TheStandard_Vol10_Issue6

KRISTINE

INTERVIEW JUNE 2022 | VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6 | THESTANDARDPS.COM | @THESTANDARDPS

CONTENTS VOLUME 10, ISSUE 6

KRISTINE

INTERVIEW

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ONICKS HAS “NO PROBLEMS” PAGES 16-18

Volume 10 Issue 6 COVER THE MUSIC EDITION KRISTINE W / EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW COVER MADONNA FINALLY ENOUGH LOVE COVER ONICKS HAS “NO PROBLEMS”

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COMMENTARY

The Standard Magazine 400 N Sunrise Way #263 Palm Springs CA 92262 760.831.4869 NINO EILETS Publisher LUCIANO McNULTY Editor MAYA KALABIC Art Director PHOTOGRAPHER David A. Lee CONTRIBUTORS Carlos Astrala, Christian Acevedo, Michel Khordoc, Ryan Turrin, Ash Rodriguez, Tim Larcombe, Tim O’Bayley, Stacy Holmes, Jack Bunting, Greg Stillwell, Dann Foley, Lee Lynch, Jill Langham & Terri Schlichenmeyer

www.thestandardps.com EDITORIAL CREDITS : BrandPoint, Huffington Post, LGBTQ Nation, Project Publicity, MSN, Reuters, NBC News & Artsy The Standard Magazine is published monthly. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of the Standard or its staff, advertisers or readers with exception of editorials.

Publication of the name or photograph of any person, business or organization in articles or advertising in the Standard is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such person, business or organization. The Standard disclaims any responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Advertising rates are subject to change without notice. The Standard reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject any advertisement for any reason including, but not limited to poor taste. It is the policy of The Standard that we only publish letters to the editor that are signed by the author and verifiable by phone number. We can reserve the right of anonymity upon request. The letters need to be original, in good taste and free of libel as well as edited for clarity and grammar. Letters are subject to editing by The Standard that also reserves the right to decline print. Please forward your letters to: info@thestandardps.com The views expressed is not necessarily those of The Standard. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. No portion of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed consent of

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COVER

KRISTINE W: THE QUEEN OF CLUB MUSIC

BY CARLOS ASTRALA

Named by Billboard Magazine as the #8 Greatest Dance Artist of All Time, Kristine W has proven herself a lasting talent. Through more than twenty-five years in music, she has consistency delivered songs that touch hearts and souls and compel bodies to find the mighty groove out on the dance floor. Her latest single, “Out There,” the title track from her soon-to-be-released album, continues her legacy, recently climbing to #3 on the US dance charts.

Kristine W launched her career in 1994. In that time, she has scored 17 #1 dance hits on Billboard and a record-setting string of nine consecutive #1s on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart. Her chart successes have broken records held by the likes of Madonna and Janet Jackson (most consecutive #1s) as well as Mariah Carey (most #1 dance hits). She is named among the top three of the last decade’s club play artists trailing only Madonna and Beyoncé. While she has

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the talents of a diva in spades, Kristine W eschews all the excesses too often associated with the term such as narcissism and egoism.

She keeps her focus on the art and profession of being a singer, songwriter, and musician, and enjoys a grassroots mutual affection with fans who revere her voice, appreciate how the aspects of life and emotions she sings about echo their own feelings and experiences, and enjoy how Kristine continually pushes the envelope to forge dynamic grooves and mixes that keep the dance floor pulsing.

We recently sat down with Kristine and talked about beginnings, inspirations, and how much she loves what she does.

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to seat down with us, let’s get right to it.

COVER

When did you first realize you wanted to become a musical artist?

I knew I wanted to perform music the first time I sang with my Mom at an outdoor show on a flatbed stage In Columbia Park Washington State. It was a summer show and the party In the Park had a Hawaiian theme so my Mom, my sister and I had costumes on made by my Grandmother Mauriel. I must have been 8 or 9 and we were Mom’s backup singers. My sister was scared to death of the large crowd, but I loved it. I had sung before that show for Church and other events with my Baby Martin Guitar, but this was different, more people, it was exciting, and super fun!! I knew I wanted to create music and perform it but that show cemented it.

What or who are your biggest inspirations and why?

My Mother of course, Donna Lee was a great singer and

professional working musician, also my Godmother Joel Wells also a guitar player and singer. I grew up watching the 2 of them performing as a duo after my Dad died when I was 3. Later they split up the Humdinger Duo and continued their successful solo careers.

Aunt Jo performed on cruise ships in Florida full-time and Mom got a full-time residency at The Clover Island Hotel on the river. They were able to make a living making music and doing what they loved. They loved each other and always supported each other. They were as close as sisters. I was always running ideas and arrangements past my Mom. I called her over the years constantly for advice about everything going on with my bands, shows, and career. She was so Intelligent and fun. I miss her so much.

Donna Summer, Al Jarreau, Manhattan Transfer, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Ross, Mel Torme, Luther Vandross, and several others were my musical staples of mine as well. I began trying to fuse Jazz with Dance-Funk _ Pop Music early on LOL.

When not performing or recording how do you spend your time?

I have a horse Hotel In Las Vegas so I overnight people’s horses when they are traveling cross country with them. I also have horses of my own, so I spend time riding and just hanging with them. They are so good for your mind and spirit. Better than a therapist for my state of wellbeing ...LOL You have so many hits, which is your favorite and why?

I think “ Land of The Living “is my favorite right now. My Mom recently passed, and it was her favorite, so it brings me comfort.

What is your favorite music genre?

My favorite music genre to move and live to is Dance music. I love smooth Jazz to decompress to and chill with friends or at home. I like to wake up to Classic Rock. I listen to Old School Funk and Dance when!! I’m driving. I crank Country music in my horse barn. I got all flavors. I listen to classical for musical inspiration too. I’m all over the place musically. I love it all.

What is your creative process when writing a new song?

I usually start with a title idea then that moves to a chorus. If I have something hooky in creating those two ideas, I keep going from there relaxed What do you love the most about performing live?

I love seeing people react to the messages inside the songs. It’s so fun to see them sing along or get fired up when you perform a song they love. It is rewarding to watch the power of music connect people. What fabulous medicine for the soul.

What is the project that you have been most proud of in your career thus far and why?

I’m very proud of the vast sea of fundraisers I have performed for and lobbied for with my Rainbow Family. My album Land of The Living came out 1997 when people learned they might be able to live with AIDS. There was so much fear back then. The medical breakthroughs were bittersweet. Very few people could afford the high-priced medications to stay alive. I witnessed the problem firsthand In Vegas losing many show biz friends because they couldn’t afford to stay alive, and many hid the fact they were positive because of the shame factor. I was committed to help anyway I could. The word Pride is very special and personal for me.

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COVER The Gay Community has come a long way and I’m honored to have been able to serve my friends.

Do you have any causes that are near and dear to your heart?

I have so many causes that are dear to me: I’m a mom so I’m a child advocate, I have been active in all stages of my children’s school experiences. Animal advocate, senior services advocate, a Patriot, a music royalty rights lobbyist, No Hate and Anti-Bullying advocate, child trafficking, etc... There are so many Issues that need to be addressed. It is never ending lol.

What is the project that you have been most proud of in your career thus far and why?

A project I’m very proud of recording Is my Double Jazz album Straight Up With A Twist “. It was a 3-year project with 33 tracks and my Mom was so proud of that album and listened to it non-stop on our road trips to Seattle, Portland, and Spokane together. That album brought her a lot of joy!!

You are a performer, singer/song writer and businesswomen, how do you balance all of that?

I think starting my own label Fly Again Music in 2008 was one of the most terrifying, difficult, and expensive projects I’ve ever taken on.

I had no idea what I was doing but little by little it has come together.

It was a bucket list accomplishment and I’m still learning daily.

If you weren’t a musical artist, what would you be doing?

If I wasn’t a musical artist, I would be a Farmer. I have been a small-time farmer since 2003. Currently raising wheat this season with my farming partner In Eastern Washington. I would raise grass fed beef if I did it full time or go into the hop growing box with my bro Karl.

What was your reaction when the state of Nevada named a day after you?

I cried my eyes out when the Governor of Nevada presented me with the certificate on stage at the Hilton. I remember my fake eye lash sliding down my cheek through the tears lol. and of course we ended the night with the Donna Summer medley so, more tears.

You’ve performed in Palm Springs many times. What do you enjoy about audiences here?

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I have always loved Palm Springs. It is a magical place, always has been for me. So many great people and memories there. I turn off from the highway and wind into the city as my heart swells with happiness. The family at KGAY 106.5 welcomes me with Love and music. Pretty fabulous.

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

I think we are all too hard on ourselves when we are young.

Love who you are, where you are, and who you are with. Take good care of your health!!

What is next for Kristine W? I used to do all this planning but its way more fun to take each day as it comes. I just love surprises and I’m full of them… LOL Kisses to everyone. Can’t wait to share all this new music with you.

And that ends our interview but as we finish Kristine has one more thought.

“I love creating the work and seeing people’s reaction to it,” she concludes. “My voice is a gift and I’m thankful for it. It has definitely made my life very interesting. I’ve gotten to make a difference and bring a lot of joy to the world, and that’s really what’s important.”

Love you KW

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COVER

MADONNA, FINALLY ENOUGH LOVE: 50 NUMBER ONES

BY RYAN TURRIN

FABIEN BARON - 1992 Madonna made history once again when she topped the Dance Club Songs chart for the 50th time, making her the first and only recording artist to have 50 #1 hits on any single Billboard chart.

New career-spanning compilations celebrate the icon’s record 50 #1 club hits across four decades.

To celebrate this historic milestone, Madonna curated two new collections: FINALLY ENOUGH LOVE: 50 NUMBER ONES, a new 50-track collection that includes her favorite remixes of those charttopping dance hits that have filled clubs worldwide for four decades, and an abridged 16-track version, simply titled FINALLY ENOUGH LOVE. 16-track version will be available for streaming on June 24.

Pre-order available now for 16-track and 50-track versions in CD and LP formats, which will be released on August 19, along with

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HERB RITTS - 1990 50-track digital album. Collections include Madonna’s favorite remixes, rare and unreleased versions, all newly remastered.

These new collections will mark the first album releases to be part of the newly announced partnership between Madonna and Warner Music Group, which will feature an extensive series of catalog releases across her groundbreaking career.

50 NUMBER ONES spans her entire dance club chart reign with dozens of remixes by the world’s top producers. In addition to fan favorites, the collection also includes a selection of rare remix recordings, with more than 20 being officially released for the first time or making their commercial/digital debut. The collection will

BITCH IM MADONNA VIDEO - 2015

STEVEN KLEIN - 2019

GEORGE HOLZ - 1984

MARIO TESTINO - 1998

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ANNIKA ASCHBERG - 2006 be available digitally on August 19, along with a 3-CD version.

A limited edition, 6-LP version on red and black vinyl will also be available, exclusively at Madonna’s official store and Rhino.com.

Boasting more than 220 minutes of remixes, FINALLY ENOUGH LOVE: 50 NUMBER ONES flows in mostly chronological order, showcasing the many musical reinventions that made Madonna an international icon, from 1983’s “Holiday” to 2019’s “I Don’t Search I Find,” with remixes by some of the biggest and most influential DJs of all time including Shep Pettibone, William Orbit, Honey Dijon, and Avicii.

On several songs, Madonna is joined by other incredible artists, including Britney Spears (“Me Against The Music”); Justin Timberlake and Timbaland (“4 Minutes”); and Nicki Minaj (“Bitch I’m Madonna.”)

Each remix was newly remastered for the collection by Mike Dean, who produced Madonna’s two most-recent studio albums, Rebel Heart (2015) and Madame X (2019).

Both new collections also highlight You Can Dance, Madonna’s first ever remix collection. Celebrating 35 years this year, You Can Dance has sold more than five million copies worldwide and is still the second best-selling remix album of all time. The collection also pays homage to “Everybody,” Madonna’s first single, celebrating its 40th Anniversary on October 6. Madonna redesigned the album’s chronology by picking three edits from You Can Dance, including “Into The Groove”, “Everybody” and “Physical Attraction,” which

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reflects the underground club vibes that inspired her first recordings as a Sire artist.

Along with those rarities, these albums also introduce versions that are seeing their first ever official release, including the “Alternate Single Remix” of “Keep It Together,” the “Offer Nissim Promo Mix” of “Living For Love,” and more.

In advance of the debut of FINALLY ENOUGH LOVE in June, one of the 50 chart toppers – “Causing A Commotion” – was spotlighted early as an exclusive release for this year’s Record Store Day on April 23. Three remixes of the track appeared on the limited edition, five-track, red vinyl 12” EP Who’s That Girl Super Club Mix. Expect more surprises to be revealed later this year around the celebration of Madonna’s 40 years in music.

FINALLY ENOUGH LOVE 16-Track Album Streaming June 24 1-CD, 2-LP & Digital Download Versions Out August 19 FINALLY ENOUGH LOVE: 50 NUMBER ONES 50-Track Album 3-CD, 6-LP, Streaming & Digital Download Versions Out August 19

For more info visit www.shop.madonna.com

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FEATURE

ONICKS HAS “NO PROBLEMS”

BY ASH RODRIGUEZ

Music has the power to change. The power to save, and the power to inspire. There is no better example of this than singer, songwriter, and performance artist Onicks. An artist who has emerged from the well of despair to bring hope to those that are on the same or parallel journeys. Merging the worlds of Alternative R&B, Electropop, Alternative Pop, Pop R&B, and Dubstep, he is defining a new sound. It is raw and with relatable lyrics appeals to generations, sexualities, genders, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

Growing up in California and Colorado, he was influenced by artists such as Lana Del Rey, Prince, Michael Jackson, Banks, The Weeknd, Bob Marley, Rihanna, and Stromae. The femininity of Prince, the hypnotizing writing style of Lana Del Rey, the bluntness of The Weeknd, and the visual chameleon that is Rihanna led Onicks to where he is now. Each played a transformative role in his development.

With the upcoming release of their new single “No Problems” with a fellow queer artist, Marqui Jordan, it is important you know who Onicks is. This interview gives you a glimpse into who Onicks really is as a person and a recording artist who is trying to use their musical gift to inspire others who have encountered the same traumas and life challenges.

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I sat down with them in their and their partner’s home in Los Angeles with their two dogs. Walking in, I was welcomed by their partner and noticed Onicks was to themself. Their headphones were in, and they were writing on a piece of paper. I came to find out that they heard a medley in his head, and he was trying to make a song out of it. As I approached them, they were full of smiles and said, “this song is not ready for you but just wait, I am always trying to create bangers that will have the world dancing and inspiring others to create their own art”.

On that note, we began our interview…

Who is Onicks?

“Onicks isn’t just the alter ego of a Californian born and raised ‘dark child’. Onicks is the culmination of every evolution I have had in my life. I embody man and woman, popstar and rockstar, addict and phoenix doing whatever it takes to conquer the world while keeping my demons at bay. My music is my electricity. It keeps me on, and I write every single word from a place of truth and storytelling.”

When did you know that you wanted to be a popstar?

“When I was at the age of 13, my parents and I moved to Colorado, and to be completely honest, this was when the darkness found its way into my life. I began experimenting with drugs and more importantly, my then-nameless alter ego. I had already spent most of my life playing the trumpet in school bands, but I always knew that I wanted to be the star in my own self-created world. I began experimenting with GarageBand at a young age and it honestly set me free. I think that user-friendly/accessible software such as GB is the perfect gateway drug for any artist who wants to get their feet wet.”

of style and fashion. Lastly, Stromae for his controversial depiction of romance, gender norms, trauma, and sadness. Searching for inspiration in a world where artists like these exist has been crucial to me and who Onicks is today.”

What is a strange guilty pleasure of yours?

“I know I shouldn’t reveal this because I’m not even sure how it goes to this point but sometimes when I am alone, I specifically like to eat cold/refrigerated canned ‘Spaghetti-O’s’ straight from the can with a spoon. Each of those elements must be present and I know it sounds awful to most people but does me a favor and try it. You will thank me later! Trust me!”

Who are your biggest musical inspirations?

“That is a loaded question because well there are a lot, I must say! Lana Del Ray for her lyrical genius. Banks for her industrial/ futuristic sound. Michael Jackson for his attitude on stage and in his music videos. Lady Gaga for her ‘vocal fingerprint’ and sense

How has your gender identity shaped your sense of style and fashion?

“I am someone who identifies as non-binary and uses they/ them/their pronouns. I blur lines for sport, and this is the most evident

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FEATURE in what I put on my body. I get asked this question a lot and I always have one simple answer. That answer is that I dress based on how I feel. If I wake up feeling like Marilyn Monroe, you will probably catch me in a white dress with a red lip. If I am feeling like Freddie Mercury, it may be a muscle tank with high wasted jeans. Whichever way or any way in between, it will be what’s on in my head.”

What’s next for Onicks?

“I have finally collaborated with another queer artist of color, Marqui Jordan. The musical ‘child’ we are about to birth is an absolute banger and the culmination of my growth as a recording artist. Our single ‘No Problems’ hits the airwaves this June and let me tell you, not only will this song be stuck in your head for an aggressive amount of time, but the video is an absolute triumph. My team and I got the chance to work with director Paul Butcher to create the music video for ‘No Problems’ and let me tell you, it gives you what you want to see.

It gives you ‘Telephone’ Lady Gaga energy mixed with Marqui and I’s twist. I can’t say much but it still gives me goosebumps every time I view it. You can catch us performing our new hit everywhere this summer! I couldn’t be prouder and more excited to share this single.”

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For more info, please visit https://www.iamonicks.com/

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FEATURE

PRIDE MONTH 2022

BY CHRISTIAN ACEVEDO

The LGBTQ+ rights movement has made tremendous strides over the past few decades and much of the progress in visibility is thanks in part to gay pride parades and marches that have taken place in cities around the world. The global landscape for LGBTQ+ rights, protections and acceptance vary tremendously by location, with some destinations attracting millions of visitors to their events like Madrid Gay Pride, Sao Paulo Gay Pride or San Francisco Gay Pride, while more than 70 other countries have laws that allow discrimination or persecution of LGBTQ+ people.

LGBTQ+ pride events including pride parades and festivals were started in major urban centers to improve the visibility, acceptance, and legal protections for LGBTQ+ people living in those communities. While the aim of pride day started with a political nature, many cities around the world have such wide acceptance and legal protections that many events have become a celebration of pride for the local LGBTQ+ community. Depending on the country

or city where the event is being held, the marches and parades often campaign for recognition and acceptance of same-sex marriage, legal protections for couples and families, anti-discrimination laws or trans rights. Although there are still obstacles in achieving full acceptance and protections for the LGBTQ+ community, the progress made just over the past few decades has been significant. Over the past 50 years, pride events, marches and demonstrations have evolved considerably. In western nations where LGBTQ+ people are protected and acceptance is high, many pride events have grown in scale, welcoming millions of visitors to their celebrations. Major cities like New York, São Paulo, and Madrid host some of the largest events in the world with crowds of up to 5 million people.

In honor of Pride month, we at The Standard Magazine would like to acknowledge the accomplishments and sacrifice of those LGBTQ+ trailblazers who paved and continue to pave the way for the LGBTQ+ movement.

FRANK KAMENY One of the earliest gay rights activists, Kameny is known today for protesting after being fired from a U.S. government job for being gay. He led an “Annual Reminder” picket protest for gay rights in Philadelphia until 1969. He was active in the Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C., and he and Barbara Gittings were active in persuading the American Psychiatric Association to delist homosexuality as mental disorder in 1973.

MICHAEL MCCONNELL AND JACK BAKER Michael McConnell and Jack Baker — This couple was one of the first to push for the right to marry. In 1970, they applied for a marriage license in Minnesota, where existing laws did not forbid same-sex marriage. The right of same-sex couples to wed was recognized as constitutional by a 2015 decision of the Supreme Court.

BARBARA GITTINGS Gittings founded the New York chapter of Daughters of Bilitis in 1958. She and Frank Kameny worked together to delist homosexuality as a mental disorder, which the American Psychiatric Association approved in 1973.

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FEATURE REV. TROY PERRY Reverend Perry founded the Metropolitan Community Church in Los Angeles in 1968. Perry’s church is one of the first to specifically minister to LGBTQ people, and he was present at the first Pride march in Los Angeles that took place on June 28, 1970.

BAYARD RUSTIN Bayard Rustin was instrumental in one of the greatest civil rights demonstrations in history. In 1963, he worked with Martin Luther King Jr. to organize the March on Washington, and then in the 1980s he redirected his focus to a different cause. “Gay people are the new barometer for social change,” he said in a speech in 1986.

EDIE WINDSOR Edith Windsor was the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court case that declared DOMA unconstitutional. Edith Windsor’s wife, Thea Spyer, died in 2009, igniting a court battle that would change LGBTQ rights forever. The federal government did not recognize Windsor and Spyer’s marriage, so Windsor was left to pay $350,000 in estate taxes. She waged a war against the Defense of Marriage Act in court. The case went all the way up to the Supreme Court, which ruled that Section 3 of DOMA (which prevented the federal government from recognizing any same-sex marriages for the purpose of federal laws) was unconstitutional, paving the way for the legalization of same-sex marriage.

HARVEY MILK Nearly 40 years after his assassination, Harvey Milk remains one of the best-known figures of the LGBTQ rights movement. He rose to prominence in the late 1970s when he became California’s first openly gay person elected to public office. As a community leader in San Francisco, Milk supported the rights of gay teachers, sponsored anti-discrimination legislation, and fostered LGBTQ-run businesses. In 2009, his nephew Stuart Milk founded the Harvey Milk Foundation to continue his fight for equality.

RITA MAE BROWN A lesbian activist and feminist active starting in the 1970s, Brown was a member of the Gay Liberation Front, Lavender Menace, and joined a lesbian commune in Washington, D.C., called “Furies Collective,” whose founding documents stated: “Sexism is the root of all other oppressions, and Lesbian and woman oppression will not end by smashing capitalism, racism, and imperialism.

Lesbianism is not a matter of sexual preference, but rather one of political choice which every woman must make if she is to become woman-identified and thereby end male supremacy.”

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FEATURE MARSHA P. JOHNSON The Stonewall Riots of 1969, in which a late-night police raid of a New York City gay bar evolved into a defiant protest by patrons, is largely seen as the driving event behind the LGBTQ rights movement. Today Stonewall is recognized as a national monument, but the names of many of the men and women who led the unrest are still missing from history books. Marsha P. Johnson, a trans woman from New Jersey, was on the front lines that night.

LEONARD MATLOVICH Leonard Matlovich wasn’t the first gay man to serve in the military, but he may have been the first to come out on such a public platform. For most of his life, including his years spent in Vietnam, Matlovich kept his true sexual identity a secret from the world. Then in 1975, he decided to come out to his superiors. An interview with The New York Times soon followed, and then a famous appearance on the cover of TIME magazine that displayed his portrait above the words “I Am a Homosexual.”

LAVERNE COX Laverne Cox has already made history several times throughout her career. In 2014, her role on Orange is the New Black earned her the first Emmy nomination for an openly trans actor, and in 2017 she became the first transgender regular to play a trans character on broadcast TV with CBS’s Doubt.

JAMES BALDWIN A writer and social critic, Baldwin is perhaps best known for his 1955 collection of essays, “Notes of a Native Son,” and his groundbreaking 1956 novel, “Giovanni’s Room,” which depicts themes of homosexuality and bisexuality. The novel stood out among literary critics because it features all white characters, unlike the civil rights activist’s other novels which center the experiences of Black people.

RON ODEN When Oden was elected mayor of Palm Springs, California in 2003, he made history by becoming the first openly gay African American man elected mayor of an American city. Following Oden’s historic election 17 years ago, the Palm Spring City Council made history once again: In December 2017, it became America’s first all-LGBTQ city council.

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ALAN TURING Alan Turing was a mathematician who is often credited with creating the foundation of artificial intelligence and computer science. He also played a major role in World War II, helping break several German codes. In the ‘50s, he told police that he had homosexual relations with a man and was arrested for gross indecency. He was then chemically castrated. In 1954, he died due to cyanide poisoning

LORI LIGHTFOOT A former prosecutor with no experience in elected office, Lightfoot swept all 50 of Chicago’s wards in the 2019 mayoral runoff election after promising to end the city’s famed backroom dealing. She is the city’s first ever Black female mayor and its first openly LGBTQ mayor.

GILBERT BAKER In 1978, Harvey Milk asked his friend Gilbert Baker to make a symbol that would represent gay pride. Using the US flag as inspiration, Baker hand-sewed a rainbow flag. He said each color on the flag represented something that was important to the community. For example, the hot pink was for sex, and the red was for life. The rainbow pride flag was first flown in San Francisco on June 25, 1978, for Gay Pride Day.

MICHAEL SAM In 2014, Michael Sam came out as gay in an interview with ESPN and made history that same year. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams, becoming the first openly gay man to ever be drafted into the NFL. Unfortunately, Sam was let go from the team, and in 2015, he announced he was leaving the sport for good.

JANET MOCK Janet Mock jumped into the spotlight in 2014 with her memoir “Redefining Realness,” which chronicled her experience being transgender. It became a New York Times bestseller and launched her career. She wrote her second book, “Surpassing Certainty,” in 2017. After that, she moved into television and became the first transgender woman of color to write and direct an episode of television on Ryan Murphy’s groundbreaking show “Pose.” Most recently, she also directed and produced episodes of Murphy’s latest show “Hollywood. Time Magazine has named her one of the most influential people in the world.

We acknowledge that this is just a short list of outstanding LGBTQ+ trailblazers. If there is someone that you would have liked to see included on this list, please send input to info@thestandardps.com

JUNE 2022 27

Just for the health of it Shop. Donate. Care.

Support the community you want to create. Every purchase funds comprehensive care at DAP Health.

Dr. Christopher Foltz, Infectious Disease Physician, holds the Turquoise Pineapple Lamp.

Find yourself at revivalsstores.com 28 THESTANDARDPS.COM

BOOK REVIEW

ALWAYS OVERBOOKED

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER Two steps.

This way, two more that way, tap your heels together, step-and-bow left, step-and-bow right, turn and again. Eventually, you’ll get the hang of doing this and you won’t bump into everybody on the dance floor. Also eventually, you’ll see that country music has a place for you even when, as in the new book “Queer Country” by Shana Goldin-Perschbacher, you never thought you had a place for it. Usually, when one thinks about country music, rural living comes to mind: cowboys, pick-ups, Christian values, conservatism, heartbreak, and honky tonks. Stereotypically, few of those things have seemed LGBT-inclusive and listeners might have felt unwelcome, were it not for today’s boundary-breakers and “queer country” which, says Goldin-Perschbacher, is becoming more of a music category with fans.

Goldin-Perschbacher is quick to say that “queer country” is not a genre on its own. Some out musicians might closer identify themselves with Americana or folk music; k.d. lang’s music is more countrypolitan, but with humor; and you can attend queer Bluegrass festivals, if you want.

None of this defines the various artists: in many ways, gay, lesbian, and trans artists have really had no other options than to embrace all labels.

Then there’s the issue of how to do queer country: GoldinPerschbacher refers often to Patrick Haggerty, who was the first gay artist to officially record the album, Lavender Country. He recorded it in Seattle, shortly after Stonewall; at that time, Haggerty was especially determined that his album be honest and sincere in its reflection of gay life – things that continue to concern queer artists who use irony, drag, and camp in their work.

And there’s that struggle to go mainstream. Goldin-Perschbacher writes about k.d. lang’s career and how it progressed. You’ll read about Chely Wright and Lil Nas X and how they used non-traditional ways to rise to stardom. And you’ll read about many artists who do what seems best for them, and count LGBTQ listeners and cis audience members among their fans.

There really is no way “Queer Country” could ever be considered a “beach read.”

This isn’t the relaxed, rangy kind of book you want to sunbathe with; instead, author Shana Goldin-Perschbacher speaks to the academic, rather than the casual listener, with language that seems to fit better in school, than in sand. The analyses border on the highbrow just a bit, with some amount of repetition to underscore various points.

Even so, this is an important work.

In writing about this almost-hidden branch of country music, GoldinPerschbacher also tells of the efforts she’s made to help some artists to gain a wider audience. This lends more of an insider feel; the intimately extensive interviews with artists, and excerpts from other works, let

readers know that they should keep their eyes (and ears!) open...

Give yourself some room to absorb if you tackle this book. It’s not for everyone, but C&W listeners and “queer country” fans may find it necessary. Step one is to find somewhere comfortable to sit. Reading “Queer Country” is step two.

“Queer Country” by Shana Goldin-Perschbacher c.2002, University of Illinois Press $110 hardcover; $24.95 paperback 288 pages

JUNE 2022 29

INDESIGN

BUDGETING: PRIORITIES & LUXURIES

BY DANN FOLEY

For all the beautiful design we create at Foley & Stinnette, the big question remains; How much does it all cost? Here is something that we know for certain, it does not matter what amount you have set aside for your home it never seems to be enough. For all the tips & tricks we have shared in these pages, it still comes down to budgeting for all your needs, dreams, and desires.

There is nothing more important to the success of your design than the plan before you begin. The scaled floor plans with your chosen furniture layouts and decorative selections are only half of the equation. You might say that the design is the fantasy portion and the budget the reality piece. The plan can be executed in as many steps as are comfortable for you but, knowing what you want and what it will cost is crucial to your success.

When creating a budget for our clients we take a two-pronged approach, The decorative and the contracting. They are built simultaneously. One does not exist without the other.

So where do you put your money? Where do you splurge and where do you go easy? We divide and conquer and then bring it all together. This is how we do it…

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DECORATIVE BUDGET: • List of each room and each item in those room. Working with subtotals for each room is an effective way to keep financial perspective. You should spend more on some rooms over others.

• Our approach is that each room needs that one WOW piece.

That will be most likely be more costly. That piece is a focal point of the room, then we are more careful with the rest to balance out the total cost.

• Be sure to list decorative items beyond furnishings. Window treatments need hardware. We list wallpaper as a decorative item but, the installation is in the contracting budget.

• We put a single total number on accessories for each room.

Then when it is time to begin purchasing, we take the grand total for accessories in all rooms so that we have a working number when sourcing for those items.

• Don’t forget that shipping/handling/delivery and warehousing costs are separate yet, still part of the decorative budget.

• Many manufacturers require delivery to a local warehouse where they have a loading dock and can unload their freight. This is a very important component of the budget because it is also where inspection of each item takes place. It is better to find any issues before your installation.

• Our rule of thumb is to estimate 15% of your total decorative purchases for shipping & handling.

CONTRACTING BUDGET: • As with the decorative budget, list each room and then each task to be completed.

• If demolition is involved (it always is) that is its own line item, as is, hauling away debris.

• We list each task separately. Demo, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, drywall, painting & wallpaper, etc. By doing this you won’t leave anything out (budget oversights can be deadly!).

• There is no set percentage you can put on your budget items.

Some rooms might require more electrical, others might need more plumbing or cabinetry. You must approach each room individually.

• It is quite common to be invoiced for “surcharges” often put on shipping and/or fuel costs (they can even apply to decorative items).

Be sure to always have a Total Price for all the work in your budget.

• Renovations can quickly become a can of worms. You don’t know what is inside those floors, walls, and ceilings until you open them. We take the approach of, hope for the best and plan for the worst. Having said that, we recommend a separate budget line equal to 25% of the total as a “just in case” fund. You don’t have to

spend it but, if you need you will be glad it is there!

The sum of all your decorative purchases and contracting items is your budget. You may approach your budget from either direction. That means you can come up with a number you do not want to exceed first, or you can create a budget that fits your needs and desires and proceed from there. Either way, what you want is a comprehensive understanding of each space. Then you can make informed decisions as to how many phases you might need and how to finance all the changes.

This part of the process can be daunting and even downright depressing. Don’t let it get you down! I can assure you, compromise is the part of every project, on every level. We all make choices in life every day. There is no such thing as an unlimited budget. The process is part of the pleasure of creating your most magical home.

Live Well!

Designer Dann www.foleystinnette.com / Designer Dann@ Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & Houzz

JUNE 2022 31

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JUNE 2022 33

PERSPECTIVE

THE “UNBRIDLED” BRIDAL PARTY (PART 2)

BY JILL LANGHAM

Has much changed since then?

My optimistic self, says, yes, but then when I think about this conundrum, I’m baffled. How is it that Bridal showers are now taking place in Gay Bars? They used to be held in the home of the Maid of Honor, a relative’s home, in a church basement, a restaurant or at a social club. Today, gay bars are being advertised as safe spaces for young women to go with Palm Springs on the top of this West Coast List.

Is it to appease the fears of straight men who think they can’t trust their soon-to-be wives to behave properly at a straight bar? Or maybe it’s just being driven by money, like so many other things in our lives.

So, why is that?

Is it because the soon-to-be husbands are going to strip clubs with their BFF’s and are getting lap dances and a “handy” or having full on sex with female strippers, call girls, escorts, paid sex workers or hookers? (What terms are acceptable these days?) Are they assuming or fearing that their perspective brides will do the same if they go to Strip clubs or straight bars in another city, i.e., out of sight out of mind? It sure makes me wonder.

Look at all the movies that have been made about Bridal Parties and Bachelor Nights. I found 24 movies on a quick Siri Search. The first, in 1984 called Bachelor Party and another in 1994 called House Party 3 but the other 22 came out after 2004 right up to 2019. So once again, we can thank Hollywood for promoting this phenom, that now encroaches on all of you.

And it appears that it’s something we can’t change or stop. That train has left the station and if it’s the equivalent of the Shanghai Maglev, the fastest train in the world!

I’ve had hundreds of conversations with gay men of many ages all over the globe about their feelings related to Bridal Parties in Gay Bars.

I will be 67 in June and have probably talked to more men closer to my age but am fortunate that the younger, new generation of gays talk to me, too. The young kids have no concept of what I am talking about or why we are distressed. They do not see this as an issue or problem because they grew up going out in groups, gays mixed with straight so, it’s not a big deal. But if you are men of a certain age, you do know the difference and have told me that “enough is enough.”

You’ve shared with me that this is the reason you have stopped

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frequenting gay bars and clubs. Others have said that they are tired of the “girls” groping their genitals, while saying something to the men like, “You guys like this, don’t you?” Others gay men said it is the screaming in voices larger and higher than what you’d hear in a sports bar when the favored team has scored a touchdown, goal, or point, that they can’t stand. Still others have shared that it has ruined the energy of camaraderie, sexual possibilities, dancing and hooking up. In other words, what had been your safe space is now only safe for these young girls. Pretty ironic, isn’t it?

So, what do we do?

I, for one, wish that there were Bridal Party Bars, specifically for Bridal Parties. They could have gay or straight bartenders and dancers who want to cater to the needs of the girls. Any gay man regardless of age could go there and enjoy the sights if they so desired, but I think that many of them would defer.

But for those of us who would rather not be in the company of the Bridal attendants, we could go back to gay or straight-owned clubs that have our Gay Vibe and still play the music that we love.

Not the top 40’s bubblegum music that I am hearing more than I would like. Do I think it’s possible for a straight DJ to play in a gay bar? I’m sure it is possible, but I still haven’t been inclined to do much dancing when they are in the DJ booth. So, the “new” gay bars would actually be like the “old” gay bars, strange isn’t?

But I don’t think that in today’s climate of acceptance/antidiscrimination that my proposed plan would be a hit. So, I’ve been composing a list of behaviors that I’d like to see handed out at the entryway of our clubs. The list identifies behavior’s that all patrons and especially all members of the Bridal party must adhere to, or they will be asked to leave.

My proposed List: -No Screaming. Use appropriate levels of Inside Voices -No Loud, Raucous Laughter that is louder than you would use in your parents living room during a party (Most likely lost on these young girls) -No Purses, Backpacks, Fanny packs on the floor of the dance floor -No circles on the dance floor -No squirt guns or penis-oriented toys -No Genital Touching, unless asked!

I think we know by now that women do not want to be sexualized by men and do not welcome their body parts to be groped, especially if they are wearing provocative clothing. But it seems that the reverse is not true. These females do think that all Gay men want to be groped by everyone, including them. A group of men have told me their solution for schooling these misinformed bride’s maids. The scenario read something like this.

The minute a man gets groped, he puts both of his hands on the gropees breasts, that results in the look of shock which says it all. The young lady screams out, “What are you doing?” To which the quick comeback is, “The same thing as you!” Their privates are instantly free of unwanted hands and usually the group of attendees exit, stage left! I think it’s worth a try!

I think it is time to send the message to one another gay, straight, fluid, bi, tri, etc., to show some respect to one another and stop being so afraid to say, “Your behavior is not appropriate. Please stop!”

Now back to the Vibe in the Bars. Back in 2014 after having spent an entire night trying to find a place to dance, I posted on Facebook about the lack of what I called the Gay Vibe. Shortly thereafter, I threw a dance party/fund raiser that featured six local Palm Springs DJ’s who I felt represented this so-called, “Gay Vibe.” The vibe Palm Springs was known for. It was a success not only for the money that we raised, but because it was a reminder of what it was that drew us to Palm Springs to begin with. It was a Vibe that we had plenty of prior to the Hard Rock Hotel taking over the Zozo Hotel, a stone’s throw away from Gay Arenas.

This is when all the straight people began frequenting our bars. I could see the writing on the wall and knew that it was the beginning of the end.

We were losing our footing and our places! I wrote about my feelings on Facebook and had many people agree with me, but nothing was done.

How is it that You, the Gay men of Palm Springs and the world, could not see what was happening? You have always been visionaries and have been a step ahead of so many trends. You are a community that regentrifies lost or broken neighborhoods that no one wants to live in. You’ve done this world-wide and have made a huge amount of money doing so. Some of us are approaching our golden years and I have personally seen Palm Springs as my forever home. I never imagined that I’d be looking for another place to live, but the truth is that my eyes are open.

But maybe you’re tired of making one last move, so you have resigned yourself to the changes that are not working for us.

Have we sold out?

Stay tuned for the conclusion in Part 3 coming in July……………

JUNE 2022 35

PSP FOCUS

>> AAP – FOOD SAMARITANS TO HOST TRADITIONAL “INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION”

BY TIM O’BAYLEY

AAP – Food Samaritans (AAP) will host a dazzling Independence Day Celebration and fundraiser on Monday, July 4, 2022 at the historic O’Donnell House.

and delicious food and beverages. Tickets are $175, which includes an open bar, dinner, entertainment by the enchanting Keisha D, and valet parking. (Advance purchase is required and capacity is limited.)

The event begins at 7:00 pm, and the City of Palm Springs’ fireworks display will commence at approximately 9:15 pm. Guests will enjoy traditional American fare catered by Willie Rhine and his team from Eight4Nine who will provide amazing décor, great service,

Mark Anton, CEO and Executive Director of AAP – Food Samaritans said: “With the return of the City of Palm Springs’ fireworks display this year, the viewing from the mountainside above the Palm Springs Art Museum will be spectacular. Due to the

36 THESTANDARDPS.COM

PSP FOCUS

pandemic, we have had to cancel several fundraisers over the past two years, and we are relying on this event more than ever. People in our community are struggling to make ends meet, and those with chronic illnesses need us more than ever.”

Completed in 1925, the O’Donnell House served as the winter home of oilman Thomas O’Donnell and his wife, Dr. Winnifred Willis Jenny, a well-known Long Beach osteopath. The two-story

Mediterranean Revival-Monterey residence remained the highest mountainside home in Palm Springs until the 1960s. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. The home, along with it’s ‘sister’ property Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn, Colony 29 event space, and Le Vallauris restaurant were recently acquired

by SOHO House.

Tickets are available (online starting @ 1 PM on June 6) at aapfoodsamaritans.org or call 760-325-8481.

JUNE 2022 37

PSP FOCUS

>> MODERNISM WEEK ANNOUNCES NEW CEO

BY BOB BOGARD

Modernism Week, the annual festival that highlights midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture in the Palm Springs area of Southern California, announced that Lisa Vossler Smith has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2022. She has been Executive Director of the Palm Springs-based, non-profit organization since 2013. In addition, Modernism Week also announced that four people have been promoted from within the business to support the new leadership framework.

“Lisa is an outstanding individual and a significant asset to our organization,” said William Kopelk, Chairman of the Modernism Week Board of Directors. “Lisa has a proven history of successfully guiding Modernism Week as we have grown over the years. She did an outstanding job running the organization during the pandemic, when we adjusted our business model to adapt to the national crisis.

We have the utmost confidence in her abilities and look forward to working with her in her new role as CEO.” Vossler Smith has a long history of non-profit leadership roles and promoting cultural tourism and the rich heritage of the Palm Springs desert region. Prior to joining Modernism Week, she served for several years as Senior Director of Administration & Operations at Palm Springs Art Museum. She was involved with Modernism Week as a volunteer from its beginning in 2005.

She attended Indio High School and grew up in La Quinta where she began her early career training at La Quinta Hotel under the leadership of her mother, Judy Vossler. After graduating from the University of California, Irvine, she pursued a career path in special event management. Lisa and her husband, artist Phillip K. Smith III, also from the Coachella Valley, are proud to have established their business and family life in the desert. Lisa was awarded “40 Under 40” Young Leaders by Palm Springs Life in October, 2006, was included in the “A-List” Young Professionals by The Desert Sun in November, 2007, received the “Top Business Leader in the Community” designation in the 2014 Women in Business Awards sponsored by Palm Springs Life, won a “Desert Visionary Award” from the Women Leaders Forum in 2016, and was included in the Desert Charities News “Women in Philanthropy” list from 2018 to 2020.

She has served on various community boards including Junior League of the Palm Springs Desert Communities, Architecture &

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Design Council of the Palm Springs Art Museum, Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs, and the California Preservation Foundation Annual Conference Steering Committee.

Modernism Week is growing into a year-round operation with multiple events, tours, and trips during the year. In addition to promoting Vossler Smith as CEO, Modernism Week also promoted from within four new Directors to support her by overseeing various aspects of the business. The senior management team consists of Davy Aker, Director of E-Commerce, John Miraglia, Director of Operations and Controller, Sara Dawson, Director of Sponsorship, and Alex Addrisi, Director of Partner Events.

To receive Modernism Week updates, visit modernismweek.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

MUSIC

TALIA KEYS WANTS THE WORLD TO KNOW “WE’RE HERE”

BY TIM LARCOMBE

TALIA KEYS BY STEFAN POULOS

Talia Keys is celebrating Pride month with the release of a new music video that calls for today’s queer generation to be loud and proud in who they are.

“We’re Here” is a reggae inspired, feel good anthem, broken into three parts. The first verse is about the internal struggles many LGBTQ+ youth face when their outward appearance doesn’t quite fit the societal mold. The second verse challenges them to smash the patriarchy of society’s expectations around gender binaries; and the outro encourages all to own who they are because by simply existing, they are changing the world into a better place.

“We need to fight the status quo,” Keys insists. “Because like it or not, we’re Queer, we’re here and we aren’t going anywhere.”

Keys says she wrote and recorded the song because growing

MADAZON, TALIA BY STEFAN POULOS

up in Mormon Utah as a closeted queer Catholic girl put a target on her. She was bullied for being a Tomboy and she became a bully in order to protect her secret. She didn’t come out until her midtwenties, and when she did, Talia, a successful musician, lost fans, and gigs. She kept her drive, though, and today, she uses her music and performances to preach the good word of love and acceptance. “I see the stage as my platform to spread awareness.”

That message is echoed in the “We’re Here” music video. It was shot in an empty theater because, as Talia explains, “Sometimes it feels empty when you come out and the support you once had is gone. As queer people, though, we learn to be strong willed and to perform with our entire heart, even if it is to an empty room.”

The video features several Queer, trans, enby artists and drag queens including Madazon Can-Can, a gender non-binary drag

JUNE 2022 39

MUSIC

TALIA CAPITOL THEATRE

ZAZA, TALIA, KAY BYE, MADAZON, LILIA, M’LADY BY STEFAN POULOS

king, burlesque dancer, and clown. “I first saw Madazon Can-Can perform at our local Pride and was captivated by their ability to entertain,” Talia says.

She also cast local drag artists and assembled an all-Queer crew to shoot the video including the award-winning filmmaker Melahn Atkinson (she/they).

Talia Keys is an activist-musician who has enjoyed a loyal following in Salt Lake City clubs for over a decade and has made a name for herself on national tours and jam festivals from coast to coast.

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Her trademark fire and brimstone stage presence is an amalgam of her journey, identity, and musical influences. While her physical appearance may scream LESBO, her music does not. It presents a modern twist on the rock n’ roll troubadour singing songs of struggle and ultimately, triumph.

Talia Keys’ “We’re Here” is available now on all digital platforms. Its music video is on YouTube. Visit Talia’s website and follow her on Instagram @ taliakeys

2022 EVENTS

DATE

EVENT

June 1

Rock the Park - Fleetwood Mac Tribute

June 3–5

WeHo Pride Weekend

June 3–5

OUTLOUD Raising Voices Music Festival

June 3–5

Sonoma County Pride

June 3–12

Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week

June 4

Venice Pride and Parade

June 10–12

Splash House - June

June 11–12

LA Pride in the Park/Pride Parade

June 12

Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival

June 13

Alzheimer's Association LGBTQ+ Forum

June 21–27

Palm Springs ShortFest

June 25–26

San Francisco Pride

July 7–Aug 12

Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage

July 15–17

Out in the Vineyard: Gay Wine Weekend

July 16–17

San Diego Pride Festival/Parade

Aug 12–14

Splash House August - Weekend 1

Aug 18-21

Big Bear Romp

Aug 19–21

Splash House August - Weekend 2

Sept 9

Out on the Mountain

Sept 15–25

Cinema Diverse

Sept 16–18

Gay Days Anaheim

Sept 17

Positively Aging Conference

Sept 21

Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs

Sept 21–25

Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend

Oct 1

Pride Under the Pines

Oct 13–16

Modernism Week Fall Preview

Nov 4–6

Palm Springs Pride

Nov 6

Palm Springs Pride Parade

Nov 11–13

Palm Springs Women's Jazz Festival

Nov 18–20

McCormick's Collector Car Auction

Nov 19

Palm Springs Dance Project - The Main Event

Jan 5

Palm Springs Int Film Festival Awards Gala

Jan 6–16

Palm Springs Int Film Festival 2023

Feb 16–26

Modernism Week

Feb 23–27

International Bear Convergece / IBC

Celebrating All the Colors

in the Rainbow

JUNE 2022 41 #ILoveGayPalmSprings

MUSTSEE

GAYLIENS; SOMETHING’S OUT THERE

BY MICHEL KHORDOC

Created, written, and directed by critically acclaimed scriptwriter/ filmmaker Mark Bessenger, the mastermind behind the cult classic LGBT/ Horror film, Bite Marks, Gayliens is a HERE TV Original series with standalone episodes ranging from sci-fi to comedy, where each installment details an encounter between gay men and extra-terrestrials. Starring Daniel Moser, Tamario Fletcher, Hunter Evans, and Kevin Roach, Episode 1 follows two closeted high school boys who come out at Lover’s Lane and are terrorized by the legendary Mothman. Adhering to the classic sci-fi/horror-thriller genre, Gayliens checks off all the bloody boxes gore fans’ twisted heart’s desire. A gripping must-watch series!

We caught up with Mark Bessenger to talk about his latest horror creation and his commitment to bringing these fantastic tales of gay men and their alien encounters to the screen In a few words, can you let us know what is GAYLIENS about?

“Gayliens” is an anthology series about gay men experiencing alien encounters. Each episode will be a different story containing different characters, actors, and film genres.

What inspired you to create the series?

I pitched a different anthology show to Here TV (kind of a gay “Playhouse 90”, and over the next several months, suggestions went back and forth until the idea evolved into the concept it is now: every episode will be about an alien encounter with gay men.

What attracted you to the “anthology series” genre/format?

The anthology format lets me play in different genres, telling different stories with different characters. It’s like opening presents on Christmas morning. One show can be a serious horror tale, while the next one can be a comedy and the next a romantic drama. It lets my creativity flow unencumbered and gives me access to all the toys in the playbox, which is always a fun thing.

The first episode of GAYLIENS – entitled Love and the Mothman – is everything a discerning fan of the horror genre could want: Fast, scary, funny and a little self-referential. How did that first episode came to be?

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I had always intended to do this story as part of the original anthology idea, but when it was decided that the show would be about alien encounters, thankfully the Mothman still worked. I’ve always liked the idea of being trapped in a confined space while something terrifying lurked outside. I did this in my film BITE MARKS. But I wanted to work a sweet story of two teenage boys coming out (and making out) on Lover’s Lane, then being terrorized into that idea.

It seems like several monsters lurk at Lover’s Lanes. I don’t know why people go there to get it on. Cheaper than a hotel, I guess.

The Mothman, of course, is reportedly an actual supernatural entity which was famed for terrorizing the citizens of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Are you a pretty avid fan of these type of cryptoid sightings?

Yes, I am a big fan of crytids (Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, the Chupacabra and the Fouke Monster, to name a few). With all our advanced technology and scientific discoveries, I find it enthralling to think that there are mysterious creatures in existence that we cannot explain. I hope we never find Bigfoot. It would destroy the sense of mystery.

What was it like to direct this talented ensemble cast?

It was a delight. Comprised of young, local actors, they held nothing back and brought life and energy to the characters. They were also fearless. Some of them had never shot a sex scene before, and certainly not a gay one!

What makes HERE TV the perfect home for GAYLIENS? Here TV believes in the show, and they understand what I’m trying to

The fact that it IS unique. It IS different. There’s really nothing else like it on TV…or anywhere now that I think of it. I often explain it as a queer “Twilight Zone” or a gay “Outer Limits.” It’s a fresh, different, and exciting new viewing experience for an audience that is tired of current genre faire. Plus, the variety keeps it interesting.

Don’t like horror? The next episode could be a comedy. Want something to watch where you can snuggle with your hunny-bunny?

There might be a romantic story on the way. Something for everyone!

Looking ahead, what can fans expect in future episodes of GAYLIENS? As I said, I am mixing genres. In the months ahead, there will

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do with the anthology concept. I am allowed to have sex and nudity if I want, and their limitations of what I can and can’t do, what I can and can’t show are very broad. Also, Here was also the home of two other genre shows, “Dante’s Cove” and “The Lair,” and one current one, “Demonhuntr,” so my series about gays and extra-terrestrials fits snuggly in.

Download the Audacy app now to start listening to CHANNELQ

JUNE 2022 43

MUSTSEE be a tale about a male stripper trying to stop an invasion from outer space, a loving gay male couple hiding from evil extra-terrestrials in a theater and four bound men kidnapped by an extremist who believes that one of them is an alien bent on destroying civilization.

but I have a couple of feature films slated for filming later this year.

One is my take on the “old dark house” genre of films from the 40s, the other is a tale of three people shipwrecked on an island who discover that a popular story isn’t fiction, but a deadly reality.

Why do you think that people from all walks of life (Gay, Straight, Bi-, Black, White, Brown, etc) have always been so fascinated with subjects such as aliens, ghosts, cryptozoology, and everything in-between?

What is the one question you wish I would have asked you and obviously didn’t - and why?

The more our lives are introduced to and expanded by technology, the more things we find out about our world and our universe, the more fascinating the mysterious, the unexplained, becomes. It’s also something that we all, as humans, experience. Only a few of us can build a computer from scratch, but all of us have been alone somewhere and heard a noise that shouldn’t be there. A loud creak of the floorboards in the middle of the night sends chills through all of us, and I think most of us secretly want to know what it is, what’s out there.

We want to see what’s lurking in the dark at the top of the stairs.

Aliens, ghosts, cryptids, myths, urban legends all fall into this category.

What’s next for you?

I am working on completing season one of “Gayliens” right now,

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“What is your favorite movie?” Because that really tells you so much about a person…what they like, who they are and why they are.

Mine, by the way, is THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES, because it reflects my personal tastes in horror, black comedy, camp, and a gay sensibility.

Where can fans learn more about you and GAYLIENS? Interested parties can find me by searching on my name on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I will happily accept friend requests from anyone who wants to keep up to date with my projects, my humor, and my daily escapades!

For more info and to watch the trailer go to: https://www.here.tv/gayliens

WITH AAP – FOOD SAMARITANS AT THE HISTORIC O’DONNELL HOUSE Please join supporters of AAP – Food Samaritans at a dazzling Independence Day celebration and fundraiser.

Monday, July 4 @ 7:00 pm at the historic O’Donnell House.

Guests will be treated to traditional American fare catered by Willie Rhine and his amazing team from Eight4Nine.

With the return of the City of Palm Springs’ fireworks display this year, the viewing will be spectacular!

Tickets are $175, which includes an open bar, dinner, entertainment by the enchanting Keisha D, and valet parking.

Advance purchase is required and capacity is limited.

Tickets: aapfoodsamaritans.org or 760-325-8481 JUNE 2022 45

the3D’s

DINE | DRINK | DANCE

RESTAURANTS CHICKEN RANCH 515 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.832.6682 www.eatchickenranch.com

SHERMAN’S DELI & BAKERY 401 E Tahquitz Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.1199 www.shermansdeli.com

RICK’S RESTAURANT 1973 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.0090 www.ricksrestaurant.biz

KOFFI NORTH (3 Additional Locations) 515 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.2244 www.kofficoffee.com

849 849 N Palm Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.8490 www.eight4nine.com

PINOCCHIO IN THE DESERT 134 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.322.3776 www.pinocchiops.com

BOOZEHOUNDS PALM SPRINGS 2080 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.656.0067 www.boozehoundsps.com

THAI SMILE PALM SPRINGS 100 South Indian Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.5503 www.thaismilepalmsprings.com

BLACKBOOK BAR 315 E Arenas Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.832.8497 www.blackbookbar.com

1501 UPTOWN 1501 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.1501 www.1501uptown.com

TRIO RESTAURANT 707 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.864.8746 www.triopalmsprings.com

BARS AND NIGHT CLUBS

ROOST BAR LOUNGE 68718 E Palm Canyon Dr #203 Cathedral City CA 92234 760.507.8495 www.theroostcc.com

TAC/QUILA 415 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.417.4471 www.tacquila.com

THE TROPICALE 330 E Amado Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.866.1952 www.thetropicale.com

HUNTERS NIGHTCLUB 302 East Arenas Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.0700 www.huntersnightclubs.com

ONE ELEVEN BAR 67555 E Palm Canyon Dr A103 Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.537.3111 www.oneelevenbar.com

PS AIR BAR 611 S.Palm Canyon Dr. #22 Palm Springs CA 92262 760.327.7701 www.psairbar.com

ZIN AMERICAN BISTRO 198 S Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 760.322.6300 www.pszin.com

TOUCAN’S TIKI LOUNGE 2100 North Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.7584 www.toucanstikilounge.com

BARRACKS BAR 67625 E Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.464.0957 www.barracksps.com

TOWNIE BAGELS 650 E Sunny Dunes Rd #5 Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.459.4555 www.towniebagels.com

LULU CALIFORNIA BISTRO 200 S Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.5858 www.lulupalmsprings.com

CHILL BAR 217 E. Arenas Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.1079 www.chillbarpalmsprings.com

RUNWAY 68300 Gay Resort Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.537.7800 www.runwayccbc.com

ON THE MARK 111 N Palm Canyon Dr. #155 Palm Springs CA 92262 760.832.8892 www.onthemarkpalmsprings.com

EL MIRASOL 140 E Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.0721 www.elmirasolrestaurants.com

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STREETBAR 224 E. Arenas Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.1266 www.psstreetbar.com THE TOOL SHED 600 E. Sunny Dunes Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.320.3299 www.toolshed-ps.com QUADZ 200 S Indian Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.778.4326 AMP SPORTS LOUNGE 68-718 E. Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.699.7090 www.ampcatcity.com

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FEEL THE SPEED, EVEN AT PEAK TIMES. Based on wired connection to gateway.

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PHOTO REWIND DAP DINING OUT FOR LIFE PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A LEE

JUNE 2022 49

PHOTO REWIND EQCA PS BRUNCH PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A LEE

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PHOTO REWIND EQCA PS BRUNCH PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A LEE

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PHOTO REWIND HARVEY MILK DIVERSITY BREAKFAST PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A LEE

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PHOTO REWIND HARVEY MILK DIVERSITY BREAKFAST PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A LEE

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PHOTO REWIND CV LGBTQ CENTER SOCIAL PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A LEE

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