Metrosource NY - AUG/SEP 2020

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.

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. 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.

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:

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.

 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.

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.

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.

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

MyDailyCharge.com

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, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, KEEP ASPIRING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2020 © 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved.

BVYC0197 03/20

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.

See Dimitri’s story at BIKTARVY.com.

Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

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

30 YEARS LATER

UNIQUE, YET SIMILAR, NEEDS FOR COMMUNITY AND STRENGTH PICTURE IT – NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 1990 - the Gulf War loomed, the AIDS epidemic was growing, Sinead O’Connor was tops at the Video Music Awards, Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” hit theaters, and Metrosource published its first publication, a business directory where advertisers could let LGBTQ people know that their patronage was welcome at their places of business. Many milestone events have occurred in the LGBTQ community over the last 30 years, including: Vermont becoming the first state in the U.S., in 2000, to legalize civil unions and

EDITOR’S LETTER

registered partnerships between same-sex couples, and in 2004, Massachusetts becoming the first state to legalize same-sex marriage; “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repealed in 2010, allowing gays and lesbians to serve

PUBLISHER Bent Share Entertainment, LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Westman CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cesar A Reyes MARKETING DIRECTOR Christopher Jackson GRAPHIC DESIGNER Steven Garcia FEATURE WRITER Alexander Rodriguez CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Day

Steve Gottfried Jeffrey James Keyes Eric Rosen Megan Venzin Michael Westman David Artavia

openly in the military; Same-sex marriage declared legal in all 50 states by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015; and the U.S Supreme Court also ruling in June 2020, that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination “because of sex,” includes gay and transgender employees. We continue to march on for equality for all.

30 years since its humble beginnings, Metrosource continues to publish and distribute nationally. Geared towards the modern metropolitan LGBTQ community, Metrosource covers popular culture, entertainment, design, travel, health and fitness, and telling the stories of gay and gay-friendly people. Some of the celebrities

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that have graced our cover, include: Zachary Qunito, Daniel Levy, Boy George, RuPaul, Betty White, Grace

VIEWS

Jones, Kathy Griffin, Ricky Martin, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Tim Gunn. Metrosource continues to connect its readers with the businesses that want to support the LGBTQ community. 2020 presents its own unique, yet similar, needs for community and strength, as it did in 1990.

Printing New York, Los Angeles and National editions bi-monthly, with corresponding digital issues, and a strong online and social media presence, Metrosource reaches over one million in the LGBTQ community. We are celebrating this milestone by looking forward and introducing new features and products to engage our readers and followers.“Metrosource Minis” podcast is one such feature, a short form audio and video podcast that features personalities from the LGBTQ world and beyond, and is available now on Apple podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, the Metrosource YouTube channel and Metrosource.com.

Bent Share Entertainment, LLC 6475 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., #438 Long Beach, CA 90803 800-818-0480

The first series of Metrosource Minis includes interviews with RuPaul’s Drag Race and HBO’s “We’re Here” personalities Bob the Drag Queen and Eureka O’Hara, Emmy award winning journalist and author Byron Lane, Elizabeth Ziff from BETTY, and author and producer Josh Sabarra. Hosted by on-air personality Alexander Rodriguez, who also serves as Metrosource’s Features Writer, interviews them in his unique style of humor.

While we are all spending more time at home, Metrosource continues to connect with its growing audience with more to come! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @metrosource, Twitter @metrosourcemag, subscribe to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/c/metrosource, and visit metrosource.com.

Subscriptions: One year (6 issues): $19.95; 12 issues: $34.95.

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. ©2020 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 @metrosource @metrosourcemag

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THIS PAGE: MICHELLE VISAGE PHOTO BY KATHY HUTCHINS/SHUTTERSTOCK • RUFUS WAINWRIGHT COURTESY PHOTO • BOB THE DRAG QUEEN COURTESY PHOTO • KALEN ALLEN PHOTO BY KIM NEWMONEY.

August/September 2020 | VOLUME 31, NO. 4

CONTENTS

17 30

17 RUFUS WAINWRIGHT

24 37

UNFOLLOWING THE RULES SINCE 1998

24 MICHELLE VISAGE AN ALLY WITH AN ATTITUDE

30 BOB THE DRAG QUEEN AN EDUCATION IN LABELS, TERMS, AND IDEAS

34 30 YEARS OF METROSOURCE 37 KALEN ALLEN REACTS TO LIFE CORNBREAD, ELLEN, AND A HAMMOCK NAMED SASHA

34 ON THE COVER: photo courtesy of World of Wonder METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

5

DEPARTMENTS

August/September 2020 | VOLUME 31, NO. 4

46 40 CULTURE 7 THE SCOPE Canada’s Drag Race Shantay you stay, eh?

11 FINANCE Tips for a Healthy Relationship with Your Money

14 BOOK

43

Mind, Body & Spirit Four Hay House Books to Lean into This Fall

22 HOME Summertime Sippin’

46 TRAVEL National Parks to Put on Your Bucket List

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

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BODY 40 METRO HIV Love Knows No Status Beloved serodiscordant couple, recently wed in Venice, share their love story

43 HEALTH Cleanse, Strengthen and Heal your Skin Ten Nourishing Masks for Your Face

VIEWS 4 EDITOR’S LETTER 30 Years Later

THIS PAGE: ARCHES NATIONAL PARK PHOTO BY JACOB W. FRANK • CANADA’S DRAG RACE HOSTS PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAVE • PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVIDANDJOHNNY.ORG

8

THESCOPE

CULTURE

THESCOPE

CURATED BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

THIS PAGE: PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE HAHN

LISTEN

KATY PERRY

UNVEILED “SMILE”

KATY PERRY UNVEILED “SMILE,” THE TITLE TRACK OF HER NEW ALBUM, which will be released by Capitol Records on August 14. The infectious, lifeaffirming song is brimming with gratitude and suggests that setbacks often turn out to be blessings in disguise.

“I wrote this song when I was coming through one of the darkest periods of my life,”says Katy.“When I listen to it now, it’s a great reminder that I made it through. It’s three minutes of energizing hopefulness.”

Earlier today, Katy revealed the album cover along with exclusive Smilethemed merchandise bundles, available now at http://katy.to/KPshopPR. Fans who pre-order the album will instantly receive“Smile”plus“Daisies,” the Gold-certified “Never Really Over” and “Harleys In Hawaii.”

Since its release in May,“Daisies” has amassed more than 125 million combined global streams. It is now top 10 at Hot AC radio. Last week, Katy shared an acoustic version of the song. While in quarantine, she’s won acclaim for the wide variety of performances she has given of “Daisies” – including the “American Idol” season finale, the launch of the 2020 “Good Morning America” Concert Series and the “Can’t Cancel Pride: Helping LGBTQ+ People in Need” livestream. Katy also co-headlined the recent Democracy Summer 2020 livestream. The event kicked off a campaign to register 200,000 new voters this summer, led by a coalition that includes Rock the Vote, Voto Latino Foundation, When We All Vote, March For Our Lives and others. Visit http://katyperry.com.

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

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CANADA’S DRAG RACE SHANTAY YOU STAY, EH? AT PRESS, THE LATEST EPISODE OF “CANADA’S DRAG RACE,” had the 11 remaining queens showcasing their

ballerina skills in a quick-drag mini-challenge. Winners Anastarzia Anaquway and BOA were named team captains for the “HER-itage Moments” maxi-challenge, dividing into two teams to teach us Americans about some of their Canadian “HER-itage” as they spoofed two iconic Canadian “Heritage Minutes,” which are sixty-second short films illustrating an important moment in Canadian history. Some queens slayed the performance, while others fell short.

On the runway, the queens were asked to create elevated interpretations of their first times in drag. Resident judges Brooke Lynn Hytes, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, and Stacey McKenzie, were joined by guest host Jade Hassouné (“Shadowhunters”), to evaluate the queens based on both their acting

SNACK

chops and runway lewks.

Having barely escaped elimination a week ago, the glamorous Lemon squeezed back into the judges’ good graces and was declared the maxi-challenge winner. Tynomi Banks and Kyne had to lip-synch for their lives to Ultra Naté, Amber, and Jocelyn Enriquez’s version of “If You Could Read My Mind,” where Tynomi Banks was granted another week to vie for a win; while Kyne, with her extraordinary charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent, sashayed away.

You can hear more about Kyne’s experience on World of Wonder’s official Canada’s Drag Race podcast (www.dragracepodcast.com) hosted by judge Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, who will spill the piping hot tea each week. New episodes will air every Friday at 12pm PT / 3pm ET featuring interviews from the fierce Canadian queens.

DEEBEE’S ORGANIC SUPERFRUIT FREEZIE DEEBEE’S ORGANICS’ SUPERFRUIT FREEZIE IS THE FIRST ORGANIC, FREEZE-ATHOME 100% ORGANIC FRUIT JUICE and puree that has no artificial flavors,

colors or preservatives. DeeBee’s Organics uses the finest organic fruit to craft exceptional plant-based freezies. In just a handful of years with Organic SuperFruit Freezie on the market, DeeBee’s Organics has quickly become one of the leading natural shelf-stable novelty brands. Each bag of SuperFruit Freezie (10 freezies per bag) includes three delicious varieties the whole family can enjoy -- Tropical, Strawberry and Grape (Canada); or Blueberry Pomegranate, Strawberry Lemon and Mango Orange (USA).

DeeBee’s Organics sources its high mineral content water from the volcanic streams of Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy) where an artisanal food and wine scene has emerged. Organic produce is procured from organic NonGMO farms with its manufacturing plant leveraging renewable energy; the production facility is also free from the top eight allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, sesame, and wheat). For more information regarding DeeBee’s Organics, visit: www.deebeesorganics.com.

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THIS PAGE: CANADA’S DRAG RACE CAST PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAVE • PEODUCT PHOTO COURTESY OF DEEBEE’S ORGANUCS

CULTURE

THESCOPE

WATCH

PLAN

ALOHA NOW, TRAVEL LATER WITH COUPLES HAVING TO POSTPONE THEIR WEDDINGS OR BEING UNCERTAIN ABOUT WHEN THEY CAN

THIS PAGE: PHOTOS COURTESY OF HYATT REGENCY MAUI RESORT AND SPA

SCHEDULE AN IN-PERSON CEREMONY, Hyatt Regency

Maui Resort and Spa has a virtual wedding offer for your consideration - Aloha Now, Travel Later. Hyatt Regency Maui’s package is the perfect experience for couples looking to have a unique virtual wedding now, and celebrate with their loved ones in person in the future.

Engaged couples can select from a variety of experiences inspired by Hawaii from Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa to be part of their virtual ceremony and celebration including:

Pricing starts at $3,500. Couples who book Aloha Now, Travel Later will also receive 20% off any future in-person wedding or banquet style event at Hyatt Regency Maui if it takes place by November 30, 2021 (subject to availability). The resort offers 100,000 square feet of space including spacious outdoor dreamy venues overlooking the Pacific Ocean and on the Ka’anapali beachfront.

Visit https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/hawaii/ hyatt-regency-maui-resort-and-spa/oggrm. Travelers can book this offer by emailing mauiweddings@ hyatt.com.

• Hula dancers and / or fire dancers performing at any point during the virtual wedding as part of the entertainment.

• Live feed of the beach during the ceremony to provide a tranquil background.

• Leis and an assortment of Hawaiian treats sent to all of the wedding guests to make them feel even more included and connected despite the distance.

• Create a signature cocktail for the wedding guests to make at home so everyone can toast with the same drink.

METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

9

READ

NATURAL STRENGTH TODAY’S WORKOUTS LOOK MUCH DIFFERENT FROM

PROTECT

DR. FEDORENKO TRUE ORGANIC

IT ALL BEGAN WHEN JULIA FEDORENKO-BITTON, a Naturopath, and a Clinical Herbalist, moved with her two children from New York City to the Hamptons, a beautiful place with endless beaches, surrounded by farms, and woodlands, which is a place known as Lyme disease “hot spot”. The need to protect her family from being bit by ticks, that transmit this debilitating disease, served as an inspiration to create her first product, a nontoxic and effective tick repellent. This is how the Bug Stick™, was born. This natural tick repellent quickly became a superstar in the local community, with growing popularity all over the country. Since then, Dr. Fedorenko True Organic™ product line has expanded into sustainable, earth-friendly, organic skincare, which continues to grow. “I keep making our products and expand our line because personally, I like to use products that are safe and effective. And I know that many other people feel the same,” says Dr.

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Fedorenko.

Perfect for summer, the True Organic™ Sun Stick™ with SPF30, provides broadspectrum sun protection and helps nourish, revitalize, calm and improve skin elasticity. The stick glides on effortlessly and feels great on the skin, while protecting it with SPF30. It won’t clog your pores, burn your eyes, or poison your body.

Rescue your rough dry skin with this fragrance-free Dr. Fedorenko True Organic™ Skin Stick™ cocoa butter enriched moisturizer. Eradicate flaky dryness with a super moisturizing complex of certified organic luxurious butters and oils. This simple, but revolutionary, formula is enriched with the finest skin-nurturing ingredients to improve dry skin, eczema, and other sensitive skin conditions.

Dr. Fedorenko’s True Organic™ line offers other great sustainable, non-toxic skincare products. Visit www.drfedorenko. com to purchase and for more information.

are closed, and clients are unable to make in-person appointments with their trainers. While at-home workout videos suffice, people still seem to miss the professional advice and inspiration found in the gym. Oscar Smith’s book, Natural Strength, is full of motivation and training knowledge. He allows readers to take his workout plans and long-term, life-changing routines home with them. Smith is a well-known celebrity trainer with a personal training gym in Tribeca. He has trained celebrities that include: Katharine McPhee, Tom Brady, Rosario Dawson, Val Kilmer, and many others.

Smith has tailored specific workouts in Natural Strength, so people can exercise at home without a trainer, safely distanced at a park or beach, in the pool, or anywhere remotely.

While workout plans and healthy tips are important, Smith most importantly wants his clients to have fun and enjoy themselves while working out. In his experience, he knows that people will not create new healthy habits or see results if they are not excited about their workouts.

Smith offers different types of activities, which include supermodel workouts, strength training with weights, plyometrics, cardio days, and also addresses eating habits by including a very specific, 14-day meal plan with a healthy, daily menu of foods for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, and even drinks. Smith says, “If you learn how to cultivate natural strength in your life, my promise to you is that your sense of play, enjoyment, and life force will return to you.” He adds, “Practice seizing opportunities and learn that it feels good to take care of your body. You will feel good about your ability to focus on your goals and to take risks.”Visit https://o-dstudiogroup.com for more information or Amazon to order.

THIS PAGE: PRODUCT PHOTO COURTESY OF DRFED TRUE ORGANIC • BOOK COVER COURTESY OF OSCAR SMITH

CULTURE

THESCOPE

JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO. Gyms across the country

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR MONEY

MONEY MAY NOT BUY HAPPINESS, BUT STUDIES SHOW THAT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH IT CAN IMPACT YOUR HEALTH. It’s not surprising that

STOCK PHOTO COPYRIGHT: PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

research has demonstrated a clear correlation between stress about money and poor physical and psychological health. If we add the current health and economic crises into the mix, stress about money is almost unavoidable.

In March 2020, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) revealed the results of a study that highlighted the economic risks to LGBTQ people from the expected economic fallout due to the coronavirus. There are an estimated 14 million LGBTQ adults, with an additional 2 million gay youth, in the United States according to the HRC. The nonprofit’s study revealed that more than 5 million LGBT workers had jobs that are more likely to be impacted by COVID-19. Most specifically, those were jobs in the restaurant and food services, hospital, education, and retail industries. Forty percent of all LGBTQ people work in the five industries most affected by the pandemic.

During this stressful time, anything you can do to improve your relationship with money can go a long way toward helping, not only your finances, but potentially, your physical and mental health.

RECOGNIZING THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION. It’s well known that stress can trigger unhealthy habits. We’ve all heard of stress eating and, in some cases, drinking. Long-term stress — including anxiety about money — can trigger a bump in cortisol, which increases appetite. There’s also evidence that stress can affect food preferences, prompting people to increase their intake of fatty and sugary treats. Indulging in comfort foods regularly can, in turn, lead to weight gain and health problems such as obesity and Type 2 Diabetes, creating an unvirtuous cycle.

MONEY STIRS UP ALL KINDS OF EMOTIONS. Financial education is often seen as the solution to helping people manage their money, but financial coaches and therapists say education is

not the only component. The more anxious someone is about money, the less likely they are to deal with it. Many people who are deeply anxious about money will handle that anxiety with avoidance. Unfortunately, their avoidance increases their anxiety and then they want to avoid things even more. Because of that mental block, telling someone who is stressed about money to start tracking their daily spending or creating a budget can be a tall order. Take small steps towards regaining control over your finances.

CULTURE

BY JENNIFER DAY

FINANCE

SETTING ASIDE EMOTIONS CAN AID RATIONAL DECISIONS

BE RATIONAL AND TRAIN YOUR BRAIN. Because dealing with money or avoiding dealing with money can be fraught with emotion, therapists say the first step is to acknowledge the emotional component. The goal is to acknowledge the emotional part of the brain and to appeal to the executive functioning, decision-making part of the brain. Changing your behavior is not easy. Changing your mindset can be even harder. But a healthy relationship with money is better for your health — and probably for your wallet, too.

SOME EXERCISES TO GET YOU STARTED. There’s a rational part of the brain, but also an emotional part of the brain that sometimes wants to take over. Acknowledging the emotions could help you set those feelings aside and appeal to your rational self.

Setting aside emotions can help you make more rational decisions about your money and many other things in this life. Realize that little choices add up, whether it’s about spending, diet, or anything else. Every penny really does make a difference. Best of all, you can control your financial choices.

I know these are uncertain times. I find myself continuing to stress about my career, my finances, and my future. Try this advice I give to myself: Take steps to build your credit, lower your debt, and remember to save. We can reap the rewards both physically and mentally and hopefully, 2021 will look much brighter.

■ METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

11

Important Facts About DOVATO

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

What is the Most Important Information I Should Know about DOVATO? If you have both human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, DOVATO can cause serious side effects, including: • Resistant HBV infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV infection before you start treatment with DOVATO. If you have HIV-1 and hepatitis B, the hepatitis B virus can change (mutate) during your treatment with DOVATO and become harder to treat (resistant). It is not known if DOVATO is safe and effective in people who have HIV-1 and HBV infection.

• Worsening of HBV infection. If you have HIV-1 and HBV infection, your HBV may get worse (flare-up) if you stop taking DOVATO. A “flare-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns in a worse way than before. Worsening liver disease can be serious and may lead to death. ° Do not run out of DOVATO. Refill your prescription or talk to your healthcare provider before your DOVATO is all gone. ° Do not stop DOVATO without first talking to your healthcare provider. If you stop taking DOVATO, your healthcare provider will need to check your health often and do blood tests regularly for several months to check your liver.

What is DOVATO? DOVATO is a prescription medicine that is used without other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults who have not received antiretroviral medicines in the past,and without known resistance to the medicines dolutegravir or lamivudine. HIV-1 is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It is not known if DOVATO is safe and effective in children.

Who should not take DOVATO? Do Not Take DOVATO if You: • have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine that contains dolutegravir or lamivudine.

• take dofetilide.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using DOVATO? Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: • have or have had liver problems, including hepatitis B or C infection.

• have kidney problems.

• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. One of the medicines in DOVATO (dolutegravir) may harm your unborn baby. ° Your healthcare provider may prescribe a different medicine than DOVATO if you are planning to become pregnant or if pregnancy is confirmed in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. ° If you can become pregnant, your healthcare provider will perform a pregnancy test before you start treatment with DOVATO. ° If you can become pregnant, you should consistently use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with DOVATO. ° Tell your healthcare provider right away if you are planning to become pregnant, you become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant during treatment with DOVATO. ©2020 ViiV Healthcare or licensor.

DLLADVT190034 January 2020 Produced in USA.

Learn more about LáDeia and DOVATO at DOVATO.com

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: (cont’d) • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take DOVATO. ° You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. ° One of the medicines in DOVATO (lamivudine) passes into your breastmilk. ° Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Some medicines interact with DOVATO. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

• You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with DOVATO. • Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take DOVATO with other medicines.

What are Possible Side Effects of DOVATO? DOVATO can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “What is the Most Important Information I Should Know about DOVATO?” section.

• Allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash with DOVATO. Stop taking DOVATO and get medical help right away if you develop a rash with any of the following signs or symptoms: fever; generally ill feeling; tiredness; muscle or joint aches; blisters or sores in mouth; blisters or peeling of the skin; redness or swelling of the eyes; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; problems breathing.

• Liver problems. People with a history of hepatitis B or C virus may have an increased risk of developing new or worsening changes in certain liver tests during treatment with DOVATO. Liver problems, including liver failure, have also happened in people without a history of liver disease or other risk factors.

Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms of liver problems: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice); dark or “tea-colored” urine; light-colored stools (bowel movements); nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area.

• Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms that could be signs of lactic acidosis: feel very weak or tired; unusual (not normal) muscle pain; trouble breathing; stomach pain with nausea and vomiting; feel cold, especially in your arms and legs; feel dizzy or lightheaded; and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat.

• Lactic acidosis can also lead to severe liver problems, which can lead to death. Your liver may become large (hepatomegaly) and you may develop fat in your liver (steatosis). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the signs or symptoms of liver problems which are listed above under “Liver problems.” You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female or very overweight (obese).

SO MUCH GOES INTO WHO I AM HIV MEDICINE IS ONE PART OF IT. Reasons to ask your doctor about DOVATO: You can take it any time of day with or without food (around the same time each day)—giving you flexibility

DOVATO can help you reach and then stay undetectable* with just 2 medicines in 1 pill.

That means fewer medicines† in your body while taking DOVATO

DOVATO is a once-a-day complete treatment for adults who are new to HIV-1 medicine.

Results may vary. *Undetectable means reducing the HIV in your blood to very low levels (less than 50 copies per mL). † As compared with 3-drug regimens.

LáDeia‡ Living with HIV

What are Possible Side Effects of DOVATO (cont’d)?

• Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having new symptoms after you start taking DOVATO. • The most common side effects of DOVATO include: headache; diarrhea; nausea; trouble sleeping; and tiredness.

These are not all the possible side effects of DOVATO. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. 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.

Where Can I Find More Information?

• Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

• Go to DOVATO.com or call 1-877-844-8872, where you can also get FDA-approved labeling.

October 2019 DVT:2PI-2PIL Trademark is owned by or licensed to the ViiV Healthcare group of companies.

Compensated by ViiV Healthcare

‡

Could DOVATO be right for you? Ask your doctor today.

MIND, BODY & SPIRIT Four Hay House Books to Lean into This Fall

BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES

CULTURE

BOOKS

HAY HOUSE WAS FOUNDED IN 1984 BY LOUISE HAY as a way to selfpublish her first two books, Heal Your Body and You Can Heal Your Life. The company has grown into one of the most trusted and fastest growing mind-body-spirit enterprises in the world, publishing the work of over 130 authors. We looked to Hay House for inspiration and self-care in the last few months, and discovered a variety of strong new titles to take a closer look at including four: Sayer Ji’s Regenerate: Unlocking Your Body’s Radical Resilience Through the New Biology; Rosalee De La Forêt & Emily Han’s Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine; Jim Kwik’s Limitless: Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life; and Dr. Joseph Mercola’s EMF*D: 5G, Wi-Fi & Cell Phones Hidden Harms and How to Protect Yourself.

EMF*D, 5G, WI-FI & CELL PHONES HIDDEN HARMS AND HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF $24.99

By Dr. Joseph Mercola and electromagnetic fields (EMS’s) and frequencies swirling around you day after day? You should be. The hazards of electronic pollution might have once seemed like science fiction, but in the era of ultrawideband technology the danger is only increasing. In EMF*D, 5G, Wi-Fi & Cell Phones Hidden Harms and How to Protect Yourself, Dr. Joseph Mercola, one of the world’s foremost authorities on alternative health, has created a thorough and informative resource for how to protect yourself. EMF*D will provide you with the good, the bad, and the ugly about EMF’s, what they are, how they work, the science that reveals their danger, how they can damage your body, and how to repair the damage that has already occurred and how to reduce the risk of incurring future damage.

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ARE YOU SCARED OF 5G, YOUR CELLPHONE, OR THE INFORMATION

Sayer Ji

REGENERATE: UNLOCKING YOUR BODY’S RADICAL RESILIENCE THROUGH THE NEW BIOLOGY $26.99

By Sayer Ji SAYER JI IS THE FOUNDER OF GREENMEDINFO.COM, the world’s largest open-access natural health database, including over 10,000 researched health topics. A reviewer of the International Journal of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, Ji sets out to offer a revolutionary and breathtaking vision of the body as “resilient, intelligent, and seamlessly interwoven.” Through the book, he provides the opportunity to learn how to engage the body’s selfhealing mechanisms while unleashing the regenerative powers of the cell. Ji shares the personal story of how he overcame disease and came to heal his own body. Regenerate: Unlocking Your Body’s Radical Resilience Through the New Biology is split into three parts: “Your Body and the Miracle of Regeneration”; “Rethinking Chronic Disease, Prevention, and Healing”; and “Regenerate Rx”. “Part I: Your Body and the Miracle of Regeneration” illustrates the secret relationship between human and plant evolution, your genes, and the most common health regenerators and disruptors. “Part II: Rethinking Chronic Disease, Prevention, and Healing” shares new information about the Western Pattern Diet and its connection to the emergence of chronic conditions that accelerate aging and ultimately leads to chronic conditions and “diseases of influence” including cancer, Alzheimers, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Ji sheds light on several aspects of everyday life like fluoride, cow’s milk, cellphones, pesticides, even airplanes while sharing toxicants to avoid, including brain cell degeneration and several practices to keep the mind vibrant for life. “Part III: Regenerate Rx” shares a road map to better health, showing how to detox from the Western Pattern Diet while healing through the “foods of the ancestral diet”. Can we heal our own bodies from the pitfalls of living in western society? Ji offers a four-phase program for triggering your body’s radical resilience mechanisms. This program includes a mind-body component as well as a weekly dietary detox to help you to feel better inside and out. Why complain that you have “ bad genes” when you can be proactive in taking the reins to heal yourself.

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LIMITLESS: UPGRADE YOUR BRAIN, LEARN ANYTHING FASTER, AND UNLOCK YOUR EXCEPTIONAL LIFE $26.99

By Jim Kwick JIM KWIK, KNOWN AS THE WORLD EXPERT IN MEMORY IMPROVEMENTS, BRAIN OPTIMIZATION, and accelerated learning, serves as a brain coach to some of the

BOOKS

most powerful people in the world. His book, Limitless: Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life holds a life-changing secret: when you learn how to learn, you can break free of limiting beliefs, achieve new levels of success, and lead a “truly exceptional life.” Kwik believes that “the human potential is one of the only infinite resources we have in the world. Most everything else is finite, but the human mind is the ultimate superpower - there is no limit to our creativity, imagination, determination, or ability to think, reason, or learn.” The book aims to provide readers with a series of tools to cast off any preconceived restrictions, a new path for essentially giving you permission to un-limit the brain, focus, and habits. Everyone can learn and grow from the mind hacking strategies laid out in this powerful new book. Want to master your mind? Pick up a copy and prepare yourself for a completely new mindset.

CULTURE

Jim Kwik

WILD REMEDIES: HOW TO FORAGE HEALING FOODS AND CRAFT YOUR OWN HERBAL MEDICINE $34.99

By Rosalee De La Forêt and Emily Han POPULAR CULTURE HAS BEEN AMBUSHING US WITH THE CONCEPT OF HEALTH

of in-person and online yoga, Pilates, and fitness classes. At the start of Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal MediMedi cine, Rosalee De La Forêt and Emily Han pose the question,“ Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the idea of healthy living?” The truth is, millions of people are interested in natural and holistic health, but many are missing nature itit self. Rosalee De La Forêt is the author of the bestseller Alchemy of Herbs and the Education Director for LearningHerbs, and a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. Emily Han is author of Wild Drinks & CockCock tails and serves as the Communications Director for LearningHerbs, co-founder of the International Food Swap Network, and a certified California Naturalist and Master Food Preserver.

Their new book, Wild Remedies, is an invitation to live a deeply joyful and powerfully connected life. Their idea grew from their background and experience with plant medicine and a desire to connect with nature more fully. The book is an action guide to becoming deeply connected with the natural world around you, illustrating how to use plants as both food and medicine. Discover how to correctly identify the plants that grow in your area, which ones are safe (and which to avoid), optimal methods for storstor ing herbs, as well as a plethora of quality recipes like Dandelion Maple Syrup Cake, the Elderflower Sidecar, the Citrus Peel Cleaner, an All-Purpose Healing Salve with St. John’s Wort Oil, and more.

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EATING AND LIVING, FROM COMMERCIALS, ADVERTISEMENTS, to the saturation

MUSIC

UNFOLLOWING THE RULES SINCE 1998 CULTURE

BY STEVE GOTTFRIED

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT HAS BEEN UN-FOLLOWING THE RULES SINCE THE OPENLY GAY MULTI-

THIS PAGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF RUFUS WAINWRIGHT TEAM

HYPHENATE RELEASED HIS FIRST STUDIO ALBUM IN ’98, a genre-bending debut album which

earned a slew of accolades and awards from mainstream and queer organizations alike. Which makes the title for his eighth studio album “Unfollow the Rules” particularly apropos. Turns out the title came from an off-the-cuff proclamation by his nine-year-old daughter Viva who said “Daddy, sometimes I wanna unfollow the rules.” In an era where “following” has become part of the social media landscape, the title seems to pose a bigger question as to why we’ve become a culture of followers. I had a chance to sit down with his Rufus-ness (virtually, COVID-style) and discuss his new album, his creative process, life, death, and Liza. But first, a quick retrospective is in order…

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to be living up to it.

I’ve chosen five songs from his extensive catalogue that exemplify the essence of Rufus.

Cementing his image as fearless provocateur, “Gay Messiah” posits Jesus as a gay porn star, complete with explicit lyrics. “Going to a Town” shows his willingness to take on sacred cows like blind allegiance to one’s country and his love/hate relationship with America. “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk” showcases his distinctive sound and tongue-in-cheek wit. His rollicking ode to River Phoenix, “Matinee Idol” demonstrated his knack for taking pop icons and deconstructing them with panache. But the quintessential Rufus has to be “Get Happy” from his tour de force homage to Judy Garland wherein he recreated her entire show at Carnegie Hall and replicates Garland’s signature pants-less ensemble, wearing only a blazer, a hat and heels, backed by a bevy of tuxedoed chorus boys.

With his new album, “Unfollow the Rules” which was recently released on July 10th in the midst of a global pandemic and massive civil unrest, Wainwright describes his work on the album as some of his best, and I’d have to agree wholeheartedly. After an immersive foray into the world of opera in which Wainwright wrote and

CHANNELING THE HATRED/A SONG FOR THE TRUMP ERA One of my favorites from the new album is “Devils and Angels (Hatred)” which was written during a particularly dark period where Rufus was consumed with anger. Though it was conceived in a pre-Trumpian universe, Trump was on Rufus’ mind when he recorded it. Interestingly enough, this interview took place before the murder of George Floyd and the massive protests which followed.

“Hatred to me is particularly important to this album. This year is going to be intense, both with what’s happening with the pandemic and with the election. Initially when I was working on this in the studio, I was more thinking of the election, of course. I wrote the song many years ago when I was in a pretty dramatic situation.” Without going

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Hailing from a musical dynasty of folk singers, it seems he was destined for this life from the womb. For a bit of trivia, check out one of his earliest performances as a 13-year-old looking like a seasoned veteran, performing a song he wrote called“I’m a Runnin’”for a Canadian movie called Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveller.

It’s difficult to quantify Wainwright’s impact as an openly gay singer/songwriter who courageously and unapologetically owned his sexuality from the start, never looked back and never sold out. He’s described his decision to come out professionally to his record label to inoculate himself from blowback. It was a pre-emptive strike and it placed himself in the driver’s seat, freeing himself of the need to be coy or avoid overtly gay content. If there was ever an argument to be made for queer exceptionalism, Rufus is a worthy contender.

For those unfamiliar with his extensive body of work, some highlights from his 20-plus year career are in order. Right out of the gate, Sir Elton John famously heralded Wainwright as one of the greatest songwriters on the planet. Talk about setting an impossibly high bar. Two operas and eight albums later including taking a stab at setting Shakespeare’s sonnets to music, Rufus seems

produced not one, but two full scale operas, Rufus experienced a creative resurgence as a singer/ songwriter, coming back to his roots and finding inspiration in his hometown of Los Angeles and specifically Laurel Canyon, steeped as it is in a rich musical history of its own, where he lives with his husband of 13 years Jörn Weisbrodt.

Three years in the making, the album represents a full circle moment for Wainwright. The album is a throwback to the concept records of decades past which were created around a unifying theme rather than the scattershot approach of modern-day streaming. He describes the album reflecting three distinct parts, the first part is decidedly buoyant, embracing his return to California and “taking on the mantle of the great songwriters who preceded me.” The second part is a return to form with lush orchestral productions typified in the song “Romantical Man.” And the third part gives voice to the darker elements which typify his operatic sensibilities, the somber final act. Rufus wryly describes the album as a trap which lures you in, romances you and then swallows you whole like a Venus flytrap.

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into detail, he acknowledges that he“was filled with a lot of hatred. And I had to use that hatred. I had to funnel it somewhere and turn it into something I could use to my advantage. It really is about going into battle. Or getting ready for this incredible war and oddly enough, embracing that and enjoying that process, in a kind of medieval way. I think it’s a positive song. It’s about being engaged. It’s about action and fighting for what you believe in. There will be violence and there will be blood, as they say.”

The song “Devils and Angels (Hatred)” has a wonderful sense of drama which lends itself to musical theater and Broadway, is that something you’ve considered?

“Yeah, I’ve always harbored an interest for that concept [Broadway]. I’ve written two operas.

And I’ve also done a very artistic theatre play with Robert Wilson for the Shakespeare sonnets. But no, a Broadway musical is in the cards, though I have nothing to announce. If I didn’t write a Broadway

musical [at some point] it would be silly.”

EARLY MORNING MADNESS While Wainwright wrote “Early Morning Madness” quite a while ago, this song also has a resonance with these dark times we’re living through. As Rufus explains… “I had a rather fabled existence in the land of drugs and alcohol for many years, which I eventually had to come to terms with and shy away from. But it was a long battle and there were some fits and starts, shall we say. The song was initially about being hung over and getting through that exhaustion. That song is haunting me more and more these days. I have some real moments where I’m just up and the sun’s rising and I’m scared shitless. What’s also interesting about that song, it’s almost like the dark, haunted sister of “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk.”

I’m using the same motif. But it’s much darker.

And like “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk,” which

is sort of this joyous, exuberant voyage through unfettered youth and so forth, tinged with a bit of sadness,“Early Morning Madness”is more like this broken, suffering soul that is just wearily placing one foot in front of the other.

MAKING PEACE WITH DEATH We spoke about the song “Peaceful Afternoon” which is interesting on several levels, both for its content as well as the fact that it was written as part of an ongoing agreement between Rufus and his husband Jörn.

“We have an arrangement now where for every album I release, there must be one song about him.

So, it’s kind of a requirement, which can be a little grating. But once I’ve written it, I’m always so thankful and grateful for the love that I have in my life and for him specifically.”

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CULTURE

MUSIC

Rufus’ own death. I asked him to unpack that a bit and his attitude toward one’s mortality. He spoke briefly about his mother’s death from cancer ten years ago. Now a parent himself, age and experience has lent some perspective to life and death.

“I had experienced death a couple times before then, but nowhere near as intensely.

Now there’s friends who’ve died. Even with COVID, I’ve lost a couple of people that I knew quite well. So, death is sort of creeping in, ever more blatantly. I’m a strong believer in accepting that fact and maybe even embracing it in a sense. Being an opera lover, and a great lover of Mahler’s symphonies, death is ever-present. But of course, now it’s more visceral and less romanticized. I’m not reveling in it necessarily, I’m just sort of kindly allowing it to walk through our lives, as it will.”

We also talked about“Romantical Man” which he counts as one of his favorites on the album. He delved into his creative process, by revealing, “Occasionally, if I’m on tour, I’ll wake up in the morning and I’ll have the whole day in front of me. I’ll be somewhere I love, in this case it was London, and I have the whole day, and I’m like, you know what? I’m just gonna walk across the city. And a song will come at the end of that journey. And I kind of get into a trance. And that’s what happened with that song. I walked for miles and miles, for hours and hours, and that was sort of my snapshot of that day in London.”

Do you take a recorder with you? Or do you store it in your memory and then get back to your hotel room?

“It depends. Usually I’ll record it on my phone or something. But really, I think the most valuable exercise is getting into the trance and becoming unconscious in a

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RUFUS’ CREATIVE PROCESS

way of your surroundings and really getting lost in your imagination. So, you kind of stop recording and you sort of just start, you know, singing really.”

And will that happen in a hotel room, or just when you’re out?

“No. It requires a walk. Walking is necessary for writing songs because it gives you the rhythm.

You end up sort of dancing a little. I mean, it’s crazy.

You look like a crazy person.”

The fun thing about a Rufus Wainwright song is that he’ll throw in an obscure reference which might take you off-guard and require a quick search of the internet. This happens in“Romantical Man” and his reference to an 18th century actress named Sarah Siddons who was considered one of the great tragediennes of her time, known for her portrayal of Lady Macbeth as well as challenging gender norms by taking on the role of Hamlet on numerous occasions. I asked if this is someone he was already familiar with…

“No. What happened is, I was on the walk and I passed this statue that really struck me. And there was a grave, so I took my phone out. It was the grave of Sarah Siddons, who I’d never heard of.

And once you really dig into that story, it’s pretty fascinating in terms of both her life.” Siddons went on to experience a sort of posthumous fame courtesy of the Bette Davis movie All About Eve. “Anyway, it’s just kind of a funny thing which led to a bunch of ideas.”

And now she’s been re-immortalized in your song.

“Yes, yes…”

A NOD TO SONDHEIM “The Ladies Who Lunge”appears to be a nod to Sondheim, at least in terms of the title.

“Yeah, very much so. Melodically, it’s not like that, but the title is referring to the Sondheim number for sure. That was the latest addition to the album. That was something I was kind of noodling around with in the studio with Mitchell. And we just did it in a day. Well I did my part in a day. He ended up putting on some of his most complicated

keyboard parts that he’s ever done for hours in the background.

The unusual sound, which almost reminds you of a Fellini score because it had that kind of bouncy, springy quality, is nice because it gets you out of the whole Laurel Canyon, studio session player, warm fuzzy sound. It suddenly becomes very plastic-y which is nice. It’s like a little break, you know?”

HIS “DUET” WITH STREISAND Being a big fan of Streisand, I couldn’t resist bringing up Wainwright’s presence at a Hillary Clinton Fundraiser in 2016 where Streisand performed “Happy Days are here Again.” From the audience, Rufus seized the opportunity to engage in his own duet (unbeknownst to Streisand) recreating the famous duet between Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand of “Happy Days Are Here Again” with Rufus singing Judy’s part “Get Happy.” I was curious whether Streisand got wind of this or if he heard f rom “her people.”

Rufus responded good-naturedly with his characteristic flair for irony and dry wit. “Well, I know that I posted it at one point, my … “our duet” – that didn’t happen. But… yeah, that was a crazy fundraiser. That was when Hillary coined her infamous “basket of deplorables” line which was ultimately used against her. But I had requested to sing that [duet] with her [Streisand]. We never heard back, so I was a little angry, so I sang it from

the audience.”

So, you made overtures prior to that fundraiser?

“Yes, I have made overtures and we’ll see. I’m going to be doing a lot of work for Joe Biden and I’m sure that she will as well. So, our paths will cross again.”

LAST BUT NOT LIZA With time running out, I asked about his rumored tussle with Liza Minnelli. While Judy’s daughter Lorna Luft appreciated Rufus’ homage to her mother in the spirit it was intended, Liza, well… not so much. Instead of letting it go, he wrote a song called “Me and Liza,” having some fun with the rumored feud. I asked if he’s buried the hatchet, metaphorically.

“I buried the hatchet years ago, but I don’t think it was reciprocated.” Careful to avoid reopening the wound, Rufus said,“I wish her all the best. I know that she’s – she has a lot to contend with, and I respect her immensely. But I don’t think it will be rectified at all.”

Is it true that your father also wrote a song about her? Apparently, they were childhood chums… with benefits. There’s a lyric about “prepubescent play.”

“Yes. Two generations of Liza-ness.”

■ For more on Rufus Wainwright, visit rufuswainwright.com.

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SUMMERTIME SIPPIN’ Five Refreshing Cocktail Recipes to Enjoy this Summer CURATED BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

THE BEE’S KNEES The phrase “bee’s knees” was prohibition-era slang for “the best.”This classic cocktail born from the prohibition era combines gin, lemon, and honey. Refreshing, floral, and perfect for summer.

Ingredients: • 2 oz Barr Hill Gin • 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice • 0.75 oz Raw Honey Syrup (2:1) • Lemon twist for garnish

HOME

COCKTAILS

Preparation: Combine ingredients in a mixing tin, add ice, shake, then double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add garnish.

THE DYE HOUSE Sweetened with blueberry syrup and garnished with blueberries, this Barr Hill Gin cocktail is a seasonal play on the classic Clover Club.

Summer in a glass.

Preparation: Combine ingredients into a mixing tin, dry shake without ice, add ice, then shake with ice, and double strain into a coupe cocktail glass. Garnish with skewered fresh blueberries. c. 2014 by Sam Nelis (a play on

JUNGLE CAT Made with Vermont maple syrup and barrel-aged gin, the Jungle Cat is where craft cocktail meets tiki drink. With tropical flavors like pineapple and lime, this one is as refreshing as it is unique.

Ingredients • 1.5 oz Tom Cat Gin • 0.75 oz Campari • 1.5 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice • 0.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice • 0.5 oz VT Grade A Dark, Robust Maple Syrup Preparation: Combine ingredients in a mixing tin, add ice, shake, and strain over crushed ice in a tiki mug if you’ve got it. Go crazy with the garnish, a Campari soaked pineapple works well, and using cherries or pineapple leaves is fun. Try and make it look like a cats face!

the classic Clover Club) c. 1978 @ The Aviary bar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (A play on the classic)

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PAGE 22-23: PHOTO COURTESY OF BARR HILL GIN • TOM CAT GIN • BARR HILL VODKA

Ingredients: • 1.5 oz Barr Hill Gin • 0.75 oz Fino Sherry • 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice • 0.75 oz Blueberry Syrup • 1 egg white • Fresh skewered blueberries for garnish

WALK ON WATER For those looking for a fancy brunch cocktail, this one is a stunner. Made with Barr Hill Vodka, sparkling wine, and grapefruit juice, among other ingredients, this beautiful cocktail can be enjoyed all day long.

Ingredients: • 0.75 oz Barr Hill Vodka • 0.5 oz Amaro Braulio • 1 oz Grapefruit Juice • 0.5 oz Rosemary Syrup • Sparkling Wine Preparation: Combine ingredients (besides the wine) in mixing tin, add ice and shake, strain into champagne flute and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with an orange twist and rosemary sprig. c. 2017 by Sam Nelis For more from Barr Hill Spirts visit https://

TOM CAT OLD FASHIONED COCKTAIL The Old Fashioned Cocktail is the first drink to ever bear the name ‘Cocktail’ (c. 1806).

People would order at the bar a ‘Cocktail’ made with their spirit of choice mixed with a little sugar, some bitters and citrus twists. Here we call for a ‘Tom Cat Gin Cocktail’ using Barr Hill’s barrel-aged Tom Cat Gin as a stand-in for whiskey, making this twist on a classic insanely drinkable in the summer (or anytime, honestly).

Ingredients: • 2 oz Tom Cat Gin • 1/2 tsp Demerara syrup (2 parts demerara sugar: 1 part water) • 2-3 dashes of Angostura Bitters • Lemon or orange twist, or both, for garnish

MUDDLED FRUIT TOM CAT OLD FASHIONED

caledoniaspirits.com/.

Ingredients: • 2 oz Tom Cat Gin • 1 tsp Demerara syrup (2 parts demerara sugar: 1 part water) • 2-3 dashes of Angostura Bitters • 1 cherry • 1 half orange wheel Preparation: Combine sugar and fruit in an old fashioned glass then gently muddle. Add other ingredients and fresh ice, stir, strain into an old fashioned glass over fresh ice, then garnish with an orange slice and cherry.

Preparation: Combine ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice, stir, then strain into an old fashioned glass over fresh ice. Garnish by squeezing the citrus twists over the top of the cocktail.

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SHANTAY, SHE SLAYS

AN ALLY WITH AN

ATTITUDE

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

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RuPaul’s Son of Drag, she sits at his right hand and doles out the tough love. We dote on her snappy one-liners, her latest looks, and her candid advice – she is the cool Mom we all want to have. Untucked, the woman behind the makeup and under that hair is a fierce businesswoman, wife, and mother of two, who has been sticking up for our community long before it was cool. During quarantine, she premiered her own show “How’s Your Head Hun” for BBC and World of Wonder Plus, where she digitally let us into her closet and into her family life, without a filter in sight. The result? Yes, we can see she is just a person like anyone else, the differences being that she has more shoes and looks better doing it.

We know and love her as a figurehead in the Drag Race family, but her entertainment career has been a grab bag of projects, each with their success. This Emmy winning producer hit the scene after auditioning and becoming part of an R&B trio called Seduction. The group had five singles that charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Visage then hit the top of the dance charts in 1993 as lead vocalist in The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M.. She followed that up by working as a morning DJ on radio waves for over 17 years in NYC, Los Angeles, Miami, West Palm Beach, Ireland, and on afternoon radio at Sirius.

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MICHELLE VISAGE, THE QUEEN OF QUEENS, IS ONE OF OUR FAVORITE ALLIES WITH AN ATTITUDE. The Mary Magdalene to

FUN FACT: SHE OPENED FOR MILLI VANILLI She has been a patron saint to the LGBT community and her first experience with our community could be a scene out of a Pose episode, complete with a fake ID, a dark room and voguing – all at the behest of her mother: “In 1986, I first moved to NYC from NJ to go to theatre school for college and I knew no one.

We didn’t have cell phones yet or computers, so the only chance we had at getting “discovered” was going to a nightclub, and I was 17 years old.

My mom sent me a fake ID and told me to “go get discovered” so I started going to nightclubs. There was a big club in New York City called The Underground and when I got there, I walked downstairs and this beautiful young man grabbed me by the arm and told me that I had the most beautiful face he had ever seen - I was speechless. The only person who had ever told me that was my mom. I couldn’t believe a stranger just came out of nowhere to simply compliment me. He asked me to come with him to meet his friends and brought me into a dark room where there were 30 of the craziest, weirdest looking, most beautiful people I had ever seen in my entire life and, I lie to you not, I had chills when I saw them all dancing. Not only were they doing something I had never seen before (voguing), but it was the first time I truly felt “home”. That was when I learned about ballroom culture and the rest is history!”

PAGE 25 & 27 PHOTOS COURTESY OF MITCHELLE VISAGE

FUN FACT: VISAGE WON A MADONNA LOOK-ALIKE CONTEST WHEN SHE WAS 16.

Part of that dynamic era was the outlandish nightclub scene, usually at parties hosted by New York icon Susanne Bartsch. Over the top looks, decadent behavior, and an overall sense of inclusivity of these events created a home to LGBT and beyond to express themselves – the party scene was thriving. The New York ball scene gave Michelle the nickname “Cara” which means “face” in Spanish. No one could pronounce it properly, so she changed it to “Visage”, the French version of “face” – Michelle Lynn Shupack became Michelle Visage.

It was at one of these parties that Michelle met RuPaul, and the two started a friendship that became part of drag history. What makes their friendship a winning combo?

I think the bottom line is, we understand and respect each other and our space. We obviously love each other, but it’s more than that. Soulmates are NOT just lovers, there are friend soulmates too and that pretty much says it all.

Visage co-hosted VH1’s The RuPaul Show from 1996 to 1998 and the two co-hosted a morning show for WKTU until 2002. Michelle was the first pick as a permanent judge for Drag Race but was tied up in a five-year contract with CBS Radio.

Speculation has been that her boss was not a fan of the relationship with the LGBT community and said no. RuPaul asked again for Season 3 and Visage (at the suggestion of her friend Lea Remini) went directly to the CBS officials. She was finally able to tell RuPaul “yas, queen!”

FUN FACT: FROM DRAG RACE SEASON 3, SHE HAS APPEARED IN EVERY EPISODE OF EVERY SEASON, INCLUDING THE ALL STARS SPIN-OFFS AND THE U.K. EDITION OF THE SERIES. Her looks on Drag Race rival those of the queens on stage, she is a chameleon of fashion. But how does she put her look together on a daily basis?

I think it’s about how I am feeling - am I feeling good about my body? Am I feeling dark? Colorful? Do I want to be sporty? Fancy? Sometimes it’s simply about what is clean and nearby....

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Has inclusivity of different body types gotten better in the gay world?

I can say that from my experience since I became involved as an ally, yes, it has gotten slightly better, but we fight louder and stronger than the past. With

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that said, it is FAR from being good or all-inclusive. It isn’t news to anyone who goes on a“dating”app and sees No Femmes, No Fats, No Asians, etc. THAT is unacceptable! The thing I loved most about finding my chosen family all those years ago was that I was NEVER, EVER judged on appearances, then told I wasn’t welcome. Was there shade? ALWAYS. Was there shaming and hate? Not that I can remember.

Even in competing houses in the ballroom scene, the shade was thick, but the love was deep. We need to go back to that mentality and steer away from cancel culture saying,“you can’t sit with us.”For the record? You can ALWAYS sit with me!

FUN FACT: MICHELLE WANTED TO BE A VET UNTIL SHE LEARNED SHE MIGHT HAVE TO EUTHANIZE DOGS. What I love about her show, “How’s Your Head, Hun?”, is that we do get to see the brassy personality we know from TV and hang out with her outside the Drag Race set. The bonus is that we get to see her on a more personal and intimate level.

With no makeup, no glam crew, and no scripts, we see the work and reality that go into making Visage who we see on the screen. Wasn’t she scared of being that naked?

We are NOT the Kardashians by any stretch of the imagination and that is crystal clear from the

THIS PAGE: PHOTOS COURTESY OF MITCHELLE VISAGE

On “How’s Your Head, Hun” we literally get to hang out in her closet, a closet we might not want to come out of. What are her three most prized closet possessions?

Heels, fitted blazer and trousers. I know I wear a lot of midi dresses and I love them, but I am such a fitted, flare leg trouser girl, they flatter everyone!

Her journey to the confident and curvaceous stature we see on TV hasn’t always been an easy one.

She has been incredibly open about her struggle with an eating disorder from the early age of 13 well until adult life. Even her chest hasn’t been off topic as she had her signature breast implants removed in 2019. She talks openly about her body issues to inspire body positivity within the LGBT community.

minute you enter my house! When we said we were on board to do this, I knew that I would be judged, but I didn’t care because it was my goal to make people who were home, scared, anxious, or just plain bored, laugh. We want people to have something silly to look forward to weekly to help them get through this quarantine a bit easier. We really are all in this together, I just may be doing it a little sillier.

What did she learn most from filming this show?

I learned that my husband David works his ass off. I mean, he has been a stay-at-home dad for the past 18 years whilst I was out there working, so I KNOW what he can do and make no mistake, he is the best dad I have ever seen, but he is GRAFTING! Hard! I know how hard I work, but it’s cool to see what he can do behind the scenes as well!

He is going to start auditioning as an actor again after a 20-year hiatus once our daughter Lola goes off to college, and I am so proud of him for going back to follow his dream. He is a damn good actor too, went to Juilliard and all that, so I can’t wait to see him manifest it all.

We can all fantasize about having Michelle Visage as a mom. But how can she really enforce being strict when her whole personality is a non-conforming, sexual beast?

I parent the same way I live. Bluntly, honestly, compassionately. My kids are my life and though I KNOW I have made many mistakes, every day I try my hardest to be the best that I can be as a mother first and friend second. My kids are feisty, smart, intelligent and they too live outside of the “norms” of society and that makes me proud. I learn from them daily.

While some reality shows have tarnished the image of pop culture personalities we love,“How’s Your Head, Hun?” has only increased my love for Visage and I have a bigger appreciation for what she goes through behind the scenes.

queens. Because I’m so tough, I think the public only sees me one way. I want them to know who I am when I am not behind a judge’s table and who I am as a human.

She has not only been a role model for the LGBT community, she is a role model for businesswomen everywhere. She has created her own brand, she has successfully dominated the radio waves, TV waves, Billboard charts, podcast arena, literary world (have you read The Diva Rules?), West End theatre, and the fashion world.

How do fans see Michelle Visage?

For me, fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race see me as the “tough love” judge. The judge that tells them what they need to hear but not necessarily what they WANT to hear. I take my job as a judge VERY seriously as I am the number one fan of drag. I LOVE it so much and I take what I do VERY seriously!

Most importantly, I respect it and I respect these

From a receptionist to Emmy winner, she’s done it, breaking the glass ceiling of what an entrepreneur looks like.

For many years we have fought the oppression being told we belong at home, in the kitchen, not in offices or running businesses. NEVER FORGET: No one will look out for you better than YOU! You are woman, let them hear you ROARRRRRR!

THIS PAGE: PHOTO BY KATHY HUTCHINS/SHUTTERSTOCK

FUN FACT: THE FIRST DIVA THAT INSPIRED MICHELLE WAS MAE WEST, SHE WAS OBSESSED WITH HAVING A BODY LIKE HERS.

FUN FACT: SHE BOUGHT HER DAD A HOUSE FROM THE PROCEEDS EARNED FROM ONE OF HER SONGS WITH THE S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M. BEING INCLUDED ON THE SOUNDTRACK FOR ‘THE BODYGUARD’.

And during this time stuck at home, she has this to say to her fans: Do not give up hope. Although we did not get to celebrate pride month the way we would like to or the way we deserve, we still need to celebrate! I also want to tell younger LGBTQIA+ people that aren’t out quite yet that now is probably not the time to come out if you don’t feel safe. Please, above all, put your safety first. These are very lonely and isolating times for some LGBTQIA+ youth so please try to remember: YOU ARE LOVED. YOU ARE P ERFECT. YOU MATTER.

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AN EDUCATION IN LABELS, TERMS, AND IDEAS

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ I HAD WANTED TO SPILL THE TEA WITH BOB THE DRAG QUEEN ABOUT BACKSTAGE SHENANIGANS DURING RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE, how heavy

the winning crown is, how big his closet is, who the biggest diva on We’re Here is, and who is his celebrity crush. We didn’t even get there, and I am so grateful. With all the glitter and snappy one liners in the drag world and Drag Race memes being as popular as Black Lives Matter ones, we can easily be distracted and forget that rallying against the tornado that is our current social and political climate is not just on a given day or given holiday, it is a constant battle. Bob the Drag Queen knows, and he has a lot to say and has the personal experience to say it. With pop culture entertainment personalities running for President, why not Bob the Drag Queen? Hearing him talk about our current situation is a breath of fresh air. He makes sense, he’s got the receipts, and he’s got my vote.

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Before Bob the Drag Queen was a drag queen, he was Caldwell Tidicue the Activist. He moved to New York with two suitcases and $200 to follow his dreams to be a stand-up comedian and actor. How did you get involved in activism?

I first got involved with activism, like in activism the way that people call it activism, in New York City with a group called Queer Rising. They’re this group, a little bit like Act Up, but obviously much later in time, and we would do different demonstrations to cause a scene somewhere and bring awareness to something, get arrested, block traffic, pull basically public stunts in an attempt to bring awareness to different issues in the queer community.

His first drag name, Kittin Withawhip, was based on a 1964 crime drama featuring Ann-Margret as juvenile delinquent with a sexy side. No one really said the name right, so Caldwell decided to keep it easy, three letters, B O B – and Bob the Drag Queen was born. You can still search early performances of Kittin Withawhip on YouTube, and I highly recommend that you do. Kittin had a certain irreverence to drag culture but also a respect for it as well.

Bob’s mom owned a drag bar and he would often accompany her when the babysitter didn’t show up. He bought his first makeup kit shortly after watching Season 1 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

And now, from New York drag scene performer to winner of Season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race to producing and co-starring in HBO’s critical and audience hit We’re Here, his brand has expanded to include podcasting, music, and spokesperson for the Queer Black Movement.

many more. “I have noticed that there is a certain reverence being given to black queers right now.

And to be frank, it feels new. And I think that we in the black community are still adjusting to this.

I was watching the Chicago Drag Council on our Town Hall and seeing how uncomfortable some of the white people looked to see black people in power. They were shook, they were shook to have it happen. It felt odd. It’s interesting that the closer you get to equality, the ones who are in power start to feel oppressed. And, it is true they say there is no equality without loss of power. I believe that with every fiber of my being.”

How do you feel about being part of the RuPaul’s Drag Race family that automatically inducts you in the firestorm that social media can become? Even RuPaul himself is often questioned as to his social media presence or lack thereof in acknowledging Black Lives Matter and Trans Black Lives Matter.

HOW HAS DRAG CHANGED BOB THE MOST? My very first day in drag I was 22 years old, I had been living in New York City for a little less than a year. I’ve learned a lot about myself since then - as a black person, as a queer person, as a non-binary person, as a New Yorker, as a son, as a mentor. I’ve certainly learned about the impact that I can have.

I’ve always thought that I had a great potential, but I’ve seen that maybe I could have even more of an impact on people then I thought I would, and I’ve started to choose my words and my actions a lot more wisely than I used to.

At the end of June, Bob the Drag Queen and Drag Race personality Peppermint, led the first ever Black Queer Town Hall with GLAAD and New York Pride. The three-day digital event featured Todrick Hall, Pose’s MJ Rodriguez, Laverne Cox, Alex Newell, Angelica Ross, Monet X Change, and

up in the last two years, but that’s not a true statement. And are they harmful to the community? I certainly don’t think so. I think they can be used to harm people if you’re intentionally misgendering or intentionally trying to identify someone in a way they don’t identify. But I feel like the idea notion of labels, ideas and pronouns are helping people communicate better and helps people feel safe. And that’s why I always tell people to put your pronouns in your Twitter bio. Even if you are a cisgender person who uses the pronouns of the gender you were assigned at birth. It also signals to people who may be crossing your path that you are a safe person they can talk to.

Talking to Bob was an education in labels, terms and ideas that are not quite as explored in my West Hollywood bubble. This current social environment has been a big education as to how people want to be identified and labeled.

CAN LABELS BE LIMITING AND OVERALL HARMFUL TO THE LGBT AND OTHER MINORITY COMMUNITIES? I don’t think that labels are new to our community. Like, yeah, I’ll admit there were less labels, or less labels being acknowledged. There’s also an idea that all this language is brand new, and that’s not completely true. People would have you believe that terms like cisgender or pansexual, or, you know, non-binary, are words that just popped

There are a lot people out there who really seem to have problems with social media activism, and honestly, it really doesn’t bother me. It just doesn’t. I’m also not one of those folks with a vendetta against the cell phone. You know some people were like, ‘We gotta get off our phones!’ I don’t necessarily see it that way. How I see the phone is like you’re holding this device in your hand that has the answer to every question in the world. It’s a powerful tool. Good and bad is subjective. So, whether you can say which ways are good or bad, it is up to each person individually.

I wouldn’t say it is an influencers duty to become politically involved, but I do know that as I became more aware of myself in my community, I felt it was MY duty. So, I can’t obviously decide what other people’s duty is. But I know how I wanted to use my platform as it grew larger and larger. And should we be calling people out who don’t use social media to make a statement? You’re allowed, like I believe, in freedom of speech.You have the freedom to not say anything. I have the freedom to mention that you have not said anything regarding my struggle. So, if you’re going to exercise your freedom, I’m going to exercise mine too.

Comedy is a big part of Bob’s personality and portfolio. His comedy style, while hilarious and effective, has a bite to it. Fans are as likely to pay attention to his comedy as much as his current drag look. To date, he has produced two one-person shows, Bob the Drag Queen: Suspiciously Large Woman for LOGO and Bob the Drag Queen: Crazy Black Lady for OutTV. METROSOURCE.COM

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I THINK WE’RE HERE IS AS A DOUBLE ENTENDRE. I MEAN, WHEN EUREKA, SHANGELA, AND I SHOW UP IN TOWN WITH THESE HUMONGOUS VEHICLES, LIKE WE’RE LITERALLY HERE, BUT ALSO, IT’S AN INDICATION THAT WE, THE QUEER COMMUNITY, ARE ALREADY IN THESE SPACES.”

DO YOU FEEL THE PRESSURE TO BE POLITICALLY CORRECT, ESPECIALLY NOW? I don’t believe in policing people’s art and telling comedians what to do with their platform. But then again, that goes the same in my direction. My art is comedy and I have realms of expression in oration outside of comedy as well. So, if part of my expression of art is mentioning how your art is problematic, then you’re going to have to accept that too. I know it sounds like a Catch 22, but if your comedy transgresses a community and that community mentions it, I find it so odd that people would be mad that someone got mad about something they did. The oddness of being offended that you offended someone and that they mentioned it is backwards to me.

His hit show on HBO, We’re Here, was renewed for Season Two. The original six-episode season was released for Pride Season and features Bob alongside other Drag Race alum Shangela and Eureka O’Hara travelling to small towns across America, inspiring local residents to share their stories and express themselves through a performance of uncensored drag.

THE SERIES WAS VERY WELL RECEIVED AND EXPLORED THE WORLD OF DRAG IN AN EXTREMELY, AND SOMETIMES DEVASTATINGLY, INTIMATE WAY. WHAT DOES WE’RE HERE MEAN TO BOB? I think We’re Here is as a double entendre. I mean, when Eureka, Shangela, and I show up in town with these humongous vehicles, like we’re literally here, but also, it’s an indication that we, the queer community are already in these spaces. Some people may not think of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and the queer community that exists there or Twin Falls, Idaho, but there’s also a thriving drag scene in Twin Falls, Idaho, and maybe people don’t know about it. So, we’re here to uplift those voices and to amplify those voices.

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HOW IS THE SHOW DIFFERENT FROM OTHER DRAG SHOWS CURRENTLY SATURATING TV SCREENS? Well, We’re Here is different for a lot of reasons. One, I’m one of the faces of the show and have a producer credit, so we have a lot of say in the creative aspect of the shows and HBO and IFC really let us take the lead on the creative direction of the drag, everything from the look, to the performances, to the staff that makes our garments and hair. And I think you can see that in the show, which is why our drag is so authentic.

WHAT DO YOU WANT MOST FROM SEASON TWO? In Season Two, I want our inclusivity to go further. I’m so proud of the fact that we were able to include indigenous voices, black voices, Latinx voices, Asian voices, trans voices, ally voices. I was so happy that we were able to do that, but let’s go further. Let’s reach more people. I would love to go international at some point.

I DO REALIZE HOW DEEP MY CONVERSATION WITH BOB GOT, BUT I STILL HAD TO KNOW WHO THE BIGGEST DIVA ON WE’RE HERE IS. In all honesty, I think that I’m probably the biggest diva, and that’s not a pageant answer. If you watch the show, I’m usually the one who’s not smiling. I’m the grumpiest. Definitely the grumpiest out of the group. If we were The Golden Girls, but only three - I’m Dorothy. Like, DEFINITELY Dorothy.

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YOU CAN HEAR MORE OF MY CHAT WITH BOB THROUGH OUR PODCAST, METROSOURCE MINIS, AVAILABLE ON APPLE PODCASTS, SPOTIFY, IHEARTRADIO, YOUTUBE AND METROSOURCE.COM.

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PHOTOS ON 30-33 COURTESY OF BOB THE DRAG QUEEN

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YEARS

OF METROSOURCE A LOOK BACK ON THREE DECADES OF ICONS, ALLIES & ENTERTAINMENT

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KALEN ALLEN REACTS TO LIFE

CORNBREAD, ELLEN, AND A HAMMOCK NAMED SASHA

LIKE DOROTHY BEFORE HIM, KALEN ALLEN FROM KANSAS CITY LITERALLY WOKE UP ONE DAY TO A DIFFERENT WORLD. WHO KNEW THAT CORNBREAD COULD BE SO POWERFUL?

A YouTuber best known for his“Kalen Reacts”videos, posted his first video reacting to a cornbread recipe (as an inside joke with friends), and his dry humor and seemingly casual one-liners have earned him a place in social media history. With over 6oo million views of his videos (including a home on Ellen DeGeneres’ digital hub), he has gone from food recipes to rubbing elbows with A-list celebrities, becoming a household name, and now appearing as a lead, opposite Seth Rogen, in HBO’s Max film “An American Pickle”.

Even with his quick success, he still maintains that “aw shucks” attitude, childlike charm, and sly grin.

BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ

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You knew as a kid that you wanted to be an actor, and, without a doubt, you must have been a troublemaker as a kid?

I was a very rebellious child. I didn’t get in trouble much, but if I could find loopholes, I definitely jumped through them. I also was fully against peer pressure! If everyone was doing something, I did the exact opposite. To fit in was boring to me.

I always wanted to be my own individual person and never wanted to just blend in.

After his first appearance on Ellen everything started to fall into place. Kalen tells us, “I felt like Cinderella getting a fairy godmother. I was ready to go. I remember it feeling like my dreams finally coming true.” Kalen has grown his brand past food videos and has become amazingly comfortable on the red carpet, conducting interviews at the Billboards Awards, New York Fashion Week, the Met Gala, and even the Royal Wedding.

Again, all from cornbread?

The gentrified cornbread video was the first one. I’ve learned that I can do and be so much more.

Those videos were a gateway and a steppingstone

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to my true dreams and aspirations. The very next day, after I posted the first one. My app kept crashing. After I made three more and those all went viral too, I knew it was a thing. If it’s not broke don’t fix it!

Why are your videos so popular?

Because they are real and genuine. It isn’t a performance. I’m saying exactly what everyone is thinking at the same time. My intentions are also pure. I’m not trying to be someone I’m not.

Though he is a member of the LGBT community, his sexuality is not the focus of his videos and his fan base skews more mainstream. Much like Ellen, whom he calls Mama E, his sexuality is part of who he is but is more of a matter of fact, rather than his videos’ purpose. He has used his growing voice to gently incorporate more from his gay life. His OMKalen Pride video on Ellen’s network last year gave him a fun way to introduce facts on Stonewall, the Pride flag, and LGBT legislation.

What was your coming out experience?

Well, I’ve come out many times. Each one was

exhausting because I’ve always just been myself.

So, it wasn’t like I started to act, talk, or walk differently. Did I lose people? Yes. But that was their choice, and no one is irreplaceable. Overall, I was accepted, but I think that’s because I didn’t give anyone any other choice. I couldn’t care less if they felt some type of way about me being gay. It’s not their life… it’s mine.

In today’s social and political climate, is there a change in the themes of Kalen’s videos?

I think I am going through a major creative shift in my life right now. With this pandemic and #BlackLivesMatter I’ve never felt more motivated to create content that not only entertains people but also empowers the world. We are entering a new era of Kalen.

Is this new era of Kalen created out pressure from the gay community?

It’s not a pressure, it’s a responsibility that I take very seriously. Not only for the LGBTQ+ community but for my Black community as well. If your queer content doesn’t include intersectionality or diversity…you can keep it!

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Your style of videos has been copied over and over. Is there too much content on the market?

What are current content creators doing right?

What are they doing wrong?

I honestly wouldn’t know. I don’t really get caught up in what other people are doing. The only person I can manage is myself. If what they are doing makes them happy, then that’s all that matters. Unless what makes them happy oppresses and minimizes others. I also have no time for social media haters. I don’t deal with them. Blocked.

Being a successful YouTuber can bring fame, but often at the cost of privacy. Social media content creators are under tough scrutiny, especially in today’s climate. Anything you say or do can mean the end of a career.

What are you learning about sharing too much?

I think sometimes I give people too much access to me. I’m still trying to find safe boundaries. I’m not as fun as people think I am [laughs].

I can be, but I’d rather be at home. I’m like a happy medium between introvert and extrovert.

There’s nothing I love more than canceled plans.

And what about dating?

I hate it. [Laughs] Dating gives me anxiety. I feel I have too much going on to be sitting around wondering if someone likes me as much as I like them.

I need to know your intentions from the jump. That time I would spend wondering where are and who are you holding, could be spent working!

Kalen is continuing to saturate himself in the Hollywood lifestyle since moving to Los Angeles, and, like any Angeleno, had to hit that audition circuit.

Was stepping outside your comfort zone and auditioning for your big-screen debut in“An American Pickle”worthy of a reaction video?

I was terrible at first. [Laughs] I was so nervous. I was off book, but I kept messing up the lines. Luckily, they let me start over and then I was solid. I got the part the very next day! Nothing but God. [Laughs]

Working with a director, a script, and with cameras bigger than his iPhone, his Hollywood life had truly begun.

What was set life like?

Surprisingly, very normal. Like I didn’t really know what to expect but it just felt like going to work. It’s so much different from the stage. You get many chances to do it, so you don’t really have any time to be nervous because by the fifth take you’re just like let’s do it! The fact that my first movie is alongside Seth Rogen… I mean, a dream! I hope that this only opens the doors for more movies and such.

What does the future hold for Kalen? Can we anticipate more acting?

World domination. [Laughs] Just kidding. You can expect a growth full of purpose and intention. I want to change the world, how we think, and how we move through our daily lives. Hopefully, someday, I will get to film with Beyoncé.

A self-titled Beyoncé specialist, he named his hammock“Sasha”… so fierce!

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METROHIV

LOVE

BODY

KNOWS NO STATUS

Beloved serodiscordant couple, recently wed in Venice, share their love story

BY DAVID ARTAVIA

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IN MARCH 2013, DAVID LESTER-MASSEY (THEN MASSEY) GAVE AN INTERVIEW THAT WOULD

THIS PAGE: PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURE JACQUEMIN

CHANGE HIS LIFE FOREVER. At the time, Atlanta-

based marketing professional and producer Johnny Lester-Massey (then Lester) was casting a reality show and searching for potential talent.

Following a brief phone call, Johnny informed David that he’d call him back. And he did.

That call lasted for hours – as did the next one, and the next one, and the next one. Eventually, David raked up the courage to ask Johnny if they could meet in person. Admittedly, Johnny says now, he thought it was going to be a business dinner.

David, however, knew it was something more.

At this point, the two had hours of conversation under their belt and understood a genuine connection was forming. After having a“really good time” at dinner, David, knowing his feelings for Johnny were building, decided to make an even more courageous move. Only this time, it was something deeply personal.

“I need to let you know that I am HIV-positive,” he told Johnny, expecting what many people living with HIV dread after disclosing their status: fear, rejection, and isolation. But what happened next took David by surprise. Johnny, who is HIV-negative and was not fully educated about the virus at the time, responded with compassionate and concerning questions:“Are you OK? How are you?

What does that mean? Are you healthy?”

David began to educate Johnny on his health, his numbers, and his statistics. What really moved him, he says, was that Johnny never lost romantic interest after telling him he was living with HIV. “[Johnny] took the time to get educated,” explains David.“When he left my house, he called his doctor and he had conversations about what it means to date or be in a relationship with somebody who is living with HIV. [The doctor] was like, ‘OK, so I want you to know something… First of all, if they disclosed that information to you this early on, please consider yourself special, because it’s not easy to do, it’s not easy to hear, and he chose to disclose to you.’”

The wise words from Johnny’s doctor, who is also his uncle, brought the issue into a broader perspective for the young producer. It certainly wasn’t the first time someone disclosed their status to Johnny before, but this time was different. “Atlanta’s very fast-paced, there’s a lot of hits and misses here,” Johnny explains about life in the Southern city, which according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is fourth in the nation for new HIV diagnoses.“I was at a point of time in my life where I was open and ready for a relationship.

I wanted something different. Being from a small town… coming out as gay, being in front of a Baptist minister in the Bible Belt, you have all of these

layers of stigmas and hang-ups that you have to walk through and deal with. I gave myself two years to really work on myself, to be my openly Black gay self, because I had never had the opportunity to do that. I was always terrified to do that. I said,‘A relationship that’s meant to be will come.’ And it did.”

Together, David and Johnny own HiClass Management, a boutique branding and imaging firm providing services for high profile clientele and awareness marketing around HIV. Recently, they launched into new ventures: Hiclass Blends, a luxury loose-leaf tea company, and SirHiclass Footwear, a luxury footwear line with products made in Italy.

By far, the most extravagant project they’ve curated to date was their 2019 wedding in Venice, Italy, a country that holds a special place in their hearts. A few years ago, David had started touring in Italy, singing and directing a gospel choir, spending two to three weeks at a time traveling across the country. In 2017, he received a call from singer and Insta-celebrity Cheryl Porter, who’d been invited to perform at “Christmas at The Vatican” for Pope Francis.

“She said, ‘I can’t imagine doing this without you. Would you be able to come over?’”remembers David, who jumped at the chance. Johnny joined him for the tour, and the duo fell in love with all things Italy. So much so that when the time came METROSOURCE.COM

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“The onus of your status still belongs to you,” David explains. “You can choose to share it. You can choose not to share it. But you do have a responsibility to ensure that you protect yourself and you protect the other person that you’re with. Whether you plan to be with them for a week, a night, or a lifetime, you still must protect yourself. The way to do that is to make sure that you have as much education in your tool belt that you can be able to share with somebody else. So, when they leave you, for whatever reason, they’re more educated just by meeting you—not hooking up with you, not being in a relationship. Whenever they come into somebody else’s presence, they can give that education to somebody else.”

When David disclosed his status publicly for the first time at a conference, after he already told Johnny, they both realized their stories could actually help others, and they certainly answered the call. “I told him this from the beginning,” explains Johnny.“I was like, ‘I want people not only to see you living with HIV, but they need to see you live well.’They don’t need to just see you and say, ‘Oh, he looks healthy, he’s eating.’ No. They need to see you be a rockstar, because they need to see something that they’ve never seen before.”

Alternatively, they also understand that Johnny’s voice is equally as important as an HIV-negative person who is in a healthy longterm relationship with someone who is poz—a narrative we often don’t see in mainstream TV

and film. “I’m negative, he’s positive, we know what our regimen is, we know what the doctors have told us, and we know how we operate,” Johnny says.“It was like a revelation or an a-ha moment for me in that instance. I also told David, since we’ve never seen this before, since there is no template, my thing is, if we’re going to do anything, we’re going to do it fabulous.”

Currently, they’re in the process of piecing together a mini e-book, which will be a collection of quotables and small insights (or “David and Johnny-isms”) their fans will be able to download and use if ever they need a jumpstart of inspiration. However, their ultimate goal is to be the first gay Black male couple to host a talk show. And given their shared drive and passion for change, they might achieve that goal sooner than later. “I do believe there is a space for thought leaders and people that want to take themselves, their relationships to the next level,” Johnny says. “Us being men of color, by being open and vocal about who we are and what we do, I think it resonates with a lot of people.”

David Artavia is managing editor of Plus magazine, the HIV Plus Treatment Guide mobile app, and HIVPlusMag.com. This column is a project of Plus, Positively Aware, POZ, The Body, and Q Syndicate, the LGBTQ wire service. Visit their websites — HIVPlusMag.com, PositivelyAware.com, Poz.com and TheBody. com—for the latest updates on HIV/AIDS. (This article was previously published in Plus magazine and reprinted with permission.)

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for choosing wedding destinations, it seemed like a no brainer.

“And so, we said, Italy is a big country, where will we do it?” David explains. “I’d been to Venice, but he hadn’t. And so, I was like, ‘I would really enjoy being in Venice with you, and if we could make our wedding happen, I think you would be blown away.’”

The couple started the planning immediately. Porter also sang at the intimate ceremony, which was performed in the music hall of the Ca’ Sagredo Hotel Campo Santa Sofia. And the private setting was intentional on their part.

“When we talked about the kind of money we were investing,” Johnny explains, “we said we don’t want to invest all of this money for people to come and just spectate. We want people [there] who are going to be rooting and cheering for us. [In Italy], they already invested to get themselves there, so I know they weren’t there to spectate. If there’s one attribute defining David and Johnny’s relationship, it’s authenticity. Checking in to make sure they’re both good and being honest about their feelings will always be top priority. Without a doubt, David and Johnny’s love has grown stronger over the years as they continue breaking down their inner walls. For countless fans, many of whom are living with HIV, their story is one of triumph and trust. The fact that their experience as a serodiscordant couple is highly needed in this age of misinformation has not passed them by. But also, they’re fully aware that for anyone to fight stigma within a relationship, they must equip themselves with knowledge.

“I can understand that there are a lot of people who don’t have the education [about HIV] because I didn’t either,” Johnny says.

“David didn’t know that he was the main reason I was comfortable being in that moment with him the first night he told me [his status], because he was calm. If he would’ve came to me freaking out and all over the place, I probably would’ve naturally reacted and been as freaked out as he was. But he was very calm. He had a conversation with me... People are not dumb.

They know what’s going on. And you can tell if somebody’s kind of rushing things along… that doesn’t make somebody who’s unsure be okay.”

He advises to anyone choosing to disclose their status to their lover, “The person that’s sharing the information, they really are the gauge on that thermometer, because how they deliver it is probably how they’re going to get a response.”

CLEANSE, STRENGTHEN AND HEAL YOUR SKIN TEN NOURISHING MASKS FOR YOUR FACE

BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES

BLUE LAGOON SILICA MUD MASK Shop-usa.bluelagoon.com $103/3.4 fl. Oz It’s no secret that Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is one of the wonders of the (new) world, where the geothermal seawater creates a spa adventure to end all spa adventures. It’s now possible to order masks from The Blue Lagoon to use at home. The Silica Mud Mask is composed of the Blue Lagoon’s iconic“white wonder mud”known to deep cleanse and strengthen your skin while reducing the visibility of pores. Apply, close your eyes, and imagine you’re floating in the mysterious and healing waters.

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LET’S FACE IT, 2020 HAS BEEN QUITE THE YEAR ALREADY, and everyone can use a little pampering before the leaves change colors and begin to fall. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been out in the sun all summer, or social distancing and hitting Zoom picnics and happy hours from the privacy of your own quarantine, you deserve some rest and a little indulgence. We ventured out (with a face mask, of course) and selected a variety of masks for you to try under that mask.

EARTH THERAPEUTICS HYALURONIC ACID PURE GEL UNDER EYES Ulta.com $5/1 pair Do your eyes need a little pick me up? Zero in on those pesky bags with Earth Therapeutics Pure Gel Under Eyes, infused with hyaluronic acid to provide long lasting moisture while improving the skin’s firmness around the eyes. Want a more comprehensive experience? Earth Therapeutics also offers a Purifying Charcoal Gentle Peeling Foot Mask ($11.99) formulated with a natural wood charcoal and a safe effective blend of Alpha Hydroxy Ac Acids to deep lean, deodorize, and gently exfoliate rough dry skin.

That’s two great masks for under $20. Let your skin look and feel smoother than ever.

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ENVIRON YOUTH + TRI BIOBOTANICAL REVIVAL MASQUE Dermaconcepts.com $81 Environ Youth + Tri BioBotanical Revival Masque, formulated as a luxurious, rich moisturizing masque to target the signs of aging. Help pump up your skin for Zooms, IG selfies, and #nofilter with this blend of lactic acid, Asiatic Acid, and Mandelic Acid that can be applied for 10-20 minutes or left on all night to give your skin a smoother, younger look by the time the sun comes up. Environ Skin Care was created by Dr. Des Fernandes, the first person to introduce high effective doses of vitamin A in cosmetic products worldwide.

Eufora.net $29/6 Fl. Oz. Don’t leave your scalp out of spa day! Eufora HERO for Men is a conditioning treatment that will help soothe irritation, itching, and flaky scalp (who wants that?) Eufora HERO for Men is a gentle combination of Kaolin black clay and finely milled charcoal, which works together to exfoliate dry, flaky skin and provides an elevated concentration of mineral salts to soothe irritation. Eufora products are 98% vegan, planet friendly, and sustainable.

IS CLINICAL HYDRA-INTENSIVE COOLING MASQUE

BODY

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EUFORA HERO FOR MEN

Edcskincare.com $85/4Oz. iS Clinical Hydra-Intensive Cooling Masque is a luxurious cooling treatment designed to reinvigorate and refresh the skin while providing soothing hydration. Let your skin feel completely renewed with the perfect blend of aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Japanese green tea extract, hyaluronic acid, and resveratrol. Use after a long day out in the sun to soothe any redness, dehydration, or visible inflammation.

LAB SERIES URBAN BLUE DETOX CLAY MASK Labseries.com $34/3.4 Oz. Lab Series, known as one of the original, men’s only skincare brands, has offered high-performance skincare since 1987.

Their Urban Blue Detox Clay Mask is a powerful, purifying blend of clays, charcoal, and effective ingredients (including blue agave, caffeine, iron oxides) that decongest and unclog pores while removing the extra surface oil from the skin. Formulated for all skin types, this mask will allow you to live your Blue Man Group fantasy 1-2 times a week for 5-10 minutes with each application.

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PAULA’S CHOICE SUPER HYDRATE OVERNIGHT MASK paulaschoice.com $34/3 Oz. Paula’s Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask uses soothing plant extracts and a sensitivity-inhibiting peptide to work on your skin while you count sheep and drift off into a blissful slumber. Key ingredients: reishi mushroom and cloudberry work harmoniously to calm redness while shea butter and glycerin move in tandem to lock hydration beneath the surface.

Want to hit reset and wake up feeling awake, alert, and healthier than the night before? This mask is for you.

PROACTIV AMAZONIAN CLAY MASK Proactiv.com $38 Kaolin, Amazonian clay, and bentonite lead a va variety of powerful ingredients including shea but butter, avocado oil, and virgin cucumber in Proactiv’s Amazonian Clay Mask. No need for facial tweezers as this clay mask works like a magnet to draw out dirt, oil, and pore clogging impurities while banish banishing dead skin cells from every pore that’s in its way.

This mask will purify, restore, and nourish to leave your skin feeling supple and glowing.

SNOW FOX SKIN CARE HOT STONE FACIAL MASK snowfoxskincare.com $45/5 masks Snow Fox Skincare’s Hot Stone Facial Mask has created the world’s first hot stone facial, in a sheet mask. Inspired by Ayurvedic origins, this self-warming, intensive brightening mask will help to minimize the appearance of large pores while helping to brighten the skin. Key ingredients include blue Egyptian lotus, niacinamide, copper tripeptide, and potassium azeloyl diglycinate (PAD).

WONDERGLOSS PUMPKIN LATTE PEEL MASQUE Wondergloss.com $50 Is pumpkin spice season here already? It never ended, darlings. Wondergloss has captured the spirit of fall comfort in this wonderful pumpkin/coffee mask.

This mask works to exfoliate while moisturizing and rejuvenating the skin to give it a soft, smooth finish. Pumpkin is a superfood for the skin, of course, and this masque doesn’t just feel amazing while it’s working its magic, but it also smells just as incredible. Who says it’s too soon for pumpkins? There’s nothing basic about taking care of the skin you’re in.

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THE GREAT OUTDOORS NATIONAL PARKS TO PUT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST

BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES

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ACADIA NATIONAL PARK MAINE Considered the “crown jewel of the North Atlantic Coast,” Acadia National Park is home to some of the most gorgeous landscapes of the Eastern Seaboard. The park itself features over 47,000 acres with 158 miles of hiking trails. Roughly 3.5 million visitors make the trek to Acadia each year, and while many will be social distancing this year, there’s plenty to see and do in the park. Some of the most popular hiking trails in Acadia National Park include Champlain Mountain and Beehive Loop Trail, Bubble Rock, Gorham Mountain Trail, and the Great Head Trail. If you’re looking for a hike with a view, plan on exploring the Cadillac Summit trail, offering views of Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay, and the islands. Go back in time by taking a horsedrawn carriage ride (Victorian gowns are optional) through the park, offered from May through October. There are 45 miles of car-free roads that will lead you through some of the best parts of the park. After your carriage ride, plan on stopping at the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, marking the entrance to Bass Harbor on the southwestern side of Mount Desert Island.

This lighthouse, constructed in the 1800’s, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and belongs to the U.S. Coast Guard. Looking for a place to propose? Look no further. Think of the Instagram photos!

THIS PAGE: PHOTOS BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

A DAY TRIP OR WEEKEND EXCURSION TO ONE OF THE MANY NATIONAL PARKS can be just the remedy for anxiety or that stir craziness you might be feeling for much of this past year. The National Park System features 419 national park sites across the United States. Founded in 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the “Organic Act” creating the National Park Service, the federal bureau in the Department of the Interior has expanded across over 85 million acres in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and US territories.

Key details and local information about all 419 national park sites can be found on their website at www.nps.gov. The National Park Service is committed to telling all Americans’ stories and in addition to their own rich history many of the parks have their own unique LGBTQIA+ heritage and history. Stonewall National Monument, located in Greenwich Village, New York City, for instance, became a National Park in 2016. We went through the expansive list of stunning and notable parks and chose five to add to your bucket list for whenever you are ready and able to head out into the great outdoors.

THIS PAGE: (ABOVE) PHOTO BY NEAL HERBERT • (BELOW) PHOTO BY JACOB W. FRANK

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK UTAH Arches National Park, located in Moab, Utah, boasts over 2,000 natural stone arches within the park’s 76,518 acres of land, in addition to its soaring pinnacles, enormous rocks, and other red-rock marvels. The park is just five miles north of Moab, and it’s easy to bike, drive, or hike through the park. Some of the best hikes in the park include treks to Balanced Rock, Landscape Arch, and Fiery Furnace. Definitely plan a stop at The Delicate Arch, one of the most famous natural sandstone arches in the world. On the fence about taking the extra hike? Once you stop and take in the view, you too will know that it’s well worth the extra steps. Be sure to stop at Arches Visitor Center before to check in with the rangers, get the lay of the land, and get insight into optimal hiking trails, ranger programs before exploring the park. If you have a little extra time to spare, the park’s film“Window in Time”plays every half hour inside the visitor center.

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK COLORADO

THIS PAGE: PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Want to stand at the top of the world? Rocky Mountain National Park, located in northern Colorado, spreads across 415 square miles of land, with sweeping peaks and epic valleys, offers over 300 miles of hiking trails, wildlife. Infamous for the Trail Ridge Road (don’t look down if you’re afraid of heights) and Old Fall River Road, the park spans the Continental Divide. As beautiful as it is to drive through the winding roads up and down mountains through the park it’s best to get out and venture through the pine and spruce forests, get up close and personal with the alpine lakes, smell the wildflowers, and take in the stillness of nature all around you. Looking for a great trail? Opt for Mt. Ida, Chasm Lake, Bear Lake to Fern Lake, or Emerald Lake Trail (which takes you into the Tyndall Gorge). There are a few visitors’ centers in Rocky Mountain National Park, but Beaver Meadows is one of the best. The rangers are fun, knowledgeable, and armed with plenty of solid advice regarding where to go and what to see. Also, if you need to pick up any last-minute equipment, they’ve got you covered. The Moraine Park Museum and Amphitheater, housed in an early 1900’s log cabin, is insightful and features well curated exhibits for visitors to the park. Need a place to stay? The Stanley Hotel, a luxurious and historic property that moonlighted as the backdrop for The Shining, is nearby.

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THIS PAGE: (ABOVE) PHOTO BY JACOB W. FRANK • (BELOW) PHOTO BY JIM PEACO

YELLOWSTONE IDAHO, MONTANA, & WYOMING While you don’t want to jump into one of Yellowstone’s hydrothermal pools, they sure do make for good social media posts. Yellowstone itself became the first national park for visitors to take in hydrothermal and geological wonders. Old Faithful, first “discovered” in 1870 by the Washburn Expedition, is the park’s most popular attraction. Eruptions, which last from between 1.5-5 minutes, vary with bursts of roughly 100-180 feet into the air. Geological attractions in the park include hot springs, mud pots, fumaroles, and over a thousand geysers. Take a stroll through the Norris Geyser Basin and you’ll be walking through one of the world’s largest active volcanoes with hot springs registering at over 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep your camera out to take in a myriad of bold and bright colored water including yellow, dark red, and emerald green. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, roughly twenty miles long, dips down 1,200 feet. The Canyon Visitor Center is a great place to learn about the geology of Yellowstone. The Quarry Visitor Center, closer to Jensen, Utah, has an enormous Stegosaurus statue that was part of the 1964 World’s Fair. Head inside to take in the Quarry Exhibit Hall for an up close and personal look at their famous wall of dinosaur bones.

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Yosemite National Park, first protected back in 1864, is a marvelous park known for waterfalls, valleys, grand meadows, giant sequoias, and 1,200 square miles of wilderness. If sequoias are high on your list, head to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, home to over 500 mature giant sequoias. Recently closed for a largescale restoration project, the grove reopened in the summer of 2018. Hike the Big Trees Loop, Grizzly Giant, or Guardians Loop Trail through the spectacular trees and feel re-energized by their beauty and stature. Looking for waterfalls?

Yosemite Valley is the place to go. Drive to the 7.5mile glacial valley and take the cliffs and myriad of waterfalls including Sentinel Falls, Ribbon Fall, Horsetail Fall, Bridalveil Fall, Nevada Fall, Vernal Fall, and others. While you’re there be sure to check out the picturesque Mirror Lake and majestic El Capitan rock formation. If you’re an experienced hiker, Yosemite’s Half Dome Cables Route is a must. These 14 to 16 miles are strenuous and not for the faint of heart. Are you up for the challenge? Plan ahead - only 300 hikers are allowed to head up Half Dome each day.

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THIS PAGE: (ABOVE) PHOTO BY GRETCHEN ROECKER • (BELOW) PHOTO BY TOBE ROBERTS VIA PEXELS

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4-STAR TASTING EXPERIENCE

LAUNCHED ON BASTILLE DAY (7/14), FRANCOPHILES CAN CELEBRATE LE QUATORZE JUILLET IN TRUE PARISIENNE STYLE. To help you join in on France’s

most festive fête from the comfort of your home, beloved French liqueur brand St-Germain and NYC-based Gastronome Catering have teamed up to design an exclusive gourmet tasting kit, Menu du Quatorze Juillet.

While New Yorkers have started slowly venturing out, the vast majormajor ity have realized the truth of the matter - apartment dining will not be going away any time soon. But preparing a meal for two doesn’t have to be a laborious chore. In fact, quite the opposite. This deluxe tasting kit – created by St-Germain and Gastronome whose high-profile clientele includes Fendi, Alice & Olivia, One King’s Lane, Tribeca Film Festival and Mark Cross to name a few – offers a 4-star tasting experience in the comfort of your home.

Available for purchase through August 14th, the kit will be equipped with everything you need to enjoy an elevated evening – including a Drizly code for the ingredients to make a St-Germain Spritz cocktail, paired with a Parisian-inspired tasting menu from award-winning Chef Alex Ureña. For almost 30 years Chef Ureña has been delighting discerning diners in some of New York City’s finest restaurants. He has entranced them with his elaborate menus from around the world. A true journeyman Chef Ureña has perfected his craft in kitchens from France to Spain, from The Bahamas to Washington DC. This collaboration is an extension of the St-Germain Moment du Jour social initiative that aims to inspire creativity, elevate daily rituals and design special moments in people’s daily lives at this time.

St-Germain x Gastronome Catering - Menu du Quatorze Juillet Gourmet Tasting Kit (*light assembly required - including plating & heating) is available for orders through August 14th for $250 in NYC only. Visit h ttps://gastronomecatering.com/shop.

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Chef Alex Ureña

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Roaste

MENU DU QUATORZE JUILLET 4 COURSE PRIX FIXE MENU (for 2 guests) Uni and Caviar Salmon Roe, Miso Butter, White Toast Peekytoe Crab Salad Avocado, Tobiko Vinaigrette, Baby Greens Roasted Chicken Oyster Mushroom, Spinach & Parmesan Puree, Chicken Jus Pamplemousse Custard Mixed Berries, Vanilla Sauce *All menu items can be made Vegan and/or Gluten Free. Menu alternatives available upon request St-Germain Spritz 2 parts Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut Champagne 1½ parts St-Germain French elderflower liqueur 2 parts sparkling Water

PAGE 52 & 53 IMAGES COURTESY OF GASTRONOME CATERING AND ST-GERMAIN

*Kit includes a carafe, two glasses and stir rods to mix up the Spritz at home. *St~Germain (1 375ml bottle) & Moët (2 187ml splits) to be purchased separately through https:// drizly.com . Use code STGERMAINSPRITZ at check out to receive free delivery.

ritz

St-Germain Sp Peekytoe Cr ab Salad

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Elsewhere Rooftop Bar is now open for a new summer experience. Elsewhere Rooftop is a large seasonal outdoor bar and events space nested at the top of Elsewhere at 599 Johnson Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.

On offer, the summer menu includes craft beer, signature frozen drinks, rosé, elderflower wine, and much more!

The new experience will encompass seated service only; intimate table capacity; walk-up, on first come first serve basis (reservations are not currently available or required); contactless ordering and payment; and music provided by a curated playlist.

Before planning your trip to Elsewhere Rooftop, please review their strict COVID-19 health precautions for entry and service, and learn more about what to expect from the experience. You can also book a private rental for group sizes under 50. The Rooftop is currently open Thursday 6pm to 11pm, Saturday 2pm to 11pm, and Sunday 2pm to 10pm. Visit https://www.elsewherebrooklyn.com/rooftop/ for more information and updates.

MARIE’S CRISIS IS STILL SINGING Missing the in-person sing-alongs at famed West Village piano bar Marie’s Crisis? Well, you don’t have to miss the fun, as the nightly virtual piano sing-alongs are going strong nightly on Facebook in Marie’s Group. Enjoy the same fun show tunes and witty banter that you would expect from this iconic piano bar, and best of all, you won’t have to wait in line.

Marie’s Crisis Cafe is a staple in New York City since the 1850’s when it was used as a den for prostitution and was also the building where Thomas Payne died (the writer of Common Sense in 1776). This history can still be seen in the fabulous French revolution themed mirror which frames the back of the bar. Unique in many ways, Marie’s Crisis is always a joy for visitors and local alike. Visit the group online at https://www.facebook.com/ groups/120608734673633/ and join in the fun!

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THIS PAGE: (ABOVE) IMAGE COURTESY OF ELSEWHERE ROFTOP BAR • (BELOW) MARIES CRISIS PHOTO BY MARIANNE C

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ELSEWHERE ROOFTOP NEW EXPERIENCE

THIS PAGE: (ABOVE) IMAGE COURTESY OF RIZZOLI FLATIRON DISTRICT • (BELOW) DAI EXTERIOR PHOTOBY BILL JACOBSON

RIZZOLI BOOKSTORE NOW OPEN Rizzoli Bookstore re-opened to the public on July 13th, just in time to celebrate their fifth anniversary at their Flatiron District location located at 1133 Broadway, between 25th and 26th Streets, in New York City.

After relocating their US flagship store, Rizzoli has continued to carry on the proud tradition of more than half a century of Rizzoli in New York City, in creating the atmosphere of all the great previous Rizzoli stores in our town while giving this new edition a special vibe all its own. If you choose to visit in-store, there’s no need to fret about feeling crowded while you shop. Rizzoli has implemented all safety protocols following NYC government parameters, including the following: large sneeze guards have been installed at all registers; hand sanitizers are available throughout the store; staff and shoppers are required to wear masks; social distancing will be maintained; and the number of shoppers is limited to only 20 at a time in the 5,000 square feet store. New summer hours are 11:00am to 7:00pm, Monday through Saturday. They also offer direct shipping or curb-side pickup. Visit www.rizzolibookstore.com and indicate what you’d prefer to do at check out. Read and enjoy.

DIA BRIDGEHAMTON MUSEUM As the Long Island region has now entered New York State’s phase four of reopening, Dia Bridgehampton, at press time, is set to reopen to the public as of July 25, 2020, Saturday and Sunday 12:00pm-6:00pm. Dia has implemented enhanced cleaning protocols and visitor procedures due to COVID-19. Face coverings are required for staff and visitors and capacity inside the building is limited to eight people at a time. Admission is free.

Established by Dia Art Foundation in 1983, Dia Bridgehampton was designed by Dan Flavin to permanently house an installation of his work alongside a program of temporary exhibitions. With Dia’s support, Flavin renovated this turn-of-the-century Shingle-style firehouse, then church, converting its vestibule and second floor into a permanent display of his signature works in fluorescent light.

Today, Dia continues to maintain Flavin’s permanent installation of nine works in fluorescent light, the Dan Flavin Art Institute, and to present yearly exhibitions by artists primarily residing or working on Long Island in the first-floor gallery. Dia Bridgehampton is located at 23 Corwith Avenue, Bridgehampton, NY. Visit www. diaart.org for more information.

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SOMEWHERE THAT’S GREEN

CITY FOLK IN SEARCH OF A MUCH-NEEDED RESET MAY BE SURPRISED TO FIND SOLACE JUST A SHORT DRIVE AWAY

NEW YORK

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BY MEGAN VENZIN

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RAIN REALLY SETS THE MOOD. IN NEW YORK STATE’S BUCOLIC CATSKILLS, A FAST-MOVING THUNDERSTORM REGISTERS LIKE A SYMPHONY FOR THE SENSES. There’s

something downright rejuvenating about the pitter-patter of droplets, splashing upon rooftops and against windowpanes. Paired with the fresh scent of crisp air and the rumble of thunder over verdant hills… why, it’s enough to make a city slicker cry.

At Urban Cowboy Lodge in Big Indian, NY, a deluge like this is an event to behold. And speaking from experience, it’s perhaps best enjoyed inside a hot, clawfoot bathtub, with a Paloma in hand and the drapes on the forest-facing window drawn wide open.

Boasting all the comforts of a boutique hotel with inspired designs that scream “gilded age Americana,” Urban Cowboy Lodge is among the newest offerings from self-proclaimed “accidental hoteliers”Lyon Porter and his partner, Jersey Banks.

“I always tell people our greatest amenity is the fact that we don’t have cell service,” Porter says enthusiastically. “When I come to the Catskills, it’s because I don’t want to be in a city. I want to be able to see The Milky Way.” And guests can, on a clear night, from almost any point on Urban Cowboy Lodge’s vast 68-acre lot.

The mountain getaway opened in February, mere weeks before the state imposed strict lockdown measures. Now, as New Yorkers begin to reemerge from their apartments, the adventurous ones are flocking north to explore parts of their breathtaking state that frankly may have gone undiscovered under other circumstances.

The Catskills are a prime destination for anyone who feels at home in the great outdoors. Hiking paths are plentiful in Phoenicia and nearby West Kill, where a short hike through Diamond Notch leads to a clearing with a picturesque waterfall. Fly fishing is a popular pastime; men in waders pepper the winding creeks and streams that split the land.

During winter months, skiers conquer sought after slopes. And any time of year, the Catskills are a suds lover’s paradise, with haunts like Woodstock Brewery, Hunter Mountain Brewery, West Kill Brewing and Kingston Standard Brewing Co. slinging chilled mugs of craft beer in even chiller settings.

But indulging in a fresh Roberta’s pizza from the wood-fired oven on Urban Cowboy’s sprawling deck or sipping a glass of pinot noir in one of their cedar soaking tubs rivals any of the aforementioned activities. With a reservoir for swimming on-site, and so many other nooks to explore, one doesn’t even have to leave the premises to get a true taste of the scenic region.

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NY TRAVEL NEW YORK

VISIT URBAN COWBOY: Urban Cowboy Lodge | Catskills Open Thursday - Sunday 37 Alpine Rd., Big Indian, NY 12410 catskills@urbancowboy.com Urban Cowboy | Brooklyn Reopening date TBD 111 Powers St., Brooklyn, NY 11211 brooklyn@urbancowboy.com Urban Cowboy | Nashville 1603 Woodland St. Nashville, TN 37206 nashville@urbancowboy.com

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PAGE 56-59: PHOTOS BY BEN FITCHETT

“The entire concept of the lodge is based on elemental experiences,” Porter explains. Whether sitting in the tree-lined field or lounging on the expertly crafted wooden porches (a perk of every room!), the sound of water from the nearby river can be heard rushing in the distance. At night, a bonfire brings people from different walks of life together under the starry sky. In those moments, Urban Cowboy’s slogan,“Come as strangers, leave as friends”is metaphorically illuminated in the flames that cast dancing shadows across happy faces.

“I was in love at first sight,” Porter shares of his initial visit to the property. “It had these amazing bones and had been run by the same family for years. Well, we kept all the bones, because we always learn from the past. And design wise, we’ve given it a full upgrade.”

The interiors of each room tell a little bit about the designer’s former years. In this case, the man behind the rustic, earthy scheme is Porter himself.

While playing professional hockey, the charming athlete lived for a stint in the Adirondack Mountains.

Entranced by the look of “wild, bending branches” and the same beauty that brought loggers to the region in droves for decades upon decades before him, Porter began to infuse those aesthetics into his projects, starting with the original, which opened in 2014, and sits at 111 Powers Street in Williamsburg.

“I built an Adirondack-style cabin in the backroom of the first Urban Cowboy in Brooklyn, and it’s come full circle with the Catskills,”Porter says with a satisfied smile.

With 28 rooms located in five stand-alone buildings, Urban Cowboy Lodge is social distancefriendly by nature. Though that wasn’t the original intention, it certainly fits the vibe for 2020. And boy does it manage to scratch the itches so many of us feel after months hulled up in comparatively cramped spaces.

“I love New York... it is my heart. But the most nature-deprived people in the Western Hemisphere might just be New Yorkers,”Porter says before letting out a laugh. “We wanted to create a natural retreat without being dogmatic about it. We tell our guests, if you want to go on an epic hike, go for it. If you want to take a swim in the river, please do. If you’d rather lay in bed all day with a bottle of wine, great!”

Completely ensconced in the wilderness, Porter and Banks have birthed their dream of a hideaway that’s void of light pollution and the soundtrack that so often accommodates metropolitan life.

It’s as refreshing as the freshly drawn bath itself.

And after a weekend away in this whimsical refuge, we feel it’s safe to say the rhythm of a mountainside rainstorm is like therapy, even to ears who love the honking horns and wailing sirens that define a life of city dwelling.

■

Lyon and Jersey

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

59

NY HOTSHOPS NEW YORK

AN ALTERNATIVE ESCAPE PLAN

AS NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY NATIVES STAY CLOSE TO HOME THIS SEASON, A PAIR OF INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES ARE KEEPING THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE ALIVE

BY MEGAN VENZIN

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

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THE CLEVER APHORIST MASON COOLEY ONCE SAID, “READING GIVES US SOMEPLACE TO GO WHEN WE HAVE TO STAY WHERE WE ARE.” With beach

access limited, sporting events postponed, and all but essential travel discouraged for the time being, books have provided a sweet respite for Americans pondering how to spend their summer.

However, minds are already “on vacation” in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and downtown Jersey City, where WORD Bookstores haven’t stopped slinging hard and paperback editions of rare and in-demand titles.

Helmed by husband and wife Co-Owners,Vincent and Christine Onorati, WORD Bookstores have always strived to build a community for their local literature lovers, even amid state mandated lockdowns.

“We’ve been offering curbside pick-up the whole time,” Vincent says with pride. “We went directly to local politicians because we recognized we were a priority, especially with schools and libraries being closed.”

While a colorful children’s book section and an abundance of school supplies have made WORD a popular spot to buy gifts for baby showers and birthdays since opening in 2007 in Brooklyn and since 2013 across the Hudson, those are only two aspects of their vast collection.

“We are a community-focused bookstore, so our inventory tends to reflect the attitude and interests of our neighborhoods,” Vincent shares.

“We also have a diverse staff and customer base. We aim to highlight similar voices in what we carry, whether it be books by African American or LGBTQ+ authors.” In Jersey City, readers can expect to find a smattering of Indian romance novels too. A dedicated buyer curates the far-reaching shelves that Vincent says,“aren’t like anything you’ll find in an airport bookstore”.

PAGE 60-61: PHOTOS BY HUMBERTO CANTU PHOTOGRAPHY

Book signings and story time hours used to pepper WORD’s event calendars, but the owners realize certain store mainstays must evolve to fit “the new normal”. One thing that won’t change is their commitment to unparalleled customer service. “We’ve put a stronger focus on e-commerce and are learning how to replace that 20-minute conversation someone might have had with one of our employees in-store into something that can happen online,”Vincent explains.

While this year has presented some unique challenges, the Onoratis remain optimistic.“I think everyone appreciates small businesses even more now, and I hope that momentum carries over,” Vincent adds confidently. Now, when people seek an escape in the form of a new novel or work of nonfiction, they receive a personalized email or a phone call from a dedicated staff member, rather than the type of generic, automated response they might receive from a big box bookstore or online retailer.

For now, books on anti-racism, stationary kits and moderately priced “mystery box” care packages remain hot commodities. And whenever those trends begin to shift, Vincent and Christine will be ready to heed their customers’ calls, all while continuing to give back to their neighborhoods by hiring local and enlisting the help of other independent partners and wholesalers.

“Call us or send us an email about the types of books or authors you like, and we’ll pick something out ahead of time just for you,”Vincent offers.

“That’s the kind of passion our booksellers bring to work with them every day.” Both WORD Bookstore locations are currently processing orders Monday through Friday, with curbside pickup available. If the book you’re hunting for is out of stock, the staff at WORD Bookstores will do what they can to special order it just for you.

■

Amida Care is here for you, as always. When you’re ready, our free/low-cost Medicaid health insurance gives you access to: A large network of doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, dentists, and more Treatment and preventive care for a safe, healthy sex life, including PrEP and ARVs Health advocates to help you every step of the way Help with housing referrals, job training, and other support programs HEALTH. ADVOCACY. CARE.

www.AmidaCareNY.org

STANDING STRONG with you and for you.

Contact us for confidential answers: 1-855-GO-AMIDA (1-855-462-6432), TTY 711 Amida Care complies with Federal civil rights laws. Amida Care does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-556-0689, TTY 711. 注意：如果您使用繁體中文， 您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-800-556-0689, TTY 711.

Stock photo with models.

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61

ACCOUNTING – CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION

ACCOUNTING

Long & Associates

ALLERGIES

Dikman, Bernard L�, C�P�A� 37 W 20th St, Ste 703, NYC ������� 212 929-4299

Woloshen, Robert A� CPA 29 W 15th St, Ste 1 NYC������������������������������������ 212 843-3486 www�rawcpa�com

NYC��������������������������������������������212360-0394 www�landapllc�com

Aziz, Michael, M�D�, FRSM

Midtown Integrative Medicine 509 Madison Ave @ 53rd St, Ste 1111 NYC��������������������������������������������� 212906-9111 www�michaelazizmd�com

ARCHITECTURE

Parker | Waichman LLP 6 Harbor Park Dr� Nationwide �������������������������������� 800 JU ST-CALL www�yourlawyer�com

David Stern Architecture

Tesler, Richard, Esq� 41 W 72nd St NYC������������������������������������ 212 362-6961

Torre, Martin B� RA AIA

CATERING

Friends in Adoption

ATTORNEYS

NYC�������������������������������������������� 800982-3678 www�friendsinadoption�org

Bing, Steven E�

Li-Lac Chocolates West Village: 40 8th Ave, NYC Greenwich Village: 162 Bleecker St, NYC Grand Central: 43rd & Lexington, NYC Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave, NYC Industry City: 68 35th St, Brooklyn NYC��������������������������������������������212 924-2280 www�li-lacchocolates�com

ACUPUNCTURE

www�davidsternarchitecture�com

Acupuncture-NYC 80 Fifth Ave, Ste 906 NYC�������������������������������������������� 212874-0898 www�acupuncture-nyc�com

Architecture + Planning PLLC 605 E 14th St, #8 NYC��������������������������������������������� 646257-9081

ADOPTION SERVICES

276 5th Ave, Ste 1008 NYC��������������������������������������������� 212286-1666

AESTHETIC SERVICES Advanced Dermatology Associates 200 Central Park South #107 NYC ........................................... 212 262-2500 NYC ........................................... 212 246-0800 www.adv-derm.com

Paul Evans Catering

Chianese & Reilly Law, P�C�

122 E 42nd St, Ste 3900 NYC��������������������������������������������� 212953-6447 100 Merrick Rd, Ste 103E Rockville Centre, NY �������������������� 516 599-2020 www�awclawyer�com

Lexington Plastic Surgeons 113 E 39th St, NYC��������������������� 646 374-2410 www�try�lexingtonplasticsurgeons�com/ metrosource

Chou, Luna, Esq� NYC��������������������������������������������� 212226-2610 www�lunachoulaw�com

Goldman, Jeffrey E�, Esq

Sexual Health Men 290 Madison Ave 6th Fl NYC�������������������������������������������� 973493-7607 www�sexualhealthmen�com

501 Fifth Ave #1900 NYC��������������������������������������������� 212983-8999 NYC��������������������������������������������� 212949-5085 www�jgoldmanlaw�com

Stoller, Roy B�, D�O�

Law Offices of Thomas Sciacca, PLLC

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 METROSOURCE NY

METROSOURCE

SOMEWHERE THAT’S GREEN CITY FOLK IN SEARCH OF A MUCH-NEEDED RESET

BOB THE DRAG QUEEN

HOT SHOPS INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES KEEPING THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE ALIVE

AN EDUCATION IN LABELS, TERMS, AND IDEAS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT

KALEN REACTS TO LIFE CORNBREAD, ELLEN, AND A HAMMOCK NAMED SASHA

THE GREAT OUTDOORS NATIONAL PARKS TO PUT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST

CLOTHING Dave’s New York 581 Ave of the Americas, NYC Toll Free ��������������������������������������800 543-8558 www�davesnewyork�com

Jackson Boutique www�jacksonboutiquenyc�com

CONTRACTORS/CONSTRUCTION

515 Madison Ave, Ste 1205 NYC������������������������������������ 212 920-4499 www�hairdoctornyc�com

UNFOLLOWING THE RULES SINCE 1998

20 W 20th St NYC��������������������������������������������212321-1822 NYC��������������������������������������������212243-4494 www�paulevanscatering�com

30

YEARS

OF METROSOURCE

AN ALLY WITH AN ATTITUDE

MICHELLE VISAGE

44 Wall St, 12th Fl NYC��������������������������������������������� 212495-0317 www�sciaccalaw�com

ABS Design & Construction NYC��������������������������������������������212 731-0642 www�abs-construction-nyc�com

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COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY – DENTISTS

COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY Angers, Marc E�, M�A� Oxon, L�C�S�W�/L�P�

Schuetz, Volker, PsyD

1133 Broadway #913 NYC ...........................................212 470-9024 www.nychangemanagement.com

Licensed Psychoanalyst, NCPsyA NYC��������������������������������������������917678-7929

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Barneson, Jeff, LCSW

Schwartz, Alan, M�D�, Psychiatrist

Blatter, Andrew, LCSW

51 Fifth Ave NYC��������������������������������������������212645-5795 http://therapists�psychologytoday�com/rms/33692

119 Washington Place NYC��������������������������������������������212252-2314 www�jeffbarneson�com NYC ...........................................917 442-5213 www.andrewblatter.com (SEE AD THIS PAGE)

Bloom Psychotherapy NYC

West Village/Chelsea NYC��������������������������������������������212727-0923

Tallent, Marc, Ph�D�

COUNSELING/SUBURBAN

19 W 34th St, PH NYC��������������������������������������������347921-0431 www�nycbloomtherapy�com

Kingan, Peter L�, Ph�D�

Campbell, Robert D�, LCSW Psychotherapy for Individuals & Couples NYC������������������������������������646 783-8155 www�robertdcampbell�com

DATING SERVICES

Davies, Ann Conant, M�S�W�, L�C�S�W�

740 West End Ave, Ste 1 Cell ���������������������������������������������917 923-2257

Dicker, Phyllis D�, L�C�S�W�, A�C�S�W�, B�C�D�

NYC��������������������������������������������718855-5171

Factor, Rhonda J�, PhD

31 Oak St Patchogue, NY ����������������������������631 447-6425

SEE ALSO INTRODUCTION SERVICES

ManMate

NYC��������������������������������������������212564-4025 www�manmate�com

ManMate Dinners For 8

NYC��������������������������������������������212564-4025 www�manmate�com

Wheaton, Grant

Dating Coach NYC��������������������������������������������212564-4025

85 5th Ave, Ste 912 NYC��������������������������������������������347 834-6057 www�rhondafactorphd�com

DENTISTS

Jarratt, Kent, L�C�S�W�

525 West End Ave #1G, NYC ���������212 874-2880 www�manhattanoasisdentistry�com

Johnson, Thomas E�, L�C�S�W�

West 10th Dental P�C� 45 W 10th St NYC��������������������������������������������212982-5883 www�west10thdental�com

19 W 34th St, NYC ������� 212 947-7111, ext 119 Oceanport, NJ �����������������������������917 686-6179 www�kentjarratt�com Chelsea���������������������������������������212645-3952

Kingan, Peter L�, Ph�D�

99 University Pl, 4th Fl NYC ������������������������������������������������917 428-2431

Koetting, Michael E�, L�C�S�W�

NYC��������������������������������������������212 741-2606 www�koettingpsychotherapy�com

McFadden, Stephen, LCSW SEP

435 W 23rd St NYC��������������������������������������������212627-8419 www�smcfadden�com

Nelson, Joshua, Ph�D� 71 W 23rd St, Ste 1115 NYC������������������������������������646 512-0043 www�jnelsonphd�com Rayhill, Daniel, Ph�D� 276 Fifth Ave #1101

NYC��������������������������������������������212 683-2454

Ross, Steven, LSCW

Union Square ������������������������������917 406-7900 www�stevenrosstherapy�com

Babushkin, Howard, D�D�S�, L�L�C�

Cassidy, J�R�, D�D�S�

NYC��������������������������������������������212 982-5883 www�west10thdental�com

West 10th Dental P�C� 45 W 10th St NYC��������������������������������������������212982-5883 www�west10thdental�com

De Bonis, William B�, D�D�S�

World Wide Plaza Dental Associates 370 W 50th St NYC��������������������������������������������212333-2650 www�wwpdental�com

Lew, Spencer, D�D�S�

30 E 40th St #706 NYC��������������������������������������������212286-1717 www�nycdental�com

LuxDen Dental Center

DENTISTS/PERIODONTISTS Bizzell, Steven J�, D�M�D�, D�A�B�P� 50-02 5th St Ste B, Long Island City ��������������������������718 530-6539 www�licdentalassociates�com

OMNI Aesthetic MD

2579 E 17th St, Ste 11 Brooklyn �������������������������������������718 382-3444 www�luxden�com

Eviatar, Joseph, M�D�, F�A�C�S� 5 W 19th St NYC��������������������������������������������212 257-0007 www�omniaestheticmd�com

Rosa, John D�, D�D�S�, P�C� 40 Newport Parkway, Ste P-1 Jersey City, NJ ��������������������� 201 626-2700

DENTISTS/SUBURBAN

Sengos, Demetrios, D�D�S�

Rosa, John D�, D�D�S�, P�C� 40 Newport Parkway, Ste P-1 Jersey City, NJ ���������������������201 626-2700

West 10th Dental P�C� 45 W 10th St

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

63

DERMATOLOGY – HOTELS

DERMATOLOGY SEE ALSO PHYSICIANS

Advanced Dermatology Associates

200 Central Park South #107 NYC ...........................................212 262-2500 NYC ...........................................212 246-0800 www.adv-derm.com

(SEE AD IN THIS ISSUE)

Arora, Navin, DO, FAAD

Arora Dermatology 115 Broadway, Ste 1800 NYC��������������������������������������������212 244-1252 www�aroraderm�com

Goldman, Barry D�, M�D�

The Riverside Church 490 Riverside Dr� NYC��������������������������������������������212 870-6762 www�trcnyc�com Yachts for All Seasons NYC��������������������������������������������212 534-6380 Cell ���������������������������������������������917 864-7670 www�y4as�com

EVENT SERVICES Big Apple Event Audio Visual 519 8th Ave, Ste 815 NYC�������������������������������������212 518-3175 www�avnycrentals�com

150 Broadway #111 NYC��������������������������������������������212 962-1115

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Juva Skin & Laser Center

Lance R� Kash, Financial Advisor, CFP® 122 E 42nd St #2215 NYC ����������� 646 964-9400

60 E 56th St #2 NYC������������������������������������������� 212 421-9501 www�juvaskin�com

Lumos Dermatology

Peter Chien, MD, PhD 37 E 28th St, Ste 304 NYC��������������������������������������������646 820-1716 www�lumosdermatology�com

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M�D�, F�A�C�S� 5 W 19th St NYC��������������������������������������������212 257-0007 www�omniaestheticmd�com

Ameriprise Financial Services

Law Offices of Thomas Sciacca, PLLC

44 Wall St, 12th Fl, NYC �������������212 495-0317 www�sciaccalaw�com

New York Life/NYLIFE Securities

Marlon J� Altoe 420 Lexington Ave, 15th Fl NYC������������������������������������������� 646 227-8605 Cell �������������������������������������������� 646 761-4372 www�newyorklife�com/agent/maltoe Peloso-Barnes, Julia A�, CFP, CPM, CRPC Purchase, NY ������������������������������914 225-6391 www�advisor�morganstanley�com/the-pelosobarnes-group

EMPLOYMENT Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)

700 E Temple St, B-38 LA�����������������������������������������������866444-L APD www�joinlapd�com

EVENT PLANNING & EVENT SPACE/RENTALS SEE ALSO CATERING, WEDDING SERVICES

Elite Private Yachts NYC��������������������������������������������866 862-7245 www�eliteprivateyachts�com www�entertainmentcruises�com/new-york Hornblower Cruises & Events Pier 40, NYC �������������������������������646 832-2805 www�hornblowerny�com/metrosource Houston Hall 222 W� Houston St NYC������������������������������������������� 212 582-2057 Patina Events - Brooklyn Botanic Garden Brooklyn �������������������������������������718 307-7133 www�patinaevents�com AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

Chelsea Pines Inn

317 W 14th St NYC��������������������������������������������212 929-1023

Colonial House Inn

318 W 22nd St NYC��������������������������������������������212 243-9669

Incentra Village House

32 8th Ave @ W 12th St NYC��������������������������������������������212206-0007 www�incentravillage�com

MisterBandB

www�misterbandb�com

HAIR REMOVAL Advanced Dermatology Associates 200 Central Park South #107 NYC������������������������������������ 212 262-2500 NYC������������������������������������212 246-0800 www�adv-derm�com Brisk N Posh 132 Crosby St, Ste 8E NYC ...........................................212 433-4477 www.brisknposh.com (SEE AD THIS ISSUE)

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M�D�, F�A�C�S� 5 W 19th St NYC��������������������������������������������212257-0007 www�omniaestheticmd�com

HAIR REPLACEMENT/REPLICATION

1700 Stadium Way LA�����������������������������������������������213847-L AFD www�joinlafd�org

64

GUEST HOUSES/B&B’S

METROSOURCE.COM

FITNESS/GYMS/PERSONAL TRAINERS Mercedes Club

550 W 54th St NYC��������������������������������������������212265-1111 www�themercedesclub�com

FLORISTS la Fleur d’Harlem

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M�D�, F�A�C�S� 5 W 19th St NYC��������������������������������������������212257-0007 www�omniaestheticmd�com

Stoller, Roy B�, D�O� 515 Madison Ave, Ste 1205 NYC������������������������������������212 920-4499 www�hairdoctornyc�com

203 W 144th St NYC �������������������������������������������646 850-5973 www�lafleurnyc�com

HOTELS

FRAMING

The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

14th Street Framing Gallery

225 W 14th St NYC��������������������������������������������212691-8156

GIFTS Li-Lac Chocolates West Village: 40 8th Ave, NYC Greenwich Village: 162 Bleecker St, NYC Grand Central: 43rd & Lexington, NYC Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave, NYC Industry City: 68 35th St, Brooklyn NYC��������������������������������������������212 924-2280 www�li-lacchocolates�com

Atlantic City, NJ ��������������������������609 317-1000 www�outatborgata�com

Foxwoods Resort & Casino

www�foxwoods�com

The Graham & Co

Phoenicia, NY �����������������������������845 688-7871 www�thegrahamandco�com

Holiday Inn Manhattan 6th Ave - Chelsea

125 W 26th St NYC��������������������������������������������212430-8500 www�hi-nyc�com

HOTELS (CONTINUED) – PHYSICAL THERAPY Hotel Hayden 127 W 28th St NYC��������������������������������������������844 423-6004 www�hotelhaydennyc�com

Hotel Henri

LIPOSUCTION

PET SUPPLIES

Marfuggi, Richard M�D�, D�M�H, F�A�C�S�

Nulo Pet Foods

50 E 69th St, NYC����������������������� 212 317-1188 Denville, NJ ��������������������������������� 973 377-8950 www�askdrm�com

37 W 24th St NYC��������������������������������������������844 277-9123 www�hotelhenrinyc�com

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Opus Hotel Vancouver

MARKETING SERVICES

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

Sandman Suites on Davie 1160 Davie St Vancouver, BC Canada ���������������������������������������604 681-7263 www�sandmanhotels�com

Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel 1088 Burrard St Vancouver, BC Canada ���������������������������������������604 331-1000 www�sheratonvancouver�com

Sunset Marquis

Eviatar, Joseph, M�D�, F�A�C�S� 5 W 19th St, NYC ����������������������� 212 257-0007 www�omniaestheticmd�com

Brand2Fly

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

GayVan�com Travel Marketing www�gayvan�com

OPHTHALMOLOGISTS Coad, Christopher T�, M�D�, F�A�C�S� Chelsea Eye Ophthalmology 157 W 19th St NYC�������������������������������������������� 212 220-0066 www�chelseaeyeophthalmology�com

OMNI Aesthetic MD

nulo�com/love

PHARMACIES/DRUGS Ansonia Pharmacy

446 6th Ave NYC��������������������������������������������212477-0762 www�ansoniapharmacy�com

Apthorp Pharmacy

2201 Broadway, NYC ������������������212 877-3480 Arrow Pharmacy 883 Ninth Ave NYC��������������������������������������������212 245-8469 www�arrowpharmacy�com

Avalon Chemists

7 2nd Ave, NYC ��������������������������212 260-3131

Bigelow Chemists

414 Sixth Ave, NYC ��������������������212 533-2700

Chelsea Specialty Pharmacy

171 Seventh Ave NYC��������������������������������������������212 255-9900

CVS Specialty

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

Eviatar, Joseph, M�D�, F�A�C�S� 5 W 19th St NYC�������������������������������������������� 212257-0007 www�omniaestheticmd�com

126 8th Ave NYC ...........................................212 807-8798

VIVE Hotel Waikiki

OPTOMETRISTS

Mayfair Chemists 21 Seventh Ave, NYC ���������� 212 242-1444

2426 Kuhio Ave Honolulu, Hawaii ������������������������808 687-2000 www�vivehotelwaikiki�com

INSURANCE HealthSherpa Toll Free ��������������������������������������844 346-9476 www�metrosource�healthsherpa�com

INTRODUCTION SERVICES SEE ALSO DATING SERVICES

Coad, Christopher T�, M�D�, F�A�C�S� Chelsea Eye Ophthalmology 157 W 19th St, NYC�������������������������������������������� 212 220-0066 www�chelseaeyeophthalmology�com

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M�D�, F�A�C�S� 5 W 19th St NYC�������������������������������������������� 212257-0007 www�omniaestheticmd�com

West Village Eyecare Associates

(SEE AD IN THIS ISSUE)

New London Pharmacy

246 Eighth Ave, NYC ������������������212 243-4987

New York Chemists

77 Christopher St, NYC���������������212 255-2525 www�newyorkchemists�com

Thompson Chemists &

Thompson Alchemists 137 Thompson St 449 West Broadway NYC��������������������������������������������212598-9790 www�thompsonchemists�com

Village Apothecary

ManMate

NYC��������������������������������������������212564-4025 www�manmate�com

10 Sheridan Square NYC�������������������������������������������� 212242-6592 www�eyecarenyc�com

LASER VISION CORRECTION

PAIN MANAGEMENT

SEE ALSO OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

Samuelson, Stefan T�, MD

PHYSICAL THERAPY

PERIODONTISTS

RestoreRehab Physical Therapy 664 10th Ave NYC��������������������������������������������212 245-5259 www�restorerehabpt�com

Coad, Christopher T�, M�D�, F�A�C�S� Chelsea Eye Ophthalmology 157 W 19th St NYC������������������������������������212 220-0066 www�chelseaeyeophthalmology�com OMNI Aesthetic MD Eviatar, Joseph, M�D�, F�A�C�S� 5 W 19th St NYC��������������������������������������������212257-0007 www�omniaestheticmd�com

44 E 12th St, Ste MD1 NYC�������������������������������������������� 212993-8573 NYC�������������������������������������������� 212594-1600

Bizzell, Steven J�, D�M�D�, D�A�B�P�

Periodontist 50-02 5th St Ste B Long Island City ��������������������������718-530-6539 www�licdentalassociates�com

346 Bleecker St NYC ...........................................212 807-7566 www.villageapothecary.com (SEE AD IN THIS ISSUE)

Galán, Antonio, PT, DPT, MBA, CHC

Symbio Physio Therapy

214 W 29th St, Ste 901 NYC��������������������������������������������917 338-6268 www�symbiopt�com METROSOURCE.COM

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65

PHYSICIANS & MEDICAL SERVICES

PHYSICIANS & MEDICAL SERVICES Advanced Dermatology Associates 200 Central Park South #107 NYC������������������������������������ 212 262-2500 NYC������������������������������������212 246-0800 www�adv-derm�com

Int� Med�, Gastr� 121 E 60th St, 3rd Fl NYC��������������������������������������������212980-8800

Dillon, Stephen, M�D�

Amida Care NYC������������������������������������855 462-6432 www�amidacareny�org

Int� Med�, Inf� Dis� 314 W 14th St NYC��������������������������������������������212 620-0144

154 W 14th St, 4th Fl NYC��������������������������������������������212627-7560

Astor Medical Group

Dormer, Anita L�, M�D�, F�A�C�C�P�

67 Irving Place, 5th Fl @ E 18th St NYC��������������������������������������������212 253-2968 www�astormedical�com

22 E 72nd St, 5th Fl NYC��������������������������������������������212535-5905

Central Park Medical Associates

Fonville, T�W�, Int� Med�

200 Central Park South #107 NYC ...........................................212 262-2500 NYC ...........................................212 246-0800 www.centralparkmedicalassociates.com

w

Goldberg, Edward S�, M�D�

Coad, Christopher T�, M�D�, F�A�C�S� Chelsea Eye Ophthalmology 157 W 19th St NYC��������������������������������������������212220-0066 www�chelseaeyeophthalmology�com

29 Fifth Ave @ 10th St NYC��������������������������������������������212674-1020

VILL AGE APOTHECARY

Hsu, Ricky K�, M�D�

Icochea, Rosendo S�, M�D� 117 E 18th St NYC��������������������������������������������212387-9199

Jaeger, Lawrence D�, D�O� 200 Central Park South #107 NYC������������������������������������212 246-0800 NYC������������������������������������ 212 262-2500 www�adv-derm�com Jarratt, Kent, L�C�S�W� 19 W 34th St, Penthouse Ste NYC������������������������������ 212 947-7111, ext 119 Oceanport, NJ �����������������������������917 686-6179 www�kentjarratt�com

Leach, Eric G�, N�P� 154 W 14th St, 4th Fl, NYC ��������212 627-7560

Lexington Plastic Surgeons 113 E 39th St NYC��������������������������������������������646 374-2410 www�try�lexingtonplasticsurgeons�com/ metrosource

T H E C O M M U N I T Y P H A R M AC Y T H AT C A R E S Mandell, William, M�D�

fREE wELCOmE KIT! Come in

for your

BRInG THIs CARd In And RECEIVE $10 off On AnY PuRCHAsE Of $25 OR mORE fOR OTC PuRCHAsEs & nEw CusTOmERs OnLY. LImIT 1 PER CusTOmER

Store HourS: Mon - Fri 8aM - 8pM • Sat 9aM - 6pM • Sun 10aM - 5pM 346 Bleecker St • Greenwich VillaGe, nY 10014 • VillaGeapothecarY.com

2 1 2 . 8 0 7. 7 5 6 6 66

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

Infectious Diseases 31 Washington Sq West NYC��������������������������������������������212475-8833

Marfuggi, Richard A�, M�D�, D�M�H�, F�A�C�S� 50 E 69th St NYC��������������������������������������������212317-1188 Denville, NJ ���������������������������������973 377-8950 www�askdrm�com

Maze Sexual & Reproductive Health

Maze Men’s Health Maze Women’s Health Maze Labs Maze Cord Blood 633 Third Ave, Ste 9B NYC ...........................................646 585-8980 www.mazehealth.com (SEE AD IN THIS ISSUE)

Midtown Integrative Medicine Aziz, Michael, M�D�, FRSM 509 Madison Ave @ 53rd St, Ste 1111 NYC��������������������������������������������212906-9111 www�michaelazizmd�com

PHYSICIANS & MEDICAL SERVICES (CONTINUED) – SCHOOLS Namdar, Isaac, M�D�

Skintology

Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist 425 W 59th St NYC��������������������������������������������212 262-4444 1090 Amsterdam Ave NYC��������������������������������������������212 663-2210 www�newyorkentspecialist�com www�namdarmd�com

Cosmetical Aesthetics 157 E 57th St, NYC 181 7th Ave, NYC�����������������������212 989-6555 www�skintologyny�com

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Collins, Michael, D�P�M� Chelsea Foot & Ankle Center 37 W 20th St, Ste 308, NYC �������646 929-4149 www�chelseafootandankle�com

Eviatar, Joseph, M�D�, F�A�C�S� 5 W 19th St, NYC �����������������������212 257-0007 www�omniaestheticmd�com

Samuelson, Stefan T�, MD

44 E 12th St, Ste MD1 NYC��������������������������������������������212 993-8573 NYC��������������������������������������������212 594-1600

PLASTIC SURGERY Dr� WW Med Spa and Laser Clinic

85-16 Queens Blvd, 2F, Elmhurst, NY 139 Centre St #224, NYC �����������718 457-0707 www�drwwmedspa�com

PODIATRISTS Ciment, Ethan J�, D�P�M�

TF Cornerstone

REAL ESTATE Bonavita, David Compass NYC������������������������������������ 212 501-8281 www�davidbonavita�com Chroughan, Judy

Julie B� Fee Sotherby’s 49 Purchase St Rye, NY ��������������������������������������914 262-5323

Lexington Plastic Surgeons

113 E 39th St NYC��������������������������������������������646374-2410 www�try�lexingtonplasticsurgeons�com/ metrosource

Marfuggi, Richard A�, M�D�, D�M�H F�A�C�S�

50 E 69th St NYC��������������������������������������������212 317-1188 Denville NJ �����������������������������������������������973 377-8950 www�askdrm�com

Coldwell Bank Residential Brokerage

JC Waterfront – Team Francesco Robert G� Harris 1 2nd St, Ste 1 & 4 Jersey City, NJ �����������������������������201 604-4200 Cell ���������������������������������������������646 334-0559

Enzo Morabito Team

Douglas Elliman Real Estate Bridgehampton �������������������������� 631 537-6519 Cell ���������������������������������������������516 695-3433 www�theenzomorabitoteam�elliman�com

Sexual Health Men

290 Madison Ave 6th Fl, NYC �����973 493-7607 www�sexualhealthmen�com

www�tfc�com

Wright, Daniel Compass NYC��������������������������������������������917 304-4270

REAL ESTATE/SUBURBAN Habeeb-Clark, Deborah

Keller Williams Hudson Valley, NY �����������������������845 800-5413

Perasso, Matt Prominent Properties/Sotheby’s International Realty 2 Main St, Edgewater, NJ ������������201 840-8898 Cell ���������������������������������������������917 834-0454 www�goldcoastcribs�com

RETAIL Eva’s Supplements

11 W 8th St (bet 5th & 6th Aves) NYC������������������������������������������� 212 982-2500 www�evassupplements�com

SCHOOLS Brooklyn Heights Montessori School

OMNI Aesthetic MD

Eviatar, Joseph, M�D�, F�A�C�S� 5 W 19th St, NYC �����������������������212 257-0007 www�omniaestheticmd�com

Prince, Keith A�

Brown Harris Stevens NYC��������������������������������������������917826-3451 www�brownharrisstevens�com

Pearl, Alan, M�D�, Psychiatrist

135 W 70th St, NYC �������������������212 724-5188

Powell, DeWayne A�

Town Residential NYC��������������������������������������������917748-5100 www�townresidential�com

Hendler, Lisa E�

Berkshire Hathaway Blake Realtors Kinderhook, NY ��������������������������518 929-4519

185 Court St, Brooklyn ���������������718 858-5100 www�bhmsny�org

McGrotty, Amy, JD

Castelli Luxury Real Estate Services Fort Lauderdale, FL����������������������954 347-1732 www�amy�castellihomes�com

METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

67

SCHOOLS (CONTINUED) – WINE & SPIRITS Rudolf Steiner School

15 E 79th St NYC��������������������������������������������212535-2130 www�steiner�edu

SPA/SALON SERVICES Brisk N Posh 132 Crosby St, Ste 8E NYC ...........................................212 433-4477 www.brisknposh.com (SEE AD THIS ISSUE)

TRAVEL Bucks County Pennsylvania www�visitbuckscounty�com

Kennedy Travel 130 W 42nd St #401 NYC������������������������������������212 398-0999 Toll Free ������������������������������ 800 237-7433 www�kennedytravel�com

TRAVEL/GETAWAYS Foxwoods Resort & Casino

www�foxwoods�com

Visit Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA ��������������������������215 599-0776 www�visitphilly�com

WEDDING SERVICES Bespoke Matchmaking

1180 Avenue of the Americas, 8th Fl NYC��������������������������������������������888422-6464 www�bespokematchmaking�com Elite Private Yachts NYC��������������������������������������������866862-7245 www�eliteprivateyachts�com www�entertainmentcruises�com/new-york

Feinstein’s/54 Below

254 W 54th St, Cellar NYC����������������������������������� 212 302-5559 x114 www�54below�com

Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce 36 Main St Ogunquit, ME ���������������������207 646-2939 www�visitogunquit�org

www�gatheringsfloraldesign�com

Sullivan Catskills Catskills, NY ���������������������� 800 882-CATS www�sullivancatskills�com

Pier 40, NYC �������������������������������646 832-2805 www�hornblowerny�com/metrosource

Gatherings Floral Design

Li-Lac Chocolates West Village: 40 8th Ave, NYC Greenwich Village: 162 Bleecker St, NYC Grand Central: 43rd & Lexington, NYC Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave, NYC Industry City: 68 35th St, Brooklyn NYC����������������������������������212 924-2280 www�li-lacchocolates�com Make My Cake

NYC�����������������������������������������212234-2344 www�makemycake�com

Manhattan Penthouse

NYC�����������������������������������������212627-8838 www�manhattanpenthouse�com

New York Zoos and Aquarium

NYC�����������������������������������������718741-3836 www�nyzooevents�com

Oheka Castle

135 West Gate Dr Huntington, NY �����������������������631 659-1400 www�oheka�com

Our Wedding Officiant NYC

Hornblower Cruises & Events

Peter Boruchowitz NYC�����������������������������������������917523-1438 www�nyc-gay-weddings�com

Houston Hall

Patina Events - Brooklyn Botanic Garden Brooklyn ����������������������������������718 307-7133 www�patinaevents�com

222 W� Houston St, NYC ����������� 212 582-2057 Paul Evans Catering 20 W 20th St NYC�����������������������������������������212321-1822 NYC�����������������������������������������212243-4494 www�paulevanscatering�com Proposition Love www�propositionlove�com The Riverside Church 490 Riverside Dr� NYC�����������������������������������������212870-6762 www�trcnyc�com Yachts for All Seasons NYC�����������������������������������������212534-6380 Cell ������������������������������������������917 864-7670 www�y4as�com

WILLS Law Offices of Thomas Sciacca, PLLC

44 Wall St, 12th Fl NYC�����������������������������������������212495-0317 www�sciaccalaw�com

WINE & SPIRITS Cork Wines & Spirits

1450 Washington St Hoboken NJ ��������������������������������������������201 942-9964 www�corkwines�net

68

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

Advanced Dermatology Associates Proudly Serving the Community for Over Twenty Years MEDICAL, COSMETIC & SURGICAL DERMATOLOGY

All Skin, Hair & Nail Disorders.

All Skin Growths On-Site HIV & STD Screening, Immediate Results

Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Board Certified.

University Affiliated.

Confidential Treatment of All STD’s

www.adv-derm.com 200 Central Park South, Suite 107

212-262-2500 Day, Evening, Weekend and Same Day Appoitments Available.

All Major Credit Cards and Insurance Plans Accepted.

The Genital Wart Treatment Center A private medical facility specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of genital warts and all STD’s in a caring, supportive and confidential environment.

Board Certified Specialists • Diagnosis and Treatment of ALL Sexually Transmitted Diseases Painless Treatment with the Latest & Most Effective Therapies Available • On-Site HIV Antibody Testing • Immediate Results • Specializing in the Successful Treatment of Recurrent Genital Warts

www.CentralParkMedicalAssociates.com Central Park Medical Associates 200 Central Park South, Suite 107

212-246-0800

COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL

Day, Evening and Weekend Appointments Available. All Major Credit Cards and Insurance Plans Accepted. 77 METROSOURCE.COM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

69

FIRE ISLAND PINES – CHERRY GROVE FIRE ISLAND PINES – CHERRY GROVE Horizon Beach House

BARS Blue Whale

Cherry Grove ������������������������������631 597-6278 NYC��������������������������������������������212 689-2699 www�horizonbeachhouse�com

Cherry’s

Cherry Grove ������������������������������917 763-9029

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6500 www�bluewhalefireisland�com Cherry Grove ������������������������������631 597-6820

Cultured Elephant

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6500 www�thepinesfireisland�com

Harbor Club

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6500 www�thepinesfireisland�com

GYM

Sip n Twirl

Bay Walk Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6237

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6500 www�pavilionfireisland�com

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-3746

CLOTHING/GIFTS

LIQUORS/WINES

Gostoso

Beachscapes

The Pines Liquor Shop

Pines �������������������������������������������646 262-1910

Summer Solstice

Harbor Walk Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6442

Harbor Walk Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-4200

POOL MAINTENANCE

CONTRACTING

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-7748

Walter Boss, Custom Builder

REAL ESTATE

Pines and Pools

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6262

Main & Bayview Cherry Grove ������������������������������������ 631 597-6140

Pines Propane

D� Katen Fire Island Properties, LTD

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6262

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-9191

GROCERIES

Dependable Pools

A Summer Place

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-7000 www�fireislandpines�com

Pines Harbor Realty

Grove Market

Main Walk Cherry Grove ������������������������������631 597-6239

The Pines Pantry

Harbor Walk Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6200

GUEST HOUSES/HOTELS

36 Fire Island Blvd Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-7575

RESTAURANTS Blue Whale

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6500 www�bluewhalefireisland�com

Cultured Elephant

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-6500 www�thepinesfireisland�com

Belvedere Guest House

Bay View Walk, Cherry Grove������631 597-6448 www�belvederefireisland�com

Carousel Guesthouse

Cherry Grove ������������������������������631 597-6766

Pines Bistro & Pizza

Cherry Grove Beach Hotel

TRANSPORTATION

Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-3597

Sayville Ferry

Dune Point

Cherry Grove ������������������������������631 597-6261

River Rd NYC��������������������������������������������631 589-0810

DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 METROSOURCE.COM 8080FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

METROSOURCE.COM

APPLE SOFTBALL LEAGUE BIGBIG APPLE SOFTBALL LEAGUE West 208208 West 13th13th St St New York, 10011 New York, NY NY 10011 212212 696-7482 696-7482

CHEER NY NY CHEERLEADING CHEER CHEERLEADING Felipe Hernandez Felipe Hernandez 888888 671-7312 671-7312 www.cheerny.org www.cheerny.org

CITY CRUISERS MC MC CITY CRUISERS Old Chelsea Station Old Chelsea Station PO Box 1614 PO Box 1614 New York, NY 10011 New York, NY 10011 www.citycruisers.com www.citycruisers.com (gay men’s motorcycle club)

EZRYDERS SNOWBOARDING EZRYDERS SNOWBOARDING W 46th St #4D 445445 W 46th St #4D New York, NY 10036 New York, NY 10036 www.ezryders@ondbdx.com www.ezryders@ondbdx.com

FAST AND FABULOUS CYCLING FAST AND FABULOUS CYCLING 23008, Ansonia P.O.P.O. BoxBox 23008, Ansonia Sta Sta New York, NY NY 10023 New York, 10023 212212 567-7160 567-7160

FRONT RUNNERS NY NY FRONT RUNNERS P.O.P.O. BoxBox 87 87 Ansonia Sta Ansonia Sta NY 10023 New York, New York, NY 10023 212 799-8781 212www.frny.org 799-8781 www.frny.org

GARDEN STATE GAY

GARDEN STATE GAY BOWLING LEAGUE BOWLING LEAGUE www.gsgbo.com www.gsgbo.com

GOTHAM VOLLEYBALL GOTHAM VOLLEYBALL P.O.P.O. BoxBox 961961 New York, 10034 New York, NY NY 10034 388-8208 212212 388-8208 info@gothamvolleyball.org info@gothamvolleyball.org

KNIGHTS WRESTLING KNIGHTS WRESTLING CLUBCLUB P.O.P.O. BoxBox 720161 720161 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 718718 815-3244 815-3244

JERSEY G&L BOWLERS NORTH NORTH JERSEY G&L BOWLERS Belle Aire Lanes Belle Aire Lanes West Caldwell, NJ West Caldwell, NJ 201 823-2250 201 823-2250

GAYLEAGUE POOL LEAGUE NY GAYNY POOL PO Box PO 1502 Ansonia Sta Box 1502 Ansonia Sta New York, NYYork, 10023 New NY 10023 212 496-4585 212 496-4585

NY RAMBLER’S SOCCER SOCCER NY RAMBLER’S CLUB, INC. CLUB, INC. 917 767-9789 917 767-9789 www.nyramblers.com www.nyramblers.com

NYC GAY BASKETBALL LEAGUE NYC GAY BASKETBALL LEAGUE www.nycgaybasketball.org

www.nycgaybasketball.org

OUT OF BOUNDS OUT OF BOUNDS NYC & TEAM NYC & TEAM NEW YORK NEW YORK 372, PO Box PO 372,Box Times SqTimes StationSq Station New NY 10108 New York, NYYork, 10108 www.oobnyc.org www.oobnyc.org

PINKNY PONG NY PINK PONG Sunnyside, Sunnyside, Queens Queens 718 623-2926 718 623-2926 www.pinkpongfoundation.org www.pinkpongfoundation.org

SUN/MON/TUE SUN/MON/TUE NIGHT TEAMS NIGHT TEAMS c/o Chelsea Piers AMF Bowl c/o Chelsea AMFYork, Bowl NY 10011 Pier Piers 60, New Pier 60, 212 New835-2691 York, NY 10011 212 835-2691

SUNDANCE OUTDOOR

SUNDANCE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SOCIETY ADVENTURE SOCIETY www.sundanceoutdoor.org www.sundanceoutdoor.org sundanceoutdoor@yahoo.com sundanceoutdoor@yahoo.com

TEAM NEW YORK AQUATICS TEAM NEW YORK AQUATICS 212 691-3440 212 691-3440 (hotline) (hotline)

CULTURAL, CULTURAL, ETHNIC & & ETHNIC SOCIAL SOCIAL

Grove Pizza & Restaurant

185 Holly Walk Cherry Grove ������������������������������631 597-6612 Cherry Grove ������������������������������631 597-6600

ATHLETIC ATHLETIC

HARDWARE

LANDSCAPING/FLORAL

The Pavilion

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Steel Gym

Pines www�steelgym�com

Pines Hardware & Sundries

36 Fire Island Boulevard Pines �������������������������������������������631 597-3599

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SeaBreeze Rentals

NEW YORK NEW YORK COMMUNITY COMMUNITY RESOURCES RESOURCES

LONG ISLAND LONG ISLAND RAVENS MCMC CLUB RAVENS CLUB c/oc/o Long Island Eagle Long Island Eagle 94 94 Clinton AveAve Clinton Bayshore, NY NY 11706 Bayshore, 11706 631631 968-2750 968-2750 www.liravensmc.org www.liravensmc.org

MONDAY NIGHT FOURPLAY MONDAY NIGHT FOURPLAY BOWLING LEAGUE BOWLING Syosset Bowl LEAGUE Syosset Bowl 631 842-5166

631 842-5166

APICHAAPICHA 400 Broadway 400 Broadway New York, NYYork, 10013 New NY 10013 212 334-6029 212 334-6029 www.apicha.org www.apicha.org

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

www.bestfriends.org

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BIG GAY MEN OF NEW YORK 9111 Liberty Ave #662 Ozone Park, NY 11417 631 780-2807 www.convergence.nyc

LESBIAN HERSTORY ARCHIVES PO Box 1258 New York, NY 10116 718 768-3953

QUEENS L&G PRIDE COMMITTEE PO Box 580445 Flushing, NY 11358 718 460-4064

EMPIRE CITY MEN’S CHORUS P.O. Box 1017 New York, NY 10185 empirecitymenschorus.org

LESLIE-LOHMAN MUSEUM OF GAY AND LESBIAN ART 26 Wooster St New York, NY 10013 www.leslielohman.org

QUEENS PRIDE HOUSE 76-11 37th Ave Jackson Heights, NY 11372 718 429-5309

GAY & BI FATHERS FORUM OF GREATER NY PO Box 1321, Midtown Sta New York, NY 10018 212 721-4216 (recording) 718 728-0476 GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION (GLAAD) 150 West 26th St New York, NY 10001 212 807-1700 www.glaad.org GAY FATHERS OF NY 245 Eighth Ave #897 New York, NY 10011 212 388-2618 GAY MEN OF AFRICAN DESCENT 44 Court St, 10th Fl, Ste 1000 Brooklyn, NY 10201 718 222-6300 www.gmad.org GAY MEN OF THE BRONX PO Box 511, Bronx, NY 10451 www.gmob.org IMPERIAL QUEENS & KINGS OF NY 70-A Greenwich Ave #120 New York, NY 10011 212 229-5900 x3655 IN OUR OWN WRITE 208 West 13th St New York, NY 10014 212 620-7310 x305 (monthly readings) IN THE LIFE 30 West 26th St, 7th Fl New York, NY 10011 212 255-6012 JERSEY CITY LESBIAN & GAY OUTREACH (JCLGO) 113 Pavonia Ave #247 Jersey City, NJ 07302 201 333-5725 LATINOS & LATINAS DE AMBIENTE/NY (LLANY) 208 West 13th St New York, NY 10014 212 367-1092 LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL & TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER 208 West 13th St New York, NY 10014 212 620-7310 www.gaycenter.org LESBIAN & GAY NATURAL HISTORY GROUP OF NY 80 Garfield Pl Brooklyn, NY 11215 718 965-0013

LIVE OUT LOUD 45 West 36th Street, 6th Fl New York, NY 10018 212 378-4095 www.liveoutloud.info THE LOFT-LOWER HUDSON VALLEY LGBT CENTER 252 Bryant Ave White Plains, NY 10605 914 948-2932 www.loftgaycenter.org THE L.I. GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL ORG P.O. Box 360 East Northport, NY 11731 www.liglff.org LONG ISLAND GAY & LESBIAN YOUTH 34 Park Ave Bay Shore, NY 11706 631 665-2300 www.ligaly.org LONG ISLAND RAVENS M.C. c/o The Long Island Eagle 94 North Clinton Ave Bay Shore, NY 11706 631 968-2750 www.liravensmc.org

QUEENS RAINBOW COMMUNITY CENTER 30-74 Steinway St, 2nd Fl Astoria, NY 11105 718 204-5955 SERVICES AND ADVOCACY FOR GLBT ELDERS (SAGE) 305 Seventh Ave New York, NY 10001 212 741-2247 www.sageusa.org SOUTHERNERS/L&G MEN IN NY PO Box 881 New York, NY 10008-0881 STONEWALL CHORALE Box 920, Old Chelsea Sta New York, NY 10011 212 971-5813 STONEWALL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 119 West 24th St, 7th Fl New York, NY 10011 212 367-1155 www.stonewallfoundation.org TRI STATE LG&B STUDENT COALITION 208 West 13th St New York, NY 10014

MALES AU NATUREL (MAN) MEN’S NUDIST GROUP 347 704-0704 www.males.org

HEALTH/ COUNSELING

MEN OF ALL COLORS TOGETHER NEW YORK PO Box 1518 Ansonia Station, NY 10023

AIDS CENTER OF QUEENS COUNTY 97-45 Queens Blvd #1220 Rego Park, NY 11374 718 896-2500

NYC GAY MEN’S CHORUS 561 Seventh Ave, Ste 803 New York, NY 10018 212 344-1777 www.nycgmc.org NYC PRIDE 154 Christopher St, Suite 1D New York, NY 10014 212 807-7433 www.nycpride.org PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS (P-FLAG) PO Box 553 New York, NY 10021 212 463-0629 THE POINT FOUNDATION 5757 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 370 LA, CA 90036 866 33-Point www.pointfoundation.org PRIME TIMERS c/o Don Hargus 208 Anderson St, Suite 8DS Hackensack, NJ 07601 201 488-4839

AIDS DRUG ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ADAP) 800 542-2437 AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION 475 Atlantic Ave Brooklyn, NY 11217 718 637-2970 888 AIDS-CARE www.ahfpharmacy.org AIDS HOTLINE/NYC DEPT OF HEALTH 311 Broadway, 4th Fl New York, NY 10007 800 TALK-HIV

THE ALLIANCE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE 64 West 35th Street, 3rd Fl New York, NY 10001 212.645-0875 www.alliance.nyc (SEE AD PREVIOUS PAGE) AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR AIDS RESEARCH 120 Wall St New York, NY 10005 212 806-1600 ANTI-VIOLENCE PROJECT 240 West 35th St, 12th Fl New York, NY 10001 212 714-1184 212 714-1141 (Hotline) BAILEY HOLT HOUSE 180 Christopher St New York, NY 10014 212 337-3000 BAILEY HOUSE 275 Seventh Ave, 12th Fl New York, NY 10001 212 633-2500 BETH ISRAEL MEDICAL CENTER AIDS CLINICAL TRIAL UNIT DIV OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES 350 East 17th St, 3rd Fl New York, NY 10003 212 420-4519

GAY MEN OF AFRICAN DESCENT 44 Court St, 10th Fl, Ste 1000 Brooklyn, NY 10201 718 222-6300 www.gmad.org GAY MEN’S HEALTH CRISIS 446 West 33rd St New York, NY 10001 212 367-1273 212 367-1489 800 243-7692 www.gmhc.org GOD’S LOVE WE DELIVER 166 Ave of the Americas New York, NY 10013 212 294-8142 212 294-8100 www.godslovewedeliver.org www.racetodeliver.org GREENWICH HOUSE 80 Fifth Ave New York, NY 10011 212 691-2900 HEALTH EDUCATION AIDS LIAISON PO Box 1103 New York, NY 10113 212 873-0780 HETRICK MARTIN INSTITUTE 212 674-2400 www.hmi.org

NAMES PROJECT NYC 75 Varick St #1404 New York, NY 10013-1917 212 226-2292 NYC DEPT OF HEALTH OFFICE OF G&L HEALTH 125 Worth St, Suite CN67 New York, NY 10013 212 442-6944 PROJECT ACHIEVE New York, 212 305-2201 Project ACHIEVE (Union Square) New York, 212 388-0008 www.nycvaccine.org www.hopetakesaction.org THE SAMARITANS OF NEW YORK SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE PO Box 1259 New York, NY 10159 212 673-3000 (24 Hours) TALK SAFE + PLUSES 203 West St #408 New York, NY 212 604-1500 TREVOR PROJECT 9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 271-8845 VILLAGE NURSING HOME DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM 133 West 20th St, Ground Fl New York, NY 10011 212 633-1616

BODY POSITIVE OF NY 19 Fulton St Suite 308B New York, NY 10038 212 566-7333 800 566-6599

HEALTHSHERPA 844 346-9476 www.metrosource. healthsherpa.com

BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS 165 West 46th St #1300 New York, NY 10036 212 840-0770

HISPANIC AIDS FORUM, INC. 213 W 35th St, 12th Fl New York, NY 10001 212 868-6230 www.hafnyc.org

LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND 120 Wall St #1500 New York, NY 10005 212 809-8585

HIV STOPS WITH ME www.hivstopswithme.org

LEGAL (L&G LAW ASSN OF GREATER NY) 799 Broadway #340 New York, NY 10003 212 459-4873

BROOKLYN AIDS TASK FORCE 465 Dean St Brooklyn, NY 11217 718 783-0883 CALLEN LORDE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 356 West 18th St New York, NY 10011 212 271-7200 CHEST (CTRHIV/AIDS EDUCATION STUDIES & TRAINING) 250 West 26th Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY 212 206-7919 DESIGN INDUSTRIES FOUNDATION FOR AIDS (DIFFA) 200 Lexington Ave #1016 New York, NY 10016 212 727-3100

AIDS RELATED COMMUNITY SERVICES 2269 Saw Mill River Rd Elmsford, NY 10523 914 345-8888

F.E.G.S. MANHATTAN COUNSELING CENTER 80 Van Dam St New York, NY 10013 212 366-8289

AIDS SERVICE CENTER NYLIVEC 64 West 35th St New York, NY 212 645-0875 www.ascnyc.org

FRIENDS HOUSE IN ROSEHILL PMB#248 50 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10010 212 995-5000 www.friendshousenyc.org

INSTITUTION FOR HUMAN IDENTITY 322 Eighth Ave, Suite #802 New York, NY 10011 212 243-2830 www.ihi-therapycenter.org LI ASSN FOR AIDS CARE (LIAAC) 631 385-AIDS (hotline) 631 385-2451 MEN OF COLOR AIDS PREVENTION PROGRAM (MOCA) 125 Worth St, Box 67 New York, NY 10013 212 788-4402 MEN’S HIV SUPPORT GROUP 212 877-8227 x214 MINORITY TASK FORCE ON AIDS 475 Riverside Dr New York, NY 10115 212 870-2691 NAMES PROJECT NJ P.O. Box 716 New Brunswick, NJ 732 249-3933

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LEGAL

LESBIANS LESBIANS ABOUT VISUAL ART 118 Fort Greene Pl Brooklyn, NY 11217 LES HERSTORY ARCHIVES PO Box 1258 New York, NY 10116 718 768-3953 LESBIAN MOTHERS @ THE LOFT 180 East Post Rd Lower Level, White Plains, NY 914 948-4922

POLITICAL LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS OF NY Radio City Station PO Box 2321 New York, NY 10101 212 202-6431 www.newyork.logcabin.org

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

PRIDE DEMOCRATS 70 Greenwich Ave New York, NY 10011 212 613-6039 STONEWALL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 119 West 24th St, 6th Fl New York, NY 10011 212 367-1155 STONEWALL DEMOCRATIC CLUB 212 561-9008 www.stonewalldems.com STONEWALL REPUBLICANS PO Box 650052 Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 718 357-7075

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LESBIAN AND GAY AFFIRMATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPISTS 250 West 15th St New York, NY 10011 212 517-1722 FSIX FINANCIAL SERVICE INDUSTRY EXCHANGE www.fsix.org GAY OFFICERS ACTION LEAGUE PO Box 2038, Canal St Sta New York, NY 10013 NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NY 340 West 42nd Street New York, NY 10108 646 964-5027 www.nglccny.org OUT PROFESSIONALS 332 Bleecker St #149 New York, NY 10014 212 462-9255 THE PUBLISHING TRIANGLE 332 Bleecker Street #D36 New York, NY 10014 www.publishingtriangle.org

REFERRALS/ SWITCHBOARDS G&L SWITCHBOARD P.O. Box 693 New York, NY 212 989-0999 THE GAY PARENTING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FUND New York, NY 10011 www.menhavingbabies.org

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TREVOR PROJECT 212 545-0081 www.thetrevorproject.org

RELIGIOUS BROADWAY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 263 West 86 St, 3rd Fl New York, NY 10024 212 316-5700 www.bwayucc.org CHURCH OF ST PAUL & ST ANDREW 263 West 86th St New York, NY 10024 212 362-3179 COMMUNITY CHURCH OF NY 40 East 35th St New York, NY 10016 212 683-4988 www.ccny.org CONGREGATION BEIT SIMCHAT TORAH 130 West 30th St New York, NY 10001 212 929-9498 DIGNITY NEW YORK PO Box 1554 New York, NY 10150 646 418-7039 Brooklyn - 718 565-2171 Metro NJ - 973 857-4040 New Bruns. - 732 968-9263 Nassau - 516 781-6225 Suffolk - 631 654-5367 INTEGRITY/NEW YORK (LBGT EPISCOPALIANS) PO Box 20067 New York, NY 10011 212 691-7181 MARBLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH 1 West 29th St New York, NY 10001 212 686-2770 www.marblechurch.org METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF NY 446 West 36th St New York, NY 10018 212 629-7440 www.mccny.org MIDDLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH 112 Second Ave @ 7th St New York, NY 10003 212 477-0666 www.middlechurch.org NOT SO CHURCHY www.notsochurchy.org ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH Reverend Mark Erson 81 Christopher St. New York, NY 10014 212-242-5737 www.stjohnsnyc.org

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RESTAURANT BITES Edited by Jeffrey James Keyes

CHELSEA THE BRESLIN

The Spotted Pig folks are behind this vintage-rustic restaurant in NoChel’s Ace Hotel. The British-inspired fare is egg-centric at breakfast and meat-and-terrine heavy for lunch and dinner, while martinis are the thing to drink at the bar. 16 W. 29th St. between Broadway & Fifth Ave., NYC 212-679-1939. www.thebreslin.com

CAFETERIA

Super-popular 24-hour dining scene offering great American fare and a trendy, heavily gay clientele. 119 Seventh Ave. at 17th St., NYC 212-414-1717. cafeteriagroup.com

ELMO

This mod restaurant, featuring comfort food with a spicy edge, takes its name from fab 40’s nightclub El Morocco. 156 Seventh Ave. between 19th and 20th Sts., NYC 212-337-8000. elmorestaurant.com

TENTH AVENUE COOKSHOP

Executive chef Marc Meyer takes American cuisine to the next level by keeping it real. Hormone-free animals, humanely raised in local farms, are used in simple but flavorful meals served amidst furnishings at once rustic and urbane. 156 Tenth Ave. at 20th St., NYC 212-924-4440. cookshopny.com

EAST VILLAGE/LOWER EAST SIDE BEAUTY & ESSEX

This eatery’s entryway is set up like a pawn shop. It leads to two sprawling levels with multiple dining rooms with a menu of shareable small plates for eclectic tastes. 146 Essex St. between Rivington and Stanton Sts., NYC 212-614-0146. beautyandessex.com

GRAMERCY PARK/FLATIRON DISTRICT GRAMERCY TAVERN

Danny Meyer’s creative American emporium never fails to please either in the formal dining room or the easier-on-the-wallet Tavern Room. 42 E. 20th St. between Broadway and Park Ave. South, NYC., 212-477-0777. gramercytavern.com

HARLEM LIDO HARLEM

Brunching in Harlem? Get into this adorable Italian hotspot in the center - with bottomless mimosa brunch, hunties - in one of the most popping gayborhoods in the city. 2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd. at 117th St., NYC 646-490-8575. lidoharlem.com

RED ROOSTER

This Harlem hot spot features regional American comfort food by Marcus Samuelsson and a casual, lively environment filled with neighborhood-centric art and artifacts. 310 Lenox Ave. between 125th and 126th Sts., NYC 212-792-9001. redroosterharlem.com

SOLOMON & KUFF RUM HALL

Harlem elites and Columbia giants mix and mingle at this delicious upscale Caribbean restaurant offering incredible rum cocktails, bites like yuca fries, and dishes like Sangria Braised Short Ribs. 2331 12th Ave. between 133rd St. & 12th Ave., NYC 212-939-9443. solomonandkuff.com

HELL’S KITCHEN AÑEJO

Find upscale, creative, beautifully prepared Mexican small plates served in a rustic setting at this hotspot with a hopping bar scene.

The cocktail selection features a variety of refined margaritas (available by the pitcher) and tequila and mezcal flights. 668 Tenth Ave. at 47th St., NYC 212-920-4770. anejonyc.com

44 & X HELL’S KITCHEN

A bit of South Beach on Tenth Avenue, this sleek haven of upscale comfort food has large and plentiful windows and a sidewalk cafe.

The perfect spot for people watching... 622 Tenth Ave. at 44th St., NYC 212-977-1170. 44andx.com

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EL CENTRO

The tiny space packs a big punch with inexpensive Mexican street food, frozen margaritas and upcycled-Corona-bottle light fixtures.

824 Ninth Ave. at 54th St., NYC 646-763-6585. elcentro-nyc.com

HELL’S KITCHEN

Hell’s Kitchen brings south-of-the-border flavor north to Ninth Avenue. Whether it’s tacos, quesadillas, or an after work margarita you crave they’ve got it. 754 9th Ave. between 50th and 51st Sts., NYC 212-977-1588. hellskitchen-nyc.com

IPPUDO WESTSIDE

Decadent Japanese bites, small plates, craveable ramen and arousing cocktails - nestled just between the theatre district and the gayborhood. 321 W. 51st St., NYC 212-974-2500. ippudony.com

PIO PIO

Guests sip pisco cocktails and craveable sangria while grazing over family-style Peruvian dishes, Chinese-Peruvian stir fries, steak, and fish below an elaborate ceiling made from thousands of tree branches intricately woven together. Pio Pio has eight locations but this one is takes the cake (Tres Leches, of course!) 604 Tenth Ave. between 43rd and 44th Sts., NYC 212-459-2929. piopio.com

VICEVERSA

ViceVersa puts a sublime spin on run-of-the-mill Italian. The atmosphere is also darn near perfect — with elegant accents and a nicely tended outdoor seating garden. 325 W. 51st St. between Eighth and Ninth Aves., NYC 212-399-9291. viceversanyc.com

WEST BANK CAFE

This elegant neighborhood fixture attracts theatergoers; Broadway and off-Broadway performers; and former and upcoming) Drag Race contestants to load up on the latest gossip while downing American eats. Be sure to check out “Showbiz Spitfire Paige Turner” and Jackie Cox whenever they perform. 407 W. 42nd St. between Ninth and Tenth Aves., NYC 212-695-6909. westbankcafe.com

HUDSON YARDS LEGACY RECORDS

At this chic, fun 85-seat restaurant brought to you by the team behind Charlie Bird and Pasquale Jones, the menu features fresh, flavorful cuisine inspired by Italy’s northern coasts. The cocktail menu is curated by mixologist Jeff Bell from P.D.T., and Arvid Rosengren is the reigning “Best Sommelier in the World.” 517 W. 38th Street between Tenth and Eleventh Aves., NYC legacyrecordsrestaurant.com

MERCADO LITTLE SPAIN

José Andrés and his team have been cooking up this love letter to Spain, which includes three restaurants, two bars, fifteen tapas kiosks, and a market on 35,000 square feet of brand new Hudson Yards real estate. 10 Hudson Yards between Tenth and Eleventh Aves., NYC 646-495-1242. littlespain.com

TAK ROOM

Thomas Keller’s Hudson Yards adventure, TAK Room takes a contemporary look on the classic Continental meal. Think throwback style, glamour, sweeping views, champagne carts, and old school New York glamour in brand new digs. 20 Hudson Yards between Tenth and Eleventh Aves., NYC 929-450-4050. takroomnyc.com

MEATPACKING DISTRICT MORIMOTO

Two floors of high-design touches (like a wall made of 17,000 Ty Nant water bottles and upholstered walls) set the scene for haute Japanese cuisine by Masaharu Morimoto. 88 Tenth Ave. between 15th and 16th Sts., NYC 212-989-8883. morimotonyc.com

STANDARD GRILL

The hip cafe just beneath the southern tip of the High Line offers a long bar in the front, a dining room with arced red-leather booths, an open kitchen, plus a sidewalk patio for entertaining Meatpacking people-watching. Surprisingly, the prices are pretty moderate throughout. 848 Washington St. between Little W. 12th and 13th Sts., NYC 212-645-4100. thestandardgrill.com

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MIDTOWN/TIMES SQUARE LAMB’S CLUB

This gorgeous Theater District destination serves casual yet upscale contemporary American fare in a retro-swank supper-club environment with long red-leather banquettes, chrome torchères, head shots of movie stars and an18th-century fireplace. 132 W. 44th St. between Sixth Ave. and Broadway, NYC 212-997-5262. thelambsclub.com

NOBU 57

The David Rockwell design of celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s uptown showplace for his peerless Latin-shaded sushi is a sexy, bubbly delight. 40 W. 57th St. between Fifth and Sixth Aves., NYC 212-757-3000. noburestaurants.com/fifty-seven

SOHO/TRIBECA THE DUTCH

This multi-room eatery is sizzling with a SoHo crowd that’s half downtown scene-makers, half-foodies and all hot. Andrew Carmellini’s comfort-skewing menu features renditions of American Southern staples, international inpirations and an oyster bar. 131 Sullivan St. at Prince St., NYC 212-677-6200. thedutchnyc.com

SUSHI NAKAZAWA

Daisuke Nakazawa, the former apprentice to sushi guru Jiro Ono, created this posh West Village joint where comfortable, high back, leather chairs at the sushi bar set the scene for an impressive twentycourse dynamic tasting menu. 23 Commerce Street between Seventh Ave. and Bedford St., NYC 212-924-2212. sushinakazawa.com

UPPER WEST SIDE LANDMARC

This Time Warner Center eatery serves flavorful French bistro fare in a setting that stylishly mishmashes industrial and woodsy, with floorto-ceiling windows that overlook Central Park. 60th and Broadway, 3rd Floor, NYC 212-823-6123. landmarc-restaurant.com

MAREA

Chef Michael White has been awarded two Michelin stars, the 2010 James Beard Award, and other impressive accolades. His high-end Italian cuisine combines with over 750 wine options for a fresh take on coastal cuisine. 240 Central Park South Between Broadway and Seventh Ave., NYC 212-582-5100. marearestaurant.com

PIZZERIA SIRENETTA

The people behind Mermaid Inn serve Neopolitan pizzas and rustic Italian fare. Stop by 5-7pm for their happy hour featuring $12 pizza specials, an $8 aperol spritz and more! 568 Amsterdam Ave. between 87th & 88th Sts., NYC 212-799-7401. pizzeriasirenetta.com

TESSA

Chef Nicholas McCann blends French, Italian and Spanish fare in this neighborhood-approved hotspot. Wine Lovers, pay special attention to the TESSA Reserve list with over fifty labels. 349 Amsterdam Ave. between 76th & 77th Sts., NYC 212-390-1974. tessanyc.com

WEST VILLAGE COWGIRL

This Texas-style West Village favorite, conceived after Sherry Delamarter visited the Cowgirl Hall of Fame, has been serving great food and no frills fun for 25 years. Blood Orange and Prickly Pear frozen margaritas in mason jars go perfectly with Tex-Mex fare. 519 Hudson St. at West 10th St., NYC 212-633-1133. cowgirlnyc.com

TEA AND SYMPATHY

Adorable spot serving tra British favorites like Bangers & Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, Welsh Rarebit, and Roast Beef with Yorkshire pudding. Save room for Sticky Toffee Pudding! 108 Greenwich Street, NYC between Jane & Horatio Sts., 212-989-9735. teaandsympathy. com

THE LITTLE OWL

This bold Mediterranean spot boasts gravy meatballs and pork chops that rival your grandmother’s secret recipe. 90 Bedford St. at Grove, NYC 212-741-4695. thelittleowlnyc.com

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