The Standard Magazine

MARCH, 2015 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3 THESTANDARDPS.COM

The Sound of OUR Music / THE LGBT ACADEMY OF RECORDING ARTS THE DINAH CELEBRATES SILVER TBRU 20 / RETURN TO THE DISCOTHEQUE

CONTENTS VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3

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ART VIEW

PAGES 40 - 41

Volume 3 Issue 3 COVER THE SOUND OF OUR MUSIC THE LGBT ACADEMY OF RECORDING ARTS FEATURE REMEMBERING THE MUSIC OF OZ FEATURE THE DINAH CELEBRATES 25 TAKE FIVE MARIAH HANSON: FOUNDER OF CLUB SKIRTS EVENT TEXAS BEAR ROUND-UP 20 RETURN TO THE DISCOTEQUE

MARCH, 2015 3

COMMENTARY

The Standard Magazine 1111 Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs CA 92262 760-831-4869 Nino Eilets Publisher Luciano McNulty Editor Maya Kalabic Art Director Photographer David A. Lee Contributors Chris Astrala, Trent Blanchard, Shane Gallagher, Chris Heritage, Jimmy Newsum, Dennis Mason, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Ken Toth & Rick Zbur www.thestandardps.com Editorial Credits : BrandPoint, Huffington Post, LGBTQ Nation & Project Publicity 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

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COVER|OUT MUSIC

THE SOUND OF OUR MUSIC

BY CHRIS ASTRALA

In 1990, life partners Daniel Martin and Michael Biello in their East Village apartment in New York, NY founded OUTmusic Inc. a 501(c) 3 non-profit charitable organization.

In 2007, Diedra Meredith was appointed the Executive Director.

Under her new leadership, the organization was re-founded as OUTmusic - The LGBT Academy of Recording Arts creating the acronym LARA. LARA is an alliance of LGBT recording artists and creative industry professionals and home to the OUTmusic Awards.

The new production of the OUTmusic Awards under Diedra’s leadership took on a more commercial presence adding new

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categories to support the growing LGBT music and entertainment industry. For the first time in the history of the organization, the OUTmusic Awards was exposed to millions when MTV/Logo TV featured the Best Moments of the OUTmusic Awards on the New Now Next PopLab show in 2010.

LARA’s (LGBT Academy of Recording Arts) mission is to promote the advancement and appreciation of LGBTQ music culture & heritage as a recognized art-form, create opportunities to support the development of young aspiring artists, increase visibility in honoring, documenting and archiving the contributions and achievements of marginalized LGBTQ artists into music & entertainment history.

OUT MUSIC|COVER

PROMOTE THE ADVANCEMENT & APPRECIATION OF LGBT MUSIC CULTURE & HERITAGE Freedom of Expression Print Ad Advocacy Campaign - The Freedom of Expression campaign is an online social media advocacy campaign to raise awareness and much needed funds to support LARA, the LGBT Academy of Recording Arts in its efforts to amplify the music and voices of LGBT recording artists and performers. The slogan FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION = MUSIC EQUALITY (FOE=MEQ) speaks to raising awareness to erase the stigma associated with being openly LGBT in your professional career. No person should have to sacrifice their freedom or dignity, or lose an opportunity to advance in their careers because of who they are and who they’ve chosen to love. Freedom of Expression was no challenge for the Iconic SYLVESTER! Known for his flamboyant and androgynous appearance, Sylvester challenged the stigma associated with being openly LGBT in the 1970s. When he appeared on American Bandstand he was out & proud and promoted the message that you can be who you want to be. The LGBT Academy of Recording Arts (LARA) celebrated and honored Sylvester with a posthumous recognition award as an OUTmusic Icon.

I Am Music Project - The I Am Music Project was created to give homeless and at risk young people access to the creative music

industry through a series of educational workshops to learn about the ins and outs of the music business. The students learn about the important steps in creating intellectual property, how to protect it, learn techniques in performing and recording their material and the opportunity to perform at the OUTMUSIC Awards (OMAs). The project also provides opportunities for young people to work behind the scenes of the production of the OMAs, learning what it takes to produce the show from administrative duties to the various creative teams working on the production.

INCREASE VISIBILITY OF LGBT ENTERTAINMENT THROUGH MEDIA OUTLETS WORLDWIDE OMTVN (OUTmusic Television Network) - Launching May 2014 to expose LGBT recording artists and entertainers to a broader audience base, LARA is creating a place online to feature LGBT music culture & entertainment. The new network is dedicated to music programming that showcases LGBT themed music videos, exclusive live performances from the OUTmusic Awards, Best of OUTmusic Awards Video Countdown, and our exclusive red carpet and behind the scenes of the OUTmusic Awards. It is a place for the best in LGBT entertainment news, music, politics & culture.

MARCH, 2015 7

COVER|OUT MUSIC

DEEPA-SOUL, JASON WALKER & KRISTINE W, NHOJJ, VICCI MARTINEZ

HONOR, DOCUMENT & ARCHIVE CONTRIBUTIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS The OUTmusic Awards (OMAs) is the biggest night in LGBT music & entertainment. educating, raising awareness and ensuring that the contributions and achievements of marginalized LGBT artists are acknowledged, documented, celebrated and archived into media, music and entertainment history. The OMAs is a national branded entertainment platform that provides activities and opportunities for companies/sponsors to be recognized by LGBT consumers who eagerly support brands that directly market to the LGBT consumer market. Principle tastemakers, celebrities, creative industry professionals and music enthusiast who garner the attention of mainstream and LGBT media attend the OMAs. The LGBT music documentary film - “For Which WE Stand (One Queer Music Nation In The Visible)” directed by award winning director Sean Robinson and produced by celebrated filmmaker Paul Warner will commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the LGBT Academy of Recording Arts (LARA).

This film is a social and politically pre-active feature-length documentary, that will not only spotlight queer music culture, but will keep the torch of LARA burning as the fight for equality moves forward into the next era. Currently in production, “For Which WE Stand” is a feature-length LGBT music documentary film presented by the LGBT Academy of Recording Arts (LARA), directed by award winning Director Sean Robinson and produced by Director/Producer Paul Warner and Executive Producer Jim Garrard President of Donna Jean Entertainment.

The film will spotlight the rise of queer music culture & entertainment

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and it’s influence in mainstream culture. The director has gone back as far as the1930s to document gay and lesbian recording artists and entertainers who dared to BE during a time when it was not legal to openly express your sexual identity or orientation. The film represents the culmination of a journey towards Equality for LGBT recording artists & entertainers. In 2015, LARA the LGBT Academy of Recording Arts celebrates its 25th Anniversary during the 9th OUTmusic Awards event in New York City. Robinson will capture the live performances from the OUTmusic Awards with behind scenes footage, building the set design, interviews with pioneers, recording artists, activist, industry executives and influential creative industry professionals.

Diedra Meredith the Chairwoman and CEO of LARA aka 3 time Billboard chart topping recording artist/activist Deepa Soul has dedicated her life’s work to carry the torch of LARA in building an Equivalent LGBT music & entertainment platform. Diedra serves as one of the Executive Producers of the film alongside Senior Executive Producer Jim Garrard.

This film will increase the visibility of outstanding LGBT artists and will be the educational piece to shine a light on the LGBT music & entertainment movement. “For Which We Stand” celebrates Freedom of Expression and the Soundtrack of the LGBT Equality Movement!

For further information on all programs and events please visit www.thelara.org

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Please send your CV and letter of interest by Email to: ClinicalRecruitment@myDOHC.com

For more information about Desert Oasis Healthcare, please visit www.myDOHC.com.

FEATURE|MUSIC OF OZ REMEMBERING THE MUSIC OF OZ

BY SHANE GALLAGHER

OZ LYRICIST E. Y. “YIP” HARBURG (LEFT) WITH OZ COMPOSER HAROLD ARLEN

Everyone knows the songs from The Wizard of Oz. In fact, Over the Rainbow is often cited as the greatest movie hit of all time. But few know the men behind the Oz words and music. Now, seventy-five years after lyricist E. Y. “Yip” Harburg and composer Harold Arlen won the Academy Award for Best Original Song (Over the Rainbow), Harburg’s great grandson is working to gather funds in order to produce a documentary that will introduce the two men and their creative process - to the world.

“So many lives have been changed by the songs from The Wizard of Oz,” explains Aaron Harburg. “From If I Only Had a Brain to We’re Off to See the Wizard to Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead; there are countless untold stories of people finding inspiration and joy in my great grandfather’s words. Yet few people know his name.”

While the making of The Wizard of Oz has been documented in countless books and on film, the specific story behind the film’s songs has yet to be told. Harburg’s documentary, The Sound of Oz, will explore the magical (and sometimes-combative) relationship his great grandfather shared with composer Arlen. “They were very different personalities, almost opposites,” Aaron Harburg notes. “My

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AARON HARBURG, GREAT GRANDSON OF LYRICIST E. Y. “YIP” HARBURG

great grandfather was sanguine and chipper, while Mr. Arlen was a classic melancholic.”

“The first time my great grandfather heard the melody for Over The Rainbow, he hated it,” reveals Harburg. “It wasn’t until Ira Gershwin intervened and suggested Mr. Arlen play it differently less symphonically - that Yip began to see how it could work.”

In fact, Over the Rainbow - a song The National Endowment for the Arts and The Recording Industry Association of America have named as the #1 Song of the Twentieth Century, and The American Film Institute voted The #1 Film Song of All Time - was nearly dropped from the film, not once, but several times.

“Each brilliant musical moment in The Wizard of Oz has a behindthe-scenes story of Hollywood politics, teamwork and negotiation,” says the film’s director, Ryan Jay, “and we plan to uncover them once and for all.”

The Sound of Oz will also explore the genius struck between composer and lyricist, highlighted by interviews with descendants of the original cast and crew (including Jane Lahr, the daughter of the Cowardly Lion, Bert Lahr) that only Harburg, with his unique family

JUDY GARLAND ON THE METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER RECORDING STAGE, CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA, DURING PRODUCTION OF THE WIZARD OF OZ. PHOTO CREDIT: THE JOHN FRICKE COLLECTION

background, could make happen.

The documentary will also include interviews with filmmakers of other Oz movies; Oz historians (including Emmy Award-winning producer/ writer and Grammy Awardnominated journalist John Fricke); and several contemporary artists who sing, play, or are influenced by the Oz score to this day.

“The Wizard of Oz wouldn’t have remained as iconic as it has without the songs,” says Stephen Schwartz, composer/lyricist of OFFICIAL POSTER the multi-billion dollar Broadway sensation Wicked, who sat down with Harburg this summer for an interview that Harburg plans to include in The Sound of Oz. In the discussion, Schwartz revealed how he strategically hid melody fragments from the songs of The Wizard of Oz within his score for Wicked.

The Sound of Oz began as a passion project for Aaron Harburg; one he hoped would carry on his family legacy and provide long overdue recognition for lyricist E. Y. “Yip” Harburg and composer Harold Arlen. But it has grown into more.

THE PRINCIPAL CAST OF THE BEST-KNOWN, BEST-LOVED MOTION PICTURE OF ALL-TIME: TERRY (TOTO), JUDY GARLAND (DOROTHY), RAY BOLGER (THE SCARECROW), JACK HALEY (THE TIN MAN), FRANK MORGAN (THE WIZARD), AND BERT LAHR (THE COWARDLY LION). PHOTO CREDIT: THE JOHN FRICKE COLLECTION.

SOUND OF OZ DIRECTOR RYAN JAY (LEFT) WITH AARON HARBURG (RIGHT) AND WICKED CREATOR STEPHEN SCHWARTZ IN MIDDLE.

“I see now how important their story is to fans of The Wizard of Oz. From very humble beginnings, my great grandfather partnered with Mr. Arlen and together they crafted words and melodies that launched the golden era of movie musicals. Their story will inspire everyone to pursue their dreams, to never give up and to always keep chasing the rainbow.”

For more information on The Sound of Oz, and to contribute to its fundraising campaign and win special Oz memorabilia including an officially licensed, limited edition “Brain T-Shirt,” with lyrics from “If I Only Had a Brain”, visit www.thesoundofozmovie.com.

MARCH, 2015 11

All Your Play Needs at the Best Prices We have it all from Very Nice to Very Naughty Great Gift Ideas & A Huge Greeting Card Selection The latest Magazines, Books and DVD’s Your exclusive spot for

Merchandise Visit Pleasure Central at Q Trading For Something Special For that Someone Special

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BEAT BOX

SLAMMING CLUB BEATS KEEP MARCHING ON

BY JIMMY NEWSUM

As spring approaches, our favorite divas and divos are pulling out all their hottest jams to keep dance floors sweaty ‘til summer takes over. Here are the top tracks and remixes being played right now.

“Fly Alone (The Remixes)” Breanna Rubio featuring Fat Joe (Dauman) The debut single shows vulnerability we rarely see from emerging artists. Lyrically, the song is about having feelings for a guy and hoping he will reciprocate the love. However, listen closely because there is a powerful underlying metaphor of Rubio’s own career as an up-and-coming singer who has finally managed to get her music out to the masses and is now hoping to connect with fans in a meaningful way.

The track, impressively produced by Manny Mijares and featuring two-time Grammy nominated rap star Fat Joe, combines an upbeat pop-dance vibe with remarkable vocals that display honesty and conviction. The DJ Escape mix is a particular favorite.

“Tick Tick Trick” / Dina Delicious This season has seen an abundance of novelty club singles by underground nightlife personalities, many offering little more than a cringe worthy experience. However, Dina Delicious stands wigs and shoulder pads above her downtown fashionista peers. “Tick Tick Trick” is actually really good! Lyrics are clever and the sound is melodic and catchy. Dina Delicious proves she’s capable of delivering a party record with mainstream appeal in this radio-ready Katy Perry-esque track that can stand its own against anything we’ve heard from the other glossy girls of pop.

“With You (The Remixes)” Cheyenne Elliott (Dauman Music) People will want to compare Elliot to her cousin Whitney Houston and grandmother Dionne Warwick, and they wouldn’t be completely wrong. Like her famous relatives, she is a soulful singer with nuclear

power and a sumptuous tone. But unlike them, she’s chosen to go the indie route with dance label Dauman Music. It hasn’t limited her access to name brand assistance. Whitney and Mariah Carey’s longtime collaborator Narada Michael Walden produces “With You”, and enfolds Eliott in purring keyboards and slinky synthesized bass lines.

It’s a slow-motion groove, and while there are echoes of Houston, and hints of Warwick too, the song reveals more of Toni Braxton’s tangy, sympathetic voice. Clubbers have long awaited someone new to unbreak our hearts. We may have found the person in Cheyenne Elliott.

“Crazy For You” / Jason Dottley Like the Material Girl herself, Dottley has already proven himself to be a perfectly adequate pop singer. In this latest track that celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the original, the television actor shows signs of even being a good one. His version is moodier than the original, and darker, with incredible touches of EDM magic provided by Dee Martello, better known as DJ Twisted Dee. Dottley’s seductive voice lures listeners into his twisted fantasies, taking the song about compulsive fixation to a brilliantly sadistic new level. It’s the perfect Black Party track.

“Free People” Martha Wash with Tony Moran (Sugar House) The soul diva is back to reclaim the dance territory lesser ladies-in-waiting have tried to make their own. In “Free People”, Wash sounds something of a jazz singer, scatting and vamping her way through vocals that are ravenous and free, adventurous and spirited. The song is best when she refuses to color inside the lines, and opts to riff around the melody with happy abandon. Wash works all of her tricks here, from gospel shouts to Broadway belts to soul runs - and all with assistance of perhaps the greatest dance floor producer out right now, DJ Tony Moran. When these two work together, it is pure magic.

MARCH, 2015 13

BOOK REVIEW

ALWAYS OVERBOOKED…

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

You turned up the volume – again.

Surely, the guy in the car next to yours must think you’re weird.

There you are, groovin’ to your tunes, seat-dancing, singing along like you were in-concert. Really, is there such a thing as having the music too loud?

No. There’s not, so turn up the volume one more time and read “1965: The Most Revolutionary Year in Music” by Andrew Grant Jackson.

As the year 1965 began, more than forty percent of Americans were under twenty years old. Teens emulated their parents then; boys wore short hair, girls wore long skirts. Segregation was common, color TV was new, eighty percent of America was white, and the country’s youth had tasted The Beatles and loved them.

Bob Dylan did, too, though John Lennon had once dismissed his music. The Rolling Stones were singing “puppy love” songs, while Barry Gordy hoped his Supremes might follow in Dean Martin’s footsteps since the “big money” was in nightclubs. Marvin Gaye, meanwhile, wanted to be “singing Cole Porter,” Malcolm X (who would soon be assassinated) met Martin Luther King, and thousands marched to Montgomery.

As winter turned to spring, Roger Miller captured six Grammys; Charlie Pride struggled with recording deals in a segregated music industry; and Johnny Cash accidentally, drunkenly, set fire to five hundred acres of California forest. The Byrds’ music “gave birth to the West Coast hippie dance style…” Girls wore shorter skirts and boys wore longer hair, which “angered” future presidential candidate Mitt Romney and he gave a classmate an impromptu haircut.

By the summer of 1965, President Johnson launched Medicaid, Medicare, and escalated America’s presence in Vietnam. Sonny and Cher got you, Babe; everybody was dancing at discotheques; Barry Gordy hired “a charm school teacher” to prepare the Supremes for stardom… and Watts burned.

With 1965 winding down, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass’s album whipped up interest. Frank Sinatra insisted that Sammy Davis, Jr. be allowed to stay at Rat Pack hotels, and Paul McCartney allowed a string quartet on “Yesterday.” Cass Elliot became a Mama, John Lennon insulted Carol King, and drug songs were hip. And so, at years’ end, was the premiere of A Charlie Brown Christmas.

I looked it up: time travel remains merely theoretical. Still, you can have the next best thing by reading “1965.”

This book will have you humming along with songs you remember (or recognize, if you weren’t around then). Author Andrew

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Grant Jackson melds history, music, and little-known anecdotes as seamlessly as butter but what’s most fascinating about this book is seeing how times changed so completely in one year: we went from flattops to Beatle mops, from black segregation to Black is Beautiful, from “I Feel Fine” to “I Feel Good.” And, indeed, it was.

So is this book, and I think “1965: The Most Revolutionary Year in Music” is what you should reach for next. If you’re an oldies fan, a follower of culture, or if you remember the year with fondness (or regret), how could you turn it down?

“1965: The Most Revolutionary Year in Music”

by Andrew Grant Jackson c.2015, Thomas Dunne Books $27.99 / $32.50 Canada 352 pages

FEATURE|DINAH

THE DINAH TURNS SILVER

CLUB SKIRTS DINAH SHORE WEEKEND CELEBRATES 25 Now ready to soar to new heights, the 25th installment of The Dinah is already expected to be one of the major events of the 2015 Palm Springs festival season.

A quarter-century ago, Mariah Hanson did more than just kickstart her Dinah. She also and most importantly launched what would become her enduring legacy to both the city of Palm Springs and the LGBT community.

an unparalleled one-of-a-kind experience for myriads of women who come every year from all over the world to enjoy the freedom to be who they truly are, and gain, as well, a tremendous amount of self worth. And 2015 will be no different!

Pop sensation and 2015 Grammy nominee Meghan Trainor known for her infectious hit “All About that Bass” headlines the Dinah

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: BEBE REXHA, CHRISTINA PERRI, IVY LEVAN, MEGHAN TRAINOR, DANA GOLDBERG, DINAH LEFFERT, SUZANNE WESTENHOEFER

From a small, one-night event at a Palm Springs museum with 1,500 participants twenty-five years ago, to booking lavish locations at deluxe hotels over five days of epic pool parties and world-class entertainment, The Dinah has evolved into one of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley’s largest tourism boosters.

Today Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend rallies some 15,000plus attendees not to mention major corporate sponsors, and has cemented its status as the undisputed biggest lesbian event of its kind in the world.

A cultural phenomenon that has not only reached epic proportions but has as well continuously been transforming lives and making a difference in and for the LGBT community. The Dinah offers

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during the Black Party held Saturday, April 4 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

Also set to top the bill at the epic lesbian party is international Billboard Top 40 superstar Christina Perri, the extraordinary voice behind the hits “Jar of Hearts” and “A Million Years” who headlines the White Party on Friday, April 3 at the Convention Center. Joining them are pop music’s new “it” girls Bebe Rexha and Ivy Levan.

The Dinah 2015 will also be rocked with special performances by club diva Crystal Waters (“100% Pure Love”, “Gypsy Woman”), disco legend Rose Royce (“Car Wash”), and Holy Child, Olivia Sommerlyn, and E11leven.

DINAH|FEATURE

On the comedy front, “The Dinah Comedy Night� hosted by Suzanne Westenhoefer will be headlined by Dana Goldberg, Gloria Bigelow and Dinah Leffert.

The non-stop action, the house-packed crazy wild Pool Parties, the sexiest Go-Go dancers, the best DJs, the spectacular entertainment, the celebrities, plus the hottest girls in the world, the epic five-day world-renown weekend has it all!

The Dinah has certifiably come to represent an ever-growing movement that has crossed over to mainstream bringing more and more visibility to the lesbian community - one that had never existed before.

Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend is not just breaking grounds; it is making history!

MARCH, 2015 17

FEATURE|TAKE FIVE

FIVE QUESTIONS WITH MARIAH HANSON

FOUNDER & CEO OF CLUB SKIRTS Mariah Hanson is the founder and CEO of the world-famous “Club Skirts Presents The Dinah,” the largest lesbian event in the world and the original version of the modern Dinah Shore Weekend of festivities in Palm Springs.

Mariah, whose past philanthropic endeavors have included a two year term on the Board of Equality California and several years on the “Women’s Night” committee for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, continuously utilizes The Dinah as a platform to mobilize the LGBT community around humanitarian projects and social issues. She’s lent her support to various charity causes and activist movements such as GLAAD, NOH8, The San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Community Center. In addition she was the recipient of the prestigious “ATHENA Leadership Award” from the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce for her contributions to Palm Springs as well as the first recipient of the Legacy Award by the LGBT Community Center of the Desert. To add to her many accolades, Mariah will also be one of the honorees (alongside Lily Tomlin) at the 2015 NCLR Dinah Weekend Garden Party.

We recently got a chance to “Take Five” with Mariah and find out what it takes to put together the largest lesbian event in the world and also find some down time on that overflowing plate of hers.

For the few who don’t know, tell our readers a little bit about Mariah Hanson.

The San Jacinto Mountains hold a special place in my heart. I spent the last two years living up there and horseback riding all over the mountains from Pinion Flats to 9000 feet above the quaint town of Idyllwild. We live in a breathtakingly beautiful area and I am honored to call it my favorite place for work and play. My latest thrill is “back country packing” where you take your horses up into the wilderness and camp out for days at a time. It’s dangerous but you will not find a more serene way to spend your hours, when you are not battling mudslides, wild animals, lightening storms and such ;) I never thought of myself as a camper and I do confess I did hours of research before my first big trip on the best rated boxed wine.

Yes, there is such a thing!

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You took a small, one-night event with about 1,500 attendees to a five day globally recognized party with some ten times that, what do you think is the main reason for the success?

I invest so much back into the event. My entertainment budget alone is well into the six figures. I am committed to producing events

TAKE FIVE|FEATURE that are beyond what anyone else in the country at my level is doing: straight or gay. Our community is worth it. We deserve to be spoiled and that’s what I try to do -- spoil our guests! Of course, that also means they are very unforgiving if they don’t like my entertainment pick ;) Hopefully we have helped raise the event standard for all women. It’s part of our culture to celebrate our lives through dance and music and I want to provide the best.

It’s hard to believe that this year will mark the 25th year of the Dinah, what are some of your favorite memories from the past 24?

This is our 25th event. Probably my current favorite past moment was the Indie Arie concert. She brought such heart and soul to her performance with us. That was the year I brought my Mom and she also brought her Mom who travels with her. My Mother was very involved with the civil rights movement and they chatted about life and experiences and designing your own clothes and it all felt very special that year. I think of it often.

But quite frankly every Dinah has a special place in my heart our artist roster is spectacular and keeps on growing.

All the amazing artists that walk on our Dinah stage give more

than 200% of themselves and leave us all in awe - from Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, The Pussycat Dolls, Pat Benatar and Salt’N Pepa, to name a few, they have ALL been memorably OUTSTANDING. Of all the places you could have chosen to put on this event, why did you choose Palm Springs?

There is no better place to produce an event of this magnitude than in the politically correct, sunshine city of PS. The city supports diversity and civil rights and that’s right where I want to be.

What can the attendees look forward to this year?

First of all we’re turning 25, so attendees can expect a HUGE celebration - we’re taking the event to a new zenith!

This is the Ultimate MUST SEE, MUST EXPERIENCE Dinah EVER! The non-stop action, the house-packed crazy wild Pool Parties, the sexiest Go-Go dancers, the best DJs, the spectacular entertainment, the celebrities, plus the hottest girls in the world, we got it all!

Trust me, it’s not just going to be another mind-blowing, spectacular year, it will be the best Dinah I have ever produced, unlike anything you’ve seen yet!

MARCH, 2015 19

EVENT|TBRU

TEXAS BEAR ROUND UP 20 GET READY TO BOOGIE

BY BRONSON TAYLOR

Dust off your platform shoes, whip out that Afro pick and get ready to “Boogie, Oogie, Oogie”, because it would be a “Shame” if you miss “The Best Disco in Town”. This year Texas Bear Round Up is taking you back to the Discotheque. A “Party with a Purpose” that donates thousands of dollars to deserving local charities; that’s what this year’s Texas Bear Round-Up is all about. Through the help of priceless volunteers, generous donations and willful sponsors, this celebration of bear brotherhood takes place every year to the joy and thrill of those in attendance.

We spoke with Wayne Davis, President Dallas Bears/TBRU and asked what we can expect from this year’s 20th Anniversary event as bears, cubs and admirers unite from all over the globe for a great weekend of Texas sized hospitality.

Wayne, it’s hard to believe that you are about to celebrate the Platinum Anniversary (20 years) of TBRU, to what do you attribute its success?

It is hard to believe we are celebrating the 20th year of the Dallas Bears and the 20th year of our event Texas Bear RoundUp. I am not sure our “Founding Bears” ever thought TBRU would have grown to this level and be such a world-renowned event in the Community. Success, the secret is rather simple. The success of TBRU

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is the People - our Bear Community and their Admirers. Without our greater Bear Family, there would be no need for this event. While the world and our greater GLBT Community has changed - the basic need for many of us to share in friendships, laughter and fun still resonates in our hearts and minds. Behind the scenes, I can tell you that over the last fifteen years that I have worked with TBRU the members of the Dallas Bears have taken great pride and care in the event. They genuinely care about our Guests (our Family) and want to make sure that every detail is paid attention to and that we look at things from a Guests point of view. I think people would be amazed at how in depth our discussions and planning is for TBRU. (Inside joke, our TBRU Planning Team will remember the 584 emails about cake for one TBRU).

How did the event get its start?

So, here is where I will get into some trouble. We as a Dallas Bears Family are unclear on the first two or three years of the history of the organization. We do not have hardly any historical documents or information. (We would love to find some our history do if you have information or pictures please email it to president@ dallasbears.org). The majority of our Founding Members have joined that great cloud of witnesses, but we do hear from time to time there are some people from those early years that are still around, but live in other places of the country. My understanding is that from very

TBRU|EVENT

early discussions, the members of the Dallas Bears wanted to host an event and the idea of Texas Bear Round-Up was born that first year of the organization’s history. I have heard conflicting stories that during TBRU 1 there were about 25-75 attendees.

Why do you think Bear Events in general have become so popular?

I think that this goes hand in hand about our Bear Community as a whole. I am part of many segments of the GLBT community. I am active in the Leather, Imperial Court, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and Bear and Fundraising Communities. What I have seen and heard is that the Bear Community, at one time, might have felt there was not a place for them. We did not fit into the mold of the stereotypical gay person whether it was about body, clothes, looks, etc. What I have experienced is that the Bear Community, in general, is such a welcoming, accepting, inclusive and including Community. Regardless of size, hair quotient, age, etc... I have seen the Bear Community really ‘stake their claim’ in welcoming All to the table that want to celebrate life, laugh and do something good in their community. While we are not alone in these attributes, as I am proud of all the segments of our great GLBT communities, I do feel that the Bear Community at one time had to struggle to find their own way and to make a place to be accepted. So, as our Community has grown so have our events. They are so welcoming, friendly and the double i’s Inclusive and Including.

I just came back from North American Bear Weekend in Lexington, KY and let me tell you - this Community is living and breathing all that is good about our Bear Community. I think we need Bear events.

Everything going on in our world today - we need this time of Family, Relaxation, Celebration, Love and a time to not Take Ourselves So Seriously. Can I get an Amen? No matter what technology we create, we still have that human need to be with one another.

I know that TBRU is also known as a “Party with a Purpose” why is that?

It happened by accident when one year very early on the guys had money left over from the event - and they did not feel good about keeping it. So, they gave it to a local charity. While we are throwing a fabulous party for our Bear Community, we are also

doing it with an added purpose of doing well in the community.

The Dallas Bears Members choose three charities each year and we hold fundraisers during TBRU and that is our “Party with a Purpose.”

This is a driving force in the number of members that we now have where the majority of the membership has a deep passion for doing something for others and focusing less on ourselves. It is kind of like a phrase I used at a church I worked at right after college. “It is not that people with the attitude of a servant’s heart thinks less of themselves... it is just they think of themselves less often. So, we have a “Party with a Purpose.”

This year’s theme is Bears on Studio 54, Return to the Discotheque, with a theme like that I am sure it is going to be all out fun. What can this year’s attendees anticipate?

Disco, Disco, Disco. Attendees will get to let their hair down and boogie the weekend away. We have our ballroom entertainment like Bingo, Comedy Show, Game Show Spoofs, Cards Against Humanity Tournament, Great Texas Food, Disco Costume Contest, and our Texas Hospitality Suite (which is the entire ballroom). Free Transportation all weekend and several Excursions. We also one again have the guys form BearDance partnering with us to hold the absolute most awesome Friday Night Fever Dance. Most importantly, and my favorite part, you can count on seeing your extended Bear Family all together during TBRU. I cannot wait to see everyone.

Last year you hosted close to 2000 registrants, how many are you expecting this year and can you still get tickets?

To me it is not about the numbers alone - it is about the heart and soul of the event. We have over 12 countries represented already and I know it will be awesome. I am expecting about the same number of registered attendees. (Some may not know but the city convention bureau tells us there are always about 1,200 to 1,800 additional travelers that come in for the weekend that do not register. Therefore, the event is bigger than it is. Online registration is about to close, but we do accept at-the door registrants. No matter the hour or which day you can arrive - we will welcome our Bear Brothers to join us. Just get here! For more info and complete schedule of events visit www.tbru.org

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PSP FOCUS NCLR HEADS TO SUPREME COURT IN EFFORT TO WIN MARRIAGE NATIONWIDE

BY GEOFF KORS While the progress towards the freedom to marry seems extremely fast, the battle has been going on for decades. Its been 30 years since the first domestic partners law was passed in a handful of cities and more than 10 years since the first state began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) has been at the forefront of the fight to secure equal protections for families and children from the very start. NCLR served as lead counsel in the historic marriage equality victory before the California Supreme Court. After winning marriage equality lawsuits in California, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Florida, and working around the clock to enforce the historic win in Alabama just a few weeks ago, NCLR’s Tennessee marriage case will

be heard by the United States Supreme court this spring and decided by the end of June in a decision that could result in a nationwide victory.

The progress we have made would not have been possible without the work of countless individuals and organizations, including the courageous couples in these cases who have shared their stories and put themselves and their families on the frontline of this historic effort. So who are these brave individuals from Tennessee?

They include a full-time Army reservist and two doctors of veterinary medicine, all who formerly lived and married in other states and later moved to Tennessee to pursue careers and make new homes for their families.

DR. VALERIA TANCO & DR. SOPHY JESTY Dr. Valeria Tanco and Dr. Sophy Jesty met while at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and have been together for four years. As Sophy neared the end of her post-graduate fellowship, Val and Sophy began looking for teaching positions in veterinary medicine that were geographically close to another. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville offered them both positions in their respective specialties. Although the couple had married while living in New York, the State of Tennessee treats them as if they are two unmarried women. In March 2014, Val gave birth to the couple’s first child.

IJPE DEKOE & THOM KOSTURA Ijpe DeKoe and Thom Kostura have known each other since they were teenagers. Ijpe is a Sergeant in the Army Reserves. The couple got married on August 5, 2011, a week before Ijpe began a tour of duty in Afghanistan. In May 2012, Ijpe returned home safely and immediately moved with Thom to Memphis, Tennessee, where he had been stationed prior to his deployment.

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continued on page 24

PSP FOCUS MATTHEW MANSELL & JOHNO ESPEJO Matthew Mansell and Johno Espejo met in 1995 and were married in California in 2008. Matthew is a conflicts analyst at a law firm, and Johno is a stay-at-home dad and works part-time at the local YMCA. The couples moved to Franklin, Tennessee in 2012 with their two young children.

Our community is so fortunately to have so many who are willing to stand up and be counted like each of the couples who are heading to the Supreme Court.

Of course marriage is just one of the many issues NCLR has been working on since we started nearly four decades ago. From family law to non-discrimination, from asylum for LGBT individuals to efforts to ban conversion therapy, from our youth project to our work for LGBT elders, from inclusive curriculum to safe schools, NCLR is focused on creating a world where every LGBT person is safe, respected, and equal.

This year, NCLR is once again working to advance equality in California, sponsoring legislation in partnership with Equality California and the Transgender Law Center to ensure that transgender workers receive equal health benefits and the gender identities of transgender foster youth are honored. We know from history that other states often follow California’s lead by introducing and passing legislation that protects the LGBT community, and we are optimistic we will once again lead the nation by adopting these important protections.

While we have much to celebrate we know the work is far from finished. Too many LGBT individuals lack the most basic legal protections;

LGBT indivduals, particularly transgender women of color, are still facing the prospect of horrendous hate crimes simply for living their lives authentically; LGBT youth are still bullied in schools because of who they are; and LGBT seniors often feel the need to return to the closet when entering senior housing facilities.

But, despite the challenges ahead, we are making progress. And with everyone’s continued work, we will achieve equality and reduce homophobia and transphobia in our nation.

On April 4th, NCLR will be hosting our annual Dinah Weekend Garden Party in Palm Springs to help raise awareness and funds for this critical work and will be honoring two more heros – Lily Tomin and Mariah Hanson. Lily and Mariah have helped raise awareness by lending their voices to the fight for equality. You can purchase tickets at: http://www.nclrights.org/get-involved/event/nclr-in-palm-springsdinah-garden-party/ Please join us as we celebrate our successes and continue our work for full equality.

Geoff Kors is Senior Legislative and Policy Strategist for the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

MICHAEL CHILDERS’ 8TH ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF ONE NIGHT ONLY The star-studded musical production begins at 6:00pm Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at the McCallum Theatre and benefits Jewish Family Service of the Desert (JFS). In 2014, Lily Tomlin presented Michael Childers with the “Humanitarian of the Year” award from Jewish Family Service of the Desert for his continuing fundraising efforts from One Night Only. “This bedazzling cast of Back To The Sixties will bring back this wonderful time with the music of Beatles to Bacharach, Dylan to the Doors, the Supremes to Dusty Springfield, Laura Nyro, Janis Joplin, Joni

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Mitchell and other flashbacks to the 60s. It should be one of the most unique and fun shows we have ever done,” notes Childers.

“This year is a total departure from the Broadway legends shows we’ve done in the past. This is something fun with rock and pop music of the sixties when I started photographing albums and singers like Dusty Springfield. It’s going to be a fun, fun night,” adds Childers.

PSP FOCUS This year’s theme is Back to the Sixties featuring a journey through a magical time for many. The all-star cast includes: Lucie Arnaz, Brent Barrett, Shoshana Bean, Jim J Bullock, Ann Hampton Callaway, Liz Callaway, Brian Childers, Lou Christie, Mary Bridget Davies, Tony DeSare, Loretta Devine, Lesley Gore, Hunter Ryan, Herdlicka, Jacob Lusk, Hugh Panaro Valarie Pettiford, Gary Shaw, Jane Siberry, Jake Simpson, Kirsten Holly Smith, Rufus Wainwright and Mary Wilson.

All performers donate their time for this one-of-a kind performance. One Night Only is written and directed by Calvin Remsberg with Ron Abel as musical director. “The sixties was the It’s going to be a trip down memory lane…for audience and cast alike!

“BACK TO THE SIXTIES” will be a ONE NIGHT ONLY like no other,” says writer and director Remsberg.

General admission tickets are $195, $95 and $75 and available through the McCallum Theatre Box Office at (760) 340-ARTS or on line at www.mccallumtheatre.com. The annual production has sold out every year since 2008 within a few weeks. Limited sponsorships and VIP tickets, including premier seating and the after theatre cast party, are available through JFS at (760) 325-4088, extension 118.

MARCH, 2015 25

I got my life back online.

Scott, D.A.P. client

D.A.P. treats and supports the whole person My addiction led me into homelessness and I thought I had nowhere to turn. But D.A.P. helped me see there was a way back, if I was willing to do the work. Now, I have five years of sobriety, have finished four years of college with two degrees and a promising career...but best of all, I have peace-of-mind again. Now, I’m volunteering my time here in D.A.P.’s computer lab because it’s time to “pay it forward” to others who might need a little help. Just like I did.

This and more...all under one roof

Thanks to your generous support, Desert AIDS Project has been saving lives for 30 years.

Please continue to help by donating at desertAIDSproject.org, joining one of our annual giving programs, or by saving the date for one of our upcoming fundraising events.

Dinner at My Place | March 22 - April 2, 2015 Dining Out for Life | April 30, 2015 Queen of the Desert | May 27, 2015

760.323.2118 26 THESTANDARDPS.COM

desertAIDSproject.org

PSP FOCUS THE FIRST EVER LGBTQ SPIRITUAL SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN PALM SPRINGS The Palm Springs Convention Center will host the first ever LGBTQ Spiritual Summit on March 14. Local faith leaders from such diverse religious traditions as Paganism, Progressive and Evangelical Christianity, Judaism, Unitarian Universalist, Catholicism, New Thought/ Religious Science and others will answer questions about LGBTQ spirituality as part of a panel as well as answer questions from the audience. Participating organizations will also offer information about their congregations to attendees who wish to learn more about their specific teachings and activities.

Many people in the LGBTQ community bring a difficult and painful past with them related to religion and spirituality. Historically, most faith-­based organizations have taught that homosexuality is intrinsically wrong, and unless one either abstains or is “cured,” the future holds a fiery hell. And even if one has never set foot in a church or synagogue, this prevailing belief has been very common over time.

Having a foundational belief that an unchangeable part of one’s being is bad can affect how we experience life, the choices we make, and how we view others and ourselves. Thankfully, progressive religious denominations and spiritual traditions are beginning to tolerate, if not welcome and embrace, members of the LGBTQ community.

Because of this emerging face of LGBTQ spirituality, an organization named the LGBQT Spiritual Summit has been created to bring religious and spiritual leaders across many differing faiths together to discuss their views, and invite members of the LGBTQ community, as well as the general public, to explore their relationship with a Higher Self (God, Spirit, the Universe, one’s Higher Power).

Why it matters Every day, we make choices based on what we believe about ourselves. If we grew up with a belief that we were intrinsically bad, that God hates us because of who we are (even rather than what we did), we might treat ourselves accordingly, engaging in self-sabotaging behaviors such as substance abuse (regardless of the substance), looking for love outside ourselves in hurtful relationships, and feeling the need to be judgmental and unloving. Someone said that we are “spiritual beings having a human experience.” Keep in mind that spirituality is different from religion. Rather than a set of rules or a dogma, spirituality has

more to do with one’s Higher Self, which could be one’s conscience or intuition, as well as a higher power.

The LGBTQ Spiritual Summit, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, does not endorse or suggest any one religious denomination or spiritual practice. Rather, our purpose is to encourage people to “start the conversation” with themselves, as well as with leaders across many communities and practices, about healing and releasing old beliefs in separation and damnation, in order to reunite with their spiritual side, and choose what makes sense for them.

Founded by Rev. Jerry Troyer of Joyful Living Spiritual Center and author of the acclaimed book, Coming Out to Ourselves…Admitting, Accepting and Embracing Who We Truly Are, Rev. Troyer said “So much of our day to day to day experiences have to do with what we believe about ourselves. How can we be loving and nurturing if we still have a belief, and a fear, of a God out there somewhere who hates us? I am so excited to have the opportunity to present this heart opening event to the LGBTQ community in Palm Springs.”

Learn more about LGBTQ Spiritual Summit on their web page www.LGBTQSpiritualSummit.org and at www.Facebook.com/LGBTQSpiritualSummit

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LEGALLY SPEAKING I’M A CONSUMER! WHAT HAS THE CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS DONE FOR ME LATELY?

BY CHRISTOPHER HERITAGE The Attorney General heads up the California Department of Justice (DOJ), and according to the department’s mission statement, has broad responsibilities to enforce laws fairly and impartially; ensure justice, safety and liberty for everyone; encourage economic prosperity, equal opportunity and tolerance; and safeguard California’s human, natural, and financial resources for this and future generations. Justice is served by helping to prevent and prosecute criminal activity, protect consumers from victimization, and promote public safety.

The Attorney General can’t give specific legal advice about personal problems or represent individual Californians, but whether you realize it or not, your life is touched by many of the Attorney General’s actions every day. Here are some of the major areas that are designed to support your safety, general welfare, and quality of life: DOJ bureaus are responsible for a variety of regulatory responsibilities in the areas of narcotics, gambling, and firearms control. They carry out laws, assist other state and local law enforcement agencies, and provide education to the public. The Bureau of Investigation has wide-ranging duties including information and intelligence networks, an anti-terrorism program, and special operations units that combat violent criminals, gangs, drug and human trafficking, and fraud.

The DOJ collects, analyzes and reports crime statistics, and maintains criminal history records for use by law enforcement and other authorized agencies. An individual may request a copy of his or her own criminal record. DOJ maintains a central index for cases of child abuse throughout the state, and handles international child abduction cases together with the U.S. Department of State under The Hague Convention; and domestic child abduction cases together with the California Child Abduction Task Force.

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“Megan’s Law” information and locations for registered sex offenders may be accessed by applying on-line through the DOJ website. There is a searchable database for people who have gone missing, and you can subscribe to a Missing Persons Bulletin that covers children, dependent and voluntarily missing adults.

Elder abuse may become more prevalent as our aging population grows rapidly. The DOJ has responsibility for prosecuting abuses and policies that lead to neglect and poor quality of elder care in skilled nursing homes, hospitals and residential care facilities.

Criminal history data is provided to employers of unlicensed persons providing in-home supportive or personal care services to dependent or elderly adults.

The DOJ handles many consumer fraud and complaint issues.

Their website oag.ca.gov/programs offers detailed information about consumer concerns such as debt collectors, homeowners associations, e-crime, identity theft, loan modification fraud, antitrust issues, corporate fraud, lemon law, prescription drug monitoring, and

many other problems that affect Californians.

Consumer questions and complaints may be filed with an on-line complaint form, which is sent to the Attorney General’s Public Inquiry Unit, and will be forwarded on to other state agencies if they are responsible for regulation of the issue.

The California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) regulates and issues licenses in several hundred business and professional categories. The DCA has bureaus and boards that carry out the legal requirements for each of the specialties. All individuals and/or groups covered by these rules must apply for and be granted a license or certification to operate and practice in the state of California. You may check to see if someone has a valid license by going to www2.dca.ca.gov.

From your hair stylist, CPA, car mechanic, doctor, realtor, contractor, to your appliance repairman, pharmacist, pest control service, mental health counselor, security guard, and funeral director, all, and many more, are required to meet regulations for practice and must be licensed. The DCA handles complaints from consumers in all areas, and works together with the California Attorney General and local district attorneys to prevent and prosecute fraud in the marketplace.

Consumers are encouraged to make complaints and report problems when issues with business and professional practitioners are serious. Issues with certain businesses and practitioners might be resolved through the department’s Complaint Resolution Program.

For other disputes, the DCA may recommend new approaches to resolving the problems, or possibly mediation, or filing suit in small claims or civil court. File a complaint on-line at www.dca.ca.gov/ online_services/complaints.

The DCA also offers important free information covering a wide range of consumer issues. There are guides for business and professional categories that are licensed, and a variety of others that offer important tips for handling concerns ranging from disasters to consumer fraud. One well-known guide is “California Tenants – A Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities”. This is an excellent brochure, giving a clear explanation of California rules and what they mean.

This article is part of an ongoing series of articles pertaining to legal issues relevant to the LGBT community, and is intended for general information purposes only – not legal advice. Christopher Heritage is an attorney in Palm Springs and San Diego, who focuses on LGBT estate planning, domestic partnerships, same-sex marriage, probate, trust administration, and bankruptcy. He welcomes questions and comments and can be contacted at 760-325-2020 or at chris@heritagelegal.com

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EQCA UPDATE

ADVANCING EQUALITY IN THE GOLDEN STATE

BY RICK ZBUR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR With over 100 pro-equality laws passed in the last 10 years, the majority of them sponsored by Equality California, our state has the strongest civil rights protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. From a legal perspective, clearly this is monumental. That California has so comprehensively led the country is an incredible source of LGBT pride and a source of pride for those of us at Equality California.

But a different picture emerges when the conversation shifts to LGBT acceptance. Whether it’s public displays of affection, LGBT youth not feeling safe or supported at home, attending a same sex wedding, belonging in a place of worship, or finding out that a relative is, well, family, some people remain uneasy. Therefore EQCA is doubling down our efforts to secure long term LGBT acceptance.

Key to achieving lasting LGBT acceptance is engaging communities of faith. EQCA has recently announced that the faith based programming of California Faith for Equality will now be housed within EQCA. Since 2006, through its vast network of hundreds of faith leaders, CFE has worked tirelessly to advance LGBT faith-based initiatives. Now this unmatched work is becoming a cornerstone program of EQCA. This program and its pipeline to communities of faith are game changers. Demonstrating that religion and LGBT equality are not mutually exclusive is crucial to ensuring LGBT acceptance, and this is a key focus of EQCA. Another key focus, in line with EQCA’s expanded mission, is advancing LGBT health and well-being. Recently we convened over 100 health experts, community leaders, organizations and legislators to focus exclusively on the health disparities between LGBT people and the broader community. The EQCA “Fair Share for Equality” convening discussed the disproportionately high rates of poverty, suicide, homelessness, violence, substance abuse and police profiling our community faces. These differences are even more pronounced for LGBT youth and seniors, people of color, and the transgender and undocumented communities.

Ensuring that a fair share of government resources are allocated to address these health and well-being disparities is a top priority

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for EQCA. And giving policy makers accurate information about our community will enable them to make informed decisions. To this end, we have just released the summary of our findings from the convening, and it can be found at www.eqca.org/fair-share.

An overall theme in the EQCA “Fair Share for Equality” report is that California needs to collect data with respect to sexual orientation and gender identity.

We must be counted! Collecting data in connection with the provision of social services and the implementation of government programs is needed to address the widespread health and well-being disparities. California should lead in this arena and the state simply has not.

But, Equality California is working to change that. LGBT people must be counted as part of the provision of government and social services, just as the state counts other demographic characteristics of importance. If we are not counted, we do not count.

Program areas identified at the EQCA “Fair Share for Equality” convening that are most in need of additional funding and attention include those that: • Address LGBT youth homelessness and create culturally competent foster care support services for LGBT youth; • Create safe and culturally competent school environments; • Reduce substance abuse among LGBT Californians and address high rates of suicide among LGBT youth; • Reduce violence and differential treatment for LGBT people within the criminal justice system; • Address the unique needs of LGBT seniors; • Adequately fund Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), PostExposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and HIV prevention and treatment; and • Provide healthcare for undocumented LGBT people.

Equality California is working to achieve full equality and acceptance of all LGBT people wherever discrimination exists inside and outside of California. In addition, we are also focused on addressing the disparities in health and well-being that our community faces. These initiatives will bring us closer to achieving these objectives. For more information about our efforts please visit eqca.org.

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MARCH, 2015 33

FITNESS

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO COURTESY?

BY DENNIS MASON, BFA, CPT Did you ever wonder whatever happened to “courtesy?” Do you ever think about the lack of curtesy in our current society? You know, like please and thank you, “may I?”, or “can I help you?” Courtesy!

Being nice to one another! There’s sort of a “musical harmony” and a melodic ring with rhythms, beats and back beats when there is courtesy toward other people and an active attempt to get along with one another; respect each another; and help one another. Did you ever think about courtesy? For most of us, it just comes naturally from what we were taught about kindness and respect for others.

But, sometimes I wonder if courtesy even matters anymore. Maybe it’s just a thing from the past.

For example, the other day I was at the gym, working with one of my clients. We were about ready to get onto one of the machines to do a set. As it turns out, there was another person using that machine. In fact he was on three machines all at the same time, going from one to another. He shouted at me, “Hey, don’t use that machine!

It’s mine! I’m using it!” Of course, I said “I’m sorry; we didn’t know anyone was on it.” He responded by saying “Well, I’m using it and I’ll be back on it when I’m finished with this one! I’m doing supersets!”

The gym was very crowded that day, as it is at certain times every day; (not the best time to hold up three machines for super sets, in my opinion.) What concerned my client was the manner in which he spoke to us without so much as an “I’ll be done shortly” or “Do you want to work in with me?” My client and I just looked at each other, and then I said “No attempt at any kind of courtesy, there.” He agreed, and we looked for an alternative machine.

Here’s another example of the diminishing use of courtesy these days. Back a few months, while shopping at The Beverly Center in LA, I was almost knocked off my feet by a young man so very involved with texting on his smart phone that he walked right into me. Startled, I said “Excuse me.” Without as much as a blink of an eye, or an “I’m sorry”, he continued down the mall, still focusing and texting on his device. It made me terrified to think that this type of person is more likely than not to be texting while driving his car down the street or worse, on a crowded LA freeway. Courtesy! Where has it all gone?” What happened to it? Will it ever return? Is it extinct?

It sure makes me wonder.

Then of course, there’s an event that I’m sure all of us have had at one time or another. Let’s say going out for the evening for a pleasant dinner with a friend or your partner. How nice that will be, you think to yourself. That is, until someone at the table next to

you has the unconscious urge to share their cell phone conversation with the rest of the patrons at the restaurant…in the loudest possible voice! Besides being discourteous, disruptive and very rude, it is really not necessary. Cell phones have a marvelous thing called a “microphone” actually built into the device to amplify and transmit your voice to someone else’s device, so that you don’t have to shout.

Again I ask, “What happened to courtesy?” It’s still here. We get it. So, let’s show those who don’t get it, how courtesy can work for everyone.

Dennis is a certified Personal Trainer and Master Fitness Coach with over 40 years’ experience. NPC bodybuilding competitor, charity cyclist, health and fitness motivational speaker and author. Body Sculpting - Nutritional Guidance - Aquatics & Post Rehab Conditioning Web: www.dennismasonfitness.com Email: dennis@dennismasonfitness.com Phone: 760-219-5877 Home Base: WORLD GYM PALM SPRINGS Join Dennis on his internet radio program, FITNESS & MORE, on demand at: www.BlogTalkRadio.com/FitnessAndMore Also on Facebook and Twitter as fitnessradio.

MARCH, 2015 35

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WELLNESS

WANT RESONANCE, OR DISSONANCE?

BY DR. KENNETH TOTH, BA, MAT, DC, RN, CPT

Our daily lives are not unlike a potpourri of resonances and dissonances. If we have an unusually good day, when everything seems to go charmingly right, we might say our life is very resonant.

Conversely, if we have a mixed up, very bad day, we could easily refer to it as a downright dissonant day! But, I think most of us might agree that our average days are usually somewhere in the middle, or towards one end or other of the spectrum.

If we have too many dissonant days in a row, we might be inclined to make an appointment with our primary to see if we need prescription “happy pills”. On the other hand, if we have way too many very resonant days, we just might be inclined to lose touch with reality and wind up in a rehab clinic for doing something really stupid.

It could probably be said that the middle ground, or generally higher middle ground, would be the most desirable goal to proceed towards.

There are a lot of things around and in our lives that give us lots of opportunities to easily experience dissonance, from the crazy driver on the highway who thinks s(he)’s the only one on the road and cares nothing about others’ safety to the gym bunny (there are both male and female gym bunnies) who sees nothing rude about hogging three machines at the same time to superset at the busiest time of the gym day.

Ahhh, resonance. That’s where we feel balanced, centered, and joyful by our experiences in our outer world, or within, that gives us energy, right-mindedness, and connection to life’s higher vibrations.

That is our mental, physical, and spiritual sweet spot, our private nirvana, our source of inspiration and healing! It’s the place or space where we feel totally whole and empowered.

Many of us seem to have almost forgotten that we can manifest this wonderful resonance with the universe at any time we desire. All we have to do is remember our individual power, and focus on giving attention to positive intentions. Voila!

Maintain our bodies, our temples, as we would anything that is beyond price. Feed them the cleanest, purest, most nutritious and safe foods we can obtain. Drink the purest, chemically free water available. Breathe the best air possible. Exercise consistently and correctly as if our lives depend on it, because they do!

Practice right-mindedness. Renew associations with the old concepts of sharing with, and helping, others. Gather around those who share in the same qualities that produce resonance and distance yourselves from those who produce dissonance, because you are affected by everything you are around either consciously or subconsciously. It’s that simple!

Dr. Kenneth Toth, BA, MAT, DC, RN, CPT holds multiple degrees and credentials as a Science Educator, Chiropractor, Registered Nurse, and Personal Trainer.

He is currently limiting his professional activities to PERSONAL TRAINING / Nutritional Coaching.You may contact Dr. Ken at 949-235-9408 or ken@kentothfitness.com For more information on Dr. Ken’s results-producing approach to personal training, please visit his website at KenTothFitness.com.

TRAVEL

A SEASON OF SOUNDS 2015

BY GEORGE W. ZANDER

One of the, the most important parts of a road trip is music. There is the car radio, your own stored tunes and of course live Concerts. Plan your escape to include all of this!!! The western states are resplendent in bold and beautiful concert venues. Some have been around for decades; others are new and more eclectic. Start planning your trip now. Here is a list of the brightest and biggest, and a few small but amazing venues to visit.

COACHELLA MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL & STAGECOACH FESTIVAL The kick-off of festival season may be just a month away, and the 2015 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival lineup is already out, with festival goers old and new stirring with excitement. As usual, concert promoter

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Goldenvoice put out a stacked lineup for consecutive weekends. Also presented

by Goldenvoice and starting right after Coachella is Stagecoach, an outdoor country music festival. These two festivals helps make April a very musical month..

JOSHUA TREE MUSIC FESTIVALS Joshua Tree CA. May 14-17 and Oct 8-11 A personal favorite of Desert dwellers, the festival has been produced for 8 years by a group of family and friends in Joshua Tree. It is in a small setting where community, closeness to the stage, music, and the beautiful setting merge into on magical environment. The Desert, mountains, music, food and art….and very close to home.

STRAWBERRY MUSIC FESTIVAL Camp Mather CA May 21-25 This amazing eclectic festival that’s place on both Memorial Day and Labor day every year. The music ranges from Americana, bluegrass, blues, folk, swing, rock, Cajun, Celtic and gospel and all in between. In addition to the amazing music there is camping, hiking, biking, lake swimming, art, vendors, food, children’s activities, workshops, artists, performances, nature programs, dance workshops, storytelling, Marble Painting. And more!

NORTHERN LIGHTS Mendocino July 17-19 This is an exciting annual gathering with support of underground music industries.

This takes place in Northern California’s

TRAVEL

Redwood Curtain in a setting of lovely scenery and the rich history of the region.

OUTSIDE LANDS San Francisco Aug 7-9 After only two years on the block, Outside Lands is is quickly becoming the summer Coachella. Bands are jumping at the chance to play in beautiful Golden Gate Park, and the crowds are enormous.

MUSICFESTNW Portland OR. Aug 21-23 In 2000, MusicfestNW (MFNW) was a mere dream. The idea was that Portland needed a music festival to match the towering aspirations of a city that was becoming a global player. Today, Portland is one of the most exciting cities on the planet and MusicfestNW, a 6 day festival attended by over 34,000 people has become the third largest indoor music festival in the United States and now includes 4 nights of outdoor shows in “Portland’s Living Room” Pioneer Courthouse Square.

BURNING MAN Black Rock City, NV. Aug 30-Sept 1 Since its inception in San Francisco’s Baker Beach, Burning Man has grown into the biggest permitted event on federal land in the United States. The festival, located about 100 miles north of Reno, Nevada, drew a mere 80 people in 1990, but brought in more than 1,000 people in 1993.

By 1999, Burning Man expanded to 23,000,

and the crowds were capped at 50,000 under a five-year permit that expired in 2010. Though Burning Man’s new permit allows a maximum of 70,000, organizers only pursued a cap of 68,000 this year. An experience no one every forgets!!!

Hands, Dream Catchers, and Wire Sculpture, Windsocks, Kaleidoscopes, Weaving, and Recycle Art, Wilderness Awareness Program.

BUMBERSHOOT Seattle Sept 5-7 The grandfather of the great summer festivals Bumbershoot was started in 1971 at the Seattle Center- under the Space Needle. An all arts festival, music isn’t the only thing that bumbershoot offers. Comedy, theatre, dance, literary arts, and visual arts pack your three days with plenty to do.

There are dozens of acts lead by Death Cab for Cutie, Alt-J, and many more!

America River Music Festival Lotus/ Coloma CA Sept. 18-21 The 7th annual event will present over 30 live Music Performances and Join shops by nationally renowned musicians in 10 locations throughout the friendly river community of Coloma. You’ll enjoy Riverfront Camping, Jams, Dance, a Whitewater River Trip, a River Hike, “live” Art, great Food and local Wines, fun Artistic Vendors, tons of Kid’s Activities and the nicest folks around.

So as you plan your escapes, include some music!!

You won’t be sorry.

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ART VIEW

SAM GOMEZ I’m an artist because I have something to say, my art is my voice.

Everyone has a story, my goal is to communicate thru art in more ways than one. As an artist I have had to walk down my own spiritual path and live through my experiences.

Decisions for my work are made everyday. I prefer to work with Charcoal and Pastels because is a very free medium for me and I feel very hands on when I use it, so it only seemed natural to use charcoal as my medium for a very organic, natural piece. By keeping a more organic feel I begin working on wood, hot knife and textiles.

My current work reflects the spiritual side of me and the icons and artist that inspire me everyday. I began exploring this new adventure by thinking on different beliefs around the world. In Buddhism, the aim of meditation is to calm the mind so that it can become more aware.

Meditation can take place individually or in a group. Chinese Buddhist meditation and Zen Buddhist meditation differ from Theravada Buddhism. Monks and lay people can practice meditation.

There are different forms of meditation. In the Noble Eightfold Path, the right concentration can be thought of as meditation. Once powerful concentration is achieved, the mind can gain insight into the nature of reality and be free from all suffering.

I have to draw sacred meaning into my work - it has to have merit.’ That process begins in meditation. To work I must achieve a state of mind clear of everyday ‘clutter’ and unbiased by my own expectations. I don’t wish to draw with a mind filled with conflicting emotions but strive to be natural and unbiased.

Upcoming Show: The Party Of Life Art Celebration Exhibition Saturday, April 25, 6PM-Midnight Echoes Under Sunset 1310 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, California 90026 Instagram: @paperandcharcoal

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ART VIEW

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EPICUREAN

A GUIDE TO BEER & WINE PAIRING

When you hear the phrase “pairing tips,” do you instinctively grab your wine opener and pull out stemmed glasses? Wine is divine, but over the past few years there’s no denying that craft beers are trending and getting foodies everywhere excited to rethink pairing possibilities. Artisan and handcrafted beers are no longer just an afterthought on the drink menu - they’re standing tall next to your favorite red and white wine varietals, proving to be just as food-friendly.

Whether you’re an aspiring sommelier or a beer enthusiast, it’s time to pour a glass of something new and see how the other side pairs. Get started with these tips from renowned foodie expert and blogger Brian Samuels of “A Thought for Food.” Samuels recommends the acclaimed, handcrafted wine varietals of Bridlewood Estate Winery along with your beer of choice. For more information visit www.BridlewoodWinery.com.

BURGER WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS Beverage: Pinot noir or English IPA Why: Burgers and beer always seem like a natural pairing, but have you ever tried pairing it with a glass of wine? Next time you’re lighting up the grill, pull out a bottle of Bridlewood Pinot Noir.

A slight char on the burger pairs beautifully with the hint of black pepper in the wine. For the brew lovers in the group, serve an English

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IPA. The caramel notes that come through in the beer pair perfectly with burger toppings such as grilled red onions.

LOBSTER ROLL Beverage: Chardonnay or Pilsner Why: There are few things more enjoyable than sitting outside on a blazing hot summer day with a tall beer or a glass of wine.

Pilsners and chardonnay are lighter options that pair with a variety of foods. For heavier dishes, like a lobster roll, the vanilla notes of a chardonnay go perfectly with the natural sweetness of the lobster meat. If craft beer is more your thing, try a Pilsner. The slight bitterness (from the hops) and sweetness (from the malt) flavors, as well as the fizziness of the beer, help cut through the richness in the creamy lobster roll.

ROASTED VEGETABLES WITH GORGONZOLA AND FRESH HERBS Beverage: Brown ale or cabernet sauvignon Why: Traditionally cabernet pairs best with meat, but what about a dish for vegetarians? Roast up cold weather favorites such as carrots, parsnips and turnips to bring out their natural sweetness.

These satisfying flavors will shine when sipping on cabernet sauvignon with its subtle notes of chocolate and molasses - or try a glass of brown ale, which embodies caramel and nutty flavors.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES Beverage: Red blend or stout Why: End the feast with a plate of decadent chocolate truffles and serve with the Bridlewood Blend 175, loaded with jammy notes.

For the beer lovers at the table, a stout, which is rich in chocolate and coffee notes, is another natural accompaniment.

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the3D’s RESTAURANTS WANG’S IN THE DESERT 424 S Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 Phone: (760) 325-WANG (9264) www.wangsinthedesert.com NATURE’S HEALTH FOOD & CAFE 555 S Sunrise Way Suite 301 Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 323-9487 www.natureshealthfoodcafe.com SHERMAN’S DELI & BAKERY 401 E Tahquitz Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 325-1199 www.shermansdeli.com ACQUA PAZZA / THE RIVER at Rancho Mirage 71800 Highway 111 Suite A167 Rancho Mirage, CA Phone: (760) 862-9800 www.acquapazzabistro.com AZUL RESTAURANT 369 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 325-5533 www.azultapaslounge.com CASA DE FRIDA 450 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 459-1681 www.casadefrida.com COPLEY’S ON PALM CANYON 621 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 327-9555 www.copleyspalmsprings.com

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DINE | DRINK | DANCE { Coachella Valley } LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA 222 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 325-2794 www.lascasuelas.com

ZIN AMERICAN BISTRO 198 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 322-6300 www.pszin.com

LULU CALIFORNIA BISTRO 200 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 327-5858 www.lulupalmsprings.com

BIRBA 622 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 327-5678 www.birbaps.com

POMME FRITE 256 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 778-3727 www.pomme-frite.com

CHEEKYS 622 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 327-7595 www.cheekysps.com

RIO AZUL MEXICAN BAR AND GRILL 350 S Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 992-5641 www.rioazulpalmsprings.com

EL MIRASOL 140 E Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 323-0721 www.elmirasolrestaurants.com

THAI SMILE PALM SPRINGS 100 South Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262 Phone: (760) 320-5503 www.thaismilepalmsprings.com TRIO RESTAURANT 707 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 864-8746 www.triopalmsprings.com THE TROPICALE 330 E Amado Road Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 866-1952 www.thetropicale.com

RICK’S RESTAURANT 1973 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 416-0090 www.ricksrestaurant.biz PINOCCHIO IN THE DESERT 134 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-322-3776 www.pinocchiops.com

BARS AND NIGHT CLUBS HUNTERS NIGHTCLUB 302 East Arenas Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-323-0700 www.huntersnightclubs.com TOUCAN’S TIKI LOUNGE 2100 North Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-416-7584 www.toucanstikilounge.com RAINBOW BAR AND GRILL 216 South Indian Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-325-3989 www.rainbowbarngrill.com TRIO RESTAURANT 707 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 Phone: (760) 864-8746 www.triopalmsprings.com STUDIO ONE 11 COCKTAIL LOUNGE 67-555 East Palm Canyon Drive, Suite A103, Cat. City CA 92264 760.328.2900 www.Studio-One-11.com THE TOOL SHED 600 E. Sunny Dunes Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.3299 www.toolshed-ps.com SPURLINE VIDEO LOUNGE 200 Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs CA 92262 760-778-4326 www.spurline.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

ART + DESIGN mayakalabic.com

www.TrioPalmSprings.com

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COMING UP NEXT MONTH WHITE PARTY 2015 EPICUREAN: TIME TO GET READY FOR SUMMER

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EVENTS CALENDAR of the creator of Die, Mommie Die! and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom.

For times, tickets and further info go to www.desertroseplayhouse.com

MAR 30 - APR 4 DAME EDNA’S GLORIOUS GOODBYE MCCALLUM THEATRE / PALM DESERT Farewell Possums! “It’s the end of an era,” cries the London Daily Telegraph, but Barry Humphries and his most famous creation Dame Edna Everage aren’t going out with a whimper. They’re going out with a rapid-fire explosion of convulsive laughter and cheers. On the pink and purple high heels of the pair’s 2009 triumphant McCallum engagement and celebratory, sold-out seasons across the UK and Broadway, Australia’s greatest entertainment export returns for more takeno-prisoners comedy and hijinks, and no one in the audience is safe from the Dame’s wicked tongue.

For ticket info visit www.mccallumtheatre.com

MAR 6 - 31 DESERT ROSE PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS THE DIVINE SISTER / PALM SPRINGS Charles Busch’s The Divine Sister, opens Friday, March 6 for a four-week run. An outrageous comedy homage to nearly every Hollywood film involving nuns – Song of Bernadette, The Singing Nun, and The DaVinci Code – this madcap romp through religiosity evokes the wildly comic but affectionately observed theatrical style

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MAR 28 SHELTER FROM THE STORM ANNUAL GALA PALM SPRINGS The third annual ‘New Beginnings’ gala to benefit Shelter From The Storm, the region’s only shelter serving survivors of domestic violence, will be held on March 28, 2015 at 5:30 PM at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The presenting sponsor of the gala is the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. Bringing a new level of sophistication to the gala’s entertainment, event Chairperson Raymond McCallister has created a partnership with the renowned ‘Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS.’ For info and to purchase tickets visit www.shelterfromthestorm.com DBA FEBRUARY EVENTS March 9 / DBA Installation & Awards Dinner 6:00pm Tinto at The Saguaro Hotel / Palm Springs March 26 / Mixer 6:00pm – 8:00pm Hosted by Desert Princess Golf Resort Desert Princess Golf Resort March 24 / Valley Wide Mixer 5:00pm Hosted by Desert Regional Medical Center Stergios Building www.desertbusinessassociation.org

off highway 111, behind the Mercedes Benz Dealership, on South Cherokee Way. www.backstreetartdistrict.com

SUNDAYS THE SUNDAY BAND W/ SPECIAL GUESTS. PAPPY & HARRIET’S PIONEERTOWN The Sunday Rock + Roll Service is a Pappy and Harriet’s institution celebrating the healing powers of music and community!

Every weekend the club’s favorite singers and players get together and trade songs.

Come join us to see Victoria Williams, Gar Robertson, Carol Ann Crandall, Damian Lester, Bob Furgo, Rachel Dean, Ryan Norman, Caleb Winn, Danny Frankel and other talented locals performing for your drinking and dancing pleasure. With a come-as-you-are vibe, Sundays have seen great special guests like Robert Plant, Lucinda Williams, The Jayhawks, Rickie Lee Jones to name a few. www.pappyandharriets.com

ONGOING >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> NOW THRU JULY FIRST WEDNESDAY ART WALK, BACKSTREET ART DISTRICT PALM SPRINGS Please join us for the First Wednesday Artwalk at the Backstreet Art District. Enjoy beautiful art and meet the artists. Located

COPA In a throwback to old Palm Springs’ nightclubs, the Copa is fashioned around an elevated performing stage and a stunning u-shaped bar lined with leather barstools, upholstered booths, and gilded cocktail tables. Sink into the sexy lounge, sip a

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EVENTS CALENDAR cocktail, and enjoy the lineup of local and guest entertainers. For weekly schedule visit www.coparoomps.com

THE PURPLE ROOM Supper club, drinks and live music. It’s where Palm Springs plays. Great entertainment nightly and dinner specials. You never know whom you might see at The Purple Room.

For monthly schedule and info visit http://purpleroompalmsprings.com

OSCAR’S CAFÉ & BAR Located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs on the corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Indian Canyon, Oscar’s has a huge outdoor patio with lots of umbrellas for shade and misters to keep you cool, too.

You can beat the heat any time of year and enjoy the views of Palm Springs. And our patio is dog friendly for your leashed four-legged family members! On Saturday and Sunday from 8am – 2pm, enjoy a $9 Bottomless Mimosas (juice included), a single $2 mimosa or a $5 Bloody Mary with brunch, during which both our full breakfast and lunch menus are available. Also join us for Sunday Funday Weekly Tea Dance 4pm-Close! www.oscarspalmsprings.com

LIPSTICK AT COPA Thursday nights at Copa just got a little hotter with a new show at the new showroom inside Copa. The Hot New Lipstick show is a raucous affair where the audience is encouraged to participate in singing, clapping, dancing, partying and celebrating special events. Featuring performances by Charles Herrera, Pinkie Meringue Shimmer, Marina Mac, Sassy Ross, Dion Khan, and Cherilyn, and emceed by the fabulous Bella Da Ball, this show will not disappoint. For ticket info and schedule of performers visit www.coparoomps.com

HUNTERS NIGHTCLUBS® Palm Springs, Palm Springs’ go-to gay bar and dance club, has been leading the way in full-out fun for 13 lucky years now! We enjoy having the desert’s most sought-after and friendly DJs, full-on themed events, and a staff that has it all without the attitude. And of course, we are proud to hold the longest happy hour in the entire Valley. Remember: Size Matters. Come by for our happy hour from 10am – 7pm. Yes, that’s right: 9 hours long! For a list of all events and specials visit www.huntersnightclubs.com

SUNDAYS “The Playgirls” at Toucans Tiki Lounge featuring Tommi Rose. Performances 8, 10pm.

These darling Divas of drag really deliver with their very own brand of entertainment to packed houses. Special guests appear weekly.

DJ in the sound booth. Every Sunday Complete list of events www.toucanstikilounge.com

Wang’s in the Desert. The weekly Wang’s Live Entertainment series features the best in local and regional musical talents.

Guests can relax from cabaret and Broadway show performances to upbeat, jazzy showcases on the Zen Patio, with its beautiful stone outdoor fireplace, giant red Buddha statue and lush tropical surroundings. The Sunday series is becoming the new performance showcase for weekends and holidays in downtown Palm Springs. It’s the perfect, casual venue for great music, cool cocktails and of course, a fantastic crowd.

For more information about Wang’s in the Desert, visit www.wangsinthedesert.com TUESDAYS Bella da Ball Cabaret Variety Dinner Revue at Azul features a different show each week with a cast of male and female vocalists and drag personalities. The highly popular show is hosted and produced by Palm Springs’ area social ambassador, Bella da Ball, and features music-comedysong-dance-costuming-headdresses-photo ops-door prizes-audience participation and more. The 95+ minute production features musical numbers ranging from show tunes to country to pop and everything in between.

Don’t miss the fun every Tuesday at 7:30pm! No cover.

FOR A COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EVENTS VISIT OUR MEDIA PARTNER, GAY DESERT GUIDE. CLICK ON LOGO

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EVENTS CALENDAR

MAR 18 - 22 MAR 12 - 15

TEXAS BEAR ROUND-UP 20 DALLAS, TEXAS Save a Cowboy and Ride a Bear! A fun weekend where Cowboy butts will drive you nuts and the Bears are all friendly. This year the theme is Bears: Studio 54. So dust off you platform shoes and meet us at the Disco...We have a great weekend planned with entertainment, food, activities, contest, and transportation to all our events and bars, our world famous hospitality room and of course eighteen hundred plus bears, cubs, admirers and more!

For more info visit www.tbru.org

ELEVATION: MAMMOTH MAMMOTH LAKES, CA The Thirteenth Annual Mammoth Gay Ski Week where 2,500 riders and skiers come to the High Sierras for Mammoth Lake’s favorite event of the year. Elevation offers a fun alternative to the gay bar scene. Offering huge dance parties with nationally known DJs, but this weekend is also about more than just those parties. We hold Elevation in one of the most beautiful settings in the country. When you come to Elevation, you experience some of the best spring skiing and snowboarding on the planet, at a world-class resort where the unbelievably long season lasts well into spring and even summer, with one of the highest average snowfalls in the country. www.mammothgayski.com

MAR 28

BIG GAY TRAIN SONOMA, CA The Big Gay Train is returning to Napa Valley, with four of wine country’s most exciting winemakers! Join us for an exclusive all gay winemaker dinner on the worldfamous Napa Valley Wine Train! Dine in luxury and sip wines in the company of the winemakers themselves as you glide up the Napa Valley in the spring evening. Enjoy an elegant, perfectly paired, 4 course dinner in old world luxury, from Acclaimed Chef Kelly Macdonald. www.outinthevineyard.com

APR 11 - 12

MAR 14 - 21

PRIDE OF THE OCEAN LGBT FILM FESTIVAL CRUISE MIAMI, FLORIDA In addition to the exciting ports of call from Miami to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, and Labadee, Pride of the Ocean will offer 3 exciting film programs on board. Included in the cruise are group dinners, cocktail parties, and shore excursions, so you’re always in good company on Pride of the Ocean. For info visit www.prideoftheocean.com.

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MAR 21

THE BLACK PARTY ROSELAND BALLROOM, NY, NY Considered by many as the Father of all large circuit events, The Black Party® is one of Gay New York’s most attended, longest running and highly anticipated events. With more than 5,000 attendees it remains one of the biggest gay dance parties in the world.

It is known and respected world wide for cutting edge productions, innovative staging, superstar international DJs, world-class performers and notorious “strange live acts”. www.blackparty.com

PHOENIX GAY PRIDE PHOENIX, ARIZONA The 35th Annual Phoenix Pride Festival and is a two day celebration designed to bring our diverse LGBTQ and allied communities together for a weekend of camaraderie and celebration of our past, present and future while raising funds for the Phoenix Pride Community Foundation and programs. The Phoenix Pride Festival attracts over 30,000 attendees during the two-day celebration and features over 150 entertainment performances on 5 stages. www.phoenixpride.org If you have an event you want to promote please email us at info@thestandardps.com

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EVENTS CALENDAR from the community together, to simply have a good time and organized by people from that same community. Amsterdam is proud to be a diverse and gay friendly city and it is time we celebrated that with a Bear Pride. www.amsterdambearpride.com

MAR 12 - 15

RAINBOW REELS, QUEER & TRANS FILM FESTIVAL ONTARIO, CANADA The Rainbow Reels Queer and Trans Film Festival features internationally acclaimed queer works that present images of LGBTQ lives and issues. Based in Waterloo, Rainbow Reels Queer and Trans Film and Art Festival has worked hard to increase awareness of queer, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues by showcasing projects from new and emerging filmmakers. We are now one of the largest queer film festivals in Ontario. www.wpirg.org

MAR 19 - 23

AMSTERDAM BEAR PRIDE AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND The city of cheese, tulips and tolerance welcomes all the furry fella’s and their friends for a weekend filled with fun.

Bowling, a pub crawl, dancing, cruising, bingo, a canal cruise and of course a Mister Bear Netherlands election are just some of the highlights of a diverse schedule of events. A weekend that aims to bring people

MAR 21 - 28

EUROPEAN GAY SKI WEEK FRENCH ALPS European Gay Ski Week will be hosted by the amazing resort of Avoriaz. This is one of the most distinctive Alpine ski resorts you will probably ever visit; perched high on a rocky promontory it looks down over the cliff edge towards Morzine and beyond. Situated at the centre of the Portes du Soleil it falls within the Chablais region of the Haute-Savoie.

The Avoriaz slopes are amazing, with variety for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. A broad selection of accomodations, suiting all budgets. The club nights, will be bigger and better than ever. More International Cabaret Artists & Perfomers than ever before. Many varied ‘Aprés’ activities which will keep everyone busy and entertained from dusk till dawn. www.europeangayskiweek.com

APR 2 - 7

EASTER LEATHER AND FETISH WEEK BERLIN, GERMANY The Berlin Leather und Fetish Treffen is a yearly party weekend during Easter.

Berlin turns into fetish for the wildest and most kinky Week ever. Gays from all over Europe pack there leather, rubber, skingear, uniform or other fetish clothing and fly to Berlin for the BLF | ECMC Leather & Fetish WEEK. Lots of parties and events are on the agenda this week including Fetish- and Sexpartys, the

traditional BLF Leatherdinner at AXEL Hotel, the Townrally, the BLF Leatherboat and of course the TWO HIGHLIGHTS, the official contest of GERMAN MR. LEATHER 2013 and WILD BOAR, the Mega Dance-CruiseFetishparty at GOYA. www.blf.de

APR 2 - 5

RUBBOUT VANCOUVER, CANADA 2015 is the 24th installment of the Vancouver Rubbout party weekend for men who like rubber and fetish. We want to encourage all the rubber men out there to wear their sexiest sports gear to the weekend events; preferably in rubber, though Lycra and leather will also conjure up images of hot sweaty muscular men giving their all to win the game. Further info at www.rubbout.com

Our international media partner, FNQ Magazine, Cairns gay lifestyle and travel publication that gives Australia and the world a taste of gay life in the tropics, sponsors the International Calendar. www.go2gaycairns.com

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PHOTO REWIND STEVE CHASE HUMANITARIAN AWARDS PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID LEE & THE STANDARD MAGAZINE STAFF

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PHOTO REWIND DISH RIBBON CUTTING + DESTINATION PSP PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID LEE

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PHOTO REWIND MODERNISM WEEK PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID LEE

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NCLR in Palm Springs Saturday, April 4, 2015 Join NCLR at our annual

Dinah Garden Party—The Event to Win Marriage Equality!

Join us in Palm Springs for our annual Dinah Garden Party on April 4th celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Dinah Weekend. At the event you will hear about our historic marriage case headed to the U.S. Supreme Court and all of the incredible work the NCLR legal team has been doing to advance full equality across the country.

NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell and Senior Policy Strategist Geoff Kors will give an update on all of our groundbreaking work. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

NCLR Dinah Garden Party

Learn more

Saturday, April 4, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

At the historic Old Las Palmas home of The Honorable James Williamson & Geoff Kors

Go to NCLRights.org/Dinah to learn more about this year’s iconic honorees, sponsorship opportunities, and to purchase tickets.

For questions regarding the event, contact Development Events Manager Dani Siragusa at Events@NCLRights.org or 415.365.1309.

Address provided upon RSVP

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Sign up to become a sponsor at NCLRights.org/Dinah

CO-CHAIR

The Advocate | Dimitri Bakakos | Gary D. Soto | David Vogel & Larry Fulton The Honorable James Williamson & Geoff Kors

CO-HOST

Mark Anton & Scott Histed | Geni Bennetts & Pat Tuck | Diageo The Honorable Ginny Foat & Pamela Genevrino | Lynn Hammond Catering

PARTNER

Meredith Baxter & Nancy Locke | Molly Bondhus & Wil Stiles | Laurence Colton & John McCoy Desert Outlook | Greater Palm Springs Pride | Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau Hephaestus Jeweler & Jef Timms | Heritage Legal, LLP & Chris Heritage | Tim Hohmeier & Chuck Diodosio | Robert & Mary Beth Kors | Meredith Miller & Carol Dunlop / True Value Palm Springs Joe McCormack & Gary Hunter | Michelle McKee & Laura O’Kane | P.S. Resorts | Brian Rix

VIP

FRIEND

Gordon & Sally Atkinson | Carol & Mike Balasa | David Brinkman & William Grimm | James Carroll & Scott Romesburg | Beth Edwards & Cindy Solomon | Andy Linsky | Nadine Navarro & Margaret Norris Jim Sanak & Scott Palermo | The Standard | Tropicale Restaurant & Coral Seas Lounge / Copa Nightclub Darrell Tucci | Robert Van Roo | Thomas B. Watson & Andrew Klayman Roberta Conroy | Ruth Debra & Sherry Fulton | Joan Elliot & Gloria Kapp | Pennie Feehan Emily Freeman | Lauri Kibby | Barbara Lampert | Lisa Middleton & Cheryl Callaghan | Jack Newby Oranj Palm Vacation Homes | The Honorable Steve Pougnet | David Rothmiller & L. D. Thompson Kelly & Jennifer Rouse-Willis | Eric Shay | Sara Sperling & Jessika Fessenden | John Williams & Jean-Guy Lachance

outlook

MEDIA

DESERT

NATIONAL MEDIA SPONSOR

LOCAL MEDIA SPONSOR

ONLINE MEDIA SPONSOR

*Sponsor list as of 2.22.15

NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS | 870 Market St, Suite 370 | San Francisco, CA 94102 | NCLRights.org

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