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GRACIOUS GREENERY

46 TIMELESS

48 LIGHTING UP

William D. Skinner III turns his love of gardening into a unique landscaping business

Jacob Medina avoids the ‘trends trap’ with his comfortable designs

Martin Sunday enhances local homes and businesses with his lighting designs

44 COVER STORY

INTERIORS

50 TOP HOUSTON

62 BEFORE THERE

66 DINING WITH

The latest perspectives on Houston’s booming pandemic real-estate market

Chef and historian Adán Medrano rediscovers native Texas cuisine

Lovie Olivia and Preetika Rajgariah spark conversations through food

75 FOOD &

80 DECADENT

83 THE TASTEMAKER

Seven local eateries that are worth trying this spring

Voodoo Doughnut brings its tempting treats to Montrose this month

Food Network contributor Chad Mercer celebrates food and community

84 AN ARTIST’S FURY

86 A BODY OF ART

98 WIGGING OUT

New documentary film features gay artist David Wojnarowicz

Artist Haley Bowen’s line drawings feature local LGBTQ community members

Carmina Vavra’s drag is inspired by cosplaying niche characters

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DEPARTMENTS NEWS & COMMENT 12 NEWS

Montrose’s Bering Church to vote on historic split; Texas HIV medication program faces funding cuts; Certified LGBTQ-owned businesses are now included in the City’s procurement process

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32 COMMUNITY

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34 PRIDE IN THE MEDIA

A new publication promotes Black trans voices

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Designer William D. Skinner III creates relaxing landscapes

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EDITOR’S NOTE

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his April edition of OUTSMARt marks the magazine’s 28th year in publishing. We’re thankful that our friends, supporters, and family of advertisers continue to make it possible for us to share the latest LGBTQ happenings in Houston, even in these challenging times brought on by the pandemic. We’ve tried hard to keep up with the slew of stories and trends that have come out of “the new normal.”

One notable result of the quarantine has been the dramatic rise in folks redecorating, renovating, or relocating throughout Houston.

This desire to make our surroundings more comfortable and functional is hardly a surprise, since we’ve all been spending so much more time at home.

Several LGBTQ local professionals are behind some of Houston’s hottest trends in home design. Three of those creatives share their tips in this House and Home issue, starting with cover

star and landscape designer William D. Skinner III, who spoke with writer Conner Behrens.

Then writer Jenny Block discusses home remodeling trends with designer Jacob Medina, while writer David Webb shares some illuminating pointers from lighting designer Martin Sunday.

Those who decided to relocate during the pandemic have caused a boom in local real-estate sales.

To help us better understand this trend, writer Marene Gustin chats with fourteen of the city’s top real-estate pros about the dynamic local market. These folks share their insights about which neighborhoods around town have been attracting the interest of prospective buyers.

One of the most sought-after (and pricey) neighborhoods these days is, of course, Montrose. If you live here—or are just a fan of the area’s goings-on—you’ve most likely been amazed by all of the new construction happening throughout our quirky fivesquare-mile community. One of

those significant new projects, Montrose Collective, is set to open this summer. Writer Sam Byrd previews Radom Capital LLC’s “community forward” development that offers a creative blend of retail, office, and civic space.

All of this local redevelopment prompted OUTSMART to ask a few seasoned LGBTQ Houstonians what they thought about the transformation of “Old Montrose.” Writer Kim Hogstrom shares some revealing answers from JD Doyle, Jack Valinski, Annise Parker, AJ Mistretta, and Bill Baldwin. Then writer Ryan Leach provides additional insights from urban designer Katie Coyne, the local queer woman leading the City of Houston’s Montrose Livable Centers Plan that promises to reimagine and revitalize the gayborhood without losing sight of its long LGBTQ history.

Elsewhere in this issue, we introduce you to four queer Houstonians who are getting creative with food. Writer Jenny Block sits down with chef, author, and

filmmaker Adán Medrano, who recently debuted a documentary about indigenous Texas cuisine.

Then writer Sam Byrd chats with Food Network contributor Chad Mercer, while David Webb speaks to Bistro Menil owner Greg Martin. And I talk with visual-artist couple Lovie Olivia and Preetika Rajgariah about their thoughtprovoking dinner-and-dialogue events.

Finally, as the COVID vaccines become widely available and local restaurants begin to relax their pandemic restrictions, OUTSMART ’s annual dining guide is a great way to zero in on this year’s must-try eateries.

See you next month!

Lourdes Zavaleta Managing Editor

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NEWS

Montrose’s Bering Church to Vote on Historic Split The move would sever ties with the anti-LGBTQ United Methodist Church.

By BRANDON WOLF

12 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

In January 2020, Bering Church hosted a blessing of same-sex unions to show support for their LGBTQ members.

DALTON DEAHRT

Bering Church, located in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood and currently affiliated with the United Methodist Church (UMC), may soon disaffiliate itself from that international denomination and become a United Church of Christ congregation, according to Rev. Diane McGehee, Bering’s pastor since 2017.

“The harm being done is too great,” McGehee says, referring to anti-LGBTQ United Methodist policies. “We don’t want to continue to be aligned with a denomination that is hurting people at the soul level. The Bible doesn’t teach that.”

The decision will be made by a vote of the church’s membership in a special Zoom meeting on April 18, following the livestream of Bering’s Sunday morning service. If twothirds of the professing members present at the meeting vote to disaffiliate, the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church would then vote to accept or reject the move on May 31.

The United Church of Christ (UCC) plans to vote in early May to accept Bering into that denomination. McGehee would then transfer her credentials to the UCC, which has a tradition of affirming its LGBTQ members and being fully inclusive.

McGehee notes that Bering has been fighting for LGBTQ inclusion since 1972. In February 2019, there was great hope that the UMC denomination would vote to change its anti-LGBTQ stance during a special international conference. That vote ultimately failed by a very slim margin. The denomination then toughened its punitive measures against UMC clergy who perform same-sex marriages, and continued to bar LGBTQ individuals from becoming UMC clergy.

“It was devastating,” McGehee recalls.

“There was a huge backlash throughout the UMC.” In protest, Bering stopped paying a portion of their required UMC denominational apportionment.

At the 2019 conference, an exit plan was also approved that gave local pro-equality UMC churches the option to leave the denomination within two years and assume owner-

ship of their physical property. McGehee adds that if Bering were to cut its UMC ties, the congregation would also be required to pay $250,000 by May 1 to fully fund the pensions of previous Bering pastors. Bering is currently raising funds to meet this obligation.

Last year, Bering dropped the words “United Methodist Church” from their communications. McGehee explains that Bering members do not want to be associated with a non-inclusive denomination, as nearly 70 percent of Bering’s 500 members identify as LGBTQ. McGehee says that Bering would continue to be Wesleyan in its theology and worship, and to be governed by its active lay leadership.

If the Texas Annual Conference approves the split, Bering would become the sole owner of its building and land, which the Texas conference now owns.

To prepare for Bering’s historic vote, McGehee led 16 Zoom “town hall” meetings to discuss the proposed split with Bering members. Each meeting was limited to 15 members so that everyone could have a voice.

To assist with the required fundraising, Bering held “Free at Last” walks on March 20 and 21. Members were asked to walk for 49 minutes, which is one minute for each of the 49 years Bering has been supporting the local LGBTQ community. Members asked family, friends, and their social-media networks to donate in support of the plan to leave the

United Methodist Church. They chose the dates to coincide with the arrival of spring and the beginning of new life—both in nature and in the life of the historically inclusive congregation.

Bering Church was founded in 1848 by German immigrants who were not welcomed in other churches. The church was originally located at Milam and McKinney in downtown Houston before moving to Harold Street in the Montrose area in 1926.

After the LGBTQ community began to take root in Montrose in the 1960s and ’70s, Bering became known as a congregation that welcomed its new neighbors. During the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, the church began a support group for people with HIV/AIDS and their loved ones. This was followed a year later by the founding of the Bering Community Service Foundation and the Bering Dental Clinic, which provided a lifeline to many Houstonians living with HIV/AIDS. In 1991, the church voted to join the Reconciling Ministries Network, a United Methodist group that supports full inclusion of LGBTQ members. Bering does not currently marry any couples, gay or straight, inside its building, as a protest against official UMC policies stating that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching” and a “chargeable offense” for United Methodist ministers.

For more information on Bering Church, visit beringchurch.org.

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Texas HIV Medication Program Faces Devastating Cuts 2020’s surge in new enrollments has created a $17.6 million shortfall.

By ANDREW EDMONSON In the waning days of December 2020, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) sent out an unexpected and unwelcome email that provoked deep concern among providers of HIV-related health care and sounded alarm bells for AIDS advocates.

Due to the explosive growth in enrollments during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP) was implementing cost-containment measures and changing eligibility requirements to address a significant budgetary shortfall. Twenty-five hundred Texans living with HIV would no longer be covered by the program. A separate initiative for individuals living with HIV who also need treatment for Hepatitis C was also discontinued.

Since 1987, the Texas HIV Medication Program has provided low-income HIV-positive individuals access to expensive life-saving HIV medications. The program serves 21,747 Texans living with HIV who make at or below two times the federal poverty level (about $26,000 in 2021). Also in December, DSHS announced it was immediately eliminating the “spend down” provision that allowed those who earned over the threshold amount to qualify for the program by having some of the cost of their medications deducted from their incomes.

The trepidation further increased when it was disclosed in January that the medication program faced a $52 million shortfall. The 14 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

THMP Advisory Committee, which is composed of doctors, pharmacists, social workers, and persons living with HIV, appeared blindsided by the news and questioned why they had not been alerted to the yawning deficit earlier in the process. They also expressed concern about the impact that the changes would have on the continuity of care for clients enrolled in the program.

The news of the $52 million deficit came on the heels of the $5 million THMP cut that was made in response to a directive from Governor Greg Abbott in May 2020 that state agencies must trim their budgets by five percent to address shortfalls in tax revenues caused by the pandemic.

“We can’t afford any cuts, because it affects too many people living with HIV,” says Januari Fox, director for policy and advocacy for PRISM Health North Texas, one of the major providers of HIV care for the region. “We are not seeing federal funding increases. People are living longer with HIV.” On February 11, Shelley Lucas, the director of HIV/STD care for DSHS, met with Houston’s Ryan White Planning Council, which helps disburse federal AIDS funding, to provide more context on the reasons for the state’s cuts and to answer questions.

Lucas explained that from March to December 2020, the Texas HIV Medication Program had enrolled 2,919 new participants—a 28 percent increase compared to prior years.

In the wake of the COVID-19 shutdowns,

the unemployment rate in Texas spiked to 13 percent in the summer of 2020. Texas workers lost jobs and employer-sponsored health insurance, leading to the surge of new low-income enrollees.

Medication costs also increased. Program participants taking a daily single-tablet regimen had an average cost of $1,000 more per person than HIV-positive individuals who take multiple pills per day. Revenue from pharmaceutical company rebates, another source of funding for the program, had also declined.

Lucas also pointed to a 2020 audit released by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that found that THMP’s spend-down provision was not transparent enough. She said that when a corrective action plan was drawn up in response to the audit, several different measures were considered. As part of their response, DSHS chose to eliminate the spend-down provision. Activists dispute whether the HRSA audit conclusions required THMP to terminate the spend-down provision in order to be in compliance.

Lucas also suggested that individuals who were no longer eligible for the Texas HIV Medication Program could apply for patient assistance programs run by either the pharmaceutical companies or Harbor Path, a nonprofit that delivers free lifesaving medications to the uninsured.

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Evany Turk

meeting came when Lucas revealed that the Texas HIV Medication Program would run out of money by the end of March, months before the end of the state’s fiscal year in August. “It feels like we are hanging on by a thread,” she told the group.

Some veteran AIDS advocates felt that the financially precarious state of THMP represented a failure in fiscal management. “None of this should have been a surprise to them,” says Karin Petties, Executive Vice President for Administration at Prism Health North Texas, Lucas then spelled out DSHS’s strategy to seek five other sources of stopgap THMP funding that could potentially bring in an additional $64.5 million. Later in March, THMP received a $34.4 million grant from the Coronavirus Relief Fund. And after hearing feedback from activists and healthcare providers, DSHS agreed to delay eliminating the spend-down provision until June 30. A public town hall was scheduled for March 24 to explain the rationale for the cost containment measures and to educate service providers about other HIV medication programs that impacted clients could avail themselves of.

Activists, Nonprofit Leaders, and Clients Respond

In spite of the recent positive developments, advocates and activists are left with many unanswered questions. Why didn’t DSHS communicate more proactively with key stakeholders in advance of the severe cuts? Why was there no period of public comment allowed for feedback on the changes? Why has the process lacked transparency? What steps is DSHS taking to ensure that they are not caught flat-footed again when the next funding crisis appears?

Even when faced with a more manageable 16 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Venita Ray

Steven Vargas

shortfall of around $17.6 million, advocates worry that any cuts will have a disproportionate impact on African Americans and Latinos in Texas, who have already been devastated by disparities in the healthcare system during the pandemic.

“According to DSHS, as of 2018, about 7 out of 10 people living with HIV in Texas were Black or Hispanic,” observes Venita Ray, co-executive director of the Positive Women’s Network, an advocacy group for women living with HIV. “I want them to think about the racial implications of what they are doing,” says Ray. “We know who is lower income, and where the disproportionate impact lies: with the Black community. It’s just wrong on a number of fronts.”

For one African American Houstonian in his early fifties, the proposed cuts are not theoretical. The THMP beneficiary, who has lived with HIV for 21 years, has chosen to remain anonymous in order to be able to speak candidly about his situation. “I have known friends who were forced to choose between using their money to pay for their HIV meds or eating and paying for shelter,” he says. “Those persons chose to eat. And as a result of not having the assistance for their medications, they passed away. In 2021, that is not a choice that anyone should be forced to make. I do not wish to have this happen to me or anyone else.”

Evany Turk, the national field organizer for Positive Women’s Network, points out that sharp cuts to the Texas HIV Medication Program would also severely undercut Achieving Together, the strategic plan to end AIDS in Texas that was launched in 2018.

“We’re moving forward with this plan,” she says, “But if they cut people off of the Texas drug assistance program, then ending the epi-

demic won’t be possible if people living with HIV can’t get lifesaving drugs.”

Veteran Houston AIDS activist Steven Vargas, who has served as the chair of Houston’s Ryan White Planning Council, notes that residents of Houston and Harris County who no longer qualify for THMP may seek out health insurance funded by the Houston Ryan White Planning Council, which provides a type of safety-net program.

“In Houston, we help people living with HIV pay their health insurance premiums, copays, and co-insurance because it costs us less, and people with the health insurance can secure broader care outside of HIV,” he notes.

“I cannot stress how important this is now. It will become even more important now that people living with HIV are aging into their senior years.”

For Vargas, the Texas budget shortfall also raises a much larger issue: the need for Texas to embrace the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. “COVID-19 exacerbated an already existing problem,” he observes. “The funding of our state’s drug assistance program budget either diminishes or remains level, while we have yearly increases in people needing the program. In the long run, the best thing our state can do is expand Medicaid.”

According to the Texas Tribune, as of May 2020, 29 percent of adult Texans under the age of 65—about 4.9 million people—were uninsured. Prior to the onset of COVID-19, Texas had the highest uninsured rate in the nation at 17.7 percent. According to a 2019 study by the Commonwealth Fund, if Texas accepted the Medicaid expansion, 1.2 million more Texans would become eligible for healthcare coverage.

Yet, despite the stark way in which the pandemic has demonstrated a desperate need to provide more Texans with access to health care, Texas Republicans continue to reject the Medicaid expansion. (Texas remains one of only 12 states that have not expanded Medicaid.)

Januari Fox, the director for policy and advocacy for PRISM Health North Texas, remains hopeful that funding can be found to help close the remaining $17.6 million shortfall for the Texas HIV Medication Program.

“Things are moving in the right direction, thanks to a lot of advocacy on all levels,” she emphasizes, praising legislators like State Representatives Toni Rose of Dallas and Donna Howard of Austin. “It’s been very exciting. It’s also been a roller coaster— literally, with almost day-to-day changes.

“We can’t mess around with people’s lives like this. There has to be a degree of consistency.”

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NEWS

A Business Boost Certified LGBTQ-owned businesses are now included in the City of Houston procurement process.

By MARENE GUSTIN

In a historic move, Houston now joins 30 other cities, counties, and states that include LGBTQ businesses in their procurement process.

On March 4, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner signed an executive order including LGBTQ-certified businesses in the City’s procurement process, making Houston the first city in Texas to take this step for inclusion.

“The signing of this executive order coincides with the five-year anniversary of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber, and I am especially proud to celebrate these two historic milestones,” said Turner in a press release. “The City of Houston has always been committed to providing fair and equal access to economic and contracting opportunities to all eligible businesses, and we are proud to formally memorialize this commitment to the LGBTQ community.”

The executive order directs the City’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) to include LGBTQ-certified businesses in the procurement process along with minority, women, small business, and persons with disabilities enterprises.

“It gives our community businesses access,” says Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce Co-Founder, President, and CEO Tammi Wallace. “It doesn’t mean they will win a contract—they still have to bid, but it gives them a seat at the table. And it means they have access to other resources of the OBO such as workshops, online tools, legal aid, and business development, which we traditionally have not had.”

Since its founding five years ago, the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce has expanded the number of LGBTQ-certified businesses throughout Texas, and created economic opportunities for its members.

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) certifies the businesses, and any LGBTQ business who maintains its local Chamber membership will have the certification fee waived.

18 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

According to NGLCC, LGBTQ businesses contribute $1.7 trillion to the U.S. economy, and create more than 33,000 jobs.

“I am so excited to be able to say, ‘Houston, we have progress!’ thanks to the leadership of Mayor Turner, the Office of Business Opportunity, the NGLCC, and the outstanding Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce affiliate,” says Jonathan Lovitz, the senior vice president of NGLCC. “We simply cannot achieve full equality without economic equality, and Houston is proving that every city in America can and should lead on issues of equality by declaring itself ‘open for business’ with every community who lives there.

I consider it a tremendous honor to be able to lead these advocacy efforts for the NGLCC and the LGBT business community, especially when it helps shatter myths about where and how LGBT progress can be achieved. What we’ve now done in Houston will be replicated throughout Texas, and throughout America.

Houston, the ‘city with no limits,’ will help ensure that economic opportunity for our community continues to be limitless.”

In February 2019, Nashville became the first city in the South to recognize the contributions of its LGBTQ-owned businesses with an executive order signed by Mayor David Bri-

ley. The order affirms LGBTQ-owned business inclusion as a recognized category for Metro procurement and contracting. In July 2019, Los Angeles became the biggest municipality to take action, following the lead of Orlando, Nashville, and Baltimore.

Governments are using various legal devices, from mayoral executive orders to municipal ordinances. In October of 2020, Louisville passed an updated business-diversity ordinance that added certified LGBTQ-owned businesses to the city’s existing supplier-diversity program. In January of this year, New York City became the largest city to include LGBTQ-certified businesses via an administrative order from Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“If not for the pandemic,” says Wallace, “this would have happened sooner in Houston.

We’ve been working with Mayor Turner and his staff on this for five years—first with education and certification, and then with the legalities involved. But with this, Mayor Turner is sending a strong, strong signal that Houston is open for business for all.”

For more more information on becoming a certified LGBTQ-owned business, visit houstonlgbtchamber.com.

Important Facts About DOVATO

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

What is the most important information I should know about DOVATO? If you have both human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, DOVATO can cause serious side effects, including: • Resistant HBV infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV infection before you start treatment with DOVATO. If you have HIV-1 and hepatitis B, the hepatitis B virus can change (mutate) during your treatment with DOVATO and become harder to treat (resistant). It is not known if DOVATO is safe and effective in people who have HIV-1 and HBV infection.

• Worsening of HBV infection. If you have HIV-1 and HBV infection, your HBV may get worse (flare-up) if you stop taking DOVATO. A “flare-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns in a worse way than before.

Worsening liver disease can be serious and may lead to death. ° Do not run out of DOVATO. Refill your prescription or talk to your healthcare provider before your DOVATO is all gone. ° Do not stop DOVATO without first talking to your healthcare provider. If you stop taking DOVATO, your healthcare provider will need to check your health often and do blood tests regularly for several months to check your liver.

What is DOVATO? DOVATO is a prescription medicine that is used without other HIV-1 medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in adults: who have not received HIV-1 medicines in the past, or to replace their current HIV-1 medicines when their healthcare provider determines that they meet certain requirements. HIV-1 is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It is not known if DOVATO is safe and effective in children.

Who should not take DOVATO? Do not take DOVATO if you: • have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine that contains dolutegravir or lamivudine.

• take dofetilide.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using DOVATO? Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: • have or have had liver problems, including hepatitis B or C infection.

• have kidney problems.

• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. One of the medicines in DOVATO (dolutegravir) may harm your unborn baby. ° Your healthcare provider may prescribe a different medicine than DOVATO if you are planning to become pregnant or if pregnancy is confirmed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. ° If you can become pregnant, your healthcare provider will perform a pregnancy test before you start treatment with DOVATO. ° If you can become pregnant, you should consistently use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with DOVATO. ° Tell your healthcare provider right away if you are planning to become pregnant, you become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant during treatment with DOVATO. • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take DOVATO. ° You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. ° One of the medicines in DOVATO (lamivudine) passes into your breastmilk. ° Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Some medicines interact with DOVATO. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

• You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with DOVATO. • Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take DOVATO with other medicines.

What are possible side effects of DOVATO? DOVATO can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “What is the most important information I should know about DOVATO?” section.

• Allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash with DOVATO. Stop taking DOVATO and get medical help right away if you develop a rash with any of the following signs or symptoms: fever; generally ill feeling; tiredness; muscle or joint aches; blisters or sores in mouth; blisters or peeling of the skin; redness or swelling of the eyes; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; problems breathing.

• Liver problems. People with a history of hepatitis B or C virus may have an increased risk of developing new or worsening changes in certain liver tests during treatment with DOVATO. Liver problems, including liver failure, have also happened in people without a history of liver disease or other risk factors.

Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms of liver problems: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice); dark or “tea-colored” urine; light-colored stools (bowel movements); nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area.

• Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms that could be signs of lactic acidosis: feel very weak or tired; unusual (not normal) muscle pain; trouble breathing; stomach pain with nausea and vomiting; feel cold, especially in your arms and legs; feel dizzy or lightheaded; and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat.

• Lactic acidosis can also lead to severe liver problems, which can lead to death. Your liver may become large (hepatomegaly) and you may develop fat in your liver (steatosis). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the signs or symptoms of liver problems which are listed above under “Liver problems.” You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female or very overweight (obese).

• Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having new symptoms after you start taking DOVATO. • The most common side effects of DOVATO include: headache; nausea; diarrhea; trouble sleeping; tiredness; and anxiety.

These are not all the possible side effects of DOVATO. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

©2020 ViiV Healthcare or licensor.

DLLADVT200006 August 2020 Produced in USA.

FS:6.875”

SO MUCH GOES INTO WHO I AM HIV MEDICINE IS ONE PART OF IT. Why could DOVATO be right for you? DOVATO is proven to help control HIV with just 2 medicines in 1 pill. That means fewer medicines* in your body while taking DOVATO. It’s proven as effective as an HIV treatment with 3 or 4 medicines.

Learn more about fewer medicines at DOVATO.com DOVATO is a complete prescription regimen to treat HIV-1 in adults who have not received HIV-1 medicines in the past or to replace their current HIV-1 medicines when their doctor determines they meet certain requirements.

Results may vary. *As compared with 3- or 4-drug regimens.

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

Where can I find more information?

• Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

• Go to DOVATO.com or call 1-877-844-8872, where you can also get FDA-approved labeling.

August 2020 DVT:4PIL Trademark is owned by or licensed to the ViiV Healthcare group of companies.

New to treatment? Considering a switch?

Ask your doctor about DOVATO.

FS:6.875”

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22 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

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COMMUNITY Photos by DALTON DEHART and CREW

On March 28, the Diana Foundation presented Bunny Bonnet Bash at BUDDY’S Houston to raise funds for LGBTQ youth. Hosted by drag entertainer Queen Persephone, the event featured performances, prizes, and a raffle.

CONNECTIONS SPECIALIZES IN PROVIDING INDIVIDUAL, COUPLES, AND SEX THERAPY TO THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY. Dr. Carlson is a licensed psychologist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. She embraces a sex positive and transaffirmative perspective.

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OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2019 23

LEFT OUT

By SUSAN BANKSTON

Time to Take Your Shots

Darlin’, I am so excited that I could thread a sewing machine while it’s running. I’ve gotten both of my vaccine shots, and I can’t wait to go test-drive those suckers.

Look, I know there are people who won’t get the vaccine because they still believe the whole virus thing is a hoax. I don’t know what they think happened to the 550,000 Americans who have passed away, but I’m sure in their minds it had something to do with Hillary and John Podesta getting ready for the Zombie Apocalypse.

They also believe the vaccine is being used

by Bill Gates and Elon Musk to put a microchip in your bloodstream so they can follow you everywhere on their iPhones. Yes, I’m certain those two fellas are sitting around just waiting to see where Joe Bob and Dewayne decide to go this Friday night to get drunk and skanky.

But the rest of us non-conspiracists are over this crap, and ready to take our shots like damn grownups. We’re ready to rejoin the world. We are ready to date, to meet new people, to dance while someone is actually watching. We’re ready to drive our cars with a passenger by our side. We are ready to grab our bows and arrows and go out hunting for our own damn food! (No, no, wait—I got a little carried away. No hunting inside the city limits.)

Honey, I am a kind and caring person, and I do not want you to go outside for the first time in over a year and be shocked about everything that’s happened while you were stuck inside Zooming. (You know, back when your idea of a wild Saturday night was binge-watching Laverne & Shirley reruns.) So read on for. . .

A few tips before you venture out again:

• Nobody drives to the office anymore.

Offices require a wardrobe, and we no longer know what that is.

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ILLUSTRATION BY BLASE DISTEFANO

But before you finally venture out again . . .

• However, pants are still required in restaurants. (Some people are real killjoys about this.)

• Just a heads-up: there’s a culture war

going on, and you’ll hear Republicans whining about the Democrats’ “cancel culture.” (Yes, those same Republicans who burn Dixie Chicks merch in the streets, stop watching NFL games when players kneel to protest police brutality, clutch their pearls whenever a gay couple gets married, and boycott NASCAR for banning the Confederate battle flag.) So we’ve seen where their culture has gotten us, and we’re canceling our subscription.

• When you eat in a restaurant, you can

leave all of your dirty plates and silverware on the table. Like magic, they disappear. (And you’d better tip 20 percent now, because you know it’s worth it.

• While you were home in lockdown, we did away with the whole no-white-pants-after-Labor-Day thing. A lot of River Oaks ladies will never recover, but we decided you can wear white pants whenever you

want to because nothing is finer than a nice butt in white. And I’m talking to you.

• Always ask permission before you hug

somebody who just got off a Harley and has more than 18 face piercings. You don’t know where else they are pierced, and you don’t want to find out the hard way.

• Sing along at church. Do not sing along to the elevator music.

• Numbers nightclub is still open, and

you can probably get in without wearing pants.

• Speaking of pants, the fashion world has taken a turn for the worse. Bell-bottoms are back, so please make sure you don’t trip over anybody’s ankles.

• All of those “Who was that masked man?” jokes have been done. Don’t even try, Kemosabe.

• Try to hang on just a bit longer, ’cuz bluebonnet season is almost upon us.

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COMMUNITY Photos by DALTON DEHART and CREW

LOCK UP YOUR

On March 14, Out Houston author Phillip Johnson held a book signing event for his new novel Die Fotografie at BUDDY’S Houston.

GUNS SAVE A LIFE

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RelationshipTherapistRN.com 26 APRIL 2019 | OutSmartMagazine.com

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MONEY SMART

By GRACE S. YUNG, CFP

Is It Time to Pay Off Your Mortgage?

Consider the pros and cons of eliminating a mortgage versus increasing other investments.

It’s a great feeling to pay off a debt—especially a large one such as your mortgage balance. Wiping the slate clean can have a number of nice advantages: fewer monthly bills to pay, which means more money at the end of each month to use for other needs and wants.

But should you use a chunk of your savings to eliminate your mortgage, or instead use these funds for adding to your investment and retirement-savings portfolio?

The answer can depend on several important factors.

Allocating Money for Maximum Benefit There has been a long-standing debate among both consumers and financial advisors regarding whether it is better to pay down debt or add to savings and investments. There is really no clear-cut answer that works for everyone across the board.

For instance, if your primary financial goal is to maximize wealth, then adding money to your investment or retirement portfolio may be the better alternative. Going this route can also help you to keep a “cushion” for emergencies, because accessing money from a bank or brokerage account is typically much faster and easier than pulling money out of the equity in a property. (In fact, taking out a home-equity loan will usually carry interest and closing costs that could range from 2% to 5% of the loan amount.)

But a mortgage payoff can also eliminate one of the largest tax deductions available to consumers who are homeowners. In 2021, you may deduct interest expenses of up to $750,000 of mortgage debt on your income-tax return. (However, doing so can force you to forgo the standard deduction of $12,400 as an individual tax filer, or $24,800 if you and your spouse file your taxes jointly.)

On the other hand, paying off your mortgage could eliminate a hefty monthly payment from your budget. This, in turn, can allow you more financial “breathing room,” especially if you are facing a potential job loss or other reduction in income.

28 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

THE PROS AND CONS OF PAYING OFF A MORTGAGE Advantages of Paying It Off

Disadvantages of Paying It Off

Eliminates a large monthly expense

Eliminates the mortgage interest tax deduction

Could potentially save thousands of dollars in total interest charges

If the value of your home goes down in the future, the funds used for paying off the mortgage could “disappear”

Use future income to pay off other debt(s) and/or increase savings (versus making your monthly mortgage payment)

The amount that you save by eliminating your mortgage payment and its corresponding interest may not exceed what you could earn in an investment account (versus making your monthly mortgage payment)

Good Debt versus Bad Debt When deciding whether to take on more financial obligations or reduce your balance(s), it is important to know whether the money you borrow is “good” or “bad” debt.

As an example, loans for items that quickly depreciate—such as a new car—are typically considered bad debt.

Racking up credit-card balances is also a negative, because the interest rate is usually in the range of 20 percent or more. So unless you pay off your card balance every month, this high-interest debt can increase exponentially over time, causing you to pay much more for the purchases you make.

In other cases, it might be wise to take on “good” debt. For instance, if you purchase a rental property, a mortgage could be used as “leverage” for an income-producing asset that can also increase the equity that you have.

In addition, the interest that you pay on a home mortgage for your primary residence is typically tax deductible. If you take out a home-equity loan and use these funds for home improvements, you may be able to deduct the interest that you pay for improvements.

With interest rates currently at historic

lows, it could make sense for you to refinance your home and lower your monthly payment and/or pull money out for other needs, such as paying off high-interest credit-card balances, adding to your retirement investments, increasing the amount in your emergency fund, or even paying down some of the principal balance you owe on the mortgage. In this case, though, be sure that you plan to remain in the home for at least long enough to break even on the cost of refinancing the loan.

Before You Make a Decision Before you move forward with a mortgage payoff, there are some housekeeping items to consider, such as answering the following questions: • Do you have an emergency fund in place?

If so, does it contain enough for at least six months of living expenses?

• Do you have other high-interest debt balances (such as credit cards) that are still in place (and costing you approximately 20 percent in interest charges)?

• Have you made your annual IRA (Individual Retirement Account) contribution for the current year? If you are age 49 or younger,

MONEY SMART | CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

you can contribute up to $6,000 this year, and up to $7,000 if you’re age 50 or older.

• Are you contributing the maximum amount to your employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k)? For 2021, you can contribute up to $19,500 if you’re not yet age 50, and up to $26,000 if you are 50 or over.

• Would it make more sense to refinance your mortgage (and possibly take some cash out), as interest rates are currently at historic lows?

• Will the return on other investments beat the interest-payment expenses on your mortgage?

• Will you still have ample cash available, or will paying off your mortgage drain your available savings?

• Is there a prepayment penalty for paying off your mortgage balance early?

Check in on YOUR mental wellness.

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Putting Your Plan in Place Before you commit to paying off your mortgage—or adding to your investment portfolio—you may want to discuss all of your options with a financial advisor who can review your overall situation and objectives.

That way, you will be better able to compare the short-term and long-term benefits (or drawbacks) of either scenario.

In addition, working with an advisor who is knowledgeable about issues that pertain to the LGBTQ community can provide an added benefit, because various laws regarding samesex couples can also be factored into your overall plan.

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For more information, visit midtownfg.com/lgbtqplus.10.htm or letsmakeaplan.org.

Grace S. Yung, CFP®, is a certified financial planner practitioner with experience in helping LGBT individuals, domestic partners, and families plan and manage their finances since 1994. She is the managing director at Midtown Financial Group, LLC, in Houston.

Yung can be reached at grace.yung@lpl.com.

Voted Best Female Physician

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2021 29

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

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

(bik-TAR-vee)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

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

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

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

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

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

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

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you:

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

 Have or have had any kidney or liver problems,

including hepatitis infection.

 Have any other health problems.

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

 Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not

known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby.

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

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

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

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

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

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

 BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other.

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

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

MyDailyCharge.com

BVYC0197_BIKTARVY_A_8-125X10-75_OutSmart_Hugo_r1v1jl.indd All Pages

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

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

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

visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

Version date: February 2020 © 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0197 03/20

HUGO LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 1995 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT

KEEP CONNECTING. Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

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

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

See Hugo’s story at BIKTARVY.com.

Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

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

4/13/20 11:08 AM

SHOP

SHOP LOCAL

By ZACHARY McKENZIE and LILLIAN HOANG

LGBTQ Houstonians offer high-quality artisan goods.

Houston is home to many diverse communities, award-winning restaurants, and quality artisan shops operated by members of the LGBTQ community. From handmade bath and body products to clay jewelry, this OUTSMART shopping guide introduces you to three unique queer-owned businesses you won’t want to miss this spring.

GGHOELD CUTLEAF FARM + FLOWERS

www.cutleafblooms.com Spring has sprung, and Cutleaf Farm + Flowers is bringing bucketloads of blossoms to Houstonians. Local married couple Will Gates and Casey Hereth partnered with one of their best friends, Rachel Morisson, to bring sustainability and beauty to the Greater Houston area with their unique flower farm.

The business launched after Morisson, a “plant genius,” convinced Gates to grow cut flowers for his and Hereth’s home design. There were more cut flowers than the couple had realized, which inspired them to grow as many as possible and begin a retail operation.

“We quickly realized that with our shared love of plants and Casey’s carpenter skills, a farm would be a fun project for us,” Gates explains. “We are all passionate about regenerative agriculture and climate change, so working to restore a small part of the land we live on and grow seasonal flowers seemed like a logical step to combine all of our passions.”

The store can be found at Heights Mercantile Farmer’s Markets and features unique flowers many may not have heard of or seen elsewhere. “We are always rotating our crops, so you will always find something new and beautiful when you stop by,” the couple says.

Gates adds, “We hope that our flowers help connect our community to the land we live on and restore a sense of wonder for the natural world.”

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shopgghoeld.bigcartel.com/ When the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo cancelled its 2021 season, Stephany Sanchez, who identifies as a Mexican and Hispanic gay/queer artist, decided to uplift Texans’ spirits with her colorful polymer clay jewlery. She is currently selling earrings shaped like funnel cakes, fried Oreos, and hot dogs through her online shop, gghoeld.

In the past, she has crafted and sold mushroom, animal, fruit, Halloween, Christmas, and LGBTQthemed accessories. She started her business in June of last year, after her mushroom and mango earrings went viral on TikTok and Twitter and she received about 300 orders.

“It’s been really great to be able to support myself and my family through these months,” she says.

While her crafts are animated and colorful, she originally crafted the polymer clay jewelry as a way to process the sudden loss of her friend Lex Riklin.

Since mushrooms were his favorite, Sanchez created mushroom earrings for herself and her loved ones in his honor. She soon fell in love with clay’s versatility, along with the welcoming community of artists who use clay.

“I can make any type of food and animal [with polymer clay]; I really like how broad it is,” she says.

“The community is [also] great. We’re always sharing tips, tricks, and all kinds of techniques to better our craft. People are usually open and welcome to giving any help; just ask away!”

BLOOM HANDCRAFTED BEAUTY PRODUCTS 722 Telephone Road

bloom-handcrafted-beauty-products.square.site/

One couple’s mission to provide healthy, locally sourced beauty products led to the creation of BLOOM Handcrafted Beauty Products. The small but mighty shop in the East End is a haven for anyone who wants to look and smell great while supporting local makers.

A passion for using cleaner, safer products prompted Joseph Berck and Jamie Gonzalez to open BLOOM. The multi-branded store works with small businesses to provide customers with a plethora of options. “[We carry] everything from skin care to artisan soaps, essential oils, candles, bath bombs, and hair care. There’s also a soap bar where folks can cut their own soap. Everything is handmade by a Houston maker,” he explains.

The shop’s products are all quality tested by the owners themselves. “We knew we wanted to stick to natural skin care and grooming products,” Gonzalez continues.

“Before we bring in a new product or vendor, we meet the maker, hear their story, and sample everything.”

The duo is excited to continue offering candle-making workshops with their brand partners, hosting “meet the maker” events, and being a source of quality beauty care in their neighborhood. “We wanted to bring something new and different to the community that everyone can enjoy,” Gonzalez says.

Announcement

As lifelong friends of Sara Brook and supporters of Dessert Gallery, we know her character and that of the business.

We stand in support of Sara and Dessert Gallery just as they have always supported our LGBTQIA+ community.

Marcy Rothman Barry Mandel Dee Dee Dochen Dean Putterman Andrea Gerber Michael Shallis Sara Selber Scott Sawyer John Cichon Robert Katz Luis Vernium Clark Caperton

Bill Dodson Melissa Pappert Howie Gerber Teri Gerber Gail Stalarow Norman Stalarow Joel Laser Debbie Diamond Nadia Leibovitz Dr. Kenneth Sapire Susan Morris David Morris

Susan Schneider Stanley Schneider Deborah Sopher Nancy Stow Barbara Winthrop Jay Steinfeld Steve Madden Sharon Lederer Ed Finger Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman

In honor of the late pioneering transgender journalist and activist Monica Roberts, Dee Dee Watters, a local trans advocate, founded TransGriot L.L.C., an online Black trans publication that will continue Roberts’ legacy of documenting trans history, lives, and issues.

TransGriot L.L.C.’s website features articles by local and international Black trans contributors, providing them with a platform to talk about issues that matter to them. The online publication, which was launched in January, is currently looking to hire a managing editor and fi ll other positions. Interested individuals can contact TransGriot at thetransgriot@gmail.com.

By promoting Black trans businesses and cataloging trans history through TransGriot L.L.C., Watters hopes to inspire more awareness and coverage of trans issues. “We don’t just want coverage when we’re murdered,” says Watters, noting how media reports on trans-related issues often focus on anti-trans violence. “It’s important that we do what we’re doing with TransGriot because it’s important that people know our history.”

Watters was reminded of the importance of chronicling trans history during the 2020 general election, when someone said there had never been a Black trans person elected to office. She corrected them, stating that on November 7, 2017, Andrea Jenkins became the first Black trans woman to win a Minneapolis City Council race. Jenkins also became the City Council’s vice president after her election.

Watters also remembers speaking to a young woman who was barred from barrel racing at the rodeo because she was trans. The woman felt hopeless, but Watters empowered her by reminding her of Renée Richards, a trans female tennis player who successfully sued the US Open to compete against other women.

In addition to preserving history and uplifting trans folks, Watters launched TransGriot to keep Roberts’ publication safe. In 2019, Roberts nearly lost her blog after it was suspended from the Google-owned Blogger service. Roberts and thousands of her supporters believe anti-trans internet trolls reported the site to take it down. Now that TransGriot has its own website, Watters and other contributors have the power to maintain the site. “No one can take TransGriot from us,” she says.

“We can figure out what TransGriot looks like today, tomorrow, and in the future.”

Based on their conversations, Watters 34

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PHOTO BY ASHKAN ROAYEE FOR OUTSMART

PRIDE IN THE MEDIA

Dee Dee Watters (l) and Monica Roberts appeared on the cover of OutSmart’s June Pride issue in 2019.

Uplifting Black Trans Voices Activist Dee Dee Watters launches a Black trans publication inspired by the work of Monica Roberts.

By LILLIAN HOANG

knew that Roberts wanted TransGriot to live on and evolve long after her death. The publication aims to prioritize intersectionality in the trans community and give Black trans people of all backgrounds the chance to contribute and have their voices heard.

“Monica Roberts is Monica Roberts; there’s not a need for someone to fi ll her shoes,” Watters says. “There are other shoes other people are wearing. Why not allow people to walk in

them, provide other people a space to do that?

Promoting Black trans voices is what will help us win the fight for equality.”

MX Leo Williams, a nonbinary Black person who uses they/them pronouns and currently lives in Jamaica, is proud to be a TransGriot contributor. They plan to write stories that promote hope and speak truth to power to dismantle oppressive systems that hurt trans people. ➝ CONTINUED ON PAGE 69

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MONTROSE DEVELOPMENT

Building a More Equitable Gayborhood Queer urban designer Katie Coyne wants to strengthen Montrose.

By RYAN M. LEACH

W

ith the face of Montrose quickly changing, the Montrose Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Board is focused on improving the neighborhood without losing sight of its long LGBTQ history.

Katie Coyne, 34, is a queer, self-identified butch woman playing a key role in reimagining and revitalizing Houston’s gayborhood. She and her team from Asakura Robinson lead the Montrose Livable Centers Plan that is funded through the TIRZ. The Montrose TIRZ was created in 2015 by the Houston City Council to create and extend capital-improvement projects for the purpose of attracting the private investment necessary to revitalize communities within the Zone. In early 2020, the Montrose Livable Centers Plan was launched to create “recommendations for new capital projects that the TIRZ will lead on, in addition to complementary programs and new policies,” Coyne says.

A TIRZ takes a portion of the property taxes collected within its boundaries and allows them to be reinvested into capital projects that benefit the neighborhood, under the authorization of a board that is selected by the mayor.

The Montrose board, in its efforts to leverage those tax dollars to improve the area, hired the planning, urban design, and landscape-architecture firm Asakura Robinson to develop a plan and a vision for new developments throughout Montrose for the next several years. Coyne, a principal at the firm, heads up the ambitious neighborhood project.

36 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

“Me being the lead on the project was intentional,” Coyne says. “This project is much more holistic than other projects. We wanted to make sure we cultivated a diverse team that included individuals from the LGBTQ community.”

Other sub-consultants identify as LGBTQ as well. The influence that LGBTQ representation has had on the project is apparent in the Plan materials. The LGBTQ history of the neighborhood, as well as its current racial and social inequalities, are addressed at length in the Plan.

The Montrose Livable Centers Plan, which hosts its next virtual meeting on April 19, focuses on three primary goals: Connected, Inclusive, and Thriving. Learn more about these goals below:

on those strengths. As part of improving connection, the Plan wants to create a disbursed but connected network of urban green space that will mitigate the summer heat, improve inhabitability and stormwater runoff, and fill in the gaps in park land and open spaces. These greenways will also allow better bicycle connections between major green nodes, with the key priority projects located along Montrose Boulevard from Buffalo Bayou to Hermann Park.

“We looked at how we could build on past work to improve mobility. This includes improving streetscapes, pedestrian and bicycling access, more green space, pocket parks, and right-of-way. It also includes a Montrose Urban Greenway System,” Coyne says.

Connected

“Being inclusive means focusing on affordable housing and assessing who has access to live in Montrose. We were cognizant of the history of the neighborhood as an inclusive space for counterculture and its role as ‘the gayborhood.’

The growth of the neighborhood has led to

According to the Plan, one of Montrose’s unique strengths compared to other Houston neighborhoods is its traditional street grid and its well-defined routes for biking, walking, and transit. The Plan wants to improve

Inclusive

CONTINUED ON PAGE 60

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MONTROSE DEVELOPMENT

‘There Goes the Gayborhood’ LGBTQ Houstonians weigh in on the wave of new development in Montrose.

38

APRIL 2021

|

OutSmartMagazine.com

URBAN GREENWAY

W

hen the new developments stretching for blocks around the northeast and southwest corners of Montrose Boulevard and Westheimer Road were announced, it was difficult to find a Montrose local who was neutral on the matter. That peculiar intersection—a hodgepodge of noisy traffic, pop-up memorials and protests, and eclectic street art—has long been considered the beating heart of Houston’s LGBTQ gayborhood.

The northeast intersection at Grant Street will soon see the opening of Montrose Collective, a development by real-estate developer Radom Capital. The project’s promotional material boasts of a four-story, 197,000-squarefoot enclave of five buildings with retail storefronts, restaurants, office space, and a 600-car parking garage. The Montrose branch of the Houston Public Library will also relocate to the development from its longtime home at 4100 Montrose Blvd.

Another new development, which is slated for the intersection’s southwest corner, is yet unnamed. The 3-acre tract was formerly anchored by a large strip center that was home to local favorites including Spec’s Liquor and Half Price Books. Skanska USA Commercial Development, the company that built the Philip Johnson Bank of America Tower downtown, bought the prime Montrose retail plaza last August. The company said its plans are likely to include a mix of apartments, offices, shops, and possibly a boutique hotel.

These Montrose additions are just two examples of the new construction in the fivesquare-mile Montrose area, which is home to about 23,000 residents.

The City has permits on fi le for more than 250 demolitions in the neighborhood since 2018. Strip centers, townhouses, condominiums, and Midtown-esque midrises have quickly sprouted on those vacant lots.

Texas Monthly once stated that “Montrose is the coolest neighborhood in the state,” thanks to its unique venues, small businesses, restaurants, and LGBTQ history. With the dramatic rise of commercial development across the area, is the ’hood at risk of losing this distinction? OUTSMART asked four seasoned

By KIM HOGSTROM

Annise Parker

AJ Mistretta

Bill Baldwin

LGBTQ Houstonians with strong ties to the city’s beloved gayborhood.

JD Doyle is a highly regarded historian who has documented Houston’s LGBTQ community on his website archive since 2014. Much of the area’s story would be lost without his meticulous record-keeping.

“I feel sad when I see Montrose today. It has been the center of so much of my life, and it has changed dramatically. It’s turning into something like Kirby Drive now,” Doyle says.

When asked to identify ‘the final straw’ for him, he recalls the year that Houston’s LGBTQ Pride festival and parade moved from Montrose’s quirky streets to the glass canyons of downtown.

“I was lucky enough to ride in the Pride Parade as the official male grand marshal the last year it was held in Montrose. There was just nothing like the feeling of turning the corners

JD Doyle

Jack Valinski

on the winding street, seeing the faces, hearing the crowd. I understand why it had to move, but [the parade] is so big and commercial now. Like Montrose, it’s not the same,” Doyle laments.

Community activist Jack Valinski has spent years working to make Houston’s GLBT Political Caucus into the political force that it is today. Valinski knows Montrose well, and its longtime residents even better. As a result of his involvement in the Caucus’ massive mailing list, Valinski has insight into where Houston’s LGBTQ community lives. Is he seeing that community moving elsewhere?

“There have been some eye-opening shifts,” he admits. “There are a good number of caucus voters in the Heights, but there’s been a surge in the Oak Forest and Spring Branch areas. They are joining the civic clubs! And I was surprised by the turnout in Riverside and along the I-45 corridor.” ➝

‘THERE GOES THE GAYBORHOOD’ | CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

“It’s a wonderful thing,” he adds. “We used to circle the wagons around Montrose for safety, so we could live freely in an accepting community. Now we live everywhere. We are no longer relegated to the gay ghettos.”

Perhaps nobody has done more for Houston’s LGBTQ community than former Houston mayor Annise Parker, who was the first out mayor of a major American city.

Parker’s roots run deep in Montrose. She is on her fourth home in the neighborhood, and her view is somewhat less romantic than you might expect.

“It is a myth that Montrose has been gay-owned. It has been home to gay bars, but LGBTQ citizens lived in scruffy, rented apartments. We have never been the majority property owners. However, it has always been an accepting, tolerant community. That part is true,” Parker says.

The former mayor reminds us that while Montrose provided LGBTQ Houstonians with a sense of connection, it also set them up as targets.

“When I moved to Montrose, teens were driving in from the suburbs on the weekends, holding tailgate parties and clogging Westheimer so they could stare at the ‘freaks,’” she

explains.

So when did it start to improve? “I am not sure,” she says, “but I know it hit its low point in 1991, when Paul Broussard was murdered.

Here we had some kids who drove into Montrose for trouble. When they stopped Paul on the street [near the gay dance club Heaven], one of the teens rolled the car window down and yelled, ‘Do you know how to get to Heaven?’

Then one of them killed him.

“After that, we added the Q Patrol to keep our community safe,” Parker notes.

Still, she has no plans to leave. “I love its walkability and the older homes, the trees. And I love the sense of community here. I didn’t leave when things were rough, and I don’t think I ever will,” she concludes with a smile.

As a member of Houston’s LGBTQ community and vice president of communications for the Greater Houston Partnership, A.J. Mistretta deeply values Montrose’s history, but is committed to guiding Houston toward a prosperous future.

“Montrose is changing, but the Castro in San Francisco, Boystown in Chicago, and the Village in New York are not the same, either.

All this gnashing of teeth over ‘changing Montrose’ is out of touch,” Mistretta says.

@GraciousHomesAndLiving KarenDerrRealtors.com 40 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

“Montrose is a couple of miles from downtown, and we cannot be a world-class city if we hold on to what we used to be. We can either move into the higher-density required for a major city, or we can hang on to a past that is already gone. I know it’s a hard pill to swallow, but it is the truth,” he continues.

For some, a changing Montrose means having more exciting options. Bill Baldwin, one of Houston’s leading residential real-estate professionals, is the owner of Boulevard Realty and an LGBTQ community member who is devoted to the Houston Heights.

“Montrose is undergoing an evolution.

LGBTQ real-estate buyers have been steadily moving out to other neighborhoods because ‘the neighborhood feel’ has been lost, and that can now be found in other communities such as the Heights. And being gay is an asset here in the Heights—almost like you are the ‘cool’ one!” Baldwin says with pride.

“Much of [the reason for the LGBTQ migration out of Montrose] has to do with being priced out, and the fact that townhouses and large-scale developments changed the feel and function of ‘the gayborhood.’ The Montrose of yesteryear is gone, never to return,” Baldwin concludes.

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MONTROSE DEVELOPMENT

The New Development on the Block Montrose Collective will offer a unique blend of retail, office, and civic space.

The Montrose streetscape continues to evolve, this time along Westheimer between Grant and Crocker Streets. The area that once housed Theo’s Greek Restaurant and a Houston Police storefront station will soon be home to Montrose Collective, a multi-use development slated to open this summer.

Radom Capital LLC is developing the property as a midrise structure that blends current as well as new buildings. The total project spans 197,000 square feet, with 40,000 square feet of green space and patios.

“We’ve always been interested in this area as a firm. Most of our work has been inside the loop—neighborhoods we want to spend time in, and neighborhoods that value good architecture and tenancy. We love the Montrose area for lots of reasons: food, retail, and all the attractions that make Houstonians want to spend time in Montrose,” says Barton Kelly, vice president and principal of Radom Capital.

Kelly describes the property as a “community forward” development that includes retail, office, and civic space. On the hospitality side, Houstonians can expect six restaurant spaces in addition to Uchi, which has remained open throughout the construction process. For the retail spaces, Radom Capital is aiming to hit the sweet spot that combines local tenants and national brands—jewelry makers, optical shops, salons, and the like. Entertainment presenter Live Nation will fill three floors, with more tenants expected to join as the project nears completion.

Houston Public Library’s Freed-Montrose branch, currently located at 4100 Montrose Blvd., has also inked a deal to relocate in the fancy new digs.

Kelly believes the design of Montrose Collective is a good draw for national names as well as local businesses. “Montrose Collective puts a lot of emphasis on architecture, and what’s interesting and unique. Our landscape architect has done great work. There’s a garden courtyard that cuts through the project. There will be really interesting landscaping and a seating moment. It’s like a living room for 42 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

MICHAEL HSU OFFICE OF ARCHITECTURE

By SAM BYRD

the community, and we plan to host events there, too,” he says. “The materials will change throughout the space and create an undulation throughout the building. It creates a sense of space where people want to hang out.”

The property also provides another rarity in the area: parking.

“We will have above- and below-ground parking. There will be 600 spaces on site. It can be challenging to find parking spaces in Montrose, and by going underground, it doesn’t impose on the neighborhood. We also covered the above-ground garage with a woven screen material, so it looks like artwork,” Kelly adds.

But the development’s green space is the enviable component that has been incorporated throughout the property.

“All our office space will have patio spaces attached to the offices, and that’s not very common in Houston. You can walk outside and take a phone call. A lot of those patios have green space. We hired a consultant from California to advise us on the patio spaces and the plant life that would survive. We’ll have a 30-foot-long green wall on Westheimer. The project will feel lush, alive, vibrant, and green.

You don’t see that a lot in new construction,” Kelly adds.

To create so much square footage, some of the block’s existing trees had to go. But Radom’s designers made their best effort to preserve what greenery it could, and repurpose the rest.

“We did make a great effort to preserve the 100-year-old oak trees that look amazing and provide shade. You normally don’t get that in new construction,” Kelly emphasizes.

Additionally, the residential structures located on Montrose Collective’s property were donated to Historic Houston, who deconstructed and salvaged the materials.

“We hope that the Montrose neighborhood sees this as an extension of their backyard.

They can walk over and have a bite and stick around for one of our events. We understand that the Montrose neighborhood is discerning and already has great James Beard-decorated restaurants. We’re making a product that will fit that clientele,” Kelly says.

Change can be hard for some of Montrose’s diehard purists. Remember when the Pride Parade moved downtown? Radom Capital says it hopes to bridge Montrose’s past and future in a way that honors everyone.

“We hope the existing community frequents Montrose Collective. We feel the way we designed the project is as open, inviting, and inclusive as possible,” Kelly adds. “From having the library and the public component, to how we engage with different tenants, to the different events we’ll have on site, we’re open and community-forward.”

For more information, visit montrosecollective.com.

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PHOTO BY ALEX ROSA FOR OUTSAMRT

44 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

HOME + DESIGN

Gracious Greenery William D. Skinner III turns his love of gardening into a unique landscaping business.

By CONNOR BEHRENS

PHOTO BY ALEX ROSA FOR OUTSAMRT

O

ut Houstonian William D. Skinner III just wanted something to do in his free time. Five years later, his gardening pastime has turned into a full-fledged landscaping business.

“I really needed something to do with my hands, so I decided to get into yard work,” he says. “I had fixed up my house, and my neighbor saw what I did and asked for my help. I ended up working on his lawn, and it kind of just snowballed from there.”

Fire and Flora, one of the city’s premier landscaping businesses, offers a multitude of services that include installing irrigation systems and redesigning landscapes for yards, patios, walkways, and more.

Forming his own business has been a whirlwind journey, and the list of Skinner’s clientele has steadily grown since he officially opened his doors two years ago.

“It has been going quite well,” he says. “The interesting thing about what I do is I try to take each client’s unique perspective—how much they are going to take care of the garden, how they like to relax—and incorporate that into what their lawn is going to be.”

Skinner believes his success so far is due to his interest in going beyond the city’s usual landscaping staples—boxwoods, crepe myrtles, and oaks. “I think people have seen that I have this unique perspective in regards to landscaping in Houston,” he notes. “I’ve been doing a mixture of cacti and different grasses, things

William D. Skinner III was photographed at Treesearch Farms, a Houston-based wholesale grower that provides landscapers with hard-to-find plants.

of that nature. People really came to like it.”

Skinner tends to mix different types of trees and grasses to create areas in a yard that are a fun throwback to more rural desert areas such as Santa Fe or Arizona.

“For people who want unique lawns and backyards, what I do is mix cactus with ornamental trees, taking these different styles and blending them into a contemporary, modern look,” he explains.

“I TRY TO TAKE EACH CLIENT’S UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE—HOW MUCH THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE GARDEN, HOW THEY LIKE TO RELAX— AND INCORPORATE THAT INTO WHAT THEIR LAWN IS GOING TO BE.” —William D. Skinner III When it comes to more unique landscaping trends in Houston, Skinner has noticed some interesting choices in many people’s yards. “I see nuttall oaks,” he says. “I see ligustrums, I see boxwoods. I see loropetalums. Those are basically the kind of plants that people have been asking for. These plants always look nice, and usually never die. They’re neat and tidy— especially good for people who don’t want to mess with anything.”

Recently, Skinner has noticed people spending more time outside due to the pandemic restrictions. “People want to find some constructive ways to use their time to either

redo their homes, paint, do art, stuff like that,” he says. “Landscaping is a part of that—getting outside and just planting new plants. Even if they can’t go anywhere, they can create a space that’s comfortable and relaxing, given the year that we just had.”

Helping someone build their perfect yard or lawn gives Skinner great solace. In many ways, his job allows him to see people in a more intimate setting.

“I get to see people in a different light,” he says. “I get to find out what they need in their personal spaces. You have to think of the value [that the landscaping brings to the client], not just its curb appeal. I take all those things into consideration when I design a lawn.”

Many people value a lawn or yard as their calm space, so Skinner makes sure he creates a landscape that really fosters relaxation.

“I am a military veteran, and I know how hard it can be to be in combat and not being able to come home to a space at all,” he says.

“People [have similar feelings] when they go to certain jobs, like if you’re a lawyer, a nurse, a doctor, or a surgeon. These green spaces are their solace.”

Right now, many people are trying to figure out what to do with their dead greenery after the disastrous winter freeze in February. Skinner has a simple tip for people experiencing yard turmoil: Patience.

“Because this was an extremely unusual freeze, you just have to wait it out,” he explains.

“It is about patience. Decide what is important in your garden, and if you want to replace things, go ahead and replace them. However, if you cut it back and see growth, just have patience and let it grow back. It will actually grow back a lot stronger.”

For more information on Fire and Flora, go to fireandflorahtx.com.

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2021 45

Timeless Interiors Jacob Medina avoids the trends trap with his comfortable designs.

PHOTO BY ALEX ROSA FOR OUTSAMRT

By JENNY BLOCK

46 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

HOME + DESIGN

PHOTO BY ALEX ROSA FOR OUTSAMRT

As a kid, Jacob Medina wanted to work in fashion merchandising. “But that career wasn’t approved by the parents,” he says, “so I had planned to go to med school. Still, I always wanted a career that was more creative.”

Despite what his parents may have had in mind for him, a successful career in a creative field is exactly where Medina landed. He is now the owner and principal designer of Jacob Medina Interior Design.

The 34-year-old gay Montrose resident grew up right here in Houston. “Well, Deer Park actually. But I try to forget that place,” he adds with a laugh. He attended the University of Houston to study biology and biotechnology.

When it came to med school, Medina says, “I put in the effort, but my heart was never in it.

I knew it wasn’t right for me, and I finally gave up to ‘find my path’ in life.”

Interior design work was also not part of his plans until a close friend needed some help designing her townhome. “She knew that I had good taste and could design the home,” Medina recalls. “It was my first job. I kind of muddled my way through it, but the home turned out beautifully.”

After that, he decided to pursue a fulltime career in interior design. “I didn’t take on projects for about a year. I took the time to teach myself all the skills I felt that I needed to work with clients and learn more about the business. [Then I did some design] work for family and friends,” he says. In late 2017, he opened his firm and started taking on clients.

“It’s been a direct path since then of continu-

ing to learn and to grow my business.

Medina knew interior design really was “his thing” after getting lots of positive feedback from his clients and the public. “Also, it just feels like a good fit for my personality. I get to work with amazing people designing beautiful homes.”

Medina also finds inspiration in the fact that design trends are constantly evolving.

“Right now, I am inspired by vintage ’70s and Art Deco style,” he says. “The ’70s designs were so wacky, but they can be reinvented in a current way.”

The disco era’s emphasis on bold patterns and color makes ’70s-inspired designs fun for Medina to work with. “All of the furniture was really sculptural. There was wood paneling and green carpets everywhere. It was all so wacky,” Medina notes with a chuckle. “Those design concepts can be pared down and used to create some very interesting and current homes.”

Medina believes that the very laid-back ’70s vibe is something we could all benefit from right now. “We are spending more time than ever in our homes, so a cool space with a laid-back feel is exactly what we need. I guess the important takeaway is that you should expect to see furniture with an emphasis on details and paired with more color and pattern in the home.”

Medina recently finished a complete home renovation in collaboration with 2Scale Architects and Southland Homes. It was a very traditional home with a red-brick exterior and dark, heavy interiors. Medina took the house all the way down to the studs, completely rearranged the interior, and put back it all back

together with light-colored materials that formed the backdrop for colorful and modern furniture. “Some of my favorite features are the asymmetrical island, the patterned wallpaper in the powder room, and the large four-foot-square tiles throughout the first floor. They really make a statement.” In addition, the architect changed the back of the home to include floor-to-ceiling glass doors.

“The home overlooks the bayou, and is now filled with light. It’s stunning.”

Because the economy was so unstable throughout 2020, Medina did end up downsizing his firm. “I know the world is still a crazy place, but it seems like the Houston economy is getting back to normal. I am looking forward to growing my team of designers and project managers, as well as taking on out-ofstate projects in 2021.”

Medina explains that good interior design is imperative when it comes to creating a home that’s beautiful as well as functional and comfortable. “The designer’s role is to marry the client’s needs with the designer’s vision to produce the home of their dreams. We take on the role of managers, creators, marriage counselors, problem solvers, and more, so that your time can be spent on the things that are important to you,” Medina emphasizes.

Above all, he advises, “Don’t fall into a ‘trend trap.’ As an interior designer, I create homes that feel current yet timeless. It is a fine line to walk. Don’t get sucked into Pinterest and design a home that is too trendy. You won’t love it in two years.”

For more information on Jacob Medina Interior Design, visit jacob-medina.com.

Some of Jacob Medina’s recent work includes a stylish lounge (l), a modern kitchen, and a bold powder room.

Photos by Colleen Scott | Art by Edgar Medina | Furnishings in collaboration with Shop Called Shop OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2021 47

Warehouse 72 restaurant

Vallone’s Restaurant “Electric Bubbles”

Bentwater Lake House staircase

“LIGHTING SHOULD INSPIRE PEOPLE AND ENHANCE THEIR LIVES AS WELL AS THE OBJECTS THAT IT ILLUMINATES.” —Martin Sunday

48 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

HOME DESIGN

Lighting Up Houston Martin Sunday enhances local homes and businesses with his lighting designs.

By DAVID WEBB

proprietor.

“We have doubled our business in the last four years,” Sunday says in a telephone interview from his Kirby Drive design studio and lighting store.

“It is off the charts this year.”

The growth of the business has allowed Sunday to hire an office assistant in addition to his new associate designer, Travis Power, who has 14 years of experience in lighting and architectural design. The two met while Sunday was giving a lecture at the Art Institute of Houston. Sunday and his husband, Rice University LGBT Studies Professor Brian Riedel, have been married for almost three years. They have two large dogs—a Siberian Husky named Logan, and a retriever mix named Riley.

This success story is an interesting development for the Detroit native, who studied computer science at the University of Michigan. He worked in that field before partnering (both professionally and romantically) with Los Angeles lighting designer Ken Paulsen for seven years. Sunday explains that he set up Paulsen’s business on computers, and the veteran designer taught Sunday all about the lighting business. From there, he moved to San

popular even in average-sized homes.”

Other types of specialty lighting can be used in a variety of ways to highlight objects and add layers of light, Sunday says. “We sculpt with light. It’s pretty awesome.”

Much can be done to enhance a room’s lighting with a simple dimmer switch. Sunday adds that the type of lightbulb and how it’s directed can also make a big difference. Precise lighting effects can also be controlled from a WiFi smartphone app. “You don’t have to be rich to have good lighting,” Sunday emphasizes. “You just have to call the right people. The use of LED light bulbs is everything—[they let you] do so many different things with lighting today.”

Sunday’s firm works with all types of residential and commercial projects, and highlighting art collections is a major focus. Martin believes that “lighting should inspire people and enhance their lives as well as the objects that it illuminates.”

About 10 percent of Sunday’s business comes from the LGBTQ community, and one of his recent clients was Houston Municipal Courts judge and LGBTQ activist Fran Watson. He credits the pandemic lockdowns with the dramatic increase in home lighting projects. “It’s from people being in their homes a lot and deciding to fix them up.”

YVONNE FEECE

L

ighting is becoming an increasingly important element of residential and commercial design, and that has translated into a business bonanza for Martin Sunday Lighting Design’s namesake

Diego to work for The Case Companies, learning more about lighting design and becoming that company’s vice president. He finally moved to Houston in 2000 to work as a designer and outside salesman for Lighting, Inc., while he prepared to launch his own company in 2010.

Sunday says he moved to Texas for better opportunities. The use of Hollywood stage lighting effects had already found its way into homes and businesses in California, but Texas was still an untapped market. “In Houston, I was a much bigger fish than in California,” Sunday notes. “Bringing stage lighting into homes was kind of a new thing, but it’s becoming more

For more information on Martin Sunday Lighting Design, visit martinsundaydesigns.com.

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2021 49

HOUSE & HOME

Houston’s Top

REAL-ESTATE PROS Reflecting on the dynamic local market in 2021.

By MARENE GUSTIN

Of all the businesses that were hit hard by the pandemic over the last year (and again by the deep freeze earlier this year), the real-estate industry has perhaps seen the strongest rebound and actual strides forward in 2021. Houston’s real-estate market has shown incredible stability throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Houston Association of Realtors’ February-to-February market report, sales of single-family homes increased 1.2 percent even as the pool of available homes shrank.

February 2021 marked the ninth straight month of sales increases, and while all price ranges showed a major uptick, it was the sale of luxury homes that skyrocketed.

So what’s fueling this real-estate boom, and what can we expect in the coming months?

We asked some of the area’s top Realtors and brokers to share their insights.

BECKY WHEELER

compass.com/agents/becky-wheeler I believe historically low interest rates are a factor [in the booming market, despite] the limited housing supply.

The pandemic was definitely challenging, [but I saw] an increase in my business because people decided they wanted to relocate due to the pandemic. My brightest high point over the past year has been helping my clients turn their dreams into reality!

Technology has made things easy for me to market my listings online and target areas to search for homes for my clients. Plus, I sold a home during COVID via a FaceTime virtual showing to clients who were moving here from out of state.

The hottest-selling homes right now are those with a great patio or outdoor space. Also, home-office space is in demand. I predict a robust market for 2021.

BROOKS BALLARD

brooksballard.evrealestate.com Sales are up in different markets and price points, and a lot of it is attributed to people seeing the stability in owning a home. Also, the low interest rates allow for the purchase of a larger

50 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

home with a home office or more green space.

I’m truly, truly enthusiastic about empowering our clients and advisors with the opportunities that we bring to purchase real estate in Houston, or anywhere in U.S. and globally.

Based on all of the information I know after 25-plus years in the industry, real estate will be the fastest-growing industry. Residential and commercial sales are at record levels because, in part, there is so much available capital in the market and low interest rates.

CODY GRIZZOFFI

nrlmortgage.com/lo/cody-grizzoffi Over the past year, more people have been working from home, so they are realizing that they want something newer, bigger, and updated, since they have spent more time in their home than they normally would.

For me personally, the challenge was homeschooling with my kids and having my partner working from home, too. I have worked from home myself for years, and am used to it. However, I was not used to having multiple people at home with me. But everything has worked out just fine as we all learned to adapt.

Rates are on the rise, and expected to go up more by the end of the year. But even if they do, they are still lower than they have been in the 18-plus years I have been in the mortgage industry. More people are realizing the cost of rent continues to go up, and they could get into a home of their own to start building their

own equity in real estate. I have also had more repeat clients start investing in the real-estate market this past year.

DAN RITCHEL kwmet.com

With this being such a seller’s market, one of my worst challenges is seeing some of my buyers lose out on the property of their dreams because of a bidding war. It’s hard to let them know that even though they offered more than list price on the home, they lost out on the deal to someone willing to pay even more. But on a positive note, I am pleased that several of my buyers were able to afford more house for their money, given the rates, and more of my sellers were able to sell their homes at top dollar.

I have found that the broader Montrose area has been a hot spot of activity in the past year, primarily driven by its diversity and uniqueness, its walkability to local restaurants, bars, art studios, and cultural spots, and its close proximity to downtown Houston, the Texas Medical Center, and the Energy Corridor.

Over the past year, I had five close family members, including my husband of 30 years, contract COVID-19, resulting in extended stays in the ICU. I am thankful my husband survived, as well as two other family members, and I am blessed and comforted with the memories of the two we lost. I am thankful for all the efforts of the healthcare providers, and my many friends and clients who have supported us through these difficult times.

DAVID BATAGOWER

compass.com/agents/david-batagower Last year forced us to spend more time in our homes during the lockdowns. For many, this resulted in wanting more space, amenities, or functionality out of our homes. Also, record-low interest rates increased the purchasing power for many home buyers, and a surge of buyers relocating to Houston from both the east and west coasts. Where $1 million is “entry level” in some of those markets, it gets you into the luxury market in many parts of Houston. Who wouldn’t want to spend $2 million rather than $5 million for a new luxury home—and avoid state income taxes!

The inner loop is hot! The Heights and surrounding pockets continue to see very few days on the market, and multiple offers for homes ➝

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HOUSE & HOME | CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

that are priced right.

I see a strong sellers’ market in many areas of Houston that will continue throughout 2021.

Despite increases in interest rates, I expect buyer demand to remain steady as we still have a large number of people upgrading or looking to get into their first home. With several pockets around the inner loop experiencing rapid revitalization, it’s also a great time to consider getting into some form of real-estate investing—even something as simple as buying and holding land.

I had the opportunity to help over 50 clients in 2020, from multi-million-dollar buyers to first-time buyers or sellers, and everything in between. It’s truly been fulfilling to be a part of everyone’s journey. There are so many moving parts during the sale or purchase of a home.

There is nothing more rewarding than getting that thank-you at the closing table, with everyone taking a deep breath and just soaking it all in—before the move starts!

DAVID BOWERS

thehousecompany.com/david-bowers It is interesting that home sales seem to have nothing to do with COVID, but perhaps they had everything to do with COVID. People may have decided to go for their ideal home (or a home they could make ideal), because where they live matters. Your home is important, and if you thought you wanted to live someplace, then you were going to do it now because COVID has made sure you got your priorities right. And with interest rates so low, you almost couldn’t afford not to go for the dream property.

In Galveston, lots of people bought cottages and Victorians to use as vacation rentals.

People wanted someplace close they could go to without being on a plane. They could not get on a cruise ship, but if they wanted to be on an island, here we are in Galveston.

The hottest places for sale are renovated properties that are ready to go and priced right.

There are a lot of overpriced houses sitting out there, and they could have sold if they were priced right. Cottages and Victorians are the hot ticket in my part of Galveston. We have houses that did not flood in Ike or Harvey, and did not lose power in the February freeze (but not all houses, though).

With the Biden rollout of the vaccine, I predict 2021 is going to become an amazing year for all businesses. We need more appraisers!

DEBBIE LEVINE

debbielevine.greenwoodking.com People realize, now more than ever, that their home is their most prized possession. Low

interest rates are also very appealing for buyers wanting to make a change.

The current inventory is extremely tight, and buyers are often having to compete in multiple-offer situations. There is nothing more satisfying than to win a multiple-offer situation and see a client obtain the house of their dreams.

Technology has made the real-estate process much easier, as consumers can see a home virtually and make an offer without ever having to step foot inside. I have sold homes over the past year sight-unseen.

Consumers still love a walkable neighborhood, which includes many inner-loop areas such as Montrose, Upper Kirby, EaDo, and the Heights.

I predict that the real-estate market will stay strong and competitive throughout the year as we deal with low inventory and historically low interest rates.

I was in a panic over the real-estate market when the pandemic began, but I soon came to realize how much people love and appreciate their homes. Whether making improvements to an existing home, upsizing, or downsizing, it is quite clear that owning a home remains the American dream.

DOUG SMITH

hawthornecapital.com The biggest challenge we’ve encountered has been our general inability to meet with and borrow from the bankers who issue rural land loans. We couldn’t meet with them in person due to the virus, and we’ve had a hard time borrowing from them because they’ve been busy with pandemic-related PPP loans for businesses.

Another issue we had early on pertained to collecting mortgage payments from our borrowers. Many of them were able to pay, but they had heard or read that they didn’t need to pay their mortgage during the pandemic.

Fortunately, we were able to work through those issues and get them back on track. On the bright side, rural land has been unbelievably hot over this past year. I’d say that demand for it has been right up there with toilet paper and bicycles. It seems as if everyone wants a little slice of the country these days, and we’re happy to provide that to them.

At Hawthorne Capital, we’re in the business of buying rural land and selling it on owner financing. The entire niche of rural land is hotter than ever right now, but we’re seeing more demand for properties that are about 60

minutes from downtown Houston, as opposed to 90. Many people prefer to live or play in the country, but they don’t want to lose easy access to all that the big city provides. As for the Houston housing market, home sales are hot across the board, but that’s especially true for homes priced at $250,000 or less. There’s a limited supply of those properties, and the demand is high because that price point is within most people’s budget. The high-end market is also doing surprisingly well, in spite of not only the pandemic but also the prolonged downturn in the oil and gas industry. Recent data shows that most high-income earners have not been severely affected by the pandemic, as they’ve been much more able to retain their jobs and transition to remote work. It’s clear that many of them are taking advantage of this good fortune by entering the housing market. Like the buyers at lower price points, they’re also faced with limited supply and thus higher prices.

My company has been fortunate enough to be in real estate, and specifically the rural land business, during the pandemic. As a result, we were able to set several company records. Over the last twelve months, we sold 69 ranchettes comprising 830 acres for a total of $10.7 million. That’s nearly double the $5.9 million in sales from the preceding 12-month period.

Even more importantly, we were able to gener➝ ate $765,000 in returns for our investors, many of whom are LGBTQ+ Houstonians. It’s inevitable that some of those funds will find their way into the coffers of the many organizations that do so much good for our community.

JANET FRIEDMAN jfriedman.biz

A combination of reasons contribute to the [rise of] luxury home markets.

One main reason is that interest rates are low, allowing for more borrowing power. Buyers are looking for larger homes that have more room, since they are working from home. Buyers want more physical room to spend more time at home with their family.

There is a pent-up demand, as many people were waiting to see what happens with COVID. Those who were waiting to make a move are now very ready.

Moving all [office] operations to our homes was initially a challenge. The best outcome was learning how well we work [virtually] together. Our pandemic plan worked well, but we now realize that our technology and hardware needs were not as developed. The [pandemic’s long duration] was not anticipated. We planned for a hurricane or a flood with no electricity, but we did not foresee the longevity of this pandemic. We have learned that we are quite effective at working together with remote ➝ OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2021 53

HOUSE & HOME | CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

home offices. The best outcome is that we have not only survived but thrived, and our relationships are better than ever. I see the rest of the year being steady and consistent, and improving in all ways.

I have really, really enjoyed working from home, and spending more time with family and pets. I became much more productive, and learned how to be resourceful. [I also saved money], as I didn’t go out to restaurants or theaters, and movies, and I didn’t travel. I also learned that I need more hobbies before I retire!

JEREMY FAIN

greenwoodking.com/agents/ 16547-Jeremy-Fain The inventory is down across the board—about 45 percent from this time last year. That, coupled with the extremely low interest rates, has created a feeding frenzy of sorts. [I see] multipleoffer scenarios much more frequently.

This past year was the complete opposite of what I thought it was going to be. I thought the whole industry was going to shut down,

and it ended up being my best year ever in the business. The challenge was keeping up with the demands of handling so many listings and buyers—69 closings last year, to be exact.

Technology has impacted my business in a very positive way. Knowing how to utilize social media has been priceless. It’s something that you can use greatly to your advantage at literally no cost. I think it’s extremely underutilized.

The Heights is hot—you can’t keep something on the market for more than a day! The high end in River Oaks has been very active, as well. It has been really neat to watch. West University, Southampton, and the Museum District are quite active, as per usual.

As for the coming year, I think it’s going to be survival of the fittest. I think that both the inventory and the interest rates are going to remain quite low. The good listings are going to go quickly, and the aggressive buyers are going to win the bids. This is typical Houston real estate—resilient as ever!

KAREN DERR

karenderrrealtors.com My sales are great, mostly thanks to relocating buyers from California. Also, the continued low interest rates mean that loans are enticing,

and real estate as an investment is looking good.

We have always utilized technology when it makes sense, and also kept a personal touch when it’s best for our clients. We are now selling homes without the buyers having to make an in-person visit—something I would have discouraged in the past. But now we’ve learned how to make the “virtual visit” experience real and accurate with technology. Going up against multiple offers with other buyers is challenging, but it feels so good when I gather the intel and write the winning offer for my buyers.

Country acreage is hot right now. City buyers are snapping it up for the future. As in past times, a place in the country resonates with buyers during these uncertain times.

Seeing my team members reach and surpass personal business goals is always high on my list as a broker. I also was diagnosed with (and recovered from) breast cancer in 2020. I got a cute new hairdo and lost 20 pounds out of the deal, so I’m feeling better than ever.

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friend and fellow Realtor Terri Coffman. She was a great professional and a friend to the community. We will miss her.

THOMAS PHILLIPS

citysidehouston.com/ The low mortgage rates are one of the reasons the luxury market has increased. The buyers of these properties are finding their money now has more purchasing power, and they can get more for their money, especially compared to markets in California. I’ve seen very high demand in the suburbs, and vacation properties on the beach and lake. The suburbs are popular because everyone is working from home, and homeowners now realize they need more space. Vacation property is also in high demand since most people are not traveling as they used to.

One of my high points for 2020 was being able to take the time to make care calls to my current and past clients. I did this to let them know I was here for them if they needed a grocery run or anything during the lockdown.

This helped me reinforce that they are not just a transaction to me, but friends that I really care about.

2021 will be another record year. The interest rates will tick up, but not enough to impact the demand. Also, oil prices should start to make a comeback, and that is always good for Houston as a whole.

TOM EICKLEBERRY

pridestreetrealty.com Highly skilled professionals are choosing to call Houston home. The other attribute is the investors who are choosing Houston as the market to buy in. Home prices and rental rates equate to a desirable return on investment for investors in residential and commercial properties.

Technology has allowed the sale of real property to continue with little to no slowdown. Zoom meetings and virtual closings, as well as notaries and wire transfers, have allowed us to continue with business as usual.

Virtual tours of homes have become somewhat the norm.

Conroe, and north of Conroe, is selling like wildfire. Texas City is seeing surges in sales, too. All of the Greater Houston area is doing very well, but to see sales growing north of Conroe and south of Clear Lake is a great sign of Houston’s expansion and growth.

I think 2021 will continue as it has been for the last several years. Interest rates at historic ➝

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All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage. Compass is a licensed real estate broker. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY lows will keep consumers borrowing. Even if rates went up one or two percent, the market will still continue to grow. Population growth in Texas will keep the housing market humming along.

TOM SCHWENK

tomsgalvestonrealestate.com In the last month of 2020, we saw a number of million-dollar-plus homes sell in Galveston, and throughout the year sales at all price levels were strong. At Tom’s Galveston Real Estate (TGRE) our 2020 revenue was up over 20 percent from 2019. Analyzing the statistics also shows that Galveston house prices are increasing. From an economic standpoint, there are many contributing factors, including folks valuing the stability of real estate in uncertain times. Galveston has always been a destination town, and from a real-estate perspective we offer houses unlike any others. Our East End Victorians rival San Francisco and Charleston, our Gulf Coast beach cottages are chic and open to nature, and we have downtown lofts and condos where you can walk to art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and more. Then you have incredible waterfront properties near our beaches and bayous, with amenities that give owners a resort-style lifestyle. During the pandemic, people have been attracted to Galveston because of our beautiful environment and outdoor lifestyle. We have 32 miles of beach, and plenty of bayous where people can easily socially distance while enjoying the beauty and tranquility of nature.

Most of Galveston Island has had strong sales, as people choose different neighborhoods for different reasons. Beach and waterfront property is always popular, but I think more people are starting to appreciate the East End and downtown Galveston due to its walkability and proximity to the beach.

Business has been great, so TGRE can offer a referral service for agents from out of town that provides local expertise. I support more than 50 local nonprofits, and it has been incredible to see the resilience in these organizations and how they’ve helped the community through a tough year. I’m proud of my team at TGRE. We’ve always gone the extra mile for our customers, and in 2020 we rose to all the challenges and helped even more people buy, sell, and lease Galveston. I love my island home, and it’s always a real high point to help people move here. As I always say, those of us lucky enough to live by the sea are lucky enough.

DAN RITCHEL 214.384.1164 dan.ritchel@me.com

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KATIE COYNE | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36

displacement for many of its residents. Ninety percent of the people who live in Montrose leave the neighborhood to go to work, and 90 percent of the people who work in the neighborhood don’t live there,” Coyne explains.

One of the goals outlined in the plan is to create affordable-housing funding and programs that will go toward improving the ability of longtime residents to remain in Montrose, providing more housing for service workers in the neighborhood, and removing barriers to home ownership. It also contemplates a “right to return” program focused on giving priority for affordable housing to individuals and families who were previously displaced by rapidly increasing housing costs.

Acknowledgment of harm is another key component of the Plan. Racial covenants that depressed homeownership among communities of color still exist in many Montrose neighborhoods. Although they are no longer enforceable under the law, they still exist in many instances and continue to serve as a reminder of the systemic racism that was once in place. The plan wants to work with neighborhood associations in the near term to include statements that acknowledge the harm these covenants caused, and ultimately to have them removed through legislative action at the state level.

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“What makes Montrose thrive is the vibe that drives the local economy. We want to preserve and protect this by promoting small, local business and beloved institutions. We want to use public art, creative placemaking and active programming to reflect Montrose’s identity as an inclusive place,” Coyne says.

There are several programs that will help support the goal of a thriving Montrose. A “Montrose Stories” public-art program will engage in telling the story of the neighborhood. This will evolve into a tourism program that will engage visitors with guided tours of significant places, public art, and historic sites.

The plan also would have Montrose designated as an LGBTQ Cultural District by the Texas Art Commission, which may result in further grant funding for art projects that honor the LGBTQ community.

While a Montrose Remembrance Garden for LGBTQ victims of violence has been created, the plan would also support the development of a memorial specifically to honor community members who are victims of the HIV/AIDS crisis.

The Plan, when completed, will have a transformative effect on the neighborhood that forms the heart of Houston’s LGBTQ community. Although it’s still in the development phase, more information can be found at montrosehtx.org.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX ROSA

Adán Medrano creates salsa from scratch in his home kitchen, which is located in Montrose near the Museum District.

62 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

FOOD + DRINK

Before There Was Tex-Mex Chef, author, and filmmaker Adán Medrano uncovers the history of native Texas cuisine.

By JENNY BLOCK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX ROSA

C

uisine divorced from culture has no legs, says Houston-based chef Adán Medrano. “But let me just eat my taco!” he adds with a laugh. In his new documentary Truly Texas Mexican, the San Antonio native’s passion for the story of Native American cuisine from Texas is surpassed by only one thing—the food itself.

For Medrano, the feelings inspired by a fusion of Mexican and Native American cuisine are not merely theories or distant memories.

“It is spirituality,” he emphasizes. It is nourishment for the body, mind, and spirit. Our ignorance of that rich culture is an historic gap that deserves to be filled with the truth.

The story behind “Texas Mexican” food, as Medrano calls it, is a history that people in power have long tried to whitewash. That’s why Truly Texas Mexican works to give credit where credit is due as it honors the people who inspired the original cuisine.

“We define ‘Texas Mexican’ as the cuisine of Texas Native Americans who eventually became the Mexican community in Texas,” Medrano explains. “Texas Native American cuisine dates back to 900 AD, and predates both Texas and Mexico. The more widely used term “Tex-Mex,” which was invented by Anglos for Anglos, refers to [the more] recent restaurant food whose origins date to the 1900s.”

Medrano’s film, which debuted in March, recounts the history of indigenous Texas Mexican food. It also acknowledges the cultural erasure that Mexican people from Texas have long faced by “Anglos who have long wanted Mexican food without the Mexicans,” he says.

“We have lost our cultures and our traditions because of racism. We have been erased, and we have been taught to hate ourselves.”

Fortunately, Medrano’s path to ending that erasure begins with food. “Our food reminds us that the Texas and Mexican sides in this region are one culturally, culinarily, and in terms of family. It’s about communication. It’s about communion. It’s about community.”

The 72-year-old openly gay chef currently resides in the Bayou City with his husband of 47 years, Richard Jimenez. Medrano holds a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and journalism from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska; a master of arts degree in radio, television, and film from the University of Texas in Austin; and a certificate in culinary arts from the Culinary Institute of America.

“OUR FOOD REMINDS US THAT THE TEXAS AND MEXICAN SIDES IN THIS REGION ARE ONE CULTURALLY, CULINARILY, AND IN TERMS OF FAMILY. IT’S ABOUT COMMUNICATION. IT’S ABOUT COMMUNION. IT’S ABOUT COMMUNITY.” —Adán Medrano

Before college, Medrano spent nine years in Catholic seminary and even took his first vows to become a priest. “I loved it,” he says—especially the community and spirituality. But four months before taking his final vows, Medrano decided that being a celibate man of the cloth wasn’t for him. Medrano still remains in touch with Fr. Gene Cañas, OMI, the last of his priest mentors who is still alive.

In addition to being a chef and food writer, Medrano is also the founder of JM Communications, a media and food-production group that also researches the cultural and social issues surrounding food and the culinary arts.

His overall mission has been to rectify the lack of awareness about indigenous Texas Mexican people, their cuisine, and their rightful place in history.

But before that crusade began in earnest, Medrano directed TV shows for the Spanish International Network, which was the precursor to Univision. He directed Festival ’73, a variety show that aired on the network nationally. “I was a filmmaker until 1985. In 1976, I founded the first and now longest-running Latino film festival in the U.S., the San Antonio CineFestival.”

He has also provided consulting services and created media productions for high-profile clients such as the White House, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, and even the Vatican.

Following his time in filmmaking, Medrano did philanthropic work for 23 years. “I was a grant maker, traveling the world in the field of media arts and education.” His travels took him throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America. That was the time in his life when he ultimately came to recognize the importance of food and culinary traditions in society.

It wasn’t until 2009 that he revived his media career with a focus on the culinary traditions of the Mexican American communities in Texas, including their rich history, innovative recipes, and insights into what it really means to be “American.”

The indigenous Mexican cuisine of Texas offers a great deal of insight in terms of how 15,000-year-old traditions both suffered from and later successfully dealt with the European colonizers who arrived 500 years ago, Medrano explains. “Colonial immigrants forcibly brought African slaves to the Americas.

African traditions eventually [blended with those of the] Native Americans, and tastes and communities were formed, nourished by a new cuisine.”

Medrano admits that he has always loved all things culinary. “From my childhood, I’ve loved cooking. As I traveled around the world, I saw and enjoyed the link between food, culture, and social development. Food and cooking is an artistic practice that impacts memory, identity, and community,” Medrano says. ➝ OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2021 63

ADÁN MEDRANO | CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

That love is palpable in his most recent book entitled Don’t Count the Tortillas—The Art of Texas Mexican Cooking, which was published in 2019. “By cooking and sharing food, we narrate our identity and create the bonds that nurture community and understanding.

An example is when I was invited to Moscow for ‘culinary diplomacy,’” Medrano says, recalling that it was more of an “encounter” than a trip arranged by the American embassy in Russia. “I wanted to tell stories that go beyond cooking, [and also discuss] ethics.”

The idea was to do an event with a Texas theme in an effort to share American culture.

The embassy needed a chef, and immediately sought out Medrano for obvious reasons. “I told them I wanted to cook Texas Mexican food, not Tex-Mex,” he says. “All the glitterati of Moscow were in attendance at the Fourth of July official U.S. celebration in Moscow. It’s the event of the season.” The embassy staff even managed to source a food truck for him to use.

He also held a master class and an event for young people called #MyFirstTaco.

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Medrano’s recent documentary Truly Texas Mexican is available on Amazon, Google TV, and Apple TV. While the entire endeavor was a massive success, it wasn’t easy. Medrano needed about 3,000 tortillas for his time in Moscow, so he wrapped, vacuum-sealed, and froze the huge batch he made. “Military transport airlifted them to the embassy grounds so they didn’t have to go through customs. Our tortillas had diplomatic immunity! The chefs there really understood why we needed to do this. They were very interested in our food, and wanted to do it right,” Medrano recalls.

Medrano’s heart truly belongs to Texas Mexican cuisine and the cultures that created it. He longs to teach people about both the food and its roots, one tasty bite at a time. “What we are trying to say with our food is that there is a way we can share a table where we all are welcome,” he emphasizes. “The act of cooking is the act of facing differences in a way that will make you grow and understand. When you do that, you create a dish that is new and will be delicious because of how you accepted ‘the other.’ I think that’s a formula for a society that lives in peace.”

For more information on Adán Medrano, visit Adanmedrano.com

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FOOD + DRINK

Dining with Dialogue Lovie Olivia and Preetika Rajgariah spark meaningful conversations through food.

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ood unites people, according to queer Houston couple Lovie Olivia and Preetika Rajgariah.

Since they first met eight years ago, the two visual artists—who are both vegetarian and come from vastly different economic and cultural backgrounds— have used communal dining experiences as a means to spark socio-political conversations.

In hopes of sharing their colorful, plantbased recipes, and to create similar conversational experiences for others, the pair launched Two Dykes and a Knife (TDAAK) in 2017.

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Preetika Rajgariah (l) and Lovie Olivia

By LOURDES ZAVALETA | Photos by MIKAH DANAÈ Their initial goal was to place dinner tables inside of art galleries and museums so guests could participate in planned dinner dialogue.

Two years later, their first dinner was held at the non-traditional Jonathan Hopson art gallery located in the heart of Montrose.

The couple’s next two dinners were scheduled for mid-2020 in New York and Chicago, but COVID-19 intervened in those plans.

“Because the pandemic was [still] in full force, we ran a different idea by the Galveston Artist Residency, and they thought it was interesting,” Rajgariah says. With funding from the Galveston program, the couple escaped their quarantine isolation for 25 days in August and

September and traveled 5,500 miles across seven states to “document our journey living off of the land, foraging different spices, cooking, and eating food,” Olivia explains.

The journey was not an easy one, Rajgariah adds. “It was apocalyptic. There were fires, droughts, hurricanes [happening across the country].” But an interesting project came from the road trip nonetheless. In June, the couple will release a recipe book that chronicles their experience as Black and Brown queer women voyaging across the country to live off the land during a pandemic.

More good news came to Olivia and Rajgariah in late 2020 when they bought their first

house. Their new backyard soon became a safe place to offer socially-distant group dinners.

Their latest al fresco event, a collaboration with Houston-based arts programmer DiverseWorks, featured six guests spaced six feet apart and eating a six-course feast. “Each time we gave a course out, people were left with a prompt to discuss—typically something related to food, [such as] food memories, food sustainability, and food access,” Rajgariah says. Despite the attendees not knowing each other beforehand, “they ended up sharing, connecting, and leaving as friends.”

On April 10, DiverseWorks, which is currently highlighting Two Dykes and a Knife as part of their Visionary Futures series, will stream Equi/Table, a mini-documentary on YouTube that captured Olivia and Rajgariah’s most recent dining event and the conversations had around culture, sustenance, and the future. The ongoing Visionary Futures series explores questions about the future through the lens of queer and nonbinary artists of color.

As an interdisciplinary artist, Olivia has created paintings, sculptures, and art installations in the Bayou City for the past 25 years.

“My work explores themes of race, gender, power, and sexuality,” she says. “It’s a bit of activism and a lot of history, pulling inspiration from other queer African American women such as Audre Lorde and Edna Lewis. I use those influences in food-making as well.” Her work is currently being showcased in three art shows.

Olivia’s understanding of food comes from her father, a Louisiana native who always did the cooking in their house. After becoming a vegetarian five years ago, she learned that she liked to play around with the textures of unique vegetables. Mushrooms are a key component in the TDAAK kitchen, which is evident in several recent dishes such as pulled-

mushroom sliders with kohlrabi green-apple slaw and homemade barbeque sauce, mushroom philly cheese steak, and “chicken fried” mushrooms.

Since 2010, Rajgariah, an Indian American visual artist, has used object-making, video installations, and performance art to explore the complexities that arise when cultures intersect. “My artistic practice is about unlearning and decolonizing all that has been infused in me (and other South Asian women) from a young age.” She is also interested in starting conversations about “the commodification of culture,” and her most recent work explores the ways in which the Hindu-rooted practice of yoga has been Westernized.

When Rajgariah moved to Houston from India at age four, she mostly ate her mother’s home-cooked vegetarian Indian food. “Because there was no Indian market at the time, my mom used to make most of her food from scratch—from paneer, to flour, to yogurt. It’s

“THE DINNERS ARE IMPORTANT, AND IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE LIKE US DO THE COOKING AND THE FACILITATING OF THESE CONVERSATIONS.” —Preetika Rajgariah

Dark chocolate cake covered in chocolate ganache, black garlic caramel, brown butter crumble, and gold leaves.

incredible to think about,” Rajgariah says, adding that she has been working on homemade pizza and ice-cream recipes. “I respect my mom more now than I ever did.”

Olivia and Rajgariah started long-distance dating in 2016. Olivia was working in Houston while Rajgariah was attending grad school in Chicago.

“When I was in Illinois, Lovie would send me pics of the stuff she was eating,” Rajgariah recalls. “I was like, ‘Damn, this is beautiful food! Do you have a food account on Instagram?’”

After a few months of posting Olivia’s food on her social media, Rajgariah decided the two should create a food account separate from their art pages. Two Dykes and a Knife was born on Instagram in 2017, with Olivia serving as head chef and Rajgariah assisting as the sous chef.

“We wanted a name that was a bit controversial,” Olivia says. “‘Dyke’ is an old derogatory term in the queer community. We wanted to bring back the word and uplift it in a different light.”

“And the word ‘knife’ also gave us some edge!” Rajgariah laughs.

Following their DiverseWorks video debut and their book launch in June, Olivia and Rajgaria have plans to take their dinner events outside of the city and the state. “As long as there is funding, we want to make it happen,” Rajgariah says. “The dinners are important, and it’s also important that people like us do the cooking and the facilitating of these conversations.”

For more information on Two Dykes and a Knife, visit twodykesandaknife.com.

Learn more about Lovie Olivia on her website at lovieolivia.com, and keep up with Preetika Rajgariah on her website at prajgariah.com.

Fritto mushroom medly with homemade jerk sauce and herb oil, served with celery root puree and buttered garlic snow pea greens.

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DEE DEE WATERS | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34

“Monica’s legacy deserves to be carried forward, and I am just overwhelmed and proud to be able to contribute to building on it,” they said.

Roberts, a native Houstonian, started TransGriot (pronounced trans gree-oh) in 2006. Her blog, which documented trans lives, issues, and anti-trans violence, became a valued source of accurate information for news outlets across the country. For her tireless reporting, Roberts received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Blog in 2018. She died of natural causes in early October of 2020, and was honored with an in-person service that was also livestreamed.

TransGriot L.L.C. launched with tributes to Roberts by trans people who attended her memorial service and helped organize it. Watters wanted to center trans voices and give attendees the chance to share what they couldn’t say during the in-person ceremony. “It was my way of saying thank you for coming and being there in person, because no one really had to be there in person during a pandemic.”

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Many of the written tributes emphasized how valuable Roberts was to the Black trans community. Lain Littlejohn, a research assistant at Kansas State University who uses they/them and he/him pronouns and first met Roberts at a 2018 National Black Trans Advocacy Conference, wrote in their tribute, “[Even] in death, Auntie Monica continues to bring our community together and her work and contributions continue to inspire and inform the continued efforts of black trans people.”

Individuals can learn more about TransGriot L.L.C. by signing up for the newsletter and by heading to the Facebook Live page for TransGriot Weekly, an ongoing video series that summarizes recent events and trans-related issues. People can also support TransGriot L.L.C. by contributing on the website’s support page.

For more information, visit transgriot.com.

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PHOTO COURTESY VIA BISTRO MENIL

FOOD + DRINK

The Philosophy of Fine Dining Chef Greg Martin’s trendy Bistro Menil creates unique culinary experiences.

T

By DAVID WEBB

hinking about and preparing food fills chef Greg Martin’s daily schedule, even when he’s enjoying a day off. That’s the way it has always been for the proprietor and executive chef of Houston’s trendy Bistro Menil, which is located on the northern edge of the Menil Collection’s Montrose campus.

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On one of those recent days off, Martin and his husband, biology professor Paul Garcia, retreated to their Lake Travis getaway with their extended family for spring break. They boated around the limestone cliffs, built a roaring fire to roast s’mores and, of course, enjoyed the fabulous dishes that Martin created for the family affair.

They also ventured into Austin to dine at

Justine’s, another pleasure for Martin that grew out of his connections with various Sixth Street eateries while pursuing an undergraduate degree in fine arts at UT. “It was glorious, absolutely glorious,” Martin recalls about their trip to Lake Travis. “The weather was beautiful. We had a splendid time. Our first night in Austin, we had cassoulet with duck confit and duck sausage and Domaine du Banneret Chateauneuf-du-Pape. I love cassoulet.”

Linking food to fond memories of friends and family is key to Martin’s philosophy of fine dining. The chef said he wants Bistro Menil patrons to be reminded of the unique culinary experiences they might have had in Europe— a luxury not available today because of the pandemic.

“I realized we can bring those memories back,” Martin explains.“That is the goal of Bistro Menil.”

The creation and operation of a stylish Houston bistro is the realization of a nearlifelong dream for Martin. The chef, who grew up in Houston’s lush Memorial area, credits his restaurant jobs in college with giving him the practical experience he would need to fulfill his dream.

“I always knew I wanted to be a chef since I was a teenager,” Martin says. “I realized what great cooks there were in my family. My maternal grandmother and my mother were amazing cooks.”

At 22, Martin returned to Houston after college and began working in a variety of restaurants. The chef loved Austin, but he wanted a restaurant “where people dressed up to go out to eat,” and he knew that would not happen in casual Austin. His work toward becoming a chef de cuisine continued with roles in fashionable Houston eateries such as the Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group’s Café Annie and their fast-casual Café Express offshoot, where he stayed for 23 years.

Under the tutelage of Robert Del Grande (who in the 1980s was becoming Houston’s first celebrity chef), Martin developed the culinary repertoire that serves him so well today. His association with Del Grande also took him to New York City to participate in the production of Julia Child’s television series Cooking with Master Chefs. He refers to Child as “the medium between classic European recipes and American housewives,” recalling her funny, down-to-earth conversations in the studio during breaks in filming.“The phenomenon of the American celebrity chef happened because of her,” Martin says. “We were inspired by her.

That’s why she was so important.”

Martin went on to work for the Houstonbased food supplier Sysco and later served as the food and beverage director for Central Market, where he opened cafes in several HE-B grocery stores. He opened Bistro Menil in 2014.➝

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Martin’s fine-arts education assisted him in developing the European-inspired American cuisine he wanted to offer at Bistro Menil, including entrées such as roasted salmon, lemon-thyme chicken, and beef short ribs in port wine. Trips to France, Spain, and Italy— where he first discovered the joys of dining in museum restaurants—inspired him to modify several classic recipes for his Houston museum venture.“We’re trying to evoke, not copy the dishes,” Martin says.

The bistro is also developing more of an international atmosphere as Martin adjusts to the pandemic restrictions with expanded patio seating on the museum grounds. “It feels like you are in Europe,” Martin notes.

When asked what makes a great chef and a prized restaurant, Martin explains that by treating the entire staff with respect—from the kitchen assistants to the dining-room personnel—they will develop the commitment to excellence that is needed. “The recipes are nonnegotiable, which requires getting the team to do it over and over again and getting it right.”

“THE RECIPES ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE, WHICH REQUIRES GETTING THE TEAM TO DO IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND GETTING IT RIGHT.” —Greg Martin

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Bistro Menil offers craft beers, wines, and breads that are also inspired by Martin’s research in Europe, and everything he serves promises to be fresh, healthy, gluten-free, and delicious.

Martin became a sponsor of Houston’s nonprofit Recipe for Success Foundation in 2014 because he is interested in helping aspiring entrepreneurs. The project operates a seven-acre urban-farming showcase in the middle of an underserved “food desert” neighborhood that grows affordable produce while also nurturing small-business and workforce development.

After accomplishing so much in his 40year career as a master chef and successful entrepreneur, what might come next? Martin sees retirement on the horizon as he looks forward to spending the next chapter in his life with his soul mate. “This time, it’s for Paul and me,” he adds.

For more information on Bistro Menil, visit bistromenil.com.

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FOOD & DRINKS

Houston’s Edible Essentials Seven local eateries that are worth trying this spring.

By LOURDES ZAVALETA

From authentic Vietname se food to some of the state’s best Tex-Me x and barbeque, Houston is on its way to bec oming one of the countr y’s great restauran t meccas. Thanks to our cultural diversity, you can find just about any cuisine imagin able somewhere within the city ’s 669 squ are miles. With so many great options to cho ose from, OUTSMART ’s annual dining guide—featuring chef recommendations—i s a great way to zero in on this year’s must-t ry eateries.

Tuesdays through Saturdays from 4 to 9 p.m., Giacomo’s current COVID-19 safety protocols include social distancing, placing tables six feet apart, and requiring masks for both staff and customers.

GIACOMO’S CIBO E VINO

3215 Westheimer Road giacomosciboevino.com This neighborhood cafe and wine bar specializes in small plates of hot and cold antipasti.

All of its all-natural, made-from-scratch items are perfect for sharing, mixing, and matching. But what really sets Giacomo’s apart from other Italian-American restaurants is its many international influences. Dishes are inspired not only by Italy’s various regions, but also by the flavors of North Africa, France, and Spain.

The restaurant is currently serving a limited menu featuring its best-selling items.

Lynette Hawkins, Giacomo’s esteemed owner and chef, recommends the Orecchiette Giorgione—a pasta with spicy lamb meatballs, rapini (a bitter green in the turnip family), garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, broth, and a pinch of crushed red pepper, topped with a dollop of goat cheese—or the Pappardelle al Telefono (wide noodles in a sauce of garlic and oil, cherry tomatoes, tomato purée, basil, and mozzarella). For dessert, folks should go with an underrated option: Panna Cotta al Yogurt, a cream and yogurt gelatin pudding infused with vanilla, cinnamon, and lemon zest served with a seasonal sauce. Another one of Hawkins’ sweet suggestions is the Dolce di Stagione, a seasonal dessert that changes monthly. All proceeds from that dessert are being donated to the Rescued Pets Movement, an organization that relocates homeless dogs and cats to no-kill shelters, foster homes, and forever homes.

Currently open at 50 percent capacity

URBAN EATS BISTRO + BAR + MARKET

3414 Washington Avenue feasturbaneats.com Husbands and restauranteurs Levi Rollins and Eric Muñoz wanted to create a unique eatery in Houston inspired by their worldwide travels.

So in 2014, they launched Urban Eats—an all-in-one epicurean market, patisserie, deli, bodega, coffee shop, bistro, and bar.

The shop’s comfy gourmet fare is approachable and delicious. After noting that Urban Eats’ menu is jam-packed with great options, Rollins says OUTSMART readers must try the Fried Green Tomato BLT Signature Sliders, French Onion Mac & Cheese, Bourbon Maple Pork Chop, Green Goodness Salad, and the Fire Roasted Artichoke with Bucheron Toast. Two underrated items he thinks readers should give a chance include the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Salad, which is full of healthy ingredients (especially if you choose grilled instead of fried chicken, and the Pomodoro Primavera, a locally sourced gnocchetti pasta from Della Casa Pasta, tossed with seasonal veggies, wilted greens, heirloom tomatoes, and a delicious citrus and olive-oil sauce. Or take the Pomodoro Primavera to the

next level by adding grilled shrimp, chicken, or salmon, Rollins suggests.

Rollins and Muñoz’s love of art is just as strong as their love of food. Their restaurant regularly hosts art pop-ups, and every three months their walls are redecorated with new creations by a featured local artist. To further support Houston’s artists, the couple takes no commission on the generated art sales. From April through June, Urban eats will showcase the work of Naz Kaya, who uses vibrant colors, distinct shapes, and complex geometry in her paintings.

Urban Eats, which is open seven days a week (hours vary), has not relaxed its COVID-19 protocols since Governor Abbott stopped requiring masks in March. Social distancing is still enforced at Urban Eats, and both staff and customers are required to wear masks. The restaurant is open at 30 percent of capacity in the dining room, 50 percent in the market, and 100 percent outdoors.

FREE GRILLIN

Various locations freegrillin.com From steak nights to private events, no event is too large or too small for local catering company Free Grillin. Chef Michelle, the owner of the business, graduated at the top of her class from the Art Institute of Houston with a degree in culinary arts. She later took the helm at Sur La Table in River Oaks, teaching curious foodies the fine art of cooking with style. Today, she ➝ OutSmartMagazine.com

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HOUSTON’S EDIBLE ESSENTIALS | CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

specializes in all things grilled, and in fresh farm-to-table delights.

Free Grillin can handle all of your catering needs, and it even offers cooking classes. You can also find the three-person culinary team at three local steak nights throughout the month.

Catch the pop-up kitchen every Thursday night at the LGBTQ bar George in Montrose, every first Friday of the month at the queerfriendly Bailson Brewery in Rice Village, and once a month at the LGBTQ Rumors Bar and Grill in Galveston.

Chef Michelle explains what separates Free Grillin’s steak nights from others around town: she constantly pushes the envelope with her menu by offering four regular entrées—ribeye, fi let mignon, pork chops, and salmon— along with special rotating items such as lamb chops, barbeque meat loaf, grilled chicken, and grilled tuna. The company also hand-cuts all of its meat and makes its own rubs and seasonings—which are set to go on sale later this year.

While one of the most popular menu items is the Ribeye, a 14-oz ribeye seasoned with Free Love Steak Rub, cooked to order and basted with butter, Chef Michelle urges folks to try the Double Cut Bone-In Pork Chops, a tender 8-oz herb-encrusted fi let, cooked to order and topped with your choice of bleu cheese butter, pink peppercorn-truffle butter, or garlic herb butter. Although it’s sometimes overlooked, she says once people try the Ribeye, they’re guaranteed to love it.

Those who are interested in ordering from Free Grillin on a steak night can schedule a contactless pickup ahead of time, or order in person inside the bar. This, in addition to wearing face masks, gloves, sanitizing constantly, and distributing individually-wrapped plasticware, is how the business is keeping customers safe from COVID-19.

DAVID ALCORTA CATERING

davidalcorta.net Based in Spring Branch, out chef David Alcorta’s company offers complete catering services for all types of gatherings in the Greater Hous76

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ton area. His professional and courteous team is made up of event managers, event captains, servers, and TABC-certified bartenders who work hard to add a uniquely customized touch to your special occasion.

The company’s catering menu is extensive, offering dozens of appetizers, entrées, and sides. Every item—from the Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms to the Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin and the Plantain Crusted Chicken—is enhanced with seasonings, flavorful sauces, and an artful presentation. And don’t miss out on the desserts. Alcorta, a pastry chef who graduated from the Art Institute of Houston, also creates custom cakes that are perfectly baked and decorated.

In addition to its full-service event catering, David Alcorta Catering also offers food delivery and pickup. The business vows to continue keeping staff and customers safe by requiring workers to wear masks and gloves while in the kitchen and at the catered events.

All cooking equipment is sanitized before and after each use.

Brookie, a bar made from marbled layers of brownie batter and chocolate-chip cookie dough. An underrated item she thinks folks should try out is the Toffee-licious Cake, a layered yellow cake infused with espresso and kahlua, and covered with cream-cheese frosting and toffee bits.

Prior to the pandemic, Dessert Gallery, which is open seven days a week (hours vary), provided indoor seating where patrons could enjoy their pastries and coffees. However, to keep staff and customers safe from COVID-19, the bakery currently offers only takeout, curbside pickup, and contactless delivery.

GLORIA’S LATIN CUISINE

DESSERT GALLERY

3600 Kirby Drive dessertgallery.com This bakery and cafe has been a staple in Houston for over 25 years. Award-winning pastry chef Sara Brook founded the company in 1995 with her 4-year-old daughter, Jennifer, by her side. Since opening, Dessert Gallery has been consistently recognized for its confections by a wide variety of Houston publications. The business is also known in Houston’s queer community for its longtime support. Every year during June Pride Month, the bakery sells LGBTQ-themed pastries to raise funds for service organizations such as the Montrose Center.

Throughout the rest of the year, Dessert Gallery offers a variety of treats—from layer cakes to pies and cookies—that are made to satisfy your sweet tooth. While Brook says she’s a big fan of all of the bakery’s hand-made treats, her favorite right now might be the

2616 Louisiana St. (Midtown location) gloriascuisine.com Savor time-honored recipes and discover mouthwatering Latin flavors in a casual-chic setting at Gloria’s Latin Cuisine. The restaurant offers Salvidorian-inspired appetizers, entrées, desserts, and award-winning cocktails to round out your culinary experience.

Brian C. Penrod, Gloria’s senior director of marketing, suggests diners try some of the restaurant’s staple menu items such as Gloria’s Super Special, which includes one chicken tamale and one pupusa with a side of yuca, fried plantain, rice, and black beans. Folks who are interested in more daring items should order the Tamales—three handmade Salvadorian tamales wrapped and steamed in banana leaves, gently spiced and stuffed with chicken, potatoes, and bell pepper—or the Churrasco Típico, a grilled 8-oz sirloin steak served with a side of Spanish rice, black bean soup, fried plantains, yuca, and chimichurri. For a drink to pair your meal with, try the House Margaritas (frozen or on the rocks) or the new Cantaloupe Jalapeño Margarita.

And there’s good news for Gloria’s lovers on the west side of town: the restaurant chain has opened a new location in Katy. This third Houston-area location features a spacious interior with expansive use of natural light, Salvadorian-inspired art, an outdoor patio, and an upscale bar.

Gloria’s is open at 100 percent capacity seven days a week (hours vary). Staff members are required to wear masks for COVID-19 safety, and customers are encouraged to wear masks upon entering the establishment.

ACME OYSTER HOUSE

1201 Westheimer Road (Coming soon!) acmeoyster.com This century-old New Orleans seafood institution is making its debut in Houston this month.

The restaurant will be housed in the historic Tower Theater building that was most recently occupied by El Real. This is Acme’s largest location, according to food and beverage manager Tony Rodrigue. But no matter which location customers visit—from Louisiana to Florida and Alabama—Rodrigue promises that you’ll always be treated with top-notch Southern hospitality.

Rodrigue says diners must try Acme’s famous Chargrilled Oysters—sizzling oysters saturated in an herb butter sauce and topped with a special blend of cheese. He also suggests folks order the Acme Special Po-Boy ( a hot, debris-style roast beef, ham, and turkey sandwich) and the Fried Alligator (doubletenderized alligator meat served with creamy sriracha aioli sauce). More adventurous eaters, he says, should get the Butter Bean Plate— butter beans cooked with shrimp and tasso over rice, with a choice of hot sausage, fried fish, or smoked sausage.

While Acme’s new Houston location wasn’t open for business at press time, Rodrigue offered us a sneak preview of the establishment.

It looks a bit more modern than their other locations, but it still makes you feel like you’re in South Louisiana. There will also be a projector in the middle of the restaurant to show sports events on the giant theater screen. Acme is also launching a small Houston-exclusive taco menu featuring tacos inspired by some of the restaurant’s most popular items. As far as COVID-19 safety protocols go, the establishment is planning to require all staff and customers to wear face masks.

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By STAFF REPORTS

S

ummer is approaching, which means sunny days by the pool, relaxing in the hammock, and spending more time with friends and family.

Because all of those moments call for an ice-cold drink or two, we’ve put together a list of tasty cocktail recipes to expand your list of beverage options.

FIX Vodka’s Dirty FIX Cocktail

By Fix Founder Maryn Miklas Ingredients: 2 oz. FIX’s High Alkaline Vodka 6 oz. activated-charcoal lemonade Instructions: 1) Pour FIX High Alkaline Vodka and the lemonade into a Collins glass.

2) Fill with ice and stir.

3) Garnish with a lemon wheel and a mint leaf.

Eureka Heights’ Fizzy Watermelon Mule

By Eureka Heights Bar Manager Chris Hill Ingredients: 1.25 oz. silver tequila 0.5 oz turbinado Mint Eureka Heights’ Watermelon Fizzy Pants Hard Seltzer beer Instructions: 1) Pour ingredients over ice in a highball glass.

2) Fill the rest of the glass with watermelon hard seltzer.

NEFT Vodka’s NEFT Blackberry Habanero Fizz

Neft Master Mixologist Luke Barr Ingredients: 1.75 oz. NEFT Vodka .75 oz. blackberry/blueberry/ tarragon reduction .75 oz. lime juice Small slice of habanero pepper Instructions: 1) Shake vigorously over ice.

2) Pour into a Collins glass.

3) Top with soda.

4) Garnish with a tarragon sprig and the habanero slice.

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FOOD + DRINK

Voodoo CEO Chris Schultz

Decadent Doughnuts Voodoo Doughnut brings its tempting treats to Montrose this month.

By ZACHARY McKENZIE

M

ontrose just got a whole lot sweeter with the arrival of a new Voodoo Doughnut location on Westheimer. Voodoo’s CEO, Chris Schultz, is excited to make his mark on one of his favorite areas of Houston by bringing jobs, joy, and a wide variety of one-of-a-kind doughnuts to the gayborhood.

“I have been in the restaurant business for 41 years. I’ve never worked in another industry,” Schultz explains. “I didn’t go to college. It wasn’t even a conversation at the

80 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

time. I just wasn’t a good student.” Having started his career in the food and beverage industry at Starbucks during their early days, the charismatic CEO moved on to MOD Pizza during its early days. Finally, he answered the call of the doughnut. “Voodoo had been in place for 15 years when I came. [The founders of the company] did a great job innovating the brand,” he notes. “Knowing your limitations is a sign of a great entrepreneur. They wanted to grow the brand, and knew they needed to get some help.”

When a friend approached Schultz to tell him that a CEO opportunity was available, he

responded swiftly: “I am not writing a résumé, and I am not moving to Portland!” Then, after deep breath and a chuckle, Schultz admits that he now has a home in Portland and a profile on LinkedIn.” He explains that the iconic brand already had a cult following, and his goal was to help it grow. “That’s the most important thing we do. We sell doughnuts and make people smile.”

With plenty of doughnut shops in Houston to choose from, Schultz explains how Voodoo sets itself apart from the pack. “We were the inventors of gourmet doughnuts. Our founders

were the inventors of the bacon maple bar,” he explains. “One of our founders was opening the store one day, and he had brought in bacon for breakfast. He randomly put it on a maple bar, and thought they should be sold.”

What happened next put the shop on the map. “Anthony Bourdain was in Portland during his early TV days, and someone told him he needed to go to Voodoo. He came over and got a bacon maple bar and loved it!” This mentality of trying innovative flavors is still alive at the company today. “We challenge ourselves to think outside of the box. We have a doughnut coming out called Hide and Go Peep, and it looks like and tastes like Peeps! Who doesn’t want that?”

Setting the tone for his Montrose shop, which opened on March 31 in the renovated strip center next to Legacy Community Health, Schultz lays out what customers can expect.

“You’ll see an unbelievable painted mural wall that captures Houston and Montrose. We have 12 chandeliers, which is a little campy, but it’s Montrose! I can’t just put up white tiles and cement floors in Montrose. The hallway to the bathroom is entirely pink, and our bathrooms are pink with doughnut wallpaper. We do a

black-velvet wall painting in every store for good mojo. If someone gets married at one of our stores, they stand under the painting for good luck. For Montrose, the theme is going to be Wes Anderson. He’s from the neighborhood, and represents what makes it cool.”

The CEO’s energy level while describing the interior of the store goes up as he speaks

passionately about what drew him to Voodoo Doughnut in the first place. “The best thing that we’re doing is hiring 70 Houstonians from the neighborhood to come to work. We pay above minimum wage, and are giving these folks a chance to pay their bills and take care of their families at a time when people are struggling to find a job. I’m mostly excited about [creating a place where employees] are respected and taken care of, and it doesn’t feel like work.” Schultz emphasizes that it’s his employees who keep him motivated and inspired every day. “I want to give others the same opportunities I had. That should be the objective of every business: Take care of your people.”

When asked what his goals are for his Montrose shop, Schultz pauses before describing the customer experience he intends to offer.

“My hope for Houstonians is that, for a brief moment, they can leave their troubles at the door. When you go to a doughnut shop, it should be a moment in time when you disappear from the world’s troubles. For that five to ten minutes in the shop, just step away from life!”

For more information on Voodoo Doughnut, visit voodoodoughnut.com.

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FOOD + DRINK

The Tastemaker Food Network contributor Chad Mercer celebrates food, and the community it builds.

By SAM BYRD | Photo by CHRISTINE ROSE To know Houston is to know our diverse collection of dining spots, which can range from Ethiopian to Tex-Mex and Italian, all within a few blocks of each other. The city is a foodie paradise, and no one celebrates its culinary delights quite like openly gay foodie extraordinaire Chad Mercer.

Although Mercer is well known in local circles as a contributor to the Food Network, his culinary journey started almost by accident.

He had moved to Houston from Atlanta to be closer to family, and he had to find a way to support himself.

“It was an adventure—or a misadventure.

Phoenicia Specialty Foods asked me to work for them as a general manager. About two months into that, they sat me down with the executive chef and said, ‘You’ll be over all the executive events now,’” Mercer says.

Even though he didn’t know a thing about portion sizes or how to run executive events, the experts at Phoenicia promised that they’d teach him. Soon enough, he was impressing everyone—himself included.

“I was there for seven years, and did more than 20,000 events while I was there. I helped build their event business from zero to more than $2 million in revenue,” Mercer adds.

Like many people, he wanted to stretch his abilities, so two years ago he left the grocer with the idea that he would form his own catering company. He took on that challenge for a few months, but as luck would have it, he discovered bigger things were in store for him.

“A good friend of mine from the Food Network invited me to judge the World Food Championships in Dallas. From there, the Steak Cookoff Association asked me to judge for them,” Mercer recalls. “Before too long, I got a call from the Food Network, and they asked me to join [their team] as a judge and contributor. This is my second year with them.”

He describes his role as being a Food Network ambassador across the world.

“When Guy Fieri needs places to go, Food Network will contact me and I’ll tell them where to go. If Rachel Ray or Ree Drummond needs a new recipe, I get one for her. I’m like a scout,” he says.

As it happens in television, the Food Network is always looking for ways to evolve its

“WHEN GUY FIERI NEEDS A PLACE TO GO, FOOD NETWORK WILL CONTACT ME AND I’LL TELL THEM WHERE TO GO. IF RACHEL RAY OR REE DRUMMOND NEEDS A NEW RECIPE, I GET ONE FOR HER. I’M LIKE A SCOUT.” —Chad Mercer programming and expand its offerings to fit the needs of the everyday viewer—something that Mercer is right there to help them with.

“What we’re trying to do is get away from celebrity chefs and get more into what people really want to eat. We ask, ‘How can you cook this at home? What’s the simplicity of this?’

The television food industry is also slowly moving away from theatrical chefs like Gordon Ramsey. People want to go back to Paula Deantype chefs [who teach them] to cook and make great meals for their family. It’s more about relationships, and connecting with an audience [that wants to see] how to cook, versus showmanship,” he adds.

While Mercer leaves the cooking to the professionals, he does note that he is a sommelier.

“I’m a level 3 sommelier through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. It’s really a different curriculum than the Court of Master Sommeliers because all our exams are handwritten, and they’re graded by old-school sommeliers in London. You take an exam here, and six weeks later you find out if you passed. It’s not electronic at all,” he explains.

As expected for someone associated with the Food Network, his travels across the globe have garnered unique, unforgettable opportunities.

“My number-one favorite memory is from Glasgow, Scotland. I’m working with them right now to bring the concept of Houston Restaurant Week to them. Anthony Bourdain has a designated spot at a restaurant in Glasgow, and they asked me to come visit with them and sit in his spot,” Mercer gushes. “To work on the concept of Houston Restaurant Week on an international level is a dream come true.”

He’s also worked with Iceland Pride for their wine competition, and last month he was involved in Texas’ largest drag brunch, which welcomed more than 450 people to the Toyota Music Factory in Dallas.

His schedule keeps him busy and often away from Houston, but when he’s in town, he says he’s not too picky about which restaurants he visits. “I’m a very ‘comfort food’ kind of person. It doesn’t have to be the most upscale restaurant. It just has to be good food.

Tonight, I’m dining with a friend at Bollo Woodfired Pizza on West Alabama, but I also like La Tapatia on Richmond, and Barnaby’s.

I also like Java Lava Brew, a Hawaiian place.

There are so many places that are overlooked in Houston.”

He also likes exposing people to destinations they’ve never tried before—even places as unexpected as Texas’ favorite fast-food burger joint.

“A good friend of mine [who was visiting from out of state] had never had Whataburger.

I was like, ‘I’m going to change your life right now!’” Mercer laughs.

To keep up with Chad Mercer, follow @AChadChoice on Instagram and Facebook.

OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2021 83

ARTS

A Gay Artist’s Brilliant Fury MFAH presents a new documentary on the power of David Wojnarowicz’s art.

By ANDREW EDMONSON

The great gay artist David Wojnarowicz was driven by a brilliant fury: against an apathetic U.S. government that ignored the deaths of tens of thousands from AIDS, against a homophobic American establishment that regularly silenced the voices of queer people during the twentieth century, and against the larger machine of American society that rolled over the marginalized and the different with brutal indifference.

Although he died at the age of 37 in 1992, Wojnarowicz’s voice and visionary art still resonate powerfully across the decades. In 2010, A Fire in My Belly, a Wojnarowicz video made in the late 1980s that featured images of ants crawling over a crucifix, was pulled from an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery following cries of outrage from House Republicans and the Catholic League. In 2018, a major retrospective of his work at the Whitney Museum in New York City, David Wojnarowicz: History Keeps Me Awake at Night, won critical plaudits, confirming his position as one of the most important artists of his generation.

84 MARCH 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Self Portrait of David Wojnarowicz, 1983–85 (collaboration with Tom Warren)

CHRIS McKIM’S ACT OF MAKING THE PRIVATE PAIN AND EXQUISITE CREATIVITY OF WOJNAROWICZ’S LIFE PUBLIC HAS PROVIDED US WITH AN ENDURING PORTRAIT OF A GREAT ICONOCLASTIC 20THCENTURY GAY ARTIST. David Wojnarowicz, Fuck You Faggot Fucker, 1984

Now, a new documentary directed by Chris McKim marvelously evokes the chaos of the artist’s life and the surreal, visionary power of his art. The film will be presented as part of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s virtual cinema series starting April 2. The film’s incendiary title, Wojnarowicz: Fuck You Faggot Fucker, comes from a 1984 work by the artist in which he took a homophobic slur and transformed it into a sensual, homoerotic image of two men kissing.

Particularly striking is Wojnarowicz’s vivid evocation of two seminal eras of American artistic life: the incredible flowering of the East Village creative scene in Manhattan during the early 1980s that produced artists like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat; and the terror, rage, and grief of the AIDS crisis that crushed gay life in New York during that same era.

Director McKim, an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker and TV producer who served as showrunner for RuPaul’s Drag Race for four seasons, has availed himself of an incredible cache of artifacts from the artist’s life: Wojnarowicz’s video and audio journals, answering-machine messages, and interviews with his brother, his sister, and numerous

David Wojnarowicz, Untitled (Face in Dirt), 1990 friends—including noted lesbian writer and humorist Fran Leibowitz, who looks remarkably sexy in archival photos from the 1980s.

The film showcases Wojnarowicz’s incredible creative range: visual artist, published writer of piercing eloquence, musician in a punk-rock band, and fiercely committed ACT UP activist. With a harrowing intensity, it chronicles the key stages of his life: his brutal childhood at the hands of an alcoholic, physi-

cally abusive father; his escape to the streets of Manhattan in the 1970s and the survival-sex he engaged in as a teenager; his sudden fame as an artist after positive media coverage by the New York Times; his brief romance with the esteemed American photographer Peter Hugar (and the life-sustaining friendship that developed in its aftermath); the rage and anguish of his own AIDS diagnosis; and his fierce burst of activism with ACT UP before his death. (In the early 1990s, he was frequently seen at ACT UP demonstrations wearing a jacket emblazoned with the message “If I die of AIDS, forget burial—just drop my body on the steps of the FDA.”) “To make the private into something public is an action that has terrific ramifications,” Wojnarowicz once remarked. Chris McKim’s act of making the private pain and exquisite creativity of Wojnarowicz’s life public has provided us with an enduring portrait of a great iconoclastic 20th-century gay artist.

What: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Virtual Cinema Series presents Wojnarowicz: Fuck You Faggot Fucker When: Debuts April 2 Tickets/Info: mfah.org/film

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ARTS

A Body of Art Painter Haley Bowen teams up with Lululemon to showcase Houston’s diversity.

By KIM HOGSTROM | Photo by HALEY BOWEN

86 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Is there anything more honest—or vulnerable—than a naked human being? Houstonbased figurative artist Haley Bowen doesn’t think so. She believes that the human form reveals the beauty and truth that lies within all of us, even when we fail to see it ourselves.

With her art, Bowen strives to empower others through nude portraiture. She views her creations as platforms for visual storytelling, lyrical line work, color, and intimacy. The completed portraits are meant to reveal the relationship between a subject’s body and the voice within.

Bowen has hosted hundreds of drawing sessions for people of all body types, ages, and identities—a commitment that led to an interesting offer in the early months of 2020.

Just before COVID-19 arrived, Lululemon, the highly regarded line of technical athletic apparel, approached Bowen about painting live models wearing Lululemon sportswear at the grand opening of their store in West Houston’s CityCentre.

“They told me the theme would celebrate diversity and inclusion. As a fierce LGBTQ ally, I immediately felt connected to the objective, but it was perplexing,” Bowen remembers with a laugh. “As a figurative artist, I normally paint nudes—people without clothing!” After she realized that the body-sensitive nature of Lululemon sportswear reveals the human form, Bowen accepted the offer.

Then, out of nowhere, came COVID, forcing Lululemon to cancel its grand-opening events.

“Instead of the live opening, we decided to host a digital panel. We called it Lines that Connect Us,” Bowen says. “I am glad I did. It turns out it was a good fit after all.”

Lululemon in the Heights is showcasing Bowen’s drawings in their Lines that Connect Us exhibit, now through June 2021. Nine Houston models from the LGBTQ, BIPOC, differently abled, and other communities were asked to share stories about their identities, their lives, and how society views them.

“The result was a transformative weekend of portrait drawing, storytelling, vulnerability, learning, and peaceful conversation. It was so moving, and so honest. It changed me,” Bowen notes.

That experience is best illustrated by a few of Bowen’s portraits that follow, along with her memories from the Lululemon portrait sessions.

Angelina DM Trailz

“I met Angelina on this project, and I am so glad I did. She is a member of the LGBTQ community, a drag queen, and a violinist!” Bowen

Haley Bowen’s new diversity and inclusion exhibition features several members of Houston’s LGBTQ community, including Angelina DM Trailz (l-clockwise), Wes Holloway, and couple Leah Jorgensen and Liz Davidson.

states with joy. “Angelina was full of life and energy; she was spice and fire, bold, and unapologetically authentic. She talked about her community’s fight for equality and her desire to make a difference. Angelina’s portrait was powerful, fierce, and saturated with bright color.”

Wes Holloway

“Wes is a local artist and a member of many wonderful groups, including ‘The Other Abled’ and Houston’s LGBTQ community. He is a powerful voice for all of his communities, and his art speaks of his life experiences within the whole.” Bowen recalls. “Wes is working toward his MFA while opening the eyes of the world through his art. His portrait includes the colors he often applies, while lines move through him and his soul, not only connecting Wes to his identity, but through it.”

Leah Jorgensen and Liz Davidson

“Leah and Liz are also members of the LGBTQ community. They were a joy to get to know,” Bowen says. “They told the story of the fight for their relationship and equal rights—a story that moved me deeply. Leah and Liz shared an energy. Their adoration of each other was vividly evident, powerful, and bright, and captured through connecting line work.”

For more information on Haley Bowen’s art, visit haleybowen.com. Keep up with her on Instagram @haleybowenart.

What: Lines that Connect Us When: Through June 21 Where: Lululemon in the Heights, 713 Heights Blvd.

Info: haleybowen.com/exhibitions/events OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2021 87

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Lone Star Classic March 13-14, 2021

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89

WEDDING GUIDE

By JENNY BLOCK | Photos by CALEB SALAZAR

Samantha Danielle Chavez (l) and Andrea Renee Mendez

A Double Proposal Samantha Danielle Chavez and Andrea Renee Mendez surprised each other with engagement rings on the same day.

When Samantha Danielle Chavez, 30, met Andrea Renee Mendez, 34, she says she knew very quickly that she wanted to marry Andrea. “It’s hard to not fall in love with her infectious energy, beautiful smile, and gorgeous eyes,” Samantha says.

“There was an instant connection with us.

And on top of all that, after seeing her being a mother to two beautiful daughters, I just knew I had to be with her forever and that I wanted her to be the mother to our children—and most of all, my wife.”

Houston native Samantha attended San Jacinto College and the University of Houston, and is currently the manager at an Olive Garden restaurant. Andrea, originally from Cypress, is a graduate of the Champion School 90 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

of Real Estate and a production specialist at the court-reporting firm Liberty Litigation Support. The couple currently resides in Cypress.

The two first met in April of 2019 at JR’s Bar & Grill in Montrose. “Samantha’s cousin Matthew (who is Andrea’s best friend) introduced us at a RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing party,” Andrea says.

The two actually proposed to one another on the same day, and were married just six months later. Samantha had planned what Andrea thought was just a family photo shoot.

There was a photographer there, but the intimate gathering also included a violinist, a vocalist, as well as immediate family and some close friends. Andrea, of course, said yes to Samantha’s proposal.

“The room was beautifully decorated, and

I remember saying, ‘No you’re not. No you’re not!’ I was so surprised, and in that moment, that was all I could say,” Andrea recalls.

Andrea then left the room under the guise of getting a tissue to dry her happy tears. “I ran to the other room, grabbed the ring from my purse, and ran back. I got down on one knee and asked Samantha to marry me,” Andrea says. And to make things even sweeter, Samantha also asked Andrea’s children, Ellyana and Jazmin, if they could all be a family. She gave each of them a bow necklace to signify that they were all “tying the knot.”

After taking several pictures and sharing a toast, the group enjoyed dinner and cake together at Houston’s Downtown Aquarium, where more friends joined them to celebrate.

“To this day, we still giggle and say how mindblowing and beautiful it was to surprise each

CATER IN G CAKE S EVENTS 832.439.0224

BEST CATERING FIRM BEST WEDDING CAKE BAKERY

Chef David Alcorta

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Samantha Danielle Chavez and Andrea Renee Mendez proposed to one another on the same day, and were married just six months later. other with our proposals,” Samantha says.

Their big day was January 15, 2021. “We decided on the 15th, as that is the date of the month that we decided to begin our journey as a couple,” Samantha says. “Our reception and ceremony took place at Sterling Banquet Hall on the northwest side of Houston, not far from where we live. Our wedding was officiated by Bryan Rodriguez, a very special friend of ours who was also present at our surprise double proposal.”

The couple worked with several LGBTQfriendly vendors, as it was important to them to have the support and understanding of everyone who was present on their special day.

Andrea recalls one of the most incredible moments of the ceremony during the exchange of vows. “After Samantha read her vows to me, she asked for our daughters to come to the front. She read and made vows to them, officially declaring them her daughters and [telling them she was now] their ‘Bonus Momma.’

There was not a dry eye in the room—many, many, tears were shed in that moment.”

Stephanie explains the four traditional wedding customs they included in their ceremony. “The sand ceremony, representing the blending of our new family; the lasso, representing [our union being blessed] by God;

the arras, which is the gift of 13 coins to represent a promise of prosperity in our marriage, as well as a commitment to share the responsibility of household finances and protect each other’s wealth; and a Bible, to keep God first—always!”

For their honeymoon, the couple headed to Breckenridge, Colorado. “It was important for us to pick a place where neither one of us had traveled to before, so that we could experience it together as ‘Mrs. & Mrs.’ We enjoyed sledding, a horse-drawn sleigh ride, snowshoeing, and even a little hiking. And we found the Breckenridge Troll, Isak Heartstone!”

Stephanie says.

“Andrea has a heart of gold, and is the best friend I could have ever asked for. Clay Walker said it best: ‘She can charm a star and hypnotize the moon,’” Stephanie says. And Andrea adds that Samantha is “absolutely beautiful, inside and out. She definitely keeps the kid in me alive, She is the calm in my storm.”

Although marriages are never graced with perfect skies every day, it’s easy to imagine a life filled with many blue skies for a loving couple like this.

WANT TO TELL YOUR STORY? Email us at letters@outsmartmagazine.com

Capturing your engagements, weddings, and anniversaries.

832.876.1053 YvonneFeece.com

Yvonne Feece Photography OutSmartMagazine.com

|

APRIL 2021

91

ADVERTISERS INDEX ACCOMMODATIONS/APARTMENTS

Bering Connect

Melrose Park Condominiums

........................................................................713-526-1017, ext.20

The Parklane

.......................................................... .TheDianaFoundation.org

712 Pinemont Dr............................................... 346/200-7228 TheParklane.com............................................. 713/526-8439

ACCOUNTANTS/BOOKKEEPERS/ CPAS Gary Gritz, CPA

Diana Foundation EPAH

............................................................................................... EPAH.org Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce

230 Westcott, Ste 210................................... 713/784-3030

HoustonLGBTChamber.com.....................832/510-3002

ADVERTISING/MARKETING

.................................................................................... hcsojobs.com

Ashkan Media

Houston GLBT Political Caucus

..........................................................................Ashkanmedia.com Mat Hat Maven Creative

madhatmaven.com.......................................832/460-6263 OutSmart Magazine

Harris County Sheriff’s Office

................................................................................... thecaucus.org KPFT Radio

kpft.org...................................................................713-526-4000 Lesbian Health Initiative (LHI)

3406 Audubon.....................................................713/520-7237

401 Branard........................................................lhihouston.org

AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING

lesbiansoverage50.org................................713/907-5378

Newport A/C & Heating

newportac.com.................................................281/808-8630

Lesbians Over Age Fifty (L.O.A.F.)

Gonzalez Olivieri LLC

gonzalezolivierillc.com................................. 713/481-3040 Katine & Nechman LLP

1834 Southmore..................................................713/808-1001 The Miller Law Firm Adam H. Miller & Nichole Nech

TexasBulldogLaw.com...................................713/572-3333

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS Ryan Automotive

716 Fairview....................................................... 713/522-3602 Tech Auto Maintenance

37 Waugh Dr........................................................ 713/863-8244

AUTOMOTIVE SALES Advantage BMW Midtown

1210 Gray ..................................................................713/289-1221 Central Houston Cadillac/Tony Mcclelland

2520 Main St.......................................................832/981-7590 Fred Haas Toyota World

FredHaasToyota.com ...................................832/764-8914 Planet Ford

20403 I-45 Spring TX 77388 ................... 866/879-9328 Planet Lincoln

204031 I-45 Spring TX 77388...................888/242-5059 Team Gillman Subaru North

The Woodlands PRIDE

..........................................................thewoodlandstxpride.org

COMPUTERS/INTERNET/IT SERVICES Copy.com

1201-F Westheimer.............................................713/528-1201

ENTERTAINMENT/NIGHT LIFE Alley Theatre

615 Texas Ave.................................................alleytheatre.org George Country Sports Bar

617 Fairview .........................................................713/528-8102 Houston Eagle

611 Hyde Park..........................................HoustonEagle.com JR’s/Santa Fe

808 Pacific............................................................. 713/521-2519 La Granja Disco Y Cantina

5505 Pinemont Dr.............................................713/518-6753 Midtown Houston

..................................................................Midtownhouston.com Miller Outdoor Theatre

MillerOutdoorTheatre.com.........................281/373-3386 Papi’s

570 Waugh Dr......................................................713/524-3559 Pearl Bar

4216 Washington...................................PearlHouston.com ReBar

202 Tuam................................................................346/227-8613 Round Top Festival Institute

BANKING/FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Round Top Festival Hill

BAKERIES/CUSTOM CAKES David Alcorta Catering

davidalcorta.net..............................................832/439-0224

Spartanhnadguntraining.com................ 281/435-2645

HEALTH CARE–COUNSELING/THERAPY

Denise O’Doherty, LPC, LMFT, RN

3701 Kirby, Ste.1230........................................713/526-0005

Dr. Daniel Garza, MD

3131 Eastside St, Ste 4.....................................281/610-8190 Dr. Barry F. Gritz, MD

230 Westcott, Ste 210....................................713/869-7400

The Montrose Center

................................................................................... houstontx.gov

401 Branard...........................................................713/529-0037 Robert Snellgrove, LMSW-ACP

4617 Montrose, Ste C206............................... 713/522-7014 Christine Wysong

230 Westcott, Ste 210....................................713/869-7400

HEALTH CARE–DENTISTS

Bayou City Smiles/Marcus de Guzman, DDS

2313 Edwards St., Ste. 150...............................713/518-1411 Bayou City Smiles/ Cynthia Corral, DDS

2313 Edwards St., Ste 150................................713/518-1411 Cory Logan, DDS

530 Waugh Dr.................................................... 713/942-8598

620 W Alabama................................................. 713/529-4364 Montrose Dental Group/Austin T. Faulk, DDS

620 W Alabama................................................. 713/529-4364

HEALTH CARE-/HIV/COVID TESTING Houston Health Department/HIV

.......................................................................houstoniamlife.com Houston Health Department/COVID

FITNESS CLUBS/PERSONAL TRAINERS

5501 Main...............................................................713/528-0527

...................................................................................... 832/252-1961

COMMUNITY/NONPROFIT

AIDS Foundation Houston

Aidshelp.org.........................................................713/623-6796

92 APRIL 2021 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Dr. B-Fit/ Octavio Barrios, MD

HOME FURNISHINGS/ACCESSORIES

coda

355 W 19th.............................................................. 713/864-4411

INSURANCE AGENCIES/AGENTS Lane Lewis/Farmers Insurance

2200 North Loop W, Ste 136......................713/688-8669 Patrick Torma/Goosehead Insurance

3420 Rusk, Ste. 22.............................................281/723-1294

INVESTMENTS

SignatureCare Emergency Centers

1210 West Clay, Ste. G................ HawthorneFunds.com

Sole Aesthetic/Dr. Vanessa T. Barrow

HEALTH CARE/HOSPITALS

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Smokefreestudy.com.....................................713/792-2265

Doug Smith/Hawthorne Funds

JEWELERS Silverlust

1338-C Westheimer......................................713/520-5440

LANDSCAPING/GARDENING

Joshua’s Native Plants & Antiques

502 W. 18th St...................................................... 713/862-7444

MASSAGE THERAPISTS Ryan Fugate, RMT

RyanMassageWorks.com...........................713/269-7926 Tom Zeppelin/Zeppelin Massage

Avenue360.org...................................................713/426-0027

Galveston Railroad Museum

John Aaron Online Fitness

.................................................LegacyCommunityHealth.org

FOOD/SPECIALTY & SPIRITS

HEALTH CARE–OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

www.jaofit.com ..............................................832-649-8422

Dexter’s Five Star Service/Bob Samora

507 West Gray.....................................................713/942-7546

Club Houston

Trinity Episcopal Church

CLEANING SERVICES

Heights Dermatology/Alpesh Desai, MD

Skin Renaissance Laser/Octavio Barrios, MD

ZeppelinMassage.com..................................713/542-0426

2205 Fannin .......................................................713/659-4998

1015 Holman St......................... www.trinitymidtown.org

HEALTH CARE–SKIN CARE

2120 Ashland....................................................... 713/864-2650

HEALTH CARE-HIV/STD TESTING

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

1805 W. Alabama........................ststephenshouston.org

St. Hope Foundation

offeringhope.org................................................713/778-1300

Montrose Emergency Room 24 Hour ER

888-A Avenue A, Katy......................................281/391-6137 3355 Alabama, Ste 180................................. 713/355-9833

Ryan White Planning Council

RWPCHouston.org........................................... 713/572-3784

517 West Gray......................................................713/942-7546

1440 Harold....................................................... beringumc.org

St Paul’s United Methodist Church

Legacy Community Health

LegacyCommunityHealth.org................ 832/548 5000

Montrose Dental Group/Samuel A. Carrell, DDS

Soleaesthetictx.com.....................................713/666-9934

2025 W 11th............................................................ 713/861-9149

Houston Health Department

HEALTH CARE-WEIGHT LOSS CLINICS

1722 W. Alabama............................................... 713/592-9300

1700 W Loop S, Ste 255..................................713/489-4322 Grace Yung/Midtown Financial

Harris County Public Health

LifeSmiles by Randy Mitchmore, DDS

CHURCHES/SPIRITUAL CENTERS Resurrection MCC

HEALTH CARE–SERVICES

Avenue 360

Publichealth.harriscountytx.gov.......... 713/439-6293

HEALTH CARE-FOOT/ ANKLE SPECIALISTS

Shane Theriot/Edward Jones

Maggie White,MPH FNP-BC AAHIVS/ Gordon Crofoot

3701 Kirby Dr., Ste.1230.................................713/526-0005

Jeffrey Myles/JM Professional Services

....................................................................................... 713/447-2164

FINANCIAL PLANNING/BANKS

Bering United Methodist

Derek Smith, AGPCNP-BC/Crofoot MD

Avenue360.org...................................................713/426-0027

1110 W. Gray St., #101.........................................713/242-1436

Richard Dickson/Galene Financial

M. Sandra Scurria, MD

Houston Behavioral Healthcare Hospital

2801 N. Gessner Road....................................877/489-4707

David Alcorta Catering

davidalcorta.net..............................................832/439-0224

Gordon Crofoot, MD/Crofoot MD

6565 West Loop South, Ste 300...............281/661-5901

Stages Theatre

817 W. Dallas........................................................832/722-7658

507 West Gray.....................................................713/942-7546 7106 Spencer Highway.................................281/542-9400

D. “Woodja” Flanigan, MS, LPA

3209 Montrose Blvd........................................281/709-2897 1925 TC Jester....................................................832/850-4338 1014 Wirt Rd......................................................... 832/924-0312 Additional locations.......................................ercare24.com

CATERING SERVICES

HEALTH CARE–PHYSICIANS

3701 Kirby, Ste.1230........................................713/526-0005

HEALTH CARE-EMERGENCY CENTERS

800 Bagby, Suite 200......................................tuts.com/out

Legacy Pharmacy

Connections Wellness/Dr. Tracy Carlson

Tony’s Corner Pocket

Dessert Gallery

DessertGallery.com........................................713-522-9999

............................................................ AvitaPharmacy.com/HIV

Octavio Barrios, MD

Spartan Handgun Training

houstontx.gov................................................... 832-393-4220

Theatre Under The Stars

HEALTH CARE/PHARMACIES

Avita Pharmacy

HANDGUN TRAINING

2411 Sunset..............................................................713/859-1591

Society For The Performing Arts

StagesTheatre.com..........................................713-527-0123

Montrose Eye Care/ Paul Lovero, OD

520 Waugh Dr.....................................................713/352-0974

..........LegacyCommunityHealth.org/services/pharmacy/

................................................................................. FestivalHill.org SPAHouston.org.................................................713/227-4772

Eye Gallery

1806B Westheimer............................................ 713/523-1279 1700 Post Oak Blvd, Ste 110..........................713/622-7470

Studio A Salon

......................................................................................713/524-9525

248 Jaster Rd.......................................................979/249-3129

Houston Federal Credit Union

NU-Cuts Hair Salon

515 Westheimer...............................................713/524-7858

Ryan White Planning Council

Gillmansubarunorth.com.......................... 832/564-7230

HoustonFCU.org........................................... 866/OUR-HFCU

719 W. Gray St................................................... 713/5212-0500

2600 SW Fwy, Ste 409..................................713/589-9804

rwpcHouston.org .............................................713-572-3724

.......................................................................................281/768-4731

HAIR/NAIL/MAKE-UP SALONS Green Apple Salon

Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast

......................................................................................713/529-5842 Charles Hunter/Hayes Hunter PC

Jovon Tyler............................................................713/562-0004 Leslie Bonnie.......................................................281/203-7830

MyConnectionsWellness.com...............888/580-5995

..................................................................ppgulfcoast.org/lgbtq

ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES

Dignity Memorial

Pet Patrol

..............................................................................ThePetPatrol.org

ASTROLOGER

Lilly Roddy Astrology

FUNERAL/MORTUARY SERVICES

Dripping Springs

...................................................... drippingspringsvodka.com FIX Vodka

.................................................................................... FixVodka.com NEFT Vodka

.................................................................................NeftVodka.com

Avenue 360

Legacy Community Health

Houston Eye Associates/Stewart Zuckerbrod, MD

MUSEUMS

galvestonrrmuseum.org............................409/765-5700

PEST CONTROL SERVICES

Andy’s All Star Pest Control

....................................................................................... 713/732-7742

5420 Dashwood, Ste 101................................ 713/668-9118

PET SERVICES & SUPPLIES

HEALTH CARE–OPTOMETRISTS

4720 Washington.............................................713/343-9909

1806 Westheimer, Ste. A.............................. 713/528-2010

MidtownVetHospital.com...........................713-528-4900

Boutique Eye Care/Juliet Farmer, OD

Bayou City Veterinary Hospital

Midtown Veterinary Hospital

ADVERTISERS INDEX Spay-Neuter Assistance Program

Snapus.org...........................................................713/862-3863 The Urban Vet

2625 Louisiana St.Ste D100.....................713/903-2364 West Alabama Animal Clinic

2030 W. Alabama.............................................. 713/528-0818

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Dalton DeHart Photography

DaltonDehart.com............................................713/622-2202 Yvonne Feece Photography

yvonnefeece.com............................................ 832/876-1053

PHOTOGRAPHY

Houston Camera Exchange

5900 Richmond Ave........................................ 713/789-6901

PLUMBING

In The Loop Plumbing Services

....................................................................................346/253-4444 U-Plumb-It Plumbing Supply

Free Grillin’/Chef Michele

......................................................................................832/419-0165 Gloria’s Latin Cuisine 2616 Louisiana....................................................832/360-1710 Niko Niko’s 2520 Montrose...................................................713/528-4976 Niko Niko’s 1040 W. Sam Houston Prkwy. N.............. 832/981-4976 Pizza Birra Vino 544 Waugh Dr....................................................832/581-3664 Riva’s Italian Restaurant 1117 Missouri St.................................................. 713/529-3450 Urban Eats 3414 Washington Ave.....................feasturbaneats.com

TELEVISION/ENTERTAINMENT KPRC 2

8181 Southwest Fwy......................... click2houston.com KTRK

1424 Montrose......................................................713-942-2277

3310 Bissonnet St....................................................abc13.com

POOLS & POOL SERVICES

TRAVEL/TRAVEL AGENCIES

....................................................................................... 713/447-9201

4920 Mimosa.......................................................... 713/661-2117

PRINTING/COPY CENTERS

LafayetteTravel.com......................................800/346-1958

Venture Pools

Copy.com

1201-F Westheimer.............................................713/528-1201

Concierge Travel, Inc Lafayette Travel

Visit Palestine

visitpalestine.com.........................................800/659-3484

REAL ESTATE -ARCHITECTS

WEDDING SERVICES/BAKERS

4229 Bellaire Blvd.............................................713/529-2630

davidalcorta.net..............................................832/439-0224

REAL ESTATE–MORTGAGE/TITLE

DessertGallery.com........................................713-522-9999

Morningside Architects

Janet Friedman/J Friedman Mortgage

JFriedmanLoans.com.....................................713-785-5626 Cody Grizzoffi/NRL Mortgage

Codygrizzoffi.com.............................................. 832-541-1103 Chicago Title –Inner Loop

3700 Buffalo Speedway.................................713/418-7000

REAL ESTATE–REALTORS

David Alcorta Catering Dessert Gallery

WEDDING SERVICES/CATERERS David Alcorta Catering

davidalcorta.net..............................................832/439-0224

WEDDING SERVICES/PHOTO/VIDEO Dalton DeHart Photography

DaltonDehart.com............................................713/622-2202

Brooks Ballard/Engel & Volkers

Yvonne Feece-Tran Photography

David Batagower/Compass Realty

WEDDING VENUES

David Bowers/The House Company/Galveston

galvestonrrmuseum.org............................409/765-5700

309 Gray.................................................................. 713/522-7474 bayoucitypropertygroup.com................. 713/523-8609 David@DavidBowers.com........................409/763-2800 Eric Bradley/In the Loop Properties

2118 Waugh Dr......................................................713-252-7205 Mike Copenhaver/Remax Metro

mikecopenhaver@remax.net ................. 713/528-4963 Karen Derr/Karen Derr Realty

karenderr.com....................................................713/875-7050 Tom Eickleberry/Pride Street Realty

TomSellsHoustonHomes.com...................713/201-5257 Jeremy Fain/Greenwood King Properties

3201 Kirby Dr.........................................................713/677-4337 Houston Association of Realtors

har.com................................................................... 713/629-1900 Thomas Phillips/City Side Properties Exp Realty

....................................................................................832/305-7848 Debbie Levine/Greenwood King Properties

3201 Kirby Drive.................................................713/942-6857 Lynette Lew/Better Homes and Gardens

LynetteLew.com................................................713/582-2202

yvonnefeece.com............................................ 832/876-1053

PHOTOGRAPHIC FOUNDATION

Galveston Railroad Museum

NURTURE

PHOTOGRAPHIC FOUNDATION

your LOCAL

BUSINESSES WHO believe IN

EQUALITY.

Our Legacy Through The Lens

Jose Ocque/Gary Greene-Post Oak Park

1177 W. Loop South, Ste 1200..................... 713/301-1136 Dan Ritchel/Keller Williams

.......................................................................................214/384-1164 Tom Schwenk/Tom’s Galveston Real Estate

Tomsgalvestonrealestate.com................713/857-2309 VJ Tramonte/Joe Tramonte Realty

1802 Broadway/Galveston.........................409/765-9837 Martha Turner Properties

Marthaturner.com..............................................713/520-1981

Thank You for supporting our advertisers!

Andy Weber/Sotheby’s International Realty

520 Post Oak........................................................713/724-4306

PRESERVING YEARS OF HOUSTON LGBTQ HISTORY!

Becky Wheeler /Compass

Compass.com.....................................................713/562-8472 Christopher Williams/Gary Greene-Post Oak

1177 W. Loop South, Ste 1200.....................713/885-4419

RESTAURANTS/COFFEE/WINE BARS

ACME Oyster House

1201 Westheimer ......................................AcmeOyster.com Dessert Gallery

DessertGallery.com........................................713-522-9999

Get listed on this page.

Call 713/520-7237 ext. 710 OutSmartMagazine.com

Help us fund the digitalization and cataloging of over million community photos by making a donation.

DaltonDeHart.com OutSmartMagazine.com | APRIL 2021 93

MARKETPLACE CLASSIFIEDS MARKETPLACE

SALE OR LEASE

FOR RENT

EMPLOYMENT

ADVERTISING RATES

April 15 for the May Issue.

2122 Ave K Circa 1900 Two Story Victorian 3/1.5/3 plus 2 bedroom apartment $329,500

For rates/information call 713/520-7237 ext. 710.

Thank you for supporting OutSmart Advertisers!

Please be sure to tell them you saw their ad in OutSmart.

COMPUTER SERVICES

3119 Ave N 1/2 4/2/2 • 2 story, Circa 1930 $350,000 We have immediate openings for experienced advertising executives at OutSmart Media Company.

Salary, commissions, and benefits.

A creative, fun environment.

APPLY TODAY! Stay COVID-19 Safe

Send your cover letter and resume to employment@outsmartmagazine.com

1313 25th 3/2.5/2 plus apartment Mardi Gras parade route $429,500 1520 Market 4/4.5/2 • Circa 1859 • 1/1/1863 Battle of Galveston Survivor $655,000

YOUR COMPUTER ASSISTANT

NOW WITH REMOTE SUPPORT!

MASSAGE Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.

Find new clients for your massage business.Place your ad today.

713/520-7237 ext. 710

Galveston Beach Rental

Our recently renovated and newly furnished 2/1 cottage is just 2 blocks from the beach at 34th Street has all the charm and amenities for your next vacay or quick getaway. Not only are we close to the beach, we are a stone’s throw from many restaurants, clubs such as Rumors and attractions like the Pleasure Pier! Available in mid-April.

David Bowers

FOR MORE PHOTOS AND INFO, CONTACT TOM AT:

david@davidbowers.com

409-763-2800

713/370-1911

Right now is the perfect opportunity TO BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE TO BE COMPASSIONATE TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS

Thank you again to my OutSmart readers for voting me Best Astrologer for all of these years.”

TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO THOSE YOU LOVE AND TRULY APPRECIATE Voted BEST ASTROLOGER

by OutSmart Readers

LILLY RODDY A S T R O LO G E R Personal astrological sessions

Voted Houstons best massage therapist, 2009, 2010,

Relationship readings - personal /business

2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020!

Presentations & lectures to organizations

–outsmart magazine

CONSULTATIONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY GIFT CERTIFICATES • CREDIT CARDS

713.529.5842

lillycath@aol.com • www.lillyroddy.com 94 APRIL 2021 |

OutSmartMagazine.com LillyRoddy_Nov14.indd 1

10/21/14 11:29 AM

BEHIND THE BAR WITH . . .

Júlio Briceño BUDDY’S

2409 Grant St.

Shifts: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 9pm-2am

or least favorite. I enjoy it when people are more into the celebration.

Biggest tip from one customer?

A $200 birthday tip.

JACK BERGER

Who are the hardest customers to please?

Arrogant and rude people are the toughest. I try to treat people like I would like to be treated.

What is your favorite shot to make? To drink?

Favorite to make: Green Tea with Jameson’s, Peach Schnapps and Sour Mix and Mexican Candy Shots.

drink when not on duty?

Here at Buddy’s or JR’s.

Favorite to drink: Whiskey! Jameson’s or Maker’s Mark for me.

What is the best and worst holiday to work? Why? My family knows I love to work all the holidays for the past 15 years; so I don’t have a most

Where is your favorite place to

What are you best known for?

Wearing my shorts on the weekend!

If you weren’t a bartender, what career would you choose?

Probably a graphic or digital designer. I like to be creative and use my photography skills.

Do you have any pets?

One, a 2-year-old, 45 lb. “pocket” pit bull named Jenny!

What is the best part about working at this bar?

Every Buddy is welcome here.

Favorite Food?

Tacos.

Favorite Restaurant: Pappasito’s.

Favorite Travel Spot: New York City or San Francisco.

Dream Vacation: Backpacking through Europe.

Advice to a wannabe bartender in an LGBTQ bar: Be yourself, be authentic, and be transparent.

Your Super Power?

I already read minds… so I’d like to FLY! Theme Song?

Willow Smith’s “Wait A Minute” always puts me in a good mood.

BAR GUIDE There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET!

Houston’s Hottest Male Amateur Strip Contest Headquarters!

817 W. Dallas 713.571.7870 Voted the Best Place to Watch Male Dancers Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights

SUPPORT

•

EDUCATION

•

ADVOCACY

Where Everyone is Welcome!

Helpline: 713-46P-FLAG www.pflaghouston.org

Nightly Specials – Call for Details

Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

If you want to drink, that’s your business.

If you want to stop, that’s ours.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Hundreds of meetings a week in your area.

Call (713) 686-6300 or visit www.aahouston.org For general information visit: www.aa.org OutSmartMagazine.com

|

APRIL 2021

95

SIGN OUT

JOHN-PAUL ARREAGA

An Energetic Month Be sure to make time to relax.

General Information: This is going to be a busy month with strong activity every week. We will feel motivated to get our projects started because our ability to plan and strategize is enhanced, especially in the first half of the month. The last half of the month is more about the application of ideas. Because things will be so busy, be sure to make time for rest recovery!

Good days this month are April 2, 6, 10, 13, 15, 22, 24, 29, and 30.

Days to be aware are April 9, 11, 16, 17, 18, and 25. April 16, 17, and 18 are very intense days, so focus on your boundaries during that time.

The sun travels through Aries and eventually enters Taurus on the 19th, along with Mercury entering Taurus on the same day.

Venus begins in Aries, but enters her home sign of Taurus on the 14th. Mars is soaring through Gemini until April 23, when he enters the watery abyss of Cancer.

Jupiter and Saturn both continue their journey through Aquarius, the water bearer, while Neptune remains in Pisces. Pluto is slowly finishing her plowing of Capricorn.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20)

In the first half of the month, you are in a place of rest and retreat. You are more sensitive to your environment than usual, and it may have more of a toxic effect on you. Having some time for reflection in the first part of the month will make the latter half of the month more stable and successful. Choose your company carefully in early April, as negative types can alter your moods. In the latter half of the month, you have more energy and are ready to make some decisions about your career and long-term security choices.

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ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

This is the yearly birthday-cycle time for all of you Rams and Ewes! You are in your personal time of yearly review, and your energy levels should be strong this month as you establish your intentions for the year. Professional organizations or community groups can be especially good for you throughout the year! You are feeling

You are looking to change what you do so you can feel more passionate about your day-to-day life! Your patience may be very low during this time. Partners can be very supportive if you open up to their help and care. You don’t have to do this alone!

GEMINI (May 21–June 21)

This is a very busy and active month for you with Mars (planet of action, adventure, and competition) moving through your sign for most of the month. You will be ready to act on your inner drive and impulses this month. This can be very good for reconnecting with your partner by getting away from tedious routines and doing something spontaneous. Professional organizations can be very good for helping you open up new markets for your career and expand your social life. This is a more socially active time, and it’s a great month to spend with friends—even with the COVID restrictions. By the end of the month, you are ready for some rest as you take a step back from professional demands.

CANCER (June 22–July 22)

Your career, social standing, and longterm security in your relationships are top priorities for you this month. This is a good month to take on a leadership role at work, or consider starting something

JOHN-PAUL ARREAGA

By LILLY RODDY

more social and ready to interact with others, which will be better for business and communal activities. You will be more direct this month, and you may not exhibit enough patience around others. By the end of the month, you are exploring new ways to enhance the resources that will let you express more of who you are as a person. This is the best month for you to be first in your own life.

on your own. You will not be patient with managers if they aren’t listening to you.

Try a team approach instead of being the gadfly! You are continuing to work on clearing out your debts—and anything else that makes you feel obligated and lacking in free choice. Difficult relationships continue to be tested. This is a great time for couples therapy, or reconfiguring your relationship so that it actually fits you instead of you trying to fit in. By the end of the month, you will get a burst of energy that will help you focus on yourself and your goals.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

You are open to new ideas, points of view, and even to relocating this month.

Overall, you are feeling the pressure to make some decisions this year about what is best for your relationship and your career. This month you are expanding your search and looking at improving your skill set, going back to school, and consolidating your ideas and views to help with decision making. You have been working on reinventing yourself and letting go of limits and restrictions that were self-imposed by your relationships or your unconscious family mythology.

Your career area becomes very active toward the end of the month. You may be exploring doing something on your own,

taking a leadership role, or stepping back to focus on more personal goals. Don’t feel you have to go at this alone. There are partners and friends who will help!

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

Relationships and partnerships are in general need of some TLC this month. You are interested in reaffirming the connections and common goals that create the emotional intimacy you need. This can also be a time when you are aware of your lack of closeness with your partner. That needs to be addressed so your partnership can continue. In business, this is a great time to meet with colleagues and confirm that you are all still on the same page. Finances and shared resources will also need to be reviewed during April.

Your career is very active this month!

You are looking to take a leadership role, or invest your energies into new projects that represent who you are now. This energy may make you less patient, and it could also prevent you from getting enough restful sleep. Exercise can help with this excess energy!

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 23)

April is a big relationship month for you.

This is a great time to meet someone new, if you are single and looking. It’s also a great month to spend time with

your partner and just enjoy your time together. This can also extend to your good friends as well as business partners. This month will also remind you to be sure you express your needs, and not expect your partner to guess or intuit them. You will be more vocal throughout the month! In the latter half of April, you are working on improving your financial picture. Getting rid of debt and other financial limitations can relieve a big drain on your emotions during this time. You are more sensitive to your work environment and co-workers this month. You may want to avoid the needy folks and the drama queens. Be sure to pay attention to your boundaries this month.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24–Nov. 21)

You are focusing on getting your routines back in order this month. You have been interested in many new topics and ideas this year, and it has been hard to remain as centered and focused as you normally are. This month is good for establishing an exercise and health program to improve your own personal functioning.

Family demands and responsibilities continue to be strong, and will become stronger toward the end of the month. It’s easy for you to want to take control, but be aware of your boundaries and don’t overload yourself. Relationships take center

stage in the latter part of the month. If you are in a partnership, this is a great time to reconnect. If you are single, this is a good time to meet someone new! If you are having problems with your partner, those issues will come to the surface so you can clear the air and not carry the difficulties around. You are more spontaneous in the latter half of the month!

projects, remodeling, or potentially relocating. With family, you want to feel more involved. You may take on a family leadership role in order to take the actions necessary. Your courage here will inspire your other family members. This month continues to be a good time to improve your health routine. Your co-workers will need your leadership this month, particularly in the areas of direction and SAGITTARIUS (Nov.22–Dec.21) strategy. You will be the calm voice in the You are hoping for a much more fun-filled crowd. By the latter part of the month, you and playful month. You are ready to step are ready to add some fun and joy to your away from your routines and find activi- life. Renewing the bonds in your relationties that you do just for the sake of joy! ships also becomes a lot more important.

This is a very good time to be with your You will take life more personally, and be children or grandchildren. If you are in a ready to defend your views at any time! relationship, this is a great month to get away and reconnect physically as well AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) as emotionally, in order to drive out the This is a particularly dynamic period in boredom. In your day-to-day life, you are your life. You have two major planets, making sure to focus on your needs, and Saturn and Jupiter, both moving through not trying to take on everyone else’s is- your sign. Jupiter is open to new ideas sues (which is easy for you to do). This is and experiences, while Saturn wants to a great month to work on your blog, your focus on the things that function well novel, attend a class, or even teach one and are safe. You are reassessing your yourself. Your relationships need some relationships, your career direction, and attention! This is also a great month to your overall plans for the future. Jupiter get out of town with that special someone. visits for a year, while Saturn stays for two and a half years. This month you are ready CAPRICORN (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) to act on your ideas and strategies. You Home and family are highlighted this are more vocal than usual, and are ready month. You may want to focus on home to respond more quickly in all situations.

Toward the end of the month, you shift your focus to home and family as you try to make your nest more comfortable. This may include a remodeling project, or even relocating. You want to live where there’s more light and open spaces!

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You are paying attention to your finances, resources, and your own sense of selfworth. This is a good month to consider new investments, and also to improve your skills to make yourself more valuable in the business world. Spirituality falls under the rulership of Pisces, so you’ll find yourself doing a lot of soul searching. You are exposing the hypocrisy of your own beliefs. You are open to new ideas, but they must be realistic and actually help people. By the end of the month, you are more vocal about your views, and are more willing to share them with people around you. Your family continues to need more support from you. You may have to step in and take on a leadership role that provides inspiration for other family members. You are feeling more social, and that energy continues to get stronger throughout the summer months.

For more astro-insight, log on to lillyroddy.com.

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WIGGING OUT

Houston’s Nerdiest Queen Carmina Vavra’s drag is inspired by cosplaying niche characters.

Carmina Vavra has got character—literally. From her iconic transformation into HIM (from The Powerpuff Girls) to becoming Mario’s Toadette, the imaginative performer has perfected the art of blending drag and cosplay. Fortunately for the enthusiasts of all things nerdy, Vavra also has a knack for performing show tunes, streaming video gameplays, and posting humorous content online. Read on for more about the inner workings of this quirky queen.

Pronouns?

Pretty much anything respectful—in drag, she/her. Out of drag, he/him.

Hometown?

I’m from Spring, Texas, and I now live in Houston.

Drag Birthday?

Technically, September of 2013, but it took a while to get onto the scene. I worked with the Houston Gaymers every six months for a few years, and I really started working in 2017.

What are you most known for?

I am most known for creative, campy mixes—and I voice act in all of them.

I’ve also made a splash in the digital drag scene since I’ve been doing a lot of digital drag work. And cosplay—I’m Houston’s nerdiest queen.

Describe your style of drag.

My drag is very character-based.

I like to do cosplay and I love to commit to a character. I might be an alien queen, a superhero, or a very tired businesswoman holding it all together.

Either way, I’m always going to give you an energetic performance with a bunch of dramatic faces.

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By SAM BYRD Photo by ALEX ROSA

What’s the inspiration behind the look you’re currently wearing?

I [sketched it out] a while ago and thought, What if the Xenomorph queen was sexy? And I did it! The headpiece is by Rudy Zanzibar Campos, and the dress is by House of Fraud.

What is it like living with another drag performer?

Living with my drag mom has been great, even if there’s drag everywhere. It’s great to talk about drag issues and goals with someone who gets it. Plus, she has so much experience to share.

Share your experience with digital drag.

When COVID took away our income, drag performers quickly pivoted to digital performances. We started doing Instagram and Facebook Live shows and became entire production studios out of our living rooms.

Digital drag allowed performers to showcase art you wouldn’t ever get an opportunity to see in person. I want to keep digital drag around, in conjunction with live performances, as long as possible.

Where can fans see you perform?

Michael’s Outpost on Mondays for The Broad’s Way, Pearl Bar on Wednesdays for the H-Town Kings show, and bi-monthly at Ripcord for Punk Goes Drag. Follow me on twitch.tv/ carminavavra for Laugh Track on Wednesdays, and on Fridays for Metagame, a socially distanced game night.

Any final thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?

Appreciate your city’s drag performers. We’ve been working hard with no booking fees [from in-person shows] for about a year now. So, send your local drag queens and kings some love, because they deserve it. Finally, stay laughing, because it’s been a long pandemic, and I don’t know how much longer I can go without some comedy.

Follow Carmina Vavra on Facebook @CarminaVavra and on Instagram @carminavavra.

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