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CONTENTS
ISSUE 744 November 30-December 13, 2023
Winter Home & Garden Issue
16 “ His Kind Of World” - Fashion Guru Grant Whittaker Celebrates 20 Years of Making a Scene 18 S tay Warm This Winter With Standard Heating and Air Conditioning 20 S pice Up Your Space - Tips And Trends From Hirshfield’s Color Expert 22 Transform Your Home for the Holidays and Beyond 24 Trusting A Home Lender That Engages With You
OUR LAVENDER
8 From the Editor 9 A Word in Edgewise 10 A Day In The Life: Josh Kelly
20
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore Paints/Hirshfield's
OUR SCENE
12 Pride Journeys: Athens, Georgia 14 Review: Cruzar la Cara de la Luna
OUR LIVES
26 PRIDE Outside of June
OUR RESOURCES
28 Community Connection 29 The Network
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14
OUR VOICES
30 Bad Gay: Episode 8
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ON THE COVER
Grant Whittaker. Photo courtesy of Grant Whittaker
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LAVENDER NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 13, 2023
18
10: Photo courtesy of Josh Kelly, 14: Photo by Dan Norman, 18: Photo by Skylar Farb
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Volume 29, Issue 744 • November 30-December 13, 2023
EDITORIAL Managing Editor Randy Stern 612-461-8723 Editorial Assistant Linda Raines 612-436-4660 Editor Emeritus Ethan Boatner Editorial Associate George Holdgrafer Contributors Linden M. Bayliss, Lakey Bridge, Buer Carlie, Emi Gacaj, Terrance Griep, Elise Maren, Jen PeeblesHampton, Linda Raines, Gabrielle Reeder, Alexander Reed, Madison Roth, Aurora Smith, Jamez L. Smith, Susan Swavely, Carla Waldemar, Todd P. Walker
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OUR LAVENDER | FROM THE EDITOR
That One Task We Either Love Or Hate BY RANDY STERN
Our Winter Home and Garden issue should be uplifting with ideas and tips to make your home a special place for the coldest season of the year. The almanacs, meteorologists, and climate gurus point to this specific winter to be milder than usual. Not sure what it will look like ultimately, but I would expect us to at least get some snow, ice, and the usual trappings of a classic Minnesota winter. In years past, we relied on a winter that delivered snow, freezing temperatures, icy conditions, and so forth. Now, who knows what weather patterns will deliver from now until April? A “traditional” winter also means a task that we either love or dread whenever snow falls upon our walks and yard – shoveling. We all know that snow that can take various degrees of weight. The light fluffy kind is easy to remove off the walk. The heavy, slushy type – not so much. When we get well over six inches of snow, we break out the snowblower. That’s a task unto itself, isn’t it? Photo courtesy of BigStock/CreativePhotoTeam.com
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LAVENDER NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 13, 2023
I tried very hard to get someone to talk to us about snow management at our homes. Whether it is advertisers, homeowners, neighbors, or some intrepid entrepreneur who walks down the street looking for a walk to shovel, I seem to want to get a perspective on how we should (a) shovel properly and (b) manage the snow on our property before something not-sofun happens when it starts to melt away. However, as a Saint Paul resident, I found that our neighbors become a great resource to get us through the winter. There is a Facebook group called the Saintly City Snow Angels. If
you live in Saint Paul and are unable to do the task of shoveling the walk at your home, your neighbors might be able to help. It is also a way to connect with neighbors who might not otherwise know that you exist on the same block. Whether you shovel your walks or not, we know that keeping a home going through the winter is a task unto itself. In this issue, we also talk about your home heating system and what you can do about to make sure it works through the winter. We also discuss ideas how to create a better color and design palette on your walls as a winter project at home. Another winter home renovation task is to bring in new furniture. What would be great to get the gift of new furnishings for your home just in time for the Holiday entertaining season? So much to discuss as the temperatures get colder and the onset of winter arrives back in Minnesota. And, there’s so much to do! Think about what we have in our issue and don’t forget to fire up the snow blower…or make sure your trusty shovel is ready to go!
OUR LAVENDER | A WORD IN EDGEWISE
From My Winter Garden BY E.B. BOATNER
In 2005, I did a piece for Lavender 256, “Mulch Ado About Nothing,” on local gay gardeners, some members of gay gardening clubs BIG (Boys Into Gardening) and Bearded Irises. Many had lush and lovely swathes of land, one, an annual Spring rush of daffodils stemming from a faux stream of rocks running through his backyard. Members plotted, planned continuously, tweaking their vegetal décor to the season. I till at a more modest scale. My Winter Garden is much like its Summer self, confined to a 17-foot ledge of southern-facing window three stories above actual dirt. Narrow in scope, yet I believe I share with other tillers of the soil (the actual terra firma) similar issues of joy/despair; hopes risen/hopes dashed; amazement at the hardiness of vegetal life/rage and bafflement at its contrariness. Like people, plants do not obey every wish, or fulfill every expectation. For years, I accompanied a friend on his Christmas tree shopping jaunt, which venue also sold pots and potted plants. Each year I’d pick up something. One time, it was a darling little pot with four tiny cacti
of varying heights, the tallest perhaps 6” high, the smallest perhaps half that. Perfect! How fast could they grow? How often, if ever, would I need to repot? The biggest is, to date, a bit over a yard tall, the whole ensemble a threatening affair to even move. I’d always loved bonsai, certainly the idea of bonsai: the gnarled, tiny ancients in glossy photos, the majestic, dwarfed stands of birches, staged on mossy, rock cascades. You can even buy them already like that, for thousands or tens of thousands–and up. I started with a little 8” boxwood. I watered every several days, careful not to overwater, as was my tendency… and it died. I wrote seller Eastern Leaf, and they very quickly replied to remind me that the deceased had been a tree, not a houseplant, probably a good eight years old when it arrived, and needed some 8oz of water a day. I bought a second, which is turning its second year, alive. I’ve even kept a bonsai fir alive well over a year, wincing as I deluge it daily. I’m proud of a Ficus tree (not Bonsai) that’s about 4’ tall, grown from a cutting, that’s weathered shifts from Bos-
ton to Alabama to Minnesota. A green houseplant (whose name I forget) obtained shortly after I moved to the Twin Cities twenty-two years ago, although retiring to its fainting couch several times decided to thrive, is being pursued by its robust clone via its own leaf cutting. Many cited in the 2005 article sang hymns of praise to working outdoors–under the sun’s rays, against the wind’s lash, through drench of rain; invigorated by thrusting their fingers into the very soil whence their labors bore fruit. I admire that resilience; I truly do. I salute you all. But, I have also gardened. In Alabama, with a perfectionist partner who insisted on raised beds; lovely concept, yes, but these were 4’ x 75.’ Four of them, arched by iron vine trellises, holding enough imported topsoil (the Alabama ground is red clay and rock, all the way down) that required a Troy-Bilt 280cc tiller’s urging. While I’d been anticipating Sweet-100s cherry tomatoes in a Hameau de la Reine; he’d been constructing Versailles. My 34-square-foot plantation shall suffice.
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OUR LAVENDER | A DAY IN THE LIFE
Josh Kelly BY LINDA RAINES
Where did you grow up? I grew up in a small little town in Northwestern New Mexico. Aztec was known for 5,000 people and Anasazi ruins. It was the only conservative county in New Mexico. Where do you live? I live in Northeast Minneapolis. My partner and I purchased our home over the summer and love it. Who do you live with? I live with my partner, Mike Welton. Mike is a local artist who has a studio in the Northrup King Building. Mike and I have been a couple for almost 4 years now. What is your occupation? I am a REALTOR® with Edina Realty out of the Downtown Minneapolis office. I also spend my free time wood working; making artistic projects and practical objects for my select clientele. When did you come out? I came out young. I was 18 or 19. How’d that go? My little corner of NM was like going back in time 20 years. It was not the most comfortable experience, yet I couldn’t hide who I was any longer. It was a scary time, and my mom told the whole family I was sinning against god and choosing to go to hell. So, I left and was homeless in LA for 3 months while I tried to figure out who I really was. When do you wake up? I usually wake up sometime between 5:30 and 6:30 every day regardless of when I go to sleep. Phone alarm or old school alarm? I don’t use an alarm clock. I just wake up early naturally. If I have to wake up before 6; then I will use my phone to make sure. What’s the first thing you do in the morning? The first thing I do in the morning is to go downstairs and make a cup of coffee. Then I take our dog Zelda outside to relieve herself. Breakfast? I eat a good breakfast every day after doing my morning yoga. Sometimes it is a bowl of fruit, other times it is a pop tart or peanut butter toast. Coffee? Yup, I am a coffee guy. I try to keep it to two cups a day now, unless I am on vacation. Cream or no? Just a touch of cream. I will drink my coffee black if I need to, but I prefer the cream. How do you spend your commute? I listen to my random Pandora play list or KXXR. Music relaxes me. What do you nerd out for (gaming, music, histor y, etc.)? I don’t think I nerd out like most people do. I can nerd out about certain books, but what really gets my blood pumping is wood working, cooking, & beer. I guess you could say I nerd out about that. Photo courtesy of Josh Kelly
10 LAVENDER NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 13, 2023
What music have you been digging lately? I have a diverse taste in music. It is all over the place. I couldn’t say I am digging any one particular band or style. But if it makes me happy, I dig it. Is your work space tidy or a hot mess? I am really tidy with my real estate work and completely different in the wood shop. In the wood shop it will look like a 4-year-old was given a Red Bull and let loose. I tidy up the wood shop every now and then. What’s been your favorite job? Working in real estate and wood working. This is my dream. I get to help people with the scariest, largest purchase of their life. It is very fulfilling. And with my woodwork I make people happy in another way. Sometimes it is whimsical delight, curiosity, or making them what they want. Favorite weeknight meal: Go out, take out, or cook in? My go-to weeknight comfort meal would be Chinese takeout. Nothing beats it, hands down. When I am sick, I want Chinese takeout. I have a bad day, Chinese takeout. After a busy day nothing satisfies me quite like a good Chinese takeout. On a usual weeknight, you are doing what? It depends on the day. Sometimes we cook dinner
and watch something together and certain days of the week we meet with friends for beer and have dinner. But 70% of the time, we cook, relax, and watch something together. Bedtime? I am too young to feel this old. Usually, we are in bed a little after 9 and asleep between 9:30 or 10:30. It depends on how long we hold hands and talk. Favorite weekend activity? My favorite weekend activity varies on weather and season. Sometimes I love to cook a great meal from scratch with a homemade tasty desert. Sometimes it is visiting a good or new brewery and visiting a good or new restaurant. What are you most proud of, and why? Selling my first home. I have done many things and lived all over the US. Nothing compares to me selling my first home. That is when I knew I really could live my dream life selling real estate and wood working. Words of wisdom to share: Forgive yourself. Apologize honestly. Try new things. These 3 key steps have helped me to find happiness, chase my dreams, and build a strong relationship with my partner and close friends.
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OUR SCENE | PRIDE JOURNEYS
Athens, Georgia BY JOEY AMATO
Everyone knows that I am a sucker for small-city charm, so I decided to venture about an hour and a half outside of Atlanta to Athens, Georgia, home of rock bands R.E.M., Widespread Panic, and of course, the B52s. As soon as I drove into the college town, I knew I was in for a treat. I love exploring these destinations as they tend to offer tons of local restaurants and boutiques which ooze with character. Athens is a thriving college town located in the northeastern part of Georgia. It is home to the University of Georgia, which is the state’s flagship university, as well as the Athens Institute of Technology and Piedmont College. Athens is a vibrant city that offers a unique blend of Southern charm and culture. Athens has a rich history that dates back to the early 1800s when it was founded as the seat of Clarke County. The city was first settled in 1801 and was named after Athens, Greece, the birthplace of democracy. The city played a key role in the Civil War, serving as a transportation hub for the Confederacy. In the years following the war, Athens became a center of higher education, with the founding of the University of Georgia. The city soon became the center of politics and commerce in the region. The University of Georgia is the largest employer in Athens, and its presence has shaped the city’s culture and economy. The university is Photos by Joey Amato
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home to the Georgia Bulldogs, the school’s football team, and a number of other athletic teams. It also hosts numerous music, art, and theater events throughout the year. Athens is also known for its distinctive neighborhoods. Five Points is the city’s oldest and most popular area, and is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars. After checking into my room at Hotel Indigo, I walked to the center of town, which was lined with a large selection of restaurants and live music venues. Given the musical heritage of Athens, live music is still at the heart of their nightlife scene. Some venues worth checking out include 40 Watt Club, The Warehouse, and the Georgia Theatre.
To my surprise, located in the center of downtown is a fabulous four-way rainbow crosswalk. Sometimes when I visit smaller destinations, I wonder if the community is welcoming to LGBTQ individuals, but I quickly realized that Athens most definitely is. Having the university present in the city adds to its progressive stance. If you are in town on a Friday evening, swing by Athens Showgirl Cabaret’s Fabulous Fridays at Hendershot’s, located in the Bottleworks development. A coffee shop during the day and bar in the evening, Hendershot’s is the perfect place to mingle among LGBTQ locals. After the drag show, head to Sister Louisa’s Church, about a 10-minute walk from Hendershot’s. The quirky establishment features a bar, patio, and club area and is the hub of LGBTQ nightlife in Athens. After a restful night’s sleep, head to Mama’s Boy, for breakfast. A short drive from the hotel, the restaurant is a local institution, serving up a hearty breakfast that won’t break the budget. The morning is a great time to head to The State Botanical Garden of Georgia. I spent about 2 hours strolling around the gardens and taking in the sights and smells of my surroundings. Be sure to visit the Discovery and Inspiration Garden as well as the Hummingbird Trail.
For an afternoon pick-me-up, head to 1000 Faces Coffee, a cute coffee shop and roaster in town or check out Condor Chocolates and sample some delicious chocolate truffles. The Georgia Museum of Art is located on the University of Georgia campus and definitely walkable from Hotel Indigo, although I would recommend bringing a bottle of water along for the journey. The museum contains a lovely sculpture garden as well as various exhibition halls which feature a vast collection of fine art. Currently on exhibition is Power & Piety: Seventeenth-Century Spanish Art. Admission is free to both the Museum of Art as well as the botanical gardens, making Athens a budget-friendly getaway. Speaking of art, beautiful murals can be found all over town, depicting the city’s rich musical heritage, but my favorite was the “Greetings from Athens” mural located on the side of a building in a narrow alley. It can easily be missed if you don’t know where you are going. The city is home to numerous festivals, including the AthFest Music and Arts Festival, the Athens Film Festival, and the Athens International Film & Video Festival, so it may be a good idea to plan your visit around one of those events. If you are in the mood to do some shopping, I recommend wandering through Wuxtry Records, one of a few independently owned record stores left in the country. I could spend hours going through their endless aisles of records but only had two days in the city, so I had to move on. I stumbled upon Community, a hub for locally-made products including candles and handcrafted soaps. Athens, Georgia is a small city with a lot to offer. Its vibrant music scene, thriving culinary scene, and abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities make it a perfect destination for a solo trip or a vacation with friends. If you are looking for a hip weekend adventure, I would give Athens a try. Enjoy the journey!
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OUR SCENE | THE ARTS
Review:
Cruzar la Cara de la Luna BY BUER CARLIE
The Minnesota Opera opened its 2023-2024 season with the first ever mariachi opera: Cruzar la Cara de la Luna. The piece is not new – written by José “Pepe” Martinez (music and lyrics) and Leonard Foglia (lyrics and book), it first premiered at Houston Grand Opera over ten years ago – but this performance premiered David Hanlon’s new orchestral arrangement, which gives an additional instrumental depth to the opera. This production of Cruzar la Cara de la Luna struck all the right notes: it was heartfelt, colorful, and crosscultural. Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, which translates to “To Cross the Face of the Moon” is a poignant exploration of the how immigration impacts individuals and families alike. As Mexican immigrant Laurentino (Octavio Moreno) nears the end of his life, he begins confusing his American-born son, Mark (Efraín Solís), for his never-before-mentioned half-brother, Mexican-born Rafael (Efraín Corralejo). Mark’s daughter Diana (Zulimar López-Hernández) does everything she can to find Rafael so Laurentino can find the closure that he needs to pass on. What unfolds is a heartbreaking tale of shattered dreams and unrealized aspirations underscored by consistently strong values of family, love, and hard work. Cruzar la Cara de la Luna has unsurprisingly resonated Photos by Dan Norman
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LAVENDER NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 13, 2023
deeply with audiences across the United States and beyond, earning accolades for its emotional richness. The recent run at the Minnesota Opera added to this repertoire with the updated score, an immensely talented cast, and stunning visual design. Every cast member shone in Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, but there were a few standouts for me. Vanessa Alonzo as Lupita was one of those.
Her understanding of both opera and mariachi was apparent in her singing. Her heart-rending, trilling solo “Di mi nombre”(Say My Name) left me near tears. Efraín Corralejo, who is currently the Minnesota Opera Resident Artist, was another standout. His stoic stage presence worked well for his role as a prodigal son of sorts and his shimmering tenor was breathtaking. I would be remiss not to mention the set itself, which was both bold and colorful. A huge, shining moon topped a dark silhouette of two rolling mountains. In front of that was a burnt sienna structure where the threepiece mariachi band that accompanied the orchestra often stood. The bottom of that structure housed three oversized doors that were used as suggestions of homes. A few notable set pieces rolled on and off the stage: Laurentino’s modern day American room, which was contained in a huge, pink box; his small Mexican home which was an earthy, sloped pyramid; and a border wall, which was light blue and impossibly tall. Scenic designer Arnulfo Maldonado was inspired by renowned architect Ricardo Legorretta, which was evident in the sharp, angular lines; bold colors; and playful use of negative space. Although mariachi and opera might seem like an unlikely pairing, the two traditions are very alike. “The ways that mariachi and opera singers use their voices to sing are remarkably similar,” says Minnesota Opera President and General Director, Ryan Taylor. That, in addition to the flamboyance of both art forms, makes them meld together very naturally. José “Pepe” Martinez was uniquely suited to create the world’s first mariachi opera. Born in 1941 in the small village of Tecalitlán, Martinez showed a talent and passion for music from a very young age. He became very involved in the rich mariachi tradition of his community and by the time he reached his mid-30s he had established himself as a prominent composer. He made mariachi his career and was the music director of Mariachi Vargas for nearly 40 years. In the middle of his time there he
wrote Cruzar la Cara de La Luna for the Houston Grand Opera, where it premiered with acclaim, as mentioned above. He passed away in 2016, but first created an additional mariachi opera (El Pasado Nunca se Termina, which translates to “The Past is Never Finished”) again with Leonard Foglia. Cruzar la Cara de la Luna is short for an opera: the runtime comes in at just under 80 minutes. I will admit to an initial disappointment when I saw the time (we love an intermission over here) but my disappointment evaporated quickly. This is one of those instances where brevity truly serves the story. Cruzar la Cara de la Luna leaves its audiences wanting more in spite of its satisfying narrative arc. Operas usually leave me feeling full – this one left me feeling satisfied. Delightfully, Minnesota Opera realized that some of us might be disappointed if we were robbed of an intermission, so they capped every performance with an hour long after party. A mariachi band played for a full hour after the performance. Alcoholic drinks were available for purchase, soda and water were available for free, and there were Mexican sweets available for the taking. It was the perfect button to end the evening. Through Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Minnesota Opera reiterates its commitment to ‘singing every story’ and illuminating the rich tapestry of the communities within the Twin Cities. This groundbreaking production bears witness to the harmonious interplay of cultures and the universal themes of family, love, and the quest for belonging. The party at the end of the performance felt like a celebration of diversity. Exploring other cultures through art, food, and music inevitably brings us closer together. By the time of this publication the production will be over, but the Minnesota Opera season has only just begun. For other productions this season, please go to the MN Opera Website: www.mnopera.org/blog/ mn-opera-announces-its-2023-2024-season/
The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis
Dear Lenny:
Bonni Allen
Bernstein’s Life in Songs & Letters
with Dan Chouinard, Prudence Johnson, Liz Hawkinson, & Bradley Greenwald
Tuesday, December 12, 7:00 pm Open at 5:00 pm for drinks & dinner
T. Mychael Rambo & Thomasina Petrus Sing Songs of Joy & Hope for the Holidays
Sunday, December 17, 4:00 pm Open at 3:30 pm for drinks
Tickets & information at womansclub.org / 612.813.5300 410 Oak Grove Street Minneapolis LAVENDERMAGAZINE.COM
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OUR SCENE | STYLE
“His Kind Of World”
Fashion Guru Grant Whittaker Celebrates 20 Years of Making a Scene BY TERRANCE GRIEP
I sit in the lobby of a North Loop hotel. The space’s high ceiling suggests its original purpose: over a century before, the structure housed giant, mechanical manure spreaders, threshers, and harvesters. As the times changed, the space changed, eventually graduating to storing horse carriages, newfangled Rambler touring cars, and (presumably very tall cases of) baking powder. This towering past is obscured by the central lobby’s brown wooden knickknacks balancing on brown wooden shelves whose brown, wooden center traps a heatless, hunger-less flame within a glass fire zoo. I watch the adjacent front door—the building’s current purpose, warehousing humans one night at a time, is in full swing, millers milling about, in and out, to and fro, each dragging wheeled baggage that follows like a grumbling shadow.
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Someone enters, looking like a bold charcoal drawing come to life: a long, black-andwhite trench coat billows like a super-hero’s cape as he moves. Rhinestones glitter across the coat when he steps into the lobby’s long light. The coat covers a black shirt traced with white geometric shapes, black track pants graced with a white stripe on the left-most and right-most sides. The whole ensemble rests on boots laced with a black-and-white snakeskin stripes.
Photos courtesy of Grant Whittaker
The someone has a face and head: trimmed goatee, blue eyes, ‘brows sculpted with Michelangelo-esque precision, all of it topped with a crafted swirl of twice-blonde hair. The someone exudes…well, it’s not so much attitude as it is a perfect dearth of deference. He’s a man who isn’t dressed to kill; he’s a man who is dressed to annihilate. Everyone, including me, looks. “Literally, I was just crossing the street,” he recounts as he settled into our interview cubby, the edges of his beard pointing to the distant ceiling. “A very beautiful Black woman rolled down the window and said, ‘Bitch, you gotta Work That Look.’ And I said, ‘I will, thank you.’ That’s the kind of world I live in and want to live in and want to support.” This is Grant Whittaker, CEO and Senior Director of Grant Whittaker Creative, a self-identified “fashion consulting and production company” which this year celebrates its crystal anniversary as a Mini-Apple institution…but the actual instituting of that institution represents an unlikelihood taller than a warehouse’s ceiling. As the teenage son of an American military man and a thoroughly Teutonic woman, Whittaker himself began his working life background dancing in Germany. After picking up other skills and titles, including those of a makeup artist and fashion stylist, Whittaker put on a fullfledged fashion show at the nigh-Mozartian age of nineteen. Five years later, after the German military had come a-callin’, Grant Whittaker abandoned a hard-won, carefully cultivated, multi-faceted career in der Vaterland so as to find fighting-free fortune in his father’s land. “I was traveling for [renowned fashion house] Christian Dior as a regional makeup artist,” Whittaker says. “I was with an agency called Suzanne’s which was one of the big modeling and styling agencies in Chicago. They were repping me as a stylist. One day, I got a call asking if I would consider auditioning [as a dancer] for what was then Dayton’s Fash Bash. That brought me to Minneapolis to rehearse.” The City of Lakes proved a seductively sentimental dance partner. “When I came to Minneapolis, I took a walk,” Whittaker reminisces. “There was a beautiful stone arch bridge in Heidelberg where I grew up, and here there was the Stone Arch Bridge, our Stone Arch Bridge. There were other things in Minneapolis that reminded me of home, too, so I was really drawn.” But the bridge to Twin Cities-based success would prove a long and rickety one. After the conclusion of the Dayton’s Fash Bash gig was followed by months and months and months of personal struggle and professional improvisation, Whittaker was contacted by Dayton’s about putting on a fashion show rather than merely dancing through one. Augmented by this success, he was tapped to present fashion tips to large audiences via radio, television, print, and the Internet. Says Whittaker, “They started to call me a style expert, and I thought, ‘Okay, I’m a style expert.’”
This expertise, along with his crazy quilt of creative work experience, was at long last stitched into a formal enterprise. “Grant Whittaker Style lead me to doing great branded events, great shows using fashion and shows to use color as a vehicle to support philanthropy,” Whittaker remembers. “This led me to being more real and authentic and true to who I was.” This status quo occupied the space of Whittaker’s existence for roughly one-and-a-half decades. And then…“COVID hit, and things changed,” says Whittaker. “I traded in my style background and went on to be a creative agency. I took my experience and turned it into ideation. That’s what I’ve done my entire life.” Like that of a certain converted North Loop warehouse, Grant Whittaker’s most recent repurposing is his most people centric. “Grant Whittaker Creative is a celebration of people and pride and wanting to be good at one does,” the CEO declares. “I work with and teach kids and models. I was the kid who wanted to go into fashion and be part of the scene. Now, these days, I see kids like me…but I also see the same ‘Where do I fit in?’ quality. It’s a nice thing to know that you don’t have to fit in—you can just rise above it all.”
After two decades of Twin Towns trending, whether under the banner of Style or Creative, Grant Whittaker is just Grant Whittaker doing what Grant Whittaker has always done—Working That Look and fostering the kind of world he wants to live in. “When you’re trying to be authentic, trying to be yourself, I’ve seen a lot of people go down the tubes,” Whittaker notes. “I think some of us go that way because we can’t figure out how to be authentic, how to celebrate the yellow of me or the purple of me. I’m always trying to fill the rainbow.” Grant Whittaker www.grantwhittakercreative.com
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OUR HOMES | WINTER HOME & GARDEN
Stay Warm This Winter With Standard Heating and Air Conditioning BY SUSAN SWAVELY
With the weather getting chillier by the day, and a very cold winter ahead of us, it’s more important than ever to know that your home heating system is prepped and ready to go. You don’t want to get caught in the snow or the cold with no heating system, after all! If you haven’t checked to make sure everything is running smoothly yet, don’t worry. You still have plenty of time to make sure you’re in good shape for the cold months ahead. And the amazing team at Standard Heating and Air Conditioning are here to make certain you’re in good hands! Standard Heating and Air Conditioning has a team made up 70 hard-working, highly trained technicians who all have your best interest at heart. One of those technicians, Nate Stole (he/him), who works as a service technician at Standard Heating and Air, says, “I started as a Maintenance Specialist and grew into the role of a Service Technician. I transitioned into this career later in life because I wanted to work with my hands. I am also able to troubleshoot and come up with solutions for people, I love it.” People like Stole, who know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to heating and air, are the reason we can all breathe a sigh of relief instead of worrying about the colder months. There are plenty of things you can do to get ready for the winter. Stole says, “The best way to stay warm this winter is to be proactive.” He explains that there are lots of small things you can check Nate Stoll. Photo by Skylar Farb
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LAVENDER NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 13, 2023
each year to make sure you’re set for the cold. He says, “Some annual tips we recommend are schedule an annual tune-up for your furnace or boiler. This is the best way to keep your equipment operating at peak performance all winter long. Stay on top of filter changes, check your filters monthly. Check your drain lines to ensure they are clear and properly draining to a working floor drain. Find your PVC venting outside of your home and remove any snow or ice buildup. Boiler systems deal with water and should be bled annually by a professional and filled to the correct working pressure. You can switch any ceiling fan’s rotation to push the rising heat down to save on energy costs. Finally, make sure all heat registers are open to increase heat circulation and decrease stress on your system.” Basically, you need to check in on your heating system the same as you would anything else. Making sure everything is functioning and clean might seem tedious now, but we guarantee it’ll be less desirable when it’s freezing outside… and inside! Standard Heating and Air Conditioning is in the business of comfort. And while keeping people warm and comfortable is a very nice thing, it’s also much more than that: warmth is a crucial part of our safety, too. Staying warm in freezing temperatures, which are rapidly headed our way will keep us safe and healthy. Stole knows that Standard Heating and Air Conditioning has a people-first mentality, and the community’s safety and comfort are forefront in their minds. Stole says, “I chose to work for Standard Heating and Air Conditioning because of their 94
years of service to homeowners and their positive reputation. Integrity is paramount to the work we do in this company, and it’s something I am proud to hold as a value and aspire to uphold every day.” He adds, “In everything we do, from the employee experience to the customer experience, we uphold our values. It’s vital and apparent within the organization that we do the right thing and make it right when we don’t.” Standard Heating and Air Conditioning offers incredible equipment that is meant to make you feel safe and cared for in every way… including your wallet! Stole says, “If you are looking to upgrade your equipment and decrease heating and cooling costs, we offer options that are higher in efficiency, and heat pump systems that don’t solely rely on natural gas to heat your home in cooler temperatures.” He also adds that there are many other services Standard Heating and Air Conditioning provides: “Other services we offer include garage heaters installations, bath fan and dryer venting, chimney liners, duct cleaning, air cleaner upgrades, whole-home humidifier installations, UV Light installa-
tions, duct work, zoning, and air exchangers.” If you need it done, Standard Heating has you covered! Standard Heating and Air Conditioning strives to make the community a warmer place—both literally and metaphorically. Their dedication to serving all people sets them apart from the rest, and their commitment to inclusivity speaks volumes about their integrity as a company. Stole says, “Our connection with the LGBTQ+ community comes through our partnership with Lavender, and we’re proud to have some amazing LGBTQ+ individuals as part of our team. At Standard Heating, we embrace a people-first philosophy, and our unwavering dedication is to foster a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment where everyone can enjoy their work and top-notch service.” Remember, it’s getting to be that chilly time of year again, and you need to make sure you’re all set to stay warm this winter. Let’s keep the snowy winter wonderland outside and the toasty, cozy comfort inside! For all your heating and air conditioning needs, check out Standard Heating and Air Conditioning. Standard Heating and Air Conditioning www.standardheating.com
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OUR HOMES | WINTER HOME & GARDEN
Spice Up Your Space
Tips And Trends From Hirshfield’s Color Expert BY LINDEN M. BAYLISS
Believe it or not, how we design our spaces can have a huge impact on how we feel, and winter can be a fantastic time to dig into some interior redecorating. Whether it be finally redoing your awful Pepto-Bismol pink bathroom, or adding an accent wall to liven up the living room, taking some time to truly curate your space is never a bad idea. Hirshfield’s is a Minnesota-based paint and wallcovering company that has been in the business for over 125 years. They know their stuff when it comes to perfecting your home. Wendy Doornink, Hirshfield’s’ color services manager, has some pro insight for us as we take on some winter projects. At the start, decide which room needs some TLC, and take a look around. “The first thing you do is an assessment of your ‘fixed assets,’ we call them,” says Doornink. This means scanning the room and thinking about the colors that are not changing. “Trim is gonna be a big influence, flooring, and maybe you’ve got that super awesome lime green sofa, something that isn’t in the décor,” Doornink says. We both laugh (I actually have one of these… Hey, it’s comfy…). “That will give you the majority of the colors that you’re working with.” She says to ask yourself, “What are you trying to achieve with that room? Do you want cozy? Do you want chic? Do you want a backdrop for art? Are the ceilings super high and you need to bring some energy back down into this area? Is it a style of home that’s really modern? Is it something that’s more mid-century? Is it super classic?” When it comes to color trends, 2023 gave us bold and punchy, what we’re seeing coming into 2024 is a bit more pragmatic and natural. Blue made the color of the year for both Benjamin Moore and SherwinWilliams, the former’s 2024 shade “Blue Nova” is rich and saturating, yet muted and earthy. Doornink says soft greens that were very popular in
2020 and 2021 are also making a return coming into the new year. “We’re seeing greens right now as being very livable, beautiful on cabinetry, wonderful accent walls. Everything from a deep hunter green to something that’s a super soft sage green on the cabinets, colored cabinets are a really big trend right now.” So, you know you want a light blue room, but which light blue? Doornink shares her number one tip on selecting your perfect shade. “They’ve got little sample pints at the store,” she says, “they’re like ten bucks or so, I recommend getting the tagboard, a brush, do two coats for sure, you absolutely have to do that, on this tagboard, and then tape it up in the room at different times of the day.” Tagboard is basically a thin cardboard, she recommends getting the 18-by-24-inch size for this purpose. “Actually having the paint and having it on a tagboard really helps you see. I go to so many color consults where people have put two or three
(This page) Paint photos courtesy of Benjamin Moore Paints/Hirshfield's. (Opposite page) Wallpaper photos courtesy of Brewster Wallcoverings/Hirshfield's
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swatches on the wall and they can’t figure it out, which is completely normal.” The swatches you get at the store are much too small for you to be able to truly see the undertones and how the color will look in your lighting. She also recommends that if you are comparing two different colors, tape the tagboards up at opposite ends of the room and not right next to each other for a better comparison. “Wallpapering is huge right now,” says Doornink. She confirmed the word on the street. The wallpaper options these days are endless. And it’s not just for walls. “Dining room ceilings, the backs of cabinets, that’s a really good one,” she mentions. “A lot of people are really having fun with furniture refinishing right now, finding those really solid pieces, and then when the drawers open up, put wallpaper on the sides of the drawers or inside the drawers.” Wallpaper has gotten a bad rap over the years, but there is a method to the madness. “When people talk about wallpaper, the first thing is somebody who has been around in the ‘80s is like ‘don’t do it’ because they were just putting wallpaper right on drywall, and you try to pull that off and it’s a nightmare,” Doornink says. She says the newer and better techniques are to size the wall (put a waterproof barrier on first and then the wallpaper), or to use peel-and-stick wallpaper, which has become increasingly popular. If you see a pattern you like, many places are even able to customize it to any color you want, so it can match that shade of light blue paint you just picked out.
Have pesky nail holes or nail pops in your drywall? Doornink’s pro tip is to use the back of a screwdriver to punch in a more rounded divot. Then grab a high-quality spackle and fill it in for a perfectly smooth fix. Doornink says some other fun winter project ideas include painting the brick in your fireplace for a dramatic look or re-finishing your bathroom vanity. Painting a ceiling can add a cozy, intimate effect in a hallway or room. Of course, if you are feeling stuck or have a specific question, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Stop into your nearest Hirshfield’s store for some expert advice. “The cool thing about Hirshfield’s is people have been at the stores for a long time. Our longevity is 20, 30, 40, 50 years. So, people have great information,” says Doornink. Bring your photos and swatches into a retail location and you will find the help you need. They even offer free color selection and trend classes a few times a year, in-home color consults, and an awesome online digital rendering program. “Don’t hesitate to just try something, because paint absolutely can transform the way you feel in a space.” Hirshfield’s Family-owned since 1894 www.hirshfields.com
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OUR HOMES | WINTER HOME & GARDEN
Transform Your Home for the Holidays and Beyond BY AURORA SMITH
Trying to choose unique gifts this holiday season, for others and maybe for yourself, too? Consider new furniture! This issue, we’re featuring Twin Cities-based Schneiderman’s Furniture for a fresh take on holiday gifts. And if home decor seems like an unusual choice, stick with us — you’d be surprised at exactly how popular gifting furniture is during the holidays.
Your media guru can store their DVD collection, kids’ video games, or extra blankets for those chilly Minnesota nights, all beneath their big screen TV. (Bonus: a new console works for a den, too!)
The Living Room and Other Social Spaces
The Den
Whether you or your gift recipients have a living room, a den, a dining room, or some combination of the three, social spaces are an excellent place to start thinking about gift ideas. Let’s start with the living room.
The Living Room
Got someone on your list who loves nothing more than curling up on a big, comfy sofa and reading? Or perhaps streaming their favorite shows? Enhance their comfort with a new fluffy blanket or perhaps a moveable side table. For example, Schneiderman’s Furniture has dozens of side tables in lots of different styles, including a Stella CShape Burnished Copper Side Table (currently $187.00). The unique C-shape means it can slide underneath the sofa and reach the lap of the person using it. They’ll always have their favorite book or cup of tea right within reach, and can move it out of the way when needed. Or, if you have a friend or family member who never misses the big game or loves streaming the latest hit movie, consider a new media console. Schneiderman’s has dozens of sizes and styles to suit different tastes and storage needs. Photo courtesy of Schneiderman’s Furniture
22 LAVENDER NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 13, 2023
Dens can be private, quiet places or vibrant social ones. For the person on your list who prefers solitude, consider a new recliner or ottoman. Every time they sit down to relax, they’ll think of you. For the more social den users, a sectional can be a thoughtful gift. Sectionals are especially useful because they’re designed to be able to separate and reattach, so your social butterfly can reimagine their space however they’d like, over and over. It’s like giving them multiple den upgrades in one single gift. Need a smaller idea? Perhaps a new coffee table can upgrade your loved one’s space. Clever new shelving to display their favorite items, a few textured throw pillows, or even a statement rug to center the room are all accessible options for a den refresh.
The Dining Room
This room is often connected to the kitchen, which is called the heart of the home for a reason. The kitchen brings together family and friends over the shared act of cooking and eating food. The dining room is an extension of this bonding, so making it a welcoming and enjoyable area is key. If you have an entertainer on your list, consider gifting them a new dining table set. Whether they prefer a modern, sleek look or a more rustic wooden feel, Schneiderman’s Furniture has lots of choices. They even have credenzas and other dining room storage options to keep the plates, utensils, and cooking appliances close by and organized. A dining room doesn’t have to have a full table either. Perhaps there’s someone on your list with bar seating? New bar stools can be just the ticket. Speaking of, the entertainer on your list might also enjoy a new bar cart. Help them serve their guests drinks with style whether you choose a wood and iron cart or metal and glass.
The Bedroom
We spend a significant amount of time in our bedrooms (the average is around 10 hours per day), so make it a comfortable and inviting space. For the gift recipients on your list, this can be as simple as a few new decorative pillows for the bed, a fluffy blanket, or even a scented candle for aromatherapy. You could try a new picture frame for their favorite bedroom wall art or shelving for their latest plant purchase. Perhaps a fresh, large mirror as a statement piece. Or — and this might surprise you — mattresses and bedding are actually a top winter upgrade gift ideas. Bedding is especially accessible as a gift because you can never have too many sheet sets or blankets. Schneiderman’s Furniture also has a collection of surprisingly affordable bed frames to choose from. They have panel beds, platform beds, upholstered beds… and many also have matching nightstands for a sleek, put together look. Schneiderman’s also carries seven different mattress brands, including big names like Sealy, Serta, and Tempur-Pedic. So if you’ve got someone on your list who’s always talking about their back pain or sleep issues, consider gifting a new mattress to help.
Still Not Sure?
If the idea of giving a “big” gift like a mattress or sectional seems overwhelming to you, that’s okay! Start “small” with pillows, mirrors, frames, shelves, or even a lamp. And if you need even more help imagining your space (or helping your gift recipients imagine theirs!), Schneiderman’s Furniture has two stellar features: a Room Planner and Design Services. Their Room Planner is an online service where you can choose from their pre-measured virtual rooms or design your own. You can add, remove, and adjust every piece of furniture and accessory in it to create your perfect space. Then just purchase your chosen items and start upgrading your room right away! Or, if you’d prefer Schneiderman’s to do it for you, request an appointment for their Design Services. They work with you to customize your space to suit your design and budget. With showrooms throughout Minnesota, Schneiderman’s Furniture is an accessible and fun way to upgrade your home for the holiday season and beyond. Schneiderman’s Furniture www.schneidermans.com
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OUR HOMES | WINTER HOME & GARDEN
Trusting A Home Lender That Engages With You BY RANDY STERN
When you get your offer for your next home accepted, the next step is to get financing for your home, right? With so many lenders wanting your business, choosing one is not an easy task. Just like realtors, you do have a choice of a lender to go through. Luminate Home Loans is one such choice. Perhaps one that specifically wants our business. It is a national company with an office in Minneapolis serving the Twin Cities and beyond. Their focus is on residential home loans – including condominiums and townhomes. Why Luminate Home Loans? Liz Peter, Mortgage Loan Originator at Luminate’s Minneapolis office, explained that because of their level of experience, “we have been doing a lot of loans, so that helps. And then we deliver an incredible experience for our customers and for all of our clients. We educate; we communicate well. We’re there for them. We’re very responsive, and we’re very strategic in how we help them find the best option for them for financing.” In a tough home market, you need to connect with the right people to assist you in the critical part of the transaction – the financing. Both Peter and Dylan Bode, a Mortgage Loan Originator at Luminate’s Minneapolis office, are working with their clients through the highest lending rates in several years, coupled with the rise in home prices and the lowest home inventory in recent history. As Bode pointed out, they have seen conventional financing rates “hitting 8% for the first time in 23 years.” Finding the right people to work with, such as Peter and Bode, comes with experience and industry connectivity that clients can trust. “We have a lot of relationships with a lot of different agents in the Twin Cities that have been developed over Liz’s 19 years of lending,” Bode explained. ”I was a real estate agent for a few years here myself and have developed quite a lot of relationships.” The core of these relationships is based on their connection with the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance. “We get a lot of organic referrals from realtors that have trusted us and then just a lot of repeat referrals from clients that we’ve worked with time and time again sending us business through that,” Bode explained. “We’re a primary lender for countless agents in the Twin Cities, quite a few and their teams.” Relationships only matter when you have buyers working to close on their deal for their new home. The matter of the relationship between the buyer and the lender becomes even more critical. There are so many lenders vying to finance your home and lock in the rate, that a home buyer Liz Peter and Dylan Bode. Photo by Randy Stern
24 LAVENDER NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 13, 2023
simply becomes a number. As Bode explained, a home buyer needs to “close on time. You need to have a solid person there to count on. And time and time again, our agents tell us we just can’t send our clients to other people because we’re so afraid that because of the one-off bad experiences that they’ve had with bigger banks, they’re so afraid that they’re not going to get that experience that they know that they’re going to get with us.” That is where Luminate enters in conversation. “The first phone call with us is always we just want to make it so easy because talking about money and talking about finances for clients can be so hard,” Bode also explained. “It’s scary, especially for first-time home buyers, that initial phone call people have in their head, it’s really freaky to get out there and talk to a lender about borrowing money. And, we really want to make it warm and welcoming and kind.” “Whether they talk to Liz or whether it’s me they’re talking to,” said Bode, “people get the same reaction of, ‘Oh my gosh, that was one of the nicest phone calls you ever had about money.’ I just think that does set us apart from so many different banks and so many different lenders.” Home buyers want a more personal touch in the closing and escrow process. They also want options to make the process more buyer friendly. As Bode explained, “we really believe that real estate is a wealth builder. That’s our big why. It’s why we do what we do. We want to help those individuals that never thought they could buy a house buy a house, those first-time home buyers. And there’s down payment assistance programs. There are first-time generational buyers down payment assistance programs out there for people that no one in their family has ever owned a house before. And it’s the generational wealth building down payment assistance programs that are out there in the city of Minneapolis that people have access to these funds.” Other options could also assist buyers that have been trying to sell their current home while trying to buy their new home. Peter explained that “If people want to buy, they find a house, but they want to sell their house at some point, but they need equity. We have a bridge loan so people can tap into their equity and buy first, get into their new house and then sell their house. So that’s kind of a good thing as far as preparing.” “We love to have that conversation and then put all these options in front of people,” said Bode. “And I think once they start to see these options, understand that they have a little bit more negotiating power against these sellers right now, it starts to maybe look a little bit more realistic and maybe more advantageous for them than they understand.”
At Luminate, this goes beyond securing financing for the new home. It is about being there for the LGBTQ+ community. As Peter explained, “the mortgage process, unfortunately, is a little bit invasive. It feels weird talking to someone about how much money do I make? How much money do I have saved? People, they don’t want to talk about that, right? And so it can feel invasive, and we explain to people why we have to look at things, why we have to look at credit. Something that can come up is we have to ask for HMDA information, asking their sex and their race and stuff like that. And it all feels very invasive, but we explain the why behind it so they know, and it is to protect their identity. And we
also have something that helps with the LGBTQ community and, in particular, trans, which is the Safe at Home program. Because when you get a mortgage, it gets filed at the county, and your name gets filed. There’s a way that we can make it so that their name does not get recorded. And so, people need that sometimes.” “We want to make sure our LGBTQ community’s taken care of and treated with respect and dignity, the respect and dignity that they deserve, okay?,” explained Bode. “And that they’re treated and protected in a safe environment. And our whole team, we made sure they took a training recently through [the LGBTQ+ Real Estate] Alliance, but not just Liz and I, but our processor, our underwriter, I mean everyone. Our production manager took this training so that we’re all speaking the same language that anyone in the LGBTQ+ community that comes in is every step of the way treated with the respect that they need.” It all comes down to one thing: Engagement. Engaging with a home lender to make the financing process easier makes for a great transaction. Having those tough conversations with people who know from experience ways to make the closing and escrow process easier is what makes Luminate a choice for financing your next home.
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OUR LIVES | MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD
PRIDE Outside of June BY MASTER SGT. LYNETTE HOKE, 148th FIGHTER WING, MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD
Senior Airman Tylin Rust is an Irish Italian American who grew up in Duluth, Minnesota. Standing at five foot, eight inches, she stands confident and sincere. Her red-haired authority is a natural fit for her role as police officer at the Fond du Lac Reservation, near Cloquet, Minn. Rust also serves as a part time Public Affairs Specialist for the Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, Minnesota. Public Affairs Specialists are charged with telling the story of the units they serve. In this role, Rust produces photo, video and print products highlighting the missions and airmen assigned to the 148th Fighter Wing. Rust has photographed Airmen working in dozens of career fields, Air Shows in Duluth and Oshkosh, Wisconsin, as well as a real bomb squad response conducted by the 148th ExploPhotos courtesy of the Minnesota National Guard
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sive Ordnance Disposal team. Her photos have been used nationally by the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard and regionally by the Minnesota National Guard. Rust, who graduated from Duluth East High School in 2014, said “I knew I wanted to become a police officer in high school and decided to pursue that for a few years. However, a couple years later, I picked up photography as a stress relieving hobby and was elated to know I could serve as a public affairs specialist, a role much different than my full-time job.” She joined the 148th Fighter Wing in September 2020, four years after completing law enforcement training at Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, Minnesota. Her police training and life experience provided a solid foundation for her time at Basic
Military Training at Joint Base Lackland, Texas. Rust was quickly recognized by her peers as a leader and was subsequently elected to lead the Basic Expeditionary Airmen Skills Training (BEAST) week. BEAST week was a fourday exercise that sent basic trainees out of the classroom and into the field to practice skills they may need in a combat situation such as building a base, surviving complex chemical or mortar attacks, or completing deploymentlike scenarios where they had to make spur-ofthe-moment ethical decisions. Nicknamed the ‘BEAST Chief’, she easily took on the role of taking care of the physical well-being and morale of her peers as they took on BEAST week. Her aptitude for leading and guiding peers and people followed her to public affairs technical training at the Defense Information School at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. Elected by her military training leaders, she gained the role of green and yellow rope shortly after her arrival. “Ropes” are colored aiguilettes worn on the left shoulders of student leaders attending technical training. As a yellow rope, Rust was considered a flight leader responsible for service members in her dormitory. After a year of military training, Rust was welcomed home by her family, her employer, and her Public Affairs peers at the 148th Fighter Wing. She quickly resumed her role with the Fond du Lac Police Department. “Balancing service and employment is complex,” said Rust. “You have to accomplish two missions and I feel like I’m always catching up.” Rust’s civilian supervisors recently participated in an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Boss Lift. They were able to fly in a KC-13 Stratotanker to see F-16s assigned to the 148th Fighter Wing conduct an air refueling
mission. They also toured 148th facilities and attended informational mission briefings. “Ty’s always had a warrior heart and a tenacity to follow her callings that I envy. I’m so grateful I get to be by her side and proud of seeing her grow wherever she’s planted. She’s a remarkable woman, and the best significant other anyone could ask for,” said Josephine, Rust’s fiancée, an active-duty U.S. Air Force member. Military service was in Rust’s extended
family with her grandfathers and uncles, some of whom served in the Army and Navy during the Vietnam era. “Even though he didn’t serve in the military himself, my dad was my biggest supporter. He was simple with his words, but I think he would say that he is ‘beyond proud’,” said Rust thinking in retrospect. While military service runs in her family, Rust has made service the core of her existence. “I love how I can serve and not feel any different.
I’m proud to be part of the LGBT+ community and I’m proud to be me. Serving with the 148th Fighter Wing feels like serving with family,” concluded Rust. The Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing has more than 1,000 Airmen assigned, working in 67 diverse career fields. The 148th flies the Block 50 F-16 Fighting Falcon, the newest, most capable F-16 in the U.S. Air Force inventory.
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COMMUNITY CONNECTION Community Connection brings visibility to local LGBTQ-friendly non-profit organizations. To reserve your listing in Community Connection, email advertising@lavendermagazine. com.
ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE Foster Adopt Minnesota
Finding families and providing information, education, and support to Minnesota Adoptive, Foster and Kinship communities. 2446 University Ave. W., Ste. 104 St. Paul, MN 55114 (612) 861-7115, (866) 303-6276 info@fosteradoptmn.org www.fosteradoptmn.org
ANIMAL RESCUE
Second Chance Animal Rescue
Dedicated to rescuing, fostering, caring for, and adopting out dogs and cats into forever homes. P.O. Box 10533 White Bear Lake, MN 55110 (651) 771-5662 www.secondchancerescue.org
BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS
Quorum
Minnesota's LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce working to build, connect, and strengthen for a diverse business community. 2446 University Ave. W., Ste 112 St. Paul, MN 55114 (612) 460-8153 www.twincitiesquorum.com
CASINOS
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Aliveness Project
Community Center for individuals living with HIV/AIDS – on-site meals, food shelf, and supportive service. 3808 Nicollet Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55102 (612) 824-LIFE (5433) www.aliveness.org
Family Tree Clinic
We're a sliding fee sexual health clinic and education center, now in Minneapolis. 1919 Nicollet Ave. Minneapolis MN 55403 (612) 473-0800 www.familytreeclinic.org
NAMI Minnesota
(National Alliance on Mental Illness) Providing free classes and peer support groups for people affected by mental illnesses. 800 Transfer Rd. #31 St. Paul, MN 55114 (651) 645-2948 www.namihelps.org
Rainbow Health Minnesota
Meeting the health needs of LGBTQ+ people and those living with HIV with holistic service. 2700 Territorial Rd. W. St. Paul, MN 55114 General: (612) 341-2060 MN AIDSLine: (612) 373-2437 www.rainbowhealth.org
Red Door Clinic
Sexual health care for all people. Get confidential tests & treatment in a safe, caring setting. 525 Portland Ave., 4th Fl. Minneapolis, MN 55415 (612) 543-5555 reddoor@hennepin.us www.reddoorclinic.org
LIBRARIES
Nonstop gaming excitement with slots, blackjack, bingo and more plus distinctive bars and restaurants. 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd. Prior Lake, MN 55372 (800) 262-7799 www.mysticlake.com
Your LGBTQ+ library and community center. Free membership, events, and e-books/audiobooks. Check us out! 1220 E. Lake St. Minneapolis, MN 55407 (612) 729-2543 www.qlibrary.org
ENVIRONMENT
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS
The Nature Conservancy
Quatrefoil Library
Radio K
TNC is an environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature thrive. 1101 W. River Pkwy., Ste. 200 Minneapolis, MN 55415-1291 (612) 331-0700 minnesota@tnc.org www.nature.org/minnesota
Radio K is the award-winning studentrun radio station of the University of Minnesota. 330 21st. Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612) 625-3500 www.radiok.org
EVENT VENUES
Create your own adventure at MNHS historic sites and museums around Minnesota. mnhs.org
Landmark Center
A classic venue, with a grand cortile and beautiful courtrooms, accommodates celebrations of all sizes. 75 W. 5th St. St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 292-3228 www.landmarkcenter.org
GRANTMAKERS/FUNDERS PFund Foundation
PFund is the LGBTQ+ community foundation that provides grants to students and grants to non-profits. PO Box 3640 Minneapolis, MN 55403 612-870-1806 www.pfundfoundation.org
MUSEUM
Minnesota Historical Society
Walker Art Center
Showcasing the fresh, innovative art of today and tomorrow through exhibitions, performances, and film screenings. 725 Vineland Pl. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 375-7600 www.walkerart.org
PERFORMING ARTS
Chanhassen Dinner Theaters
The nation’s largest professional dinner theater and Minnesota’s own entertainment destination. 501 W. 78th St. Chanhassen, MN 55317 (952) 934-1525 www.ChanhassenDT.com
28 LAVENDER NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 13, 2023
Children’s Theatre Company
St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
Children’s Theatre Company excites the imagination with world-class familyfriendly theatre for kids, teens, and adults. 2400 3rd Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55404 (612) 874-0400 www.childrenstheatre.org
An inclusive and affirming community transforming lives through God’s love. 519 Oak Grove St. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 870-7800 www.ourcathedral.org
Guthrie Theater
An open and affirming congregation, welcoming persons of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. 1200 Marquette Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 332-3421 www.westminstermpls.org
Open to the public year-round, the Guthrie produces classic and contemporary plays on three stages. 818 S. 2nd St. Minneapolis, MN 55415 (612) 377-2224 www.guthrietheater.org
Lyric Arts Main Street Stage
Westminster Presbyterian Church
SENIOR LIVING Friends & Co
Theater with character. Comedies, musicals, & dramas in a professional, intimate setting where all are welcomed. 420 E. Main St. Anoka, MN 55303 (763) 422-1838 info@lyricarts.org www.lyricarts.org
Fostering meaningful connections for older adults for 50+ years. Offering quick drop-in chat line, phone & visiting companionship services. 2550 University Ave. W., Ste. 260-S St. Paul, MN 55114 (612) 721-1400 www.friendsco.org
Minnesota Opera
Senior Community Services
World-class opera draws you into a synthesis of beauty; breathtaking music, stunning costumes & extraordinary sets. Performances at the Ordway Music Theater - 345 Washington St., St. Paul, MN 55102 (612) 333-6669 www.mnopera.org
Minnesota Orchestra
Led by Music Director Designate Thomas Søndergård, the Minnesota Orchestra, one of America’s leading symphony orchestras. 1111 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 371-5656, (800) 292-4141 www.minnesotaorchestra.org
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Leading performing arts center with two stages presenting Broadway musicals, concerts and educational programs that enrich diverse audiences. 345 Washington St. St. Paul, MN 55102 (651) 224-4222 info@ordway.org www.ordway.org
Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus
An award-winning chorus building community through music and offers entertainment worth coming out for! 1430 W. 28th St., Ste. B Minneapolis, MN 55408 (612) 339-SONG (7664) chorus@tcgmc.org www.tcgmc.org
RELIGIOUS & SPIRITUAL
Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
Everyone is welcome at Hennepin Church! Vibrant Worship. Authentic Community. Bold Outreach. 511 Groveland Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 871-5303 www.hennepinchurch.org
Plymouth Congregational Church
Many Hearts, One Song; Many Hands, One Church. Find us on Facebook and Twitter. 1900 Nicollet Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 871-7400 www.plymouth.org
Providing non-medical services that meet the changing needs of older adults & support their caregivers. 10201 Wayzata Blvd., Ste. 335 Minnetonka, MN 55305 (952) 541-1019 www.seniorcommunity.org/lav
SOCIAL SERVICES
Lutheran Social Service of MN
Serving all Minnesotans with personcentered services that promote full and abundant lives. lssmn.org | 612-642-5990 | 800-582-5260 Adoption & Foster Care | welcome@chlss.org Behavioral Health | 612-879-5320 Host Homes | hosthomes@lssmn.org Supported Decision-Making | 888-806-6844 Therapeutic Foster Care | 612-751-9395
TRAVEL DESTINATIONS Discover St. Louis Park
Minnesota’s Sweet Spot! Visit us for exceptional dining, attractions, shopping, hotels and event space. 1660 Hwy 100 S., Ste. 501 St. Louis Park, MN 55416 (952) 426-4047 www.DiscoverStLouisPark.com
Discover Stillwater
Get away to Stillwater for delicious dining, fun shops, and unique nightlife in this charming rivertown! info@DiscoverStillwater.com www.DiscoverStillwater.com
Visit Greater St. Cloud
Give yourself a break. Visit Greater St. Cloud. 1411 W. St. Germain St., Ste. 104 St. Cloud, MN 56301 (320) 251-4170 info@visitstcloud.com www.visitstcloud.com
YOUTH
The Bridge for Youth
Emergency shelter, crisis intervention, and resources for youth currently or at risk of experiencing homelessness. 1111 W. 22nd St. Minneapolis, MN 55405 (612) 377-8800 or text (612) 400-7233 www.bridgeforyouth.org
THE NETWORK Locally Owned & Operated Since 1950
Uptown - MPLS Health & Beauty Spa with a Variety of Services Estimates 7am-4:30pm
6125785673 bodyologympls.com
We do good work for nice peo ple!
Are you looking for an office where you can practice your passion of improving dental hygiene? Come visit our doctors and team and find out if our passion fits yours.
TEAMS ROOFING PRE-PLAN WINDOWS SPECIALISTS SNOW/ICE SIDING DAM WIZARDS
We are looking for both a full-time and part-time Registered Dental Hygienist with a similar commitment to family and community that we’ve had since 1985. Competitive pay and benefits.
Contact - Bob@GrandAvenueDental.com
Josh Kelly
RTR911.com
LGBTQIA+ Realtor® #728
Proudly standing with the LGBTQ+ community since 1985.
Account Executive. Lavender Media is seeking to add a Twin Cities based full time Account Executive to our sales team. We are looking for an outgoing, organized, self-driven & motivated professional with excellent phone, writing and presentation skills. Candidates should enjoy working directly with clients who are interested in growing their business through Lavender advertising and event sponsorships. Candidates must be local. Includes base pay + commission and an employee benefits package that includes group health, dental, life insurance and LTD. Applicants should have experience with Mac software environment, Excel, Word, social media platforms & database software such as Filemaker Pro. They should exhibit an elevated level of organization, attention to detail, the ability to work as part of a team, effective communication, self direction, enjoys working with new people and has a natural drive to grow. Please send your cover letter and resume to stephen.rocheford@lavendermagazine.com
Bill’s Gun Shop & range
612.219.2211 JoshKelly@edinarealty.com JoshKelly.edinarealty.com
WEDDING SERVICES
BOOK DJ DAYLN NOW! 952.769.7306 DAYLN.SEBASTIAN@GMAIL.COM Check me out on Insta! @dj_dayln
More Guns - More Lanes
MORE FUN!
billsgs.com LAVENDERMAGAZINE.COM
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OUR VOICES | BAD GAY
Episode 8 The Twin Cities’ Finest Contractor
ASK US ABOUT INSTALLING HEATED GUTTER GUARDS! Installs onto existing gutter to keep out debris during the summer and melt ice and snow during the winter.
Self-Regulating Heat Cable
Providing home construction and exterior renovation needs, including: roofing, siding, windows, gutters, solar panel installations, and interior & exterior home remodels.
(612) 402-1173 | erik@solariscos.com | www.solariscos.com
30 LAVENDER NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 13, 2023
BY LAKEY BRIDGE
A few months ago, I joined a gay swimming club. It’s a “masters” group, which just means you’re too old to be on a college team. It has nothing to do with skill, which I prove weekly. I’m actually a good swimmer. I prefer open water swimming and can swim miles in lakes—no matter how rocky. But I’m not very fast. The swim team is made up primarily of young, fit guys who have made me realize the definition of the “swimmer’s body” I often see heralded in gay guy personal ads. I’m neither young nor do I have a swimmer’s body, but I’m good natured and not easily offended. So, I didn’t get into a snit when the coach assigned me to the “slow lane” without even watching me swim a few laps. The slow lane is located at the far end of the pool—far enough from the coach barking orders at the fast lanes that we can’t understand a damn thing he’s saying. So, we just make up our own drills, which are equal parts swimming and hanging onto the side of the pool, gossiping and planning where we’re going for drinks post practice. I’m happy to report that I’m not the slowest swimmer on the team—not by a longshot. In fact, most of the swimmers in the slow lane are speedier than some in the faster lanes. Many slow swimmers with self-esteem issues have muscled their way into the faster lanes, which has resulted in considerable drama. There was an ugly confrontation last week when the fasts finally had it with the slows clogging up their lanes. They climbed out of the pool and got into loud volley of accusations made all the funnier because everyone was dripping wet and wearing Speedos. It made me think that world leaders should be forced to wear Speedos when fighting over boarder disputes. Imagine Kim Jong Un raving about his nuclear arsenal in a bikini. We slows who are not riddled with insecurity don’t want these fake fasts in our lane and we don’t want to join the faster lanes because the coach makes the fasts swim butterfly and other taxing strokes that we simply can’t be bothered with. We swim freestyle and sometimes backstroke if we’re feeling sassy. My spouse has long encouraged me to join this team. But one of the things I enjoy most about swimming is that it’s solitary. It’s just you and the water. The one time I swam in an open-water 2-mile race, swimmers were so eager to win that they swam over other swimmers—including me. It was like being mugged at sea. Also, this was an ocean swim where great white sharks were prowling the race route for seals—and I look a lot like a seal in my wet suit!—so it wasn’t a pleasant experience and turned me off group swims. But I decided to give it a try. I haven’t done anything gay in quite a while – unless you count having sex with my spouse, which, frankly, should count for something. And after joining the swimming group, I realized how much I’ve missed being with the gays. When I was younger and single, I belonged to many gay groups. Even though I’m the farthest thing from sports dyke, I joined lesbian sports teams, but only for the social aspects. I happily sat on the sidelines until someone was injured and the coach had no choice but to put me in. I was much more engaged in gay card clubs where I typically was the only lesbian and didn’t have to pretend that I cared about who was playing in the Super Bowl. After I got married, gay life receded into my past—like glitter that lost its sparkle. My spouse has kids who I helped raise in the suburbs, which means socializing with straight parents of our kids’ friends. But the last kid left the house this fall, and we didn’t know quite what to do with ourselves. So, we’ve decided to get all gay again. My spouse, who is intensely competitive, has joined a lesbian rowing team. And I, who prefers the slow lane, is merrily splashing my way back into the community. It’s good to be back.
Gather Around
Lakeville
952.435.3399
Plymouth
763.551.3544
Roseville
651.633.7042
Woodbury
651.730.0321
schneidermans.com
Coon Rapids 763.219.1356
Duluth
218.723.2302