TheStandard_Vol9_Issue12

NOVEMBER 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 11 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

DECEMBER 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 12 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

Annual Holiday GIFT GUIDE 2021 EDITION

OCTOBER 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 10 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

2021 IN REVIEW

SEPTEMBER 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 9 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

MORE THAN A LITTLE RESPECT EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ANDY BELL

2021 PALM SPRINGS PRIDE YOU ARE INCLUDED

AGING POSITIVELY

REUNION PROJECT 6TH ANNUAL HIV CONFERENCE AAP-FOOD SAMARITANS ANGEL KICK OFF IS ON

AUGUST 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 8 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

MAY 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 5 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

TIME TO GET AWAY

THE ART ISSUE

LGBTQ+

SPORTS edition

JULY 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 7 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

THE TRAVEL ISSUE

PRIDE 2021

MILESTONES IN LGBTQ HISTORY

BEST LGBTQ DESTINATIONS IN 2021 CDC GUIDELINES FOR TRAVEL Being Fully Vaccinated Has its Perks

KARMA CHAMELEON

THE SEARCH FOR BOY GEORGE

IN THE HEIGHTS

FROM BROADWAY MUSICAL TO BIG SCREEN

JUNE 2021 | VOLUME 9 ISSUE 6 | THESTANDARDPS.COM | @THESTANDARDPS

APRIL 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 4 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

JANUARY 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 1 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

BEGINS WITH

MODERNISM WEEK 2021 A Virtual Experience

THE MUSIC EDITION GARY DUFFY / EVERYTHING I WANTED THE GRAMMYS / BEST MUSIC MOMENTS LITTLE BLACK BOOK / THE HOLLYWOOD MADAM MUSICAL

MODERN VISIONARIES Architectural Perfection

BLACK HISTORY MONTH Black LGBTQ Trailblazers

MARCH 2021 | VOLUME 9 ISSUE 3 | THESTANDARDPS.COM | @THESTANDARDPS

FEBRUARY 2021 | VOLUME 9 ISSUE 2 | THESTANDARDPS.COM | @THESTANDARDPS

L O O K I N G F O R WA R D AT D A P H E A LT H C E N T E R

CONTENTS VOLUME 9, ISSUE 12 NOVEMBER 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 11 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

DECEMBER 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 12 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

Annual Holiday GIFT GUIDE 2021 EDITION

OCTOBER 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 10 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

2021 IN REVIEW

SEPTEMBER 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 9 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

MORE THAN A LITTLE RESPECT EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ANDY BELL

2021 PALM SPRINGS PRIDE YOU ARE INCLUDED

AGING POSITIVELY

REUNION PROJECT 6TH ANNUAL HIV CONFERENCE AAP-FOOD SAMARITANS ANGEL KICK OFF IS ON

AUGUST 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 8 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

MAY 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 5 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

theStandardPS.com

TIME TO GET AWAY

THE ART ISSUE

LGBTQ+

SPORTS edition

JULY 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 7 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

THE TRAVEL ISSUE

PRIDE 2021

MILESTONES IN LGBTQ HISTORY

BEST LGBTQ DESTINATIONS IN 2021 CDC GUIDELINES FOR TRAVEL Being Fully Vaccinated Has its Perks

KARMA CHAMELEON

THE SEARCH FOR BOY GEORGE

IN THE HEIGHTS

FROM BROADWAY MUSICAL TO BIG SCREEN

JUNE 2021 | VOLUME 9 ISSUE 6 | THESTANDARDPS.COM | @THESTANDARDPS

APRIL 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 4 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

JANUARY 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 1 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

BEGINS WITH

GARY DUFFY / EVERYTHING I WANTED THE GRAMMYS / BEST MUSIC MOMENTS LITTLE BLACK BOOK / THE HOLLYWOOD MADAM MUSICAL

twitter.com/theStandardPS

MODERNISM WEEK 2021 A Virtual Experience

THE MUSIC EDITION

MODERN VISIONARIES Architectural Perfection

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

L O O K I N G F O R WA R D AT D A P H E A LT H C E N T E R

Black LGBTQ Trailblazers

MARCH 2021 | VOLUME 9 ISSUE 3 | THESTANDARDPS.COM | @THESTANDARDPS

FEBRUARY 2021 | VOLUME 9 ISSUE 2 | THESTANDARDPS.COM | @THESTANDARDPS

facebook.com/theStandardPS instagram.com/theStandardPS

Volume 9 Issue 12 MUST SEE ‘QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE’ PAGE 45

COVER 2021 IN REVIEW LOOKING BACK TO THE STANDARD MAGAZINE 2021 Q&A JERRY SORIA-FOUST NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PALM SPRINGS GAY MEN’S CHORUS FEATURE PLACE AND TIME CELEBRATING LGBTQI+ DIVERSITY IN MUSICAL THEATER THE WEB THE DISAPPOINTMENTS NEW WEB SERIES ON YOUTUBE TV MEN OF WEST HOLLYWOOD

DECEMBER 2021 3

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COMMENTARY

The Standard Magazine 400 N Sunrise Way #263 Palm Springs CA 92262 760.831.4869 NINO EILETS Publisher LUCIANO McNULTY Editor MAYA KALABIC Art Director PHOTOGRAPHER David A. Lee CONTRIBUTORS

Jeff Dorta, Bob Bogard, Chris Astrala, Joseph Gerbino, Greg Torres, Ilich Mejia, Sarah Cohen, Jack Bunting, Greg Stillwell, Dann Foley, Lee Lynch, Jill Langham & Terri Schlichenmeyer

www.thestandardps.com

We wish all of our readers, supporters and partners a safe and very happy holiday season. We are very grateful and truly appreciative for your support, particularly through these past couple of years. The support of which allows us to continue to be a successful publication; we could not have done it without you, a million thanks. Also, a huge thanks to our incredibly awesome Art Director, Maya Kalabic, fantastic photographer David A. Lee, our great team of writers, and of course our advertisers. We look forward to providing you with great editorial, LGBTQ news, views and perspectives as well as fun and informative features as we cautiously optimistically move into 2021.

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

Publication of the name or photograph of any person, business or organization in articles or advertising in the Standard is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such person, business or organization. The Standard disclaims any responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Advertising rates are subject to change without notice. The Standard reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject any advertisement for any reason including, but not limited to poor taste. It is the policy of The Standard that we only publish letters to the editor that are

All the Best for an amazing Holiday & Very Happy, Safe, & Prosperous New Year

signed by the author and verifiable by phone number. We can reserve the right of anonymity upon request. The letters need to be original, in good taste and free of libel as well as edited for clarity and grammar. Letters are subject to editing by The Standard that also reserves the right to decline print. Please forward your letters to: info@thestandardps.com The views expressed is not necessarily those of The Standard. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. No portion of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed consent of

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Email us to be considered on our commentary page at info@thestandardps.com

the publisher.

COVER

THE STANDARD MAGAZINE: A LOOK BACK TO 2021 COMPILED BY JOSH FURNELL As we look toward a New Year we would like to revisit some of the articles featured on the pages of The Standard Magazine, highlighting excerpts from particular articles from each month that deserve a second gander. You can read the complete article by simply clicking on the link after each excerpt. We hope you enjoy a trip down memory lane.

JANUARY 2021 America voted for a Rainbow Wave of elected officials 2020 was the biggest year on record for LGBTQ candidates in the U.S., with 782 appearing on the ballot this year and 334 winning their elections, according to the Victory Fund.

“In one of the most vitriolic and unprecedented election cycles of our time, LGBTQ candidates continue winning elections in numbers and in parts of the country thought unthinkable a decade or two ago,” said Victory Fund President Annise Parker. This means that 42.7% of LGBTQ candidates won their elections in November.

The candidates came from all over the country – there were LGBTQ candidates this year in every state except for Alabama – at all levels of government and showed a high level of diversity: 35.7% of the LGBTQ candidates this year were people of color.

Next year’s Congress will be the queerest it has ever been, with 11 representatives and senators identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, up from 10 in 2018. Two representativeselect from New York are also the first Black, gay people elected to Congress this year.

According to the Victory Fund, there were 20 transgender or non-binary candidates who won their elections this year. One of them was Delaware Senator-elect Sarah McBride, the highest-ranking transgender elected official in the country.

When it comes to gender, there was also diversity among the winning candidates: 41.3% were women, 53.6% were men, and 3.0% were gender non-conforming or non-binary.

There’s only one area where the winning LGBTQ candidates did not reflect the U.S. in general: party affiliation. Of the 255 winners who ran with a major party, 248 (or 97.2%) were Democrats and only seven (or 2.7%) were Republicans. Three candidates ran with third parties, and the rest were independent or unaffiliated.

“LGBTQ people span every community – we are people of color, women, immigrants, and people with disabilities – and we are able to use that life experience to connect with voters from many backgrounds,” said Parker. “This beautiful diversity provides an opportunity to connect on some level with every single voter in America. That is the reason LGBTQ candidates are winning in unprecedented numbers, and this will only accelerate in the years ahead.” https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?d=thestandard_vol9_issue1&u=thestandardmagazine

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FEBRUARY 2021 Black LGBTQ Trail Blazers Who Made History

By Jerome Flynn February marks the start of Black History Month; a federally recognized celebration of the contributions African Americans have made to this country and a time to reflect on the continued struggle for racial justice.

From 1960s civil rights activist Bayard Rustin to Chicago’s first black female and lesbian mayor, Lori Lightfoot, black LGBTQ Americans have long made history with innumerable contributions to politics, art, medicine, and a host of other fields.

“As long as there have been black people, there have been black LGBTQ and same-genderloving people,” added David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice.

“Racism combined with the forces of stigma, phobia, discrimination and bias associated with gender and sexuality have too often erased the contributions of members of our community.”

In honor of Black History Month, we pay tribute to a few notable LGBTQ Black pioneers. https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?d=thestandard_vol9_issue2&u=thestandardmagazine

MARCH 2021 Our First 100

By Nino Eilets Picture it October 2012, a month after closing shop at The Bottomline Magazine and wondering what would come next. Enter two previous co-workers and friends, Mona DeCrinis & Maya Kalabic saying, “Hey; why don’t you start your own publication?” And as they say, the rest is history. It was such an exciting time, being able to dream up the concept of the magazine, build the team and see it become reality. It’s hard to believe that we are commemorating our 100th edition. It still feels like yesterday.

Wanting to be anything but your ordinary LGBT Publication and wanting to dispel any preconceived notions of what an LGBT publication was supposed to be, we embarked on developing a magazine that not only reached our gay community, but also to all those who cared to give it a look. We present diverse content that reflects the LGBT lifestyle and culture. Trying to set a standard among LGBT Magazines, this publication is written and designed for the smart, discerning LGBTQ & LGBTQ-friendly reader who is looking for more than cheap thrills and fluff.

The Standard Magazine feels proud to publish its 100th issue. Of course, we cannot enjoy such honor and joy without the support and contributions of our loyal readers, advertisers and all our fantastic contributing writers past & present. We are so looking forward to our next 100. Thank you all, we couldn’t have done it without you. https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?d=thestandard_vol9_issue3&u=thestandardmagazine

DECEMBER 2021 7

COVER APRIL 2021 INXS Founding Member Andrew Farriss Shares First Solo Live Concert Prolific Songsmith and Americana singer/songwriter Andrew Farriss takes fans and listeners around the world on a musical journey with his first live solo concert available to be streamed on Facebook and YouTube. The concert features the songs from Andrew’s latest EP Love Makes The World and is the perfect introduction to his solo work. The authentic presence that Farriss brings in combination with his music sets one on the path to peace. Each song off of his latest EP tells a story; tales woven into lyrics that we will not soon forget. Love Makes the World was released in mid-2020, to bridge the gap during the pandemic. The ‘Love Make the World’ concert is able to be streamed now on Facebook and YouTube. https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?d=thestandard_vol9_issue4&u=thestandardmagazine

MAY 2021 Top LGBTQ Travel Destinations for 2021

By Chris Astrala After nearly a year of hunkering down, many queer travelers are eager to get out on the road again and explore. 2021 promises to be a strange travel year, as some regions will become accessible more quickly than others, depending on the timing and rollout of vaccines.

With vaccination campaigns underway and a continued reduction in COVID-19 cases looking promising, many travelers are itching to hit the road again. Queer people have often been traveling pioneers, Domestic travel in the U.S. still looks to be a hot option, with many LGBTQ people rediscovering cities large and small that are a short car trip away. Here are several places that you should consider spending some time in—safely—during 2021. No matter where you decide to venture to, check for all COVID-19 protocols for the particular destination you plan on visiting. https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?d=thestandard_vol9_issue5&u=thestandardmagazine

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JUNE 2021 A Matter of Pride

By Adrian Luzan Last year, 2020 was an unprecedented year as the coronavirus pandemic swept across the globe disrupting daily life. As most countries went into various forms of lockdown in an effort to curb the spread of the virus, large events and festivals including pride celebrations, marches and demonstrations were canceled. As a response to the mass cancellations, many organizations opted to host virtual events. In June 2020, InterPride also launched Global Pride, a virtual event connecting pride organizations and online attendees across the globe. As 2020 came to an end, many pride events have again been forced the cancel, postpone, or go virtual.

However, a handful of events in countries like Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand with closed borders and tight control of the pandemic have eased back into near-normal life and are able to again host in-person pride events. It’s expected that most pride events will return to their previous form in 2022 as vaccine distribution reaches high levels across the world. https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?d=thestandard_vol9_issue6&u=thestandardmagazine

JULY 2021 Queer Artists Whose Work Deserves a Second Look

By Chris Dorsett There are so many up-and-coming new artists who need to be heard. Their voices are now being heard loud and clear and like so many queer artist before them; they are certain to make their mark in history. Many more could have made this list, but the hope of these few is to represent many — and what binds them together isn’t nails, glue, paint, or thread, but one common virtue amid this pivotal period for queer culture: When language just won’t cut it, art fills the void. https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?d=thestandard_vol9_issue7&u=thestandardmagazine

DECEMBER 2021 9

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF A GREAT RELATIONSHIP:

Eisenhower and you.

Over the past 50 years, Eisenhower Medical Center has grown from a small community hospital to the hub of a robust health system, with expert primary and specialty care throughout the Coachella Valley. The community counts on Eisenhower Health for comprehensive, high-quality care, from education, wellness, and prevention to diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Whether we’re providing specialty LGBTQ care, launching our new Family BirthPlace, or becoming an accredited teaching hospital to attract talented new doctors, we continue to anticipate and address the valley’s changing needs. Thanks to our generous donors and a vocal, engaged community, we are proud to support the health of our community – now and for many decades to come.

Learn more about our services at EisenhowerHealth.org

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COVER AUGUST 2021 Why There are Few Openly Gay Athletes in Professional Sports

By NPR Staff When Nashville Predators prospect Luke Prokop came out last month, it was the first time an active player under contract to an NHL team had ever publicly acknowledged they were gay.

Overnight, Prokop’s announcement doubled the number of out gay athletes currently playing in the country’s four major men’s sports — football, basketball, baseball, and hockey. Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib also came out last month.

The back-to-back announcements were met with an outpouring of support from fellow players, teams, league officials and fans.

They also highlighted the dearth of openly gay players in the hypermasculine world of U.S. men’s professional sports, often dubbed “the last closet” for its lack of LGBTQ representation.

Though many retired former players have come out, it is more unusual for male professional athletes to say they are gay while still playing. https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?d=thestandard_vol9_issue8&u=thestandardmagazine

SEPTEMBER 2021 More than a Little Respect -- A Conversation with Erasure’s Andy Bell

By Steven Henke I caught up with Andy Bell via email to talk about his career, his new album “The View from Halfway Down,” and his September 18 keynote address at the Aging Positively – Reunition Project HIV and aging conference. Bell shed some positive vibes on his life and the creative renaissance he is experiencing.

Bell is a founding member of Erasure. Formed in 1985, when former Depeche Mode and Yazoo member Vince Clarke advertised for a new singer, the duo became successful in the U.K., U.S., and other countries with hits like “Chains of Love,” “A Little Respect,” and “Oh L’Amour.”

Now, three decades into their career, they are considered one of the most adored and influential synth-pop bands, selling more than 25 million records. In 2019, Erasure released their 18th studio album, “The Neon.” https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?d=thestandard_vol9_issue8&u=thestandardmagazine

DECEMBER 2021 11

COVER OCTOBER 2021 ABBA Are Back!

By Ryan Turrin Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid return with ABBA VOYAGE, a revolutionary concert, 40 years in the making, and a brandnew studio album Voyage.

ABBA, one of the most successful pop groups of all time, have today announced that, for the first time in 40 years they are back, with a revolutionary new concert that will see Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid performing digitally with a live 10-piece band, in a purpose-built arena in London from May 27, 2022, and a brand-new studio album.

The digital versions of ABBA have been created following weeks and months of motioncapture and performance techniques with the four band members and an 850-strong team from Industrial Light & Magic, the company founded by George Lucas, in what is the company’s first foray into music. https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?d=thestandard_vol9_issue10&u=thestandardmagazine

NOVEMBER 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 11 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

NOVEMBER 2021 Holiday Movies, Make the Yuletide Gay

By Ethan Thorpe Who’s ready to make the yuletide gay this year? It’s a banner year for LGBTQ representation in holiday movies, with both Hulu and Hallmark releasing new flicks with LGBTQ characters in the lead. And at least seven more have come out in 2020 with some sort of queer representation. “Compared to previous years, and the number of LGBTQ-inclusive films that are out, it’s like night and day,” GLAAD’s CEO and president, Sarah Kate Ellis told CNN. “We’ve really gone from zero to 100.” It’s not just Christmas movies that are seeing better representation either; this year saw the highest percentage of LGBTQ characters onscreen since GLAAD first started tracking those numbers 20 years ago. But don’t wave your Pride flags for the entertainment industry just yet because we still have a long way to go (read our LGBTQ rights timeline). Of an estimated 879 regular characters on broadcast scripted prime-time programming, only about 10% (or 90 characters total) are explicitly LGBTQ, GLAAD reports. Seeing LGBTQ characters onscreen makes members of the community feel seen. Seeing two people who look like you in the media (especially for young or still-closeted LGBTQ people) can validate those who may not have anywhere else to turn. Here are a few favorite holiday films with some new options and old favorites. https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?d=thestandard_vol9_issue11&u=thestandardmagazine

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Annual Holiday GIFT GUIDE 2021 EDITION

Join the over 80 singers for their annual fun-filled holiday show.

Special Guest, Broadway Star Michele McConnell from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.

Friday, Dec. 10, 7:00p.m. • Saturday, Dec. 11, 7:00p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 12, 3:00p.m.

PURCHASE YOUR SEASON TICKETS NOW

Palm Springs Art Museum, Annenberg Theater Box Office 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs Phone: 760.325.4490 ASL Interpreted

PSGMC.COM Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization.

PALM SPR I NGS

GAY MEN’S CHORUS Jerry R. Soria-Foust, Artistic Director

OCTOBER 2021 13

EVENING UNDER THE STARS

FIRST LADIES OF DISCO Saturday, April 30, 2022 The O’Donnell Golf Club, Palm Springs 5:30 Cocktails – 7:30 Dinner & Awards • Festive Cocktails • Dazzling Silent Auction • Heavenly Dinner • Inspiring Awards • Groovy Dancing Festive, elegant attire encouraged. Be creative!

Tickets available at aapfoodsamaritans.org or 760-325-8481 Presenting Sponsor

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Major Sponsors

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Harold Matzner

Wade Endowment Fund; Steven Anders, Trustee

Sponsors as of 11/1/21

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Q&A

THE PALM SPRINGS GAY MEN’S CHORUS (PSGMC) IS BACK LED BY NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JERRY R. SORIA-FOUST

BY GREG TORRES

The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus (PSGMC) is back and ready to perform for its spectacular holiday show “Sparkle, Twinkle, Jingle!” at the Palm Springs Museum Annenberg Theater Friday, December 10, Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12. The Chorus is proud to welcome its new artistic director Jerry R. Soria-Foust, who will premiere his talents in their annual fun-filled holiday show. We took a minute to get acquainted with the highly qualified and experienced new director. This is what he shared with us.

The Standard Magazine: When did you realize that music was going to be the path you would take in life?

Jerry Soria-Foust: The idea of pursuing music education dawned on me early in high school. But much, much earlier than that--as young as three or four--my sister and I put on music and dance performances in our kitchen. It dawned on me the other day when listening to an NPR story about Sondheim’s original Company cast album, that was the first time I heard and fell in love with musical theatre. In our little hometown library in rural Indiana, I would check out Broadway record albums (33’s) and take them home to listen to over and over, probably at the age of seven or eight. Company was the very first! Of course, I had no idea what any of it meant, but I knew I loved that Broadway sound. I was persuaded by my high school band director to audition for music school instead of going into marketing and communications, and 30 years later, when I went back to teaching after working in non-profit and for-profit arts education, that very director ended up being my colleague. We worked together on building a high-quality music program together at a high school in Indiana. So, in that way, I came back to my first

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love, and came back to directing music with the very person who convinced me that music was my calling.

TSM: Who are your inspirations?

JSF: Most importantly, my family. My husband Jorge and I have been through so many life changes, not the least of which was adopting two amazing boys in 2018. We also became grandfathers in 2020 when my stepdaughter had a beautiful little boy (I know I look way too young to be a grandfather!). I also look to my mom for so much--I still call her a few times a week to ask for advice, especially since we adopted the boys. She is the kind of wise, forgiving, nurturing parent I strive to be. In terms of music, education and conducting, I mentioned my high school music teacher. Also, the founder of the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus and my college conducting teacher, Michael Hayden, whose energy, skills, artistic sensibilities, and positive outlook

I try to emulate every time I get in front of my groups. Really, the best conductors try to take all of the things they have learned from all the people they encounter--teachers, idols, colleagues--and use little pieces of those experiences to become their own unique artistic leader. I hope that’s what I’m doing every day.

TSM: Who would be your ideal musical collaborator and why?

dozens of schools in Chicago. We added a professional theatre, and specialized in musical theatre for all-ages, and performed big musicals in a small, intimate blackbox space. I really stretched myself and accomplished so much, including becoming a very good graphic designer, gutting, and renovating a storefront, hiring, and training some of the best theatre artists in Chicago, and directing award-winning professional, all-ages shows that families truly loved.

JSF: I’ve had the unbelievable privilege of working with a lot of notable performers and artists as a GALA Choruses director--I mean truly “pinch myself” experiences: Taylor Dayne, Sir Ian McKellan, Sharon McNight, Sharon Gless, Frenchie Davis, Nichelle Nichols...and now my pal Michele McConnell--who will go down in musical theatre history as one of the greats. A “fan-boy” moment was when I got to meet and work with a true idol and hero of mine in 2009, Greg Louganis. He was part of a piece I wrote for the San Diego Men’s Chorus celebrating 40 years of post-Stonewall gay San Diego.

Definitely a highlight of my career (and life!).

I’m proud of the impact I’ve had there, as well as in other organizations and schools on young people--helping them fall in love and find success in the performing arts.

My dream job, however, is right here in Palm Springs--I love doing what I do with this exceptional group of men. I love our dual mission of musical excellence and social justice. The passion and talent these men are bringing to their rehearsals is every director’s dream.

I really want to bring some new accomplished artists (like Michele) to Palm Springs in the coming years. Not necessarily to drive ticket sales, but to give these exceptional men the opportunity to work with some of the greatest--they deserve that experience.

TSM: What is the project you are most proud of in your career?

JSF: Well, in 8th grade I briefly was interested in mortuary science. Thank goodness that didn’t pan out. When I got accepted to Butler University, I was a marketing and communications major.

A random fact is that I’m only a few classes away from a school administrator’s license, even completed the principal internship in my previous teaching position.

JSF: From 2011-2019, I started and ran an educational theatre program that grew into 1200 students a year, serving

TSM: What can we look forward this year from the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus?

TSM: What other career path would you have taken if you didn’t go the music route?

DECEMBER 2021 17

Q&A JSF: In the short-term, lots of sparkle, twinkle, and jingle--in our December concert at the Annenberg Theatre, where we will perform traditional and non-traditional holiday music, some fun choreography, elevated production elements, and guest artist Michele McConnell. Michele and I have been friends for 30 years, she is a true Broadway star, playing the role of Carlotta in Andrew Lloyd Weber’s The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway longer than any other human alive--nearly 2300 performances! Michele will join us for a stunning rendition of ‘O, Holy Night’ and a wonderful medley of ‘Jingle Bells’ variations, where her soprano voice will knock everyone’s socks off!

The Spring show in April at the Annenberg is a collection of Prideand equality-themed music from stage and screen...with songs from Billy Elliot, Rocketman, The Wizard of Oz, Sordid Lives, and so many more that will dazzle our beloved audience members! We have auditions for the Spring concert period on January 4, by appointment, and the show is in early April. Information is available at www.psgmc.com In the longer term, our artistic goals for this year have been to improve vocal production elements like vowels, placement, breath, and blend. We want to continue to increase and improve production

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elements, continue, and expand our foundational commitment to outreach and community visibility, and work toward the goal of becoming a world-class gay chorus. We are now among the largest in the country, with membership around 90 members, and climbing. Our board is committed to excellence, and we have a shared, optimistic view of the future, despite all of the challenges in the past two years.

DECEMBER 2021 19

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BOOK REVIEW

ALWAYS OVERBOOKED

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER You’d do anything for your friends.

You help them in school when they need it, or with a loan in a pinch. Your home is their home, and vice versa. You might share clothes with your friends, seats, secrets and for sure, support but what about people you don’t know that well? In the new book “Allies” by various authors, you start upright and on your feet.

School has started and some kids – kids of color, queer kids, different kids – are struggling. You want to help but you don’t know how to even begin. So now what?

The first thing to know about being an ally is in the first chapter of this book: you will screw up sometimes. It’s not fun, it’s comfortable, and you can’t just dump your guilt back on whoever you’re trying to support. Instead, learn from it, and get used to it.

But wait. Can’t you help?

“It’s complicated,” says Dana Alison Levy, the first author.

You can loudly be an ally, but when it’s not your time to speak, then hush. Allies remember that pronouns are important things (see above: you’ll screw up) and when someone reveals their preferred name, an ally makes sure it’s used. Allies know that the letters “LGBTQIA” don’t stop at “G.” When they see someone with a disability, they don’t rush in and act like superheroes. They ask first if they can help, and they never see a disabled person as a “tool” to get extra privileges. Likewise, they don’t finish sentences for a stutterer, and it should go without saying that allies are never bullies.

Nope, they reach for understanding, and if they don’t understand, they can be schooled.

Being an ally doesn’t stop at sexuality or disability, though.

You can be an ally for women by standing up to misogyny. You can stand up by seeing color and acknowledging it. You can stand up and admit that there are things you’ll never experience.

And sometimes, being an ally is knowing when it’s time to walk away...

When it comes to being a better friend to those who need one, you always want to do what’s right – but sometimes, right is wrong and arrrrgh! It seems like maybe you need something of an ally to be an ally, and this book can help.

With straight talk but a light touch, “Allies” helps young readers dispense with the awkwardness of not knowing how to act, through reassuring stories meant to show that merely just showing up is a great start. The chapters aren’t long – some are told with artwork – and they’re as diverse as the writers themselves. They’re not preachy, either: each is told by an appreciative person who’s received muchneeded support and others whose eyes were opened, giving readers

the upbeat, forward-looking, I-can-do-this feeling they might get in the eager moments before a march or a rally.

That makes “Allies” a great first step for any progressivethinking 12-to-18-year-old who needs a good launch-point. Find this book, read it, and share it with your friends.

“Allies: Real Talk about Showing Up, Screwing Up, and Trying Again” by various authors and writers, edited by Shakirah Bourne & Dana Alison Levy c.2021, Dorling Kindersley Ltd. $16.99 / $21.99 Canada / 240 pages

DECEMBER 2021 21

INDESIGN

THAT’S A WRAP! PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON YOUR GIFTS

BY DANN FOLEY

Here’s a thing about me: I love giving gifts. I also love wrapping gifts. That moment when you hand your gift to family or friends is one of my favorite components of gift giving. I absolutely love when I hear “This is too beautiful to open!” My own mother asks me if my gifts will arrive in time for her annual holiday brunch so that the space under her tree will look truly festive and fabulous! I will share another secret with you: if the wrapping is really beautiful then the gift inside is automatically elevated, no matter how humble the offering.

Something I learned as an interior designer that applies directly to the wrapping question is: I can take a simple print and when I use beautiful framing and matting, I automatically elevate the piece into a work of art. This little trick can apply to other aspects of your life as well. An expensive pair of shoes or a fine handbag can lift the style rating on the simplest of outfits. In this scenario, I want to share with you my best tips & tricks for wrapping all those gifts you just purchased and now need to get under your tree.

Let’s begin with the offering you thoughts on how to mix different wrapping papers and ribbons on your gifts. There are some pretty easy self-imposed rules I follow when searching for the right wrapping papers.

• Mix it up. Just like your interiors, under your tree will look more festive and beautiful if you include a mix of wrapping paper styles, colors and patterns. It’s all about layering.

• Buy what you love. How many times have you heard me say that before!? Well, the same goes for wrapping papers. If it catches my eye, I will buy it. Depending on the price I might even buy more than on roll.

• You don’t have to spend a fortune. I buy the bulk of my wrapping papers at discount stores and chain stores. Just keep a discerning eye out for what is festive and beautiful. Remember, just

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like in your home, it is not about the cost, it is about the style.

• Keep buying. I look for and purchase holiday wrapping paper all year long. I am always on the lookout for something festive to put away for next year. Remember to take advantage of all the after-Christmas sales and stock up!

• Remain orderly. I always separate my all of my holiday wrap from the other occasional wrapping. In fact, I put it all away with my holiday decorations. That way I know where it is, it comes out with the décor and goes back in the same place. So, when I buy papers during the year I also know just where to tuck it away and forget about them.

What really sets off the sights under my tree (or for any gift giving occasion) are really the ribbons and bows. This is key to making your very best presentation. Here are some thoughts on bow-making to showcase your gift wrap like never before.

• Just like the wrapping paper, it is important to have a mix of ribbon. Variety is the key in the overall look. I not only choose different colors but, textured ribbons can be beautiful as well.

• Layering your ribbons can make a truly unique gift. I use different widths to layer color and texture. The wider ribbon on the bottom and a thinner or open weave ribbon on top can make your gift spectacular.

• If you want to really impress someone, learn how to make a proper bow. Nothing says, “I don’t care” more than a self-sticking bow.

• I would never leave you without a chance to learn how to make that perfect bow. You can go to my Youtube page to find that bow making video… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtgQAa465kc So, whether you want to make your gift giving more festive or you want under your tree to look spectacular, it can be as easy as just taking a moment to give your wrap the kind of consideration you gave to selecting that perfect gift. Not to mention, you will can use them to supplement your Christmas décor and get those gifts under your tree early.

I wish the very best of the holiday season and, as always, Live Well!

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

DECEMBER 2021 23

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DECEMBER 2021 25

FEATURE

PLACE AND TIME CELEBRATES LGBTQIA+ DIVERSITY IN MUSICAL THEATRE

BY JOSEPH GERBINO

AMBER GRAY AND TITUSS BURGESS

Musical theater is often regarded as being “so gay”, but EllaRose Chary and Brandon James Gwinn feel that despite that, it’s often not very “queer.” The writing team behind the 2021 Richard Rodgers Award winning musical, TL; DR Thelma Louise; Dyke Remix, aim to change that. Their new album, Place and Time, is shining a spotlight on women, queer POC, theys, enbys and trans folk.

“We are here too,” says EllaRose Chary, “and like everyone else, we experience a range of feelings and circumstances that aren’t all centered on our trauma or our otherness.” Place and Time features Broadway artists from under-represented segments of the community singing about emotions that all can relate to. The songs are fun, flirty, emotional, and nostalgic; sung by characters who are revved-up, spiced-up and sometimes fed up. “We hope listeners will relate to the characters and maybe even see themselves reflected in the canon,” says Brandon James Gwinn. Starring Tituss Burgess, Amber Gray, Telly Leung, Tony Award Winner Daisy Eagan and an

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all-star cast of Broadway performers, Place and Time is available on Spotify and Apple Music.

“Even as a young gay man, I always had problems fitting neatly into the cis and straight culture at large,” admits Brandon James Gwinn, who identifies today as queer and gender fluid. EllaRose Chary agrees. “There are a lot of us who don’t feel beholden to any one label or identity. We exist on a spectrum. A big part of my coming out has been trying to decipher what part of the LGBTQ puzzle I fit into.”

Place and Time is a culmination of Chary and Gwinn’s musical and gender awakening. Developed over ten years of working together, songs are mostly queer-themed with emotional surges that are character and story driven. They include “Always Heard, Never Seen,” written from Ella’s own experience of being a woman in

ELLAROSE CHARY AND BRANDON JAMES GWINN

TROY IWATA AND SAMY FIGAREDO

queer spaces dominated by cis white men and “Why I Chose,” about feeling somewhere in the middle between male and female, much like Brandon’s real-life story.

Daisy Eagan (Tony Award winner, Girls) sings “Gal Who Gets The Gig”, a gender bending, feminist, musical theater charm song and Tony Nominee Amber Gray and Amy Jo Jackson (The Brass Menagerie, Company XIV) sing the album’s cover track, a lesbian love duet.

Throughout the album, there are solid influences from folk, as well as protest songs, pop-rock radio and 70s era tracks. Also featured on the album is “The Things I Don’t Say,” the first song Chary and Gwinn ever wrote together, sung by Telly Leung (Aladdin, Glee).

EllaRose Chary and Brandon James Gwinn are the Richard Rodgers Award-winning and Drama League nominated writing team who have

received grants from NAMT and Anna Sosenko Trust. They are Dramatists Guild Fellows, Ars Nova Uncharted, & Rhinebeck Writers Retreat Triple R Residency alums and were recently featured in NAMT’s 33rd Festival of New Musicals. Their shows have been produced at City Center, Joe’s Pub, 54 Below, Theatre C, The Tank, UArts’ Polyphone Festival, All For One Theater, Prospect Theater, and more. They created Tank-aret, a monthly cabaret series at The Tank featuring underrepresented artists.

Their immersive, soundscape driven theatrical experience THE SÉANCE MACHINE was part of the Tank’s 2019 Obie-Award winning season.

Place and Time was recorded in New York City, at John Kilgore Sound and Recording, with engineers M.P. Kuo and Jabbath Roa and at MPK Recording and Teddy Kitty Studios. It is co-produced by Kimberly Hyacinthe.

Visit www.brandonandella.com.

DECEMBER 2021 27

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

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

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

Find yourself at revivalsstores.com DECEMBER 2021 29

PSP FOCUS

>> MODERNISM WEEK PRESENTS ‘THE BEST OF MODERNISM’ ONLINE AUCTION

BY BOB BOGARD

DOOLITTLE HOUSE

Modernism Week has announced that it will offer an exciting online auction of intriguing and distinctive items, and customized architectural experiences, just in time for the holiday shopping season. The online bidding event, called the ‘Best of Modernism’ Auction, will eight days from December 4-12, 2021, and will feature more than 45 unique architectural tours and experiences, exclusive VIP Modernism Week event tickets and experiences packages for February 2022, access to prime sold-out parties during Modernism Week, and uncommon, exclusive items not typically available to the public. Bidders will need to set up an account on the auction page and submit bids during the event. The winners will be announced after bidding concludes. The ‘Best of Modernism’ Auction will take place at modernismweek.com starting December 4, 2021, at 12 PM PST. All funds raised will go to support Modernism Week, a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization.

“Modernism Week is offering an online auction filled with unique experiences and items just in time for holiday shopping for you or your family,” said Mark Davis, Modernism Week board member and auction chairman. “We have secured some very exciting items from high to low, including some architectural surprises. There is literally something for everyone, including those hard-to-please Modernists on your shopping list.”

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TRINA TURK

HIGHLIGHTED AUCTION ITEMS INCLUDE: THE INAUGURAL HIGH DESERT HOUSE TOUR (DOOLITTLE HOUSE) BY KEN KELLOGG: Modernism Week will present the inaugural tour of one of the most desirable and exclusive residential properties to ever be built.

Admired all over the world, this special home, nestled against the edge of Joshua Tree National Park, has never before been open to public guests. A special morning and afternoon private tour is planned for only 25 guests per tour. Purchase includes roundtrip transportation from Palm Springs and an elegant outdoor reception. Valued at $1,000 per person ($500 is tax deductible from each ticket).

TRINA TURK PALM SPRINGS EXPERIENCE The winner bidder of this incredible shopping extravaganza during Modernism Week at the Trina Turk Palm Springs boutique and three (3) guests will each receive a $500 in-store Trina Turk gift card for a private two-hour personal shopping experience with Trina Turk stylists, drinks and each guest will depart with an exclusive Trina Turk-designed gift. Valued at $4,000.

THE ULTIMATE VIP MODERNISM WEEK OPENING WEEKEND: 4 Nighttime/5 Daytime Events and Party Package (February

PSP FOCUS

17-21, 2022) This never-before-offered 4-night/5-day package will allow the lucky winner and a guest to attend an exclusive party every night and have access to the best Modernism Week events, many of which are already sold out. The auction item includes VIP access for two (2) lucky guests to several significant Modernism Week opening weekend events, including the fabulous Opening Night Party, Modernism Week Show & Sale Preview Party, Saturday Night at the Sinatra Estate, tickets to the four-course dinner and fantastic show “A Night at the Chi Chi,” and much more. Valued at $4,000 for the hip Ace Hotel, or splurge and choose to go for an upscale midcentury boutique property, Holiday House, designed in 1951 by desert modernism architect Herbert W. Burns, in the historic Tennis Club District. Valued at $6,500.

A VIP MODERNISM WEEK SIGNATURE HOME TOUR WITH PRIVATE CAR AND DRIVER The winning bidder and their lucky guest will tour Modernism Week’s Signature Home Tour in style with a car and driver to see

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TWO (2) VIP SEATS FOR KEYNOTE PRESENTATION BY ARCHITECT JEANNE GANG AND RECEPTION. World renowned architect Jeanne Gang, FAIA, is the founding principal of Studio Gang, an international architecture and urban design practice based in Chicago. This auction item includes two reserved VIP seats for the presentation, a meet and greet with Gang, a signed copy of her recently published book, Studio Gang – Architecture, and access for two (2) to attend the elegant postpresentation reception in the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Elrod sculpture garden. Valued at $850.

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homes that best represent Palm Springs architecture and design, then lunch at Jake’s Palm Springs with a $100 Jake’s gift certificate.

3 packages in total, (1st) afternoon of 2/20/22, (2nd) 2/27/2022 morning and (3rd) 2/27 afternoon. Valued at $750 for each tour.

Download the Audacy app now to start listening to CHANNELQ

DECEMBER 2021 31

PSP FOCUS

JEANNE GANG

JOSH AGLE

LEGO SET OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S FALLINGWATER HOUSE

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PSP FOCUS

Theater Presentations, Films Fashion Show and Jazz Events, along with Access to Two (2) Elegant Receptions Valued at $1,900.

Two VIP Seats for ‘A Very Cool Shag Experience with Josh Agle’ talk Sunday, February 20, including a meet and greet, a signed Shag book and a set of 5 signed Shag Modernism Week Commemorative Posters Valued at $600.

Original art by Vera Neumann, of Vera scarves fame, entitled ‘Silent Night’, 23” square, copyrighted May 15, 1974. This item is a tissue collage and is based on a watercolor study by Vera, which is also included in this auction item, along with the signed book Vera, The Art and Life of an Icon’, in which this watercolor is featured.

Valued at $5,500.

Unopened Lego Set of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater House Everyone loves Lego! This item is from the 2009 Architecture Series 21105, no longer in production and is a collector’s item. Valued at $500.

Keith Haring ‘Figures’ Case Study Fiberglass Shell Chair, Keith Haring embossed limited edition “The Political Line’ (27”h x 19”w) art and Keith Haring: 31 Subway Drawings book. Valued at $1,100.

The auction also includes original photography (including works from Lance Gerber, Andrew Pielage, James Schnepf, Robin Hill, William Dey, Tim Street-Porter, Ann Horn, and the Chicago Historical Society), art (from Carlos Dinez, Andres Bonino, Sister Corita Kent, and Shag), and unique collector’s items such as vintage Vera and Rudi Gernreich scarves, handcrafted Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design tableware, out-of-print publications, signed limited edition prints, household goods and vintage linens, a hand-woven modern signed rug, Kartell Componibili Storage module by Anna Castilli for Kartel, Italy from the 1960s, and more.

For a complete list of all auction items visit www.modernismweek.com To receive Modernism Week updates, visit modernismweek.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

DECEMBER 2021 33

WEB

THE DISAPPOINTMENTS; NEW WEB SERIES ON YOUTUBE

BY ILICH MEJIA

The Disappointments, a darkly comic web series from creator Rich Burns, about three gay best friends in their 50s trying to figure out their lives, is now streaming on YouTube. The first three episodes of the series have premiered today. disappointment [dis-uh-POINT-muhnt] noun: 1. the state or feeling of being disappointed 2. a person or thing that disappoints The Disappointments, from creator Rich Burns, is a new web series about three middle-aged gay best friends trying to figure out how to live their best lives.

Quote from Writer, Director & Star of the Series, Rich Burns

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“A few of us were at dinner, reminiscing about a friend, a gay producer who, depressed and struggling with money and career setbacks, had recently and tragically taken his own life. We had other acquaintances who had done the same thing, all within the past few years. These were people in their late 40s and early 50s, all of them feeling hopeless about how their lives had turned out. At the same time, we had friends at whom we marveled. These were people who recognized that the paths they had chosen for themselves when they were just kids out of school were not going to pan out. They needed new dreams, new careers, new lives. And so, well into their 40s, they bravely shook things up and reinvented themselves, finding happiness and success as a result of the changes they made. Both of these are very different approaches to the same dilemma. And out of this The Disappointments was born. It’s a darkly comic series about us, gay people in their 50s, who suddenly find themselves standing in a room,

looking at their their belongings, their careers, their unhappy personal lives, their reflection in the mirror and asking, ‘How did this get to be my life?’ Disillusioned. Disappointed. And the clock is ticking…”

SYNOPSIS The Disappointments is a darkly comic web series that follows of group of close friends in their 50s who, rocked by the suicide of one of their own, are forced to face the failures and disappointments in their own lives.

Based in part on actual events, this series looks at a pivotal issue people face as they navigate their 50s: What do you do when you realize that time is running short, the road behind you is longer than the road ahead, and your job, your marriage, your relationship with your kids, your life has not turned out at all the way you had hoped and planned when you were young?

bank accounts and generally scrambling to figure out how to set themselves up to survive in the decades yet to come.

CAST Rich Burns as Ray Russo, Gedde Watanabe as Gary Chen, James Campbell as James Caldwell and Trevor LaPaglia as Dwight

In The Disappointments, the characters take action. Most of it illadvised. Some of it straight-up disastrous. All in the hopes of turning their disappointing lives around.

DIRECTED BY Rich Burns and Steve Cubine

This web series aims to be unique by featuring gay men in their 50s dealing with the fallout from faltering careers and empty

WATCH IT HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5XYDhtFwdc

DECEMBER 2021 35

WELLNESS

HELLO & MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY SEASON TO YOU ALL!

BY JILL LANGHAM

It’s unbelievable that another year has flown by and that we are still under the spell of Covid and another new variant!

I’m hoping that all of you are well and that you and yours will be enjoying the upcoming Holidays. At this time, I have no specific plans but am looking forward to a safe and healthy one.

I mentioned over the last few months that I have been experiencing both high blood pressure as well as elevated pulse.

I have been undergoing numerous tests to determine its origin and as of yet do not have any answers. We have ruled out that I have Long-haulers syndrome from having has Covid 22 months ago but it’s clear that my body is reacting to stress much differently than it has prior to my bout with Covid.

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I have not been much of a meditator, but I am here to tell you that each and every time my blood pressure is elevated (and I only know it is when I check it twice a day as part of the 30-day study the Doctor ordered) and I do a 20-minute meditation that it goes down.

So, putting 2 + 2 together means I am experiencing a ton of anxiety.

The problem is that now that I am back to seeing and interacting with my community and all of you, special people, I wrongly assumed that my anxiety would be reduced and that my vital signs would level out.

I got back into talk therapy once a week to remind me of all that I am lucky enough to have. I have a great workout and cardio routine and have even started dating! So, it is odd for me to feel this

degree of anxiety. (Or maybe not) In September, I was so depressed to the point of detachment that I ventured into using psychedelic’s, I.e., Lion’s mane mushrooms, in a therapeutic dose recommended for severe depression. Although the “trip” was less then desirable, the results were fantastic. Within 10 days I began emerging from the dark to find my light again.

The psychological impact of Covid is being felt on a Worldwide level and I am just one of hundreds of millions of people who it has affected in similar ways. It is real and crosses all boundaries. If you are feeling or have felt like me don’t be afraid to admit it to yourself and seek help. We will overcome this!

I was finally well enough to re-join my community for both Leather Pride/Halloween weekend as well as Pride Weekend which far exceeded the 15 PS Pride Weekends which I have attended.

Kudos and Gratitude to all involved!

I meet with my cardiologist on December 16 and hope to have a better understanding of what, this aberration of my health is all about. So please, wish me luck.

I wish only the best for you in all areas of Health, Happiness, Love, Wealth and Personal Fulfillment.

All my love, Jill Your, Returning to the Floor, Dancing Queen

DECEMBER 2021 37

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WATCH

SCREEN MEDIA ACQUIRES MEN OF WEST HOLLYWOOD

BY SARAH COHEN

Screen Media, a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (Nasdaq: CSSE) company, announced today the acquisition of all ad-supported rights to Men of West Hollywood, a 10-part unscripted docuseries from Get Me Out Productions that follows the lives, drama, and relationships of six men in West Hollywood. The series will premiere as a Crackle Original on January 20.

Meet six of the biggest male socialites in West Hollywood: “Mr. California” David Barta, a model and personal trainer; Justin Jedlica, a plastic surgery consultant, known around the world as the “human ken doll”; Darren Tieste, a celebrity photographer; Murray Swanby, a club promotor and top underwear model; Brennen Taylor, a YouTube star; and Landon Wetterstrom, a luxury property owner. These men, along with their boyfriends and girlfriends, give a glimpse into their lavish Los Angeles lifestyle, making their way through WeHo’s hottest parties and glamorous red carpets with drama at every turn. The series also features Nick Masc, Hannah Coehlo and Laron Seals.

“We’re thrilled to bring Men of West Hollywood and all of its excitement and drama to Crackle’s audience. It’s been a pleasure collaborating with Screen Media on this project, and we can’t wait for viewers to enjoy,” said Akim Anastopoulo, President & CEO and Scott Emmer, Head of Acquisitions & Sales of Get Me Out Productions.

Screen Media’s Seth Needle added, “Screen Media was instantly enamored with Men of West Hollywood, a vibrant, charming reality series full of engaging characters and nonstop, highly-bingeable entertainment.”

Men of West Hollywood was created, co-directed and executive produced by Hali Anastopoulo. The series was co-directed, and executive produced by Akim Anastopoulo. Sydney K. edited and produced.

Seth Needle, EVP of Global Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Screen Media negotiated the deal with Akim Anastopoulo on behalf of the production.

ABOUT SCREEN MEDIA VENTURES, LLC Screen Media Ventures, LLC, a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (Nasdaq: CSSE) company, acquires the rights to high quality, independent television series and feature films. Screen Media Ventures acquires worldwide rights for distribution through theatrical, home video, pay-per-view, free, cable and pay television, video-on-demand, and new digital media platforms. The company acquires AVOD rights for third party networks and is the main supplier of content for Crackle Plus and other Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment properties. With a library of over 1,500 television series and motion pictures, Screen Media Ventures is one of the largest independent suppliers of high-quality tv series and motion pictures to U.S. and international broadcast markets, cable networks, home video outlets and new media venues.

For more information, visit: www.screenmedia.net

DECEMBER 2021 39

READ

THE AUDACITY OF A KISS, LESLIE COHEN’S MEMOIR

BY MICHELE KARLSBERG

Lovers of love, queer history, nightlife, art, and great stories from New York City in the 1970s are in for a treat. Leslie Cohen’s powerhouse memoir The Audacity of a Kiss has just been published.

The breezy read includes her years running the landmark lesbian nightclub Sahara, which dazzled Manhattan from 1976-1980, and her romance, still going strong at 45 years, with her wife Beth Suskin.

Their love is literally a federally-recognized monument: they were models for the Gay Liberation sculpture created by famed sculptor George Segal, installed in 1992, after over 13 years of controversy, outside the Stonewall Bar in New York City’s Christopher Park.

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We sat down with the author to chat a bit about the past, the future and some secrets to Leslie and Beth’s longevity.

Liz: Looking back, what made Sahara unique?

Leslie: We were the first club by and for women. What existed before Sahara was mafia-owned, and they were outsiders who just wanted to make a buck. It wasn’t other women who created it. We wanted to party and be with our own and were tired of going to dives. We felt women deserved better so Michelle Florea, Barbara

Russo, Linda Goldfarb, and I decided to create our own space. It was a real struggle. [Women] couldn’t get a credit card on our own. We couldn’t get a loan. I came from a curatorial background and that trained me to do the impossible. And we did!

Liz: What do you think of the scene now?

Leslie: It’s amazing that we don’t need to hide in gay-only spaces.

But there’s a strong need for women’s spaces, where you cruise unabashedly and don’t have to worry about whether the person is straight, where you don’t have to worry about an unwanted sexual male gaze, where you form community. That’s why I love the Lesbian Bar Project.

It’s also interesting that new language is being developed to define people so that gender doesn’t have to be so binary. I’ve always been more of a combo and felt different because of it. I just hope that it all doesn’t become too PC, which is always a challenge when you’re starting a newer understanding of things. In the early days of feminism, it was “my way or the highway” and that blocks people out. At Sahara, we brought a broad spectrum of women to understanding feminism without policing their politics. You have to give people a chance to incorporate change into their gestalt.

Liz: What’s your secret to making it work with Beth?

Leslie: I never thought I was going to find a life partner. But Beth came into the picture, and it was immediate, and we were so connected.

We had the same goals, same moral code, and the priority of love above career, above all else. Beth said it well, that our relationship is like a fine piece of porcelain sitting on a pedestal and our job is to maintain, respect, protect, and love that third entity which is our relationship.

Of course, life gets in the way. Sometimes you drop the ball. At a certain point you have to have to step back and look at that other person and say, this is my best friend, not my enemy. Sometimes you have to surrender; otherwise, you get caught up in egos.

For more information: leslie-cohen.com

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DECEMBER 2021 41

BOOK GIFT GUIDE

ALWAYS OVERBOOKED, HOLIDAY EDITION

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

You knew this was coming.

You knew that you were going to have to finish your holiday shopping soon, but it snuck up on you, didn’t it? And even if you’re close to being done, there are always those three or five people who are impossible to buy for, right? Remember this, though: books are easy to wrap and easy to give, and they last awhile, too. So why not head to the bookstore with your Christmas List and look for these gifts...

shades of feminism in ancient times.

The folk music lover who just happens to also enjoy novels will love “The Ballad of Laurel Springs” by Janet Beard. It’s the story starts with ten-year-old Grace, who learns something shocking about her family’s past and the event became a song. She’s not the only one, though: songs and lyrics tell the rest of the tale, through generations of Tennessee folk music. Wrap it up with a promise of summer music festivals to come.

FICTION LGBTQ INTEREST Is there a better book to give your BFF than “How to Kill Your Best Friend” by Lexie Elliott? I think not. This is a book about three friends who’ve been inseparable since college. Sadly, one of them, a strong swimmer, drowns under mysterious circumstances. Is there a murderer in their rapidly-shrinking friends circle?

Fans of thrillers will absolutely want to unwrap “Bullet Train”

by Kotaro Isaka, the story of five assassins who find out that their respective assignments have a little too much in common for comfort.

Give this book for a gift, along with two movie tickets, since it’s about to become a motion picture.

The person on your gift list who loves mythology will be very excited to see “Daughters of Sparta” by Claire Heywood beneath the tree. This is a story of two princesses of Sparta, of which little is expected but birthing an heir and looking beautiful. But when patriarchal society becomes too overbearing, the princesses must decide what to do. Far from your normal “princess” tale, this one has

42 THESTANDARDPS.COM

If there’s about to be a new addition to your family, wrapping up “Queer Stepfamilies: The path to Social and Legal Recognition”

by Katie L. Acosta would be a good thing. In this book, the author followed forty LGBTQ families to understand the joys, pitfalls, and legalities of forming a new union together. It can’t replace a lawyer, but it’s a good overview.

For the parent who wants to ensure that their child grows up with a lack of bias, “Raising LGBTQ Allies” by Chris Tompkins is a great book to give. It’s filled with methods to stop bullying in its tracks, to be proactive in having That Conversation, and how to be sure that the next generation you’re responsible for becomes responsible in turn. Wrap it up with “The Healing Otherness Handbook” by Stacee L. Reicherzer, PhD, a book that helps readers to deal with bullying by finding confidence and empowerment.

If there’s someone on your gift list who’s determined to get “fit” in the coming year, then give “The Secret to Superhuman Strength”

by Alison Bechdel this holiday. Told in graphic-novel format (comics, basically), it’s the story of searching for self-improvement and finding it in a surprising place.

So why not give a little nostalgia this year by wrapping up “A Night at the Sweet Gum Head” by Martin Padgett? It’s the tale of disco, drag, and drugs in the 1970s (of course!) in Atlanta, with appearances by activists, politics, and people who were there at that fabulous time. Wrap it up with “After Francesco” by Brian Malloy, a novel set a little later - in the mid-1980s in New York City and Minneapolis at the beginning of the AIDS crisis.

The LGBTQ activist on your gift list will want to read “The Case for Gay Reparations” by Omar G. Encarnacion. It’s a book about acknowledgment, obligation on the part of cis citizens, and fixing the pain that homophobia and violence has caused. Wrap it up with “Trans Medicine: The Emergence and Practice of Treating Gender” by Stef M. Shuster, a look at trans history that may also make your giftee growl.

Young readers who have recently transitioned with enjoy reading “Both Sides Now” by Peyton Thomas. It’s a novel about a high school boy with gigantic dreams and the means to accomplish them all. Can he overcome the barriers that life gives him? It’s debatable... Pair it with “Can’t Take That Away” by Steven Salvatore, a book about two nonbinary students and the troubles they face as they fall in love.

The thriller fan on your list will be overjoyed to unwrap “Yes, Daddy” by Jonathan Parks-Ramage. It’s the story of a young man with dying dreams of fame and fortune, who schemes to meet an older, more accomplished man with the hopes of sparking his failing career. But the older man isn’t who the younger thinks he is, and that’s not good. Wrap it up with “Lies with Man” by Michael Nava, a book about a lawyer who agrees to be counsel for a group of activists.

Good so far, right? Until one of them is accused of being involved in a deadly bombing....

For the fan of Southern fiction, you can’t go wrong when you wrap up “The Tender Grave” by Sheri Reynolds. It’s the tale of two

sisters, one homophobic, the other lesbian, and how they learn to forgive and re-connect.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS For the past months, it seems like we’ve heard a lot from doctors and nurses. So why not wrap up a book by a psychiatrist?

In “Committed: Dispatches from a Psychiatrist in Training,” author Adam Stern, M.D. writes about what it’s like to be accepted for a prestigious program in which he and his colleagues learn to help patients on a psychiatric ward. Wrap it up with “Being You: A New Science of Consciousness” by Anil Seth, a book to help you tap into an inner self and get to know you.

Give this one carefully: “Everything I Have Is Yours: A Marriage”

by Eleanor Henderson is a book about boy-meets-girl and love blossoms. It’s about two children and a Happily-Almost-Ever-After, until chronic illness steps in. It’s a hard book to absorb but for the right giftee, it may be the best gift to give. Also look for “The Problem of Alzheimer’s” by Jason Karlawish, a sort of history of the “crisis” and where science is taking its treatment.

If your giftee is determined to live life to the fullest this coming year, then “Heartwood: The Art of Living with the End in Mind” by Barbara Becker may be what you need to wrap. Yes, it’s the story of death but it’s also about the way that grief can lead to growth.

Here’s a book that any reader can identify with: “Until Proven Safe: The History and Future of Quarantine” by Geoff Manaugh and Nicola Twilley. Learn what quarantine meant almost 400 years ago during The Black Death, what it means in a world with COVID-19, what we can expect during the next pandemic, and how this all meshes with the entire idea of freedom.

What to give to the person who loves the world of scent? Easy: “Revelations in Air: A Guidebook to Smell.” by Jude Stewart. Yes, it’s about things that smell good (and bad) but it’s also informative, with lessons on how to practice gaining a discerning nose. Wrap it up with a scented candle or a bottle of perfume, of course.

DECEMBER 2021 43

GAY DESERT GUIDE'S

2021-2022 EVENTS For the latest events, visit GayDesertGuide.LGBT

DATE

EVENT

Dec 4

Palm Springs Festival of Light Parade

Dec 4-5

Indio Tamale Festival

Dec 5

Animal Samaritans' Men of the Desert Fashion Show

Dec 6

Paws n' Claus Annual Pet Food Drive & Social

Dec 7,8,10,11,12

Barry Manilow's A Christmas Gift of Love V

Dec 9

Keisha D's One Desert Night

Dec 10-11

Desert Air

Dec 10-12

PS Gay Men's Chorus: Sparkle Twinkle Jingle!

Dec 12

STRUT Awards Gala presented by OutTV

Jan 6-17

Palm Springs International Film Festival

Jan 27-30

Oasis Music Festival

Jan 29

Art Party, Palm Springs Art Musuem

Feb 12

DAP Health's Steve Chase Humanatarian Awards

Feb 17 - 27

Modernism Week 2022

Feb 18

Palm Springs Air Museum Gala

Feb 24-28

International Bear Convergence IBC 2022

Feb 25-27

McCormick's Palm Springs Exotic Car Auction

March 19

The Center's Red Dress Dress Red Party

Mar 19-25

Fashion Week El Paseo

Mar 25-27

Palm Desert Food & Wine

Mar 25 - 27

Cathedral City LGBT Days

Mar 31

Cesar Chavez Breakfast

Mar 31

Stepping Out, College of the Desert

Apr 2nd

Faux Fur Ball Gala

Apr 15-17

Coachella 2022 Weekend 1

Apr 22-24

Coachella 2022 Weekend 2

Apr 28

Dining Out for Life: DAP Health

Apr 29-May1

Stagecoach 2022

Apr 29 - May 2

White Party Palm Springs

April 30

AAP Food Samaritans' Evening Under the Stars

May 6-8

Palm Springs Hot Rodeo

May 12

Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast

Nov 4-6

Palm Springs Pride 2022

44 THESTANDARDPS.COM

Celebrating All The Colors In The Rainbow

MUSTSEE

‘QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE’: DRAG SINGING COMPETITION

BY RJ SMYTHE

Hosted by Graham Norton, Queen of the Universe hails from the MTV Entertainment Studios and RuPaul’s Drag Race producers World of Wonder. Inspired by international singing competitions, Queen of the Universe will follow the world’s most talented drag queens as they battle it out for global domination, countries go head-to-head spotlighting their top talent. Contestants hail from the U.S, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, India, China, France and more.

Past contestants from American Idol (Ada Vox), The X-Factor (Gingzilla), and the global RuPaul’s Drag Race family (All Stars 5 finalist Jujubee and The Switch’s Leona Winter) are part of the 14 international divas who will contend for a massive $250,000 prize across the singing competition’s inaugural season.

Together, the 14 queens represent 10 regions around the world, including the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Denmark, Australia, Canada, England, France, China, and India. Each episode will see the queens debuting new musical performances in front of a live audience and a panel of musically inclined judges, including longtime Drag Race panelist and Seduction singer Michelle Visage,

“Save the Best for Last” hit-making icon Vanessa Williams, Grammy nominee Leona Lewis, and folk-pop drag songstress (and All Stars 3 champion) Trixie Mattel.

“It’s a singing competition first, it’s a drag competition second.

What you think you know is going to be out the door because, yes, it’s singing, but it’s definitely different,” said Michelle Visage, while Vanessa Williams added: “It’s a global aspect that we’ve never seen before, and it’s a singing competition; no one is lip-syncing, they’re all singing their own tunes. We’ll be judging them not only on the quality of their talent and musicianship, but also their star quality.”

Beloved British talk show personality Graham Norton will host Queen of the Universe, currently on Paramount+ from executive producer RuPaul.

Each episode will feature the world’s fiercest queens as they debut a new musical performance in front of a live audience and the “Pop Diva Panel” of judges in the hopes of being crowned the “Queen of the Universe” and winning a $250,000 cash prize.

DECEMBER 2021 45

46 THESTANDARDPS.COM

From Safety Net programs to Life Enrichment

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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

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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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