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CONTENTS ISSUE 747 January 11-24, 2024
The Health & Wellness Issue 12 It’s Slippery Out There! Preventing And Treating Wintertime Injuries With Summit Orthopedics 14 “Solitary Refinement” - The Central Minnesota Suicide Prevention Coalition Reminds You That You’re Never Alone 16 Getting Fit With Pridefit Founder Sam Leicht 20 Bedside Manner: How One Healthcare System Is Changing The Game In Patient/Provider Relationships 22 Enriched Lives: Being Deaf and LGBTQ+ 24 How Boynton Health at the University of Minnesota Supports LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness
16 OUR LAVENDER
8 From the Editor 9 A Word in Edgewise 10 Biz Buzz: Goddess Electrolysis LLC
OUR LIVES
26 Senior Living: Seasonal Affective Disorder in the LGBTQ+ Community and Beyond 28 Ask Elise: How Do I Tell Friends And Family I Want To Change My Name?
OUR AFFAIRS
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29 Books
OUR HOMES
30 Our Rides: Winterizing Your Vehicle For Your Good Health
OUR RESOURCES
32 Community Connection 33 The Network
ON THE COVER
Omar Fernandes. Photo by Jimmy Bellamy 16: Photo courtesy of Sam Leicht, 10: Photo courtesy of July Twenty Three, 26: Headshot from Allina Health, 30: 16: Photo by Randy Stern.
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ff-leash areas are quite fetching! Experience the of winter!
magic
Cross-country Ski | Take a lesson from one of our expert instructors or hit the trails on your own. You can rent crosscountry skis at multiple locations and explore more than 80 miles of trails. Snow Tubing | If you like sledding, you’ll love snow tubing. Soar down snowy hills on specially designed inner tubes at the Douglas F. Bryant Winter Recreation Area at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove.
Snowshoeing | Crush fresh powder under a pair of snowshoes. Don’t have any snowshoes? No problem, we rent them at eight locations and offer nearly 60 miles of trails.
Winter Hiking | Trek down a snow canopied lined trail. Our parks have more than 112 miles of trails.
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Locally sourced advocacy and advice from lawyers you know. Custody & Parenting Time • Child Support Dissolution • Spousal Maintenance Complex Valuation • Domestic Partnership Adoption • Third Party Custody • Appeals
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Volume 29, Issue 747 • January 11-24, 2024
EDITORIAL Managing Editor Randy Stern 612-461-8723 Editorial Assistant Linda Raines 612-436-4660 Editor Emeritus Ethan Boatner Editorial Associate George Holdgrafer Contributors Linden M. Bayliss, Lakey Bridge, Buer Carlie, Emi Gacaj, Terrance Griep, Elise Maren, Jen PeeblesHampton, Linda Raines, Gabrielle Reeder, Alexander Reed, Madison Roth, Aurora Smith, Jamez L. Smith, Susan Swavely, Carla Waldemar, Todd P. Walker
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Publisher Lavender Media, Inc. President & CEO Stephen Rocheford 612-436-4665 Chief Financial Officer Doug Starkebaum 612-436-4664 Administrative Assistant Michael Winikoff 612-436-4660 Distribution Metro Periodical Partners 612-281-3249 Founders George Holdgrafer, Stephen Rocheford Inspiration Steven W. Anderson (1954-1994), Timothy J. Lee (1968-2002), Russell Berg (1957-2005), Kathryn Rocheford (1914-2006), Jonathan Halverson (1974-2010), Adam Houghtaling (1984-2012), Walker Pearce (1946-2013), Tim Campbell (1939-2015), John Townsend (1959-2019) Letters are subject to editing for grammar, punctuation, space, and libel. They should be no more than 300 words. Letters must include name, address, and phone number. Unsigned letters will not be published. Priority will be given to letters that refer to material previously published in Lavender Magazine. Submit letters to Lavender Magazine, Letters to the Editor, 5100 Eden Ave, Suite 107, Edina, MN 55436 or e-mail editor@lavendermagazine.com. For our Privacy Policy, go to LavenderMagazine.com/resources/ privacy-policy
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Entire contents copyright 2024. All rights reserved. Publication of the name or photograph of any person, organization, or business in this magazine does not reflect upon one’s sexual orientation whatsoever. Lavender® Magazine reserves the right to refuse any advertising. This issue of Lavender® Magazine is available free of charge during the time period published on the cover. Pickup at one of our distribution sites is limited to one copy per person.
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OUR LAVENDER | FROM THE EDITOR
A Health Journey BY RANDY STERN
Welcome to 2024! I hope your Holidays were Merry and Bright. I hope your New Year’s Resolutions began on the right foot. I hope you’re looking forward to a great year ahead. Every year, our first issue focuses on Health & Wellness. As the first issue of the year, we try our best to focus on how to make your lives better with healthy solutions, tips on getting better care, and discuss wellness topics that are relevant to our lives. In developing this issue, I had many conversations with the community and healthcare providers to understand how we should craft an issue that will engage with us. That includes additional topics that should be in this issue, despite not having enough pages to publish those articles. While I was having these conversations, I was dealing with my own health journey. Let me explain… First off, I’m a Type II Diabetic – first diagnosed in 1998. That diagnosis was hard to deal with. I had challenges, such as medication and Photo by Randy Stern
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LAVENDER JANUARY 11-24, 2024
diet to try to navigate in getting better. I will admit that ignoring the issue and thinking I can outdo this disease was the wrong thing to do. The result was a hard pill to swallow. It continues to be. Last year, I had all of my toes amputated on my left foot. There had been subsequent surgeries due to complications of this foot. In addition, my bad posture caused a cinch on my spinal cord at my neck. That has caused some minor arthritis and some imbalance issues.
We’re discussing scheduling surgery for that issue. Right now, I’m still plugging away in this position at full speed. Resilience, determination… that’s what’s keeping me motivated every day. Not every day is good, but I take the good with the bad. You have to, right? The important piece of this journey is to have a good care team working with you. My core care team have been wonderful. They challenge me, but they also listen. It took a very long time to get to that point. With that, I’m thankful. The lesson here is to do the best with what we got. You could regret, be guilty, and so forth, but it takes putting in the effort to keep on going. We are not alone on these healthcare journeys. There may be a topic we will cover in these pages that will evoke some response or call to action. You might relate to the articles we came up with in these pages. I certainly hope you do. To health, Lavender readers!
OUR LAVENDER | A WORD IN EDGEWISE
A Big Job For A Little Guy BY E.B. BOATNER
I wouldn’t want to be Little Cherub ’24 about, as I write this, to toddle onstage and push bearded Old ’23 off into the wings of history. I also hope doddering ’23 had the foresight to prepare a snug retirement oasis–no phone, no Internet– into which he can withdraw; preferably in a tidier galaxy, far away. Don’t get me wrong, there are many other places and times I’d rather not be; Europe around 1347-ish, an Oklahoma farm in the 1930s, or trying to afford a home right here, right now in the USA. Still, it seems we–the collective We of Humanity, or more realistically, those calling the shots that affect the bulk of the “little people”–aided by the communications networks that have turned our Earth into a tight little island, having finally tossed more balls into the air than can possibly be juggled. Here we have a pivotal Presidential election looming. Without delving into politics, I predict it will be… well, I plan to vote early, by mail, and not venturing abroad this coming Guy Fawkes Day.
There’s scant optimism around the rest of the globe. Wars, famine, and, whether naming by a particular term or not, Earth is heating up, manifesting that change through floods, droughts, even unusual cold. Changes that destabilize crop production, the viability of farm livestock and their reproduction, falling dominoes that variously affect the ability to grow, farm, and supply many of the foodstuffs on which we’ve long depended. For one example, out of thousands of existing banana or plantain breeds, we import and consume only the Cavendish; should the TR4 fungus infect that monoculture, that staple is gone for good. Even where to lay one’s head is a continuing problem for many. There are working people in America making decent salaries forced to sleep in their cars. It’s too long a litany to sing here, this concatenation of small and not-so-small events now merging as they never could in a less tightly-bound world. Today, an infected air traveler can continent-hop in a matter of hours, the unwitting vector of pestilence.
This lengthy preamble started out as a piece to ponder personal Aims and Resolutions for the New Year, but led me to the thought that life is rushing by with even less certainty that it ever afforded. Not that anything in life has ever been certain, of course, but these days, a dinner engagement can be postponed when a friend tests positive for COVID-19, or what looked to be a heavy rain is a flood, or your car has been stolen from the garage. I think of prematurely aged ’23 beckoning to little ’24, who, like the rest of us must assume his mantle and soldier on. How far ahead can he see? Or is the future as fraught with mystery for him as it was for ‘23 and for the rest of us? I’m planning to keep my Resolutions modest. Read as much as I can; really, really, really exercise more (I promise); and even write something–maybe the remaining pages of that manuscript languishing in the bowels of my computer. And let’s hope the new little guy will sow peace and reason, provide food and shelter after he takes his first, halting steps into 2024. Here’s looking at you, Kid!
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OUR LAVENDER | BIZ BUZZ
Goddess Electrolysis LLC BY LINDA RAINES
Business: Goddess Electrolysis LLC Your Name: Ms. July Twenty Three (she/they) Job Title: Founder & Practicing Electrologist Give us a brief over view of your business and what ser vices you provide the community: Goddess Electrolysis LLC specializes in presurgical hair removal, which is medically necessary for trans people seeking sex-reassignment
surgeries (SRS). Electrolysis is the only FDAapproved method for permanent hair removal, and across much of the U.S. It remains a very costly and time consuming process to undergo. Most electrolysis providers do not accept health insurance, which immediately creates a barrier to care for trans people, as many trans people do not have access to medical transition without health insurance, because transitional care is so cost prohibitive. Goddess Electrolysis is proud to have health insurance contracts with two of the three most prominent health insurance carriers in the state, which allows us to bill commercial and medical assistance insurance plans directly, allowing our clients to pay little to no cost for their treatments. Additionally, being specifically trained in presurgical electrolysis ensures that our clients are receiving the most thorough hair removal possible, which leads to greater surgical readiness and increases the likelihood of desired surgical results. Our practice is creating pathways to SRS that have never been possible before for trans people. How many years have you been in business? I founded the business in late 2020. What’s something unique we should know about your business? We are ENTIRELY trans owned & operated! We believe that the future of trans healthcare is T4T– healthcare for trans people, by trans people. As a collective of trans femmes building a healthcare business from the ground up, we negotiate and navigate as a business in a way that is inextricably informed by our experiences as trans people. We quite literally carved out a space for ourselves in healthcare as trans feminine people and began to fulfill a need for our community that no other provider was doing— we like to think that is a pretty unique part of who we are. What’s your favorite thing about your job? When you don’t have to do it all yourself– AKA, I love having a team now!
Photo courtesy of July Twenty Three
Comprehensive wealth management strategies tailored to your needs. Robb Clasen Wealth Management Advisor 7830 Century Boulevard, Chanhassen Office: 952-361-2917 | Cell: 952-232-9438 | robb.clasen@usbank.com U.S. Wealth Management –U.S. Bancorp Investments is a marketing logo for U.S. Bancorp Investments. Investment and insurance products and services including annuities are: NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT FDIC INSURED • MAY LOSE VALUE • NOT BANK GUARANTEED • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY Investment and insurance products and services are available through U.S. Bancorp Investments, the marketing name for U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC, an investment adviser and a brokerage subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp and affiliate of U.S. Bank. ©2023 U.S. Bancorp 1076505 (10/23)
What’s the best thing about working with the LGBTQ community? The best thing about working with our community is that we get to take up space as trans femmes in healthcare in a way that rarely happens, if ever. When we first meet a new client, it is not uncommon for them to tell us that we are the first trans person they have met in real life, and that is a shared experience for a lot of trans people. We have lost so many trans elders in recent decades to violence, HIV/AIDS– and in recent years we have seen a record number of anti-trans legislation be introduced across the country. The reality is, what we are building is radical, is change making, is relevant, because trans people (and our healthcare) are constantly under attack, and yet, we come to work every day and show the trans people on our treatment tables, and the rest of our community, that we can build things that are made for us and we can build them sustainably and thoughtfully, to last for generations to come. Does your business have anything new, fun or unique happening on the horizon? Yes! Our practice is currently expanding and collectivizing. Over the last year-and-half, we have trained and brought on an additional electrologist, bringing our total number of providers to two, and by early February 2024 we will have two more electrologists joining our team, bringing our total providers to four! With our team expanding, we feel this is the moment to collectivize our practice and outline how we want to cocreate the next phases of the business together. We can’t wait to show the community all of the big things we have planned for this clinic in the years to come! If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you be doing? Performance art, graffiti, more social time, being a hoe, cooking food, learning how to skateboard, day trips & weekend getaways, exploring and reimagining queer community in South Minneapolis!
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Need financial guidance? Anyone can give advice. The New Hope Group is a safe place that aligns your values with your goals, because we believe that everyone deserves a personalized financial plan. Patti Powell, Financial Advisor 763-533-0357 • patti.powell@thrivent.com connect.thrivent.com/new-hope-group Thrivent provides advice and guidance through its Financial Planning Framework that generally includes a review and analysis of a client’s financial situation. A client may choose to further their planning engagement with Thrivent through its Dedicated Planning Services (an investment advisory service) that results in written recommendations for a fee. 6066760.1
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It’s Slippery Out There! Preventing And Treating Wintertime Injuries With Summit Orthopedics BY LINDEN M. BAYLISS
OUR LIVES | HEALTH & WELLNESS
While curling up with a blanket and not going outside until May sounds like a bulletproof plan, the reality is that most of us will have to brave the outside now and again this winter… And that means dealing with the hazards that come along with ice and snow! According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota has one of the highest rates of fall-related deaths in the United States. In 2021, there were 71,000 hospital-treated falls in Minnesota. The most common cause of falls? Slipping or tripping. So, how can we lower these numbers in the icy tundra of January? “The slogan we always give people is ‘walk like a penguin,’” says Dr. Kevin Lindgren of Summit Orthopedics. “It’s a little bit wider walking base, it’s shuffling, it’s just being extra safe when you’re out walking on fresh snow or ice.” Investing in good-quality rubber-soled boots can help. If you use a cane, get a non-slip cane made for ice and snow. Dr. Lindgren says the most common types of injuries he sees due to snowy slips are broken wrists, ankle injuries, and in the older population, broken hips. He says to definitely use that sand or salt to prevent icy situations around your home. (Pro tip, if you are a Minneapolis resident, the City of Minneapolis offers free sand for residents at a few different locations. Check their website for more information.) Into winter sports? These account for their fair share of injuries too, particularly skiing and snowboarding. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that there were 110,900 winter activity-related injuries treated in emergency rooms nationwide in 2021. The good news is we can take action to prevent these too. Make sure you are wearing all proper protective gear including helmets, gloves, goggles, and padding layers. Double check to make sure your gear is working properly before you begin. Drink plenty of water, take frequent breaks, and avoid participating alone. A fatigued body is more prone to injury, so stop when you need to. Shoveling the sidewalk and driveway can also add to the bill of injuries with back aches and pains and sometimes even nerve issues like bulging discs. When shoveling, make modifications to prevent injury. First off, make sure you have the proper equipment. Summit Orthopedics recommends gloves that are made of slip-resistant material and warm but not too thick, for a better grip. Make sure your shovel is good quality and not too heavy; ergonomic shovels with two handles are on the market these days and can make things a lot safer and easier. Take smaller shovelfuls and frequent breaks, resting every 10 to 15 minutes is recommended. Dr. Lindgren reminds us that it is also so important to spend some time preparing the body for the task. “It’s stretching, trying to limber up before to make sure you’re not causing too much strain on your back, especially with heavy snow,” he says.
If you are injured and needing non-emergency care, Summit Orthopedics are a trusted local name that have been around for over 25 years providing quality orthopedic care to Minnesota and Wisconsin. They have locations in many nearby suburbs including Eagan, Lakeville, Plymouth, and a brand-new clinic in Eden Prairie opening this month. Summit Orthopedics also has walk-in orthopedic urgent care clinics, open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the week, and a plethora of specialists available for scheduling appointments ahead. They have specialists for backs, necks, spines, elbows, hands, wrists, feet, ankles, knee, shoulders, and hips, wherever the injury lies. Recovering from a fracture or sprain can be a long process (the average fracture takes approximately six to eight weeks to heal, with some taking as long as 20) but at Summit Orthopedics, they try to make the whole ordeal as smooth as possible. Lindgren says, “We very much have a team approach to try to help people through the experience. We understand that certainly with the more significant injuries especially, there is going to be some time off work, some modifications, maybe they can’t drive right away.” And if surgery is necessary, the team at Summit Orthopedics will help you set that up as quickly as possible, so you can get back to being you. What sets Summit apart? “At Summit, it’s absolutely 100 percent specialized,” Dr. Lindgren says. “That means our foot and ankle people only take care of foot and ankle, and our back specialists only take care of back.” Because of this, Lindgren says, people can trust that they are getting the highest quality of care. Summit’s values include not only quality of care and a team approach but also community, empowerment, conservative care, and prevention. “Preventing falls is definitely the biggest thing,” Dr. Lindgren says. “Nobody plans for a fall. If we can even prevent a few falls, that’s huge.” Further showing their care and dedication, Summit Orthopedics is proud to be a founding partner of One World Surgery, a non-profit organization that aims to bring better surgical care to underserved communities around the globe. Many Summit physicians and staff have volunteered their time and expertise to the cause in Honduras, and Summit continues to donate medical supplies and provide financial support. If you are feeling back pain after shoveling or a strained wrist after a sidewalk slip, give Summit Orthopedics a call, and rest easy knowing you will be in great hands. Says Dr. Lindgren, “We’re here to help. If you have a question, if something’s happened, don’t hesitate.”
Summit Orthopedics General Appointment Line: (651) 968-5201 Orthopedic Urgent Care: (651) 968-5806 General Questions and Information: (651) 968-5200 www.summitortho.com
Photo courtesy of Summit Orthopedics LAVENDERMAGAZINE.COM
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OUR LIVES | HEALTH & WELLNESS
“Solitary Refinement”
The Central Minnesota Suicide Prevention Coalition Reminds You That You’re Never Alone BY TERRANCE GRIEP
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, or so the old saying goes…but sometimes, what isn’t prevented simply can’t be cured. “Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10-to-34-year-olds and is the eighth-leading cause of death in the state [of Minnesota],” asserts Kylie Weller, Senior Program Coordinator at Saint Cloud’s Whitney Senior Center. “It is the most preventable form of death.” Whitney Senior Center is one of several organizations that has joined other organizations in spreading an elastic ounce of suicide prevention over a part of the Lake State whose heritage includes laconic lumberjacks and milk maids, stoic miners and farmers–dirty men and sturdy women who, in years gone by, considered their own emotions obstacles to be overcome, millstones to be ignored, weaknesses to be withered. La, la, la, I don’t feel bad; la yadda la, I don’t feel anything; ook, ook, ook, I’ve got too much to do. Feelings denied are not feelings destroyed, of course, and the worst feelings, if left denied, can often destroy…if allowed to. The answer is the Central Minnesota Suicide Prevention Coalition which defines itself thusly: “CMSPC was created as a community-based coalition to carry out the vision to end suicide. It is CMSPC’s mission to accomplish the vision by empowering, educating, equipping, and engaging the community.” Weller elaborates: “The coalition was established in July of 2019. CMSPC’s catchment area includes Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright County in Minnesota.” Another member of the coalition serves Minnesotans who have seen others at their traumatizing worst. Says Evelyn Sullivan, suicide prevention case manager for Saint Cloud’s Veterans Administration, “The Suicide Prevention Team at the Saint Cloud VA works with leaders in the community with a common goal of reducing and eliminating suicide. The goal is to assist with assembling and maintaining coalitions like CMSPC in our communities.” Eliminating suicide might seem an overly lofty goal from the outside, but Weller insists that such doe-eyed, shoot-for-the-moon idealism is necessary for success. “The mission to end suicide may be viewed as realistic to some and not to others,” she admits. “Regardless, in doing the work we do, if we can help people and save lives along the way, and possibly teach others to do the same, then I feel accomplished in that. It’s a step in the process–sometimes it’s not always about that end goal, rather it’s what we do, who we help, and the impact we make along the way.” One of the coalition’s major functions is promoting a pre-existing but often-overlooked service, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. “We can report that the number of people that have called 988 in the Central Minnesota area have increased since the formation of this coalition,” Sullivan correlates. “This is what we want to see–it is such a positive to know that people feel safe calling, texting or chatting with the 988 Suicide and
Crisis Line in a crisis situation.” Adds Weller, “You can also contact 988 if you are worried about a loved one who, friend, or neighbor who may need crisis support.” This telephonic crisis support can be bent like light through a prism, if it needs to be. “Our coalition also promotes that if the person is from the LGBTQ+ community, you can dial 988, and then press 3. You will be connected to a crisis counselor trained to support LGBTQ+ youth and young adults,” assures Weller. “We also promote the Trevor Project–that is a 24/7 crisis service aimed at the thirteen-to-twenty-four-year-old demographic. They can assist with feelings of depression and/or suicide to questions about gender identity and coming out.” Dealing with the existential emotional crises of one’s fellow creatures can exact a heavy emotional toll on professional life-savers, but another aspect of the coalition’s work can sometimes provide a countervailing tonic. “By being part of outreach events or trainings is motivating,” notes Weller. “Being able to share resources helps our coalition to feel like we are making an impact, and that is very rewarding.”
Image courtesy of the Central Minnesota Suicide Prevention Coalition.. (Opposite page) Photo courtesy of BigStock/GBALLGIGGSPHOTO
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These are, in fact, experts who are only too happy to share the tricks of their trade— in fact, they consider such sharing to be part of their job. As Weller puts it, “Our coalition also provides suicide prevention training which teaches people to identify individuals who are showing warning signs of suicide risk and help these individuals get the services they need.” The problem of suicide erodes every demographic, of course, so suicide’s solution has to do the same. “Our coalition recognizes that suicide is a national public health issue that impacts individuals from all walks of life,” Weller exposits. “Reasons people die by suicide are complex, and it takes a village to address these reasons. By working together, we can better educate the community on the resources available to save lives and support our community.” Sullivan concurs: “The work being done surrounding suicide prevention is truly necessary and can be done by each of us. Those who would like to join coalitions in their respective areas should be encouraged to do so.” Sometimes the work entails overcoming stereotypes about the touchy topic. The most common of these? “That talking about
suicide or asking someone if they feel suicidal will encourage suicide,” notes Weller. “This is something that is simply not true!” The direct approach won’t cost a life…but it might just save one. “It is okay to ask ‘Are you thinking about suicide or have you had thoughts about suicide?’” Weller assures. “It will not put the idea into their head and asking someone if they are feeling suicidal can bring them relief because someone finally is acknowledging how badly they are feeling.” That acknowledgment is key—the acknowledgment disdained by the dirty, sturdy generations gone by isn’t, as it turns out, a withering weakness but a foundation for profound, newfound strength. “We want people to know it’s okay to not be okay,” Weller concludes. “Some days are tough, but help is available, and you are not alone.” Central Minnesota Suicide Prevention Coalition www.facebook.com/CentralMNSuicidePreventionCoalition/ www.instagram.com/centralmnsuicideprevention/
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FIT
OUR LIVES | HEALTH & WELLNESS
Getting With Pridefit Founder
SAM LEICHT BY JOEY AMATO
Sam Leicht didn’t always know he was going to find a career in fitness. The Wisconsin native attended school in Cleveland for music theater, and before relocating to New York City about 6 years ago. Acting in NYC was great for a few years, but he mentions he has a passion for fitness. Earlier this month, he launched the Pridefit app, which features a collection of on-demand workouts for every fitness level, an in-app global community, a recipe guide, and more. The app is now available for download for a low monthly payment of $35 per month. As with many great entrepreneurial ventures, Pridefit was created out of necessity. “I’ve always found the gym to be such an intimidating place – even after becoming a trainer,” mentions Leicht. “I grew up feeling like I didn’t fit in there because I was gay, and I never want people to feel like they can’t be healthy because they don’t have a space where they can confidently and safely exercise.” Pridefit helps athletes by giving them educational resources so they can feel confident at the gym, and a global community of peers who will lift them up at every point in their fitness journey. “Everyone deserves to exercise and be healthy, and we’ve created the perfect place for it through Pridefit.” Leicht taught himself how to create the perfect inspirational fitness videos through a combination of past education and post-college certifications. “I had taken lots of on-camera acting classes, so when the pandemic happened and everything went online, it was a pretty natural transition for me. Coaching on video can really only be improved by doing it, so I’ve made hundreds of workout videos over the years so that I can be the best coach possible for my community.” Photos courtesy of Sam Leicht
Continued on page 18 LAVENDERMAGAZINE.COM
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OUR LIVES | HEALTH & WELLNESS
In 2024, the goal for Pridefit is to build a “badass, diverse team of coaches so that everyone feels included in the community.” Adding more coaches increases the efficacy of the coaching dramatically because each user should have different trainers to learn and grow with. Personal training can have its ups and downs. One of Leicht’s favorite aspects of training is getting to help people improve their movement mechanics in real-time. “Sometimes we’ll make an adjustment to an exercise that you can tell will stick with a member their whole life, and seeing them make that connection is incredibly rewarding.” His least favorite part about being a trainer is having to remind people that fitness doesn’t have a finish line. “We’re exercising and moving our bodies for the rest of our lives, so stop looking for shortcuts. The only shortcut we have in fitness is consistency. Having to remind people of this can be super draining – especially when so many fitness programs out there promise fast results and absolutely cannot deliver on them.” Over the years, Leicht has had so many coaches who have pushed him to be better and continue his education. “Someone I look up to is Jane Fonda. I’m so obsessed with her multi-hyphenate life of being an actor, fitness queen, entrepreneur, and activist.” Starting a business always comes with challenges and Pridefit is no exception. “One of the hardest parts about creating a holistic fitness program is that it’s hard to get people excited about fitness without over-promising and exaggerating results. We’re giving you the best workouts
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LAVENDER JANUARY 11-24, 2024
out there, an incredible community, all the resources you need to reach your goals and live a long and happy life, and yet, if we don’t show you an ad with progress pictures and a promise to lose 10 pounds in your first month, you’re not going to trust us with your fitness? It’s tough, but we’re not going to jeopardize our ethos to get members in the door.” Leicht goes on to explain that all individuals need movement, but that doesn’t always mean going to the gym, lifting weights, or jogging. “You get to decide what type of movement you enjoy the most and go from there. Motivation to do something that you know you’re going to hate? Very hard. Motivation to do something that you actually enjoy like walking or yoga? Much easier. We must stop thinking that traditional gym workouts are the only option. Some movement is always better than none.” For more information, visit www.pridefit.com/ or follow Sam @leichtning or @pridefit on social media.
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OUR LIVES | HEALTH & WELLNESS
Bedside Manner
How One Healthcare System Is Changing The Game In Patient/Provider Relationships BY SUSAN SWAVELY
There’s no doubt about it—going to the doctor’s office can be an anxietyinducing thing. You’re probably not feeling well, you’re not sure what’s going to happen, and you need care. And to add to the stressful things all piling up in your mind, if you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, you might even be worried about whether or not the doctor will affirm your gender, pronouns, name, body, sexuality, or any other myriad of parts of your identity. Needless to say, the doctor’s office is stressful. Thankfully, there are some hospital and care systems working hard to make strides in the relationship between care provider and patient. One of those networks is HealthPartners, the largest consumer-governed, non-profit health care organization in the nation. With its patient-centric system, HealthPartners is trying its hardest to put you on the right track for success, any time you need to visit the doctor. Omar Fernandes (he/him) is a physician’s assistant who has been practicing family medicine at HealthPartners Clinic Eagan since 2018. Even though his path to finding his place in Minnesota is a bit of a winding journey—he says, “I’m originally from India and spent a significant part of my childhood in Kenya and Saudi Arabia. I studied psychology and anthropology at Macalester College before moving into the public health field and got my master’s degree in public health from the University of Minnesota,” he’s definitely in the right spot. During his time at HealthPartners, Fernandes has been able to help many patients feel comfortable and seen, and of course, get better. He says, “I see myself as a helper of problem solving, partnering with the patient to make a robust plan of care.” Because Fernandes works in family medicine, he works with people of all ages and health conditions. Trust is built when doctors and healthcare workers see their patients as part of the team that is working to help them get better. Working with the patient instead of for them builds a stronger relationship. Building this trust within the healthcare system is imperative for overall health of the patient, and there are so many ways to help foster that trust. Fernandes says, “Our organization’s vision is health as it could be, affordability as it must be, through relationships built on trust. We want every patient to feel empowered to have a care experience that reflects their culture and values because it builds trust and can lead to better outcomes.” Respecting culture, feeling empowered, and understanding the necessity of affordability are all extremely important facets of a trustworthy system—healthcare or otherwise—and HealthPartners is definitely doing its part to build that system. Fernandes also understands that health is a holistic thing. Taking care of someone’s body but not their mind (or vice versa) is not a sustainable way to practice medicine. He says, “As family medicine professionals, we’re set up to face any problem a patient brings to us, including mental health.” And if it is something that would require a specialist, HealthPartners is “also able to provide referrals and connect patients with the behavioral health care and services they need.” Taking care of a person’s whole being is part of what builds a trusting environment. Patients can walk into a HealthPartners facility
and know that every part of them will be taken care of and acknowledged. He says, “Being welcome, included and valued is a basic human need and essential to health, well-being, and the overall strength of our community.” Building trust with your community, especially one as important as a healthcare community, is crucial. A foundation of trust between provider and patient allows for better care, more specific and direct treatment, and of course, less stress. Fernandes says, “Every patient is unique and, ultimately, there because they’re facing a health issue. You need their trust to help solve the problem. I spend time in advance looking at a patient’s chart to understand their health profile and listen when meeting them. Somewhere in there is the answer, and patients will usually tell you what it is during the visit, if you ask the right questions.” This level of trust can be even harder to earn within the LGBTQ+ community, since there is such a history of non-acceptance in the medical world. HealthPartners is doing everything they can to fix the mistakes of the past. Fernandes says, “we’re a place where members of the LGBTQ+ community can expect support and high-quality care at any our locations. Our organization provides a full range of health care, including genderaffirming care and mental health services. HealthPartners also has been a longtime supporter of Twin Cities Pride.” And these aren’t just empty words— HealthPartners is doing all it can to actually ensure the comfort and care of queer patients. Fernandes says, “The organization values inclusivity and diversity, partners with the LGBTQ+ colleague resource group, and hosts colleague forums that explore topics such as gender identity.” With care providers truly learning how to be inclusive, there is so much more room for trust within the community. HealthPartners takes it even one step further, “The clinic check-in process has given patients more agency with their health chart, including the option to add their preferred names and pronouns. It’s their health record, and we want to make sure they know what’s on there.” This dedication to inclusive care and trust within the queer community also comes from a personal place for Fernandes. He says, “As someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, I’ve had my own unique coming-out process over the years – whether with family, friend circles, work – all the big buckets of daily life. Our organization and everyone I’ve worked with have made me feel empowered and cared for. They’ve made me feel open and even more comfortable in my identity.” Fernandes sums it up beautifully when he says simply, “People are more than the reason for their visit.” And this is why HealthPartners believes they should be treated as such. The road to building complete trust between provider and patient is not an easy one, but it is one that is important enough to strive for, every day. HealthPartners is doing a wonderful job in easing the tensions some patients feel in the healthcare system. It’s as straightforward as Fernandes puts it: “we’re here to listen to patients and partner with them on their care. At the core of my and the organization’s heart and soul, we do our best to provide a humble and dedicated effort to help our patients.”
HealthPartners physician assistant Omar Fernandes. Photos by Jimmy Bellamy LAVENDERMAGAZINE.COM
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OUR LIVES | HEALTH & WELLNESS
Enriched Lives Being Deaf and LGBTQ+ BY ALEXANDER REED
The LGBTQ+ community contains a truly vibrant diversity, containing people of all backgrounds. This diversity is an important strength of our community, which is why efforts to make LGBTQ+ spaces accommodating for as many people as possible is so important. Deaf individuals are an important part of the LGBTQ+ community, and have helped advocate for positive social change, both on an individual level, but also through organizations like Minnesota Deaf Queers (MDQ). Jessalyn Akerman-Frank is deaf LGBTQ+ individual, and a founding member of MDQ who has spent decades advancing the LGBTQ+ and Deaf rights in Minnesota. She moved to the state in 2001 after graduating fromGallaudet University, but found that there was work to be done to improve the lives of deaf people in Minnesota.Describing her experience, Akerman-Frank said, “When moving here there were not many resources for a Deaf LGBTQ+ individual so I went ahead and connected with hearing LGBTQ+ members of the community. They basically took me under their wing. I began to find my Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing LGBTQ+ community through different connections.” Hoping to establish more resources for the Deaf LGBTQ+ community, Akerman-Frank pitched the idea of an annual award ceremony. According to Akerman-Frank, “The goal of this was for people to come together, to be able to truly connect with others. We had presenters, legislators, allies come together to share information, stories and make connections.” The first Annual Deaf LGBTQ+ Awards was held in a house for 25 people, but in the years since has grown into a large event held in a Delta Marriott hotel. For many Deaf LGBTQ+ individuals, the event has been life changing.“Every year we were told that because of this event, we saved a life, or someone was connected, or they felt brave enough to come out, or met the love of their life and that list goes on” Akerman-Frank explained. Photos courtesy of Minnesota Deaf Queers
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The resources and connections fostered by MDQ are incredibly important for Deaf LGBTQ+ individuals who experience intersectional needs. According to Akerman-Frank, the organizations responsible for teaching LGBTQ+ people about AIDS and PrEP are hearing oriented, meaning Deaf people need interpreters to access these healthservices. Interpreters might not be provided by health services or might require Deaf patients to pay for their own interpreter. Interpretation services are important for Deaf people like TK Mehlhaff, a Deaf LGBTQ+ wine specialist and volunteer for MDQ. As she explains, “For us Deaf community, English isn’t our first language. It takes a lot of time and patience to translate and understand the big picture.” There are many Deaf people that desire interpreters that reflect their identities, which can be a challenge for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals. As Akerman-Frank notes, “There is not only a shortage of Interpreters, but, there are not many who are BIPOC or Trans identified.” This
shortage additionally presents challenges for Deaf people that would like different interpreters for their personal and professional lives. It can also be difficult for Deaf people to get interpreters in the workplace. Akerman-Frank acknowledges that she is very lucky in her workplace. She works for the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing as the Director of Community and Civic Engagement. Her entire team is Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing, collectively speaking through American Sign Language (ASL). “At my employment, access is not a barrier, we are not second-class citizens. By having full access, and the support of an amazing team, we all thrive”. Akerman-Frank holds her workplace up as a model for how Deaf individuals should be afforded, but not all employers live up to this standard. As Akerman-Frank explains: “I know that many people in my community do not have this and struggle daily in their jobs fighting for access for meetings, and being scolded for things that resulted in miscommunication because of ‘their’, the employers’ ignorance. Many will ask them to bring their interpreter, which is not
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their responsibility. No one should feel this discrimination or oppression in their jobs.” Beyond this, Akerman-Frank notes how businesses will pass up on Deaf employees for promotions or raises. Discrimination has no place in society, and everyone deserves equal access and treatment. There are tangible steps we can all take to make the world a fairer place. For hearing organizations, Akerman-Frank recommends allocating money for inclusive measures like interpreters and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART).As she says, “When people who need ASL Interpreters, CART, or other accommodations have to ask for it, and fight for it, that is not inclusion. Inclusion means you want to serve all people therefore you budget to serve all people”. Additionally, Akerman-Frank recommends learning basic ASL, captioning videos, adding image descriptions, and transcribing images. Social media websites like Twitter, Bluesky, YouTube, Tumblr, and others have alt text and captioning features. Anyone using these websites should take the time to make their posts accessible to all of the site’s users. For organizations, having Deaf people on boards, taking training from Deaf organizations, running decisions past Deaf advisory committees, and partnering with Deaf organizations can make their activities more inclusive. When asked about her experiences as a Deaf person in the LGBTQ+ community, Mehlhaff said “As a LGBTQ+ person, it is really a profound experience to represent Deaf community, I enrich our community and our language.”The LGBTQ+ community is vast and vibrant, with every member making it increasingly more so. One of the goals of the MDQ awards ceremony was to bring people together into community, ultimately helping many LGBTQ+ people come out of the closet. Every Deaf LGBTQ+ individual I interviewed for this piece said that generally their experiences within the LGBTQ+community were positive. There is still work to be done to make the world a fairer place for LGBTQ+, Deaf, and BIPOC people, but through community a better society can be constructed.
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23
OUR LIVES | HEALTH & WELLNESS
Boynton Health
How at the University of Minnesota Supports LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness BY MADISON ROTH
Minnesota has been known in the past couple of years to be a place of refuge for the LGBTQ+ community. It is one of the reasons several LGBTQ+ students come to and study at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Along with clubs and other student organizations, Boynton Health, the University’s healthcare services on campus, provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ students when it comes to their health and well-being. Boynton has resources for everybody in the LGBTQ+ community, but one of their main areas of care is with the Gender Care Team. Some of the resources offered through the Gender Care Team are hormone replacement therapy, binding consultation service, referrals and support for gender-affirming surgeries, fertility preservation and family building, preoperative exams and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication, to name a few. Megan Smith is a medical provider on the team who specializes in primary, urgent and gender care at Boynton and has been with Boynton for a little over a year. She helps out with hormone replacement therapy, as she primarily does gender care, along with other general medical issues as well. Many of the LGBTQ+ students utilize mental health services, according to Smith, and Boynton is in the process of providing more resources for the University’s transgender students. When asked what was the motivation behind growing Boynton’s Gender Care Team, Smith said the team sees the need to have more resources for students. Photos courtesy of the University of Minnesota
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“We want everyone to feel welcomed here at the U,” Smith said. “Minnesota is one of those states that people are coming to get this kind of treatment.” Van Vu is the chair of Boynton’s Gender Care Team and is one of the counselors who works with LGBTQ+ students who are struggling with their mental health. Vu said the University is always striving to have better resources surrounding LGBTQ+ healthcare so students can feel good about themselves and their own gender care.
Vu encourages her patients to form communities while at the University so they can always have support through their journey. On the flipside, Vu encourages the University community to support LGBTQ+ students. “There is a lot of passion among faculty and staff to drive advocacy services that support our LGBTQ students,” Vu said. The University’s Student Legal Services assists with legal name changes, and senior staff attorney Adam Elling, along with his paralegal Karin Wells, are the people to go to on campus to aid in this process. Most of the work Elling and Wells do with students going through the name change process has to do with paperwork. The first step is to do an intake where the student fills out a questionnaire so Elling and Wells can write the name change application being presented at court. Once the hearing date is set up, Elling and Wells meet with the student once more to get them as comfortable as possible to appear in front of the judge. The hearing consists of the student telling their story as to why they want their name changed, have their witnesses testify and have the judge grant the change, according to Elling. This is where it gets difficult, though, since once the name change is granted, students have to go to all of the agencies that have their dead name listed and change it, Elling said. For students who may be struggling throughout the process, Elling and Wells do their best to help however they can but will also refer students to Boynton’s mental health resources as well. Smith said she is a big advocate for “Health Care For All,” which is why she chose to be a part of Boynton’s Gender Care Team. She added she gets to see patients open up and feels rewarded when she gets to see patients finally reach their goals in the process. Vu said she has family members who identify as LGBTQ+ and has personally witnessed those family members experience “inhuman treatment.”
“[Those experiences] really drives me toward changing the healthcare system and the services that we offer to be more supportive of LGBTQ students,” Vu said. “To be impactful to these students at this particular stage in their life can have a really long lasting impact.” Elling said it is the moment of relief that washes over students faces when the judge grants the name change is his highlight of being able to work in the name changing process at the University. “You can see it on the face of the student, and I feel it,” Elling said. “It’s kind of a euphoric feeling to know that they are now out in the world who they have been for the first time in their entire lives.” One of the main challenges the Gender Care Team may face are helping people get to where they want to be and guiding them through their expectations, Smith said. “[Changes] are not immediate, so that can be really frustrating for people that it takes a long time because a lot of patients have already been waiting a long time to do this,” Smith said. Smith reminds her patients that they will get there eventually and this process takes time, reminding them to keep their goals in sight. Smith, Vu, Elling and Wells all said the numbers of LGBTQ+ students they see have risen in the past year, and they look forward to being stepping stones to as many students as they can at the University in order to get to where they want to be when it comes to gender care. The Boynton Gender Care Team works closely with the University’s Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans life and hopes to work with them more in the future to help grow their own programs. They also hope to hire more gender care providers in the coming years. “This has been a process often for people that doesn’t just involve them,” Wells said. “Even though it seems like it’s just a process on paper, there’s a lot that goes into it.”
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OUR LIVES | SENIOR LIVING
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder, clinically? How many people are impacted?
“Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depressive disorder,” says Dr. Hurley. That means it’s more than just feeling a little down from time to time or struggling to find your holiday cheer. “These experiences occur within the context of a seasonal cycle, typically occurring during late fall or early winter,” says Dr. Hurley. That means SAD usually begins and ends around the same time each year. Approximately 5% of the population is affected by SAD. The prevalence of those affected increases when you move further away from the equator. Some studies point to the prevalence rate in Minnesota being about 5–10% of the population.
What are the symptoms of SAD?
According to Dr. Hurley, symptoms can include “an increased need for sleep, drowsiness, low energy, difficulty focusing, increased appetite (especially for sweets/ carbs), weight gain, and feelings of sadness, anxiety, or irritability.” One very important thing to note is that in more severe cases, SAD (and other depressive disorders) can cause thoughts of not wanting to be alive or thoughts of suicide. “Providers at Allina Health encourage those who experience those thoughts to reach out to a medical professional for support and treatment,” says Dr. Hurley. “You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for 24/7 free and confidential support.”
Seasonal Affective Disorder in the LGBTQ+ Community and Beyond BY AURORA SMITH
As the days get shorter, you might start to feel yourself becoming a little sad or even depressed. Some folks just get the “holiday blues,” but others might find themselves struggling with what’s called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD (appropriately named). LGBTQ+ seniors living in the Upper Midwest might particularly struggle, as many older folks are already less connected to their communities or loved ones. Family might be far away or unaccepting of their LGBTQ+ identity, or it might simply be difficult to leave the home. We chatted with Dr. Daniel Hurley, PhD, a licensed psychologist with Allina Health to learn more about SAD, its symptoms, how you can combat it, and more. Daniel Hurley. Headshot from Allina Health. (Opposite page) Photo courtesy of BigStock/HalfPoint
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How does SAD impact your health?
This disorder seems to be triggered by a drop in daily light exposure, which is very typical of fall and winter months. This can affect a wide variety of factors, including your 24-hour circadian clock, digestion, and hormonal activity. Hence why some of the most common symptoms are related to sleep, appetite, and mood. Specifically, “shorter days and less light impact the neurotransmitter serotonin (which helps regulate our moods), melatonin production (a hormone related to sleep), and vitamin D levels,” says Dr. Hurley. Individuals with SAD may experience reduced motivation and energy for activities that would usually improve their mood, like connecting with others, engaging in a favorite hobby or pastime, or exercising.
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Self-directed services—funded by Medical Assistance waivers—offer individuals who want to stay in their homes and communities the ability to receive care from a family member, friend or other person they trust. This lack of motivation and energy can potentially lead to a downward spiraling effect. Missing out on mood-boosting experiences can lead people to feeling even more depressed and isolate even further. But it’s not all doom and gloom…you can improve your symptoms.
What can you do to help SAD? The best way is to simply get more sunlight. “30 minutes per day is the recommended amount of time to be in bright light, ideally in the morning,” says Dr. Hurley. You can see even greater improvement by combining sunlight with a physical activity, like going outside for a walk. But why does sunlight help? “Direct sunlight can have a positive impact when it hits our retinas,” says Dr. Hurley. “The process starts at the back of our eyes where light activates special receptors in the retina. Messages are sent via multiple pathways in our brains which help regulate our body’s clock, mood, and cognition.” Exactly the systems SAD affects most. But what about if it’s cold and you’re bundled up, or you’re wearing sunscreen? Does the sun have to touch your bare skin? Because the effects of sunlight are experienced through your retinas, you can get the benefits whether you’re bundled up or not. Though Dr. Hurley cautions that, “While the light needs to hit the retina in the back of the eye, it is not recommended that you look directly at the bright light.” So, how bright does this light need to be? “A sunny day can provide about 50,000 lux, while a more overcast or gray day can be around 10,000 lux,” says Dr. Hurley. “Lux” is a unit of illuminance, essentially a measurement of the visible light present. If you’re a bit less mobile like some in the LGBTQ+ senior community, you can also use a lightbox or sunlamp. Just make sure it’s rated for at least 10,000 lux to see benefits, and sit under it for at least 30 minutes a day. Other ways to boost your sunlight exposure could be having your morning coffee on a porch or deck, change your commute to walking or bicycling (weather permitting), work outside or even sit next to a window, or plan outdoor social activities. And don’t forget to check on your fellow LGBTQ+ community members, particularly seniors, this holiday season. A simple offer to take them out for a walk could go a long way toward easing symptoms of SAD.
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OUR LIVES | ASK ELISE
Dear Elise, I previously came out as nonbinary and informed loved ones of my pronouns (they/them), but kept my birth name. Now, I want to change it. I no longer feel connected to that name. How do I tell friends and family I want to change my name? Sincerely, Aspen Dear Aspen, First of all, I am proud of you for taking this step toward expressing yourself and your identity more authentically and boldly in a world that doesn’t always understand us. Since I am not trans, I interviewed my friend Vex (they/them) who underwent the legal name change process for advice on both family and legal things if you choose to go that route eventually. “This brand of queer is not the brand that my mom was comfortable with,” said Vex. “My mom said it would have been easier if I were a lesbian instead of pansexual, so it was extra scary to share my pronouns and name with her. Then it was the pronouns a few years later and you know, some people find non-binary pronouns or
How Do I Tell Friends And Family I Want To Change My Name? BY ELISE MAREN
Ask Elise is an advice column meant for suggestions regarding LGBTQ+ community member dilemmas of any kind. If I am not qualified to answer your question (regarding issues for transgender individuals, people of color, etcetera), I will ask someone who is qualified and cite them. Your question is equally important and may help another community member. If you have a question, please submit it to elise.m.maren@gmail.com listing your pronouns and pseudonym if desired. If you need someone to talk to for more urgent or serious matters, please consider using the following hotlines: The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline: (888) 843-4564 Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860: Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive. Photo courtesy of BigStock/fizkes
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neopronouns difficult. It took me five years between coming out as pansexual and coming out as non-binary. It took me two years after coming out as non-binary to tell people my name. I started by telling family and friends that my pronouns are they/ them. Then it was actually by accident that my mom found out about my name. I was working with a theater company that she had connections to. My manager texted her saying that it was nice to have Vex around again and that they are a joy to work with. There was a struggle to get their mom to use the name and remember to use it. Vex stated that they were emotionally reactive at the time so this wore on them an increasing amount until they decided they needed space. The relationship is now a lot easier. Their mom has taken time to reflect and work on it. She is more open to their suggestions.
OUR AFFAIRS | BOOKS
After their mom found out about their name, they worked on coming out to other family members. Once they came out to a few family members personally, they made a Facebook announcement for all others
Books BY E.B BOATNER
that they weren’t as close to. Their grandpa is still struggling with the name and pronouns. “It’s funny sometimes though, I have to brush off that cards are addressed to Vex but the outside says granddaughter. I have no problem correcting people who are misgendering or misnaming me even if it does not make a difference in progressing anything. It makes a difference in making me feel okay and grounded in my identity and wellbeing.” When you first come out to family, it might be helpful to have a safe person either physically present or readily available digitally. My family allows me to bring friends to holiday gatherings especially when they do not have family in the area. Say the friend needs a place to go for a holiday. The friend can then reinforce you emotionally and also help others get used to your name socially and correct people for you, reducing the emotional toll. Vex reassures us that the legal name change process is attainable financially and that there are free legal clinics like Family Tree willing to help you. The clinic helped them walk through the documentation and helped them submit their filing. I wonder if there are scholarships to help with legal fees for this. The clinic was also helpful for answering questions about how Vex’s birth state is different than current state of residence, so the birth certificate has additional documentation now to show the name change instead of having to go through another legal process in the birth state. The Minnesota and federal documents were all changed to Vex legally. The state now has the option to put non-binary as the sex on your state ID card. We hope sharing Vex’s journey helped provide some insight on this step that you are taking. Jamie, we wish you the best and please know that you have the support of your community. Best, Elise
The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation Raquel Willis St. Martin’s Press $29
Willis’s memoir, written with courage and openness, offers hope to other Black trans individuals, and all struggling to express and live fully as themselves. Exactly what that “self” is, is not always clear, but Willis holds aloft a lamp that can help illuminate the path for other seekers. Raised in strong Catholic family, Willis grew up surrounded with love and support, even acceptance of her gayness, but attending the University of Georgia, realized she was not a gay man, but a trans woman. She participated in LGBTQ+ groups on campus, all helpful in later work in journalism and as an activist. Her frankness, her willingness to open to her listeners and readers, set forth the difficulties and rewards in bridging the Black and trans experience.
The Other Profile Irene Graziosi Europa Editions $27
Neither protagonist will warm the cockles of your heart, in fact, your initial reaction of, “Well, that would never work on me!” will lure you in. Whether it’s Maia (26) with her server’s job at the seedy Galeone and dysfunctional relationship with her older lover, or teen Gloria, an influencer already making big bucks but needing a minder. Urged by a friend, Maia lies her way into that very job. As the two are thrown together, the reader is first caught up in Graziosi’s savvy send-up of social media’s impact on our lives (yes, ours) then invested in the building–then unraveling–of the women’s friendship. We’re all a short step from bad decisions, self-deceit, in the longing to belong, succumbing to social siren songs.
Foreign Bodies: Pandemics, Vaccines, and the Health of Nations
Simon Schama Ecco $32.99
Beyond detailing the search for cures for mankind’s plagues and pestilences, historian Schama illuminates early politics and powerplays–not unknown today. The public has always feared the unknown, often balked at touted cures, but so, too have every era’s medical institutions been unwillingn to yield control over power and lucrative financial flow from patients. Schama’s overview ranges through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries (smallpox in London, cholera in Paris, waves of plague in India), but concentrates on one Waldemar Haffkine, a Jewish student from Odessa who became a microbiologist at the Pasteur Institute and saw to the successful vaccination of millions in British India against cholera and the bubonic plague, his successes incurring the dislike/envy of medical officials of the Raj. A fascinating, well-argued text.
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord Celeste Connally Minotaur Books $27
Winter weather’s rolling in, time to snuggle under a warm fleece with a rousing Regency mystery. Young Lady Petra rides astride in her brother’s togs, views marriage dimly, enjoys her independent wealth and friends of all persuasions. She also has a doting dad, a malevolent uncle who covets her wealth and has tentacles out to harm many women in their rarefied circle with a dastardly scheme involving incarceration and abuse of wealthy wives. One fly in the ointment is a childhood pal towards whom Lady P has certain unwelcome feelings. Stir in a bit of murder, the villainous abduction of our heroine, all wrapped in high Regency ribbons, and you’ll keep reading till the embers in your fireplace turn to ash. Wellcrafted fun in store.
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Winterizing Your Vehicle For Your Good Health BY RANDY STERN
No matter what climate change will serve us every winter, it is always good to be prepared when you have to get in your vehicle to go anywhere. Being prepared for anything that winter serves up is a healthy approach to living. Your physical and mental health depends on how you go from the warmth of your home or workplace to your vehicle and out on the road.
OUR HOMES | OUR RIDES To get there, there are a few things to take into consideration when being prepared for your winter journeys no matter the distance and conditions. More importantly, to winterize your vehicle to manage those journeys. We spoke to Bob Larkin, Director of Automotive Technology at Dunwoody College to get some insights on what we should do to make sure our vehicles are ready for winter. The first thing that came to mind is keep up with maintenance. “Regular maintenance is the key,” explained Larkin. “Cars that are regularly maintained to the way the manufacturer recommends. Really, it’s there to prevent systems from failing and things like that. Regular oil changes keep everything lubricated. Regular cooling flushes are important. A lot of times the base materials aren’t necessarily what’s breaking down, but it’s all the additives that they have to put in these things that, over time, get broken down.” One common piece of a vehicle’s maintenance routine is the battery that runs the electrical system, which can be vulnerable to colder temperatures. Especially older batteries. Larkin suggests to have the battery checked “making sure that that’s in a good state,” adds Larkin. We would also add to have your brakes checked, as well. Especially when road conditions are not the best, having the ability to stop is criti-
cal. When you do bring in your vehicle for maintenance, have your mechanic inspect your brakes for pad/shoe wear and rotor/drum condition. Why do you want to have your vehicle maintained during the winter? “Particularly here in the Twin Cities,” explained Larkin, “we get cars that are driven short trips that don’t get up to the mileage at the times that the manufacturers recommend changing oil, changing fluids and things like that. I think those cars, in particular, that are short tripped, it’s a good idea to get that car in, get that fluid changed out so we don’t build up of moisture and things like that from short trips.”
Tires are critical. It is where the rubber meets the road. On most tires, the snow and ice on the roadways could create a challenge to maintain traction and grip, even on short drives. Recently, we put on a set of Michelin X-Ice winter tires on a 2021 Mazda CX-5. These tires have a softer, pliable compound and a more aggressive tread pattern. These Michelins are considered one of the best winter tire around. Nokian, Bridgestone, and General are among other tire manufacturers that offer highly rated winter tires. There are a few tips on winter tires. One, check the air temperature before switching from your Continued on page 34
Photos by Randy Stern
Lavender Media is seeking to add a Twin Cities based full time Account Executive to our sales team. We are looking for an outgoing,organized, self-driven & motivated professional with excellent phone, writing and presentation skills. Candidates should enjoy working directly with clients who are interested in growing their business through Lavender advertising and event sponsorships. Candidates must be local. Includes base pay + commission and an employee benefits package that includes group health, dental, life insurance and LTD. Applicants should have experience with Mac software environment, Excel, Word, social media platforms & database software such as Filemaker Pro. They should exhibit an elevated level of organization, attention to detail, the ability to work as part of a team, effective communication,self direction, enjoys working with new people and has a natural drive to grow. Suite 1600 Medical Arts Building, 825 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Please send your cover letter and resume to Stephen Rocheford, President & CEO. stephen.rocheford@lavendermagazine.com LAVENDERMAGAZINE.COM
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COMMUNITY CONNECTION Community Connection brings visibility to local LGBTQ-friendly non-profit organizations. To reserve your listing in Community Connection, email advertising@lavendermagazine. com.
ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE Foster Adopt Minnesota
Finding families and providing information, education, and support to Minnesota Adoptive, Foster and Kinship communities. 2446 University Ave. W., Ste. 104 St. Paul, MN 55114 (612) 861-7115, (866) 303-6276 info@fosteradoptmn.org www.fosteradoptmn.org
ANIMAL RESCUE
Second Chance Animal Rescue
Dedicated to rescuing, fostering, caring for, and adopting out dogs and cats into forever homes. P.O. Box 10533 White Bear Lake, MN 55110 (651) 771-5662 www.secondchancerescue.org
BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS
Quorum
Minnesota's LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce working to build, connect, and strengthen for a diverse business community. 2446 University Ave. W., Ste 112 St. Paul, MN 55114 (612) 460-8153 www.twincitiesquorum.com
CASINOS
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
Nonstop gaming excitement with slots, blackjack, bingo and more plus distinctive bars and restaurants. 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd. Prior Lake, MN 55372 (800) 262-7799 www.mysticlake.com
ENVIRONMENT
The Nature Conservancy
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Aliveness Project
Community Center for individuals living with HIV/AIDS – on-site meals, food shelf, and supportive service. 3808 Nicollet Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55102 (612) 824-LIFE (5433) www.aliveness.org
Family Tree Clinic
We're a sliding fee sexual health clinic and education center, now in Minneapolis. 1919 Nicollet Ave. Minneapolis MN 55403 (612) 473-0800 www.familytreeclinic.org
NAMI Minnesota
(National Alliance on Mental Illness) Providing free classes and peer support groups for people affected by mental illnesses. 800 Transfer Rd. #31 St. Paul, MN 55114 (651) 645-2948 www.namihelps.org
Rainbow Health Minnesota
PFund is the LGBTQ+ community foundation that provides grants to students and grants to non-profits. PO Box 3640 Minneapolis, MN 55403 612-870-1806 www.pfundfoundation.org
32 LAVENDER JANUARY 11-24, 2024
Theater with character. Comedies, musicals, & dramas in a professional, intimate setting where all are welcomed. 420 E. Main St. Anoka, MN 55303 (763) 422-1838 info@lyricarts.org www.lyricarts.org
Minnesota Orchestra
Sexual health care for all people. Get confidential tests & treatment in a safe, caring setting. 525 Portland Ave., 4th Fl. Minneapolis, MN 55415 (612) 543-5555 reddoor@hennepin.us www.reddoorclinic.org
LIBRARIES
Quatrefoil Library
Your LGBTQ+ library and community center. Free membership, events, and e-books/audiobooks. Check us out! 1220 E. Lake St. Minneapolis, MN 55407 (612) 729-2543 www.qlibrary.org
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS
Radio K
EVENT VENUES
PFund Foundation
Lyric Arts Main Street Stage
Red Door Clinic
Create your own adventure at MNHS historic sites and museums around Minnesota. mnhs.org
GRANTMAKERS/FUNDERS
Open to the public year-round, the Guthrie produces classic and contemporary plays on three stages. 818 S. 2nd St. Minneapolis, MN 55415 (612) 377-2224 www.guthrietheater.org
World-class opera draws you into a synthesis of beauty; breathtaking music, stunning costumes & extraordinary sets. Performances at the Ordway Music Theater - 345 Washington St., St. Paul, MN 55102 (612) 333-6669 www.mnopera.org
Radio K is the award-winning studentrun radio station of the University of Minnesota. 330 21st. Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612) 625-3500 www.radiok.org
A classic venue, with a grand cortile and beautiful courtrooms, accommodates celebrations of all sizes. 75 W. 5th St. St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 292-3228 www.landmarkcenter.org
Guthrie Theater
Providing comprehensive health services for LGBTIA+ people, those living with HIV & folks from underserved communities facing healthcare barriers. 701 S. 4th Ave. #1500 Minneapolis, MN 55415 General: (612) 341-2060, MN AIDSLine: (612) 373-2437 info@rainbowhealth.org www.rainbowhealth.org
TNC is an environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature thrive. 1101 W. River Pkwy., Ste. 200 Minneapolis, MN 55415-1291 (612) 331-0700 minnesota@tnc.org www.nature.org/minnesota
Landmark Center
Children’s Theatre Company
Children’s Theatre Company excites the imagination with world-class familyfriendly theatre for kids, teens, and adults. 2400 3rd Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55404 (612) 874-0400 www.childrenstheatre.org
MUSEUM
Minnesota Historical Society
Walker Art Center
Showcasing the fresh, innovative art of today and tomorrow through exhibitions, performances, and film screenings. 725 Vineland Pl. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 375-7600 www.walkerart.org
PERFORMING ARTS
Chanhassen Dinner Theaters
The nation’s largest professional dinner theater and Minnesota’s own entertainment destination. 501 W. 78th St. Chanhassen, MN 55317 (952) 934-1525 www.ChanhassenDT.com
Minnesota Opera
Led by Music Director Designate Thomas Søndergård, the Minnesota Orchestra, one of America’s leading symphony orchestras. 1111 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 371-5656, (800) 292-4141 www.minnesotaorchestra.org
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Leading performing arts center with two stages presenting Broadway musicals, concerts and educational programs that enrich diverse audiences. 345 Washington St. St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 224-4222 info@ordway.org www.ordway.org
Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus
An award-winning chorus building community through music and offers entertainment worth coming out for! 1430 W. 28th St., Ste. B Minneapolis, MN 55408 (612) 339-SONG (7664) chorus@tcgmc.org www.tcgmc.org
RELIGIOUS & SPIRITUAL
All God’s Children Metropolitan Community Church
A welcoming, inclusive, safe place to explore and discover God’s love for ALL God’s children. 3100 Park Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55407 (612) 824-2673 www.agcmcc.org
Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
Everyone is welcome at Hennepin Church! Vibrant Worship. Authentic Community. Bold Outreach. 511 Groveland Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 871-5303 www.hennepinchurch.org
Plymouth Congregational Church
Many Hearts, One Song; Many Hands, One Church. Find us on Facebook and Twitter. 1900 Nicollet Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 871-7400 www.plymouth.org
St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
An inclusive and affirming community transforming lives through God’s love. 519 Oak Grove St. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 870-7800 www.ourcathedral.org
Westminster Presbyterian Church
An open and affirming congregation, welcoming persons of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. 1200 Marquette Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 332-3421 www.westminstermpls.org
SENIOR LIVING Friends & Co
Fostering meaningful connections for older adults for 50+ years. Offering quick drop-in chat line, phone & visiting companionship services. 2550 University Ave. W., Ste. 260-S St. Paul, MN 55114 (612) 721-1400 www.friendsco.org
Senior Community Services
Providing non-medical services that meet the changing needs of older adults & support their caregivers. 10201 Wayzata Blvd., Ste. 335 Minnetonka, MN 55305 (952) 541-1019 www.seniorcommunity.org/lav
SOCIAL SERVICES
Lutheran Social Service of MN
Serving all Minnesotans with personcentered services that promote full and abundant lives. lssmn.org | 612-642-5990 | 800-582-5260 Adoption & Foster Care | welcome@chlss.org Behavioral Health | 612-879-5320 Host Homes | hosthomes@lssmn.org Supported Decision-Making | 888-806-6844 Therapeutic Foster Care | 612-751-9395
TRAVEL DESTINATIONS Discover St. Louis Park
Minnesota’s Sweet Spot! Visit us for exceptional dining, attractions, shopping, hotels and event space. 1660 Hwy 100 S., Ste. 501 St. Louis Park, MN 55416 (952) 426-4047 www.DiscoverStLouisPark.com
Discover Stillwater
Get away to Stillwater for delicious dining, fun shops, and unique nightlife in this charming rivertown! info@DiscoverStillwater.com www.DiscoverStillwater.com
YOUTH
The Bridge for Youth
Emergency shelter, crisis intervention, and resources for youth currently or at risk of experiencing homelessness. 1111 W. 22nd St. Minneapolis, MN 55405 (612) 377-8800 or text (612) 400-7233 www.bridgeforyouth.org
THE NETWORK Locally Owned & Operated Since 1950
Josh Kelly LGBTQIA+ Realtor®
612.219.2211 JoshKelly@edinarealty.com JoshKelly.edinarealty.com
Estimates 7am-4:30pm
Bill’s Gun Shop & range More Guns - More Lanes
MORE FUN!
billsgs.com Make sure your Business, Organization or Event is part of
Lavender 2024 Pride Edition Deadline: May 10, 2024 Published: May 30, 2024 To reserve ad space, call
612-436-4660 Available in print, online, and in the Issuu app. Lavender is distributed at more than 430 sites, including around all major Pride events. LAVENDERMAGAZINE.COM
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OUR HOMES | OUR RIDES
usual tires. Two, make sure that these tires are at the right air pressure for your vehicle. Three, be prepared to adjust the tire’s air pressure when traction is challenging. Lastly, store them away and cover them when they are not in use. That way, you protect them from variations in temperatures.
34 LAVENDER JANUARY 11-24, 2024
One thing that has been brought up over time is the necessity of having a survival kit in your vehicle. This is in the case you get stranded miles away from home and miles from any place to stop. Being stranded is not one of the things you plan for, but having some things in your vehicle to keep you warm and secure would probably ease the
pain of dealing with extreme weather events and closed roadways. What should you have in a survival kit? Larkin explained, “At the very minimum, at least some extra boots, things like that. But even a car in good condition, one that has been maintained, it can have an issue. Having that little survival kit certainly could be a benefit. I think they talk about a lot of times having some water, having some protein bars, protein snacks, things like that. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate kit, but just something to get you by for a couple hours potentially, if need be. Make sure you got your jackets and your gloves. You don’t know what’s going to happen.” The bottom line is simple: “Making sure you’re ready for winter is to prevent you from being stranded out on the road,” Larkin explained. “Especially as the temperatures get colder, things have a tendency to fail when they get colder. Keeping up on the maintenance will help to prevent that.” Are you ready to tackle the rest of this winter? Or, any winter in the future? Having your vehicle winter-ready is good for your soul – and your overall health. It is one less thing to worry about when you have to drive in our usual Minnesota/Upper Midwest climate.