Montrose Star Entertainment News–Magazine since 1976

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

6 THE GAY-ETY STARTS HERE!

MONTROSE STAR.COM

Wednesday April 7, 2021 e VOL. XI, 24 Photos Starz

Concrete Steps

≈ Houston Rainbow Herald ............... 4

≈ Foodie Diaries................................. 11

≈ What A World................................. 12

INDEX Editorial Crossword Guide to the Clubs

5 24 26

DOMINIQUE DOMINIQUE JACKSON Won’t Stop Surviving

8

PAGE 2 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday April 7, 2021

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

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

(bik-TAR-vee)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

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

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

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

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

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you:  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.

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.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

 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.

MyDailyCharge.com

BVYC0220_BIKTARVY_C_10X13-65_MontroseStar_Dimitri_r1v1jl.indd All Pages

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

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY GET MORE INFORMATION

 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.

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

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.

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

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, KEEP ASPIRING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2020 © 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0220 04/20

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

Wednesday April 7, 2021 | MontroseStar.com e | PAGE 3

DIMITRI LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2018 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT

KEEP ASPIRING.

Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

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

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

See Dimitri’s story at BIKTARVY.com.

Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

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

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

5/12/20 10:55 AM

PAGE 4 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday April 7, 2021

HRH REPORT

Publisher / Executive

LAURA M VILLAGRAN Business Development Manager

RANDALL JOBE

Copy Editor

NANCY FORD Scene Writers

Production

RAFA ESPINOSA News Features

JOHNNY TRLICA

JIM AYRES JANICE ANDERSON Distribution

MIRIAM ORIHUELA ELIZABETH MEMBRILLO

TH E S TA R CO NTR I B UTI N G W R ITE R S JIM AYRES by day is an employee benefits and human resources writer. By night he turns his creativity toward the local food and restaurant scene. Do you know of a restaurant that needs a review? Info@montrosestar.com NANCY FORD has enjoyed a front row seat to the most remarkable and sparkly Cultural Revolution in the history of mankind. “What a world!” She reflects appropriately. After moving to Houston from Ohio in 1981, Ford became a highly visible player in Texas’ LGBT publishing circles as an editor and contributor to myriad other local and statewide LGBT magazines and newspapers.

RANDALL JOBE has been a fixture in the Houston LGBT Community for several decades in marketing and promotions for top nightclubs, as an actor/director/writer for dozens of theatrical productions, and is also known for his whimsical art pieces. He is the author of the 12-part series “This Old Queen”, which summarized his many experiences living in the gay Mecca, Montrose.

VIC GERAMI is journalist, media contributor and Editor & Publisher of The Blunt Post. Vic grew up in LA and has a BA in Theater Arts. He spent six years at Frontiers Magazine, followed

by LA Weekly and Voice Media Group. His syndicated celebrity Q&A column, 10 Questions with Vic, is a LA Press Club’s National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award finalist. Vic is a contributor for Montrose Star, DC Life Magazine, Out & About Nashville, Q Virginia, GNI MAG, QNotes, Windy City Times, WeHo Times, GoWeHo, Los Angeles Blade, Asbarez, California Courier, Desert Daily Guide, Armenian Weekly, GED, The Pride LA, IN Magazine and The Advocate Magazine.

FOREST RIGGS is no stranger to the adventures of life, he bills himself as a “raconteur with a gypsy spirit.” A former educator, public speaker, hospital administrator, counselor and gay owner, he was instrumental in the formation of OutSmart Magazine in the early 1990s. He has written for several newspapers, magazines and other publications. Recently he completed a collection of short stories about his beloved Galveston and is working on a novel. He currently resides on the island where he can be found wasting bait and searching for the meaning of life.

JOHNNY TRLICA has called the Houston area home all of his life. Four years ago he founded and still edits the Houston Rainbow Herald and has worked in the apartment leasing industry for the past two years. His passion is keeping the battle for LGBT rights at the forefront of today’s headlines and fighting complacency in the LGBT community.

©2020 GLYP Media. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permision from the Publisher.

The Montrose Star is published every two weeks and distribuited free of charge at choice establishments throughout Houston, the Bay Area & Galveston. Annual mail subscriptions are $54.

All rights to material by outside contributors revert to the author. Views expressed in articles, advertisements, graphics an/o photos appearing in Montrose Star do no necessarily refelcts the views of the views of the editors or advertisers. The Montrose Star is not responsible for unsolicted submissions of articles or artwork. Advertisements accepted for publication in the Montrose Star are presumed to contain information that is true and advertisers are authorized to sell the product(s) shown in his/her ad.

The Montrose Star assume no responsablity nor liability for possible errors contained herein or for advertisers' claim or performance.

lockdowns and losing their freedoms; now with a chance for a return to normalcy, they balk.

e By Johnny Trlica

C

OMMENTARY: ALL TOO OFTEN PEOPLE STAY IN

their own little bubble, rarely venturing out to see what’s happening beyond their own comfort zone. Fox News viewers never change the channel to get a different opinion, Whataburger lovers won’t be caught dead at an In-N-Out and gay men will not frequent a bar that doesn’t have a rainbow flag flying outside. (That one, I get!)

We as a society, have become tribal, so entrenched in our thoughts and ways that stepping away from them is frightening. Our own opinion is the only one that matters.

Periodically I venture away from the LGBTQ stratosphere to see what the rest of the world is up to.

I recently had a Letter to the Editor published in the Galveston Daily News, the oldest newspaper in Texas.

It addressed my theory that polls showing Republican’s reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccine is political.

Most of the people in my circle of friends couldn’t wait to get the vaccine and proudly show their vaccination cards or an image of themselves getting their shot. Replies to my letter to the editor reveal a different mindset.

Are Republicans trying to sabotage vaccine efforts?

The Daily News reported all Texans 16 and older are eligible for vaccination next week (“Virtually all Texans will be eligible for vaccines on Monday,” The Daily News, March 24). The day before, the newspaper reported half of Galveston County residents aged 16 or older has received at least one COVID-19 shot (“Half of Galveston County residents have received a vaccination,” The Daily News, March 23).

While that sounds like good news, one must wonder if we’ve reached an impasse. A recent poll from NPR/ PBS NewsHour/Marist found that 47 percent of people who supported former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election say they will not be vaccinated.

Even though their leader received a vaccine, albeit in private, is the Republican game plan to sabotage President Biden’s vaccine effort?

Republicans have become so brainwashed from decades of right-wing pundits demonizing Democrats that they’re willing to sacrifice themselves and their loved ones to make Biden’s vaccination rollout fail.

This is the same group of people who politicized the wearing of masks, supported the insurrection in January and have chosen sides with Russia’s Putin over their own president. And to this day, they refuse health care because a Democratic president created it.

Republicans have spent a year complaining about

Responses took party line sides

Responses to this letter predictably went along party lines. Conservatives and Trumpers clutched their pearls while ranting about freedom, conspiracies, and praising Trump.

Carlos wrote, “Sorry, it has NOTHING to do with Trump. It has to do with FREEDOM. To vaccinate or not to vaccinate is their choice. President Trump was vaccinated in January and he has urged others to do likewise. With herd immunity do we have to have 100% vaccinated? The SCIENCE says NO.” Robert chimed in with, “Herein lies the difference between Democrats and Republicans. Your Democrat is a group-think mind-numb robot who does whatever the herd does. If the herd wants to run headlong over a cliff to certain death, they will join the stampede.

Republicans, on the other hand, use their God-given intellect to analyze information and make the best decision they can regardless of what the herd is doing.

If the herd wants to stampede over a cliff they will stand aside and allow them to do so unimpeded.

All these vaccines are experimental and the side effects are unknown.”

Charles came in with, “It is baffling that a member of the LEFT would dare (grab pearls now) ask a question like, ‘Why would Republicans try to sabotage the vaccine effort!’ The reason is if it were not for GOD, working through President Donald J. Trump, there would be no vaccine period! The ‘PARTY OF SLAVERY’ never gives up on deceit, deception, and duplicity! They are forever seeking to pull the proverbial WOOL OVER SOMEBODY’S EYES!” From the voices of reason came Maris with, “Thank you so much for writing this letter. Yes, it is such a disgrace that Republican citizens are putting partisanship and political power before ‘normalcy’ and the good of our country and its people. Boggles my mind and hurts my heart. What happened to decency, character, and true patriotism, i.e., placing the ‘common good’ over person and party?”’

In summary

Our nation is so polarized that people will refuse life saving measures like wearing a mask or taking an FDA approved vaccine. That’s their choice and unfortunately, they will live or die with the consequences.

Vaccines truly are the light at the end of the tunnel and our best hope for a return to normalcy. Now that all Texas adults are eligible to be vaccinated, make your appointment and let’s leave this nightmare behind. e

The views expressed in this article are entirely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of MONTROSE STAR. Johnny Trlica is the administrator of the Houston Rainbow Herald Facebook page. Reach him at HRHeditor@gmail.com.

Former Houstonian Wesley Fryar receives his vaccine in Frisco, Texas

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

Photo via Newsday.com

OFFICE 713-942-0084 EMAIL TheMontroseStart@gmail.com

Vaccinations being driven by party affiliation

Wednesday April 7, 2021 | MontroseStar.com e | PAGE 5

OP-ED

part was as far as it went. The Church itself those rights and denigrating LGBTQ+ people. wasn’t going to bless these sinners, but it was President Biden, however, is open about his OK if they had rights under the law. acceptance of LGBTQ+ people and marriage Creep of the Week “The blessing of homosexual unions cannot equality. And he’s a Catholic. be considered licit,” the Catholic Church’s Last year, Crisis Magazine, which dubs APRIL 7, 2021 | VOL. XI, 24 statement says. “There are absolutely no itself “A Voice for the Faithful Catholic Laity,” grounds for considering homosexual unions proclaimed that “Biden spent a good chunk of to be in any way similar or even remotely the last century promoting such anti-Catholic analogous to God’s plan for marriage and family.” policies as systematic infanticide, governmentGosh, thanks for that! I’m not a Catholic. I don’t sanctioned sodomy and high taxes.” even believe in God. But I also know that the In other words, Biden supports reproductive e By D’Anne Witkowski Pope has a lot of social significance because it freedom, marriage equality, and, uh, the price T’S BEEN ONE HELL OF A WEEK. matters to a lot of people, even people who are we all pay to live in a civilized society?

First, the good news. Vaccine distribution not Catholic, what he says. But don’t worry. The The Crisis article claims that Biden is “a squish is going great! Hooray! Go get stabbed statement clarifies that this is not “intended to who prioritizes the temporal and sentimental over the eternal and the sacred. Sooner or later, when it’s your turn! I can’t wait! So many be a form of unjust discrimination.” exclamation marks!!!

Oh, thank goodness. The declaration by one of we’ll have to reckon with that fact.”

Perhaps this new anti-marriage equality Then the bad news. More state Republicans the most powerful religious institutions in the are pushing forward with anti-trans athlete world doesn’t INTEND for their declaration declaration is part of that reckoning? bills and anti-voting rights bills. Republicans that same-sex marriages are sinful to result Very curious, though, how and if the Church are counting on Americans to find transgender in unjust discrimination. So, any resulting is reckoning with the fact that members of people far more threatening than the in-broad- discrimination must be just. Cool. their flock voted for Donald Trump? A man daylight racism and anti-Democracy bullshit The statement continues, “The Church does who literally couldn’t name a single Bible verse Republicans are all about. And, sadly, in some not have, and cannot have, the power to bless during an interview in which he professed cases they are right. unions of persons of the same sex.” to be a big fan of the book? A man who was And then there’s the Catholic Church. On Interesting that the Catholic Church is accused of sexual harassment, assault and COOKING WITH PAULA DREAM March 15 the church declared that they were declaring that, gosh darn it, they just don’t rape by many women? A man whose open The good ol’ salad days not stans of same-sex marriages — the day have the power to do this thing they don’t want racism inspired white supremacist rallies and after PI day! Like, can we not have some time to do. As if everything the Church DOES have riots? A man who divorced multiple times? for celebration? According to USA Today, the power to do isn’t power that it just, like, A man who literally worshipped himself? A “The two-page statement published in seven decided to take for itself. man who ignored the death and suffering of languages was approved by Pope Francis.”

And this kind of seems to have come out of hundreds of thousands of people during his Yeah, that Pope Francis. The guy who was nowhere? I mean, it’s been over five years since last year in office? declared was a kinder, gentler pope and the Supreme Court’s pro-marriage decision If any Catholic voted for that one, let alone twice, it really begs the even a friend to the gays. In 2019 he said, allowed same-sex couples to get married.

“Homosexual people have the right to be in My guess is that this announcement is a question of that whole prioritizing a family. They are children of God. What we response to a shift in the political climate in the eternal and the sacred thing. have to have is a civil union law. That way they the U.S. When Trump was “in charge” — as Certainly a lot more than wanting to are legally covered.” if he ever did his job well or at all — there was bless two people saying, “I do.” e But it seems like the church thought that it no need to scream from the rooftops about D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBTQ politics for was a good time to clarify that whole “civil issues like marriage equality because the Trump over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski. union” thing by making clear that the “civil” Admin istration was hard at work chipping away

The Pope says nope to Marriage Equality

I

10

MY LIFE BEHIND BARS The final episode

14

CONTENTS HRH Report.......................................................... 4 OP-ED.................................................................... 5 Positive Thoughts............................................... 6 Cooking with Paula Dream........................... 10 Foodie Diaries.................................................... 11 What a World..................................................... 12 My Life Behind Bars........................................ 14 Across the Causeway..................................... 17 Community......................................................... 19 PFLAG Houston News.................................... 21 Crossword Queeries...................................... 24 Guide to the Clubs.......................................... 26 ©2020 Montrose Star All Right Reserved Montrose Star™ Newspaper since 1976, is owned

by GYLP Media, a Texas minority-certified company est. in 1990.

Published alternate Wednesday. Subscription rate: $54/year.

POSTMASTER: Send address change to the main office.

Montrose Star | 1712 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006

CONTACT US: Ph. (713) 942-0084 | Fax (713)9420085

MontroseStar.com | TheMontroseStar@gmail.com

The entire content of Montrose Star is protected under Federal Copyrights Act. Reproduction of any portion of any issue is not permitted without the written permision from the Publisher.

WAIVER: The Montrose Star Newspaper reserves the right to refuse any ad order. Publishing ads are presumed to contain valid information and the advertiser is duty autorized to use images shown within hi/her ad. Montrose Star is not liable for any ad content nor is Montrose Star responsible for advertisers' claims of performance.

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

National Advertising: RIVENDELL MEDIA | (212) 242-6863 Sales@rivendellmedia.com Printed in the USA on post consumer content

CORRECTIONS & AMPLIFICATION April 7, 2021. None as of press time.

PAGE 6 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday April 7, 2021

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

Concrete steps The Biden-Harris administration must make the first 100 days count to end the HIV epidemic

e By AIDS United

T

HE FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE BIDEN-

Harris administration mark a unique opportunity to revitalize efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the United States. This new administration begins as our country is in the midst of devastating political and public health crises.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all sectors of American life, widening inequalities and threatening to undo years of progress toward ending the HIV epidemic. At the same time, attacks on the U.S. Capitol by domestic terrorists urged on by members of our own government have left the nation in a state of shock.

In order to end the HIV epidemic by 2025, the Biden-Harris administration must commit to undoing the harmful policies of the Trump administration and to creating a public health system that protects the well-being of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, people of color, transgender, low-income, uninsured and

underinsured peoples across the United States in the first 100 days in office.

Dismantling the multitude of harmful executive orders and rules put in place by the Trump administration must be a priority to address the rampant discrimination they have allowed in the health care system. These orders have barred people living with HIV and transgender identifying people from participating in the military.

They have also prevented HIV service organizations from engaging in racial sensitivity training and providing culturally competent care. Ending these policies on day one is critical to ensure that populations most vulnerable to harm are protected and HIV service organizations can continue their work to end the HIV epidemic.

The new administration must also work harder to uplift communities most impacted by HIV. These communities include Black people, people of color, sex workers, people who use drugs, trans people, immigrants and people experiencing homelessness.

Concrete steps the administration should take include: • Declaring that racism is a public health issue.

• Preventing evictions and providing significant relief for those who are financially struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Reestablishing the Office of National AIDS Policy and making sure it is led by someone who is living with HIV and who has significant experience working with the HIV community.

• Protect LGBTQ+ populations from discrimination by undoing harmful policies and regulations instituted by the Trump administration and working with Congress to pass the Equality Act. • Dedicate substantial new federal funding to support syringe services programs and other harm reduction providers.

The Biden-Harris administration should also make sure that people living with HIV and those that are most vulnerable to HIV are directly represented in the administration and throughout the federal government’s HIV-related programs.

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

Further, the Biden-Harris administration should adopt a national strategy to ensure broad and equitable access to effective HIV prevention, care and treatment.

The administration should enhance the Ryan White HIV/AIDS funding program for communities most impacted

by HIV and continue to fund access to essential services (transportation, food, nutrition, linguistic services, case management, housing services, etc.) for program recipients. Also, they must fund and scale up PrEP, PEP and treatment-as-prevention services and messaging for priority HIV populations.

Lastly, they must make sustained multiyear increases for HIV/AIDS research funding. This is not only important to develop innovative solutions to ending the HIV epidemic by 2025 but also because HIV research has been critical in the country’s efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ending the HIV epidemic in the United States is within our grasp. AIDS United looks forward to the opportunity to work with the Biden-Harris administration to bring an end to the epidemic by 2025. e This column is a project of TheBody, Plus, Positively Aware, POZ and Q Syndicate, the LGBT wire service. Visit their websites – http://thebody.com, http://hivplusmag.com, http://positivelyaware.com and http://poz.com – for the latest updates on HIV/AIDS.

Wednesday April 7, 2021 | MontroseStar.com e | PAGE 7

Legacy Midtown Main is a premiere TESTING ONLY loca�on for FREE rapid HIV, STD and Pregnancy Tes�ng—plus Same-Day PrEP. Walk-ins welcome!

Click here or call (713) 814 3300 for more informa�on.

Tes�ng and PrEP available at:

LegacyCommunityHealth.org/GetTested

Midtown Main 2401 Main St. Houston, TX

Montrose 1415 California St. Houston, TX

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

Fi�h Ward 3811 Lyons Ave. Houston, TX

Central Beaumont 450 N 11th St. Beaumont, TX

DOMINIQUE DOMINIQUE JACKSON PAGE 8 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday April 7, 2021

Won’t Stop Surviving

Photos Starz

The ‘Pose’ star on the gender fluidity of her latest role, pushing through the pandemic and how ‘X-Men’ saved her

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

B y Chris Azzopardi

M

ODEL AND ACTRESS DOMINIQUE

Jackson can’t say a thing about the third and final season of one of the most groundbreaking LGBTQ+ series ever made. It’s mid February when we connect, just weeks before it was announced that seven new episodes of “Pose,” the FX drama about New York’s drag ball subculture during the HIV/AIDS crisis, will premiere May 7.

And then it will end, with a tide-changing legacy forever linked to its name.

When it debuted in 2018, the series set a record for the number of out LGBTQ+ people in its cast, especially trans women of color. At the time of our talk, Jackson said the cast was in the process of shooting.

But when pushed to offer even the slightest tease of what’s to come, she remained playfully taciturn about her character: “All I can tell you is Elektra is going to be Elektra.”

Elektra Wintour, of course, is the fiercely resilient house mother, who last season formed her new house, the House of Wintour, and went full-on dominatrix. In season two’s last episode, in a leather bustier, with a whip in her hand, she ordered a client to heel. And then there’s that dead client whose body she housed in her apartment.

So no, Jackson’s life doesn’t completely mirror that of her character. But their experiences are, to some degree, shared.

Like Elektra, who is the fictional protégé of ball-culture icons like Crystal LaBeija, Pepper LaBeija and Paris Dupree, Jackson also found refuge in the underground world of ballroom culture while in Baltimore and New York in the ’90s, after a period of childhood trauma she experienced while living in the dual-island nation Trinidad and Tobago. She jumped around to several houses primarily populated by Black and Latinx trans outsiders, eventually settling into the House of Sinclair in NYC, a safe haven that helped her survive homelessness and substance abuse.

Aside from her breakout role on “Pose,” Jackson is upending gender norms on the third season of the Starz series “American Gods,” a series about the culture clashing of Old and New Gods. She embodies the latest incarnation of the shape-shifting “Mr. World” as a ferocious, bat-wielding, glam Black woman, now called “Ms. World.”

Just after giving a keynote address at the National LGBTQ Task Force’s Creating Change conference, which was virtual this year, Jackson spoke about how reliving Elektra helped her survive the pandemic and why “Pose” actors other than Billy Porter deserve awards acknowledgement.

She also explained how the superhero fantasy world of “X-Men” aided in her survival as a trans woman, even though she initially hesitated because “everyone, the people, are talking about it” on the internet. In other words, they really, really want Dominique Jackson to play Storm.

How’re you doing? How has lockdown been for you this past year?

Lockdown was kind of a push to revitalize myself, a push to really look back at myself, look back at my life, understand the things that were happening for me and start to create what I wanted. Of course, in the beginning, there was a panic, there was great fear, there were even times where I just felt like, you know, just give up. Because during the pandemic, we were locked down and it was like, “Oh my gosh, I’m blessed with all

Wednesday April 7, 2021 | MontroseStar.com e | PAGE 9

these amazing opportunities and now I’m gonna lose them.” There was that fear.

And then George Floyd was murdered and that just pushed everything over the top. And trans women were being murdered back to back every week. I was ready to give up. I didn’t give up, but I was ready to give up. I just felt like there’s no place for us in this world.

If they were killing Black men, what are they gonna do to trans women?

And there we were being murdered.

What kept you going?

I’m the type of person that I really looked into myself first. I tried to find out what I could do to make things better, and in speaking to people and doing little Electra things on TikTok, it gave me hope reliving my character, to really just do something besides just sit in the house and worry.

My fiancé and I were doing challenges together. That really helped to brighten me up, pull me out a bit. And I realized that sitting there and panicking was not going to help me. It was just gonna make me sick. It was gonna keep me in that depressive mode, and I had to fight through it. I remember how I fought through not having a green card and fought through wanting to be on television, just fighting all my life, and I was like, “Now is not the time for me to stop.”

I read recently that when we’re experiencing despair it’s important for us to remember past moments of resilience in our lives. It can get you out of that spiral.

Yeah, it did.

You famously don’t do many interviews. Based on what I’ve read, you don’t like talking so much about your success, because you kind of feel like it paints a false narrative for the trans community as a whole. Is that right?

Well, yeah. I’m really selective with interviews because I feel like sometimes it’s just, “OK, let me get the story.” And you give the story and you keep reliving your traumas. It’s just something that is put out there over and over and over again; it becomes exhausting reliving your trauma.

I’m reliving trauma by some of the things that we have to do on “Pose.” So, for me, I want interviews to be about and really for my community. I really want them to have a message that’s going to be sent to my community, and not just an article to say, “Oh, we represented the trans community; we have Dominique Jackson.”

So how do you navigate that behind the scenes?

How do you know who to talk to and who not to?

I’m a person that believes in doing research, and I have a great management team. So they know exactly what I’m looking for. And the other thing is, I’m about my work, and I’m about putting that onto the screen. And I put everything that I have (into it), because I want people to understand that being trans is just a part of my journey. That doesn’t mean that I can’t be a great actor. It doesn’t mean I can’t be the best doctor there is, it doesn’t mean that I can’t mow the lawn or lay concrete. It doesn’t limit me. And I want my community to know that hard work does pay off.

I’m curious to know what some of the questions are about being a trans woman that you don’t want to answer anymore. And do you feel like it’s a tricky situation that you’re in given the

fact that you’ve become this accidental activist?

Well, yes, and you see that’s why I’m selective with my interviews. Because I am, kind of, and that’s what I’ve been deemed. It was not what I was trying to do. It just happened. I realized I was getting so many responses on Instagram of how I inspire people, and I was looking at myself going, “Who, me?” For me, it’s not about, “Oh, look at me, I’m an activist.” It’s just that I know that I want what I want, and I know that I’m going to have to work hard to get to it.

And questions — it depends. If I’m speaking at a college or I’m speaking to my community, it’s a different story. But when it comes to my surgeries, some people ask some really stupid questions like, “What made you want to do that?”

And I also have a book. So I feel like, you know, sometimes people can just read the book. I mean, it’s as raw as possible. And you know, you can get that information.

I’d like to shift gears to “American Gods.” From what I understand, you didn’t even have to audition for the show; the role was offered to you. Before, you had to really fight for roles.

So what did it mean to you to just be offered a role like this?

It was beyond phenomenal. It was just a thing of like, I’m validated, I’m seen, they see me as an actor. And that’s what this is all about: It’s about the visibilities, about being seen, it’s about being acknowledged, and being acknowledged so that people don’t fear you. This is not about acknowledgement and validity to say, “Oh, look, I’m a queen.” This is about: I am here, I am a human being just like you, so see me, allow me the comfort and allow me the ability to fail, if that’s how you see it. But don’t judge me just based on my journey as a woman.

Do you find that you are now being offered more roles in general?

(Laughs.) Well, I’ve only really been offered two. (The other was in the movie) “Chick Fight,” and still, of course, I did a little reading for them.

It feels great. It’s just a phenomenal feeling, and to know that at times I felt ashamed that I didn’t go to school for this. But it just goes to show that sometimes, some things are just in you.

Working at (Bronx LGBTQ Community Center) Destination Tomorrow and raising kids in the past, I always say, “You have to guide kids,” because if someone was there to say to me, “Look, I see you like to build characters and act, I see you love the stage” instead of limiting me from the stage by saying to me, “Look, only girls do that” or making it about gender — it was limiting to me.

And so, when I danced and I did ballet, I was laughed at, and I was like, “Listen, I wasn’t even doing this for anything but for the art, for the love of being able to escape normality for a second and bring something else to life and see people enjoy it.” I loved when I danced and people just sat in awe. It made me feel like I had purpose.

Is that the same feeling you get when people watch you as Elektra and they tell you how much they love you in that role?

Sometimes that can be a bit overwhelming, because, again, I wasn’t receiving love like that before. So it’s like, “Wow.” It’s comforting to the heart, it

makes me feel like I’m a part of the human race. It makes me feel like I belong.

Regarding your role as Ms. World on “American Gods,” what do you think that we can learn from her?

Well… (laughs), that’s a really, um, kind of difficult question to answer since this lady is walking around busting heads open with bats. So, I don’t recommend that you walk around, bashing people in the head with bats for having an opinion.

But Ms. World, again, it’s about a woman, and people don’t understand, when you are marginalized, anything that you get makes you feel like you are coming out of that when you have faced oppression.

So, as a Caribbean woman, as an immigrant, as a Black woman, as a trans woman — as all these women combined to make my whole — I see strings, I see power, I see now we’re not looking to those that are in power. When we create Loki, it’s usually this male thing.

So therefore, when we see Ms. World, we see that a God can transform, a God can change, and Mr. World now is of the world. And being of the world, you should be inclusive of everyone.

How have superhuman fantasy roles been helpful to you in navigating your own identity?

Well, OK, I don’t want to really say this, but I have to. Because I really don’t wanna talk about it, because everyone, the people, are talking about it. For me, I’m just honored by them talking about this: But growing up the X-Men was very dear to my heart. Because, at that time, I was basically homeless, and couch-surfing at times. A group of us were staying at one of our friend’s grandmother’s houses; she was in the hospital at the time. And so we were all gathered there because that was our place to stay for the moment. I didn’t have to pay for a hotel for the night; it meant that I didn’t have to go to the street. So when we found comfort and warmth, we kind of gathered there. And there was the “X-Men” saga, “The Dark Phoenix Saga,” that was playing at that time, and we were just so enthralled.

And while growing up, of course, I watched the “X-Men” and I loved them.

I loved them, but it was in that moment, and again in meeting my children’s family in Baltimore, and then coming to New York, we all watched the “X-Men” because the “X-Men” represented us. We would go to the grocery store and help someone carry groceries. We would do everything for someone, and they would still turn around and talk down to us and curse at us and throw things at us. Imagine you helped someone to their car with their groceries and they turn on the light and they realize that you’re different and then they take their fruit and throw it at you and tell you to get away from them. You just helped them.

For me, Storm had an accent; I’m Caribbean. So Storm was just my girl, my go-to. I love her character. I love everything about her. And it was the resilience, the beauty of her, the resilience of where she came from as Ororo Munroe, from her origin stories of being in her village, of even having a nephew and going back wanting to help her village but yet she protects her village even when they called her the Weather Witch. But she still protects them. And I see that in a lot of the trans community. We are so

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

pushed to the side, but yet we’re there to be mothers, we’re there to be fathers.

We’re there to protect people. We have kids of our own. So the superhero fantasy, for me, was always her, because it not only helped us escape, but it let me know that people saw and would realize that at some point in time that being different or strange from what society deemed to be the norm didn’t make us bad people.

You have no idea, if you sit back and listen to the things that people would say about us, I would even be afraid of myself. Before I even understood who I was, I would hear people speak, and the way in which they spoke about people like myself, I was like, “Oh my god, I need to kill myself because I know I’m different.”

I feel like every young person needs a role model like that, because oftentimes we don’t have ones in real life to look to, so we have to look to imaginary characters.

She-Ra: Princess of Power was another one. I love She-Ra. Regarding “Pose,” what are your thoughts on the response from the LGBTQ community who think it’s time for other actors from the series to be recognized for their roles and their accomplishments on the show?

Well, yes, I do believe that my castmates should be recognized for their work, especially Angelica Ross and Mj Rodriguez. Billy has been given his flowers, and I am extremely ecstatic for him for that. As far as Indya (Moore) and the rest of the girls, I do believe that they should have been nominated at least for some of the awards. Because we’re not just telling a true story or doing research to tell a true story — we’re telling our own lives.

We are reliving our trauma, we are being triggered constantly by things that we overcame in life, and constantly giving it back and giving all our energy just to be able to show people what we go through and those that are going through it that they’re not alone. So, I believe that recognition should be there for my castmates. For myself, I really, really want to be undeniably everything. I really want to go into fantasy roles. I believe that there’s a lot more I have to learn and I have to give before I start receiving awards. (Laughs.) I’m so serious because I just feel like, you know, Elektra is me.

She’s dear to my heart. She is the woman that I said I would never become, but the woman that I was surrounded by all my life. I want the opportunity to show that I can play outside myself, like with “American Gods.” Give me a vampire role and I am there.

When it comes to trans representation, what is the next frontier? Where do we go from “Pose,” which has been so groundbreaking, obviously.

Yeah, “Pose” has been extremely groundbreaking, but we have other things that have come about. We have “Legendary” on HBO Max. Hollywood is opening their eyes and realizing that this is not just a cash cow. These stories need to be told, and especially in this time. I feel like we are gathering all these stories, telling the truth of everything, removing the blinders from people’s faces, so that we can move forward and really, really get to equality. e As editor of Q Syndicate, the LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

PAGE 10 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday April 7, 2021

COOKING WITH PAULA DREAM

The good ol’ salad days e By Paula Dream ( A K A K a l e H a y g o o d )

S

EEMS LIKE EVERYONE IS ON A DIET

these days. I know I am.

Speaking of junk in the truck, here are some really great salads that kind of make that green stuff more attractive.

They’re easy to make and to take to the office for a healthy lunch. Or just serve any of them with a lean meal.

HOT AND SOUR SALAD

¼ red onion, sliced 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced 1 pound fresh baby bok choy, trimmed and sliced with leaves torn 1 teaspoon canola oil DRESSING: 3 tablespoons rice vinegar 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seed oil ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt Whisk together vinegar, soy sauce, lemon juice, sesame oil, pepper flakes and salt; set aside.

In a wok or large skillet, heat canola oil over high heat. Stir fry onion, garlic and ginger for about two minutes. Add bok choy and stir fry for three more minutes.

Toss with vinaigrette. Serves four.

BLOODY MARY GREEN BEAN SALAD

SWEET AND SALTY SALAD

2 7 10 Montrose Blvd.

Houston, T X 7 7 006

713.526.0202 Order Online www.pepperonis.net

1 16-ounce packaged of bagged salad greens 8-to-10 bacon strips, crumbled 1 11-ounce can mandarin oranges, drained ½ cup purple onion, chopped ¼ cup almonds, sliced ¼ cup shredded cheese (optional) ½ cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons sugar 2 tablespoons vinegar ¼-to-½ teaspoon salt Ground black pepper, to taste Mix first six ingredients in large salad bowl. Using a Mason jar or similar tightly fitting container, vigorously shake together all remaining ingredients, and pour over salad. How easy is that? For extra flavor add a few sliced red grapes. If you really want to streamline, skip the bacon and cheese, replace the vegetable oil with olive oil, and use honey instead of sugar.

Mm-mm, good!

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

1 pound fresh green beans ½ cup purple onion, thinly sliced 12 pickled okra pods, sliced 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved 4 celery ribs, sliced ¼ cup fresh celery leaves DRESSING: 1/3 cup bottled Bloody Mary mix (or more, to taste) 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1-1/2 teaspoon dry mustard ¾ teaspoon kosher salt ¾ teaspoon hot sauce ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 4 ½ teaspoons prepared horseradish, divided ½ cup extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup vodka (optional) Cook the beans in boiling water for two minutes, cover until tender-crisp; drain, then plunge into ice water. Drain again and pat dry. Place beans, onion and okra in large bowl. Place tomatoes, celery, and celery leaves in separate bowl.

For the dressing, whisk together Bloody Mary mix, lime juice, mustard, salt, hot sauce, pepper and four teaspoons of horseradish in a medium bowl. Add oil in a slow, steady stream, constantly whisking until well blended. Toss bean mixture with ¼ cup dressing. Spoon tomato mixture over bean mixture. Add salt and pepper and serve with remaining dressing. To give your guests a jump-start on things, add a little vodka (the drink of champions) to the dressing. Serve on a platter. e

Wednesday April 7, 2021 | MontroseStar.com e | PAGE 11

FOODIE DIARIES

Preslee’s Hangover Burger

ELVIS WOULD APPROVE

Preslee’s satisfies in The Heights e By Jim Ayres

O

NCE UPON A TIME IN SHADY ACRES, WHERE

18th and 19th streets fork away, there sat a forlorn, decaying Chinese restaurant. Who knows if the food was any good? Who remembers what it was named? I never tried it and no one I know had either.

After the restaurant sat closed for over a year, someone saw the potential for the space (aka tearing it down) and building bigger. Isn’t that the Houston way? Soon hordes of hungry Heights’ers could enjoy a beer and some comfort food without breaking the bank.

Today we have Preslee’s Southern Good Eatery, an instantly popular home-style bar and grill. Make that Preslee’s Mardi Gras Pasta

bar and fryers. A lot of what’s on the menu is nicely breaded and fried for your crunching pleasure.

Consider the humorous My Girlfriend’s Not Hungry basket. It’s an appetizer trio of waffle fries, onion rings and fried pickles. The fries are cut in the kitchen and fried with a sweetness (pancake batter?) that’s awesome.

Onion rings feature a sand-like breading — again, a good thing. And hamburger dill chips are fried ever so quickly so the pickles retain their crispness.

And hallelujah! Preslee’s believes in the healing power of ketchup and spicy Ranch dressing so they bring you gallons of it.

Accompanying that for me was the Hangover Burger.

Was I hung over on this Saturday afternoon visit?

I can’t remember. But this burger had everything I wanted. A squishy bun, beefy tasting beef, avocado and bacon. It also comes with a fried egg, but I

nixed it. Fried eggs have no place on a burger or anything else except on a plate at breakfast.

It was delicious. Biting down into the supple thickness revealed all the flavors separately and yet together. It took me some time to finish it, and that’s another good thing.

My finicky friend ordered the Mardi Gras Pasta.

It was a great presentation, with shrimp, sausage and pasta all coming together in a spicy Alfredo sauce. But my friend does not read menus carefully and does not like spice. True enough, on a scale of 1 to 5, this dish earns a solid four flames.

He ordered the Caesar salad as a replacement. Not much to distinguish it from other Caesar salads in Houston, but it was a big, fresh portion with plenty left to take home. (This was also the first time in memory that a wedge salad was on the menu and I didn’t order it.)

But here’s the thing. Is Presley’s what this neighborhood needs?

After all, Cedar Creek’s still going strong a couple of blocks away. Same concept, similar menu, at the same or a slightly higher price point than Preslee’s. The food is good at Preslee’s, but it’s arguably better at Cedar Creek. Both places are insanely crowded and kid-friendly with enormous patios, and need more parking.

I say give Preslee’s a try. Just look for the pink Cadillac. You can’t miss it. e Preslee’s My Girlfriend’s Not Hungry basket

Sou t he r n Go od Eat e ry

1430 W. 19th Street, Houston, TX 77008

713-360-6439 PRESLEESHTX.COM

EXCITED FOR BRUNCH? SO ARE WE! SUNDAY BRUNCH 11AM - 3PM LAURENZOS.COM / 4412 WASHINGTON AVE / 713.880.5111

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

PAGE 12 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday April 7, 2021

WHAT A WORLD

Finally, it’s time to return to ‘normal’ e By Nancy Ford

A

H COVID, YOU RAT BASTARD. HERE

we are, more than a year after you wormed your way into our lives, wreaking havoc and breaking hearts.

You’ve done your worst, but it appears that science and common sense have you on the run. And how appropriate that much of the world is re-emerging and returning to some semblance of normal just as Spring has sprung.

I received my first shot of the Pfizer vaccine in early March. Three weeks to the hour later, I received my second dose.

Frankly, I got a pneumonia vaccine last year that caused much more discomfort.

Thankfully, my reaction to the Covid vaccine was minimal and predictable: Redness, soreness and swelling around the injection site. Fatigue. All in all, the experience was not unlike my brief, 1970sera hetero marriage. (Pa-dum-bum.)

What I didn’t expect was the flood of emotions I experienced after getting the jabs. It was a mixture of joy, relief, gratitude, survivor guilt and hope. And anger.

Survivor guilt? Anger? You bet. Among the more than 500 thousand Americans lost was a friend — a sweet, sweet man who fought AIDS for more than 30 years, but couldn’t fight off this damn virus.

Another friend, a woman who had less than a year earlier adopted a daughter with her partner. Gone, along with so many others. So yes. Survivor guilt and anger.

Newly immunized, I intend to still maintain recommended precautions of lots of hand-washing, masking up, social distancing, avoiding huge crowds and voting blue. I can’t wait to get out there and start living life again. And I love my home, but this lockdown business has frayed my very last nerve. Why is it that the surest way to get someone to want something is to tell them they can’t have it?

I’ve had a full year to make this list of the things I’ve missed the most: –Sunday brunch at Baba Yega. Who could have imagined that salmon salad and mimosas would make for a delicious flavor palate?

–Sunday night beer bust and $1 hot dogs on the patio at Montrose Mining Company.

–Friday night happy hour at Chances, talking politics with The Usual Suspects, all of us agreeing that, without doubt, George W. Bush will go down in history as the U.S.’s worst president ever, for all time. Nope, surely it can’t get worse than W. Surely not.

–Smoking a joint with a stranger on Mary’s patio when Westheimer has finally cleared out after the Pride Parade.

–Going to a Houston Comets game at the Summit, and getting lost in the sea of undulating lesbians.

–Enjoying a late night/ early morning breakfast at Charlie’s, and reaching for the ketchup without fear even though I had only moments earlier witnessed a drag queen at the next table deep-throating a bottle of Heinz.

–Spending the day on Stewart Beach in Galveston surrounded by gay people.

–And while I’m in Galveston, going to the drag show at the Kon Tiki. Then after the show, dance on the glowing penises embedded into the floor.

–Indulging in the General Tso’s Chicken lunch special with hot and sour soup at 3-6-9 Chinese Restaurant, wandering around Half-Price Books, picking up some goodies from Spec’s, and then going grocery shopping at Disco Kroger.

I know what you’re thinking: My god, how long has she been in isolation?

Wouldn’t it be nice if all we had to do was get a couple of shots and slap on some PPE to once again be able to recapture these now non-existent favorite things?

Truth be told, I can get along just fine without all these places of the past. If

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

I’ve learned anything from the year of Covid, I’ve learned the permanence of impermanence, and to appreciate what we have while we have it. Tell that friend you love them. Thank that store clerk for her bravery. Dance to whatever music your grocery store is playing, even if it’s not disco.

There are really only two things on my “can’t wait to do list”: Hugging. I am a hugger. Elbow bumps just don’t cut it for me and my kind.

It will also be nice to go back to simply annoyed with my fellow airline passenger squeezing into the middle seat, knowing with each of his exhales that he had eaten an abundance of raw onions and garlic prior to boarding. But at least I won’t be afraid his breath is so bad that exposure to it might actually kill me.

But mostly, hugging. Lots of hugging.

So if I run into you on the street, get ready for a big, tight, inappropriately long hug. Maybe some crying, too.

Consider yourself warned. e

Wednesday April 7, 2021 | MontroseStar.com e | PAGE 13

Connecting our communities to health every day, in every way Legacy Community Health has opened our doors and our hearts to people from all walks of life. We provide a wide range of quality health care services to all of our neighbors, regardless of ability to pay.

Services: Adult Primary Care Behavioral Health Body Positive Wellness Dental Gender Health & Wellness HIV/AIDS Testing & Prevention Nutritional Counseling OB/GYN

Pediatrics Pharmacy Ryan White Health Care Services STD Screening & Treatment Transgender Specialty Care Vaccinations & Immunizations Vision

1415 California Street, Houston, TX 77006

|

(832) 548 5100

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

|

LegacyCommunityHealth.org

PAGE 14 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday April 7, 2021

MY LIFE BEHIND BARS

Part 13

The final episode e By Randall Jobe

“

JUST BECAUSE IT’S OVER DOESN’T MEAN IT DIDN’T HAPPEN”

Here we are. The end of our journey — the final episode (lucky 13!) of our Throwback Thursdays, Memorable Mondays, F@#king Fridays and all the weeks, years and decades I spent in the rainbow trenches of several gay bars.

My resume recounts 35 eventful, exciting and exhausting years — days and nights working with characters who could easily be cast in gay soap operas.

Their outlandish antics easily rivaling any twisted plots served up to date. Yet, I feel as if I barely scratched the glittered surface of the booze-soaked, weeniewagging, perpetual party of my history. Not to mention the all-out drama that came with the territory.

Though true, I spilled tea like a drunken drag queen spewing obscenities over a microphone. I found myself avoiding naming names (though it wouldn’t take Nancy Drew to figure them out), feeling a hint of loyalty to our lifestyle which to outsiders might scream of decadence, dysfunction and downright dirtiness in deeds and words. But from inside the whirlwind I was able to see beyond the constant craziness to the heart of our mirror-balled culture.

I’ve seen dozens of first-timers don hideous dresses, ratty wigs and size 14 shoes looking like lumberjacks (or the rare supermodel!) sweating caked-on makeup off to raise money for any number of causes. Employees spending hard-earned dollars on costumes of fake hair, hips and oversized tits to assist friends and strangers.

There were countless professional entertainers who donated tips alongside singers and dancers.

Enormous amounts of dollar bills stuffed in fake bosoms and packed G-strings (some also fake).

Bar owners would step up, donating space, offering discounted cocktails and occasionally pitching in their own profits to further the charitable cause. Behind the scenes there were good deeds that were never spotlighted. Bar staffs generally considered themselves extended family and assisted each in multiple ways on the job and off.

Of course, there were always feuds based on who was sleeping together, jealousies and all out bitchiness over any number of petty quarrels, deserved or not.

Not to be discounted were the majority of patrons who could be fiercely loyal to a bar or bars. They would generously give to fundraisers and support their favorite bartenders.

But let a new club open and they would scatter like rats from a sinking ship to check it out. It would not take long for them to cast a critical verdict and add the new establishment to their partying rounds or settle back on their familiar barstools.

There were social organizations that worked tirelessly to raise money for charitable causes.

Some have now dissolved, but in their heyday generated impressive funds with fabulous parties and shows. Many have weathered decades of change and remain, giving a stable recognition to what can appear as the shakiest of foundations.

Although now removed from so much of the mirror-balls, music and manic energy of the bars, I had my fair share over three decades working in marketing, promotions

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

and event planning, plus a long stint slinging cocktails, and emceeing strip shows and karaoke. I experienced the lifestyle in all its drama and tragedy, rich diversity personally and vicariously. To say “never a dull moment” is a gross understatement. In the rare moments of quiet, it was merely “the calm before the storm.”

A storm of fabulous fun on so many levels. Laughter to spare. An abundance of sex and occasionally tears, mostly over the complications from the abundance of sex!

I somehow survived many pitfalls of our oh-so-gay lifestyle and emerged as a voice of our history, reason and a mentor to younger gays who rival my generation in their ability to grab all the gusto life has to offer while avoiding some of the pitfalls. I hope through my recounted experience that there is a footprint that provides a path of good choices. After all, we are given all of the elements to be unique. Let’s throw a little glitter, avoid throwing shade and share ourselves with the world! After all, “Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death.”

The end. For now. e

COMMUNITY LOVE DON’T NEED A REASON

Remembering Michael Callen e By David-Elijah Nahmod

M

ICHAEL CALLEN (1955-1993) IS NOT AS WELL

remembered today as he deserves to be. But during the peak years of the AIDS crisis, Callen was known the world over not only for his AIDS activism, but also for his music. Callen was a gifted singer/songwriter who made a name for himself both as a solo artist and as a member of the gay a cappella singing group The Flirtations. But it was his AIDS advocacy for which Callen made his greatest impact.

Callen loved being gay, and he loved sex, celebrating both unashamedly. In 1983, soon after his own AIDS diagnosis, Callen published How to Have Sex in an Epidemic: One Approach, which he wrote in collaboration with his friend Richard Berkowitz and Dr. Joseph Sonnabend, his physician.

Callen was one of the earliest proponents of safe sex. Ironically, some in the community attacked him for his stand.

The legacy of Callen is now remembered in Love Don’t Need a Reason: The Life and Music of Michael Callen, a new fulllength biography by gay historian and Houston resident Matthew J. Jones. The book is a riveting account of Callen’s 38-year sojourn on Earth, and leaves little out.

“Telling LGBTQ stories, especially untold or overlooked stories, motivates everything I do,” Jones told the MONTROSE STAR. “As someone who grew up in the shadow of the AIDS epidemic, whose notions of what it means to be a gay man are fundamentally shaped by the epidemic, I’ve also been very interested in that history, too.”

Jones recalled that when he was a graduate student in Critical and Comparative Studies at the University of Virginia, he noticed that few music scholars had addressed the AIDS epidemic. He wondered why and began poking around online. He found, to his delight, thousands of songs in a variety of genres that addressed AIDS. “In footnotes and asides, I kept bumping into this name: Michael Callen,” said Jones. “And at some point, I saw a reference to his music.

So, I turned to my favorite scholarly database, You Tube, and found a number of clips of interviews, live performances, etc.”

Jones noticed that many of the Callen videos had been posted by a user named BettyByte, who turned out to be Richard Dworkin, Callen’s surviving partner.

Jones contacted Dworkin, and a friendship ensued.

Jones visited Dworkin in New York and was treated to a huge private archive of Callen material. Dworkin also pointed Jones toward the Michael Callen Papers at the New York LGBT Community Center National History Archive, and helped Jones contact friends, colleagues, and family members of Callen’s. Jones knew he had to tell Callen’s story.

The book recounts Callen’s difficult midwestern childhood, where it was obvious early on that he was different. Callen had a tempestuous relationship with his parents, though there’s no denying that they all loved each other. Jones follows Callen on his move to New York City, where Callen

Wednesday April 7, 2021 | MontroseStar.com e | PAGE 15

embraced the promiscuous gay life of the period while pursuing a career as a singer.

Diagnosed with HIV early in the epidemic, Callen became a fierce advocate of safe sex.

“Michael loved sex, and even in the midst of the emerging epidemic, felt that we needed to find ways to have safe, life affirming gay sex,” Jones said. “Though he also suggested that gay men temper their trips to the baths or cruising until more information was known about AIDS.” This stand was not well received by some in the gay male community, a community which, at the time, viewed sex as a revolutionary act. Jones does not shy away from describing the attacks that Callen endured from within the community.

“This will get me in trouble,” Jones said, “but I really do see that a lot of leftist politics get caught up in these cannibalistic, intracommunity fights. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t argue among ourselves. We have to. We must. It’s part of the process of coalition building, and it’s how marginalized voices within our various subgroups and communities make their concerns known. However, there are also examples of how that kind of infighting can stall the engines of progressive movements. So, it’s a very careful balancing act, and it’s also a reminder that none of our

Matthew J. Jones.

Photo by Alex Rosa

communities is a monolith.

There’s diversity, dissent, and divergence alongside the things that bind us together.

In a sense, I guess that’s also the heart of a pluralistic, democratic society.”

Jones acknowledges in the book that at times the infighting can go too far. He v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

recalls the problems Callen had with Gay Men’s Health Crisis, an AIDS service organization founded in 1982. Early leadership of GMHC went out of their way to squash Callen’s efforts to educate gay men about AIDS. The book also goes into detail regarding Callen’s musical career. There’s a lengthy section which describes the struggles Callen went through in order to complete Legacy, his second and final solo album. Callen was quite ill when he recorded the tracks for Legacy, but he was determined to see the project through and soldiered on. Sadly, he did not live to see the release of Legacy, which was issued posthumously.

The book also documents Callen’s decade long love affair with Dworkin, who is now the executor of the Michael Callen Estate. Though a bit on the long side, Love Don’t Need a Reason: The Life and Music of Michael Callen nonetheless serves as a remembrance not only of an extraordinary activist, but of a time in gay male history that must never be forgotten. So many young LGBT people of today have no idea of what the community went through during the 1980s, when people fought back even as they lay dying. Jones takes readers back to that era and brings it to life. He does so while imbuing an enormous amount of respect not only for Callen, but also for all those who loved him. e

PAGE 16 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday April 7, 2021

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

≈ Crossword Queeries ......................

24

Do You Get a Rush Out of Hate?

MONTROSE STAR.COM

THE GAY-ETY STARTS HERE!

Wednesday April 7, 2021 e VOL. XI, 24

ACROSS THE CAUSEWAY

Sharing the tales of Galveston

knew that over the years, folks had (mostly) enjoyed my writing and stories in various publications. As I began to compile the stories and dig into stored T IS NO SECRET THAT I LOVE TO TELL STORIES AND boxes for notes and ideas I had jotted down, it tall tales. Often while doing so I will say, “…to make became clear to me that some of my stories merited a long story short…” This catch phrase is usually retelling and in a collected form — a book! followed by some long winded, rambling reminiscence or Thus it was, with the pandemic and time on my hands, re-telling of some adventure or story about something I I thrust myself into the task of completing the book of once experienced. my Galveston tales. The title, of course, Storytelling is as old as man and, would be GALVESTION Memories although some say it is a dying form and Related Stories, as I figured this or art, I disagree. I like to think that would cover the gamut of topics I everything is a story and nothing is would include in such a collection. a short story. Since the beginning of The tales would range from island time, mankind has kept records of history, current affairs and my events and things that occurred in their memorable island adventures, to daily existence. These memories, or a splash of educational entries. tales, were usually passed along from Having been a wildlife biologist the elders to the younger members and a science teacher, I wanted to of a clan, community or population. include some factual natural history Before the printing press, “oral history” elements regarding some of the was the way to ensure that the stories, creatures that I included in my tales. traditions and events were kept alive After months of working on the and known for generations to come. stories, I came-up with about 40 or I have, by nature, always been a ‘Galveston’ author Forest Riggs so that I felt would make for a good enjoys the beach featured in his curious person and I see a story in collection to have published. I ordered collection of memories and tales just about everything and everyone. the stories in no order, rather I would I drive along the road writing stories prefer that folks would flip around and in my head, walk the beach creating read whatever title caught their eye. I laughingly told my plots and connecting ideas for stories. At night, I publisher this is a great “toilet reading” book for anyone dream fantastic dreams; upon waking, I exclaim to interested in Galveston — a leisure reading not designed myself, “Damn, that would make one hell of a novel to sit and read from cover to cover in one sitting. or movie.” But usually after becoming fully awake, I do hope that readers will enjoy the stories that I the details and plots fade and thus, the world once have included and in way, that the collection might again has been cheated out of a great book or movie. stimulate some to record their own stories and tales.

As a boy, having spent most of my summers on There is nothing better than sitting around with friends Galveston Island, I developed a huge affinity for the or family and sharing stories, be they old or new. sandy island in the Gulf. Stories were told to me by After all, everything is a story and elders; some things I read in books or saw in movies. nothing is a short story.

Summers on Galveston were magical and offered a GALVESTION Memories and Related Stories is myriad of story subjects and characters about which to available at bookstores, Amazon Book, Amazon write. Over the years, I kept notes and certainly held Kindle, Barnes & Noble, OutSkirtsPress.com and tightly to any memories that involved Galveston. ordering at forest40@yahoo.com. e Several years ago, around 2011, I decided to compile A resident of Galveston where he can be found wasting bait and searching for the meaning of life, Forest some of my Galveston stories and put them into Riggs recently completed a collection of short stories about his beloved island and is working on a novel. book form and perhaps share them with others. I

e By Forest Riggs

I

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

A preview of

GALVESTON

Memories and Related Stories “The sand covered oasis in the Gulf of Mexico represents an almost mythical and magical place, where man, nature and Providence have come to the crossroads many times since its earliest beginnings.”

“Events that would normally cripple and probably even destroy other cities and locations have only served as growing pains, or better, the impetus for the timeless and monumental metamorphosis.”

“As I stroll down the beach or walk along the Seawall and watch families at play, or drive down a tree-lined Broadway admiring the architectural masterpieces along the route, and all framed in colorful oleanders, I reminisce of the stories, incidents and variables that have come together for me. It is this amalgam of these things that congeal and form what I simply refer to as my “Galvestonism.”

PAGE 18 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday April 7, 2021

DEEP INSIDE HOLLYWOOD

Laverne Cox gets a “Clean Slate” e By Romeo San Vicente

L

EGENDARY TV CREATOR

Norman Lear, who’ll be 99 years old this July, has a new project in the works with Amazon’s IMDbTV, a new premium free streaming service.

The comedy is called “Clean Slate” and it’ll star Laverne Cox and veteran comedian George Wallace. Created by Cox, Wallace, and screenwriter Dan Ewen (“Playing with Fire”), it’s the story of a car wash owner (Wallace) with an estranged relationship with his adult transgender daughter (Cox). As the family members reunite after 17 years apart, Dad has to learn how to be the ally his daughter needs. Not only will we be watching, but we’re excited to see Lear, after decades of groundbreaking progressive television, working with Cox, who’ll be the next person in what we hope is a long line of transgender artists creating a new generation of TV. The RuPaul Universe expands with “Queen of the Universe”RuPaul has a new ViacomCBS show called “Queen of the Universe.” Yes, it’s drag-based,

because of course it is. But there’ll be no lip-syncing for one’s life. The queens in competition will have to use their mouths for something more than reading each other to filth and throwing shade, because like “American Idol” and “The Voice,” this is a singing contest. “RuPaul’s Drag Race” production company, World of Wonder, is behind the show, where queens from all over the world will compete to see who gets their own Kelly Clarkson “Moment Like This” moment. Obviously, they’ll have to serve sickening looks while doing so, but musical chops will matter more. One catch: you’ll have to sign up to Paramount’s new streaming service, Paramount+, to decide who can really sing and who should just keep moving their lips to Whitney Houston’s greatest hits. Get ready to borrow a friend’s password, Children.

Gillian Anderson steps into Eleanor Roosevelt’s shoes leanor Roosevelt was First Lady from 1933 to 1945, during her husband Franklin D. Roosevelt’s long tenure as President of the United States, and she was an outspoken advocate for civil rights in a time when that was considered controversial

E

Laverne Cox

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

(ok, it still is). History also points to her as being bisexual, as she had an intimate relationship with journalist Lorena Hickock, their surviving love letters stating it as plainly as possible. So it’s appropriate that bisexual icon Gillian Anderson will play this important American citizen in an anthology series for Showtime with the working title “The First Lady.” Created by Aaron Cooley and directed by Danish filmmaker Susanne Bier (“Bird Box”), the project is executive produced by Viola Davis – who’ll also work in front of the camera playing Michelle Obama – and will co-star Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford. Projected air date for this one is later in 2021, and after the knockout “Mrs. America” treated us to historically important women played by some of our favorite actresses, we’ll be happily devouring this one, too. In fact, bring back Rose Byrne from “Mrs. America.” She can be Melania.

Amazon sets Pete Buttigieg documentary. n 2012, a Republican named Fred Karger was the first openly gay Presidential candidate. He didn’t get far then, but he did help set the stage for Democrat Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who launched a more viable candidacy in 2016. That historical run for the nomination led to a high profile career as the current U.S. Transportation Secretary, and will now be the subject of “Mayor Pete,” a documentary for Amazon, from filmmaker Jesse Moss. Moss co-directed (along with Amanda McBaine, who’s co-producing here) the acclaimed doc “Boys State.” The film will focus on Buttigieg’s rise from mayor into the ranks of the Democratic Party, his campaign successes and losses, and a look into his home life with husband Chasten. It’s another step forward, for sure, one of the ways political history gets built, and we’ll be looking forward not only to the film but to a Harris/ Buttigieg ticket one day soon. e

I

Romeo San Vicente’s political aspirations mostly involve binge-watching “Madam Secretary.”

Wednesday April 7, 2021 | MontroseStar.com e | PAGE 19

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

PAGE 20 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday April 7, 2021

PFLAG HOUSTON NEWS

Meeting to recognize Autism Awareness Month e By Janice Anderson

O

NE YEAR AT THE GENDER

Infinity conference, I attended a panel discussion on being nonbinary. One of my children had recently explained to my husband and me that they were nonbinary and I was eager to learn more. The panel was peopled by nonbinary students learning at the University of Houston. I learned more than I ever expected. The majority of the panel members were also autisitc. The students had been assigned female at birth before they realized they were actually nonbinary.

Females are less likely to be identified as autisic so it wasn’t until college that they also realized they were neurodivergent.

The panel described how diagnosticians characterize autism differently between the binaries, and why young non-males are not diagnosed. It blew open my mind and understanding of my own nonbinary child.

April is Autism Awareness month and it is a great time to become aware of the overlap between gender diversity and neurodiversity. The topic for PFLAG Hosuton’s General Meeting on April 11 is about the relationship between expansive gender identities and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our guest speaker is Nathan Dorcey Johnson who works in the Houston Medical Center. Using research based evidence and personal anecdotes, he will discuss considerations for parents and families of the amazing folks who live under a double rainbow.

Our general meeting begins at 2 p.m.

After our guest speaks, we will break into small support groups. Small groups are the heart of PFLAG. It’s a time where you can meet other parents and allies and LGBTQ

folk. We share our stories and experiences, voice our concerns and triumphs.

The meeting, along with small groups will be held via Zoom, the online meeting platform. The meeting is open to everyone, but you must get an email invitation and password to attend. To get that invitation, email helplinePFLAGhouston@gmail. com and one will be sent out to you.

You may also request a meeting link on our website, www.pflaghouston.com.

Having a different link each week helps keep outside shenanigans at bay and keeps our warm circle of love safe.

Our weekly support groups are still being held online, as well. Until the danger of COVID-19 has passed, we will meet safely through Zoom online meetings each Sunday at 2 p.m. Meeting announcements are sent out to our emailing list. Let us know if you would like to be added to our mailing list.

PFLAG Houston is committed to supporting families and educating the public about LGBT issues, and invites all to consider the group’s numerous volunteer opportunities. PFLAG Houston is also passionate about advocacy to ensure equal human rights and end discrimination.

PFLAG Houston invites all family members, parents and/or youth who are having problems with coming out issues, and welcomes everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, ethnicity or political persuasion. The group is proud of its rich history and the continued contributions of members, and invites all to learn more about the organization and join in efforts to create a more diverse, accepting society. Find a home in PFLAG. e For information about support, upcoming events and meetings, as well as up-todate news relevant to PFLAG Houston’s family and friends, visit PFLAGHouston.org, email helplinePFLAGhouston@gmail.com or call the PFLAG Helpline at 713-467-3524.

Nathan Dorcey Johnson

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

Wednesday April 7, 2021 | MontroseStar.com e | PAGE 21

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

PAGE 22 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday April 7, 2021

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

Wednesday April 7, 2021 | MontroseStar.com e | PAGE 23

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

PAGE 24 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday April 7, 2021

CROSSWORD QUEERIES

Do you get a rush out of hate?

Across 1 Irene who played Coco in “Fame” 5 S&M reminders 10 XXX, in Greek porn?

14 Give to (approve) 15 Easily screwed 16 Trent of Mississippi 17 Circumcision, for one 18 Take steps 19 Rick’s old flame 20 Hate-monger Ann 22 Hate-monger Sean 24 Heat and then cool 25 Pussies with sharp teeth

56 Hate-monger

28 College social

television host

29 “Have a ball!”

60 Tool for Mapplethorpe

30 Emma of “Battle

61 Assumption of

of the Sexes”

the virgin?

33 Worn-out horse

62 Coup target,

35 Abbr. of old in

to Cocteau

Tatu’s land

64 Mireille of “The Killing”

37 Weapon pointed at

65 Like “Don’t Let the

James Bond’s crotch

Sun Go Down on Me”?

38 Bit player

66 “The Lion King” sound

39 Antonym (abbr.)

67 “ interesting!”

40 Sultry Dietrich

68 Tickle pink

41 Lover of Franklin

69 Humorist Bombeck

and Lorena

Down

44 Amelia Earhart,

1 Unresponsive body

26 Caesar of comedy

2 Negatively charged

27 What the tide does

3 The Capitol

31 generis

dome is its top

32 Look for hotties

4 “Hello” singer

in a gay bar

5 Dik-dik, for one

34 Stallion that’s spotted

6 Singer Vicki

35 WW II gun

7 Hurry, to Shakespeare

36 Hate-monger

8 Porter’s “Well, Did You ”

radio host

9 It can coldcock you

39 Last letter for Socrates

10 React to static

42 Geological span

11 Most like St, Mary

43 Pics that penetrate

12 “I’m being straight

your clothes

with you!”

47 Bert, to Ernie

13 Doesn’t leave the closet

48 Most able to bend over

21 Middle X or O

51 Urvashi has one

23 Anais who went

52 Like better

both ways

54 Mary Cassatt, for one

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

for example 45 Affirmation to a drag queen 46 Go down 49 Shower with kind words 50 “No Exit” playwright 53 Like Albert, in “The Birdcage” 55 “ Is Nothing Like a Dame” 57 Ryan of porn 58 Vincent Lopez theme song 59 Responder to “Bite me!”?

60 “Little Miss Evil” writer Raphael 63 Refrain syllable

Wednesday April 7, 2021 | MontroseStar.com e | PAGE 25

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

PAGE 26 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday April 7, 2021

GUIDE TO THE CLUBS HOUSTON n MONTROSE - MIDTOWN

n DOWNTOWN / EADO

Rebar Houston 202 Tuam Street, Houston (346) 227-8613

Moon Tower Inn 3004 Canal St, 77003 (832) 969-1934 • damngoodfoodcoldassbeer.com Hot Dogs | Beer Gardens

Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon 11410 Hempstead Highway Houston, TX 77092 (713) 677-0828 • neonbootsclub.com

Neil’s Bahr 2006 Walker St, 77003 (281) 352-7456 • NeilsBahr.com Premier Nerd | Gamer

Viviana’s Night Club 4624 Dacoma St, Houston (713) 681-4101 • vivianasniteclub.com Latino | Tejano | Dance

Tout Suite 2001 Commerce, 77002 713-227-8688 • toutsuitetx.com Bakery | Cafe | Pub

n SW HOUSTON

https://www.facebook.com/rebarhouston/

Buddy’s 2409 Grant St Ste A, Houston (281) 310-1050 Cocktails | Beer | Karaoke |Pool | DJ’s Crocker Bar 2312 Crocker St, Houston (713) 529-3355 Large Deck | Karaoke George’s Country Sports Bar 617 Fairview Ave, Houston (713) 528-8102 Sports Bar | Pool & Darts | Patio JR’s Bar and Grill & Santa Fe 808 Pacific St, Houston (713) 521-2519 • jrsbarandgrill.com Videos | Patio | Karaoke | Shows Michael’s Outpost Piano Bar 1419 Richmond Ave, Houston (713) 520-8446 Neighborhood Bar | Pub | Piano Barcode Houston 817 Fairview Ave, Houston

(713) 526-2625 • facebook.com/barcode77006

Shows | Neighborhood Bar | CD/Trans The Ripcord 715 Fairview St, Houston (713) 521-2792 • facebook.com/ ripcordhouston

Leather | Uniform | Fetish | Men Papi’s Houston 570 Waugh Dr, Latin gay club (713) 524-3359 | Dancing Drag Game shows all week long!

Voodoo Queen 322 Milby St, 77003 713-555-5666 • damngoodfoodcoldassbeer.com Casual | Po’ Boys | Games n DOWNTOWN / WARDS 1-4 Tony’s Corner Pocket 817 West Dallas Street, Houston (713) 571-7870 • tonyscornerpocket.com Neighborhood Bar | Pool | Dancers n HOUSTON - NORTH SIDE Ranch Hill Saloon 24704 Interstate 45, Spring (281) 298-9035 • ranchhill.com Country | Cowgirl | Neighborhood Bar The Room Bar 4915 FM 2920 Rd, Spring (281) 907-6866 • roombarspring.com Neighborhood Bar | Shows | Dance | Mixed n NW HOUSTON

Crystal Night Club 6684 SW Fwy, Houston (713) 278- 2582 • crystaltheclub.com Latin Dance | Salsa n HEIGHTS / WASHINGTON CORRIDOR Pearl Lounge 4216 Washington, Houston 832-740-4933 • pearlhouston.com Neighborhood Art Bar | Live Music | Women

GALVESTON 23rd Street Station 1706 23rd St, Galveston (409) 443-5678 • 23rdstreetstation. com Piano Bar | Pub | Live Entertainment Robert’s Lafitte 2501 Ave Q, Galveston (409) 765-9092 • galveston.com/robertslafitte Neighborhood Bar | Pub | Cruise | Shows Rumors Beach Bar 3102 Seawall Blvd., Galveston (409) 497-4617 • RumorsBeachBar.com Beach bar | Shows

La Granja Disco & Cantina 5505 Pinemont Dr., Houston (713) 518-6753 • lagranjadisco.com Latin dance club

Solution From PAGE 24

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

Wednesday April 7, 2021 | MontroseStar.com e | PAGE 27

FP NEW AD Megaflix

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

PAGE 28 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday April 7, 2021

Thinking about quitting smoking?

MD Anderson Cancer Center wants to help. We are offering a free, virtual smoking study to help you quit or reduce your tobacco usage – from the comfort and safety of your home.

Study participants must: • Be 18 or older • Have a working phone number • Be interested in quitting smoking

Participants may receive nicotine patches, guidance on quitting and compensation up to $450.

Call 713-792-2265 or visit smokefreestudy.com to complete our online questionnaire to learn more.

v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P