METROSOURCE LA - AUG/SEP 2022 by Metrosource

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

(bik-TAR-vee)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:  Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.  Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that may have been hidden in your body. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.  Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.  Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.  Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.  The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your

healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months, and may give you HBV medicine.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:  dofetilide  rifampin  any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you:  Have or have had any kidney or liver problems,

including hepatitis infection.  Have any other health problems.  Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.  Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:  Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-

counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

 BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other.

Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION  This is only a brief summary of important information

about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

 Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5  If you need help paying for your medicine,

visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, and KEEP ASPIRING are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2021 © 2022 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-BVYC-0008 01/22

#1 PRESCRIBED

HIV TREATMENT * *Source: IQVIA NPA Weekly, 04/19/2019 through 05/28/2021.

DIMITRI LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2018 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT

KEEP ASPIRING.

Because HIV doesn’t change who you are. BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you. ONE SMALL PILL, ONCE A DAY Pill shown not actual size (15 mm x 8 mm) | Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.

Scan to see Dimitri’s story.

TAKE CARE

OF NUMBER

ONE

PUBLISHER Bent Share Entertainment, LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Westman COPY EDITOR James Delyea CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cesar A Reyes

EDITOR’S LETTER

THIS SUMMER

MARKETING DIRECTOR Christopher Jackson FEATURE WRITER Alexander Rodriguez CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ben Rimalower

I HOPE YOU ARE ALL ENJOYING PRIDE

Good health also includes our mental well-

SEASON AND THE WARM DAYS OF SUMMER.

being. Ever notice that life’s everyday curveballs

CONNECTING WITH FRIENDS AT NEW VENUES

seem quite manageable when we’re in a happy

AND OUTDOOR FESTIVALS, SPLASHING IN THE

mood? After a good night’s sleep or a phone

POOL, OUTDOOR GRILLING IN THE EVENING

call with a close friend, don’t you feel so much

– what’s not to love about summertime. While

better?

some of our nation’s biggest Pride events are held

We have highlighted six apps and books for

in June, there are still plenty of major LGBTQ+

this year’s wellness roundup. So, check out some

festivities coming up. Maybe a good time to plan

of these resources and relax your way into the

a weekend adventure?

final months of summer.

VIEWS

NATIONAL DISPLAY ADVERTISING

Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com

If you’re passionate about human rights and equality, like me, these times of extreme divisive• Provincetown, MA

ness in our country can take a toll on one’s spirit.

Provincetown Carnival - Aug 13-20 • New Orleans, LA

A few things you may want to keep in mind to maintain an even keel.

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• While we can influence, some things are simply out of our control – sometimes you

Vegas Gay Pride - Oct 7-9 • Palm Springs, CA

just have to turn off the news, relax and • Natural endorphins released during exercise reduces stress – spend some time each day on a physical activity you enjoy.

And what better time than to focus on

• Surround yourself by positive people

health and wellbeing. Many of us are still shed-

– the effect on one’s mental state is

ding those 2020-2021 ‘shelter-in-place pounds’

immeasurable when the air is filled with

and building new fitness habits. We’ve included

good vibes.

features in this issue to give you some ideas and

• Ask for help when you need it – you

inspiration to begin, or continue, an active physi-

just might be pleasantly surprised at how

cal regimen.

others will rise to the occasion.

Some sage advice offered in our feature interview with reality star and fitness guru, David Barta, in this issue:

I hope you find yourself relaxing outdoors and soaking up the summer fun while you peruse this issue of Metrosource. May you find

“Make small changes that are comfortable

joy and inspiration from the people and places

and applicable in your day-to-day life. Person-

in our LGBTQ+ community featured this month.

ally, I lost 25 pounds in the last two months due

Wishing you health

to primarily portion control and making

and happiness,

sure I walked 10,000 steps every single day.” - David Barta AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

Los Angeles 6475 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., #438 Long Beach, CA 90803 New York 511 Avenue of the Americas, #901 New York, NY 10011 800.818.0480 info@metrosource.com

breathe.

Palm Springs Pride – Nov 4-5

Eric Rosen Jeffrey James Keyes Megan Venzin Michael Westman Steve Gottfried

METROSOURCE.COM

Subscriptions: One year (6 issues): $24.95; 12 issues: $39.95. Reproduction of any article, listing or advertisement without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. The people, businesses and organizations appearing in Metrosource are supportive of the gay community. Mention of any person, business or organization is not a reflection of their sexual orientation. ©2021 Bent Share Entertainment, LLC. Advertisers in Metrosource acknowledge that they do business in the spirit of cooperation, fairness and service, maintaining a high level of integrity and responsibility. Providers of products or services are fully and solely responsible for same as advertised. Metrosource assumes no responsibility or liability for improper or negligent business practices by advertisers. The appearance of any person, model, business or organization in this publication, by name, advertisement or photograph is not an indication of sexual orientation. Advertisers and their agencies assume all responsibility and legal liability for the content of their advertisements in Metrosource. Publisher assumes no liability for safe-keeping or return of unsolicited art, manuscripts or other materials. Metrosource reserves the right to edit all material for clarity, length and content. All contents are copyright Bent Share Entertainment, LLC. All rights reserved. Content may only be reproduced with written permission from Bent Share Entertainment, LLC. Metrosource assumes no liability for any claims or representations contained anywhere in this magazine and reserve the right to cancel or refuse advertising at publisher’s discretion.

@metrosource @MetrosourceMagazine @metrosourcemag

METROSOURCE.COM

CONTENTS

August/September 2022 | VOLUME 33, NO. 4

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF MONÉT X CHANGE • DAVID BARTA PHOTO BY GABRIEL ERVIN • PHOTO COURTESY OF IAN PAGET • PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHNNY MATHIS • ROB ANDERSON PHOTOS BY MAX BRONNER

22 16 10 DAVID BARTA IS KEEPING IT FLUID

S HARING HIS LIGHT:

IAN PAGET

22 MONÉT X CHANGE

OVERSHARING

T HE LYRICAL LIFE OF

JOHNNY MATHIS

T IKTOK’S FUNNY MAN:

ROB ANDERSON

COVER: Monét X Change Photo by Steven Simione METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

DEPARTMENTS

August/September 2022 | VOLUME 33, NO. 4

48 CULTURE 7 THE SCOPE Betty Who goes BIG! Plus Art, Musicals and It Is All About Me!

TRAVEL 32 All You Need Is Love A Boutique Music Festival Located on Sacred California Ground

48 Old School Meets New School

HEALTH 28 Find Your Appy Place Six Apps and Books for Wellness

for Autumn in Boston

VIEWS 4 EDITOR’S LETTER Take Care of Number One This Summer

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

METROSOURCE.COM

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF LOVE MACHINE • PHOTO COURTESY OF MOULINE ROUGE! THE MUSCIAL • BOSTON PUBLIC GARDEN PHOTO BY KYLE KLEIN

CURATED BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

THESCOPE

LISTEN

BIG! BETTY WHO AVAILABLE OCTOBER 14, 2022 IF YOU NEED TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT AUSTRALIANAMERICAN POP TRAILBLAZER BETTY WHO, IT’S THAT SHE IS A SURVIVOR. BORN JESSICA NEWHAM IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, THE CLASSICALLY TRAINED SINGER, DANCER, AND

MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST

HAS

EXPERIENCED

PRACTICALLY EVERY DIMENSION OF POP CULTURAL

CULTURE

2014 single “Somebody Loves You,” soundtracking Netflix’s Queer Eye reboot with “All Things,” forming deep ties with foundations like GLAAD and the Trevor Project and becoming an LGBTQ+ icon due to her infectious, always-inclusive artistry. Moving from the rigid major-label machinery to rediscovering her power as an independent artist, Betty Who is primed to kick off her latest, most triumphant chapter on her upcoming album BIG!, out October 14th. She has also just made her TV hosting debuting with Prime Video’s new reality dating series, The One That Got Away, which premiered June 24th. New single “She Can Dance” is out now and a limited-edition autographed version of BIG! is available exclusively at Amazon. The standard CD and Vinyl are available for preorder now. Directed by Aerin Moreno (Madison Beer, Sofi Tukker), the aqua-tinged“She Can Dance”video sees Betty Who come into her own. There’s no elaborate backdrop, just Betty and a crew of talented dancers. Moreno’s vision places all the emphasis on the singer’s story and infectious dance moves. “She Can Dance” is about as autobiographical as I could get,” Betty says about the single. “I knew making this album that the stories had to be true, that it had to feel scary and more vulnerable than ever. So, without further ado, I present to you a retelling of the facts of my life as I see them. She was never perfect, but at least she tried and had a great time along the way. I hope “She Can Dance” makes you feel like YOU can dance through the trying times.” Betty Who’s upcoming LP, BIG!, is primed to be just that, BIG. 2022 ushers in a new era for Betty as an artist. After taking a hiatus during the pandemic to self-reflect and record, her sound is more refined and in tune with her inner world than ever before. Last month, Betty Who performed on both The Late Late Show with James Corden and Good Morning America. Visit https://bettywho.lnk.to/BIG.

THESCOPE

VISIBILITY: going viral on the bombastic strength of

METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

VISIT

MUSEUM OF ARTS AND DESIGN

(2 COLUMBUS CIRCLE, NEW YORK CITY) QUEER MAXIMALISM X MACHINE DAZZLE OPENS SEPTEMBER 10, 2022

THE MUSEUM OF ARTS AND DESIGN (MAD) WILL PRESENT QUEER MAXIMALISM X MACHINE DAZZLE, THE FIRST SOLO EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO THE GENRE-DEFYING ARTIST MATTHEW FLOWER (US, B. 1972), BETTER KNOWN AS MACHINE DAZZLE. A provocateur commanding

CULTURE

THESCOPE

an expanding repertoire of stagecraft, design, performance, and music, Machine Dazzle is a virtuoso practitioner of queer maximalism’s aesthetic language of gay liberation. On view from September 10, 2022, through February 19, 2023, the exhibition brings together more than 80 of the artist’s creations for stage, spectacles, and street theater, alongside a variety of environments, ephemera, material samples, photography, and video. Together, they chronicle the metamorphosis of Flower, a closeted suburban kid from Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, into“Machine Dazzle,”the queer experimental theater genius. Installed on two floors of the Museum, the multimedia exhibition culminates with the first public installation of the more than two dozen tour-deforce costumes created by the artist for himself and his long-time collaborator Taylor Mac to wear in the queer performance art concert production, Taylor Mac’s A 24-Decade History of Popular Music (2016), a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. “Since its founding, the Museum of Arts and Design has been a home for artists who have reimagined and radically subverted traditional craft techniques in search of more authentic self-expression,” said exhibition curator Elissa Auther. Photo by Gregory Kramer

MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL NATIONAL TOUR THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2023 POP THE CHAMPAGNE, MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL IS THE WINNER OF 10 TONY AWARDS® — INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL – AND NOW TOURING NATIONWIDE. Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping

excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a theatrical celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and — above all — Love. With a book by Tony Award winner John Logan; music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Tony Award winner Justin Levine; and choreography by Tony Award winner Sonya Tayeh, Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical — it is a state of mind. Visit www.moulinrougemusical.com/us-tour/home/.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

METROSOURCE.COM

EXPERIENCE

IT IS ALL ABOUT ME! BREAKING CYCLES AND LOVING WHO I AM

READ

BY STACIA M. SIMS AVAILABLE AT AMAZON.COM

IN HER THIRTIES, STACIA SIMS EMBARKED ON AN INTENSE JOURNEY TOWARD SELF-DISCOVERY WHEN HER THERAPIST POSED A SIMPLE QUESTION: “What

does love mean?” Unable to articulate an answer, Sims suddenly realized what had been blocking her path toward healing. “That was my first realization that I had never been taught or shown unconditional love. Not by my parents and not by the world,”she wrote in the prologue to her new book, It Is All About Me! Breaking Cycles and Loving Who I Am. In this collection of true stories about her life, Sims unpacks the impact of an upbringing in a narcissistic family where love had to be earned, her true self had to be hidden and generational cycles needed to be broken. Her journey led her to the realization that what happened in her past doesn’t define her present or her future, and it is her aim with this book to show readers that, with the right mindset and guidance, this can be their truth, too. “Being true to yourself can sometimes make others uncomfortable,” Stacia said.“But another person’s discomfort should not become your burden to resolve. Stop carrying other people’s baggage.” It Is All About Me! is loaded with insights on what real, authentic love means and how to embrace one’s true self. “If you find your life revolving around others’ expectations or desires, it’s time to allow your journey to be about you for a change,”Sims added.

WATCH

UNCOUPLED (NETFLIX) FROM EMMY AWARD-WINNING CO-CREATORS DARREN STAR AND JEFFREY RICHMAN COMES A SPARKLING NEW ROM-COM SUMMER SERIES, UNCOUPLED. A STORY ABOUT HEARTBREAK, HEALING, AND ALL THE HUMOR WE FIND ALONG THE WAY. Michael Lawson (Neil Patrick

Harris) seems to have it all figured out. He’s a successful New York City real estate agent with a great career, a supportive family, close friends, and a loving relationship with his partner of 17 years, Colin (Tuc Watkins). But when Colin unexpectedly moves out on the eve of his 50th birthday, Michael is completely blindsided. Overnight, he must confront two nightmares: losing the man he thought was his soulmate, and suddenly finding himself a single gay man in his mid-forties in New York City. Also Staring Tisha Campbell, Brooks Ashmanskas, Emerson Brooks, and Marcia Gay Harden. Produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, Darren Star Productions, Jeffrey Richman Productions, and Jax Media. Visit www.netflix.com/uncoupled.

METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

DAVID BARTA IS KEEPING IT FLUID BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ FORGET WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT REALITY TV HOTTIE DAVID BARTA. Despite his appearances on Fox’s Paradise

Hotel, Crackle TV’s Men of West Hollywood, and, most recently, MTV’s Ex on the Beach, what you see is NOT what you get, and David is ready to shed his reality TV persona and live life according to his own editing. After years of special focus on David’s sexuality – by gay fans wanting him to be gay and reality TV producers trying to make it a point of discussion – David came out as pansexual on national TV and revealed his crush on fellow cast member Mike Mulderrig. Though the setting on Ex on the Beach plays towards meme-worthy oneliners and drink-throwing antics, his revelation was anything but TV fodder, he chose a path at that fork in the road, from which there would be no return, cameras or not.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

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PAGE 10,11,13,14: PHOTOS BY DAVID VILLALVA

I am not a fan of labels in any area of life quite honestly. Going on TV with a man who I was attracted to and knew I would be involved with on the show to one degree or another, it was apparent that I would need to give some sort of definition to my sexual orientation. I prefer the term “sexually fluid” to identify myself because I have discovered that is the pattern by which I find myself attracted to and interacting with people. I’ve known that my attraction to other people was not gender-exclusive for about two years now, and realized I was in fact attracted to all genders and I had deeper attractions to people based on their personalities and energies as opposed to gender. I don’t know who I’ll end up getting married to or what gender they identify with, but I do know I will fall in love for who they are, not what’s in their pants. The road to his sexual evolution is a long one. Raised in a conservative household, he was destined to live a heteronormative life. A Southern California native, he was being groomed for a life in baseball. Extremely talented on the field, as a senior in high school he was talking to six MLB teams with the 2016 First-Year MLB draft in sight when his life would change forever. While throwing a bullpen for the Chicago Cubs Scouting Bureau, he felt a pop in his elbow. This incident would create a domino effect, starting with his inability to participate in the MLB draft, through his Tommy John Surgery (ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction) and being pulled out of games during his short-lived collegiate baseball career at Loyola Marymount University, to his ultimate diagnosis with permanent ulnar nerve damage. His baseball career was over, the years of literal blood, sweat, and tears would not be enough. What would follow was a period of bittersweet self-awareness. I struggled with depression and a premature identity crisis following the year of my baseball career ending. At the time, I was still twenty years old and attending Loyola Marymount University as a junior studying psychology, which isn’t an easy time in general. What kept me growing and moving forward during this time was a great desire to find a new passion

MY ATTRACTION TO OTHER PEOPLE TRULY LIES IN THEIR ENERGY AND PERSONALITY AS OPPOSED TO GENDER.” and purpose for my life. During my junior year of college, I got a job as a sales advisor at a local 24 Hour Fitness in Burbank and saw personal trainers moving and operating in the gym which sparked my fragile, defensive ego at the time making me think, “I could do that better than they could, easily.”Working out had always been a safe space for me where I could create a positive habit that would make my body look and feel better at the same time. This is what started what has now been my career for the last five years. Immediately after my final baseball injury, I felt a strange combination of both peace and fear. I was at peace knowing that I finally had my answer

of whether I would ever fully recover physically and play to the best of my potential again or not (obviously the latter), and in fear because I had never had to imagine a life of my own that didn’t involve, or even completely revolve around playing baseball. I realized at the moment of my careerending injury that I didn’t know anything about myself, other than the sport I had formerly played. David’s fitness journey would lead to commercial modeling after a college friend would get him signed to an agency. Little did he know that reality TV would be the next stop on his ever-changing path. In pursuit of trying to feel comfortable and confident in my body after the last two years of baseball surgeries METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

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out what I wanted to do with my life. After Paradise Hotel, I was introduced to other reality TV stars who became friends of mine and empowered me to fully be myself whether that be my personality, sexuality, or what have you. Up until then the only friends I had in my life were those that I made from church, and from playing baseball who I clearly could not be fully myself around. I can attribute most of my personal growth journey to the group of friends and mentors I met from being involved in the reality TV world. Part of this group from the reality TV universe would be a number of personalities from the LGBTQ community. His world was opening up and his idea of the “norm” was being challenged. I learned the LGBTQ community is a great community of love and acceptance. Coming from a religious background, I was painted a picture of seeing the LGBTQ community as something to fear, and something to avoid. Little known to the religious community, some people and members

of the LGBTQ community are the most honest and genuine people you’ll find. This closeness that he shared with our community would bring his sexuality into question. Is he, or isn’t he? Media interviews, social media comments, and alleged Grindr sightings would add fuel to the fire as David skillfully crafted his responses. When the trailers for the current season of MTV’s Ex on the Beach hit, they centered around David’s first on-screen, male kiss. Was it a joke? Was it a dare? Was it just for clickbait? Initially brought on the show to face two of his female exes, what was he doing? David did not come out as gay, he did not come out as bi, but rather, as pansexual. What does that mean to him, personally? I’ve learned that my attraction to other people truly lies in their energy and personality as opposed to gender. My pansexuality has helped me not limit myself when meeting new people to view them as “dateable” or “notdateable” at first glance based on any given factors, but to approach people and life with a more open view and not putting myself or my love life in any given parameters.

THIS PAGE: PHOTO BY GABRIEL ERVIN

and a short spurt of being pre-diabetic, modeling seemed like a great step in the right direction. I began to post more modeling and quite frankly “thirst trap” pictures on social media which sparked growth in followers, and soon I started to get different reality dating shows reaching out to me. I had gotten far in casting for one dating show when a casting producer from Paradise Hotel messaged me on Instagram asking me to come audition for their show which was set to begin in three weeks. My interview went well, and the team told me they were ready to ship me off to Mexico to film, and that was the beginning of my reality TV career. Painted as the goody-two-shoes of the show, he was presented as the college virgin with old-fashioned morals and a conservative way of life. Part television fabrication, part playing a role David had been born into, his sexual evolution was just beginning. Since first appearing on reality TV, ALOT has changed. When I first came on to reality TV, I was still in college, freshly NOT a virgin, and still figuring

I WILL FALL IN LOVE FOR WHO THEY ARE, NOT WHAT’S IN THEIR PANTS.”

METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

How did his conservative friends and family react? I have definitely had a mixed pool of responses from friends and exes about coming out. Some people have responded exactly how I thought they would, and others have quite frankly shocked me. Some of my exes were completely supportive, and some claimed to be disgusted. Some of my friends said that they already knew I was sexually fluid without having to say, and some did not believe that I was telling the truth. Whether good or bad responses to my coming out, the opinions around me have not changed or held back my growth in learning more about myself. In addition to the mixed reactions from his circle, the gay community had its own opinions. David was not coming out as pansexual and then heading to social media with a boyfriend in hand or taking the stages at Pride events. Was he pandering to our community? I would say that 99.9% of the responses I got from coming out were positive and encouraging from both people I did and did not know. But, in any publicly shared announcement (especially on reality TV) there were a few haters who accused me of faking my fluidity for attention or to forward my career. Based on what merit, I am not sure. My sexuality and my life are my stories to tell at the end of the day. I don’t want to fit into any mold other than the one I create for myself in my life. Am I attracted to all genders in different ways? Absolutely. How will that manifest and play out in my life? I’m not sure. All I know is that I am truly my own individual person and any mold or plan I had for myself growing up is no longer the case. David’s statement on sexuality, his kissing scenes on television, his shirtless billboards, and booty-centric posts on social media are very different from the baseball star image from the past. How has his conservative family dealt with his evolution? I’m not gonna lie, my family has disagreed with many decisions in my life post-baseball career. If my parents had it their way, I would still be living with them at home working as an accountant or some other “safe” 9-5 desk job

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

METROSOURCE.COM

and following in their footsteps. With a lot of my decisions and areas in my life, my family does not agree with me 100%, but they support me as their son whether they understand it or not. Though reality TV gave him the avenue to express himself and his story publicly and gain a global fan base, he is shedding his reality TV persona to focus on his fitness training and modeling career. To his followers on social media, he has always been very open and candid about his personal fitness struggles. He shares his weight gains and losses, fatigue, and plateaus equally, highlighting the perseverance and commitment that are needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. What his fans and fitness clients love is his absolute candor when it comes to being grumpy from eating salads or getting ready for a 5:30am workout. He is the reality of life beyond reality TV. As part of the LGBTQ community, I’ve personally felt more comfortable in my own skin now more than ever. Of course, being recently single has sparked me to step my game up but being publicly fluid has helped me set less hardcore expectations for myself and love myself no matter what. He has been a source of inspiration for those of us who have gained some unwanted pounds during COVID.You don’t need to be a fitness star; you just have to try making small adjustments. My best advice is to make small sustainable changes in your life. Take more steps throughout the day. Drink

two more cups of water. Eat half of that big dinner plate. My advice to both my regular clients and anyone else is the same. If you care about something or want something, make small changes that are comfortable and applicable in your day-to-day life. Personally, I lost 25 pounds in the last two months due to primarily portion control and making sure I walked 10,000 steps every single day. From Paradise Hotel to the Ex on the Beach, has he finally found true love? At this point in time, I just got out of a year-long relationship and am really trying to focus on recovering from that mentally and emotionally because I don’t have the resources to add anyone to my life at the moment. Additionally, I’ve never felt as motivated in my line of work as I do now and am wholeheartedly pursuing that. The word “pride” has certainly come to mean very different things to David over the years. This year, he is able to join the community’s Pride season with a confident idea of his place in it, ready for whatever the future brings. His Pride message this year? Be yourself. Don’t let anyone tell you how to live, who to live, or who you are. Screw labels, boundaries, and expectations. Be yourself and let your light shine differently than anyone else’s. ■ You can follow David on IG: @theRealDBart_

IAN SHARING HIS LIGHT:

PAGET (@IANPAGET_) OFFICIAL TIKTOK

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ IAN PAGET JOINED TIKTOK A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS AGO, AND ALREADY HE’S BEEN NAMED PEOPLE MAGAZINE’S SEXIEST GUY ON TIKTOK, WAS A DEBUT NOMINEE FOR GLAAD’S TIKTOK QUEER ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR AND HAS AMASSED OVER 2.5 MILLION FOLLOWERS ON TIKTOK. With a wide variety of content ranging from dances, bloopers, intimate chats about his life, and sponsored posts, to the occasional thirst trap, at the heart of everything he does is his commitment to authenticity. His very public relationship that helped solidify his place in the social media world eventually become a very public breakup. Instead of shying away from the reality beyond the lens, he used the experience to get real and bring some sincerity to the TikTok world. In honor of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month, he took to the press and opened up about the mental health struggles that have started to affect social media personalities. He talked very candidly about how we, as a society, can be better and help those going through strife without overstepping boundaries. Breaking through the smoke and mirrors of TikTok, he is sharing the real Ian, and fans from the LGBTQ community and beyond are stanning.

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I AM THE SAME ZANY GUY IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA AS I AM AROUND MY FRIENDS.”

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An entertainer from his youth, being a content creator is just one of the hats he wears. His true passion for music and acting has taken him from Broadway to film and television. His colorful career was born out of a colorful childhood. Born in England, he was raised by a Honduran mother, went to French grade school, and was given career insight and motivation by his father, who knew a bit about the business. How could he not be a performer? I owe it to my parents for sure. I have been lucky enough to have the life experiences I’ve had. Being exposed to so many diverse cultures since I was a baby was HUGE for my self-esteem and is a big part of who I am. I love that I grew up in a house where three languages were spoken. French with my sister and Spanish with Mum and of course English with my dad. Both my parents sacrificed a lot to help me achieve my goals - from sending us to a lycee in London, to finding dance classes, swimming lessons, you name it. My parents knew that exposing us to those activities would only enrich our childhood. Also, my mom taught me so much about loving the people around me and accepting yourself, flaws, and all. That’s my disposition in life - lifting those around me. Watching people win at life brings me the most joy. Studying his craft at an early age gave him the tools he carries to this day, whether on stage, filming a scene, or creating a TikTok. Nothing happens overnight, nobody just becomes a viral sensation. There’s hard work at the foundation of every one of Ian’s successes. I learned about discipline in the arts. I learned the importance of studying your craft and working every day towards mastering that craft and making your dreams a reality. At the age of 12, his family moved to Miami, where he was accepted into the New World School of the Arts’ acting program. After that, New York was calling where he attended Marymount Manhattan College to further his acting studies. Immediately after graduating, he was cast in the first of three Broadway shows. He has performed in Leap of Faith, Soul Doctor, and Mamma Mia, with Mamma Mia marking his Broadway debut.

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Opening night was a flurry with his parents and an early acting coach in the audience. What has he learned? I learned how to manage the eight-show per week schedule, which is NO JOKE. Working in theater is so rewarding and comes with discipline. Keeping in shape and being on that schedule is athlete status. I don’t think people realize how much of your day starts before you even show up to the theater. I also learned the hard work it takes to really lean into a role and give it your all for an audience to enjoy themselves and hopefully have an experience to remember. Keeping in shape and being on that [theatre] schedule is athlete status. With his current success as an influencer, would he ever go back to Broadway? I do miss it. I mean there is NOTHING like performing in front of a live audience. I’ve been wanting to do a version of the play COCK by Mike Bartlett, so that would be a dream show to bring me back. He has made appearances on Saturday Night Live, One Life to Live, Dancing with the Stars, Mozart in the Jungle, Lip Sync Battle, the Rock of Ages film, and more. As a professionally trained singer, dancer, and actor with years of doing the work, what is his take on the current trend of casting influencers in on-screen roles? The subject has become a hot topic with pushback from the trained acting world. I love it. I’ve been lucky enough to watch some of my friends around me break through and showcase their talents in a way that may have not happened prior to social media. The opportunities it is creating for us are unique, particularly in the LGBTQ community. There is something very beautiful about seeing someone you know or follow absolutely killing it and shining. Is Ian afraid of now being stereotyped by casting directors because of his TikTok fame? With a list of professional credits, is he now seen as the TikTok guy? I don’t think so. At one point, I was concerned I might be typecast for certain roles based on my previous work or being ‘Ian from TikTok’ but we live

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in a multi-hyphenate world these days, and if anything, it just means more eyes are on me, which is good. So, I continue to take classes, practice my passions, and audition for roles I think will challenge me. As an actor, Ian has understood the dichotomy that exists between presenting a performer “front”to an audience that may be in contradiction of what is going on in his personal life. Ian’s consummate experience has given him that insight whereas novice influencers struggle with losing their identity or health for their audience. There is a component of being ‘on’ because at the end of the day being an influencer (or content creator) is a job. But for me personally, I am the same zany guy in front of the camera as I am around my friends. That is what makes it fun for me … I am being my genuine self and the fact that people enjoy and connect to that is very special. The world is opening up about mental health. Whereas previous generations brushed dealing with depression, anxiety, and other mental illness under the carpet, there is a new energy in society and in the media where it is ok to talk about mental health issues, it is ok to share your stories and struggles, it is okay to ask for help. With suicides on the rise from the isolation of COVID, within our LGBTQ community, and in the influencer community, mental health must now be dealt with. Does Ian think social media and the sharing of stories and content have helped spread mental health awareness? A little bit yes and also a little bit no. Social media for sure gives everyone a voice and a POV to talk about and share anything they desire. The more we normalize talking about our mental health and that it is a part of everyone’s daily life, the better it is for people to know they are not alone. There is a support network there. Especially in our community when so many of us in our formative teenage years struggled with accepting ourselves, you never know what sharing your story could mean for someone else. On the flip side, there is an element of social media that is about curating the best image of yourself and showcasing all your highlights. While that is awesome, being open and genuine is what can make the platforms a more authentic experience - to have conversations, learn, grow, and be inspired. And laugh at cute babies and puppies. METROSOURCE.COM

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It was only a matter of a couple of months into his relationship before Ian started making TikToks with his then-boyfriend. Even in the non-influencer world, there is that anxiety and awkward questioning on when it is appropriate to add your significant other to your socials. Wasn’t Ian trepidatious? When we blew up, it was all an accident and was me just being dumb and having fun. But like anything, when it turns into your “job,” it becomes “work.” That was something I hadn’t anticipated affecting me as much as it did. There were certainly conversations about how much and what we share, but ultimately it came down to living in the moment and doing what felt right at the time. Even if I didn’t feel like it, we made content because it was fun and rewarding. What other people think of me, or my relationship isn’t any of my business, and letting go of that care factor has been the most rewarding.

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Fans were devasted when the couple broke up. Not being able to work through the breakup in private, Ian and his ex felt they owed it to their fans to address it the same way they started - in front of their fans. Our relationship had become public, and for us to continue being authentic and true to ourselves we needed to be open and honest. I personally took away from it the support people gave us and the care they showed for us both. Breakups are a part of life, possibly one of the worst parts, but it’s a reality we need to deal with and not feel ashamed of. One of the first times Ian realized his videos were going viral was during a visit to Nantucket Island where a sales associate ran out of the Vineyard Vines to ask for a photo. His first fan run-in! And even as an experienced entertainer and self-marketer, there was no clear path to follow to be a TikTok star. Any advice? Cut to a few years ago and I never would have thought I’d be where I am now. My

first ‘viral video’ was me rambling about hydrangeas – groundbreaking, I know. While there is an algorithm and it exists to keep people seeing content that they may be more interested in, there is also a huge element of luck/chance. Why does a short video about hydrangeas and focusing on your blooming get millions of views but then a video I put a lot of effort into for work purposes sometimes not? To me, it is the relatable content that draws me in and are my most successful videos. Understanding that other people out there may think the same (or differently) about something creates connections and invites a unique perspective. In terms of making it a job and making money, absolutely anyone can do it. Whether it is more affiliate marketing or building an audience to then work with brands you love, my advice would be to find your niche and lean into it.

I was saying to a new friend recently that I want to shift to making more content of my life and what I enjoy, like when I’m on vacation or even just at home cooking - not just sponsored content. It comes in waves though and I find that while I want to share more of that, I also like to live in the moment and put my phone away. Striking that balance is one of my goals for this year and I’m looking forward to making some great memories and hopefully being able to share them in a way that doesn’t feel like a chore. Any follower of Ian’s also knows he is a foodie. Balancing his love of food with being in front of the camera also has its challenges. As an actor, it’s not unusual to be hyperaware of looks and body, but then add being gay on top of that, then add being at the mercy of keyboard warriors on social media, how does Ian deal with it?

I’d be lying if I said I’ve never dealt with body image issues. I think we all have and can relate to having those days where you feel great about yourself and others where you don’t. Particularly in the gay community the emphasis on body image can be intense and I’m by no means able to shut it all out and pretend I don’t care. What I’ve learned in the more recent years, especially during the pandemic, is to focus on being fit and healthy - less on the way I look and more on the way I feel. Next up, Ian will be seen in Hulu’s Reasonable Doubt, executive produced, and first episode directed by Kerry Washington. With the allure of Broadway, his continued growth on TikTok, and with his ultimate passion for acting, how does he know what to focus on? I balance where I put my energy. I’m in acting class every week, I’m

making videos when I feel inspired, and I’m auditioning for film and TV all the while surrounding myself with an amazing group of friends. I’m honestly living my dream. Is it Ian’s cute dance moves that make him popular on TikTok? Is it his random thoughts to the camera that grow his viewers? Is it his shirtless videos that cause a sensation? Is it his candid moments where he is present and sharing the good and bad from his life? It’s probably a bit of everything … but at its core, its authentically Ian. His Pride message this season? Honestly … Do good, be good, and have fun! And to all my LGBTQ+ youths: Contribute to the world. Make the weird art. Share your light because the world needs it. ■

You can follow Ian on IG: @IanPaget METROSOURCE.COM

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THIS PAGE: PHOTO BY STEVEN SIMIONE

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MONÉT X CHANGE MAY HAVE BEEN VOTED MISS CONGENIALITY FOR RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE SEASON 10, but gentility and manners aside, she has plenty to say and is taking it on the road with drag sister Bob the Drag Queen for their Sibling Rivalry tour. Be afraid. Be very afraid. BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

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world of opera, training at Westminster Choir College, and performing roles in The Magic Flute and La Boheme. The world of opera did not just help her gain a voice but would help in her coming out and ultimately lead to the world of drag. Opera was like my gateway to coming out because opera was so dramatic. I would use that opportunity to bring wigs and corsets and heels home. And to my mom, it was part of a production and I used that as a way of coming out. And once an opera girl, always an opera girl. She’s not done. I didn’t really leave opera. I just took a break. Honey, she’s coming back to opera. After college rehearsing, I would practice for hours and hours a day by myself in a room and it was a lot. Drag allowed me to be a little more with people and presented more

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF MONÉT X CHANGE

Quickly becoming a fan favorite for her lewks, quick wit, and kitchen sponge couture, she has returned to the Drag Race universe for All Stars, guest lip sync assassinations, and tours, and has expanded her brand as an entertainer to not only include drag and reality TV, but consummate podcaster and recording artist. Her bigger-than-life personality and cutting, dry humor started at an early age. I was very talkative. I was always in trouble for talking. I was definitely the class clown. I would always get in trouble and would always call my house. My mom’s dying wish (well, she is still alive) was for me to stop talking in class and for the teacher would stop calling her at home. Born a Brooklyn girl, she was raised in Saint Lucia, later moving to the Bronx and literally finding her voice (she’s a bass!) in the

opportunities at the time. But I love operas, was my first musical love and I’ve never left. Just took a little nap. The first exposure Monét had to drag was when Drag Race alum Peppermint came to host an event at Monét’s school called The Student Drag Ball, a moment memorialized in a photo shared with a story during Monét’s one-person show. With the pageantry and on-stage skills learned through opera, Monét would make her drag debut. Did she nail it? No, no, no. I mean, no. I mean, yes, yes, no. My first drag performance was at Saliva Tuesdays at the Ritz and in New York City where it’s very customary to do mixes. So, I did a mix of Beyonce’s “Run the World (Girls)” into Ella Fitzgerald’s “Stormy Weather” into some other song. It made absolutely no sense. I looked crazy, but I had a really good time doing it and I knew I wanted to do more. I am very grateful for New York City, for learning to do drag there. I was able to see lots of great drag queens like Peppermint, Candis Cayne, Bianca Del Rio, and really see what they did and saw how they were able to win over a room of drunk, homosexuals with their charm, wit, and personality. And I think I have learned to do that in my career as well. Monét would go on to win her first drag pageant at the sixth annual Gay Caribbean USA Pageant in 2014, representing Saint Lucia. It would still take a few years and a few audition tapes to get to Drag Race. I actually auditioned five times before I got on the show. My first time was for Season 6, and it was terrible. I maybe had two wigs and I was living in Portland at the time. But to trick them into thinking I had all this drag, I borrowed a lot from a friend who was in the Portland Opera with me. I borrowed her costumes and wigs and pretended like they were mine. So, my first tape was really bad. Season 7 was a little better and Season 8 was even better. I really thought I was going to get on Season 9. But then Season 10, was the crème de la crème. Filming her debut season of Drag Race was a learning experience. Fans instantly connected to her energy and even in the guise of her alter ego, she maintains a genuine level of

I’M NOT SOMEONE WHO GETS IN DRAG AND BECOMES A CHARACTER. I AM PRETTY MUCH THE SAME IN AND OUT OF DRAG.”

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the show hitting the circuit this September. People are thinking it’s going to be Bob and me coming on stage and just sitting down doing a podcast. No, it is like a full, full show. We have dancers. We have choreography. Bob might do a back flip. I might bring the splits out again. I’ve not done them since the pandemic, but I might be putting some splits back in my repertoire. So, we are going to give them a full show and podcast. It’s going to be crazy. Does Monét get into shenanigans on the road? I’m very well behaved. You never see anything about me because I haven’t done anything. And what does Monét think she and Bob have taught each other through their friendship? I’ve taught him beauty. Well, he’s still learning. [Laughs] I think I’ve taught Bob a little humility. Bob can be a bit of a showboat, but he has seen someone like myself who can do something well, but not have to put it in everyone’s face. And from Bob, I have learned how to perform. Honestly, I would go to see Bob pretty much every Monday night at his gig at Barracuda, and I learned a lot about how to entertain from him. With the high exposure of Drag Race and our current attack on the drag world from national conservatives, does she think queens need to use their voice for activism? I believe no one has to be an activist. If that’s your calling and you want to do that, sure. If your calling is to be an activist, you have a lot to say, then go ahead, go for it. But I think sometimes social media people feel pressure to be activists and they have to speak out or else. No. Not everyone is good at that, and that’s okay. Like if that’s your thing, you want to do it. Sure. But you don’t have to be. There is no doubt that Monét has taken the spotlight since that first performance at The Ritz. She has successfully established her brand outside of the Drag Race world and now with the success of the podcast, is she worried about saying too much with cancel culture continually standing by? I mean I speak honestly and sometimes I even apologize afterward if I feel I’ve said something wrong. But I don’t believe in censoring myself in order to spare feelings. Everyone has a politically incorrect thought come into their head and not everything deserves to be on Twitter. But I don’t ever censor myself from speaking out publicly about something because I’m afraid of the backlash. Along those lines, she has something to say about the backlash the drag community has received for reading to kids in libraries. We don’t like kids. I don’t like children. We

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sincerity and truthfulness in everything she does. She is not playing a role, she just IS Monét. I learned that Kevin aka Monét has a lot to offer the world. And there is no reason to try to go on TV to be someone else that you’re not. The reason you’re cast is because you’re you, that’s what they want to see. So, my first season I felt that from day one. And every time I have gone on, I felt the same way. It has always led to a good result. I’m not someone who puts on a drag persona. I’m not someone who gets in drag and becomes a character. I am pretty much the same in and out of drag. There are still differences, but for the most part, the same person. Since Drag Race she has traveled the world with her one-person show, released music that demands repeating, appeared in music videos for Madonna and Todrick Hall, taken part in numerous web series, and crossed into mainstream media for shows like CBS This Morning, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Bachelorette, and even The View. I love The View. It’s my favorite show. I watch it at least three or four times a week. (Being on it) was great. Whoopi was amazing, Sarah and Sunny were amazing. Every time I’ve gone though, I’ve missed Joy. I’ve never met Joy in real life. I’m kind of upset about that. Joy is avoiding me. In 2018, Monét joined forces with Bob the Drag Queen for the podcast Sibling Rivalry. With their candid opinions about everything, infectious humor, and ability to read each other for filth in a loving way, the podcast has become a hit. Often asked if they are indeed related, they have become family. Bonding over the inability to style wigs and through conversations amid the many miles driven when one of them actually owned a car in New York City, their friendship goes beyond the Drag Race world and into real life. They may drop in on each other unannounced, borrow gowns and even a Roomba that may never be returned, or offer each other sisterly life advice. This has become a winning match for their audiences. I think my personality and Bob’s mesh very well. Where he’s weak, I’m strong, and vice versa. I think there’s a really good level of honesty in our friendship, which helps it grow and not to allow things to fester. Bob and I overshare, we overshare on this podcast too much. [Laughs] The good, bad, and the ugly. I think people like to listen to that. They like to hear people putting their real lives out there. I think that’s why reality TV is so successful. So, when you can just stick it in your car, instead of watching The Kardashians, you can listen to Monét talk about her first hookup after Drag Race, which gave her chlamydia in Belfast. Like, bitch, you are tuning in! The nation may not be ready for their live version of

EVERYONE HAS A POLITICALLY INCORRECT THOUGHT COME INTO THEIR HEAD. I DON’T EVER CENSOR MYSELF.”

don’t want to be by them. Okay. So why the uproar? So, we will read to them, sure, we will be nice to them, but I don’t want no kids. I don’t want to be by no kids! [Laughs] Drag is now a mainstream topic. It is now being talked about as a political issue. There are more and more iterations of Drag Race coming out every season. Straight people are now doing drag. Is drag becoming too commercial? I don’t think drag is at risk of becoming too commercial. I think is a booming industry and there is nothing else like it. You’re going to see a lot of people coming into it and trying to figure out other, different spaces in drag. But I feel the quote, unquote mainstream of drag was bound to happen at some point, but you still have the die-hards who would be doing it still in the darkest part of the club. And that’s the beauty of drag, in my opinion. With the growing success of Drag Race also comes growing egos and hyper drama from some of the cast members. There seems to be an increased number of social media feuds commenting on each other’s abilities or lewks. Fans have gotten wrapped up in the Twitter drama and glitter-laden feuds. Monét’s take? I don’t think it’s drag specific. I think it’s in any industry. But when you do these competition shows, there are lots of egos involved, especially in drag. There are many things for people to pick apart - your face, your fashions - and sometimes a little comment will hit the wrong person the wrong way, and they got to let you know, you know? But it’s all humans, not just drag queens. When asked about what she would be doing if she hadn’t followed a career in entertainment, she was actually speechless. There is nothing else. Entertainment is her blood, music is her soul, and drag is her art. You can meet Monét on the road for Sibling Rivalry, listen to the podcast (they insist on recording according to schedule rain or shine), or catch her pop-ins to the Drag Race world. Beyond the witty comebacks, her message to her fans is sincere. My message to my fans is peace and love. I know that sounds really corny, but with everything going on, peace and love, but radicalized. Let these bitches know - Tweet about it, post about it - let people know and let your voice be heard. Let them know that this mess is not okay. Period. ■

You can follow Monét on IG: @MonetXChange Check out Sibling Rivalry at www.siblingrivalrypodcast.com METROSOURCE.COM

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HEALTH BODY

FIND YOUR APPY PLACE SIX APPS AND BOOKS FOR WELLNESS BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES

CALM www.calm.com $69.99/annually or $399.99 for life Calm, the leading mental wellness brand, is known as the top app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation. The app offers hundreds of hours of original audio content including sleep stories, soundscapes, meditations, music, and more. The app recently hosted the “Calmest Day of Pride’’ on June 15 providing the LGBTQIA+ community with an alter-

WE’RE GIVING YOU A PEEK INTO MEDITATION APPS, DIGITAL HEALTH

native way to celebrate Pride. Lower your stress level by kickstarting

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your morning with meditations and anxiety boosters like their Morn-

YEAR’S WELLNESS ROUNDUP. With the ongoing pandemic, threat of

ing Coffee playlist, Mindful Walking meditation, Daily Jay wisdom by

monkeypox and meningitis outbreaks, mass shootings and ominous politicians attempting to take away our rights, it’s important to take a holistic approach and find time for self-care. Rather than just looking at books we took a closer look at popular apps like Calm, Headspace, Noom and HealthTap and two great coffee table books to change your outlook and mindset in these complicated times. Relax, take a deep breath, and arm yourselves with resources that will send you off on a balanced note the rest of the summer.

Jay Shetty, or shake things up with the Daily Move by Mel Mah. Each audio track is relatively short and manageable so you can “choose your own adventure” with the many offerings of this extraordinary app. Don’t just start your day with Calm. The New York Times recently referred to Calm as “The App That Tucks Me In at Night.” Popular sleep stories include Tom Hiddleston reading Winnie The Pooh, Harry Styles’ “Dream With Me”, and Matthew McConaughey’s “Wonder.”With over 100 million downloads and a 4.8-star rating from the Apple App Store Calm is definitely here to stay.

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CRYSTALS By Sadie Kadlec Published by DK www.dk.com $30 Interested in crystals but don’t know where to begin? Kadlec’s remarkable book, which doubles as our favorite new coffee table book, is a lavishly illustrated encyclopedia of over 200 crystals. In addition to the formal directory which provides clear information regarding how to use them and what they can add to your life, Crystals provides details regarding how to choose and care for your crystals. Beyonce might charge her crystals in a full moon, but Kadlec offers a variety of additional ways that might serve you and your unique collection. Kadlec, a spiritual muse and mentor, founded Mineral Muse, a crystalcentric empowering offering “as a way to encourage people to cultivate a more sincere relationship with the earth and themselves.” Interested in learning more? Book a session with the author virtually or in person in NYC. Offerings include Mind Alchemy, Mineral Alchemy, and Reiki. In her foreword, the author says, “Each of us has our own unique connection to the energies that surround us, and crystals are one of those many energetic forces that we gravitate toward for support, inspiration, and connection. What we may feel, or come to understand, through our relationship with the crystals will always be filtered through our experiences, so it only represents a slice of awareness.” Some unique crystals we discovered through the book include fuchsite, orange selenite, cuprite, shattuckite, rainbow moonstone, blue tiger’s eye, and pegmatite. What’s in your creativity grid? Pick up the book to discover more.

HEADSPACE www.headspace.com $69.99 annual You might have caught John Legend’s sexy Headspace ad during the 2022 Super Bowl in which he states, “I’m Going to Let You Sleep With Me,” which announced the new Headspace Sleepcast, narrated by Legend. Headspace was created with one mission in mind: to improve the health and happiness of the world. Through science-backed meditation and mindfulness tools, Headspace helps you create life-changing habits to support your mental health and find a healthier, happier you. Over 70 million members tune in for high quality meditations by gurus like Andy Puddicombe, Dora Kamau, Eve Lewis, Kessonga Giscombe, and Samantha Snowden. Headspace is part of Headspace Health, the world’s most accessible, comprehensive provider of mental health and well-being care. Headspace Health also consists of Headspace for Work and Ginger, who partner with over 2,500 companies and health plans to provide access to meditation, mindfulness, coaching, therapy, and psychiatry to their members and employees. Are you a chronic worrier? Learn how to move forward with less stress in their 10-day meditation course. Try Headspace for two weeks, then it’s $69.99 annually. As John Legend notes in his commercial,“Sweet dreams, lovers.”

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HEALTHTAP www.healthtap.com $45 every 3 months HealthTap believes everyone deserves easy, affordable primary care. This app is designed to connect people with medical professionals for online doctor visits, with or without insurance. Noted as one of the leading mobile programs, HealthTap offers both primary care and 24/7 urgent care with board-certified telemedicine doctors. Online doctors in their medical group are U.S.-based and ready to meet and address your needs. Membership, at just $0.49/day includes your personal doctor backed by a whole network of care. Members can choose their own doctor and schedule an appointment for just $39 (or copay) per visit or $59 (or copay) for a more urgent visit within minutes. “Not only is primary care a key to improving public health, but it also represents a significant business opportunity for HealthTap,” said Sean Mehra, HealthTap co-founder and chief executive officer. “With more than 82 million Americans lacking a primary care doctor, we have a very large population in need of our robust telemedicine service.”As a bonus, subscribers can also text with their primary care doctor at any

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time for no additional charge.

HOW TO DO HARD THINGS: Actual Real-life Advice on Friends, Love, Career, Well-being, Mindset, and More By Veronica Dearly Published by DK www.dk.com $16.99 Illustrator Veronica Dearly combines her insight, humor, and creativity in this adorable visual journey into the parts of life that leave us lost for words. With a nod to the Wheel of Life coaching tool, Dearly digs into fitness, career, love, spirituality, family, money, fun, friends, and even preparing for change. In her book she notes,“Life is hard. It’s also pretty magical, it’s full of ups, downs, loop-the-loops, and then, like a roller coaster, it’s suddenly over and you have to get off. And that’s life. What a ride.” The book is, at times, laugh out loud funny, gripping, emotional, and poignant. I found it chock full of inspiration and helpful reminders. Just when things get real there is an adorable illustration like a cute worm saying, “Oh Crap.” Feel free to sharpen your #2 pencil because there are worksheets, tables, scales, and places to reflect and take notes. It’s so rare to find a book so full of wisdom that you can actively engage with. It’s a great gift for that friend who might be stuck, going through something difficult, or just in need of a little inspiration. Pick up a copy for yourself and someone you love.

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A BOUTIQUE MUSIC FESTIVAL LOCATED ON SACRED CALIFORNIA GROUND REVEALS THAT AT THE HEART OF EVERY HEALTHY LIFESTYLE IS AN OPEN-MINDED COMMUNITY THAT ACCEPTS OTHERS 32

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BY MEGAN VENZIN THERE IS SOMETHING HEALING ABOUT THE DESERT. THE UNFILTERED SUNSHINE, THE DRY HEAT AND THE OTHERWORLDLY TERRAIN, ALL HAVE A WAY OF RESETTING THE MIND AND SOOTHING THE SOUL.

Perhaps that is why a small community of open-minded nomads have set up shop around Jacumba Hot Springs, California – home of Temple Peak, a sacred landmark for the local Kumayaay Indians, who have long marveled at its ancient story-telling petroglyphs and enigmatic beauty. At its base, trailers and RVs fill in the wide-open spaces surrounding DeAnza Springs Resort, a destination where those who prefer a naturalistic lifestyle go to get away for a weekend, or often stay a while. “Take off your clothes, girl!” one woman calls to us from the retreat’s modest pool deck before letting out a hearty laugh. Admittedly we are dressed head-to-toe, on a fierce hunt for a spot with reliable Wi-Fi, and therefore aren’t quite “proper” for the occasion. We are in town for a three-day music and wellness event, which is set to take place on these unique grounds, which for the other 362 days a year serve as a nude haven for those who prefer to bare all.

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ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

The friendly heckler introduces herself as Deborah. She’s here for a few days with some friends, but at the moment, she’s solo and soaking wet, smoking a freshly lit cigarette and minding the instructions of a nearby sign that reads “Clothing Free Zone” in big bold letters. The beads of water that run down her naked body are quite literally the only thing she’s wearing at present. She seems happy. “You know, my uncle was a nudist and he lived until he was 93,” she shares unprovoked. “It’s something about the lifestyle. You just feel free. There is less stress. That’s gotta be good for you.”We chat a bit longer about the nearby boulder formation that presides over the community, like a powerful presence that has watched the world change around it for centuries upon centuries.“It’s a very spiritual place,” she adds. Deborah isn’t here for the festival like the 1,000 or so other attendees who’ve set up camp nearby for a weekend filled with DJ sets, organic eats and wellness workshops, but she shares the same brand of open-mind. (She may have wandered over at some point or another though, and if she did, we’re certain she had a good time.) The celebration is called Love Machine, and it launched in 2021 just as the world was waking up from COVID-imposed lockdowns. In November of last year, it served as a place for artists, music lovers and health-focused adventurers to reconnect in a place where the rules are sparse, and the vibes are high. “It’s intimate, so you get to know everyone here – and let me tell you the love spreads fast,” says Nick Trikakis, a house music producer who also heads up the media team for the boutique festival. He’s not wrong, within our first day of wandering between the two stages we’ve repeatedly encountered the same familiar faces with whom we’ll share our three-day journey. There’s the couple who outfitted their couch into a motorized vehicle, the tie-dye donning jokester with wristbands covering his right arm, signaling the long string of parties that preceded this one, the independent resin artist whose creations sparkle in the sun, and the impeccably dressed massage therapists who rain biodegradable glitter everywhere they walk. Add them to the former Wall Street traders, the Hollywood production assistants, the tech kids, and the traveling street food chefs, and you’ve got a good glimpse of exactly who trekked it almost as far as Tijuana for good times. METROSOURCE.COM

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Daylight hours are for kicking back, either by the Oasis Stage which has its own splashy aquatic viewing platform (a must for those 88 degree days), or up at the Hilltop Sanctuary where Insta-famous yogis and wellness thought leaders teach courses with titles like Intro to Tantric Expansion and Therapeutic Flying Flow, a class that pulls from a type of acro-yoga lineage in which partners work together to take flight and build shapes reminiscent of those seen on stage during Cirque du Soleil performances. The endless views alone lend a breathtaking experience but incorporate a little breath and movement and the results are simply transcendental. Among the most transformative offerings is the pranayama sound bath, led by accomplished circus performer, musician, yogi, aerialist, fire performer, and sound healer, John Beck. “Most people turn to sound baths with a goal in mind: to relieve stress or reach clarity on an issue that’s constantly bothering them,” Love Machine Founder, Ryan Spalding tells us ahead of our visit with Beck.“That said, you will get the most out of a sound bath when you can identify a clear intention as your goal for this type of sonic therapy. By creating this awareness, you will allow yourself to drop in deeper to the session.” As such, we arrive filled with determination. Beck’s presence is warm and lifted, but we soon learn, this grounded nature comes from years of pain. He chronicles his story on Saturday afternoon as students gather beneath a colorful canopy for a powerful breathwork session. Beck details a complicated childhood defined by family rifts and substance abuse. When ties with his biological relatives became severed, he was taken in by two men who treated him like their own son. “The love these two had for each other was so pure, and so real, it was unlike anything I’d ever experienced,” he shares with an air of reverence in his voice. Their unadulterated compassion and radical acceptance led him toward a livelihood where he too could help others. During this exposition of sorts, he introduces an activity that invites us to drop any defenses we may have had before walking up the mountainside. One by one, souls find themselves in another’s arms, where we align our hearts and exchange our energies. With each partner, we take three long, deep synchronized breaths, feeling their backs rise slowly beneath our hands. After a few goes, any sense of awkwardness has subsided, leaving us feeling fully AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

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relaxed and utterly connected. And that’s probably for the best, because what comes next is intense. “You’re going to want to lay on your back for this,” Beck instructs the group, shortly after revealing that this type of breath work helps him access a euphoric state that goes beyond what he found in the drugs that strained his relationship with himself and those around him. He alludes to some of the more visible benefits while he’s at it.“Look at me. I’m 53 years old. This stuff WORKS,” he says, letting out a huge chuckle. It’s hard to know if what he’s saying is true, but he’s convinced us that the claim is genuine (this guy doesn’t look a day past his 30s). The next 15 minutes are like a roller coaster — and we can’t say that our guru didn’t warn us.“If you need to laugh, laugh,” he offers. “If you need to cry, cry. Do what you’ve got to do.”Okay, well, here goes. The music of Tibetan quartz singing bowls, Nepalese gongs, wind chimes and bells begin to cut through the air, adding a new layer of potency to the mind-opening exercise. Soon, we’re caught in a flurry of rapid inhalations and exhalations. We eventually hit a rhythm that manifests itself physically in the form of tingling hands and feet, and at one point our hands involuntarily assume the shape of the lotus mudra. With eyes closed we

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pause to reset our breath, and that’s when we feel a sturdy hand on our shoulder followed by the words, “You doing okay?” A comforting squeeze from Beck gets us back in the groove and sure enough a few tears squeeze out from the corners of our eyes. You know what? It feet great! On our way to a similar hilltop jaunt we meet Resy Clement, a DJ and producer known to many as REsy. Earlier in the day she unleashed a soulful set tinted with tribal drums and upbeat house selections. Now she’s playing the role of attendee herself.

“Sick lineup, all natural foods, juices and elixirs, incredible landscape? Yes! My kind of fest,” she says with a smile, revealing the many reasons she was excited to perform at Love Machine for the first time. She hits on some of the more cathartic aspects too. “Communing through music, dancing and other intentional body movement fosters freedom and creativity,” she adds. Currently on her own plastic and alcohol-free journey, REsy embodies so much of what’s to love about this group. “Fellowship is very important to the soul,” she continues. “I believe in

laughter and connecting with my community as medicine.”Her positive attitude makes us all the more amped for our evening. After the daytime activities break, it’s time to gear up for the main party. When the moon rises, the stony venue transforms into an allnight dance party, complete with festival level production and lighting designed to dance across the textured rocks in ways that illuminate how mystical our backdrop truly is. This touch adds dramatic dimension to extended sets from acts like West Coast house legend Doc Martin and Innervision label boss, Âme. The sounds are rich and progressive, and despite the fact that temperatures drop some 30 degrees after the sun goes down, we manage to keep cozy with the help of fellow dancers and a whole lot of faux fur, which apparently is the unspoken after hours dress code of this far-out event (quite opposite from some of the more“natural” looks that define sunnier afternoons). Synths and heavy bass provide a different type of sound bath that is life-giving all the same. And we did we mention, it slaps? The vibe shift after nightfall is palpable, but the rejuvenating qualities of the event remain constant. The cogs that run this Love Machine are the people - the artists and the wellness experts, sure - but also the forward-thinking community of Jacumba Hot Springs who so generously share their slice of heaven with the music lovers who come to dance themselves clean under a star-scattered sky. When playa hero David Homme unleashes his signature Bubbles and Bass sunrise set early Monday morning the feeling of comradery is strong. Revelers tip back bottles of Champagne and take their final victory lap, sharing hugs with new friends they have met that weekend – with the spirits that keep this Machine running strong. It makes us think back to our new friend Debra, and her wise uncle, the man who made it to 93 by embodying a lifestyle that erred on the sides of wild and free. We peek around in hopes we might be able to share with her a heartfelt goodbye, but it is cold, and Debra knows better. Even though we are in heat-tech and leggings, we’re sure she’d be proud. After all, the metaphorical drapes are down, our hearts are open, and even after fizzy drinks our minds are clear. So, it is possible to stay young forever – you just have to strip off a few layers. Want to become part of the Love Machine? Visit www.lovemachine.live to learn more about upcoming installments. ■ METROSOURCE.COM

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BEING IN SHOW BUSINESS, EVERYBODY SAYS, AH THAT’S OKAY. EVERYBODY’S A LITTLE BIT GAY.”

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THE LYRICAL LIFE OF

JOHNNY MATHIS BY STEVE GOTTFRIED

“CHANCES ARE,” “IT’S NOT FOR ME TO SAY,” “MISTY,” THREE SONGS THAT ARE IMMORTALIZED IN THE GRAMMY HALL OF FAME, SONGS THAT FORGED AN INDELIBLE IMPRINT ON OUR MUSICAL HERITAGE BY JOHNNY MATHIS. Like other musical icons whose voices are instantly recogniz-

able, Mathis’ songs are notable for his distinctive sound, perfect pitch and sonorous vocals which seem to envelop you in a warm embrace. A national treasure at 86, Mathis exudes the kind of innocent exuberance of a man who seems more focused on gratitude for his many blessings than he is impressed with his own fame and vaunted status as the renowned voice of romance. Instead, he is a man who is deeply appreciative of the opportunities he was afforded from a young age and the people who came before him who paved the way. The son of domestic worker parents, Mathis scored his first recording contract by age 19. His path to stardom seems almost preordained, but this is part of the mystique of a man whose artistry and creative instincts are intertwined in a seemingly effortless way.

During our recent interview, Mathis reflects on his music, his upbringing, how he came to terms with his sexual orientation during an era where it was not socially acceptable, and the things that kept him grounded and healthy in mind, body and spirit. Throughout our interview Johnny talked often and lovingly about his parents, particularly his father. One anecdote which seems almost too poetic to be true is how his father bought an upright piano for $25 when Johnny was a child. When he couldn’t fit it through the front door of their modest

apartment, his father took it apart and reassembled it himself. My father, God bless him, was my best pal. He is the reason I sing. He had seven kids, he and my mom. We used to drive around in the car all over San Francisco after he’d come home from work. We met a lot of different people who were appearing in nightclubs and what have you. And years later, they’d remember me. Oh yeah, I remember you, Johnny. You and your dad came in to see me. Lots of good memories.

While Johnny’s father taught him to sing as a young boy, Johnny explains that his father never sang above a whisper. Which is interesting given Johnny’s often delicate unforced phrasing. One of the more surprising things to come out of our interview was that when Johnny first listened to recordings of himself on a tape recorder, he did not like what he heard. I got a chance to hear myself sing at an early age because we had a little recording device. And I would listen and try to correct myself because I always had sort of a high voice for a male. I thought I sounded like a girl and I hated it. I wanted to sound more like Billy Eckstein or some of these wonderful baritones. But it paid off later on in life. Talk about an understatement. Mathis would go on to record 73 studio albums, 18 of which achieved Gold status, six of which earned Platinum status. He credits his father with having the foresight to encourage him to train with a vocal coach at an early age. Someone who Johnny credits with being responsible for his successful career. METROSOURCE.COM

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My father said we have to find a voice teacher for you. And fortunately, I met this wonderful lady named Connie Cox. She was a wonderful voice teacher and she’s the one that I owe my career to because she took me on. I had no money, so I ran errands for her to pay for my voice lessons. I sat and I listened to her teach her students, which is when I really learned all about the technique of voice production. She taught me to sing in a manner without harming my vocal cords and that was a blessing for me. You’ve had some incredible duet partners over the years. Women whose voices blended seamlessly with your own, people like Deniece Williams, Jane Olivor, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick and Barbra Streisand. If you had to choose one, who would be your favorite? Oh gosh, my girlfriends will kill

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me if I didn’t mention them. I like them all for different reasons. And of course, they themselves are fantastic entertainers and musicians. It’s just fun to be with them and to try different approaches to different songs. I think the one that’s closest to me is Dionne Warwick. Dionne and I have been pals for a thousand years. She lives right down the street from me. But of course, I loved singing with Barbra Streisand. I even sang with Lena Horne. She was the first movie star singer that I knew and listened to. What was it like recording with Barbra Streisand? She was very professional. She told me years and years ago that I was one of the reasons that she was singing. And I was very flattered of course. We became good pals and did a lot of performances together.

She told me years ago that I was one of the reasons that she was singing. And I was very flattered. One quote that has been attributed to Streisand: “There are a number of good singers, a smaller handful of truly great singers, and then there’s Johnny Mathis.” And in a Facebook post from 2015, Streisand wrote:“I saw Johnny Mathis on the Ed Sullivan Show when I was 15 years old. He was mesmerizing. Singing a duet with him was a dream come true!” Can you tell me about your process in the recording studio? The songs that you’re so famous for, were you able to record them very quickly, like in one or two takes? Or did they take long to get it just right?

Oh, all of the above. You go in and you try something. I’d say nine times out of ten, it works. Sometimes, people in the hierarchy of the record company will suggest that maybe we could sell a lot of records if you sing this or you sing that. Their suggestions are usually driven by what’s worked in the past. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. But it’s fun to try all that stuff ‘cause you never know. I have one thought in mind when I sing. And it’s all about, is it a good song or not. And many times, I’ve sung songs that they suggested, and I didn’t particularly like the song, but it became a big hit. You just don’t know everything, but you have to have an open mind about it all.

Though Johnny was born in Texas, his family moved to San Francisco when he was four. The move from Texas to San Francisco would prove fortuitous given the cosmopolitan nature of the city with a thriving music scene and a relatively progressive attitude toward homosexuality, at least compared to Texas. I was running around from the time I was 12 or 13 years old with some of my golfing buddies. And we would stop in at these nightclubs and music joints. I had a buddy of mine who was a horn player. His name was Virgil Gonzales. Virgil and I had a little band, and we would sneak into the nightclubs locally and practice in the afternoon when nobody was there. And then occasionally we would hang around and beg them to let us come in and see people like Oscar Peterson, Erroll Garner, some of the great jazz musicians in the world. I was very fortunate to be brought up in that area. Since you and your father were so close, were you open to him about being gay? Or was

that something that was not discussed. My dad, I saw him and some of his hunting buddies kissing and hugging, so it seemed very natural to me. And so it was like, “yeah, Pop, I do it too.” It’s no big deal. Being in show business, everybody says, ah that’s okay. Everybody’s a little bit gay. So, your father was very open-minded. Absolutely. I understand both of your parents were domestic workers, correct? Yes. Once you started making a great living at a fairly young age, how did it feel to be able to give them the kind of life that they could have only dreamed of? It was the joy of my life. We were raised in a little basement flat and there were seven of us children and we often had relatives that were passing through, and my dad would take them in. They would be sleeping on the floor and what METROSOURCE.COM

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[BARBARA STREISAND] TOLD ME YEARS AGO THAT I WAS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT SHE WAS SINGING. AND I WAS VERY FLATTERED.”

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have you. My dad was one of the kindest human beings I’ve ever met. From the time I was a little kid, I learned what it was like to share the opportunities you have that other people don’t. And that was a great learning process for me. Despite having an accepting and loving family, the deeply ingrained societal pressures inhibited Johnny from being able to freely experience relationships with men. For someone whose music is so closely identified with romance, it seems particularly poignant that he himself was unable to fully experience it in his own personal life. In those days, being gay was not commonplace. People didn’t think very highly of it. And so, I was kind of a loner. I couldn’t really associate with people because I knew the way I felt sexually. I was afraid that somebody would find out and I wouldn’t be able to pursue my life as a singer because of that. In those days, you didn’t talk about it and people thought it was strange or weird or crazy or something. But I eventually talked to my dad about it. And he said, everything’s cool, son, don’t worry about it. Go about your life, God loves you. And once I got that into my head, I relaxed and said, okay, maybe I’m a little different than most people. But as long as my dad doesn’t mind, I’m okay. Johnny also talked about how the years he spent living outside the United States played an important role in his outlook and coming to terms with his sexuality. I was fortunate enough to spend a number of years in Europe early on in my career. I lived in England, France and Germany. I learned a lot of things that you can’t know if you don’t travel. I became very understanding about things that people thought were not de rigueur or something of that nature. It was a real godsend. I began to like myself and know the important thing was that I didn’t harm anybody. I made my dad very very proud of me because he’s the reason I sing. And as long as I do just that, go about my business, don’t do any bad things to people, I’m okay. Were there any other closeted celebrities during the era that you came of age that you were on good terms with? Thousands. Girls, boys, all of ‘em. Later on in life, I found out. But you know,

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things change, society changes. Everything’s cool. What was it like? I imagine at that time a lot of these clubs were almost like speakeasies. Did you go to some of those clubs where you were granted a certain degree of anonymity? You name it, I did it. Mathis recalls the positive impact of his travels abroad as his career took off and how liberating it was to see others embracing their sexuality. I cannot tell you what a joy it was at a young age, because I started traveling when I was 18 years old all over the world. I met all these people involved in show business – actors, performers, dancers, singers. They were all absolutely embracing in every respect. I felt comfortable and relaxed and at ease about every aspect of my life because of these people whom I admired. It was a revelation for a young person like myself and I became very relaxed and found out that about half of them felt the same way that I did about their personal life or sexual life. Here I am at this age in my life, still healthy and mentally straight with the God in my life. I’ve been more or less religious all my life and made my association with Jesus and God. I used to go to church and talk to my ministers about being gay and being in the public. And they would remind me that Jesus loves you no matter what. I know you also had a brief struggle with addiction. I had a little run-in with drugs. But after hearing myself while recording, I said, whoa, I can’t do that anymore. It was a process. Fortunately, it didn’t hamper my success or my career. When you start getting successful as a performer, everybody knows every little nuance about you that comes out. And I didn’t want to embarrass my dad. Mathis still performs regularly (38 concerts a year) and is an avid golfer. He also works out with a trainer 5 days a week, starting at 5am. He talked about the relationship between his active lifestyle and his health and his music. I’ve been involved in athletics all my life, just as much as my music. And the two of them went hand in hand. I competed in track and field as a high jumper and a hurdler. I would be remiss not to set the record

straight to compensate for Mathis’ modesty. Not only was he a competitive track and field athlete, but he attended San Francisco State College on an athletic scholarship and was offered the chance to try out for the U.S. Olympic team in 1956. But as fate would have it, he was offered a recording contract with Columbia Records that same year and decided to pursue a career in music. We’re living in such divided times. Music has a way of bringing people together. Has your relationship with your fans evolved over the years? I embrace everybody. I get opportunities to do good things, or to help people in so many ways. And over the years, some of the best things that I’ve ever done were not at all concerned with my music but embracing people who come to me. People who come to my performances and want to meet me and talk to me personally and privately. It’s not only put me at ease about my own way of life but being able to give them some sort of compassion when they come to me – because music is so personal. And I tell you, I’m at a happy place in my life. Johnny also spoke about his friendship with one of America’s pre-eminent composers Cole Porter who was famously gay despite being married to a woman.

One of my favorite people in the world was Cole Porter. He was an invalid most of his life. But he was one of the greatest songwriters of all time. And he was very kind to me at an early age. I think I was about 12 or 13 years old when I met him. He had to be wheeled around in a wheelchair. I went on to record so many of his songs and I felt so blessed to know him on a personal level. Things like that have kept me progressing in life and realizing that I wasn’t the only one who went through all these traumatic things in life. Johnny Mathis’ rendition of “A Time for Us” from Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 movie Romeo and Juliet has always been a song I found hauntingly beautiful. The lyrics spoke directly to the forbidden love between two lovers from feuding families. With lyrics like“A time for us, someday there’ll be, when chains are torn by courage, born of a love that’s free,”I was curious to know if, as a gay man, the lyrics held a special meaning for him when he recorded that song. I never equated it to me personally. My singing always encompassed everybody. I didn’t sing for one section of the world or one type of person. I sang for everybody. And that’s what it’s all about as far as music is concerned. Finding what’s universal to all people. That’s what music does. ■ METROSOURCE.COM

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ROB ANDERSON TIKTOK’S FUNNY MAN:

(@HEARTTHROBERT)

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ IN TODAY’S HEIGHTENED POLITICAL AND SOCIAL UNREST, WE COULD ALL USE A LITTLE (OR A LOT) OF HUMOR WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL MEDIA. Challenging norms and combating stereotypes

through comedy is content creator Rob Anderson’s forte. From marketing positions at Grindr, Uber, and the infatuation to his status as a popular influencer with 2+ million social media followers and growing, he is exploring LGBTQ+ plus issues with sass, sarcasm, style … and skin. He is building bridges with mainstream media and his fan base far exceeds the LGBTQ community - his comedy has been covered by Good Morning America, NPR, and more. His series Gay Science has gone tirelessly viral, covering such hard-hitting topics as gay men’s obsession with iced coffee, why gay men are terrible drivers, and how gay men have problems sitting in chairs properly. His success has partnered him with the Oscars, Kim Petras, and numerous other brands, and his children’s book take on the Fergie NBA National Anthem debacle has made him a best-selling author. But who is the man beyond the lens?

Despite the myriad of interviews with him and extensive coverage focused on his content, his personal life and growing up hasn’t really taken the spotlight. Let’s just say the button pusher you see today was not created overnight. As a kid, he was both the class clown and a drama club groupie, and a definite troublemaker. I wasn’t a rule follower. I was suspended from school a lot and had many detentions. I really was getting in trouble all the time because I was just always pushing the boundaries. They come up with so many dumb rules when you’re a kid and you say to yourself, why do I have to do that? Why? My mom had nine heart attacks when I was a kid. There wasn’t one big aha moment for Rob that would propel him into the entertainment field. He did not follow a guidebook; he was making up it as he went along. Life after high school would lay the foundation for a very convoluted journey to influencer fame.

I know performers and entertainers can understand and relate to being pulled into so many different directions in your head. I love being behind the camera. I love writing. I love singing. I love performing. I love board games. I just love so many different things. So, I went to Chicago after I graduated to get into improv and find my people to help create something funny. That is where I started to get into entertainment. But I’m not connected to entertainment at all, my family is just a standard family from the suburbs. Trying to find my way in was the biggest challenge because if you don’t have the connections, you just have to figure it out. It was during this early time away from home when Rob would also gain the confidence to come out, not to pomp and circumstance, but to a simple phone call. I was 21, living out of the house, and slowly coming out to friends and my

family. My mom is an Italian woman who is just filled with drama, and she is very theatrical and I didn’t want it to be this big thing because, for me, it really wasn’t. I am low key. So, I did not want to tell her in person because I knew that she would want to sit down and like make it a day of drama … I couldn’t do that. I called her on the phone, and I told her I liked boys. She still is not happy about that to this day because she wanted to have that moment, but it wasn’t for her. It was not her moment. It was my moment, and I did not want one. So that is my coming out story. It is really low key. Right after college, Rob got his first industry job. It was, in his words,“a crappy job as a construction journalist.”This would be one of many jobs that Rob would work through, not knowing that social media fame was waiting in the wings. It was 2008 after the subprime mortgage crisis. Jobs were scarce and they were paying $19,000 a year, so that’s what I took after college, which was my first professional job. I actually don’t like to think about it too often - oh, that was a rough spot. I moved to Grindr after that, and I was doing marketing for them and I thought, “oh, this is cool, this feels like a real job.” Through his various marketing jobs, he would add a bit of comedic flair to his projects. While at Uber, he placed fake Skymall magazines in cars on April Fool’s Day. With life often coming full circle, Rob recently served as the narrator for Postmates’ (owned by Uber) “bottom-friendly menu” ad campaign for this year’s Pride. He would also learn how to market METROSOURCE.COM

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and create content on social media platforms, most notably on TikTok. He was building his arsenal to make a brand for himself, by his own rules. When the pandemic hit, he started posting relatable, personal content, and he quickly became a viral sensation. I did improv in Chicago for like seven or eight years and I had improvisers reach out to me that I worked with then saying, “Hey, my friends are sending me this. This is so cool that this is all happening!” That was the moment when it wasn’t just gay people sending me things, when I had beyond that, like comedians, a further reach. He hasn’t slowed down and this Pride season, he added music to the mix. Titled“Nothing for You,”it is the first song that Rob has ever written, co-writing it with consummate musicians Sam Creighton and Will Jay with producer Zach Djurich. His approach to music is the same as with comedy - push the envelope. What has become a viral bop for Pride has turned the idea of a Pride anthem upside down. The tonguein-cheek lyrics of the video simply state that if a guy was hot enough, they can take away all basic rights and ideals that our community holds dear. It’s a sarcastic take on the limitations and restrictions taking place around the nation … but hey, gay guys love hot guys, isn’t that what really matters? 100% of the proceeds are donated to For the Gworls, an organization that helps Black transgender people pay for rent and gender-affirming surgeries. Many influencers cannot quite make that jump to music effectively, was Rob scared of releasing it? I was so excited to do it because it is something that I’m good at. But I haven’t been dancing or singing in a lot of my videos because they must feel right to me. But this was how I wanted it to be - a well-produced single that sounded like a pop song that you would hear on the radio. But if you listen to the lyrics, they are so stupid. You think, wait, what is he saying? Like what, wait what? But then you want to keep listening to it and you find yourself singing the words in disbelief. The music video is great, and I was very excited for people to see it. The video is great indeed. Rob’s personality jumps off the screen and there is plenty of skin to keep your eyes happy. As much as there is a focus on Rob’s comedy in his content, there is an equal fandom for Rob’s chiseled jaw and muscled body. He’s funny AND a hottie? With

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the attention on his body, has Rob suffered from body image issues, knowing that the gay community can be extremely hard on others based on looks? I went through enough body issues in my twenties, with some unhealthy habits, trying to be something that people would find to be the most attractive. When I had moved into my thirties I stepped away from comedy. I also stepped away from a lot of things I was doing and just found something new in New York. This allowed me to come into my own. I had this sense of confidence that things were going to work out for me, and I was going to get my body together. Once I had that mental shift, I stopped caring about what people thought of me and my body. What is interesting is everyone is insecure about their own bodies. Whether he wanted to or not, Rob has become a spokesperson for the LGBTQ community. Not only are the issues he has covered in Gay Science being talked about beyond our circle on national television, but he has become a bona fide influencer with followers and clicks growing by the day. Does he feel the pressure to become an activist and change the tone of his material? That is a really good question. I am, in my own way, an activist. And I think any attention my videos get, that I get, is related to the type of content I make, which is funny. It does serve a purpose, sometimes. It doesn’t always have to. Sometimes I can just make something totally stupid if I want to. But if there is some message in it, like in a lot of Gay Science episodes, that’s who I am. So, when I have interviews or I meet people, that is why it’s happening. I wouldn’t necessarily change and switch and be this hard activist with a serious tone. Those people exist and they do what they do really well. I’m going to do what I do well. And now, Rob’s content is enjoying life beyond the lens. Rob has been touring the States with a live version of his work - over an hour of original music, sketches, and a collection of explicit personal stories that are not appropriate for the internet. For Rob, the tour is about going back to his roots. Well, I am a theater person. I am a live performer. It is what I have been doing most of my life. I had not stepped on a stage for five years until I started doing

EVERYONE IS INSECURE ABOUT THEIR OWN BODIES.” my show and I realized how fun it is to be in front of a room of people and have that connection. It is such a great, wonderful thing. And now it’s especially awesome because the people in these rooms are not just people the comedy club has pulled in and been like, “there’s a random show, come see it.”These are the people who know and like me and the things I make. They are coming to see me and now I’m doing what I do well for them. It’s just this wonderful combination. I wanted to go to every city, but it is my first tour, so we are trying to pick main spots. But I really want to go to literally every city to just to see my people! With this rise in stardom, what is happening in Rob’s love and dating life? Is it hard to date when people are expecting to spend time with the TikTok star? I have been single for three or four years. When content creating and TikTok began for me, I’ve since been so obsessed. It’s what I’ve wanted to do for so long, so I am really focused on it. I really haven’t given myself an opportunity to go on dates or actively try to date because I know I wouldn’t necessarily want a partner at this moment. But hook-ups have been fun. [Laughs] Definitely, people come up to me at bars and clubs and they’ll recognize me and say hi. It’s actually been a very awesome experience. Because of the things I post, I get comments like, “Oh my God, when you had that one joke in this one video, that was so funny.” It is nice when people mention specific things I do in my content and we get to converse, and not always, “Hey, I want to hook up with you.” Rob’s Pride message to his fans is incredibly Rob - Rob the TikToker, Rob the comedian, Rob the best-selling author, Rob the heartthrob: Stop shopping at Zara. Y’all shop at Zara too much. It’s too much, too much. You gotta back off from Zara, everybody. I guess there goes Rob’s TikTok endorsement from Zara! ■

You can follow Rob on IG: @HeartThrobAnderson

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TRAVEL

(above)

Boston Public Garden. Photo by MRNY (below)

OLD SCHOOL MEETS NEW SCHOOL FOR

AUTUMN IN BOSTON BY MARK A. THOMPSON

FOR EVERYONE WHO WENT TO SCHOOL IN BOSTON AND TREATED THE CITY LIKE A CAMPUS, A RETURN TO THE HUB CAN FEEL LIKE AN ALUMNI REUNION: EVERYTHING IS THE SAME AND YET EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED. A walk around the old neighborhood, turn a dif-

ferent corner, you keep running into your youth, partially because Boston remains forever young. With more than 40 colleges and universities in the metropolitan area, there’s an endless stream of students and an ongoing hustle in the Hub.

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Boston Athenaeum, Second Floor. Photo courtesy of the Boston Athenaeum.

(above)

Boston Public Garden. Photo by Kyle Klein. (below)

Boston Public Library with Rainbow Flags. Photo by GBCVB

My godfather was a Bostonian who grew up on the back side of Beacon Hill, and to his mind, Boston was always enjoying a renaissance, a word he pronounced to highlight its French derivation, with an emphasis on rebirth. And speaking of a renaissance, remember when the Ritz-Carlton Boston was where you went to meet your grandmother or your socialite aunt when they came to town and invited you for tea? Housed in that imposing 18-story building alongside the Public Garden, the Ritz-Carlton Boston was the most

redoubtable hotel in America, notable for its impeccable service and waitstaff in white tie. A profusion of fresh flowers in the lobby, culinary arts by Escoffier in the dining room - and everywhere, pinkies up. Everyone partied there, ever since its 1927 opening during the Roaring Twenties. The hotel’s guest register read like an extension of Who’s Who. Tennessee Williams revised A Streetcar Named Desire while in residence. Rodgers & Hammerstein wrote music in their suite. Count Basie and Duke Ellington played on the rooftop.

Well, as the French say, plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose - and in keeping with Boston’s youthful spirit, that beloved hotel, one of the city’s most iconic architectural landmarks has been reborn as The Newbury Boston. To the delight of locals and Boston Brahmins, the bones and the pedigree have been retained amidst a multi-year restoration that has transformed this grande dame into a vibrant, white-hot hotel. With interiors by Champalimaud Design and Jeffrey Beers International, as well as a new entrance onto Newbury Street, the 286-room luxury property welcomes guests into a jewel-toned lobby with black marble floors. Fireplaces have been reclaimed and a private Library Lounge for hotel guests has been outfitted in emerald green and cobalt blue velvet. A shimmering porcelain chandelier mirrors the leaves of a gingko tree, a symbol of the hotel’s longevity. Accents of red pay homage to Winston Churchill, a guest for whom the hotel reupholstered his suite in his favorite color. Most pleasing for tipplers, the hotel’s Street Bar has become a sleek and elegant speakeasy serving classic cocktails, including the signature martini. Back in the day, the Roof at the Ritz was home to big bands like Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, the Count, and Duke. The kind of place where Auntie Mame would grab hold of your shoulders and remind you that life is a banquet. If you’re fortunate enough to arrive at The Newbury Boston during the ‘blue hour,’ then take the elevator straight to the rooftop where Contessa reigns. You should know that Contessa is made for entrances, and fortunately, there are two: one for hotel residents, another for guests. No matter your point of entry, you’re guaranteed a sense of arrival at this rooftop restaurant that feels like an amalgam of a Gucci fashion shoot and a film by Fellini. With breathtaking views over the city and a cast of characters that reminds you how cosmopolitan Boston truly is, Contessa recreates “la dolce vita” that defined Rome’s Via Veneto during the heyday of the jet set and the paparazzi. Opened by Major Food Group, the masterminds behind numerous Manhattan, Vegas, and Hong Kong hotspots, Contessa reclaims this Boston rooftop that was so popular during the Big Band era. With a glass roof and retractable panels for al fresco dining, the grand trattoria evokes a conservatory in the sky that is as alluring in the sunshine as it is during the night. Regardless of when you sink into Contessa’s embrace, an order of squash carpaccio is all but mandatory, as is the signature Crema de Boston, a revamped Boston cream pie that layers custard and chocolate ganache with whipped Italian mascarpone, all blanketed in chocolate shavings. METROSOURCE.COM

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For a post-prandial constitution, nothing beats the Public Garden, which is right outside The Newbury’s front door. The nation’s first public botanical garden was established in 1837, right alongside Boston Common which was created in 1634 as America’s first public park. Surrounded by a Victorian castiron fence, the garden includes a six-acre pond where the swan boats have operated for over a century. No visit to the Garden is complete without paying respect to the bronze ducklings inspired by Robert McCloskey’s famous children’s book Make Way for Ducklings. For those in search of additional greenspaces, Boston’s Emerald Necklace is a series of nine parks comprising 1,100 acres, all connected by parkways designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. At the top of the Common, directly across from the Massachusetts State House stands a bronze that author Henry James termed “real perfection.”Dedicated to the abolitionist Robert Gould Shaw, the memorial was completed in 1897 by the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens who worked for 14 years to render the faces of every soldier, all of whom are Black. Just beyond the State House beckon the signature red doors of 10½ Beacon Street, home of the Boston Athenaeum. Founded in 1807, the Athenaeum quickly became the center of intellectual life in Boston and one of the largest libraries in the States. As a student in Boston, I often frequented the Fifth Floor Reading Room where, in fits and starts, I wrote a graduate thesis while gazing down onto the Old Granary Burial Ground where lie the bones of Paul Revere, Crispus Attucks, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and other Revolutionary-era heroes. With more than half a million volumes, the Athenaeum’s collection includes the personal library of George Washington, as well as paintings and sculptures by Houdon, John Singer Sargent, Polly Thayer, Bradley Phillips, and numerous other notable artists. Day passes and visitor tours are offered for guests, and memberships are available for bibliophiles who seek one of Boston’s most pleasing sanctuaries. Due in large part to its many colleges and universities, Boston has been a cultural hub for artists and intellectuals throughout its history. During the latter part of the 19th century, the heiress Isabella Stewart Gardner built a Venetian palazzo along the Fenway in which to exhibit her art collection. Now known as the Gardner, the museum offers exhibitions and AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

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(above)

Contessa. Photo by Douglas Friedman (below)

The Newbury, The Library. Photo by Nikolas Koenig

musical events that recall Gardner’s literary salons which attracted Boston’s cognoscenti and became hugely influential in shaping the city’s museum collections. In a nod to Gardner’s aesthetic vision for the city, the Newbury has amassed its own diverse collection of artworks which are exhibited throughout the hotel. Works by the great portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh hang in the hotel’s Library Lounge. Curated by the owners of the Schoolhouse Gallery in Provincetown, the Newbury’s collection features many local and New England artists whose work highlights the hotel’s cultural and architectural connection to the city. The vision of The Newbury as a 21st century salon for the arts continues in the guest rooms, 90 of which are luxury suites, and all of which feature original art. Wood-burning fireplaces are featured in more than 40 suites, as well as a wet bar or a cocktail trolley,

thereby making it perfectly sensible to remain swaddled in the Frette bathrobes and slippers, martini in hand. Further temptations await in the marble bathroom with walk-in rainforest shower and Byredo toiletries. Designed to replicate a residential ambiance, The Newbury’s guest rooms and suites feature window nooks and cloak closets, as well as Nespesso Vertuo espresso machines. Twice daily housekeeping is highlighted by an evening turndown service that includes eyeglass cleaning cloths and bespoke book markers for nightstand novels. And yes, naturally, there’s a 24-hour Fitness Center, should you feel the need - although for that matter, the Public Garden never closes and there’s always the possibility of a ghost ride with Paul Revere. Call it a rebirth or a renaissance, Boston continues to burn with the incandescent glow of youth. ■

THEATRE LOS ANGELES

MOULIN ROUGE

DELIVERS HIGH-OCTANE ENTERTAINMENT AND FULL-THROTTLE SPECTACLE ESCAPISM BY STEVE GOTTFRIED

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AFTER TWO AND A HALF YEARS OF ABSTAINING FROM EVERYTHING FROM INDOOR DINING TO THE OCCASIONAL RANDOM HOOKUP, I HAD REACHED MY LIMIT. And the prospect of

missing out on a chance to see Moulin Rouge was my kryptonite. As Dolly Levi triumphantly resolves to rejoin the human race in “Before the Parade Passes By,” I too was determined to throw caution to the wind, consequences be damned. And so, I ventured into the Art Deco grandeur of the Pantages Theatre in the heart of Hollywood surrounded by a throng of masked theatergoers, pumped for opening night of the touring company of the Tony Award winning musical based on the Baz Lurhmann movie spectacle from 2001 which starred Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. The question running through my head: will experiencing the kinetic thrill of live theater be worth the risk for a neurotically risk-averse person like myself? I suppose I won’t know the full answer to that question until the incubation period passes and I remain symptom and/or COVID-free. What I can say at this very moment, the morning after, is that the opening night performance was everything I had hoped for and like Dolly’s magical return to the Harmonia Gardens, it was “so good to be back where I belong.”

Conor Ryan and Courtney Reed

The cast of the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade.

From the moment you enter the theater, the lush set design recreates the ambience reminiscent of turn of the century Paris. The show starts off with a high-octane performance of“Lady Marmalade” and quickly casts its spell conjuring the enchanting world of this cabaret and its cast of Bohemian artists. The caliber of the performances were Broadway-worthy and while this innately anachronistic jukebox musical based on the Baz Luhrmann fantastical spectacle may not be everyone’s cup of tea, this production was firing on all cylinders. For me, the true revelation of this musical was its leading man Conor Ryan who imbues the role of Christian with just the right combination of heart and whimsy that makes the character believable and sympathetic. From the moment

he appears on stage to welcome the audience and explain the stakes of the evening involve matters of life, love, and death, he does it with such an endearing and authentic yet vulnerable quality reminiscent of a young hapless Owen Wilson that it’s impossible not to be taken in. It is particularly rewarding when it comes to the musical numbers, Ryan’s vocals are no less remarkable, sweet and pristine when called for in Elton John’s “Your Song” and aching and anthemic during songs like “Crazy” and “Roxanne,” singing whatever pastiche of songs the show throws his way with conviction and seeming ease.Yes, he’s that good. While I didn’t have the chance to see Aaron Tveit’s Tony winning performance as Christian in the Broadway production, Ryan brings a magic to the role that is all his own. While the rest of the company were equally up to the task, Christian is the beating heart of the show which requires the audience to buy in to the conceit and transport us into a world where love is quite literally a matter of life and death. The other two standouts were of course the tragic heroine Satine played impeccably by Courtney Reed and the manipulative impresario Harold Zidler played with gusto and zeal by Austin Durant. Reed traverses the full range of emotion as the starlet/vixen suspended from a chair singing “Diamonds are Forever” to the tragic songbird whose artistry is being straightjacketed by her controlling benefactor. David Harris delivers a solid performance

as the Duke of Monroth, the moneyed villain who – like the Phantom of the Opera – threatens to undermine the fate of the star-crossed lovers (Satine and Christian), demanding Satine’s heart in return for keeping the theater and the lives of its artists afloat. Like Phantom of the Opera, the story of Moulin Rouge is fairly simple to follow adhering to the trajectory of a classic tragic opera while creating the necessary stakes of suspense that allow the cascade of musical numbers to envelop and enthrall. And in this company’s hands, it all works exceedingly well. The one criticism I had was that I was expecting more from the choreography which was created by Sonya Tayeh, a breakout choreographer on the Fox competition So You Think You Can Dance, known for her daring and often boundary-pushing routines. Though the dancing was well-executed, there was nothing groundbreaking or spectacular about it. Fortunately, the story, the music and the performers brought so much to this production that the choreographic shortcomings were a mere footnote. The unifying thread of Moulin Rouge and the need to fight for the four essential elements of the Bohemian spirit – Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Love – couldn’t be more appropriate at this particular moment in time. Given the chance, would I see it again? In a heartbeat. Now through September 4th at The Pantages Theatre (6233 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA). Visit www.pantagestheatre.net for tickets and more information. ■ METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

EATING CLEAN AND GREEN FABULOUS VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS IN LA BY ERIC ROSEN SUMMER IS NEARLY OVER, BUT YOU STILL HAVE TIME FOR A BEACH TRIP OR TWO BEFORE THE DAYS START GETTING SHORTER AND THE NIGHTS

LOS ANGELES

EATS

START GETTING COLDER. Keep your body bathing suit-ready by dining at one of these health-conscious vegan or vegetarian restaurants around Los Angeles. Even if you don’t normally stick to a plant-based diet, these dining spots will have you salivating for more.

CROSSROADS KITCHEN The hotspot that put vegan fine-dining on L.A.’s culinary map is open for takeout, delivery, and dine-in, so you can plan your next wellness-oriented date night out. The artichoke “oysters” with artichoke puree, crispy oyster mushrooms, béarnaise and kelp caviar are a must, as are the stuffed zucchini blossoms. Not into “meat?”The Lasagna Bolognese with Impossible Meat and bechamel sauce is a spot-on surprise. Save room for the Key Lime Tart with key lime curd and cinnamon shortbread vanilla Chantilly cream. That last one may not be healthy, but it’s worth it. Tasting menus, brunch, and late night bites are also offered.

8284 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, 323-782-9245; www.crossroadskitchen.com

CAFÉ GRATITUDE It’s all in the name – gratitude is the driving principle behind this popular raw, vegan chain with locations in Downtown, Larchmont, and Venice, as well as Newport Beach and San Diego. Hence the cheerful menu listings, like the “I Am Awesome” eggplant parmesan sandwich with basil hempseed pesto on focaccia; the “I Am Dazzling” Caesar Salad with shitake bacon, capers and brazil nuts; or the“I Am Loving”Black Rice Bowl with roasted yams, brussels sprouts, avocado, quinoa, cilantro, and garlic tahini. Executive Chef Dreux Ellis oversees the culinary direction at all the restaurants.

639 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, 323-580-6383 512 Rose Ave., Venice, 424-231-8000 1617 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach, 949-386-8101 1980 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, 619-736-5077 www.cafegratitude.com

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M CAFÉ Not strictly vegetarian, this macrobiotic Melrose mainstay still deserves a mention thanks to its ultra-healthy menu. Morning folk should appreciate breakfast fare like the matcha granola with seasonal berries over vanilla chia pudding, coconut yogurt or an oat milk pour-over. The signature deli salads include red beet poke, kelp noodle alfredo and probiotic slaw, while heartier options include the burrito bowl with steamed quinoa, charred corn, black beans, pico de gallo, avocado, shredded cabbage, cilantro, soy crema, chipotle sauce and lime. Or just opt for the famous grilled tuna burger with ahi in a teriyaki glaze with avocado, tangy shiso leaf, pickled red onion, daikon sprouts and spicy yuzu mayo on a sesame brioche bun. Order online to enjoy at home or visit the restaurant for in-person dining.

7119 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, 323-525-0511 www.mcafedechaya.com

REAL FOOD DAILY Known to locals as RFD since 1993, Real Food Daily was one of the pioneers of bringing healthy eating to the masses and continues to serve its signature menu of vegan cuisine at locations in West Hollywood (the original), Pasadena, and even at LAX International Airport. Who needs chicken and waffles when you can start your day with crispy seitan and gooey maple syrup over waffles served with a side of seasonal fruit? Dinner items include the signature buffalo cauliflower with curried, roasted florets doused in spicy buffalo sauce with a “creamy” ranch dressing. There are now two Impossible burgers on the menu but opt instead for a build-your-own bowl with protein options like braised jackfruit, marinated tempeh, and almond tuna, among others; a choice of grains or legumes including soba noodles or lentils; and veggies that include grilled plantains, roasted mushrooms, sea vegetables, or steamed spinach. Breakfast is served all day!

414 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, 310-289-9910 899 E. Del Mar Blvd., Pasadena, 626-844-8900 www.realfood.com

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

LOS ANGELES DIRECTORY ACCOUNTING

Fired Up Athletics

8474 W 3rd St, Ste 208, LA ��213 608-9425 www.firedupathletics.com

Greg Cash TaxPlus

Cash, Gregory D., EA, MST 5150 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste 350 Long Beach ��562 597-4300 www.gregcash.com

ATTORNEYS

BAKERIES Cake and Art

8709 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood ��310 657-8694 www.cakeandart.com

BANKS

GUEST HOUSES/B&B’S MisterBandB

Toll Free ��800 720-2265 www.usbank.com/checking

Wells Fargo

Toll Free ��800 869-3557 www.wellsfargo.com/lgbt

www.powerzoneonline.com

PET SUPPLIES

HAIR SALONS

Nulo Pet Foods nulo.com/love

Blades

801 N. Larrabee St, Ste #1 West Hollywood ��310 659-6693

PHARMACIES/DRUGS

Shorty’s Barber Shop

AHF Pharmacy

755 N Fairfax Ave West Hollywood ��323 297-0554 www.shortysbarbershop.com

Opus Hotel Vancouver

322 Davie St Vancouver, BC Canada ��604 642-6787 www.opushotel.com

Preferred Hotels & Resorts

1400 S Grand Ave, Ste 801 Downtown LA ��213 741-5271 1300 North Vermont Ave Hollywood ��323 661-0643 www.ahfpharmacy.com

Cienega Pharmacy 99 N La Cienega Blvd, Ste 104 Beverly Hills ��310 360-9969 www.uniteddrugs.com

BOOKS & BOOKSTORES

www.preferredpride.com/metrosource

Book Soup Bookstore

Ramada Plaza West Hollywood Hotel

8818 W Sunset Blvd West Hollywood ��310 659-3110

8585 Santa Monica Blvd ��800 845-8585 www.ramadaweho.com

MEDICAL SERVICES

Crossroads Books

Sunset Marquis

Family Medicine & Mental Health

1196 E Walnut St Pasedena ��626 795-8772

COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY Lotus Place Recovery

1111 Baker St Unit A Costa Mesa ��800 951-0735 www.lotusplacerecovery.com

EMPLOYMENT 1700 Stadium Way LA ��213 847-LAFD www.joinlafd.org

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)

700 E Temple St, B-38 LA ��866 444-LAPD www.joinlapd.com

FRAMING

INSURANCE Marc Berton Insurance LA ��323 872-0482 San Fernando Valley ��818 365-9449 Toll Free ��800 924-4459 www.marcberton.com

INTRODUCTION SERVICES Bespoke Matchmaking

Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic 3324 W Sunset Blvd, LA ��323 660-2400 www.hsfreeclinic.org

TATTOO Body Electric Tattoo and Piercing 7274 1/2 Melrose Ave LA ��323 954-0408

8527 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood ��310 657-6904

FITNESS/GYMS/PERSONAL TRAINERS Body Builders Gym

2516 Hyperion Ave Silverlake ��323 668-0802 METROSOURCE.COM

THRIFT SHOPS

LA ��888 422-6464 www.bespokematchmaking.com

Berda Paradise Thrift Store

LEATHER

LA ��323 661-8246

665 Leather & Fetish Co.

8722 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood ��310 854-7276

Rough Trade

Framing Gallery

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

1200 Alta Loma Rd West Hollywood ��800 858-9758 www.sunsetmarquis.com

PHYSICIANS &

www.bodyelectrictattoo.com

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)

West Hollywood ��310 289-1125

www.misterbandb.com

HOTELS

US Bank

Power Zone 8578 Santa Monica Blvd

Parker | Waichman LLP

6 Harbor Park Dr. Nationwide �� 800 JUST-CALL www.yourlawyer.com

NUTRITION & FITNESS

3915 W Sunset Blvd, Silverlake ��323 660-7956 www.roughtradegear.com

MARKETING SERVICES Brand2Fly

San Jose ��408 763-7924 www.brand2fly.com

GayVan.com Travel Marketing www.gayvan.com

3506 W Sunset Blvd

VIDEO Broadway Video 3401 E Broadway, Long Beach ��562 433-1920

WEDDING SERVICES Cake and Art 8709 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood ��310 657-8694 www.cakeandart.com

LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY RESOURCES Metrosource is committed to helping non-profit organizations in their ongoing efforts to serve our diverse community.

ATHLETIC

BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY 5001 Angel Canyon Rd Kanab, UT 84741 435 644-2001 www.bestfriends.org

ARRIBA SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB PO Box 69611 West Hollywood, CA 90069 www.arribaski.org

BEST FRIENDS PET ADOPTION & SPAY/NEUTER SERVICES 15321 Brand Blvd Mission Hills, CA 91345 818 643-3989 www.bestfriends.org/la

CHEER LA 1223 Wilshire Blvd #1580 Santa Monica, CA 90404 www.cheerla.org DIFFERENT SPOKES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA P.O. Box 2466 Hollywood, CA 90078 www.differentspokes.com

CHRISTOPHER STREET WEST/GAY PRIDE 8235 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 969-8302 www.lapride.org

GOLDEN STATE GAY RODEO ASSOC - GLAC P.O Box 2407 Long Beach, CA 90801 562 498-1675 www.larodeo.com

GAY MENS CHORUS OF LA 9056 Santa Monica Blvd, #300 West Hollywood, CA 90069 800 636-7464 www.gmcla.org

LA BLADES ICE HOCKEY PO Box 4346 Laguna Beach, CA 92652 310 288-3632 www.bladeshockey.com

LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER The Village at Ed Gould Plaza 1125 N McCadden Place Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 860-7302 www.laglc.org

LA POOL LEAGUE PO Box 2227 Los Angeles, CA 90078 818 426-2171 www.lapl8ball.org

LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER McDonald/Wright Building 1625 North Schrader Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 323 993-7400 www.laglc.org

LA TENNIS ASSOC. (LATA) PO Box 481226 Los Angeles, CA 90048 www.lataweb.com SHORELINE FRONTRUNNERS OF LONG BEACH PO Box 90774 Long Beach, CA 90809 562 252-0218 www.shorelinefrontrunners.org

LA YOUTH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES 8111 Beverly Blvd #306 Los Angeles, CA 90048 877 465-2977 www.la-youth.org

SURF & SUN SOFTBALL www.surfandsunsoftball.com WEST HOLLYWOOD AQUATICS www.wh2o.org

CULTURAL, SOCIAL ASIAN PACIFIC AIDS INTL TEAM 6501 West Olympic Blvd Ste 610 Los Angeles, CA 90015 213 553-1830 www.apaitonline.org

LONG BEACH LESBIAN & GAY PRIDE PO Box 2050 Long Beach, CA 90802 562 987-9191 www.longbeachpride.com OUTFEST THE LA GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL 3470 Wilshire Blvd #1022 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213 480-7088 www.outfest.org

• 1043 Elm Avenue #302 Long Beach, CA 90813 562.247.7740 www.apla.org www.aidswalk.net

PROJECT ANGEL FOOD 922 Vine St Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 845-1800 www.angelfood.org

THE POINT FOUNDATION 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 370 Los Angeles, CA 90036 866 33-Point www.pointfoundation.org

AIDS RESEARCH ALLIANCE 1400 S Grand Ave Ste 701 Los Angeles, CA 90015 310 358-2429 www.hopetakesaction.org www.aidsresearch.org

THE TREVOR PROJECT 9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 271-8845 www.thetrevorproject.org

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY 3333 Wilshire Blvd #900 Los Angeles, CA 90010 800 227-2345 www.cancer.org

VALLEY COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE 6801 Coldwater Canyon Ave North Hollywood, CA 91605 818 301-6314 - HIV testing 818 301-6390 - Medical Services www.smarthealthla.com

VALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 18111 Nordhoff St Northridge, CA 91330 818 677-2488 818 677-3000 valleyperformingartscenter.org WORLD HARVEST FOOD BANK 1014 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 213-746-2228 www.worldharvestfoodbank.org

GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION (GLAAD) 5455 Wilshire Blvd, #1500 Los Angeles, CA 90036 323 933-2240 www.glaad.org

GREATER LA GAY BOWLING www.igbo.org

PACIFIC PRIDE FOUNDATION 126 East Haley, Ste A-11 Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805 963-3636 www.pacificpridefoundation.org

HEALTH/ COUNSELING AID FOR AIDS AFA 8235 Santa Monica Blvd #200 West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 656-1107 www.aidforaids.net AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION/MENS WELLNESS CENTER • 6255 W Sunset Blvd, 21st Fl Los Angeles, CA 90028 888 AIDS CARE • 1300 N Vermont Ave, Ste 407 Los Angeles, CA 90027 866 339-2525 800 367-2437 www.inspotla.org AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION PHARMACY 8212 Santa Monica Blvd The David Geffen Center West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 654-0907 www.ahfpharmacy.org APLA HEALTH Client & Community Services The David Geffen Center • 611 South Kingsley Drive Los Angeles, CA 90005 213.201.1600 213 201-WALK (9255) • 3743 S. La Brea Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90016 323.329.9900 • 5901 W. Olympic Blcd. #310 Los Angeles, CA 90036

BEING ALIVE PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS ACTION COALITION 621 N San Vincente Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 289-2551 www.beingalivela.org GAY & LESBIAN CENTER Orange County 1605 N Spurgeon St Santa Ana, CA 92701 714 953-5428 www.thecenteroc.org HOLY FAMILY SERVICES, ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE 840 Echo Park Ave Los Angeles, CA 90026 213 202-3900 www.hfs.org LA FREE CLINIC • 5205 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 653-1990 – appts 323 653-8622 – admin www.lafreeclinic.org • 6043 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 • 8405 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048 LA PUBLIC HEALTH www.reallycheckyourself.org OUT OF THE CLOSET THRIFT SHOPS • 8224 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 848-9760 • 3500 East Pacific Coast Hwy Long Beach, CA 90804 562 494-0340 • 1726 East Colorado Blvd Pasadena, CA 91106 626 440-1719 • 360 North Fairfax Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036 323 934-1956

REFERRALS/ SWITCHBOARDS LA Gay & Lesbian center Jeff Griffith Youth Center 7051 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90038 TOLL FREE: 800 773-5540 LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER MacDonald/Wright Bldg 1625 North Schroder Los Angeles, CA 323 933-7400 www.angelfood.org

LEGAL

THE TREVOR PROJECT 9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 271-8845 www.thetrevorproject.org

LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION FUND INC. Western Regional Office 3325 Wilshire Blvd #1300 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213 382-7600 www.lambdalegal.org

THE VILLAGE AT ED GOULD PLAZA 1125 North McCadden Place Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 860-7328 prevention@laglc.org www.laglc.org

NATIONAL G & L TASK FORCE 5455 Wilshire Blvd #1505 Los Angeles, CA 90036 323 954-9597 www.thetaskforce.org

RELIGIOUS

LESBIANS LESBIAN LAWYERS ASSOC OF LA PO Box 480318 Los Angeles, CA 90048 213 486-4443 www.lgla.net POWER UP 419 North Larchmont Blvd, #283 Los Angeles, CA 90004 323 463-3154 www.power-up.net WOMAN ON A ROLL PO Box 5112 Santa Monica, CA 90409 310 578-8888 www.womenonaroll.com

PROFESSIONAL LOS ANGELES GAY AND LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 8424 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood,CA 90069 424.209.2708 www.laglcc.org

ALL SAINTS PARISH 504 North Camden Dr West Hollywood, CA 90036 310 275-0123 BETH CHAYIM CHADASHIM 6000 West Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035 323 931-7023 www.bcc-la.org GLORY TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN CENTER 3215 East Third St Long Beach, CA 90804 562 438-7758 www.glorytabernacle.com OPEN DOOR MINISTRIES 4101 Willow St 562 925.3533 www.open-door-ministries.org ST. JANE FRANCES CATHOLIC CHURCH G & L OUTREACH 12930 Hamlin St North Hollywood, CA 91606 818 985-8600 WEST HOLLYWOOD CHURCH 916 North Formosa Ave West Hollywood, CA 90069 323 656-2400

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METROSOURCE.COM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

PALM SPRINGS DIRECTORY CNBC ANCHOR 18+ YEARS INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISOR

CANNABIS PSA Organica

400 E Sunny Dunes Rd Palm Springs, CA 92264.............760 778-1053 www.iheartjane.com

The Lighthouse Dispensary

395 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262..............760 3204420 www.lighthousedispensary.com

The Vault Dispensary and Lounge California Financial Partners, Inc, a Registered Investment Advisor, is a fee-based comprehensive financial planning organization and a separate entity from LPL Financial. Simon Hobbs is a registered representative with and securities offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA and SIPC.

ART Mod City Gallery

737 E Twin Palms Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92266..............760 567-6852 www.modcitygallery.com

The Shag Store

745 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262..............760 322-3400 www.shag.com

Trevor Wayne Pop Art

386 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262..............442 268-5498 www.trevorwayne.com

ATTRACTIONS The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

47900 Portola Ave Palm Desert, CA 92260...............760 346-5694 www.livingdesert.org

Palm Springs Air Museum

745 N Gene Autry Trail Palm Springs, CA 92262..............760 778-6262 www.palmspringsairmuseum.org

Palm Springs Art Museum

101 Museum Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262..............760 322-4800 www.psmuseum.org

BAKERY Over the Rainbow Deserts

Agua Caliente Casino

• 401 E Amado Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262.............888 999-1995 www.sparesortcasino.com • 32-250 Bob Hope Dr, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

84-245 Indio Springs Dr Indio, CA 92203.........................760 342-5000 www.fantasyspringsresort.com

Morongo Casino Resort & Spa

120 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760 318-3553 www.peepasps.com

Cut Barber

Daddy’s Barbershop

192 S Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92264.............760 537-1311 www.daddysbarbershop.com Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon 750 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 3 Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760-904-0434 www.psfinemenssalon.com

PET SUPPLIES Bones-N-Scones

49500 Seminole Dr. Cabazon, CA 92230...................800 252-4499 www.morongocasinoresort.com

633 S Palm Canyon Dr Suite #26 Palm Springs, CA 92264..............760 864-1133

CLOTHING

187 South Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262..............760 424-2006 www.pspetstore.com

GayMart

305 E Arenas Rd #6635 Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760 416-6436

Revivals

• 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA .......................760 318-6491

Cold Nose Warm Heart

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

• 68401 Hwy 111, Cathedral City, CA .....................760 969-5747

FINANCIAL ADVISORS Simon Hobbs California Financial Partners Inc. California...................................818 637-0180 simon@calfp.com

Pastry Swan Bakery

Destination PSP

170 North Palm Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760 354-9154 www.destinationpsp.com 301 N Palm Canyon Dr # 102 Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760 322-5049 www.greetingspalmsprings.com

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Peepa’s

1109 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760 322-2999 www.cutbarber.com

GIFTS

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226 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760 322-8555 www.mischiefcardsandgifts.com

CASINO

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HAIR SALONS

1775 E. Palm Canyon Road, Suite 150 Palm Springs, CA 92264..............760 322-2253 www.romanblas.com 70225 Highway 111 Suite A Rancho Mirage, CA 92270..........760 202-1213 www.pastryswan.com

515 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262.............760 864-1300 www.bjustfabulous.com

35871 Date Palm Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234............760 8669660 www.enjoythevault.com

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

1 Tram Way Palm Springs, CA 92262..............888 515-8726 www.pstramway.com

Just Fabulous

DESERT AIDS PROJECT 1695 N. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 323-2118 www.desertaidsproject.org DESERT CARE NETWORK 760 561-7373 www.desertcarenetwork.com DESERT OASIS HEALTHCARE 275 North El Cielo Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 325-DOHC (3642) www.mydohc.com EISENHOWER HEALTH 39000 Bob Hope Drive Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 760 340-3911 eisenhowerhealth.org MICHAEL’S HOUSE 1910 S Camino Real Palm Springs, CA 92262 844 768-0633 www.michaelshouse.com

PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92264 760 416-5718 www.psanimalshelter.org PALM SPRINGS FRONT RUNNERS & WALKERS frontrunners.clubexpress.com STONEWALL GARDENS 2150 N. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 548-0970 www.stonewallgardens.com THE LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE DESERT 1301 North Palm Canyon Dr, 3rd Floor Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 416-7790 www.thecenterps.org

METROSOURCE LA - AUG/SEP 2022

Articles inside

MONÉT X CHANGE

SHARING HIS LIGHT

DAVID BARTA

THE LYRICAL LIFE OF