METROSOURCE - FEB/MAR 2024

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY® and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

(bik-TAR-vee)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:  Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months, and may give you HBV medicine.

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:  Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.  Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that may have been hidden in your body. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.  Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.  Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.  Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.  The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:  dofetilide  rifampin  any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you:  Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.  Have any other health problems.  Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby.

Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.  Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed.

Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:  Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.  BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other.

Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION  This is only a brief summary of important information

about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.  Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5.  If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and KEEP BEING YOU are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. © 2023 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-BVYC-0250 04/23

#1 PRESCRIBED

HIV TREATMENT* *Source: IQVIA NPA Weekly, 04/19/2019 through 01/20/2023.

ELIAS SWITCHED TO BIKTARVY Listen to REAL STORIES being told by REAL VOICES.

No matter where life takes you,

Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

Person featured takes BIKTARVY and is compensated by Gilead.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and at BIKTARVY.com.

Speaking of love, you have in your hands our annual People We Love issue of Metrosource.

In these pages following you’ll find some of our favorites like Mean Girls’ Daniel Franzese, whose new podcast Yass Jesus! has something to say about gay and God; and Dot-Marie Jones who has been making us laugh since Glee and is now in her second season of Killing It. There are several lovable talents who have come onto our radar more recently, one of whom Fire Island film and starring role on the Loot television series has put this gifted writer, comedian,

MARKETING DIRECTOR Christopher Jackson

ALRIGHT, WHO OUT THERE MADE RESOLUTIONS

pages) is actor Travina Springer whose ground-

THIS YEAR? GETTING IN SHAPE? IMPROVING

breaking role in Ms. Marvel as an Islamic superhero

FINANCES? FOCUS ON LOVE LIFE? Personally, I’m

kicked open some new doors. She’s now in her

EDITOR’S LETTER

gain some insight on his path from rural Illinois to the Hollywood spotlight.

not one who is big on making life-altering new

second season on television’s edgy The Irrational

year’s resolutions. Mine tend to be more low-key.

and creating one of the show’s most intriguing

I like to zero in on a just few doable activities and,

characters.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.

right outlook and focus on positive outcomes.

Another one to watch (and read about in these

Lovable Matt Mathews who had us chuckling with his TikTok videos of Farm Chores in Alabama, has become a bona-fide sensation with a book and

on MLK Day, I’m also scrolling through some of his

a nationwide comedy tour When That Thang Get Ta’

life’s accomplishments and his legacy. I came across

Thangn’. Our feature article highlighting Matt’s rise

a quote of his that really struck a chord.

is aptly titled A Sassy Mother Clucker.

If you’re on the film festival circuit this year, be on the lookout for a short that is sure to make an impact. In Alicia Coppola’s And You Are…? Jayne Seymour and Zach Barack tackle the challenges of an adult with Alzheimer’s trying to remember her past and a trans person trying to forget his past.

This was from a speech 60+ years ago during

We’ve caught up with all three for a preview of this

the midst of the civil rights movement which

noteworthy project in this People We Love issue.

focused on providing Black Americans with equal rights under the law.

We’ve also discovered a few places we love this winter. You may just be inspired to plan a spring

Fast forward to 2024, and our LGBTQ+ community finds ourselves in the midst of a fight for

trip to reinvigorate your mind, body and spirit after reading our travel features.

equality under federal and state law. I believe one

Oenophiles may be interested in our feature on

of the keys to our forward progress is found in Dr.

California’s Gold Rush Country. Nestled in Califor-

King’s quote.

nia’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, Amador County is old vine country with a rich history - and rich reds.

LIGHT

Next time you’re in South Florida, you may con-

Shine a light by telling our real stories to

sider a stay in the “Island City” of Wilton Manors,

humanize the situation to neighbors, co-workers,

home to Florida’s most famous gayborhood. We’ve

elected officials. One of the featured trans partici-

covered a few Wilton Manors must-dos in in this

pants, Nia, in the HULU documentary We Live Here

edition along with some highlights of Celebrity

said it best,“We’re not a cause, we’re people.”(Read

Cruise Line’s newest and most innovative ship

more about We Live Here in this issue.)

yet – the Ascent.

LOVE

as much as our team at Metrosource has enjoyed

I hope you’ll enjoy our People We Love issue Lead by example, lead with love. Listen to other

Wishing you Love & Light

issue. Remaining nice to others with an opposing

throughout the year!

ingful two-way discussion.

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Kevin Perry Megan Venzin Michael Westman

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Reproduction of any article, listing or advertisement without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. The people, businesses and organizations appearing in Metrosource are supportive of the gay community. Mention of any person, business or organization is not a reflection of their sexual orientation. ©2023 Bent Share Entertainment, LLC. Advertisers in Metrosource acknowledge that they do business in the spirit of cooperation, fairness and service, maintaining a high level of integrity and responsibility. Providers of products or services are fully and solely responsible for same as advertised. Metrosource assumes no responsibility or liability for improper or negligent business practices by advertisers. The appearance of any person, model, business or organization in this publication, by name, advertisement or photograph is not an indication of sexual orientation.

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creating it.

points of view and seek to understand their real opinion disarms them and often allows for a mean-

FEATURE WRITER Alexander Rodriguez CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ben Rimalower

NATIONAL DISPLAY ADVERTISING

As I am sitting down to write my Editor’s Letter

— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

COPY EDITOR James Delyea CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cesar A Reyes

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

most importantly, renew a vow to maintain the

PUBLISHER Bent Share Entertainment, LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Westman

actor on the map. We spent some time with Joel to

VIEWS

LOVE & LIGHT IN 2024

landed a spot on our cover. Joel Kim Booster whose

@metrosource @MetrosourceMagazine @metrosourcemag

METROSOURCE.COM

THIS PAGE: JOEL KIM BOOSTER PHOTO BY DISNEY MAARTEN DE BOER • MATT MATHEWS PHOTO COURTESY OF MLA • TRAVINA SPRINGER PHOTO BY KIM NEWMONEY • DOT-MARIE JONES PHOTO BY GARETH CATTERMOLE • DANIEL FRANZESE PHOTO BY ROBERT LAWRENCE JOHNSON

February/March 2024 | VOLUME 35, NO. 1

10 CONTENTS

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16 30

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COVER: Joel Kim Booster Photography by: Disney Maarten de Boera

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DEPARTMENTS

February/March 2024 | VOLUME 35, NO. 1

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CULTURE

ENTERTAINMENT

TRAVEL

7 THE SCOPE Global Pop Powerhouse Zara Larsson Presents New Album Venus + Life & Beth Season Two, Funny Girl at The Ahmanson Theatre and So Much More

22 WE LIVE HERE

Stories Changing Minds and Hearts

4 EDITOR’S LETTER 22 Welcoming Diversity and Love & Light in 2024 Inclusion to Southern Florida Happy New Year!

Captain Sandy Yawn and Michelle Dunham Christen

CELEBRITY ASCENT

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024

40 Alicia Coppola Has Jane Seymour and Zack Barack asking

AND YOU ARE…?

METROSOURCE.COM

46 CALIFORNIA’S GOLD RUSH COUNTRY Savor the Unique Terroir that Defines Amador County’s Distinctive Wines

VIEWS

THIS PAGE: CELEBRITY ASCENT POOL DECK PHOTO BY ©METROSOURCE • WE LIVE HERE PHOTO COURTESY OF HULU • DIAIRE VINEYARD & WINERY PHOTO BY ©METROSOURCE

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CURATED BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

ZARA LARSSON - VENUS

THESCOPE

LISTEN

zaralarsson.lnk.to/VENUS MULTIPLATINUM

CHART-TOPPING

GLOBAL

POP

POWERHOUSE ZARA LARSSON HAS PREMIERED

THIS PAGE : PHOTO COURTESY OF ZARA LARSSON

CULTURE

from her upcoming new album VENUS. VENUS’ goddess-energy is exemplified on “You Love Who You Love,” where Zara summons the Scandi pop-rock anthems of Max Martin in this cautionary tale on toxic relationships. Zara recalls that,“We started writing over PRIDE, and began talking about how amazing it is that anyone can love anyone - but that doesn’t mean you always should! We’ve all had that friend, or been that friend, who keeps going back to someone who’s bad for them, and ‘You Love Who You Love’ is saying enough is enough.”

With her elevated sound, eclectic style and unifying vision, Zara Larsson is one of modern pop’s most essential stars. It’s an evolution she takes to the next level on VENUS, which mixes the mythic and the personal in its exploration on modern love: whether with a partner (“You Love Who You Love”), family (“On My Love”), your craft (“End of Time”) or with yourself (“Can’t Tame Her”), it’s Zara’s most dynamic and fully-realized work to-date. The project was conceived by Zara with a diverse but focused team of collaborators, which proved essential to the breadth of the record and the goal of representing all sides of herself. The results are pure, unexpected chemistry: the classic-songwriting tradition of Rick Nowells (Madonna, Lana Del Rey) paired with the maximalist beats of Danja (Britney’s Blackout), or long-time London ally MNEK coupled up with Swedish duo MTHR on “You Love Who You Love.”

Now a decade into her recording career, Zara Larsson has the feel of an artist only growing in power. She made headlines around the world last year in a trailblazing deal that saw her take control of her entire recording catalogue, with VENUS the first release in a new partnership between Sony Music and Larsson’s own Sommer House label. Celebrating the many shades of love by owning all sides of her sound

THESCOPE

ANTHEMIC NEW SINGLE “You Love Who You Love”

and her art, as Zara herself puts it, “It’s a little bit all over the place, but that’s honestly just very me!” A millions-selling mainstream artist with enduring, subversive appeal, VENUS’ vulnerability is Zara Larsson’s latest strength: a pop album fit for a goddess but graced with a human touch.

Zara’s European Tour starts in Manchester, UK on February 16th.

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WATCH

LIFE & BETH SEASON TWO

HULU (FEBRUARY 16, 2024) THIS DRAMEDY, STARS AMY SCHUMER AS BETH, a seemingly successful wine

CULTURE

THESCOPE

distributor, in a long-term relationship with an attractive, successful guy and living in Manhattan. But when a sudden incident forces her to engage with her past, her life changes forever.

Season Two finds Beth and John’s relationship growing more serious, as Beth begins to examine the possibilities of marriage and having a family as she and John seek answers for their communication problems. Is Beth’s traumatic history with men, and people she trusted from her youth destined to repeat itself? And what is triggering her fears? Beth does her best to keep her relationships alive while struggling to support friends and family who are all facing their own problems while entering their fourth decade.

Returning with 10 episodes for Season Two, Life & Beth is written, directed, executive produced, and stars Amy Schumer. The official trailer reveals some of this season’s guest stars including Amy Sedaris, Beanie Feldstein, Big Freedia, Colin Quinn, Jemima Kirke, Jennifer Coolidge, Margaret Cho, Maria Dizzia, and Tim Meadows!

HELLO, FRIENDS!

(ANDSCAPE BOOKS; RELEASE FEBRUARY 6, 2024)

BY DULCÉ SLOAN

READ

HELLO, FRIENDS! IS A COMEDIC TRIP (we’re talking money, being plus-

size, politics, men [broke and rich], self-care, and more) through the life of Dulcé Sloan, a correspondent for The Daily Show, co-host of Hold Up podcast, and one of the country’s most exciting comedians is coming to a store near you in just a month. Her segments, including 9-1-1 For White People Emergencies and Dumb Solutions to Policing Problems, have garnered millions of views. Dulce recently hosted The Daily Show and caused a fun uproar with political commentary on Javier Milei, Argentina’s new president. ‘Daily Show’ Guest Host Gives ‘Evil’ Nickname to Argentina’s ‘Trumpy’ New Leader (yahoo.com).

In her first memoir, Hello, Friends! Dulcé Sloan continues to challenge the status quo with her masterful wit and razor-sharp insight, enchanting and enthralling readers with every page. Organized into essays packed with lessons and laugh-out-loud scenes from her life, including a childhood spent moving between cities, starting her own business selling toys at a Miami flea market, to being a Black kid in a predominately white school - Sloan has a story of resilience that will resonate with readers.

Written with candid honesty and vulnerability, Hello, Friends! is essential reading for those searching for a double dose of humor and insight.

Dulcé Sloan is one of the sharpest voices in comedy. Bust magazine calls her “comedy gold,” while Indiewire describes her as “a fresh and unique voice in the world of stand-up comedy.” She was included in Variety’s prestigious Top Ten Comedians to Watch list, and Slink magazine just crowned her “The New Queen of Comedy.” Rolling Stone recently

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hailed her as one of the Ten Comedians You Need to Know. As a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah since 2017, her segments have garnered millions of views. Dulcé stars as one of the voices on the animated FOX series The Great North, joining an ensemble of comedy heavyweights, including Will Forte, Jenny Slate, Nick Offerman, and Megan Mullally. When Dulcé’s Comedy Central Presents stand-up special premiered on Comedy Central, the New York Times included the half hour in their “Best Comedy of 2019” roundup.

SHOW US YOUR HEARTS FOUNTAIN HOUSE GALLERY, 702 NINTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY

VISIT

(THROUGH MARCH 13, 2024) SHOW US YOUR HEARTS IS CURATED BY HARVEY FIERSTEIN AND ALYSON VEGA. Fierstein is an award-winning writer, actor, gay rights activist, and

artist. Vega is a Fountain House Gallery artist.

Fountain House Gallery Director Rachel Weisman said,“Show Us Your Hearts asks artists to consider the vast visual history of the heart as a symbol - and its connotations. Some artists, such as Mario Fontenla, Elizabeth Roberts, and Susan Spangenberg have packed their compositions with colorful depictions of a stylized heart symbol. Despite this, these artists were able to create works that avoid feeling saccharine. Other artists, like Issa Ibrahim, boldly exclude the heart entirely by depicting a body flayed - devoid of all organs - on an operating table. Exhibiting for the first time at Fountain House Gallery, AG Davis, Nicolaus J. Myers, and TWST embrace a highly energetic interpretation of the theme, encouraging the eye to bounce from corner to corner.”

Weisman continued, “Inviting outside curators and visionaries to engage with our artists is a rewarding opportunity to bring new perspectives and frameworks into our space. These unique collaborations not only benefit our artists but also offer our collectors and supporters a chance to see the expansive technical and conceptual skill set of our Gallery roster. We are deeply grateful to Harvey Fierstein for his support and to Fountain House Gallery artist Alyson Vega for her commitment to this exhibition.”

Fierstein says,“The call went out, ‘Show us your heart.’ Whether the artists wanted to tell us who they are, or who they love, who they’ve lost, or what makes them tick, they were invited to create and submit artwork on the theme. The only requirement was that somewhere, somehow, a representation of a heart had to exist within their pieces.”

Tzu Moy Surrounded by Love 2024

“Not surprisingly the call for work was answered with a mind-boggling panoply of emotional statements, personal history and even political commentary. The media the artists employed were as wide-ranging as the ideas they were expressing. We were presented with works in oil, watercolor, acrylic, fabric, crayon, collage, woodcut, photography and digital imagery. It was a thrilling and astounding harvest of work,” Fierstein added.

FUNNY GIRL

THIS PAGE : FUNNY GIRL PHOTO BY EVAN ZIMMERMAN FOR MURPHYMADE

EXPERIENCE

THE AHMANSON THEATRE (135 N. GRAND AVE., LOS ANGELES CA) (APRIL 2-28, 2024)

WELCOME TO MUSICAL COMEDY HEAVEN! Featuring one of the

most iconic scores of all time by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, an updated book from Harvey Fierstein based on the original classic by Isobel Lennart, tap choreography by Ayodele Casel, choreography by Ellenore Scott, and direction from Michael Mayer, this love letter to the theatre has the whole shebang!

The sensational Broadway revival dazzles with celebrated classic songs, including “Don’t Rain On My Parade,”“I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People.” This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened–she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.

Katerina McCrimmon as Fanny Brice in the National Tour of Funny Girl.

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PAGES 10-15 : PHOTOS COURTESY MARLEAH LESLIE & ASSOCIATES

METROSOURCE.COM

MATT MATHEWS A SASSY MOTHER CLUCKER

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

COMEDIAN MATT MATHEWS OF TIKTOK FAME HAD AN EXHAUSTING 2023.

Not only did he travel non-stop around the nation to sell out audiences for his When That Thang Get Ta Thang’n tour, but the new year has brought international dates, another national tour, a long list of media press, a merchandise line, and even more social media fame. What does he do on his limited days off in between show dates? He flies home to Alabama, his homeland, to complete his daily farm chores, kiss his husband, and visit his four horses, a donkey, two pigs, thirty-five chickens, nine goats, two dogs, and three cats. While most comedians have spent their years waiting for this kind of fame, he never intended to have a career as a comic. His windy road to success includes nursing, Walmart photography, boudoir photography, book writing, and farm animals.

Who knew that a single video he posted on TikTok during COVID of him feeding his farm animals and being sassy would change his life forever?

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IF YOU’RE NOT PAYING MY BILLS… YOUR OPINION OF ME IS IRRELEVANT.”

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His show is candid and real. Yes, the comedy is there, but he also shares a lot about his life, not always filled with rosy moments but always brutally and beautifully truthful, from his point of view.

I grew up really poor in the projects.

I was the only white kid in my neighborhood. I had an alcoholic mom, and life was a struggle, you know? And that’s what my show is about. I’ve always been the class clown, and I’ve always been the person that made everybody laugh. It’s funny because I was always kicked outta class for my mouth and for saying stuff that I shouldn’t say, and now I get paid for it. So, it works.

But I never wanted to do comedy. That was never something that I wanted to do.

I never had a desire or a dream to be a standup comedian. It literally just fell into my lap, and it just took off in a way that I never expected it to. I’m just riding the wave. I don’t know what I’m doing, I’m just up there running my mouth. I don’t really consider myself to be a typical standup comic, I don’t really set up the punchline and do all those things. I just tell my stories of what I’ve gone through or what I’m doing, whatever the case may be. I just tell a story and it relates to people. And I think that’s what has been so successful about it.

His Alabama accent comes with a side of sass and a huge helping of gay. He’s never shied away

from his sexuality, pushing the envelope, being a bit racy. You’d think his audiences would be made up of gay men, but they are not. His shows started in Alabama, perhaps not the best well-known for acceptance of gays, and have played to huge audiences of straight, gay, old, young, you name it.

Even in his youth, he stayed true to who he was, despite being Southern. How did he get past that stigma of being a gay boy?

It had its challenges for sure. I don’t think anybody can say that they grew up gay and they never had any struggles, especially being in the South. Of course, I was picked on in school or people would say stuff to me in school or the jocks would be like, “ohhhh, are you gay?” But that was really the extent of it. Like, nobody ever like shoved me in lockers ‘cause I’d punch a bitch in the mouth. It’s never been like that for me, and I think honestly, you know, you talk about how the crowd reacts so well to me, I think it’s because I just say the things that everybody else wants to say. I just don’t care. I’m always gonna rally for the underdog. I’m always going to be that person who defends the people who can’t defend themselves. But at the end of the day, if you like me, that’s great. I love you back. But if you don’t like me, I really don’t care. If you’re not paying my bills or giving me an orgasm, your opinion of me is irrelevant.

Matt cut his teeth early, his parents divorced

when he was young, and he was moved around a lot before he went to high school. Being smart mouthed was his defense while he came to terms with who he was.

It took a long time for me to be comfortable in my skin and to be okay with my body and to be okay with who I am. I think a lot of people still struggle with that every day. And that’s a big part of what my show is, is learning number one, that it’s okay to love who you are. It’s okay to be comfortable in your skin. It’s okay to feel confident who you are. Your self-worth is not determined by a number on a scale. And being a boudoir photographer, I’ve done that for over 10 years, has taught me a lot about being comfortable in who you are. And if you can’t love yourself, then how can you expect other people to love you?

Photography was one of his earliest passions and remains so. After dropping out of nursing school (he realized it wasn’t like Grey’s Anatomy), he spent the little money he got from high school graduation on a Canon Rebel Kit from Sam’s Club, and without any formal training or instruction he began his career. At age 17, he got his first job at Walmart Portrait Studio. He performed the job as only you’d expect.

Every single day you had to walk the floor of Walmart and get people’s phone numbers and their emails and all the things, and you would put it into the system. Well, METROSOURCE.COM

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every single morning we would have conference calls and the district manager would be like, okay, you guys need to get X amount of numbers today. And I’m like, mmm, no thank you, I’m not walking the floor of Walmart and asking people for their phone numbers and emails. Baby, that’s a hustle that I’m not willing to do. So, I would take the Yellow Pages and I would just start typing people’s names. The next day we’re on the conference call and the district manager’s like, “Matt, you’re blowing it out of the water. You guys need to do what Matt’s doing. Whatever he’s doing is working. Like he’s a star, blah, blah, blah.”

Starting as an event photographer, he transitioned into doing boudoir photography, something that has been extremely lucrative and fulfilling. He has a complete studio with a team and has been doing it for over a decade.

Every Valentine’s Day, I would host these mini sessions where people could book me and I would spend 30 minutes with them and I would take a few photos of them for Valentine’s or whatever. Then it just kind of blew up so much. And I started booking so many boudoir sessions I was like, okay, this is way better. I’m not outside in the Alabama heat - cause that’s some bullshit. I’m in my own studio. I can do it how I wanna do it. Then I just started realizing how life-changing it was for people. I was photographing women who came from bad marriages or came from eating disorders or who just never loved their bodies, they never felt comfortable in their skin.

And being able to make people realize that they were beautiful, just the way that they were, was just incredible to me. And I photographed a boudoir session for my mom in 2014. She passed away unexpectedly in 2015 and I remember her telling me, “That was the most beautiful that I’d ever felt. I’ve never felt so pretty in my life. Thank you so much for making me feel that way.”

In his youth, though being a comedian was not on his radar, he knew he was going to entertain people somehow and would even set up his teddy bears and perform. He played piano, guitar, and wrote music. He intends to incorporate more of that in future shows, making it a variety-type show. Let’s just hope he puts in a piano-playing rooster. He’s been able to use his many skills to

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survive the transition from being a viral TikTok content creator to putting on a 90-minute show.

Some TikTokers aren’t able to make that pivot, and Matt certainly couldn’t feed his animals or tell farm jokes for a full show. And for his TikTok fans?

Don’t worry, those videos aren’t going anywhere.

There’s so much more to me than just farm chores. Somebody said, “But that’s what made you famous, that’s what we love the most, so you still need to give us that.”

And I’m like, “I do still give you that because I have to feed my animals.” It’s not just a skit, like the robe is me. I literally wear robes every day - I’m not putting on clothes to go feed all those animals, and that was me way before the internet. My friend literally just filmed it and we posted it one day and it blew up. So I was like, well if it makes people feel so good and they like it so much, I’ll just keep posting it. But it’s not a shtick and it’s not fake. You can ask my husband, he says, could you put some clothes on?

I literally say in my show, when I’m on stage, yes, I’m performing, but I also want my audience to feel like we’re best friends and we’re just having a conversation. Yes, I have a set, but my set relates to people so much. What people love the most is the crowd work I do because they want to be involved in the show, they want to be a part of it. That’s the biggest thing people have said to me is, “I feel like we’re best friends, I really connected to your show.” There are so many people that have come up to meet and greets after the show, literally crying because they’re like, “My mom was an alcoholic, and I grew up poor and I had the same issues and your show just made me realize that I can heal and move forward.”

Like I said, I don’t really think that I’m a typical standup comic. My show is funny, yes, but my show is also inspirational and uplifting. And I want people to come to my show and leave with something that they didn’t have when they came in.

Even with millions upon millions of followers on TikTok, Matt still doesn’t like the word TikTok star. He prefers self-made entertainer, and he has done it all on his own. Before there was TikTok fame, he had a reality TV-type show about his farm life in development. When that fell through, he lost his agent, and entertainment seemed to say goodbye to him before it even started. What

he did is what he’s always done, he picked himself up, dusted himself off, and wrote a book. Titled Uncovered: The Naked Truth of Life, Love, and Addiction it’s a comedic self-help memoir about loss, breaking the cycle of addiction, and growing up gay in Alabama. The book was an instant hit, and remains so today, three years later.

I’m always that person that if you tell me that I can’t do it, I am going to do it and I’m gonna take pictures of it just to prove it. I realized nothing in my life has been easy. I realized that everything in my career, I’ve done it myself. I’ve made it happen on my own without execs, without networks, without agents, without any of that. I’ve done it on my own. I really wanted people to realize that it doesn’t matter where you come from and it doesn’t matter what your background is. And it doesn’t matter what your parents were like. You can do anything that you wanna do if you believe in yourself enough. If I can make it out and break the generational curses and I can be something better for myself, then other people can do it too. I realized that statistically I should have been an alcoholic, or I should have been an addict, or I should have been dead.

I made a promise to myself at a very young age that I was going to not be another statistic. I wanted to write a book, so I did - and I self-published it. I didn’t have the following that I have now. I didn’t have a comedy tour. I didn’t have any of that. I selfpublished it and it was amazing.

Looking towards the future, having a TV show is still on his vision board. Not sure when he would have the time, his date book is literally filled up.

In an industry where so many performers give us their brand personality, Matt (and his husband) can attest that what you see is what you get. Though travel fills his days, he is a homebody who’d rather be in a robe. He maintains you can only fake something for so long. And his message to his fans?

Don’t worry about what everybody thinks about you. If you spend your life worrying about what other people think of you and what other people’s opinions of you are, you’ll live a miserable life. So, live your life the way that you wanna live it. Be you, and be unapologetic about it.

You can find out about his tour dates, his photography, buy his merch, and more at MattMathews.com ■

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JOEL KIM

JOEL KIM BOOSTER HAS DONE JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING IN HOLLYWOOD.

Producing, writing, acting, podcasting, hosting, and stand-up, he’s mastered them all. His most ambitious project, Hulu’s Fire Island, which he wrote, produced, and starred in, was welcomed with both critical and audience praise. This spring, he reprises his role as Nicholas, alongside Maya Rudolph, for season 2 of AppleTV’s hit series, Loot.

BOOSTER A COMEDIC PATH TO LOOT

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I DON’T THINK THERE IS A TOPIC THAT’S OFF-LIMITS”

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His work in the entertainment industry has focused the spotlight on his identity as a gay, Asian actor, progressing the talk of Hollywood’s need for diversity even further. Joel’s relationship with his Korean culture came with some effort. Born in Korea, he was adopted by a religious, American family and raised in Illinois.

As much as I struggled with my parents on a lot of issues surrounding my sexuality growing up, they were open to me exploring my Korean heritage and my culture. It’s just unfortunate because when I was growing up, I was in an all-white town, all-white community, and my family was all white. When they offered for me to take Korean language classes or visit the Korean American Heritage Center, or any of those things, that was the last thing I wanted as a kid. I just didn’t want to feel any more different than I did already. That just didn’t seem like something that would make me fit in any better, to embrace that part of myself. So, it wasn’t until I was really an adult that I started to connect with that part of my heritage.

Joel admits that he loved attention early on as a little kid and credits watching his sister in her high school plays and musicals as his inspiration for getting into performing. He was homeschooled until he was 16. Going to public school would open his eyes to a variety of themes and people that he had not come across before. Was it culture shock, instantly being surrounded by a whole unfamiliar environment outside of his home?

In many ways it was, and in many ways it wasn’t. I had read so many books and I’d seen so many shows and watched so many movies that the American high school experience loomed so large in, the collective cultural imagination of our country that it just felt so second nature and old hat at that point to go to high school. And of course, the culture shock came in all the ways that high school wasn’t how they portrayed in the movies. We always think of scenes like that Mean Girls scene where they outlined the cliques in the cafeteria. My high school wasn’t like that at all. There was no popular crowd of kids, there were just a bunch of fractured interest groups.

It coalesced around what you were interested in doing. And there were certainly popular people probably within those groups, but there was no Regina George in my life, and that was shocking. [Laughs] Along with being exposed to a whole new environment, he also felt free to explore his sexuality. When he was a senior in high school, his parents found his diary in which he had written about his gay sexual experiences. The coming out was not a good one, and

he found his way, leaving his house and staying with friends.

My experience was very specific. It’s not one that’s terribly unique. For me, it was about two things. First, making myself as independent as possible before I needed to be. I’ve had a job since I was 14, bought my own car, and was in a better place than a lot of kids. Second, was building a solid support system around me. I didn’t just go straight from living in my parents’ house to living on my own. I had a strong network of my friends’ parents, and people at school. I found the people in my life, the adults, who could fill a sort of parental role. I found the ones that I could trust to share who I really was. And so, when the shit hit the fan, I had a really strong group of supporters and people who understood my situation and knew who I was and what I was up against and were there for me.

His fortitude in surviving his coming out has stayed with him throughout his entertainment career. Pivoting genres, creating his own roles, and getting behind the camera to create his own projects, that’s what he’s done to make it. Despite a turbulent coming out with his family, his family instilled that fortitude.

Part of the credit has to be given to my parents. They raised me to be very independent and to be very self-reliant. It just sort of blew up in their face a little bit when push came to shove. But I’ve always gone into this business with the idea that there is no other option for me. There was no other job that I would be good at that would fulfill me or be able to pay my bills. For the better part of my adult life, I’ve dived headfirst into things because I needed them to work. Failure wasn’t an option.

I wasn’t paying off my student loans or buying a house or being able to support myself doing any other job, and so it had to work.

Joel moved to Chicago and became a copywriter.

During that time, he would get involved in the theatre community and would even perform his stand-up opening for plays. Comedy would remain a fixture in Joel’s life and help him get into the entertainment scene even further. What did he learn during his time in Chicago that would prepare him for the future?

The talent was high in Chicago and the pressure was so low to do well. It wasn’t like New York or LA where any night could be your big break - that wasn’t the vibe in Chicago. And that wasn’t the attitude of many people doing art in Chicago. It’s such a great incubator for that reason. The people who are contributing and consuming culture in Chicago are so intelligent that it really does push you at the same METROSOURCE.COM

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for the Asian community is better in Hollywood?

Hollywood’s collective imagination for Asian people has widened a little bit in the years since Crazy Rich Asians. I don’t know that we can really measure true gains from statistics about casting, necessarily. I think that’s a dangerous sort of way to think about how we’re doing in the industry, just point blank like how many people are being cast and how many awards are being won for that. We water identity politics like that down to just sort of face-value statistics, it sucks the importance out of what we’re

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time, but with a lot of safety nets up around to fall and to fail big. I don’t know that I ever took bigger risks than when I was in Chicago. You can experiment as much as you need to in a place like that, but still have the kind of institutional support that Chicago affords its arts scenes. It’s incredible that it even exists, to be honest.

When Crazy Rich Asians was such a big box office success, headlines read that the Asian actors would finally get their place in mainstream media with more roles in front of and behind the camera. Being part of the industry, does Joel think representation

actually talking about. So yeah, I think it’s gotten better. Do I think it’s as good as I think some people think it is because of Everything Everywhere All at Once and Past Lives winning? Not necessarily.

When Joel wanted to play a certain role, he just created the project himself. Fire Island, with a diverse cast of newbies and industry veterans, was a hit. His retelling of Pride and Prejudice received a slew of great marketing, media buzz, and acclaim. Categorized as a rom-com, it was a bit more than that as themes of body positivity, racism, ageism, and classism in the gay community all played a part. What were Joel’s biggest challenges in getting his film made?

I think getting people to take it seriously on its own merits was a challenge in and of itself. I originally wrote it as a television idea, and tried to take it out, but no one was interested in it. It pivoted and sold as, “Oh, remember Girls Trip or Bridesmaids? You like those, people will like this too.” Obviously, a comparison like that to either of those two movies is a boon for me, but I had to constantly couch it in terms of comparing it to other things when I wanted to do, ultimately (how successful I was, who knows?), was to create my own thing that didn’t feel like it had to echo these movies in ways that didn’t feel authentic. Keeping that authenticity was really hard.

The film received two Emmy nominations, for Outstanding Television Movie and for Outstanding Writing For A Limited Anthology Series or Movie. Joel was not expecting the nominations and was completely shocked. Fire Island did address the long-running conversation about racism towards Asians in the gay community.

Even hookup apps like Grindr have been called into action for allowing preferences and certain language to be used in relation to race talk in the dating world. As a gay, Asian man, does Joel think we’ve made strides in dealing with latent racism in our community?

Yes and no. I do think that those preferences still exist by and large. But I do think the last couple of years have taught people to keep it behind the curtain a little bit more. They may still feel that way, but they’re not comfortable enough saying it in public or on Grindr. And I think that’s a good thing because, for me, you may not be attracted to me, that’s totally fine, but there’s a way to deliver or not deliver that news that can be varying degrees

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of dehumanizing. If people are stopping to think about the way they communicate that kind of information now, it’s probably a good thing. Whether or not it’s actually gotten better. Who’s to say?

Joel is part of a new kind of Brat Pack, with members like BowenYang and Matt Rogers, among others. We are seeing these actors appear in each other’s projects, and supporting each other offcamera and on social media. With the stereotype that gay men, especially in entertainment, can be extremely catty or jealous, how did Joel decide to do it differently?

It’s so funny because I can remember two moments in my life when I intentionally decided not to do this. And I think the first time was when, in 2010, I started doing standup, and Mateo Lane and I started just months apart from each other in Chicago. I remember having this conversation with him early on where we were like, you never see gay comics together because there’s usually only one spot on the show for us. Usually when we know that there’s only one spot, we try to pull the ladder up behind us and shut anybody else out who might, on paper, be similar. We just made a conscious decision that day to not do that because it made no sense to us. Why we wouldn’t be friends?

We’re stuck doing these open mics all night long and we’re just going to talk to these straight guys all night? It just didn’t make any sense, so we decided not to do that.

I had a similar moment with Bowen too.

I don’t know if we ever came out and said it, but the fact is, obviously demographically we line up in a lot of ways. But to admit defeat and say there’s only room for one of us because we’re so similar in Hollywood,

that’s giving credence to this lie, this idea, that neither one of us wants to subscribe to. Is there is only room for one gay Asian comedian in this town, even though we are completely separate from one another? So, to have any weirdness between us would just be admitting defeat, and I don’t think either one of us wants to do that. We have to believe that there’s room for both of us.

Incidentally, The Hollywood Reporter and Out magazine have mixed up Bowen Yang and Joel.

Seems like the media still has a lot to learn and work harder for in terms of representation.

Following the success of Fire Island, Joel marks his first TV show that has been renewed past its debut season. Loot on AppleTV is a quirky comedy, a hit for the network, and a boon for Joel.

It’s amazing. I mean, it’s a new experience for me. It famously did not happen for me the first time I was on a show, so this was exciting to experience coming back and having the same family, the same crew, the same cast all around me. It’s also really, really fun. I think comedy especially benefits from more time because now we all know our characters, and we all know our voices. Moving into season two, we were just able to be a lot funnier, a lot faster. I think there were expectations now that we could subvert.

Joel’s stand-up continues to remain part of his career. His Netflix special, Joel Kim Booster: Psychosexual, was also a hit. In it, he spills the tea about everything in his life, under the guise of jokes, to address many of the issues that affect his personal and entertainment life. With what stand-up comics should be allowed to say being a hot topic, especially regarding comments made towards the LGBTQ community, what is Joel’s take

on restrictions of what a comic should be able to joke about?

My opinion is the same opinion that I’ve held since I started doing stand-up, which is that I don’t think there is a topic that’s off-limits as long as it’s funny enough. I think where a lot of people get in trouble is it’s just never that funny. There’s always going to be people who think you’re over the line. Everyone’s line is in a different place. But if you stand by what you said and trust the integrity of this process, which is if people are laughing, then you won - that’s the popular vote. If nobody’s laughing, and the voices on the other side of the line are saying this was f’d-up, then you have a problem. Most comics are not that worried about this. At least, I don’t find it to be so.

Most comics know that the things they’re going to say or put out in a special or put out on video are going to be funny at the end of the day.

It is exciting to see where Joel’s career will take him. Over the decade he’s been on screen, he’s accomplished a lot for someone who had certain obstacles in his way. If he doesn’t see a role for him, he’ll just make one on his own, to applause. His message to his fans?

[My message] is one of gratitude. I am so grateful that anyone is interested in what I have to say or my perspective on anything.

I think I’m incredibly lucky that I don’t get a lot of undue hatred all the time, every day in my inbox. I am so grateful for the people who stand by me and like my work.

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Season 2 of Loot premieres this Spring on AppleTV. METROSOURCE.COM

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CELEBRITY’S WINNING FORMULA CONTINUES WITH THEIR NEWEST AWARDWINNING RESORT AT SEA, CELEBRITY ASCENT - THE FOURTH AND MOST INNOVATIVE SHIP IN THEIR HIGHLY AWARDED EDGE® SERIES. Celebrity Ascent fea-

tures 32 distinctive restaurants, bars, and lounges, including the newly designed Le Voyage by Chef Daniel Boulud. Ascent does not disappoint, with all the best features of Celebrity’s Edge Series – from the huge atrium Martini Bar, the inviting multi-deck Sunset Bar designed by Nate Berkus, to the openair Rooftop Garden where two cantilevered floating pools offer breathtaking views over the ship’s edge.

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Celebrity Ascent

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Ascent Iconic Suite

Ascent Theatre

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Celebrity once again made cruise ship history by naming two brothers as co-captains of Ascent – the extremely accomplished, handsome, and affable Captains Dimitris Kafetzis and Tasos Kafetzis. And just when you think the “firsts” have all been had, Celebrity named two sisters as co-godmothers of Ascent. They found the perfect pair there as well, in Captain Sandy Yawn, star of Bravo’s Below Deck, and her sister, Michelle Dunham. Captain Sandy is a tireless advocate for women in the maritime industry, children’s education, children with disabilities, and the environment. Michelle is the successful founder and executive director of a nonprofit school for children with autism. Says Celebrity Cruises President, Laura Hodges Bethge, “These two women are on a mission to make a positive life impact on others, in their pursuit to educate, engage and inspire.”

“We name this ship Celebrity Ascent. May God bless her, and all who sail on her,” Sandy and Michelle said as they christened the ship during the naming ceremony onboard the vessel in waters off Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Everything about this ship says relaxed luxury.

From the ship design, which is improved even from the Beyond, which launched in 2022. Soft color palettes, curved walkways, museum quality artwork … every attention to detail looked after.

The staff are, as expected, stellar. Genuine, attentive, and not overbearing. They all work very long hours, but all have a smile and the goal of a positive guest experience.

The Infinite Veranda cabins, the largest cabin type onboard, are designed to blend indoors and outdoors, and add a good amount of square footage to the size of the cabin by using bi-fold doors.

Of course, if you are opting for a luxury suite, Ascent has options, from the 5000-square-foot Iconic Suite with two bedrooms and 700-squarefoot balcony, to the two-story Edge Villa with private plunge pool. Book a suite and you’ll gain access to The Retreat, a resort-within-a-resort, offering private pool, bars, lounge areas, and more.

One of the magical highlights of the new Celebrity Ascent, is the Edge series signature orange “Magic Carpet” which is another cruise industry first – an open-air cantilevered platform that moves and up and down the side of the ship – positioning itself as a Bar/Lounge, tender platform, or restaurant, at various decks.

This engineering feat makes for great Instagrammable moments.

Another highlight is the newly designed Le Voyage Restaurant by Chef Daniel Boulud. Chef Boulud is widely celebrated as one of America’s

Ascent Le Voyage

Ascent Le Voyage

leading culinary authorities, with restaurants across the U.S., as well as Toronto, Montreal, Dubai, Singapore, and The Bahamas. In Ascent’s Le Voyage, Boulud’s signature remains the contemporary appeal he brings to soulful dishes rooted in the French tradition. His inspired global flavors resonate in the menu and take you on a culinary journey.

On our recent voyage, we were lucky enough to have Chef Boulud himself in the kitchen. Dinner begins with a complimentary glass of champagne and an amuse-bouche. My main course of lobster risotto was melt-in-your mouth perfection. And, as an admitted chocoholic, I couldn’t resist the Café Cardamom, a chocolate encrusted dessert, in which ice cream is revealed when the waiter pours warm chocolate sauce on top. Heavenly! Chef Boulud has also designed contemporary dishes for Luminae, Celebrity’s private dining experience included for all guests of The Retreat, offering another glimpse of the master chef.

Ascent Captains

For fans of anytime dining, Celebrity has not one dining room, but four complimentary main restaurants for you to discover, each with a distinctive design and signature dishes inspired by specific regions of the world – the Mediterranean dishes of Cyprus Restaurant, the French cuisine of Normandy Restaurant, the Italian flare of Tuscan Restaurant, and the worldly flavors of the Cosmopolitan Restaurant. So, whether you enjoy specialty dining options or not, you will always have menu and ambiance choices for your culinary experiences on board.

Entertainment is another key aspect of any good vacation, and the Ascent again raises the bar with “The Theater” of mesmerizing visuals on the wrap-around LED screens, staging which juts into the audience, moving stage parts and lighting elements, and true surround sound … this is theatre innovation at its best. And to accompany the physical stage are unbelievable theatre METROSOURCE.COM

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Bubbles & Pearls

Hunters

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productions and performances by world-class artists and musicians. There is certainly nothing average about these performers or productions.

Now you might be thinking, this ship sounds wonderful, but will I feel comfortable on a sailing that is not exclusively LGBTQ? The answer is a resounding YES. Celebrity was the first cruise line to host a legal same-sex marriage at sea back in 2018. And they continue LGBTQ passenger support across their fleet with LGBTQ meet-ups and cocktail hours, where you can connect with other community members and allies and talk about your travels. Celebrity Cruises continue to strive to make every single one of their guests feel welcome, and we know how much they value the importance of diversity among all their guests and crew. When asked about diversity and equity, Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said, “We want to make sure that we are a company that leads in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we don’t do that by just saying words. We are making sure culturally that we are waking up every day and doing that.”

Starting her season in the Caribbean, with her home port being Ft. Lauderdale, is surely another reason to arrive for your Celebrity cruise a few days early to enjoy Ft. Lauderdale and the surrounding areas. While the current political climate in the state of Florida is dicey, we cannot abandon the LGBTQ business and business owners that rely on our tourist dollars to survive. I would suggest planning and spending your dollars wisely, as you should be doing in any state.

The hub of LGBTQ life is the City of Wilton Manors, who proudly states on their website, “The City of Wilton Manors is a place where diversity is not tolerated, but embraced.” Billed as the second gayest city in America, after Palm Springs, Wilton Manors is small but mighty.

Wilton Drive has a large concentration of LGBTQ+ friendly businesses, but there is no “gayborhood”as found in many other LGBTQ+ friendly cities. Instead, all of the neighborhoods in this two-square mile“Island City”are diverse and safe for all residents.

One such business in Wilton Manors is Bubbles & Pearls (2037 Wilton Drive), a restaurant and raw bar, owned and run by Chef Josie Smith-Malave of Bravo’s Top Chef. She spent a decade in the New York food scene before settling down in Wilton Manors with her girlfriend Marcy, and where she can be seen cooking and laughing with customers.“I have always utilized the oyster as a source of inspiration, knowing that any setback in life is merely agitation that

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is used to create the pearl of the future. Bubbles & Pearls is a location that invites others to celebrate their life,” says Chef Josie.

We visited Bubbles & Pearls during Happy Hour, which boosts $1 oysters. They, and the Flight of Oysters (baked, Rockefeller, and Shishito/Miso), were de-li-cious. What followed was equally delicious - a Fig, Fontina, and Speck Flatbread; Roast Airline Chicken Breast, with bok choy and lemon caper sauce; and the 16oz Black Angus Ribeye with kale, potatoes, and horseradish crema. And the finale - Blueberry Crumble with coconut ice cream. A visit to our table from Chef Josie topped off our meal and we spoke about the area, the need for support, and the bubble that is Wilton Manors. “Bubbles & Pearls prides itself on being a safe space for everyone to eat. No matter who you are, we believe that great food can bring us together in a way that celebrates everyone’s differences.”

Nightcap anyone? Here are a few other gay spots to support and quench your thirst: First up, DrYnk Bar & Lounge (2255 Wilton Drive) is an upscale bar with a large back patio complete with fire pits and cozy seating areas. The bartenders (and customers) are friendly and mix a great drink! As a frequent patron of Hunters in Palm Springs, our next stop had to be Hunters (2232 Wilton Drive).

Hunters is a friendly nightclub featuring a large dance floor, a video bar with eight screens, and an upstairs lounge overlooking the dance floor. The courteous staff and great music just added to the experience. Our last stop was the bar that started it all - Georgie’s Alibi (2266 Wilton Drive). Proudly claiming the title of “Florida’s #1 Gay Bar & Restaurant,” Georgie’s Alibi is a popular spot with locals and visitors. Check out the Monkey Bar and the Patio. Fridays is 2-4-1 all day!

Our home-base was in nearby Hollywood.

While not as well-known as Ft. Lauderdale or Miami, Hollywood has been at the forefront of promoting equality and respect for the LGBTQ+ community and was the first city in Florida to fly the Progress Pride flag at City Hall. Quiet and relaxed, it boasts a beautiful stretch of beach. The Diplomat Hollywood Beach Resort is the perfect escape right ON the beach. Each thoughtfully appointed room has an amazing view – either facing the ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway you’ll get sunrise or sunset views to die for. This property is meant for afternoons by the inviting pool or on the private beach with cabanas and loungers. Opting for the beach and after we were escorted to some available loungers and given towels, we were ready to relax and soak up the sun! You can eat beachside at the Playa Restaurant

Diplomat Resort

Diplomat Prime: Tomahawk Ribeye

Diplomat Resort: Infinity Pool

Playa Restaurant

& Bar, or, as we did, have the food and drink delivered to you on the beach! After lunch on the beach, an unplanned siesta called while listening to the surf and seagulls. A quick steam at the Spa was the final key to relaxation. The Spa offers a host of wellness services and treatments, including massages, facials, wraps, and scrubs, as well as salon services for men and women.

A shave and a shower later, and we were off to dinner at Diplomat Prime. This 1950s-inspired boutique steakhouse and lounge features prime dry-aged beef, seasonally driven seafood dishes, unique shareable plates, and an extensive wine cellar. We indulged in the 38oz 45-day Dry Aged Long Bone Prime Tomahawk Ribeye, with sides

of Truffle Whipped Potatoes and Charred Broccolini. Grilled to perfection, this was the epitome of prime steak. Other offerings include Twin Lobster Tails for two, Crab Crusted Halibut and Pan Roasted Half Chicken. Unfortunately, we were unable to save room for dessert (this usually doesn’t happen) but they offer some delectablesounding desserts such as Tropical Rum Cake and Yuzu Pear Pillow. We will indulge on our next visit.

A one-two punch for a friendly vacation experience, a Celebrity Cruise and a visit to LGBTQ locales in Southern Florida will delight you and also support those that need our continued community support. Our dollars speak loudly. So, spend wisely, be yourself, and enjoy the adventure!

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TRAVINA SPRINGER

HOLLYWOOD RISING STAR

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

TRAVINA SPRINGER IS WASTING NO TIME MAKING HER MARK IN HOLLYWOOD

optimism and positivity, while at the same time exuding that spark and passion that has made her instantly recognizable on the screen. Last year she made her debut in the Marvel Universe for her role in Ms. Marvel, one of the franchise’s most ambitiously diverse pieces to date. She can currently be seen in NBC’s hit show, The Irrational, renewed for season 2, holding her own opposite the show’s star, Jesse L. Martin.

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AS AN ACTOR AND COMEDIAN. She is a refreshing, down-to-earth dose of

Her father served in the military and before she settled in Florida, she moved around the country. That childhood experience forced her to create her own identity early on and gave her the tools that would prepare her for her later career.

I think it did give me a lot of survival skills. I grew up in various parts of the country and I was always the new kid, and it probably instilled my desire to be creative and entertaining and make people laugh because it’s harder to ostracize or bully someone who’s making you laugh. It also made me really adaptable to a lot of different situations because we were in different parts of the country. One skill I got was probably just being able to adapt to different environments and roll with the punches very easily.

Comedy has been a constant in Travina’s life.

She’s been a member of UCB Comedy, performed in the CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase, her stand-up was featured on the reboot of BET’s Comic View, and she’s taken the stage at powerhouses like Flappers, The Comedy Store, and The Ice House. She uses her comedy to bring up social themes that play a big part in her life.

Comedy has been in a way, like a savior.

It’s always been something I felt so comfortable in. It lightens up spaces. It’s a companion of mine wherever I go, and sometimes I’m not even trying. It’s been this wonderful playground to show up and express myself. In stand-up, when I’m writing my own things to use my own voice, it’s an opportunity for me to be vulnerable and discover more about myself as I explore the world with comedy. I think it’s also a beautiful, beautiful vehicle to bring people together. That’s something that I really love about comedy, whether it’s through the stage, television, film, standup, or anything like that. It’s storytelling while educating people, and they don’t even realize it.

Stand-up has been a point of contention lately, with certain comics making disparaging remarks towards the LGBTQ community, all in the guise of comedy. Having first-hand experience, what is Travina’s opinion on what comics should be allowed to say?

Comedians shouldn’t be limited in what they say. I think comedians should always challenge themselves, me included, to involve and evolve with their comedy, and to listen to their audiences because that’s our immediate feedback, right? If people don’t like it …. I think we can say whatever we want, but understand that we’ll get

feedback. Comedians have so much power in what they say, in the messages they send, and what they normalize, and it’s a responsibility we shouldn’t take lightly. Sometimes when one says something in jest, it can feel light, but there’s a lot of gravity sometimes.

It’s important for comedians to never punch down, and to grow and evolve. Things that were funny in the 1920s don’t fly anymore, and it’s not because people are weak or sensitive. Sensibilities change and evolve, and that’s important. What comedians say has to be funny and it has to make sense.

It’s an actor’s dream to be part of the Marvel Universe, something that Travina can now check off. She plays Tyesha Hillman, a complex, intelligent, and unapologetically witty, Black Muslim. What does it mean to be part of this mega-franchise?

It’s still hard for me to wrap my head around. It was such an amazing experience, especially when we started filming at the beginning when people were coming back to work after the pandemic began. So just to have that opportunity to be in the universe and be in a particular story about the first Muslim and Pakistani American superhero, was very exciting and special. And Tyesha, I hold her very dear to my heart, and I hope the world gets to see more of her.

Like Tyesha, Travina is a convert to Islam. Talking about religion in the queer culture is not often talked about, as many have bad experiences with organized religion. Being Muslim is something that Travina is particularly proud of, with the elements of the faith fueling her everyday life.

I was raised as a Baptist and I just started questioning what that meant and what my relationship with God meant, and Jesus specifically. One of the pivotal moments was reading the autobiography of Malcolm X. It was very life-changing for me.

In college, I just became friends randomly by sitting next to someone at a computer lab and they were reading an Arabic newspaper and I started asking questions. We became friends and I found out that they were Muslim. Azam taught me a lot of stuff. I just started asking questions. He took me to a mosque, and the imam was extremely kind and patient - I had like four pages of questions. I was prepared. I had no intention of converting at all. Ramadan was around the corner. (Ramadan is a holy month, the ninth month of the lunar calendar where Muslims fast and abstain from food, drink, and other

IT’S STORYTELLING WHILE EDUCATING PEOPLE, AND THEY DON’T EVEN REALIZE IT.” activities.) As a social experiment, I gave it a try. And it was life-changing for me. I fasted and it was such a healing experience because the beautiful thing about fasting in general and in particular with this fast, is that no one knows that you’re fasting, but you and your creator. It’s not just minding what you eat, but it’s the words that you use.

You try not to have road rage or gossip or get angry as you would maybe if you’re not in a fasting state and do more charity and be more thoughtful. The holistic approach of fasting is really what moved the needle for me with Islam. And then a year later I took my Shahadah and converted.

Playing Kylie Mercer in The Irrational is Travina’s first, major primetime show. Going into it, it felt just right for her, nerves out the window, she felt like she was supposed to be there. Her chemistry with Jesse L. Martin is palpable, and their brother/sister dynamic is a joy to watch. Though different than Tyesha in Ms. Marvel, Travina has also been able to bring a lot of herself to Kylie.

Even down to the pink hair. With her positive outlook, self-confidence, and star quality, it will be exciting to see this rising star’s journey.

And her message to her fans?

First of all, thank you. Thank you so much for watching and being on this journey with me. I am so appreciative. Sometimes when I’m on Instagram, I see the messages and I get the fan mail, so thank you. I also would like people to see and remember the power that we all have within ourselves. If we can do our best to show up as authentically as possible and carry our own light that way, it’s such an inspiration to other people. If you have people giving you negative energy and hating on whatever it is you’re doing, I promise you it’s that they are intimidated and they are troubled by the fact that they can’t show up as authentically as you can.

That’s what that is, a hundred percent.

So, keep doing it.

■ Watch The Irrational on NBC METROSOURCE.COM

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DOT-MARIE JONES IS KILLING IT

THIS PAGE : PHOTO BY GARETH CATTERMOLE

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

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ACTING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ON DOT-MARIE JONES’ TO-DO LIST, BUT SHE’S CERTAINLY CHECKED THAT BOX OFF. Beloved for her multi-Emmy Award-

nominated role as Coach Beiste on Glee, her career has been a winding road. She’s had a longstanding career on screen spanning three decades appearing on everything from Married with Children, Nip/Tuck, Patch Adams, Lizzie McGuire, Days of Our Lives, Modern Family, American Horror Story, to Bros, to name just a few, and is currently enjoying a run in the second season of Peacock’s critically acclaimed comedy series, Killing It, starring comedy heavyweight Craig Robinson.

Her journey to Hollywood came by way of sports. She got into the world of strength competitions very early on, did track, became a champion weightlifter, and was named female athlete of the year while in high school. She went on to win All-America honors in shot during her time at Modesto Junior College and Fresno State in California. She became state champion for two years running and set the national record while at junior college. She even qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1988. Attempting something new, she tried her hand at arm wrestling, becoming a 15-time world arm wrestling champion.

After college, she worked as a counselor at a juvenile probation center. Cast in the American Gladiators-like show Knights and Warriors, she would go on to Married with Children, and her career took off from there. Her casting for Glee was the result of a grocery store run-in with co-executive producer Brad Falchuk, her guest recurring spot eventually becoming a main cast member.

Fans loved her on Glee. To what does she attribute her fandom?

I have always been (humble), what you see is what you get. I don’t try to be anything or anyone but myself!

For someone who started out not being an actor, she’s been given some heavy themes in her acting career, tackling gender transition and body issue themes. What was her creative process to make her characters so sincere?

I do my homework. When I played a trans man, I asked a trans man friend questions.

I also never want to disrespect anyone who may identify with who I’m playing.

We’ve certainly come a long way with LGBTQ representation, now we are having the conversation that trans actors should be playing trans characters - a quite different climate than ten years ago. Having played a trans character in Glee, what is her opinion concerning the casting of LGBTQ as LGBTQ?

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN (HUMBLE), WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET. I DON’T TRY TO BE ANYTHING OR ANYONE BUT MYSELF!” If you can do the job and do it with respect, then do it. I have played several characters that are not authentic to who I am. That’s why it’s called acting! They didn’t want me to play myself, they hired me to play that character. And I mean that with no disrespect to anyone.

She’s appeared in such a wide variety of TV shows, Modern Family, 2 Broke Girls, American Horror Story, the list goes on and on. Which guest starring role has been the most memorable experience?

OMG, there are so many! And they were all memorable. I’m so grateful for all the work I have done.

With all of her sports achievements, does she miss the sports world?

I miss it every day! I miss throwing the shot-put and arm wrestling a lot, but after 15 world titles in arm wrestling, I said I would retire, and I did. I also have a prosthetic shoulder joint and now both of my knees are prosthetic so that mobility is gone.

Ok, what is the best way to win an arm wrestle? [Laughs] Be smart and know how not to break your arm! [Laughs] With such an extensive acting resume, what kind of roles is she looking for now?

I love doing comedies, but I’d also love to do more serious roles and more plays. I’m

working on a play right now in Chicago with Dana Delany called HIGHWAY PATROL. It’s a true story of Dana’s and it is incredible, as is she. I love working with her.

What is a personal achievement she is most proud of?

I’m very proud to have three Emmy nominations. I’m also very proud to still be doing what we get to do! Anyone of us can be replaced and I’m truly grateful to be doing this going on 33 years.

Ok, now to spill the tea. It was announced that Glee is going to get a reboot, what does Dot-Marie think of that?

I don’t really know what I think about that. It was such an incredible show and time. So many people connected to different roles on that show. I know there are still areas to explore but Ryan, Brad, Ian, and all the others who wrote on the show did such an amazing job representing so many.

I just don’t know.

And her message to her fans?

Thank you for being truly amazing!

I say it all the time, that if it weren’t for fans, none of us would have a job. I will forever be grateful and never forget that.

Thank you.

■

Season 2 of Killing It is currently streaming on Peacock.

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DANIEL FRANZESE IS YASSIFYING

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

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THIS PAGE : PHOTO BY ROBERT LAWRENCE JOHNSON

FAITH

WE KNOW DANIEL FRANZESE FROM HIS WORK ON STAGE AND SCREEN FROM HIS FIRST MAJOR FILM APPEARANCES IN BULLY AND OF COURSE, MEAN GIRLS, TV SHOWS LIKE ABC’S RECOVERY ROAD AND CONVICTION, TO HIS COMEDY SHOWS AND STAND-UP APPEARANCES. After coming out on Mean Girls’

tenth anniversary, he would go on to appear in the critically acclaimed HBO’s Looking TV series and film. He has become a leading activist for the LGBTQ and body positivity communities as well as an ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and LAMBDA Legal, all the while continuing to appear on screen, on podcasts, and in more stage projects. Currently, his focus is on spreading faith as a Christian through his podcast, Yass, Jesus! Dealing with the struggle of religion versus faith, he brought himself into conversion therapy. Whereas many members of the LGBTQ community have walked away from their faith, Daniel has forged his own path and he’s not afraid to spread the word.

With the stigma that the LGBTQ community has in the major organized religions, and with the stigma that religion has in much of the LGBTQ community, Daniel is taking a leap of faith in being out and proud of his relationship with God. If you know Daniel, he is down to earth, can party it up with the rest, loves conversations about the sexual world, and can give you a sassy clap back if needed. This can all co-exist in his vision of faith.

I had a promise to God. I always said to God that if I could just be in the closet and be an actor when I finally came out, my platform would be that God loves gay people too. But that’s not how it happened.

My platform was more about the gay glass ceiling in Hollywood and how that affected me. It was just naturally how that happened. I still had this little itch, and I wrote articles about it. But none of those were really getting the kind of attention to what I was trying to say, because I feel like queer people are meant to make that choice between gay and God. As soon as we say, oh, we’re gay, people are like, well I want your God. And you’re like, fine, take it. I feel like we give up God too easily and God is for a lot of people a moral center.

With so much ostracism, damning to hell, and mental and physical abuse towards the LGBTQ community through conversion therapy in religion, how can Daniel still advocate for God? Organized religion is the problem. It’s people who are using God as a weapon.

What we’re dealing with now with the far right and “Christians” is that they’re

using God as this weapon against people, against immigrants, against so many different things that are not the teachings of Jesus Christ and not the teachings that are in the Bible.

His podcast, Yass, Jesus!, is all about mixing comedy, Bible stories, prayer time, sexual chats, meditation, and more with a variety of guests with the bold statement that you don’t have to choose between gay and God. Daniel co-hosts the podcast with his bestie, Azariah Southworth. Azariah, a conversion therapy survivor as well, once served as a TV evangelist on The Remix, featured on the infamous TBN network. Azariah’s entire career on Christian TV was pulled out from under his feet as he came out as gay during his time there, becoming the first Christian entertainer to do so publicly. He and Daniel met in true Los Angeles fashion - Azariah was on a horrible date at one of Daniel’s comedy shows. The two struck up a conversation after the show and started hanging out, the rest is history. The two have visceral chemistry together, presenting a variety of ideas and life shares without stepping on each other’s toes or in each other’s spotlight. Not many in the gay circle readily talk about religion, for Daniel and Azariah it was a natural conversation to have.

Whenever I need anything, he is the first person I go to. He never says no, and he never has a chip on his shoulder about it. And I try to repay that whenever I can.

And I think we’re good friends because of that reason.

More than 700,000 people have been affected by conversion therapy, and that’s just what has been recorded. According to Daniel, the podcast has a number of listeners who have shared their personal experiences with it, something Daniel also personally experienced.

They’re all different ages. Everybody has a different story. Conversion therapy can be all different types of things. Mine was a therapist, I thought I was going to a Christian therapist. We didn’t have a name for conversion therapy. I was just looking for some sort of way to deal with the feelings that I was feeling and instead, I got somebody who alienated me from my allies and tried to convince me to go otherwise. I was in it for six months. I personally wouldn’t have made it through that time without. And my mom is my greatest ally. I mean, she’s what my comedy’s about, I do one-woman shows as her. You can’t tell me anything about my mother like that. I know who my mother is and I know who God is in my life.

ORGANIZED RELIGION IS THE PROBLEM. IT’S PEOPLE WHO ARE USING GOD AS A WEAPON.” Daniel’s mission is to bring the gay community back to God, no matter their religious experience.

He believes the faith is there, whether they know it or not.

I hate that gay people feel that God won’t love them. My mom was with me at DragCon, and next to us was the LGBT Center. I shared my table with them so they could get a free table and do some work. My mom said something about God, and one of the guys was like, “God’s not for me. God hates me. I’m gay.” My mom said, “Who told you that? God loves you.” And he started crying and he just needed someone to tell him that. And I think that if I had heard one person just tell me that God loves me this way, that God made me this way, that’s all I needed to hear and not feel suicidal, not feel lost, not worship some false idol.

During the podcast, the duo showcases prayers that are sent in from drag queens. In a time where drag queens and the LGBTQ community are being persecuted by politicians using the Bible as their campaign, members of our family are still finding solace and a relationship with God. The number one prayer that we have gotten from drag queens has been to not tear each other and our art down. That is the biggest thing I think that we face right now and that’s the biggest ask from all the queens in the world, is that we can just unite as a group of people and celebrate each other’s arts and differences.

Daniel’s message to the community?

Be yourself. Find yourself. Find God in you and where you are and who you are with. Be you without having to make any adjustments.

Check out Yass, Jesus! pod: yassjesuspod.com Follow Daniel on IG: @WhatsUpDanny METROSOURCE.COM

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Nia and Katie Chiaramonte

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WE LIVE HERE STORIES CHANGING MINDS AND HEARTS

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

PAGES 34,37,38 : PHOTOS COURTESY OF HULU

THE PAST YEAR WAS NOT A GOOD ONE POLITICALLY OR SOCIALLY FOR THE LGBTQ+ NATION. Our com-

munity was shocked as legal maneuvers attacking our members started springing up across the nation, and the hate from certain citizens that came from them. For those of us in cosmopolitan cities, it was a not-so-gentle reminder that outside of our bubble, there remain many who live in constant fear and ostracization in their own neighborhoods. Over the holidays, Hulu released the documentary We Live Here, detailing the lives of five Midwest families and their struggle to gain a voice and, at the very least, equality. Helmed by filmmakers Melinda Maerker and David Clayton Miller, all the letters of our community are represented by families from Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Nebraska. Getting families to say yes to being part of the project was difficult. The stories we did get to see are completely rooted in love. Diverse types of family units are presented here, and each story is equally as joyful as they are heartbreaking. Each details the need to be strong, to adapt, and sometimes suffer in silence just to feel comfortable in their own homes. One of the most affecting themes of all is how each town’s phobias affect the children, children who come from a generation where gender identity and sexual orientation are generally accepted without stigma.

One could ask, why do these families insist on living in places where they aren’t accepted? If we flee, don’t they win?

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Co-executive producer and director Melinda Maerker has worked in several forms of media, from documentaries to advertising. She has experienced life in the Southwest, Paris, New York, and now Los Angeles.

How did you get involved in this project?

My co-producer, David, and I were struck by the backlash LGBTQ+ families faced following the 2016 election - despite or perhaps because of the passage of marriage equality. And that backlash has only increased since the making of the film.

As a director, what rules did you set for the project going in, what was your vision?

As a director, I wanted primarily to tell stories with a strong narrative. Stories are what draw viewers in and it’s how we relate to the people who are portrayed - regardless of our differences.

Now, having visited these families in these states, how do you think we can best support our LGBTQ+ community in these conservative states?

I think we can best support LGBTQ+ families in the Midwest by increasing our visibility in general.

Our nation is so divided right now, how do you think we can grow our ally groups and activism within our ally groups to fight the political and social attacks on our community?

As a filmmaker, I honestly believe that sharing stories of LGBTQ+ families is the best way to raise awareness among our ally groups. As Nia, a trans woman portrayed in the film, says, “We’re not just issues; we’re people.”

What was a top memorable moment for you from working on the documentary?

There were so many memorable moments working on the film that it’s hard to choose just one. Overall, I would say the emotional honesty of the participants was extremely inspiring.

What is your message to our LGBTQ+ family who live in some of these states?

That we see you. We see the increasing anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and we will continue to share your stories as best as we can.

How has working with these families affected your own relationship?

Families who persist in loving one another despite the adversity they may be facing are always inspiring in my own relationship.

Co-executive producer David Clayton Miller has seen many sides of the lens. He has a keen

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eye as a professional photographer having shot for a myriad of outlets including Dolce & Gabbana, the Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Weekly, and Architectural Digest. He has produced two independent features, Em & Me and the awardwinning Defying Gravity. He is the father of three with husband Ryan Murphy.

What did working on this project teach you most about your own family life?

Living in Los Angeles with three young boys, I don’t encounter a lot of discrimination. But while filming in the Midwest and listening to these heart-wrenching AND heartwarming stories, I realized how the impact of discrimination on families can be a difficult journey for the children as well. This experience has reminded me how important it is to teach our kids the disparities in life and to treat each other with decency and respect.

What shocked you the most about learning about these families?

How incredibly warm and welcoming they were in allowing us to be with them for days and how seemingly comfortable and honest they were with us.

Now, having visited these families in these states, how do you think we can best support our LGBTQ+ community in these conservative states?

It is important to elect leaders who can speak for all communities including various races and economic backgrounds. Our country is far too divided, and history will judge us on our representation in government and what was achieved, what was taken away, and what was done to make it a better world.

Entertainment is in your family, so to speak, did you get any advice from your husband regarding this film?

This was a project I wanted to explore myself and given how hard he works and the time we have together we want to share with the kids and without “shop talk.”

What was a top memorable moment for you from working on We Live Here?

There were several including the raw, emotional, and vulnerable responses from the families, but perhaps the greatest was seeing them on the red carpet in front of photographers at the premiere in Hollywood at the DGA Theatre.

Besides getting the families to participate, what were some of the biggest obstacles in getting the documentary finished?

The editing took longer than anticipated

because we wanted to tell stories that would entertain an audience and it was important to keep the narrative flowing. Honestly, it was the legal paperwork and contract deliverables that were time-consuming.

What is your message to our LGBTQ+ family who live in some of these states?

Harvey Milk said it best long ago.

“Hope.” You have to give these families hope that there is a better tomorrow. A better world.

One of the stand-out stories from the documentary features married couple Nia and Katie Chiaramonte who, at the time of filming, lived in Indianola (about 20 minutes from Des Moines).

The two have a long history together, having met in second grade, becoming best friends in middle school, then becoming official high school sweethearts. Both came from a conservative background and as a married couple with five kids, were active in their church. When Nia came out as trans in 2018, all of that changed. The two lost their place in the church, their safe place, and were summarily treated differently by the neighborhood at large. In an emotional confession, the loss of their church family was devastating. How can a religion that preaches love show none? Katie, who now identifies as queer, remained at Nia’s side as a wife, never flinching at her taken vows of partnership. Unfortunately, their family did relocate due to legislation that was passed in Iowa that restricts and attacks the LGBTQ+ community. For their mental health and for the safety of their family, they left a home that was all they had known and had worked so hard to build. Retaining their power, they are releasing their first book Embracing Queer Family: Learning to Live Authentically in Our Families and Communities, offering tools they wish they had had to LGBTQ+ families.

What made you say yes to doing We Live Here?

We are open people, we live open lives, and we feel like representation is so important. Like Melinda and David, we know that stories change minds and hearts, and we felt honored to be a part of it.

How did filming the documentary change your lives?

First, filming the documentary jumpstarted the process of us thinking about moving. It also introduced us to this beautiful group of people and allowed us to continue the work that we are already doing with our organization Love in the Face (www.LoveintheFace.com).

Did you have any pushback from your community for appearing in the doc?

YOU HAVE TO GIVE THESE FAMILIES HOPE THAT THERE IS A BETTER TOMORROW” David Clayton Miller and Melinda Maerker METROSOURCE.COM METROSOURCE.COM

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The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We were invited to speak at our children’s school this month, we’re going to have a screening in Des Moines and do a panel afterwards at the end of this month as well, and the messages from strangers have been so positive. People are really resonating with the film it seems.

Katie, you now identify as queer. What has it been like to take on that identity, what was your exposure to the queer community prior?

I think it was less about taking on the identity than it was about uncovering who I have always been. And now I feel like I know myself better and I’m in touch with a part of myself that I had not allowed myself to fully know. Growing up in a conservative environment where the rhetoric was very anti-queer, it was hard to form relationships with the queer community. As I came into myself as an adult and had a clearer awareness of my own spirituality, queer individuals helped form a wider idea of love. Which allowed me to know myself better in the end. Now I don’t really think of my queer community and my non-queer community, I just think of my community.

Nia, what was the inspiration for finally coming out as trans, at the risk of losing your family?

It was actually Donald Trump talking about making the word sex into a biological binary. That would have had major ramifications across the nation for trans people and I felt that I would be more heard as the person that I am, a trans woman, than an ally. I needed to be true to myself in order to be honest with those around me and invite them into this part of my life.

What do you say to those who say we shouldn’t be exposing our youth to LGBTQ themes?

I would first ask if they know any queer people. We believe that queerness is an invitation to deeper love. We know it can be scary because it can cause us to confront things about our own worldview. But if somebody is willing to do the work, they can easily see that exposing kids to more than just the straight family in the long run will benefit all of us. People can read more about this in our book, Embracing Queer Family, coming out May 14th. We discuss how to begin to open yourself to these kinds of themes even when they’re scary.

What was it like working together on your upcoming book, Embracing Queer Family? What was most important to you to include in the book?

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The goal was to write a guidebook for families who were going through something similar to what our family went through. Transition, change, dealing with family members and holding boundaries, and how to make sure you are in a safe space in order to discover your own identity as an individual and as a family. Our main goal was to invite people to know themselves deeply, whether you are queer or not.

Because when we know ourselves and love ourselves, we love each other well.

You have since moved from filming We Live Here. What caused that move, how has life changed since the move?

We moved for our mental health and the health of our family. There was a job offer out East which made it easier for us to make

the leap. We have discovered that we didn’t even realize the amount of stress we were living under when we were constantly seen as a conspicuous family. We feel relieved from that pressure in our new home. We are still closely tied to our Iowa community which we love and will continue to support.

What is your message to the LGBTQ+ families living in conservative areas?

Firstly, you are not alone. Also, living authentically can change hearts and minds.

And read our book! It’s packed with practical tips that we learned for ourselves when living in a conservative geographical space.

And also deeply, you are loved.

■

We Live Here is now streaming on Hulu.

JULY 19-21, 2024

Gay Wine Weekend

A WEEKEND OF WINE & CELEBRATION SONOMA WINE COUNTRY Twilight T-Dance • Winemaker Dinners Drag Brunch & Auction • Pool Soiree

TICKETS: OUTINTHEVINEYARD.COM

ALICIA COPPOLA HAS JANE SEYMOUR AND ZACK BARACK ASKING AND YOU ARE…?

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

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THERE IS A SHORT FILM THAT WILL BE MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE FILM FESTIVAL CIRCUIT THIS

PAGES 40,42,43 : PHOTOS BY KATIE FLYNN

YEAR. AND YOU ARE...? is a beautifully and emo-

tionally crafted film that will not only tug at your heart but shed a spotlight on the plights of the trans and the elderly community, showing that even without fully understanding gender or Alzheimer’s, we can and must still show love. It is raw in its simplicity, and artful in its execution.

Written and directed by actor Alicia Coppola, the film’s leads are Emmy and multiple Golden Globe Award winner Jane Seymour, and Zach Barack, credited as the first openly transgender actor in a Marvel film. They play grandmother and her trans grandson who spend the day together during a normal visit, both of them lost but trying to find their identity. Grabbing on to each other for comfort, one trying to move on from his past, and one trying desperately to remember her past. Bound by love, there is a moving understanding that is so masterfully presented.

This is Alicia Coppola’s second short film. Her first project, Between Us, is also a raw and emotional slice of her personal life. In front of the camera, she is a veteran actor with an extensive list of credits that include Why Women Kill, Empire, Shameless, Jericho, The Young and the Restless, with her very early start on Another World. She has fought for the making of this film, receiving some resistance from

both the mainstream and LGBTQ entertainment world. Determined to tell this story, she applied a little guerilla filmmaking to complete the project to stunning effect. From the LGBTQ world, some were wondering why this cis and straight actress was trying so hard to get this film made. But, along with power partners, sweat, and a little Melissa Etheridge, the film is ready to showcase.

What was the inspiration behind making this film?

I have a family member with Alzheimer’s and a family member who is transgender. I wanted to find a way of linking these two characters in an intergenerational manner to unite us.

What was your mission in making this film?

My mission in making And You Are…? is to open minds and open hearts. We are not as dissimilar as we might think. We all want to be understood, accepted, and loved for who we truly authentically are.

What do you want audiences to walk away with having seen this film?

I want the audience to walk away with a deeper understanding of the loneliness of our elderly with Alzheimer’s experience. We tend to shut the doors on our elderly, especially those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

They are neglected. Our LGBTQ+ youth are METROSOURCE.COM

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not just neglected, they are horrifically shunned, specifically our trans youth. I don’t know anyone who hates an older white woman with Alzheimer’s, but we all know people who hate transgender people and want to deny our trans youth lifeaffirming medical care. What their dog is in this fight, I have no idea.

There should not be one. But I want them specifically to learn about our trans kids and learn to accept and dare I venture, love what they don’t understand. As parents, we have a simple choice for our children - we plan their future or their funeral.

Which side of the ground do you want your kids on? This is an easy choice for me, as it should be for every parent.

What were some of your biggest challenges in getting the film made/seen?

I wrote, directed, and produced And You Are…? with my husband Anthony Michael Jones, and my dear friend Nancy Kirhoffer. There was no big machine/studio/production company supporting us at all. We privately fundraised. Money is always a HUGE challenge for an indie short or feature film. But we have very dear friends who invested their money because they believed in the film and its messaging. Getting sponsors like Martinelli’s was not challenging, just very time-consuming. Trying to find the right contact at the company was months of email deep dives but ultimately positive. They couldn’t be kinder. The same can be said for Melissa Etheridge’s song “Testify”.

It took me nine months to find the right contacts at Universal Music Group and Universal Music Publishing Group. Once I did, however, they were so helpful and amazing.

Peau De Loup the clothing line from Canada also sponsored the film by donating Max’s (Zach Barack) clothing. We love them! My camera was donated by Rufus Burnham at The Camera Division. Honestly, there are challenges in getting up in the morning. If you look for challenges, you will find them. I prefer to look for the angels. I found them. I think the key

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to doing anything, to getting anything created is to surround oneself with a choice group of people. I had the love and support of my cast, my crew, and my post-production teams.

And You Are…? was created by and for love. It is a love letter at its core.

What did you love most about working with these actors?

There are no words. As a writer, I wonder if anyone will actually read my words let alone want to be involved in the creation of my vision.

Sherry Thomas is a brilliant casting director and friend, who donated her time. She was on board from the jump. I wrote Lynn with Jane in mind. She was in Dublin when we initially wanted to film, so we waited for her to wrap. Jane became my mother in front of my eyes. I honestly have never seen anything like it. Jane is sheer magic. My job was to just get out of her way and keep my lens on her. When I saw Zach’s self-tape, I cried. He was and is pure perfection. I worked with Diana Lu on FOX’s 911 and knew she was Sherry (Lynn’s nurse). She has a kindness and gentleness about her. I just loved how my actors responded to my words, and how wonderfully they inhabited their characters. I am very fortunate they believed in me.

What do you love about being behind the camera as opposed to being in front?

I am very calm behind the camera.

That’s not to say I’m not calm in front. It’s just a different level of ease because I use my whole being when I direct. I’m seeing my vision come to life as opposed to someone else’s. As an actress, I’m the mouth for the writer’s words, and the body for the director’s vision. As a director, I am allowed to orchestrate the writer’s vision. Even if it’s someone else’s words, I can use all of me to understand their vision to tell our story. This is why I have written and directed two short films. I want to expand my vast acting career, to take what I have learned over 30 years on set. I hope to start directing episodic television and to also write and direct the feature of And

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IT IS A LOVE LETTER AT ITS CORE.”

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You Are…?

Why is it so important for these types of stories to be made?

Art is the reflection of our life stories. I believe it is through our art that we come together. Everyone deserves to see themselves mirrored on our televisions, our screens, and our walls. By doing so we feel seen. Everyone wants, nay, needs to be seen. To be seen is to be acknowledged. It is my hope and prayer that the characters in And You Are...? will be acknowledged and therefore accepted. Acceptance leads to understanding, which leads to compassion, which leads to love.

Did you have any trepidation in putting yourself out in the industry as an ally?

No Way. Never. Ever.

As an ally, how do you think the LGBTQ community can best build relationships with the ally community to forge better understanding?

I think as human beings all walking this planet together, we need to open our minds and hearts to each other. That is why I wrote And You Are…? the way I did. It is the most unlikely of buddy films. Lynn, a grandmother suffering from Alzheimer’s who only has the past to prove she exists.

Her grandson Max desperately wants to erase his past as it never proved his true existence. It’s an intergenerational story that shows we are not as dissimilar as we think. We all need to get out of each other’s way and out of each other’s business. I always say everyone needs a glass of Chardonnay and a nap. And to kindly and politely go away.

As a working actor in Hollywood, do you think the industry is truly embracing the LGBTQ community behind the scenes?

I would hope so. I know I and my team are. I can’t speak for Hollywood. I think Hollywood embraces what Hollywood wants to embrace. What that is varies from minute to minute.

What did you learn about yourself from doing this project?

I am formidable. I am a mother. I am a daughter. I am fierce. I am unstoppable. I am a beast.

The film features Jane Seymour as you’ve never seen her before. The actor, who over the years has become America’s sweetheart with roles as a Bond girl, in Somewhere in Time, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Wedding Crashers, and much more, is devoid of the typical Hollywood

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glam given to her stature. With grey hair, minimal makeup, and a hunched walk, she embodies the character of Lynn who is in a constant battle with her memory and surroundings. There is a double play here, as the audience feels the shock of seeing a version of Jane, the actor, in a way that we really haven’t before, as well as feeling the pain of what her character is going through. With complete pathos, this is why she is a multiple award winner.

As a philanthropist, she has supported a number of causes, including the founding of Open Hearts Foundation, and as an ambassador for Childhelp.

What struck you most when you first read the script for And You Are…?

I felt the script was very moving. It was a story I had never heard before or seen told

on screen. It was very well written and if directed well, it would have a great impact in both worlds. I also felt it was a role I would be excited to play.

What made you say yes to doing the film?

I wanted to show filmmakers my range.

No one in America has seen me in this kind of role and I knew it was something I could really dive into.

What was your biggest challenge, as an actor, in making this film?

I didn’t think of it as a challenge but rather as an opportunity to discover this woman’s world and live there for the time of filming. With the help of Georgie the puppy, I felt I was Lynn for those few days.

THIS PAGE : POSTER DESIGN BY LAURA AGUERO

ACCEPTANCE LEADS TO UNDERSTANDING, WHICH LEADS TO COMPASSION, WHICH LEADS TO LOVE.” Did you have any trepidation about being part of an LGBTQ project?

Not at all.

What have you learned about the trans community since doing this film?

It was an honor to work with Zach and to have the chance to talk openly about his choices and journey. From what I have learned so far, it’s a difficult and brave choice. It is not an easy journey but one that I respect and am learning to understand.

What is your take on the increased LGBTQ representation in Hollywood?

Art is for everyone, and everyone should be represented.

What did you love most about making the

film?

I loved working with Alicia Coppola, Anthony, Zach, and Diana, and our tiny, lovely crew. I love that you can tell a very compelling story in 18 minutes and engage the viewer, move them to tears, and have them wanting more.

Holding his own alongside the industry veteran, Zach Barack as Max did not hold back from making his personal journey part of the film. The audience sees Max inject his testosterone, we see the scars from top surgery, and we see the struggle of being understood as he truly is. As an actor, singer, and comedian hailing from the northern suburbs of Chicago, he has been seen as an actor and voice actor in TV and films. His performance in Spider-Man: Far From Home earned him the distinction as the first openly trans actor in a Marvel film, something he is still asked about though his career has become so much more.

What was your first reaction when you read the script for And You Are…?

I was so excited to mesh the worlds of a person who clings to their memories and one who wishes to alter his own. It felt like a unique take on this story. I’m done doing somber pieces when being trans is about so much more, like the fulfilling relationships we can have with all kinds of people in our lives.

What made you say yes to doing the film?

It was exciting to be handpicked to represent a character that the filmmaker was so close to. I knew I’d be doing as raw a version of this story as was possible.

What was your biggest challenge in making this film?

I’ve been transitioning for so long that I sometimes forget the feeling of introducing the concept to loved ones. This character must find all the patience in the world, and sometimes I lack that. It was healing and taught me a lot about what I could stand to have more of.

What did you love most about working with Alicia as a filmmaker?

Alicia is as honest as they come. She didn’t spit any bull. It was clear and concise. From the directing in the moment to the preparation. It was like- “Come over, we are practicing because we are working with Jane Seymour, and we can’t ‘f’ this up!”

What did you love most about working with Jane as a costar?

Jane was really lost in character at times.

We’d be taking photos, not even filming,

and I’d look over and she’d have the eyes of an adoring grandmother. It was turned on when it needed to be. She was great.

What is your coming out story?

I just shoved it down the throats of everyone I love. I wasn’t patient. I wasn’t kind, to be honest. I was just tired of waiting to be comfortable and I found that I had curated a support system of people with patience and tolerance and love for that. So, it taught me a lot about what the people I love are willing to do and how impactful I can be when I say what I mean and what I need.

Did you have any trepidation in being an openly trans actor for fear it may limit your career?

Nope. I am what I am, ya know? Like when I first started auditioning, I still got misgendered a lot. Hiding it wasn’t an option. The unfortunate side is that I find it hard to break into other spaces in the industry, which is silly because I just want to make stuff - have little creativity parties with anyone who will have me. So, it has its ups and downs because I feel like others put challenges and limitations upon me, but I don’t have beef with myself. I’m actually very sexy and dumb and lovable. And sexy.

You have the distinction of being the first openly trans actor in a Marvel film, what does it feel like to have that title?

It’s been so long and so many interviews about that. I’m at a point where I just have thanks for what it did for me. And now please PLEASE put more trans people in all kinds of roles. That was five years ago and we still don’t have what we’re fighting for in the industry.

How can we best support the trans community?

Cast us in other roles than just plot devices for other characters to grow. Let us be silly and not even have to talk about being trans in everything we are in. Let us write. Don’t hire consultants to tell you that you’re writing correctly, just put a trans person on your writing staff. Talk the talk.

It’s easy as pie. I love pie!

What do you want audiences to walk away with having seen And You Are…?

It’s possible to have grace and love for everyone who is trying to be heard, so long as they are willing to hear you. Listen to people; they’ll tell you the truth if you’re kind to them.

Look for And You Are…? coming to a film festival near you.

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Grand Reserve Inn entrance

CALIFORNIA’S GOLD RUSH COUNTRY SAVOR THE UNIQUE TERROIR THAT DEFINES AMADOR COUNTY’S DISTINCTIVE WINES

BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

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Teneral Cellars tasting room

NESTLED IN THE PICTURESQUE SIERRA FOOTHILLS OF CALIFORNIA, AMADOR COUNTY BOASTS A FLOURISHING WINE REGION OF OVER 50 WINERIES THAT YOU MAY, OR MAY NOT, BE FAMILIAR WITH, THAT IS RENOWNED FOR ITS BOLD ZINFANDELS, BARBERAS, AND OTHER ROBUST VARIETALS. With a rich viticultural history dating back

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to the Gold Rush era of the 1850s, the region’s vineyards benefit from warm days and cool nights, yielding wines of intense depth and character. The region knows what it is, and what it is not, and has a unique sense of place. Dotted with small family vineyards, each possessing a love of the land and a love for the fruits of their labor, Amador County, and neighboring El Dorado, has a strong wine community that opens its arms to you.

A short hour drive east of Sacramento, Amador County provides delightful landscapes, historic charm, and a thriving wine industry. To start your adventure, check in to the Grand Reserve Inn, a charming 5-star boutique inn, smack dab in the middle of the vineyards. This will serve as your home base for your adventure and provide a luxurious experience of service. Take a bike ride through the vineyards, book an in-room massage, enjoy the daily gourmet breakfast, and of course, drink wonderful wines. With the Teneral Cellars at Wildrotter Vineyard tasting room at the foot of the property, you are not far from the wine action.

The drive through the vineyard and up the small olive tree lined road to The Grand Reserve Inn will have you immediately breathing a sigh of calm. The inn offers five Tuscan inspired suites, all boasting stone fireplaces with private sitting areas, breathtaking views, private patios, a pillow menu, and all the plush amenities such as robes, slippers, and personal care items. Of course, there are large HDTVs and high-speed wireless internet, but I would encourage you to disconnect, soak in the beauty around you, and engage with your fellow travelers. Established in 2016, the inn truly offers an escape from the outside world and unlocks a

host of VIP experiences. You can even buy olive oil that comes from the estate olive trees.

Sitting in the grand living room feels like home, with a roaring fireplace, a glass of wine, and a beautiful charcuterie board. And, if you ask nicely, some homemade chocolate chip cookies. Now, that is my kind of luxury – wine and chocolate! All of this is indicating you don’t need to venture out to experience the region’s offerings, however, new experiences in the area await ….

Teneral Cellars, through its many different varietals takes you on a “round the world” tour with well-known grape varietals from Spain, Italy, France and beyond. The special added bonus of the exceptional wines from Teneral Cellars, is that they donate 10% of profits to organizations that empower women and promote gender and racial equity. Sitting down with CEO Jill Osur over a glass of wine at the Teneral Cellars at Wildrotter Vineyard tasting room (a stone’s throw from the Inn), Osur tells us,“Wine brings people together. Our bottles start conversations and prompt important dialogue that supports progressive changes toward a better future.” We couldn’t agree more.

One varietal we sampled with a special meaning is the 2019 PRIDE Barbera (Silver Award Winner in the San Francisco Chronicle 2022 Wine Competition). Teneral Cellars created the “Love is Love” series to honor the history of PRIDE and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. A rich wine of beautiful black and red fruits interwoven with herbal, floral, and spice components. Pairing notes? The bottle states it clearly – “Pair with Allyship and Advocacy.”

Another in the “Love is Love” series is the delightfully crisp and bright 2020 Uprising Chenin Blanc. This varietal from the Loire Valley brings hints of lemon, pear, and apple, is approachable and friendly on the palate. Also a Silver Award Winner in the San Francisco Chronicle 2022 Wine Competition.

Teneral’s tasting menu is large and the tasting room offers all sorts of fun souvenir items for purchase, from special gift box sets, brand merchandise, and local handmade pottery and food items. We really could spend the day here on the patio, but onward we must go.

Up the road we arrive at Casino Mine Ranch, founded in 1936 by Simone Shaw, who bought the property with the intention of mining for gold. Vineyard planting began in 2011, and today, wines can be sampled in their beautiful new tasting room with views of surrounding Amador County. Make an appointment for one METROSOURCE.COM

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of their special experiences in the tasting room, on the patio, or in the garden. Known for its Italian and Spanish varietals, my favorites included the 2021 Greco and the 2018 Marcel. Greco is an ancient white wine varietal thought have been brought to Southern Italy by the Greeks. Fermented in stainless steel barrels and bottled shortly after harvest to capture its inherent freshness, this wine is crisp, clean and delicious. Marcel is a blend of the Spanish Tempranillo and the Italian Teroldego and produces a unique wine with bold long-lasting black-cherry flavors.

Our day of adventure concluded with a wine pairing dinner at Taste Restaurant & Wine Bar on Main Street in Plymouth, California. News of the creative global menu at Taste has certainly gotten out, having been named one of the top 100 wine restaurants in America by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, received the Wine Spector Award of Excellence, and rated by ZAGAT as one of the top restaurants in America. Owners Mark and Tracey Berkner deserve every accolade, having renovated the former saloon known as the Sportsman’s Club, into what is now a gourmet experience of local and seasonal ingredients, whose menu changes based upon availability of products. This gem is truly a destination to be placed on your Amador bucket list. The tasting menu on our visit was decadent: A fennel and sunchoke salad with goat cheese aioli; seared scallop with chive beurre blanc; black pepper New York steak with truffled duchess potato, crispy shallot, and squash puree; duck confit with wild mushroom risotto; and chocolate indulgence with five-spice whipped cream. My mouth is watering just writing this!

Each course was expertly paired with a wine from Teneral Cellars.

While a favorite is hard to choose, I will single out the black pepper New York steak paired with Teneral Cellars All In Zinfandel. The All In Zinfandel is a collaboration with the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, to raise awareness and funds for the non-profit dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Tracey joined us for dinner, and explained, “We want to make sure our guests have a great experience here at Taste. We produce high-quality products, the freshest that we can get all the time.

So, everything on the menu is going to be delicious, seasonal, and sustainable.”Vegan? Gluten-free? Allergies? No problem at Taste.

They truly go out of their way to make sure everyone has a great dining experience.

There is nothing quite like the sunrise in the vineyard … in our robes with a cup of coffee on our patio, watching the painted backdrop of pinks, oranges, and purples signaling the new day. In the dining room, a full breakfast awaits - with pumpkin scones, spinach frittata, bacon, fresh squeezed juice and, even some bubbles if you’d like with your juice. With a full belly once again, we headed out to DiAire Vineyard & Winery. Winemaker and proprietor Chaim GurArieh greeted us with a big smile and hearty handshake. Chaim, a food technologist by trade, brought his expertise to the art of winemaking and his enthusiasm and passion for his wines is easily apparent. Chaim is a story in himself, as he is the man responsible for the creation of some of America’s favorite food products: Cap’n Crunch Cereal, Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing, Tiger’s Milk Bar, pudding cups, Power Bar, and the list goes on. Chaim and his wife, Elisheva, purchased a 209-acre parcel of land between the south and middle forks of the Cosumenes River in the Shenandoah Valley of the Sierra Foothills, and planted 42 acres of rolling vineyards

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Grand Reserve Inn Tuscany Suite

DiAire Barrel Tasting

Jill Osur at Teneral Cellars Tasting Room Grand Reserve Inn Tuscany Suite

VISTING AMADOR COUNTY GRAND RESRVE INN 19890 Shanandoah School Road Plymouth, CA 95669 209-245-5466 grandreserveinn.com TENERAL CELLARS AT WILDROTTER VINEYARD 19890 Shenandoah School Rd. Plymouth, CA, 95669 209-245-6016 teneralcellars.com TASTE RESTAURANT & WINE BAR 9402 Main Street Plymouth, CA 95669 209-245-3463 restauranttaste.com CASINO MINE RANCH 10690 Shenandoah Road Plymouth, CA 95669 209-330-0695 casinomineranch.com DIAIRE VINEYARD & WINERY 19919 Shenandoah School Road Plymouth, CA 95669 209-245-4700 cgdiaire.com

Taste Restaurant

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with 11 varietals. They designed and built a winery facility and tasting room perched on a hillside with unbelievable views of their land below. This dynamic duo has an intense love for the land and conservation. A tasting of the 2017 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits the high quality of the grapes. Two different clones were fermented and aged separately, and then blended just before bottling.“I like to make wines that are elegant and have good balance.

My style of wine has forward fruit that carries to the mid-palate and a long-sustained finish. I like to use the oak to enhance the varietal identity of the wine and not mask it,” says Chaim. Smooth and soft with aromas of dark berries, this Cab is one to savor.

Did someone say sushi for lunch? Yes, please.

The Gur-Arieh’s love of sushi spawned (pun intended) another venture – Hikaru, The Sushi Wine. Hikaru means “to shine” in Japanese, and this unique wine was crafted to reflect the pureness of the fish, guided by the principles of balance, harmony, and attention to detail.

Chaim tells us “Hikaru was born out of our love for sushi and our love for each other. Our epic father-daughter sushi dinners have always been a sacred time for us to connect, catch up, and bond over our favorite cuisine. We wanted to create a wine that shines a light on these heavenly meals.”

Available in Sauvignon Blanc, Chilled Red Blend and Sparkling Rose, the especially acidic light to medium-bodied varietal blends achieve the perfect complementary balance.

After lunch and wine tasting was a perfect time for a relaxing in-room massage. That, and a short siesta, provided some rejuvenation before gathering for a pre-dinner glass of Teneral Cellars 2020 Rosé and a recap of our wonderful day.

This, our last night at the Grand Reserve Inn, we experienced a multi-course wine dinner prepared by the in-house chef, which provided a bounty of flavors from Amador County. From the leek and carrot soup with spiced pistachios and crème fraiche; to the roasted wild halibut with blistered tomatoes, capers, kalamata olives, and a Chardonnay butter sauce; to the pear and almond tart with Frangelico sauce; each course was lovingly prepared and paired with an exceptional wine.

This was a fitting finale to our first (but not last) visit to Amador County. This weekend, while filled with wonderful food and wine, had bigger concepts at work – togetherness, love, sense of place, community. So, next time you’re looking for a new experience, try an authentic wine country experience and head to Amador County. You’ll be glad you did!

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Casino Mine Ranch tasting

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR GUESTS HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE.” —TRACEY BERKNER TASTE RESTAURANT & WINE BAR DiAire Winery tasting room

Visit to DiAire

SATURDAY JUNE 29, 2024 Noon - 4pm

Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs Compass Rose Grand Ballroom Featuring LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and Women owned and/or produced wines

Pre-Sale Ticket Discounts Available

EQUALITYWINEFEST.COM Celebrity Chef Demos • Unlimited Wine Samples • Educational Speakers Unlimited Tasty Bites • Souvenir Wine Glass • Live Entertainment • Souvenir Program • VIP Experiences

Charity Beneficiaries: