METROSOURCE NY - JUN/JUL 2022 by Metrosource

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.

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MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

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

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your

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

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:  dofetilide  rifampin  any other medicines to treat HIV-1

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

including hepatitis infection.  Have any other health problems.  Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.  Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:  Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-

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

 BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other.

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

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

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

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

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

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

visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

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KEEP ASPIRING.

Because HIV doesn’t change who you are. BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

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VIEWS

EDITOR’S LETTER

SHOW YOUR PRIDE THIS SEASON

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

SUMMER IS UPON US! WARM DAYS, EXTENDED

I haven’t even touched on the work we still

DAYLIGHT HOURS AND BALMY NIGHTS CREATE

have to do at the federal level and in many states

IDEALISTIC SETTINGS FOR SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

regarding equality for housing, employment, and

AND LET’S FACE IT, THE LAST COUPLE OF

transgender rights.

SUMMERS HAVE NOT BEEN CONDUCIVE FOR

Across our country we are fortunate enough

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

to have caring, dedicated, and selfless volun-

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

teers who dedicate their time and talents to

and connect with the community and celebrate.

running our local LGBTQ+ centers. Most of

This issue focuses on our pride. Not just

these groups have an Advocacy Team focused

the Pride events and celebrations, but everyday

on making a legislative impact, in addition to

pride in our community and the tremendous

offering programs and services to our commu-

progress we have made over the years to gain

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

equality and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ society

involved at a local level. Collectively, we are an

in mainstream America. Our representation in

unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry

the media, on legislative fronts, and in public

and the struggle to bring about meaningful and

opinion, has continued to increase in recent

long-lasting change for future generations. Here

years thanks to a full-court press by courageous

are some suggestions for involvement:

individuals and our active advocacy groups. In 1996, a Gallup opinion poll revealed that “marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized by the law as valid” was supported

and state representatives.

to 2021, and the same Gallup poll revealed that

• Gain knowledge on LGBTQ topics. Read and

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

research laws, terms, history - anything that

measurement, but the other is legislative parity.

Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com

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

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

Public acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights is one

NATIONAL DISPLAY ADVERTISING

800.818.0480 info@metrosource.com

• Write, call, or email your federal

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

That type of progress is something to celebrate.

Eric Rosen Jeffrey James Keyes Megan Venzin Michael Westman Steve Gottfried

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

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

During this Pride season, I encourage cele-

vs. Hodges, which ultimately resulted in the full

bration and participation in the many exuberant

legalization of same-sex marriage in the United

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

States. However, recent Supreme Court discus-

to reflect on our predecessors who collectively

sions have called into question the finality of

helped us achieve this level of equality, and what

precedent. Under our current system of gov-

each of us can do today to continue the progress

ernment, rulings can be overturned. This should

and make life better for our LGBTQ+ successors.

Subscriptions: One year (6 issues): $24.95; 12 issues: $39.95. Reproduction of any article, listing or advertisement without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. The people, businesses and organizations appearing in Metrosource are supportive of the gay community. Mention of any person, business or organization is not a reflection of their sexual orientation. ©2021 Bent Share Entertainment, LLC. Advertisers in Metrosource acknowledge that they do business in the spirit of cooperation, fairness and service, maintaining a high level of integrity and responsibility. Providers of products or services are fully and solely responsible for same as advertised. Metrosource assumes no responsibility or liability for improper or negligent business practices by advertisers. The appearance of any person, model, business or organization in this publication, by name, advertisement or photograph is not an indication of sexual orientation. Advertisers and their agencies assume all responsibility and legal liability for the content of their advertisements in Metrosource. Publisher assumes no liability for safe-keeping or return of unsolicited art, manuscripts or other materials. Metrosource reserves the right to edit all material for clarity, length and content. All contents are copyright Bent Share Entertainment, LLC. All rights reserved. Content may only be reproduced with written permission from Bent Share Entertainment, LLC. Metrosource assumes no liability for any claims or representations contained anywhere in this magazine and reserve the right to cancel or refuse advertising at publisher’s discretion.

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

With pride,

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

JUNE/JULY 2022

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@metrosource @MetrosourceMagazine @metrosourcemag

METROSOURCE.COM

CONTENTS

June/July 2022 | VOLUME 33, NO. 3

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

10 24 18 10

O LYMPIC FIGURE SKATER

JASON BROWN

COMING OUT AND FINDING HIS GROOVE

S UPERHEROES OF REALITY TV

RANDY BARBATO AND FENTON BAILEY

24 QUEER AS FOLK BACK TO BABYLON

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

O UR CRUSH ON

COVER: The cast of Peacock’s Queer As Folk

TYLER ALVAREZ METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2022

DEPARTMENTS

June/July 2022 | VOLUME 33, NO. 3

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

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

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

VIEWS 4 EDITOR’S LETTER Show Your Pride this Season

JUNE/JULY 2022

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

CURATED BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

A PERFECT 10

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

THESCOPE

READ

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

CULTURE

THESCOPE

nada.Your mind is more deeply fried than an Oreo at a state fair. Wouldn’t it be great to have a source of proven, go-to recipes to get dinner on the table when you’re short on inspiration? What you need is A PERFECT 10: Ten Proven, Scrumptious Recipes for Each Part of Every Meal by author, playwright, home cook and father Tim Mulligan. While Mulligan isn’t a trained chef, he worked for years in restaurants and has put in way more than the 10,000 hours necessary to achieve family cooking expertise. In addition to his own creations, he has picked up delicious, tried-and-true recipes from fellow home cooks, embellishing some with his own gastronomical magic. Mulligan provides 10 fail-proof recipes for seven distinct meal periods (70 recipes in all) from breakfast to appetizers and sides, to salads, entrees, desserts, and a Thanksgiving menu that will finally win you the respect of your in-laws. AMONG THE SCRUMPTIOUS DISHES ARE: • Eggs in Purgatory: Heavenly baked eggs in a wickedly good tomato sauce. • Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Cooked Grapes: A symphony of flavors and textures accompanies everyone’s favorite sprout with sweet, savory, crispy, and spicy notes. • Grandma’s Gumdrop Bread: When is bread also dessert? When it’s a delightful combination of dinner rolls and candy gumdrops with a boozy eggnog glaze. Whether you’re new to the kitchen or have been doing dinner duty for decades, A PERFECT 10 will fire up your excitement to get cooking, knowing that Mulligan has handed you the perfect blueprint to a truly great meal. METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2022

DRINK

CRYSTAL HEAD VODKA

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

THESCOPE

Vodka, with the desire to inspire those who think differently and encourage their creative pursuits. Crystal Head Vodka uses only the highest-quality ingredients and pristine water from Newfoundland, Canada, to create unique ultrapremium vodka expressions that are entirely additive-free. As a distinctive final touch, Crystal Head Vodka is filtered through layers of Herkimer Diamonds. Crystal Head is a proud ally of the LGBTQIA+ community, committed to using its platform as a tool to educate and support, not only from Pride bottle profits, but through continuous, yearround global efforts with partners including Stonewall Sports Program, The Test Positive Awareness Network, Kaleidoscope Trust, and Lurie Children’s Hospital Transgender Youth Program, to name a few. The limitededition Pride bottle, which houses Crystal Head Original Vodka, is now available on ReserveBar. It will be available in select U.S. markets, Canada and Europe.

CULTURE

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

WAKEUP BEACHBREAK COFFEE

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

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

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

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Randy and his husband, BEACHBREAK Coffee’s other co-founder, Jim Skicki, launched the company a year ago, after both had been laid off from their jobs due to the pandemic. They harnessed their passion for great-tasting coffee to create a business that serves the community they call home.“Fire Island lacks good coffee options,”said Skicki.“We changed that by creating a product you can enjoy during your time on the beach, and then bring back home.” Customers interested in purchasing Pride Roast, or any of BEACHBREAK Coffee’s other six blends, can visit www.beachbreakcoffee.com. Delivery is free to Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove residents.

NETTA

LISTEN

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

several past global smash hits from Netta including “Toy” (over 161 million views), as well as “Bassa Sababa” (over 239 million views), “Ricki Lake” (over 10 million views), and her most recent drop “CEO” (over 6.8 million views). The video is symbolic to Netta’s growth, finding herself evolving and growing like the trees, vines, and flowers around her as well as her nails. She is skipping in an open field representing her found freedom behind the shackles of self-doubt and no confidence. It is an inspiring message to those who have lost themselves during a heartbreak that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Netta told Metrosource, “I need to speak about the LGBTQ+ community from an outside perspective. Truth is that I’m a very straight girl with a very very gay story. It always felt natural to be around my LGBTQ+ friends, grow as a performer, as a creator, as a writer, with supportive understanding and uplifting people who inspire me to stay me.” Having just come back from White Party Palm Springs, Netta is set to perform at Chicago Pridefest and NYC’s Pride Island, as well as hitting up major cities Philly and DC for first time performances. Netta gives one heck of a performance and these shows are absolute must sees during pride season. Visit www.nettamusic.com.

WATCH

Netta WP-05. Photo courtesy GED Magazine

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

best friends who set out to have a legendary week-long summer vacation with the help of cheap rosé and a group of queer best friends. But a sudden change of events might make this their last summer in gay paradise. As they discover the romance and pleasures of the iconic island, their bonds as a chosen family are pushed to the limit. Starring: Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, Margaret Cho, Conrad Ricamora, James Scully, Matt Rogers, Tomás Matos, Torian Miller, Nick Adams, and Zane Phillips. METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2022

OLYMPIC FIGURE SKATER

JASON BROWN COMING OUT

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

decade, but it was his spellbinding skate to Riverdance in 2013 at the age of 19 that catapulted him into the spotlight and his first Olympic competition. Brown made headlines of a different sort when he came out as gay via Instagram in 2021 in the midst of the pandemic. During our Zoom chat, we discussed all this and more including what other coveted trophy he’s vying for outside the world of figure skating. While most of us will never know what it feels like to land a triple salchow, I asked Jason if he was able to put into words what it feels like when he’s on the ice, seemingly defying gravity. I asked if it’s akin to being a bird in flight. It’s one of those funny things where if you think too hard about what we do, it doesn’t make sense. You’re going into a jump and thinking, I need to get my body up in the air, rotate three or four times, land on a blade that’s like a centimeter wide. It’s hard to fathom - it’s definitely something where you just go into autopilot. But I like your analogy about feeling like a bird in flight. I dream about what it would be like to fly like a bird.

JUNE/JULY 2022

I would just have to say that it’s a sensation where you’re suspended in air and you feel the rotation, you feel the wind around you. You pull in as tight as you can, and you’re really just focused on finding the ground with your blade. Especially with spinning - you’re so focused on keeping your center and finding the balance point on the blade that you’re more focused on that and keeping your head on straight. Talk to me about your Riverdance program. Was that a significant change for you? One hundred percent. It was a huge turning point in my career. It was my firstyear senior internationally. On your first senior international

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season, to make an Olympic team is mind-blowing. Everything just culminated at the right time, at the right place and ended up being my first national podium and then on the Olympic team. And doing it with that program was so special. I saw some footage online about your initial reaction when your choreographer first suggested skating to the song and how daunting that was at first. How long did it take before it was performance ready? We started in the spring, and it really came together at the U.S. Championship that next January. It was a long process, but it was so rewarding and so much fun to work through.

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

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PAGE 10-15: PHOTOS COURTESY OF JASON BROWN

How much of skating is psychological and how much is simply hard work and discipline? It starts with all hard work and discipline, up until a point. You train and train and train and as soon as you’re ready for that competition – it kind of shifts to being much more psychological. Dealing with the unknowns and the pressure and the nerves and finding a way to stay grounded through that process. I’ve been so fortunate because I have worked with a sports psychologist since I was 10 years old. It really is a key part of the sport, and I don’t take that for granted. Another huge psychological part of the sport is just staying true to your course. So often we find ourselves comparing ourselves to others. So, it’s really about trying to stay focused and diligent. Not letting your mind drift to all those unknowns and “am I good enough?” It is always so jarring, even as a spectator, when an accomplished figure skater falls during a competition. When the stakes are so high, how do you process that when you fall? And how do you get back up? Does

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METROSOURCE.COM

that become a muscle memory? A key part of that is muscle memory and we train like that every day. When we are doing a run-through in practice, we fall all the time. We get up, we move on, we keep going. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned how to tune out all the emotion and really be that athlete when you’re competing. That idea of “I’ll deal with it once it’s over.” In this moment, I have a job to do, I’ve gotta get it done and good or bad, whatever it is, when the music starts, you are going to go go go until the music ends. And then once you leave the rink, you can process it and have that emotional reaction – whether it’s a letdown or a celebration or whatever it might be. How would you describe your aesthetic? I think for me, the base of it all is that I love to perform. I love to give my entire self to the performance and completely transform into a character. Or completely dive into telling a story - and that is really my aesthetic - creating a piece of work that resonates with people and that can move people. I want to always be evolving so the audience is excited to see what’s next.

Jason described his own coming out as a trauma-free process. I grew up with such an incredibly open community around me, which I feel so fortunate about. I crossed paths with a lot several coaches that are gay. And I have five LGBTQ cousins. So, it was always something that I was around and was very normal and visible in my life. When I started to realize that about myself, it wasn’t like some big revelation to me. It was just “okay, cool, I’m gay.” While Jason had been out to his inner circle of family and friends since the age of 22, it would be four more years before he was ready to come out professionally. Jason explained the catalyst behind his decision. It was during the summer of 2020, where everything shut down and I was back with my family. I didn’t have my skating to distract me. The Supreme Court was dealing with matters directly impacting the LGBTQ community. People started coming out with their stories. Seeing how people’s experiences were so different from my own - being kicked out of their house or losing their job for who they were.

I’ve been so fortunate that I’ve been in an environment that has been so accepting and so loving and I know that so many people don’t have that. I realize the reason it’s been normalized for me is because of everyone who has come before me and fought for those rights and cleared that path for me to be able to walk proudly, openly and safely. But that comes from everyone in the public eye who has stepped up and been open about their journey and their struggle. I do think it helps the next generation, giving them the green light to do the same. It was that visibility that was so crucial for me. I wanted to pay it forward the way that all these people who came before me had done. It was during this climate that things finally came to a head. I kept wanting to talk about it in a public way, but it never felt right. And then one night, in June of 2021, I couldn’t sleep, and I had some things on my mind. I wrote them down and it was like word vomit. And I was like, oh my gosh, it felt so right, so genuine. I wrote it in five minutes, and I woke up the next morning and I was like “hey mom and dad, just so you know, I’m going to post this at the end of the week.” While we’re on this topic, tell me about your personal life. Are you seeing someone? Are you dating? I’m very single. I’m really good at compartmentalizing. Which I guess is a strength because I am able to focus on my training, especially in the last couple years working toward this goal. But it can also be a downfall because I really haven’t allowed much time for my personal life. Have you tried any dating apps? I haven’t. But I’m definitely curious to do that moving forward. I want to put a little more time into my personal life. Song choice can be such a critical component when it comes to skating competitions. What is involved in choosing a song that you’re skating to? Growing up, I was more of that skater where the choreographer and coach would pick music and I would do it. They are like, “this is the vision we have ...” I was very fortunate that

each year they pushed me to explore a different genre. A fresh style of music and movement. And so, before I knew it, I had all these tools in my toolbox of all these unique styles I got to explore and learn about. As I got older, I had much more of a say in terms of what I wanted to do and what I really connected with. But it’s never about a specific piece as much as it is about “can I connect to this and bring it to life and tell a story.” And not only tell it but do it convincingly. Talk to me about your relationship with your choreographer Roheen Ward. I have been working with Roheen since I was 10. So that’s like 17 years. I can’t even fathom that. I am so lucky that he took my love for artistry and that passion of the sport, and he really nurtured it. Every year, he’d bring in a different style, a different genre, a different way of movement and we would kind of get immersed in these programs. I just can’t thank him enough for bringing his vision and trusting me to bring it to life on the ice. And that relationship with him has just grown stronger over the years.

So, is it a collaborative give and take effort? Or does he have it all mapped out? It’s definitely evolved over our span of working together. At the beginning and really up until five years ago, it was much more about him giving me a piece of music. And then five years ago, I started to become more vocal and convey my wants and my vision. What do you think about this? But Roheen is a genius, so sometimes you just gotta let a genius work. Let’s talk about fashion. How do you choose the outfit that you’ll end up skating in? I reach out to the person who makes my costumes to talk about the colors and the emotions that I’m trying to convey. From that, she will come up with about 20 sketches and send them to me and my coaches. We look through them and respond with “ooh we really like x, y and z” and that 20 gets narrowed down to five. We make some variations on those five and it keeps getting narrowed down until we decide “that’s the one.” Do you have any favorite costumes? I have to say, I love the costumes METROSOURCE.COM

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I wore for these Olympic games. They are probably two of my favorites. The outfit that I wore for “Sinnerman,” I love it so much. I put it on, and I just feel transformed. I feel a sense of confidence. And then I loved the Schindler’s List outfit that I wore this year. I think the biggest thing when it comes to costumes is when you put them on, you want to feel like you’ve just transformed into that character. Have you ever been in something that wasn’t comfortable, and it threw you off? Yes, many times. I think sometimes you’re in that state of “I’m just going to suck it up and do it anyway.” But I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older. When

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you work so hard every single day, to then get into your competition outfit and be uncomfortable while you skate, it’s just not worth it. Is there a particular outfit that comes to mind? I skated to “Juke” one year. It is a blues number and I loved, loved, loved the costume, but the material was uncomfortable. If I moved my arm, it was stiff. Just out of curiosity, I went back to have a look at the 2016 competition online and if Jason was uncomfortable, it sure did not show in his skating. The 20-year-old phenom was still sporting his trademark ponytail, looking sharp in a royal blue

long-sleeved button-down shirt with sleeves rolled up halfway, accented with rhinestones on the collar and cuffs complemented by a pair of black suspenders. You have a reputation as a figure skater whose artistry relies heavily on dance. Did you study dance formally? The answer is yes and no. No formal study of dance, but I’ve definitely dabbled in a lot of dance classes throughout my career. When we are creating these programs, I really dive into that form of dance and movement. So, if I am skating to a ballet piece, that might be a year where I do more formal training in that genre. But if the next year I do jazz, I will adjust. It has shifted throughout the years. Your Olympic skate to Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman” seemed to have a heavy jazz influence. It felt like I was watching a jazz composition come to life. Is that how you would characterize it? For this piece specifically – my choreographer based it on Alvin Ailey’s Revelations. The whole piece was really about the lines and the shapes and the angles. It was wonderful to study that and bring it to life on the ice. Many figure skaters have done Dancing with the Stars. Is that something you would ever consider? I would do DWTS in a heartbeat 100 percent! Let’s definitely put that out there. Dancing with the Stars has an extensive list of figure skaters who’ve competed. Some have done quite well, others not so much. Because it does require a different set of skills. One of the things I think I have up my sleeve is that I’ve had a plethora of genres I’ve gotten to perform on the ice. That being said, it is a whole different art form and style of movement and you’re doing it with a partner. So that’s all new and different. I think I would bring a lot of personality to it if I got the chance. How would you feel about being paired with a same-sex pro as JoJo Siwa did last season? One hundred percent, I would be open to having a same-sex pairing. I think what JoJo Siwa did was really cool. I’m a firm believer of how

important that kind of representation is. And I think it would be amazing. Are there any particular pros you’d like to be paired with? I would totally trust the producers of that show to pair me with whomever they think is best. I think they’re all amazing. I love Lindsay Arnold, I love Jenna Johnson, I love Whitney. And then if it was a same-sex partner, I would be so curious to see who they’d want to pair me with. You’ve won so many awards. It seems like you’d need a small warehouse to store them all. Where do you keep them? Actually, I keep them in my childhood bedroom. They’re all kind of on my desk and around my bed. And then, for the international events, we get medals. I have this huge map of the world on one of my walls and I pinned all of my international medals around that map. Of all the awards you’ve won, what is the most meaningful? When I look back, it’s really about the moments and the memories and the feelings of persevering and overcoming. From that standpoint, I think the 2020 U.S. Championships Silver Medal could be the most meaningful. I had a really rocky 2018 and I was devastated to be left off that Olympic team. I went through this transformation to try to figure out what I wanted, who I was. I made all these huge sweeping changes in my career. And then to come back after all of that and win that silver medal at the U.S. Championships in 2020 and skate as well as I did and get these personal best scores was really meaningful. It wasn’t like the medal meant so much to me as coming out the other side of this really rough experience and feeling like I was better for it and for what I went through. I was able to take everything that I learned and apply it. Everything I was doing with my new coaches was finally starting to gel after a year and a half with them. So that was really awesome. That being said, there’s been so many moments in my career that I’m so insanely proud of, but I think for me it’s always the backstories leading up to those events and what I was going through at the time that are the most meaningful. ■ METROSOURCE.COM

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SUPERHEROES OF REALITY TV:

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

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

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

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF WORLD OF WONDER

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

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

them on TV was inspirational in the sense that it was the campiest thing ever made, apart from Drag Race. It really did inspire me because nothing was really speaking to me before that. Randy: For me, I think The Brady Bunch was the beginning of my understanding camp. Growing up in suburbia and seeing this reflection of perfection that I knew was untrue and didn’t exist just really titillated me. And it was definitely the beginning of not necessarily my storytelling obsession, but more like my gay obsession and looking at things through a slightly different lens.

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Their gay fates would intervene and the duo who were destined for greatness would meet in the lobby on the first day of filmmaking school at NYU. Randy was wearing a Marcia Brady t-shirt that he had hand-painted himself. What was Fenton wearing you ask? Randy: Fenton had his hair up in a bun and was wearing diamond earrings and had on high-top sneakers and these leopard pants. He was a freak, he was a punk, he was exotic. I do think we connected instantly because we were outsiders, and we collaborated very early on. With Hollywood being an old boy network and independent films not really being a thing yet, it didn’t seem like the two were going to find an easy way to break into the industry. Needing money, they decided to raise funds by the only logical choice they could think of - start a pop group. Called The

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Fabulous Pop Tarts, they were like the Pet Shop Boys, only campier. Looking back, they underestimated how hard it was to have a string of big hits. But they persevered, unabashedly ready to tell queer stories, despite the social climate at the time. Where did they get that courage to be pigeon-holed before they even began? Randy: I don’t think it was courage. I just think we were living our lives. It was just who we were, and we were never “in,” and we were living in the East Village and surrounded by people who inspired us and who were all “out.” Well, it wasn’t that they were out, they were just authentic. And so, we didn’t really know any other way. Fenton: It was a real sort of crossroads, culturally, because we were living around all these artists and performers and queens

doing their thing. And then, also at the same time, there was this sort of energy in New York and there was this East Village art scene out of which Jeff Koons came and Madonna as well. Suddenly, all this stuff was happening Downtown that wasn’t just staying in Downtown. It wasn’t just on the margins, it was breaking through, it was a real conscious shift. Culturally there was an opportunity like never before. Fenton and Randy continue to have their fingers on the pulse of what’s happening. Who knew that a show like Drag Race would become an Emmy Awardwinning household name? Even straight people are now doing drag. Why do they think this show, in particular, has become such a hit? Fenton: Ru said it: you’re born naked, and the rest is drag. It doesn’t matter who you are, man, woman, everything you put on is a state about your identity - that is drag, clothes are drag. Drag is everywhere and its university relatable. There’s a famous essay about camp by Susan Sontag who said, “Nothing in nature is camp.” Nature is incredibly campy, is incredibly gay. And so, maybe drag was seen once as a niche, but it’s actually a universally relatable thing for everyone. Randy: Specifically, when it comes to RuPaul’s Drag Race, I would say there are

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

three things that have made it so wildly successful and that have fueled the growth of its success. One is RuPaul because he is kind of everything, and he really does have a kind of heart and a spirituality and a wisdom that he’s always had. And so, he’s our sort of leader, and you can feel that. Second, are the queens we fall in love with in this show. It’s a vehicle to meet and connect and fall in love with people and recognize their artistry. I think people do just that - connect with the queens and become part of their family. And the third thing is the unbelievably talented people who make this show, many of whom have been there from day one. I’d love to name all of them because World of Wonder is about them and about their talents and their artistry. We try to surround ourselves with people who are more talented than we are [LOL] and just as passionate. It is unlike other shows out there. There’s technically a winner at the end of every season and there’s drama, but the show really is designed for people to get to know these amazing artists. This year we just crowned Willow Pill as the winner, which is really special. It’s funny watching her and how much she kind of reminds me of us in the East Village. I felt this nostalgia, I could feel my youth reflecting it in some way. That

feels special because so much of what fuels everything we do comes from those hopeful, wistful, inspiring days in the 80s. The success of World of Wonder’s projects and the high-profile status of Drag Race has flourished under a government administration that actively worked against our community. Even as Drag Race celebrates the inclusion of trans contestants, laws are being made in our nation that strip away their rights. Each year of the show, fans get younger and younger, and yet states are looking to silence the voices of our LGBTQ+ youth and those who would serve as allies. How does World of Wonder explain their continued success juxtaposed to what’s happening from the conservative side? Fenton: Well, the crap we’ve been through, and are still going through, is all based on the idea of like in the 90s, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” with the notion that you could be gay in the military, just don’t say it, just don’t be

public about it. Don’t be visible. But the problem with visibility is if you’re invisible, you don’t exist. Especially in these times, so much of our lives revolve around screens (Zoom, mobile phones, laptops, TV). We’re really in the screen age. I think this new ‘screen age’ is all about showing people who’ve normally been ignored or hidden, or whose existence hasn’t been acknowledged. I think the very time we’re living in, funnily enough, lends itself to seeing the LGBTQ people and that we have so much to give and contribute to this kind of society. It’s a weird thing to see these attempts to dial it back or erase it. Because it’s not going to work. It never has worked. It never will work. It’s doomed to fail. That’s the headline we mustn’t lose sight of. I think some people - straight people - don’t understand (and those Republicans in Florida), that actually METROSOURCE.COM

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

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

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they’re stuck in a closet too and they have this malformed idea of what is expected of them or how they’re supposed to be. It isn’t really who they are. And I think that the important thing the queer community can demonstrate is that actually everybody’s queer. You don’t have to be gay, but it helps. The screen age not only has contributed to their success but has also united our community. Fenton continues, That is the miracle of the screen age. You can connect with people who aren’t geographically right next door to you, who you don’t meet in a bar - especially if you’re in a family situation where you’re not supported and if they knew you were gay, they would kick you out. Thanks to the internet, thanks to the screen age, you can connect with all these people. With great success comes greater visibility which also opens it up for great criticism. With recent casting announcements and certain programming choices, social media has become another active partner in the production company, good and bad. Keyboard warriors and social media activists have all had their say when it comes to Drag Race. At the end of the day, World of

Wonder doesn’t have anyone else to answer to, they exist to tell stories from their point of view. Randy: World of Wonder is an independent production company, right? We’re fiercely independent. We’ve never borrowed money. We’ve never had investors – we continuously reinvest it. It’s not the way the rest of the entertainment industry works, but for us it does work because we are just endlessly feeding our own passion. There are a number of projects we’ve done that have made not a penny, but we love having done them. Part of why we like success is to be able to create more opportunity. Fenton: When we made The Eyes of Tammy Faye, hundreds of years ago, Tammy had an expression and talked about “running to the roar.” So instead of running from what you’re afraid of, run towards it and embrace it. Not everyone’s going to like you, and everyone’s got an opinion, and on Twitter, with something negative to say. Just don’t let it bother you. This superhero duo has celebrated their successes and losses together. They have overcome obstacles where most people would stop. And though their relationship with each other has changed (they used to be a couple), they are the perfect yin and yang to run this empire. Randy: In the first 10 – 12 years we really struggled. That brings you together in a way that we really know each other, and what we did to survive. We have this kind of history that just binds us together. Same with our relationship with Ru, because we knew him back then as well. We were all struggling to get by and had dreams and ideas - and believed in what we were doing and had to say. We believed there was a larger audience for it. When you go on that journey, you can’t undo it. I’ve learned so much from Fenton because he is so smart. I’ve also learned not to hit ‘send’ when I’m angry. Fenton: It really does feel like a kind of chosen family, you know? And I think that’s true for tons of us in the LGBTQ+ community. Oftentimes with chosen family, the bonds are stronger than the family we are born into, who may or may not accept or see you. I can’t really imagine life without Randy. When I look back on it, meeting Randy that first day in film school, I had no idea. None of this would’ve happened without meeting Randy. You end up becoming extensions of each other.

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

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

As World of Wonder’s DragCon comes back to in-person events and our favorite Drag Race queens fill the stages at Prides around the globe, Randy and Fenton urge their fans to come together this summer. Fenton: We have more in common than what divides us. Yes, there are issues and there are conflicts within our community, but fundamentally what we’re up against is so much bigger. I’m sometimes a little nostalgic for those 80s days when everybody was thrown together and we didn’t really

define each other or see each other as separate and distinct. It wasn’t like we were all sitting around singing “Kumbaya” or braiding each other’s hair, but there was just an acceptance that we were all in the same boat. I think that’s still true today. It’s just being kind. Randy: I second that! It’s PRIDE! Have fun, be kind, love one another and use all that energy, use all the stuff we have in common to focus on the real enemy. We’re here, we’re queer, we’re great. ■ METROSOURCE.COM

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

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

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

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

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

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BACK TO BABYLON

THIS PAGE: STEPHEN DUNN PHOTO BY NICHOLAS HISCOCK SCALED

The stars aligned for this new iteration to come together. QAF reboot creator, writer, executive producer, and director Stephen Dunn, inspired by TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and films like The Piano as a youth, had been working on a specific concept for the show, centering on a community coming together after tragedy. His first experience with Queer as Folk was watching the series in his basement with the volume turned down low for fear of someone walking in. What started as a lonely experience turned into his first exposure to queerness and his sexual awakening. He felt part of a community. When he found out the rights had reverted to Davies, he immediately made a trip to Manchester to pitch his idea. In addition to QAF, Davies is also responsible for last year’s It’s A Sin, a powerful but much less cheerful look at queer life. He immediately took to Stephen’s vision. Dunn: (Davies) really responded to it and felt this was the way to expand this specific avenue, to expand on the legacy of the show and tell a new story for this generation of queer folks. Russell’s been like a godfather - he weighed in on scripts and the edits, and his DNA is all over it. There are several winks and nods and references to the British series, even the design of the Babylon logo. I am blown away with his work, he continues to create such relevant and moving groundbreaking stuff, whether it’s in the queer space or not. I’m just enamored by him and so grateful that he trusted me and all of us to create this new chapter. This reboot puts the central group of characters in the hotbed of diversity and debauchery that is New Orleans. Reflecting what our community actually looks like, there are more shades of skin this time around, gender identities abound, and the disabled members of our community get a voice. According to Dunn, there could only be one choice on where to set this story. Dunn: There’s nowhere else. I wanted to make a new Queer as Folk that was distinct and came from a specific culture that was like punk, irreverent and rebellious. I was really close with (Drag Race’s) Chi Chi Devayne and we would often go to New Orleans together. I started spending a lot of time there and I just got embedded and deep into the drag scene and the queer scene. It’s so unlike

STEPHEN DUNN (HE/HIM)

CREATOR/WRITER/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR anywhere in the entire world with so many stories from within the community that are just begging to be told. We’ve seen New York and San Francisco and LA, there’s a lot of stuff already out there. With the legacy of this show, I wanted to use it as an opportunity to shed light on a specific community that cannot be replicated and that needs to be seen. Die-hard fans of both the American and British series will recognize some of the situations and energies of the characters complete with a woke mom, the young boy trying to find his way, newbie parents trying to get used to adulting, and the successful business gay juggling career and party life. But whereas the original series meant to put out a fantasy version of the community, prototypes of gay men, this series presents fully fleshed out characters, with a bit more grit and complexity. The actors that Stephen put together are as diverse as the characters they play, each with a different journey into the world of entertainment, differing levels of experience, and a connection with the LGBTQ community that is uniquely theirs. The show’s cast main cast includes Johnny Sibilly, Jesse James Keitel, Devin Way, CG, Fin Argus, and Ryan O’Connell. These relatively fresh faces are joined by guest star veterans Kim Cattrall, Juliette Lewis, and Ed Begley, Jr. Not only is the series bolstered by a group of talented artists, but the creative team, including the writers, also represents our community. This is not a show that is just pandering to Hollywood’s call for more LGBTQ storytelling. It is truly for and by the community. Dunn: I wanted to find people who really brought the characters to life or

who would surprise me in ways that I maybe didn’t expect. Casting the show, in general, is just like the most fun ever. I have to say to all casting directors, there is an incredible pool of actors out there. When you’re casting a big ensemble like this, you’re looking for different vibes that work together and create a messy family. I think that’s what is so exciting about our cast, they’re all so different. Sit down with any of them and their energies are so all over the place; sitting in a room with them together, there is nothing funnier than seeing them all interact because they’re just so different. So that’s something I was really looking for. And I was able to hire a writer’s room of really all queer writers. There was this one moment when our writing assistant, Alyssa, came out to us as straight. It was a massive realization. This is the first time, for a lot of us, when our writer’s room is really diverse, a direct reflection of the characters in the show. And that was really important to me as I was sculpting who’s in it, how are we going to tell these stories with authenticity? We have to be fearless in the approach to writing this show and the only way to do that is to be in collaboration with other people who have lived these kinds of experiences. I didn’t realize the freedom that came from that. And it’s the same with being on set and being with this cast. I didn’t realize how starved I was for those kinds of spaces in my work environment. It just allowed us to tell even more authentic stories. METROSOURCE.COM

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The first person that Dunn cast was Jesse James Keitel, playing a trans teacher and a new mother trying to balance parenthood with the allure of the nightlife around her. Keitel made headlines playing the first non-binary character on TV Land in Younger and for being the first non-binary actor to play a non-binary series regular on primetime television for her role in ABC’s Big Sky. Today, she identifies as trans, highlighting the evolution of identity that never stops. We no longer feel the pressure to keep ourselves affixed to a label. Keitel: People have to come out a thousand times in a thousand different ways before they really know who they are. Non-binary was a lovely part of my journey that no longer serves me. I think non-binary is a great way for people to give themselves permission to explore. You don’t have to be a man, you don’t have to be a woman. There are no rules. You can just do what you want to do. That was something I fell back on in moments of my own dysphoria or feeling like the world limited my transition options. It gave me a place to feel safe within myself. Keitel’s Ruthie is a spitfire. Keitel’s own journey and candid chat about the LGBTQ community and beyond makes her the perfect choice. Even with the opportunity to tell Ruthie’s story, she knows our community still has a way to go. Keitel: There is a lot of transphobia and homophobia within the community and that permeates into non-binary. Some of the most transphobic people I’ve met have been gay men. But also, Ruthie has a line in the show that says she’s a woman of “fag experience” and that feels so true. We’re a big, broad community of people, all who have different bodies and different romantic inclinations. And I think there are some people who certainly reject parts of the community and some people who lift them up. While some actors still have trepidation about coming out as part of the LGBTQ+ community, Jesse did not shy away. She is the new generation of actor and a very necessary addition to the QAF world. Keitel: Life before being myself was limiting. Embracing myself is what gave

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JESSE JAMES KEITEL (SHE/HER) AS RUTHI

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

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

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

(THEY/THEM) AS SHAR (THEY/THEM) Playing Jesse’s partner is newcomer CG, a New Orleans native and non-binary actor, playing Shar, the voice of responsibility for the couple. Getting into the entertainment industry was inspired by their own family, not only was their grandmother a character unto herself, but their cousin’s success on TV in shows like Fresh Prince and X-Files showed CG that they, too, could shine. It wasn’t until recently that coming out at as non-binary was even a thought. CG: I did a pilot called Acts of Crime before this came along. At that time, I was just doing mad work on myself and taking into account all the different kinds of presentations that I could go about with myself in the realm of TV and Hollywood. I’ve always been me to me,

but the application of that, the action of being me on the outside, is different. I thought I was going to be doing theater gigs, but then COVID happened. However, film and TV were still viable. So, I had to switch gears and change the mindset of what that meant as far as the eyes on this person. And it’s been a tornado of a ride to come to that moment of knowing within myself, nothing else matters as long as you’re grounded. Not until recently have I found that footing. CG had not watched QAF until getting into the audition process. Twenty years ago, certain terms and identities were not considered main characters in the telling of LGBTQ stories. Now, with this show’s mission of inclusivity, it has new relevance in expanding

the scope of what we consider our community. CG: I know that QAF was groundbreaking at that time for that audience. But as I was watching it, I had this feeling that it wasn’t me. It was very pointed to the white, gay CIS dudes and the lesbian couple. I didn’t see myself. Now representing the non-binary community in their character Shar as well as on a personal level, what does it mean to CG to define non-binary, not the standard definition, but the definition for them? And how did it help them create their character? CG: My heart’s beating fast because no one’s ever really asked that question. You know, they just assume non-binary oh, okay. This person’s non-binary so that must be what that means. But non-binary is just a whole spectrum of wholeness. It’s a lot to come to terms with when you live in a world where the body is the first thing you see. I kind of just took Shar by the hands, or Shar just took me by the hand, being this grounded adult character in the midst of all of these people who are also adults, but Shar being this kind of anchor. They’ve been in this relationship with Ruth, they’re starting a family - so you have to be as sure as you can be. Even though it seems like a very minute place to start, it’s where I had to start with Shar. If they’re going to be a strong post, they have to exude sureness. The scenes CG and Jesse share are touching, sexy, and at times, heartbreaking. They do not shy away from the camera either physically or emotionally. CG: I remember having a conversation with Jesse early on in the process. We were talking about how being in a space with so many queers is new, and how comfortable it was, and how odd that comfortability was. She just said, “You are allowed to be comfortable.” And those words were all I needed to hear. And I thank her for that deeply.

QAF METROSOURCE.COM

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I EVEN GET GOOSEBUMPS THINKING ABOUT BEING A KID, SECRETLY WATCHING QAF WITH FINGER ON THE REMOTE, READY TO FLIP BACK TO THE DISNEY CHANNEL.” Johnny Sibilly plays Noah, a lawyer whose party life and grief are in constant battle with his career. Johnny has enjoyed a recent string of success from his appearances on Pose and Hacks following the popularity of his viral social media videos with skits that were often related to his Latin culture. His videos as his alter ego Julissa are side-splitting. Being interested in acting from an early age, he was constantly reminded of the type of roles that were possible. Fast forward to being a lead as a double minority in a show where being a minority was just the opposite. Sibilly: I grew up mostly in Miami, Florida, so a lot of the representation I saw on TV wasn’t really from the mainstream, it was more so from telenovelas and the things like that. But then I remember also seeing shows on UPN like The Parkers and Martin, Blackcentered shows that were the closest thing to what my family looked like, acted like, and seemed like. So there never was a show that was exactly like what I was growing up around. There wasn’t really space, but I knew for a fact that if I wanted to, I could create

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space, especially watching people like John Leguizamo break into it and create a name for himself. There is always a possibility, you just have to forge your own path. Even when I started my acting career, a lot of the auditions that I went on were “hot gardener” or “sexy UPS man” and I knew I was so much more, especially growing up watching Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy, and John Leguizamo. So, I started creating my own content online, wearing wigs and doing these characters who really allowed me to fill that space, but also continued to audition for roles that were available at the moment. Even when called in for the hunky roles or being what a casting person might designate as being“straight passable,”he never hid his sexuality. Sibilly: My mom always used to say, with her knowledge of the industry, that you don’t want to get pigeonholed as “the gay actor.” I would see stories like Rupert Everett and actors who came out and all of a sudden, their worlds

changed. But for me, I always felt like I had no choice but to live my authenticity. I think because of that choice, doors have opened for me. There was no question about hiding my sexuality or being anyone other than Johnny Sibilly. Being a part of the reboot is a testament to Johnny’s determination and hustle, and whose experience with early Queer as Folk mirrors creator Stephen Dunn’s. He had to be in this show. Sibilly: Queer as Folk was the show that you wanted to watch, but couldn’t watch. I even get goosebumps thinking about being a kid, secretly watching QAF with finger on the remote, ready to flip back to the Disney channel. Anything for people not to know I was trying to understand what I was feeling, who I was through the guise of these characters that Russell T Davies had created, and then again with the American reboot. Queer as Folk has always been part of my own existence and upbringing. When I found out there were rumblings of a reboot, I emailed my agents immediately. Anytime I want

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

to do something, I tell my team with certainty, “I need to be a part of it.” It was the same thing with Pose. I don’t care how, what character, but I need to be in this world. I remember walking down Fairfax in LA when I found out I got it and just screaming at the top of my lungs. It felt like such a weight lifted off my shoulder and I was able to step into the next level of my career. Also, it was a full-circle moment of queerness knowing that I would be part of the next chapter of this incredible franchise. After reading the script for the first time and listening to the music choices that creator Dunn had inserted in the notes, Johnny burst into tears. Not only was he fulfilling a personal dream, but he was now a fully-fledged series regular. His character Noah is not without its challenges; his personal demons often bring him to dark places.

Sibilly: I am so very similar to Noah. The ways in which he operates, through his emotional being, is very much the way I approach things. We have very big hearts - we’re very similar in that regard, and very ambitious as well. There is some internal work I have done over the couple of years that Noah probably could use. It’s interesting to play a character who is flawed in those ways. With the struggles I’ve personally been through, I understand how my character Noah feels. As an actor, it’s a wonderful thing to have in your toolbox. It’s so exciting to play a character that is multi-dimensional, especially a Latinx character who is more than just the eye candy or the boyfriend. It really opens him up to be a fully realized character. It wouldn’t be Queer as Folk without a little, or a lot of, sex. Though Johnny has posted slightly thirsty traps on his social media, he has never revealed himself so explicitly. We get to see ALL of Johnny. Many from the gay community have dealt with body image, now add a camera crew for a network series on top of that. How did Johnny deal with the sex scenes? Sibilly: I’ve been very public about how I feel about my body and that it ebbs and flows. Some days I feel like the baddest bitch on the block and some days I don’t feel as great. It’s important to honor that truth and not always need to be like Lizzo every day, right? I’m sure even Lizzo has days where she’s thinking, I hate this. It’s such a testament that we can all live in those spaces and know that we are worthy, no matter how we’re feeling. There’s definitely been times on

set, even where Stephen, came up to me and asked, “How are you? How are you feeling? Because it seems like you’re a little bit out of it.” And I am because I’m thinking about what I look like. No one will understand unless they’re in that circumstance. On one hand, it’s very freeing to proclaim, “Baby, this is me!” but I can totally see why actors are insane and why they’re worried about what pictures are taken of them. So that was definitely a learning moment. But it’s so important is to show these characters as real people, no matter who they are. I see my weight fluctuations in the episodes and I’m like, that’s a human thing. All of those things are very real, and should always be honored. We’ve lived in a society for a very long time that has told us, especially in the queer community, that there is one type of way to look and be. It’s a constant work to dismantle that kind of thinking. I have learned to love my body more after being so exposed on this show. I have told Steven I want to be naked more. You’re out there on camera naked and afraid, but then when you realize you’re taken care of and you are loved by yourself, your friends and family, then it makes it so much easier.

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Body image in our community is not just about nudity. Ryan O’Connell, who also serves as an executive producer and writer for the show, puts the spotlight on the oftenignored disabled voices of both screen actors and of the LGBTQ community, physically and emotionally. Ryan’s character Julian is the nerd of the group who is seemingly shy but not averse to some public action. Julian’s journey is to find his own identity, free from an overbearing mother (played by Kim Cattrall). Ryan worked as a successful blogger and writer for years, hiding his cerebral palsy from his coworkers. He came out of the disabled closet in a column that he later fashioned into his memoir I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves that, after some difficulty getting produced, became the Netflix series Special. A gay character who was disabled? It was a first for television. Ryan is no stranger to content that challenges the industry norm. The transition from running the entire project for Special to joining a group endeavor was a welcome change for Ryan. O’Connell: I loved it. Doing Special was amazing, but it deleted years off my life. I really, really, really was excited to be part of an ensemble. The show is Stephen’s baby, so it’s his vision but he really let me spread my creative wings. I just felt like I was in service of his vision, which I really enjoyed. Stephen and I just work really well together, and I feel like what he wanted to do with QAF and what I wanted to do was very much simpatico. Ryan’s relationship with QAF started with the American version, renting it at Blockbuster incognito explaining to his mother that his closeted interest in the show was merely writing research. Even though he was seeing the gay lifestyle presented as normal, he still wasn’t quite represented. O’Connell: It was the first snapshot of queer life that I ever had. And also, as a horny 12-year-old going through puberty, it definitely supplied a lot of jerk-off material. That being said, and this is where it gets complicated, is that in the late 90s, disability was not at the forefront. I mean, it still isn’t, to be honest, but my takeaway from watching the American version of QAF was, “okay being disabled and gay is gonna be a rough journey for me.” When Stephen told me he was doing the reboot

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

and he wanted me to be a part of it, I felt like this was an opportunity to do a solid for 12-year-old me in a way. There are so many reboots now that I feel can’t justify their existence beyond a cash grab. And I really believe with Queer as Folk, there needed to be a reboot. A lot has changed in the last 20 years. And it was really exciting to tell a story about what being queer looks like now and do it in a really cool, inclusive way that didn’t feel like woke intersectional bingo.

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

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

O’Connell: I think disabled people were castrated at birth. Like our dicks just get cut off by the doctor. They’re like, “Well, they won’t be needing this. Here you go!” I think it’s really important to highlight that disabled people are sexual, that they’re sexually viable and they have needs and wants and desires. We’re horny as hell! I love being a THOT on screen and it’s so funny because in Special, I was naked a bunch, but it was a very documenting style. It was very raw, which I love, and

I thought was really important to show. But there’s just something about being in a hot Queer as Folk sex scene … you know what I mean? I just want to be hot. Is that okay? With the evolution of our community’s growing alphabet, the queer disabled community is still not getting the inclusion it deserves. Showcased characters on screen are few and far between, nightclub layouts and Pride events don’t seem very able to include those with disabilities and dating apps can be even worse. For Ryan, disabled

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

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FIN ARGUS

(THEY/THEM) AS MINGUS (HE/HIM-THEY/THEM) Where would QAF be without an angst filled high schooler? Enter Fin Argus as Mingus, the baby of the group. With a leading role in Disney+ musical drama Clouds and an appearance in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Fin is able to celebrate and explore their queer identity for this role. Whereas previous iterations have presented cookie-cutter versions of the pretty gay boy, Fin’s Mingus is the high schooler for today’s generation and Fin’s acting approach is equally part of that generation. Argus: The beautiful thing about Mingus is that they are not interested in labeling themselves and that’s the power of this new wave of queer youth. There is less explaining the minutia of identity and that’s something that I can relate to. What’s really beautiful is you see this fluidity in their queerness and that’s something I don’t think Mingus has ever second-guessed. They’re on this coming-of-age journey and coming into their own queerness and you get to watch that unfold. I think that’s going to keep on developing and who knows where it’ll go. And that’s how I feel about my queerness as well. It’s this moving target every time I try to put my finger on it, it’s somewhere different. So, I’m just not all that concerned with trying to find the right word, because what you’re watching

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is the truth. That is Mingus’ truth and it’s constantly evolving and fluctuating between masculine and feminine. They embody authentic humanity and that’s what I love about queerness. The thing that I love is explicit queerness, and I want to see more of that in TV and film. That’s what really drew me to doing this show besides Stephen just being a super talented filmmaker. I heard from him, firsthand, how important it was to represent stories and have those stories performed by queer people. And even on the production end of things. It’s a very queer show on every level of production. And that’s something that I’ve never experienced. I would imagine it’s not very common, so that was really special. Mingus is not only exploring his gender fluidity, but he is also experiencing the ups and downs of sex and the emotional power behind drag. There is a lot of complex queerness happening here. Was Fin worried about being cast in such a queer role so early in his career? Argus: I’ve been really passionate about explicit storytelling for a while. And my plan was to do that through music. I’ve been holding onto my music because I’ve historically played very boy next door type characters. I wasn’t necessarily in a place in my

career where I felt like I’d be able to support myself. There is still typecasting and queer actors being put in a box. It’s still very real because there’s a lot of nuanced politics in casting. I see that shifting now and I feel really lucky to be a part of such an explicitly queer show. I firmly believe that everyone does an incredible job in this show, and that’ll speak for itself. This is a team of queer people who have come together and told an incredible story and an entertaining story and I think queerness is an asset. It has helped me tap into my own vulnerability and I’m 100% confident that my queerness is going to help me book the roles that I want in the future. Fin is a consummate musician. After seeing their older sister perform the classical guitar, they were inspired to start their own musical journey and in addition to learning piano, the French horn, cello, ukulele, mandolin, banjo, and bass guitar, they started writing music at the age of 10. Music is at the center of everything they do. Argus: Music is always involved in my character building, no matter what, even if the character’s not a musician, per se. I build playlists based on the character; I try to figure out what type of music the character would listen to. You can see in Mingus’ bedroom all the posters on the walls, those are based on musicians I shared with the set design department. All of the musical influences in Mingus’ life were built by me and Stephen, who also had a large hand in deciding what songs were performed. For this one, it was a lot of my middle school and early high school; pop-punk era and hyper pop. It’s very angry, edgy, often queer artists, and a little bit of new wave. That’s the vibe of Manus in my mind. As the fates would have it, Fin and Stephen met before QAF came around. Under lockdown, tucked away in a small town, Fin would see a guy walking his chihuahua every day and would wave. After watching the film Closet Monster, Fin looked up the writer/director on Instagram just to find out that it was his dog-walking neighbor. The two became friends and would share ideas and ultimately, Fin shared their music with Stephen. Mingus’ aesthetic was born.

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Devin Way rounds out that cast as Brodie, a young man lost in limbo trying to decide what life path to take, collecting hookups and nights out in the process. Starting his career as a competitive cheerleader and model, Way moved from Texas to Los Angeles and appeared as Blake Simms in Grey’s Anatomy. The role of Brodie is certainly a change for Devin. His early exposure to QAF sounds familiar. Way: Growing up I didn’t have access to the UK version of the show. However, through my secret teenage, dial-up internet, exploration of my queerness I discovered the American QAF. It was a show that I would watch clips of in the dark. It portrayed a world that I didn’t know or understand but always hoped I would one day have the freedom to explore myself. After six rounds of auditions, he gained a deep understanding of Brodie and allowed him to become comfortable with his queerness, discovering parts of himself that he never fully allowed himself to explore. Filming the series has changed him. Way: Both myself and my acting became more honest. When you are surrounded by people who are discovering what is true and honest about themselves, then it inspires you to look for the truth and honesty of yourself. I was so grateful to get to be placed in a space as creative and SAFE as our QAF set to explore the honesty of my work and myself. I learned so much during shooting about the different shades and colors of queerness. I am so excited for the world to also get to see an honest look into that through the eyes of our show! Brodie is the show’s bad boy that we root for. Does he make the best choices? No. Does he learn from his mistakes? Probably not. Are we a fan? Absolutely. Way: Brodie and I have a lot of similarities, which I love! I am most like Brodie in the sense that we both lead with our hearts and want everyone around us to feel seen and loved. I am least like Brodie in the sense that I don’t run away when there is conflict. Brodie’s most frustrating trait to me is his inability to stay in a room when being confronted. The passion and optimism in talking to this group of trailblazers is hope for the future

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

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

of the entertainment industry. The show checks all the boxes without being cliché. The show is unapologetically queer and looks like our community and not a paper doll version of what is commercially interpreted. But with our boom in representation and so much new LGBTQ content, why do we need to go back to Babylon? Dunn: Our community is really divisive, divided, and critical, and for good reason because we’re starved for reflections of ourselves. And then when we see them, it’s like, that doesn’t look like me. Now I think where we’re allowed to have messy, flawed, complex characters who don’t need to necessarily be the ideal, the role model. By being gifted the opportunity to continue the legacy of QAF and to create a new chapter in the book of Queer as Folk. QAF is allowing

us the power to tell our marginalized stories that do not ever get to see the light of day. We have characters in our show that have never really been seen on television before in this way. Being under the umbrella of QAF allowed us to blast through the door, demanding that green light to make sure this show and these stories get heard now. ■ The show premiers on Peacock on June 9th.

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

TRAVEL

BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

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

in the Celebrity fleet, the 140,600-ton Celebrity Beyond, I will quote the words of a passenger who was asked if they were converted to cruising? The response was,“No. I’m converted to cruising on Celebrity.”The new Celebrity Beyond, the third ship in their Edge Series, is aptly named for a reason, it is simply ... BEYOND. This ship (whose godmother is Simone Biles, 19-time World Champion Gymnast and seven-time Olympic Medalist) was built with more attention to detail than any other in the fleet – longer and taller, with wellness and relaxed luxury at its core. Kelly Hoppen’s exquisite style “changed how cruise ships are designed,” says Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity. Once on board, you enter the Grand Plaza with its Martini Bar. “We built this space to be reminiscent of a European piazza - with live DJs, specialty restaurants, bars and lots of energy,”proudly reveals Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Brian Abel. The chandelier show must be seen to be believed. Beyond lives up to its name in accommodations, destinations, design, culinary delights, and wellness. From two-story villas with their own outdoor jacuzzi, to world renowned Chef Daniel Boulud’s only restaurant at sea - Le Voyage, with over 400+ bottles of wine in their collection, to the theater’s 112-foot LED panels, this ship blends technology and innovation. Adjacent to the rooftop garden with two cantilevered plunge pools, sits the Sunset Bar - a Moroccan inspired multi-level bar on Deck 15 of Beyond, designed by Nate Berkus. The attention to detail is noticeable and appreciated - giving the same relaxed luxury vibe … from the furniture, plantings, barware - and of course the incredible view from the stern of the ship. A live DJ brings chill beats to accompany your afternoon sail-a-way cocktail, and at this time of year in the Mediterranean, the sun doesn’t set until 9:30pm, so relax and enjoy! The first-rate retail experience at sea for men - Mankind, has apparel, leather items, watches, jewelry, and more – all expertly curated for the male shopper. JUNE/JULY 2022

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Cruise Passenger Paul

Pool Deck

Martini Bar

Eden

Pool Deck at Night METROSOURCE.COM

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TRAVEL

Le Voyage

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

The Club

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

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the muscles. In addition to the Spa and Fitness Center, you can take your experience to another level at The Retreat-private suites and exclusive spaces, including a two-story sundeck, lounge, and restaurant – all creating a resort-within-a-resort. With a 100% fully-vaccinated passenger and crew policy, health and cleanliness are top priorities and highly visible. Everything is constantly cleaned, swept, wiped down - from the ship railings to the tour buses with hand sanitizer available. This focused effort provides one of the safest modes of travel, as well as passenger peace-of-mind. Celebrity demonstrates a commitment to shaping the future of travel. The vibe around the ship is jovial and free-spirted, everyone enjoying the common space, a coffee, a martini, a laugh,

and a smile. The passenger demographic is very diverse - somewhat younger than you might imagine, and I met and spoke with many passengers, all who experienced the same welcoming level of service, openness, and equality. The crew here goes truly beyond - not the obligatory“good morning” or“hello”but a genuine smile and thoughtful interaction. I found what Captain Kate McCue said to be true: “the ship is amazing, but it is the crew that brings it to life.” Having been in the service industry in a previous life, I am aware of what hard work it is, but Celebrity has managed to find, not just a crew, but a family. The thoughtful little things like remembering one’s preferences at dinner, holding a special item in the retail shop, walking you to a specific destination ... the entire crew works together

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Giles Duley and AIPP Models

Fine Cut Restaurant

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

Nate Berkus the Casino; and many others. Celebrity’s slogan is “We believe in opening up the world – for everyone,” and the company delivers on that promise. Royal Caribbean Group, Celebrity’s parent company, received a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.“We want everyone to feel welcome and want to be known as a diverse and inclusive brand,” says Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity. Recognizing the need to improve the representation of all marginalized communities, Celebrity created The All-Inclusive Photo Project (“AIPP”), a new campaign and the world’s first free to use, ‘open source’ travel

image library. I was privileged to view some of the AIPP images and speak with one of the photographers, Giles Duley, an English documentary photographer and himself a triple amputee. The stunning images feature models, athletes, artists, and activists, all from underrepresented groups, experiencing the wonder of travel and sharing their unique story. In addition to Giles Duley, the works of acclaimed photographers Annie Leibovitz, Naima Green, a Black, queer New York-based photographer, and Jarrad Seng, an Australiabased photographer, filmmaker and creative director of Malaysian-Chinese descent, are also showcased. Cruising has always been a desirable vacation option. But as travelers become more discerning and in tune with social issues, Celebrity presents itself front and center for your consideration. A partner on so many levels – LGBTQ equality; gender equality (Celebrity boosted the number of women working across their fleet from 3% to 32%; 45% of guest-facing crew on Beyond are women); the environment (everything on Beyond is recycled and the ship’s carbon footprint is 30% less than a land resort; and they have a 90% reduction in single use plastics); and the world (Celebrity supports and provides financial assistance to its Ukrainian crew and established a fund to help get families out of Ukraine). As I write this toward the end of my voyage, live piano music plays to accompany my morning coffee in the Café al Bacio. This spot, along with the Martini Bar, became the rendezvous for my fellow cruise acquaintances and I during my time on board. I feel as though I am leaving many new friends once I disembark from Beyond. But I will be back. Are you ready to join in the adventure and discover the world again? Whether on Beyond or another of their award-winning ships, you can read about all the destinations and experiences awaiting you on Celebrity and book your cruise at https://www.celebritycruises.com/. METROSOURCE.COM

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PAGES 38,40,41,42: PHOTOS BY MATT MONATH STYLIST: SHAY DIXON, HAIR & MUA: CHELSEA GEHR PHOTO ASSISTANT: MATTHEW JAMES ORTIZ, MOVEMENT DIRECTOR: PAUL MCGILL THIS PAGE: BLAZER: ANTONIA NAE LONDON, EARRING: ERICKSON BEAMON

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

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NON-BINARY: NO LONGER A SCI-FI FANTASY

MASON ALEXANDER PARK BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

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

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

I honestly was initially fearful that being an out trans performer might limit me to only be seen in a specific way, or make me lose out on opportunities because of people’s limited creativity in casting. But in the end, if my identity keeps me from working with those creatives on those specific projects then they weren’t spaces I would’ve wanted to work in anyway. Being able to approach my work from a place of complete authenticity has radically changed my life and brought so many incredible projects and people into my orbit. For me, it was liberating personally and professionally. Catering to other people, they would let other people use whatever pronouns they saw fit, with most relying on Mason’s

original pronouns. Gaining the confidence and with the self-respect that they had worked towards, Mason made their identity as non-binary concrete. They were born. With growing representation in media of all the letters and identities from our community, Mason has taken wing and is crushing it. This was a complete change from the young Mason, whose childhood was a bit nomadic, finally moving to Los Angeles to seek refuge from bullying and to work on their craft. The fact that there are explicitly open non-binary characters in film and television right now is so exciting for me considering the desolate wasteland that existed when I was younger. The lack of representation stunted my process of understanding

myself, as I didn’t really have access to the same words and conversation starters in media that are remarkably useful in creating a better understanding of self and the world around you. I was very alone and confused for many years until I found the right people with experiences like mine who helped solidify my sense of self that I was always aware of but didn’t necessarily know how to talk about. Mason’s exploration into the non-binary world was inspired by watching the movie version of Hedwig and the Angry Inch in high school. They instantly identified with Hedwig. They never explicitly identify Hedwig as anything specific when it came to gender, and the fluidity of the character felt deeply groundbreaking to me as someone who felt stuck between many worlds. It was the thrill of my life to play the role years later and was the first time I started playing with different pronouns. Their personal world and musical theatre background would collide as Mason had the opportunity to explore fluidity with high METROSOURCE.COM

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THIS PAGE: CHAIN LINK DRESS: MANFREDONIA NY, EARRING: FINERBLACK, RINGS: STYLIST’S OWN

acclaimed lead roles in both Hedwig and Cabaret, the latter earning a Helen Hayes Award for Best Leading Performer in a Musical. I am so honored to have been given opportunities to take a crack at roles that were groundbreaking for me in my youth. When I was in high school, I felt limited and nervous about the kinds of parts that would be right for me in the real world should I decide to pursue theatre as a vocation over film and TV, which I was currently more engaged in at the time. So, one day I googled “trans roles in musical theatre” to try and see if there was anything I had missed, and I came upon Hedwig for the very first time. It completely cracked my world open and was the definitive show/role that inspired me to study theatre in hopes of getting to create work like that in my lifetime. In terms of playing those parts, I think being one of very few actors of a trans experience to play them helped do a lot of the work for me in terms of setting myself apart. I was able to bring my own experience and reality to them in a way that cisgender actors who are well known for playing those roles could not, for lack of real-life experience. Genuine authenticity reads to an audience in a way that allowed me to bring myself to aspects of them while also honoring the original intent of the pieces. On screen, Mason is amplifying the current trend towards LGBTQ representation in the fantasy, sci-fi, and gaming world, an arena that has stereotypically been a straight boy’s club. Their highprofile roles as Gren in Cowboy Bepop and Desire in the upcoming Sandman are not just about representing the queer community with loud overtures, these roles exist as part of the whole, a nonchalant fact that should become the norm. I have been a huge fan of both Cowboy Bebop and Sandman since before I was cast in the projects. So to be able to be a part of universes I have always had an affinity for is one of the coolest things ever. Spielberg films were really my gateway into the magic of Hollywood, and I have always wanted to be a part of big scale sci-fi and fantasy projects since I was

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a little kid, so to work in that world now almost exclusively feels very cool. I love that in the contexts of all these worlds, my character’s identity is not necessarily central to their function in the piece. Both Gren and Desire exist as gender non-conforming individuals but live in universes where it is so normalized that it isn’t a talking point or plot device at all. That’s radical and fun for me as someone who has always wanted to just exist and play in really cool worlds like these without having to constantly talk about being trans. Ask any young queer kid who has been a fan of supernatural niches. There has been an unspoken queerness in anime and fantasy that has existed from the beginning, just not explicitly. That is all is changing. To what does Mason attribute that evolution? Anime and comic books have always been a little playful when it comes to gender and queerness in a way that I relish. I think that geeks and nerds have always been a little fringe, and a little on the outside, just as queer people have. So, a lot of the themes and experiences of those communities overlap in a way that allows for some cool crossover. I’ve been a geek ever since I was young, and I believe that even as a kid I was picking up on the inherent queerness in sci-fi, which was part of why I fell in love with it. The boom is probably related to more queer people being visible in real life, as well as in the spaces that a lot of this work comes from. Mason was in final rehearsals for Hedwig when Cowboy Bepop premiered. As with any evolution, there are bound to be detractors, even if entrenched in a world of anime where norms do not exist. Their success as Hedwig was being lauded while participation in Bepop was being challenged. Personally, I’ve had a very intense experience with the anime community, comic book enthusiasts, and anyone who was a fan of Bebop, Sandman, or Quantum Leap, both good and bad. There seems to be this intense ownership fans feel over IP like this that makes it difficult to see characters in a way that may not be exactly what they personally envision - which I completely understand. But there is also

a demographic of individuals who feel disenfranchised by queer representation in these kinds of projects no matter what the original intent, who would rather argue with the creator of the piece about it than see their own prejudice. That’s been really disheartening to see because I have been so moved by the flood of individuals who are so excited and thrilled by my inclusion in these shows, and want to be able to celebrate the experience each time. But it’s often weighed down with intense transphobia that I hope to continue to address and work through as time goes on until we get to a better place! There has been a focus on Mason’s personal identity in the media with the queer and gender nonconforming community being Hollywood’s latest buzz topics. Does Mason feel their art is overshadowed by their personal life? I do find that so much of my experience in this industry and what people are interested in talking about with me tends to revolve around my identity. I’m also very lucky that the roles and work I’ve been a part of are so radically interesting on their own that people tend to focus on that just as much. My transness will always be a part of me, and I enjoy discussing my experience because I know how much it would have meant to me to

have access to other experiences like my own growing up. Being directly involved in these emerging projects, Mason knows how far the industry still has to go and what media still needs to work on. But the journey has begun. I think that non-binary representation in storytelling is getting better with each passing year, but I am hoping that more and more of us will continue to work our way up the call sheet and become the center of our own stories. Often queer characters are in supporting roles, and never maintain the same agency or focus as their non-queer counterparts, so I want to see more films that focus on METROSOURCE.COM

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You can follow Mason on IG: @MasonAlexanderPark

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gender creative individuals who are not exclusively weighed down with traumatic backstories. There is a very specific “uniform” that Hollywood has adopted when it comes to the kinds of non-cisgender characters on screen, and I would like to see that diversified quite a bit when it comes to expression, size, and color. Having more diverse writers and showrunners who have lived a gender playful experience is going to shift the paradigm dramatically and make room for more authentic storytelling and representation that isn’t exclusively told from a nonexperiential voyeuristic lens. I think the future of queer representation on screen is entirely dependent on getting more queer people behind the camera so we can shape our own stories. I think it’s already happening in many big ways, the fact that I’ve been lucky enough to play a role in three big-name projects as a non-binary individual is proof of that. In the future I would just want more stories that don’t have to revolve around our trauma or coming out stories, and instead treat us like any other actor out there. This Pride season for Mason is not about the celebrations, it is a call to action for our community as a whole, no matter what letter or identity you ascribe to. It’s been a hard few years for all of us. But those who have been hit the hardest and are fighting tooth and nail for basic human rights are often those who are forgotten and excluded this Pride month. We are seeing an unprecedented attack on trans rights all over the world, and I only hope that we can continue to show up for all members of the queer community the way everyone rallied during the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. I adore my queer friends and family and wouldn’t be here without the love and support of other queer individuals. So let’s please not leave anyone behind as we continue to fight the good fight! ■

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THIS PAGE: PHOTO BY LESLIE ALEJANDRO

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

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

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

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

Knowing his journey towards stardom would only be legitimate if he was proud of his identity, he celebrates almost exactly a year since he came out publicly on social media. Even with our current boom of “out” Hollywood actors, the career path that Tyler had established had not been focused on his sexuality. I did not want to come out because I was afraid of how limiting it would be for acting jobs. I was afraid that I’d be up for a part, they’d find out that I was gay and they wouldn’t pick me. I mean, I had been “out” since I was 15 to everyone in my life, even the people I worked with knew I was gay. I didn’t really do a good job of hiding it, nor did I try. But I was afraid of that. What sparked me coming out was a multitude of things. It was a bunch of little conversations over a few years. I had a mentor of mine say to me, “Which side of the line do you want to be on? Do you want to be part of the change, or do you not want to be a part of the change?” That stuck with me. Then I heard an interview with Viola Davis, years later, say, “If it means something to you, let it cost you something.” And I’m like, yes. This human rights movement is more important, is bigger than me, bigger than my career, is bigger than whether I get this job or not. Then I came to the point of wanting to be part of that change, to do something in this world. I try my best to live with no regrets and that would be something I would regret if I turned 80, I would look back and be like, I wish I had come out and know how that could have impacted other people or helped other people. Alvarez says that coming out hasn’t had an impact on the type of roles that he has been called in for. He has always been called for both gay and straight roles, but now, since his coming out, he is honored to play them. He has often been cast as a straight teen, and his appearance in the queer-centric Crush is no different. He plays Dylan, a hypersexual high school kid who can’t keep his hands off his girlfriend. He pulls it off with aplomb, METROSOURCE.COM

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same awkward first kisses, that all exists regardless of who you love or how you identify. The celebration of young love also adds levity to a typical drama-heavy library of LGBTQ media that often centers around coming out, the AIDS epidemic, or the violence towards our community. Crush is the kind of story that I am drawn to right now. I want more of those stories, we need more of those stories. We have seen what the coming out looks like, what about after that? And that’s what I love about this movie - just a girl who has a crush on someone and that person happens to be a girl. It’s just about love and it normalizes it. We need more of that now. I wish I had these movies to watch when I was younger and in the closet. God, my life would have been different. What I love about these queer stories is because is now WE get to see what it is like. We get to imagine. We don’t have to watch the heterosexual version and put ourselves in it, we can actually just see ourselves. There’s a fascinating irony that Crush revels in a culture where youth not only

talk about their sexuality, but they also embrace it. And the adults around them support their identities. It is a not so funny juxtaposition of what’s happening in the nation with laws moving towards quieting those voices. It shows that it’s not the youth that has the issues, it’s the parents. Tyler believes there is no age restriction or limitation on when you can present our community to the masses. Heterosexuality is displayed in movies and TV shows, preparing straight relationships from adolescence. So, if we are portraying that, then you should be portraying queer stories too. People fear, parents I guess, that it is going to confuse kids. But the truth is, it doesn’t. When I was in elementary school and middle school, I wanted to be straight. I did not want to be gay and there was nothing I could do to make me straight. So, I’m telling you, there’s nothing you can do to make somebody gay. And thank God for our movie, because the people in Florida can watch our movie and feel seen and people can go on social media and be

THIS PAGE: TYLER ALVAREZ IN CRUSH PHOTO COURTESY OF HULU

after all, isn’t that an actor’s job, no play the role effectively? Now with his sexuality out in the open, does Tyler feel a need to play straight roles in a certain way, careful of his inflections and mannerisms? Here’s the thing, sexuality isn’t a personality - it’s just who we kiss and do other things with. So, no, I’m not paying attention to those things. I might not say, “yaasss, queen!” like in life, but it’s more about the verbiage than it is about the way I act. Being gay is the people I love, not how I act. The magic of Tyler’s film Crush is the optimistic way romance is depicted. At the center of the film is a high school teen who identifies as a lesbian. In the categorical way that rom-coms work, she has plenty of comedic and touching missteps along the way until she finds her true love. Her sexuality and the sexualities and gender identities of the characters around her are not presented with pomp and circumstance, or with loud overtures of making a statement. The film is sweet and just … is. Is this the future of our youth? Unless you are told something is not normal, it is. The same teen angst, the same heartbreak, the

THIS PAGE: PHOTO BY LESLIE ALEJANDRO

like, oh wow, there’s a whole world out there. And to queer people who are reading this and people who are in the closet live in an environment where it isn’t accepted, they have to remember that’s only one environment. And there are countless other environments where that is accepted. Unfortunately, our parents or people who aren’t as open, grew up in a time when it wasn’t accepting - so they’ve almost been nurtured to believe that. It’s hard to unlearn those things. Being pigeonholed as gay wasn’t the only trepidation Tyler had early on in his career. Born into the Cuban and Puerto Rican culture, he was fully aware of the types of roles certain ethnicities were being cast in. When I was younger and I’d go for auditions for the leads with open ethnicity, I always knew “I’m not going to get this. They are going to give it to somebody who is white.” It’s not until now, looking back at it, me realizing, wow, I was like 15 years old, and I had that in my brain. I thought that was normal and okay. My experience of it is changing and evolving, but there is still so much work to be done. Now with the film industry’s focus on LGBTQ representation in the media, Tyler’s headlines have shifted to include mention of his sexuality and coming out. Even this interview shifted focus from his acting and latest film to discuss his personal life. Does he think the stress of his personal labels overshadows his acting or is it more important to promote visibility? I feel like those are two different things. The movie itself and the character, that’s one entity. My personal life is another. And then, because of the way the media is set up and the way the world is, they become one thing. But should we stop? I think I would love for it to be a place where sexuality isn’t necessarily a topic of conversation. I don’t want it to be, oh, the gay actor. I don’t want that. I just want to be “the actor” Tyler Alvarez - that’s it, there’s not like the straight Michael Caine, the straight Viola Davis. It’s just Viola Davis. But I don’t think it should be hidden. It shouldn’t be a label, but it also should not be hidden.

Having had the opportunity to interview many young actors in the business, Tyler Alvarez is a breath of fresh air. Not only does he have a firm understanding of his identity, but he also knows his place in the industry and is aware of the hard work that it takes to continue. He has not succumbed to the allure of young Hollywood nightlife, nor has he coasted on one successful role. His work ethic comes from his family, and his drive comes from his own willpower. My grandma came from Cuba and worked as a janitor in the bank for years and even with a 102 fever, she was going to work. My dad is the same exact way, and my mom is very similar. My mom always instilled in me that if you want something, you have to do it. As long as you give it everything you have, then you can die peacefully knowing that you’ve done everything to make it happen. And that’s kind of the way I live because I have this burning dream and I’m going to do everything in my power to make it happen. And if it happens or it doesn’t happen, whatever, all I know is that I did everything I needed to. I have no regrets. And since I was

literally 12 years old, I operated that way. I found my own agents, I found my own classes, and I was taking a train by myself. And I’m still hustling every day. I’m still trying, learning, and growing. It doesn’t matter what is going on in my life. I am obsessed with what I do. I live, I breathe, I eat it morning to night, seven days a week, there is no off button. Nothing can distract me from what I want. It’s like the expression, if you’re hungry, you’ll eat. Part of that hustle is working on himself. Tyler’s Pride message to the community reflects his own routine. Work on your happiness because it’s not necessarily going to be easy and fall into your lap. It takes work. Go to therapy, exercise, journal. Work on your mental health. You can watch Crush now streaming on Hulu. ■ Follow Tyler on IG: @TylerAlvarez METROSOURCE.COM

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

BODY

HEALTH

oxidative damage.

TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR SKIN FUN IN THE SUN 2022 BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES LOOKING TO HAVE FUN IN THE SUN THIS SUMMER? BE SURE TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN. GONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN YOU COULD JUST SQUEEZE AND SLATHER SOME BANANA BOAT SUNSCREEN ON AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON KICKING IT IN THE SURF. Our en-

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

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

ALPHA-H ESSENTIAL SKIN PERFECTING MOISTURIZER WITH SPF 15

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

us.alpha-h.com $48

CAMO DROPS SPF 35 is an ultra-lightweight color

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

corrector that has a serum-like texture that instantly

recently expanded its line for a full spectrum of skin

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

concerns. Their Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturizer

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

with SPF 15 is a light cream offering multi-faceted

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

protection from the sun, lifestyle, and environmen-

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

tal damage. Apply this non-greasy moisturizer each

gentle mineral sunscreen is good for all skin types and

morning and give yourself a good 20 minutes for it to

helps to protect the skin from sun damage by provid-

absorb before going outside. If you plan on being out

ing a protective barrier to reflect those pesky UVA and

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

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

as it should be reapplied every two hours.

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

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

DR. BARBARA STURM ALOE VERA GEL

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

drsturm.com $70

zinc oxide and a nourishing, gentle blend of naturally

Back in 2002, Dr. Sturm developed her controversial

sourced ingredients like sunflower seed oil, shea but-

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

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

own proteins in a skin-healing formula to address

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

the visible signs of inflammation. The cream was ini-

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

tially only available for her patients. Word got out and

darin orange, sunflower, and coconut. It smells like

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

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

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

to tuck in your bag before heading to the beach.

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

NATURABISSE C+C VITAMIN SUMMER LOTION

free radicals and reduces the visible signs of irritation,

naturabisse.com $75

and also panthenol, which has additional skin sooth-

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

ing benefits. Apply a generous amount of the gel all

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

over the face and body after sunbathing or when you

timate way to hydrate and soothe your summer com-

feel like your skin needs a little extra love.

plexion. Use this face and body lotion, which contains

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

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

EVERY MAN JACK SUN SHIELD SPRAY

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

everymanjack.com $16 Every Man Jack’s Sun Shield Spray is a great quick option to pack for a day out in the sun. This quick way to protect the skin from sun damage is an excellent SPF 30 sunshield offering broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with a water-resistant spray. Ingredients include shea butter, aloe vera, and vitamin E. The oils in shea butter will soak your skin to create a barrier that seals in moisture while vitamin E nourishes dry, damaged skin, and aloe vera will soothe and hydrate. Every Man Jack also offers a SPF 50 Face Shield Stick that you can glide across your face for a little extra coverage. Both products can provide effective coverage for all skin types, including sensitive skin. METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2022

HEALTH

SUNRIDER OI-LIN PROTECTIVE MOISTURIZER BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30

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

home.sunrider.com $53.53

UVA/UVB protection. Apply a generous amount to

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

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

Utah in 1982 combining generations of ancient East-

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

ern traditions with modern Western innovation. Dr.

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

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

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

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

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

is a licensed medical doctor. Their Oi-Lin Protective

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

Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 uses some of

ide to offer an effective physical protection with both

nature’s best sun-blocking minerals and antioxidant-

UVA and UVB protection as well as octinoxate and

rich botanicals to protect, preserve, and deeply hy-

octisalate to provide protection from UVB rays.

BODY

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

SKINMEDICA SKINMEDICA ESSENTIAL DEFENSE EVERYDAY CLEAR™ SPF 47

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

skinmedica.com $40

Talika became one of the pioneers of instrumental

SkinMedica® was founded by pioneers in the science

cosmetics by providing a light approach to many of

of skin rejuvenation in 1999 with a vision to help slow

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

the aging process. SkinMedica® Essential Defense is a

sun? Talika’s research team has developed a solution

collection of broad-spectrum sun protection products

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

curated to meet the needs of varying skin types. The

zymes Mask - After Sun can soothe and refresh with

Essential Defense collection delivers broad spectrum

chamomile, arnica and bio cellulose (made from the

protection, while providing sun care solutions for

enzyme fermentation of coconut water). Set the mask

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

for 15 minutes and reduce that burning sensation of

prone skin. SkinMedica Essential Defense Everyday

overheating while rehydrating the skin. Leave it on for

Clear™ SPF 47 is a lightweight, sheer sunscreen that

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

can be used for all skin types, but especially ideal for oily and/or combination skin with UVB coverage. This oil, fragrance, and paraben-free product will not clog your skin. The package is sleek and TSA friendly if you’re hopping a flight to Miami or Turks for the

weekend. Apply liberally over the entire face (neck

Any health, wellness, medical or cosmetic claims con-

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

tained in this feature should be verified with the prod-

and reapply at least every two hours.

uct provider and your health care professional.

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GOVERNORS BALL MUSIC FESTIVAL

Photo by

Jnsilva

PRIDE ARRIVES! NY SCOPE

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019, PRIDE WEEKEND RETURNS WITH A STACKED CALENDAR OF DANCE PARTIES, JOYOUS FESTIVITIES, AND ACTIVIST-DRIVEN DEMONSTRATIONS.

BY MEGAN VENZIN SMALL CAP EVENTS AND ONLINE CONFERENCE SESSIONS GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH OUR COMMUNITY, EVEN WHEN THE TRAJECTORY OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC RE-

NEW YORK

arrives in full, fabulous fashion! Make your voice heard at The Rally, step in solidarity at The March, or bust a move among smiling, sweaty friends at any number of sexy social events. Wherever you land during the last weekend of June, make it count, and let those around you know just how proud you are to be back and living your best life!

THE CONFERENCE June 23rd New York Law School 185 W Broadway New York, NY 10013 Join LGBTQIA+ thought leaders and activists in powerful conversations and networking sessions during this year’s hybrid conference, returning to New York Law School after taking place for two-years in an all-virtual format. Attend from the comfort of your home or trek it out to Manhattan for workshops that will occur face-to-face for maximum impact. Those who do plan to join in-person should e id r P f NYC also swing by the cocktail esy o t r u o c photo reception for drinks with new friends. Julian Register online at https://www.nycpride.org/event /the-conference JUNE/JULY 2022

will have a ball! Snag tickets at https://www.governorsballmusicfestival.com/

THE RALLY

IN 2020 AND 2021, WE SHOWED OUR PRIDE FROM A DISTANCE. VIRTUAL DANCE PARTIES,

MAINED UNCERTAIN. In 2022, it is safe to say we have turned a corner, and with that Pride

June 10-12th Citi Field Flushing Meadows, Queens If you are itching to socialize well before Pride weekend, Governors Ball has you covered. After a rescheduled fall installment that saw more than 150,000 attendees, the legendary three-day music and arts festival from Founders Entertainment will return to Citi Field in Queens. This year’s event packs massive talent with a multi-genre lineup of names like Halsey, Kid Cudi, J. Cole, Kaytranada, Flume and Tove Lo. In addition to great music, guests can also expect larger-than-life art installations and a curated food roster backed by the city’s most in-demand chefs and restaurateurs. We suggest you hop the 7 train over and see it for yourself – we promise you

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June 24th Location TBA On June 28th, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, sparking riots among the bar’s customers and nearby residents who were appalled by the way their neighbors were treated for simply being themselves. The six days of protests that followed reshaped the fight for equality as the world knew it, and not long after the clash, an impressive crowd of 500 people gathered in solidarity in Washington Square Park before heading to Sheridan Square for a candlelight vigil – a tradition which NYC Pride continues in different high-profile locations across the city each year. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies are invited to bring their voices to The Rally, an impassioned event where the conversations, education, and action help to fulfill the longstanding legacy set by those who spoke out against injustice more than four decades ago. Be heard at https://www.nycpride.org /event/the-rally

PRIDE ISLAND June 24-26th Governors Island This June, Pride Island – NYC Pride’s premiere three-day music and arts festival – finds its vibrant new home on Governors Island. Kick off the weekend with Mo Heart and Kylie Sonique Love as they set the vibe with Drag Island, starting at 6pm on Friday. Then get a double dose of Kim magic when rap icon Lil’ Kim headlines on Saturday, and pop-queen Kim Petras closes it out on Sunday night after The March. This is the first fully in-person edition of Pride Island in three years, so expect plenty of surprises as well as craft cocktails, a hand-curated food lineup featuring the city’s best eats and much more. For tickets visit https://www.nycpride.org/event /pride-island

QUEER SOCIAL PRESENTS: PRIDE POOL PARTY June 25th 125 West 45th St. Room Mate Grace Hotel New York, NY This year’s Pride is set to be steamy, so plan to cool off! Queer Social has the right idea – get wet and wild at the collective’s highly anticipated Pool Party taking place at the swanky Room Mate Grace Hotel in Hell’s Kitchen. The heated pool is just one element keeping this hangout splashy – do not forget to check out boylesque acts, the sexy sauna, and an upscale lounge for refreshments. Two cocktails and clothes check are included with your entry, so feel good about getting loose. Buy tickets at https://www.queersocial.us/

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TEAZE June 25th 3 Dollar Bill Brooklyn, NY With four parties under one roof to choose from, TEAZE is the ultimate celebration of queer existence complete with worldrenowned DJs and local heroes alike. Taking place at 3 Dollar Bill, a music venue known for its highly inclusive ethos, TEAZE is the Brooklyn day hang that will keep you smiling and reveling in support of your BIPOC brothers and sisters. For tickets visit https://www.nycpride.org /event/teaze

YOUTH PRIDE June 25th, 2022 Location TBA Register in advance for this free event crafted especially for the teens and allies in the LGBTQIA+ community. The location for this year’s event is still to be announced, so keep an eye out for upcoming announcements and learn more about how NYC Pride will be celebrating its younger heroes this June. Register online at https://www.nycpride.org/event /youth-pride

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GET WRECKED & CARRY: PRIDE June 25th 599 Johnson Ave. Brooklyn, NY Hit one of Brooklyn’s hottest dance floors for a day-into-night extravaganza on the Saturday of Pride weekend. Featuring a lineup stacked with scene titans and underground artists, Get Wrecked & Carry will take over the entire venue for 14 hours of beat-fueled s n e Dick ieto mayhem with names like Ash Lauryn, N s i Lu o by Justin Cudmore, Baronhawk Poitier, Kim Ann Phot Foxman, and of course, The Carry Nation and Wrecked topping an impressive list. Arrive early to soak up the rooftop, then hit Zone One and The Hall to groove until the sun crests the horizon. Just make sure to save a little energy for The March the next day. For tickets visit www.elsewherebrooklyn.com

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PLANET PRIDE 2022 June 25th The Brooklyn Mirage 140 Stewart Ave. Brooklyn, NY Renowned tastemakers Jake Resnicow and Ty Sunderland are teaming up to make this “The Greatest Pride Ever.”The internationally celebrated queer party starters are bringing their style and finesse to the newest iteration of The Brooklyn Mirage. The recently reimagined outdoor venue will play host to six parties taking place across three stages for a full twelve hours, as festival headliners like live duo Galantis, disco visionary SG Lewis and Femme House founder, LP Giobbi lead the charge. A special surprise pop star will also make an appearance so definitely pop by this historic takeover. For tickets visit www.avant-gardner.com

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June 25th Harbor Rooftop Pride’s annual Circuit Party returns with a new name: Fantasy Days. This sun-drenched day party gives attendees the chance to tap into their wildest fantasies while soaking up music and performances from some of the dance industry’s most in-demand acts. To top it off, it’s going up on Harbor Rooftop, one of the Big Apple’s most beautiful open-air locations. Score tickets at https://www.nycpride.org /event/fantasy-days

BLISS DAYS June 26th, 2022 Harbor Rooftop Seeking feelings of euphoria? Look no further than Bliss Days, a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ womxn who bring power and light to this amazing community. Formerly known as Femme Fatale, Bliss Days is a picturesque rooftop gathering featuring a lineup of top-notch DJs, dancers, and special guests. Do not miss your chance to close out Pride weekend with an empowering bunch of party goers from high atop the city that never sleeps! Get tickets at https://www.nycpride.org /event/bliss-days

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THE MARCH June 26th, 2022 New York, New York For five decades, The March has served as a powerful civil rights demonstration for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Back on the streets officially for the first time since 2019, participants will step off in Manhattan’s West Village and pass by landmarks such as the Stonewall National Monument and Christopher Park. Though its focus has broadened since its inception during the 1970s, from a means to remember those subjected to violence and abuse, or lost to AIDS, The March now also spotlights the uplifting aspects of the fight for equality with larger-than-life floats and other awe-inspiring fanfare. The annual attraction is one of the country’s largest gatherings of its kind and attracts tens of thousands of people from across the world annually, so line up and get to steppin! Check out this year’s route and learn more about how to get involved at https://www.nycpride.org/event/nyc-pride-march

PROUD June 26th Phot House of Yes o cou rtesy of Ho 2 Wyckoff Ave use o f Yes Brooklyn, NY Plan lewks that serve “rainbow realness, glitter glam and fierce fashion” or simply bring your sweatiest post-parade self to Brooklyn’s House of Yes for the last Sunday in June aka the proudest night of the year. Proud’s headliners are James Patterson (of The Knocks) and Horrorchata – and trust that these all-star DJs will supply the one-way ticket to boogie wonderland. Lose yourself in a sea of queer champions, drag queen divas and gay goddesses because this is a safe place where anything goes – and it’s all happening at one of the borough’s trippiest dance halls to boot. For tickets and fashion inspiration visit https://www.houseofyes.org/

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PRIDEFEST June 26th Greenwich Village New York, NY Now in its 28th installment, PrideFest is the annual street fair featuring booths and artisan goods from the city’s LGBTQAI+ vendors and business owners. Perfect for the whole family, PrideFest melds incredible shopping with live entertainment, delicious food, and attractions for the kids – those are just a few reasons why more than 100,000 visitors come to peruse its diverse offerings year after year. To check out this year’s vendors visit https://www.nycpride.org/event/pridefest

July 22 - 24 Various Locations on Fire Island and The Pines Escape the bustle of the city and head out to the stunning beaches of Fire Island and The Pines for peak summer vibes. This annual weekender has become a cornerstone of the American Gay Circuit Calendar – and for good reason. Enjoy beach parties, late night DJ sets, surprise villa pop-ups and the island’s best restaurants and attractions all wrapped up into a getaway that’s equal parts upscale and scandalous. Of course, you’ll be raging for a worthy cause – proceeds from the three-day event go to support the Stonewall Community Foundation, llis a W s u y Marc Photo b so book your lodging now and get ready for a Greco-Roman themed weekend that would make even Dionysus blush. Pro-tip: Do not miss that Saturday night set featuring New York house and disco legend, Danny Tenaglia. To plan your getaway, visit https://www.pinesparty.com/

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START SPREADING THE NEWS ... Broadway is always bustling with new openings and unexpected closings. While Hamilton and Wicked are still two of the hottest tickets in town, a myriad of exciting new plays and musicals like Six, MJ The Musical, Hangmen, and A Strange Loop are filling the theater district with laughter, applause, and standing ovations. The Shed, a jaw dropping new cultural institution nestled into the new Hudson Yards, offers The Shed’s Bloomberg Building, an eight-level base building with two large gallery spaces, a versatile theater, rehearsal space, artists’ lab, event space, as well as The McCourt, an iconic space for large-scale performances, installations, and events. Best theatre for a podcast fan? Minetta Lane Theater has become Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre, and the go-to place

BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES I MOVED TO NYC WHEN I WAS 18, AT THE END OF THE SUMMER OF 1998, THE SAME SUMMER SEX AND THE CITY WENT INTO PRODUCTION AND JUST BEFORE FELICITY AIRED ON THE WB. I lived just off the Lincoln Center and back then

we still used subway coins in addition to Metrocards. The subway took me to all kinds of places like the Empire State Building, Staten Island Ferry, Central Park Zoo, the old Yaffa Cafe, and Off-Broadway theaters like New York Theatre Workshop where the musical Rent got its start. Late at night the same subway led me to The Limelight, Twilo, The Roxy, and even Florent, the legendary all-night diner in the Meatpacking District (anyone else still craving their disco fries?). Like many New Yorkers, I’ve already lived a hundred lives in the city. Most of my adult life has been in Manhattan proper, but I have chapters in Queens as well as Brooklyn, definitely the Bronx and even a few all the way out in Staten Island. I’ve been watching with curiosity as the tourists make their way back to the Big Apple this past year and it seems like every corner has been pumping out the lyrics Alicia Keys emotionally belts out in the song “Empire State of Mind.” Crowds pour in and out of Broadway theaters, ladies hunt for knockoff purses on Canal Street, and there’s already a line to get up close and personal with Van Gough’s “The Starry Night” at the Museum of Modern Art or a glimpse of the masters at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. In some ways New York is the same, and yes, compared to where we were in the spring of 2020 it can be said that New York is back but there are a lot of ways in which repeat visitors are going to be surprised by how different it’s become. You might hear “there’s never been a better time to visit New York City,”and on any given day there are likely a million different versions of NYC unfolding for tourists and locals alike. If you haven’t been before, it’s time to come. If you haven’t been in a few years, you’re in for a welcome surprise. As Ms. Keys serenades us, “these streets will make you feel brand-new, big lights will inspire you, let’s hear it for New York, New York, New York.”

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Broadway. Photo by Matthew/PenrodNYC & Company

to catch start-studded recordings of great plays in front of a live audience. Company XIV, infamous for their holiday-themed burlesque production Nutcracker Rouge acquired Théâtre XIV, a stunning performance venue in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Book tickets in advance if you want to check out a show at St. Ann’s Warehouse, the popular theatre located in a former tobacco warehouse that features entertaining performances by theatre groups such as the Wooster Group and National Theatre of Scotland. Looking for a good deal? Head to Father Duffy Square in Times Square (look for the big red steps) and wait in line at the TKTS Times Square booth. Check their website at tdf.org for hours. And if you have a little time to kill before your show, the red staircase is a great place to sit, and people watch - you never know who will pass by.

Photo courtesy of The Jewish Museum ART IMITATING LIFE New York is never lacking art, and culture hounds are continually on the hunt for the next best thing in the art world. Institutions like the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and The Whitney Museum of American Art should definitely be on the agenda if you haven’t been, but there are a plethora of lesser known landmarks in NYC, like The Frick Collection, the private collection of Henry Clay Frick (Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Renoir, oh my!), The Jewish Museum, and Neue Galerie New York where you can get up close and personal with Gustav Klimt’s “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer”(aka“The Woman in Gold”). The International Center of Photography, the world’s leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture, recently moved to an expansive neighboring space on Essex Street, just across the street from the new Essex Market where you can nibble on traditional Dominican fare at Dominican Cravings, authentic pierogies from Veselka, or mouthwatering Mexican bites at Puebla Mexican Food. Upstairs you’ll find everything from caviar to Moroccan spices in the main marketplace or keep your culture party going at Cuchifrito’s Gallery + Project Space. What about queer art? The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, the only dedicated LGBTQ+ art museum in the world, is definitely worth a visit.

LANDMARKS, PLEASE Lady Liberty always appreciates her visitors, and you can spend about half a day on a trip out to see her and Ellis Island. A cheaper (and quicker) way to get up close and personal is by hopping The Staten Island Ferry at Whitehall Street in lower Manhattan. If you head that way the Staten Island Museum is worth a stop. Ascending to the top of The Empire State Building is a must for newbies visiting NYC, but how about new landmarks? Hudson Yards is now home to the impressive Vessel and Edge, a protruding 100 story high observation deck in the clouds. What’s that tall building you’re facing when looking south? It’s One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower. One World Trade Center is truly the focal point of the Lower Manhattan skyline, and One World Observatory, 100 stories above the streets, offers unrivaled 360-degree views of the city’s four corners. Zip up to the top of the city as you ride up 102 stories in 47 seconds with their innovative SkyPod Elevators. Give yourself a little time to take in the unique and iconic views of the Big Apple. When you come down from the clouds, be sure to take a moment to pause and reflect at the 9/11 Memorial Pools. These pools honor those killed in the 9/11 attacks as well as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The sound of the water at the fountain at this tasteful monument is a memorable stop for many visiting NYC. Over in Queens, the Unisphere is a massive spherical stainless-steel representation of Earth. The landmark was designed as part of the 1964 New York World’s Fair and sits proudly in Flushing MeadowsCorona Park. Nearby, Queens Museum boasts a gigantic panorama of the City of New York that was also built for the World’s Fair.

9/11 Memorial & Museum. Photo by Brittany Patronella/NYC & Company Photo courtesy of The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art

BIV at Little Island. Photo by Rebecca J Michelson

Manhattan Bridge. Photo by Julienne Schaer/NYC & Company ISLAND LIFE A little further up the Hudson, Little Island rises up from the water, extending out from Hudson River Park at the intersection of West Street and 13th Street in the Meatpacking District and Chelsea neighborhoods of Manhattan. The brainchild of Barry Diller, this new public park was birthed in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Little Island features a secret garden called “The Glade,” food carts, a playground, an enormous 687-seat thrust stage and a smaller performance space for more intimate ticketed events. It’s a perfect place to wander through on a midsummer’s night. Governors Island, the 172-acre recreation oasis within the NYC borough of Manhattan, has quickly become a favorite place for New Yorkers to day trip without even leaving the city. The island, open year-round, is a quick ferry ride from Lower Manhattan. Rent a bike and go for a ride through the Instagrammable terrain or walk around and explore fun spots like NYC’s longest slide at Slide Hill. Take a nap in a hammock in Hammock Grove or grab a bite at one of many food trucks. Visit during one of their theme parties like their notorious Jazz Age Lawn Party, or come for NYC Pride’s “Pride Island,” a three-day music festival from Friday, June 24-26 featuring stars like Lil’ Kim, Mo Hart, and Kylie Sonique Love. METROSOURCE.COM

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NYC AIDS Memorial Park Photo by Brittany Petronella/NYC & Company A GAY VILLAGE Make your pilgrimage to The Stonewall Inn, the lively gay bar, National Historic Landmark and site of The Stonewall Riots in 1969. Nearby, Julius’ is a Greenwich Village tavern known as the city’s oldest gay bar famous for its tasty hamburgers, fun crowd, and the location of the “Sip-In” organized by the Mattachine Society in 1966. Other bars in the village worth a stop include The Monster where you can let your hair down and dance all night, Rockbar for the bears, and Marie’s Crisis Cafe or The Duplex if you want to “Sing out, Louise!” Not looking for a pub crawl? There’s no shortage of great restaurants in the village. If you’re looking for the best pizza in town head to John’s of Bleecker Street or Arturo’s Coal Oven Pizza down on Houston Street (pronounced “How-stun,” not like the city). The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center), which opened its doors in 1983, is truly the main hub of everything gay in NYC. The Center offers health and wellness programs, arts, entertainment, and cultural services, BGSQD (a fab queer bookstore & exhibition space), and even a coffee shop. Nearby, The New York City AIDS Memorial honors the more than 100,000 New Yorkers who died of AIDS. There are new experiences to soak in and shops to check out on Christopher Street. Keep walking west and the Christopher Street Pier will provide you with a glorious spot to take in the Hudson River as well as a smattering of eye candy relaxing in the grass.

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Good Judy exterior. Photo by Dave Jeffers

Hell’s Kitchen HELL’S KITCHEN Cute twinks and scruffy couples roam the sidewalks and live it up throughout the streets of Hell’s Kitchen. This neighborhood, just a stone’s throw from Broadway, boasts over a dozen gay bars including new favorite hot spots The Q NYC and HUSH. Diners spill out onto the street for brunch, dinner, and everything in between at new and trusted restaurants like the ever-popular Añejo where you can dip into the best guac in the city. Have a sweet tooth? Huascar & Co. has the best cupcakes in NYC.

Dumbo. Photo by Julienne Schaer/NYC & Company

BROOKLYN’S BEST Tourists could have a fabulous trip to NYC and never set foot in Manhattan. A visit to Coney Island is one of the best ways to spend a fun-filled summer day. Check out Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, the beach, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, the New York Aquarium, and even a modern-day freak show. Ever hear of the Coney Island Mermaid Parade? This year’s parade is Saturday, June 18. Spend an hour in the trendy neighborhood of Dumbo (acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and you’ll feel like you’re walking on a movie set with its cobblestone streets and dramatic architecture. Thirsty? The two hottest bars in Brooklyn right now are Good Judy and C’mon Everybody where you can check out amazing performances before dancing the night away. Where’s the best place to catch a drag performance or even rub elbows with a Ru-girl? Williamsburg’s 3 Dollar Bill, of course. Grab a drink and head to the outdoor patio where you can catch performances by drag queens like Alaska and Gottmik.

WHAT’S DOWN IN UPTOWN? Many driving to New York from New Jersey will enter by crossing the George Washington Bridge, and if you look down you just might spot an adorable landmark, The Little Red Lighthouse, officially Jeffrey’s Hook Light, a small lighthouse along the Hudson River in Manhattan. This idyllic picnic spot offers magical views of Fort Lee Historic Park on the opposite side of the Hudson. Nestled further north is The Cloisters Museum, a unique branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on a grassy hill of Fort Tryon Park. Harlem, the Upper Manhattan neighborhood that stretches from 125th up to 155th Street is known for the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and 1930s. You can still hear jazz up and down the streets of Harlem but these days it’s known for The Apollo, soul food, hip bars, and phenomenal museums like Studio Museum in Harlem, El Museo del Barrio, and Hispanic Society Museum & Library. Over the East River, things are red hot in Mott Haven, one of NYC’s neighborhoods experiencing a significant revival. The Third Avenue Business Improvement District and Bruckner Boulevard District work around the clock to promote business while ensuring the neighborhood is safe and beautiful. The pocket of restaurants, bars, and shops just off of the intersection of Bruckner and Alexander Avenues is currently experiencing a renaissance with a number of new hot spots like the swank Bar 47 and The Lit. Bar, a charming bookstore with a quaint cafe in the back.

Harlem. Photo by Michele Vacchiano/Getty Image

Central Park Photo by Jen Davis/NYC & Company

AND WHAT ABOUT NEW YORK MAGIC? If you’re looking for a little New York“magic,” the kind you see in movies, there are always ways to position yourself in the right place at the right time. Central Park is definitely one of the biggest stars of the city with The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park series at the outdoor Delacorte Theater being a summer favorite. You can rent a rowboat on“The Lake”in the middle of the park, and row past the spot where Carrie and Big fell into the water just off The Central Park Boathouse or stand in the middle of the Great Lawn where Diana Ross gave her epic 1983 concert in the middle of a massive storm. You won’t even think about Breakfast at Tiffany’s when you sink into one of the comfy chairs for bubbles at BG Restaurant at Bergdorf Goodman. Keep the party going at The Plaza Hotel, just tell the doorman you’re going to dinner at The Palm Court or having a drink at The Champagne Bar and wander around the unbelievable

hotel where Truman Capote threw annual black and white balls, and films like Barefoot in the Park and The Great Gatsby were filmed. Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is one of those adventures that feels like you stop time or have stepped into a fairytale. Again, be sure your phone is charged so you can add to your IG story. Magic happens just strolling the streets. Turn a corner and run into a street fair, pass the set of a Law & Order, bump into Steve Martin and Martin Short before a take of Only Murders in the Building, or get a nod as you pass Spike Lee only realizing it’s actually Spike Lee a block later. Catch a live concert at Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, The Apollo or even an intimate performance by one of the regular musicians at Bemelmans Bar at the Cafe Carlyle. If you caught Hamilton during your trip, Eliza’s lyrics “Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now. Look around, look around.”It’s time to book your next trip to NYC, there’s plenty of magic to go around. ■

Central Park Photo courtesy of NYC & Company METROSOURCE.COM

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Bright Lights

AND SUMMER NIGHTS A GREAT TIME TO CATCH UP ON THE BROADWAY SHOWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED BY BEN RIMALOWER

SUMMER IN THE CITY MEANS SWEATY SUBWAY PLATFORMS AND CROWDED BARS. IT MEANS WEEKEND GETAWAYS AND WEEKNIGHT BLOCK PARTIES. And for

Broadway, it means tourists are packing the hits of the recent theatre season while the less successful shows struggle to stay open till Labor Day. It’s a great time to catch up on some of the best shows you might have missed amid all the COVID scares and commotions of life in 2022. I highly recommend Company, Hangmen, How I Learned to Drive, POTUS, Take Me Out, The Minutes, and The Music Man. But the show that should be first on your list is A Strange Loop (Lyceum Theatre, open ended). Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, which premiered at Playwrights Horizons in 2019, has finally opened on Broadway to well-deserved rave reviews. It’s hard to overstate the significance of this captivating piece of art and entertainment, exquisitely directed by Stephen Brackett (Be More Chill, Buyer & Cellar). I so want to praise the intersectionality of this authentically rendered story of a “fat, Black, queer” person, despite knowing Jackson’s much professed disdain (via A Strange Loop as well as in the press) for the virtue signaling and performative wokeness that’s today’s norm. The fact is anyone who identifies as any of those adjectives is going to find a lot to relate to in this landmark work, which will also appeal to everyone who cares about and/or enjoys genuinely great theater. The new lead, Jaquel Spivey (23 and making an auspicious Broadway debut), brings new layers of vulnerability and sweetness to his role and is supported by the same tight ensemble of stars who originated the show: scintillating, sinewy Antwayn Hopper (on the heels of his triumph in The Life at City Center Encores), authoritative, uproarious James Jackson, Jr., earthy yet ethereal L. Morgan Lee, savvy, slippery John-Michael Lyles, heartbreaking and hilarious John-Andrew Morrison, and vigilant, versatile Jason Veasey. This is the best new musical on Broadway, since at least Hamilton, and you don’t want to miss it.

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James Jackson, Jr., L. Morgan Lee, Antwayn Hopper, John-Andrew Morrison and Jason Veasey play the self-lacerating thoughts of Usher (Jaquel Spivey) in A Strange Loop.

Jared Grimes as Eddie Ryan and Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl. Some other Broadway news isn’t quite as good. The much anticipated first ever Broadway revival of Funny Girl (August Wilson Theatre, open ended) has opened to mostly bad reviews. The thing is it’s just not funny, girl. Hopes were high for Beanie Feldstein, but she doesn’t come close to filling Barbra Streisand’s legendary shoes. At least we’ve broken the seal. Maybe the next actor cast as Fanny Brice will only have to live up to this.

The only new Broadway show opening in this postseason limbo is The Kite Runner (Hayes Theater, July 6-October 30), Matthew Spangler’s adaptation of Khaled Hosseini’s acclaimed, best-selling novel. This Second Stage production features The Blacklist’s Amir Arison and is directed by Giles Croft, who helmed the hit West End run of the play.

A scene from the British production of The Kite Runner. Photo by Irina Chira

Off-Broadway is still fertile ground with new shows opening all year. Some early summer highlights include: OFF-BROADWAY THEATER Epiphany (Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center, open ended) Brian Watkins’s new play, directed by Tyne Rafaeli. The ensemble cast includes familiar faces like Marylouise Burke, Heather Burns, Jonathan Hadary, and Omar Metwally.

Francois Battiste, Heather Burns, and Marylouise Burke join the cast of Epiphany.(© Tristan Fuge / Janie Willison / David Gordon)

Corsicana (Playwrights Horizons, June 2-July 10) Jamie Brewer (American Horror Story) and Deirdre O’Connell are featured in Will Arbery’s portrait of a woman with Down’s Syndrome in a small Texas city, directed by Sam Gold. Just For Us (Greenwich House Theatre, June 13-July 23) Comedian Alex Edelman reprises his acclaimed solo show. Between The Lines (Second Stage, June 14-October 2) Jodi Picoult’s young adult novel gets the musical treatment with Broadway belters Vicki Lewis and Julia Murney among the cast.

Corsicana: Will Arbery, Deirdre O’Connell, Sam Gold, Jamie Brewer, Harold Surratt, and Will Dagger.

The cast of Between the Lines at Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Photo by Cory Weaver

Alex Edelman. Photo by Monique Carboni METROSOURCE.COM

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Joey Arias Lucie Arnaz

Tony Danza

Kevin Smith Kirkwood

Mario Cantone

Donna McKechnie

CABARET The venerable Café Carlyle has at last reopened and some best bets there are: • Screaming(ly funny) queen Mario Cantone (June 3-4) • ‘80s TV icon Tony Danza (June 14-25) The coolest room in town, Joe’s Pub, has a killer lineup featuring: • Writer-performer-raconteur Justin Elizabeth Sayre hosts the tenth annual Night of a Thousand Judys with a glittering roster of stars to sing in tribute to Judy Garland’s 100th Birthday benefitting the Ali Forney Center for LGBTW+ youth (June 5) • Singer-songwriter Eleri Ward reprise her acclaimed A Perfect Little Death: Acoustic Sondheim (June 7) • Actor-troubadour Julian Fleisher flashes his musical brilliance in the latest installment of Four Seasons of Julian Fleisher (June 16) • Legitimate and uncanny drag legend Joey Arias celebrates the release of his No One Knows EP (June 17-18) • MacArthur Genius Taylor Mac makes a mark in Songs from The Bark of Millions (June 20-30) • Skip the hologram tour, see Kevin Smith Kirkwood in Classic Whitney - Alive! (June 23) • Everyone’s favorite “Intimacy Idiot” and TV writer Isaac Oliver takes us down his Pride Spiral (June 24) • Straddling “comedy, commentary and communion,” gifted actor-singer Joseph Keckler shakes the rafters (July 7) • Fabulous freak Enid Ellen is the beloved brainchild of David Mramor and singer/songwriter Greg Potter, and she is not to be missed (July 12)

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Justin Elizabeth Sayre (right) Taylor Mac

Eleri Ward

Joseph Keckler

Rachel Bay Jones

“Broadway’s Living Room” Feinstein’s/54 Below has got a ton of great stuff to see including: • A Chorus Line’s Tony-winning triple threat legend Donna McKechnie in Take Me to the World – The Songs Of Stephen Sondheim (June 2-4) • Tony-winning Dear Evan Hansen star Rachel Bay Jones bringing all her love and light to Something Beautiful (June 17-18) • Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell showing why he’s Broadway’s greatest leading man in Songs and Stories (June 20-25) • To Steve with Love: Broadway veteran Liz Callaway celebrates Sondheim with her signature sunniness and power (June 28-29) • Vastly under celebrated diva Emily Skinner struts her stuff in A Broad With A Broad, Broad Mind (June 30-July 2) • Be More Chill’s Joe Iconis convenes the latest gathering of his devoted and growing cult in Joe Iconis & Family (July 8-11) • Lucille Ball’s daughter and a TV and Broadway star in her own right, Lucie Arnaz, in I Got The Job! Songs From My Musical Past (July 14-17)

Julian Fleisher • Norma Jean Wright, formerly of Chic, Linda Clifford, and original Weather Girl, Martha Wash sing their faces off on all the hits in First Ladies of Disco: Retro Music Box (July 21-23)

Enid Ellen

First Ladies of Disco: Retro Music Box

Brian Stokes Mitchell Joe Iconis

Birdland,“The Jazz Corner of the World,” is busting out: • Legitimate jazz singer with gobs of stage presence, Gabrielle Stravelli (June 7, 14, 28, July 7) • Charsmatic kabarettist Carole J. Bufford and opera star Stephanie Blythe honor Judy Garland’s 100th Birthday (June 10) • Genre defying singer-songwriter celebrates the release of his album Liam Forde Great to Be Here (June 13)

Gay Marshall

Reeve Carney Carole J Bufford

Emily Skinner

Zora Rasmussen Jason Gotay

Liam Forde

Stephanie Blythe

Eva Noblezada Drunk Shakespeare

Robbie Rozelle

Daphne Always

Jeff Harnar The Green Room 42 is the place to be to see: • Runaway hit Drunk Shakespeare (June 1-8) • Hadestown and Miss Saigon Tony nominee Eva Noblezada (June 5) • Penny Dreadful and Hadestown star Reeve Carney (June 5) • Cabaret go-to Robbie Rozelle in his latest act, Pretty, Witty and Gay (June 11) • Broadway and Gossip Girl heartthrob Jason Gotay (June 19)

Downstairs at the West Bank Café, the forever tribute to the late great lady of the stage, the Laurie Beechman Theatre is booked up with great shows: • Downtown darling Daphne Always brings her magic midtown (June 9) • Cabaret master Jeff Harnar pays tribute to the big guy in I Know Things Now: My Life in Sondheim’s Words (June 15, 22, 29)

The East Village relives its glory days at the intimate Pangea, particularly: • Francophile favorite Gay Marshall gives a live taste of her sensational Leonard Cohen album, Back on Boogie Street (June 4) • Broadway and Greenwich Village veteran Zora Rasmussen reminds us what made her a star (June 19) Speaking of the Village, you should come by Alan Cumming’s louche lounge Club Cumming for fun, laughs, good times every night of the week, but especially: •Mondays at 8pm for my show, Cast Offs with Ben Rimalower & Daniel Nolen. We’ve got exciting guest stars booked all summer! METROSOURCE.COM

JUNE/JULY 2022

Ben Cameron

Melissa Etheridge

Pixie Aventura Rufus Wainwright

Joel Kim Boosters

Tina Burner John Waters

Ada Vox

On the West Side, City Winery welcomes the cream of the crop: • International superstar Melissa Etheridge (June 1-3) • Grammy nominee Rufus Wainwright reprises his legendary remake of Judy Garland’s legendary Carnegie Hall concert (June 5-10) Nightlife impresario Daniel Nardicio opens his new multi-level queer discothèque/comedy club/café Red Eye New York on Pride Weekend. Highlights of their summer bookings include: • American Idol favorite Ada Vox (June 30) • Drag comedy legend Sherry Vine (July 13)

Sherry Vine

D World Underwear Party FIRE ISLAND The Pavillion, Fire Island Pines • Monday nights belong to New York’s own, Pixie Aventura, who can do it all better and smarter and funnier than anyone Whyte Hall, Fire Island Pines • Daniel Nardicio presents Ada Vox (July 2) • John Waters’ new solo show False Negative, presented by Daniel Nardicio (July 30) Ice Palace, Cherry Grove • Fridays Daniel Nardicio continues his legendary D World Underwear Party • Mondays at the Ice Palace are Broadway Sessions with Ben Cameron Cherry’s On The Bay, Cherry Grove • Sundays Infamous RuPaul’s Drag Race queen Tina Burner wins you over • Mondays (plus Tuesdays in August) Hedda Lettuce reads the room for the filth that made her famous

JUNE/JULY 2022

METROSOURCE.COM

And if you can’t get to Fire Island in person, make sure to watch actor-writer Joel Kim Booster’s brilliant Fire Island on Netflix. Co-starring with Booster are Bowen Yang, Conrad Ricamora, James Scully, Matt Rogers, Tomas Matos, Torian Miller, Nick Adams, and the one and only Margaret Cho. Watching this movie is like spending a week on Fire Island; as the minutes dwindled down, I got so sad it was almost over. If you do make it out and you’re still feeling sentimental about our gay paradise, the Fire Island Pines Historical Preservation Society is offering dishy walking tours with a lot hotter gossip about what went on in this architectural beauties than the fancy society’s name might suggest. Do it!

NEW YORK DIRECTORY ACCOUNTING – COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY

ACCOUNTING

ARCHITECTURE

Dikman, Bernard L., C.P.A. 37 W 20th St, Ste 703, NYC �� 212 929-4299

Woloshen, Robert A. CPA 29 W 15th St, Ste 1 NYC �� 212 843-3486 www.rawcpa.com

ACUPUNCTURE Acupuncture-NYC

80 Fifth Ave, Ste 906 NYC �� 212 874-0898 www.acupuncture-nyc.com

ADOPTION SERVICES Friends in Adoption

NYC �� 800 982-3678 www.friendsinadoption.org

AESTHETIC SERVICES Advanced Dermatology Associates

200 Central Park South #107 NYC �� 212 262-2500 NYC �� 212 246-0800 www.adv-derm.com

Lexington Plastic Surgeons

113 E 39th St, NYC �� 646 374-2410 www.try.lexingtonplasticsurgeons.com/metrosource

Sexual Health Men

290 Madison Ave 6th Fl NYC �� 973 493-7607 www.sexualhealthmen.com Stoller, Roy B., D.O.

515 Madison Ave, Ste 1205 NYC �� 212 920-4499 www.hairdoctornyc.com

David Stern Architecture www.davidsternarchitecture.com Torre, Martin B. RA AIA Architecture + Planning PLLC 605 E 14th St, #8 NYC �� 646 257-9081

ATTORNEYS

Aziz, Michael, M.D., FRSM

Midtown Integrative Medicine 509 Madison Ave @ 53rd St, Ste 1111 NYC �� 212 906-9111 www.michaelazizmd.com

Li-Lac Chocolates 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

Paul Evans Catering

Bing, Steven E.

276 5th Ave, Ste 1008 NYC �� 212 286-1666

20 W 20th St NYC ��212 321-1822 NYC ��212 243-4494 www.paulevanscatering.com

Chianese & Reilly Law, P.C.

CLOTHING

122 E 42nd St, Ste 3900 NYC �� 212 953-6447 100 Merrick Rd, Ste 103E Rockville Centre, NY �� 516 599-2020 www.awclawyer.com

Dave’s New York

581 Ave of the Americas, NYC Toll Free ��800 543-8558 www.davesnewyork.com

Chou, Luna, Esq. NYC �� 212 226-2610 www.lunachoulaw.com

Jackson Boutique

Goldman, Jeffrey E., Esq 501 Fifth Ave #1900 NYC �� 212 983-8999 NYC �� 212 949-5085 www.jgoldmanlaw.com

CONTRACTORS/CONSTRUCTION

Law Offices of Thomas Sciacca, PLLC

44 Wall St, 12th Fl NYC �� 212 495-0317 www.sciaccalaw.com Long & Associates NYC �� 212 360-0394 www.landapllc.com Parker | Waichman LLP 6 Harbor Park Dr. Nationwide �� 800 JUST-CALL www.yourlawyer.com

ALLERGIES

CATERING

Tesler, Richard, Esq. 41 W 72nd St NYC �� 212 362-6961

www.jacksonboutiquenyc.com

ABS Design & Construction

NYC ��212 731-0642 www.abs-construction-nyc.com

COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY Angers, Marc E., M.A. Oxon, L.C.S.W./L.P.

Licensed Psychoanalyst, NCPsyA NYC ��917 678-7929

Barneson, Jeff, LCSW

119 Washington Place NYC ��212 252-2314 www.jeffbarneson.com

Blatter, Andrew, LCSW

NYC ��917 442-5213 www.andrewblatter.com

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JUNE/JULY 2022

NEW YORK DIRECTORY COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY – DENTISTS Bloom Psychotherapy NYC 19 W 34th St, PH NYC. ��347 921-0431 www.nycbloomtherapy.com

Campbell, Robert D., LCSW Psychotherapy for Individuals & Couples NYC �� 646 783-8155 www.robertdcampbell.com Davies, Ann Conant, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.

COUNSELING/SUBURBAN

DENTISTS

Kingan, Peter L., Ph.D.

Babushkin, Howard, D.D.S., L.L.C.

31 Oak St Patchogue, NY ��631 447-6425

DATING SERVICES SEE ALSO INTRODUCTION SERVICES

ManMate

NYC ��212 564-4025 www.manmate.com

740 West End Ave, Ste 1 Cell ��917 923-2257

ManMate Dinners For 8

Dicker, Phyllis D., L.C.S.W., A.C.S.W., B.C.D.

Wheaton, Grant

NYC ��718 855-5171

NYC ��212 564-4025 www.manmate.com Dating Coach NYC ��212 564-4025

525 West End Ave #1G, NYC �� 212 874-2880 www.manhattanoasisdentistry.com

Cassidy, J.R., D.D.S.

West 10th Dental P.C. 45 W 10th St NYC ��212 982-5883 www.west10thdental.com

De Bonis, William B., D.D.S.

World Wide Plaza Dental Associates 370 W 50th St NYC ��212 333-2650 www.wwpdental.com

Factor, Rhonda J., PhD 85 5th Ave, Ste 912 NYC ��347 834-6057 www.rhondafactorphd.com

Jarratt, Kent, L.C.S.W. 19 W 34th St, NYC �� 212 947-7111, ext 119 Oceanport, NJ ��917 686-6179 www.kentjarratt.com

Johnson, Thomas E., L.C.S.W. Chelsea ��212 645-3952

Kingan, Peter L., Ph.D. 99 University Pl, 4th Fl NYC ��917 428-2431

Koetting, Michael E., L.C.S.W. NYC ��212 741-2606 www.koettingpsychotherapy.com

VILL AGE APOTHECARY T H E C O M M U N I T Y P H A R M AC Y T H AT C A R E S

McFadden, Stephen, LCSW SEP 435 W 23rd St NYC ��212 627-8419 www.smcfadden.com

Nelson, Joshua, Ph.D. 71 W 23rd St, Ste 1115 NYC ��646 512-0043 www.jnelsonphd.com Rayhill, Daniel, Ph.D. 276 Fifth Ave #1101 NYC ��212 683-2454

Ross, Steven, LSCW

Union Square ��917 406-7900 www.stevenrosstherapy.com

Schuetz, Volker, PsyD

for your

1133 Broadway #913 NYC ��212 470-9024 www.nychangemanagement.com

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Schwartz, Alan, M.D., Psychiatrist

fOR OTC PuRCHAsEs & nEw CusTOmERs OnLY. LImIT 1 PER CusTOmER

West Village/Chelsea NYC ��212 727-0923

Tallent, Marc, Ph.D.

51 Fifth Ave NYC ��212 645-5795 http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/33692

fREE wELCOmE KIT! Come in

JUNE/JULY 2022

METROSOURCE.COM

Store HourS: Mon - Fri 8aM - 8pM • Sat 9aM - 6pM • Sun 10aM - 5pM 346 Bleecker St • Greenwich VillaGe, nY 10014 • VillaGeapothecarY.com

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NEW YORK DIRECTORY DENTIST (CONTINUED) – HAIR REMOVAL Lew, Spencer, D.D.S.

30 E 40th St #706 NYC ��212 286-1717 www.nycdental.com

LuxDen Dental Center

2579 E 17th St, Ste 11 Brooklyn ��718 382-3444 www.luxden.com

Rosa, John D., D.D.S., P.C. 40 Newport Parkway, Ste P-1 Jersey City, NJ �� 201 626-2700 Sengos, Demetrios, D.D.S.

West 10th Dental P.C. 45 W 10th St NYC ��212 982-5883 www.west10thdental.com

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S. 5 W 19th St NYC ��212 257-0007 www.omniaestheticmd.com

EMPLOYMENT

New York Life/NYLIFE Securities

Marlon J. Altoe 420 Lexington Ave, 15th Fl NYC �� 646 227-8605 Cell �� 646 761-4372 www.newyorklife.com/agent/maltoe

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)

Peloso-Barnes, Julia A., CFP, CPM, CRPC Purchase, NY ��914 225-6391 www.advisor.morganstanley.com/the-pelosobarnes-group

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)

FITNESS/GYMS/PERSONAL TRAINERS

1700 Stadium Way LA ��213 847-LAFD www.joinlafd.org 700 E Temple St, B-38 LA ��866 444-LAPD www.joinlapd.com

EVENT PLANNING & EVENT SPACE/RENTALS

Mercedes Club

550 W 54th St NYC ��212 265-1111 www.themercedesclub.com

METROSOURCE NY - JUN/JUL 2022

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