Metrosource National - FEB/MAR 2021

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:

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.

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%).

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. 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.

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:

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.

 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.

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.

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

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:  Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-

counter 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.

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

MyDailyCharge.com

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, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, KEEP ASPIRING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2020 © 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved.

BVYC0197 03/20

DIMITRI LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2018 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT

KEEP ASPIRING.

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.

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Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

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OUR ROARING ‘20S WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF? gained notoriety, the late 1920s saw the beginning of the “Pansy Craze.” People flocked to the cities to see shows starring LGBTQ acts and gender-bending fashions. One vaudevillian sensation was Vander Clyde, or “Barbette.”

VIEWS

EDITOR’S LETTER

She traveled the world with her infamous aerial act, fea-

2021 – WE HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR THE

turing death-defying trapeze stunts in full drag. At the

CALENDAR TO CHANGE. With it comes a renewed

end of her act, she would remove her wig and strike a

hope for the future – with new leadership in Washington

masculine pose. Another famously open gay performer,

DC, vaccine distribution, and hopefully a gentler, more

Bert Savoy, was known to be outrageous both onstage

accepting world leading into OUR “Roaring ‘20s”. This

and off. He referred to men as“she”and camped it up at

Entertainment Issue is full of great entertainers that

every opportunity. Savoy was indeed a sensation - Mae

add to the vibrant story of entertainment in the LGBTQ

West would later openly borrowed Savoy’s campy hip-

community. In the Roaring 1920s, while being LGBTQ

swaying walk, as well as his comic invitation to“come up

was not accepted, parties and drag balls in Greenwich

and see me.” In 1923, and at the height of his popular-

and Harlem became legendary for holding some of the

ity, Savoy’s life was cut short in an appropriate campy

most world-renowned drag performances of the time.

way - he was strolling along a Long Island beach when

This LGBTQ nightlife reached across cities, and indeed,

a deafening thunderclap made him exclaim to friends,

the country.

“Mercy, ain’t Miss God cutting up something awful?”

After the end of World War I, the 1920s ushered in

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cesar A Reyes MARKETING DIRECTOR Christopher Jackson GRAPHIC DESIGNER Charles Sanchez FEATURE WRITER Alexander Rodriguez CONTRIBUTING WRITERS James Patrick

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Seconds later, Savoy was struck dead by a lightning bolt.

a period of growth on so many fronts - music, drag,

What we now know as the modern music industry,

dance, economic growth through connecting to the

began in the 1920s. The technologies of the day cre-

world economy, and new sexual freedom. A new age

ated new ways to make, record and distribute music.

of artistic expression and open attitudes toward gender

Through this, new expressions and genres of music

expression and societal norms. If history repeats itself,

emerged, including Jazz, Broadway, and Dance Bands.

then it is indeed time for the 2020s to look at history.

The speakeasies expanded into clubs to listen and dance

Prohibition officially went into effect on January 17,

to new music. Dance competitions and marathons also

1920, which banned the manufacture, transport, and

became popular across the nation, with radio station

sale of alcoholic beverages. This of course, led to the

holds competitions for prizes. The flamboyant fashions

increase of bootlegging and secret speakeasies illegally

were perfect for dancing. Jazz music also became popu-

selling liquor. This also inadvertently popularized the

lar in the speakeasies, clubs, and dance halls. The movies

movement that sent people of all types packing into

were now“talkies”and talented composers, such as gay

bohemian clubs to watch drag shows and drink to their

songwriters Noel Coward and Ivor Novello, thrived in

heart’s content, even though prohibition was in effect.

musical theater and with the first musical films.

During the Prohibition era and after women got the

The Roaring 1920s ushered in new artistic expres-

right to vote, flappers emerged – pushing the boundaries

sions, freedoms, prosperity, and growth at the end of

of political and sexual freedom – dancing and celebrating

the many dark days from 1914-1919 (WWI, the Spanish

their independence. With this feeling of sexual freedom,

Flu pandemic, strikes and riots). New industries were

drag ball culture emerged. In many ways, New York City,

created – electric power, movies, automobiles; and con-

set the tone for the“anything goes” attitude of the time.

struction and entrepreneurship flourished.

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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. ©2021 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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The Renaissance Casino, Webster Hall, and others in

Our country has grown over the last 100 years, but

New York City, became popular spots, hosting many drag

now is the time to usher in OUR Roaring ‘20s with a

balls, attracting thousands of people from all races, social

similar explosion of expression, freedom, prosperity and

classes, and sexual orientations… all wanting to partake

growth, and a renewed connection to the world, at the

in the revelry. This provided a unique time for gays and

end of our dark days. We have already seen growing

lesbians to become part of the scene, especially under

expression and entrepreneurship, even the midst of all

the safe cover of the drag ball. Attending these clubs and

we have faced this last year. Let us continue to grow,

@metrosource @metrosource @metrosourcemag

balls became a visible stand-up social moment.

support our LGBTQ community, and usher in OUR

METROSOURCE.COM

With the creation of the drag balls, drag became more associated with the gay community. As these balls

4

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

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021

METROSOURCE.COM

Roaring ‘20s.

February/March 2021 | VOLUME 32, NO. 1

CONTENTS

22

42 16 STAN ZIMMERMAN TALKS THE GOLDEN GIRLS

THIS PAGE: JAVICIA LESLIE PHOTO BY JOHN JAY //@JOHNJAYUSA •PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVE KOZ • PHOTO COURTESY OF STAN ZIMMERMAN • PHOTO COURTESY OF JEREMY BLACKLOW

AND LGBTQ ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY

22 JAVICIA LESLIE THE BAT IS OUT OF THE BAG

32 JEREMY BLACKLOW LIFE THROUGH A GLAAD TINTED LENS

42 DAVE KOZ THIS JAZZ MUSICIAN IS BRINGING SAXY BACK

16 COVER: Javicia Leslie Photographer: John Jay //@johnjayusa Hair: Sean Fears // @seanchristopherfears Makeup: Dion Xu // @makeupbydion Styling: Jyotisha Bridges // @jyotisha_

32 METROSOURCE.COM

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021

5

DEPARTMENTS

February/March 2021 | VOLUME 32, NO. 1

12 7

42 CULTURE

7 THE SCOPE Not Another Second offers audiences a candid glimpse into the private and public lives of 12 LGBT+ elders

BODY 28 HEALTH The Wonders of Cacao

28 HEALTH Grooming: You Look Fabulous Pamper Yourself Like a Celebrity

12 DRAG Miz Cracker RPDR Fan Favorite for Miz America

TRAVEL 42 Calmer Waters Turks & Caicos

21 FINANCE Take Control of Your Credit Score

VIEWS

4 EDITOR’S LETTER

Our Roaring ‘20s

Will History Repeat Itself?

6

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021

METROSOURCE.COM

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF MIZ CRACKER • IMAGE PHOTO OF NASCENT ART • PHOTO COURTESY VISIT TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

28

THESCOPE

CULTURE

THESCOPE

CURATED BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

VIEW

NOT ANOTHER SECOND

FOR LGBT+ SENIORS, COMING OUT WAS INFINITELY MORE DIFFICULT THAN IT IS

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF NASCENT ART

TODAY. As a result, many have lost years of not being their authentic selves

fully and not being able to openly love who they choose. Not Another Second, acknowledges and celebrates the sacrifice, bravery, and contribution of LGBT+ elders, while sharing wisdom with future generations to not lose another second. A collaboration between trailblazing nonprofit SAGE, Watermark Retirement Communities and Brooklyn’s iconic new luxury senior community The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights, Not Another Second offers audiences a candid glimpse into the private and public lives of 12 LGBT+ elders who represent a wide range of diverse backgrounds, professions, and ethnicities. These include a former politician, military veterans, a Stonewall survivor and Black Panther. These stories are told through a series of compelling portraits that intersect personal experiences of living during a time when being an LGBT+ individual was a crime. The exhibition, shot by noted German photographer Karsten Thormaehlen, known for his awardwinning series Happy at 100 focusing on centenarians from around the world, also celebrates their personal journeys on deciding to live openly, as well as finding love and companionship. Each moving portrait is accompanied by the number of years lost living in the closet and not as their true, authentic self.

“In the 80s and 90s, everybody was scared to death to come out. They didn’t know who to trust,”said Richard Prescott who is featured in the Not

Another Second exhibition alongside his husband. “I think I lost a lot of years not being myself. That’s why this campaign is so important. Not only do we get to share our stories but give courage to younger generations who are still scared of being their authentic self.”

Curated and installed by nAscent Art, the emotionally charged exhibition features state-of-the-art Augmented Reality (AR) technology allowing patrons to“experience the emotionally-driven stories of each LGBT+ senior in a new, interactive way, adding a whole new dimension to the already moving photography,” said Jennifer Wallace, co-founder of nAscent Art. Not Another Second made its national exhibition debut in the art gallery of Watermark’s newest Élan Collection community, The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights at 21 Clark Street in Brooklyn, in January 2021. Free public and socially distanced viewings of the Not Another Second exhibit at The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights will take place every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday through March 2021. A reservation must be made to view the Brooklyn exhibition of Not Another Second. A virtual presentation of the exhibit is also available. Following its Brooklyn debut, the Not Another Second exhibit will tour the country throughout 2021, with stops in Los Angeles, Napa, and Tucson.

To book and reserve your timed ticket, please visit: www.notanothersecond.com.

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021

7

ENHANCE

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blemishes while giving skin a clear and fresh, bright glow. Additionally, the liquid foundations and concealers come in 24 shades, more than any other male brand, making it easier for guys to discover their perfect shade so no one will ever detect he is wearing anything. Grab an Alpha Max Pack - BB Cream (a tinted moisturizer), Hi-Def Liquid Foundation (to hide blemishes), Liquid Concealer (eliminates dark circles), Duo Powder (keeps face from getting shiny) and the pocket-sized Concealer Pot. All products are sold separately as well.

Alpha Male Cosmetics are available at www.alphamalecosmetics.com.

THIS PAGE: ANTTONI LOPEZ BY JONO PHOTOGRAPHY

CULTURE

THESCOPE

addressing conditions that are unique to men’s tougher skin, often damaged from harsh soaps, shaving and the sun. “Applying a blade to the face leaves many men with razor bumps, ingrown hairs and dark spots,” founder Anttoni Lopez explains. “Our collection of foundations, primer, liquid concealers, BB Creams and setting sprays help to correct these conditions while also covering them up. We enhance a guy’s handsomeness without taking away his masculinity.”

The full line consists of nine products, all water based so they seamlessly blend with a man’s complexion, covering up

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021

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THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF NIC TAILOR

AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, MOST GUYS COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR UNDERWEAR. It never seems

to fit quite right because it’s only available in S-M-L-XL sizes. What about your weight, shape and, well, other measurements? Wouldn’t it be great if there was customizable underwear? Well now, there is - Nic Tailor, the first custom fit underwear for men. Short for “tailored knickers,” Nic Tailor is superior quality underwear made to your specific body shape. They take into consideration butt size, groin size, everything that makes you, you. So, now your underwear fits better. And when it fits better, it feels better.

The Nic Tailor team partnered with the Prostate Cancer Foundation to shine a light on Prostate Cancer, a disease which one in nine men will be affected by in their lifetime.

Given how much time we are all spending on video calls these days, we all deserve to treat ourselves to things that make us feel good.

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METROSOURCE.COM

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021

9

READ

WHEN BROOKLYN WAS QUEER: A HISTORY

THE NEVER-BEFORE-TOLD STORY OF BROOKLYN’S VIBRANT AND FORGOTTEN QUEER HISTORY, from the mid-1850s up to the present day. Hugh Ryan’s When Brooklyn

Available at www.RizzoliBookstore.com.

LISTEN

FIERCE

“FIERCE” IS AN ENGAGING, PROPULSIVE, and danceable rallying cry

bringing together the formidable talents of acclaimed awardwinning actress and host Angelica Ross, (@angelicaross), international dance pop diva and DJ Ultra Naté (@ultranatemusic), and features the beloved NYC advocate, activist and performer, Mila Jam (@themilajam). The electro pop anthem invites everyone to “Pose!”“Sashay!” and “Walk!” for change - designed to bring further awareness to the steadily increasing number of hate crimes and murders against Black and Latinx trans women. 2020 was the deadliest year on record for transgender and gender nonconforming people with an epidemic of violence disproportionately affecting women of color. This charitable release initiative – funded with a grant from Pop Culture Collaborative – aims to enlighten, educate, and celebrate the trans community, its mission and their allyship through song. Proceeds benefit: The GLAAD Transgender Media Program (@GLAAD) www.glaad.org/transgender; The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (@sylviariveralawproject) www.srlp.org; and The Marsha P. Johnson Institute (@mpjinstitute) www.marshap.org.

Every day is another opportunity to feel Fierce!

Listen at https://ingroov.es/fierce-v.

10

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021

METROSOURCE.COM

THIS PAGE: WHEN BROOKLYN WAS QUEER: A HISTORY COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF RIZZOLI BOOKSTORE • FIERCE IMAGE COURTESY OF INGROOV.ES

CULTURE

THESCOPE

Was Queer is a groundbreaking exploration of the LGBT history of Brooklyn, from the early days of Walt Whitman in the 1850s up through the queer women who worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard during World War II, and beyond. No other book, movie, or exhibition has ever told this sweeping story. Not only has Brooklyn always lived in the shadow of queer Manhattan neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and Harlem, but there has also been a systematic erasure of its queer history - a great forgetting. Ryan is here to unearth that history for the first time.

In intimate, evocative, moving prose he discusses in new light the fundamental questions of what history is, who tells it, and how we can only make sense of ourselves through its retelling, and shows how the formation of the Brooklyn we know today is inextricably linked to the stories of the incredible people who created its diverse neighborhoods and cultures. Through them, When Brooklyn Was Queer brings Brooklyn’s queer past to life and claims its place as a modern classic.

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MIZ AMERICA

MIZ CRACKER WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT 2020 WAS NOT THE BEST FOR THE MINORITY COMMUNITIES OF THE NATION… flagrant hate speech and disrespect became commonplace towards the LGBTQ, female, and black communities. A glimmer of light, mixed with humor, that has christened us into 2021 comes from the perfectly manicured stylings of RuPaul’s Drag Race fan favorite, Miz Cracker, the Matzo Mama herself.

12

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021

METROSOURCE.COM

CELEBRATES THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE WORLD

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

Inspired by a chance meeting with Bob the Drag Queen in the streets of New York during a blizzardly night, Miz Cracker’s early drag would appear at marches for equality in Times Square. Her drag, partnered with her winning wit, would land her a spot in the top five of Drag Race Season 10 and the top three of All Stars Season 5.

When COVID put a stop to her North American Tour of her oneperson show, She’s A Woman, she went to work in a different way.

During the holiday season, she released two Hanukkah singles, “Eight Days of You” (feat. Jujubee) and“Get Me the F%#$ Out of Here” and launched the She’s A Woman podcast, celebrating everything She. When Corona pushed my She’s a Woman tour to 2021, I suddenly had nothing to do and it was driving me nuts. Launching the podcast, coming out with holiday music - all this activity is helping me stay sane. Without it, I would be back to building model houses out of popsicle sticks.

Yeah, I really was doing that.

She’s A Woman podcast celebrates the role of women in the world from all walks of life and chats with them to find out more about their achievements and life goals as a woman. All the women she talks to have done incredible things to make the world a little bit more beautiful. The focus of the podcast is to bring some positivity into 2021 and turn the spotlight towards our female allies. The timing is apropos as U.S. history was made with the inauguration of our first black, female Vice President.

Seeing Kamala’s ascent has been so incredible. She’s a human being, she’s not perfect.

But her position as Vice President sends a message to young women, particularly young women of color, that progress is possible, that boundaries can be broken. And it was wonderful to hear her talk about that so passionately.

METROSOURCE.COM

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021

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PAGES 12-14: PHOTOS COURTESY OF MIZ CRACKER

Miz Cracker understands that the success of the LGBTQ community is due, in part, to our allies, out in the world as well as from her own “family.”

Women took us to prom, listened to us come out, showed up for our first Pride march, pretended our two-week relationships were valid - they have been there for us, let’s be there for them. I owe everything I have to women. When I was a queer kid in school, only women would befriend me. A woman made my Drag Race audition tape.

And when I look out into my audience at shows, some 70% of the faces are women. I feel like it’s time for me to give back.

My mother, of course, is my biggest inspiration. She is a talented painter, but she never uses her gift to win attention. Her priority is to explore and improve, not to win fame or money. Whenever I start a project, I always think about her, and I try to keep her values in mind. She’s a Woman podcast is not about money or follows - it’s about doing something I love that is important to me.

I got my sense of humor from my earliest comedic inspiration - my sister. One time when I was a kid, I told her that her haircut was a mistake. She replied, “Mom and dad got married in December, and you were born in April. Do the math. You are a mistake.” I was like...snatched bald. She is so quick. I had to learn to keep up.

Several Drag Race queens have taken the time during lockdown to start podcasts. Among the podcasts covering pop culture, Drag Race recaps, or offering snarky opinions and bitchified one-liners, She’s A Woman emerges as a breath of fresh air and reflects Miz Cracker’s

own identity apart from Drag Race.

We are a family. But there is something that makes me a unique part of the family - my belief that drag can change the world.

That is why I launched the She’s a Woman podcast. I wanted to use the power of drag to amplify the voices of amazing women.

She does not get involved in Drag Race drama, behind the scenes, or on social media.

The best way to maintain a positive relationship is to keep things off social media.

Connect sister to sister with a nice phone call, or a text message. That is what The Vixen and I have been doing for two years now, and it is one of my biggest joys.

Each episode of She’s A Woman is like a chapter in the biography of strong women who are making a difference. You never know who is going to show up - detectives, pilots, bookstore owners, comics and more.

Our debut episode features an interview with Jeannine Cook, who runs a bookshop highlighting women’s voices. Cook has received threats and hate mail for following her heart. But the other day, a little girl came into her shop wanting to do a report on the bookshop for school. And Cook thought, “Oh my G*d, this makes it all worth it.” I love this image of women inspiring one another across generations.

In focusing on others, Miz Cracker has learned more about herself.

A good podcast host puts the guest first.

It is always tempting to tell stories about your own ideas and experiences and whimsical fantasies. But instead, just shut up for a second. You don’t want to miss out on an opportunity to listen. I know that sounds simple, but it is something that a lot of people miss, including myself.

I have learned that you must be willing to make mistakes. Sometimes you are going to ask an awkward question and you’ll look silly, and that’s okay. If you try to be perfect, you will never take risks, you will never ask a provocative question, you will never find out what you don’t know.

Miz Cracker’s biggest obstacle from the podcast world?

My screaming. I think you are supposed to keep a level, noble tone while recording a podcast so that it is enjoyable for the listener. But thus far I have not been able to do that. So, the whole show is basically just going to be me blowing the AirPods out of people’s ears.

THIS PAGE: MIZ CRACKER PICKLE PHOTO BY DAVID AYLLON • PODCAST IMAGE COURTESY OF MIZ CRACKER

But Cracker’s intention with her podcast is clear: I want people to walk away from She’s a Woman realizing there are no limits on what a woman can be or do. And if you want to hear from an incredible woman, you don’t have to go searching for a celebrity. We all know incredible women.

Miz Cracker is like the little engine that could, with more destinations ahead, even if slow to start at times.

I think people believe that I am an incredibly driven person. In reality, I am a bit lazy and it’s my copilot Katelyn that keeps me getting up early, dieting, exercising, sketching ideas in my little notebook. I have a lot of creative power within me, I just need a cattle prod to keep me moving.

Miz Cracker fans can rest assured that once COVID is under control and once healthy to do so, nothing will stop Cracker from hitting the stage. She’s A Woman tour is prepped, rehearsed, and ready to go. The show will give audiences a glimpse into Miz Cracker’s world after All Stars, as she tells the story of her journey from self-doubt to self-confidence - and the ridiculous characters and calamities she found along the way through never-before-seen videos, untold stories, original music, slapstick, and jump splits.

This is unlike any of my other shows because the music is all mine. But as always there’s brand new standup, brand new video content, brand new choreo. I am terrified to launch the tour because it’s so MUCH, but that’s what makes it great. I love writing lyrics. I am a comic writer at the end of the day, so the words come to me so naturally, and I feel like I am in my element.

Before every performance, I always have a little chat with my copilot Katelyn like, “Okay, today we’re gonna show the world what we can do!” It’s this promise that I make every time. And at the end of the show, I always go up to Katelyn like, “Did we do it?” Just to check.

She will be hitting every major city in the U.S., with venues already booked and waiting.

Does Miz Cracker behave on the road?

Oh, she’s a nun on the road. After every show, I go straight to bed. Then I get up early, get into drag, and go meet fans on the street.

Honestly, that is my favorite part of the tour getting to see the cities and people along the way. The show is just the icing on the cake.

Must-haves for the road?

Red Bull for energy, a towel for when I spill the Red Bull, The New York Times to keep me informed and my diary so I can privately shade everyone around me.

Until then, we have She’s A Woman to enjoy, and it is quite a joy. She’s your perfect COVID companion with just enough tea to keep you satisfied. Her message to her fans?

If you are miserable in the midst of the COVID crisis, you are not alone. I’m miserable. People everywhere are getting worn down by the months of solitude. So, don’t be afraid to reach out to other people and commiserate. There is nothing wrong with a little complaining if it is helping you blow off steam.

■ You can check in regarding Miz Cracker’s tour at: https://www.fivesensesreeling.com/miz-cracker And check out She’s A Woman podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ shes-a-woman-with-miz-cracker/id1540638499 METROSOURCE.COM

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STAN ZIMMERMAN Remembering

THE GOLDEN GIRLS

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ A SHOW THAT INCLUDES GAY COMING OUT STORIES, lesbian crushes, a drag queen musical band, a transgender politician, and the AIDS epidemic sounds like it should be something new on HBO Max or Showtime … but it was a comedy … in the ‘80s … on network TV … that featured four old women. It is impossible to talk about the advancement of LGBTQ themes in entertainment history without paying homage to The Golden Girls, a show that continues to entertain and energize generations old and young.

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Brought in by NBC to match The Cosby Show’s popularity, and without the aid of modern-day social media, The Golden Girls premiered in 1985 to twenty-five million viewers and great critical and viewer acclaim. The show would span seven seasons, win 11 Emmy Awards (including one win for each of the four leads), and become syndicated at the same level as Seinfeld - even 35 years later. On a pop culture level, the show has inspired multitudes of live shows, pop up restaurants, card games, drag queen performances, and even sold-out cruises. The one-liners masterfully acted by Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty are still repeated in everyday chat and popular memes. The longevity of these oneliners is a testament to the real star of The Golden Girls – the writing. In 2014, the Writers Guild of America placed the sitcom at number 69 in their list of the“101 Best Written TV Series of All Time.” Imagine being a fly on the writing room wall during that first season?

With a list of credits that follow Stan Zimmerman like an encyclopedia set being sold by a salesman from St. Olaf, it is hard to think of writer, producer, and director Stan as a newbie in the industry. Stan’s credits include writing for The Gilmore Girls, Roseanne, Fame, Wanda at

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Large, the rewrite for ABC’s Annie, both Brady Bunch films, and for a series of projects that include some of the most diversified names in the biz with Judith Light, Ellen Burstyn, Vanessa Williams, Wilson Cruz, Wendie Malick, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Sandra Bernhard, George Takei, Mindy Sterling, and Leslie Jordan … just to name a very few. Flashback to Stan’s first day on his first major gig, writing Season 1 of The Golden Girls with creative partner Jim Berg.

We were excited and obviously nervous.

We were very young, but luckily had already been staff writers on one show before The Golden Girls, so we kind of knew what to expect. That first episode we worked on, we thought we were going to be getting coffee for the staff. But on that first day, we were asked to pitch out an entire episode right after lunch. I couldn’t eat my lunch.

Though we think of The Golden Girls as a big gay celebration, things behind the scenes were not so gay-positive. This was still a very straight Hollywood. The number of major stars who were coming out were few and far between and were often outed by the media, not by choice.

Rock Hudson was the biggest onscreen actor to have come out during the mid ‘80s, who consequently died from complications of HIV the

same year that The Golden Girls premiered.

During the later ‘80s, there was an increase in celebrities who came out - Elton John, Ian McKellan, Boy George, and Rupert Everett being among them. Rupert Everett has stated that coming out was a career killer.

Being openly gay behind the camera did not work so well either.

People find it hard to believe, since The Golden Girls seemed so gay-positive, but yes, we were in the closet on the show. You must remember it was a different time and our agents urged us to keep our sexual orientation secret and bring a woman to any event associated with the show. It was also the beginning of the AIDS crisis, and there was a lot of fear in the world. Especially in Hollywood.

And a lot of misinformation.

But Stan was eager to learn the ropes of sitcom writing and he cut his teeth with the best of them.

TV writing is a very collaborative medium. There are many people that must approve a story before you even begin writing it. There is the staff, executive producers, the studio, and most importantly, the network.

We loved the other writers. We especially bonded with Mort Nathan and Barry Fanaro. Years later we helped them with their pilots, and they offered to produce the first pilot we got produced. You spend so many hours in a writers’ room, it’s always better when you like the other writers.

Presently, Stan teaches sitcom writing to classes of students eager to write their winning script or sell their big show idea. A big part of Stan’s mentorship is to encourage writers and actors to keep at it, keep going, keep trying. Entertainment is not an easy journey, and everyone must put in their time and hard work. Working on The Golden Girls was boot camp.

I have to say my favorite memory, although it didn’t feel good at the time, was being in our office working on multiple jokes for the end of a scene that we would have to pitch to the staff for approval. I didn’t feel like I was a funny writer, and that show was like Comedy Writing 101. We learned from the best at the start of our career and that show shot us out of a canon into an amazing journey in this business.

© John Middleton Co. 2021

NJ001

But putting in the hard work and learning from the veterans around him would earn Stan and his writing partner, Jim, a WGA nomination for their episode, “Blanche and the Younger Man” that also featured a visit from Rose’s mother.

The idea for that episode came in an odd flash in my head after the producers passed on all our ideas during our first pitch session. We were walking out of the office, feeling defeated. I turned around, in the doorway, and yelled something like, “What if Rose’s mother came to visit?” They told us to come back and sit down and we started beating out the story.

Writing a first major episode for his first major network show, is there any special moment that stands out?

There are so many wonderful moments and lines from that episode. But if I had to pick one, it would probably be when Alma, Rose’s mother, says, “Stopping me from living isn’t going to stop me dying.” It was such a beautiful moment, especially the way Betty White responded to it.

Another part of the business that Stan would come to learn, is that there is no personal life while working on a hit show.

When you’re working on a TV series, you really don’t get to have a personal life. You could be stuck at the studio until 7pm or 1am or even later. You never know, so it’s hard to make plans.

I gave up a lot of my young years to work in TV. But once the show wrapped for the season I was out and about enjoying the LA gay nightlife. I was also one of the first of my group of friends to have a job that I could afford to buy a house and a car. I was always grateful and knew I was lucky.

The lines were tailor-made for the actresses - for both their acting

styles as well as their characters. This team of writers was making a hit.

Nobody anticipated the huge success of the show. We had a front-row seat to watch it all unfold before our very eyes. At each Monday table read, they would announce the ratings for the week prior. The room was stunned at the rapid rise up the Nielsen chart.

During Season One, there was a unique relationship between writers and actresses, one built on trust and respect but not as collaborative as you would have guessed.

The actresses had very little to do with the scripts for Season One. I learned years later that Bea Arthur was not happy with how young the writers looked but changed her tune when she saw the quality of the scripts week after week. All four of the ladies were always saying in interviews that the show was a success because of the writers. They didn’t have to do that. They were all legends in their own right.

Being a success was not only to prove beneficial for the network but would allow the show to grow and continue to push the envelope to cover themes such as immigration, suicide, politics, poverty, and importantly for that time, LGBT issues.

Once you have a successful show, a network usually backs off with their notes and you have more freedom. I am still amazed that they let Blanche say, “You can kiss my A**” for our “Adult Education” episode. When we wrote that line, we laughed but didn’t think it would ever last to tape night.

Rue McClanahan’s character of Blanche did not welcome the idea of homosexuality and same-sex marriage with open arms. In real life, Rue was an advocate for gay rights and appeared often at benefits METROSOURCE.COM

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studded readthrough to occur there). The story begins with a group of gay men who rescue their friend from a homophobic senior living facility, before whisking him back to their home in Palm Springs, California. The show was originally meant for LOGO who had to pass on the series for budgetary reasons.You would think that Silver Foxes would be an easy sell, considering the popularity of The Golden Girls.

The show became infamous when word got out that we could not get any networks to even read the script because of the continued homophobia and ageism that exists in Hollywood.

We are still out there pitching it as a TV series but have literally been told by a major streaming company that the concept didn’t have “broad appeal.” That is hard to hear. In the meantime, we turned it into a play and this past summer had a very successful virtual reading of it with Michael Urie directing. Our amazing cast included George Takei, Daniel Davis, Jim J. Bullock, Garrett Clayton, and Daniele Gaither.

Hopefully, when theatres open again, we will be able to present it live on a stage.

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Is it even possible to revisit something as iconic as The Golden Girls?

I must clarify that Silver Foxes was never meant as a reboot of The Golden Girls. It is similar only in that it’s an ensemble comedy with older characters. But the magic of The Golden Girls can never be recaptured. It was something special because of the time and the actors and the writing and just the stars aligning. That does not happen very often and that’s what makes it still so relevant today.

After all these years, there is still a Golden Girls line that gets him through life, even through 2020.

A line we wrote for Bea Arthur, “No, no, I will not have a nice day!” But I actually live with the opposite viewpoint. I like to wake up every day determined to have a nice one. Even when challenging things happen, I look at it as a way to grow.

Now, personally having shared many happy hours with Stan Zimmerman, I know the off-the-record truth but thought I would try my luck in print: the Bea Arthur vs Betty White rumors - true?

Don’t make me shoot you a “Bea Arthur” look!

■ You can find out more about Stan and his projects at www.zimmermanstan.com or follow him on IG: @ZimmermanStan

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for gay causes. Her last TV project would be Del Shores’ Sordid Lives for LOGO. Even from purely a writer’s standpoint, Stan appreciated working with her the most.

She was a true actor and I remember her telling us to give Blanche meaty material. That is why Jim and I decided to challenge the overt sexuality of her character with a situation where she didn’t feel comfortable being sexual. That was how we came up with the idea of a sexual harassment theme for our “Adult Education” episode.

What Golden Girl would Stan be in real life?

I will always be a Sophia. Estelle was my girl. We became friends outside of the show and remained friends after I was no longer writing for it.

Stan would not continue his work on future seasons of The Golden Girls.

There must be a story there.

It’s a long story. Show politics. For the nitty-gritty of it all, you will have to wait until my book The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore comes out from Indigo River Publishing. It’s about all the wonderful women I have had the chance to work with. And Roseanne.

In addition to learning about the good, the bad, and the golden about the industry, he would learn something for himself that he still ascribes to this very day: To keep going, even when you are not feeling appreciated. And just because you land one big job, don’t ever stop creating. That is the beauty of being an artist, you can just open your mind (and heart) and there is a gift you can share with the world. That’s why I love meeting The Golden Girls fans and hearing how words I wrote so many years ago, still affect them.

The Golden Girls would continue to gain new viewers and new generations of audiences.

I think The Golden Girls is still so popular because it’s f**king funny. But there is also a truthfulness to it. And they were four of the funniest comedy actresses in the history of TV. Of any age.

Though Stan would move on to other projects, The Golden Girls would always be a part of his life, including his fantasy reunion script.

I would have made it a glamorous TV movie like Facts of Life Goes to Paris, with our four girls taking a trip together. Or a cruise, kind of like the two Golden Fans at Sea cruises where I was a special guest at the beginning of 2020.

In 2016, Stan held a readthrough of a TV pilot that he and Jim Berg wrote, titled Silver Foxes, with a Golden Girls-esque energy to it. The readthrough included George Takei, Leslie Jordan, Bruce Vilanch, Melissa Peterman, and Cheri Oteri and took place in Stan’s own living room (not the first star-

BY JAMES PATRICK

DO YOU KNOW YOUR CREDIT SCORE? These

three little numbers can impact your financial life as much as your bank account balance and the amount of your paycheck, yet few give it that level of attention. Even fewer have a solid understanding of how to positively impact your credit score and how to monitor and protect it.

Good news! We’re going to lay out some credit score essentials in this feature so you can take control.

What is a credit score?

Your credit report is a record of how you manage your money. Most lenders and many other creditors report your account information from credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, etc. to one or all the three major credit bureaus. Your account data is then distilled and calculated to create your individual credit score – typically between 300 and 850.

Each person actually has several credit scores because there are several different credit scoring models. And for each credit scoring model, there are three different credit scores for each of the three major credit bureaus. So, through one source, you might have a 710 credit score and another you may be a 690. And they are both correct.

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Who are the major credit bureaus and how can I get my credit reports?

We highly recommend getting a copy of your credit report from each bureau: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. By law, you are entitled to one free report from each per year and it will not negatively impact your score. An easy way is to get these reports is by going to www.annualcreditreport.com.

These reports will not include your credit score but will include your account data that leads to your score.

A recent study conducted by the Federal Trade Commission revealed that one

in five people have an error on at least one of their credit reports. So it’s worthwhile to verify accuracy!

What is a good score?

One of the most well-known types of credit score are FICO® Scores, created by the Fair Isaac Corporation. FICO® Scores are used by many lenders, especially mortgage lenders.

According to Experian, the following are general rankings for a FICO® Score. Although each lender establishes its own cutoff levels.

800-850 Exceptional 740-799 Very Good 670-739 Good 580-669 Fair 300-579 Poor The average consumer FICO score in 2020 was 710, based on Experian studies.

What are the major factors that impact my score?

Let’s focus on the three biggest factors that will help you build and maintain a strong credit score.

• Your payment history accounts for 35% to 40% of your score. Review your credit reports to make sure your payment records are accurate.

If you are not up to date, make it a priority. Set up an automatic payment deduction from your checking for your recurring loan payments.

• Your level of credit utilization makes up 20% to 30% of your score. This factor considers your total outstanding credit card/line of credit balances to your credit limits. So, for example, if all your credit cards and department store card balances are $4,000 and your combined credit limit is $10,000, your credit utilization is 40%. To improve your credit score, pay this down to 30% or less. When you are tapping your credit limits, it negatively impacts your credit score.

How can I keep track of my score?

Many major banks, credit unions and credit card issuers offer credit scores for free! Often this is a feature of the institution’s online banking. Check with your bank for this free service.

Then you will be able to review your credit score monthly to track your progress or be tipped off to possible fraud if you see a sudden unexplained dip.

If you do a web search for credit score, you will likely see ads for countless credit monitoring services. These are most often paid services.

This credit monitoring can be expensive and unnecessary. So please check with your bank first to take advantage of their free credit score services, get copies of your free credit reports from all three bureaus, and take control of your credit score!

FINANCE

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR CREDIT SCORE

CULTURE

PERSONAL FINANCE

• Type, number, and age of your credit accounts also weighs heavily. Closing a credit card is more likely to hurt your credit score than to help it. Yes, that $300 Macy’s card you got in your 20s just to get the sale price on those shoes is now really helping! Leaving old accounts open, especially if they’re in good standing, is typically better for your credit score. (Just make sure there are no annual fees.)

A longstanding credit score myth we can dispel: Your income and bank account balances are not direct influences on your credit score.

These may be decision factors for a lender but will not be reflected in your credit score.

Inquiries do not have the major negative impact on credit score that many believe. And most credit scoring models account for multiple inquiries within a short period of time. So, if you are trying to get the best deal on a car loan or mortgage, it’s OK to shop lenders for the best rate, just do it within a two-week period.

Stay Money Wise We hope our Money Wise Personal Finance series of feature articles are guiding you to smart financial decisions. In December, we covered Setting A Budget. If you missed it, you can still check it out online at www.metrosource.com Some upcoming planned features include: Savings Strategies, Living Debt Free, Smart Spending, and other timely personal finance topics as 2021 unfolds.

■ This information is intended to provide general guidance. We encourage you to consult your financial advisor and tax planner to review your individual situation before making any significant financial decisions.

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THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A TIME IN THE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS WHEN THERE HAS BEEN SUCH A SATURATION OF COMIC BOOK CHARACTERS ON THE SCREEN - HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTERS, NETWORK TV, AND CABLE TV. Superheroes are hot. Whether it’s the sexy bodies in tight spandex or the need for us to escape our social and political roller coaster with some heightened fantasy and the belief that there are good heroes out there, the demand for more caped content is high.

Though entertainment critics and die-hard comic book fans might not love all the filmed content, there is no denying that the box office doesn’t care. Avengers: Endgame made more money than the entire U.S. box office of 2020, granted we had COVID affecting many of those months, but the boom of on-screen superheroes shows no sign of slowing down, so it was just a matter of time for LGBTQ representation to become a reality.

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LESLIE Any mention of homosexuality in mainstream United States comics was forbidden by the Comics Code Authority (CCA) between 1954 and 1989, gay and gender identity themes were only hinted at with hidden subtext. The CCA was established as a response to the psychiatrist and author Frederic Wertham’s book, Seduction by the Innocent, which called out the comic book industry for influencing youth with themes of violence and sexuality, and pointedly, homosexuality. He called Wonder Woman a lesbian and suggested that the Batman character

THE Bat IS OUT OF THE BAG

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

may illicit gay thoughts. In the ‘70s, gay creators started to publish underground publications to tell their story and to comment on the current political world.

The two leading mainstream American comic book publishers, DC, and Marvel, have historically only presented a heteronormative point of view. Interestingly enough, gender identity was explored in a common storyline of a superhero changing their sex through a supernatural or technological occurrence. Underlying gay themes can

be inferred during what is called The Golden Age of Comics (1938 - 1956) that gave birth to Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel, Captain America, and Wonder Woman. Besides the sapphic assumptions of Wonder Woman and her female-only tribe of the Amazons, gay jokes about superheroes and their sidekicks have been a staple of conversation and even highlighted in Saturday Night Live’s cartoon skit series “The Ambiguously Gay Duo.” As censorship by the CCA would come to an end in the late ‘80s and during the AIDS epidemic, METROSOURCE.COM

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representation of our community would start to develop. The first gay DC character came in 1988 with the creation of Extrano (Spanish translation of “strange”), and though the word “gay” was never used, he personified the gay stereotype as being extremely effeminate and calling himself“Auntie.”The character caused a stir behind the scenes at DC as well as with readers, Extrano writer Steve Englehart wanted to explore more with the character with a storyline about HIV, DC editors did not. A sprinkle of LGBTQ characters would appear on the sidelines during the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. In the late ‘90s, DC’s Midnighter would appear as a gay major superhero, who, along with husband Apollo, would serve as the gay version of the Batman/ Superman partnership. Growing representation would be lauded and supported by the LGBTQ community with honors by GLAAD and LAMBDA for storylines covering gay-bashing and AIDS/HIV themes.

In 2006, a major character in the DC world would join the LGBTQ ranks. To media fanfare, Batwoman would get a reboot as a lesbian character. Later found out to be Bruce Wayne’s distant cousin, Batwoman would work on her own and, in the fan world, would gain her own following with a monthly comic. In 2019, the CW ordered the first season of Batwoman, starring out lesbian actor Ruby Rose. Ruby left the

BEING BISEXUAL MEANS BRAVELY WALKING IN MY TRUTH TO LOVE WHOMEVER IT IS I LOVE. EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT, THE RESPECT, AND THE SAFETY TO LOVE WHO THEY LOVE!

series after only one season and it was announced that the character of Ryan Wilder, introduced as a brief character in DC’s Batgirl, would take over the Batwoman character. The CW took the opportunity to take LGBTQ representation even further by casting actor Javicia Leslie, making her the first black, bisexual actor to step into the role.

It is a blessing and an honor to be a part of this time of change. To be able to use my art as activism has always been a driving force for me. To know that this casting makes people feel represented in this amazing and epic franchise solidifies my purpose, which is to stand and fight for the underrepresented.

Putting on the Batwoman costume for the first time would be a moment in history for Javicia as a role-model to minority youth as well as for the character.

The moment I put the suit on, I immediately felt the responsibility of what this suit represents. It’s not about the person wearing the suit, it’s about the history this suit has in our society. The Bat symbol represents over 80 years of true superhero imagination that millions

of people filled their childhood with! To be a part of that story is life-changing and truly an honor!

DC fans are represented in all communities, so it is very important to be inclusive in our superheroes as well! We should all have a hero that we can see ourselves in.

With the increased spotlight on LGBTQ actors and characters in Hollywood, it is easy to forget that the comic book world is late to come to the party. The ideas of different personalities as superheroes being somewhat new.

Since being cast as the first black Batwoman, I have received a lot of hate messages and disgusting remarks from people who feel Batwoman should not be black. This world has a long way to go, and I am just happy to be a part of a much-needed shift.

A complete opposite of Ruby Rose’s Kate Kane, Javicia’s Ryan Wilder is a bit messy, goofy, and untamed. Ryan has spent years as a drug-runner, dodging the Gotham police, masking her pain with bad habits and living in her van with her plant. A girl who would steal milk for an alley cat and could kill you with her bare hands, Ryan is the most dangerous type of fighter - highly skilled and wildly undisciplined. An out lesbian. Athletic. Raw. Passionate.

Fallible and very much not your stereotypical All-American hero.

Ryan stands up for people who are not able to stand up for themselves. There are so many people in our world who are looked over because they do not look like the majority. It is important for me to be a representation for those people! It is important for me to fight and rally for those individuals. Everyone deserves fair and equal justice, that is what I stand and fight for!

Because of Ryan’s childhood, growing up as a foster kid, she is very guarded and does not easily trust people. I feel I am a bit more open and trusting of people ... more of an “innocent until proven guilty” with me.

Javicia grew up in a military family, born in Germany and raised primarily in Maryland.

The structure and support of being in a military family would teach her the value of hard work and dedication. She went from high school class president to attending Hampton University, the prestigious, historically black university. She got the performance bug early on and started with small talent shows for family and would graduate to leading roles in theatre, live poetry, and ultimately her onscreen career. Her move to Los Angeles to pursue acting was inevitable. Her Los METROSOURCE.COM

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Angeles early days would shape her life forever.

Learning that you are your own business is the biggest thing I had to get used to. That means from the moment you wake up until you fall asleep, you must treat your day like you are a running business. There was no such thing as “free time” before 7pm. I auditioned, studied, took classes, worked out, and learned new skills. This allowed me to go into my acting career with the same hard work and dedication I had in my 9 to 5 with the Army. The other hard thing to get used to is Los Angeles traffic, I learned to always assume everything was at least an hour away.

Another early acting lesson would be about the difference between stage and film, especially as it relates to auditions.

My first audition was with my current manager. See, prior to LA, I had only performed in plays. I walked into her office and performed the most dramatic theatre scene I knew. At the end, she looked at me and said, “Okay, maybe we can go for something a little smaller, you know, something more TV/film-friendly.” Eight years later, I completely understand that a monologue from Chicago might be a little much for a TV audition. (LOL.) Her first break would be in Lifetime’s Killer Coach in 2016 which would make way for her recurring character on the MacGyver reboot.

She then moved on to BET’s The Family Business, consistently ranked as one of the top 10 cable shows on TV during its run. She would get major exposure on CBS’ God Friended Me as Ali, a quick-witted lesbian.

Javicia’s own bisexuality, for her, was a nonissue and never something to keep hidden.

My mom and I never talked about it.

Once we did, she said, “I’m your mother, I’ve known since you were a child.” That was all I needed to feel supported and loved. I knew she had my back, no matter what! She is my best friend!

Being bisexual means bravely walking in my truth to love whomever it is I love.

Everyone should have the right, the respect, and the safety to love who they love!

I am happy to represent all of me, and I believe there is a place in this industry for every “title” I carry.

She is a spokesperson for the bisexual community, fighting assumptions and classifications every chance she can. The biggest misconception about being bisexual?

That because I am attracted to both men

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and women, I should choose which is more socially accepted. That is not how sexuality works. It’s about choosing who makes me happy regardless of gender. It’s about choosing love.

A bisexual actress playing a lesbian character making television and comic book history, there was no trepidation in taking over the role from Ruby Rose.

It was a childhood dream of mine to play a superhero. That is the only thing that crossed my mind when I first booked this role. “OMG, I’m a superhero!” I loved comic book characters growing up. Specifically, I loved all the colorful characters of Batman.

The casting happened in a whirlwind and what can often take months of callbacks, especially for such a high-profile role, was quick.

I received my audition material via email and submitted a self-tape. Two weeks later, I was “pinned” and told I would have a producer’s session via Zoom. Pinned means a production is interested in the actor and wants them to hold/block the dates that they would be working just in case they are chosen. I then auditioned in front of the executive producers, studio, and network representatives. Two days later, I received a call from my manager asking if she could “speak to Ryan Wilder!”

Developing a strong character was so

important. The role of Ryan is not just a sequel to Ruby Rose’s Kate, it is an entirely different character. With the pressure of representing as the first black Batwoman also comes the pressure of carrying on the LGBT ideas behind the scenes.

Preparing for Batwoman, I sat daily for hours imagining my Ryan life. I saw myself in my foster homes, playing with my best friend, meeting my adoptive mother. Every day I filled every blank in my Ryan world using ingredients I received in my scripts.

This work supported me when it was time to play on set. I knew why and how I viewed life as Ryan and that was the most important part. It also allowed me to give Caroline Dries, our show creator, ideas of Ryan’s life prior to episode one.

The physical aspects of the role would also play a part in Javicia’s preparation. Fitness has always been an important part of Javicia’s life, having been a competitive track runner. She is trained in Muay Thai and lives a vegan lifestyle.

To prepare for Batwoman, I started to focus more on stunt training. I practice daily so that I can train my body and mind to react instinctively to our fight choreography during filming.

Her biggest takeaway from filming Season One? I have learned that I can commit myself to anything when I give my all! At the end of every filming day, I feel proud of myself

for leaving everything on the table. Each day I make it a point to have no regrets. I have fun and I try absolutely everything while working.

Season Two of Batwoman will be actionpacked and full of your favorite superhero drama! I am super excited for everyone to see all the work this amazing crew and cast have put together. Also, I am doing my own stunts, so I cannot wait for that either!

Javicia hopes her presence on the screen as both a member of the black and LGBT community can inspire a closer relationship between the two minority groups. Given the history made with our first black, female U.S. Vice President, this is a very timely role.

I believe that if these two very underrepresented communities came together, we would be the majority! If the leaders in the LGBTQ community spoke out against racism, it will reinforce the imperativeness in our fight for justice! Author James Baldwin spoke so much about how scary it is to be a black gay man in America, I do not believe much has changed.

■

Batwoman Season 2 premiered on January 17th on the CW. You can follow Javicia on IG: @Javicia METROSOURCE.COM

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BY MEGAN VENZIN

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HEALTH BODY

CACAO GET TO KNOW THE RAW PLANT AND LEARN HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ITS MANY HEALTHY PROPERTIES

A CACAO CEREMONY IS A LABOR OF LOVE.

Participants’ hands grow sore as they crack, shell and grind hundreds of roasted beans.

Grit collects under their fingernails, leaving behind dark stains that serve as reminders that good things come as the result of hard work. In this case, the “good stuff” is a cup of brew so rich, so invigorating, so packed full of joy, that many who consume it are driven to dance, while others laugh, cry and revel in the awesome power of its origin.

“The ceremony itself was alive with drums, prayers, songs and bold sips of this medicine,” says folk herbalist and entrepreneur, Jillian Ashley, recalling memories from her first time meeting the plant at a mountain retreat in 2014. “These hours were to honor the spirit of cacao and nothing else, and to allow its energetics to course through our spirits, minds and bodies as a unified collective. I felt turned on to myself in ways I had never experienced. Euphoria, bliss, and love were racing through me. I felt alive, alert and in love with myself and my surroundings.”

With a review like that, it should come as no surprise that cacao has become a staple offering at The NOHM Elixir Bar & Apothecary, Ashley’s self-launched business based in Asheville, NC. That initial introduction drove her to develop a deep appreciation for the culture and cultivation of cacao, and years later she has emerged a knowledgeable distributor of the powerful fruit.

“The path to success and fulfillment in my business was creating a very clear and clean supply chain by forging long-term relationships with small family-run farms, community herbalists and trusted brands,” she shares passionately. “What started as a few kilos in my hiking pack carried from Costa Rica back to the states after attending Envision Festival each year has transformed into a well-rounded stock of hundreds of pounds of cacao from multiple countries from Central to South America.”Meeting and breaking bread with clients and partners is an important part of her process when securing and sharing the raw product with others.

On top of its traditional roots and presence as a critical crop for many lifelong farmers, cacao is also a superfood bursting with health benefits. But before downing an entire heart-shaped box full of chocolates, it is important to remember that cacao is most

effective in a minimally processed, single origin form.

“A handful of blueberries is going to contain more nutrition than a spoonful of blueberry jam. Same goes with raw cacao versus a chocolate bar,” Ashley shares as an example. In fact, a serving size of raw cacao delivers about 40 times the number of antioxidants as a serving of blueberries, which are thought to slow the aging process and possess cancer-fighting properties. “I enjoy drinking chocolate, which is cacao paste melted into water or milk as a daily afternoon pick me up. I also love DIY cacao treats like energy balls to reap the benefit of cacao while on the go,” she adds.

At The NOHM Elixir Bar, customers can enjoy custom sips made from Ashley’s own paste blends, one of which is made with plain raw cacao in a base of coconut oil, coconut butter and nectar with Costa Rican vanilla and Celtic sea salt. The others boast names like Heart on Flora, a recipe infused with botanicals such as bright Ylang Ylang and Mexico-sourced Damiana, and Heart on Fire, a newer addition that gets its burn from a fortified apple cider vinegar solution.“It’s like a Mexican hot chocolate,”she says enthusiastically.“This one specifically has six functional mushrooms in it to keep your immune system resilient.” (These pastes can be ordered from The NOHM Elixir Bar direct.)

Inside every pod are high levels of theobromine which relax the smooth muscles, promote alertness, and contribute to a healthy cardiovascular system. “Cacao is a vaso-dilator, which means it delivers more blood to your heart and brain, as opposed to caffeine which constricts the blood vessels,” Ashley offers. The ecstatic feelings that follow ingestion are a reaction to phenylethylamine (PEA), another natural mood booster that sends serotonin and dopamine levels soaring.

“You want to consume at least 40 grams to move yourself into that euphoric body state,” Ashley suggests. “That allows the alkaloids to do their work and kickstart that blissful feeling.” In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, she suggests that this “ceremonial dose” is the right amount to take as a precursor to a lovemaking session with a partner or even with oneself. “Cacao is a sacred way to open up the heart and open up the energy of coming together in union.”

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Ready to jump into a cacao ceremony? Florencia Fridman, owner of Cacao Lab in New York City currently offers the experience via Zoom.

However, if you are looking to recreate some delicious medicinal sips at home, try these recipes from The NOHM and Anima Mundi, another female-owned NYC business helmed

by Adriana Ayales, who is from Costa Rica.

Ingredients: - Heart on Flora or Heart on Fire cacao paste by The NOHM Elixirs - 1/2 cup of filtered water - 1/2 cup coconut cream, or any milk of choice - 2 pinches of salt Method: - Place 4 heaping tablespoons of cacao paste into a saucepan - Cover with 1/2 cup of water and set over medium heat - As the water begins to simmer bring to low heat and smush the paste into the liquid - Top off with salt and 1/2 cup of coconut cream, continue heating to desired temperature, stirring frequently - The use of an electric whisk or immersion blender is handy to create a creamy and frothy consistency - Divide into two servings and enjoy bold sips with your loved one *For mocha lovers, integrate a heaping tablespoon of this paste in place of chocolate syrup. Amazing iced or hot.

Recipe by @herban_urbalist of @thenohm

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THIS PAGE: IMAGE COURTESY OF ANIMA MUNDI

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HEALTH

APHRODISIAC DRINKING CHOCOLATE

BY THE NOHM

ROSE CARDAMOM HOT CHOCOLATE

BY ANIMA MUNDI

THIS PAGE: IMAGE COURTESY OF ANIMA MUNDI • CACAO LOVE ART BY NIKKI SCIOSCIA

Ingredients: - 2 cups cashew milk, or any other milk of choice - 7 lightly crushed cardamom pods - 2 tbsp of coconut sugar - 1/4 cup cacao powder from Anima Mundi - 1 tbsp of dried rose petals or rose powder from Anima Mundi - 3 heaping tbsp of semi-sweet chocolate chips or cacao nibs - Whipped cream - homemade or store bought

Craving cacao? Purchase ethically sourced powders, pastes, bars and more from these trusted sources: NOHM Elixir Bar (Asheville, NC) nohmelixirs.square.site/ Cacao Laboratory (New York, NY) cacaolaboratory.com/ Anima Mundi (New York, NY) animamundiherbals.com/ CORACAO (Emeryville, CA) coracaoconfections.com/ ChocolaTree Organic Oasis (Sedona, AZ) chocolatree.com/ Any health, wellness, medical, or cosmetic claims contained in this feature should

Method: - Place milk, rose and crushed cardamom into a small saucepan and set over medium heat - As the water begins to simmer immediately remove from heat, cover with a lid, and let everything steep for 20 minutes - Strain the infused milk through a fine-mesh strainer into a measuring cup - Give the saucepan a quick rinse (only to remove any plant materials that may remain) then pour the milk back in and set over medium-low heat - Add the remaining ingredients and whisk together until smooth - Once the hot chocolate reaches the desired temperature divide into two servings - Garnish with whipped cream and rose petals, enjoy Recipe by @thebrokenbread of @animamundiherbals

be verified with the product provider and your health professional.

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JEREMY BLACKLOW 32

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LIFE THROUGH A GLAAD TINTED LENS

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ TO SAY 2020 WAS AN INTERESTING YEAR FOR ON-SCREEN ENTERTAINMENT IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. On one hand, COVID put a stop to production and put actors out of work. On the other hand, the nation was stuck at home with nothing to do but absorb new content, and of that, there was a lot. It also became an inspiration for many celebrities to come out as gay, trans, non-binary, and bisexual, something that many of them have stated would not have happened without the COVID imposed time of selfreflection and lack of societal pressures. The boom of new content included an increase in LGBTQ stories and characters, from both mainstream and cable networks: documentaries, blockbuster films, horror flicks, reality shows, remakes, streamed plays, dramas, comedies, and even musicals.

We were well represented.

Families that may have not sat down together pre-COVID came together to watch TV, watching a diverse presentation of culture and characters they may have never invited into their home. New conversations about new movements were happening. Non-binary? It’s now a household term. The election also played a big part in discussions happening around the nation and often included members of the entertainment community. As much as entertainment suffered this year, we also won big.

At the center of LGBTQ representation and discussion in entertainment for over thirty years is GLAAD, started by a group of journalists and writers formed in response to the negative and sensationalized coverage of the HIV/AIDS epidemic by the New York Post. A thousand protested outside of the New York Post that first year. The organization has grown to become what Entertainment Weekly calls“one of Hollywood’s most powerful entities”and includes resources, events, and campaigns working through entertainment, news, and digital media to share our stories and promote acceptance. From its original title of Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, GLAAD works with entertainment and news platforms to ensure inclusion and proper representation, growing its scope to transgender, Latinx, Southern voices, and even global voices. And even though the scope of GLAAD has grown internationally, the organization still reflects the grassroots energy and individual stories that started with those journalists in 1985.

Jeremy Blacklow has served as Director of Entertainment Media since 2017, but his involvement with GLAAD began during his summer internship before his senior year of college. He continued to volunteer for the GLAAD Media Awards, but uninspired by his journalist career and enraged by the attacks of the Trump administration, he returned full time. Entertainment was always a key part of Jeremy’s life and helped form his vision of how our community was fashioned by the media.

I grew up a true child of the ‘80s. I was a latchkey kid who would watch MTV 24/7 after school. MTV, in its first decade, formed my love for pop culture and entertainment. I would wait all week for Martha Quinn to come on to host Friday Night Video Fights. But by the time I was in high school and figuring out I was gay, I craved LGBTQ role models and storylines at a time when there were very few. My earliest memories of queer representation, however, were the movie Philadelphia and seeing Norman Korpi and Pedro Zamora on MTV’s The Real World. During that naive teenage era of my life, the takeaway for me was to equate being gay with HIV/AIDS.

Jeremy’s journalistic vision and professional ethic were formed by his early time at NBC’s Weekend Today show, where he helped cover events ranging from the 2000 presidential election to the Iraq War, while also producing outdoor concerts on the Today show plaza. The people he worked with would inspire him to this day.

When NBC News journalist David Bloom died in Iraq in 2003, I had been working with him for two years and that was tough to absorb emotionally. Back then, I also worked with a dear friend named Barbara Simon, who’s now GLAAD’s Head of News & Campaigns. They all taught me early on never to burn bridges in this industry, and, as Michelle Obama told the world, to always go high when others go low.

And, to not care what others think about you.

Jeremy would go on to work with CNN, Telepictures, and NBC Universal. He helped launch the TMZ brand and the CAA-created digital agency WhoSay. He would also serve as Managing Editor of AccessHollywood.com. His most vivid memories, though, would incorporate his world of LGBTQ activism, politics, and public interest events.

I will never forget covering the LGBTQ March on Washington in April 2000 and producing a live shot with Melissa Etheridge, who performed two songs to an empty RFK Stadium to close out Saturday’s Today. I met her again on GLAAD’s World Pride float in 2019 and I got a chance to show her the pictures. (Which I had on my phone as snaps of old Kodak printouts, of course!) But I was also in the control room the day JFK Jr.’s plane went missing, which is another moment seared in my memory. Covering the 2000 election and watching Tim Russert on-air that night was powerful as well. I rode down an elevator with him at the end of the night in 30 Rock and he was still holding his famous “Florida! Florida! Florida!” whiteboard.

In his role as Director of Entertainment Media, he is the main connection between GLAAD and multiple media genres, including the gaming sector, to ensure that GLAAD’s research and resources are being used by the industry to present the LGBTQ METROSOURCE.COM

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community in alignment with the ideals and expectations that GLAAD has introduced into the media world. Providing counsel and managing key campaigns are all in a day’s work in this ever-changing social and political climate. His favorite part of the job?

The opportunity to keep learning every day and to work with the most authentic, creative, and inspirational people in the entertainment industry. One of my main goals at GLAAD has been to build new relationships at every single studio, network, film festival, talent agency, guild, management company, and awards show. Plus, I get to watch every LGBTQ film and TV series about six months before the rest of the world does. (Which is the best perk, albeit I am consulting on many of them!) The two accomplishments I am most proud of so far have been working with the team behind A Fantastic Woman to help steer that film’s Oscars run (it won the Best Foreign Language Oscar in 2018) and the launch of The GLAAD List, which is the partnership I helped GLAAD create with The Black List.

With the amount of work that GLAAD does, and new initiatives introduced each year, it is hard to succinctly describe to a layperson the importance of the work GLAAD does on a major level and how the work

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it does affects everything we see on screen, and even on a social justice level.

GLAAD is such a multi-faceted organization and on any given week my co-workers are doing so many amazing things! Every other week or so I have a moment when my jaw is on the ground in awe of something we have accomplished. This year alone, I have particularly admired the work my peers DaShawn Usher and Abdool Corlette have done with the launch of NEON (GLAAD’s content series for Black queer visibility), our work to end the FDA’s discriminatory blood ban for gay and bi men (led by our Communications Director, Mathew Lasky), and how we pressed the presidential candidates to talk about LGBTQ issues. At the end of the day, we are fighting to change culture through the media and to achieve greater acceptance for LGBTQ people. One thing that GLAAD’s President & CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, always says is that you cannot change what cannot be measured and GLAAD excels at going into the field to do research.

We are great at changing culture because we measure impact.

GLAAD’s biggest success story for 2020?

Probably our election work! Starting with our LGBTQ Forum with the Democratic candidates just over a year ago, all the way through our ongoing work to raise awareness about the Georgia runoffs. GLAAD has never been so involved in working to get out the LGBTQ vote and hold all candidates across the country accountable for their records on LGBTQ rights. Although, I am also very proud of the work we did last summer during Pride season supporting Peppermint and Bob the Drag Queen’s Black Queer Town Hall and other projects, such as the Noah’s Arc reunion, during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests.

GLAAD ensures a safe place in Hollywood for our stories to be told. The more our stories are told, the more celebrities will start to come forward as open members of the LGBTQ community as mainstream and unconventional Hollywood start to blend.

I think the more representation we have, the more inclusive visibility and the more opportunities for trans and non-binary folks to see themselves reflected fairly in media.

This leads to more people coming out and feeling comfortable to be their full, authentic selves. It has taken the work of a lot of incredible pioneers to get here and now

things are finally starting to turn for the better. The work my co-workers Nick Adams and Alex Schmider do in transgender representation in Hollywood is truly spectacular.

In the past, major films about the LGBTQ community have been met with critical success and cisgender, straight actors have been lauded for their brave portrayals of members of our community. But now, the acting members of our community are increasingly telling our own stories, and ratings and popularity of projects are now reflecting what audiences are ready for. Did we ever anticipate a moment that the real-life LGBTQ stories told during a drag race competition would now be mainstream?

Most Americans are comfortable with seeing lesbian and gay storylines on film and television, and bisexual representation is finally starting to move past the old tropes and stereotypes. Mainstream audiences still have a lot to learn about transgender and non-binary representation, which is why the new documentary Disclosure is so important.

I believe that everyone in the world needs to watch Disclosure, which is readily available now on Netflix. And if you have watched it once, watch it again!

As Metrosource wrote about in our last issue, even holiday films experienced a boom in gay representation. Ultra-conservative Hallmark would hire two gay actors to tell the story of a same-sex couple in the middle of the adoption process. Other networks also presented several gay-inclusive holiday films, with Hulu’s Happiest Season including popular names from Hollywood, gay and straight.

The floodgates certainly opened this past year, didn’t they?! I had the honor of consulting on two of those projects, Lifetime’s The Christmas Setup and Hulu’s Happiest Season. So, I can tell you first-hand the creators I worked with were very passionate about getting it right. I do think now the glass ceiling has been broken for queer storytelling in this genre, there will be no turning back. In future holiday seasons, I’d like to see the full intersectional diversity of the LGBTQ community represented even more thoroughly.

The full after-effects of COVID on the entertainment industry are hard to calculate.

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a bit of that in the projects that have been greenlit since the pandemic began.

As far as 2020 is concerned, Jeremy’s top three entertainment milestones for the LGBTQ community are: Disclosure, which is a game-changer for understanding the history of transgender storytelling, along with the new HBO Max series Veneno, from Spain, which I think is right up there with Pose as some of the best trans representation

You can find out more about GLAAD’s work at https://www.glaad.org/ You can follow Jeremy’s DJ antics on Instagram: @DJBlacklow

PAGES 32-36: PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEREMY BLACKLOW

that might be as mainstream. This could be a good thing for the LGBTQ entertainment industry.

I think that more folks are going to realize that life is short and that it is time to stop living in fear or doubt. Queer folks are going to be more likely to write that script they have always had in the back of their minds and it is going to lead to more diverse and interesting storytelling. I think we are already starting to see

the world has ever seen. Also, I can count 18 LGBTQ-inclusive films, not counting documentaries, that are likely to be in the 2021 Academy Awards mix. That is a long way from when I first watched Philadelphia and thought that would be as good as LGBTQ representation would ever get.

His COVID binge-watch list?

I just counted and I have watched 103 films and 26 full TV series since the pandemic began! Some of the recent highlights for me on the TV side have been Veneno, It’s A Sin, and I May Destroy You. On the film side, I’ve really loved The Prom, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Supernova, Uncle Frank, I Carry You With Me, Alice Junior, The Forty-Year-Old Version, and Promising Young Woman.

When not at work fighting the fight on our behalf, Jeremy is still involved in the community. He is an avid reader about LGBTQ history, has done the AIDS/LifeCycle ten times, and his side gig as a DJ/Producer will often put him in the spotlight of a big gay party. But what fuels his passion is indeed the entertainment industry and the personalities behind the scenes. His biggest inspirations?

People with power who use their power to prop open the doors for those behind them. Especially anyone who comes from a more disadvantaged starting point and especially when it comes to mentoring and training the next generation. Queer folks in the industry like Ryan Murphy, Lena Waithe, Greg Berlanti, and Netflix kids programming exec Chris Nee. When not clicking the remote with his GLAAD tinted lens, he can indulge from time to time.

I make sure to throw stuff in now and then that I do not have to watch for work. This summer, I finally binged all three seasons of Ozark - although there were still gay characters in it! And lately, I have been making my way through The Mandalorian. Because who doesn’t find joy with Baby Yoda?

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YOU LOOK FABULOUS PAMPER YOURSELF LIKE A CELEBRITY HEALTH

BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES HAVE YOU EVER TURNED ON THE VIDEO FOR A ZOOM MEETING and quickly turned

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it off because of bags, blemishes, or even just a blurry picture? Do celebrities have this issue, and why do they always seem to look like a million bucks even when Zooming from home? What is their secret to looking so great? Jump off the Peloton for a minute, pour yourself a big glass of water, and evaluate your medicine chest. Skincare, grooming, and a few tech upgrades can play an important part in raising the bar for you to look and feel like a star. In an interview with BET comedian Kevin Hart once said, “Listen, your face is your money, I gotta stay focused and take care of my skin.” We found some incredible products for you to consider in stepping up your game and that can truly help you to look (and feel) like a celebrity.

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There are several outstanding beauty tech products that every gadget hound should lean into in 2021. RIKI LOVES RIKI by GLAMCOR designs and manufactures problem solving lighting and lighted mirrors using LED technology. Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, and celebrity makeup artist Scott Barnes have all shown off their RIKI vanity mirrors. The sleek black RIKI SKINNY ($205) is a great purchase to step up your FaceTime and Zoom game or use to tweeze the eyebrows and get a closer look at your face for daily grooming. It is literally like having your own photo and video crew at home or on-the-go.

BODY

HEALTH

TriPollar STOP X ($399) is an innovative device that builds on the technology of their original STOP device by reducing wrinkles and fine lines while improving skin texture and providing long-lasting anti-aging results. Use the product to deliver focused TriPollar Radio Frequency (RF) energy to stimulate dermal energy and accelerate the natural production of collagen and elastin.

HairMax LaserBand 82 ($799), available at Macy’s, is a laser light that stimulates hair follicles, reverses thinning, and restores the hair’s natural growth cycle while promoting hair growth. This game changing invention utilizes 82 medical grade lasers to shine therapeutic light energy to those stubborn spots where hair growth might be slowing down or taking a breather.

Need a little toning? Macy’s also offers the NuBODY Skin Toning Set ($399), the first FDAcleared at-home microcurrent device that helps to tone and shape body skin while contouring for the stars. NuBODY is built to target four areas: the upper arm, thigh, abdomen, and the buttocks – and who doesn’t want a firm butt?

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Be sure to give yourself a clean slate by exfoliating on a regular basis. Glowoasis Powderporefect ($42) is a fun powder-to-foam enzyme cleanser with papaya enzymes. The product does the heavy lifting to decrease inflammation and helps to gently exfoliate and remove impurities from your skin.

Feeling a little rough? Not when you wash the foam away. Get up close and personal in the mirror to see your skin’s pH levels more balanced and ready for the next step of moisturizing.

If you want to feel even more extra this year, Pevonia skincare has an ultra-lux line, Pevonia MyoxyCaviar is worth the splurge. Pevonia MyoxyCaviar Timeless Repair Serum ($205) is a highly concentrated serum with pure, natural caviar to soften and smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

In addition to caviar this serum contains Escutox (a hibiscus esculentus blend) and chamomile to improve elasticity, address and target wrinkles, and claps back with youthful, radiant skin.

If you are concerned about blue light from your phone, computer, and literally any screen you encounter throughout the day, it’s time to do something about it. People are opting for blue light filtering glasses, which Warby Parker and many other eyeglasses and sunglasses companies are now carrying. But what about your skin? The PAYOT Paris Blue Techni Liss collection shields the skin from blue light while repairing any damage that has been done. PAYOT Paris Blue Techni Liss Jour ($58) is the chrono-soothing cream missing from your medicine cabinet. This plush cream uses botanical actives, including chaste tree, horehound extracts, and hyaluronic acid while soothing and plumping the skin. Be sure to get your neck, too!

PAYOT Paris Blue Techni Liss Regard ($44) can also help to step up your eye game. A little pump of this cream in your fragile eye contour area will not only cancel out the negatives of blue light but also smooth out any fine lines or wrinkles. Opt for the PAYOT Paris Blue Techni Liss Nuit ($58) for a night cream and truly step up your attack on the effects of blue light. This deep blue gel texture turns into an oil as soon as it touches the skin. Let it work to regenerate and deeply relax your pores while you get a good night’s rest.

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If you are on the hunt for a Retinol alternative, choose a product from the skincare line singer Robin Thick swears by, Jack Black Nightime BAK-up Retinol Alternative ($55). This cream is hydrating, fast-absorbing and formulated with plant-based ingredients to help fight the major signs of aging with less irritation. The formula contains bakuchiol and cannabis sativa seed oil, which work together to improve skin tone, elasticity and minimize fine lines while keeping the skin moisturized.

HEALTH

Take your shower to the next level with Molton Brown Russian Leather Bath & Shower Gel ($32). Close your eyes and picture yourself walking through a Siberian pine forest. Enjoy notes of aged leather, tobacco, black tea, and vetiver as you wash your worries down the drain and breathe in abundance. Pour this into the bathtub and soak for an even more intense experience.

BODY

Need to exfoliate? Face Halo BODY ($22) is the optimal way to exfoliate and polish. Use the dual-sided mitt for a wet/dry exfoliator that reaches deep into the pores to cleanse and revitalize. Face Halo BODY is non-toxic and reusable, especially helpful for those who hit the tanning salon for a little extra color in colder months.

Face Halo is so committed to the LGBTQIA+ community that they launched a special limited-edition Love is Love Face Halo for pride season last year, donating a portion of all proceeds from the campaign to the Trevor Project.

After your shower? Moisturize the total body, of course. Serena Williams is a fan of Trilogy Vitamin C Moisturizing Lotion ($46), which is formulated with antioxidant vitamin C, rosehip, and daisy extract. This lotion will promote a more even skin tone while waking up the senses with a refreshing sweet mandarin scent.

Leave the big sunglasses at home after you properly address your eyes this year. With celeb fans like ZoĂŤ Kravitz and Mandy Moore we took a closer look at Arcona Eye Dew Plus ($95) an ultracorrective with an anti-aging formula offering intensified concentrations of cutting-edge Retinol and Neodermyl to reverse the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and a loss of elasticity.

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If you want to focus on the eyes a bit more, Earth Therapeutics Pure-Gel Under-Eyes Aloe Vera ($4.99) is a soothing product infused with cucumber, aloe vera, and a beneficial blend of botanicals. Place the patches under the eyes for 20-30 minutes and feel dark circles and puffiness dissipate. Since you are going to be out of commission for a half hour you might as well pair this with a masque like the Eminence Organic Skincare Clear Skin Probiotic Masque ($56), which Alicia Keys raves about using to alleviate blemishes and maintain her skin’s radiance. The cooling cucumber tones, tea tree oil, and refining yogurt not only exfoliates but also eliminates the appearance of unwanted blackheads or whiteheads.

Leonor Greyl is a go-to brand for Call Me By Your Name star Timothée Chalamet. Want curls like Chalamet’s? Leonor Greyl Algues et Fleurs ($38.50) is the leave-in curl enhancing spray that will keep your hair hydrated and leave you looking like a leading man. If your hair is especially dry (it’s winter, so no judgement) treat yourself to Leonor Greyl Eclat Naturel ($46), a styling cream that detangles and conditions while treating dry, lifeless hair. Who knows, you might catch the attention of your very own Armie Hammer this season.

Now that you look great, make sure you also smell great. Focusing on aromatherapy and ensuring you smell as good as you feel is an absolute must. Ryan Reynolds, star of Deadpool, told Best Health, “I think [fragrance is] a personal thing. I don’t think it’s necessarily a good thing when someone buys it for you. So, I’m pretty much captain of that ship.” If you do not have a personal fragrance, look to the House of Kriegler, a trusted brand since 1904. Kriegler Lieber Gustav 14 ($425) a citrus/spicy/woody scent with sultry notes of leather and black tea will transport you to Berlin in the early 20th Century. Zelda Fitzgerald bought this cologne for F. Scott Fitzgerald and he wore it while writing Tender Is the Night.

Kriegler America One 31 ($425), another spicy and woody yet fresh scent, was a favorite of John F. Kennedy and Ernest Hemingway. Feel lush and stylish with one of these trusted fragrances or visit the full collection to identify your signature scent.

You look fabulous, dahling, now it’s time to mask up and go out into the world or click “video” with confidence and enter the Zoom.

Any health, wellness, medical, or cosmetic claims contained in this feature should be verified with the product provider and your health professional.

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DAVE KOZ BRINGING SAXY BACK

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ WHEN JAZZ MUSICIAN DAVE KOZ TAKES THE STAGE, there is an electrifying energy in the air that transports his audiences into a musical euphoria. Without fail, audiences jump to their feet in a standing ovation regardless of age, sex, orientation, race, or musical preference. With a recording career that spans just over three decades, Koz has racked up nine Grammy nominations, 11 No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Current Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, numerous world tours, 13 sold-out hosted cruises, performed for multiple U.S. presidents, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and appeared on a multitude of television shows, including Good Morning America, The View, The Tonight Show, Entertainment Tonight, and more. His compact frame belies an infinite amount of energy and his charming smile will either preclude a sassy story or an impromptu riff. From playing the saxophone in his school jazz band to recording 20 albums, his career has been a colorful journey - even if the sax wasn’t his first choice.

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Well, sax was not my first instrument. My mom forced my brother, sister, and me to play the piano - which we all hated. I rebelled and chose the drums next. I was even worse on that instrument! Finally, at 13, I found an alto saxophone. I remembered how it felt in my hands, the way it sounded (rough at first, of course), but I knew this was different than the other instruments I tried before. Little did I know that relationship would become so primary in my life! Who knew?! It came easier. I felt almost as if I had found another part of my body, and it quickly became my voice to get out emotions I was feeling, but could not find the words.

The biggest obstacle was wanting to get better FAST, and with the sax, it really takes a good year before you start to sound like anything. I remember my mom made me stuff a sock in the bell of the horn the first few months to mute the sound I was making. It wasn’t what I would call pretty in the beginning!

Literally weeks after his graduation from UCLA with a degree in mass communications, he decided to pursue a career as a professional musician. He did not have to wait long before he was snatched up for touring and recording session work, mainly as a rock musician. He would segue to smooth jazz and earned a recurring gig as guest saxophonist on The Arsenio Hall Show. He clearly was a standout with his own unique voice. In 1989, he decided to go solo.

I was so green and had so much to learn. But fortunately, I was working with artists that brought me under their wing and were super patient while I learned the ropes. Jeff Lorber, the great jazz keyboardist, was the first to

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suggest I make my own music. Up until then, it really hadn’t crossed my mind. So, I am forever grateful to him for inspiring me on that journey. Those early demos we made way back when, got me signed to Capitol Records where I recorded for over 20 years.

Amazing. I still make music with Lorber. He produced three tracks on my new album, A New Day. I have too many road stories. I’d have no idea where to begin! But one tour I was with Richard Marx, the pop singer. He and I looked A LOT alike at the time.

And there was a period on that tour that I was his “double,” so he could escape from the throngs of female fans. Funny.

His relationship with Capitol Records would be long lasting and would earn him a name in the Grammy world. Though green in the solo artist sector, he would hit the scene running. He had a story to tell and a song in his pocket.

I had a great time because this was all so new.

Unlike a lot of artists who spend years writing the songs that appear on their debut album, I just jumped in cold. I went in with both feet immediately, and it just clicked! I had wonderful friends at Capitol, who really cared deeply about the projects, so we all just rolled up our sleeves and tried to have as much fun as we could. The whole goal was to get just enough success under our belts to make album number two. I think I made about ten albums for Capitol during my tenure there. And still, to this day when I drive by that iconic round tower, I smile. It still feels like a dream that I was on that label for so many years. Even have a Hollywood star with my name on it out front. It is surreal.

If you want something done, do it yourself. Disillusioned by the Grammy Awards’ lack of nominations for musicians in Dave’s field, he took matters into his own hands.

My business partner and I decided in the mid90s to petition the Grammy organization to adopt a new album category that would be a place where our type of music could get recognized. Well, amazingly, the petition got ratified on our first attempt, and the Best Pop Instrumental Album category began. That same year I got my first nomination (for a Christmas album). I cannot recall how I found out, but I do remember how that felt - I was on cloud nine.

Eight nominations later, it still is very special for me.

Though, I’ve never won. Call me the Susan Lucci of the Sax! Dave has had the honor of working side by side with his idols. Not only has he learned musically from them, but he has also learned about the business side of things as well as a strong work ethic.

I am so starstruck, still. Probably because I have so much respect for the guys that have done it for decades, and at such a high level. I remember when

Barry Manilow (a good friend) asked me to open for him in the UK - this was many years after establishing myself as a headliner. Now, I am in front of an audience who has no idea who I am, not particularly excited to see me, and all they want is to see Barry! It was such a great experience to be able to get that tool out of the shed again and prove myself with every note in every show. It worked. Of course, I had to say the name Barry Manilow in that 25-minute show a lot! The bigger they are, the nicer they are. And they all work VERY hard. That doesn’t just “happen.”

These are truly hard-working people, who are so committed to their calling, and know exactly who they are.

Coming out as gay was never on Dave’s agenda.

Almost 15 years after he released his first album, his sexuality was called in question. As with his music, he jumped in with both feet, not knowing how it would affect his career.

I was beyond scared. In fact, I never ever thought I’d do it - it was just too big of a leap for me as I saw it. Then in 2004, I was doing an interview and the question came up, out of nowhere. I thought about it for a minute and realized at that moment I really wanted to come clean, to finally inhabit my life, to play with a full deck of cards for the first time in my life. Petrified, but knowing it was the right thing to do, I came out in The Advocate magazine, and never looked back. It was swift and immediate, the incredible outpouring of love and acceptance. It was such an amazing learning experience, and easily the best thing I’ve ever done for myself in this lifetime.

Ironically, a week after publication, I was doing a photoshoot and interview with People magazine to be included in their “50 Bachelors” issue that year.

That would not have happened had I not come out.

So, it was immediately shown to me in this way, that being authentic in one’s life has its rich rewards. Of course, I worried my whole life would change. The reality is none of it did. The only change was inside of me … now finally able to really be me. Ticket sales to concerts increased, album sales too. It was incredible!

As COVID continued to ravage the music industry with out of work musicians, permanent closures of performances spaces, and lack of government aid for musicians, Dave released a new album, A New Day, on the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Dave Koz. Instead of releasing a nostalgic retrospective or another all-star Summer Horns or holiday project, he released one of the most purposeful, empowering, and exhilarating albums of his career. This album is the first set of all original tracks in ten years and includes an incredible roster of guests, including Brian McKnight, Bob James, Marc Antoine, Rick Braun, Paul Jackson Jr., Jeff Lorber, and several longtime“wish-listers”he had not previously

recorded with - his all-time saxophone hero David Sanborn, legendary Earth, Wind & Fire percussionist Ralph Johnson, neo-soul great Meshell Ndegeocello, saxophone and flute player David Mann and R&B singer Antwaun Stanley (of funk band Vulfpeck). The album was recorded digitally, with musicians quarantined in their own space. Though not recorded live together in a studio, the energy and final product is just as potent - a true bullet point to add to Dave’s extensive successes.

Even as we were making very universal thematic statements about this unusual moment in history, I realized that A New Day is also a very personal statement about where I am in my life. There is a full-circle poeticism about looking back at a career I could never have expected when I recorded my first album. I’ve been doing this a long time, but I still feel I have something meaningful to express and still feel extremely passionate about playing the saxophone.

This led me to write songs that will hopefully help people through these difficult

times and provide some inspiration.

Whether we are ready for it or not, this is a new day for human beings on this planet.

We only had one purpose. All the musicians, singers, engineers who came together to do this with me had one intention—to uplift, inspire and restore the spirits of all these folks so bent out of shape in the pandemic. It gave a real point to this project and corralled us in a way I have never quite felt before. It’s like we all had this mission,

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(though we never met) wound up at a meet and greet, face to face with me. I was nervous about what she would say, and she did not disappoint. She went for it right there in front of me. I have no idea what exactly I said but somehow got out of there before the situation devolved.

If you have not seen Dave in concert, look up one of his many live performances on YouTube. He controls the stage even when sharing it with a sea of other musicians. Separate from his saxophone playing, he puts on a show with his energy and personality establishing audience rapport from the minute he grabs the mic. By the end of the show, he is a sweaty mess, or rather, a sexy sweaty mess.

How does he gear up for a performance?

I wish I had a great story to tell you to make it all sound impressive, but there’s not much of a ritual at all.

After soundcheck, I usually have a small bite with my band and crew and just chill until the show. Right before we go on, we usually have a pre-show circle where we come together, get our heads in the game, remember why we are there and what we are there to do, have a short prayer…then it’s GO TIME! After the show, you will have to compete with the throng of audience members waiting outside the stage door or his dressing room. A word to the wise, if you choose to wait for Dave after the show, bring a breath mint – confirmed rumor has it that he enjoys a tuna fish sandwich after a show.

Talking with Dave via Zoom was a complete joy. He is laid back, quiet, reflective, and slightly different from the winning personality you see on stage or TV. His storytelling is as effusive as his sax playing, and trust that he did bring out the sax for a surprise phrase or two.

I am quite a loner. I LOVE people, but I am very happy being alone as well.

Overall, though, what you see on stage at a show is basically the same guy you will meet offstage. Or at least, that is my aim.

Though musical trends have changed and the way we listen to music has changed,

the world of jazz is not going anywhere, and newer generations are joining the club. Dave’s mission is to keep on storytelling, keep on inspiring, and keep on playing. He has indeed brought “saxy” back.

I think we must remain mindful and vigilant to keep the music we love around.

We all play a part in that. But radio is not music. Just because a radio format has fallen out of favor (as it has with Smooth Jazz), does not mean the fans aren’t there.

It’s just that the format wasn’t working on radio anymore. Thankfully, there are now in the digital world, so many new ways of keeping that connection with one’s fans.

And our world of jazz is really exploding,

with a whole set of younger generation musicians and bands that are attracting HUGE crowds of younger people. In fact, this is where some of the most exciting music is coming from - bands like Vulfpeck and Snarky Puppy, artists like Kamasi Washington and Nubya Garcia, and even Jacob Collier, the UK whiz-kid whose latest jazz album was nominated for album of the year Grammy!

■

I can’t wait to see what Dave’s next 30-year anniversary album has to offer!

You can check out everything Dave Koz at www.davekoz.com/

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and nothing was going to stop us from achieving it.

How has Dave changed the most from his first release 30 years ago?

Well, I am fully gray now! I came out as gay in 2004, and then came out as gray in 2017. I am still not sure which one was more difficult. [Laughs] But truly, I think I am much more chill now. I am still a workaholic and love what I do, but I take it all in stride much better now, thankfully.

I think that alone has allowed me to keep doing this, so many years later. I’ve always loved what I do, but I think I’ve made it work in my life better now than in the beginning, if that makes sense.

This Valentine’s season, he partners up with Brian McKnight for a virtual live stream concert, A Romantic Night In, on Feb 13.

I love Brian. His talent speaks for itself. We have recorded a lot together including having him appear on the new album on a song called “Summertime in NYC,” but we haven’t done that much live - so I am really looking forward to doing this show with him. I mean ... that voice for Valentine’s? Come on! Home run. And of course, I have learned volumes from him. I try to take that approach with all those I am blessed to work with. That’s when true collaboration happens.

And though Dave’s music inspires many romantic settings (and probably some conceptions), love and dating for Dave are still a bit allusive.

I love meeting new people, I love dating (back when we could do that a lot easier), and one day I look forward to creating something truly special with the right man. Until then, and through COVID of course, it’s a lot of window shopping.

Can one be successful at a career and a relationship at the same time?

I hope so. It’s all up to the partners to make it happen. But of course, when two people love and respect each other and are kind to one another, anything is possible.

What must a possible suitor exhibit?

Kindness. Warmth. Sense of humor.

Generosity of spirit. Passion for what THEY love to do. Oh, and a beautiful smile doesn’t hurt!

Dave’s most romantic fan meeting is one for the books: A woman who professed her undying love for me over and over for years

ADRIFT ON CALMER WATERS THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY VISIT TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

A QUIET CORNER OF THE CARIBBEAN OFFERS PLANNING OPTIONS

BY MEGAN VENZIN THE COLOR BLUE IS INHERENTLY SOOTHING. It is as though Mother Earth took note of this fact and enrobed in azul shades just to soften the stresses of her inhabitants. Humans are particularly adept at making life more difficult than it should be. Thankfully, frazzled nerves stand little chance in Turks and Caicos, a Caribbean paradise where crystal clear skies melt seamlessly into impossibly topaz waters.

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After a year that can be only described as relentless, to traverse to the British overseas territory’s remote refuge is akin to being transported to another dimension - a place where days are always sunny, the people are carefree, and you’d be considered crazy to not defy gravity via parasail.

Composed of more than 40 tiny islands, the Turks and Caicos are flush with cays, powdery beaches, and other natural wonders to explore. Grand Turk was one of many stops on Christopher Columbus’s famous 1492 discovery tour, when on his hunt for spices he met indigenous people the Lucayan and Taino Indians - who roamed the island for centuries before the European settlers staked claim.

After their civilization was diminished, others came to reap the rewards of the comparably empty islands. Salt raking became the livelihood du jour, with neighbors from Bermuda arriving to capture crystals which were used for both food flavoring and preservation. The crop was, for hundreds of years, referred to as the region’s “white gold,” and the natives and Western transplants thrived off this export well into the 1960s when the salt trade collapsed.

Now, the leading industry is tourism, which accounts for approximately 70 percent of the country’s GDP. Last spring, lockdowns that followed the rise of the global COVID-19 pandemic landed a heavy blow to Turks and Caicos. It was not until July 2020 when the country reopened with carefully considered guidelines, that the path to recovery began.

“The safety and well-being of the local population and international guests were our top priorities,” says Pamela Ewing, Director of Tourism for Turks and Caicos.

“To ensure this, we introduced new entry requirements and protocols through our newly implemented TCI Assured quality assurance portal.”

The trip requires careful planning, but the first taste of fresh caught wahoo makes it all worthwhile. Prior to departure visitors must submit to the online portal a negative PCR-Test (taken within five days of arrival), proof of medical insurance and a completed health questionnaire. Tourists are asked to patronize resorts, restaurants and spas that boast a TCI Assured stamp. These businesses have been certified to follow instructions set forth by local health authorities to reduce the

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spread of COVID-19.

Providenciales, which is considered the heart of the Turks and Caicos, is plastered with these stamps and the precautionary measures taken by its residents are in plain view. Upon landing at the international airport, expect an employee to sanitize your hands, take your temperature and inquire about your health. You will need to lather up again before entering a taxi, too. The safety protocols do not at all detract from the inviting qualities of the destination - it’s quite the opposite, really. Employees who staff the palatial resorts and open-air restaurants are masked, but the smiles that beam across their faces are unmistakable.

“In addition to the warm weather and hospitable people, the Turks and Caicos Islands is home to Grace Bay Beach which has been awarded the world’s best beach,” Ewing offers to first-time visitors (which we are). Sandwiched between Leeward Beach and Bight Beach, this calm, three-mile stretch possesses a beauty that is otherworldly.

We sit at Villa Del Mar’s covered daybeds each afternoon, sipping on crisp bottles of I-SOON-REACH lagers from nearby Turk’s Head Brewery. Minutes fade into hours while we watch windsurfers and boats skim over turquoise waves. While this is undoubtedly time well-wasted, it’s clever to make a few plans before the second bucket of beer starts

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flowing and the island vibes blur our perception of time.

“The destination has several sister islands to explore and is inherently safe for travel in this new paradigm of physical distancing, given its expansiveness, stunning outdoor environment, privacy, spacious resort accommodations and unique portfolio of extraordinary private villas and private island vacations,” she adds.

These luxury estates really add to the vista when we take our morning snorkel excursion with Caicos Dream Tours. Captain Kwee is our guide, and he is like a character from a storybook. His long dreads, friendly chuckle and lilting accent are a joy to behold.

The waters are unusually choppy, but he is an expert navigator, so we quickly find an appropriate spot to anchor the two-level boat along the Barrier Reef - the third largest reef in the world. It is a popular mecca for divers who suit up to swim the 14-mile expanse, navigate forgotten shipwrecks and peer upon a breathtaking wall, all alongside sea turtles and other local wildlife. A quick dip above pastel corals opens our pathway to an underwater world, teeming with colorful schools of parrotfish, grouper, stingrays, and other magnificent aquatic creatures.

“You know what we say in Turks and Caicos, the more you drink the more you see,” Captain Kwee says with a laugh while METROSOURCE.COM

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Plan your escape to Turks and Caicos Islands: www.visittci.com.

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THIS PAGE: FISHERMAN PHOTO COURTESY VISIT TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS • LOBSTER BISQUE, DECONSTRUCTED BEEF WELLINGTON, SCALLOP CEVICHE PHOTOS COURTESY OF COYABA RESTAURANT

handing off rum punches on the lower deck. In that case, we’ll have another.

After we’ve “enhanced our vision” we set off on a trek toward Iguana Island where we are greeted by dozens of miniature prehistoric beasts. A passing rain cloud sends the little dinosaurs scurrying for shelter, but we slip off our shoes and wade through a shallow cove that connects two distinct parts of the landform.

On the way back to Grace Bay the sky clears and Kwee makes a pit stop for a local delicacy - conch. You can’t get them any fresher than right out of the water. He shows us how to remove the crustacean from its shell, and we help ourselves to a nibble right off the knife.

“If someone would like to take the shell, just know you conch bring it on board the plane,” Kwee explains with a smirk. “It’s considered a conch-cealable weapon.” Having worked with the tour company for more than a decade he’s amassed enough silly shellfish puns to make any dad joke aficionado jealous. We wash down the briny treat with a few more cocktails before concluding our seafaring adventure.

Back on land, it is always a good time to eat. Set inside the island’s largest palm grove is Coco Bistro, where we reprise the day’s adventure with a dish of the beloved shellfish served two ways - fried in tempura with a spicy dipping sauce and in a bright citrus bath as ceviche. A resident cat who shares the restaurant’s namesake is quick to request a taste. Those who prefer a more casual dining experience can swing by the adjacent Cocovan, an outfitted airstream with duck tacos, truffled mac and cheese balls and other finger foods that pair well with tequila cocktails.

Just around the corner is another spot for award winning cuisine called Coyaba Restaurant, helmed by Chef Paul Newman. The aesthetic is Alice in Wonderland meets isle hideaway, and the food is just as enchanting. Petite teapots of chilled gazpacho give way to succulent lamb shanks and pillowy seafood ravioli drizzled in a fiery cream sauce. The restaurant is quiet the night we dine-in, so a group of kittens assume the role of audience for our three-hour dive into new world flavors. Apparently, you’re never alone in Turks and Caicos.

A goal to see the sunrise is achieved on our last morning, and the colors are spectacular. The crowing of nearby roosters is the soundtrack as splotches of indigo and neon pink paint the sky. We savor our final flavors of Turks and Caicos at The Grill, the oceanfront eatery at Grace Bay Resort. They offer a savory local breakfast made from stewed corned beef and creamy grits. It’s a hearty meal that sticks to the bones and is major key before our nonstop flight back to the states.

Back in New Jersey it is business as usual: mask up, social distance, stay-at-home. But in our minds, we are still waltzing among expertly landscaped floral gardens and biking through the pristine streets of “Provo.” Until we can return, flipping through cell phone photos is a gentle reminder that a glimpse at a life less panicked does exist.

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