May 06, 2020 :: Self-Expression = Mental Health

CO LO R A D O'S LG B TQ M AGA ZINE | F R E E

SELF-EXPRESSION = MENTAL HEALTH O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 1

CONTENTS MAY 6, 2020 VOL44 NO3

4 \\ M A Y 6 , 2 0 2 0

SERVING THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS SINCE 1976 PHONE 303-477-4000 FAX 303-325-2642 WEB OutFrontMagazine.com FACEBOOK /OutFrontColorado TWITTER @OutFrontCO INSTAGRAM /OutFrontColorado

8 THE WOLF DEN TATTOO: A HOME DENVER’S FOR QUEER PACK 10 GETTING INTO THERAPY FOR QUEER FOLX WITH LOW INCOMES 12 THE ID, THE EGO, AND THE DIVA: DRAG IS HELPING CHILDREN DEVELOP A HEALTHY SENSE OF SELF 16 NINA WEST: A QUEEN FOR THE PEOPLE 20 FIVE BOOKS TO GET YOU THROUGH QUARANTINE 22 HOUSING DURING THE COVID CRISIS: WHAT CAN WE DO? 26 HEINZESIGHT: WHAT MAKES YOU INTERESTING? 30 LOOKING FOR PRINCESS CHARMING

S A T U R D A Y JUNE 20, 2020

CYCLE THE CITY

FOUNDER PHIL PRICE 1954-1993 ADMINISTRATION info@outfrontmagazine.com JERRY CUNNINGHAM Publisher J.C. MCDONALD Vice President MAGGIE PHILLIPS Operations Manager JEFF JACKSON SWAIM Chief Strategist EDITORIAL editorial@outfrontmagazine.com ADDISON HERRON-WHEELER Editor VERONICA L. HOLYFIELD Creative Director BRENT HEINZE Senior Columnist DENNY PATTERSON Celebrity Interviewer COPY EDITOR: Keegan Williams INTERNS: Apollo Blue, Arianna Balderrama, Ray Manzari, Richard DuBois,Sadie Cheney, Sophia Gabrielson WRITERS: Gia, Roberta Johnson, Savannah Howe, Sunshine Breland

100 MILES • 85 MILES 50 MILES • 25 MILES • 10 MILES

ART art@outfrontmagazine.com DESIGN2PRO Graphic Designer COVER DESIGN Veronica L. Holyfield CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS: Ali Babbo and Jordan Beyer

Discover Denver by bike on this fully-supported urban ride.

MARKETING + SALES marketing@outfrontmagazine.com BENJAMIN YOUNG Director of Sales & Marketing QUINCEY ROISUM Marketing Executive KELSEY ELGIE DOMIER Marketing Executive KAYTE DEMONT Marketing Executive

DISTRIBUTION

OUT FRONT’s print publication is available semi-monthly, free of charge, one copy per person. Additional copies of OUT FRONT may be purchased for $3.95 each, payable in advance at OUT FRONT offices located at 3535 Walnut Street, Denver CO, 80205. OUT FRONT is delivered only to authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of OUT FRONT, take more than one copy of OUT FRONT. Any person who takes more than one copy may be held liable for theft, including but not limited to civil damages and or criminal prosecution.

Start & Finish at: TITLE SPONSOR

PRESENTING SPONSOR

COPYRIGHT & LIMIT OF LIABILITY

Reproduction of editorial, photographic or advertising content without written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

Advertisers are responsible for securing rights to any copyrighted material within their advertisements. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims of advertisers and reserves the right to reject any advertising. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles or advertising is not to be considered an indication of the sexual orientation or HIV status of such person or organization. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage of materials submitted. OPINIONS EXPRESSED are not necessarily those of OUT FRONT, its staff, or advertisers.

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS

RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

Q Publishing Group, LTD is the owner of all right, title, and interest in the OUT FRONT brand and logo. No person or entity may reproduce or use (or authorize the reproduction or use of) the OUT FRONT brand and logo in any manner other than expressly authorized by Q Publishing Group.

Unauthorized use of the OUT FRONT brand and logo is strictly prohibited.

OUT FRONT is published by Q Publishing, Ltd., a Colorado corporation and is a member of: the National Equality Publishers Association and Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce.

R E GIS T E R E A R LY T O S AV E AT

DenverCenturyRide.com O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 5

Mental health is not easy for most of us. Navigating the world as queer people, as people with other marginalizations, as people during unprecedented times like the one we’re dealing with now, it can be even trickier.

I always knew I had problems with anxiety and depression. As a kid, I would get worried about things like appendicitis (I read a Madeline book that mentioned it and freaked out), the world suddenly ending, or something happening to my parents. I would also have periods of sadness and despair I couldn’t shake, often following the anxiety.

It took me years to finally admit to myself that I had a problem and actually go get help. I’d heard some awful stories about medication for anxiety and depression, and there’s something about mental illness that is so hard to actually define.

It took a lot to convince me that it was all in my head, and that’s OK. I’m still not all the way there on my mental health journey, but I am so lucky that, despite being queer and female, I overcame the stigma and got help. For other folks, especially people of color and trans people, the journey is even harder.

Being able to be myself and be confident has helped tremendously.

Editor

FROM

the

6 \\ M A Y 6 , 2 0 2 0

There’s no right or wrong way to take care of your mental health, and there’s no one-size-fits-all option. But everyone deserves to get the help they need. Stay strong; hang in there, and acknowledge what you need.

-Addison Herron-Wheeler

FUN for them.

Good for you.

Discover how liberating your parents’ life can be at Overture.

• 55+ Apartment Homes located near Cherry Creek in the new 9th & Colorado neighborhood • Life-enriching programs • Modern interior and resort-inspired amenities • Maintenance-free to enjoy life your way

Call to schedule your personalized virtual tour and move in June 2020!

303-552-3317 VISIT OUR COMMUNITY 4205 E. 10th Avenue • Denver, CO 80220

Overture9Co.com

Overture is an equal housing opportunity. Amenities and services vary by location.

See a Greystar representative for details.

The Wolf Den Custom Tattoo Studio & Gallery A Home for Denver’s Queer Pack

by Veronica L. Holyfield From Top to Bottom: Tawni Kersten, Andrea Graziano, Hannah Leathers, Becca Jones

Photos provided by The Wolf Den

P

utting energy into a person with broken skin—that’s how Ryane Urie of The Wolf Den Tattoo describes their connection to their art. As owner of the custom tattoo shop in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood, they understand the intimate connection permanent body art has between artist and consumer, and they honor that exchange with every single piece of work they place on someone’s body.

Urie created something special when they opened The Wolf Den Tattoo, a space which is extraordinarily unique to the Denver tattoo scene.

Not only is it a space of creativity, authenticity, and collaboration, it is a place specifically designed to make queer folks feel welcome in a setting which can often feel anything other than.

has an intentionally designed floor plan which gives each artist their own, individual room. This ensures they are able to work uninterrupted and that they can control the energy, making sure everyone feels safe.

The space also serves as an art gallery, an event space, and a general safe space for queer folks.

With an appointment-only model, everyone in the shop can filter who comes in and out of the doors, something which is extremely important in keeping the space safe for all gender identities and sexual orientations.

D

“It was built on the foundation of always wanting something a little better,” Urie explained. They described the moment that sparked this need for change, a situation a few years ago where they were tattooing a client, and some of the other artists in the shop were throwing around blatantly bigoted slurs in jest. Feeling uncomfortable themselves, and feeling the energy in their client shifting to a rigid discomfort, Urie had a talk with the shop owner.

Unfortunately, the shop owner dismissed their concerns and refused to address the other artists.

Fortunately, that set Urie on the road of creating a conscious and welcoming shop, disrupting the normalized, homophobic, and racist culture that can be found in the tattoo community, even right here in Denver.

Fast forward to three years later, and Urie is now the owner of the “hidden in plain sight” shop on Larimer Street. With a speakeasy vibe, energy is everything to Urie. The boutique tattoo studio 8 \\ M A Y 6 , 2 0 2 0

ЦW T

An unintentional trailblazer, Urie explained that there were only two other female-owned shops in Denver at the time The Wolf Den Tattoo opened its doors, and that was a generous estimation.

“It was a new thing, ‘The girls are coming into town.’ But when they realized that it was queer, I think they didn't even know where to put that, like ‘Oh sh*t, there's this whole otherlevel ... what do we do with navigating that?’” Urie said.

Now, there are four resident artists who all either identify themselves as queer, nonbinary, and/or female. Urie said that the pack at Wolf Den found each other, all folks on a similar mission to find a respectful place to hustle out some incredible body artwork.

While The Wolf Den is creating community through theirartists and patrons, they have not experienced the same degree of warmth from their peers within the tattoo realm.

“The culture is pretty savage, to be honest. It's very cutthroat,” Urie said.

With a simple Google search, it’s easy to see why the competition is so fierce. Hundreds of shops in the Denver Metro Area pop up within a 10-mile

“That would be the ultimate goal, showing people and empowering people that it's not always the easiest road, but you can do it. You can trailblaze,” they said.

Despite the criticism that Urie and their team at The Wolf Den receive, they are a pack of artists who consistenly rise to meet and rise above the challenges they face. Knowing they have an entire community to serve that is greater than the opinion of their critics, the responsibility weighs heavily on Urie. However, they know that in and with community, we can exceed even our own expectations.

“The whole theme of this is that we work better together. It seems like all the other tattoo shops are all fighting for scraps, but if they all worked together, they would get a lot further. And so, I wanted to make sure we all took care of each other,” Urie emphasized.

“One of the things I love about wolf packs are that the alphas can be female. It's one of the few animal groupings where that's interchangeable. And so, I wanted to be like, ‘Here we are, and we can be whatever we want to be.’”

Ryane Urie radius of one another, and with so many thirsty artists, spaces become less welcoming and more discriminatory.

“It's insanely oversaturated and insanely territorial, as the old dogs that have been in this forever are kind of like, ‘Who the f*ck are you? You think you can have this light, fluffy, queer little pillow?

That's not our industry,’” Urie said.

W T

They went on, “I've definitely had some pretty rough comments and emails from non-welcoming studios. And it's just kind of blowing my mind. There's more than enough [business] for everyone, and we're here to work together and not tear each other down. It's been a little disappointing within the tattoo world.”

C

Not only are they queer themself, Urie strives to create a safe space for queer folks and allies. They know they have established a special experience for their clients and can be of service to those who truly need these spaces.

“I think it's probably been the most profound and beautiful way to have my finger on the pulse of the community. I get to constantly meet people I don't think I normally would. They get to come in here and share their stories, and I feel very lucky that I get to sit with the knowledge of what's going on.” Urie said.

Additionally, Urie knows a lot of the significance of the space is providing a safe ear to listen to those stories. Not only does this create a counter-culture here in town, it continues to spread to places that are far less accepting of queer stories than the Mile High City.

“I think it snowballed into a snow castle, and I couldn't be more grateful. We'll have people travel here because, in the Midwest, this is unheard of. I had someone come from Kansas last week, and I just wanted to hug them. It's welcoming people that may not have anything near them that feels safe,” Urie said.

Doing just that, they received a 2019 Best in City nomination and have become a staple for LGBTQ folks and allies when it comes to community art spaces. However, Urie is still surprised to see themself as a small business owner.

“Honestly, I just wanted to show up and paint, listen to my music, meet people, and then go home, but I feel like no one else was doing it,” Urie explained. “No one else had enough guts to kind of take some threats, and I was like, ‘F*ck it. I just don't want to stand for this anymore, and I gotta be the change.’”

WE BELIEVE THE EMPHASIS IN LIVING WITH HIV SHOULD BE ON LIVING. Introducing Vivent Health, founded on the combined

expertise of AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, Rocky Mountain Cares and St. Louis Effort for AIDS. We are working to ensure that everyone living with HIV and

everyone at risk has the opportunity to thrive and live a long healthy life. Learn more at ViventHealth.org

When I said to Urie that this entire experience – The Wolf Den embodies sounded remarkably special, their response was, “I think that’s what you need to feel when someone is going to put something on you for the rest of your life.”

Feeling an immense amount of responsibility to try to set the correct standard, The Wolf Den is creating something beautiful, and Urie hopes the cultural shift will catch fire and spread.

7225VH_AD_Verticle_Emphasis_3.375x4.625_R01.indd 3:37 PM O U T F R O1N T M A G A Z I N E . C O1/27/20 M // 9

by Sunshine Breland

I

n my life, there's been heartache and pain, and the same can be said for every human being. However, not every human being is born into a situation with the tools to manage and process their pain.

I recently have embarked on a journey of self-examination and healing. No true journey is undergone alone, and my companion is a student in their final semester of a master’s degree in clinical counseling, which is the very reason I can afford their invaluable, if limited, services. I have neither the latent funds nor the insurance to pursue treatment from credentialed, mental health professionals, and I have long thought that it was a journey I would never be able to afford to take.

1 0 \\ M A Y 6 , 2 0 2 0

Thankfully, there are resources that I would like to illuminate for you, my beloved readers, sliding scales and psychology students foremost among them. The Chrysalis House was something I was totally unaware of, until my dear friend Olivia Lux referred me to them.

It is a self-described “sex-positive holistic healing cooperative with the goal of transformation.” When I first heard, I was ecstatic. A sex-positive cooperative with the goal of transformation headed by queer, black folx!!?! It felt like a waking dream.

Their ”Beauty, Cosmetic, & Personal Care” work supports the queer, the trans, the indigenous and people of color, and, very importantly, even the sex worker community in Denver. And, they are not limited to being a therapeutic resource; they also offer co-membership and

co-working opportunities to businessesthat and individuals who support their public mention of sex-positive, holistic healing, which is wonderful. Sex positivity is certainly on the rise, but not fast enough, in my opinion.

When I contacted them on Instagram, they messaged me back with a reference in the first message, and thus I began my first adult foray into self-analysis with a partner, albeit one who is still in school and therefore cannot diagnose or prescribe medications. I believe that it is still a beneficial process despite those handicaps because I personally needed a pressure release valve.

If you suspect you have a mental illness or suicidal thoughts, you definitely should seek help from a medical

Getting Into Therapy Queer Folx With Low Incomes for

professional, and in an emergency, always call 911. Otherwise, I think for low-income Denver residents who do not have the access to regular, mental health, it’s a great alternative to nothing at all. I pay $40 every two weeks, and I saved my own life. And for a lot of people, the cost could be even lower, I know for a fact the person I work with offers sliding scale appointments.

and if you are able to, it usually requires extensive medical history, multiple lab tests ranging from lips to enzymes to hormones, any appropriate screenings determined by biological sex and age, then a different conversation about the use of potentially harmful treatments such as unprescribed hormones, industrial-strength silicone injections, or self-castration, among others.

Depending on your geographical locale and which century the laws you live under were last revised, there might also be a need for a mental health evaluation by a provider with expertise in transgender health. I am of the opinion that if I want to subject myself to all of that, I must be either be crazy or transgender. I knew walking in the door of Chrysalis House that I wanted to be a more functional person, a happier person.

I want to be a woman capable of introspection; I want to have a sense of direction; I want to know how to know what I want and how I feel. I want to know how to know if my fears are real. I want to know if I am processing my stresses correctly; I want to learn how to face problems directly. I want to manage my PTSD and maybe one day not jump or flinch at every unexpected sound. I may want to start taking hormones, which my companion cannot help with, but they can help me figure out the decision, which is important in and of itself.

We’ve been through eight sessions together, and they’ve helped me navigate some major and minor traumas; they know my end goal is a simple, emotional analysis. I don’t know if I want to transition hormonally yet. It is quite a process and no small feat.

It requires many years of persistent dedication, financial stability, and security that I do not possess and requires undergoing many invasive processes, not to mention surgeries, and, as the recipient of two lung surgeries beside multiple others, I am not eager to get back under the knife.

But, if I do, it will be as a woman in therapy, with her mental problems under control. All of us have problems; some of those problems are mental, and a few of those problems require help; there is no shame in that. You can’t fix a problem when you won’t admit there is one. So please try. You owe it to your beautiful self.

But, as the saying goes, it’s easier to say something than it is to do it. Once you are in the office, how do you begin? It is a very awkward and vulnerable space, unfamiliar to most and scary to some. Beginning this relationship is something that will take time, effort, and a common goal.

So, before stepping into this river, ask yourself, where do you want it to take you? If you have trauma, how much trauma do you wanna take on in your first therapy session? You may be asking yourself, “How am I supposed to know what I want out of therapy?” And if all you want is to be able to take hormones, they can go down that river with you.

As a transgender woman, there is an imperative to get into feminizing hormone therapy as soon as you decide you want to, O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 1 1

The ID the EGO and the DIVA Drag is helping children develop a healthy sense of self.

by Roberta Johnson

Photos provided by Dragutante

Theater is the creation of a reality based on mental representations of experiences, the creation of a self that simultaneously exists and does not exist, in a reality that simultaneously exists and does not exist ... mic drop.

Pictured above: Desmond is Amazing 1 2 \\ M A Y 6 , 2 0 2 0

C

hildren use drag as a way to understand and express their lives and fantasies in order to process who they are. In a way, we all use drag to express ourselves. Whether it is a business suit, a sports uniform, or a wedding gown, drag is inherently the exaggeration of all things we want to be.

Drag is a performance art, and some of us are method actors. Singing, dancing, comedic routines, and pageantry are equal representations of the diverse subculture that has become so mainstream that children are pilfering parents’ Pradas to participate, but how exactly does it help them developmentally?

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”

- George Bernard Shaw

Reading a dry dissertation by Dr. PiliosDimitris Stavrou requires more than a glass of chardonnay, as he explores his thesis on theatrical play and children’s psychological development: “Theatrical play is nothing more than a form of pretend play that requires the representation of external (everyday life) or internal (fantasies) reality through mental representations of experiences brought into action.” As he delves further into the existential relationship between theater and reality, the good doctor hits on an incredibly profound point: By falling through the metaphorical looking glass, children are not only living the Lewis Carroll fantasy but actually creating a reality where they can express themselves through drag.

We, as parents, are then led to the natural question; How can we best support a child who is not only LGBTQ, but has a desire to shine onstage? How do we protect our children as well as provide them with the means to express themselves creatively? If it were sports or music, we could automatically turn to teachers provided through our public school system; however, learning drag poses some inherently awkward challenges.

The obvious answer is like any other extracurricular interest: Find a peer group where our children can thrive.

But where do we look?

Finding their village is part of children’s development, and seeking to find others that not only affirm their drag but share their love for the art is becoming easier.

Here in Denver, local mom Robin Fulton created Dragutante to connect parents and children through an extravagant

Pictured above: Bracken O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 1 3

annual drag performance for kids. “It’s something that I needed as much as my child did,” she explained. “Finding other parents on a similar path, I learned to parent the way my child needed ... not the way society expected. I knew in my heart that there had to be other kids out there that needed this too.”

Fulton is the parent to 15-year-old drag teen and activist Ophelia Peaches, who began to dabble in drag before kindergarten.

“When he was little, he would wear his sister’s princess costumes to the store.” Ophelia’s mom smiled at the memory.

“Unfortunately, not everyone was OK with the dresses, so it became something he did at home, or during Halloween.

When he decided at 13 that he wanted to do drag, I wasn’t surprised at all. I was so proud that he was confident enough to be himself.”

She continued, “In the beginning, I was mainly concerned that something terrible would happen, something that would make my child regret speaking his truth. But the more he did it, the more people cheered for him. Now, he speaks in front of thousands of people and has become one of the strongest people I know. Drag gave him a voice, and he’s using it to help other kids like himself to find theirs.”

Finding and creating a tribe was easier than Fulton anticipated, as young performers are lining up for the spotlight. “Dragutante was the first of its kind here in the United States, and I’m proud that there are increasing opportunities for kids to experience drag in safe environments. Our Denver, LGBTQ community has embraced the role of mentor and protector for these kids in a way I never dreamed possible. It’s more than family; it’s the tribe my child deserved ... it’s the tribe that ALL these children deserved before him. It’s finally happening.”

Ophelia Peaches

For those of us with little ones who’ve been glued to the royalty of Ru (who thankfully sang better songs than their Disney counterparts), another event, DragCon, is revolutionary in the access it gives young people to all things drag. This convention is open to anyone of any age and gives young people access to fabulous queens who represent everything from superheroes to supermodels. A woke generation of youngsters are able to watch and get to know drag artists who represent a vast array of gender expressions and sexualities. Experiencing DragCon in all its fabulousness gives kids the opportunity to exist in a room full of people like them, if not exactly like them; it’s a room full of people devoid of judgment.

This new, creative generation requires new, creative parenting.

Canadian AFAB (assigned female at birth) queen Bracken is 13 years old and has chosen an irreverent take on femininity.

Her exaggerated eye makeup, pink cheeks, and colorful hair mark her signature look. Her mother, Dominique, described her child’s love for drag.

“It might seem ironic and hard to believe to some that drag has allowed my child to hold onto the precious years of her childhood and to traverse the challenging stages of adolescence with grace and humor. To those who find that hard to comprehend, a quick perusal of any teen girl’s social media will quickly make clear the level of pressure young girls are under to look and behave far beyond their years. Flame and cake emojis constitute the highest form of praise, and for girls who don’t measure up, cruel commentary about their apparent shortcomings litter their feed.

“For my daughter, being able to exaggerate and caricature some of the elements of the feminine means she sees the humour in it. She is also grateful to wipe the character off at the end of a performance. As a performer, her value in herself is weighted in her ability to create and entertain, and while like any teen, nagging doubt can creep in, her sense of self and individualism keep her focused and grounded in what is important: friends, family, and enjoying life!”

On the other side of the continent, New York drag kid Desmond Napoles has been creating looks since they could walk. Now, at age 12, they described their drag as an artist describes their craft: “Each look has been a moment in my life, and it shows what I was feeling at that time."

Their mother, Wendy Napoles, explained, “Drag has taught Desmond to be self-confident, accepting, and tolerant. Exposure to drag, in an age-appropriate context, is an excellent and positive learning experience for children. It teaches diversity, inclusivity, exploration, and creativity. Most importantly, it teaches children to look beyond society's expectations placed on the gender they were born in regards to how a child should act, dress, or play.”

Wendy is one of the trailblazers for youth drag from the past decade and firmly believes this natural exploration of self is an important part of a child's development. She elaborated, “All children engage in dress-up play. All children instinctively use art as a way to say, ‘I am here, and this is my perspective of my world.’ For many children, art is therapeutic and can become a coping skill for emotions or feelings that a child may not be able to express in another form. Drag is an art form in itself."

1 4 \\ M A Y 6 , 2 0 2 0

“Be yourself—not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be.” – Henry David Thoreau

Ophelia Peaches She continued, “To suppress a child's ambition to express themselves and explore their identity through dress up and makeup (as ‘drag’) sends a damaging message that what the child values and enjoys is wrong and doesn't matter. This message can lead some children to believe that there is something wrong with who they are. It is my belief that simply allowing your child to develop naturally into the person they want to become, while providing positive guidance and boundaries, is most beneficial to the child's mental health.”

As it turns out, doing drag can be extremely beneficial to young minds working through the usual angsts and anxieties of life.

Children instinctively use dramatic play to express and resolve internal conflict, release pent-up feelings, and explore hopes and fears, which is central to any child’s development. And don’t forget that this generation sees the world from an entirely different perspective. These youngsters are essentially using a stage to connect their voices with others across the globe, as well as connecting more introspectively with themselves.

It’s our differences that make us great.

Susan Boynton, Agent 9200 W Cross Dr Ste 122 Littleton, CO 80123 Bus: 303-948-2905 susan.boynton.lcfc@statefarm.com

1801077

No matter what you value, I’m here to help protect it with respect and professionalism.

Here to help life go right.

CALL ME TODAY. ®

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 1 5

NINA WEST

A QUEEN for the

PEOPLE

by Denny Patterson Photos courtesy of Nina West

L

ove, devotion, passion—those are only some of the words to describe Nina West. Already a legendary figure within the LGBTQ community, she entered the hearts of many more while appearing on Season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Unfortunately, she did not walk away with the grand prize, but her infectious personality earned her the Miss Congeniality, or fan favorite, title.

Nina is a hardworking gal who has been in the business for almost 20 years. She has produced over 35 main-stage production shows, participates in hundreds of appearances each year, and raised more than $2 million for local and national charities through her charitable fund, The Nina West Foundation. Helping others is an important part of what makes Nina the person she is today, and she will continue to create a platform to lift up and support LGBTQ organizations.

As a queen for the people, Nina wants to bring the art of drag and LGBTQ awareness to all ages and subsections of the world.

She is furthering that aim with her recent music video, “The Drag Alphabet,” and participating in children’s drag queen story hours. She believes children are our future, and she will not allow them to be taught intolerance and bigotry.

1 6 \\ M A Y 6 , 2 0 2 0

OUT FRONT had the opportunity to chat more with Nina about exposing children to drag, her time on Drag Race, and what we can expect next from her.

Hello, Nina! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me. You have always been an advocate for children, ensuring that they are loved and accepted. You even work to educate them about the drag community, which can be seen in your music video, "The Drag Alphabet," that came out at the end of February. Can you tell us more about the video?

"The Drag Alphabet" is my revisit to the children's space with some original content that kind of revolves around drag and Drag Race. It includes everyone from Divine to Alaska. We kick it off with Gia Gunn's "Absolutely" for the letter A. It is very fun, and I wanted it to be very referential to the art of drag and the drag community and celebrate it, but also put it in the context of a children's song.

The kids in the video look like they are having so much fun. To truly celebrate inclusiveness, you enlisted the help of Daniela Maucere, a deaf teen from Burbank, CA, and Ivy Alona, an openly transgender, deaf, 9-year-old who signs the alphabet and associated words to include the deaf and hard of hearing. What was it like to work with them?

It was awesome! They brought a whole new energy to the video. I am not someone who knows how to sign or do sign language, and they were teaching me on set. They were so warm, welcoming, and affirming. It was a very different experience than I have ever had. It was awesome and very exciting to be truly inclusive in this video.

It was remarkable.

Why should kids be exposed to drag at an early age?

I think kids should have access to drag that is important and speaks to their age group and level, but I think drag does something beautiful and wonderful. It is empowering. It is empowering to the person consuming it, and it is important because it celebrates the idea of self-identity and self-worth and self-value and confidence.

I think it brings joy and happiness. Drag has forever been a subcultural art for the queer community that has been full of subcultural celebrities. The drag queen in the gay community has always started in the queer community and has always been this larger-than-life, subcultural celebrity.

We now live in a world where drag is no longer relegated to a gay bar or to a queer space at one in the morning. Drag is O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 1 7

now on television. It's being consumed in theatres across the country and Super Bowl commercials. You can find drag in every element of pop culture except in children's spaces. I think, if it's approached with an educational mind and a thoughtful mind for the age levels that are going to consume it, I think drag is appropriate for everybody.

What do you have to say to those who think exposing children to drag is wicked and evil, like the people who want to shut down drag queen story hours?

Those are probably the same people who won't even make the effort to actually open a book or have a library membership of their own. I know, that's a really snappy and sassy response. My response to them is, they probably don't know a lot of joy in their life, and they are most likely holding onto things that they think make the world a better place by thinking more in grayscale and black and white.

Me, on the other hand, I think there should be more color. I don't think organizations that are right-wing and opponents to drag queen story hour, they are not the litmus or the guiding force on what our children should or should not be exposed to. If it were up to them, children would be learning how to build guns in home economics. That's not the world I want to live in.

The world I want to live in is a world that sees people for who they are and accepts them and embraces them and will allow them the same opportunities to elevate themselves and find happiness and success with a family that a heteronormative, cisgender family might have access to. I think that's where the breakdown happens.

Drag is such an easy target for these people because it is larger than life. People may consider me as a circus clown, and yes, I am a clown, and I entertain the notion of wanting to be an entertainer, but it is also my responsibility, as it has historically been within our community. For drag queens to be a voice and to be a political activist and by entering children's spaces, I am actively saying that I will not tolerate the bigotry that is going to be handed down to the next generation.

You started to dabble in drag in 2001 while you were in college. When did you discover that this was your passion, and 1 8 \\ M A Y 6 , 2 0 2 0

did you have any hesitation before pursuing it full-time?

Oh my gosh [laughs]. I am a performer, and performance has always been my passion.

I want to be on stage and make people smile, laugh, cry, think. I always wanted to be on stage. Drag was initially a hobby from 2001 to 2016, even though I was really doing itfull time from like 2008 and on. I was doing itfull tie for about 12 years, but I had a part-time job. Clearly I was very afraid that the other shoe would drop.

I was working and fearful that drag wouldn't make ends meet. I was like, ‘This is never going to work. I don't see it as a realistic or viable career.’ Thankfully, because of Drag Race and the success Drag Race has had, more than just RuPaul's Drag Race queens are full-time entertainers in their cities and bars. Of course, it is easier if RuPaul's Drag Race is backing me because you will work a tremendous amount! But, I have only been doing drag full-time for the last two years.

Why did you want to be on Drag Race so bad? I mean, you auditioned for the show nine times.

Well, it has evolved. I wanted to be a part of it because I was like 'Oh, this is drag, and this is a competition show.' I have always wanted to do Survivor, but then came RuPaul's Drag Race. Then it became more into this gigantic platform to springboard somebody's career. These are all the things I wanted to do.

I wanted to work with Disney, create content and music videos, write and produce shows. Drag Race could possibly help me open these doors. So, it was that I wanted the springboard platform for myself to be heard, to be seen, and hopefully find another avenue to get these doors knocked down to say, ‘Hello, I'm here!’

Which challenge was your favorite?

Oh, gosh. I loved the magic challenge, the church challenge. Any of the acting challenges were my favorite because they were so within my wheelhouse.

After watching the episodes, is there anything you wish you would have done more or less of?

I wish I was more in the moment. I was so very consumed with my own insecurities

that I was not in the moment enough, but that's authentic to who I am. I have those moments. I don't know if I would change anything because it was the arc that gave me kind of my time on the show. Now people know me, and they either love me or don't like me, but people do like me because I was authentically myself in that.

What would you say is the number-one lesson Drag Race has taught you?

I think the number-one thing RuPaul's Drag Race has taught me is that—God, I don't know [laughs]. If you can't love yourself, how in the hell can you love somebody else?

I think it taught me that I have the right to be confident and to be secure in who I am and what I do. That I am part of something bigger than myself. Not only with the show, but with this community. I have always felt that way, but it was a really great kind of pat on the back and kind of a personal boost saying you matter. Like, you can help make people realize that they also matter. I mean, that is a tremendous gift to be given, and I felt Drag Race really taught me that.

The fandom thinks that you were severely underappreciated while on the show, especially when Ru decided to eliminate you instead of Silky. Like, there was a serious uproar over that. What do you think? Did you feel underappreciated or looked-over?

Hmm, no. No, I don't think so. The way I consumed it, we filmed it so long before it aired. We had nine months, and I think I was more worried about how people would see me lip syncing, and knowing that I went home, and saying 'She's not worthy.' I have been doing this for so long that it made me question, am I really not that good?

So, I was nervous about that, and I didn't even know what Silky looked like during the lip sync. I felt like I did better; I thought that I had won the lip sync, but then again, I didn't know what she did. It was an out-of-body experience, and I just wasn't present enough to be aware of what she was doing. Maybe she was better than me; I don't know. I had all the time to think about it, and by the time the show aired, I didn't have the chance to say I felt proud because I had already come to peace with the fact that I was going home. It was like, it is what it is. The reaction from the fans was quite a surprise.

Would you be willing to participate in a season of All Stars?

Oh my gosh, if they asked me, yes. One hundred percent.

Glad to hear it! We are also looking forward to seeing you on RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race! What will be your role, and what celebrity would you love to see participate?

Well, I will let you see how that all unfolds with what my role is [laughs]. But, as for who I would love to see participate, it would be a dream and amazing to see someone like Chris Evans.

He's beautiful, but he is also a tremendous supporter for the LGBTQIA community. It would be fun to see someone, like, from this gigantic Marvel franchise to come onto the show and be made over. That would be fun.

I agree. Currently, we are in the midst of Season 12. What has been your opinion on the queens? Any favorites?

Oh, gosh, you are going there! I will say this. This entire cast is exciting, and I have worked with some of these people, so I am excited to see them all have this opportunity to shine and be introduced to the world. That's the thing, like, now they kind of belong to the world. I hope they enjoy their time on the show.

In addition to drag, you are also an activist who operates the Nina West Foundation. What has been going on with that?

In my time doing drag, I have donated over $3 million. The foundation was founded in 2015, and we have done a substantial amount though the foundation.

Over the holidays, we did the 25 Days of Christmas where we basically adopted 32 organizations around the country that speak to my giving needs and giving goals.

So, they were all LGBTQIA-positive organizations like Stepping Stone which is an LGBTQIA drug and alcohol treatment facility and rehabilitation program. All 32 organizations received grants from the Nina West Foundation during the holidays. We recently did a partnership with a local brand in Columbus, Ohio called Homage to make T-shirts, and all proceeds from that went to Australia to help them recover from the devastating wildfires. We are working on some exciting, new stuff for the Pride season with some big partners. It is also an election year which allows the foundation to be really active.

What are your thoughts about the 2020 election?

I think the biggest takeaway right now is that we have a job to do as progressive Americans or moderate Americans who want to see our country take a different path. That job is to ensure that people are mobilized to vote and vote the current president out of office so we can salvage whatever is left of this democracy and try to rebuild her and make the shining, great nation on the hill again. Make us a country that people want to come to. This is a great country, and we need to find our way back. The only way we can do that is by making sure we get out and vote and educate people on what this election really means.

What’s next for you? Any other upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for?

There is, but I cannot talk about them right now [laughs]. Everything is buttoned up until everything gets finalized, but there are some great things happening. Some exciting partnerships and bigger opportunities that I never thought would be possible.

Thanks to a show like Drag Race and RuPaul, they are happening, and I am very, very excited.

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 1 9

Five Books

to get you Through

Quarantine

by Savannah Howe

Y

ou’ve probably found yourself with quite a bit more alone time lately than you’re used to thanks to the coronavirus pandemic and all of the havoc it has wreaked on everyday life. Everyone copes with those hours of solitude differently—maybe you spent nearly every waking minute online to keep up with the outside world and pass the time. Or, maybe you’ve dived deeper into your home-bound hobbies, and your houseplants now have names, and your grumpy, resident cat has many a time been an unwilling receptor to your undivided attention.

Or, maybe you’re like another, less talked-about category of us, and this unwanted isolation has you spiraling.

Hard.

You may be reeling as you try to adjust to having all of your simple everyday pleasures—like chatting with a barista or popping into the gym to swim laps— ripped from your grasp.

Now, more than ever, it’s so incredibly important to give yourself the opportunity to become grounded, put reality to the side, and dedicate time to clearing your head. Reading is a perfect way to do that: it gives you a break from the screens; the quietness is nice, and you can support others from the LGBTQ community.

No one has ever said, “you know, there are just too many books by queer authors out there.”

In fact, there are vastly not enough, and for that reason, we owe it to them to recognize and celebrate their work. If you’re looking for a good read by an LGBTQ author to help clear your head this isolation season, look no further.

2 0 \\ M A Y 6 , 2 0 2 0

Are You Listening?

by Tillie Walden

It seems rare that a graphic novel takes home first place in book lists, but there is so much to love about Walden’s book, from stunning artwork (designed

by Walden herself, a 23-year- old, award-winning graphic designer), to deeply moving themes of friendship and grief, to a flavor of adventure.

In Walden’s novel, you will follow the journey of Bea and Lou, who are on the run through Texas, joined by a mysterious cat.

If you want to drink in some gorgeous artwork and follow alongwith two women who live to confront their truths, Are You Listening? is perfect for you. Find it on Amazon.

We noticed one potential trigger warning in Walden’s book: sexual assault.

Girl, Woman, Other

by Bernadine Evaristo

Here are three underrepresented elements in British literature: being queer, being black, and being a woman.

Now, here’s a book that presents to you all three.

The energy in Evaristo’s eighth novel is unmatched, so you may want to strap in, grab your readers, and be prepared to polish off a book in one night. This lively novel is an intricate tale of the lives of 12 characters—mostly femme, black, and British—and their careers, lovers, and families, spanned across many years.

This dynamic and vibrant read will grip you until the end, and it provides an excellent escape from the four walls of your home.

While the novel narrates the struggles that women face—from dealing with adolescent children to affairs to career trouble—we couldn’t find any themes or events that may be triggering to readers.

How We Fight for Our Lives: A Memoir by Saeed Jones We love Jones as a modern, LGBTQ icon and his presence on the morning news show AM 2 DM, but he gives us even more to love in his 2019 memoir about growing up gay and black in Lewisville, Texas. Jones will grip you with his story of marginalization, complex relationships with parents, and his coming-out journey.

When you need to check out of your own reality for a little while, sometimes the best thing to do is pay a visit to someone else’s. In Jones’ story, you can follow his observations of the delicate balance of power and tenderness, love and hate.

If you’re feeling brave and want a read that will challenge you, and subsequently change you, How We Fight for Our Lives will do just that. You can find it on Amazon.

Readers should bear in mind that this memoir might contain themes and scenes that may be upsetting or triggering to some.

Lot: Stories by Byron Washington Follow along with Washington through the colorful highs and lows of H o u s to n , Texas, a city that sees as a mix of beauty and seediness.

With themes of multiethnicity, culture, and socioeconomic struggle, you will be stirred by his stories of Houston’s seldomseen facets.

There is a lot of life in Washington’s book, and it is a perfect read for those

of us spinning out from being locked up. Cosmopolitan said that Lot: Stories “will immediately transport you out of whatever bubble you're living in,” so if you’re looking to experience life through a new set of lenses, Washington will do that for you.

Lot: Stories is available for purchase on Amazon. While nothing in the book’s synopsis or reviews outright suggested that we might need a trigger warning, there may be traumatic or upsetting themes in Washington’s stories.

Sontag: Her Life and Work

by Benjamin Moser

We should probably start off by letting you know that this book is nearly 900 pages of the life and impact of Susan Sontag, so by the end of 2020 you should: be an expert on this American writer and feminist and

hopefully have finished the book, or at least gotten close.

Moser’s book made the list for a handful of reasons, mostly because Sontag played such a pivotal role in 1960s-era feminism, intellectualism and—mostly speculated just recently after her death and following the publication of Moser’s biography— queerness among high-profile activists.

This book is a big bite to swallow, but it has a lot of good knowledge in its pages, and it goes without saying that the vast majority of us have plenty of time on our hands. You can dive into the world of Susan Sontag via Amazon, and we didn’t pick up on anything that would suggest this book isn’t suitable for readers who need to avoid triggering elements.

There you have it: our top five picks of books that are: by queer authors, or have queer themes, or may suit queer audiences. It’s hard to know for sure when life will return to normal, so head on over to Amazon, stock up on these fantastic reads, and settle in.

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 2 1

Housing During the COVID Crisis

What Can We Do?

by Sophia Gabrielson

L

ow-income households and homeless populations are among those hit hardest by government-mandated shutdowns. Many shelters have had to close their doors because they simply cannot comply with social distancing regulations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Local organizations such as Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and Denver Rescue Mission are at a stalemate trying to provide ongoing resources in the form of housing and health care for those in need.

In recent years, the influx of businesses, individuals, and families who have come to Denver in search of new opportunities has created a real estate market nightmare for vulnerable neighborhoods. Gentrification and displacement have become uphill battles for those who are fighting economic disparity amid increasing development across the metropolitan area. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, an even bigger crisis looms on the horizon, and the fear is that there are not adequate systems currently in place to deal with the aftermath.

Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca, District 9, has tackled filling the gaps in housing mitigation and repealing the ban on urban camping since she was sworn into office last July. One of her biggest strides has been to halt the expansion of highway I-70, which would demolish Elyria-Swansea, a poor, Hispanic-dominated neighborhood north of downtown. Councilwoman CdeBaca grew up in that neighborhood, which is now part of her district oversight, and is dedicated to defending a community at risk of being uprooted from their homes, many of whom have lived in the area for generations.

Despite actions that are being taken to protect them, Councilwoman CdeBaca explained how Elyria-Swansea and similar neighborhoods now face an even greater threat. For those households who were already living paycheck-to-paycheck, a majority are now completely out of work. Even with unemployment benefits and the aid package from the federal government, a much broader group of people are 2 2 \\ M A Y 6 , 2 0 2 0

expected to be on the cusp of homelessness. However, CdeBaca remains hopeful that the current crisis may translate to more support for policy changes.

The ugly truth surrounding homelessness on a wide scale is that disease and sickness have been rampant in shelters even before COVID-19 became an immediate calamity. This is due to the fact that shelters are set up to be community oriented living spaces, and it is next to impossible to enact social distancing. After the Denver Rescue Mission closed down several of its shelters, Denver City Council has been working to obtain 3,000 hotel rooms to temporarily

provide accommodations for those with nowhere to go. So far, the city has only been able to secure roughly 500 rooms. To put that into perspective, Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed last week that California has secured 15,000 hotel rooms for homeless across the state.

This issue is multi-pronged, and resistance is being met by hotels who are worried about the implications that may arise if they agree to house the homeless. A significant portion of Denver’s homeless population have pre-existing illnesses and conditions which make them part of the at-risk population for catching COVID19. Additionally, due to their living conditions and lifestyle choices, a large percentage of homeless people have aged more rapidly compared to others in their age group. Therefore, they are more susceptible to a disease that targets lower immune systems.

These causes for concern have created difficult decisions for management, who must consider the health of their employees and other potential guests.

From a business standpoint, many hotels have opted to close their doors and collect recovery funds as they become available rather than operate at a loss.

There has been no official halt to the ban on urban camping amid shutdowns, yet the CDC has published guidance urging enforcers not to clear encampments. Regardless of the warning, fences have been popping up across downtown as property owners draw sanctions targeted at and blocking vagrants from pitching tents or staying overnight.

Furthermore, now that libraries, cafes, and other public places are no longer open to the public, it has become next to impossible for individuals or families without a settled home to escape the elements. While there clearly were no strategies in place to provide shelter space in the wake of an infectious disease outbreak, homeless advocates hope that COVID-19 will highlight the impertinence that led to these conditions.

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has worked in close partnership with the Denver Rescue Mission to provide alternative accommodations and healthcare in lieu of shelter and clinic closures. The National Western Complex set up 600 beds to house men facing homlessness during the pandemic, and the space is big enough to ensure the six feet distancing regulations.

However, just two days after doors became open to the public, the complex hit its capacity, and hundreds more were left outside. There is also a growing fear that if the virus infiltrates the complex, it will spread aggressively, and hospitalization will be required at high rates.

According to Councilwoman CdeBaca, “No one expected the National Western Complex to reach

its capacity so quickly, and now we are left scrambling to figure out how to proceed. Although this was never structured to be a long-term solution, now, this temporary solution has been short lived.”

Nextdoor to the National Western Complex, the Denver Coliseum officially opened its doors on Monday, April 20 and is acting as a 24-hour shelter for women, children, and transgender individuals.

The Coliseum only has enough room to hold 300 beds, which is half the amount as its neighboring facility and can be expected to fill up even more quickly.

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has set up clinics at the new shelter locations equipped with limited COVID-19 testing kits and volunteers to help assist and diagnose anyone in need of immediate, medical attention. Evaluations are based on risk factors or exposure, and all medical personnel are taking every necessary precaution, as well as utilizing public health guidelines.

Beyond just medical assistance programs, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless primarily works to connect families with supportive services and resources that will assist in stabilizing their housing conditions. Cathy Alderman, vice president of Communication for Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, explained that even though they had to close several clinic locations and have not yet received any funds from FEMA, there have been additional grants from philanthropic supporters. Those supporters are aiding in tailoring the financial hole that has accumulated due to the pandemic.

The coalition also recruited healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurses from clinics and dental offices that are currently shutdown who are providing telehealth options The coalition is also avidly seeking volunteers across the city and state.

Telehealth has been a technological benefit during the COVID-19 crisis, giving people access to health-related services via electronic communication. This has somewhat offset the lack of available COVID-19 tests as doctors can video chat patients, assess their symptoms and conditions, and impart their recommendations.

One of the biggest advantages telehealth offers is counseling and therapy for individuals with any mental health-related concerns or illnesses.

Undoubtedly, it becomes a daunting task to safeguard a portion of society that lacks the appropriate resources or funding even before a major catastrophe ensues. Councilwoman CdeBaca exemplified this by noting how the Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance Program (TRUA) has scrambled to process the hoard of applications that have been sent in since the unemployment surge.

“TRUA has an annual budget of $4 million a year, and that was not even good enough to begin with,” said CdeBaca.

The state of the economy and millions of American lives are currently up in the air, as state and federal governments deliberate how to move forward and when it will be safe to reopen businesses. Those who continue to work and potentially put their own health at risk are to be commended, even though it often feels like the glass is half empty.

The potential for exponentially larger homeless populations, met with doubling housing costs, weighs heavy on the horizon. Albeit, there has never been a better time to prompt the justification for new progressive, implementations and policy measures.

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 2 3

[ MASSAGE ]

MARKETPLACE FOR INFO ON PLACING A MARKETPLACE AD 303-477-4000 MARKETING@OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM [ accounting ]

[ LEGAL ]

[ REAL ESTATE ]

[ HEALTH ]

[ LEGAL ]

[ REAL ESTATE ]

[ INSURANCE ]

[ MASSAGE ]

[ VACATION DESTINATIONS ]

PLANNING IS YOUR BEST COVERAGE ■ Call for a Farmers Friendly Review®

Norm Belson Agency 400 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 220 Denver, CO 80246 nbelson@farmersagent.com

Call 303.777.4690 x101 today!

For Home, Auto, Life and Business.

Restrictions apply. Discounts may vary. Not available in all states. See your agent for details. Insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange and other affiliated insurance companies. Visit farmers.com for a complete listing of companies. Not all insurers are authorized to provide insurance in all states.

Coverage is not available in all states.

2 4 \\ M A Y 6 , 2 0 2 0

INDIVIDUALIZED MASSAGE INC

Michael Conti, BSPsy, LMT

An integrative approach to wellness

$70/hour $95/90 min 303-832-1499 individualizedmassagedenver.com

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 2 5

HeinzeSight

WHAT MAKES YOU INTERESTING?

by Brent Heinze I am actively dating and get asked to describe myself often. It is hard for me, since I think I’m actually quite boring and have a hard time discussing my life. After talking about a couple things regarding work and a few of my hobbies, there really isn’t anything left to review that I think is interesting. I’m concerned that I come across as boring or have low self-esteem, and this is affecting my chances of meeting someone good for dating. What can I do to figure out what to talk about?

S

o many of us struggle with how to engage in small talk when you meet someone or are out on a date. It can be difficult to come up with interesting tidbits about your life on the fly or remember fascinating stories about your life that would be entertaining to your date.

There are times when you might simply find your life dull, but there may also be elements of lower self-esteem or a poor image of yourself that could also be at play here. When someone asks questions about you, it is generally because they are interested in getting to know you better. Especially if you are working towards developing a friendship or forging a potential new love interest, it is important to at least appear that you are confident in yourself, your accomplishments, and your direction for future success.

There may be a few elements that are causing you these difficulties, but they can be identified and addressed so they don’t pose as high of a risk of impacting your interactions in negative ways.

2 6 \\ M A Y 6 , 2 0 2 0

I talk to people often who feel extremely awkward talking about themselves when asked to discuss their life, interests, and experiences. Especially when someone is working to increase their social networks or people to potentially date, they may find it difficult to find interesting things to say about themselves past the initial greeting and some surface-level items.

It is always good to have a full bag of potential topics, stories, aspirations, talents, or fun facts to keep a conversation moving forward. You can absolutely feel free to ask your

own set of questions of them as well to turn the tables, but be careful to not come across as being an interrogator or deflecting answering their questions. Still, asking them questions can be helpful if conversation stalls. Also, keep in mind that it’s not totally up to you to keep the conversation going. Hopefully, you have a willing and skilled partner to provide interesting and engaging conversation.

One idea that can be helpful in these types of situations is called an elevator speech. It is a short synopsis delivered in about the time it would take to go up the elevator of a 50-floor building. This can include easily digestible pieces of your educational or professional experiences, hobbies, or interesting aspects of your life that can give someone an initial impression of you.

Some challenges you may be experiencing when talking about yourself could stem from circumstances growing up that you may not be aware of or actively remember. There are some families that stress humility, and talking about yourself could be considered boastful if you are talking about your accomplishments.

It’s nothing too deep or personal at this point, and it is intended to entice someone to want to get to know you better. This is not about packing in as much information as possible or being long-winded. Pick and choose a few, fun elements from your life experiences. There are ways to talk about your interests and successes without sounding cocky, but it is important work on becoming comfortable about speaking about yourself.

There is a huge difference between being confident in yourself and being arrogant. Other people are raised in an emotionally distant household where healthy self-esteem or self-expression wasn’t supported by parents or other people in their lives. Telling someone to feel confident about themselves when that hasn’t been their experience can be a huge barrier to overcome.

Many times, we are simply out of practice in talking about ourselves and may see our lives as disinteresting since we live them daily. It is going to be important to develop things to talk about, or we risk feeling awkward or creating uncomfortable interactions.

It is important that you paint the best image of yourself that you can create. It doesn't matter if you're chatting somebody up online or going on a date; it is valuable to spend time thinking about what impressions about you are important to share. You may want to disclose the list of exotic places you have visited or identify some erotic places you like to be touched.

Regardless, it is up to you to do your part when carrying on a conversation. Once you get comfortable talking about yourself, you may actually start seeing yourself as more interesting.

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 2 7

Photos by Ali Bibbo and Jordan Beyer

THE LIFE OF DENVER QUEERS IN QUARANTINE

2 8 \\ M A Y 6 , 2 0 2 0

O U T F R O N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M // 2 9

I WAS ABOUT 10 YEARS OLD WHEN I REALIZED THAT ALL THE HYPE ABOUT PRINCE CHARMING WAS SOMEHOW MEDIOCRE IN MY EYES. I WAS MORE CURIOUS ABOUT THE FACT THAT MY HEART WAS POUNDING EVERY TIME I SAT NEXT TO THAT BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN MY SCIENCE CLASS.

By Gia

I

had no idea what sexuality was. I didn’t know all the troubles that lay ahead of me. I remember telling my mother I was bisexual in my early teens. I was in no way bisexual, but I craved acceptance, and I thought that as long as I included men in the equation, I would be successful at obtaining that acceptance.

I would spend the next eight years of my life in that role, dating men and women while having only my closest friends knowing that I wasn’t being completely honest with myself. By my early 20s, most people in my life assumed that my sexuality was widely known and accepted.

What they didn’t know were the attempted suicides, or all the anxiety and depression I suffered due to years of being made to believe I had a disease.

I felt trapped in an endless cycle of toxicity that was always on the hunt for someone else to infect with hate and negativity.

Don’t get me wrong; I had incredible friends who picked me up off the floor every time. I had my grandma who, at one point, was actually blamed for me being lesbian, as if it were a crime. But she simply saw what no one else could at that time. She saw me for who I was and not 3 0 \\ M A Y 6 , 2 0 2 0

Looking for

Princess Charming

who others wanted me to be. She had a deeper understanding of life, and of love, an understanding it would take me years to finally grasp. Love is love. And when you really love someone else, how can that be wrong? In the eyes of another person, or even any god?

That understanding kept me balanced.

Without those amazing humans, I don’t think I’d be writing this message today. I’m still learning how to navigate my life in the direction I want it to go, growing in my relationships and embracing my sexuality.

I made it. I’m happy. I’m absolutely grateful for everything I went through. But I’m not the only one who experienced that roller coaster ride. I’m just one of the lucky ones who was able to make it to the “it gets better” part of my life. It does get better.

Some of us just fall through the cracks. That’s why it’s important to remember that what matters most for humanity is love. Kindness.

Understanding. Patience. Compassion.

The secret to making it to the “it gets better” part of our lives is to first believe it gets better. After that, the foundation is set. Every hateful word, every attack on our lives, every brick thrown at us, it will all be just another building block into an amazing life we have been fighting to create, a life that’s 100 percent true to who you are. No matter your race. No matter your gender identity. No matter where you live in the world. No matter who you love.

We have felt it all. Some of us are still feeling it today. Remember that I love you, and so does your community. If you need more help remembering those things because you are not convinced you are worthy of love, or that you don’t deserve happiness and the freedom to love, then call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255.

You deserve to be here. It gets better.

Love always, That lesbian chick next door

HIGH LEVEL H E A LT H

& COUNTING

INDICA - SATIVA - HYBRID

H

N

1st Place

FLOWER

LL GR RA

D AN

1st Place CARTRIDGES

C

BEST TESTED

90 AWARDS

OVE

Colorado’s Most Awarded Cannabis

A M PIO

WE GO BOTH WAYS

Recreational & Medical Cannabis Available at our Lincoln & Colfax locations

Find Our Full Awards List @ HIGHLEVELHEALTH.COM 970 Lincoln St. Denver, CO (303) 839-9333

2028 E. Colfax Ave. Denver, CO (303) 355-9333

1620 Market St. Denver, CO (303) 953-0884

1221 County Rd 308 Dumont, CO (720) 242-8692