David Magazine v9_i04 | To Your PRIME

V9-04 01.22.25

Eurovision 2024: Nemo’s Big Year

Michael Miguel Is Ready to Go-Go

10 Health Strategies To Kickstart 2025

+ Photos & More

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Nemo’s Big Year

By Chris Azzopardi Photos: Ella Metler

When Eurovision Song Contest 2024, the high-camp international singing competition, crowned Nemo as its winner earlier this year, it signified more than a musical triumph — it was a groundbreaking moment for representation. Since then, the nonbinary artist, celebrated for their theatrical performances and unapologetic authenticity, has become a powerful symbol of LGBTQ+ visibility. to be myself in public and know that people are watching, and young people are watching — people that need to have representation to look up to, because when I grew up, I didn’t have any nonbinary people in media or wherever to look up to and feel represented by.

It just is such a wonderful time and a special year, and not just with Eurovision. I feel like there’s all these artists that are openly queer and are making amazing music or amazing art and people really feel that, and I feel like it really matters. So knowing that I can be a little part of that has been one of the biggest honors of my life.

Switzerland’s winning entry, “The Code,” cowritten by Nemo, marked the country’s first victory since «Ne partez pas sans moi» by People like David Bowie, Annie Lennox and Celine Dion in 1988. It also made history as the Mika may not be nonbinary, but obviously first winning song by a nonbinary artist in the they all challenged gender norms in some contest’s history. Imagine an opera-rave fusion, ways. Were you drawn to artists like them, as Nemo’s vocals reach beyond the ceiling and and who are some of the artists you’re proud tip over into rap. On the chorus, they sing, “I went to stand alongside now? to hell and back to find myself on track; I broke For me growing up, it was definitely Mika. I think I the code. Like ammonites, I just gave it some felt very at home in his music, but also just in his time; now I found paradise.” In October, the artist personality in this world he’s built. I’ve always felt followed up with “Eurostar,” a high-energy club drawn to people like that. Also, Freddie Mercury banger. from Queen. I used to listen to a lot of Queen and But Nemo’s impact goes beyond music; they’ve I never really knew or understood why, but I think boldly and directly challenged Swiss leadership I always felt drawn to these types of personalities to recognize a third gender option, advocating in music and art. for change not just for themselves but for countless others seeking acknowledgment and You can’t really pin it down, but it makes sense equality. As we look ahead to 2025, these critical in retrospect. And nowadays, people I really conversations about identity and representation look up to right now... I mean, one of the biggest are sure to resonate far beyond Switzerland, inspirations for me personally is Chappell sparking dialogue across the globe, including Roan. She has such a wonderful universe, but here in the U.S. also personality and music; she’s such a great connector in the queer music scene, but also just On stage and during our video interview, Nemo connecting worlds and opening up the field to so radiates warmth and a perky spirit — even at 9 many more people. I think there are always super a.m., a time they confess is “usually my wake-up important people in the course of history, people time, not my interview time.” From L.A., where that can really build bridges in a way. I feel really they recently attended a dreamy Malibu wedding inspired by her a lot at the moment. and were partaking in songwriting sessions, You mention both Mika and Chappell Roan Nemo opened up about what their Eurovision creating artistic universes. Take me back to win means — not just for their career, but for so when you were young and musical and doing many who find inspiration in their story. that for yourself.

I think in a lot of ways I was always drawn to I owe you congratulations, Nemo! How cool worlds that weren’t the world I was living in. I was is it that you get to represent not just the always drawn to theater and opera, and I was in LGBTQ+ community, but specifically the youth opera when I was from nine to 13 or so, nonbinary community? and we prepared one opera a year. I love to just I feel like this is what I really fed off of. During dive into certain worlds. As a kid, I felt very drawn the whole competition, I think my number-one to that. One of the biggest fascinations was drive was knowing how much visibility matters: actually “The Magic Flute” by Mozart, and I was getting messages from all over the world — or obsessed with the “Queen of the Night” [aria]. all over Europe mainly, but also a few from the U.S. — during the process and how it started And now you are the queen of the night. a conversation in [someone’s] family, or how Literally. That’s the coolest part about “The Code” they finally had the courage to come out or they — a part of the “Queen of the Night” made it into realized something about themselves during “The Code.” And I feel like it’s the realest thing, Eurovision. Not just because of me, but because because I used to annoy everyone around me of queer representation this year in general. singing this song the whole day. I can hit the high And it continues to be a huge honor to just get notes. I never thought about it that way, but I

Switzerland, and we talked about various options and things, but not just the third gender entry on passports, but also just safety and visibility for nonbinary people in general, trans people in Switzerland, and it was a really good conversation.

And we just actually texted again for an update in the next couple of months because I really want to know what actually has changed. Switzerland is obviously like a slow democratic country in the way that everything is direct. We have direct democracy, so things tend to take time because every decision can be challenged in a way.

People can propose their own laws. If you get 100,000 signatures, you can propose a law and then the nation decides if this law is worth putting in place or not, but also you can challenge it. was always fascinated and drawn into alternate Overall, as I said, how can we increase security universes. That’s also why I ended up making and visibility and build bridges? And I think that’s music, because I think that was when I realized equally as important for nonbinary and trans this is the place I can literally create whatever I want to. And I think that’s still what drives me with people in Switzerland. So I’m excited to meet Mr. making music. Nowadays it’s building worlds and [Beat] Jans again and talk to him. building universes.

You’re touring Europe next year.

I love that. I think your victory sends a Can we expect powerful message, especially considering to see you in the Switzerland’s rejection of a third gender U.S.? option. How do you feel your win impacts I would love to. this perspective on representation in your I would love to country? come to the U.S. I I think there’s been a few things that have think a good way happened. The first thing that happened was it to start for me in just took this conversation to a much broader the U.S. would be level in my country. The story was suddenly so to do a support big that people that didn’t want to talk about it tour somewhere couldn’t ignore it anymore. That was certainly with someone. I something that it did and continues to do now think that’d be a that Eurovision is going to be in Switzerland great way to get to again. I think when it happens, there’s going to know the country definitely be the question of, so how much has musically and get to actually changed in this year? How have things know what touring progressed? Did they progress at all? feels like here, but It happened a few months before the Eurovision definitely next year I’ll play in the U.S. finale, when I was already announced as the artist to go to Eurovision. I was getting ready for in some way. an interview and I was in this makeup chair at Your shows must just be like an operatic rave. the television [station], and then suddenly I see the Swiss president, one of the Swiss presidents Actually, I think that’s a great image. It’s just me singing “Queen of the Night,” 90 minutes straight. coming in, and he’s getting ready for his interview, as well, and getting his makeup done.

We get our makeup done in very different ways. What’s the timeline for your full debut album?

It’s in the works. I booked a lot of studio time in On me, there’s a little bit of powder.

January and February, so that’s when I want to finish the album and round it all off. But at the No nails?

No nails. But we started talking and it was really same time, I don’t want to have the pressure of saying it has to be absolutely done. But then I cute. And then, he left. He asked for a picture really want to make something that I’m super and left. That night I was like, oh, wait, maybe I happy and excited about. And I think just good should talk to him about the third gender entry music takes time and I’m working on making my option on Swiss passports and IDs. album the best thing I can possibly create. And so I want to be very gentle with that part of myself And I just sent him an Instagram message like, “Hey, would you want to maybe get some coffee and just make sure I’m really happy with the and talk about this?” And then I get an Instagram result before committing to a release schedule.

But definitely sometime next year. message back: “The Swiss president doesn’t answer Instagram, but we can certainly make a I imagine it’s a lot of pressure. The debut is meeting happen.” It was one of his assistants, a defining moment. It initially defines your but then things got really crazy with Eurovision sound and who you are. and fast-forward, I’m at the press conference.

Definitely. I feel like an album is such a nice way They asked me, “What’s the first thing you’re going to do when you get back to Switzerland?” to capture a moment in time of your life and it feels like this very extensive journal entry.

I was like, “Well, I’m probably going to meet the Swiss president for coffee to talk to him about the Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride third gender option on passports.”

Source Media Group and Q Syndicate, the national And obviously I wasn’t exactly aware of how much impact just that one sentence would have, LGBTQ+ wire service. He has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey because I wasn’t aware that this moment had and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New become so huge. But that became a national York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via headline. Actually, I met him a month later with Twitter @chrisazzopardi. the lovely people of the Transgender Network

Michael Miguel Is Ready to Go-Go

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Multi-talented artist Michael Miguel is jumping into 2025 with full force: he plays the lead role in Here TV’s series “Go Go,” which aired its second season mid-December, and at the same time, he released his new EP “Gemini Season Part One.” We got a chance to catch up with the actor, singer, dancer, and songwriter to talk about it all.

So you have ended 2024 and started 2025 red hot with a new his life without warning or closure. And I just so happened to season of “Go Go” on Here TV and the release of your new also be grieving the loss of the love of my life earlier this year.

EP. How did you get involved in acting and singing?

But what I’ve noticed is that I normally don’t allow myself to I started this career professionally before Covid. My first feel that much pain. But by acting as Franky, I allowed myself audition for anything was Footloose the Musical, and I ended to feel the full amount of that pain. And it was so rewarding up getting the lead. After that, I began writing about 30 songs, as I felt a huge dark cloud begin to lift. For that, I’ll always be and I went to Los Angeles, and I got my first song produced. grateful to this career path, the director, and the crew who I released it on my own, and that song is called “Boys and made me feel so safe to be that vulnerable.

Barbies,” and it ended up being in a feature-length film called “Regarding Us,” which premiered last summer. I had a small Turning to your music: you have released music before – role in the film as well. Then I got involved with the TV series when did you get into singing?

“Go Go” on the queer network Here TV. My character’s name I wanted to be a performer since I was probably able to walk is Franky; he is a Go-Go Dancer, and his dream is to be a or crawl. I was around two years old when my parents realized famous singer, but to make ends meet in New York, he ends that I loved to sing, but because I grew up Jehovah’s Witness, up dancing. What he doesn’t realize is the rest of the Go-Go I wasn’t really allowed to pursue this as a career; it was dancers are part of a sex-trafficking ring, and he basically gets frowned upon, and so it was; it’s been a journey. It has been a drugged, framed, and blackmailed into joining this crew of very big journey because after I got kicked out, I still had that sex workers. I just finished filming the second season. Both mentality and kind of grooming of thinking that this was not seasons are available to stream, and the last episode aired on even possible, even after I was no longer tied to the religion Friday. Along with that, I just released my EP, “Gemini Season and even those family ties, I still felt kind of trapped in that, Part One,” which is also featured in season 2 of “Go Go”. and it wasn’t until I sang at a piano bar with a friend of mine in front of people that I realized that this is something that I can How do you have time for it all? do and that I will do, and I did, and that was when I decided Haha, honestly, I have no idea how, but we made it work. It to audition on my own for Footloose, and the rest is history. also did not feel forced… it felt organic. I wasn’t planning on I have achieved so much in such a small amount of time, and making or dropping an EP. Honestly, I was going through grief that doesn’t take away from all the hard work that’s gone into after losing the love of my life the year prior. I was just in the everything. It’s not for the glitz and glamour, but it’s for the others, you know, that little queer kid that feels so isolated, so alone, and thinks that this kind of life, this kind of way of thinking, and being is not possible, it is.

Tell us about the inspiration for “Gemini Season Part One.” I answered this in the last question, haha, but I am happy to have also dived into my own psyche of being a Gemini and compartmentalizing two versions of myself. So, with this first part, I honor my New York and American roots.

When can we expect a part two? Are you working on it already?

Part two will be more about Miguel. The adult, the one who has fully embraced his Colombian and Puerto Rican roots. His Latin roots. He’s also sunnier, more playful, joyous. I’m excited for you guys to hear that. And yes, we have started writing and recording the second part of this project already! I’m very excited.

Tell us where we can find you on social media?

You can find me on Instagram, Twitter(X), Tik Tok, @ akamichaelmiguel Anything else you would like to add? studio helping produce another artist named Tayla Rees when I would just like to express my gratitude for this interview and I felt inspired to write again and sing once more. And the rest to everyone who’s supported my journey. I’m beyond grateful is history, haha. and proud to be a queer man of color who is lucky to be doing what he loves and hopefully inspiring others to do the same.

You seem deeply immersed in your character on “Go Go” – what was your biggest challenge or the hardest scene to Read the full, unabridged interview online at shoot this season?

DavidAtlanta.com.

Honestly, my character’s life mirrors a lot of my own life.

But the hardest scene to film was also the most therapeutic for me, as it was the scene where Franky was crying in the shower. He himself continues to experience people leaving

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10

Health Strategies to Kickstart 2025 Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt

The new year is a fresh opportunity to prioritize your well-being—mind, body, and soul. The LGBTQ+ community’s health extends beyond standard diet and exercise advice. It involves fostering balance, fostering self-care, and addressing specific needs like sexual health and mental well-being. Here are 10 actionable strategies to make 2025 your healthiest year yet.

1. Make Regular Check-Ups a Priority Your annual health check-ups are non-negotiable. Schedule a visit with your doctor to discuss everything from blood pressure to cholesterol. LGBTQ+-friendly clinics can provide a judgment-free space to discuss your specific health concerns, including hormone therapy, mental health, or preventive care.

2. Stay on Top of Sexual Health Protecting your sexual health is a must. Get tested for STIs regularly based on your level of sexual activity, and discuss PrEP with your doctor if it’s right for you.

Remember, condoms and dental dams are essential tools for protection.

3. Build a Fitness Routine You Love The gym isn’t for everyone, but moving your body is vital. Whether it’s dancing, hiking, yoga, or a group class, find activities that energize you. Regular exercise boosts your mood, strengthens your body, and supports long-term health.

4. Focus on Mental Health The start of a new year is a great time to check in with your mental health.

Therapy, support groups, or even journaling can help you process emotions and reduce stress. Find LGBTQ+ counselors or groups who understand your unique experiences.

5. Prioritize Sleep Sleep is often overlooked but crucial for overall health. Create a bedtime routine, limit screen time before bed, and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to improve focus, mood, and energy levels.

6. Embrace Healthy Eating—Without Guilt Nutrition doesn’t have to mean deprivation. Start by incorporating more whole foods into your meals, like fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains. But also allow room for indulgences—food is meant to be enjoyed!

7. Foster Connection and Community Loneliness can impact mental and physical health. Make an effort to connect with friends, chosen family, or LGBTQ+ groups. Building strong relationships offers emotional support and a sense of belonging.

8. Quit Unhealthy Habits If you’ve been meaning to quit smoking, excessive drinking, or other habits that don’t serve you, now is the time. Seek support groups or resources specifically tailored for LGBTQ+ individuals to help you succeed.

9. Stay Educated About Sexual and Gender-Specific Health Needs Our community often faces unique health disparities, from increased risks of certain cancers to barriers accessing care. Advocate for yourself by learning about screenings and services relevant to your identity, such as prostate exams, breast cancer screenings, or hormone therapy updates.

10. Practice Radical Self-Care Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Make time for what makes you feel good, whether it’s taking a bubble bath, exploring creative outlets, or binge-watching your favorite LGBTQ+ series. Celebrate the small wins, and remember to love yourself fiercely.

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An Evening of High Stakes and Elegance

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

On January 25, AID Atlanta invites you to enjoy a night of fundraising in the spirit of Monte Carlo meets Moulin Rouge. The Casino de Monte Carlo party will not only be a significant fundraising event for AID Atlanta, but it will give guests an experience of oldschool glamour, gambling, and entertainment like none other. We spoke to Jon Santos, Director of Development at AID Atlanta, about what to expect at the Casino de Monte Carlo.

AID Atlanta has always been great at creating and hosting fundraising events – but this one is different! Can you tell us a little bit about the background for the Casino de Monte Carlo event?

throughout the evening, featuring singers, dancers, and magicians.

This dressy, sultry, and sophisticated cocktail party will feature exciting casino gaming experiences with professional operators running tables for craps, roulette, blackjack, and slot machines.

Guests will use casino chips, which can be traded for raffle entries to win incredible prizes, including trips, Blue Ridge Cabin Stays, and an Atlanta Staycation.

Guests will enjoy signature cocktails crafted by Tito’s Vodka and delicious hors d’oeuvres by Affairs to Remember.

Cabaret-style performances will entertain

We looked around the community to see what might be fun that isn’t currently happening. Casinos, gambling is fun. I see a mixture of the opening sequence of Sister Act, Casino Royale, 50 Shades of Grey, and Shirley Bassey’s Cover of “Get The Party Started” as part of our inspiration.

How did you come up with the idea for the swanky casino and nightclub theme?

What can people expect at this event?

Will there be gambling?

As you know, gambling with real money is

illegal in Georgia, and while we will have professional gaming operators, craps, roulette, blackjack and slot machines with real ‘play,’ we will use funny money. At the end of the event, money can be turned into raffle prize entries.

Events like this raise necessary and vital funds for your programs. Can you elaborate a little bit on how the money raised will be spent?

Special fundraising events tend to be the most visible in our development program, and at AID Atlanta, our special fundraising events exist to help fund our prevention and care programs and services like our Free HIV and STI Testing and Treatment Program, Men Engagement Network (MEN), Sisters With A Voice (SWAV), and Emergency Assistance fund that helps those in the most dire need.

What if you can’t make it to the event?

How can we support AID Atlanta otherwise?

Visiting www.aidatlanta.org/donatenow/ is the easiest way to give. Our friends may include the program or service they wish to support by leaving information in the ‘comments’ box. Supporting our life-saving work is instrumental to our continued efforts. With HIV Testing costing $25, and STI Testing running around $70, those programs are in constant need of funding.

Let’s return to the event – how do you get to attend? And will there be a dress code?

The link to purchase tickets online is www. aidatlanta.org/casino/. Pit Boss Host Admissions are $175 per person, and Player General Admission is $100 per guest. Captaining a table is absolutely welcome and encouraged.

Guests will enjoy signature cocktails and delicious hors d’oeuvres by Affairs to Remember. Cabaret-style performances will entertain throughout the evening, featuring singers, dancers, and magicians.

Anything else you’d like to add?

We invite you to please join us. The evening will be fun; we will raise funds to help fund our agency. Thank you for your years of generous support – AID Atlanta is by and of our community.

Get your tickets for AID Atlanta’s Casine de Monte Carlo event at aidatlanta.org/ casino.

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Want to join in on the b*tch session?

Submit your own nuggets to info@davidatlanta.com.

If you think money doesn’t bring or buy I guess he’s cute and easygoing but in a happiness, please just transfer it to my really intense and stressful kinda way. account.

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conclusions, and running my mouth.

After 30, you can’t eat Taco Bell and “The older you get, the more conservative you get” – have sex in the same day.

yeah, if youʼre a little b*tch!

One thing about 3pm: she is the end of the day.

Animals are so crazy. How is your mom just one year older than you?