The Standard Magazine

THE ART IS S UE

Indelible Artistry JULY, 2015 | VOLUME 3 ISSUE 7 | THESTANDARDPS.COM

CONTENTS VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7

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LOCAL ARTISTS

PAGE 14 - 16

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Volume 3 Issue 7 COVER INDELIBLE ARTISTRY: INFLUENTIAL LGBT ARTISTS FEATURE LOCAL ARTISTS VIEWPOINT EQCA UPDATE THE FIGHT CONTINUES TRAVEL FNQ MAGAZINE TOURING CAIRNS EPICUREAN EAT YOUR BREAKFAST

CHAD STEPHENS

JULY, 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

June 26, 2015; a day for the history books. All the years of hard work and sacrifice have finally paid off. No longer will we refer to it as Gay Marriage but just simply MARRIAGE. And although this is a huge victory; we still must continue to fight and be ever vigilant and non complacent. What better way to express what we all were feeling than the closing paragraph of Justice Anthony Kennedy’s Gay Marriage ruling: No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right. The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed.

Contributors Chris Astrala, James Colquhoun, Trent Blanchard, Dustin Fitzharris, Chris Heritage, Jay Horne, Dennis Mason, Devin Payne, 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

It is so ordered.

The Standard that we only publish letters to the editor that are

Justice Anthony Kennedy

reserve the right of anonymity upon request. The letters need

Today let’s rejoice and revel in what has been accomplished, earned and definitely deserved.

signed by the author and verifiable by phone number. We can 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|ART

INDELIBLE ARTISTRY

BY CHRIS ASTRALA

LGBT artists have continually challenged mainstream understandings of gender and sexuality. The impact of this on our society is immeasurable. For example, artists of the 1980s who worked tirelessly to bring attention to HIV/AIDS in America, artists today maintain their roles as leading figures striving for change and cultural awareness. On that note, here are a few LGBT artists who have influenced the progress of art and society. This list is in no way complete, but just a glimpse of some of the many creative individuals who as members of the LGBT community have put their unique stamp on art history. These amazing LGBT artists have assuredly changed the art world and beyond with their work.

FELIX GONZALEZ-TORRES (1957 –1996)

MICKALENE THOMAS (1971 -) New York based artist Mickalene Thomas is best known for her elaborate paintings composed of rhinestones, acrylic and enamel.

Thomas introduces a complex vision of what it means to be a woman and expands common definitions of beauty. Her work stems from her long study of art history and the classical genres of portraiture, landscape, and still life. Inspired by various sources that range from the 19th century Hudson River School to Édouard Manet, Henri Matisse and Romare Bearden, she continues to explore notions of beauty from a contemporary perspective infused with the more recent influences of popular culture and pop art.

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Felix Gonzalez-Torreswas an American, Cuban-born, gay visual artist. González-Torres was known for his quiet, minimal installations and sculptures. Using materials such as strings of lightbulbs, clocks, stacks of paper, or packaged hard candies, his work is sometimes considered a reflection of his experience with AIDS. In 1987 he joined Group Material, a New York-based group of artists whose intention was to work collaboratively, adhering to principles of cultural activism and community education. Along with the other members of the group — Doug Ashford, Julie Ault, Karen Ramspacher, and Tim Rollins — González-Torres was invited by the MATRIX Gallery at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive in 1989 to deal with the subject of AIDS.

HANNAH HÖCH (1889-1978) Hannah Höch was an important member of the Berlin Dada movement and a pioneer in collage. Splicing together images taken from popular magazines, illustrated journals and fashion publications, she created a humorous and moving commentary on society during a time of tremendous social change. Acerbic, astute and funny, Höch established collage as a key medium for satire whilst being a master of its poetic beauty. Höch created some of the most radical works

ART|COVER There, he painted his famous swimming pool paintings. In the 1970s, Hockney began working in photography, creating photo collages he called joiners. Hockney’s early paintings incorporated his literary leanings, and he used fragments of poems and quotations from Walt Whitman in his work. This practice, and paintings such as We Two Boys Clinging Together, which he created in 1961, were the first nods to his homosexuality in his art. He continues to create and exhibit art, and in 2011 he was voted the most influential British artist of the 20th century.

of the time and was admired by contemporaries such as George Grosz, Theo van Doesburg and Kurt Schwitters, yet she was often overlooked by traditional art history. At a time when her work has never seemed more relevant, the exhibition puts this inspiring figure in the spotlight.

ROTIMI FANI-KAYODE (1955-1989)

DAVID HOCKNEY (1937-) Born in Bradford, England, in 1937, David Hockney attended art school in London before moving to Los Angeles in the 1960s.

A seminal figure in 1980s black British and African contemporary art, Fani-Kayode’s timeless photographs constitute a profoundly personal and political exploration of complex notions of desire, diaspora, and spirituality. Ancestral rituals and a provocative, multilayered symbolism fuse with archetypal motifs from European and African cultures and subcultures – inspired by what Yoruba priests call ‘the technique of ecstasy’. A son of a prominent Yoruba family who left Africa as political refugees in 1966, Fani-Kayode received a BA at Georgetown University in Washington, DC in 1980, and an MFA at Pratt Institute in New York in 1983, before returning to the United Kingdom where he lived and worked until his death in 1989.

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COVER|ART

to Dix and Grosz, Jeanne Mammen’s pictorial statement regarding injustice and the ensuing deplorable social conditions is neither marked by harsh denouncement, nor does it convey pity, and her portrayal of the Bourgeois is without biting malice and condescension. She is the only artist of her time, who, by using her intuitive power and her penetrating eyes, succeeded in delivering precise and cunning portrayals capturing the characteristic physiognomic features, typical of people of all walks of life in the 1930s.

AARON SMITH Aaron Smith is known for referencing art history in both his painting style and compositions. His new paintings’ color and surfaces are liberated of historic constraints. By taking such liberties with the images’ presentation, the artist transforms still life paintings into uniquely contemporary symbolic portraits. Derived from opulent objects; Gothic and Baroque sculpture originally created to spiritually inspire; the paintings strip the all-male characters of context, suspending them in an existential vacuum. His figurative oil paintings have earned him solo shows at some of LA and Chicago’s finer galleries.

KEITH HARING (1958-1990) JEANNE MAMMEN (1890-1976) Jeanne Mammen is one of the most impressive, unusual and versatile German female artists of the twentieth century. She is frequently mentioned in connection with Käthe Kollwitz and Hanna Höch, two artists who also showed a strong engagement in social emancipation, and whose most successful years also date to the Weimar era. When comparing Jeanne Mammen to other socially critical male artists of the time, like Otto Dix and George Grosz, a certain resemblance in the selected motifs can be noticed, but there is quite a difference in their vision and style of portrayal. In contrast

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Throughout his career, Haring devoted much of his time to public works, which often carried social messages. He produced more than 50 public artworks between 1982 and 1989, in dozens of cities around the world, many of which were created for charities, hospitals, children’s day care centers and orphanages. The now famous Crack is Wack mural of 1986 has become a landmark along New York’s FDR Drive. Other projects include; a mural created for the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty in 1986, on which Haring worked with 900 children; a mural on the exterior of Necker Children’s Hospital in Paris, France in 1987; and a mural painted on the western side of the Berlin Wall three years before its fall.

COVER|ART Haring also held drawing workshops for children in schools and museums in New York, Amsterdam, London, Tokyo and Bordeaux, and produced imagery for many literacy programs and other public service campaigns.

Haring was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988. In 1989, he established the Keith Haring Foundation, its mandate being to provide funding and imagery to AIDS organizations and children’s programs, and to expand the audience for Haring’s work through exhibitions, publications and the licensing of his images. Haring enlisted his imagery during the last years of his life to speak about his own illness and generate activism and awareness about AIDS. Keith Haring died of AIDS related complications at the age of 31 in February 1990.

to classical aesthetic standards: stylized compositions of male and female nudes, delicate flower still lifes, and studio portraits of artists and celebrities, to name a few of his preferred genres. He introduced and refined different techniques and formats, including color 20” x 24” Polaroids, photogravures, platinum prints on paper and linen, Cibachrome and dye transfer color prints. His vast, provocative, and powerful body of work has established him as one of the most important artists of the twentieth century. Today Mapplethorpe is represented by galleries in North and South America and Europe and his work can be found in the collections of major museums around the world.

Beyond the art historical and social significance of his work, his legacy lives on through the work of the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. He established the Foundation in 1988 to promote photography, support museums that exhibit photographic art, and to fund medical research in the fight against AIDS and HIV-related infection.

ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE (1946-1989) In the late 70s, Mapplethorpe grew increasingly interested in documenting the New York S & M scene. The resulting photographs are shocking for their content and remarkable for their technical and formal mastery. Mapplethorpe told ARTnews in late 1988, “I don’t like that particular word ‘shocking.’ I’m looking for the unexpected. I’m looking for things I’ve never seen before … I was in a position to take those pictures. I felt an obligation to do them.” Meanwhile his career continued to flourish. In 1977, he participated in Documenta 6 in Kassel, West Germany and in 1978, the Robert Miller Gallery in New York City became his exclusive dealer. Throughout the 80s, Mapplethorpe produced a bevy of images that simultaneously challenge and adhere

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MEL ODOM (1950- ) Finding order from chaos, beauty within pain, and hope from despair, the artist Mel Odom’s career has spanned several of our generation’s most tumultuous cultural decades. His innate ability to process, through his work, the events surrounding him and his life are viscerally transformed into a dream-like state of bliss in his art and in his creation of memorable objects of desire.

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LOCAL ARTISTS

LOCAL ART REDEFINED Webster defines art as the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance. We have gathered a small group of local artist who have expressed their own definition of what art means to them; what inspires them, what projects they currently are working on, and what are their future plans. As you discover or perhaps rediscover these artists, you will see how they interpret their expression of art.

CHRISTOPHER GEORGESCO As a child, Christopher Georgesco was encouraged to pursue his own artistic talents by his father, internationally recognized architect Haralamb Georgescu, known for midcentury architecture treasures in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, most notably the Chi Chi Club in the 1960s. In 1972, Christopher had his first solo show at Newspace Gallery in Los Angeles, launching a stellar career that is still going some 40 years later.

Today, his impeccable sculptures and paintings can be found in the public collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art, the Palm Springs Art Museum, the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, the Grand Hyatt Tokyo plus universities and corporations around the world.

Locally, his works are prized by art collectors in some of the finest modern homes in the Valley, from La Quinta to Palm Springs. www.georgescoart.com

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“DO-SI-DO”, OIL, ACRYLIC ON BOARD 40” X 51”

BRUCE KIMERER Bruce Kimerer moved to the California desert from New York nearly four years ago. Back east, his work focused on the landscape, mostly portraying moody views of the Brooklyn waterfront and the rolling hills of rural upstate New York. Once here, his work changed dramatically. Gone were misty atmospheres and soft edges. A brightness and clarity emerged. Although his current work no longer resembles traditional landscape painting it is a direct response to the light, the color and the geometry of the Palm Springs environment.

Bruce has exhibited at the National Academy of Design in New York as well as gallery venues in D.U.M.B.O., Brooklyn. www.brucekimerer.com brucekimerer@gmail.com

publication based on this series of paintings is a collaborative effort between Martin and the Los Angeles Poet Nicky Sa-eun Schildkraut.

Martin is a recipient of the 2011 Orlowsky Freed Foundation Grant sponsored in part by the Lilian Orlowsky and William Freed Foundation Grant and the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM). Her work is included in PAAM’s permanent collection and has appeared in numerous publications including art ltd., Palm Springs Life, Angeleno Magazine, Blue Canvas, Provincetown Arts, AEQAI, and New American Paintings Magazine among others.

Martin received her BFA and BS Masters of Arts in Teaching, Art Education from The Museum School of Fine Arts, Boston and Tufts University. www.deborahmartinfineart.com deborah@deborahmartinfineart.com

THE SUITCASE, 2014 ST. RAYMONDS, AMBOY, CA, OIL ON CANVAS 36X36” IMAGE COURTESY OF MELISSA MORGAN FINE ART (PALM DESERT)

DEBORAH MARTIN Deborah Martin (b. Boston 1961) is a contemporary American realist painter based in Sky Valley CA. Martin’s work often utilizes specific sites as a form of psychological excavation. Her poignant imagery offers a hauntingly intimate elegy for small town American roadsides.

Much of her practice emerges in collaborative conversation with writers and poets, taking form through exhibitions and publications. She is recognized for several pivotal bodies of work: Home on the Strange: In Search of the Salton Sea (Salton Sea, CA), Narrow Lands (Provincetown, MA), Back of Beyond (Wonder Valley, CA) and America (US.) Martin’s paintings appear as illustrations in the book Building Provincetown written by New York Times Reporter David Dunlap (2015). Her work also appears in the book Home on the Strange: In Search of the Salton Sea a collaborative project written by Amy Sather Smith (2009.)

Currently, Martin is documenting small towns located in remote areas of the desert where the arid landscape is both vast and unpredictable. In the body of work titled Back of Beyond, Martin immortalizes a 21st century desert struggle against destruction. The

“MY BROTHER’S KEEPER”, ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 40”X60”

SALLÉ “As a child, I learned to see my subjects and reproduce their likeness. As an adult, I’ve learned to intertwine what I see with what I feel.” – Sallé

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LOCAL ARTISTS Expressive Impressionism is an accurate description of selftaught artist, Sallé Kirby. Painter, print maker and photographer are the vessels used in illustrating her work. Sallé was born and raised in New Jersey, she moved to California in the early 80’and the Coachella Valley within the pass six years.

Sallé’s work is an explosive layering of vibrant, bold, intense color. Her brush stokes are reminiscent of Post Impressionist like Vincent van Gogh and Edward Munch. Portraits, human figures and nature are her muse of inspiration while working with paint mediums of acrylic, watercolor, oil and oil pastels. salleandart@gmail.com www.facebook.com/salleandart

CHAD STEPHENS Using common card stock Chad Stephens creates a threedimensional world of comic book heroes and villains, from Superman to Catwoman, to designer bags, from the Birken bag to Chanel. While his work may be full of whimsy, it is carefully constructed and created.

In his studio Chad cuts tears, sands, shreds, paints and manipulates paper in varying weight to create these fanciful artworks.

“I was inspired by the work of Ron Chespak,” Ron Chespak died in 2005 at the age of 45 from liver disease. He had operated the 1254 Art Gallery in Laguna Beach and the Ron Chespak Gallery in Palm Springs. Chespak won many awards and was recognized world wide for his unique use of paper. Chespak’s work has been shown at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, to the Olly-O children’s book. With Chespak as my mentor, “He released in me the notion that paper, as sculpture, was just as powerful as paper covered in words. I do not carry on his legacy , but I carry on the ideal that Chespak set in motion: That creativity knows no bounds and paper knows no limits.”

The paper sculpture of Ron Chespak combined depth and comosition with stark white objects. “ Mine, strong vivid color and use of bright neon, pop art colors.” The work is graphic and bold but relatable to all. “I spend many hours creating each piece. I do not simply ‘cut’ paper. The images I chose evoke many emotions - mostly positive, joyful ones. Recognizable and iconic, my work is meant to evoke joy and what makes life fun.

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Chad has taken the same paper and created wearable art.

His super hero costumes have the look of leather and satin. “The costumes continue my quest to take paper beyond something on a pad. I love what I do. I love that my work brings a smile to people. I love that I can take the ordinary and make it extraordinary.” www.gallery446.com www.facebook.com/chad.stephens.1276

1950s

Mid-Summer Dance Party Benefiting

Saturday

July 25, 2015 8 pm - midnight

Two live DJs, go-go dancers, complimentary cocktails & hors d’oeuvres

Palm Springs Pavilion Grease back your hair, grab your poodle skirt and LET’S DANCE!

401 S. Pavilion Way at Sunrise Park (next to City Pool) Fully air-conditioned auditorium with plenty of free parking

$40 General admission $75 VIP (includes VIP lounge access)

desertAIDSproject.org (760) 992-0440 Co-Chaired by Kenny Jervis, Michael Crisp and Kerry Hendrix

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THE ART OF FUN

THE ART OF FUN

BY DUSTIN FITZHARRIS

Vito Fun’s “Less Talk, More Art” is more than a music video. It’s a movement that encourages self-expression through the creative process.

“The song is about two things,” Fun says. “The first part is reminding people to stop talking and start doing. The second part is about finding a home in life. Home is a place with no pain and no fear.”

While many artists use their notoriety to express their views on the world in speeches or through social media, Fun chooses to focus on art.

“Mario Batali should cook. Martha Stewart should make homes.

Kelis should make music and Kanye West should just shut up,” he argues. “You need to decide if you’re an entertainer and leave the politicking to the politicians.”

Fun enlisted the help of two long-time friends for the video.

Javier Medina, who vogued in Madonna’s Super Bowl half time show, choreographed while Cesar Ramirez, best known for his work with Jennifer Hudson, styled it.

Both Medina and Ramirez share Fun’s thoughts and understand that there is power in art and feel there should be more of it.

“I believe that self expression and language are what make up life,” says Ramirez. “Nothing can exist without words. Art is a major way to express oneself and sometimes it’s the most peaceful and universal way. It blurs lines between race, culture, sex and even age. “ Medina adds, “We can’t live without art. The world would be better if everyone just put their money where their mouth is, and that is really what the song is about in a way.”

Drawing on his passion for photography, “Less Talk, More Art,” is a visual smorgasbord of moving images that represent love and happiness. It also features a naked Fun. It’s not for shock value, however, it’s about feeling free.

“I know not everyone had the kind of freedom I had growing up. I work in music because it helps people feel free and makes me feel free. I take off my clothes when the music takes me there. If being naked makes people feel the music more, then I have done my job right,” Fun said.

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Since the beginning of his career Fun has been bringing people together. Although he’s heterosexual, the gay community has always embraced him, and he’s become one of the most sought after DJs on Fire Island. He admitted he craves the sense of kinship the gay community has created. He got his start as an intern for a producer.

He honed his craft and eventually made his way up to a mixing engineer. Today his talent has lead him to Pride celebrations across the country and to the biggest music festivals including Lollapalooza, SXSW and Bonnaroo.

“I was born a DJ,” Fun said. “I DJed my first party in the fourth grade off of pre-cued tapes. I was first introduced to the dance floor in 1995 at The Roxy in New York. I later graduated to a residency at The Tunnel. I was so overwhelmed by the power of it all, I didn’t see myself looking back. I am too feral to have a real job. Music is all I know.”

Fun continues to embrace new challenges. Not only has he branched out into remixing, having done official mixes for Cazwell, M.I.A., Luciana, and more, he’s added producer to his resume. After doing tracks for Nadine Coyle from Girls Aloud, Nicky Da B & Jonte, he recently co produced Nina Sky’s new EP, Brightest Gold with SpacePlant. He approaches producing much like he does DJing---he knows how to make sure a song pops.

“I try not to be limited to the four on the floor beat. There are a lot of different tempos and time signatures in the world, and I can’t be limited to just house music--as much as I love it,” he said. “I’d say my work stands out because of the vocal work my business partner SpacePlant does. He is a genius vocal producer.”

It’s obvious Fun is passionate about his work. Whether it’s DJing, remixing, producing, or photography, he takes every opportunity to provide inspiration through art. With “Less Talk, More Art” hopefully others will follow suit and realize life can be beautiful and fun. http://djvitofun.com | https://www.facebook.com/DJVitoFun https://twitter.com/#!/vitofun

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MUSIC

JESS GLYNNE

UNVEILS EAGERLY ANTICIPATED SOLO DEBUT

Jess Glynne has announced details of her massively anticipated debut album. “I Cry When I Laugh” – the Grammy® Award-winning, UK-based singer/songwriter’s first full-length solo release – arrives everywhere on September 11th via Atlantic Records and will celebrate its release on her first-ever North American headline tour beginning September 14th at Washington, DC’s U Street Music Hall and www.jessglynne.co.uk.

“I Cry When I Laugh” features the worldwide hit, “Hold My Hand,” which debuted at #1 on the UK Singles Chart upon release and held the top spot for three consecutive weeks. The video directed

by Emil Nava (Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, Calvin Harris) boasts over 30 million individual views. Already a top 20 hit on Billboard’s “Dance/ Electronic Songs” chart, “Hold My Hand” is now blowing up in the US where it has already surpassed more than 1 million streams per week. Album also features “Ain’t Got Far To Go” which proves she’s here to stay and in the acoustic version demonstrates her soulful side cosigns The Fader who premiered the video earlier today.

Already a Grammy® Award-winning (“Best Dance Recording”) worldwide superstar thanks to her featured contribution to Big Beat recording group Clean Bandit’s global #1 smash, “Rather Be (Feat.

Jess Glynne)”; receiving multiple gold, platinum, and multi-platinum

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certifications around the world. The track spent four consecutive weeks at #1 on UK Singles Chat upon initial 2014 release – the first single by a British artist to hold the position since Adele’s “Someone Like You” in 2011. “Rather Be” – which shattered a variety of long held records, including the most one-week plays ever at Spotify, a #1 in more than 13 countries, and the most one-week Shazams at Shazam.com – has since entered the record books as the longest running #1 in the history of the UK’s Official Streaming Chart, dominating the top spot for eight straight weeks and counting. As if all that weren’t enough, the “Rather Be” companion video has now surpassed a truly remarkable 292 million individual views: https://youtu.be/m-M1AtrxztU On top of earning a Billboard’s “Hot 100” Top ten for her 2x RIAA platinum single “Rather Be,” Glynne has since scored a further string of UK hit singles, including Route 94’s chart-topping “My Love (Feat. Jess Glynne),” Clean Bandit & Jess Glynne’s “Real Love,” and her own top 10 solo debut, “Right Here.” She most recently teamed with British rap superstar Tinie Tempah for his new single, “Not Letting Go (Feat. Jess Glynne)”: https://youtu.be/nsDwItoNlLc

MISS FAME

RELEASES NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR “INSTAFAME” Everyone wants a piece of Miss Fame, and with magazine photo spreads, live stage shows and now music, they’re getting it. Miss Fame’s new single, “InstaFame” - an anthem about the phenomenon of sudden stardom from Internet platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr and YouTube – released last week. It is the second single from Beauty Marked, her fulllength album that debuted on the iTunes Dance chart earlier this month at #3.

“The Internet gave me my first stage to share my passion with the world,” she explains. “When I posted my first Instagram on Halloween of 2013, I didn’t understand how social networking worked. Almost immediately, thousands were responding to my face in makeup! I then posted a video of my transformation on YouTube and within weeks, I had over a million views. The support and appreciation I received from people from all over the globe made me realize I had something special and it fueled my desire to compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Miss Fame’s “InstaFame”, is available on iTunes and on all major online retailers now.

“Anyone can achieve ‘InstaFame’”, continues Miss Fame, at home in New York. “We all have some unique quality or ability that has the potential to become a viral phenomenon. There are even videos explaining how to make a video go viral, so really, there is no excuse for anyone to not to have their big moment on the Internet.”

“The one thing I have learned is that ‘InstaFame’ is fleeting. It can’t be sustained with one stunt. What I believe creates longevity is persistence and consistent quality. I listen to my audience and I give them what they ask for. It’s an exchange of admiration.”

Miss Fame’s path to fame began as a boy growing up on a farm in Templeton, California. She would create realist drawings of chickens and horses. Drawings led to portraits, some of which have been exhibited in large galleries. Miss Fame used the money from paid commissions to make the move from California to New York City four years ago.

In the Big Apple, Miss Fame became an established male model while also working as a makeup artist with MAC Cosmetics, freelancing for celebrity clients including talk-show host Wendy Williams and realityshow star Heidi Montag. “Seeing the positive effects of transforming others, I was inspired to transform myself,” Fame says.

Miss Fame began experimenting with wild new looks. “I became a work of art, a goddess.” Soon, Fame was modeling for world-class fashion photographers, pushing boundaries and proving beauty does not reside within a specific gender but is fluid and impactful to all who appreciate it.

The exposure led to appearances on TV (on the third season of MTV’s Snooki & JWOWW) and in music videos (in Brooke Candy’s “OPULENCE” and Jennifer Hudson’s “Go All Night”), as well as in the upcoming film A Change of Heart (produced by Kenny Ortega).

Competing on RuPaul’s Drag Race was Miss Fame’s most challenging gig to date. “It required a constant internal fire to develop into something bigger and bigger. It made me realize how much I truly care about my art.”

That passion and drive carries into Beauty Marked, Miss Fame’s first full-length album. Produced by Killingsworth Recording Company, Miss Fame describes the eleven-track ambient pop album as ‘an evolution of art creation’. Songs were taken straight from Miss Fame’s own diaries. “The album is smooth with a mix of up-tempo dance tracks like ‘Rubber Doll’ (the album’s first single, released last month) and down-tempo songs with a deeply humanizing vibe.”

Songs depict the break out reality star’s metamorphosis from male model to elegant and sophisticated fashion icon. “I drew up the storyline for the album over a year ago when the persona of Miss Fame was still in development. The songs are true to who I am and how I feel.”

To support the release of the album, Miss Fame has embarked on a worldwide tour with dancers. Over thirty dates have been announced.

“Beauty Marked is the next stage in my evolution,” proclaims Miss Fame. “I’ve come a long way but there’s still a long way to go.

Fame promises, “There is so much more to come!”

“InstaFame” is available now on iTunes, along with Miss Fame’s entire Beauty Marked album.

For more information, visit http://missfamenyc.com/.

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BOOK REVIEW

ALWAYS OVERBOOKED…

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

Third finger, left hand.

If you’re wearing a ring there, chances are that it means more than a bit of metal around your digit. It’s undoubtedly more precious than the sum of its parts.

It means a commitment of marriage – that is, if you can get married, because some still cannot. And in the new book “Speak Now” by Kenji Yoshino, you’ll read about a trial that impacted many an engagement.

Just before Kenji Yoshino married his husband Ron in 2009, the officiator pulled the couple aside and reminded them that, though they were really no different than any other two people in love, he could not marry them under federal law because of DOMA. As they said their vows in Connecticut, another legal drama on the other side of the country was just beginning…

Only four states recognized same-sex marriage then; California wasn’t one of them. In 2008, that state’s voters passed Proposition 8, effectively amending its constitution to allow legal marriage between opposite-sex couples only. A legal challenge to Prop 8 was filed in California in May of 2009, which ultimately opened the doors for an unlikely pair of lawyers to take the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Attorney Ted Olson was famous for helping to put George Bush in office in 2000, and had worked in Ronald Reagan’s Justice Department. Though Olson was known for his conservative stance, he was friends with David Boies, a renowned, more liberal litigator.

They seized the opportunity to argue this important case together, and began laying the foundation for it.

But their unusual pairing wasn’t the only uniqueness in Hollingsworth v. Perry: The judge assigned to the case was known to be gay. Lead counsel for defense of Prop 8 had once flirted with a pro baseball career. Both sides tried to keep direct mentions of sex out of the courtroom. In the end, children played a large part.

And, though neither side wanted it, the case went to trial.

That last point, says author Kenji Yoshino, came as the biggest surprise. Issues such as same-sex marriage very seldom go to trial; both parties usually try to avoid it long before things ever get that far.

But Yoshino’s fascination – and the in-depth examination he offers on Hollingsworth v. Perry - becomes a mixed bag in “Speak Now.” On one hand, there are heartfelt examples of people who would most benefit from the defeat of Prop 8, as told from the

exciting perspective of a major courtroom drama; on the other hand, there’s a lot of legalese here that is only partially explained in layman’s terms. We’re treated to detailed, sometimes happy humaninterest stories (including the authors’ own), followed by information that will send many readers scrambling for a legal dictionary. Oy. Still, despite that near-obstacle, I think this book is worthwhile - if nothing but for the significance of the case it highlights. Read carefully, don’t rush yourself, have a legal reference source handy, and “Speak Now” is a book you won’t want left on the shelf.

“Speak Now: Marriage Equality on Trial” by Kenji Yoshino c.2015, Crown $26.00 / $31.00 Canada 384 pages

JULY, 2015 23

PSP FOCUS AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS AND THE PS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESENTS HOST TOWN SOIREE Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce presents Host Town Soiree: Vintage Palm Springs Community Dinner and Dance to honor the Special Olympics World Games athletes sponsored by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Palm Springs, a city known for its glitz and glamour, has attracted Hollywood stars for years. On July 23, more stars will be drawn to our city when Special Olympics athletes arrive from all over the globe to spend several days leading up to the big event in Los Angeles.

On Thursday, July 23, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians will sponsor a dinner dance in honor of our amazing athletes.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come out and meet the 94 local athletes who will participate through the Special Olympics Host Town program.

The dinner will be held at Indian Canyons Golf Resort. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m., with festivities concluding at 9:00 p.m. Admission is $25 per person and all proceeds go to the Special Olympics World Games.

Several local restaurants will be on hand to offer a taste of their menus. There will be music and dancing, a photo booth, and vintage cars compliments of Palm Springs Exotic Motors. This is your final opportunity to meet our athletes and give them a real Palm Springs experience before they leave on Friday, July 24th to compete in the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.

The inspiring Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 will take place on Saturday, July 25, 2015 in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the only venue in the world to host two Olympiads (1932 and 1984), two Super Bowls (I and VII) and one World Series (1959). The star-studded show will celebrate the true stars of the Games - the athletes of Special Olympics - with exciting entertainment, the Parade of Athletes and the culmination of the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and lighting of the Special Olympics cauldron. Broadcast internationally

by ESPN, fans around the world will be able to participate in this memorable start to the World Games!

With 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 177 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games will be the

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largest sports and humanitarian event in the world in 2015. Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of this amazing event.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.pschamber.org or call 760-325-1577.

PSP FOCUS THE DESERT ROSE PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS VITAMIN Q A GAY MUSICAL REVUE

The Desert Rose Playhouse, the Valley’s live stage company serving the LGBT community, will present the premier of a new gay musical revue Vitamin Q by Eric Lane Barnes opening Friday, June 19, 2015 for a six-week run. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. Eric Lane Barnes is a Seattle-based composer who has written very popular material for gay men’s and women’s choruses nationwide as well as creating humorous, poignant and stirring music for his own touring group Captain Smartypants for several years.

He wrote and composed The Stops, a three-person musical produced successfully last summer at The Desert Rose Playhouse.

Vitamin Q is a new collection of Barnes’s “trunk songs” that take a clever and occasionally moving look at many aspects of gay life.

Songs like “I Don’t Like Showtunes!”, “Drama Queen”, “Tomorrow Never Comes”, “The Caffeine Overload Polka”, and a doo-wop salute to unrequited love “I’m Available”, are featured in the revue to be performed by a five-man company directed by DRP Artistic Director Jim Strait and Musical Director Steven Smith. The performers include local favorites Terry Huber, Andrew Knifer and Raul Valenzuela joined by recent New Jersey transplant Jeff Norman and recording artist Emmerzon Hernandez. Mr. Smith is accompanying the performances.

The Desert Rose Playhouse is a project of Desert Rose Productions, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation.

Vitamin Q continues Desert Rose Productions’ mission to produce and present literate, relevant and entertaining plays and musicals to LGBT and Gay-Friendly theatregoers in the Coachella Valley.

Tickets are $30 for evening performances; $28 for matinees and go on sale May 23, 2015.

To order go online at www.desertroseplayhouse.org or call 760-202-3000.

JULY, 2015 25

26 THESTANDARDPS.COM

EQCA UPDATE

THE FIGHT CONTINUES

BY RICK ZBUR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF EQUALITY CALIFORNIA The balloons have deflated, the risers and sound systems from celebrations across the country have been taken down, but I hope you’re still feeling a little of the euphoria left over from the day that the U.S. Supreme Court announced its historic marriage ruling.

Hold on to that euphoria because I’m about to deliver a morning-after cold shower: marriage is not the end-all and be-all of our struggle for LGBT rights and our job is far from over.

In a majority of states across the country, you can now be married to a person of the same sex and fired for being gay on the same day. California’s transgender community is facing another vicious attack at the ballot box. LGBT teens are far more likely than the general population to suffer from verbal abuse, harassment and violence in schools and are up to three times more likely to attempt suicide. We still face disparities in healthcare settings compared to the general population, no one more so than California’s estimated 250,000 undocumented immigrants. Gay and bisexual men are still barred by federal law from donating blood unless they’re for all intents and purposes celibate; no matter how long they’ve been in a monogamous relationship. And racism pervades the lives of LGBT people of color.

For Equality California, the road ahead is clear and starts here at home. As I write this, the same right-wing extremists who supported Proposition 8 are collecting signatures to qualify a horrendous initiative for the 2016 ballot. The bathroom policing initiative would allow anyone to monitor bathrooms in public buildings and to single out people – transgender or not – who don’t appear sufficiently masculine or feminine. Those who don’t answer invasive questions or undergo examination would be prohibited from using the bathroom and could even be sued. EQCA and other LGBT and allied groups have formed a coalition to fight the initiative.

Just a day before the Supreme Court struck down marriage restrictions in the remaining 13 states that still had them, millions celebrated nationwide as the Court upheld key portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Yet the ACA left a considerable part of California’s LGBT community still without access to healthcare: the up to a quarter-million undocumented immigrants in California who are LGBT. For many, the dual stigma of being LGBT and undocumented translates to

enormous disparities in mental, physical, economic and social wellbeing compared to the general population. California’s undocumented immigrants pay an estimated $3.2 billion in state and local taxes, and yet are unable to access many of the public services for which they already pay. EQCA is joining forces with health clinics, LGBT organizations and immigration advocates to launch a major statewide education initiative to educate the LGBT community about the healthcare needs of undocumented LGBT immigrants and to spread the word about the importance of access to quality healthcare for all Californians, regardless of immigration status. Bringing LGBT undocumented immigrants into the full social, economic, and civic life of our communities is not only just and fair, it simply makes economic sense.

Beyond California, the work is even more daunting. While EQCA and allied organizations have worked for two decades to give California the nation’s most comprehensive body of laws protecting LGBT people, you can’t say that about most of the country. California is one of 18 states and the District of Columbia that protect us from being fired, evicted or denied service in a business on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity. More limited protections are available in a handful of others; most offer nothing at all. Getting a federal antidiscrimination bill passed is a top priority for each of the major LGBT organizations, and EQCA is working with federal lawmakers to enact a law that will keep all Americans on the job and in their homes regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

We’re also working to bring federal blood donation policy out of the early 1980s. Until a few months ago, gay and bisexual men faced a lifetime ban on giving blood due to fears of HIV transmission through the blood supply. A much-heralded change a few months ago from the federal Food and Drug Administration was equally discriminatory; it merely shortened the ban to one year from the last time a potential male donor had had sex with another man.

Heterosexual donors are held to no such requirement of celibacy.

Marriage was not the end, but because of its symbolic value and central place in society, our struggle for equal recognition of our relationships and families forced millions of Americans to confront their own prejudices and get to know us. It’s hard to demonize your friend, neighbor or co-worker. And that simple fact will prepare the field for the battles we have yet to fight.

JULY, 2015 27

28 THESTANDARDPS.COM

TRANSCEND

THE ART OF OUR VOICE

BY DEVIN PAYNE

The concept of Art is a curious thing: it’s something that we perceive nature to be full of. However, it isn’t, really. Nature arranges itself in an orderly fashion that we experience in a way that moves us. We call that art, and in turn create and manipulate our physical world to evoke a response in others and ourselves.

That response can be emotional, it can educate, it can inform.

We can get a glimpse into the experience of the artist, we can be manipulated and moved by them, we can have our perceptions changed.

Art has been something that has been with us for all time, something that is definitive about the human experience. We can still see the evidence of our artistic nature in Joshua Tree National Park, where millennia ago people had left their marks.

Art can take many forms; based on any sense or experience we have. Practically every expression we make can be considered artwork, even something as mundane as the arrangement of a child’s lunch plate. From these acts, we express ourselves and delight in the response of others.

Our valley is fortunate in that we have a culture built around artistic expression. The galleries of the Uptown Design District, the Backstreet Art District, and El Paseo showcase a myriad of artists’ paintings and sculptures. Palm Springs is world-renowned for architectural design and Mid-Century Modernism. Art suffuses our daily lives, with a never-ending stream of music and film festivals, plays, cabarets, and drag shows.

Art is virtually inescapable; it is inside our homes and a part of everything we experience. Walls seem bare without some sort of artwork on them. Fixtures and furnishings are chosen for aesthetic design. The media we consume includes artistic design and presentation. Even packaging is designed and adorned.

The importance and influence of art is core to our experiences in life. It can have a profound effect on how we see the world, and affect our behaviors. It can also be a key educational tool in communicating with others in a deep and meaningful way.

Politicians have long known that art can have an impact on voters. Campaign materials can be used to portray an issue or candidate in a positive or negative light in the hopes of affecting outcomes. Art can induce fear, but it can also inspire.

In recent years, the transgender movement has come to

the forefront of the nation’s consciousness. However, the art to contextualize it has been lacking. Not too long ago, the mainstream perception of transgender people was informed largely by negative portrayals in film and television.

The negativity and stigma surrounding transgender identities have worked to suppress the rights of transgender individuals.

We still see this at work with legislative acts of violence through “bathroom bills” and criminalization of identity. (Keep in mind that not long ago it was considered a crime to dress in opposition to the gender assigned at birth. Still, women can be arrested for “manifesting prostitution” simply based on appearance.)

This negativity and stigma has also led to many people suppressing their identity; a painful and crushing experience I have known first-hand. Too many are not as fortunate as I have been; largely due to bullying and rejection from society and family, suicides of transgender people continue unabated.

Currently, we have a number of mainstream television shows that have worked to change the narrative and portrayal of transgender people: Amazon’s Transparent, Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black and Sense8, ABC Family’s Becoming Us, and E! Entertainment’s upcoming I Am Cait. Movies such as Drunktown’s Finest and Boy Meets Girl. These more accurately reflect the reality of the transgender experience; that ours is not that different from any other.

However, these alone are not enough. Transgender people, especially transgender women of color, remain one of the most marginalized groups of people, facing relentless violence and discrimination on a daily basis in housing, healthcare, employment, and the justice system.

Art is going to continue playing an important role in ensuring transgender rights and equality. It is important that artists be supported to help educate and inform, to engage and advocate.

With the major battle for marriage equality won through the Supreme Court, those who have been defeated are turning their attention and hatred towards transgender.

We desperately need more transgender art brought to the fore, so please do what you can to support our artists. Education will be key in making sure that people understand that we are people too, with families and friends, hopes and dreams. With elections and ballot initiatives on the horizon, time is critical.

JULY, 2015 29

LEGALLY SPEAKING

THE ART OF COLLECTING ART UNDER THE LAW

BY CHRISTOPHER HERITAGE

Most of us will never own a million dollar art or antique collection, but we always wonder if our own little treasures – 141 different vintage nutcrackers, a sketch by that street artist in Quebec, 17 stuffed pigs in all shapes and sizes, cocktail napkins from every major bar in Chicago; might someday be worth a tidy sum. Here are some interesting facts about art collections of all kinds: Building your Collection Art, antiques and collectibles are available from a wide range of sources. Established dealers and auction houses such as Bonham’s and Butterfields’, Sotheby’s and Christie’s have long handled direct sales, auctions and transfers of art.

Now it is possible to buy or sell art online at all kinds of sites from amazon.com to ebay.com to shopgoodwill.com. It is unlikely that any expert or art connoisseur would recommend picking up important pieces from these internet sites, but if you are just putting together a little collection of comic books or a few interesting watercolors by unknown artists, it might get you off to a good start.

If you are, or hope to become a serious collector, it is necessary to keep detailed records and attend to all the other issues of managing what is really a business. Your records should give details and description of the item, where and when it was purchased, its provenance (ownership history), what and how you paid for it, and where you keep it. There should be photographs and it should be listed in an inventory together with all of the other art pieces you own.

Each piece in your collection should be appraised and insured.

You may want to create an LLC to hold the collection and all its transactions, so it is separate and protected from your personal finances and assets. And the IRS must, of course, be a part of your planning. Are your collection activities for profit or for pleasure? Do you have to report on-line sales? Do you meet the definition of being a “dealer”? The way you buy, sell and manage your collection will

30 THESTANDARDPS.COM

determine how it will be taxed if you sell it, or when you pass away.

Check with your CPA as soon as you decide to become a collector, and before making any declarations to the IRS or state tax board.

The Criminal Element According to the US Department of Justice and UNESCO, art crime is the third highest-grossing criminal trade, just after drug and weapons traffic. Art trade is a lawful business, but almost totally unregulated around the world. There is little or no paper trail when art changes hands. Few transaction records. No public listing of art sales or transfers. It is an open invitation to shady deals, unscrupulous dealers and thieves.

Private art sales are estimated at $30 billion per year; and art crime may account for $6 to $8 billion of this total. Art thieves count on resale or ransom of the stolen pieces. Around the world, as many as 100,000 works of valuable art are stolen each year. It is likely that only 10% are ever recovered. There are also thousands of fakes and forgeries on the market, and many are likely to be found

in museums or private collections everywhere. Dealers and private sellers are sometimes unethical, or prone to look the other way when questions of authenticity or true ownership come up.

Art crime and museum heists have been the focus of many popular films over the years. Topkapi, How to Steal a Million, The Thomas Crown Affair, Entrapment, The Monuments Men, and the Grand Budapest Hotel are a few of the films that have fascinated us, often clever and full of Hollywood glamour and intrigue. Captivating, but they also make us think about the serious side. How do you know if your art piece or collection is authentic, or truly valuable? How do you protect it? And what do you do with it when you die?

Where Will My Collection Go? Art is a unique possession, an asset that family members and friends may feel a strong emotional connection to. It is a part of your estate that requires special thought and planning for its future after you pass on. For a few pieces or small collections, you may wish to pass them along in your Living Trust to family and friends who will value and care for them. But depending on the dollar value of your art pieces or collection, there can be substantial tax implications for your estate based on how and when they are distributed to your beneficiaries.

Many serious collectors choose to make a charitable gift of their art pieces to a museum or other organization that can accept and maintain them. You could make the gift prior to your death, or gift it from your estate after you pass away. The tax laws regarding non-cash charitable gifts are especially complex, and you will need to consider the best way to donate your collection with a minimum of tax liability. Something as simple as whether you received an art piece as a gift or purchased it can make a difference in whether it is a deductible donation. The legal status of the organization receiving your gift, how it will be used, and whether the art is capital gain property or ordinary income property are a few of the many other issues that will affect the tax treatment of your art.

Whether your art collection is small or substantial, check with your attorney and CPA before deciding how to plan for its future and protect your estate.

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

JULY, 2015 31

I fought my way back from addiction.

Carl, D.A.P. client

D.A.P. treats and supports the whole person Like everyone, I’ve made lots of mistakes in my life. One of the biggest was letting alcohol and crystal meth consume me for a time. It led me into unsuccessful relationships, homelessness, and even ignoring my HIV medication therapy, causing me to lose one of my eyes. With the help of a counselor at Desert AIDS Project, I’m in recovery and am proud of my accomplishments at College of the Desert. I may have lost an eye...but I’ve never seen more clearly than I do today.

This and more...all under one roof

Thanks to your generous support, Desert AIDS Project has been saving lives for more than 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.

Mid-Summer Dance Party | Palm Springs Pavilion | July 25, 2015

760.323.2118 32 THESTANDARDPS.COM

desertAIDSproject.org

SUCCESS STRATEGIST

ASK THE COACH

BY TRENT BLANCHARD

Dear Coach Trent, Need insight. I’m 30 and my bf is 28.

My bf does not initiate sex, ever. It makes me feel bad, and now I am cheating on him with 2 men. If he finds out, can I say it was HIS fault that HE drove me to OTHER MEN? Hi there- thanks for your question. Sorry to hear that you are not feeling fulfilled sexually in your relationship. I know that can suckmainly because many of us gay men so often get our validation from others and think we need that (sex) to feel worthy, sexy and loved; this is not the truth. We are born worthy and lovable and can’t do anything to change that fact; the real issue is that we have forgotten this and are look externally for the fix to our internal lack-which often leads us in a disastrous outcome.

If you are feeling this “less than-ness” because of this current experience with your BF, especially when you are wanting sex and he says no, I would encourage you to affirm that you are valuable, worthy and lovable just by the very fact you are alive and kicking. You can do this silently to yourself, with daily affirmations- at a minimum once in the morning when you first awake and again at night, when you lay your head down to sleep. This probably will feel strange at first, but you are exercising a muscle that is currently weak! Keep doing it and you will see a shift in all areas of you r life. Trust me!

With this being said, you looking outside of your relationship by cheating, however, is not about your boyfriend but instead about - YOU- as that is the person who made the decision and is being untrustworthy. If you want things to change, you have to talk with him about your concerns and let him be part of the solution. An honest discussion will clarify what is going on with him and you - cheating and all - can lead to you making an educated decision what to do and what the next step is. Who knows, maybe having an open relationship will be the end result of this talk. Maybe the relationship will end once completed. OR maybe your relationship will grow deeper and some of the protective walls that you both didn’t even know are there will broken down and you will feel closer together than ever before- and you will fall into the most intense sex you have ever had in your life; which often happens following true intimacy - which comes through talking from your heart. I pray this is your outcome.

Whatever you decide to do- make sure you do something, other than continue cheating and being untrustworthy; because if you don’t, your decisions will lead you to disaster!

Good luck!

Trent Blanchard, M.A. / TrentBlanchard.com / BlanchardConsulting.org 4UIDO.net / 760.481.4445 / Skype: Trent4Change To ask your own personal question and be considered for a future issue, please write me at “askthecoach@thestandardps.com”

JULY, 2015 33

34 THESTANDARDPS.COM

FITNESS

LIVING ARCHITECTURE

BY DENNIS MASON, B.A., C.P.T. Building your body to become bigger and stronger or leaner and compact is very similar to architectural designing. The only difference is that your body is a living art form. Many of the same architectural concepts can be applied to your physique. For example, you must begin with a solid foundation, apply sound principles to work from the inside out, and finish the structure with a sturdy roof or covering.

If your fitness goals for this year are to do some “remodeling” or “home improvement”, you need to itemize exactly what it is you want to do. Most people simply want to drop a little body fat and add or shape up some muscle to give a better appearance. Some may want to focus on “downsizing” or “expanding.” Still others may find that a ‘‘complete overhaul’’ is needed. The choice is totally up to you. However, bear in mind that the larger the project, the longer it will take to finish. Dropping a few pounds and getting “ripped” for White Party should not be a problem, if you start ahead of time by a few months; lowering your body fat by twenty pounds or more will very likely take longer.

So, what’s the best way to start any improvements on your body? Personally, I feel that your foundation (your legs) would be the best place to begin. Look around and you will see that a lot of people don’t work their legs; mostly because it’s hard work. A good amount of effort and energy is required to exercise them properly.

In fact, your legs house more muscle tissue than any other area of the body. As such, they can burn off more body fat and stimulate more muscular growth in any area of your body, than any other body part can. Therefore, if you want to drop body fat and/or add muscle, think legs first.

In addition to working out your legs, strengthening the core of your body is another important consideration. Please note that I did not say “abs.” The abdominal muscles make up only one part of the entire core of your body. This is an area that has little or no bone structure to protect your internal vital organs. It is also the connector between your legs and your torso; a very important part of your body. Think of your core as an elastic sheath that wraps completely around the body at the midsection. Most people think that by concentrating on the abs they will develop that hot and sexy ‘‘six-pack.” Actually, your six-pack is already there and no matter how many ab crunches you do (even 500 or more), they will not show until you lose the body fat which covers them up. The best way to do THAT is by increasing muscle mass through resistance training, and modifying the quantity, frequency and composition of your meals.

Your torso (trunk) is generally considered to be your chest and back area. It houses your heart and lungs as well as other vital organs. It is built upon the rib cage, spine and shoulder scapulae.

Your torso gives the appearance of being denser than your legs.

However, more solid muscle mass is located from the hips down than in the torso. The muscle covering the rib cage has a twofold purpose.

First, it supports and allows for movement of the arms and shoulders.

Second, the muscles of the chest and back act as body armor to protect the framework within. In essence, it’s your roof covering.

You may have noticed that some muscles seem to respond very well to exercise, while others don’t. But, don’t get discouraged because the results are not visible right away. Remember, that we are all different, and that your genetic make-up is tuned just for you.

Training for YOUR body type will give you the best results over time.

On a personal note: It is finally the time for us all to rejoice. The United States Supreme Court decision on same sex marriage is another example of how our system of government can and does work for us all. Difficult decisions sometimes take a while to make. But, in the final analysis, Equal Human Rights for everyone prevails here in The United States Of America. My thanks to all those who have worked so very hard over the years to bring us to this great point in history.

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.

Web: www.dennismasonfitness.com Email: dennis@dennismasonfitness.com Phone: 760-219-5877 Join Dennis on his internet radio program, FITNESS & MORE, on demand at: www.BlogTalkRadio.com/FitnessAndMore Also on Facebook and Twitter as fitnessradio.

JULY, 2015 35

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WELLNESS

ARTISTIC PAYDIRT

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

All of us who call Palm Springs our home, or even seasonal home, are a very lucky bunch indeed!

We all live right smack dab in the midst of an amazing array of cultural and artistic offerings literally at our own doorsteps. We can zig-zag the Coachella Valley from one end to the other, from the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert to the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Springs. From the Coachella Valley Art Center in Indio to the Palm Springs Art Fair, and back again to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Annual Festival in Coachella. And don’t forget the historic centerpiece of Sunnyland in Rancho Mirage! There is a good reason why it serves as an important meeting place for heads of state.

There are the colorful art galleries up and down and around the lengths of Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon Drives, and the almost hidden off-the-main-drag Backstreet Art District south of town just around the corner from the Mercedes-Benz dealership. And that’s not even including the little antique and mid-century stores hidden away here and there where you might least expect to find them.

Adventure awaits when you start digging for treasures!

Oh, and definitely don’t forget about the Palm Canyon Theatre right in Palm Springs. It’s the valley’s oldest source of live theatrical entertainment! I have enjoyed shows here that, in my opinion, were actually superior in talent to their predecessors on the professional stages of New York, Washington DC, and London.

Then, there’s the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus! At least two, if not three, major concerts are offered every year for our musical enjoyment. The PSGMC continues to give support to its ongoing missions of not only continuing to provide the very best in musical entertainment, but also to educate the public at large about the legitimacy of the LGBT community.

Don’t forget the art up and down so many streets and byways expressed by so much of Palm Springs’s residential and commercial architecture. It has been so respected, and rightly preserved, by the watchful dedication of owners and community leaders who give untold hours of their time to keep our city so special in countless ways! Sometimes, when I’m sitting out under a big colorful umbrella with friends on the front patio of the downtown Ruby’s, enjoying a signature chocolate malt (which even includes the extra in a stainless steel blender jar), I can easily fantasize being in several other exotic warm weather places of the world without the travel and expense.

Yes, there is so much to enjoy right here, folks! Believe it or not, a perfectly prepared chocolate malt is truly a work of culinary art because it is beautiful to look at, it tastes fabulous, and it is definitely

a rarity. When you can find an establishment that consistently knows how to make and serve them up properly, you’ve hit artistic paydirt!

Last but not least, strive to become (if you are not already) an artistic expression in your own rite. If you care to look back and review my previous articles in The Standard PS, you’ll find plenty of tidbits on how to literally become your own, living work of art. If you’ve been to the Louvre or the Sistine Chapel, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Good Luck, and enjoy being the best that you were meant to be!

And, a big, resounding, “THANK YOU!” to the Supreme Court of the United States of America for bringing our country into the 21st century with their landmark decision on human and civil rights!

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, and is accepting new clients exclusively at WORLD GYM PALM SPRINGS. 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.

JULY, 2015 37

TRAVEL|CAIRNS

CAIRNS

A GUIDE TO THE UNOFFICIAL GAY CAPITAL OF TROPICAL AUSTRALIA

BY JAY HORNE, EDITOR FNQ MAGAZINE

Welcome to the Tropical Paradise that is the city of Cairns The Unofficial Gay Capital of Tropical Australia and home to FNQ Magazine! Situated on Trinity Bay on the coast of Far North Queensland, the city is tucked between the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea and the mountain range of the Atherton Tableland to the west.

The city of Cairns is located on the northeast coast of Australia in the state of Queensland about 2500km from Sydney which is a 3 hour flight or if coming via Asia about a 6.5 hour flight from Singapore.

Cairns region is home to more than 160,000 people from all corners of the world and is renowned for its tourism attractions like the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest.

A recent American traveller says it a cross between Hawaii and Key west with the masculine kiss of South Beach Miami..

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There is a vibrant, thriving gay and lesbian community here, many of who have escaped the bigger cities in Australia to live in tropical paradise - Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. The laid back, casual tropical lifestyle is evident everywhere you go - making it the perfect gay holiday destination. While Cairns doesn’t have an exclusively ‘gay’ nightclub as such, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a thriving nightlife to be enjoyed. The majority of the clubs are gay friendly and there are some gay cafes as well where you will see the gay locals and the plethora of shirtless tourists enjoying themselves… in fact I’ve been known to fall in love a lot every weekend. In fact every time I use to scroll through grindr there was someone new…. a French backpacker one week, a GoGo Boy from LA the next. But about 5 years ago I found something different. Far from my mobile device, I fell in love… with Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef!

Growing up in rural Queensland, so basically a foreigner to the

tropics I was in for a treat when members of our family purchased a business in Cooktown, a small town just north of Cairns. I’d made the obligatory trip to Cooktown to assist with the business stock take, via Cairns of course, where I had to change flight. Instantly, I knew I had to come back and check out the region, when I arrived the sun was setting on the horizon so didn’t really get the opportunity to explore the beauty of the region a part from that stunning sunset but took the chance to check out the night life after checking into a backpackers hostel - which I have to admit was full of all sorts of crazy! LOL I decided that on my trip back home I would stay a couple of days and go exploring and really did discover that Cairns offers visitors fabulous accommodation choices - everything from gay friendly five star resorts to boutique gay and lesbian owned and run establishments as well as camping grounds - from that day forward I vowed never to stay in a backpackers again, so I could avoid the craziness.

I used the time to try and enjoy and experience as much as I could from things like adrenaline-charged adventures like diving or snorkeling on the reef and white water rafting and I must say being someone who doesn’t generally appreciate the thought of getting in water because of the ‘creepy crawlies’ I was blown away!! Cairns is really the jewel in the crown of Australia’s natural attractions and I urge you as a gay or lesbian traveller to get out of the cities of Australia when visiting and see why they call Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef one of the most beautiful in the world….. every photo is a postcard moment!

I decided to bite the bullet and head to the outer reef, remembering that getting there meant travelling by boat across water, after getting the courage and a quick lesson I decided to go snorkeling I will admit it took me a little convincing and a full body black wetsuit before jumping in - much to the horror of my instructor who I have to admit I thought was a little bit, who am I kidding… he was hot! Instantly after I jumped in I noticed something different, the reef itself enraptured me!

There it lay, just meters under the aqua blue water, where it

has been for thousands of years basking in the sun looking back up at me the reef and its flamboyant corals flash more colors than the gay rainbow.

And then, like a Mardi Gras parade in full flight came the sea creatures past my scuba mask. Fish in all sizes, from the brightly colored huge Maori Wrasse cruising lazily past, the freakily twinklike polka dot fish, to the funky zebra-looking kind, followed by the flapping fins of the most gracious of all reef dwellers - the huge turtles.

My interest is piqued when that ‘hot’ instructor says there is an annual ‘orgy’ on the reef (I really am not a player!). Each year in November a few days after the first full moon, the coral spawns for one night only in what is one of the greatest displays of nature on earth. And while you can’t exactly participate, you can certainly go along and watch.

In my fleeting 4hr liaison with the reef I know I saw only a fraction of the 400 varieties of coral and the 2,000 species of fish in the 1,600 nautical mile Great Barrier Reef, but like all good lovers my object of desire has not revealed everything at once.

The time came to head back to the mainland and continue exploring, next stop the beaches. There are hundreds of beaches across the Far North but the only truly gay public beach is Buchans Beach just north of Palm Cove. It’s a nice stretch of sand that is protected from the coast road by rock cliffs. Clothing is definitely optional here, and you are sure to see beach goers of all shapes and sizes! There are some areas at the back of the beach where things have been known to get a little heated – I mean, if you want them too!

Any of the beaches in the region are spectacular, be careful in the summer months because of the Box Jellyfish that can be found in the water. Be sure to read any beach notices displayed by lifeguards or the council, you certainly wont miss them. The main beaches are patrolled by lifesavers and the nets you see out during the summer months at the more popular beaches are to protect you from the

JULY, 2015 39

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jellyfish – and people wonder why I have an issue with water and the ocean – the lifeguards are always up for a chat and provide you will all the information you ask of them.

As the sun starts to set again on the horizon, I notice the many colors in the sky and have thoughts on how my evening will turn out.

I decide at this point to explore the city of Cairns. Cairns city is a vibrant city whose center focuses on the Cairns Esplanade at the waterfront with the relatively small cosmopolitan CBD bounded by Cairns Central Shopping Centre to the west; North Cairns and Cairns International Airport to the north.

The majority of tourist attractions and services are based around The Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal, jutting out into the bay with wharves, a marina and shopping center at The Pier. This is where the reef and island cruises depart from, so I am already familiar with my surroundings from my trip earlier to Green Island. There are a number of excellent oceanfront eateries in the same complex as well as a must visit bar called the Salt House – apparently where you will find the locals on a lazy Sunday afternoon – meaning I will be back no doubt!

The Esplanade Lagoon is a 4800sq meter saltwater swimming pool, which is one of the ‘postcard’ shots of the city and surprisingly I don’t hesitate getting in. You see I can see the bottom and there are no creepy crawlies! The lagoon is a must visit spot, it is filled with backpackers and locals with plenty of eye candy, which is why you find gay guys and girls relaxing and enjoying the ‘sights’. Your best bet is to congregate on the sandy beach side of the lagoon.

It’s a great way to spend a day and if you can’t swim, never fear lifeguards are on duty! It is while I am sitting here, I meet a guy – no need for grindr this time! He tells me that nighttime in paradise is the

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best time as the city comes to life. This guy obviously loves Cairns but tells me he once lived in Sydney!

The tropical weather means early evening is the perfect time to head out on foot and explore the city, which is what we did…..

Together! He took me past the beautifully lit avenues of trees along the waterfront to the boardwalk that extends the entire 2.5kms of the esplanade, it is along the esplanade itself we encountered a plethora of restaurants and bars! Now we are talking, as we stroll around I notice international stores like Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton! The majority of restaurants, entertainment venues, bars, clubs and tour outlets can be found in the city center.

It’s starting to get late and I’m feeling a little exhausted my new friend who shall remain nameless as this point offers to walk me back to my hotel which really isn’t that far, we quickly establish he resides practically next door to where I am staying. He walks me to my door and I invite him in, I make it clear before letting him in that sex is not on the agenda. He seems to appreciate it, but doesn’t stop him from trying 15 minutes later! LOL Fast forward 5 years, I now live in Cairns with ‘that guy’ own go2gaycairns.com, FNQ Magazine and am about to launch Paradiso Cairns a gay owned and operated café with one of my best friends in the CBD. So next time your planning a trip to Australia, be sure to add Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef to your itinerary and stay up to date by reading FNQ Magazine online for free at go2gaycairns. com or fnqmagazine.com A special thanks to Jay Horne, editor of FNQ Magazine; The Standard Magazine’s International Media Partner, for this article.

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JULY, 2015 43

EPICUREAN

9 TIPS FOR HEALTHY BREAKFASTS

BY JAMES COLQUHOUN

It’s the morning meal that ‘breaks a fast’. Enjoying a nutritious breakfast kick-starts your metabolism, energizes your morning and fuels your body with a healthy dose of nutrients. Busy mornings and tight schedules can result in some of us skipping breakfast entirely or opting for something unhealthy instead, leaving us fighting against a grumbling stomach, crashing energy levels and even mood swings!

Make the most of your morning meal by following these top nine tips. You’ll be amazed at the difference!

1. ADD A LITTLE HEALTHY FAT Healthy fats from whole foods provide essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds, plus they help you to feel satisfied for longer as they’re slow to digest in the body.

What to add: Healthy fats with nut butters, tahini, mixed nuts and seeds, avocado or coconut butter. Slices of avocado, sautéed greens and mushrooms in olive or coconut oil are great for hot breakfasts.

2. EAT ENOUGH PROTEIN You can enjoy a delicious breakfast low in protein, but we bet you’ll be hungry shortly after! Protein is similar to fat as it’s also a slow release energy source making it a powerful appetite suppressant! It also contains essential amino acids for the body to function optimally and repair itself, making it a necessary ingredient in the food you eat, especially post workout!

WHAT TO ADD: You will get a small amount from some cereal grains and milks, but sprinkle some extra nuts and seeds in your bowl, or top your smoothie with a nutty granola instead! Add nut butters, spirulina, goji berries, hemp seeds, or a vegan protein powder to your smoothie to bump up the protein power! Prefer a cooked brekkie? Eggs, meat, fish, beans, legumes and mushrooms all contain protein!

3. FILL UP ON FIBER A gut health and weight maintenance essential. Having a mix of soluble and insoluble fiber in your diet helps your bowels to function properly, feeds your healthy gut bacteria and supports natural detoxification.

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WHAT TO ADD: Add plenty of greens and berries to your smoothie. Avocado is also a good source of fiber, and will make your smoothie extra creamy!

Or if you’re after something savory, mash some avocado with some wilted greens, add some beans or legumes, and make sure if you’re having toast, that it’s a high fiber variety such as rye, multigrain or whole wheat.

If opting for cereal, swap the chemical-laden, commercial ones for high fiber whole grains such as oats, buckwheat and quinoa.

You’ll cut out a ton of unnecessary sugar and additives!

4. CHOOSE GOOD QUALITY CARBOHYDRATES Choosing the wrong kinds of carbohydrates can have you feeling flat and hungry in no time! All carbohydrates turn to sugar in the body, but how quickly the sugar is released in the bloodstream depends on what else they’re consumed with! Protein, fats and fiber help to slow down digestion of your overall meal, so having some of each with a source of carbohydrates helps to prevent blood sugar crashes!

WHAT TO DO: Avoid highly refined sugars, added sugars, processed sugars, white bread and baked goods made of refined flours. Opt for low GI, unrefined carbohydrates including whole grains such as almond flour, oats, buckwheat and quinoa, as well as sweet potato, beans, legumes and lentils. Add some extra protein or healthy fats to sweet dishes, and don’t be afraid to go savory for breakfast!

5. AIM FOR NUTRIENTS, NOT CALORIES The front of food packets love to trick us by promoting how few calories their food contains, and that this is a good thing! The problem is that real food ingredients contain calories. They provide us with energy to thrive! When a manufacturer reduces the calories of a food, they alter the mix by removing real, nourishing foods, and replacing them with chemicals and artificial ingredients that our bodies don’t recognize and can do us harm. Avoid falling into the trap of eating to fit a daily calorie count, and stick to food in it’s most natural state instead! Your weight and your health will flourish!

WHAT TO ADD: Plenty of real, wholesome foods - fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, full fat milks, and other nutrient rich, minimally processed ingredients!

6. AVOID REFINED SUGARS Most commercial cereals, granola and baked breakfast goods are loaded with added sugars. High fructose corn syrup, glucose, dextrose, cane sugar, beet sugar, the list is endless! Start your day with slow-releasing carbohydrates instead such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Having processed sugars at breakfast can cause you to crave sweet foods for the rest of the day, as you search for ‘quick fixes’ to energize your body!

What to add: Stick to fruit to naturally sweeten your breakfast.

If you do desire a little drizzle of sweetness, use a small amount of low GI, natural sweeteners such as raw honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar.

7. GET ENOUGH VARIETY It’s so easy to get caught up in the same old breakfast routine, but mixing things up not only gives your taste buds a welcome change, research shows an increase in food variety is actually linked to a longer lifespan!

WHAT TO ADD: Mix it up! If you’re short on time in the mornings, prepare a few different breakfast meals on the weekend in bulk.

Store in the fridge, or freeze for later.

8. SIZE MATTERS Racing out the door with a piece of fruit is better than nothing, but it’s not enough to provide your body with all the energy it needs.

Consuming a healthy breakfast can help control blood sugar levels and assist in weight management, helping to prevent and manage Type 2 Diabetes.

WHAT TO DO: Try eating like a king at breakfast, a prince at lunch and a pauper at dinner. After all, you need more energy to get you through the day than to sleep!

9. FOCUS ON YOUR FOOD Mindfully focusing on the food you eat by sitting and limiting distractions will help you avoid overeating and aid proper digestion.

It takes around 20 minutes for your stomach to register if you’ve eaten enough and send that message to your brain. Give your stomach some time, and really enjoy your meal!

WHAT TO DO: Avoid eating on the run, in the car, or at your office desk. Take at least 15 minutes to sit down and focus just on eating (and cherish a little family time if possible!).

Take the time to treat your body with a nourishing breakfast. All it takes is a little forward planning, and a list of choices to whip up. Enjoy!

Special thanks to James Colquhoun at Food Matters

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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 HACIENDA CANTINA & BEACH CLUB 1555 S. Palm Canyon Dr. PS 760-778-8954 www.haciendacantina.com AZUL RESTAURANT 369 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 325-5533 www.azultapaslounge.com TINTO 1800 E. Palm Canyon Dr. PS 760-323-1711 palmsprings.tintorestaurant.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 } WORKSHOP KITCHEN & BAR 800 N. Palm Canyon Dr. PS 760-459-3451 www.workshoppalmsprings.com LULU CALIFORNIA BISTRO 200 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 327-5858 www.lulupalmsprings.com POMME FRITE 256 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA Phone: (760) 778-3727 www.pomme-frite.com DISH 1107 N. Palm Canyon Dr. PS 760-322-7171 www.dishcreativecuisine.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

BARS AND NIGHT CLUBS

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

HUNTERS NIGHTCLUB 302 East Arenas Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-323-0700 www.huntersnightclubs.com

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

TOUCAN’S TIKI LOUNGE 2100 North Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-416-7584 www.toucanstikilounge.com

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

PURPLE ROOM 1900 E. Palm Canyon Dr. PS 760-322-4422 www.purpleroompalmsprings.com

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

CHILL BAR 217 E. Arenas Road PS 760-327-1079 STREETBAR 224 E. Arenas Road PS 760-320-1266 www.psstreetbar.com THE TOOL SHED 600 E. Sunny Dunes Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.3299 www.toolshed-ps.com SPURLINE VIDEO LOUNGE 200 Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs CA 92262 760-778-4326 www.spurline.com

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COMING UP NEXT MONTH ARE YOU HUNGRY? THE FOOD ISSUE CHECKING OUT THE LOCAL RESTAURANT SCENE JULY, 2015 47

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JULY 7 - 28 THE MOXIE PROJECT PRESENTS OUT FOR LAUGHS. CAMELOT THEATRE. PALM SPRINGS Comedian Shann Carr hosts the live filming of another “Out For Laughs” comedyvariety series, where local execs, publishers, and goof balls get hilariously competitive.

Whether it’s a lip-synch battle or a takeoff of the 70’s “Match Game celebs compete to win bragging rights and a prize package for the charity of their choice. Opening with Celebrity Lip-Synch on July 7. Get your tickets today; you definitely do not want to miss the kick off to this fantastic series. For a complete schedule and information visit www.shanncarr.com

as cultural critique. The Recto/Verso photograms (1989) are made without the use of camera or film. A single page is appropriated from a mass-circulation magazine, placed in direct contact with color photographic paper, and exposed to light. The resulting image superimposes the visual and verbal information from the front (recto) and back (verso) of the magazine page. No collage, manipulation, or other handwork is employed. Heinecken’s photograms highlight female sexuality in the 1980s as it is exploited in the media through fashion models posing with various commercial products. www.psmuseum.org

DBA JULY EVENTS JULY 13 MIXER 6:00PM – 8:00PM HOSTED BY PALM SPRINGS HYUNDAI LOCATION: 3919 E. PALM CANYON DR. PALM SPRINGS JULY 27 MIXER 6:00PM – 8:00PM HOSTED BY CHILL LOUNGE & VIDEO BAR 216 E. ARENAS RD. PALM SPRINGS www.desertbusinessassociation.org

ONGOING >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

THROUGH JULY 31 BOTH SIDES NOW: ROBERT HEINECKEN PHOTOGRAMS. PS ART MUSEUM. PALM SPRINGS Robert Heinecken was a pioneer in the exploration of media iconography

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COOL SUMMER HAPPY HOUR. PHO 533 PALM SPRINGS Escape the hottest part of day with the coolest Happy Hour in town. Enjoy Pho 533’s Cool Summer Happy Hour featuring light, refreshing and tasty drink and appetizer specials between $4 and $6 each! Cool Summer Happy Hour is 3-5pm Wednesday through Friday. www.pho533palmsprings.com

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 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 CARNIVAL CABARET. OSCAR’S CAFÉ & BAR. PALM SPRINGS Carnival Cabaret is a high-end female impersonator revue. This production has traveled throughout the country with performances in casinos, theaters and for corporate events.

Carnival Cabaret features the world’s most amazing cast of men who perform as

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famous women. You will not believe your eyes! Veteran TV and film actor James Gypsy Haake, who holds the record for the oldest working female impersonator in the world, hosts the show. Haake is 83 years old and has been seen in films and television since the 1980s. Shows run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Dinner show seating begins at 6:30pm. Show only seating begins at 7:30pm. Showtime is 8pm. Tickets start at $29.95.

Tickets: carnivalcabaret.ticketleap.com

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 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 www.thepurpleroompalmsprings.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. 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! Live entertainment weekly visit our website for details. 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 fullout fun for 16 years now! And we keep it pumping, making it better for you all the time with our unparalleled event line-up.

We enjoy having the desert’s most soughtafter 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 at 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 FOR A COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EVENTS VISIT OUR MEDIA PARTNER, GAY DESERT GUIDE. CLICK ON LOGO

JULY, 2015 49

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EVENTS CALENDAR JUL 9 - 19

OUTFEST LA LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival is 11 days of world-class films, panels, and parties. It is the world’s leading organization that promotes equality by creating, sharing and protecting LGBT stories on the screen.

Outfest builds community by connecting diverse populations to discover, discuss and celebrate stories of LGBT lives. Over the past three decades, Outfest has showcased thousands of films from around the world, educated and mentored hundreds of emerging filmmakers, and protected more than 35,000 LGBT films and videos. www.outfest.org

JUL 30 - AUG 2

JUL 17 - 19

SAN DIEGO PRIDE SAN DIEGO, CA San Diego Pride celebration promises to be the biggest event to date with recordbreaking community participation with an estimated 40,000 festival participants and close to 100k parade attendees this year will be huge. Pride is the biggest weekend of the year to champion, celebrate, and support our community. This year’s 41st anniversary Pride celebration theme is “Reflections of Pride” For more info visit www.sdpride.org

SEATTLE ART FAIR PREVIEW SEATTLE, WASHINGTON Seattle Art Fair Preview - Benefiting Artist Trust 6pm - 10pm Thursday, July 30. Tickets go on sale in June. Artist Trust is dedicated to supporting Washington State artists working across all disciplines by providing professional development through training programs like EDGE and I Am An Artist and by funding of upwards of 85 artist grants totaling over $300,000 each year. This partnership enlivens the Seattle Art Fair’s vision to support innovative creative thinkers and makers within the region. www.seattleartfair.com

JUL 29 - AUG 2 JULY 11 - 19

BEAR WEEK PROVINCETOWN PROVINCETOWN, MA Provincetown Bears prepares a special welcome for Bears to one of North America’s most famous gay resort towns. We work with local club managers to program different music and an atmosphere for a week of parties. We also allow time to relax and have a true vacation. Our events leave plenty of free time to enjoy the town, restaurants, cabaret shows, National Seashore Park, beaches, and the daily gatherings at hotel pool decks. www.ptownbears.org

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JUL 17 - 19

SAND BLAST WEEKEND ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY Sand Blast Weekend offers 3 glorious days and nights of hot fun on the Jersey Shore. Sand Blast Weekend is the annual summer Road Trip to the Jersey Shore when thousands of men and women come to party & play on the beaches, boardwalk and Asbury Park’s historic downtown. www.sandblastweekend.com

LAZY BEAR WEEKEND GUERNEVILLE, CA For the last 19 years, men from around the world have gathered every summer in the forest town of Guerneville in Northern California for a week of parties, relaxing, dancing, drinking beer and just being with men. Lazy Bear Weekend is actually a fiveday fundraiser – one that includes a wide variety of events that allow you to create the kind of weekend you want (or need!).

Everything from casual pool parties to forest hikes and mini-golf tournaments to shopping, hot nightly dances, live music, bonfires, tubing and boating - we try to include something for everyone! www.lazybearweekend.com

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EVENTS CALENDAR

JULY 10 - 12

SPARKLE NATIONAL TRANSGENDER CELEBRATION MANCHESTER, ENGLAND Sparkle the National Transgender Celebration - a weekend festival held in the Village area of Manchester. We are hoping this will be the biggest and best Sparkle festival to date so please come and join in the celebrations as together we share pride in our trans-identity!

Sparkle is open to everyone who sees himself or herself as Transgender (and their friends and families) no matter if they be living fulltime or just ‘dressing up’ for an occasional Saturday night out. We accept the differing aspirations and needs of the various people within our community, but invite all to come together and share our celebration. www.sparkle.org.uk

JULY 17 - 26

PRIDE LONDON LONDON, ENGLAND Pride London Festival provides an annual opportunity to generate celebratory, cultural, artistic & educational events which affirm the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, two-spirited people & our allies through activities which promote unity, inclusion, & awareness of sexual & gender diversity. For info go to www.pridelondon.ca

JUL 25 - AUG 2

AMSTERDAM GAY PRIDE AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS Gay Pride Amsterdam is one of the most fun prides in the world. Amsterdam will

have street parties all weekend long, as well as the best club circuit parties, and the famous Canal Parade. Gay pride is always one of the busiest weekends of the year in Amsterdam. The main gay events and parties all take place in the center of Amsterdam.

The highlight of the Amsterdam Gay Pride weekend is the famous Canal Parade. Where most parades use trucks, Amsterdam has boats! 75 spectacularly decorated boats with beautiful boys and girls will sail through the Prinsengracht and Amstel rivers. www.amsterdampride.nl

AUG 3 - 9

A.W.O.L 2015 MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA You are invited to A.W.O.L 2015 – a week of leather and fetish, Laird style. A.W.O.L is about providing an array of events that appeals to the leather and fetish enthusiast, as well as those interested in this lifestyle.

A.W.O.L 2015 will be a week jam-packed with events, including Leatherman 2015 Competition and Code Black, Australia’s only true leather party for men. www.aweekofleather.com

JULY 31 - AUG 8

VIETNAM PRIDE HANOI, VIETNAM 2012 marked the first Pride festival in Vietnam, a country in which homosexuality remains taboo. For the first time ever, Vietnam saw the rainbow flag freely waving at its capital’s streets, bringing tears to the eyes of many Vietnamese LGBTs. Like Pride celebrations elsewhere in the world, Viet Pride joins the global call to end prejudice, discrimination, shame, and invisibility on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. Together with Pride, the LGBT movement in Vietnam has never been stronger. www.vietpride.info

Our international media partner, FNQ Magazine, www.fnqmagazine.com 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 PS SHORT FEST PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE

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PHOTO REWIND QUEEN OF THE DESERT PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE

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PHOTO REWIND PS MARRIAGE DECISION RALLY PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE

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PHOTO REWIND PS MARRIAGE DECISION RALLY PHOTO COURTESY OF THE STANDARD MAGAZINE STAFF

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