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DREAM TEAM:
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WEB: Zachary Cross / Custom Resumes
APP: Steve Sovacki / Biz Burst Mobile
PHOTOGRAPHERS: LeakedGlass Production Rafalogie Studio
AMBASSADORS: Anthony Quinn Solis Logan Smith
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NOTE: The views expressed in these articles do not necessarily reflect the views of ION Arizona, its staff, or that of its parent company.
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.
2025 JMT Designs, Inc.
Welcome to our biggest issue of the year! There’s a lot going on now that the weather is cooling down and the fun begins. This month we focus on National Coming Out Day October 11th, Phoenix Pride weekend and Halloween.
We are launching a new article every month called liberatION: Your coming out story. We want you to share your coming out story, the good, the bad and the ugly. Send us 350 words and some photos before and after. We might publish it and if we do we’ll pay you $100!
What better way to start this new feature with my own coming out story. Like many of you, I was raised conservative and religious. In my 20s I went with the flow but knew I was different. I worked in the corporate world as a straight man leading a double life after hours.
I was suicidal and created my good-bye poem entitled “Silent Enemy” at 23. I had a choice: End my sadness or face my new future. Thankfully, I decided to face my future and be my real self. I keep the original poem in my desk drawer to remind me every day what a mistake that would have been.
I told my family and friends one by one in the order of easiest to hardest finishing with my father. While it was more difficult as I worked down the list I felt more free and happy the closer I got to being open. To my surprise, all accepted me and my new journey.
By the time I was 27, I was ready to spread my wings and start my new life. This time on my terms. So I chose to move to Phoenix Arizona. I was welcomed with open arms by many people and met like minded people who shared my passion for being free and out in the Valley of the Sun.
It was then I decide to devote my life and life savings to the Arizona LGBTQ+ community and started ION Arizona Magazine. The rest is history.
ION Arizona is my coming out story and the story continues almost 25 years later! Thank you all for supporting me on my journey.
What’s your story? What challenges did you face. Were you accepted or shunned. Did you move out of state like I did? Did your family and friends accept you? Send us your story to ionarizona@me.com.
Check out all the great events coming up this month. We’ll see you at one•n•ten’s Coming Out Day, stop by the ION Arizona booth at Phoenix Pride for FREE ION swag and get your sexy costume ready for Halloween!
Proud & Out Arizonian
Knockout with TKO
From Diamond Gloves to the Orpheum Theatre,
Written by Daddy Dash Serrano
Gottmik & Violet Chachki
Chachki Deliver a TKO and 2025 Tour Theatre, the Drag Duo’s Biggest Era Yet
Drag icons Gottmik and Violet Chachki are stepping into the ring together this fall, ready to deliver a performance nothing short of a knockout. Their new single TKO, paired with a dazzling music video, kicks off their highly anticipated tour running September through December 2025 — including a stop in Phoenix at the Orpheum Theatre on November 14.
The TKO video is a masterclass in blending spectacle with artistry. Featuring diamondencrusted boxing gloves and glittering headgear, the visuals scream drag excellence while channeling the grit and glam of a boxing match. The couture was the work of longtime collaborator Disco Daddy, known for his dazzling crystal artistry, including Gottmik’s unforgettable scream dress on RuPaul’s Drag Race. He’ll even appear in the live show with a solo number, making the connection between the video and tour even stronger.
For both queens, TKO is more than just a song — it’s the culmination of years of work. “We’ve been building this empire together for about two years,” Gottmik said. “From starting a podcast to putting together new teams, we’ve really been aligning everything. This song feels like the first bloom of the seeds we planted.” Violet added, “It’s the natural next phase of our careers and our lives.”
The boxing theme was both symbolic and spectacular. Gottmik recalled spotting a billboard for a fight and realizing how much boxing mirrored drag. “They come out in diamond shorts, dripping in glamour, feathers everywhere — it’s pure performance,” they explained. Violet added, “It’s life imitating art, imitating life. And it’s a perfect format for a live show, with rounds and battles that showcase two different styles of drag.”
The single was a collaboration with Jesse St. John, Alex Chapman, and Gacha. “We wanted it to feel cool and cunty, but not too onthenose drag,” Violet said. “Finding that balance was key.”
Now the duo are scaling up. Their TKO Tour will bring them from neighborhood bars to massive venues like The Fillmore in Denver, The Pageant in St. Louis, House of Blues in Chicago, and the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix. “When we started, bar shows were what we needed — intimate, connecting with fans, really testing ourselves,” Gottmik said. “Now we’ve grown so much as artists and as a team that bigger stages feel natural and exciting.”
For Gottmik, Phoenix will be especially personal. “The first time I performed here, it was the first time my family had ever seen me in drag,” they revealed. “I left before I transitioned, and some friends and family didn’t support me. But now I get to stand onstage
at the Orpheum and show them what they’re missing out on. It’s emotional but empowering.”
Fashion will also take center stage. “Expect way more than the bar tour,” Violet teased. “We’re working on custom looks right now — big, overthetop fashion. This show will be a mix of drag, live music, burlesque, comedy, aerial performance, and couture like you’ve never seen.”
The queens’ chemistry keeps things playful. They joked about crystalcharged butt plugs and moonlit energy as part of their preshow rituals before admitting they just want to hit the stage fierce and ready.
And when asked for a secret about the tour, Violet couldn’t resist. With a sly grin, she revealed, “The tour’s still unfolding… but just know, I’ll be riding a big pink dick. Just between us, okay?” Gottmik laughed, promising fans unexpected surprises, jawdropping designers, and maybe even a few celebrity cameos.
But amid the laughs, Gottmik shared a heartfelt message for LGBTQ+ youth facing today’s challenges. “Trust yourself. Every day it can feel like the world is telling you you’re wrong for being who you are, but you’re not alone. Growing up, I never saw a trans guy doing drag, and I didn’t think it was possible for me. But when I put my story out there, I found out so many people were waiting for someone to break that door down. Be brave, because you’ll inspire others.”
With TKO as their anthem and a tour designed to showcase drag at dazzling new heights, Gottmik and Violet Chachki are ready to prove that drag is not just entertainment — it’s an art form, a movement, and a knockout punch to remember.
Tickets for the TKO Tour, including the Phoenix stop at the Orpheum Theatre on November 14, are on sale now. Don’t miss it.
PHX ATTRACTIONS
First Friday Melrose Market
Friday night’s about to get fabulous! On Friday, October 3, 2025, at 5 PM, the First Friday Melrose Market takes over Lyceum Park (1318 W Sells Dr, PHX, AZ) in the heart of the Melrose District. Stroll an open-air wonderland of up to 25+ local vendors, food trucks, drag performances, and art pop-ups while snagging handmade crafts, vintage finds, and fine art from Arizona artists. This month’s sparkle theme, Life of a Showgirl, brings secondhand glam bursting with glitter and statement pieces. Come for the vibes, stay for the community, and support local creativity.
Arizona State Fair
The smell of funnel cakes and the sound of screaming coaster riders can only mean one thing—the Arizona State Fair is back! Running September 19–October 26, 2025 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds (1826 W McDowell Rd, PHX), this year’s theme “Grow Happiness” celebrates joy, community, and tradition. Your $17.50 general admission ticket gets you into exhibits, shopping, animals, cultural performances, tribute bands, and iconic fair fun. Kids 7 and under free. Every Thursday in October with unlimited rides plus 2 free games for $55. Come for the fun, stay for the memories!
Phoenix Pride Festival
Get loud, proud, and glitter-drenched. Phoenix Pride Festival 2025 storms Steele Indian School Park (300 E Indian School Rd, PHX) on October 18–19. “Our Pride is Resistance. Our Difference is Our Power.” Headliners Snow Tha Product, Big Freedia, Todrick Hall, Debby Holiday, and DJ Jamie J. Sanchez will have you shaking your rainbow tail feathers across multiple stages, pavilions, and 200+ exhibitors. The Parade steps off Sunday at 10 AM. Festival runs Noon–9 PM both days. Parking is limited, so rideshare, darling!
SUPERNOVA
Blast off into Pride Weekend with SUPERNOVA, the ultimate main event on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 9 PM–2 AM at a brand-new high-rise venue, 400 E Van Buren St, 11th Floor, Downtown Phoenix. Take in breathtaking 360° skyline views while you dance under a full light and laser show with hundreds of Pride-goers. International DJ/producer Dani Toro (Spain) headlines with his signature high-energy beats, plus an electrifying opening set from Phoenix’s own DJ Crums. 21+ only, no re-entry, no refunds... just pure nightlife magic. Tickets at Fabian-Events.com. Rideshare highly recommended.
Communi-TEA Dance Block Party
Sip, swirl, and strut! Phoenix Pride’s Communi-TEA Dance Block Party storms Kobalt Bar (3110 N Central Ave #175, Phoenix) on Sunday, October 19, 2025, 2 PM–9:30 PM, right after the Parade! Back by popular demand, international DJ superstars ISIS Muretech and Dani Brasil join resident legend DJ B for a high-energy Tea Dance loaded with live dancers, stunning production, and your chosen family by your side. Sponsored by Arizona Facial Plastics, Spectrum Medical Care & Corona. Tickets at Fabian-Events.com, grab yours and close out Pride Weekend in glittery style!
Halloween Slash Bash at The Royale
It’s time to slay, boo! The 2nd Annual Halloween Slash Bash haunts The Royale Kitchen + Cocktails (635 W Glenrosa Ave, Phoenix) on Saturday, October 25, 2025. Hosted by local drag royalty Joey Jay (RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11) and the always-extra Benaddiction, this night kicks off with a fierce drag show then transforms into an all-night dance floor with DJ-B spinning spooky beats. Expect creepy cocktails, costume contests, and a drag extravaganza that’ll give you chills. Tickets at royale.eventbrite.com. Dress to impress, this party bites back!
Check in… if you dare. The Horror Hotel haunts Charlie’s Phoenix (727 W Camelback Rd) on Friday, October 31, 2025. It’s the biggest gay Halloween bash in town! Expect a massive patio expansion, drag and DJ entertainment, spooky food trucks, and a costume contest with a juicy cash prize. Skip the line and score a Fast Pass at CharliesFastPass.com. Whether you’re Freddy, Frankenstein, or fabulous, this party promises a killer time—and a check-out you might never forget.
Sazerac / RooseveltRow First Friday (M) Charlie’s WET Fridays (W)
Flex Spa’s Phoenix Blackout Night (W)
Bar Trivia & Karaoke (W) Steel Insian School Park Phoenix Pride Festival
@ Melrose Dance Party (W) Royale Kitchen & Cocktails
Bash Halloween Party
Horror Hotel Halloween Party
Stacy’s
Stacy’s @ Melrose Dance Party (W)
ION MOBILE CAM
Discipline vs. Motivation: What Actually Gets You Results After 30
By Rafael, Founder of Rafalogie Fit and Life Coach
If you are over 30 and struggling to stay consistent with your fitness, here is something no one tells you: motivation is not your problem. Life is busier, recovery is slower, and responsibilities take priority. Waiting to feel ready becomes the trap.
What actually creates progress is discipline, not the rigid military kind, but the kind built from clarity, small wins, and self respect.
As a fitness and life coach, I work with clients who are exhausted from chasing motivation. So we shift the focus. Instead of asking how do I stay motivated, we ask, how can I create systems that still work when I am tired, traveling, or overwhelmed?
One of the tools I use is called habit anchoring. Take something you already do daily, like making coffee, and pair it with one simple action. Ten squats. A glass of water. A moment to check in with your goals. That is where discipline is built, through repetition, not hype.
Fitness after 30 is not about being extreme. It is about being consistent. You do not need to be perfect. You need to show up on the days you do not feel like it. That is where confidence grows.
At Rafalogie Fit, I help busy professionals create systems that match their life and goals. With customized programs and life coaching tools, we train with purpose and keep you accountable even when motivation fades.
Ready to finally feel in control? Book your free discovery call at rafalogiefit.com.
8 Week Program Before & After
ION MOBILE CAM
ION STREAMING
Of An Age
(Peacock – Waltzes in October 7)
Get ready to swoon, babes, Of An Age is an Aussie slow-burn romance that hits you right in the feels (and possibly the tear ducts). Directed by queer filmmaker Goran Stolevski, this gem follows 17-year-old Kol as he tracks down his chaotic bestie after a messy night out, only to fall into an unexpected, deeply tender connection with her dreamy older brother Adam. Ballroom dancing, stolen glances, and one unforgettable day? Honey, it’s giving Call Me by Your Aussie Name.
Boots
(Netflix – Marching in October 9)
Lace up those combat boots, queens—Miles Heizer is serving closeted chaos and camo realness in Boots Inspired by The Pink Marine memoir, this dramedy takes us back to the pre–Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell days when our baby gay Cameron enlists in the Marines on a whim (we’ve all made worse choices for a crush, tbh). What follows? Thirteen weeks of sweat, secrets, and screaming—all under the watchful eye of a drill sergeant who might just be hiding some… extracurricular activities. Tender, tough, and totally bingeable.
Hedda
(Prime Video – Reloads October 29)
Get ready for repressed sapphics and high-drama realness, because Hedda is here to rewrite the classics with a queer twist! Director Nia DaCosta (Candyman) takes Henrik Ibsen’s iconic anti-heroine and hands her over to the ever-stunning Tessa Thompson, who delivers peak tortured glam as a woman choking on corsets and unspoken desire. Married to a sweet but basic hubby and haunted by her butch ex (played by Nina Hoss with major Tár energy), this is period drama served with longing stares and killer cheekbones. Gay panic? Fully activated.
BOOTS
A BYOB Celebration of Community, Pride & Flavor
In Melrose, October feels like a season of transition — the air softens, pumpkins appear on porches, and neighbors gather closer. For us, comfort doesn’t come from heavy dishes, but from bowls that nourish body and spirit.
This Pumpkin Harvest Bisque is our way of honoring the season: silky roasted pumpkin, apples for brightness, and warm fall spices that hug you from the inside out. It’s creamy, but made lighter with oat milk, keeping it fresh, healthy, and garden-forward.
And because Melrose is more than just food — it’s community — we celebrate with our own tradition: the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bowl) Soup Parties. Everyone shows up with a bowl in hand, neighbors bring their own soups to share, and we taste the season together.
It’s not just soup — it’s a connection. It’s storytelling. It’s pride. As Phoenix celebrates Pride this fall, this dish stands as a reminder: our diversity makes us colorful, our unity makes us strong, and our table always has room for one more bowl.
— Joshua Preston Chef & Founder, The Chef of Melrose �� 602-540-9401 | �� joshua.p2127@gmail.com | Chefofmelrose.com �� Instagram: @joshuapreston21
Fall Pumpkin Harvest Bisque
Serves: 6
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 30 min
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups roasted pumpkin (from your garden, cubed)
1 apple, peeled & diced (sweet-tart, like Honeycrisp)
3 cups vegetable broth
1 cup oat milk (or light coconut milk)
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp smoked paprika
Salt & pepper to taste
Pumpkin seeds (pepitas), toasted, for garnish
Fresh thyme or sage leaves, for garnish
Instructions
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until fragrant and softened.
Stir in roasted pumpkin and apple. Cook 5 minutes to build flavor. Add vegetable broth, cinnamon, nutmeg, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer 15 minutes.
Purée the mixture with an immersion blender until smooth and velvety. Stir in oat milk, adjust seasoning as needed. Warm gently. Ladle into bowls, garnish with toasted pepitas and fresh thyme or sage.
“Every ladle shared is a reminder: we rise, we shine, we belong.”
Testosterone Confidential: Hard Truths, Hard Bodies, and the Right Way to Juice
Let’s get one thing straight—well, maybe not straight—but clear: Testosterone isn’t just for meatheads or middle-aged men with dad bods. It’s for every gay man who’s tired of feeling soft, foggy, and flatlined in the bedroom and the gym.
Low T isn’t just a number—it’s a vibe. Feeling tired all the time? Moody? Losing muscle and gaining belly fat even though you’re lifting and watching your macros? Morning wood MIA? Libido? Ghosted. You might be a perfect candidate for testosterone optimization.
Now, before you go DM’ing some rando gym bro selling “vitamin S” out of his trunk—don’t. Black market gear is unregulated, often underdosed (or overdosed), and may be laced with dangerous impurities. It’s your body, babe, not a science experiment gone wrong.
Let’s talk legal, medically guided anabolics
Testosterone comes in various delicious delivery forms:
• Injections (weekly or bi-weekly): reliable and cost-effective.
• Pellets (inserted under the skin every 4–6 months): low-maintenance and discreet.
• Creams/Gels (applied daily): good for those who fear needles but need discipline.
Other options? There’s a whole hormonal buffet if you need a little extra oomph—DHEA, oxandrolone (Anavar), peptides, and SARMs but only under expert care. No “broscriptions,” please.
Lab work is crucial—we monitor your total and free testosterone, estrogen, hematocrit, and more to keep your levels optimized and safe. We don’t chase just the gains—we protect your brain, heart, and future boners, too.
Bottom line? You deserve to feel strong, sharp, and sexy. Whether you’re bulking, cutting, or just want to reclaim your alpha energy—Dr. Mora has you covered. No shame, no shortcuts—just science, sass, and serious results.
Let’s get you back to beast mode… the safe way. Call us and we’ll craft your custom hormone glow-up.
NAVIGATION
Use the ION ARIZONA APP for Google Maps turn-by-turn directions with links to UBER & LYFT! DON’T DRINK & DRIVE!
Lookout for LOOKOUT News Briefs In ION Arizona
It’s OK to Have Mixed Feelings Charlie Kirk is Dead
By Joseph Darius Jaafari
This story was originally published in LOOKOUT, a nonprofit LGBTQ+ newsroom focused on elevating queer stories across Arizona. You can read the full story online at lookoutnews.org
For many LGBTQ+ people, Charlie Kirk represented hostility. The far-right commentator and founder of Turning Point USA frequently disparaged queer and trans people, calling them “contagions,” “groomers,” or even a “throbbing middle finger to God.” He also questioned whether Black pilots were safe and claimed God had cursed Black people to be “servile.”
When Kirk — an Arizona resident and prominent conservative organizer — was shot and killed this week at a Utah college event, reactions split sharply. National leaders urged peace and remembrance, often glossing over his bigoted history. But among those who lived under the weight of his rhetoric, grief was complicated, if it existed at all.
“It makes sense if you don’t feel a well of empathy for someone who made a career out of refusing to show it for others,” therapist Jeff Guenther wrote online.
Some were blunt. A meme circulated: “The ultra violent country demands that we mourn the people who wanted us dead.” Others, like Phoenix-based social worker Bre Wandrych, felt torn: sad about the gun violence, numb about Kirk himself, and resentful that victims of anti-LGBTQ+ violence rarely receive the same public compassion.
Therapists say this ambivalence is normal. Trauma, grief, and “empathy fatigue” shape how much compassion people can extend, especially toward those who caused harm. Psychologist Travis Munnerlyn called this “complex grief” — feelings without a template.
For LGBTQ+ people, collective trauma magnifies those limits. More than 900 anti-trans bills were introduced this year alone, compounding decades of discrimination. As Wandrych noted, withholding empathy isn’t cruelty — it’s survival.
“These are complex emotions,” she said. “Almost every feeling people have in this moment is valid.”
ION FABULANCE
October creeps in with pumpkin spice, spooky season energy, and a cosmic sideeye at your bad habits. Libra season is still swirling with flirty drama, but Scorpio season’s lurking at the end of the month, waiting to drag everyone into their feelings. Expect bold costumes, chaotic group texts about Halloween plans, and some surprisingly deep conversations under moody autumn skies. The stars are basically handing you a pumpkin-scented permission slip to be your most extra, mysterious self. Let’s see what the universe is whispering through the Ouija board for you this month.
♈ ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 19)
ION HORRORSCOPES
October has you feeling like the final girl in a horror movie—bold, fast, and slightly reckless. Channel that energy into passion projects instead of group chats at midnight.
♉ TAURUS (Apr 20 – May 20)
You’re craving cozy nights, snacks, and maybe a spooky fling. October wants you to enjoy comfort but also flirt with change. Yes, you can have both—wine included.
♊ GEMINI (May 21 – Jun 20)
Your chaotic charm is magnetic this month, but so is drama. You’re the star of every haunted hayride, but please try to keep your stories (and crushes) straight.
♋ CANCER (Jun 21 – Jul 22)
YYour emotional tides are high this October, but so is your allure. People are drawn to your depth—just don’t become everyone’s therapist at the Halloween party. Boundaries, babe.
♌ LEO (Jul 23 – Aug 22)
You’re already planning three costumes and a grand entrance. We love the drama, but maybe leave some room for others to shine. Just kidding—go ahead, take the spotlight.
♍ VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
You’re overanalyzing your costume, your texts, and your entire life plan. October says: chill. Perfect isn’t spooky; fun is. Loosen your grip and join the chaos (safely).
♎ LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 22)
Happy birthday, flirty witch! You’re glowing, charming, and a little indecisive. It’s fine. This month is about balance—romance and self-love, parties and pajamas. You can have it all.
♏ SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21)
Your season begins, darkling, and the vibes are immaculate. You’re intense, magnetic, and maybe a little intimidating. Lean into it—but don’t test people just because you’re bored. Send the text.
♐ SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
Adventure calls, and so does the group chat about haunted road trips. You’re ready to run wild—just maybe check your directions before you end up in a real-life horror movie.
♑ CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
You’re plotting your next big move even in spooky season. October wants you to pause, breathe, and enjoy something impractical. A costume, a date, or a wild night out.
♒ AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
Your brain’s on weird ideas again, and honestly? We love it. October’s perfect for your eccentric side—just don’t forget to text your friends back while reinventing Halloween.
♓ PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
You’re dreaming of gothic romance and candlelit nights, but October says: live it, don’t just imagine it. Wear the dramatic outfit, make the bold move, and sip the potion.
Light a candle, wear too much eyeliner, and remember: spooky season is a state of mind.
