag

• Under One Sun

Saturday, March 4 / 12PM - 8PM

Oasis Wynwood

Featuring: DJs Ana Flor & Erik Vilar

• Masterbeat Saturday Night

Fever

Saturday, March 4 / 10pm – 7am

M2 Nightclub • Featuring: DJs

Karsten Sollors & Calagna

• The Beach Party

Sunday, March 5 / 1PM – 8PM

Sands of South Beach, 12th St. Beach

Featuring: DJ Abel

• MasterBeat: Heroes & Villains

For more information on DJ Marti Frieson follow him at: Instagram.com/martifrieson or Facebook.com/martifrieson

For individual event tickets and multiple event passes, visit: winterparty.com/tickets-passes/.

Sunday, March 5 / 10pm – 5am

M2 • Featuring: DJs Yinon Yahel & Mor Avrahami

• AFTERGLOW

Monday, March 8 / 6am - 12pm

Studio 60 Nightclub

Featuring: DJ Tom Stephan

Krave X Miami’s Grand Opening! “You May Call Me Mistress”

I had spoken to Mark Lowe about doing an interview to coincide with the opening of Krave X Miami and set up a time. I thought I was going to be interviewing Mark, but when I arrived there was woman dressed in what I would call a Dominatrix outfit that I had recognized from seeing her at the Fort Lauderdale Commission meeting.

So, I said to her, hello from Hotspots and how should I address you?

You may call me Mistress Ok Mistress then, what is Krave X Miami? How would you describe it?

KRAVE X MIAMI is a judgment free space for the curious, adventurous, and open minded. We firmly believe that labels should stay on the clothes.

There's been an avalanche of global press from CNN, FOX NEWS, Daily Mail, and even TIME and Rolling Stone from you and 2 futuristic looking submissives viral attendance at a local city commission meeting. Was that a publicity stunt for KRAVE X MIAMI?

No, it was ART. Beyond the art we believe in safe and consensual spaces for ALL. How did the vision of KRAVE come about?

Mark Lowe is the creative mind and brain behind KRAVE, as the designer. He's an insane genius in the best way; not the chop you up and eat you kind of way. Mistress loved Living Room in Fort Lauderdale and HOUSE in Wynwood. I loved the groundbreaking and boundary pushing aspects of House. It was in so many ways before it's time as the first true nightclub in Wynwood. We now see what Wynwood has become.

You speak for Mark?

YES, Mark is my bitch! Why and what is the LGBTQIA+ Saturday night at KRAVE?

Because KRAVE is for everyone and fully nude, Mark designed KRAVE specifically as a space that welcomes ALL. There will be nakedness in all forms everywhere. Any final comments on KRAVE?

Don't come to KRAVE X MIAMI if you are closed minded or boring. You are expected to participate and immerse yourself into the KRAVE show. Come sexy, come naked, come as you are. BUT DO NOT DISAPPOINT ME!

Anything else in closing?

I look forward to tying up and spanking each and every one of YOU at the opening!

>>> Krave X Miami is having the grand opening of its LGBTQIA+ night on Saturday, March 11. For more information, go to: Kravemiami.com

Colman Domingo Gives in to ‘The Madness’

“Fear the Walking Dead” star Colman Domingo — who, by the way, also has an Emmy for “Euphoria” — has had a run of memorable supporting turns in acclaimed films like “Selma” and “If Beale Street Could Talk.” He will soon star as gay civil rights icon Bayard Rustin in the Netflix film “Rustin” and has another project on the horizon. Netflix has given

and Kate McKinnon were on “The Big Gay Sketch Show,” so it's especially thrilling to see this talented actor's star continue to rise.

Helen Mirren goes to 'Switzerland' as Patricia Highsmith

There have been plenty of Patricia Highsmith literary efforts adapted for TV and film, but now comes a new twist: a fictional story starring the celebrated lesbian author herself, played by Helen Mirren. Dame HM will star in the film “Switzerland” from director Anton Corbijn (“Control”), in a story reminiscent of her popular thrillers. Set in the Swiss Alps later in Highsmith's life, her quiet life is interrupted by a literary agent trying to convince her to write one more novel in the Ripley (as in “The Talented Mr.”) series. From that moment on, art and life become one and

a series order to “The Madness,” a conspiracy thriller about a media pundit who happens upon a murder in the Poconos. From that point he has to solve the crime, clear his name and fight for his life. No word yet on other cast or when the series will drop but it's certain to be appointment viewing. We've been fans since he

things get dangerous and weird. We love a lesbian high concept, we love Helen Mirren, and we love the queer treachery of the Ripley stories. Casting is still underway, but we're ready for this one to take our money.

'Femme' is going to turn the tables on homophobes Set to debut at the Berlin International Film Festival, “Femme” looks to be the kind of satisfying queer thriller we won't miss. The neo-noir features rising stars Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (“Candyman”) and George MacKay (“1917”) locked in an all-too-familiar battle. Stewart-Jarrett will play working drag queen Jules, whose life is upended by a

violent homophobic attack. Later, out of drag, he encounters his attacker (MacKay) in a gay sauna and sets in motion a plan to infiltrate the man's life to enact revenge. The debut feature of co-directors Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping, arrives at a very timely moment of increased antiqueer activity on the right, often specifically directed at gender non-conforming members of the LGBTQ+ community. In other words, a

little fictional bashing back? Seems just the thing.

Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu takes a 'Joy Ride'

Queer actress Stephanie Hsu, who was already familiar to us from her hilarious presence on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and who has become beloved for her Academy Award-nominated role in “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” will hit screens again in June in the comedy “Joy Ride.” The directorial debut of Adele Lim, the screenwriter of “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Raya and the Last

Dragon,” it comes with a script from Teresa Hsiao and Cherry Chevapravatdumrong (both known for their work on “Family Guy,” with Hsiao also the creator of “Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens”). Hsu and an ensemble that includes Sabrina Wu (“Dying for Sex”), Sherry Cola (“Good Trouble”) and Ashley Park (“Emily in Paris”) take an international trip through Asia to search for one of their birth mothers, with raucous results. We don't know which Marvel or DC movie opens in June, if any, but this sounds exactly like the superhero content we really want.

>>To see all photos, visit HotspotsMagazine.com

Boardwalk/Gussy's Cafe

1721 N. Andrews Ave. • Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

954.463.6969 • boardwalk-ftl.com • Café opens daily at 4pm

Definitely a place where you, figuratively, can kill two birds with one stone…grab a bite to eat or eat what you grab. Famous Boardwalk Bar is known for attracting a porn star or two...as well as hosting different events every night of the week. Boardwalk also brings the South Florida area a great dining option with Gussy's Café just outside on the patio at Boardwalk; the restaurant features a variety of casual and sexy foods including salads, burgers, wraps and other unique menu items that are sure to please. There are also lots of daily specials. Have fun!

The Naked Taco

4443 Lyons Rd D103 • Coconut Creek, FL 33073 954.787.8226 • lovenakedtaco.com

Located in the Promenade, Naked Taco Coconut Creek is a full on love affair with all things tacos. With a very artsy ambience, there are three stunning spaces: the patio, a full bar inside, and dining space. Their drinks menu is fantastic; chose from signature margaritas, cocktails, wine, sangria or cold cervezas. Besides tacos, their menu also offer different options like salmon, skirt steak, salads and of course burritos, enchiladas, fajitas and other sides. This is definitely a fun place to go to. Vegetarian and glutenfree choices available. ¡Buen provecho!

Hoshi

1935 Harrison Street Hollywood, FL 33020 954.589.2494 hoshiandsushi.com • Mon 12pm – 10pm

Wed – Sun 12pm – 10pm

Are you game for Fried Crab Wonton, Crispy Spring Roll & Coconut Shrimp? Also offering Thai food like Duck Curry (Deep Fried half duck with pineapple), Pad See U (Stir-fried flat noodles with egg) or delicious Pad Thai. Switch to Asian cuisine for vegetable rolls, sushi rolls, sushi + sashimi and their signature rolls. Weather tuna, crab or salmon, anytime is a good time for sushi or thai!

La Goulue

288 S County Rd. • Palm Beach, FL 33480 • 561.284.629 lagouluepalmbeach.com • Brunch/Sat – Sun 11am – 2:30pm • Lunch/Mon - Fri 11:30pm - 2:30pm • Apero/Mon - Sun 2:30pm5:00pm • Dinner/Mon - Sun 5pm - 10pm

Labeled as the hottest restaurant in Palm Beach by patrons, La Goulue serves meticulously prepared French cuisine in a lively and welcoming bistro chic setting with lunch, dinner and brunch menus. Try the Maine Lobster Bisque & their Norwegian Smoked Salmon. Oh, and don't forget their Crème Brûlée.

Thank You for the History!

Celebrating Women’s History Month

Women have been making a difference for decades (including the women's right to vote in the late 1800s); some have been recognized for changing history itself and paving an easier path for our future, while others make a difference at a local level in politics, human rights, LGBT rights, reproductive right, entertainment, etc.

Women's History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981. In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women's History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women's History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women's History Month to celebrate the contributions women have made in history.

As we recognize women's achievements, celebrate and thank them for their efforts here is a compact list of gay/lesbian women who have made a difference for themselves, for you, me and others to come. I invite you to use current resources to look up more women who continue the fight for equality.

1. Sally Ride became the first woman astronaut selected to go into space on a sixday STS-7 Space Shuttle mission aboard Challenger in June 1983. Her in-flight suit and other items are on display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. It was not known until she passed in 2012 that her 27-year partner was a woman, Tam Elizabeth O'Shaughnessy.

2. Robin Tyler became the first out lesbian on U.S. national television when she revealed her sexuality on a 1978 Showtime special, “The 1st Annual Funny Women's Show,” hosted by Phyllis Diller. The same year she released her comedy album, Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Groom, the first comedy album by an out lesbian.

3. Edie Windsor led one of the most significant marriage equality supreme court cases—the overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act. When the Supreme Court justices ruled 5-4, Windsor's case was the first time a same-sex marriage was recognized in the United States. On June 27, 2013, the Supreme Court

ruled that Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional and that the federal government cannot discriminate against married lesbian and gay couples for the purposes of determining federal benefits and protections.

4. Del Martin & Phyllis Lyon founded The Daughters of Bilitis in San Francisco in 1955, the first national lesbian political and social organization in the country. In 2004, Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon became the first same-sex couple to be legally married in the United States.

5. Karine Jean-Pierre, 48, is an American political advisor and has served as the White House press secretary since May 13, 2022. She is the first Black person and the first openly LGBT person to be White House press secretary.

6. In 1973, Sally Miller Gearhart became the first open lesbian to obtain a tenure-track faculty position when she was hired by San Francisco State University, where she helped establish one of the first women and gender study programs in the country.

7. Not a well-known name to everyone, but Nancy Cárdenas is an icon in the history of feminism and the struggle for civil rights in Mexico. Cárdenas made history in her native country after becoming the first

woman to come out of the closet and publicly defend sexual diversity during an interview on national television in 1973. She co-founded the first homosexual organization, ‘El Frente de Liberación Homosexual’ (The Homosexual Liberation Front). In 1978 she led the first gay pride march in México.

8. Alice Walker became the first AfricanAmerican woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for “The Color Purple” in 1982. Walker's work as a queer woman of color has been vital to the civil rights movement.

9. In 2008 Rachel Maddow became first openly gay or lesbian anchor of a major prime-time news program in the United States, hosting “The Rachel Maddow Show” on U.S. cable network MSNBC.

10. Stormé DeLarverie, rumored to have thrown the first punch of the Stonewall uprising, singer Stormé DeLarverie was a pioneer of gender expression by staying true to herself. DeLarverie is remembered as a gay civil rights icon.

11. Katharine Lee Bates, the famed composer of “America the Beautiful” never married, but lived in Wellesley with Katharine Coman, the founder of the Department of Economics at Wellesley College. The two had what we now know as a “Boston Marriage,” a co-habitational relationship between two educated unmarried women.

12. Jane Castor is politician and former police chief serving as the 59th mayor of Tampa. Jane was the first woman and first openly gay person to serve as Chief of Police of the Tampa Police Department from 2009 to 2015 and the first openly gay person to be elected Mayor of Tampa, FL.

12. Tammy Baldwin became the first openly lesbian non-incumbent ever elected to US Congress in 1998, and the first open lesbian ever elected to Congress, winning Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district seat. Baldwin became the first openly LGBT woman elected to the House of Representatives and to the Senate in 1999 and 2013 to present, respectively.

"Becoming Visible: The First Black Lesbian Conference" was held at The Women's Building in San Francisco, California, from October 17 to 19, 1980. It has been credited as the first conference for African-American lesbian women; 200 women attended.

Vice Versa, is the earliest known U.S. periodical published especially for lesbians, distributed in Los Angeles. Only 9 issues were published by Lisa Ben (an anagram of "lesbian"), real name: Edythe Eyde. It was published June 1947 to February 1948, 14 pages.

HOT PUZZLE Oral Communication

Sunshine Cathedral for the Performing Arts Presents Miss Richfield 1981

Dedicating her life to the friendly citizens and responsible merchants of her hometown of Richfield, Minnesota, “where butter is a spice and gravy is a beverage”, Miss Richfield 1981 has become one of America's national treasures. This Midwestern maven has won over theater audiences around the country with an interactive format that combines homespun warmth and edgy improv, leaving audiences in hysterics. Her live performances have received critical acclaim with The New York Post declaring Miss Richfield 1981 “the must-see act in Provincetown.” and Twincities.com noting: “In these divided times, Miss R is tonic—and gin—for the soul.” In addition to selling out venues each year in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Philadelphia, Atlanta, South Florida, and Minneapolis, Miss R continues to fill the Pilgrim House in Provincetown, Mass, nightly each summer, and tours with Atlantis Events cruise ships and resorts.

Miss Richfield's national appeal includes riotous appearances on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, “Today” on NBC, “Cake Boss” on TLC, and “Watch What Happens Live” on Bravo. Currently, she is part of the cast of “Talk Show The Game Show” on TruTV, and a television spokesperson for travel company Orbitz. Additionally, she serves as a national brand ambassador for the City of Palm Springs.

I hadn't chatted with Miss Richfield 1981 since before Covid, so it was a pleasure to chat with her just 2 weeks before her show, Cancel Cultured Pearls at the Sunshine Cathedral on Saturday, March 11, for this exclusive Hotspots interview. What did you do or accomplish over the pandemic?

I am so glad you asked me that because I am really thrilled with how busy I kept myself. I got online 9 days after the lockdown, and I did Bingo Bonanza twice a week along with pajama nights and trivia nights. Then some company's hired me, so I stayed busier during the pandemic, and it really kept my skills up. It was a big gift for me to do that, as well as a necessity.

How excited were you get back out to live performances?

Really excited, and again we were very blessed as in the summer of 2020 they allowed us to do outdoor shows. They could only be 50 people max (including the staff) but at least I could do 30 shows that summer (half the normal numbers).

In November I was able to perform in the Dominican Republic with Atlantis Events, but all the places I performed were being very careful.

Are the audiences any different post pandemic?

I think they are different. The first crowds that came out once we were allowed to do inside performances were bananas. It was the pentup energy; it created a wave of excitement and fun. Now I think the crowds are back to normal.

Describe yourself in 3 words?

Beautiful, current, and loud! What do you do for fun?

Well, I love to travel for business, but wherever I am my business is always fun. I could take a vacation or take time off, but I just don't. My job is really the number one thing I do for fun!

If I am not travelling or doing my shows then I am at home in my trailer in Richfield Minnesota, I make smores over the stove and sit with my cats watching re-runs of Murder She Wrote.

Do you have a significant other?

No, saving my eligibility for my next beauty pageant which could be right around the

corner, so I have to keep my virginity intact.

You travel all over the world, do you have a favorite city or venue?

Yes, Sunshine Cathedral is amazing and on top of the list for places to perform. I also love P Town where I spend my entire summer. After that would be Palm Springs. What does the future hold for Miss Richfield 1981?

I think it holds continued work and travel and always looking for more places to perform. Its an exciting future because I haven't stopped looking for new places. Not winding down or retiring any time soon! I will continue to bring current topics to the needy masses.

What should our readers expect from your show Cancel Cultured Pearls at The Sunshine Cathedral Center for the Performing Arts?

I would say they should expect a full comprehensive understanding of this cancel culture movement through the eyes of a beauty professional who has been cancelled once or 5 times. And yes, there is life after cancellation, I am proof. The show is really fun as I tell 3 stories where I have been cancelled. This is the second to last time I am performing this show, and I am going to miss it.

For more information on Miss Richfield 1981, go to: MissRichfield.com. To Purchase Tickets for Cancel Cultured Pearls at the Sunshine Cathedral on Saturday, March 11, go to Sunshinecathedral.org.

Pretty Woman: The Musical Kravis Center, March 7-12

Photos by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

Photo of Jessica courtesy of Pretty Woman: The Musical

The producers of “Pretty Woman: The Musical” are excited to announce the full touring cast for the North American Tour coming to the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts for a limited oneweek engagement March 7 – 12.

Broadway superstar and Tony Awardnominee Adam Pascal (Rent, AIDA, Something Rotten) will once again step into the well-heeled shoes of Edward Lewis after thrilling audiences on Broadway for a limited set of performances in 2019. He will be joined by newcomer Jessie Davidson (Harmony) as the charming and charismatic Vivian Ward.

Joining them are Jessica Crouch as Kit De Luca, Travis Ward-Osborne as Happy Man/Mr. Thompson; and Matthew Stocke as Philip Stuckey. Rounding out the company in alphabetical order are Jordan

Alexander, Jade Amber, Natalie Bourgeois, Anju Cloud, Michael Dalke, Matt Farcher, Carissa Gaughran, Mia Gerachis, Em Hadick, Graham Keen, Keyonna Knight, Bart Maher, Devon McCleskey, Alice Reys, Bianca Rivera-Irions, Trent Soyster, Brett Stoelker, and Jonathan Young.

Adam Pascal, Jessica Crouch, Matthew Stocke and Matt Farcher were also members of the Broadway company.

Featured in the musical is Roy Orbison and Bill Dee's international smash hit song “Oh, Pretty Woman,” which inspired one of the most beloved romantic comedy films of all time. Pretty Woman the film was an international smash hit when it was released in 1990. Now, 30 years later, Pretty Woman: The Musical is “Big romance and big fun!” (Broadway.com).

“Irresistible! A romantic fantasy. A contemporary fairy tale,” says The Hollywood Reporter. “Pretty

Woman: The Musical” delivers on all the iconic moments you remember. Get ready to experience this dazzling theatrical take on a love story for the ages. Are you ready to fall in love all over again?

Atlantic Records' Pretty Woman: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) is produced by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and is now available on all DSPs.

It was a pleasure to sit down with Jessica Crouch who plays Kit De Luca (full disclosure: I saw the musical and thought Jessica killed it, so I asked to interview her) for this exclusive Hotspots interview.

At what age did you begin performing?

I started really at 3 or 4 years old as The Sacramento Ballet needed kids and I auditioned. I got the part and the bug hit me. What was your first paid gig? I think I did a local

commercial when I was 10 or 11. I don't remember how much I got paid. When did you know performing would be your career?

I think I had it dead set when I was a kid, even before that first paid commercial. Maybe around 5 or 6.

“Pretty Women” is so Iconic, is there extra pressure playing this role and being in this show?

Absolutely! Kit Deluca is a character with so many iconic lines and in many ways is just as treasured as the main character. When you do have iconic lines, the audience is expecting it and it could lead to a letdown, so I never want to be stale and try and deliver it every time.

Other than this one, what has been your favorite role so far? I have performed some pretty awesome roles, but I am going to say doing the musical Hair, where I was part of the tribe, was pretty spectacular. It felt like we

were saying something every night. What's your fantasy role (a role you haven't played but want to)?

It would be a role that was written for me and that I have a part in the creative process. My first dream role, which now I am getting too old to play, was Maureen in Rent.

Is it hard being on the road all the time?

It has its ups and downs. You can't be with the ones you love all the time and traveling does take a toll on you. We perform 6 days a week and usually the day we have off is the travel day. It's also hard cause you are always in a different hotel room, and you wake up in the middle of the night and you have no idea where you are. However, I get to travel to amazing cities that I would have never gotten a chance to see. I also get to see friends throughout the country. I just bumped into a friend last night that I performed with years ago.

How well do you and your castmates get along? We are a dysfunctional family, just like any other. We work well together and love each other, but we have our ups and downs like

any family. Overall, our cast is so supportive of each other.

Describe yourself in 3 words?

Strong, empathetic, and goober. What do you do for fun?

I really like being outdoors and outdoor adventuring. I love a good Happy Hour, and I love to eat, and I also love to work out.

What should our readers expect from this touring company of “Pretty Women”?

Honestly, if you love this movie you are going to love the musical. Its heartfelt, heartwarming, and a fun night out in theater. You are going to leave with a smile on your face singing “Pretty Women” on the way out.

For more information on Jess follow her on: Instagram.com/JessGoober. For more information on the show go to:

PrettyWomanTheMusical.com

To purchase tickets, go to kravis.org, visit or call the Kravis Center Box Office (561) 832-7469 during regular box office hours

Monday-Saturday from Noon to 5 p.m.

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