THE FIGHT SOCAL'S LGBTQ MONTHLY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2017

AUG UST 2017 | TH E F I GH T 1

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AUG UST 2017 | TH E F I GH T 3

THECONTENTS FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

18 WEHO DEATH INVESTIGATED

11 THE TALK AARON CARTER 15 THE STATE SPOUSAL COVERAGE 16 THE CITY GLITTER RUN 19 THE TRANSACTION COSMETIC DONATION 20 THE ROSTOW REPORT SUGAR RUSH 36 THE SHARE LOCAL RECOVERY 42 THE ART LOCAL ARTISTS 43 THE EPIDEMIC AETNA MISHAP 44 THE MUSIC OLIVER 46 THE EVENTS PRIDE FESTIVALS 48 THE CALENDAR THINGS TO DO 50 THE FINAL FIGHT LAST WORD

GEMMEL MOORE’S TRAGIC DEMISE

22 YOU’RE NOT ALONE

LGBT CENTER’S ADDICTION RESOURCES

24 GENDER TRANSITIONING IN RECOVERY DR. RONAYE CALVERT, REVIVE DETOX

26 YOGA FOR LIFE

AN INTERVIEW WITH THOMAS HARRIS

28 FOLSOM STREET FAIR

THIS MONTH IN SAN FRANCISCO

30 MENTAL ILLNESS & ADDICTION

DUAL DIAGNOSIS IN THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY

32 HERE COME THE JUDGES

PALM SPRINGS LEATHER ORDER OF THE DESERT

34 THE COLOR OF KINK

A MINORITY WITHIN A MINORITY

38 EXHIBIT AA

AARON VALENZUELA’S VISUAL ESSAY

40 GOT MILK?

QUEER/LESBIAN DANCE PARTY

41 FIND YOUR PASSION

LIFE CHANGING PALM SPRINGS WORKSHOP

ON THE COVER THOMAS HARRIS COVER PHOTO, TOC PHOTO AND FEATURE PHOTO BY DUSTI CUNNINGHAM 4 T H E F I GH T | www.thefightmag.com

AUG UST 2017 | TH E F I GH T 5

THEEDITOR

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Stanford Altamirano MANAGING EDITOR Mark Ariel ART DIRECTOR Nadeen Torio MARKETING CONSULTANTS Tom Pardoe Sean Galuszka Jacci Ybarra Joseph Arellano SOCIAL MEDIA Mark Ariel Sinan Shihabi WEBMASTER Nadeen Torio ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Sinan Shihabi

>> IN THIS ISSUE <<

In recognition of National Recovery Month cover model Thomas Harris tells Augustus Britton how yoga became an integral part of his recovery (“Yoga For Life,” page 26). “Yoga, for me, invokes really nice intuition. And positive thinking, which directly correlates to my recovery, because my default is to be in a negative headspace… yoga brightens my day, it really lights me up on the inside, and that’s why I practice it,” reveals Harris. Harris decided to get clean and sober, five years ago, because “drugs and alcohol were no longer working for me. I was very close to death, I hated the way I felt inside, I became an intravenous drug user, I was homeless and living on the streets, I was in and out of jail and mental institutions, I was physically unhealthy and mentally unstable from the drugs, and emotionally and spiritually I was completely bankrupt.” “I got clean and sober because my life had come to a point where I would either choose death or choose life,” says Harris. “The last night of my using I had a moment of clarity and a window of opportunity where

I completely surrendered to my disease and became willing to do whatever it would take to get clean and sober and since that night my life has infinitely changed for the better.” Also in this issue Dr. Ronaye Calvert, the Executive Director and Founder of LIVE Treatment and Revive Detox, writes about the transgender recovery experience (“Gender Transitioning in Recovery,” page 24). “The desire to market to an LGBTQ community dealing with deadly substance abuse issues is increasing; however, the necessary expertise and familiarity with the community is not growing at the same pace. Without an easy check-in-the-box to apply, many facilities simply don’t know what to with a transitioning individual,” states Calvert. “To my peers and colleagues, I ask that you truly educate yourselves,” writes Calvert. “The LGBTQ community is ready and willing to teach you. To our LGBTQ community of clients and potential clients, I ask that you continue to self-advocate until our treatment industry catches up to you.”

CONTRIBUTORS Augustus Britton Dr. Ronaye Calvert Dusti Cunningham James Guay, LMFT Orly Lyonne Victor Melamed Paulo Murillo Roxie Perkins Brontez Purnell Ann Rostow Paul V. Vitagliano GET THE FIGHT AT HOME Sent Via First Class Mail 12 Issues: $36 6 Issues: $24 Mail check or money order to: Third Step, LLC 611 S. Catalina St. Suite 307 Los Angeles, CA 90005 PUBLISHER Third Step, LLC DISTRIBUTION Pride In Media The Fight Magazine is published monthly by Third Step, LLC. 611 South Catalina Street, Suite 307 Los Angeles, CA 90005 Telephone (323) 297-4001 Fax (213) 281-9648 Email info@TheFightMag.com THE FIGHT MAGAZINE LEGAL CAVEATS By listing in The Fight Magazine, advertisers acknowledge that they do business in the spirit of cooperation, fairness and service, maintaining a high level of integrity and responsibility. Providers of products or services are fully and solely responsible for providing same as advertised. The Fight Magazine assumes no liability for improper or negligent business practices by advertisers. Advertisers and their agencies assume responsibility and liability for the content of their advertisements in The Fight Magazine.

STANFORD ALTAMIRANO Editor-In-Chief

Publisher assumes no liability for safe-keeping or return of unsolicited art, manuscripts or other materials. The Fight Magazine reserves the right to edit all material for clarity, length and content. All contents © 2017 Third Step LLC. All rights reserved. Content may be reproduced with permission. The Fight Magazine assumes no liability for any claims or representations contained anywhere in this magazine and reserves the right to cancel or refuse advertising at publisher’s discretion. TheFightMag.com For Display Advertising, please call (323) 297-4001

6 T H E F I GH T | www.thefightmag.com

AUG UST 2017 | TH E F I GH T 7

THELETTERS >> FROM OUR READERS <<

IS DREAMY Dear Editor, Nice to see a big burly guy on your cover (THE FIGHT, Issue #79). Anthony Gordon is dreamy. If he is single can you please pass along my email? LOL. Also cool centerfold with Corey Saucier (THE FIGHT, The Spread, Issue #79). In general, I’m happy that your magazine celebrates our diversity as a community. Don’t think it goes unnoticed! —Peter Rodriguez, via the internet

STUMBLED UPON Dear Editor, I read with great interest Tim Pulliam’s article “Fighting For Visibility” (THE FIGHT, Issue #79). While I agree with his main point—black gay men are more than what you see on television—something about the article irked me—but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Pulliam states that it is a misrepresentation of the black LGBTQ community to constantly portray the black gay man as a “a stunt queen with a sharp tongue and outfit to match.” Truebut-wait-what’s so bad about that, I thought to myself. And then I stumbled upon a piece by Preston Mitchum in The Root (theroot.com). And he actually pinpointed what bothered me. Mitchum writes: “The queer community’s obsession with masculinity—and perceptions thereof—is killing us. Like most communities, the black male queer community uplifts some types to the detriment of others. Many of us demand nuanced representations of black queer men in film and media while quickly rejecting the ones who look like these characters off script… When some people claim that overrepresentation of black queer femme men is “damaging,” what is really being said is that these men are undesirable—by society and in more intimate ways as well. We have to call that hypocrisy out.” Couldn’t agree more! —Eric Sawyer, via the internet

> WRITE TO THE EDITOR

Email: editor@thefightmag.com Fax: (213) 281-9648. Letters may be shortened due to space requirements. 8 T H E F I GH T | www.thefightmag.com

AUG UST 2017 | TH E F I GH T 9

1 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

THETALK >> W H AT T H E Y ’ R E S AY I N G <<

My Heroes

“… Trans people are my heroes. I can’t imagine the nerve it takes to ignore all the stares and the name calling, to get up every day and be totally yourself, no matter what the world thinks of you.”

AARON CARTER

DAVID SEDARIS

—Author David Sedaris (Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim) in an interview last month with New Statesman.

The Incitement

“My heart is in Charlottesville today, and with everyone made to feel unsafe in their country… But the incitement of hatred that got us HILARY CLINTON here is as real and condemnable as the white supremacists in our streets.” —Hilary Clinton, tweeting last month, in response to the violence spurred by racism and white supremacy that broke out in Charlottesville, Va.

Country’s Strength

“Our country’s strength stems from its diversity and the contributions made by men and women of different faiths, sexual orientations and political beliefs.”

KENNETH FRAZIER

—Merck chairman and CEO Kenneth Frazier in a statement announcing his resignation from a presidential advisory panel after Donald Trump’s comment that “many sides” were to blame for the violence in Charlottesville, Va.

That Way

BROOKE ASHJIAN

“ … If you start telling them [middle schoolers] that LGBT is okay and that it’s a way of life, well, maybe you just swayed the kid to go that way.”

—Fresno Unified school board president Brooke Ashjian complaining about the California Healthy Youth Act that mandates middle schoolers receive sex education, including information on the spectrum of sexual orientations.

Like Lifted

“This doesn’t bring me shame, just a weight and burden I have held onto for a long time that I would like lifted off me.” —Singer Aaron Carter acknowledging his bisexuality in a tweet last month.

Fully Support

“I sincerely apologize … I fully support and hope to help the LGBTQ community with their efforts in being treated fairly. I intend to let my actions MATT JOYCE speak louder than anything more that can be said about this truly regrettable moment.” —Oakland Athletics outfielder Matt Joyce in a tweet last month, after receiving a two-game suspension without pay for directing an anti-gay slur toward a fan in Anaheim.

Any Patriot

RICHARD SPENCER

“ … Any patriot that wants to serve and meets all the requirements should be able to serve in our military,”

—Navy Secretary Richard Spencer, while visiting a naval base in Virginia last month, appearing to break with President Donald Trump over the President’s intention to ban transgender individuals from serving in the US military. UST SEP AUG TEMB ER 2017 | THE F I GH T 11

What is TRUVADA for PrEP?

Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP?

TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medicine that is used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: ® Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. ® Also take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP? Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-negative. ® Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. ® You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. ® If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. ® To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: ® Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. ® Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. ® Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. ® Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. ® If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: ® Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking TRUVADA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: ® Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA. ® 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. ® Bone problems, including bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? ® All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. ® If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA. ® If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk. ® All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. ® If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include certain medicines to treat hepatitis C (HCV) infection. 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.

Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page. 1 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

I'm irresistible, not irresponsible. I know who I am. And I make choices that fit my life. TRUVADA for PrEP™ is a once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when taken every day and used together with safer sex practices. ® TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you. Learn more at truvada.com AUG UST 2017 | THE F I GH T 13

IMPORTANT FACTS

This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEPTM (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.

(tru-VAH-dah) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative. • Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. • You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you think you were exposed to HIV-1 or have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. • See the “How To Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information. TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA for PrEP is a prescription medicine used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. • To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. • Take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • Use TRUVADA for PrEP together with condoms and safer sex practices. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP” section. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • 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. • Bone problems. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.

BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. • Have any other medical conditions. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can pass to the baby in breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.

HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV infection. • Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.

TRUVADA FOR PREP, the TRUVADA FOR PREP Logo, the TRUVADA Blue Pill Design, TRUVADA, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0130 07/17

1 4 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

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Los Angeles County lesbian couple filed suit in federal court last month against a Colorado-based company and its health insurance administrator for its refusal to provide them spousal health insurance coverage on an equal basis to its heterosexual employees. In December 2016, in the wake of Donald Trump’s election, Colorado-based Cherry Creek Mortgage Company told their employee Judith Dominguez that they would no longer offer spousal health care benefits to Dominguez’s wife Patricia Martinez, showing Dominguez a policy statement that said Cherry Creek only recognizes marriages between a man and a woman. Appallingly, Cherry Creek told Dominguez that the company was retroactively retracting spousal health insurance coverage for her wife for the prior year—leaving the couple faced with tens of thousands of dollars in unexpected charges for care after Martinez’s two heart attacks in 2015. When the couple stood up for their rights, Cherry Creek retaliated by firing Dominguez. “The judge who married us said it was an honor to perform our ceremony,” said Patricia Martinez. “He told us, ‘Now you are family.’ Cherry Creek doesn’t have the right to rip that apart. They can’t take our rights away from us.” Dominguez’s and Martinez’s complaint, filed in federal court in the Central District of California, charges Cherry Creek with discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Affordable Care Act, California’s Fair Employment & Housing Act, and the California Labor Code. n UST SEPAUG TEMB ER 2017 | THE F I GH T 15

THECITY NEON TREES >> BY PAULO MURILLO <<

GLITTER RUN. PHOTO COURTESY OF LA LGBT CENTER

LOS ANGELES

PALM SPRINGS

CENTER HOLDS FIRST GLITTER RUN

LGBTQ FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 10 YEARS

The LA LGBT Center attracted thousands of participants and spectators to its very first Glitter Run 5K run/walk on Hollywood Boulevard last month. Participants were covered in glitter while traveling through seven glitter stations along the route. The runners/ walkers were treated to a “Dazzling Dance After-Party” at the end of the route, with special lighting to showcase all the glimmering bodies. Participants also received a commemorative medal and a Glitter Run towel. No fundraising was required for Glitter Run. The tax-deductible registration fee supports the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

The City of West Hollywood has signed on to the Mayors’ Compact to Combat Hate. In doing so, the City of West Hollywood joins with more than 240 cities and mayors across the nation to stand up against hate, violence, and intolerance. “Recent events in Charlottesville are not only heartbreaking, they are unacceptable,” said City of West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman. “We cannot let the forces of racism and hatred take us backwards. Cities across the nation, such as West Hollywood, must lead the way in fighting extremism and violence. In joining the Mayors’ Compact to Combat Hate, we redouble our efforts to make our communities safe for everyone and we deepen our commitment to promoting the fundamental principles of justice and equality that define our country and our communities.”

The Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival (Cinema Diverse) is celebrating its ten-year anniversary with The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin— a new documentary about the writer of the Tales of the City novels that were set in San Francisco from the mid-seventies through 2010. Armistead Maupin is scheduled to attend the opening night event on Thursday, September 21. The festival will run through Sunday September 24 at the Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs. Best of Fest celebration will take place the following weekend at the Mary Pickford Theatres, with screenings Friday, Sept. 29 and Saturday, Sept. 30.

For additional information about the Mayors’ Compact to Combat Hate, visit www.mayorscompact.org.

Tickets are available at cinemadiverse.org.

WEST HOLLYWOOD

WEHO PROMOTES EQUALITY

1 6 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

VENICE

PETITION TO SAVE PRIDE LIFEGUARD TOWER The Pride Flag Rainbow Lifeguard Tower at Venice Beach, erected for Venice Pride this summer, is scheduled to be go back to its original baby blue color on September 8. Activist Colin Campbell started a petition to make it a permanent art installation. L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl is in support of the idea and will introduce a motion asking the Department of Beaches and Harbors to preserve the Venice Pride Flag Lifeguard Tower forever. The motion is asking to make it a memorial to late Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, the first openly gay man elected to the council. Rosendahl, who represented the 11th District, which includes Venice, retired in 2012. He died in 2016 from cancer. To add your name visit, change.org and search for Save the Venice Pride Flag Lifeguard Tower. LONG BEACH

AIDS WALK RELAUNCHING IN NOVEMBER The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach announced that it plans to relaunch the AIDS Walk in November. The 2017 walk will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2017, and will kick off at 8am at Bixby Park and finish at The Long Beach Museum of Art. Walk registration is $25. Those 12 and younger pay $10. All proceeds from AIDS Walk Long Beach benefit Long Beach organizations serving members within the local community. n To learn more, visit: centerlb.org/aidswalklb/

In adults with HIV on ART who have diarrhea not caused by an infection

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION This is only a summary. See complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or by calling 1-844-722-8256. This does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.

What Is Mytesi? Mytesi is a prescription medicine used to improve symptoms of noninfectious diarrhea (diarrhea not caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on ART. Do Not Take Mytesi if you have diarrhea caused by an infection. Before you start Mytesi, your doctor and you should make sure your diarrhea is not caused by an infection (such as bacteria, virus, or parasite).

Possible Side Effects of Mytesi Include:

Tired of planning your life around diarrhea?

Enough is Enough Get relief. Pure and simple. Ask your doctor about Mytesi. Mytesi (crofelemer): • Is the only medicine FDA-approved to relieve diarrhea in people with HIV • Treats diarrhea differently by normalizing the flow of water in the GI tract • Has the same or fewer side effects as placebo in clinical studies • Comes from a tree sustainably harvested in the Amazon Rainforest What is Mytesi? Mytesi is a prescription medicine that helps relieve symptoms of diarrhea not caused by an infection (noninfectious) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Important Safety Information Mytesi is not approved to treat infectious diarrhea (diarrhea caused by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite). Before starting you on Mytesi, your healthcare provider will first be sure that you do not have infectious diarrhea. Otherwise, there is a risk you would not receive the right medicine and your infection could get worse. In clinical studies, the most common side effects that occurred more often than with placebo were upper respiratory tract (sinus, nose, and throat) infection (5.7%), bronchitis (3.9%), cough (3.5%), flatulence (3.1%), and increased bilirubin (3.1%). For Copay Savings Card and Patient Assistance, see Mytesi.com

Please see complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com. NP-390-12

RELIEF, PURE AND SIMPLE

• Upper respiratory tract infection (sinus, nose, and throat infection) • Bronchitis (swelling in the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs) • Cough • Flatulence (gas) • Increased bilirubin (a waste product when red blood cells break down) For a full list of side effects, please talk to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. 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.

Should I Take Mytesi If I Am:

Pregnant or Planning to Become Pregnant? • Studies in animals show that Mytesi could harm an unborn baby or affect the ability to become pregnant • There are no studies in pregnant women taking Mytesi • This drug should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed A Nursing Mother? • It is not known whether Mytesi is passed through human breast milk • If you are nursing, you should tell your doctor before starting Mytesi • Your doctor will help you to decide whether to stop nursing or to stop taking Mytesi Under 18 or Over 65 Years of Age? • Mytesi has not been studied in children under 18 years of age • Mytesi studies did not include many people over the age of 65. So it is not clear if this age group will respond differently. Talk to your doctor to find out if Mytesi is right for you

What Should I Know About Taking Mytesi With Other Medicines? If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, herbal supplements, or vitamins, tell your doctor before starting Mytesi.

What If I Have More Questions About Mytesi? For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or speak to your doctor or pharmacist. To report side effects or make a product complaint or for additional information, call 1-844-722-8256.

Rx Only Manufactured by Patheon, Inc. for Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. San Francisco, CA 94105 Copyright © Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mytesi comes from the Croton lechleri tree harvested in South America.

AUG UST 2017 | THE F I GH T 17

>> GEMMEL MOORE <<

GEMMEL MOORE

WEHO DEATH INVESTIGATED

Circumstances surrounding Gemmel Moore’s death have been called into question. BY VI CTOR MELAMED

T

he Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department is investigating the case of a man who died after an overdose of meth at a prominent Democratic donor’s house amid pressure from the man’s family, reports nbclosangeles.com. Gemmel Moore, 26, was found dead at Ed Buck’s West Hollywood home in July. Wehotimes.com was the first to break the story. The coroner ruled the fatal overdose as an accident, but Moore’s family are unconvinced, wondering if he was forced to take the drugs or did so voluntarily. Jasmyne Cannick, a communications and public affairs strategist, told wehoville.com last month that she has interviewed other young black men who said that Buck paid them to do drugs with him. Buck claims his innocence and his attorney released a statement regarding the investigation. “This is a tragedy,” Buck’s attorney, Seymour Amster, said. “Mr. Buck had nothing to do with it. No matter how much pressure is put on law enforcement, the answer will remain the same.” Buck is known for his successful promotion of a fur ban in West Hollywood, for his promotion of John D’Amico’s successful first run for a seat on the West Hollywood City Council and his donations to local, state and national Democratic Party candidates including Hillary Clinton, reports wehoville.com. n

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THETRANSACTION >> ANDREW FITZIMONS <<

BEAUTY WITHIN

ANDREW FITZIMONS

LA LGBT Center launches Trans Cosmetic Donation Program. BY PA U LO MU RILLO

C PHOTO BY PAULO MURILLO.

elebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzimons celebrated his 30th birthday last month with a good cause. Fitzimons partnered with the LA LGBT Center to launch the Trans Cosmetic Donation Program—a program that collects donations of unused personal hygiene and cosmetic products to support transgender and gender non-conforming people. The Center hosted a reception at the Center’s The Village at Ed Gould Plaza on to kickstart the program. Guests included actress and transgender rights activist Angelica Ross, author Janet Mock, actress Constance Zimmer (UnReal), actress-writer Jen Richards (Nashville), actress-model Isis King and actor Jeffrey Bower-Chapman (UnReal) who is Fitzsimons’ boyfriend. Fitzsimons is known for styling Adele’s hair and is a personal hairdresser to Kourtney Kardashian. He hopes his influence will give brands, stylists, influencers, editors, and celebrities the opportunity to donate unused cosmetic products for a good cause. The

new program recently secured a commitment for donations from Alterna Haircare, Mane Addicts, Biore and L’Oreal. Transgender people experience higher rates of poverty and unemployment,

which hurt their ability to buy hygiene products and cosmetics. Having access to these products is necessary for job interviews, professional networking events and in the workplace. n

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THEROSTOWREPORT >> BY ANN ROSTOW <<

BUTT MASSAGE FOR NAKED NEWSWOMAN

SUGAR RUSH

Hello dear FIGHT readers. I’m writing from vacation in Scotland, and somehow my computer is aware of my location. In searching for interesting GLBT news tidbits, one of the first headlines I encountered read: “Lesbian who romped with girl, 14, exposed by film of them having sex.” Wha...? Where are my legal headlines? Where is news of the antigay brief from the Trump Justice Department in the Second Circuit’s Title VII case? What’s the status of the Texas bathroom bill? For heaven’s sake! Why should any of us care about the sexcapades of 19-yearold Indianna Northcott from Torquay in Devon? A sidebar on the Daily Star story about Miss Northcott reports: “Naked News presenter Jenny Scordamaglia gets whipped in X-rated....” I’d have to click on that to find out what happened and/or why Jenny was naked, and I do have a little dignity. But just a little. It turned out that Jenny got whipped in an X-rated “fetish display,” the story continued. Apparently Naked News is an American thing and Jenny went to a “submission” presentation at a Miami party and allowed several party goers to “whip her behind.” Jenny later said it felt like a “butt massage.” You know what readers? I’ve seen kinkier things walking my dog in San Francisco. Is this really the best you can do? The story also claims that the Naked News channel presenters “have set the Internet alight with their saucy, full frontal

“…SUGAR RUSH… IS AN AGE-OLD STORY OF UNREQUITED LOVE; A CLASSIC TALE OF LUST AND YEARNING TRANSPOSED INTO A QUEER, LIPGLOSS-STICKY REGISTER.” antics.” I don’t think so. For the record, have any of you women out there ever heard of the U.K. television show Sugar Rush? The show is being re-aired for some Pride thing, and one of the articles foisted upon me by U.K. Google says this: “Over a decade on, Sugar Rush, adapted from Julie Burchill’s novel of the same name, is still compelling and raw, funny and heartbreaking. At its beating, neon heart is an age-old story of unrequited love; a classic tale of lust and yearning transposed into a queer, lipgloss-sticky register.” I want to see it!

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THE SECRET SERVICE & RADICAL NUT CASES

My wife just informed me that Trump’s support among African Americans is down to about one percent, which makes her wonder: who the heck is that Black guy who’s always front and center at all Trump rallies? According to New York Magazine, the man is, Michael Symonette, a radical antiObama nut case who calls himself “Michael the Black Man,” and has rallied for Rick Santorum and won a seal of approval from Glenn Beck. He is a former member of the Black Supremacist Yahweh

ben Yahweh cult but now runs a website at gods2.com which transcends cult-dom with pure lunacy like: “Republican Senators blocking Trump are Cherokees & Mormons & are infiltraters in the Rep. Senate like McCain to block Trump & Muller are coming down with Great Wrath because their wicked time to block good policy is short, Rev.12:10 & Dan.8:25!” And he also sells “Blacks for Trump” T-shirts. It’s pretty obvious that Trump and company have given this crazy person free rein to position himself right behind the President at any and all of his public functions. You would think the Secret Service would have something to say about this, but it seems they’ve given Michael the all clear sign.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT PONDERS SEXUAL ORIENTATION I believe I mentioned last month that Lambda Legal Defense will petition the High Court to review a case of antigay job discrimination against a Georgia hospital employee. The case will determine whether or not gays and lesbians are protected against bias in the workplace (Title VII) and in public schools (Title IX) under current federal laws that ban sex discrimination. In other words, the case asks whether or not “sex” discrimination encompasses “sexual orientation” discrimination. Now we have a similar Title VII case that is poised to be reviewed by the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. On the last possible day, the

> > BUTT MASSAGE • RADICAL NUT CASES • JUSTICE DEPARTMENT • AUSTRALIAN EQUALITY • WESTERN CLOTHES < <

U.S. Department of Justice filed a brief in that case, telling the court that the government believes that Title VII does not cover gays and lesbians and should not be interpreted to that end. This position is a 180 degree reversal from the Justice Department’s position under President Obama. Indeed, Obama’s Justice Department went even further, holding that sexual orientation comprises a protected class under constitutional law. Well, we’re not really surprised now are we? Loretta Lynch is gone. Jeff Sessions runs the department. Obama is no longer president. Now we have Trump. And by the way, it’s very unusual for the Justice Department to produce a brief in a case that does not involve the government. The case in question was filed by a sky diving instructor many years

ago, a man who has since been killed in a BASE jumping accident in Switzerland. Not that any of those details matter to the case, but they’re interesting in a morbid kind of way. The bottom line is that presumably, the Supreme Court will hear Lambda’s Title VII out of the Eleventh Circuit next session. It’s also possible that the justices will wait until the full Second Circuit hears the sky diver case next year.

AUSTRALIAN EQUALITY: THE ONGOING SAGA

The Australians are up to their tricks again, tying themselves into knots in order to legalize marriage equality in the most convoluted and time consuming manner possible. Now, after several months of pointless legislative walkabouts, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

announced that the Australian Bureau of Statistics will conduct a non-binding public survey of registered voters via the postal service. The $122 million plebiscite will serve no purpose other than to quantify the sentiments of a particular subset of the Australian populace—perhaps one that is weighted towards older voters who are more likely to be registered, to live at the same address, and to send back their vote. Whether or not this will reflect recent poll numbers indicating roughly 57 percent of Australians support marriage equality is anyone’s guess. If it doesn’t, if the mail vote were to go against marriage, well I think Australians can bid equality goodbye for another decade. Even if marriage wins, lawmakers will still have to pass something if same-sex couples down under are going to wed. Meanwhile, some

pundits note that the needlessly controversial postal vote may have a side effect; it’s possible progressive young citizens will register to vote, toppling conservatives in close races in the next election.

DRESSING IN WESTERN CLOTHES

Before I go, I just stumbled on a clip out of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where a 14-year-old boy named Ahmed Al Omran has been arrested for performing the Macarena at a busy intersection dressed in western clothes. Ahmed was charged with disrupting traffic, but we all know what his real offense was: acting gay in a hard right conservative country run by religious fanatics. Ahmed, you go girl! n Ann Rostow can be reached at arostow@aol.com.

SEP AUG TEMB ER 2017 | THE F I GH T 21 UST

>> ADDICTION RESOURCES <<

YOU’RE NOT ALONE In recognition of Natural Recovery Month—an overview of the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s addiction resources. BY ORLY LYONN E

I

f you’re struggling with substance abuse, don’t struggle alone; The Los Angeles LGBT Center has many programs and services to help. In addition to one-on-one therapy and therapy groups—all facilitated by professional substance abuse counselors in confidential sessions—the Los Angeles LGBT Center is home to a wide variety of 12-step group meetings. They also host a number of drug and alcohol-free events throughout the year. Anonymous Online Chat Support Every weekday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. you can chat online, completely anonymously, with a specially trained Center therapist for advice, recommendations, and support. Individual therapy The approach of the Center’s skilled therapists is to reduce your potential for harm by talking about costs/benefits of use and discussing plans to help you be safer. Develop goals to reduce your use and strategies to minimize relapse. Methology If you’re ready to reduce the harm caused by crystal meth, get help to develop strategies and goals to reduce—or stop—your use of it. This free program is a mix of five group and individual sessions. Evening Outpatient Program This is an abstinence-based program that meets three nights a week and is a lowcost, intensive program for people with any substance abuse problem (i.e. alcohol, cannabis, crystal meth, crack, etc.). Recovery Over Crystal Group and Men’s Crystal Meth Recovery Group This is for men who are ready to quit using meth and who are looking for the help they need to do that. Youth Drop-in Group Specifically for people under 25-years-old who want to learn how to reduce the harm caused by their use of meth. This free support group meets weekly at the Youth Center on Highland.

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Individual Therapy One-on-one counseling focusing on substance abuse, costs/benefits of use, harm reduction vs. abstinence, safety planning, relapse prevention, etc. Intensive Day Outpatient Program An intensive abstinence based program that meets 5 days a week from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Facilitated by professional substance abuse counselors, this program is designed to help clients with mental health challenges and any substance abuse problems, including alcohol, cannabis, crystal meth, crack, etc. Clients must register to participate. Call 323-9937448 for more information. Breaking Free from Substances Focused on early recovery with an emphasis on harm reduction from all substances with the exception of crystal meth. Clients will examine the role substances play in their lives, learn basic steps to stopping substance abuse, and address major “holes” in their lives that they may be trying to fill with substances. Pathways to Women’s Recovery A Mindfulness Approach to Sobriety: This is a harm reduction group that focuses on teaching mindful attitudes that help women overcome struggles that arise in recovery and help break self-destructive behaviors that often present as barriers to maintaining sobriety. Mental Health The mental health services staff of the Los Angeles LGBT Center specialize in psychotherapy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and welcome all cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Some of the issues people seek treatment for include depression, anxiety, relationships, HIV, substance abuse, domestic/intimate partner abuse and violence, and coming out support. Most therapy is short term, usually 26 sessions. For more info visit: lalgbtcenter.org/health-services/addictionrecovery-services or call: 323-993-7400.

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GENDER TRANSITIONING >> GAY LONELINESS <<

IN RECOVERY Without an easy check-in-the-box to apply, many substance abuse facilities simply don’t know what to with a transitioning individual. B Y D R . R O N AY E C A LV E R T

P

icture it: West Hollywood, California, 2016. It was a hot day, white petals fallen from nearby trees lined the pavement and the smell of a freshly lit cigarette filled the air. A teary-eyed and slight individual stood on the red brick patio leading to the front door, a black bag filled with some scattered belongings clenched tightly in hand. We stood for a while, sharing our names and hometowns, discussing traffic and weather, and then embraced and stepped inside. No, this is not Sophia Petrillo and this was not a Golden Girls flashback. This is Dr. Ronaye Calvert and the individual who entered treatment at Revive Detox that day changed my life. The admission process required an extensive conversation by phone and an hour-long drive to get to the facility—a delay caused by both traffic and fear. This IS Los Angeles…need I even explain the traffic? But, the fear was far more difficult to overcome: A fear of judgement, based upon wreckage caused by bad decisions and self-hatred coupled with a string of

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well-intentioned treatment facilities whose actions had caused more harm than they could ever know. During the intake process, I learned that, after painstaking efforts to come to terms with their identity, this individual came to identify as female. While her gender identity was not immediately apparent based upon physical appearance, her identification as female made this an indisputable truth, which proved vexing for the many treatment programs she had previously entered. Particularly troubling is that these programs had advertised themselves as proudly offering LGBTQ-specific treatment tracks. She had been treated as a “gay male,” and thus, placed in bedrooms with males. As a result of ignorance and our treatment industry’s ongoing tendency to place business needs over clinical needs, she endured the same horrific pattern at each new facility: teasing, leading to ridicule, leading to ostracization, and finally, the dreaded moment of being asked to leave the program due to making other residents “uncomfortable.”

> > TRANSITIONING < <

The desire to market to an LGBTQ community dealing with deadly substance abuse issues is increasing; however, the necessary expertise and familiarity with the community is not growing at the same pace. Without an easy check-in-the-box to apply, many facilities simply don’t know what to with a “transitioning” individual. As I listened and swallowed the tears building in the back of my throat, I began conjuring my strength and turning my resolve to becoming a part of the solution. I listened particularly for ways in which I could make this treatment experience a productive and corrective one. How could Revive Detox be made into a safe home for this individual? While we spoke, she revealed a long-held desire to sleep in a white nightgown with lace trim, ever since watching The Nutcracker and being mesmerized by Clara floating through the air. Scarce funds coupled with addiction meant priorities had been elsewhere, but had she even able to obtain one, she’d never had a safe place (including home) to wear it. Conversations centered around desires like this one were squashed quickly in other programs. Should it be that outlandish or inappropriate to honor the needs of an individual when we are advertising ourselves as “individualized” treatment programs? That evening we made certain our client slept in her very first white cotton nightgown with lace trim.

The desire to market to an LGBTQ community dealing with deadly substance abuse issues is increasing; however, the necessary expertise and familiarity with the community is not growing at the same pace. Months later, I was arriving at the facility to introduce myself to the members of a visiting AA panel, when I heard a familiar voice call out to me from the patio. Stunned, I was greeted by my former client’s beaming face. After another embrace, she related that the experience at our facility had begun a new pattern of better decision-making, improved self-acceptance and, at least for those months, continued sobriety. I don’t share this story to pat myself or our facility on the back, and it must be noted that there are many colleagues of mine who serve clients such as this with compassion and care just as we do. I share this because LGBTQ is not a buzz-word, nor a ready-made target for marketing. No, it is an identification that needs to be not only recognized, but celebrated. Caring for members of this community is a privilege and cannot be seen as a burden. To my peers and colleagues, I ask that you truly educate yourselves. The LGBTQ community is ready and willing to teach you. To our LGBTQ community of clients and potential clients, I ask that you continue to self-advocate until our treatment industry catches up to you. My hope is that one day we will all achieve our own version of a safe home, equipped with a white nightgown with lace trim, and people who deeply care about us. Dr. Ronaye Calvert is the Executive Director and Founder of LIVE Treatment and Revive Detox. For more info visit revivedetoxlosangeles.com, (844) 467-3848, or LiveTreatmentVIP.com, (323) 714-8113.

AUG UST 2017 SEP TEMB ER | THE F I GH T 25

YOGA FOR LIFE >> GAY LONELINESS <<

Thomas Harris on moments of clarity, windows of opportunity and how yoga became an integral part of his recovery. BY AUGU S T U S B R I T T O N | P H O TO B Y D U S TI C U NNING H A M

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> > F E AT U R E I N T E R V I E W < <

T

homas Harris, a yoga teacher hailing from Laguna Beach, California. is a rare breed. A seeker. A man with an abundant curiosity. He traveled to the birthplace of yoga, in Rishikesh, India to learn from the masters: the people who are living the lifestyle of the yogin and yogini day in and day out. Yoga, like recovery, is a delicate process. There ought to be, at the very least, a subconscious gratitude for people like Thomas Harris, especially in the rooms. Whether that gratitude be on the mat, getting ready for a set of sun salutations, or in one of those church rooms, getting ready for the morning meeting, coffee in hand, steam rising up, ready to reveal yourself, it would certainly be a delight to see Thomas there.

“I WAS PHYSICALLY UNHEALTHY AND MENTALLY UNSTABLE FROM THE DRUGS, AND EMOTIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY I WAS COMPLETELY BANKRUPT. I GOT CLEAN AND SOBER BECAUSE MY LIFE HAD COME TO A POINT WHERE I WOULD EITHER CHOOSE DEATH OR CHOOSE LIFE.”

When did you get sober? October 18, 2012.

What made you decide to get clean and sober? Drugs and alcohol were no longer working for me. I was very close to death, I hated the way I felt inside, I became an intravenous drug user, I was homeless and living on the streets, I was in and out of jail and mental institutions, I was physically unhealthy and mentally unstable from the drugs, and emotionally and spiritually I was completely bankrupt. I got clean and sober because my life had come to a point where I would either choose death or choose life. The last night of my using I had a moment of clarity and a window of opportunity where I completely surrendered to my disease and became willing to do whatever it would take to get clean and sober and since that night my life has infinitely changed for the better. Do you feel, as a gay man, that the LGBTQ community is more prone to addiction? I believe that drug addiction and alcoholism does not discriminate. Whether you’re a millionaire, a bum on the street, gay, straight, all ethnicities, the disease has the ability to manifest in anyone. I believe that addiction definitely runs rampant in the LGBT community but it runs wild in every other group of people as well. So I can’t

say that the LGBT community is more “prone” to addiction than other groups as addiction can happen to anyone. What does your yoga practice provide you? Yoga, for me, invokes really nice intuition. And positive thinking, which directly correlates to my recovery, because my default is to be in a negative headspace… yoga brightens my day, it really lights me up on the inside, and that’s why I practice it. What about when you’re teaching yoga? Teaching it has taken me to a whole other level, because I am sharing it with other people now, and that for me is… I can’t even explain the feeling…I’m elated, and joyful when I can share my practice with another human being. How did you find yoga? I started doing yoga when I was around ten years old with my mom. She would practice at home, and I used to be a springboard and platform diver when I was growing up, and I did gymnastics, so yoga was sort of something I did with my mom. I really started taking to it at a young age. And I didn’t get super serious about it until I was clean and sober. How does your yoga practice inform your recovery? When I first got sober I had an idea of a higher power, and it was very simplistic in the beginning. I really used AA as my direction to rely on; my higher power was the group. So I knew that whatever AA told me I could rely on and trust, if that makes sense. And as my spirituality grew over the last five years I learned that I was able to venture out and explore other options in my recovery, one of them being to do yoga as a spiritual practice, not just a workout. How do yoga and recovery relate to one another? We’re taught in recovery to have a meditation practice and yoga is a part of my meditation in a way. It forces me to be present. In the moment. With my breath. With my self. With other people. Downloading positivity. Yes, they directly correlate. Because it is just an extension of my recovery. And it is a part of my eleventh step. AUG UST 2017 SEP TEMB ER | THE F I GH T 27

> > L E AT H E R A N D F E T I S H < <

FOLSOM STREET FAIR

Sunday, September 24 in San Francisco: 400,000 fetish enthusiasts spread out over 13 city blocks. BY VICTO R MELA MED

B

igger IS better at this “only in San Francisco” event! With 400,000 fetish enthusiasts spread out over 13 city blocks, there is something for everyone. Located on historic Folsom Street, leather and fetish players from all over the world converge. “All of our events give the entire community the opportunity to stay visible and to be proud of who you are,” states Patrick Finger, Managing Director of Folsom Street Events. With over 200 exhibitor booths showcasing fetish gear and toys, it’s a pig’s dream. Check out their massive live stage with top-name indie, electronic and alternative acts, their two huge dance areas

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spinning underground EDM, public play stations, and an erotic artists’ area with a sick and twisted performance stage. And, yes, you can still be naked, so avail yourself of our coat and clothes check areas as well! Folsom Street Fair takes place on Sunday, September 24, 2017, 11am to 6pm, on Folsom St. from 8th to 13th Streets in San Francisco. For more info visit: www.folsomstreetevents.org.

Integrating Substance Use, Mental Health, and Primary Care Services in Our Communities: Resilience in a Changing Environment October 25—26, 2017 Hilton Universal City Hotel at Universal City 555 Universal Hollywood Dr.

Universal City, California 91608

Featured Track:

● Topics Include ● Unique Needs of LGBT Seniors Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Youth Family Acceptance Project: Family Support Model of Wellness, Prevention and Care for LGBT Children and Youth AUG UST 2017 | THE F I GH T 29

MENTAL MENTAL ILLNE >> GAY LONELINESS <<

& ADDICTION Dual diagnosis in the LGBTQ community. Coping strategies, finding proper treatment and healing old wounds. B Y J A M E S G U AY, LM FT

M

any of us have witnessed or experienced first-hand some form of mental illness and/or addiction. While this kind of psychological and emotional pain is common enough for us to have some level of familiarity with it, it’s even more common in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. Why is this and what can be done about it? Nick, in the late 1990’s, had HIV for over a decade and was one of the unlucky ones where the life-saving protease-inhibitors didn’t work for him. The first day I met him, he was in the hospital from AIDS-related wasting syndrome and was having his feet rubbed by a well-known politician. He was a force to be reckoned with, articulate and had been involved in politics as a gay activist fighting stigma around HIV and AIDS. To withstand the long days and late nights fighting for his community he used methamphetamine to keep up his energy and reduce his depression. Nick had been diagnosed as having a triple diagnosis (HIV, an addiction to speed and a mental illness). While the above is a composite of several of my first clients (to protect their confidentiality), it’s an example of the resiliency, strength and pain that we have felt as a community for decades. Mental illness and addiction are not intrinsic to being LGBTQ but they are a natural result of living in a society that is sometimes intolerant and even hateful toward us. Thankfully, we are 3 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

much more than a diagnosis. We try to survive, thrive and do the best we can under sometimes enormous pressures for us to be different than who we are. THE FIGHT is real.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS According to a 2015 national survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration lesbian, gay or bisexual adults have a much higher rate of substance use and mental health issues than the heterosexual population. One of their findings, for example, was that 39.1 percent of LGB adults used illicit drugs in the past year when compared with 17.1 percent of the heterosexual population. Also, 37.4 sexual minority adults had any mental illness as compared with 17.1 percent of the heterosexual adult population. These numbers break out even further as it relates to age, race and ethnicity. Rates for mental health issues and addiction are also staggering for the transgender community. According to the 2015 US Transgender Survey Report, 39% of respondents experienced serious psychological distress in the month before taking the survey with 40% having attempted suicide in their lifetime, almost nine times the rate of the US population. Transgender women of color face the most pervasive forms of discrimination that have a direct impact on their health and well-being.

There are multiple reasons why there’s a higher prevalence of substance use and addictions in our LGBTQ Community. The obvious overarching explanation is minority stress experienced with being scapegoated by society for our differences. We have been demeaned, devalued, ridiculed, patronized, blamed, incessantly criticized, and have also experience cultural sexual shaming for our very beingness. These are all qualities of an abusive relationship that we’ve been forced to experience first-hand or as a byproduct of being an oppressed minority. Who wouldn’t feel depressed, anxious or have a myriad of other mental health issues as a result of being in a toxic relationship that you can’t fully insulate yourself from and is ongoing? When we want to feel relief, a sense of belonging, pleasure, or confidence we can turn to a temporary fix outside of

NESS

> > J A M E S G U A Y, L M F T < <

ourselves, drugs. Illegal and prescription drugs can be used in ways that medicate and/or increase our psychological/emotional distress. At their best, they can give a temporary reprieve from what ails us in order to look more deeply at the underlying causes, to treat these. They can show us a window into what’s possible so that we can have this without them. At their worst, they can become a nightmare that adds additional shame, isolation and self-rejection.

TREATMENT APPROACHES So what is the best treatment approach for dual diagnosis in the LGBTQ Community? One size definitely does NOT fit all when it comes to our needs as a community. There are several options when it comes to treatment of addictions: support groups, outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, detox and residential care. Which one will work best really depends on finding the right fit with where someone is at and the particular treatment programs involved. While the twelve-step recovery program works great for many and certainly has the largest amount of groups of any treatment program, others find it further perpetuates their shame or is overall unhelpful (some estimates of its effectiveness are as low as 5% - 8% of those who participate). There are also other treatment approaches that work better for some: like Harm Reduction, SMART Recovery, LifeRing Secular Recovery, and Moderation Management. Similarly to recovery programs, there are also many approaches to providing psychotherapy including: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Hakomi Therapy. However, the single most important factor of effective

psychotherapy is not the treatment approach but the relationship between therapist and client. This transformational relationship can provide the safety, support, validation and guidance that’s too often missing for LGBTQ people. Being a good consumer of mental health and addiction services means doing your research. Unfortunately, all too often I see conversion therapists masquerading by “specializing with the LGBTQ community,” but would rather change the client to becoming cis-gender and straight, something that has been deemed ineffective, harmful and dangerous by mental health and medical professional associations. Lastly, finding a therapist and/or treatment program requires these services to not only be LGBTQ-friendly but actually knowledgable, in order to get the most effective care. It’s not your job to pay for a service but then end up spending too much time educating them about what it means to be LGBTQ. You deserve to learn healthier coping strategies, heal old wounds, learn more about yourself and how to better navigate a sometimes hostile world. You deserve to thrive, love and enjoy your life more fully.

James Guay, a former elite gymnast and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#39252), has been in private practice working with individuals and couples since 1999. He’s also known for his social justice activism as a former Board member for several professional state organizations. www.livingmorefully.com.

Being a good consumer of mental health and addiction services means doing your research… You deserve to thrive, love and enjoy your life more fully. AUG UST 2017 SEP TEMB ER | THE F I GH T 31

>> Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;M FINE <<

RALPH BRUNEAU

MYSTRYSS LILY FLEUR NOIR

LARRY GOLUBSKI

JIMMY HICKS

HERE COME THE JUDGES

AHMAD REFKY

CAPTION

ALAN STROIK

GRAYLIN THORNTON

This well rounded group of leather folk will select the next Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2018 on October 27, 2017. B Y R A N D Y C A R MEN ATY, PSLO D MED IA / MA RKETIN G D IRECTOR AND CONTEST CHAI R

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or the past 23 years, Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert (PSLOD) has placed careful thought in selecting a judging panel for the annual Mr. Palm Springs Leather contest. Throughout the year members of the board PSLOD, forward suggestions along with bios on potential candidates and each one is voted on by the board. However, individually each person has in some way contributed either to their local leather communities or the greater community. Their contributions can be over time or a recent accomplishment that will be remembered for years to come. While cumulatively we try our best to have a representation of the leather community and its many facets. I am very proud to have asked and thus the following have accepted to

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CLAY SALES

judge; Ralph Bruneau (IML 2017, psychologist), Larry Golubski (Mr. Long Beach Leather 2005, IML-runner up 2006, CLAW board member), Jimmy Hicks (Mr. PS Leather 2017), Mystryss Lily Fleur Noir (instructor, promoter), Ahmad Refky (IML contestant handler 2011-15, author), Alan Stroik (President of Avatar LA, Los Angeles Leather Coalition board member), Graylin Thornton (International Mr. Drummer 1993, producer/promoter) and alternate judge Clay Sales (Mr. WA State Leather 2016). As in years past, myself and the members of PSLOD are confident this well rounded group of leather folk will select the next Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2018 on October 27, 2017.

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>> FOLSOM STREET FAIR <<

THE COLOR OF KINK

Take a minority (say, for instance, gay blacks in San Francisco) and cross section it with another (alternative sex scene people) and wellâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;you get an even bigger minority. BY BRON TEZ PURNELL 3 4 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

> > M Y F E E L I N G S O N B E I N G A B L A C K G AY AT F O L S O M < <

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y first Folsom Street Fair happened about 15 years ago. I arrived at the Golden State plucky, wide eyed, innocent, with as much promise of being corrupted as any cock hungry 19 year old with an absent father and a crushing need to be liked. I donned a pair of booty shorts and roller skates (like Roller Girl from Boogie Nights) and high tailed it to the street fair—that shit was such a mistake. I had remembered sometime in my teens seeing FSF on an episode of Real Sex and when I got there it was like that episode but like in real time 3-D. I saw a plump dentist in a dog collar being spanked by an even plumper woman in front of what I assume were their kids in a stroller (Actually was he a dentist? He seemed like a dentist...) . People getting spanked, tossed, sucked, fucked, etc. I thought that someone was gonna molest me but no such luck… In fact I think I was pissing everyone off with my attire, “Ew—she’s wearing roller skates!” hissed this one queen who actually had the fucking nerve to push me. I had half a nerve to rip off my skates and beat that bitch’s ass but then I noticed that I was the only black person for like hella yards and I paused—it’s always a gamble when you beat up some 40 year old gay white dude—they always wanna call the police and shit and I really wasn’t trying to do all that on my day off. With a burning hate I skated away.

minority. I mean sad—sure—but not something I really cried myself to sleep about. Right about the time of my sexual awaking I was getting fucked by all the black and Latino daddies in East Oakland who cat called me from their cars. My dance card was fulllllllll, hunty, so I didn’t really sweat the Folsom Fair at all but NATURALLY right about the time Facebook started happening I would see all these maudlin ass articles by Latino/ Asian/ black boys decrying the fact that the dominate gay white populace was showing them no love. In my head I was like “why do you care what the white girls think?” But upon thinking about it—it was clear- “oh, cause they’re like fucking everywhere.”

IN MY HEAD I WAS LIKE “WHY DO YOU CARE WHAT THE WHITE GIRLS THINK?” BUT UPON THINKING ABOUT IT—IT WAS CLEAR—“OH, CAUSE THEY’RE LIKE FUCKING EVERYWHERE.”

OMNIPRESENT WHITENESS By now you should guess that subject of this article is “my feelings on being a black gay at Folsom”—and they are MANY—but first things first. I’m from Alabama originally and never really had any idea of me being a minority in America until that faithful move to California—I noticed that West of the Mississippi the less black this country got. I settled in Oakland and made daily pilgrimages to SF ( this was the 2000s mind you- waaaaaaaaay back when Oakland still fucked with SF) and noticed that a Chocolate City it was not… I got here as the last black gay bar in the Castro closed and that was that. Now you take a minority (say, for instance, gay blacks in SF) and cross section it with another (alternative sex scene people) and well—you get an even bigger

Folsom is certainly no exception. The omnipresent gaze of whiteness can be seen all over every inch of gay life—it can get to be a little crushing and unavoidable—that feeling of not being centered is tantamount to feeling erased. White supremacy benefits all white people—not just the ones carrying torches. In the current climate where Nazis can roam the streets with machine guns, cops kill black and brown people with hardly a slap on the wrist and 50% of America voted for Trump—something as superficial as not getting a date should hardly rate in the hierarchy of “needs.” Yet still, it’s a bit irritating to think that systemic racism can even rear its ugly head in one’s dating life- and a crying fucking shame that sex is still the one realm where you can still flash a “WHITES ONLY” sign and it’s perfectly acceptable.

WARRANT IN JERSEY Then there’s the complete other side of this fuckery.... One Folsom I happened to meet a handsome middle aged white dude from the East Coast. My band was playing shows that next week near where he lived and I decided to meet up with him for a romp in New Jersey. What he failed to tell me was the particular brand of sex he liked to get into involved a fair amount of “race play” (one should really earn a bitch before that happens.) Now I’m not a complete square- I don’t mind a white boy dropping a couple of N- Bombs during sex as long as: a) he whispers it lovingly; b) he pays off my student loans; c) buys me a washing machine; and d) (and this is most important) he’s a TOP. This smug motherfucker only gave me “d” (no pun intended) and I ended up kicking out the window shield of his car and got arrested. I still have a warrant in Jersey and needless to say I don’t go to Jersey anymore....and I’m more inquisitive of sex partners at what is an open sexual environment like Folsom.

EXCITING PUBLIC SEX I’m not trying to be a complete heinous bitch when I say this but I’ve spent years at a time avoiding Folsom Street Fair or as me and the other colored girls called it “ the middle aged white dudes on testosterone treatment wearing dead cows and sexually ignoring me party”—but of course that’s me at my most judgmental- in actuality it’s a fairly mixed crowd of show boaty perverts—gender inclusive and all in all still in this way encapsulates the sexual aquarium that is SF. I mean I’m not a TOTAL hater... I like getting beat up during sex as much as the next faggot. These days my level of PTSD that I’ve accumulated being a “woke” faggot in the world kinda limits the amount of time I spend in large crowds. To be honest Folsom is an exciting public sex scene but also a crowded street fair that’s always butts to nuts—and not always in a sexy way. I do like to go because I am still in solidarity with sex positivity, open expression, and above all golden showers from businessmen, but to be honest I’ll probably be spending the next Folsom at the bathhouse and avoid all the middleman. If you are reading this and are around please feel free to join me (raw only please)… UST SEP AUG TEMB ER 2017 | THE F I GH T 35

THIS PAGE IS SPONSORED BY

THESHARE >> BY PAULO MURILLO <<

THE LAST 48 HOURS

We asked a few local folks with various lengths of recovery what their last 48 hours of drinking and using was like and what their life is like now that they are clean and sober. MIKE COSTA

Recovery First

me while she sang—‘Finally it’s happened to me right in front of my face and I just cannot hide it.’ That was exactly what was happening. I couldn’t hide it anymore. It was weird. Then when I got home the next day, I had an intervention. That was it. I was done. It was big exhale. God struck me sober. Today I’m still working the same sober job I got ten years ago. Consistency has been very pivotal for me. I just got engaged to my boyfriend of three years. I have a serious committed relationship with somebody for the first time in my life. It feels wonderful.” —Edwin Irizarry, sober since June 9, 2007.

“In my last 48 hours before I got sober, I could not stop. I was a train wreck. I was alone and disconnected. I was losing weight and I shut everybody out. I was in a very dark and angry space. I had ARTURO been sober before, CARVAJAL but I don’t feel like I ever surrendered. This time around I was willing to do anything my new sponsor told me to do. I gave up everything that I was holding on to, and I checked myself into the Van Ness Recovery House. That’s where my journey began. I was there for eight months. I learned a lot at that house. I became vulnerable and said yes to everything… I’ve always been able to get sober, but I was never really happy. This time I wanted emotional recovery. I’m starting to actually like myself. The gym, the boy EDWIN and everything from the outside always IRIZARRY came first, but now I’m putting my recovery first.” —Mike Costa, clean and sober since December 9, 2016.

Very Pivotal “My last 48 hours, I was in Albuquerque New Mexico. I was DJing for gay pride. All I remember was asking God to keep me clean that weekend. I did my gig and I locked myself up in my hotel room. I was so sick and tired and I just wanted to get through that weekend. Then I had a CeCe Peniston moment. She performed before I did my gig. She pointed at

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Finally Surrender “My last 48 hours were the worst. My health and my life were completely destroyed. I had no will to live. The drugs didn’t work anymore. I would go at it and nothing. At the same time my rock bottom was something very grand, because It made me finally surrender. It forced me to take action. I woke up at a parking lot in Hollywood. I was dirty. My shoes didn’t match. It was the worst. That’s when everything changed. I said no more… My life today is much better. I have my own apartment. I have a job. I have a lot of people who love me and who I love in return. I’m reconnected with my family and I have my family of choice. Today I have peace and tranquility. I have my sober date and maintaining that is the only thing I do perfectly. I won’t change it. I have my ups and lows like everyone but what I do right today is I don’t use, I don’t drink and I protect my sober date. I try to help others. I am of service. I really love my life today.” —-Arturo Carvajal, clean and sober since May 15, 2006.

AUG UST 2017 | THE F I GH T 37

>> GAY LONELINESS <<

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EXHIBIT Aa

Aaron Valenzuela’s personal, intimate and revealing visual essay.

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panning over 10 years of work, Exhibit Aa: A Visual/Essay is an artist book created and written by Aaron Valenzuela featuring art, writing, poetry and self-portraiture. Included are never-before-seen images and personal anecdotes which turn this creative endeavor into an intimate experience that is both celebratory and reflective. Valenzuela does not shy away from visuals that would otherwise be censored throughout much of social media. Measuring 5.75” x 8.75” with 76 pages, Exhibit Aa is limited to 500 signed and numbered copies.

For more info visit: www.aaronvalenzuela.xyz.

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>> GOODBOY & BOUNCE <<

dors, and fresh talent together in non-gay recognized locations so you never get the same experience. We play deep, funky, electro house with heavy bass. We take the music component seriously and never play top 40s but also try not to take anything too seriously… We offer a safe place of peace and fun and you won’t ever feel like you are in a meat market. What do you think makes queer parties like Milk Milk so important in today’s political climate? Goodboy: We need each other not only for support but for the safe space, and it doesn’t hurt to let loose in these extremely controversial and scary times. I feel this is our role.

BOUNCE (L) AND GOODBOY

GOT MILK? An interview with Morgan “Goodboy” and Steph “Bounce” of Milk Milk, a once a month, pop up, queer/lesbian dance party that takes place at locations throughout Los Angeles. BY RO XIE PERKIN S

How long have you been a part of the LA queer party scene? Goodboy: I’m a true Angeleno and was an early gay bloomer, always searching for girls. It was hard to find lesbians at an early age in LA and even all the way through art college so I started creating my own outlets. I created a lesbian vlog called “So Gay” that got picked up by Dinah Shore Weekend which sent me on a bullet train into the national lesbian community. Since then I’ve co-created Milk Milk (Lemonade), Glow B.O.Y., Box Office, “GoodBoy Presents” events, and have worked with several LGBTQ groups including the 90s Grind, Munch Brunch, Queertainment, Back Lot Bash in Chicago, and have performed as a DJ at Prides all over the the US, and am currently a Dinah resident DJ. Bounce: My role at Milk Milk is creative engineer/co-owner. I have been a part of the LA queer party scene for over 10 years, the first 5 were just as a party goer, and then I became more involved with dj-ing and throwing events How would you define Milk Milk? Goodboy: A good vibes lesbian/queer dance party that welcomes all who want to shake, rattle, and roll with good people. We incorporate different themes, props, local artists, ven4 0 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

As a young, queer person do you remember the first queer bar/party you went to? How did it affect you? Goodboy: I truly lived for Tiger Heat and Rage, the only 18 and over clubs in LA—however I left my heart in a dive bar attached to a motel in Florida called Parliament. It was there that I saw my first drag king show where drag kings stripped down to femmes. I was a 21 year old puddle on the floor and I still tell the story. I want to rebuild this here in LA. Bounce: I was 17 with a fake ID living in the Inland Empire. My first gay bar was Oasis, I had long hair and a sideways baseball cap. I saw drag queens, and butch lesbians, and lil gay dudes with their “fag hags”—it gave me life. Seeing the diversity in one community, and the love that saw through those color lines. It changed me forever. Do you think that it’s important for there to be specifically femme queer centric/lesbian parties in addition to more traditionally male leaning gay bars? Goodboy: These are two completely different outlets but both are oh so much fun and offer a different experience. I’ve really come to understand that generally women want to be with women, and then more women. This also includes our trans allies. I love my gay men because gay men when will literally not stop dancing anywhere, anytime. It’s really what you’re in the mood for. Information about their next party can be found at www.milkmilklemonadela.com/ or at their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MilkMilkGoodVibes/

> > J AY Z A LT Z M A N < <

NOW BREWING OUR DELICIOUS COFFEES IN WEST HOLLYWOOD 8700 SANTA MONICA BLVD. WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069

JAY ZALTZMAN

WWW.CAFEDEMITASSE.COM

FIND YOUR PASSION

SANTA MONICA • WEST HOLLYWOOD • LITTLE TOKYO • MID-WILSHIRE

Contemplating a career change? Check out this workshop in Palm Springs. BY JAY ZA LTZMA N

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’ve always felt lucky that I get to do what I love, but over the years, I’ve met a lot of people who aren’t completely satisfied with their lives or aren’t sure what they want to do. Sometimes it’s young people trying to figure out their career direction. When I was that age, I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. When I found the exercises that I include in Find Your Passion, I remember thinking how I wished I had those resources all those years ago! I also meet a lot of people contemplating a career change. These people have a lot of options, but they don’t always realize the fact. They might feel trapped in their current job, but in reality, that’s not the case at all. Over the course of our lives, most of us have received a wide range of messages about what we should be doing; those messages become so internalized, that it can be a challenge to figure out what we really want to be doing. The Find Your Passion workshop is about uncovering your true passion and then finding ways in which that passion could be incorporated into your life. Join me on September 23rd and let’s figure it out together! n

Find Your Passion will take place in Palm Springs on Saturday, September 23rd. Register at www.bit.do/findyourpassion and don’t forget to use promo code thefight20 for a 20% discount for THE FIGHT readers. UST SEPAUG TEMB ER 2017 | THE F I GH T 41

THEART >>

LGBTQ ARTISTS

<<

LGBTQ ART IN L.A.

ARTWORK BY MICHAEL VOLKAR

Fine art, spirituality and the dance of darkness.

MICHAEL VOLKAR

MICHAEL VOLKAR A 28 year old West Hollywood artist by day and GoGo dancer by night, Michael Volkmar “loves to work in a wide range of artistic mediums from costume design-to graphic design,” however, his true passion, he tells THE FIGHT, is “fine art using pen & ink. Last year my pen & ink work was even featured in the Beverly Hills Art Show.” “Growing up in an extremely religious town with strict religious parents my rebellion toward following what I was taught has always been a theme in my artwork,” reveals Volkmar. “I’m constantly exploring themes of religion, gods, and what spirituality means to me now.” For more info visit www.MichaelVolkar.com

TRAVIS WOOD Travis Wood is a Butoh performance artist and producer living in Silver Lake. He has appeared in clubs, alleys, street corners, theaters, and festivals throughout California. He was first introduced to Butoh, also known as “the dance of darkness,” when he toured for many years with the Dream Circus Theatre troupe. He is also a producer of several queer performance art events in Los Angeles: The Adonis Project, Get More Gay with Ian MacKinnon, and the infamous Planet Queer—an LGBTQ Theatre event in Silver Lake. n For more info visit www.planetqueer.org. 4 2 T H E F IGH T | www.thefightmag.com

TRAVIS WOOD

THEEPIDEMIC

PHOTO COURTESY THE AIDS LAW PROJECT OF PENNSYLVANIA

>> AETNA <<

HIV STATUS EXPOSED Aetna reveals HIV statuses of thousands of customers. BY VICTO R MELA MED

T

he health insurer Aetna is facing criticism for revealing the HIV status of potentially thousands of customers after it sent out a mailer in which information about ordering prescription HIV drugs was clearly visible through the envelope’s clear window, reports NPR at npr.org. Aetna says approximately 12,000 customers were sent the mailer on July 28 that potentially revealed private medical information, though the company says it isn’t clear exactly how many were affected, because it depends on how the letter was positioned in the envelope. “We sincerely apologize to those affected by a mailing issue that inadvertently exposed the personal health information of some Aetna members,” the company said in a statement. “This type of mistake is unacceptable, and we are undertaking a full review of our processes to ensure something like this never happens again.” In a letter notifying customers of the privacy breach, a copy of which was obtained by NPR, Aetna says it learned on July 31 that personal information may have been exposed through the envelope window. The letter states that upon investigating, Aetna “confirmed that the vendor handling the mailing had used a window envelope, and, in some cases, the letter could have shifted within the envelope in a way that allowed personal health information to be viewable through the window.” The Advocate reports, however, that a reader affected by Aetna’s error says he was never contacted by the company and says the contents of the letter were clear to anyone seeing the envelope, regardless of the contents “shifting.” n

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THEMUSIC >>

OLIVER

<<

FULL CIRCLE

Oliver’s debut album, Full Circle, bends the rules of space and time with music that fuses genres, eras, and production styles. BY PA U L V. VITA G LIA N O

T

he cacophony of the digital age has swelled to a fever pitch as humans spend much of their lives in front of screens with the ability to thrill, numb, and distract. Society has never been more connected, yet feelings of isolation pervade the hearts and minds of we, the citizens of the future. So what the world needs now is to unabashedly shake it out on the dancefloor!

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Enter our champions, Oliver Goldstein and Vaughn Oliver, who together as electronic duo called (you guessed it) Oliver—bend the rules of space and time with music that fuses genres, eras, and production styles into an output at once funky, tough, futuristic, and slick. There are glistening shades of Giorgio Moroder (Space & Sound) and nods to Daft Punk (Ottomatic), but Oliver craft every song with their own with signature drum patterns, chestthrobbing synths and soaring chord progressions. When it came time to feature vocalists, Oliver recruited some friends: Chromeo (Go With It), LA siren MNDR (Chemicals), French chanteuse Yelle (Heterotopia), and hip-hop legends De La Soul on Heart Attack, which is a sly nod to Tom Tom Club’s Pleasure Of Love. And previous single Electrify still wobbles and stalks the dancefloor like a lion in a neon-lit jungle. This multi-faceted album effortlessly leans into pop, hiphop, electro, yacht rock, ambient, and R&B, and will wholly satisfy a diverse cross-section of music loving fans. For me, I am ready to declare this is the most eclectic and superbly crafted indie electro-pop record of 2017—so far! n

I AM READY TO DECLARE THIS IS THE MOST ECLECTIC AND SUPERBLY CRAFTED INDIE ELECTRO-POP RECORD OF 2017— SO FAR!

Photo by Luke Fontana.

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THEEVENT >> PHOTOS BY JIMMY MCCORMICK, JULIAN RODRIGUEZ, JOSEPH ARELLANO <<

VENTURA COUNTY PRIDE Ventura County Pride Festival took place last month at Promenade Park. All proceeds benefit Venturaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new LGBTQ Community Resource Center. Entertainers at the festival included Lady Bunny, Meatball and Sean Galuszka.

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>> PHOTOS BY JOSEPH ARELLANO <<

DTLA PROUD

The DTLA Proud Festival took over Pershing Square last month with entertainers, community partners, locally-based artists and others. Performers included Pickle, Hym the Rapper and the Boulet Brothers.

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THECALENDAR >> THINGS TO DO <<

OUT ON THE MOUNTAIN! SEPT. 22! GO TO: OUTONTHEMOUNTAIN.COM/FIGHT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

RUSH Tom of Finland Foundation, 1421 Laveta Ter, Los Angeles, CA. 9pm–2am. Tickets & Info: www.eventbrite.com/e/rush-tickets-35215400210 A play party for men presented by the Los Angeles Band of Brothers. Discover the depths of fraternity. 21+,

ONYX SOCAL-SOUTHWEST Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. 4pm–8pm. The Men of ONYX SoCalSouthwest celebrate their second anniversary.

WORK HARD, PLAY HARDER Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029. 9pm–2am. BC&B Events celebrates Labor Day Weekend and its time your hard work pays off. Come join your friends at the only social event for popular Instagram community @BearsCubsNBears. No Cover. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

MASTERBEAT HARD LABOR: TRUCK STOP The Mayan, 1038 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA. 9pm–6am. Masterbeat transforms The Mayan into a down and dirty Hard Labor Truck Stop, complete with a basement truck stop cruise area.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

THE MR. SISTER LEATHER 2018 CONTEST Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. 8pm– 2am. The Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence present: The Mr. Sister Leather 2018 Contest. Do you think you have what it takes to wear the crown and the sash? Contact Novice Sister Cora Upshun for more details at sistercoraupshun@gmail.com!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

DILF PRE F LOS ANGELES JOCK/UNDERWEAR PARTY Los Globos, 3040 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. 9pm– 3am. Purchase tickets at: manupp.net. Party with international DJ Jesus Pelayo of Madrid & DJ Max Bruce of of Los Angeles.

MR. CALIFORNIA LEATHER CONTEST 2017 Bullet Bar, 10522 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601. 9pm. Come help select the very first Mr. California Leather 2017!

COCKSOCK Bullet Bar, 10522 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601. 9pm–2am. Time for all you kinky tricks to get bcreative again and wrap up

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your hot meatstick and low hangers in your boys favorite sock. EQUALITY AWARDS LOS ANGELES JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live, 900 W Olympic Blvd., 6pm– 11pm. To purchase tickets, visit: secure.eqca.org/page/contribute/ losangeles17c4. Entry covers cocktails, sit down plated dinner, dessert and networking with a community focused on protecting and advocating for LBGTQ legislation. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

THE OFFICIAL AFTERELLEN LESBIAN CELEBRATION Revolver Video Bar, 8851 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069. 7:45pm–2am. AfterEllen will be celebrating lesbians in West Hollywood on and wants you to be there! Sponsored by the official media site that’s been celebrating lesbians since 2002. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

OUT ON THE MOUNTAIN Six Flags Magic Mountain, 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia, CA. 6pm–1am. Tickets & Info: outonthemountain.com/fight. The annual Six Flags Magic Mountain GLBT Private Party. The party is closed to the general public for this special gay and gay-

friendly event (no regular tickets or season passes accepted). SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

VETERAN STAND DOWN The Village at Ed Gould Plaza,1125 N McCadden Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90038. 10am–3pm. You served our country, Now we serve you. Serving all veterans over the age of 50 including our LGBT Veteran community. Access your benefits and resources. Lunch will be provided. VANGUARD AWARDS— 48TH ANNIVERSARY GALA The Beverly Hilton, 9876 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. 6pm–11pm. The Los Angeles LGBT Center will recognize WME-IMG coCEO Ari Emanuel and Valerie Jarrett, former senior advisor to the Obama administration. The honorees will be recognized for their service towards the LGBT community and dedication to creating positive change. FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29

TWISTED BEAR—DIRECT FROM LONDON Eagle LA, 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029. 8pm–2am. With LEONARDO (US), and ROSS JONES (UK), making their debut.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017 FOLSOM STREET // BETWEEN 8TH & 13TH SAN FRANCISCO, CA // 11 AM - 6 PM

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the official saturday night dance party of FOLSOM STREET FAIR ®

Saturday 9/23/17 9pm-4am theARMORY 333 14thSt. SanFrancisco magnitude.eventbrite.com This is a 21+ event

The

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THEFINALFIGHT >>

Q U E E R C U LT U R E

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HOW VERY DARE YOU!

From the celebration of eros to the celebration of victimhood. Excerpts from Professor Cynthia Belmont’s salon.com article. CYN TH IA BELMO N T

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ueer culture. Is it endangered? Gasping its last? Just sad? Consider the following… … Students returning from an undergraduate queer studies conference tell me that they were deeply disturbed by a drag queen’s performance there because she made comments that were insensitive and triggering. I argue that it is the privilege of drag queens to ridicule, insult, and generally slay in all ways absolutely everyone in the name of humor—and that this privilege constitutes a moment of public power for a marginalized group. I say that there is empowerment in humor and in being able to take what the drag queen dishes out. They do not accept this explanation, failing to imagine how pointed insults could be acceptable in what is supposed to be a supportive community. A non-binary student critiques a faculty colleague of mine in class for using the term “drag queens” to describe the self-identified drag queens who resisted at Stonewall. My colleague, who is 35, queer, and teaching Sociology of Sexuality, is informed that this is an incorrect and insulting term. What do these examples have in common? What has become of us queers—and of our culture? Whose culture, you might ask? Well, mine. I am a white 49-year-old femme college professor whose sexual interest is butch lesbians and trans men. Yes—sexual. Not as in “partner,” like starting up a small business together. As in sex, as in “lover,” which is what we called our lovers before it all became so sanitized and proper. I came up in the ’80s and ’90s, when queer culture was hot because it was outsider culture, and I liked it that way. Queer culture, heavily dominated by gay men, particularly white men, and their concerns and aesthetics, from Tom of Finland to Judy Garland, was flawed, frustrating, even infuriating at times, and beautiful to me despite the marginalization of lesbians and trans people within it. It had

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glamour. It had glitter and leather and sex and history and laughter. I liked the centrality of playfulness within this culture—the fact that we couldn’t take ourselves too seriously because, as with many marginalized groups, humor was survival. This was the era of ACT UP, of Silence = Death—an era of many specters, from AIDS to rampant alcoholism and drug addiction in our community to poverty, particularly for gender non-conforming people, queers of color, and lesbians. It was an era of suicides and murders, just like today. It was a time of no legal protection, of the demonization of bisexuals, of the invisibility of trans and genderqueer people, of lovers who were also called “friends” or “roommates” in dangerous circumstances. It was all these things—serious and terrible and terrifying—and yet it was also a time of joy, pleasure and celebration—a frisky, sensuous era of Pride symbols, drag balls, Dykes on Bikes, public sex. It was underground, and it was a risk in any case. It was a time for queens of all sorts in their outrageous, edge-pushing fabulousness. I believe that its special kinds of ecstasy were in fact intimately connected to its special kinds of marginalization, as forms of resistance. And if you didn’t have a wit, a sense of humor, then you didn’t get it. You just didn’t… …We deserve all the rights, obviously. We deserve to be who we are and who we want to be and not to be harassed or killed for it, and we deserve to have and keep our children and set up shop in the suburbs if we want. We deserve to pee in peace in the bathroom that suits our identity and serve in the military. Obviously. I myself have lived in fear as a parent with no legal rights. But. Apparently, in the pursuit of rights and respectability, we have somehow shifted as a culture from the celebration of eros to the celebration of victimhood—to comfortably inhabiting a state of being prickly and appalled—and apparently we now have to be and feel like victims in order even to deserve rights. This worries me… n Cynthia Belmont is Professor of English and Gender and Women’s Studies at Northland College, where she teaches courses in feminist and queer theory, environmental politics, literature and creative writing. Read the article in its entirely at salon.com.

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