Metrosource LA - JUN/JUL 2020

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

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

(bik-TAR-vee)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:  Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.  Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections.

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

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you

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

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

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

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you:

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.

 Have or have had any kidney or liver problems,

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

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

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

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

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

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

counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

 BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other.

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

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

MyDailyCharge.com

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

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

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

visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

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

BVYC0197 03/20

CHAD LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2018 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT

KEEP CREATING.

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.

See Chad’s story at BIKTARVY.com.

Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

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

PRIDE LIVES IN US ALL A GLOBAL MOVEMENT EVEN IN THE FACE OF NEW AND UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES PRIDE 2020 CERTAINLY HAS A DIFFERENT LOOK THAN USUAL, due to in-person celebrations having been cancelled or postponed, but with this year being the 50th anniversary of Pride parades in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, the spirt of our community shines through. The LGBTQ+ community has had to confront repeated adversary, but our collective strength, unity, and perseverance, has made us stronger for it. Pride is something that resides in each of us every day, and something to, likewise, be celebrated every day. Festivities celebrating Pride month will continue virtually across the country, including the first virtual Global Pride.

NYC Pride has announced a special broadcast event on WABC Channel 7 to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Pride March held in 1970, on Sunday, June 28th from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. NYC Pride will be saluting the front-line workers alongside several leaders in the community being honored as Grand Marshals: Dan Levy, The Ali Forney Center, Yanzi Peng, and Victoria Cruz. Visit nycpride.org for all the details.

EDITOR’S LETTER

SF Pride is taking place Saturday and Sunday, June 27-28, 2020, with festivities including live performances, speeches from LGBTQ+ elected officials and thought leaders, highlights of the accomplishments of Pride’s 2020 Community Grand Marshals and Honorees, conversations, and reflections on 50 years of

PUBLISHER Bent Share Entertainment, LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Westman CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cesar A Reyes MARKETING DIRECTOR Christopher Jackson GRAPHIC DESIGNER Steven Garcia FEATURE WRITER Alexander Rodriguez CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Day

Steve Gottfried Desiree Guerrero Jeffrey James Keyes Debrorah L. Martin Eric Rosen Megan Venzin Michael Westman

the Pride movement, in a weekend-long tribute to LGBTQ+ solidarity. Visit sfpride.org for updates and more information.

LA Pride is also working on new and exciting initiatives that will be hosted on various digital platforms to create celebrations and appreciation for the community. Visit lapride.org for ongoing event information.

Including those mentioned above, Pride organizations around the world have come together to organize a ‘Global Pride’ event on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Global Pride will use online platforms to deliver a live-

NATIONAL DISPLAY ADVERTISING

Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com

stream Pride in which everyone can participate, wherever they are in the world, and will include festival

VIEWS

favorites -- musical performances, speeches, and key messages from human rights activists. This Global Pride event has been organized by InterPride and the European Pride Organizers Association - the world’s biggest international Pride networks. Together they are working with national organizations in Canada, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with other regional networks in southern Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America, to bring communities and Pride organizations together for this Global Pride event. You can read more about Global Pride and see photos from past Pride events in this issue of Metrosource.

With this 50th Anniversary of various Pride parades, and while we are celebrating our pride, we need to acknowledge and continue the work toward equality. Today, the LGTBQ population in the United States is

Bent Share Entertainment, LLC 6475 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., #438 Long Beach, CA 90803 800-818-0480

divided almost evenly – about half within states having made significant progress toward LGBTQ equality in many policy areas, including nondiscrimination, LGBTQ youth, and health care; and the other half in states lacking in these areas, some having discriminatory policies in employment, housing and those targeting transgender people. Changes over the last 10 years show progress, especially at the local level. But, while local ordinances are an important part of the larger picture, state and federal legislators must enact LGBTQ-inclusive protections to ensure that all citizens have equal rights and benefits. So, while we all show our pride in being who we are, let us not forget the critical nature of continuing the fight for equality in all our cities, counties, states, and the country.

A symbol of that fight for equality and our community was created by Gilbert Baker in 1978, when he created the original rainbow flag. When the rainbow pride flag was unveiled, its colors were hot pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo and violet. The best-known, six-stripe version of the rainbow pride flag was established in 1979, and still assigns a meaning to each color: red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for harmony and purple for spirit. The meanings behind the rainbow are as significant now, as they were when Baker conceived them over 40 years ago. So much so, that rainbows have been displayed in windows around the world to symbolize hope in fighting the global pandemic.

Subscriptions: One year (6 issues): $19.95; 12 issues: $34.95.

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. ©2020 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.

It is with that sense of pride, hope, and commitment, that everyone at Metrosource wishes you a very happy Pride season. Metrosource has served the LGBTQ community for 30 years, and our official 30th anniversary issue is coming this August/September, in which we will have a look back on our history as a

@metrosource @metrosource @metrosourcemag

publication and a community. Be sure to follow us on social media platforms: Facebook: metrosource Ins-

METROSOURCE.COM

tagram: metrosource and Twitter: @MetrosourceMag. Happy Pride!

4

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

CONTENTS

June/July 2020 | VOLUME 31, NO. 3

24 THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF LESLIE JORDAN • BETTY BY ERINSHALL • NYC PRIDE BY RIGHT FRAME PHOTO VIDEO

20 TEN QUEER FILM FESTIVALS

30

BRINGING THE COMMUNITY together through

entertaining, sophisticated films and filmmaking

24 BETTY THE UNOFFICIAL MUSIC OF PRIDE

35

30 LESLIE JORDAN PRIDE COMES IN ALL SIZES

35 PRIDE AROUND THE WORLD THE WORLD COMES TOGETHER for the first ever virtual

Global Pride

41 HEALTH WHEN LIFE GETS TOO LOUD, these yoga poses provide a

pleasant escape

ON THE COVER: Leslie Jordan courtesy photo METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

5

DEPARTMENTS

June/July 2020 | VOLUME 31, NO. 3

14

CULTURE

7 THE SCOPE Enjoy a Mediterranen lifetyle this summer with Faros Linen

10 HOME Your home office has suddenly become the important room in the house

14 BOOK

45

A Chat with author Byron Lane about his debut novel A Star Is Bored

17 BOOK Books to celebrate our PRIDE

19 SCREEN TV Birng back her all stars...

RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars

19 FINANCE Tips for charitable giving

6

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

BODY

EXCLUSIVELY LA

40 METRO HIV

50 MUSIC

Yes, you can be an HIV ally

Luciana & Sheehan Music Meets Fashion for a Cause

45 HEALTH Six serums for summer

48 WEDDING Make your wedding memorable with DIY

VIEWS

53 RESTAURANT Buy Local, Eat Global

55 BUSINESS DIRECTORY Our exclusive list of businesses catering to the LGBT community.

4 EDITOR’S LETTER

Pride Lives in us all 74 LAST CALL Reid Ewing Growing up in a Modern Family

57 COMMUNITY RESOURCES Organizations and resources for LA’s LGBTs.

THIS PAGE: IMAGE COURTESY OF LUCIANA • COURTESY OF BYRON LANE • PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAWPIXEL.COM

50 48

THESCOPE

CULTURE

THESCOPE

CURATED BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

WEAR IT

FAROS LINEN

ENJOY A MEDITERRANEN LIFETYLE THIS SUMMER

SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE, AND YOU’RE PROBABLY WONDERING HOW TO SPEND

THIS PAGE: PHOTOS COURTESY OF FAROS LINEN

YOUR EXTRA TIME. While you may not know what to do this season, you

should know what to wear, and that’s“simply the best summer shirt.“ Faros Linen is here to keep you cool as temperatures are set to rise everywhere.

Fine linen has a natural cooling effect and antibacterial properties. Therefore, there are no sweat stains or odor, and if you’re looking to increase the natural cooling effect, wear a larger size when it gets really hot. Elegant, yet casual, linen is known as a European super fiber and has proven itself as the oldest textile fibre of mankind. Even the ancient Egyptians valued linen for its purity. This fine material was reserved for people of high social status and was even used as a currency. For the ancient Greeks and Romans, the material was the most popular choice and used for beautiful draperies.

Shortly after its launch in 2019, the first Faros Linen collection was completely sold out by boutiques in Los Angeles, California. For summer

2020, the shirts are available in different summer colors with a buttondown collar, and soon available with a Mao collar. “Once you wear our linen shirts in summer, that’s all you ever want and need. The real all rounder works for almost any occasion, is cooling and airy even at high temperatures. Many think linen shirts are hard to care for and need to be ironed all the time: No, that is not at all the case. Our shirts are worn without ironing. Fine linen creases nobly, and that is what makes it so naturally classy. That’s why we show them wrinkled in our online shop. Wrinkled shirts are not for every man, and require some confidence to wear“, says Felix Israel, co-founder of Faros Linen.

So, all you’ll need to do is “Wash it, hang it, wear it“ and you’re set for online meetings and chats, and hopefully soon again for restaurants, beach clubs, beaches, festivals, boats and everything else we look forward to every summer. Available online at faroslinen.com.

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

7

STREAM IT

BECOMING

AN INTIMATE LOOK INTO THE LIFE OF FORMER FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA

8

personally but for the country she and her husband served over eight impactful years in the White House, BECOMING offers a rare and up-close look at former First Lady Michelle Obama’s life, taking viewers behind the scenes as she embarks on a 34-city tour that highlights the power of community to bridge our divides and the spirit of connection that comes when we openly and honestly share our stories.

“Those months I spent traveling — meeting and connecting with people in cities across the globe — drove home the idea that what we share in common is deep and real and can’t be messed with. In groups large and small, young and old, unique and united, we came together and shared stories, filling those spaces with our joys, worries, and dreams.

We processed the past and imagined a better future. In talking about the idea of ‘becoming,’ many of us dared to say our hopes out loud,” said Mrs. Obama.

Director Nadia Hallgren captures not just Mrs. Obama’s personal experience, but the experience of the communities and people she spent time with. “It’s easy to see how Mrs. Obama is able to stay grounded and down to earth,” says Hallgren.“It’s the same spirit and humor that she brought to rapt audiences in packed arenas and intimate spaces alike, reconnecting with people in a way she hadn’t been able to in years. That is what BECOMING is at its core: understanding that when you share the same fears, doubts, and joys as someone like Michelle Obama, all of our stories have equal power.”

Executive Producers Priya Swaminathan and Tonia Davis serve as co-heads of Higher Ground Productions, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company, in partnership with Netflix. President and Mrs. Obama formed Higher Ground to produce powerful stories to entertain, inform and inspire, and to lift up new, diverse voices in the entertainment industry. The company’s slate of upcoming projects includes a wide range of fiction and non-fiction signature productions for all audiences including scripted, unscripted, and documentary series, as well as full-length features and documentaries. Sundance Award winning documentary Crip Camp and Academy Award winning documentary American Factory are the first two titles from the company’s slate to premiere on the streaming service.

BECOMING is available on Netflix.

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

THIS PAGE: PHOTOS COURTESY OF NETFLIX

CULTURE

THESCOPE

DURING A MOMENT OF PROFOUND CHANGE, not only for her

SNACK IT

BUBBA’S FINE FOODS POTATO CHIPS PREPARE TO MEET YOUR MAKER: BUBBA’S CLASSIC SEA SALT ‘NANA CHIPS

PALEO SNACK BRAND BUBBA’S FINE FOODS ANNOUNCED THEY WILL BE LAUNCHING A NEW FLAVOR IN THEIR OATFREE AND GRAIN-FREE UNGRANOLA LINE. Bubba’s, whose

SIP IT

SIP AND SAVOR

PAIRS BEST WITH DIVERSITY LGBTQ PRIDE CELEBRATIONS WILL BE TAKING A UNIQUE APPROACH FOR 2020 WITH EVERYONE

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF HOUSE WINE • PHOTO COURTESY OF BUBBA’S FINE FOODS

SOCIAL DISTANCING ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

However, that will not stop our vibrant community from expressing Pride from home.

All over, we are adapting to the “new normal” by attending classes, meetings, birthdays, and parties virtually. June is Pride Month, and instead of cancelling celebrating our history and fabulousness, we’ll just have to get a little more creative than we already are.You may have the perfect rainbow attire already tucked away in your closets, but do you have the bubbles and chocolate to accompany your celebration?

House Wine and Seattle Chocolate Co have partnered to bring you wine and chocolates in their PRIDE Rainbow Rosé Bubbles and Truffles Bag. Pop open a can of bright, fruity, and flavorful Rosé Bubbles, and pair with assorted colorful rainbow truffles. Your mouth will be buzzing especially with the Champagne Truffle - you’ll know what we mean after you try it – but here is a hint… it’s delicious!

Enjoy your House Wine Rainbow Rosé Bubbles and Seattle Chocolate’s Pride Truffle Bag knowing that your purchase is also contributing to the Human Rights Campaign and GSBA

Scholarship Fund. House Wines will be giving a portion of each package sold to HRC. Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer equity. Since 1980, they have been fighting for a better future for LGBTQ Americans. With a grassroots force of more than 3 million members and supporters nationwide, the HRC is working every day to counter attacks on the LGBTQ community and work toward full equality. Seattle Chocolate Co is donating a percentage of sales from the Pride Truffle Bag to the GSBA Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to LGBTQ and allied students who exhibit leadership potential, demonstrate strong academic abilities, and are actively involved in their schools and community.

WHAT YOU GET: • Seattle Chocolate’s Pride Truffle Bag (12 oz bag of assorted truffles); and • Four House Wine Rainbow Pride Rosé Bubbles Cans (the equivalent of two bottles of wine).

Order online through July 2020, at www.orginalhousewine.com.

claim to fame is their use of prebiotic-packed green Saba bananas that give that perfect crispy crunch without the banana flavor, is fully giving in to the allure of the classic yellow fruit with their new Bananas Foster UnGranola. This fresh breakfast and on-the-go snack option is Bubba’s first to feature nutrient-rich walnuts and will get that decadent Bananas Foster flavor from pureed bananas, smooth vanilla extract, and a dash of rum. Packed with vitamins and minerals your body will be thanking you with every tasty crunch. Not only will your taste buds soar, but you’ll be fueling up with protein rich almonds, cashews, pecan, sunflower seeds, and walnuts. And if Paleo is your thing, Bubba’s Bananas Foster is just for you.

If savory is more in line with what you like, then you’ll love their Classic Sea Salt ‘Nana Chips. But you’ll have to wait until they hit the shelves in October. “The data was all there at our fingertips: people love sea salt!”explained Bubba’s CEO and co-founder Jeff Schmidgal. “Our preference for big, bold flavors prevented us from even contemplating a ‘sea salt’ flavor, but the sales numbers have shown something far different. All of our retailers are going to want to add this one to their lineup.” Bubba’s new flavor is created with only four real food ingredients. Nutrientrich green Saba bananas are cooked crisp and crunchy in coconut oil, to deliver that addictive potato chip crunch without the guilt. The crisps are then polished to perfection with apple cider vinegar and a dash of sea salt, creating Bubba’s Classic Sea Salt ‘Nana Chips.

Available for purchase at bubbasfoods.com, Amazon, Natural Grocers, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, King Soopers, and select retailers nationwide. Follow @bubbasfoods on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

9

HOMEWORK Your home office has suddenly become the most important room in the house

AT HOME

BY DEBORAH L. MARTIN

BODY

Humanscale’s Float table and Trea chair are perfect for a small office space. humanscale.com

FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO

The cordless Setago desk lamp is designed to go anywhere. ameico.com

BE ABLE TO DO OUR JOBS REMOTELY, holding

10

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

The Melt desk by Roche Bobois has fluid, elegant lines. roche-bobois.com

off at the end of the day can help make it easier to create a sustainable work/life balance.

Once you have settled on a space, it is time to think about your decor. Color is a great way to add some pizzazz. Choose a color that complements the rest of your home, especially if your office is part of a larger room. Just because it is work doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Paint or paper one wall as a focal point or feature wall. Or, add color by painting the interior of your bookshelves.

Choosing furniture is important to making a comfortable and productive space. A desk or table should be sturdy and functional, but it doesn’t have to be utilitarian. The Melt desk by Roche Bobois has elegant lines that float, making it a modern and luxurious statement. HBF’s OEO Simple writing desk and Essens chair evoke Danish design and have slim profiles and clean lines. If you are tired of sitting, convert your surface to a standing desk with Humanscale’s Quickstand Eco, which is compatible

THIS PAGE: COURTESY IMAGES

Zoom meetings and doing paperwork on the bed doesn’t cut it anymore. A dedicated space, even if it is just a corner of the bedroom or an unused hallway, can be the difference between a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of desperation.

Besides Wi-Fi, the basic needs - a desk, seating, lighting, and storage - are the main features of a successful office. And since you are going to be spending a lot of time at “work/home,” why not make your space both chic and comfortable by adding personal touches like color, pattern, and personal style.

Ideally, the space you choose should have a door to keep distractions at bay. But if that isn’t possible, consider hanging a curtain to divide the space. When the curtain is closed, everyone understands that office hours are in session. Work/life balance is harder to maintain when you work from home, household demands can get in the way of the work responsibilities, and the workday can stretch into the evening hours before you know it.

Having a dedicated space with a way to close it

The Primordial bookshelf by Roche Bobois adds visual interest with its organic shape. roche-bobois.com

HBF’s Simple writing desk and Essen chair are designed by OEO Studio and evoke Danish design. HBF.com

Germany’s Midgard is celebrating 100 years by reissuing some of their most successful designs, like the Bauhaus TYP 113 lamp. midgard.com

Humanscale is renowned for their ergonomic and eco-conscious designs. The Quickstand Eco expands to make any surface a standing desk. humanscale.com

with both laptops and single or dual monitors. The brand’s Trea chair is inspired by simple, natural forms. Its contoured shell, inspired by the exoskeleton of a lobster, encourages healthy posture and it seamlessly adapts to the body’s movement.

When it comes to lighting, have multiple, adjustable sources to avoid eyestrain. Overhead lights, desktop task lighting, and diffused light are all important in your office environment. German lighting company Midgard has been making task

lighting for 100 years. The inventor of the articulated scissor arm light, the brand’s designs were popular with architects and designers such as Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. To mark the company’s 100th year, they are reissuing the iconic Bauhaus TYP 113 whip lamp, that combines elegant style with industrial functionality. For a different look, the Setago desk lamp by AMEICO is tiny but mighty. The best part is that it is cordless and can be recharged by plugging in to a USB port, so you don’t have to use

valuable wall plugs to light your space. Designed

by Jaime Hayon, the mushroom-shaped lamp is designed to go anywhere you need to shed a little light.

Storage in your home office is key. A messy desk may be the sign of a brilliant mind, but it really isn’t the way to go when you must combine daily life with work life. A bookshelf with space for file baskets can be functional and beautiful at the same time and can be customized with paint or wallpaper. If you have the luxury of a little space, the Primordial bookshelf from Roche Bobois, designed by Raphael Navot, and made of molded polyurethane adds an organic, space-age dose of style.

If working from home is the wave of the future, making sure that your space is functional and beautiful will be key to keeping your work life satisfying and productive.

■ METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

11

WARNING: Cigar smoking can cause lung cancer and heart disease.

WARNING: Cigar smoking can cause lung cancer and heart disease. © John Middleton Co. 2020

NB270-B2

BOOKS CULTURE

BYRON LANE

Author, Playwright, Screenwriter… and Princess Leia’s Assistant THE REAL LIFE OF BYRON LANE READS LIKE SOME FANTASTICAL,

hard to imagine book so it’s more than fitting that he pays homage to his own life with his debut novel A Star Is Bored, that could also have been titled A Reader is Never Bored. I read my advance copy in one sitting. Geared toward the same fans of The Devil Wears Prada and a prior generation’s Postcards from the Edge, this book is the perfect quarantine companion with delicious celebrity name dropping, stuck up personal assistants, self-realization, daddy issues, gay dating gone wrong, witty comebacks, and even cameos by Debbie Reynolds - I mean a classic Hollywood diva.

At the center of it all is our protagonist, Charlie Beeson, who, after a completely absurd interview, lands a job working as a personal assistant for an eccentric, Sci-Fi Princess of yesterday with an addiction to coke – Coke Zero that is. Allegedly.

What you get is a love story of sorts, between a writer and an actress, two lonely people obsessed with film life and obsessed with the need to be loved. It’s a story of friendship and despite the diva

14

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

spin to it all, there is a lot of heart in this book. When you finish it, you feel a little sad, a little hopeful, and a little sassy. We also get to see the underbelly of the personal assistant world, fraught with depression, smoke and mirrors, and self-giving with a sense of worth and loyalty – you would do anything for your boss from getting them water from the highest mountain spring or bury a body in the backyard – without question.

Lane worked for Carrie Fisher for several years and lovingly thanks her for the inspiration for this book as well as her friendship. I am a huge Carrie Fisher fan and an even bigger Debbie Reynolds aficionado, so it was almost impossible to read A Star Is Bored without thinking of anyone else but Fisher as the book’s galaxy princess Kathi Kannon. The Hollywood scene is merely a backdrop to tell the story of how these two people needed each other for this part of their life’s journey.

This is not a tell-all though, it is fiction, and there are no dirty Hollywood secrets being exploited. The only deep dark secrets

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF BYRON LANE

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

come from the protagonist. Knowing Bryon’s real-life history, I had to put the book down and fire off some questions to Byron directly.

Did you have any trepidation with being so open with the character’s personal issues, such as suicidal thoughts, depression, and a wonky father relationship?

I like being open. I’m learning that being too guarded seems to hold me back from really connecting with myself and others. Honesty seems to serve me, and it seems to serve others, too. The truth is we all have bad days or tough decades, and I find that whenever I talk about my struggles, people are like “ME TOO!”And that kind of connection - to know we are all in it together - is really a treasure. The opposite, closing down and hiding, kind of robs me (and maybe others) of that treasure. The older I get, the less I try to be at war with reality. I saw a quote spray-painted on the sidewalk in LA and I love it: “Live THIS life.”And I take that to mean living honestly and openly with the life we have, and not dwelling on the life we wish we had.

What was your creative process for writing the book?

Working for Carrie Fisher saved my life. She was a star in every sense of the word, a bright force in the life of everyone who knew her. And when she died, it just felt like a profound loss.

My creative process was fueled by a desire to keep her alive, even if just in my heart, even if just in shadows of a character in a novel. Our experiences together were just too important to me, too magical and otherworldly to not share some version of our friendship. I felt like I had to do it. And the book poured out of that.

How did you change the most, personally, from day one of writing the book?

It was very healing and joyful to write about experiences inspired by my time with Carrie. It helped me with grieving her death. She was the first major death of someone who was close to me. And I think that changes a person. But she used to say,“Take your broken heart and make art.” So, I did. And I did it with a full heart.

What was your first thought when you held your first copy of your debut novel in your hand?

By the time I held the book, I had already had my fits of crying from happiness - when my agent signed me, when my editor came on board, and especially when the first industry reviews were loving. So, by the time I held it, my first thought was actually,“Oh, thank god this is a normal size!” [Laughs] I wish it were something more profound! But because of coronavirus, mailing me a copy was delayed, and other book industry people were getting their copies of my book before me and I kept seeing them post pictures and for some reason, I thought my book looked HUGE in their hands. Like, it was oversized or something. Maybe they just had tiny hands LOL. I don’t know. Anyway, what a relief when I finally got a copy and it wasn’t the size of a coffee table!

The book is full of delicious tidbits of Hollywood royalty and name dropping. Do you ever get star struck at this point? Has working in Hollywood tarnished that a bit?

Oh, for sure. My ability to be starstruck is definitely dulled. I think my last

big celebrity moment was meeting Lily Tomlin many years ago. I’m a huge fan of hers and used to watch and re-watch the film Big Business as a kid. I was in Beverly Hills crossing a street and talking on my cell phone and she was coming towards me and I instantly hung up my call and said to her,“Excuse me, I love you! I loved you in Big Business!”And she was so lovely, and she did the signature“You can’t out-snake me”wrist shake thing from the film and I died.

[Laughs] I think it was so special because she was part of my childhood and she was one of the first celebs I met when I moved to Los Angeles. Nowadays, my being starstruck is limited to simply being impressed when a big celebrity is even nominally kind.

Describe three things that working with Carrie taught you about life.

1) Don’t take life too seriously. Everything with Carrie was an absolute blast. Even the boring stuff was typically good for a laugh or two. 2) Everything is funny eventually. Humor is the best drug. Sometimes things happen that suck. But time and a good attitude can go a long way to healing with humor. 3) Wear your favorite sweater to the gym. I grew up in a lower-income family, so the idea of wearing a $300 sweater (or any clothing of any real value) to the gym was unheard of. But Carrie didn’t think twice about it. If it was there and she loved it and felt like wearing it, she did. She lived life at full force.

Why not wear your favorite sweater or sneakers or eyeglasses today? Enjoy this life, now. What if there is no tomorrow? Plus, I’ve had sweaters I loved and didn’t wear because I waited for a special occasion, and when one finally came it was too small or had moth holes in it. Do not waste a moment of feeling - or wearing - some happiness. Life is too short.

Where were you when you first heard Carrie had passed?

How did you work through that grief, mentally and creatively?

I had taken another personal assistant job and was at work when I found out. She had already been in the hospital by this point and I knew it wasn’t looking good. My phone started with texts and emails. And that is how I found out. I was washing dishes for my new employer at the time and had to leave. I don’t think I have ever cried like that, where the tears just felt pushed out of me. I am lucky that I had a great support system in my boyfriend and goods friends and many tools to cope with such things from years of therapy. It was such a shitty time. That night I took a bath and typed out a little tribute in the notes app on my phone and put it on Facebook. I just wanted the world to know a little about the real her. And it helped to know I was not grieving alone.

From working as Princess Leia’s assistant, Bryon has carved out his own success in Hollywood and beyond. He’s a regional Emmy Award winner for his work as a TV news journalist (pre-Carrie), and his oddly premised show Tilda Swinton Answers An Ad On Craigslist has been a megahit internationally with Hollywood biggies praising it left and right – yes, the show is literally about Tilda answering Craigslist ads. He also wrote and co-starred in the film Herpes Boy, starring Octavia Spencer, and winning a Comic Con award for Best Comedy. Once again using his real life as an inspiration, his web series Last METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

15

BOOKS CULTURE

16

THE TRUTH IS WE ALL HAVE BAD DAYS OR TOUGH DECADES, AND I FIND THAT WHENEVER I TALK ABOUT MY STRUGGLES, PEOPLE ARE LIKE “ME TOO!” AND THAT KIND OF CONNECTION - TO KNOW WE ARE ALL IN IT TOGETHER - IS REALLY A TREASURE.

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

Will & Testicle details his testicular cancer diagnosis which Cosmopolitan Magazine called “fearless”. His cancer has since come back.

In today’s current social, political, and health environment, do you think you would be able to go back to work as a TV News journalist?

I cannot imagine doing it again. Current news reporters out there are doing a lot with truly little.

There’s low pay, high demand, high stress, horrible hours. It is thankless and the institution is under constant assault - big conservative companies buying up all the local stations and forcing an agenda, for example. I think the future of news is going to be hyper-local, like a version of journalism born out of apps like NextDoor. There’s demand for local-locallocal news and no one is really delivering. But leave me out of it! I don’t want to do it! [Laughs] When I first read about a play called Tilda Swinton Answers An Ad On Craigslist, I first thought, “what the hell?” This has become a phenomenon unto itself. You named your dog, Tilda, now this play. Why Tilda? Why are you so obsessed with her? Does she need to get a restraining order?

I am less obsessed with the real Tilda Swinton and more enchanted by the idea of her. Her public persona is very ethereal and mysterious, and I love things that warp reality. Naming my dog Tilda came first. My boyfriend and I were adopting from the Lange Foundation and we found a terrier who was blonde and beautiful in a high-fashion way and my boyfriend suggested we name her after Tilda, and it was so perfect. And then I wondered what life would be like living with the real Tilda Swinton and the play was born from that.

You worked with Octavia Spencer in a film you wrote, Herpes Boy. Do you know if she is looking for a personal assistant? Asking for a friend. From working with Octavia, what is the craziest thing you think she would ask her assistant to do?

[Laughing] I don’t know if she’s looking, but she is so busy, I hope she has one or two assistants helping. I can tell you from my time with her that she is a joyous, kind, beautiful person. She is generous in every way, talented on every level, and brings absolute brilliance to everything she touches. I can’t imagine her making any crazy requests. I bet she is a blast to work for! Hell, it’s a blast just to be in the same room with her!

Ok, let’s talk Last Will & Testicle. Getting a cancer diagnosis at such an early age is not something that is normal to deal with. How did this change your way of thinking about life?

Well, I had my first testicular cancer diagnosis 5 years ago and now it’s back. I’m in chemo infusion right now. A recent routine test showed the cancer

came back in some lymph nodes. It’s a drag but the prognosis is great, chemo hasn’t been too horrible yet, and I’m in good spirits. This kind of thing forces you to focus on what is important in life. I am thankful for the wisdom. I wish I could have found such clarity without cancer and chemo but it’s okay. This is what life looks like. The first time I was diagnosed I made the Last Will & Testicle web series. I’m not sure yet which form of art this new round of treatment might bring.

Where do you go from here?

I am writing more books and I would love to maybe write another play, or maybe a mockumentarystyle sitcom with my castmates from Tilda Swinton Answers An Ad On Craigslist. Those guys are brilliant and crazy-talented and we’ve had so many adventures doing the show around the world - from the five of us sharing a tiny flat in London to the five of us performing the show for one rich lady in her mansion to try to get her to invest in us. I think the world would love to see the crazy places we performed and the idiotic mishaps on stage. And I would do anything to have those actors as my co-workers every day!

As a super fan of Debbie Reynolds (I’m the only one who requests to sing Tammy at karaoke), I must know, what is the one memory that sticks out from meeting her?

She was the best! We all called her Miss Debbie.

My favorite memory of her was getting to see her perform. I think it was one of her last shows and she had requested Carrie attend, so I went along, too. I think it was a small auditorium in Phoenix or something.

She still did small shows - performing was her passion, no matter the venue. She was a STAR. Hilarious and charming. I sat behind the curtain, on the floor backstage with Carrie, who told me that when she was a girl, that was how she watched her mother’s shows-sitting on the floor, from the wings. It was sweet.

Debbie didn’t miss a beat on stage and wore fancy, heavy beaded gowns the whole time. She could have worn more modern, light-weight stuff but she wanted the real deal. Nothing about her was fake--not even the wardrobe. She always thought her fans deserved the absolute best. During intermission, it was clear the performance was taking a toll. But, swollen feet and exhausted, she got right back up when it was time to go back into the lights. And no one in the audience was any wiser. I am so lucky I got to see that. You would have loved her. Everyone did.

A Star is Bored hits shelves in July, grab your copy, and grab a Coke Zero.

■

FIND EVERYTHING BYRON LANE AT WWW.BYRONLANE.COM INSTAGRAM: @BYRONLANEDOTCOM TWITTER: @BYRONLANE

LOVE WINS THE LOVERS AND LAWYERS WHO FOUGHT THE LANDMARK CASE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Written by Debbie Cenziper and Jim Obergefell

QUEER X DESIGN 50 YEARS OF SIGNS, SYMBOLS, BANNERS, LOGOS, AND GRAPHIC ART OF LGBTQ

Written by Andy Campbell with Laura Davis-Chanin

THE FIRST-EVER ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE

THIS PAGE: COURTESY IMAGES

ICONIC DESIGNS, SYMBOLS, and graphic art

representing more than five decades of LGBTQ pride and activism. Beginning with preliberation and the years before the Stonewall uprising, spanning across the 1970s and 1980s and through to the new millennium, Queer X Design celebrates the inventive and subversive designs that have powered the resilient and ever-evolving LGBTQ movement.

The diversity and inclusivity of these pages is as inspiring as it is important, both in terms of the objects represented as well as in the array of creators; from buttons worn to protest Anita Bryant, to the original ‘The Future is Female’ and ‘Lavender Menace’ t-shirt; from the logos of Pleasure Chest and GLAAD, to the poster for

Cheryl Dunye’s queer classic The Watermelon Woman; from Gilbert Baker’s iconic rainbow flag, to the quite laments of the AIDS quilt and the impassioned rage conveyed in ACT-UP and Gran Fury ephemera.

More than just an accessible history book, Queer X Design tells the story of queerness as something intangible, uplifting, and indestructible. Found among these pages is sorrow, loss, and struggle; an affective selection that queer designers and artists harnessed to bring about political and societal change. But here is also: joy, hope, love, and the enduring fight for free expression and representation.

Queer X Design is the potent, inspiring, and colorful visual history of activism and pride.

(Available on Amazon.com)

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

CULTURE

of the lovers, lawyers, judges and activists behind the groundbreaking Supreme Court case that led to one of the most important, national civil rights victories in decades— the legalization of same-sex marriage.

In June 2015, the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage the law in all fifty states in a decision as groundbreaking as Roe v Wade and Brown v Board of Education. Through insider accounts and access to key players, this definitive account reveals the dramatic and previously unreported events behind Obergefell v Hodges and the lives at its center. This is a story of law and love—and a promise made to a dying man who wanted to know how he would be remembered.

Twenty years ago, Jim Obergefell and John Arthur fell in love in Cincinnati, Ohio, a place where gays were routinely picked up by police and fired from their jobs. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government had to provide married gay couples all the benefits offered to straight couples. Jim and John—who was dying from ALS—flew to Maryland, where same-sex marriage was legal. But back home, Ohio refused to recognize their union, or even list Jim’s name on John’s death certificate. Then they met Al Gerhardstein, a courageous attorney who had spent nearly three decades advocating for civil rights and who now saw an opening for the cause that few others had before him.

This forceful and deeply affecting narrative—Part Erin Brockovich, part Milk, part Still Alice—chronicles how this grieving man and his lawyer, against overwhelming odds, introduced the most important gay rights case in U.S. history. It is an urgent and unforgettable account that will inspire readers for many years to come.

(Available on Amazon.com)

BOOKS

THE FASCINATING AND VERY MOVING STORY

17

TASTY PRIDE 75 RECIPES AND STORIES FROM THE QUEER FOOD COMMUNITY

Written by Jesse Szewczyk and Tasty

CULTURE

BOOKS

BE PROUD, BE LOUD, BE FLAVORFUL. From the beloved, fiercely inclusive BuzzFeed cooking brand comes 75 innovative recipes and inspiring stories from prominent LGBTQ+ cooks and foodies.

Tasty has always been the place to turn for good eats. Now, it’s also the place to turn for a community.

Here, stories of love, pride, and acceptance—and the important role that food can play in that journey— accompany the innovative yet totally doable recipes you know to expect from Tasty.

Compiled by food writer Jesse Szewczyk and contributed by 75 cooks and celebrities from across the queer community such as Ted Allen, Anita Lo, and Rick Martinez, these recipes are not only delicious, but also meaningful. These folks bring you the dishes they love most, from Taco Potatoes with Spicy Ground Turkey to Everything Bagel Beignets, and from Beer-Steamed Crabs with Spicy Vinegar Dipping Sauce and Corn Salad to Fudgy Miso Brownies.

Pull up a chair and take your seat at the table with Tasty Pride. (Available on Amazon.com)

WE ARE EVERYWHERE PROTEST, POWER, AND PRIDE IN THE HISTORY OF QUEER LIBERATION

Written by Leighton Brown

HAVE PRIDE IN HISTORY. A RICH AND SWEEPING PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY

the massively popular Instagram account @lgbt_history, was released in time for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Through the lenses of protest, power, and pride, We Are Everywhere is an essential and empowering introduction to the history of the fight for queer liberation.

Combining exhaustively researched narrative with meticulously curated photographs, the book traces queer activism from its roots in late-nineteenth-century Europe--long before the pivotal Stonewall Riots of 1969--to the gender warriors leading the charge today. Featuring more than 300 images from more than seventy photographers and twenty archives, this inclusive and intersectional book enables us to truly see queer history unlike anything before, with glimpses of activism in the decades preceding and following Stonewall, family life, marches, protests, celebrations, mourning, and Pride. By challenging many of the assumptions that dominate mainstream LGBTQ+ history, We Are Everywhere shows readers how they can--and must--honor the queer past in order to shape our liberated future. (Available at rizzolibookstore.com.)

18

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

THIS PAGE: COURTESY IMAGES

OF THE QUEER Liberation Movement, from the creators and curators of

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS

ACT, SING, DANCE, SEW, AND LIP SYNC FOR THEIR LEGACY. The last queen standing will waltz away

with the “All Stars” crown, a spot in the “Drag Race Hall of Fame” and a cash prize of $100,000.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” will premiere Friday, June 5th at 8PM ET/PT on VH1. “For All Stars 5, we’ve come up with a new twist that is so twisted it’s guaranteed to twist your twisted minds,” said four-time Emmy® Award-winning host and executive producer RuPaul.

5 to prove she is stronger than yesterday! She is ready to display the full spectrum of her drag and snatch her spot in the “Drag Race Hall of Fame.”

INDIA FERRAH (SEASON 3)

Twitter: @IndiaFerrah, Instagram: @IndiaFerrah

The 10 queens returning to the runway to compete for a spot in the “Drag Race Hall of Fame” are:

India came into season three with over-the-top glam looks, but was critiqued for having an underthe-radar personality. She’s gone down in herstory for being picked up by another queen during a lip sync for her life. On “All Stars” 5, this high-kicking queen is ready to pick up where she left off and remind everyone that Drag is not a contact sport!

ALEXIS MATEO (SEASON 3, ALL STARS 1)

JUJUBEE (SEASON 2, ALL STARS 1)

Twitter: @AlexisMateo79, Instagram: @Miss_Alexis_Mateo

Twitter: @Jujuboston, Instagram: @Jujubeeonline

BAM! Alexis Mateo came to season three and made it to the top three before being eliminated.

She got her second chance competing in a team on “All Stars” 1, but again fell short of the crown.

Now the jig is up! Alexis is back for “All Stars” 5 to secure her spot in the “Drag Race Hall of Fame!”

Sickening, no?

Jujubee first dazzled the world with her humor, heart and beauty on season two and then again on All Stars season one. But despite her efforts, Jujubee has never made it to the top. What about her?! What about Jujubee?! Is “All Stars” 5 her chance to prove the third time really is the charm?

“Drag Race” party on season 10! She started strong, winning the very first challenge, but a peck of pickle problem put her in the bottom, and she sashayed away too soon. Now this L.A. favorite is back to stake her claim on the Hall of Fame. Is it finally Miller time?

MIZ CRACKER (SEASON 10)

Twitter: @Miz_Cracker, Instagram: @Miz_Cracker “Okay, it’s time for Cracker!” Season 10’s selfdescribed Jewish Barbie brought smarts and sass to the game – even as she struggled to get out of her head. Now this blonde, beloved New Yorker is back to take a crack at the “All Stars” crown!

CULTURE

VIEWERS WILL GET A CHANCE TO SEE THEIR FAVORITES

SCREEN TV

VH1 “ru-veals” the queens sashaying back to the runway to compete in the fifth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars”

ONGINA (SEASON 1)

Twitter: @Ongina, Instagram: @Ongina On season one, Ongina captured the hearts of millions with her charisma, uniqueness, nerve, talent and beautiful bald head! Now this high energy Queen is back for “All Stars” 5! Will she make up for lost time and take her spot in the “Drag Race Hall of Fame?”

MARIAH PARIS BALENCIAGA (SEASON 3) BLAIR ST. CLAIR (SEASON 10)

Twitter: @BlairStClair, Instagram: @Blairst.Clair

Twitter: @MUG4DAYZ, Instagram: @MUG4DAYZ

DERRICK BARRY (SEASON 8)

On season three, Mariah, aka Mariah Paris Balenciaga, aka Mariah Successful, was known for her beauty, grace, and mug 4 dayz! She was eliminated after underperforming in Snatch Game, but now Mariah is back on “All Stars” 5 to show the world that this versatile ball queen is ready to take the grand prize!

Twitter: @DerrickBarry, Instagram: @DerrickBarry

MAYHEM MILLER (SEASON 10)

She do declare! It’s Blair St. Clair! Since season 10, this young queen has really grown and “glownup,” and now she’s ready to be your star! Will she shine bright enough to take the “All Stars” crown?

It’s Derrick, B*tch! On season eight, Derrick Barry struggled to show she’s more than just a Britney Spears impersonator. Derrick is back on “All Stars”

SHEA COULEÉ (SEASON 9)

Twitter: @SheaCoulee, Instagram: @SheaCoulee Chicago in the house! Shea Couleé came to season nine to SLAY not PLAY! And “slay” she did, snatching four wins on her way to the Grand Finale, before a shocking shower of rose petals sent her packin’. Equal parts bougie and banjie, this polished powerhouse now has her eyes on the “All Stars” prize!

■

Twitter: @TheOnlyMayhem, Instagram: @TheOnlyMayhem

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON “RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS”

The drama is here! Mayhem Miller crashed the

AND UP-TO-DATE NEWS, VISIT WWW.VH1.COM.

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

19

TEN QUEER FILM FESTIVALS BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER

THROUGH ENTERTAINING, SOPHISTICATED FILMS AND FILMMAKING

BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES CINEPHILES AND FILMMAKERS ALIKE CANNOT WAIT TO GET BACK TO THE MOVIE THEATRES AFTER BEING ISOLATED FOR MUCH OF THE SPRING. While film fes-

CULTURE

CINEMA

tivals from the first half of 2020 have either postponed or moved to online streaming platforms, there are still many to look forward to in 2020. Ever year more queer film festivals pop up, and crowds come out of the woodwork to take in what might be the next Kinky Boots, Eastsiders, or Call Me By Your Name. Here are ten LGBTQIA+ Film Festivals to get excited about.

OUTFEST JUNE 16-26, 2020 Outfest.org The Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival is an 11-day lineup of world-class films, panels, and parties celebrating the queer experience. Join in the celebration of over 200 feature and short films.

Outfest, founded in 1982, has screened over 6,500 international films for audiences of well over half a million people. Often considered the preeminent LGBTQ film festival in the world, the festival is the largest and oldest film festival in Los Angeles.

Last year’s lineup included Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts, Circus of Books, Before You Know It, and Gay Chorus Deep South.

20

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

QFLIX PHILADELPHIA JULY 12-19, 2020 qflixphilly.com qFLIX Philadelphia, a production of qFLIX USA, Inc., was founded in 2014. This year’s lineup will include an opening night showing of Straight Up, written, directed, and starring James Sweeney. The opening night will follow with the Black & Pink Gala, kicking off a lineup of films like Tu Me Manques, Sell By, and Disclosure direct from Sundance. Festival awards will include the Marsha P. Johnson Inspiration Award to Laverne Cox, the festival’s Rising Star Award to Ben Bauer, and the Artistic Achievement in Acting Award to Haaz Sleiman. The festival will close with the East Coast premiere of Breaking Fast.

OUTSOUTH QUEER FILM FESTIVAL AUGUST 23-16, 2020 carolinatheatre.org/

HONOLULU RAINBOW FILM FESTIVAL AUGUST 13-16, 2020 hglcf.org Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival (HRFF), one of the longest-running queer film festivals in the country, will celebrate its 31st anniversary this year.

Known as a bridge from Hawaii, the Pacific Islands and Asia to mainland USA, HRFF is a member of the Asia Pacific Queer Film Festival Alliance.

HRFF uses the power of film to raise awareness, engage, energize, and instill a sense of pride and respect in Hawaii’s thriving lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and Māhū community. Presented annually by the Honolulu Gay and Lesbian Cultural Foundation, filmmakers are welcomed to the festival with the friendly spirit of aloha. Screenings are held at the buzzing Doris Duke Theater, and last year’s red carpet brought stars like Shangela and Gia Gunn from RuPaul’s Drag Race to the islands. You never know who might show up and turn it out at this year’s HRFF!

The North Carolina Gay + Lesbian Film Festival (NCGLFF: 1996-2019) was renamed as the OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival. The inaugural event is scheduled for August 13-16, 2020. The OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival is the second largest queer, lesbian, gay and transgender film festival in the Southeast, attracting thousands of patrons to downtown Durham every August. Since beginning in 1995, as QFest and running from 1996-2019 as the North Carolina Gay + Lesbian Film Festival, this event has always featured a diverse array of shorts, documentaries, and feature films. Discover Durham named this festival a Signature Event for Durham, the highest honor bestowed on a cultural event or attraction by the organization. OUTSOUTH celebrates a worldwide glimpse of today’s queer, lesbian, gay and transgender life, helps bring the community together and features entertaining and sophisticated films and filmmaking.

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

21

CULTURE

CINEMA

CINEMA DIVERSE: THE PALM SPRINGS LGBTQ FILM FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 17 - 20, 2020 psculturalcenter.org/filmfest The desert is calling, and the cinephiles always come out of the woodwork for Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival. The festival, dedicated to advancing and further strengthening our diverse gay community through the establishment of a world-class forum that presents lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender cinema from around the world. The 2019 festival featured films like Last Ferry, Del Shores Six Characters in Search of a Play, and Scream Queen: My Nightmare on Elm Street. This year will mark its 13th year, and Cinema Diverse will bring together film artists, film lovers and industry professionals in a celebration of motion pictures that reflect, inform, enrich, and often transform lives.

REELING: THE CHICAGO LGBTQ+ INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 24 -OCTOBER 4, 2020 reelingfilmfestival.org

OUT ON FILM, ATLANTA’S LGBT FILM FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 3, 2020 outonfilm.org Out on Film, Atlanta’s LGBT Film Festival, will hold their 33rd annual festival this fall, showcasing 75-100 films including narratives, documentaries, and short films. The festival, which started as part of IMAGE Film and Video and later the Atlanta Film Festival broke off on its own in 2008, becoming an 11-day celebration of LGBTQ stories and artists. The festival, an Oscar qualifying film festival, received the 2018 Beacon Award for Community Engagement from the Arts ATL Luminary Awards.

22

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival is the second longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival of its kind. The festival aims to showcase award-winning international feature films, social documentaries, and experimental shorts. The first Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival took place in April 1981 in Chicago Filmmakers’ screening room. The festival sold out almost every screening, leaving audiences ready for more. Last year’s festival included films like: Where We Go From Here, The Blonde One, and Sid & Judy.The mission of Reeling is to recognize the important artistic contributions that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender filmmakers have made to our culture; to educate the general population and sensitize them to lesbian, gay and transgender issues; to investigate the history of LGBTQ+ film, including the stereotyping that has been a major part of this history; and to counteract this stereotyping with valid, meaningful and diverse LGBTQ+ stories. This year will be the 38th year of the festival.

FRAMELINE44, THE SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL LGBTQ+ FILM FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 21, 2020 frameline.org The 44th installment of Frameline, the San Francisco LGBTQ+ Film Festival has been postponed until the fall. Frameline’s mission is to change the world through the power of queer cinema. The festival pays tribute to LGBTQ+ experiences through documentaries, features, shorts, classics, and more. As a media art non-profit, Frameline’s programs connect filmmakers and audiences in San Francisco and around the world. Founded in 1977, the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival is the longest-running, largest, and most widely recognized queer film exhibition event in the world. With an annual attendance over 63,000, the festival is the most prominent and well-attended LGBTQ+ arts program in the Bay Area. Last year’s festival included films like Vita & Virginia, Gay Chorus Deep South, and the world premiere of Sid & Judy.

INSIDE OUT TORONTO LGBT FILM FESTIVAL OCTOBER 1-11, 2020 Insideout.ca Inside Out has shifted the kickoff of its 30th annual film festival to this October. The festival has brought Toronto’s LGBTQ community together in celebration of the best queer films from Canada and around the world. Through the annual festivals in Toronto and Ottawa, filmmaker initiatives, a youth engagement and year-round events and screenings, Inside Out is engaged every day in challenging attitudes and changing lives. The festival takes place over 11 days, drawing crowds of over 35,000 to screenings, artist talks, panel discussions, installations and parties that highlight roughly 150 films from Canada and around the world.

WICKED QUEER, THE BOSTON LGBT FILM FESTIVAL (TBD) wickedqueer.org Wicked Queer, The Boston LGBT Film Festival is the fourth oldest LGBT film festival in North America and the largest LGBT media event in New England. This year’s festival, the 36th annual festival, will be postponed to a later day in 2020. The festival, founded in 1984 by film programmer George Mansour, has been hosted by the Museum of Fine Arts since 1992, and branched out across the greater Boston area since 2012, including screenings at the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square, Cambridge, the Fenway Health Center, and the Institute of Contemporary Art. In 2019, the festival screened over 160 films in 49 programs across 11 days.

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

23

24

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

THIS PAGE: BETTY BY FRANCESCA GALLIANI

CULTURE

MUSIC

THE UNOFFICIAL MUSIC OF

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY COLLECTIVELY HEAVES A SIGH OF GLOBAL DISAPPOINTMENT

at the cancellation of events during 2020 Pride season – no parades, no festivals, no booze, no fellowship, no Pride romances, and no mainstages with our favorite headliners. Without the pageantry of Pride, what is a gay to do?

While a major upset politically, socially, and economically, it’s a moment that we can use to reflect on the history of Pride before the pop stars, the corporate sponsors, and the high ticket prices – back to the grassroots where it all began.

Three women – two lesbians and one straight – took the stage in the early ’80s in Washington DC to make their voices heard, and they’ve never looked back since. How did they get the gig? Easy, no other bands would perform - it was considered career suicide. With friends dying of AIDS and closeted politicians deaf to equal rights, these women stood front and center and quite literally amped it up, and Pride has never been the same.

Meet BETTY - and you better capitalize it as bandmember Elizabeth Ziff told me,“Queen, BETTY is all capitals. Always. That’s how it’s trademarked.” They are not politically correct, they do not have background dancers, they do not care that they aren’t under a record label, and they do not care what you think – they DO care about equality. Made up of sisters Elizabeth & Amy Ziff and Alyson Palmer, they have performed at practically every Pride and have ridden the waves of change and continue to make their own tsunamis. Remember the theme song from Showtimes’ The L Word? Yeah, that’s theirs. And TV Guide called it out saying it was the most shockingly in poor taste theme song EVER for including the word “f*cking.” BETTY couldn’t have been prouder.

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

25

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

What was it like hearing your song as the L Word theme for the first time?

You are part of LGBT TV history!

Alyson: What is especially magical about that time was that we wrote and recorded that theme song while we were in Chicago touring our Off-Broadway hit “BETTY Rules,” I was nursing my new baby Ruby, and got pneumonia. So, it was all a blurry fever dream to me while it was happening. BETTY’s been a band for so long and we have such a wonderful fan family who have been on the journey with us every step of the way, that the most exciting part was

their reaction. They went ape.

Does working with your sister have its challenges?

Elizabeth: Gurl, please. You can only imagine…but we have worked it out over the years. We still have huge screaming fights when creating. It is Amy’s fault mostly…

Amy: HELL YES! What is your creative and collaborative process when writing a new song?

Alyson: It changes from time to time, but generally someone will have an idea and

THIS PAGE: IMAGE COURTESY OF BETTY

MUSIC CULTURE

26

We know that BETTY must be capitalized, or Elizabeth will kick our ass, but what does BETTY refer to?

Amy: BETTY means all that is beautiful and bountiful and bodacious and best and brave and bold and bright and bedazzled and beguiling and beloved.

How did you come to meet Alyson and decide to form BETTY? Elizabeth: My sister Amy and I were still living at home. We were basically prepubescent. We decided to start a band because Amy had a friend that played guitar, and I had a friend that played drums. We put an ad on the radio in DC at the time for a female bass player for our all-girl punk band and Alyson was the second person to come over to audition. We hit it off immediately and she could really play bass. But when the three of us sang harmony together, that’s when we knew it was magic. We formed that band Quiver in 1983. When that band imploded, the three of us stayed together and formed another band called On Beyond Zebra with 2 dudes and then we started our own group as a threesome in 1986 and called it BETTY. Alyson, what have you learned most from the LGBT community as an ally from your time with BETTY? Alyson: Lord, isn’t it obvious? The LGBTQ community is so much more colorful, more fun, more irreverent, and more artistic.You can let your hair down and relax, say and do more edgy things and find easy companions in the fight against what is most oppressive and repressive in our society. Plus, my dear, the accessories!

You chose to perform at some of the earliest Prides when other bands would not. Did you ever think that this would be damaging to your musical career or pigeon-hole you as “the gay band”?

Elizabeth: We lived in Washington D.C. at the time which was teeming with gays. Many were “undercover” and worked for the government, so being out was not an option. Our first pride was in DC in 1984, hidden away on P Street Beach. People were afraid to even go because if they were seen they could lose their jobs. No one would perform, but we were totally into performing. The band all three of us were in at that time was On Beyond Zebra.

We made the guys play even though they were straight.

We didn’t give a shit if it pigeonholed us or blacklisted us, which in many ways it did. Our friends were dying from AIDS and we were going to perform for our community… besides, it was fabulous.

What is your take on mainstream, straight musical acts headline Prides when they weren’t there to make a statement at the start of Pride history?

Should headliners be strictly LGBTQ? Amy: I think Prides should never forget the history/herstory of our struggles and celebrations AND the LGBTQ and ally artists who have supported from the beginnings. I would like to see all artists performing at Prides who have made contributions to our community. I think that is important.

bring it to one or both of the others. Sometimes it’s just one hooky line - for instance, Elizabeth had been walking down the street singing to herself about one of all of our favorite desserts, “sticky sticky rice sticky rice and mango…” and told us about it as a joke. Amy and I lit up and we wrote the whole song that afternoon! I have a tendency that drives the two of them nuts. I don’t think a song is ever actually finished. I love to keep tweaking and changing and trying new things to keep it interesting for myself. That used to be a source of friction but the great thing about collaborating with anyone for over 30 years is you begin to finally recognize what makes people tick.

How has the music industry changed the most from your early days?

Elizabeth: Well, for one, it died. Or basically, committed suicide. So, a new and independently oriented one has taken its place. When we started out, women (independent women/girls) did not get signed a lot or pushed on radio etc. and the LGBTQ population wasn’t supported. It was catered to, but if you were queer, you stayed in the closet. That is why artists like Sylvester and The Communards were so important! Times have changed, but not easily. We all fought for those changes! BTW I have never been in the closet. Except to get more sparkly tops to wear on stage.

How have Prides changed the most from your first performance?

Amy: Much bigger. Much more commercial.

New York has been majorly affected by the pandemic, how did you get through it mentally and creatively?

Elizabeth: New York is incredibly lucky to have Cuomo and such amazing front line workers. We love New York. Creatively we have made it work even though we have been separated. Alyson has been editing and directed new videos we have done in shelter. (You MUST binge-watch their YouTube channel.)

Alyson: I cannot stop creating. It is like I am suddenly in a cauldron of bubbling ideas and I can’t capture them fast enough. I think it is finally being focused within my four walls, even with my kids and partner here. NYC is so glorious, enticing and ridiculously distracting, that all the energy you spend going to see this fabulous new play or that incredible new show or even to taste the amazing dish you’ve been hearing about, all of that energy is just pinging around you from the minute your eyes fly open until you drop back into your big ol’ bed. Being so present and not thinking about the future has been a glorious indulgence. I guess that all boils down to denial. But Honey, it works!

Amy: It is challenging. Especially with a little baby.

What do your fans tell you the most?

Elizabeth: That they love us and support us.

Alyson: Hands down, my favorite comment ever is the one I hear the most, and that is how inspired people feel after our concerts. It’s magic that never gets old.

Amy: Mostly, I find, people always want to thank us for all the years we have been performing and the commitment to our art that we have maintained.

Your onstage energy is infectious. What is your backstage ritual to ramp up for a show?

Alyson: Thanks! It’s playing dress-up. Every aspect of the clothes, the hair, the makeup, the jewelry selection, the three of us chat and tell stories. Then one of us remembers that we probably should warm up, so we do some vocal exercises and then make sure we have one conscious, connected moment together before we hit the stage. The more relaxed and content we are slapping on the greasepaint, the more we play around on stage, egging each other on to make each other laugh and digging more deeply into the passion of the songs. Those are the best shows. They all boil down to a comfy dressing METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

27

room with great snacks, lights, and mirrors. I will never understand why venues do not understand how powerful it can be to provide that one simple thing.

What is your after-show ritual?

Elizabeth: well…it used to be booze and drugs and sex.

Now it is only the occasional drug and sex.

Alyson: Meet and greet! I love it so. Hugging certain folks, someone bringing me a dry vodka martini straight up with five fat olives and then a late bite with my gal pals. That, my friend, is a life well-lived.

Amy: I like to have a drink and take some time to regroup and of course reapply before talking to friends and fans.

RAPID FIRE

Most overdone song during Pride?

Elizabeth: BETTY’s happy pride song: https://youtu.be/ qp30XBXtbss.

Alyson: There is none. They all mean so much and need to be sung again and again.

AMY: “It’s Raining Men”, but I love the song.

Who would play you in the movie version of BETTY? Elizabeth: Gal Gadot.

Alyson: RuPaul.

Amy: Gal Gadot. We’ve talked about it. She has been studying me for the role.

Biggest onstage mishap?

Elizabeth: Doing a stage dive at San Diego pride and the audience parted and I landed flat on my face.

Alyson: Running to the front of the stage after an incredible final song to take a bow, I slammed my bass into its stand, twirled back around, tripped over my monitor, and landed flat on my hands and knees. I crawled to take a bow.

Amy: Going too far. And I must leave it at that.

Having shared the stage with them at Palm Springs Pride, I can personally attest to their strength both backstage and onstage, these girls kick ass and they are not finished. BETTY has a place in Pride history and a place in our hearts.

■ YOU CAN HEAR MORE STORIES AND OPINIONS FROM BETTY ON THEIR PODCAST, BETTY: GIRLBAND, THAT IS CERTAINLY BINGEWORTHY. INSTAGRAM: @BETTYRULES TWITTER: @BETTYMUSIC FACEBOOK: @BETTYVERSE YOUTUBE: BETTYVERSE

28

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

THIS PAGE: 2015 BETTY, PRAGUE • BETTY BY ERINSHALL • 2010 BETTY BY LANA YANOVSKA

CULTURE

MUSIC

Dream celebrity musical collaboration?

Elizabeth: Gal Gadot and us doing anything.

Alyson: Pink.

Amy: Babs.

Shop with Pride

®

Show your pride everywhere you shop with the Discover it Pride card.

A P P LY TO DAY : D I S COV E R . COM / P R I D E ©2020 Discover Bank, Member FDIC

PRIDE COMES IN ALL SIZES

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ THIS PANDEMIC HAS DONE ODD THINGS TO THE INFLUENCER AND SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNITY. Influencers who snapped selfie after selfie are blending

into the background, and stay at home orders have given us hour after hour to do nothing but saturate content, and with social and political unrest, mindless Instagram content just doesn’t do it for us anymore.

An unlikely hero has emerged at 4’ 11” and 65 years old, with a growing social platform that would make a millennial sweat the competition.

Leslie Jordan’s secret? Don’t try, just be. A great message for us all, especially during Pride.

30

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

31

YOU MOVED TO LOS ANGELES IN 1982. WHAT WERE YOUR BIGGEST CULTURE SHOCKS? In retrospect, I have to say I wasn’t looking to get into the entertainment industry. What I really came to LA for was for having to grow up in a repressed, Southern Baptist upbringing.

I had heard of West Hollywood and that there were queers hanging from the tress, and I literally dropped anchor. People say, oh I’m going to give it five years to make it in Hollywood. It didn’t matter to me - I had nowhere else to go, I was home. It was wonderful. 982 was a rough time – it was a city in crisis. I think the biggest shock was getting here in the early ages of the AIDS epidemic. Realizing that, as a community, we were going to get no help, we had to do it ourselves. We started cooking out of the church at Fairfax and Fountain, that became Project Angel Food. We started gathering and having meetings, I was in the forefront. Of course, we were still partying, that was the weird thing. It was like the sinking of the Titanic – it was last call, honey. I had a tiny crystal meth problem, so I was very energetic. I got a lot done. They told me they were going to start this organization, Project Nightlight, where you sit up all night with people that are scared and I thought oh this is perfect, I’m up all night anyway! It was a wonderful time, but it’s weird to look back and think of all the sadness. In the 80’s and early 90’s we basically went to memorial services. I buried an entire directory of people, and I’m not even exaggerating.

32

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

WHAT KIND OF CHILD WERE YOU GROWING UP? WERE YOU THE CLASS CLOWN? I was the class clown because I had to keep the bullies at bay. During dodgeball they would yell “Smear that queer!” and I would have to tap dance or get creamed.

So, I was always somewhat the class clown because of that. That is my defense mechanism… if I can make you laugh, then you don’t get too close. Sometimes I have to say to myself ok, turn it off, turn it off. But I was extremely popular in school. I wasn’t good at sports and stuff, most of my friends were girls. I ran with the girls.

I didn’t early on. People think I did. You’d go out at night and see every casting director in town and half the producers dancing at the gay bars, but during the day it was very wink wink. I had a gay agent that would literally call me and say listen honey, keep your feet on the ground, keep your hands at your side, put your voice in your lower register. They would tell me to butch it up for certain parts. We had these words like “fay”, used if they want a momma’s boy, but they would never say “gay.” So, people think that I was just running around queening it up – no way! There was a lot of internal

PHOTOS ON 31 & 32 COURTESY OF LESLIE JORDAN

A stage and screen actor, writer, and comedian, Leslie Jordan has made a big splash in both the entertainment and the LGBT world. With a history of bigger than life characters, such as Beverley Leslie in Will & Grace, multiple characters in American Horror Story, and of course, Brother Boy in Sordid Lives, this Emmy Award winner has survived a Southern Baptist childhood, the AIDS crisis, a shared jail cell with Robert Downey Jr., drug and alcohol addiction, and show cancellations as well as show successes. His recent quarantine Instagram stories have made him a household name with appearances on major network outlets as well as a follower base of 3.7 million and counting. His stories are indeed colorful, his signature drawl adorable, but the person behind the persona might surprise you.

YOU WERE AN OUT AND PROUD ACTOR BEFORE OUR RECENT BOOM IN LGBT VISIBILITY ON SCREEN. WAS IT A DIFFICULT DECISION TO EMBRACE YOUR PERSONALITY AND SEXUALITY IN YOUR CAREER?

The first time Leslie Jordan started his mainstream visibility was for his Emmy winning role of Beverley Leslie in Will & Grace. What was supposed to have been a one-time guest role played by a woman (Joan Collins, no less) became one of the most loved recurring characters of the show.

THIS PAGE: IMAGE BY SHUTTERSTOCK

WHAT HIT YOUR MIND WHEN YOU WENT UP TO ACCEPT YOUR EMMY?

homophobia within me too, with the way that I was raised. I remember thinking this last year on The Cool Kids and thinking, this is so easy, the acting part. Even when I play Beverly Leslie I’m acting. But when I played my part on The Cool Kids it was so gut wrenching, I was just being me for the first time and for someone who had struggled in the past. I had gotten out here and developed a drug and alcohol problem, not getting sober till 1997 - so you’re talking years of just craziness. When I got sober in 1997, I could ask for a gay character, but early on they wanted Niles from Frasier – he wasn’t even gay! They wanted urbane, witty, and ‘hello darling’ and you know, I don’t do that. I went in and read for Sex and the City and a straight guy ended up getting the part. Aaron Sorkin kept saying can you do this, can you do that, and I remember finally saying,“you know there are lovable cocksuckers. There is such a thing… we are lovable, we don’t all have to be kind of bitchy and queeny. We can still be nelly and lovable.” It was a journey and thank god I did get sober and started going to recovery because my journey into sobriety became my journey into my queerdom.

I could say to you right now that I am 100 percent comfortable in who I am, what I am and that has not always been. I may be able to have acted it, that’s what you saw on the screen. I wasn’t 100 percent comfortable and my mother would call me and say “gay gay gay, why do you always have to play gay?”

That’s like somebody saying“black black black why do you always have to play black?” It’s the same, it’s what I am! She’s proud now. I tell her now after she asks why I always must play effeminate –“it bought you a condo!”

WHAT WAS THE DEFINING MOMENT THAT STARTED YOUR JOURNEY IN SOBRIETY? Jail! I went to jail! The last year of my drinking I went to jail five times. It would always start at Marix in West Hollywood. I would always say oh great, happy hour I’ll have a few drinks then go home.

Then it would be 2 am and I didn’t know how that happened. But I got arrested for the 5th time and was sentenced to 120 days and I did about 15. I got out because they didn’t have any place to put Robert Downey Jr. I’m not making that up! They put him in with me for one night – that’s my big claim to fame. It was Dec 11th, 1997. We worked together years later, on Ally McBeal, and I thought oh god I was in prison with him, I wonder if he’ll remember. He did immediately. That was it right there. I had hit bottom. Some people have an emotional bottom where they’re sitting at home thinking, I can’t do this anymore. Or I’m sick and tired all the time. Not me, honey I had a bottom – a jail cell. I was working on the worst TV show in the world, called Pacific Blue with Mario Lopez in bicycle shorts. I was the crazy man in the alley. That was the only way I could get out of there; I called my agent. And I said, “please come get me I have to work tomorrow.” I called my friend (actress) Beth Grant, she said just leave him, because you are going to end up dead in a ditch. I said look, I have to do number two and there’s no walls and there’s no paper and you have got to come get me because I’m about to shit my pants. I held it for eight hours, they finally came and got me. That was the worst part. And then I had to go to court for my sentencing. Well, I’m 22 years sober now.

I remember I had planned a speech in case.

But it just flooded out. My only regret was that my win wasn’t at the Emmys, it was the Creative Arts Emmys which is the week before. No one got to see my speech and it was so heartfelt. said there are two ways to combat homophobia – one was through humor, which I’ve learned, and the second was by putting a face on it.

These characters on Will & Grace were probably the first gay people that many people in American let in their homes. Characters that we laughed with and loved and there was a lot of progress made. Because I think when it’s all said and done people will look back and say Will & Grace was when the tide turned. Right there. I really do think it’s that important. When I first started working on that show, people would stop me and say, aren’t “you on TV?” “I’m on Will & Grace!”and it would be a straight guy and immediately they’d say, “my wife watches that” or “my girlfriend watches that.”And by the end of the show, I’d be walking by a construction site and the workers would be yelling “hey, I loved you on that show, you’re funny!” I thought, you know, that’s progress right there.

Leslie Jordan has appeared in every form of media – plays, web series, stand up, one man shows, and his popular cruise appearances. He is a prolific writer in addition to his acting and his autobiographical shows have played offBroadway and on national tours to critical and audience acclaim. His one man shows have a charm to them, he gives off the sense that he is just telling stories that come to his mind. But there is a beautiful process at play, hitting the comedy, the drama, the highs and lows of his life.

HOW IS YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS DIFFERENT FOR STAGE VERSES FILM? With stage you must play to the back seat.

It’s kind of a heighted reality. It drives me crazy when I see people on stage mumbling and I METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

33

Leslie’s recent spotlighted success represents years of hitting the pavement as well as disappointments. For every Will & Grace and American Horror Story, there are failed pilots, short lived series on the CW, gay themed comedy shows that never made it, and cancellations on projects that should have worked.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE UPS AND DOWNS IN THE INDUSTRY? YOUR LAST SHOW, THE COOL KIDS (WITH VICKI LAWRENCE, MARTIN MULL, AND DAVID ALAN GRIER), WAS HILARIOUS BUT WAS CANCELLED. I’ve gotten so good at it that sometimes I even mask it with myself. I was gutted, I was really gutted. I didn’t see it coming. Charlie Day had talked to us two days before and we had our flights scheduled to go to New York to go to the upfronts. And then the phone rang, and Charlie said it’s not going to happen, the series is cancelled. I said “cancelled?” I was so gutted.

I don’t cry anymore… I used to cry and carry on, oh poor me. I was just kind of gutted. Then what happens? The phone immediately rang, and it was the Will & Grace people saying their loss is our gain, we want to pin him for a couple of episodes. It was another bump in the road. You move on.

34

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

In his performance and even in his Instagram appearances, Leslie seems grounded, intimate, and real. What you see is what you get. He doesn’t know what’s going to come out of his mouth any more than you do, but you know it’s going to be hilarious. He did make some headlines when he threw his Starbucks drink at someone shouting gay slurs – to clarify it wasn’t hot coffee but rather sweet tea, totally acceptable. Reality is a big part of Leslie’s life, but it didn’t work out for him for Celebrity Big Brother UK, not even the big paycheck could quiet his distaste of the experience.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT APPEARING ON CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER UK? No favorite part. Seriously. None. The only fun part was that they hired me so quickly. I had three days to get ready and it was booked so quickly. That’s a huge show, the biggest show in all of Europe. From the moment my foot stepped off the plane it was a nightmare. It’s horrible.You don’t have a watch, a newspaper. Time is boring and never ending. Oh god. They would punish me by taking my food away. I got rice and beans for five days. If I don’t get my food I’m mean as a snake. You know I spit on Gary Busey? I spit right on him!

HOW IS LESLIE JORDAN AS A PERSON THE MOST DIFFERENT FROM LESLIE JORDAN THE PERSONA? I am such a recluse. I read a lot. I have not left the house after 6 pm without a paycheck in about five years. I don’t go out at night. I’m in my pajamas. I don’t know when that happened.

I was raised with identical twin sisters, and they always had their own thing together, so I just spent a lot of time in my room. I don’t know how to turn it off even if there’s just one other person.

I will be talking/performing, but I’m not good at small talk. spend a lot of time alone and I love it. I love it, I love it, I love it.

HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED HE MOST FROM YOUR FIRST ACTING GIG? Comfort with myself. The hardest lesson I’ve learned is that there is no shame in being effeminate. And that is such a big deal right now. I’ve been dealing with it my whole life and now it’s finally out there for people to be who they are and not feel shame. I’m not the biggest queen in the room, but I’m certainly not the butchest queen in the room. And I’ve just learned that I can go there like that. I will glance up at myself up on TV and I’ll say, ‘oh girl, you got to butch it up.’ I’m so hard on myself. Then I got on the Ellen DeGeneres show early, right after she came out and I thought oh God this is it. Playing a straight man, Joely Fisher’s boss, and I had to make an entrance with two Playboy models and every time I turned, I ran their titties in my face, and that was the joke. So, I really thought that I had butched it up enough, and I was pulling it off and I called my friend after it aired to ask how I had done? He said “oh girl, I have these friends who don’t even know who you are and the minute you walked up they said get a load of her. Get a load of her!”That was me being the butchest I could possibly be. They didn’t have me back, needless to say.

With Pride festivals cancelled around the world, Pride has a quiet, more intense energy this year. No flashy headliners, no parades, no after parties, but a chance to reflect on how far we have come, with social and political pioneers of Pride paving the way for the future. Pride comes in packages of all sizes, whether knowingly or without realizing it.

I seriously could have talked to Leslie for hours and hours, there’s a lot of life that has been lived and learned. He is a personal hero, making gays in the entertainment industry a group to contend with – he is my pioneer in Pride. If you have the opportunity to see his one man shows, do it. Meantime, you can get a load of her on Facebook at facebook.com/thelesliejordan and on Instagram: @TheLeslieJordan.

■

THIS PAGE: IMAGE BY COURESY OF GEDMAG.COM

want to say save it for the camera, we got to hear you! I’m all for that Marlon Brando mumbling but speak up! It was always the opposite for me. I had done stage with Sordid Lives as a stage play and Southern Baptist Sissies, and then we shot it, so you have to pull it down a bit. That was always the challenge. To take it down. Jimmy Borrows who directs me in Will & Grace always said to me, “you know Leslie you are really funny when you don’t try to be.” And I get that. Sometimes you’re being big and broad and look at me, how funny I am and you’re funnier when you take it in a film direction. I worked on American Horror Story with David Lynch’s daughter and she would just holler,“take the air out of it,”in front of everyone, I wanted to tell her there are Academy Award winning actors here, honey. I love what I do with my one man show, that’s what I love. When I can stand up and tell stories about my life and just talk to you like I’m talking to you right now and garner a laugh. The whole acting thing has gotten exhausting to me.

PRIDE AROUND THE WORLD THE WORLD COMES PRIDE

TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST EVER VIRTUAL GLOBAL PRIDE

THIS PAGE: AMSTERDAM PRIDE BY ANJO KAN

CULTURE

BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

THIS PRIDE SEASON THE WORLD COMES TOGETHER for the first ever ‘Global Pride’ virtual event on Saturday, June 27, 2020. InterPride and the European Pride Organizers Association have joined forces along with many other national and regional organizations to celebrate pride month in response to the global crisis. Details are still emerging, so visit interpride.org for all the updates.

“Annual Pride events in the United States engage and unite 20 million people who gather to celebrate the strength and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community and to raise awareness for social justice and equal rights of all individuals,” said Ron deHarte, Co-President of the United States Association of Prides. “Through the pain and disruption caused by the novel coronavirus, we will deliver a virtual message of hope, comfort, love and we will have an opportunity to show our appreciation to first responders everywhere.”

“We need community and connection more than ever,” said J. Andrew Baker, Co-President of InterPride.“This gives us an opportunity to both connect and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community’s resilience in the face of this pandemic and the true spirit of Pride,” continued Baker.“Pride 2020 represents a milestone for Pride events, with many honoring the 50th anniversary of their first gatherings and marches, such as New York to the first Gandhinagar Pride this year and we would not let that pass without recognition and celebration.”

Kristine Garina, President of the European Pride Organizers Association and Chair of Baltic Pride in Riga, Latvia, said: “The unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 mean that most Prides will not take place as planned in 2020, but we’re determined that this won’t stop us from coming together as a united, strong community to celebrate who we are and what we stand for. Global Pride will show the LGBTQIA+ movement for the absolute best it can be, showing solidarity at a time when so many of us are mourning and strength when so

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

35

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

THIS PAGE (top to bottom): LA PRIDE BY GOGAYTODAY.COM • SAN DIEGO PRIDE BY ELIZABETH WINTERBOURNE • LONDON PRIDE BY INK DROP

PRIDE CULTURE

36

many of us are feeling isolated and lonely. Above all, we will show our resilience and determination that Pride will be back bigger and stronger than ever before. For millions of people around the globe, Pride is their one opportunity each year to come together and feel a part of a community, to feel loved, connected and to know they aren’t alone. It’s essential this year that as Pride organizers, we ensure there is still the opportunity to connect, even if we are connecting from home.”

Uwe Hörner, a board member of CSD Deutschland [German Pride network], said: “Especially in these difficult times full of uncertainty and insecurity, we need to show visibility. Social distancing must not lead to the disappearance of diversity. We are happy to demonstrate with “Global Pride” to be part of a large community, and we want to send out a strong sign of solidarity and human rights.”

Jenny Dewsnap, Co-Chair of the UK Pride Organizers Network, said:“We are enormously proud that UK Prides will be a part of this global event. Our communities and our pride organizers now have something to look forward to this summer and a chance to be a part of this unique demonstration of worldwide solidarity and unity.”

Maria Jern, Vice-Chair of Svenska Pride [Swedish Pride network], said: “In these times, it is even more important that we can demonstrate the power and strength of a joint Pride celebration around the world.

Let the rainbow flag light up the world.”

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

37

THIS PAGE (top to bottom): NYC PRIDE BY RIGHT FRAME PHOTO VIDEO • SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE BY SUNDRY PHOTOGRAPHY

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

THIS PAGE (top to bottom): WASHINGTON DC PRIDE BY JOHNNY SILVERCLOUD • MADRID PRIDE BY GERMAN GONZALES • CANADA PRIDE BY DAVID TRAN

PRIDE CULTURE

38

Dana Marsh, President of Fierté Canada Pride, said: “It’s easy to feel isolated right now, especially with so many of our local Pride celebrations announcing cancellations or new dates. Pride celebrations bring our communities together in a show of solidarity and unity. Now, more than ever, we need to be loud and proud! Pride is not just a celebration, but a homage to our origins, the defiance and resistance against all systems of oppression. We acknowledge the intersections that join us in the global fight against homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, gender discrimination, racism, sexism, classism, and colonialism. We must show that our global movement will persist, even when faced with new and unexpected challenges. Prides across Canada look forward to connecting with Two-Spirit/Indigenous, LGBTQIA+ communities from around the globe. Pride lives in us all.”

“For OLA (Orgullo Latinoamericano), the Regional Network of Latin American Pride organizers, this project, in particular, has encouraged us to work closer and join efforts from all over the Latino diaspora with the Global Pride Movement to deliver hope and solidarity for the LGBTQIA+ community,” said Emmanuel Temores, Co-Chair of OLA. Indeed, the world has come together to celebrate Pride month. Stay loud, stay proud! For more information and updates, visit www.interpride.org.

TIPS FOR CHARITABLE GIVING GAIN POSITIVITY THROUGH GIVING TO OTHERS over the world. The past few months have, at times, left us feeling hopeless and isolated. Perhaps by giving to others in need, we can gain some positivity. So, here is some advice on charitable giving, and to spark some ideas, I’ve also included several Community Sponsors of the New York WorldPride parade that are in need of donations.

Beyond the sometimes-vague concept of giving back, figuring out the details of charitable donations can be a challenge. How should you choose a charity? How much should you donate? There’s no hard-andfast rule, but there are some tips that can help you figure out the right answers for you and your family.

• ARE CHARITABLE DONATIONS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE? Yes, charitable giving is tax-deductible, but you’ll need some records.

Ask for an itemized receipt for any donation of money or goods, even if it amounts to less than the IRS’s $250 threshold. If your noncash donation is worth more than $500, you must complete IRS Form 8283; worth more than $5,000 requires an appraisal.

• CHOOSING A CHARITY. Choosing a charity should be something close to your heart and beliefs. Think of people or organizations that you most want to help and I’m sure you will find a charity to suit your needs. Also, think of local charities to help closer to home. The list at the end of this article has suggestions of several LGBTQ charities that would love your time and/or money.

factored into your budget. If you can afford it, make charitable giving about 10 percent of your budget. And get in the habit of donating once a month rather than at the end of the year.

If a cash donation is a stretch, ask the organization if you can donate time or skills instead; you might do IT work for the website or organize a food drive. Remember, too, that you can give goods instead of money - bring tools to Habitat for Humanity, or personal-care products to a shelter.

• SHOULD YOU DONATE TO A BIG CHARITY OR A SMALL ONE? Go with what you think will have the most impact. Some people might give to their local food pantry to directly benefit the people in their area. For other folks, it might make more sense to donate to a national charity working to improve public policies surrounding LGBTQ issues.

CULTURE

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, PRIDE EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELED all

FINANCE

BY JENNIFER DAY

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how charitable contributions work and you have sorted out a budget. Below is a list of Community Partners for the 2020 New York WorldPride parade. If you don’t have your list of charities ready maybe these will give you some ideas: Ali Forney Center - Protects LGBTQ youth from homelessness.

GLAAD - Protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where

STOCK PHOTO COPYRIGHT: PHOTO BY ADOBE STOCK

everyone can live the life they love.

• BE SURE YOU’RE GIVING TO A REPUTABLE ORGANIZATION. We’ve all heard the scam stories—the phony appeals for homeless vets, the woman who faked cancer. The best way to avoid being had is to know: (a) the person who started the campaign, and (b) exactly what the donation will pay for. As a rule, never give money via phone or email, even if the cause sounds legit. And keep in mind that contributions are not tax-deductible unless a qualified nonprofit has organized the fundraising. Use the IRS’s Tax-Exempt Organization Search to confirm that a charity is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

GMHC - Provides HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and advocacy.

Human Rights Campaign - the largest national LGBTQ civil rights organization.

Family Equality - Advances legal and equality issues for LGBTQ families.

It Gets Better - Uplifts, empowers, and connects LGBTQ youth around the globe.

LGBTQ Victory Fund - Works to change the face and voice of American politics and achieve equality.

The Center - Offers the LGBTQ communities of NYC, advocacy, health, and wellness programs; arts, entertainment, and cultural events; recovery, parenthood, and family support services.

• DECIDE HOW MUCH TO GIVE. Just like housing, car insurance, and groceries, donations should be

The Trevor Project - Leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth.

METROSOURCE.COM

■ JUNE/JULY 2020

39

POSITIVE THOUGHTS: YES, YOU CAN BE AN HIV ALLY We all need to do our part to end HIV stigma

BODY

METROHIV

WHEN BELOVED QUEER EYE STAR JONATHAN VAN NESS REVEALED

40

(in their bestselling memoir Over the Top: A Raw Journey to SelfLove) that they were living with HIV, they became one of the most famous HIV-positive people in the world. And they joined the legions of others who bravely share their statuses with the world in order to bring awareness and combat stigma around the virus – but is this something that we should only rely on HIV-positive people to do?

The answer is no. The fact that some courageous folks living with HIV who feel safe and secure enough in their lives to come out with their status does not relinquish the rest of us from responsibility. If we want a truly HIV-free world, we all must roll-up our sleeves and get involved.

My journey to become an ally and advocate to people living with HIV didn’t happen overnight. In fact, it has been a lifelong learning process that continues to evolve. As a child growing up in the 1980s, I first learned about HIV like we all did — through tragedy. First, we lost my best friend’s uncle, a young, handsome artist who I harbored a secret crush for. I was devastated. Then, a few years later, more bad news. A beloved uncle also became ill and soon after died from the then-deadly affliction.

That era also birthed some of the epidemic’s early allies, like Elizabeth Taylor, Elton John, and Princess Diana, whom I greatly admired. When the media went crazy after the princess was photographed shaking the hand of a young man in the advanced stages of the virus, I admired her even more.

But somewhere over the next couple of decades things changed. Once antiretrovirals were developed, HIV was no longer a death sentence. As we saw people like Magic Johnson continue to live happy, healthy lives, HIV and AIDS seemed to slowly disappear from the national conversation. Then around 2005, a close friend chose to share his status with me. Recalling the tragedies, I witnessed in my youth, I started to become emotional. As my friend saw the tears welling up in my eyes, he embraced me and said,“It’s OK. I take two pills every morning and I’m going to be fine.”

It was a powerful moment for me. I realized that my ignorance on JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

the facts had put my friend in a position to comfort me in this delicate moment of his vulnerability. I realized that to be a true ally I just needed to treat my friend as I always had, and not like an unfortunate victim.

And above all, I realized it was my responsibility to educate myself on HIV — not the responsibility of those living with it. Today I am proud to say I am an educated advocate and ally for people living with HIV, and happily accept my role as an educator to those around me, in my own community. And you can be one too — it is easier than you think!

Start by learning the basics. Think about it. How can we end this epidemic unless both HIV-negative and HIV-positive know how the virus is transmitted and treated? Here’s a few facts to get you started: HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Condoms are still a good prevention method (about 90 to 95 percent effective when used properly) but there are newer even more effective methods like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), which is up to 99 percent effective in preventing HIV transmission.

Another important scientific fact to know is that — and this is a biggie, so pay attention — when a person living with HIV gets on treatment and achieves a suppressed viral load (also called being “undetectable”), they are no longer able to transmit the virus to others. Not only has this information been life-changing for those living with the virus, it is key in preventing new transmissions.

So, besides learning the facts, how else can you Desiree Guerrero be a better ally? Well, there are lots of ways. Open your heart to those living with HIV and treat them like you would anyone else — and treat HIV like any other treatable chronic condition, such as diabetes. Get involved. Participate in an AIDSWalk or other HIV-related event and share it on your social media.

Support friends and loved ones, or anyone in your community living with HIV. Show others by your example that living with HIV — and loving and dating and supporting them — is nothing to be ashamed of. We must remove these lingering bits of stigma, and we must do it together. You can be someone who contributes to a happier, healthier future for all. You can be an ally.

■

THIS PAGE: DESIREE GUERRERO, COURTESY PHOTO • IMAGE BY RAWPIZEL.COM

BY DESIREE GUERRERO

HEALTH BODY

GET STRETCHED OUT NOT STRESSED OUT WHEN LIFE GETS TOO LOUD, THESE YOGA POSES PROVIDE A PLEASANT ESCAPE

BY MEGAN VENZIN THIS SPRING FELT DIFFERENT. APRIL SHOWERS BROUGHT MAY FLOWERS,

but most of us were too distracted to genuinely appreciate their beauty.

Let’s face it... social distancing measures, while completely necessary, have added unfamiliar pressures to our lives. Home and work balance became blurred as soon as our kitchen tables were converted into “shared” office spaces. Employed parents involuntarily added the new position of “schoolteacher” to their resumes after classrooms closed at the top of the year. Americans residing in metropolitan areas like New York City will attest that the walls feel like they are closing in a little tighter each day. Emotions are running high. It is just… A LOT. One of the best ways to tackle stress is by engaging in physical activity, but many may be asking the question, “how can I be active when

I’m constantly being reminded to stay home?”Yogis already know the secret, and now Metrosource readers will too.

A yoga teacher said something in a class several years ago that stuck with me - “The borders of your mat will provide all of the space that you need.”A standard yoga mat measures 68 inches long and 24 inches wide. Within that rectangle, one can begin to balance their body, mind, and soul. And if that sounds too “crunchy,” the space between can at least provide enough room to enjoy a deep satisfying stretch.

Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or exhausted? You are not alone.

These stress-busting yoga poses are here whenever you require a reset button. As we are all forced to adopt a very“one day at a time”mindset, so will these postures help reinforce that notion.

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

41

HEALTH BODY

SUKHASANA (EASY POSE WITH FORWARD BEND) Sukhasana is a strong base for meditation or for simply taking a moment to reconnect with your breath. Take a cross legged position and sit with a tall spine, allowing the crown of the head to reach toward the ceiling. For a deeper hip and side body stretch, lift the arms up and overhead and then bow the torso over the legs, sending the fingertips toward the front of the mat. If the head is hanging, place a pillow or block underneath for support. Breathe here for eight to 10 breaths. When finished, walk the hands back toward the legs and roll up slowly until the skull floats above the spinal column.

42

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

ANJANEYASANA (LOW LUNGE) This pose has it all! From a forward bend position, place your fingertips on the mat and send your left foot toward the back of the mat. Drop the left knee. The right foot will remain in between the hands with the knee stacked on top. Press through your right sole of your foot and the top of your left foot, zip the thighs together and bring the hands to rest on top of your right thigh. Use two or three breaths to create a firm base. Then lift the arms up and incorporate a backbend from the center of the spine, allowing the head and neck to drop back in space. Breathe here for three to five breaths. Release the hands to frame your right foot, and then step the left foot up to meet the right at the top of your mat, returning to a forward fold.

Repeat on the opposite side.

UTTANASANA (STANDING FORWARD BEND) This gentle inversion is the perfect midday “pick me up.� Stand with your feet hip-width distance apart. Draw the arms up and overhead, and then take a gentle swan dive motion to send the torso over the hips and forward for all the head, neck, arms, and upper back to dangle. Reach for opposite elbows and sway back and forth for eight long inhalations and exhalations. Then release the arms and gradually come to a standing position by rolling up one vertebra at a time. You should feel alert, focused, and ready to revisit the tasks ahead.

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

43

HEALTH

VRKSASANA (TREE POSE)

BODY

There are few yoga postures more grounding than Vrksasana, also known as tree pose. By challenging the body’s ability to balance on one leg, yogis can become more centered, focused, and confident. Stand with the feet together and arms to the side. Pick a drishti (yogic gaze) point on which to focus. This should be a stationary object that does not move.

Next, externally rotate the right hip so the toes face out to the right side of the mat (think like a ballerina here). Slide the right heel above the ankle with the ball of the foot on the ground. Stay here or continue to slide the foot up the calf or place the foot on the thigh above the knee (and never directly on the knee). Wherever the foot lands, continue to press the sole firmly into the opposite leg. This traction will help open the hip. Next, let your tree grow by lifting the arms up and overhead.

Reach for opposite elbows to create extra space in the heart and upper back. Continue to focus on your drishti point, breathing in through the nostrils and out for at least eight breaths. Repeat on the opposite side.

This inversion calms the nerves, balances the brain, and can be achieved starting from a position on your back. Begin by lying flat on the mat.

Bring the arms alongside the body with the palms facing down. Draw the knees in toward the forehead and then send the toes overhead, so they tap the floor. (It is okay if they hover. Stacking pillows behind the head can bring the ground closer to you.) Keep the gaze at the belly button throughout this pose to support the neck. Begin to roll the shoulders underneath the body to find a sturdy foundation at the top of the back. Be aware, this pose is not ideal for people with prior neck or back injuries. An alternative would be to lie on the back, draw the knees in, and then send the heels toward the ceiling, with the toes flexed down toward the face. The hands can come to the back of the thighs to provide added support. Spend up to 15 deep breaths in either posture. To release, roll out slowly using your hands as brakes. Take a few minutes lying flat on your back in Shavansana (corpse pose) after this one to absorb the benefits of this posture. â–

44

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

STOCK PHOTO COPYRIGHT: PHOTO BY RAWPIXEL.COM

HALASANA (PLOW POSE)

SIX SERUMS FOR SUMMER AGING IS NO REASON TO LET GO OF BEAUTY

BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES

$42.95 (devitaskincare.com) Created by Cherylanne DeVita, The DeVita collection offers a natural line of skincare products formulated with real ingredients that are naturally sourced, and good-for-your-skin. Their Luxe C17 Serum is a stable, oil-soluble, high potency (17%) Vitamin C serum that encourages bright, radiant looking skin. The formula is completely versatile (seriously), offering nourishment for all kinds of skin types. Why does it feel so good? The blend of Jojoba Seed Oil, Aloe, Orange Peel Oil, Meadowfoam, Watermelon, Pumpkin Seed Oil, and Lemon Peel Oil, work together with a variety of other natural ingredients to soothe, calm, and condition the skin.

HEALTH

DEVITA SKIN CARE C17 SERUM

BODY

GONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN YOU COULD JUST LATHER UP YOUR FACE with a little soap, rinse, and go out into the world. Between the sun’s harsh rays, pollution, stress, lack of sleep, and each passing year, those subtle wrinkles and blemishes can grow more susceptible to expanding and deepening. The saying may be “age before beauty,” but there is no reason to let go of beauty just because one starts to age. Serums are a skincare product that not only helps to reduce the signs of aging, but also allows the skin to continually feel smoother, tighter, and more youthful. How do they do it? Often serums contain healthy antioxidants like vitamin C or grape seed extract to target and combat sun damage and prevent free radicals from wrecking your overall complexion.

They additionally work with anti-inflammatories and hydrators to neutralize and refresh your face and other targeted areas. There are plenty of different types of serums on the market, each offering different ways to bridge the gap between cleansing and moisturizing. Try incorporating one or more into your skincare routine and see if you notice a difference. We have identified six serums to check out this summer and added a moisturizer with SPF for you to lather on before heading out into the sun.

EMINENCE STONE CROP SERUM $110.00 (emstore.com) Eminence Organics has been providing quality results-oriented skin care for over 60 years. The company utilizes herbal craftsmanship, Hungarian skin rejuvenation techniques, and handpicked ingredients from the Eminence Certified Organic Farm in the Hungarian countryside. The Eminence Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum is a fast-absorbing, advanced serum for all skin types.

Kale, spinach, and broccoli sprouts work in harmony with Vitamin C sourced from lemon and grapefruit, as well as avocado, potato juice, rhubarb, and other natural ingredients to boost collagen formation so the skin looks and feels firm. The serum decreases inflammation, redness, as well as visible signs of aging. Eminence also does right by the earth, for every retail product sold the company plants a tree as part of The Forests for the Future initiative.

They have already planted over fifteen million trees.

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

45

LEOVARD ORGANIC HYALURONIC ACID MULTI-USE SERUM F OR SENSITIVE SKIN

BODY

HEALTH

$16 (amazon.com/Leovard) Founded in 2017, Leovard is a young and budding luxury brand at an affordable price. Sick of nicks and razor bumps? Leovard has created a gentle product that is perfect for after shaving.

Reduce inflammation and most irritation issues related to shaving by lathering a healthy layer after each shave. Made with green tea and Aloe Vera, this chemical free product doubles as a natural moisturizer alleviating dryness while repairing skin damage. The line was founded by a plastic surgeon and perfected by a molecular biologist, Dr. Sheg Aranmolate, who spent years perfecting the formulas for two products, a tonic and this serum, specially formulated and clinically tested to fight blackheads, ease razor bumps and burns, while soothing and moisturizing dry skin.

NEOGEN O2 ENERGY POWER SERUM SPRAY $19 (neogenlab.us) Don’t have time to go to the spa for a double oxygen blast facial? Neogenlab has come out with an O2 Energy Power Serum Spray, enriched with 80% oxygen water that clarifies and vitalizes dead and stressed out skin while moisturizing and lifting the skin for a tighter look.

Use after cleansing and toning by holding the mist a bit away from the skin and spray directly toward your face, or anywhere that needs a little lift. Try the Neogen Real Ferment Micro Serum ($38) if you have extremely sensitive skin, it will soothe any redness and irritation and help you get ready for the day.

46

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

WHISH REPAIRING EYE SERUM $60 (whishbody.com) If eyes are the windows to the soul, who wants to deal with heavy bags? In Whish Repairing Eye Serum, Bakuchiol (a substitute for Retinol), Cucumber Extract, Rosehip Oil, Organic Oil, and green tea work together to reduce puffiness and those pesky dark circles while reviving elasticity and firmness to give you that bright, firm glow around your handsome eyes.

EMMA BEAUTY INTENSIVE REJUVENATING HAND SERUM $25 (Emmabeauty.com) Rough hands? That can change! Don’t let ladies be the only ones with smooth, moisturized hands. Emma Beauty’s intensive rejuvenating hand serum does the heavy lifting while you sleep. Use a few drops before heading to bed and wake up to smooth and renewed hands. Aloe Barbadensis leaf works with Locust Bean Gum, Sunflower Seed Oil, Date Seed Extract, Clover Leaf Oil, Myrrh Oil, Orange Oil and more, to soften and even reduce discoloration. You expose your hands to the elements every day of the year, why not take a little time this summer to nourish those hard wrinkles and allow your hands to be as young as you feel.

BONUS! A MOISTURIZER WITH SPF

JACK BLACK DOUBLE DUTY FACE MOISTURIZER SPF 20 $28 (getjackblack.com) Be sure to use a quality moisturizer after applying a serum. You’ll need additional protection from the sun if you are going outside, so why not opt for a moisturizer with sunscreen. Jack Black Double Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20 is a lightweight moisturizer that visibly improves skin’s overall appearance and provides lasting hydration without oiliness or heaviness. In the formula, Blue Algae Extract, a rich source of Vitamin E works closely with Sea Parsley (a combination of naturally occurring Vitamins A and C and minerals that soothe the skin’s appearance). Give yourself a good 15 minutes before going out into the sun after applying.

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

47

DIY WEDDINGS MAKE YOUR WEDDING MEMORABLE AND ROMANTIC NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCES

BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES GOING ROGUE AND PLANNING YOUR WEDDING WITHOUT A PLANNER CAN SEEM LIKE AN ENORMOUS TASK, but it doesn’t have to be.

Especially in today’s climate there are plenty of things that, with a little time and organization, you can execute easily. Challenges are bound to come up, but if you, your partner, and anyone helping, continues to communicate - working together will pay off with achieving the wed-

CULTURE

WEDDINGS

ding of your dreams.

START EARLY If you have time and space before the big day there are so many things you can take care of early on. Designate a space in your home where you can start gathering and storing items and get to work! Why wait until the last minute when you can begin ordering wedding necessities. The last thing you need to do is run around looking for two male cake toppers the day before your wedding.

Put those administrative tools to use and create a spreadsheet to get organized and identify everything that needs to be taken care of and give each task a deadline. The Knot, Zola, and a variety of other websites have free tools and resources that can be helpful to use directly or help you identify what needs to be taken care of as well as a rough timeline of what needs to be completed by when.

Pay careful attention to dates and details like applying for your marriage license in your county, and the current rules and laws in place. Things aren’t necessarily done as they used to be, so even if you think you know the answer, research it.

48

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

PHOTOS 48-49 BY ADOBE STOCK

CREATE A SPREADSHEET TO ORGANIZE AND TRACK EVERYTHING

FIND YOUR PROFESSIONALS Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Identify the important tasks that need your attention and are worth spending time on - the food, the decor, entertainment, or something else? Prioritize this in your budget and plan accordingly. Check in with friends and family for their recommendations for anyone you will need to hire and reach out to these vendors as early as possible. And again, you will have to take inconsideration your location’s various social distancing guidelines and orders, so everyone stays safe and has a good time.

TAKE THE TIME TO BRAINSTORM Take some time to properly brainstorm. Scour the

ways to bring the DIY spirit to your wedding. Be

web, sift through magazines, books, stalk Pinterest

clever with signature drinks and create recipe cards

and Instagram accounts, bookmark, highlight, and

so guests can choose their own signature cocktail or

take notes. Search for #DIYWedding on all your social

even dessert. This can help you to save on staffing

media accounts and screenshot what you like. Then

costs and builds in a lighthearted activity for guests

explore the internet and see what you might discover.

to do during the reception.

A fun backdrop for social media or video conferencto commemorate your day that you can mail out

START THANK YOU NOTES IN ADVANCE

to family, flowers and other décor, the possibilities

Writing out thank you letters can be a pain, especial-

are endless.

ly when you want the honeymoon to continue but

ing for those not physically in attendance, some gifts

ENLIST YOUR SQUAD TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER

you’re already back to work. Order thank you cards

Know who you can count on to be a part

SPEAK WITH YOUR VENUE

of your wedding planning and execution

If you are looking to have your wedding at a venue,

addresses on everything, so you don’t have to hand

team and ask for their help. If you’re at

other than at your own home, explore the options

write everything. Have your stamps and everything

a total loss and don’t know where to be-

your venue might offer. Opt for a venue that of-

ready to go so you can divide and conquer on person-

gin, one friend can help with researching

fers built in packages, so you don’t have rent tables,

alizing each note for your wedding guests. Try to do

invitations, another with flowers, cake,

chairs, and other furniture from separate vendors.

this within a month of your wedding, if possible, so

outfits, and so forth. It takes a village, and

This will save you time, energy, and expenses. Porta in

you’re not scrambling to finish this before your first

your friends can help you with what might

Asbury Park, for instance, offers affordable packages.

anniversary.

initially seem like a mountain of work. Be what can be done and what you will need

INCORPORATE DIY INTO YOUR WEDDING

to budget for.

The planning doesn’t have to just be DIY, there are

realistic with your expectations and assess

when ordering your invites and have the vendor print

METROSOURCE.COM

■

JUNE/JULY 2020

49

MUSIC LOS ANGELES

MUSIC MEETS FASHION FOR A CAUSE

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

I CAN’T COUNT THE TIMES THAT I SCREAMED LIKE A FANGIRL WHENEVER LUCIANA’S “I LIKE THAT” CAME ON, and then almost passed out a year

later when she teamed up with Betty White for “I’m Still Hot.” The tale of how their collaboration began, I kid you not, at a Bear party – one of many Luciana has attended. Born in the melting pot of London’s music, fashion, and art culture, the Queen of Electro has been a vibrant voice in the industry for quite a while, reaching #1 in the Billboard charts eight times and counting. She’s written for Britney and Kylie Minogue, collaborated with Tiesto, Will Sparks, and Fedde Le Grande, and her videos have almost 100 million views to date. In May, she launched a new website that combined her love of art, music, and fashion into a party for the senses. But probably her most awesome collaboration?

Putting foods on tables by way of fashion.

Enter Daniel Sheehan, a 20-year fashion veteran whose company Sheehan & Co has a US-made fashion line that is a blend of vintage and masculine with a touch of sassy diva. As a small business owner, he used his creative mind to keep himself sane even as his staff had to be cut. Working around the clock in his warehouse, he started using his signature attitude for a series of clothing that he had to hand create himself – with t-shirts and masks that read, “Back the F Up, Social Distancing”, “Wash You F’ing Hands”, and the more somber, “Alone Never Lonely.” With detail to quality and flair, the shirts were being ordered

50

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

faster than his hands could work giving him a sense that he could keep the business alive with a plant to bring his staff back. But working and living in Downtown Los Angeles, he could see how the pandemic was affecting the community right outside his door, he had to do something.

“I am on the front lines of this battle. I live and work in an immigrant neighborhood in East Hollywood. You can see how devastating that closure of our economy is… I had to do something. That’s what we are supposed to do as Americans,” says Daniel. [Phone rings] “Luciana?”

“Yes, Daniel?”

“Do you want to – “ “Yes, Daniel.”

“I have actually known and admired Daniel for some time. I love his style and his charisma…he is talented and very cheeky and has a big heart - how could I not love that? I knew I wanted to do something for the community so when he reached out to me, it was an instant yes,” says Luciana.

In a matter of days, LUCIANA for SHEEHAN: Electronic Dance Music Meets Fashion was born with Luciana and Daniel working side by side to create a series of tees, hats, and masks with cheeky yet provocative colors

Update your status.

The CARE Center offers comprehensive health care and more, regardless of ability to pay.

Whether you’ve last tested your sexual health status three to six months ago or longer, staying healthy starts with knowing your status. We offer STI testing, treatment and prevention to keep the community healthy.

Our team provides specialty medical care, drug assistance, screenings, counseling, dental care, and behavioral health, regardless of ability to pay.

Learn more at dignityhealth.org/stmary/testing or call 562.453.3766.

Los Angeles County PrEP Center of Excellence

LIFE, and all with a techno beat! She is amazing and kind… Luciana brings you to life. She has a unique ability to make you forget about all the bad things that are going on and just laugh, sing, and smile so hard your face hurts. I love her… or as she would say,“Holy Shit, I Fu@king Love You,” in an East London Cockney accent.”

Taking a sip from a glass of wine bigger than her top hits list, Luciana’s message to us all is simply“Be strong, calm, realistic and most of all stay positive.”

Without a doubt, she’s still hot.

■ FOR THE LATEST IN LUCIANA’S WORLD, INCLUDING HER UPCOMING MUSIC, HEAD TO WWW.LUCIANA.COM TO CHECK OUT THEIR FASHION LINE, HEAD TO WWW.DANIELSHEEHAN.COM

52

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

PHOTOS ON 50 & 52 COURTESY OF LUCIANA

MUSIC LOS ANGELES

and slogans,“ Holy Sh!t I Fu@king Love You,”“Punk All Over Me,” and “Never Mind the Bollocks” leading the pack.

“I love touching and being around my friends and loved ones… so, I struggle with the distancing. I’m also eating far too much, but I have discovered I’m actually a good cook. Although I am yet to bake a decent cake,”comments Luciana.“Although everything feels so uncertain, this is actually a gift of time to think about our passions and what we want to share with the world; what we want to say and what we want to give back; and to not forget to have fun!”

What the two have cooked up is a series that is as effective being worn around the house while binge-watching Netflix, as it is to the dance floor of the nearest nightclub (whenever that will be again).

This is not solely about creating, it is truly about helping the community. A portion of every sale benefits the Westside Food Bank in California, a non-profit with a mission to distribute as much food as possible to 70 local agencies with food assistance programs.

Their services keep families from becoming homeless and they have a statement of inclusivity, serving all niche markets of the community from the elderly to LGBT youth. In the campaign’s short time, thousands of meals have already been distributed.

Daniel tells us,“The Westside Food Bank has wholesale buying power! They buy in bulk and supply organizations like God’s Love We Deliver, Meals on Wheels, US Veteran programs, LBGTQ youth, you name it. One dollar can buy a powerful amount when used in bulk. So, the math is simple: one shirt equals a $10 donation. At four meals per dollar, that is 40 meals!”

Luciana has been an ally from day one -“the LGBT community has just been a part of my family, my neighborhood from day one, it wasn’t a conscious choice, it was just a way of life.” She has been a favorite performer at Pride festivals and her contagious spirit raises a sense of confidence, even if you are the worst dancer of the lot.

She has reinvented herself not to fit the fads, but to set them – both fashionably and musically. Her partnership with Daniel is kismet, Daniel himself a member of the LGBT community who has certainly experienced obstacles in the fashion world. “While I cannot talk specifics of my journey, I would advise young gay professionals, even in what we believe to be the safety net of the fashion world, we have no protections in many states like Georgia, where discrimination is legal based on sexual orientation. SCARY. The battle is definitely not over,” declares Daniel.

Put these two queens together, and there’s quite simply, magic.

Daniel expresses, “Working with Luciana is SUNSHINE, LOVE,

BUY LOCAL, EAT GLOBAL ORDER-IN FROM SOME OF LA’S BEST RESTAURANTS

CURATED BY ERIC ROSEN WHILE MANY RESTAURANTS HAVE TEMPORARILY CLOSED, others have

shifted operations to takeout and delivery. Among them are some of Los Angeles’ best eateries, many of whom are offering gourmet takeout meals at a fraction of the price you’d pay to dine in. Here are a few to put on your speed dial.

BAVEL

RESTAURANT

CONNIE & TED’S Providence might be closed for now, but chef Michael Cimarusti has reopened his ode to East Coast seafood shacks for takeout. Would-be diners can find all the usual items on the menu including Joanne’s batter-dipped cod with tartar sauce fish and chips, the Hook burger with four-year-old cheddar, and even a selection of wines. It’s almost summer, so satisfy that hankering for lobster rolls with the excellent ones they serve, and don’t forget to grab a churro-inspired whoopie pie for dessert.

Available on Tock. connieandteds.com

ANGELINI There’s no food more comforting than classic Italian, especially when it comes from one of Los Angeles’ tastiest trattorias.

Chef Gino is whipping up his usual range of mouthwatering mangia-bles including golden fried arancini with peas, gooey mozzarella and tangy tomato sauce, and flavorsome pastas like his light tagliolini with lemon, cream, and Parmigiano Reggiano.

Tiramisu translates as “pick me up,” so no one would blame you for ordering the velvety dessert with ladyfingers, mascarpone, espresso, and a dusting of cocoa powder.

Available for delivery on Postmates, UberEats, Grubhub, Caviar and DoorDash. angelinirestaurantgroup.com

LOS ANGELES

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF ANGELINI • BAVEL PHOTO BY JAKOB LAYMAN • PHOTO COURTESY OF CONNIE & TED’S • PHOTO COURTESY OF N/NAKA

It’s usually impossible to snag a reservation at this downtown dining destination.

No need to, though, when chef couple Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis are offering family-style takeout meals that are much easier to order. Priced at $49 per person for between two and six people, items from recent menus have included marinated Persian cucumbers with turmeric, pickled cauliflower with dill and garlic, Moroccan carrots and golden beets with whipped feta, herbs and seeds, harissa-spiced prawns with cucumber and green almond crème fraiche, and orange blossom custard and semolina cake with mandarin oranges, saffron syrup and yogurt cream.

Available on Tock. baveldtla.com

N/NAKA Dinner out at this Michelin two-star Sawtelle standout (it was featured on Chef’s Table) is an exquisite affair where each fastidiously fashioned dish is more impressive than the last. For the moment, Angelenos can reserve bento-style boxes of precisely plated, palate-pleasing morsels that cost $85 per person for one to eight people. Recent iterations have included luscious, braised Monterey Bay abalone, crispy lobster nanbanzuke, matcha white chocolate cake, and an appetizing array of market-fresh sushi and sashimi. If you just want the sushi bento, it’s $38 per person. Menus sell out quickly, but are released each day at 10:00am, so click fast. n-naka.com/to-go

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

53

OLIVETTA You might not have had a chance to visit this alwayspacked Melrose hotspot since it debuted in January, but now is your chance to try chef Michael Fiorelli’s creative cuisine, albeit with some homier comfort food thrown in. Current items include local English snap peas with radish, mint, and California olive oil; homemade casarecce with arugula-cashew pesto; and upside-down local berry cake with almond and hazelnut flour. You can also order “market essentials” to use in your own cooking, such as Marcona almonds, housemade fresh pasta, and aged Reggiano parmesan.

Available via Tock. olivetta.la

SPAGO

RONAN Sure, you could just order Domino’s, but wouldn’t you rather have a handmade, wood-fired pizza cooked to order just for you, not to mention artisanal cocktails? Many of this fabulous family-run restaurant’s favorites are on hand for delivery (or curbside pickup with a 10% discount). Try the sweet cheeks pizza with perfectly salty guanciale, tangy ricotta forte, cacio e peppe for a bite and a drizzle of honey; or the risotto verde with nettles, basil, black pepper, lemon zest and parmesan.

Cocktails for two include the Lone Warrior with Suntory Toki whiskey, Baller single malt, rucolino bitters, Amaro Angeleno and demerara.

Delivery available on Chownow, Postmates, DoorDash and Caviar. ronanla.com

VESPERTINE Multi-course tasting menus at chef Jordan Kahn’s heady Michelin two-star Culver City culinary boîte usually cost nearly $300 per person. For now, though, the crew is cooking up family-style meals for pickup or delivery priced at a mere $65 per person for between two and 10 people. Thematic menus vary by the week, with one inspired by Kahn’s Savannah childhood and another by his fascination with Vietnamese cuisine. Recent dishes have included a brisket of Wagyu beef with griddled Indian parathas, roasted black carrot salad, and chocolate almond brown butter brownies.

Available on Tock. vespertine.la

54

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF OLIVETTA • PHOTO COURTESY OF ONAN • PHOTO COURTESY OF SPAGO • PHOTO COURTESY OF VESPERTINE

LOS ANGELES

RESTAURANT

Wolfgang Puck’s doting devotees can still devour his New Californian classics via takeout or delivery. At $59 per person, three-course familystyle menus have recently included choices like sweet pea tortellini with wild mushrooms, marjoram and mascarpone, and Puck’s signature Austrian veal wienerschnitzel with fingerling potatoes, arugula, and earthy Styrian pumpkin seed oil.You can order certain items for curbside pickup including the applewood smoked salmon pizza with dill crème fraiche and salmon roe or go full out for a steak dinner from his other restaurant, CUT, for $185 per couple.

Available on Tock. wolfgangpuck.com/dining/spago-2

ACCOUNTING – HOTELS

ACCOUNTING

CLOTHING

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

Lady Sadez

GIFTS Li-Lac Chocolates

www.ladysadez.com

COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY Lotus Place Recovery

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

ATTORNEYS Parker | Waichman LLP

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

BAKERIES

EMPLOYMENT

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

BANKS

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)

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

US Bank

EVENT PLANNING & EVENT SPACE/RENTALS

Wells Fargo

1022 Davie St Vancouver, BC, Canada www.celebritiesnightclub.com

Toll Free ��������������������������������������800 720-2265 www.usbank.com/checking Toll Free ��������������������������������������800 869-3557 www.wellsfargo.com/lgbt

Book Soup Bookstore

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

Crossroads Books

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

CATERING West Village: 40 8th Ave, NYC Greenwich Village: 162 Bleecker St, NYC Grand Central: 43rd & Lexington, NYC Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave, NYC Industry City: 68 35th St, Brooklyn NYC ��������������������������������������������212 924-2280 www.li-lacchocolates.com

JUNE/JULY 2020 METROSOURCE LA

METROSOURCE

PRIDE AROUND THE WORLD FIRST VIRTUAL GLOBAL PRIDE

BYRON LANE

AUTHOR, PLAYWRIGHT, SCREENWRITER, AND PRINCESS LEIA’S ASSISTANT

BETTY JUNE/JULY 2020

THE UNOFFICIAL MUSIC OF PRIDE

LUCIANA MUSIC MEETS FASHION FOR A CAUSE BUY LOCAL, EAT GLOBAL ORDER-IN FROM SOME OF LA’S BEST RESTAURANTS

LESLIE JORDAN PRIDE COMES IN ALL SIZES

HAIR SALONS Blades

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

Shorty’s Barber Shop

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

Aqua-Aston Hospitality

Hawaii ����������������������������������������855 945-4092 www.aqua-aston.com

Vancouver East Cultural Centre 1895 Venables St Vancouver, BC, Canada ���������������604 251-1766 www.thecultch.com

FRAMING

Elan Hotel Modern

8435 Beverly Blvd LA �����������������������������������������������323 658-6663 www.elanhotel.com

Opus Hotel Vancouver

Framing Gallery

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

FITNESS/GYMS/PERSONAL TRAINERS

Li-Lac Chocolates

www.misterbandb.com

HOTELS

Celebrities Nightclub

The Cultch

BOOKS & BOOKSTORES

GUEST HOUSES/B&B’S MisterBandB

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)

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

Cake and Art

West Village: 40 8th Ave, NYC Greenwich Village: 162 Bleecker St, NYC Grand Central: 43rd & Lexington, NYC Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave, NYC Industry City: 68 35th St, Brooklyn NYC ��������������������������������������������212 924-2280 www.li-lacchocolates.com

Body Builders Gym

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

Fired Up Athletics

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

Preferred Hotels & Resorts

www.preferredpride.com/metrosource

Ramada Plaza West Hollywood Hotel

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

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

SAVE UP TO 41% OFF THE COVER PRICE Yes! I want all the fabulous that’s fit to print!

Please send me 6 issues (one year) for just $19.95.* (a savings of 33%) Please send me 12 issues for $34.95.* (a savings of 41%)

Please check the edition that you want:

NY Edition

LA Edition

National Edition

Name______________________________________________________________ Address____________________________________________________________ City________________________________ State____________Zip____________ Email______________________________ Payment enclosed Bill me

* Add $2.50 per issue for foreign mailing, including Canada. Credit Card #______________________________________Exp. date_________ Complete this form and sent it with a check or money order payable to : Bent Share Entertainment, LLC, 6475 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., #438, Long Beach, CA 90803

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

55

HOTELS (CONTINUED) – WEDDING SERVICES Sandman Suites on Davie INTRODUCTION SERVICES 1160 Davie St Vancouver, BC Canada ��������������������������������������� 604 681-7263 www.sandmanhotels.com

Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel

1088 Burrard St Vancouver, BC Canada ��������������������������������������� 604 331-1000 www.sheratonvancouver.com

Bespoke Matchmaking

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

LEATHER 665 Leather & Fetish Co.

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

Rough Trade

Sunset Marquis

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

Viceroy

VIVE Hotel Waikiki

2426 Kuhio Ave Honolulu, Hawaii ������������������������ 808 687-2000 www.vivehotelwaikiki.com

INSURANCE HealthSherpa

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

GayVan.com Travel Marketing www.gayvan.com

NUTRITION & FITNESS Power Zone

8578 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood �������������������������310 289-1125 www.powerzoneonline.com

Marc Berton Insurance

nulo.com/love

Nulo Pet Foods

TAX SERVICES

5150 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste 350 Long Beach �������������������������562 597-4300 www.gregcash.com

THRIFT SHOPS Berda Paradise Thrift Store 3506 W Sunset Blvd LA �����������������������������������������������323 661-8246

(SEE BACK COVER)

TRAVEL/GETAWAYS

PHARMACIES/DRUGS

Aqua-Aston Hospitality

AHF Pharmacy

Hawaii ����������������������������������������855 945-4092

Cienega Pharmacy

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

PHYSICIANS & MEDICAL SERVICES Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic

www.aqua-aston.com

VIVE Hotel Waikiki 2426 Kuhio Ave Honolulu, Hawaii ������������������������808 687-2000 www.vivehotelwaikiki.com

VIDEO

Family Medicine & Mental Health 3324 W Sunset Blvd, LA ��������������323 660-2400 www.hsfreeclinic.org

Broadway Video

REAL ESTATE/PALM SPRINGS

Video West

Hammond, Joe & Howell, Gary

Coldwell Banker Hammond: Palm Springs �������������760 275-6597 Howell: Palm Springs ������������������760 275-4792 www.palmspringsgary.com

ROOFING Reliable Roofing By Todd Gregory Young

Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage �������760 323-2705 Palm Desert/Indian Wells �������������760 568-1673 Joshua Tree/Yucca Valley �������������760 365-0072 Desert Hot Springs ����������������������760 251-9495 Cathedral City �����������������������������760 323-2705 www.reliableroofingbytgy.com

METROSOURCE.COM

www.bodyelectrictattoo.com

Cash, Gregory D., EA, MST

PET SUPPLIES

JUNE/JULY 2020

LA ����������������������������������������������323 954-0408

MARKETING SERVICES

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

56

7274 1/2 Melrose Ave

Greg Cash TaxPlus

Toll Free �������������������������������������� 844 346-9476 www.metrosource.healthsherpa.com LA ���������������������������������������������� 323 872-0482 San Fernando Valley ���������������� 818 365-9449 Toll Free ������������������������������������� 800 924-4459 www.marcberton.com

Body Electric Tattoo and Piercing

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

Brand2Fly

415 South Belardo Rd Palm Springs ������������������������������� 760 320-4117 www.viceroypalmsprings.com

TATTOO

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

805 Larrabee St West Hollywood �������������������������310 659-5762

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 ARRIBA SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB PO Box 69611 West Hollywood, CA 90069 www.arribaski.org BIKE OUT 2811 Pico Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90405 310 453-5040 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 GOLDEN STATE GAY RODEO ASSOC - GLAC P.O Box 2407 Long Beach, CA 90801 562 498-1675 www.larodeo.com GREATER LA IGBO LEAGUES www.igbo.org LA BLADES ICE HOCKEY PO Box 4346 Laguna Beach, CA 92652 310 288-3632 www.bladeshockey.com LA POOL LEAGUE PO Box 2227 Los Angeles, CA 90078 818 426-2171 www.lapl8ball.org LA TENNIS ASSOC. (LATA) PO Box 481226 Los Angeles, CA 90048 www.lataweb.com OUTSPORTS www.outsports.com PALM SPRINGS FRONTRUNNERS PO Box 2184 Palm Springs, CA 92263 760 318-8809 www.psfr.org SHORELINE FRONTRUNNERS OF LONG BEACH PO Box 90774 Long Beach, CA 90809 562 252-0218 www.shorelinefrontrunners.org SOCAL GIRL GOLF 714 391-3615 www.socalgirlgolf.com SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WRESTLING CLUB (SCWC) www.geocities.com/scwc2002 SURF & SUN SOFTBALL www.surfandsunsoftball.com TINSELTOWN SQUARES www.iagsdc.org VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION IN LOS ANGELES (VOILA) www.gayvolleyball.org WEST HOLLYWOOD AQUATICS www.wh2o.org WEST HOLLYWOOD SOCCER CLUB www.gaysoccer.com

CULTURAL, ETHNIC & SOCIAL ASIAN PACIFIC AIDS INTL TEAM 6501 West Olympic Blvd Ste 610 Los Angeles, CA 90015 213 553-1830 www.apaitonline.org BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY 5001 Angel Canyon Rd Kanab, UT 84741 435 644-2001 www.bestfriends.org BEST FRIENDS PET ADOPTION & SPAY/NEUTER SERVICES 15321 Brand Blvd Mission Hills, CA 91345 818 643-3989 www.bestfriends.org/la CHRISTOPHER STREET WEST/GAY PRIDE 8235 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 969-8302 www.lapride.org DIVERSE & INCLUSIVE VISIONARY ARTISTS (DIVA) 8581 Santa Monica Blvd #220 West Hollywood, CA 90069 www.queerdiva.com GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION (GLAAD) 5455 Wilshire Blvd, #1500 Los Angeles, CA 90036 323 933-2240 www.glaad.org GAY MENS CHORUS OF LA 9056 Santa Monica Blvd, #300 West Hollywood, CA 90069 800 636-7464 www.gmcla.org I LOVE ME FOUNDATION 6444 Fountain Ave Hollywood, CA 90028 323 467-6444 www.chazdean.com KIDSAVE 11835 W Olympic Blvd #295 Los Angeles, CA 90064 310 479-5437 www.kidsave.org 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 GAY & LESBIAN CENTER McDonald/Wright Building 1625 North Schrader Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 323 993-7400 www.laglc.org LA YOUTH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES 8111 Beverly Blvd #306 Los Angeles, CA 90048 877 465-2977 www.la-youth.org

PACIFIC PRIDE FOUNDATION 126 East Haley, Ste A-11 Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805 963-3636 www.pacificpridefoundation.org THE POINT FOUNDATION 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 370 Los Angeles, CA 90036 866 33-Point www.pointfoundation.org (SEE AD PAGE 55) 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

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 AIDS PROJECT LA (APLA) Client & Community Services The David Geffen Center 611 South Kingsley Drive Los Angeles, CA 90005 866 679-0958 213 201-WALK (9255) www.apla.org www.aidswalk.net AIDS RESEARCH ALLIANCE 1400 S Grand Ave Ste 701 Los Angeles, CA 90015 310 358-2429 www.hopetakesaction.org www.aidsresearch.org AIDS WALK LA 3550 Wilshire Blvd, #800 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213 201-9255 (WALK) www.aidswalk.net AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY 3333 Wilshire Blvd #900 Los Angeles, CA 90010 800 227-2345 www.cancer.org

LONG BEACH LESBIAN & GAY PRIDE PO Box 2050 Long Beach, CA 90802 562 987-9191 www.longbeachpride.com

BEING ALIVE PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS ACTION COALITION 621 N San Vincente Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 289-2551 www.beingalivela.org

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

DESERT AIDS PROJECT Palm Springs, CA 1695 North Sunrise Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 323-2118 www.desertaidsproject.org

GAY & LESBIAN ARMENIAN SOCIETY (GALAS) 8721 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 654 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 203-1587 www.galasla.org GAY & LESBIAN CENTER Orange County 1605 N Spurgeon St Santa Ana, CA 92701 714 953-5428 www.thecenteroc.org HEALTHSHERPA 844 346-9476 www.metrosource. healthsherpa.com HOLY FAMILY SERVICES, ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE 840 Echo Park Ave Los Angeles, CA 90026 213 202-3900 www.holyfamilyservices.org

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

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

INLANDS AIDS PROJECT (AIP) 3756 Elizabeth St Riverside, CA 92504 951 346-1910 www.inlandaidsproject.org

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

LESBIANS

LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER Health Education & Prevention 13210 South Figueroa Los Angeles, CA 90061 310 327-0590 LA PUBLIC HEALTH www.reallycheckyourself.org LA YOUTH SERVICES McDonald/Wright Building 1625 North Schrader Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 323 993-7450 LIFEWORKS www.lifeworksmentoring.org 310 724-6300 PENNY LANE CENTERS 15305 Rayen St North Hills, CA 91343 818 892-3423 www.pennylane.org OUT OF THE CLOSET AIDS Healthcare Foundation 6210 West Sunset Los Angeles, CA 90028 323 860-5200

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 P.O. Box #57555 Sherman Oaks, CA 91413 888 552-4522 www.balaweb.org THE QUEER LOUNGE PO Box 69887 West Hollywood, CA 90069 www.queerlounge.org

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 THE TREVOR PROJECT 9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 271-8845 www.thetrevorproject.org THE VILLAGE AT ED GOULD PLAZA 1125 North McCadden Place Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 860-7328 prevention@laglc.org www.laglc.org

RELIGIOUS 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

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

METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2020

57

is so low. Even with the Modern Family gig, I had too many hours in the day and not enough work. So, I left Hollywood and gave some other jobs a try and nothing was a perfect fit. That’s when Modern Family called and signed me up as a semi-regular character.

You have been a part of Modern Family since day one. How have you changed the most during your years on the show?

Acting is now a lot easier than when I started. I used to be self-conscious in front of the camera and now I’m not as much. That’s the hardest part about acting for a lot of young people. I may have changed as a person, but my rapport with the Modern Family people has always been the same. Sometimes people bring out a different side of you and I like the person I am when I’m on set.

The media went crazy went you “came out” of the closet. But you didn’t really come out, you just were never in. How did having your sexuality discussed in the media affect your personal life?

Nobody really cares about my personal life. At least I haven’t really noticed anyone caring. Being gay is just a fact, and I guess I just do not feel insecure about it.

Do you think its limiting to be an openly out actor?

Being me is pretty limiting too. [Laughs] But every actor is limited in some

VIEWS

LAST CALL

way. If people want to hire me, that’s what matters.

You have openly talked about your battle with body dysmorphia and your relationship with plastic surgery. How have you worked through your struggle? Is this still something you battle with today?

REID EWING GROWING UP IN A MODERN FAMILY

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

Well, I am going to get some fillers to try to cover up some questionable work so, yea, I guess I do deal with it. I don’t think I’ll ever do any crazy procedures anymore though. As I always want to say, don’t do it unless it’s a last resort.

What is your advice for someone starting out in the industry?

Well if they can live their dream, then do it. But they have to be living their dream whether or not they can get jobs because that can be a problem. I guess, make your own jobs. I sorta do. Try to find like-minded people - easier said than done.

You are big fan of anime. What was your first exposure to the genre?

What about anime interests you so much?

REID EWING WAS ON THE SHOW MODERN FAMILY SINCE THE FIRST EPISODE.

My friend Zak Burnside aka Octophonix really showed me a lot about it.

Raised in Florida and performing in theater there, he studied at the Dreyfoos

I like it because it is a fascinating tradition. The anime world seems more fun

School of the Arts in West Palm Beach and the School for Film and Television

than the real world. I can just keep digging into the subject and always find

in New York before moving to Los Angeles. He moved to LA at 17 and booked

something new and interesting. Also, there are character types that you see

the lead in a pilot, where he was cast as a redneck monster truck driver. He

throughout many anime. I like these weird character types that are popular in

even got a tattoo of the logo of the show, which he now regrets – where is that

anime, it never gets old. I could keep going on the subject forever.

■

tattoo, I wanna know? He also appeared in the films Fright Night (with Colin Farrell and Dave Franco) and 10 Rules for Sleeping Around. He has also been an advocate for mental health awareness and has been open about his struggle and banjo. He wrote the song“In the Moonlight (Do Me)”which became a cult

RAPID FIRE:

favorite, which his character performed on Modern Family. After he tweeted

Celebrity Crush?

about his attraction to a guy, the media made a big deal about the fact that he had come out. It wasn’t his intention to make a major coming out statement because he never hid it, it was just part of who he is. Reid recently moved back

Yuzuru Hanyu.

Worst regular job you’ve had to work?

A landscaper in Florida in the summer. Hell.

to Los Angeles and we had the opportunity to have a cocktail and a chat:

Biggest pet peeve?

You did theater in your youth but weren’t really sure acting was for

Guilty pleasure?

Being called “man” as if they are affirming my fragile masculinity. you. What was the defining moment you realized this is what you want to do?

Weed.

Most embarrassing song on your playlist?

I wanted to do it as a kid. I probably just started because I wanted the

“Down in New Orleans” from the Princess and the Frog.

attention, but then I saw it came pretty naturally to me. At some point in my mid-twenties, I was going to drop out because the success ratio in Hollywood

58

JUNE/JULY 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

YOU CAN FOLLOW REID ON INSTAGRAM AT MEDIA_REID

THIS PAGE: PHOTO BY PHIL STAFFORD

with body dysmorphia. In addition to acting, Ewing plays the piano, guitar,

WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER MY HIV TEST? I AM HIV POSITIVE.

I AM HIV NEGATIVE.

LIVE A LONGER, HEALTHIER LIFE! Either way, talk to a healthcare provider about HIV treatment or HIV prevention.

There’s no cure, but there’s something everyone can do to help stop the virus.

HelpStopTheVirus.com GILEAD is a trademark of Gilead Sciences, Inc. © 2019 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. UNBC6448 07/19

Gus Kenworthy & Birdie Silver Medalist Freeskier

Nulo’s high-protein, low carb recipes help your dogs and cats fuel their inner athlete.

See Why There’s No Better Pet Food ALREADY CONVINCED? Get 20% off your purchase of a trial bag at Nulo.com with coupon code SAVE20. All trial bag orders come with a coupon for $10 off your next purchase of Nulo – valid wherever Nulo is sold.