TheStandard_Vol7_Issue10.pdf

2019PA PAL SPRI N 2 019 LMMSP R I NNGS G S PRI P R IDDEE EEDDI TI TI OI ON

Millions ofof Moments Moments ofof Pride Pride Millions OCTOBER 2019 | VOLUME 7 ISSUE 10 | THESTANDARDPS.COM | @THESTANDARDPS

CONTENTS VOLUME 7, ISSUE 10

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Volume 7 Issue 10

HAPPY PRIDE!

COVER PS PRIDE: MILLIONS OF MOMENTS OF PRIDE COVER PRIDE ENTERTAINMENT LINE-UP PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS THIS YEAR COVER PRIDE HONORS WELL-DESERVED HONOREES COVER Q & A KRISTINE W / RELEASES HER ISSUES AT PS PRIDE Q&A MARGARET CHO / THE MARGARET CHO PSP FOCUS MODERNISM PREVIEW / GET ON THE BUS

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE ALSO ON PAGES 6-7

OCTOBER 2019 3

COMMENTARY HAPPY PRIDE ONE AND ALL!

By Jill Langham

And actually that’s truer now than ever before. There are all kinds of Prides! Gay Prides, Trans Prides and now even Straight Pride, which in itself can be seen as good but from where I sit, not so good.

Okay, I’m about to go out on a limb, which will either support me or will swiftly drop me to the ground below. Here’s what it looks like from my view.

I see the Gay identity disappearing. Your uniqueness is being summed up in Drag Shows and sexual proclivities. You’ve become mainstream. You’ve blended. You’ve arrived. But where do you go from here?

There are no more gay bars. Straight bars and gay bars for the most part are indistinguishable. The music that brought us together since the 70’s that had heart & soul as well as a message and songs that say nothing that I believe in, with a beat that is redundant at best have replaced a great beat. Follow that up by ADD DJ’s who play 30-second snippets of great songs, take us nowhere I want to go and definitely can’t dance to. Often times the DJ has lost its audience and either doesn’t care or is too self-absorbed to realize that if the dance floor is empty, they are doing something wrong. Now granted many of my very best friends are DJ’s and Drag Queens whom I both love and support whole-heartedly but really guys/gals what’s going on?

Traveling around Europe and seeing the lack of authentic gay clubs and bars was sad.

The music I heard was either bad or I was hearing the exact same sets by some of the DJ’s from one event to the next which is beyond frustrating, disappointing and boring. Everything sounds the same. Nothing is unique anymore. While in Amsterdam for Pride, which I was visiting for the first time, I went to the grand opening of the newest Gay bar. It was totally boring, not a drop of energy or a reason to even have a drink. Maybe it was the name of the Bar that affected my response; it’s called Blend, if that doesn’t say it all!

It’s as if the whole point of these events is to make money for the promoter and has little or nothing to do with the reason Gay Prides started all those years ago. I’m so bummed out.

Rather than bringing us together, to unite the people who are struggling to be whom they were born to be, it’s more important to have competing parties and events that separate us. What gives?

Again, no disrespect to the separate groups like Bears, Leather Daddy’s, etc. but haven’t you been separated enough? What am I missing?

And don’t even get me started on strippers at Happy Hour! Is it just me or is sex the only focus of going out? I thought it was to meet someone, have fun, express ourselves on the Dance Floor and maybe, just maybe get a phone number and the hopes of a real first date!

I don’t want to hook up! I want to meet someone to see if there is a spark. Yes, I am super old fashioned but you know what I keep talking to gay men who are telling me the same thing.

With you know whom in the White House as a role model; I have taken to being even more careful how I say what I say because our words do matter. I want more for our community.

I am reading Velvet Rage, which I highly recommend as well as watching Eastsiders on Netflix as a way to understand where we’ve been and where we might be headed.

So now that my rant is over I truly want to wish you a Happy Final Pride of the Year. Be safe, be well and please don’t forget to be kind.

My comments come from love and my intentions are pure and a bit selfish since I want to keep on being your “Dancing” Queen.

The Standard Magazine PO Box 2074, Palm Springs, CA 92263 760.831.4869 Nino Eilets Publisher Luciano McNulty Editor Maya Kalabic Art Director PHOTOGRAPHER David A. Lee CONTRIBUTORS

Brendan Ballance, Bob Bogard, Daniel Clemens, Ron deHarte, Jeff Dorta, Dann Foley, Marlon James, Richard Jones, Michael Khordoc, Jill Langham, Jacob Lopez, Hailey Robertson, Christina Vronay Ruggles, Mike Sandoval & Terri Schlichenmeyer

www.thestandardps.com EDITORIAL CREDITS :

BrandPoint, Huffington Post, LGBTQ Nation, Project Publicity, MSN & Reuters The Standard Magazine is published monthly. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of the Standard or its staff, advertisers or readers with exception of editorials.

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

XOXO Jill

the publisher.

COVER

MILLIONS OF MOMENTS OF PRIDE

BY RON deHARTE

WELCOME TO GREATER PALM SPRINGS PRIDE! We are thrilled to kick off this Pride season under the worldwide theme of Millions of Moments of Pride. We will gather in Palm Springs to educate, inspire, and commemorate our diverse community. Together, we honor the past and empower each other to live our authentic, truest selves.

It is in the spirit of solidarity that we celebrate what it means to be a member of this beautiful community, to remember those we have lost, affirm our commitment in the fight for equality, and look toward the future and what it holds for LGBTQ people worldwide.

Our visibility remains our greatest tool to push back against those who oppress us. Greater Palm Springs Pride will create moments of visibility for the LGBTQ community. We invite you to come together in celebration and use the platform that Pride provides to peacefully resist hate, discrimination, intolerance, racism, and bigotry. Join us and raise awareness of key issues important to you, including immigration reform; access to education, insurance, and health care; rights for transgender and gender nonconforming people; rights for incarcerated LGBTQ individuals; and religious discrimination against LGBTQ individuals.

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We stand with Pride around the world; we give a voice to the power of self-expression, inclusiveness, and love.

With the support of the City of Palm Springs, some of the highlights of this year’s event include a new downtown event zone, entertainment organized on Arenas Road by the Arenas District Merchants Association, two new stages on Palm Canyon Drive, more than 100 performances throughout the weekend, 200 exhibitor booths, and plenty of outdoor food and beverage booths featuring products from festival supporters Budweiser, EFFEN Vodka, DeKuyper, Hornitos, Jim Beam, and Campari.

By going to the parade and festival, you are helping to raise awareness and visibility of the LGBTQ community.

Pride is for everyone. So, whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ community, a supportive ally, or someone who’s questioning where you fit into the spectrum, you are part of our diverse and vibrant community, and your place is here with us.

Millions of Moments of Pride await you!

OCTOBER 2019 7

COVER

PRIDE HONORS

LAUREN NILE, JOYCE OLDHAM - PHOTO BY LUIS GAVELA, ELLEN WOL F - PHOTO CREDIT CORLYCE OLIVIERI ( CORLYCE PHOTOGRAPHY) RON ODEN - PHOTO BY LUIS GAVELA, JENNIFER JUNGWIRTH AND TOMMI ROSE

The prestigious Pride Honors Awards are presented annually to individuals in order to recognize their work and efforts in raising awareness and furthering the causes of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals and their allies. Award recipients are the public ambassadors of Pride. They represent a mix of individuals that have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ community. With the help of past honorees and community input, the Greater Palm Springs Pride board of directors selects organizations and individuals to honor.

SPIRIT OF STONEWALL ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR AWARD Acknowledges outstanding persons, organizations, events, or businesses working to make a difference in the community through advocacy or service.

LAUREN N. NILE In the year that the LGBTQ community commemorates the 50th anniversary of Stonewall and balances the tensions of a racist political administration, we lift up her voice and recognize Lauren Nile for working to raise the consciousness of race and racism in our community.

Nile is an author, speaker, trainer, radio show host, and retired attorney with 28 years of broad experience in designing, developing, and implementing a wide range of organizational development activities intended to assist organizations in increasing their emotional intelligence, compassion, and productivity.

SPIRIT OF STONEWALL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD Recognizes an individual within the LGBT community that has made a noticeable and positive impact on the community.

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JOYCE OLDHAM (Photo by Luis Gavela) Joyce Oldham is a fun loving, high-spirited, and hardworking individual who makes others feel welcome in any environment. Oldham moved to Palm Springs from the San Francisco Bay area, where she co-founded and produced Intimate Friends Production, a partnership that provided a variety of entertainment to the LGBTQ community in Oakland. She was instrumental in creating a space that was warm and vibrant, where gays and lesbians could mix and mingle.

When Oldham moved to Palm Springs in 1998, there weren’t many activities for lesbians. However, she continued to support whatever was happening in the gay community, sometimes becoming the only lesbian in the group. Oldham’s desire to work once again with the LGBTQ community was fulfilled when she joined the staff of Lucy and Gail Events to serve as an events producer for the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival.

SPIRIT OF STONEWALL SPIRIT OF PRIDE AWARD Recognizes individuals for enhancing the quality of life in the region by raising awareness to advance equality, promote diversity or celebrate the strength and talent of the LGBTQ community.

ELLEN WOLF (Ellen Wolf photo credit Corlyce Olivieri, Corlyce Photography) Ellen Wolf relocated to Palm Springs five years ago after years of vacationing in the desert with dear friends. Wolf is dedicated to creating opportunities and a better life for LGBTQ youth and their allies in the Coachella Valley. Recognized with the Spirit of Pride Award, Wolf is as comfortable around the boardroom table as she is driving trucks, assembling furniture, and providing leadership through

community outreach, development, fundraising, and event management for a variety of nonprofit organizations. After arriving in Palm Springs, she began volunteering with Sanctuary Palm Springs, a nonprofit transitional housing placement program for LGBTQ youth transitioning out of the California foster care system. She saw the opportunity to be part of a tight-knit community and directly impact a segment of the population that was overlooked, marginalized, and exploited.

SPIRIT OF STONEWALL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Presented to individuals whose lifetime bodies of work have left a lasting major imprint on the LGBTQ community through activism, inspiration, philanthropy, or arts & culture.

RON ODEN (Photo by Luis Gavela) Born in Detroit, Ron Oden was raised in Los Angeles. In 1990, he made the move to Palm Springs to begin a teaching position at College of the Desert as an adjunct sociology professor. He has also served as pastoral care consultant at the Betty Ford Center.

Oden’s activism has generally focused on educational and social issues impacting the community. After arriving in Palm Springs, he was active in the community for five years before he was elected to the Palm Springs City Council. During his council tenure, he was known as being an advocate for social causes.

He made history in 2003 by becoming the first openly gay mayor elected in Palm Springs. His election also carried significance in the state of California. He became the first openly gay African-American elected to lead a California city. He served as mayor for eight years.

As a community leader, Oden’s community involvement includes work with a wide variety of communities and groups, including the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Task Force, Equality California and the Palm Springs branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

SPIRIT OF STONEWALL FRIEND OF PRIDE AWARD Recognizes an individual or couple who does not identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer but has stalwartly supported the LGBTQ community over an extended period of years as an ally.

JENNIFER JUNGWIRTH Jennifer Jungwirth has been a teacher at Yucca Valley High School in Yucca Valley for the past 20 years, where she teaches Spanish, coordinates the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, and empowers youth.

As a straight ally, Jungwirth is supportive and accepting of LGBTQ individuals, but she also personally advocates for equal rights and fair treatment for everyone. She is an ally and friend at home, school, and in the community. Allies are some of the most effective

and powerful voices of the LGBTQ movement. Not only do allies help people in the coming out process, they also help others understand the importance of equality, fairness, acceptance, and mutual respect.

Jungwirth is a passionate advisor for a variety of clubs on campus, including the Gay-Straight Alliance. She has served as its advisor since its inception in 2010.

In 2017, Jungwirth was a nominee for the California League of High Schools Regional Educator of the Year. The award is given each year to 10 educators who exemplify educational excellence and have made significant efforts to implement elements of educational reform in high schools.

Jungwirth is also a current board member of Safe Schools Desert Cities, which facilitates Rainbow Youth Summit, Pride Prom, and LGBTQ weekend summer camp.

SPIRIT OF STONEWALL VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions to the betterment of our community through their volunteer efforts.

TOMMI ROSE Tommi Rose started doing drag at the age of 17. His first involvement as an activist came a year later when he marched in Miami against Anita Bryant’s campaign to ban gay teachers from schools. Two years later, he moved to San Francisco, where he participated in the White Night Riots and marched in solidarity for the lives of Mayor George Moscone and Harvey Milk.

In the 1990s, he relocated to Los Angeles where he continued working with youth as an advocate and counselor with the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. He was a “house parent” for a 13-bed shelter that still exists today. While in L.A., he again joined the Imperial Court and was eventually crowned empress.

His biggest achievement was establishing Soles4Souls, a program to purchase new school shoes for underprivileged children.

He would bring this program with him when he moved to the desert with help from Desert AIDS Project.

He has produced, directed, hosted, and performed for more fundraisers than he can remember. Over the past year, he brought his Big Queen Bingo show to the Hotel Zoso in Palm Springs, raising $20,000 to benefit numerous charities. Since it began at Hamburger Mary’s Ontario three years ago, the show has raised more than $200,000 for more than 40 charities and nonprofit organizations.

“The community has given me a sense of purpose,” he says, “knowing that I can make just a little bit of difference to hopefully let one more person wake up with hope, to make one person smile, to give one person the feeling of being able to sleep in a safe place, to know that one person won’t go to bed hungry, to know that one person knows that someone else cares about them.”

We salute all of this years honorees.

OCTOBER 2019 9

COVER PS PRIDE PARADE GRAND MARSHALLS Community Grand Marshal Michael Green is recognized for having a positive impact in the region through the support he’s provided to community organizations and fundraising efforts large and small for nearly twenty years. As an advocate for valley tourism, Michael is President of the Desert Gay Tourism Guild (DGTG), and he is past president and former board member of the Palm Springs Hospitality Association, and a member of the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism’s Planning.

On-air personality Alexander Rodriguez has been named Media Grand Marshal. Last year he made LGBT television history as a co-host for LATV’s Glitterbomb, the first-ever Latin LGBT themed national television programming. He also currently writes for Gay Entertainment Magazine, Instinct Magazine, I Love Gay LGBT, Queer Forty and Bear World Magazine.

Alexander hosts the nationally syndicated, weekly, entertainment radio show “On The Rocks with Alexander: Where Celebrities &

MICHAEL GREEN

ALEX RODRIGUEZ

Cocktails Mix” on iHeartRadio, HERE TV, Pandora, Roku and more.

Alexander’s volunteerism has included service on numerous nonprofit boards that have focused on youth, health, justice, senior nourishment and isolation, social services and community theatre.

50 YEARS SINCE STONEWALL CELEBRATING 50 GREAT CALIFORNIA LESBIANS When brainstorming ways to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, organizers of Palm Springs Pride identified four objectives. The first was to create programming to showcase the diversity of Palm Springs and the equal rights advances that have occurred since the Stonewall uprising. The second was to raise awareness of the struggles LGBTQ individuals still face in 78 countries where homosexuality is a crime. The third was to showcase 50 lesbians who have influenced the lives of women living in Palm Springs, and the final objective was to shine a light on LGBTQ residents who have lived in the network of nearly 50 Palm Springs neighborhoods.

Since June 1969, queer women have led the way to greater protections for all LGBTQ people. “Women were on the frontlines of the AIDS epidemic, equal rights, and equality in marriage, our bodies, and our right to define our own destinies and community,” says Louise Minnick, co-chair of the Lesbo Expo Presents steering committee. “While there are many amazing women of note throughout the United States who have worked tirelessly on the frontlines, we are honoring 50 specifically identified with California.”

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JEWELLE GOMEZ CREDIT-IRENE YOUNG

TORIE UPTON

MELANIE JONES

The 50 Years of California Lesbians March organizers will spotlight three extraordinary women: Jewelle Gomez, representing Northern California, a noted author and activist; Torie Osborn, representing Southern California, current advisor to Councilwoman Sheila Kuehl; and Melanie Jones, aka drag king Jesse Jones, representing Palm Springs, who will be honored as Entertainer of the Year. The three honorees will ride in the Pride parade.

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COVER

FESTIVAL RETURNS TO PALM CANYON DRIVE & THE ARENAS DISTRICT

HEATHER SMALL

TLC

PEPPER MASHAY

ADA VOX

BETTY PHOTO GENE REED

MAXINE NIGHTINGALE

TLC, Heather Small, Kristine W, Maxine Nightingale, and BETTY top the lineup of the 2019 Palm Springs Pride festival. The festival will take place November 1-3 in downtown Palm Springs on Palm Canyon Dr and in the Arenas District. The Pride Parade is Nov 3, on Palm Canyon Drive from 10 am to Noon.

TLC, the Iconic four-time Grammy® award-winning “best-selling American girl-group of all-time” will be featured in a 60-minute concert Saturday November 2 and lead nearly 100 other acts for the city’s annual Pride festivities. Formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 1990, the group quickly rose to fame earning four multi-platinum albums and four number-one singles: “Creep”; “Waterfalls,” one of pop history’s most prominent HIV/AIDS-awareness anthems; “No Scrubs”; and “Unpretty,” a body-positive message that has inspired self confidence for a generation.

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COVER

DJ RYAN SKYY

DJ AUTUMN LEILANI

KEISHA D

KRISTINE W HEADSHOT PHOTO BY MIKE RUIZ LEEDAGGER-BIMBO JONES

The Arenas District Merchants Association presents a weekend of Pop, Drag, and Rock ’n’ Roll, performances including M People singer Heather Small who joins Multi-Grammy-Award-Winning International DJ Lee Dagger of Bimbo Jones, Kristine W, the Queen of the 90’s dance music, and pop, disco and Grammy nominated legend Maxine Nightingale. The Arenas lineup includes the all-female Black Sabbitch, and the high-energy 80s Rock show, That ‘80s Band, among others.

Other acts appearing during the 33rd annual Pride Festival will be New York City’s premier queer femme pop music duo Sateen along with female pop band BETTY from The L-Word, dance diva Pepper MaShay, Ayline Artin, Torrey Mercer, Los Angeles-based comedian Jessica Inserra and London based Lucy Whittaker all perform on the new Pride Stage on Palm Canyon Drive at Amado presented by Effen Vodka.

Enjoy live performances by Josh Zuckerman, MARY, pop singers Tara Macri and Isabelle, Ted Fox with Joe Musser and the Roadhouse Rebels, Dj Aaron C and closing headliner OneUP Duo - LGBTQ “Finalist’s” from NBC’s The VOICE ‘18.

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MARINA MAC

ADA VOX pop singer, drag queen & top 8 “Finalist” from American Idol ‘18 returns to the desert to anchor the free Friday night Palm Canyon Street Party with Prince Poppycock - Fan favorite from America’s Got Talent. The party includes special performances from LA’s Z LaLa, and the acoustic duo of James Sings…Olivia.

“We’ve proud to present a diverse group of LGBTQ+ and allied performers taking the stage at the 2019 Palm Springs Pride Festival in downtown Palm Springs and the Gayborhood on Arenas Rd.,” said Ron deHarte, in addition, “Community leaders and dedicated volunteers have worked hard to create the best Pride Festival ever and to welcome the largest gathering of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies at the city’s largest 3-day event. The new event zone coupled with an unprecedented lineup of headliners who advocate for the LGBTQ community sets the tone for a Pride Festival that educates, inspires and celebrates our diverse community.

In addition to the Pride Festival and Sunday’s Pride Parade, here some additional events taking place to help you celebrate your PRIDE!!

MARY

This is an abbreviated schedule of events. For complete schedule including event descriptions, performance times and locations please pick up the official PS Pride Program or visit www.pspride.org OCT 25 – NOV. 17 Priscilla Queen of the Desert Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Palm Canyon Theatre 538 N Palm Canyon Drive Multiple Performance Times OCT. 26 | Saturday | 6–7 p.m.

George Zander Candlelight Vigil and March Grand Central, 160 La Plaza, Palm Springs OCT 31 – NOV 2 Modernism Bus Tour Various times Premier Architectural Double Decker Bus Tour Check-in location 501 S Palm Canyon Drive (H3K Parking Lot) NOV 1 | 5:30-8:30 pm The Art of Pride Palm Springs Art Museum Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 North Museum Drive NOV. 1 | 5:00 - 11:30 p.m.

Arenas District Pride Weekend Kick Off! Presented by the Arenas District Merchants Association Arenas Rd, downtown Palm Springs Free 6:00–10 p.m. www.pspride.org NOV. 1 | Pride Dance Outdoor Street Party KGAY “Pride of the Valley” stage presented by Gay Desert Guide

TORREY MERCER

At the intersection of Tahquitz and Palm Canyon Drive 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. DJ Eric Ornelas 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Ray Rhodes NOV. 2 4th Annual Palm Springs Pride Golf Tournament Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Resort in Palm Desert, 9002 Shadow Ridge Rd., Palm Desert 7:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. stonewallgolfers.com NOV. 2 | Palm Springs Pride Run and Walk 5K W Chino Drive @ Belardo Road (behind The Corridor Shops complex) Information and online registration: palmspringspriderun.com 6:30–10 a.m. (race starts at 8 a.m.)

NOV 2 | Toucans Second Annual Pride In The Parking Lot Toucans Tiki Lounge & Cabaret, 2100 N Palm Canyon Drive 3:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Download free tickets for access at www.reactionshows.com NOV 3 | EIGHT4NINE Restaurant & Lounge Champagne Brunch and Parade Viewing Party 849 N. Palm Canyon Dr. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

760-325-8490 or eight4nine.com/#reservation NOV. 3 | Trio Pride Parade Party 707 N Palm Canyon Dr, triopalmsprings.com Hosted by Michael Walters as Dame Edna 9 a.m. until parade ends NOV. 3 | Sunday | Pride Official Parade After Party Hyatt Palm Springs, 285 North Palm Canyon Drive Free tickets trulypride.eventbrite.com Noon-3 p.m.

OCTOBER 2019 15

FEATURE

KRISTINE W RELEASES HER ISSUES AT PALM SPRINGS PRIDE

BY HAILEY ROBERTSON

Billboard Magazine’s “Dance Music Artist of the Decade” opens up about her experiences with love… and lies.

Kristine W will launch Palm Springs Pride on Friday, November 1 when she takes the Arenas District Stage at 9pm. In addition to performing her greatest hits like “Land of the Living” and “Stronger,” she will debut songs from Love and Lies, the first part of her threeepisode Issues double-album.

It’s been five years since the release of Kristine’s last album, New & Number Ones. That album included re-edited versions of six of her classics and introduced new hits like “Everything That I Got” and “Love Come Home.”

The Issues album will include “Stars”, Kristine’s 17th Billboard

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#1 that now ties her with Mariah Carey for the sixth-most number ones on the Billboard Club chart, and her next sure-to-be hit, “Just a Lie.” We spoke with the diva from her Las Vegas home.

Why did you decide to break Issues up into three parts?

Kristine W: I thought it would be fun to present the music like chapters in a book or a TV series, where they all have a common thread and fans can look forward to the next creative episode. Episode One is called Love and Lies. Episode 2 will deal with the struggles of relationships, work, self-esteem, and lack of time and Episode 3 will be about redemption and celebrating all the small victories of life.

The first single off ISSUES will be “Just a Lie.” Was it inspired by your recent divorce?

Kristine W: I started writing the song about four years ago and initially, it was about death and the loss we experience with it.

But then two years ago, I found out there was a third party involved in my marriage and the song began to morph into something very personal to me. It got me to thinking how very similar divorce is to a death. You grieve the loss of the relationship, the breakup of the family, the betrayal, the time you invested, so many things. What starts as just a lie often grows into a tornado of them.

Was the divorce a result of an affair?

Kristine W: That and more. I eventually learned he had leveraged our family home to purchase a new house for his new family.

That’s terrible!

Kristine W: Wendy Williams and I could really have a Kiki over our husband drama. You know, you don’t go into a marriage thinking you’re going to be divorced, especially when you’ve been together for a long time and you’ve worked through so many tough times. At first, I thought we were going to get through the infidelity but, sometimes it’s better for your sanity to let go and let God show you what’s best.

Are you fully healed today?

Kristine W: I think so but it took a long time to get over the pain. I had to learn how to deal with my anger and sadness. My friends were invaluable. Also, my kids were very strong for me, and perfect reminders that while the marriage gave me my biggest heartbreak, it also gave me my two greatest blessings.

How does “Just a Lie” compare with the rest of the tracks on Love and Lies?

Kristine W: There are eight songs in ISSUES: Episode One “Love and Lies”. They all deal with love in its complexities and the lies and deception we are either told by others or that we tell ourselves.

“White Girls” seems to take things in a happier, more optimistic direction.

Kristine W: That track was inspired by the amazing hip-hop dancing style of Tabitha D’umo from So You think You Can Dance.

Tab danced and choreographed for my Stronger album tour with RCA. I’ve never forgotten watching her on stage and how she would leave people speechless with her killer hip-hop moves that were so unexpected from such a beautiful, petite dancer.

Can you imagine finding love again, Kristine?

Kristine W: Yes, I can see myself finding love again. It’s going to have to be a healthier, more honest union of love and friendship.

No more lies and deception for me! But yes, I’m ready to get my groove back.

Visit KristineW.com

(760) 891-4072 OCTOBER 2019 17

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OCTOBER 2019 19

INDESIGN NEW SEASON, NEW STYLE!

BY DANN FOLEY

BAR BEFORE

BAR AFTER

DINING ROOM BEFORE

DINING ROOM AFTER

There is so much to celebrate in Palm Springs and across the Coachella Valley this month. Not only is it the beginning of HighSeason, it is the beginning of fall, the beginning the holiday season and here in Palm Springs it is also Pride. And, the summer heat finally breaks!

It is only natural to think about rebirth and redo. So as a welcome back to the desert and as a brand-new offering for Pride, I want to share with you the very first pictures of a new restaurant in Palm Springs by Foley & Stinnette Interior Design. It is the kind of restaurant to make your mouth water and your sense of design tingle.

What better way to show the extent of the work we completed and creativity infused into this project than to present it to our readers as a Before & After story.

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Nothing excites the imagination more than seeing a complete transformation. As makeovers go, this one is HUGE. What I hope you will take away is more than just a sense of wonder at the transformation, I want you to be able to take away ideas of how you might want to live and to realize that all great design is in the details. I hope you realize that taking a personal approach to every selection creates spaces that tell a story‌ your story. Even commercial or hospitality spaces like this restaurant can tell a story that is unique and individual. Design is a journey and one that is at its best when it is personal and intimate in what it reveals.

Let’s take a look at how far we took this tired old space and, in the process, maybe it will inspire you to look at your own space in a new and different and more personal way.

DINING ROOM BEFORE

DINING ROOM AFTER

FIREPLACE BEFORE

In the end it’s not about the quantity of stuff, it is the quality of meaning in the things you choose to surround yourself with that tell your story. Choose with meaning, choose with care, choose what makes you happy.

Live Well!

Dann www.foleystinnette.com designer dann on: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest

FIREPLACE AFTER

OCTOBER 2019 21

Right. Here.

A healthy relationship starts with two healthy partners.

Our Sexual Health Clinic in Palm Springs is here for you.

Did you know most people who have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) have no symptoms? That’s why regular testing is essential. At our Sexual Health Clinic at Rimrock, our expert staff provides testing, treatment, PrEP, and sexual health counseling. It’s a good idea to come see us if you: • Have had sex without a condom

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• Are sexually active and do not know your status

We’re open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday, and accept Medicare and most commercial insurance. Walk-in services are provided until 4:30 p.m. except for HPV care or PrEP, which require an appointment. Count on us as your partner in wellness.

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22 THESTANDARDPS.COM

BOOK REVIEW

ALWAYS OVERBOOKED

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER This one or that one?

Pick A or B, your choice. Have one or the other, either-or, you have to decide because you can’t have everything. And don’t reach for it quick or, as in the new novel “Going Dutch” by James Gregor, someone’s going to get hurt.

Richard Turner hated online dating. Tinder, Grindr, OKCupid, they were all filled with the same kinds of interests and in-search-of’s from the same hot guys.

Blah-blah-blah.

As for Richard, he wanted love. He wanted happily-ever-after with a man of his dreams. He also wanted to finish his grad-school paper, but not too quickly: his entire life was made possible by fellowship money that kept him financially afloat. Without it, he’d actually have to get a job so, in the meantime, he had single dates with single men, and he met with his academic advisor to discuss the work he wasn’t doing.

At least there was movement on that first part: he’d met Blake, who was incredible, but who didn’t seem so into Richard. Onto the next swipe.

And on that second part, well, Richard’s advisor advised him to talk to Anne, a classmate who was also a rising star in academia.

Richard knew Anne, but only in passing and she seemed nice enough, if not a little weird. As it turned out, she really knew how to write, though – so much so, that she basically wrote Richard’s paper for him. She was smart, well-traveled, and she also knew how to make Richard feel wanted. It didn’t take long them to sleep together.

That was weird, too, because Richard was gay. But he liked Anne, he liked spending time with her, and he appreciated her generosity. She seemed to genuinely care about him. He started thinking about moving in with her.

And then he met Blake again at a party.

Blake. Single, hot, and wanting Richard now…

“Going Dutch” is a tight novel – tight, as if it’s been sucking lemons all day.

It’s hard to imagine any two more unlikeable characters than Richard and Anne, as they have endless, banal conversations about their respective classwork and other mundane things. One could argue that this inanity is perhaps the point of the story, but it goes on for too, too long. When you’re in the midst of it, in fact, you’ll understand completely why author James Gregor’s two characters can’t find true love.

Enter Blake, who is a great distraction but who’s not very fleshed-out on the page. Even so, he’s a nice burr under the story’s saddle, adding a bit of desperately-needed interest to what ends up something like wet firecrackers: a little spark and a sputter, doused by overly-wordy narrative. And so this tale progresses to a squirmy-uncomfortable big culmination scene that, alas, even Blake’s presence can’t fix.

This book, filled with small talk and small actions, may appeal to habitual people-watchers but just remember that “Going Dutch” is sleepy. If you want a novel with any serious action in it, in other words, skip this one.

“Going Dutch” by James Gregor c.2019, Simon & Schuster $26.99 / higher in Canada / 352 pages

OCTOBER 2019 23

AMAZON TRAIL

GLOBAL WARNING

BY LEE LYNCH

I used to encourage LGBTQ (aka Q) people to write by telling them, “We need to make sure they can’t burn all the books.” While the burning and banning of books persists in a limited way, now it’s entirely possible to delete every single book.

In terms of personal preference, I read electronic books. With a couple of swipes, I increase the fonts for easier reading. Despite arthritis, I can hold the heaviest of tomes. Health insurance should cover these miracle devices.

At the same time, with a few swipes and clicks, I can remove these books from their electronic pages. How many more strokes would it take to erase my whole electronic library? All the digital books in a public library? All the libraries in the world?

I started thinking about this threat while reading in “The New Yorker Magazine” (July 16, 2018) about a Chinese company, JD.com, which the article described as “…the third-largest tech company in the world in terms of revenue…” Amazon is first in revenue, followed

24 THESTANDARDPS.COM

by Alphabet.

The writer, Jiayang Fan, went on to explore the retail potential of rural China and the economic sense of serving millions of untapped buyers by making goods accessible to isolated regions. Few of these customers have computers, but they do have cell phones and coverage.

JD.com developed a sales and delivery empire equivalent to UPS combined with Amazon. They use trucks, uniformed men and drones.

Villagers gather to watch the drones deliver red boxes containing their orders (from diapers to live crabs). It’s like going to a Walmart where all the customers know one another.

It occurred to me that the Internet is literally taking over the world. Or, I should say, the people who own companies like JD.com, are capable of taking over the commercial world. As we become more dependent on them, more familiar with and trusting of them, we are plummeting into a trap that challenges everything we know, including reality.

The 1966 film comedy, “The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!” has never been truer.

While our legislators investigate, debate, or downplay Russia’s attack on the 2016 presidential election process (as well as internal abuses like gerrymandering, and denial of voting rights), not much has been done to protect that process. Russian—or any—influencers can once again have a field day invading the Internet with their misinformation. If a Chinese retailer can deliver to tiny mountain villages with no paved access, then a foreign entity, savvy domestic terrorists, or our own government, can find methods to disrupt a democracy.

I used to imagine enemies taking over voting booths so that my vote for Elizabeth Warren, for instance, would enter the big computer as a vote for some odious candidate. Or, I thought, what was to stop centralized hacking and altered tallies?

Much more effective, and less verifiable, are schemes that influence our voters to elect a puppet whose backers have nefarious intent. This is real, this has happened and is happening. I fear actual citizen votes will prove meaningless, electronically as burned as banned books.

Where governments once launched these information bombs, the tactic has since been monetized. Actual companies employ former government and military intelligence personnel, whether computer experts or field agents. The employers may operate within ethical boundaries or not; the profits may be as high as the customer’s goals are low. Great care is taken to ensure deniability so that if laws are broken, there is no bad guy to charge.

Social engineering is the nice name for one of the game plans you can buy from these companies. Want to trick customers into changing brands? Want to malign a witness at a trial? Want to demonize a political opponent? These services are for sale if you have enough money and want to play dirty.

The highest bidders get access to the highest quality technologies.

In a successful commercial project, customers will buy, not the best product, but the best-marketed product. Deep pocket capitalists can plant detrimental information using, for example, untraceable avatars, perhaps of fake consumers with fake complaints about a product. When the intelligence company makes such a complaint go viral, the hapless competitor loses business and can’t cry foul in a court of law. There are no laws addressing this sort of manipulation through the Internet.

If that strategy is deployed in our 2020 elections, a lot of voters will, once again, be loyal losers who elect a greedy, power-hungry figurehead just wily enough to do as his masters command. This is war, cyber war. The sooner we accept that fact, the sooner we’ll be catapulted toward saving our democracy.

If this cyberwar does result in another fraudulent election, we will be that much further along the path to burning books. The figurehead will have a nuclear button for that too and Q books will be the first to go.

The Digital Worldwide Bear Republic

Bear Video And Photo Blogging & Social Network App www.wbear.lgbt

OCTOBER 2019 25

FEATURE

“THESE THEMS” IS THE NEW MUST WATCH WEB-SERIES!

BY MICHEL KHORDOC

In a world where plenty of people are living beyond the gender binary, very few explicitly non-binary characters are present in the modern mediascape.

Non-binary gender identity may be one of the least understood labels falling under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, in part because it’s also one of the least visible.

While Billions star Asia Kate Dillon broke new ground for both TV and the LGBTQ community when they came out onscreen as nonbinary but there’s still more work to be done.

Enters Gretchen Wylder, the mastermind behind the brandnew web series ingeniously titled “These Thems”. Wylder is among the very few writers / show creators paying consideration to non-

26 THESTANDARDPS.COM

binary identities and gender non-conformity and moving the needle for accurate representation.

“These Thems” is an award-winning intersectional queer comedy series created by Gretchen Wylder and directed by Jett Garrison.

The seven-episode (8-10 minutes each), fully narrative digital series follows the lives of a newly out lesbian making up for lost time, a nonbinary educator intent on training the straights, a transman who is comfortably in the closet, and a lovelorn gay best friend.

“These Thems” explores themes of queerness, gender identity, coming out, sexual empowerment, acceptance, and self-expression taking the audience through New York’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community.

The story is told through a comedic lens, with accurate representation: All queer characters are played by LGBTQ+ actors.

Behind the camera, our entire filmmaking team was queer-identified and/or POC. Since its U.S. Premiere at Outfest, the series has traveled the festival circuit this summer, winning a Jury Award for Best Series and an Audience Award for Best Comedy Film. The cast includes recurring and series regulars on Vida, Transparent, Jane the Virgin, High Maintenance, Inside Amy Schumer, and Broad City.

We sat down with Gretchen Wylder, the mastermind behind the series, to talk about the topics of gender and sexual identity, the art of comedy and LGBTQ+ representation.

How did the idea of the series come to life?

The idea of the series was very much inspired by my own coming out story as well as my personal dating experiences within NYC’s queer scene over the last decade. I wanted to create a comedic rom-com for my queer family, while spreading education and positive representation for our community at the same time. I felt that the easiest way for an audience to learn would be through my character’s eyes, as someone who is newly out and experiencing the queer world around her.

How did you come up with the title and why did you choose “These Thems”?

I wanted a title that conveyed that the show is an ensemblebased buddy comedy within a specific community. Since the show deals a lot with gender identity and queerness, I also wanted to

include some pronoun play within it. As the show progresses, we also watch my character navigate the dating world as she dates people on the nonbinary/trans-masc spectrum, most of whom use they/them pronouns. But the full title is taken from a line I wrote in the finale. Vero says to me, “Look at all of these…” And I respond with enthusiasm, “Thems!” Vero then continues on to say, “Yeah. Thems, shes, hes, zirs…” For those watching who are unfamiliar with pronouns like zir, it will imply that there’s always more to learn, always more evolution within pronouns and ways to identify yourself.

Why was it important for you to tackle the topics of gender identity / sexual identity in a comedy & web series format?

I love comedy. I think comedy is the greatest educational tool that we have. If we can approach something with humor, it becomes much easier to digest and learn about. So it was important to me to tackle the topics of gender and sexual identity in this way. I wanted to create something that was accessible to both straight and queer audiences, to give people a universal experience that they can begin a dialogue with. The initial goal for this project was to spread as much good as possible, to as many people as possible, so a web series just felt like the right way to accomplish those goals. And with Hollywood still being a bit slow on the uptake, I realized that if I was going to make this happen, I’d have to do it myself. The final goal of course is to get the show picked up and delivered to the mainstream masses in a bigger way. But by creating an indie web series, I was still able to retain creative control and bring on an entirely LGBTQ+ and intersectional crew and creative team, which was also very important to me. To make sure that the work was created by the community it was made to serve.

OCTOBER 2019 27

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28 THESTANDARDPS.COM

B E N E F I T I N G

FEATURE

There is a lot of confusion within both the LGBTQ+ community and mainstream when it comes to pronouns and the several ways we now are identifying people (ie: non-binary, gender fluid, trans etc); it does get complicated, how do you think we will eventually make it the new normal?

My hope is that this show is used as one resource to make proper pronoun usage the new normal! Honestly, I think the best way to bring queer identity into the mainstream is to create awareness and a dialogue around it. I have hopes that my show does exactly that.

In your opinion, what makes this series a MUST SEE? This series is a must see because it focuses on a wide range of queer identities through a humorous lens, while representing those identities authentically. All queer characters are played by out actors that identify the same way, allowing audiences to truly connect to and empathize with the very people whose stories we are trying to tell. The show was also created using an entirely LGBTQ+ and/or intersectional filmmaking crew, so what you are seeing in front of the camera has been represented behind the camera as well.

Any plans for season 2?

Of course! In Season 2, we’ll be diving even more into the queer nightlife scene, further developing the storylines of our four main characters, as well as bringing on new characters with identities we didn’t get a chance to delve into in Season 1. I have the next season fully outlined, but ideally want to bring in a writer’s room, full of talented and hilarious individuals whose life experience directly reflects our characters. I was fortunate enough to work with an incredible intersectional, queer creative team and crew that reflected the stories we were telling onscreen but I definitely want to be in a position to hire POC writers of trans or masc experience to further craft the narrative of these core characters in future seasons. As a cis white queer femme, it was easy for me to tap into my own life experience to bring it to the screen, but in order to dive deeper into our other characters’ journeys, I would love to be in a position where I can work with writers whose lives directly reflect the narrative, so they can write from their own personal truth.

For more info go to: http://www.thesethems.com/ YouTube page: www.youtube.com/TheseThems Watch the trailer is here: bit.ly/TheseThems

OCTOBER 2019 29

Q&A

CONVERSATION WITH MARGARET CHO

BY RICHARD JONES

An accomplished performer in all formats, Margaret Cho could be called the “Queen of all Media” having conquered the worlds of film, television, books, music and theatre.

She has five Grammy Award nominations and one Emmy nod for her groundbreaking work on 30 Rock. Never one to shy away from a difficult or ‘taboo’ topic, her socially aware brand of stand-up comedy has made her both a thought leader as well as a teacher to those with open minds and open hearts.

In 2017, Rolling Stone magazine named one of the 50 Best Stand-Up Comics calling her “the sort of funny, sex-positive feminist and LGBT activist younger comics continue to look up to.

Equally as important as her creative side is the causes she is

30 THESTANDARDPS.COM

passionate about. Margaret is widely recognized for her charitable work with gay rights and anti-bullying campaigns. In every segment of her life, Margaret is honest, forthright, passionate, uproarious and always entertaining.

I got the chance to catch up with her during her current tour.

RJ: Margaret welcome, thank you for joining us and congratulations on the new Podcast, “The Margaret Cho”. What made you create it?

MC: I really love podcasts and I wanted to create one that I would love to listen to! It’s such a fun platform and you can get really creative with it. It’s like sitting in my living room with close friends and making new friends.

RJ: We see you have Jonathan Van Ness and Katie Malia on your first show, how was that?

RJ: Are you concerned that the clock appears to be turning back on equal rights?

MC: Amazing. Jonathan is a good friend and it’s so exciting to catch up with him and all that has happened in his amazing career.

He is the best. Katie is an incredible writer/dancer/ comedian – everything! I am producing her show “Almost Asian” which is a comedic take on the bi-racial experience. She is so funny and cool.

MC: Yes and it proves that we just have to continue fighting.

RJ: Who do you have coming up as guests on the show?

MC: lots and lots! Kat von D, Lucas Peterson, Drew Droege, Robin Tran, Jo Koy – lots of really fab artists and entertainers.

RJ: Who’s been the funniest guest you’ve had so far?

MC: I absolutely love Jonathan van Ness. He is so naturally hilarious and has so many interesting and intense stories. We have a long history from the days of him doing my hair. I love him!

RJ: You recently Exec Produced Mercy Mistress, are you keen to produce more TV or film?

MC: Yes, I have been doing a lot more development and producing – which is something I really want to do more of. It’s so different to approach projects from behind the scenes. I find it very gratifying and another way to creatively express myself.

RJ: In the current climate, what stories do think need to be told?

MC: All our truth needs to come out. Everything about queerness and survival. We need to move past the bigotry and racism and sexism and homophobia.

RJ: As a famous LGBTQ face, do you find there is pressure on you to stand up on behalf of the Community in the current climate?

MC: Yes and it’s very important for me to stand up for what I believe in. As a queer woman of color, it’s vital for me to continue to be seen and heard as an active and vocal member of my community.

RJ: You recently hit the big 5-0, is life as an LGBTQ person what you expected it to be at this age?

MC: Everything just gets better, bigger and brighter. Better in every way.

RJ: How do you feel LGBTQ people over 40 are portrayed in the media?

MC: I think we are looked at as the elders and I love that. We need to step into that role!

RJ: What’s next for you? What do you have coming up?

MC: So many things! Lots of podcasting, touring and some new projects in the works I can’t discuss yet but a lot is happening! I’ll be on The Today Show on September 27.

Catch Margaret live on her current tour in the USA and in Europe in November & December margaretcho.com

OCTOBER 2019 31

32 THESTANDARDPS.COM

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OCTOBER 2019 33

FITNESS

STRENGTH VS. CARDIO: WHICH SHOULD YOU GO FOR?

BY BRENDAN BALLANCE Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet helps in maintaining a healthy body. Besides, the healthy eating, working out regularly is one of the excellent ways to stay fit and active.

One of the most frequently asked workout questions is, which one should I pick between a cardio or strength session? Well, this question is tricky, to say the least. Both forms of training are right, and have significant benefits for your body.

Nonetheless, it also helps draw a line between the two forms of exercises. Ok, so what’s the difference between strength and cardio workouts ?

According to a recent study, strength training carries the day concerning hormonal adaptations. This is because it affects almost all hormonal systems. Nonetheless, the growth and testosterone hormones create the significant difference in the battle of cardio vs. strength.

Ok, let’s break that down.

The primary purpose of the growth hormone is to restoration and repair of almost all body tissues, for instance, bones, muscles, and cartilage alongside others. On the other hand, testosterone controls a number of your body functions, most commonly your libido, strength, muscle growth, and blood sugar. Resistance workouts are done while switching the number of reps, sets, and tempo trigger the release of the growth chemical in people of all age groups.

Cardio works quite a small number of your body’s hormonal systems, most commonly, insulin and cortisol. Cardio sessions affect how your body responds to insulin, cutting down the risk of metabolic syndrome. Additionally, it helps in the mobilization of fat stores in the body to be used as fuel.

exercising. Instead, opt for interval exercising, short bursts of a highintensity cardio split with short rest times.

This regimen will get your cardiovascular system up and running, building your endurance and strength levels alike.

STRENGTH WORKOUTS In most instances, people look down upon strength training sessions. However, other than building your muscle mass, strength training does challenge your cardiovascular system too. Additionally, strength workouts will keep your body in check preventing you from excess post-exercise oxygen consumption.

Even though weight training can help in shedding extra weight, cardio edges over through its capability of triggering that fat burn process instantly.

WHICH WORKOUT SESSION SHOULD YOU CHOOSE? If you are short on time selecting between strength and cardio workout can be difficult. However, the best option is to settle for a complete body workout that involves compound exercises such as, lunges, squats, and pulls.

CARDIO WORKOUTS Quite a number of people opt for cardio sessions because it is more instinctual. However, if you are fit, steady state cardio and a moderate rate is most certainly not the most efficient form of

A combination of compound body movements will help speed up your heart rate while at the same build some muscle due to the resistance. Additionally, it is vital that you switch up the intensity levels during your sessions.

34 THESTANDARDPS.COM

OCTOBER 2019 35

WELLNESS

CONQUER STRESS THE EASY WAY: BREATHE

BY DANIEL CLEMENS

Everyone living and participating in these modern times has a certain amount of anxiety. And we all have our favorite stress inducing triggers. Be it money, relationships, keeping up appearances, the upcoming holidays or our health, sleepless nights and a constant, low level, background sense of fear can keep us from seeing a situation clearly. We can hold ourselves back, not accomplishing our goals or we may feel paralyzed by a sense of dread, keeping us from moving away from a stressful environment and towards a new beginning. Prescription and recreational drugs may only provide temporary relief and will most likely create a cycle of dependence.

There is a natural and easy remedy for when we need quick, in the moment, relief. The simple act of controlling breath is a well proven, widely used method for instant stress release.

As we breathe, a miraculous exchange of gasses occurs in the lungs. Inhaled oxygen is delivered to the bloodstream while at the same time unneeded carbon dioxide is blown out of the body with the next exhalation. Often times this healthy exchange is interrupted when under stress. Anxiety triggers the unnatural tendency to shallow breathe, depriving the body of much needed oxygen, and short breaths can trap toxic carbon dioxide in the lungs.

Very fast breathing, as in a panic attack, can cause hyperventilation by exhaling more than inhaling creating a dangerously low level of carbon dioxide in the blood. Obviously a typical stressful day usually doesn’t cause such extreme symptoms but a continuous, prolonged state of unbalanced breathing will result in a variety of health issues.

Two of the most widely discussed aspects of the nervous system are “fight or flight” and “rest and digest”. From an evolutionary perspective, fight or flight was only needed when we faced a life or death situation like a wild animal or a dangerous enemy. Modern, daily life no longer confronts us with these kinds of overt threats, but common activities like driving in traffic, making ends meet, dealing

36 THESTANDARDPS.COM

with coworkers, taxes and that jerk at the gym, cause the release of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. They may not be in the amounts that our ancestors needed to run from a lion but a constant release of low doses over time result in high blood pressure, abdominal weight gain, moodiness, osteoporosis and lack of sleep.

The opposite of fight or flight is the condition of rest and digest.

In this state, body systems slow down and resources are used for healthy digestion, sleep and healing. The more time that we spend in this “parasympathetic” condition, the greater our physical and mental health will be.

Correct breathing can dramatically take one from feeling anxious and scared to calm and in control of one’s feelings.

Breathing correctly begins with recognizing our stress. This can be the most difficult part of the process as many people are unaware of their levels of anxiety. Stress has become a way of life and can seem normal. Driving to work in the morning can bring up levels of aggression that most would be embarrassed to admit in public. Before the day even begins, a tailgater may have caused

us to use words that would make a drunken sailor blush. Say hello to cortisol. If the other driver aggressively responds, here comes a rush of adrenaline. We arrive at our job in an angry state of mind.

Even when we think that we’ve let it go, the stress hormones are still active. A short fuse is the result and soon after we crash, as we are forced into rest and digest in an effort to recover the spent energy.

This makes driving the ideal activity for recognizing when our stress levels begin to elevate. So the next time that you’re cut off in traffic or that texting teenager makes a left right in front of you, try these easy and effective steps, which will help you stay in that lovely, peaceful glow of the morning: Before you blow up, stop. Just stop. Stop breathing, stop thinking. Hold your breath for 5 seconds. Empty the lungs and blow out any residual air completely. Take a long slow breath in. Imagine filling the space below the navel first then filling the belly with air and finishing with the lungs. Physically expand the area below the navel, expand the belly and then the lungs opening up the ribcage.

This inhalation should take a minimum of 5 seconds. If the shoulders rise up first, this is sign of shallow breathing. Make an effort to

keep the shoulders level while expanding the torso. An easy way to determine if shallow breathing is occurring, in any situation, is to become aware of the shoulders. Rising shoulders are a sign that one is contractive breathing instead of the desired expansive breathing.

Hold for 3 to 5 seconds then slowly allow the breath to completely exhale, squeezing out all of the carbon dioxide. Repeat if needed.

When done correctly, once can be enough to restore balance.

This entire sequence can be done so quickly and discreetly that it can be used in any situation. In a heated argument, a wise person stops, takes a deep breath and exhales slowly before potentially saying something regrettable. True wisdom cannot be achieved with a busy, anxious mind. For eons up to the present day, physicians and sages have all agreed that correct breath control is the key to health and happiness.

Daniel Clemens, CMT Owner, BodyTune Studio President, Holistic Care Cooperative www.bodytune.studio

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*Prices are per person based on double occupancy plus up to $299 in taxes & fees. Cruise pricing based on lowest cabin category after Instant Rebate is applied. Single supplement and season surcharges may apply. Add-on airfare available. Onboard Credit requires purchase of Ocean View or Balcony Cabin. For Hawaiian Islands Cruise & Tour, Free Internet and Free Beverage Package offers vary based on cabin category purchased. Additional service charges are required and payable to YMT with final balance for select Set Sail offers. For full Set Sail terms and conditions ask your Travel Consultant.

Offers apply to new bookings only made by 11/30/19. Other terms & conditions may apply.

OCTOBER 2019 39

PSP FOCUS MODERNISM WEEK PREMIER DOUBLE DECKER ARCHITECTURAL BUS TOURS DURING GREATER PALM SPRINGS PRIDE

BY BOB BOGARD

For the first time, Modernism Week will offer its signature Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tours during Greater Palm Springs Pride on October 31, and November 1 and 2, 2019.

These tours are one of the most popular events during Modernism Week but have never before been offered as an Official Pride Event, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to Pride. The tours enable attendees to participate in a 2.5-hour overview of significant civic and commercial buildings, as well as residential properties located within notable Palm Springs neighborhoods.

Additionally, the tour bus will be in the Pride parade and Modernism Week board members, staff, and volunteers will ride the bus during the parade.

“Modernism Week is thrilled to officially participate in Greater Palm Springs Pride for the first time,” said Chris Mobley, CEO of Modernism Week. “Our organization is dedicated to giving back to the community in many ways, and we are delighted that we can provide our bus tours and participate in the Pride parade during this exciting time in the city.”

About the Bus Tours Lead by knowledgeable guides, this open-air experience offers unique, exterior perspectives of Desert Spanish and Midcentury Modern architecture, two predominant styles found in Palm Springs. From the oldest existing structure in Palm Springs, the McCallum Adobe, and the expansive grounds of the exclusive Villa Paradiso Estate, to Albert Frey’s 800 square foot “Frey House II” perched on the mountainside, passengers will gain a better understanding of the historical richness and architectural diversity found in this desert oasis.

Tour highlights include exterior views of William Krisel’s House of Tomorrow, Richard Neutra’s architectural masterpiece, the Kaufmann Desert House, Donald Wexler & Richard Harrison’s Steel Development Houses, and E. Stewart Williams’ legendary “Twin Palms” estate, the former residence of Frank Sinatra. Other architecturally significant buildings on the tour will include Palm Springs City Hall, Saint Theresa Parish, and the iconic Tramway Gas Station, now the Palm Springs Visitors Center. Modernism Week has two events coming up. Tickets for Modernism Week Fall

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Preview (October 17-20) are on sale now in addition to the Pride Bus Tours. Modernism Week (February 13-23, 2020) will have its events available for purchase starting November 1.

About Modernism Week: Modernism Week is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, providing scholarships to local Palm Springs students pursuing college educations in the fields of architecture and design; as well as giving grants to local and state organizations for their efforts to preserve modernist architecture throughout the state of California.

Modernism Week’s Mission: The mission of Modernism Week is to celebrate and foster appreciation of midcentury architecture and design, as well as contemporary thinking in these fields, by encouraging education, preservation, and sustainable modern living as represented in the greater Palm Springs area. www.modernismweek.com

PSP FOCUS JEANNETTE ROCKEFELLER ANGEL PROGRAM KICKOFF CELEBRATION

A NEW SEASON OF OUTDOOR CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKETS

Tasty bites, refreshing drinks and fantastic entertainment all for a great cause. Please join us Sunday, October 13, 2019 5 to 7 p.m. for our Jeannette Rockefeller Angel Program Kickoff Celebration

Coachella Valley foodies (chefs, restaurant owners, home cooks, cuisine artists, and everyone else who prefers locally grown food) can rejoice! The valley’s three State and County Certified Farmers’ Markets open for their 2019/2020 Season starting Wednesday 10/2 in Palm Desert, Saturday 10/5 in Palm Springs and Sunday 10/6 in La Quinta. Sponsored by the Palm Springs Cultural Center, the three outdoor Certified Farmers’ Markets have become a mustdo for visitors and regular customers who eagerly anticipate their return each fall.

AAP - Food Samaritans relies upon the Jeannette Rockefeller Angel Program to sustain its nutritional support to clients. Please join us and reaffirm your commitment to caring for those who need our help and support AAP – Food Samaritans Your RSVP indicates your commitment to participate in the Angel Program. Please bring a friend or two whom you think might like to join us and support our important work. Featuring a special performance by a spectacular singer.

Angels receive benefits based on contribution level. Higherlevel Angel members receive tickets to Evening Under the Stars.

Private location in Palm Springs (address provided upon RSVP) No admission fee, however, attendance indicates a commitment to participate in the Angel Program. RSVP is REQUIRED! For more information on AAP and the Angel Program, please visit aapfoodsamaritans.org or call 760-325-8481

“This is the beginning of our 12th full season here in the desert,” said Megan Goehring, Manager of the Certified Farmers’ Markets.

“We have many regular customers who depend on us for all of the produce, like a grocery store. We have most of our local favorites returning and we’re adding some terrific new value-added vendors.”

New Vendor to the market include Workshop Wood-Fired Pizza, On the Mark Fine Foods, Provisions and Bread and Flours Bakery in Palm Springs and Sweet Lou’s Herbs and Spices in Palm Desert, with more joining in the months to come.

OCTOBER 2019 41

PSP FOCUS EISENHOWER HEALTH NAMED LEADER IN LGBTQ HEALTHCARE EQUALITY

Eisenhower Health has been named a “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) – the only Coachella Valley hospital to earn the recognition for seven consecutive years.

The designation was awarded in the 12th edition of HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), released today. A record 680 health care facilities actively participated in the HEI 2019 survey, with HRC Foundation proactively researching key policies at 1,000 additional non-participating hospitals. Of those included in the HEI, 406 earned a “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” designation.

“At Eisenhower Health, we foster a work culture that supports diversity and inclusion, and that directly translates to a caring and compassionate environment for all of our patients, visitors, and staff.

Recognition by the HRC for seven consecutive years proves that,” says Martin Massiello, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Eisenhower Health.

“The health care facilities that participate in HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index are making clear that they stand on the side of fairness and are committed to providing inclusive care to their LGBTQ patients,” says HRC President Alphonso David. “Going beyond inclusive non-discrimination policies, these health care facilities are adopting best practices in the areas of LGBTQ patient care and support, employee policies and benefits, and LGBTQ patient and community engagement. We commend all of the HEI participants for their commitment to providing inclusive care for all.”

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The 12th edition of the HEI assesses participants on four criteria: Non-Discrimination and Staff Training, Patient Services and Support, Employee Benefits and Policies, and Patient and Community Engagement.

In the 2019 report, an impressive 406 facilities earned HRC’s “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” designation, receiving the maximum score in each section and earning an overall score of 100.

Another 148 facilities earned the “Top Performer” designation for scoring from 80 to 95 points. With 81% of participating facilities scoring 80 points or more, health care facilities are demonstrating concretely that they are going beyond the basics when it comes to adopting policies and practices in LGBTQ care.

The remarkable progress reflected in the 2019 HEI includes: Over half of HEI participants now have written gender transition guidelines; 75% of hospitals surveyed offer trans-inclusive benefits -- an impressive eight percentage point increase over last year, and numbers that bring them on par with their corporate counterparts, as measured by HRC’s 2019 CEI; A 35% increase in training hours recorded -- clocking in at more than 94,000 hours of LGBTQ care training provided; A 60% increase in the number of HEI participants whose electronic health records capture a patient’s sexual orientation, and a 40% increase in the number of HEI participants whose electronic health records capture a patient’s gender identity.

PSP FOCUS MOLLY BONDHUS AND WIL STILES HONOR BARBARA KELLER WITH A $500,000 + FASHIONABLE ANNIVERSARY DONATION TO SUPPORT DESERT AIDS PROJECT Designers and fashion boutique owners Molly Bondhus and Wil Stiles are donating to Revivals Stores new men’s and women’s clothing valued at over $500,000. 100% of the proceeds will directly benefit Desert AIDS Project (DAP), honoring the late Barbara Keller’s selfless dedication to the organization.

Bondhus and Stiles will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the WIL STILES store with an ‘Awesome Anniversary Sale!’ exclusively at Revivals Stores (Revivalsstores.com.) Beginning October 16, 2019, customers can shop for the collection exclusively at all three Revivals Stores locations. A special preview event is planned for media and invited guests the evening of October 15, at the Palm Springs Revivals location.

Bondhus and Stiles were part-time Palm Springs residents for five years beginning in 2004 and in 2009 made the desert their official home. WIL STILES first opened its doors the morning of the 2009 Desert AIDS Walk. As Carol Channing sang with a band across the street, crowds of energetic and cheerful walkers made their way down Palm Canyon and past the new store. Simultaneously smiling and teary-eyed as they watched from the doorway of their shop, Bondhus and Stiles knew that they had made the right decision to relocate to Palm Springs. During the past ten years, the store has enjoyed tremendous community support and become a favorite of locals and tourists, alike.

Dane Koch, Director of Retail for Revivals Stores explains the impact of the donation. “Molly and Wil have supported us for many years, checking in with us regularly and reacting to our merchandise needs. We have sold thousands of dollars of their product and made a lot of shoppers happy as they have been able to buy upscale clothing at Revivals prices. We believe this most recent gift will inspire others in the community to donate to Revivals and support the life-changing work at Desert AIDS Project.”

Desert AIDS Project lost one of its most important advocates and strong voices when Barbara Keller passed this year. Bondhus and Stiles hope to honor the legacy of Keller’s philanthropy with this special

anniversary sales event. “When Wil and I were initially approached about being featured for our donations to Revivals, we hesitated.

The goal of our philanthropy is not recognition or seeing our names projected on a wall. We give and support because we believe in our community and giving back,” commented Bondhus, who went on to say, “It is up to all of us, not just the wealthiest, to do as much as we can to contribute. While direct donations get attention, the countless hard-working volunteers in the desert do the bulk of the heavy lifting to support the work of our great charitable organization.”

Bondhus and Stiles shared the impact Barbara Keller made in their lives and how she inspires them to continue giving back to the community. “For those of us who knew Barbara, her exceptional combination of intelligence, strength, and fearlessness got your attention from the moment you met her. Combine those qualities with her innate glamour and charisma and you had the unstoppable Barbara Keller. Barbara’s commitment to social justice issues, and her ability to reach across the political spectrum to gather support for a worthy cause, was unmatched in the desert. All of us need to take Barbara’s passing as a personal call to step up and take action to improve the lives of others in our community.”

Bondhus and Stiles have been active in volunteering and fundraising for LGBTQ and AIDS-related charities in both Minneapolis and Palm Springs for over 23 years. Past efforts included several years of coordinating fashion shows at major fundraising events for Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) in Minneapolis.

Since the WIL STILES Store opened ten years ago, all excess inventory has been donated to Revivals Stores in support of Desert AIDS Project, as well as cruiser bicycles and gift certificates to various Palm Springs charitable auctions. Bondhus previously served on the board of AIDS Assistance Program (AAP). The couple provides direct financial support to: Sanctuary Palm Springs and NCLR, Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, Planned Parenthood, Southern Poverty Law Center, RAICES and the Brooklyn Community Bail Fund.

OCTOBER 2019 43

TRANSCENDENCE

NO EXIT SIGN ON THE PRIDE RIDE

BY CHRISTINA VRONAY RUGGLES

Before we begin my usual monthly rant-fest, let me just say a few things. The first one is that I miss Palm Springs a little bit.

Which is strange because I was raised in Seattle and I think I’m going to die there, sheltered in the moss and the gentle ever-dew only a rainforest can have. Missing that much sand and heat sounds…. paradoxical to me, to say the least. I miss how proud Palm Springs was to just be, well, PALM SPRINGS. I miss its Pride festival, I miss Street Fair on Thursdays, and I miss my favorite bar(s). OOF, now with that particular bout of nostalgia out of my system I also want to say that I LOVE Pride. I love it year-round, and I love how Palm Springs lets me have more Pride in my year! I love going to Pride, seeing others going to Pride when I can’t, and in general, just existing when that special Pride feeling is in the air. Having said that, Pride is often a complicated—but still fun!—time for me. And with Palm Springs Pride being in October, means I get to have more time being complicated!

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This complication is caused by these two little voices deep within me. Two little voices that quarrel over Pride. One that says that Pride is place for me to celebrate my very existence and the existence of so many other amazing peoples. The other voice says I don’t deserve Pride because I haven’t suffered like a tried and “true” queer person has. I haven’t been gay-bashed, I’ve never feared for my life because I’m queer. I’ve been made uncomfortable, I’ve been lonely. I’ve been much meaner to myself than maybe if I just wasn’t queer. The louder part of my brain is the one that thinks Pride is for the sufferers, for the hard workers who make this community, this world, a better place to be queer. And I’m the only lazy, privileged, “uncaring” queer on planet Earth. Even you, reading this magazine is benefitting the queer community more than I am! You’re, in some fashion, supporting a queer business! Look at you go! All something my loud, screeching brain-voice would say.

But that voice isn’t the only voice up there—as previously

mentioned—and that’s a game changer. It’s the other, more softspoken voice that I listen to—mostly. Because that voice reminds me of every single misgendering I get, every day. How each one is a needle that I must brush off, because, by golly, I need to. I’m at work, or I’m spineless, or it’s family and it’s been years and they promised changes then that have yet to even begun to bloom. It’s confronting professors, classmates, or friends of friends. It’s explaining to kids and adults alike what “transgender” is for me and millions and millions of others. It’s not being mad about it, despite my insides being a molten pool of rage. It’s living in a world that feels so poorly designed for me. It’s like there are thorny patches for me where others experience velvet-smooth cushions. And I gotta just wade through them. Or sit on them. Or make love on them, or to them. Because that’s my world.

My life.

Knowing all of this about my life, my loud voice insists that I’m lucky. It insists that, at the end of the day, I’m privileged. It knows that my queer problems are the problems of a luckier queer individual, I think? This is why there are two voices. Because there is no consensus. No order, just and infinite back and forth, an infinite din in a very finite mindscape. It’s this ambiguous cloud that my gasgiant of a being has compressed into a central pillar of my ego.

However, this ambiguity leaks out of my consciousness constantly, infecting the real world. Infecting every interaction, every action, every inaction. It makes he’s and she’s impossible to tell apart, so I get my usual helping of unknown instead. And I think at this point, it’s the unknown that hurts the most. If someone just wants to hate me for my queerness, just say it, preferably to my face so I know who they are. If someone wants to dislike me for my queerness, but wants those “I’m not a homophobe” cool points just as much, so they half-ass respecting me, then they can screw off. I’m a whole-ass only type’a’gal, your feel me?

All of this ambiguity, this unknowingness, this unknowableness is my most oft exploited weakness. It’s the gap in my armor, the hole in my spacesuit. But I’m queer, and I’m different and by Jove I’m going to love being different. So, like everything else that hurts me, I think I’ve started to counter-weaponize this ambiguity. I’ve weaponized so many other things that hurt me, reframed them into something new and beautiful. Reframed them into something I can be proud of. From dyke to tranny to whore or slut or stupid or whatever, I’ve turned those hurts into something I’m happy with. Turned them into something that’s part of me. And, I think, in time, the unknowableness that infects my daily existence will be weaponized by me, and turned back towards the world. The world that sometimes hurt me.

As I said, Pride stirs up some complicated feelings. But being queer for me is complicated, and I refuse to be shamed for it!

Happy Palm Springs Pride!

P.S. Buy a gaudy fan or regret it forever! (I know I still regret not buying one at my first Palm Springs Pride!)

OCTOBER 2019 45

MUSIC

DEX EXPERIENCE, IS BACK AND DON’T UNDERESTIMATE HIM

BY MARLON JAMES

Cosmetics Entrepreneur Turned Chart Topping Recording Artist, Dex Experience, Is Back With A Powerfully Bold, New Single and Music Video - “Don’t Underestimate Me”. The all-new, soulful pop ballad features R&B singer and songwriter Dawn Tallman, and is available on all digital providers.

“Don’t Underestimate Me” tells the story of an outcast imprisoned by society’s belief system who, finding courage in his own perfection, manages to break free and fulfill his destiny, inspiring other humans to follow the light and free themselves from bondage.

Among the outcasts are transgender, homosexuals, the handicapped, the obese, and people of color - all considered misfits, all outside the accepted “norms” of society. Dex’s powerful message, augmented by a supernal angelic presence portrayed by Dawn Tallman, awakens them from their lethargy and transforms despair into hope and perfection.

As we learned from his short documentary, “Behind the Magic”, Dex grew up with more than his share of disparagement and oppression.

“I remember being bullied and pushed around,” he recalls, “It was terrifying. My soul was marginalized.” But the support of community and a powerful, spiritual awakening have led him to a better place, where love and self-realization have become the new norms.

Statistics from the Center for Disease Control show that in the United States, suicides are at a high rate and have increased by no less than 33% in the new millennium. Pooled data from 35 studies worldwide attests that LGBT youth are 3.5 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. Dex sees this as a result, in part, of a kind of “mass underestimation” and he is committed to counteracting it through his music. After a private screening held in New York City for Dex and his team, the queen of gospel energy, Dawn Tallman stated, “I was moved to tears as I watched my own story being played out on the screen. Every single lyric and moment in the video tell a true story for me and I’m super honored to be a part of such a powerful project.“ With this groundbreaking song, Dex aims to inspire and empower humans like himself to never give up dreaming and to live life as it was intended to be lived, freely and fearlessly. Dex adds, “I’m not looking to change the entire world just yet, but if I can be a positive and encouraging influence and bring hope to just a few folks then I feel like I’m fulfilling my purpose.

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Born in Trinidad and Tobago, and raised in New York City, Dex first established his name as an entrepreneur in the cosmetics industry, following the success of his skin care cosmetics brand, “DEX New York.” He later launched a recording career and surprised the music industry with his first hit single, “Internash”, debuting on Billboard Music’s Top-50 Dance Club singles chart late last year. The official music video is on Apple Music, I-tunes, Spotify, Vevo, and YouTube.

For more information, please visit: dexexperience.com instagram.com/dexexperience/ facebook.com/dexexperience/ youtube.com/dexexperience Press photos, the song track and music video available to the media upon request. If you would like to run an exclusive days leading up to the official release date please let me know.

MUSIC II

AN INTOXICATING FLING WITH SINGER YANNI BURTON IS WORTH IT

BY MICK SANDOVAL

Yanni Burton is dangerously in love in his new single and music video, “Worth It,” a song he wrote with Nate Campany (Dua Lipa, Carly Rae Jepsen, Adam Lambert, Christina Aguilera and Tove Lo) about the intoxicating and sometimes overwhelming sensation of an exciting new passion. “It was inspired by the time I was performing a classical music festival inside a European castle in the middle of nowhere,” Yanni reflects. “I met a boy, went boy crazy, and wildness ensued.” Produced by Lars Soderberg (Lauv, Adam Rickfors, Black Eyed Peas’ Printz Board), “Worth It” is Yanni Burton’s fourth independent single release this year.

Directed by Tiger Darrow, the video takes the story of a playful fling between boys and explores what happens when it transforms into a toxic situation, where pushing the boundaries of fun and games turns into a life altering moment. It has a late seventies European summer vibe, depicting Yanni as fledgling gay being seduced by a charming, edgy bad boy (played by Kevin William Reed) and led into breaking into a mansion where the boys frolic around the gardens in their underwear, make-out in the massive swimming pool and have sex all over the house.

“The idea is that relationships can be one sided and dangerously blind,” says Yanni. “The price can be high and you have to wonder, is it worth it?”

“Where I certainly wouldn’t want to go to jail for a fling, I can see how allowing a guy to take control and lead me down a risky path I would never normally take, can be exciting. The experience of that energy, lust and passion from being dangerously in love will last a life time and so yeah, maybe for me, it is worth it.”

Yanni Burton grew up in Adelaide, Australia, a small town that also happens to be the birthplace of pop singer Sia. He lived in the city with his mother but holidays were spent in the country on his dad’s farm. “The farm was in the middle of nowhere and I’d arrive in solid gold sneakers, booty shorts and a tank top, like I’d just come off the set of Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” he remembers.

For college, Yanni attended the prestigious Juilliard School in Manhattan where he studied the double bass. In fact, he holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in orchestral performance and is Producer and General Manager of the Salome Chamber Orchestra, where he has performed alongside a long list of celebrated artists including John Legend, Michelle Williams, Natasha Beddingfield and Rufus Wainwright. John Legend and Rufus Wainwright were instrumental in helping Yanni to obtain an artist green card. Both wrote letters of support for his US residency.

Yanni describes life today as a “gay thirty-something in New York City” where he religiously attends Barry’s Bootcamp, pays too much rent and complains about it every second he can. He has also found love. He and his fiancé were engaged last fall and plan to walk down the aisle this spring.

Yanni Burton’s “Worth It” is available now on Apple Music, Spotify and all digital platforms. Visit yanniburton.com and follow him on Instagram at @yburton.

OCTOBER 2019 47

TRAVEL

LET THE TRAIN TAKE THE STRAIN!

BY RICHARD JONES

ROMANIA

A great tag line from an old British Rail ad in the UK, and really when it comes to train travel and vacations, we think its perfect. Here are some Luxury Train journeys we think you will love.

Golden Eagle Danube Express, Romania As we are so near to Halloween, why not visit Transylvania on the Golden Eagle Danube Express Rail Journey between Istanbul and Budapest? Traverse four countries in seven days with plenty of castles and palaces along the way. Beyond awe-inspiring views of Central Europe aboard your roving hotel, you’ll spend your first night in Istanbul at the Pera Palace Hotel, where Agatha Christie penned Murder on the Orient Express. If rereading that celebrated tome doesn’t spook you out, continue to the Carpathian Mountains; the World Heritage site of Sighisoara in Romania; an excursion to see a “Puszta” horse show in Lajosmizse, Hungary; and more remarkable experiences.

Golden Pass Panoramic and Jungfrau Railway, Switzerland Next we have an 11-day experience in Switzerland, destined to impress! The Golden Pass Panoramic and Jungfrau Railway will take you through lush countryside and historic villages, where guests can disembark to enjoy plenty of activities like biking, hiking, museumhopping, and even taking a historic paddle steamer across Lake

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ROCKY MOUNTAINEER

Lucerne. You’ll also visit the UNESCO site of the largest glacier in the Alps, the Aletsch Glacier, an image sure to etch itself into your memory.

Rocky Mountaineer, Canada Brace yourself for one arresting view after the next. On this eightday Canadian adventure between Vancouver and Calgary, you’ll be spoiled with hectare upon hectare of natural wonder—Lake Louise, Banff, and Jasper National Park to name a few. You’ll spend two days on board the train with the ability to choose from 50+ vacation packages as you venture through the Canadian Rockies. Two must-dos?

A guided heli-hiking tour on Cariboos Mountain, and a chauffeured tour through Jasper National Park and the Columbia Icefields, where you’ll have the chance to walk on the Athabasca Glacier.

Belmond Grand Hibernian, Ireland Traveling to The Emerald Isle? Belmond Grand Hibernian is the country’s first luxe sleeper train. On Sept. 28, 2019, it unveiled a twonight itinerary, featuring meals by renowned Irish chef and cookbook author Clodagh McKenna. Forty lucky voyagers will learn about the rich heritage of Irish cuisine. You’ll even forage with the chef in Cork—and be spoiled with a gin tasting. uniquely formulated with whey alcohol from Irish cow’s milk. Didn’t make it this year? A similar trip is slated for Sept. 19–21, 2020.

BELMOND GRAND HIBERNIAN

GOLDEN EAGLE TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS, RUSSIA Ready to go on a rollicking adventure to the tune of around $17K per guest? Passengers aboard the Golden Eagle will be treated to 12 nights in an en suite cabin in Silver Class (Gold and Imperial are also available), a 2-night hotel accommodation, all meals and drinks, off-train excursions, porterage, arrival and departure transfers, as well as the services of a tour manager and all gratuities. This train journeys from Moscow to Vladivostok.(or the reverse), with lavish receptions and pastoral vistas along the way.

GOLDEN EAGLE TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS, RUSSIA

Coastal Pacific Train, New Zealand Looking to have an unforgettable day trip in the land of Kiwis?

Your six-hour ride to/from Christchurch and Picton wows with cliffs and remote beaches near Oaro and the Kaikoura mountains to the North, with the Pacific Ocean just a stone’s throw away at various stages of your journey. This seasonal train runs spring through fall.

All trips are bookable through Explorer Travel Services please email tedbradpiece@explorerts.com

OCTOBER 2019 49

the3D’s

RESTAURANTS VILLAGE PUB 266 S. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.3265 www.palmspringsvillagepub.com NATURE’S HEALTH FOOD & CAFE 555 S Sunrise Way Suite 301 Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.323.9487 www.natureshealthfoodcafe.com SHERMAN’S DELI & BAKERY 401 E Tahquitz Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.1199 www.shermansdeli.com RÍO AZUL 350 S. Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.992.5641 www.rioazulpalmsprings.com 849 849 N Palm Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.8490 www.eight4nine.com COPLEY’S ON PALM CANYON 621 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.9555 www.copleyspalmsprings.com WORKSHOP KITCHEN & BAR 800 N. Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.459.3451 www.workshoppalmsprings.com

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DINE | DRINK | DANCE Palm Springs LULU CALIFORNIA BISTRO 200 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.5858 www.lulupalmsprings.com

CHEEKYS 622 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.7595 www.cheekysps.com

PURPLE ROOM 1900 E. Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.322.4422 www.purpleroompalmsprings.com

POMME FRITE 256 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.778.3727 www.pomme-frite.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BARS AND NIGHT CLUBS

ZIN AMERICAN BISTRO 198 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.322.6300 www.pszin.com LULU CALIFORNIA BISTRO 200 S Palm Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.5858 www.lulupalmsprings.com

HUNTERS NIGHTCLUB 302 East Arenas Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.0700 www.huntersnightclubs.com TOUCAN’S TIKI LOUNGE 2100 North Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.7584 www.toucanstikilounge.com

STREETBAR 224 E. Arenas Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.1266 www.psstreetbar.com THE TOOL SHED 600 E. Sunny Dunes Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.3299 www.toolshed-ps.com STACY’S AT PALM SPRINGS 220 E Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.620.5003 BLACKBOOK BAR 315 E Arenas Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.832.8497 www.blackbookbar.com QUADZ 200 S Indian Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.778.4326

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EVENTS CALENDAR

OCT 18 PALM SPRINGS MODERNISM SHOW & SALE – FALL EDITION PREVIEW RECEPTION The Sixth Annual Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale – Fall Edition early-buying preview reception will be held Friday evening, October 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This event offers an exclusive sneak peek of the Modernism Show & Sale before it opens to the public. Call (708) 366-2710 or go to www.fall.palmspringsmodernism.com

OCT 25 - 27 LEATHER PRIDE PALM SPRINGS XXV For over two decades, the Palm Springs leather community has welcomed the world to our desert paradise each year in the Fall, when temperatures are dropping elsewhere but where we still enjoy the sun and warm weather. Today, Palm Springs Leather Pride Weekend is one of our city’s most popular LGBT events and one of the largest, longestrunning, and most successful Leather events in the country. This year, we are working hard to bring you a weekend packed with new events and amenities to make your time with us the high point of your year. For info and schedule visit. www.palmspringsleatherpride.org OCT 31 HALLOWEEN ARENAS ROAD PALM SPRINGS Featuring Grammy® Award-Winning artist Evelyn Champagne King and her band, the vivacious all-girl band Pulp Vixen and California favorites Probe 7. Highlights also

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include Channel Q - DJ Booth, DJ Baz, Keisha D, Marina Mac, and an Andrew Christian Fashion Show.

The infamous costume contest begins at 8 p.m., with sign up starting at 6:00 p.m. and over $1,500 in prizes for 4 categories - Grand Prize, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place! Purchase your VIP Backstage ALL ACCESS ticket for only $75, which includes hosted bar, shots, beer and liquor tastings, a meet-and-greet with the artists, snacks, dedicated port-a-potties and the coolest and scariest Halloween decorations in Palm Springs! Info & tickets www.halloweenpalmsprings.com

DBA Mixers For more info visit www.desertbusinessassociation.org

ONGOING >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> TG MONDAYS. TRANSGENDER SOCIAL EVENT Every second Monday of the month, Transgender Social Hour discussing advocacy, transitioning & HRT. Allies, respectful admirers, and transgender umbrella all welcome. Portion of proceeds to benefit the Raina Chessman Fund.

For more info www.transcc.org

THE JUDY SHOW. PURPLE ROOM SUPPER CLUB PALM SPRINGS The spirit of Judy Garland is alive and well and in Palm Springs at the famed Purple Room Supper Club every Sunday at 7:00! This blend of hysterical comedy and outstanding music explode into an evening of nonstop belly laughs, glamour and high camp, as celebrated entertainer Michael Holmes parodies Judy Garland, who in her 1964 television variety show, played host to some of the greatest female icons of the Golden Age of Hollywood. www.purpleroompalmsprings.com

CHILL BAR PALM SPRINGS A warm and fabulous twenty first century modern venue located on Arenas, suited with multi faceted rooms for any celebration.

The gorgeous island bar is surrounded by hi-definition video entertainment and a comfortable designer lounge. Chill on the patio enjoying music and refreshing beverages with friends after a game of pool, or come by and say hello to our friendly staff. Open for business seven days a week. Get out of the heat, and come join us! Happy Hour (From Open to 7pm) and Late Happy Hour (From Midnight to Last Call) www.chillbarpalmsprings.com 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

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EVENTS CALENDAR

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

BLACKBOOK The sleek industrial styled BlackBook Bar located in the heart of the gay strip on Arenas now has Happy Hour everyday from 4-6pm and NAUGHTY hour from 10:00 PM-midnight.

During these times you cam enjoy specials such as $5 pint glass well drinks, $1 off all bottle and draft beer, and $2 off all wines by the glass! www.blackbookbar.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 4pmClose! Live entertainment weekly visit our website for details. www.oscarspalmsprings.com

WANG’S IN THE DESERT The bar & patio at Wang’s in the Desert is known as ‘the venue’ and offers daily happy hour, exciting daily events & amazing no-cover entertainment. Award winning, community giving, Top Shelf Happy Hour & Amazing Palm Springs Pan Asian Cuisine. Well known for Friday “Boys Night Out” Complete calendar list at www.wangsinthedesert.com

HUNTERS NIGHTCLUBS® Palm Springs, Palm Springs’ go-to gay bar and dance club, has been leading the way in full-out fun for 20 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 sought-after and friendly DJs, full-on themed events, and a staff that has it all without the attitude. And of course, we are proud to hold the longest happy hour in the entire Valley. Remember: Size Matters. Come by for our happy hour from 10am – 7pm. Yes, that’s right: 9 hours long! For a list of all events and specials visit www.huntersnightclubs.com

SUNDAYS “The Playgirls” at Toucans Tiki Lounge featuring Tommi Rose. Performances on Sundays 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 community events visit our Media Partner, O’Bayley Communications.

CLICK ON LOGO WWW.OBAYLEY.NET

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EVENTS CALENDAR

OCT 1 - 15

CELEBRATE ORGULLO. MIAMI, FLORIDA The Celebrate ORGULLO Festival Showcases Hispanic LGBT Pride during Hispanic Heritage & LGBT Pride Month. Celebrate ORGULLO showcases the cultural contributions of the Hispanic LGBT community, and is proudly produced by Unity Coalition, with proceeds benefiting our LGBT Youth Scholarship Fund and year round programming. www.celebrateorgullo.com

festival provides unique opportunities for visiting and local filmmakers to engage and entertain over 10,000 attendees. www.threedollarbillcinema.org

of the New Orleans gay community, and will present some of the very best DJ talent and entertainment. www.togetherwenola.com

OCT 23 - 29 OCT 11 - 20

WAY OUT WEST FILM FESTIVAL. ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO The Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival returns for its 17th year; programming some of the best in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ) films. This year’s film festival offers audiences a wide cinematic range including everything from feature length comedies and dramas to documentaries and short films. Many award-winning international films will be showcased. Tickets and passes can now be purchased online at www.swglff.com

OCT 10 - 20

TWIST FILM FESTIVAL SEATTLE, WASHINGTON TWIST has grown into the largest event of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, gaining industry and audience recognition for showcasing the latest and greatest in queer film, from major motion picture premieres to emerging talent. The social event of the season—the

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OCT 20 - 27

FANTASIAFAIR TRANSGENDER EVENT PROVINCETOWN MA Fantasia Fair is a weeklong transgender gathering in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

Part conference, part social gathering, the Fair is full immersion experience - attendees can and usually do spend an entire week 24/7 presenting their gender as they wish.

Fantasia Fair continues to be the leading annual program promoting a gender-variant individual’s ability to thrive in real-life situations. For info visit www.fanfair.info

NEWFEST LGBTQ FILM FESTIVAL 2019 NEW YORK, NEW YORK NewFest is New York’s largest presenter of LGBTQ film and media. Over 30 years of queer storytelling, NewFest gives voice and visibility to the full spectrum of the LGBTQ experience by championing films, supporting storytellers, and engaging audiences in order to inspire dialogue, shift cultural bias and empower our diverse community. www.newfest.org

OCT 25 - 31

HALLOWEEN IN NEW ORLEANS NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA It all began as a simple gathering of friends in 1984. Now it has evolved into one of the most celebrated gay circuit parties of the year. New Orleans’ largest gay nightclub complex, The Bourbon Pub is the very heart

Our National Media Partner, Queer Forty, is the online magazine for the LGBTQ over-40 community. Its mission is to inspire and support older LGBTQ people to keep living amazing lives! www.queerforty.com

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EVENTS CALENDAR

OCT 8 - 13

THE IRIS PRIZE CARDIFF, WALES UK Celebrating LGBT+ film in Cardiff, Wales, UK all year round, including a six-day international queer film festival every October. The Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival awards the largest short film prize in the world - the prestigious £30,000 Iris Prize. Iris also runs LGBT+ community outreach projects throughout the year in Wales & beyond. www.irisprize.org

film festivals in Germany. We’re presenting 28 screenings of feature films, documentaries and short film programs with LGBTQ topics. www.hannover.de of 74 degrees, makes it an open-air event One week of amazing events with live shows with international artists, pool parties, boat excursions, parade, dance sessions and more! www.winterpridemaspalomas.com

OCT 23 - NOV 3

OCT 9 - 15

BLACK & BLUE FESTIVAL 2019 QUEBEC & MONTREAL CANADA Since 1991, the Black & Blue Festival, welcomes thousands of participants from around the world to celebrate diversity and inclusiveness as well as to raise money for Montreal-based LGBTQ+ and AIDS/HIV community groups. The week-long festivities include dance parties, cultural events, sports activities, live performances, social gatherings, and much more. www.bbcm.org

OCT 19 - 26

PERLEN - QUEER FILM FESTIVAL HANNOVER 2019. HANNOVER, GERMANY The Queer Film Festival Hannover PERLEN (Pearls), one of the oldest and biggest queer

GENDER BENDER. BOLOGNA, ITALY Gender Bender is an international Festival introducing the Italian public to the new imagery related to gender identities, sexual orientations and body representations stemming from contemporary culture. Gender Bender offers a series of events ranging from film showings, to theatrical productions and dance performances, visual arts exhibitions, installation, round tables and conferences, live concerts and performances by musicians and DJs, and clubbing events. It is a real model of how differences can give a contribution to the construction of a more rich and welcoming society from the human, social and cultural point of view. www.genderbender.it

NOV 4 - NOV 10

MASPALOMAS WINTER PRIDE CANARY ISLANDS, SPAIN Winter Pride Maspalomas 2019 is the final gay pride celebration in the European calendar year. With an average outside temperature

NOV 8 - 16

OUTBURST QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL BELFAST NORTHERN IRELAND Working with local arts partners to showcase great local and international queer work while supporting the development of queer arts at home and internationally. Come see cutting edge work that is bold, challenging, accessible and brilliant, whether it’s grassroots events, professional touring productions or work and events commissioned specially for OUTBURST. www.outburstarts.com

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

OCTOBER 2019 55

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PHOTO REWIND DAP PARTNERS FOR LIFE EVENT PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE

OCTOBER 2019 57

PHOTO REWIND BURNING MAN PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019 Party Starts at 4:00 p.m.

Main Stage Entertainment 5:00-10:00 p.m. featuring EVELYN “CHAMPAGNE” KING

Arenas District Downtown Palm Springs FREE – Suggested donation of $5 to support local LGBT Charities

THE NOTORIOUS COSTUME CONTEST Sign up: 6:30p.m. • Contest at 8:00 p.m.

$1,500 in prizes!

Absolut® Vodka VIP

ALL ACCESS PARTY PASSES $75

Hosted Bar, Jägermeister, Monster Energy Drink, Artist Meet-and-Greet OCTOBER 2019 59 Tickets: www.HalloweenPalmSprings.com

presents

We’re putting The Center on Stage and Throwing A BIG 80’S PARTY to celebrate!

Honoring Brian Rix Outgoing Board Chair

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019 FOR TICKET INFORMATION: visit www. thecenterps.org or call 760-416-7790

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@ THE RIVIERA PALM SPRINGS RECEPTION/SILENT AUCTION: 5:30PM DINNER PROGRAM: 6:45 PM BIG 80’S PARTY: 8:15PM

The

CENTER

BENEFITTING THE LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE DESERT

PHOTO REWIND CINEMA DIVERSE PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE

OCTOBER 2019 61

PHOTO REWIND CINEMA DIVERSE PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE

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OCTOBER 2019 63

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