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AUGUST 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 8 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

LGBTQ+

SPORTS edition

CONTENTS VOLUME 9, ISSUE 8 AUGUST 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 8 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

theStandardPS.com LGBTQ+

SPORTS edition

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FEATURE

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Volume 9 Issue 8 COVER SPORTS ISSUE 2021 FEATURE WHY THERE ARE FEW OPENLY GAY ATHLETES IN PRO SPORTS FEATURE LGBTQ+ ATHLETES SPEAKING OUT & LEADING THE WAY PERSPECTIVE OLDER LGBTQ WORKING ON A DIFFERENT SET OF ISSUES DAP UPDATE AIDS WALK 2021 / AN IN-PERSON EVENT MUSIC BOBBY NEWBERRY TAKING YOU ON A HIGH OCTANE RIDE KAT CUNNING PHOTO LINDSEY BYRNES

AUGUST 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 Shane Gallagher, Tom Tietjen, Mona Elyafi, M. Ryan, Robert Espinoza, Bob Bogard, Greg Stillwell, Jack Bunting, Dann Foley, Lee Lynch, Jeff Dorta, Jill Langham & Terri Schlichenmeyer

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

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

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COVER

WHY THERE ARE FEW OPENLY GAY ATHLETES IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS

BY NPR STAFF

LUKE PROKOP

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.

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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.

“This is an example of the broader society changing much quicker than the institution of sport or the cultures of sport have done,” said Cheryl Cooky, a professor of American Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Purdue University.

Carl Nassib defensive lineman with the Las Vegas Raiders came out in a video shared on his Instagram page. His team published a statement supporting for him, marking what many hope to be a shift toward more acceptance and inclusiveness in not only the National Football League, but in the wider world of professional sports.

The easy-going way Nassib made the historic announcement mattered, Jim Buzinski, a co-founder of the sports news site Outsports told NPR. “There wasn’t a coordinated media campaign. He just looked like he was in his backyard recording, you know, a video for his friends. And so, I thought that that really gave it really power.”

Nassib wasn’t the first NFL athlete to come out, but he was the first to do it as an active player, and he has gotten support in a way that Michael Sam and others didn’t when they were similarly candid.

Michael Sam became a trailblazer as the first openly gay athlete to be drafted by the NFL in 2014. He congratulated Nassib on Twitter and thanked him for “owning [his] truth” and also donating $100,000 to The Trevor Project, supporting LGBTQ youth.

Sam was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 2014 and was the 249th of 256 players who made the cut. As is the custom, Sam’s reaction to the news was filmed, and the video shows a tearful Sam sharing a kiss and a hug with his boyfriend, clearly overcome with emotion.

But as is also the norm, being a trailblazer isn’t easy; Sam received backlash for the moment, not just from the typical rabblerousers who take to the internet to spew hate, but from a fellow football player too. Don Jones, then a safety for the Miami Dolphins, tweeted “horrible” after Sam was drafted and it landed him a fine, suspension from team activities, and mandatory sensitivity training, according to USA Today.

Sam had only come out just a few months before the draft, a move that carries even greater weight when you consider that it’s not unusual for players to be questioned — and, presumably, judged — harshly during the NFL Combine. While some questions could be considered harmless (“McDonald’s or Burger King?” one athlete was reportedly asked), more than one player has reported being asked inappropriate questions about their sexuality. In 2013, teams were apparently open about wanting to know Manti Te’o’s sexual orientation before possibly drafting him, according to one insider.

CARL NASSIB

It’s a culture that undoubtedly lends itself to silence, lest any divergence from heteronormativity be used to halt your career before it even starts. But Sam, as he explained during an early interview, wanted to be a beacon of hope.

“I just feel like because I came out, I was the first one to do it, I could be a beacon for other athletes who may be gay or maybe not. I think I can be a beacon for those people, a light, like ‘I can

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COVER

MICHAEL SAM

be comfortable in my own skin and be like Michael Sam,’ “ he said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Sam was applauded for his bravery by the likes of thenPresident Barack Obama, but the social support did not translate into long-term professional success. While he was drafted by the St. Louis Rams, he did not make the final cut.

Whether his decision to come out effected his future on the field is hard to say definitively; some theorized that his sexuality led to him being hyper-scrutinized, while others, like the Rams coach, attributed his fate squarely to his performance. But that’s something that those who have been the “only” in a sea of “many” can easily relate to. Implicit bias can hide behind plausible deniability, leaving the person with the haunting question of “is it because?”

Sam, at least, made it clear where he stood: that he that he should have made the team and claimed the coach was “vague” when cutting him — choosing over him players that he “outperformed,” Sam said, according to CBS Sports.

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After the Rams, Sam joined the Dallas Cowboys practice squad for a little over a month but did not make the roster. He found a temporary home shortly thereafter when he signed a two-year contract with the Montreal Alouettes in 2015 and became the first openly gay football player to play in the Canadian Football League. He retired from the game altogether a few months later out of concern for his mental health, he said in a Twitter announcement.

But while Sam’s pro career may have been short, his place in history is cemented. After being drafted, Cyd Zeigler, editor and a cofounder of Outsports, described Sam as someone who has “shattered stereotypes and broken the pink ceiling” — no small feat at all.

Before Sam and Nassib, there was David Kopay, who had a lucrative football career; he played for five different teams starting in 1964 before retiring in 1972. He came out a few years later, in 1975, and shared his story via a bestselling autobiography, The David Kopay Story.

What Kopay did was largely unheard of at the time. For context,

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COVER

DAVID KOPAY

consider this: Stonewall had happened only a few years earlier, during the summer of 1969. The board of the American Psychiatric Association had only voted to stop classifying homosexuality as a mental illness in 1973. And discriminating due to sexuality was still legal; Wisconsin, the first state to outlaw it, would not do so until 1982.

“Being gay in individual sports is one thing but being gay in team sports is a whole ‘nother, because ... the whole thing is, you kind of lose your identity in the team,” he said. “That’s why a lot of people say, `Well, gay people wouldn’t fit in,’ because their identity is so different.’”

After coming out, Kopay was blacklisted and had no choice but to leave the world of football behind, instead going to work with his family’s linoleum business, according to a 1998 ESPN article. But he was, by all accounts, a pioneer, with Outsports describing him in 2019 as “the most significant gay athlete in modern history.”

Other gay football players have similarly spoken out, remarking on the struggles of being closeted in such a hyper-masculine world.

Ryan O’Callaghan, who played for the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, came out in 2017 after retirement. Before coming out, he told OUT, his sexuality was “all [he] would think about” and he was terrified of being outed. He struggled with addiction and contemplated suicide, while most, presumably, didn’t suspect any internal turmoil.

During an interview with NPR in 2005, Kopay spoke on the difficulties of being a gay man in the world of football.

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MEGAN RAPINOE

“No one is going to assume the big football player is gay,” he told the magazine. “It’s why a football team is such a good place to hide.”

Speaking to ESPN in 1998, Kopay made similar remarks, telling the network that being a “very aggressive, tough ballplayer” made it easier to gain his teammate’s respect and “hide [his] true sexual identity.”

There are key differences in the cultures of men’s and women’s athletics. While few active players in the major men’s sports leagues have come out, many female professional athletes have said publicly that they’re gay, from U.S. soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe to tennis legend Billie Jean King. That points to a key difference between the cultures of men’s and women’s athletics.

For women, historically participating in sport has meant challenging gendered expectations and gendered norms and behaviors,” she told NPR. “Whereas for men, participating in sport is demonstrating and reaffirming and embodying all of those characteristics we expect of men.

BILLIE JEAN KING

Whether that will change after Nassib’s, and Prokop’s announcements is still unclear, in the overwhelmingly masculine culture of the four major men’s sports such that many more athletes will come out publicly.

Is a better future on the horizon?

When asked in 1998 if he thought that there would come a time when it would be easier for athletes to come out, Kopay simply remarked, “Yes, I do,” and pointed to the story of a New Zealand rugby player — possibly Ian Roberts, who was the first in his sport to come out publicly.

“It can happen, if it’s already happened to a major, major star,” he said. “I used to think it was going to happen fairly soon, back when I wrote my book, but now I don’t think it’s going to happen for another generation. But I do think it will happen eventually.”

“Eventually,” it appears, just may be now

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COVER

LGBTQ+ ATHLETES WHO ARE SPEAKING OUT AND LEADING THE WAY

BY M. RYAN There is so much potential for sports to unite us — you can see it after a home run drops over the fence, a last-minute goal hits the back of the net, or a marathon finish line is crossed — but the truth is that athletic institutions and communities have long fallen short when it comes to LGBTQ+ inclusion. Directly and indirectly, these institutions have often silenced LGBTQ+ athletes, forcing them to hide their identities in an environment that has often been closed off and discriminatory.

We have a long way to go, but progress is being made. And it’s clear who we must thank for it: LGBTQ+ athletes who use their platforms to amplify the voices of their community. No one — including athletes, celebrities, and other public figures — is ever obligated to come out or be a spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ community, but for every LGBTQ+ athlete who does share their gender or sexuality, the sports world becomes that much more inclusive for those who follow. Here are 22 LGBTQ+ athletes who are doing just that, actively breaking down boundaries, leading by example, and showing their pride from the ring, field, court, skating rink, and beyond.

MEGAN RAPINOE Rapinoe has been out publicly as gay since 2012, telling Out at the time, “I feel like sports in general are still homophobic, in the sense that not a lot of people are out. I feel everyone is really craving [for] people to come out. People want — they need — to see that there are people like me playing soccer for the good ol’ U.S. of A.” Since then, she’s been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights as well as racial and gender equality, taking a leading role in the USWNT’s fight for equal pay. Women athletes, she told NBC News in 2019, are often at the forefront of movements for change. “We’re gay, we’re women, we’re women of color,” she said, underscoring the diversity across women’s sports. “We’re unfortunately constantly being oppressed in some sort of way. So, I feel like us just being athletes, us just being at the pinnacle of our game is kind of a protest in a way and is sort of defiant in and of itself.”

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COVER JOSH DIXON Gymnast Josh Dixon competed for Stanford and, after coming out in 2012, dreamed of becoming the first openly gay American Olympic gymnast. Though he fell short of his goal in 2012 and 2016, Dixon told Out that “coming out was necessary in accepting who I was,” allowing him to grow as a person and an athlete. “It was more or less a decision to be a role model and to say, ‘You know, it’s okay to be yourself, and to be yourself in the sporting world.’”

NIKKI HILTZ Professional runner Nikki Hiltz competed at the 2019 world championships and has a good chance of making the US Olympic team in 2021, a career trajectory they say was made possible by opening up about their sexuality. “When I decided to be who I am, a weight was lifted. I don’t think my breakthrough season was coincidental,” Hiltz told Women’s Running, referring to their senior season at the University of Arkansas, when they placed second in the 1500 meters at the NCAA outdoor championships. “I was holding back this part of me, hiding it and burying it. When you’re happy and holistic off the track, it’s going to translate on the track. That was that.”

JASON COLLINS “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m Black. And I’m gay,” Jason Collins wrote in a 2013 edition of Sports Illustrated, becoming the first athlete in any of the four main professional sports leagues to publicly come out. “I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport,” Collins continued. “But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation . . . If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”

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TOM DALEY A year after winning a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics, British diver Tom Daley took to YouTube to share that he was dating a man.

“I didn’t want my words to get twisted. I wanted to put an end to all the rumors, the speculation, and just say it,” he told viewers at the time.

Daley has spoken out about anti-LGBTQ+ laws as well. After winning gold in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the diver tweeted, “37 of the competing nations criminalize being LGBT+. I feel so lucky to be able to be openly who I am without worry. I hope one day every athlete from every nation in the commonwealth will be free to compete openly as who they are too!”

ROBBIE ROGERS Soccer player Robbie Rogers played for the US Men’s National Team and professionally for Leeds United and the LA Galaxy. He came out as gay in a 2013 blog post and, after some time away from the sport, returned to become the first openly gay player in MLS.

ORLANDO CRUZ Olympian Orlando Cruz came out in 2012, making him the first openly gay professional boxer in the sport’s history. “I want to be true to myself. I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career,” Cruz told Boxing Scene at the time. “I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will be a proud gay man.”

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COVER GUS KENWORTHY Freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy won a silver medal at the 2014 Olympics to go with his multiple X Games gold medals and world titles. He came out as gay in a 2015 cover story for ESPN The Magazine, saying, “I never got to be proud of what I did in Sochi because I felt so horrible about what I didn’t do. I didn’t want to come out as the silver medalist from Sochi. I wanted to come out as the best freeskier in the world.”

ESERA TUAOLO Football player Esera Tuaolo played 10 seasons in the NFL. In 2002, two years after his retirement, he publicly came out as gay on HBO’s Real Sports and has since become an outspoken activist on antibullying and LGBTQ+ rights, founding a nonprofit organization called Hate Is Wrong. “It was very difficult waking up every single morning and as soon as you walk through those doors to the locker room, you transform yourself into somebody that you’re not,” he said in 2019 on an episode of Talks at GS. He described coming out as difficult but “incredible,” opening up doors for him to pursue other passions like singing; Tuaolo even competed on The Voice in 2017.

PATRICIO MANUEL In 2018, Patricio Manuel became the first transgender boxer to compete in a professional fight (which he won). Manuel began his career as a female competitor in the early 2000s, seeing success on the amateur levels before making the decision to transition, despite the effect it might have on his career. Manuel told CNBC in 2019 that he lost his coach, gym, jobs, and some of his friends during the transition.

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COVER RYAN O’CALLAGHAN Ryan O’Callaghan, a retired NFL player who played for the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, has been open about the effect that homophobia had on his mental health. He constructed a plan to play football as long as he could, then kill himself rather than live as who he was. “I was convinced from a young age that my family would never love me if they knew who I really was,” O’Callaghan said in 2019. A psychiatrist convinced him to come out to his family and friends, whose acceptance helped him find happiness.

“As long as there are people killing themselves because they are gay, there is a reason for people like me to share my story and try to help,” O’Callaghan told Out Sports in 2017. “It’s not always easy being honest, but I can tell you it’s much easier and more enjoyable being yourself and not living a lie.”

160 LGBTQ OLYMPIANS Over 160 LGBTQ athletes will compete at Olympics, setting global record. From New Zealand to Brazil, these out athletes are lifting, diving and kicking their way into the spotlight at the Tokyo Games.

Postponed by the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 Summer Olympics will finally take place in Tokyo from July 23 to Aug. 8. But they’ll be different from any other Games — and not just because spectators are being prohibited.

There will be record participation by out LGBTQ athletes: at least 163, according to Outsports, nearly triple the 56 who participated in the 2016 Summer Games in Rio. About 34 will be from the U.S., including five members of the women’s basketball

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team and four members of the women’s soccer team.

The Games will also mark the first Olympics at which a Pride House has received official recognition from the International Olympic Committee. Similar hospitality suites for LGBTQ athletes and visitors have existed since the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games — with the exception of the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia — but Pride House Tokyo, in the capital’s bustling Shinjuku district, is the first officially recognized one, and it will remain a permanent community center after the Olympics end.

When the space was inaugurated in October, Pride House Tokyo Director Gon Matsunaka told reporters that it “will be a landmark that could change the landscape for LGBTQ people in Japanese society.”

Thanks to Popsugar for their contribution to this article.

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AUGUST 2021 21

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BOOK REVIEW

ALWAYS OVERBOOKED

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER Your best friend definitely has an opinion.

You need advice and she offers an answer, though it might not be the one you seek. You may get sound counsel but at the wrong time, with sentiments directly opposing what you were thinking. And yet, you have to be grateful. As in the new book “¡Hola Papi!” by John Paul Brammer, the words come from the heart.

Growing up in a small Oklahoma town of Cache, John Paul Brammer knew nothing about being gay. He had little relationship experience, in fact, and he didn’t learn about hookup apps until he was a junior in college.

Once he found those apps, though, he was “instantly hooked.”

Much to his amusement, “some white guy” said “Hola Papi” in greeting on an app one day and Brammer, “a mixed-race Mexican American with noodle arms” never forgot it – because hey, wouldn’t that be a great name for an advice column? He pitched it, landed a gig in conjunction with Grindr and it was a landslide hit with users, even though Brammer felt like an imposter sometimes. Was he really qualified to do this? He wondered, then he remembered what he’d want if he needed advice...

When asked what one can do to let go of past hurts, Brammer answers with a tale of his middle-school years, of bullying, inadequacies, and teen angst, and of coming out, growing up, and not letting someone be defined by the worst of the past.

He writes of puppy-love with a girl when he was kinda sure he was attracted to boys, and how the experience wasn’t a waste. He remembers co-workers at a nearby taco stand who taught him to speak Spanish, to belong, and that “Lo siento” isn’t always necessary.

He tells readers about releasing the love he thought was “the one”; about the oh-so-awkward night a childhood bully approached him on a dating app; and how to let go of a dream, and a nightmare situation.

You know this: Dear Emmy and Dear Posey can always be relied upon to present some poor schlub with drama worse than yours. You know they’ll offer snappy, sometimes snarky, maybe dismissive advice – but that might not be as applicable as what’s in “¡Hola Papi!”.

Agony Aunties don’t normally insert themselves into their answers quite like author John Paul Brammer does; nope, he makes his advice into a memoir that resonates. Each mini-chapter here begins with a question, followed by what feels like a personal answer written specifically to the forlorn rather than to the world – in a story, really, but one that’s relatable. It’s fun to read but, more importantly, it wraps advice-seekers (and not just the writer!) in a comfortable tale

that might make them laugh but definitely makes them feel unalone.

Another nice thing: this book is by a gay man, but the advice he offers is for anyone, of any age. If you can remember that there are some eyebrow-raisers snuggled amidst laughs and sighs, of “¡Hola Papi!”, you’ll have a high opinion. “¡Hola Papi! How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons”

by John Paul Brammer c.2021, Simon & Schuster. $26.00 / $35.00 Canada 224 pages

AUGUST 2021 23

INDESIGN

LIVING WELL: AESTHETIC REALITY

BY DANN FOLEY

We are bombarded by daily images and videos of stylish living, stylish products, stylish materials, stylish solutions for the home.

It never seems to end. But, how do we sift through all of the noise?

How do we know when we get it right? As I am fond of saying, design is a personal journey and one that should be enjoyed! Afterall, how can you make yourself happy if you are stressed out over all of the choices you have to make.

Aesthetic Realism is a belief that one’s attitude to the world around them is the most critical reality of the individual’s life. What life is more important than your home life and the environment that surrounds? You can change your attitude, lift your spirits and see the world as a more beautiful place if you take the time to “feather your nest” in a way that feeds your senses and your soul. I will add to the equation the idea that if you are not having fun creating your own space, then there is something wrong with the process. Too many people fail, or worse, give up due to the stress of making decisions.

This malady I like to call “analysis paralysis”.

So, before I delve too deeply into the psychological aspects of design, let’s talk about how to find that place where your aesthetic becomes a real part of your happy and comfortable world view.

This is not about things or products; this is the about the emotional journey with your home.

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Sometimes you have to stand back from a problem to find perspective. The same is true for your home. In fact, it is one of the only “truisms” in décor, if not life. Perspective is everything.

Whenever I have a client in full or partial meltdown, I separate them from the situation. Then, after everyone has caught their breath, a solution can be found that will make a homeowner happy.

If perspective helps to alleviate areas where compromise or change are inevitable, then planning is the key to a smooth transition.

Intellectually you know that you should make a plan before you jump.

But emotionally we are full of excitement and anticipation that often times colors our judgement. You just want the house finished. You want to start living your new life. To me, unplanned rooms have a rambling visual quality. They lack focus. A well lived life is also a well curated life when it comes to your personal space.

Creativity, ingenuity and perseverance are elements of great design and memorable rooms. There is certain pureness, even romance, to a room that feels loved, embraces the occupants and offers you solace from the rest of the world. It rejuvenates and regenerates to gives you a whole new perspective on the beautiful world, both inside and outside of your home.

most memorable pieces of your space and your décor. I tell all my clients, that quirky is good! Embrace the unique. Find a perspective of that quirkiness in your home that makes you fall in love. It is easy to do and it changes your outlook completely. That is all a part of living well. The intellectual and the emotional can live in harmony in your home, and when you find that sweet spot, you will know. You will feel it from your head to your toes. It makes you want to be home and to share that home. It offers you a new perspective of the world outside your home. Happiness, contentment and comfort is what we all seek. Make the effort today to live well tomorrow and every day thereafter. It all starts at home.

My wish for you is find sanctuary in your home. A home where all of your senses are fed and your aesthetic reality changes how you see not just your home but, the world around you.

Live Well,

Accepting elements of your home, room or space that cannot be changed is part of loving your home. I have never lost my wits over “oddities” in any room, of any project. I take the perspective that if it cannot be changed, then go with it! Those weird little things about your home can easily become endearing, charming and the

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

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AUGUST 2021 27

FEATURE

THE DINAH ANNOUNCES 2021 FALL DATES

BY STAFF

THE DINAH IS BACK! Celebrating 30 years as the largest and most iconic all-girl music festival in the world, The Dinah will bring leading non-binary artist and actor Kat Cunning to the Friday Pool Party Stage.

After endless months of lockdown, social distancing, pandemic restrictions, and isolation, The Dinah, the largest all-girl music festival in the world, will finally be able to celebrate its highly anticipated milestone 30th Anniversary.

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In alignment with public health guidance, the iconic event returns to the sunny oasis this Fall.

The Dinah will be held in Palm Springs, CA from September 29 til October 3, 2021 at the Hilton Hotel and the Palm Springs Convention Center.

Following CDC guidelines, full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test will be required to enjoy the festivities.

A much-needed breath of fresh air, The Dinah is gearing up for a jam-packed Fall of fun. Are you ready to play?

This year’s Dinah promises to be the most epic one ever. You won’t want to miss it!

Like most festivals, The Dinah was canceled last year in light of the global pandemic. The Dinah joins the series of Festivals comeback announcements, which have recently been publicly released. The world class all-girl music festival typically draws thousands of LGBTQ+ women, non-binary & trans attendees, and allies over 5-days of non-stop amazing musical performances, comedy shows, pool parties, nighttime soirees, celebrity meet and greets, contests, DJ Battles, fun and games, and so much more.

The official Line-up will be announced later this month. But festivalgoers can already get a glimpse of the palette of stars that will be bringing their bright & shiny rainbow colors to the event with the already confirmed performance of Leading non-binary artist and actor Kat Cunning at the Friday Pool Party.

With a traffic-stopping voice and powerful presence, Kat Cunning adds soulful grace to anthemic alternative pop. An accomplished screen and stage talent, they appeared on Broadway as Emile in Les Liaison Dangereuses and in Cirque du Soleil in addition to acting alongside James Franco in HBO’s hit The Deuce. They also supported LP on a sold-

out U.S. Tour and received praise from Nylon, Teen Vogue, New York Times, Earmilk, and more.

Cunning released a new video for their song “Boys” in celebration of Pride 2021. The entire cast and crew of the new music video identifies as either transgender or non-binary. The video release came a little over two weeks after the release of the track, which Billboard called “a lifeaffirming new single that deserves your attention” and Alternative Press heralded as “the perfect track to start off Pride month.”

“I am so excited to perform The Dinah. It’s a monumental staple of the lesbian community. I can’t wait to look out at the dream crowd of queers and to be immersed in that environment for the first time!”

- Kat Cunning The Dinah has grown into a globally celebrated event, famous for picking the next big thing in music. Founder and producer Mariah Hanson has year after year tapped the most promising up and coming talent that have gone on to become world-renowned performers and recording artists. Top 10 Billboard charting singer and rapper Lizzo, who graced The Dinah stage in 2017, is one of the most notable recent superstar transformations. The Dinah celebrated her body-positive message with throngs of women who identified with a new lexicon, free from the constraints the patriarchal music industry has imposed upon female

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FEATURE

KAT CUNNING PHOTO REBECCA LADER

artists. Just three years later, we see Lizzo taking home three Grammy’s in 2020, proving The Dinah once again to be a legendary platform for superstars just before they break.

Other past Dinah performers include Tegan and Sara, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Bebe Rexha, Snow Tha Product, Jessie Reyes, Meghan Trainor, Iggy Azalea, Eve, Chaka Khan, Salt ‘N Pepa, Christina Perri, Natasha Bedingfield, and so many other household names. More talent announcements for 2021 will be coming soon and Visit TheDinah.com for updates and info.

HAPPY DINAH! We will strictly adhere to CDC, State, County and local Guidelines and recommendations to produce a safe Dinah.

CURRENTLY, THOSE GUIDELINES (AND LAW) REQUIRE EITHER PROOF OF VACCINATION OR RECENT COVID TEST. Since the situation is fluid, we will issue the final guidelines 30 days out so we are working within the latest guidance and requirements for safety.

We look forward to seeing you in the Fall.

Happy Dinah!

AUGUST 2021 31

PERSPECTIVE

OLDER LGBTQ+ ADULTS DESERVE COMPREHENSIVE POLICY INTERVENTIONS

BY ROBERT ESPINOZA

The LGBTQ+ rights movement has made significant strides over the last few decades, scoring major policy wins on marriage equality and employment non-discrimination while shifting the cultural landscape toward greater understanding and acceptance.

Yet this progress has not benefitted the entire LGBTQ+ community, as evidenced by the widespread inequities facing more than 2.4 million older LGBTQ+ adults in this country.

Older LGBTQ+ adults struggle with a range of problems related to their economic security, health, and general well-being. Because they have dealt with a lifetime of discrimination in education and employment, these individuals experience high rates of poverty, rely heavily on public assistance and support from aging services providers, and hold serious fears about their retirement security. Poverty and discrimination lead to health disparities for older LGBTQ+ people, including disproportionately high rates of diabetes, asthma, heart disease, HIV, and cancer.

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Studies have also shown that, compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers, older LGBTQ+ adults are more likely to live alone and less likely to have significant others or children. These factors drive many of these individuals prematurely into long-term care for daily support and place them at high risk of social isolation and loneliness, which can be life-threatening without targeted interventions.

Older LGBTQ+ individuals also face discrimination in housing, long-term care, and under various laws. They experience a lack of affordable, LGBTQ+-welcoming housing options as they age, differential treatment when seeking housing, and actively carry the fear and lived experience of discrimination in the long-term care system, whether in their own homes, in residential care settings, or in nursing homes. Within the older LGBTQ+ adult community, people of color, women, transgender people, people aging with HIV, and immigrants face additional, unique hardships that remain insufficiently addressed in policy and practice.

The primary policy barrier confronting older LGBTQ+ adults stems from the fact that many of them reside in parts of the country without adequate anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. So, the discrimination they routinely face as LGBTQ+ people in housing, long-term care, and health care settings remains legally permissible. The lack of legal protections extends to the primary caregivers for these individuals as well, with “families of choice” often excluded from paid leave and caregiving laws that limit caregivers to biological relatives and spouses.

In addition, the federal government has historically underfunded aging services specific to older LGBTQ+ adults—as evidenced by the long exclusion of LGBTQ+ people from the Older Americans Act, the largest funding vehicle for aging services in this country. This exclusion has harmed the widespread growth and sustainability of LGBTQ+friendly health and well-being programs, legal and financial support services, social programming, friendly home visiting, support groups, technology programs, and more. In addition, training programs that promote LGBTQ+ competence among health and long-term care professionals remain limited given the lack of government investment in such critical training.

Although research on older LGBTQ+ adults and overall evidence for aging interventions has grown significantly over the last 10 years, public policy continues to marginalize this community in data collection and research initiatives.

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PERSPECTIVE Federal and state surveys on aging, long-term care, and health do not always include LGBTQ+-related questions. In general, research on older LGBTQ+ adults needs improvement. For example, a 2019 systematic review of LGBTQ+ aging research from 2009 to 2016 found that although research expanded in that period, several topics remained neglected, including people aged 80 and older, bisexual individuals, older people of color, gender non-binary older people, intersex people, and people living in poverty. The review also found that more longitudinal data and stronger intersectional analysis were needed.

Older LGBTQ+ people—who disproportionately require paid care as they age—also struggle with the high costs and systemic failings of long-term care in the United States. Like others who require long-term care, many of these individuals must whittle down their income and assets to qualify for Medicaid, the primary public provider of long-term care. Yet even when they are eligible for Medicaid services, aging LGBTQ+ individuals might not be able to find available workers to deliver care, given how poor job quality drives many direct care workers out of this field.

To address these policy barriers and improve the lives of older LGBTQ+ adults, federal and state lawmakers should enact several measures.

Congress should pass the Equality Act, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity protections to existing civil rights laws and protect older LGBTQ+ adults—regardless of where they live—in employment, housing, services, federally funded programs, and more.

In addition, paid leave and caregiving laws should expand their definitions of “family” to include families of choice.

Federal and state leaders should invest in better data collection and more research on older LGBTQ+ adults to understand how they access and experience aging services and long-term care. Major surveys related to aging, long-term care, and health—such as the National Survey of Older Americans Participants—should also include questions on sexual orientation, gender identity, and age, to capture the realities of this community.

Policymakers at all levels should increase funding for LGBTQ+specific aging services, elder housing needs, and cultural competence training—all with an eye to the unique needs of more marginalized populations, including people of color, transgender and gender nonconforming people, and people with HIV, among others.

Finally, recognizing the persistent hostility aimed at LGBTQ+ people across the country, federal and state lawmakers should

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resist enacting the widespread anti-LGBT proposals that aim to strip LGBTQ+ people of their rights. As elder LGBTQ+ people know, discrimination accumulates across the lifespan, shows up more harshly in later life, and should be stopped as early as possible.

Older LGBTQ+ adults have lived through decades of discrimination, which has harmed their health and economic security— but these inequities can be overcome. Policymakers should enact a range of reforms to support generations of older LGBTQ+ adults to age safely with dignity, independence, and social connection.

2021-2022 EVENTS For the latest Events, Visit GayDesertGuide.LGBT May 27-31

NAGAAA Cup LGBTQ Softball Tourney

June 22-28

PS International Film Festival ShortFest

July 4

AAP Food Samaritians Independance Day Celebration

Sept. 18

Aging Positively / Reunion Conference

Sept. 22

Taste of Palm Springs and Business Expo

Sept. 29-Oct. 3 Oct. 11

Club Skirts Dinah Shore Out PSP: National Coming Out Day

Oct. 14-17

Modernism Week Fall Preview

Oct. 15-17

Casual Concours (Gay Autos of Yesterday)

Oct. 16 Oct. 22-23

Faux Fur Ball Gala 2021 LGBTQ Community Center Fall Party

Oct. 27

Pride Honor Awards

Oct. 30

DAP Health Desert AIDS Walk

Oct. 28-31 Oct. 29-Nov1 Oct. 31

Leather Pride 2021 White Party Palm Springs Halloween Halloween on Arenas

Nov. 1

George Zander Candlelight Vigil and March

Nov. 1

Eisenhower Health 50th Anniversary Celebration

Nov. 3-6

Light Up the Night

Nov. 6-7

Palm Springs Pride 2021

Nov. 7 Nov. 10 Nov. 19-21 Jan. 6 2022 Jan. 6-17 2022 Feb. 24-28 2022 Feb. 25-27 2022 May 6-8 2022

Pride Parade One Night Only McCormick’s Palm Springs Exotic Car Auction

@ILoveGayPS

Palm Springs International Film Festival Gala Palm Springs International Film Festival

Find Us/Follow Us!

International Bear Convergence IBC 2022 McCormick’s Palm Springs Exotic Car Auction

@GayDesertGuide #ILoveGayPalmSprings #ILoveGayCatCity

PS Hot Rodeo

AUGUST 2021 35

PSP FOCUS

>> 14TH SEASON FOR AWARD-WINNING DEZART PERFORMS FEATURES FOUR DESERT PREMIERES Like an oasis springing up in the Desert after a year of theatrical drought, the award-winning Dezart Performs of Palm Springs (www. dezartperforms.org) returns with a full four-play schedule that brings music, mayhem, mirth and an exploration of mental health to the fore in their 14th Season. First up is the critically-acclaimed Todd Almond / Matthew Sweet musical GIRLFRIEND (October 27 – 30) taking place outside at the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater. Kicking off the new year, the company returns to its traditional home at the Pearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman’s Club / 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs) with Katori Hall’s THE MOUNTAINTOP (January 14 – 23), a bold reimagining of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s final night. Next is Heidi Schreck’s dramatic exploration of compassion and forgiveness as seen through the eyes of a nun in a Bronx soup kitchen, GRAND CONCOURSE (March 4 – 13). Rounding out the calendar is the one-person comedy/drama EVERY BRILLIANT THING (April 1 – 10) by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe and directed

by Deborah Harmon. EVERY BRILLIANT THING was originally the final production of the 2020 Season, delayed by COVID. “We are so looking forward to welcoming everyone back in October with a play that is a first in many ways,” said Dezart Performs Artistic Director Michael Shaw who directs the first three plays in the upcoming season. “‘GIRLFRIEND is the first musical for Dezart Performs, the first play to be presented outdoors, and it’s the first play after a long, dark shutdown.”

Following its final live, with-audience performance, SWEAT, on March 8, 2020, Dezart Performs engaged its audience with a series of live online events during COVID: Creating for the Stage: Discussions with the People that Make Shows Happen (November 11 – December 2, 2020) and the interactive online sensation Mental Amusements (January 13 – 31, 2021) with award-winning Mentalist Vinny DePonto.

“Our motto during the pandemic was that we were here, and still dreaming,” said Shaw who co-founded the company in 2008.

“Now, the dream is being realized again, and we’re ready to turn a new decade of dreams into reality. Dezart Performs, one of the Coachella Valley’s preeminent theatre companies, recognizes that the performing arts enrich the life and culture of a community, promote greater understanding and provoke insightful discussion.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company, its mission is to provide an artistic home for bold and cutting–edge plays, creating an atmosphere of artistic growth for actors, writers, and directors who uniquely contribute to the diverse theatrical environment in the

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Coachella Valley. Dates for Season Subscriptions and Single Ticket Sales will be announced later this summer.

For more info and schedule visit www.dezartperforms.org

PSP FOCUS

>> THE CREEKSTONE, A CHIC NEW MODERN RUSTIC HOTEL, OPENS IN IDYLLWILD

The Fully Reconceptualized Hotel is Idyllwild’s Mountain Oasis of Cool. The Creekstone, a fun and stylish modern twist on a historic mountain lodge, opened today in Idyllwild, California. Originally built in 1947, The Creekstone is a playful modern redesign of a vintage gem. Nestled in the serene, wooded mountain landscape of Idyllwild, the fully renovated hotel features nine chic guest suites and a gorgeous great room that combines an original rustic fireplace with fabulous and eclectic furnishings.

The hotel’s storybook-inspired architecture dates back to when the building was originally an Alpine-style market, but from the moment guests enter the building’s lively, social space, they will know that they have found the best of Idyllwild. Everything inside has been completely reconceptualized. The hotel’s management team, Elevation Property Management, Inc., partnered with H3K Home & Design of Palm Springs, who furnished each room with fresh, modern décor unlike any hotel in the area. With fusions of organic textures and statement pieces, it is a bold and impeccably designed boutique hotel bringing hipness to the mountain.

The meticulously curated guest suites feature understated furnishings, including over-sized black and white plaid lounge chairs, a bed decked out in luxuriously soft linens, and some cheeky artwork. Most of the pristine rooms include unique custom electric fireplaces that can be programed to display in a variety of colors.

The generously sized bathrooms feature modern touches, including contemporary subway tiles, oversized sinks, rustic furnishings, and

include custom organic bath amenities.

“Just two hours from Los Angeles, the Creekstone is a perfect getaway (romantic or otherwise!) for creative types, brimming with swanky style and carefree comfort,” said hotelier Amy Brinkman.

“With galleries, boutiques, and some great restaurants, Idyllwild now has a hotel that measures up! In this era of VRBO, hoteliers need to provide much more than a place to lay one’s head. We hope the depth of our passion for the place comes through and we’re thrilled with how it’s evolved. We’ve set a new standard for Idyllwild lodging.”

Brinkman envisions an “affluent, artistic, creative” clientele.

“We created this space to be a warm and inviting modern mountain retreat that blends comfort with style. Our cozy haven can be your vibrant yet chill escape in the majestic mountains of Idyllwild.” The great room’s furnishings are an eclectic mix of leather lounging couches and sharp black & white gingham chairs, coupled with burl wood end tables.

Sometime after opening The Creekstone will begin hosting live music, pouring cocktails, and open a high-end steakhouse called The Red Door. Meanwhile, patrons will have no shortage of quality food options in the vicinity.

The Creekstone is located at 54950 Pine Crest Avenue, in Idyllwild, California (92549). For more information go to creekstoneinn.com or call 800-409-2127 or 951-659-3342.

AUGUST 2021 37

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PSP FOCUS

>> COACHELLA VALLEY REPERTORY PRIORITIZES HEALTH & SAFETY AS LIVE PERFORMANCES RETURN Coachella Valley Repertory (CVRep) is taking a health & safety leadership role in the local performing arts community by requiring the highest current standard from its patrons, team members, and volunteers: Proof of COVID-19 full vaccination.

As COVID-19 infections continue to spread and even spike again in some communities, and with the uncertainty that COVID-19 variants may be adding to our upcoming abilities to enjoy social gatherings and live performing arts, CVRep’s Board has chosen to create as safe a theatre venue and performing arts space as possible by requiring this proof of full vaccination from all those who will spend time in the playhouse.

“Our primary concern will always be for the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our theatre,” said Board President Mike Monachino. “As this pandemic continues to evolve feel it is imperative to set the clearest and highest standards to help reassure everyone in our community.”

CVRep has also installed a new, upgraded anti-viral air handling system in its lobby, instituted a strict cleaning and sanitizing protocol throughout the playhouse before and after each performance, and will closely adhere to all CDC, State, County and local safety rules.

This now includes limiting admission to performances at the CVRep playhouse to guests who have been fully- vaccinated. In addition, patrons can take comfort in knowing that all CVRep staff and volunteers will also be fully vaccinated.

AUGUST 2021 39

PSP FOCUS To accommodate anyone who is unable to get vaccinated for health or other reasons, CVRep will make individual exceptions to allow entry to the playhouse with proof of a negative void test within48 hours. Unvaccinated guests, for their own safety, will be required to remain masked and may be seated in a separate socially-distanced section of the playhouse’s auditorium.

“CVRep is excited to welcome you back to our theatre and share the joy and wonder of live performances with everyone,” said Ron Celona, CVRep’s Founding Artistic Director. “We are proud to take this leadership role along with others in the local arts community to help keep our guests, performers, staff, volunteers, their families and loved ones, and our entire community healthy and safe!”

CVRep will ask patrons to voluntarily submit proof of full vaccination in advance by sharing copies of their vaccination cards or other equivalent electronic or digital vaccination credentials. Guests’ photo I.D.’s will be cross-checked at the playhouses’ entrances. Patrons will also be able to present their proof of full-vaccination at the door, if needed.

For information, tickets to upcoming musical events or CVRep’s full 2021-2022 season of plays, please contact CVRep at (760) 296-2966, or visit cvrep.org. CVRep is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts theatre.

>> THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE DESERT WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO Rob Wheeler has been appointed Executive Director and CEO of The LGBTQ Community Center of The Desert (“The Center”) following a nationwide search led by Kevin Chase Executive Search Group.

Wheeler succeeds previous CEO Mike Thompson and Interim Executive Director Mary Sue Allen, who will resume her role as Co-chair of the Board of Directors.

A native of the Pacific Northwest, Wheeler joins The Center following 22 years at the New York LGBT Community Center, where he served as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer since 2010. Wheeler led the New York Center through a decade of transformational growth with an array of health, arts, and community programming, growing the annual budget of $8.5M to $20M. Wheeler earned his BA in Organizational Sociology and Political Science from Hunter College and his MPA from New York University, where he subsequently taught as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Public Service.

As executive director, Wheeler will work closely with the board, staff, and community partners to advance the organization’s work and mission. He will lead strategic, operational, administrative, and financial stewardship in concert with the board and will actively engage internal and external stakeholders in creating a shared vision for The Center as the organization moves into an exciting new era of LGBTQ communitybuilding and empowerment in the Coachella Valley.

“The Center already has a national reputation of innovation and creating the connection for a healthy vibrant LGBTQ community.

Rob’s experience, leadership and authenticity provide our staff, board and broader community a proven partner to lead the next evolution of The Center,” said Co-Chair of the Board, Ted Briggs. “The Board

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has every confidence that Rob will work with our incredible staff to further our mission and vision and brings an abundance of energy and enthusiasm to The Center and to our members and clients. As we emerge from COVID-19 and gather our community together again in safe and meaningful ways, we will build on our past success with both traditional and new programming, events and services.”

“I am humbled and honored to join the incredible team of staff and board members of The Center at this pivotal time for the organization. For over 20 years, The Center has provided a broad and diverse range of programming, while focusing on outreach, community need and equity principles in everything they do. With a new physical space in Coachella, a building renovation and expansion of the Scott Hines Behavioral Health Clinic near completion in Palm Springs, and a robust offering of virtual programming developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Center is a model for community-driven programming where the full diversity of LGBTQ people are affirmed, celebrated and supported no matter who they are or where they live.

The sky’s the limit for our Center and community, and I can’t wait to contribute to our continued growth and success,” Wheeler said.

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AUGUST 2021 41

FITNESS

IT’S HOT OUT THERE!

BY JILL LANGHAM

I hope this finds all of you well especially in lieu of the extreme heat that has overshadowed the entire country and especially here in the SW! Global Warming at its best!

Little did I know that it would be the heat that would provide me with an opportunity to be on National Television, not once but twice in the last month when my dear friend, Geoffrey Martin-Cyr fell victim to Heat Stroke on June18, 2021. He passed away 24-hours later. It still seems surreal to me, and I can only imagine what it must be like for his family.

It has been described as the Perfect Storm, a combination of events that struck him down in his 55th year. He had never been ill during his life as he would often tell me. From outward appearances, he seemed like a healthy middle-aged man, who neither smoked, drank to excess or took drugs.

He, like so many others, had gained weight during COVID-19, tipping the scales 30 pounds over his ideal weight. He had never been overweight so; this was a big deal for him. He had moved back to his hometown of Augusta, Maine in October 2020 and over the next 7 months lost those Covid pounds. He was feeling fantastic when he returned to LA in late May 2021, his home of over 33 years. He was on top of the world with new job prospects and the Emmy’s to attend a few weeks later.

He had come up to Palm Springs on June 18th to celebrate my upcoming 66th birthday on June 21. Sadly, on the 18th, he collapsed after sun-bathing for less than 90 minutes on the day where we broke our own heat record with temps topping 119! He had been on his way to meet me at Hunters but never made it.

For the longest time we all assumed he had been dehydrated but have subsequently been informed that he had undiagnosed arteriosclerosis; “the thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries, occurring typically in old age.” But because Geoffrey had never been sick a day in his life, he had never sought treatment for his condition and ironically had had a physical prior to leaving Augusta. No signs of his illness appeared during that physical, so he assumed he was in good health.

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Sadly, arteriosclerosis is not reversible according to Google Search: Atherosclerosis happens when the endothelium becomes damaged, due to factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, or high levels of glucose, fat, and cholesterol in the blood. This damage

allows a collection of substances, known as plaque, to build up in the artery wall. These substances include fat and cholesterol. (Nov 13, 2019) Medical treatment combined with lifestyle and dietary changes can be used to keep atherosclerosis from getting worse, but they aren’t able to reverse the disease. Some medications may also be prescribed to increase your comfort, particularly if you’re having chest or leg pain as a symptom.

Geoffrey was not an athletic person and because our lives had been so disrupted by Covid, he’d been less active and was eating more processed foods which compounded his underlying condition.

The extreme heat that he was exposed to at the pool evidently put so much stress on his already compromised system that when he attempted to walk to meet me, set off an unstoppable “storm” of symptoms that took his precious life.

For years, I have had the desire to be an advocate of health and through his unfortunate death, was given this incredible opportunity to be a national spokesperson for him and ultimately you. I take this job ever so seriously and want to do my absolute best.

My family genetics consist of heart problems on both sides. Both grandfathers died of heart attacks, my dad’s dad passing at the young age of 42, while Mom’s died at 66. My mother’s 7 brothers all died of heart-related problems so, I have always paid close attention to my own heart health. At age 29, I was offered a place in what has now become a 40-year Heart Study called CARDIA. I am pleased to report that at age 60, my heart health was equivalent to my results at age 29! However, a few things have changed, such as my cholesterol levels.

But because I have such a high HDL of over 90, it counterbalances my elevated cholesterol numbers keeping me safe. For that, I am delighted.

In closing, I believe it is our responsibility to know our own heart health and by this time in history we know that a healthy diet and exercise are a must to ensure longevity. Neither of my parents died of heart related problems so, I am hopeful that I will not be a victim of that as well.

In Health and Love, XOXO Jill

AUGUST 2021 43

DAPUPDATE

DAP HEALTH OPENS REGISTRATION FOR DESERT AIDS WALK 2021

BY STEVEN HENKE

More than 2,000 local humanitarians will come together to end the HIV epidemic, expand healthcare access, and remember those friends and family members who we lost because of AIDS. The 2021 Desert AIDS Walk will be an in-person event Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, beginning at Ruth Hardy Park and following a route through downtown Palm Springs. The family and pet-friendly event includes a Health and Wellness Festival presented by Walgreens.

Registration opened August 2.

This year marks 40 years of HIV with the first reported cases about what would become known as HIV and AIDS published in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Brinkman says, “AIDS taught us a community response is the most effective response. It taught us that we cannot turn our backs when communities are in need and in fear, that we must remember our humanity and the gift of giving back and be there to help. And as we have learned through our recent human rights and health equity movements, equality cannot be experienced by one until it is experienced by all.”

The annual Desert AIDS Walk helps fund the vital work of DAP Health. “We remain committed to ending the epidemic and caring for people living with HIV. That work includes the vital services we offer, including HIV prevention and specialty care, STI screening and treatment, housing support, benefits navigation, medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare,” says DAP Health CEO David Brinkman.

Since 1984, residents of the Coachella Valley have been coming together as a community in action caring for those living with and now aging with HIV. DAP Health Chief Development and Strategy Officer Darrell Tucci says, “Desert AIDS Walk brings together the collective power of community and our shared vision of a future where everyone has the comprehensive care they need to live their best lives.”

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After 40 years, public health officials and activists see a pathway to end the AIDS epidemic. It starts with treatment.

With proper medical care, those living with HIV can reduce the viral load in their blood to an undetectable level. When HIV can’t be detected it can’t be transmitted, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Health officials and activists are now championing the message that undetectable equals untransmittable, or U=U. The U=U campaign also aims to end the stigma around HIV. That stigma keeps too many people from getting tested for HIV or obtaining the care they need to stay healthy. The result of 40 years of research is that people living with HIV can suppress the virus and live long lives with medication.

A COMMITMENT TO HEALTH EQUITY DAP Health’s care team and experts are making a conscious effort to talk about health equity more, because the CDC and the CDPH both say we need health equity for people if we’re going to beat COVID-19.

“But getting people to take that first step can be difficult.”

Discrimination — against the poor, LGBTQ individuals and racial minorities — also increases the likelihood people will avoid essential care.

“If you’re told by society over and over again that you’re bad, wrong, inferior and not good enough, then you come to believe it after a while,” says Dr. Jill Gover, a licensed clinical psychologist who leads DAP Health’s Behavioral Health department. “And with the inadequacy comes shame.”

“The intersection of oppression and poverty can create feelings of unworthiness, which are barriers to care,” she says.

To break down these barriers, DAP Health is making it easier for people to ask for help in several important ways. DAP Health has culturally competent doctors and therapists who can see patients from home, or onsite at the DAP campus. Social-services access has also been expanded for help with life essentials during this pandemic.

DAP Health’s dedication to cultural humility has its care team leaning in to get to know their patients, instead of assuming a onesize-fits-all approach works.

“Health equity means that everyone has the opportunity to be healthy based on their needs, not on their ability to pay,” says Brinkman. “It also means no one should feel like an outsider once they come inside to see a doctor or psychologist.

AUGUST 2021 45

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DIRECTV SVC TERMS: Subject to Equipment Lease & Customer Agreements. Must maintain a min. base TV pkg of $29.99/mo. Some offers may not be available through all channels and in select areas. Visit directv.com/legal or call for details. Programming, pricing, promotions, restrictions & terms subject to change & may be modified, discontinued or terminated at any time without notice. Offers may not be combined with other promotional offers on the same services and may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice. Other conditions apply to all offers. HBO Max: Access to HBO Max is included with your HBO add-on subscription at no extra charge. Access HBO Max through HBO Max app or hbomax.com with your AT&T log-in credentials. Compatible device or browser required. Visit att.com/myatt to verify/create your account. Use of HBO Max is subject to THESTANDARDPS.COM its own terms46 and conditions, see hbomax.com/terms-of-use for details. Programming and content subj. to change. Upon cancellation of your video service you may lose access to HBO Max. Limits: Access to one HBO Max account per AT&T account holder. May not be stackable w/other offers, credits or discounts. To learn more, visit att.com/hbomax. HBO Max is only accessible in the U.S. and certain U.S. territories where a high-speed broadband connection is available. Minimum 3G connection is required for viewing on mobile devices. HBO MAX is used under license. ©2021 AT&T Intellectual Property. All Rights Reserved. AT&T, Globe logo, DIRECTV, and all other DIRECTV marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks are the property of their respective owners

MUSIC

BRANDON JAMES GWINN’S BULLIT JOURNAL

BY TOM TIETJEN

The new album by Brandon James Gwinn reflects on a messy period in the life of the young out and loud artist.

Brandon James Gwinn is best known for producing Trixie Mattel’s albums. In fact, it was Trixie’s idea for Brandon James to sing his own songs on his first EP, Not Too Late, released three years ago. She then convinced Brandon James to join her nationwide tour as her opening act.

Now Brandon James Gwinn returns with his sophomore album, BULLIT, featuring first single “Cristal Conners,” a country-rock popinfused ode to the Gena Gershon character in Showgirls.

The album mixes queer pop with theatrical rock ‘n roll and is darker than the piano-based-quirkiness of his previous album. BULLIT is about messy ends, and the rocky, mirky, often uncertain paths many of us travel in life before getting to what we celebrate as new beginnings.

Did you intend for BULLIT to be a feel-fest?

Brandon James Gwinn: Most of the material on the album was born out of my own, private, devastating feel-fest; a period of my life where a lot changed quickly. I had 13 songs worth of shit to say, and to experience this album from start to finish is almost a tour of how I dealt with that time in my life.

You bare a lot of deep emotions throughout the album.

Brandon James Gwinn: I’m a songwriter and that’s how I work things out. Even something as cheeky as the song “Cristal Conners” is about how sometimes, when you’re dealing with heartache and you have too many vodkas, you can wreak a little havoc. You wake up the next day wondering if you still have friends. It is about being devastated and messy and living in that moment and feeling it fully.

Almost relishing and allowing yourself a tiny moment of indulgent, fun self-destruction.

AUGUST 2021 47

MUSIC

How much of Brandon James is in Cristal?

Brandon James Gwinn: That honestly depends on what time of night it is. What are we drinking? And how’s the crowd? I’d love to think there’s a good dose of me in her. But, really, Cristal’s my hero. Both in the video and in the genius performance by Gena Gershon, she is someone who knows exactly what she has to offer and gets away with everything. She is a badass. Who wouldn’t want to be her?

The song sounds like a Trixie Mattel track. Was that intentional?

Brandon James Gwinn: Trixie is a brilliant talent and a good friend. I think we have somewhat similar songwriting backgrounds, and definitely a mutual appreciation for country pop and roots

48 THESTANDARDPS.COM

music. I wouldn’t say it was intentional, but I definitely sent her the track before we even mastered it because I thought it’d be right up her alley.

The new album by Brandon James Gwinn reflects on a messy period in the life of the young out and loud artist Brandon James Gwinn: I hope listener have fun. So much fun. It’s an eclectic album, about coming of age. Ultimately, I hope listeners feel something and maybe get a little insight into who I am. https://www.brandonjamesgwinn.com

MUSIC

BOBBY NEWBERRY’S HIGH OCTANE “RIDE”

BY SHANE GALLAGHER

The Choreographer-Turned-Singer Bumps, Twirls, and Grinds in First Single from His Upcoming EP. Bobby Newberry has always had a passion for performing.

As a kid, he was obsessed with Madonna and Michael Jackson.

At his third-grade talent show, he sang Jackson’s “Remember the Time,” performing the choreography from the song’s music video that Newberry taught himself.

His first major break was as a choreographer for Eminem. He would go on to work with a string of the world’s top artists including Nicki Minaj, The Pussycat Dolls, Missy Elliot, and Lil’ Wayne. His choreography has also been seen on TV’s Dancing with The Stars and The X-Factor.

This month, Bobby Newberry can be seen busting a move in

the music video for his own summer jam, “Ride.” The song is a feelgood track he co-wrote about taking chances and chasing after life’s wildest dreams. We spoke with the young choreographer-turnedsinger from his home in Los Angeles.

Are you like the Jennifer Lopez/Paula Abdul of the 2020s?

Bobby Newberry: That is literally the biggest compliment ever.

I love them both so much. It’s crazy because when people tell me I shouldn’t pursue singing because I’m successful as a choreographer, I always say: look at JLo, she does everything!

Music was different back then.

Bobby Newberry: A lot different! Back then, the labels controlled everything. More and more artists are going independent

AUGUST 2021 49

MUSIC

today because they have the freedom to do whatever they want creatively and artistically. The only downside is not having the support behind you. Being an independent artist is tough. There is so much to deal with and handle.

What is the biggest obstacle you face today?

Bobby Newberry: There isn’t much of a shelf life for a project.

I’ll work so hard on a music video, all the writing sessions, rehearsals, shooting, and editing that goes into it, and then it comes out and everyone asks right away, what’s next? It’s always about what is next.

Tell us about your first intimate acting scene in a music video. What was it like to make out with dreamy Joey Gentile?

Bobby Newberry: Stressful! (Laughs) I had to take two shots of tequila before the scene. I wanted it to look authentic and real but the whole time, I was questioning myself, “Do I look ok? Does this look hot or weird?”

Was Joey a good kisser?

Bobby Newberry: A great kisser! Soft but good.

Do you feel ready to do more intimate scenes in future videos?

Bobby Newberry: When it calls for it in a video, sure. I’ll do it again.

“Ride” is your first video with an all-male cast of dancers.

That had to be fun.

Bobby Newberry: So fun! Most of the cast and I are super close, so it was incredible to dance, make jokes, laugh and do what

50 THESTANDARDPS.COM

we love with people that we love.

Does “Ride” represent a new direction in music for you?

Bobby Newberry: I think it represents happiness for me and excitement to be able to do music again. I have so much new music and I honestly cannot wait to release my album.

You are joining a group of artists like Lil Nas and Troye Sivan who are ushering in the loud and proud movement. Why is it important for music artists to be boldly gay today?

Bobby Newberry: So many of us were told we couldn’t be too gay because it would be off putting to audiences. It’s means everything that I can be my authentic self. I’m a proud LGBTQ artist and I hope to inspire other artists to live their truths.

What was your coming out experience?

Bobby Newberry: My coming out experience was not the best.

Growing up, my family was never supportive. My uncles would call me faggot. I finally came out to my mom because I was tired of constantly lying to her and hiding my life. She was convinced it was something she did wrong. I said, “no mom, this is me.” She ended up being ok with it. It was such a relief after it was done.

Do you go back home often?

Bobby Newberry: I don’t really have a “back home”. I grew up all over Orange County, bouncing around as my mom got into quite a bit of trouble with the law. She passed away eleven years

ago after having brain surgery to remove a tumor. It was extremely difficult. Except for my little brother, I’m not close with any of my family so we never speak.

What’s something fans would never guess about you?

Bobby Newberry: That I worked at El Pollo Loco when I was 14. I grew up extremely poor. Like food stamps and welfare poor.

I started working when I was 14 to pay for dance lessons. I worked hard and eventually earned scholarships.

Who is the most important in your life right now?

Bobby Newberry: TJ Paradise. He is the best person on the planet. He’s everything.

What do you love to indulge in when no one is looking?

Bobby Newberry: Taco Bell. Such a guilty pleasure. I love it.

Craziest thing left to do on your bucket list?

Bobby Newberry: I want to perform in front of 100,000 people; play a huge festival show.

Billie, Cardi, Dua, Ariana: Who would you most like to hang out with and why?

Bobby Newberry: Ariana because she’s funny AF and I feel like we would have the same humor. I could see us having so much fun.

Follow Bobby Newberry on Instagram @ bobbynewberry.

AUGUST 2021 51

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54 THESTANDARDPS.COM