METROSOURCE LA - JUN/JUL 2022

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

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your

healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months, and may give you HBV medicine.

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

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

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you:  Have or have had any kidney or liver problems,

including hepatitis infection.  Have any other health problems.  Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

 Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5  If you need help paying for your medicine,

visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, and KEEP ASPIRING are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2021 © 2022 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-BVYC-0008 01/22

#1 PRESCRIBED

HIV TREATMENT * *Source: IQVIA NPA Weekly, 04/19/2019 through 05/28/2021.

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.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

ONE SMALL PILL, ONCE A DAY Pill shown not actual size (15 mm x 8 mm) | Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

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

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VIEWS

EDITOR’S LETTER

SHOW YOUR PRIDE THIS SEASON

PUBLISHER Bent Share Entertainment, LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Westman COPY EDITOR James Delyea CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cesar A Reyes MARKETING DIRECTOR Christopher Jackson FEATURE WRITER Alexander Rodriguez CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ben Rimalower

SUMMER IS UPON US! WARM DAYS, EXTENDED

I haven’t even touched on the work we still

DAYLIGHT HOURS AND BALMY NIGHTS CREATE

have to do at the federal level and in many states

IDEALISTIC SETTINGS FOR SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

regarding equality for housing, employment, and

AND LET’S FACE IT, THE LAST COUPLE OF

transgender rights.

SUMMERS HAVE NOT BEEN CONDUCIVE FOR

Across our country we are fortunate enough

SOCIALIZING. So, if you’re anything like me, there

to have caring, dedicated, and selfless volun-

is a lot of pent-up energy and desire to get out

teers who dedicate their time and talents to

and connect with the community and celebrate.

running our local LGBTQ+ centers. Most of

This issue focuses on our pride. Not just

these groups have an Advocacy Team focused

the Pride events and celebrations, but everyday

on making a legislative impact, in addition to

pride in our community and the tremendous

offering programs and services to our commu-

progress we have made over the years to gain

nity. I encourage all of you to reach out and get

equality and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ society

involved at a local level. Collectively, we are an

in mainstream America. Our representation in

unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry

the media, on legislative fronts, and in public

and the struggle to bring about meaningful and

opinion, has continued to increase in recent

long-lasting change for future generations. Here

years thanks to a full-court press by courageous

are some suggestions for involvement:

individuals and our active advocacy groups.

In 1996, a Gallup opinion poll revealed that “marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized by the law as valid” was supported

and state representatives.

to 2021, and the same Gallup poll revealed that

• Gain knowledge on LGBTQ topics. Read and

support for same-sex marriages was up to 70%.

research laws, terms, history - anything that

measurement, but the other is legislative parity.

Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com

Los Angeles 6475 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., #438 Long Beach, CA 90803 New York 511 Avenue of the Americas, #901 New York, NY 10011

• Visit your local LGBTQ center – talk, meet, inquire – just add your voice to the discussion.

Public acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights is one

NATIONAL DISPLAY ADVERTISING

800.818.0480 info@metrosource.com

• Write, call, or email your federal

by just 27% of Americans. Fast-forward 25 years

That type of progress is something to celebrate.

Eric Rosen Jeffrey James Keyes Megan Venzin Michael Westman Steve Gottfried

adds to your base of knowledge.

• Educate your friends and family on LGBTQ issues and motivate them to get involved too.

In 2015, we collectively cheered at the outcome of the Supreme Court decision on Obergefell

During this Pride season, I encourage cele-

vs. Hodges, which ultimately resulted in the full

bration and participation in the many exuberant

legalization of same-sex marriage in the United

events planned. Let’s party! But I also ask you

States. However, recent Supreme Court discus-

to reflect on our predecessors who collectively

sions have called into question the finality of

helped us achieve this level of equality, and what

precedent. Under our current system of gov-

each of us can do today to continue the progress

ernment, rulings can be overturned. This should

and make life better for our LGBTQ+ successors.

Subscriptions: One year (6 issues): $24.95; 12 issues: $39.95.

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.

Advertisers and their agencies assume all responsibility and legal liability for the content of their advertisements in Metrosource. Publisher assumes no liability for safe-keeping or return of unsolicited art, manuscripts or other materials.

Metrosource reserves the right to edit all material for clarity, length and content.

All contents are copyright Bent Share Entertainment, LLC. All rights reserved.

Content may only be reproduced with written permission from Bent Share Entertainment, LLC. Metrosource assumes no liability for any claims or representations contained anywhere in this magazine and reserve the right to cancel or refuse advertising at publisher’s discretion.

serve as a wake-up call to our community. We should remain vigilant to protect our rights and

With pride,

stand our ground. This means working with our elected legislators – both on the federal and state level – to codify LGBTQ+ rights by putting protective anti-discriminatory laws on the books.

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@metrosource @MetrosourceMagazine @metrosourcemag

METROSOURCE.COM

CONTENTS

June/July 2022 | VOLUME 33, NO. 3

THIS PAGE: QAF PHOTOS COURTESY FOR PEACOCK • PHOTO COURTESY OF JASON BROWN • RANDY BARBATO AND FENTON BAILEY PHOTO BY DAVID HEISCHREK • PHOTO COURTESY OF TYLER ALVAREZ • MASON PARK PHOTOS BY MATT MONATH

10 24 18 10

O LYMPIC FIGURE SKATER

JASON BROWN

COMING OUT AND FINDING HIS GROOVE

18

S UPERHEROES OF REALITY TV

44

RANDY BARBATO AND FENTON BAILEY

38

24 QUEER AS FOLK BACK TO BABYLON

38 MASON ALEXANDER PARK ON NON-BINARY REPRESENTATION IN FILM AND TV

44

O UR CRUSH ON

COVER: The cast of Peacock’s Queer As Folk

TYLER ALVAREZ METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2022

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DEPARTMENTS

June/July 2022 | VOLUME 33, NO. 3

34

CULTURE 7 THE SCOPE Summer calls for food, drinks and a trip to Fire Island

TRAVEL 34 Beyond Cruising Celebrity Cruises Delivers Relaxed Luxury in an LGBTQ+ Welcoming Environment

HEALTH 48 Take Pride in Your Skin Fun in the Sun 2022

VIEWS 4 EDITOR’S LETTER Show Your Pride this Season

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48

THIS PAGE: PHOTO OF CELEBRITY BEYOND’S CAPTAIN KATE MCCUE AND POOL DECK BY METROSOURCE • SCENE FROM FIRE ISLAND COURTESY OF HULU • SKINCARE PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK

7

CURATED BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

A PERFECT 10

TEN PROVEN, SCRUMPTIOUS RECIPES FOR EACH PART OF EVERY MEAL $24.99; 232 PAGES

BY TIM MULLIGAN

THESCOPE

READ

YOU KNOW THE DRILL. YOU’VE HAD A LONG DAY AT WORK AND A FRIEND IS DROPPING BY TO EAT WITH YOUR FAMILY. You reach for cooking ideas and—

CULTURE

THESCOPE

nada.Your mind is more deeply fried than an Oreo at a state fair. Wouldn’t it be great to have a source of proven, go-to recipes to get dinner on the table when you’re short on inspiration? What you need is A PERFECT 10: Ten Proven, Scrumptious Recipes for Each Part of Every Meal by author, playwright, home cook and father Tim Mulligan.

While Mulligan isn’t a trained chef, he worked for years in restaurants and has put in way more than the 10,000 hours necessary to achieve family cooking expertise. In addition to his own creations, he has picked up delicious, tried-and-true recipes from fellow home cooks, embellishing some with his own gastronomical magic. Mulligan provides 10 fail-proof recipes for seven distinct meal periods (70 recipes in all) from breakfast to appetizers and sides, to salads, entrees, desserts, and a Thanksgiving menu that will finally win you the respect of your in-laws.

AMONG THE SCRUMPTIOUS DISHES ARE: • Eggs in Purgatory: Heavenly baked eggs in a wickedly good tomato sauce.

• Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Cooked Grapes: A symphony of flavors and textures accompanies everyone’s favorite sprout with sweet, savory, crispy, and spicy notes.

• Grandma’s Gumdrop Bread: When is bread also dessert? When it’s a delightful combination of dinner rolls and candy gumdrops with a boozy eggnog glaze.

Whether you’re new to the kitchen or have been doing dinner duty for decades, A PERFECT 10 will fire up your excitement to get cooking, knowing that Mulligan has handed you the perfect blueprint to a truly great meal.

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DRINK

CRYSTAL HEAD VODKA

750 ML ($54.99) AND 1.75 L ($99.99) MULTI-AWARD WINNING, ULTRA-PREMIUM, CRYSTAL HEAD VODKA, WAS CREATED BY ACTOR DAN AYKROYD AND RENOWNED ARTIST JOHN ALEXANDER DESIGNED THE ICONIC SKULL BOTTLE AS A SYMBOL OF LIFE, REFLECTING POWER AND ENLIGHTENMENT. Creativity is at the heart of Crystal Head

THESCOPE

Vodka, with the desire to inspire those who think differently and encourage their creative pursuits. Crystal Head Vodka uses only the highest-quality ingredients and pristine water from Newfoundland, Canada, to create unique ultrapremium vodka expressions that are entirely additive-free.

As a distinctive final touch, Crystal Head Vodka is filtered through layers of Herkimer Diamonds. Crystal Head is a proud ally of the LGBTQIA+ community, committed to using its platform as a tool to educate and support, not only from Pride bottle profits, but through continuous, yearround global efforts with partners including Stonewall Sports Program, The Test Positive Awareness Network, Kaleidoscope Trust, and Lurie Children’s Hospital Transgender Youth Program, to name a few. The limitededition Pride bottle, which houses Crystal Head Original Vodka, is now available on ReserveBar. It will be available in select U.S. markets, Canada and Europe.

CULTURE

SUGAR DADDY 2 oz. Crystal Head Vodka | 60ml Crystal Head Vodka 4 oz. Fresh Grapefruit Juice | 120ml Fresh Grapefruit Juice ½ oz. Simple Syrup | 15ml Simple Syrup Muddled Raspberries ½ oz. Cointreau | 15ml Cointreau ½ oz. Fresh Lime Juice | 15ml Fresh Lime Juice Method: Add ingredients into a cocktail shaker and muddle. Add ice, shake, and double strain into a chilled martini glass with pink sugar rim.

WAKEUP BEACHBREAK COFFEE

PR!DE ROAST 12OZ. WHOLE BEAN ($16)

BEACHBREAK COFFEE, AN LGBTQ+-OWNED BUSINESS BASED IN FIRE ISLAND PINES, NY, HAS RELEASED A SPECIAL ROAST FOR PRIDE MONTH THAT CELEBRATES THE VIBRANCY OF THE QUEER COMMUNITY WHILE ALSO SUPPORTING NON-PROFITS. Pride Roast, a

limited-edition blend of Ethiopian and Guatemalan beans, can be purchased online at www.beachbreakcoffee.com from May 1, 2022, until early autumn. A portion of the proceeds from June online sales will be donated to (HMI) HetrickMartin institute, FIAR (Fire Island Artist Residency) and BOFFO. “We’ve created a roast that is as fabulous as the LGBTQ+ community on Fire Island that inspired the creation of our company, BEACHBREAK Coffee,” said Randy Lauwasser, one of the co-founders and a long-time Fire Island Pines resident.“Pride Month is the perfect time to release our Pride Roast—every year in June, our community comes together to celebrate the qualities that make us unique, and we want to reflect that with this special roast.”

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Randy and his husband, BEACHBREAK Coffee’s other co-founder, Jim Skicki, launched the company a year ago, after both had been laid off from their jobs due to the pandemic. They harnessed their passion for great-tasting coffee to create a business that serves the community they call home.“Fire Island lacks good coffee options,”said Skicki.“We changed that by creating a product you can enjoy during your time on the beach, and then bring back home.”

Customers interested in purchasing Pride Roast, or any of BEACHBREAK Coffee’s other six blends, can visit www.beachbreakcoffee.com. Delivery is free to Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove residents.

NETTA

LISTEN

“I LOVE MY NAILS” “I LOVE MY NAILS” (S-CURVE/HOLLYWOOD RECORDS) IS THE LATEST TRACK FROM ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST BELOVED QUIRK-POP MASTERS – AN ARTIST WHO HAS CONTINUALLY REDEFINED THE BOUNDARIES OF POP MUSIC WITH HUMOR, VERSATILITY, CREATIVITY, AND OF COURSE HER POWERHOUSE VOCAL ABILITY. It follows in the one-of-a-kind footsteps of

several past global smash hits from Netta including “Toy” (over 161 million views), as well as “Bassa Sababa” (over 239 million views), “Ricki Lake” (over 10 million views), and her most recent drop “CEO” (over 6.8 million views).

The video is symbolic to Netta’s growth, finding herself evolving and growing like the trees, vines, and flowers around her as well as her nails. She is skipping in an open field representing her found freedom behind the shackles of self-doubt and no confidence. It is an inspiring message to those who have lost themselves during a heartbreak that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Netta told Metrosource, “I need to speak about the LGBTQ+ community from an outside perspective. Truth is that I’m a very straight girl with a very very gay story.

It always felt natural to be around my LGBTQ+ friends, grow as a performer, as a creator, as a writer, with supportive understanding and uplifting people who inspire me to stay me.”

Having just come back from White Party Palm Springs, Netta is set to perform at Chicago Pridefest and NYC’s Pride Island, as well as hitting up major cities Philly and DC for first time performances. Netta gives one heck of a performance and these shows are absolute must sees during pride season. Visit www.nettamusic.com.

WATCH

Netta WP-05.

Photo courtesy GED Magazine

FIRE ISLAND HULU (JUNE 3, 2022) FIRE ISLAND IS AN UNAPOLOGETIC, MODERN DAY ROM-COM INSPIRED BY JANE AUSTEN’S PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. The story centers around two

best friends who set out to have a legendary week-long summer vacation with the help of cheap rosé and a group of queer best friends.

But a sudden change of events might make this their last summer in gay paradise. As they discover the romance and pleasures of the iconic island, their bonds as a chosen family are pushed to the limit. Starring: Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, Margaret Cho, Conrad Ricamora, James Scully, Matt Rogers, Tomás Matos, Torian Miller, Nick Adams, and Zane Phillips.

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OLYMPIC FIGURE SKATER

JASON BROWN COMING OUT

AND FINDING HIS GROOVE

BY STEVE GOTTFRIED FRESH FROM HIS PERFORMANCE AT THE 2022 WINTER OLYMPICS IN BEIJING, NEWLY OUT FIGURE SKATER JASON BROWN TALKS TO METROSOURCE ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES TO EXCEL AS AN OLYMPIC FIGURE SKATER AND THOSE HE RELIES ON TO BRING HIS VISION TO LIFE. The 27-year-old phenom has been captivating and enthralling audiences for over a

decade, but it was his spellbinding skate to Riverdance in 2013 at the age of 19 that catapulted him into the spotlight and his first Olympic competition. Brown made headlines of a different sort when he came out as gay via Instagram in 2021 in the midst of the pandemic. During our Zoom chat, we discussed all this and more including what other coveted trophy he’s vying for outside the world of figure skating.

While most of us will never know what it feels like to land a triple salchow, I asked Jason if he was able to put into words what it feels like when he’s on the ice, seemingly defying gravity. I asked if it’s akin to being a bird in flight.

It’s one of those funny things where if you think too hard about what we do, it doesn’t make sense. You’re going into a jump and thinking, I need to get my body up in the air, rotate three or four times, land on a blade that’s like a centimeter wide. It’s hard to fathom - it’s definitely something where you just go into autopilot. But I like your analogy about feeling like a bird in flight. I dream about what it would be like to fly like a bird.

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I would just have to say that it’s a sensation where you’re suspended in air and you feel the rotation, you feel the wind around you. You pull in as tight as you can, and you’re really just focused on finding the ground with your blade. Especially with spinning - you’re so focused on keeping your center and finding the balance point on the blade that you’re more focused on that and keeping your head on straight.

Talk to me about your Riverdance program. Was that a significant change for you?

One hundred percent. It was a huge turning point in my career. It was my firstyear senior internationally. On your first senior international

METROSOURCE.COM

season, to make an Olympic team is mind-blowing. Everything just culminated at the right time, at the right place and ended up being my first national podium and then on the Olympic team. And doing it with that program was so special.

I saw some footage online about your initial reaction when your choreographer first suggested skating to the song and how daunting that was at first. How long did it take before it was performance ready?

We started in the spring, and it really came together at the U.S. Championship that next January. It was a long process, but it was so rewarding and so much fun to work through.

I WOULD DO DWTS IN A HEARTBEAT 100 PERCENT! LET’S DEFINITELY PUT THAT OUT THERE”

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PAGE 10-15: PHOTOS COURTESY OF JASON BROWN

How much of skating is psychological and how much is simply hard work and discipline?

It starts with all hard work and discipline, up until a point. You train and train and train and as soon as you’re ready for that competition – it kind of shifts to being much more psychological. Dealing with the unknowns and the pressure and the nerves and finding a way to stay grounded through that process. I’ve been so fortunate because I have worked with a sports psychologist since I was 10 years old.

It really is a key part of the sport, and I don’t take that for granted. Another huge psychological part of the sport is just staying true to your course.

So often we find ourselves comparing ourselves to others. So, it’s really about trying to stay focused and diligent. Not letting your mind drift to all those unknowns and “am I good enough?”

It is always so jarring, even as a spectator, when an accomplished figure skater falls during a competition. When the stakes are so high, how do you process that when you fall? And how do you get back up? Does

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that become a muscle memory?

A key part of that is muscle memory and we train like that every day. When we are doing a run-through in practice, we fall all the time. We get up, we move on, we keep going. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned how to tune out all the emotion and really be that athlete when you’re competing. That idea of “I’ll deal with it once it’s over.” In this moment, I have a job to do, I’ve gotta get it done and good or bad, whatever it is, when the music starts, you are going to go go go until the music ends.

And then once you leave the rink, you can process it and have that emotional reaction – whether it’s a letdown or a celebration or whatever it might be.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

I think for me, the base of it all is that I love to perform. I love to give my entire self to the performance and completely transform into a character.

Or completely dive into telling a story - and that is really my aesthetic - creating a piece of work that resonates with people and that can move people.

I want to always be evolving so the audience is excited to see what’s next.

Jason described his own coming out as a trauma-free process.

I grew up with such an incredibly open community around me, which I feel so fortunate about. I crossed paths with a lot several coaches that are gay. And I have five LGBTQ cousins. So, it was always something that I was around and was very normal and visible in my life. When I started to realize that about myself, it wasn’t like some big revelation to me. It was just “okay, cool, I’m gay.”

While Jason had been out to his inner circle of family and friends since the age of 22, it would be four more years before he was ready to come out professionally. Jason explained the catalyst behind his decision.

It was during the summer of 2020, where everything shut down and I was back with my family. I didn’t have my skating to distract me. The Supreme Court was dealing with matters directly impacting the LGBTQ community. People started coming out with their stories. Seeing how people’s experiences were so different from my own - being kicked out of their house or losing their job for who they were.

I’ve been so fortunate that I’ve been in an environment that has been so accepting and so loving and I know that so many people don’t have that. I realize the reason it’s been normalized for me is because of everyone who has come before me and fought for those rights and cleared that path for me to be able to walk proudly, openly and safely. But that comes from everyone in the public eye who has stepped up and been open about their journey and their struggle. I do think it helps the next generation, giving them the green light to do the same. It was that visibility that was so crucial for me. I wanted to pay it forward the way that all these people who came before me had done.

It was during this climate that things finally came to a head.

I kept wanting to talk about it in a public way, but it never felt right.

And then one night, in June of 2021, I couldn’t sleep, and I had some things on my mind. I wrote them down and it was like word vomit. And I was like, oh my gosh, it felt so right, so genuine. I wrote it in five minutes, and I woke up the next morning and I was like “hey mom and dad, just so you know, I’m going to post this at the end of the week.”

While we’re on this topic, tell me about your personal life. Are you seeing someone?

Are you dating?

I’m very single. I’m really good at compartmentalizing. Which I guess is a strength because I am able to focus on my training, especially in the last couple years working toward this goal.

But it can also be a downfall because I really haven’t allowed much time for my personal life.

Have you tried any dating apps?

I haven’t. But I’m definitely curious to do that moving forward. I want to put a little more time into my personal life.

Song choice can be such a critical component when it comes to skating competitions. What is involved in choosing a song that you’re skating to?

Growing up, I was more of that skater where the choreographer and coach would pick music and I would do it. They are like, “this is the vision we have ...” I was very fortunate that

each year they pushed me to explore a different genre. A fresh style of music and movement. And so, before I knew it, I had all these tools in my toolbox of all these unique styles I got to explore and learn about. As I got older, I had much more of a say in terms of what I wanted to do and what I really connected with. But it’s never about a specific piece as much as it is about “can I connect to this and bring it to life and tell a story.” And not only tell it but do it convincingly.

Talk to me about your relationship with your choreographer Roheen Ward.

I have been working with Roheen since I was 10. So that’s like 17 years.

I can’t even fathom that. I am so lucky that he took my love for artistry and that passion of the sport, and he really nurtured it. Every year, he’d bring in a different style, a different genre, a different way of movement and we would kind of get immersed in these programs. I just can’t thank him enough for bringing his vision and trusting me to bring it to life on the ice. And that relationship with him has just grown stronger over the years.

So, is it a collaborative give and take effort? Or does he have it all mapped out?

It’s definitely evolved over our span of working together. At the beginning and really up until five years ago, it was much more about him giving me a piece of music. And then five years ago, I started to become more vocal and convey my wants and my vision.

What do you think about this? But Roheen is a genius, so sometimes you just gotta let a genius work.

Let’s talk about fashion. How do you choose the outfit that you’ll end up skating in?

I reach out to the person who makes my costumes to talk about the colors and the emotions that I’m trying to convey. From that, she will come up with about 20 sketches and send them to me and my coaches. We look through them and respond with “ooh we really like x, y and z” and that 20 gets narrowed down to five. We make some variations on those five and it keeps getting narrowed down until we decide “that’s the one.”

Do you have any favorite costumes?

I have to say, I love the costumes METROSOURCE.COM

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I wore for these Olympic games. They are probably two of my favorites. The outfit that I wore for “Sinnerman,” I love it so much. I put it on, and I just feel transformed. I feel a sense of confidence. And then I loved the Schindler’s List outfit that I wore this year. I think the biggest thing when it comes to costumes is when you put them on, you want to feel like you’ve just transformed into that character.

Have you ever been in something that wasn’t comfortable, and it threw you off?

Yes, many times. I think sometimes you’re in that state of “I’m just going to suck it up and do it anyway.” But I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older. When

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you work so hard every single day, to then get into your competition outfit and be uncomfortable while you skate, it’s just not worth it.

Is there a particular outfit that comes to mind?

I skated to “Juke” one year. It is a blues number and I loved, loved, loved the costume, but the material was uncomfortable. If I moved my arm, it was stiff.

Just out of curiosity, I went back to have a look at the 2016 competition online and if Jason was uncomfortable, it sure did not show in his skating. The 20-year-old phenom was still sporting his trademark ponytail, looking sharp in a royal blue

long-sleeved button-down shirt with sleeves rolled up halfway, accented with rhinestones on the collar and cuffs complemented by a pair of black suspenders.

You have a reputation as a figure skater whose artistry relies heavily on dance. Did you study dance formally?

The answer is yes and no. No formal study of dance, but I’ve definitely dabbled in a lot of dance classes throughout my career. When we are creating these programs, I really dive into that form of dance and movement.

So, if I am skating to a ballet piece, that might be a year where I do more formal training in that genre. But if the next year I do jazz, I will adjust. It has shifted throughout the years.

Your Olympic skate to Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman” seemed to have a heavy jazz influence. It felt like I was watching a jazz composition come to life. Is that how you would characterize it?

For this piece specifically – my choreographer based it on Alvin Ailey’s Revelations. The whole piece was really about the lines and the shapes and the angles. It was wonderful to study that and bring it to life on the ice.

Many figure skaters have done Dancing with the Stars. Is that something you would ever consider?

I would do DWTS in a heartbeat 100 percent! Let’s definitely put that out there.

Dancing with the Stars has an extensive list of figure skaters who’ve competed.

Some have done quite well, others not so much. Because it does require a different set of skills.

One of the things I think I have up my sleeve is that I’ve had a plethora of genres I’ve gotten to perform on the ice. That being said, it is a whole different art form and style of movement and you’re doing it with a partner. So that’s all new and different. I think I would bring a lot of personality to it if I got the chance.

How would you feel about being paired with a same-sex pro as JoJo Siwa did last season?

One hundred percent, I would be open to having a same-sex pairing. I think what JoJo Siwa did was really cool. I’m a firm believer of how

important that kind of representation is. And I think it would be amazing.

Are there any particular pros you’d like to be paired with?

I would totally trust the producers of that show to pair me with whomever they think is best. I think they’re all amazing. I love Lindsay Arnold, I love Jenna Johnson, I love Whitney.

And then if it was a same-sex partner, I would be so curious to see who they’d want to pair me with.

You’ve won so many awards. It seems like you’d need a small warehouse to store them all. Where do you keep them?

Actually, I keep them in my childhood bedroom. They’re all kind of on my desk and around my bed. And then, for the international events, we get medals.

I have this huge map of the world on one of my walls and I pinned all of my international medals around that map.

Of all the awards you’ve won, what is the most meaningful?

When I look back, it’s really about the moments and the memories and the feelings of persevering and overcoming. From that standpoint, I think the 2020 U.S. Championships Silver Medal could be the most meaningful. I had a really rocky 2018 and I was devastated to be left off that Olympic team. I went through this transformation to try to figure out what I wanted, who I was. I made all these huge sweeping changes in my career. And then to come back after all of that and win that silver medal at the U.S. Championships in 2020 and skate as well as I did and get these personal best scores was really meaningful. It wasn’t like the medal meant so much to me as coming out the other side of this really rough experience and feeling like I was better for it and for what I went through. I was able to take everything that I learned and apply it. Everything I was doing with my new coaches was finally starting to gel after a year and a half with them.

So that was really awesome. That being said, there’s been so many moments in my career that I’m so insanely proud of, but I think for me it’s always the backstories leading up to those events and what I was going through at the time that are the most meaningful. ■ METROSOURCE.COM

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SUPERHEROES OF REALITY TV:

RANDY BARBATO &FENTON BAILEY THE DYNAMIC DUO OF RANDY BARBATO AND FENTON BAILEY, ALONG WITH THEIR AWARD-

WINNING TEAM, HAVE NOT ONLY MADE RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE A MAINSTREAM SUCCESS BUT HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED BY VARIETY FOR HAVING THE BIGGEST IMPACT IN REALITY TV. The

team celebrates 30-plus years since they founded the multi-media empire that is World of Wonder, responsible for some of our community’s most trailblazing queer content, giving voice to underrepresented artists, icons, and activists. What started out as a dream with barely any money to buy a fax machine has turned into a global conglomerate with award-winning TV shows, web series, live events, podcasts, films, and documentaries that have bridged the gap between LGBTQ+ and mainstream programming.

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF WORLD OF WONDER

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ Their inspiration to get into the biz would come from their childhood television experience, complete with camp, spandex, and a laugh track.

Fenton: For me, it goes way back to the last century when I saw the TV version of Batman and Robin. I loved DC comics, but I think seeing

them on TV was inspirational in the sense that it was the campiest thing ever made, apart from Drag Race. It really did inspire me because nothing was really speaking to me before that.

Randy: For me, I think The Brady Bunch was the beginning of my understanding camp. Growing up in suburbia and seeing this reflection of perfection that I knew was untrue and didn’t exist just really titillated me. And it was definitely the beginning of not necessarily my storytelling obsession, but more like my gay obsession and looking at things through a slightly different lens.

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Their gay fates would intervene and the duo who were destined for greatness would meet in the lobby on the first day of filmmaking school at NYU. Randy was wearing a Marcia Brady t-shirt that he had hand-painted himself. What was Fenton wearing you ask?

Randy: Fenton had his hair up in a bun and was wearing diamond earrings and had on high-top sneakers and these leopard pants.

He was a freak, he was a punk, he was exotic. I do think we connected instantly because we were outsiders, and we collaborated very early on.

With Hollywood being an old boy network and independent films not really being a thing yet, it didn’t seem like the two were going to find an easy way to break into the industry. Needing money, they decided to raise funds by the only logical choice they could think of - start a pop group. Called The

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Fabulous Pop Tarts, they were like the Pet Shop Boys, only campier. Looking back, they underestimated how hard it was to have a string of big hits. But they persevered, unabashedly ready to tell queer stories, despite the social climate at the time. Where did they get that courage to be pigeon-holed before they even began?

Randy: I don’t think it was courage. I just think we were living our lives. It was just who we were, and we were never “in,” and we were living in the East Village and surrounded by people who inspired us and who were all “out.” Well, it wasn’t that they were out, they were just authentic.

And so, we didn’t really know any other way.

Fenton: It was a real sort of crossroads, culturally, because we were living around all these artists and performers and queens

doing their thing. And then, also at the same time, there was this sort of energy in New York and there was this East Village art scene out of which Jeff Koons came and Madonna as well. Suddenly, all this stuff was happening Downtown that wasn’t just staying in Downtown. It wasn’t just on the margins, it was breaking through, it was a real conscious shift. Culturally there was an opportunity like never before.

Fenton and Randy continue to have their fingers on the pulse of what’s happening. Who knew that a show like Drag Race would become an Emmy Awardwinning household name? Even straight people are now doing drag. Why do they think this show, in particular, has become such a hit?

Fenton: Ru said it: you’re born naked, and the rest is drag. It doesn’t matter who you are, man, woman, everything you put on is a state about your identity - that is drag, clothes are drag. Drag is everywhere and its university relatable. There’s a famous essay about camp

by Susan Sontag who said, “Nothing in nature is camp.” Nature is incredibly campy, is incredibly gay. And so, maybe drag was seen once as a niche, but it’s actually a universally relatable thing for everyone.

Randy: Specifically, when it comes to RuPaul’s Drag Race, I would say there are

PAGES 20-21: PHOTOS COURTESY OF WORLD OF WONDER

THIS NEW ‘SCREEN AGE’ IS ALL ABOUT SHOWING PEOPLE WHO’VE NORMALLY BEEN IGNORED OR HIDDEN”

three things that have made it so wildly successful and that have fueled the growth of its success. One is RuPaul because he is kind of everything, and he really does have a kind of heart and a spirituality and a wisdom that he’s always had. And so, he’s our sort of leader, and you can feel that. Second, are the queens we fall in love with in this show. It’s a vehicle to meet and connect and fall in love with people and recognize their artistry. I think people do just that - connect with the queens and become part of their family. And the third thing is the unbelievably talented people who make this show, many of whom have been there from day one. I’d love to name all of them because World of Wonder is about them and about their talents and their artistry.

We try to surround ourselves with people who are more talented than we are [LOL] and just as passionate. It is unlike other shows out there. There’s technically a winner at the end of every season and there’s drama, but the show really is designed for people to get to know these amazing artists. This year we just crowned Willow Pill as the winner, which is really special. It’s funny watching her and how much she kind of reminds me of us in the East Village. I felt this nostalgia, I could feel my youth reflecting it in some way. That

feels special because so much of what fuels everything we do comes from those hopeful, wistful, inspiring days in the 80s.

The success of World of Wonder’s projects and the high-profile status of Drag Race has flourished under a government administration that actively worked against our community. Even as Drag Race celebrates the inclusion of trans contestants, laws are being made in our nation that strip away their rights. Each year of the show, fans get younger and younger, and yet states are looking to silence the voices of our LGBTQ+ youth and those who would serve as allies.

How does World of Wonder explain their continued success juxtaposed to what’s happening from the conservative side?

Fenton: Well, the crap we’ve been through, and are still going through, is all based on the idea of like in the 90s, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” with the notion that you could be gay in the military, just don’t say it, just don’t be

public about it. Don’t be visible. But the problem with visibility is if you’re invisible, you don’t exist.

Especially in these times, so much of our lives revolve around screens (Zoom, mobile phones, laptops, TV).

We’re really in the screen age. I think this new ‘screen age’ is all about showing people who’ve normally been ignored or hidden, or whose existence hasn’t been acknowledged.

I think the very time we’re living in, funnily enough, lends itself to seeing the LGBTQ people and that we have so much to give and contribute to this kind of society. It’s a weird thing to see these attempts to dial it back or erase it. Because it’s not going to work. It never has worked. It never will work.

It’s doomed to fail. That’s the headline we mustn’t lose sight of.

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Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey with RuPaul Photo by Robin Eckenroth/Getty Images

YOU’RE BORN NAKED, AND THE REST IS DRAG — RUPAUL

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they’re stuck in a closet too and they have this malformed idea of what is expected of them or how they’re supposed to be. It isn’t really who they are. And I think that the important thing the queer community can demonstrate is that actually everybody’s queer. You don’t have to be gay, but it helps.

The screen age not only has contributed to their success but has also united our community. Fenton continues, That is the miracle of the screen age. You can connect with people who aren’t geographically right next door to you, who you don’t meet in a bar - especially if you’re in a family situation where you’re not supported and if they knew you were gay, they would kick you out. Thanks to the internet, thanks to the screen age, you can connect with all these people.

With great success comes greater visibility which also opens it up for great criticism. With recent casting announcements and certain programming choices, social media has become another active partner in the production company, good and bad. Keyboard warriors and social media activists have all had their say when it comes to Drag Race. At the end of the day, World of

Wonder doesn’t have anyone else to answer to, they exist to tell stories from their point of view.

Randy: World of Wonder is an independent production company, right? We’re fiercely independent. We’ve never borrowed money. We’ve never had investors – we continuously reinvest it. It’s not the way the rest of the entertainment industry works, but for us it does work because we are just endlessly feeding our own passion. There are a number of projects we’ve done that have made not a penny, but we love having done them. Part of why we like success is to be able to create more opportunity.

Fenton: When we made The Eyes of Tammy Faye, hundreds of years ago, Tammy had an expression and talked about “running to the roar.” So instead of running from what you’re afraid of, run towards it and embrace it. Not everyone’s going to like you, and everyone’s got an opinion, and on Twitter, with something negative to say. Just don’t let it bother you.

This superhero duo has celebrated their successes and losses together. They have overcome obstacles where most people would stop. And though their relationship with each other has changed (they used to be a couple), they are the perfect yin and yang to run this empire.

Randy: In the first 10 – 12 years we really struggled. That brings you together in a way that we really know each other, and what we did to survive. We have this kind of history that just binds us together. Same with our relationship with Ru, because we knew him back then as well. We were all struggling to get by and had dreams and ideas - and believed in what we were doing and had to say. We believed there was a larger audience for it. When you go on that journey, you can’t undo it. I’ve learned so much from Fenton because he is so smart. I’ve also learned not to hit ‘send’ when I’m angry.

Fenton: It really does feel like a kind of chosen family, you know? And I think that’s true for tons of us in the LGBTQ+ community. Oftentimes with chosen family, the bonds are stronger than the family we are born into, who may or may not accept or see you. I can’t really imagine life without Randy. When I look back on it, meeting Randy that first day in film school, I had no idea. None of this would’ve happened without meeting Randy. You end up becoming extensions of each other.

Fenton Bailey, Chaz Bono and Randy Barbato at the Glaad Media Awards 2012. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato at DragCon NYC 2019 Photo courtesy of Jennifer Graylock for World of Wonder

As World of Wonder’s DragCon comes back to in-person events and our favorite Drag Race queens fill the stages at Prides around the globe, Randy and Fenton urge their fans to come together this summer.

Fenton: We have more in common than what divides us. Yes, there are issues and there are conflicts within our community, but fundamentally what we’re up against is so much bigger. I’m sometimes a little nostalgic for those 80s days when everybody was thrown together and we didn’t really

define each other or see each other as separate and distinct. It wasn’t like we were all sitting around singing “Kumbaya” or braiding each other’s hair, but there was just an acceptance that we were all in the same boat. I think that’s still true today. It’s just being kind.

Randy: I second that! It’s PRIDE! Have fun, be kind, love one another and use all that energy, use all the stuff we have in common to focus on the real enemy. We’re here, we’re queer, we’re great.

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QAF IS ALLOWING US THE POWER TO TELL OUR MARGINALIZED STORIES THAT DO NOT EVER GET TO SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY. ”

QUEER AS FOLK: IT HAS BEEN OVER TWO DECADES SINCE QUEER AS FOLK HIT

TV SCREENS. ORIGINALLY MEANT TO BE CALLED QUEER AS FUCK, THE TITLE WAS LATER CHANGED TO BECOME MORE ACCEPTABLE FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES. Pushing the en-

velope of gay representation on the screen with hot topics, graphic sex, hot boys, and a stellar soundtrack have all become mainstays for the franchise. This Pride, we go back to Babylon as Peacock premieres a Queer as Folk that embraces a new generation of racially diversified, inclusive, and gender-free newbies. Even in the last decade, so much has changed for representation of the LGBTQ+ community in media, a direct opposite of what is happening around the nation as conservates look to silence our youth and take back our equal rights. Based on Russell T. Davie’s British version of the show, it’s back with even more colors of the rainbow!

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

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BACK TO BABYLON

THIS PAGE: STEPHEN DUNN PHOTO BY NICHOLAS HISCOCK SCALED

The stars aligned for this new iteration to come together. QAF reboot creator, writer, executive producer, and director Stephen Dunn, inspired by TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and films like The Piano as a youth, had been working on a specific concept for the show, centering on a community coming together after tragedy. His first experience with Queer as Folk was watching the series in his basement with the volume turned down low for fear of someone walking in. What started as a lonely experience turned into his first exposure to queerness and his sexual awakening. He felt part of a community. When he found out the rights had reverted to Davies, he immediately made a trip to Manchester to pitch his idea. In addition to QAF, Davies is also responsible for last year’s It’s A Sin, a powerful but much less cheerful look at queer life. He immediately took to Stephen’s vision.

Dunn: (Davies) really responded to it and felt this was the way to expand this specific avenue, to expand on the legacy of the show and tell a new story for this generation of queer folks. Russell’s been like a godfather - he weighed in on scripts and the edits, and his DNA is all over it. There are several winks and nods and references to the British series, even the design of the Babylon logo. I am blown away with his work, he continues to create such relevant and moving groundbreaking stuff, whether it’s in the queer space or not. I’m just enamored by him and so grateful that he trusted me and all of us to create this new chapter.

This reboot puts the central group of characters in the hotbed of diversity and debauchery that is New Orleans. Reflecting what our community actually looks like, there are more shades of skin this time around, gender identities abound, and the disabled members of our community get a voice. According to Dunn, there could only be one choice on where to set this story.

Dunn: There’s nowhere else. I wanted to make a new Queer as Folk that was distinct and came from a specific culture that was like punk, irreverent and rebellious. I was really close with (Drag Race’s) Chi Chi Devayne and we would often go to New Orleans together. I started spending a lot of time there and I just got embedded and deep into the drag scene and the queer scene. It’s so unlike

STEPHEN DUNN (HE/HIM)

CREATOR/WRITER/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR anywhere in the entire world with so many stories from within the community that are just begging to be told. We’ve seen New York and San Francisco and LA, there’s a lot of stuff already out there.

With the legacy of this show, I wanted to use it as an opportunity to shed light on a specific community that cannot be replicated and that needs to be seen.

Die-hard fans of both the American and British series will recognize some of the situations and energies of the characters complete with a woke mom, the young boy trying to find his way, newbie parents trying to get used to adulting, and the successful business gay juggling career and party life. But whereas the original series meant to put out a fantasy version of the community, prototypes of gay men, this series presents fully fleshed out characters, with a bit more grit and complexity. The actors that Stephen put together are as diverse as the characters they play, each with a different journey into the world of entertainment, differing levels of experience, and a connection with the LGBTQ community that is uniquely theirs. The show’s cast main cast includes Johnny Sibilly, Jesse James Keitel, Devin Way, CG, Fin Argus, and Ryan O’Connell. These relatively fresh faces are joined by guest star veterans Kim Cattrall, Juliette Lewis, and Ed Begley, Jr. Not only is the series bolstered by a group of talented artists, but the creative team, including the writers, also represents our community. This is not a show that is just pandering to Hollywood’s call for more LGBTQ storytelling. It is truly for and by the community.

Dunn: I wanted to find people who really brought the characters to life or

who would surprise me in ways that I maybe didn’t expect. Casting the show, in general, is just like the most fun ever. I have to say to all casting directors, there is an incredible pool of actors out there.

When you’re casting a big ensemble like this, you’re looking for different vibes that work together and create a messy family. I think that’s what is so exciting about our cast, they’re all so different. Sit down with any of them and their energies are so all over the place; sitting in a room with them together, there is nothing funnier than seeing them all interact because they’re just so different. So that’s something I was really looking for.

And I was able to hire a writer’s room of really all queer writers. There was this one moment when our writing assistant, Alyssa, came out to us as straight. It was a massive realization. This is the first time, for a lot of us, when our writer’s room is really diverse, a direct reflection of the characters in the show. And that was really important to me as I was sculpting who’s in it, how are we going to tell these stories with authenticity?

We have to be fearless in the approach to writing this show and the only way to do that is to be in collaboration with other people who have lived these kinds of experiences. I didn’t realize the freedom that came from that. And it’s the same with being on set and being with this cast. I didn’t realize how starved I was for those kinds of spaces in my work environment. It just allowed us to tell even more authentic stories.

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The first person that Dunn cast was Jesse James Keitel, playing a trans teacher and a new mother trying to balance parenthood with the allure of the nightlife around her. Keitel made headlines playing the first non-binary character on TV Land in Younger and for being the first non-binary actor to play a non-binary series regular on primetime television for her role in ABC’s Big Sky. Today, she identifies as trans, highlighting the evolution of identity that never stops. We no longer feel the pressure to keep ourselves affixed to a label.

Keitel: People have to come out a thousand times in a thousand different ways before they really know who they are. Non-binary was a lovely part of my journey that no longer serves me. I think non-binary is a great way for people to give themselves permission to explore.

You don’t have to be a man, you don’t have to be a woman. There are no rules.

You can just do what you want to do.

That was something I fell back on in moments of my own dysphoria or feeling like the world limited my transition options. It gave me a place to feel safe within myself.

Keitel’s Ruthie is a spitfire. Keitel’s own journey and candid chat about the LGBTQ community and beyond makes her the perfect choice. Even with the opportunity to tell Ruthie’s story, she knows our community still has a way to go.

Keitel: There is a lot of transphobia and homophobia within the community and that permeates into non-binary.

Some of the most transphobic people I’ve met have been gay men. But also, Ruthie has a line in the show that says she’s a woman of “fag experience” and that feels so true. We’re a big, broad community of people, all who have different bodies and different romantic inclinations. And I think there are some people who certainly reject parts of the community and some people who lift them up.

While some actors still have trepidation about coming out as part of the LGBTQ+ community, Jesse did not shy away. She is the new generation of actor and a very necessary addition to the QAF world.

Keitel: Life before being myself was limiting. Embracing myself is what gave

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JESSE JAMES KEITEL (SHE/HER) AS RUTHI

me a career, embracing myself is what gave me confidence, embracing myself and who I am at my core made me confident and unapologetically free. I think the original versions of the show gave voice to people who weren’t being seen on television and it was groundbreaking, and it completely changed the television landscape. Our iteration of the show has an opportunity to do that again, but for a 2022 audience. We have different expectations of queer characters, now we have different expectations of queer people in the world and in the media. It’s a really rich opportunity to tell stories like my character’s on the show and some really cool stuff that never would’ve made it to television without previous versions

of the show.

Keitel has proudly stated that the show is explicitly queer. With all that the conservative side is doing to silence our community, shouldn’t we be building bridges?

Keitel: That’s not our job. We are here, living our lives, being authentic, and having fun. Existing is not antagonistic. We are not the ones out there making laws and doing hate crimes, etc. to hurt our community. We are just out there trying to love and live and dance and have jobs and careers and hopes and dreams, you know? Why can’t we be unapologetically queer and unapologetically ourselves when so many people in the world are systemically trying to tear us down?

NOW WE HAVE DIFFERENT EXPECTATIONS OF QUEER PEOPLE IN THE WORLD AND IN THE MEDIA.”

CG

(THEY/THEM) AS SHAR (THEY/THEM) Playing Jesse’s partner is newcomer CG, a New Orleans native and non-binary actor, playing Shar, the voice of responsibility for the couple. Getting into the entertainment industry was inspired by their own family, not only was their grandmother a character unto herself, but their cousin’s success on TV in shows like Fresh Prince and X-Files showed CG that they, too, could shine. It wasn’t until recently that coming out at as non-binary was even a thought.

CG: I did a pilot called Acts of Crime before this came along. At that time, I was just doing mad work on myself and taking into account all the different kinds of presentations that I could go about with myself in the realm of TV and Hollywood. I’ve always been me to me,

but the application of that, the action of being me on the outside, is different. I thought I was going to be doing theater gigs, but then COVID happened. However, film and TV were still viable. So, I had to switch gears and change the mindset of what that meant as far as the eyes on this person. And it’s been a tornado of a ride to come to that moment of knowing within myself, nothing else matters as long as you’re grounded. Not until recently have I found that footing.

CG had not watched QAF until getting into the audition process. Twenty years ago, certain terms and identities were not considered main characters in the telling of LGBTQ stories. Now, with this show’s mission of inclusivity, it has new relevance in expanding

the scope of what we consider our community.

CG: I know that QAF was groundbreaking at that time for that audience.

But as I was watching it, I had this feeling that it wasn’t me. It was very pointed to the white, gay CIS dudes and the lesbian couple. I didn’t see myself.

Now representing the non-binary community in their character Shar as well as on a personal level, what does it mean to CG to define non-binary, not the standard definition, but the definition for them? And how did it help them create their character?

CG: My heart’s beating fast because no one’s ever really asked that question.

You know, they just assume non-binary oh, okay. This person’s non-binary so that must be what that means. But non-binary is just a whole spectrum of wholeness. It’s a lot to come to terms with when you live in a world where the body is the first thing you see.

I kind of just took Shar by the hands, or Shar just took me by the hand, being this grounded adult character in the midst of all of these people who are also adults, but Shar being this kind of anchor. They’ve been in this relationship with Ruth, they’re starting a family - so you have to be as sure as you can be.

Even though it seems like a very minute place to start, it’s where I had to start with Shar. If they’re going to be a strong post, they have to exude sureness.

The scenes CG and Jesse share are touching, sexy, and at times, heartbreaking. They do not shy away from the camera either physically or emotionally.

CG: I remember having a conversation with Jesse early on in the process.

We were talking about how being in a space with so many queers is new, and how comfortable it was, and how odd that comfortability was. She just said, “You are allowed to be comfortable.”

And those words were all I needed to hear. And I thank her for that deeply.

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I EVEN GET GOOSEBUMPS THINKING ABOUT BEING A KID, SECRETLY WATCHING QAF WITH FINGER ON THE REMOTE, READY TO FLIP BACK TO THE DISNEY CHANNEL.” Johnny Sibilly plays Noah, a lawyer whose party life and grief are in constant battle with his career. Johnny has enjoyed a recent string of success from his appearances on Pose and Hacks following the popularity of his viral social media videos with skits that were often related to his Latin culture. His videos as his alter ego Julissa are side-splitting. Being interested in acting from an early age, he was constantly reminded of the type of roles that were possible. Fast forward to being a lead as a double minority in a show where being a minority was just the opposite.

Sibilly: I grew up mostly in Miami, Florida, so a lot of the representation I saw on TV wasn’t really from the mainstream, it was more so from telenovelas and the things like that. But then I remember also seeing shows on UPN like The Parkers and Martin, Blackcentered shows that were the closest thing to what my family looked like, acted like, and seemed like. So there never was a show that was exactly like what I was growing up around. There wasn’t really space, but I knew for a fact that if I wanted to, I could create

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space, especially watching people like John Leguizamo break into it and create a name for himself. There is always a possibility, you just have to forge your own path.

Even when I started my acting career, a lot of the auditions that I went on were “hot gardener” or “sexy UPS man” and I knew I was so much more, especially growing up watching Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy, and John Leguizamo. So, I started creating my own content online, wearing wigs and doing these characters who really allowed me to fill that space, but also continued to audition for roles that were available at the moment.

Even when called in for the hunky roles or being what a casting person might designate as being“straight passable,”he never hid his sexuality.

Sibilly: My mom always used to say, with her knowledge of the industry, that you don’t want to get pigeonholed as “the gay actor.” I would see stories like Rupert Everett and actors who came out and all of a sudden, their worlds

changed. But for me, I always felt like I had no choice but to live my authenticity. I think because of that choice, doors have opened for me. There was no question about hiding my sexuality or being anyone other than Johnny Sibilly.

Being a part of the reboot is a testament to Johnny’s determination and hustle, and whose experience with early Queer as Folk mirrors creator Stephen Dunn’s. He had to be in this show.

Sibilly: Queer as Folk was the show that you wanted to watch, but couldn’t watch. I even get goosebumps thinking about being a kid, secretly watching QAF with finger on the remote, ready to flip back to the Disney channel.

Anything for people not to know I was trying to understand what I was feeling, who I was through the guise of these characters that Russell T Davies had created, and then again with the American reboot. Queer as Folk has always been part of my own existence and upbringing. When I found out there were rumblings of a reboot, I emailed my agents immediately. Anytime I want

JOHNNY SIBILLY (HE/HIM) AS NOAH (HE/HIM)

to do something, I tell my team with certainty, “I need to be a part of it.” It was the same thing with Pose. I don’t care how, what character, but I need to be in this world. I remember walking down Fairfax in LA when I found out I got it and just screaming at the top of my lungs. It felt like such a weight lifted off my shoulder and I was able to step into the next level of my career. Also, it was a full-circle moment of queerness knowing that I would be part of the next chapter of this incredible franchise.

After reading the script for the first time and listening to the music choices that creator Dunn had inserted in the notes, Johnny burst into tears. Not only was he fulfilling a personal dream, but he was now a fully-fledged series regular.

His character Noah is not without its challenges; his personal demons often bring him to dark places.

Sibilly: I am so very similar to Noah.

The ways in which he operates, through his emotional being, is very much the way I approach things. We have very big hearts - we’re very similar in that regard, and very ambitious as well.

There is some internal work I have done over the couple of years that Noah probably could use. It’s interesting to play a character who is flawed in those ways.

With the struggles I’ve personally been through, I understand how my character Noah feels. As an actor, it’s a wonderful thing to have in your toolbox. It’s so exciting to play a character that is multi-dimensional, especially a Latinx character who is more than just the eye candy or the boyfriend. It really opens him up to be a fully realized character.

It wouldn’t be Queer as Folk without a little, or a lot of, sex. Though Johnny has posted slightly thirsty traps on his social media, he has never revealed himself so explicitly. We get to see ALL of Johnny. Many from the gay community have dealt with body image, now add a camera crew for a network series on top of that. How did Johnny deal with the sex scenes?

Sibilly: I’ve been very public about how I feel about my body and that it ebbs and flows. Some days I feel like the baddest bitch on the block and some days I don’t feel as great. It’s important to honor that truth and not always need to be like Lizzo every day, right? I’m sure even Lizzo has days where she’s thinking, I hate this. It’s such a testament that we can all live in those spaces and know that we are worthy, no matter how we’re feeling. There’s definitely been times on

set, even where Stephen, came up to me and asked, “How are you? How are you feeling? Because it seems like you’re a little bit out of it.” And I am because I’m thinking about what I look like.

No one will understand unless they’re in that circumstance. On one hand, it’s very freeing to proclaim, “Baby, this is me!” but I can totally see why actors are insane and why they’re worried about what pictures are taken of them. So that was definitely a learning moment. But it’s so important is to show these characters as real people, no matter who they are. I see my weight fluctuations in the episodes and I’m like, that’s a human thing.

All of those things are very real, and should always be honored. We’ve lived in a society for a very long time that has told us, especially in the queer community, that there is one type of way to look and be. It’s a constant work to dismantle that kind of thinking. I have learned to love my body more after being so exposed on this show. I have told Steven I want to be naked more. You’re out there on camera naked and afraid, but then when you realize you’re taken care of and you are loved by yourself, your friends and family, then it makes it so much easier.

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Body image in our community is not just about nudity. Ryan O’Connell, who also serves as an executive producer and writer for the show, puts the spotlight on the oftenignored disabled voices of both screen actors and of the LGBTQ community, physically and emotionally. Ryan’s character Julian is the nerd of the group who is seemingly shy but not averse to some public action. Julian’s journey is to find his own identity, free from an overbearing mother (played by Kim Cattrall). Ryan worked as a successful blogger and writer for years, hiding his cerebral palsy from his coworkers. He came out of the disabled closet in a column that he later fashioned into his memoir I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves that, after some difficulty getting produced, became the Netflix series Special. A gay character who was disabled? It was a first for television. Ryan is no stranger to content that challenges the industry norm.

The transition from running the entire project for Special to joining a group endeavor was a welcome change for Ryan.

O’Connell: I loved it. Doing Special was amazing, but it deleted years off my life. I really, really, really was excited to be part of an ensemble.

The show is Stephen’s baby, so it’s his vision but he really let me spread my creative wings. I just felt like I was in service of his vision, which I really enjoyed. Stephen and I just work really well together, and I feel like what he wanted to do with QAF and what I wanted to do was very much simpatico.

Ryan’s relationship with QAF started with the American version, renting it at Blockbuster incognito explaining to his mother that his closeted interest in the show was merely writing research. Even though he was seeing the gay lifestyle presented as normal, he still wasn’t quite represented.

O’Connell: It was the first snapshot of queer life that I ever had. And also, as a horny 12-year-old going through puberty, it definitely supplied a lot of jerk-off material. That being said, and this is where it gets complicated, is that in the late 90s, disability was not at the forefront. I mean, it still isn’t, to be honest, but my takeaway from watching the American version of QAF was, “okay being disabled and gay is gonna be a rough journey for me.” When Stephen told me he was doing the reboot

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RYAN O’CONNELL (HE/HIM) AS JULIAN (HE/HIM)

and he wanted me to be a part of it, I felt like this was an opportunity to do a solid for 12-year-old me in a way.

There are so many reboots now that I feel can’t justify their existence beyond a cash grab. And I really believe with Queer as Folk, there needed to be a reboot. A lot has changed in the last 20 years. And it was really exciting to tell a story about what being queer looks like now and do it in a really cool, inclusive way that didn’t feel like woke intersectional bingo.

Not only does the series include one disabled character, but there are many in this ensemble, including Marvin who doesn’t take crap from anyone. Ryan writes an episode in the first season that specifically focuses on the disabled LGBTQ community. Ryan masterfully meshes the emotional trauma that can exist in that niche of the community with beauty and passion that also exists in the celebration of sex. Not to give anything away, but there is a touching scene where a disabled character’s body is lovingly explored in a moment of hot lovemaking.

IT WAS REALLY EXCITING TO TELL A STORY ABOUT WHAT BEING QUEER LOOKS LIKE NOW AND DO IT IN A REALLY COOL, INCLUSIVE WAY.”

O’Connell: I think disabled people were castrated at birth. Like our dicks just get cut off by the doctor. They’re like, “Well, they won’t be needing this.

Here you go!” I think it’s really important to highlight that disabled people are sexual, that they’re sexually viable and they have needs and wants and desires. We’re horny as hell! I love being a THOT on screen and it’s so funny because in Special, I was naked a bunch, but it was a very documenting style. It was very raw, which I love, and

I thought was really important to show.

But there’s just something about being in a hot Queer as Folk sex scene … you know what I mean? I just want to be hot. Is that okay?

With the evolution of our community’s growing alphabet, the queer disabled community is still not getting the inclusion it deserves. Showcased characters on screen are few and far between, nightclub layouts and Pride events don’t seem very able to include those with disabilities and dating apps can be even worse. For Ryan, disabled

representation goes beyond our community.

O’Connell: Ableism is everywhere.

It’s like carbon monoxide, you’re breathing it in and you’re getting poisoned without realizing it. We live in a capitalist society where a lot of our value is tied to our productivity and being bigger, faster, stronger and producing, producing, producing. Some have this idea that people with disabilities can’t hang. Also, we live long enough, we probably will all end up being disabled in some form and people are profoundly uncomfortable with that idea in the way they’re uncomfortable with aging. We don’t really know what to do with aging, so we stick people in nursing homes. Disability is something that we just don’t like to think about. That’s another great thing about Stephen. When he told me he wanted me to be in the show, my poisoned brain was thinking, “wait, what do you mean? But there’s already a disabled character!” I was already blown away that he included the character of Marvin. I thought including two disabled characters is truly groundbreaking, which is kind of sad. For me the bar is so low it’s underground, but what’s amazing about Stephen is that when he talks about inclusivity, disability is always a part of that which is seldom the case. I think it’s cool to be a part of something where I’m not the only disabled character. I mean, that’s like pretty fucking chic.

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FIN ARGUS

(THEY/THEM) AS MINGUS (HE/HIM-THEY/THEM) Where would QAF be without an angst filled high schooler? Enter Fin Argus as Mingus, the baby of the group. With a leading role in Disney+ musical drama Clouds and an appearance in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Fin is able to celebrate and explore their queer identity for this role. Whereas previous iterations have presented cookie-cutter versions of the pretty gay boy, Fin’s Mingus is the high schooler for today’s generation and Fin’s acting approach is equally part of that generation.

Argus: The beautiful thing about Mingus is that they are not interested in labeling themselves and that’s the power of this new wave of queer youth.

There is less explaining the minutia of identity and that’s something that I can relate to. What’s really beautiful is you see this fluidity in their queerness and that’s something I don’t think Mingus has ever second-guessed. They’re on this coming-of-age journey and coming into their own queerness and you get to watch that unfold. I think that’s going to keep on developing and who knows where it’ll go. And that’s how I feel about my queerness as well.

It’s this moving target every time I try to put my finger on it, it’s somewhere different. So, I’m just not all that concerned with trying to find the right word, because what you’re watching

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is the truth. That is Mingus’ truth and it’s constantly evolving and fluctuating between masculine and feminine. They embody authentic humanity and that’s what I love about queerness.

The thing that I love is explicit queerness, and I want to see more of that in TV and film. That’s what really drew me to doing this show besides Stephen just being a super talented filmmaker. I heard from him, firsthand, how important it was to represent stories and have those stories performed by queer people. And even on the production end of things. It’s a very queer show on every level of production. And that’s something that I’ve never experienced. I would imagine it’s not very common, so that was really special.

Mingus is not only exploring his gender fluidity, but he is also experiencing the ups and downs of sex and the emotional power behind drag. There is a lot of complex queerness happening here. Was Fin worried about being cast in such a queer role so early in his career?

Argus: I’ve been really passionate about explicit storytelling for a while.

And my plan was to do that through music. I’ve been holding onto my music because I’ve historically played very boy next door type characters.

I wasn’t necessarily in a place in my

career where I felt like I’d be able to support myself. There is still typecasting and queer actors being put in a box. It’s still very real because there’s a lot of nuanced politics in casting. I see that shifting now and I feel really lucky to be a part of such an explicitly queer show. I firmly believe that everyone does an incredible job in this show, and that’ll speak for itself. This is a team of queer people who have come together and told an incredible story and an entertaining story and I think queerness is an asset. It has helped me tap into my own vulnerability and I’m 100% confident that my queerness is going to help me book the roles that I want in the future.

Fin is a consummate musician. After seeing their older sister perform the classical guitar, they were inspired to start their own musical journey and in addition to learning piano, the French horn, cello, ukulele, mandolin, banjo, and bass guitar, they started writing music at the age of 10. Music is at the center of everything they do.

Argus: Music is always involved in my character building, no matter what, even if the character’s not a musician, per se. I build playlists based on the character; I try to figure out what type of music the character would listen to.

You can see in Mingus’ bedroom all the posters on the walls, those are based on musicians I shared with the set design department. All of the musical influences in Mingus’ life were built by me and Stephen, who also had a large hand in deciding what songs were performed. For this one, it was a lot of my middle school and early high school; pop-punk era and hyper pop. It’s very angry, edgy, often queer artists, and a little bit of new wave. That’s the vibe of Manus in my mind.

As the fates would have it, Fin and Stephen met before QAF came around. Under lockdown, tucked away in a small town, Fin would see a guy walking his chihuahua every day and would wave. After watching the film Closet Monster, Fin looked up the writer/director on Instagram just to find out that it was his dog-walking neighbor. The two became friends and would share ideas and ultimately, Fin shared their music with Stephen. Mingus’ aesthetic was born.

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Devin Way rounds out that cast as Brodie, a young man lost in limbo trying to decide what life path to take, collecting hookups and nights out in the process. Starting his career as a competitive cheerleader and model, Way moved from Texas to Los Angeles and appeared as Blake Simms in Grey’s Anatomy. The role of Brodie is certainly a change for Devin.

His early exposure to QAF sounds familiar.

Way: Growing up I didn’t have access to the UK version of the show. However, through my secret teenage, dial-up internet, exploration of my queerness I discovered the American QAF. It was a show that I would watch clips of in the dark. It portrayed a world that I didn’t know or understand but always hoped I would one day have the freedom to explore myself.

After six rounds of auditions, he gained a deep understanding of Brodie and allowed him to become comfortable with his queerness, discovering parts of himself that he never fully allowed himself to explore. Filming the series has changed him.

Way: Both myself and my acting became more honest. When you are surrounded by people who are discovering what is true and honest about themselves, then it inspires you to look for the truth and honesty of yourself. I was so grateful to get to be placed in a space as creative and SAFE as our QAF set to explore the honesty of my work and myself. I learned so much during shooting about the different shades and colors of queerness. I am so excited for the world to also get to see an honest look into that through the eyes of our show!

Brodie is the show’s bad boy that we root for. Does he make the best choices? No. Does he learn from his mistakes? Probably not. Are we a fan? Absolutely.

Way: Brodie and I have a lot of similarities, which I love! I am most like Brodie in the sense that we both lead with our hearts and want everyone around us to feel seen and loved. I am least like Brodie in the sense that I don’t run away when there is conflict. Brodie’s most frustrating trait to me is his inability to stay in a room when being confronted.

The passion and optimism in talking to this group of trailblazers is hope for the future

I LEARNED SO MUCH DURING SHOOTING ABOUT THE DIFFERENT SHADES AND COLORS OF QUEERNESS.”

DEVIN WAY (HE/HIM) AS BRODIE (HE/HIM)

of the entertainment industry. The show checks all the boxes without being cliché. The show is unapologetically queer and looks like our community and not a paper doll version of what is commercially interpreted. But with our boom in representation and so much new LGBTQ content, why do we need to go back to Babylon?

Dunn: Our community is really divisive, divided, and critical, and for good reason because we’re starved for reflections of ourselves. And then when we see them, it’s like, that doesn’t look like me. Now I think where we’re allowed to have messy, flawed, complex characters who don’t need to necessarily be the ideal, the role model. By being gifted the opportunity to continue the legacy of QAF and to create a new chapter in the book of Queer as Folk. QAF is allowing

us the power to tell our marginalized stories that do not ever get to see the light of day. We have characters in our show that have never really been seen on television before in this way. Being under the umbrella of QAF allowed us to blast through the door, demanding that green light to make sure this show and these stories get heard now.

■ The show premiers on Peacock on June 9th.

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BEYOND CRUISING CELEBRITY CRUISES DELIVERS RELAXED LUXURY IN AN LGBTQ+ WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT

TRAVEL

BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

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NOT SURE CRUISING IS FOR YOU? MIGHT NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE ON A CRUISE UNLESS IT IS AN ALL-LGBTQ+ VOYAGE? WELL, CELEBRITY CRUISES MAY JUST HAVE YOU RETHINKING ALL OF THAT! After sailing on the newest ship

in the Celebrity fleet, the 140,600-ton Celebrity Beyond, I will quote the words of a passenger who was asked if they were converted to cruising?

The response was,“No. I’m converted to cruising on Celebrity.”The new Celebrity Beyond, the third ship in their Edge Series, is aptly named for a reason, it is simply ... BEYOND. This ship (whose godmother is Simone Biles, 19-time World Champion Gymnast and seven-time Olympic Medalist) was built with more attention to detail than any other in the fleet – longer and taller, with wellness and relaxed luxury at its core. Kelly Hoppen’s exquisite style “changed how cruise ships are designed,” says Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity.

Once on board, you enter the Grand Plaza with its Martini Bar. “We built this space to be reminiscent of a European piazza - with live DJs, specialty restaurants, bars and lots of energy,”proudly reveals Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Brian Abel. The chandelier show must be seen to be believed. Beyond lives up to its name in accommodations, destinations, design, culinary delights, and wellness. From two-story villas with their own outdoor jacuzzi, to world renowned Chef Daniel Boulud’s only restaurant at sea - Le Voyage, with over 400+ bottles of wine in their collection, to the theater’s 112-foot LED panels, this ship blends technology and innovation.

Adjacent to the rooftop garden with two cantilevered plunge pools, sits the Sunset Bar - a Moroccan inspired multi-level bar on Deck 15 of Beyond, designed by Nate Berkus. The attention to detail is noticeable and appreciated - giving the same relaxed luxury vibe … from the furniture, plantings, barware - and of course the incredible view from the stern of the ship. A live DJ brings chill beats to accompany your afternoon sail-a-way cocktail, and at this time of year in the Mediterranean, the sun doesn’t set until 9:30pm, so relax and enjoy!

The first-rate retail experience at sea for men - Mankind, has apparel, leather items, watches, jewelry, and more – all expertly curated for the male shopper.

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Cruise Passenger Paul

Pool Deck

Martini Bar

Eden

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TRAVEL

Le Voyage

WE WANT EVERYONE TO FEEL WELCOME AND WANT TO BE KNOWN AS A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE BRAND,” LISA LUTOFF-PERLO, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF CELEBRITY

The Club

Mankind Healthy smoothies and bites weave in the wellness experience even without you knowing. Fitness (F45) and spa programs and products (Goop by Gweneth Paltrow) are available and at your fingertips throughout the day. In the Spa, there is an unbelievable menu of services. Two of my favorites are the BIOTEC Super-Charger for Men – this facial helps de-stress, de-age and de-fatigue the complexion. A triple hit of ultrasonic peeling, steam and galvanic current delivers a deep clean, simultaneously exfoliating and powering up antiwrinkle properties; and the Coconut Poultice Massage, which uses perfectly warmed pure coconut compresses to massage the body, releasing natural emollients to nourish and moisturize the skin followed by a traditional hands-on massage to relax and de-stress

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the muscles. In addition to the Spa and Fitness Center, you can take your experience to another level at The Retreat-private suites and exclusive spaces, including a two-story sundeck, lounge, and restaurant – all creating a resort-within-a-resort.

With a 100% fully-vaccinated passenger and crew policy, health and cleanliness are top priorities and highly visible. Everything is constantly cleaned, swept, wiped down - from the ship railings to the tour buses with hand sanitizer available. This focused effort provides one of the safest modes of travel, as well as passenger peace-of-mind.

Celebrity demonstrates a commitment to shaping the future of travel.

The vibe around the ship is jovial and free-spirted, everyone enjoying the common space, a coffee, a martini, a laugh,

and a smile. The passenger demographic is very diverse - somewhat younger than you might imagine, and I met and spoke with many passengers, all who experienced the same welcoming level of service, openness, and equality. The crew here goes truly beyond - not the obligatory“good morning” or“hello”but a genuine smile and thoughtful interaction. I found what Captain Kate McCue said to be true: “the ship is amazing, but it is the crew that brings it to life.”

Having been in the service industry in a previous life, I am aware of what hard work it is, but Celebrity has managed to find, not just a crew, but a family. The thoughtful little things like remembering one’s preferences at dinner, holding a special item in the retail shop, walking you to a specific destination ... the entire crew works together

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Giles Duley and AIPP Models

Fine Cut Restaurant

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Sunset Bar seamlessly to make your holiday stress-free.

While I certainly couldn’t interact with the full complement of 1400+ crew (from 60 countries), I would like to express a heartfelt“thank you” to a few who made our trip so enjoyable on so many levels. Sole in the Mankind retail store went above and beyond in helping with us with some specialty items (yes, this ship is aptly named); Sundeep, Shanice (oh we loved Grandmother’s freshly baked bread), and Nathalie, who served beautiful and delicious dishes in the Tuscan Dining Room; Carlos in Café al Bacio prepared the best sugar-free vanilla lattes around; Flavia in Eden (a multiuse restaurant/bar/lounge filled with tropical plants) for suggesting the roasted Carabineros shrimp and the sheep’s milk ricotta gnocchi with smoked pecorino cheese; Grace who made all of our martini dreams come true in

Nate Berkus the Casino; and many others.

Celebrity’s slogan is “We believe in opening up the world – for everyone,” and the company delivers on that promise. Royal Caribbean Group, Celebrity’s parent company, received a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.“We want everyone to feel welcome and want to be known as a diverse and inclusive brand,” says Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity.

Recognizing the need to improve the representation of all marginalized communities, Celebrity created The All-Inclusive Photo Project (“AIPP”), a new campaign and the world’s first free to use, ‘open source’ travel

image library. I was privileged to view some of the AIPP images and speak with one of the photographers, Giles Duley, an English documentary photographer and himself a triple amputee. The stunning images feature models, athletes, artists, and activists, all from underrepresented groups, experiencing the wonder of travel and sharing their unique story. In addition to Giles Duley, the works of acclaimed photographers Annie Leibovitz, Naima Green, a Black, queer New York-based photographer, and Jarrad Seng, an Australiabased photographer, filmmaker and creative director of Malaysian-Chinese descent, are also showcased.

Cruising has always been a desirable vacation option. But as travelers become more discerning and in tune with social issues, Celebrity presents itself front and center for your consideration. A partner on so many levels – LGBTQ equality; gender equality (Celebrity boosted the number of women working across their fleet from 3% to 32%; 45% of guest-facing crew on Beyond are women); the environment (everything on Beyond is recycled and the ship’s carbon footprint is 30% less than a land resort; and they have a 90% reduction in single use plastics); and the world (Celebrity supports and provides financial assistance to its Ukrainian crew and established a fund to help get families out of Ukraine).

As I write this toward the end of my voyage, live piano music plays to accompany my morning coffee in the Café al Bacio. This spot, along with the Martini Bar, became the rendezvous for my fellow cruise acquaintances and I during my time on board. I feel as though I am leaving many new friends once I disembark from Beyond. But I will be back.

Are you ready to join in the adventure and discover the world again? Whether on Beyond or another of their award-winning ships, you can read about all the destinations and experiences awaiting you on Celebrity and book your cruise at https://www.celebritycruises.com/.

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EVEN AS A KID I WAS PICKING UP ON THE INHERENT QUEERNESS OF SCI-FI”

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NON-BINARY: NO LONGER A SCI-FI FANTASY

MASON ALEXANDER PARK

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

LIKE THE TATTOOS ON THEIR BODY, MASON ALEXANDER PARK’S JOURNEY HAS BEEN COLORFUL, COMPLEX, AND EVER-CHANGING. WITH AN EARLY START IN ICARLY AND ON THE STAGE, MASON’S STAR CONTINUES TO RISE, BUT THIS TIME ON THEIR OWN TERMS. With their recent

onscreen appearance in Cowboy Bepop and with upcoming roles in Neil Gaiman’s Sandman and the Quantum Leap reboot, they are enmeshed in the world of fantasy, but Mason’s courage to come out as non-binary is no longer part of that fantasy, it is reality.

I honestly was initially fearful that being an out trans performer might limit me to only be seen in a specific way, or make me lose out on opportunities because of people’s limited creativity in casting. But in the end, if my identity keeps me from working with those creatives on those specific projects then they weren’t spaces I would’ve wanted to work in anyway.

Being able to approach my work from a place of complete authenticity has radically changed my life and brought so many incredible projects and people into my orbit. For me, it was liberating personally and professionally.

Catering to other people, they would let other people use whatever pronouns they saw fit, with most relying on Mason’s

original pronouns. Gaining the confidence and with the self-respect that they had worked towards, Mason made their identity as non-binary concrete. They were born.

With growing representation in media of all the letters and identities from our community, Mason has taken wing and is crushing it. This was a complete change from the young Mason, whose childhood was a bit nomadic, finally moving to Los Angeles to seek refuge from bullying and to work on their craft.

The fact that there are explicitly open non-binary characters in film and television right now is so exciting for me considering the desolate wasteland that existed when I was younger. The lack of representation stunted my process of understanding

myself, as I didn’t really have access to the same words and conversation starters in media that are remarkably useful in creating a better understanding of self and the world around you. I was very alone and confused for many years until I found the right people with experiences like mine who helped solidify my sense of self that I was always aware of but didn’t necessarily know how to talk about.

Mason’s exploration into the non-binary world was inspired by watching the movie version of Hedwig and the Angry Inch in high school. They instantly identified with Hedwig.

They never explicitly identify Hedwig as anything specific when it came to gender, and the fluidity of the character felt deeply groundbreaking to me as someone who felt stuck between many worlds. It was the thrill of my life to play the role years later and was the first time I started playing with different pronouns.

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acclaimed lead roles in both Hedwig and Cabaret, the latter earning a Helen Hayes Award for Best Leading Performer in a Musical.

I am so honored to have been given opportunities to take a crack at roles that were groundbreaking for me in my youth. When I was in high school, I felt limited and nervous about the kinds of parts that would be right for me in the real world should I decide to pursue theatre as a vocation over film and TV, which I was currently more engaged in at the time. So, one day I googled “trans roles in musical theatre” to try and see if there was anything I had missed, and I came upon Hedwig for the very first time.

It completely cracked my world open and was the definitive show/role that inspired me to study theatre in hopes of getting to create work like that in my lifetime. In terms of playing those parts, I think being one of very few actors of a trans experience to play them helped do a lot of the work for me in terms of setting myself apart.

I was able to bring my own experience and reality to them in a way that cisgender actors who are well known for playing those roles could not, for lack of real-life experience. Genuine authenticity reads to an audience in a way that allowed me to bring myself to aspects of them while also honoring the original intent of the pieces.

On screen, Mason is amplifying the current trend towards LGBTQ representation in the fantasy, sci-fi, and gaming world, an arena that has stereotypically been a straight boy’s club. Their highprofile roles as Gren in Cowboy Bepop and Desire in the upcoming Sandman are not just about representing the queer community with loud overtures, these roles exist as part of the whole, a nonchalant fact that should become the norm.

I have been a huge fan of both Cowboy Bebop and Sandman since before I was cast in the projects. So to be able to be a part of universes I have always had an affinity for is one of the coolest things ever. Spielberg films were really my gateway into the magic of Hollywood, and I have always wanted to be a part of big scale sci-fi and fantasy projects since I was

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a little kid, so to work in that world now almost exclusively feels very cool.

I love that in the contexts of all these worlds, my character’s identity is not necessarily central to their function in the piece. Both Gren and Desire exist as gender non-conforming individuals but live in universes where it is so normalized that it isn’t a talking point or plot device at all. That’s radical and fun for me as someone who has always wanted to just exist and play in really cool worlds like these without having to constantly talk about being trans.

Ask any young queer kid who has been a fan of supernatural niches. There has been an unspoken queerness in anime and fantasy that has existed from the beginning, just not explicitly. That is all is changing. To what does Mason attribute that evolution?

Anime and comic books have always been a little playful when it comes to gender and queerness in a way that I relish. I think that geeks and nerds have always been a little fringe, and a little on the outside, just as queer people have. So, a lot of the themes and experiences of those communities overlap in a way that allows for some cool crossover. I’ve been a geek ever since I was young, and I believe that even as a kid I was picking up on the inherent queerness in sci-fi, which was part of why I fell in love with it. The boom is probably related to more queer people being visible in real life, as well as in the spaces that a lot of this work comes from.

Mason was in final rehearsals for Hedwig when Cowboy Bepop premiered. As with any evolution, there are bound to be detractors, even if entrenched in a world of anime where norms do not exist. Their success as Hedwig was being lauded while participation in Bepop was being challenged.

Personally, I’ve had a very intense experience with the anime community, comic book enthusiasts, and anyone who was a fan of Bebop, Sandman, or Quantum Leap, both good and bad.

There seems to be this intense ownership fans feel over IP like this that makes it difficult to see characters in a way that may not be exactly what they personally envision - which I completely understand. But there is also

a demographic of individuals who feel disenfranchised by queer representation in these kinds of projects no matter what the original intent, who would rather argue with the creator of the piece about it than see their own prejudice.

That’s been really disheartening to see because I have been so moved by the flood of individuals who are so excited and thrilled by my inclusion in these shows, and want to be able to celebrate the experience each time. But it’s often weighed down with intense transphobia that I hope to continue to address and work through as time goes on until we get to a better place!

There has been a focus on Mason’s personal identity in the media with the queer and gender nonconforming community being Hollywood’s latest buzz topics. Does Mason feel their art is overshadowed by their personal life?

I do find that so much of my experience in this industry and what people are interested in talking about with me tends to revolve around my identity. I’m also very lucky that the roles and work I’ve been a part of are so radically interesting on their own that people tend to focus on that just as much. My transness will always be a part of me, and I enjoy discussing my experience because I know how much it would have meant to me to

have access to other experiences like my own growing up.

Being directly involved in these emerging projects, Mason knows how far the industry still has to go and what media still needs to work on. But the journey has begun.

I think that non-binary representation in storytelling is getting better with each passing year, but I am hoping that more and more of us will continue to work our way up the call sheet and become the center of our own stories. Often queer characters are in supporting roles, and never maintain the same agency or focus as their non-queer counterparts, so I want to see more films that focus on METROSOURCE.COM

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You can follow Mason on IG: @MasonAlexanderPark

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THIS PAGE: (ABOVE) TOP: APRIL AND ALEX • (BELOW) SHIRT DRESS: QUOD

gender creative individuals who are not exclusively weighed down with traumatic backstories. There is a very specific “uniform” that Hollywood has adopted when it comes to the kinds of non-cisgender characters on screen, and I would like to see that diversified quite a bit when it comes to expression, size, and color. Having more diverse writers and showrunners who have lived a gender playful experience is going to shift the paradigm dramatically and make room for more authentic storytelling and representation that isn’t exclusively told from a nonexperiential voyeuristic lens.

I think the future of queer representation on screen is entirely dependent on getting more queer people behind the camera so we can shape our own stories. I think it’s already happening in many big ways, the fact that I’ve been lucky enough to play a role in three big-name projects as a non-binary individual is proof of that. In the future I would just want more stories that don’t have to revolve around our trauma or coming out stories, and instead treat us like any other actor out there.

This Pride season for Mason is not about the celebrations, it is a call to action for our community as a whole, no matter what letter or identity you ascribe to.

It’s been a hard few years for all of us. But those who have been hit the hardest and are fighting tooth and nail for basic human rights are often those who are forgotten and excluded this Pride month. We are seeing an unprecedented attack on trans rights all over the world, and I only hope that we can continue to show up for all members of the queer community the way everyone rallied during the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. I adore my queer friends and family and wouldn’t be here without the love and support of other queer individuals. So let’s please not leave anyone behind as we continue to fight the good fight!

■

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OUR CRUSH ON TYLER ALVAREZ ACTOR TYLER ALVAREZ HAS BEEN LASER-FOCUSED ON HIS CAREER. FROM HIS FIRST PROFESSIONAL ACTING GIG

IN A TOTINO’S PIZZA COMMERCIAL, HE HAS PUSHED HIMSELF AND CONTINUED THE HUSTLE TO BE AMONG HOLLYWOOD’S LEADING STARS OF TOMORROW. His credits read like a potpourri of genres, a testament to his

chameleon-like ability to embody a wide variety of characters. He became a teen favorite with his role in Nickelodeon’s Every Witch Way, followed up by his appearance in Orange is the New Black, his lead role in Netflix’s American Vandal, both seasons of Never Have I Ever, and Hulu’s latest offering for Pride, the teen rom-com film Crush. He hasn’t taken a breath and has recently wrapped up filming the Randall Park-led ensemble comedy series, Blockbuster, which takes place in the last Blockbuster in America.

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

Knowing his journey towards stardom would only be legitimate if he was proud of his identity, he celebrates almost exactly a year since he came out publicly on social media. Even with our current boom of “out” Hollywood actors, the career path that Tyler had established had not been focused on his sexuality.

I did not want to come out because I was afraid of how limiting it would be for acting jobs. I was afraid that I’d be up for a part, they’d find out that I was gay and they wouldn’t pick me. I mean, I had been “out” since I was 15 to everyone in my life, even the people I worked with knew I was gay. I didn’t really do a good job of hiding it, nor did I try. But I was afraid of that.

What sparked me coming out was a multitude of things. It was a bunch of little conversations over a few years. I had a mentor of mine say to me, “Which side of the line do you want to be on? Do you want to be part of the change, or do you not want to be a part of the change?” That stuck with me. Then I heard an interview with Viola Davis, years later, say, “If it means something to you, let it cost you something.”

And I’m like, yes. This human rights movement is more important, is bigger than me, bigger than my career, is bigger than whether I get this job or not. Then I came to the point of wanting to be part of that change, to do something in this world. I try my best to live with no regrets and that would be something I would regret if I turned 80, I would look back and be like, I wish I had come out and know how that could have impacted other people or helped other people.

Alvarez says that coming out hasn’t had an impact on the type of roles that he has been called in for. He has always been called for both gay and straight roles, but now, since his coming out, he is honored to play them.

He has often been cast as a straight teen, and his appearance in the queer-centric Crush is no different. He plays Dylan, a hypersexual high school kid who can’t keep his hands off his girlfriend. He pulls it off with aplomb, METROSOURCE.COM

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same awkward first kisses, that all exists regardless of who you love or how you identify. The celebration of young love also adds levity to a typical drama-heavy library of LGBTQ media that often centers around coming out, the AIDS epidemic, or the violence towards our community.

Crush is the kind of story that I am drawn to right now. I want more of those stories, we need more of those stories. We have seen what the coming out looks like, what about after that? And that’s what I love about this movie - just a girl who has a crush on someone and that person happens to be a girl. It’s just about love and it normalizes it. We need more of that now.

I wish I had these movies to watch when I was younger and in the closet.

God, my life would have been different. What I love about these queer stories is because is now WE get to see what it is like. We get to imagine.

We don’t have to watch the heterosexual version and put ourselves in it, we can actually just see ourselves.

There’s a fascinating irony that Crush revels in a culture where youth not only

talk about their sexuality, but they also embrace it. And the adults around them support their identities. It is a not so funny juxtaposition of what’s happening in the nation with laws moving towards quieting those voices. It shows that it’s not the youth that has the issues, it’s the parents.

Tyler believes there is no age restriction or limitation on when you can present our community to the masses.

Heterosexuality is displayed in movies and TV shows, preparing straight relationships from adolescence. So, if we are portraying that, then you should be portraying queer stories too. People fear, parents I guess, that it is going to confuse kids.

But the truth is, it doesn’t. When I was in elementary school and middle school, I wanted to be straight. I did not want to be gay and there was nothing I could do to make me straight. So, I’m telling you, there’s nothing you can do to make somebody gay.

And thank God for our movie, because the people in Florida can watch our movie and feel seen and people can go on social media and be

THIS PAGE: TYLER ALVAREZ IN CRUSH PHOTO COURTESY OF HULU

after all, isn’t that an actor’s job, no play the role effectively? Now with his sexuality out in the open, does Tyler feel a need to play straight roles in a certain way, careful of his inflections and mannerisms?

Here’s the thing, sexuality isn’t a personality - it’s just who we kiss and do other things with. So, no, I’m not paying attention to those things.

I might not say, “yaasss, queen!” like in life, but it’s more about the verbiage than it is about the way I act.

Being gay is the people I love, not how I act.

The magic of Tyler’s film Crush is the optimistic way romance is depicted. At the center of the film is a high school teen who identifies as a lesbian. In the categorical way that rom-coms work, she has plenty of comedic and touching missteps along the way until she finds her true love. Her sexuality and the sexualities and gender identities of the characters around her are not presented with pomp and circumstance, or with loud overtures of making a statement. The film is sweet and just … is.

Is this the future of our youth? Unless you are told something is not normal, it is. The same teen angst, the same heartbreak, the

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like, oh wow, there’s a whole world out there. And to queer people who are reading this and people who are in the closet live in an environment where it isn’t accepted, they have to remember that’s only one environment. And there are countless other environments where that is accepted.

Unfortunately, our parents or people who aren’t as open, grew up in a time when it wasn’t accepting - so they’ve almost been nurtured to believe that.

It’s hard to unlearn those things.

Being pigeonholed as gay wasn’t the only trepidation Tyler had early on in his career. Born into the Cuban and Puerto Rican culture, he was fully aware of the types of roles certain ethnicities were being cast in.

When I was younger and I’d go for auditions for the leads with open ethnicity, I always knew “I’m not going to get this. They are going to give it to somebody who is white.” It’s not until now, looking back at it, me realizing, wow, I was like 15 years old, and I had that in my brain. I thought that was normal and okay. My experience of it is changing and evolving, but there is still so much work to be done.

Now with the film industry’s focus on LGBTQ representation in the media, Tyler’s headlines have shifted to include mention of his sexuality and coming out. Even this interview shifted focus from his acting and latest film to discuss his personal life. Does he think the stress of his personal labels overshadows his acting or is it more important to promote visibility?

I feel like those are two different things. The movie itself and the character, that’s one entity. My personal life is another. And then, because of the way the media is set up and the way the world is, they become one thing. But should we stop? I think I would love for it to be a place where sexuality isn’t necessarily a topic of conversation. I don’t want it to be, oh, the gay actor. I don’t want that.

I just want to be “the actor” Tyler Alvarez - that’s it, there’s not like the straight Michael Caine, the straight Viola Davis. It’s just Viola Davis. But I don’t think it should be hidden. It shouldn’t be a label, but it also should not be hidden.

Having had the opportunity to interview many young actors in the business, Tyler Alvarez is a breath of fresh air. Not only does he have a firm understanding of his identity, but he also knows his place in the industry and is aware of the hard work that it takes to continue. He has not succumbed to the allure of young Hollywood nightlife, nor has he coasted on one successful role. His work ethic comes from his family, and his drive comes from his own willpower.

My grandma came from Cuba and worked as a janitor in the bank for years and even with a 102 fever, she was going to work. My dad is the same exact way, and my mom is very similar. My mom always instilled in me that if you want something, you have to do it. As long as you give it everything you have, then you can die peacefully knowing that you’ve done everything to make it happen. And that’s kind of the way I live because I have this burning dream and I’m going to do everything in my power to make it happen. And if it happens or it doesn’t happen, whatever, all I know is that I did everything I needed to. I have no regrets. And since I was

literally 12 years old, I operated that way. I found my own agents, I found my own classes, and I was taking a train by myself. And I’m still hustling every day. I’m still trying, learning, and growing.

It doesn’t matter what is going on in my life. I am obsessed with what I do. I live, I breathe, I eat it morning to night, seven days a week, there is no off button. Nothing can distract me from what I want.

It’s like the expression, if you’re hungry, you’ll eat.

Part of that hustle is working on himself. Tyler’s Pride message to the community reflects his own routine.

Work on your happiness because it’s not necessarily going to be easy and fall into your lap. It takes work. Go to therapy, exercise, journal. Work on your mental health.

You can watch Crush now streaming on Hulu.

■ Follow Tyler on IG: @TylerAlvarez METROSOURCE.COM

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BESOMA BEAUTY SUNSCREEN SPF 40 somabeauty.co $45 BESOMA’s journey started in 2017. They’re a small brand with a big vision of offering cruelty-free and toxin-free products. Their Beauty Sunscreen SPF 40, a hybrid of physical and chemical SPF, is packed with zinc oxide 8% to help calm redness and combat a variety of issues. The skin is protected from harmful UV rays as well as pollution. This sunscreen also firms, nourishes, and rejuvenates the skin. Is it a fountain of youth formula too? Perhaps. BESOMA’s approach to sunscreen also protects from blue lights from electronic devices and helps to prevent free radicals and

BODY

HEALTH

oxidative damage.

TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR SKIN FUN IN THE SUN 2022

BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES LOOKING TO HAVE FUN IN THE SUN THIS SUMMER? BE SURE TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN. GONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN YOU COULD JUST SQUEEZE AND SLATHER SOME BANANA BOAT SUNSCREEN ON AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON KICKING IT IN THE SURF. Our en-

vironment is changing, and we need to be careful to protect the skin we’re in.

Let’s face it, there’s nothing cute about that peeling post-lobster red tan after Pride, Market Days, Bear Week in P-Town. We have explored a variety of skincare products selected just before the summer of 2022. Here is a selection of products and ideas to allow for a healthy glow with a close emphasis on care in skincare.

DR. JART+ CICAPAIR™ TIGER GRASS CAMO DROPS SPF 35 drjart.com $46.00 A favorite of South Korea, Dr.Jart + was founded in Seoul in 2005 by Leeo (Chin Wook) Lee. Dr. Jart+

ALPHA-H ESSENTIAL SKIN PERFECTING MOISTURIZER WITH SPF 15

stands for “doctor joins art” and they take skincare’s best ingredients and join them with artful experiences to create high-performance derma skincare with a playful twist. Their CICAPAIR™ TIGER GRASS

us.alpha-h.com $48

CAMO DROPS SPF 35 is an ultra-lightweight color

Alpha-H, a pioneer in the use of glycolic acid, has

corrector that has a serum-like texture that instantly

recently expanded its line for a full spectrum of skin

neutralizes redness and ignites skin’s glow. The for-

concerns. Their Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturizer

mula is actually green-to-beige and it adapts to skin’s

with SPF 15 is a light cream offering multi-faceted

natural color to correct redness on contact. Is it okay to

protection from the sun, lifestyle, and environmen-

use for sensitive skin? Yes! The tiger grass paired with a

tal damage. Apply this non-greasy moisturizer each

gentle mineral sunscreen is good for all skin types and

morning and give yourself a good 20 minutes for it to

helps to protect the skin from sun damage by provid-

absorb before going outside. If you plan on being out

ing a protective barrier to reflect those pesky UVA and

in the sun for a full day, be sure to pack it in your bag

UVB rays. Want even more protection? Dr. Jart+ also

as it should be reapplied every two hours.

offers EVERY SUN DAY™ MINERAL SUNSCREEN SPF 50+, which is a matte finish physical sunscreen that’s also waterproof and great for all skin types.

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GABRIEL MINERAL SUNSCREEN gabrielcosmeticsinc.com $35.50 Gabriel Cosmetics Inc., founded by Gabriel De Santino in 1992, originated as a botanical skincare company drawing on Gabriel’s personal influences and childhood experiences of homeopathic skincare and cosmetics. Gabriel’s new mineral-based sunscreen for

DR. BARBARA STURM ALOE VERA GEL

face and body features broad spectrum SPF 50 and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. The transparent and reef safe formula features UVA/UVB reflector

drsturm.com $70

zinc oxide and a nourishing, gentle blend of naturally

Back in 2002, Dr. Sturm developed her controversial

sourced ingredients like sunflower seed oil, shea but-

MC1, cream that harnesses the power of the body’s

ter, green tea extract, rosemary, and coconut oil. The

own proteins in a skin-healing formula to address

product is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and isn’t sticky

the visible signs of inflammation. The cream was ini-

like other lotions. What’s that subtle fragrance? Man-

tially only available for her patients. Word got out and

darin orange, sunflower, and coconut. It smells like

she launched a full skincare line in 2014. Dr. Barbara

summer. We love the packaging, and at 2.1 oz. it’s easy

Sturm’s Aloe Vera Gel, consisting of 90% pure organic

to tuck in your bag before heading to the beach.

aloe leaf juice, helps to support skin regeneration while reducing the appearance of irritation. The prodgredient that helps to defend the skin from attack by

NATURABISSE C+C VITAMIN SUMMER LOTION

free radicals and reduces the visible signs of irritation,

naturabisse.com $75

and also panthenol, which has additional skin sooth-

Nourish your skin after you’ve come in from the sun.

ing benefits. Apply a generous amount of the gel all

NaturaBisse’s C+C Vitamin Summer Lotion is the ul-

over the face and body after sunbathing or when you

timate way to hydrate and soothe your summer com-

feel like your skin needs a little extra love.

plexion. Use this face and body lotion, which contains

uct also contains purslane, which is an anti-aging in-

aloe vera and vitamins C and E to restore a sense of well-being while enhancing your suntan and making you look radiant. Additional complementary NaturaBisse products that work well with the summer lotion include their C+C Vitamin Eye gel cream with ginseng, C+C Vitamin Complex serum concentrate with vitamin C, and the revitalizing C+C Vitamin Micellar Cleansing Water. If you’re looking for a bit of a golden tone, opt for their C+C Vitamin Self-Tan Drops, which

EVERY MAN JACK SUN SHIELD SPRAY

will leave you with a bronze finish and that special summer glow by the time the sun sets.

everymanjack.com $16 Every Man Jack’s Sun Shield Spray is a great quick option to pack for a day out in the sun. This quick way to protect the skin from sun damage is an excellent SPF 30 sunshield offering broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with a water-resistant spray. Ingredients include shea butter, aloe vera, and vitamin E. The oils in shea butter will soak your skin to create a barrier that seals in moisture while vitamin E nourishes dry, damaged skin, and aloe vera will soothe and hydrate.

Every Man Jack also offers a SPF 50 Face Shield Stick that you can glide across your face for a little extra coverage. Both products can provide effective coverage for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

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HEALTH

SUNRIDER OI-LIN PROTECTIVE MOISTURIZER BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30

JACK BLACK OIL-FREE SUN GUARD SPF 45 SUNSCREEN getjackblack.com $21 Jack Black’s Oil-Free Sun Guard SPF 45 Sunscreen is a high-quality vitamin-enriched, water- and sweatresistant lotion that offers superior broad-spectrum

home.sunrider.com $53.53

UVA/UVB protection. Apply a generous amount to

Drs. Tei-Fu and Oi-Lin Chenn started Sunrider in

your face and body and see how it absorbs fast with-

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out a greasy residue. Jack Black’s product is a great

ern traditions with modern Western innovation. Dr.

option if you’re working out, playing beach volleyball,

Tei-Fu Chen is a world-renowned herbalist with a

tennis, or engaging in intense physical activity. It’s

degree in pharmacy and his wife, Dr. Oi-Lin Chen,

safe for sports and leisure in and out of the water and

is a licensed medical doctor. Their Oi-Lin Protective

won’t cause eye irritation. Ingredients include zinc ox-

Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 uses some of

ide to offer an effective physical protection with both

nature’s best sun-blocking minerals and antioxidant-

UVA and UVB protection as well as octinoxate and

rich botanicals to protect, preserve, and deeply hy-

octisalate to provide protection from UVB rays.

BODY

drate the skin. Squalene, avocado oil, and tocopheryl acetate work together in this moisturizer to melt into your skin and retain balanced moisture levels to provide ultimate protection from the sun. Reapply after 40 minutes of swimming or exercising.

SKINMEDICA SKINMEDICA ESSENTIAL DEFENSE EVERYDAY CLEAR™ SPF 47

TALIKA BIO ENZYMES MASK AFTER-SUN talika.com $13 Talika took off in 1948 when Danielle Roches imagined a base of plant extracts and creams to treat soldier’s burns. She quickly discovered the same cream stimulated the growth of eyelashes and eyebrows.

skinmedica.com $40

Talika became one of the pioneers of instrumental

SkinMedica® was founded by pioneers in the science

cosmetics by providing a light approach to many of

of skin rejuvenation in 1999 with a vision to help slow

the skin’s common ailments. Spent too long out in the

the aging process. SkinMedica® Essential Defense is a

sun? Talika’s research team has developed a solution

collection of broad-spectrum sun protection products

to revive your skin in just fifteen minutes. Bio En-

curated to meet the needs of varying skin types. The

zymes Mask - After Sun can soothe and refresh with

Essential Defense collection delivers broad spectrum

chamomile, arnica and bio cellulose (made from the

protection, while providing sun care solutions for

enzyme fermentation of coconut water). Set the mask

those with sensitive, post procedure, and oily/acne-

for 15 minutes and reduce that burning sensation of

prone skin. SkinMedica Essential Defense Everyday

overheating while rehydrating the skin. Leave it on for

Clear™ SPF 47 is a lightweight, sheer sunscreen that

a half hour if you’re not ready to take it off.

can be used for all skin types, but especially ideal for oily and/or combination skin with UVB coverage.

This oil, fragrance, and paraben-free product will not clog your skin. The package is sleek and TSA friendly if you’re hopping a flight to Miami or Turks for the

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weekend. Apply liberally over the entire face (neck

Any health, wellness, medical or cosmetic claims con-

and chest, if desired) 15 minutes before sun exposure,

tained in this feature should be verified with the prod-

and reapply at least every two hours.

uct provider and your health care professional.

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RESTAURANT LOS ANGELES

OLD WORLD, NEW STYLE

DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM THE ITALIAN COUNTRYSIDE

BY ERIC ROSEN ONCE AGAIN PROVING THE POINT THAT THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN LOS ANGELES ARE IN STRIP MALLS, ANTICO NUOVO IS A CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN EATERY LOCATED AT THE EDGE OF KOREATOWN AND HOLLYWOOD (IN WHAT SOME – NOT ME – ARE DUBBING EAST LARCHMONT). Chef Chad Colby - you might remember him from stints at

Mozza and Chi Spacca - dedicates his time-honed skills to turning out wood-fired meats, hand-rolled pastas and farm-fresh produce, all with equal aplomb.

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PAGES 52-53:PHOTOS COURTESY OF WWW.ANTICONUOVO-LA.COM

LA’S ANTICO NUOVO

Simplicity and sophistication interplay interestingly in everything from the setting to the menu. The entryway is accented with vintage and repurposed items while the main dining room is a pared-down space of whitewashed walls, bare light fixtures and blond wood tables. It is dominated by the bustle of the open kitchen, complete with hanging pots and pans and the open grill, at the back.

Some might call the menu small - I’d call it focused. The dishes read like an ode to the rustic but refined cuisine of Puglia and Campagnia. Along with antipasti and seasonal small plates as starters, there are a handful of homemade pasta options and items flame-grilled over the hearth.

Come with friends so you can sample the selection of house-cured salumi with various cheeses, grilled and preserved vegetables and a spread of baby sardines laced with chili. Slather them onto slices of the hearty focaccia, which is literally some of the best bread I have ever eaten thanks to a fluffy, bubble-flecked center and a perfectly toasted, crisp crust.

You might have noticed chef Colby’s personal collection of antique pasta-making equipment near the front door, so you can bet he takes his pasta seriously, rolling some of it in house and importing others from an artisanal producer in Italy. If you can only order one item, the spaghettini should be your choice. It feels both familiar and surprising, conjuring memories of a leisurely lunch spent dining in a sunsplashed piazza. The delicate strands of dough are tossed in an amber-hued colatura sauce with just a tinge of lemon and topped with briny slices of anchovy for a slight bite. The dish is delicate yet flavorful, and not to miss. For a meatier follow-up, try the cavatappi with juicy lamb sugo, plump Gaeta olives and shavings of salty pecorino cheese.

Time for protein. Colby grills his meats over almond wood, hence the slight char on the outside of a bone in ribeye steak that is still perfectly pink through the middle and drizzled with a savory salsa verde and olive oil. Also worth ordering, the branzino striato – dry aged striped bass with anchovy caper salsa verde is a delicate, yet decadent dish.

The kitchen will also send out small sides like roasted broccolini or cauliflower to nibble on alongside your main course

– just trust them to bring you what’s best.

With an impressive Italian-driven wine collection, Antico Nuovo has plenty of reasonably priced wine options including a tongue tingling Arneis from Piedmont in the white column, and an earthy Sicilian Nero d’Avola with plenty of red fruit notes and a smoky finish that pairs perfectly with the grilled meats.

Desserts, meanwhile, come courtesy of a Carpigiani ice-cream maker churning out a rotating selection of freshly spun flavors. If honeycomb is available, though, drop everything and order that. Flavored

with dashes of olive oil and sea salt, the tart ice cream surrounds a core of syrupy honeycomb that will still have you salivating hours after you’ve fought off your fellow diners for the last bite.

■

Antico Nuovo 4653 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004; 323-510-3093; https://www.anticonuovo-la.com/ METROSOURCE.COM

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WINE LOVERS AND LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY WINERIES, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, AND OTHERS, FOR A COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE. LGBTWINESOCIETY.COM

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LOS ANGELES DIRECTORY ACCOUNTING Greg Cash TaxPlus

Cash, Gregory D., EA, MST 5150 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste 350 Long Beach ���������������������������������562 597-4300 www.gregcash.com

ATTORNEYS

Fired Up Athletics

8474 W 3rd St, Ste 208, LA ��������213 608-9425 www.firedupathletics.com

BAKERIES Cake and Art

8709 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood �������������������������310 657-8694 www.cakeandart.com

BANKS

GUEST HOUSES/B&B’S MisterBandB

Toll Free ��������������������������������������800 720-2265 www.usbank.com/checking

Wells Fargo

Toll Free ��������������������������������������800 869-3557 www.wellsfargo.com/lgbt

www.powerzoneonline.com

PET SUPPLIES

HAIR SALONS

Nulo Pet Foods nulo.com/love

Blades

801 N. Larrabee St, Ste #1 West Hollywood �������������������������310 659-6693

PHARMACIES/DRUGS

Shorty’s Barber Shop

AHF Pharmacy

755 N Fairfax Ave West Hollywood �������������������������323 297-0554 www.shortysbarbershop.com

Opus Hotel Vancouver

322 Davie St Vancouver, BC Canada ���������������������������������������604 642-6787 www.opushotel.com

Preferred Hotels & Resorts

1400 S Grand Ave, Ste 801 Downtown LA ����������������������������213 741-5271 1300 North Vermont Ave Hollywood ����������������������������������323 661-0643 www.ahfpharmacy.com

Cienega Pharmacy 99 N La Cienega Blvd, Ste 104 Beverly Hills ���������������������������������310 360-9969 www.uniteddrugs.com

BOOKS & BOOKSTORES

www.preferredpride.com/metrosource

Book Soup Bookstore

Ramada Plaza West Hollywood Hotel

8818 W Sunset Blvd West Hollywood �������������������������310 659-3110

8585 Santa Monica Blvd �������������800 845-8585 www.ramadaweho.com

MEDICAL SERVICES

Crossroads Books

Sunset Marquis

Family Medicine & Mental Health

1196 E Walnut St Pasedena ������������������������������������626 795-8772

COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY Lotus Place Recovery

1111 Baker St Unit A Costa Mesa ���������������������������������800 951-0735 www.lotusplacerecovery.com

EMPLOYMENT Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)

1700 Stadium Way LA �����������������������������������������������213 847-LAFD www.joinlafd.org

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)

700 E Temple St, B-38 LA �����������������������������������������������866 444-LAPD www.joinlapd.com

FRAMING Framing Gallery

8527 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood ������������������������310 657-6904

FITNESS/GYMS/PERSONAL TRAINERS Body Builders Gym

2516 Hyperion Ave Silverlake ������������������������������������323 668-0802

56

West Hollywood �������������������������310 289-1125

www.misterbandb.com

HOTELS

US Bank

Power Zone 8578 Santa Monica Blvd

Parker | Waichman LLP

6 Harbor Park Dr. Nationwide �������������������������������� 800 JUST-CALL www.yourlawyer.com

NUTRITION & FITNESS

JUNE/JULY 2022

METROSOURCE.COM

1200 Alta Loma Rd West Hollywood �������������������������800 858-9758 www.sunsetmarquis.com

INSURANCE Marc Berton Insurance LA �����������������������������������������������323 872-0482 San Fernando Valley ��������������������818 365-9449 Toll Free ��������������������������������������800 924-4459 www.marcberton.com

PHYSICIANS &

Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic 3324 W Sunset Blvd, LA ��������������323 660-2400 www.hsfreeclinic.org

TATTOO Body Electric Tattoo and Piercing 7274 1/2 Melrose Ave LA �����������������������������������������������323 954-0408 www.bodyelectrictattoo.com

INTRODUCTION SERVICES Bespoke Matchmaking

THRIFT SHOPS

LA �����������������������������������������������888 422-6464 www.bespokematchmaking.com

Berda Paradise Thrift Store

LEATHER

LA �����������������������������������������������323 661-8246

665 Leather & Fetish Co.

8722 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood �������������������������310 854-7276

Rough Trade

3915 W Sunset Blvd, Silverlake ���323 660-7956 www.roughtradegear.com

MARKETING SERVICES Brand2Fly

San Jose ��������������������������������������408 763-7924 www.brand2fly.com

GayVan.com Travel Marketing www.gayvan.com

3506 W Sunset Blvd

VIDEO Broadway Video 3401 E Broadway, Long Beach ����562 433-1920

WEDDING SERVICES Cake and Art 8709 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood �������������������������310 657-8694 www.cakeandart.com

LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY RESOURCES Metrosource is committed to helping non-profit organizations in their ongoing efforts to serve our diverse community.

ATHLETIC

BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY 5001 Angel Canyon Rd Kanab, UT 84741 435 644-2001 www.bestfriends.org

ARRIBA SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB PO Box 69611 West Hollywood, CA 90069 www.arribaski.org

BEST FRIENDS PET ADOPTION & SPAY/NEUTER SERVICES 15321 Brand Blvd Mission Hills, CA 91345 818 643-3989 www.bestfriends.org/la

CHEER LA 1223 Wilshire Blvd #1580 Santa Monica, CA 90404 www.cheerla.org DIFFERENT SPOKES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA P.O. Box 2466 Hollywood, CA 90078 www.differentspokes.com

CHRISTOPHER STREET WEST/GAY PRIDE 8235 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 969-8302 www.lapride.org

GOLDEN STATE GAY RODEO ASSOC - GLAC P.O Box 2407 Long Beach, CA 90801 562 498-1675 www.larodeo.com

GAY MENS CHORUS OF LA 9056 Santa Monica Blvd, #300 West Hollywood, CA 90069 800 636-7464 www.gmcla.org

LA BLADES ICE HOCKEY PO Box 4346 Laguna Beach, CA 92652 310 288-3632 www.bladeshockey.com

LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER The Village at Ed Gould Plaza 1125 N McCadden Place Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 860-7302 www.laglc.org

LA POOL LEAGUE PO Box 2227 Los Angeles, CA 90078 818 426-2171 www.lapl8ball.org

LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER McDonald/Wright Building 1625 North Schrader Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 323 993-7400 www.laglc.org

LA TENNIS ASSOC. (LATA) PO Box 481226 Los Angeles, CA 90048 www.lataweb.com SHORELINE FRONTRUNNERS OF LONG BEACH PO Box 90774 Long Beach, CA 90809 562 252-0218 www.shorelinefrontrunners.org

LA YOUTH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES 8111 Beverly Blvd #306 Los Angeles, CA 90048 877 465-2977 www.la-youth.org LONG BEACH LESBIAN & GAY PRIDE PO Box 2050 Long Beach, CA 90802 562 987-9191 www.longbeachpride.com

SURF & SUN SOFTBALL www.surfandsunsoftball.com WEST HOLLYWOOD AQUATICS www.wh2o.org

CULTURAL, SOCIAL

OUTFEST THE LA GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL 3470 Wilshire Blvd #1022 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213 480-7088 www.outfest.org

ASIAN PACIFIC AIDS INTL TEAM 6501 West Olympic Blvd Ste 610 Los Angeles, CA 90015 213 553-1830 www.apaitonline.org

• 1043 Elm Avenue #302 Long Beach, CA 90813 562.247.7740 www.apla.org www.aidswalk.net

PROJECT ANGEL FOOD 922 Vine St Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 845-1800 www.angelfood.org

THE POINT FOUNDATION 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 370 Los Angeles, CA 90036 866 33-Point www.pointfoundation.org

AIDS RESEARCH ALLIANCE 1400 S Grand Ave Ste 701 Los Angeles, CA 90015 310 358-2429 www.hopetakesaction.org www.aidsresearch.org

THE TREVOR PROJECT 9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 271-8845 www.thetrevorproject.org

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY 3333 Wilshire Blvd #900 Los Angeles, CA 90010 800 227-2345 www.cancer.org

VALLEY COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE 6801 Coldwater Canyon Ave North Hollywood, CA 91605 818 301-6314 - HIV testing 818 301-6390 - Medical Services www.smarthealthla.com

VALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 18111 Nordhoff St Northridge, CA 91330 818 677-2488 818 677-3000 valleyperformingartscenter.org WORLD HARVEST FOOD BANK 1014 Venice Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90015 213-746-2228 www.worldharvestfoodbank.org

GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION (GLAAD) 5455 Wilshire Blvd, #1500 Los Angeles, CA 90036 323 933-2240 www.glaad.org

GREATER LA GAY BOWLING www.igbo.org

PACIFIC PRIDE FOUNDATION 126 East Haley, Ste A-11 Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805 963-3636 www.pacificpridefoundation.org

HEALTH/ COUNSELING AID FOR AIDS AFA 8235 Santa Monica Blvd #200 West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 656-1107 www.aidforaids.net AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION/MENS WELLNESS CENTER • 6255 W Sunset Blvd, 21st Fl Los Angeles, CA 90028 888 AIDS CARE • 1300 N Vermont Ave, Ste 407 Los Angeles, CA 90027 866 339-2525 800 367-2437 www.inspotla.org AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION PHARMACY 8212 Santa Monica Blvd The David Geffen Center West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 654-0907 www.ahfpharmacy.org APLA HEALTH Client & Community Services The David Geffen Center • 611 South Kingsley Drive Los Angeles, CA 90005 213.201.1600 213 201-WALK (9255) • 3743 S. La Brea Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90016 323.329.9900 • 5901 W. Olympic Blcd. #310 Los Angeles, CA 90036

BEING ALIVE PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS ACTION COALITION 621 N San Vincente Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 289-2551 www.beingalivela.org GAY & LESBIAN CENTER Orange County 1605 N Spurgeon St Santa Ana, CA 92701 714 953-5428 www.thecenteroc.org HOLY FAMILY SERVICES, ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE 840 Echo Park Ave Los Angeles, CA 90026 213 202-3900 www.hfs.org LA FREE CLINIC • 5205 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 653-1990 – appts 323 653-8622 – admin www.lafreeclinic.org • 6043 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 • 8405 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048 LA PUBLIC HEALTH www.reallycheckyourself.org OUT OF THE CLOSET THRIFT SHOPS • 8224 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 848-9760 • 3500 East Pacific Coast Hwy Long Beach, CA 90804 562 494-0340 • 1726 East Colorado Blvd Pasadena, CA 91106 626 440-1719 • 360 North Fairfax Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036 323 934-1956

REFERRALS/ SWITCHBOARDS LA Gay & Lesbian center Jeff Griffith Youth Center 7051 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90038 TOLL FREE: 800 773-5540 LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER MacDonald/Wright Bldg 1625 North Schroder Los Angeles, CA 323 933-7400 www.angelfood.org

LEGAL

THE TREVOR PROJECT 9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 271-8845 www.thetrevorproject.org

LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION FUND INC. Western Regional Office 3325 Wilshire Blvd #1300 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213 382-7600 www.lambdalegal.org

THE VILLAGE AT ED GOULD PLAZA 1125 North McCadden Place Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 860-7328 prevention@laglc.org www.laglc.org

NATIONAL G & L TASK FORCE 5455 Wilshire Blvd #1505 Los Angeles, CA 90036 323 954-9597 www.thetaskforce.org

RELIGIOUS

LESBIANS LESBIAN LAWYERS ASSOC OF LA PO Box 480318 Los Angeles, CA 90048 213 486-4443 www.lgla.net POWER UP 419 North Larchmont Blvd, #283 Los Angeles, CA 90004 323 463-3154 www.power-up.net WOMAN ON A ROLL PO Box 5112 Santa Monica, CA 90409 310 578-8888 www.womenonaroll.com

PROFESSIONAL LOS ANGELES GAY AND LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 8424 Santa Monica Blvd.

West Hollywood,CA 90069 424.209.2708 www.laglcc.org

ALL SAINTS PARISH 504 North Camden Dr West Hollywood, CA 90036 310 275-0123 BETH CHAYIM CHADASHIM 6000 West Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035 323 931-7023 www.bcc-la.org GLORY TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN CENTER 3215 East Third St Long Beach, CA 90804 562 438-7758 www.glorytabernacle.com OPEN DOOR MINISTRIES 4101 Willow St 562 925.3533 www.open-door-ministries.org ST. JANE FRANCES CATHOLIC CHURCH G & L OUTREACH 12930 Hamlin St North Hollywood, CA 91606 818 985-8600 WEST HOLLYWOOD CHURCH 916 North Formosa Ave West Hollywood, CA 90069 323 656-2400

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PALM SPRINGS DIRECTORY CNBC ANCHOR 18+ YEARS INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISOR

CANNABIS PSA Organica

400 E Sunny Dunes Rd Palm Springs, CA 92264.............760 778-1053 www.iheartjane.com

The Lighthouse Dispensary

395 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262..............760 3204420 www.lighthousedispensary.com

The Vault Dispensary and Lounge California Financial Partners, Inc, a Registered Investment Advisor, is a fee-based comprehensive financial planning organization and a separate entity from LPL Financial. Simon Hobbs is a registered representative with and securities offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA and SIPC.

ART Mod City Gallery

737 E Twin Palms Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92266..............760 567-6852 www.modcitygallery.com

The Shag Store

745 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262..............760 322-3400 www.shag.com

Trevor Wayne Pop Art

386 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262..............442 268-5498 www.trevorwayne.com

ATTRACTIONS The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

47900 Portola Ave Palm Desert, CA 92260...............760 346-5694 www.livingdesert.org

Palm Springs Air Museum

745 N Gene Autry Trail Palm Springs, CA 92262..............760 778-6262 www.palmspringsairmuseum.org

Palm Springs Art Museum

101 Museum Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262..............760 322-4800 www.psmuseum.org

BAKERY Over the Rainbow Deserts

Agua Caliente Casino

• 401 E Amado Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262.............888 999-1995 www.sparesortcasino.com • 32-250 Bob Hope Dr, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

84-245 Indio Springs Dr Indio, CA 92203.........................760 342-5000 www.fantasyspringsresort.com

Morongo Casino Resort & Spa

120 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760 318-3553 www.peepasps.com

Cut Barber

Daddy’s Barbershop

192 S Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92264.............760 537-1311 www.daddysbarbershop.com Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon 750 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 3 Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760-904-0434 www.psfinemenssalon.com

PET SUPPLIES Bones-N-Scones

49500 Seminole Dr. Cabazon, CA 92230...................800 252-4499 www.morongocasinoresort.com

633 S Palm Canyon Dr Suite #26 Palm Springs, CA 92264..............760 864-1133

CLOTHING

187 South Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262..............760 424-2006 www.pspetstore.com

GayMart

305 E Arenas Rd #6635 Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760 416-6436

Revivals

• 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA .......................760 318-6491

Cold Nose Warm Heart

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

• 68401 Hwy 111, Cathedral City, CA .....................760 969-5747

FINANCIAL ADVISORS Simon Hobbs California Financial Partners Inc. California...................................818 637-0180 simon@calfp.com

Pastry Swan Bakery

Destination PSP

170 North Palm Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760 354-9154 www.destinationpsp.com 301 N Palm Canyon Dr # 102 Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760 322-5049 www.greetingspalmsprings.com

METROSOURCE.COM

Peepa’s

1109 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760 322-2999 www.cutbarber.com

GIFTS

JUNE/JULY 2022

226 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760 322-8555 www.mischiefcardsandgifts.com

CASINO

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58

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HAIR SALONS

1775 E. Palm Canyon Road, Suite 150 Palm Springs, CA 92264..............760 322-2253 www.romanblas.com 70225 Highway 111 Suite A Rancho Mirage, CA 92270..........760 202-1213 www.pastryswan.com

515 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760 864-1300 www.bjustfabulous.com

35871 Date Palm Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234............760 8669660 www.enjoythevault.com

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

1 Tram Way Palm Springs, CA 92262..............888 515-8726 www.pstramway.com

Just Fabulous

DESERT AIDS PROJECT 1695 N. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 323-2118 www.desertaidsproject.org DESERT CARE NETWORK 760 561-7373 www.desertcarenetwork.com DESERT OASIS HEALTHCARE 275 North El Cielo Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 325-DOHC (3642) www.mydohc.com EISENHOWER HEALTH 39000 Bob Hope Drive Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 760 340-3911 eisenhowerhealth.org MICHAEL’S HOUSE 1910 S Camino Real Palm Springs, CA 92262 844 768-0633 www.michaelshouse.com

PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92264 760 416-5718 www.psanimalshelter.org PALM SPRINGS FRONT RUNNERS & WALKERS frontrunners.clubexpress.com STONEWALL GARDENS 2150 N. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 548-0970 www.stonewallgardens.com THE LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE DESERT 1301 North Palm Canyon Dr, 3rd Floor Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 416-7790 www.thecenterps.org