OMG 1
OMG 2
OMG 3
OMG 4
OMG 5
In our last issue, OMG! Magazine took a moment to educate our readers on the tragic BP oil crisis in the Gulf of Mexico. Since that issue, temporary prayers have been answered when an oil cap placed over the well has seemingly stopped the leak. In today’s modern times of technological distractions, I personally feel obliged to not only entertain our readers with a quality publication but to also draw more attention to world events and current issues such as the oil leak. By continuing the serious precedent set with Issue 14, this current issue delves into the topic of social awareness: what is socially acceptable, a look into body dysmorphic disorder and the psychological ramifications of losing weight. It would be insulting to our readers to assume that they were solely interested in just a half-naked model on the cover. By mixing entertainment, politics, pop culture, fashion and current events, OMG! is solidifying its presence amongst the numerous publications in an otherwise heavy market. I thank you for growing with us! Sincerely,
Okie Okesene Tilo,
Executive Editor
OMG 6
The Hills series finale: DUH! MTV’s pop-culture phenomenon ended with a lackluster series finale showing a moving Hollywood hills backdrop being pushed from the background to reveal a studio lot where the “reality series” was filmed. Four years later and fans of the series were neither shocked nor relieved, but bored with the finale. Farewell LC, Speidi and the gang! Nina Hagen VS. Lady Gaga Punk pioneer Nina Hagen to the Bild newspaper: “Lady Gaga is a pop prostitute, a Satanic bitch with her fascist and demonic secret signs! Her pop prostitution has more to do with bikini advertising than with warmth.” So I take it Miss Hagen that you won’t be purchasing a copy of “The Remix” album by Gaga on August 3? Team Alcide For two seasons, True Blood fans found themselves pitted against one another in a Team Bill vs. Team Eric feud. Now why did actor Joe Manganiello have to come along and start a new feud: Team Alcide vs. every male cast member on True Blood?
Mel Gibson Watch Move over Whitney. And just go away Lindsay. Mel Gibson’s racist rants and domestic trouble with ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva have officially made him not only the “celebrity to watch” but also, as of press time, the most Hated Celebrity in America. WWMD next? What will Mel do next?
Starbucks VIA® Iced Coffee Now you can have Starbucks Iced Coffee wherever you go. Simply add one of the coffee chain’s insta-packets to cold water, add ice and relax knowing that you will never have to wait in another long line for a refreshing coffee drink this summer season.
Chicane’s Giants album Fans of the ambient-techno stylings of Chicane are dying of anticipation for the upcoming Giants album release. Featuring a collaboration with Adam Young of Owl City and “Poppiholla,” the popular reworking of the Sigur Ros “Hoppipolla” classic, Giants is the first must-have album of this fall season.
OMG 8
OMG 9
Body Dysmorphic Disorder compiled by Gary Randall "For years, I've been disciplined about my fitness. Exercise is a routine part of my life. I'm conscientious about what I eat. Realistically, I know that I weigh almost fifty pounds more than I did when I graduated high school, at around the same height. Still, I can't look at myself in the mirror and not see someone who's too skinny and who isn't muscular enough. I know my perception is off. I'm not critical of other guy's bodies in the same way as I am of my own. Far from it: a go-go with particularly great abs or a friend's facebook picture from his beach vacation where his arms look particularly defined instead send me into this spiral of self-loathing. It's almost comical at this point: I can't imagine looking into the mirror and being happy with what I see there. -model Stephen Pischl"
OMG 10
Y
ou have experienced body dysmorphic disorder. Maybe you have a bump in your nose that you minimize by parting your hair on the side. Maybe you have a mole on your cheek that you try to hide behind layers of makeup. Maybe, at 130lbs, you view yourself as so fat that you threw up the grilled chicken salad you had for dinner last night. If you haven’t personally been affected by body dysmorphic disorder, then you probably know somebody who has. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) as a somatoform disorder marked by a preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance that causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. It is important to note however, that BDD may center on an actual slight defect in one's appearance if the defect is the subject of constant obsession.
OMG 11
It is estimated that 1–2% of the world's population meets all the diagnostic criteria for BDD (Psychological Medicine, vol. 36, p. 877). The main treatments for BDD are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) drugs. The CBT method involves altering behaviors relating to the disorder, while the SSRI drugs affect the levels of serotonin in your brain. In two different studies, the CBT treatment resulted in a significant decrease of BDD leaving 82% of subjects cured. The SSRI drugs resulted in a 53% response rate. The last bastion of treatment for BBD is surgery. This however is viewed as a "last ditch effort" after years of treatment and therapy.
None of us were able to survive puberty and adolescence completely unscathed. This is a time when we are especially socially sensitive and insecure. It is believed that this disorder manifests during this period even though a direct cause is unknown. Imagine being a teenage girl staring at hordes of 100lb fashion models stalking down a runway. Obviously, slight emotional "scars" form within the comparison of oneself to these women. The problem with BDD is that rather than fading, the emotional "scars� incurred during this time only become more apparent over time resulting in symptoms such as:
It is part of the human condition to be concerned with the way we are viewed by others. All of us can relate to looking in a mirror and being unpleased with the image reflected back. Body Dysmorphic Disorder occurs when that reflection becomes an obsession, when thinking of the your peers staring at your defects paralyzes you with fear and when you are so concerned with said "image" that you are willing to do drastic things such as self-medicate and starve yourself. In an ideal world, we could all be optimistic about our body images and accept ourselves for what we look like and what we choose to eat. In this celebrity and youthobsessed culture, image-based pessimism seems to be on our dinner plates, with BDD for dessert and a late night snack of anorexia.
In a BDD study of over 500 hundred patients conducted by Dr. Katharine Philips, the main areas of concern are:
Skin
Obsessive Compulsive behaviors related to appearance, major depression, delusional thoughts, social or familial withdrawal, social phobia or isolation, anxiety and panic attacks, chronic low self-esteem, shame, dependent personalities, self medication such as alcohol or drug abuse and even suicidal thoughts. Eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Compulsive Overeating are three common side effects of BDD. Have you ever noticed that the more you work out, the harder you are on yourself? This is a very minor example of the behavior altering feeling that people with BDD have. The disorder stems from a fear of judgment where simply walking down the street becomes a debilitating experience.
Hair Weight Nose
The rate of Comorbidity with BDD is relatively high, resulting in misdiagnoses. The most common disorders associated with BDD are:
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder 32%
Social Phobia 37%
Major Depressive Disorder 76%
0%
OMG 12
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
OMG 13
OMG 14
OMG 15
OMG 16
OMG 17
99
out of a 100 ads in the M4M section of Craigslist, gay.com and Manhunt all say the same thing: “no fats.” It’s as if the guys on the other side of the screen are holding a gun up to my head, warning me not to waste even an iota of their time by sending them a message. And I have the emotional bullet holes to prove it. “Hi, my name is David. I’m 29, a single, professional gay male and I’m fat.”
OMG 18
We live in a society that already finds it socially acceptable to be outwardly discriminatory and vicious towards obese people. The gay community has embraced this social acceptability and nurtured it to the extent that it has blossomed… rather… spawned into an uncontrollable beast. One can choose to remain invisible and get devoured by the beast or one can challenge the beast on an hourly basis to carve out
respect and dignity. It is important to note why I am obese. When I was first discovering my sexual identity as a pre-teen, I became deathly terrified of the consequences of being gay. I was worried about being kicked out of my house by my conservative Indian parents and terrified of not being the good son that I was constantly reminded that I needed to be.
Late at night while browsing AOL, I would come across M4M profiles and the term “no fats” kept resonating with me. I decided as a teenager to become so grossly obese that neither women nor men would ever find me attractive, so it would be natural for me to be single and not have to divulge my sexuality to my parents. Fast forward to 2007 – my graduate school best friend yanks me out of the closet and I decide to fully embrace my sexual identity by moving to New York where I thought I could remain anonymous while realizing my sexual identity. Boy was I wrong. I was not an anonymous player in the gay community. I was flat out invisible. No one looked at me with any ounce of desire. I wasn’t having copious amounts of random sex and continued to be a virgin at the age of 26. Professionally, I was thriving. I was becoming well known within the LGBT affinity group at work, but that was not transforming into sexual development. Moreover, I had faced discrimination on numerous occasions: (1) the doorman at Beige invented an imaginary “guest list” each time I came to the front of the line, advised me that I was not on the list, and told me to try again in an hour; (2) there always managed to be a “private party” going on at another lounge in Chelsea, each time I tried to stop by; (3) while speaking to a colleague of mine at a party, a guy interrupted our conversation, told my colleague to “stop talking to the fat guy and go meet this cute guy over at the bar.” I could list numerous examples, but then this article would just be one gigantic whine. On the Fourth of July in 2008, I decided to take charge of my life. I met some interesting people. I vowed to move from the realm of invisibility to the realm of, at the bare minimum, respect and dignity. I formed a plan through which I would initially pour substantial amounts of money into showing people a good time and use the opportunities to show the same people that I have a personality that is worth knowing and caring about. This was by no means an easy task and this plan had its own drawbacks. The next few paragraphs discuss certain instances in which I had to overcome discrimination with positivity to ensure lasting friendships. I initially became fast-friends with three guys. The four of us could not have been more different (age, looks, profession – basically everything).
At one point, the friendship took a downturn. I was made aware of a conversation between two of the guys. They discussed that it may not be in MY best interests for the two of them to be friends with me because of the effects it would have on my self-esteem. Why? Because the two of them were able to go out and hook up from time to time while I still lamented my virginity. My initial rage suddenly yielded to resolve to show the two guys that I am a fabulous person. I would not have self-esteem issues because I happened to be friends with two guys that were infinitely more attractive than me by the common standards of the gay community. Fast forward a few months, the same group is planning a trip to Gay Days in Orlando which I understand is both a LGBT family friendly weekend at a popular theme park in Orlando. It is also a massive hook-up weekend. The friends were worried as to whether I would have a good time, because the likelihood of me hooking up was rather slim in comparison to the rest of the guys in our large group. I knew this going in to the event, and I went out of my way to have a good time whether I hooked up or not. In the end, people recognized that I had a good time and appreciated the fact that I attended. I made people laugh and enjoy their vacations even more than they would have if I had not attended. Once again, I had to confront the stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes head on. In the end, not only did I win but also all of my fellow vacationers won. I came back to New York with a vengeance. I started going out with my head held up high, knowing that I have a fabulous personality that lights up the darkest of rooms. I know that I have the capacity to make friends and relate to all people. In two years, I went from being invisible to having a Rolodex of contacts and friends that spans 4 continents. I can easily be at a glamorous dinner gathering in Paris one weekend, jet through Tel Aviv for a ridiculous circuit-party and come back to New York for a fabulous brunch at a chic spot in Chelsea. Additionally, various players in the industry have started to take notice of me including promoters, deejays, managers and club personalities. One manager once commented that he always looks forward to me coming because even if my friends can get a bit sloppy, he knows I always “roll 20 deep.”
I text back and forth with internationally renowned deejays. I’m invited to their deejay booths to say hello. And certain club personalities always greet me warmly and make sure that I’m having a good time. I have carved out my own niche of fabulosity that is unparalleled. The fabulosity continues to grow; nurtured by the true and real relationships I have formed over the past two years with people that I know have my best interests at heart. That doesn’t mean to say that I don’t continue to face adversity. This summer, many of my friends got a summer share at a popular gay beach destination. My friend invited me to join him as a guest one particular weekend. When the ringleader of the share house got wind of this, the ringleader sent a scathing email to my friend suggesting that it was not a good idea for me to be a guest that weekend. While not coming out and saying it, the ringleader wanted to say that the share house has a reputation of hotness to maintain, and that I would ruin that reputation. To that ringleader, I only have one thing to say: you may walk around the clubs and have 100 guys that want to fuck you because you’re hot but I walk around the streets of New York warmed by the fact that I have over 50 people (and such number is growing weekly) that want the best for me… including many of the people from that group of 100 that only want to fuck you. I have conquered the gay discrimination against obese people. In the end, I have a richer and more fulfilling life than the hot guy who has no personality. Looking forward, I do hope to lose a significant amount of weight. I would be lying if I didn’t say that there aren’t superficial drivers – but more importantly, in conquering gay New York, I have made the most amazing friends. I don’t want to keel over from a heart attack at the age of 35 and not have a chance to enjoy the friendships for the rest of my life… “Hi, my name is David. I’m 29, a single, professional gay male and I am fabulous!” If you wish to send a message to David NYC after reading this column, please send an e-mail to OMG! Magazine Executive Editor, Okie Tilo at okesene@squareoneflorida.com who will forward your e-mail on. OMG 19
Sorry Lord but it appears that our beloved Katy did indeed need more than just you. She needed a hit singing career to be exact. With her latest track “California Gurls,” Katy Perry’s long hard journey from the church to the gay club is finally complete. With its oh-so-fun video and the obligatory guest rap from Snoop Dogg, “California Gurls” froths at the mouth with pop deliciousness. In the ten years since she released her religious album, Perry has had time to hone her God-given lyrical gift. As evidence, here’s a passage from her #1 smash “California Gurls”: “California gurls we're unforgettable Daisy Dukes, bikinis on top Sun-kissed skin so hot We'll melt your Popsicle” Move over Bob Dylan.
Associated Press
T
here is no sex tape lurking in singer Katy Perry’s closet. There are no nude photo sessions or illegitimate children propelling Katy Perry to the tabloid covers. One is very unlikely to ever find Katy Perry with coke dripping from her nose or even passed out drunk on Hollywood Boulevard. But Katy Perry does indeed have a skeleton hidden deep in her closet. Perry’s past was fueled by neither sex, drugs nor rock and roll. My dear friends, years before Katy Perry was your saucy cellphone ringtone, she was a Contemporary Christian recording artist. It is curious to consider an artist’s metamorphosis from Christian crooner to California Gurl. The opening lines of Perry’s Christian debut album find the artist pondering the universe with the depth and grace of high school poets everywhere:
During a recent interview, Perry was quoted as saying: "It does not matter if it's Madonna or my boyfriend doing it if you put sexuality and religion in the same bottle and try to shake it up, its not cool." In the future Madonna should do as Katy Perry did: put religion in a second and separate bottle and push it to the very back of the medicine cabinet. It is undeniable that Katy Perry is releasing some of the most infectious pop songs of today. With her blue Betty Page wig and grandiose smile, no one seems to be enjoying the moment more than Miss Perry herself. But one has to wonder… had Katy Perry hit the commercial jackpot with her Christian recordings, would she still be trolling around in a cupcake bra? One can only help but wonder which version of Katy Perry is the real deal. "California Gurls" music video directed by Mathew Cullen (c) 2010 Capitol Music Group
Regarding her "California Gurls" get-up, WWKPT? What would Katy's pastor think? (c) 2001 Red Hill
“How could I see you when I was so blind? How could I grasp you when I was far behind? How could I hear you when I was so deaf? How could I get up when I had been left?” Move over Plato. During the album’s second track, Perry (then known as Katy Hudson) pleads: “Lord help me see the reality that all I’ll ever need is you.” OMG 20
Katy Hudson changed her name to Katy Perry to avoid confusion after actress Kate Hudson made a huge splash in the hit film Almost Famous
OMG 21
Heavy
State of
Mind written by James Johnson
“CCXV… What does that stand for?”
“Roman numerals,” I reply anxiously. He is asking me about the tattoo on my forearm. I have been courting the gentleman dancing across from me since I got to the club. Let me rephrase that, as my words inspire a more refined image of the interaction than appropriate; I have been making out with the hot guy grinding up on me since I finished my first few drinks at the bar. I can see the wheels turning in his head as his fingers try aimlessly to figure it out. He guesses incorrectly. I can’t hold it against him; the music is distractingly loud and cascading out of the speakers above us. And besides he is a fine specimen from head to toe built for sexy love making, not counting. “CCXV; one hundred, one hundred, ten, five…215” I pull him close so he can’t see the frantic look in my eyes, hoping desperately the conversation will end there and trying with all my effort to release the tension that has begun to resonate through my now small frame. “215, but what does that mean?” “It’s how much I used to weigh.” The words spill out of my mouth and rush about the room, suddenly my body inflates to twice its size as he looks me over and imagines me bigger. The reactions are generally mixed ranging from a “That’s crazy” or a “Good for you” to a “How did you do it?” How did you do it? I hate that question. It carries the suggestion that I took a short cut somewhere or sold my soul to the devil. I should clarify here; I now weigh 70 pounds less, I lost an entire Olsen twin. I am satisfied but always looking to improve my level of fitness, what gay man isn’t? How did I do it? Hard work. I incorporated eating right and regular exercise into my daily routine and pushed myself to go from someone overweight and in the closet to someone who turns heads when walking confidently into a gay club. While I may no longer be bulging awkwardly out of my clothes, I still feel weighed down by my former fat self. OMG 22
Those phantom pounds are omnipresent in my life and it is something that defines the person I have become; I can imagine it will always play an important role on how I view the world at large. Something that weighs on me comparably is my experience living as a gay male and the socio-cultural way in which my fat and gay identities intertwine. In 5th grade, right before school let out for the summer, I vividly remember a group of my classmates and I standing in a circle and thrashing a rubber yellow ball violently back and forth. The object of our childhood game was to not let the blurry yellow mass fall to the ground. The penalty assigned to the person responsible for dropping the ball was elimination from the circle. I was not good at this game. When a heap of yellow came crashing down at my feet and I began to move backwards out of the huddle, a boy somewhere in the distance yelled out “You’re gay!” I suddenly felt winded. I could swear with those words he had broken a rib and punctured one of my lungs, it’s the only explanation as to why I couldn’t breathe. I fell to the edge of the playground and as the school bell rang releasing us into the summer season, I lay alone on my side trying to make sense out of what had just occurred. Instead of reaching some definite conclusion in the safety of my home, I spent that summer shoveling mounds of coffee crumb cake into my mouth. My grandmother kept a supply that seemed neverending and unknowingly helped me to eat away any residual fears about being called out on the asphalt. That summer, I became fat… and gay. I couldn’t hide the former, its physical manifestation was apparent, but I could try to use my fatness as an excuse to hide the latter.
BEFORE
AFTER
Looking back, it seems appropriate that the playground played host to the incident that forever changed my life, doesn’t it hold true for most anyone? Children are animalistic and primitive creatures that prey on the weak; Children are evil and they need to be destroyed (disregard that last part, it is my former cake aficionado shining through bitterly). Specific to boys, the playground is the first setting in which males put their masculinity on display through aggressive behavior meant to defame their competitors. As gay males, we are seen as easy targets, practice almost. Boys use the word “gay” or “faggot” as an emasculating attack weapon and we are meant to feel ashamed from an early age. When I finally ascended to high school I was rendered powerless from years of being ridiculed for being fat or for being gay or usually a combination of the two. Some close friends of mine, who were also hefty, jokingly decided to form an obese club whose main goal was to protest the school sanctioned mile run. Albeit not a serious after school activity, I was excited at the opportunity to find acceptance with my fat brethren, until I was informed that I was not “fat enough” to be in the obese club. Acceptance is an odd and powerful word. It evokes the feeling that something is being welcomed or at the very least tolerated. To not be accepted for something that you are is devastating and challenges you to the very core. I found myself feeling unaccepted by my fellow fatties and the prospect of being accepted by the gay community where there is an extremely distorted fixation on body image seemed dim and distant. At the time, the only point of the reference I had for what it was like to be openly gay was from the clandestine watching of low budget cable movies that I snuck peaks at while home sick from school. These movies would be about the love between two ridiculously hot teenagers, one of which always being the star football player,who would find fault in their secret union and be challenged to publically announce their homosexual love affair. How beautiful this all sounded, but one problem for me; I was immobile, invisible and fat. I was not the prized athlete. If I wanted to live my life openly, I first needed to pull myself together and lose the tangible remnants of my past denials. I needed to be the star football player, someone so athletically poised that they would never drop a yellow ball in the schoolyard, someone who instead would use that ball to assert themselves as a force to be reckoned with, a huge gay force.
I was presented an obstacle and I overcame it. Every mile I ran, every weight I lifted and every bland salad I consumed put me one step closer to the hot desired homosexual I envisioned myself being. Experiencing gay culture for the first time through the heavy eyes of a former fatty was jarring. The unexpected attention threw me off; I didn’t know how to act around people who I would have previously considered out of my league. I spent a good deal of time at clubs watching men prance about shirtless with their effortless, sweaty chests glistening under the glaring lights- not because I was mezmorised by their bodies, but because I couldn’t grasp the idea of feeling comfortable walking around with no shirt on. Although I have adjusted to life as a regular bodied person, it still escapes me as to why gay men in particular have such a huge obsession with obtaining the perfect physique. All my best gays are constantly on the verge of starting some diet so they can lose the invisible weight they see on themselves. People over use protein powders or adversely obtain steroids to fit into some strange jock persona and set on display their ornate masculinity. We glorify and tip go-go boys for dancing barely clothed and encourage them to live a lifestyle in which they can get drunk, do drugs and support themselves solely because they are considered hot. When I see negative gay stereotypes in the media, I can’t help but think that we have to assume some sort of responsibility in portraying ourselves as a community that values what is on the surface more than what is inside. Inside me there is a fat child, a gay man and a person once susceptible to feeling ashamed. I am proud to have overcome the physical and mental restraints I let others assign me and it is the reason why I leave my tattoo on display. CCXV is not just 215, it is not just how much I used to weigh… it is how much I can push myself, how much I value where I’ve been and the realization that I am the only person capable of determining who I want to be. My fat thoughts will always inhabit my brain; I am human. When a hot guy hits on me at the club, I get nervous at first about sharing what my tattoo means, but ultimately it’s part of the person I have become. And when that same hot guy takes me out to dinner, you better believe that I am ordering an appetizer, entrée and dessert- licking each plate clean and looking sexy while doing it.
OMG 23
OMG 24
OMG 25
OMG 26
OMG 27
Iowa billboard linking Obama, Hitler removed
DES MOINES, Iowa – An Iowa tea party group recently replaced a billboard comparing President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Lenin, calling the sign a bad decision that reflected poorly on the organization. Workers papered over the sign in downtown Mason City at the request of the North Iowa Tea Party. The roughly 200-member tea party group had the original sign put up in mid-July. It showed photographs of Obama, Nazi leader Hitler and communist leader Lenin beneath the labels “Democrat Socialism,” “National Socialism,” and “Marxist Socialism” respectively. After the billboard drew sharp criticism by other state and national tea party leaders, members of the local group sought the change. North Iowa Tea Party co-founder Bob Johnson said local group leaders agreed with critics that the image of Obama between Hitler and Lenin was offensive, and that the images overwhelmed the intended message of anti-socialism.
"They are absolutely right in their criticism because the image of Hitler just totally wiped everything else and it misrepresents the tea party movement. They were right from the standpoint that the image was not a positive reflection on the tea people," said Johnson. Removal of the sign was welcomed by the American Gathering of Holocaust Survivors and their Descendants (AGHSD), a New York-based group. AGHSD was quoted as saying:“The North Iowa Tea Party ‘acted properly in removing the grotesquely offensive sign which should never have been put up in the first place.” Had they not acted to remove it they would have severely damaged the credibility of legitimate political causes they espouse. "We ask that political groups do not trivialize our suffering in the future by making false analogies with Hitler's horrendous crimes." The North Iowa Tea Party has future plans for the billboard. They intend to post a new sign citing the message has been knowingly attributed to Thomas Jefferson. The new message will read: “My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government." This to be followed with, in smaller print: "The North Iowa Tea Party stands for individual responsibility, freedom, liberty, less spending, smaller government."
Speculation indicates that the out-spoken activist group “Get Equal” (www.getequal.org) may be behind the protest.
Lt. Dan Choi will not face charges for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" protest
WASHINGTON, DC - Prosecutors have dropped all charges against openly gay Lt. Daniel Choi and Army Captain James Pietrangelo, whom have twice chained themselves to a White House fence protesting the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy. Choi and Pietrangelo were joined by five other activists on April 20 when they chained themselves to the fence in protest of DADT. The men faced their charges in Court for “failure to obey police orders” during the March and April protests. However, all charges were dropped against them. The DADT policy is currently under review for repeal, but many argue that Congress is dragging its feet in getting rid of an outdated policy that forces gay soldiers to live a lie if they choose to serve their country. Lt. Choi and his attorney had subpoenaed President Barack Obama to appear, but an attorney for the prosecution said the subpoena wasn't served.
OMG 28
Prosecutor Christine Chang declined to comment on why the government dropped the case. Lt. Choi believes that the Obama administration officials didn't want to draw attention to the policy. In an open forum posting to President Barack Obama, Get Equal is quoted as saying: “Our hopes swelled when you promised at the State of the Union address to end DADT, the policy that discriminates against lesbian and gay service members. But your words mean nothing without action. You have the opportunity to take action now!” Get Equal’s continued stance is to pressure the President’s administration to use the renewal of the Defense Authorization Bill (DAB) to repeal DADT immediately. Get Equal’s concern, as well as the majority of the LGBT community is that the Administration may be stalling a change in the law until December 2010 or even later.
Obama Administration remains silent on Mass. Ruling
WASHINGTON, DC - A key part of a law denying married gay couples federal benefits has been thrown out the window in Massachusetts, the first state to legalize gay marriage. The ball now lies in the White House's court, which must carefully calculate the next move by an administration that has faced accusations that it has not vigorously defended the law of the land. President Barack Obama has said repeatedly that he would like to see the federal Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA, repealed. But the Justice Department has defended the constitutionality of the law which it is required to do. The administration has remained silent on whether it would appeal rulings by U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro. Spokespeople for the White House and the Justice Department said officials are still reviewing the rulings. DOMA defines marriage as between a man and a woman, prevents the federal government from recognizing gay marriages and allows states to deny recognition of samesex unions performed elsewhere. Since the law passed in 1996, many states have instituted their own bans on gay marriage. Tauro ruled recently that in two separate cases, DOMA was unconstitutional based on the fact that it interferes with the right of a state to define marriage and denies married gay couples an array of federal benefits given to heterosexual married couples which include health insurance and the benefits of filing joint tax returns. Tauro’s rulings apply only to Massachusetts, where same-sex marriage has been legal since 2004. But gay marriage supporters are hoping the rulings could prompt other states to file their own challenges to DOMA and could also give momentum to a bill pending in Congress that would repeal the law. Many opponents and proponents expect the Obama administration to appeal the rulings. Ultimately, the constitutionality of the law will eventually be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
This could set a dangerous precedent if the administration does not continue to defend the law. “If the Nation has a conservative Department of Justice that won't enforce hate crimes, that won't enforce employment nondiscrimination acts, that won't enforce the Ryan White Act, that won't enforce all kinds of new protections for gays and lesbians because the attorney general doesn't agree with them. That's not a regime you want to live in,” says former Assistant Attorney General Robert Raben. Some gay marriage opponents say that despite the Justice Department's legal obligations, it has purposely mounted a weak defense of the law. “It's not surprising that this judge got it wrong, because a sham defense was put up by the Obama Justice Department,'' said Maggie Gallagher, chairman of the National Organization for Marriage. State Attorney General Martha Coakley, who filed one of the legal challenges to DOMA, said the Justice Department “made their best arguments.'' During court hearings, Justice Department lawyers argued two specific points. One, the federal government has the right to set eligibility requirements for federal benefits, including requiring that those benefits go only to couples in marriages between a man and a woman. Secondly, federal law does not interfere with the rights of individual states to “experiment in the area of marriage.'' Under current federal rules, there is an automatic 14-day stay of judgments in civil cases, so same-sex couples in Massachusetts won't be able to file for benefits immediately. If the Justice Department appeals Tauro's rulings, the court would likely grant a stay while the appeal is pending. It all boils down to an understanding that lesbians and gays just want to have the same benefits, rights and responsibilities of every other married couple that are citizens of the United States. Only time will tell.
OMG 29
A
lex Sink is the current Democratic frontrunner to be the next Governor of the State of Florida. It seems as though everyone has been stepping up to support Sink except for me. For this reason, I must ask, why GLBTAs and the Democratic Caucuses would endorse a candidate that DOES NOT SUPPORT FULL EQUALITY? An article written by Jarrett Terrill quoted Alex Sink at one of her conferences in St. Petersburg, FL. “I don’t support gay marriage. I think that is entirely a religious decision that individuals can make. I do support civil unions.” This is a direct slap in the face to the GLBT community. How does she have the audacity to say that “every American deserves to be treated equally,” yet she does not even believe GLBTAs should be able to have equal marriage? Civil unions are not the same as marriage. She says marriage is a religious right? What happened to the separation of church and state? If she is mixing religion into her decision making now, that really makes me question what she will do if she gets into office. Let’s take a closer look at Alex Sink. She has strategically placed several gays on her campaign. I don’t know about all of you, but I am certainly not going to vote for a candidate simply because she puts a gay person on her campaign. Second, why would a GLBTA activist group, Equality Florida, endorse Sink if she does not support full equality? Equality Florida endorses Sink so that they can continue receiving donations to pay their $100,000 salaries. Speaking of paychecks, why is it that constituents have to pay in order to see Alex Sink?
Shouldn’t we be able to speak with our representatives for free? In order to question Sink on these issues I attended the GLBTA Democratic Caucus Meeting in Hillsborough County, FL where two of Sink’s campaign workers would be speaking. During the meeting Stephen Gaskill, Sink’s Communications Director, spoke about Sink’s stance on several issues. I was absolutely disgusted that he calls himself a gay male and supports a candidate that discriminates against his rights. I began with my questions and it wasn’t long before the meeting broke into a quarrel. How dare the president of the caucus tell me to shut up when I am standing up for my rights. She should be ashamed of herself, especially when she threatened to remove me from the meeting. It was clear that no one in the meeting seemed to be interested in what I had to say, so I left. Why would I stay at a meeting and listen to what other people have to say if they don’t care to hear what I have to say? So, if I will not vote for Alex Sink, who would I vote for? As a registered voter and a gay male, I myself am leaning towards Brian Moore. He DOES SUPPORT FULL EQUALITY. It frustrates me when GLBTs vote a candidate into office hoping for change and then the candidate take their money and runs with it. In conclusion, before you vote on Alex Sink take a look at Brian Moore. Then ask yourself, is Alex Sink the person I really want to see as the next Governor of the State of Florida? Kevin Boyer Media Director, Stand Up Florida www.standupflorida.org
"The views expressed in this column by Stand Up Florida do not entirely reflect those of OMG! Magazine's staff, advertisers or publishing company."
OMG 30
OMG 31
OMG 32
OMG 33
The gays in NYC and Florida flock to her. Vintage, gothic, gypsy brilliance… Tina Donataccio. Is it her style that brings all the boys to the yard? At least initially, this could definitely be the case. You instantly notice the intricate full-color tattoos she has embellished on her forearms, all tattooed on for personal reasons (a ruby between two wings for her grandma who always said: “you have a ruby in your wings.”) One of six tattoos. A lover of all things classic and vintage, Tina got her Monroe piercing more than five years ago. Her key style element is mixing Goth with class – so she considers the Monroe classy and feminine, yet still a piercing. Her signature piece is the black dress – classy in cut, Goth in color. Preferring dresses which bunch just under the bust line, flowing down with cleavage spouting out at all angles, Tina always pairs the piece with leggings. They give you the freedom to move around worry-free of any potential Britney Spears moments.
Cleavage is mandatory. The bust is her best asset which she likes to showcase at all times. This is best exemplified through her current style obsession: pairing the classic black dress with an elaborate bra spilling out the top (tiger print, black lace, diamonds – the flashier the better).
Since she wears mostly black, mixing elaborate accessories like purses, necklaces and head pieces are never over the top. It’s when you get into patterns that one must make sure to tone the accessories down. There is nothing worse than an over-stylized hipster sporting too many accessories at once. Purses are a girl’s best friend. In Tina’s case… loud, flashy and large is a must. She is currently sporting a large black and white L.A.M.B. bag. Bettseyville is also a favorite of hers. OMG 34
Makeup and hair are two very important items for any woman. By day, Tina likes to let her black shoulder length hair dry into what she deems somewhat of a gypsy, free, almost hippie look. She wears minimal makeup, usually only mascara during daylight hours. Flash forward to nighttime. A lover of the dancefloor, Tina and her group of friends frequent Brooklyn/Manhattan bars while emulating the Party Monster era from years ago.
Tina can often times be seen in elaborate fake eyelashes, giant teased hair (“the bigger the hair, the closer to God,” she says), matte glitter (Mattese Elite from Ricky’s is best – start with paint-on glitter, follow up for matte coverage) and hair accessories such as vintage black veils, large jewels or black flowers. To top off her style, Tina recently decided to bring back the classic Doc Martin.
An ode to the 90’s era, she often rocks a red pair of the classic boot. To maintain her Gothic standards, Tina also has a higher cut boot of the same style she wears when really going dark. The thing I find most intriguing about Tina’s style is her ability to bring vintage, classic, Party Monster and gypsy looks all together under one umbrella – Goth – and make it work for her.
OMG 35
OMG 36
OMG 37
All photos courtesy of Relativity Media (c) 2010 Universal Pictures
Is Zac Efron the new Leonardo DiCaprio? Hollywood seems to think so… By now you must have seen the trailers playing in endless rotation for the movie Charlie St. Cloud, Zac Efron’s big summer tearjerker. Opening July 30, Efron stars as a young man dealing with the loss of his younger brother who begins to haunt his everyday life, eroding his promising future. And if the voiceover line, “Every evening, I play catch with my dead brother,” paired with that catchy “Airplanes” tune doesn’t give you goose bumps, I don’t know what will. But even with all the buzz surrounding the film, is it enough to finally catapult Zac to the same level as Leonardo DiCaprio, circa the timeframe leading up to the release of Titanic? Like DiCaprio, Efron definitely has the look. The sort of James Dean meets “boy next door” smolder that makes you want to melt. He’s beautiful. In fact, the first time I really took notice of Efron was when he graced the cover of Rolling Stone in August 2007. Back then he was riding the success of Disney’s High School Musical franchise and teasing readers with his t-shirt pulled up exposing perfectly sculpted abs. This alone does not mean we should instantly begin comparing the two men. Most of Efron’s fan base consists OMG 38
mainly of teenage girls. They’re fickle and right now, their leading man is Twilight’s Robert Pattinson, not Efron. Leo had those girls first. The difference is that DiCaprio used that “power” to covet roles that showcased his amazing talent as an actor. After Titanic, he could have easily just banked on starring in a comic book blockbuster, but instead, he chose to do The Beach. And before that, DiCaprio was known for films like What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor) This Boy’s Life and Marvin’s Room. Zac Efron showed a lot of promise with Hairspray and Me and Orson Welles, but faltered with 17 Again, his first leading role. He’s at a point in his career right now where he needs to take risks to be relevant again. He needs a film like The Basketball Diaries, where DiCaprio was brilliant at playing an athlete free falling into a kaleidoscope of drug addiction. Mr. Efron may need to consider going gay. It worked wonders for Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger in the hit film Brokeback Mountain, and could do wonders for him. If he can diversify his body of work, and I don’t mean changing his hairstyle, then he has a real shot at following in DiCaprio’s footsteps. If not, he may follow down the road of former teen heart throbs Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Frankie Muniz. Charlie St. Cloud opens wide on July 30, 2010.
OMG 39
OMG 40
OMG 41
OMG 42
OMG 43
OMG 44
OMG 45
An
Easy Guide to
Eating
Healthier – Pt 1
I
n this day of cheap, fast and convenient food, we find ourselves bombarded with choices. Whether it’s a microwavable meal or a drive-thru pickup, the food choices we make are leading to an increase in toxic and allergic reactions. Healthy eating is not about strict nutrition philosophies, staying unrealistically thin or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy and keeping yourself as healthy as possible– all of which can be achieved by learning some nutrition basics and using them in a way that works for you. Healthy eating begins with learning how to “eat smart”—it’s not just what you eat, but how you eat. Your food choices can reduce your risk of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes as well as defend against depression. Additionally, learning the habits of healthy eating can improve your health by boosting your energy, sharpening your memory and stabilizing your mood. Expand your range of healthy food choices and learn how to plan ahead to create and maintain a satisfying and healthy diet.
Set yourself up for success
To set yourself up for success, think about planning a healthy diet as a number of small, manageable steps rather than one big drastic change. If you approach the changes gradually and with commitment, you will have a healthy diet sooner than you think. • Simplify. Think of your diet in terms of color, variety and freshness. Focus on finding foods you love and easy recipes that incorporate a few fresh ingredients. Your diet will become healthier and more delicious. • Start slow and make changes to your eating habits over time. Take your time with this. OMG 46
Changing everything at once usually leads to cheating or giving up on your new eating plan. Make small changes to your diet once a day. As your small changes become habit, you can continue to add more healthy choices to your diet. • Every change you make to improve your diet matters. You don’t have to be perfect or completely eliminate foods you enjoy to have a healthy diet. If you slip, don’t worry. Don’t let your missteps derail you— every healthy food choice you make counts.
Moderation is key People often think of healthy eating as an all or nothing proposition, but a key foundation for any healthy diet is moderation. Despite what certain fad diets would have you believe, we all need a balance of carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins and minerals to sustain a healthy body. • Try not to think of certain foods as “off limits.” When you ban certain foods or food groups, it is natural to want those foods more. A better plan would be to start by reducing portion sizes and how often you eat them. The goal is to think of these “off limit” foods as occasional indulgences. • Think smaller portions. When dining out, choose a starter instead of an entrée. Split a dish with a friend and don’t order anything that is supersized. At home, use smaller plates. Think about serving sizes in realistic terms and start small. With portion sizes— a serving of meat, fish or chicken should be about the size of a deck of cards. A teaspoon of oil or salad dressing is about the size of a matchbook and your slice of bread should be the size of a CD case.
It's not just what you eat, it's how you eat
Water: a vital part of a healthy diet
Healthy eating is about more than the food on your plate—it is also about how you think about food. Healthy eating habits can be learned and it is important to slow down and think about food as nourishment rather than just something to gulp down in between meetings or on the way to pick up the kids. • Eat with others whenever possible. Eating with other people has numerous social and emotional benefits while eating in front of the TV or computer often leads to mindless overeating. • Take time to chew your food and enjoy mealtimes. Chew your food slowly, savoring every bite. Be sure to actually taste the flavors and feel the textures of the food in your mouth. • Listen to your body. Ask yourself if you are really hungry or have a glass of water to see if you are thirsty instead of hungry. During a meal, stop eating before you feel full. It actually takes a few minutes for your brain to tell your body that it has had enough food, so eat slowly. • Eat breakfast, and eat smaller meals throughout the day. A healthy breakfast can jumpstart your metabolism and eating small, healthy meals throughout the day (rather than the standard three large meals) keeps your energy up and your metabolism going. A good meal plan is to eat a small well-balanced meal every 3-4 hours.
Water makes up about 75% of our bodies and helps flush our systems of waste products and toxins. Yet many people go through life dehydrated— causing tiredness, low energy and headaches. Caffeinated beverages, in particular, actually cause the body to lose water. Fresh fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, contain plenty of water and can help with hydration especially when you are looking for an alternative to your eighth glass of water for the day. Most importantly, make yourself a plan and stick with it. Don’t punish yourself if you slip. Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again. It’s your health, it’s your diet, it’s your plan! Another way to connect your mind and body is through Massage Therapy! Give yourself the gift of happiness today with a massage at TAMPAPROMASSAGE. There are a lot of massage therapists out there, give yourself the massage you pay for. At TAMPAPROMASSAGE, I offer quality affordable massage on your terms. For more information or to schedule your appointment today, call (813) 368-0532 or check out my website at www.TAMPAPROMASSAGE.com
OMG 47
Hamburger Mary’s Tampa
Grille 66 & Bar
Ivo and Lulu
With 11 locations from Portland to Tampa, Hamburger Mary’s is the epitome of stylish fun and great food all in one centralized location. Originating in the Castro District of San Francisco in 1972 (unfortunately, this location is now closed), Hamburger Mary’s quickly established itself as a staple in the LGBT community since they are the only national franchise actively marketing to the community. HM also likes to mix a good time with a good cause by hosting charity bingo events and fundraisers, sponsoring local athletic leagues and theatre troops, supporting local organizations like the GaYbor Coalition, Francis House, Metro Charities, St Pete Pride and TIGLFF. While the Ybor City Tampa location may be the newest edition to the family, it is noted as an open-air bar and grille for open-minded people. From MaryOke, HamBINGO, weekend DJs and drag shows to daily drink and menu specials, HM operates 11am to 11pm except Thursdays to Saturdays where they are open until 3am. “Eat, Drink, and be MARY” indeed! (by Wm. Cory Jefferies)
For an exceptional dining experience equaled only by a panoramic view, I recommend the Grille 66 at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Hotel over looking the Intracoastal Waterway. At Grille 66, you can enjoy Chef Michael Siegel’s four star inspired cuisines with outdoor seating Grille 66 offers a large selection of scrumptious appetizers like tuna tartar, Maryland crab cakes, Maine lobster cocktail, a seasonal raw bar and their famous, crispy shrimp and calamari. Director of Operations, Robert Mayo and General Manager, Peter Brennan pride themselves on offering a "Wine Spectator Award of Excellence” Wine List with over 800 wines to choose from. An awesome offering at Grille 66 though the summer months is their Prix Fixe Menu which is a great value providing the diner with a starter, an entrée and a dessert all for $39. Grille 66 is everything it’s advertised to be – inviting, warm, upscale yet unobtrusive. Business casual is the dress code. Happy hour drink specials from 5 to 7pm. This is the ideal spot for a nice dinner or that very special occasion. (by Wm. Cory Jefferies)
Ivo and Lulu, a French-Caribbean bistro is one of NYC's hidden where all the food is organic and the menu consists of about ten items, all freshly cooked. My favorite appetizer is the Poire Roti, a roasted red pear hollowed out and stuffed with a tangy mix of clover honey and bleu cheese. Default choice for entree is the Pouletthinly sliced organic chicken breast slathered in a sauce which manages to be simultaneously creamy and tart served with couscous. For the more adventurous, they also serve boar and rabbit. Every single desert is scrumptious but my favorites are the chocolate mousse and the coconut flan. The walls are lined with art purchased from a pair of French artists named Ivo and Lulu. The restaurant is small, so arrive early or call to make a reservation. This restaurant is also BYOB, so bring your favorite bottle(s) of wine to enjoy with dinner because there is no corkage fee. Let’s just say that I have stumbled out of the place on more than one night. Ivo and Lulu promises an adventure of delicately prepared organic food, a laid back Caribbean ambience, and a powerful buzz (depending on how much booze you bring). (by Gary Randall)
1600 E. 7th Ave – 2nd floor (813) 241-MARY www.hamburgermarystampa.com
OMG 48
2301 SE 17th St Causeway at Pier Sixty-Six Marina (954) 728-3500 grille66andbar.com
I558 Broome St Store #5 & #3 (at Varick St) (212) 226-4399
OMG 49
OMG 50
OMG 51
OMG 52
OMG 53
OMG 54
ER
1.FLA AM
2. KELIS 3. OUC 4. SONIA T CONT UTH EAS
5. SO
2.
4. 3.
5.
1.
Hey Yawl! Damn is it hot! I made a vow not to complain about the heat this year, but a girl can only take so much before she has to vent. Have you checked your electric bill recently? My power meter runs faster than a hoe off the trail when the cops appear… it’s hot yawl! Cha Ch’ing, Cha Ch’ing, Cha Ch’ing! What use to be a reasonable summer electric bill now cost a small fortune, so what’s a bitch to do? Pay the damn bill because the Orlando Utilities Commission has zero tolerance for late payments. Have you ever had your electricity suddenly turned off? Regretfully I have; many of times. You know how it is, you’re thinking the bill can be paid tomorrow instead of today and when you least expect it... “click”… total silence… you’ve been disconnected. The lights won’t turn on and the refrigerator’s dark, so you rush outside only to see the OUC truck driving away as you stand there yelling a string of choice 4 letter words. Then you franticly race down to OUC only to wait in a line from hell. It seems you’re not the only one who suffered the “late pay” fate. While paying your bill with all the late fees, you ask the teller that all important question, “when will my power be restored?” With a slight attitude and just a touch of sarcasm in her voice, she replies, “sometime between now and 8pm.” You’re f**ked! It’s 10am so prepare to sweat for 10 hours. If you’ve never had your power disconnected, then you won’t identify with this scenario. If you have, then you’d agree that you’d rather have your TV cable turned off or your phone service interrupted but electricity in the hot days of summer? You’d sell your little sister if meant staying cool. The Miss FL America Pageant was recently held at the Parliament House in Orlando. Four fabulous contestants competed and when the dust settled, Alisha Coleman of Tallahassee, FL was crowned the winner. Alisha will represent the great state of FL at the national pageant where Orlando’s very own Coco Montrese (Miss Gay America) will give up her national title.
Over at Revolutions Night Club (in Orlando as well), the Miss South East Continental Pageant was held featuring Miss Continental Armani and hosted by former Miss Continental and Continental Elite, Danielle Hunter. Congratulations to the winner: Sonia De’ LaCuze who I hear was breath taking. First runner up: Dominique Taylor and 2nd runner-up place was awarded to Tasha Lee. Word has it that Tasha Lee was most impressive in the talent category. Job well done Tasha. I’m proud of you. It’s pageant season. Coming to the Parliament House: Miss Comedy Queen (Monday, August 2), Miss Orlando At Large (Monday, August 23), Orlando Club Kid Contest (Monday, September 13), Miss Central FL Newcomer (Monday, September 27), Miss Gay Orlando (Monday, October 18), Miss Sunshine State All American Goddess and All American Goddess At Large (Monday, November 15) and Miss Metropolitan Continental Plus and Elite (Monday, December 6). For information on any pageants, please contact me at 407-252-8129 or hit me up on Facebook.com (Darcel Stevens). One word: KELIS! Parliament House. Saturday, September 4, 2010. Do you have your VIP Ticket? My friends do because this concert will be SICKENING! Don’t miss it. Finally, I want to invite you to my 50th Birthday Party on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 9pm. I’m not at all comfortable with turning 50. Why? Because I don’t feel 50. I remember when my parents turned 50 and they looked old as dirt. I hope my mirror isn’t lying to me, do I look 50? God I hope not. Nevertheless, I’ll eventually embrace my age. Jesus, 50 f**king years old! I’ve got to run. Just thinking of turning 50 makes me want a double Grey Goose vodka and cranberry! Bye for now! Fabulous at 50,
Ms Darcel Stevens
OC
C A MA L ERK N D YO A RU R S!
T. 7 -10 ,
L A K E
E O L A ,
D O W N T O N
20 10
O R L A N D O - F L O R I D A
10-10-10 A PRIDE OF OLYMPIAN PROPORTIONS CELEBRATING
LGBT
HEROES
IN
SPORTS
AND
ATHLETICS
AMETHYST SPONSOR
StPetePr de
SAPPHIRE SPONSOR
EMERALD SPONSOR
TOPAZ SPONSOR
RUBY SPONSOR
TRAVEL PACKAGES TO ORLANDO FOR A 4-DAY LONG CELEBRATION AVAILABLE
COMEOUTWITHPRIDE.ORG // FACEBOOK: ORLANDO PRIDE OMG 58
OMG 59
OMG 60
OMG 61
In the quest to always keep you informed of the current club trends, social atmosphere and the music that moves it, I have a gigantic observation for you dear reader… everyone is f*ked up! They’re numbing themselves to forget about their own personal, social, economic and ecologic disasters. I can’t blame them for their escape tactics: the drunk straight girls acting a fool up in the gay bar, the twinks high on “God knows what,” the professional “guppy” that started throwing them back at noon, the tech-head addicted to his iPhone, even the DJ jacked up on Starbuck’s to stay awake past her bedtime. We all do it for the release because times are dark these days. Thank the heavens the government didn’t tack on prohibition to this depression like they did back in 1920. Knowledge is power and I broach this subject just to make you stop for a second and understand the rhyme and reason. There are a ton of “Buzz” Tracks bubbling around in the clubs: some old, some new. I play them for a paycheck. Here are some of those celebratory, “life is good” anthems! So have fun readers and party responsibly. Things can only get better and we’ll make it through these dark waters together.
“Patron Tequila” by Paradiso Girls
I adore the Stonebridge remix of this track. It’s a massive mover reminiscent of the old Technotronic hit “Pump Up The Jam.” The Paradiso Girls are a manufactured European girl-group, each girl hailing from a different country. (Think: another melting-pot Pussycat Dolls group.) The first three girls were discovered by Simon Cowell and eventually became a quintet. Their debut album Crazy Horse is set to be released this fall. This drunken party anthem always elicits fistpumping and sloppy margarita consumption. Can someone please wring out that fag-hag’s little black dress?
“Body Shots” by Kaci Battaglia featuring Ludacris
This is the brand new release from the Tampa gal who brought us “Crazy Possessive” in the summer of ‘09. Last time if you touched her man… she’d “f*ck u up!” This time, she’d rather “lick it up” with a commercial monster about whip cream sucking and girls who want to drink like a rock stars. Mark my words, this one will be everywhere soon and adding Ludacris on the track just sent it to the stratosphere. Huge remix package too with Dave Aude cranking out another one. Move over all who perch on bar stools… the bars-tops are about to get crowded!
“Shots” by LMFAO 16 flavors, let me count the ways. Goldschläger addicts, I want to mine your liver after your death. The wacky rap anthem that every shooter boi waits for. I play it for vengeance, sometimes just to eject the crowd from their self-absorbed mundane fog. “If you ain’t come to party, get the f*ck out da club!” Yeah, sometimes ya have to explain the little things…
“Commander” by Kelly Rowland I’ve included Kelly’s masterpiece because she parties with style, grace and knows that it all starts in the DJ Booth. She dances all night long, champagne spills from the wall and her driver picks her up at 8am. Gotta love a gal with stamina!
Thanks for turning it up with MyFlexRadio.com! Remember... “You ARE What You LISTEN To!” MyFlexRadio.com is pleased to announce the debut of our hot, new iPhone App! Download it now for FREE in the App Store and turn it up! It’s your inside connection for GREAT MUSIC, your eQuests, Artist Info, Giveaways and tons more! Follow us: facebook.com/myflexradio twitter.com/myflexradio Dance-House-Circuit-Tribal-Chill and more. YOUR MUSIC
OMG 65
Copyright © 2010 Focus Features
THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
Hello, From Boogie Nights with Mark Wahlberg to a number of recent roles that had a gay twist in some form or fashion, Julianne Moore will be one of the gay parents who cope with meeting a sperm donor in the summer’s most off-handed gay movie, The Kids Are All Right. She worked for some time with writer-director Lisa Cholodenko to bring the film to the screen. To help Julianne Moore prepare for her role as a lesbian parent in The Kids Are All Right, out director/co-writer Lisa Cholodenko gave her some critical materials to study: Gay porn. Her co-star Annette Benning is sure to make this a sure fire hit. I can’t wait to see this film. And I guess after 5 years, Kylie Minogue is coming back to the big screen. In the upcoming film “Jack and Diane”, Kylie will portray Tara, a character described as a “heavily tattooed” lesbian.
LEIGH, STEP DAD & BROTHER
The topic of many many people playing bi-sexual and gay roles in Hollywood helps lead me to tell of my situation. My parents and my real brother died early on. They knew I was gay and that was hard enough. I have been performing for 32 years and never shared with any family members that are alive. I have one stepbrother, two stepsisters, a stepfather and two step mothers still living. Some years back, my stepbrother threatened to tell of my other job. Of course he had just gotten out of prison as well but I ignored it and have always lived in fear. Well enough is enough! I was on the phone with my stepmother and he blurted out, “I saw you on the Internet as Bette Midler.”
DAN FRASER
I immediately freaked out and made up an excuse to get off the line. I pondered for a few hours and eventually wound up sending links to all articles, sites and promotional listings about me and my shows to ALL of my family. I called them all and said, “if you have any more questions about me, ask!” But I was not about to be the same gay boy at 17 that was caught with dance tights and an application for Miss Gay Kentucky under my bed. I have never been more liberated and have nothing to be ashamed of, but everything to be proud of. HERE is a picture of what I think started it all. I was forced to hold my mom’s white purse while she took this picture. I was pissed; I wanted to hold the red purse! My celebrity manager of the week goes to Dan Fraser of Revolution in Orlando, Florida. He has been a main symbol of excellence on the club scene, drag circuit and has been very supportive in judging all kinds of pageants in the art of female impersonation. Gotta get out of here for now. Feel like I do today… PROUD! Till Next Time,
Leigh
www.leighshannon.com leishannon1@aol.com
Photos by Leigh Shannon
WRITTEN BY ANTWYONE INGRAM
S
iegfried & Roy are paying southern Florida a visit. Well, even though I may have just caused our more “mature” generation of queens to clutch their beloved pearls, sadly the two of them will not be paying the state of Florida a visit. The duo has much better things to do like brush each other or their lion cubs. My apologies. However, the Legendary House of Ninja is gearing up for what just may be the most creative and festive ballroom function of the summer. Father Yasser & Acting Mother Mimi Ninja have pieced together what sounds like a very tasteful rendition of world renowned “Cirque Du Soleil” circus and cleverly named the function “Cirque Du Ninja Ball.” All of the categories are heavily themed and well thought out. Research is required as various categories pull from characters and themes from the accumulating shows over the last few years (Zoomanity, Kazoo, La Nouba). The Legendary House of Ninja (a house with a tremendous amount of history might I add) never fails to deliver a unique ballroom experience.
I am definitely looking forward to attending as well as participating in the upcoming function (wink).Siamese twins, lions, clowns, contortionists… this ball is going to be quite the spectacle for the spectator as well as its participants. Furthermore, OMG! Magazine is a direct sponsor for the event and is proposing a full spread in the magazine for the winners of the Butch Queen Face and Sex Siren categories. I suggest all participants prepare to be up to par in their perspective categories as I predict this ball will give very little in the form of slack or sympathy. The category descriptions specifically ask for research and attention to detail, so no clowning around boys & girls. If any of you have yet to attend a ball, my suggestion is this be your first. As a bystander from outside of the ballroom scene might think a ball is a circus anyway. LOL. I wish all ballroom participants the best of luck and I will see all of you on the runway and in the center ring on August 7, 2010. I will be in my lion tamer outfit. Till then, -Malicious Ebony
The House of Ninja, Florida Chapter
Danny Ninja
Mirage Ninja
Mimi Ninja
Yasser Ninja
OMG! OMG! OMG! OBSESSED MYSPACE BITCHES! Can I say that you know how to drive people nuts and make them want to go crazy on the computer wishing they were strangling YOU? Yes, that’s how we feel. I bet some of the girls and the guys think they can find a better lovebird to keep forever and whisper sweet things to. Number one rule of online profiles and it’s just not the girls doing this, but the guys as well. STOP PHOTOSHOPPING WHAT YOU REALLY LOOK LIKE! It gives people an inaccurate message and next thing you know, they’re exclaiming: “You look different online!” Hmmm, I wonder why!? Another laughgetter is when females take pictures of themselves in one setting from various different angles. I won’t lie. I like taking pictures of myself and want to get the full body image, but you got to use that technique of holding the camera way up top to make sure that everyone can see what you are wearing and got going on. Don’t FORGET THE SHOES! Ladies, the shoes must be showing in the picture or it’s not going to look good. You can get jealous of the bitch who got the new J’s on and say damn I wish I had those J’s but you don’t. GET JEALOUS! One of the best parts about MySpace is the stalking. I know you do it. Don’t lie. We all do. You will see that sexy girl or guy and think they’re drop dead gorgeous. OMG 72
So you friend request them and write a message. An hour later while you’re surfing the net, signing on and off to see if your friend request was approved… you see that it’s been approved. Now that you waited somewhat patiently, maybe sweating a bit cause of the excitement and you’ve already clicked through every photo album: click, click, click, oh wait. Click. I’ve personally witnessed people that have done this shit and you begin to question if you’re obsessed or not as well. I met a girl on MySpace and let me tell you… don’t ever, ever, EVER talk to a girl or guy who resides in another state. It first starts off with the flirtatious comments on their pictures and then leads to exchanging numbers. Secondly, you get all mushy through your text messages: engaging in the “let’s ask a million questions” game. Do you work? Did you finish school? Where exactly do you live? When’s the last time you dated? What are you doing right now? Can you stop asking 21 questions you damn investigator? LOL! Don’t get caught up in all that because that sexy girl or that fine ass guy you’re talking to right now is most likely talking to another person. And ya wonder why those type of people are called MySpace whores… you’re better off just leaving a nasty comment. Facebook bitches you’re next!
written and compiled by Okesene Tilo OMG! Magazine presents a guide to the 29th Annual Northalsted Market Days, the largest two-day street fair in the Midwest. This year’s event boasts over 400 food and arts & crafts vendors, four music stages, 40-plus performers and parties parties parties galore in the surrounding Boystown district of Chicago. Feast on some of Chicago’s finest cuisine while drinking the weekend away. (Might I suggest Minibar’s famous Minibar drink?) Yours truly had an absolute blast there and highly recommend Chicago Market Days to anyone and everyone. Here’s what will be taking place on Chicago’s North Halsted Street between Belmont and Addison the weekend of Saturday, August 7 and Sunday, August 8, 2010.
Where to party at? Sidetrack 3349 N Halsted St, (773) 477-9189 www.SideTrackChicago.com Saturday: party goes on until 3am Sunday: party goes on until 2am Hydrate Chicago 3458 N Halsted St www.HydrateChicago.com Minibar 3341 N Halsted St, (773) 871-MBAR www.MinibarChicago.com Saturday: party goes on until 3am Sunday: party goes on until 2am Roscoe’s 3356 N Halsted St, (773) 281-3355 www.Roscoes.com Saturday: party goes on until 3am Sunday: party goes on until 2am Charlie’s 3726 N Broadway Ave www.CharliesChicago.com Saturday: party goes on until 5am Sunday: party goes on until 4am Steamworks 3426 N Halsted St www.SteamworksOnline.com/Chicago/Chicago.html Open 24/7 Price ranges from $17 lockers to $55 XLarge rooms
FLORIDA
GUIDE
M:FI: LM'I>M>
8
6
7
1
5 9
2 3
10
4
YBOR CITY
7 CITY SIDE 3703 Henderson Blvd. (813) 350-0600 8 VALENTINES 7522 N. Armenia Ave 813-936-1999
10
TampaProMassage 3601 W Swann Ave (813) 368-0532
1 HILTON GARDEN INN TAMPA YBOR HISTORIC DISTRICT CZAR VODKA BAR
2
3
1700 East 9th Ave. Tampa, Florida 33605 813-769-9267
TRIBECA COLORSALON 1600 E 8th Ave 813-242-4080
HOWARD JOHNSON 111 W. Fortune St. 813.223.1351
4
BUDDHA LOUNGE
5
JOFFREY'S COFFEE & TEA COMPANY
5 CHELSEA NIGHTCLUB 1502 N. Florida Ave 6 813-228-0139
GAYBOR COALITION
gaybor.com
1430 E 7th Ave 813-242-0400
9
1600 East 8th Ave. Tampa, Florida 33605 813-247-4600
HAMBURGER MARY'S 1600 E 8th Ave 813-241-6279
SPECIAL VENUES The RITZ Ybor 1503 E 7th Ave 813-247-25550
FLORIDA
GUIDE
M:FI: LM'I>M> 5
6
1
3 4
PARTNERS
46th Ave S
2924 5th Ave N. St. Pete 727-827-2831
37th St. S
34th St. S
2
PENINSULA INN & SPA
2937 Beach Blvd. Gulfport (727) 346-9800
55
4
PUB 5
2
3
6
BG’S BAR
10387 Gandy Blvd. St Pete FL 33702
BUSINESSES
1
MANILOWS NIGHTCLUB
1148 U S 19 N. HOLIDAY FL 34691 727.940.5854
TRIBECA SALON South Tampa 920 West Kennedy Blvd 850-250-0208 www.tribecasalon.com
FLORIDA
<>GMK:E ?EHKB=: Orange
1
FIRESTONE 578 N. Orange Ave. Downtown Orlando 407-872-0066
2
3 4 5
RAIN 4732 S. Kirkman Rd Orlando 321-276-9466
6 7
GUIDE
FLORIDA
<>GMK:E ?EHKB=: 5 1
6
2 4
3
7
TEAHOUSE &
(321) 422-8610
GUIDE
FLORIDA
GUIDE
NE 27th Ave
LHNMA ?EHKB=: Access Rd
9
E Oakland Park Blvd
Bayview Dr
NE 32nd St
Access Rd
10
5 8
9
NE 26
th Te
rr.
NE 30th Pl
2
1
7
8
4 10
6 14
11
15
13 12
3
WEST PALM BEACH BARS HG ROOSTERS 823 Belvedere Rd. (561) 832-9119 HOTEL NIGHTCLUB 700 South Rosemary Ave. (561) 651-1110 MONARCHY 212 Clematis St. (561) 835-6661 THE LOUNGE 517 Clematis St. (561) 655-9747 WILTON MANORS ATOMIC/BOOM NIGHTCLUB 2232 Wilton Dr. 1 (954) 630-3556
BILL’S FILLING STATION 2209 Wilton Dr. 2 (954) 567-5978 EDEN 3 2387 N Dixie Hwy. (954) 630-3556 GEORGIE’S ALIBI 4 2266 Wilton Dr. (954) 565-2526 5 GIGI & GAVIN’S GOURMET CHOCOLATES 2041 Wilton Dr. Wilton Manors, FL 954-626-0629 THE MANOR 2345 Wilton Dr. (954) 626-0082 ROSIE’S BAR & GRILLE 6 2449 Wilton Dr. (954) 567-1320
SCANDALS SALOON 7 3073 NE 6th Ave. (954) 565-3084 SIDELINES SPORTS BAR 8 2031 Wilton Dr. (954) 563-8001 9 TROPICS 2000 Wilton Dr. Wilton Manors (954) 537-6000
BUSINESSES BALL 2252 Wilton Dr. (954) 537-4120 BOTTOMS & TOPS 2258 Wilton Dr. (954) 562-6670
CHIC OPTIQUE 2228 Wilton Dr. (954) 567-3937 DENNIS DEAN GALLERIES 2440 B. Wilton Dr. (954) 530-2789 GAYMART 2228 Wilton Dr. (954) 630-0360 ROCK HARD ADULT STORE 2301 Wilton Dr. (954) 318-7625 RUFF RIDERS 2043 Wilton Dr. (954) 318-7625 TINY TREASURE 10 PUPPIES 2043 Wilton Dr. Wilton Manors, FL (954) 630-1751
GIGI & GAVIN’S GOURMET CHOCOLATES & COFFEES 954.626.0629 2041 WILTON DR. TO THE MOON 2205 Wilton Dr. (954) 564-2987 VERTIGO SALON 2420 Wilton Dr. (954) 530-0946 RESTAURANTS COURTYARD CAFE 2211 Wilton Dr. (954) 563-2499 GALANGA THAI KITCHEN & SUSHI BAR 2389 Wilton Dr. (954) 202-0000 HUMPY’S PIZZA 2244 Wilton Dr. (954) 566-2722 ISLAND CITY BISTRO 2037 Wilton Dr. (954) 563-2266
JAVA BOYS 2230 Wilton Dr. (954) 564-8828 JUICEBLENDZ 2248 Wilton Dr. (954) 358-0772 LIPS RESTAURANT 1421 E. Oakland Park Blvd TROPICS 2004 Wilton Dr. (954) 463-4269
SEA MONSTER 13 2 S New River Dr. West (954) 767-6200 14 TORPEDO BAR 2829 West Broward Blvd. (954) 587-2500 VOODOO LOUNGE 15 111 SW 2nd Ave. (954) 522-0733
FT. LAUDERDALE CLUBS
CLUB FT. LAUDERDALE 110 NW 5th Ave. (954) 525-3344 GAY SKATE 2604 S FEDERAL HWY (954) 547-3419 LEATHERWORKS 501 NE 13th Street (954) 761-1236 PRIDE FACTORY 850 NE 13th Street (954) 463-6600 TROPIXX VIDEO 1514 NE 4th Ave. (954) 522-4749 PRIDE Center 2040 N. Dixie Hwy.
8 BOARDWALK 1721 N. Andrews Ave. (954) 463-6969 9 COZMOS 2674 E. Oakland Pk Blvd 954-616-8239 THE DEPOT 10 1243 N.E. 11th Ave. (954) 568-7777 JOHNNY’S BAR/ 11 NIGHT CLUB 11 1116 West Broward Blvd (954) 522-5931 LIVING ROOM 12 300 SW 1st Ave. (888) 992-7555
D>R P>LM CLUBS/BARS
INNS/GUESTHOUSES
BUSINESSES
Village of Wilton Manors, Fl. 33305 954-463-9005 MIAMI AZUCAR Too! (new location) 427 Jefferson Ave. (305) 502-2096 CLUB AQUA 2991 Coral Way (305) 448-2214 CLUB SUGAR (formerly Azucar) 2301 SW 32nd Ave. (305) 443-7657 DISCOTEKKA 950 NE 2nd Ave. (305) 371-3773 HALO LOUNGE 1625 Michigan Ave. (305) 534-8181 PALACE BAR & GRILL 1200 Ocean Drive (305) 531-7234 SCORE BAR 727 Lincoln Road (305) 525-1111 TWIST 1057 Washington Ave. (305) 538-9478
ASSOCIATIONS
New Yorkers are like alligators. In fact, I now believe the "alligators in the sewers" myth has always been a metaphor for the people of New York and the dirty conditions in the subways. Every morning in NYC, throngs of people pass you by on their merry way to whatever God-forsaken job has managed to chain them down. They go to their offices in any number of huge buildings the size of city blocks. At night, the lights wink out one by one as the habitants claim their lives back for a few hours. Their first stop is a happy hour. To take the edge off from a long work day, they drown themselves in drink specials. They make a few drunk dials to previous hookups or potential interests in hopes of securing a booty call. If they have no luck, they see where the night takes them whether to a nightclub or most likely back to their home. They wake up the next morning and continue the cycle. This my friends is what it means to be a young professional in the city. The cycle is not the problem. The psychology is. New York is a place stuffed to the seams with people, but it can be one of the loneliest places in the world. You are surrounded by tons of people but rarely will any of them talk to you. Rarely will any of them even look at you. They are concentrated on getting where they are going to that day, that week and in this lifetime. They have no time to take a look at where they are at or who surrounds them. I have examined the psychology of my own life amongst these people. This is what I found: It is a city of people in transit. From the second I walk out my door in the morning, I jump into the conveyor belt of people in transit. I put on my headphones before I leave the house. I check the mirror several times so that I am portraying a successful, attractive and well-put together image. When walking on a sidewalk, I keep my head down and my music loud. I walk as fast as I can and bypass anyone slower than me, even though I am on track to being early. I don’t look at anyone in the face. On the subway, I close my eyes, look at the ground or read a book. I ignore any solicitors, whether they are homeless vagabonds or students trying to raise money for charity. I spend the entire day holed up at my job and then do the same thing on the way home.
I realize I am scared of everyone in the city. I am scared of what people think of me on the street. I am petrified and immediately defensive of everyone on the subway. I am so concerned with having an excuse to not engage with anyone, I will not go anywhere without my headphones. They are as important as my keys, my wallet and my reproductive organs. This is the way most people in New York live their lives. In a constant hardened shell to keep out all communication except that which we solicit. Surrounded by people, we are as lonely as we ever were. So I decided to do an experiment. I left my headphones at home. I walked slowly, letting people pass me by. I took a good look at every person I passed on the street. I smiled when I thought of memories that made me happy. This idea that we are all alone is a psychological constraint that we impose on ourselves. Let’s say that everyone we ever met told us exactly what they thought of us-- from our hair to our clothes to the way we talk. Would it matter? Say we tried to talk to someone on the subway and they ignored us (most likely because they couldn’t hear us over their headphones, a phenomenon of which I have been guilty many times.) Would that matter? Say that we asked just one person how their day was going while sitting beside them on the train and that person’s attitude shifted and they went home happier. Would that matter? We have a tendency in our society to "other" the people around us. It is "me" and "them." So we leave our houses on the defensive everyday, sure that everyone is out to get us while hurrying to our destinations with as little social interaction as possible. But what if we just stopped for 5 seconds each day and acknowledged a person around us? What if for 5 seconds, "me" and "them" became "us?" That would matter. New Yorkers are like alligators. They are defensive. They are ready to attack if they are molested. They have dry skin from their living conditions. And they are just as scared of you, as you are of them. I have lived in New York City for two years but will always be a Florida boy at heart. Each issue, my column will document the craziness I have encountered in my journey from the bottom of the U.S. to the top.
E N J O Y T H E F L O R I D A T H AT Y O U O N C E F E L L I N L O V E W I T H
Fly Islands to the
————— a b o a r d —————
SeaCoast
airlines
FLIGHTSEEING ADVENTURES T A M P A B AY • K E Y W E S T Available for charter anywhere in Florida or the Southeast.
A I R L I N E
O F
T H E
C O N C H
R E P U B L I C
1-866-302-6278 SeaCoastAirlines.com