ION Arizona #293

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APP | SOCIAL | WEB | MAGAZINE 26065 W. Yukon Dr. Buckeye, AZ 85396 602-750-1164 (no solicitors) www.IONAZ.com IONarizona@me.com PUBLISHER | APP DEVELOPER Jack M. Tesorero ...................... jacktesorero@me.com C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R Alex Campos ...................... ionazproduction@me.com EXECUTIVE MARKETING DIRECTOR Cozi Phifer ..........(602) 469-3199 ionazsales@me.com N AT I O N A L A D V E R T I S I N G REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media ..................................... (212) 242-6863 D I G I TA L C O N T E N T D I R E C T O R : Zach Cross ......................... zfrenette@aspentreeaz.org APP DEVELOPER: Steve Sovacki ................ steve@bizburstmobile.com DREAM TEAM Mark Porcher - Executive Assistant Rosendo Brown - Fabulance Dr. Carmen Mora, NMD, Innova Medspa Joshua J Preston - Eat Well, Live Well Peter Michelsen - ExploratION Rich Serrano - Drag Editor PHOTOGRAPHERS LeakedGlass Production Rafalogie Studio AMBASSADORS Anthony Quinn Solis | Logan Smith

© 2026 JMT Designs, Inc.

All rights reserved

All original artwork and photography for ION Arizona Magazine remain property of JMT Designs, Inc, and cannot be reproduced, altered or sold without authorization and compensation.

NOTE: The views expressed in these articles do not necessarily reflect the views of ION Arizona, its staff, or that of its parent company.

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Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization within ION Arizona is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or organization. To our knowledge, all people photographed and published in ION Arizona are over the age of 18. Some photos were submitted by our readers. To our knowledge, they own the copyrights, and they have given us permission to reproduce them. If you see a picture that you own, please call us immediately and we will remove it from future publications. All copy, text, display, photos, and illustrations in the ads are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized, have secured proper written consent for the use of names, pictures, and testimonials of any living person, and that ION Arizona is not responsible for unlawful use of such content.

The Heat is ION!

A s we enter our hottest month of the year, what better way to enjoy our community than curling up next to your air conditioner and reading this issue of ION.

As we enter our 26th year of publishing, it’s hard not to reflect on our past, the good, the bad, the ugly. But I like to focus on the good. There’s enough bad and ugly in the world today we don’t have the space!

ION JUST JACK

As I’ve mentioned throughout this years, this is your magazine, created by you and read by you. That is why we value your opinion. How can we make a better magazine. A hotter magazine. A more informative magazine. A more entertaining magazine.

After covid, we evolved our focus on living a healthy and happy life in the LGBTQ+ Arizona community. We now feature news courtesy of Lookout, healthy recipes from the Chef of Melrose.Joshua Preston, reflectION blast from the past, hydratION cocktail recipes from Western Son, beautification from Dr. Mora at Innova Medspa, healthy natION from various medical centers, exploratION from Peter Michaelson as well as the regular features like ION Events, ION Streaming, Fabulance cartoon, Homoscopes and, of course, Just Jack. If you like to see something more or less, please reach out to me at jacktesorero@me.com. You opinion matters!

But ION wouldn’t be here with out you and our advertisers. A simple ask as we start the next 25 years is keep picking ION up or reading the digital version, download our App if you haven’t, subscribe to our Friday e-mail blast and support our advertisers. They pay so you don’t have to!

That’s it for me. Enjoy this issue, enjoy the furnace outside, stay cool, stay fun and be good to each other. Is that too much to ask?

Jack M. Tesorero Summer Lover 8

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(Pictured above) On July 20th, we lost our beloved Olive Juice after 16 great years. Thank you for your unconditional love, your companionship and memories. You will be missed!

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ION SAZERAC

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10IONARIZONA AUG 2026

CURIOUS?

SAZERAC Cocktails & CRAFT

821 N 2nd Street

Phoenix, Arizona

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PHX ATTRACTIONS MEGAWOOF

MEGAWOOF: Summer Edition is back to turn up the heat on Saturday, August 8, starting at 9:30 PM at Kobalt (3110 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012).

Arizona’s favorite bear party returns with an expanded outdoor patio, beats from GLOVIBES, MOODY, and HISIR, plus an all-star lineup of go-go performers from Los Angeles and Phoenix. Throw on your favorite summer look, hit the dance floor, and celebrate a night of body positivity, community, and nonstop energy under the stars. Grab your tickets early before prices climb—this is one bear bash you won’t want to miss!

Phoenix Pride Awards Ceremony

ION EVENTS

Celebrate the people who make our community shine at the Phoenix Pride Awards Reception on Sunday, August 16, at 6 PM at the Desert Botanical Garden (1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix). Commemorating 45 years of Phoenix Pride, this elegant evening honors outstanding community leaders, dedicated volunteers, and scholarship recipients whose work continues to uplift LGBTQ+ Arizonans. It’s a night of inspiration, celebration, and reflection on how far we’ve come and the bright future still ahead. General admission is just $15, making it an easy way to support a incredible community.

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Visionaries X: Lexi Love

Visionaries X: Lexi Love is bringing serious star power to Kobalt (3110 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012) on Sunday, August 16, at 7 PM. Fresh from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17, Lexi Love takes the stage for a night of fierce performances, unforgettable looks, and plenty of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. If you’ve been waiting for the chance to see one of Drag Race’s breakout queens up close, this is your moment.

Grab your friends, tip your entertainers, and prepare for a Sunday night that’s absolutely serving.

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Pool Party Benefiting one·n·ten

Make a splash for a great cause at Pool Party for one·n·ten on Sunday, August 23, with doors opening at 2 PM at The Pemberton (1121 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004). Hosted by Spectrum Medical in partnership with Mark Moermans and one·n·ten, this 21+ fundraiser combines poolside vibes, music from DJB, raffle prizes, and plenty of community spirit—all while supporting LGBTQ+ youth across Arizona. Best of all, 100% of the net proceeds benefit one·n·ten, making this the perfect excuse to soak up the sun while giving back. Grab your swimsuit and join the party!

Wok.N.Roll

Spice up your Thursdays at Horse Around at Wok ‘N Roll every Thursday from 8–10:30 PM at Wok ‘N Roll (4412 N Miller Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251). Hosted by the outrageous YoYo Blackfire, this weekly drag-fueled party serves up bingo, games, cheeky prizes, and enough laughs to get you through the workweek. As the first venue to bring drag bingo to Scottsdale, Wok ‘N Roll continues to prove why it does it best. Round up your friends, bring your sense of humor, and get ready for a Thursday night that’s equal parts delicious, ridiculous, and fabulously unforgettable.

Night Trip Festival Arizona 2026

Dance until sunrise at Night Trip Festival Arizona 2026 on Saturday, August 29, from 6 PM–2 AM at WestWorld of Scottsdale – North Hall (16601 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260). This massive 18+ indoor music festival transforms the venue into a late-night playground of booming bass, dazzling visuals, and nonstop energy. Whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or just looking for an unforgettable night out with friends, expect world-class DJs, immersive production, and a dance floor that won’t quit. Lace up your rave boots, stay hydrated, and get ready to keep the party going long after midnight!

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THE SHARDS

The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Disney+ & Hulu)

Miranda Priestly is back, and somewhere a gay gasped loud enough to crack a Louboutin heel. The Devil Wears Prada 2 reunites Andy Sachs and the queen of icy one-liners as they navigate a fashion industry struggling to survive the collapse of traditional magazine publishing. Whether you’re Team Runway or Team “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking,” this sequel is poised to be the fashion event every LGBTQ+ movie lover will be obsessing over. That’s all.

The Shards (FX & Hulu – Premieres August 5)

ION STREAMING

Ryan Murphy is taking us back to 1980s Los Angeles, where perfect hair, elite prep schools, and devastating secrets collide in The Shards. Based on Bret Easton Ellis’ acclaimed novel, this stylish psychological thriller serves murder, obsession, and enough simmering queer tension to keep everyone suspicious. As friendships unravel and a serial killer looms over privileged teens, the line between truth and paranoia becomes deliciously blurred. It’s dark, glamorous, and dripping with vintage noir vibes. Gossip Girl could never.

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Adults – Season 2 (FX – August 27)

Being an adult is hard. Being a messy adult? That’s appointment television. Adults returns for Season 2 after a surprise prequel episode whetted our appetite, bringing more awkward friendships, questionable decisions, and the kind of existential chaos that hits a little too close to home. Expect cringe-worthy laughs, heartfelt moments, and enough relationship drama to keep your group chat buzzing. If you’ve ever pretended to have your life together while silently spiraling, congratulations—you’ve already auditioned for this show.

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SUNDAY FUNDAY!

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz Western Son Cucumber Vodka .5 oz Worcestershire sauce ½ lime

HYDRATION

Bloody Mary Mix for topping Tajin for rim Celery stalk for garnish METHOD: Rim pint glass with tajin Add vodka, sauce, Bloody Mary mix into glass over ice Squeeze lemon juice into glass Stir & garnish with celery stalk 20

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THE

HEAT

OF

MELROSE

THE COOL OF THE VERRINE

Iitsncoolest the dead of a Phoenix August, the Melrose District shifts into gear. This feature centers on staying entirely chill while

honoring 7th Avenue’s vibrant energy. We celebrate Melrose with simple, “no-heat” cooking that pays homage to the neighborhood’s iconic colors (bright pink grapefruit, green avocado, and red onion), but presents them coldly in clean, geometric crystal verrines.

NUTRITION

Recipe: Avocado & Grapefruit Ceviche Cups Prep Time: 15 mins | Chill Time: 20–30 mins | Yields: 6–8 mini glasses

INGREDIENTS 1 lb raw shrimp (or firm white fish), diced into uniform 1/2inch pieces 3/4 cup fresh lime juice + 1/2 cup fresh grapefruit juice 1 ruby red grapefruit, segmented & cubed (save 6–8 uniform cubes for top garnish) 22

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1 firm avocado, diced into 1/2-inch cubes 1/4 cup red onion, ultra-finely diced 1 jalapeño, finely minced 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped 1 tbsp olive oil + 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt Garnish: Tajín seasoning & fresh mint sprigs

DIRECTIONS Cure the Seafood: Place diced seafood into a glass bowl and pour the fresh lime and grapefruit juices over top, ensuring everything is completely submerged. Cover and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes until the seafood turns fully opaque (pink for shrimp, white for fish). Drain and discard 3/4 of the liquid, leaving just enough to keep it juicy.

Prep the Mix: While the seafood cures, prep your veggies and fruit. In a separate bowl, combine the diced grapefruit cubes, avocado, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, olive oil, and sea salt.

Combine Gently: Add the drained seafood to the veggie mixture. Using a flexible rubber spatula, gently fold everything together—taking care not to mash the avocado cubes. Taste and add a pinch more salt if needed.

Rim the Glasses: Dip the rims of your clean verrines or short glass cups into a shallow saucer of water, then dip them directly into a dish of Tajín seasoning to create a clean, spiced border.

Assemble : Spoon the ceviche carefully into each glass up to 3/4 full, keeping the inner glass walls clean. Top each cup with a reserved bright pink grapefruit cube and a pristine mint leaf tucked right into the side.

Connect with the Chef Instagram: @JoshuaPreston21 & @ChefofMelrose CHEF OF MELROSE LLC Joshua J Preston Founder “ Eat Well, Live Well” (602) 540-9401 ChefOfMelrose.com JoshuaPreston@ChefOfMelrose.com AUG 2026

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D

ust off the sequins, locate a corsage that does not look like it lost a fight with a grocerystore floral department, and prepare to dance like the chaperones have stopped watching. Arizona Broadway Theatre is bringing The Prom to Peoria from August 21 through September 13, 2026, serving up big Broadway energy, sparkling comedy and enough heart to make even the most committed cynic clutch their pearls.

At the center of the story is Emma Nolan, an Indiana high school student who wants to do something outrageously scandalous: attend prom with her girlfriend. Naturally, the adults respond with the calm, reasonable maturity for which parent committees are famously known. The PTA cancels the prom entirely, Emma’s story explodes online, and what should have been a high school dance becomes a national controversy.

Enter four Broadway performers whose latest expensive production has flopped harder than a diva missing her key change. Their careers need rehabilitation, their egos need oxygen and Emma’s fight for inclusion looks like the perfect opportunity to 26

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save the day—and generate flattering press. They sweep into town with theatrical confidence, questionable strategy and no ability to read the room. Their activism is loud, messy and frequently more about themselves than the teenager they claim to be helping. In other words, it is social justice with jazz hands.

That is where The Prom finds its sweet spot. The show is sincere without becoming syrupy, wildly funny without treating Emma’s struggle as a joke, and campy enough to keep the evening sparkling. Beneath the costumes, choreography and Broadway-sized personalities is a story about courage, acceptance and the radical notion that queer young people deserve joy without having to earn it through public suffering first.

Dani Cleveland takes on the role of Emma, returning to Arizona Broadway Theatre after appearing as Demeter in CATS. Her credits also include Beth March in Little Women, Frozen at The Phoenix Theatre Company and Spring Awakening at Arizona State University, where she is pursuing a degree in Musical Theatre with a minor in dance. That combination should serve her well in a role requiring tenderness, strength and the ability to carry a story while surrounded by adults behaving with the subtlety of a confetti cannon.

Opposite her, Giselle Sanchez Wilson plays Alyssa Greene, Emma’s girlfriend and 28

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the daughter of the PTA’s formidable leader. Wilson, an ASU Musical Theatre major and Dance minor, returns to ABT after Cinderella and lists roles including Anna in Frozen: The Musical, Anita in West Side Story and Ariel in The Little Mermaid.

Alyssa may be the quieter half of the romance, but her journey carries its own weight as she wrestles with expectations, identity and the terror of disappointing a parent who has already planned her life down to the last sensible shoe.

The invading Broadway brigade is packed with familiar ABT faces. Andy Meyers plays Barry Glickman, bringing more than 50 ABT acting and directing credits, along with national touring, Off-Broadway and Metropolitan Opera experience.

Jamie Parnell returns as Trent Oliver after recent ABT appearances in Pretty Woman and Phantom, plus memorable turns as Willy Wonka, Scrooge and Dr. Frank-n-Furter elsewhere. With that résumé, he is practically contractually obligated to know how to enter a room dramatically.

Lynzee Foreman plays Angie Dickinson, fresh from portraying Lady in The Cher Show on the same stage. Foreman is also ABT’s Social Media Manager and the choreographer and co-director of HyRev, because apparently sleeping is for people without talent. Her credits include Jersey Boys, Disaster! and The Little Mermaid. Cassandra Klaphake rounds out the quartet as Dee Dee Allen, while Miguel Jackson appears as Principal Hawkins, Sedona Valdez as Mrs. Greene and Raymond Barcelo as Sheldon.

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The musical comes with serious Broadway credentials beneath all that glitter. Featuring music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin and a book by Bob Martin, The Prom earned seven Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Original Score, and won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical. Songs such as “It’s Time to Dance,” “You Happened” and “Zazz” keep the show moving with the kind of exuberance that makes sitting politely feel almost unreasonable.

And because this is Arizona Broadway Theatre, the evening does not begin with frantic drive-through fries eaten in the parking lot. Dinner-and-show tickets include soup or salad, fresh-baked rolls and an entrée, with upgraded options available.

ABT’s culinary team also creates a custom menu to complement each production, giving audiences a full night out without racing across the Valley between reservations.

The Prom runs August 21 through September 13 at Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane in Peoria’s P83 entertainment district. Tickets are available through AZBroadway.org or the box office at 623-776-8400, open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Come for the comedy, stay for the romance, and leave reminded that everyone deserves a dance floor, a spotlight and at least one gloriously over-the-top musical number dedicated to their happiness.

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MONDAY

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Charlie’s Sunday Funday (W)

Stacy’s @ Melrose Karaoke (W)

Charlie’s Blackout Bingo / Karaoke (W)

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Charlie’s Blackout Bingo / Karaoke (W)

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Charlie’s Sunday Funday (W)

Stacy’s @ Melrose Rising Star Drag Show (W)

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Royale Kitchen & Cocktails FLAMBOYANCE! Drag Brunch (W)

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11 Sazerac Karaoke (W)

Charlie’s Sunday Funday (W)

(W) Weekly (M) Monthly

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Royale Kitchen & Cocktails FLAMBOYANCE! Drag Brunch (W)

TUESDAY

Sazerac Karaoke (W)

Stacy’s @ Melrose Rising Star Drag Show (W)

SEP

AUG

SUNDAY

1 Sazerac Karaoke (W)

ionarizona

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY 6

5

13

RORO Dogs Half off Wieners (W)

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Stacy’s @ Melrose Communion Goth Night (W)

Sazerac 80’s Throwback Thursdays (W)

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Charlie’s Mile High Industry

Stacy’s @ Melrose Starstruck (W)

Sazerac 80’s Throwback Thursdays (W)

Stacy’s @ Melrose Dance Party (W)

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15 Flex Spa’s Phoenix Blackout Night (W)

Charlie’s Dance Party (W)

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22 Stacy’s @ Melrose Starstruck (W)

Stacy’s @ Melrose Dance Party (W)

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Sazerac 80’s Throwback Thursdays (W)

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2

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Sazerac 80’s Throwback Thursdays (W)

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RORO Dogs Half off Wieners (W)

SATURDAY

7 Sazerac 80’s Throwback Thurs (W)

Charlie’s Mile High Industry (W)

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FRIDAY

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Flex Spa’s Phoenix Blackout Night (W)

Charlie’s Dance Party (W)

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5 Stacy’s @ Melrose Starstruck (W)

Stacy’s @ Melrose Dance Party (W)

The Mint Mint Cannabis Free Tacos

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#IONAZ

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TED KIRBY

E REFLECTION

very magazine has a face its readers know and a dozen they never see.

For 16 years, one of ION’s most familiar unseen faces belonged to Ted Kirby, the man who actually got the magazine into your hands.

From March 2004 to March 2020, Kirby delivered ION to businesses and hotspots across the Valley. “For 16 years, my month always revolved around seeing the friendly faces on my routes,” he says. When COVID-19 arrived, he made that delivery his last, calling it “the natural, albeit emotional, time” to step away. “It was a wonderful run,” he says, “defined by the lasting friendships I made along the way.”

The route, it turned out, was a door. “I don’t know if I ever would have been able to network within the community as deeply as I did without the incredible doors this experience opened for me,” Kirby says. He came to know ION the way its readers always had: a staple of the Phoenix LGBTQ+ community, a way of bringing people together and celebrating entertainment, both locally and nationwide.

Three moments, he says, still burn bright.

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The 2004 Splash Bash Just months into the job, Kirby put his Detroit experience hosting performers to work. ION threw its Splash Bash at the resort space on Second Avenue and Osborn, an event he still believes was the biggest the magazine ever staged. “The crowd was massive, and the energy was electric,” he recalls. He hosted the performer Amber, whom he had worked with back in Michigan. “Reuniting for such an incredible night was a total blast.”

Stealing the Cover In July 2015, Kirby competed in Dancing with the Bars, with ION as his sponsor.

The cover, by tradition, went to local celebrities, prominent drag queens or shirtless hunks. Kirby wanted to break the mold, but it meant winning an online popular vote against some of the city’s best-known personalities.

He needed a secret weapon, and he found one volunteering at Flagstaff Pride that summer. “During my breaks, I hit the pavement, chatted up strangers, and got them to cast a vote for my photo right then and there,” he says. The grassroots strategy worked. Kirby shocked the competition and landed the cover, sharing the milestone with his dance partner, Diona Peltcs.

The Best, Saved for Last Ask Kirby for the best part of 16 years and he doesn’t name an event. He names people: Jack Tesorero, Kevin Bushaw, Deon Brown, Alex Campos and Paul Sanchez.

Heading into the office each month to load up the truck was never a chore. “It was a highlight, purely because it meant catching up with them,” he says.

The routes ended in 2020. The friendships didn’t. “I am incredibly grateful to still call each of them a friend today,” Kirby says.

For-century, ION has reached its community through people like Ted Kirby. The magazine is what it is, in part, because of who carried it.

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“ I FOUND THE CARE I DESERVE — TURNS OUT MOST OF IT WAS FREE OR LOW-COST AND WAY EASIER THAN I THOUGHT. IF YOU NEED A NUDGE, THIS IS IT.” Living with HIV? Maricopa County’s Ryan White Program offers free and low-cost care and services that help you stay healthy.

Apply today!

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $2,744,880.00 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

PositivelyYouAZ.com (602) 212-3788 @PositivelyYouAZ #PositivelyYouAZ JUNE 2026

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SUMMER’S SEXIEST ACCESSORY? CONFIDENCE.

Your Ultimate Guide to Personal Aesthetic Etiquette

By Dr. Carmen Mora

S

ummer has officially arrived, and with it comes swimsuit season, pool parties, beach vacations, Pride celebrations, rooftop cocktails, and spontaneous weekend adventures.

The truth is that being attractive has very little to do with perfection. The sexiest people in any room aren’t necessarily the youngest, leanest, or most muscular.

They’re the ones who appear polished, healthy, confident, and comfortable in their own skin.

Think of personal aesthetic etiquette as the modern gentleman’s guide to presenting his best self.

Start With Your Skin Your skin is the first thing people notice. Healthy skin signals vitality, self-care, and confidence.

BEAUTIFICATION

A daily sunscreen is the single most important anti-aging product you can own.

Years of Arizona sunshine, beach trips, and outdoor adventures can lead to pigmentation, fine lines, redness, and premature aging.

One of my favorite summer refresh treatments is the SkinWave Hydrafacial.

It deeply cleanses, exfoliates, hydrates, and oxygenates the skin, leaving you looking rested, refreshed, and ready for every selfie opportunity. Think of it as pressing the reset button on your face.

For deeper rejuvenation, laser treatments and medical-grade skincare can help restore a smoother, more youthful appearance.

Grooming Matters Nothing ruins a confident summer vibe faster than razor bumps, ingrown hairs, or constantly battling body hair maintenance. Laser hair removal has become one of the most popular aesthetic procedures among men because it delivers long-term freedom from shaving and waxing while creating cleaner lines and smoother skin. Popular treatment areas include the back, shoulders, chest, neck, beard line, and yes, even those areas typically hidden by swimwear.

Brighten That Smile You can spend thousands on clothing, watches, and vacations, but nothing upgrades your appearance faster than a bright, healthy smile.

Professional teeth whitening remains one of the highest-impact aesthetic 44

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treatments available. It photographs beautifully, enhances confidence, and instantly creates a more youthful appearance.

Wrinkles? Smooth Them Out Neuromodulators such as Botox®, Dysport®, Jeuveau®, and other wrinkle-relaxing treatments can soften forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet while preserving a natural appearance when performed properly. The goal isn’t to look frozen. The goal is to look refreshed.

Build the Summer Body You Want Summer bodies aren’t built in a weekend, but modern technology can help.

Muscle stimulation devices such as Evolve EMS can strengthen and tone targeted muscle groups, helping define the abdomen, glutes, arms, and other areas. Many patients enjoy using it to complement their workouts and create additional definition where they want it most.

Don’t Forget Sexual Wellness Confidence doesn’t stop at appearance.

Sexual wellness plays a major role in how we feel, carry ourselves, and connect with others. Many men are now exploring physician-guided peptide therapies as part of their overall wellness routines. PT-141 (Bremelanotide) has gained attention for its ability to enhance sexual desire and arousal in some individuals.

Melanotan peptides have also generated interest because some users report increased tanning response and libido benefits. However, these therapies should always be discussed with a qualified medical professional to determine whether they are appropriate for your individual health goals.

The Real Secret After years of helping patients look and feel their best, I’ve discovered something surprising: The sexiest trait isn’t perfect skin.

It isn’t a perfect smile.

It isn’t six-pack abs.

It’s confidence.

Confidence comes from knowing you’ve invested in yourself. So this summer, schedule the treatment you’ve been considering.

Upgrade your skincare routine.

Improve your health. Hit the gym.

Whiten your smile. Take care of your body. Not because someone else expects it. Because you deserve to feel amazing in your own skin. And trust me, confidence looks incredible on everyone.

Dr. Carmen Mora is the Owner and Medical Director of Innova MedSpa, helping patients throughout Arizona look refreshed, feel confident, and age powerfully.

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ION XMAS IN JULY PARTY

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TRAVELS WITH PETER The Mogollon Rim

W hen Phoenix is cooking in 110-degree heat, the Mogollon Rim is one of my favorite escapes. About two hours from the Valley, you’ll

EXPLORATION

trade cactus for towering pines, cool mountain air, and some of the best dispersed camping Arizona has to offer. Forest Road 300 runs about 43 miles along the Rim, and whether you come in from the Happy Jack side or near Woods Canyon Lake, it’s easy to find a campsite with incredible views overlooking the canyon below.

One of the things I love about camping up here is that you can make the weekend whatever you want it to be. Spend the day relaxing around camp, exploring the forest roads, or head about 20 minutes away to Blue Ridge Reservoir for some paddleboarding. The water winds through steep canyon walls, making it one of Arizona’s most beautiful places to get out on a board. Then it’s back to camp for dinner, a fire, and a sky full of stars.

If you’re looking for a weekend away with friends, this is hard to beat. No reservations, no crowded campgrounds—just miles of forest, cooler temperatures, and the freedom to find your own spot.

Sometimes the best nights aren’t spent at a bar or a club. Sometimes they’re around a campfire with good people, cold drinks, and a view you won’t stop talking about on the drive home.

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NAVIGATION Use the ION ARIZONA APP for Google Maps turn-by-turn directions with links to UBER & LYFT!

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DON’T DRINK & DRIVE!

Friendly bars, clubs & restaurants: PHOENIX METRO

WEBSITE

ADDRESS

PHONE

Anvil

anvilbaraz.com

2424 E. Thomas Rd.

(602) 334-1462

Bar 1

bar1bar.com

3702 N. 16th St.

(602) 266-9001

Barracks PHX

barracksphx.com

COMING SOON!

Boycott Bar

boycottbarphx.com

4301 N. 7th Ave.

(602) 515-3667

Brasserie Melrose

brasseriemelrose.com

4971 N 7th Ave

(480) 600-7975

Bunkhouse

bunkhousesaloonphx

4428 N. 7th Ave.

(602) 200-9154

Charlie’s

charliesphoenix.com

727 W. Camelback Rd.

(602) 265-0224

Cruisin’ 7th

cruisin7th.com

3702 N. 7th St.

(602) 212-9888

Flex Spas

flexspas.com

1517 S. Black Canyon Hwy.

(602) 271-9011

Hula’s

hulasmoderntiki.com

5114 N. 7th St.

(602) 265-8454

Karamba

karambanightclub.com 1724 E. McDowell Rd.

(602) 254-0231

King Pin Bar/Rest

kingpingrill.com

8925 N. 12th St.

(602) 795-6007

Kobalt

kobaltbarphoenix.com

3110 N. Central Ave. Ste 175 (602) 264-5307

Mi Patio

mipatioaz.com

3347 N. 7th Ave.

(602) 277-4831

NuTowne Saloon

nutownebar.com

5002 E. Van Buren St.

(602) 267-9959

OZ Bar

ozbarphx.com

1804 W. Bethany Home Rd. (602) 242-5114

The Rock

therockdmphoenix

4129 N. 7th Ave.

(602) 248-8559

RoRo Dogs

rorodogs.com

610 E. Roosevelt St., #140

(602) 224-0554

Sazerac

sazeracphoenix.com

821 N. 2nd St.

(602) 334-1626

Stacy’s @ Melrose

stacysatmelrose.com

4343 N. 7th Ave.

(602) 264-1700

Title 9 Sports Bar

titleninesportsgrill.com 4221 N. 7th Ave.

(602) 290-9910

Thunderbird Lounge

thunderbirdloungephx

710 W. Montecito Ave.

(602) 283-4621

Walter Studios

walterstudios.com

747 W. Roosevelt St

(602) 586-5906

Walter Wherehouse

walterwherehouse.com

702 N. 21st Ave.

(602) 586-5906

AUG 2026

IONMOBILE 53

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JUNE 2026

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ION SAZERAC

#IONAZ

56 IONARIZONA AUG 2026

CURIOUS?

#IONAZ

SAZERAC Cocktails & CRAFT

821 N 2nd Street

Phoenix, Arizona

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Lookout for LOOKOUT News Briefs in ION Arizona

Queer Culture was Debated for Eight Hours in State Liquor Board Hearing The Arizona State Liquor Board spent hours debating leather culture, cruising, and allegations tied to a California bar before determining the real issue was whether the business had properly disclosed its ownership.

BYLINE: Joseph Darius Jaafari

This story was originally published by LOOKOUT. It has been condensed for this publication. Sign up for LOOKOUT’s newsletter at lookoutnews.org

A

fter nearly eight hours of testimony about cruising and queer culture, the Arizona State Liquor Board’s decision on a gay bar that has caught the attention of leather folks across the country ultimately came down to something far less provocative: corporate paperwork.

A hearing over Barracks Phoenix—a proposed leather bar in Phoenix’s Melrose District—quickly spiraled into a discussion about the definition of “cruising,” leather culture and whether businesses can use sex to market themselves before board members finally returned to the question they were actually there to answer: Did bar owner Matthew Moody properly remove his former business partner from the company?

INFORMATION

The result was less a liquor board hearing than an impromptu lesson in queer history.

Patrick Kelly, owner of the adult store Off Chute Too, and Moody spent much of Thursday explaining leather culture, correcting misconceptions and defending queer spaces before a state regulatory board.

By the end of the day, the Arizona State Liquor Board approved a Series 6 liquor license for Barracks Phoenix, which plans to open across from Fry Bread House on Seventh Avenue. But the approval came with one condition: Moody has 90 days to completely remove former business partner Richard “Scott” Murchison from the company’s ownership structure.

The hearing, however, rarely stayed focused on corporate law. Much of the testimony centered on Murchison’s former ownership of Barracks in Cathedral City, California, where a four-month undercover investigation by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control between late 2023 and early 2024 resulted in 66 administrative allegations involving public sexual activity, nudity and lewd conduct.

Moody never owned or managed the California bar, but Murchison’s connection to it initially prompted the Phoenix Police Department to recommend denying the Arizona liquor license.

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To resolve those concerns, Moody and Murchison filed paperwork with the Arizona Corporation Commission on April 28 removing Murchison as an officer and director of Barracks Bar Phoenix Inc., leaving Moody as the company’s sole listed director and manager. Phoenix police later withdrew their recommendation, concluding there was “no basis for denial.” The Phoenix City Council also declined to protest the application.

One thing, however, remained unchanged: Murchison was still a shareholder. That became the central legal issue before the board. One opponent’s lawyer, Michael Raine, repeatedly returned to the California allegations as a proxy for a broader debate over queer culture.

Leather bars have long served as sexually expressive spaces, often hosting kink events, screening pornography and, in some states, providing designated play areas. Opponents argued those aspects of leather culture meant Barracks Phoenix would inevitably violate Arizona liquor laws.

Arizona’s LGBTQ+ bars, however, have historically operated under far tighter scrutiny.

State liquor laws prohibit sexual activity and sexually explicit performances inside licensed establishments. While enforcement has often varied elsewhere, Arizona’s queer bars have long navigated heightened attention over sexuality in ways many straight venues have not.

That history extends beyond Arizona. In Seattle, police recently raided several gay bars over alleged sexual conduct, prompting protests from LGBTQ+ advocates who argued queer spaces continue to face disproportionate enforcement.

The only formal protest came from Raine’s client Stuart Shoen, heir to the U-Haul fortune. Through his company, 18 SAC LLC, Shoen challenged the license on location and personal qualification grounds. Shoen owns the neighboring property, where he stores his and his family’s vehicles, and argued a sex club would negatively affect property value. He disputed that he would take issue with a gay bar, generally.

An Heir to the U-Haul Business Is Trying to Stop a Gay Leather Bar From Opening Stuart Shoen says he’s worried about parking and noise. Court filings from the bar’s attorney suggest something else.

His attorney spent much of the hearing attempting to tie Barracks Phoenix to the California allegations. He introduced promotional material from a Chicago leather event advertising an “Orgy in Progress” and repeatedly cited cruising and leather culture as evidence the Phoenix business would engage in illegal activity.

Moody countered that the materials reflected leather community culture—not Barracks Phoenix’s operating plan. At one point during the hearing Moody — who has a background in marketing — seemed to address Shoen, directly, on the door hangers: “That wasn’t for you,” he said. “You don’t get it.”

Raine also introduced a LOOKOUT and Phoenix New Times article as an exhibit, questioning Shoen about reporting that referenced Moody’s attorney’s allegation that the remaining objections reflected an underlying bias.

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A

ugust arrives blazing with Leo confidence, dramatic entrances, and the kind of heat that makes everyone slightly delusional. Midmonth, Virgo energy grabs the clipboard and starts reorganizing the chaos, whether invited or not. Expect bold flirtations, overdue reality checks, spontaneous plans, and at least one glow-up fueled entirely by spite. Stay hydrated, trust your instincts, and remember: confidence is fabulous, but sunscreen is nonnegotiable.

♈ ARIES

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

August turns your confidence up dangerously high, Aries. Chase the opportunity, wear the bold outfit, and flirt shamelessly—but pause before transforming every disagreement into a competitive sporting event.

♉ TAURUS

(Apr 20 – May 20)

Your comfort zone is feeling especially luxurious this month, Taurus. Enjoy the treats, naps, and beautiful things, but remember that avoiding change does not technically count as self-care.

♊ GEMINI

(May 21 – Jun 20)

ION HOMOSCOPES

August keeps your calendar packed and your mouth moving, Gemini.

Share the gossip, charm the room, and please finish one conversation before launching three entirely unrelated side quests.

♋ CANCER

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

You are emerging from birthday season softer, wiser, and only slightly emotionally exhausted. August asks you to trust your glow without requesting reassurance from everyone in your contacts.

♌ LEO

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Happy birthday, Leo! August hands you the spotlight, applause, and flattering lighting you clearly deserve.

Celebrate boldly, but let someone else tell one story at dinner.

♍ VIRGO

(Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Your season approaches, Virgo, 62

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and suddenly every messy detail is personally offending you. Fix what matters, ignore what doesn’t, and resist alphabetizing your friends by emotional reliability.

♎ LIBRA

(Sept 23 – Oct 22)

August brings romance, compliments, and several suspiciously attractive distractions. Enjoy the attention, Libra, but remember: good cheekbones are not a substitute for communication, consistency, or basic manners.

♏ SCORPIO

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Your mysterious energy is working overtime, Scorpio, and people are deliciously intrigued. Let them closer without creating an obstacle course.

Vulnerability is hotter than another unnecessary loyalty test.

♐ SAGITTARIUS

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Adventure keeps calling, Sagittarius, and naturally you have already packed badly. Say yes to spontaneous fun, but confirm the address, budget, and whether anyone remembered the phone charger.

♑ CAPRICORN

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

August asks you to stop treating relaxation like an overdue assignment.

Celebrate your progress, take the afternoon off, and discover that productivity survives even when you order another cocktail.

♒ AQUARIUS

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Your weirdest ideas attract the right crowd this month, Aquarius. Share them proudly, skip the unnecessary explanations, and stop shrinking yourself for people committed to being painfully predictable.

♓ PISCES

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

August turns ordinary moments into cinematic fantasies, Pisces. Enjoy the soundtrack, sunset, and romantic possibilities, but keep one foot in reality—preferably near your keys and unpaid bills.

APR 2025

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