JUNE 2026

THE PRIDE ISSUE JUNE 2026

FIFA 2026

QUEER HOUSTON’S WORLD CUP STAGE Pride House welcomes LGBTQ soccer fans Pg.53

SILKY NUTMEG GANACHE ‘All Stars Season 11’ performer talks Pride, visibility, and feeling seen in Houston Pg.30

PLUS OUT IN TECH HOUSTON Pg.37

BLACK LIKE THAT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL Pg.43

HOUSTON’S QUEER BOOK CLUB Pg.46

CODY RENARD RICHARD Pg.62

AND MORE! OutSmartMagazine.com

|

DECEMBER 2024

1

Automobile, Trucking and Motorcycle Accidents Workplace Injuries Wrongful Death Construction Litigation CONTACT US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

3100 Timmons Lane, Suite 401 Houston, TX 77027 (713) 893-0305 ERIC KIRKPATRICK Best Personal Injury Attorney

KIRKPATRICKLAW.COM

“I LOVED MY DENTIST SO MUCH, I MARRIED HIM!”

D R . SA M CA R R E L L F i n a l i s t Be s t De n t i s t A U S T I N FA U L K W i n n e r B e s t De n t i s t J AC Q U E L I N E CL E M M E R W i n n e r Be s t D e n t a l Hy g i e n i s t M E L I S S A BA E Z F i n a l i s t De n t a l Hygienist

GENERAL & COSMETIC DENTISTRY

620 West Alabama | Houston, TX 77006 7 1 3 . 5 2 9 . 4 3 6 4 | M O N T R O S E D D S .C O M SAMUEL A. CARRELL, DDS

IN-OFFICE FINANCING AVAILABLE!

AUSTIN T. FAULK, DDS

PRIDE PRIDE 2026 2026

2026 2026 FEATURES

28

56

34

36

30 COVER STORY 40 SILKY NUTMEG GANACHE

Building community bonds in Houston following an All Stars Season 11 appearance

SUPPORTING BIPOC ARTISTS Sixto Wagan advocates for diversity in the arts

43

43

HOUSTON’S BLACK QUEER FESTIVAL The June 27 Black Like That Festival centers self-definition

A Netflix documentary exposes the crisis that families are facing

LGBTQ World Cup fans can gather at the Houston Pride House

62

Augustin Lehner previews Houston Ballet’s Giselle

Producer Cody Renard Richard is nurturing new Broadway talent

JUNE 2026 |

41

53

58

4

37

50

DADS FIGHTING FOR THEIR TRANS KIDS

A TRAGIC BALLET

48

BROADWAY BOUND

OutSmartMagazine.com

A PRIDE OUTPOST AT FIFA 2026

82

WIGGING OUT Phoebe Seymour is the voice of Montrose

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY AND MAKING HOUSTON SMILE SINCE 2009

UNCOMPROMISING EXCELLENCE IN DENTISTRY

Dr. Adrian Reyes

Dr. Wendell Dela Cruz

Dr. Robert Hines

Dr. Marcus de Guzman Dr. Brooke Rebenschied

Veneers, Implants, Esthetic Fillings & Smile Makeover | In House Financing Your Dentist is Certified in Oral Conscious Sedation | Most Insurance Accepted

2025 READERS’ CHOICE AWAR DS

Montrose Collective Arts District @ Sawyer Yards MAKE AN 888 Westheimer Rd. Ste. 212 - Houston, TX 77006 2313 Edwards St., Ste. 150 - Houston, TX 77007 281.220.8316 713.518.1411 APPOINTMENT @bayoucitysmiles BAYOUCITYSMILES.COM TODAY!

PRIDE 2026

2026 JUNE 2026

D E PA R T M E N T S NEWS & COMMENT 21 OP-ED

Reflections on the Pride flag’s ongoing evolution

35 FILM

RuPaul leads a comedy cast in STOP! THAT! TRAIN!; Houston Cinema Arts Festival’s new leader (pg. 48)

37 COMMUNITY

Out in Tech Houston connects local professionals

46 READ OUT

Houston’s growing queer book club; A new book traces queer roots in pop music (pg. 66)

OUT & ABOUT 12 CALENDAR 17 SCENE OUT 24 PRIDE MONTH EVENTS 68 WEDDING GUIDE 73 OUT THERE 80 SIGN OUT

ON the COVER Silky Nutmeg Ganache

‘All Stars Season 11’ performer talks Pride, visibility, and feeling seen in Houston Story by David Clarke Photo by Victor Contreras 6

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

Welcome Welcome

Dr. DNP, MSN, MSN, BSN, BSN, NEA, NEA, GNP-BC, GNP-BC, CNS CNS Dr. Bethsheba Bethsheba Johnson, Johnson, DNP,

• • • • • • • • • •

Primary Care and Chronic Primary Care and Chronic Disease Management Disease Management Gender Affirming Care Gender Affirming Care Sexual and Reproductive Health Sexual and Reproductive Health Mental Health Mental Health General Gynecologic Care General Gynecologic Care

• • • • • • • •

Hair and Skin Concerns Hair and Skin Concerns Weight Management Weight Management HIV Treatment and Prevention HIV Treatment and Prevention Gerontology Gerontology

YOUR PRIDE, YOUR HEALTH

NOW PUBLISHING IN OUR 32TH YEAR!

Houston’s LGBTQ Magazine

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Greg Jeu Creative Director Alex Rosa Copy Editors Howard Maple, Janice Stensrude Contributing Writers

Olivia Flores Alvarez, Rich Arenschieldt, Connor Behrens, Jenny Block, Sam Byrd, Kevin Casey, David Clarke, Brett Cullum, Blase DiStefano, D. Woodja Flanigan, Ste7en Foster, Martin Giron, Marene Gustin, James Hurst, Benjamin Leger, Lisa Keen, Ryan M. Leach, Zachary McKenzie, John Nechman, David Odyssey, Gregg Shapiro, Janice Stensrude, Terrance Turner, Grace S. Yung, Brandon Wolf Photographers/Illustrators

Edgardo Aguilar, Yvonne Feece, Victor Contreras, Dalton DeHart, Kayla Griffith, Frank Hernandez, Alex Rosa Sales and Marketing Department

Tom Fricke, Greg Jeu, Alex Niall, Chris Lew, Karren Lovelady, Aaron Rublein National Advertising Representative

Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 Local Advertising Representative

OS Media 713.520.7237

OutSmart Media Company Publishers of OutSmart Magazine 3406 Audubon Place • Houston, TX 77006

BEST TITLE COMPANY

713.520.7237 Subscriptions: $72/12 Issues, $130/24 Issues E-mail: editor@outsmartmagazine.com Website: OutSmartMagazine.com Printed in the US and in Mexico

JOIN OUR TEAM OF ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES!

Connect with Houston’s vibrant JOIN OUR TEAM OF LGBTQ community as you forge ADVERTISING innovative SALES new partnerships with OutSmart’s family of advertisers. JOIN OUR TEAM OF EXECUTIVES! ADVERTISING SALES Connect with Houston’s vibrant

O u t S mar t is published monthly. Visit our website at OutSmartMagazine.com for daily news updates and additional featured stories. OutSmart Media Company is not responsible for claims and practices of advertisers. The opinions and views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the staff or management of O ut S mart .

Inclusion in OutSmart does not imply sexual orientation. ©2026 by OutSmart Media Company. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part without permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Unsolicited material is accepted. No manuscript returned without SASE.

Financial support provided by

EXECUTIVES!

Connect with Houston’s vibrant We’re looking for creative, self-motivated, and organized individuals who can develop both LGBTQ community as you forge innovative LGBTQ community as you forge innovative new partnerships with OutSmart’s family of advertisers. print and digital marketing strategies for LGBTQ and ally businesses. Generating new leads, a 501(c)(3) public charity nonprofit new partnerships with family of advertisers.

We’re looking for creative, self-motivated, and organized individuals who can develop both negotiating, and exceeding salesOutSmart’s goals are all part of the job. print and digital marketing strategies for LGBTQ and ally businesses. Generating new leads, negotiating, and exceeding sales goals are all part of the job.

We’re looking for creative, self-motivated, and organized individuals who can develop both Apply now at employment@outsmartmagazine.com print and digital marketing strategies for LGBTQ and ally APPLY NOW ATbusinesses. Generating new leads, negotiating, and exceeding sales goals are all part of the job.

employment@outsmartmagazine.com APPLY NOW AT employment@outsmartmagazine.com

com

8

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

Support local LGBTQ independent media Make a tax-deductible donation at

APPLY NOW AT employment@outsmartmagazine.com

OutSmartFoundation.org

Voted Best Female Eye Doctor

Voted Best Male Eye Doctor

Voted Best Place to Buy Eyewear

EDITOR’S NOTE

Our annual Pride issue arrives at a moment when celebration and exhaustion sit side by side.

This month’s cover features Silky Nutmeg Ganache, who was photographed by Victor Contreras and interviewed by writer David Clarke. After years of advocacy work, fundraising, and the stress that often comes with being a queer Black public figure, Silky is making space for herself while still showing up for the community. Ahead of hosting the Montrose Center’s 2026 Pride Brunch, she talks about her support for the local drag community and creating spaces where people feel loved, safe, and seen.

That focus on community runs throughout this June issue, beginning with Denis “Woodja” Flanigan’s reflection on how our definition of “queer community” has evolved over six decades. Then we spotlight the Black Like That Community Festival, now in its fifth year, which centers Black queer Houstonians and takes place on June 27 at The Hall at Ironworks. The event brings together artists, drag performers, healthcare organizations, cultural leaders, and community partners for a Pride Month gathering rooted in visibility, HIV awareness, and unapologetic self-definition.

We also profile Sixto Wagan, executive director of the BIPOC Arts Network and Fund (BANF), which is celebrating five years of support for artists of color through grants, advocacy, and dialogue. Wagan’s leadership, shaped by his experience as a co-founder of the Queer Artist Collective, looks beyond crisis response toward long-term cultural investment that prioritizes meaningful engagement with local communities.

Houston’s Queer Book Club, led by Abigail “Abby” Yesso, offers a unique gathering space for book lovers. What began as a small online group has grown into a nearly 400-member community centered on queer literature, conversation, and belonging. Out in Tech Houston is another organization dedicated to building community while it challenges the industry’s stereotyped “tech bro” image.

LGBTQ tech professionals will benefit from the networking opportunities at the group’s informal mixers in Midtown at The Ion, Houston’s tech incubator hub.

In arts news, Michael Robinson steps into his role as lead programmer for the Houston Cinema Arts Festival, bringing his belief in the enduring value of the movie-theater experience to spark conversation and connection.

As Houston prepares to host seven FIFA World Cup matches, Space City Pride FC is helping to co-host an official Pride House, making LGBTQ visibility a part of the city’s global soccer moment. We also chat with Houston Ballet’s Augustin Lehner about his role in Giselle, and Houston native Cody Renard Richard about his work on Broadway that is opening doors for the next generation of actors and theater technicians.

As always, we want to thank our contributing writers and photographers whose work is essential in telling Houston’s LGBTQ stories.

Our readers, advertisers, and donors who sustain the work of this magazine and the OutSmart Foundation also deserve special recognition. If you believe community-driven journalism matters, please consider donating to the OutSmart Foundation for LGBTQ News and Media.

Greg Jeu Publisher

OutSmart Foundation

for LGBTQ News and Media

Your Support Transforms LGBTQ Stories into Change Why are we asking you to donate to the OutSmart Foundation?

Your support empowers the LGBTQ community through essential journalism, helping OutSmart Media thrive in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Your tax-deductible contribution expands our newsroom, compensates dedicated journalists, and invests in the latest media technology. It also funds internships for future writers committed to social justice.

By supporting the OutSmart Foundation, you invest in a platform that amplifies underrepresented voices and promotes equality through storytelling. You help produce journalism that confronts prejudice and embraces diversity.

Thank you for supporting independent LGBTQ media in Houston. Your contribution helps our platform thrive, amplifying diverse voices and stories.

Donate by texting OUTSMART to 53-555 or use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code here.

10

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

“I LOVED MY DENTIST SO MUCH, I MARRIED HIM!”

DR. SAM CARRELL Winner Best Dentist A U S T I N FA U L K Finalist Best Dentist J AC Q U E L I N E C L E M M E R Winner Best Dental Hygienist MELISSA BAEZ Finalist Dental Hygienist

Raed Gonzalez made history by winning the first same-sex marriage-based visa case in Texas. Today, he continues to represent LGBTQ+ individuals from across the globe in asylum, humanitarian, and family-based immigration claims—fighting for justice, safety, and dignity for all. For representation that GENERAL & contact COSMETIC DENTISTRY the LGBTQ+ community can trust, Gonzalez Olivieri LLC today.

620 West Alabama | Houston, TX 77006 7 1 3 . 5 2 9 . 4 3 6 4 | M O N T R O S E D D S .C O M SAMUEL A. CARRELL, DDS

IN-OFFICE FINANCING AVAILABLE!

AUSTIN T. FAULK, DDS OutSmartMagazine.com

|

FEBRUARY 2025

69

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

QUEER THINGS to DO STAGE

Wednesday, June 3

PHOTO BY JONATHAN PELLOW

International Pride Orchestra Benefit Concert The orchestra’s Texas debut concert benefits the Montrose Center.

Enjoy music that speaks to perseverance and joy from composers including Leonard Bernstein, Carlos Simon, and Gabriella Lena Frank. tinyurl.com/bdd266p8

STAGE

STAGE

Friday, June 5

Main Street Theater Pride Night for Sinners and Saints Main Street Theater hosts a Pride Night happy hour and SingOUT Cabaret before each of two performances of Sinners and Saints, starring Tamara Siler. tinyurl.com/34y4w6ak 12

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

Thursday, June 11

Alley Theatre ActOUT for Misery Ticket holders for the June 11 performance of Misery can enjoy a pre-performance mixer with music, socializing, light bites, and drinks. tinyurl.com/4rzajj7d

STAGE

Thursday, June 11

ISHIDA Dance Company – waiting/REX The world premiere of waiting/REX, a double bill reimagining Waiting for Godot and Oedipus Tyrannus through a striking physical lens. tinyurl.com/y852e5bs

PHOTO BY JONATHAN PELLOW

STAGE

STAGE

STAGE

Thursday, June 18

Friday, June 19

Saturday, June 20

Pride Chorus Houston: Make Your Own Kind of Music Pride Chorus Houston presents Make Your Own Kind of Music, celebrating Pride with an evening of both classic and new gay anthems. tinyurl.com/mr3m8pk8

Houston Pride Band: Pride and Passion Houston Pride Band closes out its season with an evening of music exploring the world of fantasy and imagination. tinyurl.com/c88tzzu4

STAGE

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY

Stages Pride Night for Spamilton: An American Parody Stages and OutSmart host a reception for LGBTQ patrons and friends before the performance of Spamilton: An American Parody, a side-splitting new musical comedy. tinyurl.com/2ymd2pye

STAGE

Tuesday, June 23

Ilana Glazer at 713 Music Hall The queer comedian’s distinct brand of stand-up comedy is known for its unfiltered humor and sharp observations. tinyurl.com/3apdfc7b

Out at the Ballet for Giselle Houston Ballet and OutSmart host a special reception for LGBTQ ballet lovers and friends. Get 25% off select seats, a complimentary drink voucher, and access to the reception area before the show and during intermission. tinyurl.com/2w3jnnt5

Wednesday, June 24 Thursday, June 25

HTX Contemporary Dance Festival Designed to bring Houston’s arts community together in an engaging way, with curated master classes and community chats during the day and unique contemporary concerts in the evening. tinyurl.com/y2usfe2h

Saturday, June 27

Sapphfit: Pink Pilates Join LesbianLand for SapphFit: Pink Pilates, a refreshing outdoor yoga experience designed for sapphics who want to move their bodies in a relaxed, welcoming space. tinyurl.com/3euhvjbw

STAGE

Sunday, June 21

Saturday, June 27

Black Like That Community Festival The Normal Anomaly Initiative’s annual festival showcases the best of Black LGBTQ and ally communities through arts and culture. Co-headliners are Durand Bernarr, Erica Banks, and Amari Noelle. tinyurl.com/2pat666m

OutSmartMagazine.com |

JUNE 2026 13

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

QUEERTHINGS to DO

Spamilton

: AN AMERICAN PAROD

Y

with

21 Chump Street : THE MUSICAL MAY 29–JUN. 21

SAVE the DATES

COMMUNITY

Thursday, July 23–Sunday, July 26

Heavy Hitters Pride 2026 Houston’s largest annual summer event explicitly celebrating bodypositive queer spaces, plus-size men, and allies. The four-day lineup features national DJs, a flagship Sunday Brunch & Fashion Show, pool parties, and community networking. tinyurl.com/26d6dvfp COMMUNITY

Friday, July 24

H-Town Puppy Mosh Join the Bayou City Pups at the Montrose Center for a wagging good time. Enjoy a safe space while exploring the pup side you’ve always wanted to experience. tinyurl.com/yvsh78uh

CONCEIVED AND WRITTEN BY GERARD ALESSANDRINI FROM FORBIDDEN BROADWAY

PRODUCERS DEBRA AND MIKE DISHBERGER

STAGE

P.S. Join us on June 18 at 6 PM for a pre-show reception co-sponsored

by OutSmart. Add-On reception is FREE with code OUTSMART1776.

Thursday, August 6

Alley Theatre ActOUT for The Girl on the Train Ticket holders for the August 6 performance of The Girl on the Train can enjoy a pre-performance mixer with music, socializing, light bites, and drinks. tinyurl.com/yfjd85rh COMMUNITY

Saturday, October 3

TICKETS SELLING QUICKLY! Buy now at stageshouston.com

"SMART, SILLY, AND CONVULSIVELY FUNNY." —The New York Times

Katy Pride Celebration 2026 Katy Pride’s 2026 celebrates the strength, resilience, and vibrant diversity of the LGBTQ community in Katy and West Houston. The celebration features 70+ vendor booths, live entertainment, community resources, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to connect with local LGBTQ organizations and allies. tinyurl.com/2s3hva7m COMMUNITY

Saturday, October 31 2025 READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

WINNER!

The Woodlands Pride Festival 2026 The Woodlands Pride Festival is a free all-ages celebration bringing together thousands of community members for live entertainment, local vendors, food trucks, and family-friendly fun. tinyurl.com/45sn254m

Submit your events at calendar@outsmartmagazine.com 14

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

GISELLE JUNE 11121

FRIDAY, JUNE 19 AT 7:30 PM

HOUSTONBALLET.ORG | 713.227.2787 Generously underwritten by Lynn Wyatt

HouseMargarita $7.00 DURING Happy Hour, ALL DAY Monday through FrIday!

HAPPY PRIDE!

Favorite Central/South American Restaurant

Gloria’s Latin Cuisine - Midtown Houston 2616 Louisiana | Houston, TX

lizziefletcher.com PAID FOR BY ELIZABETH PANNILL FLETCHER FOR CONGRESS

16 16

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

SCENE OUT Photos by DALTON DEHART AND CREW

The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber hosted an event with the British Consulate on April 29, 2026. Pictured are Council Member Alejandra Salinas, Tammi Wallace, His Britannic Majesty’s Consul General Richard Shackleton, Pamela Brantley, and Shelly Skeen.

On April 30, 2026, Houston Grand Opera hosted Pride Night for The Barber of Seville at the Wortham Theater. Pictured are Avery Belyeu and Nathan Cook.

On May 3, 2026, OUT for Education presented its 2026 scholarship awards at Big Brothers Big Sisters. Pictured are the recipients.

On May 4, 2026, the Mahogany Project honored the legacy of Monica Roberts at Sesh Coworking.

Pictured are Antonio Maldonado, Verniss McFarland, Bradon Mack, Dylan Forbis, Brad Pritchett, Synthia Walton, and Oni Blair.

Legacy Community Health presented the inaugural Legacy Open Pickleball Tournament on May 9, 2026. Pictured are Drew Adler, Robert Palussek, Chree Boydstun, and Nathan Adler.

On May 9, 2026, Loyd Powell led a discussion on queer collaboration. Pictured are Timothy O’Leary, Christopher Daniel, Robert Conn, Judy Reeves, Loyd Powell, Buttons, Cherry, and Jake Margolin.

On May 9, 2026, HRC Houston hosted its annual dinner, Community Equals Power, at the Marriott Marquis. Pictured are Ben Rubio and Gia Montalto.

The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce held its 3rd Thursday Breakfast with Bao Ong on May 21, 2026. Pictured are Lori Farris and Bao Ong.

The Mother of Montrose 2026 contest was held at Michael’s Outpost on May 10, 2026. Pictured are, back row, Geary Whitney, Daddy of Montrose 2025; Landon J. Fatale, Boy of Montrose 2025; and Thela Nova Moon, Girl of Montrose 2025; front row, Laisha LaRue and Jacklyn Dior, Mother of Montrose 2026

OUT at TUTS, sponsored by OutSmart and Theatre Under the Stars, was held after the performance of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on May 28, 2026.

Pictured are members of the cast.

On May 17, 2026, the Diana Foundation held its Fiesta de Frida Kahlo at the home of Tony Castro and Tom Raguse. Pictured are Brian Hull, Michael Broderick, Sharon Lord, and Shane Alderman.

Pride Houston 365 presented its 2026 Grand Marshal and Opening Awards Reception at the Houston Club on May 30, 2026. Pictured are the 2026 Grand Marshals.

OutSmartMagazine.com | JUNE 2026 17 OutSmartMagazine.com | JUNE 2026 17

Pride This Way The Global Queer Passport You Didn’t Know You Needed Pride isn’t just a month on the calendar.

It’s a GPS pin that keeps moving—from Houston to Madrid, from Boise to Bangkok, from the dance floor to the front line of protest.

Pride This Way is your first-class boarding pass.

This new globetrotting podcast–vodcast series takes you inside Pride celebrations around the world, guided by a bold lineup of storytellers who live at the intersection of cultures. Together, they’re here to do more than chase glitter—they’re here to connect the dots between joy, struggle, and what it really means to be out and proud in at Pride.

A front-row seat to global Pride Every episode of Pride This Way drops you into a different city’s heartbeat—its streets, its music, its hidden queer corners. You’ll hear the chants from the march, the bass from the afterparty, and the quiet, honest conversations that happen in hotel lobbies, kitchen tables, and back rooms once the cameras usually turn off.

Our international co hosts aren’t parachuting in; they’re plugged in. They bring their languages, their passports, and their lived experience to each story, so you’re not just visiting another Pride—you’re being welcomed into it.

Global influencers who translate more than just language The Pride This Way co hosts are global LGBTQ+ influencers, artists, and activists who know how to move between worlds.

• They speak TikTok and town hall, red carpet and refugee camp.

• Learn why a Pride crosswalk matters in one city while queer nightlife is being raided in another.

• They bridge the gap between local traditions and global conversations— between what you see on the ground and what’s at stake in the headlines.

When a host in Atlanta sits down with a trans activist from Manchester, or a host from Berlin takes you behind the barricades, they’re not just sharing stories—they’re building a shared vocabulary of resistance, celebration, and joy.

Why Pride This Way podcast matters now.

Around the world, Pride is under pressure.

Some cities are expanding protections and visibility; others are banning marches, arresting organizers, or trying to erase queer and trans people from public life altogether.

That’s exactly why Pride This Way is launching now: • Document what’s really happening on the ground—beyond corporate floats and one day campaigns.

• Amplify the voices of organizers, artists, and everyday community members who are keeping Pride alive.

• Show how cultures collide, blend, and transform when global queer communities meet each other halfway.

Download your Pride passport stamp, as an archive and a lifeline.

Pride This Way is built on a simple idea: when we see each other clearly, we fight for each other differently. You’ll laugh. You’ll learn. You might get angry. But you won’t feel alone.

Where to watch, listen, and join the fun.

Pride This Way is dropping across major podcast platforms and video channels, with social first cuts and bonus behind the scenes moments that keep the conversation going long after each episode ends. Stream full episodes on your favorite podcast and vodcast platforms and follow our co-hosts on social for live check-ins from Pride events.

MEET OUR GLOBAL CITY AMBASSADORS Dessie Love-Blake - Houston, Texas Soraya Vivian — International Tour Guide David Sexton — Miami Beach, FL Tara McDonald — Amsterdam, UK Jono Kitchens — Madrid, Spain Muffy Vanderbilt, III - New Orleans, LA Jason Ess — East Coast, US Conleth Kane — United Kingdom

Pride is happening everywhere.

Now you can be there, too.

Do you have what it takes to be one of our Global City Ambassadors?

Contact us at pillarsofchange.com

PrideThisWay.com

Our Houston Pride Episode’s Pay-It-Forward Program recipients are the OutSmart Foundation and The Montrose Center.

Subscribe. Download. Pay it Forward.

CENTER

­

­ ­

• NON-SURGICAL • IMMEDIATE LASTING RESULTS • AFFORDABLE

Wrinkles • Facial Sagging

EXPERIENCE MATTERS! Ana Maria Schwartz She/Her/Hers Attorney at Law Schwartz Immigration Law, PLLC Principal Office: 2417 Dunlavy St. Houston, TX 77006 (713) 337-5270

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatments for ED VOTED ONE OF THE BEST Dr. Octavio Barrios Best Physican 2005-2026 Skin Renaissance Best Skin Care Center 2005-2026

Best Female Immigration Attorney

Austin Office: 106 E. 6th St., Suite 900-123 Austin, TX 78701 (512) 322-5270

­­

20

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

PRIDE 2026

2026

A Window on Local LGBTQ History We the People highlights decades of Houston community building and activism.

by BRANDON WOLF

The University of Houston (UH) Libraries Special Collections is now hosting an exhibit that chronicles Houston’s LGBTQ community from the 1940s to the present day. Titled We the People: Examining the American Experience through the UH LGBT History Research Collection, the exhibit is on the first floor of the school’s M.D. Anderson Library and includes photos, handwritten letters, artwork, newspaper clippings, clothing, and ephemera. It will run through December of this year.

The exhibit has been curated by Joyce Gabiola, a UH alum and professional archivist who oversees the LGBT History Research Collection. Over the past ten years, the collection has expanded significantly as other local archives with limited staffing and funding have entrusted their materials to UH. The Special Collections team has also acquired notable items to further enrich the collection.

Gabiola explains that the exhibit’s theme was inspired by a quote from activist Larry Bagneris Jr. in The Pride Guide 1981, when he served as the Gay Pride Week planning committee chairperson: “In times like these, it is necessary to examine the American Experience, see what it means to each of us, work to [ensure] that it continues, and live that experience to the fullest.”

The exhibit includes eight panels, each highlighting a unique perspective on Houston’s LGBTQ history, often using one-ofa-kind items. A cozy reading nook is also provided, where visitors can browse through books from the LGBT collection.

Initially, Gabiola intended the exhibit’s theme to be about finding joy in the LGBT archives, but soon recognized that the collection also reflects other realities. “There is lightness, but there is also darkness. There is joy, laughter, and triumph, but there is also violence and vulnerability. The exhibit is going to affect you in some way.”

The exhibit begins by presenting LGBTQ

history at UH. Pat Gustafson and Mignon Weisinger, both UH students, met on campus in the 1940s and shared a 54-year romantic relationship. Gustafson became a notable doctor and medical researcher, while Weisinger was a celebrated artist. The couple spent their lives in Houston and Galveston.

The next panel delves into the 1978 Town Meeting 1 and the issue of privacy. After the historic local event, Upfront, a publication of the era, printed photos of the crowd that packed the Astroarena. Concerned about being outed and potentially losing custody of their children, a group of lesbians organized to surreptitiously obtain the negatives and then stored them in a safe deposit box. A community town hall was held, but Upfront never regained access to the negatives.

The exhibit includes selections from a collection of 9,700 Polaroids and slides documenting nearly 30 years in the lives of a Montrose throuple, who lived together from the late 1960s to the early 1990s. The photos capture their social circles, gatherings, vacations—and their dog, Max. The trio lived near Cherryhurst Park and meticulously labeled their photos with dates and names. “It’s an archivist’s

Joyce Gabiola, curator of the UH Libraries exhibit

dream,” Gabiola says.

Another panel highlights the papers of mental-health activist C. Patrick McIlvain. His mother, Annella Harrison, established the first support group for parents of LGBTQ individuals in the late 1970s, which eventually became PFLAG Houston. Photographs show both McIlvain and Harrison in military uniforms, reflecting their service to the nation.

One display features a letter written by a PFLAG mom to the governor of Alabama, protesting his cancellation of an LGBTQ conference at the University of Alabama. A copy of the governor’s response shows that, although he respected her love for her gay son, his mind would not be changed.

Arden Eversmeyer, renowned for her years of activism with LOAF (Lesbians Over Age Fifty) and her efforts to compile an oral history collection of lesbian lives, is shown with her longtime partner Charlotte Avery. The exhibit also displays letters Avery sent to her family, coming out to them. Her nephew and sister responded with supportive letters, although it took time for them to process the news.

Another section is devoted to lesser-known publications, including women’s and lesbianfocused works, some of which are quite rare.

Gabiola points out a publication about drag and a community newsletter by Black lesbians.

The exhibit also covers a range of organizations, from obscure groups to well-known ones. One panel highlights the Astro Radio Alliance of the Deaf, the International Gay Rodeo Association, Asians and Friends Houston, and the Diana Foundation, the oldest continuously operating gay organization in the United States, founded in 1953.

An email from a member of the local Log Cabin Republicans is presented, revealing that the writer intends to vote for Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee. Gabiola emphasizes that this is an example of the nuances and diversity of opinions within the community.

Among the other items visitors will encounter is a denim jacket adorned with numerous enameled pins and buttons. The jacket OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

21

THE UH LGBT HISTORY RESEARCH COLLECTION | CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LIBRARIES - SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Arden Eversmeyer, founder of The Old Lesbian Oral Herstory Project, with her longtime partner Charlotte Avery.

Photos courtesy of University of Houston Libraries

(Upper left) Selections from the Jay Hollenburger, Arthur Slaughter, and Gary Grether (JAG) Photographic Collection; (upper right) reading nook open to exhibit visitors; (lower right) Town Meeting I, held on June 25, 1978, at Houston’s Astroarena, brought more than 4,000 people together.

The landmark moment in the city’s LGBTQ liberation movement sparked new organizing, political action, and community support services. belonged to a Queer, Asian, biracial, nonbinary writer who was raised in Houston and graduated from UH. The exhibit also features a playful Gay Monopoly board game, which includes a card representing the Diana Foundation.

The tragic 1991 murder of 27-year-old banker Paul Broussard by young gay bashers from The Woodlands is examined. An OutSmart cover story titled “Anatomy of Hate” discusses the incident. News clippings mention Queer Nation and Q Patrol, two organizations that organized in response to the murder.

The final panel features a poem written by a graduate student who researched the Fundación Latinoamericana de Acción Social, an organization for Hispanic communities that promotes AIDS education. The student also reviewed various transgender and queer zines, and their research culminated in the poem.

A student intern reviewed a book from the archives titled God Made Us: Even If We’re Gay. He then wrote a blog post about the book, and the exhibit displays an emotional excerpt from that post.

22

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

Gabiola notes that student response to the exhibit has been meaningful. Those who helped assemble it gained not only new knowledge about the community, but also insights about themselves. A graduate student, a curatorial assistant, and an intern each interacted with the archives in their own unique ways.

The Community Libraries Reading Nook offers two seats, ottomans, and a bookcase filled with books from the LGBT collection, which visitors are welcome to peruse.

A large video screen in the library promotes the exhibit and features clips from the 1990s TV Montrose show and the Cougar Rainbow History Collection of video oral histories.

Christian Kelleher, the director of exhibitions and external relations for UH Libraries, reflects on the exhibit: “True to its name, the We the People exhibit really centers the personal experience—of the exceptional and the mundane, the singular and the collective—represented in the archives of UH Libraries’ LGBT History Research Collection.

The exhibit challenges visitors to think about how these unique primary sources and the stories and histories they represent impact the research and learning that happens at the university.

“It offers a small window and a view into why preserving archives like these matters to understanding our society, and to how that understanding can be created and recreated by working with historical archives. Exhibit curator Joyce Gabiola has presented a complex story that sparks reflection on not only the history depicted, but the processes through which that history is studied and documented.

It is both scholarly and personal, like the archival collections it represents.”

WHAT: We the People: Examining the American Experience through the UH LGBT History Research Collection WHEN: Now through December 31, 2026 WHERE: M.D. Anderson Library, 4333 University Drive INFO: tinyurl.com/librariesuh

Pride looks good on you. So will free teeth whitening.

SCAN TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

Full Size • Print 100% • CMYK • Final Trim Size: 7.5” X 4.75” (H)

OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

23

2026

Wednesday, June 3

Houston Astros Pride Night The Houston Astros celebrate Pride Night as they face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Come early to celebrate the Houston LGBTQ community with a pregame Happy Hour in the Michelob Ultra Club and special pre-game ceremonies. tinyurl.com/2eyyaudn Wednesday, June 3

Pride Houston 365 Rock the Runway This fashion show brings together style, creativity, and community, highlighting selfexpression through fashion and giving space for people to show up as they are. The night features runway presentations, bold looks, and a high-energy atmosphere. tinyurl.com/jte4cuu8 Friday, June 5

Houston Trans Pride 2026 The Monica Roberts Resource Center celebrates the beauty, resilience, and power of the trans community at this event hosted by Kenia Gallardo with music by DJ 7VEN & GNDRBNDR. tinyurl.com/mcdwwcz4 Friday, June 5

A CITYWIDE PRIDE SEASON Houston’s celebrations stretch across communities.

by OUTSMART STAFF

J

une in Houston brings a full slate of Pride events that reflect the people, places, and communities shaping the city’s LGBTQ life. From Astros Pride Night and runway fashion to trans-centered celebrations, drag brunches, business luncheons, and family-friendly gatherings, this year’s lineup offers many ways to show up, connect, and celebrate. Pride Houston 365’s 48th annual Festival and Parade anchors the month, but Pride is not limited to one day or one part of town. It is happening in Montrose, Midtown, the Heights, Katy, Brazoria County, and in libraries, restaurants, breweries, bars, and community spaces across Greater Houston. The calendar also highlights Houston Trans Pride, LesbianLand’s Sapphic Hour, Eden, Katy Pride’s 5K, and Brazoria County Pride Festival. Local businesses including Frost Town Brewing, Axelrad, The Original Ninfa’s, and Pizaro’s Pizza are also joining the celebration with Pride-themed drinks, beers, and bites. Wherever you are, this guide offers a place to start.

24

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

Super Soak-Her Pool Party Hosted by Queen Persephone, this Pride celebration brings together fierce drag, poolside energy, and nonstop entertainment. Performances by Laisha LaRue, Reign LaRue, Mari Jane, and Rene B*tchface. tinyurl.com/yd8mpxec Friday, June 5

LesbianLand Sapphic Hour at Avant Garden This pre-Eden Pride mix and mingle is for women who love women, featuring vibes by Jiggee and Missy. tinyurl.com/bdcdm88c Friday, June 5

Eden: Pride Houston 365 Official Girl+ Party Pride Houston 365 presents Eden, a night centered on women and femmes—bold, confident, and fully in their element. tinyurl.com/mr6apyr4 Saturday, June 6

48th Annual Houston Pride 365 Festival and Parade Celebrate Houston’s vibrant LGBTQ community with live entertainment, local and national talent, immersive activations, community vendors, and unforgettable Pride experiences, followed by the nation’s largest nighttime Pride parade. tinyurl.com/mp9zu3p8

Saturday, June 6

Brazoria County Pride Festival Celebrate the experiences and stories within ➝

Proudly serving Houston’s LGBTQ+ community with affirming care for over 40 years.

Learn more at LCH.org

PRIDE CALENDAR | CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Brazoria County’s growing LGBTQ community. The day includes live entertainment, community resources, and activities for all ages. tinyurl.com/3kx4sux3 Sunday, June 7

Pride Drag Brunch at Improv Houston Jorgeous, a RuPaul’s Drag Race star, headlines a Pride-soaked brunch with high-energy moves and bold glam. Hosted by Chevelle Brooks, it’s a feel-good, love-out-loud celebration full of fierce fun. tinyurl.com/3kdch738

Sunday, June 7

The Montrose Center 8th Annual Pride Brunch Now in its eighth year, Pride Brunch directly supports the Montrose Center’s life-changing programs, including mental-health care, housing, HIV services, youth programming, and support for seniors. tinyurl.com/pridebrunch2026

Thursday, June 11

Pride Happy Hour with Ben Chavez Rice’s Moody Center is hosting a free Pride Happy Hour. Ben Chavez toasts the community with a lively piano-and-song performance, following opener DJ Rosez. tinyurl.com/5bpkapsh Friday, June 12

Pride in Business Celebration Luncheon The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce hosts the region’s premier and only business-focused Pride Month event. tinyurl.com/3b5z8suz

Saturday, June 13

Houston Public Library Pride-A-Palooza The third annual Pride-A-Palooza will be a fun-filled day that includes a family story time followed by Pride-themed arts-and-crafts activities. tinyurl.com/j2cezw2b

Saturday, June 13

Chase the Rainbow: Stride with Pride 5K Katy Pride is celebrating community, inclusion, and Pride at this 5K run while helping raise funds and awareness for their mission. tinyurl.com/3fmcaa9r

Thursday, June 18

Katy Pride: Bases Loaded with Pride Join Katy Pride for an evening of fun as they celebrate three years with food, drinks, music, raffles, and more. tinyurl.com/3med4ftj Friday, June 19

Meow Wolf Houston: Adulti-Verse Step through the rainbow portal into the multiverse while enjoying stellar drag performances with Queen Persephone and an incredible lineup featuring Sauvignon Blanca, 26

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

Saturday, June 20

room, the beers were created in collaboration with each queer employee, who also chooses an LGBTQ charity to receive $1 from every pint sold.

Saturday, June 27 – 6pm & 8pm

Axelrad Axelrad is celebrating Pride and giving back all month long. The Midtown bar and beer garden will partner with local nonprofit Grace Place as the beneficiary of their “Rad Drink” throughout June, where $1 from each drink sold is donated to the organization.

Sinema Larue, and DJ Chopped Liver. tinyurl.com/3hwxbpkd El Tiempo Cantina Pride Drag Brunch Tara Dion presents a Pride Drag Brunch at El Tiempo Cantina in the heart of Montrose.

Enjoy a delicious brunch with an all-star drag show and tunes by DJ Stupid Bi**h. tinyurl.com/p5s24k32

Pride Comedy Show at The Den Comedy Club Each show features at least five queer performers, with headliners including Roxy Castillo, recently named Best Comedian in Austin; Arielle Isaac Norman, co-host of Gender Fluids; and Janan Araujo-Siam, whose credits include Netflix Is a Joke Fest 2026 and OutSmart’s Gayest & Greatest 2025. tinyurl.com/y6xdsh48 Saturday, June 27

Sober & Proud: A Houston Zero Proof Pride Crawl️ This event will take over Montrose with a high-vibe, non-alcoholic Pride bar crawl featuring handcrafted mocktails, cali-sober drinks, and pop-ups. tinyurl.com/z86ybkef

ALL MONTH LONG Frost Town Brewing In their fourth annual Pride Series, the brewery offers custom beers on tap to raise funds for local LGBTQ charities. Available in the tap

SCAN HERE TO EXPLORE THE FULL LINEUP OF PRIDE 2026 EVENTS ACROSS HOUSTON!

The Original Ninfa’s Ninfa’s invites everyone to celebrate Pride Month at both locations of the iconic TexMex restaurant with their Roasted Pineapple Mojito.

Pizaro’s Pizza In celebration of Pride Month and Houston’s 48th annual parade, Pizaro’s Pizza Napoletana will offer a limited-time “Pride-full” Cannoli— a crispy, tube-shaped fried pastry shell stuffed with a sweet, creamy ricotta filling and topped with rainbow sprinkles.

SAVE THE DATES Saturday, October 3

Katy Pride Celebration 2026 Katy Pride’s 2026 celebrates the strength, resilience, and vibrant diversity of the LGBTQ community in Katy and West Houston. The celebration features 70+ vendor booths, live entertainment, community resources, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to connect with local LGBTQ organizations and allies. tinyurl.com/2s3hva7m Saturday, October 31

The Woodlands Pride Festival 2026 Join your neighbors to the north for a free allages celebration bringing together thousands of community members for live entertainment, local vendors, food trucks, and familyfriendly fun. tinyurl.com/45sn254m

HAPPY

YOUR LGBTQ+ HARRIS COUNTY JUDGES

­ ­ ­ ­ ­

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

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

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

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 be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who have received HIV medicines in the past, or to replace their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

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

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: � Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis. � Have any other health problems. � Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. � Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed.

Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks of breastfeeding during treatment with BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: � Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter 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.

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

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

about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. � Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5. � If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, BELIEVE IT. Be it., GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. © 2026 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-BVYC-1037 05/26

People featured are compensated by Gilead.

Phil

Taking BIKTARVY® since 2018 still undetectable*

HIV doesn’t have to change who you are or your plans

BIKTARVY® is a treatment studied with you in mind across:

9 clinical trials over 3600 participants 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

READY TO STAY ON TRACK WITH BIKTARVY? SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT BIKTARVY.COM *Undetectable means the amount of virus in your blood is so low it cannot be measured by a lab test.

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

2026

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO

SILKY Drag star Silky Nutmeg Ganache talks Pride, legacy, and finding joy in challenging times.

by DAVID CLARKE photos by VICTOR CONTRERAS

For Silky Nutmeg Ganache, Pride looks different this year. Not because the stakes are any lower. Not because the political climate has suddenly become less hostile for LGBTQ people, drag artists, or trans communities.

And certainly not because the need for advocacy has disappeared.

In fact, it’s quite the opposite. After years of showing up, speaking out, fundraising, entertaining, and carrying the emotional weight that often comes with being a visible queer Black public figure, Silky is choosing something else this season: joy.

“As a queer Black person, this year Pride is gonna look different for me,” she bluntly states.

“I am tired of being the advocate. I’m tired of being the activist. I need a break.”

That declaration may surprise some fans 30

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

who have long seen Silky as an outspoken entertainer who is unafraid to take up space.

But her reframing of Pride does not come from feelings of apathy. It comes from self-awareness and a deeply considered understanding of what survival sometimes requires. “Do I want to be a person that is seen as hope? Yes,” she says. “But this Pride season, I also want to be the person that reminds people what self-care looks like.”

That perspective will undoubtedly shape her appearance as host of the Montrose Center’s 2026 Pride Brunch on June 7, which is one of Houston’s signature annual Pride celebrations. “It’s less partnering and more of the honor of being invited,” she says of hosting the event. “I’ve lived in Houston going on three years now, and it’s sad to say, but this is just my third time being invited to perform in Houston.”

The invitation carries extra meaning because Houston has become more than

just a city on a map for Silky. “When I bought my house, I wanted to be close enough to my Mississippi home but far enough away where people would let me know they were coming before they came,” she says with a laugh, referencing her Mississippi roots. But proximity to family was only part of the equation.

On the day her RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 11 bracket premiered, while other contestants hosted splashy viewing parties, Silky’s Houston community came to her. “My community and my friends said, ‘You know what? We’re gonna come over to your house and have a pool party. We’re gonna barbecue, and we’re gonna watch the episode together. And we’re going to give you love.’”

“That has been my experience with Houston since I’ve lived here,” she reveals. And it’s that sense of chosen family that has made the city feel like home to her. “It makes me feel a part of the community. It makes me feel seen in this community.” ➝

“I JUST WANT EVERYBODY TO FEEL GOOD, TO FEEL LOVED, AND FEEL LIKE THEY’RE IN A SAFE SPACE.” —Silky Nutmeg Ganache

OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

31

Silky placing second runner-up in the swimsuit competition finals at Miss Continental Plus.

One of Silky’s only surviving childhood photos after her family’s home was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina.

4.

Silky may be living in Kingwood these days, but she is quick to defend her Houston credentials. “People be like, ‘You not even in Houston,’” she says with a laugh. “I’m like, ‘Baby, it’s Harris County, honey.’”

Though she admits she still needs to explore more of the city’s restaurant scene, one nightlife institution already has her heart.

“One of my favorite places to go out is JR’s because I love karaoke,” she says. “I’ve tried to become the host of that. I would love to host the karaoke because I love to sing and I want to be on Broadway one day. So it’ll be great practice, and I can collect a little check from it at the same time.” Houston venues, consider this to be your sign. Silky is ready to be booked!

She also speaks enthusiastically about the local drag ecosystem, naming legends and 32

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Being crowned Miss Latina Continental Plus prior to her first appearance at Miss Continental Plus.

Silky Nutmeg Ganache’s “RuBirth” look from All Stars 11. contemporary stars alike: Kofi, Roxanne Collins, Eternity Collins, Porsche Paris, Christina Ross, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Teanna Nicole McIntosh, Tamika X, Blackberri, and the iconic Dina Jacobs among them. “There are some true legends here,” she emphasizes. “I’ve worked with so many queens, and I feel like there’s a million more that I should work with.”

She also hopes to bring one of her own concepts to town: Silky Smackdown, a March Madness-style drag competition designed to showcase every kind of drag performer while also ensuring all 16 performers get paid for their time in the competition. “It had male leads, drag kings, AFAB queens. I had a variety of queens—older queens, younger queens—because I want people to feel like drag is more than a split and a death drop.”

Silky and her grandmother, the late Miss Tearessa Cooper, at G-A-Y in London.

Her grandmother inspired her to pursue higher education.

Silky at the commencement ceremony where she received her Master of Arts degree in organizational leadership.

That philosophy comes from experience. “I come from the days where you had to pay your dues within the community to get a booking,” she recalls about her early drag years in Indianapolis. Those benefit performances, open stages, and HIV/AIDS fundraisers shaped both her artistry and her worldview. “I’ve raised thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars in my early drag days. In reality, it shaped who Silky really was.”

That same investment mindset continues today. “We have to find a way to pour into the girls financially as well as uplift their spirits,” she points out. This is something she did in Indianapolis that she wants to bring to Houston’s drag scene.

If Silky sounds especially reflective these days, that may also be because audiences are

seeing a different version of her on All Stars 11. “When I went on to my original Season 11, I was a baby drag queen,” she remembers. “I was a little girl just fighting to be seen and heard.”

This time around is different, though. “I’m just happy that now you can see the fully realized Silky.”

That evolution extends beyond reality television. Her viral appearance at Kamala Harris’ Houston rally remains one of her most memorable public moments. “I just wanted them to see representation, and what that meant,” she says. “And I’m glad that it happened here in Houston.”

Still, when asked where activism fits into Pride this year, Silky does not mince words.

“My question is to white cisgender men: ‘When are y’all going to start actually speaking up and using your privilege to benefit this community?’”

The statement lands with force because it comes not from cynicism, but lived reality.

“Every year, I have been doing it,” she explains.

“I have been fighting. I’m tired.”

Her focus this year is all about creating spaces where joy itself becomes resistance.

“THIS PRIDE SEASON, I WANT TO BE THE PERSON THAT REMINDS PEOPLE WHAT SELF-CARE LOOKS LIKE.” —Silky Nutmeg Ganache “I’m going to make sure that we have joy,” she declares. “And if people ain’t bringing joy, I’m going to invite them out of a space of joy.”

That approach also informs how she thinks about drag’s broader cultural role. “Old-school drag shows were a time where you just came in and you forgot about all your problems you had in the world,” she points out. “I just want everybody to feel good, to feel loved, and feel like they’re in a safe space.”

In an era when drag performances remain political flashpoints, that mission feels especially urgent. “I feel like drag is the glue to peace in families,” she says. “We are beyond just entertainers. We are your nurses, we are your doctors, we are your scientists, we are your everyday teachers, and we are your parents.”

And since Silky’s career hasn’t peaked and is still on an uphill climb, she’s already thinking about what she wants to be remembered for. “I hope the legacy that I leave is my spirit of hard work—that spirit of fighting for yourself.”

“Nobody in this world owes you a damn

thing,” she advises younger artists. And she hopes that they will carry that message with them. It is classic Silky. Funny, blunt, deeply human, and rooted in hard-earned truth.

Still, perhaps her most lasting legacy will be simpler than all of that. Asked what she hopes audiences take away after seeing her

perform, her answer is immediate. “I just hope they walk away with joy.” For Pride 2026, that may be exactly the gospel Houston needs to hear.

Keep up with Silky Nutmeg Ganache on Instagram @silkyganache.

OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

33

Coverage life Coveragefor for the the life you want Coverage forlive the life you wantto to live you want to live

• Life Insurance • Life Insurance Coverage • Coverage Insurancefor •Home LifeInsurance Insurance for the the life life • Home you want to live • you Insurance •Renters Home Insurance want to live • Renters Insurance • Renters Insurance

• Life Insurance • Life Insurance Voted • Home Insurance the BEST • Home Insurancefor the life Insurance Coverage Agent • Renters Insurance • Renters Insurance you want to live • Life Insurance • Home Insurance • Renters Insurance

Lane Lewis

Lane Lewis Your Local Agent

Lane Lewis Your Local Agent License #2086562 License #2086562 2200 Local North Loop W Ste 136 Your Agent Lane Lewis 2200 NorthTX Loop W Ste 136 Houston, 77018 License #2086562 Your Local Agent Lane Lewis Houston, TX 77018 llewis@farmersagent.com 2200 North License #2086562 Your Local Agent Loop W Ste 136 llewis@farmersagent.com 2200 North Loop W 77018 Ste 136 Houston, TX License #2086562 Lane Lewis Houston, TXLoop 77018 2200 North W Ste 136 Your Local Agent llewis@farmersagent.com llewis@farmersagent.com Houston, TX 77018 License #2086562 2200 North Loop W Ste 136 llewis@farmersagent.com Houston, TX 77018 llewis@farmersagent.com

Call Call713-688-8669 713-688-8669 today! today!

Call 713-688-8669 today!

ForHome, Home, Autoand and today!

Business.

Call 713-688-8669 For Auto Business.

Call 713-688-8669 today!

Home, For Home,Auto Autoand and Business.

Business.

CallFor713-688-8669 today!

For Home, Auto and Business.

Advertisement produced on behalf of the following speci�cinsurers insurersand andseeking seeking to to obtain underwritten

by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Advertisement produced on behalf of the following speci�c obtainbusiness businessforforinsurance insurance underwritten

by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century InsuranceCompany, Company,Farmers Farmers Insurance Insurance Company (Bellevue, WA)WA) or a�liates.

In TX:Ininsurance is underwritten Exchange, TruckTruck Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century Insurance CompanyofofWashington Washington (Bellevue, or a�liates.

TX: insurance is underwritten

by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century Insurance Company, Farmers Texas County Mutual Insurance Company, MidCentury Insurance Company of Texas or Texas Farmers Insurance Company. In NY: insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, MidCentury Insurance Company or Farmers New Century Insurance Company. Home o�ce, Los Angeles, CA. Each insurer has sole �nancial responsibility for its own insurance. List of all insurers and states where licensed at farmers.com/companies/state/. Not all insurers are authorized in all states. Not all products, coverages, and discounts are available in every state and may vary by state. Restrictions, exclusions, limits, and conditions apply. See agent for in allinsurance states.

Notissued all Company products, coverages, and discounts are available in every state and Ave may vary by300, state.

Restrictions, exclusions, limits,New andWorld conditions apply. See agent for is not details.

Life

by Farmers New New World Life Insurance Company, 3120 139th Ste WA 98005.

Farmers Life Insurance Company Century Insurance or Farmers Century Insurance Company.

Home o�ce, LosSE, Angeles, CA.Bellevue, AdvertisementLife produced on behalf ofsolicit the responsibility following speci�c insurers and seeking to obtain business for insurance

by Farmers Insurance Exchange, details. licensed and does or sellWorld in the Life state ofown New York. insurance issued bynot Farmers New Company, 139th Ave SE, where Ste 300, Bellevue, WA 98005.underwritten Farmers New World Insurance Company is not Fire Insurance Each insurer has sole �nancial for itsInsurance insurance.

List of 3120 all insurers and states licensed at farmers.com/companies/state/.

Not allLife insurers are authorized Life insurance issued

by Farmers World Life Company, 139th SE, Stevary 300,byBellevue, WA 98005.

Farmers New World Lifeconditions Insurance Company is notfor Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century Insurance Company, Farmers Insurance Company of Washington (Bellevue, WA)apply. or a�liates.

In TX: insurance is underwritten in alland states.

Not all solicit products, and discounts available in3120 every stateAve and may state. Restrictions, exclusions, limits, and See agent licensed does not or coverages, sellNew in the state ofInsurance Neware York. licensed and does not solicit or sell in the state of New York.

Advertisement produced on behalf of the following speci�c insurers and seeking to obtain business for insurance underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Company, Farmers County Mutual Insurance isCompany, MidExchange,by Truck Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century Insurance Company, FarmersExchange, InsuranceMid-Century Company ofInsurance Washington (Bellevue, WA)Texas or a�liates.

In TX: insurance underwritten Advertisement produced onFire behalf of theorfollowing speci�c insurers and seeking obtain businessisfor insuranceCompany, underwritten

by Farmers Insurance Fire Insurance

by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century Insurance Farmers Texas County Exchange, Mutual Insurance Company, MidCentury Insurance Company of Texas Texas Farmers Insurance Company.

IntoNY: insurance underwritten

by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, MidCentury Insurance Company of Texas or Texas Farmers Insurance Company.

In NY:Insurance insurance is underwritten

by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, MidExchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century Insurance Company, Farmers Company of Washington (Bellevue, WA) or a�liates.

In TX: insurance is underwritten Century Insurance Company or Farmers NewExchange, Century Insurance Company.

Home o�ce, Los Angeles, Century Insurance or Farmers New Century Insurance Company.

Home o�ce, Los Angeles, CA. CA.

by FarmersCompany Insurance Exchange, Fire Truck Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century Insurance Company, FarmersbyTexas County MutualExchange, Insurance Fire Company, MidAdvertisement produced on behalf ofInsurance theforfollowing speci�c insurers and seeking to obtain business for insurance underwritten Farmers Insurance Insurance Each insurer has sole �nancial responsibility its own insurance.

List of all insurers and states where licensed at farmers.com/companies/state/.

Not all insurers are authorized Century Insurance Company of Texas orMid-Century Texas Farmers Insurance Company.

Instate NY:insurers insurance isvary underwritten by Farmers Truck Insurance MidEach insurer hasInsurance sole �nancial responsibility for its own insurance.

List of all and states where licensed atInsurance farmers.com/companies/state/.

NotExchange, allisapply. insurers are authorized in all states.

Not allTruck products, coverages, and discounts Insurance are available in every and mayCompany by state.

Restrictions, exclusions, limits, and conditions See agent for Exchange, Exchange, Company, Farmers Insurance of Washington (Bellevue, WA)Exchange, or a�liates.

In TX: insurance underwritten Insurance or coverages, Farmers Newand Century Insurance Company.inExchange, Home Los Angeles, CA. in Farmers all states.

Not allCompany products, discounts are available every o�ce, stateMid-Century and may vary by state.

Restrictions, exclusions, limits, and conditions apply. SeeMidagent for details. Century by Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Insurance Company, Farmers Texas County Mutual Insurance Company, Life insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, 3120 139th Ave SE, Ste 300, Bellevue, WA 98005. Farmers New World Life Insurance Company is not details.

Each insurer has sole �nancial its York. ownInsurance insurance.Company.

List of allIninsurers and states where licensed farmers.com/companies/state/. all insurers are authorized Century Insurance Company Texas or Texas Farmers NY: insurance is underwritten by at Farmers Insurance Exchange, TruckNot Insurance Exchange, Midlicensed and does not solicit or sell of inresponsibility the state offor New

For Home, Auto and Business.

34

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

details.

by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, Mid-Century Insurance Company, Farmers Texas County Mutual Insurance Company, Midinsurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, 3120 139th Ave SE, Ste 300, Bellevue, WA 98005. Farmers New World Life Insurance Company is not Century Insurance Life Company of Texas or Texas licensed and does not solicit or sell inFarmers the state ofInsurance New York. Company. In NY: insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, MidCentury Insurance Company or Farmers New Century Insurance Company. Home o�ce, Los Angeles, CA. Each insurer has sole �nancial responsibility for its own insurance. List of all insurers and states where licensed at farmers.com/companies/state/. Not all insurers are authorized in all states. Not all products, coverages, and discounts are available in every state and may vary by state. Restrictions, exclusions, limits, and conditions apply. See agent for details.

Life insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, 3120 139th Ave SE, Ste 300, Bellevue, WA 98005. Farmers New World Life Insurance Company is not licensed and does not solicit or sell in the state of New York.

MOVIES

Serving Up Camp Comedy Gold In theaters June 12, RuPaul leads a cast of drag performers that deliver big laughs and surprising emotion.

by DAVID CLARKE

For decades, mainstream film has borrowed liberally from drag, queer culture, ballroom aesthetics, and camp sensibilities, often without meaningfully centering the artists who built those worlds. STOP! THAT! TRAIN! feels like a welcome shift.

While drag performers have long lit up indie films and queer cult classics like Girls Will Be Girls, Cherry Pop, Hurricane Bianca, Die Mommie Die!, and, of course, the legendary collaborations between John Waters and Divine, mainstream Hollywood has been far slower to hand drag artists the keys to a wide theatrical comedy.

That distinction matters to cast member Symone. “I think STOP! THAT! TRAIN! is important because it’s another way of humanizing us,” she reflects. “We’re the stars of the film. We’re not the butt of the joke. We’re making the jokes. We’re setting up the humor.

We’re leading the story.”

That message lands with even greater urgency as drag performers and LGBTQ communities continue facing political attacks across the country. “They’re trying to take drag away and trying to silence us and our art,” Symone says. “So I just think it’s important that people see us as artists and as humans.”

The film makes that point while being absolutely ridiculous. It is genuinely a laugha-minute comedy that gleefully commits to its own absurdity. The buddy-comedy dynamic between Jujubee and Ginger Minj gives the film its emotional engine, grounding the escalating chaos with genuine chemistry and warmth. If A View from the Top and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar had a gloriously queer lovechild barreling toward disaster, this would most definitely be it.

There are musical numbers. There are outrageous cameos. There is a loose scorpion creating the kind of escalating mayhem that evokes Snakes on a Plane. Missi Pyle absolutely understands the assignment as a hilariously horny divorcée, while Latrice Royale repeatedly popping up in entirely different jobs becomes one of the film’s most delight-

Director Adam Shankman and the cast of STOP! THAT! TRAIN! ful running gags. Even the visual comedy hits hard, with a fried brakes gag that practically demands a spit take.

For all its outrageous camp, however, STOP! THAT! TRAIN! does have heart. Symone points to friendship as one of the film’s emotional throughlines, particularly in the central dynamic between Jujubee’s and Ginger Minj’s characters. “There’s friendship on the line here,” she notes. “They come into this as best buddies, really, and they have to navigate this situation together.”

Symone also sees a message about resilience and collective survival. “You may not get along with them, you may not like them, but you have to work together to get through a situation,” she says of the adversarial dynamic among the trio Ayshleiygh (her character), Jujubee, and Ginger Minj.

That emotional grounding helps explain why the comedy lands so effectively. “With drag, we get to have a little bit more fun,” Symone explains. “It’s kind of a way to disarm the audience.”

Her sharp observation is that while we all know that comedy lowers defenses, drag lowers them even further. “We get to sit down and say, ‘Hey, this is what we’re actually saying

underneath the jokes and the absurdity of this film,’” she explains.

For Symone, the experience of making the film alongside RuPaul Charles was transformative. “I’ve loved Ru since I was a kid, so this opportunity meant the world to me to be in a film with her and acting alongside her and across from her.”

It also expanded Symone’s sense of possibility. “It made me realize that the sky’s the limit.” She quickly ups the ante, adding, “We can go past that, we can go to space now.”

More importantly, she hopes that STOP! THAT! TRAIN! will open doors for the next generation of queer creatives. “I hope there are more films led by us—both in and out of drag.

Why can’t we have more of these films?”

And if mainstream audiences are somehow still not ready for a drag-led mainstream film after 20 years of RuPaul’s Drag Race?

“If they’re not ready, then they’re going to get ready,” Symone quips bluntly and honestly.

STOP! THAT! TRAIN! arrives in theaters nationwide on June 12, making it the perfect Pride Month movie outing for the gays, girls, theys, thems, and yes, even your straight friends. As Symone puts it, “This is a movie for everyone.”

OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

35

Tally Brown, New York

A successful retirement in the future can often depend on having a solid plan now.

If your money isn't working as hard as you are, it may be time to act—there are no do-overs in retirement planning. Now is the time to consider developing a strategy that can help you work toward your financial goals. I specialize in providing comprehensive, financial guidance with the goal of maximizing every remaining moment of the retirement countdown.

a film by Rosa von Praunheim

Monday, June 15 7:15PM River Oaks Theater

MIDTOWN FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC. Grace S. Yung, CFP ®

CEO & Founder | Wealth Advisor 3355 W. Alabama St., Ste. 180 MIDTOWN FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC. Houston, TX 77098 Grace S. Yung, CFP ® 713-355-9833 Direct CEO & FounderToll | Wealth 1-855-464-3869 Free Advisor WINNER! 3355 W. Alabama St., Ste. 180 grace.yung@lpl.com Houston, TX 77098 BEST FINANCIAL PLANNER www.midtownfg.com 713-355-9833 Direct 1-855-464-3869 Toll Free Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a grace.yung@lpl.com Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/ SIPC. www.midtownfg.com/lgbtq.10.htm

MIDTOWN FINANCIAL GROUP, L C. Grace S. Yung, CFP®

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a

MIDTOWN FINANCIAL GROUP

MIDTOWN FINANCIAL GROUP

The Devil Queen The DeLUXE Theater Monday, June 22 | 6:30PM

cinemahtx.org 36

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

thebigqueerpictureshow.org

PRIDE 2026

2026

Houston’s Queer Tech Network Out in Tech Houston connects LGBTQ professionals and challenges tech-industry stereotypes.

by BENJAMIN LEGER | photos by OIT HTX MARKETING HEAD

The tech industry has an image problem. It’s the image of the stereotypical tech bro— the affluent white guy with a startup who makes news headlines and is caricatured in TV shows and movies. Out in Tech Houston aims to change that.

The local chapter of this international LGBTQ organization has been active since 2022. It hosts gatherings to help queer Texans network and navigate within the industry—or to help newcomers learn about career opportunities in tech.

“Why this organization exists is to help

fight against the idea that only one type of person is meant to work in the tech industry,” says Omar Qureshi, who co-leads the organization with Deitrick Franklin. “In reality, it’s open to such a wide variety of people.”

The group’s informal mixers take place at the Ion in Midtown, the growing incubator hub for all things tech in Houston, usually on a theme like Women’s History Month this past March or Pride Month for June. Attendees come from a variety of industries you wouldn’t immediately connect with the tech sector, Qureshi and Franklin say. They might work in health care, energy, or banking, but they’re still in tech jobs. And that’s kind of the point.

Out in Tech Houston’s March Mixer event

Because Houston isn’t as recognized for embracing the tech boom as places like Austin, you have to “expand your horizons” and build your own community, they say.

“How do you break into those industries if you don’t have those prior relationships that would navigate you to the field? And as a queer person in any industry, there’s the challenge of representing yourself authentically,” Franklin says.

While there isn’t much hard data on LGBTQ representation in tech, most advocacy groups argue that queer tech employees have fewer mentors or examples of success in the industry.

OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

37

OUT IN TECH HOUSTON | CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Queer people trying to enter the tech world are more likely to follow an unconventional path, Franklin says.

Franklin started his career as a recruiter in Houston’s oil and gas industry. “When I tried to break into tech,” he says, “I thought the only way to do that was to leave the city.”

He moved to the Bay Area to work at Lyft’s corporate headquarters. During the pandemic, he switched to remote work and eventually returned home to Houston. He now works remotely as a lead program manager for Reddit.

“When I got back to Houston,” Franklin explains, “the tech industry had just started to infiltrate. You saw the Ion District, you saw Microsoft move in, then HPE. Houston was starting to invest in this industry.”

Indeed, the Greater Houston Partnership estimates that today, about 230,000 residents work in the local tech sector.

Qureshi, a University of Houston grad, got his start in IT before pivoting into project management for an education tech startup. On a work trip to New York, he met people involved in the Out in Tech chapter there, which led him to inquire about a Houston outpost.

“Having this Houston chapter helps show people that tech is so much more than they think it can be,” he says. “It helps us discover each other and build those connections.”

38

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Omar Qureshi

Deitrick Franklin

Now that they’ve gotten their feet wet in managing Out in Tech Houston’s monthly networking events, the co-leads are strategizing how to continue growing membership through a regular newsletter, connect queer people with career services and professional development programs, and engage more with other LGBTQ organizations in the community.

In the near future, those informal mixers might include panel discussions with major

tech companies that have established a presence in the area. Events in partnership with the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce are also on the horizon.

“Our visibility is our resistance to that stereotype of the tech bro,” Franklin says. “When people come to our chapter, they see that tech is much more diverse than they thought.”

For more info, visit outintech.com.

America’s #1 HIV Provider Did you know that AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the largest provider of HIV medical care in the world? We offer a complete circle of care that includes free HIV testing, expert providers, and specialty pharmacy services, where 96 cents of every dollar made goes back into HIV care. Regardless of ability to pay, we’re committed to providing the most advanced care and treatment available today.

Scan to find HIV testing & care near you.

PRIDE 2026

2026

Sixto Wagan reflects on the importance of investing in today’s BIPOC artists.

by ALEX MENDOZA | photo by TRISH BADGER

40

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

S

COURTESY

Diversifying Houston’s Arts Future

ixto Wagan (he/him) is the executive director of the BIPOC Arts Network and Fund (BANF), an initiative supporting the creative expression of Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and other communities of color in Greater Houston. Through grants, networking, and advocacy, BANF helps secure opportunities for BIPOC artists.

Before his current role at BANF, Wagan was the inaugural director of the University of Houston’s Center for Art and Social Engagement (CASE), which examines the impact of art on a societal scale. He also led DiverseWorks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing and presenting contemporary interdisciplinary art through collaborative work with artists and communities. His time at DiverseWorks was also spent as a teacher at Westbury High School after earning his master’s degree in teaching at Rice University.

Wagan’s passion for the arts can be traced back to 1996 and his role as co-founder of the Queer Artist Collective (QuAC), an initiative that facilitated spaces for queer artists to fully express themselves.

2026 marks five years since the inception of BANF, which the organization plans on celebrating on June 11 at the Culture Bearer Awards Luncheon. Having been involved with BANF since the beginning, Wagan reflects on what it means to evolve from an urgency-motivated initiative to one focusing on long-lasting impacts. BANF was initiated as a response to COVID-19 and the immense emotion following the murder of George Floyd. While initiatives such as America’s Cultural Treasures aggregated over $165 million to support artistic diversity throughout the country in response to the pandemic, Wagan’s goal with BANF, as explored through his other endeavors, is to go beyond momentary solutions.

For three years, BANF has awarded 25 onetime investments of $20,000 to artists with a history of dedication to Houston’s BIPOC communities. After the awards process, Wagan asks the awardees about their goals with the resources they now have, focusing on how the work of individuals can create a broader impact, which is BANF’s goal. Wagan ensures that the resources provided to artists on an individual scale are then translated into work involving the community.

“The initial work was about crisis relief.

After that crisis relief, it was then a question of what does it look like beyond that moment,” Wagan explains. Likewise with QuAC, which came about as a response to the AIDS crisis, the emphasis was on making queer voices heard. “It’s bleak to ask how we turn a crisis

COURTESY

into opportunity, but it’s one of those things where, as queers, as people of color, everything is a crisis.”

Wagan reflects on the importance of leading this effort as a queer Filipino. “All of my mentors at DiverseWorks pushed me to be in the national conversation. All these spaces—the National Performance Network and the National Dance Project—helped me understand that the work we were doing in Houston was groundbreaking, innovative, and essential, and showed the power of being a

“ALL OF MY MENTORS AT DIVERSEWORKS PUSHED ME TO BE IN THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION.” —Sixto Wagan

queer person of color on a national stage,” Wagan says. “It was an important reinforcement of what leadership could look like.”

“It is very interesting to be a Filipino queer leading the BIPOC initiative with the recognition of long-term Latino, Latinx, Mexicana, all of the Indigenous folks, as well as Black communities,” he adds. “It’s been one of those places I can be a part of, but also I’m not a part of. The navigation of me being queer and not being in a lot of these other spaces also created this space of listening and dialogue that has been part of why we’re able to do what we do.”

Listening and dialogue is a pivotal part of community-building. Wagan also remarks on how his presence as executive director has brought opportunities for individuals to speak to him on queer issues in ways in which his beliefs on these issues are not questioned, opening a space for conversation and understanding. “That is an important part of helping to shift other people’s perspectives of what safe spaces actually look like, and how to push people into places beyond discomfort into a place of okay,” he says. It is an important part of creating dialogue and a community.

For more info, visit houstonbanf.org.

OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

41

Joshua’s Native Plants & Garden Antiques Joshua’s Native Plants & Garden Antiques

Thank You Readers Thank You Readers for Voting Joshua’s for Voting Joshua’s Best Gardening/ Best Gardening/ Nursery Supply Nursery Supply

HUGE SELECTION OF POTTERY • PLANTS • FOUNTAINS • SUCCULENTS • ART HUGE SELECTION OF POTTERY • PLANTS • FOUNTAINS • SUCCULENTS • ART

713.862.7444 713.862.7444

502 W.18th Street @ Nicholson 77008 Tues - Sun 9-6 502 W.18th Street @ Nicholson 77008 Tues - Sun 9-6

JoshuasNativePlants.net JoshuasNativePlants.net

PRIDE 2026

2026

(top) Sasha “Barbie” Moore, Tee Estes, Ian L. Haddock, Latreva Washington, Nike Segrest, (bottom) Kody Osborne, Jordan J. Edwards, Shelley Washington, Joelle Espeut, and Smiley Ross

It was 2004 when I first felt the sting of not being Black “like that.” Outed at school the day before, I walked into my high school carrying the weight of quiet conversations and awkward glances. Something had shifted. In that moment, it became clear: being a queer kid in a small Texas town meant I might never meet the expectations of my Black community as a man.

Two decades later, after founding an organization dedicated to addressing the issues of those who are most marginalized, I was asked a question that felt both familiar and revealing: “Why center Black queer people instead of all LGBTQ+ people?”

The question itself underscored the need.

LGBTQ+ communities face real challenges—but when you look specifically at Black LGBTQ+ lives, those challenges intensify at the intersection of race, sexuality, and gender.

The data tells a stark story: according to the National LGBTQ Task Force, 34% of Black trans women earn less than $10,000 annu-

Black Like That, and Then Some Houston’s June 27 festival celebrates Black queer life, culture, and self-definition.

by IAN L. HADDOCK | photo by MICHAEL MUHAMMAD ally, the Williams Institute says 56% of Black LGBTQ+ households are low-income, and 1 in 2 Black men who have sex with men are projected to contract HIV in their lifetime. These aren’t just statistics—they reflect compounded disparities that neither Black nor LGBTQ+ frameworks alone fully address.

That’s why we exist. And that’s why we created the Black Like That Community Festival.

“Black like that” is one of those phrases

that lives in the margins—rarely defined, yet widely understood. It shows up in side-eyes, in jokes, in subtle judgments about who belongs and who doesn’t.

It’s in how you speak: too proper, too polished, or too “ghetto.” It’s in how you present: too intentional, too different, too much. It’s in who you love: too soft, too visible, too outside the lines.

If you’re Black and queer, you learn early OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

43

BLACK LIKE THAT | CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

that you’re navigating more than identity— you’re navigating expectations. You’re not just asked to be Black; you’re asked to be Black correctly. You’re not just asked to be queer; you’re asked to do so without disrupting too much.

Somewhere in that balancing act, authenticity becomes negotiation.

There’s a particular exhaustion in being both hypervisible and unseen. In some Black spaces, queerness is treated as a disruption— something to be quieted or softened. In some LGBTQ+ spaces, Blackness is tokenized—celebrated in theory but sidelined in practice.

The Black Like That festival was created not to alienate either space, but to reimagine both—to create an environment where Blackness and queerness are not afterthoughts, but centered realities.

Now in its fifth year, the festival represents more than a gathering—it signals a shift, and a move toward intentionally centering those who face the greatest barriers and building community from the margins outward.

What if “Black like that” isn’t a limitation, but an expansion? What if it holds space for softness, fluidity, contradiction? What if it includes the choir kid and the one who found liberation on a dance floor at 2 a.m.?

Blackness and queerness have never been singular. They are layered, adaptive, and constantly evolving. Black queerness doesn’t dilute identity—it deepens it.

Taking place at the end of Pride Month in Houston, the festival is intentionally rooted in history and culture. Held on June 27, it aligns with key moments: the eve of the Stonewall Riots, the anniversary of National HIV Testing

Durand Bernarr 44

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

“IF YOU’RE BLACK AND QUEER, YOU LEARN EARLY THAT YOU’RE NAVIGATING MORE THAN IDENTITY— YOU’RE NAVIGATING EXPECTATIONS.” —Ian L. Haddock

Day, and a date deeply embedded in Houston’s musical legacy, with “June 27th Freestyle” released in 1996 by Sucka Free Records.

That cultural lineage matters.

“Sharing my screwed and chopped music with my grandma was our bridge across generations,” says Jordan J. Edwards, deputy director of The Normal Anomaly Initiative. “It showed me how Black culture moves—across time, across people, across identities.”

That same spirit shapes the festival experience. From drag performances honoring the legacy of Stonewall to the “June 27th Cypher” and a lineup of Black LGBTQ+ artists—including Tré Ward, S.O.U.L.A.S.P.H.E.R.E, and Tanya Nolan—the stage is intentionally curated to reflect the community it serves.

The event also brings together partners like Pride Houston, Avenue 360 Health and

Erica Banks

Wellness, and Legacy Community Health, alongside cultural curator Harrison Guy, who serves as our creative and producing director.

“Houston has always had a rhythm that belongs to us,” Guy says. “Whether you are Black like Barbara Jordan or Black like Billy Preston, this is an invitation to express your Black—your way.”

Held at The Hall at Ironworks, a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the festival is designed as an immersive experience. Co-headlined by Grammy Awardwinning artist Durand Bernarr, Erica Banks, and Amari Noelle, it reflects the breadth and brilliance of Black LGBTQ+ culture.

As I reflect on my own journey—from that moment in high school to building this space— I no longer feel anchored in shame or anger.

What once felt personal, I now understand as structural. What once felt fixed, I now know can move.

And we’ve moved it.

Every time we show up fully—without shrinking, without apology—we shift the boundaries a little further.

“Black like that” no longer feels like a judgment. It feels like a question—one we all get to answer together by showing up in community.

And the answer isn’t fixed. It’s evolving. It’s expansive.

It’s ours.

WHAT: Black Like That Community Festival WHEN: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 2–9 p.m.

Where: The Hall at Ironworks, 711 Milby Street, Suite 200, Houston INFO: tinyurl.com/blacklikethat

Amari Noelle

Xeomin · Daxxify VERSA · Juvaderm Radiesse · Bellafill RHA

PMU Brows/Microblading Hydrofacial Microderm Chemical Peel Microneedling Collagen Pen PRF/PRP RF Skin Tightening PlasmaPen PRX PDO THREADS

Kay McCunis

Non Surgical Face Lift

Master Injection Artist & Cann la Speicialist

Hormone Replacement

Voted 2015-2025 Top 10 USA Aesthetic Nurse

Low T / Weight Loss

314 East 13th Street Houston, Texas 77008 (713) 547-5656 | www.BeyoutifulAntiAging.com

QUEERING UP YOUR SHELF Abby Yesso discusses representation and queer belonging built through Houston’s Queer Book Club.

by ALEX MENDOZA

46

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

PRIDE 2026

2026

H

ouston’s Queer Book Club (QBC) highlights representation in literature with each meeting. Currently led by Abigail “Abby” Yesso (she/ her), QBC offers opportunities for members to explore queer themes through reading several written works by various authors. Previously discussed works include Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell, Orlando by Virginia Woolf, A Sharp Endless Need by Mac Crane, and others.

With the growth of QBC, affiliated subgroups have been formed, such as a Queer Movie Club and Queer Writing Groups, attesting to their members’ desire to explore multiple interests within QBC. The club has also hosted discussions with authors of multiple books and has recently wrapped up its second annual beach trip.

For Yesso, QBC is an important part of her life, owing to the insights she gains from it.

“What this club has really opened my eyes to is that there is a book for everyone, and there is a person for every book. Even if it’s something that you or I wouldn’t necessarily gravitate towards, it’s ultimately the representation that matters more,” Yesso explained.

QBC has become an integral part of Yesso’s life, as the club was the gateway for her discovering her queer identity. Amidst social disconnection and isolation at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, she sought out places to find community online. There, she stumbled upon QBC on Meetup and was further convinced to join the club after finding out they were reading On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous

by Ocean Vuong.

At the time, Yesso identified as straight, which led to conflicting feelings regarding the role of allyship within queer spaces. “I didn’t know if they were gonna want me here,” she added. Luckily, QBC turned out to be a fulfilling experience, and Yesso was immediately met with a welcoming atmosphere and the community she craved, further amplified by in-depth discussions. Later, she would discover that the reason for her comfort and sense of safety within QBC is that she is queer.

In 2021, Yesso discovered that the club’s president at the time, Andres, had to withdraw from the role due to relocation. After Andres asked a number of club members to assume the role but found no takers, Yesso stepped in, even with the uncertainty of whether she was going to stay in Houston. She’s originally from South Louisiana and, while furthering her career, had to move multiple times to pursue opportunities. With the offer to be in charge of QBC in mind, Yesso has warmed up to the idea

“THERE IS A BOOK FOR EVERYONE, AND THERE IS A PERSON FOR EVERY BOOK.” —Abigail “Abby” Yesso

Members of Houston’s Queer Book Club attend an Ocean Vuong event in 2025.

of finally settling down. Her decision to commit to the leadership role with QBC has helped the club flourish, with membership going from fewer than ten people when she joined to nearly 400 in the five years she’s been leading the organization. The increase in membership can be attributed to QBC’s shift to digital social media platforms such as Instagram and Discord, and its collaboration with Brazos Bookstore in 2024. Brazos Bookstore provides the space in which QBC and other book clubs meet, and offers a discount to club members who purchase their reading material there.

At the center of QBC’s growth is the search for queer spaces that are welcoming to all age demographics, unlike nightclubs and bars.

QBC’s ability to use literature as a stimulus for vulnerability, empathy, and compassion can be best exemplified by its experience reading Woodworking by Emily St. James, a novel relating the experience of a 35-year-old transgender woman and the bond she has with her student, who is the only other trans person she knows.

The exploration of an unconventional bond brings forth conversations around other ways in which we can foster queer relationships within our lives. While there is an aversion to fostering relationships with older folks outside of family due to broad Westernized perspectives, Yesso believes inter-generational friendships are valuable and rewarding. In spaces where it is common for queer people to fear ostracization from older relatives, QBC is a place where one can share their own experiences and connect with others with various perspectives. Cultivating these dynamics is part of Yesso’s goal within QBC: to reflect the same acceptance and kindness she grew up with.

“I told my mom I was going on a date with a woman,” she recalls, “and I said, ‘I’m pretty sure I’m not straight’ and my mom went ‘Okay,’ and I asked, ‘Well, how do you feel about that?’ and she said, ‘Abby, you’ve always loved everyone.” The story of how Yesso came out to her mother would influence the warmth she brings to QBC. “Everyone deserves a mom who says you’ve always loved everyone,” she adds.

“QBC is not just important for me. It’s important for all our members to feel like they have a space to be safe, to share their own feelings about what is going on around them, and have something to look forward to every month. If I can give them that, then I’m going to do it,” Yesso explains.

QBC will be exploring Another Country by James Baldwin on June 7 at 6 p.m. at Brazos Bookstore.

For more info, visit linktr.ee/qbchouston.

OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

47

PRIDE 2026

2026

Houston Cinema Arts Festival’s Next Chapter Michael Robinson discusses his vision for integrating the festival into Houston’s wider arts community.

by DAVID BRASHER | photo by TASHA GOREL!

W

hen you think about some of the greatest movies you’ve ever seen, chances are you remember more than just the story. Maybe it was the magical Disney film you watched over and over as a child, the comedy that made an entire theater burst into laughter, or the timeless love story that stayed with 48

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

you long after the credits rolled. Movies have a unique power: they make us laugh, cry, reflect, and escape. But more than anything, they bring people together.

That spirit of connection is at the heart of the Houston Cinema Arts Festival (HCAF).

More than just a film festival, it is a celebration of storytelling in all its forms. Through

cinema, live performances, music, art, and conversations with filmmakers and creatives, the festival transforms Houston into a space where audiences can experience stories together. In a world that often feels divided and disconnected, HCAF reminds us that great films do more than entertain us; they help us see ourselves, and each other, a little more clearly.

Earlier this year, the Houston Cinema Arts Society announced that Michael Robinson would become the festival’s new lead festival programmer, guiding the curatorial vision for the 2026 festival that runs October 1–11. For Robinson, though, the appointment feels less like a new beginning and more like the culmination of years spent immersed in Houston’s film scene.

“I’ve been with them through a lot of different iterations of the festival,” says Robinson. “So I’ve seen not only how the festival grew, but how audiences were changing. I was able to envision so much of Houston through that lens.”

Robinson first came to Houston to attend Rice University, initially studying engineering before pivoting toward anthropology and film.

Some of his earliest experiences in the city involved screenings at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston—experiences that ultimately reshaped his career trajectory.

“I kind of made my decision last-minute,” he says. “And I was like, ‘If I’m going to make this choice, I need to go full tilt.’”

After graduating, Robinson worked as a projectionist for festivals and events before volunteering with QFest, Houston’s LGBTQ film festival. What began as volunteer work soon evolved into programming responsibilities and eventually led him to the Houston Cinema Arts Festival, where he served as the marketing and communications manager for four years. That experience gave Robinson a front-row seat to the festival’s evolution.

Now, as lead programmer, Robinson will oversee virtually every aspect of the festival’s artistic direction, from selecting films and shaping the annual theme to coordinating conversations, performances, workshops, and guest appearances.

“My role as lead festival programmer, first off, really is watching a lot of movies,” Robinson joked. “I’ve already watched over 200 since the beginning of the year.”

By the start of the festival, he estimates he’ll have screened nearly 500 films that he will narrow down to roughly 100 selections, including both features and short films.

But Robinson sees the role as about far more than curation alone. For him, film festivals remain one of the few spaces where movies become communal experiences rather than isolated acts of consumption.

“With streaming making films constantly available, why should people go at all?” he questions. “To me, it is all about that collective experience.”

“If there’s a performance, if there’s a DJ, if there’s something that’s going to actually help complement a film,” he continues, “you really want to invigorate that. So much of the experience of going to a festival is that there will be artists, directors, producers, and actors all kind of swirling, and it allows you to see these films in a different light.”

Founded nearly two decades ago, the Houston Cinema Arts Festival was built around the idea of “connecting the arts through cinema,” positioning film alongside Houston’s broader visual and performing-arts communities.

Unlike traditional film festivals focused exclusively on premieres or awards campaigns, HCAF has become known for multidisciplinary programming and conversations that place filmmakers alongside scholars, musicians, and artists.

“It’s a way to really image Houston back to itself,” Robinson explains, “whether that be stories about Houston, stories from Houstonians, or people behind the scenes.”

The festival has previously screened films such as Carol, Call Me by Your Name, and Red

“WITH STREAMING MAKING FILMS CONSTANTLY AVAILABLE, WHY SHOULD PEOPLE GO AT ALL?” —Michael Robinson Rocket, the latter premiering before director Sean Baker would go on to win widespread acclaim.

“You see them here first,” Robinson says.

“It might not be the film they win the Academy Award for, but you find out about them here.”

This year’s festival will also arrive slightly earlier than usual. Traditionally held in November, the 2026 edition has been shifted to October as organizers experiment with a potentially more accessible calendar window.

“That November slot can be really busy for everyone,” Robinson said. “Maybe October is a little friendlier moviegoing experience.”

At the center of Robinson’s programming philosophy is the belief that festivals should reflect a programmer’s personal vision rather

than chase universal approval.

“There’s an infinite possibility of festivals and viewing,” he says. “There’s no right or wrong. You are seeing someone’s taste.”

For Robinson, the films that linger are often the ones marked by a distinct directorial voice.

“The vision of a filmmaker—that director’s stamp—is what I always think about,” he says.

“There are certain movies where I’m like, ‘This scene is the whole thesis of the film,’ and I’ll be thinking about it for days.”

As he prepares for his first year leading HCAF’s programming, Robinson hopes audiences embrace not only the films themselves, but also the conversations, curiosity, and sense of discovery that surround them.

“There’s nothing worse than people being like, ‘I would have loved that if you had told me what it was,’” he says. “I want to make sure people understand what they’re going to see.”

To learn more about the Houston Cinema Arts Festival, including upcoming programming announcements, ticket information, and the full 2026 lineup when it is released in September, visit the festival’s website at cinemahtx.org and follow @cinemahtx on Instagram.

OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

49

MOVIES

A Look at Courageous Fathers Fighting for Their Trans Children Luchina Fisher’s The Dads exposes the crisis facing families trying to access gender-affirming care.

by MICHAEL D. ROBINSON The Dads Foundation began in 2023, offering a place for fathers of trans children to commune, share resources, and foster a sense of solidarity around parenting youth on the gender spectrum. For them, it’s about both accepting and supporting their children as they navigate the healthcare system.

Luchina Fisher’s new documentary The Dads captures members of the organization as they deal with the rising vitriol and restrictive policies facing trans people in the US today.

The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest earlier this year. What begins as a weekend fathers’ retreat becomes the chronicle of a crisis, tracing the fracturing lives of families having to decide how to maintain care for their kids among healthcare restrictions and threats of criminalizing medical professionals who offer gender-affirming care.

The Dads started off as a short documentary following a group of dads going on a trip to the woods, bonding over their shared experience parenting queer and trans kids. “It was five dads of trans kids with Dennis Shepard going fishing,” says Fisher.

Dennis Shepard is the father of Matthew Shepard, the young gay victim of a hate crime in 1998 whose murder reverberated throughout the nation. “I had no idea that it was Dennis’ first time fishing since Matthew had been slain. It was unbelievable. And it was the 25th anniversary of Matthew’s death when the film was released, so it had this poignancy. Dennis was an exemplar of fatherhood and of a father showing up for his queer child. These dads learned so much from him, and they learned so much from each other. It was this conversation among dads about their internal fears, sense of isolation, and need for community. Out of that film, the dads felt strongly that they needed to keep going, so they started a movement. They started The Dads Foundation.”

What began as a handful of fathers grew into a collective of men across the nation. It gave them a space not only to disseminate critical resources to ensure their children can receive care, but also an accepting space to express complicated emotions and concerns for the future. While they only meet in person 50

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

Dads Foundation members at a Gender Liberation March once a year for a retreat, they have ongoing group chats to stay connected. As the group continued to grow, so did the drive to continue the film’s story.

“The initial plan was just going deeper with the fathers beyond the fishing trip, says Stephen Chukumba, one of the original members of the group and one of the film’s producers.

“Let’s go home and see what their ordinary lives were like, because I thought that’s what was missing. People think that parents of gender-expansive kids are these super-leftist people. They don’t think they’re just regular Joe Schmoes.”

But things shifted pretty quickly with the changing political tides as the 2024 election drew closer. As a documentary, the film had to adapt and focus on the response that these dads had to continue to provide for their kids while dealing with forces that they couldn’t entirely control.

“Already there was the feeling of anticipation of the worst possibility happening,” says

Fisher, “especially because you had dads who lived in states like Texas, where they had been battling for some years, and they could see where things were going. But the federal government had always been a backstop. We were getting some of those indications before the presidential election, but certainly that night everything changed.”

It was more than just a narrative shift as the paradigms for these families were completely altered. Each new governmental decree meant deciding if it was even possible to continue to receive medical treatment in the US as a trans person. The film chronicles each of these moments, choosing to mark the passing time with title cards that eventually span a year. This framing collapses a larger moment into something more digestible, illustrating the rapid rate at which this crisis was set into motion.

“We were also seeing what has now become the collapse of gender-affirming care in our country. I was not struck by that until we got

into the edit. These dads were really on the front lines. This film was capturing a moment in time, and as a former journalist, I believe you have to capture truth and reality as it’s happening, because someone will come years later and say, ‘No, that didn’t happen.’ It’s always important that we have a record of that.”

While many families wanted to continue to film, others had to take matters into their own hands, whether that by was leaving their cities or even leaving the country. “I understand those parents who have to make the decision based on their kids’ health care as they learn that they are being targeted,” says Fisher.

Much of the film, and each of the dads’ journeys, is figuring out their relationship to fear.

In a climate where not only trans rights but also trans bodies are under attack, questions around safety continue to proliferate. And as parents, they have to make informed decisions that can have drastic consequences.

“That inherent fear dads have in sharing their children’s identity beyond the family is the first level of fear,” says Chukumba.

“That’s the ground-level fear, because we have to confront all of our internal prejudices as well as external prejudices. And then in your state, you’re going year after year to the State Capitol to argue for your child to be able to use the bathroom, to play on sports teams, to have health care. And that’s now step two. Then the

The Dads director Luchina Fisher federal government steps in, and now you’re looking at potential regulations that strip everyone of their rights the way these executive orders did. And now, I’m standing ten toes deep with my kid.

“I can’t fight the federal government when they close down hospitals, when doctors are shutting down their clinics. We’re getting letters saying we will no longer serve transgender children below a certain age. Then the calculus starts to change. It’s not even necessarily fear, but you’ve got to be practical.”

This focus on practicality is core to what both The Dads Foundation and the larger documentary illustrates. Each family has to

make that choice for themselves. And just as it’s important for certain individuals to stay and fight, others need to ensure they can receive access to the care they need to live the life they should be able to have.

“I’m not necessarily afraid,” says Chukumba. “I’ve been fighting this fight for over a decade. But I have to be practical because my child needs that next shot. My child needs that implant; my child needs to see their endocrinologist. The fear response isn’t necessarily just ‘I’m scared,’ but ‘What’s going to happen if I don’t get my child what they need sooner rather than later?’”

While these are daunting questions, it fuels the reason for The Dads Foundation to exist: providing a space to ask those questions, and for others to share their everyday experiences. “That’s part of what the beauty of this movie is, that you’ve got a whole bunch of different dads talking about how they came to accept, appreciate, and support their child,” says Chukumba. “The hardest thing to do is to break that cycle of fear that’s often perpetuated by other men. We have to support our children and model what it is to be supportive fathers for all the rest of the dads who are also grappling with this information.”

Watch now: The Dads short film is available on Netflix.

5200 Willowbend Blvd.

Houston, TX 77096

5200 Willowbend Blvd. Houston, TX 77096

OutSmartMagazine.com || JUNE JUNE 2026 2026 51 51 OutSmartMagazine.com

Be Sexy.

FINALIST!

BEST REALTOR

Helping everyone find their place in the world.

713-253-8609 DAVID BATAGOWER BROKER ASSOCIATE DavidSellsHouston.RE david@bayoucitypropertygroup.com

Rescued Pets Movement, Inc. (RPM) is a Houston-based nonprofit providing a second chance for thousands of homeless dogs and cats through rehabilitation and transport to forever homes in communities throughout the country that have a need for adoptable pets.

You can help by becoming a temporary foster home partner.

Rescued Pets

Movement

RescuedPetsMovement.org/Foster-Us

JUST MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN!

888-346-8129

1 TOYOTA #

DEALER I N T E X AS

Claim based on Total Dealer Stock volume per GST 2025 for Fred Haas Toyota World.

1 TUNDRA #

DEALER

I N T H E WO R L D

Claim based on Total Dealer Stock volume per GST 2025 for Fred Haas Toyota World.

Based on Outsmart Publication's voters: Best Auto Dealership (2019) and Best Import Auto Dealership (2020-2024)

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

FOR

20400 I-45 N. SPRING, TX 77373 52

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

FREDHAASTOYOTA.COM

PRIDE 2026

2026

The Beautiful Game, for Everyone

Space City Pride FC is making Houston’s World Cup celebration more inclusive.

COURTESY

by CONNOR BEHRENS

The fourth-largest city in the United States is preparing for one of the biggest events in modern sports history. Beginning this month, Houston will serve as a central hub for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, welcoming thousands of visitors from across the globe.

Starting June 14, NRG Stadium will host seven of the tournament’s matches, transforming the city into an international destination for culture, tourism, and celebration.

Hotels are already preparing for thousands of out-of-state visitors, while downtown streets are expected to fill with fan festivals and events. For Houston, the World Cup represents far more than soccer—it is an opportunity to showcase itself on a global stage. But alongside that excitement comes significant changes for Houston’s longstanding Pride Month celebrations.

For decades, Houston’s Pride festivities have coincided with Pride Month celebrations nationwide. This year, however, local organizers made an adjustment. Houston’s Pride parade and related events were moved to June 6 in anticipation of the overwhelming World Cup crowds, road closures, heightened

security operations, and venue conflicts later in the month. The shift was made to ensure the queer community could still celebrate and have its moment to shine without being overshadowed by one of the world’s largest sporting spectacles.

Despite the changes, LGBTQ representation will continue to remain visible later this month and throughout the World Cup, thanks in part to Space City Pride FC, Houston’s LGBTQ-inclusive soccer club, which is helping support and co-host Pride House programming connected to the tournament.

Founded to create a welcoming environment for queer athletes and allies, the group has grown into both a competitive and community-driven organization. Space City Pride FC will help co-host Houston’s official Pride House—an internationally recognized concept that creates dedicated safe spaces for LGBTQ fans, athletes, and visitors during major sporting events.

The LGBTQ community represents a vital part of the international soccer fan base, and they deserve a safe space to enjoy the magic of the World Cup, says Space City Pride FC president Stephen Olson.

“Sports are for everyone, and they bring

so many people together to become more than just a team,” he says. “Whether as a player, spectator, supporter, donor, or sponsor, everyone around us has helped create a true club community full of love and support, and I couldn’t be more proud of all of them.”

For members of Space City Pride FC, the moment feels especially significant. Houston is quite literally preparing to welcome the world, and they want queer Houstonians to feel just as visible. Pride House will serve as both a celebration and a statement: that soccer, and the city hosting it, belongs to everyone, not just a select few, says Space City Pride FC vice president Jordan Gauthier.

“Soccer has always been more than just a sport,” Gauthier says. “It is a way to connect people from different backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life. Being able to help create an environment where every individual feels welcomed, valued, and supported is incredibly meaningful to me. What makes this experience so rewarding is seeing people gain confidence, build friendships, and feel empowered to be themselves, both on and off the field.”

For more information, visit, spacecitypridefc.org OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

53

Favorite Cajun

Crawfish Season at BB’s Tex-Orleans!

Order by the Pound or Ask about our 5 Pound Mound!

515 Westheimer Rd. • Houston, TX 77006 • (713) 524-4499

@BBsTexOrleans

LEADING-EDGE HIV CARE AND PREVENTION Harris Health Thomas Street at Quentin Mease Health Center

54

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

MEET THE MEMBERS of Space City Pride FC

Gina de la Garza

Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley along the US-Mexico border, Gina de la Garza developed a love for soccer at an early age in a region where the sport is deeply woven into the culture.

She played competitively throughout her youth and college years, and her passion for the game has since taken her around the world, including trips to the 2014 Men’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

After earning her master’s degree, she moved to Houston to work in international taxes, drawn by the city’s ties to global business.

De la Garza became involved with Space City Pride FC after joining one of the club’s teams as a free agent several years ago. Discovering that an LGBTQ soccer community was a meaningful experience, she soon took on a leadership role as the club’s treasurer.

Using her background in accounting, she helped guide the organization through the process of becoming a nonprofit organization and establishing its financial infrastructure.

For de la Garza, LGBTQ visibility in sports is deeply personal. She recalls not always feeling safe being open about her identity while playing sports, and believes representation remains vital at a time when LGBTQ athletes—especially transgender athletes—continue to face scrutiny and discrimination worldwide. Through Space City Pride FC and its affiliation with the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association, she has traveled to queer soccer tournaments across the country and says the experience of finding community through sport has been cathartic.

“It’s such a special feeling to arrive in another city and see soccer fields covered in players and know you are safe and part of a community,” she says.

Which World Cup teams are you most looking forward to watching?

I’m excited to watch Mexico’s Francisco Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa Magaña and Argentina’s Lionel Messi.

Do you plan to attend matches in Houston or watch elsewhere?

Space City Pride will be hosting watch parties with Pride House International.

Treasurer of Space City Pride FC

Any soccer player idols?

I have a lot of soccer idols—though mostly on the women’s side. Aitana Bonmatí, Sam Kerr, and Christen Press, to name a few.

Brandi Neeley

Member of Space City Pride FC Brandi Neeley, a member of Space City Pride FC, moved to Houston from Alabama in 2016 to pursue a career in sports medicine. A lifelong athlete, Neeley began playing soccer at age 9 and quickly fell in love with the sport.

While she now plays recreationally, she says soccer continues to bring her joy and has helped her build meaningful connections within Houston’s LGBTQ community.

Neeley became involved with Space City Pride FC through a mutual friend, and was immediately drawn to the organization’s inclusive environment. As a Black queer woman, she says finding a safe and welcoming space to share her passion for soccer has been especially meaningful. She credits the club’s members with creat-

ing a supportive community that feels both empowering and uplifting.

For Neeley, LGBTQ representation in soccer is essential at every level of the sport. She says organizations like Space City Pride FC play an important role in fostering that sense of belonging locally while also connecting players to a broader global queer soccer community through tournaments and events affiliated with the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association.

“Soccer is for everyone, period,” she says. “There’s no place for hatred in this beautiful game. Everyone has a place in soccer, and representation on all levels only helps the game grow more and be more inclusive, no matter your sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Which World Cup teams are you most looking forward to watching?

I’m always going to root for the USMNT, but honestly, I’m excited to watch any match I can. The World Cup always delivers exciting games, palpable passion, and incredible upsets. I plan on watching as many as I can.

Any soccer player idols?

How much time do you have? Just to name a few: Mia Hamm, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Briana Scurry, Kelly O’Hara, Griffin Dorsey, Marcelo, and Chris Richards.

OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

55

MEET THE MEMBERS of Space City Pride FC Stephen Olsen President

Faith Jackobs Membership Officer

Jordan Gauthier Vice President

Robert Lopez

Secretary of Space City Pride FC Robert Lopez, secretary of Space City Pride FC, has spent decades building community through both education and soccer.

Originally from the Dallas area, Lopez began playing soccer at around 10 years old and carried his passion for the sport throughout his life. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992, he taught and coached at San Marcos High School, serving as head boys soccer coach before relocating to Houston in 1995 for a teaching and coaching opportunity at Alief Hastings High School. In May 2025, Lopez retired after a 33-year career in education, including 30 years at Hastings.

Lopez has long been involved in LGBTQ soccer organizations, competDo you plan to attend matches in Houston or watch elsewhere?

I will attend watch parties to watch the games. It is definitely much less hassle, and it’s cheaper.

56

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

ing in queer tournaments dating back to the 1998 Gay Games in Amsterdam while playing with the Oak Lawn Soccer Club in Dallas. Over the years, he witnessed several attempts to establish LGBTQ soccer organizations in Houston before Space City Pride FC ultimately took shape and found lasting success.

As one of the club’s more senior members, Lopez says his involvement is rooted in a belief that each generation has a responsibility to continue the work of those who came before them while breaking down barriers for the future.

“Ultimately, along with my fellow Space City Pride FC members, our leadership is about making others better as a result of our presence while making sure that impact lasts in our absence,” he says.

Any soccer player idols?

I do admire and respect Robbie Rogers. He was the first openly gay man to compete in a top North American professional sports league. However, he has been retired for quite a while.

Do you have any World Cup predictions?

I predict France will be the World Cup champion.

PRIDE is in every person we serve.

Allies in Hope celebrates the strength, resilience, and the authenticity of Houston’s LGBTQ+ community.

We remove barriers to care through free and confidential HIV/STI testing, housing solutions, food access, and onsite clinical services— because everyone deserves to live openly, healthy, and proudly.

aihhouston.org

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Passionate to the Corps Augustin Lehner previews Giselle, the final production of the Houston Ballet’s season.

by ZACHARY McKENZIE photos by ALANA CAMPBELL

A

fter a long day of rehearsals, Slovakian-born Augustin Lehner, a corps de ballet dancer for the Houston Ballet, grabs his bag and returns home to Montrose. He’s been immersed in the world of Giselle, a ballet known for its psychological depth. At home, he finds a mirror where he continues to practice—not the ballet movements he will execute with precision on the Wortham Theater Center stage, but the facial expressions inspired by various emotional moments throughout the performance. The meticulous and passionate work the dancer puts in behind the scenes all comes togetherthis month when he and his fellow company members close their invigorating 2025–2026 season.

A cornerstone of 19th-century Romanticism, Giselle tells the heart-wrenching story of a peasant girl tragically betrayed by an aristocrat posing as a commoner. Lehner shares his excitement to perform in Stanton Welch AM’s reimagined version of one of ballet’s most revered works. “Giselle is one of those classic ballets that I knew about even before I got into the dance world,” the 25-year-old says. “It’s been really fun for our company to get to put our own imprint onto such a legacy work.”➝

58

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Houston Ballet’s corps de ballet dancer Augustin Lehner performing in Christopher Bruce’s Rooster.

HEALTH CARE REIMAGINED Exceptional Care Team Free Rapid HIV, Hep C, and Syphilis Testing Daily Oral or Long-Acting Injectable HIV Prevention & Treatment Options Immediate Appointments Available

WALK IN OR CALL (713) 814-3730 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Scan to Learn About All of Legacy’s HIV Testing, Prevention, and Treatment Services

WellnessBarByLegacy.org 120 Westheimer Road, Ste F Houston, TX 77006

Happy Pride!

COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT H

POL. ADV. MARIO CASTILLO CAMPAIGN

60

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

AMITAVA SARKAR

AUGUSTIN LEHNER | CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

A scene from the Houston Ballet’s production of Giselle media the ‘ideal image’ of what you’re supposed to look like, or what you’re supposed to strive for. I feel like the pressure gets even more intense working within an aesthetic art like ballet, where your body is your instrument,” he shares. “I often spend all day looking at myself in the mirror, and I nitpick everything. In ballet, you need to see yourself and make corrections. Sometimes it’s hard for me to remember that this is just how my body is naturally built.”

Lehner finds peace in knowing that no matter how many fitness classes he takes or methods of healthy living he embraces, his body is uniquely his. “It’s more important to keep yourself accountable and healthy based on what is right for you and your body type,

ALANA CAMPBELL

Despite beloved memories of dancing around the house with his grandma as a child, Lehner, who has also lived in Washington state and South Carolina, didn’t begin his professional ballet journey until he was in his teens.

“There was definitely a bit of catch-up I had to play,” he recalls. “I’ve always known that I wanted to do something within the arts, and I naturally gravitated toward this world. At 15, I decided to give ballet a try and ended up falling in love with it. The passion was there, and where there’s a will, there really is a way.”

Lehner would eventually take part in Houston Ballet’s summer intensive at age 17, and the rest is history. He encourages others to pursue a later-in-life hobby or career—but with realistic expectations. “There’s going to be a learning curve and little bumps along the way, especially within the arts. If you find yourself feeling behind, not good enough, or comparing yourself to others who are more advanced, it’s at those times you need to take your ego out of it and remind yourself why you’re pushing so hard, day in and day out.”

Keeping his eyes on the prize is what kept Lehner pushing himself forward. “Sometimes you have to put in that little extra effort, or stay in the studio a little later, and do your own homework,” he emphasizes.

In addition to his work as a dancer, Lehner is personally passionate about advocating for the LGBTQ community, specifically regarding body image. “We constantly see online or in the

versus constantly setting goals to become the impossible version of what is expected of you.”

This month, Lehner steps into his final ballet of the season, which feels almost fateful for the dancer’s professional trajectory. “As an admirer of the artform, I really find myself emotionally connected and wrapped up within the story of Giselle,” he says. “It feels like it has a special aura around it, and it exists in its own world. It is the epitome of a big classical ballet.”

The production is also an opportunity to share his all-time favorite ballet with Houston audiences. “The most compelling thing, in my opinion, is the emotional range that the show explores. In the beginning, we’re in a very happy state. Then we transition to the extremes of betrayal, heartbreak, and death,” he says. “Finally, we end at a place of solace and acceptance.”

To those unfamiliar with the ballet, Lehner is adamant that Giselle is not to be missed.

“It’s one of those shows that will take you on a journey and move you, if you allow yourself to be transported into that world. That’s one of the most magical aspects of live art—being transported into this world that’s being created right in front of you.”

WHAT: Houston Ballet’s production of Giselle WHEN: June 11–21, 2026 WHERE: Wortham Theater Center INFO: houstonballet.org/seasontickets/20252026-season/giselle OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

61

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

BROADWAY BOUND Broadway stage manager and producer Cody Renard Richard uses his platform to encourage young theater students.

by DAVID CLARKE |

For Houston native Cody Renard Richard, a life in the theater was never part of the plan. “None of my family saw this coming. I don’t even think I saw this coming,” he reveals. “My entire family are cowboys and cowgirls. I was sort of birthed into the rodeo culture.”

Indeed, Richard imagined a future that looked much like the one around him. But that changed when a high school counselor encouraged him to channel his energy into something new. “I was sort of like the class clown,” he recalls. “My counselor told me I need to pick up an extracurricular activity, and they led me to the theater club.”

His initial reaction to that club was profound.

“I just felt at home there. It gave me a sense of purpose that I didn’t really know I was looking for.”

That led Richard to pursue theater more seriously, eventually landing him at the Alley Theatre for an internship just before college.

Although he was nervous about taking that internship because of his “very humble beginnings,” the experience grounded him in the realities of professional theater and gave him a critical early boost. “They really took me under their wings and showed me what it’s like to work in a professional theater,” he says.

Years later, Sara Mills, his first connection to the Alley Theatre, would open the door to his first major opportunity in New York. “She remembered my work from The Alley,” he says about her offering him a stage manager job with Cirque du Soleil. “You have the perfect disposition for this show. I think your energy would fit this team. I know you’re a good communicator. The rest we can figure out,” she told him.

Today, Richard has worked on more than 20 Broadway productions as both a stage manager and a producer, including Tony Award-winning shows like A 62

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

photos by ANGELA MARIE ORELLANA

“I WANTED TO GIVE STUDENTS THE RESOURCES THAT I DIDN’T HAVE, AND REMIND BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS THAT THEY HAVE A PLACE IN THIS INDUSTRY.”

Strange Loop and Parade. “To be able to realize my dreams, but then to do it 25 times over, it’s really kind of remarkable,” he says.

For Richard, the work has never been just about the show itself. It is about the people behind it. “I want to work with humans who care about humans and who have similar morals and goals as me,” he explains. That perspective is especially evident in his work this season, where he has stage-managed both the Lincoln Center Theater revival of Ragtime and the Broadway transfer of CATS: The Jellicle Ball.

“It’s tiring. It’s exhausting. It’s rewarding.

It’s amazing. It’s epic,” he says of balancing both productions. Yet, at the center of that work is a philosophy that guides everything he does. “I would say my job is really just to care for the individuals.”

That care manifests differently depending on the production. In Ragtime, it means supporting artists through material that is historically and emotionally resonant. In CATS: The Jellicle Ball, it means creating space for performers to fully embody themselves.

“This is the first time that a production has featured a prominent number of trans women,” he explains about CATS. “Offering the care and the space for them to be free to do the thing that they do is my main job.”

More broadly, Richard sees stage management as the connective force that keeps a production moving forward. “Putting on a Broadway show is a team effort. It’s a team sport,” he points out. “One of the main jobs as a stage manager is to bring all of these different worlds within the production together and to make sure that we’re all talking.” ➝

OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

63

HAVE YOUR

CAKE and

EQUALITY Why give your money to a business that does not support diversity?

Whether you’re looking for the butcher, the baker, or the candlestick maker, OUTSMART can help you find equality-minded businesses that appreciate you and provide vital community support.

DanMitchel R E A LT Y G R O U P

B R O K E R C O N S U LTA N T

Beautifully Renovated Inner Loop Condo Park St. John

2829 Timmons Lane #201

281-727-6748 64

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Houston’s LGBTQ Magazine

$225,000

www.DanMitchel.com

For advertising and subscription call 713. 520.7237 OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmart Advertising = More Business & Equality

CODY RENARD RICHARD | CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

“I JUST FELT AT HOME IN THEATER. IT GAVE ME A SENSE OF PURPOSE THAT I DIDN’T REALLY KNOW I WAS LOOKING FOR.” —Cody Renard Richard

As a Black queer creative in a role that traditionally exists behind the scenes, Richard has also made a conscious decision to be visible. “There’s no other way to live,” he says, “I have no interest in not being myself all the time.” That decision is rooted in his own experience growing up without seeing himself reflected in the industry.

“I never saw someone like me doing the thing that I wanted to do, so I really didn’t know it was possible,” he explains. Now, he understands the importance of representation not just as an idea, but as a responsibility. “I think it’s important for me to show up, open the door, and bring somebody else in,” he adds.

That commitment extends beyond Broadway.

In 2020, Richard and the Broadway Advocacy Coalition launched the Cody Renard Richard Scholarship Program to provide opportunities for young leaders of color. Now the initiative operates in partnership with the Black Theatre Coalition and has supported more than 60 students and awarded over $500,000. “I wanted to give students the resources that I didn’t have, and remind Black and brown students that they have a place in this industry,” he says.

The program also allows him to stay connected to Houston, where several recipients have come from. “Any time I see a 713, 281, or 832 area code,” he says, “I think, ‘Ah, home!”

With Tony season approaching, Richard finds himself in a moment of reflection and momentum.

Both Ragtime and CATS: The Jellicle Ball have become two of the most talked-about revivals of the season, and he is deeply connected to both. “These are both my babies,” he emphasizes. “I’ve given so much to both of these productions.” Still, he is clear about what matters most. “No one makes art to win a Tony Award, but it is amazing to be a part of a season that is uplifting really beautiful work.”

For Richard, the journey from Houston to Broadway is not just a story of success. It is a story of purpose, visibility, and making sure the path forward is wider for those who are coming next.

Keep up with Cody Renard Richard on Instagram @codyrenard.

OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

65

Out ▼ There

Photos by DALTON DEHART and CREW

For more photo galleries, please visit our website.

MAY 3, 2026 OUT FOR EDUCATION’S ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD CEREMONY Out for Education celebrated Houston’s next generation of LGBTQ scholars at its annual Scholarship Award Ceremony on May 3 at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston. The organization awarded a record-breaking $177,500 in scholarships to students pursuing higher education and career goals.

The event brought together recipients, donors, volunteers, and community partners for an afternoon honoring academic achievement, leadership, and the power of continued investment in LGBTQ youth. Sponsors and supporters helped create a welcoming atmosphere, while volunteers reflected the hands-on spirit behind Out for Education’s mission.

66

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

HARDWOOD – CARPET – VINYL – TILE – RUBBER - LAMINATE Check our reviews!

Reinel

Cyndi

Oscar

Proudly LGBT Owned and Staffed 2050 N Loop W #120, Houston TX 77018 (832) 280 6644

We have immediate openings for experienced advertising executives at OutSmart Media Company.

Salary, commissions, and benefits.

A creative, fun environment.

APPLY TODAY! Send your cover letter and resume to employment@outsmartmagazine.com

OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

67

WEDDING GUIDE

A LOVE BUILT TO WEATHER ANY STORM Nick Mostaccero and Brian Tighe’s relationship survived pandemic-era dating and many other challenges.

by DAVID CLARKE photos by ANDREA GIBBS AND

Brian Tighe (l) and Nick Mostaccero 68

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

When Nick Mostaccero and Brian Tighe first met through Lone Star Volleyball Association in August 2019, neither could have predicted just how much life they would weather together. There would be a global pandemic.

A Texas deep freeze. A derecho. A hurricane.

Career changes. Major life transitions. Wedding planning. And somewhere in between, countless moments of laughter, surprises, and steady partnership. If anything, their story proves that some relationships are built to last, even when the forecast says otherwise.

The couple, both 36, first crossed paths on the volleyball court, though romance did not immediately follow. “It was right before the pandemic,” Brian says, recalling their first meeting. “We signed up for the same league and then we met on the first day.”

“The first thing I noticed about him was definitely his arms,” Brian adds with a laugh.

Nick’s first impression was a little less physical. “I think your goofy nature was the thing I first saw about you. And your kindness,” he says.

It was later, during the isolating uncertainty of the COVID pandemic, that their relationship began to take shape. “He was dating somebody else, and a mutual friend told me that they had broken up,” Brian says, “so I just immediately started texting him just to see how he was doing, checking on him, making sure everything was okay.”

Nick remembers receiving those messages out of the blue. “This was during the pandemic, so, of course, I was isolated. And I just got this random text from him,” Nick recalls. “I responded, ‘Oh, hey. How’s it going?’”

Their first official date took place at Cedar Creek, during those strange early months when restaurants were cautiously reopening with socially distanced tables. “This was a few months after the lockdown happened, and everyone was just like, ‘You know, maybe we should test the waters and see if we can go out,’” Nick says.

More than five years later, that leap of faith has turned into a marriage filled with balance, mutual admiration, and a healthy appreciation for surprising one another. For Brian, the relationship’s ease became one of its strongest indicators. “It’s just kind of always been a feeling of ‘Okay, I really like this person,’ and then just constant positive reinforcement throughout our entire relationship,” he says. “Everything was just so simple for the two of us.”

Nick points to Brian’s thoughtfulness and knack for unexpected romantic gestures.

“There were always these genuine surprises that he always did,” Nick says, recalling a Valentine’s getaway to Fredericksburg.

While Nick was attempting to orchestrate

his own surprise on that trip, Brian managed to outmaneuver him entirely. “He brought out this old recorder and started playing ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ which is one of the songs I like to play on guitar,” Nick explains. “It’s these little small things that he just swoops in on to wreck and one-up me.”

Naturally, both men eventually began considering how to propose. Brian thought he was getting ahead of the game by quietly researching rings. Instead, Nick beat him to it and the proposal took place during a trip to Crater Lake in Oregon—though not exactly according to plan.

Nick had intended to propose on an island in the middle of the lake, only to discover the ferry dock had been damaged by a storm and tours were canceled. “Of course I was internally freaking out,” Nick recalls.

Forced to improvise, Nick chose a scenic overlook instead, nervously lingering until

Brian began wondering why they had not left yet. “And I finally just went and proposed,” Nick says.

Brian’s reaction was immediate, if not especially composed. “I think I started yelling at one point,” he remembers. “Because I was planning on doing it first.” But eventually, he gave the answer Nick was waiting for by offering up a resounding “Yes!” The couple married on May 3, 2026, at Arrowhead Golf Club in Littleton, Colorado, in a ceremony that reflected not just their love story, but the wonderfully nerdy, deeply sentimental life they have built together. “It was perfect,” Brian says simply.

“Everything just went right,” Nick agrees.

That perfection did not happen by accident. Self-described Virgos and planners, the couple infused the day with thoughtful personal touches. Traditional guest books gave way to something far more on-brand. Their ➝ OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

69

2006-2025

®

­

V Voted Best Fi Financial PPlanner/Advisor

Pol. Adv. paid for by Jerry for Judge Campaign, Jerry Simoneaux, Treasurer, P.O. Box 942, Seabrook, TX 77586. In voluntary compliance with the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

70

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

WEDDING GUIDE | CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

reception was themed around Dungeons & Dragons classes, complete with detailed décor elements reflecting each archetype. Instead of a bouquet toss, they created a custom volleyball toss in honor of where their story began.

Their officiant, Nick’s best friend Jonathan Harrelson, conducted a Wizarding Worldinspired handclasping ceremony. “We’ve seen a lot of friends do a Scottish Gaelic binding ceremony with clasped arms,” Brian notes. “So we basically did that, but then we also had the wand cords going around too.”

One especially emotional tribute honored Brian’s late dog, Clover, who had originally been meant to walk down the aisle. “Originally she was supposed to be walked down the aisle.

Instead we had one of Nick’s nephews carry her ashes down the aisle.”

The ceremony also featured one unforgettable reveal. Rather than doing a traditional first look, Nick and Brian avoided seeing one another all day. Their mothers escorted them down the aisle blindfolded, allowing the moment at the altar to become their first glimpse of each other. “That’s probably my favorite moment for sure,” Nick says with a smile.

For Brian, another memory stands out.

“When we were slow dancing on the dance floor, I just felt like everything kind of slowed down and paused for a moment.”

Yet, one of the day’s most emotional surprises came just before the ceremony. Years earlier, Brian had purchased a necklace while in college, quietly holding onto it for what he hoped would one day be the right person. “I’d been saving it for 15 years,” Brian reveals.

He sent the necklace and a handwritten note to Nick while they were getting ready separately. Nick’s response was immediate. “I read it maybe 10 minutes before we were supposed to go out, and just broke down bawling.”

Wedding planning brought its own memorable adventures, as well. Determined to include Brian’s favorite flower, forget-menots, the couple discovered every florist they contacted refused to use them because of their fragility, so they handled it themselves.

“We did the flowers ourselves,” Brian says.

“We went down to a nursery, we bought all the

ones that we wanted to use, and we wove them into the wreaths.”

The florists, as it turns out, had a point.

“The boutonnieres died before the ceremony even started,” Brian adds.

“Hey, it’s a talking point,” Nick adds, taking it in stride. “A memory, for sure.”

The couple also embraced fashion choices that reflected their personalities, including Brian’s custom doublet created by Raven of Casta Diva Apparel, a nod to the Texas Renaissance Faire that the couple enjoys.

Though they planned much of the wedding themselves, they credit wedding-day coordinator Quincy (from Right as Rayne Events), the Arrowhead Golf Club team, photographer Smaly’s Snapshots, and a long list of supportive vendors and loved ones for helping bring the day to life.

Still, for all the thoughtful details, elaborate planning, and magical touches, what makes Nick and Brian’s story especially resonant is its foundation. Brian admires Nick’s steadiness. “I like his calmness, his ability to just defuse a situation and bring everything back to center.”

“He’s very outgoing,” Nick says of Brian’s energy. “He very much knows what he wants, and I think that’s why we pair so well.”

The couple also celebrated their wedding in Houston on May 30 at Neon Boots, giving local friends and chosen family a chance to join the festivities.

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

|

JUNE 2026

71

Best Family Attorney • Best Probate Attorney ERS’ 2025 READAR DS CHOICE AW

WINNER!

PLAN BEFORE THE STORM

LOVE, MONEY, KIDS, DEATH — IT’S ALL EASIER WHEN YOU PLAN LIKE AN ADULT. Texas family and estate planning for LGBTQ2SIA+, kinky, poly, and chosen families.

Marriage. Breakups. Babies.

Wills. Probate. End-of-life.

Mediation over meltdowns.

Umbrellas over dumpster fires.

lawsonlegal.net | theuncoupledlife.com Principal office: Houston, Texas LIVE YOUR LEGACY. IN REAL TIME. NO APOLOGIES. NO REGRETS.

Our Anti-Violence Program We’re here for LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, hate crimes, and human trafficking, with people who understand what it takes to rebuild.

We offer counseling, advocacy, and hands-on support to help you find safety, navigate the legal and medical systems, and rebuild your life.

No one should face this alone. We’re ready to stand with you in a space where you can talk without fear of judgment and find your way forward.

24-Hour Helpline (713) 529-3211 Contact us: (713) 529-0037

www.montrosecenter.org/services/anti-violence/

72

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

For more photo galleries, please visit our website.

Photos by DALTON DEHART and CREW

Out ▼ There

MAY 9, 2026 HRC HOUSTON DINNER – COMMUNITY = POWER The 2026 HRC Houston Dinner brought supporters, advocates, and community leaders to the Marriott Marquis Houston for an evening centered on “Community = Power.” Co-chaired by Ben J. Rubio, Gia Montalto, and Josh Beasley, the May 9 event focused on visibility, advocacy, and civic engagement. HRC National Press Secretary Brandon Wolf delivered the keynote, speaking to the urgency of organizing and protecting LGBTQ rights. The evening also honored actress and activist Renee O’Connor with the Ally for Equality Award, the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus with the Partner Award, and community leader Lisa Madry with the Community Award for her contributions to Houston’s LGBTQ community.

OutSmartMagazine.com |

JUNE 2026 73

READ OUT

Celebrating the LGBTQ Artists Who Changed Music Barry Walters’ new book traces the queer roots of disco, punk, pop, country, hip-hop, and more.

by GREGG SHAPIRO

M

ighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music, 1969–2000 (Viking, 2026), by gay music journalist Barry Walters, is a practically comprehensive overview of the music made by and for LGBTQ folks, and its enduring presence and impact.

Part reference book, part memoir, the rainbow musical spectrum covered is particularly notable. Beginning with groundbreaking artists including Laura Nyro and Lou Reed (along with the Velvet Underground), Walters invites us on this revealing musical odyssey that touches on a vast array of talent including Sylvester, Elton John, The B-52s, Wendy Carlos, k.d. lang, Bob Mould, Indigo Girls, Bronski Beat, and Dusty Springfield, to mention just a few. Additionally, Walters makes a point to include allies such as Cyndi Lauper, Grace Jones, Bette Midler, Patti Smith, Cher, Dolly Parton, and Madonna, as well as influential record labels (Motown and Olivia) and genres (disco, punk, post-punk, and hip-hop). The author deserves praise not only for his vast knowledge of the subject, but also for the way he connects the dots with several artists. Walters spoke to OutSmart ahead of the book’s publication last month.

Gregg Shapiro: Did the concept for this book begin with one of the essays you’ve included, or was the idea for the book already fully formed from the onset?

Barry Walters: The book’s inspiration is a departed friend of mine, Vito Russo, and his extraordinary, pioneering 1981 book The Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies.

I fell in love with it when I was a graduateschool cinema-studies student at NYU and starting my professional career at the Village Voice. I met Vito through a mutual friend, Steven Harvey—a film critic who wrote in the Voice what might have been the earliest firstperson article written about what it’s like to have AIDS. I sensed that Vito wanted to share with me what he knew and loved while he still could. He’d show me Bette Midler at the Continental Baths, or Babs and Judy dueting on The

74

JUNE 2026 |

OutSmartMagazine.com

Judy Garland Show, back when footage like that was a coveted, rare treasure. Seen through his eyes, what I had considered old-hat was fresh and vital. In 1987, he revised The Celluloid Closet and included something I’d written in the Voice about Pee-wee Herman that put him in an LGBTQ context. Vito’s blessing made me feel as though I’d become a serious, legit writer. When he and Steve both died, I felt I had to bear witness because I had been spared.

After I left the San Francisco Examiner in

1997, I tracked down Vito’s agent. He loved my idea about doing a popular-music answer to The Celluloid Closet, but I didn’t know the first thing about writing a book proposal. I ran out of money and had to plunge myself back into freelance journalism. But when it became feasible to finally write a book, that’s what I returned to.

Did the book grow out of your interviews with Patrick Haggerty (Lavender Country), Judy Dlugacz (Olivia), and countless others as a music journalist?

Mighty Real was indeed facilitated by several decades of interviewing queer and queer-relevant musicians. I dug up old interview tapes I’d recorded, like with Liza Minnelli when she worked with the Pet Shop Boys for her 1989 Results album. That was for The Advocate and I remember my editor liking the piece, even though it was never published.

Mighty Real reads like a memoir interwoven with history—especially the Bowie, Queen, RHPS, and Bronski Beat chapters.

Was that how you envisioned the book?

Mighty Real is a history book interwoven with memoir. This book has 60 chapters, and in most of those I discuss several acts, so I cover hundreds of queer and queer-adjacent bands, singers, producers, label owners—you name it. I wrote nearly everything for years without using the “I” word at all. But in one chapter I did write about what it was like reading, as an 11-year-old, about David Bowie for the first time, and how I learned the word “bisexual” through him. So I bought Space Oddity, and what followed from Bowie helped me learn about myself. All of us have variations on that kind of story. I realized that if I wrote about mine, the reader might think about theirs.

I also decided to share what it was like, for example, to interview Whitney Houston and hear her lie about herself, but reveal the truth through her actions. Those chapters gave me the confidence to revisit earlier chapters and sometimes be more autobiographical.

Is one of your goals with Mighty Real to inspire readers to explore artists they are unfamiliar with? For example, Parachute Club, Lavender Country, and Phranc.

Yes. I tried to select singers and songs that transcend their genre, especially for LGBTQ readers interested in elements of our culture beyond their experience. You might not ordinarily like folk music, or you might think you don’t like women who call themselves dykes, but if you at least look at Phranc’s I Enjoy Being a Girl album cover, I practically guarantee that you’ll want to hear what’s inside and that you’ll find something you enjoy.

“I WROTE IT FOR US.” —Barry Walters

Do you anticipate hearing from some of the artists you cover in the book?

I hope Mighty Real finds its way into the hands of those people, but I didn’t write it for them. I wrote it for us. Before I started Mighty Real in earnest, I wrote about Grace Jones just before her memoir was announced. One thing led to another: Grace read the article and wanted me to condense it for her Hollywood Bowl program. I agreed to do it if she’d say hello to me after playing the Fox, because I had to meet her before I died. As we approached Grace’s dressing room, my husband and I overheard her manager say that Barry Walters was waiting outside. She thought I was someone else wanting to do an interview, and she responded exactly like you’d expect Grace Jones to react.

Then her manager said, “No, no, Barry wrote the article I showed you.” Then we hear, “Oh, I love that article!” She then came out of her dressing room completely naked and holding a towel in front of herself, looking for the assistant who had her clothes. My husband found that person, and then she greeted me. I don’t think my family and friends have ever been more enthusiastic over something I’ve written.

Musical theater is an essential component of queer culture for so many. How important was it for you to work musicals such as Kinky Boots into the book?

An early draft of the book had a line that said something like, “There’s no point in writing about LGBTQ participation and themes in theater because, to some degree, it’s all gay.”

That’s an exaggeration, but there aren’t multibillion-dollar corporations keeping theater actors in the closet and making playwrights avoid gay content or forcing them to write about it only covertly, the way there is in rock, pop, R&B, country, hip-hop, and so on. That opposition, combined with queer kids’ hunger to hear themselves represented, is what creates phenomena like Bowie, and why disco had to be invented. So, I decided only to write about theater if it intersects with popular music in a profound way. Is it genuine rock ’n roll or pop, or R&B? Was it played on the radio? Did we dance to it? That’s the kind of music theater I include in Mighty Real. I have a theater degree, so I believe the rest of it is a world unto itself and deserves its own book, not mine.

In Chapter 22, you mention that the B-52s still haven’t been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Do you think that might change now that an outspoken ally

such as Cyndi Lauper has been inducted?

The day after this interview, I received my Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ballot. Melissa Etheridge and Luther Vandross, about whom I write extensively in Mighty Real, have been nominated, as they should be. But once again, not the B-52s. They never have. That goes to show how much antigay sentiment still exists in the music industry. I don’t think our ally Cyndi Lauper, as much as I love and appreciate her, can alone change that. We, as a community, must come together to hold those people accountable.

Would you agree that, despite the deep queer roots of the B-52s and the Village People, it’s surprising that their biggest hits, “Love Shack” and “Y.M.C.A.,” continue to be played at straight functions, including weddings and political rallies?

No, I don’t. So much of what our artists created is so strong and universal that I don’t begrudge anyone for enjoying it their own way, even if it was created by and initially for us.

I do, however, find it vile that our culture is co-opted and corrupted by those who repress us. I tried to write about every one of my book’s subjects in such a way that it’s all enticing, no matter if you’re L, G, B, T, Q, or even straight.

I want metal fans to read the women’s-music chapter and go “Wow!” I hope women’s-music fans read about Judas Priest and go “Wow,” because both subjects are awe-inspiring. All great art, even if it springs out of pop culture, transcends. Dolly Parton and Queen are perfect examples.

You write about the homophobic and racist 1979 Disco Demolition that took place in Chicago. Is it fair to say that it’s karma that shock jock Steve Dahl has been relegated to the dustbin of history, while Chicago became the birthplace of house music, one of the queerest and most enduring styles of dance music?

The only reason we’re still talking about Steve Dahl is because he put a face onto musical racism, sexism, and homophobia. Chicago has one of North America’s densest LGBTQ populations, so it makes perfect sense that it would inspire both death-to-disco and disco-lives movements. House music, as you know, was created by overlapping communities of gay and Black people, just as disco was. The only white straights initially attracted to it were those eager to attend Black or gay—or, particularly, Black gay—clubs, because that was where they knew they could really let loose and shake it.

Mighty Real is available now at your local independent bookseller, at Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

OutSmartMagazine.com

|

JUNE 2026

75

Voted

BEST MALE MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST 2011 – 2022

OCTAVIO BARRIOS, MD

LUCIA MANGLE, MPAS, PA-C

RENAISSANCE FAMILY CLINIC TIRED OF EXPLAINING YOURSELF TO YOUR THERAPIST? For 20+ years, I've practiced affirming therapy in Houston for people whose lives include identities, relationships, or beliefs that previous therapists weren't equipped to understand. LGBTQ+, kink-knowledgeable, poly-e$perienced, pagan-friendly, secular-affirming, and neurodivergent-aware.

DENIS “WOODJA” FLANIGAN, PH.D. LICENSED PS CHOLOGIST HO STON IN-PERSON | TELEHEALTH THRO GHO T TE AS WWW.HO STON-PS CHOLOGIST.COM | (832) 215-3668

76

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

www.doctorbarrios.com

Best Physician Finalist Octavio Barrios, 2013-2025

For more photo galleries, please visit our website.

Photos by DALTON DEHART and CREW

Out ▼ There

APRIL 25, 2026 THE MONTROSE CENTER EMPOWERING OUR FUTURE GALA The Montrose Center’s annual Empowering Our Future Gala brought storybook magic to The Ballroom at Bayou Place, where more than 400 guests gathered for an evening themed “Once Upon a Time.”

Co-chaired by Mandy and Neil Giles and BJ Gill and Robby Guthart, the gala paired fairy-tale flair with a clear purpose: raising support for the Center’s housing, counseling, community programs, and essential services for LGBTQ youth.

Dessie Love-Blake hosted the program, with performances by Reign LaRue, Blackberri, Amy Armstrong, Rachel B Face, and Christina Wells adding energy and joy. DJ Easton kept the celebration going at the afterparty.

OutSmartMagazine.com |

JUNE 2026 77

ADVERTISERS ADVERT SERS INDEX NDEX ADVERT ADVERTISERS SERS INDEX NDEX ADVERTISERS ADVERT SERS INDEX NDEX ADVERT SERS NDEX ADVERT SERS NDEX ADVERTISERS ADVERT SERS INDEX NDEX ADVERT SERS NDEX

Your Stars, Your Numbers, Your Fabulous Future!

EXPERT PLUMBING YOUR www Cp2205 BBookKeeping pBBookKeeping ng &KSt., BBeyond, nd C Ste VVenture n u PPools 1806B Westheimer h Greater ........................................... ng &LLC BBeyond, LLCC VVenture d H hu u n g VnD nndhD uBu PPPools Westheimer W hnHHouston m B 99KBD K SERVICES p ng ng & BpSte nd CndFOR PnD B W1806B hBHm m Detering 10 ...............................832/234-2542 GBGW uw 99 DDetering ng St., 10 uC Cn........................................... nnuEye Cnnn713/523-1279 u n 713/523-1279V DnDuDbayoucitypropertygroup.com DaltonDehart.com h C mp m...........................................713/622-2202 png ngSt., & B...............................832/234-2542 C ...............................832/234-2542 ub n HG g mwm R.....................713/253-8609 u OnLoop u nConsultants h nD DK St., ng 99 DDetering Ste 10nd ........................................832/234-2542 99 DDetering ng Ste 10CConsulting RRRyan P..............................................................713/659-4998 CCouncil North W,d.........................713/622-7470 PBBlvd, Bm 99 DDetering St., .......................................................................................

713/447-9201 RRyan n Wh White Planning PnENTERTA nn ngng C Cnn un OutSmart’s Ou Smar ss sBar Guide Gu is ssde on yo .......................................................................................

713/447-9201 1700HPPost OOak 110 DCun ENTERTAINMENT/NIGHT NMENT Nunng GHT LLIFE nFannin White Wh Planning PCouncil nn C un un OutSmart’s Ou Smar ssGu Bar Guide Gu is sson now OutSmart’s Ou Smar Guide Gu de is on 1700 PPost Oak BBlvd, dSte Ste136 110..........................713/688-8669 .........................713/622-7470 ENTERTAINMENT/NIGHT NMENT NLFEGHT FE OutSmart’s Ou Smar Bar Guide Gu de is no R ENTERTA n Wh PWh nn Ou Smar Bar de snow CCrunch h ng CConsulting nCun unng BBookkeeping pBBookkeeping ng ONHHumble dSte ENTERTA NMENT Nng GHT FE LLIFE Ou Smar sBar Gu de snow now on OutSmart’s Ou Smar sBar Guide Gu de isnow sde on mP2200 CCrunch hung n BSte uB 10 ng...............................832/234-2542 p ng OutSmart’s Ou Smar sde Bar Guide Gu de is syo mBd O .....................................................................

281/454-2056 un h C n u ng p ng Ou Smar sBar Bar Gu snow now D m H m W C un h ng p ng CCrunch hCrunch CConsulting BBookkeeping ng wp HnH guug............................................713-572-3724 nn gg ............................................713-572-3724 Book a read ng w h hung CConsulting nm ngpBBookkeeping p ng HOME OR Consulting Bookkeeping David Bowers/The House Company/Galveston rwpcHouston.org wpwp HA Hu Theatre nhAAlley Cuncrunchconsult.com unun hhCCrunch Cnhun nucrunchconsult.com uun ng Bunm pmBUSINESS ng rwpcHouston.org wp n .....................................

888/912-7862 PLUMB NG u M n C P u OD h u .....................................

888/912-7862 Alley A h PLUMBING PLUMB NG Theatre h Montrose M n Eye Care/ C Paul P u Lovero, OD un n u Lake PLUMB NG Montrose M nClear EyeP...................................................................281/484-1186 CCare/ PPaul u Lovero, OD Scan here to o check out ou our directo d rec un h m M n C u OD Scan here to o check out ou our Scan here to o check out ou our directo d rec od FLOOR COVERINGS JEWELERS Scan here to o check out ou our un h C n u ng B p ng D d B w h H u C mp n G n Scan here o check ou our d rec PRINTING/COPY PR NT NG COPY CENTERS Scan here o check ou our d rec Scan here to o check ou out our d direc rec PRINTING/COPY PR NT NG COPY CENTERS PR NT NG COPY CENTERS crunchconsult.com ununChcrunchconsult.com n u m .....................................

888/912-7862 Scan here to o check out ou ou crunchconsult.com un h n u m .....................................

888/912-7862 PR NT NG COPY CENTERS Scan here o check ou our d ord h n u m ...............................................888/912-7862 David@DavidBowers.com .............................409/763-2800 The h hW Walk for Mental M Health H Aw Houston H Hun u n nHouston ACCOUNTANTS/BOOKKEEPERS/ ACCOUNTANTS BOOKKEEPERS CPAS CARE STS PHOTOGRAPHERS hCh Walk W Mental Health H nhnAwarenessAw H u HEALTH nHEALTH ACCOUNTANTS/BOOKKEEPERS/ ACCOUNTANTS BOOKKEEPERS CPAS HEALTH CARE–OPHTHALMOLOGISTS CARE OPHTHALMOLOG PHOTOGRAPHERS WuDThe Mnunnfor H nhnAwarenessh Aw ACCOUNTANTS BOOKKEEPERS CAREOPHTHALMOLOG OPHTHALMOLOG STS STSPOOLS PHOTOGRAPHERS ACCOUNTANTS BOOKKEEPERS CPAS PR uM ACCOUNTANTS/BOOKKEEPERS/ CPAS FITNESS TRAINING REAL ESTATE–REALTORS PRIDE D DCh Chorus Houston ACCOUNTANTS ACCOUNTANTS/BOOKKEEPERS/ BOOKKEEPERS CPASCPAS & POOL SERVICES SERV PRIDE PR DuH Chorus Ch u HnH Houston u n EyeGG Gallery AGENCIES/AGENTS ACCOUNTANTS/BOOKKEEPERS/ ACCOUNTANTS BOOKKEEPERS CPAS PR POOLCES SERVICES SERV CES POOLS && POOL SERV CES PR Ch Hu uCLUBS/PERSONAL GwINSURANCE ACCOUNTANTS BOOKKEEPERS POOLS POOL SERV CES ......................................................................................

713-705-7058 ......................................................................................

BBookKeeping ng & BBeyond, nd LLC C CCnd LLCCPAS MD D D REAL nPOOLS D& HESTATE ph ACCOUNTANTS BOOKKEEPERS TNESS TRA N 713-705-7058 NG Eye GGallery NSURANCE AGENC ES K& &nd Beyond, B LLC C CPAS www w Zuckerbrod, MD AGENTS nD DeHart Photography ph BBookKeeping ppng nd w Stewart n DDalton H Ph PhH gREALTORS g Ph ph g Realty B K KKpBBookKeeping ng Bng ppu ddCLUBS uu PERSONAL gg .................................832/835-1643 &&BpBeyond, Lane David Batagower/Compass www.pridechorus.org p FClub dwww hHouston ghh.................................832/835-1643 BLewis/Farmers W h m MD Insurance www.pridechorus.org www

hh M W MM nnNGS uug 520 n Waugh Gary G Gritz, CPA The h h615 Walk W for Mental Health H h................................................alleytheatre.org Aw AwarenessnhhnAw H Houston FLOOR Gary Gritz, G WW ugh DDDr.....................................................713/352-0974M MD P umb The Walk W Mental Health H AwarenessAw Houston EWELERS ngng GG G GCPA CPA DDr.....................................................713/352-0974 WTexas MAnCOVER nfor HAAve h HAw Hunhn uh n HnH Metro M PPlumbing ng m 520 Waugh ughn AAve ................................................alleytheatre.org umb GG CPA 615 Texas hg n W gWugh ugh DCARE Floor Coverings International m CPA Bumb w LGBTQ Tenenbaum Jewelers Gary G Gritz, G OPTOMETR STS Gary G Gritz, G CPA pP@D Ou Smar Kev Casey CCCopy.com mmLGBTQ LGBTQ bars and cclubs in and around Ho HEALTH CARE–OPTOMETRISTS OPTOMETR STSs CCopy.com G 2211 GN CPA Cpmp m bars and clubs cn in nnaround and arou LGBTQ bars and cclubs ubs in and around Ho HEALTH CARE OPTOMETR STS LGBTQ bars and clubs cnnubs ubs in and arou bars and ccubs ubs H Norfolk Street, Suite uStreet, 375..................

Gary Gritz, CPA Derr/Karen Derr Realty Group/Compass ......................................................................................

LGBTQ bars and ubs n and around bars and cclubs in nand and around 2211 Norfolk N Suite u 375713/784-3030 .................. 713/784-3030 ......................................................................................

713-705-7058 HEALTH bars and cclubs in naround and aH C BBrewing ngwn n wn ng n 713-705-7058 pmpumb ng uLGBTQ NGN uu.................. n nb um wCARE metroplumbing.us m pK..........................................713/528-1201 umb ng uLGBTQ bars and cubs ubs nubs and mRKKaren pnnd umb ng uLGBTQ Frostfloorcoveringsinternational.com Town wn w ngngBBrewing ............832/280-6646 Frost Town 4310 Westheimer .......................TenenbaumJewelers.com 2211 N Norfolk Street, Suite u 375 713/784-3030 4230 Richmond R hm Ave A wn B w G2211 CPA D n D R........................................346/955-4939 G up C mp Norfolk N Street, Suite u 375 ..................

713/784-3030 4230 Richmond R hm nd Ave A ..........................................713/528-1201 R hm nd A B u qu C u m OD HEALTH CARE PHARMAC ES N 2211 u hm nd A Boutique B u qu Eye Care/Juliet C u Farmer, m OD HEALTH CARE/PHARMACIES CARE PHARMAC ES B uHEALTH qu CPHARMAC uPHARMAC m OD CARE/PHARMACIES CARE ES Norfolk Street, Suite 375 .......................713/784-3030 100 N karenderr.com ...........................................................713/875-7050 HEALTH CARE ES m including nc ud ng your favorites avor es in n Ga Galveston, ves on Hu W m m w m including nc ud ng your favorites avor es in n Galves Ga ves including nc ud ng your favorites avor es in n Galveston, Ga ves on H including nc ud ng your favorites avor es in n Galves Ga ves U P umb P umb ng Supp nc ud ng your avor es n Ga ves on N. Jackson n St ..............................................713-224-5326 U-Plumb-It U Plumbing P umb ng Supply Supp nc ud ng your avor es n Ga ves on including nc ud ng your favorites avor es in n Ga Galveston ves on 100 N N.nJackson n St ..............................................713-224-5326 including nc ud ng your favorites avor es in n Galv Ga vH U P umb P umb ng Supp S gnOu co umn s N N m nc ud ng your avor es n Ga ves oH ADVERTISING/MARKETING ADVERT S NG MARKET NG Zadok Jewelers ENTERTA NMENT N GHT L FE W h m A ADVERTISING/MARKETING ADVERT S NG MARKET NG ENTERTAINMENT/NIGHT ENTERTA NMENT N GHT LIFE L FE 1806 Westheimer, W h m Ste. A .............................

713/528-2010 g Ph m ADVERT S NG MARKET NG ENTERTAINMENT/NIGHT ENTERTA NMENT N GHT LIFE L FE W h m A Legacy g Pharmacy Ph m ENTERTA NMENT N GHT L FE ADVERT SMARKET NG MARKET Pharmacy m Houston Association of Realtors g Legacy Ph mwPh GARDENING/LANDSCAPING ADVERTISING/MARKETING ADVERT S SNG NGNG NGNG d gPost ADVERTISING/MARKETING ADVERT Sn NG MARKET ADVERT NG MARKET MREAL n 1424 JR’s/Santa RTheatre SA Sn JR’s/Santa Montrose M n ng .....................................................713-942-2277 Spring, Spr and College Co ege S Station. a on Whe Whether her yo RFe SNG n LANDSCAP Fe ADVERTISING/MARKETING REAL ESTATE–MORTGAGE/TITLE ESTATE MORTGAGE T TLE 1801 Oak Blvd, Ste. 100 .................................Zadok.com Spring, Spr ng and College Co ege Station.

S a on Whet Whe Spring, Spr ng and College Co ege S Station. a on Whe Whether her yo M n OutSmart Ou Sm Magazine M g R n REAL ESTATE–MORTGAGE/TITLE ESTATE MORTGAGE T TLE H u n A n R ESTATE MORTGAGE T TLE Spring, Spr ng and College Co ege Station.

S a on Whet Whe GARDEN NG Spr ng and Co ege S a on Whe her y OutSmart Ou Sm Magazine M g n mm H m REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE T TLE h Spr ng and Co ege S a on Whe her y Spring, Spr ng and College Co ege S Station. a on Whe Whether her Ou Sm M g n ............LegacyCommunityHealth.org/services/pharmacy mm H m Spring, Spr ng and College Co ege Station.

S a on Wh G Alley A h ............LegacyCommunityHealth.org/services/pharmacy mm H m Eye Gallery G Alley A Theatre h Spr ng and Co ege S a on Whe he OuOu SmMSm g gMARKET n n har.com............................................................................ 713/629-1900 m G P mm A 808 PPacific h Fountains & Statuary ADVERT SnMn....................................................713/520-7237 NG NG O B H m OutSmart Ou Magazine M g gMagazine OutSmart Magazine M OuSm Sm ............................................................

713/521-2519 ............................................................

3406 Audubon Audub Pun 808 Outsmart mnFriedman/J 3406 Audubon Audub n ....................................................713/520-7237 n PPacific &AAAve S ................................................alleytheatre.org u.....................................................713/957-3672 Janet n n Friedman/J dm Friedman dm nor Audub nn Janet dm Friedman dm gswe nndm dm nnor dm M gs ggwe hgh 713/521-2519 gg local aaMMortgage vvisitor, or we’ve we ve got go you covered w noca dm nHomes gor Audub local oca aaMMortgage vvisitor, or we’ve we ve got go you cov local oca or we’ve ve got go you covered w BHEALTH W h hBmCARE 615 Texas11804 AAve ................................................alleytheatre.org hh local oca or vvisitor, we’ve we ve got go you cov Westheimer W hCPHYS mANS ...........................................

713/523-1279 Hempstead oca or aCES vvsgsor sgnsgnand go you covered 615 Texas Lynette Lew/Better Gardens oca aMvvisitor, we ve gogo you covered local oca or aSERV sor or we’ve ve got you covered B W1806B m POOLS &POOLS SERV 3406 Ou Audubon Audub n ....................................................713/520-7237 APPearl g HEALTH MASSAGE THERAPISTS mAudubon local oca or awe vvisitor, sorve or we’ve we ve got go you c & POOL SERVICES CES 3406 Audubon Audub n ....................................................713/520-7237 oca avvisitor, vnd sor POOLS &POOL POOL CES CC ANS Audub nM g n............................................................713/520-7237 CARE–PHYSICIANS CARE PHYS PPearl BBar HEALTH CARE–PHYSICIANS CARE PHYS ANS 3406 BBar HEALTH CARE PHYS C ANS H m JFriedmanLoans.com dm nJFriedmanLoans.com ndm P B nn dm Hmmor m G or d n we ve go you cover nmB....................................713-785-5626 ....................................713-785-5626 nw nnSERV MASSAGE THERAP STS dm nupda m P O B d wn B w ng 1700 Post P Oak O Blvd, B d Ste 110 .........................713/622-7470 LynetteLew.com. .....................................................713/582-2202 Frost Town wn BBrewing w ngnng P O B d Joshua’s Native Plants & Antiques Frost Town wn BBrewing w ngn ..................................PearlHouston.com AART V n u P Kev n b ends as ro ogy ART/ART ART ART GALLERIES/MUSEUMS GALLER ESES MUSEUMS John Aaron Massage & Wellness updated ed guide gu de to o the he best bes LGBTQ-friend LGBTQr end wn B w Venture V n u Pools P ART/ART ART ART GALLERIES/MUSEUMS GALLER ES MUSEUMS updated upda ed guide gu de to o the he best bes LGBTQupdated upda ed guide gu de to o the he best bes LGBTQ-friend LGBTQr end V n u P O B MD ART GALLER MUSEUMS updated upda ed guide gu de to o the he best bes LGBTQupda ed gu de o he bes LGBTQr en 4216 Washington W h ng ..................................PearlHouston.com P H u n m Octavio O Barrios, B MD upda ed gu de o he bes LGBTQr en updated upda ed guide gu de to o the he best bes LGBTQ-frie LGBTQr e 4216 Washington W h ng P H u n m ART ART GALLER ES MUSEUMS Octavio O MD& W n updated upda ed guide gu de to o the he bes best LGBT W h ng nn P n & An qu P H u n m O w g ffgffm B A nBBarrios, MD upda ed gu de o he bes LGBTQr hu N ART/ART ART ART GALLERIES/MUSEUMS GALLER ES MUSEUMS Cody C d Grizzoffi G ff Mortgage M g hn M g ART/ART ART ART GALLERIES/MUSEUMS GALLER ES MUSEUMS Cody C d Grizzoffi G Mortgage M g g C d G M g g N ART ART GALLER ES MUSEUMS C d G ff M g 100 N. N Jackson n St ..............................................713-224-5326 St .............................................................713/862-7444 100W.N N.n18th Jackson n St ..............................................713-224-5326 Brandon Newton/Compass ART/ART GALLERIES/MUSEUMS North Loop n2040 PWPu.............................................832/649-8422 Nh502 .......................................................................................

713/447-9201 Montrose M n CGG CCare/ uOD Lovero, OD AArchway Gallery G W AArchway Gallery G M C Eye u PPaul OD 507 MW West GGray ....................................................713/942-7546 AART GGhw West W Gray ....................................................713/942-7546 RRich’s Ahwhw hw W n507 Gnumero WRRich’s CCodygrizzoffi.com 832/541-1103 hR Fe nd C ............................................ mp ES MUSEUMS N520 W 832/541-1103 CCCodygrizzoffi.com dd ggnmN............................................

AArchway Gallery G Cd dg gBbrandon.newton@compass.com. mw n mm AArchway hw Gallery G SS nhn Fe ogy and A hw hw GART .............713/890-9108 JR’s/Santa R R202 SRSnTuam WGWugh 2305 Dunlavy....................................................713/522-2409 Dun Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Waugh Dr.....................................................713/352-0974 2305GALLER Dunlavy....................................................713/522-2409 Dun nRum202 DMDugh Dun nDnMD CW MD CCMDaro MD Dun uJR’s/Santa ...............................................................346/227-8613 Gordon G MD/Crofoot CCD MD uCARE–COUNSELING/THERAPY m ...............................................................346/227-8613 Gordon CCrofoot, MD/Crofoot MD MD m Tuam w @ m Loop m 2305CContemporary Dunlavy....................................................713/522-2409 Dun G d dn CCrofoot, nG C ddugh HEALTH PR NT NG COPY CENTERS Chicago Ch g Title –Inner nn Loop p PET SERVICES & SUPPLIES Dunlavy....................................................713/522-2409 Dun Ccamh.org n2305 mp A Mu um H u n PRINTING/COPY PR NT NG COPY CENTERS Chicago Ch g Title –Inner nn p Ch g nn p Dun PR NT NG COPY CENTERS Ch g nn p P n mp Arts A Museum Mu um Houston H u n 808 Pacific P ............................................................

713/521-2519 Contemporary C n mp Arts A Museum Mu um Houston H u n .......................................................................713/284-8250 808 PPacific ............................................................

713/521-2519 Richard Ray / Douglas Elliman Real Estate CC nn mp AA um Mu H um HHnuu nn NG THERAPY KCARE bb Veterinary SERV &gu SUPPL ES nESo one 3700C Bu mpAArts 3701HEALTH KKirby, bBayou 3701 Ste.1230........................................713/526-0005 SSouth uPHEALTH hu hCARE CContemporary Mu Museum Houston KPET bSte.1230........................................713/526-0005 h BBeach hCOUNSEL CContemporary mp Arts A Mu Museum MuHuum H 713/284-8250 u n 713/284-8250 PHARMAC ESES D. Flanigan, MS, LPA m SBBar uhPBBeach h“Woodja” BSSouth R...................................................................................................713-416-3931 hmSpeedway dpBu m nR HEALTH CARE/PHARMACIES CARE PHARMAC City Hospital Cncamh.org nmp mp um uum nHouston nKKirby, u SCES ve dance CCopy.com pRp dwdw mDSpeedway Buffalo HEALTH CARE PHARMAC Buffalo pugdw dw ................................713/418-7000 CpBu p3700 m Bu p................................713/418-7000 mh gncamh.org ..............................................................

BBBar mhAFinegMu ..............................................................

PPearl mh ggof Museum Arts, Houston 713/284-8250 PPearl P 808 DBPPacific W 808 d Fwy, n............................................................ g409 n .......................................713/589-9804 MS PA 713/521-0107 B4720 uSWashington Cnd n MD H p MM SSSandra nd uu ....................................................713/343-9909 ............................................................

M.MSSandra M uPh camh.org mhmh gmh ..............................................................

PPacific 713/521-0107 M.SScurria, SScurria, camh.org mhMu g n..............................................................

713/284-8250 2600 SW Ste Png R an A hm Snd ugm mVMD MD g nd Ph guum 4230 RRichmond nd AAve ..........................................713/528-1201 Legacy Pharmacy Ph m MD Mu AH H um un H nu n Rnnhm hm nd g W h ng n P H u n m Holocaust H Museum um Houston u 4216 Washington W h n ..................................PearlHouston.com P H u n m Lyn n Sullivan Su /Alamo A nd amo Holocaust H u Museum Mu Houston mfah.org..........................................................................713/639-7300 4216 Washington W h ng n ..................................PearlHouston.com P H u n m Lyn Sullivan Su anATitle /Alamo amo Title Tom Schwenk/Tom’s Galveston Su an AAeamo ee Real Estate HMuof Fine un AArts, Mu n H um H uHn u n n W hUnd ng nwThe P H u n m 6565 W n Su an A amo e W W p u h um A West Loop p South, u h Ste 300 ..............281/661-5901 6565 West W Loop p South, u h Ste 300 ..............281/661-5901 ser ous y spo on sess on Museum Mu um Houston u W p u h mm H m Theatre h Under h Stars S Museum um AofgFine nH AArts, Houston u n Daniel ............LegacyCommunityHealth.org/services/pharmacy m SannTomsgalvestonrealestate.com Theatre h ghGarza, Under Und h SStars m m hw mSteG520 .............................713/228-0801 nR Montrose Veterinary Mu umMu u nH mm mm H ClinicH m 4265 hDr. h SMDThe Felipe, 520 4265 n nFelipe, HMH.org HMH g ................................................................713/942-8000 pp .............................713/228-0801 PRRich’s HMH.org HMH ................................................................713/942-8000 n Sp San pnSte ....................713/857-2309 RRich’s HMH ggnCollection The Menil hnNUnd Rh Lopez h D3131 m h D G MD M n V n C n D Sm h AGPCNP BC C MD Derek D Smith, Sm h AGPCNP-BC/Crofoot AGPCNP BC C MD mfah.org m h g ................................................................713/639-7300 Derek D Smith, Sm h AGPCNP-BC/Crofoot AGPCNP BC C MD mfah.org m h g ................................................................713/639-7300 REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE Eastside St, Ste 4 ..........................................281/610-8190 Victor Rocky Hollub m ESTATE mT TTLE Sm hd Ph BC Cm MD R RMontrose m..............................................................713-524-3814 mMu h1533 gSulnof REAL ESTATE ESTATE–MORTGAGE/TITLE MORTGAGE BBagby, um 200Suite .....................................tuts.com/out u u m muu u mD S uS 1701 SScott Pharmacy h um M C n um nH 800 BBagby, gb uD 200 .....................................tuts.com/out REAL MORTGAGE TLE T TLE dAGPCNP PhRRead md Ph Bgbgb GuSuite nu...............................................................346/227-8613 Museum Fine AArts, Houston 202 800 Tuam u um ...............................................................346/227-8613 Museum nHu AArts, Houston u n Ross 202 Tuam VJ Tramonte/Joe Tramonte Realty Mu umMu n........................................................................menil.org Aof Fine u n nH m M K b h M n C n 3701 Kirby, K b Ste.1230........................................713/526-0005 3701 Kirby, K b Ste.1230........................................713/526-0005 The h hm Menil M n Collection C n K b W ugh D h m Menil M n Barry Gritz, MD Waugh W DDrive................................................83/649-3142 R nh CCollection m Vn1802 m nREALTORS m nFriedman nM nESTATE dm nFriedman/J g ggn M West Alabama Clinic nThe CCorner nhnBBeach W 536 ugh D ughAnimal Janet ndm ndm Mortgage g g REAL ESTATE–REALTORS CCorner PPocket REAL ESTATE–REALTORS ESTATE REALTORS n dmdm n .............................

MRdm g 409/765-9837 REAL ESTATE REALTORS mfah.org nDr. n F.PPocket Ph n MD RSSouth REAL ESTATE REALTORS mfah.org gn................................................................713/639-7300 Broadway/Galveston SSouth uTony’s hnBBeach huhCTony’s muMhRRoss h gC................................................................713/639-7300 g...............................................................menil.org S u h B h u R m n g D B G W A b m An m C n M gg Wh MPH NP BC AAH VS Maggie M gg White,MPH Wh MPH FNP-BC NP BC AAHIVS/ AAH VS 1533 Sul m n g Maggie M gg White,MPH Wh MPH FNP-BC NP BC AAHIVS/ AAH VS 1533 Sul u Ross R ...............................................................menil.org m n g 2211 Norfolk Street, Suite 37 ...........................713/869-7400 B w G M gg 2030 Wh W. Alabama.....................................................713/528-0818 MPH NP BC AAH VS ASTROLOGER dm ndm u Rn The m n g 808817 W.808 W DDallas nwm W. DDallas W .......................................................832/722-7658 dm u .......................................................832/722-7658 m David D g nJFriedmanLoans.com CngCgmp The hASTROLOGER Menil PPacific ............................................................

713/521-0107 David BBatagower/Compass w m nCCRRealty mp RRRealty h CM Menil n nCCollection n PPacific ............................................................

713/521-0107 D d BBatagower/Compass d BDD gdwdnBw mp Rmpm ....................................713-785-5626 hM M nCCollection n P W ND817 W A m W n B b g Wellness W n Bar B by b Legacy g Wellness W n Bar B by b Legacy g W n B b g RESTAURANTS/COFFEE/WINE BARS Lilly Astrology Everybody Needs Somebody/Jim Benton, A.BS HEALTH CARE PHYS HEALTH CARE–PHYSICIANS Mortgage g g mm ASTROLOGER HEALTH CARE PHYSC PHYS CANS ANSC ANS bbayoucitypropertygroup.com p GpCCody puupffd ffMGGrizzoffi gppMgup mg ................713/253-8609 dbGbbayoucitypropertygroup.com gffgCOFFEE 1533 Sul uRRoddy m mn n gmTheatre up STheatre Bdh Und hS d The ppgup gM 1533 u RRoss ASTROLOGER b CuCduRESTAURANTS mup uRRoss R ...............................................................menil.org ghnh gUnd ASTROLOGER Under WW hh mm CARE W................713/253-8609 NE BARS hu bh The Under hS m SStars ASTROLOGER dd ASul g ...............................................................menil.org b d m B n n A BS 120 W Westheimer h120 .................................................713/814-3730 Und hNSStars Westheimer .................................................713/814-3730 W PHOTOGRAPHERS hm m .................................................................................................713/529-5842 everybodyneedssomebody.me....................281/504-7721 C d BB’s mm O BO MD FFINANCIAL ALNANC PLANNING PLANN CCodygrizzoffi.com ghwHHouse mump ............................................

Octavio BBarrios, MD FFINANCIAL ALmNG PLANNING PLANN dBgDwDDavid gw Tex BDeHart MD FNANC NANC AL David D hOOrleans mp Gmp House u n CnCCompany/Galveston mp ddBdBBowers/The w HCH nn Lilly RRoddy D dCBBowers/The dBB Hnu uhhCCompany/Galveston G nn GnG n 832/541-1103 RRoddy ddAg AAstrology m NG 800 BBagby, Suite uPBBagby, 200PLANN .....................................tuts.com/out u u m muu u m u O PHOTOGRAPHERS Dalton Photography RddLilly ddRAAstrology Add g g g 800 Suite uCenter 200NG .....................................tuts.com/out BgbThe gb u gb ASTROLOGER 515 Westheimer .......................................................

713/524-4499 ASTROLOGER W G Montrose ASTROLOGER Ch gD nndB pnnp mmLoop West GGray ....................................................713/942-7546 Chicago Ch gm Title –Inner p W DDaltonDehart.com n507 DG W HSERV Ph g phCES Ch g nn HEALTH CARE SERV David@DavidBowers.com D d@D dB w m .......................409/763-2800 Richard R h d Dickson/Galene D n G n Financial n n David@DavidBowers.com d@D dB w .......................409/763-2800 HEALTH CARE–SERVICES CARE CES D d@D w Richard R h d Dickson/Galene D n G n Financial n n ......................................................................................713/529-5842 HEALTH CARE–SERVICES CARE SERV CES h Und h S D d@D dB w m ......................................................................................713/529-5842 R h d D n G n n HEALTH CARE SERV CES W ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES ..................................................713/622-2202 hCTony’s Mn PPocket n CCorner C PPocket n Tony’s n n CCorner nnBranard n 401 ..................................................................713/529-0037 P Lilly Roddy R dd Astrology A g Lilly Roddy R dd Astrology A g Dessert Gallery R dd A g MD ATTORNEYS LEGAL SERV CES pBuffalo mC uC MD Gordon nMD CCrofoot, MD/Crofoot C MD 520DDallas PPost OOak Ste .....................................713/489-4322 dw ................................713/418-7000 CDHouston MD 520 PPost780 OOak Ste 780 .....................................713/489-4322 Bu dwRnnSpeedway KKaren Derr/Karen K3700 Derr D RRealty Group/Compass G upup C GCG mpmp PB .......................................................832/722-7658 KKaren Derr/Karen Derr Group/Compass up CC mp mp nKnDD DpD RGRRealty up AdnHpCnG nnHduHH K nD nDDKBu npDKKdw B Ogb u.......................................................832/722-7658 u m AAllies uA G GinndDHHope deborah Lawson Gn Bu in Hope Houston u nn MD 817 W W. W. W DDallas pH uppn HnH ATTORNEYS LEGAL SERV W Matt D817 ......................................................................................713/529-5842 DessertGallery.com .............................................

713-522-9999 ATTORNEYS/LEGAL ATTORNEYS LEGAL SERVICES SERV CES KnAAllies b 3701 ATTORNEYS/LEGAL LEGAL SERVICES SERV CES Carrillo Counseling + psychotherapy PLUMBING ATTORNEYS SERV CESCES dlawsonlegal.net b ATTORNEYS h......................................................................................713/529-5842 wLEGAL n.........................................................713/478-2618 Khh b KKirby, Grace G dnYung/Midtown Financial n wn karenderr.com ndnnd ...................................................713/875-7050 an A Aamo nn b ggSte.1230........................................713/526-0005 Grace Mnd nng n nh h p nd ...................................................713/875-7050 nd mm Lyn Sullivan an Aeamo G M Yung/Midtown ung dung wn n+ pFinancial aihhouston.org hhhhu uPLUMB nhh m DSu GnanSu m /Alamo nkarenderr.com Sum amo e Titlee aihhouston.org ..................................................713/623-6796 nung CM M Pun CG Cwn n guSu..................................................713/623-6796 guNG d b h w n ddeborah b h Lawson w n Matt-Trietsch.com ...................................................512/591-8510 Frost Town Brewing deborah d b h Lawson w n w M S nd MD Metro and d ATTORNEYS b h ATTORNEYS w n LEGAL SERV M.Plumbing M SSandra nd u Backflow MD nu4265 3355MAAlabama, bW3355 Steb180 713/355-9833 Felipe, 520 .............................713/228-0801 BAR GU M 360 SAAAvenue ndnu S360 u SScurria, MD m ................................

Ste 180 ................................

713/355-9833 n wn pBnnof ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES ANANC bmDPLANN mAAlabama, ATTORNEYS/LEGAL LEGAL SERVICES SERV Houston H u n HAAssociation AAvenue Olivieri Law Houston AAssociation ofRRRealtors SERVCES CES CES nnpASan wRRealtors ng nu FFINANCIAL AL PLANNING NG nH AuN. nSt Rp nnSte wglawsonlegal.net g gn LEGAL A nunuM FFINANCIAL AL m PLANNING PLANN P umb ng hnd B uhw BG FNANC NANC ALPLANN NG NG BAR lawsonlegal.net w wGATTORNEYS nGonzalez BAR Jackson .....................................................713-224-5326 wnn nw n Immigration .................................................

713/478-2618 W Wnu pW Christine Wysong metroplumbing.us 346/955-4939H u 100 6565 West Ste 300 ..............281/661-5901 BAR Onb................................................. mm gn n 713/478-2618 w p gugLoop u............................................... hp South, ddeborah bGnbn hg Lawson nhnLawson AAvenue360.org g ..................................................713/426-0027 wmm.......................................713/481-3040 N mm .................................................................. nu ..................................................713/426-0027 hhar.com mGiacomo’s ..................................................................

713/629-1900 dgonzalezolivierillc.com hddeborah wImmigration Ch nndW ng 713/629-1900 A nu numAAAvenue360.org gmAGPCNP hhhar.com O g n w h m Richard R h d Dickson/Galene D G n Financial n n Richard R h Dickson/Galene D n G n Financial n n Read ngs ava ab e a Gonzalez G n Olivieri O mm g n Law w 2211 Norfolk Street, Suite 37 ...........................713/869-7400 cibo e vino R h d D n G n n Gonzalez G n Olivieri O Immigration mm g n Law w m D Sm h BC C MD G lawsonlegal.net nw w n nOglawsonlegal.net mm gn ................................................. n w REAL ESTATE REALTORS Derek D Smith, Sm hunAGPCNP AGPCNP-BC/Crofoot BCH CMDh MD FITNESS F TNESS CLUBS/PERSONAL CLUBS PERSONAL TRAINING TRA N NG REAL ESTATE–REALTORS ESTATE REALTORS FITNESS F TNESS CLUBS/PERSONAL CLUBS PERSONAL TRAINING TRA N NG D Sm h AGPCNP BC C n .................................................

713/478-2618 REAL ESTATE REALTORS F TNESS CLUBS PERSONAL TRA N NG w n g 713/478-2618 H H h C Pub g n Harris H Health H h County C un Public Pub Health H h F NANC AL PLANN NG Eric Kirkpatrick Law N G m b n Harris H Health H h County C un Public Pub Health H h Debbie D nbb nhhn bbn n International POOLS POOL SERVICES g nggonzalezolivierillc.com Debbie SInternational n R nn RRRealty h C&KKirby, un Pub H h DD bb nn n nRRealty 520CClub PPost OOak Ste .....................................713/489-4322 Dbbbb Levine/Sotheby’s n S Levine/Sotheby’s S h nhbn bS......................................................713/522-1934 520 PPost OOak 780 .....................................713/489-4322H POOLS ggonzalezolivierillc.com m ................................

713/481-3040 3215 Westheimer ................................

713/481-3040 KH Kb 3701 gnGGonzalez n 713/893-0305 mCw m m Ste.1230........................................713/526-0005 K nGonzalez p n ...............................................Kirkpatricklaw.com ub Houston H n780 POOL SERV CES Houston u Sten-DENTISTS BhW ngng &m V .....................................713/942-6857 hbhBMS hhun un ggo .........

CP ub HOuhCClub u ub nH dm& Olivieri O LLC Publichealth.harriscountytx.gov Pub h Venture h hbh hhh& un gBooks .........

713/439-6293 e 713/439-6293 Olivieri O C Bbb dmdm Vng & VVolkers sothebysrealty.com hBhbB b sothebysrealty.com .....................................713/942-6857 mBBallard/Engel HEALTH CARE Publichealth.harriscountytx.gov Pub hBBrooks Gn np K G C LLC Pub hPub gun Pools pOLaw w RFannin dYung/Midtown DCARE VETERAN Grace G Yung/Midtown ung M2205 wn Financial nGwn Grace G Mnnnd nDENT nSTS nn n Ericggonzalezolivierillc.com KKirkpatrick w ns ag am @p0pas o ogy Gloria’s Latin Cuisine G 2205 ung M dung wn n nFinancial KKirkpatrick w OWNED w713/481-3040 m M Mgg Wh MPH NP BCBC AAH VS nn ndCity ......................................................713/659-4998 HEALTH p ggonzalezolivierillc.com Maggie M gg White,MPH Wh MPH FNP-BC NP BC AAHIVS/ AAH VS Fannin nn ......................................................713/659-4998 G V n u P gg Wh MPH NP AAH VS nn n 309 Gray..................................................................

G nK nEric mLaw ................................

713/481-3040 Lynette n Lew/Better w B Homes H m and nd Gardens G d n n p wImmigration mLaw ................................

G H u n H h D p m n Lynette n Lew/Better w B Homes H m and nd Gardens n w B H m nd GG dd nn 713/522-7474 g m Houston H u n Health h Department D p m n Anna Schwartz Bayou Smiles/Marcus de Guzman, DDS n w B H m nd G d n ..................................................................................................

713/447-9201 G n Cu n Houston H u n Health H h Department D p m n w w3355 m m AAlabama, H Wu nn H W hbnD Zoom p mbbyn Legacy StebOSm 180 m ................................

SteM180 u................................

713/893-0305........................................Kirkpatricklaw.com K nK p w ..................................................................................GloriasCuisine.com ABb3355 bmuPmCAAlabama, 713/893-0305........................................Kirkpatricklaw.com B Bon og vhhoustontx.gov au phone RMP pK K p wp w m m Ann SpEric hw KKirkpatrick mm g 42046 d 713/355-9833 Gu m n 713/355-9833 DDS W ................................................................................... n Wellness b gBBar g popas o ogy ead ngs com D d B g w C mp R LynetteLew.com. n w m ..............................................713/582-2202 h u n g David D d Batagower/Compass B g w C mp RRealty Eric Kirkpatrick K Law w LynetteLew.com. n m ..............................................713/582-2202 n w m ................................................................................... n g p Law w D d B g w C mp R schwartzimmigration.com ...............................713/337-5270 2313 Edwards St., Ste. 150 ....................................713/518-1411 n w m G C m houstontx.gov h u n g K p w h u n g FLOOR COVERINGS NGS Ann S hw mm gLaw n nw G COVER ung M d wn NGS n n FLOOR COVERINGS COVER FLOOR COVER NGS W h m OutSmart’s Ou Smar s Bar Guide Gu de is s now on your phone! phone Anna Ann Schwartz S hw Immigration mm g n w McHugh Tearoom 120 Westheimer W h m .................................................713/814-3730 OutSmart’s Ou Smar s Bar Guide Gu de is s now on your phone! phone OutSmart’s Ou Smar s Bar Guide Gu de is s now on your phone! phone Anna Ann Schwartz S hw Immigration mm g Law w w mm m w OutSmart’s Ou Smar s Bar Guide Gu de is s now on your phone! phone W h m Ou Smar s Bar Gu de s now on your phone Ann S hw mm g n w PRINTING/COPY CENTERS Ou Smar sSmar Gu de your phone OutSmart’s Smar sBar Guide is spnow phone! udBRRichard pnow gsElliman up m OutSmart’s Ou Gu de your phone! phone uNug pm pyour gElliman up m................713/253-8609 713/893-0305........................................Kirkpatricklaw.com K K p pIII, P.C. mm Ou Smar sBar Bar de snow on your phone RRichard hbsGu dMde RRay Douglas D m nmp RReal Estate 713/893-0305........................................Kirkpatricklaw.com K wp wBEST wFloor mCory pdDnug p on gnnow h/bbayoucitypropertygroup.com RRay /on Douglas D ug m n RReal Estate nd wis Cup gNT CCCommunity mmun HH hhOu Office of Sam M..........................713/337-5270 Yates, Logan, DDS RGu hbBar RusGuide m non Rmphone Hugh g g PR CCommunity Health H hw n(Trey) mm A ngbng m Legacy gmmun mmun Health CCoverings International nPERSONAL FFITNESS TNESS CLUBS/PERSONAL CLUBS PERSONAL TRAINING NG COPY Floor CCoverings International n TRA n NN nNG Cmmun H h hCENTERS FFITNESS CLUBS/PERSONAL CLUBS TRAINING TRA N NG Legacy CTNESS n nngnPERSONAL n TRA schwartzimmigration.com hwhwLaw mm g gmm ngmn gMm F TNESS CLUBS NG 5305 Bissonnet St. .................................................713/218-6300 schwartzimmigration.com hw mm n .........................713/337-5270 mm m w Off S P C C g n DDS Copy.com Scan here to oohere out our d directory of Do dour Bour w hwrec urec mp no ........................................................................................713-416-3931 Scan to oo ou check out our directory d ory of Scan here to out ou directory d rec ory of o dnour BBowers/The hCmp n Anna Ann SSchwartz hw Immigration mm gMg Immigration n Law w w n Law ........................................................................................713-416-3931 bou nd nou n@ mG mp Scan here to check ou out d directory rec ory o of here ocheck ou rec ooCHHouse Anna Ann SSchwartz hw mm w Dou dour Bou wd hwHory Hory uo mp nCCompany/Galveston G n nG n treyyateslaw.com .....................................................713/932-7177 530ub BDDavid Scan here ocheck check ou drec rec ory here to ocheck out our d directory ory o of Ann SOff mm ngIII, CARE CC mmun HgHCES hScan gScan PLUMBING Scan here to check out directory d rec of o ngng nng HEALTH CARE–SERVICES CARE LegacyCommunityHealth.org gHEALTH CC4230 mmun Hmmun h h.................................................713/528-1201 ...............832/548 5000 floorcoveringsinternational.com m713/942-8598 ....... 832/280-6646 here ocheck check our dour rec ory ou ory w m P CPP.C. CClub ub Houston H nWaugh CARE SERV CES pggmmun m h Scan gCES ...............832/548 5000 n n n n m ....... mn 832/280-6646 Houston u nDDr.nn.......................................................... gHEALTH CLegacyCommunityHealth.org HSERV gSERV C floorcoveringsinternational.com ub Hu CClub uW nH Law wschwartzimmigration.com Office Off of Sam Shw M. M Sof Yates, PP.C. CP C III, Niko Niko’s Law wmm Office Off SSam M. M (Trey) Yates, C wgm m(Trey) Richmond Ave w Off Sm M Dm d@D wHous DDavid@DavidBowers.com d@D dB hw nm Tom m SSchwenk/Tom’s nm Galveston G nHous RReal Estate hw mm DShw d@D dB wHous Tom SSchwenk/Tom’s hw nHous mmwm Galveston G nR RReal Estate Rin hand ddB Rm DHous ug n.......................409/763-2800 hw wschwartzimmigration.com mm n gm .........................713/337-5270 m n m .........................713/337-5270 Montrose DDS/Samuel A. Carrell,TRA DDS N NG RRyan hw nn m GHous n on Rm m N2520 Nand COMPANY LGBTQ bars and cclubs ubs in n and around Houston, on F2205 CLUBS PERSONAL w gw m RRRyan Wh nn ng CCCouncil un 2205 Fannin nn nTNESS ......................................................713/659-4998 LGBTQ bars and clubs c ubs in n around Houston, Hous on LGBTQ bars and clubs c ubs in n and around Houston, on ACLGBTQ Fannin nn n ......................................................713/659-4998 White nnm CCouncil un LGBTQ bars and clubs c ubs n around Houston, on An Wh n PPlanning HnRnAAllies pWh Hng uPPPlanning nLGBTQ bars and c ubs n and around on n White nn ng un in n Hope H p Houston H u n nn n LGBTQ bars and c ubs n and around on bars and clubs c ubs in n and around Houston, treyyateslaw.com m..............................................713/932-7177 Montrose ..........................................................713/528-4976 R n Wh P nn ng un A H p H u n LGBTQ bars and clubs c ubs in and around Houston, Hous on treyyateslaw.com m ..............................................713/932-7177 LGBTQ bars and c ubs n and around Hous on w m M n DDS S mu A C DDS GARDENING/LANDSCAPING GARDEN NG LANDSCAP NGNG NG GARDENING/LANDSCAPING NG LANDSCAP DnmDM n DnnDK RmRnm G GRRealty upup C CG mpmp Tomsgalvestonrealestate.com mKmgK gnTomsgalvestonrealestate.com ngKn Kn DDerr/Karen ...............713/857-2309 KKaren Derr D Group/Compass up C mp GARDEN Law ww Office Off ofwSam SOff M. MSALES Yates, III,Yates, PP.C. CP C III, P.C. m ...............713/857-2309 Office of Sam S m M. M (Trey) PC 620 ........................................................713/529-4364 OffLaw Sm m M(Trey) AUTOMOTIVE nnnc gggud C ubWGARDEN HAlabama uNG nLANDSCAP REAL ESTATE–MORTGAGE/TITLE RWPCHouston.org RWPCH uRWPCH nnhh 713/572-3784 hhhh uRWPCH RWPCHouston.org ..........................................

713/572-3784 nnc ..................................................713/623-6796 RWPCH uu aihhouston.org nn gguuu.......................................... gg including 15 01 0 ng your favorites avor es in n Galveston, Ga ves Huntsville, Hun sv eeRRealty Riva’s Italian Restaurant including nc ud ng your favorites avor es in n Galveston, Ga ves on Huntsville, Hun including ud ng your favorites avor es in nes Galveston, Ga ves on Huntsville, Hun sv including nc ud ng your favorites avor es in n Galveston, Ga on Huntsville, Hun nc ud ng your avor es nn Ga ves on sv eesv AUTOMOT nc ud ng your avor es Ga ves on Hun Fountains unMontrose nWFountains SStatuary un u& SStatuary including nc ud ng favorites avor es in Galveston, on Huntsville, Hun eR esvee e AUTOMOT VE..............................................713/932-7177 REPA RSRS FLOOR COVERINGS COVER REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE Tyour TLE nd uT. Faulk, DDS including nc ud ng your favorites in nmon Galveston, Ga ves Huntsville, Hun FLOOR COVERINGS COVER NGS treyyateslaw.com w m karenderr.com nd ...................................................713/875-7050 VVJ Tramonte/Joe mn nGa Tramonte nHun un nA&un & Sm ng your avor n Ga ves on Hun sv treyyateslaw.com wREPA FLOOR COVER AUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOT VE REPA REPAIRS RS VVJnd Tramonte/Joe mhw nm Tramonte nsv m Sves nves nsv wVE mSALES AUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOT VE REPAIRS DDS/Austin Vavor nes nm RmGon nnNGS nNGS Rm nm Rm uRRealty n sv Fred Haas World AUTOMOT VEToyota REPA RSm..............................................713/932-7177 SFoundation HH pp nuFoundation nnnc ud Janet Friedman/J Friedman Mortgage SSt.SH Hope und nund A HAp nu St. S Hope und Avenue A 360 1117 Missouri St .........................................................713/529-3450 p und n nu M n DDS Au n u DDS 11804 Hempstead H mp d ..............................................713/957-3672 d H W d 11804 Hempstead AAu ng International nH n nghdm nSpr dm n Spr M gCo gand Spring, Spr ng and College Co ege Station.

S Whether her you’re ayou’re 1802 dw Gher HW mp d ........................................................713/529-4364 Floor CCoverings ng International n nd ..............................................713/957-3672 nUS TODAY! n m bm Pyou dbnher Rnyou’re Spring, Spr ng and College Co ege Station.

S aWhether on Whether Whe you re Spring, ng and College Co ege Station.

Sege Whe you’re you reSher areadare 1802 dw Gyou m gBBroadway/Galveston nPyou m RESIDENTIAL Floor CCoverings Tom Eickleberry/Pride Pyou’re C620 ng n nmp n CALL Spring, Spr ng College Co ege Station.

SBBroadway/Galveston am on Whe her you re AActive Auto/Good GAu d Year Alabama ng and SSaaHous aaSon on her re BWhe Gher nSre M FredHaasToyota.com bWhether d........................409/765-9837 RSStreet AActive Auto/Good Gd d.........................................832/764-8914 Year Spr and Co ege Whe you re Spring, Spr ng and College Co ege Station.

S aon on Whether Whe her you’re a........................409/765-9837 ggKa JFriedmanLoans.com ...........................................713-785-5626 Spring, ng and College Co ege Station.

SWhe adw on Whether Whe you a A AUTOMOT Au G Au dGREPA offeringhope.org p pAAvenue360.org gnu ...............................................713/778-1300 A ngh nu g7951 and Co aon on Whe her you a aareRRealty offeringhope.org ...............................................713/778-1300 gSpr ..................................................713/426-0027 ngh g pgp Spr nu AUTOMOTIVE VE REPAIRS RSREPA yng Fng wy Su eege N 713 993 AUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOT REPAIRS RS Salt Sugar Restaurant WN ANnhu AUTOMOT VE REPA nmAnVE floorcoveringsinternational.com ng nm mAn.......

832/280-6646 mngh m Joshua’s huFLOOR Native PPlants nnnnNGS & Antiques An floorcoveringsinternational.com ng n& n qu m ....... mon H&TX u u77024 mumu• mh Joshua’s Native PPlants nqu & An Antiques qu 832/280-6646 A Cody TomSellsHoustonHomes.com...................713/201-5257 Hw nH mh 0550 ng nCOVER nPN m hu 6427 W Washington hH ng nh AAve. ...................................713/861-1000 Hmm nH m Vgo n nH m nw Rsh Washington hAdng AAve.RS ...................................713/861-1000 W 6427 hWAActive ngW nng Sm &covered Sug R............................................................. nh Planet Ford AND COMMERCIAL 346.955.4939 oca or aCARE vvisitor, ssor or we’ve we ve got go you covered with hhCOFFEE this ssNE Grizzoffi Mortgage local oca aaor vvisitor, ssor or we’ve we ve got go you covered with w this ssh713/780-4351 local oca or aor vvisitor, or we’ve ve got go you covered with w this h H H HEALTH H HH h ChCARE unlocal Hoca hv local or visitor, v or we’ve we ve got you covered with h this oca or a s or we ve go you w h h Harris Health H hPub CCounty un Public Pub Health H hwe RESTAURANTS/COFFEE/WINE RESTAURANTS COFFEE W NE BARS oca or a v s or we ve go you covered w s local oca a visitor, v s or we’ve we ve got go you covered with w this h s AActive Auto/Good Year 1073 Silber Rd C un Pub H h RESTAURANTS/COFFEE/WINE RESTAURANTS W NE BARS local oca a visitor, v s or we’ve we ve got go you covered with w h this s Auto/Good HEALTH CARE-HIV/STD TESTING RESTAURANTS COFFEE W BARS oca or a v s we ve go you covered w h h s Au dG G Au d G d Year 502 W. W 18th h St .....................................................

713/862-7444 C ng n n n SK N PA20403 n Au 502 W. W 18th h St .....................................................

713/862-7444 HEALTH CARE–SKIN CARE CCodygrizzoffi.com d CARE G SK gSKg N CARE W h CARE H V STD TEST NG HEALTH CARE–SKIN Bcom H Hu u n AnH nGn R R nnof RRealtors HEALTH SKMN N CARE Houston Rdwn AAssociation I-45 Spring TX 77388 ........................866/879-9328 BMShouston ...................................................

832/541-1103 AurO HEALTH Pub hCARE h hh hhffCARE g ggu GARDENING/LANDSCAPING GARDEN NGNGLANDSCAP Publichealth.harriscountytx.gov Pub hgun hng un g to 713/439-6293 PLUMBING & BACKFLOW GARDENING/LANDSCAPING GARDEN NGMetroplumbing.us NG 6427 Washington W h ng nVE AAve. un ed BB’s BB Tex Orleans O nTex 6427 Washington n AAve. ...................................713/861-1000 GARDEN LANDSCAP NG BB’s BB nend updated guide de oo......... he best bes LGBTQ-friendly LGBTQyryryspaces spaces.

W VE h SALES ngW nhSALES Ang...................................713/861-1000 updated upda ed guide gu de to oobes the he best bes LGBTQ-friendly end yy spaces spaces. updated upda ed guide gu de to the he best bes LGBTQ-friendly LGBTQrOrleans end spaces. spaces Avenue 360 BB O LGBTQnLGBTQng nLANDSCAP n NG n m updated upda ed guide gu de to the he best bes LGBTQ-friendly LGBTQend spaces. spaces AUTOMOT ed gu de othe he LGBTQrmrend end spaces ung nnupda CuBBBeyoutifulantiaging mupda upda ed gu de o he bes LGBTQend y spaces updated upda ed guide gu de to o the he best bes LGBTQ-friendly LGBTQr y spaces. spaces BBeyoutifulantiaging uPub nh nuu gTitle updated upda ed guide gu de to o the he best bes LGBTQ-friendly r end y spaces spaces. u g ng AUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOT upda ed gu de o he bes LGBTQr end y spaces AUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOT VE SALES B u u g ng TRAVEL/TRAVEL AGENCIES h m AUTOMOT VE SALES Planet Lincoln har.com h ..................................................................

713/629-1900 A nu Chicago –Inner Loop h m H H13th u uh St. n HH Dhn DH p p mh m n pn 713/547-5656 Fountains unun nAvenue360.org &un SStatuary un u& SStatuary Houston u hhh St. Health Department D m n Fountains u 515 W Westheimer h515 Tech Auto Maintenance M nC ndn n n n M C nAND & SNA Westheimer h m ...............................................

713/524-4499 RESTAURANTS COFFEE W NE BARS Auto Au Maintenance WTRAVEL hmW m ............................................... hn AuTech TRAVEL AGENC 713/524-4499 ES 314 E. PChH nAu nHMhCCadillac/Tony ndnunnnM 314 E. ....................................................

713/547-5656 HAIR HA NAIL L SALONS Ch g H13th nn p unSpring h n....................................................

HAIR HA Rmp AND NAIL NA L SALONS RmpAND NA L..........................................................713/426-0027 SALONS CCentral Houston nd nM McClelland I-45 77388 .......................888/242-5059 AHRmp bbConcierge nbbOnTravel, S Levine/Sotheby’s CCentral nu37 Houston CCadillac/Tony McClelland MndC nd nd 3700 Buffalo Speedway ......................................713/418-7000 GARDEN NG Debbie D n n Rn R n RRealty Cn37n 204031 Huugh nH C dD MC C n nd h hu u n nhhoustontx.gov gug nCh 11804 HA Hempstead H d ..............................................713/957-3672 bb S hLupita hbnInc b S n hn bn n International ................................................................................... gDpuDpu 11804 Hempstead H d ..............................................713/957-3672 Waugh W ugh DDr.nW ......................................................

713/863-8244 d NG LANDSCAP Waugh ugh Dr.nTX......................................................

713/863-8244 M n M d Sp Chapultepec p Lupita up BB n W D Chapultepec Ch pu p up Montrose M n Med M d Spa Sp Legacy Community Health C n g n Montrose M n Med M d Spa Sp Ch p up p W n h u n d m B w M n M d Sp Hair H by b Saint S n Rose/Timothy R m h Silmon S m n Hair H n uRRose/Timothy m n 2621 S Loop pW u un n nhdud n mdm Joshua’s Mimosa 713/661-2117 h4920 mm S CPPlants nnbby Rn&SSaint mHnquh &hSAn mhqu n SSilmon 2621 S...............

Loopp centralhoustoncadillac.com Wn............... mhuH N sothebysrealty.com h b .................................................................. m .....................................713/942-6857 pW n h hcentralhoustoncadillac.com hb813nd bW gbNunhu mmun /Alamo Antiques An Joshua’s Native PPlants gDLyn CSullivan H H Title h H 813 RRichmond .....................................................713/522-2365 Legacy gmmun mmun Health h hu.........................................................LegacyCommunityHealth.org PN nS &b & An qu Antiques 2505 DDunlavy 7 13/485 -5027 hm h nd m .....................................................713/522-2365 g2505 CDmmun DDunlavy 7 13/485 -5027 MRRichmond Rnhmhm nd BANKING/FINANCIAL dToyota Hd H d dINSTITUTIONS 1512 W.Native W AAlabama bH bmmp 346/802-2183 1512 W. W AAlabama n Su......................................................... n CCommunity A......................................................... m 520h...................................713/228-0801 Fredd H Haas World W dW wm H HBm m nd GmG d and AW. mh...............................................

Haas Toyota World W nwB B Lew/Better w Homes H Gardens d n dBANK H Fred W d VE n Lynette nd dnndnG C713/862-7444 mm H 346/802-2183 dm ...............................................

San NG FVE NANC ALSALES NST TUT ONS 502 W W.W18th hWSt .....................................................

SSSkin nnCLegacyCommunityHealth.org RnRRenaissance nnnFelipe, nnSte OOB h gMD B...............832/548 MD 502 18th St .....................................................

713/862-7444 AUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOT VE SALES SSkin n RRenaissance n4265 Laser/Octavio O OhLaser/Octavio BBarrios, hW AUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOT g C mmun H g Barrios, B MD Dessert D Gallery G AUTOMOT SALES g C mmun H 5000 Dessert D Gallery G dH m S n R n MD Ch pu p up Houston Federal Credit Union g mmun H h g D G FredHaasToyota.com dHdH m ..................................832/764-8914 n w m FredHaasToyota.com dH LynetteLew.com. nw m w m ..............................................713/582-2202 mC d mUn..................................832/764-8914 HEALTH hu NCARE–OPTOMETRISTS P n & An qu W GWh HHoustonFCU.org uH nFred ddH nd 507 RW West GGray ....................................................713/942-7546 507 West W GGray ....................................................713/942-7546 DDessertGallery.com Gn DDessertGallery.com mm .......................................713-522-9999 Fred d Haas Toyota World W d G m .......................................713-522-9999 W G R hm nd n Wh P nn ng C un d Haas Toyota World W ..................................................866/OUR-HFCU D G Ryan R n White Planning P nn ng Council C un P n d H W d HEALTH CARE OPTOMETR STS R n Wh P nn ng C un PPlanet Ford d dn CUFordd R Rh h d RdRRichard m PPlanet HEALTH CARE–COUNSELING/THERAPY CARE–COUNSEL NG RRay Douglas ugmn RnElliman R Estate HEALTH CARE–COUNSELING/THERAPY CARE–COUNSEL NG THERAPY PnFredHaasToyota.com nHdH R h D dDug ug / D R m n Real Boutique Eye Care/Juliet Farmer, ODTHERAPY HEALTH CARE–COUNSEL NGTHERAPY W h CARE–COUNSEL OUR H CU m m..................................832/764-8914 HEALTH CARE–COUNSELING/THERAPY NG RWPCH uRWPCH gug nSHg ..........................................

Frost Town wn BBrewing ngngBBrewing dHTX m ..................................832/764-8914 CARE–COUNSELING/THERAPY NG THERAPY RWPCHouston.org 713/572-3784 Town wn w ng DFrost G dH HEALTH CARE–COUNSEL NG THERAPY RWPCH u n FURN nFURN wn Bw w B HEALTH uCARE–COUNSEL qu C Ste. u A ................................... mTHERAPY OD 20403 I-45 Spring pFredHaasToyota.com 77388 ...................

866/879-9328 20403 I-45 png ng TX 77388 ................... 866/879-9328 HOME NGS ........................................................................................713-416-3931 png ngp Spring HOME FURNISHINGS/ACCE FURN SH NGS SORIE SOR SESOR HOME FURNISHINGS/ACCE SHACCE NGSSACCE ACCE SORIE ESS NN. Jackson D. D“Woodja” D W1806 d Westheimer, Flanigan, MS, CHURCHES/SPIRITUAL CENTERS HOME FURN SH NGS ACCE S SORSESSOR S E100 D. D W n dgn gn Flanigan, n LPA gPAnPAMS MS, LPA PA 713/528-2010 W d “Woodja” nMS MS nN St ..............................................713-224-5326 Planet P n Ford d 100 N. Jackson n St ..............................................713-224-5326 D G m S H p und n Planet P n Ford d N n St. S Hope H p Foundation und n W m A P n n n D. D “Woodja” W d Flanigan, n g n MS, MS LPA PA P n d S H p und n D. D “Woodja” W d Flanigan, n g n MS, MS LPA PA CHURCHES SP R TUAL CENTERS D W d n g n MS PA PPlanet Lincoln nPPlanet n nLincoln mm S Shwhw nmnSSchwenk/Tom’s m mnG G m nG Rn R n n Tom hw Galveston n RReal Estate Pn20403 nBering n nChurch nng 2600Eye SW WGallery Fwy, w w Ste 409 2600 SW W Fwy, w .................................713/589-9804 Ste 409 .................................713/589-9804 Eklektik Interiors n n offeringhope.org Eklektik Interiors HEALTH CARE–COUNSEL NG THERAPY I-45 p phng TX 77388 ...................

866/879-9328 ngh Giacomo’s G cibo bTomsgalvestonrealestate.com 20403 I-45 p ..................888/242-5059 ng 77388 ................... 866/879-9328 nghg p g ...............................................713/778-1300 Giacomo’s G n m png Bnb weng 2600 SW WW Fwy, wGW .................................713/589-9804 nghphp ph 2600 SW W409 Fwy, w Ste..................................................

409 .................................713/589-9804 G m bm B1440 ng Chu w Ste 204031 I-45 Spring p Spring TX 77388 mm nvino 204031 I-45 Spring pngSpring ng TX TX 77388 ..................888/242-5059 mewn gnncibo nvino m ...............713/857-2309 png ng mg3215 m 1806B Westheimer 713/523-1279 Harold ........................................................beringchurch.org 1300 Shepherd h hph ................................................

832/804-6300 1300 832/804-6300 Dr.DD D Daniel n nBWD Garza, G phdShepherd dh ph dd ................................................

Dr. Daniel n MD Garza, G MD 3215 W Westheimer.............................................713/522-1934 hghNmW GD MD Westheimer.............................................713/522-1934 h nm PPlanet nPPlanet W m D d n g n MS PA n n W m Pn n HLincoln n nn nLincoln Dr. D Daniel D n Garza, G MD Dr. D Daniel D n Garza, G MD V m n m n R D D n1700 GPost MD m Oak Blvd, SteSte 1104...............................713/622-7470 HEALTH CARE mnVVJCu nTramonte/Joe m nnTramonte Rm n RRealty HH mmSK CARE–SKIN CARE SK N CARE BANK Fng NANC AL..................888/242-5059 NST TUT ONS First Christian Church Eclectic Home H HEALTH CARE SKN NCARE CARE Gloria’s G Cuisine n nnbnCu Eclectic Home Eastside d WdOSt, Gloria’s G Cuisine HmHEALTH m BANKING/FINANCIAL BANK NG F204031 NANC INSTITUTIONS TUT ONS Eastside d4 ....................................281/610-8190 St, ....................................281/610-8190 204031 I-45 Spring pNG TXNANC 77388 G V Latin nm CuLatin BANKING/FINANCIAL BANK FAL AL INSTITUTIONS NST TUT ONS 31313131 wdSte I-45 Spring phNST ng TX 77388 ..................888/242-5059 BANK NG FNG NANC AL NST TUT ONS ng Ch npRanch Chu BG......................................................................GloriasCuisine.com dw G Gdw nnGGn Eastside d Pd3131 St, Ste 4B....................................281/610-8190 n Cu ........................409/765-9837 3131 Eastside St, StePaul 4 ....................................281/610-8190 B 1802 dwBBroadway/Galveston u345 ng 22101 ......................................................................GloriasCuisine.com m mn m 345 BW W.BW19th hu.............................................................713/869-1414 BBeyoutifulantiaging G nWINNER! W. W Montrose Eye Care/ OD un19th nuhhg.............................................................713/869-1414 gu ngn g ng Hn Federal u dMorton dFederal C Rd..........................................FccKaty.org G Cu n Cu huW Dr.DBBarry D F. nG Gritz, MD W h m Dr. D BBarry F.MD Gritz, G MDLovero,OD Houston H d dUn Union Houston H u dn nCCredit Credit Cdn dnUnUnion Unn n BD G D D G MD HuBANK u n C Un M R R M n C P u Dr. D Barry B F. Gritz, G MD h Dr.Waugh BBarry F.MD Gritz, G MD37......................713/869-7400 314 E. 13thh St..................................................... 713/547-5656 BANKING/FINANCIAL NG FCUFNANC ALNANC INSTITUTIONS NST TUT ONS McHugh M Hugh Tearoom m BANKING/FINANCIAL BANK NG F AL INSTITUTIONS NST TUT ONS D 2211 B 520 G Street, h McHugh M Hugh Tearoom m Dr ............................................................713/352-0974 Resurrection MCC BANK NG NANC AL NST TUT ONS M Hugh m Norfolk N Suite u H u n g OUR H CU G n Cu n RESTAURANTS COFFEE W NE BARS 2211 Norfolk N Street, Suite u 37......................713/869-7400 NSURANCE AGENC ES AGENTS RESTAURANTS/COFFEE/WINE RESTAURANTS COFFEE W NE BARS NWStreet, u Suite INSURANCE NSURANCE AGENCIES/AGENTS AGENC ES AGENTS HoustonFCU.org H n nuH CUCU 866/OUR-HFCU OUR H HCUOUR RESTAURANTS COFFEE W NE BARS INSURANCE NSURANCE AGENCIES/AGENTS AGENC ES AGENTS HoustonFCU.org u g .......................................... ngn CU g ..........................................

866/OUR-HFCU H2211 CUN d D NSURANCE AGENC ES AGENTS HuHHouston uR2025 OUR CU MCC M n M d Sp Norfolk Suite u 37......................713/869-7400 Montrose M n Med M d Spa Sp 2211 Norfolk N Street, u 37......................713/869-7400 5305ChBBissonnet nn BBissonnet St. ..........................................713/218-6300 M n M d Sp N b d N u m b d m BBenton, nn St.up ..........................................713/218-6300 du d.....................................................................713/861-9149 Union 11th Houston H nCCredit Federal Credit C n dn Union Un n B 5305 G Copy/Print Cu n Shopm Best Hu u nWFederal C d dUn Un Everybody BS nn uu nn bd GddSSomebody/Jim Needs N db SSomebody/Jim m bm Bdn nnmnAA.BS BBenton, BSn nLewis/Farmers Chapultepec Ch Lane wDLane mwwm Insurance n numm......................................................... bBEverybody dNeeds NdSSomebody/Jim A nBS nBSAA.BS Chpu pu pnn p puupupp Lupita Lewis/Farmers W n ES CARE/PHARMACIES wDnn2505 u n nInsurance MD DDunlavy 7 13/485N -5027 Everybody bCUHEALTH dDEverybody Needs m mbSdPHARMAC dmSSomebody/Jim mdbm BBenton, n nmnAA.BS BS CAKES Needs N BBenton, bHEALTH Nnbd dCARE d mm A nBS n AA.BS Niko Niko’s Hugh m .....................................................713/522-2365 BAKERIES/CUSTOM BAKER CUSTOM CAKES Niko Niko’s N of Houston HoustonFCU.org H uBAKER nES CU gES ..........................................

866/OUR-HFCU OUR H HCUOUR BAKERIES/CUSTOM BAKER CUSTOM CAKES HoustonFCU.org uFellowship nCUSTOM g ..........................................

866/OUR-HFCU N N NR MN BAKER CUSTOM CAKES b dbN deverybodyneedssomebody.me ndRRichmond HUnitarian uES nH CU g CU OUR CU Heverybodyneedssomebody.me ndmbb dm mm...............281/504-7721 bBd dnESm ...............281/504-7721 813 ddbPharmacy nddbmndSdbm bdm d...............281/504-7721 Rhm hm nd hm nd NN hW ppWW 2200 North N h Loop p W, W Ste 136 .....................713/688-8669 S n R n n O B MD 2200 North h Loop W, Ste 136 .....................713/688-8669 Legacy Skin S n Renaissance R n n Laser/Octavio O Barrios, B MD N u Un n w h p H u n D G N h p S n R n n O B MD everybodyneedssomebody.me b d n everybodyneedssomebody.me d b d m ...............281/504-7721 d CCenter m b d m Dessert D Gallery G 2520D M Montrose...................................................713/528-4976 n2520Dessert BM ............................................................................ufoh.org The Dessert D Gallery Montrose...................................................713/528-4976 n nnGGallery D 1504 GWirt RdG gdn nnThe m h hbM Montrose hbPhM Montrose nn n d SCCenter n M CN W Wd 507 G GGuW D M n GD G West GGray ....................................................713/942-7546 .....nThe LegacyCommunityHealth.org/services/pharmacy W ES DG DDessertGallery.com GRESCUSTOM BAKERIES/CUSTOM BS Travel Gu BAKERIES/CUSTOM BAKER ESm CUSTOM ddInsurance nn uu nn The h h401 Montrose M nd nmm BAKER CAKESCAKES Guard /Travel n/Travel DDessertGallery.com .......................................713-522-9999 Montrose M nHm b d m B n n Am Travel Guard GmCUSTOM mCAKES .......................................713-522-9999 MnBBranard RRiva’s u Gnm Gu d Gu nu u n nInsurance D BAKER G Church m Unity NRRiva’s Nn RItalian dCCenter ..........................................................713/529-0037 n dCCenter ..........................................................713/529-0037 R D DItalian u nRRestaurant GnDDessertGallery.com Bdhn..........................................................713/529-0037 n401 dCnnCBBranard GRRestaurant mn u mn.......................................713-522-9999 Dessert D Gallery G gu d m 401 Branard B n Dessert D Gallery G b d n d m b d m Un Chu h .............................................................

401 Branard B d ..........................................................713/529-0037 ............................................................................travelguard.com gu d m D2929 Unity G Dr ............................................................................travelguard.com gu d m B n d gu d m 1117 M Missouri u uwn St 713/529-3450 713/782-4050 M Missouri M u wn St .................................................

713/529-3450 M.................................................

HOME M 1117 HOME SERVICES SERV HEALTH CARE–PHYSICIANS HOMESERV SERVCES CES CES Matt Trietsch, hn hMA MA, LPC PChnPC AAssociate, NCC B nB w ng Matt M Trietsch, MA, MA PC AAssociate, Frost Town w ng CHURCHES R TUAL CENTERS M HEALTH MA APCLPC NCCNCCNCC DDessertGallery.com m TUAL .......................................713-522-9999 wn w ngBBrewing GSP m .......................................713-522-9999 UG DDessertGallery.com DSPR R DWestbury GSP m CHURCHES/SPIRITUAL CHURCHES TUAL CENTERS h M C CARE PHYS C ANS CHURCHES/SPIRITUAL CHURCHES SP R TUAL CENTERS Matt M Trietsch, h MA, MA LPC PC Associate, A NCC CHURCHES CENTERS Matt M Trietsch, h MA, MA LPC Associate, A MM h hBarrios, MA m ............................................512/591-8510 PC MD NCC SSalt Sugar Sug RRestaurant R R JEWELERS PEWELERS G G P HG nmSn dS United Church RSSalt nu nRRestaurant u ..............................................713-224-5326 n &RSug Sugar JEWELERS EWELERS Greater Heights/ n SService EWELERS S && n n St Matt-Trietsch.com NSug nN P RRestoPros Hghgh RH Rmghmd d RRemediation EWELERS Matt-Trietsch.com M hA m ............................................512/591-8510 N.nuJackson M OOctavio h............................................512/591-8510 m N 100 BChu nghng Chu hd hMMethodist B n d bu Un h d Chu h BBering Church Matt-Trietsch.com M h m B MD Bering B Church Chu Matt-Trietsch.com M h m ............................................512/591-8510 B ngW ng Chu h MChristine h Gray m ............................................................713/942-7546 1073GSilber b 1073 RdMGiacomo’s .....................................................

5200 Willowbend nnJewelers nb ww Silber 713/780-4351 .....................................................................................

281/694-7699 507n West Tenenbaum n nnbnbum w wum Rd Tenenbaum nb um Jewelers Wysong W um CHURCHES/SPIRITUAL R.....................................................713/723-0175 bb ubmRdn.....................................................

Christine nhngW Wysong ng CHURCHES/SPIRITUAL SP RCENTERS TUAL CENTERS cibo n 713/780-4351 HdCHURCHES bhu nghng g Ch WnG ng CHURCHES RTUAL TUAL G bm mG nb e vino wdSP 1440CHURCHES Harold H dW................................................beringchurch.org b CENTERS WnCh MA PC A NCC Harold H dSP ................................................beringchurch.org bhu g Ch Christine nGordon Wysong W ng H 1440 b ngng hhughugh hCh Christine Wysong W ng 37......................713/869-7400 hh mm .................TenenbaumJewelers.com nn nb mm Ch2211 nMCh ng 4310 W Westheimer h hmWW n nnbnbumum w S W 3215 &h Sug Rh mu n Westheimer nbwum um wwm m Crofoot, W Norfolk N Suite uMD/Crofoot Westheimer.............................................713/522-1934 W 4310 m .................TenenbaumJewelers.com 2211Street, Norfolk N Street, Suite u MD 37......................713/869-7400 ngng Church Chu hnghnChu hmW mTRAVEL BBering Church hh h NdW u CSuite Ch BCOLLEGES/EDUCATION Chu TRAVEL/TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL AGENCIES AGENC ES M2211 hStreet, m HOME FURN SH NGS ACCE S SOR E S TRAVEL/TRAVEL TRAVEL AGENCIES AGENC ES FirstBBering Christian Ch n Ch Church Chu hChu HOME FURNISHINGS/ACCE FURN SH NGS ACCE S SORIE SOR E S 2211 Norfolk N Street, Suite u 37......................713/869-7400 G3701 n C MD MD TRAVEL TRAVEL AGENC ES First Christian n Church Chu Norfolk N u 37......................713/869-7400 HOME FURN SH NGS ACCE S SOR E S Ch n Chu h N u ww GG nb Cu n nn Cu RdLatin Zadok d d Jewelers wZadok Gloria’s G Cuisine n COLLEGES EDUCAT ON b b ngKnghubhuhKgngh ghug g h g Kirby, Ste.1230 ...............................................713/526-0005 nnCu 1440 Harold H d ................................................beringchurch.org wdd Jewelers Harold H dNorth ................................................beringchurch.org nRRanch hn Rd HStar Lone CConcierge 22101 Morton M nM1440 RRanch Rd...................................FccKaty.org n......................................................................GloriasCuisine.com gInc Travel, Inc n G G CuCu Ch HEALTH nCARE W COSMET ng Morton h Rd Rd...................................FccKaty.org g HEALTH Cn n g CConcierge gTravel, n HEALTH CARE–COSMETIC CARE C CSURGERY M22101 nM RCndCollege nnh RRd hgnRd K gK nPBBlvd, CARE–COSMETIC C SURGERY m mn m nBBBlvd, mm COSMET SURGERY G n n Cu nBd OO OOak 100dd............................Zadok.com d d mdm PPost Oak Ste. 100............................Zadok.com d Wellness Bar byCARE Legacy Nn MCC h........................................lonestar.edu P 1801 O Eklektik dSte.Interiors HEALTH CARE–COSMETIC CARE COSMET Cu COSMET SURGERY HEALTH CARE–COSMETIC CARE COSMET C SURGERY 1801 PPost RResurrection un uuSnRResurrection nuMCC HEALTH CARE COSMET C SURGERY HN-Info@LoneStar.edu R n MCC 4920 Mimosa M m .........................................................

713/661-2117 R n MCC N 4920 Mimosa M m .........................................................

713/661-2117 TRAVEL TRAVEL AGENC ES W n B b g M m h ph d RResurrection u MCC ACPS/Paul ACPS P u F. Fortes, MD M Hugh m 1300 Shepherd h ph d ................................................

832/804-6300 Resurrection R u n MCC ACPS/Paul ACPS P u F. Fortes, MD McHugh M Hugh Tearoom m h ph d R HN u n MCC ACPS PFortes, uP u F.MD MD MD M Hugh m 120 Westheimer .........................................................713/814-3730 @ ACPS/Paul ACPS P u F. ACPS/Paul ACPS Fortes, WhW 11th h ...........................................................

713/861-9149 ACPS P uWwww MASSAGE THERAP STS 2025 W 11thh ...........................................................

713/861-9149 MASSAGE THERAPISTS THERAP STS Meet M MeMCOn d On W m mMD MASSAGE THERAPISTS THERAP STS Meet Megnn M www.FortesMD.com www MDMD .....................................

BM MASSAGE THERAP STS M M On Bnn d BBoard www.FortesMD.com m .....................................

713/766-6025 20252025 WENTERTAINMENT/NIGHT 11th ...........................................................

713/861-9149 5305 BBissonnet nndn St. ..........................................713/218-6300 www mMDm .....................................

2025 713/861-9149 BnBBoard W h Whh11thh ...........................................................

LIFE HEALTH C 713/766-6025 SURGERY NSURANCE AGENC www.FortesMD.com www MD mCARE .....................................

713/766-6025 INSURANCE AGENCIES/AGENTS AGENC www.FortesMD.com www 713/766-6025 NSURANCE AGENC ESAGENTS AGENTS www HEALTH MD CARE–SERVICES mMD COSMET ANSURANCE ggnES nnES AGENTS Unitarian Un nUn Fellowship wpwnhof pHouston Houston H uHhnupuof nL nH ...................................................................meetmeonboard.com mm mmm nbnb md dnb mm d m Unitarian Fellowship John hnhn AAaron nhn Massage M gnngM && Wellness W M mNNiko’s ENTERTA FE UnnUn hof n un n hn AAaron Massage M Wellness Un nnw wNMENT pHpuN A John nM W n&&nWW N N N...................................................................meetmeonboard.com Unitarian Un Fellowship Niko Unitarian nh Fellowship w hwupHGHT of nH Houston uHouston NN Alley Un1504 nTheatre hw p hH n w m n u ACPS P u MD HEALTH CARE SERV CES HEALTH CARE–DENTISTS CARE DENT STS Lane n Lewis/Farmers w m Insurance n u n HEALTH CARE–DENTISTS CARE DENT STS n w m n u n HEALTH CARE DENT STS N h p W Wirt W Rd ...................................................................ufoh.org u h g 1504 Wirt Rd ...................................................................ufoh.org uggHEALTH hg gAllies 2040 N North h Loop pW RdW North h......................................832/649-8422 Loopp W ......................................832/649-8422 in Hope Houston WW Rd A615 h...................................................................ufoh.org M Mn2520 Bn d N 2040 h N pW CARE–DENTISTS CARE DENT STS HEALTH CARE–DENTISTS CARE DENT STS 1504 W Wirt Rd u uh huug hugh hHEALTH Montrose...................................................713/528-4976 M Wirt W Rd ...................................................................ufoh.org CARE DENT STS nM On Texas Ave .......................................................alleytheatre.org W 1504 Rd www MD m A n H p H u n N h p W 2200 North N h Loop p W, W Ste 136 .....................713/688-8669 N h p W Westbury W bubu United Un Methodist h hdddM Church Chu aihhouston.org ..........................................................713/623-6796 BBayou u CCity Smiles/Marcus Sm u uddeMdGu Guzman, n nDDS AChu Westbury W bu United Un Methodist h dh hChu Churchh u CCityM Smiles/Marcus Sm um mdde Gu Guzman, m n DDS m m nb d m Un hd M Un Chu uSm CBBayou Sm M dde Gu RR n Rn RItalian u nu nRRestaurant Unity Un Church Chu hChu RRiva’s Unity Un Church hd M n u n JR’s/Santa Fend BBayou uBCCity Smiles/Marcus MSm Guzman, n nDDS Un W Chu hwb ud CCity Smiles/Marcus M..............................713/518-1411 Gu Guzman, mDDS n DDS PET PET SERV CES &&SUPPL B 2313 uAvenue CBBayou Sm M uDENT dGu Guum150 mdde DDS SERVICES SUPPLIES ES PETCES SERVICES SERV CES SUPPLIES SUPPL ES Willowbend ..............................................713/723-0175 Edwards dw St., Ste.du 150 PETSERV SERV CES&&SUPPL SUPPL ES ES Willowbend wb nd..............................................713/723-0175 2313 Edwards dw St., Ste. ..............................713/518-1411 DW 360 WUn wb nd HEALTH CARE RUnW SD n5200 dw dSte. M M 1117 u uM 29295200 Unity Un Dr 713/782-4050 Missouri u St ................................................. 713/529-3450 2929 Unity Un DDr .....................................................

713/782-4050 808 Pacific .....................................................................

713/521-2519 2313 Edwards dw dnu St., D.....................................................

2313 Edwards dw d 150 St.,..............................713/518-1411 Ste. 150STS ..............................713/518-1411 EWELERS JEWELERS EWELERS dw d A EWELERS B u C V n H p BBayou VVeterinary n nVVeterinary Hospital H Avenue360.org BBayou uB CCity Smiles/Cynthia C..........................................................713/426-0027 hMh CCorral, Hospital p PUn u CCity Smiles/Cynthia Sm C ndh DDS CDDS W bu Un dhdMddM hChu dh dhChu hRETAIL B unCCity u nb CBBayou Vu CCity H pn p H uSm CBBayou Sm Cn nCCorral, S S && Sug u u nRRestaurant Westbury W bu United dAND Methodist M hNG Church uuSm CCCity GuCorral, mDDS n DDS DDS SSaltR&RSug Sugar Westbury bu United Un Methodist Church Chu h ESL LRETA CLOTHING NG ACCESSORIES/ ACCESSOR Pearl Bar BBayou uBCCity Smiles/Cynthia CSm Sug n u n WCLOTH buW Un dAND M Chu hES um w CLOTHING CLOTH AND ACCESSORIES/ ACCESSOR RETAIL Smiles/Cynthia Sm CC n uhC DDS Corral, CDDS Tenenbaum nn ............................................713/343-9909 nb umnnJewelers w CLOTH NG ACCESSOR ESRETA RETA B L2313 uAHarris CBBayou Sm CnCounty nhd150................................713/518-1411 hSt., um wng W hhng 4720 W Washington hnb ng Edwards dw dHealth St., Washington W ............................................713/343-9909 2313 Edwards dw Ste 150................................713/518-1411 wb Public Health WnW4720 h ng Png BW dSte 5200KKing Willowbend W wb nd ..............................................713/723-0175 RdRd dw ddSte 5200 Willowbend W wbnd........................................PearlHouston.com nd Silber b Rd ..................................................... 713/780-4351 Washington 2313 Edwards dw ddw St., 150................................713/518-1411 W wb hOPhmAnW n nnbnbumum Underwear Und w 2313 Edwards dw St., StePub 150................................713/518-1411 4310 Westheimer h m .................TenenbaumJewelers.com nw nbw um wm m m b b1073 KKing ngnd Underwear Und w ..............................................713/723-0175 dw d W m K4216 ng Und w H H h C un H h DOG DOGTOPIA DOG OP A ..............DDS 713/439-6293DOG OPDOG Logan, g CCory DOGTOPIA W Pund Hw m CCory Logan, g n DDS A OP A CmgPublichealth.harriscountytx.gov gnuLogan, DDS BCCory CnDDS ....................................................................king-underwear.com ....................................................................king-underwear.com und Lmwm Play Nightlife Logan, nSm DDS C n h C 713/942-8598 und PW Jewelers CLOTH NGNG AND ACCESSOR ES RETA C 530 gnugh nDDS DDS d1839 wdmASt WW bb wmm St ........................................281/985-5158TRAVEL CLOTHING CLOTH NG AND ACCESSORIES/ ACCESSOR ESng RETAIL LwLRETA 1839 W W.dWAAlabama b wZadok ........................................281/985-5158 TRAVEL AGENC ES LOCAL CLOTHING CLOTH AND ACCESSORIES/ ACCESSOR ESng RETAIL LCCory Waugh DDr.gW W. AAlabama TRAVEL/TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL AGENCIES AGENC LOCAL 530 Waugh DDr. ..................................................

713/942-8598 CLOTH AND ACCESSOR ESngRETA RETA the Montrose Center bOm TRAVEL TRAVEL AGENC ES ES LOCAL P2409 NNG gh WDDr. ugh D.................................................. dw dugh Grant St,w Ste D .............................................

713/380-2920 530 W Waugh ugh ..................................................

713/942-8598 PMAPd 1801 d d mm 530 Waugh W ugh DDr. ..................................................

713/942-8598 OOak Ste. d C mn g W ugh D K ng Und On BPPost BdHHospital d npn BBlvd, h M n C n VVVeterinary HdH pp 100............................Zadok.com KKing ng Underwear Und w King K ng Underwear Und w Midtown M d wn Veterinary V COLLEGES/EDUCATION ONON ON Branard Montrose M n401 DDS/Samuel DDS mu AA.SACCarrell, CConcierge n g n Travel, Inc n Midtown M d wn wn Hospital D EDUCAT K COLLEGES ngCOLLEGES UndG COLLEGES w EDUCAT COLLEGES/EDUCATION Montrose M ng Sn..................................................................713/529-0037 DDS/Samuel DDS mu AA.DDS CCarrell, DDS C n g n M d wn V n H p EDUCAT M n DDS S mu C DDS C DDS Rich’s & The Montrose Country Club Montrose M nn M DDS/Samuel DDS ng BUSINESSES Montrose nb SmSmu DDS/Samuel DDS mu AA.DDS CCarrell, DDS BDDS mubAA.Sm ACCarrell, CHealth DDS 713/529-4364 BUSINESSES MM ddH HwnV HH mp..........................713-528-4900 ....................................................................king-underwear.com wund ng M Mm4920 MidtownVetHospital.com M d dwnV pCES 620 W AAlabama Mimosa M m .........................................................

MidtownVetHospital.com wnV pmCES &mmES ..........................713-528-4900 wundwmwm mMm Lone n nh....................................................................king-underwear.com SStar CCollege g gnN North LOCAL 713/661-2117 Wm................................................

AAlabama ................................................

713/529-4364 mBUSINESSES Legacy Community M wnV pSERV SStar CCollege North N ngund hund R202 hnSt. M un C ub A620 S&Lone C ...............................................................

N h ghC ng SERV &&SUPPL PET SERVICES SUPPLIES ugh PET SERV CES SUPPLCSUPPL ES CES H p Tuam 346/227-8613 620 W W AAlabama bW WmCb................................................

AAlabama b Dm ................................................

713/529-4364 PET A620 g bmW mmun HFaulk, h 713/529-4364 VVVergi ggm24/7 mm& & gg Cnn &&CCare WHO IN HN-Info@LoneStar.edu HN n n@m n n EDUCAT ..................................lonestar.edu nn du VVergi Emergency m g gn Emergency CCritical Hospital H pCCare 5000 Montrose n LegacyCommunityHealth.org DDS/Austin DDS n T.nmu WHO HN-Info@LoneStar.edu HN @ du ndu du..................................lonestar.edu ndu M du CCritical Hospital H p Montrose M n Au DDS/Austin DDS Auu AunCDDS T.....................832/548 Faulk, u DDS DDS WHO IN IN HN @ V gB g24/7 n C H p COLLEGES ON M n DDS Au DDS COLLEGES/EDUCATION COLLEGES EDUCAT ON M n DDS S u C V n H p COLLEGES/EDUCATION COLLEGES EDUCAT ON South Beach Montrose M n DDS/Austin DDS Au n T. Faulk, u DDS A w A n H m R CCitynwVVeterinary Hospital p COLLEGES EDUCATCCollege ONg Montrose M nbC mmm DDS/Austin DDS n T.DDS Faulk, u 713/529-4364 DDS w AAcres Home m RRetreat B 8921 u CBBayou H np H BUSINESSES M620 n W DDS Au................................................ nb Au uCouncil A w AAArrow n H Tiny mn RH KKKaty 8921 KKaty w wVu..........................................713/932-9589 AAlabama Freeway w ..........................................713/932-9589 Houston u uunhCCollege nBSCCommunity mmun W mH ................................................

713/529-4364 Ryan White Planning K WFreeway Houston H u..................................................................... n CCommunity mmun CCollege g 713/521-0107 SH808 hmmun W A620 b................................................ mbbAAlabama C g N h n C C g W A m h ng n Lone nH Star S g North N h Pacific 620 W Alabama A b m 713/529-4364 4720 Washington W h ng n ............................................713/343-9909 Lone n Star S College C g North N h w m 620 W Alabama A m ................................................

713/529-4364 w m m W h ng n Ann m C n n S h C dug ..................................................

N h WRRWPCHouston.org A nbWh m P nn ng w arrowacres.com...............................................409/219-5883 C un bbmm www.hccs.edu www West W AAlabama bW Animal An .................................................

713/572-3784 www.hccs.edu hn du dudu..................................................

713/718-2000 WHO IN West mCClinic Animal An m CClinic n P nhnwww @ @du dudu WDOG AW bmADOG mAAAlabama An HN-Info@LoneStar.edu HN @HN ..................................lonestar.edu n713/718-2000 HN-Info@LoneStar.edu ndu ndu M nHEALTH DDSHCARE Au nCOV uD DDSNG OP HNnwww nHN @ nUnder n n du HEALTH CARE-/HIV/COVID CARE TESTING TEST Theatre The Starsdu..................................lonestar.edu OPbmAmC n CARE-/HIV/COVID H DVNG COV D NG TESTING TEST NG2030 RWPCH DOG OPDOGTOPIA AW HEALTH CARE HV H VCOV TEST W W. W .............................................

713/528-0818 2030 W.mAm AAlabama b m .............................................

713/528-0818 HEALTH CARE-HIV/STD CARE HhbCARE VmVpSTD TESTING TEST St. Hope Foundation WAAlabama AbA 1839 bm HEALTH CARE-HIV/STD V STD TESTING TEST NG hHn CCommunity Und h200 S g............................................tuts.com/out u n C mmun C g HEALTH CARE H STD TEST NG W A W b Houston H u mmun College C 800 Bagby, Suite W. W Alabama A b m St ........................................281/985-5158 Houston H u n Community C mmun College C g Houston H u n Health H Department/HIV D m n H V W A b m H COMMUN uCOMMUN n C COMMUN mmun C TYgNONPROF Houston nH Health Department/HIV D pn HmV n H V H nH p u und H S360 uAAvenue p nh m COMMUNITY/NONPROF TYTY NONPROF TT T NONPROF offeringhope.org nunu B du m AAvenue hCOMMUNITY/NONPROFIT du nuH 360h D .......................................................713/778-1300 A.......................................................................houstoniamlife.com www.hccs.edu www hwww 713/718-2000 www.hccs.edu h.................................................. du ..................................................

713/718-2000 Mm d dPHOTOGRAPHERS wnwn VM n nVVeterinary H H p4230 h hu u n nhmum n mmm PHOTOGRAPHERS www h www du Pocket Midtown np H Hospital p Richmond | Houston, TX 77006 .......................................................................houstoniamlife.com M Vd wn PHOTOGRAPHERS PHOTOGRAPHERS A ATony’s n HCnCorner HEALTH CARE H V STD TEST NG AAvenue360.org g ..................................................713/426-0027 AAllies inPn H Hope p AAvenue360.org nu g ..................................................713/426-0027 Hpnp ...............................................................832/722-7658 n W. A nunuHEALTH g CARE–SKIN MnM dDDeHart m pmgg ph 817 Dallas MidtownVetHospital.com M Hph nPh dDDwnV HHwnV CARENG Dalton D H wnV Photography ph Dalton ndHDD DeHart HpgpgPh Photography Ph ph m..........................713-528-4900 A nh p g D n H Ph Alliesinhope.org A nh p g ............................................

713/623-6796 COMMUN TY NONPROF T A nu A nh p g HEALTH CARE-HIV/STD CARE H V STD TESTING TEST Legacy Community mm Health H W D 713.528.1201 | www.copydotcom.com COMMUNITY/NONPROFIT COMMUN TYTYNONPROF TT HEALTH CARE-HIV/STD VTEST STD NG TESTING TEST NG DaltonDehart.com Legacy Community mm HEALTH CARE NHCARE COMMUNITY/NONPROFIT COMMUN TY NONPROF T HEALTH CARE H SK VHHealth STD mm H CARE COMMUN NONPROF nD h...........................................713/622-2202 V nD mm g gn Emergency Cg Cn &C Critical VVergi gm CC H H pCare C p Hospital H p Skin Renaissance Barrios, MD D DaltonDehart.com nD h24/7 V g DhgD nmm&...........................................713/622-2202 & B BFINANCIAL ngng C CBBering nnnnng m CConnect nn A.................................................LegacyCommunityHealth.org nu gg gLaser/Octavio .................................................LegacyCommunityHealth.org C Cmmun AAvenue nu p PLANNING C Hmmun h Dg nDK h 8921 KKaty 360 S507 n360 RAAvenue n nu n............................................................713/942-7546 Ogmmun BH h h gHMD g A nu AAllies Hope H n Hope H p w Freeway w ..........................................713/932-9589 A FinAnNANC nAAllies Hp ........................................................................713/526-1017, pn Hin West Gray K w AL NGFinancial ext.20 A nhAAlliesinhope.org pg pPLANN g g ............................................

AAvenue360.org ..................................................713/426-0027 Richard nu gH..................................................713/426-0027 Ggmm NG AAlliesinhope.org p pnhDickson/Galene gnh ............................................

713/623-6796 A nunuWAAvenue360.org g 713/623-6796 PLUMBING NG PLUMBING NG A hRnh PLUMB W PLUMB APLUMB bW An West bm m mC An Animal n HEALTH CARE–OPTOMETRISTS CARE OPTOMETR ANG bm mAAlabama An Cn nm CClinic G ...........................................713/489-4322 nn n n MhM nngdnthe C Ste HEALTH CARE–OPTOMETRISTS CARE OPTOMETR STS H h PLUMB hDCOak Montrose M CCenter HEALTH CARE OPTOMETR STS nn hBCConnect Cnnn n780 gSTS C mmun g WPPlumbing Post Legacy Community mm HHealth BBering nn HOME FURNISHINGS/ACCESSORIES Legacy Community mm HHealth Family Owned & Operated since 1999 CConnect nn ng mm HFarmer, B ng520 ng CBBering nnng Metro M umb ng Metro M PPlumbing umb ngbVm A.............................................

W bPng m M PM umb W.mAAlabama W WA2030 AC bumb P O B n d Boutique B u qu Eye Care/Juliet C u mumC ACCESSOR OD n d..........................................................713/529-0037 HOME FURN ES BBoutique u.................................................LegacyCommunityHealth.org qu EyeuSH CCare/Juliet Farmer, m C OD A N S P R I N 713/528-0818 TS | C R onPthisO S Call T E713/520-7237 R S or G G O LGGetOlisted B Yung/Midtown n401dBBranard B.................................................LegacyCommunityHealth.org u qu CInteriors OD page. gNGS mmun H h g ........................................................................713/526-1017, ext.20 ext.20 Grace Financial g mmun H h g ........................................................................713/526-1017, m p umb ng u Eklektik g C mmun h gm metroplumbing.us ngng metroplumbing.us puumb ng u ........................................346/955-4939 GGet listed m p umb pm umb u........................................346/955-4939 HEALTH CARE STSH713/528-2010 1806 W Westheimer, h hmW 713/528-2010 1806 Westheimer, h A........................................................832/804-6300 m.............................

Ste. A .............................

GR3355 ung wn nunng n CCouncil nh Wh PnnPMWh nndCSte ng C C.......................................713/355-9833 un page.

Call page. orM m m or m W1300 mnSte. A OPTOMETR RRyan White PPlanning nn un GGet listed on this M n n n Wh nn ng G |m mGon Alabama, 180 MM @O@O m713/520-7237 MCall Shepherd the h hRM Montrose n Center C email m Marketing@OutSmartMagazine.com M m713/520-7237 the h Montrose M n Center C n Mthis m@O MO M Hn Au nCm ng G R E E T I N G C A R D S U C H M R E B u qu C u m OD wp rwpcHouston.org BdH..........................................................713/529-0037 unwpndnH du..........................................................713/529-0037 g n g ............................................713-572-3724 email mm M Marketing@OutSmartMagazine.com @O@O m m@O M M mm MM m m Marketing@OutSmartMagazine.com @O 401 BBranard n n401 Memail Bwp dBBranard mm MM mm W h m A

Metro Plumbing is Here to Help!

Schedule your 30 or 60-minute reading today.

Kevin Casey

Body M nd and Sou Bookstore

New Construction, Renovations, Weekly Maintenance & Repairs

NURTURE your LOCAL your LOCAL

BUSINESSES WHO believe IN IN WHO

WHETHER YOU WANT SOMETHING SIMPLE OR EXOTIC

NURTURE NURTURE NURTURE EQUALITY. NURTURE

We have the talent and experience to achieve your design and budget!

your your your your

believe believe believe Thank You You for for support supporting our advertisers!

Thank ng our advert sers believe

EQUALITY. EQUALITY. EQUALITY. EQUALITY. Thank support ng ng Thank You for support supporting ThankYou Youfor for support Thank supporting support ngng ng ng Thank You for support supporting ThankYou Youfor for support

713.462.0762

|

venturepoolco.com

62 62 |OCTOBER MARCH DECEMBER 20252024 |Ou OutSmartMagazine.com Ou Sma Maga ne com 94 | OCTOBER 2024 |2024 OutSmartMagazine.com Sma Maga ne com |MARCH |Sma OutSmartMagazine.com Ou Sma Maga ne com 94 2024 Ou Maga ne com 62 SEPTEMBER Ou Sma Maga ne com 62 |OCTOBER SEPTEMBER 2024 |Sma OutSmartMagazine.com Ou Sma Maga ne com 62 2025 Ou Sma Maga ne com SEPTEMBER Ou Maga ne com 64 5494 MARCH FEBRUARY DECEMBER JANUARY 2025 2025 2024 |2024 |OutSmartMagazine.com | |OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com Ou Sma Maga ne com 62 62 MAY APRIL 2025 2025 |2025 | 2024 OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com 62 SEPTEMBER 2025 78 JUNE 2026 OutSmartMagazine.com 94MARCH OCTOBER OutSmartMagazine.com Ou Sma ne 62 2025 |2024 Ou|| Sma MagaMaga ne com 66 NOVEMBER 2024 OutSmartMagazine.com Ou Sma Maga ne com com

Get listed on th thiss page page.

Thank You support ng Get sted on our sers ourfor advertisers! advert ouradvert advert sers sers our advertisers! advert sers our advertisers! advert sers our advert sers our advert Call 713/520-7237 713/520-7237 or or ema email: sers Ca Marketing@OutSmartMagazine.com Market ng@OutSmartMagaz ne com

78

MARCH 2026

|

OutSmartMagazine.com 110 UNE 2024 OutSmartMagazine.com Ou Maga com 110 JUNE UNE| 2024 |Sma OutSmartMagazine.co Ou Sma ne Maga 110 JUNE UNE 2024 OuSma Maga ne comne co

BAR GUIDE BAR GUIDE BAR GUIDE BAR GUIDE BAR GUIDE

B E H I N D T H EBAR B A RGUIDE WITH . . .

BAR GUIDE BAR GUIDE BAR GUIDE BAR GUIDE BAR GUIDE BAR GUIDE

Charles Garibay

OutSmart’s Bar Guide is now on your phone!

OutSmart’s Bar Guide is now on your phone!

OutSmart’s Bar Guide isis now on your phone!

OutSmart’s Bar Guide is now on your phone!

OutSmart’s Bar Guide on your phone!

OutSmart’s Bar Guide is now on your phone!

OutSmart’s Bar Guide isnow on your phone!

OutSmart’s Bar Guide is now on your phone!

202 OutSmart’s Bar Guide isnow now on your phone! now on your phone!

Guide is now on your phone! sis now on your phone!

Guide is now on your phone! on your phone! eside is now on your phone! de isnow on your phone! ar Guide is now on your phone!

Scan here to check out our directory of isnow now on your phone!

Scan here to check out our directory of Scan here to check out our directory of Scan here to check out our directory of Scan here to check out our directory of Scan here to check out our directory of Scan here to check out our directory of Scan here to check outdirectory our directory of Scan here to check out our of our directory of kour out our directory of our directory of ck out our directory ofbars directory of tout our directory of ut our directory ofofLGBTQ heck out our directory of LGBTQ and clubs in and around Houston, our directory bars and clubs in and around Houston, LGBTQ bars and clubs in and around Houston, LGBTQ bars and clubs in and around Houston, LGBTQ bars and clubs in and around Houston, LGBTQ bars and clubs in and around Houston, LGBTQ bars and clubs in around Houston, LGBTQ bars and clubs in and around Houston, LGBTQ bars and clubs inand and around Houston, around Houston, naround and around Houston, around Houston, in and around Houston, dnd Houston, d around Houston, around Houston, bs in and around Houston, 939 including your favorites in Galveston, Huntsville, and around Houston, including your favorites in Galveston, Huntsville, including your favorites inin Galveston, Huntsville, including your favorites in Galveston, Huntsville, including your favorites Huntsville, including your favorites in Galveston, Huntsville, including your favorites inGalveston, Galveston, Huntsville, including your favorites in Galveston, Huntsville, including your favorites in Galveston, Huntsville, lveston, Huntsville, sn in Galveston, Huntsville, lveston, Huntsville, sGalveston, in Galveston, Huntsville, alveston, Huntsville, Galveston, Huntsville, Huntsville, ites in Galveston, Huntsville, Spring, and College Station.

Whether you’re ayou’re Galveston, Huntsville, Spring, and College Station.

Whether you’re Spring, and College Station.

Whether you’re aaayou’re Spring, and College Station.

Whether Spring, and College Station.

Whether you’re Spring, and College Station.

Whether you’re Spring, and College Station.

Whether you’re a a aa aShifts: Monday & Wednesday 4–9 pm, Spring, and College Station.

Whether Spring, and College Station.

Whether you’re 277 Whether you’re ayou’re tion.

Whether you’re aaavisitor, Whether you’re aaayou’re tion.

Whether Whether you’re Whether you’re n.

Whether you’re aor Station.

Whether aor local aaor we’ve got you covered with this on.

Whether you’re alocal Thursday–Saturday 9 pm–2 am, and Sunday Funday 12 Noon–9 pm local aaorvisitor, we’ve got you covered with this local or visitor, got you covered with this or visitor, we’ve got you covered with this local or we’ve got you covered with this local or aor visitor, we’ve got you covered with this local avisitor, we’ve got you covered with this local awe’ve visitor, we’ve got you covered with this local avisitor, visitor, we’ve got you covered with this covered with this got you covered with this uou covered with this got you covered with this ou covered with this covered with this you covered with this got you covered with this updated guide to the best LGBTQ-friendly spaces. tve you covered with this updated guide to the best LGBTQ-friendly spaces. updated guide to the best LGBTQ-friendly spaces. updated guide to the best LGBTQ-friendly spaces. updated guide to the best LGBTQ-friendly spaces. updated guide toto the best LGBTQ-friendly spaces. updated guide the best LGBTQ-friendly spaces. updated guide tobest the best LGBTQ-friendly spaces. updated guide to the LGBTQ-friendly spaces.

TQ-friendly spaces. st LGBTQ-friendly spaces.

BTQ-friendly spaces. st LGBTQ-friendly spaces.

BTQ-friendly spaces.

GBTQ-friendly spaces.

GBTQ-friendly spaces. best LGBTQ-friendly spaces.

LGBTQ-friendly spaces.

9201 sporting event was in town—$500 What is your favorite shot on a on two-bottle champagne tab! to make? To drink?

There’s always something going at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! Who are the hardest I like to make Lemondrops and There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on atat TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! 1201 There’s always something going on TONY’S CORNER POCKET! Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest customers to please?

Starf--kers—a tasty Crown Royal Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Amateur Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Male Amateur Male Amateur Houston’s Hottest Male Amateur Male Amateur Houston’s Hottest Male Amateur Male Amateur Male Amateur Male Amateur Young drunks areMale the and Red Bull shot!

Male Amateur Male Amateur Male Amateur Male Amateur Male Amateur Strip Contest Male Amateur Male Amateur Strip Contest Strip Contest Male Amateur Strip Contest Strip Contest Male Amateur Strip Contest Strip Contest Strip Contest Strip Contest most stubborn.

Where is your favorite place Strip Contest Strip Contest Strip Contest Strip Contest Strip Contest Headquarters!

626 Strip Contest Strip Contest Headquarters!

Headquarters!

Strip Contest Headquarters!

Headquarters!

Strip Contest Headquarters!

Headquarters!

Headquarters!

Headquarters!

Headquarters!

If you weren’t a bartender, to drink when not on duty?

Headquarters!

Headquarters!

Headquarters!

Headquarters!

Headquarters!

Headquarters!

Headquarters!

Headquarters!

1103 what career would you choose?

I’m a non-drinker, so you can usually 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas I think I always wanted to be713.571.7870 find me out riding my bike.

817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 713.571.7870 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 713.571.7870 817 W. Dallas 713.571.7870 713.571.7870 817 W. Dallas 713.571.7870 713.571.7870 713.571.7870 000 713.571.7870 713.571.7870 713.571.7870 713.571.7870 Voted the Best 713.571.7870 713.571.7870 Voted the Best Voted the Best 713.571.7870 713.571.7870 Voted the Best Voted the Best 713.571.7870 a commercial airline pilot.

What is a current bar drink Voted the Best Voted the Best 713.571.7870 Voted the Best Voted the Best Nightly Specials –– Call forfor Place to Watch Dancers Nightly Specials – Call for Details Nightly Specials Details Place to Watch Male Dancers Place to Watch Male Dancers Nightly Specials –Details Call for Details Nightly Specials –Call Call Details Place to Male Watch Male Dancers Voted the Best Place to Watch Male Dancers Nightly Specials –Specials for Details Nightly Specials –Call Call for Voted the Best Voted the Best Place to Watch Male Dancers Place to Watch Male Dancers Nightly –Details Call for Details Voted the Best Place to Watch Male Dancers Voted the Best Nightly Specials –for Call for Details Voted the Best Voted the Best Place to Watch Male Dancers Voted the Best Voted the Best 801 BAR GUIDE Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Favorite restaurant? trend you’d like to see end?

Nightly Specials – Call for Details Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Cold Beverages && Hot Guys!

Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Place to Watch Male Dancers Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Nightly Specials – Call for Details Nightly Specials – Call for Details Cold Beverages &Guys!

Hot Guys!

Cold Beverages Hot Place to Watch Male Dancers Place to Watch Male Dancers Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Nightly Specials – Call for Details Nightly Specials ––Tues.

Call for Details Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Place to Watch Male Dancers Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Tues. and – Sunday Place to Watch Male Dancers Nightly Specials for Details Nightly Specials –Call Call for Cold Beverages &Guys!

Hot Guys!

Place toto Watch Male Dancers BAR GUIDE Place Watch Male Dancers and Thurs, – Sunday NightsNights Nightly Specials –Details Call forThurs, Details Cold Beverages & Hot Place to Watch Male Dancers BAR GUIDE Nightly Specials – Call for Details Place to Watch Male Dancers BAR GUIDE BAR GUIDE BAR GUIDE Tues. and Thurs, ––Thurs, Sunday Nights Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Tues. and – Sunday Nights Tues. and Thurs, Sunday Nights Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Cold Beverages Hot Guys!

Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights ColdCandy Beverages & Hot&Guys!

The small neighborhood taquerias Please end the Mexican in the Second Ward.

Shots (tequila, watermelon liqueur, 474 Favorite travel spot? and hot sauce).

Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

What are you best known for?

609 Dream vacation?

I’ve been with Mark DeLange, the owner 800 A European tour starting in the boot of the Eagle, for 10 years since he opened. of Italy, then Greece, maybe France, Most people know me for my Blue Balls 050 and the UK. Shot, which is a blueberry vodka mix.

257 Best advice toa new What is the best ReBar and worst holiday evolved into Rich’s Houston, restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, a vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, aaaavibe vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, abartender vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, avibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, arestaurant, vibe restaurant, evolved into Rich’s Houston, avibe vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, aaaaReBar vibe restaurant, in an LGBTQ bar? to work?

ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, a vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, a vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, a vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, a vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, a vibe restaurant, lounge & boutique day / night life experience. lounge & boutique // night life experience. lounge && day /day experience. lounge & boutique day night life experience. lounge day //night life experience. lounge &boutique boutique day night life experience. lounge &boutique boutique day /night night life experience. lounge & boutique day /life night life experience.

900 lounge & boutique day / night life experience. lounge & day //day experience.

Be real, be humble, and smile. holiday: I’m to count Pride as lounge & boutique //going night life experience. lounge && boutique day night life experience. lounge & boutique day night life experience. lounge day //night life experience. lounge &boutique boutique day night life experience. lounge &boutique day /night life experience. lounge &Best boutique day /life night life experience. lounge &boutique boutique day /night night life experience. a holiday, so Pride and Halloween are the 57 BARRemember GUIDE that everyone is welcome! best because people are in great spirits.

There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s always something going on atat TONY’S CORNER POCKET! 202 There’s always something going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! There’s something going on at TONY’S CORNER There’s always something going on TONY’S CORNER POCKET! Right now isand the perfect opportunity Right now isperfect the perfect perfect opportunity Right now isthe the perfect opportunity Desired super-power?

Worst holiday: New Year’s Eve St. Right now is the opportunity Right now is the opportunity Right now is perfect opportunity Right now is the perfect opportunity Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest Hottest Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest 3931 Houston’s Hottest Houston’s Hottest There’s always something on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! Cold going Gotta be the power of flight—in my Patrick’s Day, when all of the amateurs TOTO BEBE PROUD OFOF WHO YOU ARE Male Amateur TO BE PROUD PROUD OFdreams, WHO YOU ARE Thank Male Amateur Male Amateur TOBE BE PROUD OFWHO WHO YOUARE ARE Male Amateur Male Amateur Male Amateur Thank you again Male Amateur Male Amateur Thank you again Drinks Male Amateur Male Amateur TO Thank you again Male Amateur TO BE OF WHO TO BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE PROUD OF YOU PROUD WHO YOU ARE IYOU fly! ARE Thank are out!

Thank you again you again you again you Strip Contest Strip Contest Strip Contest 309 &Cold Hot Nightly Specials toThank my OutSmart Houston’s Hottest Strip Contest Strip Contest Strip Contest to myagain OutSmart Strip Contest Strip Contest to my OutSmart Strip Contest Strip Contest Strip Contest to my OutSmart to my OutSmart to my OutSmart Theme song?

Biggest tip from to my OutSmart Call for Details Guys!

BEBE COMPASSIONATE TOTO TO TOTOBE Drinks Male Amateur readers for voting BE COMPASSIONATE COMPASSIONATE TOCOMPASSIONATE Headquarters!

Headquarters! readers forme voting Headquarters!

COMPASSIONATE Headquarters!

Headquarters! readers for voting me me Headquarters!

Headquarters!

Headquarters!

Headquarters!

Headquarters! Headquarters!

BE TO COMPASSIONATE TO TO TO TO readers for voting me readers for voting me readers for voting me COMPASSIONATE TO TO theme TOBEBE readers for voting me for & Hot 837 Nightly Specials WINNER! Best Astrologer for The “Peanuts” song one customer?

Best Astrologer Strip Contest Best Astrologer for YOURSELF AND OTHERS YOURSELF AND OTHERS Fundraiser, Talent Show & Pool Party YOURSELF AND OTHERS Best Astrologer for Best Astrologer for Best Astrologer for Call for Details Guys!

Best Astrologer for YOURSELF AND OTHERS YOURSELF AND OTHERS YOURSELF AND OTHERS all of these years. ” all of these years. ” YOURSELF AND OTHERS all of these years. ” Headquarters! from Charlie Brown. $500 during a big party when a major W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas all of these 817 W. Dallas allall ofBest these years. all of these years. ””Shop 817 W. Dallas HAPPY 817 Copy/Print 817 W. Dallas 817 W. Dallas of these years. ”years.”

Papi’s 713.571.7870 GALVESTON 713.571.7870 713.571.7870 713.571.7870 713.571.7870 TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO THOSE 713.571.7870 713.571.7870 713.571.7870 PRIDE! TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO THOSE 713.571.7870 SHOW GRATITUDE THOSE 713.571.7870 TOTOSHOW SHOW GRATITUDE TOTOTHOSE THOSE 365 TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO THOSE TO GRATITUDE TO

999

326

34

Houston Eagle

BATTLE OF THE BALLS

3

TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO THOSE WHEN: JUNE 20, 2026 YOU AND APPRECIATE YOU LOVE AND TRULY APPRECIATE YOULOVE LOVE ANDTRULY TRULY APPRECIATE Voted BEST ASTROLOGER The piano features daily drink Voted BEST ASTROLOGER Voted BEST ASTROLOGER 4andbarBEST PM DOORS OPEN: Voted BEST ASTROLOGER Voted BEST ASTROLOGER Voted ASTROLOGER Voted BEST ASTROLOGER specialsby weekends are filled OutSmart Readers by OutSmart Readers by OutSmart Readers

by OutSmart Readers OutSmart Readers bybybyOutSmart Readers OutSmart Readers 570 Waugh Dr, Houston TX 77019 with pulsing music, hot dancers, drag

Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Where the Tops Hang Out! SHOWTIME: 5 PM - 8 PM Brunch Brunch Brunch 2024 PRIDE 2024 PRIDE 2024 PRIDE LILLY RODDY LILLY RODDY LILLY RODDY 2024 PRIDE 2024 PRIDE 2024 PRIDE LILLY RODDY WHERE: MONTROSE COUNTRY CLUB FESTIV AL &&PARADE FESTIV & PARADE FESTIV ALAL PARADE ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Lunch Lunch Lunch FESTIV AL & PARADE FESTIV AL & PARADE 50 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS FESTIV AL & PARADE $ SPORTS BAR 5 AASS SSTT T R O LLO OOG G EER RRE AT SR TO R LG O G R TR RO OL GO A S T R L A R O L G R A EE AS LOO EG RE R Dinner Dinner Dinner 2312 Crocker St.

WINNER

HAPPY PRIDE!

Voted the Best Voted the Best Voted the Best Voted the Best Voted the Best Voted the Best Voted the Best Voted the Best Houston’s newest Latin LGBTQ club Voted the Best Voted the Best Nightly Specials –– Call for Place to Watch Dancers Nightly Specials – Call for Details Nightly Specials for Details Place to Watch Male Dancers Place to Watch Male Dancers Nightly Specials –Details Call for Details Nightly Specials –Call Call for Details 817 Dallas Place to Male Watch Male Dancers Place to Watch Male Dancers Nightly Specials ––Specials for Details Nightly Specials –Call Call for Details Nightly Specials Call for Details Place to Watch Male Dancers Place to Watch Male Dancers Nightly – Call for Details Place to Watch Male Dancers Place to Watch Male Dancers Nightly Specials –W. Call for Details Place to Watch Male Dancers Voted the Best Place to Watch Male Dancers Tues. and Thurs, –––Thurs, Sunday Nights Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Tues. and – Sunday Nights Tues. and Thurs, Sunday Nights Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights offers dancing, drag, and game shows Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Tues. and Thurs, Sunday Nights Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Tues. and Thurs, – Sunday Nights Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Cold 713.571.7870 Beverages Hot Guys!

Tues. and Thurs,Tues.—Sunday – Sunday Nights Cold Beverages & Hot&Guys!

Performances Nights 817 W. Dallas all week long. Visit Papi’s and experiVoted the Best Place to Watch Male Dancers 713.571.7870 Performances Tues.—Sunday Nights ence the spicy side of Montrose!

YOU LOVE AND TRULY APPRECIATE YOU LOVE AND TRULY APPRECIATE YOULOVE LOVEAND ANDTRULY TRULY APPRECIATE BAR GUIDE YOU 23rdAPPRECIATE St. Station Piano Bar

If you that’s your business.

If you want wantto todrink, drink, that’s your Allbusiness.

If you want to stop, that’s ours.

If you want to stop, that’s ours.

shows, and piano tunes.

Pearl Bar 1706 23rd St, Galveston TX 77550 Vodka Drinks 300 Houston’s only lesbian bar—one of just 976 21 left in the nation—is home to a wide Robert’s Lafitte Hundreds of meetings a week in your area.

June 22nd, Fish Plaza, Wortham Theater June 22nd, Fish Plaza, Wortham variety of events including weekly June 22nd, FishSTAR Plaza, Wortham Theater Texas’ oldest bar has beenTheater open for SUPPORT THE LONE VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION, Hundreds of meetings a week in your area.

450 June 22nd, Fish Plaza, Wortham Theater June 22nd, Fish Plaza, Wortham Theater June 22nd, Fish Plaza, Wortham Theater Call (713) 686-6300 orRich’s visit www.aahouston.org ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, a vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Houston, a vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, a vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, a vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, a vibe restaurant, drag-king shows, nationally known ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, a vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, a vibe restaurant, over half a century, and is home ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, a vibe restaurant, ReBar evolved into Rich’s Houston, a vibe restaurant, Call (713) 686-6300 or visit www.aahouston.org MONTROSE SOFTBALL LEAGUE ASSOCIATION, AND SPACE CITYto For information visit: 617 Fairview •boutique Houston, Texas • experience.

713.528.8102 lounge & day //day 4351 lounge & // www.aa.org night life experience. lounge &general boutique day night life experience. lounge & boutique day night life experience. lounge & day //night life experience. lounge &boutique boutique day night life experience. lounge &boutique day /night life experience.

Galveston’s original drag show. lounge &information boutique day /life night life experience. LGBTQ DJs, and a queer farmers For general visit: www.aa.org lounge &boutique boutique day /night night life experience.

Personal astrological sessions Personal astrological sessions Personal astrological sessions Personal astrological sessions HOURS: Mon-Sat 7am–2am • Sunday 12pm–2am Personal astrological sessions astrological sessions UNITED AT OUR FUNDRAISING EVENT! Personal sessions market on the patio.

Join 350 vendors atat Houston's 2501Personal Avenue Q,astrological Galveston TX 77550 Join 350 vendors at Houston's Join 350 vendors Houston's Join atatHouston's Join 350 vendors at Houston's Join350 350vendors vendors Houston's TICKET SALES OPEN IN LATE MAYRelationship - EARLY JUNE! largest Pride Festival and Parade 4216 Washington, Houston TXWILL 77007 Relationship readings personal/business largest Pride Festival and Parade readings personal/business largest Pride Festival and Parade Relationship readings - personal/business Relationship readings --personal personal/business 2117 Relationship --/business personal/business personal/business Relationship readings -readings Relationship readings - personal/business largest Pride Festival and Parade largest Pride Festival and Parade largest Pride Festival and Parade AAHHOO UUSHSTO OO A UNSNTNN O NS SHNHEO aimed at funds for TOO ER S RI EH I EE R I E aimed atsomething raising for There’s always going on at TONY’S CORNER POCKET! Rumors Beach Bar aimed atraising raising fundsfunds for aimed atLY funds for aimed at raising funds RIED aimed atraising raising funds for? for ReBar MAR ENT Presentations & &lectures lectures tolectures REC Presentations to organizations organizations our non-profits Presentations lectures toorganizations organizations ourbenefiting two benefiting non-profits Located at the historic Seawall Bouleourtwo two benefiting non-profits Presentations 883 Presentations &&totolectures to Presentations &&lectures organizations Houston’s Hottest Presentations & lectures toorganizations organizations our non-profits ourbenefiting two benefiting non-profits ourtwo two benefiting non-profits Tony's Place and Grace Place.

Tony's Place and Grace Place.

This full-service venue offers vard on 31st Street, this Galveston spot Tony's Place and Grace Place.

OUTSMART wants all Male Amateur CONSULTATIONS BY CONSULTATIONS CONSULTATIONS

BY BY Tony's Place and Place.Place.

Tony's Place and Grace Tony's Place andGrace Grace CONSULTATIONS CONSULTATIONS BY CONSULTATIONS BY CONSULTATIONS BYandBY distinctive food 4230 with Southern flair, of the details and Place. may offers dancing, food, drinks, drag, Strip Contest Richmond | Houston, TX 77006 APPOINTMENT ONLY APPOINTMENT ONLY Early bird pricing now through 3/1.

APPOINTMENT ONLY pricing through 3/1.

EarlyEarly bird bird pricing now now through 3/1.

APPOINTMENT APPOINTMENT ONLY APPOINTMENT ONLY feature your LGBTQ Headquarters!

APPOINTMENT ONLYONLY a popular multiple bars, VIP | www.copydotcom.com aGIFT wide variety of themed nights.

Early bird now 3/1. bird pricing now through 3/1.patio, EarlyEarly birdpricing pricing nowthrough through 3/1.

713.528.1201 CERTIFICATES • CREDIT CARDS GIFT CERTIFICATES • CREDIT CARDS GIFT CERTIFICATES • CREDIT CARDS love story in GIFT CERTIFICATES •TX CREDIT CARDS GIFT CERTIFICATES • CREDIT CARDS GIFT CERTIFICATES • CREDIT CARDS GIFT CERTIFICATES • CREDIT CARDS bottle-service areas, a large dance 3102 Seawall Blvd, Galveston 77550 Categories Categories are are :: our monthly 817 W. Dallas E EP PI CI CUEURPREI C DD E EN L LI CIDCAEATLTEI C S SETEN UURGRMO NRND PA SIPA S SETERIRISEISEE R I Efloor, and some of Houston’s most Wedding A EN S +S+EGNGOO + MDA N TDTIGuide.

EAU ANR NE ES A MAUA PA 713.571.7870 C ADrag N V A S P R I N T S | C O L O R P O STERS acclaimed resident DJs. HUNTSVILLE DragVoted /LipSync /LipSync ,, Talent Talent ,, and and Swimsuit Swimsuit newfacesofpride.org newfacesofpride.org the Best newfacesofpride.org Nightly Specials – Call Place to Watch Male Dancers newfacesofpride.org G R E E T I N G C A R D S | M U C H M O R for E Details newfacesofpride.org 202 Tuam St, Houston TX 77006 newfacesofpride.org Lillycath@aol.com • www.LillyRoddyShow.com Lillycath@aol.com • www.LillyRoddyShow.com Lillycath@aol.com www.LillyRoddyShow.com EATSALTANDSUGAR.COM EATSALTANDSUGAR.COM EATSALTANDSUGAR.COM Tues. and Thurs, –•• Sunday Cold Beverages & Hot Guys!

Lillycath@aol.com •Nights www.LillyRoddyShow.com Email us at Editor@OutSmartMagazine.com Lillycath@aol.com Lillycath@aol.com www.LillyRoddyShow.com lillycath@aol.com • www.lillyroddy.com Lillycath@aol.com ••www.LillyRoddyShow.com www.LillyRoddyShow.com Ranch Hill Saloon RIPCORD The first (and only)||LGBTQ barJANUARY in2024 OutSmartMagazine.com 63 OutSmartMagazine.com |JANUARY 2024 OutSmartMagazine.com JANUARY 2024 63 OutSmartMagazine.com |APRIL 2024 63 OutSmartMagazine.com |||JANUARY 2024 63 79 OutSmartMagazine.com JANUARY OutSmartMagazine.com |JANUARY 2024 63 OutSmartMagazine.com |2024 MAY 2024 79 OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com | ||DECEMBER FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL 2024 63 79 OutSmartMagazine.com | |MAY JANUARY 2024 63 OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com |MARCH |MAY MARCH APRIL 2024 63 79 OutSmartMagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2024 79 110 2024 | 2024 OutSmartMagazine.com 2024 63 OutSmartMagazine.com |AUGUST 2024 6363 110 JUNE OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com FEBRUARY ||||JANUARY |JANUARY 2024 63 79 OutSmartMagazine.com |JANUARY AUGUST 2024 63 92 JUNE JANUARY 2021 | |OutSmartMagazine.com 110 JUNE 2024 | OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com AUGUST 2024 63 OutSmartMagazine.com FEBRUARY 2026 63 OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com OCTOBER 2025 2025 63 79 OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com DECEMBER FEBRUARY ||offers JANUARY 2024 65 55 OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com |OCTOBER MAY 2025 63 63 OutSmartMagazine.com || FEBRUARY JANUARY 2024 63 OutSmartMagazine.com ||||| ||SEPTEMBER 2025 63 Since 1982, |this leather has been aOutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com JULY 2025 OutSmartMagazine.com |JANUARY JANUARY 2024 63 OutSmartMagazine.com 2024 63 OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com ||SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2024 95 63 Montgomery County DJs, dancOutSmartMagazine.com |APRIL JANUARY 2024 63 OutSmartMagazine.com |MARCH JUNE 2026 79 OutSmartMagazine.com |APRIL SEPTEMBER 2024 OutSmartMagazine.com 2024 63 79 OutSmartMagazine.com JANUARY 2024 63 OutSmartMagazine.com |||JANUARY 2024 63 OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com SEPTEMBER 202455 95 63 63 OutSmartMagazine.com |2024 MAY 2024 79 OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com MARCH APRIL 2024 63 79 OutSmartMagazine.com |bar JANUARY 2024 63 OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com |MARCH |MAY |MAY MARCH APRIL 2024 63 79 OutSmartMagazine.com |FEBRUARY 2024 79 ne.com OutSmartMagazine.com | |JANUARY 2024 63 rtMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com OutSmartMagazine.com | || JANUARY FEBRUARY 2024 63 79 OutSmartMagazine.com | NOVEMBER 2024 67 azine.com Take PRIDE in yourself fixture in Houston’s LGBTQ community. ing, drink specials, and drag shows.

LillyRoddy_Nov14.indd 1 10/21/14 11:29 AM It’s where the wild, the weird, and the 1000 12th St, Take PRIDE in friends kinky gather on a nightly basis and Huntsville TX 77340 Take PRIDE in family

m

713.529.5842 713.529.5842 713.529.5842 713.529.5842

Houston’s LGBTQ Magazine

2024 PRIDE 2024 PRIDE 2024 PRIDE FESTIV AL &&PARADE FESTIV & PARADE FESTIV ALAL PARADE

SIGN OUT

by KEVIN CASEY

COSMIC RECEIPTS A Gemini New Moon and Chiron’s move into Taurus ask us what we value, and why.

Little planetoid/centaur Chiron was discovered on November 1, 1977, at the height of the disco craze when the legendary Studio 54, ESP, mood rings, and astrology were also all the rage. Astronomically, it was classified as an asteroid, then a planetoid, and now it’s being grouped with certain other celestial bodies that are all labeled centaurs. In mythology, Chiron was known as the wounded healer; in astrology, this cosmic centaur is about healing our deepest wounds.

On June 19, Chiron leaves Aries and begins an eight-year journey through Taurus. Collectively, we’re healing our wounds and insecurities around money, wealth, our possessions, greed, the economy, and what we value and hold dear.

The last time Chiron was in Taurus was 1976–1984 during the oil crisis, and the time before that was 1926–1934 when the Great Depression occurred. The protests we’ve seen against corporate greed will only get stronger over the coming years.

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) As the action heroes of the Zodiac, Aries know how to get things done, and this month your superpowers will be tested. On June 14, the New Moon joins highly charged Uranus in the sign of Gemini, revving up your to-do lists, errands, and communications. Emails, texts, DMs, and social invitations are coming in faster than you can reply to them. Venus moves into Leo on the exact same day, supercharging your natural magnetism and persuasive edge. Think before you spend this month. I know that’s a big ask of an Aries, but with Mars in Taurus for most of the month, your chances of contracting buyer’s remorse are higher than usual.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Chiron may not get much press coverage, but this little planetoid is front-page news for Taurus. After an eightyear stint in Aries, Chiron moves into Taurus on June 19.

In mythology, Chiron is known as the wounded healer, and astrologically it’s here to help you heal issues around self-worth, self-assertion, and vulnerability.

Chiron is a healing process that unfolds over time, so you don’t have to try and figure it all out now. Gemini season is money season for you Bulls, and the New Moon in Gemini on June 14 lands right in your money spot, giving you an opportunity to make more money.

Mars remains in Taurus for most of the month, giving you the confidence to take risks you wouldn’t have dreamed of a year ago.

GEMINI (May 21–June 21) Back on April 26, the cosmic disruptor Uranus moved 80

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

into Gemini, igniting a seven-year process of self-reinvention. Gemini season began on May 20 and reaches its peak on June 14 with the New Moon in Gemini. The Moon is linked to feelings and moods, so you won’t be able to hide how you really feel. Authenticity is key this month. Instead of asking yourself what you want, ask yourself what you really need. Money is also a hot topic this month as Mercury continues its extended trek through Cancer. Impulsive spending has always been a menace for you Geminis. Getting a grip on your spending, even if it’s just for the next couple of months, will do wonders for your anxiety.

CANCER (June 22–July 22) The cosmos has put you Cancerians in the time-out chair this month, not as a way to punish you but to get you ready for your close-up on June 21 when Cancer season officially begins. Closure is your keyword this month. Tying up loose ends and getting rid of excess emotional baggage is at the top of this month’s to-do list. The Gemini New Moon on June 14 puts a spotlight on any lingering resentments and feelings of self-doubt you need to release. You become the star of the show on June 21 when the Sun moves into Cancer. This is your personal new year—your moment of new beginnings, new adventures, and new connections.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) While Gemini season continues for most of the month, Venus moves into Leo on June 14, putting you Lions in the mood to socialize. Join a group, network, and say yes to those social invitations. Mingling this month

opens the door to new connections and new opportunities. The New Moon in Gemini on June 14 is connected to your future. What would you like to see happen in your life? Writing down your long-term term hopes and dreams for the future is extra-powerful this month. Mars in Taurus continues to heat things up at work. Use this warrior energy to complete projects and avoid clashes with management.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept.22) You’re the original worker bee, and you strive for perfection on any task you’re given—and the times your work isn’t perfect, it’s damn near close. If something goes wrong, you’ll right the ship. Your productivity, work ethic, attention to detail, and efficiency are your super powers when it comes to work. The New Moon in Gemini on June 14 says it’s time to stop coasting along and start being a conscious creator when it comes to your career path. Stop selling yourself short. You’ve been feeling it for a while now. It’s time for a change. Pay attention as the sun transits through the sign of Cancer June 21–July 21 and the cosmos begins illuminating the fears that have kept you stuck and trapped in a work situation.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 23) This is your free-spirit, bohemian moment. You need a break big-time, and the New Moon in Gemini on June 14 says it’s time to let loose and have some fun. Plan a trip, and plan big. We aren’t talking about a little weekend getaway here, we’re talking about foreign lands and foreign cultures. I know an exotic vacation might be out of the question for some of you Librans, but the bottom-

line message this month is finding ways to inject more fun into your life. A heavy dose of positivity and mind expansion comes with the New Moon-in-Gemini package. Take a class, learn something new, and stop placating those who insist on being in a foul mood.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24–Nov. 21) If you’ve been losing sleep about money, the New Moon in Gemini on June 14 is your light at the end of the tunnel. New Moons are symbolic of new beginnings, and this is your financial reset. On June 19, the planetoid Chiron enters Taurus and opposes all you Scorpios. You’re about to learn a ton about yourself, and your relationships are the classroom. Begin looking at the people you’re attracted to, then think about the people who are attracted to you. What does this tell you about yourself? Chiron is known as the wounded healer in mythology and is here to help us heal some of our deepest wounds. And for you Scorpios, it all comes down to those trust issues.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov.22–Dec.21) You love the thrill of new romance, but this month you need to take a moment and think about what you really want in a relationship. Coupled, Sagittarians need to have some deep and uncomfortable conversations to save the relationship or take it to the next level. Jupiter

concludes its transit through Cancer this month, so you’ll need to put the finishing touches on big financial matters like mortgages, loans, investments, and creditcard debt. You always give it to us straight with no B.S., Sag, but this month you’ll need to watch your tongue at work. Resist co-workers who try to bait you into power struggles and a bunch of B-grade office drama.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The New Moon in Gemini on June 14 puts you in the mood to declutter and get organized. Your body is giving you signals that you need a break, and it won’t tolerate overworking or burning the candle at both ends. Mars in pleasure-seeking Taurus highlights love affairs, and relationships become the main focus when Cancer season begins on June 21. Relationships are serious business to you, and you have no time for partners who dilly-dally around when it comes to commitment. While situationships may work for some of the other signs, they only lead to pain and heartbreak for you, Capricorn. You’ll never be able to settle for a part-time love.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Gemini season continues for most of the month, meaning love affairs, fun, parties, and creativity are the main attractions. Connecting with others at social

events is old hat for you, but when it comes to love and romance, you need your space. You get a cagey feeling under extended periods of intimacy. Possessive, clingy types need to look elsewhere. Your best match is the partner that reminds you it’s safe to go deep and bond.

Your mind is wildly imaginative and brilliant, but you need a break from it every now and again. When Cancer season begins on June 21, the cosmos forces you to pay attention to your body. It needs a little TLC this month.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) This month is a mixed bag for you. June begins with Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and the North Node in water signs. So far, so good, Pisceans. You can totally vibe with fellow water signs, but the New Moon in Gemini on June 14, not so much. You’re being pushed out of your comfort zone. For the sake of self-esteem and emotional stability, you’ll need to confront problems head-on instead of creating fantasy worlds you can escape to.

Family members are the most likely source of conflict this month. The same can be said about financial matters. When it comes to money, you’ll need to ditch the fantasy and be willing to see people and situations as they are and not as you would like them to be.

Connect with Kevin at popastrologyreadings.com or on @p0pastrology.

OutSmartMagazine.com |

JUNE 2026 81

WIGGING OUT

THE VOICE OF MONTROSE Phoebe Seymour uses her musical theater training onstage.

by SAM BYRD | photo by ALEX ROSA What do Little Shop of Horrors, black lipstick, and a powerhouse live vocal have in common? They all define Phoebe Seymour, the Deer Park-born performer bringing musical-theater polish and offbeat charm to Houston drag. A member of the Seymour drag family and the first-ever Miss Gay Texas America Femme, Phoebe blends Broadway dreams, pageant presence, vintage flair, and a little weird-girl edge into a persona that is all her own. You can find her hosting karaoke every weekend at JR’s Bar & Grill, where her signature freckles, vocal runs, and livesinging songbird energy have made her a familiar voice in Montrose.

months old, and I’ve never stopped. I grew up performing and singing all over Texas, but ultimately decided to go to school for musical theater at Sam Houston State University. In college, I also fell in love with special effects, makeup, and vintage clothing. Phoebe was born due to me realizing that I could hone all of my skills into one place for a perfect form of self-expression.

What got you interested in drag?

One of my favorite characters that I’ve played is Tracy in Hairspray. Traditionally, Tracy’s mother is played by a drag queen. Then when COVID shut the world down, I rediscovered drag with some of my best friends!

It lit a fire under me that I thought I had lost.

Pronouns? She/her, in and out of drag!

Inner Avatar? Cher, for sure.

Hometown? Deer Park, Texas

Describe your performing persona.

She’s spunky and weird, and always has a little bit of an edge with her black lipstick.

Drag birthday?

June 27, 2021 Is there a story behind your stage name?

I grew up doing musical theater. It was my first love, and my college degree! So if you say my name fast, you might be able to hear “Feed me Seymour” from one of my all-time favorite musicals, Little Shop of Horrors!

Any titles or pageants under your belt?

I am incredibly blessed to say that I am the first ever Miss Gay Texas America femme!

I just came back from nationals (Miss Gay America), where I placed fourth alternate and Miss Congeniality! I was the only person from Texas to make it into the top ten in both divisions. I’m also the only afab performer to have won Dessie’s Drag Race, our local drag race here in Houston.

Tell us about your drag family.

My incredible mother, Iris Seymour, runs her own company, Seymour Butts. She makes pads for drag queens all over the world! My sisters are immaculate dancers and artists, as well. Andy Seymour is a beautiful Juilliardtrained dancer and choreographer. Catalina Seymour-Alexander is a phenomenal competition dance teacher and choreographer. And Dazy Seymour is an up-and-coming clown of the town. But our family lineage goes back a little further than that, as my hilarious meemaw is none other than Houston favorite Estella Blow!

Tell us about your musical-theater background and how it relates to drag.

I have been performing ever since I could remember.

My very first role was actually baby Jesus at 3 82

JUNE 2026 | OutSmartMagazine.com

Most embarrassing moment onstage?

As a live-singing drag queen, I get a little nervous every single time I’m about to perform, because my ultimate fear is singing the wrong words—and trust me, it’s happened before. And every time it does, it is the most embarrassing thing!

Visit our site to read the full conversation with Phoebe Seymour.

What does Pride mean to you?

Pride, to me, is not just a big party, it’s about being visible and remembering everyone who came before us! The people who fought to be able to have these beautiful parties of love and acceptance! All the efforts it took so we are able to be open and proud! Those fights took a long time, and if we forget that, we might just have to fight again!